Severus woke up in a hospital bed at the Best magical hospital, surrounded by potions and bandages. He had survived the snake attack, thanks to an antidote he had prepared just in case. But he didn't feel grateful, he felt guilty.

Severus touched his neck, where a deep scar reminded him of the snakebite. It was the mark of his failure, of his shame, of his pain.

What was the point of going on living, now that it was all over? What place did he have in the magical world, now that he was hated by some and despised by others? What future awaited him, now that he was alone and without purpose?

Now, Severus found himself in a new dilemma. What to do with his life? For years, he had lived in Albus' service, hiding his allegiance to the side of light and risking his life as a spy. He had sacrificed everything for the love of Lily , the only woman he had ever loved and lost to his former master.

But now, Albus was gone, Lily was gone, and Harry had fulfilled his destiny as the boy who had lived. Snape had nothing and no one to fight for. He felt empty, alone and guilty. Guilty for all the lives that had been lost in the war, for all the atrocities he had witnessed and committed, for failing to protect those he loved most.

Snape had received an offer to return to the castle as a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. It was ironic, he thought, that after so many years of longing for the position, he would now turn it down. He didn't feel capable of teaching young wizards and witches how to defend themselves against the forces of evil, when he himself had been a part of them. Nor did he want to go back to the painful memories of the castle, where he had experienced his best and worst moments.

Snape decided that it was best to stay away from the dark arts, he dedicated himself to the only thing he had left: potions. Snape was a master of potions after all

He didn't know what to do, but he didn't care, he had nothing else, living in a cabina, Until you knocked on his door.

He opens. "You..."