Harry Potter 1976 : I'm Snape ?! Time to Looksmaxx.

Snape's pupils constricted sharply, disbelief gripping him as he stared at the familiar figure standing in the doorway.

"Li… Lily?"

Why was she here with Dumbledore? And why had she come in the pouring storm of this late night?

What on earth had happened?

Her soaked red hair clung to her pale cheeks, those always-bright green eyes now dull and lifeless.

Her lips trembled but no sound came.

Seeing her shivering figure, Snape stepped forward instinctively and drew his wand, performing a subtle, intricate movement that sent a warm mist curling from its tip.

He pointed his wand at her soaked cloak; steam rose gently, filling the dim sitting room with a soft fog.

He was about to turn his wand toward Dumbledore when he noticed the Headmaster had already dried his robes with a practiced calm, the cool blue eyes behind half-moon spectacles watching him quietly.

"Hope I'm not disturbing you, Severus," Dumbledore said, his voice cold and clipped.

"Not at all." Snape waved his wand and silently pulled out a chair by the table, motioning them to sit.

Turning toward the kitchen, he kindled a small flame; soon the kettle began to whistle.

When Snape returned with the tray, Dumbledore sat silently opposite Lily, who remained motionless—a hollow shell, her breathing faint.

He set the steaming cups before them, but neither moved to touch their tea.

"What's happened?" Snape asked quietly.

No answer came.

Dumbledore remained oppressively silent.

Then, suddenly, Lily's shoulders shook violently as silent sobs began.

Snape hurried to her side.

Before he could think to comfort her, Lily clung to his waist as if drowning, gripping his robes tightly, burying her head against him.

Snape froze. He felt her trembling through their bodies pressed together; warm tears soaked his clothes.

After a pause, he cautiously raised his hand and gently rested it on that familiar red hair, saying nothing.

Time passed. Lily's sobbing gradually subsided.

She loosened her hold.

He watched silently as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand; her emerald eyes were swollen and red.

"I'll get you a blanket," he whispered, but was stopped by Dumbledore's movement.

With a soft flick of his wand, Lily's sorrowful green eyes slowly closed. She trembled and tipped forward.

Snape caught her forehead just in time to support her.

"She's exhausted," Dumbledore explained, his voice weary. "Crying helps. Let her rest for now."

Snape carefully laid Lily on the guest bed and covered her with a thin blanket.

He watched the tear tracks at her eyes and that bloodless face for a moment before returning to the sitting room.

"Professor," Snape asked softly, "what exactly happened?"

"The Dark Mark appeared over the Evans' home. Mr. and Mrs. Evans were found collapsed in their living room," Dumbledore said coldly. "If Lily hadn't been out, you might not have seen her at all."

"I had planned to fetch you today to introduce you to the Order, but then received word from Montague that the Death Eaters intended to 'purge' Muggle-born wizarding families, protesting the current policy allowing them to learn magic," Dumbledore's tone was low. "By the time the Order and I reached the Evans', it was too late."

Snape remembered Mr. Evans warmly greeting him the previous summer.

"What about Petunia? Lily's sister—is she home?" he asked.

"No one else was there," Dumbledore said. "We confirmed Petunia was in London and escaped harm."

He stood, moving to the window; his silver hair glimmered faintly in the gloom. Outside, the storm raged on.

"The Death Eaters grow more brazen. At first, they hunted those who resisted them.

"Then, those who merely voiced dissent.

"Now, they reach out to anyone they deem 'impure.'"

Dumbledore turned to Snape. "Now, I want to know—do you still wish to join the Order?"

"Professor," Snape stood calmly, "the moment I handed you the Ravenclaw diadem, I lost any chance of turning back, didn't I? If Tom found out, do you think he'd spare me?"

"Yes," Dumbledore smiled, though without warmth, "but I will keep your secret."

"You certainly should," Snape lowered his voice, "but it changes nothing." His thoughts drifted to those school days. "Though Hogwarts never taught us these things, I believe one cannot always play it safe. Some things… are worth fighting for."

"I want to join the Order too," came a hoarse yet resolute voice from the doorway.

Lily had awakened and stood wrapped in that thin blanket, silently watching.

Dumbledore didn't answer her directly but regarded her quietly.

"I know I need not persuade you, Lily," he said gently, "but you can take some time to consider."

"I don't have time to consider. The Death Eaters won't give me any," Lily's voice held no wavering. "If I don't resist them, will they let me be?"

"Tomorrow," Dumbledore sighed deeply, "tomorrow, you, Severus, and I will meet the other members of the Order."

Silence fell, broken only by the soft patter of rain.

"Professor, I have one more request," Snape broke the silence, "after term begins, please allow my mother to stay at Hogwarts."

Dumbledore nodded. "Will she agree?"

"I doubt she'd approve of me joining the Order," Snape said, "but there's no need to tell her. I'll find a way to get her to accept it."

Lily stepped closer.

Snape met her gaze.

In that instant, memories of the scene outside Gryffindor Tower flickered through his mind.

Slowly, he reached out his hand.

"Lily, last year outside Gryffindor Tower, I never told you—I will never join the Death Eaters."

She took his hand.

Outside, the rain continued to fall.