Chapter 15
The Silent Order
Severus
Severus stood on the threshold of his childhood home, staring at the cracks in the wooden frame of the doorway. Water droplets clung to them like visible moments in time. Severus continued staring, the rain mixing with the brine of his sweat, burning his eyes.
"What are you waiting for?" Lily leaned into him with a whisper.
Was he taking that long? Severus stiffened, turning his gaze towards Lily. The length of his hair plastered to his pale features. "Eager, are we?"
Lily looked up at him, her eyes glistening through the rain. "Would you blame me if I was? I've known you half my life and have never met your family."
"I never knew you to be so curious about me, Miss Evans."
Lily rolled her eyes, the sight riling him. "And I never knew you to be one to stall. Go on."
Severus wasn't sure where his hesitation was coming from. This was, after all, his idea. Bringing Lily here pressed upon something deep and hollow within him. Severus had spent much of his life chronically misunderstood… and in this house, he had found anything but sanctuary. Every waking moment spent here had weighed upon him, suffocated him. It was no wonder that when the time came… the empty vessels in his bones had welcomed the darkness.
"As you wish it." Severus released a breath, holding Lily's hand as they strode over the three-staired stoop. Severus rapped his knuckles against the dampened wood. The unmistakable scents of elderberry and shrivelfig fruit seeping through the closed frame, awakening his senses.
"Just a minute!" A woman's voice called out, objects clanking and echoing within. Slowly, the door creaked open, the light pooling out, illuminating the space between them. "Sev? Is that you?"
Severus' mother stood peering out, her face worn and wrinkled. He had his mother's nose and grey eyes, but her features were much softer than his. "Hello, Mother."
"Oh, Sev!" Tears filled her eyes as she released a silent whimper. "I wasn't sure if… with everything going on… if…" her words continued to be pieced a part by the heaving of her chest.
Severus released a low chuckle, dissuading her concern. "I am alive and well." He reached for her face with his fingers, "May we come in? It is a bit drafty out here."
Severus watched as his mother's gaze turned towards Lily, the tired features of her face ignited with the realization that he was not alone. "Of course, of course." She wiped away at the tears streaking down her cheeks, "Please come in. I'll prepare some tea."
The air within engulfed them as they strode through the entryway, the fire setting a comforting glow over the furniture and potion supplies that lay scattered.
"I'm Lily," she spoke nervously beside him, "I'm Severus'… friend. I feel honored to finally meet you."
A friend… indeed.
"I dare say, the honor is mine, dear." Severus' mother patted Lily's shoulder with a warm smile. "My son, bringing a friend to meet his mother? I never thought I'd see the day."
Severus cleared his throat as he adjusted his cloak, drawing their attention, "I smell the usual suspects brewing… not much has changed on this side of the horizon, I take it?"
"Staying below the radar is what has kept me alive, son. You'd do well to remember that." She spoke, disappearing into the adjoining chamber.
Severus released a grunt as he watched Lily take in the space around them, a glimpse of his past. The sight tugged at him; at those broken bits he had started to gather. Severus peered down at his callused hands, surprised to find them unharmed… some part of him expecting them to be torn and bloody from the shards.
"How is it you look older in these pictures than you do now?" Lily joked, picking up a photo from his youth. She stood in front of the mantle, its surface cluttered with familial memorabilia.
Severus came beside her, his hands laced behind his back. "Are you suggesting I've… aged well?"
"I'm suggesting… you were born with the soul of a 40-year-old man. Did you ever smile as a kid?"
His robes hung long and low, his hair still wet from the rain. "There wasn't much worth smiling for in my youth…" Severus stole a glance at her.
"I was scared of you then," Lily admitted, clearing her throat. Her fingers running along the frame of the photo.
Severus let out a small laugh, "I don't know why I am surprised to learn that. And… now?" Severus turned to face her, his height and attention boring down on her. The light of the fire hidden in shadow.
"Now…" Lily reached towards him, her hand pressed upon his face. "I see that… there's nothing to be afraid of. Maybe for others, but… not me." The words sank so deep into him it was almost painful. He placed his hand over hers, words escaping him.
She winked at him, turning her gaze back towards the photos. "Everything before the war seems silly in retrospect… time spent worrying about the wrong things. I can hardly imagine stressing over OWL scores or potion exams."
Severus nodded in understanding. "I would have to agree with you. The boy in these photos… is a stranger to me… existing in a different world. I… don't recognize him."
Lily continued running her fingers along the gilded frame, turning her gaze towards him. Her eyes pierced through him as she spoke, "I do."
