Checkmate, darling

Dancing was comfortable and something she truly loved. It was one of the lessons her parents insisted on her taking, and one of the few she truly enjoyed. Helena found it easy to sway with Severus to the rhythm as they chatted. “The feeling is entirely mutual,” she admitted, smiling as she added, “Don’t let anyone hear you say that or they’ll think you’ve gone soft,” she teased. Love was never a weakness in her eyes, but her greatest strength. Lily had been a testament to that, and Helena found that it was something worth living by. 

Humming softly, she nodded, “I think that certainly could have been good as well, but I think we’ll make do with just this. It’s still fairly early in the campaign season. You’ll have time to do a bigger and more open one. I’ll help push that particular idea along,” she offered, giving him a smile. It would be good for them to do another one in the future, but this was a good first run. Smiling, she smiled, “That answer tells me almost everything I need to know,” she mused. 

“It will. I think between the three of us, we’ll run this country back to where it should be. We’ll all make a good team,” she offered, knowing full well that Severus was the brains behind Rodolphus’ campaign. 

Severus chuckled, shaking his head at her as if the notion of going soft was a ridiculous one. He did love, but very few, cared about even less, and was willing to betray anyone if he had to. “Have I? I’m not blind.” “You are an angel, Helena,” he said with a chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say you don’t belong here in this cage of snakes, but I never underestimate a Rosier.” “Oh? Do you want to run the country, Helena?” he asked, mostly teasingly, but also curious. “What would you change if you could? What would be the one thing you’d want better in the Wizarding Community?”

Shiver’s ran up and down Rita’s body. She bite her lip and closed her eyes as the words brushed her ear. It was a weakness of hers, being praised by a man of power. “Mmmhm,” Rita hummed softly in acknowledgment. 

Rita opened her eyes in a sudden movement as Severus pulled back. She blinked blankly at him. “I wasn’t “going after him”. If you so say. I just wanted his two cents.” She bit her lip as he spoke about Sirius and Marlene. Her heart sank to the bottom  of her stomach. She hadn’t known Sirius and Marlene were serious or even a thing. Tears began to swell in her eyes, she swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked. “I…I had no clue…” She squeaked. Rita’s eyes trailed off to the ground, after the comment she couldn’t shake Sirius being with Marlene. 

“Huh? Oh,” Rita looked at him again. “Yes, I guess. It will be good for her.”

Severus saw the perfect opportunity and with it, he took it. “Are you crying? Sirius Black or Marlene McKinnon? Either one aren’t worth your tears,” he said looking down at her, stopping their dance and raising an eyebrow. “Would you like to take a walk?” he said, offering his arm to her.

Bellatrix was not a patient woman. She wanted it all. To be able to adore him publicly and to have the kind of love that is only spoken of in fairytales. She supposed she did have that, however, the kind of love she had dreamed of since she was a child. Even if it had to be hidden in the shadows. Bella supposed that hidden or not it did not waver their love for one another. As long as she had him at her side, she supposed she could wait a while longer. “Come home,” she said, voice hushed as she pressed her lips to his, however briefly, “I suppose if you can let go of my mistrust I can wait in the shadows for a while longer.”

 Bella shot a look over his shoulder. Backing away from him only a little once she noticed someone coming their way. In a moment’s notice, her demeanor shifted. Her shoulders pushing back and her gaze hardening ever so slightly. But only enough so he could still see the softness and longing that they held for him. “Others are saying that Rodolphus’ speech was boring,” she said, quickly changing the subject, “Do you think we were too repetitive in our word choice?” 

Straight spiced rum, with two cubes of ice, slowly melting sat in the glass before her. She carefully circled the glass with her hand, her index finger running across the patterns that were carved into the glass. It was a whiskey glass usually; having been incorrectly selected by the bartender, but Thea didn’t mind. She sipped her drink, letting the spice hit the back of her throat. Thea had always coveted the burn of a strong liquor as it slid down her throat. It reminded her to keep her wits about her, it reminded her of life. She glanced to him, letting a smattering of confusion carefully press against her features. Very deliberate, very deceiving. Enough to be registered but nothing of consequence; in absolute reaction to his murmur of where she ‘really’ worked. To say; I don’t understand what you mean by that at all, seeing as we just spoke her liasing tips, but I’ve had too much to drink to query or worry about it. But, oh, she liked that mischief. Almost enough to note make a mental note to watch herself around him. Instead, following the micro-flash of confusion, a chuckle escaped her lips.

