Chapter Eleven
"The Three Broomsticks?" Lily peered up at Severus, her eyes dancing with confusion.
Lily and Severus stood side by side, the autumn breeze whistling around them, the scent of candied corn and sweets drifting to their senses.
Hogsmeade.
There was something sacred about Hogsmeade in the Fall. Witches and wizards bustled about with their cheeks flushed from evening enjoyment. It felt like traveling back in time. A time where the war didn't exist.
"We're owed a night of revelry," Severus brushed his finger along the underside of her chin. "Would you agree?"
Lily could admit she'd lost sight of any sense of normalcy. The pressure of the war had been crushing down on them day after day after day. Who was she outside of a war strategy meeting? Lily wasn't sure she remembered.
"I'm not going to argue with that logic."
Severus continued to hold her gaze, his eyes darkening. "Good."
Severus had insisted that Lily be disguised. Being caught in public together was the last thing either of them needed. Tonight, Lily was a death eater. She'd deal with her own moral backlash later.
The dark robes of the faux attire felt surprisingly comfortable as she strode into the entrance of the pub.
"Evenin' to ya, Severus!" Madam Rosmerta yelled through the crowd, her hands readying to prepare a drink. "What'll it be?"
Severus' hand moved to the small of Lily's back. The possessiveness of the act sparking a heat inside her chest. "It's the lady's choice tonight, Rosmerta."
Rosmerta raised her eyebrows at that, "Never seen you in here with a lady, Severus. The war softening you up?"
Severus laughed, "Something like that."
Lily felt suddenly insecure, realization washing over her. They were waiting for her to respond.
"Oh, erm… I'll have some mulled mead, please." Lily's voice was shaky and foreign. She didn't know how she was supposed to act.
Severus' hand began doing slow circles over the robes of her back, the sensation easing some of her discomfort. She was tempted to lean into that touch.
"Ah, good choice 'eh." Rosmerta nodded her head, a warm smile spreading over her youthful features.
"I don't get it." Lily whispered to Severus. "It's like they've got no clue we're in the midst of a war."
Severus smirked, his hand suddenly holding its movement. "When tomorrow isn't promised… we can only hope to enjoy today."
Lily peered up at him with slight disbelief. "That's surprisingly optimistic coming from you."
Severus let his features lighten from their usual cadence. "Perhaps you underestimate me."
That was rich.
Finding their seats at a booth in the corner of the pub, Lily slid in across from Severus. She wasn't in the mood for small talk. She was curious.
"Are you worried about going beyond the veil?" She dared to ask, taking a sip of her mead.
"I've been subjected to worse things," Severus spoke, bringing the glass to his lips, "I am, however, worried about… other things."
"Oh?"
Severus' gaze lifted above her head as he caught the eye of someone from across the room. The air between them suddenly taut.
"What is it?" Lily looked around anxiously.
Severus sneered, taking another sip of his drink. "Our room is ready."
Severus placed the dregs of his mead on the table, running his tongue along the outside of his lips.
"Our what?"
Severus slid out of the safety of the booth, the full length of his sculpted body holding Lily in darkness.
"Don't look so delighted, Lily. I might get the wrong idea."
Lily flushed at the accusation. What was he on about? She was just starting to get comfortable!
"Come," Severus reached his hand out to hers, "We're meeting an old friend."
Lily placed her hand in his as she followed him up the creaky flight of stairs, the lively sounds of the pub dissolving in the distance.
So much for revelry.
Room 33
Following in behind Severus, Lily's gaze swept across the room. Her eyes catching on the image of a man seated by the fire.
His face sallow and worn, his robes loose and tattered.
Regulus.
Lily couldn't remember the last time she'd seen the younger brother of her friend. Sirius rarely spoke of him, and when he did… the strained lines of his face told Lily enough.
The subject was painful for him.
"Regulus," Severus spoke, breaking the tension.
"Severus." Regulus' voice was deeper than she remembered.
"You remember Lily," Severus gestured towards her, joining Regulus by the fire.
"Ah, the light pining for a taste of the darkness, eh?" Regulus snickered.
Lily stuck her tongue out at him, the gesture oddly familiar. She'd almost forgotten she'd spent her youth toying with the man.
"Careful," Regulus chuckled. "I mean no harm."
Lily wasn't sure how to respond, being in his presence already felt something like betrayal.
"I must admit, I wasn't expecting Severus to have… a guest." Regulus looked at him with pointed eyes. "Are you sure you want her privy to this?"
Severus nodded firmly.
Lily followed Severus' lead and found a seat by the fire, her interest and gaze upon Regulus.
"Good… because we're going to need all the help we can get."
Regulus reached for the bottle of whiskey he'd set on the table, pouring himself a reasonable amount of liquid. "Care for a drink? You might need it."
"Out with it, Regulus."
"Alright, alright. Forgive me for trying to diffuse the tension." Regulus took a sip from his glass. "I confirmed our suspicion to be true, Severus."
Lily watched as Severus' gaze went frozen. His hands clenching.
"There are multiple horcruxes." Regulus finished his thought.
Lily's stomach dropped as her senses went dull with confusion.
Regulus lifted his finger as he finished off the rest of his drink, "The good news is… I'm almost certain Ive confirmed the location of one and plan to retrieve it."
The smile on Regulus' face was unsettling. His youth still fueling a sense of invincibility.
Lily watched as Regulus and Severus began speaking over tightened words. The chill of her thoughts began to consume her entirely. She hadn't realized the room had gone silent until she peered up and found them staring at her.
"So, do you?" Regulus pushed.
"Do I what?" Lily questioned, having no idea what they were asking.
"Know what The Order plans to do within the ministry?"
Oh, that.
"We're going to stage a coup. Voldemort's hiding something within those wards, prisoners and who else knows what."
"Who knew The Order knew how to have so much fun." Regulus toyed, the effects of the whiskey starting to deepen the candor of his demeanor.
Lily appreciated his ability to make light of her impending doom.
"We just need to confirm the potion will work against the blood wards.' Lily added.
"You're going to need an inside man to help, and if Severus is occupied with Voldemort beyond the veil…" Regulus reached for the bottle of whiskey, pouring himself another drink.
"You're going need my help."
Lily turned her gaze to Severus, whose affirming nod helped relieve her apprehension.
"Alright," Lily agreed, nodding her head in slow acknowledgement.
"Severus will alert me once the potion is procured. In the meantime, I'll gather all the information I can about what we're going to be dealing with. We already know it won't be pretty."
Lily huffed a laugh, reaching for the bottle to pour her own glass.
Regulus was right. She was going to need it.