DISCLAIMER:

All characters belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

I've been an avid reader of Harry Potter for years and I present to you my first piece of fanfiction. I was really touched by the profound love Snape had for Lily. We all know how Severus reacted to Lily's death, but how would Lily have reacted to Severus's death? Find out in this story. Obviously AU.

A Sacrifice of Love

Severus Snape was staring idly in front of him, thinking. Eighteen months had passed since he had overheard the Prophecy:

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."

As soon as the bartender had thrown him out of the Hog's Head, he had realised that Sybill Trelawney's words contained valuable information. Like a puppy wanting to please his owner, Severus had gone to the Dark Lord to relay the Prophecy. At first he had been pleased. After the death of this 'Chosen One' nobody could stop the purification of Wizardry of all those unworthy and inferior. But everything changed when Severus pondered over the meaning of the Prophecy. The child would be born at the end of July to those who thrice defied the Dark Lord. From his countless encounters with the Order of the Phoenix in battle, he knew only two expectant couples who fitted that description. Alice and Frank Longbottom and James and Lily Potter. Lily….the only person he loved. He, Severus Snape, had put her straight in the path of her worst enemy. He had panicked and had asked for a private audience with the Dark Lord. Much to his relief, and surprise, the Dark Lord had granted him the audience. Then he had begged for Lily's life. The Dark Lord told him that he would 'consider'it. Severus, however, knew the Dark Lord well enough that he wouldn't bother sparing her if she stood in his way. And he knew Lily well enough that she would do exactly that.

The relief that had flooded him when the Dark Lord made his 'promise' didn't last long and before the end of that particular night, the panic had returned stronger than before. Severus needed more insurances for Lily's safety and he had done the unthinkable. He had arranged a meeting with the Dark Lord's nemesis, Albus Dumbledore. At first the Hogwarts Headmaster had dismissed his fears and he even called him 'disgusting' when Severus had told of his attempt to get Lily spared and leave James Potter and his son to their fates. But in the end the old wizard relented and offered Severus a chance to save her. Although Severus had pressed Dumbledore for a visible role in the Order of the Phoenix, so that he might be able to better protect Lily and also to earn her forgiveness, Dumbledore considered him more valuable as a spy. Since the Dark Lord too had ordered Severus to spy, he effectively became a double agent. His skills in Occlumency had come in handy in the last months.

A couple of weeks ago Dumbledore had summoned Severus to his office and he had been informed of a security leak within the Order of the Phoenix. Through Legilimency Snape had sensed that Dumbledore had a faint idea of where the leak might be, but he also sensed that Dumbledore was either unsure or that he wasn't willing to share his suspicions with an ex-Death Eater. Severus assumed the latter. Anyway, Dumbledore had tasked him with gathering information about possible Death Eater spies in the Order. Through booze and Legilimency Severus had tried to trick Augustus Rookwood, the Dark Lord's spymaster, into revealing the names of new spies. Rookwood hadn't been suspicious at all and he even gave Severus a name, Wormtail. The name somehow sounded strangely familiar to Severus, but it didn't reveal the turncoat's identity. He had discretely pressed Rookwood for more information about this 'Wormtail', but Rookwood told him the spy received 'special treatment' from the Dark Lord, which meant that the Dark Lord only engaged in private meetings with the turncoat and wouldn't even let Rookwood in on the man's secrets.

Severus's thoughts wandered to Lily. He felt the urge to check whether she was allright, even though Dumbledore informed him yesterday that he had placed Lily's home under the Fidelius Charm. If only the Potters pick a reliable Secret Keeper, Severus thought. He felt a wave of anger flow through him when he thought about the idea that Lily's life was in the hands of Potter and his lazy friends, the Marauders. He, Severus Snape, should be protecting the love of his life, not that messy, arrogant fool James Potter. His internal rant was interrupted when he felt a burning sensation on his left forearm. He rolled up his sleeve and looked at the Dark Mark. A skull was staring him in the eye, a snake crawling menacingly from its mouth. Severus sighed, the Dark Lord wanted him to attend one of his meetings. Severus touched the Mark and he instantly Disapparated to an unknown location.

