A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Writing club September:

Book Club: 1 - Holston - Word: Volunteer / Job: Sheriff / Setting: Holding cell / Item: Copper Ring / Dialogue: "I don't want you thinking that way." / Plot: Waiting for someone

September Monthly: Build a Bear - Brown Bear - James Potter I

Word count: 574

Lily glared at Sheriff Snape through the bars of the holding cell.

"Where is he?" she asked not bothering to hide the anger in her voice. "Where's James? Did you kill him to keep me here?"

"No. I don't want you thinking that way, not of me. I didn't kill anyone, Miss Evans."

"Fine, you just locked me in a cell, threw away the key and haven't even told anyone I'm here." Severus rolled his eyes.

"I'm acting on Dumbledore's orders and you know it, Lily. All he wants is to keep you and James safe." Lily huffed and sat back down on the bench in the cell. She twirled the copper ring hanging from a chain around her neck.

"James does know I'm here, right?" she asked softly. Severus nodded.

"I sent a telegram saying exactly where you were. I am sure it has reached him by now and he will be here forthwith."

"Do I have to stay in this stupid cell? I didn't do anything wrong. We both know it!" Severus rose and walked over, the keys jingling on his belt.

"Dumbledore says..."

"I don't give Merlin's soggy left buttocks what Dumbledore says. He's using you, Severus. If I can see it, you can see it. I know you're smarter than that."

"I'm supposed to keep you safely in the cell until James comes and then escort you to the safe house Dumbledore has arranged. You'll stay there until the outlaw Tom Riddle can be caught." Lily rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest.

"No one even knows where he is, what he's after, or if he's even still alive. We could be there forever." Severus nodded slowly.

"I know. I do not approve of his plan, but Dumbledore is my boss. I'm only sheriff because of him. If I go against his plan, I could lose my job. Heck, Lily, I could lose my life. You know how he controls and manipulates everything in this town!"

"Then leave this town, run away. That's what James and I were going to do until you caught me and threw me in this cage. Let me out, and when James gets here, we'll take you with us, at least part of the way. James is setting things up for me and him somewhere safe, somewhere away from Dumbledore and his meddling. Come with us, Severus."

"James hates me," he stated his fingers tapping against the keys. Lily looked up at him, her eyes meeting his.

"He'll understand. We were all friends once." Severus took the key ring from his belt. The sound of hoofbeats echoed from outside.

"That's James," he stated glancing through the small dusty window. Lily nodded. Severus walked over and turned the key into the lock. The door popped open and he stood aside while Lily exited.

"Look, Lily, I can't leave. Go, you and James go, get far away from here and from Dumbledore. I'll write you when it's safe."

"You'll get in trouble for letting me out," Lily stated. Severus shook his head.

"No, I'll come up with something. Go, before he gets here and ruins this." Lily gave Severus a weak smiled. She kissed his cheek.

"Take care of yourself Severus," she whispered slipping out the door and onto the back of James' horse. Severus watched as they rode off into the sunset in cloud of dust. He smiled knowing she'd be safer now.