Lily's Charm

NotEvenHere

Story Summary:
In a story that spans two decades, Lily and Severus attempt to dispel the power of the Dark Mark after her life is threatened by Eileen Prince. Seventeen years later, Harry uncovers a long-buried truth which changes the course of his life. AU. Complete.

Chapter 02 - Memories

Chapter Summary:
A plan is made to keep Lily safe in 1979 and in 1996, Harry takes a trip inside his Pensieve.
Posted:
04/10/2008
Hits:
2,259
Author's Note:
In this story, Severus comes from a wealthy pureblood family and the Death Eaters were not captured at the end of OOTP. SS/LE H/G R/Hr RL/NT


1979

Severus stood stiffly on the hearth rug next to the impressive stone mantel in his sitting room, while his wife scurried around the spacious room rearranging pillows on the sofa and chairs. Severus was too annoyed to be amused that Lily was resorting to Muggle cleaning techniques, as she often did when she was nervous, instead of flicking her wand to put the pillows in their proper places.

Lily paid no attention to her husband's foul mood although she had been surprised earlier that he hadn't yet resorted to the heavy-footed pacing he normally favored when he was angry. Lily took one last look around the room to ensure that it was in perfect order before wiping a hand across her brow. Lily glanced over at Severus then and sighed as she realized he was watching her with a resentful gaze. She placed her hands on her slim hips with a scowl.

"Don't you dare look at me like that, Severus Snape," she scolded him and Severus blinked in surprise at the rebuke as if he hadn't realized he had been frowning fiercely at his wife. Lily laughed at his expression and watched happily as the sound caused her husband to relax his rigid posture slightly and one side of his mouth to curl into something half-resembling a smile.

"James is likely to step on your foot if you stay there," Lily told her husband playfully.

Severus frowned at Lily again but he did move away from the fireplace and into the middle of the room. Lily tilted her pretty face toward her favorite chair pointedly and Severus with a sigh of his own, sat down in it. His frown deepened as he sank down too far into the old chair's depths.

Lily smiled as she walked over to Severus and dropped with an unladylike plop onto his lap. She leaned her head on his shoulder and Severus reflexively brought one arm around her waist and drew her closer into his chest. Lily took his other hand, running her thumb over the calluses on his palm.

Severus watched Lily tracing lines on his hand, noticing as her fingers lingered against the spots of skin that had been hardened after years of chopping and stirring potions in his lab. He and Lily had spent many hours holed up in Severus' lab together, Lily sometimes acting as her husband's assistant, but more often involved in developing potions of her own. Lily's best subject at Hogwarts had no doubt been Charms, but that didn't take anything away from her formidable ability with a cauldron.

"Sev." Severus tensed at the ominous tone in Lily's voice. Lily brushed her fingers lightly over the hand she held in her own in an unconscious effort to reassure him before continuing, "James is already willing to do this. Please try not to antagonize him." Lily kept her voice even with an effort, but Severus clenched his jaw anyway and Lily suppressed another sigh.

"I will be civil," Severus told her, his words stilted. Lily squeezed his hand before turning slightly in his lap so that her back was to his chest.

"I'm keeping you to that, Sev," she told him seriously. Severus didn't respond but he did grind his teeth together in agitation. Lily only smiled and brought both of her husband's arms around her and held them together in front of her waist. Severus relaxed as she leaned fully into his embrace and they sat there together in contented silence as they waited for James Potter to arrive.

xxxxx

As the Floo roared to life, Severus stood up, deftly bringing Lily with him and placing her off to his side with one smooth movement. Severus pulled slightly away from her, for decorum's sake, but Lily held firmly to his hand. Severus didn't pull away even though he did feel a moment's resentment that Lily was going to insist on such a public display in front of Potter.

Severus' face was a forced mask of calm and ease as Potter stepped sure-footed into their sitting room. Potter was smiling as the emerald fire died behind him, though Severus' sharp eyes noticed Potter's smile had faltered slightly as he took in Lily's hand firmly intertwined with Severus'.

Severus almost smiled then as a rush of cold haughtier coursed through him. He had Lily and Potter was alone. But as fast as the feeling came, it vanished again. James Potter was here now and he was not only going to publicly declare a marriage with his wife but be claimed as the father of Severus' own son.

A rush of bile assaulted Severus' throat at the thought and Severus forced himself to clamp those thoughts down. He Occluded his mind and nodded graciously at his enemy.

"Good Evening," Severus said politely.

Severus saw Lily glance up at him briefly before saying warmly to her old friend, "James." Potter's full smile shone down on Lily and she stepped away from Severus and firmly embraced Potter. "Thank you," she told him simply and though it seemed impossible, Potter's smile brightened.

