Lily's Charm

1979

Severus allowed himself a rare smile as he watched Lily twirling a strand of her scarlet hair around a slender finger, the tip of her pink tongue clamped between her lips as she hunched over a new Charms text her favorite old professor, Professor Flitwick, had sent to her that morning.

Her husband, in contrast sat as straight as Lily's old squashy chair would allow, his Potions journal neatly waiting on the small table next to him. In one of his calloused hands, he held the wine glass Lily had handed him almost as soon as he'd stepped through the door earlier that evening. Severus brought the glass to his lips slowly keeping his eyes on his wife's petite form.

He never tired of gazing at Lily. It was still a wonder to him that she had wanted him at all. Severus, after years of being simply Lily's friend, as she herself had insisted on, Lily had finally found Severus to be something more. Severus took another slow sip of his wine and allowed his mind to trace back to his and Lily's seventh year at Hogwarts.

James Potter had been after Lily for years of course, but it was only in their final year of school that James had begun pressuring her in earnest. Severus had watched the popular raven-haired Quidditch Captain applying his considerable charms to his redheaded friend. Severus had realized almost immediately that Lily would soon be lost to him forever. It had therefore frankly stunned him beyond his capacity to speak, the night Lily sought him out after a day in Hogsmeade spent with James.

When Severus escorted Lily back to Gryffindor Tower the next morning, they had met an extremely irate trio of Marauders in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady. Black, of course had threatened to "hex the sneer right off of Snivellus' face", while Lupin half-heartedly restrained his other friend, a trembling though peculiarly reticent Potter. Lily had looked at all of them with apologetic eyes, though for Severus she had offered a small smile before flouncing quickly through the portrait hole. Lupin had shepherded his two friends in after her and Severus had made his way down the moving staircases with a self-satisfied smile.

"Sev," Lily broke into his thoughts and Severus focused on his wife's hunched form. She wasn't looking at him though; her full attention rested still on the Charms text. "I think we can do it," she told him and at her words Severus stood, his heart clenching as he crossed the room to Lily.

Lily reached her hand absently toward Severus, not taking her gaze off the book, though she did squeeze her husband's hand as he took it gently. Severus sat down elegantly in the chair opposite Lily and waited for her to continue. Finally, Lily looked up from the text and sighed.

"What is it?" Severus asked. Lily shook her head, making her pretty hair brush delicately across her cheeks. Without thinking, Severus reached out his free hand to gently smooth a few soft strands with the tips of his fingers. Lily smiled at his caress, her green eyes shining with love for her husband.

Severus let his hand fall back against his thigh, allowing his second smile of the evening to rest upon his thin lips. Lily leaned back in her chair, reaching again for a strand of hair to twist it nervously between her fingers.

"Sev, a charm like this has never been done before. I don't know if it will work but I think it's our only chance right now."

Severus frowned as Lily worried her bottom lip between her teeth. He tensed as she fell silent. The guilt pushed at him and he pressed the heel of his hand into his upper thigh, fighting to release the tension coursing through his rigid body. After a moment of careful Occlusion to bring himself back under control, Severus relaxed his tensed hand.

"Lily," he began quietly. Lily brought her eyes back up to her husband's face. Severus knew she had recognized his tone; it was obvious from the resigned expression on her face. He knew as well what she was going to say in response to his oft-repeated plea. That didn't stop Severus though from saying it once again, no matter how much the words galled him. "Potter can keep you safe. There would be no need for the charm. We could still-"

But Lily had had enough. She didn't even let Severus finish the entire soliloquy this time. Her jaw was set stubbornly and Severus had only belatedly noticed she had released her gentle grip on his hand. His hand felt strangely empty as it rested on his leg. Lily's small hands were now clenched in angry fists on the arms of her chair. "No, Severus. We've been through this a dozen times. You are my husband. I don't care how dangerous it is."

Severus clenched his own jaw, his anger evenly matched with Lily's. No matter that he had vowed over and over that he wouldn't allow his easily stoked temper free during these discussions; his temper apparently had other plans. "Lily, do not be so ridiculous. We are not talking about a simple danger. The Dark Lord is not any mere wizard. And, my mother does not make idle threats." The clear warning in his voice was completely ignored by his wife as she rose swiftly from her cushy chair, the Charms text falling to the wooden floor with a clatter.

