41 p2

Regulus was already in his room writing a letter to Barty. He needed an invitation somewhere. Anywhere.

Slughorn had already moved in. Apparated his fat lardass down to London, beating the train, and had his stockinged feet up on an ottoman while he read the paper and enjoyed a pipe.

Kreacher breathed insults in the hall under his ancestors' heads.

While his mother downstairs personally directed the kitchen elves to make a welcome home feast for her men.

Merlin on a stick!

Lily got up early. She didn't go over to Spinner's End with Severus yesterday. He had been rather cagey and snuck off, before her mum could insist he stay for dinner. There was no one waiting for him at home. Lily doubted there ever was before either.

There were a couple things on Petunia's gift registry that were useful and small enough to put in that strongbox to make it a more appropriate gift. Lily also started on her Divination assignment. This time the subject was herself. She supposed if she could not be honest about her own future, what hope did she have telling others? It might have been more useful to have this assignment prior to choosing her NEWT classes, if one were to believe Divination at all. Maybe there was some way for Severus to check over her project with his barmy arithmancy.

After her dad left for work, Severus showed up at the back door a short time later with a cardboard box.

"What's that?" she asked.

"It can wait. I made it for you last night," he said with a smirk.

"You made me something?" Lily asked, detecting his playful grin. It had to be something silly. What did they talk about yesterday? Darn. They were on the train for hours, then fought in the bank.

"Hm mmm."

Since Lily waited impatiently, and appeared to have already eaten breakfast, Severus ate his porridge quickly. After meeting Mrs. Evans halfway across the kitchen with his bowl because she didn't want anyone near her sink, Severus slid the box over to Lily who had taken a position next to the counter.

"I can open it here?"

"Yeah, unless there's someone peering in the windows."

"No, you know what I meant."

"Your mother already knows you and wouldn't be the least bit surprised."

"About what?" she asked, opening it. "What's this?"

"Your crown, my queen."

"Huh?" she said with puzzlement lifting out the tin foil construct. For a wizard, she would have expected something more. Something solid was in the center, giving it firm shape, and Sev had stuck shiny, glittering and winking rocks to it that he must have colored into an assorted rainbow.

"You don't like it?"

"Why did you make it?"

"To see if I could," he replied, holding out his hands.

Lily handed it to him, and he did something at the back and it started playing music and singing.

In the town where I was born,

Lived a man who sailed to sea,

And he told us of his life,

In the land of submarines,

"Oh no!" Lily exclaimed, watching the stones change color to different blues then started shifting to green.

"What? That's a favorite of yours. You sang it all the time."

So we sailed on to the sun,

Till we found the sea green,

And we lived beneath the waves,

In our yellow submarine,

"That's when I was a kid, Sev," she complained as the whole mess turned yellow. Bright yellow.

We all live in yellow submarine,

yellow submarine, yellow submarine,

We all live in yellow submarine,

yellow submarine, yellow submarine.

"All right," he replied and stopped it. "I was limited to what I could find on the radio. Though you did teach me all the lyrics to 'Henry the Eighth'. I guess I could have sung that."

Lily laughed. She sang about Henry more than the submarine, and sang out, "Hundredth verse, same as the first. How did you do that?"

"We did it in class when we got out of the hospital. Just charm it from the radio, rather than from yourself."

"Can you bring your radio along with us when we go to work? In case we get bored in the evening?"

"It might be able to pick up stations. Not everyplace interferes like Hogwarts."

"So what are you two planning for today?" Mrs. Evans asked.

"Can I go over to Sev's house?"

"I thought you could do magic here now."

Lily made a face and quipped, "I can, but maybe I like leaving the house now and again."

"You just got home from school yesterday."

Lily looked to Severus for some clever help, but he was back to sitting patiently. He did not see a flaw in Mrs. Evans' logic. Two school chums, as they were, could work on homework or other friendly leisure activities here, and in more comfort with the conveniences of indoor plumbing and electricity. Lily would have to come up with her own explanation of why she wanted to be alone and private with him, since he was not her boyfriend, lover, or fiancé.

"Am I in trouble for something?" Lily asked.

"Should you be?"

"No. How about we go to the store, Sev?"

"All right. I could get some food for home, and you can pick out a couple things too for when you do come over. Unless you are going to eat it today, nothing perishable or without sturdy packaging."

"Can't you build something?"

"I guess. I'm still fussing with the kitchen. I changed the color again yesterday."

"Why?"

"To make it look different because mother spent so much time in there. So why don't we stay here for a while to decide what homework you'd like to work on, then we can go to the store, eat lunch at my house and work over there for a bit, and then I'll walk you back for dinner? Is that all right, Mrs. Evans?"

"That sounds lovely, Severus," she answered almost absently, still thinking about what he initially said about his mother. "Why don't you eat here tonight too?"

Lily sneered. How did Severus put it any different than her? He just gave more details, but they'd still end up at his house for hours.

"Maybe tonight, but not every night, Mrs. Evans. That would be too much."

"Lily, we got to get you to the store. Those shorts don't fit properly any more. Change out of those. Another cuppa, Severus?"

"Thank you," he replied, trying to tune out Lily's grumbles. Her bottom was too round for her old shorts. Since last summer, he guessed Lily conservatively gained at least a stone, probably closer to two. They looked painfully tight, but Severus knew he was no judge of fashion.

"What colors have you tried in your kitchen, Severus?" Mrs. Evans asked. He could be prickly regarding his home, but without his parents, Severus had no one. She'd like to help him, and would not mind him living here in their guest room over the summer. Her daughter seemed to ignore her best friend's difficulties. He seemed to prefer that. However, Lily did get him talking about what he was doing at his house, so perhaps he'd keep talking.

"It was originally dark, so I made it yellow. Sort of like here, but when I got home yesterday it was too bright. Now it's a pale yellow, and I added some of those blinds that I had put in the front room that I copied from another house."

"Magic must make it simpler."

"I suppose. I don't think through what I'm doing as much because I know I can always easily change it."

"Do you have anything major planned before you and Lily are doing your summer work?"

"The roof. I can apparate up there and not be seen."

"Did something happen to your hand, Severus?"

He intentionally looked down at his right hand, rather than his left. "I don't think so."

"The other one," she said, moving in to look closer. "Did something bruise it?"

Severus glanced at his left hand. The same darkening of the nail and knuckles for three of his fingers remained. "It's fine."

She tutted as she tried to get her hands on Severus's. He allowed her to get a hold of it after an initial failed attempt where he jerked it away. Flexing his fingers, she asked, "This doesn't hurt?"

"No."

"Did it get exposed to something? This isn't from sunning, but is there some other way to change the color like chemicals?"

"I don't remember."

"How long have your nails been dark like this?"

"I don't know."

"Is it from when you two were sick and turned green?"

"Maybe. It doesn't bother me."

"Mum, what are you doing?" Lily asked, returning in the same shorts.

"Severus's hand looks banged up, but he doesn't know how or when it happened."

"It doesn't hurt," Severus insisted.

Lily joined her mother, and also put her hands on his to look at his fingers. "I hadn't noticed this. I don't think this happened in Potions. You haven't had any accidents. Maybe you aren't eating well, Sev."

