Chapter Text
Severus hated his life.
It was no surprise.
The moment he was born, he was treated like a slave by his own father, sent to work and buy beer for him, and suffering the abuse he inflicted everyday in his life. All the money in the run-down home in the Spinner’s End, if it was even suitable to be called a home, were all spent on beer bottles.
Severus’s mother was different, a kind soul, a witch, unlike her muggle husband. She would protect Severus from his father, tell stories to him, love him with all her might.
She would whisper stories about the greatest Wizarding School in the world to Severus. Tales about magic and knowledge far beyond the world.
And so once Severus had reached eleven years old, he entered Hogwarts.
But boy, how wrong his mother was.
The sweet stories about Hogwarts were all illusions, masks, to cover up the unimaginable horrors in the school. Within months, all the trust young Severus had left was shattered, raining down like broken glass.
The taunts. The laughter. The mockery.
The bullying.
From the Marauders.
Years later, Severus has lost his only companion, Lily, a bright girl with blazing green eyes, she filled darkness with light that even lumos couldn’t reach, a shining light for the lost. A beacon of hope.
He had loved Lily, truly, but he hurt her, and drove her away, just like everyone had said he would do.
He begged her. For a chance, just a chance, in hopes of salvaging their broken friendship.
But Lily said no.
It was too late.
And now, she was with the Marauders.
After that, the news of his mother’s death reached him.
It had been a long time since Severus had truly spoke with her. Eileen Prince became more depressed each year, retreating to her room for hours on end.
Severus still grieved her anyway.
Now, he stood at the top of the astronomy tower, watching the view quietly.
The cool air smelled of fresh rain and quiet midnight. Millions of tiny diamond points pierced through the fabric of the dark, and the crescent moon hung low, glowing silver like a patronus.
Severus looked down from his position. From his height, he could see the Quidditch stadium, the Forest and the Herbology classroom.
It was peaceful in a way that Severus had never experienced before.
Severus helped himself to a small smile.
The next day, there would be no more suffering. No more hatred. No more pain.
He would be free.
He could play with his mother, and he would look at her and say “Ma, I love you.”
They would brew potions together, and never be separated again. Nothing would change that.
Taking a deep breath, Severus let the tension drain away from his tired body.
And he jumped.