Disclaimer:
I own nothing created and or mentioned, by J.K. Rowling, in the books of Harry Potter. This story is a product intended for enjoyment not financial gain.
Rating: Mature
Sexual content, language content, and dark themes
Day by day, night by night, ever since Christmas Eve, Severus had found himself more withdrawn than ever. He hardly spoke to anyone, scarcely ate, barely slept. He only consumed himself with his work for Lord Voldemort. This behavior was channeled as a defense mechanism, a means to distract himself from gnawing fear. To distract himself from any thought entertaining the notion of loosing Holly in a legal and permanent manner. He had already suffered the loss of Jaiden (the fact still haunting him) he couldn't stand to loose his daughter as well.
Furthermore, to add to the chagrin, Severus was perfectly dejected from the knowledge of having Lily's outward hatred and utter disdain. They had been on the verge of doing well before she learned of his Death Eating status. Unfortunately, like everything else that went well for him, it all crumbled away, leaving only the spoiled cracks and dismal aspects left for him to live with.
When January went by with no news from Lily, February following, and well into March, he thought she may have been bluffing about taking him to court for full custody. It wasn't until he had received a subpoena by owl, in early April, that he knew she was very serious.
IN THE FAMILY AND SMALL CLAIMS COURT OF THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC
FOR THE CITY OF LONDON
Plaintiff: LILY LYNE EVANS
Defendant: SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE
Matter of jurisdiction: Custody agreement of HOLLY RENE EVANS-SNAPE
In the name of Great Britain by the order of
the Ministry of Magic: Family and Small Claims Court
You are hereby commanded to appear in the Family and Small Claims Court of the Ministry of Magic at room No. 55B (or such other courtrooms as may be later assigned by the court) at 2870 SW. Winchester Avenue, London, England, on the 22nd day of April 1979 at 9:00 a.m. (or such other date or time as may be ordered by the court) to give evidence in the above-entitled matter on behalf of the plaintiff
He had read over the summons several times hoping that he may have missed the, 'just kidding' scribbled at the bottom. It was quite plain, in black white, there was no joke to be had. . .
Severus stood against the dark wall, his arms crossed before his chest. He was in the destroyed sitting room of a muggle house in which he had never been before, covered by the black of night. The muggle knelt naked and trembling before the swarm of six Death Eaters that had infiltrated her home hours ago. They had since subjected her to all matters of pain and humiliation by means of dark magic, violence, and rape. To further cater to her torment her three children and husband lay to the far left, dead as death can be.
The muggle shrieked in horror as the crowd jeered malevolently for all her trouble. The torture sat motionless as the tormentors laughed, the tribulation coming to a momentary halt. The nameless woman, with a desperate endeavor, crawled frantically towards Severus, her bloodied hand out stretched in helplessness. From all the molestation the woman's anguish took control, commanding her to seek mercy. Severus, off to the side and against the wall (the only one not partaking in the 'festivities'), was her natural selection.
"Looks like she likes you, Snape," Yaxley said with a wild sneer on his face.
"Please, please, please!" The woman shrieked as Dolohov pulled her up by the hair, marching her over to stand directly in front of Severus.
"For a muggle she's quite lovely, fancy her?" He asked, stroking her hair and moving her ever closer to Severus. Until her naked breasts were barely touching his chest.
"Please," The Woman whispered indefinitely, attempting to cover herself as tears rolled down her cheeks. Making rivulets of peach in the mess of brown and red.
Dolohov kissed the side of her head in mock comfort.
"Hush," he said simply. "What say you, Severus? Will you have her?"
Laughter.
Snape stood trapped against the wall and the naked woman being pressed upon him. His eyes diverted away as if to say, 'no thank you' when a voice called over the noise.
"Pay no attention to Severus' lack of interest gentlemen," Lucius Malfoy chimed as he stepped from the group, making his way over to Severus and Dolohov. "He has other things weighing on his mind."
"What could possibly be on his mind at this very second?" Dolohov asked in bitter astonishment. As if Severus' disinterest disgusted him.
"Your court date is scheduled for tomorrow is it not?" Malfoy asked of Severus, standing next to him, completely ignoring the shivering and cowering muggle.