"I eat fine," he groused.

"Did you want to go to St. Mungo's, or see if Healer Pye can take a look at it?"

"No," he said firmly. Severus had gotten a couple spells to work so it was how he wanted it.

"But what if this is a symptom of something more serious?"

"Leave it alone."

"I'm going to keep an eye on it, Sev. If it looks worse, you're going to have to get it looked at."

"I'm not."

"Just you wait. Mum, these are the only pair of shorts that sort of fit. I think we need to go to the store today."

"All right, I'll give your father a call so he'll bring the car home for lunch."

"How about you come along and get some clothes, Sev?"

"More clothes?"

"A couple things for work. Before they get to know you."

Severus made a face. If he was doing dirty work, why would he get new clothes to get ruined? One outfit. "Perhaps. I'll go on my own though."

"Why can't you come with us?"

"I went shopping with you yesterday, Lily. I don't enjoy it."

"What?"

"We disagree over unimportant things. I can go with you sometimes, but not every day."

Lily rolled her eyes at her friend. What they disagreed over was him making bad decisions. Stupid strongbox. Maybe she can pick up something to put in it without him. "Well, what are we going to do today then? I mean, you can stay till lunch, then what?"

"I can go home. I'll come back tomorrow."

"No dinner?" Mrs. Evans asked fretfully.

"I can eat home tonight, and have dinner over here later in the week."

"How about we go upstairs and go over our assignments?" Lily asked, annoyed that Severus was alluding that she was difficult to get along with. It was Severus who didn't have other friends. Lily was very easy to get along with.

"All right."

Once they were upstairs, Lily asked, "Why do you have to be so difficult, Severus?"

"Because I don't feel like spending the afternoon shopping for your clothes? "

"Don't you enjoy being with me?"

"If there's a reason for me to be there. I'm sure you'll manage fine without me."

"Don't you want to offer your opinion on things?"

"Clothes? No. Besides, you don't like the clothes I like."

"What kind of clothes would you like me to wear?"

"Whatever you're comfortable in."

Lily pouted, "I'd be comfortable in nothing. Second day home, and we're not ..."

"Clothes that fit properly are important."

"I know," Lily bellyached, moving closer to Severus who was looking down at her desk, where she had her books already stacked. She put her arms around him, before sliding her hands down to the front of his trousers. "I don't want to wait another day."

"Lily," Severus protested, "we said we were coming up here for schoolwork."

"Oh, like you never tell a little white lie?"

"You have a problem staying quiet."

"I'll cast a silencing spell, silly."

"Do I need to get undressed, or can I just take care of you?"

"Take care of me?"

"With my hands, or mouth, if you prefer. I can wait a couple more days."

"That doesn't sound like any fun."

"I'll try to make you forget about that. Do you want to lay down on your back or front?"

"On my bed?"

"Yes, I'll kneel on the far side so if your mother does come in, your bits are pointed the other way."

"My bits. Really. Um, maybe I prefer my back so I can look at you," Lily replied, moving the pillows so she could prop up her head.

"These shorts aren't painful? This middle seam looks like it is digging into you."

Lily shivered as Severus ran a finger over the middle seam that ran over her crotch. "Hurry up."

Severus opened the button and unzipped her shorts. "There is a line where it dug into your waist, and it looks like your knickers are in a bunch. Really," he commented as he pulled them out of where they were snugly tucked into her crevice. He ran a finger under them once they were loosened and reminded Lily, "The silencing spell?"

"Right," she said, before casting it.

That ended their conversation about how tight her shorts were, and Severus did not have to tease Lily's flesh long before her hips started thrusting in response.

Downstairs, Mrs. Evans called up, "Did you two want pizza for lunch?" She could phone ahead, and her husband could pick it up on his way home.

When no one answered, she walked to the bottom of the stairs and loudly called, "Lily?" Hearing no reply, she tried, "Severus?"

Sighing, she climbed the stairs. The door was either closed too far over, or they were doing something and couldn't hear her. Approaching the door which was closed over too far, she repeated, "Lily?"

Mrs. Evans opened the door, calling her daughter's name again, and got an eyeful. At first she did not want to believe that Lily was sprawled like some … whatever and Severus's face was between her legs that were wrapped around his head, while Lily had a tight grip on his hair. Lily's head was thrown back, her eyes were closed and her mouth wide open, but no sound was coming out of it.

She couldn't help exclaiming, "Oh my Lord!"

When they ignored her, she did not know what to do. Stop them? She wanted them to stop, but it was so embarrassing catching them like this. She could not ignore this though.

Lily was trying to catch her breath when she opened her eyes and looked straight up at her mother. She was standing right next to the bed, looking down at her with a look of horror on her face. Oh my God!

Severus got so annoyed when Lily pulled his hair too hard, that he stopped and sat back to look to find out what her problem was. He certainly felt that he was doing what she wanted.

Catching sight of Lily's mother standing over her, he slapped his hands below her waist to cover her up. Without his hair in the way, it was completely visible from where he was kneeling. Probably somewhat visible from the other side of the bed.

Both of them were talking, but the charm was still in effect. Removing his right hand, he took out his wand and waved the movement for finite.

"... sneak in here?" Lily finished asking.

"I was not sneaking in my own house," Mrs. Evans answered indignantly.

"Rather than arguing, perhaps an explanation first?" Severus suggested.

Mrs. Evans frowned at Severus. Both of them knew they should not be doing something like this. There was something odd about it though. Usually boys wanted something else, and worried little about the girl. She needed to speak with her husband. Petunia never got into trouble like this.

"I doubt there is anything that could explain this."

Lily exclaimed, "Mum, I'm seventeen."

Severus used a spell to get Lily's knickers and shorts back on properly, then calmly said, "I'm not claiming we aren't caught, but there's a reason for this impropriety, Mrs. Evans."

Lily's eyes bugged out. Was Severus going to tell her mum that they were going to get married or something else crazy like that?

When no one said anything, Severus continued, "You may have noticed Lily's cursed wounds she received last year. It's not just how they look that's the curse. She's unable to resist certain urges. Rare meat, overeating, and a level of constant sexual desire. I know it's not exactly a good reason to say her will power is sapped away by the curse, but that's what it is. Lily did not do this sort of thing before, and when she talked about getting married in a vague, futuristic sense, she did mention that her wedding night would be the first time she would be with her husband … so it's the curse, since it changed her so much."

How did Severus come up with such an almost believable tale? Lily wondered. She did not sound too good in the explanation since Sev was saying that she could not help herself with eating and sex. Lily had will power. Just that she wanted to do what she wanted when she wanted. Nothing wrong with that.

"We weren't told about that."

"The school downplays the seriousness of any injuries. Or murders and murder attempts."

"Mum, it's not like I'm throwing myself at any guy I meet."

"I'm going to need to talk this over with your father. I do not want the two of you doing these sort of things. No matter how irresistible it seems." This was very confusing. She could understand the idea of a curse, but to compel Lily to eat like a horse, and to ask her friend to do things to her body. And Severus, what about Severus? He seemed detached in his explanation, but it had to affect him. Even if they were best friends. He was very unattractive so it was doubtful that someone could overlook his strong attachment to Lily long enough to get to know him. Severus might assume that he and Lily belonged together after saving her life, being her friend for so long, and doing these intimate acts to her. Had they ever gone all the way? Or was it just Severus kissing her mons? Either way, it seemed impossible that he ignored what he was doing because Lily was under a curse.

