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Chapter Text

CHANGING THE DESTINY

IN THE PAST - 1976

When Lorien was a student, she put too much trust in her friends. One day, a classmate claimed to have seen a unicorn and talked the whole group into sneaking into the Forbidden Forest. But when a sound came from the trees, everyone ran without looking back.

Lorien had tripped and stayed behind. Worse, she didn’t even realize she was heading deeper into the forest. A low growl made her freeze. Something big was standing in front of her.

She reached for her wand, but it knocked her down before she could react.

She shut her eyes.

“Stupefy!”

When she opened them again, the creature was lying still.

A boy in Slytherin robes stepped forward. He had pale skin and long black hair.

“You alright?” he asked.

That was how she met Severus Snape.

And that night, she couldn’t stop thinking about him.

TODAY

Year: 1993

Book: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Years had passed, but Lorien still felt like a young girl. Severus walked toward her, straight through the center of the Great Hall. His cloak flowed behind him. His eyes locked on Lorien.

“Hello,” she said, her voice shaking. Her heart raced. After all this time, she was seeing him again.

Severus stopped and looked at her closely. “Do I know you?”

Lorien felt like she’d been struck. He had already forgotten her.

Lorien cleared her throat. “I’m Lorien Evergreen, the new Divination professor at Hogwarts.”

A mocking smile appeared on Snape's face.  “Divination?” he asked.

“Yes. And I’m good at it.”

“Is that so,” he said. “Why don’t you make a prophecy and impress me, Miss Evergreen?”

So that was it—he was testing her. Lorien smiled lightly. “That’s not quite how it works.”

Snape gave her a strange look, as if she were a fraud. “Of course. I understand.”

Lorien took a steady breath. “Alright…” She gestured toward his hand. “May I?”

Severus pulled his hand into his cloak.

“I just need to read your palm.”

With a sigh, he held it out. “This had better be worth it.”

Lorien traced the lines on his hand. A strange feeling passed through her, but she didn’t let go.

“There’s a deep wound here,” she said. “But it will heal.”

Snape pulled his hand back as if it had burned him. His expression hardened.

“Wounds don’t heal. They fester.”

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away. Lorien stood still, unsure what had just gone wrong.

THE BLACK DOG

Late afternoon. The students were in their last lessons, drowsy from the long day. Snape left his classroom and headed to his quarters. Just ahead, Lorien passed by. She wore a coat and carried a black bag, walking briskly. He frowned. “Why would a Divination professor be in such a rush?”

Before he could ask, she was gone—heading toward the Forbidden Forest. After a moment’s hesitation, he adjusted his cloak and followed.

Lorien knelt down, searching for a rare plant. She paused, sensing eyes on her. Looking up, she relaxed. It was just a dog.

Thin and scruffy, the black dog stood behind the trees, watching. Something about it tugged at her memory—stray dogs in Turkey, quiet afternoons feeding them scraps of bread. She reached into her bag and placed a piece on the ground.

“Come on. You must be hungry.”

The dog stepped forward and devoured it in one bite. Lorien smiled and patted its head. Its eyes met hers, hopeful. She pulled out another piece of bread. Just as she held it out, a sound cracked the silence. Both Lorien and the dog flinched.

“Professor Lorien?”

Lorien turned. Severus Snape was standing behind her.

The dog snarled, its teeth bared, and bolted into the woods. Odd. Just a moment ago, it had seemed harmless. Now it was running like it had seen something it didn’t like. Typical, Lorien thought. Even dogs can’t stand him.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, startled.

“The question is what you’re doing here,” he said, eyes narrowing. “And what was that dog?”

“Nothing. I was picking plants and saw it—looked hungry, so I gave it some bread.”

Snape shook his head. “Of course. Feeding strange animals. In the Forbidden Forest. Brilliant. Why not try the werewolves next?”

Lorien frowned and took a step closer. “And what exactly are you doing here, Professor?”

He ignored the question, muttering more to himself than to her. “You always did have a talent for trouble. Seems nothing’s changed.”

Her eyes widened. “Wait… you remember that night? The forest… when you saved me?”

Snape scoffed. “As if I could forget.”

He turned and gestured for her to follow. Lorien did, her chest tight with something between hope and embarrassment. Snape watched the path where the dog had vanished, his brow furrowed.

“That wasn’t just some dog,” he muttered.

As they walked back toward the castle, he gave her a sideways glance. “Tell me, Professor Lorien… is wandering the Forbidden Forest a passion of yours, or just a bad habit?”

Before she could answer, he added, “With Dementors patrolling and a convicted murderer on the loose, I’d call this a fine example of recklessness.”

“I could say the same about you,” Lorien shot back. “Not exactly leading by example, are you?”

Snape raised an eyebrow. “I had my reasons. Unlike some, I don’t enter the forest to feed strays.”

“That wasn’t my intention.”

“Oh really? Then what was?”

They kept walking—bickering the whole way.

Just like seventeen years ago.

TIMELESS PROPHECY

Lorien's worry grew day by day. She had strong feelings that a disaster was coming, but there was no real sign to support it. One day, she was holding a cup of coffee and explaining the details of reading tea leaves. As her eyes moved across the students, they stopped on one person: Cedric Diggory.

Cedric, one of Hufflepuff's brightest students, was a very well-behaved and smart boy.

Right then, Lorien's vision went dark. Shapes started to appear in the darkness; she was having a vision. In a foggy and dark graveyard, there was a boy lying still on the ground, and another boy was kneeling and crying right next to him. When Lorien focused a bit more, she realized they were Cedric and Harry.

Her hands started to shake. Her fingers felt weak, and the cup in her hand fell to the floor, breaking with a sharp sound. But Lorien was busy memorizing every detail. When the image in her eyes disappeared, she found herself back in the middle of the classroom.

The students were looking at her worriedly and whispering to each other.

"Um... Are you alright?" a girl asked fearfully.

Lorien pulled herself together. "That's enough for today, you can leave," she said quickly. Without explaining, she gathered her things and went back to her room. She drew everything she had seen on a blank piece of parchment, drawing non-stop.

"A bright green light coming from a wizard's wand..." she murmured loudly, trying to figure it out.

"What spell has a green light?"

Lorien felt a chill. Her hand trembled as she wrote down the name of the spell.

Avada Kedavra.

A bright blue cup had the Triwizard Tournament engraved on it, and according to the prophecy, at the end of the tournament, Cedric...

Lorien paced around the room, walking in circles without stopping. It took her a long time to calm down.

She needed to make a plan, but she knew that one wrong decision could put everyone in danger. It could even change the future of the war that would - probably - end in victory.

Cedric living wasn't just about saving one life. This would be Lorien's biggest test against fate. If she couldn't save him, she couldn't save Severus either. And if destiny couldn't be changed, then prophecies were just a sealed ending.

So now she had to take a risk.

For Severus.

Chapter Text

HOPELESS SEARCH

Year: 1995

Book: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Lorien knew Avada Kedavra left no survivors. Still, she found herself back in the library, flipping through books she had already read. Again.

In a quiet, dust-covered corner, she noticed a crumbling old book. With a sigh, she pulled it off the shelf and opened it. On the last page, a bold title caught her eye:

“CHARM AGAINST DARK ARTS”

She leaned in, her eyes scanning the text.

“Centuries ago, during times of magical war, a handful of witches and wizards created a blood-binding charm to counter the Killing Curse. Its success varied—some lived, some didn’t. The strength of the charm depended on the bond between the blood-giver and the one they aimed to protect. It only worked if sealed with pure love. Over time, it was dismissed as unreliable and forgotten.”

Lorien frowned. So there was a charm—but only love could power it. And not just any love.

“This is nonsense,” she muttered.

Pure love. What did that even mean? How much did someone have to care for it to count? She could see why people hadn’t trusted it. Too vague. Too risky.

But it was all she had.

“Unconditional love...” she whispered. “Who could love like that?”

Her mother’s face flickered in her memory. “Family,” she said softly. But the thought turned cold as another question crept in.

“Does your family love you enough, Cedric?”

THE YULE BALL

The night of the Yule Ball, the Great Hall sparkled with magic. Music played, and laughter echoed through the crowd. Students and teachers mingled in their finest dress robes.

Lorien had downed a few glasses of firewhisky too quickly. The stress of recent weeks had caught up with her. The warmth in her chest was welcome, at least for now.

From the corner of her eye, she spotted someone she wasn’t sure she wanted to see.

“If I were you, I’d slow down.”

She turned. Severus Snape was reaching for a drink at the table beside her.

“I was hoping to enjoy myself tonight,” she said, keeping her tone light.

“Ah. Don’t let me stop you,” he said, dry as ever.

The music swelled, and couples moved toward the dance floor.

Lorien looked at him. “Dance with me?”

Snape blinked, clearly caught off guard. Then, cool as ever: “Thank you, no. I suggest you find someone more… entertaining.”

It wasn’t cruel. But it stung anyway.

“You’re afraid of living,” she said suddenly.

Snape didn’t even flinch. “Is this because you’re bored, or simply drunk, Professor Evergreen?”

Before she could reply, another voice cut in.

“Would you care to dance with me, my lady?”

The speaker had a thick Eastern accent. It was Professor Aleksandr Volkov of Durmstrang, all sharp lines and quiet charm. His formal bow and extended hand seemed almost too perfect.

Lorien glanced at Severus.

Then, louder than necessary, “Why yes, I’d be delighted.”

She took Volkov’s hand and let him lead her to the dance floor. She didn’t look back, but she could feel Snape’s eyes following.

Volkov placed a steady hand at her waist as the music started. His steps were confident. Elegant. Now she understood the whispers in the corridors.

“I am Aleksandr Volkov,” he said, meeting her eyes. “And you are?”

She smiled. “Lorien Evergreen.”

“It is rare to meet a professor so young,” he said. “And one so beautiful rarer still. You must be very gifted.”

Lorien's cheeks flushed. "Not really," she said.

"I think you're too modest."

He looked straight into her eyes. As the tempo quickened, he spun her with ease. Lorien, usually no great dancer, found herself moving more gracefully than she expected—though she could feel the firewhisky catching up to her. Her head was beginning to spin.

“I should go,” Lorien said. The music was too loud, so she leaned in to make herself heard.

“But Lorien, the night has only just begun,” said Volkov, frowning slightly.

“I don’t feel well!” she called out over the noise.

He let go, but as she turned away, she stumbled. His hand shot out and caught her at the waist.

“I’m fine—just tripped.”

“I’ll walk with you—”

But Volkov didn’t finish.

“Come with me, Professor Evergreen,” said a low, cutting voice.

Severus.

“Thank you, but I’m perfectly fine,” Lorien replied, taking an odd sense of satisfaction in echoing his earlier words. Snape's mouth twitched—almost a smile, but not quite.

“I was about to take her outside,” Volkov said, stepping forward.

Snape didn’t even look at him. “I’ll handle it,” he said flatly, taking Lorien by the arm.

A few students nearby turned to watch. Lorien, seeing the scene they were making, decided not to argue.

She let him lead her out.

• (Suggestion for ambiance: Right-click or open in a new tab to listen.🎵)

Outside the cold air stung her skin. Snow covered the grounds, and the only sound was the distant hooting of owls.

“Just when I thought you couldn’t embarrass yourself further,” said Snape, his voice low and cold. “Drinking and behaving… indecently with a Durmstrang professor. It reflects poorly on this school.”

He spoke as if she were an enemy, not a colleague. Lorien’s face burned with anger.

“W-What? Indecently? Are you saying I’m damaging the school’s reputation?”

“Never forget you are a professor. The rest of us will remember what happened tonight—even if you don’t.”

Without another word, he removed his cloak and draped it over her shoulders. It was still warm. Lorien flinched but said nothing.

“No one will remember,” she said, glaring at him. “Except you, sulking in the corner. And I didn’t do anything wrong. You told me to find someone else if I wanted to enjoy myself. If you cared that much, maybe you should’ve asked me to dance first!”

She took a breath, then added, “Ah yes… the safe arms of Snape,” her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“I’d be the last person to involve myself in that kind of nonsense,” he said flatly. “And believe me my arms are not as safe as you think.”

Lorien’s breath caught. She looked at him, then down at his arms. What was he hiding?

“I’m not afraid of danger,” she said, steady now.

Snape raised an eyebrow. “Clearly.”

He reached into his pocket and handed her a small vial. “Drink this.”

She didn’t ask what it was. One sip, and the dizziness began to fade—along with her courage.

“Don’t let this happen again.”

And just like that, he turned and walked away, his cloak trailing behind him. Lorien stood still. She couldn’t tell if it was about school discipline... or something else entirely.

The Three Broomsticks

The pub was crowded and noisy. Laughter filled the air, but Lorien sat quietly, staring at her butterbeer.

At a nearby table, Amos Diggory was deep in conversation, laughing with a friend.

Lorien stood up. As she passed him, she reached into her pocket, pointed her wand subtly, and whispered a silent spell.

The glass in Amos’s hand cracked and shattered.

“For Merlin’s sake!” he shouted, jumping back.

Lorien rushed over. “Sir! Your hand—are you all right?”

Amos pressed a napkin to the cut. “It’s nothing,” he said with a small laugh. “Must’ve squeezed too hard.”

Lorien offered a polite smile. “I’m Lorien Evergreen.”

“Ah, Divination professor, right? Cedric mentioned you. Said you taught them fortune-telling with Turkish coffee?”

“That’s right. My mother was Turkish. It's a bit old-fashioned, but useful. Cedric’s a bright boy—he’s got real promise.” She leaned in slightly. “I hope he wins.”

Amos beamed. The broken glass was already forgotten.

Outside, the cold bit at her cheeks again. Lorien reached into her coat pocket and pulled out the napkin, now stained with Amos’s blood. She tucked it away and disappeared into the evening crowd.

Before the Final Task

In the Great Hall, Lorien approached Amos and handed him a bracelet. “He’d be happier if it came from you,” she said softly.

A few hours later, the crowd gathered for the final task. While the stands filled, Lorien slipped away toward the champions’ tent. She wanted to see if Cedric wore the bracelet. It looked ordinary—but it held the blood-binding charm.

The tent was quiet. Cedric stood beside his father. Lorien tried to see his wrist, stepping closer—

“Professor Evergreen?”

She froze. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

Snape.

“What are you doing here?”

“I... just came to wish them luck.”

“Did you?” he asked, voice low. He stepped closer. “Don’t lie to me.”

Her heart raced, but her voice stayed calm. “I’m not lying.” Then she added, “Though I’d really like to know why you keep turning up behind me. Starting to feel like you’re following me.”

Snape gave a short laugh. “This is the champions’ tent. You should be in the stands.”

“Then why aren’t you?”

He narrowed his eyes. “I’m here for the school’s safety,” he said. “And so should you be... Evergreen.”

Lorien stepped back. Snape’s smile was faint, but unmistakable. She gave up. After one last glance into the tent, she followed him back.

The Third Task

The maze had ended. A burst of light—and then, suddenly, Harry and Cedric were back.

Cedric was lying still.

Harry knelt beside him, shaking, his face streaked with tears.

“Voldemort is back!” Harry cried. “Cedric’s dead!”

Gasps rippled through the stands. Then a single voice screamed out.

“MY SON!”

Amos Diggory pushed forward, panic in his eyes.

Dumbledore rushed in, checking Cedric’s pulse. Once. Then again.

Then—

“He’s alive!” Dumbledore shouted. “Get him to the hospital wing now!”

Lorien staggered. She had felt it a sting in her shoulder, just as the charm was activated.

She looked around. People were crying, cheering. Cedric was alive.

It had worked.

Tears filled her eyes.

Fate could change.

And if it could change for Cedric… maybe it could change for Severus too.

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Chapter Text

Year: 1995–1996

Book: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

LORIEN

Lorien hadn’t expected it to happen. That night, Cedric had been rushed to St Mungo’s, and he’d been in treatment for months. Lorien felt guilty. Had she saved a boy’s life, or trapped him somewhere between life and death? She wasn’t sure. And now the whispers were growing louder that Voldemort was back. Some believed it. Most didn’t. Poor Harry was being called a liar. They said it was impossible to survive Avada Kedavra, that he was delusional, attention-seeking even.

But no one knew the real reason Cedric was alive. Blood magic. A charm tied to family. And Lorien had removed it the moment she had the chance. All that was left behind was a simple Hufflepuff bracelet. She’d erased every trace that could link her to it. And she had no intention of confessing anything.

HARRY

The Ministry was cracking down on Hogwarts. To silence the rumors, they sent Dolores Umbridge—a cruel, smug witch—as the new High Inquisitor. Under pressure, Harry secretly started Dumbledore’s Army, teaching students how to defend themselves.

That day, only Cho had stayed behind in the room.

Harry walked over. “He’s going to be okay,” he said quietly.

“I don’t know, Harry…” Cho’s voice cracked as tears welled up. “It’s been so long.”

She stepped closer. Her lips trembled and suddenly, she kissed him.

Harry felt butterflies explode in his stomach. That night, he told Ron and Hermione everything, excitement all over his face.

As they walked into the Great Hall, Harry’s eyes instantly searched the Ravenclaw table. Cho was laughing with her friends. She noticed him looking and blushed, then looked away.

The moment broke when Dumbledore stood.

“My dear students,” he said, smiling, “today I bring you some wonderful news…”

The Hall went silent.

“…as you know, Cedric Diggory has been receiving long-term care at St Mungo’s. Today, he opened his eyes. He’s eager to rejoin us soon.”

The Hall burst into applause and cheers.

Ron dropped the piece of chicken he was eating. “No way… Cedric’s coming back…”

Harry clapped with joy, but Hermione gave Ron a sharp look and shook her head as if to say no.

Ron didn’t understand and kept talking.  “...but you kissed his girlfriend a few days ago!"

Harry stopped smiling. “Thanks for the reminder,” he muttered.

Hermione hit Ron with her elbow. “Shut up,” she said in a low voice.

Harry looked over at Cho again. Tears of relief were running down her cheeks. Their eyes met and this time, she looked away, ashamed.

What now?

What were they going to tell Cedric?

Would he forgive them?

Harry’s stomach twisted.

SUSPICION

Lately, Lorien had been avoiding Snape. She felt like he could read every secret she had just by looking into her eyes.

This time, she wasn’t fast enough.

Snape stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “Good day, Professor… Evergreen.”

“Good day, Professor Snape,” Lorien replied.

She tried to walk past, but he didn’t move.

“I hope you’re not in a hurry,” he said, watching her closely.

“I sort of am… I need to go through my notes. But I’m listening.”

“I heard something odd happened during one of your lessons last year. You drifted off and ended class early.”

Lorien hesitated. “What does that have to do with anything?”

She remembered the day too well. That was when she saw Cedric’s death in a vision.

“Sounds like a… prophecy of some sort,” Snape said.

“You believe in prophecies now?” Lorien asked casually.

“I didn’t say I believed.”

“Then why ask?”

Snape stepped closer, his eyes scanning her face. “The stories Potter and Diggory told… they match up. A killing curse. A coma that lasted for months. But no death. Strange, isn’t it?”

Lorien swallowed. “Yes. Strange. So what do you think caused it?”

“You claim to specialize in seeing the future. Perhaps you’ve seen something about this… anomaly?”

Lorien’s heart pounded. It felt like a chess match had begun and it was her move.

“Are you accusing me of something, Professor Snape?”

“Accusing? No. I simply… notice interesting patterns. Like a Seer might.”

“Maybe you should’ve been a Seer,” Lorien said with a tense, forced smile.

“Maybe,” Snape replied coolly. “But I’m more interested in clearing the fog... and finding out who put it there.”

He stared into her eyes.

Lorien laughed, as naturally as she could. “You’re giving me far too much credit.”

“Not at all. I’m just evaluating your potential, Professor Evergreen.”

“Well, thank you for the evaluation. Anything else?”

Snape’s tone sharpened. “Yes, actually. Just out of curiosity what were you doing near the champions’ tent that night?”

Lorien froze. She had nothing to say.

“Professor, I really need to get back to my notes. Can we talk later?”

“Very well. But I haven’t forgotten this. Good day.”

He dipped his head slightly and let her go.

IN DUMBLEDORE’S OFFICE

Snape stood in front of Dumbledore’s desk, arms crossed.

“I could get into her mind and find out everything.”

“No, Severus,” Dumbledore said calmly. “If you do that, we’ll lose her completely.”

“She’s hiding something. Cedric didn’t survive by chance. She did something that night.”

Dumbledore spoke gently. “And perhaps what she did… saved his life.”

Snape narrowed his eyes. “And what do you think her intentions were?”

“We don’t know yet,” Dumbledore said thoughtfully. “But when the time is right, she’ll tell us.”

“You want me to keep an eye on her?” Snape asked.

Dumbledore nodded slightly. “Yes… but not just that, Severus. We’re going to invite her.”

Snape raised an eyebrow. “Rewarding suspicious behavior?”

Dumbledore smiled faintly. “Lorien might be useful to the Order of the Phoenix."

Chapter Text

Lorien walked a few steps behind Snape.

“I’m very excited,” she said.

Snape stopped and turned to her, frowning. “There’s nothing to be excited about, Evergreen,” he said in a cold voice. “I think the Order isn’t for you. You don’t need to be here.”

Lorien rolled her eyes. “Then why am I here?”

Snape gave a mocking smile. “Dumbledore’s usual optimism. But remember this is a dangerous place. If you act on your own, you’ll put us all at risk. So don’t... do anything... stupid.”

“What could I possibly do?” Lorien said cheekily.

Snape shot her a sharp look. “If I were you, Professor, I wouldn’t push my luck.”

Lorien fell silent.

When they entered the headquarters, they were greeted by a plump, red-haired witch. “Ah, dear! You’ve finally arrived. We’ve been waiting to meet you!” Molly said warmly.

Lorien, a bit surprised by her friendliness, smiled back. “Thank you. It’s good to be here.”

Molly opened the door to the meeting room. Lorien scanned the long table. Many familiar faces and some she didn’t know: a girl with brightly dyed hair, a serious-looking man, and a young man with curly hair and piercing eyes.

Lorien nodded to everyone. Sirius, who seemed to recognize her, stepped forward. “You…” he said, eager.

Lorien remembered him from school. He had been one of Gryffindor’s brightest students. Sirius and his friends had always been popular, but they never spoke because he was always surrounded by girls.

“Do you know me?” Lorien asked, surprised.

Sirius smiled and took another step. Just then, Snape intervened.

“Professor Evergreen, by Dumbledore’s invitation,” he said coldly, “the Divination professor, Lorien Evergreen.”

Lorien watched Snape’s face. The same man who said she didn’t belong here now introduced her like an important guest.

Snape glanced around the room. “I have much to do. Unlike some, I am quite busy.”

“Ah, Snivellus. You always bring the cheer,” Sirius said with a grin.

Molly stepped in. “That’s enough! Let’s get started there’s a lot to do.”

Snape walked to the table and sat down stiffly.

When the meeting ended, people began to leave.

Sirius found a moment to speak to Lorien. “I must thank you,” he said.

“Sorry... but why?” she asked.

He grinned. “For what you did for a dog… you saved my life.”

Lorien was puzzled.

“A few years ago, that black dog in the Forbidden Forest was me, my Animagus form. I was on the run. Finding someone like you… was a stroke of luck.”

Lorien’s eyes widened. “That dog— sorry, that was you?”

Sirius nodded. “No problem.”

Lorien blushed.

“Yes, I must have looked a mess. But I was really grateful you fed me.”

A cold voice interrupted. “Are you coming, Professor Evergreen?” Severus said. He made no effort to hide his annoyance.

“Yes, I’m coming,” Lorien said, then turned to Sirius. “See you later.”

Snape kept throwing critical looks at Lorien as they walked. For several minutes, an awkward silence hung between them. Finally, he broke it.

“You seem to like Sirius,” he said with a sarcastic tone. The old rivalry was clearly still alive. Lorien found it all a bit ridiculous cause they were both grown men.

“He was polite,” Lorien replied with a smile. “Turns out that black dog in the forest was him.”

She expected Snape to be surprised, but he wasn’t.

“It was obvious,” Snape said. “He should’ve stayed in Azkaban instead of crawling through that pathetic life.”

Lorien was watching the hate in his face when she tripped on a rock. Snape rolled his eyes. “Oh, brilliant,” he muttered, and reached out a hand to help her.

Lorien looked at his hand as she held her aching foot. She reached out with her left arm. “I'm fine, didn’t see it,” she started to say.

Then it hit her.

A vision burst into her mind like lightning.

Darkness. Snape stood before Voldemort, looking more tired, more hollow than she had ever seen him.

“M-My Lord?” Snape said, confused. “I don’t understand. You’ve done powerful magic with that wand.”

“No,” Voldemort replied coldly. “I am powerful. The Elder Wand does not serve me properly, Severus. Because I am not its true master. The wand belongs to the one who killed its last owner. You killed Albus Dumbledore. While you live, Severus, the wand cannot truly be mine.”

“My Lord!” Snape said.

Voldemort hissed something in Parseltongue.

“Kill.”

The vision disappeared. Snape’s face came back into view—real, alive, right in front of her.

Lorien couldn’t believe what she’d just seen. There had to be a mistake. Snape couldn’t have killed Dumbledore.

But then what about his death?

She had seen Snape’s death three years ago. That vision had brought her back to Hogwarts. But she never knew how or by whom.

Now she did: Voldemort.

Her stomach twisted.

Neither of them had a chance.

How was she supposed to stop this? How could she carry this burden alone? Was there a spell that could protect Snape from Voldemort?

He was right there alive, breathing. The same man she had just seen die.

Lorien wanted to hug him and cry but she couldn’t. She stayed still.

Chapter Text

Year: 1996

Book: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Cho and Cedric’s Confrontation

Cho stood in the empty bathroom, gripping Cedric’s arm. “I told you, I wasn’t feeling well. I didn’t know what I was doing.”

Cedric looked pale and thin, with dark circles under his eyes. He wasn’t fully recovered yet. He pulled his arm free. “So, while I was fighting for my life,” he said, frowning, “you were kissing someone else?”

Moaning Myrtle perched on the windowsill, watching with glee. “Don’t forgive her!” she shouted, but neither paid attention.

“I swear—” Cho began, but Cedric raised a hand to stop her. His face showed he was done talking. “Enough, Cho,” he said. “I didn’t expect this from you.” His voice carried disappointment.

Cedric walked out slowly. Cho stood frozen, her legs shaking.

Myrtle spun around Cho, mocking her. “Thought you could juggle two guys? Poor, silly Cho!”

Cho covered her face with her hands and started sobbing.

Sirius Black’s Youth

Lorien sat at the meeting table and noticed an empty chair. Sirius Black walked in last. He looked different. His face clean and neat, his beard trimmed. His dark jacket and vest were sharp, as if he wanted to remind everyone who he was.

Tonks and Lupin saw him giggled, and whispered to each other.

After the meeting, Lorien stayed for dinner and talked with Sirius. Their conversation turned to their Hogwarts days.

“Do you remember me?” Sirius asked.

Lorien smiled. “Yeah, from Hogwarts. The Ravenclaw girls were crazy about you.”

Sirius leaned against the table, a confident grin on his face. “Crazy, huh?” he said, his eyes sparkling.

“There was this girl, Annay,” Lorien said. “She couldn’t sleep without kissing your picture.”

“Really? Was I that charming?” Sirius said, half-bragging, half-embarrassed.

“You said hi to her once, and she nearly fainted,” Lorien said, laughing.

Sirius gave a bittersweet smile. “James would’ve teased me forever,” he said. “But I’m old now. Twelve years in Azkaban…”

Lorien saw his sadness and patted his shoulder. “Don’t be so hard on yourself,” she said.

Sirius looked at her. “What do you think of me?”

Lorien grinned. “I think you’ve still got it,” she said playfully.

Sirius’s eyes lit up. “Best compliment I’ve had in a while. Glad you’re here, Lorien.”

Molly glanced at them and smiled, then called out sternly, “If someone doesn’t help with these plates, you’re not eating!”

Sirius rolled his eyes. “Come on, Miss Prophecy, let’s not break the rules, or we’ll go hungry.”

Sirius liked Lorien. Talking to her eased his loneliness. In later meetings, he found excuses to invite her to dinner. Lorien spent her free time trying to understand her visions.

In her last one, she saw Voldemort kill Snape. Fighting Voldemort seemed impossible, but she needed a plan. She also believed Snape couldn’t be a killer. There was something she didn’t know, and she was determined to figure it out.

The Terrible Prophecy

A dark hall appeared in Lorien’s vision. A white light lit up an arm with a snake tattoo—the Dark Mark. It was Draco Malfoy’s arm.

“Kill!" a voice ordered. It was Voldemort, commanding another death, just like he had with Snape.

The scene shifted. Lorien was in a tower. The wind blew Dumbledore’s hair. Draco, hands trembling, pointed his wand at Dumbledore.

“I can’t,” Draco said, his voice breaking with despair.

A woman, likely his mother whispered, “Then let him do it.”

Lorien turned. Snape approached, his face dark. He raised his wand and shouted, “Avada Kedavra.”

The green light passed through Lorien and hit Dumbledore. His body fell backward.

Lorien woke up, sweating. She grabbed her wand. “Lumos,” she said. In the dim light, she went to her desk and wrote everything down. She tried to connect this vision to her last one. By morning, she was done.

Draco would be ordered to kill Dumbledore, but Snape would finish it. Why didn’t Snape stop it? Was he really with the Order, or was he a Death Eater? Could he be a killer?

The next day, ten Death Eaters escaped from Azkaban. The Order called an urgent meeting.