"Yes," Severus whispered.
"For custody of that mudblood brat of yours?" Macnair asked, inserting himself into the conversation, completely repulsed. "You'd be lucky to be rid of the little bitch."
An anger burned inside of Severus as Macnair threw the derision at his daughter. She wasn't a mudblood, she was purer than anyone standing in this room. She wasn't a brat, she was the loveliest creature to ever grace this rotting planet. He certainly wouldn't be lucky to be rid of her. In fact he was currently robbed of her company, leaving him hollowed with a constant pang in his chest. Severus, however, swallowed his fury, not dumb enough to stand up against Walden Macnair.
"Listen to Walden, Severus," Malfoy cooed, grasping his shoulder reassuringly, acting as if acknowledging Macnair would bring a sense of security and comfort. "You would be fortunate to be rid of it."
"Perhaps," Severus said through clenched teeth. He was unwilling to reveal his true feelings on the matter.
"This will ease your thoughts," Dolohov said, casting the Imperious Curse at the muggle, who was momentarily forgotten about. "Suck his cock."
The small crowd began laughing as Severus closed his eyes in dread. The woman obediently dropped to her knees, unbuckling his trousers and quickly took his member into her mouth. His mind protested the act while his body approved causing electrical currents of pleasure to rush from his groin to all other regions of his body. Within minutes Severus had his hand on the back of the woman's head forcing himself deeper into her mouth, flashes of Lily before his eyes. She gagged around him as he thrust eagerly, trying to reach his orgasm quickly. His climax didn't last long, as he came with a muffled grunt.
Dolohov laughed, clapping Snape on the back as he buttoned his pants.
"That should take your mind off of your troubles."
It didn't.
After all were satiated with the use of the muggle, she lay broken and bruised on the floor, tears silently rolling down her cheeks. Macnair stepped forward, drawing his wand and pointing it directly at her bare chest.
"Aveda Kedavra," he said as a flash of green erupted from his wand, enveloping the room with its glow, casting shadows on all the condemned. . .
Severus lay in his darkened quarters at Vertice waiting for sleep to take him. He looked at the clock on his night stand as it mercilessly ticked away at his precious minutes of rest. Many things were weighing on his mind. He tried to envision what was going to happen within the courtroom. Was Lily going to outwardly accuse him of being a Death Eater? Was tonight going to be his last outside the walls of Azkaban? Simply entertaining the thought brought a cold sweat to his neck and a woozy feeling to his head.
There was a possibility Lily would spare him of such a future. Although she hated his guts currently there was a time when they were the best of friends. Perhaps that relationship would take precedence. Could she really subject him to such a fate? Furthermore, if not presented as a Death Eater, would he still loose Holly forever or might the court rule in his favor? The chances were split in half.
It was one o'clock at this point and Severus wanted to sleep, needed to sleep. So of course he was wide awake. He sighed heavily before pushing himself up, bare feet hitting the stone cold floor. He tapped his hand on the lamp beside him, causing it to illuminate instantly. Standing himself with a fluid motion he walked to a small cupboard, withdrawing a particularly strong sleeping potion. He uncapped the deep purple liquid and allowed it to slither down his throat, becoming drowsy at once. He staggered back to his bed, barely having the time to pull the blankets over his body before he passed out in blissful unconsciousness. . .
Severus stood in the entrance hall of the Ministry of Magic's Family Courts, his hands shoved inside of his pockets, nervously looking around for Lily. His eyes roamed the many individuals who came in and out of the courtrooms. Some looked smug and satisfied while others looked angry and dismayed. He contemplated which he would become by the end of the day.
"Severus Snape?" A man in a fancy suit called from one of the smaller doors to the left of the room. "Don Wilson, I'm your court appointed lawyer," he said, presenting his hand for shaking. Severus accepted the man's offer gingerly, dropping it as soon as he managed a proper grasp.
Don Wilson was a man of average height, his appearance perfectly polished, his short black hair oiled back, not a strand out of place. A strong aroma of coconuts radiated from his person, making Severus want to gag from the intensity of the scent. He was an orange tan indicating that he may have not acquired the tone naturally. His teeth were an angelic white that was obviously maintained by magic.