"It's not as sordid as it could sound, mum. I mean we've tried to think up some solutions, but I don't like any of the boys at school. Severus has even suggested it would be more acceptable if we married, but that seems drastic. We're legally old enough for wizard standards, but we're still in school so that's too young."

Severus was confused. Why was Lily mentioning this to her mother? She didn't want to marry him.

"Married!" Mrs. Evans exclaimed.

"Well, I know. I told Severus we couldn't even discuss it once Petunia's engagement started because it would too much for you and dad."

He listened to Lily, but although it was somewhat true, she did not want to marry him. And now her mother agreed. No matter what he did, it would never be good enough for Lily or her family.

"I didn't mean that. I meant I agree that the two of you are still in school and what will you live on, since both of you are planning on further education once you are done at Hogwarts? It's impractical and rushed. Isn't there some anticurse thing you can cast or take to control it? Besides the immoral behavior, you're ballooning up, Lily, and getting very unfit."

Severus paused his internal pity party. Mrs. Evans wasn't blaming him?

"Mum! I am not. Besides, if I do a lot of walking this summer, as I've done before, I'm sure to get more trim."

"And who knows what you'll be fed at this fellow's house."

"I doubt it will be knickerbocker glories at every meal."

Unsure of what to do, Severus remained kneeling on the floor, rather than drawing attention to himself. They were arguing over Lily's weight, rather than him getting yelled at to get out and never come back. Her mother believed the curse excuse, or at least for now. Mr. Evans would undoubtedly see it differently.

"Maybe you should not go since you have this disability. Who knows what could happen?"

"If Severus is with me, it's not a problem."

"So … this was going to be going on for six weeks?"

"What do you think's been going on since I got hurt? I mean, I didn't get out of hospital and attack Severus, but we kind of worked up to … you know."

"Are you telling me … months? Months of you …? Lily, this is terrible."

Was Lily believing there really was a curse, or just enjoying the story? She asked him to shag her on a table in the Hog's Head, before the werewolf attack.

"Others do it. It's the 1970s, mum, not the 1870s."

"I don't care what anyone else is doing, you were not raised that way."

Severus glanced at the door. If this happened last year, this is where Petunia would leap in. Then he could leave, rather than witnessing an argument that was going to go nowhere.

"I've been away at school since before I was a teen."

"Well, obviously this school is not so good if they allow this sort of thing to go on. I may write a letter."

"Don't embarrass me, mum!"

Severus narrowed his eyes. It would not surprise anyone at Hogwarts that students shagged. It was undoubtedly embarrassing to find out that someone as hideous as him was involved. Lily did not want people to know they were more than friends for precisely that reason. He stood. When they both looked at him, he said, "I think I'll go home."

"Perhaps that's best, Severus."

"Mum! Sev … um, I'll send my owl over later, I guess."

Slytherins! Half a million galleons! Mr. Potter raged at James, "Why did you boys have to mess with Slytherins? When they find out how much you want something, they make you pay for it."

"What now?"

"Our solicitor received a counter proposal. The boys and the one girl who was only scarred would rather that the one that got turned into a werewolf receive their funds since she has the greatest future need."

James thought that sounded kind of nice. Why was his father having kneazles over that?

"Except they raised the amount to half a million galleons, instead of the 37,100 that was offered in total, including the twenty thousand to the Parkin family."

James choked, "How can they expect Remus to pay that?"

"They don't."

"Why didn't they just say 'no' then? Maybe I can go talk to Evans."

"Is that the girl you tried to attack at the Ministry?" Mrs. Potter asked, reliving the moment of shock in her mind.

"I wasn't attacking her. It was the slimy bastard behind her."

"A lad without a wand out," Mr. Potter muttered, shaking his head. "In the middle of the Ministry," he added, then, "with everyone watching."

"It wasn't like that. He started it."

"He didn't even speak. You have to control your temper, or you'll end up joining your friend in Azkaban."

"Evans might know what they have in mind. You said she was throwing her lot in with them."

"That's what our solicitor was led to believe from theirs. I don't want you bothering any of them, James."

James rolled his eyes. He could do as he liked. It wasn't like he was going to kick Snape's arse. He was going to talk to Evans. Maybe over dinner. Yeah, dinner. Someplace nice. Then he could send round flowers the next day so he could then ask her out on a second date. Maybe flying together on his Nimbus and a picnic lunch. Once he told her that he was now on the Chudley Cannons reserve team, and he was training up to be a starting Chaser … well, she'd probably melt into a puddle and there'd be some heavy snogging. Oh yeah. He was playing quidditch, was going to date Evans finally, and just needed to sort out Remus so then they could get a place close to where the Cannons practiced.

"I have an appointment to see Remus today. I'll tell him we're still working on it. Can our solicitor just reply that it's too much?"

"You do know that whatever we pay to this MacDonald, we'll have to at least match it for Parkin. We're not going to be able to afford it."

"But we have that much, don't we?"

"We may. It's not like we count it, but Lupin is not family. Besides, it was Black that got him into this mess. I don't hear you mentioning his name, and how he's going to help."

"Forget about Black," James snarled. If he ever caught Sirius in England, he might turn him in himself. He was a coward and a traitor.

When her father came home for lunch with the car, her mother only told him that she had something important and that would need lengthy discussion regarding Lily this evening.

He asked her, "Am I going to like it?"

"No, you won't, dad, but at some point I'd like to be included in the conversation since it does involve me."

"We'll see."

"I would rather fill your father in without your interference, Lily. It reflects upon us as parents."

"Don't get all dramatic, mum. It's a curse. None of us can help it."

"I think you could try harder. Now don't go getting your father all worried. He has a long afternoon at work ahead of him."

"A curse?" was all he repeated. Magic stuff. They never had problems with Petunia and curses. If his wife was upset, it had to be a doozy. Reflect upon them as parents? Oh Lord. "So you need more clothes?"

"I've outgrown a lot of my old summer things."

"She's popping out of them," Mrs. Evans explained.

"Hmm," he agreed. Lily's outfit was tight, but he wasn't sure if she was following a current fashion. "None of them tube tops."

"What's that?"

"Never you mind," Mrs. Evans said, while serving slices of pie for dessert.

Although Mrs. Evans usually gave the road her full attention when she drove, today she made an exception after they dropped Mr. Evans off at work. "Could you be pregnant, Lily? That could be the weight gain."

"No, I am not. I also know how it happens so you don't have to pry into that."

"It's only with Severus?"

"Yes. Only him."

"Doesn't he think it strange?"

"What?"

"That you want him to … help you?"

"He's my closest friend."

"That's not what I meant. He knows it's the curse? Not that you think of him as more than a friend?"

"It's complicated. We've talked about it," Lily said evasively. There was no real curse. Lily wasn't really a victim.

"Even if he's verbally said he understands, I don't know, Lily. He's alone, without you."

"He's got a couple mates at school."

