Chapter Seventeen
"Is Uncle Remus staying here tonight?"
"Get down from there." Lily agitatedly swatted a hand at her son, who was sitting on top of one of the counters in the kitchen, "Yes, he is. If your Uncle Sirius doesn't get home until late."
"Why? Where's Uncle Sirius?"
Harry approached where she was sitting at the table, finishing applying her makeup for the evening.
"He's at the Ministry," she said, one eye closed as she brushed over the lid with a makeup brush.
"How come?"
"They asked him to come in to speak to them."
Harry frowned.
"About what? Is he in trouble?"
Lily smiled at him, reassuringly, "No, Sweetheart. They just needed some information on someone they're trying to find."
Harry glanced over her, appraisingly, "You look nice."
Lily's smile widened, "Thank you."
"How come I can't come to the party?" he asked, frowningly, "I like parties."
"It's not that kind of a party. This one is just for grownups," she stated, with a sympathetic look at his disappointment, "But you have a Christmas Party at school soon, too, don't you?"
"On Tuesday, when school stops. There's a play – they made me Joseph – will you come?"
Lily glanced at him, hesitantly, knowing that it would be near impossible for her to get the time off work to do so.
A knock at the door spared her from answering – indicating Remus' arrival – as Harry eagerly ran to the door to greet him.
Lily nervously brushed down her dress and began packing away her cosmetic bag, attempting to still her nerves.
Remus had avoided her completely following the incident the previous week and, frankly, Lily was glad of the fact. Only, now, the lengthier time it had taken either of them to address it – the kiss – only made seeing one another again, that night, more awkward.
"Will you come to my play, Uncle Remus?" Harry was saying to Remus, as the two of them entered the kitchen.
"I wouldn't miss it, Harry."
Remus was smiling when he came in, though it seemed to tighten a little when she met his eyes before he glanced away, looking sheepish.
"Hi Lily."
"Hello Remus," she forced a smile and stood, continuing to tidy up the mess on the table.
"Thank you so much for doing this," she added, avoiding his eyes, "It really was quite unexpected when Sirius was called away."
"Oh, it's no problem," he said, quickly, "I'm happy to do it."
"Uncle Sirius got me a new board game!" Harry announced, tugging on Remus' sleeve, "We can play it first, okay? I'll go and get it!"
Harry hurried from the room, leaving them alone.
Lily kept her eyes lowered as she moved around the kitchen, feeling Remus' eyes follow her every move.
After a few breaths that indicated he wanted to speak, he finally did.
"Lily."
"Hmm?" she picked up the dish towel and began drying some already-dry plates that were on the rack next to the sink.
"Um...Lily, can I talk to you?" Remus stepped in next to her and she forced herself to look up at him. Another forced smile as she indicated with a hand that he should continue.
"I – um – I was out of line when I … with what I did," Remus said, nervously, reddening as he spoke, "Please, let me apologise for – well. I'm sorry. I should never have done that."
"Oh," she looked away, waving a hand dismissively, "It's okay, Remus."
"Really?"
"Yes. Well...I mean, I suppose it wasn't but, you know –" she shrugged, " – you and me, we're okay."
"Oh. Well, good. I mean, if you're sure?"
"Yes, I am. Really. We can just forget it ever happened."
"Oh, okay."
A silence fell over the two of them, as they stood side by side, tensely, neither of them really moving.
Lily drew in a breath and risked a glance at him and, feeling her eyes on him, Remus looked down and met her eyes. The two of them held one another's look for a moment – this awkwardness suddenly seeming so ridiculous after all that they had been through – and Lily cracked a smile.
Remus looked surprised for a second – quickly picking up on her amusement – before a smile spread across his face, too, and then, suddenly, they were both laughing and shaking their heads at their own embarrassment.
"I really am sorry, Lily," he insisted, through their laughter, "I honestly don't know what came over me."
"It's okay, you...you don't have to explain," she held up a hand, stopping him with a smile, "We don't have to make it into this big thing."
"Oh good," he nodded, "Good. I...I hoped it wouldn't change anything."
"No," she shook her head, "No, it doesn't. Like I said, we can just pretend it never happened."
"Good," he nodded, with an embarrassed smile, "Good."
