Priori Incantatem [HARRY POTTER FANFICTION]

Chapter 36: Secrets Part III

Chapter 36: Secrets Part III

Lily had run from the common room as fast as her feet could carry her after her confrontation with James, her thoughts spinning in her head in a dizzying blur. Once she'd reached the second floor corridor, Lily finally stopped running and drew in a deep breath, trying to compose herself before going to see the headmaster. After a few more deep breaths, Lily felt much more composed, but decided to give herself another few minutes before actually attempting to tell her complicated tale to Dumbledore.

Now that she felt a bit calmer, Lily realized that she shouldn't have reacted to James' remark about Snape the way that she had; James had no idea what was going on and hadn't meant the remark the way she'd taken it.

Though the logical part of her brain told her this, the rest of Lily's mind wasn't yet ready to talk to James about it. Lily had more important things to do, mainly go and see Dumbledore about Snape before it was too late. Then maybe she would be in a fit state to explain everything to James in a somewhat rational way.

Resolved once again, Lily took another few seconds to make certain that she was calm, and then made her way to Dumbledore's office.

"Lily," Dumbledore had said, sounding mildly surprised to see her, "Is something wrong?" Not waiting for any further invitation, Lily had blurted it all out, telling Dumbledore everything that had been said and done last night with the exception of one thing: she didn't give Dumbledore Snape's name. Though it couldn't possibly make a difference now, Lily was reluctant to break her promise to him.

As the words tumbled from Lily's mouth, Dumbledore's usually good-humoured expression grew more and more grim until he looked as invincible as he had when Lily had come to warn him at the Wizengamot meeting.

"Lily," Dumbledore cut in urgently the moment Lily had finished, "am I correct in assuming that this person who warned you about the Ministry attack and threatened you last night is Severus Snape?" Lily nodded wordlessly, too surprised by this revelation to speak.

"And this summons that Mr Snape spoke of is at midnight tonight?" Dumbledore pressed, his blazing eyes contradicting his seemingly casual demeanour.

"Yes," Uncertain, Lily found her voice. "Has Snape spoken to you about it?" 

"I guessed," Dumbledore replied simply, answering Lily's unspoken question. And just for a moment, despite how serious the situation was, his eyes twinkled merrily at Lily.

"Oh." Lily was momentarily at a loss. "Good guess." Dumbledore gave Lily a small smile before turning back to the situation at hand.

"Since Severus believes that you have betrayed him and was desperate enough to threaten you last night, it might be best if you were to go somewhere that he would not think to look for you until the time for his meeting with Lord Voldemort has come and gone," Dumbledore advised Lily.

Lily hesitated; she hadn't talked to James yet and didn't want him to worry when he couldn't find her, yet what Dumbledore was saying made sense. "Maybe I could go to Hagrid's," Lily ventured at last.

"An excellent idea," Dumbledore nodded. "I'll tell him to expect you," he added, pulling parchment and a quill in front of him.

"Err - Professor?" Lily asked hesitantly once Dumbledore had finished his note, "What are you going to do to help Sn - Severus?"

"I will speak with Mr Snape to see if I can persuade him to confide in me," Dumbledore replied as he gave the note to Fawkes to deliver.

"What if he won't?" Lily pressed. She felt suddenly desperate to know.