@defiantcharms liked for a starter
His mask had been lost in the fight, but he had managed to keep his face hidden thanks to his scarf. Things had escalated so quickly, there had been little to do beyond fight and keep himself alive. He lost track of even that much when Destin went down – and now he had to face the consequences of his choices in a new light.
It had made sense at the time, to follow the crowd and try to carve out a name for himself by staying among the proud Slytherin purebloods that had deigned to accept him despite his lower status as a halfblood. When it had become clear the only thing he would be carving was a path of destruction through the lives of innocent people – staying alive and protecting the ones he cared about had mattered more than finding a means to liberation.
Now he had to reconsider. Destin was dead, Lucas was absolutely terrifying about it, and Severus had just helped him and Eric dispose of a body like that was a normal habit. With the airs his friends put off, he feared that if it wasn’t – it certainly would be.
And now this. The pending attack on the Ministry had his heart hammering in his chest – he’d barely made it through the preliminary round and now he was expected to take on the aurors tonight. Worse, he knew who the primary targets were – and he knew there was no way he could allow things to pan out the way they were headed.
Dropping his scarf not long after he had apparated into her neighborhood, Severus hurried down the street with his guard up. Visiting her now could prove dangerous – but he could not afford to have her show up to the Ministry tonight. If he could convince her off, then maybe he could convince himself to keep walking this dreadful tightrope. If he couldn’t – if he couldn’t –
His fist raised, rapping sharply at her door. He didn’t know. He didn’t know what he would do if Lily wouldn’t listen. What he would say to keep her home – what it would cost to protect her. He didn’t know, but with Destin’s unseeing eyes still staring up at him in his mind’s eye, Severus knew one way or another he had to try.
Severely Archived 