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It was too early in the morning. All the Death Eaters were either asleep, or they were up because they never slept. The ones that were awake were in the dining hall waiting for an extra early breakfast. In one hand, Marlene carried a can of furniture polish; in the other hand, a certain emerald necklace wrapped in a dirty rag. Everyone in the castle knew the Malfoys were swimming in gold, they didn't bother to hide it, rather, they flaunted their wealth. Marlene overheard countless dinner table conversations that revolved around Narcissa and her filthy rich husband. A new day, a new expensive gift. Upon jewelry, perfumes, exotic silks and potions, the emerald necklace was Narcissa's most prized possession. Like clockwork, Lucius was the first to wake up. He would dress, then patrol the gardens until it was time for breakfast. However, he wouldn't be the one to scour the bedroom. Narcissa insisted that at eight o'clock sharp, breakfast to be brought up to her room; by nine, she was dressed to perfection. She refused to be seen by the other wives and Death Eaters until she was groomed and pampered for the day.
Marlene deduced she only had a few hours before Narcissa would notice her favorite emerald necklace gone. She wrapped the necklace in the dirty rag and tucked it into her apron to cover up any noise. Snape was infamous among the servants for harshly refusing service, let alone drop off so much as a sock to be laundered. "What is wrong with that man?" Marlene thought as she carefully climbed the stairs. Since the laundry maids had no clothes of his, she would have to go straight to the source. Snape's bedroom.
She briskly knocked on the door. "Furniture polished, sir?" Marlene whispered loudly. Someone was running the water in the bathroom across the corridor, so it was nearly impossible to tell if he was in there or not. Cautiously, Marlene held her breath and opened the door.
The room was just as dark as she pictured, but surprisingly cramped. There was an empty fireplace with two black leather armchairs, and across from it was a four-poster bed with the canopy stripped away. No one was sitting in the chairs, at the writing desk, or in bed. It was fair to assume the room was empty, but not for much longer. Where was Lily? Marlene quickly shut the door behind her. She found a pair of black robes discarded on the floor. Careful not to disturb its current position, Marlene slipped the emerald necklace from her apron into the pocket of his robes. Before leaving, she briefly scanned for any evidence of struggle. There was a mysterious streak of dried ink on the wall. No blood, no sweat, and no semen on the bed, only a few red hairs. The stench of cigarettes was overpowering. It was time to go. Just as Marlene opened the door, she gasped. The sound of approaching footsteps and voices were around the corner.
"…. Don't know what Rabastan's problem is." A woman said. "He's had a wretched attitude since he wasn't assigned to the attack on Potter Manor. Jealousy, I'd say."
"With an inflated ego. I fear that may be the reason your Rabastan has lost the favor of the Dark Lord." A man replied.
Bellatrix Lestrange and Snape. Marlene hid behind the door and waited for the both to leave the hallway. Her eyes darted around the room, searching for a place to hide in case the two Death Eaters entered the bedroom. She silently cursed her luck. Any two Death Eaters in the whole castle, and the loud, insane woman and the heartless, sadistic monster are only a few paces away.
"Ugh." The woman grunted. "Look at this, disgusting mudbloods. Not even fit to scrub the floors anymore. I can't tell if it's those bloody house elves or the mudbloods anymore; they all need to be adjusted. By the way, Severus, what happened at dinner last night? Was that the blood traitor bitch who threatened you? What the hell was that about?"
"The blood traitor knows my personal servant. They used to be friendly, is my understanding."
"Hm. It's dangerous business to have two friendly servants; that's how pesky riots start. If I were you, I would have slapped or killed her right there. It isn't proper for the mudbloods and traitors to mouth off to their masters. How's the red haired mudblood performing? Satisfactory, I hope?"
"Very satisfactory." The man stated. "A slight attitude problem, but she's adjusting. The red haired one is conforming to her role more smoothly than expected."
"And is she pleasing you?" Lestrange asked.
"Exactly as she should."
"Well that is excellent to hear. Mulciber tried having a having a personal servant, did you hear?"
"I believe so."
"Can you honestly believe it?" Lestrange snorted loudly. "Didn't have her for a whole day, and he bloody guts her like a fish! His wife was so upset, of course. Rosaline was looking forward to having someone pamper her while her husband was gone. Poor thing isn't aware he fucks all the mudbloods like bloody pigs. You could teach Mulciber a thing or two, Severus."
