Thank you for reading! I don't own any of Harry Potter! Please let me know if you enjoy! Updates every Saturday!
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It was a dark, clear night when Dumbledore met Severus a few weeks later.
"So then, Severus……...Tom has been able to identify which child is his enemy…...Does he know that you're the boy's father?" Dumbledore asked.
"No." Severus replied, "That much I have managed to hide from him."
Dumbledore nodded but Severus grimaced in silent, emotional agony.
"Please!" Severus implored Dumbledore, standing on the tall cliff a short distance away from the headmaster, "Hide her!...Hide them! I've asked the dark lord to spare her and-"
Dumbeldore listened carefully, watching the anguish on Severus's face as he begged.
"-You didn't ask for your son's life to be spared first, Severus?" Dumbledore spoke.
Severus made a noise of irritation and narrowed his eyes at Dumbledore, "To what end?! The dark lord is not going to show mercy to the one destined to destroy him! Do you honestly think any differently? There is no other way! If my son will be strong enough to bring about his end one day, he could grow to rival even the dark lord himself, were they on the same side. Asking for his life would only arouse suspicion…."
Dumbledore paused for a moment and then he replied, "...Very well, Severus. I will do what I can."
"Thank you….." Severus said, exhaling in relief, as he laid a hand over his chest, "Thank you……"
"-But if I request anything of you, I expect it to be done without question or complaint." Dumbledore added.
"Anything." Severus nodded.
Dumbeldore stared at Severus for a moment before he apparated away.
Once he was alone, Severus turned to look out over the lake below the cliff, allowing the night breeze to rustle through his black hair.
Severus drew in a breath and tried to gather his strength.
The road ahead would be long but he knew it was the only way he could possibly keep his little family intact and his darling Lily alive…...
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The most painful thing of all was that to stay safe, the Snape's couldn't stay together.
Keeping his word to Severus, Dumbledore made some hasty but shrewd arrangements.
Following Dumbledore's orders, Severus took Lily and Harry to a nondescript dwelling nestled in Godric's Hollow.
With a few waves of his wand, Severus had Lily and their baby comfortably settled, but everyone was distraught by the abrupt change in circumstances.
Severus knew he could no longer remain with his wife and son.
Lily knew it too.
And though Harry was still an infant, a heartbreaking pout formed on his lips, as if he could sense something wasn't right.
As Severus prepared to leave, while Dumbledore cast several protective cloaking enchantments around the house, Severus held Lily close to him, letting little Harry cuddle between them both.
Lily said nothing, but silent tears rolled down her cheeks and she clutched onto Severus tightly.
Harry whimpered warily, his green eyes flickering back and forth from his mother to his father, upset by their forlorn expressions.
"It's just temporary, my love." Severus said, trying to be brave for Lily, "As soon as the war's over, we can be together again."
"...When will that be, Sev?" Lily asked in a quiet, strangled voice.
Severus frowned and kissed her lips gently while she raised a hand to wipe at her eyes. Lily kissed back with surprising force and Severus only pulled away to whisper softly, "I'm doing this for you…….and for Harry."
"I know, Sev." Lily said with a bitter smile as more tears welled in her eyes,"...Somehow that makes it even harder though."
The door to the small house creaked open and the Snape family looked up to see Dumbledore watching them sympathetically.
"Come along, Severus." Dumbledore said gently, "It's time."
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Even through apparating, it was dangerous for Severus to go and see Lily and Harry while Voldemort and his followers toiled day and night to hunt them down. Trying to minimize the danger, Severus kept his secret visits with Lily and Harry brief, only going to check on them and give Harry a hug.
However, when Harry was sleeping, Severus often stayed long enough to make love to his beloved Lily…….
The members of the Order were overworked and overwhelmed as the war crescendoed.
Regardless, Severus was furious with Dumbledore when he discovered that no one had been placed in charge of guarding Lily and Harry.
