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Chapter 11: Plans and Persuasion

Cold rains pelted the landscape surrounding the Riddle House. A fire burned low in what was left of the fireplace.

"It is done, Wormtail," said a high cold voice. "The great and all powerful Dumbledore is dead!" Voldemort laughed maniacally. Wormtail shivered at the sound of his master's voice.

Now that he was flesh again, The Dark Lord was certainly more than a match for anyone that crossed his path. Wormtail surveyed his new silver hand, remembering the pain and sacrifice he had endured in helping this demonic wizard return. He was proud to have been of service to his master, and grateful for this reward.

"Yes my lord. It seems the final obstacle between you and Harry Potter has been eliminated," he said in worshipful agreement. Voldemort smiled broadly, showing his discolored teeth, red eyes blazing.

"There will be plenty of time for that later, Wormtail. It is presumed that Dumbledore's murderer, my faithful spy Snape, is dead."

The smile slid from his hideous face. "He'd better be dead, otherwise, he will answer to me for not appearing immediately at my side."

Voldemort thought for moment, then said, "I am sure he is. He never did have much backbone, that one, but the deed is done, and his fate is of no consequence to me either way." Wormtail cringed at his nonchalant attitude toward Snape's demise, even after he accomplished the task that Draco failed to do.

"My lord, what will you do about Draco Malfoy and his family?" Wormtail asked cautiously.

"They are dead, presumed killed by Aurors; Lucius, however, is still mine to deal with. His worthless son failed me, so I will allow him one more chance to redeem himself." His serpent like face contorted into a half grin, "Come closer, Wormtail. It's time we formed a plan."

Dumbledore was preparing to address members of The Order to confirm understanding of their final instructions. Melodia greeted each member cordially, and watched as they filed into the dining area. Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks were the first to arrive, followed by the consistently preoccupied Mundungus Fletcher, and Kingsley Shacklelbolt, the Auror. She continued her welcoming duties as housemistress welcoming and introducing herself to a few members she had yet to meet. Among these were Hestia Jones, Elphias Doge, and the excitable Dedalus Diggle.

Dumbledore made his entrance and positioned himself at the head of the table as Mad-Eye Moody sidled in, followed by almost every member of the Weasley family, who had popped in one final time before the much anticipated wedding celebration. Even the pending Bridegroom and his dragon-keeping brother Charlie attended. Fred and George appeared as well. They were followed by the now acting Head Mistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagal.

Molly and Arthur hugged Melodia, and were delighted to see her again. They graciously invited her to the upcoming nuptials and she happily accepted the invitation. Standing in the doorway of the dining room, she anxiously awaited the arrival her lover.

Once everyone had greeted one another and took their seats around the magically enhanced dining table, Snape strode in to the room confidently, then much to his lady's delight, extended his hand for Melodia to grasp. She laced her fingers into his and smiled lovingly at him. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as a collective gasp escaped several members that clearly had not been apprised of the circumstances surrounding his involvement to this point. Melodia looked up and saw Arthur Weasley give her a wink and Molly smiled broadly at them.

By the end of the meeting, everyone had been updated on the happenings of the past few weeks, and each person was ready to begin his or her role to abolish Lord Voldermort and his Death Eaters.

Relief washed over Melodia as she realized that her relationship with Severus was no longer a secret. Alastor Moody extended his hand to Severus and growled, "Well congratulations! It is good to see young people happy for a change."

They received similar sentiments from the other members. It seemed that they were accepted as a couple much more easily than either of them would have imagined.

As soon as the meeting adjourned, all of the houseguests left headquarters to begin their assignments. Melodia saw them all out, then spent the remainder of the morning and afternoon cleaning the empty rooms again. After lunch she and Severus tended to Dumbledore and gave him his potion so he could rest.

When Severus left the room, Dumbledore advised Melodia that she would be leaving the next morning to collect Harry, attend Bill Weasley's wedding, then return to headquarters. Her face was solemn as she listened.

"Time is growing short, and you will need to be on your way, but I will need to see you first thing in the morning before you leave. I have a number of special instructions to secure your success in dealing with Harry," Dumbledore said as he sat back against the pillows of his bed. She nodded obediently with a half smile then hurried to meet Severus.

"I really wanted this assignment, Shaggy, but I truly hate the thought of leaving you," she said sadly as she hugged him tightly around his middle.