"Please come in—So, I've familiarized myself with your case this morning and it appears Mrs. Potter believes you are a bad influence upon your daughter."
"Mrs. Potter?" Severus asked, extremely bewildered.
"Yes, Mrs. Lily Potter?" Mr. Wilson asked, lifting up the paper before him, looking slightly nervous that he might have been misinformed.
"No, that's a mistake, Lily's last name is Evans, not Potter," he said as surely as he knew his own name.
"It says here, Lily Potter," Mr. Wilson said.
"Let me see it," he snapped as Don Wilson handed him the paper work. There it was, in plain black and white: Lily Lyne Potter.
Severus felt the color drain from his face as a rage and jealousy so grand erupted through his veins. His head was pounding, his heart was thumping with a savage nature, his eyes stinging, as he clenched his jaw, swallowing hard.
"Are you quite all right, sir?" Don Wilson asked as Severus glared at the piece of paper. "Mr. Snape?"
The anger was beginning to mix with sorrow and regret as he reread the name over and over again. Lily Lyne Potter? His chest began to hurt, sharp pains radiating from the severed heart. His hand was shaking slightly from the gravity at which he was holding the paper. Lily Lyne Potter? This surely could not be happening. She could have married anyone in the world, anyone, but she saw fit to marry James Potter? She wanted to steal his daughter and marry James Potter? How could she do such a thing when she knew what a vile being James Potter was? She liked to call Severus a terrible man and then she went and married that bum? Who was, for all matter of nature, the equivalent of a Death Eater, something she claimed to hate. Tormenting others for his enjoyment, bullying those who he could when he felt like it, not showing any remorse for the atrocities he committed, no matter how grave. Why was this happening? Why? Lily Lyne Potter?
"Mr. Snape do you need a medi-wizard?" Don Wilson asked as Severus finally snapped back into reality.
"No—no, that won't be necessary," he said softly, handing the file back to Mr. Wilson. "I was merely surprised to see she married."
The understatement of the century.
"I see," The Lawyer said, looking sympathetic. "Love her did you?"
"Is it protocol to ask your clients such a question?"
"No, I was simply being curious," he admitted, looking rather uncomfortable.
"Well, refrain and stick to your protocol," Severus snapped coldly. When would this day end?
"Right, apologies—anyway as I was saying, Mrs. Potter is concerned of your influence over the child. She stated you are a persistent bad influence on your daughter, obsessed with the dark arts, short tempered, and neglectful to your own health. Do you agree to said charges?"
"I most certainly do not," Severus replied darkly.
"How would you describe the situation pertaining to the dark arts?" Mr. Wilson asked, taking out his quill.
"I have made a hobby of studying the dark arts, that much is true. However, I don't bring my knowledge of it around my daughter. I don't take her in my lap and eagerly tell her of the hexes I studied during the day. I am completely able to determine what is appropriate for my child and what isn't. I'm not a moron."
"No, one said you were," Don Wilson said, scribbling down Severus' account. " How long, would you say, have you been studying the dark arts?."
"I've studied them since I was a boy."
"Why?"
"Because they have always fascinated me," Snape answered irritably as Don Wilson sighed, setting his quill upon the desk, propping his elbows on the table, resting his chin on his balled fists.
"Look Mr. Snape, I'm going to be frank with you. If any of the things Mrs. Potter says are true you're not going to be granted any branch of custody. Now, It's my job to make you look innocent but you've got to work with me here, meet me half way."
"I'm not sure I understand," Snape replied, eyeing Mr. Wilson suspiciously.
"The judge isn't going to rule in your favor if the dark arts 'fascinate' you," Don said, with a look of haughty derision.
"What do you propose I say then?" Severus asked irritably.
"The trick is to gain sympathy. You ever get sexually molested as a kid? Bullied at school?" The lawyer asked, a deranged smile on his face.
Snape looked at the man for a moment as though he was contemplating his sanity before slowly answering the question. "I was somewhat—bullied."
"You weren't somewhat bullied you were heavily bullied. This being so, knowing the dark arts made you feel safe, like you could defend yourself, understand?" Don Wilson asked.
"Yes," Snape answered, understanding that they were going to feed lies with the truth.
