58

The Charms Mistress

Regulus and Cindy were married in a small intimate ceremony with just family and a few friends in attendance. Regulus had decided not to wait until their original date, but have the wedding as quickly as possible. He feared that he might be unmasked as a spy or killed on one of the Death Eater raids by an Auror, and he didn't wish to go to his grave without making Cindy his wife. So they exchanged vows in the wizarding fashion, with Severus as Reg's best man and Cindy chose Lily, in her alter ego as Zoey. Sirius was there, along with Annie, and Walburga said not a word about either of her son's ladies, even though neither were Old Families. Annie Lyons was a half-blood and the Graves family had barely any ancestors who were descended from Merlin, they had some halfbloods and purebloods and one or two had married a Muggleborn were counted blood traitors because of it. It was clear she was making an effort to set aside her old ways and be more openminded. Orion was delighted to welcome a daughter into his family, and all of Cindy's large family doted on Reg.

Cindy's siblings were all younger than her, the oldest, Michael, was just school age and had been Sorted into Ravenclaw, the other three, Sara, Naomi, and John, were ages eight, seven, and six. All of them adored Reg as their new elder brother, and Regulus found it very satisfying for once to get to be the older, wiser, and more knowledgeable one. But even so, a part of him felt like a fraud, every time he looked at the Mark on the underside of his arm, which he was careful to conceal with long sleeves and sometimes a special tube of body paint, he felt worthless and tainted, unfit to be in the company of ordinary wizards. Severus, who had also suffered such feelings, told him that soon he would grow used to the Mark, which served one purpose, to make Voldemort think he was loyal to the regime.

"Just remember, someday we'll teach that arrogant bastard who's the better wizard," Severus reminded him. "He might even die of shock, thinking we were his loyal followers all along."

"Pity," Regulus had said in an emotionless tone. He couldn't wait for the day he could reveal to the stinking pile of offal he was force to kneel to that he was no dark wizard, that the great and powerful Lord Voldemort had been duped by a wizard fresh out of the schoolroom. He wished Lily's vision would happen soon, he wanted so badly to strike a blow for the side of right.

But so far he had been unable to figure out what Voldemort was up to with the ring and the locket. Had he made them into Horcruxes yet? Or was he still in the experimental stage? It really was a pity he couldn't read minds, like Muggles thought.

Still he would keep his ears and eyes out and hope that the egotistical sorcerer revealed something unintentionally. Lily's visions had never been wrong.

Then Cindy touched his arm lightly, a gentle caress, and suddenly he was back, at his wedding, in his bride's arms, dancing and swaying to a slow haunting refrain. He smiled down at his beautiful wife, and quickly pushed aside every thought about his mission as a spy. This was his wedding, and by Merlin he was going to enjoy it.

He bent and kissed Cindy, a slow lingering kiss, murmuring, "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"

"You just did," she whispered, her breath light as a fairy's kiss, tickling his cheek. "But I never get tired of hearing it, starboy."

He grinned, his handsome features glowing like the star for which he'd been named. "I love you, I love you," he chanted in her ear, twirling her around in sheer unbridled delight. This was going to be the best night of his life.

A hand tapped him lightly on the shoulder, and he half-turned. "What?" he snapped, a little annoyed at being interrupted. "Oh, it's you, Sev."

His best man was holding his wife in his arms, Glamoured to her alter ego of Zoey Nightdusk-Snape. The couple was smirking knowingly at their friends. "We just wanted to say congratulations again," Severus said sincerely. "The best of luck and everything to you both."

"And may you be blessed with many children," added Zoey wickedly.

"But not just yet," Cindy laughed. "I want to enjoy my husband some first. Then we can have a whole Quidditch team of brats."

"Well, I can see you're going to have an interesting marriage, Reg," teased Severus.

"I like interesting," his friend replied, laughing. Then he whirled away, Cindy matching him step for step.

"I've never seen him look so happy," Lily murmured, following them briefly with her gaze.

"Neither have I. But he deserves it."

"Yes. All of us deserve to be happy." Lily said quietly. Then she looked over to where Petunia was sitting with James. "Look at Tuney. She seems so . . . radiant now that she's having a baby. Motherhood looks like it really agrees with her." There was a wistful note in Lily's voice and longing in her emerald eyes.

