"Here, here everyone! We must begin, ah, Sirius. Could you bring the parchment of today's meeting topics here? Thank you." Dumbledore smiled brightly, eyes twinkling and cheeks rosy and bright. He nodded and gazed over his half-moon spectacles at the two dozen or so others in the room. "Are we ready to begin?"
"I am afraid not, sir." James Potter spoke up with annoyance. "Lily is running a bit late."
"Oh well no matter." Dumbledore's eyes seemed to pop with excitement at this and Minerva glared at him. She knew what was going on here and her thoughts were about to be confirmed as the front door to the Longbottom's home opened and voices, as well as shuffling, could be heard from the foyer.
Every pair of eyes in the room turned to see who it was as Lily entered the room, a tall wizard standing beside her. A few murmurs and a couple of unstifled gasps emitted from the crowd as they recognized Severus Snape.
"Ah, Severus. Lovely to have you join us. Please, sit." Dumbledore gestured from his spot at the head of the table for Severus to sit perpendicular to him just two chairs down on the old wizard's left side.
Severus nodded politely and led himself to the place he'd been offered. Lily was at his heels, ready to sit by James opposite. She did not look at him directly, for she knew her husband-to-be was shooting menacing glares in her direction.
There was silence for a moment before Minerva spoke up. "Albus, perhaps you would care to explain." She gestured to Severus Snape who was seated calmly, but rather uncomfortably next to her. His nervousness was not obvious and many wondered if this was a prank or an Order member messing around.
"Now?" Dumbledore raised his eyebrows innocently.
"I think that would be wise, yes." Minerva's urgent and annoyed expression penetrating his bemusement.
Dumbledore stood up and looked out at the crowd. "Everyone, I would like to get down to our first order of business which is to recognize our newest member, Professor Severus Snape. I suppose it is no secret by now that he has been working at Hogwarts School for some time. Almost a year in fact and has asked me if it would be possible to turn spy for us, as he would like to aid us in the downfall of Lord Voldemort. For those of you who are not aware." Which the wise old man knew was nobody in the room, "Severus Snape is indeed a Death Eater."
More murmurs emitted from the crowd. "But he has something to offer." Dumbledore continued and a hushed silence wafted over the persons in the room. "He will be able to give us information from the inside to us and aid us in knowing when there will be attacks, what the rumors are and if they are true, and what Voldemort's next move is."
Silence. Sirius Black spoke first, "And if he acts as spy for the Death Eaters?"
"What makes you think he would do that?" Lily spoke up instantly, flashing a glance from Severus to Sirius.
Sirius snickered. "Wait. You mean, you actually trust him?" James laughed too.
"Part of Dumbledore's intention of hiring Professor Snape as Potion's Master for Hogwarts School was to see if he could be trustworthy, yes? In addition, he has helped us in the past, whether he meant to or not," It was obvious Remus was referring to circumstances outside the Order. "And he is Lily's friend." Remus nodded towards his close companion and James' grin turned into a frown as he watched his best friend support a potential traitor.
"Remus, are you mad?" Sirius asked in horror. "You think a Death Eater, especially one willingly offering himself to us can be trusted?"
"Could you please refrain from speaking about me as if I am not present in the room?" Severus sneered. "I can hear every word, you know."
James glared balefully at Severus. "I wasn't trying to put you out, if that's what you mean."
"Quite not," Severus raised an eyebrow. "Clearly, you're putting me on." James looked confused but Severus let his eyes roam to meet those of every person gathered in chairs around the table. "You are all feeling uncomfortable by my presence. Fearing that I will betray you or lead you on to think that I am a friend when in actuality I am your enemy. But I am not. My loyalties to the Dark Lord are false and I have never taken pride in the fact that I was a member. But if you decide not to take my word for it, ask your fiancée, Potter." Severus derided.
James looked as if he would blow his top, but Lily spoke up. "I can vouch for Severus, James. I promise you, he is worthy and he can help us. I know it may take some time, but I urge all of you to begin accepting him. We should be happy he wants to be one of us rather than turn him away. How are we supposed to gain followers and supporters if we are selective and prejudiced? Certainly, there is a reason to be afraid of betrayal, but we need to have faith. We need to trust him. Can we do that? For the sake of our world? He is a blessing, not a curse." Lily looked to Severus, a bright smile playing over her face and Severus found one tugging at the corner of his lips.
Molly Weasley spoke up first, "I agree with Lily." She smiled fondly at the girl and Remus nodded. "I as well."
"Shall we put it to a vote?" Dumbledore asked brightly and since no objection was made he began. "All those in favor of not permitting Severus Snape into the Order?" James, Peter Pettigrew, and Sirius as well as two others raised their hands.
