Lily's Charm

1981

"Severus!" James heard Lily scolding from the kitchen, "Remus will be here any minute."

"Leave him alone, Lils. He's trying to teach Harry to say 'Powdered Lichen'," James told her with a chuckle as he listened to Severus coaching his son in the finer points of potion making, though the little boy was more interested in transferring plastic frogs in and out of the child-sized cauldron that was sitting on the low table in front of Severus.

"Must you continue to use that asinine moniker?" Severus asked as he always did, though the question came in various forms.

"Language!" Lily called from the kitchen.

Severus pursed his lips and then made a little oomph-ing sound as one of Harry's frogs struck him on the nose, making the little boy giggle. "Brilliant, Harry," James congratulated him and Harry grinned a toothy grin.

Harry held out a hand to Severus, waiting for his father to return the errant toy. Severus sighed, retrieved the frog from the floor and handed it obediently to Harry. Harry immediately threw it again, making James break into hearty laughter.

Severus, shaking his head in mild amusement, reached down for his boy and pulled him upwards and into his arms. James stood and held out his hands toward Harry. Harry clung tightly to his father and it was James' turn to sigh. "Come on, Harry. Time to get dressed for Uncle Remus," he coaxed, but Harry wouldn't budge. Lily came in from the kitchen then and reached her arms out as well to Harry.

"Come along, sweetie." But even for Lily, Harry didn't move an inch, content in his father's arms. Lily shook her head, though she was smiling. "I suppose he's fine as he is." She did use her wand though to clean the little boy's smudgy hands and face.

Severus held Harry still while Lily spelled him clean and James couldn't help noticing the smug look on the man's face and he wondered if Severus even realized he was looking so ridiculously pleased with himself. But James didn't begrudge him the feelings; Severus had come a long way and although he knew Severus would never admit to a similar feeling, James enjoyed their newfound friendship.

There a was a quiet knock on the front door and with a quick glance at James and Severus to ensure that they were ready, Lily went to let Remus in. When Remus followed Lily into the parlor, James immediately grinned and greeted him, "Moony!" The two thumped one another soundly as they hugged and James quickly asked, "How did everything go?"

Remus shrugged but then turned at the childish shout, "We!" with a grin on his worn face.

"Harry!"

Harry toddled over to Remus and excitedly lifted his little hands in the air, clenching and unclenching them into fists with impatience as he waited for Remus to lift him. Remus obliged immediately, planting a kiss on the toddler's cheek, tickling him gently. Harry squealed in delight.

"How's my big boy?" Remus asked the decidedly little boy. Harry watched the werewolf with solemn eyes and Remus tousled the black hair with affection. Then, as if he had just remembered his manners, Remus turned to where Severus was standing near the other doorway and offered politely, "Good evening, Severus."

Severus nodded curtly. "Lupin."

James knew Severus was annoyed that Harry had gone so easily and swiftly to Remus. But jealously was another emotion Severus would not have admitted to and he covered his feelings well as he watched Moony holding his son. James doubted he could have done as well himself.

"You'll stay for dinner, Remus?" Lily asked, her face warm as she watched her friend; Remus chuckled.

"Are you cooking?" he wanted to know. Lily grinned and nodded. "Well, then, of course," he accepted easily.

"Would you like to help?" Lily asked him.

Remus eyed the little boy in his arms, assessing him "What do you say, Harry? Should we give your old mum a hand?"

Lily swatted Remus' arm playfully. "Don't warp Harry's mind. I am not old."

Remus grinned and asked Harry seriously, "Should we help your young mum, then, Harry?" He tickled the little boy again, setting off peals of giggles and Remus laughed with him, bouncing Harry lightly in his arms as he followed Lily to the kitchen.

James was grinning as he watched the trio walk out of the parlor but he stopped at the look on Severus' face. Now that Remus had left the room, Severus was looking distinctly disgruntled.

"Harry adores you," James tried gently only to have Severus turn toward him with a scowl.

"Thank you, James, for stating the obvious," he drawled sarcastically. James sighed and Severus, still huffing in frustration, went to finish whatever potion he was working on in the lab. James shook his head and wondered why he even bothered sometimes; the man was a walking sneer.

------

1996

Severus paced in angry, measured steps in front of the hearth in his quarters. Damn his temper! He couldn't even claim the excuse that he had little experience dealing with volatile teenage mood swings; Severus was the Head of Slytherin House, for Merlin's sake! Teenagers didn't come more explosive than his Slytherins. Damn, damn, damn, Severus fumed as he moved.

Why couldn't he have simply explained calmly to Harry that he was concerned about him? Why did he have snap at the boy? Harry only had such idiotic assumptions about him because Severus had never given Harry any reason to believe his Professor capable of anything but hate. Of course his son would think him an egotistical cretin.

Severus had seen the way he'd left his son shaking in his bed. He had felt instantly remorseful, but he hadn't known what to do. So he'd left. How many times was he going to just Floo away from a problem without dealing with it? But Harry wasn't a problem...he was a boy...his son. A son he'd left three times in the past week without any sort of explanation.

Severus stopped pacing when his Floo erupted and then an extremely irate werewolf was glaring out at him. Severus glared back, wishing he'd remembered to close his damned Floo.

"What do you want?" he barked, expecting Lupin to have the decency to cringe at his tone, but instead Lupin stepped through the flames and into Severus' sitting room. Outraged at Lupin's audacity, Severus drew his wand and growled, "How dare you enter my rooms without permission in the middle of the night?"

Remus, completely unaffected, folded his arms across his chest and said calmly, not even bothering to draw his own wand, "You've left Harry a mess twice now and I will not allow you to hurt him again."

Severus mentally sagged at Lupin's words, cringing inwardly as he remembered the crushed look on Harry's face earlier. But Severus would not reveal any such pitiful feeling to anyone, least of all Remus Lupin so he said instead, "Your threats do not interest me."

"What does interest you, Severus?" Lupin asked, his brown eyes suddenly intense as he watched the Potions Master carefully.

"I am certain that is none of your business, wolf."

Lupin raised a brow, obstinately refusing to rise to Severus' bait. Severus cursed the man for his easy going nature. "Harry is my business, especially now that you've made it clear that he is none of yours." Lupin's eyes were glowing with determination, though he retained his docile tone.

Severus narrowed his eyes. "I have made no such thing clear, especially not to you," he snarled.

Lupin's eyes registered surprise and then he shook his head sadly. Lupin was looking at him with such pity that Severus felt his neck begin to flush, but he determinedly willed himself to calm; the tinge of red did not creep further up. "Whether you realize it or not, Severus, your behavior makes it plain to Harry that you do not want anything more to do with him now than you ever have."

