I've decided this has to become a series of 4 vignettes because Sev/Lily will not leave.me.alone :-P

Enjoy!

-Petunia's POV-

Lily's humming to herself as she flips through a bridal magazine, but I can tell her heart's not in it. I normally wouldn't think anything was wrong, but I know my sister. She hasn't been the same since she graduated from that awful place almost a year ago now and-

I feel a shudder wrack my body and force myself to think of something else, to concentrate instead on things I understand- James is pretty great for a wizard, all things considered, and she was happier than she's been in months when she showed us the ring. It seems like they have the same basic wedding rituals in the Wizarding world- these past few weeks I've felt more like an actual sister to Lily than I have in years, since those awful wizards cru-crucified- no, it was some other word, who CAN keep track of these things- well,cruci-whatevered our dad- and now Lily's staying with us, mostly for her own protection, some man named Doomerdoor thinks it's safer-

Of course no one thinks about us- but I guess it probably can't hurt to have a trained Auror in the house, even if it is sort of annoying how she goes out at odd hours dressed in those stupid robes to fight evil, like she thinks she's superwoman or something-

"Do you want lunch?" I ask as I start pulling bread from the cupboard, and she nods as she flips the page, smiling widening as she breathes,

"Petunia, this dress is-" at the same moment that a heavy banging sounds on our front door. I freeze mid-action, because I've learned by now that people who don't ring the doorbell aren't normal- they're from her set… but usually the knock is light and friendly - not brutal and definite like this-

"Would you get it, please?" she asks, not skipping a beat as she turns the page, clearly not realizing the significance of people who don't know how to work a doorbell-

I feel ridiculous as I contemplate my words. "Will you come with?"

She looks at me in surprise before she shrugs, putting the magazine down and gesturing that I should lead the way as I walk into the small corridor to open the front door- and scream at what I see.

It's a man, but no human being could possibly look this sallow and bitter, should ever be allowed to wear black robes that make him look like death itself as he regards me with disgust, barking, "I had understood I would find Lillian Evans here-"

"Petunia who is-" my sister begins the second before she can see- whatever it is, and I hear her take a faltering step backward, fight not to panic at the fact that she's obviously as disturbed as I am before I remember that, as witches go, my sister's pretty powerful, at least if I believe her friends-

But I get a sinking feeling as she just continues to stare at the door in total shock- and then she smiles shakily, a smile that vanishes as he continues to glare, not looking at her but following me with his eyes, as though I'm going to let him in-

Unless he's going to kill me- what if he tries to kill me-

And my powerful sister, the one my parents were always so proud of for her quick reflexes and wit and magical whatever is struck dumb by- oh goodness, what if he's making her act this way, I heard that Peter guy say something about- about Imperialism or something, it was a spell and-

But even as I think it, Lily's stepping forward, shielding me from him as she nods definitely, just once, before shaking her head, and I wonder if he understands any better than I do, because my bubbly, talkative sister is still not speaking- but there's something in her face I haven't seen there in a very long time, and somehow I know it's going to be alright- even as the silence extends endlessly.

--

-Lily's POV-

Ohmygod my heart's not beating.

Ohmygod my heart's not beating.

Severus is HERE, and he's staring at my sister with total loathing, oh god, if I were anyone else I would be so scared, but he's not a bad person, I know he's not, no matter what everyone keeps trying to say about him and what he's been doing- and why isn't he looking at me and why is my heart not beating?

Oh god. How CAN it only have been a year since I last saw him, it felt like so much longer and he- I mean, he looks older, do I look older- but looking at him now it's like no time has passed at all and I- I just-

I mean, I know I've been acting weird since graduation, but god, I really can't help it. It's no wonder Petunia is freaked out about the whole magic thing, since her only two real experiences with it have been our father getting crucioed nearly to death and the fight at graduation. I spend all my time trying to be cheerful and everything, put a positive spin on it all, but really that day couldn't have been worse, Sirius's cousin Belatrix pulling out her wand and aiming it at us, screaming 'For the Dark Lord' in the middle of McGonagall's speech about unity- and then she fired a curse at poor Peter, as though he had a chance-

"Lily?" I hear my sister say shrilly, sounding very far away, and then she repeats my name, voice taking on a weird, quasi-desperate note that makes me cringe, "Lily, get RID of him."

