This is my response to Challenge Three: Betrayal and choices.
I'm a ravenclaw!




I cannot live without my soul!

"My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees - my love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath - a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff"


The meadow was still. One lonely stranger sat underneath the shelter of a willow tree, gazing up at the bright stars. With a long index finger he traced pictures from the glistening dots. His mouth whispered words silently, words of pain and anguish, as he gazed up into the whirlpool of space. His dark eyes resembled the black hole of his soul, as he waited for her, the white-petal flower, to redeem him.

She ran with spirit, tripping over the long shoots of grass and stumps that hid in the darkness. Toppling over and grasping for breath she looked forward, gazing at the silhouette of a willow tree. The beauty of it was striking, the way the branches hung down with delicacy, swaying in rhythm with the wind. But she could see nobody there; no one was waiting for her. Maybe she had been tricked. She willed herself to continue, to look out into the distance and have faith.

He felt a gust of wind flow through his hair. He relaxed his tense brow and unknitted his eyebrows. She was late but he reassured himself that she would arrive. Unable to relax his anger, he grabbed a stone and hurled it across the meadow, releasing a savage growl. The stone hit a hollow log that created an echo for miles. From a nearby bush a flock of newly awakened birds soared out, shocked by the disturbance.

She shuddered at the noise; there must be a beast nearby, something that was searching for a kill. She realised the growl had come from the opposite side of the willow tree. Fear engulfed her and she silently cursed herself for being so foolish; in these dangerous times an enemy would try any means to lure an innocent woman out alone in a desolate place. She continued forward though, remembering the promise she had made to her love.

He heard heavy breathing, and instinct made him draw his wand. Such a rough sound surely couldn’t come from the one he loved. He rose to his feet and carefully encircled the willow tree.

She could hear footsteps, so quiet and stealthy; she did not know which direction they were approaching her. Then suddenly, she saw a long wooden stick pointing out from one side of the bark, like an amputated branch.

“Expelliarmus! �

The spell was spoken twice. Firstly, it came from a sweet and tender voice with a hint of panic. Secondly, from a more mature but less gentle voice, deep and meaningful but not sinister. Both wands shot away from their owners. They were both left standing with their right hands raised.

A collision of two bodies occurred; they clutched each other in a fierce embrace, showering one another with kisses. Long slender fingers slipped through auburn hair, which shone gold under the stars. A small white hand clutched onto a fistful of mattered black mane, whilst she kissed the coal-black stubble on the man’s cheek. Occasional muttered words were spoken that were cut off by more kisses.

“No!� he yelled, but she kissed him once again. “Stop!�

“I won’t stop,� she insisted. “You asked me to come. I doubt you have any other plans for the evening, so please let’s carry on.� She pulled him even closer, clutching his outdoor cloak so tightly that the material began to tear.

“I didn’t come here for this,� he said, and wrenched her away. He pushed his long hair behind his ears and looked away from her, ashamed. She glared at him, wondering why he was being so hostile. “I came here to tell you something.� He tried to return her gaze, the truth flooding back into his mind, after having banished it hours ago, but he was unable to face her. He had betrayed her and soon she will not want to be close to him.

“What did you come here to tell me?� she asked.

He didn’t reply but moved further down the meadow. She followed after him but he paid no attention. Assuming he was just being mysterious, playing games with her mind as he often liked to, she boldly ran up to him and knocked him down into the grass. His face came in sudden contact with the fresh soil. The shoots rose up above him. He felt so small. She bounced on top of him, massaging his back and giggling.

“Now tell me, please Severus, before the sun arrives and we flee in disgrace. What did you come here to speak to me about?�

“A prophecy,� he murmured into the grass, his voice swallowed by the earth.

“A what?� the witch asked, curiously.

“This is no joke, Lily. I overheard a Prophecy yesterday that you should take heed of.� This time Severus spoke clearly, facing the young lady with an expression of deep remorse.