“Friendly, Severus, sounds entirely appropriate for this evening,” she replied. “So tell me, what is your favourite Greek Myth?” she asked.

“Friendly it is, I am to be cordial after all,” he said with a smirk, taking a long drink from his glass he mulled over her question. What to say? What to admit? Choosing a certain story meant saying too much, so he was simple. “I do quite like the story of Persephone and Hades, though there are so many different versions...” he trailed off. “What about you?”

As he chuckled, a fond smile formed. She was grateful that he could take a look at it. Lily was focused on the other pieces of the case, as minor as they might be. Still, this was important, and she was too focused on her potential theories to be entirely sure her results were non biased. Severus knew more about potions than anyone else she knew, and Lily could trust that he’d give an answer that was factual. She could bank on him to figure out what she was missing. It didn’t help that Lily was running off of less sleep than usual, but she would worry about that later. 

Her eyebrows knitted together, “A potion you’d inject? I’m going to have look over the autopsy again to see if there were any track marks detected,” she murmured. Taking the offered vial, she took another smell, this time looking for the muggle substances, and smelt it. Lily’s nose scrunched up as she nodded, “Muggle substances indeed. Yes, most likely a half-blood or muggleborn, because most people wouldn’t know what to do with those chemicals,” she mumured, before giving him a rueful grin, “Easy to miss, but given that I am partially a muggle I should have caught it. Thank you, truly, you just prevented me a massive headache, and I think I might have just solved my case,” she admitted. 

It was nice to be trusted. To be heard. To be sought out because he knew what he was doing and not told apologies for mistakes that could have been avoided has he been listened to. He hadn’t realized how annoyed he was at Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and most of the deatheaters until that moment. It felt like a waste of his potential and time. This didn’t.

“You might need a muggle pathologist, a wizard might miss them,” he said leaning back on his desk, a smug but playful smile on his face as she spoke. “I’m happy to help, I’m true to my word. Especially to you. Call it a sentimentality for training you,” he said with a chuckle, placing his hands in his pockets as he watched the gears in her head begin to work towards the case. She was very bright, he’d always thought that of her, but as she grew, she truly grew into her looks. She was... well... Beautiful. “It’s easy to miss, Lily. I’m glad you came to me. My father was a chemist,” well drug dealer, close enough. “So I learned some things from him. I’m also a half-blood, or do you forget?” he teased.

Giving a sharp nod, she murmured, “Just since James’ death,” knowing that it was pointless to lie to him. Lily had thought she’d had a handle on them, or at the very least, didn’t expect that she’d have one in front of anyone. “Got a potion you’d recommend other than a basic calming potion?” she asked, slowly making her way towards the car. Giving a contemplative hum, Lily commented, “That makes one of you. I’d say I’m sorry for ruining your event, but the information we got was worth it.” It didn’t give her peace, but knowing what happened certainly helped. 

Severus had helped them; the question was why. 

Nodding, she did as he directed and offered him the passenger side. Lily grabbed the water bottle out of her center console and popped it open, before laying down. Holding it so that she could drink out of the straw, before responding, “Thanks.” Lily listened closely, and she raised her eyebrow minutely. Nodding softly as he spoke, she gave a soft hum, “Well I’m glad you think so, because I’m certain we will, especially if you’re truly willing to help us.” Lily knew better than to underestimate the Death Eaters, but she also knew that it was game of chess more than anything else and she’d always been good at thinking several steps ahead. “What kind of help are offering, Sev?” she asked, looking at him directly. 

“Hm,” he hummed, nodding once. It made sense. He hadn’t really kept track of Lily since graduation, let alone James, but he remembered they were inseparable. He supposed when people cared that much it must be hard to move on or worry that someone else would die the same way—Suddenly. Without warning. There was an uncomfortable feeling in his gut knowing that he’d let it happen, but war was war. Losses were to be expected. “Yes, therapy. Support. Books. Potions and medication help, but it’s not the root of the issue, you need to deal with that if you want to end it.”

