"Please, sit," Lyall Mayer said to the guests.
There were two chairs opposite his desk.
"I believe Messenger means you may sit down, Kreacher," Severus told the old House-elf.
Kreacher looked at the humans around him. They were all watching him with calm eyes.
"Kreacher would rather stand," the old House-elf said, rubbing his bony claws together.
Severus paid him no further attention and found a chair to sit in.
"What are his terms?" Severus asked bluntly.
"First, let me state our position," Lyall said. "As a neutral party, if you have any conditions or requests, we can convey them on your behalf..."
"You don't seem very eager to obtain the map," Severus interrupted Lyall with a cold sneer. "What did he promise you?"
"Another woman. Red-haired Lily." Lyall leaned back in his chair. "He can bring her back."
"That is impossible." Severus looked at Lyall with a grim expression.
"Let me do the math for you, Mr. Snape. One minute here is equal to eight hours in the other world. One day is three minutes, one hour is twenty days. One day here is almost a year over there. By the time the entrance opens again in six years, she will no longer be the woman you knew. You gain nothing by refusing his terms."
"You mean to tell me this world is Heaven?" Severus laughed strangely.
Lyall smiled. "You have heard that Eastern legend too."
"One day in Heaven, one year in the mortal world. The immortals who live in Heaven seem to live forever, and there are feasts held regularly. Yet so many celestial maidens still wish to descend into the mortal world. I am willing to try, like them," Severus said unhurriedly.
"You should listen to well-meaning advice. She warned you it was a trap. Why