The snake and the lion (Severus x OC)

20- Severus' weakness

Severus and Rose entered the dark living room, and he lit a candle to see where he was walking, since electricity had not reached that house for many years.

"I won't be long," Severus indicated, heading towards a closet in the living room. "I have it all here."

As Rose ran to the toilet, Severus undid the protective spells blocking the closet. Nothing could be taken in or out of the cabinet if he was not present, which was why he had had to go in person to retrieve the papers, instead of summoning them by magic.

He opened one of the drawers and took out the documents he needed for the wedding. He was about to leave everything as it was when the tip of a wand stabbed into his back.

"Drop the wand," the woman ordered.

***

"Hurry, Lily, we have to warn everyone before it's too late."

"But professor," she gasped, running as best she could after the old man, "wouldn't our help be more necessary in—?"

"Tonight is just a distraction," Dumbledore explained, turning toward her, but without slowing his pace. "Voldemort will take advantage of the fact that we are distracted with what is happening in London to attack the Ministry."

"We have no proof of that!" Lily protested. Dumbledore stopped suddenly and looked at her seriously.

"You're right, Lily, I don't have any proof, but I think I know Voldemort well enough to know that he will do something like that," his blue eyes shone brightly.

"No, I didn't doubt you..." Lily explained, "but I don't understand how I can be of any help," she indicated, pointing at herself. At almost six months pregnant, Lily wasn't as agile as she had been weeks ago.

"Lily, I don't know if you realize that speed is our only ally right now," said Dumbledore, starting to walk again. "We must hurry to warn as many magicians as we can so that they come to fight at the Ministry. This is where the real attack will occur."

"And why don't we call the Auror team? They are the real specialists."

"I'm afraid, Lily, that this time the death eaters outnumber us," Dumbledore confessed, looking at her sadly. "Even if we brought all the Aurors into the Ministry, we wouldn't even be able to breach their ranks. That's why we need all the help we can get. Besides, we can't leave... our friends from London alone," he added, referring to Rose and Severus.

Lily nodded, understanding.

"What do you want me to do, exactly?" she asked, ready for anything.

"I will call the Minister, and since I fear it will take a long time to make him react, I want you to notify as many wizards and witches as you can. Explain to them what's going on, and make sure they spread the word. We need all the help that citizens can give us."

"And the Order?"

"I have already warned them," Dumbledore replied. "They are already there, preparing."

Lily and the headmaster reached the place where they had to separate, and Dumbledore drilled the woman again with his blue eyes.

"Go as fast as you can, Lily. Much of what happens tonight will depend on what we do."

"I'll do my best," she assured. Dumbledore was aware of the limitations she had, being pregnant, but at no time did he try to tell her to stay behind, since she would not have done it in any way.

"When the battle begins—"

"I'll go to the Ministry, no matter what," Lily promised. Dumbledore nodded, knowing he couldn't convince her otherwise.