“Prophecies are fables. You always used to say as much yourself; they’re invented to scare people into doing things. Come on Severus, did some hag in Knockturn Alley scare you?� she cooed, stroking his hair gently. “Of course, if you insist on going to such grotty places then. . .�

“I wasn’t in Knockturn Alley. I was on an assignment. He had sent me to an interview with Dumbledore. I didn’t know what it would lead to, I didn’t know I’d overhear something, and when I overhead it I didn’t know what it meant. Lily, it would be insulting for me to apologise and even worse for me to beg your forgiveness. But the least I can do, out of the love I still have, is warn you. The Dark Lord has coveted your son.�

Silence stretched throughout the meadow. The two figures stood huddled together, both wishing the other would speak. Eventually Lily’s lips parted, “How?� she gasped. “How did The Dark Lord find out about the prophecy?�

Severus lowered his eyes to the ground, looking at the black dirt beneath him, wanting to sink into the substance. “I told him.�

Lily lifted herself up, her face consumed with anger, eyes flickering with rage. She looked down at Severus, not knowing whom she was looking at.

“Tell me everything, every little detail.�

---

“I want to cheat my uncomfortable conscience, and be convinced that Heathcliff has no notion of these things – he has not, has he? He does not know what being in love is?�

The previous night.

Severus scraped a stool across the dusty floorboards. It left a snail-like trail of two parallel lines. The inn was filthy; with spider-webs at every corner; cats, toads and owls roaming freely; and an ant nest just underneath the floorboards. Severus squirmed a little, although by now he had become rather thick-skinned. He sat down on the rickety stool, after placing it the other side of a door, which was slightly ajar so that a pool of light spread across the floor. His nose tickled at the sweet smell of sherry that was wafting through the gap.

He wondered why such a respectable person like Dumbledore would be conducting an interview in this disgusting place. He leant forward so that the stool let out a skin-crawling creak. He listened to the conversation.

“Divination is the most difficult of all the magical arts, Professor, if you do not have the Sight then…� Severus heard a dramatic gasp, “…there is very little I can do for you. It is a gift granted to only a few, it cannot be taught by reading textbooks and you will find some of your most able students unable to fathom it.�

Severus grinned in agreement. He remembered the single term he'd endured Divination, the struggle of not being able to see something through a circular piece of glass or a few soaked tea-leaves. He had transferred to Arithmancy not long after, a much more worthy discipline.

“Of course, I am one of those who have been privileged with the Inner Eye; I inherited it from my Great-Great-Grandmother,� the woman hesitated for a while, and Severus could hear humming through the door. “I am so sorry Professor, but it appears that you do not have the Gift.�

“That is fine Miss Trelawney; I came here to see if you have the Gift. Now, which topics do you intend to teach at Hogwarts?� asked Dumbledore in a patient tone.

“Are you doubting my Inner-Eye?� squealed the woman in hysterics. Severus saw flapping shadows formed in the light from the door as she reassembled all of her many shawls.

“No, madam, please sit down and explain…�

“You don’t even have faith in my subject; I can tell, you know.� Severus could distinctly see her pointing a long bony finger at Dumbledore, accusingly.

Dumbledore grabbed hold of her; she froze and went completely rigid. Severus thought she was having an epileptic fit, so he moved further forward, ready to enter and give aid. However she opened her eyes and focused on Dumbledore. She spoke in a harsh voice, one that starkly contrasted her own.

“The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ...�

A great crash and Severus was knocked over. Glass shattered all around him and a barman shouted with a coarse Scottish accent at him. “What are you doing blocking the corridors? Look what a mess you’ve made of my butterbeer bottles!� Severus backed away, and by doing so tumbled into the room, falling over a table and knocking over a lamp. The barman jumped in after him, yelling at Dumbledore, “this clumsy beggar’s been eavesdropping on your conversation, sir!�

Severus picked himself up and opened his mouth to apologise; he didn’t get chance, however.