A knock sounded at the door, before it was promptly opened.
"Lily?" Julia's voice called out.
"Kitchen," she called back, before turning back to Remus and giving him a friendly smile, "And thanks again for taking Harry tonight."
"You don't have to thank me for that, Lily, I'm happy to do it –"
"Hey Remus!" Julia smiled brightly as she walked into the room, throwing an arm around his shoulders.
"Hello Julia," Remus smiled at her, suddenly looking even more at ease, "You look very nice tonight."
Julia cocked an eyebrow at him, before addressing Lily.
"What a gentleman."
"Oh indeed? He never complimented me on my appearance," Lily teased, and Remus looked caught off guard before he grinned, shyly.
"You look very nice too, Lily."
"Where's Harry?" Julia gave the room a quick once-over.
"Upstairs digging out a new board game that Sirius has been spoiling him with."
"Ah. Well, I'll just pop upstairs and say hello –"
"Julia!" Harry hurried into the room, quickly handing the game he was holding to Remus, and jumped into Julia's arms with a bright smile.
"Hey, little man," she spun him around, "Spending the night with your uncles, are you?"
"Uncle Sirius is busy."
"Busy?" Julia widened her eyes dramatically, eliciting a giggle from him, "Well, I suppose you'll just have to make to most of that boring old fart not being around, won't you?"
Harry chuckled; "Uncle Sirius isn't boring."
"Oh, and here I was thinking he sent you to bed at eight o' clock."
"Only on school nights. Mum and Uncle Remus make me go to bed then too."
Julia shot Lily a mock look of disgust and rolled her eyes, before she plopped Harry back down to the floor; "We'll have to arrange a play date just you and me sometime. I could fill a whole book with pranks that kids your age love to pull. I'll show you a real good time."
"Please stop corrupting my son," Lily raised an eyebrow at her, before leaning down to give Harry a kiss, "Take no notice of Julia. Be good for Uncle Remus tonight. I don't want to hear of any mischief."
Harry nodded, obediently, though grinned when he glanced in Julia's direction, as Lily addressed Remus.
"I shouldn't be too late."
"No need to rush home. We'll be fine," Remus smiled, putting a hand on her son's shoulder.
Lily smiled in response, glad that the two of them had successfully dispelled any awkwardness that may have lingered between them.
"I heard that you'll be joining us at Malfoy Manor for Christmas this year."
Severus nodded at Evelyn's statement, taking a drink from his glass.
"Yes. Christmas at Hogwarts – I must admit – is not an event I am keen to repeat."
She smiled in response, "Well, I'm sure children cannot be all that unbearable. Malachi is rather fond of you. As is Draco Malfoy, from what Narcissa has told me."
He waved a dismissive hand.
"That is different. Malachi is my Godson and Draco is the son of close friends. The children at Hogwarts are also significantly older and are all keen to assert their own individuality in a way that is entirely insufferable and troublesome and I find myself spending more time disciplining than I do teaching."
She gave a demure smile and glanced around the ballroom, the atmosphere of which was becoming livelier as time went on and the band began to play.
"Did you enter for anything in the silent auction?"
"No," Severus shook his head, "I do not enter the competitions put on by the Foundation. I am quite certain that if there ever were something that would appeal to me, it will be a hoax that Regulus has set up with the very intention of mortifying me in a very public way."
Evelyn laughed, softly, rolling her eyes, "You two. You are like children yourselves."
"It is Regulus who is the child. I have little option but to respond as such when faced with him."
He noticed her eyebrows raise with interest and glanced in the direction she was looking; Lily Potter walking into the room, talking animatedly with a woman he didn't recognise.
"Is that Lily Potter?"
Severus glanced at her, sharply, with a frown, "You know her?"
"No," she was looking at him with a slight, knowing smile, "But Regulus has told me about her. You and she are good friends, he said?"
"Is that all he said, dare I ask?" Severus rolled his eyes, fully aware that Regulus would have relayed whatever nonsense their colleagues had been gossiping about the past few weeks.
"I should like to meet her."
Severus looked at her suspiciously, before he indicated with his hand that she should go and introduce herself.