Lily and Potter broke apart after what seemed too long a time to be considered proper, at least to Severus. But since he had already successfully quelled the urge to throw his old nemesis bodily from the room the instant he had touched his wife, Severus did not outwardly react.

Lily offered her friend a chair then sat on the sofa opposite Potter. Severus, after a moment's hesitation, sat stiffly next to his wife, keeping a slight distance between them as decorum demanded.

Potter was watching Severus' movements very closely, and he seemed smugly amused by Severus' obvious discomfort, as if he thought Severus' stilted movements were indicative of a rift between the couple. Severus suppressed yet another urge to rip James Potter's smarmy face in half and waited for Lily to speak.

"What did you tell the others?" Lily asked James, to break the tension in the room.

James smiled slightly before answering. "That I've been seeing you for weeks. Sirius was furious when I told him I'd been keeping it from them."

"I imagine he'll be even angrier when you tell him we've married," Lily said. Severus flinched slightly at the word as Lily laughed. James didn't notice Severus' reaction as all his attention was focused squarely on Lily. James laughed with Lily and nodded.

"Quite rightly too. It was almost impossible to get here tonight without Sirius tagging along. Remus and Peter were almost as bad, but they'll be more hurt than angry, I think. I'll smooth everything out with them though." He paused before asking tentatively, "You're coming tomorrow then?"

Lily glanced again at Severus. Though he would look to anyone else the very picture of calm, Lily could see how much this meeting with James was costing him. She longed to reach over and take his hand but she knew too that Severus would not appreciate the gesture in front of James. Resigned, she turned back to James who was waiting for her to answer, the anxiety in his posture clear as well.

"Yes...Severus will come with us under a Disillusionment Charm." Lily's voice didn't precisely make it a question but it was said as though she thought James would have an objection. James understood her tone and he swallowed, determined to make this easier on the woman that he still cared for.

"Right," James agreed and was pleased when Lily favored him with a smile. He returned it before continuing, "I'll Floo Remus in the morning and ask him to invite Sirius and Peter for tea. It'll be best to do this just once."

Lily nodded in approval. Severus, without prompting inclined his head slightly and Lily relaxed. Her ease didn't last.

"I know we talked about this," James began and then paused when Lily raised her eyebrows. James cleared his throat, before continuing, "But, this would be easier if we could tell-"

James didn't have a chance to finish before Severus growled, "No." The single word was explosive over James' smooth voice. James narrowed his eyes at the interruption but otherwise didn't react.

"We can't risk it, James," was Lily's unruffled response, but James was hardly mollified.

He pointedly ignored Severus and instead focused completely on Lily. "Lily, all of them are likely to be here fairly often. If we don't tell them, how will we explain Severus' presence here...unless of course he wants to make himself scarce," he mocked.

Lily closed her eyes in anticipation of her husband's indignant response. She wasn't disappointed. Severus clenched his fists and narrowed his eyes, finally turning his irate gaze on the man sitting across from him.

"This is my home, Potter," Severus spat.

James stiffened. "And these are my friends."

"I don't care who your 'friends' are. It is enough that I agreed to let them into our home at all. I will not allow Lily to be put at further at risk simply because you do not wish to keep secrets from a mangy wolf and the rest of his pack."

"Lily wouldn't even be at risk, Snape, if you hadn't joined Voldemort," James told Severus fiercely, his anger rising considerably at the insults aimed at the other Marauders.

"I did not join Voldemort, Potter. I created a ruse in order to keep my mother from harming my wife." The vein in Severus' temple was throbbing dangerously.

"And now we're creating a new ruse to keep Lily safe," James continued in a caustic tone, having no idea that the pulsing vein was a good indication that Severus was quickly losing his composure. "Bonding with Lily means we're supposed to be creating a life together and a home together. A home in which my friends would be welcome. What else do you suggest we do?" The animosity was rich in James' voice as he glared at the Slytherin.

Lily rested a soft hand on Severus' arm before her husband could bite out a response. She turned to James. "We can't tell them, James. I trust them as well, but even Albus advised us to keep this between the four of us." At the mention of his mentor, James forced himself to calm down. He nodded curtly at Lily and folded his arms over his chest in tacit acquiescence to her unspoken plea.

Severus smirked at his wife's easy management of Potter. The pathetic Gryffindor obviously possessed no cunning and most likely couldn't conceive of a friend, especially Lily, manipulating him.

Lily, though she could guess her husband's line of thinking, ignored it and said instead to James, "Your friends are always welcome here. You're to think of this as your home. We want you to be comfortable here, James."

James stared at Lily for a moment before remarking in a hard tone, "They used to be your friends too, Lily." Lily flushed and Severus fisted his hands in anger on his wife's behalf.

"Mind your tongue when you are speaking to my wife, Potter," Severus bit out with a snarl.

