the_debt_of_time

"You and I no longer have an informal relationship of any kind."
"Yes, Potter saw to that."
"No, you saw to that," Lily said defensively. "That brand on your arm is the
culmination of everything I warned you about years ago. Years before I ever fell in love with
James."
"I used to be your best friend," he whispered.
"Yes, and then you became a Death Eater."
"A Death Eater who's risking his life to save your child."
Lily ignored his attempt at manipulating her emotions, her tone did not rise to
match his. "For which I am grateful, but it doesn't erase the past. It can never be like it
was, and that breaks my heart in ways you can't imagine. We've all lost too much. I've
buried my parents, watched my friends do the same. I lost two of my best friends in the
last year. One because she was brutally murdered—by Death Eaters—and the other because
she up and vanished—presumably kidnapped by Death Eaters. Now I have to sit in Order
meetings and watch another of my best friends stand there wearing the mark of something
that has taken nearly everything away from me."
Snape took a long moment to digest her words before softly uttering, "It was a
mistake."
"I know that, Sev."
"I wish.. ." he hesitated. "I wish there was something I could do to properly
apologise, but I'm aware nothing I say can make up for the things I've done."
"Keep helping us. And tell me the truth."
"About what?"
Lily paused, likely contemplating her question carefully. "Did You-Know-Who take
Mia?"
At the mention of Mia's name, Sirius stopped all pretending and looked back across
the room. He wanted to watch Snape's face as the man answered Lily's question.
Snape rose a brow, confused. "Not to my knowledge. The only time I ever recall
her being discussed is when the Dark Lord desired to bring Black onto our, er, their side. I
was asked if the witch would be a way to get through to him. I informed the Dark Lord
and his inner circle that, despite being prone to violence―" He subconsciously rubbed at