Chapter Fifty-Three

Remus was uneasy.

But he was by no means surprised.

He had long expected that the whole thing with Lily and Snape would come to a head; their behaviour at Harry's birthday party some months before making it more than obvious that there was something between the two of them. And, yet, the foresight he had gained from the brief glimpse did little to prepare him for the reality of seeing it.

Lily Potter kissing Severus Snape, in his Death Eater robes.

They were lucky it had been him who had found them. It could have just as easily been a Death Eater or, perhaps even worse, Sirius.

Remus could just imagine the outcome of such an encounter; most likely one of Snape or Sirius would have wound up dead. Hell, Snape had looked like he was ready to hex him into outer space when he had come upon them in the forest.

And Remus was pretty sure Snape had the capabilities of doing so.

When he had thought of the possibility of he and Lily a few months ago, the situation was entirely different. First of all, he had not known for certain that the man had been a Death Eater. That was a strike, if there ever was one, though that wasn't at all surprising considering the company he kept. The man may have surrounded himself with some of the best researchers in the Wizarding World by working at the Foundation, but it was no secret that Regulus Black and Lucius Malfoy remained close allies of his.

Still, Lily had not seemed surprised by Snape's casual announcement at the first Order meeting. Remus wasn't an idiot, nor was Sirius, both could tell immediately that she had known all along. Whether that proved repentance on Snape's side or naivety on Lily's remained to be seen.

Remus didn't like the idea of standing back to find out which.

But then, as he kept reminding himself over and over again as they made their way back to the house, it was none of his business.

Lily could kiss and fall in love with whomever she saw fit and there was nothing he could say or do about it. Considering she already knew he had been one of them, he figured it would take something pretty sizable to knock her of the path she was heading down right now.

"Your silence is deafening, Remus."

Remus glanced at her, saying nothing.

"Just get on with it."

"With what?"

"Please." She reached out, stopping him with a hand to the arm; "I know you have an opinion."

"And I know you wouldn't care for it. So, maybe we should just spare ourselves the argument?"

Lily drew in a breath, as if trying to keep her composure; "I wasn't planning on arguing."

"You don't know what I have to say."

"I have an idea."

"Fine." Remus glanced around the street, as if their might be eavesdroppers in the middle of the night; "What the hell were you thinking?"

Lily blinked.

"I mean, Lily…if you really plan on going through with this thing – couldn't the two of you at least have waited until you were off the bloody battlefield? Anyone could have seen you!"

Perhaps that was an exaggeration. Lily had tumbled quite a bit away from the scuffle. Nevertheless, it didn't take Remus long to find her. Nor Snape, apparently.

Lily pursed her lips together; "I…we…it wasn't like it was planned, Remus."

"Well start planning," Remus said, with a glance at the house; "Maybe if you do you might be able to limit the fallout of this…this…" Trainwreck.

"Muffliato." Lily crossed her arms across her chest, raising an eyebrow; "You disapprove, then?"

Remus met her eyes and she returned his look evenly and he wondered why she was even bothering trying to have a discussion about it with him. Her resolve was more than evident in her eyes and anything he said was, quite simply, a waste of breath; "Yeah, Lily. I do."

"Why?"

"You know why. You must have thought about the consequences of this, at least? I mean, forget the whole Death Eater-turned-Spy scenario – have you thought about what this is going to do to us? To Sirius?"

Lily shrugged; "He'll get over it."

The two of them held one another's gaze.

And then Remus shook his head, speaking quietly; "No he won't, Lily."

There it was, a flicker of doubt in her eyes, and then she looked down; arms coming uncrossed as she shuffled a bit on her feet; "He'd…he'd just have to."

"I'm not gonna stand here and pretend that what I have to say makes any difference to what you decide to do," Remus told her, waiting until she met his eyes again before he went on; "You know I'll stand by you, whatever you decide. But Sirius? Hell, Lily – this is gonna blow you guys apart."

"So, you think I should walk away from this because of what Sirius might think?"

Remus was silent.

