The order was confused by Severus' sudden intrusion but was left even more confused by the lack of information from both Harry and Lupin.
They told the group that he was here to merely send a report on Amelia's progress and that she wasn't ready just yet. The group of course knew they were lying but most didn't care. All attention falling on Ginny and keeping her and her unborn child safe and hidden. Lupin, Kingsley and Harry can take care of the death eaters, everyone else was too tired and weak to be burdened any longer, their fires began to burn out.
Tonks was the only Order member who kept pushing the conversation further. She knew Harry and she certainly knew her husband. Things weren't adding up and both men kept dancing around her questioning.
When the three of them were finally alone in the kitchen, she asked again "Why would Snape randomly show up here to send us word on Amelia? Doesn't that strike you as odd?"
"We told you why he was here Tonks." Harry said as he made himself lunch, his patience wearing thin. Lupin stood there silent, hands in his pockets as the toe of his shoe scuffed at something invisible on the floor.
Tonks had had enough. She looked at both her husband and the chosen one. If they aren't going to tell her, she will find out herself.
Stepping backwards towards the hallway she threw her hands in the air. "Fine! That's fine. I will just write to Amelia myself."
"NO!" They both shouted in unison. Harry holding a piece of jammed bread while Lupin nearly jumped at her.
Tonks smirked and folded her arms around her chest. "Huh. Dont want me poking around eh?" Her face fell as she became serious, giving both men a look only an irritated mother could give. "What's going on?"
"Sweetheart, you can't let Amelia know he was here." Lupin approached speaking softly, touching her shoulder. His eyes filled with worry, trying to pull at her heart strings, hoping she would back down. Tonks wasnt falling for it.
"Why? Why can't she know?"
"Because Snape doesn't want her looking for him." Harry said quietly, praying no one was eavesdropping.
Tonks brows furrowed as she shrugged her shoulders. "Why!?"
Harry rolled his eyes and threw his arms out. "We don't know! He doesn't want her involved in this anymore!"
Hermione burst into the kitchen with a letter in her hands looking more frazzled than usual. "Professor Snape is missing!"
Lupin looked at the three of them and took the letter from Hermione. It was obviously from Amelia. He traced his fingers over his face while giving Harry a look. "Have you responded to the letter?" He asked her in a light tone, trying not to cause anymore mess.
"Of course, her crow wouldn't leave. Why wouldn't I?" She said confusedly.
Harry swore under his breath and turned back to his sandwich, trying not to explode. Lupin sighed and asked calmly "What did you tell her? "
"I told her that he showed up here, left and we haven't seen him since."
Harry ran his fingers through his hair and Lupin dropped his head. Tonks looked at them both smugly. "Well if you had been more forthcoming..."
Lupin narrowed his eyes at his wife.
"Was I not supposed to? The letter wasn't addressed to anyone." Hermione said wearily. She hated feeling like she had done something wrong.
"No, it's not your fault. Severus asked us to keep her in America until we get everything more under control." Lupin said finally giving in.
Hermione stared at him as if he had three heads. "But I thought we needed her?"
This was becoming too complicated. Too many people are becoming involved in a situation that Severus wanted hush.
Lupin dropped his hands to his side. "We don't need her anymore. She needs to stay away."
Hermione waited for him to continue.
"Severus asked Harry and I to keep her unknown to any of this. He doesn't want her to come looking for him and he's handling the situation himself." He said in a forced whisper, looking to Harry for some input.
Finally Harry spoke. "This information isn't to leave this room. The more people who know the more information Amelia could get if she shows up here and if Snape has a plan and this is his only wish... I'm going to respect it. We all owe him that."
Before Hermione could respond, the front door opened with a bang. A very flushed and angry Amelia barrelled into the kitchen.
"WHERE IS HE!?" She demanded.
Severus waited patiently in a dark corner of Nocturn Alley. It was raining and the wet cobblestone paths were relatively quiet with the exception of a few street workers.
