"What if Severus Snape's loyalty does not lie within a certain Dark Lord nor a prestigious headmaster— but it lies within a lady who possesses such love for the dark mark instead?"

Severus was getting tired of pretending. His role as a double agent for Dumbledore was not helping him at all. He could see his own ruin as the time went on, and his nightmares did not stop haunting him. He wanted it to stop, but he knew he could not. He had a big responsibility to carry, which burdened him every day.

That was until he met you. If Severus did not know you, he would think that you were such an innocent lady who was forced to become a Death Eater. With your sweet smile and the gleam in your eyes, he would not recognise you as one of the dark mark bearers.

However, Severus knew who you were. You were Lucius Malfoy's little sister, the one that he protected so much and kept you away from the dark side. It was not necessary though because you were willing to become one of them, without anyone have to force you to do so.

Severus had never seen you before you joined the Death Eaters, your brother hid you well from the eyes of the world. But when the dark mark was finally burned on your skin, there was no hiding anymore. You belonged among them.

There was no denying that Severus Snape was starting to look forward for the Death Eaters meeting, knowing that he could see you. The first time he talked to you, he felt as if the air was forced out of his lung, enchanted by your voice. He knew he was falling.

Severus could not help but felt that he was getting pulled towards the Dark Lord's side even more rather than helping the order. He was not sure if his feelings were caused by your presence as a Death Eater. Surely, he was starting to love the power that he had in the dark side, and the chance to win your heart.

"I admire you, Severus. Your strength and loyalty, everything about you."

You said to him that night after a meeting, and Severus' breath was hitched. Loyalty? He wondered where did his loyalty lie at the moment. But he did not mind it as he just cared about the fact that you admired him.

"There's a lot of things you do not know about me, Y/N. I'm afraid you wouldn't admire me that much if you discover them."

He said, a smirk was dancing on his lips as he stood tall, towering over you. You looked up at him with a smile, not intimidated at all by his height.

"I think we have time to learn about each other."

You responded, putting your hands on his chest. Severus looked you in the eyes, seeing his whole world reflected in your pair of beautiful orbs.

Severus Snape realised he was falling. He knew his loyalty to Dumbledore was slipping away, but he could not care less because he was sure even if he slipped, he would fall right into your arms. He wanted to fall.

Severus was usually not involved in the dark side missions, however he always wanted to make sure that you were safe. And you were one of the Dark Lord's trusted people who he always sent off for missions. He found himself willing to go with you, putting his own life on the line.

"If you ever turn your back on us, I won't hesitate to kill you."

You warned him, a smirk was cracked on your lips. If he was in right of his mind, he would feel threatened but he just gave you a nod. Suddenly, he was sure that he would never turn his back on you, a Death Eater.

"Don't worry, Y/N. We're together in this."

He was true to his words. Severus was no longer pretending to belong there. He finally knew what he wanted and which side would he stay.

It was imprudent, many would say but they were not Severus. He just knew his life was going to be better that he had you. And he was not going to betray you, he would never even try to betray you.

"I feel like we're dreaming."

You said, as both of you were gazing at the stars. Severus stayed at the manor for the night at your request, wanting to spend more time with him. He would never say no to you.

"Why is that?"

He asked, watching in awe as a smile was painted on your face.

"We're in the dark times, Severus. I should feel distraught about everything and yet, I think I'm happy here."

Severus chuckled at your words. He understood what you were saying. He used to carry the guilt of hurting the innocent people, for the sake of his missions. However, the guilt disappeared if he did it together with you.

Seeing the satisfaction on your face after a mission got him every time. He knew it was wrong. He knew he should never felt good after hurting those people but still, it made you happy. He noticed you enjoyed it, and there was no running from it. He fell right into your love trap, feeling good about the dark side as well.

"Perhaps we're happy because we're together in this."

He muttered, and you nodded. You put your head on his shoulder, trusting Severus with all of your heart. There was never a doubt when you were with him. He would never stab you in the back.

There was an unspoken feeling between you and him but neither of you would want to say it out loud. Perhaps it was better that way. Loving each other in silence, maybe that was enough.

