Chapter Nine

The Foundation was bustling with excitement.

Chatter and music and squeals and rowdy laughter, children running through the hallways and out into the gardens, the fairground erected proving all the enjoyment they needed, while those so inclined drank in the ballroom and danced and hooted as the band played on.

It was so much more than any of the fundraising events had been in the past, no expense spared, anything that could be done would be done.

And they had all come.

Those who served the Order; Dumbledore.

And the Dark Lord. Those loyal to the Death Eaters – none known Death Eaters, themselves, as most were on the run or captured – they had been drawn in. Partook in the merriment.

No distinction between the sides; it would be impossible to do so without any prior knowledge as to the wars that had plagued them just years before.

It was all just as Regulus had intended.

Get them together. Frolic and fraternise and look into one another's eyes and dare to tell themselves that they would do it, lift their wands and end them there and then at the whim of a man who took it upon himself to play them like pawns in their games.

They were all the same, here.

"Regulus."

He was startled at the voice, the familiar face of his cousin appearing before him, right in front of him; someone he had not seen for years, not since the night he had fled from her home in fear for his and Malachi's life.

"Cissy."

Narcissa.

Regulus wondered why he should be so surprised.

Of course Narcissa would come. This had been hers, too, once upon a time. She and Andromeda, they had stood by him, then; before it had all turned and his cards were revealed.

They just stood there, looking at one another, and it was almost awkward.

But not quite.

Narcissa raised an eyebrow.

And then Regulus sighed, stepping towards her and enveloping her in a hug; hugged her tight and wondered if she could feel it, the regret, the apology for all that had transpired since that night he had run from her and even before; the deception.

"You've been ignoring my letters," Narcissa finally said, when they drew apart.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Do I really have to say it?"

Narcissa gave him a smile that didn't even come close to meeting her eyes; "Is that what we've come to, then?"

"You tell me."

Narcissa still smiled but it was sad now, as she looked out at the partygoers, out over the ballroom; "It really takes you back, doesn't it? All of this."

"Well, I can't say it is as impressive as the events you always provided for us. But, I think we've done alright."

"False modesty doesn't suit you, Regulus."

He grinned.

"What are you doing? Why have you done this?"

Regulus glanced at her; "What makes you think I'm 'doing' anything?"

"The Foundation isn't what it used to be. It isn't just a Centre for healing or research anymore. It's a statement, a symbol; against him. And yet, you invite them all here. Those who you know would burn it to the ground if they had the chance."

"Have the chance, they won't."

"You're avoiding the question."

"Look at them, Cissy. Pick them out. Those who you think would do it. Who would burn it all down, as you say."

Narcissa looked at the crowd, the smiling, laughing faces of all who were there before them. The children playing, running back and forth.

If you looked closely enough, yes, you could see it there, in some of the groups congregated throughout the room; an underlying resentment, a current of distrust, that none would act upon, not when the payoff would be so fruitless. There were security personnel everywhere, even if Regulus had ordered them to dress informally, and all knew it.

On wrong move was a direct, one-way ticket to Azkaban.

And so, here they were, face to face, living and laughing, with those they would take arms against with no chance to do so and that was enough, for now.

"We are all losers, here, Cissy."

And wasn't that the truth.

Narcissa was looking at him, carefully, strangely, and he met her look evenly.

"You've changed."

"Changed?"

"Well, Regulus, I dare say you've become a man."

"Ah. I'm sure my parents would be proud."

"I'm sure they wouldn't be."

And they both laughed.

Narcissa lowered her eyes, before looking out at the ballroom once more; "It was good to see you."

She made to go by him.

Regulus caught her by the arm as she did; "Cissy."

Narcissa met his eyes.

He looked at her, then, trying to communicate in the exchange that he meant what he was about to say with everything that was in him.

"If you want out, I'll help you."

Narcissa didn't look surprised at the statement.

Instead, her eyes softened and there was a sadness there, now, a brokenness in them that stung him.

