Lily's Charm

1977

Severus straightened his dress robes, as he gazed at his own reflected image in Lily's mirror. He wouldn't have admitted it to anyone, not even Lily, but he was anxious. There was no reason for it, of course. He and Lily had been living together for months now, ever since their final day at Hogwarts. They'd spent most of their nights in an enchanted tent while they built this house; Severus had never felt as content as he had this summer.

He'd proposed only last night.

Severus allowed his lips to lift in a small smile as he remembered Lily's face as he'd asked her to be his wife. She hadn't even glanced at the glittering diamond ring between his thumb and forefinger as she threw her arms around his neck with so much force, he'd actually stumbled backward.

"Yes!" she'd cried and before Severus could draw breath, her lips were on his; they didn't resurface again for hours. And when they finally did, and Lily had allowed Severus to place the ring on her finger, she had fire-called Dumbledore straightaway to make arrangements for him to perform the ceremony. "As soon as possible, Albus," she'd directed to Albus' smiling face, and without hesitation, the Headmaster had agreed.

Albus was waiting in the parlor now, and with one deep breath to steady himself, Severus turned from the mirror and moved slowly toward the stairs. Albus was standing near the Floo, rocking on his heels, looking particularly pleased. Severus nodded in simple greeting as he descended the staircase

"How are you feeling, my boy?" Albus asked gently, his blue eyes glinting with pleasure.

"I am well," Severus lied smoothly, having absolutely no inclination to share his anxiety with Albus.

"It is perfectly normal to be nervous on your wedding day, Severus," Albus told him sagely. Severus pursed his lips in irritation at the old man's unnecessary soothing. He didn't answer, turning slightly so that he was facing toward the wide staircase.

Severus' breath caught in his throat as Lily appeared at the top. She had foregone wizarding tradition, wearing a Muggle wedding gown instead, though how she'd gotten it, Severus had no idea. He kept his eyes on Lily's delicate features as she came into the room; she had never looked so beautiful.

She walked sedately toward him, looking perfectly calm and Severus felt his nerves edging upward as he watched her. In the next moment though, her fingers caught in his as she stopped only centimeters from him. He could smell the essence of flowers against his throat.

"You look perfect, Sev," Lily told him on a whisper, smiling radiantly at him. Severus brought a hand up to delicately brush a strand of hair that had loosed itself from her twisted locks.

"You are beautiful, Lily," he told her simply. Her cheeks warmed with his gentle touch, and he almost allowed himself to forget that they were not alone.

"If you would join both your hands," Albus suggested gently. Severus immediately took Lily's other small hand in his own. She continued to smile up at him. He gazed down at her and he couldn't stop the small smile; her face lit up. Severus tugged gently so that their paired hands were pressed together.

Albus brought the tip of his wand close to their intertwined fingers, circling it several times around their wrists while he incanted a long complimented string of Latin. Severus' eyes never left Lily, his world was emerald as a soft blue glow wrapped itself around their wrists and down their arms, binding them together as husband and wife. The glow pulsed for several long minutes and then it dissolved, becoming part of them. As soon as the blue disappeared, Lily reached up for him.

Her hands against his neck, pulled his head to hers and she kissed him. Severus felt her love radiated through their new bond, strong and bright and consuming. Even as their lips parted, Lily kept her hands on his neck; she rested her head against his chest.

"I love you," she whispered against his robes and Severus glowed.

"And I you, Lily," he answered, struggling to retain control of his emotions.

Lily finally pulled away, her face so full of joy, Severus felt himself relaxing with it and he was grateful that Albus had withdrawn for the moment. Lily stood on her toes once more and kissed him gently. "You're my husband," she announced against his cheek and Severus' lips twitched with the statement.

"I am," he agreed. She pulled back again, her head tilted up toward him as she smirked.

"Well, it is pretty incredible, Sev," she told him. "We're married!" Her voice was full of amazement." And Severus, that same wonder echoing in his own mind, pulled Lily back toward him.

