Regulus' heart wedged in his throat at the prospect of interacting with other wizards for the first time in a month.

They'd spent the night in warm beds and taken hot showers—well-deserved.

The cup lay tucked deep in Lucy's bag, and she scanned the alley nervously.

"You all right?" Regulus said.

"Aye, of course. I mean… I'm behind ya."

"It's all right." Regulus touched her shoulder. "I know you talk a lot, but you never talk about what you're feeling. Maybe that's what you need to do to shake some order into that funny head of yours." He tapped her forehead.

"Heh. Thank ye… I'm… nervous, but I'm all right. Just… We'll be okay, right? The both of us?"

"Of course." Regulus picked up the phone.

"Please state your names and reasons for visiting the Ministry of Magic."

"Regulus Arcturus Black and Lucy O'Hara. We're here with important information about the war, but it's kind of important that not very many people hear it."

The machine rumbled quietly and spat out two badges—one apiece. Each had the title "War Spy" prominently displayed above their name.

"Yeah, better not wear those."

Lucy stuffed the badges in a pocket.

"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic," a woman's voice greeted them as they stepped in the elevator and began their descent.

The door opened to a room buzzing with people. No one took any notice of two teenagers.

"It's a maze," said Lucy.

"And this looks pretty calm."

"Where do we go from here? Who do we talk to?"

"The Auror's office, I suppose." Regulus took Lucy's wrist. "Come on." He pulled her toward the elevator but stopped short.

"What?" Lucy said.

"My uncle Alfredo was on that elevator," Regulus hissed and shoved Lucy back as the next opportunity to board arrived.

"What was it this time?"

"My cousin, Narcissa."

They missed yet another chance to board.

"Auntie Lisseta."

And again.

"That's grand cousin Damion," Regulus said.

"Are ye related ta everyone here?" Lucy said impatiently.

"Kind of…" Regulus bowed his head and led Lucy through the masses.

"What're yer family dinners like?"

"Huge, formal tea parties where they all sit around the table and drink tea. They use proper manners, talk politely, and never really say what they mean because they all hate each other but want to show how great and important they are. Oh, and they talk about how anyone not good enough to be at the family table is lowlife scum."

"That sounds borin'."

"I'd bet your family parties were real parties." Regulus smiled.

Lucy nodded. "Time for me dad ta play the violin… Is the coast clear now?"

"No." A pair of important-looking men stood talking nearby.

"We should have done somethin' about yer appearance before goin' in here," said Lucy. "Oh, look! Me Uncle Joe!"

Regulus followed her pointing finger and found a large man with thick, practical yet shabby robes. He wore a broad, straw hat that only allowed bits of his thin, orange hair to peek out. His beard matched his hair but grew thicker. Uncle Joe resembled a huge brick as he passed the men Regulus had one eye on.

"Why am I not surprised?" he muttered to himself. "Okay, now the coast is clear." He pulled Lucy to the open elevator, and the two pressed into a corner as a flood of people crowded in with them.

"I'm… so sorry," Lucy gulped.

"It's… it's okay," Regulus gasped as the elevator rose.

They made one stop, then two more.

"This is our stop." He and Lucy tried to squeeze out. "Excuse me. Sorry," Regulus mumbled as he bumped into several people.

"Excuse me. Excuse me, sir," Lucy echoed.

Regulus tripped—right into an exotic-looking Cuban woman. She lost her stack of papers.

"I'm so sorry!" Regulus apologized and tried to disentangle himself.

The woman stared at Regulus with a mix of fright and recognition.

"Are you an idiot?" the woman whispered.

"What?" Regulus said.

The woman's eyes turned to Lucy. "You two be quiet and stay with me." She grabbed Regulus' shoulder and Lucy's arm and pulled them toward her.

"Who—" Regulus began.

"That's not important. What is important is you two walking right in here! They're all looking for you," she hissed. "Keep your faces hidden."

The chain door opened again, and a couple of men passed them, leaving the elevator.

The woman pushed Regulus' and Lucy's heads down.

"Have we met?" Lucy whispered.

"Sort of," said the woman.

"Why should we go with you?" Regulus snorted. "I don't know who you are."

