Chapter 8
AU / Same world as all of my previous stories.
The world and the characters in it belongs to J.K. Rowling
AN: This story will be a multi-chapter one, I don t know how long or how frequently will I update but I will try not to finish on a cliffhanger. If you got any constructive criticism feel free to share it.
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Severus Snape briskly made his way through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his robes billowing behind him as he pondered the reason for Albus Dumbledore summoning him so late at night. As he reached the towering oak door leading to the Headmaster's office, he paused for a moment, steeling himself for whatever awaited him on the other side.
Upon entering, Severus found Albus Dumbledore seated behind his desk, his piercing blue eyes twinkling with a warmth that belied the seriousness of the situation. "Severus, my dear boy, please have a seat," Dumbledore said, gesturing towards the chair opposite him. "Would you care for a lemon drop?"
Severus shook his head curtly. "No, thank you, Headmaster. I'm afraid I haven't the time for pleasantries. What is it that you require of me at this late hour?"
Dumbledore nodded understandingly, his expression turning grave. "Severus, I'm afraid I must inform you of troubling news. The Potters were attacked by the Dark Lord this evening."
Snape felt a surge of fear grip his heart at Dumbledore's words. "Attacked? Is Lily... Is Lily alright?"
Albus nodded gravely, his piercing blue eyes fixed on the man. "Yes, Severus. The Potters are safe, thanks to a remarkable act of sacrifice by Petunia."
Severus's mind raced as he tried to process the information. Lily, his Lily, alive? It seemed impossible, yet Dumbledore's words carried an air of undeniable truth.
"And Petunia... Lily's sister," Severus began, his voice catching in his throat. "You're saying she... she gave her life to protect them?"
Dumbledore nodded solemnly. "Indeed. Petunia Evans, despite her past grievances with the wizarding world, made the ultimate sacrifice to protect her sister and nephew. Her love for Lily was stronger than any animosity she may have felt towards magic."
Severus felt a surge of emotion welling up inside him. Petunia Dursley, the muggle woman he had known since childhood, had proven herself to be more courageous than he could have ever imagined.
"I've known Petunia since I was a child," Severus exclaimed, his voice tinged with incredulity. "I never would have thought... I never would have thought she would sacrifice herself for Lily."
Dumbledore placed a comforting hand on Severus's shoulder. "Love is a curious thing, Severus," he said softly. "It works in mysterious ways, often defying our expectations and understanding. Petunia's sacrifice is a testament to the power of love, even in the face of darkness."
Severus Snape sat before Albus Dumbledore, his dark eyes fixed intently on the wise old wizard. The news he had just received left him with a sense of disbelief and, oddly, disappointment. "What happened to the Dark Lord, Albus?" Severus inquired, his voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
Dumbledore sighed heavily, his gaze reflecting the weight of the revelation he was about to share. "Petunia's sacrifice, Severus," he began, his voice grave, "it bounced the killing curse back to Voldemort. He perished alongside her."
Severus's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Petunia?" he repeated, trying to comprehend the gravity of the situation. The idea that a woman he had known since childhood could play such a pivotal role in the downfall of the most feared dark wizard of their time was difficult to grasp.
"Yes, Petunia," Dumbledore confirmed solemnly. "Her sacrifice, fueled by love for her sister, proved to be the undoing of Voldemort." Severus shook his head incredulously. "Beating the Dark Lord this way... It's very anticlimactic," he remarked, his tone tinged with a hint of bitterness.
Albus regarded Severus with a sympathetic gaze. "Indeed, Severus," he agreed. "But sometimes, it is the most unexpected acts that bring about the greatest victories." The gravity of Dumbledore's words hung in the air, leaving Severus to ponder the unpredictable nature of fate and the complexities of human emotion. Before Severus could dwell further on the matter, Dumbledore shifted the conversation to a pressing issue at hand. "Harry Potter will need protection," he stated firmly, his gaze unwavering. The Dark Lord will return! And when He does, the boy will be in terrible danger! "His parents are alive," Severus interjected suddenly, a flicker of realization igniting in his eyes. "They can protect him."
