Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter.

Azkaban

I almost laughed when I read the headline.

Potter Wedding Called Off: Groom Devastated.

I did smile.

In the months that followed her surprise visit I heard nothing from my former best friend, though I did hear that she had quit her job at the Ministry. There were rumors that she fled the country or retreated into the muggle world like many other muggleborns had. If Lily left the country, I serious doubt she did it out of fear. She was sorted into Gryffindor for good reason after all.

While I went on with my life, with my duties as a potioneer and a Death Eater, I still thought about her often, wondering where she was and if she was safe.

Less then a year later Potter was engaged-again, this time to a pureblood Irish witch, some second cousin to the Weasleys apparently. Soon after it was revealed that she was with child. Lily was lucky she got out when she did, everyone knew the Potter line was dying out, being the selfish idiot that he is I have no doubt he would have pushed for her to have children sooner rather than later.

Marrying a Weasley there would most likely be a dozen Potter's running around in no time. The thought alone made me shutter.

It's funny how ironic life can be at times. One evening while at the Hogshead, attempting to drown away the sorrows of my useless life, I overheard part of a prophecy being foretold to Dumbledore. Because it had to do with my Master I immediately informed him, hoping to be praised and rewarded. In return all I got was a "thank you for informing me Severus," and with a wave of his hand I was dismissed. It would turn out that in revealing the prophecy to The dark Lord I unknowingly brought about his demise.

Neville Longbottom became known as the Boy-Who-Lived. He had somehow vanquished the Dark Lord, but lost his mother in the process. Frank had not been at home during the time of the attack.

Death Eaters began to run scared; some fled the country, others, such as Lucius, bought their way out of prison. I could hardly believe that My Lord had been defeated and by a toddler no less. I never thought it possible. He was so powerful, so feared, I thought him invincible.

I had been a fool.

It was a Thursday when The Auror's apparated into my home, Potter and Black among them. They had a warrant for my arrest. I wasn't surprised.

"I always knew you were a good for nothing." Potter sneered.

"Now, finally you'll be brought to justice. If we're lucky you'll spend the rest of your miserable existence rotting in Azkaban."

After hours of interrogation and then finally being given Veritaserum it was revealed that I willingly took The Mark however I did not participate in anti-muggle acts or use any un- forgivable curses and was solely used for my potion skills. I was sentenced to ten years in Azkaban, the minimum allowed for anyone who bore The Mark.

Hell would be a good way to describe the Dementor guarded wizarding prison. My cell was about the size of a water closet and consisted of nothing more than a cot, sink and toilet. It was sweltering in the summer and freezing in the winter. You were given two meals a day and allowed one shower a week. Muggle prisions were heaven compared to this plan,

Then there were the Dementors.

Soul-sucking monsters who would glide by my cell every thirty minutes forcing me to relive my most horrid memories.

Finding my mother dead by the hand of my father.

Being rejected by my grandparents after my mother was killed.

Having my own spell used against me.

Hanging upside down as Potter mocked me and threatened to show my privates to the entire school.

Calling Lily a mudblood

It was easy to see why some people went mad in this place. I may have as well, if hadn't been for one thing.

I had been there two months when I had a visitor.

"Lily." At first I thought she was a mirage, just a figment of my desperate imagination but then she said my name.

"Oh Severus," She gave me a look of utter pity, which normally I loathed, but I just couldn't bring myself to care. She was there! She was really there! "How are you holding up?" She asked as she took a few steps closer to my cell.

"Okay. I guess. You shouldn't be here Lily. This place is…"

At the moment I couldn't find the right word to describe it, but I didn't need to, she knew. I could see it in her eyes.

"I had to see you. I…I would have come sooner but I didn't hear about your arrest until I got back to England a couple days ago."

"It's okay." I smiled weakly. "I'm just glad you're here". I put my hands through the crack it the iron bar hoping she would take it, if only for a second.

She did.

"So where have you been. I hadn't known you left the country." I asked giving her hand a soft squeeze before releasing it.

"Traveling." She smiled softly.

"You always wanted to do that, or at least that was what you wanted when…when we were kids."

She nodded. "Yes, it was. After I left James I…I decided I wasn't going to let the war and Voldemort destroy my life completely."

I flinched at the sound of his name. He was gone, but his name was still feared. Many believed he could return, I was one of them.

"I used the money my parents left me to travel the world," she went on, "Oh Sev, I wish you could have been there." Her eyes lit up in excitement as she told me about all the places she visited.

Italy, Egypt, The America's.

"I'll take you there one day. When you get out of here, we'll see the world together."

I smiled and nodded, but truth be told I didn't know if I would last ten years. And even if my body did, my mind…I shudder at the thought. I already felt so… different, like there was no hope left for me, but I suppose that comes from being around Dementors 24/7.

"You'll get through this, Sev." She said as if reading my very thoughts. "I promise you. You'll get through this." She then pulled out a piece of chocolate from her pocket and handed it to me.

"I'd cast a Patronus but they took my wand at the entrance."

"It's okay Lily. This helps…a lot."

I quickly unwrapped the candy and placed it in my mouth. A warm feeling suddenly flooded my body. I couldn't remember feeling this good in a while.

"Better?"

I nodded as I chewed.

"Good." She then reached back into her pocket and pulled out a dozen more chocolate bars. "This should get you though 'till my next visit."

Lily, my angel, my savior, my light. I loved her so much. Maybe if I did make it out of this hell alive and sane, I would tell her.