Severus turned away, lest the werewolf see the anguish that he was too surprised to restrain. That had not been his intention at all when he'd begun talking to Harry in the Hospital Wing. Hadn't he answered the boy's questions honestly? Of course he had lost his temper, which had made the boy understandably upset, but surely Harry should have understood his anger was only in reaction to his concern for his son? Apparently not though, Severus thought bitterly, as Harry had obviously called for Lupin at the first chance.

"Harry's just a boy, Severus," Lupin said gently. When Severus didn't answer, he continued in that same cloying voice, "Surely you must have realized that Harry's relatives would not be able to love him?"

He had realized it. Lily hadn't talked of her sister very often, but the pain his wife had endured because of her sister's obvious jealousy and loathing had been acute. Of course Petunia would not have cared for Lily's son. The reason for Lupin's words was not lost on Severus either; he understood from his own childhood that Harry would most likely not be able to trust easily, having no recollection of being loved or accepted as a child. Severus of course, had found love from Lily as an adult. Her acceptance had eased much of his own self-doubts...though not all.

"He deserves better from you."

Severus jerked around. He had almost forgotten Lupin was still in his parlour, he had so lost himself to his musings. And Severus was surprised to realize that he was in perfect agreement with the werewolf. Harry did deserve better; it seemed unlikely however that the boy would get it.

"Are you finished?" Severus asked in an overly-polite tone, though his fearsome glare belied it.

"Are you going to talk to Harry?" Lupin pressed, with a glare of his own.

"I believe I mentioned before that this is none of your concern," Severus said, an edge of menace having crept into his voice.

"And I made it clear to you that Harry is my concern. And I can assure you that he has no plans to change that arrangement," Lupin answered lightly, sounded utterly indifferent to Severus' rising anger.

"An arrangement, have you?" Severus sneered and the damn werewolf had the nerve to smile.

"Yes, Severus...it's called a relationship, but then you wouldn't know about those, would you, as poorly as yours went with Lily and now with your own son."

Severus advanced on Remus, his wand drawing straight up until it was touching Lupin's marred face. "You go too far," Severus snarled.

"And you do not go far enough," Lupin said quietly and with a measured glare, Lupin left the same way he had come in.

Severus' snapped his wand back down from where it was still pointing at the empty air, cursing the werewolf's name. How dare Lupin come here to tell him how to mind his own private affairs? Severus would talk to his son in his own way, in his own good time. He resented the man, Flooing to see Harry at a moment's notice. Giving the boy comfort where Severus had so soundly failed. Of course he had failed! How dare Lupin expect of him what he could not give!

His fury set him pacing again in the small confines of his dungeon quarters. Did Harry expect the same of him? How could the boy expect anything, after all he'd gone through...after all the Potions Master had put him through? It was obvious though that Harry expected something of him. Severus' words in the Hospital Wing had clearly decimated the boy. But Severus had spent nearly forty years battling with his renowned temper; if Harry could not even handle as small a sampling as Severus had doled out, any further effort would be doomed.

And Harry had a formidable temper of his own, which no doubt had been granted at least in part by Severus' half of his son's genetic makeup. But for all of Lupin's frustrating blather, the werewolf had been correct. Harry was just a boy. Severus was an adult, at least technically, Severus amended in brief amusement, remembering that Lily had often used the term 'technically an adult' when she was claming that Severus was being childish.

As Severus allowed his thoughts to stray to Lily, his resolve firmed again. Severus had promised her that he would try. And try he would...again. He wondered, as he spelled the lights off in his the sitting room and turned toward his bedroom, just how many attempts it would take before Severus could leave a room without the boy quaking with some sort of overwhelming emotion?

------

Severus flipped the Infirmary door open and stepped into the hospital wing, which was now bathed in the subdued light of the early-morning sun. Harry was sitting in the same position he had been in last night, propped against his pillows, though now there was a tray brimming with half-eaten food hovering above the boy's thighs. Harry looked up with an expectant smile; his face immediately crumpled when he saw it was Severus coming through the door.

"You were expecting someone else?" Severus asked coolly, falling back on the familiar jibing tone far too easily. Harry bit his lip, nervously it seemed, but the boy shook his head, denying the obvious truth in Severus' statement.

Poppy hurried out of her office. "Severus, you brought Mr. Potter's last dose of Ossifying Potion, I hope."

"Obviously," Severus answered dryly, holding out the small vile.

Poppy gave him a disapproving look before snapping, "Well? What are you waiting for?"

Severus handed the potion to the boy. Harry took it obediently before gulping it in one smooth motion. He held out the vial without being asked and Severus found himself staring into his son's green eyes, almost mesmerized by them. Mentally shaking himself, Severus pulled his wand out swiftly and this time, Harry remained perfectly still as he brought it forward. He waved the instrument over Harry's form, taking extra time over the bones that had been shattered two days previous. Satisfied that the boy was healed, he turned to Poppy. "The Ossifying Potion seems to have worked effectively."

Poppy huffed at him and took out her wand to do her own examination, saying snippily as she did so, "Thank you, Healer Snape." Severus pursed his lips and simply watched Poppy complete the scan. "Well," she said finally to Harry, "it seems Professor Snape is correct. You may leave after breakfast." Severus bit back a small smile at Poppy's tone; she sounded almost disappointed at the news. He knew the witch was never more content than when she was tutting over students, something he himself could not claim.

Harry grinned. "Brilliant!" he enthused and pushed his breakfast tray further down the bed and started to push himself up.

"Just a minute, young man," Poppy cut in sharply and Harry stopped in mid-movement, looking up at her, his eyebrows drawn into his fringe. "Finish your breakfast and take your time. If you go flinging yourself about like that, you'll be back here before nightfall." With that, Poppy placed Harry's tray back above the boy's thighs and glared at the fork pointedly. With a sigh, Harry took a few more bites of egg before Poppy nodded and went back toward her office.

As soon as the Healer was out of sight, Harry breathed a sigh of relief and moved the tray out of the way again and sat up again, swinging his fully healed legs over the bed in one swift movement.

"I believe Madame Pomfrey would likely qualify that as 'flinging'," Severus said dryly and Harry looked up, startled. His face immediately flushed.

"Right. Sorry, sir," Harry muttered, pushing himself back a little on the mattress and Severus immediately wished he hadn't spoken. He hadn't thought his comment as a chastisement, but apparently Harry saw something different.

Distinctly uncomfortable, Severus looked away, taking a moment to order his mind before turning back and replying, "As I said, the Ossifying Potion worked adequately, but it would be unwise to push yourself."

Severus watched the boy carefully while Harry nodded and then gingerly stood up from the bed, seeming to test his stance slightly before standing upright. He looked up as he straightened. It looked as though he was considering his next words and Severus braced himself. He was a bit taken aback when the boy simply said, "Thank you...for the Potion, I mean."

