I don't own anything- surprisingly enough I'm not J.K.

Severus felt the blood slowly drain from his face; his vision went hazy, fading in and out of darkness. He felt himself sway but managed to jolt himself into maintaining an upright posture, more or less. He hoped his reaction had gone unnoticed by His Lord, but doubted it. By clenching his hands into a fist and cutting his palm with his blunt nails he was able to stay conscious. He had found as a young child, and later had it confirmed as an adolescent, that focusing on pain helped him stay anchored.

A litany of thoughts echoed in his head. She was pregnant; she was pregnant with James Potter's child, but worst of all it would be born at the end of July...

"My Lord..."

The words were out of his mouth before his brain had caught up. He had been too busy trying not to pass out at the news that He was going to kill them...kill her...and Severus would responsible. Admittedly indirectly, but still ultimately responsible.

From the look of His Lord his interruption meant he was either going to be tortured and live, or be tortured and die... time to choose his next set of words carefully. He may the potions prodigy but he was expendable, they all were to a greater or lesser degree. Severus, well, he may be good with potions but he was new to the Circle, a half-blood and poor... not things to endear him to his new...master. He turned the word over in his mind. It didn't feel any nicer than saying it out loud. In fact he felt distinctly unnerved by His Lord's preferred title of address.

"The child should be disposed of, as should any threat to my Lord. Hence why I brought my Lord the information that has led to this discovery." Severus hoped that if he sounded sycophantic enough his plea would be listened to. "In light of this... I appeal for the mother's life to be spared, she is a mere... mudblood." He forced the word out, "... and no threat to one as powerful as my Lord." Severus carried on, carefully avoiding His eyes. He hoped that he had been convincing enough. He was on shaky ground already, he didn't want to have to go into a long and elaborate explanation on why Lily shouldn't die. Particularly when he had no convincing argument- not for these people anyway.

The quiet smirks of his peers indicate that his careful neglect of her name had not gone unnoticed. Apparently his continued love and ardor for Lily, despite her very public rejection of him, had not been as carefully hidden as he had believed. Shame and embarrassment curdled in his stomach.

"Ah, yes. I had forgotten you still loved her Severus." The mocking evident in his voice. "My followers, see how generous your Lord and Master is. You request shall be granted Severus... on the condition that she stand aside when the time comes. But you, my servant... spoke out of turn."

Severus felt terror make his stomach feel hollow and bottomless as his eyes followed the wand being raised towards him. He muttered a prayer to any deity that might be listening to spare him. It was his last coherent thought before the pain set in.

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One of the more fortunate side effects of being friendless, Severus found upon waking, was abandonment. No-one to witness his whimpers as he stretched. No one to mock his initial unsuccessful attempts at standing, or even crawling.

His clothes, already ragged and ill fitting, were now stained with urine, blood and detritus from the filthy surroundings that had attached to him as he fell and writhed.

As he lent against the stone wall he looked at his boots, choking back the sobs that threatened to escape. He swallowed hard, trying to control the emotions threatening to escape. His thoughts were more chaotic, and after a brief attempt to suppress his growing despair and panic he allowed them free reign to battle for supremacy in his head.

He bit his lip to prevent any more whimpers from escaping as he hauled himself upright. His shoulders turned inwards as he doggedly walked to the apparition barrier, too exhausted to cast cleaning spells on his person. With any luck his father would still be at the pub, or too drunk to notice the state his son was in. The thought caused Severus to grimace and sneer.

"What the fuck boy... What you been doin'?" Tobias ended the sentence abruptly, his eyes narrowing at the retreating, impassive figure of his son. It had evidently been too much for Severus to hope for that his arrival would be unnoticed.

"Oy, don't you walk away from me boy" Tobias shouted as he lunged forward, grasping the back of Severus' robe in a fist and halting his steady trudge up the stairs.

Severus twisted and struggled to maintain his hold on the banister but his grip suddenly gave. They both landed in a heap on the floor. One with loud cursing, the other with quiet cries of pain, as the impact jarred his new wounds.

"Fuck off ya bastard..." Severus, meaning to sound defiant, winced internally as he ended the sentence with a sob. He curled his arms around his head and pulled his knees towards his chest, bracing himself for the inevitable blows after such disrespect.

He fought back a moan, as he felt an iron grip tighten around his bicep. He should know better than to think he would be allowed just one night without being beaten or belittled. Just to be ignored would be a great improvement. To his surprise he wasn't dragged upright to be immediately knocked down.

"What the fuck you been rolling in." Tobias challenged as he forcibly stripped Severus of his filthy cloak and robe, ignoring Severus' feeble attempts to push him away, revealing his grey, threadbare shirt and patched corduroy trousers held up by a broad man's belt which had been re-holed to accommodate a teenager's waist.

"What do you care!"