"I'm your best shot right now! You're in the middle of a viper's nest!" she whispered harshly. "Trust me for five minutes. I'm on your side! I won't let anyone shady know you're here."

"But people should know," Regulus said. "We have information—important information.

The door opened again, and the last three people stepped off the elevator, leaving Regulus and Lucy with the strange woman.

The door closed, and the elevator rose.

"You have information about Barty Crouch being an imposter?" She flashed a grin. "Don't worry. Lots of important people already know. At least, those not willing to throw you in a cell."

"How…?" Regulus said.

The woman tossed long, smooth hair over her shoulder and grinned. "Because I told them."

"But, how would you know?" said Regulus.

"Think about it, and I'm sure it'll come to you. Idiot."

"Ohhh! I get it!" said Lucy.

"Care to inform me?"

"You're animagi, aren't you?" Lucy said. "You were that parrot!"

Regulus' eyes bugged. "The one you rescued from Lestrange Manor!"

The woman's grin never faltered. "Lola Zeppaline, at your service," she said and pulled them closer. "Come, come! Hurry!"

"What are you—Where are we going?" Regulus tried to shake off her hold.

"To a place I can hide you until I can get you out. No one ever comes here! Well… except the person who owns the office, but you can trust him—honest!" said Lola.

"Wait a minute! You expect me to blindly trust you?" Regulus said.

"I trust her," said Lucy, who seemed sincere.

Regulus crossed his arms sourly. "I'll have both of you know, I don't trust her." He glared at Lola as they left the elevator. A moment later Lola shoved both Lucy and Regulus into a… broom closet? At least, it felt like a broom closet, but someone had shoved a personalized desk in here. It was messy but held an assortment of pictures of red-headed babies, laughing and crawling.

"Stay here," Lola ordered.

"Hold on! You can't just—" Regulus said.

"You can trust me," Lola said again. "I owe you my life. I didn't forget. Just… please, stay here." She hurried out and shut the door, leaving Lucy and Regulus in the dark, cramped room.

"Oh, for the love of—" Regulus drew his wand. "Lumos." Blue light bathed the space. "What kind of office is this? Must be pretty low on the Ministry's list of important people."

"Aye," Lucy said. "No doubt it's somethin' about treatin' lesser-intelligent or different creatures nicely."

"Good guess." Regulus picked up a picture. "Family of yours?" He indicated the red-haired children.

"Not that I know of," Lucy said. "Then again, me gran-dad seems ta be somewhat related ta all red-haired wizards out there—ya know, Prewetts and Weasleys—never met any of 'em though."

"We're all so in-bred," Regulus muttered.

The doorknob turned.

"Hide!" Regulus dropped the picture and dragged Lucy behind the desk. They got out of sight just before the door opened, and warm light filled the room. When the door shut, the light remained.

Someone took a few steps forward, and a pair of legs stood just on the other side of the desk.

Neither Regulus nor Lucy dared breathe as they clung to each other.

A scrabbling signaled the person on the other side of the desk was righting the dropped picture, then a foot rammed into Regulus.

Both teenagers gasped.

Silence.

A head peeked under the desk. It belonged to a red-haired man who looked to be in his early thirties. He had nice features, brown eyes, and a mustache. His eyes were wide with surprise.

Regulus and Lucy shrieked.

The man started too, and all three sat down hard.

Regulus fumbled with his wand and pointed it at the man. It shook in his grip. "I—I've got my wand. Don't make a sound!"

"Wait!" The man raised both hands. "Relax. Put the wand down. I'm not going to hurt you."

"How do I know?" Regulus squinted hard at him.

"I don't hurt people! If you're muggleborns afraid of the Ministry, I won't turn you in, I promise! Actually, I hope to enhance the relationship between muggles and wizards. Muggles are wonderful! And look, I didn't even draw my wand. It's right here, in my belt. I could have, but I didn't."

Regulus lowered his wand but didn't let it go.

"That's a start," said the man. "Now, who are you, and what are you doing in my office?"

"Lola shoved us in here," said Lucy, "She said we could trust this office's owner."

"Lola?" The man seemed confused as he raised both brows. "Oh, Lola. Yes, you can trust me. I'm Arthur Weasley. And you are?"

"Weasley?" said Regulus. "You're one of the families burned off the family tree."

