Evangeline opened her eyes and looked up at the green canopy over the bed. She reached out reflexively for Snape, but he wasn't there. For just a brief moment, she felt a pang of loss, fearful that she'd only imagined that he'd returned to her last night. Then she propped herself up on her elbows and took a swift look around. There he was, standing on the other side of the room with his back to her. Relief flooded through her, and she smiled at her foolish notion. From his movements, she could tell he was buttoning up his clothes.
"You know, if you wore clothes with more modern fasteners, Severus, you could save yourself a lot of time in the morning, and me a lot of time at night," she said with a grin.
As he finished with the last of his many buttons, he turned around to look at her with a frown on his face. "Are you making fun of the way I dress?"
She smiled teasingly at him, so happy to have him back with her and safe. "Maybe a little. Actually I'm rather fond of your style of dress. Not many men could carry it off the way you do."
He closed the door to his wardrobe and came over and sat on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling this morning, Evangeline?"
Testing the waters, she stretched and sat up. "Actually, I feel much better, not as sore and tired as I have been feeling. I can actually feel my feet for the first time in days, so I hope that means the paralysis is finally gone. Oh, Severus, I'm so glad you're back. I really was dreadfully worried about you. I was having the most horrible nightmares while you were away. Seeing you here…safe…is such a relief."
He smiled at her. "Seeing you safe is a relief to me too, Evangeline. Believe me, I returned just as quickly as I could. I hated to be away when you were so ill, but my absence was absolutely necessary."
Suddenly a little apprehensive, she leaned back against the headboard and regarded him soberly. "I'm sure it was, Severus. So, are you going to tell me what's going on? What kept you with that monster for so long?"
Snape nodded seriously. "Yes. I'm afraid that I'll be very busy for the next two days, as will most of the people you know. The Dark Lord is making a major move to disrupt the lives of everyone in the wizarding world. He's planning an assault on Gringotts. He hopes to completely destroy it and plunge the financial world into chaos. He'll be using werewolves in his assault, so I've been given the task of producing enough Wolfsbane Potion to keep them sane during the attack."
A horrified gasp escaped her lips. "Are you going to do it?"
He hesitated and then nodded. "In a manner of speaking. I'm going to provide him with a modified version of the potion that will only last for a couple of hours."
She grabbed his hand, suddenly fearful once again for his safety. "Oh, Severus, are you sure you should do that? That will let him know that you're a traitor!"
He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, Evangeline. I know what I'm doing. It's necessary to do this in order to thwart the attack. And it's time to give up the life of a spy. As long as I'm honor bound to report on the Dark Lord's activities, I have no control over my life. Indeed, I have no life of my own. I wasn't here when you needed me so badly this last time, and I'll regret that forever. I can't take the chance of that happening again. I could've saved you so much suffering, if only I'd been here to help you. I almost lost you, Evangeline. I don't ever want to fail you again."
Wanting so desperately to erase the pain from his expression, she threw her arms around him and exclaimed, "You could never fail me, Severus! Never! Are you sure this is the right decision? You'll be hunted, as I am."
Snape smiled sadly and hugged her tighter. "Then, we'll be hunted together." After so long away from her, he found himself savoring the warm sensation of holding her in his arms again. This was where she belonged, where he wanted her always.
For a long moment, they both sat there simply enjoying their embrace, then she pulled back slightly and smiled into his eyes. "I'm happy that you won't be spying anymore. I'll admit it's something that I've wanted for quite a while. Hopefully it'll mean that you can finally live the life you want, instead of the life others expect you to live. You have to promise me though that you'll be extra careful this time. If Voldemort gets the slightest inkling that you're betraying him, he'll kill you immediately."
"I'll be very careful, Evangeline. Don't worry. Besides, I won't be taking part in either the attack or the defense of Gringotts. My job, once the potion is delivered, will be to rescue some hostages being held in Malfoy's dungeon. I don't think they'll be too heavily guarded, as the Dark Lord believes that no one knows they're gone. So the rescue shouldn't be too difficult to manage. Now, I must get to work. As much as I'd prefer to spend the day here in bed with you, I have to brew up many cauldrons full of potion before tomorrow night."
She smiled happily at him and ran a hand through his hair. "I'd certainly prefer you to spend the day here in bed with me, as well, but I understand. Do you think you might be able to spare me a half hour for dinner this evening?" she asked hopefully.
He smiled and kissed her gently. "Perhaps an hour, if things go smoothly today. You get some more rest, and I'll see you later."
She nodded, her eyes shining with anticipation. "I'll look forward to it."
With another swift kiss, Snape reluctantly got up and left the room.
