What lies within
Prologue: On which Albus Dumbledore asked him a favor.
"You want me to do WHAT?" An angry voice was heard outside the headmaster's office, but thankfully no one was near enough to hear.
"Please Severus, lower your voice. This needs to stay between us."
The tall Potions master was pacing around the office, shaking his head, wanting to process the info his employer just told him. The older man was sitting behind the large wooden desk, watching his pace. Finally the man sat on a comfortable arm chair and leaned forward.
"You are asking me to kill you! I think that I have the right to be upset, sir!" The last word was said with a hint of sarcasm, "You know well that Harry Bloody Potter is going to hunt me down after that!"
The headmaster nodded gravely, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"That's why I am sending you on a special mission after you kill me, Severus. I need you to do something for me after I am gone."
"I can't do it Albus, you know I can't!"
The older man stood and walked next to his Potions Master.
"I am already dying, Severus. I am just making my death a little less painful that it's supposed to be and giving you a chance to gain more credit in Voldemort's eyes. That would help you to keep on spying and to carry my last will."
"What do you mean: I am already dying?"
Dumbledore lifted his sleeve and showed his burned arm to Snape. The master's eyes grew wide when he saw the skin boiling, as if it was being cooked in hot oil.
"The Burning Death curse."
The old man nodded and covered his arm.
"The curse is already starting to burn my arm completely. Soon, not even all the Pain Draughts I am drinking will numb the pain. Voldemort knew how to protect that Horcrux, and I was more than willing to risk my life to destroy it. Harry is supposed to meet me tonight to search for the next Horcrux. I know that Voldemort is planning a raid on the school tonight, so I need you to kill me then. In front of many Death Eaters as possible and in front of Harry. That will give you the means to run and carry my will freely from the Order. I am asking you to free me from a horrible and painful death, my old friend, and to swear to protect my only living family."
Severus' head shot up when he heard the last sentence.
"Family?"
Dumbledore nodded as he sat on the chair behind the desk once again.
"My granddaughter to be exact. She has been living overseas for a long time, after her parents died. My son William was an Auror, and so his wife, Audra. Laura was adopted by an American family and raised as a Muggle, completely ignorant of her magical background, until four years ago. Her powers awoke and my sources said that she had become really powerful. Soon Voldemort is going to want her power for his side, so I need you to find her and train her."
"Train her with what?"
"Basic magic control. She may be powerful, but she still needs to learn the basics on Defense Against the Dark Arts. I need you to take a magical oath and swear to me that you will protect her with your own life. It's a final wish from this old man, Severus. Besides, after the raid on the Ministry one year ago, Voldemort found a prophecy concerning her. Apparently, she is a crucial piece on our fight against the Dark."
Severus leaned back on the chair.
"Why me? Why do you want me to take care of your only relative left? Why not Lupin, or anyone else on the Order? You know the way I am Albus! I am not good dealing with people!"
The older wizard let out a tired laugh.
"Lupin has not the guts to deal with her Severus. I have kept an eye on her to know that she can be… strong-headed sometimes. She is a spirited young woman, loyal to her friends and family, ready to die and kill for them if it's necessary."
"Such Gryffindor qualities." Snape said with strong sarcasm.
"But she is also new on the magical world. She is powerful, but great power can corrupt the purest of souls. I need you to guide her, when I'm gone."
Severus sighed, knowing that there was no point on arguing with the old man.
"Fine, I will do it"