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"Here we are," Severus' mother broke the silence, placing the pot of tea on the table. "Sit! Please, indulge an old woman."
Severus turned towards his mother, gesturing for Lily to take a seat beside him. Nestling into the settee, Lily pressed onto the cushion. The warmth of her leg rubbing against him, seeping through his robes. Severus placed his hand on her thigh, the length of his fingers pressed upon her. Feeling Lily ease into his touch feeding the feelings of possessiveness he felt over her.
"So, to what do I owe this pleasure? Surely, my son has not come to visit his mother out of the goodness of his heart?" She gave him a sly look, a playful bite to her tone.
Severus flashed his teeth, "We've come to… inquire."
"I hope this isn't on behalf of The Dark Lord," she spoke mockingly, "Though, I suppose you'd know better than to come here with such an abhorrent request."
Lily stirred beside him, clearing her throat, "Not on his behalf… more on the premise of his… demise." Severus' mother's eyes perked up at that. "We're interested in disarming a blood ward… one imbued with dark magic."
His mother's gaze switched between them, "This is interesting... and tricky business."
Severus handed Lily a cup of tea, joining in. "We are aware… and are acquainted with the stakes. Many lives depend on the success of this mission… We are wondering if you have knowledge of procuring the brew that allows the taker to enter the ward... unharmed."
His mother's face turned pensive and grey as she heard the words. "Oh, Sev…" She stood from her seat, walking towards her bookshelf. Running her fingers along the dusty spines, stopping on a large leather tome at the center. "Dark magic wards… are tricky, Sev. Sacrifice is required, yes… and intention…" She rubbed her fingers along her chin, her face lost in thought.
"I helped create them… and am far more powerful now than I was then..."
"It would be your sacrifice, interesting… what would you…" She spoke with concern, her gaze falling to Lily.
Severus fidgeted. "She's not up for discussion."
"This isn't just your decision," Lily shot back, anger filling the void space between them. "I'm willing to give my blood… whatever is needed…"
Severus' mother's features continued twisting in deep thought. "Blood will work… yes… but time, yes time… will be your biggest obstacle. If the ward becomes… aware… you are manipulating it... it may become vengeful."
"What will happen to m- to the taker- if time runs out?" Lily questioned.
"It is hard to know, dear… they may become trapped, they may find themselves in an endless tunnel, tormented by visions set forth by the magic. No magic, especially dark magic, takes kindly to being fooled. I would expect the taker has one to two hours… max, before the effects of the potion wear off."
Lily placed her hand over his, meeting his gaze. "I want to do this, Severus."
Severus felt the restraint on himself loosening, the idea of Lily sacrificing any part of herself to the magic sent his veins pulsing. "How… much blood would be needed?"
"That depends, son. The greater the sacrifice the more… potent the effects."
Severus released a low growl, standing up. "I don't like this." His blood was pounding.
"It's the only way, Severus." Lily spoke softly, "How fitting it will be when a mudblood is the one to dismantle his protection." The smile on Lily's face ignited the room. Severus cracked his neck, releasing tension. While the circumstance was regrettable, he felt… proud of Lily.
"I admire your bravery," Severus' mother spoke towards Lily. "While I have never crafted this particular brew, I feel confident in my ability to aide you. It will take a few hours to make… we should begin."
Severus had a gnawing feeling about this, but Lily was right, this wasn't his decision. "Very well."
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Lily lay sprawled on the couch later that night, her head resting in Severus' lap, the length of her hair spilling over his robes. "Only a few more, my love." Severus whispered, running his fingers along the lines of her face. Lily's eyes were closed, having been given a calming draught along with several blood replenishing potions. Her usual pink features were pale and softened.
Severus' mother kneeled beside her, her wand extracting tincture after tincture of crimson from Lily's veins. Severus continued holding her in his grasp, running his fingers through her hair and whispering to her. He was using all the strength within him to mask the emotions bubbling within him.
The cauldron set beside them filled the space with deep hues of violent, the brew itself darker than a starless night.
"She will be too weak to apparate, son. You should stay here tonight. Your room is how you left it." His mother spoke, gathering the tinctures and striding towards the potion station.
Severus nodded at his mother, lifting Lily into his embrace. Severus strode towards the room at the end of the hall, the room that the youthful child in those photos had mourned and cowered in. Severus released a deep breath as he opened the door to his past. A single thought pulsing through him, filling his veins with a different kind of strength.
She had come for him.
She had come for him.