"Your wife doesn't need you to defend her, Snape," James retorted coldly.

Snape narrowed his blazing eyes. "You have no idea what Lily needs, Gryffindor." The last word was delivered as an epithet and Severus watched in satisfaction as Potter's face flushed in renewed anger. The satisfaction waned however, as Potter turned furiously to Lily.

"This is what you want, Lily? A man who insults who you are? A man who fills your life with danger? You could have been so happy, Lily." There was no plea in James' voice, only sadness and anger, mingled together with regret.

Lily opened her mouth to respond but Severus cut in, "Ah, yes," Severus drawled, "your pathetic ability to make Lily happy during your day in Hogsmeade resulted in a very happy night indeed. I'm sure you remember it, Potter, as I did escort Lily back to your dormitories the following morning."

"Severus!" Lily gasped and watched in dismay as James' face blanched and his hands began to tremble convulsively in his lap.

Severus didn't have a chance to enjoy Potter's reaction as Lily's rebuke fell soundly on his ears. His lips thinned in response, not enjoying the sensation of being reprimanded like a child in front of Potter. Severus would not however argue with Lily in front of the other man, so he did the only thing he could. He met Lily's eyes steadily as hers bored into his in silent reproach.

Lily narrowed her green eyes briefly until she was satisfied that her husband would not say anything further to upset James then she turned back to her old friend. "Please excuse him, James. He shouldn't have said that." James looked up from his intent study of his hands and simply nodded and Lily noted that his color had returned to normal.

She smiled warmly at him. She had apologized more than once to James since that night and he had told her he'd forgiven her. Lily accepted that but she knew that James had never stopped loving her. The idea made her ache for James' pain, but...she loved Severus and she nothing could change that.

To change the subject, Lily said to James, "Albus had a suggestion as well that will allow Severus to be around...without a Disillusionment Charm, that is," she clarified, smiling slightly. James smiled slowly as well, probably at the image of Severus Snape skulking about unseen by the other Mauraders.

Severus frowned slightly at his wife in accusation for the joke at his expense even though he understood why she had done it. Lily almost laughed at Severus' frown but turned her attention back to James instead.

"Albus will come to see you tomorrow to tell you that Severus needs protection," Lily ignored James' grin and Severus' clenched jaw. "He'll ask you to allow Severus to stay with us," she continued to James.

Lily bit her lip and both James and Severus stilled their facial muscles, realizing how much they were upsetting her. "Sirius will object, of course...and the two of you will have to learn to get along to show him, and the others, that things are all right here...." Lily trailed off uncertainly and uncharacteristically began playing nervously with the ring on her left hand.

"Sirius will be a problem, yes," James told Lily, his voice soothing, "but, please don't worry about it, Lily. It may actually make things easier for awhile. Padfoot'll probably refuse to visit." James' mouth quirked and Lily gave him a small smile, though it didn't reach her eyes.

Severus, tuned to his wife in almost perfect harmony, understood Lily's sudden reticence and silently cursed Eileen for putting them in this situation at all. Severus wished that Potter would go up to the guest room Lily had prepared and leave them alone. He wanted to reach out for Lily and hold her, reassure her that everything would be all right and to apologize for his childish behavior.

He would do neither of course, not while Potter was sitting across from them. An apology would not come easily from his lips, even in private. He settled for telling Lily quietly, "We will have to learn to get along." Lily glanced at him, as if seeking for the truth in his statement. She looked only mildly reassured however until Potter nodded in agreement and only then, did her eyes smile.

Irritated at his inability to soothe his own wife, without the infernal Gryffindor's assistance, Severus stood abruptly. "If you'll excuse me, I have potions to attend to in my lab." After a short nod from Potter, Severus said stiffly, "Goodnight," and took his leave.

xxxxx

Lily found Severus in his lab, an hour later, bent over a bubbling cauldron. She shut the door quietly, automatically activating the silencing spells put in place by Severus years ago. Without a word, she went to the workstation next to Severus and took up the mortar and pestle and began attacking the Asphodel waiting there, pounding steadily to reduce the root to a fine powder for Severus' potion.

Severus had of course noticed Lily's entrance and had even followed her graceful movements into the room and to his side. He watched his wife smashing his pestle into the stone bowl on the counter, inferring correctly that Lily was still angry with him for his behavior earlier. He wisely stayed silent, allowing Lily space; she would speak to him when she was ready.

Lily didn't know who Severus was currently brewing for and she wouldn't ask. She had decided before Severus took the Dark Mark that she would never ask for details of Severus' interactions with Voldemort. She had since discovered this had been a wise decision; he did not like to talk about the nights spent with the Death Eaters and their Lord.

