The Unbreakable Vow
The waxing sliver of the moon swam in amongst a few wispy clouds. There was a chilly mist that settled low over a trickling black stream. A lost toad croaked and hopped between bits and pieces of rubbish that had been dropped and blown about by the crisp autumn wind. Leaves of red, orange and yellow danced and twirled with the wind. The trees ruffled peacefully.
Suddenly a slim hooded figure appeared with a pop near where the toad stood amongst pieces of newspaper and glanced around the leaf and rubbish strewn street. The toad croaked indignantly and the figure looked down. The figure bent down to touch the olive green toad. As she did so, a few strands of bold, long red hair escaped the shadows of the hood.
Another faint pop was heard and a second figure, slightly taller than the first, appeared a few steps away from the other. This figure was also wearing a dark, slightly shaggy, hooded cloak. This figured looked around at the identical buildings and brick houses, then glanced down at the first figure. The toad looked up at his figure, croaked, and then hopped away. The first figure watched the toad hop away and then slowly stood up. She glanced over at the newly appeared figure.
"I'm glad you made it all right," a feminine voice came from the first figure. The voice was sweet, motherly. It was clearly meant to be a bit funny but the mood caused it to come out more serious.
"It was not hard to find." The second figure replied with a deeper, hoarser voice. It seemed slightly scratchy as if the unknown person had just gotten over a sore throat. "Well, should we head for your sister's?"
"We're not going to my sister's." The first figure replied and began to walk toward the line of brick houses. "She does not live here anymore."
The second figure rushed to follow the first. "Then where are we going?" The hoarse voice asked, incredulously.
"Somewhere."
With that, the first figure picked up speed. Their cloak bounced around, blew back away from the ankles, revealing a pair of scuffed brown shoes and the cuffs of khaki colored pants.
"Where is somewhere?" the second figure asked grabbing the first figure's arm. They stopped near a gap in a length of rusty railings, a half empty orangish red tree above them. "Wait, I know who lives here." He said, his voice going rough, almost a growl.
The first figure's head flipped around, some vibrant red hair slipping out of the hood. She looked up at the male figure. "I have to see him." The feminine voice replied, desperation evident in her voice. She pulled her arm free, turned and slipped through the gap in the rusty metal railings that made a fence before the male figure could stop her. She rushed off down the nearby alley and headed for the street. The second figure sighed and rushed after the first.
The stalker caught up with his prey as they stepped under a street lamp a few houses from the alleyway. He grabbed her arm again and turned her around so he could see into her face that hid under her hood. "You can't trust him."
"You don't know him like I do." The feminine figure stated strongly. The words, "or did" slipped out in a mumble as she glanced away from the male figure. She ripped her arm away and stepped back into the shadows, stepping deliberately down along the street in small steps.
The taller male figure with his hoarse voice called after her. "You used to know him. He's not the same as you knew him before school. He's changed. Deep down you know that."
These words caused the female figure to stop, about 6 feet from him, just outside the ring of the street light. She turned around to face him again. She spoke this time with obvious tears in her voice. "He's the only one who can help."
The male figure walked up to her. "He's not the only one who can help. He's not the only one who is trying to help. The ministry could help. Dumbledore is trying to help. The Order is trying to help."
The female figure shook her head. "They are but they are not enough. Only he can help. I just feel it in my gut." The voice quivered under the hood. One could tell that the red haired woman was on the verge of crying. "I can feel that something is going to happen." The wind sadly whistled through the street, sharing its sympathy with the woman.
The taller figure looked down into the depths of the female figures hood. "Somethings is probably going to happen. But you are protected. You have a lot of people watching you and all the protection spells available have been placed on your house. Everything that could be done to protect you and your family has been done." The hoarse voice reassured.
"Everything that could be done, has not been done!" The female voice shouted. "That's why I have to speak to him."
And with that she bolted off. She weaved in and out of the street lights like the wind blew the trees down the street. She turned left down a street hidden in shadow called Spinner's End. Her footsteps echoed on the cobblestone as she passed houses that were closed up tight and dark for the night.
