Chapter 23
...
Malinda's face tightened in concentration and threw the stone in her hand. It bounced once then again then- promptly sinking. There wasn't much water to practice skipping stones, but it was one way to stay warm. While winter began to melt away, the edges of the lake losing its ice, it was still frighteningly cold outside. But not even the frigid air kept Malinda and Draco from their morning walks.
They weren't sleeping well these days.
She was glad to see Draco's form filling out again, his appetite somewhat returned. Food did nothing for the bags under his eyes though. The war had begun and they both wore its weight.
Their walks were a distraction. A break from half-assed school work, pureblood politics, and the rest of the world. Paris seemed like an age ago. She was tempted to apparate away again, but Draco had rightly pointed out they needed to be close to Snape and the others in case of an emergency. Instead, she'd apparated them to the opposite side of the lake, as far from the castle as possible but still on school grounds.
"Damn," she watched as Draco threw a pebble calmly and it skipped four times before disappearing. Malinda crossed her arms. "You're cheating somehow. Did you charm yours?"
He smirked, "Nope. Pure talent."
She picked up another small stone and threw it impatiently. This time, it didn't even skip and just sank into the cold water.
Draco threw another stone and this time, it skipped an astounding eight times.
"How the hell are you doing that!?"
"I'm finally better at something than the great, talented Malinda Selwyn."
"Sarcasm is not appreciated. Seriously, how are-" Malinda eyes narrowed as he picked up another pebble. This time, she caught sight of his wand tip at the edge of his heavy cloak. "I knew it! You cheat!"
He laughed as she grabbed his arm and pulled the sleeve up. Sure enough, his wand was there. He'd been charming the pebbles. "Seriously? Cheating on a harmless competition?"
"I'm a Slytherin."
"Slytherins are supposed to be cunning, not cheats."
He laughed again and kissed the top of her head. "Sometimes they're the same thing. You should-"
Draco stiffened as she pulled his sleeve up more, exposing half of his Death Eater tattoo. It wiggled slightly, as if also displeased by the cold morning air. He pulled his arm away quickly and shoved his sleeve back down.
"Will it ever go away?" His voice was flat, devoid of any previous amusement.
For a split second, Malinda considered lying but that wouldn't be fair. "I don't think so. I think it'll turn into a scar after he dies."
"Wonderful," he muttered and moved away.
"Maybe we can find a way to remove it. We can ask-"
"Your precious Dumbledore? Don't see him caring if I have a scar. The old man probably wants me to remember what I did."
He stomped to the edge of the lake and stared out, a pained expression pulling his face taunt. Draco tried to hide his disappointment, but it was clear this was yet another hope dashed. She watched him for a long moment, weighing her options. Perhaps it was time for another honest chat. Malinda walked over and bumped him gently. "If Dumbledore can't do it, we can ask a friend of mine."
He snorted. "Someone smarter than Dumbledore? Right."
"We could reach out to Merlin and-"
Draco spun on her, revealing his fury fully now. "Is this a joke to you?"
"No but-"
"Merlin is a dead geezer."
"Actually, he's not-"
"Fuck you. I'm stuck with a permanent mark of evil and you're still joking."
"You know what, nevermind. Maybe I'll tell you when you lose the piss poor attitude."
He glowered at her. Malinda rolled her eyes and said, "Look, we don't know that it's permanent. But let's pretend it is. So what? It's just a scar. At least it's not on your face like Harry's-"
"That's different."
"Ah yes, having a scar on your face from your parents being murdered isn't traumatic at all. Hearing the screams of your mother as she threw herself between you and the killing curse at night isn't all that bad."
"Why are you always on Boy Wonder's side?"
"Side?" Malinda threw her arms up, completely done. "You're seriously going to say that to me now? After everything. You know exactly where I stand."
She turned and walked away before anger got the best of her. For a moment, she considered apparating but the long walk back would help clear her mind.
…
...
The day, thankfully, got much better. Defense Against the Dark Arts came and went. Snape dismissed them in his usual manner- Sneering and waving them away. He'd conveniently ignored Draco slipping into the classroom ten minutes late. Malinda could practically hear Ron's incoming whines of favoritism. Thankfully, the redhead said nothing. Perhaps it was finally sinking in that school rivalry didn't seem shit right now.
Even more importantly, Draco didn't say anything either before disappearing into the hallway. He was one of the first students out. Fine then.
