"Look, Severus. You don't have to listen to this if you don't want to."

Snape was not listening to Minerva, as his world was revolving around a tape recorder in his hands. It was small and light, but it left the professor's heart feeling heavy with guilt and dejection.

"I want to."

"Are you sure? I don't think you are ready to—"

Minerva's words were cut short when Severus looked up at him, his gaze was sharp and challenging, as if daring his colleague to say another word about his decision to listen to the tape.

"This is all I have left of her."

She nodded, defeated, deciding to leave Severus alone in his home. She knew he needed his time, and it was shocking her when she visited him that day, only to find Remus Lupin was already there, along with a tape recorder that could either bring salvation or even more guilt to Severus.   

Remus Lupin would not step a foot into his home for nothing, he thought. The tape recorder was labelled with 'Y/N L/N', and when Remus gave it to him, he knew he had to listen to it. He would be a fool if he decided to discard it, when his heart was yearning to hear her voice again. Just one time, and that would be enough.

Severus leaned back against his chair, his fingers were trembling slightly as he hit the 'play' button. His breath hitched, as he realised he was going to listen to her voice, the love of his life's voice, the one he took for granted when he was too foolish to see it. 

Everyone thought it was too soon, but he was ready, at least, he thought he was.

Until he heard her.

Um, hello?