Chapter Forty-Nine
"Do you think he can hear us?" Malachi whispered.
Sirius' eyes went to his nephew, who lay curled up against Regulus' side, having climbed up onto the bed immediately upon their arrival at St Mungo's, entirely unafraid by the sickly sight of his father.
The same could not be said for his uncle, for Sirius was floored by it. How pale and weak his little brother looked where he lay against the bed, still as the dead, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead, the bluish tint of his eyelids and lips an alarming sign of his deteriorating condition.
Sirius forced a smile and gave Malachi a nod; "Sure he can, Kid."
He reached down, taking Regulus' hand in his - tried not to flinch at how ice cold it felt when he grasped it gently - and said, shakily; "Isn't that right, little brother?"
Malachi smiled, slowly lifting his head from where it had been resting against Regulus chest - wanting to listen to his heartbeat, the little boy had said - and looked at his dad's pale face.
He shimmied up a bit from where he lay in the bed, touching his lips to Regulus' cheek and whispered; "Love you, Dad."
Sirius drew in a breath, eyes upon Regulus' face when Malachi settled back down against him, and he felt it then.
All the grief and regret and sorrow at what he had done. How Sirius had left him to fend them all of, himself. All of their expectations, their judgements, their prejudices. His soft little brother, so eager to please, unable to ever be willing to disappoint anyone.
He didn't stand a chance.
Sirius tightened his hold on Regulus' hand - hoping it didn't hurt - and made a quiet vow to himself as he did.
That so long as Sirius lived, no harm would ever come again to his little brother.
Dumbledore's patronus was just as Lily remembered.
Vivid and bright.
Just the sight of it chilled her to the bone.
Threw her back to darker times; times when every moment she had feared for her life, for the life of her husband, her friends. Her son.
The silver phoenix spoke; the voice as commanding, as familiar as always.
The Order of the Phoenix was to reconvene this evening, as a matter of urgency. 8 o' clock. Location Greenwood.
Location Greenwood; the old wizard certainly had faith in their memories, if he was still using the code names from so long ago to arrange their meetings. But, then again, Lily guessed that no one could ever forget. The memories of those days of the war so ingrained within their minds.
Remus was at her door within half an hour; pale and sickly and exhausted as a result of the full moon the previous evening. But his eyes were wide with the implications of the message they had received and they had sat, mulling over the possibilities for over an hour.
Getting nowhere.
The conversation didn't start heating up until Sirius had returned home from St Mungo's with the boys, his own message not received until they had gone running upstairs, the large silver phoenix reappearing in the kitchen and delivering the same words that she and Remus had been concerning themselves with.
Sirius eyes darkened as he took a seat at the table; "You know what this means right?"
Neither Lily nor Remus had the chance to say anything, Sirius carrying on regardless of their input.
"Death Eaters have been called to ranks. And, now, so have we."
"Voldemort is dead, Sirius," Lily stated the obvious.
"Yeah, sure, that one's dead. What's to say that someone else hasn't decided to take his place?" Sirius leaned in closer; "I told you. The way Malfoy was behaving last night – he couldn't get out of the fundraiser fast enough –"
"The fundraiser you had emptied out?" Remus eyed him.
"For good reason, too! The only reason they didn't attack was because we evacuated the place before they had the chance. If I hadn't overheard – hell, we could be dead!"
Lily shook her head, even if his assertion were true; "Death Eaters have been attacking for weeks. If Dumbledore's calling on us now then something must have changed."
"Yeah. New big bad is on the horizon, that's what. I told you about what Malfoy was doing." He suddenly straightened; "And Snape!"
Lily flinched; "What does Severus have to do with anything?"
"I saw him; he was acting nuts. He practically threw Malachi at me before he ran off; off in the same direction as his partner in crime. Wherever Malfoy went, Snape was with him. Even more evidence that they expected the Foundation to be atta-"
"If Severus thought that, he wouldn't have left Malachi there, Sirius."
