Previously on Deals with Life and Lilies:

"But if the Potter family does indeed want a trial, then you shall need to wait. Ms. Evans will have every freedom granted to British witches until the trial."

"Dumbledore, now you listen here-"

"Unless you would like to break the law, thus proving Ms. Evans's theories correct. Then she will have much more evidence in the trial that will come."

Leach's face grew steadily redder until Lily could have boiled an egg on it. "Fine, but if the Potter family is no longer in the picture, then the Wizengamot will be free to choose Ms. Evans's fate."

"They'll agree," James said.

Dumbledore smiled. "I think that clears everything up. Minister, you're free to leave my office until I inform you otherwise."

Devils

Dear Jamie,

Tell Lily that she has nothing to worry about. Your father and Dumbledore had already had many arguments with Leach, and we will be behind her 100 percent along with anybody else who doesn't have support. The Minister is a self-obsessed moron who needs a taste of his own medicine.

Your father is currently negotiating with the Wizengamot, and nothing major should happen until summer, so you and Lily have time to enjoy the peace before the arguing politicians disrupt everything.

But I really would like to meet her. I've only seen her from a distance, and I think you should introduce us. I'm not asking right away but eventually.

Love,

Mum


"I don't get it, Snape," said Mulciber as he paced the Slytherin common room. "Why do you keep insisting that Mudblood Evans is worth keeping alive? She and all the other bits of filth will be dead and gone by the time the Dark Lord has reinstituted the rightful order. We're just speeding along the process."

Severus flinched at the word Mudblood. Every time he heard that word, he was forcibly reminded of the reason that Lily was no longer talking to him, and itt cut him like a knife to see Lily laughing and smiling with her other friends, knowing that it should be him in Prewett's or McKinnon's place. They had shared everything. She was his one link during those dreadful summers stuck in Cokeworth, and he had ruined it all with a single word.

"I've told you before, Lycoris," explained Severus patiently. "Evans will be fighting against the Dark Lord-"

"All the more reason to slit her throat," sneered Avery.

Severus ignored him but not without effort. "-and if we can get her to live a bit longer, she might be very valuable to the Dark Lord."

"How could a jumped-up little Mudblood be of use to the Dark Lord? Unless the Mudblood's practice for the Cruciatus Curse," Mulciber demanded. He looked offended that a Muggle-born - specifically Lily - could offer Voldemort something he couldn't.

Severus gripped his wand tightly. All he wanted to do was keep Lily alive, no matter what else happened. Even if she was being tortured, she was alive.

He fought to keep his voice detached. "Somebody like Lily Evans is bound to be invited to whatever little resistance is left."

"The Dark Lord can crush those little blood-traitors any day. Again – why would he worry about one little Mudblood?"

"Because if there is a resistance, Dumbledore is surely a part of it. Or would you prefer to spend your time facing Dumbledore head-on. As much as you and I hate it, Avery, there are some extremely talented wizards on the other side."

Avery scowled. "We should ask the Dark Lord."

"We are to only meet Bellatrix and Lucius tonight," supplied Severus.

"That's right," said Rosier, appearing behind Mulciber. "And we're late. The Dark Lord does not look kindly on tardiness."


"You're sure you want to do this, Potter? I don't want to drag you into it," Lily said while the sinking sun disappeared from the sight of Gryffindor tower. She sat cross-legged on the squashy armchair, and James lounged on the loveseat with his feet propped up, twirling his wand absentmindedly in his hand.

"For the last time: yes. It would be a sad day when my parents and I just stood aside for the Ministry to do what they want. There've been plenty of people in my family who are at odds with them."

"I just don't want your family to have any problems because of me."

"You're not the problem; it's the Ministry that's the problem. Dad's been trying to even the playing field for a while now."

Examining her palm she said, "Does he work for the Ministry then?"

"Worked for the Ministry. He's a retired Auror," James corrected, and Lily frowned slightly.

"I thought that wizards had a longer lifespan than Muggles. How old is he?"

James shifted uncomfortably, and Lily immediately regretted asking the question. "Let's just say that I was a late gift to my parents."

Despite the awkwardness, Lily had to smile at that. "Somehow I doubt it would be a gift if you had a five-year-old James Potter running around."

"Should I use the word devil in disguise?"

"Probably more suitable – though forget the 'in disguise' part. I have a hard time believing you hid any early pranks."

"You're right; let's just stick with devilish, handsome little fellow."

Lily raised her eyebrow, her smile growing until it could have passed as flirting to the casual bystander. "Handsome little fellow? Do you have proof?"

James smirked, a trace of his old arrogance appearing briefly on his eyes, but the mischievous sparkle made it nearly impossible for Lily to compare him to the bully she had known not even a year ago. The playful aura was much lighter, though Lily wasn't fooled into believing that he still didn't have some nastier tricks up his sleeve.

"Have you seen this face? Obviously I was handsome in my youth as well."

"Yes. I'm sure you were adorable," Lily said, giggling at James's expression when she called his adorable. He looked rather offended.

"Try a devilishly charming, irrestible, young ladies-man."

"Whatever you say, James," Lily said, staring out the window.

She was expecting James to say some witty remark, but her comment was met by silence. Lily glanced at James to see that he was giving her the oddest look.

"What?" she asked a little defensively.

"You called me James."

"Wha – well, that is your name, right?" Lily said, fearing that a light blush might betray her.

"Yes, but I didn't think you knew my name."

There was no doubt about it: Lily was now blushing furiously. "I – I thought..." She trailed off, lost for words, and James's smile was growing more pronounced by the second. "You're laughing at me."