“I am outraged, Professor Dumbledore, that there would be anyone listening in on our conversation. Maybe he overhead me reveal…� Both men looked at her with great anticipation. “…about my Great-Great-Grandmother’s sacred gift, maybe he is jealous.� With these words of anguish, Miss Trelawney flounced out of the room.

“Wait please madam, wait.� Dumbledore quickly grabbed her by the arm. “I think we will be able to find a place for you at Hogwarts, can you start next term? Now I have to begin my interview with Severus Snape.� Miss Trelawney let out a great snort.

However, Severus was unable to be interviewed because at that moment his Dark Mark began to burn. He felt it twitch, and then his forearm began to heat up, and little shoots of pain ran up to his shoulder. He knew this irritation would turn into agony if he didn’t respond immediately.

“Severus.� Dumbledore approached him; he lifted his head up attentively. “How much did you hear?�

“None of it sir, I couldn’t quite hear the words spoken, though I could tell what was happening,� Severus said, quickly applying some Slytherin cunning. “Now I have to go, I’ve got another appointment that is very pressing. Can we meet in a more comfortable place; say the Leaky Cauldron, tomorrow at noon?�

After receiving an assuring nod from the older man Severus swiftly marched around the corner. He pulled up the sleeve of his robe and looked with pure hatred at the tattooed symbol that had turned blood red. He filled his mind with thoughts of loyalty and obedience; of duty and self-sacrifice and touched the Dark Mark.

He appeared in an old warehouse, derelict and abandoned. Somewhere that Muggles never dare enter in fear that it may be haunted. As he stepped over a few discarded needles and a small packet that once held white powder, he sneered. Some Muggles obviously came here when taking desperate measures.

He shuddered when he realised that it was only the Dark Lord who was present. He wore velvet-black robes and a hood over his head so that Severus could not see his snake-like appearance. He was glad of this; it was enough to turn any young man’s stomach.

“Come here, my young servant.� With one skeletal hand, made of wire-thin bones and deathly white skin, the Dark Lord beckoned Severus to come nearer.

A knot formed in his stomach as he approached. He made a low bow and waited for permission to rise. He had never been alone with his master and he sensed the vulnerability of his position.

The Dark Lord pulled up Severus’s head with both of his ice-cold hands. He forced his head still so that his eyes were focused on the void of darkness underneath his hood. A glow of red appeared in the shape of two slit-eyes, they focused in on Severus’s own eyes. And then he felt it, like someone was pushing a great weight onto his brain and seeking entry into his mind. After one painful tug, the force entered, and Severus immediately felt woozy, his mind spinning with different images. The alien being was searching for something, dismissing every irrelevant piece of information until it was found.

He located it, the interview between Miss Trelawney and Professor Dumbledore. The hysterical woman was prancing around the room, fidgeting with her many shawls. Then the harsh voice was released from her mouth, the cold words spoken, and the interrupting barman blocking the rest of the Prophecy.

“Young man, this vision I see, did it take place in the Hog's Head just a few moments ago?� the hissing voice spoke.

“Yes master, by someone who claims to be an authentic Seer, one with the gift of foresight,� Severus replied with humility.

“Very good, young man, you have served me well.� Severus heard a sneer from the voice under the hood. “You may go now.�

---

“Why do you despise me? Why did you betray your own heart, Cathy? I have not one word of comfort. You deserve this.�


“You betrayed me!� Lily squealed, her face turning purple with rage. They looked at each other; two opposite sides of a coin, one side battling to be free.

Many memories scurried through their minds; Lily tried to comprehend the man she was facing and Severus tried to keep his heartbeat still and his mind focused. Almost like gazing through the open ceiling of a pensieve, Lily and Severus brought forward many moments from the past.


Severus had known very little love in his life. His parents hadn’t loved one another and he doubted whether they had ever loved him. He had been brought up in a household lacking romance and comfort. Severus had learnt at a young age how to shut down the heart and use his wits. Only his intellect could help him survive.

Facing her, he remembered Lily at a young age; they were barely sixteen the day he realised he loved her. He had never understood it, having spent most his teenage life blocking out his father’s Muggle inheritance. Why now, was he falling for a Mudblood? It took many months to realise he hadn’t fallen in love with a Mudblood; he had fallen in love with a young woman.