Severus nodded once and the feelings of disquiet began to overwhelm him; he Occluded his mind and said to the boy, "Classes start in less than thirty minutes. Unless you plan to arrive in your pyjamas, I suggest you be on your way."

Severus had done his best to keep any traces of sarcasm or malice out of his voice and it seemed as though he might have succeeded. Harry didn't glare at him or otherwise lose him temper at the words. He only nodded and put his robes over his night clothes. He stared again at Severus, an indecipherable expression on his face before clutching the long robes about himself and letting himself out into the corridor. Severus watched him go, feeling satisfied.

------

Harry smiled as he entered his dorm room; Ron was sprawled out on his stomach, his head under the bed, apparently looking for something. Harry laughed when Ron scrambled out, his hand grasped triumphantly around one of his shoes. Ron looked around at the sound of Harry's laughter and grinned.

"Harry! You're back!"

Smiling at him, Harry gave his friend a hand up and said, "Brilliant observation, Ron. Hermione would be impressed."

"You're a real riot, Harry." Ron made a face at him and then bent down to tie up his shoe. "You going to class?" he asked as he straightened up, eyeing Harry's pyjamas.

"Yeah," Harry told him rolling his eyes as pushed off his robes and slung them over the bed.

"You'd better change then...unless you want to walk around the castle in those," Ron said with a smirk.

Harry groaned, "You sound like Snape."

Ron frowned at him. "Snape?"

Harry shrugged. "He said almost the same thing earlier."

Ron was staring at him curiously, though Harry noticed he did look a bit disgruntled, presumably at having been compared to Snape. Harry grinned to himself and just as he was pulling his pyjama shirt over his head, Hermione's voice range out in annoyance, "Ronald! Are you almost ready?"

Harry looked up, startled. Hermione was striding in, with Ginny right behind her. Hermione blushed at the sight of Harry standing in the middle of room, half-naked; she looked hurriedly away. He saw Ginny smile slightly at him before he quickly turned away to grab his shirt and jumper, his own face heating with a blush. He pulled the jumper over his head and turned back to face the girls in his doorway.

"Hey!" Ron told them pointedly, "Harry's not going to wear his pyjama bottoms to Defense Against the Dark Arts, you know."

Ginny and Hermione obediently turned around though Harry was pretty sure Ginny's smile had brightened a bit. Harry mumbled a sarcastic and nearly inaudible, "Thanks, mate," in Ron's general direction as he yanked his legs into his trousers. He picked up both his tie and his robes after tying his shoes and said finally, "Okay, let's go."

"We thought you'd still be in the Hospital Wing," Ginny offered as the four of them trooped down the stairs.

"Pomfrey sprung me after the last dose of Snape's Potion," he told her with a shrug.

"Did you see him again, then?" Ginny asked curiously and Harry figured she must have told her brother and Hermione about the Potions Master visiting him the first night in the Infirmary.

Harry nodded. "He came again last night to give me the potion and again this morning for the last dose." He didn't elaborate and he saw Ron nudging Hermione when she opened her mouth.

Hermione gave the redheaded boy a glare before asking, "What happened?"

Harry felt his face warm with the remembered hurt of Snape's words the night before. But keeping his tone studiously light, he said, "He sneered about this and that...you know, the usual."

Hermione gave him a skeptical look, while Ron nodded, "Course he did, Harry. What else can you expect from the bat?"

"Ron, you're not helping," Hermione chastised, but Ron ignored her.

"Did you at least get in a few good shots of you own, then?" he asked

Harry watched his feet as he walked. "A few," he confirmed uneasily and his throat tightened a bit as he thought of at least one of his 'shots' to Snape. The one that had made Snape so angry.

They had stopped at the bottom of the stairs and Harry glanced up in some surprise. He hadn't realized they'd made it all the way down to the main level.

"I've got Transfiguration. I'd better go." Harry nodded at Ginny's words. Ginny smiled and asked suddenly, "Do you want to study tonight in the library?"

"Good idea, Ginny," Ron approved, "and then you can help me with the Charms essay Flitwick set for us," Ron told Hermione happily but she frowned at him.

"I don't think we were invited, Ronald." Harry and Ron looked at Hermione, both confused.

Ron said indignantly, "We are so..." but he trailed off at a glare from his sister. "...aren't we?" he asked her.

"No," Ginny said simply and Harry felt his cheeks warm again. "Harry?" Ginny asked again and Harry nodded mutely at her. She smiled and Harry felt his gut spasm, though not unpleasantly. "Good. See you later, then," she said. She waggled her fingers and then she was lost in the clutch of students as they hurried to their classes.

Ron was staring at Harry in astonishment. Harry shrugged slightly, but Ron didn't move until Hermione tugged sharply at his arm and said urgently, "Come on, Ron. We're going to be late for class!" Ron nodded, somewhat dumbly and then allowed Hermione to drag him toward Remus' classroom, with a fairly giddy Harry trailing behind them.

Remus' return to Hogwarts had been a rousing success; only the Slytherins seemed to mind that Remus was teaching again. Harry enjoyed today's session as much as he had the last two times, but since he was waiting anxiously for class to finish, he fidgeted in his seat almost the entire time, garnering him odd looks from Remus at regular intervals throughout the class.

When Remus finally dismissed the class, Harry explained quickly to his friends and then waited for the rest of the class to leave before perching on one of the desks in the front row. Remus eyed Harry's decidedly nonchalant posture with an amused look before asking, "Something on your mind, Harry?"

Harry nodded, too distracted to notice Remus' amusement. "You haven't talked to Snape already, have you?"

Baffled, Remus nodded. "Yes, I did."

"You did?" Harry asked, his voice rising a bit in puzzlement.

Remus nodded again, still confused. "I told you I was going to, Harry."

"But when did you talk to him?" Harry asked, sitting up straighter.

"Last night, right after I spoke with you in the infirmary."

"Remus!" Harry exclaimed. "I didn't think you were going to go barging in on him. It was the middle of the night!" Harry said in exasperation.

"That's exactly what Severus said," Remus said, chuckling.

"What did you say to him?" Harry demanded, suddenly very nervous. He winced a bit as his question came out more abruptly then he'd intended. "Sorry," he said quickly, hoping Remus wouldn't pause to scold him.

Remus just shook his head, still looking highly amused at Harry's near-panic. "Harry, calm down. I simply told him you were upset."

Harry stared at him. "Why?" he wanted to know.

Remus sighed. "I couldn't very well just threaten to hex him into oblivion if he didn't stop being an arse, without some explanation. That is what you wanted me to say, right?" Remus was smiling again.

Harry rolled his eyes. "I didn't actually want you say that, you know."

"You didn't?" Remus asked innocently and when Harry looked alarmed, Remus smiled.

Harry scowled at the man and groused, "You said you were just going to tell him to leave me alone."