With his cape swishing behind him, Severus stomped to Dumbledore's office, knocking on the door, and charging into the room as soon as Dumbledore called, "...Come in."
Severus swept inside and the tension in his face grew when he saw James Potter sitting in a chair across from the headmaster.
"Ah, Severus." Dumbledore greeted the potions professor, "Did you want to speak with me?"
The glare that Severus shot James was chilling. James seemed unbothered though as he smiled at Dumbledore and rose to his feet, "Well, I was just leaving. Thank you for meeting with me, Headmaster. I'll be waiting for my new assignment."
As James walked towards the door, Severus glided over to Dumbledore and scowled, hissing in a whisper, "How could you leave them alone?!?! They can't protect themselves! Lily's busy watching the baby!"
James stopped walking when he overheard Severus's concern…...
"That's why I placed charms around the house, Severus." Dumbledore said calmly, "Must I remind you that we're in the middle of a war? Unfortunately, everyone has a greater assignment than babysitting your wife and child."
Wife and child.
Those words sickened James but he cleared his throat and turned around, facing Severus and Dumbledore as he volunteered, "...I could do it."
Dumbledore and Severus looked over at James.
Dumbledore blinked.
Severus snarled, "Do you think I'm foolish enough to let you near Lily, Potter?!"
"Look, I don't know the ins and outs of the situation, but if Lily's in danger, the least I can do is help protect her! And…..the baby. It would be a way for me to make amends to you both for what I've done! Severus, I know you don't trust me, but…..you can read my mind if you wish, or put a charm on Lily to keep me away from her! I can use my cloak to stand watch outside, even if only while they sleep! Please, Severus……... Let me help!"
Dumbledore looked at Severus, curious as to what he would say.
Severus glanced over at Dumbledore, silently pleading with him to offer anyone but James for the job.
To Severus's horror, Dumbledore just shrugged, "I'm very sorry, Severus. But I have no sentry to send for Lily and the boy. It seems that you have an offer on the table, though……..Will you accept or decline?"
Severus narrowed his eyes at Dumbledore.
Severus never imagined he would be in a situation where James Potter freely granted him assistance and was even willing to agree to his terms.
However, in his quest to insure Lily and Harry's survival, Severus had reached a new level of desperation.
"As you said, Potter." Severus whispered coldly, his black eyes snapping over to James, "You will be on the front walk, hidden under that blasted invisibility cloak of yours, and only while they're sleeping. Do not discount my own talents. If you so much as touch Lily or my son, I will know it immediately and I will not hesitate to destroy you…...Is that clear?"
"Yes." James said with a nod, though he seemed a little irritated, "...Of course."
Dumbledore was elated.
James had come to him that day seeking a new assignment and Severus had asked for a security guard.
The resourceful headmaster always enjoyed finding one solution to two separate problems.
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The next few months passed in a tedious stalemate.
As autumn arrived and a new semester began at Hogwarts, returning students quickly noticed that Professor Snape seemed to be stuck in a mood that was unusually foul, even for him. Meanwhile, new students were terrified of their menacing, overly strict potions professor.
Severus lived every second of every day lamenting his temporary separation from Lily and his son, mourning the precious moments of Harry's infancy that he was barred from witnessing, wishing Lily was back in his arms and at his side.
Momentary visits at random intervals just weren't enough.
Severus's paranoia increased rapidly. His position as a double agent meant that he was forced to attend Death Eater meetings where the slayings of his own family were plotted right in front of him with maniacal mirth.
Every morning, Severus wondered if Lily and Harry would survive another day, successfully hidden……..
It was mental torture and Severus developed trouble eating and sleeping. Voldemort was becoming more and more infuriated that he and his loyal comrades were having such a hard time locating a helpless baby. As the villain's rage grew, so did the threat against Harry.
For the sake of safety, all of Severus's communication with Lily had to be severed.
The situation was difficult for Lily as well.
