Chapter Twenty-Three: No Place is Safe

"So they now have the locket?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Do they know of the others?"

"Not to my knowledge, my Lord."

A flash of light filled the small room and the kneeling figure screamed in agony. Voldemort rose from the elegant wingback chair, wand ready to cast another spell if he felt so led. "You will make it your knowledge, Regulus, or Miss Avery will not make it to graduation. Now, have they destroyed the locket?"

"Not yet though Dumbledore has been holed up in his office researching horcruxes and how to destroy them."

Voldemort smiled coldly. "Ah yes. Finally something that I am well versed in while the all knowledgeable Albus Dumbledore has to study like a schoolboy." His good mood evaporated quickly. "Regulus, get up."

The young man weaved to his feet, keeping his head bowed. "My Lord?"

"How convinced are they of your loyalties?"

"Extremely convinced, my Lord. My brother believes I have finally seen reason and is working hard to re-establish our family connection. He would not do this unless he was certain of my loyalties."

"And where do your loyalties lie, Regulus?"

"Only with you, my Lord. They always have been."

"That better be the case," Voldemort returned to the chair. "And what of our dear friend, Severus Snape? How is he faring under the tutelage of Albus Dumbledore?"

"He is growing weary of the old man's teaching. His desires are to come back to you, my Lord, but he is very fearful to return."

"As he should be. However, make sure he knows that I will welcome him back into the fold, granted he proves his faithfulness to me."

"How can he do that?"

Voldemort reached behind his head and stroked Nagini. "By bringing me Lily Potter and her son. You're free to go, Regulus. And take Miss Avery back to Hogwarts with you. Be sure to relay my message to Severus."

"Of course, my Lord." Regulus kept his head bowed as he backed out of the room. He wasn't prepared to turn his back completely on the Dark Lord when his mood was so unpredictable at the moment. Once he was out of the room, he allowed himself a deep sigh of relief. Without wanting to spend more time in the Malfoy's home than he had to, he quickly went downstairs and into the reception parlor. Narcissa, Bellatrix and Holly were all sitting around a gaming table, watching Draco play on the floor.

"Ladies," he said quietly, announcing his presence. "I hate to interrupt but Holly and I need to return to Hogwarts."

Narcissa gave him a cursory glance before going back to her tea, Bellatrix had a nasty smirk on her face while Holly scrambled to gather her things. When she was within reach, he took her traveling bag from her and quietly left the sprawling mansion. She didn't say anything but he could hear her quick footsteps trying to keep up with him. There was a carriage waiting for them and Regulus tossed the travel bag onto the floor of the carriage and helped Holly into it before swinging up into it himself. When the carriage lurched forward, he laid his head back on the seat and closed his eyes.

"Reg, are you alright?"

"I'm just tired, that's all."

"Do you want me to heal you before we get back to the school?"

"Is it that bad?" He opened his eyes and sat up, taking the mirror that she was offering him. He actually looked worse than he thought: a large bruise was forming on the entire left side of his face and a blood vessel broke in his eye.

"I can at least get rid of the bruise," Holly said, "perhaps Madame Pomfrey should take care of your eye."

He handed the mirror back to her and felt the comforting warmth of her hand against his sore cheek. He could feel the healing charm working on putting the blood vessels right in his face and he leaned into the comfort of her hand.

"I don't like this Reg, it scares me."

"It's going to be fine, Holly." He took her hand and pressed it to his lips. "Trust me."

"I do. I just hate worrying about you. You were up stairs with him for so long."

Regulus looked out the carriage window. "He was in a particular bad mood today."

Holly curled up on the seat next to him. "What did he say?"

"Same thing as always, asked for an update on Dumbledore and Snape. Asked where my loyalties lie. The only thing different was he said Snape would be welcomed back to the fold if he delivered Lily and Harry to the Dark Lord."

"Severus will never do that."

"Oh, I know," Regulus draped an arm around her. Now he understood the depth of Severus' decision to leave the Death Eaters to protect the woman he loved. He was willing to walk through fire for Holly and was basically doing just that.

"I can't wait for this war to be over. All this fear, watching your back and making sure you say all the right things to the right people."

Regulus pulled her closer to him and just enjoyed the moment of not having to watch his words or actions around her. "So goes the life of a double agent. I told Dumbledore that Severus would be better at this than me."

