The Wizarding Afterlife

The Half Blood Prince Returns

*J.K. Rowling owns all of the characters*

SEVERUS SNAPE BECAME THOROUGHLY displeased with the heartbreaking scene, which was apparently unfolding before his very eyes. Curse Nagini. Curse that huge snake's poisonous bite. Curse the Dark Lord's ambitious thoughts. He could have prepared a potion beforehand, but it completely slipped out of his mind after the 'Death Eater gathering' at Malfoy Manor. Harry's last expression was still etched inside him, the boy's curiosity and confusion haunting patches of Snape's memories.

The flashbacks were already starting, though everyone could say that he was anything but absolutely delighted. His long, crooked nose and greasy black hair hadn't changed one bit since entering the afterlife, and the wizard couldn't care more about his horrid face. After all, there were other problems worthy of his full attention at the moment.

BADUMP.

An imaginary Lily Evans was standing before him, her glimmering green eyes and fierce personality enough to draw him towards her. The witch grinned, waved, and stretched out her arms to welcome Severus into her warm embrace. Sadly, instead of getting a chance to even approach her, the wizard was pushed back and welcomed by the annoying James Potter and the other three Marauders, who all seemed to be dragging the witch further away from him.

"Back off, Potter." a younger Snape sneered, standing tall for the first time. "She's my best friend."

"Only your best friend," James agreed, nodding with full understanding. "I'm her future husband."

"Mate, it's best not to assume things," Sirius added worriedly, seeing Lily fume with anger by the mere mention of the word 'husband'. "Someone's getting mad."

"Oi! It's true, Padfoot! It's true!" James argued, crossing his arms. "Someday, you'll see. Evans will be my wife. We'll have a child and we'll call him James Junior or Jamie, Jamesie, J.J., James: Part 2---the list goes on. Mum and dad will surely approve of her and give her one of those nicknames---"

"'James: Part 2?'" Sirius asked in disbelief. "Oi, James Potter the Stag! Your child is not a bloody movie!"

"Done with your talking, Potter and Black?" Snape cut off, rolling his eyes in annoyance. "Lily said it herself. She will never come to like you and your boastfulness."

A pause. Snape expected the Marauders to fire a curse at him immediately. He kept one hand inside the pocket of his robes, ready to fish out his wand in case things ever got out of hand. Fully armed or not, nothing---not one jinx---came from the well-known pranksters.

Surprisingly, James just smiled. Severus blinked several times to assure himself that he wasn't dreaming and simply clutching the old brown blanket in his bed. Potter had never smiled at his direction before. Even Sirius, Remus, and Peter Pettigrew were stunned by their mate's reaction. The wizard leaned closer to him and whispered in his ear,

"People change, you know. I'm hoping to see the day that you will, too. I know of your Dark Magic, Severus. I also know that you're now planning to join You-Know-Who and be part of his recruit. You still haven't told Lily, yes? Well, whatever decision you may reach, just remember that the light is always worth it. It's not too late."

With that being said, James walked towards the Marauders, being his usual self once more. Severus Snape just stared on the ground, clenching and unclenching his fist. How did that bloke learn of his plans anyway? He could feel a hand reach his shoulder, warm and comforting. Lily was now looking through his eyes, worry evident on her face. She knelt beside Severus in hopes of cheering him up.

"Sev, what's wrong?" she asked, staring at him. "I swear, if Potter---"

"He didn't do anything," he replied quietly, tears threatening to fall down his face. "I-I'm sorry, Lily, but I have to go."

Before the witch could ever reply, Severus ran with all his might, wanting to clear his thoughts and everything else entirely.

He could change, but he was not sure of what kind---good or bad.

After six agonizingly long minutes, the Potions Master finally broke free from the particularly meaningful flashback. However, it's actually ironic how one memory could easily hurt him in a snap, the wizard thought. He could feel his pale face being warmed by the sun in an instant, his hands clasped tightly on his back and his whole body stiff yet thankfully steady.

Severus was standing still on a sidewalk, his robes dirty and apparently stained with unnameable components of who-knows-what. Dozens of witches and wizards were staring at him incredulously, motioning their friends and companions to quicken their pace and move a little bit faster. He shrugged the dirt off of his clothes and straightened his robes, walking in random directions.

TAP. TAP. TAP.

Someone was tapping his foot on the pavement in a teasing manner. Each time Severus would take a step forward, he'd hear the sound again. Confused, he turned back, but saw no one trailing him. Now that was weird. The Potions Master couldn't sense a jinx nearby, so why was he suddenly feeling a bit suspicious?

"Ah, don't get me wrong, Severus, I'm just pleased that you're finally here." a voice chuckled. "Now, stop being like that. I'm not a dangerous threat."

An old man appeared in front of him. He was wearing a red wizard's cap with matching red robes. His long beard was apparently untamed, his eyes having the same cheerful, wise spark as before. He waved and smiled at him before shaking his hand immediately. The person was none other than Albus Dumbledore himself.

"You startled me, Professor." Severus said in his monotone voice. "I was almost wondering if there were bandits here."

"Alas, the Wizarding World Afterlife is known for its peaceful surroundings, Severus." Albus answered, smiling. "Though I would like you to drop the formalities. I'm just plain old Albus in this world."

"Mm." Severus nodded, apparently tongue-tied.

"Ah," Albus smiled knowingly, studying the other wizard's expression.

"What?" he now asked bitterly, crossing his arms to show that he was not pleased by any means.

"You're missing someone, Severus." Dumbledore stated a matter-of-factly. "I know just for sure."

"What are you planning again, Albus?" he sighed. "I'm honestly not in the mood."

It was true.

Severus was currently having an inner debate with himself. He was weighing the wrong things he did to the right ones he tried to perform. The wizard, as a whole, was quite disappointed by the overall result of his past life. It turns out that he did more of the bad than the good.

"Come on," Albus urged, tilting his head towards the other direction. Since he was already walking, Severus had no other choice than to follow. He didn't know the afterlife well anyway. "Potions Master, it's time to confront your past. Let's visit the Potters. I heard that they're having a splendid party."