Severus decided, very quietly in his own mind, that living through the vexation of a self proclaimed Dark Lord after stupidly running his mouth off, must have made him positively giddy for this sudden bout of audacity to occur.

"I've seen you bloodied Severus, I've seen you crying...I've never seen ya with pissed trousers before... You on drugs?" Tobias roughly pushed Severus' sleeves up his elbows, not even needing to undo the cuffs. "I'll not have you doing drugs under my roof, ya hear? If ya are, then you're out boy."

Not finding any needle marks, just that disturbing tattoo that Severus had tried to hide for a few months. Tobias roughly pushed away the weakening, struggling hands of his son to grasp his head and tilt it towards the light.

"Jesus..." Tobias stared at Severus' eyes. The whites were red with blood where the veins had burst, making him look deranged and slightly mad as they darted about looking for an escape. Tobias took in the other details that he had missed, but subconsciously clocked onto... the suspicious straight slash marks covering his body staining his clothes red, the constant shaking and tremors, the sheen of sweat on his forehead. Tobias noted the clammy, feverish skin and he stared as a steady trickle of blood made its way from Severus' nose to his chin.

"What you taken boy? Eh? What did you do?" Shaking him to elicit an answer. "Tell me!" Tobias ended in a shout.

"Nothing... Jesus... I'm not on drugs... if I was I would brew something that didn't do this to me!" Severus finally bellowed. He couldn't fathom quite what made him add the last part but it seemed to make Tobias stop shaking him, which could only be an improvement.

"You would as well, wouldn't you!" He sneered.

"Yes I would!" Severus replied indignantly, hoping he could escape soon to his room. He could feel his legs buckling.

"Well what the fuck happened then?" Tobias replied grasping Severus by the shoulders, pushing him towards the den.

"I...I..." To Severus' eternal shame tears started to roll down his face. A quick glance at his father's face showed that Tobias was as unnerved and skittish by this development as Severus felt. Severus followed Tobias' rough pushing until he sat with an undignified thump onto the sofa.

"I'll get piss on the sofa". Severus objected, futilely trying to push himself up.

"Never mind the sodding sofa. What. Happened?" Each word was accompanied by a little shake.

"He'sgonnakillher...and it's my fault he's gonna kill her" The first part came out in a rush. The words he felt he could never have dared say out loud. The second statement came out as a more plaintive wail.

A look up at Tobias' face showed that he was returning to the drugged and deranged theory. Severus plundered on hoping that if he said enough Tobias would at least leave him alone in disgust as oppose to beating him senseless.

"I... that girl Lily... she...she" He stuttered "I went for a job interview last week. I heard a prophecy... part of one anyway. I told... I told the Dark Lord... " Severus bit back a choke as Tobias snorted at the words Dark Lord. Severus ignored the subsequent muttering about ridiculous poncy wizards.

"But the prophecy means Lily's child, which means he will kill her, he'll kill them all!" Severus hung his head. He had told the Dark Lord the prophecy in an effort to salvage something from the disastrous situation. His Lord had not been pleased that Severus had been caught eavesdropping and had been subsequently been thrown out the pub, but was appeased by what Severus had overheard. "I didn't know... I never thought... no one takes divination seriously!"

"Christ...bloody hell Severus! What did you think would happen, that he'd give 'em cake!" He expected the thump on his shoulder that accompanied the next sentence. "What ya gonna do then, eh? Eh? Sitting here moping about ain't doin' any good."

"What can I do!" Severus finally looked up into his father's eyes. "She thinks I'm a Deatheater... I am a Deatheater...her husband's an Auror, and he hated me at school. I'll be arrested before I utter a word!"

"Tell her for a start you fucking twat. I never thought you were such a spineless piece of shit! No wonder she went off with another bloke."

"You take that back." Severus' face took on a defiant quality that hadn't been there before.

"It's the truth! You're on the verge of getting her whole family killed and you just sit here crying, feeling sorry for yourself! What sort of a bloody stupid name is Deatheater anyway. You all sound like a load of melodramatic tossers."

"They might have a stupid name to you, but in the Wizarding world it instills fear! What they did to me today isn't a fraction of what they can do… what they will do." He trailed of uncertainly as he thought about what he was saying.

"Then you better tell her before they do it to her then, hadn't you!"

"Yes! I had!" He replied without quite realizing what he said.

"Well you'd better get washed and changed then. You won't get through the door if you're wearing pissy trousers." Tobias stood back, crossing his arms as he stared levelly at the shaking figure before him. "I'll get you a sandwich as well…it's no good if you collapse before you've even got there" he added as an afterthought.

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Severus peered through the leaves of the oak tree he had seconded himself in outside Godric's Hollow and braced his nerves as he clambered down the tree and walked past the gate, to the front door, where he knocked.

