A/N: Those of you who read "It's Not That Simple" may remember that Skyrah almost married an OC called Daniel. He appeared in the previous chapter. It wasn't just a cameo. His character is important in this last stage of the story and so you will see him more often. As he was essential to Skyrah's development, I couldn't ignore him in this fic. I just want to make it clear that no romance will happen between him and Skyrah in this AU. This is a Snyrah story through and through.

Happy reading!

First Wizarding War, Part 2

Narcissa had acted like a constant sisterly figure since she met eleven-year-old Severus: she'd been there to reassure and guide him, to welcome him at Malfoy Manor in summer so that he wouldn't have to stay near Tobias, and to teach him. Should it surprise him that she'd uncovered he was in love with the Riddle girl he'd been so sorry to have upset as a third-year student? Of course not. It did little to dispel his anxiety. This wasn't supposed to happen. If he couldn't deceive Narcissa, how was he to deceive Voldemort? How long until his cover was blown?

"She was your Lunar Ball date," continued Narcissa, unaware of his inner turmoil. "I heard rumors about you kissing her. An act to teach Potter a lesson I was told, or something along those lines, but it was more than that, wasn't it? And now you're occluding, though not as well as I taught you. Why are you doing this? I'm not going to legilimens you. I trust you deeply. I thought the feeling was mutual. You always came to me for advice, remember? Have I done something to you that's changed that?"

"No," he said, his voice soft despite his fear and his eagerness to erase the last few minutes of their conversation. He couldn't stand her offended face. Narcissa was one of the very few people who'd ever been nice to him. "Please don't you ever question my affection and trust in you."

"Please don't push me away," she countered back. "It won't change the fact that I know it's Riddle."

There was no point in denying it anymore. Not with a Slytherin as cunning as Narcissa.

"Nobody can know, not even Lucius," he pleaded, so distressed Narcissa felt a wave of protection for him.

"I promise not to tell a soul." She put a hand on his arm. "Did Riddle befriend you in the end?"

Severus tilted his head, not sure where the question was coming from.

"I talked to her in my last year at Hogwarts. I was afraid you'd be alone. I never quite liked the Potter girl for you, you know that. I thought you and Riddle could be friends. She said she wasn't interested in having friends, but I could tell how sharp she was. She must have realized we don't survive all alone."

Severus stared at her, dwelling on her words. She'd talked to Skyrah for him. Behind his back, for it was the first time he heard about it. It still meant a lot to Severus. He found himself thanking her.

"You're welcome, but you still haven't told me if she befriended you." When he refused to answer, she pressed, "Does she know about your feelings?"

Severus gulped. Narcissa was dogged, that was for certain. How much ought she to know, though? Did it make a difference considering that she was already aware of his feelings for Skyrah?

"You should invite her for tea and a walk in a park, or maybe even brew a potion together. She was the academic type and I'm sure she'll be impressed by your skills and feel very attracted to that mind of yours once she sees you in action," she proposed, assuming Skyrah was oblivious to his heart. "I know you aren't very experienced in the dating world. Worry not. I'll prepare you for your first date so that you don't feel nervous. You've got nothing to lose. You'd make an adorable couple. Lucius believes the same. He told me back when we still were at Hogwarts that you two were good-suited."

Severus groaned and rubbed his temples. How did they end up talking about this, again?

"Severus."

What now? "Yes?" he asked, hoping not to show his annoyance and hint of fear.

"I care about you. Having someone to love and who loves you back is beautiful. I want that for you, and I'm trying to see if you can get it with the young witch you adore. Will you ask her out, please? For your sake."

"Skyrah and I can't be together."

"What stops you? Please, Severus. You're going to help me become a mother. Respecting your wish for nobody to know is the least I can do for you."

The words were out before he knew it, perhaps because a part of him had always wanted the world to know how much he loved Skyrah. He'd dreamed about it back when he would take invisibility potion to follow her into the Prefects' Bathroom, or when he saw other couples openly kissing each other by the Quidditch Pitch while he couldn't even glance at her longingly in the Great Hall, afraid somebody would notice. Now, with Narcissa, he couldn't contain the truth to himself: "Yes, I'm madly in love with Skyrah. Yes, we were together. I also asked her to marry me. The proposal didn't go as planned."

"Riddle said no? Not as sharp as I thought. If I ever cross paths with her again, I'll tell her just that," she muttered under her breath, and Severus nearly smiled.

It felt good to have Narcissa on his side. Oh, it was dangerous. She was a Malfoy, part of the inner circle of the Dark Lord, but she never really discussed that with Severus. It wasn't the first time he wished the Malfoys weren't so involved in the war. Maybe then, he'd feel like he had real friends. He didn't know how much he needed to be held until the moment Narcissa hugged him like a big sister hugs her heartbroken brother. He'd seldom felt so liberated as in that moment when the secret he wished he hadn't ever had to keep was out. Hiding the most beautiful thing in his life had been tough.

"Severus."

"Mmh?"

"I'm sorry I almost kissed you. Assuming you'd want a kiss from me, or even that you fancied me, was wrong. I blame Lucius. His ego is enormous and contagious." Hers too, thought Severus, for she was incapable of admitting to having been in the wrong and blamed her actions on someone else. Yet Severus didn't hold it against hers. Not when she was so good to him.

"I shouldn't have shoved you. You're gorgeous and kind. It's just that–"

"You're besotted with the moron who doesn't see your worth."

"She does see it. She always has. She wants to marry me, but if she did, there'd be horrible consequences. Her family disapproves of me."

And Narcissa finally understood, or so she thought. It was a familiar story amongst pure-bloods that fell for half-bloods or blood traitors. "You hate your filthy father, and you had nothing to do with your mother's decisions. Prince blood runs through your veins. Even the Dark Lord…" Seeing Severus was getting uncomfortable, Narcissa let out a sigh and rubbed his back gently. "I'm sorry you two are going through this. Maybe I could help. I have influence. If you told me who her family is and where to find them, I could sway them by telling them what a wonderful, young wizard you are. They should understand you're worthy of their daughter, especially because of how much you love her and how much you hate your muggle father."

"It wouldn't work, but I appreciate the offer."

She didn't break the embrace. Severus took advantage of that. He'd been touch-starved for most of his life. Skyrah had changed that. Now that they weren't in the same country, he'd cling to Narcissa for as long as he could.

