CHP18

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Chapter 18

"Please don't freak out!" Lily pleaded quickly as Severus froze in prime 'freak-out position'-hands up, mouth open to yell and face pale white in rage and terror.

"I'm cool, I'm cool, not freaking out. Ok." He took one large deep breath and said calmly "Lily this is a fucking awful plan please don't do this!"

"It's not I've got it under control."

"Under control?! Lily there is no possible way in the fucking heavens you could-"

"Perhaps if you were to let her speak?" Gaunt interrupted politely, for all the world sounding like he wasn't having a heart attack at the thought of one of his students using herself as bait and slowly wiped his palms on his trousers.

"Have a little faith in her, as she does you little snake." He reprimanded gently, unhappy to see the boy look so chastised as his frown crevassed into his face, looking as though it would be etched there through the decades.

"I do Lily but oh Merlin, I really don't want to see you get hurt."

"I know. That's why I love you, you great big dolt." She sniffed and rubbed her face before launching into his arms as he buried his face in her puffed hair. Marvolo looked away to give them their privacy and refocused on his correcting, ie-the student projects littering his desk including Severus' and Lily's.

"Perhaps if I may offer some reassurance. I've come across the handiest little protection bracelets…"

He dangled their projects in the air and they laughed, accepting their 'Outstanding' grade with grace and two bows in unison.

"Take pride in the fact that your combined magic will look after you. Your charms and runes are very elegantly executed."

Lily slipped a bracelet on her wrist and pressed her hand into Severus'.

"Be ready ok? I'll press the alarm on the bracelet, and you be ready yeah?"

"Sure." Severus murmured, nodded his head in quick succession.

The time ticked down, the clock hands on the wall drawing nearer and nearer to Lily's four o clock meeting with the headmaster. Bella's rumors, centered on Severus specifically, had spread faster than wildfire and Lily had received a summons not hours after yesterday's HogsHeads dinner rush.

"I think I'm gonna throw up." Lily announced rising from her chair and beginning to pace.

"Oh Merlin please don't." Severus clutched his teacup tighter, allowing his white knuckles to be his only sign of distress.

At the five-minute mark Lily inhaled and gathered up the rest of her courage. "I'll see you later boys."

"Goodbye Ms. Evans. The Gods be with you." Marvolo rose and gave her a bow at a full ninety-degree angle to signal his level of respect for this girls bravery. He placed his hand on Severus' shoulder and said

"Why don't you spend some time with Mr. Dalessandro before dinner no?"

"Yessir." The young boy sniffed and leaned into Marvolos arm when he offered it. He shooed Severus down the corridor and sighed as he looked in the direction of the Headmasters office with his stomach in a knot.

Lily folded her hands in her skirt and then her ankles behind one another in a nervous rhythm as the Headmasters gaze bored into her. She knew this time for sure she wasn't the only one feeling the tension in the room.

"And even on your prefect rounds?" He pressed, "Nothing?"

And …Action. Lily wet her lip in hesitation, waiting just a second too long until she saw the twinkle in Dumbledore's too-blue eyes glint in sheer rage. Perfect. Her hands were shaking under the skirts' pleats as the room was filled with a heavy magical aura that made it perfectly clear how Dumbledore had defeated Grindelwald.

"No sir."

Waiting for him to act on his clear annoyance was the hardest thing Lily ever thought she'd had to do. She knew the bait had been snagged the second he rose from his chair in a flurry of gawdy purple and yellow robes to fetch the tea instead of summoning it the way most magic-dependent purebloods did and the way he had every other week.

Panic rose like a rough seas tide in her throat as he began to stir with his back to her. God knows what he had slipped into her cup, she hadn't planned for this. What if it was a spell or potion she wouldn't be able to switch with her narrow repertoire of wandless spells? What if it was a compulsion tied to the cup itself? Before she lost all sense, Lily took a deep breath and listened to the part of her that her new Slytherin acquaintances were influencing. She could do this, there was no way a creepy old man was going to get one up on Lily Evans.