Harry's easygoing disposition changed to one of melancholy as he mirrored his mother's unhappiness.
Just as Severus did at his post as a teacher, Lily went through the motions of being a good mother. However, when Harry was asleep, tears streamed down her eyes. Lily was courageous, but that didn't mean she wasn't afraid. Whenever she laid in bed, she wished Severus was beside her to pull her close and comfort her.
James stood watch every night while Lily and Harry slept, hidden under his invisibility cloak, coming in the house only to use the lavatory and eat.
James and Lily rarely interacted and when they did, it was very formal. Severus had indeed placed a charm on Lily and Harry that prohibited James from coming within a train car's distance of either of them.
Lily missed her home, the home she had grown up in, the home she had shared with Severus, the home in which Harry had been born.
Besides, the small house in Godric Hollow seemed to have a terrible vermin problem.
There was one rat in particular that apparently didn't want to be caught, no matter how many traps Lily set out……..
A large rat with beady eyes and a hidden agenda.
That rat never did allow itself to take the bait Lily set out, but it did scamper out of the house and down the street……….
The rat kept running until it morphed back into Peter Pettigrew. Peter Pettigrew smirked to himself as he apparated to Voldemort's side, eager to show his usefulness by telling the dark lord what he had seen.
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When Halloween arrived that year, Severus found himself spending the evening scowling through the exaggerated dinner in the Great Hall.
Severus's scowl remained on his face as he was forced to chaperone at the dance Hogwarts held that evening, immediately after the meal.
Watching the students swaying together, laughing, and stealing kisses made Severus angrily jealous.
Professors had been allowed to bring a date. Lily should have been with him.
Severus scanned over the crowd, trying to spot misbehaving students, eager to hand out detention to happy couples.
But Severus couldn't see everything…….
Severus couldn't see Lily's house in Godric's Hollow that night, while he stood at the dance.
Severus couldn't see James walking back into the house intent on getting a drink of water, only to hear someone come crashing through the door.
Severus didn't see James's eyes widen as Voldemort barged over the threshold.
Severus didn't see Lily grab Harry and shriek, running up the stairs after James boldly stepped in front of them, standing between her, Harry, and Voldemort as he cried, "Take Harry and go, Lily! I'll hold him off!"
Severus didn't see the fear in James's eyes as he realized he had left his wand on the counter while Voldemort raised his arm dramatically and shouted, "AVADA KEDAVRA!"
Lily made it into the nursery with Harry and she held her baby close, tears welling in her eyes as the eerie shadow of green lightning illuminated the dark hallway.
Harry began to cry quietly and Lily closed her eyes tightly as they both heard the distinct thud of James's body hitting the floor once that ominous light died out.
"Harry….." Lily whispered calmly to her son, opening her eyes and walking over to place him in his crib.
Harry looked up at his mother, frightened and whining.
"Mummy loves you……." Lily whispered sweetly, stroking Harry's tufts of black hair and thinking of Severus, "Harry…….Daddy loves you……"
The door to Harry's nursery flew open and Lily screamed, turning around as Voldemort burst into the room, his wand still held high.
"Stand aside!" Voldemort commanded with an angry sneer.
"No!" Lily said defiantly, firmly planting her feet in front of her son.
Harry whimpered behind her.
"Stand aside! I won't ask again!" Voldemort thundered threateningly.
"No!" Lily shouted as a single tear ran down her face.
"You choose own fate, you stupid fool." Voldemort hissed. Then with another dramatic wave of his arm, he shouted out, "AVADA KEDAVRA!"
That horrible, green lightning lit up the entire room as it ripped through Lily's body, pulling a great scream from her throat, "HHHAARRYY!"
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Lily's desire to save Harry was so great that her pain and torment reached Severus at the ball, invading his thoughts.
Severus's breath hitched and his black eyes widened.
Something was wrong………
Something had gone wrong.