"And so I did. He didn't take kindly to my request."

"He didn't?" Harry asked in surprise.

"Harry," Remus said gently as he put a hand on the boy's shoulder, "Severus has had very little experience in caring for other people. I gather from what little Lily told me, that even then, when it was obvious how much Lily cared for Severus, he did not return those feelings easily."

Harry tilted his head as he tried to process Remus' confusing words. "I don't think I understand," he admitted slowly.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that I do believe Severus is capable of caring about you, but I don't know that he's capable of demonstrating that to you."

Harry clenched his fists. "What do you expect me to do then? Just sit around and listen to him insult me?" Harry asked angrily.

Remus raised his eyebrows, giving Harry a look. "I don't expect you to do anything, Harry. It would help though if you'd try to keep better control of your temper," he suggested.

Harry folded his arms across his chest, ignoring the slight rebuke. "Right, Remus. And Snape is sure to notice, as he's basically just one giant temper tantrum."

Remus laughed and shook his head at Harry's imagery. "You're right about that." He sobered quickly though and asked seriously, "Why did you ask if I'd talked to him?"

Harry frowned. "He came to the Hospital Wing again this morning to give me the last dose of Ossifying Potion. He was...odd."

"Odd?"

"Yeah," Harry said thoughtfully. "It seemed like he was being really careful about what he was saying, but he wasn't exactly nice either." He looked at Remus quizzically as though he expected the older man to be able to explain the other Professor.

"As I said before, I think Severus is trying but he's a bit rusty."

Harry nodded. "And pleasant is not exactly one of his favorite moods, is it?" he mused.

"No," Remus chuckled in agreement, "it's not."

------

Harry didn't see Snape again until Potions the next day. He felt the same nervous butterflies as he had the last time. As was becoming routine, Harry set up the cauldron while Malfoy set out his ingredients; the Slytherin seemed to prefer to use his own supplies. Harry didn't bother to argue.

Harry was so engrossed in watching Malfoy meticulously sorting through and lining up his ingredients that he didn't notice when Snape came in. He was startled by the Professor's voice as he snapped out, "Weasley! Are you planning to force Ms. Parkinson to do all your work today?"

Harry's head snapped around to look at Ron, who was glaring at the Potions Master. "No, sir," his friend said, his voice barely containing his annoyance.

"Excellent," Snape drawled, "then stop sitting there, gaping like a Mountain Troll and get out your materials."

Harry watched Ron grit his teeth and resentfully begin taking his things out of his bag. Snape turned around and glared around the classroom.

"I trust everyone else is prepared?"

Harry bit his lip. Surely Snape would notice that none of Harry's own ingredients were out. He braced himself for it, but although Snape made brief eye contact with Harry and with Malfoy as well, he didn't comment on the way they had divided their work. He turned instead to face the class at the front of the room.

"I believe you have an essay due today." Snape looked at his students expectantly and after a second, those whose parchments were not already on their desks, hurried to retrieve them from their bags until every desk had a roll of parchment on top of it. Snape waved his wand and the essays rose off the desks and flew together to the front of the room to land in a neat pile on Snape's desk.

"Ossifying Potion," Snape began in a bored voice and spent the next ten minutes lecturing the class on the finer points of "the brewing thereof" then with a fearsome glare, he ordered the students to begin.

Harry lit his cauldron, thinking how mellow Snape seemed today...well, mellow for Snape anyway. When Harry looked up to find Malfoy watching him adjust the flames, Harry raised his eyebrows expectantly although he had no idea what he was expecting. Malfoy raised his pale brows but said nothing. Remembering suddenly Dumbledore's departing words the other day in this very classroom, Harry asked quickly, "What's with you, Malfoy?"

Malfoy's grey eyes registered his surprise but then he answered smoothly, "I have no idea what you mean, Potter." Harry grinned at the other boy's snide tone. Now that was the Malfoy he had grown to know and despise.

"Sure, you don't. You've been acting half-way decent for a change," Harry informed him.

"Why thank you," Malfoy said in a lilting voice and then began grinding his dried eel's stomach, effectively turning his back to Harry.

Harry wished he could make a face at the infuriating Slytherin but decided it would be too childish, so he checked the ingredients list in his text and began working.

"You're slicing it the wrong way."

Harry looked up. Malfoy was staring critically at the knife in Harry's hand. "What are you talking about, Malfoy? They're diagonal cuts, just like it says in the book," he protested.

"Please, Potter. Can't you read? It clearly says 'cut the root at a forty-five degree angle'. You're slicing at a sixty degree angle, at least," Malfoy informed him, looking extremely put out.

"Oh, did it say forty-five?" Irritated, Harry pretended to peer interestedly at his book. "Don't know how I missed that," he drawled, feigning concern. Then, he glared at Malfoy. "Just do it yourself," he snapped when Malfoy stared at him, nonplussed.

"Merlin, Potter, you do have a temper," the other boy sniffed and began slicing another root, presumably at a precise forty-five degree angle.

"Problem, gentlemen?" Snape's dark shadow loomed over their cauldron and both boys snapped their heads up, though there was not a trace of unease on Malfoy's face. Harry on the other hand, felt ice form in the pit of his stomach. Here it was, then.

"Potter was just having trouble reading, sir. But don't worry, I set him straight." Snape's black eyes narrowed into thin slits and Harry wondered why Snape was directing his livid glare at the Slytherin. But then Snape's eyes trained on Harry and Harry forced himself to stay calm.

"Excellent work, Mr. Malfoy. Ten points." Harry blinked up at him. Snape moved on to the next pair without another word.

"Thanks, Potter," Malfoy said, sounding so gleeful that Harry wanted to sick up all over the Slytherin's expensive robes.

Harry ignored Malfoy for the rest of class, even to the point of refusing to hand the other boy ingredients that were on Harry's side of the table. Malfoy though seemed genuinely unaware of Harry's silent treatment, shrugging whenever Harry made no move to hand him something, and then reaching across Harry to get it himself. Harry knew very well that he was being childish, but this time he didn't care.

Class ended much too slowly for Harry's tastes and he was very relieved when Snape stopped pacing near Harry's table and ordered the class to bottle their potions. Harry leaned over his cauldron, intending to do as instructed but his leg caught on his chair and he lurched forward, stumbling gracelessly into Snape. Snape reached for Harry's wrist, automatically it seemed, to steady him.

"Sorry, sir," Harry rushed to mumble but Snape didn't appear to hear him. He was staring at Harry's hand. With a jerking motion, Harry yanked his hand out of Snape's grip, making him stumble again, this time knocking into his cauldron. Malfoy yelped as the contents splashed to the floor. There was utter silence as the metal cauldron clanged loudly against the dungeon's stone floor.

