Chapter 5

What Some Would Call Betrayal

Severus was getting used to his "married life" it had been three and a half weeks since his wife's initiation. The girl had stuck to herself mainly, which somewhat unsettled him, but then did leave him feeling less obligated to speak with her. He had no idea what to say to her whenever it was that he did see her.

They had moved her stuff in the day after as he had promised, and he was pleased she was not a traditional witch who was against muggle clothing. In fact, now that they had gone back to their original schedule, he was up at five and she was already gone, then she'd return about five forty-five from a run. She'd waltzed into the kitchen in these impossibly defining shorts that only made her short frame seem much taller, Severus had even caught himself gawking at her once while she was trying to reach a plate from the cabinets.

He had taken notice of her time reading, and what of she had been reading. There were many of his books dog-eared on potions he recognized and some he had not had the courage to try yet. There were also spell books she'd marked, and they were not the sort for the light hearted in the least. His curiosity overwhelmed him and had started to long for an explanation as to why she was reading such things.

Lily had received his letter that he returned to once he had gotten the girl situated. To his shock and delight, she had written back. It had been long, full of words of sorrow and regrets that Severus had turn down the path he had and that she could not stop him. Then to Severus' dismay, she began to speak of Potter and how she loved him. His lips formed a sneer as she listed events that occurred between them. Nevertheless, the end of the letter brought good news. She wanted to meet him in Diagonal Alley.

Severus didn't care if it was a trap. He just had to see Lily, before it was too late. Today was the day she had asked him to meet her at the coffee shop between Olivander's Wand Shop and the Apothecary. His nerves were on end and he seemed giddy with excitement.

He searched the house for the girl. She was so quiet he never knew where to start looking. When he found her she was in the living room asleep with a book on her stomach. He nodded in approval, this meant that he would not have to explain to her his whereabouts and his reasons of going. He began to utter silent incantations to prevent her from apparating out of the house, just to be safe. With his cloak on his shoulders, he closed his eyes and felt the instant sickening feeling overpower him.

Everything focused as Severus opened his eyes at the entrance to the alleyway. He didn't hesitate to start walking right away. He was not overly concerned with being spotted, not many people came out in the open anymore. The Dark Lord's power was not something one could simply pretend was not there. He would be feared before caught.

Olivander's came into view as he marched thought the street. His heart sped up with each step he took. He sped up to a jog and there she was facing away from him. Her long red hair blowing ever so slightly in the breeze. Lily.

Words would not come; he tried to go to her, but his feet seemed to me charmed to the ground. It was just like his dream, and a sudden rush of fear enveloped him. No. Please no. But then he furrowed his eyebrows and decided he would simply not let this be a dream. He gathered himself and rounded the table so that he stood in front of her.

She jumped and looked up at him in fright at first, but then she smiled. Quickly she got up and hugged him, which caught him off guard. But then her sweet scent and happy mood sunk in and he returned the favor by wrapping his arms around her. Oh Lily.

He felt her pull away and hesitantly let her go. His eyes met her green emeralds and for a moment he thought he was looking into the eyes of the girl, who at this very moment, was sleeping peacefully on his couch. He shook his head and sat down.

His eyes caught her bright smile, "Oh Severus, it's been so long," she sighed, "what we fought over seemed so silly now. I am sorry for waiting until now to tell you all of this."

Severus melted, he was, yet again, lost for words. A twitch in his stomach told him to say something. Anything.

"I'm truly glad you responded to my letter," he paused trying to determine if he should test the waters,"I was afraid your betrothed would get his hands on it."

Lily's smile faltered and he began to regret his words. She looked down and back up,"No, Winston is pretty sure of who I am."

She was joking around and it made Severus' heart leap with joy. He grinned at her widely, "So, Severus, have you found love yet?"

Yes, you. But he didn't repeat this out loud. He only chuckled and shook his head. She obviously found this game delightful, "No girlfriend, or anything of the sort?"

The girl came to his mind. The girl in his home reading one of his books in front of the fire, just enjoying the words on the page, "Absolutely not."

