Chapter One Hundred-Five

Any question over whether the Statute for Secrecy had been broken was answered the following morning. What should have been a quiet Sunday morning was instead filled with a mixture of disbelief, outrage, shock, and fear. The Muggle news media were covering the previous evening's attack on the Parliament building, eyewitnesses and footage from cameras verifying that around seven o'clock, a group of people wearing black robes and white masks had suddenly appeared out of thin air and withdrawn what looked like plain wooden sticks from their pockets... before all hell had broken loose.

At first, the government tried to link this strange attack to one of the terrorist groups, hoping for a rational explanation. Surely it had to be a trick of the eye what they were seeing. Maybe this group was using advanced techology that the average person simply wasn't privy to. Unfortunately, after hours of wild discussion and the already growing panic in the public, the news stories came out, televisions showing footage from the attack itself, interviews of people who had been nearby, the newspapers awash with photos.

Without electricity at Spinner's End, Severus and Lily weren't among the population tuned into their telly that morning. However, it wasn't a surprise when a knock came from the door while they were still eating breakfast.

Lily stood and opened it, seeing her entire family standing there, including Oliver.

"Is it true, then?" Violet asked without preamble. Her eyes were large with fear.

Motioning for them to enter, Lily stepped aside. Closing the door and grateful for the privacy their home afforded them from the rest of the world who didn't know of their location, Lily nodded.

"We heard the news yesterday, but didn't know if the Muggle government would find out the truth... that it would become public knowledge," Lily said grimly, "but we had a bad feeling it would."

From the table, Severus set his cup of coffee down and stood, going to Lily's family. "What are they saying?" he asked.

"It's all over the telly," Ross explained. "I turned it on not more than a half-hour ago to watch the usual morning news, and there it was, plain as day. Of course, we already knew about Parliament being destroyed last night from the nightly news, but it was still assumed to be terrorists at that time."

"They had to have known the truth from the moment it happened," Severus replied, shaking his head. "They would have tried to find another explanation, of course, and the wizarding government would've tried to cover it up, but it would appear they were unsuccessful. This isn't the first time wizards have done magic in front of Muggles, but this is the first time it's been this out of control."

Severus stopped speaking, wondering what this would mean for the wizarding world. Voldemort had never gone this far before, which was rather surprising, all things considered. His eyes briefly met Oliver's. The boy had remained silent thus far, his eyes large with fear and uncertainty.

Petunia was biting her lip nervously, as if frightened, but also trying to keep from saying something cutting. Lily's eyes locked with her sister's, and finally, Petunia burst out, "I should've known your kind would do something like this! They have magic, and they're dangerous! Anyone with that much power can't be trusted!"

Taken aback, Lily replied, hurt, "Petunia, you don't mean that."

"But I do!" Petunia exclaimed, her expression frenzied. Tossing up her hands, she demanded, "And now what are we supposed to do?"

"Petunia, really," Violet gently admonished.

"That is a good question, though," Ross pointed out. "What are we going to do? What's to happen now?" He gazed imploringly at Lily and Severus, as if expecting them to have a brilliant solution because they were magical.

"How should I know?" Lily asked hotly, annoyed by Petunia's attitude. "You think we're not already doing what we can?"

"I never said that," Ross replied carefully.

"I know that, Dad, but tell Petunia-" Lily started to argue, but Severus held up a hand, interrupting, "If I might... perhaps the lot of you ought to sit down, and we can discuss this rationally?"

Petunia snorted, shaking her head as she followed her family into the kitchen. They drew up chairs around the small table.

Before she sat, Lily asked, "Does anyone want tea or coffee? I assume you've had breakfast already, but there are still some eggs on the stove."

Petunia remained silent, and both of Lily's parents politely declined her offer. Oliver accepted a glass of orange juice and sat sipping it quietly, watching the adults and wondering where the conversation would go next. Sighing, Lily joined Severus and her family.

"So," Ross began slowly, "if what you say is the case, Severus, that this has never happened before, what does your Ministry plan on doing?"

"They normally send out teams of wizards called Obliviators to erase the memories of those who witness something they shouldn't," Severus explained, "like at our wedding last year when the Death Eaters attacked and your entire family saw them, but that is a much smaller scale. Surely you remember the attack in that Muggle pub earlier this year? It was the same thing. There weren't many people involved, so it was easier to contain. The Ministry of Magic would have tried the same tactic this time around, including erasing any other evidence, like recordings or photographs, but the scale of this attack was too large. V- Voldemort wanted to instill fear in the hearts of Muggles and wizards alike. He doesn't care how many people are killed in the process. If you understand nothing else about him, understand that he is ruthless. You're already being kept hidden by the Untraceable Charm for this reason."

"And we've been miserable," Petunia protested. "No one but you two and a few others from your world know we exist. I can't attend university. Dad can't go to work. It's been ridiculous being holed up in our house for the past year."

"You haven't been holed up the entire time," Lily pointed out. "You came over when we invited you, Petunia."

"Oh, how could I forget?" Petunia asked sarcastically. "That was months ago."

Violet sighed. "Girls, please... This isn't the time to be arguing." Looking at Severus and Lily, she added, "Don't think we aren't grateful for the protection you've afforded us; we are. We're just... worried."

"I know, Mum," Lily said gently, ashamed for arguing with Petunia. Even now, she wondered how Petunia and she could find something to row over.

"That still leaves us in the same predicament," Ross pointed out.

