Values of the Underprivileged

Severus Snape was walking alone, outside in the cold, his wand drawn out in fear that anybody might attack. He knew, he knew he was supposed to be at Hogwarts. Although, no, this was more important than that, despite whatever Dumbledore's intentions were; this was more to value for him than anything even the white-haired headmaster could ask for. Snape looked into pure red eyes like fire, being petrified in fear, although didn't turn back, not for anything.

'My Lord.'

Voldemort looked at him with a mixture of surprise and ersatz pity. 'Severus,' he said softly, his snake-like mouth pronouncing every syllable, sending shivers down Snape's spine; Voldemort's tone carried a hint of mockery. 'What brings you here?'

Snape didn't want to look into Voldemort's eyes- but he had to, he told himself. He felt no less of a child than he did aged eleven,now that he stared at one of the most famous dark wizards of all time. His complaints would probably sound foolish, childish even when measured with a supposedly flawless plan. 'I request a favour.'

Voldemort let out a laugh as cold as frostbite. 'A favour? From me? After all I've done for you, you're asking me for a favour?' Snape felt the urge to use his wand, to cause damage beyond repair, although he knew he would not stand a chance against the Dark Lord. Also, if he could conquer Voldemort and cast a few spells, that would mean him turning against everything Snape said. What he needed to do mattered more than his personal grudges. 'Alright, Severus, go on then.'

Snape would not look at Voldemort as he said the next words, harsher than he intended. 'I need you not to kill Harry Potter.' Voldemort stared at him with such intensity Snape almost doubted his own actions. But he couldn't, not when his precious Lily could be on the verge of death, who would naturally die nobly saving her poor son. 'You want me not to kill Harry Potter, Severus? Of all things- Why? Certainly can't be because of the father of his, can it?' Although he knew it was a mere dose of sarcasm, Snape felt his cheeks go red at the thought of even having an acquaintance with the scruffy-haired git called James Potter.

'His mother,' grumbled Snape, gritting his teeth as he spoke. 'I don't want his mother dead.' Voldemort eyed him in mock surprise before looking at him condescendingly, as though he was a toddler begging for his teddy bear back.

'Severus, you'll understand there are more important things than this-' Voldemort searched for the supposed right word'- interest of yours in Lily Evans.' Snape felt his insides weigh down like steel, as he attempted once more to grasp the Dark Lord's attention, his heart wishing Lily happiness more than anything else in the world. 'Please, My Lord, I beg of you.' Voldemort did not take his concern as well has Snape wished him to. 'Severus, you have performed your duties very well. You wouldn't like to damage all of that, if I'm not mistaken? In other words, if you aren't careful with who you associate with, you could end up Nagini's next meal. Would you like that, Severus?' Snape looked away. 'No, My Lord.' Voldemort's lip curled, as though Snape had said what he wanted to hear. 'Good.'

Snape could hardly bring himself to speak. 'But isn't there any other way? Because, if it is-' He stopped, realising that Voldemort wasn't listening, deep in thought, mumbling words that Snape couldn't very well hear, let alone make sense of. 'Severus, you're in luck, I have a feeling that there just might be,' Voldemort whispered. Flashbacks of the beautiful Lily from years ago flooded Snape's mind, but he tried to push them away. Lily loved James; she would be happy, even if it wasn't with him.

Snape hardly expected this to be the end, yet his body still froze when Voldemort spoke again. 'Although, Severus, what will you grant me in return for this generosity, we call it?' Snape talked with sincerity when he spoke next. 'Whatever you wish, My Lord.' Voldemort looked unconvinced, as though he was the first to be willing to sacrifice even his life for a simple goal. Voldemort would never understand; she was Lily Evans, whose life Snape valued over his own easily. 'Exactly whatever I wish, Severus?'

Snape looked down at the floor, his answer to the question that might decide his fate already clear in his mind.

'Anything for my Lily.'