Chapter Ninety-Four

After the Order meeting ended, Severus wanted nothing more than to leave the Hog's Head as quickly as possible. Regrettably, James and Mary approached them, although Mary's eyes were solely on Lily as she said, "I'm sure everything will be okay, Lily."

Lily gave her friend a weak smile. "Thanks, Mary."

"What about the charm you placed on your family?" asked James. "Won't that protect them just fine?"

"Actually, James, Severus placed the charm on them, and I-"

"We are confident that it will do as it was designed to do," Severus cut in abruptly, glaring at James.

It wasn't so much that Severus was annoyed at James for questioning the strength of his charm; it was more the fact that his concern for Lily and her family were manifesting themselves in irritation and a shortness with others.

Lily resumed conversing with her friends, and Severus gazed about the room. About half of the people had left, and although Dumbledore was quietly talking with Moody, the old wizard glanced up and briefly met Severus's eyes. Severus blinked, then turned his head, watching Lily again, having no desire to speak with Dumbledore.

"We really should be going, Lily," Severus interrupted.

Mary looked affronted at Severus's statement. "Perhaps tonight isn't so good for joining us for drinks, then?" she asked, glaring at Severus.

Lily wanted to sigh. While she knew why Severus was eager to leave, she had hoped that he would have warmed more toward her friends... who could have been his friends if he made more of an effort.

"I'm sorry," Lily apologized, taking her husband's hand roughly. "Another time, I promise."

"Right," James replied sarcastically. "Only if your esteemed husband sees reason to give you a longer leash."

James's words pushed Severus's carefully-checked temper teetering over the edge. "Enough!" he hissed, glowering at James. "Potter, you will kindly refrain from ever so much as insinuating that I treat Lily like some sort of- of dog."

"Severus!" Lily exclaimed, shocked. "I don't think James meant-"

"I don't care what he meant," Severus said hotly. "We won't be 'having drinks' with you and your wife-to-be, Potter, any time soon."

With that, Severus practically yanked Lily out of the basement. Once outside, Lily pulled her hand from her husband's firm grasp, planting both hands on her hips.

Her eyes slits, she asked waspishly, "Do you care to enlighten me as to what that was about, Severus?"

Lily felt like they were four or five years in the past, and she had a difficult time fathoming that the man standing in front of her was truly much older than he appeared.

Frowning, Severus tried to speak, but Lily cut him off. "No, I don't want to hear it, Severus. For all your experience and growth, sometimes you still revert back to acting like a jealous teenager. I know you're worried, okay? You think I'm not? But getting angry at James and Mary isn't going to make anything any easier."

Seeing the slight hurt in Severus's eyes, Lily relented, sighing softly. For his part, Severus's anger had rapidly abated upon hearing Lily's seeming accusation. Had he learned nothing? How could he have let James get to him?

"Lily, please," Severus whispered, his voice verging on pleading, "I'm sorry." He took her hand in earnest. "Let's go home. This isn't the place to be having this discussion."

Lily nodded despondently. A moment later, they were back in the foyer of Spinner's End. Severus shrugged out of his coat and gingerly helped Lily remove hers, hanging both of them on the coat rack by the door. Before either of them uttered another word, Lily was burying her face in Severus's shirt, clutching at the fabric. She was shaking, and Severus knew she was crying.

Bringing a hand to the back of her head, he gently smoothed her hair, running his fingers lightly through the darks red tendrils, which just brushed her shoulders. He wrapped his other arm around her and drew her a little closer.

"Your family is safe," he tried to reassure her.

The rumble of his voice in his chest eased Lily's fears. She stilled her tears and gazed up at her husband's face, which was shadowed from the darkness. Bringing her hands to each cheek, she pushed his hair behind his ears so she could see him better.

"I didn't mean to sound like I was accusing you of anything, Sev," she said softly. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I just... I wish you would be a little more open to friendships with others, though. It would help to know we're not so alone, especially if something were to happen to our families."

"Oh, Lily," Severus sighed, any small trace of his earlier agitation leaving him, "don't think like that, but maybe... okay." He paused, then asked stiffly, "When would you like to go for drinks with Potter and Macdonald?"

Lightly amused by his formal tone and phrasing of the question, Lily smiled. "I think it would help if you started referring to them as James and Mary, Sev."

"Hmmm," was all Severus said, not comfortable with the familiarity.

Tugging him toward the sitting room, Lily led Severus into the center of the room, and they found comfortable spots on the old sofa and faced each other.

"Do you really think my family is safe?" Lily inquired, unable to keep her fears at bay.

"Safer than most," Severus replied. "Unless someone who knows the truth about them betrays that information, you are fine, and I doubt Potter and his friends or Dumbledore would ever betray you, as much as they might be annoying. They are, however, loyal."

At the mention of Dumbledore, Lily asked, "Do you think Dumbledore suspects anything? I saw the way he kept glancing in your direction during the meeting, especially when he mentioned that it was you who gave the tip about the Boneses."

"I wondered the same thing," Severus replied thoughtfully.

