What if Severus Snape actually cared for Harry Potter, not as in adoption or anything like that, but he actually grows to show compassion. It's a little hard to tell you, just read and you'll understand pretty quick. one last notice is that I might add my own OC character depending on the circumstance of how this story progresses. Have a nice time reading this story. (:

Also PS: I will be using lines from the book in specific instances such as chapter 1.

Chapter 1: The Aftermath

It was the crack of dawn at Spinner's End, most people woke up at this time to work their generic factory jobs. However, in this mundane neighbourhood, one man broke many social norms.
He didn't appear to work any "normal" jobs, this always gave of a feeling of curiosity when in his presence, or at least when it came to the people this man lived around.
He also absurdly wore the weirdest clothing, long sleek black robes that reached his ankles, the robes made an uncanny similarity to his hair. He never seemed to change this style of clothing, ' he must surely have more than that! ' people thought.
Third and last he need not a car to get around the place, to the very few that took notice of this man's life, they would have surely noticed that the their long-nosed neighbour had no car... So how did he get around the suburb? Endless questions like this shook the residents of Spinner's End for years. Many of these folk would love to investigate the matter, but they had no time, when 6'o'clock hit their alarms, all mindlessly gathered towards the supposed endless Chimney which dominated the sky, the chimney called people to it and the factories below.

By the time Snape woke up, most had left. But not him, he had an appointment with one of the best wizards... Albus Dumbledore... the man in the flesh... So Snape was an important man apparently. Now aware of where he is, Snape rolled his head to one side. It was as if he was dead... still fresh and ripe in his mind the loss of a close loved one, the closest. It was Lily Evens. Just a last night, she had died to hands of Snape's old master... Lord Voldemort. Even though he had pleaded with Voldemort himself, he could not save Lily's fate. Ironically it was him who gave Voldemort the information for Lily's downfall. When still in the servitude of The Dark Lord, Snape was ordered to hear a prophecy that would be made on Voldemort and child who would overthrow him. He had heard only half the prophecy, but had still reported it anyway to his master. Snape would do anything, anything, to reverse this mistake, if he could just have not had told Voldemort, if he had been ever so wise tread carefully... it mattered not now... nothing did.

Snape had appareted in front of the grounds for Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He hastened in getting to castle. As he walked past the front doors. People stood, stared, muttered, the works. But he was used to see, Snape also found that, he really couldn't care much. he made his way through the castle ignoring every teacher and student he walked by... until finally Snape made it up a spiral staircase and made it to a pair of gargoyles.
"Password?" One had asked. Snape paused for a moment, he looked around, making sure no one would see him do what he was about to do. Then muttered begrudgingly
"Harry Potter" It came out as a hiss in the end and he repeated it one more time (this time more clearly). The wall behind the gargoyles had separated to reveal the Headmaster's office, where Dumbledore sat at the end of the room, behind his usual desk, but this time standing. "Sit down Severus, I'm sorry..." Dumbledore looked at Snape with his calm, blue, and sympathetic eyes. It was true... Lily... was dead, Snape thought. Snape slumped in his chair making sounds only relatable to of a wounded animal. Snape couldn't hold his emotions back, he needed to let it go... the only one he truly loved, the only one who saw him as a true friend. Gone...

"I thought... you were going to keep her... safe... "

"She and James put their faith in the wrong person" said Dumbledore. "Rather like you, Severus. Weren't you hoping that Lord Voldemort would spare her?" Snape's breathing was becoming more shallow, empty.

"Her boy survives" said Dumbledore, his voice as calm as ever. Snape jerked his head, as though a fly was pestering him. Dumbledore would have to take a different approach...

"Her son lives. He has her eyes, preciously her eyes. You remember the shape and colour of Lily Evan's eyes, I am sure?"

"DON'T!" bellowed Snape, but he yell was not full of rage, it had a sombre feel to it. So what if her son lived, nothing mattered compared to the original, she would never comeback. Regret was filling Snape up. His throat was suddenly dry. He wondered... if he had taken Lily's warning seriously would he and she be together... Snape would never know... "Gone... Dead..."

"Is this remorse, Severus?" Dumbledore seemed genuine in his question. As he awaited his response, Snape could feel remorse... but what was the point anymore... without Lily what purpose does he have. DEATH, all Snape, all Severus wanted now was... death...

Then I can see Lily again...

"I wish... I wish I were dead... "

"And what use would that be to anyone?" said Dumbledore coldly, the time for pity was over. "If you love Lily Evans, if you truly loved her, then your way forward is clear."

Snape seemed to peer through a haze of pain, and Dumbledore's words appeared to take a long time to reach him.
"What- what do you mean?" Snape looked up again at Dumbledore, his eyes of a helpless dog.

"You know how and why she died. Make sure her death was not in vain. help me protect Lily's son."

"He does not need protection. The Dark Lord-"

"The Dark Lord will return, and Harry Potter will be in terrible danger when he does." Snape contemplated about this for a moment... Lily is gone... the only part of her which remains are my gold, my light, wretched as that Potter's son could be. He is also's Lily's son... One last attempt no regrets... Snape stood, finally able again.

"Very well. Very well. But never- never tell Dumbledore! This mus be between us! Swear it! I cannot bear... especially Potter's son... I want your word!"

"My word, Severus, that I shall never reveal the best of you?" Dumbledore sighed, looking down into Snape's ferocious, anguished and partially conflicted face. "If that is what you insist." Snape looked upon his old headmaster and finally said...

"My thanks and leave... " Snape walked out of Dumbledore's office. His pain about Lily was still there, but it had subsided a bit... and that made it all the more better.