"Severus, I assume this is not a social visit?" Albus smiled as the young man shut the door and slumped into a seat across the desk.
"my mark" Severus muttered, getting to the point. "it's getting darker- the others have noticed."
Albus sat up straight in his chair and the smile vanished from his face. "who?"
"They whisper- Lucius found me- if you remember he trusts me greatly."
"and?"
"the tension is building- no one is sure what to think, but the signs are all there! How can this be Albus?"
"I warned you Severus- and Harry's protection is going to be more important than ever right now."
"Potter is not my main concern at this moment-"
"-you promised-"
"and I do not go back on my word Albus, but the death eaters are reforming- they're looking at stirring the calm, getting their message out- Lucius talks about invading Hogsmeade."
"Hogsmeade?"
"they want to remind people they're still here- a wizarding village is the best place to evoke havoc."
"when?"
"soon."
Albus stood up and paced around his office scratching his head thoughtfully.
"will you join them Severus?" he looked curiously at the man who looked offended at his question.
"my loyalty lies with you Albus" he said as though it was obvious. "do you doubt me?"
"of course not my boy, I meant will you join them on the day?"
"I don't know. If we are fighting them then I can't risk getting involved. If he is returning- as you say he is- I need to keep a strong cover."
"how many?"
"not many, they don't believe it's happening- and most are in Azkaban."
"we shall be ready- but not too many of us- we need to make it subtle so they don't accuse you of warning us Severus."
Albus summoned parchment and a quill and retook his seat at his desk, quickly writing out notes in his italic scrawl.
"I see you address one note to Kingsley and Serena" Severus said, his tone bitter.
"is now really the time Severus?" Albus sighed, glancing at his troubled face.
"you just seem to be under the impression that they spend every second of every day together-"
"they are in love, Severus, and they have only just come together again."
"it makes me feel physically sick" he said sulkily as Albus called Fawkes his golden phoenix, who took the letters in his beak and disappeared in a flash of fire.
"that, my boy, is jealousy."
"don't be ridiculous Albus" Severus snapped.
There was a flash of gold and a piece of parchment floated down to the desk, followed shortly after by another and then another.
As Albus read the notes Severus strode across the room and went to the window, staring out at the few students sitting on the grass far below.
Serious things were happening- things that scared even him- and yet the main problem on his mind at the moment was Serena…
Maybe if he'd have told her before they had completed the potion… it was just words after all… if he'd have told her his kisses meant something different than she thought… perhaps it would have been him spending nights with her; him strolling through the grounds at night hand in hand with her; him kissing her cherry lips…
"they'll be here in five minutes" Albus' voice awoke him from his daydream.
"what have you told them?"
"I shall explain when they arrive."
Albus conjured a few grand looking, high back oak chairs and Severus sat on one looking tired.
"Everyone goes through it, my boy" Albus said, taking pity on Severus.
"then why do I suffer it twice Albus?" he said harshly.
"you will be rewarded" Albus replied, although he knew Serena was happy with Kingsley.
At that moment there was a knock on the door and Remus entered, followed closely by Minerva.
Remus nodded at Severus, who responded with a scowl, the bad mood still washing over him.
"A problem Albus?" Minerva said, taking a seat next to Severus.
"I shall explain when everyone is here Minerva."
They waited in silence until Tonks and Dawlish showed up, shortly followed by Sirius.
Severus stood up sharply when he walked in, knocking his chair back with a bang. "what's he doing here?" he snapped, looking accusingly from Albus to Black, his fingers itching to close around his wand.
"I was invited, Snivellus."
Severus drew his wand in a flash, but Albus was quicker, casting a shield charm between them before either had managed to stutter a curse.
"civility is all I ask" he said calmly, watching the two closely. "you are united by a common enemy, now put aside your differences and sit down." He removed the shield charm and the tension in the room thickened as they both slowly lowered themselves to their seats, their eyes not moving from each other.
Their silence resumed until they could hear laughter from below. Severus recognised it as Serena and his scowled intensified.
The door opened and Kingsley entered, Serena close behind him.
"sorry we're late" Serena said, smiling at Albus, who chuckled softly.
"sit down my child."
Serena sat on the chair next to Severus with Kingsley on her other side.
"hey" she whispered to Severus, who did not reply. He guessed their argument on Friday had been forgotten.
"I apologise for calling you here today, but there has been a turn in events. Death Eaters are talking- they want to remind us that they are still here, they are taking action."
"why now?" Remus said, frowning.
"they have reason to believe Voldemort is strengthening."
"but he's gone!" Tonks cried, her hair changing to black as she spoke.
"by believe- you mean their dark marks are darkening don't you?" Sirius started.
"I do."
"come on then Snivellus, get it out we know how proud you are of-"
The curse Severus shot at him was deflected just in time by a hasty flick of Sirius' wand and it rebounded and hit a silver instrument behind Remus' head. As Sirius went to strike back, three shield charms broke out between them- and they both froze. Serena, Albus and Remus all had their wands drawn.
