I told myself I was going to wait and just post a chapter a week, but what the hell – here's another one.

CHAPTER 20

He was so good at hiding things, Aeryn thought as she left the dungeon. Showing a face to the world that he wanted people to see, and changing that face when required. For a moment Aeryn wondered if he was only showing her what she wanted to see. Only once that thought had entered her mind, she realised she might have just been lucky enough to see the side of him that no one else ever had, with his admissions concerning one Lily Potter. Harry's mother. It was so unexpected, she thought.

She supposed they grew up together as children, and went to school together here, at Hogwarts. Her mind tried to find answers as Severus couldn't give them to her now. He had obviously loved this person, and for a number of years. A moment's spike of jealousy was ruthlessly hammered down - the woman was dead now, after all. Did she reject him? Or ridicule him? What did she do to him that made him betray her? She mused, as she made her way back to her office. He said it was an accident-

She was interrupted by the sounds coming from outside. Evidently exams were over, and the students were celebrating, and had been for a little while. She didn't realise the afternoon had disappeared quite so fast.

Well, she thought wryly, at least Umbridge would soon be gone, if the curse of the DADA professor was to be believed. Wonder what she wants with Severus? I hope he comes to see me soon. I want to ask him more questions about Lily.

That night she went to her room for the last time until next school year. She waited for Severus to come see her, but she realised he wasn't going to when the first light of day came in her window.

"Severus," Dumbledore acknowledged the younger man tiredly early the next day, coming to sit by the fire with him. After Potter's obviousness yesterday, Severus had alerted Dumbledore of the required information, who in turn had acted swiftly. He called to him various order members, and instructed Severus to stay at Grimmauld Place to relay information if needed. Then he and the other Order members had left, leaving Severus to stay moodily into the fire, and dwell on his conversation with Aeryn.

"Sirius is dead," Dumbledore continued, and then watched Severus's face for a reaction as he filled him in on the details. Severus felt...nothing. Not dismay, nor relief, that a man he severely disliked had met his end. The only emotion had been...jealousy. Yes, or more rather envy, that Sirius had died so nobly. Severus's lip curled at the thought. He would have rather stayed alive than risk his skin for anyone. He refused to acknowledge what he would or wouldn't do if Aeryn was in the Dark Lord's power, rather telling himself it wouldn't come to that. But part of him wished that, if he were to die soon, it would be for his cause.

"I have just come from speaking to Harry, who is, understandably, quite upset at the death of his Godfather. The whole world now knows what we've been trying to tell them for months about Lord Voldemort's return. Even so, we must be more careful than ever that your position as a double agent in his ranks goes unnoticed."

Severus didn't respond. After a few moments of silence, Albus provided him with one piece of good news. "It appears Dolores had a run-in with a herd of Centaurs shortly after you left the school yesterday. She is currently in the hospital wing, and severely disturbed. Oh," he continued, "and the position for Defense Against the Dark Arts is once again, I'm afraid, open to employment.

"How is Professor Allen?"

The question from the Headmaster seemed to come from nowhere, and Severus wondered how much the old man knew. "Well enough, I expect. She seemed to be progressing with Occlumency, but grew lax in her mental exercises and the Dark Lord once again invaded her dreams last night." Visions of what happened after he comforted her intruded in his mind but he quashed them quickly, but couldn't stop a faint flush from staining his cheeks.

Dumbledore affected not to notice. "I believe that now, Severus, is when Lord Voldemort may try to apprehend Aeryn, as the prophecy is destroyed and therefore no longer of vital importance. She is of course, being watched by Order Members when you are not with her, but I find myself unsure of what Voldemort's next move will be."

"What do you suggest?"

Dumbledore poured himself a glass of firewhiskey, and one for Severus, indicating for the younger man to take it. "I have several ideas in mind, each as unlikely to succeed as the next. There is, however, one suggestion I will make that may or may not have value – you must tell me your thoughts."

