The Silent Order

Severus

Severus' heart continued pounding in the depths of his chest as Lily laid asleep in his arms. The soft curves of her body pressed against him consuming any ability to sleep. He was afraid that if he closed his eyes, he would wake to a hardened reality… one where the divide between them would grow and grow, pulling her further away from him. He was afraid that he would wake to find that she decided this wasn't what she wanted.

That he wasn't what she wanted.

Severus' bones ached at the thought. Lily's words tugged at the sharpened bits of his soul, pulling at threads and tethering them back together. Her words tasted like redemption, but Severus knew better than to place trust in that. Pulling Lily tighter into his embrace, he pressed his lips against the back of her head, breathing her in. He was broken. In every sense of the word. But what he had left, every gathered piece… belonged to her. It always had.

"Even if you decide you don't want me," Severus whispered against the burnt shades of her hair, "I am yours."

The words were more of an admission than a proclamation of love. A truth that had existed within him, evolving, and carving its way into the crevices of his mind.

Severus had dived headfirst into the dark abyss of an abandoned lake of his own making, descending deeper and deeper into its depths. Alone. But for the first time… he had turned his gaze to the surface above, ripples sending light tendrils through the murky waters. It was Lily. And she had jumped in after him. He wasn't sure where any of this was leading or if they'd stand a winning chance in this war… but he did know one thing. One final, foremost, and fundamental thing…

She had come for him. And that realization was unlike anything he had ever known.

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...

"Well, good morning, you two," Regulus whistled from the entrance of the bedchamber, a wild smirk spread across his face. "I'm glad at least some of us had a… productive night."

Severus peaked an eye open, his body still heavy with sleep. "I'm beginning to regret bringing you in on this mission." He grumbled towards the door.

Lily stirred beside him, her curves rubbing against the front of his robes. The sensation already fueling his body with an all-consuming need.

"Get out of here, Regulus." Severus growled, his features growing deathly with frustration. "Now."

Regulus raised his brows as he turned towards the exit of the chamber, "I got places to be, I got places to be. I was only coming to brief you on my plans, but…" he turned his gaze back to the bed with a wink, "I'll check in later."

"Not if you know what's good for you," Severus shot at him as he grabbed his wand, sending the wooden door of the chamber slamming shut. The sounds of Regulus' frightened run echoed in the small corridor beyond. Good riddance.

"I might be regretting bringing him on this mission, too," Lily let out a laughing yawn as she nestled her body closer to him. "The man doesn't know when to let up."

No matter the topic, Severus wasn't keen on hearing Lily talk about another man while she laid against him in his bed. "How… did you sleep?"

Lily continued to move her backside in quiet rhythm against the front of his robes. "Alright." Her tone was playful.

Severus bit down on his lower lip as he looked at their moving bodies. The sight and thoughts flowing through his head were further igniting him, making his want for her… very… apparent. "Just alright, hm?" He spoke low as his hands began slow grazes over the delicate frame of her body.

Lily turned herself flush against him, the movement startling him. Holding his gaze, she carefully spread her legs over the front of his body, her hands firm against the plane of his chest. "Yeah… I think something might have been missing… can't quite figure it out." She looked down at him with a wink.

Ah, a game. Fuck, that was turning him on more than he was willing to admit. He pressed himself against her, his eyes darkening. "Take your time, sweetheart. We got all day." She wanted to play? Alright. He would allow it. He just wasn't sure how much more he could take of this before the leash on his self-control completely snapped.

Lily slowed her movements as she brought her lips close to his, their warmth just out of reach, "You might have softened me up… but you've still got work to do, Severus."

Severus felt as sensitivity flooded his body, a merciless darkness begging to take over. He wanted to hear her say his name again. and again. and again. To scream it.

*BAM*

The space around them filled with the sound of absolute calamity as the fragile moment between them dissolved like a waking dream. Severus jerked upright, pressing Lily still against his lap as fervent, white rage began to take over.

"Immobilus!" Sirius began yelling from the other room, frantic sounds of miscast spells knocking over what Severus could only assume was his delicately placed potion ingredients. "Immobi"- "A little help out here would be appreciated!"

Lily pulled herself off his lap, bolting towards the door. "I told Sirius not to touch anything!" She spoke with concern, throwing her cloak on.

Severus released a low growl, frustration building in him. He was going to fucking kill Sirius.

The hardened outline of his need still pressed through the front of his robes as he rolled off the bed and strode towards the living space. Dark magic pooled behind him in visible shades of fury. His breathing heavy and still.

Sucking in a deep breath, Severus entered the adjoining chamber. The sight of overturned furniture, his bookshelves in complete disarray stung Severus' eyes. Sirius stood on top of the table, wand in hand.

"I can… errr… explain," Sirius gave a weary smile, his face wan and frightful.

Severus didn't speak as he turned his gaze over the rest of his space, catching on a ruby necklace shining against the stoned flooring. Severus continued breathing heavily, his features cold, as his gaze turned from Sirius, to the necklace, back to Sirius. "You irreverent imbecile."