"Wait!" the hoarse voice called after her from the dark entrance to Spinner's End. Her feet pressed on as the male figure rushed after her, trying to catch up. Their footsteps mingled and echoed off the cobblestones and the moon hid behind a patch of dark gray clouds, casting them into even more shadowy darkness.
The first figure came to a halt outside the last house on the block, somewhat seemingly cut off from the others. From behind the black curtains a dim light spilled out in a thin line. She knew he had to be home.
Just as the second figure reached her, the hooded red-haired figure reached up and knocked upon the door forcefully before the second figure could stop her. Together they stood waiting, both breathing a little heavy.
After a moment they heard footsteps behind the door and the clink of a lock. Slowly, the door opened a crack. Behind the door a man could barely be seen. He had long, greasy black hair that fell around his pale face with heavy dark eyes narrowed and glaring at them. He had a hooked nose and a scowl that peaked out the crack in the door.
The first figure tossed off her hood. Her red hair cascaded over her shoulders and down her back. A women's vivid green almond shaped eyes full of worry looked penetratingly at the dark haired man. Her lips were a determined straight line.
"Lily!" the man behind the door exclaimed as he immediately pulled the door open wider. Light from inside the house spilled out on to the women and her still hooded companion. "What are you doing here?"
"Sev," Lily Potter said, her voice almost an inaudible whisper. She cleared her throat and continued in a louder voice. "It was I that sent the unsigned note. I need to speak with you. It's important."
"Of course…. Yes, come in." He staggered over his words as he stepped back to let her enter. The shock of her arrival was evident on his pallid face. He had not seen her in over 3 years but she was just as beautiful as she had always been.
She stepped across the threshold and the hooded figure behind her followed, uninvited. Severus closed the door behind them, staring icily at the second person treading into his home.
"Severus." The hooded figure said curtly as he reached up and removed his hood.
"Remus." Severus Snape replied through clenched teeth. Had he known who the second figure was, he would have closed the door and left him on the step. He glared darkly at Remus Lupin for a moment before turning back to Lily and motioning for them for follow him.
Severus led them into the sitting room off the entrance. It was more like a library, with books lining the walls from floor to ceiling, than a place to entertain. The books formed a brown and black leather back drop for a threadbare couch, old hunter green high backed armchair and a lopsided scuffed side table. There was a dim candelabra on the table and a candle filled chandelier hanging from the ceiling. There was a light layer of dust on things, that suggested that no one had been in residence for a while.
"Please, have a seat. Both of you." Severus offered hesitantly as he gestured toward the old fashioned and worn davenport. Lily removed her cloak and rested it in her lap as she sat down on the couch. Remus sat stiffly next to her choosing to stay draped in his cloak in hopes that they would be leaving soon. "Can I offer you something to drink?"
"No." Remus said gruffly. He knew Lily trusted the dark man in front of them but he did not. After all that had come between the two men, there was no reason he should. They hated each other. There was so much bad history between them that it was hard not to hate each other. "Tell him what you came here to say so we can leave." His eyes narrowed toward Severus Snape. You could tell by the lines on his prematurely lined face that Remus did not want to be there.
"Yes Lily, why are you here?" Severus inquired, looking fondly at the red haired beauty. She was just as beautiful as she had been the last time he had seen her, if not more so. His heart gave an extra beat as he looked at her.
Lily glanced around the room. She wasn't sure how to voice what she wanted. She wasn't sure he would say yes. And if Servus didn't, she didn't know what she would do. She had to protect him. "I could use a glass of water," she asked.
Severus nodded, summoned a goblet and used the "aquamenti" charm to fill her glass. Lily took a deep drink from her glass and murmured a thank you, which Severus returned with a nod.
"What has brought you here tonight, Lily?" Her name came out in almost a whisper. It was full of a sense of longing, of nostalgia and loss. It had been so long since they had spoken, so long since they had been friends. He missed her every day.
