I Have a Very Good Plan

"All my past experience told me that it was best not to act rashly when the situation was beyond our control."

Severus said with an unwilling look on his face, as if he did not want to get involved,

"But if you are willing to go, I am willing to offer you my moral support."

"Huh? Fine, I'll go! Even if I have to go in at full force, it's better than sitting here not knowing what's going to happen!"

Three minutes later, Lily returned to her spot in a huff under Severus's teasing gaze.

"Well, if it isn't the brave Miss Evans. Have you already gone and asked? That was quick."

"Shut up!"

Lily, who had ultimately turned back before even leaving the secret base, spoke in embarrassment and irritation.

"I just think we should consider it a little more. Yes, that's right. We need to act with a plan."

No matter how she rehearsed asking Manus why he had been smiling so strangely these past few days, it felt far too bizarre. No matter how she thought about it, it did not seem like a situation she could emerge from unscathed.

In fact, in most possibilities, it would only leave her worse off than when that sword she had expected originally came down.

With that thought, Lily's gaze fell on Severus.

Severus:?

A chill ran down his back under her stare. Severus could not help sitting up straighter as he looked at Lily and asked tentatively,

"What are you planning?"

"Listen, I have a very good plan..."

The next day, Manus arrived at the secret base after roughly going through the paper materials Flitwick had given him. Originally, he had planned to teach Severus and Lily the dueling techniques he had gleaned from those materials.

But when he