Least Likely Of All

Chapter Seven, Parts 33 - 35

(Part One of the First Ending)

Chapter Seven, Part One: The Beginning Of The End

It was happening tonight; Severus had to warn her. He had tried to contact her multiple times, but she refused to listen to him. He sensed James had hurt her, as he was experiencing mental pain to its greatest.

Voldemort had enlisted him as one of the Death Eaters to help him destroy the Potters. He would help him with James, of course, but he had to warn Lily to get out of there. Knowing she wouldn't leave without Harry, he had to get to her and fast.

It was set for early evening; Peter Pettigrew was also coming along with their Lord. Voldemort had yet to explain his precise meaning for this; Severus had seen many wizards greater than the Potters be spared. Confronting Voldemort about it was one of the hardest things he had to do, knowing at any moment Voldemort might sense his weakness and kill him.

"My Lord, please explain to your most humble servant why the Potters must die." He was kneeling before Voldemort in his private chambers, away from the other Death Eaters.

"Snape. I am perfectly aware of the way you felt about Lily Potter. However, the Potter line comes from one of my ancestor's greatest enemy: Godric Gryffindor. Although they are not direct descendants, it has been my goal throughout the years to beseech upon his heirs the fury and violence Salazar Slytherin felt as he left Hogwarts School. The Bones were directly related to Gryffindor; the Potters are only partially. Once they fall, my mission will be complete."

Severus nodded slightly, feeling faint. "My Lord, promise me you shall not harm Lily. She is important to both Albus Dumbledore and myself, and could possibly become an asset if I could persuade her to join our side. She is easily molded and manipulated, my Lord. She could be great."

Voldemort laughed and a chill ran through Severus' spine. "I shall promise you I will not hurt anyone but the Potters tonight. My mission is to rid the world of James and Harry Potter, both of whom share Godric's blood. Lily, if she is in the way, will not be spared once more. You two have had your chances; Make sure she is gone, or else she will be dead as well."

"Spare those without Gryffindor blood, please Master." Severus pleaded.

"Fine, unless she is in my way. That is my final promise, Severus."

Feeling defeated, Severus sighed. "Thank you Master. Your mercy shall not be forgotten."

As dusk drew nearer, Severus tried his hardest to contact Lily. He was required to go with Voldemort, but was only to stand guard to ward off anybody wishing to help the Potters. He prayed Lily would find it in her self to hand over Harry, however he knew it was the last thing she would do.

He owled Dumbledore quickly, before the mission was to take place, warning him of Voldemort's plans. Hoping he would get there before Lily was harmed, he silently Apparated to Godric's Hollow, where the other Death Eaters had appeared. Moments later, Voldemort showed up, brandishing a crooked smile.

"It is time, my Brothers. After this, my mission shall be complete." The door of the cottage burst open. Severus saw James standing before them, holding out his wand.

Severus... Severus... God... Help me...

Leave the child, Lily... Leave him... He will spare you.

I can't leave Harry.. Severus, you don't understand-

Severus watched as a jet of green light hit James and he watched as his body dropped to the ground. Instead of feeling satisfied, he felt an intense urge to rush over to the body and try to help James, even though he knew it was impossible.

Voldemort moved throughout the house; Lily's screams of terror and cries for help filled Severus' head.

Lily, LEAVE HARRY. It's important... You must get away.

I can't leave him... God, help me... Please... Help...

Baby, you know I can't. Please, leave Harry... I'm pleading with you here, please.

"OH GOD!" he heard her screams from inside the house. Looking up, he saw Voldemort corner her in front of a window. A flash of purple light left her wand and went into what looked like a baby's crib.

He's safe, Harry's safe, you protected him... Now leave, Voldemort will kill you. Please Lily, I love you.

Severus... I'm so sorry... I can't leave Harry... help me... I love you, god I love you... James is dead... He knew about us, I told him... god, help me... I love you... tell Harry I love him... Oh God... He's going to kill me... HELP... Severus... I love you... God damnit, I love-

He saw a jet of green light once more, and her thoughts ended. Screaming with rage, he saw another jet of green light flash through the window, but this time it lasted twice as long as a spell should. Everything was quiet once more.

Peter got a look of horror on his face and quickly Apparated away. The other Death Eaters followed suit; Severus, however, in a fit of rage, hit the brick wall as hard as he could. What happened next was unexplainable; the house shuddered for a moment, and then the force of his blow, magnified times one thousand through the magic of his anger, caused the foundation to come crumbling down. He jumped back in disbelief, and then quickly ran to the area where Harry's room had fallen.

