Chapter Seven

Lily felt herself drifting as the words on the pages blurred before her. She had managed to force herself to stay awake long enough to read the articles Severus had given to her the night before, just in case she should run into him again and he were to ask her what she thought. Thankfully there hadn't been time for that during the day, as Heart had hurried her off to St Mungo's to acquire some information from the healers there and the two of them had then gone through the medical records of patients who had been permanently disabled by magic.

James' records had been among them. She had let Heart look over that one. She already knew those records like the back of her hand.

At that moment the door to the house flung open and a figure bustled inside. She snapped around to look upon the intruder; Sirius and Harry were already home. She relaxed almost immediately when her eyes fell upon the familiar face that unveiled itself from beneath their hood.

"Julia," Sirius greeted her first, as he stepped down the stairs.

"Black," Julia smiled at him, as she shrugged off her cloak, "How's house-husbanding treating you?"

"Watch it, Bradbury," Sirius reached out as if to grab at her, but Julia dodged out the way easily and threw herself onto the couch next to Lily.

"Where's our little man?"

"Bed."

"It's only half seven!"

"He's been struggling to stay awake since dinner."

"Shame, mind if I wake him up?"

"Yes."

"Come on, Lil', I haven't seen him in ages!" Julia nudged her in the ribs, "I'll read him back to sleep."

Sirius snorted, "You! You'll have him bouncing off the ceiling. Leave him be."

Julia glared playfully at him, as he headed through to the kitchen, before turning her attention back to Lily; "So how's Aurelius?"

Lily responded only with a look that conveyed a mixture of exhaustion, exasperation and uncertainty. The side of Julia's lip curled and she raised an eyebrow, nodding knowingly; "That bad, huh?"

Lily shook her head and leaned against her friend's shoulder; "I feel like a fish out of water."

Julia laughed and pushed her off her, "Come on, it can't be that bad. What are they like? Are they awful?"

"No, not at all," Lily put the book she had been reading onto the table and turned to face her, crossing her legs; "They've all been great. I just...I'm just a bit overwhelmed, really," she waved at the papers, "There's so much stuff I skipped. I'm just trying to catch up on the essentials."

"Should've come onto the Internship programme with me," Julia leaned back.

"Any better over there?"

"Are you kidding, it's a total riot! Well, I think so anyway." Julia kicked off her shoes; "Meredith's dropped out. Said she'll try her hand at reporting."

"I know, she told me."

"So it's the work that's bothering you?"

"No. Just my lack of knowledge," Lily sighed, "But one of my co workers gave me some articles to help me catch up."

"Well, at least they're helping you. Most would just leave you to it."

"I don't know why he's helping me," Lily voiced the thoughts she'd been keeping to herself, "He's someone I used to be friends with at school."

"Maybe that's why then," Julia stated as if the answer was so obvious it needn't be thought about at all.

"No. We parted badly. It's Severus Snape."

"Are you serious, the Potions Master?"

Lily looked at her sharply with a frown, "You know him?"

"I know of him," Julia elaborated, sitting up straighter.

"He's Deputy Head of the department."

"What's he like?"

Lily hesitated, not really sure how to answer.

"Is he attractive?"

What?

"What?"

"You know, I've heard he's the tall, dark, enigmatic type. Considered quite a catch."

"Severus?" Lily was stunned at his apparent desirability, "I...I never really noticed."

"How could you not notice, you just said you were friends at Hogwarts."

"We were children, Jules," Lily rolled her eyes, "It was hardly something I thought about."

"You met James at Hogwarts."

"Yes," Lily conceded, then explained, "I met Severus before that. We were nine."

"Oh."

"Severus was never concerned with things like that," Lily waved a hand, dismissively, "He always preferred books to girls."

"Well, it seems that approach worked out well for him. No shortage of female admirers now."

"Yes, I suppose," Lily wasn't really interested in Severus' love life. She had always felt uncomfortable thinking about it when they were at Hogwarts and, apparently, that discomfort hadn't eased since the dissolve of their friendship.

Julia seemed to sense that and changed the direction of the conversation; "Well, it's kind of him to help you. He probably sees that you're struggling."

"I hope not," Lily said, quickly. The last thing she wanted was his help out of pity. Or because he thought of her as some incapable dunderhead.

She noticed Julia conceal a smirk; "Whatever the reason, you should be grateful. His name carries a lot of weight; people have been begging to be his apprentice for years. He obviously thinks you're worth the trouble."

"How do you know all this?" Lily was bewildered. Other than the fact that he was in a senior position within the Foundation, she hadn't heard so much as a whisper about him other than that.

"How do you not know?" Julia retorted with a small laugh, "Too busy with your head stuck in books and articles to know a celebrity when you meet one."

Lily ignored the jab at her efforts to find a cure for James.

"A celebrity?" Lily was sceptical, "Well I can assure you he doesn't think of himself as that."

"Modest too, eh? Perhaps you should introduce us," Julia jokingly ran a hand through her hair, "He may see potential in me also. I could use a good endorsement for my Fellowship when it rolls around."

Lily chuckled and shook her head.

"Is he attached?" Julia went on.