I snap back to the present, trying to get ahold of myself- she's right, I need to get rid of him, no matter how glad I am to see him, no matter how much I've hoped he would come, never fully considering what his coming might mean- it can't mean anything good that he's here no matter how much I care about him or how much his friendship means to me, or-

And suddenly his eyes are flashing to meet mine and- I thought I wanted him to look at me, but those eyes are seeing THROUGH me- and they're different now than when I last saw him, in a terrible, painful way that would make me want to cry if I wasn't so confused… but they're defeated, not cruel, god knows I've seen enough cruelty lately to know the difference, and the longer he looks at me the more certain I am that buried somewhere in there is hope… but I can't figure out what the hope is for, what he expects from me, how to bring the hope closer to the front…

And I resolve, before I'm even sure that I'm going to invite him in, that by the time he leaves here I'm going to have seen him smile.

God, poor Severus. He doesn't look like he remembers how.

I open my mouth to say something but words aren't coming out and my traitorous mind keeps flashing back to graduation, the last time I saw him- the whole thing was mayhem, but I remember hearing Peter scream and then being slammed to the ground. I thought it was James, and I struggled against him, I wanted him to let me help, because let's face facts here, I'm way better at defending myself than he is- but then I heard Severus bark "Desist," into my ear, leaving no room for argument, and I went still at the Dumbledore bellowed some incantation that threw everyone in the auditorium against the walls.

Bellatrix looked as though she wanted to kill him as the curses stopped and she surveyed the scene coldly before her eyes went to Severus, his body thrown over mine, and she hissed, "Well, well, well. Severus Snape. What WILL the Dark Lord make of this?"

He stood up, doing a pretty good job of acting all cool and indifferent, but I knew he wasn't before he said coldly. "That will be ENOUGH. This ceremony is SACRED. It should NOT have been disrupted. This is TREASON, Bellatrix. You were NOT ordered to be here."

"Treason against whom?" Dumbledore asked in that oddly calm way he always has in the face of catastrophe, stepping to stand between them as Bellatrix dropped her wand, glaring at Severus in what appeared to be hatred but I realize now must have been her own special form of arousal, since from what I've heard she and Severus have been getting along marvelously in bed and out ever since-

Right. Anyway. Severus didn't answer, Dumbledore shot him this- god, it was this look of- I guess disappointed sadness- and then he went back to his seat, and the next thing I knew Bellatrix was gone and everyone seemed to have decided to just pretend the whole thing never happened- McGonagall was picking up her speech right where it had left off-

Petunia was traumatized.

I guess I was too.

But I know it wasn't just a coincidence that Severus landed on top of me. He was trying to protect me.

I know a lot more about Severus, how he is really, than I think he even knows himself.

So even though Petunia looks like she's ready to faint, scream, and kill me all at once, I reach out a hand and say softly, "Why don't you come in, Sev?"

--

-Petunia's POV-

She must have lost her mind. The only possible explanation is that she has finally lost her mind. All this magic stuff has gone to her head. I'll need to look into the possibility that witchcraft causes mental illness-

"You look-" my sister begins as he enters our house awkwardly, and I feel my jaw drop before she even finishes the sentence, because let me tell you, if this is him looking good-

But Lily can't finish after all, and I feel my alarm increase as she looks like she might burst into tears before she squares her shoulders and shakes her head, questioning in what sounds like horror,

"My God, Severus, what are they doing to you?"

