Always
Severus Snape only ever had eyes for one witch. He thought their fifth year was going to be the beginning of their lives together but things came to a halt for them the day that cursed word passed his lips. He didn’t mean it, he never thought of her like that. But he was a 15 year old boy who was hurt and embarrassed. James Potter completely humiliated him in front of his house mates, whose respect he’d been working years to gain. Then, in her worry, Lily rushed to him ready to heal him. He had already been made a fool of and couldn’t stand to look even weaker in front of them, he was so frustrated he said the words he knew would stop her and save face.
“I don’t need a Mudblood healing me.”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth Severus realized just how bad he’d messed up. The light in Lily’s green eyes dimmed and the colour drained from her face as severus’ words hit her. Her eyes filled with tears as she turned her back on him and walked away. They were never the same after that. Before they had been nearly inseparable but Lily wouldn’t even look at him now.
Over the next two years she grew closer with her house mates, his bullies. Then by the time they left Hogwarts lily and James were together and planning to get married. Severus turned towards his house even more over the years after the incident. It wasn’t long til his new friends introduced him to their Dark Lord. He took an immediate interest in Severus and even sponsored his potions mastery.
He tried his best not to keep up with lily but he’d seen their wedding announcement in the profit shortly after they all left Hogwarts and within a year the birth announcement of her son. James Potter’s son. If he threw himself into his work after that last announcement, it was only a coincidence.
It was almost a year before he heard her name again.
A prophecy had been made, stating that a boy had been born at the end of the previous July that could defeat the dark lord. Magical birth records showed two wizards that fit the description, Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom. The dark lord decided that this threat to his legacy should be dispatched immediately, so his forces started searching for the boys.
Severus hated James Potter more than anyone else in the world, but killing a baby, even his baby, just didn’t sit right with him.
As the dark Lord’s plans started to come together, Severus discovered he planned to take out both families completely. He considered begging for her life to be spared but he knew she’d never forgive him if he saved her but not her child. He had known Lily Evans all his life and he knew she’d sacrifice herself in a heartbeat to save her own child. He also feared for the Longbottom’s, he had gone to school with them and though they had been in rival houses, there was never any bad blood between them.
Harry’s birthday was the exact end of the month and, though his mom was a witch, he was considered to be a half blood since she was muggleborn. Neville’s birthday was the day before Harry’s but he was a pure blood. Because the dark lord was also a half blood, and Harry’s birthday was the literal end of July, he declared the Potter’s would be his target and that his second in command, Bellatrix Lastrange, would have the honour of removing the Longbottom’s from the Sacred 28.
Severus knew there was only one way he was going to be able to stop this, he had to go to Dumbledore. Of course, he couldn’t just go straight to Dumbledore as that would raise too much suspicion. The Dark Lord had mentioned before wanting to infiltrate their alma mater, so Severus took this into consideration as he came up with his plan.
Within a week he had convinced the Dark Lord to send him to Hogwarts to talk to Dumbledore about taking over Potions when their old Professor Slughorn was ready to retire. He knew the likelihood of getting a job as a teacher would be low, especially with the dark mark on his arm. That didn’t matter to him, though, he just needed to tell Dumbledore what the Dark Lord was planning.
Dumbledore sat across from Severus when all of a sudden he felt the headmaster attempting to use legilimency on him. He could see the change in his eyes when the headmaster detected his shield. But Rather than reinforcing them he pulled forth his memories of the Dark Lord’s plans for the Potters and Longbottoms. Dumbledore eyed Severus curiously before relaxing into a small smile and saying. “It’s nice to see you Mr.Snape. In your letter you mentioned an interest in becoming Horace’s apprentice.”
“Severus, please. Yes, headmaster. I have just Completed my Mastery and Prof. Slughorn mentioned taking on an apprentice so that he may retire after next year at the last slug club gathering.” Replied Severus.
“Ah, yes. Well Severus, the job actually hasn’t been posted yet. But I imagine if Horace talked to you about it he is eyeing you for the position.” Said dumbledore, with that same relaxed smile.
This is where Severus had hoped this conversation would be going. They continued to discuss what an apprenticeship would look like, teaching the first - third years as well as grading the work of the fourth-seventh years and preparing half of their lesson plans.
Dumbledore then lifted his wand and cast a charm he didn’t hear towards the portraits and all their occupants left. He then silenced and locked the room with another flick of his wand and turned back towards Severus.
“Tom thinks you’re here to implant yourself as a spy, a way for him to get his death eaters in to Hogwarts, yet here you are warning us of his plans.” Dumbledore mused while stroking his beard.
“I’m trying to save Li-them, you must hide them, protect them from him” he knew his voice betrayed his desperation but he was past caring.
“ I assure you, Severus, both Families are well protected.” Said dumbledore as he assessed severus. “ however, information on Tom’s plan would help. I imagine he will still expect you to check in regularly during your apprenticeship?”
Severus explained what the dark lord expected of him and Albus agreed to take him on as the potions master apprentice.
Before leaving, Severus made one more plea. “ Potter’s old invisibility cloak, you confiscated our 7th year, might be an extra layer of protection for them, if you still have it.”
Dumbledore looked up, astonished that Severus knew about the cloak. With a chuckle he said “ I’m sure I still have it around here somewhere, I never get rid of anything.”
He met dumbledore’s eyes, nodded, and left the meeting, a double agent.
It was Halloween, Severus had been called upon by the dark lord and was rushing to his side when he literally ran into Bellatrix, she was dancing around and laughing about how they made the rat squeal.
Severus glared, “I don’t have time for your riddles today, Bella, what are you saying?”
Bella Cackled, “the Potter’s have been ratted out, They’re in Godric’s Hollow, so we have both families locations now and by the end of the night the threat to our dark lord will be gone.”
Severus held on to his occlumancy shields and kept all emotion off his face when he asked “Where does the Dark Lord want me?”
“He wants you to brew while he kills your precious little mudblood” she cackled
“Very well” Severus swallowed and went to his lab. When he got there he quickly drew his wand and sent a patronus to Dumbledore. “Now.”
It was close to midnight when he got the news, The Dark Lord was dead and the Death Eaters were being rounded up. He finished the final task The Dark Lord had given him and apparated to Hogwarts.
After meeting with Dumbledore he was led to the infirmary where he found Madam Pomfrey attending to Lily and her son.
His warning had saved the Longbottoms from suffering irreparable damage from the cruciotus curse. However it wouldn’t have saved James Potter. The Dark Lord entered Godric’s Hallow after dismantling their wards and blowing up their front door. He cast the Killing curse at James and headed upstairs.
Lily was clutching her sleeping infant under the invisibility cloak in the back of his closet, she had silenced them and hoped it was enough to conceal them. However, The Dark Lord was able to pick up on her magical signature and though he couldn’t see her he pointed his wand and cast. The green light reflected off the cloak back at the castor which caused an explosion. The cloak was blown off and debris was flying everywhere. There was no trace of the dark lord left, besides his wand. Lily and Harry suffered only minor cuts and bruises.
“The dittany won’t heal this one, I’m afraid it’s going to leave a scar.” Madam Pomfrey said to Lily, Severus saw the cut in the shape of a lightening bolt on the boy’s forehead.
“I have some from my own stores if you would like to try it.” said Severus.
Lily looked up, she looked surprised to see him and gave him a small nod.
Nothing they did would heal the cut though, Harry would always have this scar from the night his father died. Lily had been told about Severus’s warning and his involvement with the order, she thanked him and he told her how sorry he was and held her as she cried. His heart broke for her, he knew she was in pain but he was so thankful to have her in his life again, let alone in his arms and he knew he’d do anything to keep her safe.