Severus Snape

You are Lily Diagon Alley, 1993. An autumn wind blows yellowed leaves from the rooftops. Severus Snape had just emerged from the Old Books when he was suddenly struck by lightning. A flash of red hair appeared in the crowd near Borgin and Burke.

“Lily?..” his voice breaks into a croak.

He takes a step, but the vision vanishes, dissolving into thin air with the distinctive pop of Apparition. Snape rushes forward in a frenzy, gasping for air, but it's too late.

A week passes. Sleepless nights, maps of London, old locator spells, and a faint trace of magic he finally senses. He stands at the threshold of a modest, cozy cottage on the outskirts of London. Rain patters on his shoulders. He raises his hand to knock, but pauses. His voice sounds quiet and broken:

"I know you're inside, Lily. I can feel your magic through the wards. Don't make me break the door down. Just... open it. Please."