She slowly packed her bag as Snape called out, "Mr. Zabini, a moment."
Blaise halted in his exit and dutifully walked to the professor's desk and Malinda followed the last of the students out. She walked down the hallway before ducking behind a statue to wait. It wasn't long until her Marauder's Map confirmed Blaise was finally free of Snape and walking towards her.
She stepped out, catching him by surprise, and inclined her head. He hesitated for just a second then followed her into the statue's shadow, his expression curious.
"I have been summoned?" He said mockingly.
Malinda waved her arm and a barrier fell around them, muting the world. "Would you be interested in learning self-defense and attack spells?"
"I thought that's exactly what we just spent the last hour doing."
"No," she grinned. "This would be very much outside the curriculum. Nothing illegal, but spells beyond the safety of a classroom."
He crossed his arms, "I'm listening."
"It's a group of students preparing for the upcoming war. It would be secret and to keep it that way, you'd signed a charmed agreement that would ensure you keep your word."
"And you're leading this Auror fanclub?"
"No, but I'll be helping."
"This sounds like Potter's little group from a couple of years ago. Perhaps you don't know, but they didn't have a happy ending."
"His little group didn't have me," she wiggled her eyebrows at him. "This group will be different."
"I told you Mal," he lowered his voice. "I will not be part of this war. My family will remain neutral and-"
"You're in the war whether you like it or not." Malinda hissed. "It's already here, all around us. You can hide in your Spanish estate but no matter how this war ends, you'll be better off knowing how to fight."
They stared at each other. Blaise took a deep breath. "Let's say I decline this gracious invitation. What then? Your secret is out, I know of the group."
"You know what I'll do."
Blaise's expression fell slightly. "You'd really do it. You'd obliviate me."
She nodded, but her stomach tightened in worry. Maybe she'd been wrong about Blaise. Maybe her instincts weren't as sharp as she thought. "I don't want to. We're mates, but I need to protect people."
"And if I fight you? Right here, right now?"
Malinda took pleasure in smiling. "We both know how that fight would end."
"So you're forcing me to join this group? Doesn't sound like something a mate would do."
"I'm not forcing you to do anything. It's your decision, Blaise. You can either choose to join or continue living your life, with this conversation never happening." She huffed. "The others think I'm crazy for inviting you. They think you're just like the other purebloods but we both know that's not who you are. I know you're so much better than them. Prove me right."
He looked away and his grey eyes were lost in thought. "I won't fight against the Dark Lord."
"That's not what I'm asking."
"If I join, will the others be forced to keep my identity secret?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"We'll all sign a document requiring secrecy. If we break it, there will be consequences."
Blaise shook his head. "I'm not risking my neck if it means a snitch only gets boils to the face or-"
"They'll fall into an infinite slumber. Pretty permanent."
"Fuck." He let out a low whistle. "You're not fucking around."
"This is war we're preparing for. I'm taking this very seriously."
"Who else from Slytherin will join?" He cast a nervous glance over his shoulder. "Sworn to secrecy or not, I will not have anyone from pureblood society know that I'm-"
"Wait, so it's a yes?" She tried not to jump up and down. "Are you saying yes?"
"I-" He closed his mouth and looked up. "I'm probably going to regret this, but yes It's wise to know how to fight and-."
She grinned and threw herself at him. Malinda had to stand on her toes to hug his upper torso and she squeezed. "Thank you! Thank you!"
Blaise gently pushed her away and said seriously. "I will only join if you promise me no one else from Slytherin is joining."
"Actually, I wanted your opinion on that…"
…
…
Malinda was practically dancing as she entered the headmaster's office. It was empty, Dumbledore kindly agreeing to leave the space to her and her plans. She hummed as she laid her bag down and withdrew the vial of Snape's memories.
Fawkes called out and Malinda turned to face the bird. "Oh, here to watch the show?"
The bird simply stared at her.
"I guess it's not much of a show," she frowned. "What do people even look like from the outside? Are we just standing there like idiots with our faces in the pensieve?"
Again, the bird offered no answer. However, Fawkes looked to the door that led to the spiraling staircase and not two seconds later, a knock came.
"Come in, Harry!"
The Gryffindor tentatively appeared a moment later. His green eyes swept the room and he stepped fully inside. "Dumbledore just lets you stay in here? Alone?"