"Severus…" Lily began but stopped again. She looked over at Remus. She could read the dark look on his face. She knew he didn't want to be here. She knew that she had tricked him. She had to come and there was no way James was going to let her out of the house without some kind of escort. Sirius had been out of the question. He would have punched Severus the moment he recognized him. Remus was the only one she could ask. He was the only level headed one in the group. The only one who wouldn't right out pick her up and haul her home after cursing Severus from here to Edinburgh.
"Yes, Lily?" Severus encouraged. It had been so long since she had confided in him, trusted him. But she was here tonight and she must still trust him somewhat to have come to ask him something. His pulse quickened slightly.
Remus jumped in. "Leave her be Snape. She'll talk if she wants to or she won't." Remus snapped, glaring at the greasy haired man. Then her turned to Lily before he continued. "We can go Lily. You don't have to ask him anything. Let's just go." With that, he stood up and took a step toward the door.
Lily looked up into Remus's grey eyes, a deep sadness and fear in her eyes. "Remus, I can't leave. I have to talk to him. He's the only one." Her voice was shaky, unsteady. "You can wait outside if it bothers you."
Remus sighed and sat down next to her again. "Fine, Lily. If you must, then I will stay too." He replied.
Lily gave him a small smile as she patted his hand in a motherly fashion. "Thank you Remus."
All the while, Severus sat and watched his two guests, still contemplating why Lily was here. What could she want with him? She had made it clear years ago that she didn't want anything to do with him anymore. His heart clenched at this memory as he saw a flash of her angry face from that day not so long ago.
Remus turned to Severus. "To make it clear Snape, I don't trust you. If I had known her true intention, I would never have let her come here." He said plainly, looking Severus in the eyes. Lily glared at Remus but he did not look at her.
"The feelings are mutual Remus." Severus replied icily, his eyes shooting daggers at the shabby man. "But Lily feels otherwise. And that is all that matters as she is the one who here to ask something of me."
Finally, she turned to look at their host. "Severus, I'm sorry to come here like this, especially after everything that has happened between us but I had to. I think you may be the only one who can help me." Lily admitted in a pleading voice. She played with the glass in her hand.
"What about Dumbledore?" Remus interjected before Severus could speak. He was still trying to convince her not to do this. He didn't trust Snape. He had heard all the rumors back in school with who he hung out with. He knew what many of them had allegedly become. He was sure that Severus Snape had become a Death Eater too.
"We've already talk about Dumbledore. Dumbledore knows the dangers he's in. He knows that He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named is hoping something will happened to Dumbledore." Lily shot back at Remus. "What if something happens to him? What good would it have been to go to him? No, this is the only way. Sev is the only one."
"Nothing is going to happen to Dumbledore. He is too powerful." Remus replied strongly. He knew Dumbledore was not a young wizard by any means but he was one of the most powerful wizards alive. If he could defeat Grindelwald, then surely, he could defeat anyone.
"Remus, you don't know that." Lily said, her eyes filling with tears. "He is not invincible. He admits he makes mistakes and doesn't know everything. He is not infallible. He could die."
"But so could he." Remus complained, gesturing to Severus.
"I thank you to not refer to me in such a way in my own house, Lupin." Severus said through gritted teeth. His dislike for this man ran deep. Only his admiration for Lily Evans kept him from pulling out his wand and striking the other man.
Lily turned to Severus. "I know what you are Severus. I know where your allegiances lie." She said bluntly. "But I also know that you once cared about me a great deal. I am hoping that deep down inside there is a little of that left. I know He wants us. I don't know exactly why but I know He wants us. And Harry. My Harry." Her voice caught with tears. Remus put a hand on her shoulders.
"I know not what the Dark Lord desires." Snape stated solemnly. "But that still does not tell me why you are here. You have not spoken to me in years." Instead of gaining his sympathies, her mention of his feelings for her felt like a dagger to the heart. It made him want to turn her out, ignore what she had to say, to tell her she had no right to ask him and to go to hell. But instead, he waited and listened to what she had to say.
