Always (SNILY): Angst, Multiple POV, Dark Romance

Chapter Eight

Lily stood outside the entrance of The Burrow, her body sore from the previous night's activities, her mind a tangled mess. What side of this war was she even on?

Letting out a breath, Lily let the breeze embrace her. The scent of freshly mowed grass and gasoline hugged her senses.

Gasoline? Oh, Arthur and his fascination for muggle shenanigans.

Lily couldn't help but laugh. The vibration shook loose some tension in her chest and Lily took her first real breath since last night.

Molly and Arthur had become her family. They started hosting The Order meetings in their home once things at Hogwarts got tumultuous, It quickly became the unofficial headquarters of The Order.

Lily had her own room within the residence and slept here when she wasn't "about." Hence, Sirius and James' constant questioning of her whereabouts. The insufferable twats.

This was home. Except, Lily couldn't help but feel that her true home was elsewhere.

"There you are!" Sirius rushed to greet Lily, his eyes squinting in the sunlight. "Where were you?"

"Sirius," Lily threw her arms around her friend, her face crushing into the nook of his shoulder. "I'm glad you're okay. Wh- What happened to James?"

Sirius tensed at the question. He pulled out of Lily's embrace and wrung his hands behind his neck.

"We miscalculated." He began, his face wan and downcast, "It was supposed to be a quick mission to gather some intelligence on their plans within the ministry."

Lily tilted her head, her eyes softening with understanding.

"We were focused on the interrogation of a 'blood traitor' and didn't realize we were entering a ward. It triggered an alarm, and... we were instantly surrounded."

"Fuck."

"Yeah- fuck. James got disarmed and stunned. I barely made it out. I shifted and ran for my life."

Sirius was walking slow paces in front of Lily, his robes torn and discolored.

"What do you think they're going to do to him?"

Lily didn't know why she asked the question. She already knew. They were going to torture him for information. Surely, Severus could help but Lily wasn't sure she was willing to ask him. James and Severus' relationship wasn't exactly... amicable.

"Hell, if I know- the Order is meeting in thirty to discuss strategy." Sirius turned his gaze to meet the emerald of Lily's eyes. "Have you been able to gather any intelligence?"

"I have."

Lily began explaining to her friend what Severus had told her about a prophecy and Voldemort's plans to go beyond the veil, claiming to have overheard the information on one of her own "spy escapades."

Lily and Sirius sat on the lawn, pulling at threads of grass. Both exhausted from the weight of the night.

"We miss you, Lily." Sirius spoke after sharing a few moments of silence. "You've seemed... distant lately. Is everything okay?"

Lily was changing. There were parts of herself she felt... inclined to keep secret. Their reality casting a shadow too dark for her friend's Gryffindor ideations.

"Yeah, Sirius, things are fine." Lily sounded more defeated than she had intended.

"You forget I come from a family of Blacks, Lily..." Sirius turned to face her, a small smile on his face, "and that I have the senses of a canine."

Lily stared at him. What was he getting at?

"Lily- I can smell the dark magic on you- you fucking reek."

Lily wasn't sure what she had expected him to say, but it wasn't that.

"At least I don't smell like a wet dog!"

Sirius stared at her for a moment, before letting out a small giggle that turned into a rolling laugh. Before she knew it, they were both laughing uncontrollably.

Merlin, it felt good to laugh.

"What is it you're up to and why haven't I been invited to join in on the fun?" Sirius nudged her, catching his breath.

Lily covered her face in girlish embarrassment. No matter how understanding her friend could be, she couldn't tell him what was going on. Not yet. She didn't fully understand it herself.

"Alright, checkmate, then." Sirius dug into his pocket, "Keep me in the dark, but take this."

Lily reached for the bottle, slowly examining it.

Wiggenweld Potion.

"It will heal whatever parts of you have been exposed to the dark magic. But... it won't help if you start wielding it. Remember what we're fighting for, Lily" Sirius sounded spent, his voice raspy and worn like the cloak he was wearing.

"I remember."

"I'm no fucking saint myself and I don't claim to be some righteous Gryffindor like James does. Whatever it is, Lily. You- you can trust me. When you're ready... I'll be here."

Lily looked at her friend, her heart swelling with silent gratitude.

"We've got bigger things to worry about," Lily uncurled to her feet, brushing rogue pieces of landscape off her robes. "Like how we're going to rescue James."

The distinctive crack of apparation filled the yard as Dumbledore and Kingsley stalked towards the entrance of The Burrow.

It was time.