She finally pulled away, saying Lucius would worry about her if she didn't join him for dinner soon. She thanked Severus again for the potion he'd promised to brew and was about to leave when Severus yelped her name. She turned around only to feel the tip of his wand on her forehead.

"Obliviate."

And just like that, she remembered him agreeing to brew the fertility potion for her, and even that he loved Skyrah, but not that they'd had dated. She'd think his feelings weren't reciprocated.

Once Narcissa left Spinner's End, Severus sat on the floor with his back against the door and his hands on his face, with his elbows on his bent knees.

"I'm sorry, Narcissa," he whispered, as if voicing it would get him rid of the guilt of having just erased his friend's memory.

She'd only meant to help him, after all. She'd have kept the secret, and yet he'd known the wise course of action was to manipulate her mind. Voldemort was the best of legilimens, Skyrah always said. Dumbledore confirmed it. It was too much of a risk to have someone so close to the Death Eater circle knowing about his feelings for Skyrah.

Eileen had seen it all, worried when she'd heard sobs coming from Narcissa. She'd stayed hidden but attentive and now came out of her hideout.

"Sev."

"I don't want to talk."

"It'll be only a moment. You didn't tell me that you'd been in a relationship. That Skyrah… Did she treat you well?"

"Please don't mention her."

"Okay. What about Narcissa? She looks like someone you can trust. You can do things right and—"

"Not now."

"But Son, why would you obliviate a friend?"

"Not now! Don't spy on me again!" he snapped and rushed to his bedroom.

The last thing he needed was Eileen to scold him. He hadn't agreed with her on many occasions, starting with her staying with Tobias. He wouldn't listen to her now, even when he felt so bad about his actions.

Keeping Skyrah safe was his priority.

"Good morning, Miss Riddle. If it is not to your liking, please let me know so that I can make some adjustments," said Daniel, giving her the resulting product.

The photograph from the Lunar Ball stood out against the dark yet glimmering frame she had commissioned, adding to its beauty. Skyrah traced the fingers along the stars he'd added into the frame, some of which shone as the ones from the gown she had worn for the occasion. The silvery crows Daniel had charmed on a corner cuddled and moved as their patroni would, giving the appearance of shooting stars in the night sky.

"I could cast the counter-spell if you desire the crows to remain still."

"No, please. This is amazing. You're an artist."

He knew she meant it, for when she raised her head, her eyes were sparkling with unshed tears. Daniel couldn't have known she was reminiscing the dancing lessons Severus had offered her to train her for the Ball, how she'd slowly opened up to him, how patient he'd been to tolerate her clumsy feet, how they'd hugged and confided in each other, their first kiss...

"Whoever took the photo was good at their job as well. It captures the affection you hold for each other perfectly. Your partner will adore the gift."

Her lips quivered. "It's for me, actually. We aren't together anymore."

"Oh… Pardon my intrusion, but I want to say he will come back to you if he's clever, and I'm sure you wouldn't ever date a fool. I asked someone who did much better than me at school and he told me that a matching patronus means–"

"I'm aware of the meaning. I was the one to push him away and move countries."

"I see. Inquiring would be totally unprofessional. I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable with my assumptions. I'm an idiot."

To Skyrah, he had only meant to comfort her, as the typical Pukwudgie that he was. It felt wrong to hear him calling himself an idiot for having meant to help. The world would probably be a better place if more of its inhabitants behaved like Daniel and cared about others, not only about themselves.

"It's only normal you took for granted that… But we can't be together now," she said.

"You don't seem to be over him."

"I'll never be."

"Why do you always do this?"

"Do what?"

"When Faith Young died, you refused to make new friends. Now that you've found someone who loves you, you break up with him. It's like you're avoiding happiness on purpose. Why would you punish yourself like that?"

Skyrah grinned ruefully at him. "Our professors thought you weren't bright. They couldn't have been more wrong. Your intelligence lies on matters they didn't value. You're a healer through and through."

Words that flattered him, by the subtle crimson of his cheeks. He clearly wasn't used to flattery that went beyond his sporty skills, looks, or talent for photography. "You haven't answered my question."

"I do this for protection."

"From what?"

"From myself."

Before he could give it much of a thought and question her further, she asked for the cost, which he gave. He understood this was a line he couldn't pass, much as his instincts pushed him towards aiding her in any possible way. It was a natural reaction for him to see pain and do his best to replace it with joy.

"Will I see you again?" he asked once the payment was done.

"Highly unlikely."

"And if I were to ask you to meet me?"

"Meet you with what purpose?"

"Have a drink, perhaps? I'll adapt to your British tastes and have tea if you wish."

Skyrah frowned. "Are you asking me out when you know I won't ever get over the boy from the picture?"

Daniel raised his palms. "That isn't what I intend to do. You moved countries. Having a friend would help, wouldn't it? We could be good friends."

"Only friends?"

He got serious. "My first and last relationship didn't end well. I won't start a relationship with anyone while I haven't fixed myself yet, much less with someone who doesn't see me that way. A friend is what I need, and so do you."

"What makes you think so?"

"Your eyes. You're sad. We might help each other."

Skyrah bit her bottom lip. It was so tempting to allow herself to make a friend in this country. Daniel, being a healer, would complement her Horned-Serpentness and make her see the world with different eyes, which could be helpful when she felt so lost and helpless.

And yet…

There was that character from the DC comics, muggle comics, he'd mentioned having a crush on as a child.

"Tell me something first. Your parents. Are they no-maj? I can't remember…"

"Why is that important?" His eyes rounded. "You… God. There's a war going on in your home country, against people like me and no-majs. If you're on You-Know-Who's side…"

He recoiled and the fear in his eyes was her undoing. It wasn't the first time she got such a reaction, yet she had been twelve the last time, playing her Ice Serpent role flawlessly. She hadn't ever meant to make anyone feel like that again.

"Faith was a muggle-born," she reminded him desperately, if only for someone as good-hearted as Daniel not to look at her like she was a monster.

"Muggle-what?"

"Muggle-born. We call them muggles, not no-majs, in the British Isles. Someone muggle-born is…"

"A witch or wizard like me."

Silence flooded the studio save for his shallow breathing. Her mind was telling her she should leave and never return now that she had her frame for the nostalgic photograph of the Lunar Ball. Before she could follow her mind, he asked her, much more calmly, why she was back in the US.

