Lucy Riddle and the Boy Who Lived

Snape's Memories

Chapter Forty-Six

"I told you, Hermione! I bloody told you."

Harry was rushing out of Hogwarts with his fists at his sides. He stopped at the steps, clenching his eyes shut. Disappointment flowed through his body, threatening to overcome him. He had hoped to defeat Voldemort, but now it was impossible.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't know —"

"No, Hermione, you knew. I told you. I told you! But you wouldn't listen to me," Harry whispered. He held his head in his hands, trying to control his breathing. This was the first time Lucy had seen Harry look so defeated. He was the strongest boy she knew.

"Harry." Lucy placed a hand on his tensed shoulder. "It's going to be all right. We'll figure out what to do. Just . . . believe." She stared at the Forbidden Forest. There was a figure crawling out of it. She squinted her eyes and gasped. "Someone's hurt!"

They all ran towards the person. He was all bloody and limping. With all the energy he could muster, he took one last step out of the Forest and crashed onto the ground. Lucy got to him first and examined him.

His black eyes stared right back at her. There was so much blood pouring from his open wounds. His life was thinning by the second. He said softly, "Look into my mind, Lucy. Do it."

She did as she was told and said, "Legilimens." Lucy stared at the images in front of her. They were zooming passed her and showing all the contents of his life. From him being a baby to him being a teenager — she started to pity him. She watched his life before her eyes.

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Harry stared at Lucy as she looked into another's person's mind. This was the second time he's witnessed this, and now he wondered if he was able to use Legilimensy on someone, then would he then be able to master Occlumency?

Minutes passed. Lucy was still watching. It wasn't long before Lucy came back to reality and Snape was wheezing even louder. Snape looked around the group, fixing his eyes on Harry. He whispered, "Harry, come — please come here."

Harry obeyed and slowly kneeled before the Potions master. "Yes, Snape?"

"Look into my eyes. Please." Snape's pleading voice made Harry stare into Snape's black eyes. The professor smiled a little before placing a tender hand on Harry's cheek. It was so soft and light, like he was delicately holding a child. "Lily —" But before he could finish, his hand went limp.

Tears had fallen out of Snape's eyes. There were two punctured holes on the side of his neck, liters of blood flowing through it. Lucy observed it and thought, Nagini — it was Nagini who did this. Her venom is poisonous, and no snake is bigger than she is. Lucy's head slumped to her chest.

Harry said, "Lucy, what did you see?"

"I saw," Lucy began. "Snape entering your abandoned house the day Voldemort paid your family a visit. I saw him cradling — your mother's head in his lap, and him, him bawling his eyes out. Snape was in love with your mother, Lily Evans.

"Dumbledore told Snape that he needed to kill him. He was already dying anyway. He only had a few months. Dumbledore wanted a painless death. And you want to know something else?

"It was Snape who guided me and Ron to the lake. His Patronus is like your mother's, Harry. He is so in love with her, all he thinks about is Lily. Most of the memories I saw were with her. Everything he did was for your mother's sake."

Silence. That was all there was. No words were let out in the open. All mouths were clamped shut as they soaked in this information. Harry was the first one to speak. "How did he die?"

"From Nagini, I believe. She bit him." No one said anything again. The silence was killing her, so she said, "I — I'll be right back. Just let me go to Dumbledore's office to get something. I'll only take me a few minutes." Lucy left the Golden Trio and entered Hogwarts. She wasn't going to go to his office — she just needed to catch her breath.

She sat down on the floor near the humped, one-eyed witch. Lucy remembered the first time she snuck out of Hogwarts grounds. It was during a Hogsmeade trip. She remembered going down there with Fred, holding his hand, and having fun feeling rebellious. Lucy smiled a little as she touched the statue.

There were so many memories here, good and bad. She'd never forget this place. It was the first time she felt like everything was supposed to happen this way. She met her best friends here and got to feel part of something.

Professor McGonagall nearly tripped over Lucy. Her hair was still in her usual tight, business-like bun. The black robe she was wearing was the one Lucy remembered the last time she was here. McGonagall scolded, "What are you doing down there? Get up!"

Lucy did as she was told and grinned. "Always the same, eh?"

"Oh, shut it. I've missed you, Lucy. It is good to see you again. Have you any chance seen Professor Snape? He's supposed to be back here." The oblivious look on McGonagall's face made Lucy annoyed. If only she knew the truth, Lucy thought.

"He's — dead. Snape was attacked by Voldemort's snake." Lucy gripped onto her own hand, trying to control herself. Now was not the time to get emotional. "You need to make sure the Hogwarts students stay behaved."

"Don't I always?" McGonagall sent her a sad smile. "Your family has been meaning to talk to you. They've tried to send messages, but their owls can't find you. I'll make sure to tell them that you are safe."

"Thank you, Professor. How's the Order?"

"We're doing well. We've received more information on what Voldemort is doing. Bellatrix found out he now possesses the Elder Wand. The Deathly Hallows are real."

"Yes, I know." Lucy and McGonagall didn't say any more. She smiled kindly at the professor and said, "I need to get going. My friends are waiting for me."

"You will be safe, right?"

"Of course." She gave McGonagall a hug and left. She opened the doors again and the fresh breeze hit her in the face. With her eyes closed and taking in a deep breath of air, she headed towards the Forbidden Forest. As she came closer, she noticed something odd.

Voldemort was standing right in front of her with her three friends tied up unconscious at his feet.