"He might have if he thought it'd make him look innocent."
Lily shot him a look. She couldn't exactly say to them that the reason Severus had taken off so abruptly was because of her.
"Forget about what you think you feel about the guy, Lil'. You know as well as me, Snape was a Death Eater –"
"You don't know that."
"I don't – fucking hell, Lily –"
"Even if he was, he obviously isn't on that side of the war now."
"If you don't wake up you're gonna get yourself killed!"
"Sirius, don't start –"
"Both of you, don't start." Remus spoke with a weariness that spoke both of exhaustion and exasperation; "Whatever it is, the last thing we need is to break down and fight amongst ourselves about things we have –" warning eyes were suddenly directed towards Sirius; "no proof of. And if it is Death Eaters, Snape is the least of our worries."
"Unless he is one."
"That's enough." Remus said, quickly, before Lily could retort.
"Oh, come on, Remus, don't try and act all high and noble because you're worried about sparing Lily's feelings. You know as well as me that Snape was, is, a Death Eater – just like Lily does, even if she won't admit it – and him and Malfoy running out of that place last night, Dumbledore calling the Order less than twenty-four hours later…only an idiot wouldn't realise what that means. Someone called the Death Eaters out."
"And who has the power to call on the Death Eaters, Sirius?" Lily glowered at him.
"Well, I guess someone else has just decided to rise up and take Voldemort's place."
"And they all just go running?" She raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know how it works, Lily. You'd have to ask your good friend Snivellus for more information on that front."
Remus stood, abruptly; "Well, as productive as all this is, I'm afraid I have to be off. Maybe get a bit of sleep before all hell breaks loose tonight." He turned, heading for the door; "Good talk." And then he left, slamming the door with more force than necessary behind him as he did.
An uneasy silence settled in the room.
Lily risked a glance at Sirius, who glared darkly at the table, and she felt a little wave of guilt wash over her. Here she was, fighting with Sirius about something, defending Severus against a charge that she knew was true. Even if she was entirely sure of his loyalties now, how he had changed sides during the war and his reasons for doing so, Sirius wasn't entirely wrong in his assertions.
Obviously, she couldn't tell him that. She couldn't confess Severus' past sins to Sirius. But, at the very least, she could try and steer clear of any discussion about it.
"Remus is right," she said, her defensiveness falling away; "It doesn't do us any good to fight amongst ourselves. Not now."
Sirius met her eyes.
"Let's…let's just go to the meeting and see what it is Dumbledore wants."
"I'm worried about you, Lily."
"Sirius –"
"No. Don't tell me to shut up or to mind my own business or whatever else you're ready to say to me. It may not seem like it to you – hell, it may not even be welcome – but I actually care about you, Lil'. And you're too good, you know? You just look at people and it's like – oh, hey, they couldn't possibly be bad or dangerous or whatever – I'll just give them the benefit of the doubt. I mean, come on, you couldn't believe it when Remus told you what he is even though it was so damn obvious. And, yeah, sure, that's all well and good. We all love you for it. But, you know what, Lil'? I'm not gonna just stand back and let that bastard hurt you."
Lily drew in a breath; "Sirius. He won't."
"That's right," Sirius said, resolutely, his expression grim, a warning; "Because he won't get the chance."
And then he stood, leaving her alone.
During the war, Severus had never attended an Order meeting.
Every report he made to Dumbledore was done so in the privacy of the Headmaster's office, the decision being that his new role as spy ought to be kept as quiet as possible, even from the Order members. After all, Dumbledore was aware there was a spy within his own ranks and it wouldn't do for the Dark Lord to receive reports that Severus Snape's loyalties were questionable.
His occlumency skills were average at best back then. Hence why the Dark Lord was so quickly able to identify the reasons behind his request that he allow Lily to live.
After a year of training with Dumbledore, his occlumency skills were far enough along that he was able to teach himself the rest. Able to build his own barriers; able to control his own emotions more effectively. Casting aside his old, emotive and immature self and heading off to Italy; returning changed.