"She's also said that you are neglectful to your own health. Wanna tell me about that?" Don Wilson asked, his eyes glinting.
"I'm not ignorant to the fact I appear ill maintained, however this has nothing to do with how I monitor my daughter. Holly was always well off in my care."
"Alright, it'll need a little more of a flare in court but that'll do."
"She claims you have a short temper. Have you ever abused or verbally harassed your daughter?"
"No, of course not!" Snape protested.
"Good, good," The Lawyer said, nodding his head happily. "The next matter of business is to paint a picture for the court about how you do interact with your daughter. Tell me about the last time your were alone with her."
Severus took in a shaky breath. Thinking about that Christmas Eve always brought sadness to him. That was the day his supreme depression had taken over his life, when he was ruled by the fear of loosing his daughter. Nonetheless, he could recollect it perfectly.
"It was Christmas Eve," Severus began.
"Christmas Eve?" Don asked, incredulity in his eyes over how long ago the date was.
"Yes, Lily wouldn't allow me to be near her after that. She seemed to think it was best for Holly, that's why we're here today."
"I see, what prompted her to ban you on that particular day?"
"I do believe we were on the matter of painting the picture of Holly's and my relationship?"
"Yes, yes of course," Mr. Wilson said. "Do continue."
"It was Christmas Eve and we had a simple quiet night in the house. We concocted a potion together, before I read her a night story, and sent her to bed. Does that sound like a bad influence to you?"
"Not at all," Mr. Wilson said scribbling. "What potion and what story?"
"Capioconversus and 'Which Witch is Which'," Severus stated, rather annoyed.
"Now you mentioned she banished you from your daughter and now, many months later, you're in court. What happened to make her do this?"
"She figures I am incapable of change, I daresay," he said vaguely.
"All right," The Lawyer said, forever writing. "Change of what?"
"From practicing the dark arts, don't you pay attention?" He asked darkly.
"No need to become hostile, Mr. Snape. What is your occupation?"
"I'm unemployed," Severus stated loathsomely.
"How do you plan on paying for the expenses of a child if you are to be awarded partial custody?"
"I have an inheritance that keeps me financially stable," he lied.
"You wouldn't happen to have documentation with you?"
"No, I do not."
"Where would you live with Holly?" Don Wilson asked.
"I have a home in Cokeworth," he stated. Since his father had met an untimely demise last year the house wasn't a safety hazard. His mother would, of course, allow him to stay there with Holly.
"Okay," he said scribbling. "Well, it's almost nine o'clock now. I see no reason as to why Mrs. Potter should be granted full custody. We have a convincing case here."
"Excellent," Severus said, following his lawyer out of the small office.
He followed his lawyer into the court room and felt the fire return to his veins as he saw Lily sitting there at the plaintiff's table. Her blonde lawyer sitting beside her. She eyed him as he came in, shaking her head indefinitely as if disgusted by what she saw.
The bailiff advised every one to rise for the presiding of The Judge Hartman. She came into the room, having everyone sit back down which Severus found foolish.
"Mrs. Potter you have come to the court today requesting full custody over Holly Rene Evans-Snape, is that correct?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Lily said in her most official voice. Hearing her speak brought a dizziness about Severus' head which made him furious with himself. Even though she had brought him nothing but anguish in the past year she still had the power to dissolve him into nothing more than a damn puddle.
"Your opening statement?" Judge Hartman asked, looking at Lily's lawyer.
"Certainly Your Honor. My client has had concerns, for some time now, that Severus Snape, Holly's father, is a persistent bad influence on her daughter. He's obsessed with the dark arts, boorish, neglectful to his own health, abrasive, short tempered, and altogether incapable of change or being trusted with raising a child."
"You say he is obsessed with the art of dark magic. Please explain this accusation," The judge asked of the lawyer.
"This man has always harbored a fascination for the dark arts, jinxes, hexes, ever since my client has known him. Your honor, he even makes his own nasty little spells, and they're all used for the molestation of others. Mrs. Potter has never even seen him make a spell using the art of light magic. Furthermore, he shares his little hobbies with his daughter. My Client would like to address a specific circumstance when he was showing Holly a book about flesh rotting hexes. He has no concept of right from wrong."