"No. I don't, actually."

Lily frowned.

"I already told you; you and Sirius got yourselves into a huge mess by living together like this for so long in the first place. You've only got yourselves to blame for what's about to happen now. It was always going to be like this. Even if it wasn't Snape – anyone coming along, with the potential to take you and Harry away from him, was going to make Sirius blow up. The fact that it is Snape only throws fuel onto the, already ginormous, fire."

"Surely he knew that –"

"Lily. You saw how he reacted when he thought it was going to be me. And I'm already in your lives. Don't act naïve; you know what this means. I may think that you need to cut Sirius loose but what about you? Are you ready for that? Is Harry?"

"Sounds like you've given this a lot of thought."

"Well, yeah. Not like I've got much else to do with my time, is it." I'm not sneaking around in the shadows making out with Death Eaters.

"Well maybe you should have spoken up sooner, then?"

"You wouldn't have listened, Lily. I'm surprised you're even listening now! It's not like you to actually think before doing stuff."

"Screw you."

And then she smiled. He did too.

"If you don't think that what Sirius thinks should matter to me, then why do you object?"

"Because it's Snape. Sorry, it's blunt, yeah, but I can't help it, Lily. I remember the guy. There's history there and not a good one. He spent the last two years of Hogwarts trying to get me expelled."

"After –"

"Yes. After."

Sirius' fucking 'prank'.

Remus sighed, waving a hand. It did no good to drag up his past with Snape; "Forget about mine and Sirius' history with him – what about yours? He's hurt you before. And I'm willing to bet that you marrying James didn't exactly give Snape the warm fuzzies either. There's…a lot of pain, there."

"We've talked about it. It's sorted."

"Sorted? So, he told you all about it, then? About what we did to him?"

"What did you do?"

Remus averted his eyes, feeling suddenly guilty. He cleared his throat, meeting her eyes; "Nothing I'm proud of. Not that it excuses what he's done since. How do you know he's not after you just to get one over on James? Or Sirius. He probably knows just as well as us how he's going to react –"

"That's ridiculous! Severus and I had a relationship long before Hogwarts. Like you said, we do have a history and it's totally separate from what happened with him and James. Or any of you."

"You're the one that connected them, Lily, when you married James. That can't sit well with him. Sorry to be the bringer of hard truths, but guys, generally, do have some pride and I've seen the way Snape looks at Sirius. He's not over it."

"He doesn't have to be. I can't demand he 'get over' what happened any more than I can demand it of you, for what Sirius did to you; it doesn't mean we can't move on."

"Just ignore it then? Until it blows up in our faces?"

"Fine. If that's the way you look at it. I prefer to call it living. Not everything has to be tied up in a nice little bow. There's such a thing as compromise."

"Who's the one compromising in this, then?"

Lily stared at him and then jutted out her chin; "Neither. We're not together."

Remus felt relief stir within him, though it was fleeting, because he could tell by Lily's arguments that they would be very soon.

"But you want to be?"

"Yes."

Remus drew in a breath, eyes wandering up the street, as he considered her words. This was the most he and Lily had spoken in months, ever since he had made the dumbass move of kissing her, and it was a particularly draining topic of conversation. So much history; pain, regret. It had never sat well with him, even at the time, the things that he and the others would do to Snape at school. Calling them pranks, a laugh, a joke only veiling the true nature behind the behaviour; maliciousness.

Remus had never really known why Sirius and James disliked Snape so much when he had met them; it had been a few months into first year before he had befriended the other two and, by then, the rivalry had already been established. And Snape wasn't too bad with a wand himself back then, either; it seemed to start off as a pretty even fight.

But, of course, with Remus coming along and then Peter Pettigrew joining pretty much on his heels, it quickly escalated from mutual hexing into four boys on one. Remus had been a coward; he couldn't stand up to them and tell them to stop. He had never had friends before, his condition leading his parents to keeping him concealed during most of his childhood, and he had always been an outsider. He had wanted, more than anything, to be seen for more than just the wolf. James and Sirius and Peter, they had given him that; he could have just as easily been like Snape. An outsider.

