Thanks to those leaving a review; it''s always encouraging & usually gives me something to think about for upcoming chapters. Hope you enjoy...
Chapter 3
Back with the Living
"Sirius says his group is making some solid progress; not enough to keep him happy though I fear."
Dumbledore took a sip of tea and placed his cup down on the small table between his chair and where Severus sat beside him.
"Sirius may not be happy about the pace of progress," Dumbledore continued. "But I am pleased that the Order has been successful in at least foiling some of the plans of Voldemort."
Severus sighed.
"I trust you have not come to my home just to discuss Sirius Black."
"Just last night Sirius caught three Death Eaters trying to blow up a bridge in the Muggle world."
"How fortunate Black was there," Severus spat. "You obviously chose the right man for the job."
Dumbledore nodded absently.
"Yes, certainly."
"Why are you here Professor?" Severus was impatient, angry. "I do not wish to hear you boast any more about Black's accomplishments while I am sitting here in my own home not trusted to do any more than reveal names of favourite Death Eater drinking establishments."
Dumbledore turned to him, concerned eyes twinkling brightly.
"Is that your issue Severus, that I do not trust you? If you want to then I can have Sirius include you in his next mission. Would that make you happy?"
Severus got out of his arm chair and began pacing.
"It would not," he sulked.
"I assure you that I have not come to 'boast about Black' as you put it, nor have I merely come for a pleasant afternoon visit. I wish to make you an offer."
Severus frowned; he stopped pacing and crossed his arms.
"An offer?"
"This upcoming year at Hogwarts will prove an especially difficult one. Fear spread by Voldemort and Death Eaters has resulted in several vacancies among my staff."
"I am confused," Severus said shaking his head. "What does this have to do with me?"
"Severus, have you ever considered a career in teaching?"
The young man snorted loudly.
"You would ask me to be stuck in a classroom with a bunch of snivelling, idiotic children? You overestimate me Professor."
"Ah, Severus. You do not give yourself enough credit. Just think of the knowledge and skills you have to impart on the next generation."
"I am not amused Dumbledore. I do not like children; they have no… purpose."
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows.
"Our students leave Hogwarts counting OWL's and NEWT's Severus, not how many friends they have made in their teachers. I believe you would make a fine addition to my staff."
Severus said nothing. He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms tightly.
"What is it you really want from me Dumbledore? For me to be close so you can keep an eye on me? Where better than Hogwarts itself."
The Professor shook his head.
"I am formulating a plan Severus, a very important one, and soon I will need your help to pull it off. It is essential that I have you close so you are available when I need you."
"Of course," Severus said bitterly. "You do not value my Wizarding or teaching skills at all; you want to use me."
"Don't be so sensitive Severus. I am telling you I need your help."
"So what are these plans of yours?"
"I cannot tell you just yet, let's just say that I am working on a theory. I will include you when the time is right."
Dumbledore stood up and approached the door.
"Thank you for the tea. I will see you at the start of term."
"You are presuming then that I will be agreeing to your offer?"
The old man winked and smiled kindly.
"You will."
Dumbledore put his hand on the doorknob and pushed his way out. Severus followed, calling to him from the doorway as Dumbledore made his way down the crooked concrete path.
"So what will I be teaching then? I was very skilled at potions as a student."
"Ah yes, I do remember Professor Slughorn always thought very highly of you. However I did have another position in mind. How about Defence against the Dark Arts?"
"I… I… of course Sir, that is more than acceptable. But I do not understand why you would trust me in such a position."
"What do you mean?"
"You do not think that exposure to dark magic will tempt me back into my old ways?"
Dumbledore smiled kindly and tipped his head.
"You have given me your word and I have faith in where, or rather with whom, your heart lies."
Lily paced up and down in her hospital room angrily.
"I'm not going to stop yelling until someone answers me!"
A burly nurse unlocked the door and stepped in.
"I won't warn you again Mrs Potter, you need to calm down and stop yelling," he said.
"Then let me out of here, I'm not a prisoner!"
The nurse tried to shut the door but Lily pushed past him and out the door. She didn't make it far before two more nurses grabbed Lily by the shoulders and pulled her back into her room. They pushed her down onto the bed, still holding her firmly.
"You think we need to restrain her again?"
"What in Merlin's name is going on here?" Minerva McGonagall, who had just walked in, said glaring angrily at the nurses.
"She is being unreasonable Professor," the burly nurse said.
"Unreasonable?" McGonagall scowled. "And just how would you react to being locked in a room and man-handled barely a week after seeing your family murdered? Now go, leave us!"
All three nurses looked at each other then released Lily and left, closing but not locking the door behind them. Lily flopped back against her pillows.
"Please tell me that it will get better," she said through teary eyes. "That the pain will go away."
Minerva sat down beside her and held Lily's hand.
"All may seem helpless now my dear and no one would deny you the right to feel the way you do, but the hurt will fade in time."
