Snape's pupils contracted sharply, his eyes fixed in disbelief on the familiar figure in the doorway. "Li—Lily?"
Why was she with Dumbledore? And why had she come here on this night of torrential rain? What in Merlin's beard had happened?
Her soaking red hair clung to Lily's pale cheeks, and her usually bright green eyes were now dull and lifeless. Her lips trembled, but no sound escaped them.
Seeing Lily's shaking form, Snape instinctively took a step forward, twirling his wand in an elaborate flourish. A wisp of warm air rose from the tip. He pointed his wand at her, and steam billowed up from Lily's cloak, forming a hazy mist in the dim living room.
Snape was about to turn his wand towards Dumbledore when he noticed that the Headmaster had already silently dried his own robes, his calm blue eyes observing Snape from behind his half-moon spectacles.
"I hope we haven't disturbed you, Severus," Dumbledore said, his voice as cold as a winter's night.
"Not at all." Snape waved his wand, silently pulling out a chair by the table for them to sit. He turned and walked into the kitchen, conjuring a flame. The kettle's whistle soon pierced the air.
When Snape returned to the living room with a tray, Dumbledore sat quietly opposite Lily, who remained utterly still, like a body from which the soul had been drawn, her breathing barely audible. He placed steaming teacups before them, but neither touched the cups.
"What's happened?" Snape asked in a hushed, low voice.
No one answered. Dumbledore maintained a suffocating silence.
Then, Lily's shoulders suddenly shook violently. She began to sob, silently at first. Snape quickly moved to her side. Before he could even consider how to comfort her, Lily clung to his waist like a drowning person grasping at driftwood, clutching his black robes tightly and burying her head against him.
---
Snape froze in place. He could feel Lily's trembling through their bodies, and warm tears quickly soaked through his clothes. After a moment's hesitation, he finally raised a hand, gently and carefully resting it on her familiar red hair, saying nothing.
He didn't know how much time passed, but Lily's sobs gradually subsided. She released her hold. He silently watched her wipe away her tears with the back of her hand, her emerald eyes now red and swollen.
"I'll fetch you a blanket," he murmured, but his movement was interrupted by Dumbledore.
Dumbledore waved his wand gently, and Lily's sorrowful green eyes slowly closed. She swayed, her body tilting forward. Snape quickly reached out, his hand cushioning her forehead just in time.
"She's exhausted," Dumbledore explained, a hint of weariness in his voice. "A good cry will help. Let her rest for a bit now."
Snape gently carried Lily and laid her on the bed in the guest room, covering her with a thin blanket. He quietly watched the tear stains at the corners of her eyes. After observing her bloodless face for a while, he returned to the living room. "Professor," Snape asked quietly, "what exactly happened?"
"The Dark Mark appeared above the Evans's home. Mr. and Mrs. Evans were found in their living room," Dumbledore said chillingly. "If Lily hadn't happened to be out, perhaps you wouldn't have seen her again."
"Today, I was prepared to take you to meet members of the Order of the Phoenix, but I received an urgent message from Mundungus: the Death Eaters planned a 'purge' of Muggle-born wizarding families, protesting the current Ministry policy that allows them to learn magic," Dumbledore explained, his voice grim. "By the time I and the other Order members arrived at the Evans's, it was already too late."
Snape recalled Mr. Evans, who had so warmly greeted him last summer. "What about Petunia? Lily's sister, was she home?" he asked.
"No one else was at the scene," Dumbledore said. "We confirmed that Petunia was in London; she escaped." He stood up and walked to the window, his silvery-white hair and beard gleaming coldly in the dim light. Outside, the storm still raged.
"The Death Eaters' activities are growing increasingly rampant. At first, it was those who strongly resisted them. Then, it was those who merely expressed dissent. Now, they've turned their hands to the innocent, to anyone they deem 'impure.'"
Dumbledore turned to Snape: "Now, I wish to know, are you still willing to join the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Professor," Snape rose to his feet, speaking calmly, "the moment I handed you Ravenclaw's diadem, I had no retreat, did I? If Tom discovers this, do you believe he would spare me?"
"Indeed," Dumbledore smiled, though his smile held no warmth whatsoever. "But I can keep your secret."
"Of course you should keep my secret, but that changes nothing," Snape said, his voice low. He thought back to his days at school. "Although Hogwarts never taught us such things, I believe one shouldn't always choose to protect oneself above all else. Some things—are worth fighting for."
"I want to join the Order of the Phoenix too," Lily's hoarse yet resolute voice came from nearby. She had woken up sometime, wrapping herself in the thin blanket, and was now standing quietly at the entrance to the living room.
Dumbledore did not answer her directly but gazed silently into her eyes. "I know there's no need to persuade you, Lily," Dumbledore finally said, "but you can still take some time to truly consider this."
"I don't need to consider it; the Death Eaters won't give me time to consider," Lily's voice held not a tremor of hesitation. "Even if I don't resist them, will they spare me?"
"Tomorrow," Dumbledore sighed deeply, slowly, "tomorrow, you, Severus, will come with me to meet the other members of the Order of the Phoenix."
Silence enveloped the room, only the sound of rain echoing softly.
"Professor, I have another request," Snape broke the silence. "After the next term begins, let my mother stay at Hogwarts."
Dumbledore nodded. "Will she agree?"
"I imagine she won't approve of me joining the Order of the Phoenix," Snape said, "but there's no need to tell her that. I'll find a suitable reason for her to accept going to the school."
Lily walked over to them. Snape looked at her, and she was looking back at him. As their gazes met, Snape was reminded once more of that scene outside the Gryffindor Tower. He slowly extended a hand to her.
"Lily, last year, outside the Gryffindor Tower, I didn't get a chance to tell you: I will never join the Dark Lord."
She took his hand.
Outside the window, the curtain of rain continued.
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