Lana
It was final. The Hogwarts Class of 1978 graduated four days before the wedding between Lily and James. Severus was no longer under Dumbledore's watchful eyes, and the thought made him sick. Dreading the time when his Mark would turn black and burn his skin, he practiced the apparating and disapparating he had learned the previous summer diligently. He didn't speak to his father; any eye contact with him made Severus want to ring his neck, Azkaban or no Azkaban.
The hour finally came when the two were summoned to the Dark Lord. Concealing his face and body with his cloak before Apparating with his father, he felt his insides squirm with anticipation. They appeared in a dingy, dust covered room filled with other Death Eaters. He looked around for Lord Voldemort, but was unable to find him. After five minutes of waiting, he finally made his presence known.
"Death Eaters. Brothers. How long has it been? A month? Perhaps more? Please forgive me if I seem undoubtedly happy, for it is today we receive five new brothers. As they mature as wizards and reach their full potential, they shall replace their fathers before them.
"As it has been a tradition, I will bestow upon these new members each their own unique gift; Some of you have the gift of concealment, in which Matthew Crabbe shall receive. He will now be able to hide from anyone he sees as a threat." As his name was spoken, a jet of red light from Voldemort's wand hit him with such force it nearly threw him backwards. This lasted not a moment, for soon the boy was standing proud and tall.
"Marshall Goyle shall receive the gift of the Dementors; he shall be able to sense a life, no matter how belittled or weak it is.
"Lucius Malfoy will have the gift of animosity; a certain attitude only a true Death Eater can control.
"Peter Pettigrew shall receive the gift of Finding; wherever his prize maybe be, may it always stand out."
Severus knew he was next; He was the fifth and final one. Shuddering slightly as the hooded figure turned towards him, he held his head tall and faced his Lord.
"Severus Snape, you shall receive the girl of the Mind; You shall be able to both read and control minds at your whim without being detected. Use it well."
Severus was surrounded by red light; He was radiating heat. He didn't feel a blow as the past four had demonstrated, only the sense of power.
At once, voices invaded his head. Willing them to disappear, he quickly learned how to control his gift; it was either that or drive himself to the brink of insanity.
He attempted to tune in to his father for a moment; he was instantly filled with pride and hope, along with a feeling he only felt for one person; love.
He arrived at the Potter mansion promptly at 2 PM four days later, the designated time for the wedding guests to arrive. He was dressed in his best robes, his hair tied back and his boots newly polished. Wishing to see Lily before she walked down the aisle, he seeked her out for nearly a half hour before finding her in the garden, alone.
He slowly walked up to her, a feeling of anticipation rising in his chest. He sat down next to her and set his hand on her shoulder as a comforting gesture. The moment he felt her skin beneath his own, he experienced a flood of emotions like he had never felt.
Worry, misery, hopelessness, and happiness all at once. She looked up at him with tearful eyes, wiping away the last tear on her cheek.
"You came." She whispered, glancing around the garden to make sure no one was listening.
"Of course." Severus said, giving her a small hug. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Lily sighed, "I sure wish I could."
Severus shook his head, "Make your marriage a happy one… Don't make it miserable just because of me."
"I'm already happily married… I don't need another husband." Lily said as softly as she could, holding her head in her hands.
"Hey… Look up at me… That's a good girl. James is a strong man; he can take care of you and watch over you until the Dark Lord is defeated. Just never forget about me, that's all I ask of you. I promise, one day I'll come and get you." Severus wrapped his arms around her, trying to comfort her. The flood of emotions intensified; he could now hear her bawling and feel her body rock with ever sob.
"I can't believe I'm doing this… After all you've done for me… I feel like such a bitch… I'm such a bad wife… I'm so, so sorry…" She buried her face into his shoulder, wetting his rich velvet cloak with tears.
"Shh… It'll be ok… It's not your fault; it was never your fault. You just go up there today and marry James. Do that for me, if not for yourself. It's critical you do this Lily, or else we'll both be dead." Severus slowly rocked her back and forth.
It's my fault, it's my fault, it's my fault…
Her thoughts were coming in more clearly now to his mind, he could hear the words she was thinking.
"No, it's not… Shh… It's not your fault…"
She looked up at him for a moment, her green eyes overflowing. "How did you know what I was thinking?"
