Which Alters When It Alteration Finds
CHAPTER FOUR
The next morning found Lily in the nook reading the Daily Prophet.
"James, you were right."
He looked up from the fridge. "Well, duh," James teased, "but what about this time?"
"Voldemort."
Amazing how such a simple word held such power. A split second later, James' demeanor changed entirely. Closing the door to the fridge empty-handed, he quickly pulled up a chair next to Lily and read over her shoulder as she read aloud.
" 'In a surprise attack on a small village in New Castle last night, it has been reported in Muggle newspapers around the area that a family of three has been killed.' " They exchanged identical grave looks. " 'Muggle investigators are flummoxed, but Ministry Aurors are certain this was the work of He Who Must Not Be Named and his infamous Death Eaters. Muggle witness Victoria Edwards says she saw a "bright green sign, like a firework" over the house of the dead. This is obviously an account of You-Know-Who's trademark "Dark Mark," the green skull and snake sign branded to the sky above those he murders. "I was outside letting in my cat, Chairman Meow," continues Victoria…' " But Lily stopped there.
"You said last night you thought Voldemort had targeted a Muggle family, right?"
James' nod was somber as he skimmed the rest of the article.
"But I thought you said you had inside information and that everything was going to be fine?"
"I thought we did!" James ran a hand through his messy mop of hair. "Damn it," he hissed. "Another bad lead…"
"James, honey, don't beat yourself up. We did everything we could."
"I suppose." He continued to stare grimly at the newspaper. "It's just…"
"I know, love."
James stood up. "I'd better go, then. Do you mind if I take the Prophet to headquarters?"
"If you think it'll help, go ahead."
"Thanks, honey." He kissed her swiftly and left the kitchen, pulling on his cloak as he did so. "I'll keep you posted today, okay? Look out for Prongs!"
And he was gone.
Not a minute had gone by when Lily heard a tap at the kitchen window. She turned her head to see an owl fluttering outside. Lily frowned. The owl was unfamiliar but she let it in and examined the small package attached to its leg.
It was addressed to her. She cast all the curse-detection spells she knew, but when they all turned out negative, she was forced to concede it was safe. Careful not to rip the brown wrapping, she opened the package.
Inside was a large stack of folded parchment. Each piece was addressed to "Cody" in the round, careful script of a thirteen year-old girl.
Lily smiled sadly.
Professor Snape stalked back through the halls. His mood was about as cheery as a November day in Scotland. It was just like Albus to praise the Potter boy. Like father, like son, he had no respect for authority but was molly-coddled by all. He felt like kicking something.
Ah, bad idea. Now he was in a foul mood and his foot hurt. This day was turning out to be just wonderful.
When he reached his rooms he poured himself a healthy measure of cognac. When that was finished he poured himself another. And when that was finished he flung himself into his chair by the fireplace. He tried reading, but he ended up skimming the same paragraph over and over, so he tossed the book aside. That damn Potter boy's face kept pervading his mind. He had the same features, the same too-messy hair, even the same voice as James.
Who cared that he had no exceptional magical talent? He was Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived -– heaven forbid if you did not worship the very ground he walked on.
He would not allow himself to admit that Albus might be right as per usual. He knew if he considered the notion he might concede the boy was more akin to Lily than James in personality. She too was shy yet proud, even from day one. But he did not want to admit defeat; it wasn't in his nature.
Why had he even taken this job? He could have been strictly a N.E.W.T level teacher. Or maybe a caretaker, like Filch. But no. He had to teach idiot children the most dangerous subject Hogwarts had to offer. Oh, joy of joys.
Severus stood and poured himself a third glass. He sat and stared into the empty fireplace, contemplating. He realized it was not the boy himself that made him want to tear his hair out. It was the fact that it was Lily's eyes that stared up at him from James Potter's face. And now he would be forced to look at him every day and be constantly reminded of his failure. If not for the terrible pull the Dark Arts had had on him from the very beginning, then maybe things would have turned out different.
But it was like Albus said, after all. It was no use lingering on what might have been or what he should have done. The best thing Severus could do now was to watch over the child Lily had wanted so dearly. It was the only way he could feel at all productive in his efforts to repay his debt to her. He had made a vow, after all: nothing that happened would keep them apart. If that meant keeping charge over her child, then so be it.
He stood, stretched, and left to oversee the Weasley twins' detention.