"what's going on?" Serena cried, looking between the two of them.
"you all know he's a death eater don't you?" Sirius sneered.
"the mangy dog was just leaving" Severus said in a murderous tone.
"gentlemen" Albus said speaking over them rather firmly. "I don't want to ask either of you to leave."
The two wands were slowly lowered and the charms between them were withdrawn.
"the death eaters plan to attack Hogsmeade" Severus said in a smooth tone. "do you plan to join them like your brother Black, or are you joining us in fighting them?"
"Hogsmeade?" Remus interrupted, putting a hand on Sirius' arm to silence him. "why Hogsmeade?"
"it's a wizarding village and they wish to make an impression" Severus answered.
"when?"
"anytime in the next few weeks."
"then we shall be ready!" Minerva cried.
"Severus will try to get some more information- I shall inform you all when I know" Albus said.
Remus stood up to leave but Kingsley interrupted them. "actually, we'd like to make an announcement, seeing as our friends are here now."
He pulled a smiling Serena up next to him and linked his fingers through hers. "we're engaged."
They were swamped with many cries of congratulations and hugs and kisses, but Serena did not miss Severus slipping out of the door behind them. She finished hugging Remus and then turned to Kingsley. "I'll meet you in my office later", before leaving too.
He had already disappeared but she walked down to the dungeons and knocked lightly on the door.
"enter."
He was scribbling furiously in a book behind his desk and snapped it shut when she entered.
"hey" she said casually, shutting the door.
"I suppose I should congratulate you."
"you should" she nodded, "but I don't think you want to."
"how very observant you are" he said in a sarcastic drawl, leaning back in his chair.
"you don't like Kingsley?"
"not particularly."
"then why don't you pour me a glass of Firewhiskey and we can talk about something else."
"I'm not in the mood to be sociable," he scowled.
"neither am I" she said humouring him.
There was a long pause and then Severus spoke with false contempt in his voice; "pour your own glass of Firewhiskey. I'm not your slave."
She smiled and strode into his kitchen, emerging with two glasses and a large bottle of the liquid. She poured them both good measures and Severus reluctantly emerged from behind his desk and sat opposite her on a stool.
"is your mark darker?" she asked quietly.
He nodded.
"he's returning, isn't he?"
"Albus is certain."
"and you?"
"I don't want to believe it."
"you'd have to turn spy again?"
He nodded.
"you're a brave man Severus" she sipped at her drink, the warmth spreading to her fingertips quickly.
"Hogsmeade is going to be dangerous, perhaps you should stay here and-"
"Severus, I can duel well."
"that's not the-"
"I can duel well even without a wand, never mind with one!"
"if Bellatrix found you-"
"I'd give her a piece of my mind" Serena grinned.
"don't joke about it."
"Severus, stop worrying."
He was silent.
"so what's your vendetta against Sirius about?"
"I don't trust that dog."
"you don't trust anybody- why specifically don't you like him? You were at school together right?"
"correct."
"and you hated each other then?"
"correct."
"Severus, with all due respect; that was a long time ago."
His bottom lip twitched almost into a smile.
"the older the wiser" he replied.
She laughed, "of course."
"so go on then- how did he ask you?" Severus grumbled, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"the traditional way."
Severus rolled his eyes and she laughed.
"shouldn't you be celebrating?" he muttered, tipping back his dink and wincing as it hit his throat.
"we already have" she said, her voice laced with euphemism.
He glanced up at her, a disgusted look on his face. She laughed, "you asked the question Severus."
"indeed I did" he sighed, filling both their glasses. "what are you doing this summer?"
"again, you ask all the wrong questions Severus" she smiled at him, "Kingsley has asked me to live with him, in London."
"and shall you?"
"yes, his apartment is almost perfect."
"almost?"
"he has no garden" she replied shrugging.
"I'm sure if you have a sudden urge to… be in a garden, he shall apparate you to wherever you wish."
"I'm sure he shall. You live in London too, do you not?"
"the dodgy end."
She laughed, "by choice?"
He nodded once and drunk again.
"but surely you're loaded with money? Albus pays generously."
"indeed."
"then what do you spend it on?"
"I save it" he said, which was only partly true; half was stored in Gringotts, the other half was used to buy women and satisfy his needs.
He looked down at his hands, ashamed of his thoughts.
"I shall miss you this summer Severus" she said matter-of-factly.
"it is hard not to" he said dryly, smiling slightly when she laughed.
"I have to go, but I'll see you about this week probably" she said, standing up.
He walked to the door with her.
"thanks for the drink" she smiled.
"congratulations" he said quietly, avoiding her eye contact. He was only saying it because he had seen she was happy- happier than he had ever seen her.
"thank you" she said sincerely, frowning at him curiously before leaving.
Author's Note: the plot thickens! muhahahaha. tell me what you think- your views, theories and hopes for our favourite dark wizard :D