"Severus mentioned his mother this morning. That empty house can't be good for him."

"What do you want me to do about it? Move in with him? You want me to live in Spinner's End?"

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm trying to be serious. Forbidding you two from seeing each other - "

"But -"

"Don't interrupt. I was trying to say that keeping you home for the summer, and not allowing him over, would not be fair to him."

"I have a job lined up, and we were going to a wedding together."

"I know. I'm trying to think this through. You've made a real mess out of this, Lily."

"Me?"

"Was it your idea or not?"

"What was my idea … you mean, well, it's not that I knew what was going on at first, but … I don't think I'm going to answer that."

"Besides what I caught you doing this morning, what else have you two gotten up to?"

"I don't think I want to answer that either."

"But you are sure you aren't pregnant?"

"Positive."

Later, when they pulled into the drive with the car with its trunk loaded with bags, Lily squinted to see who was on their front porch. Did Severus come back? She said she'd send her owl over. He also knew they planned to go shopping this afternoon.

She got out of the car to see what he needed, when the person stepped out into the sunlight and greeted her, "Evans!"

Oh no, it was Potter. How had she missed his stupid glasses? "What do you want?"

"To talk to you."

"I told you not to come near my house."

"Who's this?" Mrs. Evans asked.

"One of those boys that attacked the pub last summer, and he got expelled over the school year for other things."

"I did not attack that pub."

"The pub?" Mrs. Evans asked nervously.

"Just leave," Lily insisted.

"I need to talk to you about Remus Lupin."

"I don't want to talk to you about the werewolf attack."

"That too?" her mother asked.

"Yes, he was involved with that too." Lily took out her wand.

"No need for that, Evans. The muggles."

"My mum ...?" Lily started to ask or explain, but then thought of Sev's father and the other guys in the pub. Potter and the others did attack her at school. What about here? Her mother? Her house? The car? She grabbed her mother's arm and apparated.

Looking at the dirt packed garden behind Sev's house in Spinner's End, Lily reconsidered this may not have been too smart. Potter was sure to know Severus was close, and a likely place to run.

Mrs. Evans felt very ill She leaned over and threw up.

"Sorry, mum. If I had warned you, then he would have heard. He's attacked me at school and other people. With Sev's dad probably killed by his friend, I didn't think it safe to stay. Severus's house should be hard for him to enter."

Lily looked nervously at the kitchen windows, then turned her head to scan for anyone while holding onto her mother's arm. When she heard the cawing sound, she looked up to see the raven perched on the edge of the roof, looking down at them. "Phi, can you let Severus know we're out here?"

Stupid bird, she thought impatiently as Phi just sat up there. "Mum, can you come with me to the back door?"

Mrs. Evans groaned but did move.

The door opened before they reached the step, and Severus asked, "What are you doing?"

"Potter was waiting for us when we got home. He wouldn't leave."

"Potter?"

"Yeah."

"You apparated your mother?"

"Uh yeah, there wasn't much time to talk it over."

"Come in," he urged. Phi dropped down and flew in through the door before Severus closed it.

"I thought you said it was safe to portkey and apparate muggles?"

"It is. Your mother hasn't done it before."

"But I never puked."

"If you did side-along before you knew how, you may have."

"Can I offer you some water, Mrs. Evans? I moved the table and chairs, so if you'd like to sit, we'll need to go into the next room."

"Oh yeah, let's get you a seat, mum. What should we do about Potter?"

Severus had several ideas about what should be done about Potter. None were legal, and undoubtedly Lily would not keep quiet if he got rid of Potter permanently. Why did she bother coming here?

"We can see if he's still at your house. If he insists on staying or is publicly doing magic, we can apparate to a floo point, and then floo to London to complain to Magical Law Enforcement."

"But can't we get rid of him?"

"Is he in the house or outside?"

"He was outside."

"If he's loud, someone may be watching. We'd have to wait till it got dark."

"What if we're protecting ourselves?"

"I wouldn't rely on being right to absolve us of doing magic in the open."

"Oooh, how I hate them. Lying bum rags and their money."

Although she had felt sicker than a dog when they first landed, or whatever, Mrs. Evans had recovered quickly, especially now that she was seated inside. The kitchen had been simple and not modern, but she needed to get a better look to form a firmer opinion. The sitting room had a hollow feel due to all the empty shelves. Lily had said this room had been full of books.

Severus did not have on a jumper. He looked ill with the white undershirt illustrating how sallow his skin was. The oversized jumpers he wore also hid his thinness. He had no hips worth mentioning so the suspenders he wore were probably more effective than a belt.

His arms were wiry, slightly hairy, marked with a couple scars and a nasty burn inside one elbow. His protruding wrist bones bordered on unsightly and were not helped by his bony, long-fingered hands.

Severus turned away from Lily to see Mrs. Evans stared at him. What did Lily tell her that he could do about Potter? It may not even be Potter alone. Black could be hidden over there, with or without his half-veela.

"We won't know what he's up to until we go back. Perhaps your mother could stay here? If we're detained, the front door does open from the inside for anyone."

"Is there anything mum shouldn't touch?"

"No … oh wait, I traded for some books that I haven't looked at. They may be dangerous. Just leave the books alone." He hoped Lily's mother was not the one that inspired Lily to go looking through everything she touched. Severus did not have anything hidden down here, but the lack of things, compared to the Evans, might rekindle Mrs. Evans crusade to help him. Unless he got caught shagging Lily on their dining room table.

He summoned his jumper from upstairs.

Lily noticed, "You took off the doors."

"As I said, I wanted the house to feel different. Removing the two doors in here doesn't do much, but I can see the stairs and kitchen now."

He then added, "Oh," and summoned a pitcher and drinking glass from the kitchen. He filled it with water from his wand and left it on a stool, next to the worn chair on which Mrs. Evans was sitting.

"Thank you, Severus."

He pulled on his jumper, and Phi swooped onto his shoulder.

"Apparate to behind your shed? I'll cast a shield charm in the direction of the house when I appear."

Lily nodded, and Severus disapparated. She needed to spin a little in place, unlike him, and followed. She appeared behind him. Severus tilted his head to the other side and listened, before turning to say to her, "I don't see or hear him. How about I disillusion you?"

"Shouldn't you be disillusioned, Sev?"

"If he's here and sees me, he's likely to expose himself."

Lily's lip quirked. She knew Severus did not mean the 'expose himself' that she suddenly thought of.

He knew what she was thinking and raised an eyebrow. Now was not the time. He cast the disillusionment on Lily, and recast a different shield charm that was not as strong but moved with him, and slunk out from behind the shed.

"He was on the front porch before," Lily hissed.

"Is your house warded, or can anyone saying alohamora enter?"

"Just look already." She refused to let Severus make this her fault.

Severus snuck up to the back of the house, kept his head beneath the kitchen windows and cast some detection spells.

Lily saw Phi descend, but she flew past like she did not know either of them. At least Lily thought it was Phi, rather than another raven or crow.

Severus waved her up, and then went along the side of the house towards the front. Although hard to see, Lily hurried to catch up while simultaneously trying to be silent. She wouldn't be happy until Potter was face down in the garden with a mouthful of dirt and rocks.