"We both know it's too late for that, Reg."

Regulus shook his head. It was never too late. But he knew better than to press. She had to want it. To be ready for it; what it would mean.

Narcissa smiled then, truly smiled, and leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. He smiled in turn when she drew back, meeting his eyes for a second.

"For what it's worth. I'm proud of you."

Regulus dismissed the sentiment, silently; Sirius had said it to him, once before, too, and Regulus' response then still stood.

There was nothing to be proud of here.

But he said nothing, not wanting to make this into another one of those conversations and so nothing more followed.

Narcissa simply turned and carried on her way, him watching with all-too-familiar regret as she did.

Malachi watched the exchange from the grounds.

He and Harry and Grace were hidden beneath the fabric of the invisibility cloak as they pressed in close to the window.

"Look, Harry, a roundabout!"

Grace was pointing at the carousel, excitedly, having wanted desperately to go to the fairground since she had spotted it on arrival.

"We'll go later, okay, Grace?" Harry was attempting to bargain with her, holding out some cotton candy for her; "Have this just now. And don't move, there's hardly any room under here."

"Why do we have to be under this?" Grace asked, with a mouthful of candy, accepting the bribe with the same eagerness she had been munching down on the chocolate frogs they'd been offering her.

"It's a game, see? Hide and seek."

"Who are we hiding from?"

"Everyone."

Harry turned away from her, carefully rising from his stooped position so as not to disturb the fabric too much as he leaned in closer to Malachi to see what he was watching.

"Who is it?"

"My Aunt. Narcissa Malfoy."

"Malfoy?"

"Yeah. Draco's mum."

"Well, his dad's in Azkaban, right? He's a Death Eater."

"I know."

"They look…friendly."

"They're family."

It was true. His aunt was his dad's cousin and, although Malachi hadn't seen her for the past few years, he still remembered her and how his dad would leave him there at the Manor when he was a child, let him spend the day, even night, with her and his cousin and Malachi had loved it and loved her and he was certain his dad had felt the same.

Could Malachi really base any judgement on the way he behaved with her now?

He watched as his dad looked on after his Aunt, as she left him, and Malachi could see sadness in his eyes as he did.

"What do you think?"

Malachi shrugged; "I dunno. I already know it's true, right?"

"You still haven't asked him?"

"No."

"But you have the letter. Just show it to him. Ask him what he meant."

"We know what he meant, Harry," Malachi snapped, glaring at him, there was no subtly about the meaning in his father's written words at all.

Harry backed off; "Look, let's just go to the fairground for a bit. It'll calm Grace down for a while."

Calm you down, is what Harry really meant, he knew, because he had been agitated and uneasy since the moment his dad had dropped him off at the Potters' that morning – even before – and Malachi shrugged and conceded because he really didn't know what it was he was looking for.

His dad was just the same as he always was, from what he could see, there was no change at all from when he didn't know Malachi was around.

He still spoke and smiled and laughed with everyone. And Malachi really couldn't tell who it was he was fooling, if he was fooling anyone at all.

Surely, if he had gone to trial, people must know that he was accused, what he might have been and, yet, no one in this place seemed to care.

In fact, any conversations they overheard where his dad was mentioned were filled only with comments of admiration and praise at what his dad was doing.

Just as beloved as Malachi had always believed he had been.

"I don't think we're going to see anything," Malachi finally conceded, while Grace rode the carousel, he and Harry standing off at the back – as out of sight as they could from the building; "Dad's just the same as he always is. And I remember all the names on that list and none of them are here, none that I know, anyway."

Harry shrugged, keeping careful eyes on his little sister; "No harm in looking a bit more. We could maybe go and meet Marvin McAbbot if you wanted to. No point in rushing home now that we're already here."

Harry made the suggestion without any of the enthusiasm he had had when he first mentioned the Qudditch star was going to be there. But he was right that there was no point in hurrying home, they'd done it now and they were here, so they may as well enjoy it.