"You haven't changed at all Severus Snape," she laughed as she leaned back and took a sip of her coffee. The air was a bit chilly. Lily had on a cloak, gloves, and a scarf. Severus was used to this weather however, being a Death Eater means you don't get a choice between sleeping in a tent or sleeping against a tree in the snow.

His smile faded, "Lily, really Potter?"

Her grin faded as well, "Yes, Sev, I do love him, you know." Severus knew she could see the still disapproving look on his face, "he's grown up so much, Sev. You would barely even recognize him."

Inside he was fuming, I could recognize that greasy git from anywhere. "I find that rather hard to believe," he darkly chuckled. Lily looked disapprovingly at him, as she used to when they were younger, making him feel worse for his choice in words.

"I know how you feel about him," she started, "and he's sorry for what he has done," she stopped as Severus scoffed. He knew Potter had no remorse for his or his disciples handy work. The man simply wanted to sleep with the woman sitting in front of him. She once again glared at him, but more intensely. Severus motioned for her to continue, "He is sorry and I am to. We just want to have things at a truce."

Severus was quick witted and began to analyze her words. Legilimency would be futile; he himself had taught her the power of shielding her mind. He was positive she -and her lover- only wanted protection. This infuriated Severus to no end; he was not about to be used. However, externally he kept his charm and calm demeanor on,"Would you like to go for a walk?"

She nodded eagerly as her smile returned and she instantly stood up cheerfully from her seat. He offered her his arm and she gladly took it. They began to stroll down the streets in a comfortable silence. Severus pretended that he and Lily were engaged. That they were lovers walking down the ally together. Potter was dead, and the girl ceased to exist.

He closed his eyes in pleasurable contentment. He wished not to go home or to have to listen to his master for just a while. Just long enough to be with Lily. Oh how I love you Lily. I can treat you better than any man, especially that Potter.

The pair made it out into the edge of the wizarding square, where it met a forest. Severus stopped and Lily pulled out of his grasp to stretch. He watched her intently and memorized everything about her body. Finally, after a few moments, it was too much. He quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled him to her. She let out a quick cry from surprise, and didn't have time to protest he forced his lips on her. His entire body flooded with heat, and he savored this moment. Lily seemed to have relaxed into him and kissed him back. His mind raced in confusion and longing. Her mouth opened and he took her invitation. He wanted more. He had to have more. This might be his only chance.

Suddenly, she jerked back. She held her hand to her mouth,"I-" she started, obviously confused as well by what happened, "I am so sorry."

Severus' heart fell, he reached out to her, "I'm not. God I'm not," he sighed trying to get closer to her.

She scrambled backwards, and it felt as if she had stabbed him in the stomach, "No. No! Severus I'm engaged!" she harshly whispered.

He almost retorted with, And I'm married, but he caught himself, "Lily, please."

"No," she shivered from the fear and tears she was about to shed. Severus was furious. Didn't she know she was breaking his heart?

"I have to go," she whispered and brushed passed him. He couldn't call out to her. His face contorted in anger and slammed his fist into a tree.

Lily.

Severus apparated back to his house. He looked around at the rest of the street and didn't see a soul. It was somewhat dark and gloomy. Just like my life. The slam of the door seemed to shake the whole house and as soon as he was inside Grimm appeared in front of him.

"Is there anything you need?" he asked bowing low to the ground. Severus thought for a moment. I need the girl out of here! He growled inwardly, but then decided it was more trouble than it was worth.

He took a calming breath, "No Grimm, thank you, you may go." The elf disapperated leaving Severus alone with himself. He stormed up the stairs and into his office.

Everything was in order, nice and tidy. He grabbed a glass vase and slammed it against the wall with a loud frustrated scream. There were quills and in on the desk and he wiped them off into a shattered mess on the floor. Next, he went to the books. He began ripping the precious dark arts books to the ground. His breathing was labored out of frustration he began to scream out curses.