He rested his head against the brick wall. He had been waiting outside of Dolohovs favorite bar for hours, wand at the ready. Luckily for Severus, he walked in alone and will most likely be too inebriated to fight back given the amount of time he's been in there.
As the minuets passed Severus' mind began to wander to Amelia. She had been with him for only a short time but he felt like he knew her his entire life. For the first time he had felt, just for a moment, that he could be normal. Have normal things, live a normal life and have someone to share it with.
Everytime he looked into Amelia's eyes all he saw was acceptance, innocence and what he came to realize was love. He didn't have to explain himself to her or justify the things he had done. She wasn't tainted by war, she was full of life and light.
Amelia was like a breath of fresh air and he hadn't breathed freely in a very long time. The horrible sappiness of it all terrified him and it was probably going to cost him his life. He had to keep her safe no matter what.
'blasted woman'
Lost in his musings he had almost missed the burley shadow of Dolohov stumble down the pub steps. He listened closely as he shouted back at someone in the bar, a twisted smile plastered across his scarred face.
Severus waited for his opportunity. Waited for him to wander past him, completely oblivious to his attackers presence.
Dolohov grumbled and drooled down his broad chest as he made his way past Severus.
Once in sight, Severus whistled sharply at him.
"Huh?" Dolohov turned clumsily and stumbled forward towards the dark corner. " 'oos ere?" He said gruffly, more drool falling from his half open mouth.
All it took was a sharp tap on his forehead and he fell like a tree face first onto the pavement. Quickly Severus waved his wand over the large man and apparated them both to his rented room.
Dolohovs body hit the carpet hard, causing the floor to shake. Severus looked down at the man with disgust. He kicked one of his legs, looking him over, making sure he wasn't waking anytime soon. Not that it would be an issue, but he really didn't want to deal with a half destroyed motel room.
"Gods you stink." he sneered. Severus bent over the unconscious Death Eater and lifted his head off the floor. In a long slicing motion the skin on Dolohovs throat split, covering the beige carpet in red. The brute of a man gurgled and wheezed as he took his last breath.
"Better death than you deserve" Severus said with as much venom as he could muster while the Death Eaters head hit the floor with a hollow THUD. Unfazed, he magicked the mess away with a wave of his hand and ran his tongue over his teeth, thinking of his next steps. This sort of violence wasn't new to him. He however took no pleasure from it, no matter who was receiving it.
After a slight pause he sighed and hoisted Dolohovs head up once more. Another slicing spell and he was left with a fistful of course, dirty, black hair as the head made contact with the ground a second time.
"Hope you don't mind." Severus said nonchalantly as he pocketed his bounty.
The four Order members stared at Amelia, shocked that she had done exactly what they were trying to prevent her from doing.
Trying to speak as calmly as possible, Amelia took a long breath and looked at each member. A silent threat behind her eyes. "I am pissed...and I am tired. I would like to know where Severus is and what he was doing here."
Hermione looked from Harry to Lupin, her eyes as big as saucers. Tonks stared at her husband smugly, not at all surprised by this outcome but interested to see how it plays out. Harry and Lupin watched Amelia, the wheels turning in their brains, not really sure what to say.
Finally Tonks took a step towards her cousin. "Lea-"
"Amelia, Snape showed up and as soon as we drew our wands on him he left." Harry lied. "We haven't seen him either."
Amelia narrowed her eyes at him, trying to focus through her chaotic emotions but she couldn't. She couldn't get a read. 'call his bluff'
"Severus wouldn't do that, he's not a coward." That much she did know.
No one spoke as Tonks touched her arm. "Let's go upstairs. You can tell me about your training" The three remaining silently watched the women climb the stairs. Amelia with her eyes on the ground, the forlorn look on her face telling the group all they needed to know about her relationship with the former potions master.
Tonks turned her head as Lupin raised his fingers to his lips. She nodded in understanding.