Malachi hadn't been to anything quite like it, not ever.

He had never been around so many people before.

It was exciting, even looking past the reason that had brought him there.

Malachi grinned; "Yeah. Still have to keep an eye out though. If Dad catches me, he'll go nuts."

"I think the hundreds of people lining up to shake his hand will keep him busy," Harry stated, only taking his eyes off Grace for a second to shoot him a grin in turn.

"Harry, can I go on again?" Grace called out when the carousel ride ended.

"Sure," Harry called back. And then he gave Malachi a nudge; "We'll come on with you."

Grace's smile was beaming as they came up to join her, both keep a careful look over their shoulders as they did.

It was like stepping back in time.

Everything here was familiar. The sights. The sounds. The faces.

Severus had barely stepped through the door, carefully dodging the wild antics of the children in the lobby, when Cornelia Heart had set her sights upon him, eyes wide and bright with recognition when she did.

"Severus!"

The unmitigated delight in her voice couldn't help but bring a smile to his lips.

"Good afternoon, Cornelia."

He was seized and pulled into an unexpected embrace but he went with it – oh the power of nostalgia – and was still smiling when she drew back seconds later, a wide smile still there as she regarded him.

"Well, this is a surprise. Does the Boss know you're here?"

"I suppose we're about to find out."

Severus wasn't sure exactly how he and Regulus were going to do this. As if it were an impromptu reunion, triggering conversation, or a scheduled meeting, but he knew that, either way, it was better that their acquaintances – or, he supposed, friends – did not know the truth of it.

Heart did not wait for further elaboration, grasping him by the arm and drawing him over to a group of just-as-familiar faces who all greeted him with the same enthusiasm. Smiles and laughter and hooting quickly erupting when his old colleagues recognised who it was that Heart had brought over to them and he was reminded of how things used to be, so long ago now, when he had been part of all this and one of these people.

Severus took a glass when the servers came round, firewhiskey, while those he knew and, he realised, had missed relegated him with stories of times passed, smiling and talking and slapping him on the back with such friendly familiarity it was as if he had never left.

"What are you working on now?" Butterman asked, suddenly, putting Severus on the spot.

"Ah. Nothing of great consequence."

Nothing at all, his mind offered up.

"Nothing that has managed to survive the early stages," he added, lifting his glass to his lips.

It was not a lie, if the 'early stages' in question was the actual thinking and implementing of an idea in the first place. The closest Severus had come to innovation since immersing himself at Hogwarts were his private comments to Lily on the projects that she was partaking in at the Foundation with these people.

"Oh, don't we know it! Four – four – projects in the past three years have come to nothing downstairs," Littlewood chimed in, shaking his head, before pointing his glass in Severus' direction; "We could've used your input, Severus, you may have managed to salvage them."

"You're wasted in that school, Severus," Butterman added, to murmurs of agreement amongst the group.

"Ah. It has its moments," Severus responded and could say nothing more but smile politely.

"Well, well. Wouldn't you know? The cat came back."

Severus' smile turned to a smirk and he glanced sideways at the voice who had joined them.

"Regulus."

Regulus grinned widely and Severus felt a hand on his back, before he was presented with a hand to grasp; "Severus."

Severus shook it and he could have laughed at the formality of it all.

It certainly piqued the interest of those who observed them; the greeting.

Rumours had run rampant in the early weeks and months of the Foundation's second reopening, when all who had served within its walls had been called back to office and offered their old posts and, as far as Severus was aware, all who had been there before the Dark Lord's return had resumed.

All except one.

Severus Snape.

Being so high up within the Foundation, his close friendship with Regulus so well-known, it was almost a scandal within the organisation when he had not returned. Not even set foot within its wall since. Not a glimpse of him spotted with the founder with whom he had spent so much of his time prior to all hell breaking loose.

Talks of their estrangement were still murmured years later, when Lily had joined the organisation following completion of her training.

And no wonder.