"Those in favor of admitting him, welcomingly, into the Order?" All other hands were raised. Severus kept in mind that nobody actually did this because they liked him, it was because of Lily that the proposal was made at all, but the fact that so many had agreed to his staying at least made him feel needed.
"Marvelous!" Dumbledore exclaimed and instantly began speaking about various Order matters.
When the meeting had concluded, Minerva took Lily aside. "Could you come with me, dear? Only for a moment of your time."
"Certainly, Professor." Lily agreed and left the lounge where Mrs. Longbottom was serving dainty cakes and tea to the guests that decided to remain for a small social gathering after the meeting. Severus had nodded to Lily a curt goodbye and retired immediately after its conclusion and Lily noticed James was turning red with fury. Really, these childish antics had to stop. No matter now, he was busying himself in the lounge with his mates enjoying cakes and tea and Lily had a chance to speak with Alice Longbottom about her upcoming birth. "We hope it's a boy." She remarked gleefully. "But I just found out yesterday. Oh this is so exciting!" She exclaimed.
Minerva took Lily upstairs into one of the vacated rooms. Perhaps it was not her place but she needed to speak with Lily privately. She shut the door behind them then turned to Lily, a look of confusion on the young woman's pretty face. "Minerva, is everything alright?"
The older witch's expression was a worried one and she walked over to Lily, taking her hands and sitting her down on the bed. "Are you alright, dear?"
"Yes, of course. I'm fine." Lily laughed a little, but still looked utterly perplexed.
"Is James alright?"
"Yes, I mean, a bit stressed. I think he may know something that I do not-"
Minerva stopped her and squeezed her friend's hands gently. "I must confess something to you dear. I think Severus is a fine man, I would never have thought him to be a Death Eater were he not…" She trailed off and Lily felt a sick feeling build in her stomach. Minerva sighed. "I trust your judgment and I am very sure he means well by joining the Order, but darling, do not make the mistakes I did when I was a girl."
Lily felt the suck feeling build, was it hot in the room or was it just her? "What do you mean, Minerva?"
"I feel just awful. I wasn't spying, I just- dear, are… are you feeling alright?" Minerva watched as Lily made an expression conveying discomfort or perhaps pain. She watched as the girl took a couple deep breaths and started to say something but instead vomited up onto the floor of the bedroom. "Oh! Oh dear oh Merlin! Minerva took the girl around the arms and hurried her quickly into the adjoining lavatory. "Ugh! I'm so sorry. I didn't what was happening!" Lily flushed with embarrassment and Minerva shook her head. "Just clean yourself up, dear. I'll be right back. "Minerva scurried out of the lavatory to the room, waved her wand and cleaned up Lily's mess then ran back to the bathroom where the red-headed witch was running water, rinsing her mouth.
"Do you feel ill still?" Minerva asked, eyes tinged with concern. "Perhaps James should take you home."
"Yes," Lily nodded and smiled. I am a little tired. I think I just need some rest. Minerva nodded and began walking away but Lily beckoned her back. "I was too buys being sick to hear you the first time, was there something you needed to tell me?"
Minerva looked at the young woman, a horrifying thought coming to her mind. She shook her head slightly, trying to clear it. "No, I… Nothing." She wasn't about to bring up what she saw. Not now.
…
"How are you feeling?" James asked as they walked into the house. As soon as he had heard Lily was ill, they had left immediately, unfortunately the rain had started and was now pouring heavily outside as he led her through the house to the bedroom. "I am fine, James. No need to be so dramatic." She kissed him gently on the cheek and went to the bed. "I am just a bit tired is all."
"Perhaps I should call for a doctor?" He offered, worried.
"No, I will be up in time to make dinner. Just let me rest for now, okay? I am sure that is what I really need. Could just be something I ate." She shrugged and James relented, leaving her alone in the room to sleep.
He went into the adjoining room and flipped through a book then started leafing through the Daily Prophet.
After an hour, Lily was up and went into the kitchen as though nothing had gone wrong. They had a simple, but quaint meal and were off to bed a few hours later. It wasn't until that night, after she and James pleasured each other- or rather when she pleasured him- that he fell into a deep sleep, snoring lightly when Lily began thinking about what had happened that day. She was more than thrilled that Severus had been admitted into the Order and hoped greatly that it was to be a sort of fulfillment to him. He could put his intelligence and other assets into helping the side of good rather than straying to the side of evil.
She had made her point. They needed to welcome him and accept him, even though there were suspicions and fears. How are you supposed to support the side of light when it is pushing you away? She sighed and fell asleep to the thought of seeing him again.