Hi everyone! I was struck by inspiration and this story is the result. It's beta'ed by Madame Cyanure who completely understood my itch to write, thank you for that!

General warnings: violence, suicide attempt, torture, some cursing and murder of a child (mentioned) It deals with loss so...

I hope you'll enjoy it!

Prologue: Godric's Hollow

June 28, 1985

Severus fought the urge to button down his robe. The scorching heat was mocking him as he fidgeted with his collar. For once his black attire blended in perfectly. He was standing at the very back of the assembled wizards and witches behind the cemetery wall, but the soft slope permitted him to watch what happened in the front. He tried to remain detached, but behind his emotionless mask Severus felt a peculiar tinge of loss pressing down on his chest.

Many witches and wizards were dabbing handkerchiefs across their faces; they were not just used for the sweat. The children were unsurprisingly subdued as well. Severus looked up at the perfect blue sky. The summer breeze rustled in the trees of Godric's Hollow. It would have been a perfect day for playing Quidditch.

He turned his attention back at the proceedings in the front. An elderly wizard was droning meaningless words of comfort. After another minute, he backed away and nodded to someone on his left. Severus recognized Frank Longbottom approaching the grieving couple. His wife Alice stepped forward as well. With some coaxing, they led them forward.

Severus swallowed the lump that threatened to constrict his throat as he watched James Potter lowering a multi-coloured child's broom into the grave. Lily's heart-wrenching sob almost brought him to his knees. He wanted nothing more than to rush to her side and comfort her. But what could he say? I'm sorry for your loss?

Hollow words indeed, even if they were sincere. This was exactly why he warned the Potters in the first place. Lily wouldn't survive this. He had experienced the depth of her love and devotion to her son in person when he had come across them a few months ago, during their Christmas shopping. It was just Lily and Harry; she'd been juggling too many bags when they had literally bumped into each other.

He'd expected to be insulted or at the very least ignored, but Lily had brushed her hair out of her face and shot him a beaming smile. He helped her up clumsily not knowing what to say when Harry tugged her robe and, with all his youthful innocence, asked who the nice man was.

"His name is Severus Snape, sweetie. He went to school with me and your daddy." Lily explained patiently, "He's a very famous Potions Master now."

"Really?" Young Harry asked excitedly. He turned his attention immediately towards Severus and politely held out his tiny hand pronouncing his next words carefully, "Pleased to meet you, Mister Snape."

A bit baffled Severus shook the young child's hand and replied, "A pleasure, Mr Potter."

The boy giggled and shyly stepped back, clinging to his mother's legs. He looked remarkably like his father, Severus observed. But those eyes… Those trusting, mischievous eyes were all Lily's.

A sudden curse seared overhead and the display window from the Apothecary exploded, shattering their quaint little reunion as shards of glass rained down on them. His and Lily's eyes locked for a moment and he could see fear in them. The Wizarding World was at war and they were at opposing sides. A panicked and muffled "Mummy!" rang through the Alley as Lily ducked; shielding her son from the debris.

In that split second Severus had made a life changing decision. It was only through cunning, bluffing and a lot of grovelling that he hadn't been killed for that transgression. The Dark Lord wasn't pleased with his incompetence to aid his fellow Death Eaters that day. It was pure luck that the Dark Lord never found out that he had been actively present at the Christmas Carnage. He just hadn't been wearing his mask.

How about…at least he died peacefully?

Severus shook his head and muffled a cynical snort. He couldn't lie about that. At least Black's death had been quick and merciful. The man's death, after all, hadn't been part of the Dark Lord's statement. Severus hadn't attended the mutt's funeral. There was too much bad blood between them for Severus to feel even remotely sorrowful. Black was a true friend to the Potters however, something that couldn't be said of that despicable rat.

The mourners were slowly dispersing, led by grim looking Aurors towards the edge of the cordoned area where Apparition was possible again. Nobody was taking chances this day. Almost every co-worker of Potter was present; if not amongst the grieving, then in uniform guarding the boundary. Earlier Severus had overheard that Dumbledore himself had cast the protective spells around the graveyard. The elderly wizard was only recognisable by his long beard and spectacles, his colourful robes abandoned for this day, as he led the group surrounding Lily and James away.

That group consisted solely of close friends. Lily's dratted sister hadn't shown of course; something which Severus had expected, but that didn't lessen the impact it must have had on Lily. And James had no close family still living.

He caught sight of Lily's face in the distance as she passed him. She looked ashen, aged, her bottom lip quivering with each step she took further away from the graveyard. James was supporting her with an impassive face. Severus knew that mask very well. It was one of guilt. He detested the elder Potter; the man's choices, accomplishments and, to be frank, the man's entire existence.

But now Severus almost wished for Potter to come up to him, with his old arrogant grin, and curse him. The misplaced guilt had sucked everything so characteristic of Potter out of him and left only a shell of a man behind. He felt the hate dissipating as he stonily watched Dumbledore enlarge a silvery hoop; no doubt to carry them all to Hogwarts.

Severus waited until every mourner left. He looked around, making sure there were no Aurors in sight. Only then did he dispel his Disillusionment Charm. He slowly made his way across the graveyard and took a small, obscure potion vial out of his pocket. He turned the vial around in his hand watching the red liquid swirl around. It held a Blood-Replenishing Potion and a promise broken.

As he neared the white tombstone, his legs seemingly hesitated to go further. The grief that overshadowed the graveyard still hung in the sweltering air here making it hard to breathe.

I'm sorry I was too late.

Severus gently touched the cold stone and willed himself to read the inscription.

In Loving Memory of

Harry James Potter

July 31, 1980

June 25, 1985

Too precious for this world

He knelt down and placed the unused Portkey amongst the many flowers and cuddly toys. With one last glance he strode away his robes billowing behind him.

Are you intrigued already?