He had been hoping that Lily would be alone at home, but a peek through the window after a hastily applied concealment spell had shown that all the Marauder's were present. Whilst he wanted to warn Lily, he wasn't suicidal and knew that any conversation where all four marauders were present would make for a short and deadly exchange. As a result he had waited until they had left. The green flames died down in the fireplace signifying the exit of Black, the last to leave.

The impromptu wait in the tree had made Severus give some thought to how he would approach this. He knew he would be hexed in short order, undoubtedly by both Lily and Potter, unless he surrendered his wand. Even if he surrendered it he had considered the very real possibility that they would just hex him and call the Aurors, but he had to try and save her. He'd do anything to stop the guilt he felt eating away at him as he stood, well, perched. He couldn't imagine living with it constantly.

As a result, Potter found his arch enemy on his doorstep, on his knees, head bowed submissively, holding his wand by the tip, with the handle pointing towards James waiting for him to take it.

"Err... Lily... You might want to come out here... like, now!"

"What is it James...oh"

Severus still hadn't lifted his gaze from the doormat and as a result could only guess the expressions and actions that his arrival had prompted. He felt his wand being tugged from his hand and let it go with only minor resistance. His arm fell loosely against his side.

"What do you want Snape?" James muttered, having snatched Severus' wand away. Severus could only imagine that Lily's presence had stayed his hand from cursing him as soon as he saw him. It had certainly been the case throughout school.

Severus coughed and licked his lips before glancing up and squaring his shoulders, as if that act would give him the courage and fortitude to admit he had doomed this family. Still kneeling, Severus blurted out what he had to say before he was hexed into silence, or killed on the spot. You never could tell with Potter, and he could feel his limited patience running thin.

"There is a prophecy regarding your child. He knows about it. He... he will kill you unless you run." Severus hoped that the emphasis on the He would be understood. "I... I do not wish what he would do to you on anyone...especially you Lily. Please run, hide, leave England, and better yet leave the UK." He hoped that pleading would be enough. He had only done it once before, two and a half years ago outside Gryffindor common room and that had been unsuccessful.

"Why should we believe you Snape?" The suspicion in James' voice was evident. "It's a trap" he said, turning to Lily.

"You think I would come here and risk a traitor's death for a laugh? My life might not mean much to you but it does to me! Besides, how could warning you of danger be a trap?"

"You filthy Deatheater. I knew it!"

"Listen, you fucking twat, call whoever you want, lock me up, I don't care, just keep Lily safe, and keep your child safe! The danger is very real. Your location is widely known, you must go…now preferably." Severus angry eyes bore into James who was stuck speechless by their intensity. His crowing froze on his lips as the words sunk in, and the real threat, on his doorstep, stopped his bravado.

"Lily, call Dumbledore" James said, his movements suddenly becoming hurried as he moved from his vulnerable position in the middle of the doorway.

"What? No. Why?" Severus asked confusion evident on his face. He had expected James to call the other marauders, or the Aurors, not their old headmaster.

"Never mind you." James replied before pointing his wand at Severus.

Severus tried to control his heartbeat as he felt binds tighten around his body, drawing his arms close to his chest, constricting his breathing. He tried to ignore the rising fear as he was silenced and petrified. His eyes stared unblinkingly as fingertips came towards his eyes and drew his eyelids down, submerging him in darkness. He gave into the panic he felt being this vulnerable as his hearing grew muffled and then ceased altogether.

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The next moment Severus came to he was in a completely different room, or it felt like a completely different room. With magic it was possible that his surroundings and environment had been altered to the extent he did not recognize it, whilst still being in exactly the same place.

He was sat, bound by rope to a chair with his shirt sleeves rolled above the elbow, exposing the Dark Mark. In front of him sat Albus Dumbledore.

"Ah good, your awake." Dumbledore gently crossed his arms and leant back in the armchair. His gaze coldly assessed the young man in front of him.

Severus stared as that was all that seemed forthcoming. He pressed his lips together in a tight line. It tended to have a habit of running on its own in these types of situations and it had only ever gotten him into worse trouble, particularly when faced with the Headmaster.

The silence in the room was starting to get oppressive when Dumbledore next spoke. "You know Severus… I can wait all day, and night… it is fortunate that it is the school holidays. You have my undivided attention".

"Oh goody", It came out as a quiet whisper, but he saw Dumbledore's eyes narrow at the response.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way Severus…" Dumbledore intoned. "You're a Deatheater. You've wanted to be a Deatheater for a very long time, unless I'm mistaken. Now, why would you suddenly come here? What does Voldemort want Severus?"

"It's not…. I didn't… He didn't send me." Severus replied, tensing against the rope. He bit back a huff. The ropes were very, very secure. He wouldn't be able to undo them with wandless magic. Even if he had a wand he might struggle. He certainly couldn't undo them fast enough to escape from the Headmaster.

