Author's Note: I apologize for both the obscene shortness of this chapter and the ridiculous amount of time it took to get it posted. I can tell you this much, it's the hardest chapter I've written so far, content-wise, and I haven't been feeling 100% lately (my sinuses wish I lived someplace that didn't have four seasons).
Thanks again for reading, reviewing, and having the patience of the saints. You guys rock.
Chapter Twelve
Dumbledore threw a handful of Floo powder into the fireplace before stepping in. "Headmaster's office!" He said, and with a soft whooshing sound he disappeared. Severus followed reluctantly; what on Earth could Dumbledore want to talk with him about?
He landed in the grate of the beautiful office, siphoning soot off his robes as he sat down across from the desk. Dumbledore looked with interest at one of his many instruments, then spoke.
"Lily has taken up residence with you."
"Yes." Why was Dumbledore stating the obvious?
"And is she happy, living with you?"
"For all intents and purposes," Severus said. "She hasn't complained about the situation thus far."
"She feels safe, then?"
"What are you really asking me, Dumbledore?" Severus said wearily. He was tired of the old man's mind games; at least the Dark Lord was straightforward in his requests.
"Do you believe that she is any safer living with you than she was with Sirius Black?"
"Yes, Dumbledore, I do," Severus said, flaring up. "And she's the one who made the decision, not me."
"What gives you that confidence?"
"The Dark Lord trusts me." It was good enough for him, Severus; it should be good enough for Dumbledore.
"Voldemort trusts you." Dumbledore looked over his half-moon glasses, the lenses flashing ominously. "And you do not believe that his trust in you is conditional?"
"No more than yours."
"No more than mine." Dumbledore nodded. "Severus, while it may seem as though your efforts are unappreciated on this side, please do not assume that I underestimate the danger in which you put yourself."
"'Unappreciated'?" Severus felt his temper rising. "I suppose it's only a small sacrifice, then, not to have your trust, not to be privy to the enchantments protecting this school, to have to suffer the Dark Lord's wrath whenever I must admit that I have no new information for him? Not only do you not appreciate my efforts, Dumbledore, you ignore them completely!"
"If I ignored your efforts, I would not have brought you here tonight." Dumbledore stood and began pacing. "I fear that Lily is still in danger, and I fear that you may not be protecting her as well as you think."
"Pardon?"
"Killing Harry did not make him immortal as he thought it would," Dumbledore said. "He misinterpreted the prophecy because he did not hear it in its entirety. Evidence you have been giving me, as sparse as it is, suggests that Voldemort believes the prophecy now applies to any children Lily might have."
"Well then," Severus said, unable to keep some amusement out of his voice. "It should please you to know that she and I sleep in separate bedrooms."
"That is none of my business, Severus, nor is it Voldemort's." His tone was stern, but Severus could have sworn his lips twitched upward for a second. "You are now misunderstanding me. If the prophecy applies to any children Lily may have, that makes Lily the threat."
"You mean…"
"Yes."
Severus could almost hear the illusion of safety crashing around him. He stood up, shaking slightly. "Thank you, Dumbledore." He headed towards the fireplace.
"Severus…"
"I don't disbelieve you," he said. "I just want to hear it from the Dark Lord." He grabbed a handful of Floo powder and threw it into the fireplace.
"Be careful, Severus."
At this, he turned back to Dumbledore. It was the closest thing to an approving statement he'd received in the last year and a half. "I will."
XXX
"I had a great time tonight, Remus," Lily said, giving him a hug. "Thank you so much."
"It was my pleasure," Remus said, returning the hug. Then he walked away down the street, and when Lily looked back, he had Disapparated. Still smiling, Lily turned down Spinner's End and headed for Severus's house.
"Sev?" She called as she entered. "You home?"
"In here," he called from the sitting room.
When Lily entered the room, she found Severus sitting in his favorite armchair, whey-faced and staring at his hands, which were clasped between his knees. "What's wrong?" She asked, taking a seat on the sofa.
"I spoke with Dumbledore today," he said hoarsely. "He thinks the Dark Lord isn't satisfied with… With killing Harry."
"What do you mean?"
Severus looked at her. "He wants you dead."
Me… Dead… You-Know-Who… "Sev, is… Does Dumbledore really think so?"
He nodded. Lily sat back, thoughts buzzing through her head. It wasn't enough that You-Know-Who had taken her family; now he wanted the set. Why? What could he possibly gain by killing her? Did he just like it by now?
"So what happens now?" She asked after a moment.
He sighed. "I don't know."
She saw, for the first time, how frightened he was. He'd never been unflappable, but he'd never really worn his heart on his sleeve, either, and seeing him unable to hide his feelings, being as naked as she'd ever seen him, was a shock. "Should we hide?"
"I have protection on this house," Severus said. "I haven't incurred his wrath yet. But if Dumbledore wants to hide you..." His voice trailed off.
"We'll go together," she said firmly, taking his hand and squeezing it.