"I will not be frightened into hiding by that bastard, Severus. And, I don't care about your mother's threats. I will make the Charm work. I don't care what it takes." Lily folded her arms stonily over her chest and glared at her husband, who by this point had risen to stand in front of his furious wife.

"And, if it does not work, Lily...what then? My mother will make good on her threat against you. And I will not allow that." He looked away then, emotion making his voice raw when he spoke again. "Even the prospect of you with James Potter is bearable in comparison to what Eileen would do to you."

Lily had closed the space between them even before Severus had finished speaking. She reached her small hands behind Severus' neck and pulled him toward her. Severus unclenched his arms in response, but left them dangling by his side, his anguish not quite diminished.

With practiced ease, Lily pulled her warm body closer to her husband's until her breasts were pressed up against his chest and Severus responded immediately, bringing strong arms around her waist to clasp her to him in a firm embrace. Lily tilted her face up to his and without hesitation, Severus' lips met Lily's. She kissed him gently before resting her head on his chest.

With a start, Severus realized Lily's manipulation and he shook his head ruefully. "Lily," he rebuked her gently. Lily smiled into her husband's shirt and Severus brought a hand up to her head to gently run his fingers through the fiery locks. "This is serious," he tried again. Lily didn't answer except to run her hands slowly up Severus' back. He sighed and kissed the top of her head before pulling her slightly away from his chest.

Lily looked up at him with a question in her emerald eyes. When Severus remained quiet, Lily shook her head at him. "I know it is, Sev. And I am taking it seriously. But, I can't just give you up." Severus' fingers stilled in her hair and he made a decision as he stared down into Lily's beautiful face.

"I will agree for the time being, Lily. But, if the charm does not work, the original plan will have to proceed." Severus braced himself as he waited for the tirade he expected would be directed at him. To his utter shock, Lily slowly nodded her head. Severus felt her body heave as she took a deep breath.

"Okay," she said slowly. Determination though, glinted in her eyes as she said brusquely, "But, I am going to make it work."

Severus restrained the urge to snap at her. He knew she was only agreeing because she didn't believe her Charm would fail and he knew as well that Lily would fight him for another solution if it did, but Severus would find no other solution in this.

And, if Lily's Charm did indeed fail, Severus intended to hold her to her promise, no matter how it would destroy him to do so. Potter, he thought bitterly, would keep his wife safe from the Dark Lord. There was in fact, no one else Severus would trust to do so.

xxxxx

Eileen Prince watched her son walk into the bistro, her hands folded primly on the rough table in front of her. There was no fondness in her heart as she followed his progress toward her. She demanded only obedience from Severus and with each reluctant step, obedience from her son seemed less and less probable. Eileen narrowed her sharp eyes as Severus slid silently into the seat across the table.

"Mother," he intoned, not a trace of emotion in his voice, Eileen noted with concealed approval.

She inclined her head in response. "You will take the Mark tonight." It wasn't a question, but Severus could hear the slight tremor in his mother's voice. Part of him felt pleased that he could trouble his mother in this way, to bring her long-dead emotions uncomfortably to the surface.

"I will," Severus answered her simply and he watched her relax visibly, a simple uncurling of her claw-like fingers on the table.

"It disgusts me that you do this to keep your friends safe."

Severus restrained the muscles in his jaw as they fought to clench around his anger. His mouth stayed perfectly relaxed as his mother studied his reaction. "It matters not why I do it, Mother," he told her in an even tone.

"To the Dark Lord, it will matter, Severus," Eileen disagreed, her voice steely. Again, Severus forced calm to the surface of his mind as he schooled his sharp features into a mask of calm.

"My thoughts are my own." At that, Eileen was forced to concede. Her late husband had honed their son's skills from an early age and Severus was a more skilled Occlumens than she had yet to encounter. Even the Dark Lord with his formidable powers would be unable to break through her son's barriers.

Severus watched his mother as she accepted his words. Though his father had been a harsh taskmaster in their almost daily Occlumency lessons, the results had been a power far exceeding his father's original ability to conceive of. Severus found himself this day uncharacteristically grateful for his father's teaching.

