Easter Holidays, 1993- Petunia

The smell of fried eggs and bacon woke Petunia up the next morning. Several platters, along with a fat, brown pot of tea, had been placed on the small wooden table near the window. She stretched luxuriously, having slept surprisingly well the night before. Her sojourn through the castle, followed by revealing Harry's identity to Severus, had taken its toll on her, and she had been exhausted. Today though, with the aroma of bacon in the air, and sunshine outside, Petunia felt ready to take on the project she had set herself- figuring out what on earth was happening at Hogwarts.

Petunia was well aware that she was only a muggle teacher, and that several witches and wizards had tried before her to solve the mystery, and had failed. She admitted to herself that she truly just wanted to be near her nephew, as irrational as it was since he was quite unresponsive, and would remain so for the next month, until the mandrakes were mature. But, she was determined to make herself useful, and made her way to the library that morning. According to Dumbledore, no one had really bothered to do much actual research into what was happening at Hogwarts. Silly theories had been thrown about, and everyone had panicked. Petunia suspected that the Ministry wasn't conducting any sort of investigation at all- they were simply waiting until it was appropriate to remove Dumbledore. Petunia was determined to help in some way, even if it meant combing through the library's vast collection. There was nothing Petunia liked better than dusty books and the soft glow of library lamps.

Severus sat opposite her, having been assigned as her bodyguard, and shot her occasional glares. He had no reason to be upset, as he had little else to do, she reasoned- classes had been mostly postponed, and the few students who were still at the school were confined to their common rooms, except for meal times. Petunia snuck a look at the brooding man and thought with a smothered giggle that he just enjoyed being upset.

The days passed, melting into each other. Petunia learned quite a lot about the history of the school and magic in Britain, but nothing that would help them. Occasionally, she would ask Severus a question. He tried to keep up a façade of irritability, but not even he could maintain it for weeks on end. He lit up with some of her questions and became quite animated. Petunia finally began to understand why Lily had stayed friends with him for so long. He was quite handsome when he was excited about a topic, instead of brooding angrily, Petunia reflected. He would never be a James Potter, but he had certainly become distinguished looking, and had grown into his nose.

'… and so Merlin was the last mage any court in Britain ever had!' finished Severus, having just given Petunia a rundown on the history of royalty and magic. They weren't any closer to finding out who the culprit behind the attacks was, but neither seemed to notice the days passing.

They often talked of their own lives, Petunia talking about teaching in a muggle school, and ridiculed Severus' ad hoc way of teaching without a lesson plan.

'Really Sev, you just put the Potions instructions on the board and tell them to brew a potion? You don't even explain to them what might happen when they mix the ingredients?'

'But how will they learn if they don't make their own mistakes, Tuney?'

Petunia snorted and rolled her eyes. Often, their conversations became grim as Severus confided in her about his godson, Draco.

'He's simply too thin, Petunia. I'm sure it's the worry about pleasing his father. But Lucius won't listen.'

Petunia sympathised with the boy. As a child she often felt similarly about her own parents, who had been more impressed by a wand emitting sparks than a prize in English Literature. Petunia enjoyed her conversations with Severus more than she liked to admit. Adult Severus was quite companionable, and they had a surprising number of things in common. She thought she might almost be sad to leave Hogwarts when all this was over.

She sighed and flipped through the pages of an old tome titled 'Wizardes Who Deyfied Deathe' by Jingle Welles. This book was especially dusty, having been crammed into a crevice on the wooden shelf. Petunia was certain that no one had touched it for at least fifty years. There were several fascinating accounts of wizards and witches who had managed to live far longer than they should have, by use of dark magic or strange elixirs. In 1782, Henrietta Foxspell, an American woman, had purposefully consumed human flesh in an attempt to become a wendigo, and therefore, immortal. She went mad and was killed by a Native American shaman. Another, Darius Hagues tried to become a part vampire, but died of severe burns after he accidentally walked into sunlight. All seemed to have met gruesome ends. Fascinated, Petunia stuck her nose deeper into the book and read on. Eventually, she came to a page that had been blacked out, with a warning scrawled across it in shimmering silver ink.

'Cast this cursed magick and be doomed

to wander the world

with a half life

with a half soul'

'Severus… what do you suppose this means?' asked Petunia, showing him the odd script.

He glanced at it, confusion clouding his face. 'I'm not sure. I'm surprised Irma allowed one of her books to be defaced like this. She's usually so careful.'

'Defaced? One of my books? Impossible!'