Escaped Death Eaters

“Yeah,” Lorien said calmly, “I saw a vision with Death Eaters, but I didn’t clearly see them escaping.”

Moody frowned. “You didn’t do anything? You didn’t tell Dumbledore?”

Lorien had been so focused on Snape and Dumbledore’s deaths that she missed other details. She didn’t know what to say.

Snape cut in. “What could a confused Seer do?” he said mockingly, giving Lorien a suspicious look.

Lupin said, “Dumbledore knew this would happen. If the Ministry had listened, we wouldn’t be here.”

Molly snapped, “They won’t take responsibility and keep blaming others!”

“And they succeeded,” Sirius said sharply.

Molly’s voice broke. “Poor Sirius… The Ministry made you their scapegoat.”

Sirius smirked. “Well, twelve years in Azkaban weren’t for nothing. They know where to find me when they need a scapegoat.”

Lorien was relieved Sirius could still joke. When their eyes met, she gave a small smile.

After the meeting, Sirius leaned toward Lorien. “Stay for dinner.”

Lorien saw Snape leaving. She needed to talk to him. “I’d love to, but I have work at school,” she said.

“Another night, then,” Sirius said.

Lorien nodded. “Sure.”

She hurried to Snape. “Are we leaving now?” she asked.

“What, did you think I’d stay for hot cocoa?” Snape said sarcastically.

Lorien tried to talk to him on the way. “Professor Snape, what do you think of Dumbledore? After what the Ministry said…”

Snape didn’t look at her. “If you’re asking that, why are you in the Order?” he said flatly.

“Just curious,” Lorien said.

“Some of Dumbledore’s choices are odd. Like letting someone with secrets join the Order,” Snape said, glancing at her.

Lorien smiled. “Everyone has secrets. Don’t you?”

Snape stopped and turned to her. “We were going to talk about Cedric. Since we’re on secrets, now seems like a good time.”

Lorien looked into his eyes. “If you must know, my secret is I’ll do anything to protect the people I care about.”

Snape paused, then said, “Interesting… I suppose we have something in common.”

Chapter Text

Year: 1996

Book: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Lorien drank a cup of Turkish coffee while looking through her notes. After seeing the prophecies, she felt emotionally overwhelmed. She couldn't accept Severus's death, nor could she accept that Dumbledore would die by his hand. "Severus can't be a killer," she thought. But prophecies don't lie. He was the one who would kill Dumbledore, and unknowingly, he would dig his own grave. She had tried for years to save Severus. Now, everything she believed in was shaken because of the prophecies. Another question on her mind was about Draco's father. Why wasn't he with Draco during such a dangerous mission? Why didn't he do it himself, and why did Severus finish it? There were many things she didn't know. 

Bang, bang, bang!

Someone was knocking on the door as if trying to break it. Lorien was startled. She jumped up from her chair and went to the door. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were there. They all looked worried; clearly, something bad had happened. 

"Professor Evergreen!" said Harry, his voice trembling.

"Potter? What's all this noise?" asked Lorien, frowning.

"Sirius!" said Harry, his words catching in his throat. "I saw him in the Department of Mysteries, in Voldemort's hands! Help us!"

Lorien's face became serious. "How did you see him? Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. It happened before!" said Harry. Ron nodded. 

"Calm down," said Lorien. "We need to inform Snape."

Harry's eyes flashed with anger. "Snape? I don't trust him! I need to save Sirius!"

"Harry, wait!" said Lorien. "Snape will find out quickly. We need to be sure before doing anything."

Hermione grabbed Harry's arm. "Professor Evergreen is right. We can't act without being sure, Harry!"

Lorien quickly headed to Snape's office. She knew he didn't like Sirius, and she thought he might be pleased with this news. 

"Evergreen? Where are you going in such a hurry?"

Umbridge's annoying voice appeared right behind her. Lorien stopped in her tracks. 

"Uh... nothing important," she said, trying to keep her voice calm.

"Good," said Umbridge. "We need to talk about unauthorized practices in your class."

Lorien raised her eyebrows. "I don't understand?"

"In your class, you've been using methods not approved by the Ministry, like 'Turkish coffee fortune-telling'," she said mockingly. "I thought we had resolved this. Apparently, I wasn't clear enough."

Lorien realized she couldn't escape, so she decided to keep the conversation as short as possible. 

"The Ministry is very strict about the curriculum. Divination is included..."

Lorien nodded as if she were listening. To stay at the school, she had to comply with Umbridge's rules. After talking a bit more, Umbridge said, "Good. I don't expect any more problems. Otherwise, I must inform you that your position at Hogwarts will be terminated." 

"Absolutely no more problems," said Lorien, to reassure her. She walked away from Umbridge as calmly as possible. Once out of sight, she ran to Snape's office and knocked on the door firmly. Snape opened the door angrily. He looked quite irritated. 

"Professor Ever—"

Lorien didn't let him finish. "Voldemort might have taken Sirius!" she whispered. Snape checked to see if anyone was around, then pulled her inside by the arm. "Come in," he said quietly.

Lorien glanced around the dim room filled with books, then turned to Snape. "Potter saw him. Black is in the Department of Mysteries!"

"Potter," said Snape, hissing. "Again with his nonsense?"

"No, it's more serious," said Lorien. "He's talking about going to the Department of Mysteries."

Snape paused for a moment, his eyes moving to the parchments on the table, then back to Lorien. "I'll send a message to find out the truth."

He raised his wand. 

"Expecto Patronum!"

Light streamed from Snape's wand. 

A doe. 

Lorien saw it for the first time. It seemed familiar, but she wasn't sure. The doe turned quickly in the room, then disappeared. Snape's eyes met Lorien's again. He had dispelled all her doubts. Could a man who helped even his enemy truly be a killer? 

"You did the right thing by coming to me. This could be a trap," said Snape.

"Yes," replied Lorien. "It's unlikely that Sirius would just leave. But... if he's in danger, we can't leave him alone."

Snape's gaze stayed on Lorien's face for a moment. There was a growing tension in his eyes. "You seem very anxious," he said, implying something. "Do you love him?"

Lorien raised her eyebrows. "Who?"

"Sirius," said Snape, with a disgusted expression.

Lorien paused for a moment, then laughed sarcastically. "I must have given the wrong impression."

"Your reckless behavior must have led to such a misunderstanding," said Snape.

At that moment, a silver dog appeared in the room. It was Sirius's Patronus. Sirius had never left the house. 

"Something's wrong," said Snape.

"We need to find Harry," said Lorien, "before he goes to the Department of Mysteries."

But they couldn't find them anywhere. Snape's patience was wearing thin. In the corridor, he found Goyle and fixed his threatening gaze on him. 

"Where is Harry?" he asked sternly.

Goyle was trembling with fear. "T-they went... Umbridge caught them in her office. Then the four of them went to the forest. They said there was some kind of weapon there."

Lorien and Snape looked at each other. Lorien said, "What weapon?" confused. 

"The Forbidden Forest..." said Snape through gritted teeth. "Why would they go there?"

Lorien's mind was working quickly. "Harry still thinks Sirius is in danger," she said with concern.

Snape was getting more and more irritated. "No doubt Potter will act on his own again!" he growled.

"I must go to the forest," said Lorien.

Snape acted before her. "I'll go," he said. "You stay here."

Snape waved his wand again. 

"Expecto Patronum!"

A silver doe streamed from his wand and left Hogwarts to inform the Order. After a few chaotic minutes, it became clear that Harry and his friends had gone to the Department of Mysteries. Harry didn't know that Sirius was safe. Apparently, it was a trap. 

"I have to go," said Lorien.

"No," Snape objected. His voice was icy. "You have no idea what awaits a Divination professor out there..."

She couldn't tell if he said it out of concern or disdain. 

"Do you think I don't know how to fight?" she said.

"How many Death Eaters have you fought?" asked Snape agrily.

At that moment, a realization struck Lorien. Death Eaters would be there. Lucius too. There couldn't be a better opportunity to find answers to her questions. 

"I guess this will be the first time," she said. "I don't expect you to understand, but I have to go."

"They'll kill you instantly," said Snape, gritting his teeth.

"I'll come back," said Lorien. She could hear Snape's grumbles as she walked away. 

As soon as she entered the headquarters, she went straight to Sirius. She knew how much he loved his godson and that he would give his life to protect him. 

“Sirius... I'm sorry. We went out to send a message, but... they had already left,” she said, feeling guilty. 

“Now is not the time to apologize. We need to go immediately,” Sirius replied. 

Lorien was ready to Apparate. “Alright, let's go,” she said. 

Moody stood up and looked at Lorien. “No way! You can be useful in the background. Stay here.” 

“I will be of no use to you HERE,” Lorien said, emphasizing each word. “I'm good at both defense and attack.” 

“A Seer who can fight, huh?” Sirius said with a crooked smile, then turned to Moody. “Let's go already!” he shouted. 

Moody ignored him. 

“What do you think will happen if you're caught? If they kill you, consider yourself lucky!” Moody snapped. 

“What if they catch you?” Lorien countered. “Think about it. I can support you on the battlefield.” 

Moody gave her a hard look. 

Tonks said, “We're short on numbers. Also, Lorien is an experienced witch; she can take care of herself. Do I need to mention that she's a Seer?” 

Sirius added, “I'm in favor of her coming. Let's not waste time!” He was already restless. 

Moody sighed. “If you cause any trouble, I'll tie you up in the middle of the battle,” he warned. Then he raised his wand. 

“Accio.” 

A mask flew into Moody's hand. It was a simple, silver mask that covered the entire face. 

“This mask can only be removed with the owner's consent. If you want to come, you must wear it. Don't take it off for even a second, and don't reveal your identity to anyone. And believe me, I won't risk the plan to save you. Understood?” Moody said. 

“Understood,” Lorien said, examining the mask. “Your trust in me is truly touching.” 

Then she joined the group preparing to Apparate. 

THE DEATH OF SIRIUS BLACK

The Order of the Phoenix suddenly appeared in the Department of Mysteries. Each child had a wand pointed at their throat. Harry stood opposite Lucius Malfoy, holding a prophecy orb. 

“Expelliarmus!” 

Moody's shout started the attack, catching the Death Eaters off guard. With Tonks' swift movement, two wands flew into the air, and the children quickly pulled back. The battle had begun. 

“Stay away from my son,” Sirius said in a menacing voice. With one move, he punched Lucius in the face. Lucius found himself on the ground, and the orb he was holding shattered. 

Lorien and Tonks moved the children away from the area. Lorien deflected Yaxley's spell and stunned him. Taking this opportunity, she decided to approach Lucius. 

Sirius was like a new man. He cast his spells with passion and precision. Pushing his hair back, he sent Lucius flying with a single move. Lorien appeared behind Lucius and caught him. She had a big smile on her face, though it was hidden by the mask.

“You never stop showing off,” she said. 

Sirius smiled. “This duel wouldn't be the same without a little show,” he said. As he avenged his son, he looked dangerously charming. Lorien handed Lucius back to him. Lucius's messy blond hair barely slipped through Lorien's fingers. She noticed a few strands remained in her hand. Suddenly, she had a realization. After putting the hair into her pocket, she saw Tonks on the ground. Two Death Eaters had cornered her. Lorien appeared right behind them. 

“Petrificus Totalus!” 

One of them became as stiff as a board. Taking advantage of this, Tonks quickly cast a stunning spell at the other. Now both Death Eaters were lying on the ground. Lorien extended her hand to Tonks. 

“Just in time!” Tonks said. “I knew I made the right decision.” 

Lorien smiled. “I wouldn't leave you behind.” 

As she helped her up, her eyes suddenly became blurry. Her body froze, unable to move. Now, instead of Tonks, she saw Sirius. He had overpowered Lucius. Harry watched his godfather's skills with delight. A witch appeared a short distance away. Neither of them saw her. She pointed her wand at Sirius and shouted, “Avada Kedavra!” Only then did Lorien realize it was Bellatrix Lestrange. The dark curse hit Sirius's body, causing his hands to loosen. His eyes froze. As he fell backward, his lifeless body disappeared into the veil. Sirius vanished without a trace. 

Tonks looked at Lorien's face with concern. The only visible part was her eyes, staring blankly over her shoulder. “Moody, help me. We need to protect her,” Tonks called out. Moody, after throwing a Death Eater aside, turned to them. 

Tonks pointed at Lorien. 

Moody immediately understood. “She must be having a vision,” he said quietly. They formed a protective circle around Lorien, ready to defend her. 

A few seconds later, Lorien took a deep breath and came back to herself. It took her a moment to realize it had been a vision because she was still in the same place, seeing from the same angle. Her eyes widened with fear as she searched for Sirius. 

There he was.

He was overpowering Lucius. At that moment, the witch from her vision, Bellatrix Lestrange, appeared in the same corner. Sirius didn't see her. Neither did Harry. 

The vision was about to come true. 

Lorien's feet remained frozen. Sirius was so far away that she could never reach him in time. 

Bellatrix shouted the curse. 

“Avada Kedavra!” 

Lorien cast the first spell that came to mind. 

“Depulso!” 

Bellatrix Lestrange and Lorien Evergreen's wands both aimed at Sirius at the same time. But one intended to kill, the other to save. The spell that reached him was... 

Chapter Text

Year: 1996

Book: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Bellatrix Lestrange and Lorien Evergreen raised their wands at Sirius at the same time.

But one spell hit first.

“Depulso!”

Sirius flew backward before he could even register what had happened, slamming into the wall behind him.

“Nice one!” Moody shouted, thumping Lorien on the back. She stumbled slightly but grinned wide. She’d done it.

Members of the Order rushed to Sirius’s side, shielding him. But Bellatrix had already changed her target.

“YOU!” she shrieked. “I’LL RIP YOU TO PIECES! SHOW YOUR FACE!”

Only then did Lorien remember the mask on her face. She sent a binding spell toward Bellatrix, but before it could land, she Disapparated. She couldn’t even see where she was going.

Bellatrix appeared behind her in a flash. “CRUCIO!”

Lorien darted behind a column just in time, her heart racing. She peeked out and fired a Stunning Spell.

She missed.

Bellatrix laughed, high-pitched and cruel. “Is that the best you’ve got?” A green light lit her wand.

“AVADA KEDAVRA!”

Lorien vanished again, Disapparating to a blind corner out of sight.

Sirius gripped Harry’s arm and pushed himself up. When the people he cared about were in danger, he always found a way to stand. The moment he caught his breath, he launched himself into a fierce duel with his cousin. Spells collided in the air, ricocheting wildly around them.

A wicked smile crept over Bellatrix’s face. This wasn’t a game anymore. She was out for blood.

“BOMBARDA!” she roared.

The column next to Sirius exploded. Shards of stone flew through the air, knocking him to the ground.

Lorien froze.

She hadn’t seen this in any of her visions. 

Sirius clutched his leg, grimacing in pain. His hair and clothes were covered in dust, a thin trickle of blood running from his eyebrow. As Lorien stepped closer, she saw the deep wound on his leg—and froze.

“I’m fine!” Sirius lied.

Harry ran to him. “Do something!” he shouted.

Lorien couldn’t think. Every spell she knew had vanished from her mind.

“He’s badly hurt. I need to get him out of here,” said Lupin urgently.

“You stay!” Moody barked. He turned to Lorien. “Take Sirius. Get him to Headquarters! That madwoman’s trying to kill you both.”

Lorien was frozen. Her mind refused to work.

“GO!” Moody roared.

She jolted back to herself, grabbed Sirius, and Disapparated. The last thing she saw was Harry running toward Bellatrix.

“DON’T—” Sirius shouted, but the rest was lost as they vanished.

At Headquarters, Sirius groaned louder. Lorien eased him onto the bed and poured the contents of a healing potion over his leg.

The wound began to close. His breathing slowed, and the tension in his face softened. His lips moved, whispering something. Was he about to thank her?

“Take me back to the damn Ministry,” Sirius muttered.

“Back? Look at yourself!” Lorien said, wide-eyed.

“I can’t leave Harry alone.”

“He’s not alone. But if you keep this up, he always will be.”

“I’m his godfather—” Sirius’ voice weakened.

Suddenly, Lorien dropped the empty vial. A searing pain shot through her arm, like fire she couldn’t see. She yanked up her sleeve.

A dark mark was burning into her skin.

It had happened before—when Cedric was saved. But this time the pain was sharper, impossible to ignore.

“What is it?” Sirius asked.

“I don’t know,” she said, scared.

Seconds passed like hours before the pain faded. But she didn’t have time to rest. The battle wasn’t over. Questions still waited.

“I have to go,” she said, standing.

“You’re joking,” Sirius snapped. “After all that talk about me staying here?”

Lorien didn’t respond. “Promise me you won’t tell anyone what you saw.”

“Only if you tell me everything—from the start,” he said, frowning.

She shook her head and Disapparated again.

“Protect Harry!” Sirius shouted behind her.

Back in the Department of Mysteries, Lorien found Tonks.

“Where’s Harry?” she asked.

Tonks had just stunned a Death Eater. “What are you doing here?” she yelled.

“It’s not over,” Lorien said. “Where is he?”

“He chased Bellatrix. Lupin and Dumbledore are on it.”

They scanned the chaos around them. Lorien moved to follow, but Tonks stopped her.

“The Ministry’s on the way! I need you!”

“Of course,” Lorien said, gripping her wand.

They fought back-to-back. Lorien wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep going.

Suddenly, Lucius appeared. He fired a silent spell, but she blocked it. Again and again, he attacked. One almost hit.

Finally, Ministry officials stormed the room.

“They’re here!” Tonks cried. “It’s over! They’re all going to Azkaban!”

That’s when it hit Lorien:

“All of them… to Azkaban.”

Draco hadn’t been at the mission because his father would be imprisoned.

If she didn’t act now, Lucius would be caught.

She cast three spells in quick succession. Lucius dodged the first two but flew back from the third. As the officials approached, she readied one more spell. Then lowered her wand.

She let him escape.

THE RETURN

When the battle was over, the Order returned to Headquarters. Lorien was first. Her energy was almost gone; she was surprised she made it.

Tonks appeared next, a fresh scratch on her cheek. She staggered slightly but stayed on her feet. Her eyes swept the room, searching.

Then came Moody, and Lupin, limping slightly.

Harry arrived and looked around anxiously. “Where’s Sirius?”

A shadow moved by the doorway. “Harry. You’re okay.” Sirius hugged him tight.

“I thought I lost you,” Harry whispered.

“How could you run after Bellatrix like that?” Sirius scolded.

Lupin glanced at Tonks, who stood quietly in a corner, fingers laced. Their eyes met for a second. Lorien noticed—and smiled softly. Hermione leaned on Ron’s shoulder. They had survived. The silence was a quiet celebration.

Lorien’s arm still throbbed. She pressed it, hoping to ease the pain. Dumbledore was speaking to the Ministry. They had seen Voldemort with their own eyes. Many Death Eaters were taken to Azkaban. Lucius Malfoy wasn’t among them. Everything had changed tonight.

“We got lucky,” Moody finally said. “Especially you, Sirius. That was close.”

Tonks frowned. “What if Lorien had listened to you and stayed behind?”

Moody grumbled. “Yeah... would’ve been bad.” He straightened. “Still not sorry I made her wear the mask.”

As talk continued, Sirius turned to Lorien. His eyes were hard to read. He stepped closer.

“Can we talk?” he asked quietly.

Lorien sighed. “Can’t avoid it, can I?”

Sirius raised an eyebrow. “Strange. Thought you were good at running.”

Lorien didn’t smile. “Is that your way of saying thank you?”

He led her down the hall as Mrs. Black screamed from her portrait.

“BLOOD TRAITORS! HALF-BREEDS!”

They ignored her and entered a room—Sirius’s.

The walls were covered in Gryffindor colors, Quidditch posters, and Muggle rock bands. Lorien looked around.

Photos showed a younger Sirius laughing with James, Lupin, and Peter. Another photo showed a woman in a bikini.

Lorien smiled. “The famous heartbreaker, Sirius Black...”

“What can I say,” came a voice from right behind her.

“Those were the good days,” Lorien said. “Back then, we thought every little problem was the end of the world.”

A pained smile tugged at Sirius’s lips. “Now’s not the time for memories,” he muttered and reached for Lorien’s arm. “How’s it looking?”

“Fine,” Lorien lied as he pushed up her sleeve.

The dark mark was still there.

“Yeah, looks fantastic(!)” Sirius grumbled.

Lorien tried to pull her arm back, but Sirius’s fingers tightened.

She froze for a moment—was it the pain or the embarrassment?

“Did you figure out the reason?” he asked.

“No, I haven’t.” Lorien replied quietly.

She suspected there was a price to changing fate—but there was no easy way to explain that to him.

“You really need to work on your lying,” Sirius said. “It’s too obvious.”

Then, he let go of her arm.

“You gave me your word,” he added firmly. “If you’re not keeping yours, I won’t keep mine either.”

He turned and walked toward the door.

Panic kicked in.

“Wait!” Lorien shouted.

She ran forward and grabbed his arm.

“Okay, I’ll tell you.”

Sirius sighed and decided to listen.

“It’s just a theory…” she began. “When I see someone’s death in a vision and interfere, these marks appear. At least... I think that’s what’s happening.”

Sirius’s eyes widened. “You saved someone again?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lorien had to be honest. “Yes. But I’ll explain later.”

Sirius tried to piece it together.

“These marks... they look dangerous, Lorien,” he said at last. “You should show them to Madam Pomfrey.”

“Absolutely not!” Lorien burst out.

“If anyone finds out, they’ll never let me near any of this again! I could get expelled—or worse!”

If she told anyone, it could be the last time she ever saw Snape.

She’d lose the chance to save him forever.

Sirius frowned. “So what’s your plan then? Just keep going like this?”

“No...” Lorien muttered.

She was thinking fast.

“I’ll find a healer—someone outside of Hogwarts.”

Sirius hesitated, then nodded. “Let me know when you do.”

Lorien nodded back. “This stays between us, right?”

“For now, yeah.” Sirius replied.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

It was Molly’s soft voice calling from outside.

“Sirius, dear! Time for your potions.”

She was waiting with a tray of vials. When she saw Sirius and Lorien together, she gave them a quiet, knowing look.

“These will help with the tiredness,” she said, smiling.

As they walked down the corridor, Mrs. Black’s portrait screamed insults at them again—but no one let it ruin the mood.

There was a small dinner planned to mark the day.

While the kitchen buzzed with noise, Molly’s voice rang out cheerfully.

“Professor Lorien! You mentioned reading Turkish coffee grounds—would you read ours too?”

Lorien looked up.

“Just yours, right?”

“Everyone’s!” Fred and George shouted together.

That made her smile.

They trusted her now. They were curious about what she had to say.

“Alright,” she said with a sigh. “But one at a time.”

In no time, the kitchen filled with tiny coffee cups.

Ginny was making coffee under her mum’s direction.

Ron grumbled, “Are you all mad? We’re starving!”

Hermione jabbed him with her elbow. Tonks brought the first cup. Lorien smiled at what she saw. “I think you’d better come take a look yourself.”

Tonks leaned in eagerly. There was a wolf. Both of them burst out laughing. Lupin and Sirius exchanged glances, clueless. After Molly, Arthur, and Lupin, it was Sirius’s turn. Lorien narrowed her eyes and examined the cup.

“I see... a scale,” she said seriously.

“Scales mean justice,” Hermione offered.

Fred and George snickered.

“Five points to Gryffindor!”

“Oh, give it a rest,” Molly scolded.

“Wait—what does that mean?” Sirius asked.

Lorien looked at him.

“Your innocence might come up again.”

She wasn’t sure if that was good news.

When the readings were done, Molly called everyone to the table.

As Lorien stood up, she glanced into her own cup. A forked, broken road stared back at her. But the warm atmosphere made her forget it for now. After a good meal, the glasses were raised.

Arthur Weasley held up his butterbeer. “To the health of our children!” he toasted.

“To the fall of the Death Eaters!” Tonks shouted.

“To Sirius’s freedom!” Lupin added.

Sirius raised his glass last. “To Lorien.” and he winked.

Lorien dipped her head with a small smile.

The glasses clinked—until a dry cough cut through the room.

“Sorry to interrupt your fun,” came a cold voice.

Everyone turned.

Severus Snape.

Molly stood at once and pulled out a chair.

“Come, Severus, join us,” she said brightly.

Snape sat down with a creak of the chair.

Arthur grinned. "We’re celebrating tonight—after everything that happened!”

“Let’s not forget Lorien saving my life,” Sirius added, smiling wide.

His eyes glittered mischievously at Snape. Lorien couldn’t quite hide her discomfort.

She’d saved his worst enemy—surely Snape wouldn’t be thrilled. Snape turned to her with a slow, judging stare.

“Congratulations, Professor Evergreen. Your skills are... quite impressive.”

His tone was anything but congratulatory.

Then he faced the table again.

“Dumbledore sent me.” His voice was calm and steady.

“We’re listening,” said Lupin.

“Voldemort is furious. His followers are being punished for failing him,” Snape said.

“We gave them hell!” Tonks beamed.

Snape ignored her and turned back to Lorien. Their eyes locked together.

“They asked me to find you, Evergreen.”

Chapter Text

Year: 1996

Book: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Lorien couldn’t wait to return to Hogwarts for her second year. She’d missed the floating candles in the Great Hall, the magical corridors, and her friends in Ravenclaw. After packing her trunk, she fell asleep with a smile—until a dream disturbed her.

She was in a car, her father Thomas driving. Lorien sat in the back, feeling more like a silent observer than a passenger. Thomas glanced at her in the rearview mirror and smiled. “We raised a princess,” he said warmly.

Lorien didn’t answer. Her focus was on the road ahead. Suddenly, blinding lights appeared—an oncoming car was heading straight for them.

“Dad, look out!” Lorien shouted.

Thomas didn’t hear her in time. Everything slowed down as he finally looked up, but it was too late. In the mirror, Lorien caught one last glimpse of his startled eyes.

The next morning was chaos. They were running late for the train. Lorien hugged her mother tightly before sprinting to the platform with her father. She wanted to kiss him goodbye, but the train had already begun to move.

That evening, after Dumbledore’s welcome speech, the Great Hall was filled with food. Roasted chicken, boiled potatoes, and chocolate cake appeared on the tables, and students ate until they were full.

As the hall emptied, McGonagall approached Lorien and led her to the Headmaster’s office. The news was devastating. Her father had been in a car accident after leaving the station. He hadn’t survived. That night, something deep inside Lorien shifted.

Dumbledore told her repeatedly it wasn’t her fault, but Lorien couldn’t forgive herself. If she had only paid more attention to her dream, everything might have been different. From that day on, she replayed it in her mind every night.

“They asked me to find you, Evergreen.”

Lorien’s eyes met Severus Snape’s, her mind racing. Either he would betray her, or he’d pay the price for protecting her. She had made everything worse by trying to act alone. Severus had been right—her recklessness endangered them all.

Silence hung over the Order’s table, the earlier mood of celebration gone.

“What did you tell them?” Mr. Weasley asked, breaking the tension.

Snape’s eyes didn’t leave Lorien. “Nothing,” he said flatly.

“Do they know she’s a Seer?” Moody pressed.

“I doubt it,” Snape replied, his voice cold.

Lorien pushed her chair back, needing to escape. “I should get back to school,” she said quietly.

“Lorien…” Sirius began, standing.

“I’ll take her,” Snape interrupted.

The two men exchanged icy stares before Tonks gestured for Sirius to sit. Snape followed Lorien out of the room.

Their walk back was tense. “I told you not to go,” Snape snapped.

“I had to,” Lorien murmured, unable to meet his gaze.

Snape stopped abruptly. “You’re lucky you weren’t killed! One mistake, Evergreen, and you’ll endanger more than just yourself.”

“I saved someone,” Lorien said, her voice steady.

Snape’s dark eyes burned with anger. “One day, this hero act will get you killed,” he said harshly.

Lorien’s chest tightened. His words cut deeper than she expected.

Snape turned and walked ahead, his footsteps sharp in the quiet corridor.

“I’m sorry,” Lorien said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Snape didn’t respond.

"If you need to turn me in..." Lorien began, "I would understand."  

But Snape cut her off.

“Don't be ridiculous. If you say you understand again, it means you didn't understand anything." 

Lorien blinked, unsure what he meant. Did that mean he wouldn’t betray her?

“Severus…” she started.

“What is it now?” he said sharply.

Lorien stopped walking.

“I wanted to protect you, but I'm so stupid that I messed everything up. I love you, and I wish I had the courage to say it to your face.”

“Thank you,” she said instead.

Snape’s face remained emotionles as he walked away, but his steps were softer this time.

The Healer on Knockturn Alley

Lorien knew she had to see a healer about the marks on her arm. If she didn’t, Sirius would tell someone, and she couldn’t risk that. The mark on her left forearm hadn’t faded or spread, but its presence unsettled her. Though weary from the battle, she pressed on.

Hiding her face with an old veil, Lorien ventured into Knockturn Alley. The shadows seemed alive, and shifty figures lingered in the corners. Their eyes followed her, sharp and searching. No matter how she tried to blend in, her hesitant steps betrayed her.

She stopped before a battered wooden sign that read: Cures for Curses and Dark Magic.

Inside, the air was heavy with the scent of burnt herbs and something metallic. Shelves packed with strange bottles and jars lined the walls, their labels hinting at ingredients best left unnamed.

A raven cawed from somewhere above, its black eyes gleaming as it watched her.

“How... may I... help you?”

The voice came from behind her, calm and unnervingly slow.

