-I own none of this, that right and privilege lies with J.K. Rowling-

-I write because I enjoy it, please no nasty comments. Constructive criticism and random "hi"s are welcome-

Chapter 7: Leaving Hogwarts

On July seventh of that year the ministry fell. All the ministries protections around Hogsmeade and Hogwarts were destroyed. In the early hours of Dawn the Death Eaters broke through Dumbledore's personal enchantments and into Hogwarts castle.

Dumbledore died at 4:57am and no one was safe. The Death Eaters left the castle without so much as waking the students; they left not a trace, besides the body in the headmasters study. Everyone both in Hogwarts and beyond, both in the Order and out believed that Severus Snape killed Albus Dumbledore. Only a few people knew the truth. Even Lily didn't know what to think. On one hand she knew Dumbledore and couldn't think anyone could break through his enchantments to get inside the school. Severus must have done it because no one else could have. And on the other hand she loved and trusted Severus with her life, and Severus couldn't have done it she knew him.

Lily was torn between logic and Love.

Luscious Malfoy, a notorious Death Eater and head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation (IMC) offices at The Ministry of Magic, was promoted to Minister of Magic shortly after the previous Minister was sent to St. Mungo's. Fudge had been driven mad, he believes himself to be a platypus and tried to lay an egg in his office. Malfoy appointed Severus Headmaster only a day after Dumbledore died.

That night Lily was sitting in Severus' old study writing some lesson plans for his first year classes. Severus came in when she'd only finished a few of them.

"Lily, we need to talk." Her head spun. "Here, Lily drink this." Severus handed her a potion, she drank it and nearly collapsed back into her chair. "Lily you're leaving Hogwarts tonight, this wasn't real." He said coldly, gesturing between them.

"Sev I love you, that Is real." Lily's eyes were filling with tears as her voice pleaded.

"But I Don't love you Lily, and I never did." Severus forced the words out hating himself for it the whole time. In her mind he could see she believed him, after loving her for his whole life he could ruin it in just ten words. Suddenly he has a flashback of another ten words he'd said that had ruined it for him in a different life.

"I don't need help from filthy little mudbloods like her!"

Severus sickened himself as he continued "It's time to show my true allegiance. You always thought you knew me, you were wrong. I expect you out of my house within the month, and you're not welcome back at Hogwarts."
Lily began to sway sideways in her seat, her eyelids drooped and Lily fell into a fitful sleep. Her dreams were filled with dark shadows and bats, they should have scared her but her waking world was much more frightening.

Severus took her in his arms and brought her home. When she woke up she wouldn't consider this home but it was the only place she had. For the moment, she would be leaving soon. He may never see her again, as Severus tucked her into bed he tried to memorise her face, her smell, the feel of her skin. He tried to memorise all of her, this time he was sure he would not be forgiven. But he could not put her in the middle of this war, she was already in too deep. She would be safer this way.

Severus kissed her forehead and disapparated, never taking hiss eyes off Lily, his for the last time.

When she awoke, for one moment Lily thought Severus would kiss her and then help her out of bed like the gentleman he'd acted. But then she remembered his last words to her, and she knew even what he hadn't said, that she'd been a cover story. He'd married her to 'prove' to Dumbledore that he was truly on their side.

It had been a lie, all of it, only those last words were true, no one who loved her would have hurt her so badly, Twice. The first thing she did was contact the Order. She did this before she even cried. Lily always did the responsible thing before she thought of herself. The Order needed to know that Severus wasn't a friend to them. Then Lily started to pack what little she hadn't brought to Hogwarts with her, it was late she would look for a flat in the morning and leave as soon as she could. The packing was done quickly and she slept tears staining her pillow, sobs wracking her body Severus was the only one she'd had left, now she had no one.

That night he watched her sleep, but he could see her pain, even then and he loathed himself for causing it. Severus brushed a lock of hair away from her face and he kissed her swiftly before leaving the note.

Lily found the note pinned to her pillow the next morning.

"Your things are packed and in the down stairs sitting room."

It was cold, impersonal and it wasn't even signed, but she knew. At least he didn't toss it all, she thought, or burned it. Lily moved into the first flat she found that day. She settled in just as she'd packed, quickly, not leaving herself time to think but she thought regardless. She loved him, she didn't care what he did or said, Love doesn't work that way, she thought. Not real love, but he doesn't love me, what's the point!?

Time passed slowly for Lily, she saw Remus Lupin a bit. But even with a friend Lily was alone and scared. Remus couldn't be there all the time. They heard stories form Hogwarts and the terrible thing happening there. The children were being taught to be Death Eaters, they were being tortured and being taught to torture, Death Eaters were teachers and to them muggles were pigs and that's what they taught.

The Dark Lords grip on the wizarding world grew ever tighter and Severus bided his time. He couldn't start this war but when the Order came he would be there to finish it, he would be there to help. And he would be there when the Dark Lord was finally destroyed, that is if the Order didn't kill him first. By now they'd all hate him. He would protect the students as best he could until they arrived, he couldn't help protect Lily now and he'd be damned if he let anything happen to these children. Though after what he'd done, he was damned regardless.

***

-Thank you all for reading this chapter of my story-

-Love Always-

-Lily-