A/N - Happy Memorial Day to those of you in the States. First, thanks to any military (past and present) - your service is not without sacrifice and I am humbly grateful to those who serve.
This weekend is also the unofficial start to the summer season. I spent my day weeding, seeding and trying to make my yard presentable. Fingers crossed this year is more successful.
Anyway, thanks to all the favorites and followers - hopefully this chapter meets your expectations. The reviews continue to make me smile, so thanks for those.
Don't own any of them.
Say hello Severus Snape...
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'Amor Vincit' Chapter 6 - What is Price of a Memory
By Severus Snape
I spent the majority of my life shunning connections to people. They only end up hurting you in the end. My parents were both useless. My mother, a woman from the 'proud' House of Prince, allowed her muggle husband to beat and abuse us. To this day I do not understand why she allowed it. My father, it seems, knew she was a witch early in the relationship and was fine with it for a few years. Once I started to show my magical tendencies his feelings shifted and he became the horrid man I remember.
As a child I had met a young girl who ended up being a witch. Lily Evans was my best friend. She remained that way at Hogwarts for the first few years. Once James Potter decided to take an interest in her, the desire for popularity overruled our friendship. Taking the opportunity after a fight, Lily ended our friendship. When she was killed it saddened me, but not enough for me to break from the Death Eaters and spy for the Light. Both sides were wrong. I could see that in 1981. And it was true in 1997. I sat back and watched the world slowly pretend everything was ok.
Honestly, I never gave Lily's son any thought. Dumbledore had taken him to live with his family. I knew the Potter line ended with Harry. His grandparents had died in some accident shortly after his birth. I suspected James was responsible as they, James's parents, had been vocal about how their son was living and threatened to cut him out of the family. Harry would be raised away from his parents and provided access to the family vaults. Lily's parents were alive, at least at that time, as was Lily's sister. Petunia would be the most obvious person to raise the baby. She wasn't as sweet as Lily and for that I felt a little compassion for the child. I had no idea just how horribly the boy's life would be.
Once Draco had been born Narcissa insisted I be his Godfather. I'm not exactly sure why she insisted but I will be forever grateful. Draco was the reason I remained in that life, he needed someone other than his father as a role model. By the time Draco reached eleven and was ready to enter Hogwarts he had already seen and experienced some of the worst aspects of blood supremacy. While what he would see after the return of Voldemort was shocking, it didn't surprise him after his childhood. I tried to shield him, I thought of him as my son in many ways.
By the end of his fifth year, I knew war was on the horizon. Anyone with eyes saw what was to happen. The question was whether I wanted to live in either of the worlds. I didn't think I would, so I came to terms with my end. After that summer and all that happened at Malfoy Manor, I knew Draco and I were in agreement on neither side being right. It was only after Draco brought Hermione into our group that we had a real chance to survive.
Hermione Granger had been a girl I took interest in watching. She always strove for acceptance and pleasing her teachers and to do that she had to know everything. It was only when Draco began to support her that her plans actually worked as she intended. She was surprised the first few times before Draco pointed out that with a competent partner she could rule the world. The young witch just laughed. She really had no desire for power. She just wanted a world where people cold get along. She wasn't overly optimistic or sunny, but a pragmatic girl who knew the utopia-like world of Dumbledore was as unlikely as one where a few hundred witches and wizards could rule a few billion muggles. She would leave government to those that liked red tape and bureaucracy.
It was a few weeks before the Final Battle when we addressed the biggest concern for Hermione and Draco. Me. They had promised the other that I would survive but both knew, as did I, once Voldemort saw how deeply I hated him I would be killed. More than likely it would be a quick hit as it would probably be during the battle. Draco was the first to suggest a modification of my memories. It couldn't be too severe as I needed to still be part of the plans for the battle.
In the end, I provided a list of memories to remove and a second list of memories to modify. We worked through those memories and made plausible changes. It took a couple of weeks to work out the modifications. The last thing we did together was plan when the battle would happen. Knowing the castle would protect the students, we decided to have Harry appear before the end of the school year. The exact date wasn't decided as it would depend on a number of things like weather and the location of several of the main death eaters. I told Hermione and Draco what I thought would be the best plan and the two agreed.
Just before modifying my memories, I proposed that Hermione apply for the potions mastery position. I knew I would not remember everything but I would remember just how brilliant she was at the craft. Hermione cried a little and thanked me for my faith in her. With a nod of my head, Hermione placed the charm and my memories slowly faded.
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There was only one time in my life where I was more scared than I was during the final battle. That was the day Narcissa had been killed. Draco had been sent home to face whatever Voldemort and others decided to do to him. I wanted nothing more than to save the boy but I knew it was impossible.
The final battle had been fierce and by the time we had the final face-off I was shocked at just how many people were present. The shock is what caused my shield to slip and for Voldemort to see my betrayal. Of course I wouldn't know the depth of my betrayal for a bit longer, but what he saw was enough. The snake bite was painful but instantly the pain was easing as Draco started the emergency rescue protocols. The venom antidote induced sleep so I awoke in a French hospital alone. The healer informed me of my injuries and the young man who brought me had to return but that he would be back soon. After requiring the Healer to provide a description, I was confident of Draco's survival.
The arrival of Hermione Granger that next day was a shock. The pair discussed what had happened and how the battle was won. After some pleasantries, Draco asked about my release. I relayed what I had been told earlier in the day and that it would be months before the Healers would be confident the venom had been full neutralized. I noticed a quick smirk from Hermione before she requested to be considered as an apprentice to the potion mastery program.
I was surprised and was ready to turn her down before she mentioned having the room next door converted and being able to teach while I was recovering. It would give me something to do. My only stipulation was for her to sit for her NEWTS. I didn't expect the pair to have that done a couple of months later. That was how Hermione Granger became my potion apprentice.
She slowly informed me of the potion she used on her parents and I was shocked at the notes she provided. The girl was quite advanced. While it was not the standard coursework, Hermione flew through everything in a year. I didn't understand her drive, I do now of course, and found her thirst for knowledge something I savored.
When she was taken I was ready to fight but Draco held me back. I didn't understand why but he said it would make sense soon. As all the pieces fell into place, I marveled at just what love can accomplish.
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As I have thought back on my life and those that are important to me, I find the price I paid was worth it. Was it hard to accept the things I did and what happened to those that I cared for…of course. But in the end the world is a better place for our sacrifices. The children that enter Hogwarts now will never have to worry about the fear that gripped the castle less than a generation ago. For that alone I thank Merlin and whatever other gods are out.
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A/N - One final note, the epilogue is being difficult. I should say, Lucius is being difficult. But, let's be honest, that's par for the course. As soon as he decides what he wants to do, I'll get it posted. This was the last pre-written chapter so all that remains is the aforementioned epilogue for this story. After that, my muse has decided to tackle the completely alternate universe where the war didn't happen and discrimination is non-existent (i.e., Harry, Hermione and Draco are friends from the beginning).
I'm planning on hitting all seven years, but would like some suggestions from you guys. Would you prefer seven shorter stories (10 - 15 chapter range) or one mammoth story.
