Disclaimer: All the characters used in this story are the sole property of J.K Rowling (and some other big company whose name I do not remember. Sorry, no insults intended, just my bad memory). They are not mine. I take credit for the characters' actions and thoughts in this story, though (often used as they are).

The chapter title is a quote from Meat Loaf's song.

A/N: ************ means change of scene. Quite a lot of time passes between the scenes.

I would do anything for love

It was twilight. Long shadows covered the land. Last rays of sun were touching down here and there. One of them found it's way through a small window. It fell gently over the two sitting figures, highlighting the red fires in woman's hair.

The man and the woman had been sitting in the room quietly for long time.

The man finally broke the silence.

"I heard you have been spending much time with Severus Snape lately."

His daughter hesistated for a moment, then nodded.

"Yes, I enjoy his company very much."

That was not an explanation. She felt no need to explain herself. It was not needed either.

"You enjoy much more than just his company, I take it."

That was not a question. She didn't bother to answer.

"A good choice, I must say. Severus Snape is a very bright young man. Gifted in potions as well."

"Yes," Lilith grinned suddenly at her father.

"He's going to take the Master's tests soon. When he passes he will be the youngest Potions Master ever."

Her father nodded in agreement.

"Mhm. His talent in potions is one of the reasons he belongs to my inner circle. I still hope you have not done anything reckless."

"No, I'm not pregnant. I do not plan to have a child any time soon."

"I am sorry it's so difficult. I'd like to have some grandchildren."

"I thought you were planning to live forever, Father. What do you need grandchildren for?"

"The same I need you, Lilith. It is hard to be completely alone, even for me."

His daughter sighed theatrically and made a pouty face.

"And I thought you kept me close because you loved me, Father."

"Always and forever, Little One."

She smiled at him and for a moment he felt a little of the madness that caught other men in her presence.

"I love you too, Father."

They sat together in companionable silence. The man was pondering his daughter's problem. She was an offspring of two very powerful people. Her child would be extremely powerful in magic. And would have other special abilities, too. That would make the child dangerous. Not only to himself (although every ruler knows having a heir too talented is a possble danger to health), but also to the world. If that power were to get out of control... Well, let's say the effect would be quite similar to a supernova going off. The consequences too.

Still, he knew his daughter wanted to have a family, a child of her own. So adoption was not an option.

Suddenly he had an idea.

"The Potters."

Lilith looked up, hearing her father's voice.

"The Potters? What about them?"

"The chance for you to have children. The Potter family is of Godric Gryffindor's line. They carry his blood. It's very powerful blood. If you were to have a child with a Potter, his heritage would cancel out yours. So there would be no danger."

Lilith was listening to him wih great attention.

"I know James Potter," she said. "He is my friend. I think if I'd ask him he wouldn't refuse."

"Mhm, yes. I remember you told me about him. You know, I have met his cousin Peter personally. There is one problem, though. Your child would be a squib."

She didn't seem to be dissapointed.

"I don't care. It would be my child, still."

Her father had another suggestion.

"You could try some of the Weasley boys. They are not direct decendants of Gryffindor, but they have the blood. The child woul have some magical potential that way."

"No, I think it's better not to risk. And I like James."

She sat for some time, deep in thought.

"Thinking about Severus?"

The question was unexpected. She knew what he was asking and she had no idea. Slowly, the answer came.

"I want to have a child. I can't have one with him. I like him, though. Maybe even... maybe even love him. I don't know. And I don't know for sure what he feels for me. He desires me, yes. And there is something between us, I just can't say what. If one day I am sure he loves me, I might tell him about the situation. It is possible he loves me enough not to forbid me  a child..."

She paused for a moment, clasping her hands together nervously.

"And then there's James. He's my friend. The first friend I ever had. I care for him and I know he cares for me. And if I'd let it go on this way, it's possible we could become something more... I just don't know."

Her father sat next to her and embraced her with one hand.

"Don't worry, everything will be alright. You don't have to make that decision today or tomorrow. It is possible in time the choice will become very clear and simple. And if it doesn't... Remember you don't have to do that alone."