Harry's face flamed with mortification as everyone stared at him and then almost as a collective force they turned to Snape, waiting for the explosion. The Potions Master didn't disappoint. With an angry swipe of his wand, the mess on the floor vanished and Snape snapped, "Pick up your cauldron!"

Harry quickly obeyed, up righting the pewter cauldron and hefting it back onto the table. For some reason, that made Malfoy laugh.

"Everyone else...out!" The other students scrambled to obey, packing up bags and rushing vials of their Ossifying Potion onto Snape's desk.

"But Professor, what about my potion?" Malfoy asked indignantly.

"Out, Malfoy!" Harry cringed at the near-roar from the Professor. Malfoy raised his brows, clearly not appreciative of Snape's tone and with a huff he followed his classmates out of the room.

As soon as the last student stepped over the threshold, Snape slammed the door and added his Charms before turning to Harry. Harry, remembering exactly how things had played out the last time they had both been in this room, backed up a few paces away from Snape's wrath.

"Give me your hand," Snape ordered as soon as he'd turned around.

"What?" Harry asked, confusion coating his voice. Losing his patience, Snape stepped forward and grabbed his wrist, turning it so that the scar was clearly visible. "It's nothing, sir," Harry insisted quickly, trying to pull his hand away but Snape held him firmly.

"How did you get this?" Snape demanded harshly, ignoring Harry's words. "Did Umbridge do this to you?" he asked, his voice a dangerously low hiss when Harry stayed silent.

Harry nodded quickly, hoping Snape would just let go of him. He didn't like the way the Potions Master was peering at him, as if he would like to systematically harvest all of his organs and bottle them one by one for storage in his office.

"You did not think to tell someone?" Snape asked sharply, his tone clearly indicating that even a simpleton should have known to do at least that much.

"Who was I going to tell? My parents?" Harry returned sarcastically. And then realizing who he was talking to, Harry looked away. Snape's grip tightened on his hand as if in some sort of spasm and then Snape's hold loosened.

Harry started to pull his hand away from the Professor and was taken aback when he felt a rough warmth against the scarred flesh. He looked down at his hand and watched, stunned, as Snape brushed his thumb lightly across the words, 'I will not tell lies'. Harry stared up at his Professor. Snape lifted his head and Harry thought he glimpsed pain deep in the shadowed eyes.

"How many times did she do this?" Snape's voice was strained.

Harry swallowed. "Just a few times," he answered, keeping his answer deliberately vague.

Snape abruptly dropped Harry's hand. "A scar from a blood quill cannot be magically removed," he said, sounding much more the Professor than a moment before.

"What's one more scar?" Harry shrugged.

Snape narrowed his eyes. "I did not realize you felt so apathetic about the Dark Lord's scar."

"I'm not apathetic," Harry told him stiffly. "I've lived with it for fifteen years though. Umbridge's is just one more thing to add to the list...no big deal," he added with another shrug.

Snape worked his jaw a few times. "Torture of students is most certainly a 'big deal', and you should not claim otherwise," the man told him coldly.

"Yeah, well...there's more than one way to torture students, you know." Harry wasn't sure why he had said it, but he regretted it almost instantly as he watched Snape's face pale slightly and then clench up in anger before smoothing into placid lines once again.

"Unless you want a failing grade on today's potion, I suggest you get started on brewing a new one," was all Snape said, his tone absolutely bland.

Harry stared at him. "You want me to brew another potion?" he asked, perplexed. When had the Potions Master ever allowed anyone another chance?

Snape looked down at him, no expression on his face as he answered, "You may do as you wish."

"Okay," Harry finally agreed and turned back to light his cauldron. He heard Snape's robes swishing and Harry glanced up furtively to watch the Professor as he walked over to his desk. Having no idea what compelled him, he said quietly, "I'm sorry, sir."

Snape turned slowly, his midnight robes sweeping across the stones, reminding Harry with a shiver, of the gently slithering motion of a snake. Snape stared at him for a protracted minute, and then said, "Do not apologize for speaking the truth." His voice was completely unfeeling, but Harry remembered Remus' words and recognized this as perhaps one of the times that Snape wanted to express some emotion but couldn't. Harry felt a rush of pity for the Potions Master, but tried to hide it.

"Not all truths need to be said, sir."

"I see you've been taking lessons with the Headmaster," Snape replied after a pause. Harry stared. Had Snape just made a joke? Snape favored Harry with a slightly raised eyebrow and then turned back to his desk. Harry stared at him for a long time before starting his second Ossifying Potion of the afternoon.

--

I'm Sorry, sir...

Severus sifted Harry's words through his mind as he read Weasley's abysmal essay. How could the boy use those words so easily...so freely? Harry hadn't seemed at all uncomfortable as he'd apologized. And there had been no reason for him to apologize at all. Harry had only spoken the truth; Severus had tortured him for years.

It seemed Harry shared Lily's forgiving nature and Severus felt the same flicker of hope as he had the day they had used the Filial Potion; perhaps Harry could find a way to forgive him. Albus had tried to tell Severus many times that Harry had an incredible capacity to love, to which the Potions Master had scoffed. The notion that the son of a treacherous Gryffindor could be anything more than a self-centered, attention-seeking little brat had been nothing short of absurdity.

But Harry Potter wasn't the son of a treacherous Gryffindor. There hadn't even been a treacherous Gryffindor, save Pettigrew. Potter had not betrayed him. James had kept their newly-forged friendship close, even if only to save the boy who he had loved almost as dearly as Severus had himself.

He had loved the boy once, he told himself firmly, but he did not now how to love Harry again. But Severus owed it to Lily to at least try to explain it to her son. His fist clenched against Weasley's parchment; how had he ever treated Lily's son with anything less than kindness?

There was movement in Severus' peripheral vision and his eyes strayed over to Harry's table but the boy was walking toward the classroom storage closet. His steps seemed uncertain as though he was afraid Severus would snap at him for leaving his seat. Severus closed his eyes, irritated. Why must he be so hesitant? Wasn't he supposed to be the very courage prized so highly by his fellow Gryffindors?

"Professor?"

Severus' eyes snapped open and he growled, "What?" He watched Harry shrinking back a step and then drawing himself up.

"You're out of Essence of Clover," the boy said, barely retaining a civil tone and Severus had to bite back the rebuke that rose to his lips out of habit.

Severus waved his wand and a flask materialized in his hand. He set it on the edge of his desk and offered, "You may use that." At the unspoken question in Harry's eyes, Severus explained, "From my personal stores."

Harry nodded and came forward to take the potion. He picked it up quickly, clamping his fingers around, his eyes on Severus and then he blurted in one breath, "Dumbledore told me to ask you about Malfoy."