Startled, Lorien turned to see a man step out of the shadows. His pale blue eyes were unnaturally sharp, his face expressionless.

“I… I have these marks,” she began, pulling her sleeve up to reveal her arm.

The healer stepped closer, studying the mark without touching it. His breath was shallow as he murmured, “Fascinating…”

“What is it?” Lorien asked, her voice tight.

He straightened, his expression unreadable. “How did this happen?”

“I saved someone,” she said carefully, unsure how much to share.

“With a charm?”

Her hesitation was brief. “It wasn’t just a charm,” she admitted. “It just… happened.”

“Ah.” He nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing. “You intervened.”

“No,” Lorien said quickly. “It’s not like that.”

The faintest smile touched the corners of his lips. “Playing God is dangerous, you know.”

“I’m not—” Lorien began, but the words caught in her throat.

“And yet, here you are,” he said softly. “Marked for your efforts. The universe doesn’t forget meddling, little girl.”

Lorien stepped back, her instincts screaming at her to leave. “I’ve made a mistake coming here,” she said.

The healer didn’t try to stop her as she turned and fled.

Outside, Lorien didn’t slow down until the alley was far behind her. Her heart pounded as she pulled the veil tighter around her face.

Inside the shop, the healer watched her retreat until she disappeared from view. He turned to the raven perched near the window.

“Marks like that,” he mused, almost to himself. “The Dark Lord would find her… intriguing, wouldn’t he, Nox?”

The raven cawed, its cry slicing through the still air like a blade.

A Letter from the Ministry

The Order of the Phoenix meetings were becoming more frequent. One evening, Sirius stood up as soon as Lorien entered.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concern evident in his voice. “After you left the other night…”

He glanced around and noticed Molly, Tonks, and Lupin pretending to be busy. Sirius rolled his eyes, grabbed Lorien by the wrist, and pulled her into a quieter corner.

“I was worried about you,” he said softly.

“I’m fine,” Lorien replied, offering a faint smile.

Sirius held her gaze. “If they come for you, you’ll stay here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

There was a guilt-ridden intensity in his tone that made her smile falter.

“There’s no need to worry,” Lorien said gently. “Nothing will happen to me. Dumbledore and Severus wouldn’t allow it, and Hogwarts is as safe as it gets.”

Her words surprised even herself—wasn’t that what she needed to hear from someone else?

Sirius frowned. “I don’t trust Severus.”

Lorien placed a hand on his shoulder. “Sirius, you have nothing to feel guilty about. Anyone would’ve done the same.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” he muttered. Then he glanced at her arm. “What about the mark? Did you see the healer?”

The memory of Knockturn Alley and the healer’s piercing gaze flashed through Lorien’s mind. She pulled her hand back and clasped it behind her.

“I did,” she said calmly. “He gave me a potion. It’ll heal.”

“What caused it?” Sirius asked, his expression sharp.

“The protection charm I cast backfired,” she lied.

“What kind of charm?”

Before she could respond, Mr. Weasley’s voice rang out.

“Black! Letter from the Ministry!”

All heads turned as Mr. Weasley waved an envelope in the air. Sirius snatched it and tore it open, scanning the letter quickly.

“Oh, read it out loud, will you?” Tonks urged.

--------------------------------------------------------

Dear Mr. Sirius Black,

The Ministry of Magic sincerely apologizes for your wrongful imprisonment in 1981 for crimes you did not commit. New evidence confirming the survival of Peter Pettigrew has proven your innocence.

Your conviction has been overturned, and your record cleared. Furthermore, you are entitled to financial compensation of 1,000 Galleons for each year spent in Azkaban.

A formal ceremony will be held tomorrow at the Ministry to publicly announce your innocence and present you with the Medal of Honorable Service.

Sincerely,

Rufus Scrimgeour, Minister of Magic

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The room was silent as Sirius lowered the letter.

Tonks broke the tension. “At least… they’re apologizing?”

Sirius let out a bitter laugh. “Apologizing? People died, Tonks. I lost twelve years in that hellhole.” His voice softened. “My friends, my family… my life.”

He took a steadying breath. “I’ll go to the ceremony tomorrow. But only to tell them what I think.”

No one argued. They all knew he was right. Lupin clapped him on the back, and Molly hugged him tightly.

Lorien met Sirius’s gaze and offered a small smile. He returned it faintly.

The next morning, The Daily Prophet’s front page featured a photograph of Rufus Scrimgeour presenting Sirius with a medal. In the image, Sirius turned away, stepping off the stage.

"SIRIUS BLACK CLEARED OF ALL CHARGES!

At a ceremony today, the Ministry of Magic officially recognized Sirius Black as a brave wizard who fought against Lord Voldemort. Black rejected the Medal of Honorable Service, declaring, “I never lost my honor,” before leaving the stage..."

Lorien folded the paper, unsurprised by Sirius’s defiance.

Beside her, Snape glanced at the photograph. “So, your dear Sirius is vindicated. How charming,” he said dryly.

Lorien rolled her eyes. “Can’t you be happy for him?”

Snape arched a brow. “Ecstatic,” he replied. 

Tonks’ Brown Hair

Lorien set her prophecy notes aside, sifting through her lecture materials. A faint sound reached her ears.

“Psst!”

She lowered her papers, glancing at the door. No one was there.

“Over here, in the fireplace!” said a familiar voice.

Startled, Lorien turned toward the hearth. A pair of eyes watched her from within the flames.

“Sirius?” she asked, hurrying to kneel by the fire.

He grinned mischievously. “Aren’t you going to congratulate me? I’m a free man now.”

“Of course I will,” Lorien replied with a soft laugh. “I just assumed you’d be too busy enjoying your freedom. But be careful, Sirius. If the Death Eaters—”

“Don’t start sounding like Moody,” he interrupted. “I’m careful. Anyway, come a bit early today. Let’s chat before the meeting. And don’t forget my congratulatory gift.”

“I’ll try,” Lorien promised. And with that, Sirius vanished.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Lorien arrived at Grimmauld Place, a gift tucked under her arm.

“Lorien! How are you?” Tonks greeted her brightly.

“Hi,” Lorien said with a smile. “Is Sirius around? I brought him something.”

“He’ll be back soon. Ministry medics wanted to check up on him.”

Lorien placed the package on the table, pulling up a chair across from Tonks. She frowned slightly.

“Tonks… is everything alright? Your hair looks... different.”

Tonks glanced up, startled. “Oh… It does this when I’m upset.”

“You can talk to me,” Lorien offered gently. “If it helps, I’ll even read your fortune.”

Tonks gave a small laugh. “Thanks, but I doubt coffee grounds have the answer to this.”

Lorien hesitated before asking, “Is it Lupin?”

Tonks blinked in surprise. “How did you know?”

“I’ve seen the way you look at each other,” Lorien said with a knowing smile.

Tonks sighed, her expression clouding. “He keeps saying he’s not good enough for me. That being a werewolf makes him dangerous, and I deserve better.”

“And what do you think?”

“I think he’s wrong,” Tonks said fiercely. “I love him, and nothing will change that.”

Lorien reached out, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Tonks looked at her curiously. “And what about you? Are you and Sirius finally… you know?”

“What?” Lorien blinked, caught off guard.

“Everyone thinks so,” Tonks said with a teasing grin. “You’re perfect for each other.”

Lorien frowned. “There’s nothing between us. Besides, I’m… in love with someone else.”

Tonks gasped. “Who?”

“Keep your voice down!” Lorien hissed, her cheeks reddening.

“Someone in the Order?” Tonks whispered conspiratorially.

“Well… yes,” Lorien admitted reluctantly.

“Mundungus? No, never. Kingsley? No, you’ve barely spoken to him. Snape?” Tonks’s mind raced, and then her eyes widened in sudden realization “Snape!” she said.

“Shh!” Lorien’s face turned crimson.

A noise came from the hall. Startled, the two women rose and peeked through the door. It was Kreacher, polishing silverware and muttering darkly to himself.

The meeting began, filled with chatter and congratulations for Sirius.

“How touching…” Snape drawled as he slid into a chair, his expression icy.

The meeting passed without incident, but as it ended, Sirius leaned close to Snape, murmuring something in his ear.

Snape’s expression darkened. Lorien lingered, trying to catch the exchange, but Sirius turned to her.

“Lorien, could you give us a moment?”

“Of course,” she replied. “See you at school, Severus.”

Snape didn’t respond.

Snape and Sirius’ Argument

“The doe… Did you think I wouldn’t notice?” Sirius hissed, his tone sharp as a knife.

Snape’s wand was in his hand in an instant. “My Patronus is none of your concern, Black,” he said icily.

“Perhaps it should be. And what about Evergreen?” Sirius stepped closer, his voice lowering.

Snape’s eyes narrowed. “Evergreen is none of your business.”

“She trusts you,” Sirius said, his voice rising slightly. “Keep your darkness away from her.”

Snape’s sneer deepened. “My darkness is far less dangerous than your recklessness. She risked herself for you, and you lecture me about danger?”

“If you betray her—”

“Know your place, Sirius,” Snape interrupted, his voice like steel. “This war is far beyond your comprehension.”

With a swirl of his cloak, Snape swept out of the room, leaving Sirius glaring after him.

Chapter Text

Year: 1996

Book: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Grimshade, a quiet town near London, had fallen silent today. In an old, crumbling house on the edge of the village, a witch’s life was about to end. Clothes lay scattered, pages had been ripped from books of dark magic, and shattered potion bottles glittered on the floor.

"I’m not the one! You’ve got the wrong person!"

Mary Mackenzie was on her knees, crying in front of three Death Eaters who were looking at her with disdain.

"Stop lying! If I prove it’s you, you’ll beg me to kill you!" 

"It’s not me! I swear!" Mary sobbed.

Severus Snape stood still his expression unreadable watching her beg. He didn’t move a muscle. Moments later Greyback appeared,

holding a folded black cloak and a silver mask the exact mask Lorien had worn at the Department of Mysteries.

Snape didn’t suprised.

Bellatrix’s eyes gleamed with madness. "So it’s not yours, is it?"

Mary broke into louder sobs. "That thing’s not mine! I’ve never seen it before, I swear—"

"Of course not," Bellatrix said mockingly. Her face twisted. She raised her wand.

"Crucio!"

Bellatrix was laughing loudly as Mary's body shook in pain.

"Just as we were told." Snape said, his voice cold and flat.

"What’s the rush, Severus? We’re having fun," Bellatrix said, pretending to sound serious. She raised her wand again.

"Avada Kedavra."

Mary’s body fell.

For a moment, a shadow crossed Snape’s face then vanished. Bellatrix looked pleased as if she’d finally had enough fun.

"That’s enough games," she said brightly. "Let’s bring the Dark Lord the good news."

They gave Mary’s lifeless body one last glance then stepped outside. Bellatrix raised her wand and cast the Dark Mark into the sky. A skull and serpent twisted slowly above the house they had just left.

The message was clear:

We were here. We killed someone. You’re next if you dare stand in our way.

Later that night they gathered at Malfoy Manor.

Eleven Death Eaters sat around a long, rectangular table. At the far end Voldemort sat stroking Nagini’s head.

"I killed her with my own wand, my Lord!" Bellatrix reported her eyes wide with expectation like a child waiting for praise.

Voldemort smiled lazily. "Well done, Bellatrix," he said in a low voice.

Her face lit up. She bowed deeply murmuring, "It’s an honor, my Lord..."

Then Voldemort turned to Snape.

"So, Severus. Who was this filthy little witch… and why did it take you so long to find her?"

Snape sat straighter in his chair. His tone was cool and measured.

"My Lord... her identity was hidden. It took time. But I’ve looked into her past and found... quite a few things."

He began to explain without emotion.

"During her experiments, she accidentally killed her half-brother. But that didn’t stop her. She moved on to dark charms, even tried to contact the dead. A shadowed past... But Dumbledore, in his desperation, offered her a place."

Some of what he said was true. But not all. The truth was, the Order had never even contacted her.

Still, Snape lied without the slightest pause.

Voldemort gave a slow, smug smile. "How pathetic they’ve become," he said, disgust in his voice.

Wormtail licked his lips nervously.

"My Lord, I... I knew her a little. She never seemed the kind to count on the Order..."

"Silence, Wormtail!" Voldemort snapped.

He raised his wand and sent a sharp spark flying into Wormtail’s hand. Wormtail yelped and jumped back, clutching it.

Voldemort leaned back again, calm once more.

"Go on, Severus."

Snape pulled his eyes away from Wormtail and turned back to the Dark Lord.

"She asked for protection in exchange for her knowledge of charms. The Order thought she might be useful. They almost pulled it off."

Nagini hissed softly and slithered toward Voldemort.

"She’s where she belongs now," Voldemort said with a quiet laugh.

The others chuckled too, though no one laughed quite like him.

-

Dumbledore sat in his office, watching the flames crackle in the fireplace. His brows were furrowed, his expression tense. He turned to Severus with something close to horror in his eyes.

“So, you caused someone’s death… Is that correct?”

“I gave them someone of little importance."

Dumbledore shot him a long, piercing look over his glasses. “And who decides whose life is unimportant, Severus? Since when do you weigh the worth of lives?”

“I couldn’t give them Lorien,” Snape said firmly.

“You surprise me,” Dumbledore said slowly. “I didn’t realize you cared so much for her.”

Snape straightened his posture. “Lorien is a Seer. Her prophecies… If they fell into the wrong hands, it wouldn’t just be one life lost, but hundreds.”

“You still had a choice, Severus,” Dumbledore said softly.

There was anger in Snape's dark eyes. “What choice? What else could I have done? You know as well as I do there was no other way. It’s easy to judge once the dirty work is done. My job isn’t to debate ethics it’s to do what’s necessary.”

“I don’t misunderstand your actions, Severus,” Dumbledore said in his calm, velvet voice. “But you misunderstand this: no matter how many justifications you have, when you sacrifice someone, you lose a piece of yourself with them.”

Snape let out a bitter laugh. “I think I’ll manage,” he said with biting irony. “After everything I’ve done.”

---

Order Headquarters

There was no denying Voldemort had returned. They weren’t hiding anymore. Instead of concealing their massacres, they took pride in showing them off.

Every day, both the wizarding and Muggle worlds were rocked by chaos. People died in dozens. Storms raged, bridges collapsed. No one dared step outside alone anymore.

Lorien gazed out the fogged window. Despite it being summer, the weather was grey and grim, as if all color had drained from the world. A few Muggles hurried along the street, their steps quick and anxious. No one sat on benches to feed the birds or chat cheerfully anymore.

A sinking feeling settled in her stomach.

At the Order’s table, she could only vaguely hear the conversation. Moody had been pacing for some time, his wooden leg clunking against the floor.

“The Imperius Curse has infiltrated the Ministry. You can’t trust anyone anymore,” he said gruffly.

“They broke into Mary Mackenzie’s house recently,” said Mr. Weasley. “She was a dark witch, actually closer to their side, but they still found a reason to kill her. And the Muggle deaths—those poor souls don’t even know what’s happening to them.” He sounded deeply troubled.

Lorien turned her gaze back to the table. Sitting across from her, Sirius caught the worry in her eyes and gave her a playful wink, as if to reassure her.

When the meeting ended, Lorien began gathering her things. She had planned to return to Hogwarts with Snape, but he had already left without waiting for her. Sirius stopped her, insisting she stay for tea as he often did.

-

One afternoon, Lorien saw Severus in the Hogwarts corridors. Her heart skipped a beat, as it always did. She stopped and smiled, ready to greet him. But Severus didn’t even glance her way; he walked past as if she weren’t there, his robes billowing behind him. Lorien froze, watching him go. When she noticed three students staring at her, she quickly composed herself and kept walking. Severus might not be the friendliest, but he’d never outright ignored her before. He had plenty of reasons to be angry, but this... this wasn’t like him.

The next evening at dinner, Lorien slid into the seat next to him.

“Good evening, Professor Snape,” she said, offering him a warm smile.

“Good evening.” 

An awkward silence stretched between them. This wasn’t the Severus Snape she knew. He always had something sarcastic to say.

“Is everything alright, Professor? After... everything that happened?” she asked, trying to meet his gaze.

Snape cut her off. “Yes, everything is fine. I don’t find it necessary to discuss recent events.”

Lorien frowned, studying his face. Something was definitely off. “How are you, though? I hope you’re doing well.”

“What a noble sentiment,” Snape replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “But to ease your worries, I’m perfectly fine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to finish my meal.”

Lorien felt like a fly buzzing around him, an unwelcome nuisance. Her grip on her fork tightened as she fought back tears. She tried to eat, but the food tasted like ash. She couldn’t bear to sit there any longer. Slowly, she set down her cutlery, pushed back her chair, and left the hall.

Severus didn’t even look up.

That night, her room felt stifling. After weeks under the threat of Death Eaters, Severus’s coldness was the final straw.

Sleep evaded her as her thoughts spiraled. She needed to talk to someone, to ask, “Am I doing something wrong?” But this wasn’t a conversation for just anyone. Only Tonks would understand.

After classes, Lorien Apparated to the headquarters. Sirius nearly spilled his whiskey in surprise.

“What brings you here, Evergreen?” he asked with a grin.

“I need to see Tonks. Has she come by?” Lorien asked, scanning the room.

“At this hour? Doubt it.” Sirius took a sip from his glass. “What do you need her for?”

Lorien shrugged. “It’s nothing important. Just needed to talk.”

“Well, I’m right here. What am I, chopped liver?” Sirius said, feigning offense.

Lorien doubted venting about Severus would help. “It’s... not the kind of thing you’d understand.”

Sirius took a step closer, his expression softening. “Lorien... don’t you trust me?”

“It’s not that,” she said quickly. “It’s about Snape. I didn’t think you’d want to hear about it.”

Sirius raised an eyebrow, surprisingly interested. “What about him?”

“He’s been acting... cold. Distant. I don’t understand it,” Lorien admitted.

Sirius muttered under his breath. “That dear friend of mine, Snivellus...”

“You know what? Forget it. I’ll come back later,” Lorien said. She moved toward the door.

Sirius stopped her. “Alright, alright. Relax, Miss Prophecy. I didn’t say anything.”

Lorien reluctantly stayed and smoothed her expression.

Sirius poured her a glass of whiskey and handed it to her. “When did this start?”

“I don’t know... Maybe after the last meeting. You saw how he left without waiting for me,” Lorien said, sipping her drink. She winced. “How do you drink this in the middle of the day?”

Sirius smirked faintly. “Maybe it’s time to step back, Lorien. Ever thought about that?”

She paced the room, speaking her thoughts aloud. Suddenly, she stopped, her eyes resolute. “Whatever his problem is, I’ll ask him to his face.”

Sirius sighed heavily, collapsing into an armchair. “It’s not about you.”

“Excuse me?”

Sirius seemed reluctant to speak. “I told him to stay away from you.”

Lorien froze. “You what?”

“Lorien, forget falling for him. You can’t even trust him,” Sirius said, standing up.

“What makes you think that?” Lorien asked, certain she hadn’t told him anything about Severus.

“I overheard you and Tonks talking. I wasn’t eavesdropping, but when I heard my name...”

Now she understood. The noise she’d heard outside the door that night hadn’t been Kreacher. It was Sirius.

“You listened in,” Lorien said flatly. “I appreciate your concern, but Severus won’t betray me.”

Sirius took a step closer, his voice low and sharp. “How long do you think it would take him to hand you over to Voldemort?”

“Severus wouldn’t do that!” Lorien snapped.

“He’s a Death Eater!” Sirius shouted.

“He was! He lost his way!” Lorien yelled back.

“Lost his way... We’ve all been lost at some point. But none of us became Death Eaters.”

Lorien’s mind flashed to an old memory: the Marauders tormenting Severus in school. She couldn’t hold back any longer. “That’s easy for you to say. You weren’t the one bullied for years!”

Sirius looked like she’d slapped him. “So now you’re his advocate,” he said, his voice quieter but laced with hurt. “Let me think... I only ran away from home as a kid, rotted in Azkaban for twelve years, and came back to find everyone I cared about dead. But you’re right. I wasn’t bullied.”

Silence hung between them like a blade.

Lorien knew she’d gone too far, but she couldn’t stop herself. Her anger burned too hot.

“You knew how I felt about him. How could you say that to him? I trusted you, Sirius.”

“I had to say it!” Sirius exploded. “Because, dammit... can’t you see that I love you!”

Chapter Text

Year: 1996

Book: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Lorien felt tense as she walked into the headquarters for the meeting. It would be the first time they’d be in the same room since that day. She knew she couldn’t act like before. It might seem cold, but she believed it was better for both of them. The old floorboards creaked under her feet as she stepped inside.

Tonks was perched on the edge of a chair, whispering with Lupin. Sirius sat at the table with a glass of iced whiskey, locked in a serious conversation with Mr. Weasley. When Lorien entered, all eyes turned to her. What now? Would they talk? Or pretend the other didn’t exist?

Sirius looked at her for a few seconds. Then he took a sip of his drink and went back to talking to Mr. Weasley.

So this was it. Quiet tension. They would ignore each other, but everyone in the room would feel it. Just then, a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her aside. Tonks's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“I knew it,” she whispered. “Something’s going on. Things are really bad between you two, aren’t they?”

Lorien paused. It felt wrong to talk about Sirius’s feelings behind his back.

“We just argued,” she said shortly.

Tonks squinted. “That’s it? Just an argument? About what?”

“I was looking for you the other day. When I couldn’t find you—”

The door opened suddenly. Moody entered, his voice as sharp as ever.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said, limping toward a chair. “Some idiot Death Eater was following me.”

Lorien was secretly thankful for the interruption.

Sirius straightened up. “No problem, Moody. Since you’re here, let’s get this over with,” he said. His voice held a tone Lorien didn’t recognize.

The meeting was grim: murders, missing people, wizards under the Imperius Curse...

Lorien’s eyes drifted to Sirius. For a brief second, they locked eyes. His gaze was cold and wounded. She looked away. So did he.

When the meeting ended, Lorien stood to leave.

“You’re not staying?” Tonks asked.

Lorien didn’t think she could stand the tension any longer.

“I have to go. I’ll see you later.”

As she walked out, she caught sight of Sirius reaching for the whiskey bottle again.

Then came Molly’s voice from the hallway:

“Oh, that’s enough now! Drinking in the middle of the day, honestly!”

BACK AT HOGWARTS

When she returned to Hogwarts, Lorien had been waiting for a chance to talk to Severus. As the sun set, she finally caught him in the corridor.

“Professor Snape!” she called out, but he didn’t seem to hear. She quickened her pace. “Please… wait!”

Snape slowed down and turned to face her. “What do you want?” he asked, sounding tired.

“To talk,” Lorien said, catching her breath.

Snape frowned. The usual coldness was still there. “Did this conversation really need a dramatic chase? Well, since you're so eager… I’m listening.”

Lorien hadn’t actually planned what to say.

“Sirius… I don’t know exactly what he told you. But please stop ignoring me.”

“Professor Lorien,” Snape said with a sigh, “Whatever happened between you two is none of my business. Nor does it need to be.”

“I’m not speaking to him anymore,” Lorien cut in. “You were right. I acted without thinking.”

Snape paused, raising his eyebrows slightly. “So you realised.”

“You were right about everything. Every time I don’t listen to you, things go wrong. I’m sorry.”

Snape didn’t reply. But Lorien thought—just for a second—she saw the edge of a smile on his face. Then he turned, his cloak swishing behind him, and looked over his shoulder.

“Aren’t you coming to dinner?”

Lorien tried not to grin too widely. Together, they walked toward the Great Hall.

THE RING

It was well past midnight. The full moon hung above the castle, flooding the room with pale light. Notes were scattered across the desk; some had fallen to the floor.

Questions still gnawed at her. The vision of Severus killing Dumbledore... Maybe it was just a dream. A stupid, twisted dream. Her thoughts were a mess, and she was too tired to sort them. With a flick of her wand, the notes gathered themselves and stacked neatly on the table. She crawled under a thin blanket and closed her eyes.

Sleep came fast. She was flying peaceful and light. She drifted over the sea, into a quiet village. Then she slipped through the chimney of a dark, abandoned house.

There was a walnut desk, dusty and worn. On it, a roll of black velvet cloth. A hand old and wrinkled began to unwrap it, slowly. The last corner dropped, revealing an old ring.

Something was wrong. It wasn’t just a ring. Inside, a red light pulsed like a heartbeat.

Dumbledore leaned closer, studying it. The closer he got, the faster it pulsed. Lorien felt it in her bones this was bad.

As Dumbledore reached out and touched it, black smoke burst from the ring and filled the room. It was cursed. Powerful enough to bring down the greatest wizard alive.

The smoke swallowed Lorien, and she was pulled through the chimney again, up into the sky. Houses shrank below her. Her body went limp.

She reached blindly for her wand.

“Expecto Patronum!” A silver crane shot from her wand and soared, wings wide and glowing.

“Find Severus Snape,” she said. “Wake him.”

The bird vanished through the door. The room fell silent again.

She whispered, “Lumos.”

Her wand lit up. She threw on her robe and stepped into the dark corridor. As she turned a corner, she slammed into something solid.

“Ah!”

She raised her wand—then saw that it was Severus Snape.

“What’s going on, Lorien? Why did you send a Patronus to my room?” he asked sharply.

Lorien’s voice trembled. “I saw a prophecy, Severus. Dumbledore touched a cursed ring.”

Even in the dim light, she could see the lines on his face tighten. Together, they climbed the stairs to Dumbledore’s office. But it was empty. Snape turned to her immediately. “Where did you see him?”

Lorien hadn’t seen any sign or name. “There were houses... a village. But I don’t know the name.”

Snape sighed, clearly annoyed. “I’ll have to enter your mind.”

Lorien stepped back. “No...”

She would never allow that. Her mind was full of things Severus must never see.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Lorien. I only want to see the prophecy.”

She knew she had no choice.

“Only that,” she said firmly, meeting his eyes.

Snape raised his wand toward her.

“Legilimens.”

The feeling of someone inside her head was sickening. Like something crawling through her thoughts. The prophecy replayed—this time with Snape watching beside her.

Suddenly, he pulled out of her mind.

“He’s found the Resurrection Stone,” Snape muttered. “If I’m lucky, I can stop him before he touches it. I have to go.”

“What about me?”

Snape turned his sharp eyes on her. “You’re staying here."

Lorien didn’t argue.

She paced in her room, shuffled her tarot cards, waited for a message. Nothing came. An hour passed. She couldn’t take it anymore. She found herself walking through the corridor again.

She stopped at the stairs to Dumbledore’s office. No sound. She kept walking. Then—suddenly—a voice made her jump.

“Put that light out!”

“Who’s there?” Lorien called out, sweeping her wand’s light around.

“It’s me! Madam Caroline,” came a voice from one of the portraits.

“Oh, how thoughtless…” muttered an old man beside her.

Lorien pointed her wand toward the paintings, but that only made things worse. A chorus of grumbling broke out.

“Turn that off!”

“What’s she doing?”

From one portrait came the sound of a baby crying.

“You woke my child! Are you proud of yourself?” a woman snapped.

“Sorry,” Lorien muttered, hurrying away from the chaos she’d caused.

Nearly Headless Nick floated into view.

“Professor Lorien? What are you all up to at this hour?”

“All?”

“I just saw Severus and Dumbledore heading down to the dungeons. What’s going on?”

“Thank you, Nick!”

Lorien lifted the edge of her dressing gown and ran. She shivered as she passed through the ghost.

“Sorry!” she called over her shoulder.

She slowed down as she reached the dungeon corridor. Carefully, she crept toward the Potions classroom. The door handle didn’t click into place completely—lucky for her. She could hear voices and see faint outlines through the crack.

“Three years. That’s the most you’ll live,” said Severus. “We can trap the curse in your hand, but we can’t cure it.”

“Wonderful news,” Dumbledore said with a tired smile. “Three years can hold a lot, can’t they, Severus? Though some wouldn’t even get that much.”

Severus turned from the potion he’d been stirring.

“Draco. He’s been given a task. No doubt he’ll try everything to do it,” Dumbledore went on.

Severus’s face darkened. “He’s using the boy,” he muttered.

“He wants to punish the family,” said Dumbledore.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Kill me. Most likely sometime this year.”

Lorien covered her mouth with both hands to stop herself from making a sound. But the storm inside her was roaring. The prophecy had been right—but this wasn’t cold-blooded murder. This was a burden. A slow, breaking one.

Severus slammed the ladle back into the cauldron. “What?” he said, his voice low and sharp.

“If you do this, a boy will be saved. And your loyalty to Voldemort will be clear.”

“And if I don’t want to do it?” Snape snapped.

“The boy’s soul is still whole,” said Dumbledore.

“And mine, Dumbledore? What about mine?”

“You can’t do this much for an old man?”

“I’ve done everything. Nothing’s ever enough for you.” His footsteps echoed as he crossed the room toward the door.

“Nox,” Lorien whispered.

The wandlight vanished. She pressed her back to a cold stone pillar just in time. Severus’s angry steps rang out in the hallway, making the dungeon torches flicker. She stayed there, heart pounding, trying to take it all in. A few minutes later, Dumbledore left the room and started walking. Lorien peeked out just a little. He stopped. His eyes turned toward the pillar she was hiding behind.

She held her breath, frozen.

“Must be my ears playing tricks again,” Dumbledore muttered to himself. And he walked away, slowly disappearing down the corridor.

Memories in the Pensieve

🎵 Lana Del Rey – Music to Watch Boys (Instrumental) 🎵

Back in her room, Lorien couldn’t think clearly anymore. She had only one hope left: convincing him even if it meant begging.