He doesn't answer, just glares at her in defiant, icy indifference, and I wonder how she can possibly continue to meet his eyes without fear, how she could possibly think it was a good idea to invite this evil maniac into our home- but then she takes a step forward, voice carefully controlled as she questions, "What are you doing here?" sounding totally unconcerned- but I know that tone means she's ten seconds away from an emotional outburst and trying to delay the inevitable explosion- and here's to hoping the explosion gets this guy thrown from out home, because I was watching her face earlier and one of the 50 billion different emotions flashing across it was anger-

And now he's stupidly not answering her. I don't know his strategy here, but to the casual observer that would have to look like a mistake- or maybe he just doesn't know what Lil is like when she loses her temper-

And yet- seconds tick by in absolute silence and their eyes just continue to war with each other, making me nervous as I realize that maybe their kind can talk without using words- but then Lily says coolly, somehow managing to maintain the indifferent tone in a way I know she wouldn't have been able to if they really were reading each other's minds, because I don't need to know anything about their past to realize there's a lot of history here, too much emotion- "Petunia, this is one of my best friends from Hogwarts, Severus Snape. Severus, I've mentioned my sister."

He flinches at the word 'friends' before he nods once, briefly, the first communication of any kind that he's offered since she stepped into his line of sight as she continues, "Petunia and I were about to eat. Are you hungry?"

"I've no time to be hungry," he answers, and I wonder how someone like Lily can possibly ENDURE the scorn in his voice, but her lips curve upward in a slight, almost amused smile that doesn't reach her eyes as she fires back shortly, bluntly,

"Which would pretty much explain why you look like the living dead, wouldn't you say?" She turns back to me, saying quickly as I see Severus's eyes flash dangerously, causing me to shudder and marvel again at her complete lack of fear, "Petunia, bring food. Bring lots and lots of food."

I don't dare to ask any questions as I bolt from the hallway.

--

-Lily's POV-

The second she's gone he shoves past me into the living room, questioning shortly, "Who's been teaching you occlumency?"

I barely blink before firing back, "What reason could you have had for trying to read my mind out there? A direct question or two would have sufficed- it's not like I'm going to lie to you."

I bite my lip to keep from adding a barb about how- unlike the god-damned death eaters- I don't try to deceive my friends, but the look on his face tells me that he's heard the words much more loudly than if I had actually said them before he averts his eyes, saying in a low, dangerous voice that I know he's only using to cover up what he's really feeling- how typical of him- "Believe it or not, witches in good standing with the Ministry of Magic don't usually invite me into their home. I was hoping to discover your motives for doing so."

"I'm not supposed to invite my friends into my house?" I ask incredulously before I shake my head, shooting him an ironic smile. "I'm quite certain the Ministry hasn't passed any such decree, but thanks for your concern-"

And his glare is enough to silence me despite myself as he snaps, "This is hardly the time for your characteristic sarcasm-"

"Who's being sarcastic?" I fire back, angry now, before I force myself to count to five, saying more gently, "I think the better question, at least to most people, would be why you're here. Not that- I mean-" and I hate that I blush as I say, "Obviously you're always welcome here."

His eyes flash up to meet mine for a poignant half a second and in that moment they look a lot more like they used to- uncertain, longing for something he thinks he can't have, something that he already has- will always have, he's just too scared to accept it- and it makes me want to cry as I realize that he's probably never heard those words before- that he might not hear them again-

"Severus, what's going on?" I blurt before I can stop myself, not really expecting him to answer me, surprised when he sits down on the couch with a heavy sigh, and I rush to perch on the coffee table across from him, against my better judgment taking his hands in my own as I say softly, "You can tell me. What's going on?"

--

-Petunia's POV-

I pause in the doorway, hoping I don't drop the huge tray of sandwiches and various baked goods as I take in the scene before me- that man's stoicism is gone, he's leaning toward my sister almost frantically and her hands are grasped so tightly in his disturbingly long and pale ones that I fear he's trying to cut off her blood flow-

And then I see her face. He's telling her something about… about Dementors and Azkaban-

"I'm sorry," she blinks in confusion. "I mean- I know you'll think I'm very ignorant, but what's Azkaban?"