Evelyn raised an eyebrow at his bad manners and he rolled his eyes, holding out an arm to her, and made his way towards Lily and her companion, reluctantly, wondering if his approach would encourage more incessant interest and assumptions from those present, that had arisen in light of their recent lunches in the Bistro.
Lily turned, catching his eye as he drew closer, and her expression brightened in recognition.
"Severus!"
The woman next to her spun around, expression full of interest, and he found himself smiling at the look of genuine pleasure in Lily's expression at seeing him.
"Lily, hello," he nodded, inclining his head in Evelyn's direction, "This is Evelyn Redway, she wished to meet you. Evelyn, Lily Potter."
The two of them smiled, shook hands, exchanged pleasantries, while Severus found the woman at Lily's side looking at him appraisingly with a slight smile, before Lily spoke again.
"This is my friend, Julia Bradbury. Jules, this is –"
"Professor Snape," the woman – Miss Bradbury – interrupted, with a wide smile and held her hand out to him.
Severus nodded, taking her hand in his.
"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Bradbury."
"Please, call me Julia. I've heard so much about you during my Internship, we've just been looking into the components of the potions you invented to vaccinate against Dragon Pox."
Severus felt himself redden at the admiration in her tone and expression, finding no words available to graciously respond, so simply nodded.
Julia appeared disarmed by his lack of response, glancing at Lily questioningly for a moment, before she turned back with another smile.
"Lil' tells me that you've really been helping her a lot with work. What with her skipping her internship and everything. A life saver, apparently."
Severus smiled and shook his head, dismissively, "I have guided her somewhat. But she is too modest. I am sure she would have coped well enough without any help."
An awkward silence descended over them and Severus found himself wishing he hadn't approached.
Nymphadora squealed in delight as Regulus spun her around the dancefloor, gathering up speed in time to the music, and the others on the floor chuckled and scattered out of their way, before the music ended and he let her go, sending her flying in the direction of the bar with a laugh and a skip in her step towards her father.
Regulus chuckled as he made his way back to where his cousins stood, trying to catch his breath, while Andromeda smiled fondly at his playfulness with her daughter.
"Andie was telling me Sirius returned the money?" Narcissa raised her eyebrows in surprise as he reached them.
"Almost immediately. Apparently, he was offended that I was parading my wealth over him. The bottom line, he told me to shove it. A welcome boost to the Learning Centre fund for the year, then, Andie. Might even allow for those field trips you've had your eyes on."
"Speaking of which, we're going to have to put up notice for another Tutoring post," Andromeda stated, adding, "Abigail Yates handed in her notice this morning."
"Right after the Christmas bonuses have all been sent out. Fancy that," Regulus raised an eyebrow, taking another drink.
"Now, you two, no business tonight," Narcissa said, disapprovingly, before her attention was drawn to something over his shoulder, "I see Severus is occupied."
Regulus and Andromeda glanced in the direction she indicated, where Severus stood surrounded by Evelyn, a woman he didn't recognise and, not at all surprisingly, Lily Potter.
He grinned, sharing a knowing look with Andie, which piqued his other cousin's interest, immediately.
"What was that?"
"What?" Regulus forced a frown, though his lips couldn't help turning upwards slightly.
"That look you two just shared?"
She glanced between them, curiously, with a slight smile, eager to hear about any conspiracy the two may share.
Andromeda smiled, shaking her head, reluctant as ever to engage in the gossiping ways that their employees had been so eager – as always – to partake in, particularly over the past few weeks in light of Severus' obvious attentions to the new Fellow in his department.
Regulus, on the other hand, was not so reserved.
"Well, there is talk going on right now within the Foundation about Sev's particular interest in a certain young lady within the faculty."
Narcissa appeared to be stunned speechless for a moment, eyes wide, before her brows lowered and she glanced in the man in question's direction, "Severus? Really?"
Regulus laughed.
"Well, your reaction is pretty reflective of everyone else's. Hence the interest."
"Which of the two young ladies do you mean?" Narcissa was glancing between Lily Potter and the brunette that he hadn't yet met.
"The red-head," he stated, doubting that Narcissa would remember Lily from Hogwarts.
