While Vera was in the hospital, she felt trapped, helpless. Her baby was still under observation and she wasn't allowed to leave her bed for almost two weeks.

But when the Healers finally allowed her to hold her baby again, it was perfect. She never knew how she could love something as much as she loved this tiny delicate thing in her arms. She was terrified of holding her, afraid of all that could go wrong - but she didn't want to stop.

"There's my girls," James greeted, entering the hospital room with a large gift basket. He opened the card, "It seems someone was thinking of you!"

"Who's it from?" Vera asked.

James opened the card, and paled. "It's from...him."

The Dark Lord? James handed her the card.

"Healers have been Imperiused, no one will report you. Wishing you a speedy recovery, I will visit soon," Vera read ominously. She frowned. "Could you check the basket for cursed items?"

"I did," James said. He waved his wand and cast the Identifying Charms again. "He didn't have to curse anything."

"It's a display of power," Vera agreed. "He knows he can always find us, and is reminding us of that. Whatever comes next will be on his terms"

There was a light knock on the door.

"Who could that be?" James asked.

"Am I interrupting anything?"

Vera gaped. "Honoria! What a surprise!"

Honoria took off her cloak. "I heard you had delivered and I had to visit. Oh Severa, she's gorgeous!"

Honoria cooed over the baby and while she wasn't who Vera had expected to show up, she was glad she was there.

"Thanks H," Vera said.

Honoria waved it off. "It's nothing. What kind of friend would I be if I wasn't here? Aoife is coming too, and Narcissa if she gets a chance. With things the way they are, the Malfoys are lying low."

"I take it the Imperius defense didn't go well with the public?" James asked.

Honoria laughed, "Understatement of the year. But it worked, didn't it?" She looked at James shrewdly. "A little birdie told me you might be thinking of using the same argument for Black's defense. I want to provide counsel. Reg is my friend too, and I've been working as a junior associate for the Wizengamot long enough to know the ins and outs."

Vera and James exchanged a glance, then Vera replied. "Thank you H, we'll appreciate the help."

Honoria grinned, "I'll start the paperwork. If we're lucky, we can convince them to move his hearing to next month."

—-

Vera hadn't been allowed to go to the trial, not that she wanted to risk it. James, Sirius, and Honoria spent the next week around her bed covering it in legal papers and notes.

"So we'll get character witnesses from my Uncle Alphard, myself, Honoria and Mother. Ugh, I can't believe it's come to this." Sirius grumbled.

"If anyone can pull this off, it's you, even with your horrid mother in tow," Vera responded, the baby still asleep in her arms.

Sirius grinned. "Don't go soft on me now, Vera."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Black." Vera smirked. Sirius stuck out his tongue, only to be playfully pushed by James. Honoria gave a snicker.

Their case wasn't foolproof. They just had to prove that there was a possibility Regulus was under the Imperius, and that he was acting abnormally. Their only hope was that the negative reputation of the Blacks' didn't affect the Wizengamot's judgement.

The case, like all other cases, was open to the press.

Vera listened in the wireless as each witness took to the stand. Alphard emphasized Regulus's tolerance, Walburga his kindness, and Sirius emphasized his brother's distaste for violence. All of them noted his change in behavior. Honoria acted as counsel showing the symptoms of possible Imperius effects and an estimated date of casting (she'd asked Vera when they should predict, Vera had decided to place it around the time he had been so nervy about the Horcruxes just to cover their tracks)

When the Wizengamot gave their final verdict of Not Guilty, Vera sighed in relief.

Most of the other Death Eaters has the same idea, Macnair, The Carrows, and Goyle were released later that week for the same defense. Though Vera was certainly not as concerned with their well-being.

Regulus arrived straight to the hospital with a stuffed Abraxan. It was enchanted to fly around the room.

James and Sirius had gone, presumably to get some sleep.

"You didn't have to come here. I'm sure there are plenty of things you could be doing with your freedom," Vera said.

