Hello!

This story is going to be a compilation of one-shots written for the Houses Competition, supporting, HUFFLEPUFF!

Written for the Practice Round.

Category: Drabble.

Prompt: Professor Snape.

Word Count: 334

Summary: Severus Snape reflects on the mistakes he made and how it led him to who he is.

Severus Snape regretted a lot of the things he had done; some he had done years ago, others as recently as a few days ago. He had lost everybody he had ever cared for. He wasn't sure which was worse, Lily never speaking again, or him being the reason she had just been killed.

It turned out that once you made a bad decision, it would follow and haunt you for life.

Severus remembered seeing her lying there, unmoving... dead. Her son crying for comfort in the cot. The cries seemed like a reflection of his own mind as he bent down and held the only good thing he used to have in his life. Lily. His Lily. His first and only true friend.

When he finally let her go, he looked at her son, the familiar green eyes and felt the pit of his stomach drop even further. Out of all the things he had done, forcing Lily's child to go on without her was probably the worst. He would never remember the bright smile or cheerful laugh of her.

Standing up and towering over the one-year-old, he stroked one long finger over the boys cheek. Even at such a young age, he looked disgustingly like his father. Part of him couldn't help but blame James Potter for her death, too.

Returning to Dumbledore had been a difficult decision, he failed to protect Lily, but couldn't blame him. All he knew, was that he would never forgive Voldemort for killing her.

That is what brought Severus to the first new chapter of his life. He buttoned up his black robes and felt more unprepared than he ever had before. He would have been better at Defence Against the Dark Arts, but Dumbledore disagreed.

"Snape," one of the students started, about to ask a question.

"That's Professor Snape," he replied sharply. The whole classroom instantly fell silent.

The instant silence made him feel respected and feared; this was something he could get used to.

Thank you for reading!