Severus waited patiently as the Headmaster took a sip of the spirit. The old man cleared his throat. "There is a little-known charm that existed oh, centuries ago now. I'm not entirely sure it will still work – the magic is very old. I stumbled across it quite by accident a number of years ago while in France. Actually," he admitted, "I'm not even sure it would have worked to begin with, but the theory has merit, so it's worth a try. It all depends on you, my dear fellow." Dumbledore's blue eyes pierced Severus's own.

"Would you please speak plainly, Headmaster, or must I riddle this out first?" Severus asked with some asperity.

Albus smiled slightly, taking another sip, as did Severus. "You are, I believe, in love with Aeryn Allen?" The question, bluntly put, completely took the potions master off guard. He spluttered into his glass briefly before Albus continued. "Forgive an old man his brusqueness, but the question is important."

Severus felt the blood rushing to his cheeks as he tried to think of a way of avoiding the question. The blue eyes fixed on him sternly however, and Severus had no choice but to answer. "I am," he said stiffly.

Albus's face was unreadable. "I wondered how long it would take you to admit it," he mused quietly. "But you have done well to suppress those feelings for as long as you have and remain faithful to Lily Potter. Harry is by no means out of danger, Severus, and now I can see doubt in your eyes as to whether or not you still care about Lily enough to keep your oath." He paused, the unspoken question hanging in the air.

Severus's eyebrows lowered even further if that were possible, and his black eyes snapped. "We have been down this road already, Albus. Regardless of any feelings I may have for anyone else, my oath to Lily and to you regarding the boy remain strong. However," he paused, wondering how to word his next statement. "My priorities have not changed; I have merely...taken on a few more."

Dumbledore removed his spectacles and began to polish them on his robe. "And I do believe your feelings are returned by Aeryn. Are they not?"

Severus inclined his head jerkily in the affirmative. "Good, good." Albus said, smiling, and replacing his glasses. "Returning to my earlier topic, that is the key to this charm. It will only work when the strongest of affection is in play, between two people. According to the legend, it does not necessarily have to be between lovers, but can be between a mother and her child, or siblings, or even very close friends. Although it is reputed to work best for people who are more...intimate, with one another." Albus stood up, turning away from the dark haired man, and therefore did not see the startled look on Severus's face.

"It is a very old Pagan ritual, quite barbaric actually, but one that allows two people to become more aware of the other's emotional state. For example," Albus turned back, "if someone was in danger, their partner in this charm would feel their fear, and it is rumoured that they will know the location of that person, and possibly be able to come to their aid. Which is why this charm may be beneficial to you and Professor Allen." He cleared his throat and smiled. "Assuming it works, of course."

"Meaning no disrespect of course, but what guarantee do I have that it will?" Severus asked, trying not show sound ungrateful.

"None at all, dear fellow. It was merely a suggestion," Dumbledore replied genially. "If it does work," Dumbledore continued in his quiet voice, "the benefits to you and Aeryn will be profound, as long as you both continue to share the same strong feelings towards one another."

Severus looked thoughtful. "And is there any other protection you can offer her?"

Dumbledore smiled. "Of course. You will be with her quite a bit, and as your duelling skills are legendary, she should be very well protected. You can tell your other master that I have assigned you as her bodyguard, and of course as I do not know anything about you still working for Lord Voldemort, you can appear innocent of the arrangement."

Severus sat in silence with his firewhisky, and contemplated the information given him, weighing the benefits and cons. "I will consider what you have told me, but I am not ready to..." he paused.

"Not ready to share your feelings on that level, in the event this charm should work?" Albus finished gently. Severus's silence was affirmative enough an answer for him to continue. "Very well. We shall rely on more modern means of magic to keep Professor Allen out of harm's way."

The floor thumped dully as Aeryn dropped her bags unceremoniously in the entranceway. Home again. She looked around at the small but tidy rooms, noting the musty smell of a long unused house. She hadn't been here, her mother's old house in twelve months, and it showed. Even now, years after she had died, it was still painful to be here. Aeryn was the sole owner of her father's estate as well, but the house had long-term tenants in it. There was no point moving them. And so every summer she came here, to relive those memories of a child, and regret that there weren't more of them.