Severus cupped her chin tenderly in his hand. "Someday that'll be us."

"Do you think so? It's been nearly a year and I haven't . . ."

"You've been under tremendous stress, beloved. Once you start to relax, I'm sure you'll be able to conceive." Severus soothed.

"You're right. I'm being a worrywart. Until then, I have Arthur to practice on." Then she giggled softly. "Oh, I'm so glad he isn't around to hear me say that. He'd be so mortified."

"Yes, but he'd get over it. I think he wants a mother figure to look up to again."

"True, and a father too," Lily reminded him.

Severus looked a bit uncomfortable, but then he said, "I shall try my best."

When the song ended, they retreated to the dais where the bridal party had been seated. There they sipped champagne and nibbled upon the small appetizers being served,, while watching the other guests enjoying the party.

Sirius escorted Annie out onto the floor, much to Snape's shock, and danced with her. "Well, well. Maybe Black's finally grown up after all. Annie's not his usual type."

"No? How would you know what his usual type was?"

"Please. He used to have girls drooling and falling at his feet, and he preferred blonds with curves and giggles. Annie's the total opposite, she's not giggly, not stunningly beautiful and she has more brains between her ears than ten professors. For once Black shows good judgment."

"Maybe Reg's influence rubbed off on him," his wife suggested, and they both laughed quietly.

James soon joined his friend, dancing easily with Petunia, who looked lovely in a flowing sunflower colored gown. She was not showing yet, but there was something different about her, she did indeed seem radiant, in the bloom of health. Severus could only hope that Lily would be the same when she conceived.

The reception wound down around one in the morning, though Severus and Zoey lingered until the last well-wisher had bid the happy couple farewell before making their own departure. They arrived home to find a sleepy Arthur sitting on the couch, gazing into the fire.

"Did you have a good time?" he asked, yawning.

Severus frowned at the still-awake youngster. "You should be asleep. Why aren't you?"

The boy glanced away.

Zoey gave his hand a squeeze, their code for calm down and let me handle this. "Another nightmare, Arthur?"

Arthur gave a reluctant nod and kept his face turned away. "I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep."

"Let me get the Dreamless Sleep," Severus said, going to his apothecary cabinet, where he kept all his household potions. The cabinet was kept locked, and he had the only key about his neck.

Zoey talked softly to the boy, telling him about the wedding, while Severus measured out a dose and then came to his ward with a cup. "Come on, Art. I don't want you to fall asleep here and have to carry you to bed." He used the boy's familiar nickname, which Arthur had told them his dad used to call him.

Arthur rose and followed his guardian down to his room, drinking the Dreamless Sleep and then curling up on his side. In moments, he was snoring, leaving Severus free to seek his own bed.

He curled up beside Lily, who asked sleepily, "Is Art okay now?"

"Yes. But tomorrow I'm going to schedule an appointment with a Mind Healer. I can't keep on giving him Dreamless Sleep, it can be addictive if used too much."

"That's a good idea." Lily said. Then she wound her arms about his neck and murmured, "Now, why don't we see if we can beat Cindy and Reg to the finish line and have a baby before they do?"

Severus chuckled, sending shivers of delight down her spine. "Why not, indeed?" Then he began to kiss her and caress her until she was on fire with need, and so was he.

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Hearts and Flowers Suite

Honeymoon Bed & Breakfast

York:

Regulus sneezed as a rose petal tickled his nose. He opened his eyes and found himself lying on the bedroom floor, on the thick plush carpet, wearing nothing save a satin sheet wrapped about his ankles. He slowly sat up, finding a long-stemmed pink rose lying on the floor next to his head. Huh. Must have been some night. "Cin?" he called softly, not wishing to wake her.

He felt a warm glow spread through him, as if he had been indulging in too much firewhiskey, though he knew for a fact he hadn't touched a drop. No, this was the afterglow of a session of delightfully uninhibited and wild lovemaking. He stood up, only then realizing his wife was not next to him. Nor was she in their bed, which was rumpled and bore the imprint of her head on the pillow.