Unsatisfied with the way this particular pestle was crushing the Asphodel, Lily laid it aside and went over to the large cabinet next to the door. Knowing the she was too short to reach the highest shelf where Severus kept his equipment, she dragged a stool from near the bench over to the tall cabinet.

Severus, who had looked up curiously from the potion he was carefully stirring, frowned as he caught up with his wife's intention. He cast a quick Stasis Charm over the cauldron he was brewing with and strode over to her.

Lily had stepped onto the stool and was preparing to stretch upward toward the top shelf of the cabinet when Severus' hand on her arm stilled her movements. She looked down at him questioningly and Severus shook his head at her.

"You shouldn't be doing that in your condition, Lily," he told her quietly but Lily snorted at him, a wholly unladylike sound that brought a smile to Severus' lips instantly.

"I'm pregnant, Sev, not an invalid," she informed him, an amused lilt in her voice. Severus relaxed visibly at Lily's use of his nickname, something he would only allow her to do. And he recognized, with her use of it, that she wasn't nearly as angry with him as she should perhaps have been.

Buoyed by that thought, Severus brought his empty hand up to Lily's other arm and drew her down firmly from her perch. She noised an objection but allowed him to lift her up, bringing her to stand in front of him. Lily looked up at him while Severus brought a gentle hand to her flushed cheek.

He looked down at her, his face a swirling mass of emotions and Lily waited patiently, knowing her husband was steeling himself for an apology. Lily wanted to tell him, as she always wished she could, that his mental preparation was not necessary. That she wouldn't reject him, as had been done to Severus so many times before by his parents. It was enough for now that Severus stood before her, his mental defenses down, his own way of showing Lily that he trusted her.

Taking a calming breath, Severus finally told her, "I apologize for my behavior earlier, Lily. It was childish of me." The sentiment was delivered in a smooth tone, though it was not lacking in sincerity.

Lily smiled at Severus as she wrapped her arms around his strong neck. Letting out the nervous breath he had been holding, Severus pulled Lily to him, resting his chin on the top of her head, immensely relieved that Lily had forgiven him. She was too easy on him, he knew, but he appreciated it all the same.

"I will try to get along with him...for you, Lily. I do not wish you to be uncomfortable in your own home." Lily nodded against his chest at the promise.

"Thank you. I know this isn't going to be easy," she told him and her statement was immediately followed by a loud yawn. Severus frowned slightly, reaching a hand up to take her chin. He tilted her head back with his fingers to study her closely.

"You are exhausted, Lily. You should be in bed," Severus rebuked his wife gently. Lily rolled her eyes.

"You sound like my mother," she huffed at him.

"Then your mother was a wise woman," he told her sagely. Lily laughed and the sound

lightened Severus' heart as he watched her emerald eyes sparkling merrily.

"Yes, she was," Lily informed him seriously. "She was also of the opinion that husbands and wives should always go to bed together." She glanced meaningfully at the cauldron behind them.

Obediently, recognizing his wife's tone, Severus cast a stronger Charm over the cauldron and the ingredients on the table beside it, to hold it in Stasis until morning and taking the hand Lily offered him, followed his wife out of the lab.

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

1996

As soon as they had all Flooed back to the Burrow, Harry turned eagerly to Ron's father. Mr. Weasley smiled warmly at him.

"Why don't we remove the shield in your room and then you can have some privacy," Mr. Weasley suggested and Harry nodded gratefully; he hadn't wanted to ask the others for some time alone. He was after all, the Weasleys' house guest and Harry didn't want to be rude.

Hermione looked like she wanted an invitation from Mr. Weasley as well. Harry figured she wanted to watch Ron's dad remove the stasis shield but since he didn't want everyone crowding around, he turned away from Hermione, hoping she would understand. With ill-concealed excitement, Harry followed Ron's dad quickly up the slightly crooked Weasley staircase to the room he was sharing with Ron, his parents' Pensieve held firmly in his arms.

Hermione sagged slightly at the snub and even Ron seemed like he wished he could have followed Harry. Mrs. Weasley smiled fondly at Harry's retreating back and then left the room quickly to tend to dinner. Ginny, still standing near the fireplace, watched Harry until he was out of sight and then with a small smile, suggested that her brother and Hermione join her for a walk outside.

Ginny didn't want Harry to be interrupted and she knew Ron too well to simply leave her brother inside waiting for his best mate to share something Harry might not wish to share. And so, with a grumbling Ron and a fidgeting Hermione in tow, Ginny made her way outside into her family's gnome-filled garden.

Harry and Mr. Weasley reached Ron's door faster than Harry had expected to and he felt a familiar twinge of nerves in the pit of his stomach. Of course, he could hardly stand to wait any longer to see what was in the Pensieve, but the idea was a bit disconcerting all the same. The last time he had been inside a Pensieve had been in Snape's private office and that experience alone made him slightly wary of another trip.