"I admit, I… probably deserved that." Sirius nodded at Severus as he stepped off the table, "However… it does beg the question. What kind of masochistic asshole keeps cursed objects lying around their house?"

Severus continued staring at Sirius. He was far from amused. "Lily, dear… please escort your friend out of my residence before… I disembowel him." Severus' tone was icy and sharp, the restraint on his darkness fading. He meant every word.

Lily gasped as she came to a halt by his side, her eyes pulling his attention away from his rage, "Sirius wants to help, Severus. Please… stop. Be nice."

Severus brought his hand to face as he contemplated just how upset Lily would be if he decided to… say, end Sirius' life. Playing through the scenario in his mind brought him enough satisfaction to release a small sigh. "That necklace is cursed and unpredictable…You'd do well to keep your… hands to yourself. I do fancy my, what did you call it? Masochistic objects of the macabre? How is it you are here less than a day and have already outstayed your welcome?"

"Severus, he didn't mean it…" Lily began, her eyes pleading.

"He's right." Sirius cut in, rubbing at the creases of his robes, "I know better than to touch things that aren't… mine. You won't have to worry about me, Snape. It won't happen again." His tone wasn't very reassuring.

Severus was never a fan of Sirius or his choice of idiotic friends…. However, if he had to choose… Sirius was the least insufferable of the insufferables. And he was Lily's best friend. Severus waved his hand, gesturing to move on from this subject. His breathing finally settling down.

"Now that we've agreed not to kill anyone… what the hell happened?" Lily spoke as she began to magically repair the chaos.

Severus watched as the parts of living space molded back together. The space looked… different, he suddenly realized. Cots and other comforts lay about. Did Lily do that? His lips tugged upwards at the idea of it.

"I was picking back up on our research, trying to find a book on that… completely nonsensical bookshelf of… his, when I saw the necklace," Sirius rubbed his hand over his face, "it looked… oddly familiar. I picked it up and… and… I'm not sure what happened from there. A bloody poltergeist curse or something."

Lily's laugh broke through the tension, "I really wish I could have witnessed that."

"No, you don't." Severus began, finding a seat at one of the armchairs, "like many objects in this house… the curse changes depending on the beholder. You're lucky it only released a menacing spirit. I've seen… worse." Severus wasn't interested in telling much more of that story and decided to move on, "Did you have any luck with your research last night?"

"I found some information on the wards in one of your books…" Lily's tone turned more serious, as she found a spot to sit down. "You… said you helped create the wards, right?"

Severus leaned back into the chair, "I did… however, that was almost a year ago. Voldemort had shared minimal information, and I was so… lost at the time. I wasn't asking any questions. I'm not sure who else assisted or how deep they go…"

The memories from a year ago came flooding in… flashes of the tortured and executed. Severus clenched his hands in an effort to stop them.

"If you helped create them," Lily began. "you can theoretically help disarm them, at least in part."

Severus's turmoil was painful as he thought through the situation in his mind. "I am somewhat familiar with the process..."

"The book mentioned… sacrifice, Severus. About... payment. Could you use me somehow? My blood?" Lily questioned as Sirius came to join them by the hearth.

Severus turned his gaze towards Lily, "First of all, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that. Second, the magic is complex and clever… it won't be easily manipulated. We shouldn't operate under the assumption it will be that easy…" Severus leaned on his knees as he thought aloud, "I've been thinking on it since you made your request… we might need some help."

All magic, specifically dark magic, became increasingly… alive. It often had rules of its own that one would do well not to underestimate. There was only one other person Severus knew who was more talented than he at procuring potions.

"Lily, my love, get ready. You're coming with me." Severus shot up from his seat "I'm… taking you to meet with someone who might be able to help us. Someone… special to me."

Lily turned towards him with slight confusion, "Who?"

This morning was turning out to be much more than he bargained for. Severus exhaled a tired breath, "My mother."

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...

Severus held Lily's hands firm in his grasp as they stood across from each other later that morning. Despite his admiration for his mother, it had been a while since he had paid her a visit. His childhood home was full of ghosts he preferred to leave behind. The idea of his mother continuing to rot away in that house twisted his stomach. She had taught him everything he knew about magic, always encouraging him to color outside the lines, so to speak. She was brilliant and eccentric, one of the bravest witches he had ever known.

"We will be back in a few hours. Sirius,"—

"Behave." Lily interrupted.

Sirius rolled his eyes as he looked up from his book, "Yeah, yeah. I could say the same to you two."

Severus curled his lip over his canines in frustration as he cracked his neck. Lily squeezed his hands, pulling his attention back to her. "Ready?"

The tug of apparration pulled on their bodies as the features of his living room disappeared. Puddles splashed below their feet, soaking into their robes. Heavy pellets of rain beat down on their senses as Severus pulled Lily towards the exit of the alleyway.

They had arrived at Spinner's End.