"I know we have not spoken since leaving Hogwarts. But I can feel that he is coming for Harry. Call it a mother's instinct, if you will. I know, deep inside me, that He wants Harry." She said looking to Severus, tears streaming down her cheeks. Severus's mask of indifference faltered for a moment. The women he loved was in front of him with tears muddling her bright green eyes and he could not go to her. He wasn't even sure he could protect her or do as she was undoubtedly asking. "He is my child Severus. My world. He is only a baby. He hasn't done anything in this world except be born, eat, sleep and grow. He doesn't deserve to be targeted, to be assigned to die. So many innocences have not done anything to be targeted and yet so many are no longer with us. He should not be the one to choose who deserves life because of His beliefs and opinions. He shouldn't have that power."
"The Dark Lord is a very powerful wizard." Severus pronounced, his mask of indifference straightened. "Power is control." It was amazing how easily the propaganda slipped from his lips.
"He does not have power over me!" Lily yelled passionately. Frustration filled her face but her eyes reveled fear if one were to look close enough. "He is just a man, like you and James. He can be killed. He is not invincible." Her face was red.
With the mention of her husband, Severus tried not to sneer. He knew she was upset but with the mention of her husband, his tenderness for her was wavering. There had been a time long ago, when he would have tried to make her feel better, to comfort her. His heart ached for those times. But she had made her choice. She had chosen that stupid show off Potter instead of him. And now she was here asking of his help. He was not sure that he could give her the help she wanted or if he even wanted to.
"He is a very powerful man. There are ways to extend your life and evade death." Severus responded curtly. "Your husband is a powerful wizard or so people think. Ask him for help." It had been petty to say, but he couldn't help it. Her presences was doing a number on his heart and apathetic visage.
Lily's brow furrowed. Anger flashed across her face and then disappeared into hopelessness. She knew how much Severus despised her husband. In a quiet wisp of a voice, she spoke. "I do not fear death. I have faced it many times already. I have lived a happy life. But Harry…he has not had a chance to live. I want him to have the chance to live, to learn, to love. Please help me give him these things Severus." Her green eyes pleaded with him. "If you ever loved me… if part of you still does… please help me give my son the chance to live." Tears streamed from her eyes in rivers and her hands were knotted on top of the cloak in her lap.
Severus watched her. Inside, his heart squeezed seeing her in pain. She was right. He did love her. He always would no matter what she did to hurt him. She was the first friend he had ever made, the first person to care about him, the first person he loved. When they had been friends, he had been happy. That was when he had lived and loved. Better to have live and loved… He thought.
With a sigh, he spoke. "Lily there is nothing I can do." Deep down he knew that. He had already tried to talk to the Dark Lord about sparing Lily. The Dark Lord had been furious. He couldn't go to him a second time. The Dark Lord knew about the prophecy surrounding Lily's child. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… The Dark Lord would never agree. He swallowed and his voice was softer. "I don't know exactly what the Dark Lord has planned and even if I did, it would be my death if I interfered. I don't know how I can help you."
"Promise me that if anything happens to me, please make sure that Harry is taken care of." She pleaded, slipping from the couch to rest on her knees near his chair. She almost reached out to take his hand but stopped herself.
Silence hung in the air. Severus looked away from her. He didn't know what to say. How could he promise her something like that? Harry was James's son. The one who had bullied and tortured and picked on him and made his life hell at school. The one who had teased him and tricked him. The one who had stolen the love of his life from him. How could she ask him to take care of and protect the son of his most hated enemy?
"Please Severus. For me?" she whispered looking up into Severus's face. He glanced back at her and she his dark eyes, the clock on the mantel tick –tick-tocking the silent minutes away.
He didn't know why, yet he wanted to say yes. He wanted to for her. His heart told him that he needed to because he loved her. Harry was her son. And she loved Harry. But could he do it? Could he really make her this promise? His stomach rolled at the thought of protecting James's son but his heart kept reminding him Lily's son, Lily's son.
Lily knew she could say no more to sway Severus's mind and thus got up from the floor, tears falling faster down her cheeks. She looked away from him.
Remus stood up next to her and took her arm. "Come on Lily. Let's go." He said breaking the silence. He shot Severus a sharp look. "Snape is only interested in saving his own skin. He's not going to do anything for you. He truly is a Death Eater."