For what man in his right mind would opt to leave the Aurelius Foundation, a coveted position – even more so now – as Deputy Head of the Research facility, in order to serve as a mere Professor of Potions at Hogwarts School for children.

Not unless there had been some serious blowout behind the scenes.

Or so it was believed.

Rumours, some achingly close to the truth, quickly emerged to fill in the blanks.

"The gang back together, we should call for a snap!" Littlewood announced into the chatter.

"Or a toast," Butterman put forward, indicating at the nearby server.

"Lest we forget the glory days, Felix?" Heart laughed.

Severus and Regulus exchanged a look, and Severus couldn't help a smile tugging his lips at Regulus' delighted grin. Clearly, he was pleased to have them all back together again, also.

They stood there for some minutes, just long enough until it was appropriate to be excused, as time was limited. Regulus could not spend the entirety of the event engaged in his company, he had duties to attend to, but Lily had made it clear to him that Regulus was keen to speak with Severus alone, taking advantage of this rare time together to do so.

Regulus made the necessary excuses, to unassuming smiles and nods from their companions, and turned to him with raised eyebrows; "Severus?"

And then, they were on their way, speaking lowly to one another as they did so.

"How shall we do this, then? My office?"

"An audience would be more effective."

"The subject matter is pretty sensitive. Some, if not all, concerns…family."

It took only a moments contemplation for the plan to change.

"Your office, then."

Upon arriving in said office, Severus spent the next fifteen minutes attempting to placate Regulus, not the first time he had had to do so, that Malachi was fine. That Severus was doing all he could to support his son and had dealt with the culprits in question.

Since Malachi had come to Hogwarts, Severus had never deducted so many points from his own House, if ever.

"Have you seen him, Severus? Spoken with him? That boy is not my son."

"I have noticed he has become more reserved, I suppose, but he is as amicable as he ever was when I do step in and speak with him."

"At least he grants you that much."

"Are you certain it is a problem within the school that's caused his behaviour?"

"What else could it be?"

"Well, Regulus, as delightful as you are, it is entirely possible that you have simply put him out."

Regulus bristled; "How could I have done that? I haven't seen him in months."

"You've communicated with him, surely?"

"Only to deny permission to attend this event."

"Ah."

"You think that's what this is? It's just a work function."

"Teenagers are notoriously able to blow the smallest of injustices into issues of mammoth proportions."

"That's not Malachi."

It took another ten minutes for Regulus to finally concede that perhaps it was simply Malachi's way of making it known that he was less than happy with their circumstances, the consistent refusal for him to partake in activities that any other boy his age took for granted.

So far, Malachi had dealt with it all with relative good nature, but finally being in the company of so many others his age, it was entirely possible that he was now able to see and think on exactly what it was he was missing on out simply for being Regulus Black's son.

Severus could see that Regulus was less than comforted by the realisation but he took it in stride, as he always did, changing the subject with typical good humour that Severus had sorely missed.

"You looked quite at home back there."

Severus shrugged; "Old habits."

Regulus' eyes gleamed; "Come back."

Severus scoffed, shaking his head; "Impossible. I need to be where I am."

"Stewing in Dumbledore's dungeons?"

"With Potter."

"You need to be doing what you can to ensure you have a good foothold in the Dark Lord's circle when he returns. What do you think is going to impress him more? A man who has spent his time brooding the years away under Dumbledore's thumb or one who is out there, with influence in the world?"

"Regulus, he would not have it. Me working with you? It's absurd. Nothing could make me appear more disingenuous."

"He allows you to work with Dumbledore."

"As a spy."

"Exactly."

Severus leaned back in his chair, regarding Regulus carefully, wondering if he was seriously suggesting that he come back here and offer himself up as a spy within the Foundation to the Dark Lord when he returned.

"You cannot be serious."

"I'm here. Potter's mother is here. After the summer, his little sister, too. The Foundation stands against him, explicitly. The Dark Lord is going to send someone in. No doubt about it."