"I see," Judge Hartman said writing something down. "You've further stated that he is neglectful to his own health. Do explain further."
"The last time my client saw Mr. Snape he appeared malnourished, unwashed, and exhausted. When asked if he was ill he was adamant that he was not. If that was the case, and he wasn't sick, the only explanation would be improper care. If he can't care for himself than how can he be expected to care for a child? I mean look at him now."
Severus was glaring at the defendant's table so intensely he was shocked that it didn't spontaneously combust. Anger whirled within his chest as Lily sat, all high and mighty, her lawyer pointing out all his faults. This was going bad so far. She was making him sound like some kind of monstrous irresponsible lunatic with no perception of parenting.
"You've also stated that you have concerns that he is short tempered. Do you fear he may become physically abusive with Holly?" The judged asked of Lily.
"No," Lily answered truthfully. "He would never hurt her physically. It's his sharp tongue that would lash out at her."
"Duly noted. Any other concerns that I should be made aware of?"
"Yes," Lily said, sounding completely snobby.
Severus' heart was beating frantically in anger and fear. Thus far his status as Death Eater was unknown, it could all change in the next second.
"I'm concerned with the company he keeps," said Lily.
"Extrapolate."
"As my Lawyer stated, he is highly immersed in the dark arts, so are his friends. They have no consciences and I do fear them hurting my daughter. I don't want them around her, I don't want Severus around her, I just—don't want it."
"Thank you Mrs. Potter," Judge Hartman concluded as Lily's lawyer patted her on the arm, smiling happily as if they had achieved a great feat. "Mr. Snape where do your desires fall when it comes to the custody of your daughter? Do you wish to be present in her life?"
"Yes, Ma'am," he said softly.
"Very well, opening statement," she said, turning to Don Wilson.
"My client may be rough around the edges but he is truly good at heart. When Mrs. Potter and her defense state he is completely obsessed with dark magic they are genuinely exaggerating. My client has only a hobby instilled in the dark arts, it is not his entire life. He most certainly is not incapable of determining what is appropriate for his daughter and what isn't. Mrs. Potter might see an abrasive wrong doer but I see a good man who loves his daughter and would stop at nothing to be in her life."
"Thank you Mr. Wilson I shall take that into account. Mrs. Potter has first said that your client is deeply immersed in the dark arts. Do explain your case."
" My Client has has been enthralled by the dark arts since he was a boy. He's lead a rougher life than some, being tragically bullied whilst in shool. This being so, knowing elaborate spells that could cause pain or protection against his attackers during his youth brought him a sense of security; like he could defend himself."
"Mrs. Potter claims you influence your daughter with your fascination, that you showed her pictures of flesh rotting charms. Is this account accurate?" Judge Hartman asked, turning her attention to Severus.
"Yes, but I would like to point out that I was seventeen at the time. I have since grown and matured. I currently wouldn't show Holly anything remotely like that."
"Very well. Mr. Wilson, Mrs. Potter has accused your client of being incapable of caring for Holly since, as she claims, he cannot even seem to tend to himself. Does your client deny it?"
"Mr. Snape maybe rather hasty when it comes to feeding or bathing himself but he has always been diligent with Holly. He had never; would never allow her to go hungry or ignore her well being. If she fell ill he would drop any obligation to cater at her side. Just because he is somewhat lax with his own health doesn't make him a bad father."
"This is the last question I'm going to ask before I make my decision. Mr. Snape, is there any reason as to why you believe that Mrs. Potter would make an inadequate mother?"
Severus wanted to go into full detail about how she married a pig-headed monstrosity and how James Potter was truly the bad influence on Holly, not himself. To his surprise he couldn't bring himself to do it. If she loved James Potter, and he made her happy, he wouldn't invoke an investigation on her new family. Even if it did make him completely miserable.
"No, Ma'am, Lily is a perfect mother. She always has been and always shall be," said Snape.
"Very well, I shall deliberate. We will reconvene in five minutes."
Severus Sighed heavily as Don Wilson turned to face him.
"How are you feeling?" The Lawyer asked of him.
Severus simply shifted his eyes from directly in front of him towards his lawyer, only to return them to their original spot. The lawyer's overly dramatic spiel had irritated him at the very least.