She rested her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you, Father."

Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord feared by all the wizarding world, sat in twilight embracing his daughter tightly.

*************************************************************

"Sir... Albus... I – I just don't know what to do. I think I love her... I love her so much. And I don't know what to do."

Albus Dumbldore looked at the young man sitting in front of him. A young man who was carring the burden far too heavy. He would have given much to take some of the boy's worries away, but he had no way. He knew he asked too much from Severus, but he needed a spy in Voldemort's circle and Severus was the only one he had. He just had no choice.

But maybe he could...

"Severus, do you think she could be persuaded to leave Voldemort and join us?"

By the look on Severus' face he could guess that the idea had not occured to the boy. That was bad – Severus was a very bright young man and would have thought about that possibility if there was a slightest chance of sucsess.

"Join us?"

Severus pondered the idea. It would be perfect, she could... but no.

"I don't know, Albus," he said slowly.

"I want to say yes, but... She never joins in the "fun" other Death Eaters have and has never taken part in raids. Still, she knows what the others are up to and has not said anything against it. And she doesn't seem to be afraid of Voldemort, so that is not the reason."

Severus smiled bitterly and added:

"She is probably the only one who is not afraid of Voldemort:"

He looked at his hands for a moment and then rised his eyes to meet Dumbledore's expective gaze.

"She seemes to enjoy the worship she gets being the Dark Lord's daughter and heir, all that. Maybe if I were sure or at least hoped she loves me I could convince her, but now... Albus, she has never told me she loves me, never done anything that could imply she feels something for me."

It hurt to speak those words, so he hesistated again.

"I just don't know. But if you ask me to guess... I'd like to say yes, but I'm afraid no is more likely."

Albus sighed quietly. The young man looked so defeated. And he could do nothing to make it better.

"Then do not ask her, Severus. I'm sorry, I can imagine how hard it is for you, but you can't put yourself at risk."

"Yes, I'm too valuable, aren't I? We can't afford to loose our only spy in Voldemort's circle, can we now?"

His words were full of sarcasm, but that could not hide the pain he was feeling. He met Dumbledore's gaze. Old wizard's eyes were full of cmpassion and understanding.

Damn, why couldn't he ever refuse anything the old man asked. Other people didn't have that kind of problems with their grandfathers...

"Severus. You may try to find out, but do not ask straight questions. Try not to be too obvious. There might be a chance that way."

Severus' eyes were full of gratitude and happiness.

"Thank you! Oh, thank you."

He rose and made his way to the door.

"There will be another meeting tonight. I'll see what I can do. I should be back by tomorrow evening. I will see you then."

"Be careful, Severus."

A quick flash of smile, so rare even in front of those he trusts.

"I will be, don't worry. I can change my nappies myself by now."

He's gone.

Albus looks at the doorway where Severus stood just a moment ago.

Oh, my child, if I could only hope... But no, I do not dare to hope. I am sorry, Severus, for causing you so much pain. Do be careful.

*****************************************************

"Severus."

Her voice. Her voice that he has not heard for so long.

He turns.

"My Lady."

"Why so cold, Severus? Is something wrong?"

He can't stop the words, they just stumble out...

"You, you left... Lady, you left and never said anything..."

Stop, deep breath.

"I am sorry, Lady. I have no right to question your decisions."

He looks over her shoulder, desperately trying not to feel her closeness.

She rises her hand and touches his cheek.

"I'm sorry, Severus. You have the right, I gave it to you. But I had to do something I could not tell anyone about. Still cannot."

He could never resist her, never. Even now he feels the pull.  He knows it's only the question of time. Why is he fighting it, then?

He doesn't know but still tries.

"You were away over eight months, and even before that we met so rarely. I was worried..."

"I thank you for caring so much. I am really sorry I made you worry. Will you ever forgive me?"

He knows he has lost the fight.

"My Lady... I love you so much."

Did he imagine the pain and regret flashing in her eyes?