She found herself outside Dumbledore’s office just as the sky began to lighten.

“Professor Lorien,” he said, raising his eyebrows. “There must be a reason you’ve come at this hour.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Don’t give him that task… If you do, he’ll die.”

Dumbledore looked truly surprised. “What do you mean?”

“There’s no way to explain it. Just take my memories. All of them!”

He helped her into a chair. Then he touched her forehead with his wand and pulled out a silvery thread, placing it in the Pensieve. He leaned in, and suddenly he was in the Forbidden Forest.

Lorien was a young girl, walking through the woods, shaking with fear. A moment later, she felt a warm breath on her neck. She turned and froze. A pair of glowing eyes stared back at her. She raised her wand, but the creature knocked it away in one swift move. Now defenseless, she shielded her face with her hands.

She closed her eyes, ready to die.

A flash of light cut through the darkness. A loud thud shook the ground. When she opened her eyes, the creature was unconscious. A boy nearby lowered his wand and slipped it into his pocket.

Dumbledore recognized him immediately: Severus Snape.

He stepped forward and held out his hand.

“Are you all right?” he asked, helping her to her feet.

“How… how did you find me?”

“I saw a bunch of Ravenclaws wandering into the forest. I was curious,” he said dryly. “Thought you were supposed to be the clever ones.”

Lorien blushed. “I owe you my life.” She held out her hand. “I’m Lorien Evergreen.”

“Yes,” Snape said. “You do.”

He took her hand briefly. “Severus Snape.”

Dumbledore saw something—something they clearly hadn’t noticed yet.

“Ah… youth,” he murmured.

The scene faded. Now Dumbledore was in the school grounds. It was a sunny afternoon. Students were scattered all over. Lorien had just come out of her Charms exam with her friends, Will and Anna. The three stood beneath a willow tree.

Will, flipping through his notes, looked over his thick-rimmed glasses. “You're wrong, Lorien. You need sunflower seeds to prep that charm.”

Lorien grabbed the parchment. “Show me where it says that.”

Just then, Anna nudged her with an elbow. “Sirius Black. Heading this way.”

Lorien looked up. James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were strolling across the lawn like they owned it.

“Be quiet, he'll hear you,” Lorien whispered.

She turned slightly and saw they were heading for Severus Snape, who had his nose buried in a book, unaware. By the time James was in front of him, it was too late.

“Out of the way, Snivelly,” James said.

Snape looked up and saw the four standing around him. He didn’t move. His eyes locked on James.

The courtyard fell quiet. Students were expecting a fight. Lorien handed her parchment back to Will. The charm notes didn’t matter anymore. James and Snape stared each other down. Peter Pettigrew stood at the back, grinning nervously. Lorien caught that look. Then Sirius stepped forward, shoved Snape with a shoulder, and made space.

“Forget it,” he said. “Not worth it.”

Remus and Peter followed.

“Catch you later, Snivellus,” James called over his shoulder, laughing with the others.

The tension vanished, but Severus stayed where he was, not laughing at all. Lorien noticed his jaw tighten.

Without thinking, she raised her wand and pointed it at James's feet.

“Lorien, don’t!” Anna hissed.

“Shhh,” Lorien whispered. “Calcipulso.”

“Ah!” James yelped and started hopping on one foot.

“Watch it!” he snapped at Peter.

“I didn’t do anything!” Peter said, confused.

They started bickering. Lorien smirked and lowered her wand, slipping it into her robe. When she turned back to Severus, they locked eyes.

Did he see her cast the spell?

A small smile tugged at Snape’s lips like a thank you. Lorien dipped her head slightly in return.

The memory faded.

Now Dumbledore was in a cold, Potions classroom. Only one table was occupied. Severus and Lorien stood beside a bubbling cauldron. Frost on the windows said it was winter, but Lorien’s cheeks were flushed.

Severus read from a handwritten note, then dropped some roots into the mixture. “This part’s yours. Stir three times clockwise, then twice counter-clockwise.

“You sure you trust me with this?” Lorien asked doubtfully.

“If you can’t do this, your cauldron’s the first to explode in the exam. Besides, you asked me to help, remember?”

Lorien sighed and took the ladle. “Three times clockwise,” she muttered, concentrating.

Severus nodded behind her like a tutor.

“Now two times clockwise,” she said, uncertain.

“Counter-clockwise,” Severus corrected, flatly.

“Right right, counter-clockwise. I'm doing, see?”

As Lorien stirred the potion, Snape added two drops of bottled thistle extract and took over the ladle again.

“Pass me the Murtlap essence,” he said, eyes on his notes.

Lorien scanned the crowded table, hoping the yellow vial was the right one. Snape reached out without looking and his fingers brushed hers instead.

Lorien’s eyes widened. The vial slipped through her fingers and shattered on the floor.

“Sorry!” she gasped, her face turning red.

Snape pushed her back with one hand. “Step away. You’ll cut yourself.”

He pointed his wand at the broken glass and muttered a spell.

The scene blurred and shifted.

Now Lily and Snape were sitting quietly in the library, reading. Severus glanced up from his book and looked at Lily out of the corner of his eye. Lorien sat a few tables away. She noticed. Her brows pulled together. She stood up abruptly, slammed her book shut, and rushed out. A few heads turned, Snape and Lily among them.

The memory vanished just as fast.

Dumbledore now found himself standing in the middle of a graduation ceremony. Severus was graduating. Lorien had two more years to go. But there was a soft smile behind her sad eyes.

“Will I ever see you again, Severus?”

“I doubt it,” he replied. “Unless I’m looking for serious trouble.” A crooked smile appeared on his face.

“Just don’t go chasing creatures in the Forbidden Forest again.”

The school bells rang for the last time that year. As Severus turned and walked away, Lorien’s eyes welled up.

The image of the two teenagers, one seventeen and the other fifteen, slowly faded. In its place stood two adults—Lorien Evergreen and Severus Snape, meeting again in the Great Hall after many years.

They had changed, yet in many ways, they were still the same.

More memories followed. Cedric and Sirius being saved. Prophecies involving Severus. His death.

When Dumbledore emerged from the Pensieve, there was a long silence.

Then, a deep breath.

“Lorien,” he said softly, “first of all, I must commend your bravery. Most wouldn’t dare face even one of these truths.”

He began to pace the room slowly.

“What you feel for Severus is clear. But the hardest choices often require the greatest sacrifices.”

“No one has to die,” Lorien said. “You still have three years to live.”

Dumbledore paused, his voice calm.

“Which is why I’m listening to you now. Because sometimes, hope begins when everything else feels lost.”

Lorien’s eyes brightened, still glassy with tears.

“But I must ask something in return,” he added.

“What is it?”

“From this moment on, you will share every vision, every plan, and every doubt with me. No more acting alone. Not without my knowledge and agreement. Do we have a deal?”

Lorien nodded quickly.

“We do.”

Dumbledore folded his hands in front of him.

“Then I’d like you to tell me everything.”

Chapter Text

Year: 1996

Book: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Lorien stood outside Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. The shop was huge and filled with color. Confetti exploded over the customers as they walked in. A few items floated through the air, one of them nearly hitting Lorien in the head. A boy tossed a chocolate into his mouth and his face immediately broke out in giant pimples. His friend swallowed a long piece of candy, and his tongue began to stretch. They looked at each other in shock, then burst into laughter. A little further ahead stood a stand filled with pink love potions. Lorien picked one up and studied it. For a moment, she imagined what Severus would look like on one of these, and smiled.

"Love potions always work. The drinker won’t see anyone else but you," said a voice.

Lorien turned and found Fred and George standing right in front of her.

"Professor Lorien! We didn’t expect to see you here," said Fred, beaming.

"Perfect day to buy a love potion. Today’s deal—buy two, get the third free!" said George with a grin.

"Unfortunately, I don’t need a love potion," Lorien replied.

Fred jumped in, "Then what do you need? An invisibility cloak? Ministry-approved hair remover?"

"A fake wand," Lorien said. "One that looks real, but casts only fake spells."

The twins exchanged a look.

"Not hard to make," said George.

"But it takes finesse," added Fred.

"And finesse..."

"...costs Galleons," they said together.

Lorien pulled out a full pouch from her robe pocket and held it up. "Will this do?" she asked with a smile.

The twins grinned. "You got it. Leave it to us."

Satisfied, Lorien returned to Hogwarts and made her way to Dumbledore’s office to report back. She had gained a strong ally today. Everything was about to change.

When she arrived, she could hear voices from inside. "There are things you don’t understand, Severus," said Dumbledore.

As she opened the door, all heads turned. Snape and a house elf were inside.

Dumbledore smiled. "Welcome, Miss Evergreen."

"I... can come back later."

"No, you’re right on time. Let me introduce a dear friend, Dobby."

Dobby smiled up at her.

"Dobby knows Professor Lorien, sir. It’s an honor to stand with her. Dobby will do his best!"

Lorien smiled back, though her mind was racing.

Dumbledore clasped his hands behind his back. "I’ve done some thinking, and I’ve decided we could use a little help."

Snape was losing his patience.

"A little help? Is that what you think we need? A few Death Eaters who’d kill in a heartbeat, and what do we have? An aging headmaster clinging to hope, a Divination professor who freezes under pressure, a plan that barely has a fifty percent chance of working, and..." He glanced at Dobby, "...a house elf."

"Would you rather do this alone, Severus?" Dumbledore asked. "If that’s your plan, then things just got simpler."

Snape scowled. "Why did you give her such a big responsibility? Lorien can’t even lie properly."

Lorien looked like she might speak, but changed her mind.

"The plan was Miss Evergreen’s idea, and I found it reasonable," Dumbledore said calmly. "We just need to work through a few small details."

Snape turned his sharp gaze to Lorien. "Another plan. Why must you meddle in everything?"

Dumbledore peered at him over his glasses. "As you know very well, sometimes we all need a plan."

Snape narrowed his eyes but said nothing. He looked betrayed.

Lorien watched their faces, trying to make sense of it. What could be worse than a team that kept secrets from one another?

With school set to start soon, an old owl dropped a card right in the middle of the breakfast table. Lorien set her cup down and picked up the card. She recognized the handwriting—it was from the Weasleys.

Dear Professor Lorien,

We’re planning a small surprise for Harry’s birthday tomorrow evening. We’d love for you to come. I also thought you might want to be updated on some recent events. We’ll meet at our home. (Address below)

–Molly Weasley

She had been dodging Order meetings for a while, but she knew she couldn’t miss this. Harry was one of her favorite students. She couldn’t leave him alone tonight. He was a born flyer, just like his father James. She wrapped a pair of protective Quidditch gloves she had bought for him and tucked a small note inside.

The house was crooked but cozy. She could hear laughter inside. Before knocking, she braced herself. Seeing Sirius again wouldn’t be easy. She wouldn’t let their tension ruin the evening.

The place was fairly crowded every Weasley was there, along with Bill’s fiancée Fleur, Hermione, Lupin, Tonks, and Sirius.

Sirius looked cheerful tonight, but they avoided eye contact.

Before getting to him, she congratulated Bill and Fleur.

"Zank you, madam," Fleur said, shaking her hand. She was getting more beautiful by the day, and Lorien suddenly realized how perfect she looked next to Bill.

Sirius stood nearby. When they came face to face, he stuffed his hands into his pockets.

Lorien looked away. "Hi," she said softly.

Sirius turned. Their eyes met for a second before Molly’s voice cut in.

"Come on, everyone to the table!"

Now everyone must’ve guessed they weren’t on good terms. Lorien quickly joined Tonks, her best friend. After a warm dinner, Harry’s cake was brought out. As Remus handed Harry a slice, he began sharing grim news.

"Another Dementor attack," he said. "They found Igor Karkaroff’s body in a cabin up north. He’d been hiding for a year."

Sirius sat up straighter. "Regulus lasted only a few days after leaving the Death Eaters," he said in a low voice.

Molly looked uncomfortable. "Alright," she said with a frown, "perhaps it’s time we changed the topic."

As Bill and Lupin kept talking, Sirius tuned out. He looked distracted, then reached into his pocket, grabbed a cigarette, and stepped outside.

"Still thinking about Regulus," Tonks whispered.

Lorien felt like she should do something. "I’ll go check on him," she said quietly.

Tonks smiled. "Maybe you two will make up."

"We’re not enemies, Tonks."

As the conversation at the table continued, Lorien walked to the door. The sky was full of stars, and the cold night air gave her a chill. Sirius’s cigarette smoke curled into the air. He was staring at a star.

"Couldn’t you pick up a healthier habit?" she said gently.

Sirius turned. He clearly hadn’t expected to see her. Then he looked back up. "Always so thoughtful," he said dryly.

Lorien didn’t answer. The sound of crickets filled the silence. They watched the stars together for a while.

Finally, Sirius dropped his cigarette and crushed it. "You seem fine. Must’ve patched things up with Snape."

She couldn’t deny it and she was still angry about it. "Yes," she said coldly.

Sirius laughed bitterly. "Great."

Lorien started to feel uneasy again. She opened her mouth, but couldn’t find the words. "I should go back inside," she said finally.

After a long day, Lorien collapsed into bed and fell asleep. Soon, a room appeared in her dream. There was an old cabinet inside, completely empty. She had never seen the room or the cabinet before, and had no idea what it meant.

“Lorien?”

It was her father’s voice.

She turned and suddenly, she was in a parking lot. The day he died. One of those dreams where she tried everything to save him, but never could. He always got in the car. Always crashed. Seeing him again was agony.

She woke up shaking and pressed her hand to her chest. She needed air. She pulled on her robe and walked to the Astronomy Tower. The sky always calmed her. It reminded her how small she was in a vast universe.

When she got there, she wasn’t alone. A black cloak fluttered in the wind.

"Professor Snape?"

Without turning, he said, "What are you doing up here at this hour, Evergreen?"

She stepped closer. "Couldn’t sleep. You?"

"Neither could I," he said, hands behind his back.

She stood beside him, and they watched the stars in silence. The sky was glass-clear. A distant owl hooted.

She pointed at a bright light. "Did you know that thing everyone thinks is a star is actually Venus? Always mistaken, never quite understood."

Snape squinted at it. "Astronomy lessons from the Divination professor. Fascinating," he said dryly.

A sad smile touched her lips. "You know, Severus... I wish I could live without ever seeing a prophecy."

"I thought you were a control freak," he said, glancing at her.

"Coming from you? That’s rich."

"Me? Hah." Snape tried to hide a small smile.

"Definitely."

They both smiled. For once, they felt truly in sync. Lorien hadn’t felt this close to someone in a long time.

Then Snape’s expression shifted, hardened. "You can’t afford a mistake. You know that, don’t you?"

"Of course I do," Lorien said—but he could never guess how hard she was trying.

"Then why?" His voice was curious, genuinely so. "Why take this risk? It’s not even your war."

Lorien looked into his eyes, heart pounding. "Because I believe every soul deserves a second chance," she said softly. Hoping he’d understand.

"What about my soul, Dumbledore? What about mine?"

His eyes widened. He remembered what he had said to Dumbledore.

Before he could ask more,

she knew she had to leave. She gave him one last look and smiled. "Good night," she said as she walked away. Her cheeks were burning. For the first time, she had hinted that she loved him.

Chapter Text

Year: 1997

Book: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Patrick Doyle – Harry in Winter 🎧

Snowflakes tapped against the window as the Hogwarts grounds were completely covered in white. It was Christmas Day.

Wearing red—her holiday tradition—Lorien picked up a wrapped gift from her desk and stepped out of her room.

As she walked down the corridor, she came across Sir Nick.

“Merry Christmas, Professor. Looking very elegant again,” he said while floating right above her head.

Lorien gave a small curtsy. “Thank you, Nick. Merry Christmas.”

In the corner of the Great Hall stood a huge Christmas tree, decorated with sparkling lights. Tiny snowflakes drifted from the ceiling as students exchanged gifts, munched on cookies, or read books and played wizard chess. Today, everyone looked happy and peaceful.

While watching the Hall, someone appeared beside her.

“You’re wearing red again,” said Severus.

Lorien turned to him and smiled. “I believe it brings good luck.”

Snape didn’t seem surprised. “Of course it does,” he said, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

Lorien almost forgot the package in her hand. She held it out to him.

“This is for you.”

“A Christmas gift?” he asked, looking surprised.

“Yes, open it.” Snape looked somewhere between awkward and embarrassed. He quickly unwrapped the package and found a pair of black gloves and a matching scarf—just as dark as his hair. A small green Slytherin crest was stitched into one corner of the scarf.

Lorien clasped her hands behind her back. “I didn’t want you to catch a cold,” she said with a smile.

Snape cleared his throat. “Very kind of you.”

Then his hand moved toward a stack of books on the table. He picked up a new-looking one titled Secrets of the Ancient Seer and handed it to her.

“I didn’t wrap it as nicely as you did…”

Lorien looked from the book to Severus. She was genuinely surprised that he had thought to get her something. The book was written by some of the most famous prophets in the wizarding world. Plain, but undeniably useful.

“I’ve been searching for this for years,” she said gratefully.

Snape gave a small nod. “I hope it helps. At least now you might stop freezing during prophecy class.”

A satisfied smile spread across Lorien’s face. Maybe Christmas really was a night for miracles.

“There’s going to be a small celebration tonight at the Order. Will you come?” she asked. She didn’t expect much but asked anyway.

A mocking smile appeared on Severus’s lips.

“Hah… I don’t have time for such things. And even if I did, I wouldn’t go.”

“It would’ve been a surprise if you had,” Lorien said calmly.

Severus gave a faint smile in return.

---

That evening, the Weasley house was full of cheerful noise. Molly bustled around, hands on her hips as she called out.

“Ginny, place the plates properly—just the way I showed you.”

“Okay, Mum,” Ginny answered with a sigh.

Spotting Lorien, Tonks ran to the door.

“Merry Christmas!” she said, hugging her tightly.

Lorien returned the hug just as warmly. “Merry Christmas, Tonks.”

As she handed Tonks her gift, she peeked inside. Hermione was helping Ginny; Harry and Ron were examining a new broomstick. Sirius slowly stood from his armchair. When their eyes met, he hesitated and looked down at the rug.

After greeting everyone and placing her gifts under the Christmas tree, she heard a voice behind her.

“Merry Christmas,” Sirius said, walking toward her uncertainly.

Tonks slipped away fast. “Wait for me, Ginny!” she called quickly.

Now it was just the two of them.

Lorien turned and smiled. “Merry Christmas, Sirius.”

She handed him the last gift she had. Sirius stared at it for a moment, then reached for it without saying a word.

Inside was a photo album. One page showed Sirius with his old friends; another showed James and Sirius smiling at them.

His face shifted.

“Ah, Lorien…” he said, voice rough. For a second, it looked like he might hug her—but he didn’t.

“I’m glad you liked it,” Lorien said. She could feel the ice between them begin to crack.

Sirius looked up from the album.

“I’ll give you your gift at midnight. I want you to open it then.”

She had no idea what he meant, but nodded.

“All right.”

Molly waved her wand, filling the plates with food.

“Everything’s ready!”

During the warm Christmas dinner, everyone was in good spirits. Glasses clinked, laughter filled the room. After the meal, they moved to the sofas.

Lorien glanced at her closest friend. Tonks was silently watching Lupin. Though he noticed, Lupin quickly looked away.

Tonks’s face fell. “He never changes,” she whispered.

Lorien touched her leg and stood up. “Want another glass of wine?”

“A huge one, if possible,” Tonks muttered.

Lorien walked slowly to the drink bar Molly had prepared. On the right, non-alcoholic drinks for the kids; on the left, stronger ones for the adults. Sirius approached with an empty whiskey glass.

“Lupin’s being stubborn,” he said under his breath. He uncorked the bottle and poured himself a drink.

Lorien glanced toward Tonks.

“He has no idea what he’s doing to her.”

She placed her own wine glass under the tap and turned it carefully. As red wine filled the glass, she overheard the kids whispering.

“He made the Unbreakable Vow,” said Harry. “I’m sure he’s protecting Draco Malfoy.”

Sirius heard it too, but they weren’t sure who Harry was talking about.

“I’m telling you, I heard it myself,” Harry continued. “Snape promised to protect him—he made the Vow.”

Lorien froze. Her wine glass had overflowed and was dripping onto the rug. Sirius quickly reached out and shut the tap.

“Are you okay?” he asked, watching her frozen face.

Lorien whispered,

“Unbreakable Vow?”

She was hoping Sirius would say no—that Harry had misunderstood.

But he didn’t.

Lorien’s heart tightened. Anger surged through her. She set down the glass, hand trembling.

“I need to go,” she said, voice shaking. Without waiting for a reply, she left.

🎧 Patrick Doyle – Harry in Winter 

Half the students had gone home for the holidays. The rest had gathered in the Great Hall. Lorien walked briskly to Severus’s office and pounded on the door.

No answer. She knocked again—harder and longer.

Finally, the door opened. Severus appeared.

“What are you doing here at this hour, Lorien? What now?”

“We need to talk,” she said firmly, her brows furrowed.

Severus paused, then glanced around to check the hallway.

“Come in.”

Lorien had been in his office before. Her eyes went straight to the desk across the room. A candle flickered beside an open book. Next to it sat a nearly empty bottle of wine.

“What’s the matter? Or did you bother to come here just to wish me a happy new year?” he said, raising his eyebrows.

Lorien got straight to the point without beating around the bush.

“Did you make an Unbreakable Vow for a child?”

Severus’s face suddenly hardened. He took a quick step toward her. “How do you know that?”

Lorien’s eyes were burning with fury. So everything she had heard was true. So, even if Draco were to fall and die, Severus would go with him. That meant his life was hanging by a thin thread.

She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her skin.

“I can’t believe you!” she shouted. “You swore your life away like it meant nothing?”

Her eyes filled with tears, though she didn’t know whether it was from anger or sadness.

Snape paused and looked at her with surprise. “You… you’re this angry because of me?”

Lorien let out a bitter laugh. “Did it never occur to you that someone might care about you?”

“Are you serious?”

“I wish you could understand, even just a little, Severus! After everything I’ve done to protect you...” She bit her lip at once and barely managed to stop herself from saying more.

“What do you mean by that, Evergreen?” he asked, his voice serious.

For the first time, Lorien was about to lose control. Before she could say something wrong, she turned toward the door.

But Severus was faster. Suddenly, he stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “You’re not leaving this time without explaining.”

He stood right in front of the door, placing his arms against the frame. There was no way out.

Lorien looked directly into his eyes. “So you want an explanation,” she said, her voice tense. Her eyes narrowed to thin slits. She knew now there was nothing left to hide. If Severus was going to die, none of this would matter. The last ounce of fear inside her slipped away.

“Have you ever really seen me, Severus?” she asked, stepping closer. “Did you never suspect, not even once, that I loved you?”

Her whole body was trembling.

Severus’s hands, which were resting against the door, relaxed. He was looking at her so closely that it would be impossible to miss even the smallest detail.

His lips moved, opening and closing as if unsure what to say. “You… love a man like me?”

Lorien gave him a piercing look. “Yes.”

Severus’s voice was barely a whisper. “Since when?”

“Since the day you found me.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only thing Lorien could hear was her own heartbeat pounding in her ears. The fear and worry she had just left behind now came rushing back through her whole body. She wanted to run, but Severus was standing right in front of her. This moment was so delicate that it could shatter with a single word. For an instant, Sirius crossed her mind. For the first time, she realized how much her coldness might have hurt him.

“You’re even more foolish than I thought,” Severus murmured, his eyes drifting to her lips.

Lorien’s cheeks were burning hot. It felt as if there was a magnet between them, pulling them together. When she realized how close they were, her breath caught in her throat. Snape gently touched her chin with his fingers and slowly tilted her head up. Lorien’s heart was about to burst, ready to die right there on the spot. His warm breath, smelling of wine, touched her face. And then, suddenly, he pulled back.

“You should go,” he said, swallowing hard.

Lorien froze. She didn’t know what to think or feel.

For a few seconds, neither of them dared to speak.

Then, forcing herself to move, Lorien nodded. Severus stood like a statue by the door as she reached for the handle.

It was exactly midnight. Christmas bells echoed throughout Hogwarts. Happy cheers and sounds of celebration came from the Great Hall. As she left, she glanced into Severus’s eyes one last time.

“Happy new year,” she said quietly.

Her heart was still racing. As she walked in circles through the room in her mind, she thought about how close they had been again and again. If she had moved just a few centimeters closer, everything might have been different. But it hadn’t happened. Severus had not lost control. He had not surrendered to her. Why was he holding back? Was he afraid of being loved, just like Lupin?

She collapsed into the chair in front of her desk. Her eyes searched for her quill but couldn’t find it. Then she remembered—she had left everything at the Weasleys’ house. It wasn’t too late to go back.

When she returned to the Weasleys’ home, her shoulders were slumped, and she was tired. Molly Weasley opened the door.

“Welcome back, Lorien. You left in a rush. I hope nothing serious happened?”

“No, nothing to worry about…” she replied. ‘At least, not for you…’ she thought silently. “…I just came to get my bag. I’ll leave right away.”

“Of course, come in. I left it by the fireplace.”

Lorien glanced around as she entered. The noisy crowd had been replaced with peaceful silence. Everyone was asleep except for Mr. Weasley.

Arthur greeted her with a long yawn. “I’m heading to bed, dear.” He dragged his squeaky chair and slowly climbed the stairs.

Molly turned to Lorien again. “By the way, Sirius left a gift for you, dear. Don’t forget to take it.”

Then she picked up the plates from the table and went into the kitchen.

Lorien looked toward the fireplace. Next to her bag was a red gift box, tied with a black ribbon and topped with a bow. She stepped toward it and carefully untied the ribbon. Inside was a large globe filled with stars. All the stars in the sky sparkled brightly inside it. As the stars twinkled at her, one suddenly shot across and disappeared. Lorien was mesmerized.

She noticed a note underneath and opened it.

Dear Lorien,

I’ve thought about it for a long time, and I realize now that you were right. I didn’t see how I was disrespecting your choices while trying to protect you. I’m sorry for being such a thick-headed fool. Please forgive me and let us be friends again. If you do, just nod slowly—I’ll understand.

—Sirius Black

Lorien slowly lowered the note and looked at the orb. A lump formed in her throat as she swallowed. She hadn’t even stayed long enough to accept the gift and thank him.

The moment Sirius had imagined had never happened.

Her heart ached as she pictured how hurt he must have felt.

Chapter Text

Year: 1997

Book: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

🎧 Suggested Listening: Saudade – Gabriel Albuquerque

(Saudade means a deep longing and sadness for someone lost or out of reach.)

The day after Christmas, Lorien stood outside Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. The white snow crunched under her boots. She still held on to a small hope. She pressed the doorbell, going over her words one last time in her head. A few seconds later the door creaked open.

“Hello, Sirius,” Lorien said, putting on her brightest smile.

Sirius looked a little surprised. “Hello?” he said, as if asking a question.

Lorien shifted uncomfortably. “Can I come in? It’s freezing out here…”

“Of course. Come in,” said Sirius, though his voice sounded less cheerful than she’d expected.

The smell of the old floorboards hit her the moment she stepped inside. The curtains were drawn; the place was dim, quiet, and a bit messy. “Just wake up?” she asked, glancing around.

“Had a bit too much last night,” Sirius muttered, avoiding her eyes. “Christmas fun, you know.”

Lorien thought this was the right moment to say what she’d come for. She wanted to be friends again. “Sirius, I loved the Christmas gift and… I’m so sorry I wasn’t there on time,” she said, uneasy.

“Oh, that,” Sirius said lightly, as if it didn’t matter. “Doesn’t matter. I’m glad you liked it.”

Thinking he might still be hurt, Lorien took a step closer. “Look, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

A faint smile crossed Sirius’s face and was gone. “Nothing to be sorry for. You had to go, so you went. End of story.” His tone grew more serious. “Now, if you don’t mind, I need to get ready.”

“Going somewhere?”

“Yes… I’ve got a date,” he said, a little impatiently. “So I should get moving.”

“A… woman?” Lorien asked, raising her eyebrows.

Sirius studied her face, then nodded. “Yes. A woman,” he said, offering no more.

Lorien’s smile began to fade. He was acting like she was slowing him down. Maybe Sirius just liked giving grand gifts, and she had read too much into it. And what about the note he’d left? Was that nothing, too? She opened her mouth, then closed it again. After a pause, she gave up speaking. “Well, I won’t keep you then. Good luck with your date,” she said, forcing a smile.

Sirius lifted his eyebrows. “Thanks,” he replied, his voice flat. Then he looked down, waiting for her to leave.

Whatever he had done, it had hurt her. Without another word, she walked to the door, opened it, and stepped outside. The cold air hit her face as she took a deep breath and shut the door hard behind her.

Snape fixed his eyes on Dumbledore. “Yes, it will happen. But she can’t stand that I’ve been given this task—it’s hurt her pride,” he said slowly. “Narcissa doesn’t want her taking that risk again, for herself or for her family.”

“Even so, she’s likely to try,” Dumbledore said thoughtfully. He turned his head to Lorien. “Before she does, Lorien, you must be there in time, and with your wand.”

Lorien nodded quickly. She knew every detail of the plan by heart now. Still, something in the room felt colder.

“No,” Snape said sharply. “I’ll take Lorien’s place.”

“What are you talking about?” Dumbledore asked.

Snape’s gaze burned into Lorien. “I want her out of this plan completely,” he hissed. “If you’ve made a fake wand, then let me use it. Putting her in the middle of this is an unnecessary risk—a very large one!” His voice was rising.