"I'm at the Magical University of Salem to specialize in History of Magic and doing my internship at Ilvermorny as a teacher assistant. I could've done that in Scotland, but I needed to get away from the war."

"It may arrive here anyway. Many Americans believe it will over time unless a miracle happens in Europe. Nobody lifts a finger to help, though. According to the press, he's gaining lots of followers."

"They don't exaggerate," she said, thinking of all the Slytherins discussing their future as Death Eaters in the Common Room, some already showing off their marked forearms. She wasn't foolish enough to believe blood supremacism existed only in her House. To her, even a Hufflepuff could be drawn to Voldemort if their family and friends were loyal to the cause.

"I've wanted to help Dumbledore's side for a long time, but I don't even know where to start. Can I, from this country?"

"Yes. Start by staying home, safe."

Daniel shook his head stubbornly. "You've been there. How can I help defeat He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? The press doesn't inform us well, I bet. Is there some kind of resistance the world doesn't know about? A secret one that I could join? I could donate money, I could–"

"Stop, Keen. This isn't like a Quodpot game. People are dying!"

"Precisely. Mostly my people. If there's a way I could help, you should tell me."

"Even if it's dangerous?"

"Not doing anything seems as dangerous as taking part these days. The war needs to stop. I don't wish for the war to spread or for more people to die. If there's anything I can do to stop it, I beg you: tell me."

"Keen…"

"Please."

Should she obliviate him? Would it be for the better? She glanced at the photograph, thinking of Severus and how his life was at stake every day. Would Daniel's also be at stake if she gave him the piece of information he sought? But then again, it had been Severus who'd been worried because she had no friends to lean on, someone who'd help her out. Could Daniel be that person?

"There's something you could do, something which doesn't involve getting out of the country and which could help us immensely. Don't ask any questions. The less you know about it, the safer you'll be. Do you understand?"

He didn't ask questions. He didn't tell her, either, that he rarely read, that letters seemed to move and blur whenever he tried, and that concentrating on making out the sentences had always been a huge challenge for him. He didn't tell her that he spent quite a lot of time to decipher the headings of the papers. For the cause, he'd do his best to research into the destruction of horcruxes, whatever they were, as she'd instructed him.

They agreed to regularly meet in her Ilvermorny quarters. She found it a more private, secure place than this studio. The Headmistress would allow his entrance. Skyrah'd make sure of it.

"Riddle," he called before she left. "Call me Daniel, please."

"If so, you should call me Skyrah."

"Will do," he said with a warm smile that hid his insecurities.

"Any news?" asked Skyrah. Three weeks had passed since her last mirror meeting with Severus.

"Lucius has the diary. I only need to be clever about getting it," explained Severus, going straight to the point. By his tone, he was dreading the thought alone. It wasn't enough to obliviate Narcissa, now he had to deceive Lucius. "It's Lucius's birthday in a month. He's already invited me to the grand event. It's a great opportunity."

"Malfoy has always been popular and pompous. It's bound to be a big feast. I don't think you'll be safe if you're surrounded by lots of Death Eaters."

"Drunk Death Eaters. At the Malfoys' wedding, there was only one guest who barely sipped his wine glass: Regulus Black. He might be the only nuisance. There's something off about him. Too quiet. Too inexpressive. Those who speak the least have the most to hide."

"Befriend him."

Severus looked at her as if she'd grown a second head. "He's Black's brother."

"Precisely. Sirius Black isn't a Death Eater. His little brother may not be as faithful as he lets on. He could be afraid of being disowned. We don't know why he was marked."

"He was disgusted at me, a half-blood. It's clear why he was marked."

"Most of our former classmates would tell you I'm on You-Know-Who's side, too, if you asked around. Not everything is as it seems."

"Befriending him won't be easy."

"I didn't say it would. The worst that could happen is that I'm wrong about him, which would give you one more source to get information from."

He promised he would try.

There was something that had been nagging at him. Telling her now was for the better.

"I told Narcissa that I love you. She guessed it first, actually. I told her we dated and I proposed to you but it didn't go as I'd expected. I obliviated her, but I'm worried she'll be able to discover it again, and I couldn't erase from her mind that I love you. She doesn't know you love me back or about our relationship."

"Severus, you're spying for Dumbledore. You aren't on her side," she said, baffled.

"Narcissa doesn't care about politics as much as Lucius or her sister Bellatrix."

Skyrah kept quiet for a moment, trying to remember every detail from Narcissa, everything Severus had told her plus the interaction she'd had with her. "She cares about her family more, doesn't she? Three children, she'd like. She told me once."

"She told me that she tried to convince you that we should be friends. She was doing that for me. I think she genuinely cares about me."

"She does, but that doesn't change the fact that she's Mrs Malfoy. You said you told her about us… Couldn't you deny it?"

"I tried. She's cunning, though. There was no way I could convince her that she was wrong, and…"

"And?"

"She's always been kind to me. It felt liberating to tell her. It feels good to know that someone knows about my feelings, someone who cares and who tried to get you close to me. When we dated in secret, I wanted to tell her and Lucius how lucky I was to have you. I didn't, obviously, but my wish remained. When she discovered it, a part of me was glad."

"I've always liked Narcissa better than Lucius, and I understand what you mean about the liberating feeling. I could share something with a photographer and it made me feel just like that. He made me this frame I commissioned for our photo." She showed Severus the framed picture. "I keep it on my nightstand and look at it every night before going to sleep." She wasn't afraid to have it there since Voldemort wouldn't be able to come into her room unnanounced thanks to some magical wards. He first needed to ask the headmistress for permission.

"The photographer's talented," Severus observed.

"Kind and brave, too. He's been helping me and my family with the research. We all want to know how to destroy those horcruxes. You were worried about my being alone… I think if I'm careful enough and only see him in my dorm, I could be friends with him. I'd like that very much, in fact. I've never… apart from Faith and you, and we all know how both relationships went."

"I'm glad you met him."

"Daniel. His name's Daniel. Having a friend can't do us wrong as long as we can trust them and are careful, right? You taught me that. You did the right thing by obliviating Narcissa, but I also think that, if you don't talk about the war, you can spend time with her. She'll treat you well. She could take care of your heart in a way I can't."