Up ahead of her, Severus crouched, cast something, then stepped into the front garden with his wand ready. He quickly cast something, then said, "Potter, Evans does not want you here."

"Snape? Get out of here, you slimy cockroach."

"I am repeating that Evans wants you away from her house."

"I was going when you put your greasy beak into this."

Lily kept low as she peeked around the side of the house. Potter was standing stiffly on the porch. He was not going anywhere, or he would have taken off when she apparated away with her mum.

"I'm not stopping you from leaving. She does not want you here. Not now or ever again."

"I can go where I like, Snivellus. Maybe it's you that aren't welcome here."

"What are you saying? You refuse to leave, or that you feel that you have the right to come here whenever you fancy?"

"I'm here to take Evans to dinner, you idiot."

Lily's mouth opened in outrage, "You lying scum," and cast a stinging hex at the toerag.

"Hey, I felt that," Potter complained.

"I am not going anywhere with you, and I want you away from my house and family."

"I wanted to talk to you, Evans. About Lupin."

Severus stated, "That's being handled through solicitors."

"Exactly," Lily agreed. "You can't come here and try to bully me."

"I'm not here to bully you. It's also disconcerting talking to a blur."

Lily removed the disillusionment, and replied, "Well, you certainly aren't sweet talking either of us so clear out."

"It's too much money," James said absently, staring at Evans. Those muggle clothes looked horrible on her. Her body was bulging out all over. Had the dragonpox caused her to let herself go like this? She used to be somewhat fit, for someone who didn't fly or play quidditch. She had to have gained at least thirty pounds. Probably because there weren't any good-looking guys at Hogwarts anymore, she felt it wasn't worth it to make an effort.

"Then Lupin'll just have to stay put. Teach him to trust toerags like you with his secret."

"It's all Snape's fault."

"He's not a werewolf that attacked people. He didn't trust Black. And he certainly wouldn't send a blooming arse like you to negotiate. If this is how you help Lupin, he's better off in prison."

"Evans," Potter exclaimed in disgust. She was supposed to be one of the good guys. "What do you really want?"

"What do I want? I want Mary to live what's left of her life as painlessly and with as little worry as possible."

"But half a million?"

"Get creative, Potter," Severus suggested. "Who put Lupin in that position? Black and the school."

"And what about you Snape? What do you have up your greasy sleeve?"

"MacDonald would not be interested in signing at all, if she did not need money. She's limited by the disability you and your friends caused her."

"No, no. You. What do you get?"

"If I had some ulterior motive, I would not tell you. Would I?"

"You fancy MacDonald getting all that money? Going to promise to take care of her, marry her, and do her in?"

Lily's lip curled. Why were people interested in getting Severus and Mary together? Pure madness. "In case you haven't noticed, you blind toerag, he's at my house, not MacDonald's. Now leave."

"I'm not leaving till this is settled."

"It'll be settled by the solicitors, not through threatening my family or house," Lily replied.

"I didn't threaten anyone."

"That's because you hex first and lie later. You've attacked me at school, attacked patrons at a nearby pub ..."

"That wasn't me."

"Well, you were the one that was caught each time. And you show up here after I told you I didn't want you anywhere near my house."

"When'd you say that?"

"When you tried to kiss me at the Ministry."

"What's a friendly birthday kiss?"

"I'd rather kiss the giant squid."

Potter laughed, then said, "Oh, you'll change your tune, Evans. I'll have you know I got a spot on a professional quidditch team."

"How'd you do that? Kill more potential rivals for it?" Lily asked in disgust. Quidditch!

Brain damage? Severus thought to himself. What made Potter a total and complete arse? Even with limitless amounts of money, how can one person be so oblivious to everything around him? Lily did not care about quidditch. In fact, she could get quite angry if it was discussed ad nauseum. Severus suggested, "Did you buy the quidditch team?"

"I got on due to pure talent, Snivelly."

"Why can't you see I don't want you here ever? I don't want to ever see you anywhere. And I'm going to double the amount because you are such a toerag because Lupin's better off with dementors for company than you."

"There's no need to get so nasty, Evans."

"That's because you are totally unwelcome. I had to apparate, and my mum puked. I am just getting started, if you think this is nasty."

"Obviously you are keeping company with the wrong sort," he said with a look at Snape in his ill-fitting, reeking, moth-eaten jumper with worn trousers that he probably stole off a drunken hobo. Wait a minute, where did Evans take her mother? To Snape's? Was her mother sitting in his house having tea with his hag of a mother? If his father was the muggle, then yeah, taking her to a witch in a wizarding household was a safe bet, if she was in danger. Her mother hadn't been, but obviously Evans was delusional. Teaming up with Slytherins to negotiate against Lupin and him. Evans would end up with nothing. MacDonald too. Snape was like a slimy barnacle, stuck tight to Evans. If only he had the decency to throw himself in front of Parkin back in November.

"Unlike Lupin, I know how to pick my friends."

"All right." James raised his hands. "We'll do it through the solicitors, but you still owe me dinner, Evans."

"I do not. Get lost."

"And when I find up what you and your slimy friends are up to, Snape, you're going to get it," James promised, pointing at the disgusting teen. He apparated before he had to put up with any more of Snape's lies.

"What the hell is wrong with him?" Lily asked.

"He fancies you."

"Ugghh. Stop kidding around about stuff like that, Sev."

Mrs. Evans felt that the sip of cool, clear water was just what she needed. One of those terrible boys from last summer was at her house, and he had something to do with Lily getting hurt and this horrible curse thing. Why was he at their house? Did he expect Lily to act out her impulses with him? She hoped Severus and Lily set him straight on that.

They left her behind in Severus's house. What was she supposed to do sitting here while they sorted out that boy, who could do magic but the magical authorities let run wild? Since Severus only said not to touch books, that could be interpreted to mean that everything else was at least viewable. She got up and went back to the kitchen.

This shade of yellow he put on the cabinets was wrong. It needed either to go to a pale lemon or back to a bright tint. The pulls on the draws was not right for them either. Nor the floor. He should do something about the floor. And curtains. Not just the exposed venetian blinds.

She opened a couple cabinets before she suddenly realized that the toy furniture on the counter could be the real kitchen table and chairs. Severus had a catalog open next to them with pictures of other table and chair sets. She lifted it and saw from the address that he must have retrieved it from one of her neighbor's rubbish.

Hm, why didn't Lily offer to transform, or whatever they called it, their house? At the very least, Mrs. Evans was tired of the color of the avocado appliances. White. Why hadn't she gone with white? White would never go out of style. Even her washer and dryer, that no one saw, were yellow.

She looked at the black stove. Even when she was a child, her parents did not have something this antiquated. Dirty too. There was a large bucket with coal, a decent stack of wood and a pile of newspapers up to her waist. They probably made these black to hide how filthy they were.

Recalling Lily's taunt this morning of moving in with Severus, Mrs. Evans shook her head. Lily wouldn't last in this kitchen one hour. Severus would have to do everything for her. Not that that would be surprising, but what was the use of having a woman around the house if she couldn't cook?

