Chapter Ninety-One

Dumbledore called the following morning after the battle at the Bones house, which didn't surprise Severus in the least. The headmaster had a way of interrupting them at meal times, so during breakfast, Severus stood with annoyance upon hearing Dumbledore's voice calling from the sitting room.

"Ah, there you are, Severus," Dumbledore said when Severus stepped into the room. "Good morning."

"Good morning, sir," Severus replied curtly.

"Do you mind if I step through? There are some matters I wish to discuss with you."

Sighing, Severus waved for the old man to come through the fireplace. A few moments later, Dumbledore was standing in the sitting room of Spinner's End, brushing soot off himself.

Lily entered the room and gave Dumbledore a small smile, knowing why he was here. Not as inclined to be short with him, however, Lily invited him to have breakfast. Severus shot Lily a brief glare, but it was mild. She pretended not to notice.

"If I wouldn't be imposing, then yes, thank you," Dumbledore replied politely.

Severus sighed quietly. Dumbledore was rarely one to turn down hospitality. He wondered if the headmaster had done so only to annoy him further.

The three of them walked to the kitchen, where Lily placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of Dumbledore, as well as a cup of coffee.

"How do you take yours, sir?" Lily inquired.

"Just a touch a cream and two spoonfuls of sugar," Dumbledore said.

Laughing, Lily stated, "Much sweeter than Severus takes it. He likes his black, and I don't drink coffee, so this is a change from what I'm used to."

Scowling, Severus forced his gaze to turn to Dumbledore. He knew Lily was simply too kind to rudely ask why Dumbledore was here, so he took that honor for himself.

"Well, Dumbledore, what is it you wished to ask?" Severus posed, knowing full well Dumbledore's reasons for invading on their privacy at this early hour.

"Firstly, I extend my congratulations to you for last night's success," Dumbledore said. "I already knew of the operation involving the Boneses, as Edgar told me himself that you had come to him a couple of weeks ago with information regarding a possible attack on his family and home."

"Thank you, sir," Lily said cordially, but Severus wondered if Dumbledore had visited any of the others involved in the mission.

"What else did you come here to say?" Severus questioned.

If Dumbledore thought Severus too forward, he didn't make it known. "Secondly, I was curious, very curious, about how you came by this information, Severus, and why you didn't feel it prudent to inform me."

Ah, so the true reason for your visit finally comes out, Severus thought.

"I assume Bones already told you how I came by the information about the potential attack," Severus stated stiffly, "so I will not repeat myself unless need be. As for why I didn't come to you, why must it be necessary that I come running to you with every little bit of information I possess? The attack concerned Bones and his family, so I felt they were the ones who had a right to know."

"Indeed, while your concern for the Bones family's welfare is admirable, Severus, you are a member of the Order of the Phoenix, and whether you like it or not, I am the leader of said organization. I believe it goes without saying that it is my right to know any information that it pertinent to the cause of this war. Any information could prove vital in our side winning, at least one small battle at a time."

Lily frowned, watching the conversation grow heated, at least on Severus's side. While Dumbledore spoke with a cool tone, Severus was downright cold in his delivery, which only meant how furious he truly was behind his demeanor.

"I understand that, headmaster," Severus hissed, "but without informing you, we were still successful last night. Because of our ambush, two Death Eaters were taken in. You cannot be arrogant enough to think that you are the only wizard capable of running an organization whose goal and aim is to fight the Dark Lord."

Lily figured Dumbledore most likely did think he was the only wizard able to do such a thing.

"It is most curious that you refer to him as the Dark Lord, Severus, and you are eighteen years old, even though I am impressed with your abilities, which far exceed those of any others your age." Dumbledore's eyes surveyed Severus over his half-moon spectacles, and Severus immediately threw up his mental barriers.

With almost a chuckle, Dumbledore continued, "And there you go proving my point by blocking me from accessing your mind."

Very irritated now, Severus stated, "I wish for you to leave my house."

"Sev-" Lily started to say, although she was worried about her husband's secrets.

When Lily spoke, Dumbledore turned his eyes upon her, and Lily blinked and looked away. Enraged, Severus stood, knocking the chair to the floor in the process. Pointing toward the sitting room, Severus barked, "Out of my house, Dumbledore! Now!"

Shocked by Severus's outrage, Dumbledore stood, calm and collected as ever. "Very well, Severus. There is no need to raise your voice. I apologize for any inconven-"

"Just leave," Severus ground out. "It's bad enough you try to pry into my mind, but you think- you, you have the nerve to try and rape my wife's mind as well?!"