Now, he could do it. He could, had to, fool them all.
Even the Order couldn't know his reasons for turning to Dumbledore.
The Dark Lord was pleased when Severus had relayed the news to him; that the Order had been called to reconvene and he had, as hoped, been accepted into the circle of trust. Another little tick against his name in his old master's mind; his usefulness increasing.
As Severus had never been to one of these meetings, he wasn't entirely sure what to expect. What would be said or who would be seen.
Some things, however, were as predictable as always.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Sirius Black snarled, as Severus walked into the room.
Severus only eyed him. Although Black was the only one who expressed the thought verbally, he could easily see that his feelings were not unique. Several of the others in the room eyed him with wariness, all wondering the same thing.
"Ah, Severus. Do take a seat." Dumbledore smiled warmly at him, warmer than he was accustomed to, as he indicated the chair at his side.
He made his way over and did as the old wizard said, ignoring the eyes of those that followed and settled on him, and did his best to blend into the furniture. Waited impatiently for proceedings to begin.
While Severus was certain many in the room suspected that he had been a Death Eater some years before, the only people here who actually knew that for a fact could be counted on two fingers; Albus Dumbledore and Lily.
After tonight, everyone here would know.
Severus caught Lily taking a seat across the table, next to Black, and studiously avoided looking in her direction, averting his eyes when he sensed her own attention coming to focus on him; accidentally meeting the eyes of Remus Lupin as he sat down on the other side of her.
Lupin stared back at him with undisguised curiosity and Severus glowered at him in return.
"It is good to see you all again," Dumbledore said, warmly, when everyone had finally sat down around the long table; "I only wish it had been under better circumstances. As I'm sure you are all curious to learn of the reasons for this meeting, I shall get right to the point. Voldemort has returned."
Tense silence descended.
And then, uproar.
Voices all sounding at once; amongst themselves, questions directed at the old man without waiting for responses.
Dumbledore sat patiently, as the scene played out.
Severus, who had remained silent, lifted his gaze and met Lily's eyes across the table.
The question was evident in her eyes, eyes that expressed shock, uncertainty, fear; did you know?
"I understand this is a shock. But we must cast such feelings aside, the questions of how and why unimportant at the present moment," Dumbledore stated, when the chaos gradually began to die down, bringing everyone to silence with his authoritative tone; "For now, we must focus ourselves on the immediate response."
"But how is this possible, Albus?" Arthur Weasley couldn't help asking, despite the old man's words; "How do you know he's back?"
"I have received intelligence from a source that his return is so."
"Which source?" Sirius Black was glaring at Severus across the table.
"One that I trust, Mr Black. Now –"
"I'm not talking about Voldemort while his Death Eaters are in the room."
Voices erupted once again, hushed whispers this time.
Severus shifted in his seat, his discomfort increasing tenfold, and he found himself wishing that perhaps Dumbledore didn't trust him as much as he apparently did; that he had decided clandestine meetings, like before, would be sufficient.
"I understand that there is a rather colourful history amongst some of those within this room. Under the circumstances, I ask that we put these differences aside in favour of dealing with the issues at hand. We are all on the same side here."
Sirius Black looked ready to explode and Severus found a smirk tugging at his lips; did nothing to conceal it and enjoyed the way Black's face reddened in turn.
And then Severus met Lily's eyes and his amusement fell away.
There was more than just a hint of betrayal lying within her gaze.
"What do we know, Albus?" Minerva McGonagall spoke up.
"We know that Voldemort's return took place last night –"
"Because he summoned his Death Eaters?" Remus Lupin's voice wasn't dripping with the same hostility that Black's had been but his eyes were on Severus, conveying his distrust. And also the dawning realisation that, yes, Severus had been – is – a Death Eater.