Moving back to the sitting room, it was still the same as before. Empty and hollow feeling with its shelves mostly bare. There were a few books left. Maybe the books that Severus asked that she not touch. Looking at the titles, one of them surprised her greatly so she pulled it out.

The table of contents was what she expected, at least from the title, not something she'd expect Severus to want to read. It was about women getting pregnant, along with how to overcome difficulties in that area, what happened when they were pregnant, and early childhood along with what she supposed were spells. What was this picture? A pregnant man? What kind of nonsense was he reading?

Out of all the books that Lily said packed these shelves, this one was left behind for a reason. Mrs. Evans felt a terrible sense of dread. Either Lily was looking at this, Severus was looking at this, or they were looking at it together. Lily was still seventeen. And with Severus? He was only seventeen himself, born only a couple weeks before Lily.

She panicked momentarily, trying to remember how the book was on the shelf with respect to the others. They were lying on their sides, with the largest on the bottom so this one must have been here. Mrs. Evans stepped back and looked at them. That looked right.

With a nervous glance, she headed towards the stairs. At the top, the door was open to a tiny bedroom, smaller than her upstairs bath at home.

Conflicting thoughts were in her head. Severus's room was bare. Not what a boy's room should look like. Reassuringly, his bed was narrow, without room for two.

However, there was another door up here. She opened it. It was Mr. and Mrs. Snape's room. Compensating for the tiny room at the front of the house, this bedroom was properly sized with a full bed and two dressers and a chest at the foot of the bed. The air was stale and musty, and dust covered everything, even the bedspread was greyed with it. Again, Mrs. Evans was saddened thinking about Severus avoiding this room, but heartened that he was not using it with Lily … for whatever they were doing together.

What was taking them so long? She returned downstairs to the chair in the sitting room to wait and think. That book changed things. One of them was serious about having a family. Probably Severus. He was so alone. Did Lily know? The book was not hidden, and Lily did come over here to study or so she said. Or maybe it was Lily looking at it. Other than the pockmarks that she could not help, she had let her appearance slip. Did she already consider Severus as good as married to her? Without a ring on her finger, there were no guarantees. What could she be thinking … and Severus? He was still not over his parents' deaths, and he didn't need Lily complicating things. Especially when she turned a deaf ear to whenever he said something about himself.

That evening, Mr. Evans was not sure what he wanted to do. Magical curses, Severus touching Lily like that, some nasty boy that followed his daughter was here, his wife over at Severus's house where she found that book. Education, even that kind was important, but he agreed that keeping that book out of all of them was suspicious. Unless most of the books had been about that sort of thing. And another thing, this had nothing to do with him inviting Severus to Vernon's bachelor party.

When her parents finally got done talking to each other, of course, they had it all wrong when they tried to lay down their rules with Lily. Except they had the part about Severus getting caught with her up in her bedroom. That was the only thing that they sort of had right, except for the part about Lily was under a curse. She didn't correct them on that, or else … who knew what they'd think.

Frankly, they were rather mad. Even though Lily was a child during the 1960s, and was sequestered in a boarding school for the 1970s, things were different now. A curse causing her immoral looseness was not a reason to consider marriage at such a young age. It was a mistake even mentioning that earlier. She meant that Severus and her had considered their options.

Their ideas to fight her urges, such as cold showers and baths sounded odd. And they were even more bizarre because in their version of what was going on, Severus was a victim. Huh? Were they saying that to get her to reveal all the juicy details? Yuck. Well, Lily Evans was not going to fall for something that transparent.

They talked. She sighed. They talked some more. She rolled her eyes. They kept talking till Lily couldn't take it anymore and decided to go to bed.

Her owl was already off to London with a complaint to Magical Law Enforcement about Potter. She didn't expect them to do anything, but there may be an answer regarding at what point she was allowed to cast something at him and she wouldn't end up in Azkaban.

Severus was no help to her the next morning because he listened politely to her mother. Lily made faces at the back of her mum and at Severus, but almost fell off her chair when Severus asked, "What about when Lily is suffering?"

"Suffering?" Mrs. Evans repeated.

"It's a curse," he replied.

Lily looked at him. Was he going to try and tell her mum that Lily would be in unbearable torment if she didn't shag? Oh my God!

Mrs. Evans repeated again,"Suffering?" Before she muttered, "Well, we would not want Lily to be in pain, but you two should exercise restraint. It's not right."

"I understand, Mrs. Evans. Obviously we would not be overstepping boundaries, if it could be helped."

"Why didn't you say something about this last night, Lily?"

"Uh well, it's sort of personal. I'm still angry that Severus told you about the curse. Though I guess if he didn't, you'd think the worst of us."

Albus Dumbledore entered the staffroom. Their last staff meeting prior to their own summer holiday was about to commence. He raised an eyebrow at Argus Filch sharpening a pencil to an even more dangerous point with a knife. Usually there was no cause for note taking, especially by Argus. He glanced around to see if the squib was trying to intimidate someone else in the room. If he was, no one was cringing in terror.

Things did not get interesting till the very end. Usually, this was the last chance to poll the staff for the selection of Head Boy and Head Girl. It could not be done earlier due to final grades not being available. Capable as ever, Minerva had prepared the list of new seventh year prefects and any quidditch captains along with their courses and grades.

Argus growled, "What about Snape?"

"He is not a prefect, Mr. Filch," Minerva reminded him. "However, I'll add his grades because I received two interesting letters of support regarding him. Frank Longbottom, who I'm sure you all remember as our Head Boy from Gryffindor in 1975, and Gaspard Shingleton, our current Head Boy from Ravenclaw, both wrote recommending Severus Snape as Head Boy."

Albus looked at Minerva in surprise. Frank Longbottom? He was 100% Gryffindor.

"Who is he?" Silvanus Kettleburn asked.

Albus answered, "He is a Slytherin student who earlier this year received both a commendation for Special Services to Hogwarts, and an Order of Merlin, third class, for saving other students from a werewolf." That reminded him, he still had the Order of Merlin in his office. In his haste to not keep Argus waiting, Severus had left it.

"That again?" Silvanus muttered. Frankly, he was relieved to have those Gryffindor boys out of his class. They caused more mishaps than the beasts.

"I'm afraid that is still haunting us," Albus admitted. "By the way, this may be a tangent, but an interesting one. James Potter is trying to get Remus Lupin pardoned. On the advice of his family solicitor, the victims or family were written offering money to have them sign a document forgiving Lupin, since he was unaware of what he was doing at the time."

Holding up a hand to prevent the interruption, based on no werewolf is using its human mind while transformed, "Considering the cirumstances, that is. Another student set up the unfortunate events, and students that were aware of the plan, decided to keep quiet. Anyway, an interesting counteroffer was proposed. From what I've been able to find out, it was Mr. Snape's idea. Rather than receiving a token amount, in Mr. Snape's case one hundred galleons, four of them have banded together to ask for a very generous settlement for Miss MacDonald, and ask nothing for themselves."

"How do you …?" Minerva asked.

"Well, between the Wizengamot, solicitors, and Mr. Potter asking Hogwarts to shoulder some of the financial burden, since the school left Mr. Lupin exposed for other students to take advantage of, I got wind of it."

"Hogwarts pay?" Poppy asked in confusion.

