Prologue
Severus
I never thought I’d end up here. My best friend(not anymore, don’t forget) and her husband dead, the once love of my life being the cause. Watching him lose himself to insanity was as painful as losing Lily. If I could change things- but I couldn’t, you can’t(shouldn’t) change the past. So now, here I am. Best friend dead, love of my life gone… and her crying child in my arms.
I knew I should put her back in her crib and leave, make it so nobody ever knew I was there, but…
Albus wanted this innocent girl to be raised by Lily’s sister, had made it his backup plan long before Lily was even gone. And now she was gone, and now her daughter was going to be sent off to live with the sister that Lily refused to even speak of anymore. She won’t be safe there, I know she won’t, and Lily’s priority was always her daughters safety. And, whether she considered me a friend anymore or not, I still care for her greatly, and this girl in my arms is just a year old… I couldn’t possibly stand by and let her end up somewhere she wouldn’t be loved, I had to do something(but what? You’re no good with children…)
I could take her far away, run, stay hidden until things settled down(would they ever?), keep her safe. Love her(do I even know how to?), care for her, keep her safe(I would, I had to.)
Looking at the slowly calming child in my arms, I already knew what my decision would be, so with one last look to my best friend(so still, forever unmoving) I set to packing everything I thought she would need, and we left.
I’d figure everything out better later, for now I just had to get us both to safety, away from the scene(later I would mourn my best friend properly, later I would mourn my love, who he once was, properly. But not now, not yet.), somewhere we wouldn’t be found. Not until we were ready, until she was ready and could decide on her own.
Once outside I took one last glance at the place that used to be the child's home, knowing we wouldn’t be back for some time.
I will find a new place to call home for her, for us, and I’d explain it all to her once she could better understand. Until then, I will try to give her the best life I can.
Looking down at the one year old who was now falling asleep, the wound that had been slightly bleeding on her forehead no longer bleeding(I need to take a closer look at that), and spoke for the first time that night.
“I’ve got you, you’re safe now Harry. I’m going to keep it that way.” Her eyelids fluttered at my whisper, as she settled further into my arms I started moving again. Off to build a life for the two of us, one we would keep for as long as possible.