No one knew for certain whose loyalty the wand would answer to. But the moment it was brought to its true master, it would follow like a shadow. For Lorien, staying out of reach was the only real chance—and Dumbledore knew it.

“This is my plan,” Lorien said, making them both look at her.

“It’s your plan, but my life,” Snape shot back, turning to Dumbledore again.

“I’m questioning whether this risk is necessary,” he said, his tone hard.

Dumbledore sighed. “We’ve been through this, Severus. Changing Lorien’s role is no longer possible. They will know the wand is fake at once.”

“That’s ridiculous! We can make another!”

Dumbledore’s face made it clear the discussion was over. “That will be enough,” he said calmly. “The plan is set. You may go.”

Snape rose abruptly and slammed the door on his way out.

“Thank you,” Lorien said quietly.

Dumbledore gave a small nod and turned back to the parchments on his desk, looking weary.

Lorien left without another word. She had just started down the dim corridor when a hand gripped her wrist and pulled her into the shadows. Snape had her against the cold stone wall, his breathing harsh. His grip was so tight it hurt.

“You’re doing this for me, aren’t you?” he hissed.

Lorien froze, startled. She had seen him angry before, but not like this.

“Admit it!” he barked. “If I’m not the reason you’re part of that plan—then what is?”

“This isn’t about you,” Lorien said.

“Lies!” Snape’s voice echoed through the corridor. “I don’t want your protection—and I certainly don’t want your love! Go to him and tell him you’re out of it!”

Every word hit her like a blow. She knew answering would only make it worse, but she said it anyway.

“No—”

At the far end of the corridor, an old man holding a lantern appeared. “Professor Snape? Professor Evergreen? Is something wrong?” Filch asked, glancing between them.

Snape released her wrist slowly and straightened. “No problem, Filch,” he said through his teeth.

Lorien slipped past him. “Good night, Professor Snape. Good night, Mr Filch,” she said evenly. Inside, she was anything but calm.

Time moved quickly. On a June evening, the sky was clear and full of stars. Lorien was curled up in bed, wearing her pyjamas. In the middle of a peaceful sleep, she found herself wandering the corridors of Hogwarts.

She was pulled into a room she had never seen before, packed with dusty, broken objects. In the corner stood an old wardrobe. She was certain she had seen it in one of her earlier visions. But she wasn’t alone.

A boy moved in the shadows. When she stepped closer, she saw it was Draco Malfoy. He opened the wardrobe doors. A woman stepped out and pulled him into a fierce hug—his mother, Narcissa. Lucius appeared behind her, then another man, and another Death Eater… Their numbers grew until Bellatrix herself stepped forward, smiling wickedly.

Bellatrix breathed in the air of the room. “Take us to him, Draco!” she said eagerly.

Lorien woke with a gasp. The moment she had been preparing for had arrived. Tonight would decide everything. Lives would be saved—or lost, including her own.

Her hands shook as she grabbed her wand.

“Expecto Patronum!” 

A bright silver crane burst from the tip and soared gracefully into the air.

“They’re here, Severus! Inside the school. It begins.”

The silver bird glided away, and the room fell dark again.

Chapter Text

Year: 1997

Book: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The Dark Mark had appeared over Hogwarts. A snake and a skull gleamed threateningly through the clouds in the sky.

Lorien pulled on a loose black cloak and hurried into the corridor. Somewhere in the distance, she was sure she had heard a woman scream. But whatever it was, she couldn’t break from the plan. She kept moving like a shadow, praying no one would step out and stop her. The fear pressing in on her chest would not take control.

She reached the supply room by the Astronomy Tower and slipped inside like a cat. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against the cold stone wall, finally able to breathe for a few seconds.

From the deep pockets of her cloak, she drew out a small bottle of Polyjuice Potion. All it needed now was the hair of its victim, Lucius Malfoy. She opened a small box, dropped the pale strands into the potion, and watched it froth and bubble at once. It was working. She felt proud for having thought to keep them safe after the Department of Mysteries.

Holding her breath, she lifted the bottle and imagined she was only drinking lemonade. The taste was so foul she clapped a hand to her mouth to stop herself from gagging. At once her skin began to tighten and stretch. Bones grew longer, hair paled. The loose cloak that had hung off her now fit perfectly.

She raised her hands and saw they were not hers. Excitement pushed her to the mirror on the wall. Looking back was Lucius Malfoy—long, sharp face, pale shining hair. She cleared her throat, testing her voice. Thanks to Severus’s touch on the potion, it sounded exactly like his. Nothing had been missed. Except one thing.

Her face was uncertain. Her shoulders slumped. She wasn’t acting like him.

How would Lucius behave? She searched her memory, trying to remember. Lucius looked down on people and sneered at everyone, confident in his pure-blood status. Lorien took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. She put a haughty expression on her face and threw a look of disgust at the mirror. “Filthy creature,” she hissed.

Yes. Now she was Lucius Malfoy.

A sudden blast shook the windows. Lorien’s heart hammered in her ears. They were coming. All of Dumbledore’s precautions—the guards, the wards—were useless. No one had guessed they would come through the Vanishing Cabinet. Not even her. Guilt twisted in her stomach as she looked again at Lucius’s tense face in the mirror.

She gripped tightly the fake wand the Weasleys had made for her, a perfect imitation of Lucius’s.

“You can do this,” she whispered. “You have no choice.”

-

Bellatrix and Amycus led the way, firing curses at anyone who dared step in front of them. The Malfoys followed close behind, moving fast but tense.

Narcissa gripped her wand in one hand, the other pressed to Draco’s shoulder, ready for anything. Draco’s face was chalk white; he looked trapped between the task he had been given and the lives of his family. Lucius Malfoy’s eyes were sunken, his usually neat hair a mess. He looked angrier than the rest, his hand clenched around the serpent head of his cane, striking it against the floor with each step.

He burned with resentment toward his wife. He hated being treated as if he couldn’t protect his own son. Tonight, he would not let Severus interfere. He had sworn he would kill Dumbledore himself.

When they turned the corner, members of the Order blocked their way, wands raised and ready.

“Finally!” sneered Bellatrix, her lips curling. “I was beginning to get bored!”

Sturgis Podmore gritted his teeth. “Don’t worry. We’ll be sending you back soon enough,” he said coolly.

Bellatrix gave a shrill laugh.

“Did you hear that? They think they’ll send us back!”

The Death Eaters broke into harsh laughter.

Bellatrix’s eyes flashed. She spun suddenly, screaming, “Avada Kedavra!”

Podmore ducked aside; the jet of green light skimmed over his shoulder.

The battle had begun.

Narcissa pushed Draco behind her. “Go, darling… we’ll follow,” she whispered.

Draco met her eyes, swallowed, and slipped through the chaos. The Order didn’t bother to stop him, too focused on greater threats. They had no idea what a mistake that was.

As Draco climbed the tower stairs, Narcissa raised her wand at an opponent, but Diggle deflected her curse with a swift flick. He fired a Stunner back at her—so close it nearly struck her, her mind still half on her son.

With a snarl, Lucius bellowed, “Incarcerous!” Ropes shot from his wand, binding Diggle tight. The man writhed helplessly, arms pinned to his sides.

A thin smile crept onto Lucius’s face. He glanced sideways, checking if Narcissa had seen his victory. But she was already dueling someone else. Annoyed, he stepped forward to help again—when suddenly his wand slipped from his grasp.

Lucius froze, staring at his empty hand. Then he saw the small figure darting behind the column.

Dobby.

The elf leapt into the air, clutching the wand, his wide grin triumphant.

Lucius’s chest swelled with rage. To be disarmed by a house-elf, in the middle of battle. Luckily only Diggle had seen.

“You filthy creature!” he spat.

“Dobby is not afraid. Dobby is not afraid of Lucius Malfoy anymore!” the elf squeaked.

He waddled out from behind the column and bolted down the corridor. Lucius gave chase, firing curses after him.

“Come back here, you swine! How dare you betray your master!” he roared.

“Dobby has no master! Dobby is free!” the elf shouted back.

The words almost cost him. Lucius lunged, but Dobby darted right and slipped through a doorway at the last second.

Lucius plunged in after him without a thought.

“Give it back, you disgusting little beast!”

They wrestled, both tugging at the wand. Dobby’s long fingers clung tight.

At last Lucius flung the elf aside and snatched his wand back. Checking it wasn’t damaged, he leveled it at Dobby. But before he could speak the spell, footsteps sounded behind him.

He wasn’t alone.

Lucius spun around—and froze.

Another Lucius Malfoy was staring back at him, wand raised.

“Petrificus Totalus!” the copy cried.

“Crucio!” Lucius shouted at the same instant.

The Death Eaters had forced their way up to the Astronomy Tower with dark magic. Draco had raised his wand and disarmed Dumbledore. Narcissa’s eyes lit up with both hope and sorrow. Draco’s gaze darted around the crowd, searching for his father. But he couldn’t see him.

“Mother… where’s dad?” he asked, voice tight with worry.

Snape thought to himself, The plan must be working. A faint look of satisfaction flickered across his face. When his eyes met Dumbledore’s, he saw the same expression there.

Narcissa opened her mouth, but Bellatrix cut her off.

“Where do you think, dear? Your poor father ran off again!”

Narcissa’s face twisted. “Don’t talk to him like that, Bella!”

“You don’t trust him either, Cissa. If you did, you wouldn’t have begged Severus to protect your son!”

“That’s enough,” said a deep male voice.

Every head turned toward the sound.

Lucius was walking forward, wand raised, aimed straight at Dumbledore.

“Well, well,” sneered Bellatrix. “Decided to grace us at last? Hiding until it was safe, were you?”

Narcissa stepped toward him. “Are you all right?” she asked anxiously. But Lucius gave no reply. His eyes blazed with deadly resolve as he moved like a wolf closing in on its prey.

“Lucius…” Dumbledore murmured, almost warmly, as if greeting an old friend. “It is good to see you again.”

“This may be the last time you see me,” Lucius said between his teeth. His wand never wavered.

He flicked his head toward Snape. “Step aside, Severus,” he ordered, without even glancing at him.

Snape frowned. Lucius looked just as furious as before. There was no difference from the real one; not the slightest hint that this could be Lorien. For a moment, he doubted. What if this wasn’t Lorien, but the real Lucius Malfoy? Then Dumbledore would have no chance. With a real spell, he could kill him.

“Of course,” Snape said smoothly. He stepped back to Narcissa’s side and though his eyes scanned every detail.

Come on, Lorien. Give me a sign. Look at me. Let me know it’s you.

But Lucius didn’t look.

“Lucius,” Narcissa whispered.

“He’s my son. Only I can protect him, Narcissa. Stay out of this.”

Dumbledore’s eyes were calm, steady. “You’re doing this for your family. I understand."

Lucius’s gripped his wand tighter.

“What are you waiting for?” Bellatrix shrieked. “Do it!”

Without a word, Lucius raised his wand and shouted,

“Avada Kedavra!”

The green light hit Dumbledore square in the chest. He flew backward and toppled over the edge of the tower like a broken doll, vanishing into the dark.

A roar of triumph went up. Bellatrix, drunk on victory, blasted sparks of green into the sky, her laughter echoing across the grounds.

Snape’s mouth hung open in horror, his eyes fixed on the spot where Dumbledore had fallen.

Draco suddenly ran to his father, clutching him around the waist, sobbing.

“Father!”

Lucius stumbled back, caught completely off guard. His face went eerily blank - not the reaction of a father reuniting with his son, but of a man holding a stranger. Snape's eyes narrowed sharply as he observed. The real Lucius would have immediately wrapped Draco in a protective embrace, gathered Narcissa close, and made his escape. But this imposter just stood frozen, his lips trembling slightly.

Snape took a sharp breath, pulled Draco away, and directed him toward Narcissa. "This isn’t the time. Go now, before they notice!"

Narcissa grabbed her son and hurried him toward the door. The Death Eaters, led by Bellatrix, swept down the stairs in quick strides.

-

Lorien felt a strange twist in her stomach. The potion was wearing off; her body was shrinking back. Time to leave and get to the storeroom. She turned to slip away when a sharp voice froze her.  

“Why aren’t you coming, my love?” Narcissa called.  

Lorien froze. She quickly clasped her hands in front of her to hide the fingers changing back.  

“I’m coming,” she muttered. Her voice was already changing.  

Her eyes darted to the silver globe on the side. In its reflection, she saw Narcissa waiting, only a few steps away. 

“Lucius?” Narcissa repeated, stepping closer.  

Lorien’s heart pounded. Her whole body trembled with fear. She couldn’t run, but she couldn’t face Narcissa either. Everything was about to fall apart.  

“Lucius, are you well?” Narcissa asked again, her hand stretching toward him. 

“Confundo,” Snape murmured. 

Narcissa's hand stayed in the air.

“Draco is waiting outside. Why don’t you go to him?” Snape said softly.  

“I… but Lucius—” 

“Lucius said he would follow. Don’t you remember?” 

“I… forgot,” She stepped back, then another, then turned and hurried out of sight.  

“We’re leaving,” He grabbed Lorien’s arm and dragged her toward the storeroom.  

By the time they crossed the threshold, the potion had fully worn off. Lorien’s pale face reappeared, swallowed in Lucius’s robes.  

Snape slammed the door and spotted Lucius lying unconscious on the floor. His eyes snapped back to Lorien with anger.  

“Couldn’t you make it a little clearer?” he snapped. “I thought you were him!”  

“Should I take that as a compliment?” Lorien asked weakly. “You said I wasn’t taking this mission seriously enough. Well, there’s your proof.” She pointed at Lucius sprawled on the ground.  

“Lucius,” Snape muttered, then turned back to Lorien. “All right. Take it off.”  

Lorien almost choked. “What?!”  

Snape shot her a look. “The clothes. Give them back. We can’t send him out naked.”  

Lorien flushed. The memory of Lucius half-undressed was bad enough. Muttering, she fumbled under the robe—then noticed Snape watching.  

“Um…” she said awkwardly. “Could you turn around?”  

This time Snape’s face changed color. He looked away at once, clearly irritated with himself, and focused on Lucius instead.  

It still felt absurd to undress in the same room as Snape. Lorien hurried to slip out of the robe, thrust Lucius’s clothes back, and pulled her own over herself.  

“Hide,” Snape ordered. “He mustn’t see you when he wakes.”  

Lorien slipped behind a cupboard, peeking out just enough to watch. Snape leaned close to Lucius and revived him. His eyes opened, glazed and heavy.  

“Where am I? I—there was another me—”  

He tried to turn his head, but Snape didn’t let him. 

“Obliviate,” he said slowly.  

Lucius’s eyes went blank, his lips stilled. His face smoothed into calm. The memory was gone.  

“The hard part begins now,” Snape said. Then he muttered another spell, locking his gaze with Lucius’s.  

He was planting a false memory—that Lucius had killed Dumbledore himself.  

Lorien held her breath as she watched Severus from behind an old supply cupboard. For the first time, she truly understood how skilled a wizard he was. It was impressive. Dumbledore had been right to bring him into the plan—Snape was its heartbeat.  

When Severus pulled out of Lucius’s mind, both of them looked shaken. Snape stood at once and offered him a hand.  

“Why aren’t we leaving?” Lucius asked, confused as he got to his feet.  

“We waited for the Order to pass. They should be gone now,” Snape said.  

“I need to catch them,” Lucius muttered, striding for the door. He cast a disgusted look around the dusty, neglected room and set his hand on the handle. “Aren’t you coming?”  

“I’ll cover you,” Snape replied. “They won’t suspect me.”  

Lucius didn’t seem to care. All that mattered to him was reaching his wife and son.  

He opened the door, checked the corridor, and slipped out quickly.  

Lorien stepped from her hiding place. There was no time for celebrating.  

“You did it,” she whispered, stunned.  

Snape raised his brows. “Did you think I wouldn’t?”  

“Of course not,” she said at once, then stopped. “Do you really have to go?"  

"Of course I have to go," said Severus, looking at her as if she had asked the most ridiculous question in the world.  

“When will you be back?”  

“I don’t know,” he said. “I need to stay out of sight for a while.”  

“Oh… I see,” Lorien murmured, pretending it didn’t matter, though her voice betrayed her.  

She lifted her head, drawing a deep breath. “Take care, then. It was good working with you.”  

Small smile touched Severus's lips. "And with you." 

She lowered her head and moved quietly toward the door.  It was the last time she would see him. Dragging her feet, she reached for the handle.  

“Evergreen.”  

His voice stopped her cold as he spun around, crossing the room fast, his face marked by something rare—something he could no longer hold back. Dark but brutally honest, his eyes locked on her.

“I’ll regret this,” he said.

He stepped closer, slowly leaning down. Lorien froze, her breath caught in her throat. His hands cupped her face as though it were fragile, and then his lips pressed against hers.  

Her heart thundered. For a moment she thought she must have died but she was alive. How long had she wanted this? How long had she been stopping herself? She let go of every thought and clung to the moment, knowing he would turn away in seconds. This wasn’t a beginning. It was a farewell.  

Severus pushed her gently back against the door. The room seemed to shrink, their breaths mingling. The sounds of battle outside faded until there was nothing but the beating of their hearts.  

When he finally tore himself away, he spoke with effort. “I must go.”  

Lorien’s cheeks burned hotter than ever. “You must,” she whispered, meeting his eyes.  

Her entire being ached to prolong those fleeting seconds. Letting him go now, when his warmth still lingered on her skin, seemed unbearable. Weeks? Months? The uncertainty clawed at her chest.

Fingers fumbling for the door handle, she burst into the corridor only to freeze mid-step. A Death Eater stood poised in attack stance, wand tip gleaming as it pointed directly at her heart.

She hadn’t even drawn her own.  

“Cruc—”  

“Stupefy!” Snape’s voice cut in from behind her.  

The Death Eater hit the floor before his curse left his lips. Snape stood like a shadow at her back.  

“Be careful, Evergreen!”  

Lorien whispered. “Go,” 

He held her gaze, as though there was more he wanted to say, but turned away without another word. She leaned over the Death Eater lying on the ground and slowly pressed her wand to his forehead.

"Obliviate."

Snape’s face was gone from his memory.

Footsteps pounded the corridor. Moody’s limp was unmistakable. Lupin, Tonks, and Sirius followed close behind. Moody stopped, cursed at the sight of the body, then barked, “Did you see which way they went?”

Lorien pointed in the opposite direction from where Snape had gone. “Left,” she lied. It was her first betrayal of the Order.

Moody turned and hobbled off. Lupin and Tonks followed. Sirius lingered, his eyes flicking from the Death Eater to Lorien.

“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice softer than she expected. Not the Sirius who had wanted her out of the house that morning.

“I’m fine,” Lorien said quickly, though her throat felt tight.

Sirius gave a short nod and ran after the others. She didn’t need to go with them. She didn’t want to.

Severus’s kiss still burned on her lips. Adrenaline and a strange joy surged through her. She felt unstoppable, almost invincible. Gathering up her robes, she leapt over the unconscious Death Eater.

But after only a few steps, pain stabbed through her stomach. It wasn’t ordinary—it burned in her very skin. She staggered to the wall, clutching her belly. Another mark was spreading across her body.

Chapter Text

Year: 1997

Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Dumbledore’s shadow still seemed to haunt the corridors of Hogwarts. Everyone knew something had gone wrong, but no one knew what to do. While the false news of his death began to spread, Severus had already vanished.

Sirius spotted Lorien in the crowd and quickened his steps. Keeping his voice low, he said, “We need to talk.”

At the sharp tone in his voice, every muscle in Lorien’s face tensed. She had known this moment would come. At least she hoped it would be quick.

“About what?” she asked, pretending not to know.

Sirius didn’t answer. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her away from the crowd, into an empty classroom. After one quick glance around, he shut the door and gripped her arm.

“What do you know about Snape? Did he tell you where he was going?”

Lorien’s eyes widened. “I know what the other professors know,” she lied. It wasn’t even a full lie—she truly didn’t know where he was.

“Oh, come on. I’m sure he told you something.” 

“And why would you think that, Sirius?”

“Don’t play me for a fool,” Sirius snapped, his voice rising. “I know you care for him. I know you’ve probably been protecting him.” The words soured as soon as they left his mouth.

Lorien jerked back, making his hand fall empty. “You think I’m the traitor?” she asked, trying to sound furious.

“I think he may have used you,” Sirius shot back. “If he knows your feelings for him—he can twist your mind. He’s a Legilimens.”

“I’m not that easy to fool,” Lorien retorted. “And even if Severus were guilty, he wouldn’t share his plans with me.”

“Don’t tell me you think he’s innocent!” Sirius barked, a bitter grin pulling at his face.

“He didn’t kill him. He’s not the traitor.”

“He’s not innocent either,” Sirius countered. “He didn’t lift a finger to stop it.”

“What was he supposed to do—blow his cover?”

“Yes! But he just stood there!”

Lorien felt the argument sliding into dangerous ground. She needed to end it.

“I’m not doing this,” she said firmly, moving toward the door. “I don’t know anything. And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t talk about my feelings for him to anyone. That’s my problem, not yours.”

For once, Sirius went silent. He gave a single nod. Lorien hoped he meant it as she walked out.

–––

A few days later, some families had already come to collect their children. Others stayed for Dumbledore’s funeral before leaving Hogwarts.

Before the ceremony, everyone gathered in the Great Hall. Lorien’s eyes drifted to the chair where Severus used to sit. Empty. She had been closer to him than ever before—and it had been the last time she saw him. Strange, she thought bitterly. Life had a cruel sense of humour.

Witches and wizards had come from all over the world to pay their respects. The hall was filled with grief and disbelief. The one wizard thought strong enough to stand against Voldemort was gone—or so they believed.

By the lake, a white marble tomb stood covered in white roses. A cool breeze carried their scent across the crowd. Inside the casket lay only an enchanted body. Nobody knew where the real Dumbledore was hiding.

“The less you know, the better,” he had told them.

Lorien looked around. Tonks and Lupin stood hand in hand. Lupin had finally stopped fighting, and Tonks’s hair had returned to its bright pink. Sirius stood nearby. Lorien kept her distance; she wasn’t ready to face his questions again.

Her eyes then wandered to the students mourning in silence. For many of them, it was the first time they had lost someone. Lorien sighed. She longed to tell them the truth—that Dumbledore was still alive—but she couldn’t. One day, everything would change. She looked forward to seeing joy return to their faces.

After the funeral, the students left. Only a few professors and guards remained. Lorien stayed behind too. Each morning, she searched her post eagerly for any sign of Severus. Not knowing if he was safe gnawed at her, turning into a constant, unbearable fear.

Weeks of silence passed before the Order summoned its members to Sirius’s house. Lorien, lonely and restless, was almost relieved at the call.

–––

Tonks was the first to greet her at Headquarters, beaming.

“We’re getting married!” she said, showing off her ring.

“You’re joking!” Lorien cried with delight. Hugging her, she whispered, “You didn’t hex him, did you?”

Lupin laughed. “No, she didn’t.”

“You wouldn’t know if she had,” Lorien teased. “But seriously, what made you decide so suddenly?”

The couple exchanged a look. “That night… after Dumbledore, after seeing Bill covered in blood, we just—”

Before they could finish, Moody stormed into the room, dragging a chair into place with his bad leg. “If everyone’s here, let’s start.”

The mood turned grim in an instant.

“What is it?” Arthur asked.

“Thicknesse!” Moody growled.

Kingsley spoke calmly. “Thicknesse has joined Voldemort. He knows Harry will lose the protection spell when he turns seventeen. He’s made it impossible to move him out of his aunt’s house by magic.”

Tonks looked puzzled. “What does that mean?”

“If Harry—or anyone near him—tries to use magic to move him, Thicknesse will know,” Kingsley explained.

“And so will the Death Eaters!” Moody barked.

“I’ll kill him,” Sirius muttered through clenched teeth.

“Then let’s get him out without magic, mate,” Mundungus piped up.

Moody spun on him. “Are you out of your mind? Without magic it’s far too dangerous. Voldemort’s people are watching.”

“I’m saying if we can’t use magic, the only way is broomsticks, right?”

Everyone at the table turned to him, waiting to hear more.

“What if Harry isn’t one, but seven? How would they know which one is real?”

A murmur spread through the room as the idea sank in.

“So that thick head of yours does work,” said Hagrid, thumping Mundungus on the back.

Mundungus staggered under the blow. “Oi, easy there,” he muttered, a little embarrassed.

“But who’s going to be Harry?” Hagrid asked, worried. “It’d feel odd, me looking like him.”

“Voldemort wants Harry alive,” Kingsley said. “So if the kids take his place, they’ll be safer. We’ll pair them with us adults.”

Moody gave a curt nod. “That’s the plan. Let’s see who goes.”

“Ron, Hermione, the twins, and Fleur. That’s five. Mundungus, you’re in too.”

“Me?!” Mundungus squawked.

“Yes. It was your brilliant idea,” Moody shot back.

“But I only said it!”

A thought sparked in Lorien’s mind. She’d been desperate for news of the Death Eaters—or of Severus. This mission was dangerous, but it might be her only chance to see him again.

She cleared her throat. “I’ll come too.”

Every eye turned to her.

“My identity will be hidden,” Lorien added quickly. “I’ll look just like Harry.”

“Brilliant!” Mundungus cried, though he sounded more relieved than pleased.

“Wait a second…” Sirius cut in, not taking his eyes off Lorien. “Who am I going with?”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Moody said flatly. “You’re staying here to wait for Harry’s return.”

Lorien held her breath. She could tell from his face how much Sirius hated it. He hadn’t accepted being locked away after the Department of Mysteries, even when he’d been hurt. There was no way he’d swallow this easily.

“Really, Moody?” Sirius’s voice was already fraying with anger. “So everyone else risks their necks while I sit here, behind walls?”

“That’s right,” Moody said, unblinking. “Bellatrix failed last time. This time, she’ll come straight for you.”

Sirius gave a harsh laugh and shook his head. “You think I can’t handle Bellatrix?”

“I think you might not be so lucky this time,” Moody said. “No point taking stupid risks.”

Lorien spoke up. “Moody’s right. Last time, saving you was pure luck. There’s no guarantee I could do it again.”

Sirius snapped his head toward her, eyes blazing. “I’m not some helpless child! I never asked you to save me!”

Lorien’s voice turned cold. “Fine. Next time, remind me not to interfere, will you?”

“Both of you, shut it!” Moody barked. “I won’t have this argument. Black, the decision’s made. Lorien, get ready. You’ll take Mundungus’s place.”

Lorien nodded, though her face was still tense. Sirius stared at her for a few seconds, then forced himself into silence. He knew his anger wasn’t truly at her, but it was blinding him. Severus had called him reckless and careless, and Sirius was proving him right—especially when those he loved were in danger.

THE SEVEN POTTERS

When thirteen members of the Order crowded into the Dursleys’ living room, Harry was stunned. Moody wasted no time explaining the plan. If they were lucky, they could get Harry out without the Death Eaters ever knowing.

Moody held out the flask of Polyjuice Potion. Lorien took a swallow before handing it to Fleur. One by one, they changed until seven identical Harry Potters stood in the room.

“Harry!” Moody barked.

All seven turned at once.

“The real one goes with Hagrid. The rest follow the plan.”

They all nodded. Moody narrowed his eyes at the group. “Which one are you, Lorien?”

Lorien raised her hand. “Here,” she said, straightening her clothes.

Moody gripped her shoulder and pulled her close, making sure not to lose her in the crowd.

Outside, things moved quickly. Some mounted Thestrals, others broomsticks. Lorien and Moody swung onto a broom. The air was cool and cloudy, and for a moment it seemed calm. The houses and streetlamps slipped away below them. It looked like a clean getaway.

But as soon as they broke through the clouds, they saw how wrong they were. A dozen masked figures hovered in wait.

“It’s an ambush!” Moody shouted. “Someone tipped them off!”

Lorien’s fingers tightened on her wand. “What do we do?”

“We stick to the plan,” Moody growled. “Do your best!”

Spells lit the night sky, streaks of color bursting around them. The Order fought hard, breaking through the circle, but danger was everywhere.

Moody and Lorien were at the rear. Two Death Eaters closed in on them.

“They’re coming,” Lorien whispered, breathless.

She fired off spells as fast as she could, but the figures darted too quickly.

“Focus, Lorien!” Moody roared.

She braced herself, raised her wand, and yelled, “Stupefy!”

The red jet hit a Death Eater square in the chest, knocking him into his partner. Both spun away into the clouds. Lorien’s lips curled in a shocked smile. One hit had taken them both out.

But it didn’t last. Another Death Eater came charging back, angrier than ever, with a second joining him. A third shape appeared from the clouds.

Lorien’s chest tightened. She was sure it was over. But then she saw the face—and her heart nearly stopped.

“It’s Severus,” she said, almost with relief.

Moody’s tone was iron. “Not anymore. Don’t trust him!”

Her throat went dry. “What do you mean? He—”

“Lorien, focus! Hit him the moment you can. Don’t hesitate!”

The other two veered away, leaving Severus alone to streak toward them.

Lorien’s hands trembled. She knew he would never hurt her. She could never raise her wand against him.

But then, to her horror, he did. His wand flashed and a spell shot toward them. Moody jerked the broom just in time. Lorien ducked, stunned and shaken.

“What are you waiting for? Drive him off!” Moody roared.

Severus was nearly level with them. Lorien’s hand shook so badly she could barely aim.

“Severus, don’t!” she cried—but the voice was Harry’s. She had forgotten what she looked like.

“It’s me—Lorien!”

For a split second, his wand faltered. Then his eyes hardened. He raised it again, lips forming another spell.