Lily turned and glanced up at Remus. His face was lined and worried. She could read his thoughts in his eyes. Then she looked at Severus, her childhood friend. His face seemed paler than it had been earlier and he would not make eye contact with her. She stared at him for a moment and when he said nothing, she nodded to Remus and they both turned and took a step toward the door.
"If I agreed, what would you have me do?" Severus's deep crisp voice pierced the air. Deep down, no matter how much he hated James, his love for Lily won out. For her, he would do anything. He always had and probably always would.
Lily whipped around, her face lighting up with the hope that was growing inside. "Promise to watch over him. To keep him out of trouble. To do whatever you can to give him a chance at life." She explained, moving back toward Severus. She reached for his hand and he immediately pulled it away. A shock had gone through his body and his heart speed up with her touch.
"Why would he do that Lily? He's a Death Eater. How do we know that he won't just hand Harry over to the Dark Lord the first minute that he can?" Remus interjected loudly, exasperated with his best friend's wife. He felt she was wasting her time, their time. It had been a fool's errand. "Harry is James's son. He hates James." The word "hates" was laced with disdain.
Lily turned on Remus before Severus could speak. "That may be true but he does not hate me." She glared seriously at Remus as she spoke. She turned slowly back to face the dark haired, sallow skinned man. Her pleading eyes asked for confirmation to her claim.
The pause seemed like an eternity to Lily but finally Severus gave a small nod. As much as he wanted to hate Lily Evans- Lily Potter- for all that James had done, for leaving him, he found that he just couldn't. His lonely heart would not let him. Even though he didn't want to do it, even though he wasn't sure how he would do it, he couldn't ignore the feelings for her buried deep in his chest.
"Severus, will you make the unbreakable vow to watch over and protect my son?" she asked quietly, gently. She knew she was asking a big favor, especially if the rumors were true and Severus was a Death Eater. He would be risking his own life for that of her son, because if he vowed to protect Harry and anything ever happened to him, Severus, too, would die. Her bright green eyes full of tears, locked on to Severus's glinting black ones. He could see her fear and her desperation. After a moment's thought, he replied.
"I will."
Lily's shoulders slumped with some relief as a small smile spread across her lips toward Severus. With that smile his heart skipped a beat. She was so beautiful. As much as he wanted to return her smile, he kept his face clear, neutral. He knew that his promise had taken some of her fear from her but that didn't give him permission to show happiness.
Lily turned to Remus. "Will you perform the Unbreakable Vow, Remus?"
Remus looked back at her with trepidation and uncertainty in his eyes. "Lily, are you sure about this?" he asked cautiously. "How can we trust him? We know what he is."
Severus sneered at Remus but Lily spoke calmly, yet forcefully. "We only know what he is rumored to be." She said. "I am not asking him to be my Secret Keeper. I am asking him to vow to take care of my son if something were to happen to me. I trust him and that's what matters. Will you please perform the Unbreakable Vow, Remus?"
"What if I refuse?" He stared at her.
Lily sighed. "Remus, I asked you to come with me because you are logical and levelheaded. If he is willing to make the vow and give Harry that much more of a chance, then why wouldn't you do it? This is not about me. This is about my baby boy, my Harry." She said taking a step toward Remus and resting a hand on his arm.
Remus looked down into her eyes then and a flash of the chubby cheeked infant flashed in front of his mind's eye. He knew how much she wanted to protect her son. How she would do anything and seek out anyone that could protect her son from what had been prophesized. He sighed. He would do it for Harry. "Alright Lily. I will be the Bonder."
Lily smiled slightly. "Thank you, Remus." She touched him on the arm again and gave it a squeeze. She turned to Severus and walked over to him. Remus followed somewhat hesitantly.
Severus rose from his chair and reached out his right hand to Lily. His heart beat sped up slightly as she grasped his arm. Remus walked up to stand in front of them, pulling out his wand from the inside of his cloak. He gently placed the tip of his wand on to their clasped hands.
"Will you, Severus, watch over my son, Harry?"
"I will."
A bright thin flame shot out of Remus's wand and snaked its way around the two hands.
"And will you, to the best that you can, protect him from harm?"
