Author's Note;
Hello there. First, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to look at this story. Secondly, I apologize about the summary! Those damn character limits will be the death of me. This is quite literally my first ever try at any sort of Harry Potter fanfiction. I've been intimated by other authors in this fandom for the longest time. I've had this idea for awhile now and with a little pushing I finally started writing it. I'm going to stay as close to canon as I can here, so stick with me.
I'm a huge fan of Severus x Lily. They are my OTP. I respect that she did end up with James ( and I'd like to add that I like James as well. No hate here ) but in my dream world she ends up with Sev, one way or another. This story is set during the First Wizarding War. Severus is working with the Order and news of the prophecy has spread. However, it goes AU from that point on. I wanted to expand on the war and yes, I wanted Severus to maybe get the girl in the end. This story will be filed with angst and drama. Don't say that I didn't warn you.
If I get enough interest I will continue this story. So if you can spare a minute I would love to hear from you! I will always reply to your reviews and Private Messages, should you decide to submit or send any.
Anywho! On with the show.
Summary ( A proper one! ) James Potter was killed during a tragic run in with Death Eaters. With James dead Voldemort's sights set on his widow, Lily. Still convinced that his interpretation of the prophecy is correct, he will stop at nothing until Lily's dead body lies at his feet. The Order is doing everything possible to keep her safe but it may not be enough. They wont be able to do it without Severus. He is their tie to the Dark Lord. A very important tie. Severus knows this. He will do everything in his power to make sure she lives. Even if it means risking his own life in the process. Will Severus be able to spare her from a terrible fate or will his efforts, along with the Orders, be in vain?
Rated T for violence, language and some suggestive content.
Disclaimer: I own NOTHING. The characters and the world belong to the amazingly talented J.K. Rowling. I'm merely borrowing them, nothing more.
He had been standing there for the better part of an hour. Like a statue. His main purpose was to provide shelter for the red-headed witch in front of him. After all, he did have manners. The others had left some time ago and the grave had already been covered but Lily had refused to leave. She said she wasn't ready. While the rest of the Order was set to meet, she wouldn't leave. First he tried to reason with her. A logical approach. Staying out in the open wasn't a good idea, not given the circumstances. The others were waiting for them, this meeting was important, but she wouldn't budge. In fact she threatened to hex him if he so much as suggested it again. There had been so much pain and anger in her voice, he didn't dare see if she meant it. He knew that she'd meant it.
Against his better judgement he let her be. He stood there as she wept and talked to the gray headstone. Carrying on as though she expected it to talk back. When she tired of talking, she began fixing the grave. Rather than an ugly mound of dirt she made sure that it was covered with lush green grass, an easy fix for a witch of her skill level. She was now trying to decide which type of flower to charm up. There was already a fair assortment of wreaths, all carefully placed. She wanted something different, a flower that would never die. Something that would stay beautiful even during the ugliest times. She was putting careful consideration to it. He'd made his own suggestions, if only to help hurry the process. If looks had the ability to kill there would have been a second grave.
No, none of his suggestions were good enough. Each flower or plant had a meaning. She was trying to find the perfect meaning. He hoped that she found it before someone found them.
It wasn't safe to be out in the open like that. Too close to an area which Death Eaters were known to patrol. It was a risk being there, but one that he had found himself willing to take. Sirius glanced up from Lily, whom had settled on her knees on the wet grass. His tired eyes glanced beyond the grave, to the old caretakers shed. The yard was otherwise deserted, not another living soul in sight. Just he, Lily and the rain. At his feet he could feel the ground rumble ever so slightly, enough to get his attention but not enough to warrant panic. He looked down to see a white rose slowly emerge from the grass, winding it's way over top of the grave marker till it came full circle. More white buds popped up along the vine and he idly wondered if she had finally made her choice. He wasn't about to ask, but if that was the case he was sure that she would let him know in a few seconds.
He took in the white beauty. The flowers seemed so out of place amongst the rain, in the cemetery. They seemed too beautiful. Too alive.
Almost as soon as they had appeared, they vanished. Like the dozen before hand. Only this time there was no wait before a new flower appeared. In a blink of an eye a new flower rose from the ground. One bunch for either side of the headstone. Sirius watched silently as a dozen of the most beautiful white lilies that he had ever seen bloomed before his eyes. "Do you think he would like these?" Lily asked quietly. It truly was a ridiculous question but he didn't dare say anything about that. Instead he slowly crouched down, placing his free hand on Lily's shoulder.
"Your best yet," Sirius tried to be as reassuring as possible. " Of course he would." It wasn't a lie either. Apparently that was all Lily needed to here. She slowly rose, with his help of course.
"We can go now." He silently found himself thanking Merlin once he received her permission. If they stayed out any longer he feared that the others would start to worry. They both took one last look at the grave, silently saying final goodbyes. As Sirius led her away he could see the tears form in her already red eyes. He carefully draped an arm around her shoulder, bringing her closer to his side. Any ounce of comfort he could provide. The pair took a few more steps before they disappeared into thin air. The Floo network was out of the question, and Sirius refused Muggle transportation. They had been assured that any barriers that had been placed around the meeting house wouldn't harm them.
As Lily and Sirius disappeared, another figure appeared in front of the grave. Dressed entirely in black, almost like a shadow. Body tense as though waiting to be on the receiving end of a curse. The last person anyone would have expected there. The very last.
"You're a fool, Potter." The black mass hissed. Fingers calloused and pale as death gingerly reached out and caressed the soft petals of the white lilies that were on either side of the grave. Clearly of magical creation. Severus Snape dared look down through the curtain of dark wet hair. Even reading the name sent an unpleasant feeling through his body. There was so much pain associated with that name. So much humiliation. He knew that he had no place there. Of all people, he did not belong. None of them would have let him in the graveyard, he was sure of it.
The words came out choked, bitter. "Who will look after her now?" She had chosen him, but now he was gone. Dead. Thanks to one of Severus' own acquaintances. Though he had nothing to do with it, he felt responsible. It pained him far more than he would ever care to admit. If he could have somehow prevented the death of James Potter he would have. As much as he envied the man for all that he had, he would have saved him.
By saving Potter he would have saved Lily all the pain and tears. A thought that had weighed heavily on his mind. He could have spared her this fate.
Oh, if only he could have.
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