Madam Pince, the strict librarian, emerged from behind a shelf. Petunia wondered how long she had been there, listening. Madam Pince snatched the book from Petunia in an attempt to prove her wrong. As her gaze fell onto the ruined page, her face went white.

Her voice trembled slightly. 'I see nothing wrong here. Carry on!'

She made to turn away, but Severus, caught her by the arm. 'Hang on Irma, what's this about? I've never known you to allow a book to remain in such a condition!'

Madam Pince's eyes darted frantically. 'Please don't ask me what was on that page Severus. I can't bear to speak of it!'

Petunia and Severus exchanged confused glances. Petunia wondered uneasily what on earth could have the usually dour librarian so hysterical.

'Irma.' Severus was uncharacteristically gentle. 'What's the matter? Why can't you speak of it?'

'It is forbidden. No one can or should speak of it.'

'Irma, as a fellow Hogwarts staff member, I think you should tell me,' said Severus, firmly.

Irma Pince shot him a tearful look. 'Only one has ever asked. Someone who went on to do horrible things. I regret telling him everyday. Only a terrible mind would want to know about this!'

'Madam Pince,' said Petunia softly. 'Whatever it is, do you think it is relevant to what's happening at Hogwarts? If it isn't, we won't ask again.'

The librarian blinked at her. 'I've wondered that, ever since I found that girl, frozen stiff, here. I've wondered, and I never said anything, Merlin help me.'

Petunia held her breath, and hoped against hope that it was a breakthrough.

'Horcrux.'

Severus froze. 'Who asked you about that?'

The librarian's eyes filled with tears. 'You know who.'

Suppressing a sob, Madam Pince wrenched herself away from Severus' grip and fled the library. Petunia gaped after her. 'Whatever does that mean? Horcrux?'

Petunia waited impatiently, and Severus looked at her, his face pale. 'I don't know much about them, but what I do know is that they are taboo to even speak of. They're dark, cursed objects.'

'Lots of objects in the magical world are cursed though,' argued Petunia, not quite seeing what all the fuss was about. 'Even at the Potter's manor there was a bicycle that would drive you to the lake and tip you in. Why's this one so terrible then?'

'Horcruxes are… heavily cursed. Something terrible has to be done to create them. I believe a… sacrifice… is involved.'

'And what? What do they do?' Petunia eyed the title of the book. 'Do they help you live longer?'

Severus' gaze was far away, lost in thought. His voice was distant. 'I never knew what they did. No one ever talked about them. My mother slapped me once for asking. I'd heard an older Slytherin boy say the word. But no one wants to die. I imagine creating a horcrux keeps you alive somehow. What else could it do, for all the terrible things that supposedly have to be done for it?'

He gripped the edges of the table, snapping back to the present. His breaths were short and shallow, his eyes wide. 'My God. Petunia, horcruxes! It's what they do! It's what he was trying to do! Be immortal!'

'Severus, breathe! Who was trying to be immortal?'

Severus looked at her, fear clouding his dark eyes. 'The Dark Lord.'

Minutes later, Petunia and Severus stood in Dumbledore's circular office. Petunia wasn't sure what dots Severus had connected to arrive at his inflammatory conclusion, but he muttered something about showing them memories. Outside, the sun shone and lit the room in shades of warm gold. A beautiful bird sat perched near the window. He sang a long, sweet note, and despite her mounting fear over the mysterious horcruxes, Petunia felt a light enter her soul.

The old man beamed. 'Hello children! Getting along well, I see!'

Without any preamble, Severus said, 'Professor, we've got to use your pensieve!'

'Certainly, dear boy.' Dumbledore pointed his wand at a tall, cream wooded cupboard. A silver pot, inlaid with precious stones, and adorned in intricate carvings, floated out. It was filled with a strange, smoky substance. Petunia couldn't tell if it was liquid or not. She watched as Severus pointed his wand at his temple. A long silver strand emerged, and he dropped it into the pensieve. Images swirled in the mist- A small Severus being Sorted, holding hands with a small redhead (Petunia winced at that one). An older Severus receiving the Dark Mark, his face contorting with pain as it burnt his flesh. The scene changed, and Petunia saw a white faced young man tearfully pleading with Dumbledore 'Protect her. Protect them! I'll do anything!'. The figures faded away and she watched as the scene changes. Now the Severus in the pensieve furtively gazed at Petunia nosing through a book in the library. Severus choked and swiftly smacked the side of the pensieve.

He quickly described the old passage Petunia had found, and Madam Pince's revelation.

