Chapter 13

A/N This chapter would not have actually been written this week if it hadn't been for Bailey. Thank you!

Bienvenue a Bikini Bottom: We don't want to go and give away spoilers but we can say that you shouldn't really be worried.

Amar 2: Your review made us smile. We would love to take James, but we don't know if everyone else would kill us or not :P. No, but we can't tell you anything yet. You will just have to read on and see for yourself.

corpsmanup88: You stumped us with your question. We actually have no idea how many chapters we are aiming for. We have the general story planned out so I guess as long as it takes for everything to happen. Don't worry though, that won't be for awhile.

Christine Dalen: Thanks bro. And you're lucky we actually got this chapter posted with Mason and all. You have no idea *sobs pathetically*.

corpsmanup88: Thanks for the follow/favorite!

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Catlady1960: Thanks for the follow/favorite!

We dedicate this chapter to Mason Alexander. Even though we got no sleep, we still loved you anyways.

Severus never really realized how unattached he was to the few possessions in his house until he was packing up to leave his home. His teaching job at Hogwarts was to start the following day and Severus was quickly finishing packing up his few belongings he wished to take with him. He had told the Dark Lord of his new position a few days previous and so far his position in the middle of a war was going smoothly, he was not suspected for anything at all.

He had announced his accomplishment of receiving a job at the meeting where he had been congratulated by the Dark Lord and all the Death Eaters that were present. He was still very uneasy about the situation though, and was quite glad to have an excuse to not show up to meetings for a few months, not that any Death Eaters could know this though.

Severus was driving himself mad not trying to think about anything he wanted to think about because he shouldn't know the things he did, and no one could know what he knew. It was all very confusing and tiring and it would be a nice break to not have to watch himself so carefully.

He was also finding it increasingly difficult to maintain a straight, or even happy, face upon hearing about the deaths of members of the Order of the Phoenix. Just last meeting there was congratulations for several Death Eaters on their killing of Fabian and Gideon Prewett who were, from what Severus had heard, both excellent people and fighters. But he cheered with the rest and acted as if nothing had changed inside of him.

Even though everything had.

Severus was never quite sure really why he joined the Death Eaters in the first place. If he had to hazard a guess, however, he would say it would be for the feeling of family and control over the people who cruel to him. These were childish thoughts however, for he received neither of these benefits. The Dark Lord was the only one with power and control and being a Death Eater gave him no sense of family. In fact, it took away the one person who he considered family. Of course, it seemed as though things were beginning to become patched up between them...

Severus was pulled out of his revere by a tapping sound at his window. He quickly turned around to receive the owl and the letter tied around its leg. Already suspecting who it was from, Severus smiled as he took the letter off the birds leg and went to his table to sit down and read it.

Lately, he and Lily had become pen pals of sorts. She was unable to leave her house because of the Fidelius Charm that had been placed on her house and Severus could not visit her for the same reason. Also, he was not entirely sure that Lily had told James of the recently rekindled friendship between them and it would be odd if he began to visit her. Plus, it would be very dangerous for everyone.

They were talking again though, and that was all that really mattered to Severus. She had even sent the first letter of her own accord, to the great surprise of him considering the last conversation they had was, in Severus' opinion, a bit awkward. Perhaps she had become lonely or bored with no visitors or maybe she just really missed their past friendship, but whatever the reason, Severus was fine with it.

It had been about two weeks ago when the owl had first tapped on his window. Confused, we quickly went to the kitchen and took the own inside. He suspected it would be Dumbledore who sent the letter, he was the only one Severus ever wrote too, but the had been having their once a week meetings on top of the hilltop by Hogsmeade so he expected what ever the letter was about, it would be urgent.

It wasn't Dumbledore's hand writing that was on the letter, though it did look very familiar to Severus, but he had no idea why. He sat down at his table, opened the letter, and immediately looked at the signature at the bottom. Lily.

He had to reread that one name about seven times before it actually sunk in. It was Lily, and she wanted to talk to him, she sent him a letter without any incentive to do so. She really wanted to talk to him. He sat there happily for a little while before he realized he should probably read the letter.

Severus,

I can't risk leaving my house to visit you again because it seems like things are getting very dangerous - well, more dangerous than they were before. I just thought that I owed you an apology. I shouldn't have yelled at you for telling Dumbledore about what you heard after you told me, you were only trying to do the right thing and use the knowledge you had to try and protect me and my family when it seemed like I wouldn't.

I would have told Dumbledore, believe me I would have. I would have protected my family. But I wasn't sure if I could trust you and I was scared, I didn't know what to believe because it just came out of no where. So, what I'm trying to say is, I'm sorry.

I also want to say thank you though, because it must have taken a lot of courage and bravery to tell me and Dumbledore what was going on because of everything that has been happening. You are not a coward.

I will understand if you are still a bit mad at me for what I said to you but I just wanted to take the time to right some of my wrongs (partially because I have so much free time now that I'm not allowed to leave the house). I hope you are doing well.

Lily

Severus had read the letter three times to make sure he understood what she was saying. She was saying that she was sorry when he should have been the one to. He barely hesitated before he grabbed a piece of parchment, some ink, and a quill.

Lily,

You needn't say that you are sorry when I should be the one saying so. It was a very out of the blue thing to say and I apologize for that and I apologize for going behind you back to Dumbledore but I really did have your best interests at heart and I wasn't sure if you had taken me seriously.

I also apologize for saying that I only wanted to save you, it was out of order and I am sincerely sorry for that. I guess we both have some wrongs to right. I am doing well and I hope that you and your family are as well.

Severus

From then on, Severus and Lily slowly ventured back into the realm of being friends again through their frequent letters. Severus opened today's letter and read through it.

Severus,

I hope you are well and excited for you new job tomorrow. Things are going fine here, thanks you for asking. I just put Harry down for his nap so I have some free time to write, you would be surprised how time consuming such a little person can be! I have to watch him every waking moment to make sure he doesn't get into to much trouble because he is getting pretty good at walking and is exploring everything.

I don't have much more information from Dumbledore than you do but I have recently found out that Gideon and Fabian Prewett have been killed. Thinking about it still brings tears to my eyes, they were both such good people. I sent a letter of condolence to their sister, Molly Weasley, but I don't think it will help with anything. I'm feeling so helpless lately. James is worse though, he likes to be in the action so he is becoming a bit depressed not being able to do anything I think. It will all be worth it when its over I think though.

On a happier note, Dumbledore has assured me that we have someone who is a very big help on our side. I hope that means that all of this is almost over. Make sure you tell me how your new job is going when you get the chance, I'm sure you will be very busy soon.

Lily

Severus smiled at her kind letter and put it with the rest of her letters, all of which he kept in a box. He placed the box by the things he would be bringing to Hogwarts and then, after glancing at the clock, began to get ready for bed. He fed the owl who delivered the letter a treat and sent it on its way back home.

If Severus had been paying closer attention though, he would have noticed that the bird's feathers were a bit ruffled, as if someone had forcefully grabbed the bird mid-flight.