The five minutes seemed like an eternity as Severus busied himself with an old hobby: watching Lily. Her bedazzled red hair was shimmering elegantly, her skin shining radiantly. Her slightly pink cheeks brought her face an appearance of healthy maintenance that Severus' could never have achieved. All in all she looked outstandingly well, she appeared to be happy. This brought loathing to Snape's heart, how could she be so content and well-off while she ruined his life?
"All rise, Judge Hartman presiding."
"On behalf of the court I rule in favor of the plaintiff. I am hereby awarding full custody of Holly Rene Evans-Snape to Lily Potter, with no visitation rights granted to Mr. Snape, on the grounds that the defendant is incapable of providing a stable environment for said child," Judge Hartman explained with no sympathy or emotion. She slammed her gaffle on the podium before calling in the next case.
Severus' world seemed to dissolve in an instant. He lost Holly? He lost her, the only thing in this world who hadn't let him down, the only person who loved him was legally not his anymore? He looked at the judge, with pleading eyes, hoping she would change her mind.
"Your honor," Severus began.
"Yes, Mr. Snape?"
"I must urge you to reconsider. I am not oblivious to the fact that I may be less than conventional as a father but I must be with my daughter. I'll do anything you say, I'll do whatever I have to do, just—please—reconsider," he said his voice shaking ever so slightly.
"I have already ruled, Mr. Snape. I must confess I agree, whole heartily, with Mrs. Potter. You seem to be less than stable, somewhat unhealthy, and your interest in the dark arts alone is reason enough to exclude you in the upbringing of your daughter."
"Please," was all he could think to say.
Lily looked over at him, the smallest bit of sympathy swirling in her heart. He looked genuinely broken.
"If you wish, you may reopen the case in no less than one year's time. However, if you wait longer than one year and six months your chances of ever winning any kind of custody are slim, that's all—next case!"
Severus sat perched on one of the benches outside the court rooms, his head in his hands. His heart felt like a stone of ice, his body felt shaken and weak, as if he had suffered a thousand Cruciatus Curses. He sniffed back the tears that were stinging his eyes as he straightened up, running his hand through his hair.
"Sev," Lily said softly, Holly by her side, holding her hand.
Upon seeing Holly Severus' heart jumped irregularly with a pain so exquisite it felt like fire enveloping his chest. She was near to him yet she was lost. Severus' mind briefly crawled through the fond memories he had of Holly. The moment when he first held her, how she went through a phase of only allowing him to carry her, following her as she crawled about the floor, feeding her, cuddling with her as she fell asleep. The recollections made him yearn to hold her but he feared he may never let her go.
"What do you want?" He asked Lily coldly.
"I thought you might want to say goodbye to Holly," she said, her voice apologetic.
"Come here, monster."
He opened his arms to her as she quickly shuffled into his embrace, resting her little head against his shoulder. Severus inhaled in her sent, for what felt like the final time, relishing the feeling of having her close (a feeling he was afraid he may never experience again). He held her to him, hugging her tightly, as tears welled in his eyes. He choked them back as he held her out by her shoulders.
"You be good to your mother," he said, fighting to keep his voice even. She nodded.
"When awe you gownna play wiff me?" She asked, meaning 'when will you come visit me.'
"Well, Holly," he had no idea how to tell her he would not be seeing her for an entire year at the very least. "I—I."
"Daddy, has to go away for a little while, sweetie," Lily interjected, noticing Severus' struggling speech.
"Why?" Holly whined. It appeared, even at the tender age of two and half she was able to sense the gravity of what was going on, that she knew this was different from before and that Daddy wasn't going to be gone for just a little while. He was being taken from her.
"It's only for a little while," Severus lied, stroking her hair. "Then we can see each other again, okay?"
"But you juss wen away," she whined, stomping her foot slightly. Severus reasoned that Lily had told her the same thing in late of his four month absence.
"I know, Holly. If I had it my way I would see you all the time."
"Why don' you?" She asked, looking confused as tears began welling up in her eyes. Severus' breathing hitched as another bout of agony gripped his being. Holding his composure was becoming painful but being strong for his daughter took precedence over his emotional turmoil.
