In the next scene they were in Dumbledore's office. In the scene, Severus had just been told of Lily's death – the older Severus still felt a pang of guilt go through him, as Dumbledore had said the words. It was here he sealed his destiny, and promised to look over Potter – for Lily's sake.

"I thought… you were going… to keep… her safe" the slightly younger Severus said. He was slumped over in a chair, with Dumbledore standing over him. This time it was charlotte's turn to tighten the grip on his hand.
"The potter's put their faith into the wrong person" Dumbledore said with a calm voice. "Rather like yourself Severus – didn't you hope Voldemort would spare her?"

His breathing became shallow.

"Her boy survives"

The younger Severus made an involuntary move with his head, as though there was a fly on him.

"Her son lives. He has her eyes. Precisely her eyes. You remember the size and shape of Lily Evans's eyes don't you?"

"DON'T!" He billowed "Gone… Dead"

"Is that remorse, Severus?"

"I wish… I wish I were dead"

"And what use would that be to anyone?" Dumbledore said coldly "If you loved Lily Evans, if you truly loved her, then your way forward is clear"

The younger Severus seemed to take some time to get the message through, as though a haze of pain had clouded his mind.

"What – what do you mean?"

"You know how and why she died. Make sure it was not in vain. Help me protect Lily's son"

"He does not need protection. The dark lord is gone – "

"- the dark lord will return, and Harry Potter will be in terrible danger when he does"

There was a long pause, and slowly Severus regained control of himself, mastered his own breathing. At last he said "Very well. Very well. But never – never tell, Dumbledore! This must be between us! Swear it! I cannot bear… especially Potter's son.. I want your word!"

"My word, Severus, that I shall never reveal the best of you?" Dumbledore sighed, looking down into Severus's ferocious, anguished face. "If you insist"

The scene changed and it was the sorting Ceremony.

The slightly younger Severus was sitting behind the teachers table, watching as Potter walked up towards the chair, placing the hat on his head.

He remembered the hatred that filled his body, as he saw Lily's eyes on Potter's face – James Potter's face.

He tightened the grip around her hand, as the hat yelled out 'Gryffindor' precisely as it had done with the boy's parents.

Again, Charlotte made a soothing motion with her thumb, as the scene changed, and the slightly younger Severus was pacing in Dumbledore's office, complaining over Potter Junior – that he was just like his father.

"– Mediocre, arrogant as his father, a determined rule-breaker, delighted to find himself famous, attention-seeking and impertinent – "

"You see what you expect to see, Severus" Dumbledore said without raising his eyes from a copy of transfiguration today. "Other teachers report that the boy is modest, likeable, and reasonably talented. Personally, I find him an engaging child" Dumbledore turned a page without looking up.

"Keep an eye on Quirrell, won't you?"

The scene changed, and next they were at the Yule ball. Severus was talking with Dumbledore, discussing the burning of both Severus's dark mark and Karkaroff's dark mark.

He glanced down at Charlotte who seemed as though she couldn't tear her eyes away from the image, caught up in what was going on.

A pair of students passed them, giggling and blushing. The younger Severus scolded them, and kept his eyes on the veela. This was from something Charlotte could remember as well, which meant another scene she might remember came up shortly.

Dumbledore walked away, leaving the younger Severus looking stricken – the older Severus knew of course, what had just happened. The old coot had just insinuated that Severus should have been in Gryffindor.

The scene changed, and the two of them were standing in the great hall. Severus knew what was coming up, and so did Charlotte it seemed. But she didn't avert her eyes.

The slightly younger Severus walked up to the slightly younger Charlotte, and asked her to dance.

Severus glanced down at her, and saw she was smiling at the scene.

None of them said anything, as they watched the scene develop.

When they stopped dancing, and the slightly younger Severus kissed her hand, Severus knew where the younger Severus would be going.

He shortly glanced at the younger Charlotte, seeing she was sighing, still standing there looking after the younger Severus.