"Was there anything else?" Severus asked his mother formally; he was anxious to take his leave of Eileen and return to Lily before nightfall. Eileen shook her head and waved his dismissal.

As Severus stood up to leave, Eileen studied him again. "Even as you obey your father's last wish for you, still you bring him shame." The words were meant to wound deeply, but Severus had long since grown past the childish desire to please either of those who had bourne him.

Severus simply raised a black eyebrow in his mother's direction before turning fully away from her to sweep majestically from the table and out the door. He quickened his steps, moving away from the bistro until he was down the street before Apparating toward home, toward Lily.

xxxxx

"Crucio!"

The Dark Lord's lip curled in restrained delight as the prospective Death Eaters fell around him, observing as each one writhed in unspeakable agony at his feet. If even one of them had but a single doubt about what they had come to do, he would know. There would be no traitors in his mist, not after tonight.

Two hours later, not one had broken under the delicate torture. The Dark Lord was pleased as he silently ordered the young ones to stand with an upward flick of his wrist. They rose unsteadily to their feet, Severus among them, though his stumbling movements were studiously calculated as he alone remained perfectly sound after the Cruciatus Curse had reduced his fellows to screaming pools of weakness.

Severus turned his eyes toward the Dark Lord, bringing false thoughts of eagerness and relentless servitude atop his deeply Occluded thoughts of deceit. He waited patiently while the Dark Lord looked over each in turn, gesturing finally for the first to step close. Severus watched with detached interest as Nott stepped forward to within arm's reach of his new Lord.

The Dark Lord smiled his vindictive smile as he brought his hand toward the trembling young man. Nott flinched as his new Master touched a fingertip to his arm. With a soft sound of burning flesh, the skull and protruding snake tattooed itself to Nott's arm. Nott hissed in momentary pain as the Mark burned him, but it passed almost as quickly as it had come and Nott bowed his head in utter gratitude before slinking backward into the small group awaiting the same privilege.

One by one, the young men and women approached their Lord and were granted his Mark. Finally, after the rest had received the Mark, Severus went quickly to meet his fate. He was studied as the rest had been, quietly and without feeling. Severus extended his arm toward the Dark Lord and was rewarded with the same hiss of burning flesh as the others.

Severus made the same murmur of pain as Nott had, but in fact, he felt only a feather-light touch as the tattoo briefly came to life on his naked forearm. He layered an image of quick pain in his mind above his buried memories, and then replaced it quickly with servile gratitude toward the Dark Lord, as well as a fervent promise to serve his Lord well. Satisfied, the Dark Lord waved Severus back to the group.

"I am pleased this night, my loyal followers. Let us begin the festivities."

xxxxx

Severus stumbled, this time against his volition, after a rather rough Apparation into the parlor of his and Lily's home. Lily, who had been anxiously pacing as she waited for her husband, scrambled over to him and caught him around the waist before he fell.

Another pair of arms that Severus didn't recognize grabbed hold of his upper arms, steadying him and guiding him over to Lily's favorite chair. Strong arms, he realized but Severus didn't have the strength to look up. He grasped unseeing for Lily's hand which caught his up almost instantly. Severus felt a peace wash over him as his wife tightened her grip on his slack hand.

"Lily," he whispered and he felt her kneel beside him. Lily rested her forehead on his knee while she brought their intertwined fingers to her lips. Severus sighed in contentment, as a cloud formed over his battered mind and he allowed himself to forget everything but the feel of soft lips against his course hand, the curve of her body against his leg.

He let his mind free of every vestige of Occlusion, feeling safe as he did only in her presence, forgetting too as he allowed his raw thoughts free reign that there was another in the room with them. As he let himself go, Severus closed his eyes against all the pain from this night and allowed himself to be lulled by Lily's gentle voice into a much needed sleep.

It was hours later as his mind worked to form coherent thought against the torrent of nightmares deluging his sleep that Severus worked again to Occlude his mind, even in his sleep. His mind reached out unconsciously to make a connection with Lily, seeking an anchor for his thoughts.