"And Daniel will take care of yours?" he asked, and Skyrah couldn't help but notice his lips were pressed thin.

"Are you jealous?"

"What do you think?" he snapped. "I can't be with you, and a photographer you just met will take care of your heart."

Skyrah frowned. "Severus, do you honestly think I'd stop loving you after everything we've been through?"

He hung his head. "N-no. I-I… I'm glad you aren't alone but that doesn't mean I'd give anything to be in his place. I wish I were the one in America, but my mark, my decisions…"

"We need friends to keep going, Severus. You have Albus and Narcissa. I have Daniel. It won't change the fact that it's you the one I dream about marrying, you the one I fantasize about when I…" She blushed. "When I touch myself. It's you the one I want to kiss and hold, laugh and dance with. You say I'm your heart. You're mine, too. Nothing will ever change that, not You-Know-Who, and certainly not friends, Severus."

He was breathing harshly. "Y-you think about me when you masturbate?"

"After everything I've told you, that is what you ask me?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "Of course I think about you. I'm in love with you."

"I miss touching you. I miss your touch, the way you caress my scars and play with my hair, your kisses. I miss you sighing my name and moaning. I miss you telling me that you love me and pulling me closer to feel me deeper inside you."

"I miss making love with you a lot too, Severus," she confessed softly.

"When this bloody war ends and we win, I'm going to make up for all the time lost."

Skyrah let out a chuckle. "I wouldn't expect less from you. I'll touch myself tonight, thinking about how you'll make love with me after the war is won."

He wasn't jealous of Daniel anymore.

The first meetings with Daniel were unproductive. Nevertheless, he always insisted on distracting Skyrah by teaching her how to play muggle board and card games. They even went flying on a broomstick together once (that one took a lot of convincing); sometimes he'd play the guitar for her and teach her muggle songs she'd sing. Some he was surprised she was familiar with. Nina Simone had been Faith's favourite singer and Skyrah'd listened to her songs and still remembered them. Many times they'd simply talk. They were long chats that felt brief. Not only did he distract her from the failed research but also from the pain of being separated from Severus. Daniel didn't heal the wound. He was no substitute. But having a friend, someone to talk to and who made her smile and reminded her of the beauty of the simplest things helped her cope better. For that, she couldn't be more thankful.

By the sixth meeting, Daniel came into her dorm with a triumphant grin on his face, carrying two heavy books. He opened them by the page he'd added a muggle post-it to and showed them to Skyrah. Each book specified a different method to destroy a horcrux: fiendfyre and the basilisk's venom. She let out a laugh of disbelief, and, all of a sudden, she was hugging Daniel.

"Thank you. You don't know how helpful this will be. It's the key to defeat him. Without you… Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

Daniel put his arms around her, grinning. "I'm happy too, Sky."

Skyrah trembled. "Not Sky. Please. Faith would call me… Nobody else. I don't like it. It's too painful."

"Sorry."

"You didn't know."

Since he kept his arms around her, she melted into him, accepting his warmth. Had she stayed in Ilvermorny as a student, would he have grown courageous enough to talk to her, his first crush? Would she have insulted him as the Ice Serpent she forced herself to be? Or would she have eventually opened up to him, as she'd done with Severus? Would Daniel have become her best friend?

"You may not want to see me again," she said, extracting herself from his arms, her mind still reeling.

"Why wouldn't I? We're friends."

Skyrah wanted to tell him it was in his head.

It wasn't.

She didn't want to hurt Daniel. The situation was too similar to what had happened between Severus and Skyrah. She wanted to believe she'd learned from her mistakes. Having kept it all a secret had been wrong. Severus had been too patient with her. Skyrah sat down on her bed and patted the space beside her so that Daniel would join her.

"At Hogwarts, I allowed a boy to get close to me. I didn't do it on purpose at first. But the more I got to know him, the more in love with him I fell. He saw something good in me and thought I was worth it when I was scared of myself and thought I was meant to be evil. We began a secret affair. They were the best years of my life. I'd never allowed myself to be my own person, except with him, my mother, and grandmother, because of a terrible secret of mine."

She paused, waiting for him to digest it all so far.

"The boy must be the one from the photo. The secret is the reason you broke up with him, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"And the reason why you think I won't be your friend anymore. Don't you know how much this research and seeing you have helped me? I wouldn't like it if you cut ties with me as you did with…" he pointed to the photograph displayed on the nightstand.

"Cutting ties isn't the right term. Severus and I have talked a few times using charmed mirrors after our separation." She showed him one and explained how they worked. "We hope to get together if we win the war. I'm not sure how to label what Severus and I have at the moment. I only want to do things right from the beginning with you because I hurt Severus a lot with my silence. I won't tell you what you have to do, Daniel. I'll tell you my secret, and if you aren't scared of me, we'll find a way for our friendship to flourish. I won't get angry if you leave instead. In fact, you'd probably be making the wisest decision. I want that to be clear."

"I'll decide what is and isn't good for me. What's the secret?"

Skyrah cleared her throat. The unbreakable vow was meant to work at Hogwarts, the words had been so. Voldemort had probably assumed she'd be too scared to talk or knew better than to reveal his identity after all these years and hadn't renewed the unbreakable vow. And so she began the tale of Tom Riddle, an orphan boy that attended Hogwarts, just like her mother. It was the place they met: he as a seventh-year student and she but a first-year student. The girl admired the charming boy, as many students did.

"When my mother was in her twenties, they met again," Skyrah continued. "She fell for him. She didn't know that the world knew him as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. She found out later."

Daniel paled. "Your father is…"

Skyrah nodded sternly.

"Don't joke."

"Do you think I'd joke about this of all things?"

Daniel stared at her offended expression and finally mumbled, "Jesus."

"Severus didn't learn that until the day I told him we had to break up. I'm telling you because I want to be truthful. I'm not like my father; you'd already be dead if I were. I feel at ease when I'm with you and I don't believe you're inferior to me in any way. I have deep respect for muggle-borns. They usually grow up feeling…"

"Like freaks," he finished for her. Being the preacher's son hadn't made it easier for him, precisely.

"Muggle-borns don't have anyone to turn to when they experience magic as children and grow up to become great witches and wizards despite that. It's inspiring. But I'm dangerous, Daniel. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you because of who I am."

"Your father is dangerous. You?" He clicked his tongue. "Not one bit."