"Correct, Mr Lupin. And I ask that we try to restrain ourselves from further unnecessary commentary for the remainder of this meeting, otherwise I fear we will get nowhere in our plans to respond. Yes, last night Voldemort called upon his Death Eaters and revealed himself to them. As yet, his long term plans have not been revealed, however we can expect to hear more soon –"
The tension coiled amongst those of Hogwarts Class of 1978, as they sat in silence while their old Headmaster spoke, gave his opinions, his instructions, his information. Eyes meeting and glaring and softening in turn, as Severus' glance moved between Black and Lupin and Lily, respectively.
"What of the boy, Albus?" Minerva said, when Dumbledore's speech ended; "Neville Longbottom."
"Ah. Yes, I have alerted the boy's grandmother as to the situation and offered her the assistance of the Order in concealing them both. However, Augusta has refused the offer and, at the moment, appears to have fled with her grandson."
Severus looked at him, sharply, while murmurs arose.
"But that's insane! If You-Know-Who is going after him, then they don't stand a chance!" Molly Weasley burst out.
"Indeed. But we have time to locate them and assign special protection –"
Someone Severus didn't recognise spoke up; "Why would You-Know-Who go after the boy? With his parents dead, surely there's no reason for the Longbottoms to still be in danger?"
Severus met Lily's eyes across the table. She drew in a breath and looked expectantly at Dumbledore; who had glanced between the two of them at the exchange.
"It is my belief that the rumours regarding the boy's survival may lead to Voldemort wishing to extinguish any doubts as to the levels of power he holds; it undoubtedly rankles with him that people believe that he was defeated by a child."
"The rumours? He'd waste his time hunting and killing a child just to prove a point?" Lupin spoke up.
"I believe he would. Nonetheless, you are correct in your reasoning that it is hardly something he would consider a top priority. As yet, he has not yet expressed a wish to do so. Which gives us the necessary time to locate Mrs Longbottom and her grandson."
"What about the others he was hunting?" Lily spoke for the first time.
A stillness settled over the room, all eyes on her, as all remembered that she was one of the ones who had been so and was the only one of the four Order members targeted to escape alive.
Her expression was hard set as she addressed the old man, challenging him to lie to her.
Dumbledore met her eyes, looking at her cautiously for a moment. He gave a brief glance in Severus' direction, before addressing her; "It is my belief that Voldemort is not currently concerning himself with the same agendas he had been caught up with in the past."
"You'll have to forgive me if I find that hard to believe," Lily said, unwaveringly. And then her eyes flashed; "Need I remind you that I have…a son, Professor?"
Severus expected him to respond with the same coolness with which he had received the previous evening, when he had brought up the issue of Lily's safety. Instead, Dumbledore's eyes softened considerably.
"You needn't, Lily. I understand your concerns. If you wish to discuss the matter further, I ask that you stay behind at the end of the meeting and we shall give the issue the due time and consideration it deserves. Privately."
"Damn right, privately!" Black suddenly erupted; "I'm sorry. But this has gone on long enough! No way are we sitting here talking about Lily and Harry's safety when Snivellus over there is just going to run back and tell his whip-master everything that we've just talked about!"
"Mr Black –"
"And how the hell do we know that Voldemort isn't already planning on coming after them right now? Augusta Longbottom and her grandson could have already been killed! Lily and Harry could be next!"
"This is hardly the time for such hysterics, Mr Black," Minerva said, sternly, with a concerned glance in Lily's direction.
"Well when is the time? After they're already dead?"
"Your input is proving as helpful as ever, Black." Severus spoke for the first time, his eyes dark, tense and aggravated at the reminder of the danger to Lily.
"Shut up, Snivellus."
"Charming as always, also?"
"Why don't you tell everyone here where you were last night, Snape? Huh? Let them all see you for what you really are."
"Very well. I was with the Dark Lord."
Silence.
"I fucking knew it!"
"Of course you did. Even to a mind as simple as yours it was…obvious."