Lily by then had fallen asleep at Severus' feet, as she had been unable to force herself away from her troubled husband. Severus' sleep-addled mind probed innocently at his wife's thoughts. The connection forged the day they were bound together as husband and wife was a strong one and Lily allowed her husband immediate access. Severus latched on to the thoughts of love and devotion she felt to her husband and he dove deeper into the web of images. As he did, he was propelled awake by the shock of what he saw there.

Severus jerked awake with an anguished, "No!" and Lily, startled into consciousness by her husband's cry, jumped up from the floor. She looked around wildly in confusion before settling her gaze on the hunched form of Severus in the chair. She touched his arm, and the touch broke something in Severus as he reeled from the knowledge of what his wife had kept from him.

"Why didn't you tell me, Lily?" he rasped out, his voice hoarse with raw emotion.

Lily didn't have to ask what he meant. She took her husband's hand in her own and slid herself slowly into Severus' lap. He stiffened as she did, but she ignored him. Lily gathered her husband's face gently in her small hands and pulled it up to look at her.

Severus met her sincere emerald gaze with troubled obsidian eyes. "I knew you wouldn't agree to use the charm," she told him quietly and Severus' eyes blazed in unchecked fury. He stood roughly from the chair, pulling his wife with him. Lily allowed herself to be pulled up by him, knowing that even in his anger he wouldn't hurt her.

Severus let go of Lily's arms and fisted his large hands into balls at his sides. "You lied to me," he accused her harshly.

Lily straightened as Severus glared at her, unrepentant. "Yes. I told you already, I'm not going to lose you. If you had known I was pregnant you would have insisted I go with James." Her voice was quiet and steady as she watched Severus clench and unclench his fists, his jaw working furiously to reign in his temper.

Finally giving up, Severus erupted, "And, I would have been right to! How could you do this?" he demanded, his voice vibrating in the small room.

Lily didn't flinch from his tone or from his anger. "I know our child would be well taken care of by James, but it wouldn't be the same. A boy needs his father, Severus," she told him quietly.

"A Death Eater father?" Severus sneered and then blinked. "Wh-What did you say? It's-it's a boy?" He faltered over the words, the anger all at once drained from him, leaving him feeling extremely unsure of himself.

Lily smiled at her husband as she nodded, unable to keep the glinting happiness out of her eyes. She smiled even wider as Severus stepped hesitantly closer to her, reaching a timid hand toward her abdomen. His hand stilled and hovered above her belly. Severus raised his eyes to Lily, as if to ask permission and Lily rolled her own eyes before grabbing Severus' hand and pushing it firmly into her abdomen.

Severus drew in a harsh breath as he felt a tiny flutter under his wife's thin shirt. His eyes darted up again and Lily didn't miss the open wonder on his usually stoic face. Without another word, Severus pulled Lily to him and pressed his lips gently against her hair. All other thoughts quickly left him as Lily wrapped her slim arms around his neck. The only thing that mattered now was that Severus was going to have a son.

-------------------------------

1996

For the first time in weeks, Harry Potter felt rested. He'd spent the past six weeks in his small bedroom at Number Four Privet Drive each night, tossing and turning on top of Dudley's old worn blanket, trying to force his mind to let go of the image of his godfather falling silently through the veil in the Department of Mysteries. The attempts had been futile and Harry had mostly given up trying to sleep at all, though he did routinely find himself in his bed for a couple hours each night, doing his best to let the memories go.

It wasn't until Dumbledore had collected him from Privet Drive and brought him, without extraneous conversation, to the Burrow that Harry finally found elusive sleep. And, that was only due to Mrs. Weasley's rather strong Sleeping Draught which had put him to sleep the instant his head hit the pillow after dinner.

Mrs. Weasley had stuffed him almost to bursting with an assortment of delicious foods and immediately following his last bite ordered him firmly to bed, ignoring all protests from Ron and Ginny. Too exhausted to argue, Harry had followed Mrs. Weasley obediently up the stairs and into the cot made up for him, not even bothering to change his clothes.

Mrs. Weasley had fussed over the pillows and blankets before handing him the Potion and telling him to "drink it down, there's a good boy". Harry drank it without protest and as he laid his dark head on the soft pillow, he felt a gentle hand smoothing over his brow before drifting into a mercifully dreamless sleep.