"The wizard prison," he says shortly, causing me to wonder again how she can put up with his abruptness, especially when she's so used to people falling at her precious feet. "Dementors guard it."

"Oh," she says, her face clearing slightly, and it hits me suddenly, as she looks at him, that she should not be marrying James. Anyone who can possibly look at anyone like she's currently looking at this- person- has no business marrying anyone else, no matter what's going on-and even I have to admit that way more than I can understand is going on here- but goodness, how CAN she look at this- this vile creature like that, when she has James- anyone would have to realize that James is the better choice- but then, no one else is going to see the look in her eyes right now-

And despite myself I'm almost glad- she's been different for the past year in a dozen little ways, but right now- she's like she was before, chin tilted just a little defiantly, eyes shining with laughter despite what seems to be the gravity of the situation as she chirps, "So, are they evil in themselves or is it more of the principle of the thing we're dealing with here-"

"Both," he deadpans and I think I see the beginning of a smirk on his face as she rolls her eyes, smiling agreeably.

"Naturally." She bites her lip in the way she used to when we were kids, when she was contemplating how to say something tactfully before she shrugs, shooting him a grin. "It's nice to have an actual conversation with you, do you know that?"

"Likewise," he says icily and I'm certain he's not going to continue, as he seems well-versed in the art of monosyllables and not much else, but to my surprise he DOES go on… "I understand you're an Auror already?"

She pauses, brow furrowing as she nods. "Yeah."

He arches an eyebrow. "When I was being recruited they talked of a three year training period-"

"Times of peace afford luxuries that times of war do not," she cuts him off definitely, quickly and I wish I could better understand all the subtext between them, know anything of their history as he nods a curt acknowledgement and she keeps talking, "I obviously still had to pass all of the examinations and tests-" and to my surprise he snorts.

"As though you couldn't have done that the day you graduated-" and my cool, collected sister is actually blushing at what has to be one of the most halfhearted compliments I've ever heard anyone give her- all people ever do is praise Lily- but then the moment is gone as he states shortly, "It's also my understanding that everyone else from your class has yet to pass."

She starts slightly, arching an eyebrow as she says almost teasingly, "For someone who hates the ministry you sure are keeping close tabs on what's going on inside it."

He frowns slightly before saying simply, "I've taken the old adage to heart- keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

And to my surprise her eyebrows shoot higher as she near-purrs, coyly leaning forward "And are you keeping me closer, Sev?"

To my amazement the man actually flushes before collecting himself enough to hiss, "Are you my enemy, Lily?"

The mood is broken at once as she whispers earnestly, "You know the answer to that," and to my surprise his gaze lands on her recently exposed bosom, something flashing in his eyes in a way that almost makes me envy her before those same eyes shoot a pointed glance at her left hand, still twined with his, and he demands abruptly,

"How long?"

She shrugs, as though she didn't know it had been exactly two weeks, three days, and 11 hours since she got engaged, as though she hadn't already decided on the date of the wedding, replying too casually, "A few weeks. We'll be getting married sometime this fall, I guess-

"The ring is beautiful," he says in a voice that makes it clear it's painful for him to acknowledge this fact before he scoffs almost cruelly. "It's comforting to know that Potter can lay aside his ostentatious impulses in instances where it matters-" and to my surprise Lily doesn't jump to James's defense, just stifles a laugh before lowering her voice and saying quickly,

"Can I tell you something terrible?" My ears perk up as she continues, laughter in her voice, "It's-not-exactly-the-one-he-picked-out."

He arches an eyebrow, looking slightly amused as he questions, "You made him take it back?"

She giggles, rolling her eyes. "Of course not! I just sort of- transfigured it a little."

To my shock he smiles at her and her own grin widens accordingly. "Define a little," he says doubtfully and I'm surprised at the easy banter, the unlikely camaraderie as she flushes.