"Thank you, Lily," he whispered against her hair; she moved even closer to him. They stood there for a long time, just enjoying being together, finally, as husband and wife.

--

1996

Harry was still smiling as he turned back to Albus, who was waiting for a confirmation that the enhancement of their mental connection had been successful. Severus could sense his son's happiness; the emotion almost overwhelmed him. He was, however, grateful for the sudden mood shift from Harry's earlier worry and unease.

"It worked?" the Headmaster inquired with a smile as he already seemed to have his answer with Harry's enthusiastic grin, though of course Albus had no idea of the real reason for Harry's happiness.

"It did," Severus confirmed.

"Wonderful," Dumbledore enthused, looking between Harry and Severus. Harry's face brightened further and Severus almost cringed with the waves of happiness coming from him. He would need to help Harry master control of this connection quickly, or Harry's emotions would likely bury him. For now though, Severus closed his own mind as much as he could, though he left the warmth available to Harry; its sudden withdrawal would have been painful for both of them.

"Severus." Albus was gesturing for them to retake their seats. Severus complied. Harry sat as well, taking the seat again next to Severus. "I believe we can interpret this to mean that Lily's Charm did indeed create a bond between you. This...and your experiences beyond the veil."

Severus felt some of Harry's excitement at this pronouncement and Severus shook his head, wanting to make sure he didn't get carried away. "We will need more proof Albus. Real proof before we can do anything," he told the Headmaster. It was Albus' turn to frown.

"Severus," he implored but Severus narrowed his eyes.

"No, Albus," he refused firmly. "I will not risk Harry on an inference. We will be certain, or we will not do it." Albus gazed at him, his blue eyes seeming to calculate the possibilities, but it did not concern Severus the way it used to. If the Charm could be activated, both he and Harry would be needed and Albus knew it. Without Severus' approval, there was nothing to be done about it. Albus finally nodded.

"As you wish, Severus," he gave in tiredly, but Severus felt no sympathy for him. Of course, it was far past time to rid everyone, especially Harry, of Voldemort, but he would not be pressured into it...not until he knew Harry would be safe. Harry stirred beside him; Severus turned, raising his eyebrows in question.

"How will we ever be able to be certain though, without just trying to activate it?" he asked. "And how do we activate the Charm anyway?" he wondered, glancing between Severus and the Headmaster. Albus was tapping his desk thoughtfully.

"If we could view the memories of the day Lily cast the Charm, Severus, it might be possible to develop a spell that would allow us to identify a connection...if we can use some of the original incantations," he mused, his tone very quiet as he thought. Severus, listening carefully, nodded.

"It might be wise to view the memories of the day Lily and I were bonded as well," he added. "Our marriage bond created a mental connection as well," he elaborated for Harry's benefit, though they'd discussed it briefly before. Harry's face twisted in confusion.

"Do all marriages do that?" he asked, flushing slightly. Severus shook his head, though he wondered over Harry's embarrassment.

"No. As I explained earlier, it happens only with those who have an aptitude for the mental arts." He paused and nodded slightly, surmising Harry's train of thought. "You will most likely share such a connection with whomever you bond with."

Harry flushed deeper, but he nodded quickly and Severus was briefly startled by the nervous anticipation he felt from his son. It took him a moment to realize Harry had probably been thinking of Ms. Weasley and for some reason, Severus felt a brief surge of panic at the thought of where Harry's mind might have been straying.

Harry glanced curiously over at him and Severus firmed his shield again, deciding they would start working right after dinner to stabilize this bond between them. Harry was still watching him, likely trying to untangle the strange emotions Severus hadn't meant to let free. Severus turned back to Albus.

"I will extract my memories of both events," he decided and Albus nodded, moving over to his stone Pensieve. Severus stood and tried not to smile as Harry copied his movements; it was strange to have a shadow...and somehow pleasant.

Gathered around the Pensieve, Severus used his wand to withdraw both memories, feeling the slight discomfort as the silvery white substance floated thickly from his temple. Guiding it carefully with his wand, he let it swirl gently from the tip, until it filled the bottom of the Pensieve.