He was worried as well about what kind of memory he might see. His last glimpses of his parents and of his father in particular, had not been pleasant ones. In fact, even after Sirius and Remus had assured him that his father had in fact been a good man, Harry was not entirely convinced. But he was even more worried about the blatant animosity he had witnessed between his mother and father. Of course, Ron and Hermione hadn't always gotten along and yet Harry felt it quite likely that the quarrelsome pair would somehow manage to pair up...eventually anyway.

With that somehow comforting thought, Harry placed the heavy stone receptacle on Ron's low bureau and then backed away, making room for Mr. Weasley, who stepped up to the Pensive, his wand drawn.

"Aufero Contego," the older man commanded lightly as he ran the tip of his wand around the Pensieve's hard rim. The same bluish haze lit its round opening and then it flashed brighter than it had in Gringotts for a brief second before vanishing completely.

Mr. Weasley smiled again at Harry as he slid his wand up into his right sleeve. He clapped a warm hand on the young man's shoulder briefly and quietly left the room, closing the door discreetly behind him.

Harry bit his lip, the nervousness almost overwhelming him before he gathered his considerable Gryffindor courage and thrust his head into the Pensieve. Harry felt the familiar icy falling sensation as he was hurled forward and then suddenly, he was standing in a brightly lit room, staring at a blank white wall.

Harry turned around and almost yelped in delight. The pretty, red-haired woman leaning back in a bed with crisp white linens was most definitely his mother. And she was quite a few years older than she had been when Harry had last seen her in Snape's Pensieve.

Harry took a few quick steps closer to his mother and wished more than anything that he could reach out and touch her. He wanted to ask her so many things. He wanted to hear her voice again. Harry sighed and tried to be content to watch as his mum lightly fingered one of the bright flowers sitting in a glass vase next to her bed.

Harry looked carefully at his surroundings and realized that he was in St. Mungo's. His mother was obviously a patient here and Harry felt a jolt of pure joy when he spotted a small cradle next to his mother's bed. He stepped closer to his mother's side, looking down into the cradle. Lying under a tiny blue blanket was an even tinier baby, sucking sedately on a clenched fist.

Harry grinned as he watched his mum reach her hand toward the baby and gently stroke the shock of raven hair messily adorning her son's head. Taking in the pleasant scene, Harry's insides began to glow as he realized that it was probably only hours after he had been born, which of course meant his father should be around here somewhere. He looked around in anticipation, eager for a chance to see a happy interaction between his parents. He didn't have to wait long.

James Potter was standing just inside the door. Harry felt the same leap of joy as he restrained himself from reaching out toward his father. He turned with his dad as James walked over to Lily and baby Harry. Though his dad was smiling, he seemed almost sad and Harry felt a prickle of unease settle in his gut.

"How are you, Lily?" Harry's dad asked when he reached mother and child.

Lily smiled up at James, her own smile completely happy, if maybe a little tired.

"We're wonderful, James," she assured him and James nodded as if to reassure himself that she was indeed okay. Harry relaxed a little. His father was worried about his mum, that was all.

James looked down at Harry then and with an index finger, he lightly traced Harry's little nose. "He's beautiful, Lily." Lily laughed, and Harry grinned, enjoying the sound of his mother's tinkling laugh.

"Don't sound so surprised, James," Lily said, her tone teasing.

James shrugged, and his mouth quirked playfully. "Well, just look who his father is."

Harry blinked a bit in confusion. He'd never thought of his father as one who would indulge in self-deprecating humor, because even though his dad's tone was light, it was obvious that he had been at least a little surprised that his son was 'beautiful', as he had put it. Harry shrugged it off though, figuring it must be a common reaction for new fathers to have about their babies.

Harry looked toward his mother again, waiting for her to reply, but she didn't have a chance to respond further, as the door swung open a second time. Finding himself hoping it was Sirius, Harry swung around eagerly to look at the newcomer. His mouth fell open in shock as he watched his Potions Professor shimmer into existence as the door closed behind him.

For a wild moment, Harry thought Snape had somehow leapt into the Pensieve after him, as he had last year and Harry almost expected to be yanked out of the memory again, but Snape paid no attention to Harry and went straight toward Lily and James.

Snape, a much younger version of Snape, Harry now realized, stopped when he reached the side of the cradle and he gazed down at Lily in concern. "Are you all right?" he asked quickly and Harry stared at the trio in confusion. What was going on here? His parents were friends with Snape? After what he had seen last year, the memory unfolding in front of him made no sense at all.

"Of course, Sev," his mother was saying in a quiet tone, one meant to soothe ragged nerves. What did Snape have to be nervous about anyway...and had his mother just called the dreaded Potions Master...Sev?

