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CHAPTER 108

Within two days of returning to Oxshott, we moved to Godric's Hollow on Albus Dumbledore's orders. We were close to Lily and James but I was not thrilled. After all, what good was moving to a lovely residential area without being able to experience it?

My daughter, she was always disappointed in Godric's Hollow. We would see the children running through the streets, we could hear them play. She always asked me why she couldn't play with them…such a lonely child.

While I was away in Halkirk, Sirius received news that Sarah and Henri were killed in Paris during a massive street fight. I expected to be devastated but after the last five years of death I really couldn't feel anything. The loss of Marlene had done it for me; my eyes were far too dry from all the tears that had been shed.

The house in Godric's Hollow wasn't terrible, but all it reminded me of was death. That's what I felt as soon as I had stepped foot inside. I shiver as I think of it now.

After Sarah's death, my restrictions were tighter than ever before. I over heard Albus telling my husband to keep a closer eye on me, to not let me outdoors at all. I wasn't even allowed by the windows during the day. We had protective enchantments, but something in the tone of Albus' voice told me he wasn't entirely sure that they would work…

I am going to die in this house.

(What a surprise, to see that even the greatest wizard alive occasionally lost his confidence.)

I spent most of my days in Godric's Hollow caring for my daughter, teaching her cello, and alone in the spare room playing myself. It was all I could do, though it killed me every time my bow hit the strings. It was likely that I would never perform again.

In the middle of August, during an abnormally cold and cloudy afternoon, I heard a knock on my window.

Audrey put down her cello; she looked behind her to make sure the door was closed. Sirius would freak out if he saw her going near a window.

She delicately peeled back the corner of a curtain to see a tiny black owl staring at her. He shook his leg excitedly. Audrey slowly and quietly opened the window, letting the little bird in.

He flew around her head hooting excitedly.

"Shh." Audrey looked at the bird. "You must be quiet."

The bird stopped and landed on her shoulder.

"You're a smart one, aren't you?" She cooed, petting his head for a moment. She detached the envelope from his leg and he perched himself on her music stand.

AD,

We need to talk.

Soon.

SS

I hadn't heard from Severus Snape in three and a half years…it was a shock. Part of me was suspicious; though the letter was in Severus' handwriting I couldn't be too careful.

Audrey looked at the owl, which gave a quiet hoot and flew towards the window. She followed.

Outside, was a man in a black cloak. Audrey felt her stomach drop for a moment. He lowered his hood for a moment.

I must admit, I was slightly frightened that Severus had gotten through the enchantments. But I didn't put it past him; he was one of the smartest wizards in our graduating class.

Audrey looked around the area; there was no one else. Severus couldn't have been imperiused, she knew he was too strong for that.

Audrey just gave him a nod of acknowledgement and pointed to his letter. She quickly scribbled back a reply below it.

Oban.

Flannagan's Pub.

Tomorrow, 11pm.

She attached the letter to the tiny owls leg and let him fly out to his owner. Severus read the letter and dissapparated.

"Audrey?"

She jumped, startled.

"Yes, love?" She called.

"Did you hear anything strange before? I thought I just heard someone apparate…"

Audrey poked her head out the door, seeing Sirius down the hallway.

"No, darling. I didn't hear a thing. I was writing some music."

"Oh…okay." Sirius said, he seemed a little suspicious but dismissed it quickly.

I had to wait until I was sure that Sirius was asleep. Fortunately, I wasn't too late…

Audrey crept through the side streets of Oban, and went around the back alley to get to Flannagan's.

Severus waited in the shadows.

They walked towards each other, Severus had his wand raised, Audrey was poised.

"What's one thing that's changed about my appearance over the years?" Audrey asked quietly.

"Your eyes were brown, now they're green." Severus answered without falter.

"How do I know it's really you?" Severus asked.

"Audrey let her eyes flash a few colors and then quickly covered them with her hood.

"It's nice to see you showed up." He said.

Audrey nodded as they went inside.

She looked around the abandoned pub; though this was far from home she just was so uneasy. After hearing that her former best friend had made his way over to the dark side, she didn't know what to believe anymore.

Audrey nodded but did not remove her hood.

Severus held open the door to a side room. "Shall we?"

She nodded once more, and glided into the room. Severus followed her inside; he cast a silencing charm so they weren't heard.

The two removed their hoods and hugged.

Audrey touched his shoulder, and saw the world that Severus lived in.

"Sev…so much danger and fright surrounds you…you should stay away from Rudolphus, he cannot be trusted." Audrey blinked back some tears.

"How do you know that?" Severus was very surprised.

"My visions have been getting more prominent since my daughter was born...I have seen so much Severus…and so little makes sense. I've seen you quite a few times."

"Audrey, there is a secret I bear…but I cannot tell you."

He was a double agent, he was on our side…but I knew why he didn't want to vocalize it.

"That is why so much danger surrounds you." Audrey realized. "Severus, that is wonderful and yet so terrible."

"There was a prophecy…concerning a child…He is targeting Lily and her family…"

"I know, Severus." Audrey replied. "I was informed…Albus has taken all possible measures to hide them."

"And…what about you?"

"What do you mean?"

Severus placed his hands on her shoulders. "Has he hidden you?"

"Of course, he has hidden us… I don't like it though…it's like living in Azkaban."

"Audrey, trust me. It is for your own good. I have seen what they want to do; I have heard what they said…He wants you and your daughter. He's adamant, and he grows more frustrated by the day."

I felt my stomach drop when he said that.

"You must stay indoors, Audrey."

"Severus…I…"

"Promise me!" He hissed, shaking her. "Promise me you will not be seen! PROMISE ME."

"I promise!" Audrey raised her voice. "I promise…"

"Good." Severus said. "I can't stay for long, and neither can you, it's not safe."

"I know, Severus. We should be on our way…"

"You should go first." He said. "I need to stay behind for a little longer, so it doesn't look like anything."

Audrey nodded; she gave him a long hug, and then made her way for the door.

"Severus." Audrey's voice broke as she turned back to him.

He looked up at her.

"I need to ask you something."

"Anything."

"There will come a day, not too long from now, when Albus Dumbledore will ask you to take on a big responsibility that involves me…when that day comes, promise me that you will say yes."

"Audrey, what-" Severus stammered.

"Please, Sev. Promise me you'll do it."

He took off his hood, and looked her straight in the eye.

"On my life, I promise."

Audrey blinked back some tears and dissapparated.