Severus Apparated at an abandoned farm. Soon he heard more loud bangs and he saw more Death Eaters Apparate. Finally the Dark Lord himself Apparated into the farm's courtyard. Severus could see that the Dark Lord was in a celebratory mood. The Dark Lord's eyes gazed across the faces of his followers. Then he started to speak: "Good, my faithful followers. It's good that you've showed up in such great numbers, for I have a very important announcement to make". Bellatrix Lestrange, never letting an opportunity to flatter the Dark Lord pass by, asked with a yearning voice: "What announcement is it that you wish to make, Great Lord?"

The Dark Lord grinned at Bellatrix and answered: "If you let me speak, you will hear that it is of great importance, Bella".

Even though any sane soul would have interpreted the Dark Lord's remark as a mild reproach, Bellatrix, no sane soul, smiled as if she had been given a great compliment. The Dark Lord halted for a couple of seconds, so that all eyes would be fixed on his lips.

He then made his announcement: "For some weeks I have been privy to important information about the Order of the Phoenix. One of its members has finally seen the light and has volunteered to spy for us". Even though he tried not to show anymore interest than usual, Severus leaned forward slightly as the Dark Lord confirmed Dumbledore's suspicions of a mole in the Order. Severus was keen to hear the rest of the announcement and listened while the Dark Lord continued: "Yesterday the spy delivered the crucial piece of information that will lead to the downfall of the Order of the Phoenix and our final triumph". The other Death Eaters cheered loudly at the news of their impending victory.

Severus was stunned and alarmed. What kind of information did the Dark Lord get his hands on? Severus was a skilled Legilimens, but it had never crossed his mind to try Legilimency on the Dark Lord, who after all was a very skilled Occlumens. Not until now, at least. The fact that the Order, and Lily with it, could be overrun prompted him into action. He carefully drew his wand, concealed it behind his cloak and muttered, non-verbally, "Legilimens". To minimise the possibility of the Dark Lord detecting his presence in his mind, Severus emptied himself of all emotion. Because of the lack of eye contact, Severus found it difficult to get a hold of the Dark Lord's emotions and thoughts. Fortunately the Dark Lord had his guard down and Severus's environment changed from the abandoned farm to the subconscious part of the Dark Lord's mind. In the background he heard the Dark Lord's voice deliver his announcement to what appeared to be a very distant world. At first irrelevant memories flashed in front of Severus's eyes, like Tom Riddle spending his days at an orphanage. Severus tried to focus on the emotions of the Dark Lord instead. He felt the strongest of the Dark Lord's emotions, triumph, glee and joy, course through his body.

The memories associated with the emotions now followed each other. He saw and heard himself relay the Prophecy to the Dark Lord, before the scene changed to Augustus Rookwood giving the Dark Lord information.

"The Longbottoms' baby is due to be born in the third week of July, the Potter child is expected in the beginning of August", Severus heard Rookwood say.

Severus found it difficult to control his emotions as he witnessed himself and Rookwood betray Lily. The scene changed again and now Severus looked upon a man of his own age. Suddenly he recognised him. Peter Pettigrew, one of Potter's friends! This had to be the mole Dumbledore had been talking about. Severus listened to the conversation between Pettigrew and the Dark Lord.

"What information do you have for me, Wormtail?", the Dark Lord asked.

Severus now remembered the stupid nicknames the Marauders used to have for one another, like Proudfoot and Wormtail, which Potter always used to refer to Pettigrew. Severus concentrated on Pettigrew, who answered the Dark Lord's question:

"Dumbledore has placed the Potter home under the Fidelius Charm, Mylord."

Severus couldn't believe his ears, this memory couldn't be more than a day old, for Dumbledore informed him yesterday that the Fidelius had been put in place. The Dark Lord's face showed anger and he asked:

"And I suppose you don't know how to circumvent the Fidelius Charm?"