"That's funny, Draco asked me the same thing."
Harry didn't seem pleased to know that.
She waved him over. "Dumbledore knows this is important and he's graciously given us privacy. Snape did request only you and I see these memories and-"
"Snape?" Harry looked fully irritated now. "I would rather not, thanks."
"Oh trust me, this is the nicer way of doing it. Originally, you both get so angry at each other that you accidentally enter his mind in a lesson and see things without permission." Malinda sighed and poured the vial's contents into the bowl. "At least now we have a meaningful and organized set of memories, not the shitshow you see."
Harry slowly approached the pensieve and glanced at the liquid doubtfully. "What do I see?"
"Bits and pieces of Snape's past."
"And that's somehow important?"
She chuckled. "Pretty huge actually. Tell me, Harry, what do you know of your parents' time at Hogwarts?"
"Not much. Mostly what Sirius told me."
"So you've heard things from the Marauder's side of things," Malinda leaned forward. "Let's see history from a different perspective."
Together they lowered their heads and entered the pensieve.
The tone was immediately set as they arrived in a dark, small bedroom. They looked around and Malinda's heart tightened. The room was sparse, with a small bed and a dresser that looked ready to fall apart. Outdated, dirty wallpaper peeled from its edges.
A young boy sat on the edge of the bed, glaring at the door. There was no doubt that this was a young Severnus Snape. Decades hadn't changed his distinct grimace. It was raining hard, but not even the weather could drown out the fierce yelling just outside the door. A man and a woman shrieked at each other.
"Is that-"
Malinda crouched next to Severus and studied the boy. Despite his pale skin tone, he appeared healthy. Angry, but healthy. Still, she knew better than anyone that growing up in a poor, broken household was not good for a child.
"I… I didn't realize he was…" Harry struggled for wods.
"Poor? Grew up in an-" Malinda cut off as they heard a woman scream and then a loud smack. Her scream turned into cries. Malinda tensed in fury.
Young Snape jumped to his feet and went to the door. It was locked and his small hands smacked against the wood, shouting, "No! Leave her alone! Leave her alone!"
Another smack was heard. Harry winced.
"Leave her alone!" With untrained magic, Snape's fury manifested into a blast that tore into the door. It flew off its hinges and Snape stared in shock for just a moment before running through the doorway and down a dim hallway. Harry and Malinda dutifully followed and slowed as they came upon a terrible scene. A man stood over a woman who cowered on the floor, her cheek bright red and inflamed from a strike.
"What have you done, boy?" The man looked down the hall at the ruined door. "You little-"
He reached for Severus who bravely raised his fists, ready to fight. The woman scrambled to her feet, picking up a discarded wand and said, "No! Please, wait, I can fix it! It's a simple spell-"
"No magic!" The man yelled, grabbing Snape easily, ignoring the child's punches. He smacked Snape on the side of the head and dragged him to another door in the hallway. Opening it, he threw Snape inside and down a stairway.
"Come on," Malinda said quietly, tugging Harry's sleeve towards the door. Together they descended, watching as Snape tumbled down and landed in a cold, dim basement. The memory was only good for what Snape could see, they had to follow him.
"Stay down there lad or else," his father sneered before shutting the door. Young Snape whimpered, curling into himself and cried.
A few moments passed before this memory ended, turning into smoke. Harry and Malinda looked at each other silently before she inhaled deeply, trying to calm herself down. "Shit, I didn't know it was this bad."
"I guess you can't know everything," Harry said morosely.
Malinda ran a hand through her hair. She was shaking from anger. Shaking from memories of her own, trying to shut them down. The past was the past.
"I knew," she shook her head. "I knew he had a rough childhood, but I didn't know it was physically abusive."
The smoke began to solidify into a scene very different from the lonely basement. This Snape was a few years older, maybe nine or ten, but no less scrawny. He walked along a path by himself, dragging a stick through the dirt and humming to himself. His sleeves were rolled up, bruises on one arm looking suspiciously like a hand grip, but this boy was happy. Snape continued to explore the woods until they heard someone singing.
Snape hesitated, but curiosity won over and he veered off the path. A short distance away, they came upon a girl sitting on the edge of a pond singing to herself. She sat with her back against them, her hair a fiery red, and in her hand was a flower. As she sang, the petals grew and twirled impossibly.
"She's a witch," Harry said, surprised.
