Always
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
This is for one of my best friends to cheer her up. Love ya, Chey!
X.x.X
Severus Snape looked out his window and let out an uncharacteristic sigh. Tonight was the night. It was the night that Draco Malfoy had planned to sneak the Death Eaters in to the castle and murder Professor Dumbledore. However, there was one thing that Snape knew that Draco did not; Severus knew that Dumbledore knew and it would, ultimately, be him to do the deed, and he wasn't happy with it.
When Dumbledore had first told Severus that it must be the Potions Master to kill the Headmaster, he had flat out refused. After a bit of explaining, coaxing, and minor black mailing, Snape had agreed reluctantly. Now it was the time and his hand tingled. He was under two separate Unbreakable Vows; funny enough both essentially were him promising to do the same thing.
There was a sudden tap at the window on the opposite side of the room and there was a Great Grey owl there. His cloaks billowing behind him, Snape went to the window and gave the bird a quick treat before sending it off. The small bit of parchment was folded four times. Snape opened it carefully. There were very few words on the parchment but they got their meaning across well enough.
Don't forget, it has to be you. I'm counting on you; Always.
D.
Crumpling the paper, Snape tossed it into his fire grate. He watched the flames eat ate the parchment, causing it to shrivel and burn to black. A tear slipped down his face. Dumbledore had used his love for Lily to talk him into this. It truly was a messed up situation. It was times like these that Severus wished he could just go back to the time between lives; the time between his childhood and Hogwarts when he had first met Lily; that wonderful summer that they had spent together. But that was over now and all the Potions Professor could do was move forward.
X.x.X
Later that day, near sunset, Severus had met Dumbledore on the tower, as promised. They talked little, words not really needing to be expressed. Dumbledore had thanked Snape, given him words of encouragement. Snape didn't say anything until the end. He said goodbye, anguish lining his face. Hiding the anguish when there were footsteps on the stairs, Snape turned and began descending the stairs. He ran into the Potter boy with eyes so much like his beloved Lily's.
They exchanged no words, though Snape had years to tell Harry. Harry didn't know that Snape actually loved Harry as a son and had only kept him at bay out of necessity.
Entering his dungeon office, Snape let tears spill freely from his eyes, knowing the sadness he was going to cause and the life he was going to take. Knowing that Dumbledore wanted it this way did nothing to ease the pain that Severus felt. All too soon it was time. The Headmaster and Potter would be back and Draco would have let in the small band of Death Eaters. It was time to accomplish what the Unbreakable Vows would force him to do unless he wanted to end his life that night as well.
The trip to the Astronomy Tower was longer than usual but Snape made it. There were echoes coming down the stairwell and Snape ascended quickly, not expecting Harry Potter to be there. Hushing the boy, Severus tried to express his utter hatred for this task, but knew he couldn't. His only hope was that one day he could share with Harry what had truly happened and share his memories. Now there was an idea. As Snape moved upwards he cast one last glance at Potter, catching those green, green eyes.
"Always." He whispered, positive that Harry and no one else had heard him. It was his promise to Lily.
"Severus. Please." Was Dumbledore's scripted line.
"Avada Kedavra." And that was the end.
X.x.X
R&R please! Again, love you, my Chey-Chey.