The Alchemist - Chapter 19

[northangel27]

 

Please accept my deepest apologies for not updating sooner.  I was sick and then I had to travel for work, and then I got sick again.  Sheesh…  I hate cold and flu season.  Anyway, I am getting better now and spikesminx was nice enough to remind me that tomorrow is Lily’s birthday, so I thought I had better post something or risk getting the pants hexed off me by Severus for not showing her birthday the proper respect.  

 Hmm…  Come to think of it, I don’t think have my pants hexed off by Professor Snape would really be an effective hex because….  Ahem…  Never mind.

 Oh, and because I just know that some of you are going to comment on the fact that I mention that Draco Malfoy is Prefect, and Hogwarts students are made prefects in fifth year and not sixth year, I give you this quote from Chapter 8, pg 169 of the American edition of “Half-Blood Prince”:

 

“Hermione had darted ahead to fulfill her prefect’s duty of shepherding the first years, but Ron remained with Harry.”

 
From this I deduced that a prefect’s responsibilities must extend over two years, not sure how that works, because if a new male and female prefect were chosen every year then wouldn’t that mean that there would always be 4 prefects to every house?  Oh well, there you have it anyway, my justification for why Draco is still prefect.

So without further ado, here is:

Chapter 19

 

Wakefulness claimed Lily slowly.  Her eyes felt heavy and her throat swollen and dry.  She shifted a little trying to free herself from the weight that seemed to have her pinned, but couldn’t quite manage it.  Sleep fought hard to reclaim her, but there was something…something she should be remembering and it kept insinuating itself on the back of her brain.

 

Severus. 

 

Her eyes shot open and the events of the previous night slammed into her in a rush.  Her head was throbbing and she finally realized why she couldn’t’ move.  He sat next to her on the small sofa, his head on her shoulder, face pressed against her neck.  She smiled softly.  They had talked long into the night.  She telling him of the visions, her suspicion that she was somehow accessing his thoughts, of the long years of isolation from everything she had once known and loved, and of how foreign it all felt now that she had returned.  He had brought her up to date on the political situation in the wizarding world, the state of The Ministry, Dumbledore’s response to it, and where things stood in the battle against Voldemort.  He had also confirmed Sirius’ death earlier in the year, something she had suspected, but had been afraid to ask.  It had felt good to have someone to talk with openly and honestly after so long.  She didn’t even remember falling asleep.

 

He stirred a little beside her and she reached down to smooth a hand over his hair.  “Severus… ” His breath caught for a moment, but then resumed its usual rhythm.  She gave up, content to just sit and watch him.  It was interesting to observe him with no walls, none of the usual protections that he usually erected so carefully around his soul.  He looked strikingly younger. 

 

She should probably let him sleep.  If he had slept as little as she had the night before last, then he must certainly be exhausted.

 

The clock above the mantle showed half past seven.

 

She shifted again, seeing if she could get up without waking him.  Her throat was so dry it hurt and she longed for a good cup of tea.  His breathing hitched again, but she was able to slide out from under the weight of his body, and lower him to the cushions undisturbed. 

 

The coals in the hearth were almost cold, but when she stirred them there was enough heat left to reignite a blaze and soon a kettle was bubbling merrily on a hook over the flames.  She could have done it magically, she supposed, but it never quite tasted the same.  James had always been teasing her about her ‘muggle tea’.

 

She let it brew for several minutes and then, pouring herself a steaming cup, sat back in one of the chairs tucked up next to the table and looked around her.  The furniture was spare and masculine and the rooms were impeccably neat.  Though the furniture was of good quality and certainly valuable, there was nothing in the room to indicate any sort of enjoyment in the pleasures life had to offer, except perhaps the vast collection of unquestionably fine and fascinating books lining almost every inch of visible shelf space.  Leaving her tea on the table she got up and went over to one of the shelves across the room to peruse the small library.