He cocked his head, hearing the sounds of water running softly. Must be in the shower or the hot tub, he mused lazily. Should I? He padded over to the partially closed bathroom door. Oh, what the hell. It's not like we didn't see every inch of each other last night.

Smiling, he pushed open the door and found Cindy relaxing in the hot tub, which was scented with a sweet aroma of rose petals and chocolate-cherry bubble bath. Regulus crossed to the huge sunken tub and peered down at his wife. "Good morning."

Cindy opened her eyes. "Hey. Finally decided to get up?"

"Mmm . . . I won't ask how I ended up on the floor."

Cindy snorted. "Good. Because you ought to remember that. Unless you hit your head when you rolled over and fell off the bed."

"Is that what happened? I thought it might have had something to do with the wild sex we had last night."

"It did," she giggled.

He leaned over and kissed her.

She wrinkled her nose. "Reg, you need a bath."

"Thought you'd never ask." He said wickedly, and climbed into the tub with her.

"Reg! What are you doing?" she yelped.

"Having a bath and seducing my wife," he answered.

"Surely not . . ."

"Surely, yes . . ." he swam over to her. "Now, where was I . . .?"

Very soon there was splashing and giggling could be heard through the door, as Regulus showed his bride just how much fun a bath for two could be. I have to remember to thank Siri for this idea, he thought as his lips found Cindy's once more. And thank Sev and Lily for recommending this little hideaway.

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Snapes' cottage

Hogsmeade

A week later:

Lily was in her workroom, which had once been a spare closet, before she and Severus had enlarged it via a Space Warp Charm and made it into a warded workroom where she could practice her charm skills. Lily had long ago gone beyond the standard charms Professor Flitwick taught his ordinary students, and had also studied the Advanced Charm Work books he had lent her over the summer during sixth year. She had passed her NEWTS with flying colors, but she was still not satisfied.

She could not consider herself a fully fledged Charms Mistress unless she could craft new spells on her own, seven of them. Or at least that was her goal. So far she had managed to create four new spells, two easy ones that even a young second year could cast and two difficult ones which might be considered OWL level. The first one was a simple Tidy-Me-Up charm, it could be used to clean oneself up after using the Floo, or a strenuous bout of exercise, and was a quick fix for those times when you just happened to get sauce on your new robe and didn't have time to change.

The Society of Charm Makers had loved the spell, and Flitwick had proudly declared that she had been the best charms student he had ever had since Tom Riddle.

Lily's second spell had been one called Quick Fire, and it enabled a student or adult to start a fire either in a fireplace, brazier, or anywhere without fuel. It would save time having to get wood if one was out of it, or if one was in the wilderness and not wishing to move to gather it. It could also set fire to people's robes and cloaks if cast near or upon them.

Her other charms were directly related to her duties as a secret agent. The third charm was called Cat's Paws, and enabled the caster to move as quickly, silently, and agilely as a cat for two hours. It transformed one's hands and feet into paws similar to a cat's, and with it one could climb a wall or a tree and stay hidden or observing for hours.

The fourth charm was an enhancement charm, it sharpened all of her senses, giving her keenness of hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch for half a day. She called a Keen Senses Charm.

Now she was hard at work trying to invent a charm that would protect against liquid fire. She had been having the same dream for a week, about the lake of fire and herself and Regulus in a boat, being capsized by shambling vicious things called Inferi. The lake was like molten lava, but the Inferi loved fire and could not burn, as they were undead.

Lily thought the dream was yet another warning, and sensed that soon she might be called to fulfill it. So she decided to prepare by creating a charm to repel any sort of fire, whether liquid or normal.

So far she had managed to make the charm repel normal fire, using a combination of heavy moisture-laden air that created a kind of second skin over the witch or wizard, but she didn't think it would be enough to repel the molten lava of the lake, or protect the person's lungs if they happened to breathe in some of the superheated air.

So she was down in her workroom all afternoon and into the evening on Saturday, experimenting with various phrases and fine tuning her magic. She could see what she wished to do with her magic, but making her magic do what she had envisioned was harder than it looked. Charms were fifty percent will and fifty percent spellcraft with words and wand movements. Will she had, it was the exact phrasing and wand movements she had to get perfect.