Arthur's expression pinched.

"But I'm not with them anymore. I think I'm burned off it too… I'm Regulus Black."

"Well, I'll be…" Arthur said. "Then this must be Lucy O'Hara. I can't believe I found you!"

"Found us?" Regulus said.

"We've been looking everywhere for you!" Arthur offered a hand to help Lucy up. "Ever since you broke into Lestrange Manor."

"Lola told ya that, right?" said Lucy.

Regulus frowned. "You're not an ordinary ministry worker, are you? Who are you people?"

"Let's just say there are those who are trying to do something about the chaos-creating menace out there." Arthur gestured toward the door.

Regulus stood.

The office was tiny, especially with the three of them squeezed into it. Family pictures or muggle-related things occupied what little space there was.

"You really do like muggles," said Regulus.

"They're fascinating," said Arthur. "Can you imagine what cleverness it must have taken for them—to come as far as they have without magic? See, I believe, in some ways, they're at the front of society's evolution. They have to be. They have to be smart."

"True…" said Regulus. "And, yes, it is fascinating."

Lucy beamed and tapped excited feet.

Regulus frowned at her. "What?"

"Ye find muggles fascinatin'?" Lucy pointed at him. "Ye? Regulus Black? Of the great, pure, Black family? Ye're curious about them muggles?!"

"Shut up." Regulus blushed. "It's nothing to yell about."

The door opened and a rough-looking man with wiry gray hair and an out-of-proportion body stood in the doorway.

Lucy and Regulus gasped and ducked out of sight.

"Alastor Moody!" Arthur started. "Don't startle me like that."

"Well, I say," said Moody. "It really is them."

Two young people—a man and a woman—appeared at Moody's back. They both stared at Regulus and Lucy. "It's them! It's really them!"

"Longbottom! Weatherfield!" Moody snorted. "I told you to stay out of this!"

The two shoveled Moody into the office.

"Alice, dearest, you're frightening them," the young man—Longbottom—said.

"I just can't believe we found them," Alice said.

"Hey!" Lola scurried in before Longbottom shut the door. "Are we having an Order meeting I wasn't invited to?"

It's a wonder anyone can breathe in here. Regulus squeezed out from under the desk and sat on it, knocking over whatever was in the way.

Lucy did the same along with Alice—who'd already tripped over Arthur once and would have hit the floor if Longbottom hadn't caught her.

"Longbottom, Weatherfield, Zeppaline, get out!" Moody roared. "We can't collect here. What if we're discovered?"

"I just wanted to meet the kids," Alice complained.

"I can't get out," Longbottom said as he struggled to turn around.

"I was the one who found them. You can't send me away," Lola protested.

"I can't breathe!" Arthur gasped.

If that wasn't enough, another man—older, broad-shouldered, with gray hair—slipped into the office. "O'Hara! Black!" he thundered.

"Johan! What the devil are you doing here?" said Moody. "Move back!"

"I need to speak with Black and O'Hara," Johan growled. "Now!"

"We all need to talk to them," Arthur shouted over the din.

"You don't understand." Johan sneered.

"This is just like you—all high and mighty. Even though I'd never heard of you until six months ago," said Moody.

"And in those six months, might I remind you," said Johan, "I've given you more results than anyone in the history of the Order?"

"Do you have the slightest idea what's going on?" Regulus whispered to Lucy, his shoulder jammed against hers.

Lucy shook her head. "Please, don't leave me."

"Same for you." Regulus swallowed hard.

"What're you doing?" said a tall, young, dark-skinned man as he leaned into the packed office.

"Kingsley." Moody rolled his eyes and sighed.

"You people need to split!" said Kingsley. "Right now! Yaxley smells a rat. He's coming!"

That was all it took to empty the office.

"What do we do with the kids?" said Alice. "We can't let Yaxley find them."

"We're not kids!" Regulus protested, secretly happy Lucy was holding his arm tightly so they wouldn't be separated in the tumult.

"I'll take them." Johan grabbed Regulus' other arm and pulled him and Lucy out.

Lucy's grip was worse than Johan's. "Lucy, please." Regulus gritted his teeth against the pain as Johan tugged them down several halls. When he finally got a glimpse of Lucy's face, she looked tormented. "What?"

