Defeat

Severus Snape landed at the foot of the hill. He looked around to see if his sudden appearance had caught any unnecessary attention, but everything seemed fine. He tugged his black robes closer to his body and walked forward.

His whole world had turned upside-down from the day he had heard that damn prophecy. It would have been a different case if he had got hold of the entire thing. But in his rush and misinformation, he pushed Lily into danger. The thought itself made Severus taste bile at the back of his throat. Going to Albus Dumbledore seemed like the only idea at that time to save her. When the Head Master asked for his sacrifice, he gladly gave it. He didn't care what happened to her moron husband or her spoiled brat, but he wanted her to be safe and away from the danger. He would continue to live his double life how hard it maybe if that meant she's safe.

He took a sharp breath when annoying squeals of laughter hit his ears. He then noticed he had entered a small children playground. He scowled looking at their faces, gleaming with joy and happiness, that he was deprived of since his childhood. Why did Dumbledore ask him to meet in this Godforsaken place? He narrowed his eyes at the bench at the far end of the park. The wizard sitting there waved at him and gestured to come over.

Severus Snape trudged along, keeping his steps far from the giggling children, which was seeming to be an impossible task. He had to dodge an incoming ball or it would have squashed his face. "Bloody, muggle runts," he grumbled and increased his pace towards the waiting wizard on the bench.

"Ah, Severus! Nice of you to join me," Dumbledore greeted him with a smile. "Come, have a seat. Would you care of a lollipop?" He asked offering a bright orange colored candy on a stick.

Snape cringed looking at the picture Dumbledore made on the bench at a muggle park. In his pretty purple robes, with long white beard and hair, and a similar lollipop in his mouth, he looked absurd.

"No," he said in a curt voice. "Why did you ask me to come here?"

"Try the Lollipop, Severus. Today is Halloween."

"Did you ask me to come here to talk about idiotic customs?"

"I was just trying to lighten up. But never mind, have you heard anything about the spy, in your circle?" Dumbledore asked before going back to sucking on his candy.

Severus knew there was a Dark Lord's spy among the order, that relayed information from time to time to the Dark Lord. But the Dark Lord kept his identity hidden from all his followers. Severus was trying hard to get his ears on the matter, but he had no luck.

"Any rumors about Sirius Black?"

"Why would I hear anything about that shaggy mutt?"

"There were whispers Bellatrix was trying to recruit her cousin into Voldemort's service," Dumbledore said looking at the children, particularly at a little girl with brown bushy hair, who was sliding down.

"She wishes. But Black is loyal to Potter. It's true he was born into a family of ardent blood lusted purebloods. He carries that in his blood too, but he is Potter's man. Nothing could drive Black away from the Potters. He's not the spy," Snape stated with disgust.

"Thank you, Severus," a satisfied smile appeared on Dumbledore's face. "That's what I thought. Indeed, Potters are in safe hands."

"Excuse me," a small voice interrupted their conversation.

"Yes, my dear," Dumbledore asked in a gentle voice looking at the same little girl with brown bushy hair, who was now standing in front of them.

"Are you witches?" she asked in a timid voice looking at them from under her eyelashes.

"We are not witches. We are wizards," Dumbledore said calmly while Severus sneered.

"No, you are witches. You are hairy just like them," she said scrunching her face in confusion. "You have a nose just like the witch in my book," she said pointing to Snape. She spoke with a clarity in her words, which was unusual for a girl at that age. She twirled around in her long black dress and pointy hat. "I'm a witch too. But I'm not hairy. I want a nose like this," she said rising on her toes to touch Severus' nose.

Dumbledore chuckled and Snape's face twisted in anger. "Run along, little girl. You don't want scary witches to take you away. Go back to your parents."

Her eyes went wide at Severus' words and she took a step back.

"Get back to your parents, Hermione," Dumbledore said pointing towards a couple running towards them.

Hermione smiled brightly and touched her small nose with her finger and to her glee, it became slightly longer and she squealed in joy, "Look, I'm a witch." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and Severus raised his eyebrow at this new development. By that time the little girl's father had caught up with her. He lifted up the squealing bundle into his arms and threw a wary look at the odd pair sitting on the bench. "Look, Papa, see my nose. I'm a witch," she said laughing and touching the slight pointy tip of her nose.

"Of course, darling. You're not supposed to run away like that and talk to strangers, Hermione. What did we talk about it?" Her father admonished Hermione, trying to cover her nose.

"They are witches just like me," Hermione declared in joy. The little girl had no idea, how accurate her statements were.

"That's not a proper thing to say, darling. Now let's go and leave these gentlemen to their business," he father guided her taking her hand.

