The Year of the Revolution IV. The Outbreak

1. Lucius

Lily and Sev spent the time that they had left talking, at her initiative, about the third person who was now also part of their relationship.

At dusk the next day they entered Hogwarts again. To the damn jail, again, Sev thought.

As soon as they sat down to eat, Sev projected to Lauren, "Lauren, it is urgent that we meet tonight." I'm not telling her anything else at the moment, otherwise she's going to be in pain for hours.

"I was counting on it, Severus, I have to tell you about the meeting," she answered.

Ugh, she has bad news too and she doesn't want to scare me either. "Okay, we'll meet like always."

"Okay."

Sev thought, Luckily, Lily has left me her potions, now that she won't need them anymore, and Lauren has them too, so I don't have to go up to the Haven for them. In fact, unless I have to accompany Lauren tonight, I'm not going to go there until the next trip to Hogsmeade, next week, to prepare everything I bring. I feel bad for Remus, maybe he's running out of potions too by sharing them with Cecile, and I'm not going to be able to help him cast their Fidelius yet. I was too hasty in promising it to him.

That night, tired from the trip, the Slys went to bed early, so Lauren and Sev could meet before twelve. Face to face, separated by the table and the candle, he held out his hand. "Hello, Lauren, how were you at home?"

She gave it to him. "Very well, my parents have been very happy with how things are going for you."

She starts with the good news, so will I. "Well, they are even better. Rush and Covet have joined us."

"Really?" she asked, excited.

"Yeah. And without even speaking to me directly. Jack is fantastic."

"You don't need to tell me, you know I love him."

Good... "Have you consulted with your parents about him? Can you get in touch with him now?"

She was slow to respond. She's confused. Disappointment? For me. Emotion? For Jack. Fear? For the two of us. After looking into his eyes for a few long seconds, valuing what he was transmitting to her, deep selfless love, she lowered her eyes. Well, at least she's thinking about it. He squeezed her hand to encourage her to make up her mind and to let her know they wouldn't lose each other over it.

After a long minute she looked at him again very sure of herself and said, "Yes, they gave me permission, but I will wait until you are out of danger."

Just what I expected, Sev thought. Willing to risk herself to get me rid of the burden, but never me. I will never be able to reciprocate her as she deserves, I hope Jack knows how to live up to her and does it, and she'll be happy.

"You rule," he said.

They smiled sadly.

"I see you brought me things," she said.

Sev was carrying the copies his mother had made about Ancient Magics, and Petunia's Muggle notebook where he had written down the lyrics of the Pink Floyd song. "Yes, but I prefer to leave them for later, to end the night well."

"I also bring you something. I'll leave it for later too."

Wow, that's right, she's carried the backpack down, he thought. "We better go with what is urgent. Who begins?"