"Come" He said to her, and dragged her after the younger Severus, until they were standing in his quarters – since they weren't a part of the memory, they walked straight through the door, just in time for them to see the slightly younger Severus kick his chair.

Charlotte looked up at him; a small smirk was playing around her lips. "So a year would go by, before you admitted anything to yourself?" She asked quietly, as the younger Severus was pacing.

"Yes – all though at this time I was in denial" he replied, and the scene changed.

They were standing in his former class room, and the younger Charlotte had him backed up against the desk. She crushed her lips against his, and the slightly older Severus remembered what it was like – he also knew when the turning point happened, which was only a moment later, when the younger Severus relaxed against her, and took a hand up into her hair, twirling her curls while kissing her back passionately.

"Oh Merlin – I forced you to kiss me?" The slightly older Charlotte asked regretfully and looked up at him.

"Yes, you were quite drunk – I have still not forgiven you for that" He smirked at her.

Charlotte wrinkled her nose, as she turned back to the scene.

The younger Charlotte had just fallen asleep against his chest. He sighed, and picked her up bridal style.

"So that's what you meant when you said twice – sneaky" She commented, as the younger him carried her out. They followed him into her old quarters, where he laid her down on the bed.

The slightly younger Charlotte moved a little in her sleep, and a smile formed on her lips. "Severus" She whispered.

The younger Severus appeared to be battling an inner battle, before he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

She smiled in her sleep, as he left her quarters, and the scene changed.

The scene was frozen, as though on pause. They were in Dumbledore's office again, and Severus was pacing in front of him.

Charlotte turned to him. "Why didn't you say anything to me?" She asked, her eyes searching his.

"I was in denial – you know of my love for Lily now" She nodded "And I never thought I would love anyone again, but then you came along and I did not know how to deal with it"

"So I messed up your vision of love?" She asked with a small smirk.

"Yes – I have told that you are insufferable before" he smirked back at her, and with a wave of his hand, the scene unfolded.

"Severus, my boy, you seem troubled" Dumbledore said, sitting behind his desk.

"Seem troubled, headmaster" he sneered at him. "With everything that is going on – it is going to be exactly like the last time"

"Yes it does seem that way – perhaps even worse, if Voldemort get to the prophecy" Dumbledore added, folding his hands on the desk. "I am lucky; to have such devoted allies as Arthur Weasley and his family, I'm touched by the sacrifice"

"And what am I then? A mere spectator?" He asked sarcastically.

"Nothing the like, my boy – I value you highly, you should know that by now" Dumbledore looked at the younger wizard with a smile.

The slightly younger Severus looked slightly shocked, but regained himself.

"Now speaking of Arthur Weasley" Dumbledore started "I am sure you still remember his daughter, Charlotte"

"Of course I do, headmaster" he said coldly "She is in the order, after all" he voice was deadly, and dark.

"There's no need for that tone, my boy – I am not blind after all, I have seen the way you look at her"

Dumbledore looked amused. The slightly younger Severus stopped up in front of him, and leaned over his desk. "It seems like a shame to me, that you are denying that you are clearly infatuated with her"

"I am not infatuated with that witch"

"Then you wouldn't care that she is right now walking home, on the edge from her father's near death – my sources have told me, she was in a downright mess" Dumbledore said slowly, looking at him.

"Why are you telling me this?" He asked in a slightly more calm tone.

"Because she is going to need someone to lean on – and since she is quite as stubborn as you, she won't be asking for it" Dumbledore said.

"And why would you think that I care?" He voice was darker than before, and he had his eyes narrowed.

"Because love, my boy, is what makes us different than the death eaters – your love for Lily made you change sides, after all"

"And that will never change!" He bellowed.

"No it will not – but you should not repress your feelings, for another certain red head – There's no point arguing the matter, Severus, I know love when I see it" His eyes were twinkling.

"Fine – what if I am in love with her then? It doesn't change anything!"

"It changes everything, my boy – you both need each other"

"I don't need anyone" He replied through gritted teeth. The older Severus remembered the feeling, how he wanted to suppress it.

