The morning came.
Severus, James and Lily all eagerly walked out of the common room and down to the dungeons down below.
Severus still felt a little jealous that Lily had opted to sleep with James that previous night, but she had to remain faithful to her husband until the Potion was brewed, and he respected it.
Silently, feeling nervous about the oncoming events, the three friends and lovers travelled down the currently still staircases. They could have done with some comfort from the portraits, but as there were none here, they only had each other for support.
Within minutes, they arrived at the dungeons that Severus had to call home for nearly all his life. Lily and James looked at him with sympathy.
Severus, Lily and James entered and found Albus already there as promised. He was hard at work putting objects into a bubbling cauldron.
Severus, Lily and James looked eagerly at the cauldron, hoping to see the glorious concoction that Albus was brewing. They couldn't tell what the ingredients he was putting in were, not even Severus, the Potions Master could tell.
"Hello, all." smiled Albus, "I'm glad to see you here."
"What are you putting into that potion?" asked Severus eagerly.
"Ah," said Albus, "A little knowledge, even in Heaven is a dangerous thing, Severus. It's best if this specific knowledge remains with me."
Severus, Lily and James knew not to argue. Albus was now simply stirring the Potion.
"It's nearly ready." he said.
"But it takes at least a month to make a Potion." said Severus, "Sometimes even longer."
"This is Heaven," smiled Albus, "I can just wish for the suitable ingredients and I can suffuse a potion within minutes."
Severus was fascinated by this. James and Lily were, though intrigued, less interested. Lily was looking nervously at the Doppelgastus Potion.
"Come closer if you wish, Lily." invited Albus.
Lily did so but with hesitation. She peered into the brew. It was pale blue and steamy. It looked similar to a memory and it seemed to Lily, to represent a soul. Lily was by now terrified of what was to come. She didn't realise today would be the day she had to take the Potion and permanently change.
"Are you alright?" asked James. He and Severus were also surprised that the day of Lily's soul duplication was today, and they knew that Lily was obviously going to be scared.
"Um, yes." said Lily, but she didn't sound very convincing.
"You don't have to take it straight away, Lily." assured Albus, "It'll be waiting here when you want to use it."
Lily nodded and said, "Maybe tonight."
Albus, Severus and James nodded. Lily then added, "I want to spend one final day with you all as just me."
"Of course." replied James.
"Indeed." said Severus.
Severus wanted to be with Lily. He was not sure how much longer he could wait, but he respected Lily's decisions and he didn't want to rush her.
"Let's join the others for breakfast." said Lily.
Her two men nodded and Albus said, "I'll remain here to watch over the Potion until you've decided to take it."
Lily thanked Albus, and she left for the Great Hall. Severus and James nodded to Albus and followed.
Lily was just ahead and down the stairs came Sirius in front, then Remus and Tonks arm in arm. Peter followed slowly, grateful to be in their presence at all. Dobby appeared before them all and bowed.