"Enough that I have to try to make sure he doesn't get a good look at it when we go out," she admits, and she suddenly looks guilty as she shrugs. "I don't think he'd be mad or anything, it's just-" and then she sees me and offers a small, almost relieved smile.

"Petunia!" she exclaims, disengaging her hands from his and self-consciously pulling her skirt down as she stands, and Iwonder if they were lovers in school, what's happened to him since they graduated to cause him to look and act like this, to come to our house offering warnings about Dementors and Azkaban- dear lord, is he here to warn Lily they want to put her in Azkaban?

But before I can ask a question she's taken the tray from me with murmured words of thanks and shut the door soundly in my face.

--

-Lily's POV-

I allow myself to blink, just once, still reeling from the fact that Severus has successfully revived a spell from Medieval times in order to repel Dementors before attempting to recap the important stuff. "Okay. So basically, Voldemort is about to join forces with the Dementors and release all the prisoners from Azkaban, my family is high on the list of targets, and I need to learn how to make a Patronus in the next, say, 60 minutes before you need to go and help with the breakout."

He doesn't meet my eyes as he mutters, "I didn't say I was helping with the breakout," and I know that he is. I feel my heart constrict as I force myself not to reach out to him, wanting to make him tell me everything he's been doing, not because I want to hear it but because I know it would help him to get it out, to hear someone say that it's okay, even if it's only me, even if-

Oh god. I just hope he knows it's not too late, that he can sill come help us, Dumbledore once told me specifically that if Severus ever came to me I shouldn't turn him away and that-

And it hits me sharply that by telling me this now, before anything's happened, Severus has ensured that I can go to Dumbledore after I'm done with learning about Patronus's and try to stop the break out, that I can teach everyone in the Order and all the other Aurors how to make a Patronus even if we're not successful in stopping the Dementors tonight, that he's come here at great personal risk to himself-

And even as it occurs to me, I know that this is what Severus wanted when he came… I bite back the words I want to say, resist the urge to thank him for trying to help us, wonder why I don't find this the slightest bit surprising when James would probably just about faint in shock- and because I know it wouldn't be smart to confront Severus about it, not now, I just say softly, grabbing my wand,

"Okay, about these Patronus thingies- tell me how."

He steps behind me with a satisfied nod, adjusting the angle of my wrist before saying softly, "The incantation is Expecto Patronum. You'll want to concentrate on the most positive memory you can think of. The most common error wizards make when first learning to expel a Patronus is not picking a memory with enough emotional resonance."

"And then?" I ask as I settle on a memory, suddenly breathless, though whether that's from the excitement of new magic or from the fact that his breath is hissing warmly past my ear and – oh god, I must not think about it, this is not a time for the present, this is a time for memory-

"Think it. Breathe it. Feel it," I hear Severus whisper, or maybe it just sounds like a whisper through the fog that is my current reality as I can almost feel the coldness of the ring as James slipped it onto my finger and I say the words-"

"Expecto Patronum," strongly and clearly, surprised as a delicate silvery strand of light emerges from my wand, and I laugh in delight. "Oh my god!" I exclaim disbelievingly, whirling to face him. "You didn't say it was beautiful!"

To my satisfaction he looks pleased, if not impressed. "Very good. Most people don't get that result until at least their fifth or sixth try- very good."

"You mean there's more?" I ask in surprise, flushing as he looks at me as though I'm very young.

"True Patronus's have a definite form. 99 times out of 100 this is an animal; exceptions are rare."

I smile widely as something occurs to me. "Severus can I see yours?" I flush slightly, suddenly feeling totally transparent. "You know. Just so I have an idea of what I'm going for here?"

To my disappointment he shakes his head. "A mental picture of what you're- 'going for'-" he says with slight distaste, "Would serve no purpose. Your only job is to focus on the memories. Any mental images of other things interfering will only hurt you."