"He wants me to do what?"

Lily tried to hide her smile. "Dumbledore has asked us to go with the students into Hogsmeade. Most of the students will be going into the village since it's the Valentine's Day weekend and they'll need some extra eyes to ensure their safety. It's not going to be as bad as you think, Sev."

As if pushing floating hearts and flying angels out of the way in the hallways wasn't bad enough, now he was forced to go into Hogsmeade with a bunch of lovesick teenagers to make sure they're not killed while they're staring into each other's eyes. "Sure it's not. It won't be bad at all."

"Oh come on, Sev," Lily laughed, "I'll even treat you to a cup of tea and scone at Madame Puddifoot's."

"Oh joy." The idea of spending time with her in Hogsmeade was actually a very exciting prospect but he had always had a strong distaste for the frills and girlish splendor that was Madame Puddifoot's Tea Shop. "I couldn't persuade you to go to the Three Broomsticks instead?"

"Possibly."

He breathed a sigh of relief and buried his nose into his scarf. The cold wind was very biting and they had only set off for the village behind the group of students. Dumbledore had led him to believe this was going to be a supply run and that was all. Dumbledore probably had Lily tell him the change in plans because he couldn't say no to her. Sometimes he found himself very annoyed with the Head Master and how he manipulated Severus. But it also gave him time with Lily and that absolved the Head Master of his emotional treachery. Well, mostly.

"How are classes going for you, Sev?"

"Fine. We almost had a first year blow us all up last week but other than that it's been blessedly uneventful."

"'Blessedly uneventful.' I didn't expect to hear that coming from you. You always had a thirst for adventure and pushing the limits."

He sighed into his scarf. "I've had enough adventure for the time being. I didn't think it would be possible but I'm actually enjoying being here, teaching the kids and being around you again." He looked over at her to see if he had spoken out of turn but she looked relaxed and not at all offended. It had started to snow again and the large fluffy flakes that landed in her long hair stood out in contrast against the dark red locks. Her face a healthy pink tinge to it from the cold and it was the first time he could remember not seeing dark rings under her green eyes. "I could get used to this."

She looked up at him, instantly flushing red and looking away. "Sev-"

"I was just saying that this was the first time I felt content and I like it." He tore his eyes away from her and changed the topic. "What are you going to do when school lets out?"

"I don't know. I want to go back to work for the Order but it's very difficult with a young child. I guess it's just a wait and see kind of issue. What about you?"

He shrugged. "I guess I'm doing whatever Dumbledore tells me to do."

"You have a mind of your own, Sev. What do you want?"

Something I can't have, was the first thought that flashed across his mind but he pressed his lips together to make sure it didn't slip out. It really was simple what he wanted: a home and family. He wanted to stand on Platform 9 ¾ waving to his son or daughter as they made their way to Hogwarts. He wanted to be everything to his child that he lacked growing up. And if he couldn't have children of his own, at least he had Lily's to dote on whenever he could without stepping on Sirius' toes. Lily was still looking at him expectantly and he shook his head. "I don't know what I want."

"Well," she rubbed the side of his arm, "a lot of people don't know what they want until they have it. Maybe teaching really is what makes you happy."

He nodded absently and suddenly felt all the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He grabbed a hold of Lily's arm and stopped her.

"What, what's the matter, Sev?"

He pulled out his wand. "Something's wrong."

She drew her wand too. No sooner had she done so then the screaming started. A large, green Dark Mark burst into the sky. Because the buildings were so close together it was hard to tell which building it was over.

"We have to get the students out of here!" Lily shouted over the screaming.

Severus sent out a patronus to return to the castle and get some reinforcements down here. He didn't even think about it until he caught Lily's eyes that were wide in shock and glassy from tears. He looked back at his patronus just as the silvery doe bounded out of sight.

"Sev…"

"The students," he reminded. "We need to get the students back to the castle." He could hear Bellatrix's cackle above the din and soon enough the masked Death Eaters made their appearance on the main street of Hogsmeade.

Well, I did it! I made it to 50,000 words! Actually, the final count for National Novel Writing Month is 50,178 words! jumps up and down Have no fear though, I will be continueing this story to it's end. Thanks so much for all your encouragement this month and for all those times your comments have inspired me and pushed me onward! A big thank you to you all!