"I don't think so."

"You don't know?"

"How would I know?"

"Well, you've spent time with him, haven't you?"

"Hardly. You'd be more likely to know anyway. You already know a lot more about him than me."

"Well, you have the chance to get to know more about him."

Lily didn't respond to the statement, not really sure what Julia was implying and not really sure how she felt about having the opportunity to get to know Severus again. She had long since let go of what had happened between them in fifth year; but that didn't mean she was in a place where she was eager to renew their old friendship.

They had moved on now.

"What are you two gossiping about?" Sirius came back into the room.

"Severus Snape," Julia stated, before Lily had the chance to stop her.

"Snape?" Sirius' voice was filled with contempt.

"Know him too, I gather?" Julia looked amused at his response.

"Unfortunately."

"I can't believe I never knew you two know him."

"Knew," Lily corrected, "And Sirius is on less friendly terms with him than I."

"What are you talking about Snape for?" Lily saw flashes of the old Sirius she had known five years ago; the boy that had disappeared with his best friend.

"He's been helping Lily."

"You never told me that," Sirius looked at her sharply.

"Why would I?"

"Because...because it's Snape," Sirius ground out, as if that were a real answer, "Why is he helping you? What with?"

"With work."

"He's her boss."

"He's not my boss –"

"You work with Snape?" Sirius looked horrified.

Lily looked at him in irritation. His over protectiveness drove her nuts sometimes.

"Jealous, Sirius?" Julia spoke up, teasingly, without any idea of the reason behind Sirius' venomous tone; "Quite the accomplished wizard, you know."

"I know all about him," Sirius snapped, before turning his attention back to Lily; "How could you not tell me? You see him every day?"

"Give it a rest, Sirius," Lily sighed, exasperatedly.

"What, you don't think I ought to be concerned that you're associating with a Death Eater every day?"

"What?"

"For goodness sake, Sirius," Lily snapped, tempted to throw one of her books at him, "Stop making accusations. There's no proof of that."

"Who are you kidding? It's the most obvious thing in the world."

"If that were so he would be in Azkaban."

"See, this is another reason this Fellowship is a bad idea –"

"Don't start with that," Lily's tone was firm, "Don't think I don't appreciate your friendship, but it's none of your business where I work. And who I work with is of no concern to you."

Sirius was silenced by her words but didn't look pleased. Lily had expected such a reaction from him, which was the real reason she hadn't revealed that Severus was involved with the project. The last thing he needed was more ammunition against the Fellowship.

But she knew it was more than that. The feud between Sirius and Severus was very strong, very personal. What had happened at Hogwarts had started it all and, really, Severus would be very justified if he were to hold onto his loathing towards him; she knew all about the prank with Remus.

But it went beyond Hogwarts.

She knew that Sirius had tried to reconnect with his brother after what happened to James. It was as if losing someone he had considered a brother had made his want to re-establish that bond with Regulus. But Regulus wasn't his brother by anything other than blood by this point and he was not at all welcoming of a reconciliation; their relationship was beyond repair after the war. And she knew that Sirius resented the relationship his brother had developed with Severus. Their friendship was well known; even she, who apparently knew very little about Severus' celebrity status, was aware of their relationship.

Sirius went upstairs without another word.

Julia looked at her curiously once he had gone:

"What's this about Severus Snape being a Death Eater?"

Lily looked skyward, preparing herself for a very long explanation of events she had no desire to relive.

Severus almost groaned as he read through the final first year potions essay he had left to grade. The child's logic was truly terrible. But, unfortunately, he had seen much worse throughout the course of his marking. He lifted his quill and wrote a large P in the top corner of the page.

The workload at the Foundation was taking a larger toll on him than he had expected. But he had been determined to complete his Hogwarts marking and he hoped to dig up some more useful articles to give to Lily the following day.

He was relieved that she had offered no resistance when he had produced the previous articles to her – he knew how she resented being told what to do – having been prepared to insist that she read them.

Maybe she had changed since he knew her?

Lily's change in character didn't matter, so long as one of the things that remained was her determination. Severus had seen traces of that already and he was certain that the books she had borrowed had been beneficial. No one had questioned his endorsement of her so far, so his credibility was safe for now. But there was still so much she needed to know...

He would ensure she was made aware of all that. It was becoming difficult, trying to decipher from the little time he had with her what things he ought to be giving her to study. She had always been proud; therefore it was likely she had concealed a lot of what she needed further instruction in.

Severus shook his head. He had to stop thinking as if he knew her. Yes, many years ago he had known Lily Evans.

But Lily Potter was a stranger.

He would be a fool to think she hadn't changed.

Hadn't he changed since he last saw her?

Severus started when he heard the door slam but was unsurprised when Regulus walked into the room moments later.

Regulus, however, looked surprised to see him and stopped in the doorway, looking like a guilty Hogwarts student caught out after curfew.

Severus raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

"Two days? That's all you could spare them this month?"

Regulus averted his eyes, a look of shame passing fleeting over his features as he pulled of his cloak; "You're one to talk. Bet you haven't had your nose out of work the whole time I've been away."

"What can I say, work sustains me."