A gleeful grin appeared on Pettigrew's ratty face and he answered the Dark Lord: "In fact I do know how to circumvent the Charm, Mylord. In their foolishness the Potters have named me their Secret Keeper".

Severus could no longer control his emotions. Panic and a sense of defeat took hold of him. He had failed Lily. Through his own betrayal and Pettigrew's defection Lily would be killed. At the same time the memories in front of his eyes faded and he noticed that the Dark Lord was closing his mind against him. The Dark Lord had become aware of Severus's presence in his mind and the distant voice in the background had stopped talking.

Instead of the abandoned farm reappearing as Severus had expected, he saw new memories appear in front of him. He saw his father yell at his cowering mother, while he was crying in the corner. Severus realised the Dark Lord was invading his own mind now and he desperately tried to shut his mind against him. But his Occlumency skills failed him and he saw more memories flashing by. He saw the playground where he and Lily had first met. He then saw the meadow where they had spend a lot of time together. He cringed when he witnessed his Worst Memory.

"I don't need help from filthy Mudbloods like you!", he heard himself yell.

It looked like the Dark Lord was searching for different information because the pace at which the memories flashed by increased. He once again saw himself deliver the Prophecy to the Dark Lord, before his conversation with Dumbledore on the hilltop appeared in front of him. "What do I get in return?", Severus heard Dumbledore ask. He heard himself say: "In return? Anything."

All of a sudden Severus was back at the farm. As he looked around him he saw the confused faces of the Death Eaters, staring at the Dark Lord and each other. It couldn't have escaped their notice that the Dark Lord had suddenly stopped talking in the midst of his announcement.

"You traitor!", the Dark Lord hissed at Severus, before he aimed his wand at Severus and disarmed him.

Severus's wand was launched through the air, hitting the ground several yards away.

"I should have known you would betray me when you begged for that Mudblood's life!", bellowed the Dark Lord.

Still somewhat confused, Lucius Malfoy interjected and asked: "Mylord, you mean that Snape has begged for the life of Lily Potter?"

"Yes, and then he went straight up to Dumbledore and asked him to protect her. He even offered him his allegiance", the Dark Lord answered, more calmly now.

The Death Eaters started to murmur loudly, until Bellatrix cried out:

"Mylord, this traitor must be punished!"

"Don't you worry, Bella. You know how I deal with disloyalty".

The Dark Lord once again aimed his wand at Severus and uttered a spell: "Crucio!"

Severus felt a fierce pain go through his body. It was as if thousands of hot needles were puncturing his skin. Severus had witnessed the effects of the Cruciatus Curse firsthand, but they were infinitely worse than he could possibly have imagined. He heard several Death Eaters cast the Cruciatus Curse too and the pain increased even more. He had to get word out of Pettigrew's betrayal to Dumbledore. Severus was now riving on the floor in pain. He rolled onto something sharp. When his hand clasped the object, he realised that it was his own wand. Whilst the Death Eaters were laughing in amusement, Severus was searching for happy memories. He thought about how he and Lily used to talk about Hogwarts at the meadow and about the plans Lily and he had made at Hogwarts. Even though the pain was sapping his strength Severus raised his wand and at the top of his lungs he yelled:

"Expecto Patronum!"

A doe sprang from the tip of Severus's wand. Its silverly light was brighter than anything Severus had ever seen and he covered his eyes. The Dark Lord and the Death Eaters were blinded by the bright light and the pain in Severus's body disappeared. He saw how the doe galloped away from the farm, carrying a message that could save Lily's life. Hopefully, it would reach Dumbledore in time.

"That was quite impressive magic, Snape. But it won't save you", the Dark Lord remarked.

The Dark Lord had gotten back to his feet and now aimed his wand at Severus. Severus tried to raise his arm, but the Cruciatus Curse had drained his strength.

"Avada Kedavra!", the Dark Lord uttered and a green bolt of light emerged from the tip of his wand.

As the green bolt hit him in the chest, Severus heard Lucius Malfoy shout: "Morsmordre!"