“And what information was that, exactly?” he asked, moving into the car and sitting, turning to look at her, feeling strangely comfortable. It’d been years since he’d been in a car.  “I have conditions, if I am to help you,” he said tapping his fingers on the seat, his eyes never wavering, still and calm as they looked into hers. Looking into them, he knew he was making the right decision. “For one, I don’t want Helena harmed. Rodolphus would be nice too, but considering his position, I don’t expect it, but I’d like time to work on him to bring him to this side. Added to that, of course, my own survival and power should Kingsley take over—A seat on the Wizengamot, a good one, not one of the lower ones. I also expect my council to be heard, once you’ve decided I’m trustworthy, which I am—Most of the time,” he stated, a grin growing on his lips. “In turn, I’ll help you bring the Deatheaters down, and make sure Rodolphus doesn’t get the seat of Minister. I’m deep inside their side, and I can give you not just information, but plans. Not to mention I am a potions master, and one of the best Obliviators and Legilimens our age. And of course, there’s that Werewolf potion I’ve been working on. I imagine your friend Remus would improve with it.”

The most difficult aspect of her position in the war, was that she truly had family on both sides. She might have made a family out of Regulus and his family, but Helena was not so pitiful as to pretend that she didn’t have her own on this side as well. Evan and Rodolphus had been there for her since she was born - protecting her and shielding her when they could. With them came Severus, and he had quickly fallen into a similar position. He was not only kind to her, but supportive as well. Helena cared for him in return, knowing that there was genuinely some good in him. 

Smiling softly, she shook her head, “I told him he didn’t have to come, though it’s Regulus; he always opts to come with me. I always tell him how much I appreciate it though. It makes the night more enjoyable,” she admitted, truly grateful that her partner was willing to endure this with her. Helena followed easily, genuinely enjoying herself as they danced. “It is, and it seems like there are a lot of people here in his support. I think it’ll be really good for his campaign,” she offered, giving her genuine opinion. “There are a select few good journalist here, though most of them are vultures and I’ll stand by that,” she laughed, having dealt with more than enough of them over the past year. Helena gave a hum of agreement, “The hard work pays off though, and while I’d rather be at home, I wouldn’t miss supporting Rodolphus for anything”.

Severus began to sway to the music as the talked, chuckling softly as she spoke of Regulus. “He does love you. You two make it difficult to be a cynic about love.” It was true. Despite the Black brothers leaving the Black name, they were still both good men, and if he trusted anyone with Helena, it was Regulus. Of course, he knew that Helena could handle herself but Severus was nothing if not thorough on those close to the people he cared for and Regulus was a good man. Weak, maybe, but good.

“It will be, but I still think should have been a more open event, but there’s only so much I can say,” he said before he laughed, genuinely laughed, at her comment on journalists. “I won’t argue with you there. Though, I won’t say more than that tonight.” At the mention of Rodolphus, Severus smiled softly, nodding in agreement. “Nor would I, it will all pay off when he’s Minister.”

Fear coiled in her gut, but she did everything she could to stop it from showing. Severus wasn’t her enemy, not truly, but he wasn’t someone she could trust implicitly. He worked with the Death Eaters, and him knowing where two of her closest friends lived was entirely unsettling. They could get to them, the same way they got to James. Her James - Lily fought back the panic that threatened to over take her. 

Trying to take a deep, steadying breath she opened her mouth to come up with a retort, and yet nothing came out. He knew where they lived. It wasn’t just Marlene and Sirius though - ‘I like to keep tabs on all of you’. Lily could feel the air being punched out of her gut, leaving her breathless. It was hard to tell if she was breathing too much or not at all and it was leaving her motionless. All she could think was ‘not here, dear god not here, not now.’ Panic was running through her veins whether she wanted it to or not. 

“Don’t-” she gasped, trying to force the sentence out - ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’. Lily wanted to tell him she wasn’t sure what he was talking about, anything other than a defensive response, but she was still stuck on the fact that he knew where they all lived. How was she going to protect them now? If he wanted, they could all be dead before she even reached one of them. Her vision was blurring, and she willed herself to calm down, to think it through, to calculate a response, but all she could focus on was the fact that everyone she had left, everyone she still loved, could be dead in the blink of an eye and she couldn’t stop it. All she could see was a motionless James after just seeing him that same morning. “I -” Lily cut herself off, shaking her head, “I can’t breathe” she choked out.

Severus expected a retort, or a wand to his windpipe, but instead he saw Lily’s eyes unfocus. He narrowed his eyes for a moment, wondering what kind of trick she was playing but her breathing began to quicken and words choked out of her and he immediately recognized it. Panic. A panic attack, to be exact. He’d suffered the same thing until he was thirteen when he managed to get his hands on some books to help and he taught himself how to deal with them, but he could see it clear as day on her.

“Lily,” he said softly, taking a tentative step towards her. “I’m not here to hurt you or any of them, okay?” he said softly. He knew she’d think he was, he knew she’d expect him to, but he never predicted she would... react like this. She was always put together, always strong, and right now she was shaking like he’d never seen.  And he felt... guilty.