"Forgive me if I don't believe you. It seems we will have to do this the hard way" Dumbledore replied after a quick nod and a look at something behind Severus.

Severus tried to twist to look at what, or who, Dumbledore had gestured to but the ropes were too tight. He bucked and struggled as he felt a hand close round his nose, pulling his head back and another hand prize his mouth open. He sputtered and spat as liquid was poured down his throat. Severus' eyes widened as he felt the veritaserum take effect.

"That's illegal… you've given me too much." His voice broke as he panicked. He felt his body go numb as the drug took effect. Felt his head become thick and heavy, slowing his thoughts. There was a reason only three drops were used. For a start the potion was expensive and hard to make, no need to waste more than necessary. Not only that but the side effects of overdosing could be anything ranging from a slightly slow heartbeat to seizures, which sometimes had the unfortunate effect of killing the victim. Severus shook his head as he tried to think through the white mist in his mind and metaphorically crossed his fingers that he had spat out enough.

"Yes it is" Dumbledore replied apparently unconcerned, "a bit too enthusiastic there, we want him talkative, not dead." he added looking over Severus' head. "Now then, are you here on Voldemorts' orders?"

"No."

"Does Lord Voldemort plan to kill the Potters?"

"Yes…" Severus bit his tongue to stop himself from speaking, but unsuccessfully. His next sentence was forced out despite the blood he felt filling his mouth. "He knows, he knows about the prophecy… he plans to kill the child, kill the family…The Longbottoms' are in danger too." He added as an afterthought.

"When? When does he plan to attack?"

"I don't know. I came to warn them… I don't want them to die… not because of me. They need to leave, they need to hide."

"You took the prophecy to Lord Voldemort." It was a statement not a question but Severus answered it anyway. Compelled by the Veritaserum.

"Yes, but I didn't think he would take it seriously… I didn't know… I swear I didn't know….please stop" Severus choked back a sob as a tear ran down his face. As his inhibitions were lowered by the drug he felt himself loose what little composure he had at the beginning of the interrogation.

Dumbledore looked on impassively at the crying nineteen year old in front of him. "I wonder what effect this will have on your life debt to James. An interesting theoretical quandary don't you think Severus."

"I imagine it will remain the same as it was… I have tried to remedy the damage I inflicted by repeating the prophecy, by warning them… by pleading with them to leave the country, and asking Lord Voldemort to spare her…" He panted. "I can do no more on that account. I put them in jeopardy unknowingly… I do not owe anyone on that score, bar my conscience. If I die with the life debt unfulfilled it will rebound on my kin. If Potter dies and I have not saved him when I have been in a position to do so, I will die as well. That is how it works is it not? "

"Yes… found that book in the library did you? But I think you can help Severus… That you are in a position to repay the life debt, to save them all, not just Lily." He added in a disgusted voice.

"I don't understand…. I can't… He will kill me if he knows I have come here… That I have warned them. I can't do anymore. It would be suicide." His voice slowed and he stuttered the last words out.

Severus' head dropped on his chest as he heard Dumbledore's voice echo from what seemed to be a great distance "You used too much…" His eyes stared into Dumbledore's as his head was forced upwards by his chin for the second time in the same day.

"You have 24 hours to give me an answer Severus…."

"Answer… to… what?" His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth and slurred as he tried to speak.

"To whether you will help save the Potters… whether will you spy on Lord Voldemort, for me?" The voice returned, more distant than the last sentence. "Leave him on the doorstep of his home, Spinner's End."

Severus felt the bonds vanish and his body become weightless as he floated out the chair into a strangers hard grasp. His eyes shut despite the effort to keep them open, to look at who held him… who would now know where he lived.

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Severus' nose twitched as the antiseptic smell invaded his nostrils. He smothered his impulse to move, to open his eyes, and instead strained to interpret theunfamiliar sounds he could hear.

After wondering what the strange beeping was and being none the wiser he decided to open his eyes. He was obviously pants at guessing and was getting worried that someone would realize he was awake and catch him unawares because he was preoccupied with an obviously fruitless task.

It took five attempts for him to open his eyes successfully and a good few minutes to become accustomed to the bright light. He couldn't help but stare in confusion at the man sitting in the chair next to his bed.

"Needn't look like so confused you git. What do you expect when you appear with a pop at the front door looking like death warmed up." Tobias murmured in an undertone. Severus followed the pointed head jerk that accompanied the statement and took note of the Auror in the red uniform standing in the corner of the room.

"I…" Severus felt his eyes shut on their own accord "I'm too tired … what happened? Where am I?"

"Go back to sleep, I'll explain when your more awake." Severus' brows knitted as he felt the covers being drawn up to his chest and tucked firmly around him. "I'm going to tell the nurses you're awake at bloody last".