"I'm dangerous because I'm linked with him through my blood."

"You wouldn't ever harm me. Even these days, when you allowed me to help the cause with my research, you kept me at a distance from the war. You are with the Order, Skyrah, not with your father. I feel safe with you."

"You aren't," she whispered brokenly, because she was only human, and here was a man who hadn't fled in spite of knowing the ugly truth. A part of her needed to cling to him and never let him go.

"You're fighting against your father. You're keeping me safe in that way, and your insistence that we meet in Ilvermorny is most likely another way for you to protect me. Will you tell me why exactly the destruction of horcruxes is important?"

"Father created several horcruxes. We're hunting them."

"So my discovery is truly useful. We'll weaken him." He smiled a proud smile. "I'm glad, and I'm even gladder you trust me enough to confide in me and allow me to help. I've made my decision: I'll remain your friend."

"Are you sure?" she asked, her heartbeat racing in anticipation. Despite her age, she felt as insecure as the child who'd met Faith on the train to Ilvermorny, a child who hadn't ever had friends.

"More than sure. I'll remain your friend, keep your secret, and join the Order."

"Pardon?" she choked at the last part. Having someone who would visit her and make her laugh and help keep loneliness at bay was one thing; a person who had been heartbroken and enjoyed her company as much as she did his. It was an entirely different thing to have a friend, a vulnerable one, considering his blood status, fight in a war that wasn't even taking place in his country.

"I'm going to Europe."

"Your muggle blood–"

"Puts me at risk."

"So why are you talking like that? You're scaring me!"

"Your father's a terrorist. He terrorizes no-majs and wizards and witches like me. He terrorizes his own daughter. I understand your need to stay here to protect yourself, but I want to help. I could take photos. I could make the world see how barbaric the war is, and help convince the British not to join You-Know-Who and to fight for the right cause. I could publish the photos in international newspapers and send them anonymously to stay safe. Maybe people from all over the world will be able to send help in whichever form to the Order. I can make a change."

"Daniel…"

"I'll visit you and my dad weekly. I'll still be close to you. I wouldn't ever abandon a friend."

"Don't be ridiculous. Your business is going well. You're safe here, in America. You've got an ill father who doesn't need to know his son is playing the hero on another continent. Forget Europe's mess."

Daniel swallowed a groan. "I need to do something. I've got no wife, no children. I'm young and in good shape. They need people like me."

"You're making a mistake."

"I'm helping my best friend, the Order, and, consequently, the world. How's that a mistake?" He took her hands and gave her a squeeze. "I'm a Pukwudgie. I need to help. I will with or without your blessing. My heart is telling me I must do this for everyone's sake."

"What about your sake? You aren't a photojournalist specialized in war conflicts. The studio isn't the battlefield."

"I will learn. I'll try to be as prudent as a Horned Serpent I know that seems to worry very easily," he said fondly, planting a brotherly kiss on her forehead. "I don't mean to scare you. I mean to free you and the world from your father. The Order needs help and I'm willing. I already know about the horcruxes. Why shouldn't I help destroy them?"

It was just Skyrah's luck that, the people she cared about, matched her stubbornness. At last, she admitted defeat.

"I'll talk to Dumbledore. If there's a safe place in Great Britain, that is Hogwarts, near him. He could keep you there as a teacher."

"That is thoughtful of you, but unlike you, I'm no teacher. Always been a mediocre student at best myself, remember? I'm not smart."

Skyrah frowned. "But you are. You just don't see it."

"Don't lie. It isn't kind."

"You learned to play an instrument. You're great at sports and arts, and see the world in a way that's fascinating. Your heart is intelligent. You know how to express emotion in a way I've seldom dared to; you aren't scared of what you feel. You noticed I was in pain. Nobody at school but Severus did, and I'm kidding you not, he's a literal genius," she added with a smile. "You can be a great role model as a teacher, especially to those kids that struggle with academics. A bad mark on an exam doesn't mean they're brainless."

He looked at her, as if studying her or looking for signs she was deceiving him but found none, and smiled softly at her. He wasn't used to receiving such praise and his chest was now warm, touched by her words. "Thank you."

"What for? Listing truthful statements?"

He shook his head, giving her a lopsided grin. "Making me feel like I'm good, not just the son of a preacher that can inexplicably do sinful magic, or that restless boy that can never seem to read well or stay still in his seat. You're a good friend, Skyrah."

She smiled softly at him. "It's easy to learn by your side." She squeezed his hands. "So? Will you let me persuade Dumbledore to hire you as part of the Hogwarts staff?"

"Go ahead."

Skyrah looked defeated despite it all.

"Hey," he said, lifting her chin to look her in the eye. "This isn't a mistake. My photographs will be published in this country. You'll get help: money, provisions… anything the Order requires. My joining the Order is good."

She nodded, self-convincing herself. "Before you go, you must master Occlumency. It's non-negotiable."

"What's Occlumency?"

"The sort of magic that could save your life. In fact, we're starting right now, and you'll be seeing me every night until you're a skilled occlumens."

Daniel wanted to please her, knowing his participation in the war was something she barely approved of, and so he made sure to go to the UK under her conditions. She was, after all, taking care of him, and he wished to take care of her too. He knew her mind was smart in a way his wasn't, and so he'd listen to her.

Daniel wasn't an easy student despite the fact that he had the motivation to learn. Skyrah didn't give up on him, though. If anything, they grew closer, because she could see into his mind and memories. She saw how difficult it had been for his father, someone religious, to accept his only son was a wizard who could turn water into wine just like Jesus; how Daniel had struggled at school and been ashamed of showing his grades to his father as if they proved he wasn't meant to be a wizard after all; how flying on a broomstick made him feel free and powerful; how he'd always spoken up against discrimination of any kind; how he'd had girls pestering him, trying to get a date and how he'd hated they'd only wanted his looks and popularity; how he'd found in photography a refuge and way of living. He was so vulnerable in front of her and yet he trusted her. There was only one time he was blushing endlessly by the time she pulled out of his mind. In that memory, he'd just caught his now ex-girlfriend having sex with someone else. He wouldn't look at Skyrah.

"Why are you ashamed? She should be the ashamed one. If she didn't love you she should have talked to you and broken up before having sex with another boy."

"She promised she'd wait until marriage. I must have been doing something wrong if she needed someone else to be happy."