"But I wanted to be here," Regulus replied firmly. He looked pale and wan even from his short time in Azkaban, his hair completely unwashed and disheveled, his eyes puffy. "Unless you'd like me to leave?"

Vera shook her head.

Hesitantly, Regulus reached over and held the baby in his arms. She squirmed, and started crying as he gently bounced her.

"I suppose there's time enough for her to get used to me," Regulus mused. "I'm not so awful once you get to know me," he cooed to the crying child, who wasn't listening.

"I'll take her back," Vera commanded, gently cradling Laura as she stopped crying. "So, what's next, Regulus?"

Regulus sat down and placed his hands on his face. "No idea. But apparently the Dark Lord has been favorable with these show trials- anything to keep his troops at hand, so there's that. Word on the street is he's bribing some of the verdicts but who's to say."

"I meant with you," Vera pressed.

"Mother thinks it's time I take my place as head of the family. I asked her why she couldn't ask that of Sirius if they were going to be so close again, but it seems this was a one-off event. So I suspect I will be getting married, or some such soon enough. Though perhaps I'll have final say. You don't suppose Honoria is still single, do you?"

Vera raised her eyebrow. "Your mother wouldn't approve of her."

Regulus chuckled. "Exactly, and she seems to know what she's doing, so that's one of us. Certainly not as much of an insipid idiot as she was back in school."

"Well, none of us are how we were in school." Vera remarked casually. "I certainly didn't think I'd have Potter's child spitting up on me."

Regulus laughed. "Then who knows what the future holds."

—

Vera and James returned home after the end of the month, and it felt that their baby had grown so much. Laura was still so small, but so curious and playful.

As time went on, it was evident she took after James. She would giggle on occasion, and there were times when she had scared them by crawling around the flat, on top of bookcases, and into Vera's potions cabinet just to see what it was. Once her magic started to activate, she had even floated a few of her toys around the room and conjured bubbles after a round of hiccups.

And James adored her. She was his darling, and every day he would return from work he would scoop her in his arms and throw her up in the air, much to her delight. He was a proactive father, waking up at night for feedings, changing, and taking every step of parenthood in stride as if he was made for it.

So why then, did Vera find it so hard? She tried, but she found herself unable to really bond with Laura. She loved her, but it wasn't as intense as how it should be. Nothing felt as it should be, it was dulled. She was trapped in the flat, alone with a fussy baby day in day out with no one else to talk to. James tried, but he was usually so tired after coming back from work, or sometimes he and Sirius would go out for drinks after.

It was just the drudgery, misery, and boredom of taking care of this small person, and she felt none of the happiness of having this thing. And her milk still wasn't coming in, so she had to use formula - which made the baby feel more distant to her. She was already a failure at motherhood, as she had been a failure of a wife, a friend, and professor. And Laura would just stare at her, with her own small hazel eyes blinking in contempt.

"Perhaps it was too much to expect anything else," Vera muttered.

"Who are you talking to, Severa?"

Vera gasped, then bowed as the Dark Lord lifted the Invisibility Cloak.

"So, this is the child," he remarked. "Looks more like Potter than yourself."

"Strong genes, I suspect," Vera replied, before catching the Dark Lord's confusion at the term. "I take it the trials have been dealt with?"

"All a minor inconvenience, and the arresting Aurors have been swiftly punished. I've spoken with the Dementors, I could have Bella and the others out in due time. I expect to see you in working order soon."

Vera bowed. "Of course, My Lord. I am at your service."

Voldemort sneered. "Is that so? I suppose there's no one else to serve." He lifted his wand idly to cast a spell and noticed it wasn't doing so, Vera noticed it too.

"Sometimes, My Lord, it takes time for a wand to bond with its master." Vera suggested

"Nonsense. That never happened to Dumbledore. So it must be defective. Something must have upset its core during that night at the Longbottoms'."

He shoved the wand in her hand. Carefully, Vera accepted it and tried to place Laura on the crook of her arm.