Moving through the house, she opened windows, letting in the warm night breezes, and turned on a few lights. The house still seemed so empty, and she wondered how long she could stay here, alone, without going crazy. The endless weeks of 'holidays' stretched out before her.

Eventually she found herself seated in an old armchair, staring at the blank television. There was no sound. The neighbourhood she lived in was a quiet one; houses not too close together, streetlights set far apart.

The nagging ache in her throat grew stronger as the silence around made her thoughts louder. Dumbledore had returned to Hogwarts for the last day of school, along with Severus, but the constriction in her throat grew out of her lover's apparent lack of concern for her. No apologies for not speaking to her, or avoiding her, for the last night and day of their stay under the same roof together. No excuses for where he had been. No promises to see her over the holidays. No communication whatsoever, merely a nod of his head in her direction.

He had, after all, said in his own words that she was 'part of the equation'. Didn't that give her some right to know where he had been? If he cared for her so then why this distance? The only conclusive thought she could arrive at was that he regretted his actions and was now rectifying them.

Dimly, thunder rumbled in the distance, followed shortly by a brief flash of lightening. Summer storms had always been exciting and soothing at the same time for her. Now, it made her feel more alone than ever.

The rain began to fall.

"Where have you been?" Gwyneth hissed as she saw Severus in the large entranceway, removing his sodden cloak and tossing it in Wormtail's general direction for him to hang up. Severus merely glanced at her, not deigning to reply. He walked passed her to the hall, noting the many people who were gathered for this meeting. Everyone, including himself, was nervous, remembering their last meeting with the Dark Lord – the scene was etched on everyone's eyeballs – one of Lucius, McNair, Bellatrix, Dolohov, Nott and the rest being tortured for hours on end for his failure in obtaining the prophecy. The fact that a group of the strongest Death Eaters had faced down six ordinary teenagers and lost was a repulsive stain on those Death Eaters' reputations, and they were all still suffering for it, including Bellatrix, the Dark Lord's favourite. Granted, the Order of the Phoenix members had lent a hand eventually thanks to Severus's timely intervention, but even he had been apprehensive that the Dark Lord would find out of his betrayal. Voldemort's anger had been colossal.

As if by unspoken command they all took their respective places at the enormous table in the centre of the hall. Bellatrix's usual place to the Dark Lord's left was filled by Gwyneth now, and the red haired woman was prone to lording it over the dark haired one. Wormtail provided refreshments as they waited, until Lord Voldemort himself appeared – his pet snake Nagini resting over his shoulders, almost in an embrace.

Not a word was spoken by him concerning the prophecy, although it was on the minds of everyone in the room. When asked a question directly by the Dark Lord, the responses were given hastily, for fear of angering him again. Every matter was discussed – the whereabouts of Harry Potter and his condition following the confrontation at the Ministry; information on Dumbledore, provided smugly by Gwyneth and added to by Severus; Order members, spells and incantations, muggle-baiting; it all went on for hours, Voldemort snapping out questions fast and reprimanding even faster if he was displeased with a response.

"And what of Aeryn Allen?" The question was directed at Severus and Gwyneth, and was not unexpected by either of them. "I grow tired of this cat and mouse game."

Severus's response was a surprise to Gwyneth. "You will be pleased to know, my Lord, that Dumbledore has appointed me her protector during the summer break." Gwyneth's head snapped up to look at him incredulously. He allowed himself a small smile. "I will be able to notify of her movements firsthand without causing suspicion."

Voldemort noticed the surprise, and then anger, that showed on Gwyneth's features. "I take it Severus you did not inform your fellow Death Eater of this arrangement? Tell me Gwyneth, is it simply that which is bothering you, or is it something else?" He seemed to take a perverse pleasure in the woman's anger.

Gwyneth's full lips thinned into a hard line. "Forgive me, my Lord, but I feel it is my place to point out that Severus is spending a lot of time with your chosen mate. Much more than seems necessary for reconnaissance work." She glared at Severus as she said this.

