Character: Severus Snape
Wizardry Defense Against the Dark Arts; Impediment Jinx: Write about how ten seconds changes something major in a character's life. Prompt: (song) "100 Years" by Five for Fighting. [Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]
Immortals #29 The Arae: Write about someone using an Unforgivable Curse [Greek Mythology Competition]
#C18 – Write about Death [Scavenger Hunt]
Dame#15. Whisper [Royalty Competition]
#670. Curse [If you dare Challenge]
words: 1,204
Disclaimer: I own neither the characters, nor the song '100' Years.
Ten seconds are all it takes to change a life forever
"… please."
It is said, that only seconds before their death, people experience flashbacks of certain moments in their lives. Apparently, they somehow felt, that the life they were used to was over, and that everything would change.
For a short moment, time stopped and the seconds felt like an eternity, but even that wouldn't be enough time to make the decision any easier. Severus' hand was shaking heavily, though he was able to hold his wand surprisingly steady. With a bitter grimace on his face, he pointed it towards his defenseless opponent. Anger and frustration took over now and the heart in his chest was beating unhealthy fast; it felt like several sharp knives being stuck into it, all at the same time.
Severus knew that he wasn't going to die today, but still… his own life would never be the same again either. Severus glanced around and saw Bellatrix, Greyback and the other Death Eaters, who were expectantly – almost impatiently - waiting for his next actions. He nervously tightened the grip on his wand because he was very well aware of the fact that he was running out of time.
He had about ten seconds to make his choice, before someone else would step in and cast the curse in his place.
Ten seconds to keep a blond boy from hurting his soul.
Ten seconds to fulfill a promise, which he had given a long time ago.
Ten seconds to honor a dying man's last wish.
Ten seconds to decide between life and death.
Ten seconds of peace before all hell would break loose.
Ten seconds in which he felt like dying himself.
Ten seconds to reflect on his own life one last time.
I'm 15 for a moment
Caught in between 10 and 20
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
Ten…
All those years ago, he had no worries – well, almost. Hogwarts brought him new friends, new enemies, love and pain. He made a mistake, a big, huge mistake and probably the biggest in his life. He had called Lily a mudblood and lost her love forever…
I'm 22 for a moment
She feels better than ever
And we're on fire
Making our way back from Mars
Nine…
It was all his fault. He ran into the ruined, slightly burning house, as fast as he could. He saw Potter's lifeless body lying on the ground. He should have stopped, but he had only one thought on his mind. He took two steps at a time and pushed the door open. Then - his heart stopped and he couldn't breath. There she was, on the floor. Dead. Lily…
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live
Eight…
Severus looked at the older wizard in front of him. The Dark Lord had killed his love and Dumbledore was suggesting him to watch over her son. Potter's son. He took a deep breath. It would take 10 years until the boy would start Hogwarts…. Then he finally nodded, his voice nothing more than a whisper. "Always."
I'm 33 for a moment
Still the man but you see
I'm a They
Kid on the way, babe
A family on my mind..."
Seven…
There he stood. In between the crowd of nervous first years; impatiently waiting to get sorted. With the skinny figure and his messy jet black hair, the boy looked just like his father. How in Merlin's name was he supposed to watch out for Potter's son? Impossible… But then, there was this little, almost undetectable detail… the bright, emerald green eyes. Lily's eyes. He was her family, her son, too. So Severus had no other choice but to protect the boy …
I'm 45 for a moment
The sea is high
And I'm heading into a crisis
Chasing the years of my life
Six…
A big wanted sign right before his eyes. His longtime enemy Sirius Black had escaped from Azkaban and was probably on his way to kill Potter… Then, the start of term feast, with yet another, unwelcome familiar face. Lupin. A bloody were-wolf in the school. Brilliant.
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy, Time to lose yourself
Within a morning star
Five…
Karkaroff was afraid. They both knew the Dark Lord was about to come back soon. Severus stared frustrated at the Goblet of Fire. He had to figure out who the person was that through Potter's name in. And he had to figure it out fast…
Half the time goes by
Suddenly you're wise
Another blink of an eye
67 is gone
The sun is getting high
We're moving on...
Four…
Severus ran as fast as he could. Out of his quarters, through the doors of the Great Hall and on the Hogwarts Grounds. There she lay, her face deathly pale against the green of the grounds. He had glanced out of the window when it happened. She had only tried to protect Hagrid, but was shot and received four stunners right to the chest. Dangerous for a person his own age, but the Deputy Headmistress was already in her mid-sixties… He gently picked her up and quickly carried her to the hospital wing. It would be a miracle if she survived…
I'm 99 for a moment
Dying for just another moment
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
Three…
Severus quickly turned around, walked out of the Headmaster's office and slammed the door behind him. The old man couldn't possibly expect him to do this? Did he ever consider what would happen to his soul, to his life, when he had to cast the curse that would end the Headmaster's life? He looked into a mirror on the wall. His face had gotten older, and for a brief moment he wondered how he would look like when he'd be a 99 year old man… if he ever lived this long, that is.
15 there's still time for you
22 I feel her too
33 you're on your way
Every day's a new day...
Two…
Severus raised his eyebrow expectantly. Apparently Bella hadn't expected him to suggest using an unbreakable bond. He had to gain her, and therefore the Dark Lords trust. And he had to fulfill Dumbledore's plan, so he extended his arm surprisingly easy. Narcissa grabbed it and Bellatrix spoke the words. Protecting Draco from committing murder was the least he could do, because no matter how grown up they thought he was, deep down he was still a child…
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to choose
Hey 15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got a hundred years to live
One…
"Avada Kedavra."
Ten seconds had passed and the fatal words were spoken. The green curse hit the Headmaster square in the chest, causing him to fall backwards from the Astronomy tower.
Severus hand's were shaking, he quickly turned away from the scene, and hurried after the other Death Eaters down the stairs. He didn't look back. Not once. He had just killed the probably Greatest Wizard of all Times. Ten seconds were all it took to change his life forever.