It changed when you were sent to a dangerous mission without Severus. You had to go alone and your brother was freaking out, but you assured him that you were going to be fine. You promised them that you would succeed.

When you came back, you were right. The mission was a success, as you would never fail to impress the Death Eaters. But you came back hurt and wounded, scaring Severus and Lucius who almost got a heart attack from your state. You were bloodied and badly injured but still trying to look as if you were fine.

Severus did not waste any second to heal you. You almost laughed seeing the worry in his eyes, but when he glared at you, you knew he was really worried about you.

"Please don't scare me like that again."

He whispered, cupping your face in his hands. You realised how strong he felt for you, and you never wanted to let him go.

"I didn't know you worry about me that much, Severus."

"Can't you see how much I care for you?"

He said desperately, and he was going to leave when you curled your hand around his shirt, pulling him closer to you and kissed him. Severus kissed you back almost immediately, wrapping his arms around your waist. You left him breathless, a smirk was on your face.

"I know you love me. I hope you know that I love you too."

You whispered, and he did not wait any second to kiss you again, letting you lead him fully to the dark side and he knew there was no going back. Severus was falling and he was not stopping.

"The Unbreakable Vow. I trust you, but it's my sister we're talking about here."

Severus was shocked with Lucius' words, but he agreed, knowing that your safety was salient for your brother.

"You don't have to do this."

You tried to stop him from taking the vow, but he just shook his head. Your safety was everything to him too, and he would die if it meant to protect you. You watched with tears in your eyes as your brother took Severus' arm, and Narcissa's words began to echo in the room.

"Will you Severus Snape, watch over Y/N Malfoy as she attempts to fulfil the Dark Lord's wishes?"

Severus eyes landed on you as the words sinked in his mind, and you were wretched. You never wanted the one that you love to sacrifice for you.

"I will."

Severus vowed, without any doubt in his heart. He knew he wanted to do it for you.

"Will you protect her from harm, and will you die for her?"

"I will."

Your eyes widen, and there was a lump in your throat. He loved so much and now you realised it. But it did not help the fact that you despised the vow that he was taking for your sake.

"Will you kill for her?"

Severus inhaled deeply, seeing Lucius who was eyeing him suspiciously. Perhaps your brother was still having doubts about his love for you.

He moved his gaze towards you and he gave you a comforting smile, which sent warmth wrapped around your heart.

"I will."

You let out a breath that you did not realise you were holding when your love was taking the Unbreakable Vow. As soon as it was over, you ran into his arms and he quickly wrapped you in his arms protectively.

His eyebrows were knitted together when he realised that you were crying into his chest. He had never seen you cry before and the sound of your heart-wrenching sobs was suffocating him.

"Please don't cry, love."

He caressed your face softly, wiping your tears.

"I don't want you to put yourself in danger because of me."

Your voice cracked, unable to hide your sorrow. Severus smiled, planting a kiss on your forehead lovingly.

"With or without the Unbreakable Vow, I will always protect you with my life because I love you."

His sweet words melted your heart and you smiled. You knew even in the darkest times, you and Severus would stay together. You were strong alone and so was Severus, but with both of you together, the world was not ready for the power that your love held.

"Kiss me."

You whispered, and Severus kissed you with so much passion and love that he poured for you. Perhaps time stopped when his lips found yours, but the flutter only intensified. He could only focus on how perfect you felt kissing him. Heat rose from your stomach to your chest, deepening the kiss as he pulled you closer by your waist.

Severus' role as the double agent was long forgotten since the first time he laid his eyes on you. If before this he was unsure, now he knew where his loyalty lie within. His love, his loyalty, his body and soul— all of him was for you. For that he knew, with you by his side, together both of you were unstoppable.

He wanted more of you, the glory of life that he would get from loving you. He was not going to turn his back on you. He belonged to you, and if he ever betrayed you, he would let death take him willingly. You and him shared the same love and passion, walking in the same shadows. Severus Snape would love and adore you, and he would only live for you. You and him, possessing the power of love that no one had ever seen before.

He chose a side and it was your side, that he would never leave.

-
THIS IS MY FAVOURITE SO FAR <3

i hope you enjoy reading this as much as i enjoy writing it!

29th December 2020