"It's my fault," Albus sighed. "I made the decision for all the secrecy."

"It was Mr. Snape who suggested the opposite for Miss MacDonald to stay here," Minerva stated. Albus and his damned secrets. They only worked when someone did not use the information simply for their own amusement.

Pomona Sprout added, "Orphaned in the past year too. Thanks to Death Eaters." When she said the last bit, she challengingly stared at the headmaster.

Poppy Pomfrey did not like the direction this discussion was taking. Unfortunately, Horace had a personal emergency and left when the students did. If they wanted to discuss Slytherins, they should wait till Horace was around. With his experience dealing with that house, he saw right through them.

Other teachers then talked about their favorites, getting Poppy's hopes up that Snape would be forgotten. Usually she took no interest in the students' academics because they were all equal in her eyes.

Not everyone voted for both a male and female on their slip of parchment. Some did not have any of these students in their class and thought it best not to judge, and others like Argus Filch, did not have a preference for the second position.

Albus did not vote, but did tally the ballots, recognizing the handwriting of his colleagues. He glanced at Minerva. She voted for Severus, along with Lily Evans. She always voted for the two Gryffindor prefects, unless she had an academically gifted quidditch captain, however there was no male prefect from her house this year. Other heads stayed true to voting for their own prefects. Mentally, he gave the Slytherin prefects a vote each since Horace was absent. Horace occasionally crossed house lines, but without him here, Albus could not make a better educated guess as to his vote.

The total was clear that Severus Snape not only outnumbered others, but somehow gained a majority of votes. He went through the parchment stack to reconcile his calculation because it seemed off. Filius voted for his, Pomona for hers, Poppy for the Hufflepuffs, and then Rubeus only voted for Evans. However, how did Severus obtain Silvanus's vote? Didn't he ask less than a half hour ago who Severus was? Additionally, Severus did not take Divination, but gained that vote along with another for Evans, who did take that course. Rolanda Hooch only voted for quidditch players, so Severus had not gained her vote.

He checked his numbers for Head Girl. Lily Evans had enough votes to make Head Girl.

Albus cleared his throat and announced, "There is a majority for Head Boy, but I'd be remiss if I did not point out that for some unknown reason Voldemort's followers have targeted Severus Snape. Perhaps drawing more attention to him would not be wise."

Poppy stared at the headmaster. Why hadn't he said this before? From what she had heard, Snape and a number of his Slytherin friends were likely to join up with He Who Must Not Be Named.

Albus shifted uncomfortably as he noticed some of the staff exchanging glances, before Minerva rebuked with her r's rolling due to his comment heating her blood, "Mr. Snape has more backbone than that, if you haven't noticed. Between you and Horace's prejudice, it's little wonder that he's treated like a house elf."

Even though she had not voted for him, Pomona did not like unfairness, "He's an excellent student, Albus. Even was on my list to work the greenhouses early in the morning when we had that horrible weather."

"Hard worker. Never gives me lip," Argus growled.

Filius quipped, "Are you sure it's only that? He did show up Peeves in the main staircase."

"The foul thing was chasing his familiar from the top of the tower all the way down to the basement," Filch said. "Could have killed the poor bird from exhaustion."

"Oooh, that's right. Sorry, Argus. That is a fine animal, and quite right that it should be protected," Filius replied.

Also disliking back room politics, Rolanda commented, "Fair is fair. You said yourself that he saved other students. His grades are good, and he has more classes than some of these other choices."

"He lacks leadership," Poppy inserted. "Shouldn't the Head Boy be a role model?"

"Poppy, Albus told us earlier that Severus convinced two Slytherins to band together with Evans and him to attempt to get a settlement for Miss MacDonald, a Gryffindor," Minerva presented. "He may not be a hero on the quidditch pitch, but when there's a right and a wrong, he clearly sees his path and quietly tries to make others see it too. Did you read what he had published in The Quibbler?"

Albus's mouth dropped open. He had almost forgotten about that. Where did Severus find the time for all this?

Socrates Upsilon broke character and said in English for everyone's benefit, "He's a natural philosopher, given to deep thought."

Also unlike the distracted wizard he normally was, Atlas was here and now. "What are you talking about, Albus? You never cared about his well-being before. Bloodied lips and black eyes in class, knocked down the stairs all the time, set on fire in Potions, and you encouraged those bullies until they got so bad that another student ended up dead. I know you don't care much for serious academics such as what we get up to in Arithmancy, but I've seen Severus Snape's intrinsic understanding of magic. He's already made one discovery that was published in The Practical Potioneer, and I expect, if left to work on things in peace, we can expect many more."

When faced with what could degenerate into a trial of his own character, Albus was disconcerted. He had merely suggested it would be in Severus's best interest not to be elevated above his peers due to the unwelcome attention he already received. Personally, he felt that he owed Severus for his accidental mishandling of many incidents, and Snape was due for something. However, Albus was not looking to put a bigger target on him. Even the staff that that did not vote for Severus, yet were willing to abide by the vote, didn't understand why he was hesitant. "Very well, I suppose Severus Snape will be Head Boy, and Lily Evans will be Head Girl next year. You'll take care of that, Minerva?"

"Of course, Albus. I'll send those letters out with the others in about three to four weeks."

After the meeting and wishing everyone a pleasant holiday, Albus returned to his office to think. It was odd. Minerva was right that Severus Snape was not a quidditch player to be admired, and in fact, he was homely and had an abrasive personality. How did he gain attention and support? His blood status put him at a disadvantage in Slytherin, yet he was able to negotiate with them when it was important. If he was magically influencing those around him, why not Horace? Out of all the staff to get singing his praises, Horace would be the most important.

He could not help laughing to himself that perhaps Severus preferred Argus to Horace. Severus certainly walked his own path, with little regard to what everyone else did. Albus could not perceive the reasoning behind much of it, but as more things were exposed, Severus definitely seemed to ascertain the right direction. Such as when Severus threw down the gauntlet at the Ministry in The Quiddler.

Struck with the sudden idea that Voldemort might have access to a prophecy regarding Severus, Albus leaped out of his chair and raced to the North Tower. His staff evaporated after that last meeting, and he may have missed his opportunity to speak with his resident expert on Divination. Usually he did not put much stock in that subject, not being gifted in it himself, but there were a few that swore by it, if you found someone with the gift. There were a lot of fakes out there.

He caught Prof. Augury coming down the ladder, wearing a rucksack and semi-muggle clothing.

"Ah, I caught you."

"What is it, Albus?"

"Why did you cast your lot for Severus Snape?"

"So much for the anonymity of those ballots … well, none of the other lads took Divination, and the Snape boy was the subject of Evans' yearlong project so I knew him in a way."

"Project?"

"To test their skills, and to weed out those that have the gift from those that don't. NEWT students over the summer have to pick two very separate subjects and predict their upcoming year. Miss Evans did a lovely job on her mother, and only had one flaw for Mr. Snape."

"What was that?"

"She got something rather backwards, but it's understandable. All the signs were present for something favorable, but considering the only thing that occurred at that time was the death of both his parents, it's considered a failed prediction."

