Chapter One Hundred-Fifteen

Shortly after the New Year, when people had been celebrating the beginning of a new decade with the start of 1980, Dumbledore held another Order meeting. After it ended, he asked Severus and Lily to remain behind, which didn't surprise Severus in the least.

When they were the last three people standing in the office, Severus asked, "What is it this time, sir?"

"I have been giving the procurement of basilisk venom much thought, and I think it would be best if you held back, Severus. To put yourself at risk when you are Voldemort's prime target would be foolhardy. You are not alone in this mission to destroy the remaining Horcruxes, after all."

"Are you suggesting you go instead? If that's the case, I think you're setting yourself up to act just as foolhardy, as you so blunty put it," stated Severus, annoyed at the headmaster for trying to take control of his life yet again. And just when I thought we were getting on better, Severus thought bitterly.

"I am not saying that," Dumbledore replied levelly. "We have a spy working for us, after all, and he's already in deep with the Death Eaters. Regulus is willing to go in your stead, Severus."

"I see," Severus said in clipped tones. "And if he's found out?"

"That is a risk, I admit, but he knows that," Dumbledore explained. "I have already discussed the mission at length with him. I was simply waiting to discuss it with you both before I gave him the go-ahead."

Severus crossed his arms and glared. From his side, Lily sighed softly and placed a hand on her husband stiff forearm.

"Sev, maybe he's right. Not only is the risk too great now, but you'll be a father in a few short months. I don't want our son growing up without his father."

Severus gaped at Lily. He knew she worried about him whenever he went out fighting with the Order, but in the past, she had grown tired of Dumbledore's desire to control their lives just as much as he had. Gazing at her now, she appeared worn out. Maybe the pregnancy was weighing on her too much?

Severus looked at Dumbledore again. His dark eyes probed the blue ones across the desk, and without meaning to, Severus was suddenly inside the old man's mind. For only an instant before pulling out, Severus wondered if Dumbledore had granted him access intentionally. Surveying the headmaster the short distance away, Severus was shocked to have felt what Dumbledore felt... for him.

"Very well," Severus said, not liking the release of control, and he watched as Dumbledore smiled knowingly at him.

Stop looking at me like that, Severus thought, irritated.

"I will be in touch," Dumbledore replied. "Good night."

Lily gazed at Severus questioningly as they stood to leave. Once they were back inside their sitting room, Lily implored, "What happened in there?"

"Dumbledore and I... I think we may finally understand one another," Severus admitted. "I saw into his mind, Lily. I hate to say it, but for all his manipulative ways, he actually does care. It was almost scary... how much love was radiating from that man."

"Dumbledore's always been an advocate of the power of love," Lily stated, "but even I was beginning to doubt that not so long ago, what with the way he seemed to be treating you."

Severus loathed himself for it, but as he sat down on the sofa, feeling his knees might give out from under him, he whispered, "You've no idea, Lily, how I would have wished for an inkling of his approval before. There were times I had almost convinced myself that he actually cared about my welfare, but there were always reminders that I was only as valuable as what I could give him... or so I thought. Even in the end, when he admitted his plans for Harry Potter, I was appalled because I thought he loved the boy. If he loved him as he claimed and yet still was willing to sacrifice him in the end, I didn't think he thought much of me at all, you see."

"Sev," Lily murmured, sitting next to him and taking his hand, "why didn't you tell me this sooner? And why does Dumbledore's opinion... or approval... or whatever you want to call it matter so much to you, anyway?"

"It's stupid," Severus almost spat. "Ridiculous. It shouldn't matter, but it does."

"He's not a saint, and if you ask me, you've acted more noble than he has on plenty of occasions," Lily pointed out. "I know a lot of people admire him, but you've seen sides of him far have. You know him better than most."

"I suppose so," Severus conceded. "As for Regulus going on this mission, I admit my concern for him. The game he's playing is very dangerous. I was in his shoes, so I would know. If he's found out-"

"That's the end of his life," Lily finished. "Then let us hope he knows what he's doing."

x x x x x

Regulus shifted uncomfortably in the oversized clothes he was wearing. When Dumbledore had given him his mission the evening before, Regulus was filled with a mixture of excitement and concern. He knew it was part of his duty as spy, but going about Knockturn Alley asking for basilisk venom could potentially rouse suspicion.

He had Flooed from his bedroom at Grimmauld Place to the Leaky Cauldron and gotten a room for himself. He was now standing in said room, grateful and hopeful for the privacy it afforded him. Having just changed clothes, Regulus now prepared himself to take the Polyjuice Potion Dumbledore had supplied for him. He added the dark brown hairs and drank, disgusted at the flavor.