She gave a quick swish and firmly shouted, "Lumos."

A bright beam emitted from the wand as the two shielded their eyes. Laura woke up and started to wail. Vera cancelled the charm and handed the wand back to its owner, who gave her an appraising look.

"Have you had any word from the Prewetts?" Voldemort asked.

Vera calmed down the baby and placed her in the crib. "No, My Lord. Evidence suggests they are under a Fidelius Charm, though their suspected Secret Keeper is a school friend of the mother, a woman named Mary MacDonald."

Voldemort's mouth turned to a thin line. "Yes, I'm aware of this information. Given your personal history with Mrs. Prewett, I assumed you might have something more relevant."

"I have not heard from her since she resigned from Hogwarts, My Lord."

Voldemort gave a huff of frustration. "I am not an unreasonable man, but know that if you lie to me again, you and your family are dead."

Vera gave a grim look of determination. "Understood, My Lord. I will update you on any further details."

"You must." Voldemort lifted his wand, ready to Apparate.

"My Lord, before you go, I have a request."

Interest piqued, he lowered his wand and stared at her. "I'm listening."

"When you find the Prewetts, will you spare Mrs. Prewett? You can have the child, or the husband, that's not my concern. But she is of no use to you dead. Perhaps we could turn her." Vera pleaded.

"How would a Mudblood be of use to me alive?" Voldemort asked rhetorically. He smirked. "But she is still on your mind, this woman. Very well. I will spare her, Imperius her and have her packed off to you. I suppose that makes us even," he gestured to his wand. "Without your lack of foresight, we wouldn't have Dumbledore out of the way. Perhaps I should thank you."

He gave a wicked grin that made Vera sick to her stomach.

Voldemort lifted his wand, and Vera screamed as the felt the burning sensation of her Mark and the bonds of the Unbreakable Vow. "Besides," he whispered harshly, "You belong to me, nothing changes that."

With that, he Disapparated. Vera slumped to the ground in tears, causing the baby to wake.

—

The months flew by. Laura grew, she was now standing up on her own, and grabbing at things. Vera's hair, her nose, James's spectacles.

"I think we have a Seeker on our hands," James laughed as he snatched them back, kissing her baby hands as he held her.

"Let's have her decide on her own, maybe you'll regret your words when she wins the House Cup for Slytherin," Vera replied as she thumbed through a promising Apothecary catalogue.

James scoffed. "Laura's a Gryffindor, aren't you my darling?" He nuzzled his face against the baby, who giggled.

He lifted Laura up in the air then placed her in her high chair. With a flick of his wand he wrapped the bib around her neck.

"I hope you haven't taken to putting your potions in the fridge, I don't want to confuse Newt eyes with stewed peas again!" James shouted to the sitting room.

"Top shelf is the baby's the rest is fair game," Vera shouted back from her chair.

"I was referring for my own sake, but thanks," James chuckled. He reached into the refrigerator to get out a jar of Pear Zucchini. Laura grabbed the unopened jar and started to gnaw on it. Gently, he grabbed the jar out of her mouth and popped off the lid, lifting the spoon to feed the purée into her mouth, dodging her flailing arms in protest.

James heard a pop coming from the sitting ready, he stealthily crept into the room.

Vera was already standing. "James, we have a guest," She grimaced. Peter stood sheepishly, tulips in hand.

"Hello, I've been meaning to visit for ages to see the baby, but you know how it is with my mum." Peter mumbled.

Vera and James exchanged a look, warily examining Peter, who still had his hands behind his back.

"I'll put those in water," Vera declared, grabbing them, causing Peter to flinch before nervously laughing.

"I'm going to have to clean Laura, but you can see her for a little bit," said James. "And it's nice to see you, Pete." He left his wand in the sitting room and motioned for Peter to follow.

Peter gave a weak smile, but didn't meet his eyes, which were darting around. "Nice to see you too, Prongs."