“I cleaned up Ted’s mind so no one would find it was any of you,” he said realizing she still wasn’t breathing. “Miss Evans, you need to breathe, evenly,” he said taking out his wand and dropping it to the floor. “There, see? Not here to harm you, okay? Breathe, Lily,” he said stepping up closer, placing a hand on her stomach, and one of hers on his. “Breathe in and out with me okay? Count,” he said starting to guide her through a breathing exercise, making sure she was actually doing it as he looked down at her. Fuck, what had he done? Why was she panicking? Surely just seeing him wasn’t it. They acted cordially, even if he knew she probably knew who he worked for. “Now hold for three seconds and breathe out. Again,” he told her softly. “You’re safe, okay? You’re all safe, no one knows but me and I won’t hurt them. I’m here to offer my help, so just... Just breathe, alright?”

“I don’t see myself as biased. I may have been thirteen when I left but I still talk to plenty of people. I don’t think that people are as willing to welcome half-bloods and muggleborns in as you would like to think. But perhaps Rodolphus is different than those purebloods,” she admitted. She supposed it was something that she was going to have to figure out. “I hope that he is. We need a Minister who will be a champion of all of us. Not just the wealthy elite.”

“You wouldn’t recognize it easily, though, would you? Most people don’t realize they’re biased at all,” he said with a chuckle. “Though you’re right, some Purebloods hold those standards, like Lucius Malfoy who thinks my simply being here is a disgrace, but I’m grateful to have Rodolphus and Bellatrix at my side,” he said under his breath, grabbing a champagne and taking a sip. “I know Rodolphus often is spoken of as if he wouldn’t be, but he will be. I hope tonight you see that.”

Rita rolled her eyes as he spoke. She wasn’t stupid she knew their rules. He fed her information, sometimes rather dry information but he gave her what she wanted. And she promised to always keep his name out of papers… or Bellatrix’s… or even Rodolphus - if need be. She swallowed hard, “Of course i remember our deal, Severus. I’m not stupid. I wouldn’t put all my hard work on the line over a quote from you.” She snapped, a little harder than she intended. 

Rita let out a sigh and shot out her lower lip in a pout. He gives her this information and tells her she can’t quote him on this. Ugh, the papers would love this! “I was only quoting from other peoples mouths. I have yet to get my hands on the kid.” She nibbled softly on her bottom lip as she thought of her words. “What do you mean, it was your idea Severus? I don’t remember you mentioning that?” She rose an eyebrow at him as she spoke.

Severus heard the snap in her voice, but he also heard her concede, so he decided to let it go this time. Pulling her closer, Severus hovered his mouth over her ear. “Good girl, Rita. I’m glad The Phoenix can continue it’s work.” Pulling back once more, he looked at her. “Don’t you think the boy has suffered enough to go after him? Bellatrix did find him in a panic, and brought him to me, together we decided that we’d help the boy reach his potential. There’s hardly anything else, other than the savage attack he suffered from Marlene McKinnon. She left him near dead, I’m surprised she was let go at all. I hear Sirius Black bailed her out, it seems he’s taking responsibility for her, seems she’ll ruin his reputation as good and responsible. It’ll be good for Bella, though, won’t it?”

She hated waiting. Bellatrix had never been a patient woman and those ho knew her well knew that about her. Her brows furrowed with worry as he continued  to speak and her heart tightened at his words. If she hadn’t been sure before she was now. There was nothing in this world or the next that could tear Bellatrix away from him. She shook her head, curls falling and draping over her shoulders. “I promise you,” she said, her voice quiet yet strong, “I will never leave you the way she did. You have me, Severus. All of me. Forever.” 

Bella drew in a sharp, shaky breath. She blinked, tears stinging her eyes. He was right. Andromeda was often the subject of gossip due to Ted. But no one would dare speak of her. Not with the way she strikes fear into the hearts of her followers should they step a toe out of line. It would, however, lead to many of her followers leaving and going elsewhere. Something of which they couldn’t afford. Andromeda would have her head should she throw away all their hard work for a man. Bellatrix would have her own as well. “I hate hiding away in the shadows. To hide my love and adoration for you away and be unable to speak of it freely, show it freely without fear of our hard work going to waste. But no matter what you have to know that you will never lose me. I’ve loved you since the day we met in the common room when I was fifteen and I will continue to love you until the day I die.”