"Reducto!" he shouted at a chair and it blasted against the wall, he repeated this several times. His hair whipped around his face. Severus felt as if his soul was on fire, he was screaming between curses, jinxes and spells. He ripped his office into pieces and then ripped those pieces into pieces. The echo of his cries of agony came back to his ears, but alas he didn't care -or possibly forgot- about the other individuals living inside that might just be able to hear him.

Severus was so lost in his pain and his thoughts about the beautiful red head; he didn't notice the other standing in the door way. He fell into a still standing chair and placed his head into his hands. Never did he lose control over his emotions, unless it was about Lily. Never did he forget about the consequences of his actions, unless it was about Lily. Never did he express such anger in a violent rage, unless it was about Lily. I wish I could just hate her, he inwardly sighed.

"Severus?" a distant voice called at not a volume above a whisper, yet it was enough to send his body into a defensive mode and before he could comprehend what he was doing, he spun around and watched as purple sparks emitted from his elegant wand and slashed through the girl, who now resided on the floor.

His eyes widened at once, then he scrambled to her. She seemed to be fine, to anyone who passed by, but Severus knew far to well the spell he used. But to his dismay, he had never been taught the counter curse. Shit. He looked around trying to figure out what to do. The girl was bleeding to death internally.

Severus got to his feet and lifted her gently. He had to figure out the counter curse, already the girl's skin was paler. Mika was dusting the mantel as he reached the bottom stair. Her big eyes whitened, but before she could speak Severus cut her off, "Just take care of her until I get back. Turn the fire up," he ordered as he set her in his chair. His heart was racing and he was sure this much excitement in one day would kill him - or at least give him a heart attack.

The house elf already lit the fire in the den, so he raced back to his destroyed office. He suddenly felt moronic, breaking all these things did not make him feel better because all of it could be fix with the snap of a finger or a flick of a wrist, but he couldn't worry about it now. His fingers grasped some of the gray dust and he stepped into the fireplace.

"Malfoy manor," he commanded and felt himself sucked up.

He landed inside the meeting hall of Lucias' house. There was no one in the room, making Severus' impatient, "Lucias!"

Severus walked towards the hallway when he saw a familiar blond, "Narcissa, where is Lucias?"

The young woman looked up in thought, and bit her lip, "I think he's in the parlor."

He nodded in thanks and she smiled, continuing on her way. There were many more house elves in the Malfoy manor. They were like ants; everywhere. However, they seemed to cower at his presence. At any regular moment, he would have smirk, been flattered even. It might have been the Slytherin in him, or it was just him, but he liked inflicting fear in people.

Lucias, was indeed, sitting in the parlor. The Daily Prophet was propped up in his tanned fingers, "I need you assistance."

The man in front of his began to fold the paper and revealed a smirk,"I cannot say I am surprised."

Severus held in a scowl or a witty remark, he kept his tone serious, "This is not a time for your ego, Lucias. I need that blasted counter curse to Dolohov's curse he made up last summer."

Lucias' face fell, he quickly stood and roughly grabbed Severus' arm and pulled him to the fireplace, he began to step in, but Severus stopped him,"What are you doing?" he questioned rather impatiently, "you can't just explain it to me?"

"No, because the nitwit wasn't smart enough to create a successful cure. It is extremely tricky to produce. I have been working on it for a while, and even I haven't worked out all the kinks. You are brilliant Severus, but if this is as urgent as it sounds you might as well just let me."

Severus let out a frustrated sigh and motioned for Lucias to continue. The man disappeared and he followed. Once again, he was in his living room. She was lying in his recliner, which he supposed the elf had actually reclined back. He expected a snide remark from the fellow Death Eater, but Lucias went right to work. The man pulled out his wand and began to run it over the girl while repeating the same incantation. After a few minutes, the blood began to run into her skin giving her a flushed look. Severus let out a breath in relief and ran his fingers through his hair.

Lucias finished and gave Severus a nod and a look of understanding. Once again, Severus was thankful for the man's lack of cheek. He didn't even turn to watch him leave. Severus conjured up a chair and sat down. The girl stirred, but did not wake up. He did not know what to say to her, again, but right now he was just thankful. That was too close of a call.