𝑭𝑳𝑶𝑾𝑬𝑹𝑺 𝑰𝑵 𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑯𝑨𝑰𝑹 - Severus Snape

TWENTY SIX

26|BAD DREAM

The blankets twisted around her body, trapping her as she thrashed around the bed. Beads of sweat dripped down her forehead as a muffled cry filled the silent night. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the blanket, trying to fight away her demons.

Their clouded eyes haunted her thoughts as she stumbled around the eery house, the usual joy stripped from the air. She cupped his cold cheeks, begging for him to wake up. His once mischievous grin now replaced with a look of pain.

Her legs crumbled beneath her, arms wrapped around his body as she held him close. His limp body heavy on her lap, sympathetic hollow stares watching her mourn. Screams of pain echoing down the quiet halls.

She could feel the death in the air, knowing he was not the only victim. She tried to reach out, scrambling to her feet to find her nephew, hold him and protect him for the darkness of the house before it trapped them both in. His desperate cries for his mother tearing her heart apart.

"Willow." Severus shook her trembling body, trying to awaken her from her nightmare. "Wills, wake up. It's just a dream. It's only a dream."

"Sev?" Willow mumbled, turning to face the worried man. She slowly sat up, her eyes never meeting his as she hugged her knees to her chest. "I need to send a message to James. I need to know if he is okay."

"Okay. I'll go get you some parchment and a quill." He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, glancing over her once more before leaving the bed.

His soft eyes watched her as she scribbled away, sealing the letter with the House of Potter stamp before sending it away with their tawny owl. He waited for her, letting her calm down enough to talk to him. She crawled into his open arms, the tears soaking his chest as she released all her emotions triggered from her nightmare.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Severus asked her gently as she became silent in his arms.

"I saw James and Lily die." Willow said honestly, startling him as he looked down at her. "I saw Voldemort kill my brother and best friend in cold blood. I can't do this war anymore. I want them all dead. I want all Death Eaters dead before they kill my family."

"I'm so sorry, Wills." He apologised, squeezing her tightly against him as he hid his face in her neck. "I'm so sorry."

"Sev?" She was startled by his reaction, holding on to him as her eyes widened. She refused to believe it, knowing exactly what he meant as he held her, crying into her shoulder. "Sev, please don't tell me it's true. I know you were friends with them but why would you do it?"

"Wills, I'm so sorry." He repeatedly stated, refusing to meet her shocked stare. "I lost everyone. I lost you and I had nowhere to go. I wanted revenge for everything. Your family are targets, they are huge influencers for integrating muggle lifestyles into the wizarding world. But I've changed. I changed for you. I work with Dumbledore now in taking down Voldemort. I'm part of the Order."

"Severus, look at me." Willow demanded, her voice stern as she cupped his cheeks. "Tell me every terrible thing you ever did, and let me love you anyway."

"I love you." Severus lifted his head, meeting her teary eyes which widened at his statement. "I love you. I love you."

"I love you too." She smiled through the tears, holding him closely as he told her all the horrible things he did as a Death Eater. She listened patiently, letting him cry into her arms as he remembered all the things he was forced to do.

"I will protect you." He cupped her cheeks, staring her deeply in her green eyes. "I will protect Lily and your brother. I will do anything I can."

"I know you will." Willow shuffled on to his lap, holding his shoulders for support as she leaned her head in closer. She left gentle kisses down his jaw, kissing away his tears as the silence covered them.