He heard a baby crying; knowing who it was, he sighed with partial relief. He knew Lily would have been ecstatic to know her spell had worked. He sifted through the rubble and came across the baby. He bundled him up and set his aside on a bit of wall padding, ignoring the bleeding cut on his forehead.

He saw her hair first, and then her scratched face. He pulled her body out among the brick and dust, sitting there with her head cradled in his arms.

Rocking back and forth, he allowed the steady flow of tears to run down his face. He didn't know how long he stayed there; he saw the gamekeeper, Hagrid, take Harry away. He didn't care. Dumbledore showed up nearly four hours after Hagrid, James' body floating next to him.

"Severus." He said quietly. "Listen to me. You must get out of here. Now."

"No.. She's dead... It's my fault..." he cried, smoothing back her hair for the hundredth time that night. "I can't leave her... She might need me."

"Severus, she's dead. You can't help her. You need to come with me, now."

"I can't..." Severus was still rocking back and forth. "I killed her. I let her stay. I killed her."

Dumbledore touched his shoulder lightly, and the two were transported back to Hogwarts. Severus closed his eyes and tried to Apparate himself back to Lily, but it was no use.

"Mundungus and Arabella are picking up their bodies. She is dead, Severus. You can't help her."

"God... She's dead..."

Dumbledore shook his head. Severus then looked up and realized where they were; the same room he and Lily had stayed in during their seventh year.

"Stay here for tonight. I shall be back for you in the morning. Do not leave, I forbid it. I have alerted my staff of your presence and someone will be here to check on you hourly. I shall be back as soon as I can."

In a moment, Dumbledore was gone. Severus was alone. He crawled into the bed and curled himself into a tiny ball, rocking himself to sleep as Lily's last thoughts pounded through his head.

*

Chapter Seven, Part Two: If Only

Adia I do believe I failed you

Adia I know I let you down
don't you know I tried so hard
to love you in my way
it's easy let it go...

Adia I'm empty since you left me

trying to find a way to carry on
I search myself and everyone
to see where we went wrong

'cause there's no one left to finger

there's no one here to blame
there's no one left to talk to honey
and there ain't no one to buy our innocence
'cause we are born innocent
believe me Adia, we are still innocent
it's easy, we all falter
does it matter? *

It's been far too long since I've seen you... Since I've heard your voice. Each night, before I lay down to sleep, I hear your screams of terror and think maybe I could have prevented it. I could have persuaded Voldemort to leave you and just take the baby. Your spell worked; he's alive. I do not know where, however. Nobody in the wizarding world knows.

Harry did it. Harry stopped Voldemort... Your son did it. Ours, perhaps? I fear I will never know, but that's ok with me. He was your son; I'll try my best to protect him, I promise. Even if he does have James' blood running through his veins, I'm sure the good in yours will cancel out all the bad.

I miss you. I miss you so bad I often dream of dying myself, and then seeing you on the other side. When I was with you, I felt complete. Now that you're gone, I feel as if a part of me has died right along with you. Sometimes I hope I will not wake up the next morning; however, I always do.

I will remember you

Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

Remember the good times that we had?

I let them slip away from us when things got bad
How clearly I first saw you smilin' in the sun
Wanna feel your warmth upon me, I wanna be the one

I will remember you

Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

I'm so tired but I can't sleep

Standin' on the edge of something much too deep
It's funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard

But I will remember you

Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

I'm so afraid to love you, but more afraid to loose

Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose
Once there was a darkness, deep and endless night
You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me light

And I will remember you

Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

And I will remember you

Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
Weep not for the memories $

If I could have just one more day with you... One more... I'd make sure you knew exactly how much I love you. I'll love you forever and a day, always. I'm going to be alone for the rest of my life; no one could dare compete with you. However, I will be happy with the memory of you, the memory of what we had. Once I die, I'll see you again. I'm looking forward to the day.

I am a professor now; nearly a year after you've left. Remember how I wanted to be one in our seventh year? Now I despise it. I'd rather be with you than be stuck teaching mindless children how to make potions.

I'm sorry Lily, I remember how you love children. Forgive me. I'll always remember you, I'll be looking forward to the moment I see you again. I'm so sorry for not protecting you; It's my fault. If I had just warned your Papa in time... If I had been there with you... If I had known it was Sirius that betrayed you, not Peter... If only...