She stared back at him with defiance. She wondered why she was in love with him. He wasn’t like James. He didn’t open doors for her or read poetry; nor was he pleasing to the eye or in possession of soft and amiable features. He was strange and always had been, yet it was this obscurity she had been drawn towards. She remembered Potion lessons, how she would gaze over to the corner and watch the skinny boy work. He would be completely engrossed, pouring mixtures out of vials and then scribbling something quickly in his textbook. She was infatuated by the way his mind worked. Eventually she had plucked up to courage to ask him for help. It had been this small action that had sparked their relationship.

Persevering for months, Lily tried to get close to Severus. The wall that surrounded him made him believe her motives weren’t honourable. He was nervous, deep down, of the idea of affection. He didn’t want to believe someone could care for him. Many times she was close to giving up, believing it was the most futile quest. It was the moment her patience had run out that Severus responded finally. He let all the emotion out that clogged inside his soul. She listened beside an open fire. They had found an empty classroom, one frosty Christmas Eve, when few others remained at Hogwarts. He spoke of his family troubles and she listened with a sympathetic ear. He soon moved the conversation on to his ambition, his desire to become a great wizard.

“I don’t want to be what everyone believes I am,� he confessed. Lily reassured him, saying she accepted who he was.


It was a shame that, later in the year, the most handsome and charming student took a fancy to Lily Evans. James Potter put up a fight that he refused to lose, his head so enlarged he failed to notice that he had a rival. For many months Lily would give him the cold shoulder; he took it as encouragement to continue pursuing her. This didn’t work for long, though, as Lily was not confrontational and disliked the friction she’d caused between herself and a fellow Gryffindor. She began warming to him, finding his jokes funny and his mannerisms quirky and tolerable. She soon became accustomed to his being around; he would sit next to her at lunch and insist on being her partner in Charms. She never chose to socialise with him, but when he chose to speak to her she never refused his company. Eventually Lily began spending time with James and his friends, leaving less time to spend with Severus. During the last few weeks at Hogwarts, Severus grew sharp and harsh around her. An argument marred their departure.

Why she accepted Potter’s proposal, Severus still didn’t know. Many hours had been spent pondering it since. He sat alone in his grotty Muggle home cursing himself to find a reason. He only blamed himself. He blamed his own nature, the part of him that he couldn’t change, not even for her. How could she resist Potter, when the alternative was a sallow-skinned and hook-nosed monster? He chastised himself for ever wanting someone as beautiful as her.

Now she chastised herself for ever believing a charming smile and handsome body was what she really wanted; for believing that Severus had a dark past, a black soul and a future of danger.

In the meadow they stood face to face. The choices they had made had left them betraying everyone else for each other. But this was the ultimate end; they were now betraying themselves.

---

Thank you to chances and 3secondfish for all your help with this so far!

This is my response to Challenge Three: Betrayal and choices.
I'm a ravenclaw!

“My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff’s miseries and I watched and felt each from the beginning; my great thought in living is himself. If all else perished and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained and he were annihilated, the Universe would turn to a mighty stranger.�



After both had finished sorting through their feelings for one another they moved closer.

Severus spoke in an irate tone, “I will never, ever, allow someone to possess my mind again. I will conquer this newly found discipline and I will be able to protect…�

“Who will you protect? Me? It is a bit late for that now, isn’t it?� She fell down on the grass and sobbed. “I thought you loved me.�

“I do, truly I do,� he begged her, trying to get closer but she wouldn’t allow it.

“So why did you do this to my son? My only son! You don’t do that to someone’s child, let alone my child.� Her breathing was heavy and laboured. She wanted to get back home and tell her husband about this and hold her baby in her arms. Hold him so close and inhale the scent of baby powder and fresh soap.

“I didn’t know it was Harry at the time. I’m sorry,� he replied, putting a hand on her shoulder. She flinched and quickly pushed him away.