"Because, Holly," he swallowed hard. "When you're grown-up you have to follow certain rules. I'm not allowed to see you everyday."
"Whadda I do wong?" She cried.
"Nothing at all," Severus stated, looking into her tear stained face.
"Why can't you play wiff me, den?" She wailed.
"Holly, look at me—you've done absolutely nothing wrong, do you understand me? This is not your fault. It's—it's my fault," he said intensely.
"I don't wan' you to go away!" She cried, gripping his torso in a pincer like grip.
Severus grasped her to him, patting her back lightly.
"I know, monster, I know."
The two hugged for a long moment. Time seemed to freeze as he sat there clutching his only daughter to his chest. He concentrated on taking in as many details as he could about Holly so as to have mental imagery to cling to in her absence. She stood up to his chin when he bended on one knee, her hair was wavy and hung down to her clavicle, her neck seemed almost too thin to hold up her head. He would miss the way she would flick that wavy black hair behind her shoulder when talking about topics she deemed important. How her head bobbled when something confused her. He would even miss her ridiculous obsession with unicorns.
"Come on, Holly," Lily said from the sidelines, holding out her hand. "We have to go."
Holly shook her head against Severus' stomach in protest of leaving him.
"Holly, come now," Lily said sternly.
"NO!" She cried, gripping Severus' clothes.
"Holly enough," Severus interjected, ripping her harsh grip from his person. "The time will be over before you know it."
"I don' wan you go away!" She cried again, rubbing her eye with a pudgy fist.
"I know," he reiterated. "Go on, with your mother," he said, ushering her forth, his heart protesting his words. Holly turned around and grabbed his neck in another embrace.
"I wuv you, Da'ee," she whispered into his ear.
"And I you," he whispered back unable to stay the tears in his eyes.
The embrace was broken and she was lead away, hand in hand with Lily. They walked across the vast room towards James Potter, who Severus hadn't even noticed was standing there. He watched from afar as James lifted his daughter and looked as if he was attempting to comfort her. A fire ignited within Snape as he roughly wiped the tears from his eyes, a primal instinct coming over him as he strode over to Potter, his wand in hand.
"Put her down," he challenged, pointing his wand at James' throat.
"Nice thing to do in front of your kid, it's no wonder the court ruled—"
"Put her down!" Severus roared, his expression darkening.
Holly began crying anew as James slowly lowered her to the floor.
"Severus, what the hell are you doing?" Lily asked, glaring at him as she picked up the wailing Holly.
"How dare you bring him?" He asked, rounding on Lily, his wand still avidly pointed at James.
"He's my husband, Severus, are you completely insane? Put your wand down, you're making a scene," she said as hushed as she could.
"Back off her, Snivellus," James said, staring daggers at the target of his school age bullying.
"You dare insult me in front of my own daughter?" Snape asked dangerously, stepping closer to James, his wand nearly touching Potter's neck. "You don't touch her, you don't speak to her, and never dare think she's somehow yours. You maybe married to Lily but Holly is my daughter and I won't have you interfering with her, am I quite plain?"
"That seems like a terribly stupid situation seeing as I'm her stepfather," James countered cooly. " It's not as if I can go about our home completely ignoring her now can I?"
"I would find a way if I were you!" Snape enjoined, wild with rage and sorrow.
"Severus, stop it!" Lily scolded, her hand on his arm. "You're embarrassing yourself."
"Listen to the lady," James added.
"Shut up James," Lily replied. She then placed the wailing Holly on the ground before forcing Severus to turn, leading him away.
"How could you do this to me, Lily?" He asked lividly, once they were yards away from James and Holly.
"Do what? You, like almost everything, brought this on yourself. Did you really think you could spend your life being a Death Eater and I would somehow not notice? I have to protect my daughter."
"I'm not a danger to her and you damn well know it!" Snape yelled, unable to keep his anger in check. It was as if all his sorrow and rage from the past four months were being released.
"I don't know that!" Lily said irritably. "I don't trust you, James does—"
"Don't you dare speak to me about him," Snape spat coldly.
"Look I understand my marrying James might be—difficult for you to accept but he's not the—"
"I believe I just requested you not speak of him," he said through clenched teeth, attempting to master his animosity.