Uproar erupted once again; voices louder this time. Some talking amongst themselves. Some directed at him; various obscenities fired his way.
And then Dumbledore held up a hand in a manner so commanding that it instantly silenced all in the room.
"What Severus is failing to tell you – for dramatic effect, I might add –" Dumbledore shot him a disapproving look; "is that he long ago turned to our side and has been a spy for us since before the end of the war. As such, his loyalties are not under question."
"This is dragonshit," Black breathed; "You can't seriously trust him, Dumbledore!"
"Severus' defection has been of unmeasurable assistance to us, Sirius. At great personal risk to himself, it was through Severus that we learned of Voldemort's intentions to hunt the Potters and the Longbottoms in the past, which allowed us to bring about the measures to protect them –"
"Fat load of good that did! Frank and Alice are dead. And James is pretty much as good as too-"
"A fact you can only blame on yourself; were you not the one who convinced your friend to trust Pettigrew?" Severus snarled back.
Black was suddenly on his feet and Severus, swift in his reflexes, followed within a second; wands drawn and raised, pointed menacingly in one another's faces.
Severus caught Lily rolling her eyes out the corner of his, as she slumped back in her seat.
"What did you even care what happened to James?" Black ground out, eyes still hard on his.
"I didn't." It came out as a hiss.
And then two bursts of light erupted from each wand, clashing in the middle of the table. And then, suddenly, both men were disarmed and the wands flew into the outstretched hand of their old Headmaster.
"Enough!" Dumbledore's voice was slightly raised; "These schoolboy antics are not welcome here. I ask that you behave as the grown men you both are."
Dumbledore tucked the disarmed wands into his robes and it was almost laughable; he had had his wand confiscated by the Headmaster. That hadn't even happened to him as a child at Hogwarts.
Severus and Black glared at one another as they slowly lowered themselves back to their seats.
Severus swept out of the room, swiftly, following the end of the meeting and Lily was torn, the urge to go after him and demand an explanation at once strong, but she had to speak to Dumbledore.
And Harry always came first.
Lily walked up to the front of the room, where Dumbledore stood, speaking quietly with Professor McGonagall. They both gave her a warm smile when she approached, the older woman giving her a squeeze on her shoulder, a rare demonstration of affection, before she left them alone.
"Ah. Mrs Potter. I had expected Mr Black or, perhaps, Mr Lupin to stay back with you."
"Remus is still unwell after last night. And Sirius is being…uncompromising."
Dumbledore chuckled; "Yes. I believe we all noticed as much."
Lily stepped closer to him, a desperation coming over her; "Professor, please. Tell me the truth. Severus told me about the prophecy. That it was Harry that Voldemort was hunting before."
"Yes, he and I discussed it last night."
"You did?"
"He shares your concerns."
"Then…then he is in danger? Harry? If Severus thinks so –"
"Severus' knowledge of the matter, while more than most, is still limited. He is not aware –"
"No riddles, Albus," Lily interrupted him; "Is my son in danger?"
Dumbledore stared at her for a moment.
After a second, he gave a single nod; "I believe so."
Lily felt her stomach drop.
"But that will only be the case if we do anything that forces Voldemort's hand. I am not entirely certain of the particulars that Severus relayed to you but, as I have been attempting to explain to him, for the moment, it is my strong belief that the prophecy pertains to Neville Longbottom. As is the case for Voldemort. So long as it remains so, your son will be safe."
Lily felt her patience snap; "Severus didn't reveal particulars because he doesn't know them himself! This is my son we're talking about Dumbledore, tell me what's going on. Why does it matter who Voldemort believes it is? How is it possible that he gets to 'choose' the boy it means – that's what Severus told me. That Voldemort decides. And he couldn't explain it. You can."
"Please, take a seat." Dumbledore sat down.
Lily glared at him but, after a moment, did as he said.
