The Power of Love

Chapter 2

Snuffles and Snape

The sun shone brightly over the little cottage in Godric's Hollow. The beautiful dawn silence was interrupted by the tantrum of a small child.

"Harry, please be quiet. I wanted to give Mummy a rest this morning." James Potter said, as he attempted to feed Harry a bowl of porridge. The little was not at all interested in food; he wanted to play 'drums' with the pan his breakfast had just been prepared in. James was sat opposite Harry, trying to spoon the meal into his son's mouth. The boy moved his mouth, spilling porridge all down his and his Father's front. He then screamed out again.

"Harry!" James snapped, "sh!" Harry looked up, as if contemplating his Father's instruction before gurgling, loudly. He then placed his hand in the luke-warm porridge and rubbed the food onto James' cheek.

"Thank you, Harry." James frowned, "unfortunately porridge is for eating, not for wearing."

The little boy gave a soft, giggling smile and reached out to place his chubby arms around his Father's forearm. "Yes, very funny, son." James smiled, "you have managed to cover me completely in porridge."

James picked the three year old out of his high-chair. "And now, Harry, you and I must get cleaned up before Uncle Padfoot and Uncle Moony arrive."

"Padfoot, Moony!" Harry exclaimed, hearing his Uncles' names.

"Yes, you'd better behave or Daddy won't let you see them," James told him as he walked up the stairs. Harry did not agree with his Father and hit him on the head. "That's not behaving, Harry."

James ran a bath for Harry and began to wash him. "Funny, I'm sure Mummy gave you a bath last night." Harry nodded in agreement. He loved baths as it was tremendous fun to splash whoever was washing him. He slapped his hands onto the water, splashing James. "I'll have a shower once you're cleaned." He tickled Harry, who giggled loudly. James continued to wash the boy as Lily crept into the bathroom behind him. "Messy child," James grinned.

"Are you calling my son messy?" she asked.

"Morning, Lily," he greeted, "and yes, I am."

She looked at the water splashed on the bathroom floor and her husband's porridge covered form. She laughed, "I agree."

Harry blew a raspberry at his father. "You know boy, you're lucky to be alive." James said, recalling a conversation they had had with Dumbledore two years previously.

"It's almost certain that Harry was saved by love," Dumbledore said, looking deeply at the three Potters who sat in front of him.

"What do you mean, Professor?" James asked, bouncing his son on his lap.

"I mean Harry's life was saved by someone who cared for him deeply."

"I'm afraid I don't understand, headmaster," Lily said, stroking her son's forehead where the lightening shaped scar was still irritating him.

"Mrs Potter, giving your life in return for another's is the biggest sacrifice one human being can give to another. Voldemort tried to obtain information from someone who refused to give. This person undoubtedly saved Harry's life."

"Are you saying that someone was tortured to give information on our whereabouts?" Lily asked.

"Someone was killed, Mrs Potter." The head-teacher looked at her through his half moon spectacles.

"Who?" James asked, "Who died for our safety?"

"Severus Snape."

"Severus!" Lily cried.

"I'm sorry, Mrs Potter, I know you were close."

"He was my first real friend," Lily cried.

James put an arm around her gently. "I'm sorry, Lily."

"Let me show you what Severus did," Albus said, indicating at the pensive sitting on his desk.

They were in a graveyard. Two figures stood just ahead of them, one an older, more confident Severus Snape, the other a thin, bald Voldemort.

"Snape, tell me where the Potters are," the Dark Lord snapped.

"I do not know!" Snape lied.

"Liar! I can see into your mind," Voldemort snarled.

"I don't know where they are hidden," Snape tried again.

"You've seen the boy! I know it! Where are they?" Voldemort growled.

"I can't tell you."

"I have been lenient until now; you have lied twice and denied me also. I shall ask you once more, where are the Potters?" the Dark Lord held out in wand threateningly.

"I will not let you kill them; I shall not tell you where they hide!"

"They shall die, but you shall die first. A shame, Severus, you were looking quite a promising Death Eater."

"I will do what I must," Snape said.

"Prepare to die, Snape," Voldemort cried out. "AVADA KEDAVRA." There was a flash of green light and Lily turned away grief stricken at seeing her friend's death.

The office came into view again. "He was a good man," James admitted.

"Snape has placed a charm on Harry, one that will protect him as long as he remains with him Mother. You see, Lily, he loved you."

"Snape!?"

"Morning, Prongs," Sirius greeted as his best friend opened the door, "trust you are well."

"Yep. You?"

"I'm good." They walked into the sitting room, "hey," he sat down next to Harry on the floor. "How's my favourite Godson?"

Harry gurgled, "Uncle Padfoot."

"Hey, kid." The man bent to hug his Godson. "Uncle Sirius brought you a present, Harry. It's high time you had a dog of your own."

"Sirius, please say you didn't buy a puppy," Lily said.

"Yeah, okay not a real one, here," he handed Harry a stuffed dog. It was black with a silky coat.

"It's lovely, Sirius," Lily said, "reminds me of a certain black dog I know."

"Ah, he's a mischievous mutt, now isn't he, Lily?" Sirius smiled.

"Yep, pulled up a whole flower bed of my favourite roses last summer."

Sirius grinned, "I'm sorry bout that," he said.

She smiled, "I know."

"What do you say, Harry?" James asked his son, who was busy playing with his new toy.

"Fank you, Uncle Padfoot," Harry grinned.

"Anytime, kid," Sirius smiled adoringly at his Godson, "you gonna name him?"

"Snuffles," Harry said proudly. "My real dog, he's Snuffles."

"Honey, you don't have a dog," Lily said.

"You're never here, when I see Snuffles," Harry told her. "Snuffles comes when Uncle Padfoot."

"Oh!" Sirius smiled. "I don't mind Snuffles."

I can perfectly understand if you all hate me right now! I did NOT want to write that. I need a way of Harry being saved. If anyone has a nicer idea, please message me and I shall rewrite the chapter.

Please review, Love JLF xoxo