The Dark Lord steepled his fingers in front of his face, partially hiding it, and only allowing his slitted red eyes to be seen clearly. Severus noted the gesture was similar to Dumbledore's when he wanted information. Red eyes pierced Severus's own, and the potions master wished it were blue that were interrogating him at this moment instead. "Are you overstepping your bounds, Severus, or is dear Gwyneth merely suffering from a little jealousy?" The words, spoken softly, carried a world of threat behind them.

Severus allowed amusement to cross his face, although it was an effort. He allowed his mind to become, if possible, even more blank so as to prevent intrusion from the man seated at the head of the table. He would not risk Aeryn to him. "Gwyneth is a little put out that I do not find her worth the time of day," Severus began. "Granted, I have spent many hours with the school counsellor, but only at your orders, my lord. If you wish me to turn Allen's care over to Gwyneth, I would be happy to. Although I don't see Dumbledore giving the task of bodyguard to Gwyneth, but if she would like to try, she is welcome," he finished mockingly.

Voldemort nodded slowly, but still did not take his eyes from Severus's own. "Very well. I wish you to report her movements to me, and I want to know what other protection she is receiving from the Order. I do not wish you to jeopardise your own position with them, however. Severus," he added, "I shall know if you are deceiving me. Be sure that you follow my orders.

"You are all dismissed." Voldemort leaned back in his chair. Nagini, who had been slithering up and down the table and adding to the pressure of everyone seated at it, returned to her master. She draped herself once again over his shoulders and nuzzled into his neck while everyone left their seats.

"Lucius, Narcissa, Draco. Stay a moment."

Those that had been named by the Dark Lord to remain glanced at each other uneasily. The rest of the Death Eaters filed out silently, except for Bellatrix, who hesitated, clearly wanting in on the discussion. Voldemort glanced at her briefly, his eyes narrowing, and then simply turned away. Tension left the woman's shoulders as she realised this was his way of allowing her to stay.

Severus did not leave but stood silently in the shadows by the door, unnoticed by any in the room save the Dark Lord, who dismissed him also.

"What have been your efforts in obtaining the prophecy?" Voldemort asked, still turned away from the table. The question seemed to confuse the Malfoys. "My-my Lord?" Lucius questioned.

"The one about Potter and myself, Lucius. The one you were charged with gaining; the one you lost."

Sweat beaded on Lucius's forehead as he struggled to understand the question. "My Lord, as we explained to you, it was smashed during the struggle - "

"I am aware of that Malfoy," Voldemort interrupted, clearly becoming incensed, his voice becoming harder. "What I want to know is, what have been your efforts since you failed me to obtain the information of the prophecy? I want to know what it contained, and I want to know what you have done to get it for me!"

"My Lord, the only way of finding that information would be to abduct Sybill Trelawney herself," Narcissa interrupted, her voice slightly steadier than her husband's. "And as she is under the direct protection of Dumbledore - "

"Then find another way," Voldemort snapped, his voice hissing in vexation. "I do not wish to hear anymore of your excuses. You have failed me, and Lucius, there is not much standing between you and your death. If you fail me once more - "

"It was not my father's fault!" Draco interrupted, his voice cracking and his pale, pointed face even paler. He seemed shocked at his own voice.

Silence permeated the room for a moment. "I see," Voldemort said, his voice soft once again. "I understand, Draco. You wish to spare your father further pain." He smiled, very slightly, and glanced at Lucius though he continued to speak to Draco in a soft voice. "Lucius was once very high in my good graces. Now however..." he left the sentence unfinished. "Perhaps you, young Draco, may redeem your family's good name?" Slitted red eyes came to rest on the young man.

Draco looked too terrified to speak, as did Lucius. Narcissa tried to interrupt, perhaps to draw the attention away from her son to herself, but Voldemort silenced her with a glance. "Draco – you are my youngest follower, yet to prove yourself. I have a task for you, and if you succeed, you will restore your family's good name, and you yourself will become one of my most important people."

Greed momentarily flickered in the pale eyes staring into the red.

"I want you to kill Dumbledore."

A soft moan escaped the throat of Narcissa, whose face turned a faint shade of green at those words.

Severus left the room silently, having gained all the information he required.