"Water and earth repel fire," she muttered. That was an immutable fact, but she still felt she was missing something.

Then she recalled learning about fire retardant fabrics in primary school. The fabrics were woven of a special fabric with a high content of silicon dioxide that could resist flame and high temperatures. She tapped her chin thoughtfully. Perhaps all she needed to do was to invent a charm that would prevent hot air from charring their lungs and use a Strengthening Property charm upon flame retardant fabric to make a robe and trousers that would protect one against the fiery lake.

Yes, that might work well, and she wouldn't have to re-invent the wheel, so to speak.

Now all she had to do was worry about the Inferi, for she had seen them in her dreams as well, rising out of the lake, grasping at Regulus and herself with their crooked sharp black claws, their faces a hideous mask of white bone and rotting flesh, black with slime and stinking of the grave.

But try as she could, she couldn't figure out what sort of charm would repel the disgusting undead creatures. A simple Shield Charm might keep them at bay for a time, but Lily wanted something to last and keep them far from her. Perhaps a potion? She would have to speak with Severus about creating something that might deter undead. She was skilled in potions, but he was the master.

Just then a chime rang upstairs five times, and Lily realized she had been down here nearly eight hours. Severus and Arthur would be home soon from therapy and expect dinner. Blast! She had forgotten all about it. She quickly unlocked the workroom door and stepped out, sealing it again with her special locking charm. Then she ran upstairs and threw together a salad and some fried chicken nuggets, plus some dinner rolls.

Once the dinner was ready, she set the table with a careless wave of her wand then rushed into her room to change out of her work robes and into something more comfortable. As she was pulling on a new shirt, she heard the Floo flare and the sound of Severus and Arthur entering the living area.

"Arthur, this is just a setback, it was bound to happen," she could hear Severus telling the boy. "You've only been at therapy a week, you need to—"

"—find someone else who knows what they're doing!" the boy snapped.

"Evan Mercutio is a very competent Mind Healer—"

"Oh, yeah? Then why can't he just erase the bloody nightmares from my mind?"

"Arthur, the human mind's not like a chalk board, you can't just treat a person like that. Your memories are delicate, and Healer Mercutio's job is difficult. You don't need to get rid of the memories, so much as learn how to deal with them."

"People are Obliviated every day by the Ministry and they're okay," objected the boy stubbornly.

"Are they? How do we know what harm a Memory Charm actually does to someone?" demanded Severus. "Has any wizard ever monitored a Muggle to see if there are side effects? I personally think Memory Charms aren't as benevolent as the Ministry believes, which is why I will never use one unless absolutely necessary."

"But it is necessary!" argued Arthur.

"No. Arthur, I know this is difficult for you—"

"No, you don't! You've never had a Healer poke around in your head and ask how the memories make you feel. How the bloody hell do you think they make me feel?"

"Lower your voice, boy!" Severus growled. "There's no need to shout at me, I'm not the enemy here. These sessions are for your own good."

"Right!"

Lily winced as she heard a door slam somewhere close by. She finished dressing and went out to greet her husband.

Severus was standing in the middle of the kitchen, muttering something under his breath.

"Hello, handsome. What happened?" Lily asked, hugging Severus from behind.

He turned and caught her in his arms. "Arthur had a rather bad session today with the Mind Healer. Evan warned me that something like this might occur, because the nightmares are so prevalent and the tragedy is so fresh in his mind. He said it might take several months for him to work through all the feelings and triggers in Arthur's mind. But Arthur didn't want to believe that. He assumed that after three sessions, when all went well, that he was cured. Today, however, Mercutio took him back to the very first nightmare and had him dream it over and Arthur reacted as badly as he ever did the first time he dreamed it . . .It shocked him and now he insists that the only cure is a Memory Charm, which I and Mercutio disagree with. That's what we were arguing about when we came home. I tried to explain why, but the stubborn little brat won't hear a word I say."

Lily sighed. "Oh, Sev. That poor kid. He's got so much on his shoulders with the nightmares and his classes and trying to adjust to his new family and home . . .no wonder he's frustrated and lashing out at you. Why don't you sit down and have a glass of butterbeer and let me try and talk to him. He's in his room?" Lily departed after conjuring her Glamour.