"She was wrong to hurt you."

He was starting to cry despite himself. Daniel was the kind that brought joy, always smiling and cheering everybody up. This was an unusual, heartbreaking sight that hit Skyrah in her gut.

"Maybe I'm the problem. I shouldn't have asked that of her. My dad was right. I should have dated a no-maj that attends his Church. But I've never even considered… They'd think me a monster. Sinful. The demon."

Skyrah set him on her bed and half-hugged him, rubbing his back in an attempt to bring some sort of comfort. "Magic is natural. You're no monster or demon. Your ex would have respected your wishes if she'd loved you, whether she has magic or not doesn't matter. I'm actually happy you aren't with such a person."

"Would you have waited until marriage if Severus had asked you to?"

"I think so. I waited until Severus was ready," confessed Skyrah. "I waited because I loved him and respected him, and having sex with someone who isn't ready is entirely wrong. It wouldn't have made me feel good at all. You deserve someone who loves you and respects you too."

Daniel gave her a sad smile. "Legilimens me again. Let's see if this time I can stop you from seeing my ex."

He was successful. More or less. He managed to push her out of his mind so strongly that he found himself in hers instead. It was little Skyrah, the way he remembered, in her uniform, her hair arranged into a perfect ponytail. He saw the poison she prepared while sobbing and how she poured it into the tea Faith would drink. Dread filled him. It hadn't been an accident, as everyone thought. It had been…

The memory changed. Skyrah, though not in her uniform, was talking to a man who resembled her physically quite a lot, but who had reddish eyes, as if he hadn't slept at all. What he saw next, the threat that served as an imperius curse for the innocent child, sickened him. Her occlumency grew strong and he was expelled from her mind.

Tear-stricken, she offered, "I didn't mean for you to see how I murdered Faith. I hope you don't think I'm a monster, but I won't blame you if you do. You can go to Scotland and ask Dumbledore to help you master Occlumency. I'll understand if you've changed your mind and feel unsafe with me—" A sob cut her off, a sob that escaped her when he hugged her tightly.

The only monster he'd seen was Voldemort, not the frightened, coerced child.

"You saved her family. Focus on that. God, you were but a child. No wonder you became…"

"The Ice Serpent? I know everyone called me that."

"You were only protecting your heart. You were the most human of all."

Daniel didn't let her go until she stopped crying for the child she'd been and who'd been forced to grow up so fast. She cried in relief, too. He hadn't left. He had stayed and assured her that he wouldn't go to Scotland until he became better at Occlumency under her guidance. He wouldn't allow anyone else to accidentally glimpse into his mind.

The day to part finally came.

"Don't you dare die, Daniel," she said before hugging her friend goodbye. "If it gets nasty, you come back to me, to the USA, okay?"

"Have a little faith in me, will you?"

"I know you'll do good, but I can't help but worry. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too. You've been like an angel to me."

"An angel? Me?" asked Skyrah with a snort. If anything, he'd been the angel to her.

"Who else? I don't feel as much as a loser since I befriended you. Only an angel could've done that."

Skyrah let out a chuckle despite herself. "See you soon, Muggle and Wizarding Photography Professor and Quodpot Club trainer. Hogwarts is beautiful, though smaller than Ilvermorny. You'll get used to it and the accents."

"You mean they speak more weirdly than you? Is that possible?"

Skyrah showed him her tongue, as a child would. Deep down, she was holding back a laugh.

"You're too easy to tease," he said with an affectionate chuckle. "I'll see you soon."

Life at Hogwarts was good, Daniel found, if one disregarded some pure-blood students looking at him with aversion, and other students, mostly witches, gushing over the fine-looking American teacher. He was glad to have followed Skyrah's advice and stay safe, near Professor Dumbledore. Obviously, the safety was gone the moment he worked as the official photographer of the Order. He'd learnt that the first time he followed them on a mission to stop a Death Eater riot at a conference given by the Ministry of Magic. If not for the invisibility potion he'd drunk, hiding and taking photos would have been nearly impossible. He'd have had enough defending himself and the audience attending the conference from the many curses the Death Eaters threw at them. Photographs wouldn't have been a priority. Even being invisible, he did his best to shield himself behind columns. The camera's flash camouflaged with the light of some spells.

As he examined the photographs back in his quarters, he couldn't help but shiver at the memories and the notion that he'd been lucky not to have received a single scratch. The best photographs, those most impacting and telling, were put inside an envelope. Then Daniel took a muggle notebook and wrote:

"The Order of Fenix stopped a Death Eater roti during a Ministry of Magic conference. Two deths. The rest are injured. Death Eaters escaped. The Order's numbers are slowly decrasing while Yo-Know-Who is ganning more followers every day. Sand help in any form, please."

He noted the date and place, and the address: MACUSA's journalism department. He was writing the last full stop when there was a knock on his door. A student, most likely, who came with a question regarding the Muggle and Wizarding Photography homework. To his surprise, it was Poppy Pomfrey, the school matron.

"Mister Keen, why didn't you go to the Infirmary? Professor Dumbledore said you were there as a new member."

Daniel gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm perfectly fine. Thank you for checking out on me, though."

Poppy, who'd barely been thanked for her work, always taken for granted except for that one time Skyrah gifted her poppies, was touched by the young man. She cast a quick spell to check out his overall health, just in case. It confirmed his words.

"I shall be going then. Have a good evening, dear."

She was about to leave when he yelped, "Wait! Could you do me a favor? I… I've never been able to write properly."

"What do you mean?"

Daniel showed her his note, the pink shade in his cheeks revealing his embarrassment. "It is anonymous but I still would prefer it if my note had no spelling mistakes. Nobody has yet invented a spelling-checker spell for people like me."

Poppy eyed the note and understood. She wrote the message on a piece of scroll.

"How often will you do this?"

"Every time I follow the Order around to defend ourselves and our cause."

"How many people know about your writing difficulties?"

"Here? Only you. Writing and reading, actually. I avoid writing on the board during my classes."

Poppy nodded. "I'll be there for you every time I finish treating my patients."

Daniel let out a sigh of relief. There was an air of kindness surrounding Poppy. He'd been right to trust she would help him without making him feel bad.