'… I think, perhaps, the Dark Lord might be trying to make himself immortal, sir. I have a few memories to show you.'

Dumbledore nodded, and the three linked hands. Petunia barely had time to wonder what was going to happen before she was floating through a grey space. Her feet met the ground gently, and she found herself in a dimly lit stone room. Severus and Dumbledore were on either side of her. She jumped as a man, clad in all black, swept past her, followed by several more.

'It's alright Petunia,' said Severus, gripping her hand firmly. 'It's just a memory; these people can't see or hear us.'

Petunia watched as the room slowly filled. She hadn't noticed before, but a very youthful Severus Snape was tucked into the corner, quietly observing everyone. It was a death eater meeting. Petunia shuddered. Was Vernon's killer here, chatting and laughing?

In front of the room stood a tall, pale man. With his dark hair and chiseled jaw, he might have been handsome, if not for his red slitted eyes. The Dark Lord. Voldemort. Petunia listened with a growing uneasiness as he called attention to his followers and crowed about acquiring a golden cup. Hufflepuff's Cup. He presented it to a simpering, black haired witch. This woman, Petunia knew- Bellatrix Lestrange. She was to put it into her vault. She smirked as she walked through the crowd, clearly pleased to have been chosen by her master over everyone else.

'…and next, my loyal followers, you must find me Gryffindor's sword! But until then, I will be satisfied with a few muggle lives!'

The group roared with approval and laughter. Petunia thought she might be sick. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw young Severus' lips thin for a fraction of a second, before cracking a stiff, obligatory smile. She wasn't sure why, but past Severus' disapproval made her feel better, in this room of cruel, twisted people.

'Aw Sevvy, better luck next time!' Bellatrix Black was giggling at him, waving the cup in his face.

'Whatever do you mean, Bellatrix?' His tone was bored as he scanned the room.

Bellatrix replied in a sing-song voice, 'Our Dark Lord trusts me-ee-ee! Not you-ou-ouuu!'

'It's just a cup, Bella. I'm not sure why he would care that much for it.'

Bellatrix's eyes tightened. 'It's NOT just a cup, you stupid boy. It's the Dark Lord himself!'

She flounced away. Petunia, Severus and Dumbledore watched as young Severus glanced curiously between Bellatrix and the Dark Lord. A blonde woman wandered up to him and greeted him. The walls of the room became fuzzy. Petunia blinked, and the scene changed once again. This time, they were in a beautiful ballroom. Silver candelabras hung from the ceiling, and moving tapestries decorated the walls. Finely dressed men and women danced and moved through the crowd. Petunia watched as Pensieve Severus chatted with some darkly clad men.

'The Dark Lord entrusted me with finding out what the ministry has on longevity,' boasted a thin man, puffing his chest out. 'I'm to find out what the Department of Mysteries has on immortality.'

Pensieve Severus glanced at him. 'For an Unspeakable, you certainly talk quite a lot, Rookwood.'

A roar of laughter from the surrounding death eaters faded and Petunia was back in the comfortable sunshine of Dumbledore's office.

Severus collapsed into a chair and snatched a chocolate off of Dumbledore's desk. 'I always wondered what it all meant. He was always strange about death. He said dying was for the weak. That's partly why he murdered so many muggles- to show that they were magically weak. But I think he was afraid of it. Of death. When I first joined the death eaters, he often had me brew experimental elixirs that he thought would increase his longevity.'

He paused to chew the chocolate that he was stress eating.

He swallowed and continued. 'When Madam Pince mentioned him asking her about them, I wondered. If a horcrux makes you immortal, then could he have made one?'

Dumbledore suddenly looked very old. 'I was afraid of this. Indeed, making a horcrux can give one a sort of immortality. It involves tearing your soul apart, and storing the fragment in another vessel. If the mortal body is destroyed, the fragment can be used to create a new body, and thus, new life. But to tear apart one's soul, one must take a soul. I have always suspected that Voldemort had made some sort of contingency plan. I just never knew what.'

'But he's gone! He's dead! Isn't he?' Petunia's voice rose in terror, as she recalled what his followers had done in his name to Vernon, what he had done to poor Harry. 'He can't come back!'

'If a horcrux was made, he will never be gone,' said Dumbledore, quietly. 'It has to be destroyed. Severus, Petunia, thank you. I do believe that Hufflepuff's cup might be his horcrux. We shall destroy it, and hopefully rid the world of him.'

'It was Petunia, professor. She found it,' said Severus unexpectedly, looking at her with admiration.

Petunia blushed.