Harry's confusion blossomed as he watched Snape squeeze Lily's hand lightly and then Harry almost fell over as Severus Snape, the man who had made Harry's life miserable for five long years, bent down and gently scooped baby Harry into his arms.

The expression in Snape's eyes was one Harry had never even conceived the man to be capable of. But there it was in plain view for all to see. Snape's eyes fairly shone with love.

What the hell was going on here? Harry took a step back, away from his mother's hospital bed as if hoping the distance would help him gain some kind of understanding.

Harry continued to watch in something akin to horror, as Snape traced his younger self's nose and lips with his thumb, in the same way James had and somehow Harry noticed that Snape's gesture was tender, whereas James' had been simply curious. Harry shook his head, unsure of how he could even tell there had been a difference.

Snape suddenly looked up at Lily and though it was impossible, the love in his face grew for an instant before he leaned down and softly kissed Lily on the cheek.

Harry reeled at this, his mind spinning in a hundred different directions. Harry didn't understand any of this. What was Snape doing here and why was he kissing his mum? And, what the hell was his father doing, just standing there? Harry wanted to stomp over and shake his father, to demand just what the bloody hell he thought he was doing, allowing that greasy git to manhandle his wife and son.

But of course, Harry couldn't do anything but watch. So, he watched. Even as Snape turned to his dad and said quietly.

"Lily and I...we would like Harry's middle name to be James...after you,"

'Lily and I'? Harry's brain finally caught up with his emotions as he watched his mum reach out and take Snape's hand in hers and as he saw James Potter, at the foot of his mother's bed, nodding at the little family, accepting their offer.

"No!" Harry cried frantically, stumbling back. "No!" he yelled again in panic and yanked himself from the memory, somehow ending the nightmare even though he had no idea how to do it. Harry felt himself rising through the air and found his feet suddenly plunking loudly on Ron's threadbare carpet.

Harry began to tremble as he looked wildly about the room. No, he fumed silently. This couldn't be. He wouldn't believe it. Snape was not his father! No! No! No!

Suddenly filled with an unstoppable rage, Harry grabbed the first thing he could get his hands on and flung it viciously through the air at the opposite wall. Pig's wooden cage, mercifully empty of Ron's small owl, whipped through the air and splintered into a dozen pieces.

Completely unsatisfied, Harry picked up Hedwig's cage from where it had been sitting peacefully next to Pigwidgeon's, and swung it angrily at the same spot against the wall and it too, crashed into pieces and then fell next to its smaller counterpart on the floor.

Harry glared at the remains of the owls' cages and tried desperately to get his breathing under control before any more of either his or Ron's belongings became unwitting casualties to his anger. As he glared at the wall, Harry wished furiously that instead it was Snape's ugly face and that the wooden splinters would have perhaps left some gashes in the sneering man's cheeks.

Then as another surge of blinding fury welled up in him, this time at the man who was supposed to be his father, Harry whirled around and punched Ron's bureau with all his strength. The loud thwack of wood against skin as well as the pain that coursed through his hand was immensely more satisfying than the broken cages had been and Harry felt all of a sudden, drained...and completely alone.

Harry turned slightly and slumped against the bureau, using it as a support as he slid to the floor, his knees bending up in front of him. Harry rested his arms wearily on his knees and with a deep shuddering breath, buried his face in his arms.

Harry had no idea how long he had been hunched over his knees on the floor and he didn't bother looking up when Ron's door opened with a creak. He had an almost irresistible urge to yell at the intruder (presumably Ron himself) to bugger off, but he didn't have the energy to pull it off.

Harry continued instead, to watch a small spider's slow progress across the carpet. The door was shut with a quiet click and his visitor moved almost noiselessly into the room to stand in front of Harry.

Harry realized immediately that it definitely wasn't Ron who had come in, as the bare toes in front of him were decidedly not hairy. Since he didn't think Hermione would walk around the Weasleys' house in bare feet, Harry figured it had to be Ginny standing there in front of him. His suspicions were confirmed as Ginny sat down beside him, bringing her knees up in an unconscious imitation of him.

Ginny had surveyed the damaged room and Harry's dejected form on the floor and understood that whatever memory had been locked inside the Pensieve had not been a pleasant one.

It had been obvious something had gone wrong as soon as she and the others had heard the two distinct crashes from upstairs, followed closely by a loud smashing sound. It had been Ginny who had fiercely stopped Ron and her mother from rushing up to see what had happened, after a quick spell by her father had told them all that Harry was alone in Ron's room and breathing just fine.

Ginny leaned against Ron's bureau and waited. Either Harry would want to talk about what he had seen in the Pensieve, or he wouldn't. And either way, Ginny would sit with him until he asked her to go.