Rather than driving him to be the bigger man, as it should have, it only made him cower lower; he didn't want to lose his friends. And Snape seemed to be a deal breaker with James and Sirius. So he kept quiet. He didn't lift his wand to him but he didn't do anything to stop them either.

But, then, even now Remus was the same.

He wouldn't have even brought up this discussion he was having with Lily right now, if she hadn't pushed him into it.

He was always too scared of driving people away.

It was pathetic but true; he just wanted people to see him. To want to be around. And he didn't want to ever give them a reason not to be.

Snape only ever saw the wolf.

Remus didn't blame him. That was no different to the way the rest of the world saw him. But he still resented him for it.

"I…" he began, deciding to steer the conversation elsewhere; "I think it's…good, though, Lil'."

She met his eyes, question in her gaze.

"That you're moving on. That you're ready. I was worried about you, for a while there. Both of us were. It was pretty much the only thing me and Sirius could agree on; that we wanted to see you let go."

Lily drew in a breath; "Yeah?"

Remus smiled in return and nodded; "Yeah. You're a great person. It…it was just as hard, seeing you lost like that. And, you know, you deserve it. To find someone who'll give you what you deserve."

Lily held his look, her eyes searching, and then her expression softened and she smiled; "Thanks, Remus."

The warmth in her eyes emboldened him. And this was Lily. Would she really push him away for it, if what he was saying was due to concern?

"Just…uh…it is Snape, Lily."

"So you said."

"Have you thought about this? Really thought about it? I know I sound like a broken record here but I just want you to be sure about what you're doing. Before it's too late."

"I know he's good."

"Yeah, alright. Sure, okay. Let's assume he is. Dumbledore trusts him for a reason, right?" He waited, wondered if she might elaborate, because Snape must have given her a reason, too, for his defection if Lily was so behind him the way she was right now. Lily was silent, so he went on; "What about Harry?"

"What about Harry?"

"Harry is James' kid. Have you and Snape talked about that? I mean, how does Snape feel about James fathering your son?"

"I don't know." Lily glowered at him, before adding with a bite; "Not good, I would think."

"And don't you think that's going to be an issue? Haven't you asked?"

"I can't ask him that! We're not even together."

"Well, don't kid yourself, Lily, you're gonna have to. Sure you two may not be there just yet but something like a kid is a pretty big deal, especially considering the parents, and you need to know now, before it goes any further, how Snape's going to feel about raising James Potter's son."

"Remus, you are way ahead –"

"Yes, because I'm thinking, Lily, and you're not. How do you think this is gonna end up? Just a few shags in the shadows? Or is it you and Snape in a little house, with Harry, pancakes on Sundays –"

"Don't fucking patronise me, Remus." Ah, Lily from last year was suddenly back, her eyes flashing. It was a welcome reminder of her ability to handle herself. Considering the situation at hand.

"You think I haven't thought about it? You're crazy. It's all I think about. I'm trying to make it work."

"Why, Lily? Why? Why does it have to be him? Pick someone else. Hell, the baggage you two are bringing to the table is obscene, it doesn't make any sense why you'd want to put yourself through it."

"I can't help it."

"Merlin." Remus closed his eyes, knowing the answer before he even spoke it; "You're in love with him, aren't you?"

Lily averted her eyes.

Fuck. Remus shook his head, turning away for a second, before taking a step closer; "Does he love you?"

"It doesn't matter."

"What?"

"He doesn't want us to be together."

Silence.

"Oh."

That was a surprise.

Sure, it was a bit of a taboo subject, especially considering Remus' actions the year before, but hell, Lily was a catch. And he didn't really think any man would be foolish enough to turn her away if she were to offer herself up to them – and Lily was more than offering herself up to Snape here. She was in love with the guy. For whatever reason. And Remus sure as hell wouldn't have turned her away if it had been him she'd set her sights on.

