2000
Another uncomfortable meeting had proven fruitful. Though Shaylah still had to compress the fury she carried with her toward Voldemort and his inner circle. She had attended multiple meetings since the first and Voldemort himself had given her orders to continue Severus' work on tracking the Order while Severus was sent on a new set of orders.
Severus didn't always tell her what it was he was sent to do, not for privacy but because he was sure Shaylah didn't want to know. She no longer pried but waited for him to divulge the information he deemed relevant. He still met with Voldemort outside of the meetings she was expected to attend.
Vex had already moved the Headquarters when it was raided, nothing left behind but broken potion bottles and pieces of parchment with no helpful information as to where they had gone. As if they had left in a hurry. Shaylah flinched as Voldemort let out a deep shout when she told him they had been too late, but no one but Severus noticed.
The Headquarters had been moved to a completely Muggle suburb, a neat brick house that looked the same as its neighbors. They could apparate from within its walls, and only Vex and Prix were ever seen leaving. They put on the front of a lovely couple who had just moved in.
When Christmas brought the heavy snow and warm feeling of goodwill towards men, they decorated the outside of the house to bring luck and remind them that there was still hope. Vex even put a tree in the window. The soft glow of the Christmas lights brought a homey feeling to their new Headquarters.
"Seventeen more this month." Vex said as he pushed his glasses up higher on his nose. "That's not bad."
Shaylah nodded. "And none of us have been hurt. We've been very lucky."
Prix entered the room with a tray of tea and three cups floating in front of her. "Brawn is still planning to go after Snape." She said as the tray sat gently on the table in front of them and she picked up a cup, taking a sip.
"He can't think that's a good idea." Said Shaylah. "We can't lose him too."
Vex nodded his head. "I'll talk to him. Besides, we know it was Lucius who killed Cross and not Snape. I don't know why he won't accept that. I know Snape's wretched, but he didn't kill Cross." He stared down at the hot tea steaming in his cup.
Shaylah picked up her own cup and cradled it in her palms. The warmth burnt the tips of her fingers which were frigid, even though the house was quite warm. Vex had figured it out on his own with hints that Shaylah dropped along the way, as she pretended to try to help him piece together what happened to Cross. She couldn't help but feel vindicated when it was Lucius who they sought to destroy and not Severus.
If they only knew how much he had helped them, they would undoubtedly feel different but they would most likely never know. Just like the narrow line that Shaylah now walked, they would never know exactly what laid on the other side.
Five more people had joined them in recent weeks. Another healer by the name of Fritz, who knew Prix from his time at St. Mungos. Two brothers named George and Thomas Grimes and two women in their late thirties. Shaylah had long given up remembering the names of the newcomers. She did her best to remember their faces.
Each of them had proven useful, the brothers were proficient duelers and one of the two women, a small framed woman with long dark hair and striking green eyes was an animagus. When she was in her raven form, she could easily spy on Voldermort's followers. Shaylah made sure that the woman only watched Malfoy Manor when she would not be attending the meeting at hand.
Severus had been invaluable in helping her arrange the pieces that were now so carefully working together. However, if a single cog flinched, the delicate operation could fall apart. "Shay, are you alright?" She heard Vex ask. He had been concerned about her lately and her excuses for not being able to make the raids were becoming harder to find.
"Yes I'm fine, I was just thinking we needed more Blood Replenishing potions."
Prix gave Shaylah a quick glance over her cup, her caramel eyes were the same color as the tea she had served. "I've got it all taken care of. We're fully stocked."
"Are you sure you're alright?" Vex asked again, placing a hand on her arm.
"I think I just need a drink." Prix quirked a brow as she looked from Shaylah's face to the cup in her hand. "Something stronger." Shaylah added.
"I'll come with you." Vex said as he stood.
Her first reaction was to deny him, but she felt her hesitation would only raise suspicion. Prix still sat sipping her tea as they disappeared. They appeared beside the same building she had stood against to compose herself before she faced Severus the first time and the times that followed. This time there was no reason to pull herself together, they were only here for a drink.
Vex pulled her toward the pub, his own need for a drink becoming evident. She chose a booth in the back adjacent to the one she had sat at with Severus. Vex went to the bar and returned with two glasses. He wasted no time emptying his. For the first time in a long time they chatted about something other than work. Vex told her of a tracking charm he was working on and how excited he was to test it. His eyes held the hope she had seen in them almost a year ago when she had first met him. She basked in the mundane conversation with a friend.
