I hope you all like this! I am posting it because it is my 18th birthday, and I decided to give my readers something (btw...reveiws make great presents)
Author's Note: The writing in bold can be found on pages 677-679 in the American hardback copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The inscription on the tombstone can be found on page 328
Chapter Three: Funeral
(Severus Snape's POV)
I turned away as they lowered her into the ground, I couldn't watch it. I couldn't watch the body of the only woman I had ever loved go underground. It made it real. If I saw her body lowered into the ground, I couldn't lie to myself anymore and say that she was still alive.
I ended up turning in the direction of four elderly people. They were Adrian and Elizabeth Potter, James' parents, and Nicholas and Rose Evans, Lily's parents. Where was Harry? Where was Lily's sister, Petunia?
I looked around in the crowd. Lily's sister had been jealous of her younger sister going to Hogwarts, but could she really let that jealousy keep her from attending her own sister's funeral and burial?
She shouldn't have to be missing her sister's burial, you idiot! I snapped at myself Lily shouldn't be dead! She wouldn't be dead if it wasn't for you!
It was the cold hard truth. Lily was dead because she died to save Harry from the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord went after Harry because of the prophecy. I had told the Dark Lord the prophecy.
With the truth came a fresh wave of hot tears. I had killed the only woman I had ever loved. I didn't lay a hand on her, but I was the reason she was dead. None of this would have happened if I hadn't told the Dark Lord about the prophecy.
I saw every teacher, past and present, from Hogwarts at the burial. They were not here for the same reason I was. I was here for Lily. They were here for Lily and James.
I thought back a few months back, when I had asked Dumbledore to protect her. Not her, James, and Harry. Just her. Just Lily...
"If she means so much to you" said Dumbledore, "surely Lord Voldermort will spare her? Could you not ask for mercy for the mother, in exchange for the son?"
"I have-I have asked him-"
"You disgust me" said Dumbledore. Severus looked at Dumbledore. He had never heard Dumbledore's voice hold any contempt, let alone the amount he heard in it now. The tone made him shrink a little "You do not care, then, about the deaths of her husband and child? They can die as long as you have what you want?"
That makes me sound selfish Severus thought But the old man said exactly what I was thinking...I didn't care about James or her son. I only wanted her. He looked up at the headmaster
"Hide them all, then," he had croaked "Keep her-them-safe. Please"
"And what will you give in return, Severus?"
"In-in return?" he gaped at Dumbledore, but after a long moment said "Anything"
"I'd give anything to have you back, Lily" Severus said, turning his face to the wind "I'd give anything"
Shortly after hearing the Dark Lord had fallen, Severus had gone to Dumbledore. He remembered that conversation well...
"I thought...you were going...to keep her...safe..."
"She and James put their faith in the wrong person," said Dumbledore. "Rather like you, Severus. Weren't you hoping that Lord Voldermort would spare her?"
Severus' breathing was shallow.
"Her boy survives." said Dumbledore. "Her son lives. He has her eyes, precisely her eyes. You remember the shape and color of Lily Evans's eyes, I am sure?"
"DON'T!" bellowed Severus "Gone...dead..."
"Is this remorse, Severus?"
"I wish...I wish I were dead..."
"And what use would that be to anyone?" said Dumbledore coldly. "If you loved Lily Evans, if you truly loved her, then your way forward is clear."
"What-what do you mean?"
"You know how and why she died. Make sure it was not in vain. Help me protect Lily's son."
"He does not need protection. The Dark Lord has gone-"
"The Dark Lord will return, and Harry Potter will be in terrible danger when he does."
There was a long pause, and slowly Severus regained control of himself, mastered his own breathing. At last he said "Very well. Very well. But never-never tell, Dumbledore! This must be between us! Swear it! I cannot bear...especially Potter's son...I want your word!"
"My word, Severus, that I shall not reveal the best of you?"
Dumbledore had agreed. He had given Severus his word that he would tell no one that Severus was going to help protect Potter's son. Severus hoped Dumbledore would keep his promise, and at the same time he knew he would. Dumbledore wouldn't go back on his word. He was an honorable man.
Severus turned back to the grave sites. The bodies had been lowered, and now the dirt was being placed back over the hole, magically. The mounds of dirt were perfectly rounded, just as the graves were perfectly dug. Everything was perfect. That was how it should be for Lily's burial. That was what Lily deserved...perfection.
Severus stared as the tombstone was engraved with magic. He then waited as the entire wizarding community it seemed said their final good-byes to James and Lily. Soon, it was just the Potters, the Evans, and James' friend Remus Lupin. His best friend and the Potter's former Secret Keeper, Sirius Black, was in Azkaban. James' other friend, Peter Pettigrew, was dead. Killed, by Sirius.
Severus hung back until everyone had left, and he was alone in the graveyard. He slowly walked over to the grave.
JAMES POTTER LILY POTTER
BORN 27 MARCH 1960 BORN 30 JANUARY 1960
DIED 30 OCTOBER 1981 DIED 30 OCTOBER 1981
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death
Severus looked at the tombstone for a few minutes, and then turned to leave.
Lily was gone...and she wasn't coming back.
A/N: This story is complete, I hope you liked it