"Severus," Lily said sternly, "really, it's not-"

Holding his hand to silence her, Severus said between clenched teeth, "Don't argue with me right now, Lily. He's not welcome here."

Dumbledore nodded and left the kitchen. He stopped at the fireplace, glancing back at Severus and Lily, who had followed him, one last time before disappearing into the flames.

Severus immediately pointed his wand at the grate and began muttering incantations to ward off the fireplace.

"Severus, what are you doing?" Lily demanded. "You can't block the Floo Network. What if someone needs to reach us?"

"Someone like Dumbledore?" Severus asked.

"You know what I mean," Lily tried to say evenly. She firmly pushed his arm down and tried to take his wand from his grip, but Severus wouldn't release his wand.

"Lily-"

"Oh, honestly, Severus!" Lily exclaimed. "Do you really think what you're doing is helping? By getting so defensive, you're only giving Dumbledore more of a reason to be suspicious. I thought you were supposed to be a cunning Slytherin?"

"I am," Severus stated, now irritated with himself, "but some people... Lily, I cannot stand that man! He wastes no time in sticking his nose in other people's business, and I have plenty of reason not to trust him! Do you know what his last words to me were before I killed him? 'Severus, please.' He looked at me with those piercing eyes, and I felt like I had no choice but to carry through with the task. I'm tired of looking into those eyes, those same eyes that scrutinized me time and again for years, and I had to gaze back into them every time I delivered some report to him with 'pertinent information' for the Order. I'm tired of being his slave, and I won't stand for it! I almost didn't join the Order this time around because of- of him!"

Alarmed by her husband's outburst, Lily approached him cautiously. "Sev- Severus, come sit down."

Severus crossed his arms. "Why should I?"

Huffing, Lily stated exasperatedly, "Stop being so difficult, Severus. Don't talk to me like you would to Dumbledore. Just because you're upset at him, that doesn't mean it's okay to explode at me when I'm just trying to help."

Sighing, Severus complied, but he didn't like being told what to do by anyone, even Lily, after discussing the man who had given him orders for years.

"I think it would be a good idea if you taught me Occlumency," Lily said, joining him. "You're right; it's none of his business to pry. It's plain rude to try and read people's minds and thoughts without their permission. If Dumbledore isn't going to bend, though, you're going to have to show him that you're the bigger man, Sev. If you know how he can be, then don't give him the satisfaction of reacting to his seemingly benign requests. Despite your history with Dumbledore, I do think he means well."

Aghast, Severus gaped. "How can you say that, Lily? He pretended to care for your son, only to train him up, knowing the boy would have to die at the hands of the Dark Lord. That's downright cruel. I could be accused of a lot of things, but I- I at least tried to right my wrongs. After Dumbledore's death, a biography was published about him, which held a lot of information few had known before. When he was our age, he befriended Grindelwald. You've heard of the legendary duel between the two of them some fifty... er, thirty-odd years ago, but they were friends before that. Maybe even more than friends. They had ideas of ruling the world, of justifying wizard supremacy over Muggles because it was 'for the greater good.' That was always Dumbledore's motto. For the bloody greater good. I don't even know if there is such a thing."

Surprised to hear about Dumbledore's past, Lily shook her head. "No one's perfect. Maybe Dumbledore realized the error of his ways and devoted the rest of his life to fighting for what's good and right? Just like you, Severus." Here, Severus wanted to protest, but kept quiet.

Lily continued, "I'm sure there's a greater good. It's just... I wouldn't want to have to be placed in a situation where I'd have choose between saving you, for example, and the rest of the world. That's a horrible decision for anyone to have to make, but you cannot let Dumbledore rile you up so."

"I'm tired of talking about Dumbledore," Severus mumbled, losing his resolve to stay angry. Lily's influence caused him to calm down a lot quicker than before. "If you want me to teach you Occlumency, I will do so, but it's not a walk in the park."

Lily's face eased into a smile. "There's nothing in my mind I would hide from you, anyway."

"Then we can begin whenever you wish."

Author's Note: I know it's a short chapter, but felt that writing more would be better in a separate chapter. I will update in the next two to three days, though, so you won't have to wait a whole week between updates! The next chapter will be pretty lighthearted and will be the "Christmas chapter." (which is odd to be writing in June) I figure after all these heavy chapters, we need something a little less angsty. Severus certainly could use the break!

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