Looking at Lily now, the set resolve that had been there in her eyes had weakened and, now, Remus could see sadness lingering in their depths.

He frowned, feeling concern rise within him.

"Why not?"

Lily drew in a breath, lowering her eyes and giving a small shrug, lips twitching to the side; "He thinks it's dangerous. For me. Because of what he used to be."

The statement was enough to stun Remus into silence for a moment, as he considered her words. Snape was refusing Lily, not because of – well, Remus couldn't really think of any reason why he would – but because he was concerned for her safety. That was…surprising. And, honestly, it was a massive relief.

Maybe, then, Snape did care about her after all.

Good. At least this thing wasn't some sort of twisted vendetta of getting back at James and Sirius.

"Oh."

"Malachi's mother was murdered by Eugene Hopkins because of her relationship to Regulus Black," Lily elaborated, though Remus had not requested anything further; "Because he used to be a Death Eater. Severus says it's only a matter of time before someone does the same to him – now that people know the truth."

Remus made a mental note to speak of Snape's past to no one.

"He thinks it's…foolish of me, to want to be together."

Remus agreed. Not only was Lily willing to risk her relationship with Sirius, reopen dozens of old wounds and potentially make Severus Snape Harry Potter's step-father – she was also, apparently, willing to put her bloody life on the line for the whole thing.

Lily Evans. When she had her mind set on something a fucking asteroid couldn't knock her off her path.

"You're…out of your mind, Lily." Remus sighed, reaching up to rub a hand across his face; "The guy doesn't stand a chance."

Lily smiled.

Remus felt his own smile come in response. And then she giggled and he laughed quietly in response, shaking his head as he looked away.

Lily Potter and Severus Snape.

The world better be ready.

Severus Snape was an idiot.

Especially when it came to Lily Evans. Potter. Whatever.

Though, in this case, his idiocy had paid off. Lupin took so long to happen upon them that, if Severus had not come to the battle, then Lily probably would have bled to death by the time he'd shown up to offer assistance.

It was blind panic that had made him go to the den in the first place, after his summons to the Dark Lord had revealed the details of the events underway; the Order had been sent to the location, where an ambush was set to take place by the majority of the Death Eaters, the purpose of which was simply to kill off as many of Dumbledore's soldiers as possible, prior to the Dark Lord's reveal of himself.

Another Death Eater, presumably Lucius for Severus had seen no sign of him that night, had been assigned the task of collecting Neville Longbottom from where he was being held while the Order members were distracted with the battle.

Not high enough in the Circle to be deemed worthy of such a precious responsibility, the collection of the boy, nor able to offer his skills as a duellist, as to be spotted by an Order member would blow his cover as a spy, Severus was simply dismissed and told to wait for the due summons once the events had taken place.

Severus had apparated immediately to the den.

Mask and Death Eater robes would be more than enough to keep his identity secret to all, so long as he did not engage with anyone. No matter how tempting Sirius Black's arrogant prancing may have been.

He had remained on the outskirts, watching the battle from a distance, catching sight of red hair in the distance and he tried to keep an eye on her, while simultaneously keeping watch for any other nasty tricks that the Dark Lord had intended on sending their way.

He was forced to take cover, however, when two dementors and a patronus were suddenly launched in his direction – he couldn't cast his own patronus without drawing obvious attention - and then he had lost sight of her, when everyone had fled in the direction of the forest. And it was sheer luck that he had come across her at all, when he had crept into the forest, attempting to catch sight of what was going on overhead.

Of course, the idiocy did not stop there.

There had been touches. Further confessions of affection. More kisses.

And, best of all, discovery.

Brilliant.

Remus Lupin.

Severus supposed it could have been worse. At least the werewolf cared about Lily, over and above any hatred he felt towards him – he doubted that could be said for Black, or any of the other Order members, for that matter – so he would put her welfare over a dramatic scene, that would have revealed the situation to all.

Then again, perhaps he just didn't want to ruffle Lily's feathers and have to endure a slap down of his own.

Spineless prick.