Harry moved his head to the side and fumbled for his glasses on the stand next to his cot without opening his eyes. He settled the black-rimmed spectacles on the bridge of his nose and found Ron staring at him from his own bed against the opposite wall. Harry blinked, letting his early morning brain adjust to the site of the tall redhead peering at him.

"Morning Ron," he said as Ron continued to stare at him.

Ron grinned at him and pushed himself up from his bed. "Come on, mate. Even I'm not this lazy. Mum's made us wait breakfast for you, so get up!" Ron commanded and shoved Harry lightly on the shoulder as Harry sat up.

Harry swiped at Ron, but his friend dodged him easily on his way out the door, calling over his shoulder, "Jiffy up, Harry. Hermione's here and she's right anxious to see you," as he slipped out the bedroom door. Harry grinned, his heart feeling a bit lighter with the news that Hermione was waiting, presumably with Ginny. It felt great to be back with his friends.

After Harry had hurriedly changed clothes, he padded down the stairs toward the kitchen. Harry's face nearly cracked with the force of his smile at the sight that awaited him. Not only were Ron, Ginny and Hermione waiting for him, but Fred and George Weasley, along with Remus Lupin were gathered around the breakfast table, their own grins matching Harry's as they watched him walk toward the large kitchen table.

Mrs. Weasley allowed no time for greetings though, as she chivvied Harry into a chair in front of a plate full of eggs and bangers. She loaded some buttered toast onto the already overflowing plate and filled a large glass with pumpkin juice and shushed all those around the table, telling them to leave Harry to his breakfast.

They didn't of course. As soon as Mrs. Weasley left the table, Fred and George grabbed at Harry with enthusiastic glee, pumping both of his arms simultaneously while he tried frantically to stay on his chair. When the twins finally stopped shaking him, Harry righted his glasses and grinned around the table at his friends.

Ginny and Ron were laughing at their brothers' antics, while Hermione was smiling indulgently at all of them. Remus was smiling too though his eyes seemed sad as he watched Harry. Harry felt a pang then and a sudden surge of guilt as he thought of the friend Remus had lost and yet another stab as he realized he hadn't spared much thought for the pain Remus must have been experiencing these past few weeks.

Remus had noticed the guilt as it crossed the boy's face and he smiled gently, acknowledging Harry's feelings while trying to bolster his quickly flagging spirits. Harry smiled tentatively at his father's old friend and promised himself that he would talk to Remus right after breakfast.

"Harry, how are you?" It was Hermione's voice that interrupted Harry's study of Remus and he turned in relief toward his friend.

"Brilliant...now that I'm here," he assured her quickly, knowing she would press him for details later and trying to let her know that he was okay. Hermione nodded seriously at his statement and Ron rolled his eyes behind Hermione's back making Harry work quickly to suppress a laugh. He turned his attention to the twins again to distract himself from Ron's antics. "How's the joke shop?"

Fred rubbed his hands together in glee, while George was slathering a piece of crisp toast with butter. "Never better, Harry. We've even got ourselves the odd employee or two," he said in a fine imitation of Percy.

"Have you really?" Harry asked them as he laughed at Percy's expense.

George nodded conspiratorially. "Course," he told Harry around the mouthful of toast and eggs crammed in his mouth and Harry had to move slightly to avoid the bits of George's breakfast flying at him.

Mrs. Weasley came back in then, scolding everybody but Harry and Remus to get back to their food as she passed the table on the way toward the sitting room. And as Harry began shoveling food into his mouth, his friends lapsed into silence perhaps in acknowledgement that Harry did indeed need "fattening up," as Mrs. Weasley had reminded them before disappearing from the kitchen.

After each one of them had eaten their fill, everyone stood up to leave except Harry and Remus; the others took that as their cue to give them some privacy. Ron was the last to leave, after calling over his shoulder that he, Hermione and Ginny would meet him outside for a game of Quidditch when he'd finished.

Remus broke the silence first. "Are you managing all right, Harry?" His voice was soft and almost too gentle as he watched Harry carefully.