With All My Love, Your loving husband,

Severus

Last night I had a crazy dream

A wish was granted just for me
It could be for anything
I didn't ask for money
Or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished for one more day with you

One more day

One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still
For one more day with you

First thing I'd do is pray for time to crawl

Then I'd unplug the telephone
And keep the TV off
I'd hold you every second
Say a million I Love You's
That's what I'd do
With one more day with you

One more day

One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still
For one more day with you

Leave me wishing still for one more day

Leave me wishing still for one more day...^

* - Sarah McLachlan, Adia

$ - Sarah McLachlan, I Will Remember You
^ - Diamond Rio, One More Day (Thank you gurl for suggesting this.)

*

Chapter Seven, Part Three: Now Tell Me

The first time Severus ever laid eyes on him was in the Great Hall ten years later, during the Sorting Ceremony. He was sitting next to a redheaded Weasley, pushing his glasses nervously up his nose.

Severus was no longer the kind of man who expressed his emotions; his ability to love, to like, to live a true life of happiness died with Lily. Ten years later, he was still feeling the effects of her death. Each night, he made himself a potion for a dreamless sleep. If not taken, he would wake up in the middle of the night; sweat pouring down his face, her last thoughts pounding through his head as they had that fateful night long ago.

Seeing Harry was unavoidable; he had him three times a week for Potions. He was placed in Gryffindor, confirming Severus' fears of him being James' child. He had the same black hair as James, along with the same attitude. He also held the same dislike for Severus as his father before him; it was obvious.

It wasn't until Harry's fifth year that Severus had a true encounter with him, alone. Lord Voldemort was back, and Harry had once again fought him and survived. It was Dumbledore's wish for Harry to join the ranks of Severus, Sirius Black, Arabella Figg, and Minerva McGonagall, as a member of the group his parents once belonged to.

Severus fought tooth and nail for Harry to be able to grow up as a normal child -- as normal as a child of his fame and status could get. Harry mistook this for Severus' dislike towards him, and fought even harder to be allowed in.

It was the fifteenth anniversary of her death; Fifteen long years since Severus had touched her, fifteen long years since he had heard her voice. He was 36 years old now, but looked as if he was nearing his fifties. His jet-black hair was graying slightly from stress, and the bags around his eyes grew with each passing night.

He was brought up into Dumbledore's office, meeting Harry and his grandfather-in-law there. Memories flooded through him, cutting through his mind like a knife. Sitting down in one of the seats provided, Severus closed his eyes and willed them to go away.

"Harry, could you please step outside for a moment? Professor Snape and I have something to discuss." Dumbledore asked his grandson politely. Harry nodded and closed the solid oak doors behind him.

"Severus, you have been avoiding me." Dumbledore commented. "It's been fifteen years, you must come to terms with your loss."

Severus shook his head, "Sir, you lost a granddaughter, I lost a wife. We have both suffered, and we both have different ways of handling the situation. Mine is to lock myself from the outside world. I enjoy my solitude, I have no problem with living the way I do."

Dumbledore shook his head, "Severus... I understand what you're saying, but I have to explain something to you. Lily knew who Harry's father was... I told her before her and James went into hiding. Did she tell you before she died?"

Severus shook his head, "I'm surprised I didn't come across that in her mind."

"She knew you wanted to know; I'm also surprised she didn't tell you."

"Well, sir, somewhere in our relationship there had to have been secrets, or else it wouldn't have been a true relationship."

Dumbledore nodded, agreeing. "Yes, Severus. The day has come when Voldemort has risen again. You have assured me you are prepared to face him once more; for that, I am deeply impressed."

"Thank you sir. Excuse me for asking, but is there a reason you called me to your office?"

Dumbledore nodded, "Severus, it has been fifteen years to the day. Harry outside has an idea it is their anniversary, but what he doesn't realize is the true meaning of it.

"Lily gave me a letter to give to you before she died just as a precaution, but unfortunately I must give it to you now." Dumbledore handed him a yellowing envelope with his name written in Lily's handwriting. He hungrily opened the envelope, his eyes feasting on what lay before him.

He read quickly and silently, an air of suspense hanging throughout of the office. A moment later, he looked up at the old wizard and nodded.

"I am ready."

"Very well, allow me to get Harry."

Moments later, the tall teenager walked into the room, his head held high, just as James had many years before. Sitting down as far away from Severus as possible, he starred straight ahead.

"Harry, as you must know, it has been fifteen years since your parents were killed by Lord Voldemort. Halloween, 1981."

"Yes sir." Harry nodded, looking slightly miffed.

"There is some history you must be aware of, to truly understand why they died." Harry looked up towards Dumbledore with a curious expression on his face.

