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CHAPTER 50 "Order Members Now"

It was unreal. It felt almost as if everything was right in the world again.

Customers shopping at the store kept Lily and Severus busy during the day, and at night Severus would lock up and they would take walks through Diagon Alley.

Severus particulary enjoyed being outside, being able to see that stars and smell the fresh air after being imprisoned. Lily equally enjoyed it, because she knew how happy it made Severus.

The happiness grew and grew, as well as their love and passion for each other. But there was always a nagging darkness in the brighness. The War.

They had about a week of this surreal happiness before an Order meeting was called.

Severus was sitting on the couch in their apartment, Lily sitting on the floor, leaning against his legs. She smiled as she flipped through a catalog of wedding dresses. She knew that Severus would not care what she wore, but she wanted something special for him.

"We really need to set a date, Sev. I know it's not going to be big, but I want to pick a day that I can look forward to."

Severus smiled down at the top of her head. "We can just get married now, if you want."

Lily snorted. "What, like just find the nearest place that performs ceremonies?"

Grinning, Severus nodded before he remembered that she couldn't see him. "Sure. Sounds good to-"

A bright blue light exploded in the middle of the room. Lily started, the catalog flying across the room as she leapt to her feet and pulled out her wand. Severus did the same, pushing Lily behind himself.

The light faded within a moment, and a fiery red feather was left in its place, drifting placidly to the ground.

"What the-" Severus inched forward to take a better look. On the red feather, dark ink stood out.

Meeting Tonight. 10:00. This is a portkey.

It felt like ice shards were being stabbed into Severus' heart. He had almost forgotten that they were part of the Order now.

There was complete silence in the room, and Lily did not meet Severus' eyes as he looked at her. Her face had fallen considerably and it had become much darker. It seemed as though she too had momenarily forgotten that they were in the Order during this glorious past week.

After a few moments of intense staring and silence from Severus, Lily finally raised her eyes to his. There was a sadness in her expression that made his heart ache painfully. Severus felt that Lily had joined the Order on an impulse to take revenge for her parents, to imprision the cruel people who were destroying families and lives, and that she regretted that decision now. Apparently, for the first time, he was wrong about how Lily felt.

"I don't regret it." she whispered quietly, as though she knew exactly what he was thinking. "I don't regret fighting for a better world. The thing I regret is that after everything we did to be together, we might be seperated in the end. Both of us might not make it through this war, Sev."

Severus placed a hand on her cheek, and she leaned into it, closing her eyes. There was no response frpm Severus. He knew that it was true, but he also knew that he would do anything to protect Lily, even if that meant jumping in front of her to take an Avada kedavra meant for her. He didn't think that statement would go over too well with Lily, so he kept his mouth shut.

"Do you want some tea? I think I'm going to make some." Lily interupted his thoughts abruptly, as though she couldn't stand thinking about the situation any longer. She moved away from him quickly toward the kitchen, but not quick enough. Severus did not miss the tears sparkling in her eyes, and that caused his own to burn.

It was not fair, but that's just how their lives went, it seemed. The Order was fighting for a good cause, but it was bound to end badly for some of the members. There was no denying that.