 

The room was dark due to the fact that there were no windows, and she had to squint in the dim light emanating from the hearth to read the titles.  She was unfamiliar with most of them.  They were magical books; clearly advanced, and some of them were in languages she was not familiar with.  She recognized some of the German and Russian that she had seen at Spinner’s End and wondered if they had been his mother’s books.  Pulling one out she opened it up, looking for a name.  Sure enough, the name Eileen Prince was written in an elegant copperplate on a book plate just inside the front cover.  On the opposite side there was another plate scripted in a less florid hand.  “Elias Prince”.  It appeared that perhaps the book had belonged to some other male relative before it had been passed on to Severus’ mother.

 

She put it back and pulled out another.  It appeared to be a German edition of Goethe’s “Faust”, and one of the only muggle books she had seen (if one could really call Goethe purely muggle.  She had her doubts.).  It was elegantly bound, and when she opened it she was shocked to realize it was a first edition.  She fingered through it with a sense of quiet awe.  It looked well read, and she ran a hand over the smooth pages, angry that she had never bothered to learn the language.  She had been flipping from back to front, and as she came to the dedication page, she stopped.  There was an inscription:

 

Because I saw you looking and knew you would never ask.  It was Andromeda’s.  Lucius will only burn it. 

 

Happy Birthday,

Narcissa

 

She closed the cover, and pulled the book to her chest, staring over at the man asleep on the couch.  He had always been friends with Narcissa, even back when they were in school.  From what she had been able to tell the older girl had taken him under her wing in a way, especially since she was never seen far from Lucius’ side and he had taken a marked interest in Severus as soon as it had become apparent that he was highly intelligent, and thus, exceptionally useful. 

 

If what she had seen in the vision the previous afternoon was to be believed it appeared that he was still friends with the woman, even now, and for the first time she found herself truly curious as to the nature of their relationship.  He had made some sort of unbreakable vow.  That indicated a fairly strong level of commitment; obviously he felt something for her.  If there was a relationship he was courting fire.  Lucius would most certainly kill them both if he knew.  Of course, the man was in Azkaban… But he had always had powerful connections, and she felt a little twinge of fear twist at her heart.  Surely, Severus would be smarter than that…  But then again, if he had been able to keep a lifetime of secrets from Voldemort, it would be child’s play to keep a simple thing like an affair from someone as self interested as Lucius Malfoy.”

 

She almost dropped the book with a start as a knock sounded at the door.  Severus moved slightly, rolling onto one side, but appeared to still be asleep.  She should wake him.  The knock sounded again; more urgent this time and after a moment’s deliberation she decided to answer it herself.  She had no reason to keep her presence at the school a secret for her own safety any more, and Severus had seemed in agreement that she should have her freedom.  Voldemort might question her sudden public appearance, but it could be explained, he assured her.  Besides giving the Slytherins a little something to gossip about in the common room, what harm could it do?

 

Setting down the book she walked across the room and swung the door wide to reveal the tall boy she had collided with the night before.  She saw surprise register in his eyes for just a moment, but he hid it quickly.  “Ms. Prince.  I see you found what you were looking for.” 

 

Coming from any other boy’s mouth she supposed that the statement could have been considered suggestive cheek, but he seemed quiet blasé about it, so she didn’t think it worth commenting on.

 

“Yes, Mr. Zabini, and how can I assist you this morning?”

 

“There’s a fight in the common room.  We’re not sure where the prefect is at.  I need to speak to Professor Snape, if I may.”

 

She nodded.  “Of course.  Just a moment.”

 

Shutting the door lightly she walked over to the couch and looked down at Severus, still sleeping soundly.  She did not remember him ever being such a heavy sleeper.  He must have been very tired indeed.  She hated to wake him, but supposed that it must be done.

 

“Severus…”  She reached out and shook his shoulder rather firmly.  “Sev…”

 

He woke slowly, and gazed up at her, a hazy look in his eyes.  She wasn’t sure that he realized she was real.  She smiled.  “Blaise Zabini is at the door.  Apparently there is a fight in the common room and their prefect is missing.”

