Misconceptions

"You're up early."

Surprised to see Severus not only awake, but aware enough for conversation, Lily felt her lips tug into a smile. "Not the only one," she murmured, ducking through the doorway. She couldn't deny the sense of deja Vu; pulled back to the first years of their friendship, when he would show up on her doorstep when Tobias' anger became too much to handle alone. Now, instead of an abnormally skinny child wallowing in his father's ragged castoffs, Severus wore a crisp black shirt and pants, his dark hair pulled back in a damp ponytail.

"I can make some tea? Earl Grey was your favorite." It was an clumsy attempt at a peace gesture, but the tension lingered between them, now that Severus was no longer in danger of bleeding out.

Severus' thin arms wrapped around his torso instinctively, a self-soothing habit she'd only noticed in the third year of their Hogwarts education. Lily winced. He didn't feel safe alone here with her. Not that she could blame him; the last few years felt like a gaping chasm between them. "More of a coffee person now, actually." His dark eyes roamed the room, unwilling to meet hers.

"Is Molly awake?"

"Not yet." After a pause thrumming with all they'd left unsaid, she chanced, "how are you feeling? The stitches stayed in alright?"

He shrugged, one shoulder rising and falling with surprising elegance for someone who'd been beaten within an inch of his life the night before. "I've had worse." Pushing his chair back, he murmured, "if you'll excuse me...."

"Sev, wait-"

"Just a minute, young man! If you think for one second I'm going to let you leave before breakfast, you are sadly mistaken. Merlin knows you won't eat if I leave you alone." Molly's firm hand on Severus' shoulder steered the Death Eater back into the kitchen. "Have a seat, I'll brew a pot of coffee. Sugar and cream are on the counter."

"I do too eat; oatmeal is remarkably sustaining. And economical." Smirking, Severus attempted to duck out of her grasp, but, apparently realizing this was a losing battle, sighed in resignation. "Fine, but only for a half hour. I have...things to do today."

Catching her dining companion's eye, Lily noticed the panic flit briefly across Severus' pale features, before the man begrudgingly rejoined her at the table, keeping several chairs' distance between them. In spite of his promise, the dark-haired man still looked ready to bolt the moment Molly left the room.

Muttering good-naturedly about hard-headed youths, Mrs. Weasley began to bustle about the kitchen, unbothered by the strained silence between the duo at her table.

"Will your professors worry about your absence, Severus?" Molly's tone was conversational, and she brushed the young man's shoulder affectionately as she passed him a mug of steaming coffee.

"I don't have classes until this afternoon," Severus replied softly, his Cokeworth accent coming out audibly as a mark of his exhaustion. "They won't be that concerned; students miss quite frequently. I... The Headmaster has helped to make the necessary arrangements."

"You decided to become a curse-breaker then?" Lily felt her lips tug into a genuine smile. Severus had always been brilliant at Charms.

Thin fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around his mug. "Not exactly," he muttered. "I... after my mother passed," swallowing hard, Severus paused for a moment to regain his composure, "there wasn't much money left. The Headmaster agreed to pay for further studies if... If I went into Potions. He wants me to become the professor at Hogwarts after Slughorn retires."

In spite of herself, Lily gaped. "What- but he can't- Severus, that isn't fair! It's your life-"

Closing his eyes, Severus laughed, but the sound was grating and harsh, against her ears. "When is life ever fair, Lily?" As he opened his eyes, she noticed for the first time just how dark the circles under those haunted obsidian orbs had grown. "Without the Headmaster to vouch for my innocence, I have nothing. When this is all said and done, I'll be thrown into Azkaban if he refuses to provide proof of my espionage." Sighing, Severus rubbed his temples. "Besides, we both know the universe is hardly weighted justly; you reminded me of that, not too many years ago."

Raising an eyebrow at her, Severus smirked, but the pain in his eyes was evident. Lily winced. So he did remember... she'd screamed that phrase at him outside the portrait hole when he came to apologize.

"Besides," the boy muttered, "I was always good at Potions." Before she could respond, trying to collect her thoughts on how best to to refute his argument, Mrs. Weasley reappeared.

"There you are, my dears." With her usual impeccable timing, Molly handed them both plates. "Banana chocolate chip muffins, I thought you could use a treat." Smiling, the matronly woman rubbed Lily's shoulder soothingly, "I slipped in a little something to ease the morning sickness and," turning to look at Severus, she added, "since you missed dinner last night, I included some nutrient supplements."

Gratefully, the spy nodded, "thank you, Molly."

Once again, the members of the kitchen lapsed into silence, dispensing with their breakfast as the rest of the house began to stir.

Remus was the first to enter the kitchen and though the werewolf and Death Eater eyed each other warily, the tenuous peace they'd established last night held. Settling in the seat next to Lily, Remus helped himself to a muffin and hummed appreciatively after the first bite. "Excellent as always."

Molly waved him off, though her smile clearly said she was pleased. "You're too good to me, Remus," she rolled her eyes. "I figured chocolate would appeal."

A clatter in the corridor alerted them to James' imminent arrival, and that particular gentleman appeared a moment later, his inky hair messier than ever, a handkerchief pinching his bleeding nose. "Did you say chocolate?" He demanded, enthusiastically.