Dumbledore regarded Severus with a knowing smile. "Indeed, Severus," he said quietly. "But it will take more than just his parents to ensure Harry's safety The news of Voldemort's demise at the hands of Petunia Dursley was still reverberating through his mind, but Dumbledore's next words brought a new sense of responsibility crashing down upon him. "Severus," Dumbledore began, his tone grave yet resolute, "James and Lily can only protect Harry until he is old enough to come to Hogwarts. At that point, it will be your duty to take on the protection of Harry from his parents."
Severus felt a knot tighten in his stomach at Dumbledore's words. The thought of being responsible for the safety of Harry Potter, the son of the woman he had loved and lost to his own mistakes, filled him with a mixture of apprehension and determination.
"But Albus," Severus protested, his voice tinged with uncertainty, "am I the right person for this task? After everything that has happened..."
Dumbledore placed a reassuring hand on Severus's shoulder, his eyes twinkling with unwavering confidence. "Severus, you have shown great bravery and loyalty in the face of adversity," he said firmly. "I have no doubt that you are more than capable of fulfilling this duty."
"Albus," Severus began, his voice steady yet tinged with urgency, "no one can know that I am the one protecting Harry."
The headmaster regarded Severus with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "And why is that, Severus?" he inquired, his brow furrowing in thought. His expression softened as he considered the Potion professor s words. "Severus," he said gently, "do you truly wish to hide the best part of yourself? Your capacity for compassion and protection?" Severus hesitated for a moment before responding, his mind racing with the weight of his words. "If the Dark Lord does indeed return," he explained carefully, "I need to maintain the appearance of loyalty to him and the Death Eaters. I cannot risk exposing my true allegiance by openly protecting Harry Potter." Dumbledore nodded in understanding, his eyes reflecting a profound sense of respect for Severus's unwavering resolve. "Very well, Severus," he said finally, "your secret will remain safe with me. But know that your willingness to sacrifice your own reputation for the greater good does not go unnoticed."
Severus nodded, acknowledging Dumbledore's words with a sense of solemn acceptance. The weight of his new responsibility settled heavily upon him, but he knew that he had no choice but to fulfill his duty to protect Harry Potter, even if it meant sacrificing his own reputation and happiness.
As Severus rose from his seat, his mind already spinning with plans and strategies to ensure Harry's safety, Dumbledore's voice broke through his thoughts once more.
"Severus, I will repeat myself" Dumbledore called, his tone gentle yet firm, "remember that love is the most powerful magic of all. It was love that saved the Potters tonight, just as it has saved us countless times before."
Severus paused, his gaze meeting Dumbledore's with a mixture of determination and resignation. "I understand, Albus," he replied quietly. "I will do whatever it takes to protect him." He stood up bowed to the old man and left the room.
As he reached the dungeons where his quarters were located, Severus found his mind still reeling with the events of the evening. The sacrifice of Petunia Dursley, a woman he had once despised, had shattered his preconceptions and left him grappling with a newfound respect for her.
Entering his private chambers, Severus lit the fire in the hearth and sank into the worn leather armchair by the window. From this vantage point, he could see the twinkling lights of Hogsmeade village in the distance, a reminder of the world beyond the castle walls and the dangers that lurked within it.
As he stared into the dancing flames, Severus's thoughts turned to the prophecy that had set in motion the chain of events leading to this moment. The prophecy spoke of a child destined to defeat the Dark Lord, a child with the power to vanquish the darkness once and for all.
But as Severus pondered the implications of the prophecy, a nagging doubt crept into his mind. What if he had misinterpreted its meaning? What if Harry Potter was not the one destined to defeat Voldemort, but merely a pawn in a larger game?
Shaking his head to dispel the doubts that threatened to overwhelm him, Severus resolved to focus on the task at hand. Protecting Harry Potter would require all of his skill and cunning, but he was determined to see it through to the end.
As he rose from his chair and began to prepare for the days ahead, Severus knew that the road ahead would be fraught with peril. But with Dumbledore's wisdom to support him, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.