Harry slumped a little in his chair. "Yeah...I haven't slept much." The lines etching Remus' young face deepened with concern so Harry rushed on, "I'm okay though, Remus, really." Harry could tell that Remus didn't believe him, but he nodded anyway.

"You're not, Harry. But, you shouldn't be." There was a pause as Remus ran a tired hand through his graying hair. "Do you want to talk about it?" Even though the his voice was weary, the question was sincere.

Harry took a deep calming breath. "Remus, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone that night." Harry wanted to continue, but Remus cut him off abruptly.

"It's not your fault, Harry. Don't think that way. Sirius wouldn't let you blame yourself."

Harry swallowed hard and nodded, though the guilt continued to weigh heavily in his chest. He reached out a small hand and grasped Remus' larger hand in his. Remus looked surprised for a minute before squeezing Harry's fingers gently.

"Are you okay, Remus?" Harry asked him, his voice thick with too many emotions. Remus shook his head.

"I'm working on it, Harry," he said quietly, his own voice rough and Harry felt another pang for the man's loss. He nodded, not knowing what else to say. "Harry, you can contact me anytime, for anything. Professor Dumbledore will know how to find me."

Harry nodded again and Remus stood up slowly, patting Harry's hand again before releasing it completely. Remus pulled his ragged cloak around his too-thin frame and moved around the large table to the back door. "Take care of yourself, Harry."

On an impulse, one which he would have been hard-pressed to explain, Harry took the few steps toward Remus and wrapped his arms around him. Almost as if the gesture had been a great relief to Remus, Harry found himself engulfed in a crushing hug. He felt his old professor's chest heaving and Harry squeezed his own arms around Remus tightly, trying to comfort the older man as well as he knew how. They stayed that way for what seemed a long time, though when Remus finally released him, Harry wished the strong arms were still around him.

Remus smiled again at Harry and this smile fully reached his eyes as though a little of his grief had been assuaged. Harry smiled as well and then Remus was gone without another word. Harry leaned a little against the wall next to the door and allowed his thoughts to go to Sirius again and when they did, the weight in his chest seemed lighter than it had only moments before. Harry smiled slightly to himself and went to join his mates outside.

The remaining weeks with the Weasleys went by much too quickly for Harry's liking, although of course, he had Hogwarts to look forward to so he didn't mind too much. He spent most of his days playing Quidditch and de-gnoming the gardens, and no matter how many times Ginny and Ron complained about the chore, Harry found great delight in banishing the sneaky little creatures from the Weasleys' yard. He also made a happy habit of Floo-Calling Remus once a week and Harry found himself looking forward to these conversations even more than he did to the impromptu daily Quidditch matches.

Almost before Harry was ready, August 31^st arrived and Harry found himself Flooing with the Weasleys and Hermione to Diagon Alley. They met Hagrid there and Mr. Weasley, claiming the need for caution, insisted that he and Hagrid escort Harry to his vault at Gringotts. Hermione came with him while Mrs. Weasley took Ginny and Ron to purchase new robes.

The quartet made quick work of reaching Gringotts' big doors and Hermione oohed and ahhed over the entire experience of flying in the rickety carts down through the dark bank passageways. Hagrid, of course, enjoyed the ride no more than he had the first time he'd taken Harry down to his vault. Mr. Weasley, like Hermione, seemed to enjoy the ride.

When they reached Harry's vault, he hurriedly exited the cart. He stepped back as the burly goblin pulled opened his vault. Harry entered the vault in front of the goblin, with Hermione only steps behind him. Hagrid and Mr. Weasley waited for them outside the door. Harry didn't spare much time for a look around the large room though he did notice a wooden chest he had never seen before, half hidden behind a rather large pile of galleons.

With a glance back at Hermione, who had engaged the recalcitrant goblin in a one-sided debate about Magical Creature rights, Harry paused to roll his eyes before he crossed the short distance to the truck and knelt gingerly in front of it. Expecting to need a key to open the chest, Harry was surprised when the lid sprang open at his touch.

Harry's head jerked back as if expecting a curse to come flying from the depths, which he figured with his history wasn't such a very daft thought. When nothing happened, Harry slowly tilted his dark head toward the top of the trunk, using his small hands to lever himself closer. The trunk was mostly empty except for a few small trinkets of dubious value. In the middle of the space was a Pensieve.