"If you know it then you can prevent it."

"Security fails. People slip through the cracks. Sure, I'm not exactly in the habit of hiring Death Eaters or their sympathisers but not all of them are so blatant that I could pick them all out and deal with them. Bringing you in is perfect. Not to mention, the Dark Lord would be glad to be spared the headache of trying to get someone in, someone high enough within the ranks that he could trust."

"The Dark Lord does not trust me. You forget that he offered me no information whatsoever about your pursuit following your defection."

"I doubt it'll take long for you to convince him of your worth."

"It is too risky. You and me. It is –"

"If anything, it's perfect. It's not as if we carried on as normal in the years that followed, everyone can see that. Hell, our 'estrangement' has lasted more than five years. What better time for you to reach out, to come back and convince me of your 'goodness' than when the Dark Mark is finally beginning to show once more?"

"And you're to fall for that, are you?"

"If the Dark Lord believes Dumbledore would then why wouldn't I? There's sentimentality involved, after all."

"Indeed. It is sentimentality that is making you offer this in the first place."

"And sentimentality which is moving you to consider it. Look at you, you're practically glowing at the possibility."

Was he?

Of course he was.

To be back at the Foundation, hell, of course he wanted that.

But could they really make it work, convince the Dark Lord it was all a play on his part against Regulus; that he had taken his double life further, gained the trust of both Albus Dumbledore and Regulus Black and, yes, in doing so had managed to increase his value to the Dark Lord irrefutably.

Possibly.

"We have to play big to win big, Sev," Regulus went on; "You know that. Sure, everyone has their limits. But I'm not yours, right? So play me."

Severus looked at him, appalled at the statement. Regulus meant it as rhetorical, obviously, a mere nod at his circumstances with Lily and Grace, who, of course, were his priority. But to suggest that he would be so willing to put Regulus' life on the line to get ahead in this war was outright offensive.

Regulus seemed to realise that, when the silence dragged on, and averted his eyes. He looked sheepish but he didn't take it back.

Of course he didn't.

No one was more convinced of their own unworthiness than Regulus Black, after all.

"What are you proposing?" Severus finally said.

Regulus smiled, already looking triumphant and leaning back in his chair as he spread his hands; "You've run the place, Severus, pick a post and it's yours. I'll make it work. My opinion? Back where you belong. Head of Research."

"Ha. And how am I to find the time for that?"

"Deputy, then. Just as before. Part time here, part time at Hogwarts. Dumbledore would go for it, if he knew it would further the war effort. Bearing in mind you'd be coming in under Heart, if you do."

"I doubt Cornelia would have been happy for me to suddenly outrank her once more after the time away."

"Not at all, she has already been briefed."

"What?"

"I couldn't very well offer up her job to someone else without first smoothing out the edges, could I? In any case, she came to me. She is to become a grandmother in the Autumn and was hoping to scale back her workload. In fact, it was by Cornelia that your name was first voiced."

"Which sent your mind going, no doubt."

"And has brought us here."

Severus sighed, thinking on it. Really thinking on it.

"You cannot come in on anything less than Depute. The Dark Lord would know you wouldn't have it. A man of your talents."

"Why, Regulus, you flatter me."

"Please, you flatter yourself."

Severus smirked, shaking his head.

It was tempting.

Oh so tempting.

It could all go so very right. But then, it could all go very, very wrong. Play the game too ambitiously, too arrogantly, and it could all crumble and the stakes were high enough as it was. To say it was risky was an understatement.

"It is not just yourself who is here, Regulus. There are others, just as you said."

"Split the post, then. Part time but still Head of Research. Heart takes the field; the healers report to her. That solves the problem; yourself and Lily can have as much or as little to do with one another as you wish."

"We cannot be seen together."