"Yes. Good luck." Severus said shortly. He could understand where Lily was coming from, but he had never dealt well with snippy attitudes from students, much less his own ward. Maybe Lily would have better luck than he did.

Arthur was sprawled on his bed, in a major blue funk. He was angry at the Mind Healer for putting him through bloody hell that afternoon, and angry as well at Severus, who always seemed to agree with the bloody bugger and never seemed to try and see Arthur's side of anything. Bloody adults! They didn't understand anything! When had either of them lost their whole family in one night?

Fuming, he tossed his potions book across the room. It thumped against the wall. Arthur felt marginally better and considered throwing the rest of his textbooks against the wall as well. But just then the door opened and Zoey entered.

"Arthur? Sev told me about your therapy session today," she began, giving him a sympathetic smile.

But Arthur was in no mood for sympathy. "Yeah. It sucked. That what you want to hear?" he demanded belligerently.

"No, but you have to expect that things won't always go well. You've been badly hurt and it'll take time to heal."

He glared at her, his hands clenching on the duvet on his bed. "That's what you all say. It'll take time. Why? What's wrong with just using a Memory Charm to get rid of the nightmares? Make me forget, I don't care, I just want them to stop."

"Oh, Art. I wish it were that simple. But taking away your nightmares would also mean taking away your memories of your family. Everything's interconnected." Lily walked into the room.

"You adults always sing the same tune!" Arthur growled. "Give it time, you need to face your emotions, blah blah. It's all nothing but crap! You're just afraid to try what I said because I might be right after all and you'd look like bloody fools—!"

"Arthur that's not so—" Lily went to put a hand on his shoulder, she could see the anguish warring with the anger in his eyes and it tore at her.

"You don't know what the hell you're talking about, Zoey! And stop trying to act like my mum! Because you'll never replace her!"

Before Lily could say anything, Severus' voice interrupted them. "How dare you speak to my wife that way, boy?" he hissed, his eyes blazing. "After all she's done for you, you dare talk to her like that? You'll apologize or so help me—"

Lily moved then, placing herself between the boy and her husband. "Severus! Go and calm down now. I can handle this."

"Not till he apologizes. He had no right to speak to you that way and I won't tolerate that attitude from anyone—" Severus was so furious sparks were practically shooting from his eyes.

"Enough, Sev!" Lily snapped, matching him glare for glare. "I said I can handle it. This is between me and Arthur. Go. Before you do something we'll all regret. Go, Severus. Now."

Only then did Severus realize just how close he had come to losing every scrap of control and slapping the younger wizard across the face or worse. He took two deep breaths, harnessing his terrible temper, which always flared red hot when anyone insulted his beloved Lily. Then he turned and walked out of the room, adding over his shoulder, "We'll discuss this later."

Arthur had backed up against the wall when Severus had appeared, his eyes wide and fearful. Severus had looked as if he wanted to beat the boy senseless. As soon as he had spoken those hurtful words to Zoey, he had wanted to take them back. Zoey and Severus had been nothing but kind to him ever since the tragedy and he was ashamed of his temper, even if what he had said was true. He looked at Zoey, who didn't seem half as angry as her husband.

"I . . . I didn't mean it, Zoey. I just got mad . . ." He hung his head.

"I know," she answered, coming to sit beside him. "It's hard, isn't it? Trying to forget and yet remember? I know I can never really replace your mother, or your sisters, but I do want you to know that if you need me, I'm here. You're not alone."

The boy was silent, staring down at his hands. "I'm sorry. I just get so . . .mad sometimes . . . because I want . . . I miss them so much, and I know that I'll never see them again, no matter how much I wish for it. I didn't mean to yell at you or Severus . . ." He shivered recalling Snape's black gaze.

Zoey put an arm about him gently. "Don't be afraid of Sev, kid. His bark's way worse than his bite, trust me."

"He looked like he wanted to . . . whale me into next week."

"Well, you see, he's very protective of me, always has been. Even when I don't need him to be. He would have never truly hurt you."

"Am I in trouble now? Is he gonna like spank me?"

