Severus peered out from behind a clump of bushes on Hogwarts grounds at the two figures silhouetted in the twilight. One of them seemed to be murmuring very softly to the other.

It was past midnight, that was for sure. How long Severus had been crouching behind those bushes was beyond him. He’d been out on a stroll around the grounds, enjoying the peaceful night air for one last time, as it was the final night any seventh year would spend here….

But now he was stuck; he refused to be seen by the now-hugging couple, of whom he was suspicious of being –

“James, you’re so –� But whatever James was, was silenced as the man pressed his lips against Lily’s. Jealousy rose in Severus’ chest.

How he wished to be in James’ position — to be loved by Lily.

How he wished to be loved by the most beautiful girl Severus had ever laid eyes upon — to love her and be loved in return.

But fantasy was different from reality. In fantasy, Severus was the one embracing Lily, loving and being loved…. Harsh reality meant Severus was kneeling on the driest bit of dew-covered grass he could find behind shrubbery. Reality meant he was watching Lily fall deeper and deeper in love with the man Severus so yearned to be.

How he longed to be the one kissing her by light of the crescent moon and of the countless stars shining down upon the ground.

How he desired to be the first one Lily thought of when she woke every morning and the last she reflected upon when she closed her eyes every night.

But he wasn’t. He was simply Severus Snape. Always wishing and never truly being.

He was simply the one who watched as James laced his fingers with Lily’s. He was the one who watched as the two began dancing to a tune heard only by them — a tune their hearts created.

They alone felt it.

Not Severus. No, he was the one watching. Always watching and never the one actually doing.

“Finally here, won't stay too late.
I want to feel you, I need to hear you.
You are the light that's leading me to the place where I find peace, again,�

The tune was slow, James’ deep voice quiet as though he were murmuring the words to the passing wind and into Lily’s hair as they danced.

"You are the strength that keeps me walking.
You are the hope that keeps me trusting.
You are the light to my soul.
You are my purpose, you're everything.�

As if his heart knew the lyrics to the song, Severus’ lips formed the words soundlessly along with James’ husky, whispering singing. Hurt gripped Severus, a hurt so strong, it only seemed to fuel his desire to be with Lily.

“And how can I stand here with you, and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me: how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms, and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall.
You steal my heart, and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in? Take me deeper now.

And how can I stand here with you, and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me: how could it be any better than this?

'Cause you're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything.

And how can I stand here with you, and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me: how could it be any better than this?

Would you tell me: how could it be, any better than this?�

A second’s worth of silence before —

“Lily, will you marry me?�

Severus’ heart seemed to drop to the ground. He was sure it had actually fallen and that the noise would give away his location.

There was no answer.

Severus peered around the bushes — he had been sitting with his back to the two — and saw why Lily was so quiet. They were embracing again. Severus had an idea what her answer was going to be.

James pulled away, obviously eager for her response. Severus imagined the blazing look her emerald-green eyes must have been giving James before she spoke. “Yes, James, I will.�

Severus heard no more after that — he dazedly pulled himself to his feet and, leaving Lily behind with a man who didn’t deserve her, made his way towards the castle. He didn’t care about anything else anymore.

He was walking away from the greatest thing in his life, and he knew it. But what hurt the most was that there wasn’t a thing he could do about it — there hadn’t ever been.

He was a fool; he knew it. Fools always were the ones who ended up bruised and empty-handed in the end. Fools always were the ones with fruitless dreams and hopeless wishes. Severus was a fool to have ever believed that Lily would have accepted his love — to have ever believed that he would be loved in return.