As he carried over the tray she rushed to help. "Oh here Headmaster, you musn't-oh do let me-"

"Oh nonsense my dear, I'm quite able yet." That was a much of a threat as an Avada Kedavra and his resounding chuckle sent shivers all the way down her rigid spine as she smiled weakly in response.

"Of course sir. You'd have to be to get up these stairs every day. Tiring ammiright?" Her joke didn't seem to land as he ushered a fine china cup towards her. She thanked him gracefully and repeating the plan to herself, let out a loud gasp.

"Oh Fawkes, Headmaster is he alright?" The bird, bless it's soul, gave a loud trill at just that moment and attracted the mans attention long enough for Lily to scrape her new bracelet of the edge of her cup before a wandless switching spell had the two cups switched almost seamlessly.

"He really is the most fascinating bird sir!" She preened, glancing down to see the red glow signaling tampering magic on the designated bracelet bead.

"Quite, quite." Dumbledore agreed before taking a long sip of tea with his hand firmly clasped around the cup as she did the same. "It took of lot of bribery to convince him to stay with me of course, but one must uphold an image as I'm sure you know Ms. Evans."

He…bound Fawkes illegally to keep up an image of being good and benevolent. What the fuck? It must have been one strong truth compulsion on that cup and it would make Lily wake up in a cold sweat years later to think what information she would have mindlessly spilled.

"Why would you say something like that sir?" She cried 'shocked.' Playing her role for just a moment longer.

"I have no idea." He frowned, puzzled. "Perhaps the compulsion is on both cups. No matter-"

She had what she needed but Lily couldn't resist, she had to know, know her family hadn't been nearly torn apart for no reason. She would get her answers.

"Why do u care so much about what Severus does sir?"

"A poor halfblood from a household like that…" Dumbledore shook his head, a delighted smile on his face.

"Why he couldn't be a better candidate for future redemption if I had written the formula myself. All he needed was a little push and he'll be all too willing to damn himself."

"But he hasn't done anything wrong, if you-you knew about his father why didn't you do anything, why wouldn't you help him?"

"Of course, I knew dear girl, but why should I, more opportunity for a necessary ah, redemption tale later, those sort of children always end up the same anyway. I'm sure he'll come crawling back the Light eventually, especially with you onside Ms. Evans." He had a faux-knowing sort of twinkle in his eye as he chuckled, and Lily wanted to gut him with the fancy quill laying across the desk.

"But Sev's just a kid, he's innocent of any sort of crime how could you-" Her rage was nearly blinding and she thought maybe she'd be the one going to Azkaban when he just kept fucking talking like they were casually talking about the weather not him screwing over several people's lives.

"That's no worry my dear, if something must be arranged for the Aurors to find, it'll be easy as pie after all. A Slytherin child with muggle drunk for a father gone dark, why nobody will blink an eye."

"Of course. Why would they." She asked bitterly, more to herself than the crazy lunatic in front of her and nearly leapt out of her skin when he replied.

"Ah that was a very clever move on my part I do say. A little word here and there to the right people, asking dear Elphias to arrange a certain pavlava in those villages, it really did do a great deal for the Light's power base and I'm sure Tom was far too preoccupied with his new 'teaching position' to notice."

Lily had to leave before she stabbed him right then and there. All those poor muggles, countless lives lost, a discrimination barrier pushed to gaping in their world all because this man couldn't handle losing just a little of his powerbase and fame to more qualified families with different policies?

"As you say sir, do excuse me, uhhh ladies room emergency." She grabbed her bag and fled, running faster then she ever had in her life, tears blinding her as she groped for the doorhandle to Professor Gaunt's office. She didn't even remember making it down the stairs and wondered if she'd left her heart on the floor somewhere if someone would like to return it any time now please and thank you. She burst into the room, a class full of duelling third-years freezing to stare at her gasping like a madwoman. One of her Gryffindors who she regularly helped with homework nearly waved before his Slytherin dueling partner took her shot and knocked him out cold with a stunner to the temple.