He saw Poppy again in the next Order meeting in Hagrid's hut but a day later, his first meeting. Much as he craned his neck, he wouldn't spot a young, dark-haired man with a hooked nose. He couldn't talk to Severus, but he could find the other members Skyrah had said he could trust. Poppy gestured towards another girl.

"I've been told you're Potter," said Daniel after the meeting was over. "Skyrah told me I could trust you."

"Riddle?"

"The one and only."

Lily narrowed her eyes at Daniel. "I don't understand why she'd tell you…"

"She told me that, for you to believe me, I should remind you of that time in your sixth year when you caught her and Severus after using some sort of magical map. It happened in the Prefects' Bathroom."

Lily was, by that point, frowning.

"Aren't you Potter? I'm sorry. Forget I said–"

"Riddle must have meant my husband. I'm Mrs. Potter."

"Oh… She didn't specify. She mentioned Lupin and Sirius Black, apart from Potter."

"Those are my husband's friends."

Daniel wanted to be swallowed by the ground. "Well, I've just proved I'm a dimwit. I don't know why Skyrah doesn't believe there's something wrong with my brain. Maybe I should go back to the USA. I'm bound to make this side lose, and that isn't my goal."

Lily lifted an eyebrow. A small chuckle escaped her. "I'm sorry, has anybody told you that you're a bit weird?"

"All my life. By many."

Lily shook her head, hiding a smile. "My husband is resting at home. He got his arm broken in the last riot and fell asleep before the meeting. I didn't wake him up. Those two trying and failing to flirt with the young women by the window are Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. Remus is the one with the scars on his face – don't inquire about them, please — and Sirius is the one with the tattoos. My husband is James. My name's Lily."

She extended her hand. He shook it and introduced himself.

"Well, Daniel Keen, why don't you come home and have dinner with us, the Potters, and our mates?"

"Mates?"

"We use that word here. It means friends."

"Right." Daniel smiled. "That'd be nice."

She smiled right back at him, and Daniel couldn't help but grin even more.

"Lily… Or should I call you Potter?"

"Lily's fine."

"Do you know Severus Snape? Could you introduce me to him, too?"

Her expression lost its shine. "I'm sorry. He isn't here."

"I know. I know how he looks, or how he used to look a few years ago, rather. Skyrah showed me."

"Just how close are you and Riddle?"

"Closer than you, seeing you use her surname. She's my, er, mate."

Lily gave him a slow nod, almost smiling at his attempt to fit into her culture by using such slang. "Is she kind?"

"To everyone but herself."

"I see…"

"Does that surprise you?"

Before Lily could answer, Lupin and Black approached her, both disappointed their advances hadn't been well-taken. They eyed Daniel, one with suspicion and another with curiosity.

"Hey, new member," said Black. "She's taken, in case you missed her wedding ring, married to my mate, so if you try to–"

"Padfoot," hissed Lupin, elbowing him. "Be nice. Lily would have told him off if he'd tried making a pass at her."

Daniel raised his palms. "Not here to flirt, I assure you. I only wanna chat."

Black narrowed his eyes. "That accent is definitely not from around here. Where exactly do you come from and why would you come to this shit of a country amid a bloody war?"

"Sirius, I'm inviting you three to dinner at home. Behave yourself, will you?" said Lily in a warning tone. "Daniel's got explaining to do."

It was while waiting for the food Lily had ordered that Daniel explained his case. To Lily's surprise, Black listened attentively and without interruptions.

"Riddle probably meant me, yes, much to her disappointment. She still doesn't like me," mentioned Potter.

"Why?"

"I treated someone she loves badly."

"You mean Severus Snape."

Everyone but Lily looked at him surprised that he'd know.

Black frowned. "She took great measures to make sure nobody knew about her relationship with Snape, and now a guy from another continent comes here and, shockingly, knows about her secret. How come?"

"I'm her friend, I told you. She said I could trust you."

"Why?" asked Lupin.

"Because she already lost a muggle-born friend, and she doesn't want to lose another: me."

"Wonderful," muttered Black sarcastically. "I'll ask you again. Why come to the UK if she wants to keep you safe?"

"I didn't give her much of a choice. I wanted to help. And I have questions of my own: why would she tell me to trust you if you bullied Severus?"

"Bully is a strong word," said Black.

"It's what we did," admitted Potter. Lily couldn't look at him even if a part of her was glad that, at the very least, her husband wasn't sugarcoating the truth. She'd asked him to be honest after uncovering his lies. He was keeping his promise so far. "We know a lot about her, more than she'd like. She doesn't have much of a choice either."

"I'm not sure if I'm making a mistake. She didn't mention any Lily."

"I won't tell anyone, Daniel. Sev and I are friends, and he loves Riddle."

"You married your friend's bully?"

"She didn't accede to dating me until she thought I'd stopped hurting Severus," explained Potter in an attempt to justify Lily's actions. "She didn't know the truth."

Daniel relaxed a bit. He still couldn't comprehend why one would choose their friend's ex-bully as a partner, but he, too, hadn't chosen his first and only girlfriend well. He told himself that everyone made mistakes and tried to keep an open mind.

"I'm sorry if it seemed I was judging you. I was shocked. That is all. But I trust Skyrah. She must believe in you, so I'll believe in you too."

Lily, tired of the tension in the room, cleared her throat and changed the subject, "You're a muggle-born like me. How did you find out about magic?"

That was a safer topic to discuss. Slowly, the tension disappeared until even Daniel forgot it had been there in the first place.

Severus felt a chasing presence yet kept walking. He'd been able to attend this one Order meeting, having skipped the other due to being in a Death Eater one instead. He heard a man, judging by the voice, yelping wait but Severus did not stop. The voice wasn't familiar at all. Everything important had already been said in the meeting anyway. He'd informed of Voldemort's next plans and had discussed a way to ambush the next riot.

"I'm Skyrah's friend!"

Skyrah didn't have many friends. Severus stalled and turned around, almost colliding with Daniel in the process. He'd temporarily blinded Daniel with his lumos. It was the first time he saw the photographer, the one in charge of taking care of her heart while Severus himself couldn't. Just what I need, Severus thought, someone that could rival Mulciber, Potter, and Black's looks. In fact, now that he thought about it, he'd seen Daniel before, in the meeting, seated next to Lily and the marauders.

"You were with the Potters." The statement sounded a bit judgmental, not because Daniel would be with Lily but with her husband.