"Yaxley," she said in a trembling whisper. "He said Yaxley."

"And?" Johan sneered. "What's so important about him?"

"He…" Lucy shook. "He… killed me dad. I—I should—" her voice darkened, "I should kill him."

Johan shoved them into a room and shut the door. "Indeed, you should. It would be your right, wouldn't it? But are you willing to pay such a price, little miss? Becoming a murderer?"

Lucy bit her lip, ashamed.

Regulus took her shoulder as Johan peered into the hall.

"Hide in the closet," Johan demanded. "Use a chameleon charm."

"Oh, I've got something better." Regulus took the silvery cloak from his bag.

Johan glanced at the cloak with a glimmer in his eye. "A valuable object," he said as Regulus threw it over himself and Lucy and huddled in the corner.

Nothing happened for some time. Johan kept peering outside silently. Then Johan sprang toward his desk and picked up a pen. When the door opened a moment later, it looked like Johan had been working for some time.

Yaxley and two others stood in the door. "Hmph," Yaxley snorted.

John didn't flinch.

Regulus sensed Lucy's tension double.

"Hmph humph!" Yaxley grumbled louder.

John looked up. "Oh," he said almost lazily, as if Yaxley were an easily dismissible pest. "Didn't see you there, Yaxley."

Yaxley gritted his teeth. "I have orders to search all offices on this floor."

Johan raised a brow. "So, now we're supposed to hide muggleborns in these broom closets? Well, have a look." He waved a hand around the tiny office. "Shouldn't take long, even for one with a head so thick as yours."

Though the office was small, it was bigger that Arthur Weasley's. And bare. Searching it would take a single look.

Apparently, Yaxley had something against Johan personally, and he stomped in and threw over the

desk with no other motive than to make a mess.

Regulus held his breath as Lucy shook. He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it. Don't do anything rash… Please, don't, he silently begged as Lucy's shaking worsened.

He closed his eyes as Yaxley scowled and Lucy's tension built.

She's trying so hard. Regulus recalled the time Severus was kidnapped at Hogsmeade. Lucy had sworn like Regulus had never heard. Then, at the muggle village. She was the type to lose her temper when things heated up. Maybe it's her mixed blood—but it's hard to tell.

Yaxley was inches from them, now. Maybe, if they stood still, they'd have a chance. If he would just turn around…

Lucy's fist connected with Yaxley's ugly face and sent the stunned Death Eater on his back. Lucy almost threw herself after him.

"No!" Regulus grabbed Lucy and held her back as the cloak fell off, revealing them both. "Control yourself!"

"Let me have him!" she shouted. "Let me have them all!"

"In here!" Yaxley bellowed from the floor. "They're in here! Johan, you're dead for this!"

Johan flicked his wand at Yaxley who, without verbal warning, didn't have time to shield himself. He was blasted through the room and out the door.

"That's more an inconvenience to me than an actual threat." Johan snorted before his eyes landed on Lucy. "But I still have inconveniences. Any slight inconvenience for me might mean death for a dozen others, miss." He grabbed Lucy's arm, eyes burning into hers. In one swift motion, he scooped the invisibility cloak from the floor and hauled Lucy from the room and toward the elevators, Regulus behind them.

Already several people chased them. Johan skillfully shielded them and blasted several unfortunate passersby.

"Hurry!" Arthur Weasley shouted as he held an elevator door open. All three jumped in and Arthur slammed the door closed. The elevator descended.

"How do you plan to get out?" Arthur asked Johan.

"I'll hope they haven't reached the main floor yet and take the fireplace," Johan hissed.

"No good." A gray parrot with pink tail feathers squeezed through the moving elevator's chain door. "They're already there. You must continue all the way to the cellar levels." The bird spoke in perfectly understandable human language.

"Lola?" said Regulus.

"Wow…" Lucy said.

Lola ignored them. "Dumbledore is on his way. Maybe he's already in the building. We contacted him the moment we found Regulus and Lucy. He wanted to take them back to Hogwarts."

"Doubt that'll help much. Arthur, if anyone asks, I had you under an Imperius curse," said Johan.

"But all they'll have to do is throw a tracer spell and they'll know I never had the curse on me."