Keeping his face absolutely controlled, Severus inwardly fumed at the Headmaster. "What about Mr. Malfoy?" Severus asked, giving away nothing. Harry narrowed his eyes; Severus didn't enjoy the scrutiny. "You have something to say, Mr. Potter?" And inexplicably, the boy smiled. Severus pursed his lips and waited with ill-concealed impatience for Harry to speak.

"I'm guessing you have something to do with how strange he's been acting," Harry said, the hint of a smile still about his lips.

"I have not noticed anything out of the ordinary regarding Mr. Malfoy," Severus lied, carefully keeping his tone neutral. Harry's small smile turned into a smirk, though Severus could find nothing amusing about his answer.

"Right. And you just happened to pair Malfoy and me together?" Harry asked, his head tilting in a way reminiscent of Lily when she had been pondering a problem.

"I believe you heard my reason the first day of class. Although, as I recall, you were sleeping at the beginning of class," Severus drawled.

"I wasn't sleeping," Harry denied indignantly, his fists clenching.

The boy was too sensitive and Severus had to stop himself from sneering as much to him. Instead, Severus said lightly, "It appears Mr. Malfoy was correct...you do have a temper," He was quite taken aback when Harry turned on his heel and marched back over to his table. Harry measured out two dropper-fuls of the Essence of Clover and poured it into the cauldron. The Potions Master listened as the Essence splashed against the liquid in the cauldron, gently breaking the surface, his mind working over his last words to Harry.

Pointedly ignoring the image of Lily urging him to press the issue, Severus turned back to the Weasley boy's essay and began marking it in earnest. He continued steadily through the pile of parchment and didn't look up again until Harry spoke in a stilted voice, "I'm done, sir."

Severus peered at him, changing his thoughts from Ms. Granger's overly verbose essay to Harry's stiff posture. He narrowed his eyes.

"Bottle it, and bring it my desk," he ordered, his voice harsher than he had intended, but sod the boy...so easily hurt.

"Yes, sir," Harry intoned, following Severus' instruction. He set the little vial with the others without a word and went back to his table, beginning to pack up his things.

"I did not dismiss you," Severus interrupted, halting Harry's movements. The boy looked up at him resentfully and Severus scowled in annoyance; Harry's disrespect bothered him more than it should.

"May I go, sir?" Harry asked him stiffly, looking off to Severus' side as he spoke.

"You may," Severus snapped, suddenly forgetting his earlier resolve not to leave the boy emotionally unhinged, as it seemed now Harry was.

Harry's jaw clenched, his chin trembling slightly and Severus was reminded swiftly of himself. He recognized that his son was trying to hold in his temper, and having little success. Finally Harry said in a rough voice, "I don't know if Remus was right or not--"

Severus glared at the boy. "What did Lupin say?" he interrupted sharply.

Harry sighed and slumped a little. "It doesn't matter. Just forget it."

Severus willed himself to calm, stilling the pressure on the quill in his hand before he could snap it in two. "I would prefer that you tell me," he said, keeping his features smooth, his tone just short of demanding.

Harry squinted at the Potions Master, assessing him before shrugging slightly, but Severus was not fooled by the boy's feigned indifference. "He said you were trying."

Severus recognized the inaccuracy in Harry's explanation instantly, but he didn't call the boy on it...a discussion on honesty could wait. "What exactly did he say I was trying to do?" Severus asked, genuinely curious.

Harry shifted from foot to foot and Severus almost smiled at the childish display of nerves. "To get along with me?" the boy answered, very quietly.

Severus raised a brow at the boy. "Is that a question or an answer, Mr. Potter?" Again Harry's mouth lifted in that same almost-hidden smile.

Then he shrugged, a disagreeable habit that Severus felt inclined to break the boy of. "An answer," Harry decided with more confidence, no longer shifting nervously.

"Lupin, though it galls to me to admit it...is correct."

Wide green eyes stared up at him. "He is?"

"It surprises you?" the Potions Master asked darkly. How much more of display was the boy expecting of him?

Harry quickly shook his head. "No sir."

"If you hope to destroy the Dark Lord, we will need to improve your ability to lie," Severus told the boy disapprovingly. He was confused when Harry smiled slowly. The smile quickly faded though as Severus frowned, trying to decipher the boy's mood. He was beginning to think that Harry outshined even his Slytherins with his wide range of unpredictable mood swings. "It is almost time for dinner. Perhaps you had better be on your way," Severus said curtly, wishing to change the subject.

Harry nodded, although Severus noted he looked disappointed; the thought unsettled him. Severus didn't have time though to ponder it further as he suddenly felt the slight twinge of the Dark Mark flaring on his forearm. He glanced down at his left arm in some surprise; he had not been expecting a summons tonight. Severus pushed his chair back and stood up quickly. Harry was watching him warily. Realizing he probably looked quite angry, Severus immediately forced his face into a mask of calm.

"I am being summoned. I must go," Severus explained. Something unidentifiable flashed across the boy's face.

"Voldemort?" he asked, his voice tense.

Severus nodded. He hesitated and had to force himself to speak; it made his tone brusque. "It would be best for you to go straight to your dormitory as soon as dinner concludes."

Harry looked surprised and he objected quickly, "But I have plans..." His voice trailed off and he looked extremely uncomfortable.

"Plans?" Severus repeated ominously but Harry was shaking his head vigorously.

"Erm...it's nothing, sir."

"Then you will return to the tower after dinner." This time, Severus made it clear it was not a request.

Harry worked his jaw for a few seconds and then nodded. "Yes sir."

Severus nodded once as he undid the locking spells on his door. The large door swung open.

Harry glanced at the door and then back at Severus. He straightened his shoulders a bit and said in a rush, "Be careful, sir."

Severus' mind reeled back to Lily. Back to her words, her voice as she tried to conceal the fearful tremble each time Severus Apparated away from her and toward the Dark Lord's summons. Be Careful, Sev...

Pushing down the myriad emotions roiling inside him, Severus inclined his head. "I will," he agreed, as he had so many times to the boy's mother. And then, remembering that he was reassuring Harry instead of Lily, he said gruffly, "Go, now."

Harry looked oddly relieved before he turned and quickly left the classroom. Severus Occluded his mind, systematically eliminating all thoughts of Harry Potter. He went into the privacy of his Office. He called Minerva to inform her that he would be leaving and quickly left through his Floo.

Severus stepped out moments later into a formal sitting room.

"Severus, we must hurry," a man's deep voice told him impatiently.

"My apologies, Lucius. I was in a meeting." Lucius nodded quickly, gesturing with his silver-topped can for Severus to move forward into his parlour. The two men prepared, cloaking themselves in their Death Eater regalia and without another word and one quick movement, they were Apparating toward the Dark Lord.