"Quite the contrary my boy – you are as much in need of someone to lean on, as she is now – was it not her, you came to when you had been tortured by Voldemort?"
"Stop saying that name" He hissed "And how does that matter – she's a healer"

"Yes, just like Poppy whom you could have called with a patronus – there's a reason for everything, and your path has crossed with hers for a reason"

"And what might that reason be?" He sneered.

"I am not sure yet – but I am sure we will find out in the future. Go to her; follow the temptress that is the adventure of love"

"Headmaster –"

"No my boy, this is something I am sure you need to do – so go to her now. She will be home in a matter of minutes" Dumbledore said. Finally the slightly younger Severus nodded, and walked out of the door.

Charlotte turned to him, the scene had frozen again.

"So I have Dumbledore to thank for everything?" She asked with a smirk.

"Depends on how you look at it" he replied darkly. With a wave of his hand the scene changed, but they were still in Dumbledore's office.

Dumbledore was sitting with his hand over the chair, unconscious. The younger Severus was muttering incantations and spells over Dumbledore's withered hand. A ring was lying on the desk, shattered.

When Severus stepped back, Dumbledore awoke with a start.

This was the part where he scolded Dumbledore for putting on that ring – telling him he only had a year left to live.

Charlotte was again caught up in the scene, looking on flabbergasted.

The scene soon changed, and they were still in the office. This was the scene where Dumbledore told him what must be done – that if Draco failed his mission, the dark lord would expect Severus to kill off Dumbledore.

He had refused, but Dumbledore reminded him of his promise – that he would do anything for Lily, and to protect her son.

Severus had feared for when this scene would come – for it was also the scene where Dumbledore had told him he needed to sever his ties with Charlotte.

Severus didn't look at the scene – instead he was looking at how Charlotte reacted. A tear escaped her eye when Dumbledore told him what must be done, when he told him of his options.

"You can a, erase her memory and send her to live in America, or b, make her change sides. The choice is yours"

"I can't possibly make that choice! I can't be the ruler of her life!"

"You have a year, my boy – I'm sure you will do the right thing"

The scene froze again. Charlotte seemed shocked or stunned more like it.

"Now you know why I have been acting – off" He said. She slowly turned around, tears in her eyes.

"Severus, this is more than acting off – the man told you to kill him" she said with a shaky voice. "He betrayed your trust to him – your trust to Lily" another tear fell down from her eye. He merely squeezed her hand. He wasn't finished showing her his memories.

The scene unfroze and changed. They were still in the office, and Severus saw it was the scene where Dumbledore told him what happened on the night when Lily died – when the curse had rebounded, and a piece of Voldemort's soul had been trapped inside Potter.

"So the boy must die?"

"And it must be by Voldemort's hand alone – that is essential"

After a long silence, Severus spoke again. "I thought that after all these years, we were protecting him for her – for Lily"

Dumbledore would then explain why they had been doing that. Severus closed his eyes – he knew what would happen.

"But this is touching" Dumbledore said seriously, after Severus had realized they had raised Potter like a pig for slaughter "After all this time, have you grown to care for him?"

"Him?" He said, and held out his wand. "Expecto Patronum!" A silver light burst from his wand, and a white doe jumped out, flowing through the office.

"After all this time?" Dumbledore said touched.

"Always" Severus answered, as the doe jumped out of the window.

"But what about Charlotte?" Dumbledore asked, still touched by what he had just seen. Severus pointed his wand again.

"Expecto Patronum!" He said, but instead of a silver doe, a silver wolf jumped out from his wand – Charlotte's silver wolf. The wolf disappeared the same way as the doe had. Severus, from the memory, looked at the older wizard.

"Severus – that is quite extraordinary. I had no idea that you loved her that much"

"No, you didn't" He hissed.

They were sitting on the bed in his quarters again – the memories had ended. Another tear fell from her eye, and she was looking down at her hands.

"Are you going to do it now?" She asked, her voice was sad and shaky.

"Going to do what?" He asked.