I frown slightly before wildly grasping at straws, determined to convince him. "Well, what if the memory of seeing a fully formed Patronus exceeds any other experiences I've ever had in my life? Wouldn't it be useful then? Besides," I add candidly, shooting him a slightly pleading look, "I want to see what one looks like-"

"In that case mine wouldn't be much use anyway," he says dryly. "I'm among the minority of cases wherein the Patronus is not an animal."

I feel my head snap back slightly in surprise and I arch an eyebrow, unable to resist the urge to bait him, "Well, then, oh extraordinary one, what is it?"

But he doesn't smile at me, just says shortly, once more angling my wrist slightly differently than I would have if left to my own devices, "Again."

And as I concentrate I consider the fact that anyone else would probably think it's crazy that Severus came to help me with this, after he spent all that time researching magical history and reconstructing the Patronus spell for the modern day- god, I don't even want to know how Voldemort must have rewarded him- and somewhere in the back of my head I do wonder why he's here now- except for that I know exactly why he's here now. The only thing I'm more certain of is that the reasons he's here can never be acknowledged, not by either or us, not to anyone-but somehow I shove the thoughts from my mind as I take a deep breath and try for the second time.

My wand expels silver mists again. And again. And again. But no matter how hard I try, nothing stronger emerges. Finally Severus sighs, coming to stand in front of me. "Try a different memory. Based on your early success I assumed the one you had chosen was strong enough, but it is- possible- that this is not the case. Think of something else."

"But- I mean, it must be strong enough," I blurt in surprise, without thinking. "It's the night James proposed to me, how could that possibly not-"

I stop the train of thought as quickly as I can but it's not nearly quickly enough as we both look down uncomfortably and I can feel my face getting red as he says in a pained, slightly sarcastic voice "Indeed. It would seem that memory would be sufficient."

And for a fraction of a second I want to scream at him, demand how the hell he feels entitled to sound that way when he's fucking Bellatrix of all people, when it was him who- but even in my anger I need to be honest with myself- it wasn't really him who made things how they are right now, not entirely- oh GOD, why I'm even thinking like this at all when there's James- when I love James-

And then suddenly my eyes meet Severus's and I can feel it like it's happening again, the moonlight running into my body and piercing my soul as long, gentle fingers grazed past my hipbone and I was suddenly sure that he was going to kiss me, finally able to acknowledge that I had been longing, waiting for years for him to kiss me-

"Expecto Patronum," I say, and though my voice is unbelievably weak, almost breathy, I feel as though pure, unadulterated joy is shooting through my whole being as a unicorn shoots from my wand and begins galloping around the room in a blur of silver. I laugh in surprise, shocked to see Severus smiling too as our eyes meet, and I wonder if somehow he knows what memory I used, wonder what to say to him, if it's wise to say anything at all- this is so wrong, everything that I feel for him is so wrong when James- when James and I-

And without meaning to, I take a step forward.

--

-Severus's POV-

She takes a step toward me as she smiles, that open, genuine smile that's so unlike any I've seen over the past year before saying softly, warmly, her tone leaving no room for doubt, "I've MISSED you, Severus."

And for just that one moment I allow myself to tell the truth. "I missed you too, Lily."

She takes another step forward, a shaky breath, before blurting, "Don't go back tonight. Stay. I'll take you to Albus. You can work with us. Just- stay."

I wonder for a crazy moment at the words, at what their full meaning might be- before I say firmly, unable to stop the regret that crashes down over me in waves as I try to reply as though I hadn't heard her, "I need to leave soon, Lily."

She looks at me with mild reproach, then smiles in an exquisitely sad way that makes me want to beg her forgiveness for everything and simultaneously reminds me sharply of why I must never come here again. She makes me weak. And weakness is no longer an option.