Harry however, had no intention of asking Ginny to leave. He found her warm presence beside him oddly comforting. He realized in belated embarrassment that she and everyone else had most likely heard his brief tantrum. It felt good to know though that Ginny would offer him this measure of comfort.

Harry glanced over at the redhead and she was smiling at him. He tried to smile in response but his anger and frustration had not fully abated and the smile failed miserably. Ginny, sensing his distress, reached over and squeezed his arm gently. The contact eased some of Harry's ire and in an almost reflexive response he slid his arm down his leg until his hand was under Ginny's.

They sat that way for what seemed like a long time to Harry, while he unsuccessfully tried to banish the Pensieve's traitorous memory from his mind. The images wouldn't leave though. The more he tried to rid himself of them, the angrier Harry felt.

"Shit, Ginny!" he exploded suddenly and he surged to his feet, pulling Ginny along with him.

Ginny, though startled by Harry's outburst, stood up with him. Harry gritted his teeth. He was glaring at the Pensieve and Ginny saw in his eyes that he meant to go back in there. Ginny started to pull her hand away to give Harry room, but Harry held fast to her, as though he needed the contact to get through whatever he was going through.

Ginny stilled her hand and Harry glanced down at her, questioningly. Ginny nodded her assent and the pair walked toward the Pensieve. Together, they leaned toward the swirling memories.

xxxxx

Ginny stumbled out of the Pensieve with Harry as his chest heaved with tangled emotions. She squeezed his hand again gently and waited for his movements to still. After several deep breaths, Harry quieted and sat heavily on his cot.

"It's true then," Harry said dully and Ginny's heart ached for him.

"I'm sorry, Harry," she said quietly

"What for?" Harry asked mockingly. "Who wouldn't want Snape for a father? Who wouldn't want one more lie mucking up his life?"

Harry was twisting his hands in his lap with frenetic movements, having pulled away from Ginny's grasp. He wouldn't recall until later how empty his hand felt without Ginny's fingers tangled in his.

"Harry, you don't know the whole story..." Ginny began but Harry cut her off with a swipe of his hand.

"I think I got most of it, Ginny. James Potter isn't my father. Snape is, and everybody has been lying about it."

Ginny, instead of commiserating with Harry, shook her head. "You don't know that. You don't even know who knows about this."

Harry barked a short laugh at no one in particular. "Well, Snape obviously knows and my mum and dad...oh excuse my slip," he said with a sneer before continuing, "James," Harry stressed sarcastically, "knew it too."

Ginny ignored Harry's tone, thinking in spite of herself how like Snape he had sounded just then. "What are you going to do?" she asked, hoping to distract Harry a bit from his accusations.

Harry looked at his friend incredulously. "Do? I'm not going to do anything, Ginny. If Snape doesn't want me to know I'm his son, who I am to spoil his fun?" The hurt in Harry's voice was badly masked and Ginny picked it out instantly.

No matter how much Harry despised their Professor, and Harry definitely did despise Snape, it still hurt him that he was so obviously not wanted. It was strange though, Ginny mused. Snape had loved Lily; it would have been obvious to anyone in the room...and Snape had clearly fallen instantly in love with their newborn son as well. What could have happened to turn that love into the deep loathing Snape now felt for Harry?

Ginny could find no answers though, as she and Harry continued to sit in silence. They stayed side by side until, just as Ginny had predicted, Ron crashed in through the door like some sort of wild Hippogriff. Hermione was right behind him, calling for Ron to stop. Ron paid no attention as he barreled into the room.

"Oi! What's going on in here?" Ron demanded suspiciously as he looked between Harry and Ginny and at his tone, Harry groaned and flung himself back onto his cot. Ginny just scowled at her brother.

"Bugger off," Ginny muttered to Ron, and Harry couldn't stop himself from grinning. Well, at least someone had said it, he thought to himself and barked out a laugh. It wasn't a pleasant laugh. The sound was actually a bit deranged, even Harry could hear that and he wasn't surprised when all of his friends turned to stare at him.

"Harry?" Hermione asked hesitantly. "Are you all right?" she questioned.

"Nope," Harry told her cheerfully. Hermione and Ron looked toward Ginny, as if asking her if she knew what was causing Harry's odd behavior. Ginny shrugged at them; she wasn't about to tell any of Harry's secrets.

"What happened?" Hermione tried again and Harry pushed himself up so that he was resting most of this weight on his elbows.

"Nothing really...you lot didn't know Snape's my dad, did you? No? Hmm...." With that, Harry flopped onto his back again, completely unaware that both Hermione and Ron were staring at him still, their mouths agape now.

After opening and closing his mouth a few times, looking very much like a floundering large-mouthed bass, Ron finally choked out a strangled, "Your what?!"