Severus took the remaining downwards steps into the mausoleum, the summons finally having come, about half an hour or so after he had stormed away from them.

The sight before him made him hesitate somewhat in his steps; though he quickly recovered and forced himself to walk on and not look at the lifeless body that lay on the ground.

It was a form that Severus recognised from months before, when Dumbledore had sent the boy to him to raid his memories.

Neville Longbottom.

"Behold, the prophecy child." The Dark Lord's voice came out as a sneer, when everyone finally made their appearances, their grovels, their kisses.

He stood from the chair he had been lounging in, waving a slow hand in the boy's direction; "Neville Longbottom. My conqueror." A low, mocking chuckle escaped him. A few of the Death Eaters joined him, murmurs of approval and chuckles filling the cold room.

"I am sure you have all wondered how it was possible that I should have been defeated by this child. Well. Tonight, I shall reveal the truth to you all. It was not this boy –" he eyed him with disdain; "-that saw to my disappearance. Nor was it his parents, the dear, sweet Longbottoms. No. It was magic, my friends. Blood magic, as ancient as it comes, and with their failure is my gain, for I have now gained immeasurable power with that which they sought to turn upon me. With, your help, of course, Severus."

Severus felt his stomach churn.

"Ancestral calling, one of the most powerful of all. It is almost impossible for any to master. Yet, the Longbottoms sought the knowledge, the power, and were granted it. The boy was, indeed, powerful. More so, even, than I for a time. But no more. With the lifting of the magic, the boy was merely a child once more and I have seen to it that this prediction cannot come to pass; for, while he may have sourced the powers of his ancestors with the sacrifice of his parents, he remained susceptible to his own mortality. Which, as you are aware, I am not."

Severus could only stare at the boy, now, barely able to make sense of what the Dark Lord was saying. The Longbottoms had used blood magic to call upon the powers of their ancestors – how was that possible? Severus had never heard of such magic. And, surely the containment of such a power was not something a mere mortal, as the Dark Lord pointed out, could hold onto or control for any length of time.

Severus sought to voice his questions, as respectfully as possible, and received a proud smile from his master in response.

"Severus. You are always so eager to learn. But I must warn you, the calling upon the magic of one's ancestors is only possible for those of purity. Untainted by the blood of muggles. I should not wish you to be disappointed in your endeavours."

Severus cleared his throat and bowed his head; "You are most gracious, my Lord. It was the child of whom I was thinking. Such a weak vessel for so much power."

"You ask all the right questions, Severus." The Dark Lord swept past him, circling the boy's form; "When one calls upon the powers, they can only be harnessed for a limited period before they must be released or bound. For to hold onto the powers after the sacrifice has been made – in this case, the death of Alice Longbottom, triggered the deliverance of the powers, into the vessel of her husband, for it was he who saw to my disappearance some years ago. Not this boy." He paused, to eye the body with disdain; "And the father's sacrifice led to the transferring of said powers to their only son. And to hold onto the powers leads to the destruction of the mind, as is the case with Black magic, of which we are all more familiar. In the case of blood magic, particularly in this case, the destruction is accelerated and, so, it is required that the powers are bound – as dear Augusta Longbottom saw to for Neville Longbottom these past few years – or released back to the ancestors.

"Upon release; the powers of the holder are offered up as imbursement."

"Then, the Longbottoms chose to sacrifice their own magic to save their son?" Lucius Malfoy said, staring at the boy, looking every inch as if he would be more than willing to do the same for his own child.

"Indeed. Love does have the ability to make people act in the most nonsensical of ways."

Didn't it just.

"And so now you know, my friends. And, with the 'threat' of the Longbottoms finally dealt with – a far longer task than I had anticipated – we can now commence. Rabastian, deal with this." He waved a hand at Neville Longbottom; "Tastefully, if you will. But ensure that the message is clear."

It was.

With the attack on the Order this evening and, now, the murder of Neville Longbottom – the prophecy child – the Dark Lord had made his grand entrance back into the forefront of the Wizarding World.

War had begun.