***********************************************************
Evangeline sat there lost in thought. She felt much better, and knew that she couldn't just sit around and do nothing while everyone she cared about was in danger. There is something that I can offer, and the person to offer it to, is Albus Dumbledore! She thought to herself.
So she got out of bed, pleased that she could walk normally again, and quickly crossed the room to the wardrobe and checked to see if she'd left any clothes for herself there. As she was opening cupboards and pulling out drawers, a house elf came in from the sitting room and asked if she could be of service. The elf was there as a nursemaid, in case Evangeline felt ill or needed anything. Since she felt so much better, Evangeline told the elf that she didn't need to be watched anymore, and she sent her back to her regular duties with many thanks.
After much searching, the frustrated witch finally found a pair of jeans and a sweater that belonged to her. So, after she was dressed, she decided to pay a visit to Dumbledore's office. Despite the early hour, she was sure he'd be there, hard at work on this current crisis.
Sure enough, when she popped out of a painting into Dumbledore's office, she saw that she was interrupting an early morning meeting. The Headmaster was seated behind his desk, and two other men, whom she didn't know, sat in chairs facing him. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Albus. I can't really knock or check to see if it's a good time when I travel this way." She shrugged apologetically.
Dumbledore smiled at her with a touch of concern on his features. "Evangeline! Should you be out of bed, my dear?"
She smiled reassuringly back at him. "I'm feeling much better. My wound is almost completely healed, and I can only "rest" for so long before I go crazy! Severus told me what's going on, and I wanted to offer my services."
Dumbledore looked over his spectacles at her. "Did you tell Severus that you were coming here to make this offer?"
A blush crept up her cheeks and she hesitated momentarily before deciding to answer honestly. "No…but he's not in charge of my movements, Albus. I want to help."
The Headmaster smiled kindly. "I know you do, my dear, and I believe your services could be very useful if you're sure that you're feeling up to it."
Hoping that she looked strong and healthy again, she nodded confidently. "I really feel fine. Just tell me what you'd like me to do."
He gestured to the other men in the room. "Gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to Evangeline Winthrop."
For the first time, she turned and really looked at the people sitting in front of the Headmaster's desk. One was tall, thin, and balding with a fringe of red hair. The other was shockingly wounded, with one strangely wandering eye.
"Evangeline, this is Arthur Weasley, from the Ministry of Magic, and Alastor Moody, an Auror. We've been discussing our current problem." Both men nodded politely to her.
As Weasley murmured a quiet greeting, Moody gave her a speculative look and growled in a gravelly tone, "How do you do that trick with the picture? That could be very useful. Can you teach others to do it?"
She shook her head regretfully. "I was born with the ability, Mr. Moody. I can't pass on the talent to others, but I can take other people with me through the paintings. If there are paintings inside Gringotts, for instance, I could take many people inside without anyone watching from the outside knowing anything about it. Magical wards and spells can't stop me."
Impressed with what he was hearing, Moody nodded thoughtfully and shot a sharp glance at Dumbledore. "That could certainly eliminate the problem of getting around all the protective wards on Gringotts, to get our people inside."
Dumbledore agreed. "Yes, it could. However, Evangeline is still recovering from a nearly fatal attack by Death Eaters." He turned and smiled at Evangeline. "I can't put you in any further danger, my dear. Severus would never forgive me if anything else happened to you."
Before Evangeline could protest, Moody spoke up with a dark look on his face. "What's Snape got to say about it?"
Evangeline looked sharply at Moody not liking his tone at all, but before she could figure out how to answer him, Dumbledore saved her the trouble when he smiled at Moody and said, "Severus and Evangeline are attached, Alastor."
Moody turned and glowered at her. "Can't say much for your taste, young woman."
A bit shocked at his rather rude comment, she glared at him and shot back. "Can't say much for your manners, old man."
Moody stared at her in surprise for a moment then burst into laughter. "Well, I'll have to admit my estimation of Snape's judgment has risen a notch."
Evangeline wasn't sure how to respond to that either, so she turned back to Dumbledore. "I don't need to take part in the defense, Albus. I can simply help to get people in there before the attack begins. Surely there wouldn't be too much danger in that? Please, consider my offer."
Dumbledore nodded and smiled approvingly at her. "We will, Evangeline. I agree that you could be very helpful. I'll let you know."
Knowing that she'd have to be content with that, she smiled at him. "Okay. I'll be going and let you get back to your meeting." She turned and nodded to Weasley and Moody, who returned her nod. "Nice to meet you, gentlemen." Then she moved away from them and melted back into the painting.
Moody nodded towards the painting speculatively. "That's an amazing ability, Albus. She could be very useful. Getting around undetected would be much easier with someone like her on our side."
Dumbledore nodded sadly. "Unfortunately, Voldemort agrees with you, Alastor."