"Sorry," she said unapologetically.
"How could you do this?" He asked again.
"I believe I made myself quite clear in the court room," she stated defiantly.
"Do you remember, Jaiden?" Severus asked offhandedly.
"Of course," Lily said, not looking at him.
"You are forcing me to live his death all over again, only with Holly in his place. You are taking my child from me against my will."
"You might want to be a little more grateful," she said forcefully.
"G-grateful?" He asked unable to believe his ears.
"Yes, you're a Death Eater, Severus, I could have sent you to Azkaban."
"You're right I should be thanking you on bended knee," Severus spat venomously.
"I'm gonna go," Lily said after a short moment of silence. "Please, do try and take care of yourself."
Severus watched her walk back to James and Holly as husband and Wife looked back at him for a split second, Lily shaking her head before grabbing Holly's hand and leading her away and out of his life.
The next months were a haze of horror and depression as Severus lived them as a shadow of his former self. As the environment turned from warm, to hot, to cold Severus found himself climbing in the Dark Lord's ranks. Upon perfecting his occlumency his master gave him more detailed and risky assignments to assist in the victory of the war. Severus had achieved what he always wanted when he joined the Dark Lord: he was well respected, well liked, and held a certain amount of power. Despite his accomplishments he felt hollow and cold.
In the later half of November 1979, he had received knowledge that two members in The Order of The Phoenix were expecting a baby. As rumor had it, the mother was a mudblood, the father a pure blood. Naturally this was epic gossip at Vertice, giving the Death Eaters another reason to ridicule The Order (purebloods and mudbloods breeding). Severus knew who the two were upon hearing the news, causing him to shut himself in his quarters for the rest of the day. So, he would be related to James through his daughter and Potter's spawn? A bitter fate indeed. In spite of his chagrin the time continued to press on until it was again April of 1980, and Severus had since turned twenty.
He was eligible to reopen the custody agreement regarding Holly but decided to look at the facts before doing so. For one: he still looked frail and run-down, which would tell the court he still couldn't take care of himself. Two: he was still 'unemployed' and wouldn't be able to supply documentation of his false account of an inheritance. The judge hadn't asked for proof before but that was when he was the defendant. Three: he knew if he tried to reopen the case Lily would release the information that he was, indeed, a Death Eater. Sentencing him to a life in prison. No one stopped being a Death Eater so he couldn't lie and say 'he once was a Death Eater'. It seemed he was doomed to never see his daughter again. . .
Severus was in the potion's lab when his mark seared with the familiar sensation of being summoned. He immediately dropped what he was doing and walked towards the grand black doors of his master's chambers. He knocked three times, causing the doors to swing open and allow him access.
He prostrated upon his entering, his eyes on the floor.
"Severus," The Dark Lord said, sounding mildly pleased to see him. "I have thee most joyous of news."
"My, Lord?" Severus asked, keen to hear why he was summoned to be shared news with. Surely this was a matter Bella would be called for.
"There is a position opening at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," He said, his voice exhilarated.
"My, Lord?" He asked again, not sure what this had to do with him.
"I have longed for a spy to be within the walls of that school, so close to that old waste, Dumbledore," he said triumphantly. "You are the only Death Eater I possess that could perform this immense duty. It is you who has studied occlumency, you who are more intelligent than most of my servants combined. It is you who will get the position at Hogwarts and spy upon Albus Dumbledore."
"My Lord flatters me."
"Nonsense, you know these things as well as I."
"Thank you, My Lord—If I might, Master, I must impress on you choosing someone else. I'm hardly teaching material."
"You presume I don't know my own servants and who would be best suited for assignments?"
"My apologies, Master, It was not my intention to be insubordinate," Severus said, trying to save himself from a nasty punishment. Lord Voldemort seemed satisfied by the apology.
"Very well," The Dark Lord said. "You are to meet with Albus Dumbledore at the Hogshead on April the fifteenth at eight O'clock, is that understood?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"Excellent, do not let me down Severus."
"Never, My Lord. . ."
Authoer's Note: Will Severus and Holly truly be parted for ever? Will she survive the infamous October of 1981? What will happen to Severus and how will he ensure his daughter will be safe? Stay tuned for the final installment.