Time Travel

Chapter 30

"What did you say?" Holly asked still looking at Severus with wide eyes which were filled with disbelief and even a bit of fear. "You- You didn't say that, did you? I was just- It was just the wind, right? I'm imagining things, ain't I?"

"No." Severus said and she froze in her place once again. "I don't know how or why, but I like James. You didn't imagine anything and it's not the wind. I like James Potter."

"No." Holly shook her head. "You can't like my dad." 

"What?" Severus looked at her shocked. "What do you mean by 'can't like James?' I can't help it. I just like him."

"You can't." Holly said breathing heavily. 

"If you are worried about me forcing him to do anything, then rest assured that I won't force him to be in a relation with me just because I like him. Also, I know we don't have a great past or future, whatever it is. I won't hurt you or James ever again. We never got the chance to talk privately and I never got to explain my real intentions to you. After what you went through in my hands, it is very hard for you to forgive me and I won't even ask your forgiveness so that you don't have to forgive me just because I asked and everyone are forcing you." Severus told her and she still looked at him with wide eyes. 

"I really don't know how to explain my behavior towards you. But, I swear on my magic and life that I would never do what I did to you again. I would never make you cry by my petty behavior or actions. Just know that I've changed and I'm not the same Severus Snape that you know. He is a bully, but I'm not. I know it will take time for you accept me completely into your life, but I'll try my best to prove it to you that I'm not lying." Severus said and she looked even more shocked at what she was listening. She can't believe that this man just said that to her. 

"But-" "I won't tell James about this either." Severus assured her. "I wasn't planning on telling anyone, not even Lucius."

"Why?" Holly asked looking confused. 

"I don't want our friendship to be ruined because of me." Severus said truthfully. "I won't take advantage of James' friendliness in this way."

"Advantage?" Holly suddenly laughed at that confusing Severus. She shook her head not able to believe what she is hearing. "Can we first do the occlumency thing before we can talk about it clearly? My mind is so sensitive that my reaction to your statement is not exactly what I wanted to say."

"Alright. But I might see few memories while sorting them. I want to swear an oath before we do it." Severus said making her confused once more. "I don't want you to misunderstand me if I see anything private, that shouldn't be seen by me or others in particular."

"I- I never thought about it at all." She said looking away from him in embarrassment. "Thank you for saying that to me." 

"So, the oath-" "There's no need. The fact that you are ready to take it is enough for me to not doubt your intentions." She smiled at him. This is first genuine smile towards Severus from Holly which surprised him a lot. 

"Alright, let's start. It might take time and we need to do it as soon as we can to make sure you won't suffer much later." Severus said sitting on the couch as she took a seat on the arm chair in front of it. He took his wand out and pointed it at her head ready to occlude her mind. 

-

"What's wrong with you?" Sirius stopped James from rushing wherever he was going and pulled him to James' room. "You are hiding something from me and I was waiting for a moment away from everyone to be alone with you from a long time."

"Nothing. I have some work. I'll talk to you later-" "Don't lie to me, Prongs." Sirius pushed him back into the chair and stood in front of him with crossed arms. "I won't let you go without knowing the truth."