"Pre-fect em-emergency." She panted, looking at Gaunt who revived the embarrassed student with a thoughtless wave of his hand.

"Very well then. Seeing as there is only minutes of class left, you're dismissed with the reminder that your final year assessment essays are due on my desk Monday!" He rose his voice over the bustling crowd as Lily collapsed against his desk and let the tears flow down her cheeks.

The door slammed shut and she whirled around in rage, kicking his desk again and again as she ranted.

"He's lost his fucking mind! We need to go to the Ministry! The national guard, the British government, The Queen, Mycroft Holmes, hell fucking NASA for all I care but Jesus we have to do something before I kill him dead."

"As much as I would like Dumbledore-who is I assume the person we're talking about, ok good,-dead I doubt NASA will help. So how about the Aurors for now?"

"But he's got people onside! He said so and something about an Elphias-which is a damn stupid name but who knows whose working for him."

"Oh you trust me darlin' Elphias Doge won't be an issue for anyone ever again." Marvolo murmured darkly before blinking and belying her with an innocent smile.

"Do you do something Dark Lordy over the weekend by any chance Professor?" Lily raised her eyebrow and put her hands on her hips to glare at him teasingly, that information secretly reassuring her.

"Hush. Do you want to tell me exactly what happened? We need some hard evidence, so breathe and remember best you can."

"Well he bloody interrogated me is what happened and tried to drug me but I switched the cups-"

She stopped herself short and gasped, dread curdling like milk in her stomach. "I forgot to take the cup, oh god sir I'm so sorry I forgot the cup I've ruined everything. My memory won't be enough will it?"

He paused only a moment and confessed, "Ordinarily I would say so without a doubt and it will be used as evidence, however there is a possibility…they may discount your memory alone on your stellar charms reputation. It's unlikely they'll believe him that a student could doctor a memory quite so well, but we want as water-tight a testimony as possible. You've been very brave Ms. Evans, you've done quite enough, I can take it from here."

"We need something physical." Lily reasoned, tightening her ponytail. "We need that cup or-or the vial or something."

"Ms. Evans…"

"I've come this far and I will not let you stop me! Not now." He only sighed and placed a warm hand on her shoulder.

"As you wish. Perhaps you want to tell Severus the good news? And I'll find a way to get into his office when he's otherwise occupied."

"I might be able to help with that." Alex spoke up from the doorway, not looking fazed by having two wands pointed at his face as he twirled a piece of parchment in his hands.

"Alex, Alex wait up where did you-oh."

Severus skidded to halt and studied the situation with sad eyes turning around with utter grief in his eyes, mentally preparing himself to lose his boyfriend.

"Alex I-"

"Relax Sev, I've got it covered babe." He pressed a kiss to Severus temple and used their entangled hands to drag him further into the room.

"Sorry for eavesdropping by the way; the nifty wards made me nosy and Sev was with me so I knew Lily was probably spilling some juicy gossip." He winked towards the redhead in question and sashayed over to Gaunt, holding out the paper for him to take.

"You might have better luck with the tunnels on this thing, being the Heir of Slytherin with mighty dark lordy powers and all."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." Gaunt denied immediately as Alex rolled his eyes when Lily and Severus flinched.

Alex blinked. "I mean…was it supposed to be a secret? Coz we've had bets running in the Ravenclaw tower-amongst the smartest of us anyway-about how you're gonna off the Headmaster. Spork and dessert spoon are tied right now." He continued conversationally as though this wasn't the strangest conversation any of them had ever taken part in.

When nothing but stunned silence met his words he continued on in true Ravenclaw fashion.

"Has anyone ever told u you're too hot to be a dark lord? Here's my homework by the way, the question was really cool, thanks."

"Alex, Alex love…"

"Yeah Sev?"