"Well, it's time to make up for that, isn't it?" Johan flicked his wand at Arthur. "Imperius."

The elevator stopped—not at the cellar, but the entrance hall—and an unwelcoming committee waited for them.

At the front of the group stood a man with silver-blond hair and blue eyes. An imposter. "No use pretending," Barty Crouch Sr.'s double said. "We have you. Come out."

"Stay close," Johan whispered to Regulus and Lucy. "Do exactly as I say. Especially you." He poked Lucy's shoulder so hard she yelped.

The chain door opened, and Regulus, Lucy and Johan stepped out. Arthur was oblivious due to the spell, and Lola—still in her parrot form atop Arthur's shoulder—pretended the same.

Johann pushed Lucy and Regulus in front of him.

Fake Crouch grinned in satisfaction. "Seems we've caught a Death Eater mole hiding spies."

Regulus clenched his teeth. You're the mole—and the spy—not us. Well, not me or Lucy.

"Seems so," Johan said.

"Aurors!" Fake Crouch said. "Take them."

An idea struck Regulus. It was insane, but it was all he had. I don't want to end up in Azkaban. And what would they do to Lucy if they classified her as a beast? He shivered. And we have a Horcrux. They can't see or touch that under any circumstances. He drew his wand and pointed it at Crouch. "Revelio!"

Fake Crouch stopped short. Onlookers gasped as his blond hair turned dark, his skin pale, and his frame thin. His eyes were… red.

Regulus almost dropped his wand. Lucy stood with eyes and mouth wide. Even Johan stiffened. He'd anticipated something, but not this… not this at all. This was… Lord Voldemort himself.

The man's slender face sported high cheek bones, and by most standards, he should be considered handsome, but like at the mansion, something about him was dreadfully wrong. Only now did Regulus realize what it was. He only has one seventh of a soul!

"Well, that was an unfortunate turn of events," said Voldemort. "Twice now you've succeeded in hitting me with a spell, little man." He squinted at Regulus. "This time you spoiled my recreation. Maybe I should thank you. It was becoming boring." Voldemort licked his lips. "But you will not walk away alive this time."

Johan stepped forward, wand raised. "I think we should put that to the test."

"Now that I've been revealed, fair is fair, isn't it?" Voldemort flicked his wand at Johan, and the ministry worker's appearance changed too. He grew from shorter than Regulus to a few inches taller. His tight, broad frame thinned, and gray hair turned raven black. Wrinkled skin smoothed.

Another gasp tore through the audience, and Regulus almost shouted his surprise.

Lucy screamed.

Johan was Severus Snape. And he didn't flinch at being revealed.

"Severus," Voldemort said. "Now, that is a surprise. I knew Johan was a fake. Why else would he insist on constant occlusion? But you?"

"Likewise," Severus said, tone even. "I knew Crouch was a fake, but had I known it was you, I wouldn't have hesitated to expose, or, better yet, kill you while you weren't looking."

"That's so anti-climactic. Not very heroic at all," Voldemort said.

"If it gets the job done," said Severus. "I honestly don't care."

"You would have made quite the servant, or dark prince. I should feel regret about killing you, but as you so frankly put it, if it gets the job done." Voldemort shot a spell at Severus. He reflected it.

The Ministry employees stood aghast with no idea what to do or say.

"Severus!" Dumbledore, in a long, blue robe, stepped in front of Severus to reflect the next spell Voldemort cast. "Get out of here, and keep them safe, whatever you do!"

"Not now, old man!" Voldemort hissed at the Headmaster. "I'll deal with you later." In a rush of anger, he tried to go for Severus. Dumbledore blocked him.

"Go!" Dumbledore insisted again.

Severus was already pulling Regulus and Lucy into the elevator with Arthur and Lola.

The last thing Regulus saw as the door closed was Voldemort and Dumbledore locked in magical combat. A few came to Voldemort's aid, but Regulus didn't see anything else.

Severus faced them with dangerous eyes.

Neither Regulus nor Lucy could find words.

Lola returned to human form and broke the silence. "I don't believe it! All this time! All that lecturing me about war and whatnot, and you're younger than me?!" She pointed at Severus.

"That the Dark Lord himself was exposed twenty feet from you, and age is what you complain about seems to showcase your maturity level," Severus retorted.