“DO IT OR I WILL!” Moody bellowed.

Lorien’s eyes filled with pain. “Expelliarmus!” she shouted.

The red light struck true. Severus’s wand spun from his hand, vanishing into the void below. For one instant, shock flickered across his face. Then he dived after it and was gone.

Her hands were still shaking. Moody was talking, but she couldn’t hear a word. Lorien felt betrayed. She couldn’t understand why his eyes had looked so empty. Wasn’t it the same man who had kissed her only weeks ago? Or had Sirius been right all along—had Snape kissed her only to confuse her?

Don’t be ridiculous, she told herself. He was the one fighting to protect Dumbledore, the one who had tried to keep her safe. How could both be true?

“Pull yourself together, Lorien. We’re not finished yet. We’re not even halfway there,” Moody barked.

“Really?” she asked, stunned. Their flight through the sky already felt like hours.

A Death Eater appeared behind them, wand raised.

Moody jerked his broom at the last second, sending them spinning in wide circles.

Lorien clung on for dear life, stomach lurching.

“I’m taking control back—cover us!” Moody shouted.

He steadied the broom and climbed higher. Lorien threw a thick curtain of fog behind them. The few seconds they gained were vital.

The Death Eater burst through the mist, still chasing. This time Moody fired a curse of his own. Things were getting worse.

Before they could bring him down, two more Death Eaters appeared ahead, lying in wait. Moody dueled the one on the left; Lorien was forced to take the one on the right. There was no time for a third.

A Stunner hit her squarely in the chest. She was thrown from her broom, tumbling fast toward the ground. Moody was still above, alone against three enemies.

As she fell, she saw a flash of green light streak across the clouds. The sky went horribly still. Lorien knew at once—Moody was dead. The broom they had ridden dropped from the air and shattered below. She pointed her wand at herself just before hitting the ground and managed to stop the fall.

“CAN YOU HEAR ME, LORIEN?” Moody’s roar shook her.

She blinked. They were still in the sky. Still alive. Still fighting.

“Go down!” she shouted.

“No,” Moody snapped. “We stick to the plan.”

“DOWN, NOW!” she screamed.

Grumbling, Moody dived. He glanced back—one Death Eater was still on them. Moody hurled a Stunning Spell, missed by inches, and plunged into a narrow tunnel.

The Death Eater followed without hesitation.

Lorien took a deep breath, steadied her wand without lifting her hand, and muttered, “Stupefy.”

At the same moment came a hoarse voice: “Avada Kedavra!”

Her spell struck. The Death Eater toppled from his broom, crashing into the soft grass below. But then Lorien and Moody slammed into a telephone pole at the edge of a wheat field. Their broom shuddered violently.

Pain ripped through Lorien’s leg. Something warm was running down her calf. She looked—her leg was slashed open, blood pouring fast. The sight made the pain twice as bad.

“My leg!” she gasped.

“Just a bit further—hold on!” Moody’s eyes darted around, searching for safety.

But Lorien was barely listening. The prophecy’s cost had slipped her mind—until sharp pain tore into her arm. Another mark was burning into her skin.

She gritted her teeth, whispering to herself, “I can take it.” The cold air in her face kept her from blacking out.

Suddenly they shot through an invisible barrier.

“We made it!” Moody bellowed. “We’re safe now!”

Lorien forced her eyes open. The Burrow was below. Lupin, Sirius, and Tonks were waiting for them. Everyone must have arrived, she thought. She had never been so glad to feel solid ground.

They staggered off the broom, dazed.

But something was wrong.

Sirius and Lupin ran toward them with wands raised.

Sirius aimed straight at Lorien. He didn’t blink.

“You’re late!” Lupin shouted.

Lorien tried to focus. The shouting blurred together. She looked at Sirius again—his stance was rigid, hostile, like he was facing an enemy. She barely caught his words.

“Where… four years ago…”

“I don’t… I don’t understand,” she whispered. She could hardly stand.

“She’s hurt!” Tonks cried, trying to push forward.

Sirius shoved her aside, his wand never leaving Lorien. His voice was fierce now.

“FOUR YEARS AGO, WHERE DID I FIRST SEE YOU?”

At last, Lorien understood. It was their security question, the test against impostors.

“The Forbidden Forest,” she said weakly. “You were in Animagus form. I thought you were a dog and tried to feed you.” She even managed a faint smile.

Sirius lowered his wand and pulled her into his arms. The suddenness nearly toppled her.

“It hurts, Sirius,” she whispered, nodding to her leg. Her arm burned as well.

“I thought you were dead,” Sirius muttered, his voice shaking.

Lorien wondered if she was hallucinating. Was he really worried for her, or was it just fever and pain? She couldn’t tell. Sirius lifted her easily and carried her inside.

Molly hurried up with bottles of potion. She dripped some onto the wound, and the pain dulled. Then she held out another.

“This will take care of the rest. Tastes awful, but drink it down.”

Lorien was so thirsty she didn’t care. She drained it in one gulp.

As she steadied herself, she glanced around. “Everyone… is everyone all right?”

A silence fell.

“Everyone but George,” Tonks said. “Snape got him.”

“Snape?” Lorien gasped. She couldn’t believe her ears. How could he hurt a student?

Sirius shot her a look that said I told you so. Lorien swallowed hard. “Is George—how is he?”

Fred grinned. “Lost an ear. But honestly, he looks better this way.”

“Fred!” Molly snapped. “That’s enough.”

Then she turned to the rest. “Well, don’t all stare at once! Let her rest.”

The crowd began to drift away until only Sirius remained.

“What’s wrong?” he asked quietly. “You don’t look well.”

“My arm…” Lorien admitted.

Without hesitation Sirius pulled back her sleeve. A dark mark was etched into her pale skin.

“This…” his voice dropped, “I know this mark. It’s the same as before, when you saved me. Who is it this time?”

“Moody.”

Sirius’s brow furrowed.

“You saw a Healer, didn’t you? I thought you’d recovered.”

Lorien flushed. She hated lying. “I did, but… Sirius, I was scared. I had to go back. I couldn’t tell you.”

Sirius sighed, his face softening. “Don’t think about it now.” He pulled her sleeve back down gently. “I’ll deal with it.”

All Lorien wanted was to stop thinking altogether.

“I’m so tired,” she murmured.

“Come on, let’s get you to bed,” Sirius said. He slipped an arm around her, carrying her with surprising ease. Inside, two small beds stood side by side, heavy curtains shutting out the light.

He laid her down and pulled a blanket over her, then sat at her side.

“Lorien,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry… for shouting, for hurting you.”

She forced her eyes open.

“It’s all right, Sirius. You were worried about your godson… and I’m sorry too. I wasn’t fair to you.”

“Don’t think about the past,” Sirius said.

Lorien nodded. Her eyelids grew heavy. In seconds she was asleep.

Sirius sat there, staring at her pale face. His hand hovered near her hair, but he stopped himself just before touching it.

“I wish… things had been different,” he whispered.

Lorien didn’t hear.

Sirius stood at last, glanced back once more, then switched off the light and slipped quietly from the room.

Chapter Text

Year: 1997

Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry, Ron and Hermione went upstairs, and the house fell silent. After settling Lorien in bed, Sirius sank into an armchair in the sitting room. Resting his elbow on the armrest, he scratched at his beard and drifted into thought.

“You haven’t been in trouble for a while, Sirius,” said Lupin, “If I know you at all, this silence means something’s coming.”

Sirius gave a short laugh, though it wasn’t cheerful. “Do you ever miss the old days, Remus?” he asked seriously.

“Yes,” Lupin answered carefully. “But why are you asking?”

A determined gleam flashed in his eyes. “Because we’re going to have to kidnap someone.”

Bright sunlight fell across Lorien’s face and slowly drew her from sleep. When her eyes opened, it wasn’t Hogwarts she saw, but the Weasleys’ wooden guest room. The bed beside hers was neatly made. She had slept so deeply she couldn’t even remember if anyone had been there.

Lorien took the bandage off her leg; the wound was almost healed. But the marks on her arm were still there, and a new one had appeared. It was clear she could never wear short sleeves again. She didn't even know how much of last night had been real. She wished Snape's attack on them had just been a nightmare.

The wooden stairs creaked under her feet as she went down. The smell of apples and cinnamon filled the air from the kitchen. Molly Weasley was slicing fruit for a pie, telling Tonks the recipe. Just then the cuckoo clock chimed it was noon. When Lorien reached the bottom, both women turned toward her. Molly wiped her hands on a towel and hurried over.

“Good morning, dear,” she said warmly. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” Lorien answered with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“We already had breakfast, but George and I didn’t want to wake you,” said Molly.

The truth hit Lorien like a punch: last night hadn’t been a dream.

Molly’s gaze dropped to her leg. “And your wound?”

“It’s better. The potions worked.”

Molly looked relieved. “That’s good news. Do you want something to eat, dear?”

“I’m not hungry,” said Lorien, still glancing around the room. “Where is everyone?”

“The kids are outside playing Quidditch,” said Tonks. “Moody left last night. Lupin and Sirius went out early this morning.”

“Where to?”

“No idea. They didn’t say.” Tonks slipped her arm through Lorien’s. “Come on, let’s get some fresh air. It’s lovely outside.”

The land around the Burrow stretched wide and calm, the breeze rippling through dry grass. The children’s Quidditch match was fast and noisy, while Arthur Weasley tinkered with the blue Ford in the corner of the yard. Something had clearly gone wrong, the car was belching smoke. Looking up, he spotted Lorien.

“Hello, Lorien! Feeling all right?” he shouted.

“Great!” she called back, though it was a lie.

Tonks and Lorien sat on the stone steps at the Burrow’s door. Lorien drew a deep breath. She needed answers.

“Tonks, what happened last night? I don’t remember much,” she asked awkwardly.

Tonks stretched out her legs. “Not much fun, really. You and Moody were late. We thought you’d been killed or captured. You should’ve seen Sirius—he was ready to go after you.”

Lorien’s head snapped toward her. “He was worried about me?”

Tonks grinned. “Well, he wasn’t worried about Moody.”

A faint smile spread across Lorien’s face. She turned back to the garden. “And after that?”

“You arrived. Kingsley wanted us to be careful in case Death Eaters tried to impersonate you.”

Lorien searched her memory. “Yes… I remember Sirius’s question. For a second I thought I was in trouble.”

“You definitely would’ve been,” Tonks said with a laugh. “If you hadn’t remembered—”

They both burst out laughing, but Lorien suddenly froze. A dark figure was walking toward them.

“Who’s that?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

“I can’t tell,” said Tonks.

A black cloak. Long black hair. A hard, deliberate stride. Lorien’s breath caught.

“Severus,” she whispered, jumping to her feet, her heart pounding. “If they see him here—”

Tonks shaded her eyes with her hands. “Doesn’t really look like Snape to me.”

“Look more carefully,” Lorien insisted.

But then Arthur straightened up, dropped his tools and called out, “Scrimgeour! What brings you here?”

Lorien turned again and the man she thought was Snape was in fact Rufus Scrimgeour. She froze, an empty ache spreading through her chest. Was she really seeing things now, or simply losing her mind?

“Business,” said Scrimgeour. “Dumbledore asked me to deliver some personal belongings.”

“Did he?” Arthur looked surprised. “Well, come inside then.”

As Lorien and Tonks watched them go, Lupin appeared behind them. “What’s happening?” he asked, eyes shifting to Scrimgeour.

Tonks lit up instantly. She tiptoed up to wrap her arms around Lupin’s neck.

“I missed you,” she whispered.

He held her close. “Sirius and I had a job to do,” he said, glancing at Lorien. “He’ll be along in a minute.”

Lorien couldn’t tell if that was meant for her or not. She looked away, scuffing a stone with her shoe. It was good to see love, but it stung. What she couldn’t have was right in front of her.

“I’ll go in,” said Lupin, letting go. “See what he wants.”

When Tonks came back, she found Lorien distant and quiet. “Oh, come on, Lori,” she said, slinging an arm over her shoulder. “It’ll work out somehow.”

“I keep seeing him everywhere,” Lorien muttered. “I know it sounds mad, but I miss him, Tonks.”

“Moody wouldn’t agree, but I don’t believe Snape’s truly against us. I think he does what he has to, but he’s still on our side.”

Lorien searched her face. “You really think so?” she asked, almost comforted.

Tonks nodded. “Yes.”

A small smile tugged at Lorien’s lips.

“In a few days the wedding preparations will start,” Tonks went on, eager to change the subject. “Molly said she’ll need help. Why don’t you stay here?”

“I suppose I’ve got nothing better to do,” said Lorien with a shrug. Better to be here than at Hogwarts, alone with her thoughts.

A moment later, Sirius appeared at the edge of the Burrow’s yard. He strode quickly toward her, eyes raking over her from head to toe.

“Are you all right? Did you sleep well?” he asked, his tone sharp.

Tonks slipped silently through the Burrow’s front door, leaving them alone.

“Yes, I’m fine,” said Lorien, puzzled by his urgency.

“Good. We need to go somewhere,” Sirius said.

Lorien frowned. “Where?”

“You’ll see.” Without waiting for her answer, he seized her arm, and together they Disapparated.

When Lorien opened her eyes, she found herself among dark stone walls, in a dim and familiar place.

“The Leaky Cauldron,” she muttered, glancing around. “What are we doing here?”

Sirius didn’t answer. He scanned the corridor, then jerked his head for her to follow. Lorien was sure whatever they were doing wasn’t legal—or safe.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” she asked, frowning.

Upstairs the corridor was nearly empty, except for a frail old man who looked half-dead and a woman with a bird’s nest of hair. They stopped outside Room Twelve.

“Sirius Black! Are you going to tell me what this is about?” Lorien snapped, her patience running thin.

Sirius just raised a finger to his lips, pushed the door open, and stepped inside. Lorien gasped. A man sat tied to a chair in the middle of the room.

“I brought you the Healer,” Sirius announced.

Lorien’s eyes darted from the Healer—whom she’d once seen in Knockturn Alley—to Sirius.

“You’re mad!” she burst out. “You could get arrested for this!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it,” Sirius said, far too casually.

The Healer thrashed in his chair. “I’ll kill you! Untie me right now!”

Sirius stepped forward, wand aimed at the man's chest. “Not unless I kill you first.” Then he turned to Lorien. “Show him your marks. Don’t be afraid. I’ll erase his memory when we’re done.”

Lorien knew she had no choice.

Licensed Healers worked under the Ministry’s watch, and anything unusual would be reported. She stepped forward hesitantly, pulled back her sleeve, and revealed her arm. The healer ran his fingers over the dark marks, making those same unsettling movements again.

“Take your hands off,” Sirius warned, pressing his wand closer to the man’s head.

With a grunt, the healer obeyed. He lifted his gaze, his cold blue eyes fixing on Lorien. “I know these marks. So it was you meddling with prophecies,” he said, studying her face. “How many are there now?”

Lorien lowered her voice so he wouldn’t hear. “Four,” she whispered.

Sirius’s eyes flared at once. He could hardly believe it. “Did you say four? Four!”

“One of them was you,” Lorien shot back. “Do you think I could ever forgive myself for that?”

“You should have told me! I thought it was over.”

“You wouldn’t even look at me for weeks. How was I supposed to tell you?” But deep down, she knew she still wouldn’t have.

The Healer coughed, drawing their attention. “Take my advice—stop while you can.”

“How do we stop it?” Sirius demanded.

The man rolled his eyes. “I’ve never seen anything like this before. You’re the first Seer I’ve treated. I don’t know what these are, but they can’t mean anything good. Best not to anger the gods, girl.”

“Enough nonsense,” Sirius snapped. “Say something useful or you’ll lose your tongue.”

“Fine,” the Healer muttered. “I can’t promise it’ll work. Try mixing dried sunflower petals, a pinch of lavender, and a drop of dragon bile. Add powdered poppy seed, crushed with a silver spoon, and rub it on the marks. Keep at it for a week.” He looked up. “Now can I go?”

“Of course,” Sirius said lightly. With a flick of his wand, the Healer toppled sideways in his chair.

“Sirius! Was that necessary?” Lorien exclaimed.

“He’ll live,” Sirius said flatly. He pressed his wand to the man’s forehead. “Obliviate.”

The ropes vanished, and Sirius straightened up. “We’re done here. Let’s go.”

He checked the corridor, then nodded for Lorien to follow.

Two hooded figures lingered at the far end. They were watching. Lorien’s stomach tightened. She pulled up her hood as they went downstairs. Only a few tables were occupied, but none looked friendly. Two men stared at them with open disgust.

“I don’t like those looks, Sirius,” she whispered.

“My fan club’s always been a bit rowdy,” Sirius muttered, hand on his wand. He caught her wrist and pulled her closer.

As they neared the door, one of the men lunged up. Sirius had been waiting—his spell hurled the man against the wall. Lorien spotted the others reaching for their wands. Death Eaters.

“Expelliarmus!” she cried.

Their wands spun into the air and clattered to the floor. Sirius grabbed her hand, and they sprinted into the street. Lorien stumbled but forced herself to keep pace.

“They’re coming!” she shouted as spells sizzled past.

Sirius dragged her into a side alley. A shadow loomed ahead—a Death Eater raised his wand.

“Crucio!”

Sirius ducked. The curse scorched the wall behind him. Both of them shouted, “Stupefy!” Lorien wasn’t the best shot in moments like these, but Sirius never missed. The Death Eater dropped like a sack of laundry. Behind them, footsteps were coming closer.

“Move!” Sirius barked. They tore down another side alley and ducked into a recess by a back door, holding their breath. The footsteps thundered past, then faded away.

Sirius straightened up, hands on his knees, catching his breath. Then he gave a short laugh, shaking a strand of hair out of his face.

“We should hit the road together more often, Evergreen,” he said with a grin. “Absolutely worth it.”

Lorien was breathless, her heart still racing but she hadn’t felt this alive in a long time.

“If you think that was fun, you’re completely mad,” she trying not to smile.

“Ready?” Sirius asked, holding out his arm.

“Yes.”

Lorien closed her eyes. When she opened them again, they were standing outside the Burrow. The sky had turned pale blue, and lights glowed from the windows. Laughter and voices spilled out into the garden.

They walked together as far as the door.

“I hope I haven’t pushed you too far, Miss Evergreen,” said Sirius. “You’re not exactly used to this sort of thing.”

Lorien shot him a sharp look. “Are you really saying that to someone who’s survived some of the Order’s most dangerous missions?”

Sirius grinned. “Alright, alright. I may have underestimated you. You’ve got more courage than I thought, Miss Evergreen.”  

They went inside, closed the door and took the empty seats at the table.

Out in the bushes, a pair of eyes was watching the Burrow in silence. Severus Snape narrowed his gaze, peering through the window. The glint of Lorien’s smile… the ease in her posture beside Sirius…

A hard, cold look crossed his face — one no one else would ever see. After a moment more, he swept his cloak about him and vanished into the shadows.

Chapter Text

The year: 1997

Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

🎧 Billie Eilish - "Wildflower"

Bill and Fleur’s wedding preparations had begun. The Hollow garden was full of flowers and people rushing around. There was a lot to do and little time to think. Lorien was happy about that, because not a day had passed without thinking about Severus. Whenever he crossed her mind, she felt fear and anxiety. Severus would never raise his wand at her; he would never hurt a child. But what if Voldemort had found out the truth? What if he had infiltrated his mind and erased all his memories? She didn't even want to consider that possibility.

Lorien sat on the stone steps next to Tonks, tying ribbons around white flowers.

"Why are you putting so much effort into that?" Tonks asked. "You could be done in a second."

"I like it," Lorien replied.

Just as she reached for a new ribbon, a noise tore through the sky. It wasn't thunder; it was Sirius's motorbike. Arthur and the kids, who were setting up the tables, turned to watch his arrival. Sirius glided down from the sky, landed on the grassy ground, and came to a stop a few feet away, shaking his dishevelled hair.

"Look at him, trying to be all cool," Tonks said.

Lorien felt like she was back at Hogwarts, one of the students watching Sirius show off.

"Show-off," Lorien said with a smile. "What an idiot."

But she knew the showing off suited him. She bowed her head, tying the ribbon on the flower tightly. Tonks nudged her with her elbow.

"He's coming this way," she whispered excitedly. She was amused, as if preparing to watch a show.

Sirius stopped right in front of them and grinned. "Sirius Black, proud to serve his precious passengers. Fancy a ride, Lorien?"

"I'm good," Lorien said, waving the flowers in her hand.

Sirius's face soured. "You're no fun," he grumbled, then walked inside.

"You can take your complaints to management," Lorien called after him.

Tonks covered her mouth with her hand to keep from laughing.

With only one day left until the wedding, a gentle breeze swept through the garden, rustling the tablecloths. The recipe papers Molly was using for the wedding cake had flown out the kitchen window and were scattered across the lawn. One of the twins ran after the papers while Ginny was placing stones on the tablecloths.

Lorien sat on a wooden bench at the edge of the garden, watching the scene unfold silently. As she sipped the steaming tea from her cup, she didn't even realize she had started thinking about Snape. A voice behind her made her snap out of it.

"Harry says he's leaving as soon as the wedding is over; I can't convince him otherwise..." Sirius said, twirling a small pocketknife in his palm as he sat down on the bench.

"Did you find out where he's going?" Lorien asked.

Sirius's gaze shifted to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were whispering at the other end of the garden. "He has a mission Dumbledore wanted to keep secret, and they won't tell me a word. It's like I'm a stranger to them."

"I'm sure he has a good reason," Lorien said. "You know Dumbledore."

She could guess he was still secretly keeping an eye on Harry, but she couldn't tell him that.

Sirius's voice dropped even lower. "I'm his godfather, Lori. It's my job to protect him. I feel like I'm letting him walk straight into danger."

Lorien set her mug aside and smiled faintly. "Harry's a smart kid. This is more important to him than you think."

As Sirius sighed, his eyes fell on Lorien's arm. "How are the marks? Is that potion the Healer gave you working?"

Lorien tugged on her long-sleeved shirt and shrugged. "I haven't noticed a difference yet, but I'm keeping at it."

Sirius nodded. "So, what are you going to do after the wedding?"

"I was thinking of going to Istanbul to see my mother, but I suppose I'll go back to Hogwarts. The new term is about to start."

The only reason she wanted to go back to that ghostly castle was the desire to see Severus again.

Sirius turned to face her. "Stay with me," he said suddenly. Lorien couldn't tell if he was joking or if it was a serious offer; he certainly looked serious.

"I don't think that would be appropriate," she said politely.

"What's that? Are you afraid Snivellus will find out?" Sirius said. He sounded like he was teasing, but he was clearly curious about the answer.

Lorien sighed deeply. "Don't get me wrong, you're a good friend, Sirius. But people might get the wrong idea." She raised her eyebrows and studied his face carefully. "Do you see what I mean?"

"Yes... of course, I do," Sirius said, resting his arm on the back of the bench. He seemed quite annoyed as he turned his gaze back to Harry.

🎧 Lana Del Rey - "Serial Killer"

On the evening of the wedding, guests began arriving at The Burrow one by one. Molly's family was immediately noticeable with their bright orange hair. After them came Fleur's elegant, marble-skinned relatives. Her mother, despite being middle-aged, was just as beautiful as Fleur. Just behind them, Lorien caught the eye of a young woman with long, silvery-blonde hair that reached her waist. One of her eyebrows was raised as she surveyed The Burrow. For a moment, she and Lorien made eye contact. The woman looked her up and down, turned up her nose, and looked away. She probably had Veela blood like her other cousins, but she was colder than the others and seemed to look down on everyone.

"My mother and father," Fleur introduced. "You already know my little sister, Gabrielle. These are my cousins, Vivienne and Élodie."

As Molly and Arthur shook hands with them, the younger Élodie gave a shy nod. Vivienne gave a small smile.

"And here comes our famous Azkaban fugitive," Arthur said.

Molly nudged her husband with her elbow. "He's joking. The Ministry gave him a medal, didn't they, dear?"

"Yes, yes, of course they did."

Sirius pushed a piece of hair out of his face and walked toward them. He was quite dashing this evening, dressed in a high-quality, unbuttoned navy blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He wore a dark velvet vest that fit him perfectly. The silver chain on his wrist sparkled with every movement. He looked both elegant and rebellious.

"What an honour," Sirius said, gently kissing the back of Fleur's mother's hand. Lorien could have sworn she saw a twinkle in Vivienne's eyes. When he got to her, a wide smile spread across her face. Sirius lingered on her for a few extra seconds as he greeted each of them. An irrational anger swelled inside Lorien. Was he really interested in women like that? Why wouldn't he be? He was a noble, handsome young man... Vivienne's beauty could sweep him off his feet and give him the excitement he was looking for.

As the crowd moved toward the wedding tent, Vivienne linked her arm through Sirius's. Was it really that easy to get close to someone? For a moment, she imagined linking her arm with Snape's in the middle of the crowd. He would probably say it was an inappropriate thing to do and make her regret it.

Lorien fell to the back of the line. The one person she had hoped would be her escort was already walking with someone else. It seemed like there was no one left to dance with. Inside, she found Tonks and Lupin and went to stand with them. The two were whispering and giggling.

"You two seem to be having fun," Lorien said with a forced smile.

Lupin pointed with his eyes toward the other side of the tent. Sirius was leaning in to whisper something to the Veela, and the woman's smile was growing wider and wider. They looked flawless, like something out of a magazine.

"Don't worry, it won't last long," Tonks said.

Lorien didn't know what was bothering her. She grabbed a glass of butterbeer from a passing tray and took a huge gulp.

A few minutes later, applause erupted as Fleur and Bill entered the stage for their first dance. Lupin held out his hand to Tonks and asked her to dance. "I'll be back in a bit," Tonks whispered.

"Go on," said Lorien, smiling reluctantly.

Lupin pulled out her chair, and they walked hand in hand to the dance floor. Even the kids had found partners. The tables were filled with laughter as Lorien's eyes drifted to Bill and Fleur, then to Tonks and Lupin, Arthur and Molly, and then back to Sirius and Vivienne... They had forgotten about the music and were still chatting. Sitting there alone, drinking her butterbeer, she felt all the emotions she had suppressed rising to the surface. For the first time, she realized how alone she was.

I'm going to die all alone, she thought.

I'm going to die all alone.

SIRIUS BLACK

When the music stopped, Sirius checked the whisky bottle in his pocket and pulled Remus by the arm. They walked out of the tent together. The air outside the wedding tent was cool and quiet; the sky was full of stars. Sirius took the whisky bottle out of his jacket and offered it to Lupin. Remus gently refused with a raised hand. For a while, they didn't speak. As music and laughter drifted from inside, Sirius took a sip from the bottle and sighed. "I'm free, Remus," he said in a low voice. "For the first time in years, I'm innocent, and I can hold my head high."

A small smile appeared on his lips. "People look at me like I'm a hero. I'm surrounded by women. They laugh, ask questions, want to talk."

"Live the life you deserve," Lupin said. "You spent your youth in Azkaban. Get to know people, make friends, fall in love. It's your turn to be happy."

Sirius gave him a wry smile. "I've already found the best woman I'll ever know, Remus. Strong, brave, beautiful..." He looked into the distance. "She reminded me who I was in my most miserable times."

Lupin's expression was understanding. "Lorien?" he asked softly.

Sirius took a sip of his whisky and looked down. "Sometimes she looks at me, but it's like she doesn't see me. No matter what I do, she always wants to go in a different direction," he said, frowning.

"Maybe what we call love isn't about trying to win, but about letting go," Lupin said.

"I've always run, Remus. Now, for the first time, I want to stay with someone, but it feels like there's no place to stay."

The music inside began to get louder. Encouraged by the whisky, Sirius stood up. "I'm going to try one more time," he said with determination. "If it doesn't work this time, I'll accept it. Just one last time."

Lupin smiled. "You're starting to remind me of a young James. He never gave up easily either."

Sirius let out a bitter laugh. "I guess I'm that pathetic. Well, let's pray it works."

LORIEN EVERGREEN

When the dance music began, Sirius returned inside. Couples started spinning around the dance floor again. Vivienne waved and made sure he saw her; she was eager to dance. Soon, Tonks would get up from the table, and Lorien would be alone again. But this time, she had to be ready. She grabbed another glass of butterbeer from a passing tray and took a big gulp.

"Ms. Evergreen, would you mind if I had the honour of this dance?" a voice asked.

She turned her head and noticed a graceful, tattooed hand extended toward her. Sirius was waiting for her. Lorien blinked; two butterbeers couldn't have made her this tipsy. When she looked back, she saw Vivienne's astonished face.

"Vivienne... she's waiting for you," Lorien said, scrunching up her face. "You're in the wrong place."

Sirius smiled. "She can wait a little longer."

Lorien's heart raced. Just moments ago, her mood had been at rock bottom, and now she was walking onto the dance floor in shock. Sirius placed his hands on her waist. Vivienne stood there like a ticking time bomb. Soon after, she muttered something and left the tent.

"You know you're making a mistake, choosing me over a Veela, right?" Lorien asked, checking on her out of the corner of her eye. "You made her very angry."

"Don't worry, I'll handle it," Sirius said calmly. He gently spun her around, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Lorien," Sirius said after a short silence. "I was thinking..."

His words were cut short as a bright Patronus appeared in the middle of the dance floor. The lights flickered, and the music suddenly stopped. Everyone turned to see what was happening, and Kingsley's voice echoed throughout the tent:

"The Ministry has fallen, Scrimgeour is dead, and the Death Eaters are coming!"