 

He blinked and then she saw reality dawn.  He sat up suddenly, glancing toward the door.  “You answered it?”  His brow was furrowed and he looked irritated.

 

“You were sleeping.  I didn’t want to wake you.”

 

“Lily…”

 

“What?”

 

He rubbed a hand over his face and shook his head.  “Zabini, you said?”

 

She nodded.

 

“Well, at least he’s discreet…” he murmured under his breath as he got to his feet.

 

She returned to the table for her tea and then sat down on the couch while Severus conversed with the boy at the door.

 

“Where’s Malfoy?  If he’s off with that Parkinson girl again instead of attending to his prefect duties, I’ll…”

 

“We don’t know, Sir, but it’s Pansy Parkinson who’s called Vesta Ribisi’s mother a mudblood and now they’re having quite a go at it.  No one wants to get between them.  You know how quick with a wand, Vesta is.”

 

“Parkinson again!  I’ve told her to learn to hold her tongue… Come then.”  He leaned his head back in the door.  “This may take awhile.”

 

She smiled.  “That’s alright.  I should go see Albus.  Undoubtedly he’s furious.  I’ll catch you later.”

 

He nodded.  “Lock up behind you, will you.”

 

“Umm-hmm.”

 

And then he was gone.

 

It struck her then, how surreal, how simultaneously mundane and magical her life had suddenly become.

 

 

“Oh Lily, thank heavens…”  Minerva McGonagall rounded the corner at the end of the corridor that led to the headmaster’s office and bustled toward her looking both relieved and angry.  “Some of the students were talking about a stranger in the corridors last evening after dinner, and after we found you gone…”  She reached her at last, scowling.  “Where have you been?!”

 

Lily smiled.  “I feel rather foolish,” she nodded toward the gargoyle guarding the entry to the headmaster’s office. “I went out yesterday, rather preoccupied, and now I’ve realized I don’t have the password to get back in.”

 

“Chocolate Frogs,” the older woman snapped at the gargoyle and it moved aside, allowing them access.  “Come on then.  He will want to see you, immediately.”

 

She followed Minerva’s wiry figure up the spiral staircase, strangely unperturbed.  It felt so good to be free of all the secrets and lies.  She felt a little ecstatic, as though she had somehow been reborn.

 

The headmaster’s office was awash in bright morning light, and the man himself sat behind his desk in an elaborate velvet robe.  He peered over the top of his spectacles from behind a copy of “The Quibbler” as the two of them entered.

 

“Well, here she is, Albus.  I’ve found her locked out at the entrance to your office just now.  No telling how long she’s been there.”

 

Lily smiled again, amused at the woman’s agitation, and the fact that she seemed to have momentarily forgotten that she was an adult, and not a student.  “Good-morning, Albus.  I haven’t been waiting long, you’ll be glad to know. I had only just arrived when Minerva came along.”

 

He set the paper down and stared at her calmly.  “Did you enjoy your little tour of the castle?”

 

“A great deal,” she breathed.  “It was getting far too gloomy being locked up in these rooms.  Nothing against your fine hospitality, you understand, but…well, we should talk, really.  There are some new arrangements.”

 

He lifted an eyebrow.  “Minerva, go tell Harry his mother is safe.  He’ll be quite anxious for the news.”

 

Her heart sank a little.  She had not stopped to think that her escapade might make it back to her son, and that he might be concerned over her welfare.  It had been so long since she had had anyone who did that it truly had not even entered her mind.  “Oh dear.  Poor Harry.  Was he very worried?”

 

“Yes.  We all were.”  The old man’s eyes were hard now that McGonagall was gone.  “You were with Severus?”

 

She did not stop to wonder how he knew this piece of information.  Sometimes he seemed almost omniscient, and she had stopped trying to understand it when just a girl.  “Yes.”