He watched himself transform before his eyes into a much older and bulkier man. He had a beard, which itched, and his hair was unkempt and hanging in his eyes. Regulus sneered at his reflection and tried to brush the hair out of his face. With a sigh, he turned away from the mirror and made his way down the stairs.

People in the pub didn't give him a second glance as he passed through the crowd and into the back, where he tapped on the bricks to gain entrance to Diagon Alley. Since it was January and a bitterly cold evening, few people graced the streets. Regulus proceeded down the nearly-empty road until he reached the side street that led to Knockturn Alley. He made the turn and continued on.

Figuring he was supposed to be portraying an unsavory wizard, Regulus walked with a purpose. The man he resembled wasn't even a wizard, according to Dumbledore, but was a random Muggle from the countryside. Regulus hoped no one would question his being here.

He received suspicious looks from a few people, but everyone regarded each other that way in Knockturn Alley. The few times he had been here, he had been told to mind his own business and keep his eyes straight ahead. As a boy, Regulus had come here with his father, and he had been here one time more recently after having joined Voldemort.

Finding the apothecary, Regulus entered and pretended to take an interest in the rare and dangerous herbs lining the shelves. Dead bats and rats hung from the ceiling, and Regulus had to keep himself from making a face of disgust.

He was the only one in the shop, and so, arousing suspicion, the proprietor shouted from behind the counter, "Anything I can do for you, Mister-?"

"Mister Snibbs," Regulus replied gruffly. "And yes, actually..."

He approached the shop owner, who kept gazing upon Regulus as if he didn't trust him and had absolutely no reason to trust him.

"I've never seen you before," the owner accused.

"I've just come from the United States," Regulus replied, able to pull off a convincing American accent. "That'd be why."

"Hmph," the other man muttered. "Well, what d'you want? D'you know even where you are, stranger?"

"Yeah, Knockturn Alley," Regulus said. "I'm in the right place. I came here for something important... something I was hoping you could help me with."

"Is that right? Well, I don't know how much I can help you." Gazing upon Regulus's appearance, the man made an assumption about his motivation for coming to Knockturn Alley. "Many come to Knockturn Alley seeking pleasure and enjoyment. If it's a good shag you're lookin' for, there's a pub down the street filled with whores and all the whiskey a man could want."

Regulus knew the man was trying to get him out of his shop, so he played along for now. Forcing a laugh, he replied, "Thank you, sir, but I'm afraid that will have to wait. You see, what I'm seeking is... basilisk venom."

"Basilisk venom?" the owner laughed. "There hasn't been report of a basilisk in at least a half a century, maybe longer. You don't just come walkin' into any old shop askin' for basilisk venom."

"But this isn't 'any old shop,'" Regulus pointed out. "I've heard great things about Knockturn Alley. Besides, I'm willing to pay any price."

The proprietor raised his eyebrows. "Any price?" he inquired skeptically.

"You heard right. Judging by the appearance of things here, I assume you could use the money." Regulus gazed at the dusty shelves with disinterest.

"I'll have you know I do plenty of business," the owner nearly shouted, outraged. "Surely you've heard of the one they call You-Know-Who? Even a stranger like you would've heard of him."

"Oh, yes, I've heard of him. Smart man, that one." Regulus smiled.

Regulus didn't know for sure if the apothecary's owner supported the Dark Lord, but since Death Eaters and other Dark wizards were the ones who frequented his shop, he depended on them for his business. If for no other reason, the proprietor likely supported Voldemort. Regulus tried to gauge the other man's reaction to his statement.

"Why should I do this for you, stranger?" he posed, his face indifferent.

Stepping forward a few steps, Regulus withdrew a satchel filled with gold coins and placed it on the counter in front of the other man. "Consider this my down payment... a guarantee that I'm serious and to ensure your confidence and quick service in this matter."

The owner picked up the sack and poured the Galleons into his hand, eyeing them greedily. "Very well," he replied. "Where can I contact you?"

"That won't be necessary. I'll check back in a week."

Nodding, the proprietor said, "It's been a pleasure doing business with you... Mr. Snibbs."

Returning the nod, Regulus stepped out of the shop and back into the streets. He made his way back to the Leaky Cauldron and to his room. Glad to be back to his privacy, he stared at his reflection as the Polyjuice wore off, grateful to look upon his own face again. He heard a buzzing noise, and his eyes caught the reflection of a bee near the window.