"I know, Love, but it is only for a few days. I will be fine, and so will he," Severus promised nodding toward Dumbldore's room. I intend to re-evaluate his need for Medicamentum in a day or so."

"I am sure you both will be fine, but I will miss you terribly." She was trembling slightly as she said it. He wrapped his arms around her, and they walked arm in arm to their rooms.

As they walked through the curtains that separated their wing from the rest of the house, Severus motioned toward her room.

"We should talk, Loddie. I believe we will both feel better if we do." She clearly recognized concern in his stunning eyes. Dutifully, she held fast to his hand he lead her inside the door and into her bedroom.

They walked over to the lovely antique sofa, which sat in the corner of her room and sat together. He took her hands in his and said, "As I told you a moment ago, I will be fine Loddie. I didn't have to use Legilimency to know that you were worried about leaving me here."

He caressed her hands within his own as she kissed his nose and laughed softly.

He smiled and drew her closer into him. She snuggled against him, her head resting on his collarbone. For the next few moments, there was only the sound of their hearts beating, almost in unison. Oh how she wished this moment would never end!

"That makes two of us, Love." She heard him say. The vibration of his vocals rumbled softly in her ear. This was the second time he showed off his talent to her since his arrival. She raised her head so that her face was level with his.

"I thought you needed direct eye contact for Legilimency?" she commented teasingly.

He chuckled softly, "Most wizards do, but I do not." She thought he looked very proud of himself. With good reason, of course, but she couldn't help but tease him.

"My Darling? You would not be bragging a bit would you?"

He smiled a little broader then, and answered in a false voice of distaste, "Who me? Of course, not. You, silly girl!" They both laughed at this, and with her left arm across his abdomen, they relaxed quietly, content to just be together.

Melodia decided that now be the time for her to ask some questions that she had intended to ask all along. "Severus, may I ask you to do me a favor?"

He drew back and gazed into her eyes, "Of course, Love, anything you like." His face now showed curiosity. "What is it?" She thought for an instant about the wording she should use.

"I want you try and put aside your issues with Harry Potter and work with him closely when he arrives." She commented cautiously, preparing herself for his worst possible reaction.

Immediately she felt as though she had said something wrong, because his face became almost blank, as if Harry's name put him into another dimension. "What do you mean by issues?"

"Severus, I realize that you and Harry have never really gotten along. In fact, Uncle Albus swears that he thought the two of you would tear each other apart at times."

Before he could reply she added, "I really want the two of you to work constructively together, and I am sure that when he finds out that you are not "the bad guy" he will be willing to work with you."

At first he said nothing, but he looked as if he were agitated with her request. In a cooler tone than he intended, he responded, "That may not be as easy as you and your uncle presume it be."

She looked into his eyes and saw hurt and anger towards Harry lingering there. I'm sure I will be difficult, Shaggy, but you are a good man, and I can't help thinking that this is more possible than you realize." She looked so innocent. She was, where his history with Harry was concerned, and he knew that. "Won't you at least try?" She pleaded.

Looking into her eyes he saw genuine worry for him, and he relaxed a little. "I will do my utmost to help Potter in anyway I can. I doubt, however, that he will be receptive of my efforts. He has never been before now," He said smugly.

"I know that, Darling, but you let me worry about Harry. I believe that I can bring him around a bit." She told him as she squeezed his strong hands.

"Going to charm him are you?" he teased. "I wish you lots of luck, Love." He mumbled doubtfully.

She knew she would need luck, but she meant to have them face off and get past it, once and for all.

"One more thing," she said softly. "Do you find it necessary to call him Potter all of the time? I mean, I have heard Uncle, Lupin, and others call him Harry, but you never have."

She paused to read his expression then continued, "I think it keeps the two of you at such a distance."

Severus watched her as she spoke, and decided that she may be right, but he knew it would be strained, but he relented. Melodia saw his facial expression change again, just before he buried it into his palms then met her gaze again.

"I suppose I do have issues with him because he is so like his father. We loathed each other you know. It is difficult for me to let go of, when it has been at the core of my existence for nearly my entire adult life." She knew that this was a huge leap for him, and acknowledged it with a firm but loving squeeze to his abdomen.

Severus hugged her tightly then said, "I solemnly promise to try and behave more... appropriately when Pot.." he hesitated, "rather when...Harry gets here."

She looked up at him again smiling sweetly, and he kissed the tip of her nose.