Disclaimer: I do not own anything Harry Potter. I also don't own any of the characters or events from the books or movies. This story is written purely for your entertainment and nothing else. This story is rated M for Strong Language, Sexual Content, and dark depressive thoughts.

Authors Note: I just want to say that I have had this story in my mind for a long time and now I finally have the time to write it. I have always been a fan of Severus Snape and I wanted to write a story to fill in all of the details that happened in-between the events in the books. This story revolves around Snape's worst memory in OOTP and the part of it in the Prince's Tale in DH. Please read and review, I promise to update frequently because this will not be a long story.

The Light When All is Dark

By. Ashleyb1114

Chapter 1 – Great for now

Severus Snape woke up the morning of his O.W.L.'s in great spirits. He stayed up the night before studying with Lily and felt completely prepared to get an outstanding on his examination. Severus seemed to be the only one excited for the exam this morning, except for maybe Lily. After Snape got dressed in his school robes, he headed out of his dormitory and into the Slytherin common room. He was immediately greeted by Avery and Lucius.

"Hey Snape, you got in pretty late last night. You weren't fooling around with that little red headed Mudblood were you?" Lucius asked jokingly, nudging Avery on the arm as he did so.

"Yeah Snape, I know it is hard keeping your snake in your pants, but you need to keep it out of filthy holes." Avery stated rudely.

Snape bit his tongue. He knew that in order to keep his friends, he had to keep his feelings for Lily Evans to himself. If anyone from the Slytherin House knew that he was a blood traitor, he would be in the same predicament as Andromeda Black. Snape looked down at the ground as he said with hidden disgust, "Don't worry, we were just studying."

Lucius and Avery nodded. "Good, I was worried for a second Snape. By the way, good luck on your Defense O.W.L. today, even though you won't need it."

"Thanks Lucius." Snape tried to get out of the Slytherin common room as soon as possible. The anticipation to take the test was killing him. Part of it was due to test anxiety, whereas the other was because he was excited. Severus couldn't help but be excited for the exam. He enjoyed testing his knowledge, and above all studying. Every time a teacher mentioned a test coming up, Severus always got extremely excited because that meant one thing, studying all night with Lily Evans. Severus was infatuated with Lily. They have known each other since they were 9 years old. Lily was a muggle born witch, and Severus was a half-blood wizard. Blood status never mattered to Severus or Lily, he just happened to be placed in the house that was racist to anyone muggle born.

Snape made it to the Great Hall to eat a healthy breakfast before the exam. He walked over to the end of the Slytherin table where nobody was sitting. Severus hated sitting by people, especially the ones who would talk trash about muggle born's and use the unspeakable word, Mudblood.

Severus sat alone in the Great Hall eating eggs benedict. He was disturbed by two Gryffindor girls getting excited to see one of their friends. Snape remained eating until he heard one of the girls say, "Lily I saved you a seat." Immediately his heart stopped and he lost his appetite. When he looked up from his plate, he saw her, he saw his Lily. All he could think about was how beautiful she was. Her long wavy red hair, her breath taking emerald green eyes made his heart ache with lust. Lily's attention was occupied by her best friends, but out of nowhere she looked up and her green eyes met Snape's black ones. Snape couldn't help but smirk and Lily returned with a radiant smile that made his heart flutter. Severus could see that Lily was about to excuse herself from her friends to come speak to him, but the loud noise coming from the entrance doors to the Great Hall caused everyone to get distracted.

James Potter and his posse, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew came barging in like they owned the place. The Marauders always made their arrivals well noticed, mainly when Potter knew Lily was around. The only factor that kept Snape from hexing all of them was the look on Lily's face when they were around. Lily always had a look of utter disgust when Potter was nearby, which made Snape jump for joy. Everyone knew Potter fancies Lily and it is a joy to watch him try to gain her affection. The only problem with Lily not giving Potter the attention he aches for, is that he torments Severus because of jealousy.

Potter and Black were whispering to each other right before they approached Lily. Potter was running his fingers through his hair as a means to impress her, which was ultimately failing. Potter said nervously trying to make small talk with lily, "Hey Evans, you ready for the DADA O.W.L. today?"

"I am." Lily shortly responded.

"Well I know you're going to do great. You are ranked the top of the class and all." James was trying to complement her, but Lily wasn't dimwitted like the other girls he tries to woo into his charismatic traps.

"I'm actually not first in our class, Severus is." Lily corrected him.

"Snivelly doesn't count because he worships dark magic." James said arrogantly.

"In my opinion, Snivellus never counts." added Sirius. James tried his hardest to hide his agreement; he knew that Lily was great friends with Snivellus and laughing at him always made her angry.

"Well he does count and he helped me study all last night. With his help I'm sure to get an Outstanding." Lily retorted proudly. "Black, you'll be lucky if you can even write your name properly on the exam." Potter and Sirius looked at each other dumbfounded. They would never understand why on earth Lily would ever be friends with someone as repulsive as Snivellus.

Snape couldn't help but eavesdrop on the Gryffindor conversations. Most of the time he knew the conversation was about him, but he loved it when Lily would make a fool out of Potter and his friends. The only part he didn't like about Lily making the Marauders look completely ignorant was the consequences it entitled. Potter and Black would take their anger and revenge out of Snape. Their tormenting always left poor Severus either physically or emotionally wounded. The main reason Snape could never confess his true feelings for Lily was because the Marauders would make him feel that he was not worthy of someone like her.

"Hey Snivellus, do you think you have enough grease to go with those eggs?" Black shouted rudely, causing everyone to stare. Before Snape could make a snide remark, Albus Dumbledore was clearing his throat in order to speak.

"Good morning students and faculty, today is a very important day for our fifth years. This morning they will be taking their Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.'s. I wish each and every one of you good luck. With that, I want to add that once I have finished my speech, I need everyone to clear the Great Hall except for the fifth year students. We will be taking the examination in the Great Hall today. Now everyone go on with your normal schedules except for the fifth years. Now off you go."

Once everyone was clear of the Great Hall except for the fifth years, Professor McGonagall transformed the four long tables into many small desks. Professor Dumbledore waved his wand and little pieces of parchment were placed upon each desk. "Find your name on the parchment, which will be your assigned seat for all of the exams. The names are in alphabetical order if that helps." Professor McGonagall instructed.

All of the students went to find their assigned seats. Snape noticed that Lily was toward the front of the Great Hall where he was toward the back. Potter and Pettigrew weren't too far away from him, but that didn't bother Snape. As long as Potter was away from Lily he was fine with it.

Once all the students were seated, Professor Flitwick walked over to podium. "Today you are taking the Defense Against the Dark Arts – Ordinary Wizarding Level examination. You will have three hours to complete the following exam." Professor Flitwick waved his wand over a large stack of parchment and quills with ink. Once all of the test and quills were passed out, Professor Flitwick stated, "You may begin," and turned over an enormous hourglass on the desk beside him, on which were also spare quills, ink bottles, and rolls of parchment.

Snape was nervous and excited at the same time. The first question was extremely easy for him. Driven from his excitement, Severus didn't look up from his exam until the last grain of sand from the hour glass dropped.