"Hm." Snape commented. "Their marital affairs are none of our concern, however if Mulciber wishes to please his wife, he could start by leaving more mudbloods for the rest of us bachelors to fuck."
"You have your own mudblood!" She jokingly teased.
"And I am in no way obligated to fuck only her."
Lestrange let out a screech of laughter. "You are cruel, Severus, just cruel! Watch your back, though. Evan and Avery are still fighting over who gets the red haired bitch when you're done with her. Avery Nott is winning, you know." There was a brief pause and the woman completely changed tones. "This was an uplifting chat. I'm going to visit Cissy; she should be waking up soon. I'll see you at breakfast. Remember, Severus, lock your door!" She cackled and walked away.
"Send my regards to her and Lucius!" The sound of heeled boots on stone was gone. Marlene took her chance; it was now or never. Right as she stepped outside the doorframe, Snape grabbed her arm roughly and forced her away from his room. "How long were you in there?"
"I – I was only sent up here to polish the furniture!" Marlene cried.
"A load of shit." He spat. "I saw you! You were sneaking around my room!"
"I was not!"
"Get back to the kitchens before I kill you right here. Now!" Marlene knew better than to test him. He was far more powerful and sadistic than all the other Death Eaters combined. She flipped him off before storming back downstairs. "If I find you in this corridor again, I will kill you. I don't care if you're a breeding pig blood traitor, I will bloody kill you!" Snape yelled after her. Marlene was already around the corner and far out of his reach. Severus on the other hand was seething. McKinnon was a miserable pest. What good did Lily ever see in her? He pounded on the bathroom door. "Are you almost done? Hurry along, It's past six!"
Lily opened the bathroom door. Steam and a wave of flowery perfume seeped out. She had a towel carefully wrapped around her torso and her hair was dripping water onto the floor. "Shush! You're going to wake them all up!"
"Would you hurry up and get dressed!" He hissed. "What were you doing? You spent too long in there!"
"Touchy, touchy." Lily grumbled and went back into the bathroom to change back into her grimy green dress. She was aware she might have taken too long. Along with picking at her burns, Lily had never seen such a wide assortment of magical soaps, bubbles, and shampoos. Soaps that created mountains of bubbles that changed colors; a shampoo that made hair grow; and even a potion that turned the water into cozy, liquid gold. How many did a single person really need? After accidentally creating a massive, bubby mess in the bathtub, Lily desperately tried to get the overpowering smell of lavender out. There was no way she was going to admit she was fooling around with the toiletries. "Sorry, I just fell asleep – ow!" Severus grabbed her and rushed her back into the bedroom. "What's your problem?" She snapped.
"My problem?!" Severus slammed the bedroom door shut and locked it. He jerked the knob several times, testing the lock. "There's so many problems, I don't know where to begin!"
"What are you talking about?" Lily was drying her hair with the towel.
"First off; your pal McKinnon was sneaking around in here!"
"She's probably worried sick! Why didn't you tell her I was in the bathroom?"
"You know why we can't do that! She's already brought attention to the fact that you two are close mates. McKinnon needs to cease her meddling!" Severus fumbled around for a box of cigarettes. "She's going to get all of us in trouble! You, me, herself, and possibly all the other muggleborns! Where are the bloody goddamn cigarettes?!"
"Sev, calm down!" Lily tossed the towel to the ground and reached an arm under the pillows on the bed. Her fingertips grazed the flimsy box. "They're right here. Just sit and calm down." After a few drags, he seemed to be less explosive. The silent fury was still present. "Better?"
"No." He spat. "I've received word that we seem to have other stalkers. Avery Nott and Evan Rosier. Nott is the bloody freak who tried jumping you after you lost consciousness."
"What's going on?" She felt something sinister twisting around in her stomach.
"I'm not certain, but they're planning something. Along the lines of pulling an attack when I'm not around."
Lily felt sick. She thought she was safe and hidden away from the Death Eaters and their wicked ideas. How could such abominations be so obsessed with her? This wasn't anything like James Potter making a fool of himself competing for Lily's affection. These were two men primitively using her as a trophy; fair game to win and fight for. Sport. "Nice to know I'm not missed." Lily said dryly, masking her disgust. "What are we going to do?"