"But wouldn't he have already summoned you by now if he were that suspicious? Wouldn't he have kept you after the meeting to talk?"

"Dumbledore is a patient man, Lily. He can wait as long as he deems necessary before making the next move, but when he makes that move, it's high time to watch out."

"Are you afraid of him?"

Severus shrugged. "Not as much as he probably wishes. I had been fearful of him when I was this age in my other life, but I also knew I could go to him for help... at least I thought I could. In the end, he wasn't able to keep you and your family safe, Lily. I learned much later in life that he always had an ulterior motive for everything, which is why I cannot put the same trust in him now. This is nothing I haven't told you before, though." Severus fell silent, wondering where this conversation was going.

They could only rehash the same ideas, theories, and opinions so many times before their discussions became pointless.

"I'm happy for Frank and Alice," Lily suddenly stated, perhaps to ease the earlier tension. "I meant to ask her when she's due." Seeing the strange expression cross Severus's face again at the mention of the Longbottoms' baby, Lily questioned, "What is it, Sev?"

"The Longbottoms did, in fact, have a baby, but he wasn't born until July 30, 1980. Since Alice isn't yet showing, she's probably in her first two months right now. She's likely due in September or October, which is several months before Neville, who was their son, was born."

"Do you think she might lose this baby, then?" Lily asked sadly, gazing down at her own stomach as she placed her hands there.

"I don't know," Severus confessed. "I should hope not, but it is entirely possible that they will have a different child, or perhaps Neville will be born early. As I told you, things aren't likely to go exactly as they did before, meaning that my information about what the Dark Lord and his followers are up to is limited. I did not know, for example, about possible attacks on Manchester."

Lily shuddered again, wishing the conversation hadn't drifted back to this topic. "Your parents were already gone by that time, right?"

"Yes. My mum hanged herself just as she had almost two years ago, and my dad died that summer by getting hit by a car. He never recovered from his alcoholism."

"Then you weren't living here?"

Severus shook his head. "No, I was living with... my old friends," he sneered the word. "That didn't last long, though."

"And I was married to James." Lily laughed at that wild thought, then quickly sobered. "We really should go out with James and Mary some time soon, Sev. To congratulate them and celebrate their engagement. It would bring some normalcy to our lives. It feels like all we do is work and worry."

Severus was about to protest, but knew it would be selfish to deny Lily a little fun. They rarely went out as it was, and he often wondered if he was a bad husband because of his reclusive ways. Having been a bachelor for years, Severus still was adjusting to sharing his life with another.

"Very well," he finally gave in. "You can pick the time and date and where. I know next to nothing about organizing such a thing." His lip curled distastefully at planning engagements. "Isn't that something, er... women enjoy doing, anyway?"

Lily smiled ruefully and gently smacked his arm. "Sev, you're awful. All right, I'll be in touch with Mary and set a date."

x x x x x

Two weeks later, Severus and Lily were walking down York Street in downtown Manchester. There hadn't yet been any attacks in the city, but news of two families disappearing in nearby towns had occurred last week. Neither of them had been called to duty for the Order, however.

As they walked, Severus glanced about, keeping his guard up. It was unlikely that Death Eaters would attack during the early evening when too many people were out and about. The winter snows had given way to chilling rain, and as they walked, they had to avoid puddles.

Lily fretted unnecessarily over her hair, which Severus thought silly. Before leaving the house, she had tried pulling it back in a ponytail, only the hair in the front was still a little too short and kept falling into her face.

"Oh, just forget it, then!" she finally exclaimed, pulling the elastic out of her hair.

Looking at Lily sideways, Severus asked, "What's the matter?"

"This is the first time we've gone out with friends, Sev. I wanted to look nice, that's all."

"You look beautiful already," he assured her, taking her arm in his. "Come, we're nearly there." Severus wondered why Lily was even worried about her looks, since she usually wasn't the type of girl who cared much about that sort of thing.

They reached Barmy's Pub and entered the place. It was much nicer than the pub the Order members had met up in when they were in Gloucester. Upon entering, Severus crinkled his nose at the smoke. The atmosphere was hazy from all the cigarettes, and he could also smell the stench of alcohol. This, however, wasn't the type of pub Tobias would have frequented. It was much too "happening" for the lonely drinker.

Music played, and people danced and mingled. Severus raised his eyebrows and gave Lily one of his looks.

"Who picked this place?" he inquired.

"Petunia told me about it once," Lily admitted. "Since Mary isn't from around here, I figured I'd suggest it."

"Petunia has come here?" Severus asked skepically. The noisy, wild atmosphere seemed to be the last place Severus would imagine prim and proper Petunia visiting.

Having to shout over the music, Lily said, "I don't know; I'd have to ask her for more details next time I see her!"

Severus couldn't help but grin. He tried to envision Petunia with her nose pierced and her hair dyed pink like one of the girls who was dancing rather suggestively with a bloke in a leather jacket. He then thought of Sirius with Petunia and snorted.

"What's so funny?" Lily asked.

"Nothing," Severus replied. "Let's find a seat."