"Shall we go together?" Albus inquired.

"Ready Harry?" Severus asked quickly; Harry's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"You want me to come as well?"

Severus nodded, again stilling his amusement. "Of course, Harry." Harry grinned and again, Severus was almost overwhelmed by his excitement.

"Brilliant," Harry cheered and Albus chuckled. Then with a nod to both Severus and Harry, the three of them leaned toward the memories.

--

"Dad?"

Severus stopped walking. He turned slowly to face his son.

It was the first time Harry had used the title to get his attention, and Severus could feel the waves of nervousness radiating from him. Severus directed his own feelings of contentment at being called 'Dad' toward Harry's storm, and Harry relaxed.

"Yes?" Severus inquired. Harry smiled slightly with the ease in Severus' voice.

"You said I could stay in your--our quarters as long as I want, yeah?" The words were almost running together. Severus held back his amusement and nodded.

"I did."

Harry nodded a bit before rushing on, "Would it be all right if I moved some of my stuff in then?" He twisted his fingers together as he waited for Severus to answer. Severus covered his anxiety before he answered.

"Of course Harry. However you should be able to go back to the tower shortly, if you continue to eat. Your nightmares are subsiding, and as soon as we've mastered this new connection, you will be much safer on your own as well," he explained, and was startled as anxiety poured into his mind. He instantly stepped closer to Harry. "What is it?" he asked worriedly. Harry bit his lip.

"I know I'll be safe and all that..." he said quietly. Severus put a hand on his shoulder and was rewarded with a feeling of calm. "But...I want to stay in our quarters...instead of going back to the tower." Severus studied his son, whose green eyes were cloudy.

Keeping his voice carefully neutral and his shields firm, Severus asked smoothly, "You wish to live in our quarters, permanently?" Harry nodded, without any hesitation, but the movement was jerky. Severus frowned a little, even as the faint blossom of hope bloomed from his son. Harry was staring at him, presumably waiting for Severus to agree and Severus nodded. "I would be pleased to have you there, Harry," he said, trying to still his own pleasure at the idea.

Harry grinned at him and Severus almost smiled again. He shook his head abruptly and Harry frowned immediately, looking thoroughly confused. Damn. This was worse than he had thought.

"Harry," Severus said quickly, attempting to keep his tone reassuring, but he was feeling much too worried, "you are experiencing my emotions, mingling with your own." Harry let out a breath.

"I thought maybe I was just going mad," he exhaled and then he narrowed his eyes slightly. "Can you feel my emotions as well, then?" His lips twitched as Severus nodded uncomfortably. "Aren't they a bit wonky for you though?"

And damn it all, Severus almost laughed.

"I will be fine," he answered stiffly, to cover the inexplicable humor bubbling within him. "We will work on control tonight. Will you be all right until then?"

Harry nodded, grinning now. "I think I can handle your emotions," he said with a slight chuckle, though it was much more subdued than one Harry would normally express. Again, he looked confused, shaking his head as though to clear it. "It is a bit odd, though," he admitted, studying Severus and Severus nodded, feeling curious about nothing at all.

--

"You guys got to live with your families for eleven years before you had to move into the dorms," Harry was explaining his decision to Ron a few minutes later over dinner. Ron was looking very skeptical over the whole idea.

"But, Harry," he protested, "won't you be bored down there, all by yourself?"

"I won't be alone, Ron. That's sort of the point," he told his friend. "Besides, you guys can come down whenever you want and I can come up to the common room..." he glanced up at the Head Table, where his father was talking again to Remus. They'd been doing that a lot lately, he mused before turning back to Ron, "...well, you know, when I'm allowed to again."

"But you won't be able to do anything if you live with Snape!" Ron stressed, looking very agitated. Harry's lip twisted in a wry smile.

"I'm not exactly anxious to go around finding trouble to get into right now, Ron." Ron made a face, though Hermione nodded in agreement. Ron leaned forward.