"Little it is, I can see to that. Of course, it also grants the perfect ruse for an audience with one another should you ever need it, when the times comes. And you and I, also. It is frustrating, waiting days between messages being delivered before getting anything done. And we will be far more effective when the Dark Lord does return if we are able to speak to one another, directly, without having to come up with excuses any time we are to be in the same location."

"And Grace?"

Regulus looked stunned.

It was the first time that her name had ever been spoken aloud between them.

Severus raised an eyebrow when the silence dragged.

Regulus glanced in the direction of the window; "The Learning Centre has been relocated out onto the grounds, now that it has expanded. In the Tonks Facility. I have already spoken with Lily; security is just as tight, if not tighter, getting into that building than it is getting into here. I can see to it that further measures are introduced, if you wish it. But Lily seemed happy enough with them as they are now."

"I know. She told me of your conversation. It was something far more simple that concerned me; what if she were to see me?"

"How could she possibly? Unless you're planning on introducing portions practice to five year olds?"

"She has eyes, Regulus."

"And can they see through walls? Just make sure you're indoors during their recess periods and there's no chance of it. Even if you were to go onto the grounds, stick to the east."

Severus lowered his eyes, bringing his hands together and pressing the tips of his fingers to his lips.

Regulus had thought of everything.

And he was right.

The Dark Lord would, undoubtedly, send someone into this place. One of his own in here, amongst them, with Lily, his daughter. It would certainly be better if that person were himself, for to be connected to Harry Potter in any way was dangerous enough in itself, even without anyone's knowledge of their connection to him.

Severus sighed, looking up and meeting the sparkling eyes of his friend – who knew, by now, that he had succeeded in convincing him – but he didn't concede defeat. Not yet.

"You do understand what you're asking, Regulus. You know what the Dark Lord will want me to do."

"Better you than someone else. We have the chance to get ahead of him, here. Make sure the information he's receiving is what we want him to know. Or not, as the case may have it."

Severus pursed his lips together.

Regulus grinned, knowing his victory was close.

"Let's do it, Sev. You know that we can."

Severus met his eyes.

The only answer needed was a smile.

"Working here?"

Lily was as shocked as Severus expected when he told her, Regulus having dispatched him into the empty office next door – now his newly assigned office – with the information that he would find her there, waiting for him.

"Do you object? I made it clear to Regulus that my acceptance was contingent on yours."

"Well, I mean…of course I wouldn't object. I just…well, all this time you've kept your distance from the Foundation and from Regulus, saying that it would be damaging to your standing when Voldemort comes back. You've always said it was too risky. What's changed?"

"Nothing has changed. But the time passed has been long enough to convince him that Regulus was certain of my loyalty to him following his defection."

"And now he's to be not so certain?"

"I have used my powers of manipulation to convince him otherwise."

"And you think he'd buy that?"

Severus shrugged; "I believe it's possible that I could convince him that Regulus, compassionate and kind hearted as he is, could be easily taken in by the pleas of a former close friend. He has demonstrated a certain naïve faith in mankind by creating the Foundation in the first place, after all, and this very day has even saw fit to open it up indiscriminately, allowing access to the Dark Lord's followers, themselves."

"And what if he doesn't believe it?"

"Well. Then I shall be killed outright, I imagine."

"Right. Not risky at all, then."

"Of course, there is the fact that he doubted my loyalties prior to his demise as it is. And Regulus rightly pointed out that hiding in the Castle under Dumbledore's protection in the intermittent years has done nothing to increase my worthiness to him when he does return. I am as useful to him as those who have spent the time rotting in Azkaban. Only their loyalties will not be under scrutiny."

"It sounds as if you've already made up your mind."

"Only if you agree."

Lily drew in a breath, glancing away and seeming to think on it, but only for a moment, before she looked at him, raising her shoulders in concession; "If you think that it's the best way?"

"I do."

"Alright."

Severus almost grinned.

Almost.

Before he could even ponder or find any enjoyment at the decision, that he should be returning to the Foundation once more within mere weeks – should the proposal pass the Headmaster's critical decision – Lily went on, informing him of the reason for her message that he meet with her that day.

