He walked through the burning cottage, grief evident in his bloodshot eyes. Suddenly a baby crying could be heard. The man jumped at the sound, which seemed to be coming from upstairs. As he made his way towards the stairs he stumbled over an obstacle. With a curse he looked down at what had made him stumble. It was the body of James Potter. Swallowing the bile that had crawled up his throat he stepped gingerly over James body. Slowly the man made his way up the stairs, hesitance in every step he took. He was afraid of what he would find upstairs. Once again a child's cry broke its way into his thoughts. The man abandoned all hesitance and quickened his steps. Soon the man stood in the doorway of the crying child's' room. The man had only eyes for one person, Lily Potter. He tripped into the room and collapsed with grief next to his only love's body. Severus Gently lifted her head into his lap and brushed away the auburn hair he loved so much only to look into those lifeless bright green eyes. his hands moved as if someone was guiding them to Lily's hands. He captured first her right hand in his then her left in his. Only he found she was, already clutching something. Carefully Severus extracted whatever is was that Lily held onto tightly as death approached her. it was a folded up, now crumpled, piece of parchment. Just as he was about to unfold it the child's cries grew louder, as if the child was admonishing him for stealing from his mummy. Severus stood, taking care to lay Lily down gently, and made his way over to the cot where the child stood, clutching the side for dear life. Severus picked the child up while simultaneously pocketing Lily's last letter. the child burrowed into Severus' chest, as if the child knew he was someone to be trusted, and whimpered as Severus rubbed circles into the boys back. Not out of love for the boy, but because Severus knew Lily would hate him even more if he did nothing. Slowly the boy's whimpering stopped and quickly replaced with even breathing. Severus held the boy for what felt like a lifetime. The moment was broken with the sound of a motor bike. The child awoke with a joyous cry "Paddy" he said in childish delight, however sleepily it was said. Severus knew this was his cue to leave. As he set the child back into his cot, the child looked at him with his bright green eyes. With a sharp intake of air he apparated away. Lily's last letter tucked in his pocket still.