He drew in a breath, silent for a moment, before he spoke; "The prophecy was revealed in early February before your son was born; it stated that the child, one who had the power to defeat Voldemort, would be born at the end of July. This is all that Voldemort knows. What the latter does not know is that the prophecy goes on to state that the child will be chosen by Voldemort himself; he will seek the child and create his own rival. And that rival will either be the undoing of him, or vice versa. For this reason, because his attention is upon Neville Longbottom, it is important that we do not do anything that will draw attention to your son."
"Why doesn't he just kill them both?"
"I believe that was his intention before, when things were far more uncertain. Now he has stronger reason to believe that Neville is the one to whom the prophecy refers; the boy was the only survivor of the attack that night."
Lily was quiet as she considered the information.
"While Voldemort does not know the remainder of the prophecy, he is aware that what was revealed to him was incomplete. And he is aware that I know the rest. As such, if I was to make any move that would suggest I believe it possible that another child is the one to whom the prophecy refers…that child would be put into significant danger."
"So…your answer is to do nothing?"
"Not at all. But we shall have to be discreet. Sirius Black concealed yourself and your husband successfully previously and, as Mr Black currently shares residence with you, it will be quite easy for him to resume his previous task without drawing any attention from Voldemort or his followers."
"What does Severus think about this?"
Dumbledore's eyes squinted a little at the question; "I suppose you shall just have to ask him yourself. Though I'm certain he has conceded that discretion is the best course of action to take."
"I'm not asking to be difficult, Professor, I'm asking because he's the spy. Isn't that right? He, more than anyone, knows what Voldemort could do."
"Precisely, Lily, he does. And if he believed you to be in any overt danger then I am certain he would speak up. As yet, his concerns are driven by fear for your safety which is understandable but unproductive. Like I said, if we do anything out of the ordinary, especially under my instruction, this will only draw attention to your son."
Dumbledore's argument was sound but it still left her uneasy. Carry on as normal, just with a few extra charms placed over the house? That didn't sound conductive to protection. But, then, if what the old wizard was saying was true, Harry was only in need of protection if they did anything to alert Voldemort of his need for any in the first place.
Lily drew in a breath, fear twisting sickeningly within her.
"Lily," Dumbledore said softly, "If circumstances should change, we shall respond as such. I am confident that there will be time to do so. Severus is very well thought of within Voldemort's circle and I'm sure you're aware of the depths of his feelings for you…"
Lily looked at him, sharply, frowning. While that may be so, considering the kiss they had shared the night before and her, now, putting the pieces together and realising it was Voldemort who had caused Severus to flee and not what had happened, she did not expect such feelings to have been expressed to or known by Dumbledore of all people.
The Headmaster suddenly looked uncomfortable, as if he realised he had said too much; "Perhaps I presume too much. Nevertheless, I am sure you are aware that your safety is a concern which Severus takes very seriously. As such, even the slightest hint from his old master that he intends to come after your son will be noticed by him and alerted to us promptly."
Lily drew in a breath and nodded, knowing the truth in his words.
"Yes. Yes, I suppose so."
The two of them sat there a little while longer, though little else needed to be said. Dumbledore had said his piece, giving her a choice; live as they always had, with some added protection, and await any further information that implicated Harry. Hope for the best, that he would be overlooked, that it would be fine. Or go into hiding, now, and implicate Harry themselves. Mark him for the hunt. For death.
The first option was only marginally better; inaction seeming foolish but the alternative rash and both were potentially devastating.
She returned home with her heart heavy, her stomach tight with dread. With the fear that she had chosen wrongly; that her son's life was in her hands.
"-nerve to come here. He's not going anywhere with you!"
Lily frowned as she entered the house, hearing Sirius' heated voice in the kitchen.
"The boy is my Godson and, as such, he belongs with me."
Severus.
Lily hesitated for a second and then made her across the sitting room, pushing open the door to the kitchen, where Sirius stood. Wand clutched tight in his hand. Severus was at the door, still standing outside on the pavement, his own wand drawn in turn.