"Whatever it is you have chosen to do with me – what Dumbledore suggested" She asked, still not looking up. A tear from her eye fell down and hit Severus's hand.

"No – I'll make sure we have time, before I do it"

A sob escaped her lips. "Why not – why not just get it over with?" she tried not to sound hurt, but he could tell, that she was hurt.

"Because I want you to know something" Severus said. He lifted a hand up and gently lifted her head up to look at him. Her eyes were teary, glittering with tears.

"I thought you'd shown me everything"

"I have – but I have not told you everything" he wiped away another tear from her eye "I will always love you – no matter what happens. You saw my patronus – it is the one that has become more common"

Charlotte smiled a sad smile at him, and held her own hand up to cup his cheek. "When are you planning on doing it?"

"Tomorrow – it all happens tomorrow, according to Dumbledore at least"

A sob escaped her lips again, as she drew in a breath "He's usually right" she said, and another tear escaped her eyes. "Everyone will hate you"

"Yes – but that is what I need them to do. I have to convince the dark lord that I am on his side"

"I am willing to change sides for you" She said after a short silence. "So we can be together"

"Charlotte – your family "

"Will hate me, yes – but once the war is over, I can explain to them why I did it"

"We don't know when the war is over" Severus replied with a sigh.

"I don't care – I want to have a family with you" she looked down, the hand she had on his cheek fell down as well, and another tear escaped her eye "I don't want to lose you"

"You won't lose me" he said, making her look up at him again.

"Yes I will" she tried to stifle a sob, and smiled a sad smile. "You showed me everything, remember – your choices"

"Yes, but no matter what happens, I will always love you – even if you might not love me"

"But I will – why do you think I'm willing to change sides?"

He didn't answer her – he had to do what he had decided to do. But not now – right now he just wanted to be with her.

He put the pensive away, and pulled her close to him, kissing her deeply and passionately. She didn't resist him, instead she pushed him down on the bed, straddling him and kissing him as though it was the last time she had the change to do it. It probably was.

They were more passionate with each other than they had been before – Charlotte possibly because she knew what Severus had to do, that he had to kill Dumbledore, but Severus knew it was because he couldn't let her change sides, he couldn't let her make that sacrifice.

When they stood in the door, the next morning, and Charlotte kissed him goodbye, trying to stall. He pointed his wand at her, muttering several forget-me spells. He made her think he hadn't been in her life at all the past two years, that she had been his apprentice, but she hadn't fallen in love with him, that his face was changed with another man's face, his body changed with another man's body – that he didn't mean anything to her.

He knew it had worked, when he saw her eyes momentarily become white, before turning back to normal. The effect would first kick in when she returned to her flat – when she was away from him.

She smiled up at him, unnoticed of what he had just done to her. He gave her a last kiss, before she left.

He knew it had been the right time he had done it, when he later stood before Dumbledore, and aimed his wand at him. He then killed Dumbledore, watching as his mentor, and friend fell down from the tower.

He would have to erase a lot more memories before he escaped – he had to create a diversion.

He made himself invisible, before copying himself, a version of him that wasn't invisible. The copy took a run for it, and all he had to do now was wait until her entire family, and hopefully some of the order members as well were together.

When they were all gathered in the hospital wing – her family, the order members who knew about them, everyone who could possibly remind her of him, he hid behind a door, and pointed his wand to the room. He muttered the same incantation as he had done to Charlotte earlier – she was sitting on the bed, with an arm around her sister. Fenrir had, apparently, bitten Charlotte's brother.

Like he had done with Charlotte he erased any memory that they may have of them together and instead replaced it with the image of the same man he had put into Charlotte's mind instead.

He watched as their eyes momentarily went white, but unlike Charlotte, the spell worked on them right away.

They all looked confused for a moment, before continuing their arguments.

Severus cast another invisibility spell on himself again, and slipped unnoticed through the hospital wing, and out of the castle.

He had done what he had to do.


Disclaimer - I don't own the potterverse, J.K Rowling does.
- What do you think? :)