Severus was focused on the empty fireplace, lost in deep thought. "You won't be able to leave this room without my supervision, that's the first precaution. Those two idiots could strike at any time, we'll have to cover any and all weaknesses." Severus started listing off curses to seal the bedroom door. Lily stopped listening.
She lit a cigarette of her own and wandered over to the bed and carelessly flopped herself on top. Lily stared up at the ceiling. The ancient stone had a funny pattern. Was it cracked because of the age, or was that just the design? Lily craved to be done with this wretched hell. Survival was only necessary to stay alive, but she was impatient. What was it like outside … in the forest, just outside the walls of the castle? Lily imagined breathing in the crisp, cold air. The gentle whistle of a songbird guided her through the thick trees, past a sunny meadow, and to a rippling creek …
"Lily!" Severus yelled. "Have you even been listening?"
"Sev, come over here."
"What?"
"Just come over here. Lay down and look straight up."
"Lily, what are you doing?"
"Trust me, just do it." Lily and Severus were both laying face-up and looking at the ceiling.
"What am I supposed to be looking at?" There was a small edge of annoyance. A muffled metallic rattling was heard somewhere from the floor. He shrugged it off pipes or sounds from the kitchens.
"Just relax." Lily closed her eyes. "What do you want to do when you get out of here, Sev?"
"I dunno …"
"What's the first thing you think of? No stupid Death Eaters, no castles, no rules. You can do whatever you want, go wherever, and money isn't an issue. Close your eyes, and what's the first thing that pops into your head?"
There was a small moment of silence. The rattling seemed louder. "You first." He said, ignoring the noise.
She inhaled deeply. "I'm in a meadow. There's tall green grass everywhere, maybe some pretty wildflowers. I can see some hills, and maybe a few mountains far away with snowcaps. The weather is quite pleasant. It's sunny, but not too hot. Some fluffy white clouds in the sky to block the sun every now and then. It smells fresh and clean. I can hear a stream nearby; it sounds so soothing it could put you to sleep." Lily couldn't help but smile. "I feel like I'm planning a party. Everyone is there, Mum and Dad, Tuney, Mary, and Marlene. Maybe you're there too, Sev. I don't know what the occasion is, but everyone is happy and healthy. We're all sitting on a gingham picnic blanket eating sandwiches and chocolate cake. We're all getting along, just talking and talking for hours."
Severus stopped smoking. He hadn't had a good look at Lily for a while. She looked thinner and paler. Her cheeks used to be freckled, full, and always smiling. Now, they were slightly sunken in. Her freckles were gone. For just a moment, when she smiled, he could truly see her shine through the shell. For just that moment, she was the wonderful girl he fell in love with.
"Now what do you see?" Lily opened her eyes.
"I don't know, I can't do this kind of thing –"
"C'mon, Sev, it's easy. If you weren't a Death Eater, what would you be?"
"I don't know." Severus quietly laughed. "Maybe I'd be a healer or work at the Ministry or something boring like that."
"Really?" Lily grinned. "I always thought you would be a professor or a writer. I remember you scribbling all those annotations and notes in books all the time."
He snorted. "I hate children."
"You hate everything." She playfully tossed a pillow at him.
"I do not!" He scowled and hit the pillow away. It landed on the floor with a puff of dust. The odd, metallic rattling was finally silenced.
"Yes you do! Name one thing you actually like." She interjected, "but it can't be books, or magic, or any of that. You have to surprise me."
"Why do I have to do this, again?"
"Because you need to lighten up, Sev. It's always darkness and negativity with you. C'mon, one thing you like."
Suddenly, they were both ripped out of their own imaginary worlds. An inhuman shriek pierced through the walls, "WHO TOOK IT?! WHO BLOODY TOOK IT?!"
"Sounds like it came from upstairs." Severus muttered darkly. "This can't be good."
"What's going on?" Lily bolted up.
"I'll poke around." He got up and put his robes on. "That sounded like Narcissa. You stay here and wait; I won't be too long."
Before Severus closed the door behind him, Lily felt something warm inside her. It made her nervous, but oddly connected to him. "Sev!" Lily called out. "Be careful … please." There was a brief moment of connection. Black met green; suspended by a bond in the cold air and frozen time. What was this sensation?
"I – I …" Severus quietly fumbled for words. "Erm … I'll be careful." The door closed and the lock clicked. There was silence.