Thrice Defiant, Thrice Denied

Severus Snape stood at the edge of Fallow Manor, completely invisible to the naked eye under his Disillusionment Charm. With tears slipping down his cheeks, he observed the pretty redhead and her black-haired husband flee the house. He watched in dismay as the woman tripped, she was unable to stop herself from falling because that would mean dropping the baby that she was holding in her arms. The man with the mop of messy black hair managed to catch her on time though and she and the baby were saved.

Severus watched with a mixture of relief and fear as the woman and her husband escaped their burning house. He knew that they had escaped for now, but there were more horrors to come. He sighed, wishing that he had a choice in whom his victims were. Wishing that he hadn't been given the task of killing Lily Evans. He refused to think of her as Lily Potter, though she had been married for more than a year now.

Lily was sobbing and clutching her baby as though it was her life, her soul. She was right to fear for her soul, because what was coming next would put just that in jeopardy. For now though though, Lily was oblivious, "That's the second house James!" She cried, in between trying to quiet her baby's sobs, "That's the second house he's burnt down, I won't have him taking my baby, James. I won't have him taking Harry." She sounded scared but there was just the slightest hint of defiance in her voice. You were always too bold Lily, always too bold, thought Severus.

"I know," James had his arm around her now in an attempt to comfort her. "I know, Lil. We'll find somewhere Dumbledore'll help us. C'mon we have to get out of here."

Severus gritted his teeth, he may care that Lily Evans was in danger but he didn't give a toss about James Potter. James had never inspired any cordial feelings in Severus and the fact that Lily had chosen him over Severus had deepened the hatred further. James was right though, they did need to move, or the Dementors would get them.

"Let's go," James tugged on Lily's arm, and that was when it all happened. Harry burst into tears, squirming in his mother's arms. The air around them seemed to go cold, hung with tension. James pulled out his wand, he knew what was coming, "Expecto Patronum!"

A stag erupted from the tip of James' wand, keeping the now advancing dark shadows at bay. There were lots of them though and soon they would break through the stags protection. Lily needed to add her spell, and quickly.

James spun, looking at Lily in a state of panic, willing her to conjure up her Patronus. She seemed to be in her own world though, vivid green eyes wide open, staring into nothingness. There was nothing for it, James leaned over and pinched her hard, jerking her out of her reverie.

It was only then that she seemed to register what was going on around her, "Expecto Patronum!" she said, her voice was a panicky croak. It wasn't strong enough, the stag was beginning to be obscured by the shadowy figures, the rattling sound of their breath was now audible.

Again Lily tried to cast her spell, as Severus watched on in horror. In the moments before she spoke he sent out a prayer to whatever gods there are in this world to keep her safe. "Expecto Patronum!" this time her voice was stronger and a brilliant doe sprung from the tip of her wand.

Severus watched in awe as the peaceful creature went to go stand by the stag, gently nudging away the Dementors, protecting, but not intimidating. The doe hadn't always been her Patronus, it had used to be a glorious Swan that would sail out and send back its enemies. The doe though, it was a perfect metaphor for Lily's life, she was the doe, peaceful, caring and mothering. Lily could find a good quality in everyone and she had a certain reverence for human life that Severus had never been able to fathom. It made sense then, that her Patronus, the doe, was unwilling even to scare a Dementor.

Severus turned his head to once more focus upon the couple. James now had the shocked Lily in his grasp and was preparing to disapparate. Then with a faint pop the Potters disappeared from Fallow Manor. Driven from their home of two month by the Dark Lord's servants, by him. Unconsciously Severus rubbed the mark on his left arm, as though trying to get rid of it.

Their Patronuses lingered though the Potters were gone, radiating light and Severus realised with a start that the doe was heading towards him. With a sinking stomach he realised that Patronuses must be able to sense where things were, even if they were Disillusioned. Severus braced himself, he had no idea whether these strange beings made all of soul and dreams would be able to harm him, but he had decided that if he had to hurt Lily Evans he would not touch her Patronus.

The doe was very close to him now, the stag cantering along behind in a protective manner. Just as James followed Lily, Severus thought, envying the other man. Then the doe was upon him, leaning in towards him it gently nudged his knee. Then it turned and just like that, it and the stag were gone.

Severus was reeling. Everyone and everything had left, left him to contemplate what a misery his life was. What was he doing, trying to kill off the one thing that was precious to him? Yet, if he didn't do it, he would die.

He might die for failing this though, for failing to kill the Potter's for the second time. And then, life might not be worth living without Lily. He never spoke to her these days, but just the thought of her made him feel warm inside, she was his reason for life, his oxygen.

Severus got up and scurried down the street. His mind was racing, the spot where the doe had nudged him seemed to burn. He wanted to go somewhere he could just be alone and think, but even now his sense of self preservation was strong. He knew that if he wanted to live he would have to report to Lord Voldemort within the next half hour.

He strode down several streets, rubbing his knee where the doe had touched it at times, as though it was an unpleasant itch. Once he deemed himself to be far enough from the Fallow's Manor, he removed his disillusionment charm.

That done he turned into a deserted alleyway, looking around furtively to make sure that he wasn't being watched. Then with one last swish of his black cloak, Severus Snape was gone.