Chapter 22

"Absolutely not!" Riley cried out in sheer and utter anger. Her fists were tight by her sides and her blue eyes flashed dangerously. She pointed at a shadowed, slightly healthier Severus in the corner of the room and adverted her eyes to Dumbledore's aged face. "He is not going to be your double agent! I will not send him back into that ring of fire only to get burned. He will not become a death eater!"

The passion that filled her voice had an impact on Severus that he would never forget as long as he lived. He had never seen a person confront Dumbledore as she did and in such a heated manner. Fire burned in her eyes and he was blown away that it was all for him. She must love him as much as she said she did. He did not doubt it after seeing her actions.

"Now, Miss Brannigan," the older wizard said in a calming voice, his eyes glittering with a mysterious mix of humor and frustration. "It was merely a suggestion to fight against Tom. It would be helpful to the order to have someone on the inside."

"Then have anyone else do it! I know that sounds selfish." She paused briefly before continuing on, "But not Severus. He's not the loner he once was, he has me. He needs to be with me for—" Emotion overwhelmed her eyes for a moment while she tried to regain the strength in her voice.

"I-I can't lose him. Voldemort will kill him. We'll do anything else, Professor. Anything. We'll join the Order. Both of us. Anything." Her voice took on a pleading almost begging tone. Her body began to shake and her hands trembled at her sides. "Anything…" She mumbled, as sobs took over her throat.

She had never been so emotional in her life. Just the thought of losing Severus shook her to the core. She couldn't bear it anymore, something inside her cracked. Seeing him almost die that night had sent her emotions through the roof. She thrust her hands up to her face, covering her eyes up to try to disappear behind her fingertips. Her shoulders shook as deep sobs racked throughout her body. Severus dashed from his shadowed corner in Dumbledore's office and took her into his arms. He enveloped her deep within his chest and wrapped his arms around her protectively as she trembled. Tears poured out from the palms of her hands into his black robes, causing the wool fabric to cling tightly to him. The sobs slowed as she was comforted by his warm embrace and Severus turned so that he faced Dumbledore. His young black eyes looked deep into the ancient blue eyes.

Dumbledore adjusted his half-moon spectacles and placed a hand on Riley's quivering shoulder.

"There, there." He said, patting her gently.

"Now, perhaps there's something else we can have you do in service of the greater good, Severus. I didn't realize how passionate Miss Brannigan was about your well being. If only we all had someone that passionate by our side." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled knowingly at Severus as Riley lifted her head from Severus' chest. Her blue eyes shone behind the puffy redness of her skin.

"He's everything." She said softly, staring at Severus as he tilted his head down towards hers. His black eyes met hers and he stared sincerely into the pools of her eyes. He took one of his hands and swept some of her chestnut tendrils behind her ear. The gesture was so much more than words could say.

"My, my." Dumbledore said with a soft chuckle. "This was not the future I had imagined you'd have, Severus." His eyes flickered with a deep knowledge behind them. "This is much more than a school crush."

Severus' face reddened at Dumbledore's words and Riley gave him a shy, lop-sided smile.

"Perhaps, the Order could use you both in various ways. Also, I had some news that two of my professors plan on retiring in the near future. Perhaps, it would be an opportune time to train some of their predecessors before they leave." Dumbledore said quietly and in a pensive manner.

Riley turned in Severus' arms quickly and faced the old man. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?" She asked him, her eyes wide and surprised.

"It depends if we're thinking upon the same page."

"Are you offering us a job?" She asked, gob smacked, "After all I said?" She added sheepishly.

Dumbledore smiled and chuckled, twirling his beard.

"I have heard much worse, Miss Brannigan." He said, his voiced laced with dark humor. "But you two were some of the highest scoring students on your N.E.W.T.s in your year. Aren't you doing a teaching course right now?" He asked Riley, looking directly at her. "You received a scholarship, am I correct?"

Riley nodded vigorously, staring at him intently.

"It wouldn't be a job…yet. I start to offer my teaching positions to potential staff at the age of 21. However, I believe I could convince your chancellor to allow you to take your courses under Professor Slughorn and Professor Despoine. They have years of accredited teaching under their belt. We'll have to have someone in the Order escort you to Quidditch practice, Miss Brannigan, especially since Tom has taken a recent interest in you. And of course, I'd have the occasional Order assignments for you."

"Anything." She said, sealing their fate. She didn't even consult Severus with a gaze or a look because she knew that this was the best future for them both. They'd be safer with Hogwarts walls than anywhere else and no death eaters would get to them there. They'd also be together with eventual respectable jobs. It was the best opportunity. She started to feel guilty of how she pushed her way into this situation and she looked down at her feet suddenly.

"I am sorry, Professor, of how I shouted at you earlier." She said, shamefully, hanging her head. Dumbledore moved towards her in his midnight blue robes and took her chin in his aged hand. He lifted her head to him so that their eyes bore into each other's. His face grew serious and he spoke with a firm tone.

"Don't ever apologize for loving someone so much that you do anything to save them." Dumbledore's voice was clear and precise to make sure his words rang true. Riley's blue eyes locked on to his in surprise with his words and she nodded gently as he let her chin go.

"We should all be so lucky." His words took on a melancholy tone. "Now, I'll have the arrangements made and I'll inform both professors of their mentorships. I shall see you soon. Please be cautious until then. I will send further instructions through the post in less than a day's time." And with that, he headed up a staircase and through a door leaving the two in their own thoughts.


A/N: I apologize for the short chapter. I'm at the point of the story where I am considering the possibility of a sequel or tying the ends all together and finishing up. I will work on a new chapter shortly once I consider all the potential options. Thank you so much for the reviews lately. Thank you for your loyalty. Thank you for all the adds to favorites and follows. I only intend to entertain you as a reader and it pleases me to do so. Thank you, reader, you're awesome.