------

Harry, with hurried steps, made his way to the Great Hall. Students were already gathered at the long tables, talking and laughing around the delicious food prepared by the house-elves. He waved at Remus, who was eyeing him from the Head Table as he made his way to his friends. Harry gave Ron a light shove on the shoulder and his friend obligingly scooted over for him.

Hermione peered over at Harry from the around the other side of Ron. "Have you been with Snape all this time?" she asked, her face screwed up in concern.

Harry nodded while he piled food on his plate. "Yep. I had to re-brew the Ossifying Potion," he explained, making a face.

"He let you re-brew it?" Seamus asked from across the table, looking quite shocked with his fork poised halfway to his mouth.

Harry cringed. He had forgotten how out of character that would seem to the other Gryffindors. He scrambled for a believable lie. "Erm, well...I kind of told him I'd tell Dumbledore I need remedial Potions again this term if he gave me a zero." Harry squirmed at the ridiculousness of the lie, but Seamus chuckled and Harry was certain the other boy found the idea of threatening the snarky Potions Master hilarious. Harry sighed with quiet relief and began eating, making a silent pledge not to even mention Snape again except to Ron and Hermione...and Ginny.

"Shite," Harry said softly and glanced down the table, searching for the pretty redhead. She was sitting in between two fifth year girls and when Harry caught her eye, she smiled. The other two girls erupted in a fit of giggles and Harry quickly turned back to this plate.

"What's up, mate?" Ron asked him quietly, having followed Harry's glance.

Harry shook his head and mouthed, "Later." Ron nodded his understanding as he kept shoveling food in his mouth. Harry smiled slightly at his friend's never-satisfied appetite. He caught Hermione's eye; she shook her head in apparent agreement.

Hermione and Harry were finished long before Ron was ready. Hermione finally huffed at Ron to finish and stuffing several small tarts in his mouth, he complied.

"We'll see you later, Harry," Hermione said with a mischievous smile and a glance toward Ginny.

"See 'a 'arry," Ron mumbled through his tarts, and Harry watched his two friends leave the Great Hall together, Hermione scolding his mate for talking with his mouth full.

The two giggling girls had gone by then and Ginny was gathering her bag as Harry stood up. He walked toward her, the muscles in his stomach clenching nervously as he got closer.

"Hi," Ginny said when he had reached her.

"Hi, Gin," he returned, grinning happily despite the feelings gnawing on his insides.

"Ready?" she asked as she closed her bag.

"Uh, Ginny, I have to tell you something...in private," he added hastily when Ginny looked at him expectantly.

"Sure, Harry. We can talk in the library," she said as she turned to go, but Harry grabbed her hand without thinking and Ginny turned around again, a question in her soft brown eyes. "What's wrong, Harry? Breaking our date?" she asked teasingly and Harry shook his head.

"Not exactly, but we can't go to the library," he told her, feeling distinctly uncomfortable for even bothering to follow Snape's instructions. He had a feeling though that somehow the man would find out if Harry ignored the clear command.

"Why not?" Ginny asked, surprised.

"Can we go up to the tower and I'll explain?"

"All right," Ginny agreed easily and Harry felt a renewed rush of warmth for her. Harry still hadn't let go of her hand and since Ginny didn't seem to have any particular plans to pull away from him, Harry continued to hold her small hand lightly in his own. Ginny gave him a little tug and Harry obediently followed her. Feeling a bit like Ron, being dragged along, Harry closed the distance between them and they were walking side by side. Ginny smiled again and the pixies in Harry's stomach fluttered.

"Does this have to do with your being with Snape for two hours?" she asked as they walked.

"A bit," Harry answered as they climbed the enchanted staircases which were particularly moody; he and Ginny had to change directions about a dozen times before they finally made it to the portrait of the Fat Lady, leaving them short of breath and very few chances for conversation.

"Periculosus," Ginny said when the Fat Lady asked for the password.

"Thank you."

The portrait swung open and Harry gestured for Ginny to go first. He followed her into the common room; there were a few students by the fire and Harry stood near the portrait hole, unsure of what to do. Ginny solved the problem immediately.

"Should we go up to your room?" she asked and Harry's heart skipped a beat. There had been very few girls up there, save Hermione and once a fifth year Ravenclaw who had dated Seamus briefly last year. But since they couldn't talk freely around the students in the common room, it did make sense. So Harry nodded and led the way up the stairs. He pushed open the door at the top of stairs, hoping fervently that none of his bunkmates were in there. It was empty.

Again Harry stood uncertainly as they entered. Ginny continued walking right past him and plopped herself firmly on his bed, leaning back on her palms and tilting her head slightly to look at him. Harry's face flushed and he had to force his eyes up toward her face. She smirked and Harry, encouraged by her obvious comfort, moved over to the bed and hopped up next to her, positioning himself so that he was facing her. Ginny moved a bit as well, angling her body toward his.

Once they were comfortably settled on Harry's bed, he told Ginny quickly about what had happened after Potions, especially about the Dark Mark and Snape telling him to stay in the tower. When he'd finished, Ginny looked thoughtful.

"It makes sense, I suppose," she mused. "But, no one has ever told you to stay inside the castle during a Death Eater meeting, have they?"

Harry shook his head. "No," he said slowly, not having considered that yet. "What do you think it means?" he wondered, only half wanting an answer.

"Well...Dumbledore's not here so he wouldn't be able to protect you--" but Harry was shaking his head and Ginny raised her eyebrows inquisitively.

"That's not it. Dumbledore told me when he brought me to your house this summer that the castle would be guarded by Aurors this year. And anyway, Remus is here...if there's really any danger," he finished, shrugging.

Ginny pursed her lips and Harry wondered if she was annoyed at his dismissal of her theory. "Maybe he was just worried about you, then," she said, her voice even more thoughtful than it had been a minute ago.

"Snape?" Harry scoffed, but Ginny frowned at him.

"Harry," she admonished, "how long are you going to refuse to believe that he might be able to care for you? It sounds exactly like something Snape would do...acting like a prat and ordering you abruptly to stay in your dorm without any explanations. The Professor is completely incapable of showing emotions." She sounded frustrated and Harry furrowed his brow, not sure who Ginny's frustration was aimed at.

"You sound like Remus, you know," he teased her, hoping to lighten the mood a bit.

Ginny grinned, "Good," she said smartly and Harry enjoyed the way her mouth curved delicately upward, but then Ginny's face clouded again with concentration. "It doesn't make sense," she said, shaking her head so that her ginger hair swirled around her shoulders.

"What doesn't?" Harry questioned, following the movements of her hair.

Ginny didn't seem to notice his distraction as she answered, "You said Snape didn't seem to be in pain from the mark, right?" Harry nodded, confused. "Do you suppose your mum did that...with her Charm?"

Harry narrowed his eyes in absorption and slowly nodded. "I suppose so. It makes sense that she wouldn't want Snape to be in pain, I guess."

