A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Insane prompt challenge: 256 – dialogue - "If you don't like it, you don't have to stay. Nobody's forcing you to be a part of this."

Writing Club December

Assorted Appreciation: 17 - Nativity - Write about a small lie getting bigger. - Alt - Write about a teacher

Disney Challenge: Somgs - Breaking Free - Write about someone 'breaking free' of something.

Showtime: 5 - I'll Believe in You - (food) Cookies

Scamander's Case: 24 - (prompt) write about someone who doesn't trust easily

Film Festival: 6 - (relationship) coworkers

Lyric Alley: 2 - And what have you done

Word Count: 589

"You don't have to do it, Severus. If you don't like it, you don't have to stay. Nobody's forcing you to be a part of this."

"We both know, or at least you suspect, that is not true, Minerva. I do not have a choice in the matter. If I leave..." he started to say. He could feel the collar of of his shirt tightening. He wasn't even allowed to confess that. Minerva studied Severus.

"You can't tell me, can you?" she asked softly. Severus shook his head and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt.

"If I guess, would the curse kill you?"

"I do not believe so."

"I had a feeling when you returned here, took the post of potions professor it wasn't your choice. No, I detected someone meddling since the beginning. I can see how Voldemore would want you here, but why would Albus..." Minerva paused. Severus could see the pieces connecting in her mind. He knew she would come to the correct conclusion in time. Her eyes widened slightly as she realized exactly what Severus couldn't tell her.

"He made you make an unbreakable vow," she whispered. "I know, you can't confirm or deny it. Can you tell me if it was before or after the Potters were killed?"

"Before," Severus answered without feeling any discomfort.

"He promised you something in return, did he not?"

"Yes."

"Did he promise to save Lily?"

"No. He did not promise to save her."

"Protect her, then?"

"Yes," Severus answered picking up a biscuit off Minerva's desk and taking as bite. So far, she'd worked out everything on her own. Could she honestly help him when he himself had been unable as of yet to find a way to break the bond? Did he honestly want to? It was his fault Lily was dead, no stupid promises of Albus' could have spared her. He'd been the one to realize who the Dark Lord was targeting. He'd begged Lord Voldemort to spare her. He should have never let her name pass his lips once he knew of the prophesy. Then, maybe, no one would have realized, and she would still be alive.

"Did he protect her, Severus. Honestly, did he do everything," she emphasised the word, "to protect the Potters?"

Severus felt like there was something he was missing, something Minerva knew that he should know, that could change the outcome of things. He mentally listed everything, the Fidilus charm, moving them, changing secret keepers, wait... what about James infernal cloak? He remembered Harry getting it his first year. How how Dumbledore come across it? Had it been at the Potters? No, he was certain it had not.

"Ask the question on your mind, Severus."

"James' cloak."

"Was in Albus' possession that night," Minerva answered. "No, I do not know if it would have saved her, Severus, but did Albus do everything he could to protect them?"

"He had the cloak. No, if she'd had it, they could have..." Severus' black eyes widened. Slowly a smile spread across his gaunt face.

"No, he didn't. He did not do everything he could have." Slowly a feeling spread across Severus' body. It was as though chains he hadn't realized were there were snapping into pieces. He felt a strange sense of freedom, something he'd never truly experienced before. Minerva nodded after a moment.

"Now, let's see if it worked. Tell me, Severus, tell me everything Albus has made you do for him," she requested and he, happily, told her everything.