Distraction
Long snippet ahead, because I couldn’t figure out what to share!
The day’s password was “sugar quills.” Lily wondered, as they climbed the spiraling stairs, whether it was a coincidence that her favorite candy was the password on a day when she was desperate to speak to the Headmaster.
Dumbledore always seemed to know more than he should.
They reached the top of the staircase and knocked on the heavy wooden door.
“Enter!” Dumbledore called, his deep voice a pleasant rumble.
Lily took a deep breath and pushed open the door. “Hello, Professor.”
“Ah, if it isn’t my Head Students.” He inclined his head politely. “Is anything the matter?”
“Yes. Severus Snape tried to kill James,” Lily said without preamble, “and he’s been meeting with the Death Eaters.”
Both James and Professor Dumbledore blinked at her. She raised her chin and met their eyes boldly. She trusted the Headmaster implicitly and knew he would believe her, but there was something odd and calculating in his gaze. Although she couldn’t have explained exactly why she thought so, she had the vague impression that he was judging her, testing her spirit. To what end, she couldn’t be certain.
After a moment, he nodded and sighed. “Please, have a seat. I think you had better start at the beginning.”
They did. They told the Headmaster about James getting wind of a Death Eater meeting and how James and Sirius went to spy on them in London. James shared the names of everyone who had been there and everything he’d heard about the Death Eaters’ plans, including Lucius Malfoy’s command that they recruit others to their cause.
“He told them to keep a close eye on you, especially, sir,” James finished.
Dumbledore nodded. “Yes, I’m sure he did,” he murmured. His eyes were thoughtful as he stroked his long beard. “Did Severus discover you were there?”
“No, I don’t think so. What happened last night had nothing to do with the Death Eater meeting. He attacked me because he’s obsessed with Evans. He was following her, and I went to find out why.”
“Ah,” Dumbledore murmured. “I imagine he didn’t take the news of your relationship well.”
“Well—sir?” James’ eyebrows dipped in surprise. “You know that we’re dating? You think that’s why Snape attacked me?”
“Is it not?” Dumbledore offered them a kind smile, but there was a shrewd look in his eyes. “Very little that happens at Hogwarts stays hidden from me for long, Mr. Potter.”
“Oh.” Lily’s cheeks felt hot, and she shrugged awkwardly. “I don’t know if that’s why Severus was so angry. He just kept trying to get me to talk to him, and he was going on about how everything’s changing and how James couldn’t protect me from what was coming. He said I’d be sorry I didn’t listen to him.”
“Was he threatening you?” James demanded, gripping the arms of his chair. “The bloody wanker, I’ll show him sorry—”
“Language, Mr. Potter,” Dumbledore said, putting no force behind the admonishment. “And you’ll not be the one to show him anything, is that clear? Leave Severus to me.”
James folded his arms over his chest and frowned. “Yes, sir,” he muttered.
Dumbledore nodded once. “Please continue, Ms. Evans.”
“Right.” Lily shook her head, trying to regain her focus. “So, Severus said James couldn’t protect me, and I told him—” Lily’s cheeks flushed even redder than before, and she glanced at James before turning back to the Professor “—I said I’d rather die fighting with James than ever team up with someone like him.”
James gawked at her. “You—you what?”
Lily’s face felt like it was on fire now. “Well, it’s true! He’s joined a man who probably wants to kill me, anyway. How could he ever expect me to trust him again?”
“Well, that’s true. But Evans, listen.” James grabbed her hand. “You’re not going to die. Not with me or anyone else. Alright?”