Ginny was shaking her head again though. "No, it doesn't. I mean, it does of course, but what real use is that?"

Catching on, Harry quickly added, "Snape doesn't seem the sort to be scared of a little pain." He tilted his head, trying to sort it out. "Dumbledore said mum made the Charm to give Voldemort less power over Snape..."

Ginny nodded, her eyes excited all of a sudden. "Taking away the pain wouldn't take away any of his power, though. It must have been something else. What do you think it is, Harry?"

Ginny's brown eyes were shining as she looked at him expectantly and a new emotion clogged Harry's throat so he couldn't answer her. A kind of warmth washed across Ginny's face and she pulled her body slightly closer to Harry's on the bed. Harry sat, unable to move except that his head, like some sort of magnet, was drawing closer to Ginny and she too was leaning toward him.

Without words, Harry found Ginny's lips and suddenly Ginny's arms were around Harry's neck, pressing herself to his chest. In one smooth motion, Harry had his hands on Ginny's back and he was gathering her closer, pulling her lips urgently to his own. Ginny responded, opening her full lips slightly and they were lost in each other.

After several long minutes, they finally pulled slightly apart; Harry slid his hands a bit until they were resting lightly on Ginny's hips and Ginny, with a sigh leaned her head against his shoulder and Harry grinned. He felt light again, as though some of his festering wounds were healing as he sat there, with this girl in his arms.

More minutes passed in silence until Ginny drew herself up and asked him, "Do you know how many years you've made me wait for this?"

Harry grinned at her pretended look of annoyance. "Five?" he guessed and she laughed.

"At least," she answered breezily.

They turned together as the door opened. Two pairs of eyes gaped back at them. Hermione was the first to find her voice. "We thought you were in the library."

Harry tried to explain but Ron burst out, "Girls aren't allowed in here, Ginny!"

Ginny gave him a sly look. "And just what is Hermione doing in here, then?" she asked sweetly.

Ron and Hermione both blushed profusely which made Ginny break out in laughter. "Well, it's about time!" she exclaimed when she caught her breath again.

Harry frowned as he looked back and forth between his two best friends. Ron was staring down at his shoes while Hermione twisted her fingers nervously together. "Hey," he said in annoyance, "were you two ever planning on sharing this bit of news?"

"Yeah, mate," Ron said, narrowing his eyes, "about as soon as you were going tell us you were snogging my sister."

Since some of his limbs were still intertwined with Ginny's on his bed, Harry couldn't very well deny the accusation so he shrugged. The man had a point, though Harry couldn't help but feel a bit put out that Ron hadn't told him about Hermione though it was Ron and he probably hadn't even realized what he was feeling.

"We weren't keeping it from you, Harry, honest," Hermione told him, guessing Harry's train of thought.

Ron looked suddenly very uncomfortable. "Right, Harry. It wasn't a secret or anything. We went for a walk after dinner...I mean, it only just..." He trailed off as Harry began shaking his head.

"I'm not upset, Ron. I'm not that sensitive, you know," he told them both indignantly as they were giving him skeptical looks. "I'm not," he insisted to which Ron finally shrugged in acquiescence though Hermione didn't look convinced.

They sat on Ron's bed, both of them leaning forward on their hands. "Why aren't you in the library though?" Hermione asked again. Harry related the whole tale, with Ginny chiming in about Snape's Mark and the Charm and by the time they had finished, Harry still hadn't come to any likely conclusions.

------

Severus stumbled gracelessly out of the Floo and into Malfoy's parlour. He felt Narcissa's cold hand guiding him by the elbow into one of her chairs. Severus took many deep breaths before he felt stable enough to look up. Lucius was slumped in a matching chair, looking quite a bit paler than Severus probably did. Narcissa was hovering over her husband with a vial of amber potion.

Narcissa gently coaxed the liquid into her husband's mouth, helping him to swallow. She moved next to Severus, who by that time was feeling well enough to take an identical vial and sip the potion with his own hand. Narcissa only nodded approval before moving back to stand at Lucius' side.

Severus watched Lucius taking several deep breaths of his own. As her husband came back to himself, Narcissa called for one of their house-elves and demanded a tea service be brought into the parlor at once. The house-elf complied, pouring steaming cups for all three. Severus sipped his tea slowly, waiting for Narcissa to begin her questions.

"Draco?" she asked finally, her voice strained and unusually unpolished.

With something more like a moan than a sigh, Lucius nodded. "The Dark Lord asked for a report of Draco's progress."

"Severus?" Narcissa asked, her voice ringing with anxiety.

"There was nothing to report. Draco has been constantly surrounded by friends and Albus has been away, as you know." Severus watched Narcissa wringing her hands as she stood near her husband, whose steady shaking was only just beginning to subside. The torture had been some of the harshest Severus had ever received from the Dark Lord's hand though he realized that was not the case for Lucius.

He, along with the other Death Eaters who had lost the Dark Lord his prophecy, had suffered incalculably. In fact, it seemed to Severus that Lucius had not fully gotten over the horrors of that particular evening.

"Narcissa," Severus said to the frail woman, as gently as he could manage, "Draco remains protected as long as he does not stray outside of Hogwarts." Narcissa nodded jerkily, though she hardly looked placated; Severus had never seen her so pale.

"Draco will not be harmed," Lucius assured his wife, pulling himself into a more appropriate posture. Severus nodded once at Narcissa, having clearly heard the underlying threat in Lucius voice, though Severus had to the question the intelligence of threatening the one charged to protect the first's progeny.

"Eventually though, Lucius, Draco will fail. The Dark Lord will not excuse it simply because Dumbledore hasn't been in the castle." Narcissa's voice was shaking with her distress.

"No. He will not. We will end this before any of that makes any difference," Severus told her quietly and both Malfoys studied him with uncertain eyes.

"And Potter?" Lucius demanded, his attitude a sign that his strength had returned.

"Potter has no more wish than you to see the Dark Lord succeed," Severus told him calmly.

"But, he hates my Draco!" Narcissa, by this point, in direct opposition to her husband was becoming quite hysterical and Lucius patted her milky hand distractedly.

"That is an overstatement, Narcissa," Severus assured her. "I am however, working on a solution to that problem as well," Severus told her smoothly.

"Yes, yes," she murmured and moved to sit delicately on the sofa, signaling to Severus that she was regaining her familiar deportment. Relieved, he set his teacup on the delicate plate and rose from the chair.

"I must take my leave," he said politely and now completely composed, Narcissa stood as well. "Goodnight Lucius...Narcissa." Lucius nodded his farewell and his wife escorted Severus back to the fireplace as Severus gathered his cloak around himself.

"Take care of him, Severus." Her voice was again pleading as Severus prepared to step into the Floo. He nodded. There was no other choice.