He followed James into the kitchen, where Vera had taken Laura out of her chair, her wand on the kitchen counter next to the metal vase of flowers. Laura gurgled.

"She's gorgeous," Peter exclaimed. "May I hold her?"

"Laura's not too keen on meeting new people, why don't I hang onto her." Vera rebuffed. Peter stepped closer to her, until he was centimeters away, gently letting the baby grab his fingers.

Vera felt uneasy as he stood so close to the baby with his wand still in his hand.

"Have you heard anything from Lily?" Peter asked as he played peekaboo.

Vera paused. "No, why would I?"

Suddenly, she felt herself grasped by the back of the neck. She clung onto the baby tightly as Peter pointed his wand at her head.

"Maybe I'm not giving you the right incentive. Tell me where the Prewetts are or the little one's brains will end up on the floor!" Peter shouted.

Vera cursed. Thinking quickly, James grabbed Vera's wand aiming at Peter.

"I wouldn't try to disarm me," Peter replied. I've placed a few explosives on my person. The pressure of an Expelliarmus will set them off."

Unfazed, James still pointed his wand at him, ready to strike.

"You imbecile," Vera spat. The only one who knows their location is their Secret Keeper, and no one knows where she is."

"You must be pretty desperate to come after us, Wormtail. The Dark Lord closing in on you? Not giving him what he wanted?" James taunted.

Peter frowned. "So, you knew. I suppose you know he's less thrilled about your reticence on the matter too. He thinks you're holding back."

"We don't know where MacDonald is," Vera replied with gritted teeth.

"I found her, she's being interrogated. The problem is she's unwilling to talk. I was hoping we could circumvent that." Peter replied coolly, jabbing the wand at the baby, who was wailing.

"We don't know anything!" Vera shouted.

Peter scoffed. "Like you honestly expect me to believe that. Now talk."

"Just go ahead and shoot them, I won't tell you anything." James declared.

Peter faltered. "Really James, you expect me to believe you'll risk the life of your wife and child over some girl you once fancied?"

"I never stopped loving Lily, and I can't in good conscience lead you to her. Lily might not have cared for me, but I will do everything I can to save her. Because she is true and good, and worth the risk. I can have more children, or another wife, but I'll never forgive myself if I gave her whereabouts to the Dark Lord."

Peter snorted, "Mate, you're mental."

He turned to face Vera, only to feel the thud of the vase as it cracked against his head as Vera had wandlessly lifted it above him, letting go at the vital moment. As Peter slumped to the floor, his skull cracked, blood running down his face, James took the baby from Vera's arms.

He stared forlornly at his former friend's corpse. "It didn't have to end like this, Pete."

Vera poured a vial of Preservation Solution down his throat, and cast a Featherweight Charm. She transfigured his body so it fit in a large handbag. "I'll carry out standard procedure, bury him with the mass grave we have for Order Members. No one will ever know his betrayal."

"What will we tell Sirius and Remus?" James whispered.

"We don't. People disappear in war all the time, let them think the best of him." Vera muttered. "Not like there's much else going for the sod."

—

Vera felt the call as she'd finished disposing Pettigrew. Tonight was to be eventful. Vera sighed, and apparated to Lestrange Manor.

She was greeted by the Death Eaters, released and masked, and the Dark Lord.

"Severa, glad you could make it," Voldemort purred. "It seems your services are needed. It seems we have an uncooperative guest and it's been a bit difficult getting her to open up."

"That Mudblood bitch MacDonald knows Occulmency," growled Rowle.

Vera raised an eyebrow. "Surely that can't be too difficult."

Bellatrix cackled. "She gave Mulciber an aneurism. He just fell over and perished, screaming."

"Give the man some dignity, Bella," Rodolphus chided. "But it was a bit of a bother to clean."

Vera nodded, and headed down to the cellar, where makeshift cells had been set up.

"Well, I didn't expect to see you again." Mary declared.