After Vex had ordered his fourth drink and Shaylah was about to order her third, a dark figure entered the pub. She watched him cross the room, his eyes never left her. He took a seat at the bar where Vex's back was to him. Shaylah had missed what Vex had said when he asked her what she thought, pulling her eyes from the trance Severus had managed to put her in. She simply shook her head and smiled, returning her attention to her friend.
He never approached them, he simply existed in the same space that she occupied. There was no malice in his presence. Vex to her great surprise had never noticed that he was there. Her eyes would flick to the bar periodically where he sat watching her but she did her best to give Vex her attention. He seemed to be basking in the time they were spending together and the more drinks he managed to make disappear, the more relaxed he became.
"I've always liked you Shaylah." Vex said, his voice beginning to slur and his eyelids growing heavy. He reached over the table and placed his hand on hers. She practically felt Severus stiffen from across the room. She shook her head slightly when their eyes met and he turned away.
"I like you too Vex, you're a wonderful friend." She patted his hand.
"I get the feeling that's all I'll ever be." Vex mumbled as he pushed his glasses up his nose.
"I'm sorry Vex." Shaylah said quietly. "If I'm not mistaken though, Prix fancies you." He perked up a bit at that, a smile sliding back over his face. His hair had become disheveled from running his fingers through it and his eyes had become glazed. "I think it's time for us to go, Vex."
He nodded in agreement but when he stood Shaylah had to catch him. The many drinks he had had did not agree with the change in elevation. Vex's face became pale and Shaylah feared the drinks might come back up, but she was relieved when they didn't. She threw her arm around Vex's waist and he placed his arm around hers. She kept Severus out of Vex's line of sight, not that he would recognize him in this condition. Shaylah carried her friend across the street and watched as Severus followed them out, watching them from the dim lights outside the bar.
After she had tucked Vex into bed and made sure he had a potion ready to cure the hangover waiting by his bed, she made her way to her room. Everything was in disarray as was usual for Shaylah, she was not an organized person. She spent little time in her room, it only housed a bed and a wardrobe, she found minor need for anything else. Sleep called to her but she knew she wouldn't answer. The house had been quiet when she and Vex arrived, so she knew no one would miss her. She scooped up a long thin box beautifully wrapped in green paper and adorned with a silvery bow. She only hoped he would like it.
Severus sat in front of the fire on the small green sofa, a glass of whiskey making circles in his hand. Shaylah took a seat in the wooden chair next to him. He looked deep in thought. "Severus?" He turned to her, his eyes still far away. "Are you alright?" He didn't answer. She placed a hand on the wrist that was turning the glass and it came to an abrupt stop. "I know it's not yet Christmas but I wanted to give this to you." She held out the box, its green wrappings dancing with the reflection of the fire.
He eyed it for a moment and then gently took it from her hands. She couldn't place the expression on his face. She wondered if he was upset about her being at the pub with Vex, but she didn't sense anger at all. Besides, if there was one emotion Severus didn't stifle, it was rage. He gently plucked at the bow and removed it, sliding it delicately over the end of the box. His fingers unfolded the wrapping, taking care not to rip it.
When he opened the box his lips crept into a small smile. Cradled on a bed of smooth green fabric was a crystal stirring stick. He picked it up and held it in his fingers, noticing the intricate etching of his name. "I hope you like it." said Shaylah. "It's enchanted to be unbreakable, it should last a lifetime."
He let out a nervous chuckle. "I love it. Funny, I also got you something that is meant to last a lifetime." He placed the stirring stick back in its bed and placed the box on the table. He began to dig in the folds of his robes and when he handed her the small velvet box, there was a slight tremble in his hands. He watched her intently as she opened the box, her eyes widening as they took in the silver band and the diamond that sat on top of it.
Her hand flew to her mouth. "Severus, I- it's beautiful."
He removed the ring from the box and placed her hand in his, sliding the ring onto her finger. She watched as it began to glow a brilliant shade of green, much like the color of the wrapping he had removed from his present. "I enchanted it to change color with your mood. I thought you might like it." He chuckled and then placed his lips on hers.