Snape appeared just as intrigued. He moved out of the trees and his footsteps alerted the girl. She abruptly stopped spinning, turning to look and hiding the flower. Her face was young too, full of freckles, and a pair of familiar green eyes looked at them.
When Harry didn't immediately speak up, Malinda nudged him. "Look familiar?"
Harry's eyes widened and he stepped forward, staring at the girl. "I-Is that my mum?"
"Yup."
"Hello," Snape said shyly. He bent down and plucked a flower from a weed, making the flower grow with his own magic.
Lily brightened. "You can do it too?"
"Of course I can. I'm a wizard like you. Well, you're a witch like my mother."
"A witch?" Lily stood up. "My sister says I'm a freak."
Snape shook his head and waved his hand. His flower gently floated over to Lily who caught it, now levitating two flowers in her palm. "We're not freaks."
Lily smiled and Snape smiled back.
Then the fog blasted into the memory, signaling the change to the next scene. Harry gaped at where the children had been standing. "Snape knew my mother? Before Hogwarts?"
"They were friends, Harry. I'm sure he'll show us some more." Malinda felt a hint of worry though. She'd specifically asked Severus not to divulge his love for Lily yet.
Sure enough, the next memory was Severus and Lily's first day at Hogwarts. The memories showed them snippets of the unsorted pair sitting together on the train, speaking excitedly about living together for the next seven years, then they sat together in awe as they crossed the lake with the other first year boats.
"I… I didn't know," Harry said in a hush as his mother held Snape's hand as they were hidden in the middle of the first years, awaiting their turn with the Sorting Hat. "I didn't know she cared for him."
Malinda wanted very badly to point out that he cared for Lily too, but bit her tongue. She simply nodded and watched as Lily's name was called. The young witch gave Severus' hand a squeeze before stepping forward. It was heartbreaking to see his face as she was sorted into Gryffindor. Even worse when the Sorting Hat announced Slytherin for him and he slowly walked to his house's table.
It was an appropriate preclude to the next series of memories.
"This may be hard to watch," Malinda muttered as they found themselves in a hallway. Lily and Severus walked side-by-side, carrying books, when the Marauders came leaping past. James Potter purposely slammed into Snape's shoulder, sending the books tumbling. The boys all laughed, running on.
"Not funny, Potter!" Lily shouted after them, getting down to help Snape pick up their books.
Harry frowned. "That could've been an accident."
She said nothing. Next was James bursting Snape's bag, then Sirius spilling acid onto Snape's hand during potions class, then James jinking Snape to have jelly legs, then James dumping a bucket of water and shampoo on Snape's head, and on and on. For every incident with Lily nearby, the fearless redhead earned her Gryffindor sorting as she told the boys off. It was actually alarming how many memories adult Snape had provided.
Of course she wanted to prove a point to Harry, but even she was struggling to keep up with the amount of bullying memories. All the while, Harry was quiet, observing with an eerie silence. However, his hands were curled into fists.
As the memories passed, the children grew older and became teenagers. Snape sat alone at the Slytherin table, reading a potions book, when a group of housemates approached.
"How's it going, Mudblood lover?"
Snape ignored them and after they passed, he glanced at the Gryffindor table where Lily laughed at something James said. His pale face tightened.
Finally, came the first memory Malinda had been waiting for. Harry still remained silent as he watched the Marauders approach Snape, who sat by himself against a tree reading. Plenty of students sat nearby, all enjoying the rare warm weather.
"Oi Snape!" James called out, loudly and eager to gain a crowd's attention. It worked and students watched eagerly, knowing what the Gryffindor boys were about to do.
Snape's head snapped up and for a split second, you could see the panic in his expression. Unfortunately, the Marauders caught onto it. The handsome Sirius grinned, "Aw? Scared of us Snivellus?"
Just as Snape went to draw his wand, James quickly said "Levicorpous" and the dangling jinx took hold. Snape was lifted into the air, his cloak pulling away with gravity revealing his skinny, pallid legs. Worse, Snape's old and greying underpants were on full display.
"Good one, James!" Peter complimented and Remus laughed, nodding.
"Leave him alone!" A familiar voice demanded. Lily Potter approached, her wand pointed at James. "Stop it, Potter. You're such a toad!"
The boys behind James all 'ooooooohed' at her insult. James smiled weakly, appearing torn. Lily took a stop closer. "Don't make me do it, Potter."