“I don’t believe you. You have always hated James and when you found out I was pregnant you hated my child as well. You hate Harry, I know you do, because he is James’ son,� she spat out.

Severus knew it was true. He knew that all he felt for her son was spite. To him Harry was the manifestation of Lily’s betrayal. Thinking of him only made Severus think of what he could have had if Lily had chosen him. She’d assumed though that he wasn’t the marrying type. She’d presumed that what they felt for each other whilst in Hogwarts would fade as they grew into adulthood. She was wrong and Severus hoped that Lily regretted her decision.

Lily suddenly felt sick. She had trusted Severus for many years, despite the dangers of being with a man like him. She had still met up with him whilst courting James and trusted that he would remain discreet. He had been, for all this time, until now. His betrayal hadn’t sunk in at first; in her mind she had kept making excuses to justify it. But it was beginning to dawn on her, her mind swimming with disbelief and her body growing weak with nausea, he had betrayed her. Had he ever loved her?

“I don’t hate Harry,� he replied softly. “I just hate what he represents. Every time I bring myself to think about him I get this bitter taste in my mouth and a sour feeling in my gut. If Harry hadn’t been born, you would consider leaving Potter, and if you left Potter then you would come to live with me. I would be able to take care of you, like I’ve always wanted to.� He gazed into her eyes, delving into the deep emerald colour that shimmered in the moonlight.

She fired back a look of malice. “You could never protect me. You are a Death Eater.�

“I would never have become one if it weren’t for you - if you hadn’t chosen to marry Potter,� he fired back.

“You were already travelling down the path of the dark arts; I know the type of books you read. Don’t blame the choices you have made on me, they are yours and yours only,� Lily snorted, her face indignant and flushed. “I couldn’t marry you because of the choices you made. You know I could never marry a Death Eater. It goes against everything I believe.�

“You believe in me, don’t you? Why can’t you see me for who I am, not what I am?� he cried.

“I do Severus, can’t you tell? I see you and I accept you. Why else would I be coming here every week in the dead of night, spending hours away from my family and betraying my husband?�

“You betray me every time you are with Potter, not the reverse. You betrayed me when you chose him as a husband and again when you chose him as the father of your son,� he screamed, his voice laced with pain.

“Is this your revenge then, Severus? You have my son turned over to your master and hope that James dies along with him!� she fired back, her voice smothered with hatred.

“No! Unlike you Lily, I would never purposely betray the one I love. I didn’t know it was Harry, I barely had chance to think about the Prophecy before I was summoned.�

“Liar!� she hissed.

“Fine, I’m a liar. Believe that if it makes you feel better.�

Severus sat down underneath the protection of the willow tree. He rested his head against the rough bark, feeling the textured surface graze against his scalp. The wind howled, speaking words of warning about the dangers ahead. After a while Lily moved closer to him, pondering whether to forgive him or to let him suffer. She yearned to be close to him, to snuggle up beside him as she’d hoped to do that night. She wanted to yell at him. So many things she wished to scream out, but most of them were lost.

“I love you,� she whispered as she nuzzled in next to him. He stroked her hair with smooth and assured motion. “But I love James too. I had to make a decision and I was selfish when I made it. I wanted a safe man, one I could bring home and show my parents and even my obnoxious sister. One who would give me everything I ever wanted. Oh Severus – I forgot the most important thing when I decided to marry James. I forgot you.�

~*~

“It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff, now; so he shall never know how I love him; and that, not so because he’s handsome, Nelly, but because he is more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same, and Linton’s is as different as a moonbeam from lightening, or frost from fire.�




The Wedding Day of James and Lily Potter.


A small piece of wafer-thin confetti landed on Severus’ shoulder. With a flick of his hair, he brushed it off. He crouched behind a gravestone, watching events unfold. The church bells were ringing a familiar sequence and the guests began leaving the church. Severus watched as the bride came out, holding a bouquet of white lilies in one hand, clutching her new husband’s hand with the other. Her smile shined clearly in the sunlight, her golden-brown ringlets fluttering in the wind.