"But come on, Harry, you'll miss all sorts of fun. What about Exploding Snap and parties after Quidditch?" he insisted. Harry tried not to shrug because he did feel sorry for his friend, but he'd already been living with this father for two weeks and though he did miss Ron, he didn't miss him enough to want to move back to the tower.

"I can still do all that stuff, Ron. Look I know it'll be strange for awhile, but I need to do this," he said, hoping his voice didn't betray the emotions he was feeling, though he was beginning to feel strangely calm again. Ron stared at him for several long moments before he finally sighed.

"Yeah, I guess I can understand," he allowed, though he didn't look any happier about it.

Ginny squeezed Harry's arm, and Harry felt a rush of...well, something different as he looked at her. No matter what was happening, Ginny never disappointed him; he was grateful that she had not interrupted Ron, allowing Ron to work it out on his own.

Harry smiled at her and then darted a quick glance up to his father. He was staring at Harry, an almost dazed look on his face and Harry ducked his head down. Damn. Is that what he had just looked like, completely addled, while he stared at Ginny?

"Are you going to start playing Quidditch again soon?" Neville broke into Harry's embarrassment as he finished the last of his pudding.

"I suppose. I haven't really thought much about it," he offered apologetically, feeling suddenly guilty for leaving his team in the lurch, especially as neither Ron nor Ginny seemed too pleased with Katie's leadership skills.

"It's all right; we don't have another match for awhile yet," Ginny reassured.

"Isn't it sort of dangerous for you to be flying about the pitch right now?" Hermione asked, leaning forward so that she was studying Harry. "I mean, if someone wanted to hex you, you'd be an easy target, wouldn't you?" She looked as though she was trying to solve a puzzle, instead of determining if Harry's life could be in danger.

"Harry..." Ginny murmured as Hermione's words sunk in and Harry shifted uncomfortably, thinking Hermione had made a very good point.

"But it was dangerous before Halloween and Sna--your dad let you fly then," Ron pointed out and Harry furrowed his brow. That was a very good point as well.

He glanced up at his dad, who was just getting up from the Head Table and Harry wondered how much of his worry and confusion his father was feeling through their connection. "I'll talk to him about it tonight." Ron nodded enthusiastically as he gulped down his second helping of cake.

Severus stopped again in front of Harry, his face very still as he took in Harry's friends.

"Have you finished?" he asked and Harry nodded, brushing his hands on his legs nervously as he stood up. Ginny stood as well.

"We're going to get my stuff from the tower," Harry explained to Ron and Hermione. They nodded and only after a moment's hesitation, Hermione stood up, pulling Ron with her.

"We'll walk with you," she announced and with a brief nod, Severus turned, leading the way. The four friends followed after him, both couples holding hands as they walked.

The enchanted staircase didn't move even one centimeter as Harry's father glided upward and Harry could almost feel its apprehension as his father ascended, noting that the stairs were moving quite a lot in the directions that did not lead to the tower...although, Harry mused, perhaps it was really his father's apprehension that was working its way through him. Harry was beginning to feel completely overwhelmed with confusion; he could barely tell which feelings were his own.

They reached the Fat Lady in record time. "Mutuus," Severus ordered and the Fat Lady wasted no time in swinging forward to allow them entry. Ron and Hermione glanced at one another in some confusion but they didn't say anything as Severus stepped back to allow the Gryffindors to enter.

They weren't many others in the common room but as Severus came though the portrait hole, every mouth fell open in shock. Harry had a hard time not glaring around the room in irritation at the annoying children. He shook his head, trying to still the unfamiliar urge to snap at his fellow Gryffindors as he and his friends trooped up the stairs to the boys' dormitory, with his father in tow.

Harry was surprised his father didn't say anything about Ginny and Hermione coming up without hesitation to Harry's room, but for all he knew, the Slytherin dormitories were much more lax with their rules.

"What are you taking with you?" Hermione asked as she assessed the room. Harry looked around quickly, realizing that he really didn't have much of anything, save his trunk and his Firebolt.

"Just my trunk and my Firebolt."

