Ah-hah! I have a few surprises waiting right ahead. Hehehe...:D
Chapter Seven –
The rat scurried forward through the dank, damp forest floor in the darkness of the night. The screech of an owl made it duck for cover. But soon the owl found another prey, and the rat was forgotten.
With the threat now gone, the rat continued forward till it reached a large manor. The rat looked all around with its beady eyes, as if inspecting its surroundings and then all of a sudden… started morphing.
Soon a short, squat man stood in the place of the rat. With trembling footsteps he went inside the manor.
The arrival of a house-elf made the cowardly man squeak, a distinctly rat-like sound. The house-elf asked him to follow and led him to the Throne Room. Once inside, the man nervously surveyed the cold, dark room; shivering when his eyes lighted upon an even colder and darker man sitting on a huge throne. Gulping, he knelt before the most terrifying wizard he had ever met and his heart started hammering inside his rib cage.
A sliver of uncertainty and doubt tried to take root inside him. What if this doesn't work? What if he gets hurt?
But the man squashed it quite ruthlessly. This had to work. This was the only way left by which his love would finally be his.
Soon James, soon you will be mine.
xXxXxXxXx
Severus Snape sat staring at the fireplace in his study lost in his thoughts, as he absently stroked a small, soft baby blanket. He was broken out of his musings when the fireplace burst into green flames, marking the arrival of one Lucius Malfoy. A picture of effortless grace and elegance, he would have struck awe and trepidation into any heart… if not for the adorable baby who had one of Lucius' fingers in his mouth and was busy chewing and suckling on it, while drooling over it to his heart's content.
Spying his godfather, Draco squealed and extended his arms towards Severus in a clear demand.
Unconcerned with the damage currently occurring to his threatening persona, Lucius strode in and said in his smooth, cultured tones, "Greetings, Severus. May I join you? Excuse my heir, as his current bad manners are due to his teething."
Severus coughed, hiding his amusement, and gestured at the armchair opposite him. Lucius passed the little drool machine over to him and straight away broached the topic of his concern, "Are the Potters safe?"
Severus snorted. He knew that Lucius, in his own way, respected Potter and that it was reciprocated. Once, he had accused Potter of being a plain bully and Lucius had objected. According to him, bullies were cowards who picked on people weaker than them just to look tough. And James Potter had never been a coward.
"You are prejudiced my friend. The only one he tormented was you, and you were more than a match for him."
Shaking his head, Severus replied, "Yes, as safe as they can be. After all, it's impossible to circumvent the Fidelius charm."
Lucius frowned, "Unless one already knows where to find the Secret Keeper."
This made Severus smirk, "Whoever the Secret Keeper is, I assure you it's not one of Potter's friends."
Lucius raised his brow, "And you know that because…"
Severus simply gestured at the blanket in front of him, one which seemed to fascinate Draco. "Potter paid a little visit a few days ago with Harry. After telling him to go into hiding, I managed to convince him about not using his friends for the job of Secret Keeper. So, whoever he or she is, it is not those animals."
After a thoughtful pause, he added, "No one was supposed to know about Harry, Lucius. No one, apart from a select few. But still, the Dark Lord found out. The question is… how? Someone's the traitor and as much as I detest Potter, I know the little brat has him wrapped around his fingers."
"Severus, the Potter I knew would never have agreed to this."
Severus nodded, "I know. I too was… surprised, to say the least." Shocked. Amazed. Confused.
Flashback –
James smiled derisively and said, "Surprised you again, didn't I? Well, I know it might come as a complete shock to you, but I am not an idiot. I know someone leaked the prophecy to Voldemort. I know the same person must have informed him about Harry's birth. And there are not many who can do that."
James sighed and continued, "As much as I don't want to believe that my brothers are capable of betraying me to that monster, I cannot… will not… risk Harry."
Clearing his throat, Severus spoke after a few moments. "That was… surprisingly mature. You have not been imperioed, have you Potter?" Severus asked dryly.