Severus felt disgusted. How could she be happy standing beside that chauvinistic pig? James’s arm slipped snugly into place on her backside whilst he flashed a slimy grin at his friends. He treated Lily like a trophy, a prize he had won in a competition. Severus felt the sharp pang of failure at coming second place. Rage building up inside, Severus continued to watch her. She turned her head and gazed in the direction of the graveyard, looking at the blossom on the trees. Transfixed by her beauty, he continued to glare, but she looked straight through him. Behind her, James had sauntered off to speak to Sirius. They whispered in each other’s ear, Severus had no doubt that they were making crude jokes about the young bride.

Unknown to anyone else around, a Death Eater apparated inside the church boundaries. Keeping a distance from Severus the cloaked man focused on the back of his head, underneath the unkempt hair. He opened up a window to his mind. His target was too focused on the wedding to notice the invasion. A dizzy sensation was felt, which he associated with his broken heart.

“She doesn’t need you,� the voice said, cold and empty. “She chose Potter. She’d prefer to watch him play Quidditch and support him becoming an Auror, whilst letting her own abilities go to ruin.�

Severus gritted his teeth in anger, how could she let her talents go to waste? He had stretched her abilities, nurtured her gift and made her a proud witch. Why now, is she allowing her spirit to be squashed by one man’s arrogance?

“I know someone who needs you, though. My master needs your talent,� continued the voice, in a more persuasive tone. “He wants you to show him your ability at potion-making and the new skills you’ve acquired. We know that during your time at Hogwarts you made many discoveries; you used to record them in one of your textbooks. You would show Lily during your Potion lessons and she pretended to care. Show us your discoveries, Severus, they matter to us.�

Severus wasn’t scared of the voice because it spoke words that were already in his mind. He was being offered an alterative, a new pathway to life when before he’d reached a brick wall. He wanted to belong to something, to feel needed. He’d been searching for a purpose in life, a valuable reason for being a wizard and this, he felt, was what he’d been waiting for. He’d once thought it was a life with Lily and held back his desire to join the Death Eaters for her sake. Now, however, he knew that destiny had planned this for him all along.

The Death Eater walked out of the shadow and across to Severus. “It is time to join us, brother.�

~*~

"You said I killed you - haunt me, then! The murdered do haunt their murderers, I believe. I know that ghosts have wandered on earth. Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you!"




The sun began to rise, peeping up in the horizon with a coarse red line that penetrated across the meadow. The sun announced another day, revealing the sinful couple lying together underneath the willow tree. Both were aware that this was the signal to leave but they craved another hour more.

She broke away from him, her face blanched still, but her lips regaining some colour due to the morning air. “I betrayed you,� she uttered.

His solemn eyes rested on her, softened now. He longed to forgive her, after all this time. “I don’t blame you anymore. You returned to me and never did forsake me.� He rested his own parched lips on her fragile blue ones; they hovered still together, touching only slightly. Gradually she thawed out. The sun hit her white flesh and smothered her with warmth. She snuggled further under Severus’s outdoor cloak, which wrapped around them both.

“I thought you were a Death Eater. I assumed you had joined at the same time as the other Slytherins. Why didn’t you tell me?� Her voice was plagued with pain.

“You didn’t ask and I was too stubborn to correct your presumption. I regret not saying now.� He kissed her quickly on the top of her forehead. He then asked a question that he had wanted to ask for a quite while. “Why did you come back?�

“I couldn’t spend another day without you. I didn’t want to be unfaithful but I didn’t want to betray my heart either.� A shadow from the new light was cast across her face. Surrounded by grey shadows, they both realised that it was too late to go back.

“I don’t want to leave,� she whispered, the words drifting up into the air and were easily lost in the delicacy of the morning.

“You must go and then you must return. Bring Harry with you; I know somewhere you can both go. Somewhere the Dark Lord would never think of searching,� Severus spoke with determination. He was not going to allow anything to harm her. She’d not married him because she’d presumed he couldn’t protect her and now he would prove her wrong.