Remus was sitting at the table, looking exasperated; "Sirius. Just call for Malachi."
"Like hell I am!"
"What's going on?" Lily asked, drawing their attention to her.
Severus seemed to tense when their eyes met and he lifted his chin; "I was merely returning to collect Malachi from Black's care. Had I known he intended on taking the boy hostage –" he eyed Sirius; "-then I would never have left him with him in the first place."
"You just told us you're a fucking Death Eater and now you expect me to just hand my nephew over to you? I don't think so."
"If it makes you feel any better, Black, the boy was practically raised by, we, Death Eaters and so far he has emerged unscathed."
"His mother is dead!"
Severus' eyes flashed; "Do not use Evelyn's death as a means of making a point, Black. I warn you."
"Sirius." Lily sighed, walking over to the staircase; "This isn't your decision. Regulus chose Severus knowing very well what he used to be." She leaned a hand on the wall as she called up the stairs to the boys to come down.
"Fuck this, Lily! Malachi is not going anywhere with him. Over my dead body!"
"That can be arranged."
Lily looked at Severus sharply. She wasn't in the mood for this. Harry and Malachi acted with more maturity than these two when they got together.
"Sirius –"
"You knew, didn't you?" Sirius suddenly rounded on her; "You had to. All that 'just trust me, Sirius' 'I know him, Sirius' and going about acting like you knew exactly what was going on. This whole time I've been trying to protect you and you've just been laughing me in the face!"
"That wasn't how it was!"
"Mum?" Harry emerged, looking concernedly between the two of them.
"Hey, Sweetheart," Lily spoke softly, feeling her heart tighten at the sight of him. Reminded of her fears, what had happened that evening; imminent danger. Her little boy.
Lily reached a hand out and Harry went to her. She pulled him close, wrapping an arm across the front of his shoulders, as he looked at the doorway where Severus stood.
He smiled; "Hi Professor Snape!"
"Don't talk to him, Harry."
Malachi bounded down the steps, heading straight for Severus; "You're back!" He was suddenly seized by the arm as he made to bypass his uncle. He froze, looking up at Sirius in confusion.
"Sirius." Remus stood up; "I think there's been enough dramatics for one night. Don't put your brother's son in the middle of your battles."
Sirius glowered at Remus, but then softened his eyes as he looked down at Malachi; "You can stay here if you want, kid?"
Malachi stared up at him, his brows lowering, then over at Severus. Back and forth between the two and saying nothing, as uneasiness within him seemed to rise.
Lily sighed, releasing Harry and walking over, taking Sirius' hand from Malachi's arm. The boy looked up at him uncertainly, not making to move away; "I…I can come and see you again soon, Uncle Sirius."
Sirius drew in a breath, glowering at Severus where he stood, before he looked down and gave a tight smile to his nephew; "Count on it, kid."
Malachi smiled, then leaned to the side, shouting a bye to Harry, before he headed over to where Severus stood. Severus guided him by with a hand on his shoulder, his eyes meeting Lily's for a moment uncertainly.
Lily said nothing. She was still uncertain herself. Did Severus know Voldemort would return? Had he kept it from her? Surely he must have known. Dumbledore hadn't seemed surprised.
She wanted to go to him and ask; ask about Harry, the prophecy, what he thought she should do. He would know, better than anyone, but she could sense Sirius' eyes boring into the back of her head and there was no way she could speak with him properly under these circumstances.
She just tilted her chin in a nod.
Severus blinked, and then he turned on his heel and was gone.
She lifted her wand, closing the door behind him, and turned; Sirius was still standing there, eyes that had been boring into the back of her now glowering at her full on.
Lily exhaled, deflating at the betrayal in his expression; "Sirius –"
Sirius shook his head; "Don't." He glanced out the corner of his eye, in Harry's direction, where he watched them intently. Sirius stepped closer, his voice low, grounding out the words; "You are unbelievable."
And then he turned and headed upstairs.