GROWING SIDEWAYS. . . harry potter

prologue

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                       "You said you would keep her safe!" cried the voice of Severus Snape. A man who's life had as good as ended upon the death of the woman he loved. His chest hurt. He could barely breathe. In his mind stirred thoughts of despair, anger, emptiness. What purpose did he have now if not to protect her?

"Lily and James. . . put their faith in the wrong person, Severus," Albus Dumbledore responded with little sympathy. "As did you," He added. 

Severus turned his head away from the man who'd let him down, refusing to allow him to see him cry. 

"The children survived," Dumbledore told the young man.

"They don't need protection, the Dark Lord is gone!"

"The Dark Lord will return. . . and when he does the twins will be in terrible danger. The boy will have a target on his back for the rest of his life, people will want to know just how he survived that curse. And the girl. . . she will be a threat to his safety should she fall into the wrong hands."

The young, black-haired man narrowed his eyes at the Headmaster. "What is it you wish to be done then, Albus?" He asked.

"The boy will stay with his mother's sister and her family---"

"Those horrendous muggles?! You can't be serious!"

Dumbledore held his hand up, silencing his former student. "It's the safest option, Severus. Until he is ready to understand who and what he is, he deserves to grow up away from the infamy and attention tonight will bring him. As for the girl . . ." He trailed off.

"You're separating them?" Snape asked, appalled. Though, he already knew the answer.

"Together, they make one target. This way, she can't be used against him. Furthermore, I think it's best. . . she doesn't exist at all."

"Come again?"

"Voldemort wasn't coming for Elizabeth. He was coming for Harry. The whole world knows what happened tonight --- that the Dark Lord is gone, and the boy lives. No one knows the fate of the girl yet. As of tonight. . . Elizabeth Potter is dead. At least, as far as the world is concerned."

"Stop, stop," Severus brought his fingers to the bridge of his nose, "why are you telling me this?"

"Because Severus. . . she is your responsibility now."

The younger man sucked in a breath, "Absolutely not!"

"Sever--"

"You cannot just force a child into my care without so much as consulting me first!"

"Severus, listen. Her godfather is in Azkaban. Remus Lupin's condition makes him dangerous. Even if he could, a friend of the potters suddenly coming into custody of a one year old girl will look suspicious. You, on the other hand. What kind of connection do you have? None. With one foot on either side of the door, you can protect her, and hide her better than any member of the order could. I'm not asking."

With dark, clouded eyes, Severus blew out a shaky breath and raised his index finger, pointing at the professor. "No one. . . can know," he stated.

Albus could have laughed at the predictability of the man, "I shall never reveal the best of you, Severus."

( word count: 525 )

omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg hi guys

i can't believe this is finally here.

I am a lifelong harry potter fan and have had this oc tucked away in my brain for literal years but was too unsure about the response.

that being said i have a disclaimer.

I KNOW SNAPE IS A CONTROVERSIAL CHARACTER. PERSONALLY, HE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES. YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOVE HIM, BUT I WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY HATE IN MY COMMENTS TARGETED TOWARDS ME AND OTHERS THAT LIKE HIM. THAT INCLUDES STATEMENTS LIKE "ANYWAY STAN JAMES POTTER" AND SO ON. JUST STOP, IT'S CHILDISH. 

THIS BOOK INCLUDES HOW I IMAGINE HIM AS A FATHER. YOU MAY NOT AGREE WITH MY CHARACTERIZATION OF HIM IN THAT CONTEXT AND THAT'S FINE BUT ONCE AGAIN---HATE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF ME, MY WRITING, AND PEOPLE IN THE COMMENTS.

thank you for listening.

much much MUCH love,

chloe.