When All is Lost One is Found

Chapter 2: From Snivellus to Severus

He stood there staring at a single spot. He could feel the painting staring at him, but he didn't care. The lights went out indicating he had limited time before the teachers started to patrol. But losing points wasn't going to make him move. He couldn't. She was important to him and if he couldn't do this, he was no better than Potter.

He climbed a few of the stairs in front of the fat lady's portrait. Her eyes were on him, like a panther stalking her prey.

"You should go back to your common room, boy. I know you aren't a Gryffindor." She told him as he climbed the last stair and stood in front of her.

"I know, but I need to speak to her," he managed to reply with a respectful tone when what he really wanted to do was yell and demand the painting contact her.

"It didn't look like she wanted to talk, boy, and you deserve it." Hearing those harsh words made him clench his jaws until his teeth hurt.

"I still want to talk to her." He took a deep breath. "Could she come out, please?"

"If she hasn't already, I doubt she will now. You've been standing there for an hour, go away."

At hearing how he lost track of time, he frowned and glanced away from the painting. Even an object judged him. An enchanted object, but an object nonetheless. He needed to change his life or he would end up like his pitiful father.

"Then I will wait here." He sat on the floor, taking a position in front of the portrait, and crossed his arms, sticking his hands in his sleeves.

"What? No, boy. You need to go to your house. You can't stay here."

"I will stay even if I have to sleep here. I don't care."

"For a bogart's arse, you're one stubborn Slytherin. She won't come out."

"Then I will stay here forever and you will have to endure my stubborn Slytherin presence." He let out a tiny grin, a rare occurrence, and said with a steady voice, "Call her."

She sighed. "Fine, wait here."

"Of course." He almost laughed at the way the painting tried to take back control of the situation by ordering him to do something he'd already expressed his intentions on doing.

He heard the muffled sound of footsteps coming in his direction.

He inhaled several times as the sounds grew closer. In the hour he waited, he'd pictured various scenarios in his mind. Using his brain brought calmness to him and calmness resulted in a level head.

The frame containing the fat lady moved to the side and Lily appeared like a portrait of Morgana. Her fiery locks were spiraling out of control, as if she was standing in a strong wind before emerging from the rooms. Her eyes were narrowed, and her arms were folded across her chest. This was it. This was his chance to explain.

"Severus. What do you want?" He opened his mouth to speak but his voice froze again. She gave him a few seconds before saying, "I'm going back to bed then."

He found his voice when she turned to leave. "I'm sorry Lily. I came to apologise to you. I... I didn't mean for--"

"I don't want to hear it, Severus," she answered as if she'd had a response prepared.

He never thought Lily could be like this. The lack of sentiment from her felt wrong. They were always close until people started to talk about him. Things changed and he wasn't the same boy she liked anymore. If she ever truly liked him. Still, he didn't want to leave without trying his hardest to get her friendship back.