Severus gave her a small smile. "Voldemort gave me the power to read minds. I can read yours, too, baby… Talk to me while you're walking down the aisle and I'll listen. Whatever you have to say, tell me and I promise I'll listen."
Lily sniffed and nodded, raising her body up from Severus' embrace. "How long are we going to be like this?"
"For as long as we need to be. Be strong, Lily, I know you can."
He walked into the church and sat at one of the last piers on the right – Lily's side. Down the aisle, he could see James and Sirius standing next to Dumbledore, who was holding a small book. He looked for Remus, but before he could find him, Remus sat next to Severus. Nodding in greeting, Severus once again tried out his new power.
Poor guy… Why can't you say anything, Remus? Tell him you know, tell him you're sorry, tell him he can talk to you any time he wants… Just tell him…
Remus took in a deep breath, "Severus, I'm sorry about all of this."
Severus shook his head, "There was nothing you could do."
"I wish there was… She loves you; she's spent each moment with James trying to get away from his touch. It makes her sick; she told me so."
Severus nodded, "Thank you Remus."
Remus looked down for a moment, then allowed his brown ones to gaze up towards Severus' black ones. "I know about you and Lily."
Severus nodded, "Did she tell you?"
"Only after I figured it out for myself."
"Good, I would have wanted you to know."
Remus gave him the smallest of smiles before turning to the entrance when the music started, where Lily was standing there, ready to walk.
Severus… Help me… I don't think I can do this, but I'll try to be strong. He hasn't hit me for nearly a year, but he still scares me. I don't know how to escape. Stand up and take me away from this place; I see you out of the corner of my eye, but I can't look at you in fear of someone finding out. Why does this aisle have to be so long? It's nearly fifty steps; I counted last night.
He's looking at me… Why is he looking at me? Of course, silly me. He thinks I'm walking down this aisle for him… Thirty more steps… I'm doing this for you, Severus. Don't forget that. I love you, and tonight I'll be thinking of you instead of this monster who's dubbed me his wife. Ten more steps… Five… Three… Oh God, please help me Severus…
Dumbledore looked up from the book and gave Severus one quick, but meaningful look. He then looked back at the couple standing before him, a somber expression on his face.
"Today, July 4th, 1978, shall reside in your minds as the day you two have joined together to form the strongest bond there is; the bond of marriage."
Only with you, Severus… Only with you…
"It pleases me greatly to see such young lovers proving their love and appreciation for one another in front of their friends and families."
Tell him I can't do this… Tell Papa I feel sick…
"Dearly beloved, we gather here today to join these two young people in the bond of marriage. Forever it lasts, for there is no cure for Love."
Help me Severus… I hate him… Severus felt his insides boil as he saw her, shaking slightly, try to pull her hand away from James' tight grasp.
"…in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, till death do you part, you shall me. Are there any objections? Speak now, or forever hold you peace."
Object, Severus… Run away with me… Help me… Please, object… His mind was going crazy now, as Remus held firmly onto his shoulder to prevent him from standing up. He silently thanked him, wondering if his body would have done so if it had not been restrained.
"James Lee Potter, do you take Lillian Maria Evans
to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
He forgot Snape…
"I do."
"And do you, Lillian Maria Evans, take James Lee Potter to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
No, I don't… Don't make me do this… I don't, you're my husband, Severus… Help…
"I do."
Oh God, help me… I can't handle this…
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. James, you may kiss the bride."
Severus turned away from the site, but his mind was still connected with Lily's.
No… He's awful, I can't breathe… When is this going to end? Make it stop, Severus… Please…
"May I present you Mr. and Mrs. James Potter." Dumbledore nodded to the two, who quickly turned around and walked back down the aisle, hand-in-hand.
Tell me I'm dreaming… Tell me this is all a dream… Why couldn't he have been you, Severus? God… I'm so sorry… I love you so much…
Severus gave her a look of sympathy as she passed him, and in return he received a look of terror.
You see me now… Help me… Take me away… Tell Papa I didn't mean it…
Severus shook his head as she thought this, making sure she could see. She gave him one last look of sorrow combined with adoration, then walked through the double doors leading out into the bright sunlight.
Goodbye Severus… I'll see you soon… And I love you.
I love you too, Lily, Severus thought miserably,
I love you too.