Hermione and Ginny nodded, setting about to gather some of his scattered belongings.

"We can shrink your trunk. You should take the Pensieve out first though," his father directed and Harry nodded.

He opened his trunk and with his wand, he reversed the complicated Concealment Charm he'd put on the Pensieve.

"That is an intricate charm," his father remarked as Harry pulled the now-visible Pensieve from the depths of his trunk. Harry nodded.

"Hermione showed me how to do it," he said. Severus gave her a little nod of approval and Hermione flushed, turning quickly away. Harry smiled as he set the Pensieve on the floor. "Should I use the same Shrinking Spell as I used on my clothes?" he asked his father. Severus nodded.

Harry said the incantation, tapping the large trunk once; the trunk shrunk until Harry could pick it up in his hand. He put it carefully in his pocket, feeling much too proud of his little achievement. Then he stood up, with the Pensieve in his arms. His father took it from him though, ignoring Harry's protest as he glanced down at the stone receptacle. He stiffened.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked quickly, feeling a jolt of grief from his father. Something about the Pensieve... And then realizing they were standing there with his friends gawking at them, he turned away from his father.

"We'll see you at breakfast tomorrow then, Harry," Ginny intervened. Harry smiled gratefully at her.

"Yeah," he agreed. Ron nodded, still looking unhappy. Hermione moved past him a bit and gave Harry a hug.

"Have fun, Harry," she said simply.

He turned then to Ginny and embraced her as well, as swiftly as he could, feeling strangely uncomfortable with the contact and then he clapped Ron on the back before retreating with his father and this time as they walked past the gaping Gryffindors, he felt no irritation. He felt anxiety though and it only increased as they wound their way to their quarters. By the time they got there, Harry wasn't sure whose anxiety he was feeling.

"Is something wrong with the Pensieve?" Harry asked as soon as the door closed behind them, his voice warbling with nerves. Instead of answering, his father continued slowly to the table next to the Floo and set the Pensieve down gently. Harry watched as he slowly ran his forefinger along the rim.

"It is a message," Severus murmured quietly; Harry moved forward until he was standing next to him, his anxiety settling a bit. He looked down at the runes all around the lip, but he couldn't make any sort of sense of them.

"For me?" he asked. His father squinted down at the symbols, twisting the bowl around in a full circle before he looked back up at Harry.

"No...for me."

Harry stared at him. "What?" he asked, bewildered. "But it was in my vault...how could the message be for you?" he asked. His father shook his head. "What does it say?" Harry asked eagerly as he leaned in closer to the runes.

"It is a plea for me to view the memories," Severus answered slowly and Harry's insides fairly danced with excitement.

"From mum," Harry surmised, though he didn't understand. "But, why would she have put it in James' vault if she wanted you to see it?" and then with understanding, he said sharply, "Dumbledore put it there. He must have..." Harry trailed off; his father was gazing at him.

"You never saw the Pensieve in James' vault before this summer, correct?"

Harry shook his head. "No...and it was sort of in plain sight, right near the front," he answered. His father nodded.

"Harry," he said, sounding resigned, "I do not think Albus knew any more than I did before this summer." Harry raised his eyebrows in disbelief, his lips pinching together. His father raised his own eyebrow, frowning a little. "He has been much too regretful of the past to have wanted us to be apart from the beginning," he explained and Harry narrowed his eyes in disbelief, even though it seemed perfectly easy to understand.

"What do you mean?" he wanted to know, genuinely curious. Severus removed his teaching robes, settling them over the back of one of the wooden chairs.

"He did not know until you came to Hogwarts that the Dursleys mistreated you."

Harry clenched his jaw in renewed anger at the Headmaster. "Well, there was nothing stopping him from checking up on me, was there?" he retorted. "And, he knew after I started here and he still made me go back there!" Harry folded his arms over his chest angrily. His father nodded in agreement.

"I do not mean to say that Albus did not make mistakes, and neither am I pleased with any of the choices he made. But he never meant to hurt you, Harry. Of that I am certain."