"Wait, Papa," Hermione reached into her pockets and took out two pieces of candy. She came forward and gave one to Dumbledore.

"Thank you, my dear. But why a candy?" he asked looking at her with a quizzical expression.

"Today is the trick and treat day. You are witches," she said placing the candy into his extended hand. She next turned to Severus and did the same thing.

"No," Severus moved uncomfortably.

"Take," she said thrusting the candy into his hand. Snape grimaced looking at the orange piece of sweet in his hand, while Hermione sprinted away with her father.

He dropped it and with the wand hidden in his robes, cast a Scourgify and cleaned the sticky mess in his hand. "What a bossy, know-it-all," he grumbled still looking at the bouncing girl with her father. "Dare I ask, why were you spying on this annoying potential witch?"

"I have my reasons, Severus," Dumbledore said tearing his gaze away from the girl. "What happened to the other task, we discussed."

Severus sighed at those words, "Yes, it's done. I'm now the Godfather of Draco Lucius Malfoy. I don't understand why you forced me to persuade Lucius to do this. I don't care for children."

"Time will answer," Dumbledore pondered for a minute. "Very well then. I think we should head back. Rosmerta promised a nice glass of her freshly brewed mead. I would have asked you to join me, but that may be a serious blow to your cover," Dumbledore said rising from his place.

"That's it? You don't give me reasons for actions?" Severus said following Dumbledore's footsteps.

"Severus, you don't have to ask me. If it was imperative that you need to be aware of the reasons, you don't need to ask. I will give them to you, myself," Dumbledore said walking towards the hill.

"Stop," Severus almost yelled. "You wouldn't tell me, where she is or how is protected. At least tell me, she's away, safe and never would be touched."

"We are trying our best," Dumbledore said patting Severus' shoulder in comfort. "Let's just hope Voldemort didn't corrupt any of the order member's minds. If that's all I'll be on my way."

Severus knew then, he couldn't get any more answers from the old man. He just hoped the measures he had taken to keep the Dark Lord away from the Potters, work. As he saw the headmaster being sucked into the vacuum, he lifted his own wand, his destination firm in his mind.

Severus landed in front of the pristine gates of Malfoy Manor. It was gleaming against the twilight. He opened the gates and strolled inside. Lucius' white peacocks were hurling around him as his steps lead him to the door.

As he entered the house, Severus immediately noticed something different. The Gloom that usually surrounded the Malfoy Manor was gone and in that place, Severus heard a cheerful child laughter.

"Severus," Lucius welcomed him with a smile.

"Lucius," Severus replied, masking his confusion. His eyes moved to his wife who was sitting on the armchair with a contented smile, looking at their son, as he chased the house-elf. "Narcissa," Severus greeted drifting her attention to him.

"Severus. Nice of you to join us. Dobby a glass of fire whiskey to Severus, now," she ordered the house-elf.

"Yes, mistress," the elf disappeared making the little toddler break into a series of cries.

"Draco, come here. Greet your Godfather," Narcissa chided the screaming toddler.

"Sevvus," Draco toddled to Snape, sniffling. "Candy," he showed his fistful of sweets to his Godfather.

Severus stopped the grimace before it transferred to his face. What is it with candy and these kids? "Very well done, Draco. Did your father and mother give them to you?"

Draco shook his head. "Dobby give candy. Dwaco likes Dobby."

"Stop that! You, insolent boy. A Malfoy never talks about a house elf. You are a Malfoy and you'll behave like one," Lucius' voice resounded in the living room. Draco turned his terrified eyes towards his mother, but her eyes held same admonishing expression. He then turned to his Godfather who remained impassive. The toddler timidly took Severus' hand and hid behind him.

Snape sighed and looked at Lucius. "Why is it, so calm?"

Lucius grinned but his wife answered. "This is just the calm before the storm, dear Severus."

The elf popped at that moment and offered the beverage to Severus Snape. He took the seat offered by the Malfoys and took a sip.

"Dobby, take Draco to bed. It's almost his bedtime," Narcissa commanded.

"Mother, Dwaco play," the toddler started whining.

"My dragon, you're tired. You have to sleep," her voice had no room for argument.

"Come, Master Draco," the elf took the Draco's chubby little hand into his and guided towards the step.

"Draco, what are you forgetting?" Narcissa called again.

"Sowwy. Mother, Father, Sevvus, goodnight," Draco said righting his posture. As the adults returned their greetings, he was dragged away by the elf.

"Bedtime? It's 6 in the evening," Severus said taking a long sip of the liquid that burned his throat.