"You don't have to live like this," she says softly, eyes meeting mine earnestly and I waver for a long moment, not knowing whether to curse her or laugh at her naiveté before I hiss, fabricating anger that I do not feel, that despite all my best efforts I could never feel, not toward her,

"I KNOW I don't HAVE to, you impudent child," and I step forward menacingly, some corner of my soul perversely satisfied as she backs into the wall with a dull thud. To my surprise, however, she just stands there, dropping her wand as I take a final step forward, the only change in her posture the almost imperceptible lift of her chin as she defiantly meets my eyes, and for a crazy moment I wonder how things would have been if-

I let out an indecipherable cry at my own madness, my own weakness, gratified to see a flash of fear in her eyes, gone as quickly as it comes, and her chin tilts higher. I feel poignant, reluctant respect and somewhere underneath, so deeply hidden that no occlumens in the world could have seen it, affection, even as I yank up my sleeve, waving the dark mark in her face before continuing darkly, "I CHOOSE to. I CHOOSE this life. Are you really so foolish that you can't see the truth before your eyes? All the things your fiancé and his band of Marauders or whatever the FUCK they choose to call themselves these days are saying to you about me are true. I AM in the Dark Lord's inner circle. I AM remorseless about what I've done. You ARE in danger from me, and I will NOT hesitate to-"

"Oh Severus," she interrupts me so softly that if I weren't three feet away I would never have heard her, and her voice is tired as she shakes her head. "Just stop."

My mouth opens, then closes, despite my best efforts to keep ranting, and I'm suddenly unsure what I'm trying to say, what point I'd been trying to make-

"If you want to go around and tell everyone how evil you are, if you want to do-" and she looks downward, a single tear falling down her cheek as she continues even more softly, "whatever number of horrible, inhumane things that Voldemort-"

At her use of his name I snap out of my stupor, managing to growl, "You will NOT refer to the Dark Lord by name. I will NOT-"

"Do whatever Voldemort" she repeats with quiet vehemence, "says you need to do in order to convince everyone of what you want them to think, I can't stop you. I never could. But kindly do NOT insult my intelligence by acting like you think I'm just going to stand here and believe what you're saying."

I fight the strong and inexplicable urge to look downward at the naked trust in her eyes, the naked kindness, neither of which I deserve, neither of which I ever deserved when I've done nothing but-

"If you don't believe me you're a fool," I bark, shoving my arm in her face once more. "Do you not know what this means?"

She arches an eyebrow almost coyly, damn her, before saying with a slight toss of her head, "Certainly, Sev. It means that the people who are wearing it don't enter muggle households to help the witches inside of them learn powerful ways to counteract dark magics." She smiles suddenly, a wry, teasing smile that causes my breath to catch in my throat despite myself before she inquires mischievously, rolling her eyes, "Am I, like, kinda-sorta on the right track?"

I mutter something about not expecting her to understand my motives even as I back away, my plan to corner and intimidate her having failed miserably and served only to confuse me- as though I can afford to be confused- it's only another form of weakness and-

And oh dear God, she's stepping forward as I step backward, and I fight the urge to hold out my hands, to beg her to keep her distance and leave me alone- but if I'm being honest with myself she never leaves me alone, even when I'm thousands upon thousands of miles away from her, even when I haven't heard her voice, seen those- those goddamned emerald eyes for hundreds of nights, she's still there, in the quiet moments, in echos of time-

"You know," she observes quietly, keenly, and I'm forcibly reminded of why I respect her so much, that calm intelligence in the face of everything as she continues, "I didn't ask you about any of that, anything about the Death Eaters or the Mark or why exactly you came. I didn't ask you because it doesn't matter. When you're in my home, you're just my friend. I'm just Lily. It's not any more complicated than that. My friends are welcome here. What they do- outside of their interactions with me- is irrelevant. I hoped I made that clear one before."

And I hate that she did, hate that I believe her, hate that even now she's saying the word friend like she means it, hate that she makes me believe when I should doubt-

"You want me to fear that Mark?" she questions suddenly, roughly, snapping me from my reverie, and all teasing is gone from her eyes as she drops to her knees in what would have been a gesture of supplication from anyone else, but somehow from Lily is just the natural progression before she grabs my arm, declaring firmly, defiantly, "I KISS it."