James laughed, "Snivellus, did you just crack a joke? Aww… my charm has finally felled you too. Admit it, you like me."
Severus snorted, rolling his eyes, "You wish Potter. Now, get out."
James chuckled but then turned serious once again. "I'm leaving. But Snape, Lily wants to talk to you... the sooner the better."
Watching Severus stiffen he added, "Snape, you have to realize that no one holds you responsible for what had happened that day, much less Lily. You only did what you had to. You saved her."
Picking Harry up, James left with one last warning, "Talk to her soon. Or she'll come after you. You know how stubborn she can be."
xXxXxXxXx
A beautiful woman with long, fiery red hair arrived at the Prince Manor. A house-elf soon appeared and she requested a meeting with its master. The house-elf vanished after asking her to wait. In the interim, she stared at the newly commissioned portrait of the latest Lord Prince with a fond smile.
After a while the house-elf returned and asked her to follow. She was led to a study and ushered in.
"Lily…," she heard Severus gasp out her name. He was seated in an armchair, holding a lovely baby boy in his arms, with Lucius Malfoy seated opposite him. Both men immediately jumped to their feet and bowed.
"Lady Potter, you look charming… as always. Also, I hear congratulations are in order. Welcome to the joys of motherhood," Lucius drawled.
She smiled, "Thank you, Lord Malfoy. You too are as gracious as always. I trust Lady Malfoy is well?"
"Yes she is, thank you. Allow me to introduce you to my heir and son… Draconis Malfoy," Lucius gestured towards Draco who was now chewing on the soft blanket and regarding her curiously.
Lily turned towards Severus, who looked as if he had seen ghost (it was difficult for her to get rid of muggle sayings), and huffed a little. She calmly went to him and plucked the child from his lap, blanket and all.
Cradling Draco, she began cooing at him, "Aww… such a beautiful, strong boy you are." Draco giggled and continued with his chewing.
Lily frowned, "Oh, you are teething, are you? Poor baby… here, let me get something for you…"
Taking her wand out, she transfigured a glass lying nearby into a teething ring, and gave it to Draco. Draco took it and started chomping on it happily.
xXxXxXxXx
Lucius was impressed. "A most useful contraption. Thank you, Lady Potter." She smiled at him.
"Now Severus, if you will be kind enough to excuse us, we'll take your leave. Narcissa must be waiting for Draco and I."
Securing Draco, Lucius pulled the blanket out of his hands. Instantly, Draco let out a screech of anger, and the blanket came flying back to him.
Lucius winced.
xXxXxXxXx
Little Draco glared at his father. How dare he take his blanket away from him? Scowling, he looked at the blanket in his arms and hugged it to himself. The soft, sweet scent wafting out of the blanket soothed him.
Feeling a hand upon his cheek, he looked up to see the nice lady smiling at him. Then she leaned closer to him, and gently whispered something into his ears.
Though actually what it was, he would come to realize much, much later…
"I know, Draco. I saw you both together, laughing. It was so beautiful that my heart ached. So don't worry, you'll meet with him soon. Take care of my baby, little Dragon. I warn you though… he'll be quite a handful."
xXxXxXxXx
Severus watched Lucius leave with Draco and the blanket (well, Potter was not the only one wrapped around some devious little fingers). He felt his heart beating faster, apprehension replacing shock. Taking a deep breath, he looked at the woman he had always loved, the woman whose trust he had betrayed, the mother of his child... Lily.
Their eyes locked and held. A dreaded silence filled the room. It seemed as if none of them was ready to break it.
Finally, Severus broke the silence in a ragged whisper, "Why are you here Lily? It is too risky for you to be out alone."
Lily smiled, her eyes shining with some unknown emotion.
"I had a dream, Severus…"
… to be continued.
Well, well, well... it seems Lily has a little secret of her own. Hmmm... I wonder what it is? What do you all think? Please review...:)