"The situation's going to get intense, soon," Lucius said righting a mantelpiece.

"Meaning," Severus asked.

"It's going to be festive," Lucius said with a smile.

"Today will go down on in the history."

"Mudbloods will be purged from the society."

"We will paint the victory of Dark Lord in their blood."

The wife and husband spoke ardently.

"The rat in their precious order got the information the Dark Lord was waiting for. Bella was beyond herself with joy," Lucius said with amusement.

If Bellatrix was happy did it mean, Sirius Black was the rat? Severus asked as his heart thudding. "Sirius Black?" Severus Snape asked even though his mind hoped it wasn't true. His hands began to sweat thinking about the worse.

"No, it's not Black. It's a shame that Sirius didn't join our cause. He would have made a very valuable asset," Lucius said brushing the cane that held his wand.

Severus's racing heart relaxed. If it's not Sirius Black, there was no worry.

"It's that mousy boy, that used to hang around them What was his name? Pettigrew. He came with the location of the Potters."

"It's not possible. They are in hiding. How could he possibly know?" Severus interjected. He didn't want to believe a thing coming out of Lucius' mouth. But the anxiety that was rising in his heart couldn't be curbed.

"The cowards were hiding under a Fidelius charm somewhere in Godric's Hollow, and they made that Pettigrew their secret keeper."

"They would never trust anybody else. It'll always be Black. Their friendship is disgustingly close," Severus said desperately hoping what he said was true.

"Severus is right, Lucius. Do you think it was a trap for the Dark Lord?" Narcissa asked in concern. Severus had to agree. Dumbledore is capable of this kind of cunning.

"My dear Narcissa," Lucius said draping a hand over his wife's shoulders. "Your dear sister told me, Black himself stepped aside for this same fact and suggested Pettigrew would be their secret keeper. Everybody would think he would be the secret keeper and that make the whole situation vulnerable."

Severus' brain stopped working. If what Lucius' saying is true, they are in imminent danger and he had to go.

"No one thought it was going to be this easy. They have paved a way for the Dark Lord directly into their house. Poor trusting Gryffindors. Their boy's death is, on their own hands," Lucius was speaking in a merry mood and Severus felt sick.

"Something needs my attention. Dark Lord's orders," Severus mumbled and rushed out of the Malfoy Manor without waiting for their reactions.

As soon as he was outside, he looked at the purples in the sky and cried out in agony. The Dark Lord is on his way to Lily's house and there's nothing to stop him. He brushed the tears from his face and concentrated on Dumbledore's words. He said he would be going to Rosmerta's for a drink. Without a second thought, Severus apparated to Hogsmeade, looking for the headmaster. He banged the door open and barged inside.

"Your kind, are not welcome here," Rosmerta hissed at the intruder.

"Where is the Headmaster?" Severus Snape asked his voice laced with urgency. "Please, I need to see him."

Rosmerta looked at him with suspicion filled eyes. Severus was ready to whip his wand out and hex her to speak. But she saved him the trouble and slowly spoke. "He just left."

"Where did he go?" Severus asked catching hold of her hand.

"Get off me, you Death Eater. The Headmaster doesn't discuss his business with me," she yelled.

Severus looked around the pub warily. He had already started to catch several Patrons' interest. He left her hand and walked out.

He could see the Hogwarts' castle glinting the sparse moonlight. Will the headmaster be there or somewhere else with the Order of the Phoenix? His mind was flashing all different kinds of alarms. What if he couldn't find the Head Master? What if the Dark Lord had already reached their house? "No," he screamed wringing his hands and pacing. He'll never let Lily get hurt for his mistake. Deep down in his heart, he knew this was all his fault. Not her brat, not her husband and not even her Muggle-born status brought her doom. It was he who pushed her into the line of fire. He brushed at the tears furiously and steadied his wand. There was the only option left in his hand, even if that meant fighting the Dark Lord himself.

He apparated to Godric's Hollow in the next second. He neither knew where he landed nor he had a clue where the Potters lived. He looked around and according to the surroundings, it was somewhere in the mid of the town. The streets were empty and the lamps were flickering. His worried eyes looked around for any clue to find the Potters.

He looked north, straight at the moon and walked in that direction. His brisk steps haven't reached even a block, a large boom echoed in the surroundings.

Severus ran with all his might, praying to any deity who could listen, to keep Lily safe. As he took a hard left turn he saw a dust cloud encompassing the whole area.

Severus halted in his step. He lost his hold on the tiny wisp of hope he was hanging onto. His heart shambled and his knees gave away. He fell to the ground as the harsh reality that Lily is no more, crushed his soul.