He sighed and lowered his wand, releasing Snape. The Slytherin fell roughly to the ground, his cheeks dark red and shame filling his eyes. Lily immediately went to Snape, grabbing an arm and-
Snape pulled away harshly. "Get away from me, you filthy Mudblood!"
Malinda's heart wrenched, knowing that one word would change Snape's life forever. That one word would drive Lily away.
"What the fuck did you just say?" James' wand was immediately up and his amusement had turned into outrage.
"Snivellus," Sirius lifted his own wand, "You're going to pay for that one."
Lily was quiet as she stood up and she turned in place, facing the Gryffindors. Her face was devoid of emotion, cold and empty. "No, leave him alone. I know I will."
With that, she walked away. Snape watched her and the others go, his devastation obvious.
The next memory was outside the Great Hall. Lily was walking with a friend when Snape approached, his head hung. "Lily, wait, I'm sorry. Lily-"
She didn't even look his way as she passed him.
Defeated, Snape walked into the Great Hall and took his usual place at the table. The same group of classmates approached, this time the ringleader sitting across from him. The boy was a few years older than Snape and he leaned in. "Heard you finally came to your senses. A Slytherin, even a half-blood like you, has no business being friends with a Mudblood."
"Is that so?" Snape said bitterly.
"They say you're the best in our House for potions," the boy glanced around. "Why don't you help us with our assignments and we'll be your friends. Friends are good for helping take care of a certain group of Gryffindors."
Snape considered the offer then held out his hand. "No cheating. I'll help with your assignments, but not do them, and you'll keep them away from me?"
"Deal." They shook hands.
The deal must've worked because Harry and Malinda were spared from any more bullying scenes. Instead, Snape showed them how he began to thrive within his house. Older and younger students alike befriended him, improving their potions work, and soon, Snape had earned respect. It wasn't until Snape looked a few years older when the memories took a turn for the worst.
"Oh no," Malinda said as they watched Snape creep behind the Marauders in the shadows as they left the castle. It was night and well after curfew. Still, Snape followed with impressive stealth.
"What?" Harry asked. It was the first time he spoke since they first met Lily. "What else happens?"
"Sirius-" Malinda paused to consider her words. "Sirius plays a prank on Snape but it nearly kills him."
"What? How?
"Watch."
Snape observed as the Marauders pressed the knot on the Whomping Willow, causing the tree to freeze, and they disappeared down the tunnel. Snape glanced at a note written in a fancy, ornate handwriting: Want to know where Lupin and his friends go every month? Press the largest knot on the Whomping Willow on the full moon and find out.
He waited in place for nearly fifteen minutes, clearly waiting. When he became convinced they weren't coming back, Snape carefully approached the tree and just as it reared back a branch to whomp him, Snape pressed the knot. The tree froze in place and Snape, Harry, and Malinda looked down to find a tunnel revealed.
"I don't understand. Why would Sirius send that note?" Harry asked as they trailed Snape through the tunnel.
"What happens on the full night while Remus Lupin is at Hogwarts?"
"He transforms but the others keep him contained. They keep him at the-" Harry inhaled sharply. "The tunnel leads to the Shrieking Shack."
"Severus has no idea there's a werewolf waiting for him. Remus will kill him," Malinda frowned. "But your father is supposed to-"
Snape froze as footsteps were heard coming towards them. Sure enough, James Potter came into view, panting hard. "G-Get out of here, you idiot," James managed to say.
"Where are the others? Where are you going every month?"
A howl came, so loud and close that it echoed multiple times in the tunnel. Snape took a few steps back. "Werewolf… Lupin is a werewolf."
"Fuck," James swore then shoved Snape. "Go! We can hold him off, but he won't stop if he catches your scent. Get out of here!"
Snape stared doubtfully at James, then nodded. He turned down the tunnel and ran.
"Your father saved his life," Malinda explained as the tunnel began to vanish into smoke. "Lily finds out what James did and it's why she finally says yes to a date. He grew up a bit and saved Severus."
The smoke did not vanish and Malinda felt herself being pushed upwards. She blinked as she lifted her head away from the pensieve, rubbing her neck. "Well, that was a crazy ride."
Harry didn't respond. Instead, he walked stiffly to the armchairs and collapsed. Malinda slowly made her way to the other one and sat, lost in her own thoughts.
