Gazing at the translucent soul coalescing from the photograph—Lily's very likeness—Professor Snape let out a trembling sound.
A second later, his face blanched; he bowed his head in pain.
He wasn't ready to face Lily.
He was a contemptible betrayer.
If not for him, Lily would not have died.
At that moment Lily's shade, after the first dazed moments of being called back, fixed upon the sleeping Harry.
The pull of blood made tears spill down Lily's cheeks.
"Harry? Is that you? Has my Harry grown so tall?"
After a beat, taking in Harry's attire and make-up, Lily's eyes showed a puzzled light.
"But my Harry's a boy—why does he look like a pretty girl now?"
Maintaining the Soul-Calling, Theodore Ashbourne spoke softly.
"Hello, Auntie Lily. I'm Harry's roommate and friend—Theo. Harry saw your old photo and wanted to feel closer to you; that's why the dress-up."
Lily looked upon Harry with love and guilt.
"Poor child… I wasn't there as you grew."
Then she turned and thanked Theo.
"Theo, is it? You're a good boy—with an unbelievable gift. Thank you. Could you wake Harry? I want to hear his voice."
Theo shook his head.
"Not yet, Auntie. Harry's only just come to Hogwarts. He has much to learn. If he saw you now, he might think of nothing else but reviving your soul every day, and that would not be good for him."
Lily sighed lightly, then nodded.
"You're right—that would not be good. But… we'll meet again, won't we?"
"We will," Theo said. "When Harry's more mature—when he's ready—you can meet."
Lily smiled with sudden joy and reached to touch Harry.
She could not touch; but even passing her hand's outline over him made tears fall again.
Harry, in sleep, seemed to feel something and murmured:
"Mum?"
After a long while, Lily's weeping eased.
Her eyes turned at last to the man at the side.
"Severus?"
Surprised, she said, "What are you doing at Hogwarts?"
Snape's voice was low and shaking.
*"After the Dark Lord was defeated by Harry, Dumbledore invited me to teach Potions at Hogwarts. I am Head of Slytherin.
"Lily…"*
Even years beyond the photograph from seventh year, Lily reacted just as that old image might have done—delighted at an old friend's return to the right path.
"That's wonderful, Severus. If Harry is that grown, then many years have passed. You truly gave up those wrong things at last, didn't you? You must be a Potions Master of sterling repute now—respected as a professor. I told you you could win what you wanted this way."
Her gaze dropped to his hair and she sighed.
"But your hair… after all these years you still won't listen. Do you wash it properly? I sent you shampoo once—you were cross about it. Keep on like this and you'll be Balding Severus."
Snape showed the brightest smile Theo had ever seen—a sky of cloud finally pierced by sunlight.
He nodded obediently.
"I'll wash it. Properly."
Then he clenched his hands and fell silent.
"What is it, Severus?" Lily asked.
Snape bit his lip hard; his nails dug into his palms and drops of blood fell. His eyes were red.
*"Lily… it was me. I overheard Trelawney's prophecy—about the child—and I told him…
"I never—never dreamt it would be your child. I… I…"*
Lily's expression grew complicated.
Under her gaze, Snape lost the power to excuse himself; he bowed his head, broken.
"I am a contemptible man. I… am not James Potter."
Lily loosed a long sigh.
"Severus, you did do wrong. But have you been happy, any day of these years?"
Snape's face twisted between laugh and sob.
"Every day has been a hell."
Lily reached out to him, pity soft on her face.
*"That's too cruel, Severus. I cannot speak for James, or for Harry. But for myself… Severus, it's all in the past.
"If you truly wish to atone, then set yourself free. Live well. Protect Harry for me. Teach your students well.
"I'm glad you turned back. I'll always remember our friendship."*
Her words struck Snape like lightning. The hand she stretched in pity brushed his fingertips—
—and Lily's form began to fade.
Snape cried out, as if hollowed by a knife.
"No! Stay—just a little longer!"
The only answer was Theo's strained voice.
"Professor—one feast isn't a lifetime of meals. You must know the difference. Do you know how hard it is to hold Soul-Calling?"
Snape turned—and saw Theo sheet-white.
Sweat beaded Theo's brow. He had not expected Soul-Calling to cost so much.
With each heartbeat the drain climbed higher.
Earth-Spirit Primordial Soul, Dining on Wind & Drinking Dew, and Night's Demon poured in everything—and still he had to feed it with his own life-blood.
He felt like a mundane runner after ten gruelling kilometres; his legs shook.
Moments later, Soul-Calling failed; Lily's soul faded swiftly.
Snape let out a hoarse, thwarted sound.
"Lily—I will bring you back. I will!"
At that, fear flickered in Lily's eyes.
*"Severus… don't…
"Resurrection… taboo… horror…"*
The shattered words blew away on the breeze.
Theo sagged to the floor, breath coming rough.
He looked up at the hollow-eyed Snape.
"Professor—pull yourself together. Listen to her last words."
Snape jerked, then nodded.
"Resurrection… taboo… horror. She told me not to try."
But he clenched his fists, a fierce light burning in his gaze.
"How can I not? No taboo will bar me—not even Death!"
He looked at exhausted Theo; his lips worked, and at last he forced out:
"Thank you."
Theo's eyes widened as the System text scrolled before him:
[The Perfected Jade Cauldron's heart-demon wavers; his killing calamity remains—but your unintended aid grants him a chance at release.]
[No grace surpasses the gift of the Way; your bond with the Perfected Jade Cauldron surges.]
[You and the Perfected Jade Cauldron have become Intimate Friends: Reward—Way of Elixirs, Profound Communion.]
[You and the Perfected Jade Cauldron have become Brothers-in-Life-and-Death: Reward—Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Shield: Method of Forging.]
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