"What? I mean why would you…"

"Help my boyfriend achieve his apparently super-secret life goals of uprooting a corrupt headmaster and getting a mastery at the same time? Coz I'm awesome. Let's go now shall we? I know for a fact he's not even in the castle so move now lads chopchop, we don't have all day, the Aurors can be slow to get up off their asses." He threw the piece of parchment with some sort of map scribbles all over it at Gaunt and sailed from the room.

Gaunt opened his mouth and then just facepalmed. "I have so many questions. Like what is this? Who are the Marauders? Where did he get this? Where did he come from and can I keep him?"

"He's my boyfriend, get your own." Severus retorted immediately as he snatched the moving map and ran after Alex.

"Lily guess who used to own this!"

"Dumb and dumber?"

"Yupidy. It's sorta neat actually."

As the pair jogged along to catch up with the bouncing Ravenclaw, he leaned in and asked her "Are you sure you're okay? He definitely didn't get you with anything?"

"No. Tried to compulsion my cup but I handled it. We've just gotta get it."

"Ah so that's why we're going this way. Shame I thought we were just gonna screw up all his shit while he was gone."

"Naw you were a bit late to the briefing. So rude." Lily shook her head at him, the familiar banter returning her heart rate to normal as they reached the empty corridor.

"I knew you could do it. My lil sister, taking down institutions in one day." He placed a hand across his chest. "I'm so proud."

Lily snorted and interrupted a snarling Gaunt looming over a dismissive Alex. "So whats the plan how do we break in?"

"Got that handled Lilybug." Alex twirled his wand and looked at Gaunt. "You gonna help Big Bad or do I gotta do everything for myself?"

What followed was a series of spells so mindboggling, Lily felt like she'd spent the day wandering around Dumbledore's wardrobe.

"What are they?"

"Thieving spells basically, the Gringotts curse breakers in Egypt use em a lot."

As the Gargoyle creaked and allowed Lily to race up the stairs, Alex turned and bowed with a smirk.

"That was really sexy." Severus whispered into the air and Gaunt scoffed.

"I'm far too old for this, march now and drool over your boyfriends arse later. Watch that map like a hawk you hear me?"

Severus nodded grimly and spent the longest fifteen minutes in school history staring intently at the empty corridor marked in front of their little cluster of dots.

Soon enough the sounds of bickering reached his ears and he breathed a sigh of relief. If Lily and Alex were arguing than all was probably well and normal.

"You know you really don't have to look so damn pleased with yourself." Lily was saying as she reached Severus' side. Severus didn't even need to ask who when he saw Gaunt preening like a peacock and Alex shaking with repressed laughter.

As they casually walked away from the still office, Lily's robes cradling a small, innocent looking teacup, Severus felt it safe to ask "Alright who did what?"

"I turned all his lemon drops to acid."

"Turned all his robes green."

"I stole Fawkes."

They all stared at Alex for the third time that day.

"I'm sorry you did what?"

"Stole Fawkes." He didn't seem particularly concerned. "Is that a problem?"

Gaunt scowled "No but fuck I wish I'd thought of it."

"I steal things for a living, don't beat yourself up. I'll see you at dinner 'cause I've got a bird to deliver. Fancy date tonight, eh Sev? Dinner and a show…"

His wicked smirk made Severus' knees buckle and his cheeks flush as victory thrummed through his bones. They were so close. Dumbledore's demise was literally in their grasp and if Lily dropped that cup he would kill her.

Severus refused to allow himself to feel relieved until Gaunt held out an innocuous brown bag and asked "Ms. Evans, if you would?"

It wasn't until the owl with that bag and a pre-prepared note were far from sight did Severus let himself breathe. He was still trembling at dinner, the four them making eye contact in a little square of criminal knowledge doing nothing to assuage his nerves.

He hadn't managed to put more than a forkful of potatoes in his mouth when a crowd of red-clad Aurors burst into the hall from all sides, in a rather dramatic and final entrance.

Severus was none too delighted to see Auror Butters step forward, roll out his parchment and clear his throat. "Albus Brian Wulfric Percival Dumbledore you are under arrest by order of the Ministry of Magic and removed from your position as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, effective immediately."