"They're becoming my friends here."

"Does Skyrah know that?"

"Yes. I also told her that I'm getting close to Lily and she was happy for me. She said Lily and the boys would keep me safe. My blood… I'm like Faith."

Severus's eyes widened. "You'd better get away from me, Keen."

"Wait!" Daniel exclaimed again, grabbing his arm. Severus glared at him but didn't break free. "She told me not to get too close to you because you're a spy but to trust you. I talk with her weekly. She needs a friend, and so do I. I visit her. If you ever need to give her something or tell her something and can't use the mirror, I can be your messenger. It'd be the safest way. I'm not marked. You-Know-Who doesn't know about me. I stay in the shadows, taking photographs, documenting what's happening to get help from other countries, including mine. Dumbledore told me he's been receiving healing potions and money, and American aurors are starting to be recruited to help as well."

Severus regarded him for a moment, digesting his words. "Has Skyrah asked that out of you?"

"It was my decision." Like it had been Severus's decision to become a spy.

"How's she?"

"Anxious and stressed out. Terrified. Helpless. Who wouldn't feel that way in her shoes?"

"You should've stayed there, with her."

"By being here, I can help her more," Daniel said gently. "I want her to be happy, too. She's happy with you. That I know. She talks about you a lot. She misses you."

"I miss her," Severus confessed, his chest constricting.

"Her studies distract her, and when I visit her, I take care of her. I promise I do my best."

Severus believed that. Maybe he ought to accept Daniel's offer. He scanned the area, double-checking nobody was watching, and apparated Daniel to his home in Spinner's End. He asked him to stay in the hall while he retrieved something from his bedroom.

"Sev?" asked a frail voice belonging to a woman.

Daniel stayed silent, not quite knowing where Severus had taken him. It looked like the interior of a house of mostly muggle appearance with the occasional magical item and which smelled strangely of potions and flowers. The woman was studying Daniel. It wasn't entirely uncomfortable for she was keeping a fair distance from him.

"Hello."

"Hello," he said at last.

They couldn't establish a conversation. Severus had returned.

"I need to talk to him in private. Do you mind?" he asked her.

"Will you introduce me to him later?"

"No."

"You never let me–"

"You don't know how dangerous what I'm doing is, Eileen. Go."

Eileen complied, knowing she'd only waste her time by arguing with her son.

"She doesn't look okay," mentioned Daniel, his voice soft as if he doubted whether the comment was appropriate or not or how he'd take it. It was no insult. It came out of concern. The healer in him couldn't help it.

"She's unwell."

"Is she your big sister?"

"My mother."

"Oh… Sorry. She's… young. And you used her name."

"She gave birth to me when she was a teenager. We don't have the best of mother-son relationships," Severus explained cuttingly. Any other person would have got the hint and stopped inquiring about the subject.

Daniel was a weird one.

"If she's unwell, how can I help her get better?" he asked Severus.

"I didn't bring you here for her. I'm already trying to help my mother. She's slowly healing. I brought you here for this." He showed Daniel a necklace with a pendant. It had two crows surrounding a black pearl. "Skyrah can't wear it. Not yet. It'd raise questions. But I want her to have it. Her birthday is in two days. Do you think you could give it to her on my behalf?"

"Sure. She'll love it," Daniel assured him, taking the jewel with utmost care.

"Maybe not."

"Why?"

When Severus had given her the snake bracelet, she'd been worried about him spending money on jewels when he could barely get by. He didn't tell Daniel, not directly. "I don't know if I'll be able to contact her on her birthday and it's been six weeks since we last talked. Please tell her that I've gained a bit of weight and I found a part-time job in an apothecary. I could save enough to buy her the present while still managing to cover the basics."

Daniel nodded, strange as he thought the request to be.

"And tell her… Tell her that I love her."

Daniel gave him a sad smile. "She knows that, but I'll remind her. Is there anything else I can help you with?" At his negative response, Daniel added, "All right. There's something I want to do before leaving: thank you, Severus."

"What for?"

"Not everyone has the guts to become a spy. The Order would probably be lost without you. I wanted to thank you for your effort personally."

Nobody had done that before. It took Severus aback. "I do it for her. In truth, I'm selfish."

"I disagree, but I'm not here to argue. Just be careful. Is there floo connection in this place? Could I use it? I prefer it over apparition."

Severus guided him to the fireplace and offered him some floo powder. Right before Daniel disappeared with the pendant safe in his pocket, he heard Severus thanking him for looking after Skyrah.

For her birthday, there'd been a riot Severus had been forced to participate in, and so he missed the chance to contact her. The next time they used the mirror, it was to discuss magical theory and an idea he'd had to improve the flying spell. Skyrah took notes and thanked him.

He was about to hang up, knowing it was for the best despite wanting nothing more than to keep seeing her face, when she opened the first button of her shirt and showed him she was wearing the necklace.

"I can't wear it as often as I like, it isn't as subtle as the bracelet, but I adore it. Once this is over, I'll be wearing it every day."

Severus gave her a shy smile. "I'm glad you like it. I commissioned it for you using polyjuice potion."

"Thanks, Severus. Daniel was in awe after meeting you. He looks up to you. He says you're the bravest man he knows. I agree with him."

"He shouldn't put so much value into bravery."

"He's a Gryffindor; like her," she added softly, referring to Lily. "You know? Back in our second year, I used to think your friendship was so special and beautiful. A Slytherin and a Gryffindor against the world. I never wanted you to lose her. I'm glad you've got the chance to have her back even if it isn't wise to spend time with her until the war ends."

"Now you know how it feels."

"I feel like he's going to do something stupidly bold with the best of intentions at any moment. It drives me nuts."

Severus grinned ruefully, used to the feeling. "Yes, they have a special talent for that, don't they?"

"But we can learn a lot from them, from all the Houses, in fact." She paused, reflective. "Do you think Ev… Pott… she could ever forgive me for everything I did to her?"

"You can call her Lily."

"We aren't friends, she isn't Evans now, and I don't like calling her Potter."

"You wish you were friends, though."

"From the moment I saw you together, I wanted to be part of that odd squad that didn't care about House differences."

"Well, Lily was the one who approached you and wanted to befriend you, wasn't she? All isn't lost."

"Maybe, after the war…"

"After the war," he agreed.

That moment couldn't arrive soon enough.