"I will."
A second path of flame slipped from the wand and intertwined itself around the hands and in amongst the previous glowing strand.
"Will you watch over my son, if anything should happen to me, and to be best of your abilities, help him to live a long life?" Lily finally asked. Severus looked up into her emerald green eyes, felt the pull of his heartstrings and nodded. It didn't matter that he might not be able to do as she asked but he would try. For her.
"I will."
A final, slightly thicker strand sprang from Remus's wand with a flash of light that shadowed part of the trio's faces, wrapping itself around the clasped hands tightly. The bonds throbbed for but a moment before they flashed brightly and disappeared.
"Thank you, Severus." Lily pronounced as she pulled her hand from his. "I will never forget this for as long as I live."
The follow night, a crisp fall evening, Severus was back at the castle. He had returned earlier in the day to be present at the Halloween feast by order of Dumbledore. He had retreated to his store cupboard after leaving the feast, to check on supplies for the 2nd years potion lesson on Monday. He had just picked up a jar of Frog Spawn when suddenly, his right hand convulsed and a fire burned up his arm to his heart. He dropped the jar and it crashed to the ground as he realized what had happened. He fell to his knees, his heart tightening in his chest as the tears rushed to his eyes.
"No, not Lily," he yelled as he looked up at the ceiling, cursing. He dropped his head and began to sob. The Unbreakable Vow was fractured. Lily Evans had lost her life. "Not Lily." He choked out in a strangled whisper.
He brought his hands up to his head, glancing at his right hand as he did so. The one that Lily had held just last night. It appeared the same as it had always been, but it tingled slightly. Then he realized something.
"Her son lives." The words slipped from his lips as the tears continued to fall. He knew it to be true. If he had not, Severus would surely have known. For even if the Unbreakable Vow was fractured, the power remained somewhat, and would hold him to his word. If anything had happened to Harry, he, too, would have suffered the same fate.
With realization on his face, tears streaming from his eyes, Severus Snape stood up shakily, placing a hand on the shelf in front to steady himself. Lily had come to him, asking him to make the Unbreakable Vow, knowing that she would die soon.
"Lily." Her name stumbled from his lips, as his body was wracked with sobs again.
His childhood friend, the only girl he had ever loved and cared about, was dead. His heart was aching in his chest, crying tears of its own.
But her beloved son lived.
"I thought…. you were going…. to keep her…. safe…." Severus wept, his head in his hands.
"I did the best that I could. The Potters' put their faith in the wrong person." Dumbledore said. "Much like you did. Did you not ask Voldemort to spare her?"
Severus's breath caught in his chest. He had been correct in his assumption that the Dark Lord would not heed his request.
"Her son still lives."
Severus lifted his head to look at the elder wizard. He gave him a small glare. He knew the son lived. But he was also Potter's son. His hatred of James and his love of Lily had been fighting inside him from the moment he felt the flames race through his hand.
"He has her eyes. Emerald green, almond shaped."
"Don't!" Severus bellowed. He heaved a sob, his breath coming hard and uneven. His eyes were still filled with tears. "Gone…. dead….." His voice trailed off. He couldn't believe he would never see her again. "I wish… I wish I was dead." He whispered to himself. His heart clenched again.
But Dumbledore overheard him. "And what would that accomplish?" he said walking over to Severus and placing a hand on his shoulder. "If you loved her, truly loved Lily Evans, as you say you do, then do what she wanted you to do. Watch over and protect her son. Help me protect her son."
Severus's face contorted into rage. How could he go on? He had lost the only person he ever really cared about. And this man, this so called wise wizard was asking him to take care of the son of one of his enemies. Rage flared in his dark eyes and across his face like a wildfire.
But she asked you to do it. You made the Unbreakable Vow. You did it for her. His heart spoke inside his head. He had promised Lily and he knew, deep down, that he would keep that vow. "For Lily," He spoke, as the fire died in his eyes. "Only for Lily. I promise to watch over him for her. No one else must know."
"He is mediocre, arrogant like his father, a rule breaker, delighted to be famous, attention- seeking and impertinent." Severus said, almost spitting mad. He could not believe that Lily's son, looked and acted just like the arrogant ass father of his.
