"Severus?" Remus asked tentatively, standing awkwardly on the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Severus had sent him a Patronus shortly after he returned to Hogwarts and Remus would never admit to anyone that it had made him scream.

Suddenly there was a rustle and Remus jumped back, terrified, as a massive phoenix descended from the tree next to him and transformed into Severus.

"Bloody hell!" Remus exclaimed. "You could told me you were going to be a great big orange bird."

"A phoenix," Severus pointed out drily but his heart wasn't in it and Remus noticed this.

"Severus, what happened? Lily says you just sort of panicked and left."

Severus ran a stressed hand through his wayward hair.

"That's exactly what happened. She was about to hold my hand and... I don't know, I panicked."

Remus sighed.

"Well, don't worry about it."

Severus looked up and gave him an incredulous glance.

"How on earth can I not worry about it? I hurt her, Remus."

"Don't worry," Remus repeated, sounding smug. "I sorted it all out."

Severus noticed his tone and gave him a dangerous look. Remus stepped back a bit, wary.

"I_ I spoke to her. I told her and Petunia what you'd gone through. They know, Severus. They understand."

He extended a hand to give Severus a pat on the back and the other boy flinched back. Remus lowered his hand.

"How did they take it?" Severus asked, his voice harsh and uncertain.

"Lily cried," Remus admitted. "She's still crying, I think. I left her with Petunia."

Severus covered his face with his hand. Remus gave him a pitying look.

"They understand," he repeated, stressing the last word.

"How do you know that?" Severus questioned, removing the hand from his face.

Remus gazed at him aghast. Tears, actual tears, were flowing freely down the other boy's face.

"Severus," he said, his voice breaking. "You have to trust me on this one. They honestly understand."

He embraced Severus and held the crying boy close.

"I hurt her," Severus wept into Remus' shoulder. "I said I never would and I hurt her."

"Oh, Severus," Remus murmured, patting Severus on the back.

And, as they stood there hugging, Remus vowed to look out for Severus. Always.

*

Lily was waiting for Severus when he and Remus came into the Entrance Hall. There was no sign that Severus had cried in the last fifteen minutes.

"Severus!" She exclaimed and flew across the hall to give him a massive bear-hug.

"Lily," he said, startled.

Everybody else in the hall assumed that Snape and Evans were now a couple. About time, too.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Lily whispered over and over again.

"It's fine," he muttered back.

"No, it isn't," she said, looking up at him. "Come on, let's find somewhere more private to talk."

*

They climbed the Astronomy Tower, knowing that no-one else would be there.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Severus murmured. "That night - you were hurt up here."

Lily gave him a small smile.

"Sometimes you have to face the things that scare you," she said softly.

Severus ducked his head but then small, warm hands found his.

"Severus," she whispered. "It's okay. You're okay."

"How do you know?" He asked shakily. "My father's still alive. He can't hurt her now but he can still hurt people."

By people, Lily knew Severus meant himself. But she didn't push him on it.

"You're never going back to him again," she said very determinedly. "Remus and I, we've talked, and we've worked out that I'll have you for Easter and Christmas and Remus will have you for the summer. With a few trips to my house, of course," she added with a smile.

Severus looked up, almost shyly.

"I'd really hate to be a burden, Lily."

"You could never be a burden to me, Severus Dumbledore."

Then silence fell on the Astronomy Tower and Severus and Lily stood by the railings, watching the sun sink down with their hands entwined. When the sun finally vanished, Severus let go of Lily's hand. However, when she gave him a marginally hurt look, he turned to face her and gave her an uncharacteristic smile.

"I don't need the sun, Lily, because you're my sunshine."

And he kissed her.

Lily, for her part, was shocked but thrilled. Long had she considered Severus more than a friend but she hadn't imagined that he would pluck up the courage to actually kiss her for at least a few more months. 

In addition, Severus was a bloody good kisser.

It could have been a few minutes but, in reality, it was only a few magical minutes before they broke apart. Severus stared at Lily with undeniable passion.

"I love you, Lily Evans."

Lily broke out into a wide grin.

"I love you too, Severus."

A pause.

"Now, kiss me again."

"Of course, my lady."

And Severus found that if he, for once, neglected to listen to his brain, his heart could actually make the right decision. For, in that moment of time, with Lily in his arms, he was happy.

*****

A.N. Apologies again for the lack of updates! I didn't expect to be writing this now, I guess it kind of slipped out. Was it too soon or was their kiss right on time?

This chapter is dedicated to @GilgameshHeroKing for their constant stream of comments!

Thank you so SO much for staying with me and please comment!