Chapter Eleven

Death and Life

Severus could not help but admire the stalwart way James and Lily prepared for their death. Though he wasn't present, he overheard them talking about the letters they had written their son to tell him how much they loved him. Poppy told him about witnessing their will, how they'd made sure that Harry was listed as the beneficiary on all of their accounts. What Severus was most cognizant of were the hours they spent arguing with him and Dumbledore about the correct runes to be used. (The book contained very precise wording and descriptions of wand movements for sealing the spell, but was very vague about the runes needed to set up the perimeter: the exact runes to be used should tell a story about the relationship of the sacrificed ones to the protected, and could be further customized to target specific protections.)

"You'll brew the potion, of course, Severus," Lily said the night they'd finalized the runes. "No one could do it better."

"Hey!" squawked Albus Dumbledore, who was currently sitting on the floor playing blocks with Harry. "I'll have you know that I was also once a master potioneer!"

Severus didn't know what to think of little Harry. He was obviously bright and curious (which meant that he was always getting into trouble). He was also extremely affectionate, doling out hugs and kisses left and right—including to Severus himself. His response was usually to pat the little boy awkwardly on his head.

Tonight he excused himself, escaping before Harry could hug his leg, and fled to his dungeon to create the necessary potion.

~~SS~~

Potion, runes, and charms. Those three elements combined were what were going to create such powerful protection. Severus wasn't sure how anyone could protect against the Dark Lord: he'd seen some highly talented, powerful wizards crumbling under the force of his master's assault. This was their one chance to succeed.

James had surprised Severus by telling him that Peter Pettigrew was the Secret Keeper. That weakling! He passed the information on to Bellatrix, and Bellatrix put pressure on the little rat. Once the secret location was revealed, Voldemort rubbed his hands together gleefully. "Halloween is the best night for such big magic."

Severus told James and Lily the news in person.

"It's the best night for us to do big magic, too," Lily said in a quavering voice before burying her face against James's shoulder.

~~SS~~

Severus had told Voldemort that there was nothing he would like more than to bring down his childhood nemesis. He'd put the memory of James flipping him upside-down after their O.W.L.s into his liar's palace and the Dark Lord, probing his thoughts, eagerly agreed that Severus should be the one to accompany him on the mission.

Severus held his wand at the ready as they approached the modest home in Godric's Hollow. "I'm at your back, my Lord. My wand will ever be at the ready."

Voldemort's only response was to cackle as he pushed open the gate. This was good, because Severus wasn't sure he'd have the strength to keep up his Occlumency tonight.

Severus's question as to whom the third protector would be was answered as soon as they approached the door. Once they'd stepped over the first circle of runes, he'd flicked his wand to activate the outside perimeter, and he saw the name written there. Albus Dumbledore. That old fool! How could he consign himself to an early death? How could they ever defeat the Dark Lord without him? There was no way this could possibly work…

Nonetheless, he flicked his wand again at the runes that ran around the doorway and along the basement of the house, then stepped into the entry in the wake of his master. James was there, standing defiantly before Lord Voldemort, wand at the ready. "You will have to get past me first," he stated confidently, then yelled: "Lily, take Harry and go! It's him!" He paused and mumbled under his breath, andSeverus only knew what he was saying because he knew the spell: Ego dabo pro te animam meam. Then James raised his left hand in a salute, still holding his wand out in the right hand. Severus saluted in return, flicking his wand to activate the first protective sacrifice.

"Go! Run! I'll hold him off—" James yelled.

"Avada Kedavra!" shouted Voldemort, and James crumpled in a flash of green light. The Dark Lord was giddy with glee, or else he would have noticed what Severus felt—a shudder of magic rippling through the house.

Severus stood transfixed by the body of his former adversary while his master trotted up the stairs. "I know you liked the lady, Severus; you needn't come for this part," the Dark Lord said. But Severus roused himself and followed behind.

Lily was holding Harry in her arms, chest to chest. Severus wondered if Voldemort knew of the runes that had been inscribed onto the sleeper Harry was wearing, if he could smell the potions that coated the toddler's body.

"Give him here," Voldemort said. "I'm not here for you."

Lily looked at the floor, and Snape could see her lips moving. Ego dabo pro te animam meam. He had to do more than a wand flick now. It was hard to move through the complicated pattern without Voldemort noticing, but he did it anyway. Lily provided the distraction.

"Not Harry! Not Harry! Please—I'll do anything!"

"Stand aside. Stand aside girl!" Voldemort had his wand in one hand, a silver bracelet in another. What was he going to do with that?

Lily turned, put Harry down in his crib, and stood up straight and tall, wand in hand.

"You will never have my son," she said resolutely.

There was a flash of green light and an explosion.

~~SS~~

Severus opened his eyes. A baby was crying weakly in the distance. He pulled himself to his feet: he must have been knocked unconscious and fallen into the hallway. Light and cold air streamed from the room in front of him. There was a gigantic hole in the wall and ceiling; two bodies lay on the floor. He ran to Lily first, felt for a pulse, and gathered her lifeless body into his arms as he cried uncontrollably. He should have found another way—after what she had done for him, there should have been another way.

The other body, he saw with surprise, was Voldemort's. He put Lily down, checked again for a pulse: nothing. But Voldemort couldn't possibly be dead, because Severus could feel the binding power in his Dark Mark, still sluggishly active. Well, Voldemort might not be dead, but he was certainly weakened. Perhaps enough that he would not return until Harry was grown.

"Do you know what you've cost me?" Severus growled at the crying boy. But Harry did not see him, only continued to call for his mother. Severus sighed, then, and performed the final step in the protection spell. A huge tremor, seemingly centered on Harry, rocked the house.

"Should I just leave you here?" asked Severus of the desperate child. He remembered, then, that Dumbledore had made plans for the boy's care (though he hadn't asked too much about what they were). And indeed, he heard the rumble of Sirius Black's magically enhanced motorbike in the distance…He thought of the front gates of Hogwarts and turned on the spot. And then Harry was by himself in the partially-destroyed house.

I know, it's a short chapter this week. I'm sorry.

For those who want to know when things get better for poor Severus, here's a look ahead at my plan. This story will have 30 chapters total + epilogue; you just read Chapter 11. The next chapter will cover the transition years as Harry grows up, followed by 9 chapters written in parallel with the books. The battle of Hogwarts is in Chapter 21, and Severus hits rock bottom in Chapter 22. (Yes, he can get lower than he is now.) But things turn around for our hero in Chapter 23, as he finds two people who are important to him, and in Chapter 25, Severus finally realizes that he is in love. His love is unrequited for several years, but is finally returned in Chapter 27.

Chapters 12-21 are still in progress, but I have completely written Chapters 22-25. So when we get to the good stuff, it will come quickly.

BTW, I'm trying to also make this compliant with Cursed Child, which is a daunting task!