He's a Very Nice Prince (Alternate Ending)

D... The door appeared but she tripped... O... She got up and reached for the door handle... N... It was stuck so she frantically tried again... G...

The door opened and Lily stumbled through, closing it behind her. As the last toll died out, she slid to the ground with it, her back against the door. She just sat there, breathing hard and reveling in the knowledge that she made it there just in time. It's like Cinderella, she thought giddily. Then thoughts of Cinderella brought her back to thoughts of the Prince, and she finally remembered why she had spent the last eight minutes running all over the seventh floor. Her eyes shot open and what she saw amazed her.

She knew the Room of Requirement became whatever the person had a need for, but this was just astounding! It was fact that the room couldn't reenact the outdoors, but this was astounding. The walls were high and wide, creating a great open space. The ceiling resembled the one in the Great Hall, mimicking the sky outside. As she watched, a shooting star passed overhead. She was sitting on thick, springy grass that felt funny when she ran her fingers through it. Windows high on the walls let in moonlight that lit up a table and two chairs in the center of the room. Standing behind one of the chairs was the Prince.

Lily suddenly felt self-conscious, but then realized that he was also dressed for bed, though his weren't as revealing as hers. He sported black cotton pants and a plain black T-shirt. Her heart fluttered to see that he was still wearing his mask.

Slowly, she got to her feet, his dark eyes tracking her every movement, and began to make her way over to him. It was as if every step close she got, the more surreal the experience became; the more she felt as if she were watching this from outside her body. When she stood in front of him he pulled out her chair for her to sit and slid it closer to the table once she had.

"I didn't think you'd come," he whispered. It was the first thing he'd ever said to her, and she nearly melted. Even so, his voice struck a chord in her memory and she knew she'd heard his voice before. The thought made her heart pound even harder, which surprised her since she was sure the Prince could already hear it.

"What makes you say that?" she asked. She heard him suck in his breath behind her, as if her voice had the same effect on him as his did on her. He moved around to sit in the chair across the table.

"Well, for one thing, it's after curfew and you're Head Girl." He smiled--oh, she loved his smile!--though this time it was more of a smirk. Either way, she smiled fondly at the turn of his lips. "And for another, well... I don't believe that you haven't figured out who I am yet."

His confident smirk turned into a nervous smile and she could see under the mask that his brow was creased. She grinned at him and stood up. As if on cue, the waltz from the Masquerade began playing out of nowhere, making her laugh in pleasant surprise. When he looked confused, she explained, "This really is the Room of Requirement, isn't it?"

With that, Lily grabbed his hand and pulled him into a slow dance. She rested her head on his shoulder and they stood there swaying to the music for a while. She felt content.

Some time later, he looked down at her and asked, "Do you know who I am?"

"Despite what your friends say about me and Muggleborns in general, I do have a brain and know how to use it," she countered without skipping a beat. He laughed and stepped back.

"I suppose that answers that question then. But if you knew, then why did you come here?" His voice betrayed his confusion and happiness.

She sighed. "I honestly don't know. I mean, you've never been exactly nice to me. I guess... It's just that..." she trailed off, looking away.

"Yes? Go on," he urged.

"It's just... If every time I was with you was like tonight, if there were no need for words, or if we could just look at each other and tell what the other is thinking... If it was like that every time, then I'd..."

"You'd what?" Lily looked up at him. She reached around his head to where his mask was tied and pulled gently at it. It fell to the floor, revealing Severus Snape's face, which she took in her hands.

"I'd really like that."

And with that, she pulled his face down to hers and their lips met in a perfect kiss.