A/N: I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for all the reviews I've received, particularly for the past chapter. It pained my heart to have Evelyn killed, but it was necessary in order for the rest of the story-line to fall into motion. I know that some of you had some questions about the circumstances of how Evelyn was captured/Severus' role in her demise, so hopefully this chapter will offer a little bit of insight. Apologies in advance for how short this is. I promise the next one will be longer. xx

Evelyn wandered through the dress department at Harrods, pausing to admire an elegant aquamarine silk creation by Halston. Eager to escape the confines of the house, she'd slipped out into Muggle London, hoping that an afternoon of shopping would lift her spirits. Lips pursed, she silently examined the gown, imagining how it would look on her. "I do have that gala coming up in July," she said softly, rubbing the fine fabric between her fingers.

"Still..." she paused, considering. "I don't know if aquamarine would be suitable for the event," she continued, barely aware she was speaking to herself. "Perhaps I'd be better off sticking to black."

"Nice dress,"a male voice commented, his breath hot on her neck.

Evelyn whipped around, instinctively reaching for her wand. She fumbled with the clasp on her purse, frowning at the tall, greasy haired man standing before her. "Severus," she said coolly, her eyes narrowing to slits.

"You need to get out of here," Severus started, his eyes darting nervously, settling on the row of elevators along the wall to their right.

Evelyn took a sharp breath, her heart racing. "Why?"she asked, ignoring the nervous churning of her stomach.

"You need to get out of here. Go home. Now," Snape hissed, running his fingers through his stringy black hair.

"Why?" Evelyn countered. "Why should I trust you?" she snapped, lips curled into a scowl.

"Evelyn, there's no time to-"

"Stay away from me, Sev. I WILL curse you if you-"

"Evelyn, please, I'm trying to-"

"What, what are you trying to do Snivellus? Prove to Lucius what a good little cronie you are by luring me into some trap? Fuck off."

Not bothering to wait for a response, Evelyn turned on her heel, the click-clack of her three inch stilettos against the polished marble floor barely audible over the pounding her her heart. She moved swiftly, electing to take the stairs.

Carefully glancing over her shoulder, Evelyn made a beeline for the exit, casually tossing her mane of platinum blonde hair back as she immersed herself into the pack of pedestrians ambling down Brompton Road. Nervously, she held her purse tightly under her arm, glancing over her shoulder every two blocks.

As she came to a halt, due to traffic, Evelyn froze, feeling a sharp object pressed at the back of her skull, a hand firmly wrapped around her neck.

"If you scream, I'll kill everyone on this block," a familiar voice hissed, squeezing her throat tightly.

Evelyn, hands trembling, fumbled with her purse, desperate to get a hold of her wand, only to find herself pulled back into nothingness as the man disapparated, taking her with him.

Severus stood nervously at the Potter's doorstep, his hand shaking as he made to knock on the door. He took a deep breath, unclenching his right fist to run his fingers through his shoulder length locks. Just go ahead and knock on the door... Never mind the fact that she told you she never wanted to see you again. He frowned, his better judgment urging him to turn around and run, before she or Potter caught him on their property. "No," he muttered to himself, resolved. "Someone... Someone has to tell them."

Forcefully, he knocked on the door, his shoulders stiffening as he waited for a response.

After a few moments, the door swung open, a very pregnant Lily standing before him. "Severus," she greeted him, apparently shocked by his presence.

"Lily," Severus started, sucking in a breath of air as he avoided glancing at the swell of her belly.

"What are you doing here?" the redhead asked coldly, her eyes narrowing to slits. "I thought I told you-"

"I have to tell you something," Sirius interrupted, sweat dripping from his palms. You have to tell them, someone has to do something...

"What could you possibly need to tell me, Sev?" Lily asked skeptically, folding her arms against her chest.

"Lily," Snape started, shoving his hands deeply into his pockets, "You need to tell him, tell Potter to go check on Black," he muttered, ignoring the pain in his chest (Guilt? You should have done more, could have done more) as he struggled to make eye contact with his former best friend.

"Why?" Lily asked, eyeing him suspiciously. "What did you do to him, Severus?"

"I didn't... It's not... Evelyn's dead," he stammered, squeezing his eyes shut in an attempt to block out the shrieking female voice that hadn't left his head in the two days since her death.

Lily stared at him, dumbfounded. "How?" she asked, the color fading from her cheeks.

"L-Lucius... I-I tried, Lily, I swear... I begged her, I tried to stop him, I begged him to let her go, I didn't-"

"You're a monster," Lily interrupted, her words cutting through him like a knife.

"Lily, I swear... I begged him to let her go, I tried to warn her, tried to keep her away from him, please you have to believe me!"

"Why should I believe a word you say?" she scoffed, eyeing him with utter disgust. "You proved to me back at Hogwarts, when you called me a mud-blood, the type of person you are, Severus."

"Lily," Severus begged, moisture pooling in his eyes. "I tried... I swear to you, I did..."

("Lucius, please. There's still time to stop this madness. Don't kill her. Don't kill her. This is insane, please. Don't."

"The plan is already in motion, Sev. It has to be done. He stole the woman I loved. Black has to pay."

"You loved her. You loved Evelyn. How can you say you ever loved her if you're willing to sacrifice her life for your stupid revenge?"

"Sev-"

"Let her go, Lucius. Let her go. Nothing in the world could justify this."

"This isn't your business, Snape. Stay out of it. It has to be this way.")

Lily's face crumbled as she shook her head, strands of her copper mane falling in her face. "Please go," she sobbed, tears pouring from her bright green eyes. "Please go away, Severus."

Severus nodded, feeling as though his lungs were going to burst. "Still... Have someone go to check on him... Black, he... He shouldn't be alone, right now."

Lily nodded, gazing coldly at him as tears continued to trickle down her cheeks.

She paused a moment, her features lightening slightly. "Thank you... For telling us. For telling me... we'll... we'll check on him," she mumbled, her lips barely moving.

With a final desperate glance at Lily, Severus nodded, turning on his heel and disapparating.