Lily Potter stared down at the still form of her son, sleeping peacefully in her arms. The charms had already been cast, and Severus Snape stood beside her, ready to take the sleeping child back to the store they had found Draco Malfoy in.
"Lily, we have to go." Severus placed a hand on the small of her back, rubbing in small circles as he stared down at the baby in her arms.
He was a perfect replication of what Draco Malfoy looked liked – as his godfather, he'd had plenty of time to watch the boy in close proximity, and had made sure of that fact. It was amazing, really, what a combination of charms, transfiguration, and potions could do.
They never would have succeeded without his potions' ability. He had considered, more than once, backing out and letting them find some other way to protect their child. But one look at Lily's pleading eyes, and he had known that he wasn't capable of it. He couldn't hurt Lily like that.
Draco would be loved, of that he was sure. Lily would smother that child with love, unable to give it to her own child. He had no worries there. It was his loyalty to Lucius, his first true friend, that held him back.
Lucius would murder him if he ever found out. Gouge his eyes out with a plastic spoon.
It would hurt more that way.
Lips twitching slightly, Severus slowly reached forward, pulling gently until he held the child in his arms.
Lily's lips trembled slightly, but she took a deep breath and smiled sadly at her childhood friend, before turning to look down at the dark-haired boy sleeping just as soundly in her husbands' arms.
James smiled gently at his wife, before his eyes strayed over to the blonde child in Severus' arms. He stared at the baby for a moment, before raising his eyes to meet the cool black of his childhood nemesis. "Take care of him, Severus."
Severus merely nodded shortly, a small smile twisting his lips at the irony of it all. Who would have thought that James Potter would be entrusting the safety of his only child to Severus Snape? It was unthinkable, unbelievable …
It was reality. He had to keep reminding himself about that.
"Take him, Snape. Get out of here, before we change our minds." Severus nodded shortly at the other man's words, turning swiftly on his heel, and steadfastly ignoring the sound Lily's broken sobs.
Severus Snape stared down at the letter in his hands, allowing a small smile to grace his lips. Lily always had known how to over dramatize events. Had a special knack for it, in their childhood together.
But to send a letter to her son? Was she insane? She wanted him to join her, that was the only explanation. She was out to kill him, even from the other side of the grave. He could find no other explanation for her idiotic behavior.
Well, unless you counted the fact that she was a Gryffindor. That might have something to do with it.
At least she had had the decency to warn him about it – perhaps his life wasn't completely forfeit. Maybe. Possibly.
He'd better update his will.