Narcissa glanced at her, looking her up and down, before she seemed to shrug, approvingly, then glanced in Regulus' direction with a small smile.
"I thought it was against employee regulations to engage in a relationship with a work colleague?"
"Yes," Regulus confirmed, before he grinned, "Isn't it scandalous?"
Andromeda chuckled and shook her head, "You shouldn't listen to the gossip of the employees. You know how places like this are. And we, none of us, are immune to gossip."
"Well, rumours don't come out of nowhere, Andie, as I'm sure you'd admit," Narcissa said, with a little grin at her sister, before turning questioning eyes on Regulus, "And if Severus was taking an interest in someone, who'd know better than his dearest of friends."
Regulus' grin widened and he gave a shrug, saying nothing.
"Do you know her?"
"I know of her. It's Lily Potter."
Narcissa looked at him sharply.
"James Potter's wife?"
"James Potter's widow," Regulus clarified, "He's been comatose for five years."
"Regulus," Andromeda shot him a reproachful look, glancing around them carefully.
Narcissa was watching Severus with a slight smile, as Mrs Potter smiled and spoke with him animatedly, and Regulus noted the way she would occasionally touch his arm as she spoke, the way she would laugh at whatever comment he said and the way that Severus would smile, obviously delighted with himself that he had managed to accomplish that.
Regulus rolled his eyes, at Severus' obliviousness of how he looked and how it was no wonder that people were talking.
"Well. I think it would be quite lovely for Severus if he were to find someone," Narcissa remarked, apparently approving of what she had seen, as she turned her attention back to them, "He must be lonely."
"Lonely? Why would he be lonely?" Regulus scoffed, "He lives with me."
"Well, as fulfilling as I'm sure your evenings are together, Reg, there are certain comforts that only a lady can provide. As I'm certain you very well know," Andromeda pointed out with a smirk, causing Narcissa to chuckle, shooting a look Regulus.
Regulus smirked in turn, shrugging entirely unabashedly at the not-so-subtle dig at his previous behaviours, before looking in Severus' direction mischievously.
He caught Evelyn's eye and smiled, lifting his hand in a wave. She returned the gesture, garnering the attention of the rest of her group, as Severus, Lily and the brunette glanced in his direction.
Severus inclined his head in acknowledgement, a wariness in his eyes he always got when he noticed the Black cousins conspiring.
Regulus glanced over at Narcissa and Andromeda, "Shall we?"
"You two go ahead, I see Ted is trying to get my attention," Andromeda indicated in the direction of her husband and Dora, still up at the bar, before heading in their direction.
Regulus held out an arm to Narcissa, which she took, and she fell into a slow walk beside him.
Regulus spoke lowly, "It would be nice – don't you think – if Severus were to take his new interest for a spin on the dance floor, wouldn't you agree, dear cousin?"
Narcissa smiled in amusement.
"Severus never dances."
"Work with me," he spoke close to her ear, as their made their way to where Severus and the three ladies stood.
Severus could tell that Regulus was up to something the moment he had spotted him approach from the other side of the room.
Regulus smiled widely as he reached them, "Sev. Who are these new friends of yours keeping you off the dancefloor?"
Severus rolled his eyes – knowing he knew very well who she was – before indicting with a nod.
"Lily Potter; Lily this is Regulus Black and Narcissa Malfoy. And Lily's friend, Julia Bradbury," Severus paused then added with a smirk, as Regulus nodded politely at the two women; "I believe you are already acquainted with Evelyn Redway."
"Yes. Somewhat," Regulus lifted his eyes to the ceiling, before he smiled at her, warmly.
"It's a very impressive organisation you've created here, Mr Black," Julia said, with the same admiration she had addressed Severus with upon meeting him, "I've heard about all you've done to help those suffering from the war. It's really wonderful."
"Thank you," Regulus smiled, taking the compliment with enviable ease, before he added; "Though I can't take all the credit. Andromeda Tonks and Cissy, here, have been there helping. And Severus, of course."
Regulus glanced at Severus as he said it and he had a teasing twinkle in his eye that could only mean something horrible was to come, before the younger man addressed Lily.