Before I even know what's occurring she's pushed my sleeve upward and her mouth is brushing against the dark mark- her lips caressing it what could only be called tenderly as I freeze in disbelief. Her tongue flicks out to provide moisture even as her thumb moves in gentle circles where it's landed on my wrist and I feel a sudden, sharp flash of insight, knowing absolutely that this moment is more intimate that anything that I ever have or ever will share with Bellatrix- and Bellatrix has introduced me to forms of sex I didn't even know existed-

And without my consent my knees buckle and I'm kneeling on the floor beside her and her lips linger on the mark for another endless second before she slowly raises her head, eyes meeting mine even as her thumb continues its sensual ministrations to my wrist, causing a shiver to spread up my spine.

"The mark is nothing," she whispers firmly. "It has no significance. I don't hate it. I don't fear it." Her eyes narrow slightly. "And I don't hate you either. If you continue your pathetic and halfhearted efforts to make me, at least know that you're wasting your time."

Her hand slides down slightly, twines with mine before I fully realize what's happening, and I know this is dangerous territory but I'm unable to contemplate any way to stop it as her other hand flits upward, tentatively landing on my cheek, and my eyes flutter shut despite myself as she explores it lingeringly- and I remember another night when she was making me feel like this- when it seemed like I might be able to-

Her thumb is sweeping gently, sensually across my lips, causing them to part slightly, and I open my eyes only to see her tongue flick outward, moistening her own mouth. My eyes cloud over without my assent and I accept what seems to be inevitable, what should have happened years ago, as my own hand moves, seemingly of its own volition, to push her hair out of the way, to caress her throat-

She lets out a small, surprised gasp, throwing her head back artlessly as she leans into my caress. Her grip on my other hand tightens briefly before I wet my lips and tentatively allow them to land on her neck with gentleness it surprises me that I still possess, drawing a lazy circle with my tongue before sucking lightly, sensually. I wait until she lets out a small moan before skillfully biting down just a little harder than necessary and using my tongue to lave the area, fighting against my extreme arousal as she lets out a whimper, her left hand releasing mine and fisting in my hair- and she shivers before pulling me closer.

There's so much I want to say to her but I don't trust myself to speak as her lips find my earlobe and she catches it between her teeth, avidly nipping and sucking. I fight a moan of my own as her hand strokes my back and my fingers slide deftly up the bare skin of her thigh, and I've never been gladder for muggle clothing as she lets out a strangled gasp, arching against me as she murmurs my name-

And suddenly, so quickly that not even I'm sure how it happens, we've shoved away from each other, her voice having served as some bizarre wake-up-call. I jump up and turn away before I can even enjoy the look on her face, her flushed cheeks… and I don't need to look to know what total certainty that she's shaking, knees pulled upward against her body in that ridiculous, almost alarmingly sexy skirt as she sits against the wall, mind probably reeling at least as desperately as mine-

"I have to go," I manage with difficulty, not trusting myself to say or do anything else, and despite myself I wait for her words before I storm out, not able to bear the possibility that words might not come-

And what seems like minutes later but in reality can only have been seconds she says in a whisper, "I'll be waiting."

I've never wanted to turn around and look at anyone more in my life than I want to turn and look at her now but I know that I can't, am frightened of what might happen if I do… but I do know that I despise the way that I can't even ask her what she's waiting for, the fact that I can't get a good look at what her disheveled hair looks like at this instant in the sunlight pouring through the window, the fact that our lips seem destined never to meet-

And I hear her stand, whispering almost brokenly," Good luck, Severus" as she rushes out the door and into the hallway, doubtless to warn Dumbledore about everything, to try in vain to stop the Azkaban breakout like I knew she would, leaving me to disapparate in my own time-

And even knowing she can't hear me, perhaps, like the coward I truly am, because I know she can't hear me, I whisper, "Good luck, Lily."

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