With a surge of excitement, Harry peered inside the Pensieve, trying to get a better look at the silver-white substance without actually diving into the memories but he could move his face no further than the circular rim. Harry pulled his head back in surprise and used an index finger to touch the Runes along the rim. He would learn nothing from the ancient symbols he knew, so he turned his head toward Hermione.

"Hermione," he interrupted the bushy haired girl excitedly and Hermione paused in her recitation, for which the goblin seemed most grateful. The goblin backed up a few paces, apparently not taking any chances that the girl would resume the conversation. He needn't have worried though. Hermione had immediately recognized the edge of excitement in Harry's tone and she hurried to his side, dropping to her knees to mimic Harry's stance.

"Ooh, Harry, it's a Pensieve! Oh!" his friend cried, delighted at the discovery, as much as she would have if it had been a lavishly wrapped present under her Christmas tree.

Just as Harry had done, Hermione peered at the memories in the Pensieve and lowered a hand but made no move to lower it below the stone rim before looking over at Harry, her excitement not diminished at all.

"Harry, it's been sealed I think. It's some sort of stasis field. I can't tell how long ago it was placed there though. It must have belonged to your parents." She smiled brightly at him and Harry nodded uncertainly.

"Do you know how to remove the stasis field?" Harry asked around the lump that was forming in his throat. If his parents had left these memories to Harry, he wanted to look at them straightaway.

Hermione frowned thoughtfully. "I probably could, Harry if I had the right book to show me how...Mr. Weasley might know," she suggested quickly as Harry's face fell.

Harry's eyes brightened at the idea and he moved quickly away from the Pensieve to fill his small pouch with some of his parents' money and after stuffing the bag in a robe pocket, he hauled the small Pensieve out of the trunk.

It was heavy, but Harry managed to carry it past the impatient goblin and out the door. Mr. Weasley and Hagrid were waiting for them. At the sight of the Pensieve in

Harry's hands, Mr. Weasley raised his eyebrows in surprise while Hagrid made a movement to take it out of Harry's arms. Harry shook his head though, not trusting the giant to be careful with it.

"What've yer got there, 'Arry?" Hagrid asked him.

Harry smiled at him happily before answering. "I found it in an old trunk."

Mr. Weasley stepped closer to the Pensieve and as Hermione had done in the vault, he lowered his hand until it met the rim. Then he took his wand out and tapped it with the tip. A bluish haze lit the mouth of the Pensieve. He smiled warmly when he looked back up at Harry.

"It's a stasis shield. I can release it for you when we get back to the Burrow if you'd like."

Harry nodded enthusiastically, not trusting himself to speak. Hermione beamed next to him, squeezing Harry's arm affectionately and with the Pensieve wrapped securely in his grip, they all boarded the trolley again; it whisked them quickly upward at breakneck speeds.

xxxxx

Severus Snape pulled himself abruptly out of his own Pensieve and re-oriented himself to his dungeon quarters before turning on a booted heel toward his fireplace. He grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and flung it sharply down before ordering, "Kitchens!" A young house-elf appeared in the green flames and timidly asked Severus what he would like.

"Tea," he snapped.

The house-elf nodded quickly and disappeared. Before the flames had fully died down, an elegant tea service popped into existence on the small table beside the fireplace. Severus poured himself a cup with a shaking hand. Clenching his jaw, he willed his fingers to still before taking a sip of the steaming tea. He took a few more sips before slamming the cup down on its saucer, making the two rattle.

"Accio, Calming Draught," he bit out, with an annoyed flick of his wand. The Draught flew to him from his personal stores and he downed the contents in one angry gulp. He felt the effects immediately as his body relaxed enough to allow him to slump into one of the chairs in his parlor.

Severus leaned his head on the back of the chair, his usually erect posture forgotten. Severus closed his dark eyes in a good imitation of sleep. But sleep was not what he was seeking. Instead, Severus sought in the darkest recesses of his mind to find a memory, a memory with enough peace to allow him to forget the wretched events of this past night. With almost as much effort as he possessed, Severus found the memory and he latched onto it as though his very life depended on it.