I Must Live On
Summary: The year is 2004 and Severus Snape has survived; it is time he moved on, to what he hopes would be a better life, but what he got was more. He will fall in love and have the life that was thwarted from him. DH spoilers and events that happen in a post 9/11 USA.
Authors note: This story was an idea I had thought of, of what would Severus do if he had lived? The obvious to me, would be that he would leave. Honestly why would he stay? So this story will revolve around his life after Deathly Hollows. It's AU.
And much information used is real. I am trying to keep the information accurate but please let me know (nicely please) if something seems amiss. This story takes place around 2004-2005.
p.s: I dont own anything silly!
Please do review. Thanks!
I Must Live On
Chapter 1
As Severus Snape, laid upon the floor of the Shrieking Shack, blood seeping from his deadly wound and poison taking over his body. He felt his mind and body go numb. He was sure to die within moments. But then as he seemed to give up his last breath and heard the children leave something soft played in the back of his mind, was it music? Something was singing to him it seemed.
Then there came that laughter, cold and high, it seemed to have burned itself into his mind; all he could hear was that sound. Nothing but the darkness that surronded him and that horrible and evil laughter, echoing.
Severus suddenly opened his eyes, he was laying upon the dusty floor of the Shrieking Shack still. His neck painfully hurt and he gingerly placed a hand upon it, blood crusted over his wound from Nagini. He did not understand, how could he be alive?
'Sir?' a squeaky voice came, it was high pitched and frightened Severus. He managed to sit up, feeling the pain in his neck strengthen, his mind became confused and at once he was disoriented. He nearly collasped as something or someone took hold of him and held him up, speaking as well in that same voice.
'You live sir, don't worry, we have you now!'
Severus was finally able to awaken and properly understand his situation. He opened his eyes to find himself laying in the bright hospital wing of Hogwarts. He was dressed not in his robes, but in a gown from the wing. As he tried to sit up a voice spoke.
'You may want to rest and not exert yourself.'
Severus looked up to find Minerva peering down at him, she seemed drained and he inwardly groaned, he was done for that was for sure.
'You're safe Severus, don't worry, i see it in your eyes, Harry came to us and told us everything you did.' she said calmly.
'The war... what happened?' he choked.
'We won, Voldemort is dead and Harry lives. And so do you.' she said smiling.
'But how?' he asked, 'how did I survive?'
'We searched everywhere for victims and... bodies. Harry himself went searching for you. When he arrived he found you you were already gone and all that was left was ash and a single feather.'
'A feather?' Severus asked. His throat gave out on him and he coughed, afterwards Minerva quickly fetched him some water. After drinking his fill she continued.
'Yes a phoenix feather.' she said. Severus gaped at her, could it have been?
'Now when Harry could not find your body he grew worried. He eventually came back to the castle empty handed and according to him, grew hungry. So he went to the kitchen and what did he find? He found you.'
'Me? In the kitchen?'
'Yes.' she said smiling now, 'when the final battle was over we used the remaining houseelves and able wizards to search for survivors, from what the house elf, named Borgu, has told Harry, he had found you breathing still. He rushed you to be helped in the kitchen,'
Severus stared at her very confused and she laughed, before stating, 'He thought they would have let you die because you were a "mean headmaster and murderer" but he did not want any more blood to be spilled in the school. Eventually Harry calmed him down and brought you up here.'
'But how am I alive?'
'Fawkes's last gift it seems. The bird had left when... Albus passed on, and he only returned to burn away once more. But not before giving you his last tears and saving you from the poison.' Minerva said gently. Severus sank back into his bed feeling dread, he was alive yes, but to what consequence?
'I'm glad you're back, it's time to begin a new life, free of everything Severus.' she said before leaving him to rest. As he closed his eyes to fall alseep, words he had heard years ago, spoke again in his mind.
Help is always given, to those, who ask for it
What happened to Severus was by shear luck and a promise kept. After weeks of healing properly, he was allowed to leave Hogwarts. Because of what Harry had seen, the hero had not only saved the day it seemed, but saved Severus from the Ministry. He had no formal accusations and the ministry seemed that if he remained quiet and out of the way, they would not bother him. In fact he took that to heart and soon was leaving for a new life, somewhere else. He had not been made a hero (though Harry had wished it, Severus felt he could not stomach that) and he silently left the wizarding world for good it had seemed.