"I doubt it. Severus doesn't . . . he doesn't hit little kids, not even when they deserve it. Besides, you were rude to me, and I'm the one who will decide your punishment." Zoey said firmly.

Arthur canted his head. "Are you going to spank me?"

"No. Not this time, because it's not really me you're angry at. Or Sev. It's yourself. You think you ought to be healed and you're angry that it's taking longer than you figured. Isn't that right?"

Slowly, he nodded. "I guess. I'm a screwed up mess. Maybe you'd be better off without me."

"Never!" Zoey told him. "You might have problems, but that doesn't mean we're going to give up on you and show you the door. You're our family now, Art, and family sticks together. Through good times and bad. Understand?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Zoey." He sniffled suddenly, and then dashed a sleeve across his face. "What about the professor?"

Zoey shot him an amused glance. "Go and apologize for your smart mouth and he'll forgive you."

"He will?"

"Oh, yes. He knows better than anyone what it's like to be a smart ass teenager."

"He does? You mean he was like me?"

She chuckled. "Once upon a time, Severus Snape had one of the most sarcastic tongues on the face of the earth. Still does, as a matter of fact, but he's learned to control it since then."

"Oh." Arthur tried to picture his professor the way Zoey had said and found it nearly impossible. But maybe she was right, she had known him when they were in school . . . "Zoey? Why can't you just . . .memory wipe someone?"

"Because your nightmares are directly linked to your memories of your family. Your mum, dad, and little sisters. Think of your memories of them like a web, every one triggered and connected to each other. If we did what you wanted, and wiped out the nightmares, it might take the other memories too and then you would have holes in your memory, and that in turn could affect your whole mind, because if you can't remember the past, where you came from, you might start to forget who you really are. It's dangerous, Arthur, tampering with another's mind. The Ministry tries to shrug it off, but they're wrong. They use Memory Charms for isolated incidents, like when a Muggle sees magic being performed, but even so there's a risk. Trust me, I'm a Charms Mistress, and there's few charms as dangerous as a Memory Charm. Improperly cast, you can make a person a vegetable or yourself."

"Really? You're not just saying that?"

"No. On my wand, I so swear," she replied solemnly. "Accidents have happened before. They just cover them up. What happened to your family was terrible, but sometimes bad things happen to you and you have to learn how to accept them and go on. That's life. You take the good with the bad. It's not easy, but then what in life ever is, Mr. Stephens?" She ruffled his hair. "Just remember, Sev didn't arrange this therapy to make you suffer, it's to help you. Sometimes you have to hurt in order to heal. He cares about you a lot, kid."

"Even when he wants to beat me?"

"Even then. Perhaps especially then. If he didn't, he wouldn't allow you to get under his skin that way. Come on, let's go and eat. You can apologize to Sev and then do your homework and go to bed."

Arthur obeyed, following the witch out the door and into the kitchen.

They found Severus nursing a cold glass of butterbeer, since he refused to keep any alcohol in his house, and picking at the salad. He looked up when Lily and Arthur came in. "Well, young man?" he demanded, scowling.

Arthur flinched. "I'm sorry, sir. I shouldn't have answered back like that. Or talked to Zoey that way. I didn't really mean it, I just lost it."

"Try not to do it again, am I clear?"

"Yes, sir. Or else my arse will regret it."

"It will," Severus confirmed, then added, " but not like you're thinking."

"Sir? I don't understand."

"Nor will you, unless you pull an attitude like that again with me. Or Zoey. We might not be your parents, but we deserve some respect." Severus sighed. "Next time you're tempted to lose it, might I suggest you walk away and count to ten."

"Is that what you did?"

"Yes. It works, most times. You're forgiven, now sit down and eat before it goes cold."

"Okay, Severus," his ward said, giving him a cautious smile.

Severus's scowl softened into something like a smile, and he dished up a large portion of salad onto Arthur's plate. "Eat your vegetables, Mr. Stephens."

Arthur flipped him a mock salute. "Yes, sir, Auror Snape, sir."

"Brat!" Severus growled. He gave the boy a light tap on the back of the head.

Lily looked across at Arthur and mouthed, There, you see? She then changed the subject, asking Severus if he had ever heard of a potion to repel the corpse dead, which was another name for the Inferi, who loved to devour human flesh and magical power.