 

“I thought I made it quite clear yesterday that it was not at all in your best interests to…”

 

“Yes you did,” she interrupted.  “You were perfectly clear, but there have been some new developments and there is no reason for me to remain locked up like a captive any longer.  Severus agrees.  I would like to be provided my own rooms, if at all possible, and I would like to be given some sort of work to do.  I cannot sit idly by, doing nothing.  It is driving me mad.”

 

“That is quite impossible.  Do you know how many students saw your little escapade last night?  The parents of some are Death Eaters…”

 

“Voldemort knows I am alive.”  Albus’ eyes went blank.  He said nothing so she continued.  “Severus felt it advisable to tell him before he found out by other means.  He felt that if he delivered the information himself that it would prevent any serious repercussions if Voldemort knew of it and thought that he might be keeping it from him.  A wise decision, apparently, because it appears that he already knew.  I told you those dementors accessed my memories, enough to identify me.”

 

“And so you and Severus have made your own plans, I see.”

 

“Well, I wouldn’t frame it exactly like that.  It’s just that given the current change of events there is really no reason for me to remain locked up here.”  The old man stared at her over his half-moon spectacles with his typical maddening calm and for the first time in memory it irritated her.  “Come now, Albus, surely you can’t expect me to stay locked up here in your office for the rest of my life?!  All I’m saying is that I want to be given some sort of work, something of use.  Is that so much to ask?!”

 

“Mum!”

 

She turned at the sudden sound of her son’s voice and felt a deep pang of guilt at the look of relief she saw in the boy’s eyes.  “Harry.  I am so sorry.”

 

He walked up and gave her a quick hug before pulling away.  “Where on earth were you?!”

 

“I had some unexpected business to attend to, and I was distracted.  I did not think that news of me being out and about would get back to you.  It was thoughtless of me.  Forgive me.”

 

He shook his head, eyes narrowing.  “Business?  What business?”

 

She opened her mouth to reply, but Dumbledore interjected before she got the chance.

 

“Harry, you will miss your breakfast.  Your mother is safe, and so you can set your mind at ease.  You may return here after lunch and before this afternoon’s Quidditch match to discuss things further.  Right now I have important things I must discuss with your mother.  That will be all for now.”

 

Harry’s eyes turned dark.  “But…”

 

“That will be all.” Albus repeated, a tone that brooked no refusal subtly evident in his otherwise calm voice.

 

“Okay…”  Harry cast a defiant and slightly hurt look in her direction before doing as the headmaster had asked and heading off to the great hall for breakfast.

 

“Minerva, you may go also.”  The woman had been hovering near the door since Harry entered.  She nodded and did as instructed.

 

The man’s eyes returned to her.  “Now Lily, you were saying…”

 

“I was saying that I expect to be given some sort of employ, something to keep me busy.”

 

The old man was silent.  He seemed to be deep in thought and she didn’t dare to interrupt.  After some time he finally got up from behind his desk and came to stand before her.  “I will have to speak with Severus, get all the details of what exactly is known of your presence here.  If I deem it safe to do so, I may consider finding you a position.  Slughorn has his hands quite full with NEWT level potions students this year as he is far less particular than Severus was in regard to the grades required to move on to that level in his class.  He may be glad of an assistant.  You were always quite accomplished in potions, were you not?”

 

“Yes, Potions and Charms both.”

 

He nodded.  “As for rooms of your own, again, if the situation is deemed safe, I can see no reason why you should not have them.”

 

“Will you speak with Severus this morning?”

 

“As soon as is convenient.”

 

“And when will that be?”

 

“Soon.  Today, most likely.  Now, if you don’t mind, I am going to ring for your breakfast and get back to my Sunday morning reading.”

 

She knew she was being dismissed and she didn’t care.  There was no reason for him to deny her what she requested.  Severus would confirm the safety of her public reintroduction into the wizarding world and Dumbledore would have no choice but to acknowledge it.

 

She could already taste the sweetness of her impending freedom.