Contrary to what James expected, Snape did not draw his magic wand in anger at his first words.
After all, he had practiced the Mind Sealing Spell for so many years; if he couldn't control his emotions, he would have long been seized by Voldemort and cut into pieces.
Moreover, he was older and more composed. Faced with James's provocation, he merely curled his lips downwards, letting out a contemptuous snort.
"Grow up, Potter." Snape sat beside Dumbledore. "I'm not interested in reminiscing about childish pranks."
"All right, James." Lily timely intervened, offering an out for James. "Let's first hear what Dumbledore has to say."
Snubbed by Snape, James had nothing further to add and obediently took his wife's advice.
After all, if he persisted in picking on the Snot Spirit, he would become like Uncle Bench says: a "one-track mind blocked at both ends."
He sat back in his chair, planning to see what Dumbledore intended to say.
"Actually, Snape isn't wrong." Little Sirius sighed, "If I had indeed gone to Dumbledore and laid bare the truth, I definitely wouldn't have been imprisoned in Azkaban for so long — but back then, all I cared about was atoning for my mistake, as I was the one who suggested to switch the secret-keeper to Peter Pettigrew, and the consequences should be mine to bear..."
"It wasn't your fault, brother." James earnestly stated, "The fault lies with the traitor who betrayed us and sold the information to Voldemort..."
"No, James!"
Little Sirius shook his head with a complex expression. He glanced at Snape before saying once more, "I know you have issues with the Snot Spirit, but I must say — despite the Snot Spirit indeed selling the news to Voldemort, he did attempt to amend things afterwards… Moreover, I must clarify, James, my brother— if you had only heeded Dumbledore's advice, choosing him as your secret-keeper, you and Lily would never have been murdered by Voldemort; after all, no one can extract your whereabouts from Dumbledore's lips."
As the saying goes, lies don't hurt, but truth is a swift blade; even his best buddy stated it thus, causing James to unwittingly start questioning himself.
Am I truly arrogant, conceited, and beyond salvation?
Lily stretched out her hand, holding James's gently.
"My dear," her voice was soft yet strong, "I believe in your choice."
Snape's eyelids twitched ever so subtly.
"However, I still suggest you learn the whole story." Dumbledore stood up, addressing them. "There are things I intended to take to my grave, but given the current circumstances and misunderstandings among you, I… I have decided to invite you to view my memories."
"Your memories?" James frowned and lifted his head.
Lily too looked up, her gentle gaze passed over Snape, pausing briefly, before finally settling upon Dumbledore.
"Mr. Leme." Dumbledore turned back, asking, "Do you have a Meditation Basin here?"
"Oh~" Mr. Leme exhibited a look of someone watching a drama unfold, "A Meditation Basin? That's rather outdated—allow me to recommend my new product, here it is, this phone."
He stretched out, picking up a crystal ball displayed on the table and handed it over to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore took the crystal ball hesitantly, suspiciously eyeing Mr. Leme, "So—how is this used?"
Before Mr. Leme could explain, Snape's expression had darkened.
Truthfully, ever since he walked into the room and saw James, his expression had never 'lightened up.'
"Dumbledore." Snape said icily, "You swore to me."
"Vows are meant to be broken, Severus." Dumbledore replied lightly, "Besides, I also don't wish for you to be misunderstood any longer..."
Snape snorted, standing up expressionlessly, "If you insist—but I have other matters to attend to..."
As he swung his black robes around, he turned and headed towards the exit.
"Stay."
Lily suddenly spoke, directing her words to Snape's retreating back.
Being as clever as she was, she naturally had some speculation about Snape's actions over the years.
Snape hesitated, his steps faltering.
"Stay, Severus." Lupin stood up, walking over to Snape, guiding him back to his seat.
Snape neither accepted nor rejected, following Lupin back nonetheless.
Truth be told, Snape actually didn't want anyone to know these things.
But the issue was, ever since the 'Mudblood incident' and the consequent estrangement from Lily, the two had been like strangers, without any overlap.
In his heart of hearts, Snape desperately wished to reconcile with Lily, even if they could not return to their past, at least they wouldn't be like strangers...
Thus, he only verbally tried to stop Dumbledore without taking any real action.
He sat back down, glancing at Lily, before quickly averting his gaze as if burned, landing instead on James beside her.
But at this moment, James was also looking at him.
They were like Flaubert sitting opposite the Alps, each finding the other loathsome, yet synchronized in their nasal snorts as they simultaneously looked away.
"Use your magic wand." Mr. Leme instructed Dumbledore, "Use the magic wand to extract your memory, place it in this crystal ball, it will take you all into your memory...."