"You are blinded by your hatred of James." Dumbledore said wisely as he turned a page in his magazine. "Many of the other staff say that he is a hard worker, showing great promise in his magical skills. They say he is kind, modest and likable. He seems like a wonderful child to me."
Severus rounded on the Dumbledore and glared. He said nothing. He knew that he was prejudice against Harry because of who his father was. But he couldn't help but be. His father had made his life hell, had stolen from him his best friend. And here was a boy that looked just like James, the spitting image, except for his eyes. Lily's eyes. It was so hard to see past the James in him.
Dumbledore looked up then. "I understand your feelings. But remember your promise to Lily."
Severus's eyes narrowed and then he looked away. "For Lily I will continue to protect her son."
Severus watched as the broomstick was going crazy, throwing the dark haired boy in all directions. Under his breath, Severus began to whisper a counter curse to help stabilize the broom. He glanced sideways looking for the source of the curse trying to knock Lily's son from his broom. But he could not locate the source. He focused his attention back on the bucking broom and continued to mutter the counter curse under his breath. For Lily….
There he was, standing outside the girls' bathroom, next to the cat that was hanging on the wall next to writing in blood on the wall. He was always out of bounds or found in the wrong place and the wrong time. So much like his arrogant, rule breaking father. But maybe this time….
"I believe Headmaster, that Potter and his friends may have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time," Severus told Dumbledore. For Lily….
Severus walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom and toward the office.
"Remus, I have your potion." He called as he walked toward the office. There was no response. "Remus?" He entered the office and looked around. There was no in the office.
Severus scowled as he put the potion down on the desk. He turned to leave but suddenly he noticed something move on a piece of parchment. Intrigued, he picked it up and looked at it closely. It was Potter's funny map.
As he scanned the parchment, his eyes fell on Lupin, accompanied by Harry Potter, his friends and the escaped criminal Sirius Black. A shocked expression appeared on his face and he dropped the map and ran from the room, heading for where he had last seen the dot labeled Harry Potter disappear.
For Lily…
"Professor Snape," the sweet voice of Dolores Umbridge called as she walked into the store cupboard where Severus was taking stock of his potions and ingredients. "I need to question Harry Potter. I need your strongest truth potion."
Severus sighed. "Yes, Headmistress." He reached up to a small green bottle, Veritaserum, but he hesitated before grabbing it.
"Severus, I need Veritaserum. And I need it now!" shrieked the woman in pink.
A look of conflict appeared on his face. What he wouldn't give to hear Potter spill all his rule breaking secrets and receive the punishments he deserved. But he could tell by the sound of her voice that she was in a rage and would do whatever was necessary to receive the answers she desired. With just one more moment's hesitation, he reached for a dark blue bottle next to the green one, this one filled with distilled water, and handed it to Umbridge.
"Thank you, Severus," Umbridge said rushing from the room.
"For Lily," Severus whispered.
"I want you to teach Harry Occumlency." Dumbledore sat behind his desk, shuffling parchments around, as if looking for something.
"Why me? You are a much better Occumlens then I." Severus replied, somewhat desperately. This was not a task he wanted to take on.
Dumbledore looked up from his search. "It would be for the best if it were you, Severus." The old man looked deep into the dark eyes of the Potion Master. "It might help him stay alive."
Severus's eyes narrowed. "But Dumbledore, you know our history. You know my feelings about him."
"He is Lily's son."
Severus sighed. He knew that Harry was her son every time he caught a glimpse of those bright emerald eyes. He knew he could say no and he would have but for his promise to Lily. He would not break that promise. "Alright. I will. For Lily…"
"Fight back, you coward!" Harry yelled as he raced after Snape. Severus turned around and glared at Harry. The boy looked so much like his father that Severus was sure that it was James for a moment. But as Harry got closer, her could see the bright green of his eyes flash in the faint light coming from the crescent moon. Lily. He thought, his heart giving a lurch. Then he noticed that Bellatrix was coming up behind Harry. He knew he had to do something or Bellatrix would do something. For Lily…
Suddenly, Harry was on the ground screaming and withering in pain.