In the midst of the crowd, they looked for Mary and James, but they hadn't yet arrived. Lily spotted an empty booth in the corner and guided Severus to it. They crammed into the booth on one side, hoping the other couple would join them shortly.

A waitress came to the table a couple of minutes later. Severus raised an eyebrow at the woman's short skirt and revealing top. She leaned over on the table, her breasts far too close to Severus for his liking.

"Good evening," she practically slurred, gazing only at Severus. "What can I get ya?"

Withdrawing in distaste, Severus turned to Lily, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, asking, "What would you like, my lovely wife?"

Severus glanced at the waitress, seeing the woman's eyes narrow slightly, and she suddenly, appropriately, stood up properly. Severus stifled a laugh.

"Whatever beer you have on tap that's cheapest," Lily stated.

"Likewise," Severus said curtly.

"Right," the waitress replied, pouting. She turned away and headed for the bar.

Lily laughed. "What was that all about?" she asked incredulously.

Rolling his eyes for good measure, Severus shook his head. "She's probably used to trying to impress blokes with her wares."

Just then, James and Mary slid into the booth. "Hey, Lily... Severus," Mary said, waving her hand in front of her face to clear the smoke. "It took a while to find you in this crowd."

"Hi," Lily replied, smiling at her friend. "You just missed a particularly good show."

"Oh?" asked James. "And what might that be?"

Lily motioned toward the waitress, who was returning to the table with their drinks. She placed two mugs of beer on the table. Seeing a new male victim, she leaned on the table, leering at James, who didn't have the decency to resist the waitress's lascivious charm.

"What would a strapping lad like you like to drink?" the waitress inquired sweetly.

Turning red in the face, James stuttered, "Er... what d'you have?"

"Oh, we have a lot of variety," the waitress said softly, smiling suggestively at James. "A handsome, young man like you would only want the best, surely-"

Annoyed at her fiance's idiocy and the lusty waitress, Mary grabbed James's arm roughly and leaned across him. "We'll be just fine with what our friends are having, thank you," she stated pointedly.

The waitress seemed amused by Mary's tone and winked at James. "I'll be right back."

Leaving the table in peace briefly, the waitress went to retrieve more drinks.

"What are you doing, James?" Mary scoffed. "Really, we're not in school anymore."

"I'm... er, sorry, Mary," James apologized pathetically. "It's just... a bloke can't help it." Looking across the table at Severus, probably because he was the only other guy there, he asked, "Right, Snape... Severus?"

"Speak for yourself, Potter," Severus replied smoothly. "I so happen to have the perfect woman already." He smirked triumphantly at his old nemesis.

Not wishing for an argument to break out, Lily cut in, "Well, now that that's out of the way, how've you been? Did you set a date yet?"

"We're thinking in the autumn sometime," Mary said. "Isn't that right, James?"

"What?" James asked, his eyes on the crowd.

Severus looked in the same direction and saw the waitress returning.

Mary elbowed James in the ribs just as the waitress returned with their drinks.

"Oh... right," James said stupidly. "Yeah... autumn."

"Enjoy," the waitress said, wiggling an eyebrow at James.

Mary scoffed indignantly, and James blushed. Severus wondered if the whole evening was going to be this way and felt his patience waning. He picked up his mug and took a long swig. Not having much to contribute to the conversation, Severus listened to Mary and Lily talk about wedding planning, and James had the good grace to behave, although he did ask what Severus considered ridiculous questions from time to time.

An hour passed, and Severus felt a little more at ease. He joined in the conversation more, and before long, Mary seemed to warm to him. He awkwardly called her Mary once, but couldn't bring himself to call James anything other than Potter.

The crowd in the pub wasn't thinning as the evening worn on. In fact, more people crammed into the place, the amount of body heat and smoke increasing. Uncomfortable, Severus said, "I think I'm going to go out front for a bit of fresh air. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"I'll join you," James suddenly said, standing.

Severus scowled, but didn't protest. The two young men meandered through the crowd and out on to the front pavement.

James leaned against the brick building and sighed, gazing up at the night sky, then looking at Severus.

"Women," he muttered.

"What about them?" Severus inquired.

"Nothing," James replied, perhaps realizing he wasn't in the company of his mates.

Severus kept his eyes off James and gazed into the street. His keen eyes picked up some movements in the shadows in the alley across the way. His senses heightened, he followed the shapes until they disappeared into the darkness. The alley was too deep to see the end.

"What's the matter?" James asked, watching Severus.

Severus held his hand up to silence the other boy. He waited.

Some rustling came from the alley, but anyone entering the pub was oblivious to the noise. Severus heard a dust bin fall, the clanging echoing through the alley, and someone swore.

"Something's wrong," he uttered, indicating the alley.

James's face was skepical. "How-"

"It's no coincidence, Potter," Severus whispered, stepping closer to his comrade. "We need to get Lily and Mary. I have a bad feeling."

Popping noises issued forth from the alley, and Severus cursed. From within the pub, screams erupted and all hell broke loose.