"Sev… Seve…" Lucy stuttered.

"And if I hear one more word from you, I swear, I'll hex you into next century! You two have created plenty of trouble for one day!" Severus said.

"Hey! I exposed Voldemort!" said Regulus.

"Please. I could have done that anytime," Severus snorted. "The plan was to watch him and find out who his contacts were so we could take all the Death Eaters infiltrating the Ministry at once."

"It's still better than being taken in," Regulus muttered.

"Even that we had under control. There are multiple Order of the Phoenix members with the Aurors. They would have been able to smuggle you out. I can't promise you that now. You made a terrible mess of things. You've moved from causing me inconvenience to creating disaster. I'd have thought better of you, Mr. Black," Severus sneered.

Regulus wouldn't have thought it possible, but Severus' words sent his heart plummeting into his stomach. Lucy looked ashamed too.

To add to the mess, Arthur was waking up and starting to focus. "Who…?" He looked at Severus in confusion. "Who are you?"

"It's Johan. He turned into a young guy," said Lola. "Unfortunately, it didn't help that much with his looks—and less with his personality. His charms are still intact though." She rolled her eyes.

"He what?" Arthur said. "Johan?"

"Severus Snape, actually. And before you get confused, Johan never existed. He was mine and Dumbledore's invention."

"You cursed me," Arthur accused.

"And you'll be able to see your wife and children this evening. I think that evens things out," said Severus as the elevator stopped.

Cold crept into the car and ice hit their lungs.

Lucy paled and clutched Regulus' arm. "D-Dementors. Why Dementors?" She looked like she might cry.

Regulus sucked in a breath. "I don't know," he whispered and tried to lock away his emotions.

"There's nothing for it. We have to find a fireplace," said Severus as he dragged them from the elevator. "Lola, Arthur, stay behind. You're much more valuable in the Ministry than on the run." He rounded a corner and lost sight of them.

"Severus, we're running toward the Dementors!" Regulus said.

"Which is exactly why we probably won't run into any Ministry people," Severus hissed. He flicked his wand. "Expecto Patronum!" Silver fog escaped his wand.

"You can't cast a Patronus?" Regulus said disbelieving.

"Lily sure sounded like ye knew how," Lucy said.

"I used to be able to!" Severus threw more silver fog around them.

"How can you forget how to cast a Patronus?" Regulus said.

"I don't know!" Severus bellowed. "Why don't you two do something to help?"

"Can't do magic. I'm sixteen," said Lucy.

"What? Why on earth would you bring a sixteen-year-old?" Severus hissed at Regulus. "Besides, it doesn't matter. You're in the Ministry of Magic. They already know you're here, and even if they didn't, there's too much magical interference to trace you. Get your wand out!"

Lucy screamed and held her head in pain—a consequence of the Dementor's proximity.

"A sixteen-year-old… Seriously?" Severus huffed.

"I don't care how old she is, I'm glad I brought her." Regulus drew his wand.

Lucy still held her aching head.

"Excuse me for not sharing the sentiment." Severus sent out another silver fog, and another as they forged ahead, but the fog did little to help them. The Dementors' cold closed in closer and closer.

Voices echoed in Regulus' awareness—so close. A girl's scream, her disappointment. Pen would be… so disappointed…

With his silver mist Severus fought back one of the robed creatures.

Lucy clutched her head, face twisted, though she refused to cry. "Regulus!" She grabbed his collar, animal eyes panicked. "Cast a Patronus! Make it stop! Make the voices stop!"

"I can't cast a Patronus. I don't know how!"

"Try!" Lucy begged as she fell to her knees, screaming in agony.

Regulus watched Severus cast his silver fog. "It's not the memory. It's the feeling connected to the memory—something you can always rely on," he muttered the instructions before swearing to himself. "It can hurt so terribly much, but it's so strong you know it will never leave you."

"Regulus, how could you?" Penelope's voice rang in his head. "How could you do that to me? I trusted you… I loved you. I hate you now! I hate you!" Regulus opened his eyes. That wasn't the real Penelope… She would never hate me… She'd be disappointed in me, but hate? Never. She didn't even hate the Hufflepuff who treated her so badly. She didn't hate Severus for turning so cold. She didn't hate the Marauders for their bullying. Pen literally never hated anyone.