"Evie isn't interested in working for the Foundation."

"No surprise there." Severus put the essay he was holding on top of the others, before arranging the parchments into a pile. He was disappointed. Few managed to grow stock to the high standards that Evelyn did; "Perhaps if you offered to step down..."

"Very funny."

"I suppose she wishes to maintain some dignity," Severus leaned back; "After all, it can't be easy sitting around waiting until her lover decides it's time for his monthly sexual excursion."

"That's not how it is," Regulus' tone was sharp and Severus raised a hand in surrender.

Regulus kept his eyes on him for a moment and Severus could clearly see the guilt lying within their depths.

Good.

He may be like a brother to him, but that by no means meant he had to approve of what he was putting his family through. For their sake, if not for Regulus' own, he ought to snap himself out of his pitiful quest for forgiveness.

Of all the Death Eaters that had served the Dark Lord, Regulus was by no means the worst.

"How's Project Dorado?" Regulus sat down on the couch, changing the subject, "I haven't had a chance to check in with Eugene."

"Nothing to report."

"And the Fellows? Do they please you?" Severus could see a glint of amusement in Regulus' eyes.

"I have no complaints."

"Ah," Regulus kept his eyes on his, looking at him curiously, that twinkle coming to his eye. Severus ignored him and lifted the pile of articles he had planned to look through for Lily.

"Then those fears of yours were proven unnecessary."

"I have ensured that she is aware of any necessary information."

Regulus chuckled.

"Did you give her a script?"

Severus shot him a look.

"Coaching her in the ways only the wise Professor Snape could possibly do?"

Severus didn't bite, just carried on with skimming the parchments he held, as if Regulus had never spoken.

"I think I'm finally getting it, Sev, why – after all these years – you have finally stuck that neck of yours out and offered your own endorsement," Regulus eyed him with a wide grin, before he straightened, clearing his throat and adding in mock-seriousness; "Bear in mind, I'm not keen on my employees forming romances -" Severus looked at him sharply " - For a senior staff member and a Fellow, no less - it is entirely inappropriate."

"What?" Severus was both affronted and baffled, as Regulus erupted into snickers; "It is yourself, who is being entirely inappropriate, Regulus, and what is all of this –"

Severus indicated at the piles of letters that had been redirected from Aurelius that afternoon.

Regulus' eyes lit up with recognition and he headed towards them, making to gather them up.

"Applications to look over."

"More applications?" Severus lowered the articles he was holding to regarding him incredulously; "Applications for what? Don't tell me you're taking on more underqualified –"

"For the Orion Sponsorship."

Severus rolled his eyes, turning his attention back to the articles; "More wasted funds. People can't possibly still be applying. You should pull it."

Regulus indicated the pile, shooting him a look; "There's over three hundred applications here."

"There were thousands the first few years."

"Well, as you just pointed out, most people no longer need it."

"When did I point that out?" He was being deliberately difficult but he enjoyed winding him up.

"It was implied," Regulus suddenly took interested in the articles he was skimming through; "What are those?"

"What do they look like?" Severus rolled his eyes; "I'll give ten points to Slytherin if you get it right."

Regulus suddenly looked more interested.

"Deflecting. Must be interesting."

"It's background information for Dorado. Why the interest?"

"How could I not be interested, when all these defences have suddenly gone up. Why so shifty?"

Severus looked at him in irritation.

Perhaps this would be another night spent at Hogwarts.

"Will you be at the Foundation tomorrow?" Regulus said, as he leaned back.

"I'll be there after classes, no later than lunch."

"Good, I have a potential potions apprentice I wanted you to meet."

Severus looked at him exasperatedly, "And when am I to find the time train this apprentice, Regulus?"

"I don't want you to train him, just meet him. Perhaps give him some advice and recommendations on who to go to; endorse him."

"You know very well I do not offer endorsements."

"Well, I'm sure Mrs Potter would disagree with that –" Regulus said, before he went on, quietly serious, then; "- It's Prewett's boy. Their family's been struggling, and he's just come of age."

Severus looked skywards but said nothing.

"I'll send him by at one thirty."

"As you wish."

Severus saw Regulus' triumphant smile as he stood and made his way over to a pile of parchment that sat on top of the cabinet.

There were papers, parchment and books lying everywhere in the house. Did the wretched house elf sit with his feet up all day while they were gone?

Kreacher.

Severus despised him and the feeling was mutual; he was a filthy half-blood, after all, as the elf frequently reminded him. He had wanted to toss him out, but Regulus had a strange attachment to him, so stayed he did.

Severus' brief burst of energy that had come when Regulus had entered was gone and he felt himself grow weary once again as he looked over the articles before him. He didn't want to risk giving her too many, that she'd end up growing as weary as he and just skim them without taking in any of the information.

Severus glanced at Regulus.

He would sure his friend would take great delight in teasing him mercilessly should Lily fail to live up to the picture he'd painted of her to Eugene. He wondered if the Healer would first speak with Severus if he were unsatisfied with her or if he would go straight to Regulus?

He pushed such thoughts away. It would do no good to waste time dwelling on such things. So long as he continued to guide her, there would be no need for concern.