At that moment, Snape only felt that his thoughts had grown even more chaotic, while the hollowness in his heart seemed to have expanded many times over.
He had originally believed that as long as he bore enough weight and suffered enough pain, he could, in some sense, atone for the sins he had committed.
Yet Lily had told him that none of it was his fault.
The guilt he had carried for more than a decade had suddenly been stripped away like this, leaving him feeling... as though the void in his heart had only grown larger.
Then what exactly was he?
The question echoed within him, tormenting him again and again until it felt as though his soul might be torn apart.
Just then, a voice he utterly despised rang out.
It was James Potter's voice. "What's wrong, Snivellus? Are you planning to cry here, then spend the rest of your life cowering away like a worthless fool?"
"James!"
"Get lost!"
Lily and Snape spoke almost at the same time.
Harry pursed his lips, wanting to say something too, but before he could act, he caught Sirius Black and Lupin looking at him. Both of them gave him a slight shake of their heads.
Trusting them, he swallowed and ultimately chose to remain silent.
James Potter walked over to Lily's side, giving her an imperceptible nod and a meaningful look.
Lily seemed to understand James Potter's intentions and said nothing more.
James Potter's tone still carried its usual frivolity and provocation. "Lily, you can't seriously let him curl up there without saying a word to him, can you?"
Snape looked at James Potter with undisguised disgust.
He snarled more forcefully, "Get lost!"
"What are you looking at me for?" James Potter met Snape's gaze, a mocking smile on