"James Potter was abusive to your mother while they were in school. Both physically and sexually." Severus was reading Dumbledore's mind and spoke his words before Dumbledore had the chance.

Harry shot of a look of hatred in Severus' direction. "My father would never do that."

"It's true, Harry. James Potter nearly killed my great-great-great granddaughter on more than one occasion." Dumbledore spoke quietly, as if he was trying to make the impact of the words a bit easier.

"Your... What?" Harry was now thoroughly confused.

"Harry, your mother was my great-great-great granddaughter." Dumbledore repeated.

"Which makes me your great-great-great-great grandson..." Harry ticked off the greats with his right hand. "Honestly?"

Dumbledore nodded, a smile on his face. "Very few people in the world know that, Harry."

Harry nodded numbly, trying to absorb the information. "Is that why you had my father's cloak?"

Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, that's why I had James' cloak in my possession."

Severus coughed as Dumbledore continued. "Severus, would you like to say the next part?"

"Gladly, Headmaster." Severus looked over at Harry. "James was a controlling man; he knew I liked Lily at the time, and he wanted to make my life hell. He told her to make me fall in love with her, and then break my heart so bad I would want to die.

"Lily followed his plans gladly; they staged a breakup in the Great Hall, and soon she was with me."

Harry blanched at the thought of Severus Snape and his mother dating. Severus caught this and smirked.

"Ahh, it gets worse. Headmaster?"

"Your aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon got married the summer of '77. Instead of James attending, Severus attended it with her. I was present for the wedding, which is how Severus discovered my relation to Lily. Severus?"

"This gets a little hard to explain, Headmaster... However... Two months later, at the start of our seventh year, Lily informed me she was pregnant with my daughter."

Severus smirked at the horrified expression on Harry's face. "You... You... You SLEPT with my mother?"

"On more than one occasion." Severus replied snidely. "But, as fate would have it, Lord Voldemort killed the fetus, leaving both Lily and I devastated. This was three days before Christmas- on Christmas day, I received a letter from my father explaining to me I had one month to break up with her, or else both she and I would be killed."

"Naturally, the next day, December 26th, I married Severus to your mother." Dumbledore paused as Harry's face went white.

"My mother... and Snape... You... two... married?" he asked weakly.

"Yes. For three years, until she died."

"But... I was born in 1980... She graduated in 1978..."

"Yes, of course. We'll get to that in a moment, Harry. A month later, Professor Snape and your mother also staged a breakup. No one knew of their marriage except myself-"

"And Remus Lupin." Severus admitted. "Lily told him."

Dumbledore nodded, "Very well then. Myself and Remus Lupin." He cleared his throat; "James Potter got back together with your mother and married her that summer, not knowing she was already married to Severus."

"Your mother and I got together maybe once or twice a year. The last thing I wanted her to do was have a child with James; it was also the last thing she wanted to do. However, when she announced she was pregnant, she was happy. Therefore, I was happy as well. I helped your mother through her pregnancy; James drank and actually barely made it to your birth. I assisted your mother through her delivery, myself and her Papa." Severus smiled fondly at the nickname Lily had given Dumbledore.

"Severus was aware Peter Pettigrew was a traitor; However, as Sirius Black was blamed, he slowly grew accustomed to it, and soon thought Peter was dead, along with the rest of the wizarding world. He tried to warn me, though, but I didn't get the message in time."

"I made Voldemort promise he wouldn't kill any one besides the last of the Gryffindor line. He made one exception: Lily. She cast a spell on you moments before she died, which I believe protected you from his spell."

Harry was slow to speak. "So... You were married to my Mum... You had sex with my mum..."

"No, never sex." Severus corrected, "Unlike her relationship with James, ours was out of love, not lust."

"Ok then, you... did it with my Mum... she almost had your baby... she hated my father... Why are you telling me all this?" Harry asked.

"Because, you must understand. You must know what it was like, the true story only now four people on Earth know of. Myself, Severus, Remus, and now you. I understand you believe Professor Snape here hates you."

"Yes, I know he does." Harry once again shot a glare in Severus' direction.

"No, I don't. I merely hate the fact my wife died saving you, and you aren't grateful in the least." Severus growled.

"I AM grateful! I miss them, I have dreams, I hear them..."

"You hear them?" Severus was now interested. "When?"

"When my Mum died... I can hear her and Dad shouting, I can hear her last words."

"I was there that night." Severus admitted, "Standing guard. I tried to get to her, but it was too late."

Harry shook his head, "I don't care anymore. Why are you telling me this?"

"Because, Harry, you must understand. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded, "Now tell me."