AN: So one of my followers (jeez that sounded creepy) asked me to make a Severus/Hermione fanfic. We worked together to try and come up with an idea we both could agree on. This will be a marriage law fic eventually but we have to build up to it since it will be a completely different world. It will take time and patience for that to happen. So I give Amber-Marie Black the credit for coming up with this idea. Its new and I don't think I've ever seen a fanfic like this. Then again I might be wrong. It happens. Anything you recognize is JK Rowlings.

The Dark Lord was dead all because of a little boy named Harry Potter. His mother, Lily, had sacrificed herself so that her son would live. Because she did that when the Dark Lord tried to kill little Harry it rebounded on himself. The Dark Lord had been wrong he wasn't immortal. And neither had been the woman I loved, Lily Evans Potter.

I sat hunched in a chair crying brokenly into my hands. Sniveling like a child. But I couldn't bring myself to care. How could I? Lily was dead and it was all because of Sirius Black!

"I thought…you were going…to keep her…safe…"

"She and James put their faith in the wrong person," Albus said. "Rather like you, Severus. Weren't you hoping that Lord Voldemort would spare her?"

I sunk back into the chair. How could I have been such a fool to believe that Dark Lord would spare her?

"Her boy survives," Albus muttered.

I jerked with a start. Like I wanted to remember she had been close to James Potter! Close to her in ways I could only dream of. Just thinking of them together made me nauseous.

"Her son lives. He has her eyes, precisely her eyes. You remember the shape and color of Lily Evans' eyes, I am sure?"

"DON'T!" I bellowed. "Gone…dead…"

"Is this remorse, Severus?"

"I wish…I wish I were dead…" I muttered brokenly into my hands. How could I not? The love of my life was dead.

"And what use would that be to anyone?" Albus asked closely. "If you loved Lily Evans, if you truly loved her, then your way forward is clear."

My way forward was clear? What did he mean by that?

"What – what do you mean?"

"You know how and why she died. Make sure it was not in vain. Help me protect Lily's son."

"He does not need protection. The Dark Lord has gone – "

"The Dark Lord's minions are not, and Harry Potter will be in terrible danger."

"Are you asking me to take him in?" I asked revolted. How could I possibly care for the spawn of James Potter?

"No. I'm asking you to watch out for him. Keep him safe. Be a silent protector over the years." Albus said steepling his fingers together.

I paused thinking. He was Lily's son. I would do it for Lily. Protect him for Lily. Maybe his friends too if it came down to it. All for Lily. "Very well. Very well. But never – never tell, Albus! This must be between us! Swear it! I cannot bear…especially Potter's son…I want your word!"

"My word, Severus, that I shall never reveal the best of you?" Albus sighed softly. I glared at him waiting. "If you insist…"

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