In a way, it was a relief. Harry supposed that with Orion, Cygnus, and Romulus dead, it now fell to him to spend more of his time plotting against the dark lord. Harry wasn't entirely sure what course to pursue, seeing that the game board had been drastically altered only the night before. He reckoned that he could think of a few things, though. He had helped the Order wage war against the dark lord for several years.
He was nearly finished when someone knocked on the open door. Harry looked up and discovered that it was his mother. "Lily," he said, mustering a smile.
"Professor," she said slowly, "is it true that you're leaving?"
"Yes," Harry admitted. "It's true."
"What for?"
Harry shrugged, not really wanting to admit to his mother that he was suspected of having shagged Bellatrix Black. Come to think of it, Hermione, Ron, and everyone else from the future would be disgusted. Mrs. Weasley would have had a stroke. The future version of Sirius might have had a good laugh, though. "My services are no longer needed," he said carefully. "Professor Slughorn has recovered."
"They might have kept you until the end of the term," Lily said petulantly. "It isn't that far off."
Harry wasn't sure whether she was questioning the reason he was giving or criticizing the school. Hopefully, it was the latter. "Nevertheless, I have no choice," Harry said glibly. He paused a moment, studying Lily. "I do want you to know, Lily, that it has been my pleasure to make your acquaintance. If you ever need help, you can call on me."
"Maybe you could give me a few pointers on dueling," Lily said. "Sirius and James told me about the dark lord. They think he'll want to kill muggleborns and half-bloods."
Harry nodded. "Yes, that is precisely what he will do. I can guarantee it."
Lily's eyes widened. "So you think I could be in danger?"
"Probably," Harry said, wondering whether she would ever become a target. There was little chance of her giving birth to another Harry Potter-at least that's what the time travel books had indicated. "Let's put it this way," Harry amended, "it is impossible to be too paranoid when dealing with this dark lord. Always take precautions and always stick with people you trust."
Lily nodded, accepting Harry's advice without question. Though she had already been informed of the dark lord, Harry's personal rendition of the information was disquieting.
Harry hesitated for a little bit, but decided to throw caution to the wind. "I'd also like to give you a little bit of advice, Lily. Your friendship with Severus Snape is not a bad thing. However, he has certain problems. He will easily be seduced by the dark. Perhaps you can save him, but please do not throw your lot in with him. Choose someone with the nerve to stand against the dark lord from the start."
"Isn't it a little too early for me to date?" Lily asked, smiling impishly.
"Whatever," Harry muttered. "Just stay safe."
"I will, Professor Ashworth. I guess I'd better leave you to your work." She turned around and walked away.
Before she could make it out of the door, though, Harry called her back. "Lily," he said.
"Yes?"
Harry removed the ring he had been given by Romulus Malfoy, the twin to the one Cygnus Black had possessed. He now had the Malfoy ring, and thus did not need to keep one of the other two. "Take this," he said. "If you are ever in a bad situation and need help, twist the jewel. I'll do what I can to help you. I promise."
Lily accepted the ring and slipped it onto a finger on her right hand. "Thanks, professor. I think it is a very pretty ring."
With that, she was gone. Harry quickly finished his business with what would now be Professor Slughorn's papers and records. A quick check of all the drawers and cupboards ensured that he had everything that was his. Finally, he checked his pockets to ensure that the shrunken trunks and boxes filled with his possessions were still there. He was ready to leave.
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