A/N: This is my first fic. I hope it is up to scratch. Please R&R

Disclaimer: The amazing world and it's characters belong to JK Rowling, for whom I have the deepest respect.

Chapter 1

He felt a sudden rush of fear. Potter! He had to get to Potter before the others did. He could not let them get to Harry. Harry must not be found.

"My Lord, let me go and find him. Let me bring him to you. Let me prove to you for once and for all that I am and have always been your most loyal servant." He blocked out his mind, knowing that Voldemort would try Occlumency to test his loyalty yet again.

"The battle is going well, Severus. I have no need for Potter to be brought to me. He will come of his own accord." Voldemort sidled around to his snake, floating in a protected bubble. Severus Snape had concluded, long ago, that this snake was more valuable than just a companion. Severus watched the snake for a moment, twisting and turning, suspended in its floating prison. "I have another problem, which I think you might have the answer to."

"Yes, my lord?" Severus asked, tentatively.

"The wand," Voldemort showed him the Elder Wand, "it does not work for me. Why does it not work for me, Severus?"

"My lord, I don't understand. The wand works for you. I have seen you do extraordinary magic with it." Severus had gone pale. He knew that the wand was never Voldemort's, nor was it even his. He knew that that was the reason for the wand's failure to perform. Dumbledore had told him the way of the Elder Wand before his death.

"No, Severus. That was nothing more special than what I can do with any other wand. I am aware, as I'm sure are you, of the great power the wand possesses." Voldemort's eyes flashed crimson.

"Of course my Lord. Power to perform the greatest magic." Severus kept his face composed, his mind blank, but underneath it all, he feared for his life.

"Exactly. But I think I know the solution to that problem. It will be sad to lose such a great mind and ally as you, Severus, but I think it will be worth it for the greater scheme of things." Voldemort smiled, and that scared Severus to his core.

"My lord, please... I – I don't..." He tried to defend himself, tell Voldemort that it is not his doing, the wand's failure.

But Voldemort pointed his wand at Severus, and hissed "Sectumsempra!" and then at the prison that held the snake, and released it, hissing to her in Parseltongue. Severus screamed. The pain was terrible, long gashes opening is his skin, his neck and chest and face opened up as though being sliced open with a knife. The snake came at him too, darting forward to where he fell on his knees. The snake reared it's huge head and lunged at him, biting him on his neck, once, twice, three times.

"I am sorry that it has to be this way, Severus. I did appreciate your loyalty," said Voldemort in a cold voice. He turned on his heel, and walked out, the snake slithering after him, leaving Severus to die.

Severus gasped and clutched at his throat, where the venom was slowly making its way into his system. It felt as though fire was running through his veins.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Potter's face loomed over him.

"Professor! Look at me!" His voice sounded distant. Severus fought to stay with him. He had to give him his memories, he had to redeem himself, even if he was going to die. He did not want to die with the people he liked and respected to believe him a traitor. They had to know his reasons for his actions. He filled his mind with memories, all the happiest and saddest of his life. Lily, and his love for her being the sole reason he did what he did. Harry had to know the truth, even if it made no difference now. He allowed the memories to seep out of him.

"Take... it..." he rasped. Harry had a vial from somewhere. He held the vial to the memories, catching them. Once Harry had collected the memories, Severus knew that his time was near. The last thing he ever wanted to see before parting this life was Lily. The closest thing he had was Harry. Harry had his mother's eyes. They were identical. "Look... at... me..." was all he managed. Harry looked at him, and he looked deep into those green eyes. He was filled with happiness, for one moment in his life. He smiled a faint smile. Then there was nothing.

A/N (2): This chapter is short, yes, and it is basically been told already. But please read on, because I can assure you the story does get better (and chapters are longer).