She had the advantage of knowing Severus Snape from books and films. Still, nothing could have prepared her for the onslaught of misery, loneliness, and fear they'd just witnessed. No wonder he was such an asshole. No wonder he didn't want anyone to touch him. No wonder he wasn't scared of Voldemort. Sure, he was an asshole, but he was the strongest and toughest wizard. With Lily gone, he had nothing else to lose.
"Fucking hell," Malinda exhaled. "Well, do you see now why Snape has always been… touchy when it comes to you and your parents?"
Harry couldn't look at her. He kept his eyes on Fawkes, as if drawing strength from the magical creature. "I… I didn't know they were like that. Lupin never mentioned any of it either."
Malinda glanced at the clock. "Your lesson starts in twenty minutes. Sorry, I didn't realize it would take so long to-"
"No, no," Harry interrupted, clearing his throat. "It's fine."
She didn't say anything and they sat in silence for a minute. Then five minutes. Then ten. Then fifteen.
Finally, with just a few minutes until his lesson with Snape, Harry asked, "Why did you show me that?"
"I wanted you to understand."
"Understand that my father and godfather were bullies? They were just as bad as Malfoy? Fine, you want me to hate my father? You want-"
"I want you to realize that life isn't black and white. People aren't just good or evil. People have layers, Harry, including your father and Sirius. They were good people, but they weren't just born that way. They grew into the men you perceived them to be. The same applies to Severus. People are the product of the environment, it's very hard to escape a bad one. Trust me."
"I want to," Harry told her seriously. "I want to trust you. I know I should, but I don't know you."
"What do you want to know?"
He flushed, "I don't know. Anything? Everything?"
She smiled sadly. "Alright, here's the quick summary. My mom was a scared, unmarried teenager when she had me. My dad fled as soon as she told him about the pregnancy, I don't even know what his name was. She gave me up right away, wanting nothing to do with me. When no one wanted me, I grew up in the foster care system and it was… not that different from the Dursleys." Malinda's voice broke as she added, "Worse even."
"I'm sorry."
"You know how you feel when you come back to Hogwarts every year? Like you finally found a home?" Malinda laughed emptily. "I felt that with you when I read the Harry Potter books."
Harry gaped.
She laughed. "Yes, where I come from this all is a story. One of the most successful book series ever written. Reading the adventures of Harry Potter saved me in a way. I wanted to go to Hogwarts so badly to escape the shitty life I'd been handed. To be honest, I sometimes pretended like I was Hermoine and it was me helping you and Ron through it all. She's the best character, no offense."
"She is," Harry said with a weak smile. "D-Does Dumbledore know? About the books?"
"Yes. He, Snape, and Hermoine all know the truth."
"You haven't told Draco?"
Malinda winced. "He's struggling with everything. I want to tell him the truth, I really do. But… I'm afraid that once I do, he'll hate me."
"Why?"
"Because he's convinced himself that he doesn't deserve to be saved. That he is destined to suffer."
Harry stood up. "Maybe he doesn't deserve it."
"Did you learn nothing from those memories? People are the products of their environment and Draco grew up surrounded by rich, cold, powerful blood elitist psychopaths. He knew nothing else and even here at Hogwarts where he should be exposed to other people, he's surrounded by teenage mini-assholes. Your mother knew that love is the most powerful thing in this world, Harry. Choose love over hate. Give people a second chance because sometimes there's more to them than what you see on the surface." She pointed to the crest on her cloak. "Don't be blinded by petty school houses. Slytherins are people too. Just like you."
"Snape chose to be a Death Eater-"
"He did and he regrets it so much that he risks his life as a double agent. It was his idea to train you in Occlumency, to protect your mind from Tommy Boy. He's trying so hard Harry, but give him a break. You saw how he grew up and now you know that every time he looks at you, he sees his friend Lily and the man she married, who he both hated and owed his life to. People are complicated."
Harry stood. "I'm going to be late."
"If Sevvy gives you any grief, just blame it on me," Malinda scoffed then stood up. She approached Harry and gripped his shoulders, staring into his green eyes that were identical to the Lily they'd just gotten to know.
"Harry, listen to me. You need to keep Tommy Boy out. The moment Snape confirms you've mastered Occlumency, I can tell you how we win. I can tell you how we kill him."
"I understand," Harry said seriously and went to the door.