She had been beaten, her face bloody with a large black eye, a split lip, and missing teeth. She was tied to a chair, the rope cutting into her limbs. Deep cuts lacerated her arms and legs, and her legs were twitching from Cruciatus exposure.

"Hello Mary, I have a few tonics at hand, I think we can minimize the nerve damage and the bleeding."

"I don't care about that. Let them see me like this. No half measures." Mary replied, waving it off. "I should probably thank you, those lessons have been invaluable you know."

"But that won't hold them off for long. You might have been able to hold back Mulciber, but you can't fight off the Dark Lord, especially in this state." Vera admonished.

"Or you?" Mary asked.

"I'm not going to try. But you need to stay alive if you want to keep the Fidelius active," Vera added.

"Seems like that's less of an option," Mary sighed. "Lily says hi, by the way."

"She knows you're here?" Vera asked hesitantly.

"We knew it would be inevitable. Once I die, the Fidelius will wear off, and it will only be a matter of time."

Vera untied the ropes. "Then you escape."

"No, Vera. My legs can't stand. I'm barely holding on. It's up to you Vera, save them." She coughed, blood spilling out of her mouth. "I suppose you have anything in your pockets for the pain?"

Vera nodded, and handed her a large vial of Dreamless Sleep, letting her chug it, stroking her hair and singing her a lullaby as Mary drifted off. It wasn't enough to overdose, but it was strong enough.

She headed back up the stairs to the Great Hall. Most of the Death Eaters had left, it was just Voldemort and the Lestranges.

"Well?" Asked Rabastan.

"I couldn't get through to her," Vera lied. "I exhausted her, she's asleep now. Perhaps I'll try again tomorrow."

"I think you aren't being entirely truthful, Severa." Voldemort replied. "Crucio."

Vera screamed. When she came to, she saw that the Lestrange brothers had taken her wand and were dragging her to the cellar.

"Kill MacDonald, I will locate the Prewetts myself. Scrying should be a possibility now. Perhaps I will pay a visit to the other Prewett for some personal items." Voldemort declared.

"What about Severa, My Lord?" Bellatrix asked.

"Do as you wish. Oh, and one more thing," Voldemort glided over to Vera, who was lying at his feet. "Pettigrew warned me that you and Black might have betrayed my trust, not that he was aware of the particulars. I'm sure you think you're very clever, but know this- I always have safeguards. I am unstoppable, and with the Hallows, I am Death itself."

Vera snarled, and felt the Dark Lord kick her in the stomach before walking off.

Bellatrix grinned. "Oh, I have been waiting for this, haven't you, Roddy?"

Rodolphus beamed. "Of course, dear. We will have so much fun making her scream."

It took everything in her power not to lose her mind, the pain was beyond comprehension as the three of them took turns casting the Cruciatus. It was delirious pain, convulsing pain. Time spread into infinity.

At some point, the brothers had left the room and it was just Vera and Bellatrix.

"You must have thought you were so clever, betraying our Lord." Bellatrix sneered. "I'm sure you thought you were even cleverer talking yourself into his good graces again, but we knew what a traitorous work you were." She hit Vera repeatedly with a metal chain. She had gotten bored of magical means of torture and was settling for blunt force. Vera winced.

She knelt down and took a knife out of her robes. "But you forget, that the Dark Lord knows all, and his vengeance is swift. And once we are done with you, we will do the same to your Blood-traitor husband and brat." She presses the knife to Vera's throat.

"The Dark Lord doesn't know all." Vera replied hoarsely.

Rage filled Bellatrix's eyes, and in her distraction, Vera used her last bit of magic to push Bellatrix's hand in her direction, jamming the ceremonial dagger into her own throat. As her eyes widened in shock, blood pooling out her mouth, Vera lifted herself up, stealing Bellatrix's wand. She found a stray vial of Pepperup in her robes and opened the cell door. On her way, she subdued the Lestranges, taking back her own wand as she fled the manor.

Who knew how much time had passed? Was she too late? How would she even find Lily in time?

