Location — Godric's Hollow, England
Date — November 30, 1981
Snape's POV
Frigid winds swept through the graveyard of Godric's Hollow, adding to the solemnity of the event. The cold morning perfectly matched his cold heart. The entirety of the Wizarding World had arrived here to pay final respects to Lily's Son.
A small casket was placed there, empty, just as his heart felt.
He tried to hold back the tears that threatened to escape his eyes. His Lily was not here to say goodbye to her son. She was in St. Mungo's, unaware of what had befallen her family.
"The Boy Who Died ": whispering voices floated around the gathering. He almost scoffed aloud at the sheer stupidity of the masses.
Grief and agony dwelled in his heart, but he was unable to show it. He was not in the gathering to grieve. He was there — to look for any clue, any sign, anything that could indicate that this had not happened. That he was not responsible for the death of a toddler, that he was not liable for Lily's condition.
Black and Lupin were standing near the casket. Their faces, wet with tears, were too much for him. He wanted to blame them for this. He wanted to blame that damn insolent Potter for this.
But, they were not the ones who committed this atrocity. It was him, HIM, who went & told the Dark Lord about the prophecy. The memory of that cursed meeting was still crystal clear in his mind.
Flashback Begins
"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…" His formal voice filled the room, eyes low, head bowed in front of the Dark Lord.
Dark Lord stood up from his throne. His footsteps echoed through the room, filling the suffocating silence that threatened to choke him.
"Are you sure that the prophecy is real Severus?" Dark Lord's sinister voice caused his body to shiver.
"Yes My Lord. Sybill Trelawney is really a seer. I had checked her background, she is the great-great-granddaughter of the seer Cassandra Trelawney." Dark Lord became silent after that.
After a few moments of agonizing silence, the Dark Lord's cold voice slithered its way into his ears, "Ok, Severus, you can leave now. I will deal with this matter soon."
He left the room with his head still bowed in reverence, the Dark Lord's approval ringing in his ears.
Only later did the full weight settle over him. He had not simply delivered the prophecy, He had delivered a death sentence for Lily.
Flashback End
He closed his eyes to get a hold of his emotions. The memories of that day still haunted him.
He tightened his jaw and observed Black. Black's eyes were swollen and red from crying. He looked like a pale ghost as if he was completely exhausted. It was understandable as he considered Potter his brother. And, as far as he knew, Black was also the child's Godfather. Still, he was unable to protect the child, what a waste!
He shifted his gaze to Lupin.
The werewolf looked much worse than Black. His face was grey with exhaustion. His eyes were hollowed with misery. Lupin looked like a last leaf on a dying plant.
They had no right to feel sad when they were equally accountable for the tragedy that had befallen Lily and her child. They defied the Dark Lord at every turn of their life. If they had stayed away from war, if they had stayed away from the Order, the child would have been breathing. But Potter wanted to become a hero, and, in his mindless pursuit, led his family to this.
'FOOL!'
The rituals for burying the child had begun, and both the werewolf and Black were trying their best not to break down in the middle of the ceremony.
As the Coffin was lowered into the grave, he felt a sense that someone was approaching him. As he gazed sideways, he saw Lucius Malfoy, coming right toward him with his serpent-hooded cane in his hand.
Malfoy came & stood right next to him. His aristocratic face was dripping with fake gloom.
"A tragedy, isn't it," he said calmly, "The boy… at such a young age, should not be in a grave."
Snape kept his eyes on the grave, "Indeed."
"And, how can I forget about James & Lily. What a waste." Lucius gazed at him, "One must wonder how different things could have been, if those two had made different choices."
His jaw tightened but he didn't respond to Lucius.
Lucius was muted for a moment. Then, still looking ahead, he said lightly, "Care to entertain my little curiosity, Severus. I wonder whether you severed your particular connection with her or not."
His voice came out flat & devoid of emotion, "All the relationship between us evaporated the day she laughed at me."
"Of course," Lucius whispered. Then he adjusted his sleeves and stepped away without waiting for his reply.
'It's good. Let me drown in my sorrows.' his thoughts echoed in his mind as the burial ceremony came to an end.
Snape's cloak fluttered behind him as he ran away to his dungeon in Hogwarts where he could stay without facing the family that he helped to destroy….
FEBRUARY 1983
Location — 6 Healthgate, Hampstead, garden suburb, London
Emma Granger's POV
The laughter of kids echoed through her little house as Harry and Hermione kept running from room to room.
She felt a tiny smile creeping on her face as she tried to remember when there was so much joy on Hermione's face.
Hermione never got along with other kids her age. They got easily intimidated by her intelligence and she was always left alone by others.
But, since Harry had come into their lives, everything had changed. Hermione had come out of her shell. Whenever two of them were together, chaos followed them.
Over the last few months, the Smiths and the Grangers had begun sharing childcare without ever discussing it. Harry and Hermione moved between the two houses as if they belonged to both families.
Sometimes, she felt as though she had two children.
She was just about to head to the kitchen when she heard the pounding of small feet.
'Looks like my little goblins are coming to me' Emma thought in glee.
As they both skidded to a stop in front of her, she looked at their faces.
Hermione's face was flushed red and her breath was heavy from all the running she had done since the morning. Meanwhile, other goblin had his face scrunched in anger as he pouted adorably.
"Why don't you listen to me?" Harry's childish voice filled her ears, as Harry and Hermione delved into another childish argument on 'who's better'.
Hermione whirled toward Harry as she planted her hands on her hips, "Because you are wrong Harry. Danger Mouse is the best."
"No, he isn't. Postman Pat is strong and way better." Harry's pout deepened.
"Danger Mouse is way more clever. He can outsmart everyone." Hermione's voice also rose in volume.
"No, he can't," Harry replied, frustration evident in his voice.
Before they could continue, the sound of the doorbell interrupted their argument. Both of their faces fell, as they knew it was Grace at the door.
Emma approached the gates and found Grace standing there with a smile on her face. They quickly exchanged greetings, and then moved inside.
As Grace entered the drawing room, she laughed at the faces that Harry and Hermione were making.
"Looks like you are still debating Winnie and Baloo," Grace stated with her skill still adorning her face.
"No Grace, they have moved on. Now they are debating who's better? Postman Pat or Danger Mouse." Emma replied to her query.
"Of course, Postman Pat is the best." Harry squeaked his opinion, once again starting the argument.
"No, it's Danger Mouse." Hermione resumed her position.
"Okay, Okay….. You can continue this tomorrow, Harry sweetie," Grace, ever the diplomat, stated, putting their discussion to a stop.
Harry and Hermione looked saddened by Grace's statement and quickly put on their puppy-eyed look, "Can't we stay for a few more moments, Mom?"
'I won't bend….. I won't....I....' Emma looked at Grace who had the same look as her.
They both nodded their heads in affirmation, and both kids ran to the upper rooms to play, forgetting their argument completely.
She and Grace shook their heads in mirth & moved to the kitchen to talk.
'It's been a lovely day,' Emma thought to herself happily before she stepped into the kitchen.