This was written for the Moonlight Forgotten Year 7 THC/ The House Competition 2021

Round 2

House: Gryffindor

Class: Muggle Studies

Category: Drabble

Prompt(s) chosen: [Dialogue] "Wait, which one?"

Word Count: 996

Snape was seated on a sofa in the Malfoy Manor hall as he watched Voldemort pace up and down. Snape himself felt some anticipation on his part to know which child the prophecy referred to and to which hapless family was about to be killed. Not that he was anticipating a family being killed, but it was more of his curiosity on the issue. In the end, all's fair in love and war, right?

"Where is he?" Voldemort tapped his foot impatiently, looking at the clock.

There was a loud popping sound as they were joined by Lucius.

"It took you long enough Lucius. Do you have the information?" asked Voldemort.

"Yes, my lord." Lucius handed Voldemort a file in his hand.

Voldemort furrowed his brows as he ran his steepled fingers over the file in his hands. "Hmm," he said thoughtfully. "Only two boys were born at the end of July. One to the Longbottoms and one to the Potters".

Snape's heart sank and he held his body go cold. He knew Lily was pregnant and wasn't aware that she had given birth. He had heard that her due date was in early August. He had put Lily in danger, and the thought made him loathe himself. Why did Lily have to marry that spoilt brat, Potter, and have his child? This was all Potter's fault, an irrational part of himself said. He knew Potter was no good for his Lily.

"The Potter boy was supposed to be born a week later, but in a twist of fate, he was born early to fit this prophecy," said Lucius.

"I'm not surprised. The Potters and Longbottoms have both thrice defied me," said Voldemort. "Alright, Lucius, I will make my move to kill the boy as soon as possible. And I will take my leave."

"Wait, which one?" asked Snape. "I mean, which boy do you plan on going after, my Lord?"

"The Potter boy, Severus. It must be the half-blood like myself the prophecy refers to," said Voldemort.

Snape felt like he had just been gutted with a knife. He calmed himself, blocking his thoughts from Voldemort with Occlumency. If only he could divert him …?

"But, my Lord, don't you think a pureblood would be the one worthy enough to have a prophecy linking himself to you?" asked Snape.

"Certainly Severus , but I must be practical. The boy linked in a prophecy with myself would certainly be the one with similarities to myself. Aside from being half blood, we are both descended from the Peverells. The boy was also born early as if destined to be born at the end of July. It all fits."

Snape was growing more distressed by the minute as his heart continued to beat at a rising rate. But he had to be mindful to continue blocking his mind.

"Certainly, my Lord. My Lord, will you only be killing the boy or his parents as well?" asked Snape, trying to keep the shakiness in his voice under control.

"My target is the boy, but if his parents get in my way, then they will certainly be eliminated, Severus."

It took all of Snape's self-control not to show his rage and heartbreak. A newborn mother like Lily would certainly be at home nursing her child. And she would certainly not let Voldemort kill her son even at the cost of her life. He had to think quickly. He had to save Lily.

Summoning all the bravery within himself, he asked, "My Lord, if I may ask a favor in regard to this?"

Voldemort narrowed his eyes towards him. "A favor?"

Snape gulped. He couldn't let Voldemort be suspicious if he wanted to stand a chance of saving Lily.

"I have an old score to settle with Potter, my Lord."

"Ah, so you want to be the one to kill him? That can certainly be arranged, Severus."

"Not that, my Lord. I…" Snape felt disgusted with himself for the words he was about to say, but he had no choice as his love would only make Voldemort suspicious. "I… desire Potter's wife. And since it's the boy you want, it would give me great pleasure to have her spared alive as a trophy for me. It would be the perfect revenge against Potter."

Voldemort and Lucius both roared with laughter.

"Severus, surely there are women of worthier blood?" said Voldemort, eyeing him intently.

Snape knew he was trying to read his mind. Thank goodness for his Occlumency skills. He also brought his memories of being harassed by Potter and gang at the forefront of his memories.

"Yes, my Lord. But this is more of a personal score with Potter. Besides, I figured mudbloods could also serve as objects of desire for us of worthier blood," said Snape. He felt like throwing up, but the words were necessary to convince Voldemort. "After all, what's a worthless mudblood going to do when she has lost her husband and son, my Lord? She would be no match for us and be no more than a slave or a house elf."

"Hmm."" Voldemort pinched his nose. "I suppose you make valid points, Severus. I suppose I could give you this reward for delivering the prophecy to me. But you will keep her in line and perfectly under your control. The moment she is a threat to us, she will be killed."

Snape breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, my Lord. Thank you."

With that, Voldemort Apparated away. But Snape's relief was soon replaced with fear. How much could he really trust that Voldemort would keep his word? Even if he planned on keeping it, he was easily provoked. Snape couldn't rely on Voldemort's word to save Lily. After careful thought, he decided that the only way to guarantee Lily's safety was to go to Dumbledore and he had to act before Voldemort attacked.

"I'll take my leave too, Lucius," he said before quickly Apparating away.