"No!" Severus shouted flicking his wrist and shooting a flash of light from his wand. Bellatrix jumped back as it hit her, her spell on Harry broken. "Are you forgetting your orders? He is for the Dark Lord. Leave him!"
"Expecto Patronum," Severus whispered and a bright light shot out of his wand. He encouraged the bright doe to walk forward through the trees to the tent that was just beyond.
He watched as the doe patronus walked up to the dark-haired boy who was sitting just outside an old tent. Severus watched as the doe caught the attention of the boy who then stood up, inching closer to the Severus's doe. With a swish of his wand, Severus gently encouraged the doe to turn around and come back toward the clearing with the frozen pool. The dark- haired boy, Harry Potter, followed slowly behind the doe glancing around the clearing for the person who was controlling the bright image of the doe.
Severus turned toward the frozen lake and walked toward it, taking care to keep hidden in the brush and trees until he reached the edge of the lake. He gently set down the sword on top of the frozen surface and pushing gently as he murmured a spell. The sword slipped below the surface and fell toward the bottom of the lake. Hurriedly, as the doe was coming closer, Severus rushed from the clearing, hiding in a clump of trees and bushes. He watched while the doe moved into the clearing, with Harry close behind.
Once Harry reached the clearing, Severus waved his wand and the doe disappeared. With a thought of Lily's emerald green eyes, his disappeared with a quiet pop.
For Lily…
"No, my lord but I beg you let me return and bring the Potter boy back to you." Severus said as he eyed the large snake.
"You do not understand Potter as I do. He will come to me on his own. He will come to stop me from harming others. It is his one great flaw. He will not sit around and watch others die." Voldemort said walking toward Severus Snape. "No. Potter will come on his own."
"But what if someone should try to kill him first?" Severus interjected. His voice wavered slightly as his heart beat a little faster in his chest. The Dark Lord was coming closer and the snake was staring at him. He glanced quickly between the two. "Please let me retrieve him for you."
"Silence! My directions have been clear. Kill the others- his friends and loved ones- but Harry is to be brought to me alive!" Voldemort shouted, his voice ringing throughout the room.
Severus took a step back. The Dark Lord continued to step closer. Voldemort continued, "It is you who I wish to speak to Severus. You have been very valuable to me. Very valuable."
Severus back into the wall. He knew, deep down, what Voldemort wanted. He also knew that the Dark Lord would do whatever was needed to get what he wanted, to kill the Potter boy, to gain the Elder wand. Severus knew, thanks to Dumbledore's plotting, that it would be the end of him. And yet still he tried.
"My Lord knows I only seek to serve him. But – let me go and I will find him. I will find Harry Potter and bring him to you." Severus pleaded on last time. For Lily…
"I have told you no!" Voldemort shouted again with impatience. "My concern right now, Severus, is with what will happen when I meet Harry Potter."
Severus faced the Dark Lord, gripping his wand tightly. He knew the end was coming. He knew what Dumbledore had plotted. He knew what had to happen to Harry and yet he still felt the pull of his heart, the part that loved Lily so deeply, tell him to do whatever he could to protect Lily's son.
"My lord there can be no question..."
Harry Potter rose out of the Pensive and turned toward the picture of the latest Headmaster of Hogwarts. The dark eyed, sallow faced man sat in a chair and appeared to be sleeping.
"Thank you." He said to the portrait. "Thank you for all that you did to protect me for my mum. Thank you for loving her so much that you gave me a chance to live. I will not forget this." The boy who lived bowed at the portrait before leaving the office of the newly appointed Headmistress to meet up with his best friends and girlfriend. He would never forget the man who had risked everything over and over to protect him.
As the dark-haired boy with the emerald eyes left the room, the portrait of Severus Snape opened an eye. The corners of his lips turned up slightly.
He is more like his mother than just his eyes I guess. He thought before he closed his eye again.
The end
AN: Leave me a comment on what you think. It's something that I have had rolling around in my head ever since I read the chapter where Narcissa went to Snape.