"Why am I still here Minerva? This place is driving me insane."
The old witch nodded knowingly.
"Professor Dumbledore agrees and that is why he's sent me here. He wants to bring you back to Hogwarts."
"From one prison to another? Does he want me where he can keep an eye on me just like these useless healers?"
"Lily, the sort of healing you need cannot begin in St Mungo's; you need the love and support of your friends. Professor Dumbledore and Hogwarts will also provide you security on the chance that You-Know-Who returns to finish what he started."
Lily's face went instantly pale at the thought.
"You-you really think he could?"
Minerva's features softened and she squeezed Lily's hand tightly.
"I'm sure that man has other things on his mind," she assured. "Please Lily, isn't it more important that you come home to Hogwarts to be with your friends right now?"
Lily's tears ran freely down her cheeks and she nodded. Minerva reached over and pulled her into a hug.
"We'll take care of you Lily, we love you."
Dumbledore's brilliant purple robes swished from side to side as he took long strides down the passage. He stopped in front of a large wooden door and knocked lightly.
"Come in."
Dumbledore pushed open the door and stepped inside where he found Lily standing at the window and staring out across the grounds. He stood next to her.
"The grounds are much better when experienced from within," Dumbledore said. "For instance you cannot feel the refreshing breeze against your face through this glass."
Lily scowled.
"I'm fine where I am."
"You have been at Hogwarts a week now and I do believe you haven't even left your room. You are not a prisoner here Lily."
"Is moping in my room upsetting you Albus?"
"No, but I worry that it is not healthy for you."
"If I go out for a walk will I be spared one of your lectures?"
Dumbledore smiled knowingly.
Lily left the window and pulled her cloak from a hook and left the room.
* * *
Striding angrily from the castle, Lily made her way towards the Great Lake. She sat down on the soft grass by the shore and pulled her knees up to her chest, hugging her legs.
"Lily?"
She looked up as Severus approached. He looked confused.
"Lily, what are you doing here?"
She jumped up with her hands on her hips.
"I could ask you the same thing!"
"Professor Dumbledore asked me to come and teach… I did not know you would be here."
"Really? What part of 'I don't want to see you again' don't you understand?"
Severus stepped closer.
"I did not know you would be coming here, not that I am unhappy that you are," he said.
Lily shoved him hard in the chest. Severus clenched his jaw, opening his mouth to say something then changed his mind. Instead he turned and walked briskly away.
Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk when the door to his office flew open. He looked up in shock as Lily rushed into the room, her eyes wild.
"What game are you playing at Albus? What is that man doing here?"
"If you are referring to Severus then I have asked him-"
"As far as I'm concerned he's a murderer and for you to have him here shows no loyalty to me at all."
"Now Lily, I-"
"No Albus, you listen! Letting that man come here, where I am, supporting him after what he's done… makes you just as bad as Voldemort!"
"Lily, I would like for you to calm down, please sit."
Something in his tone encouraged her to comply.
"I cannot believe you would entertain such thoughts," Dumbledore began. "I realise you are hurting Lily, but you must consider how James and Harry's deaths have affected the rest of us. Believe it or not but Sever-"
"I'm not going to talk about him," Lily scoffed.
"Look in your heart Lily and remember the boy that was your friend so many years ago. Believe that something so terrible to hurt you could hurt him also."
"That boy was my friend and yes, he would have cared, but this-this Death Eater? I don't even know who he is to have caused this to happen in the first place. I don't know what happened to that boy but I've got no idea who he is anymore."
"I think that even Severus would have trouble recognising himself," Dumbledore sighed. "But I believe that all souls deserve a chance at redemption."
"I don't want to talk about him any more." Lily stamped her foot for emphasis. "Send him away Albus, get rid of him or I will leave."
"You will do no such thing," Dumbledore growled. "You need to pull yourself together; the Order needs your strength. You put far too much of your energy into hating Severus."
Lily rolled her eyes.
"What makes you think I'm going to keep working with the Order?"
"Because you believe in justice; because you want Voldemort to pay; so you can see those responsible for the deaths of your family and all the other innocents, pay."
"You think you know people so well Albus Dumbledore, but all you are is arrogant."
He smiled coyly.
"I am especially skilled in understanding people and I am very rarely wrong. For instance, I know you will accept my offer to remain at Hogwarts as Potions Mistress."
Lily gasped and started coughing.
"What?" she said when she had regained her composure. "What about Horace Slughorn?"
"Unfortunately all this gloom caused by Voldemort has frightened poor Horace into hiding. I have been trying to think of a suitable replacement but here the answer is, standing right in front of me."
"I-I'm… I'm not sure Albus. Me teaching? Although… well, I was quite brilliant at potions."
"The students will be returning to school in just a few days."
"I guess it could be something to keep me busy…"
Dumbledore grinned knowingly.
"I told you I know people," he said.
"I'll stay," Lily said. "But you need to keep your little pet project away from me. I want him nowhere near me!"