For a moment, a deep, deadly silence fell over the tent. Like the others, Lorien looked around to see if she had heard correctly. A few seconds later, a huge panic broke out. People were Apparating without looking back.

"We have to find Harry," Sirius said, grabbing Lorien by the wrist and pulling her with him. It was very difficult to find him in the crowd. Harry grabbed Sirius from between the tables. Ron and Hermione were standing right beside him.

"We're leaving now," Sirius said, holding Harry tightly. "You're coming with me. Hermione, you go with Ron."

Hermione also grabbed Ron's arm.

"We're Apparating to the headquarters. You know how to do it. Are you ready?"

They all nodded at once.

"Close your eyes!" Sirius warned.

As the two of them successfully Apparated, Lorien, who was left behind, noticed that the Death Eaters were starting to raid the wedding. The garden was filling with dark-cloaked figures. Screams rose; there were sounds of fighting, smoke... The place was a complete mess. Lorien didn't want to leave; she wanted to look and see. She wondered if Snape was among them, but she knew that if she lingered a moment longer, she would never escape. Maybe Snape had finally managed to return to Hogwarts, to the place where he belonged.

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she found herself sprawled on the lush green grass. She was grateful to be in one piece. When she lifted her head, she realized she was on the Hogwarts grounds, not at the headquarters.

"This... is impossible," she whispered to herself. Apparating to Hogwarts was forbidden, but someone had broken the rule, and she knew it was not a good sign. She got to her feet and looked at the school. Death Eaters had surrounded Hogwarts. Dozens of them were at the wedding and Hogwarts at the same time. The Order was scattered.

They knew, Lorien thought. They waited for the wedding to catch us off guard.

"Drop your wand," a cold male voice said.

She turned her head and saw three masked Death Eaters surrounding her. All three were ready, wands pointed at her. Lorien's hands trembled; she was alone and defenseless. There wasn't a single person to help her.

"Drop your wand!" the second Death Eater repeated in a threatening voice.

Lorien calculated every move she could make, but they all ended the same way: in death. She slowly bent down and placed her only friend on the green lawn.

One of the Death Eaters immediately stepped forward and snatched the wand.

"Good girl..." another one said, his voice sickeningly sweet. "If you had tried to fight... you would have suffered."

Lorien had to swallow her pride. When she arrived at Hogwarts, she saw that all the guards had been neutralized. In the very middle, McGonagall, Flitwick, and a few other professors stood defenseless. Their wands had been taken from them, too.

Lorien walked toward McGonagall. The professor gripped her hand tightly. For the first time, they clearly saw the fear in each other's eyes.

Lorien hoped someone would come to rescue them. Dumbledore, Snape, the Order of the Phoenix... anyone. But there was no one.

One of the masked Death Eaters stepped forward. "The Ministry has fallen," he announced. "Hogwarts now belongs to the Dark Lord. You will either obey or die."

McGonagall's lips moved, but no sound came out. Lorien watched as Hogwarts, which had been a home to her in her childhood and where she had spent her best days, was now turning into a living hell.

The dark era was beginning.

Chapter Text

Year: 1997

Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

🍂🍁 Godric's Hollow Graveyard 🍂🍁

The Dementors had surrounded the grounds of Hogwarts. Plants and animals nearby were growing weaker every day. Professors were not allowed to leave the castle, and their wands would not be returned until the term began. Every secret tunnel and passage was watched by Death Eaters. All students and teachers, without exception, had to return to Hogwarts. The poor students set off, not knowing what was waiting for them.

Lorien stood at her window, numbly staring at the gray view. Hope felt like a distant memory, a foolish thing she no longer expected. Her only wish was for everyone she loved to still be alive. After the wedding, she'd had no idea what had happened to the Weasleys. She didn’t know if Tonks, Lupin, and their child were safe. But most of all, she thought of Sirius. He would realize she hadn't come to Headquarters and imagine the worst. And when that kind of fear took hold of him, he could throw himself into danger without a second thought. All she could do was hope he hadn't done anything foolish.

There was another person she wondered about: Severus Snape. Like the other professors, she hoped he had returned to the school. Without him, there would be no one left to protect them.

Lorien took out the letter her mother had sent weeks ago and read it again.

“I know you’ve been ignoring my letters. But you have to face the truth; it’s not safe there anymore. With Dumbledore gone, no one can stop Voldemort. You saw what happened last time. You have no idea how much people are suffering. What you’ve been through is only the beginning. I want you to come home at once, Lorien.

—Your mother, Esma.”

Her mother had written it the moment she heard of Dumbledore’s death. Now Lorien understood how right she had been.

After her father’s death, Lorien had sunk into heavy grief. She had also seen the light fade from her mother’s eyes. Keeping her daughter safe had become her mother’s only purpose. During Voldemort’s rise, her mother had refused to stay in England. As soon as Lorien finished school, they had gone back to Istanbul. From there, Lorien followed the news only through wizarding papers, far from the war. But when she returned, everything had changed. Families were broken apart. Even the Marauders, who once seemed unshakable, had met a bitter end. Peter was missing. James and Lily were dead. Sirius had been blamed for it all and thrown into Azkaban.

Snape had joined the Death Eaters, but then turned away from the dark path and come under Dumbledore’s protection. Lorien remembered him as he had been: the quiet boy, always buried in a book, the brightest in Potions despite his worthless friends. But when she met him again years later, he was not the same. He had become cold, with walls built high around him.

This time she knew she could not run. The moment Snape kissed her, she was tied to him, bound in a way she could not escape. She would not lose her friends again.

That evening, all the students would return. Death Eaters were posted in nearly every corner of the castle. At breakfast in the Great Hall, Lorien noticed the professors whispering together.

McGonagall glanced at her. “Evergreen,” she said quietly, pointing at the seat beside her. “Come, you should see this.”

She handed Lorien a folded newspaper. When Lorien read the headline, her mouth went dry.

“Severus Snape Appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts.”

Her heart thudded as she stared at the moving photo. “Snape… headmaster?” she whispered, hardly believing it.

“I’m afraid so,” said McGonagall. “Pray he still has some mercy left in him.”

From the first day, Lorien had hoped he would return. But never as headmaster. And she had no idea which Severus she would meet now.

Back in her room, time dragged. It felt as though someone had stopped the clock on purpose.

When evening came, the students were gathered in the Great Hall. Lorien was still shaking as she reached the doors. At once she saw him at the front: Severus Snape, in his same black cloak, with the same hard expression, watching the hall. His eyes caught hers as she entered. For a moment Lorien forgot to walk, her feet heavy as stone. As she passed the podium, his gaze lingered on her face, but his expression did not change. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

When everyone was seated, Snape’s voice filled the hall.

“I am Hogwarts’ new Headmaster, Severus Snape. This year there will be new rules. Remember this: Hogwarts will no longer tolerate idleness, laziness or disorder. Disobedience…” He paused, speaking each word clearly. “…will have very severe consequences.”

Lorien noticed the first years trembling with fear. What a terrible start it was for them. Snape’s eyes swept over their anxious faces before he went on.

“This year, two new professors have been appointed to maintain discipline. Mr Amycus Carrow will take over your Defence Against the Dark Arts classes, and Miss Alecto Carrow will teach Muggle Studies. Both will also be in charge of discipline.”

The Carrows stood up proudly, almost as if they expected applause. But the hall stayed silent.

“My expectation from every student,” Snape continued, “is to bring honour to their house. From every teacher, to fulfil their duties without fail. Otherwise… the consequences will follow.”

Lorien saw Professor McGonagall trembling with anger. Low whispers of worry began to spread among the students.

Snape’s gaze swept across the hall again. “I trust you all understand. The Sorting may begin.”

With his cloak billowing, he took the Headmaster’s chair beside Alecto and Amycus. Throughout the Sorting, he ignored Lorien’s eyes on him. When the Sorting Hat finished, the tables filled with food.

But hardly anyone felt like eating.

Lorien kept watching him closely. She searched his face for something familiar, some sign he was still the same Severus. But her eyes met someone else’s instead.

“We haven’t met,” said Amycus, eyeing her with a sly look. “Your name?”

Lorien shrank a little under his stare. “Lorien,” she said softly. “Lorien Evergreen.”

“Hmm,” Amycus muttered, a nasty smile on his lips. “I heard you’re the Divination teacher. Rather young, aren’t you? Can you even see the future?”

Both Carrows leaned in, curious for her answer. Lorien opened her mouth, but Snape raised a finger where only she could see it. She realised he was listening.

“No, I can’t,” Lorien lied. “I only teach the theory.”

Amycus sneered. “Theory? So you sit around all day, staring at tea leaves?”

Alecto laughed loudly at that.

“I told you,” Snape cut in coldly. “She has no gift for Divination.”

Amycus and Alecto smirked and turned back to their food.

So you still care… Lorien thought, and the hint of a smile touched her lips.

One by one, the students left the hall. Lost in thought, Lorien pushed her food around her plate. The Carrows scraped back their chairs and stormed out. Snape remained, his eyes moving over the hall.

Lorien gathered her courage. She had no idea what she would say, but she was about to speak when Snape spoke first.

“I want your report on the school,” he said, eyes still fixed on the hall. “Be in my office before midnight.”

Lorien froze, realizing his words were for her. The moment he finished, he stood and swept out.

Half an hour before midnight, Lorien made her way to the Headmaster’s office in silence. She knew it was only an excuse to talk, but her mind spun with possibilities.

She opened the door and found Snape speaking to the portraits. When their eyes met, all her worry melted away. She had to stop herself from running to him.

“Severus… I was so worried,” she whispered.

His stance didn’t change.

“Headmaster Snape,” he corrected calmly. “I thought I made that clear. Within these walls, you will mind your words, Miss Evergreen. Now, to the point…” He stepped closer. “When you have visions, do you still freeze?”

“I’m working on it,” said Lorien.

“Work harder. I told them you can’t see visions. If they learn the truth, I can’t protect you.”

Lorien narrowed her eyes and stepped closer. “So now you’re worried about me? What are you playing at, Severus?”

“Listen to me,” Snape snapped, his words sharp as knives. “This is no longer Dumbledore’s Hogwarts. You cannot look at me that way. You cannot speak to me that way.”

“I know,” Lorien shot back, her voice just as firm.

“You know, but you’re easily distracted.”

“Yes…” Lorien burst out. “When you kiss me, or when you point your wand at me to kill me!”

The portraits stirred, whispering to each other.

“Kill you?” Snape said quietly. “You think I tried to kill you?”

Lorien gave a bitter smile. “You didn’t seem very eager to keep me alive.”

“If you had looked more carefully…” Snape stepped closer, his voice low, “you’d have seen me keeping Bellatrix and Yaxley away.”

Lorien gave a short laugh. “So you decided to finish the job yourself?”

His eyes narrowed in fury. He stepped closer, spitting the words out. “In a war, you defend yourself. But you seem too weak… or too foolish.”

Was it anger or shame that rose in her chest? Lorien couldn’t tell. Her heart pounded as he came closer. He was doing it on purpose—testing her.

“And that brings us back,” he said, his eyes on her flushed face, “to the fact that you’re too easily distracted. You make it obvious.”

The cruel satisfaction in his eyes made her hate herself for showing it.

There was a pause.

“Isn’t it obvious what distracts me?” Lorien whispered.

Snape knew very well. He turned away, shuffling the papers on his desk. “You may leave,” he said flatly.

Lorien bowed her head and moved to the door.

“Evergreen…” Snape called, just as she reached it.

She turned. He was holding out her wand. She hadn’t even noticed it was missing.

“You forgot this,” he said, his tone a little softer.

Lorien walked back slowly, taking her time. Her eyes lingered on his face for a moment. “Thank you,” she whispered.

He gave the smallest nod and watched her leave. Then he turned to the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black.

“Watch her and the children,” he murmured. “I don’t think she understands how serious this is.”

Dumbledore’s portrait spoke up. “I might say the same of you, Professor Snape.”

Chapter Text

Year: 1997

Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The students in Defence Against the Dark Arts were tense. In his first lesson, Amycus had spoken about the importance of the Dark Arts. Now a small frog sat on the desk at the front. As Amycus walked slowly into the middle of the classroom, the tension grew.

“Today… you will see what real magic is,” Amycus began in a heavy voice. “Real magic cannot be learned from books alone. You must try it, see it, feel it.”

“I don’t like the sound of this,” Neville whispered to Ginny beside him.

Amycus turned back to the desk and looked down at the frog. He raised his wand and cast a spell no one had expected.

“Crucio!”

The frog twisted and let out a terrible cry.

“Do you see how powerful this curse is?” Amycus said with admiration.

Some students covered their ears. Others froze in shock. Amycus lowered his wand and looked at them.

“Now it’s your turn,” he said as if he was asking something ordinary.

The room fell silent.

“He can’t ask us to do that,” Neville whispered, leaning towards Ginny.

Amycus’s eyes fixed on him at once. “Longbottom. You. Stand up.”

Neville’s face turned pale. His knees shook as he got to his feet.

“Bring your wand and come here,” Amycus ordered.

Neville’s eyes went to the twitching frog. Reluctantly, he stepped out of his seat and walked to the desk.

“What are you waiting for?” Amycus hissed.

Neville lowered his head. After a pause, he whispered, “I… I can’t.”

Amycus narrowed his eyes. “What did you say?”

Neville looked up, meeting his gaze.

“I can’t do it,” he said again, this time with more strength.

The whole class held its breath.

Amycus’s voice rose in anger. “You don’t want me to repeat myself, boy. Do it. Now.”

Neville tightened his grip on his wand. His eyes flicked to the frog. “No.”

Amycus’s face turned red with rage. “So disobedience is what we teach here?”

He pointed his wand at Neville’s chest. “Crucio!”

Luna gave a small scream.

Neville fell to the floor, writhing in pain.

“You’re hurting him!” Ginny shouted, jumping up.

A cruel smile spread across Amycus’s face. “That’s the point.”

Neville gasped and twisted, falling to his knees. Amycus looked around the classroom without lowering his wand. “The first thing you should know… is that this curse causes pain. But if it goes on…” He looked down at Neville. “The victim can lose their mind. Your family knows that best, don’t they, Longbottom?”

Neville clenched his fists. His parents had lost their sanity to the Cruciatus Curse.

When Amycus finally lowered his wand, Neville collapsed like a rag doll. Luna rushed to his side, trying to hold him up.

“A productive lesson,” Amycus said coldly. “Now you know what happens if you refuse. I don’t think you will make that mistake again.”

He left the classroom without another word. The students crowded around Neville.

“Are you all right?” Luna whispered.

Neville could not answer.

“We need to get him to Madam Pomfrey,” Ginny said quickly.

Two large boys lifted him by the arms.

Lorien came out of the Divination classroom and saw Amycus in the corridor. His hair was a little out of place. “Good day, Professor,” he said almost cheerfully.

Lorien frowned. A chill spread through her. Moments later, she saw the students coming out. Their faces were pale. Some were wiping their eyes. Two carried Neville between them.

“What happened to him?” Lorien cried, horrified at Neville’s white face.

A Ravenclaw girl stepped forward, voice shaking. “Amycus told him to use the Cruciatus. He refused… so Amycus used it on him.”

Lorien froze. McGonagall and Slughorn rushed over, having just come out of their classrooms. McGonagall bent to check Neville’s pulse. Her lips pressed into a thin line of fury.

“Unbelievable!” she cried. “Take him to the hospital wing! At once!”

As the students hurried away, Lorien’s anger boiled. She lifted her robes and stormed up the stone stairs. She shoved open the Headmaster’s door. Snape jumped at the sudden noise.

“You cannot enter like this, Lorien,” he said sharply. “Did you forget this is the Headmaster’s office?”

Lorien had expected him to scold her.

“Amycus!” she burst out. “How dare he use the Cruciatus on a student!”

Snape’s face tightened. “Cruciatus?”

“Yes! Longbottom refused to torture an animal!” she shouted. Her fury spilled out at Snape, though the image of Neville’s pain would not leave her mind.

Snape stepped closer, his voice low. “Do you see now? Do you see how cruel they are?”

“That’s not the point,” Lorien snapped. “You can’t call that teaching. It’s nothing but torture!”

“They can. Voldemort told them they could do anything. As long as they don’t kill a pure-blood, they can give whatever punishment they want.”

“So we just stand by?”

“Stay out of it,” Snape warned. “I will deal with him.”

He searched through a drawer and pulled out a small blue bottle. He handed it to her.

“What is this?” Lorien asked.

“A potion for the wound in his soul. Give him some. It will help him recover.”

Lorien turned the bottle in her hands. She had seen it before.

She was twelve, in her second year. That year she had lost her father and discovered her gift for prophecy. She felt hollow, as if her happiness had been drained.

She carried guilt that tore her apart, believing she could have saved him. She stopped listening in lessons, stopped eating, stopped talking to her friends.

Sometimes she hid in Myrtle’s bathroom and cried silently. When she looked in the mirror, her eyes were red, and she avoided everyone.

One afternoon, she dragged herself out of the bathroom and sat at the edge of the Great Hall. She put her head down on her books. The sound of laughter made her want to scream. She closed her eyes, trying to rest. Her hand knocked against something, and she heard a faint clink.

A small blue glass bottle sat by her books, with a note.

“Take a sip when you feel sad.”

Lorien spun around, but no one was there. She grabbed the bottle and rushed outside.

At one of the tables, Snape sat reading calmly. He looked so composed that she had not believed it was him.

“So it was you,” Lorien said, her eyes shining.

Snape raised an eyebrow. “I beg your pardon?”

“When my father died… someone left this potion on my desk. It was you.”

“I don’t remember,” Snape said flatly. But she was sure she saw the corner of his mouth twitch.

“You have no idea how much it helped,” Lorien admitted.

Snape straightened a little, pride flickering. As she turned to go, he called after her.

“Don’t tell anyone it was me.”

“Don’t worry,” Lorien said with a smile. She walked away, knowing he was smiling too.

Back in the hospital wing, Neville lay staring at the ceiling. Lorien cleared her throat so he would know she was there.

He tried to sit up. She sat beside him. “How are you? Any better?”

“Do you know what hurt the most, Professor?” Neville whispered. “I finally understood what my parents must have felt… when they lost their minds.”

Lorien’s throat tightened. She took his hand. “I wish you never had to go through this.”

Neville bowed his head.

“Your parents would be proud of you,” she said softly. “Not everyone would stand up to a Death Eater.”

A weak but true smile spread across Neville’s face. “Do you really think so?”

“Of course,” Lorien said. She pulled the bottle from her robes and handed it to him.

“I brought you something. But it must stay between us.”

Neville turned the bottle in his hands. “What is it, Professor?”

“It’s a potion for the soul. A sip will make you feel better.”

Neville flushed slightly. “Thank you, Professor Evergreen.”

Lorien rose with a bittersweet smile and left.

The next morning at breakfast, the Carrows sat laughing. The other teachers kept their distance. Lorien chose the empty chair beside Snape.

“Good morning, Headmaster,” she said formally.

Snape inclined his head.

Lorien’s eyes moved to the Gryffindor table. Neville was back with his friends, laughing. His face looked brighter.

He noticed her and gave a small, thankful smile. Lorien returned it. Then she saw her sleeve had slipped, the marks on her arm showing. She pulled it back quickly and glanced at Snape.

He calmly cut his food, not looking up.

Lorien let out a quiet breath and turned to her meal.

At sunset, she turned a corner and saw a dark figure moving fast, his cloak billowing behind.

“Professor Snape,” Lorien said, slowing down. “How nice to see you in the corridors again.”

Snape glanced at her briefly. “Evergreen, I am busy. Come to my office after lessons. We need to arrange the students’ schedules.”

Lorien thought it was just an excuse. Since when had he cared about Divination timetables?

His cloak swept away down the corridor. Lorien thought of the blue bottle and smiled.

Near midnight, she pushed the office door open. Snape stood by the window, hands behind his back.

“How polite,” he said dryly. “You managed not to break down the door this time.”

Her cheeks warmed. She held out a stack of papers.

“Leave them on the desk,” Snape said, glancing sideways.

She placed them next to his teacup. But she knew that wasn’t why he had called her.

“There is one more thing,” Snape said. “Open that bottle.”

On the desk sat a dark glass vial. She hesitated, then unscrewed the cap.

“Two drops,” Snape said, eyes never leaving hers. “In the cup.”

His calm tone left no room for argument. She let the drops fall. Ripples spread across the tea. “What is it?” she asked.

“Veritaserum,” Snape said evenly. “If you don’t answer truthfully, you will drink it. That would be simpler, Evergreen. But for now, I will trust you.”

“I am a professor, not a student.”

Snape leaned closer, hands on the desk.“And I am the Headmaster of this school…” he replied. “Or are you going to object? To whom?”

A smug smile crossed his face. He enjoyed reminding her of his power.

What if he lost his temper? What if he sent her to St Mungo’s?

Snape straightened again. “Now, Miss Evergreen,” he said sharply. “Start with the marks on your arm.”

Chapter Text

Year: 1997

Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

“It’s not right to force me to tell you anything,” Lorien said.

Snape reached for the bottle on his desk and twisted the cap open. “If your secrets concern the safety of Hogwarts, they belong to me,” he said, his eyes glinting dangerously. “One drop of Veritaserum, Miss Evergreen. I can always tell when you’re lying.”

“Promise you won’t send me to St. Mungo’s—or report me to the Ministry,” Lorien said helplessly.

Snape’s patience was wearing thin. She could see it. There was no escape now.

“I interfered with the deaths I foresaw,” she whispered, “and… the marks are from that.”

In two strides, Snape was in front of her. He seized her arm and pulled back her sleeve. Dark stains covered her skin. A mix of fury and horror crossed his face.

“Explain,” he said through clenched teeth. “Whose deaths did you prevent?”

“Cedric’s,” Lorien forced out.

Snape’s eyes sharpened. “I knew you were meddling around that tent,” he said. “Go on.”

Lorien hesitated, dreading the next name. “Sirius Black,” she whispered. “I saved him—because of my visions.”

Snape’s eyes turned darker still. “For Black?” he hissed, his voice like venom. “You risked yourself for that arrogant fool?”

His fingers tightened around her arm. Lorien didn’t dare move.

“I thought it was a coincidence,” Snape went on, his tone cutting. “But you actually did it—knowing the cost. How blind are you, Lorien? How utterly reckless?”

“I couldn’t let it happen,” she said weakly.

He grabbed her other arm and saw the same marks. “How many more?” he demanded.

Her lips trembled. “Two more. Dumbledore and Moody. But… Dumbledore doesn’t know. I didn’t tell him.”

Lorien felt herself shrinking under his gaze.

“You think you’re a hero? These marks aren’t medals. They’re proof of your foolishness. You should’ve reported it at once.”

“I was scared,” Lorien whispered, tears forming. “I went to a healer.”

“Oh, a healer,” Snape said with a sneer. “And what miracle did they prescribe?”

“She told me to use a mix—dried sunflower petals, lavender, and silver dust.”

“Utter nonsense. Do you think lavender will cleanse dark magic?”

He jabbed a finger at her arm. “This is no common curse. It won’t fade with herbs and wishful thinking. You should have come to me.”

“You’re scaring me,” said Lorien.

“You should be scared,” Snape replied, letting go of her arms and striding toward the fireplace.

“Don’t send me to St. Mungo’s, Severus,” Lorien pleaded. “I’ll do anything.”

Severus turned his icy gaze on her, but before he could speak, Phineas Nigellus’s voice echoed from the portrait.

“Headmaster, your foolish little cubs have caused trouble again. Someone wrote ‘Dumbledore’s Army Lives’ on the walls. The Carrows have already started questioning a few students.”

Snape’s shoulders tensed. “Just what I needed,” he muttered. “Go back to your room, Evergreen. We’re not finished with this.”

Lorien nodded quickly. As Snape swept out of the office, she felt a wave of relief that the matter had been dropped at least for now.

On her way back, she tried to see what was happening in the corridor. Huge letters on the wall spelled “Dumbledore’s Army.” Alecto and Amycus Carrow were standing before it, cornering a few terrified students. Others stood frozen, holding their breath.

“Confess, or you’ll get another Cruciatus, Longbottom!” Amycus shouted, pointing his wand at Neville’s face.

“What’s going on here?” Snape’s voice cut through the tension as he appeared, his cloak billowing behind him.

“They’ve been scribbling on the walls,” Amycus said angrily. “Looks like someone’s trying to call for rebellion.”

“And we’re about to find out who,” added Alecto.

Snape moved slowly, scanning each student’s face before speaking in a cold, measured tone.

“Whoever did this will face the severest punishment,” he said, eyes narrowing. “And anyone involved will be found — and dealt with.” Then he turned to Ginny and Neville. “You two. My office. Now.”

They bowed their heads and followed him.

“EVERYONE BACK TO YOUR DORMS!” Amycus bellowed. The crowd flinched, whispers died, and the corridor emptied in seconds.

Lorien slipped away unnoticed and hurried to her room. They had made it through the night unscathed. She was just about to sit on her bed when a sudden high-pitched voice behind her made her jump.

“Professor Lorien!” squeaked a high voice.

Lorien spun around, but no one was there. When she lowered her gaze, she met a pair of wide, anxious eyes staring up at her.

“Dobby didn’t mean to scare you, miss,” the house-elf said, wringing his hands.

“Dobby!” Lorien clutched her chest. “You nearly gave me a heart attack! How did you even get in here?"

Dobby bowed his head. “Dobby has brought you… a very secret letter, miss!” he said, holding out a sealed envelope with both hands.

“A letter? From who?”

“From Sirius Black,” Dobby whispered.

Lorien took the envelope quickly, as if afraid someone might snatch it away, and tore it open at once.

“Dear Lorien,

I hope this letter reaches you safely. I thought I could trust Dobby—at least to find you.

That night, everything went out of control. For a while, I thought you’d been caught… maybe even tortured. I’m glad you’re still alive and—well, safe. If that’s what one can call it. I’ve been keeping an eye on what’s happening at Hogwarts. The thought of you living under the shadow of those bloody Death Eaters makes me sick.

As for us… the kids are here, safe with me. They don’t tell me everything, but I know they’re looking for something—objects of some sort. They even asked me about a necklace once. The ugly thing I threw away months ago. I don’t know why they want it, but I’m trying to figure it out. For now, we’ve agreed to a silent truce. I don’t bother them, and they pretend I don’t exist. For now.

By the way, how are the marks? Did that Healer’s recipe work? I hope so—otherwise, I might have to make another visit. To be honest, I could use an excuse to escape for a while. And I’ve got good news: Tonks is pregnant. I know you’d want to see her, and I don’t plan to leave you there forever. If I can send Dobby with a letter, I can find a way to get you out of Hogwarts too. If he fails, I’ll find another way. Don’t worry.

— Padfoot.”

Lorien couldn’t allow that. Even if she managed to escape, she didn’t want to imagine what would come after. It wouldn’t only put Snape in trouble; it would destroy the last bit of trust he had in her. She decided to write back at once.

While she was thinking, she noticed Dobby still standing by the door.

“Please, sit down. Don’t just stand there,” she said kindly.

Dobby jumped onto the bed and started swinging his legs, humming to himself.

Lorien began writing, but after a few lines she tore the parchment and threw it aside. She couldn’t tell Sirius about what was really happening here—how the Carrows tortured students, how she walked around without her wand most days.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” she said, reaching for another piece of parchment.

Dobby was gently rocking where he sat, wearing layers and layers of clothes that made him look quite ridiculous.

“You like clothes, don’t you?” Lorien asked with a faint smile.

“Dobby loves clothes!” the elf said eagerly. “Free Dobby can choose his own socks now!”

“You can take a few from my wardrobe if you like.”

Dobby’s eyes widened. “Really, miss? Dobby… Dobby is most grateful!”

He jumped off the bed and ran to the wardrobe. When he opened it, he stared inside as if it were full of treasure. Lorien smiled and returned to her writing.

“Dear Sirius,

You can’t imagine how much I miss you all. Please tell Tonks I love her. I’m sorry I can’t be there. I wish I could, but you know it’s far too dangerous. I know you’ll take this lightly, but I mean it. If I disappear, Hogwarts will fall into chaos—and I can’t let that happen. So please, don’t make a scene.

The rumours about the Carrows are true. Let’s just say these are not pleasant times. They’re not easy to deal with. I see the fear in the students’ eyes every day. Sometimes I feel like I can protect them, sometimes I feel completely helpless. But I have to keep going.

I miss you too. I’m counting the days until we meet again. But that day isn’t today.

Take care of yourself and behave.

– Lorien Evergreen.”

Lorien looked up and saw Dobby still rummaging through her wardrobe. At last he turned, holding up a sock embroidered with a Christmas tree.

“Can Dobby take this one, miss?” he asked, eyes shining.

“Of course,” Lorien said.

“Dobby is grateful!” he cried, pressing the sock to his chest.

“That’s all you need?” Lorien asked.

Dobby nodded so fast his ears flapped.

“Give this to him,” said Lorien, handing over the letter. “And don’t forget to bring me news.”

Dobby took the letter carefully in both hands and tucked it between the many layers of his clothes.

“Dobby will bring news, Dobby won’t let you worry, no, never!”

Then with a soft pop he disappeared.

Lorien glanced at the mess of clothes he’d left behind. With a small flick of her wand, everything flew neatly back into place.

Sirius smiled as he finished reading her letter.

“Behave, huh?”

He took a sip of his whiskey. The word alone made him want to rebel. But under those two words, he could feel her worry.

“Maybe…” he muttered, leaning back in his chair, “just this once.”

But deep down, he knew he wouldn’t behave—not until he saw her again.

The following night, Lorien was called to Snape’s office again.