"Is that what you saw in the Pensieve, Harry?" Hermione asked, and though she still looked quite confused, she had managed to regain her composure enough to sit tentatively on Ron's bed, across from Harry and Ginny with her hands resting sedately in her lap.

Harry didn't answer either of them. He was too busy pressing his fists into his eyes, wishing he'd never found that stupid Pensieve. Wasn't Voldemort enough for him to have to deal with? Without trying to figure out why everyone had been lying to him for years?

Well, it was pretty obvious, actually, wasn't it, Harry thought bitterly. Snape was a spy for the very person who wanted to kill Harry. Of course, Snape wouldn't want an enemy of the Dark Lord for a son. Never mind that Dumbledore always insisted that Snape was trustworthy.

"Interfering old coot..." Harry muttered under his breath.

"Snape?" Hermione asked, still confused.

Harry ignored her, turning to look at Ginny instead. "Add Dumbledore to the list as well. I'd bet my Firebolt, he knows something about this too." Ginny pursed her lips but didn't argue with him. Since Dumbledore did seem to inexplicably know almost everything, it made sense that he would know about this too.

"Harry," Hermione began a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Are you going to explain what's going on?" she asked him.

Harry sighed. He was too tired to go into it now. He gestured vaguely at Ginny. "Would you mind, Gin?" he asked her wearily. Ginny nodded and then she detailed the entire memory for her brother and Hermione, both of whom listened without one interruption, though Harry thought he heard Ron gagging at the mention of Snape kissing Harry's mother. Well, Harry certainly couldn't blame him for that.

When Ginny finished, there was absolute silence. Harry pushed up again on his elbows and looked over at his friends. Ron, by this time, had chosen to take a seat on the hard floor. He was itting cross legged and leaning backward on his hands slightly, staring up at the ceiling. Hermione was staring at the Pensieve thoughtfully.

"What other memories did you see, Harry?" Hermione finally asked him, not taking her eyes off the receptacle. Harry blinked at her in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Harry," Hermione said in exasperation, finally looking in his direction. "A Pensieve can hold more than one memory, you know." She paused, a knowing look stealing over her features. "You left before the first one ended, didn't you?"

"You would have too, if you'd just found out Snape was your father," Harry huffed indignantly at her. How was he to be expected to think clearly after such a shock?

"Honestly, Hermione! Harry's had a shock," Ginny put in, coming to Harry's defense. That made the bushy-haired girl smile again and Ginny scowl at her in response.

"How do you know there are more anyway?" Harry asked his friend grouchily.

"It seemed pretty full, that's all...for such a short memory."

Ginny cut in again, "Well maybe it was a long memory and Harry left too soon to tell."

Hermione shrugged. "Maybe," she said and then turning to Harry, she asked, "Well? Don't you want to find out?"

Harry stared at her. "Are you daft, Hermione? You think I want to see more of that?"

"But, Harry," the girl protested, "maybe they'll tell you why-"

"Leave it, Hermione." That was Ron, finally bringing his head down from his study of the ceiling to look straight at Hermione. Ron's voice was uncharacteristically firm and after a moment of looking back into his eyes, Hermione drooped a little and nodded. Harry threw a grateful look at his best mate, but Ron had gone back to staring at the ceiling.

Ginny, looking for a way to break the tension in the room said rather louder than was necessary, "Why don't we go see if mum needs help getting dinner on?" Hermione nodded enthusiastically; she was obviously just as eager as Ginny to ease the tension she had helped to create. Harry looked at Ron meaningfully however and Ginny, understanding, pulled Hermione from the room without another word.

"Ron? You all right, mate?" Harry tentatively asked his friend, not having any idea what Ron could be so upset about. For Merlin's sake, it wasn't as if Snape was Ron's father!

Ron looked up suddenly and the anger in his eyes startled Harry. Ron narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "I'd like to punch that git right in the nose."

Harry burst out laughing, causing Ron to blink in sudden confusion. That only made Harry laugh harder and he hugged his arms around his middle as the laughter became uncontrollable. Ron stared at him for long minutes before he too was struck by the very ridiculousness of the entire situation, including his own final statement and Ron began to laugh with Harry, their mirth echoing off the walls of Ron's crowded bedroom.

When Harry had gotten himself a bit under control, he stood up from the bed, gave Ron a hand up from the floor and together, the two friends walked out the door. As they started down the stairs, Harry asked lightly, "Do you think your mum'll Reparo those cages for me?"

That of course, made Ron start giggling all over again and Harry joined in; they continued down to the kitchen, unable to contain their humor. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, along with Hermione and Ginny were staring at them as if they were mad. Ron and Harry only laughed louder at the expressions on their faces and it was in high good spirits that they all dug into Mrs. Weasley's delicious repast. For Harry though, the feeling wouldn't last.