"Yes, I did-" turning, Mrs. Weasley's eyebrows knitted. "Really, James? Would it kill you to put your glasses on before you get out of bed?" Sighing, she waved her wand to stop the blood flow and handed him a wet rag. "Clean up; you'll not sit at my table looking like a complete vagabond."

Cheerfully, James turned, then froze, his gaze falling on Severus. The two studied each other, both hands reaching instinctively for their wands. "Potter," Severus drawled, silkily, "uncoordinated as ever, I see."

"Snape," James returned, "hoped last night had been a nightmare, but look, here you are." Crossing his arms, he glared at the Slytherin. Unable to stop the guilt welling in his chest, James tried to stifle it. Last night's thoughts were difficult to reconcile now that the man in question was sniping at him from across the room. "Did you speak to Dumbledore yet?"

Taken aback, Severus hesitated, then fixed his cool expression back in place, "as a matter of fact, yes, I did."

"Alone?"

Clearly, the accusation in James' tone had not gone unnoticed. Why was suspicion always so much more feasible with Severus? Not that the other man made anything easy but... Merlin, he could turn anything into an argument! And when it came to pushing James' buttons... well, the two knew each other's annoyances intimately.

"Yes, alone. If you feel so inclined, you and your little friends can rush off to see whether or not I've Imperio'd him." Snape snapped waspishly.

"Gentlemen...." Molly's tone was chiding, and Lily hoped it would be enough to keep them all from cursing each other. She feared for James' safety; after everything, the Marauders had put Severus through... Now that he was a Death Eater, even a spy, who knew what sort of spells the Dark Lord insisted on teaching his followers?

Sighing, James slumped into a chair, "alright, fine, I won't hex him. Pass me one of those muffins." With a small smile at Lily, he added, "you look beautiful this morning."

Rolling her eyes at how quickly her husband's moods could change, Lily obligingly levitated the plate down the table. "Any sign of Sirius?" She inquired, softly. James' best friend had vanished last night shortly after Severus' injuries were discovered.

Shaking his head, James smirked, "you know how he gets around blood. Probably puked himself into exhaustion after...." he trailed off, looking a bit faint at the memory himself.

Severus, to his credit, hid his wince well, but Mrs. Weasley's observant gaze darted immediately to the young man. Tutting, she murmured, "essence of dittany after breakfast, dear, and we'll change the bandages."

Waving off her concern, Snape finished the muffin he'd begrudgingly accepted. "I can do it myself; thank you, Molly." With a final nod to the room at large, Severus rose, preparing to depart.

At the door, the man paused and an indiscernible expression washed over his features as he appeared to struggle with something for a moment. "Potter, a word?"

Mildly alarmed, James motioned to himself, but Lily was on her feet and crossing the kitchen even as James fumbled to stand. "Sure, Snape...." Grinning at Remus, he added, "if I'm not back in ten minutes, call the Aurors, he's finally Avada'd me."

Severus snorted, exasperated, but apparently decided that didn't deserve an answering barb.

In the hall, the Slytherin shifted uneasily, before looking at James. "I take it Dumbledore hasn't spoken to you yet regarding what I've discovered." Confused, James shook his head.

Severus' lips thinned in annoyance and... worry? "Your Secret-Keeper," the man murmured, "if I were you, I would consider a change in confidences."

Indignant, James felt his cheeks flush. "What exactly are you insinuating, Snape?"

Lily's emerald eyes darkened at her husband's tone and she grabbed his arm as James reached for his wand.

"I think I can figure out who to trust on my own, Snape." irate, James couldn't resist adding, "though, with your friend choices to compare with, I guess anything is an improvement."

It was a low blow, and Severus' cheeks flushed as his knuckles whitened around his wand. Lily was about to yell for Molly, sensing she was the only one Severus respected enough to listen to at this point when the young man's face drained of color and he doubled over clutching his forearm.

"Sev?" Voice rising in alarm, Lily took a step toward him, but he jerked away, straightening with difficulty.

"My robes, I had them last night," with practiced control, he gritted his teeth, "unless one of you insufferable Gryffindors decided to abscond with them. I need my mask back as well."

Remus appeared in the doorway as Lily hurried off to grab Severus' clothing. The harried-looking Death Eater sagged against the wall the moment she was out of sight and Remus caught him before he could fall.

It was a testament to Severus' exhaustion that he didn't protest Lupin's touch.

Quietly, Snape murmured, "I know you don't trust me, Potter, but when it comes to the Dark Lord, right now I'm your only inside source. Do what you will, but I wouldn't harm..." his eyes trailed in the direction of Lily, "she was a good friend," Severus finished softly, meeting James' eyes.

A moment later, Lily reappeared, black robes in her hands. Tugging them over his shoulders, Snape adjusted the mask, hiding his face. Molly had joined them in the hallway when Lily ran by, and reached, grasping the spy's pale fingers in her own.

"Be careful, my dear." The catch in her voice made Snape wince. "I'm one hell of a wizard," he murmured, "I'll be alright." Glancing at James, he added, "Think about it, Potter."

Giving Molly's hands a quick squeeze, Severus murmured, "send Arthur my regards," before turning and striding out the door in a swirl of black robes. The crack of Apparition sounded a moment later, leaving Grimmauld oddly silent.