Easter Holidays, 1993- Severus

Admittedly, he hadn't been pleased when Dumbledore assigned him to be Petunia Dursley's bodyguard. After shock of her revelation about Harry had worn off, he realised to his horror that he would have to spend his days with the waspish sister of his former best friend. The first few days were awkward. They sat stiffly together in the library, exchanging uncomfortable pleasantries. Somehow, they started talking, reminiscing about their childhood. As the conversation moved to their present lives, he realised how much they had in common- they were both teachers, (although he was sure Petunia was far superior in this aspect), they both enjoyed cooking, and collecting books, and both had a manic need to keep things tidy. It was strange, getting to know Petunia again, without Lily as the common denominator. As a child, he only ever saw Lily- Petunia was always a bad tempered blur in the background in his memories. He wondered how much of that image had come from his actual interactions with her, and how much of it was based on what Lily had said about her sister. Now, he saw Petunia a little more clearly. Next to Lily, with her deep auburn hair and bright green eyes, she had often seemed pale and lifeless, with her light skin and blonde hair. Now, he covertly stared as sunshine streaming through the library's stained glass windows lit her hair golden. Her eyes, blue and sparkling, made Severus think of the sapphires in the Ravenclaw hourglass.

He shook himself. What was wrong with him? To daydream about Petunia Dursley, of all people? But he found himself thinking of excuses to write to her when Harry was better. Perhaps he could offer to tutor the boy when Hogwarts was closed. The awful possibility of the Dark Lord's horcrux snaked its way into his blissful daydreams. Severus shuddered. His dark mark had been coming back- perhaps they were too late, and the Cup had already been used to bring the Dark Lord back. But, Severus reassured himself, the mark wasn't clear. He wasn't back, not fully. They could still prevent this.

The mandrakes were nearly mature. Soon Harry would be cured, and the school closed. And Petunia would be gone, Severus thought dully. He was walking Petunia back to her room near the hospital wing. They had been in the library, under the guise of research. Neither of them had seen Madam Pince since she admitted that she had been the one to tell the Dark Lord about horcruxes. Severus felt sorry for her- she couldn't have known what he would do with that information. Dumbledore had spoken to her, but she remained cloistered in her rooms.

A loud bang made them jump. A small elf appeared in front of them in a puff of smoke. Severus recognised him- Dobby, the Malfoy's elf. His eyes, wider than saucers, shone with tears. He held a blood stained Slytherin house tie. Severus' heart dropped. Draco.

'What's wrong Dobby?' said Severus urgently. Something must have happened.

The little elf shook. 'Master Snape, Master Draco called to Dobby. Dobby is fetching Master Snape to save Master Draco!'

Quickly, Dobby gave Severus Draco's frantic message- about the diary, the chamber of secrets, the petrifications, the basilisk, Tom's boast of having more than one horcrux. Beside him, Petunia gasped in horror.

He turned to her. 'Petunia, get Dumbledore. I'll go to Draco.'

She gripped his hands tightly for a moment. 'Be careful, Sev.'

He nodded stiffly. Dobby grabbed his hand, and they were gone with a bang. Moments later, they appeared in the disused girls bathroom where Harry had been found. A sense of dread crept over Severus.

'Dobby cannot apparate Master Snape, Master Snape must use the entrance,' whispered the elf, indicating a hole in the wall behind one of the sinks.

'Dobby, go alert Dumbledore, and tell him what you told me,' instructed Severus, and the elf disappeared. Severus slid into the opening, and tumbled down a tunnel. He landed in small cave. He had no time to waste. If the blood on Draco's house tie was any indication, his godson didn't have long left. 'Homenum Revelio.'

The spell indicated that someone was nearby. Severus shot off, desperate to find Draco. He came to a vast, shadowy cavern.

'Lumos.'

Carvings of snakes decorated the room, their emerald eyes winking and glowing in the light of Severus' wand. They were in the fabled Chamber of Secrets. His breath was visible in a puff in front of him and he shivered. The chamber must be deep under the lake, he thought. An elaborate stone altar stood in the front of the room. Sprawled at the bottom of the shrine was a small, white figure.

'Draco!' shouted Severus, and began to run to his godson.

The sound of something large dragging itself in the shadows stopped him. Severus realised in horror that the basilisk was still lurking. Quickly, he tore a strip of cloth from his robes to cover his eyes. He knew that if he looked into the creature's eyes, he would die instantly. Belatedly, he realised that the petrified students had encountered the snake but were spared as none had looked into its eyes. He would have to fight in the dark if he hoped to get out of here alive. Moments later, the beast slithered in front of him. The sound of a thousand snakes hissing filled the room as it sensed Severus.

