The Answer

"Lily."

Snape stood perfectly still, the tails and sleeves of his robes hanging to the ground like a classical statue dedicated to tragedy. His voice grew softer, as though echoing through a valley.

Harry said nothing. He seemed to feel that this was enough, that he would be willing to stand here forever and watch her.

Loren and Dumbledore, the two unrelated parties, had already walked some distance away. They could only see the three of them facing one another, unable to hear what they were saying.

The night wind stirred, the clouds and mist dispersed, and the woods beneath the moonlight were especially tranquil.

"Sev... after graduation, I thought we would never see each other again."

Giving off a faint silvery glow, Lily looked at the childhood companion who had opened the door to magic for her. There was no resentment or blame in her eyes, only a touch of nostalgia on her face. "How long has it been since we had a proper conversation?"

"..." Snape's lips moved, but he gave no answer. Perhaps he could not remember, or perhaps he did not wish to answer.

"You seem to have become much more mature and steady." Lily narrowed her eyes, her voice gentle. "When we graduated, you were hanging around with Death Eaters. I was worried you would stay immersed in the world of the Dark Arts and eventually become some isolated, eccentric, evil wizard."

Harry silently agreed from the bottom of his heart.

Yes. Exactly. That was what he was.

"I became Hogwarts's Potions Master," Snape said hoarsely.

"That's wonderful. I used to want to become a Potions Master too, but the professors said I was too young and ought to see more of the world outside. Later, I never had another chance to apply. Now it's