The memory of when he first fell in love returned… She didn't know, but she found out, and her reaction… that blush, her nervous fingers… "You're my friend, Regulus," she said. I was disappointed then. All I could say was, "Oh, I see." Then she grabbed my hand and said, "If it should be anyone, I would want them to also be my friend—someone I can rely on. Wanna go with me to Hogsmeade?"

Those memories with Pen were so warm, even in this hopeless situation, he could still smile. He waved his wand. "Expecto Patronum!" Out shot a silver bullet. It zoomed in circles, pushing the Dementors back. "Hah!" Regulus laughed triumphantly.

"What… is that?" Lucy let go of her head.

"It's Penelope!" Regulus declared in triumph. "She's come to help us! Like she always does! She's here, and she's saving us all over again!" He said as the bullet slowed and proved to be a little blue bird. It scared away the Dementors before it circled Regulus then rushed the Dementors again. It was so tiny it could easily have fit in the palm of his hand, but that didn't seem to bother the little bird. It happily scared Dementors away despite its size.

Even Severus stopped to watch the blue bird for a moment before his frown returned. "Hurry up!" he motioned them through the hallway and toward another room.

They rushed into the room and quickly started a fire in the fireplace.

Severus took green powder from a pouch in his pocket and handed it to Regulus. "To 221 Green Road, Oxford. Go!"

Regulus didn't waste any time. He threw the powder in the fireplace and shoved Lucy ahead of him as he yelled the address.

Lucy disappeared.

Regulus threw himself after her.

They spun and hurled through the floo back to safety.

One Horcrux found, one fake Minister of Magical Law Enforcement exposed, one Severus Snape found. He can say what he likes, but I've done a pretty good job. Regulus exited into a living room.

A little girl with blond hair and yellow eyes grabbed Lucy by the robe collar, threw her to the ground, and sat on her middle. "Who are you?! What are you doing here?!"

"Who are you?" Regulus challenged.

The girl sneered at him. "I'm asking the questions. What are you doing here?"

Regulus held up his hands. "Severus sent us—Severus Snape."

The girl's eyes narrowed, but she crawled off Lucy.

Regulus rushed over. "You all right?" he said as Lucy gasped for air.

"Aye. I just… got surprised is all." She sat up but didn't stand.

The girl was tiny and skinny. She wore a nice, cotton dress. It looked new. She was clean and smelled of soap, but there was something odd about her—the unnaturally yellow eyes. Her teeth seemed normal if a bit sharp. But why? Is she a half breed like Lucy? But what kind?

Lucy cleared her throat. "I suppose we got off on the wrong foot. I'm Lucy." She touched a hand to her chest. "And this is Regulus," she gestured to him. "Who are you?"

The girl stood straight—as tall as her tiny frame could muster. "Evelyn."

"Evelyn. Wow, that's a pretty name." Lucy tucked one foot under the opposite knee, but stayed on the floor, below Evelyn.

Evelyn snorted and crossed her arms. "What're you doing here?"

"Severus told us to go here," said Regulus. "I'm sorry. Are you some sort of…" He stared at her yellow eyes. Yeah, that's not normal… at all.

"Seriously, Regulus?" said Lucy.

"I'm a werewolf," Evelyn said.

Regulus stiffened.

"You got a problem with that?"

"No-no." Regulus tried to hide his shaking.

"I'm one fourth troll," Lucy chimed in, then pulled her hair behind one ear. "See?"

Evelyn frowned at Lucy's ear and bright hair then returned her attention to Regulus. "Is that why you're here?"

"No," Lucy said.

"It's complicated," Regulus added. "We need to wait for Severus, right?"

Evelyn glared at them again. "Don't make a mess," she said as she left the room.

Regulus and Lucy exchanged glances. What now? What was Severus doing?

Severus ran faster than should have been possible.

This cloak—it's James', but why did Regulus have it? He pulled it closer around him. Not even Dumbledore noticed his presence. This isn't a standard invisibility cloak. He sneaked to a better position, nearer the bout between the Headmaster and the Dark Lord.

Deadly green and red lights shot in all directions as onlookers screamed and ran for cover.