“I can’t leave James,� she whimpered. Severus felt a pang of anger but he willed himself to be patient. “I made my vows Severus, till death do us part.�

“Then let death take you,� he spat out, his patience lost completely. “Let my soul be severed, let it be damned for ever pursuing you, Lily! I cannot live without my life; you are my life. You believe my loyalties lie with the Dark Lord? I tell you in truth, I would much rather die by his hand than have you experience a hint of his wrath.�

Lily let tears rush down her face; shamefully she buried herself into his cloak. With the cloth pressed against her mouth, she murmured her reply. “Who will protect you, Severus? When I go missing, James will have his friends from the Order of the Phoenix search for me. He won’t think of finding you at first but after a while he will turn his attentions your way. He knows you had an obsession with me in Hogwarts; he knows you harboured feelings. He will have you sent to Azkaban. What is my alternative if I come with you? We will be on the run or in hiding all our lives. Harry doesn’t deserve that.�

“You will be in hiding if you return to Potter; you will be hiding from the Dark Lord while ever he is at large. You will never see me, it won’t be safe for us to meet and it is unlikely that Potter will allow you out of his sight,� with malice he continued, “he’ll want to protect you.�

“I choose James,� she stuttered. “I know the Dark Lord may show him mercy, should he protect me and Harry. He will not show you mercy, as you would be betraying him.�

“The Dark Lord shows mercy to no one, if you stand up to him you will die.� He gave her a grave look, his features no longer soft. She looked back confused, her face now glowing red. She was a sorrowful sight, a woman who couldn’t make a decision. She shuddered a little in the breeze and wished she could escape this cruel choice.

“I have to go now.� She picked herself up and began walking. Severus followed her, keeping a distance away.



At the end of the meadow stood a row of red poppies, each lined up in a regimented order. They spilt out crimson against the luscious green. They were not swaying in the wind but instead remained lifeless. Lily stopped before the line of red, knowing that once she crossed it she would never see her love again. She would be walking away from the safety of the meadow, walking into a world full of danger, treachery and death. She gazed at Severus and knew that he was everything. She knew that whilst ever she remained near him she would be safe.

“Don’t make me stand by your grave, Lily.� One tear fell from his eye, the salted poison burning his flesh.

She ran to him. Intertwined together, their hearts beat in rhythm and they thought the same thought and wished the same dream. They both wanted the other to survive.

Birds were singing love songs and sweeping over their heads and a rabbit ran across their way, hopping over their feet with energy. But cars were heard in the distance and voices shouting from the nearby village. A clock sounded seven slow thuds.

Both knew that their time together was over.

Lily was the one to break their connection. She let go of him and strolled over to the poppies and she searched through them. He stood over her, savouring his last moments. Eventually she stood back up. In her hand was a small flower, he gazed at it, feeling his heart ache. It was a white poppy, so rare in England and so precious. She presented it to him as more than a token.

“You say our souls are made of the same substance.� She hesitated and sniffed back a tear. She then raised her wand, hovered it over the poppy. It radiated a pure white colour, falling gracefully on the poppy. “Here is my half.�

She offered up the poppy to him. He didn’t take it.

“Don’t you dare sacrifice yourself! If he wants Harry dead, then he will stop ant nothing. He won’t care whether the mother lives. You are the most important being on this earth and I won’t smile again until I see your face.� He ran a hand through her hair and sobbed silently.

“I have to fulfill my duty as a mother. Don’t stand by my grave, Severus, because you will be standing by your own. Take the job at Hogwarts, Dumbledore is a just man, and live your life. Don’t live it for me or anyone else, live it for yourself.�

She offered up the poppy to him. This time he received it.

Severus stood with his toes touching the petals of poppies. Mustering up true bravery, Lily stepped over them. After a final kiss blown into the air, she left him standing alone.

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Thank you to chances and 3secondfish for being my Beta's.