Severus withdrew his wand and apparated, drawing attention from Dumbledore who noticed the gasps running through the crowd of party attendees at Professor Snape's sudden exit.
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Severus didn't make it in time.
Harry was too frightened to wail, but he choked on small, pitiful sobs.
As Lily fell to the floor with an ungraceful thump, Voldemort raised his wand again at the crying baby as he shouted unmercifully once more…..
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
Voldemort prided himself on his decades of experience, claiming to be a master of torture, strategy, manipulation, and death. While that may have been true, it became clear that night in Godric's Hollow that Voldemort did not know much about love.
The putrid green lightning of the killing curse rebounded off of Harry and pulverized Voldemort, decimating his body and sending him away as a scrap of a spirit, a shadow of the threat he had been just seconds earlier.
Harry was alone for a moment or two only. The green glow of the failed curse had barely faded when Severus appeared in the living room of the house, looking around frantically, sweating, and gasping for breath.
Severus's eyes widened when he saw James dead on the floor. Severus felt no sympathy for his fallen rival though, only anger.
If James was dead, that meant James had failed.
That idiot!
Lily and Harry weren't safe!
Severus felt like his body was heavy and slow as he dashed up the stairs towards Harry's nursery.
Lily……..
Harry……..
Severus made it to the doorway, ready to explode from worry, and he glanced around the room.
When Severus's black eyes saw Lily crumpled on the floor, he fell down to his knees.
Screaming out in unspeakable anguish, Severus plucked his love from her mangled position and held her to his chest, rocking back and forth as he willed her to wake up and live.
Behind him, Harry watched from his crib, crying to mourn his mother along with his father, but for once, Severus didn't hear him.
Lily.
Lily was gone…..
Lily was gone and-
Dumbledore appeared with a loud pop in the nursery doorway and as he looked at the scene in front of him. Dumbledore shook his head at Severus empathetically, "Oh, Severus, I'm so sorry."
Severus was beyond words, a strangled groan coming from his open mouth as he laid a hand gently on Lily's throat, turning her face towards him.
Dumbledore's eyes drifted to Harry. The headmaster walked over, picked the baby up from the crib and examined the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.
Dumbledore narrowed his eyes at Harry as he whispered incredulously,"The boy lived…….."
Severus gasped and Dumbledore looked down at him assuming he had been too in shock from finding Lily to notice, "Your boy survives, Severus!"
It was selfish, but in the moment, all Severus was concerned with was Lily.
"She's…..she's alive!" Severus gasped, pressing his hand down on Lily's throat.
There it was.
It was weak, but it was there……a pulse.
"Lily's still alive!" Severus gasped up at Dumbledore.
Quickly and a bit roughly in his hurry, Severus tried everything he could to rouse Lily but her eyes remained closed.
"I don't understand!" Severus wailed to Dumbledore, "Why does the boy wake and she doesn't?! Why are they both still living?! How is this possible?!"
"I'm not sure, Severus." Dumbledore said, wrapping his long sleeves around Harry who shuddered in the draft that crept through the house, "Not that much is known about the killing curse, in this specification, anyway….Let's bring them back to the castle for now. I'll do some research. This place is no longer safe for them."
Dumbledore carried Harry. Severus, still weeping and distraught, gently picked Lily up in his arms.
Once they returned to Hogwarts, Severus held onto Lily lovingly while Dumbledore read through several large volumes of textbooks in his office.
Dumbledore rigged up a makeshift crib for Harry to sleep in that night.
Several hours later, Severus was still clutching onto Lily.
Severus didn't want to let go of his wife, even when Dumbledore asked him to place her on a table in a private room at the back of the infirmary.
Hesitantly, Severus placed Lily on the table. After which, he promptly laid over top of her and wept bitterly.
"We'll do everything we can for her, Severus." Dumbledore said quietly, "But I'm afraid you must let her go, first."
Severus closed his eyes defiantly.
No.
Severus Snape was never going to let Lily go.