“Have you decided what to do with me?” she asked quietly. There was no point pretending—his mercy was all she had.

“Not yet,” Snape said. “But first, sit down. We’re going to find out what those marks mean.”

Lorien glanced at the pile of books on the desk.

“Both of us?” she asked, surprised. “For me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Snape said, folding his hands behind his back. “If you’d rather go to St Mungo’s, be my guest. Otherwise, start reading.”

She nodded and said nothing. Together they pored over half a dozen books that night, but found nothing useful. Lorien didn’t mind. Every failed attempt meant another night together.

They met again the next evening. Snape worked in silence, every move precise. It wasn’t exactly pleasant, but being near him—close enough to hear him breathe—brought her a strange sense of calm.

As the firelight filled the room, Lorien lifted her eyes from the page. The dancing shadows made his sharp features look even more striking.

He ran a finger down the page, reading line by line. She caught herself smiling at the thought of him working so hard for her.

“Get back to work, Evergreen,” he said without looking up. So, he had noticed.

“I didn’t think you’d bother this much,” Lorien admitted softly.

“Are you proud of that?” Snape raised an eyebrow. “You’re clearly getting bored. Perhaps St Mungo’s would be more stimulating.”

“Can’t even make a joke around you,” she muttered, turning back to her book.

Hours passed. The words began to blur together. Her head was heavy, her thoughts tangled. She imagined him reaching for her, pulling her close, kissing her—then scolded herself for even thinking it. She rested her head on her arms for a moment… and drifted off.

Snape hadn’t learned this much about prophecy in years. When he turned a page, he noticed she had fallen asleep. A lock of hair had fallen over her face. She looked peaceful unlike the stubborn woman who had argued with him all day.

His breath caught.

“Focus,” he told himself. But his eyes stayed on her. Being around her was a trap quiet, subtle, and impossible to resist.

“After everything you’ve dragged me through,” he murmured with a twisted smile, “you fall asleep like a child.”

He looked back at the book, reading the same line over and over:

“When visions are bound to a pure soul, the body remains in harmony. But when the soul is tainted, it begins to tear away.”

Pure soul… tainted… torn apart.

The words hit him like knives. He didn’t want to believe what they implied, yet the scars on her skin confirmed it.

Was she dying?

Lorien breathed softly among the books, her pale face warmed by the firelight. So alive, and yet so fragile. More fragile than ever.

Always talking, always defiant—that was the Lorien he knew.

What if those eyes never opened again?

Just like Lily.

He felt a familiar pain in his chest.

Chapter Text

Year: 1997

Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Lorien was on her way to her last class of the day. As she walked down the corridor, she glanced out at the Hogwarts grounds. The courtyard was completely empty; only Severus Snape was there. Students rarely dared to appear anywhere near him.

“Professor Snape,” she said quietly as she approached.

Severus turned his head. He didn’t seem surprised to see her. Folding his hands behind his back and went on watching the mountains. He seemed lost in thought. The view didn’t look beautiful. Dementors were everywhere, and Hogwarts looked like a sad, empty castle.

“We’re meeting again tonight at midnight, right?” Lorien asked, her voice showing a bit of excitement she couldn’t hide.

"No," said Severus. "I don’t have time for that anymore."

“That’s it? But… we haven’t found anything yet.”

A small smile crossed Snape’s lips. “You’re already tired. Go and rest,” he said. “But first, I need something from you.”

Lorien looked at him.

“What is it?” 

“I want your word,” said Severus. “You won’t make decisions alone and you won’t interfere with fate.”

“Oh, sure,” she said, brushing it off. Severus had never understood how prophecies worked.

Snape frowned. “I mean it, Evergreen.”

“Prophecies don’t work like that,” Lorien said. “I have to make choices in the moment.”

“Then your first choice should be not to meddle in anyone’s business,” said Snape.

Lorien was too tired to lie anymore. This time, she decided to be honest. “I can’t.”

Anger flashed in Snape’s eyes. Nothing good ever followed that look.

“A pity,” he said. “It seems age doesn’t cure stupidity.”

“It’s not stupidity—it’s courage!” Lorien shot back.

“The graves are full of brave people, Evergreen. Courage is the fool’s trade.”

His words stung, but she wouldn’t change her mind.

“Do not disturb me tonight,” Snape said finally. He turned sharply and walked away.

Days passed slowly. The Carrows were crueler than ever. New rules covered the walls, just like in Umbridge’s time. Neville was often punished. Snape was seen less and less.

On nights when she worried about him, Lorien would go out into the garden and watch his window. Most nights, the lights stayed on until morning. She could see shadows moving, but never him.

At first, she tried to ignore it—remembering his anger. But as days went by, she couldn’t convince herself anymore. She needed to know he was all right.

One night, she decided she couldn’t wait any longer. She grabbed her prophecy book from the desk, flipped through the pages, and found a random passage she could use as an excuse. Then she left her room.

She reached the Headmaster’s office and spoke the password. Nothing happened. She tried again. Still nothing. After a few more attempts, she realized the password had been changed.

Maybe he really didn’t want to see her. Or maybe this was his way of punishing her.

“Stay away from me, Snape. You’ll face me sooner or later,” Lorien muttered. She shut the book and walked back.

“Lumos,” Snape said, waving his wand in the dark cellar. He opened a small piece of parchment and checked the list of herbs. Once he made sure he had them all, he headed toward his room.

“Professor Snape!” a voice called.

He stopped. That voice—he knew it too well. Of course it was Lorien. No one else at Hogwarts would dare speak to him in that tone.

“Yes?”

“I can’t get into your office. You changed the password,” said Lorien.

Snape gave her a cold look. “That’s the point,” he said.

For a moment, he saw a flash of hurt in her eyes. He turned to go, hoping she’d understand.

“You’re acting like a child just because I told the truth?” Lorien called after him.

Snape stopped. His jaw tightened.

“A child?” he said slowly. “You, Evergreen, think the world bends around your choices. You listen to no one. You see nothing.”

No matter how much she learned, she never seemed to change. He knew she’d pay for it one day. Maybe it was time to tell her the truth though what good would that do?

“I see,” Lorien whispered, hurt.

“Unlike you, I don’t have the luxury to act like a child,” said Snape. “Or time to waste.”

He gave her a disappointed look.

♫ Duncan Laurence – Arcade

A few days later, Lorien was called to the Headmaster’s office. Either she’d done something right or she was in serious trouble.

The room wasn’t what she expected. The desk was covered with parchment, notes, and empty bottles. A cauldron was bubbling in the corner, filling the air with a sharp potion smell.

Snape turned toward her, holding a small vial. “Take this.”

Lorien frowned. “You want me to drink it?”

“Yes. Quickly,” he said, not taking his eyes off her.

Lorien hesitated but took the vial. She smelled it, then drank a few sips. It burned her throat with a sharp, bitter taste. A few seconds passed, but nothing changed.

“Well?” she asked.

Snape didn’t answer. He moved closer, grabbed her arm, and pulled up her sleeve. He looked at the marks on her skin. No change. His brows drew together.

In that moment, Lorien understood. He’d been trying to make a potion for her. The lights that stayed on until morning—the silence—this was why.

Snape went back to his desk and shuffled through the papers. Then he threw them aside and leaned forward, thinking hard.

“What am I missing?” he muttered to himself.

“You love me,”

Lorien's voice echoed in the room.

Snape slowly turned toward her. “You’re imagining things,” he said quickly. “I’m doing my job.”

But he didn’t meet her eyes. His gaze moved to the portraits on the wall.

“Is it really that hard to put your pride aside and say it?” Lorien asked.

“You understand nothing,” Snape snapped. “Pride...”

Lorien stepped closer. “Look at me, Severus. Look into my eyes and tell me you don’t love me.”

Snape frowned and looked at her. For a moment, he seemed about to speak, but didn’t.

“How could you ever believe you’d be happy with someone like me?” he said sharply. “Do you imagine a peaceful home, little witches and wizards running around? Do you even know how this ends? There’s no happy ending in my story, Lorien.”

“Why not?” she asked, her voice trembling. She was still searching for the man who had kissed her beneath the Astronomy Tower.

Snape walked around the room, restless. Then he stopped and looked at her.

“This conversation is over,” he said coldly.

Lorien didn’t move back. “I don’t want you to change. I just want you to be honest for once in your life.”

Snape fell silent. His eyes locked on hers. He took a few steps closer.

“Do you really want this?” he asked in a low voice.

Lorien’s heart raced. She opened her mouth to speak but a sound outside made her freeze. The door creaked. Snape pulled away at once, his face turning cold again.

Amycus stepped in, wearing that awful smirk.

“Did I come at a bad time, Professor Snape?” he asked, his eyes flicking between them.

Days passed slowly. The Carrows had grown crueler than ever toward the students. New rules were being hung on the walls, just like in Umbridge’s time. Neville was often punished, sometimes even dragged before the Headmaster. Snape appeared less and less in public; his eyes were darker, his gaze colder. On nights when Lorien couldn’t stop worrying about him, she would sneak into the courtyard and look up at his window. Most nights, his office lights stayed on until dawn. She could see shadows moving inside but never him.

At first, she tried to ignore it, reminding herself of his anger—but as days went by, she could no longer convince herself everything was fine. She needed to know he was all right. One evening, she decided she couldn’t wait any longer. She grabbed her prophecy book, opened to a random passage, and used it as an excuse to see him.

She walked to the Headmaster’s office and spoke the password, but nothing happened. Thinking she had mispronounced it, she tried again. Only after several attempts did she realize it had been changed.

Did he really not want to be disturbed? Or was this his way of punishing her with absence?

“Stay away from me, Snape,” she muttered, “but you’ll have to face me sooner or later.”

She slammed the book shut and stormed back down the corridor.

“Lumos,” Snape said quietly, waving his wand in the dark cellar. He unfolded a scrap of parchment and looked through a list of depleted herbs. Once certain he had everything he needed, he glided through the corridor toward his office.

“Professor Snape!” a voice called behind him.

He stopped. That voice—of course. Lorien. No one else at Hogwarts dared speak to him in that tone.

“Yes?” he said coldly, turning around. He knew he wouldn’t be returning to his office right away.

“I can’t get into your office. You changed the password,” Lorien complained.

Snape’s face stayed blank. “Yes,” he said flatly. “So you wouldn’t.”

For a brief moment, he saw something like hurt flash across her face. Snape hoped she would take the hint—if she had truly learned her lesson, she’d let it go.

He turned to leave, but her voice stopped him again. “So you’re going to act like a child just because I was honest with you?”

Snape froze. His temper began to rise.

“Like a child?” he repeated. It was one of those rare moments when he struggled to keep control. And, as always, she was the reason. “You, Evergreen, think the world bends around your choices. You listen to no one. You see nothing.

No matter how much she tried, she would never learn. One day, she’d pay dearly for it. Perhaps he should tell her the truth—though what good would that do?

“I see,” Lorien whispered, her voice tight.

“Unlike you,” Snape said sharply, “I don’t have the luxury of acting like a child—or the time to waste on it.”

He gave her one last, hard look before walking away.

A few days later, Lorien received a summons from the Headmaster. Either it was good news—or she was in real trouble.

The office was not what she expected. Papers, notes, and empty bottles covered the desk. A cauldron simmered in the corner, filling the air with a sharp potion scent.

Snape turned toward her, holding a small vial. “Take this.”

Lorien frowned. “You want me to drink it?”

“Yes. Quickly,” he said, not taking his eyes off her.

She hesitated, sniffed the potion, then took a few cautious sips. It burned her throat with a sharp, bitter taste. Seconds passed, but she felt no change.

“Well?” she asked, waiting.

Snape didn’t reply. He stepped forward, grabbed her arm, and pulled back her sleeve. The marks were unchanged. His frown deepened.

Then Lorien understood. He had been trying to make a potion for her. The long nights, the silence—it had all been for this.

Snape turned back to the desk, flipping through the papers before slamming them down and leaning heavily on his arms.

“Where am I going wrong?” he muttered to himself.

“You love me,” Lorien said quietly. Her voice echoed in the room.

Snape lifted his head, turning slowly toward her. “You’re imagining things,” he said quickly. “I’m doing my work.”

But he couldn’t meet her eyes. His gaze wandered to the portraits on the wall.

“Is it really that hard to put your pride aside and say it?” Lorien asked.

“You understand nothing,” Snape snapped. “Pride, really?”

Lorien stepped closer until she stood right in front of him.

“Look at me, Severus. Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t love me.”

Snape scowled, studying her face. For a moment, she thought he might say it—but he didn’t.

“How could you ever believe you’d be happy with someone like me?” he said, his voice rising. “Do you think we’d live peacefully, raise little witches and wizards together? Do you have any idea how that story ends? There’s no happy ending in my world, Lorien.”

“Why not?” Lorien asked, her voice trembling. She looked helpless, still reaching for the man who had kissed her once on the Astronomy Tower.

Snape shifted uneasily, pacing across the room like he was searching for an escape. At last, he stopped and faced her.

“This conversation is over,” he said coldly.

Lorien didn’t move. “I’m not asking you to change. Just try being honest with yourself, for once.”

Snape was silent. His eyes locked on hers. Then he stepped closer. “Do you really want… this?” he asked, his voice low and rough.

Lorien’s heart pounded. She parted her lips to answer but before she could speak, the door creaked open. Snape instantly stepped back, his face turning back to stone.

Amycus entered with his usual wicked grin.

“Bad time, Professor Snape?” he asked, his eyes darting between the two of them.

Chapter Text

Year: 1997

Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Lorien had no idea what happened after leaving the office that night. Severus hadn’t mentioned a word about it, yet she still trusted him; he always found a way.

After a long day of lessons, Lorien stepped out of her room, heading down to dinner.

As she walked along the cold stone corridor, she heard raised voices ahead. The sound twisted her stomach; she knew that tone all too well. She stopped, then followed the noise.

A moment later, she was horrified.

Two students stood beneath the words “Dumbledore’s Army” on the wall. Blood was running down Neville’s face as Amycus raised his wand and swung it like a whip, forcing Neville to stumble back from the hit.  

Lorien’s heart sank. Before Amycus could strike again, she stepped forward and threw herself between them.

“Enough!”

“Move aside!” Amycus barked. “This doesn’t concern you, Professor!”

“They’re just children!"

“This is your last warning, or you’ll regret it!”

Lorien didn’t move.

“No one in this school defies the Dark Lord’s orders!” Amycus raising his wand, but it froze midair.

“Stop, Amycus!”

Snape’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade.

He strode down the corridor, cloak billowing behind him.

“Maintaining discipline at this school is my job,” Amycus hissed through clenched teeth.

“Discipline for students, yes,” Snape corrected coolly. “But I am responsible for the professors.”

His gaze snapped toward Lorien.

“Professor Evergreen,” he said sharply. “We’ll discuss your future in my office. Now.”

Silence filled the corridor. All eyes turned to Lorien. Cold fear ran down her spine. She could only hope his words were a bluff.

“S-sorry, Professor,” Neville stammered.

Lorien closed her eyes briefly, a silent gesture of forgiveness.

Snape’s eyes flicked to the wall, then to Neville’s face. “You two, clean up this mess,” he ordered icily. Then he turned and swept away, Lorien following close behind.

With a flick of his wand, Snape sealed the office door. He spun around like a storm breaking loose and gripped Lorien by the arms.

“I told you not to draw attention to yourself, Evergreen! I told you again and again not to get involved!”

Lorien met his eyes. “How could I just stand there while he beat those children, Severus?”

“It’s only a matter of time before Amycus figures it out,” he said, his expression hard as iron.

“Then punish me,” Lorien said quickly. “Make it look real. Make them believe it.”

“No punishment would ever erase their suspicion.”

Snape clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace. After a few moments, he spoke without looking up.

“Maybe it’s best if I send you away.”

Lorien’s eyes widened. “You can’t do that, Severus!”

His face didn’t soften. “You’re making things more complicated here. If you go home, you’ll be safe.”

Lorien caught his arm. “Then punish me any way you like, but don’t send me away. Please.”

He looked at her, startled by her tone. “I’m trying to protect you, Evergreen. Why would you want to live under the Dark Lord’s rule?”

“Because if I leave,” she whispered, “I’ll never see you again.”

They stared at each other for a long moment. Then Severus turned away toward the portraits.

“I don’t know how we’re going to survive this,” he said quietly. For the first time, there was a trace of worry in his voice.

That night, Lorien received her first official warning. One more act of defiance, and she would be dismissed from Hogwarts entirely.

This was Severus’s last chance for her, and she swore to herself she’d never cause trouble again.

The next day, Lorien tried to ignore the Carrows’ hostile stares. She saw nothing, heard nothing, interfered with nothing. And after that, no student dared cause any more problems.

At the end of Divination class, as the students filed out, Neville lingered behind.

“Um, Professor,” he began awkwardly, walking up to her desk. “I’m sorry you got in trouble because of me.”

Lorien smiled. “Don’t be sorry, Neville. You were brave, truly brave. Just as a Gryffindor should be.”

Neville’s eyes brightened at the word brave.

“But you’re also putting yourself in danger,” Lorien added. She decided to share the kind of wisdom Severus often gave her but could never give the students.

“You know who the real enemy is. Everyone else is just a pawn. Showing your courage won’t help anyone right now.”

Neville lowered his head, thinking. Then he spoke in a low voice.

“I used to hate him,” he admitted. “He mocked my parents. But you’re right. I’ll keep my head down from now on.”

“I understand,” Lorien said gently, resting a hand on his shoulder. They walked out together, but the peace of that moment ended the instant they saw Amycus Carrow standing in the corridor, watching them with raised eyebrows.

“Go,” Lorien whispered.

Neville hesitated.

“Everything’s fine, Longbottom,” she repeated firmly.

Neville gave her one last look, then walked away.

“So you’ve been warned,” Amycus said with a grin. “What a pity. I was hoping you’d be expelled.”

“You must be very disappointed,” Lorien replied evenly.

Amycus chuckled and stepped closer.

“I do wonder what you did to convince Severus. A young, pretty woman must know how to get into his head. Maybe you could show me sometime, hm?”

Lorien froze, rage flooding her chest. “What are you talking about?” she said through clenched teeth. He was trying to provoke her, trying to make her lose control. Only Snape’s warning kept her from striking him.

“Or do you only prefer higher ranks?” he sneered.

“How dare you speak to a woman like that?” Lorien said, her voice low and shaking.

Amycus smirked. “Careful, Professor. We all know what happens the second time.”

He walked off, grinning wickedly, leaving Lorien trembling with fury.

Celestina Fairbloom, one of the portraits along the corridor, had been watching silently from the start. At Lorien’s unspoken request, she moved from frame to frame, heading straight to Severus’s office.

Headmaster’s Office

Snape stood before Dumbledore’s portrait.

“You asked to see me,” Amycus said, giving a half-hearted bow.

“Close the door,” Snape ordered.

Amycus obeyed, then turned back.

“I’ve heard some rather unpleasant rumours,” Snape said softly. “Care to explain?”

“I’m not sure what you mean,” Amycus said, feigning innocence. “Could you be more specific?”

“You made some vile remarks to Professor Evergreen.”

“She’s lying, Headmaster, pure slander!”

“No,” said Snape calmly. “Miss Evergreen said nothing. Others heard you.”

The false innocence drained from Amycus’s face. He lifted his chin, eyes hardening.

“Perhaps discipline should start at the top. Maybe the Dark Lord should hear about your relationship with the other professors.”

He turned toward the door.

Before he could take another step, Snape raised his wand. Amycus’s body seized in agony, muscles twisting violently. As he collapsed to his knees, Snape stepped forward, voice low and deadly.

“How dare you threaten me?”

Amycus shook his head in panic. “You misunderstand, I didn’t mean—”

“Oh, I think you did,” Snape said quietly. “Tell me, Amycus, how does it feel to writhe in pain like this? Like the pig you are.”

Amycus screamed, but Snape’s face didn’t change. It wasn’t anger, it was calculation, the settling of an old score only he understood.

“As for your precious report to the Dark Lord,” Snape continued, his tone almost polite, “I admire your loyalty. Though I do wonder, what would your sister Alecto say if she knew you were the one who killed your father?”

Amycus’s eyes went wide. “How, how did you—”

Snape’s mouth curved faintly. “How do I know?” he asked, circling him slowly. “I know everything.”

“P-please, stop—”

“I’m sorry, what was that? Speak up.”

“Please, enough!”

“Not quite. You’ll listen to me, Amycus. You’ll never touch another student or Lorien again. And if you tell a single soul what happened here tonight…”

He leaned close, voice low and venomous.

“…I’ll be the one to stop your breath while you sleep.”

“I, I won’t! I swear!”

Snape lowered his wand. “Get out.”

Amycus crawled out like a wounded dog.

Left alone, Snape turned toward the portraits.

“Tell Dumbledore the plan’s working. Ask if he’s found anything new on Alecto.”

“I’ll find out,” said Dumbledore’s portrait, rising from his chair. He stepped through the frame and vanished.

The Forest

Harry missed the days when they’d been safe at Grimmauld Place. He even missed Sirius hovering over them like a restless shadow.

He touched the shard of mirror in his pocket; knowing Sirius was out there somewhere gave him comfort.

The three of them had managed to track down the locket’s location and get it back, though not by any sensible plan. But they couldn’t return to their old hideout; Yaxley must have found it.

Right now, Harry’s only thought was of Sirius. As soon as they reached the forest, he pulled out the mirror.

“Sirius, if you can hear me, get out of there. You’re not safe.”

The mirror’s surface stayed dark for a moment, then Sirius’s face appeared.

“What’s going on, Harry? Where are you?”

“We’re fine,” Harry said quickly. “Just move now, before they find you.”

Sirius’s image flickered, then vanished completely. Harry put the mirror back in his pocket and never took it out again.

In a way, that was for the best. It was hard enough hunting Horcruxes without distractions.

Now Harry stood guard outside the tent, a cold wind whipping around him, the cursed locket heavy around his neck.

“You must be freezing,” Ron said, stepping out of the tent and handing him a steaming cup. “Want me to take the watch?”

“Thanks.”

Harry took the cup, warming his hands around it.

Ron sat beside him. For a while, neither spoke.

“How d’you reckon things are at Hogwarts?” Ron asked.

“No idea,” Harry murmured, Ginny’s face flashing through his mind.

He took a sip of tea and froze. In the distance, something was shining.

“Someone’s coming,” Ron said. Harry set the cup aside. The light grew brighter, blinding, silvery.

“What is that?” Ron whispered.

“A Patronus,” said Harry. Its wings shimmered as it flew.

Then Harry’s breath caught. “It’s Dumbledore. I told you, Ron, he’s alive!”

Ron frowned. “Pretty sure his Patronus was a phoenix.”

The creature’s wings were wide, but its shape wasn’t quite right. Still, Harry wanted to believe.

“No one else could’ve found us out here,” he said.

The silver bird circled above the river, then swooped down, its light glinting on something half-buried in the water.

A gleam of silver. A sword.

Chapter Text

Year: 1998

Book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Snow lay thick against the window, turning the world outside white. Yet Hogwarts didn’t feel like Christmas that morning. There was no glittering tree, no cheerful laughter echoing through the Great Hall.

Still, Lorien wore red, just as she did every year. When she entered the Hall, she was ready for the Carrows’ poisonous glares but Amycus didn’t even look up. He simply turned back to his plate. That was strange.

The only person she wanted to see wasn’t there. Severus’s chair sat empty. Lorien decided she would visit him around noon. Gone were the days she could slip into Hogsmeade and buy a small gift, so she tucked a bottle of sleeping draught into her robe pocket instead.

When she reached the Headmaster’s office, she knocked softly. No answer. She pushed the heavy door open. The room was empty. Books and parchment were scattered across the desk. Curiosity got the better of her.

One scrap of parchment listed potion ingredients. Others were covered with crossed-out notes and messy formulas. Then her eyes caught an open book on prophecy. Several sentences were underlined again and again, with small notes scribbled beside them.

Still working on me, she thought, and a smile tugged at her lips. Then she read the underlined line:

“When visions are bound to a pure soul, they remain in harmony with the body. But if the soul is stained, the body will begin to reject it.”

Just below it, in Severus’s handwriting:

“Are the marks a sign of prophecy… or of death?”

Lorien’s smile slowly faded. Her fingers brushed the words, tracing them. Her chest tightened. Her eyes lingered on one word longer than the rest—death.

“Evergreen,” Severus’s voice snapped behind her. “What are you doing in my office?”

Lorien jumped.

He was already moving toward the desk, clearly trying to block her view of the papers.

“I—I came to give you something,” she stammered, almost forgetting why she’d come at all. She pulled a small bottle from her robe and held it out to him. “I made this for you.”

Snape looked at her suspiciously. “What is it?”

“It’s Christmas,” Lorien said softly. “Since I couldn’t buy anything, I brewed a potion instead.”

“You’re not planning to kill me, are you?”

Lorien gave a nervous laugh. He didn’t.

“I just thought you might not be sleeping well,” she said, lowering her gaze. “This will help you rest.”

Snape studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable.

“An unexpected kindness,” he said finally. “Very thoughtful, Miss Evergreen.”

“I wish I could give you something better.”

“This will do,” he replied, his tone softer now.

“Then… I should go,” Lorien murmured, turning toward the door.

“Happy Christmas, Miss Evergreen,” Severus said quietly. “And… thank you.”

Her hand froze on the doorknob. Her eyes burned, but thankfully he couldn’t see.

🎧 Amira Elfky – Tonight

She spent the rest of the day alone in her room. The same words kept echoing in her head:

When visions are bound to a pure soul... But if the soul is stained...

Echoes of death… or whispers of prophecy?

As the sun went down, she pulled out a bottle of wine she’d hidden in her trunk and poured herself a glass. If she really was going to die, how long did she have left?

Ten years?

Five?

Or would it happen sooner than Dumbledore himself?

It wasn’t fair. She hadn’t lived at all.

She filled her glass again and drank it in one go. Warmth spread through her chest. Her thoughts began to blur, but another part of her one that refused to sit still started to wake.

She caught her reflection in the mirror.

“Are you going to spend your life locked in this room, Evergreen?” she whispered. “Go live a little.”

Without thinking, she grabbed the bottle and stepped outside. Her feet led her where they always did—toward Severus Snape.

She stopped at his door and knocked. When he opened it, his face wore the same tired, irritable look until he saw her.

“Evergreen,” he said, frowning. “What are you doing here at this hour?”

“I didn’t want to spend Christmas alone,” Lorien said.

His eyes flicked to the bottle in her hand.

“You’ve been drinking,” he said flatly. “You should go back to your room.”

Just then, Filch’s grumbling echoed down the corridor.

“Someone’s coming,” Snape muttered.

“Oh, come on,” Lorien whispered, pouting slightly. “Can’t two friends spend a little time together?”

“Get inside, before anyone sees you.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her into the room, closing the door behind her.

Lorien looked at the fire crackling in the fireplace. The room was quiet; a few books lay open on the desk.

“Not exactly a festive evening,” she said lightly.

Snape sighed and pulled out a chair for her.

“One glass. No more.”

Lorien smiled. “Deal.”

The fire crackled softly. Lorien took a small sip; the sharp taste burned her throat. Her eyes drifted to Severus, who hadn’t looked up from his book. The candlelight cast a soft glow over his face.

She smiled faintly.

At last, Severus closed his book and looked at her. “All right,” he said impatiently. “What do you want?”

Lorien turned her glass in her hand. “To look at you,” she said honestly.

“How do you get drunk from one glass?” he muttered.

Only then did she notice her glass was empty. She reached for the bottle, but he moved first. Their fingers brushed. Neither of them pulled away.

Time seemed to stop.

“Severus…” she whispered. “Is it true?”

“What is?”

“What I read. What’s going to happen to me? Am I going to die?”

His face hardened. “No,” he said sharply. “You’re not. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“If I am,” Lorien said softly, “then there’s one thing I want to do before I go.”

Before he could answer, she leaned in and kissed him. His body went rigid.

It was a gentle kiss at first, hesitant—but it deepened with every heartbeat.

“Lorien, stop,” he breathed. “You don’t know what you’re doing.”

“I do,” she whispered. “And I don’t want to stop.”

His hand came to her waist, caught between pulling her closer and pushing her away. “You have to.”

She smiled. “If you really wanted me to, you would.”

He didn’t answer.

For a heartbeat, Snape stopped fighting. Lorien’s hands slid to his shoulders, and his grip on her waist tightened. Her head spun. She reached for the buttons of his shirt, but he caught her wrists.

“Don’t test me, Evergreen,” he warned. “This goes no further.”

When he finally stepped back, his breathing was uneven.

“I should go,” Lorien whispered. At the door, she drew a shaky breath, trying to steady herself.

However life ended, she knew she’d never forget this moment.

A few weeks later, Lorien was getting ready for class when she heard a sharp pop behind her.

“Dobby, Merlin’s sake!”

“Dobby brings news, Professor Evergreen!” the elf squeaked.

Lorien set her book down. “What is it, Dobby?”

“Harry Potter and his friends are captured, ma’am!” Dobby cried.

Her face went pale. “Does Sirius know?”

“Yes, ma’am. Sirius Black went to save them. But—he went alone.”

“He’s lost his mind!” Lorien shouted. “We have to go before Bellatrix kills him.”

Dobby nodded nervously. “Dobby is ready, ma’am.”

Lorien grabbed a few potion vials from her desk, tucked them into her pouch, and pulled up her hood.

“Let’s go, Dobby.”

The elf held out his small hand. Lorien took it, closed her eyes and with a faint pop, they both disappeared.