She felt the heat in her pocket of a small metal cylinder. The Deilluminator!

She hastily took it out and held it in her hand, clicking it open. A ball of light floated out of the device and floated in the air, before moving away. Instinctively, Vera felt that she had to follow it, wherever it went.

She ran, through woods, over creeks, past roads, she ran what seemed like miles. As she ran, she felt a tug from her wedding band, subconsciously giving her geographic directions -heading due east, further north. Ad Meliora indeed, those tracking charms did work!

She was heading further into the West Country, straight to Godric's Hollow.

She was beyond tired and a pitiful sight when she reached the quiet town, but she had to keep going, she had to stop the Dark Lord. She had an idea of where he could be, a house Dumbledore had mentioned in passing from his childhood. She would have to cross through the graveyard.

Vera felt the stillness of the graveyard. As it was a magical town, the ghosts had risen to take their place for the Samhain, and had gathered around in a circle. They did not speak to Vera, only stared. She felt their chilly displeasure, but was grateful they did not stop her.

The largest ghost, a Druid in high priest robes, lifted his finger to the sky. "You are too late."

Vera was about to ask what he meant, when she saw an explosion in the distance.

The light guided her to the ruins of the house, where Vera frantically looked for survivors. Gideon was lying face down on the foyer, wand still in his hand. She rushed up the crumbling stairs to the nursery, to see Lily's body slumped over the crib. The Dark Lord's robes were on a pile on the floor, his remains turned to ash. Harry, despite everything, was alive and wailing.

She wanted nothing more than to cradle Lily's body in her arms and sob. She had failed her, and Lily had paid the price. Instead, she lifted up the baby and tried to calm it down, his little red curls bouncing across his face as he wiped his eyes with his small hands.

Vera held the baby tightly to her chest and kissed his forehead. She walked over to Lily, and gently placed her on the floor, closing her eyes and whispering the Lord's Prayer. She took a few items from the Dark Lord and stowed them in her robes. She then picked up the baby.

"Goodbye, Lily. I'm so sorry."

She lifted her wand and apparated away.

When they arrived at the flat, Harry began to cry again, which woke up Laura in the other room.

"What happened?" James asked as he saw her state. He quickly took the baby from her arms as she collapsed to the floor. James stared at the boy's green eyes. "Is this…"

"I was too late James," Vera sobbed. "I had the Deilluminator and I found her, but I was too late. He had already gotten to her."

"Then how is he alive?" James asked, pointing to the large cut on Harry's forehead. James cleaned the wound, but it kept bleeding.

"I don't know, but the Dark Lord is dead." Vera replied, still curled on the floor. "I think I'll need everything from our stores. The Lestranges were rather unkind."

James nodded, wiping his tears as he went to place the baby in the nursery with Laura, somewhat calming him down. He gently lifted Vera onto the couch, and administered potions and fluids, letting her rest as he wrapped her bandages.

"What should we do about the boy? We can't keep him." James remarked.

"Send him to the Weasleys, I think." Vera mumbled. "Molly is probably the closest relation, and I doubt Petunia would mind."

James nodded. "I'll take him in the morning."

"Take him now," Vera urged. "The longer he's with us, the more in danger he will be in." She took out the Invisibility Cloak. "You might need this."

James gently grabbed the delicate fabric, running his hands over it. Tears ran through his face. "Thank you," he whispered. He ran back to the nursery, and Vera heard a quiet pop. Crying herself to sleep, Vera let the pain and loss envelop her as she retreated to the blackness of sleep.

—

When Vera awoke, she saw James sitting beside her, his face buried in his hands. He turned to face her at the sound of her movement, and embraced her. "Thank god, you're alive."

"I still feel like I'm dead," Vera deadpanned.

James nodded and hugged her tightly. "You were so brave. I just wish I could have helped you, I could have saved you..."

"Or that you could have saved Lily?" Vera asked. "You can't wish for what could have happened, and you can't feel it's your responsibility to save everyone. Have you dropped Harry off with his family?"

