**Beta comments as always, bold and astericks**

It was dark, wherever it was Lucius had brought him. Severus felt afraid, a familiar impression of trepidation pulsing through his body.

"Young Severus Snape," said a hissing voice.

Severus wheeled around, trying to adjust his eyes to the light.

"I see what's happened."

"What's happened?"

"I see your memories."

"My memories?" Severus inquired, his voice shaking.

"Your memories. Your pain. All that you've been through."

Severus stared, befuddled by the entire situation. He saw the vague outline of a tall cloaked man.

"And, what?"

"And I can change your life entirely."

"My life - can't be changed now, it's far too late."

The figure drew close, and pulled Severus to him.

"Your memories wounded you, but pain makes you stronger," the figure hissed, gripping Severus tightly with long, thin fingers.

Severus felt a tiny murmur escape him, sounding uncharacteristically fearful. 'His breath caught in his throat, escaping softly in a whine'The figure drew his head close.

"I control your dreams..." he whispered, and their faces touched, the figure' s cold and unyielding to Severus fevered whimpers. Severus had no control over his own voice and could only listen helplessly to the pathetic sounds he was emitting. Severus' stomach clenched in sheer horror as he noticed the similitude between the figure and Him. And in this sudden moment Severus was justly terrified.

Severus cried out, and the figure brought his lips against Severus' own, not in a lover's kiss, but something more sinister.

Severus was thrust backwards. He tried to catch himself but he just continued to fall. Severus braced himself, not fully understanding, but afraid, for his wellbeing, and quite possibly, his sanity.

He hit the ground with a painful thud. He stood, shaking the pain away. The room was no longer dark, although it was dim. It appeared to be the den of a wizarding family, and it seemed unnervingly familiar to Severus.

He was home.

He shouted, anxious and frenzied in one concurrent instant. He turned to run out, but saw a woman sitting in a room, next to a bed. He approached indolently, his heart pounding. She was stroking the head of a little boy with black hair, singing softly.

"Mum?"

His mother didn't reply, she just sat, singing to the sleeping boy.

"Mum, is that you? Look at me! I must be from the future, and..."

When she didn't react, Severus realized that she must not be able to see him, that it was merely a memory.

He sat at her feet and gazed up at her. On her face she wore a smile, her beauty coming not from her looks but her countenance, the love she wore so evidently on her face. To the boy, she sang softly, a lullaby Severus remembered well.

"You, who I cradled in my arms

Asking as little as you can

Little shadow of a little man

You know I'd give my life for you.

You didn't ask me to be born

Why should you learn of war or pain?

To make sure you're not hurt again

I swear I'll give my life for you.

I've tasted love beyond all fears

And you should know it's love that brought you here

And in one perfect night

When the stars burned like new

I knew what I must do

I'll give you a million things I never owned

I'll give you a world to conquer when you're grown

You will be who you want to be

You can choose whatever Heaven grants

As long as you can have your chance

I swear I'll give my life for you."

She sang it sweetly, a whisper almost inaudible, but Severus had memorized it at a young age, so he knew well what she was saying.

All too well.

Severus heard the door slam and stood quickly. And he knew.

He was home, and He didn't sound happy.

Severus dashed to the front room, and ran face to face with Him. He walked past Severus, or more through him, not heeding him.

"No! No, don't touch her! Don't touch her, you sonovabitch!" Severus shouted, trying to pull Him back, but achieving nothing.

He rounded the corner as his mother was shutting the door of young Severus' room, and she looked at him with a small gasp.

"Please, don't be loud, he just fell asleep -" Severus' mother pleaded.

"He should have been asleep hours ago," He hissed.

"He had a nightmare, he was crying."

"You should have let him cry. Damn weak child shouldn't be comforted. He's eight fucking years old -"

"He's seven -"

"-don't interrupt me! He's not a baby, don't comfort him!"

"I - I'm sorry," she said, cringing.

Severus' jaw ached from clenching his teeth so tightly.

"Where's my dinner?"

"It's on the table."

He made His way to the dining room and sat silently at the table, yanking the plate of food towards Him and taking a bite. He chewed slowly, and swallowed. Severus looked at his mother; she was gripping her hands together.

"...it's cold."

"I'm sorry, I expected you home twenty minutes ago."

"Are you saying I'm late? I'm never late. I always arrive when I mean to," He growled

"Of course, honey, of course -" she entreated.

"Why is it cold?"

"It's been sitting -" Severus' mother looked incredibly upset.

"Why didn't you warm it up?!"

"I was putting Severus to bed!" she shouted, anger flooding into her eyes.

Severus turned, looked at the door to his old bedroom and saw his young self watching his parents bickering.

"That - that CHILD is more important to you than ME?!"

"Yes," she hissed.

There was a choking silence, filled only by the sound of His heavy breathing.

Severus felt desperate. He knew all too well what was going to happen, and didn't want to witness again the twisted irony of his mother's fate.

He rounded on her, bringing His large fist down upon her delicate nose, and she screamed. As she tried to pull away, He pulled her back and hit her again. Even as she slumped to the ground, He did not cease his assaults.

"No!" screamed Severus. He stopped and looked up. Had He heard him?

"No..." came the quivering voice of a small child. Severus turned and saw his younger self, shivering terribly, tears streaming down his tiny face. He looked at Him, his brown eyes filled with something alien.

"What did you say to me?"

"I said no."

The man's lip curled, His face twisting with rage.

"You said no to me?"

"Don't hit my Mum."

The man laughed softly, stood straight, and walked over to the small boy.

The boy looked up at him, quivering, but not showing fear. The man raised His fist, about to strike the small boy.

"Don't. Your fight's not with him. He's just a boy."

"Mum..." said both Severus and his younger self simultaneously.

He turned to her, His lip still curled. He went at her, and she quickly made eye contact with young Severus and said, "The knives, Severus, the knives -"

She was silenced by yet another blow, this one knocking her head against the floor.

Young Severus had run to the kitchen. His Father had ran after him, growling as He went. As He turned the corner to the kitchen, He was met by a knife in his stomach.

Little Severus pulled the knife out, and plunged again, loud, wet sounds accompanying each thrust and spray of blood. He fell backward, onto the floor. His eyes weren't closed, but Severus knew He was dead.

Little Severus scrambled over His body, ran to his mother.

"Mum, wake up. He's dead, Mum. Mum, you've gotta get up," he whispered frantically.

But Severus, already have lived that life, knew that she wouldn't ever wake up.