𝑭𝑳𝑶𝑾𝑬𝑹𝑺 𝑰𝑵 𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑯𝑨𝑰𝑹 - Severus Snape

ONE

1|THE CURSE

Her tear stained face haunted his thoughts as they both stared blankly at the sight before them. She fell to her knees, hands shakily reaching out for the body in front of her. Her screams of anguish echoed through the ghastly silent house, arms wrapped tightly around the lifeless body as she begged him to wake up. She prayed this was just another one of his stupid pranks.

The voices around her slurred together, incoherently trying to speak to her as she sat slumped against the wall. Her brothers body had long been removed from her grasp, moon shaped bruises forming on her palms.

Many emotions passed through her head, but she mostly just wanted him. The man she loved who could never love her back. She needed his smile, his arms wrapped around her waist, the smell of him when she buried her face in his chest. But he was with her best friend. Crying over her lifeless body, admitting his love for her over and over again. However, more dreadful thoughts shadowed her.

Her crystal eyes stared down at the spot her brother once lay, her dear friend now stood on the carpet trying to understand how it happened.

His body crouched down in front of her, forcing her focus on to him and away from the chaos. He cupped her cheeks, wiping away the stray tears with the pad of his thumb. His blood shot eyes met hers, a moment of understanding shared between them as he wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the ground and carrying her away from the house.

He lay her down on their bed, stroking her hair from her face as he kissed her forehead lovingly. He turned to walk away, her shaking hand reaching out and grabbing him. She pulled him in, begging him not to leave her.

Their king-size bed felt small as she cuddled into his arms, head resting on his chest listening to his heart beat. They stayed silent, both too scared to ruin this moment of clarity.

As the sun rose over the horizon, she prepared for the day. Her actions had not changed from before the tragedy but her blood shot eyes revealed everything.

"Sirius Black is being charged for the murder of your brother and Lily." His voice broke through the thick silence of the kitchen. He took the cup of tea she offered, eyes looking over her shocked face.

"Sirius would never betray James." Willow spoke, her voice cracking as she placed her untouched tea on the counter.

"How can you be so sure?" Severus snapped at her, following behind her as she paced around the main room of their small home. "His family are notorious for being death eaters. He was their Secret-Keeper. He betrayed them."

"He's innocent." She screamed at him, halting in her steps as fresh tears trickled down her flushed cheeks. "He lived with my family. He was family."

"He betrayed you." The man threw his mug against the wall, startling her as she quickly went silent. "James and Lily are dead. So is Peter Pettigew. Your perfect friend is not innocent."

Her expression turned stoic as she met his saddened stare. They both stayed quiet, assessing what the other person was thinking.

"I'm sorry." Severus sighed, grabbing his wand to clean up the broken mug. "I know you like to see the good in everyone but there is a war happening. You can't trust anyone, even those closest to you."

"Even you?" Her tone was harsher than intended but her broken expression was enough for him to falter in his actions. "When is the trial?"

"Willow." He warned her, knowing exactly what she was planning. "You know this isn't a good idea."

"Sev, I have to tell the court my knowledge of what happened." Willow pleaded with him, green eyes glowing with determination. "Padfoot needs me."

"I will take you there." Severus crumbled, falling victim to her dark green eyes, the flecks of honey brown enticing him to fall into her trap.

"Is it safe for you?" Her gaze trailed down to his exposed forearm. His once painful mark now a stain on his skin.

"They won't bother me." He informed her grimly, pulling his sleeve down. "Not with him gone."

Her glassy eyes stared blankly at the wall across from her, voice hoarse from the harsh words she had thrown at her old headmaster moments before. He had refused her entry to the trial, using her grief against her.

"Go home, Miss. Potter." Dumbledore stated, his eyes narrowed as he warned her to stop digging deeper. "You should be mourning James and Lily Potter's death."

"Take their names out of your mouth. You are responsible for this." Willow snapped, curious eyes turning their way. "And it's Snape now."

Dumbledore waved his wand over her, mumbling a small spell before she revealed any secrets. Severus easily caught his wife, staring up at the man he had sworn his loyalty to with great confusion.

"Take her home and wake her after the trial." The Headmaster ordered, a distant stare on his face. "She is grieving the loss of her brother. She's in deniel and will only lie to save s guilty man. I didn't want it to come to this."

"You used a sleeping curse on her." Severus said with disbelief, adjusting his arms so he was holding her limp body gently. "Only someone of mutual love can break a sleeping curse with a kiss."

"Then you shouldn't have a problem." He said snarkly. "She is your wife. Wasn't she the reason you got the mark and joined the Order?"

"That's not what I'm concerned about."