"Yes, though I didn't stick around for the reunion, I'm afraid. I snuck in and placed him in the crib with their youngest. And the authorities have found out about Gideon and Lily. Bloody idiots' only takeaway is that You-Know-Who is gone. They've declared it a national holiday," James fumed.

"Bastards," Vera spat. "Have they no shame."

"I saw some of them are openly celebrating in the street, robes and all, it's been a nightmare, honestly." James muttered. "Pubs are completely full."

"Pity, I could use a drink," Vera replied.

She and James laughed before they both started to cry, holding each other in their arms and sobbing.

—-

Time as always, continued on. Vera was in a state of depression the next few months hardly leaving her bed, and James kept feeling survivors guilt. He was devastated at Lily's death, but he was still having to hold it together for the both of them, though in some ways, he was beginning to resent Lily for her hold on his wife, even in death.

James was finishing up Laura's bedtime and had finally gotten her to sleep when he heard a knock at the door. "Vera, could you get that?"

No response.

He sighed, and went to the door, surprised to find Minerva at the other end.

"And what do I owe the presence of my favourite professor to my humble abode?" James asked.

"Oh hush, Mr. Potter. I'm here on business. Is your wife at home?"

James replied in the affirmative and went to tell Vera.

"Tell her I won't see her," Vera mumbled.

"Just hear her out," James urged. "It might be something worthwhile."

"She's probably offering me the Potions post now that Slughorn's retired for the second time. And frankly, my time is better spent elsewhere."

"Like in bed?" James replied angrily. "Vera, this has gone on long enough. You have to move forward, you can't keep living like this."

Vera glared at him. "Just because I cared for her…"

"You don't think I didn't?" James hissed. "I had to put my feelings aside for our sake, for Laura's sake. Last I checked, we both have someone who depends on us, and I can't be the only one holding this family together. Please, just get up, listen to her and then if you want you can reject the offer."

Vera looked at him forlornly and sighed. "Very well, but only for a few minutes. And I will not brush my hair."

"Ah, Severa, I'm glad you could make it," Minerva greeted her brusquely. "I do hope I was not interrupting anything."

"Not at all, Minerva. Have you settled in as Headmaster?"

Minerva gave a tired smile, "The Castle almost runs itself these days, though we all still feel the loss of those we've missed. I have had a most interesting year due to our new Transfiguration Professor."

"Is that so?" James asked. "Remus seems like he's doing well at his job."

Minerva gave a ghost of a smile. "It's not Mr. Lupin's performance that is the problem, it seems the public is still at odds with yours and Mr. Black's legislation allowing the entrance of nonhuman students and faculty, especially from the Board of Governors."

"If Lucius Malfoy is still giving you trouble, please let me know, I'll have a word with him," James replied firmly. "After all, we do have dinner plans next week."

Minerva turned to Vera, "Is that so?"

Vera fidgeted. "Yes, though I might decline. What is it you wanted, Minerva?"

"I'm sure you're aware the position of Potion Master is vacant," Minerva began.

"And you remember what a debacle my last sojourn at Hogwarts was," Vera countered.

"Hardly a debacle, we had our highest standardized examination scores in years," Minerva countered.

"But I can't leave my daughter, James works full time."

"She can come with you," Minerva replied. "She can go to school at Hogsmeade Primary when she's old enough, and the House Elves could look after her now."

"And I don't mind taking off a few hours to look after Laura," James added. "As acting Head for the British seat of ICW, I have a bit more flexibility to work from home, I just have to make it to voting days."

"We will make it as painless as possible to transition back to teaching," Minerva replied gently. "You can create your own curriculum too."

"As much as I want to accept your offer, I can't. There's just too many memories to face," Vera replied sadly.

"Maybe that's why you should take it," James urged.

—-

Later that night, when Vera gave her final decision and they'd sent Minerva off, Vera held James as they sat in bed.