"Not that I know of, why?"

"Because I've heard rumors that You-Know-Who might be gathering an army of them," Lily answered softly, squeezing his hand under the table, their old signal for "let's discuss this more in private."

Arthur gaped at her. "An army of the dead?"

"That's the rumor. It might not be true," Lily said. "But just in case, it's better to be prepared. How about it, Potions Master? Think you and I can brew a potion to send those animated hunks of flesh back to their graves?"

Severus smiled wolfishly. "It'll take a bit of doing, but together we can do just about anything."

Arthur looked from one to the other. Sometimes the two were so close that he thought they could read each other's minds. Right now they were looking into each other's eyes and the connection between them was so strong it was almost tangible. His parents had loved each other, but neither of them had been bound so tightly. He had no doubt that together the two could do just about anything, they complimented each other so well.

He cleared his throat and the two blinked and turned to him.

"What is it, Arthur?" Severus queried.

"Nothing. It's just . . . do you think I could help a little? I know I'm just a beginner, but I want to do something to . . . to bring him down. Even if it's only a little thing."

Severus nodded. "All right. I can understand that. But you need to promise that you will follow my instructions exactly once we begin. No ifs, ands, or buts. Understand?"

"Yes, Professor. I promise."

"Good. Now finish your supper and then do your homework."

"When will you start the potion?"

"When I think some more on it. I will let you know." Severus answered. He needed to research the Inferi first. He would take a look in the Hogwarts library tomorrow.

After dinner, Lily drew him aside, into their bedroom, making sure she cast a Muffliato Charm before speaking. Arthur was doing his homework, but she knew how curious little boys were. "I didn't want to mention this in front of Arthur, but Severus, I've been having visions again."

"Of what, little oracle?"

Lily told him. "That's why I asked about the potion. I've been inventing some new charms, because all my instincts are telling me I'm going to need them."

Severus swore softly. "You're certain?"

She nodded. "You know what it means when I dream three times."

He nodded tightly. "Three times true," he quoted the old Seer maxim. "How long?"

"I don't know."

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Then we had best get started on the potion as soon as possible. I'll see what I can find out tomorrow in the library after my morning classes. I wish you were well out of this bloody fight, Lily."

"I wish the same for you, Sev. Every day. But since that's not possible . . . watch your back."

"Always." He kissed her passionately. When he drew away, he said, "Thank you for making me leave before I exploded before. Merlin only knows what I would have done if you hadn't interfered. I hadn't realized just how close to the edge I was."

"That's what I'm here for, Sev. To keep you from making an ass of yourself. And to love you forever."

"Don't ever stop." He whispered huskily, nibbling on her ear.

She felt fire lick through her. He knew just how to arouse her. "Never fear, Sev. You are my heart. And that shall never change."

She tugged him down on the bed and he surrendered to the passion she summoned in him. It was what he loved best about her, that she accepted him for all he was, flaws and all. As he did for her. He kissed her hungrily. "As you are mine, Lily. Now, let us forget about the bloody war for tonight. Tonight is for us."

She had no objection to that, for this was the one thing the Dark Lord couldn't take from them.

Hi y'all! I'm back, I got caught up in trying to finish my Christmas fic, Season of Warmth, plus a gift for a friend of mine, a story called Harry Potter and the Unspeakable, which I've just begun posting here. Thanks for being so patient, I've also had a lot of things going on in RL which has cut down on my time to write. But now I'm back and shall continue to update this story and my others every few days.

Hope you liked this chapter, Lily will feature more in these next chapters as the fight with Voldy intensifies.

A few reviewers have asked me why Arthur was added to this story, and no it has nothing to do with him being a replacement for Harry, he has his own part to play in this tale, and it has nothing to do with being a Harry clone. Harry's not even born yet! He's very much his own person and part of the reason he exists is to show how war affects everyone-adults AND children-in the most terrible intimate fashion. You'll understand more as the story progresses. But Arthur is necessary to my plot line, so don't even think about telling me to get rid of him.

Next: Voldemort reveals another part of his diabolical plan to rule the wizarding world, a thing which will throw Lily and Sev's life into fresh turmoil.