The basilisk caught sight of him. He could feel the ground tremble as it swiftly slid towards him. As it got closer, the creature's rotting breath filled his lungs and he struggled not to be sick.

Severus made a slashing motion with his wand. 'Sectumsempra!'

The basilisk shrieked, and Severus was showered in fine bits of rubble as the ceiling shook. He feared that he had simply made it angry as it roared up to him again. He tripped over large pieces of the fallen ceiling as he scrambled away from the snake. The snake's giant tail whipped out from behind it, and sent Severus flying. He smashed into the cold stone floor, and lay there, stunned. He could hear the snake coming back to him.

'Incendio!'

The basilisk roared in pain, and Severus could smell its flesh burning. It gave him time to crawl away. A searing pain ripped through his leg. The basilisk had caught him.

'Sectumsempra!' Severus gasped. The snake shrieked and backed away. Severus wasn't sure what good it would do now, though, as the venom raced through his body. A wave of dizziness swept over him and he sank down. How could he save Draco now he was half dead himself? He peaked through his blindfold and saw that the snake was dangerously close to Draco's prone body now. He had to get it away.

'Hey! Get away from him!'

He struggled to his feet and staggered forward. Even if it was the last thing he ever did, he would rid the school of this beast and save Draco. It didn't matter if he died; Petunia knew about the horcruxes. She would tell Dumbledore. He quashed the momentary sadness that sprang up when he realised he might not see her again. It was now or never. He shot several spells at the snake and it slithered away from Draco. He fell to his knees. He wasn't sure what more he could do.

A soft, sweet tone sounded in the air somewhere and he jumped when something soft fell into his lap. He heard the flutter of large wings, followed by the basilisk shrieking. The basilisk reared up, snapping at a large, beautiful bird that was fluttering above its head- Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix. Fawkes had plunged his long, thin beak into the snake's eyes, blinding it. Glancing down, he realised that the phoenix had dropped the Sorting Hat onto his lap. Severus stared at it, confused. What was he supposed to do with this? Get sorted again? He smothered a sudden, hysterical laugh. He was dying, and the bird had brought him a hat. He was quite out of options and he could see nothing else to do but jam the hat onto his head.

'Hello? Please. Help,' whispered Severus wondering if the hat would give him a solution to his current dilemma. He desperately hoped that the hat would not start singing.

A gravelly voice answered, 'Well, well, Severus Snape. It does seem that we sort too soon.'

Severus barely had time to ponder that statement when something hard and metallic smashed onto the top of his head. He suppressed a cry of pain and angrily tore the hat off his head. A shining object peaked out from inside the hat. Curiously, Severus gripped the bejewelled handle, and pulled. A glowing sword emerged from the hat, rubies sparkling warmly. Severus gasped as he read the name inscribed on the hilt- Godric Gryffindor. This was the ancient sword of Gryffindor, which legend said only a true Gryffindor could find. He pushed that to the back of his mind as he rushed forward to confront the blind basilisk. He slashed at the snake, surprised to see the metal cutting through its tough skin. This was his chance.

Using the last of his strength, he leapt onto a fallen stone column, and jumped onto the beast's back. The snake whipped its head back to shake him off, but Severus hung on for dear life. He slid forward and found himself sitting on top of the basilisk's head. It was now or never. He plunge the sword through the top of the basilisk's skull, into its brain and through the roof of its mouth. The room shook as the creature collapsed, dead.

Severus tumbled off the snake, still gripping the sword. The venom was properly in his system now, and he didn't have much time. He had to see to Draco. He dragged himself over to the boy. He cradled the child's thin body in his arms. Draco was too far gone for him to save. He had lost too much blood, and had been so weak for so long. He remembered holding Draco as a baby, and never thought he would outlive the child. He held back sobs as Draco whispered his last words.

'Tell mother…'

And he was dead. Severus began to weep. He cared little that he was about to die too. Draco was the closest thing he had to a son. He loved the child, and now he was gone. Fawkes fluttered down next to them, and sang a low, sad note. The phoenix seemed to mourn too, as tears filled its eyes. It leaned against Severus' leg, where the basilisk had bitten him, and he felt the pain dissipate. A sleepy, warm feeling overcame him, and he dreamily remembered phoenix tears as being an antidote for poisons. Still holding Draco's body, he drifted off to sleep.

AN: Hey everyone! Hope you guys enjoyed this update! Let me know what you thought of it! xx