All who attended Dumbledore's funeral were somber and scared, but none so much as Zia. She had hoped upon hoped that one of two things would have happened. Either Dumbledore would have heeded her warning about Draco – and Severus, or Draco would have attempted the task on his own. If it was only Draco, Dumbledore would have been able to deflect the magic, even in the weakened state that he was in.

But, neither happened. Dumbledore was certain that Draco was not a threat, and he trusted Severus to take the killing curse again. As he had put it, "Severus has survived breaking a vow or two before. He'll survive again."

What he hadn't taken into account was the relationship between Severus and Zia. Before, Severus could have died and it wouldn't have affected anyone. He wasn't afraid of not surviving, or surviving as an invalid and a burden. But, in this case, he could only protect her, and keep her from making an unbreakable vow to the Dark Lord, if he lived. If he was unable to protect her, Bellatrix would make sure she entered into the vow. And, when Zia refused, they would know that she wasn't really a double agent. Just an exceptional spy. And, they would kill her. He couldn't let that happen. And, therefore, he couldn't break the vow again. But, Dumbledore was certain. And, nothing Zia could say would change his mind.

All members of the order were dealing with issues in their own ways:

Harry kept muttering, "I told you Snape was up to something."

Meanwhile Remus cycled between rage and depression. In his depression, he sobbed to Tonks and apologized to Harry. His rage, he took out on Zia.

She was grateful to most of the Order. Very few blamed her for Severus' choice, as Arthur and Minerva told her. But, Remus obviously did. His tirades were hurtful, spiteful and vindictive. But, nothing hurt her so much as when he told her to stay away from he and Harry. In an effort to seal the deal, he spit at her and walked away.

Taking a spot as far away from the front as she could find, her emotions totally overwhelmed her. She was sad for the loss of Dumbledore. She was devastated that it was done by Severus' hand. Her heart ached for the pain she was sure he was in, for she was aware that none other in the order loved, respected or trusted Dumbledore as much as Severus. She yearned to hold him close. When he left Hogwarts with the Death Eaters, he left her as well. Although they would see each other in the field, they would not be safe to be alone for quite some time – if every again.

She choked back a sob every time she tried to tell people that she had warned Dumbledore. She didn't view Severus as a villain. He had saved her life. If he didn't turn back to the Death Eaters when he did, they would have come after her. She would have had to turn her alliances as frequently as he did, just to stay alive. He spared her from that life. And, she was grateful for his sacrifice. But, she knew no one else would see it that way.

As she sat in the back, she remembered Lily's favorite muggle movie, Annie.

Betcha my life is gonna be swell. Looking at them, it's easy to tell. And, maybe, I'll forget how nice he was to me. And, how I was almost his baby…maybe…

--

"I killed Sirius Black. And, Severus killed Dumbledore!" Bellatrix shrieked for the hundredth time. "I'm so proud of you! I always knew you had it in you. And, now, we attack!"

She danced around the room, in a giddy stupor, and Severus forced himself to smile. He had ended two lives that night: Dumbledore's and Zia's.

He hoped that someday she would take him back. But, he wouldn't blame her if she didn't. He sniffed, more from his cold than from his emotions. But, as he was reminded of his cold, he was reminded of her. Her kindness and her strength gave him confidence in himself and in their relationship. Her dark side made him feel accepted. Her very being made him feel loved. And, now, he threw it all away.

On some level, he knew it was to keep her alive. But, if he had just broken another vow, he might still be alive. Though they would be in hiding again.

He rubbed his hand across his forehead. He had ruined everything. No one in the Order would ever trust him again. He had killed his mentor. And, he had broken the heart of the woman he loved. He had nothing now. Nothing except the Death Eaters and his memories.

He moved to the window seat and looked out at the stars. For the first time in years he was reminded of Lily's favorite movie, Annie. It'll be fine. Nothing to fear. She'll be as happy as she was here. Things have worked out much better than planned. It makes you smile when fate takes a hand. And, I know I'll forget how much she meant to me. And, how she was almost my baby…maybe…