That her son was somehow, possibly, sensing the presence of the Dark Lord through his scar in the same way that Severus did through his Mark send chills through him.

"Is it possible, Severus? Could he have done something that night? Something that connected them?"

"I don't know. It is unheard of, as far as I'm aware. Something of that magnitude, the linking of two or more beings in any form, it requires great focus. Perhaps the Dark Lord is powerful enough to do so without meaning to, but that indicates a lack of control that I doubt he would be overwhelmed by."

"Even as he was about to die?"

Severus was more than a little bewildered by it. In what way could the boy possibly be linked; "Perhaps it has something to do with the magic evoked by Black's death?"

"In what way?"

"I can't be certain without looking into it further. Give me some time. I'll learn what I can. Perhaps Professor Dumbledore –"

"No don't…don't go to him, if you can help it."

"Lily."

Severus almost sighed. Her distrust of the Headmaster with regards to her son – or anything, for that matter – was a constant source of tension between them, since long before the boy had even been marked.

"If anyone can shed answers on matters such as this, it is Dumbledore. You know that."

"I don't want him using this as a way to get to him, to Voldemort."

"He wouldn't do that. The safety of the Hogwarts pupils is paramount to him."

"Harry isn't just one of his pupils, Severus."

Severus drew in a breath; "I will try to learn what I can. But if I come up short, the best chance at discovering what it is that's going on here is through Dumbledore."

Lily nodded; "Okay. If you must, then yes. But before that, just look, okay? Maybe ask Regulus what he thinks, now that you're to be seeing him again."

"I'd hope to have any information well before I resume work back here."

Lily smiled, reassured by the statement, before she glanced at the timepiece and took a step backwards; "I better go. I told the boys I'd be back by four."

"The boys? Where's Grace?"

"She's with them."

"You left her under their care?"

Lily shot him a look, no doubt amused at his seeming overprotectiveness; "He's almost fourteen, Severus. They're just at the house. Petunia had been watching me at home since she was twelve."

"Oh, how comforting. To know your parents left you in such capable hands."

Lily grinned, giving him a warm look, but she didn't approach him, it was risky enough if they were spotted simply talking to one another. But to actually be seen together, both knew they would never risk it.

And so Lily left through the main door, while Severus took the adjourning one that led through to Regulus' office, half expecting him to still be there, waiting for Lily's response, but he wasn't. No doubt he had returned to the festivities, and so Severus waited a few minutes until a long enough time had passed that if anyone who had spotted Lily in the hallway were to see him leaving, also, it would be not set off any suspicions that they had actually been together.

Severus returned to the ballroom, quickly catching sight of Regulus, who had returned to their previously gathered group from earlier and made his way across, telling him with a simple nod as Regulus met his eyes that the proposal was a done deal.

Regulus broke into a grin, and by the time Severus reached them, had finished up telling the old colleagues of the new development.

"Brilliant!" Butterman raised a glass at him.

"Oh, it'll be wonderful to have you back with us, Severus," Heart said with a smile.

Oh, wouldn't it just.

Despite what Lily had just told him about her son, and his concerns over what it could mean, Severus couldn't help the little flutter of pleasure he felt at knowing he would soon be able to be back here again, surrounded by grown men and women once more, rather than the constant prattle of bickering, disobedient school children.

Already, he felt as if a darkness had lifted, as if he truly had been stuck in the dungeons all this time, just biding his time until the Dark Lord returned.

Because, that's what he had been doing. Biding his time. Lost in fantasies of how things could be, once it was all over, and he could finally have Lily, their daughter, her son. Waiting for the war to start once more, so that it could finally end.

But any happiness, any joy Severus felt as he stood there, surrounded by the chatter and banter of his old colleagues – soon to be his current ones, once more – was quickly driven from him by the little voice that he loved most in the world.

A voice that should never be heard by him, not ever, outside of the safety of their own home.

"Daddy!"