Albus gave it a moment's thought to what he knew of the situation. He was not sure of the influence Severus's father had on him, or maybe he did. Tobias Snape did not care for awards and ceremonies, and Severus seemed to share that opinion. At seventeen, he may have had little future effect on his son. Severus's mother … even though it was a terrible oversight on his part, if Eileen had lived, he felt Severus would have left Hogwarts to care for her. He was inclined to agree with Atlas's prediction that there was a lot of potential in Severus. Not finishing school would be disastrous. The possibility for being trapped to care for family struck a chord with Albus. If his mother had died sooner, would Albus ever have taken his NEWTs?

"Do you still have her project?"

"Yes, but it does not cover further. We'll have to go up to my office."

Albus followed him. "Oh, so you had no feelings regarding Mr. Snape?"

"Not really. I mean, everyone else said good things about him. What are you looking for?"

"I don't know. I have no idea why Voldemort has any interest in a student. I agree with Atlas that the dragonpox that Snape received was definitely from an old curse, considering that Miss Evans also contracted a case that was synchronized with his. Curses like that are not cast about willy-nilly. I have not found the connection during the werewolf attack, but Black left the country so fast, no one had time to question him thoroughly regarding his connection to Voldemort, whether directly or through his family. That followed by a Death Eater attack against his muggle father, in an area with no coverage by The Daily Prophet, contrary to their usual tactics to sensationalize events and spread fear to drive up subscriptions."

"I doubt you'll find the connection in his horoscope. The Dark Mark does not show up in predictions."

"I got to thinking perhaps there's a Prophecy, and Voldemort is trying to circumvent it."

"Oh no, you've been listening to Socrates, haven't you? There's no way out of a Prophecy. Look at that Oedipus guy. Anyway, Prophecies are rare. Half the time, the seer's alone and no one witnesses it. The only one that knows is locked up in the Ministry dungeon filing their stupid, and probably mislabeled glass balls. Fat load of good that does, doesn't it?"

He opened his office door. "Undoubtedly it's sometimes better for no one to know since they'd go through any lengths to prevent the unavoidable."

Pulling open a drawer in his office, Prof. Augury replied, "Prophecies are vague. Hardly ever names names. Enough detail needs to be given to define who or what it refers to. Sometimes it means nothing to one, yet everything once the right person hears it. Still, as I said, unavoidable. Here's Evans. That's her mother, and this one born in 1960 is the student."

"So what's it say?"

"What? About this past school year? Isn't that in the past?"

"I mean for what's coming up."

"That wasn't the assignment, headmaster."

"But don't you have enough here to tell something?"

"Is this important? I was hoping to get home by nightfall."

"It could be."

With a huff, he lifted the birth chart and slowly spun the circular diagram. "Uh, quiet, reserved, but deep and emotional … with oh, I'd say resourceful and formidable. And sensitive. Concerned about … not others per se, but what makes them tick. Is that enough?"

"No," Albus replied. Clarifying his disappointment, he said, "I need to know where this is leading. All that I know, or maybe not. He's a puzzle. Very stubborn."

"Oh yeah, stubborn is here too. Actually, I may take back the sensitive, he's tough. Feels things, but I'd say he'd strike back, rather than wallow in it."

Albus snorted at that.

"Am I right or wrong?"

"Oh no, you're spot on. Could you please look into this for me?"

"Uh, I guess I have all I need here since Evans lists his information at the top. Do you have a deadline, or can I work on this at my leisure?"

"The sooner, the better."

The Divination teacher sighed, then added, "If I can take a look at his palm, that would show everything."

"How would that show why or what is causing what is going on?"

"Oh, so you just want to know why. I thought you were concerned with the possibility of this student dying in the near future. He has enemies. That much is certain."

"He definitely has them?"

"Undoubtedly from what Evans got in this tarot layout. Am I doing this secretly, or can I try to get him to do cards and see his palm for myself?"

Albus scratched his chin, then responded, "Let's start with secretly."

Lily felt rebellious.

Severus was following her mother's rules. They could work at the kitchen table, talk with a little privacy on the front porch with all the windows behind them, and even went to Spinner's End for a couple hours with her mother tagging along. It was unbearable.

She wasn't happy with the response from Magical Law Enforcement either, but that Gumboil bloke was going to pay the Potter house a visit to personally deliver the message that James Potter was not welcome at the Evans. What good was that going to do?

Also, when her mother tried to have a private girl chat about what a woman could do with herself without a man, well, that absolutely took the cake! Lily didn't want to hear it, and certainly did not want to point out that touching herself was nothing like being with Severus. It did not make sense, but it was the absolute truth.

Petunia left some of her younger items including some records, cassettes and some instructions regarding discofox, so they spent some time goofing around with that. Lily was not sure who'd she know at the upcoming wedding, so she wanted to make sure that Severus did not trip over her.

Though by the day of Frank and Alice's wedding, Lily was wondering if all this curse talk might not have a slight bit of truth. She just wanted to drop the gift off and drag Severus into a closet, or apparate back to Spinner's End or anyplace they could get in a hot, sweaty shag.

She felt guilty. Severus seemed to look forward to today, and he had reminded Lily that she had no responsibilities, unlike Petunia's wedding, so she might find it enjoyable too. Undoubtedly she would, and was looking forward to seeing a wizard wedding. She also felt she'd be squandering her first day at possible freedom since the holiday began.

Severus went over to Lily's early, with his clothes for the wedding. Lily wanted him to shower at her house and use her shampoo. He told her that his soap was fine. That's what shampoo was after all, just with a lot of water added.

He was not sure which mode Lily was in with this, always-right Lily, thinking-she's-cute Lily, or perhaps the remote chance that it was wanting-to-shag Lily, even though both her parents would be in the house. Maybe if the wedding and the party afterwards did not last well into the night, they could stop somewhere else before he brought Lily home. He was not opposed to love making, just the thought that it was all Lily wanted him for. Severus wanted Lily's companionship, not constant nagging about whatever caught her interest. He was going to attempt saving his arguments for important matters to see if that led to any improvement over the summer. Severus had tried it with mixed success in the past. Hence, showering at the Evans' and using the shampoo Lily picked out for him as long as she did not claim his hair was not normally clean.

Lily tried to talk Severus into letting either her or her mum trim his hair. Just a little. It was not any longer than it normally was, but Sev claimed he never got it cut. It was some sort of magic thing, and he had heard of a couple Slytherins getting unwanted haircuts when they were young and they'd wake up with their hair restored the next day. That was just plain strange.

Both her parents looked at her robes critically. They agreed the color was perfect, as Severus predicted. Neither was sure they were worth the price though. They were silk, and magically stain resistant and dirt repellent so Lily felt they should be wearable multiple times.

Even though Severus mentioned his shirt would match Lily's robe to Mr. Evans, when Lily's parents saw them together, they appeared to be a couple, rather than good friends.

Mrs. Evans got Lily on her own and asked her about that. Lily replied, "He had all black at first. When he changed to a white shirt, it was worse. Like a vicar. He wouldn't change the robes. Sev has some thing with all those buttons."

Her mother shook her head. Either Lily was an item with Severus, especially with her obvious trust in asking him to perform intimate acts on her, or they were friends. Just friends.