It was grief that fueled Severus's anger, and anger was the only thing pushing his exhausted body to continue through the charred, broken house in Godric's Hollow. Lily—beautiful, vibrant, full of life Lily—was dead because of him. It was almost enough to send him collapsing among the ruins.
The trek through the house was dangerous, and Severus had to cover his mouth to keep the bile from rising as he picked through it when he spotted Potter's body at the foot of the stairs. He finally made it to the nursery, where anguish overcame him and he collapsed. It was one thing to know of the Potters' deaths, the knowledge of the house's location finally coming to him when the Fidelius charm collapsed, but it was a whole other thing to see Lily Potter's lifeless form stretched among the wrecked nursery.
Severus's anguish was interrupted by the mingled cries of "Mama," incomprehensible babbles, and crying. He picked himself off the floor and found his way through the wreckage, around Lily, to the overturned crib.
The boy was lying on his side, and Severus painstakingly pulled the child into his arms. "Hush, child." His voice was nowhere near what one would call soothing, but the softened tone seemed to calm the boy.
There wasn't a scratch on the child, save for the lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead. "You were touched by evil tonight, Potter," he whispered. "Lord help us, you're the Savior of the Wizarding World."
By the time Severus exited the old house, Harry was fast asleep in his lanky arms. "Albus." It was no real surprise to see the old man, but his grip on the baby tightened as if the Headmaster was about to pull the child from his arms.
"Severus, my boy." Albus's chin lifted as he gazed at James and Lily Potter's house. His face was lined with deep sorrow for his former students. "He's really gone."
It was not a question, and Severus did not treat it as such. "Potter's body is at the foot of the stairs, and Lily's—" His voice cracked with emotion. "Lily's is in the nursery."
Albus's eyes ventured from the house to Severus's face. "Take him to Hogwarts, my boy," he said gently. "I believe the crowd is beginning to form."
Severus allowed Albus to swaddle the one-year-old so he could prepare to Apparate to Hogsmeade. "Such a vast destiny for one so young," Albus observed sadly, stepping away from the two.
Severus held the boy close and Apparated, thinking how much of a shame it would be to splinch the baby so soon after his surviving and defeating the Dark Lord.
After handing the baby over to Hagrid, Severus made his way to his home in Spinner's End. The half-giant would keep the boy safe while the Potion Master prepared for the inevitable celebrations and Death Eaters' disappearances. While he was not a well-known Death Eater, there were people that strongly suspected him to be in the Dark Lord's inner circle. Dumbledore was the only thing standing between him and a well-deserved sentence to Azkaban.
It took three days before Severus's solitude was interrupted. "Where is the boy?" he asked, unable to completely keep the snide tone out of his voice when asking about the "Boy Who Lived."
"He was sent to live with relatives of his mother," Dumbledore answered seriously. "That is not why I have called on you, however." His eyes sad and his voice grave, he folded his hands in front of him. "When Lucius Malfoy denied any association with the Dark Lord, Bellatrix Lestrange, who Narcissa was hiding out of familial obligation, came out of hiding and attacked the man." He bowed his head mournfully. "Narcissa stepped in front of the killing curse that would have killed Lucius."
Severus's face remained impassive as he listened to the Headmaster's story. "And Draco?" he asked with feigned disinterest. His godson was a mere month older than Harry, and he could not help the fear that leapt within him.
"Lucius killed Bellatrix. Young Mr. Malfoy was safe and sleeping at the time." Dumbledore studied Severus thoughtfully over his half-moon glasses. "Lucius is nearly mad with grief over his wife and will allow no one to enter his grounds. I am afraid that his actions may lead to a retraction of his previous denial in the eyes of the Ministry."
Severus hid his shock behind a weak sneer. Dumbledore was looking at him imploringly, knowing that Lucius was a known Death Eater and willing to allow Severus to help his friend. Not just allowing it—expecting it. Probably for Draco's sake, he thought to himself as he nodded and stood. "Thank you, Headmaster."
Dumbledore watched Severus exit his office, sorrow threatening to overtake him. In a short expanse of time, two children had lost parents and several previous Hogwarts students—his own students—murdered. It was a dark time, and he knew that it was going to get worse before it got a chance to get better.