"Do you think I made the right choice?" She asked.

"Yes," James replied stroking her hair. "You make such a fuss about how you hate it, but you thrive on teaching. Torturing those kids is your true calling."

"Oh stop it, I meant the right choice about everything. Maybe if we hadn't lied to Lily from the beginning, do you think she'd still be alive? Would she forgive us?" Vera wondered.

"We could ask her," James replied.

Vera's eyes widened. "The Snitch!"

James reaches into his pocket and pulled it out.

"You have it with you?" Vera whispered.

"Wherever I go," James replied. He gripped it tightly in his hand. He had sublimated his guilt, and made peace with himself. What he had done might not have been right, but he had done it in the name of love. The Snitch clicked open, revealing the Stone.

Vera reached into her dresser drawer and pulled out the Elder Wand. "Do you have the Cloak?" James nodded, giving her the Stone, and retrieved it from the chest at the foot of their bed. He wrapped it around them.

"Does this make us the Masters Of Death?" James asked.

"I'm not sure, I don't feel any different," Vera replied. James folded away the Cloak and Vera placed away the wand.

"What are you going to do with it?" James asked.

"Hide it for the time being until I can get Harry to disarm me. As far as anyone suspects, it's his by right. My use of it would raise too many questions." Vera answered. "Are we ready?"

James nodded, and turned the Stone three times.

An apparition of Lily floated from the Stone, serene and beautiful. Her eyes were shining.

"James, Vera, I'm so happy to see you both."

"Lily," They chimed separately.

"I'm so proud of both of you, and for what you sacrificed. James, thank you for taking my son to safety, I will be forever grateful for that."

James gave a light bow. "It was nothing."

"It was not," Lily insisted. "There are still Death Eaters looking to break through the wards on the Weasleys, if you hadn't given Harry to them in time, they wouldn't have been able to set them up in the first place. And…" She paused, lingering on her thought. "I know there could have been something between us, we could have been very happy together. I know, because I can see my life in parallel- all the roads untaken."

"I know, and I will always love you, but I love Vera too," James replied.

Lily smiled. "So do I. Vera, he's right, this can't go on. You need to move on with your life, and from me."

Vera's face fell. "How could you ask that of me?"

"Because it's not love, it's obsession, and it isn't healthy, it never was." Lily replied somberly.

"But I did it all for you, everything I did was for you!" Vera screamed.

"Was it? Last I checked, your initial motivations were selfish, and your latter ones were to protect your family. I appreciate that you risked your life for me, Gideon and Harry, But you kept putting me on this pedestal. I don't deserve that, and I can't live up to that. Move on."

Vera started to cry, tears running down her face. James held her tightly. "But I don't want to, I don't want to forget you, Lily."

"You won't," Lily replied quietly. "But remember me as I was, not as you wanted me to be."

She waved goodbye. "See you soon, I love you both dearly. And Vera? Tell Harry I love him when you see him again."

Lily's apparition floated, and disappeared into the ether as the rays of the sun rose up from the night sky.

Vera wiped her eyes, and lifted her head back. "We are going to have to bury this. I don't think I could handle this again."

James took the Stone from her hand and placed it in a small wooden box, locking it. He then transfigured the box into a bird and released it out the window.

"Out of sight, out of mind," he declared.

Vera wrapped her arms around James and kissed him, leading him back to bed as she pulled off his shirt. James fumbled with her nightgown, and kissed down her body. As they made love in the morning, they closed this chapter of their lives. War was over, the truth was out, and there were no plans, no prophecies. There was nothing, but their own hearts and their souls bound to each other.

—-

Well this is it. Thank you for reading Veracity. Special thanks to vani12, fangirl666, Mii McGonagall, Naidhe, Master of Macabre, artemisdarkmoon, and the unnamed Guest. Thank you to all who followed and favorited. This was my first complete long story and I couldn't have done it without you all. This was the highlight of my year. Once again, thank you, and I love you all.