"I'm not laughing," James said, shaking his head and chuckling, clearly trying to contain his amusement.

"Yes you are. Stop laughing at me."

"Who said I was laughing?"

"You're laughing right now! Stop."

That was too much for James, and he finally laughed out loud. Lily sighed and put her head in her hands. "Good night, Potter."


Severus gripped his wand tight. He had enough experience with the Marauders to know never to be unarmed wherever he went.

He smiled coldly at the thought of the Marauders coming across them now. Those cowards would not be able to say any spells before Severus cursed them so thoroughly that Potter wouldn't have any skin uncut for the rest of his life. His Lily would be in for quite a treat.

"Snape, hurry up!" hissed Avery. They made their way across the grounds. The half-moon was shining on the dark green grass, illuminating their path towards the Forbidden Forest. The fools in the Ministry would never think of people finding their way through the forest, but it helped that the idiots underestimated the Dark Lord.

Severus passed the trees which steadily grew thicker and thicker as they proceeded though the forest. The time passed slowly for Severus. Only the occasional hoot of an owl or the constant cracking of twigs and branches by Avery, Mulciber, Rosier, Lestrange, and Wilkes punctured the dead silence.

Severus jumped when Mulciber stepped in a pothole. Mulciber swore loudly, causing several crows to fly away at the sudden sound.

"Severus, Cadmus, Lycoris, Evan, Casper, Rabastan, you are almost late."

Severus drew in a startled breath of cool air as a dead voice spoke. The voice had no emotion; it dripped with an awful coldness that chilled Severus to the bone.

The speaker emerged from behind the thick trees, concealed by a billowing, black cloak. Severus sank to one knee and bowed his head. Here was his master, the one person who could teach him real power. The overwhelming aura of pure Dark energy engulfed Severus, and he gasped. After years of dreaming, Lord Voldemort was here, in person.

It was hard to think of Lily in his presence. His new master would surely awe her. She would finally see that Severus's intentions were nothing more than power and protection.

"Rise," said Voldemort in a voice so quiet it was almost a whisper, but Severus caught every word.

Severus did as he was told. He concentrated on staring at the leafy ground with the sudden fear gripping him.

"My Lord?" whispered a feminine voice from behind him.

"Yes, Bellatrix?" said Voldemort. Though Severus couldn't see his face, he was sure Voldemort was smiling.

Bellatrix appeared in front of them, her lustrous brown hair cascading over one shoulder. She surveyed each and every one of them carefully. "Am I expected to work with these Death Eaters now, or am I just meeting my future fellow Death Eaters?"

"They aren't Death Eaters, not yet," Voldemort soundlessly glided towards them. There was a foreboding feeling to his walk. "No – they have to prove themselves first," said Voldemort in his soft voice.

Voldemort stopped in front of Avery. Severus was surprised he managed to stand upright with his shaking limbs. "Unless you have no wish to join us, then I'm afraid that dear Bellatrix here would have to dispose of you in the most...unpleasant way," leered Voldemort.

Avery shook his head frantically from side to side. "N-no, my Lord, my only w-wish is to serve you."

Voldemort didn't say anything but took out his wand and pointed it at Avery who visibly flinched. "You wish to serve me, but you have no idea what I demand of my servants..."

Suddenly, without a single word from Voldemort, Avery was screaming at the top of his lungs, writhing on the ground, but it stopped just as soon as it had started. Severus didn't want to imagine the pain Avery was in that could make him scream like that.

"The Cruciatus Curse, pure agony," murmured Voldemort, caressing the word agony. "That is only a small sliver of what it should feel like on your future victims... I can teach you to control it, only give certain degrees of pain to the less worthy..." Voldemort laughed cruelly. "Get up, scum, you still need to prove yourself."

Avery got to his feet with difficulty. He was wincing constantly.

"Your job," said Voldemort, suddenly business-like, but still soft. "I want you to watch and learn. Keep tabs on potential allies and future enemies. I don't care about the imbeciles that don't know anything and have nothing to offer, but the powerful ones," Voldemort slid up to Mulciber so their noses were almost touching. Severus had not realized how tall Voldemort really was until he was close to a giant like Mulciber.

"Practice for the future. When I have deemed you worthy enough, I shall send either Bella or Lucius to talk. I want monthly updates." Voldemort stepped away then twisted so fast that he was almost invisible with speed.

"As for the practice," Voldemort smiled evilly, a menacing glower so awful Severus was temporarily paralyzed with fright, "use your imagination."

With a twirl of his black cloak, he was gone, leaving six boys standing alone in the middle of the forest.

I can't think of a way to word how sorry I am for not updating sooner. It's been almost two full weeks, and I feel so terrible because I kinda left you hanging at the end of last chapter. For right now, I'll just say that there will probably be irregular updates until after school's over in June. I do have one chater that is mostly written, and I'll save that for when I don't have time to writer because that way you peoples will still get some chapters.

Anyways, please forgive me for not updating sooner and review! The most recent reviews are giving me more motivation to write right now. (Junior year slump, weeks of schoolwork to catch up on, and a couple of my own little devils, etc...)

I completely forgot to thank my reviewers last chapter: alcatluvr13, BethMalfoy4922, ClamatiWP, Sarahrules336, ItDidntMeanForever, twilightstargazer, keep calm and expecto patronus, lynnnnyl, dbquills, and IllusiveButterfly. Thank you so much for all your reviews! Lots of hugs and kisses to you all :D

Your sick of Junior year Muggle,

The-12-Nerds-Are-Acting-So-Nerdy-On-The-Nerdy-Worlds

AN: Even though it might be a little bit until I update again, I will repeat: I am NOT abandoningthis story.