"Speaking of which, I hear that you are doing very well in Project Dorado, Mrs Potter. I much express my absolute delight to have such an outstanding member of staff working with us," he stated, the compliment so out of the blue that Severus frowned as Regulus added with a wide grin, "Thank goodness for endorsements."
Severus glowered at him.
"Oh," Lily looked surprised also, her cheeks turning pink at the compliment, "Um...thank you, Mr Black. I...I do what I can."
"Oh, far more than that, I'm sure. You're a natural!"
Regulus had his panty-peeler voice on and Severus almost rolled his eyes, glancing apologetically in Evelyn's direction on Regulus' behalf.
"Oh. Well, Severus has been helping me," Lily stated, obviously finding the attention too much, glancing in his direction.
Severus felt himself redden as all eyes turned to him.
"Has he? Severus, favouritism will not be tolerated," Regulus stated, his expression was stern but his eyes were gleaming with delight and Severus wished he could slap the amusement from his face. Instead, Severus simply returned his look evenly.
"Mrs Potter is exaggerating. I have merely been guiding her in the direction of any articles that would be useful –"
"I knew you were just being modest."
Regulus' attention was back on Lily, who was smiling and blushing with a mix of pleasure and discomfort at being so singled out by the founder, "You always were an excellent student at school, I remember. Merlin, the way Slughorn used to rave about your talents."
Severus found himself becoming irritated at Regulus' incredibly over-the-top attempts at flirting, taking a long drink from his glass.
He noticed Narcissa was looking at him with amusement and frowned in her direction and she lowered her eyes, fighting a smile, shoulders shaking, somewhat, with supressed chuckles.
"Oh, I just enjoyed potions. It helps when you have an interest in the subject."
"Yes, that's true," Regulus was smiling, charmingly at her, and she was smiling back.
Severus glared at the two of them, glancing in Evelyn's direction, who was also watching the exchange with a look of discomfort.
"Mrs Potter, do you dance?"
Not wasting any time, it would seem.
"Oh, um...well..."
"Please, I insist," Regulus took her hand in his, that same charming smile gracing his features, "I –"
"Excuse me, Regulus," Narcissa spoke up, drawing the attention of all in the group.
She was still fighting a smile and Severus frowned, as he suddenly realised there was something going on here.
Something the two Blacks were up to. As always.
"I believe you promised the first dance to me, little cousin? I wouldn't normally insist but this is one of my favourites, as you well know."
Severus knew very well that this song was not one of her favourites.
In fact, Narcissa despised dances like this very one about to commence.
Regulus gave a glance of faux-disappointment – obvious to all, now – before he glanced at Lily, apologetically.
"I apologise, Mrs Potter. It appears I am engaged."
Regulus kept her hand in his, his eyes turning menacingly in Severus direction, "Though Severus does know his way around a dance floor, isn't that right?"
Now all attention was well and truly on him and, before he could respond, Regulus placed Lily's hand in his with a grin he no longer concealed.
Severus was suddenly aware of the game that Regulus had been playing
Lily looked up at him, before giving him a smile and shrugging, apparently giving consent. Severus curled his hand around hers, marvelling inwardly at the softness of it, before addressing Regulus, grinding out the words between clenched teeth.
"After you."
Regulus' eyebrows lifted and he held an arm out to Narcissa, making his way to the dance floor, with Severus and Lily close behind.
Severus didn't dance.
He had never danced at one of these functions and was aware that this act would certainly draw the attention of the others present at the function.
However, when Lily easily stepped into place in front of his, close to him, the hand he wasn't holding sliding up his arm to rest on his shoulder, he decided the attention was insignificant.
He could put up with the incessant pestering of his colleagues for a few more weeks, he concluded, as he shyly slid his hand around her waist, to rest on her lower back, as he easily moved them both around the floor.
Neither of them spoke at first but he found he could bear the silence easily, as he revelled in the scent of her hair beneath his face – the smell almost intoxicating – and the foreign but most pleasant feel of her in his arms.
Lily turned her head upwards, looking at him, her face so close he leaned his own back slightly.
"Well, I am impressed."
"Impressed?"
"In all the years that we knew one another, I had no idea you could dance. You always said no, you remember, whenever I tried to coax you. In fact, I remember very well that you couldn't."