Dumbledore, you old fool! You're weak from putting on that cursed ring. You shouldn't have come! I can handle your weakness better now, but that doesn't change the facts.

Severus reached the open room, still filled with screaming people all trying to get out at once.

Albus Dumbledore dodged and cast spells deftly. You'd never guess he's over one hundred.

Voldemort cast one spell after another—all the same green hue—Avada Kedavra. He doesn't care who he hits—bystander, Ministry personnel, or his own people. He just wants Dumbledore.

Dumbledore gasped and grabbed his hand as he fell to the ground. He hissed, clutched his heart.

Voldemort grinned.

"Poor, old fool," Voldemort said. "Your time ended long ago."

Dumbledore slowly met Voldemort's red gaze.

Severus—still out of sight—froze, hand around his wand. Then realization came. This was how it was always going to end… Dumbledore knew before he stepped in. This was his choice. If I step in now, it will all have been for nothing.

There was no hate in Dumbledore's eyes, only pity for Voldemort. "Oh, Tom, you think you're the first… There have been others like you—who thought they could control history—live forever."

Voldemort's eyes narrowed.

"You might think you've figured it out—that you'll pave the way for your future greatness, but you've only set yourself up for suffering and failure," Dumbledore said.

"What do you know?" Voldemort sneered. "You old fool."

"More than you might think. I too was young once. This won't bring you peace or happiness, Tom. You'll only suffer," Dumbledore said.

Voldemort snorted and raised his wand. "You know nothing. Avada Kedavra!"

A splash of green rammed into Dumbledore's chest. The old man's blue eyes shot wide, then he fell backward, limp as a rag doll. Dead.

Severus turned away. There's nothing I could have done. He chose this… so Regulus, Lucy, and I could escape. Of course, he did… leaving the burden on someone else again. Severus, still invisible under the cloak, walked away.

Regulus and Lucy sat quietly on the couch as the fire shone green and Severus stepped out. Evelyn instantly went to greet him. "Severus, you look—like yourself."

"Unfortunately," Severus muttered. "Evelyn, pack your bag. We're leaving. Now!"

The little girl zipped out of the room.

Lucy gaped. "Where're we goin'?"

"On the road. It's impossible to tell which locations are compromised. The wild is safer. And I won't hear a single complaint about tents from either of you."

"Actually… we've been sleeping on the ground for weeks. We're fine," said Regulus.

"We need a safe place?" said Lucy.

"Yes," Severus said. "But those are hard to find—especially with a bloody werewolf among us! Of course, it's bloody full moon in two days. We need to find a place that's warded, where she can transform and not hurt others. We can't use this house's basement anymore."

"Wards?" Lucy said.

"Yes, you simpleton," Severus snarled.

"What about… me parents' old farm? It's… it's empty. Both me parents were killed. There aren't any other houses for miles, only forest and farmland. And the whole area is magically warded so magical creatures can't escape into the wild… Because, ye know, we bred and raised lots of magical animals. Some of 'em could even fly."

Severus stopped and turned to Lucy.

"Not only is the area warded, the house is too, so magical creatures can't get inside. If she transforms in the field, she can run free, but can't get into the house," Lucy said.

Severus frowned. "How strong are the wards?"

"Strong enough ta hold a snallygaster."

Regulus furrowed his brows. What's a snallygaster? Should've listened better in Care for Magical Creatures before I ditched it in fifth year.

Severus nodded. "Take us there, but don't make us floo directly. If there's a village nearby with an inn, take us there. We'll walk the rest of the way."

"I understand," Lucy said as Evelyn returned with a packed bag slung over her shoulder.

Regulus smiled a little. "See. We'll be all right."

Severus sneered. "You fool. Because of you, Dumbledore had to step in to distract Voldemort. He saved your life! Even when he knew it would cost his."

Stunned silence.

"W-What?" said Regulus.

"Dumbledore is dead!" Severus snarled. "And it's because you two had to be idiots! Now, be useful and take us to that farm! We haven't time for this. We must go now, or Dumbledore will have died for nothing!"

Lucy swallowed hard as she took a handful of green floo powder.

This… can't be real… But the way Severus said it… it has to be. Severus never jokes, and certainly not like this… Regulus' mind swam as Lucy tossed in the powder.

Edited by Dtill359