"We are already doing what we can," Severus spoke up. "Lily and I are fighting. That's all we can do."

To keep the larger truth from Lily's parents, that they were at a greater risk because of the prophecy, was difficult for both Severus and Lily. When Lily had shared the news of her pregnancy with her family a few days prior, they had been happy for them, pleased for some good news in these times. The conversation lulled, and when anxieties were placated for the time, Severus and Lily found themselves alone shortly thereafter.

"I'm surprised Dumbledore hasn't notified us," Lily stated.

"He's probably busy with the Ministry," Severus suggested. "He'll be contacting us by early afternoon at the latest."

"How can you be sure?" Lily questioned, raising her eyebrows.

"I've known that man for years in two lifetimes, Lily," Severus said dryly. "If I haven't figured him out by now, I don't suppose I will."

In spite of the gravity of the situation, Lily smiled at Severus remark.

As predicted, Dumbledore called shortly after lunch. When his head appeared in the fireplace, Severus had been reading and glanced up seemingly calmly from his book, but in all actuality, he was anything but calm.

"I assume you've heard?" Dumbledore inquired.

Severus gave a firm nod.

"There is a meeting tonight. Because of heightened security, we are meeting in my office at Hogwarts. Seven o'clock. Can I count on your and Lily's attendance?"

"Of course, sir."

Severus thought Dumbledore might bid him good day, but he remained another moment in the fire. "There is one other thing of vital importance. I have discovered another Horcrux... or more truthfully, someone else has discovered one and brought it to my attention."

Stunned by this news, Severus placed his book on the table and stood. "I want to see it," he stated.

Dumbledore understood Severus's meaning behind his simple statement. "Very well. Come through, then... of course, tell Lily first where you are going."

"She's coming with me this time," Severus said. "She needs to know as much information as possible."

Dumbledore nodded.

Severus was about to step out of the room to get Lily when she entered. Seeing Dumbledore, she said, "I overheard what you were saying. So, is it true, then, sir? Did you really find another Horcrux?"

"Yes, Lily," Dumbledore replied evenly. "I'll withdraw and allow you to pass through the connection. See you momentarily."

With those words, Dumbledore's head disappeared, leaving nothing but an empty fireplace. Severus and Lily exchanged looks. He took her hand and led her toward the fireplace, throwing some Floo Powder into the grate and announcing their destination.

After spinning through the Floo Network and passing numerous fireplaces, Severus and Lily stepped out into the headmaster's office, brushing soot off of their clothing. Getting his bearings, Severus's eyes came to rest on Dumbledore's desk, where he noticed a large gold locket. It appeared ancient and heavy.

"Is that it?" he asked, approaching said object.

"Indeed, it is," Dumbledore said. He picked it up, holding it for them to see. "It does not carry a curse on it like that ring. Touching it does not do physical harm, although..." he drifted off, thoughtful.

"Yes?" Severus prodded.

"Slipping the chain around one's neck brings with it a certain heaviness. Wearing it too long does seem to bring out the worst in a person. It feels nearly alive, like there's a beating heart inside. I've tried any number of spells to open it, but alas, nothing."

"You tried opening it?" Severus asked incredulously. "After I warned you not to put the ring on? Are you daft, old man?"

"Severus," Lily murmured, shocked by her husband's blunt manner.

Severus, however, didn't seem to hear Lily. Stepping closer to Dumbledore, he continued, "That's incredibly Dark Magic, Dumbledore. Would you care to plan your funeral now and have the arrangements in place, saving the Order the trouble for you?" he demanded, angry sarcasm lacing his words.

Dumbledore sighed and placed the locket back on his desk. "Perhaps I have acted foolishly," he muttered, "but forgive his old man for his shortness of memory."

Severus snorted. "Don't play stupid with me. Your memory is as quick and good as a young man's. Anyway, you said someone brought it to you. Who?"

"Regulus Black."

"What?!" Severus yelped.

"Do calm yourself, Severus. Yes, he came to me late last night and explained how he came by this Horcrux. He is now in my debt, as I have granted him protection when the time comes for the Death Eaters to be sentenced to Azkaban. He's been employed into my service to spy on Voldemort, a job someone has to do."

"And how will you trust him?" Severus demanded, sickened to realize that Regulus was now in his previous position. As much as he disliked the other boy, he wouldn't wish the spy's role upon anyone. Knowing Dumbledore like he did, Severus suspected that the old manipulator had used something to break Regulus, to force him into the position he wanted.

"He has taken the Unbreakable Vow. If he breaks it-"

"The Unbreakable Vow?" Lily asked in a small voice. "But if he breaks it-"

"He will die," Severus finished grimly. Shaking his head at Dumbledore, he wished to hurl back the headmaster's words toward him from another lifetime.

You disgust me.

"Well, be that what it will," Dumbledore cut in frankly, "I felt you ought to know about the Horcrux. We now have two in our possession, so we are on the right road to success... in one respect, anyway. The attack on the Muggle Parliament and the breaking of the Statute for Secrecy pose a larger threat, a bigger problem, but that is for tonight's meeting." Pausing, Dumbledore passed his eyes from Lily to Severus, adding, "And I believe congratulations are in order."

"Th-thank you, sir," Lily said in a carefully controlled voice, wishing to leave.

Severus, however, had none of his wife's patience or cold politeness in that moment. Sneering at Dumbledore, he muttered, "Well, I hope you're happy, old man."

He turned his back on Dumbledore and took Lily by the hand, leading her out of the office through the fireplace.