She was referring to an utterly mortifying attempt at dancing with her during a Hogwarts dance and he found himself cringe at the memory.
"I lost a bet."
She frowned; "What do you mean?"
He tilted his head, rolling his eyes slightly as he elaborated.
"Regulus Black promised to attend Ballroom Dancing lessons with his cousin, Mrs Tonks –" Severus could barely keep the derisiveness from his tone, " – twelve hours of dancing over four weeks."
She was looking at him, searchingly, as they continued to move.
"Those were the stakes in the bet that I lost."
She broke into a wide, delighted smile.
"Severus, are you telling me that you had dance lessons?"
"Regulus finds great pleasure in putting me in the most awkward situations imaginable and observing how I cope. Despite the fact that he was no longer obliged to attend these lessons his cousin was taking – he never missed a class."
Lily's body was shaking with laughter and he found it both pleasant and disconcerting, as she trembled in his arms.
He glanced over her shoulder and noticed Regulus watching him with a grin. Severus shot him a glower; a warning that there would be consequences for this.
"And what would he have had to do if he had lost?"
"He would have had to dismiss a particularly irritating member of the Research Department. I caught him stealing one of my rare ingredients."
"Surely he would have planned to fire him anyway?"
"Unfortunately not. He was the eldest son of a family that was suffering a great deal following the war. In such cases, Regulus is incredibly soft."
Lily was silent a moment, as she contemplated the statement.
"So, he puts you in situations like that a lot, does he?"
"Only when his ploys succeed. My discomfort is often very amusing to him. He is not unlike yourself in that respect."
"Me?" she straightened in surprise; "What have I ever done to make you uncomfortable?"
He truly wondered if she was joking. How often had she teased him? Mocked him? Pointed out awkward truths that would do nothing but bring about discomfort.
"Perhaps it is not intentional," he said, though he knew it was not true.
He noticed she was grinning, cheekily, and was tempted to point out that it was looks like that – looks that she often gave – that disarmed him and made him feel the boyish urge to blush and squirm.
But he was not a boy, so he maintained his dignity and kept silent.
"He seems like a good friend."
"Like I said, you are both very similar in manner."
"You know, if you had dance lessons. You should be able to do more than just these simple steps."
"No. It took twelve hours for me to learn this."
She was laughing again, her body shaking against his.
"Oh, come on. Twirl me."
"No."
"Lift me up. Spin me. You must have learned more than just this."
"As you are entirely aware, I was hopeless prior to those lessons."
She drew back to look up at him, eyes twinkling.
"Well. You were able to twirl me back then."
That was all he had been able to do, he remembered. Standing there, like a lamp post, twirling her as she danced in front of him. He felt the heat of mortification rising.
She was looking at him expectantly, and he rolled his eyes, stopping their feet movements for a moment so that he could give her a quick twirl under his arm.
Lily laughed, delighted that he had given in, when she was back in his arms and he found himself smiling, as he resumed their normal movements.
She was looking up at him again, her eyes almost mesmerising, and he once again drew her closer so that he wouldn't have to look into them.
They were being watched.
He could see Eugene Hopkins watching the two of them with obvious interest, a little grin on his face. He among many others doing the same.
It was irritating.
But the feeling of Lily in his arms was wonderful and the scent of her hair intoxicating and he was enjoying it. He was enjoying it much too much, in fact, more than even he had expected he would, and he felt an unusual flutter in his stomach when she leaned back and met his eyes again.
He did not have butterflies.
The idea was almost ludicrous.
And then she smiled at him, a warm smile, not cheeky or teasing like he was so used to, but genuine.
And Severus felt his heart rate speed up and a heat spread over his cheeks.
She didn't feel the same. He knew that. And she wouldn't.
He found his eyes drawn to the wedding ring on her finger.
In her mind, she still belonged to another. She belonged to Potter.
And what did it matter anyway?
He had been down this road before. He knew where it led; how the story ended.
He wouldn't let himself get tangled up in it all again.
However, when the song ended, Lily didn't seem inclined to stop dancing. She remained in his arms as the band began another and he found it impossible to pull away. A terrible sign of things to come but even that thought wasn't enough to discourage him.
So he held her close and they danced again.