Harry continued to glare for a moment before uncrossing his arms finally, accepting his father's words. "All right," he conceded, "but then if he didn't know all along about us, how did the Pensieve get into the vault?"

"Oh, I have no doubt that it was indeed Albus who put it there," Severus answered, a hint of amusement in his voice. Harry stared at him.

"Well, but that doesn't make any sense," he objected with a misplaced smile, and was further surprised when his father smiled as well.

"It does if you have known Albus for the better part of twenty years as I have," he argued and Harry continued to stare, waiting for his father to explain. Severus shook his head a bit. "He must have found this in the ruins of our home when he was there this summer."

Harry threw up his arms in exasperation. "Why didn't he just tell me then? He picked me up from Privet Drive and didn't say a word!" he ranted. His father didn't try to stop him, so he continued, "Why is everything some sort of game with him?"

"Albus always has a very different approach than others to any given problem. No doubt, he thought it was best for us to work through this on our own," Severus answered, not sounding at all perturbed by the duplicitous Headmaster. Harry shook his head.

"But doesn't that frustrate you?" he asked, starting to feel resigned when his father shook his head.

"There is little point in being frustrated with Albus. Besides which, Harry, it makes little difference now," he pointed out and Harry nodded in agreement before he realized he was feeling overly reasonable. He made a face.

"Why do you have to be so logical about everything?" he groused, then smiled as his father quirked his brow.

"I had no idea you found me so," he said dryly. Harry shrugged.

"I didn't say that was necessarily a good thing," he returned with a smirk and with a small smirk of his own, his father shook his head.

"We need to work on tempering this connection before you start on your assignments," he decided and Harry nodded eagerly.

"Yeah...you're driving me crazy!" Harry grinned as Severus' lips twitched. "And if we keep this up, you're actually going to laugh." And then Harry chuckled as his father's jaw began to quiver, as though he was trying very hard not to laugh.

--

Harry woke up the next morning, without a single nightmare. He felt perfectly at ease as he padded down the corridor to the washroom, after noting his father was already up. Having assumed he was in his lab, Harry was surprised to find his father in front of the washroom mirror. He was shaving, using lather and an old-fashioned Muggle razor.

Harry stared at his father's reflection, leaning against the doorframe. "What are you doing?" he asked in wonder. His father looked askance at Harry's reflection.

"It is often referred to as shaving," he informed Harry seriously. Harry rolled his eyes.

"I know that," he answered back, "but there's a spell for that, you know."

"Is there?" his father drawled as he continued to run the blade down his cheek, as though he had never heard any such notion. Harry pushed away from the door and moved so that his back was facing the mirror. He folded his arms across his chest, eyeing his father.

"Why are you doing it the Muggle way?" he finally asked after he'd watched his father meticulously going through what was obviously part of his morning routine. Severus ran his razor along his jaw, and then wiped the blade on a towel before answering.

"Your mother introduced it to me and I found I prefer the effect over the customary Shaving Spell. I have been doing it the Muggle way for many years."

Though his father's voice had remained perfectly composed, Harry still asked softly, "Does it bother you to talk about mum?" He felt his father's brief surprise.

"Not with you," he answered simply and Harry smiled.

After a quiet minute he told his father, "I can still feel some of what you're feeling."

His father had demonstrated last night how to shadow the tiny flame amongst his storm so that he could control what he was projecting, but it was almost impossible at this point and his father had assured him he would get better with practice. "Can you still feel my emotions as well?" he pressed. His father nodded. "Too much still?" Harry guessed with a sheepish smile, knowing his father was uncomfortable with how deeply Harry's feelings sometimes went, but his father patted his shoulder.

"Do not worry about it, Harry," he advised. Harry nodded as his father finished with his shaving and put away his supplies. "If you wish to eat breakfast in the Great Hall, you should get ready."

Harry nodded. "Right," he agreed, but instead of actually getting ready, he followed his father out of the washroom and on into the sitting room. His father turned around, his eyebrow raised.

"Perhaps you misunderstood," he began, his voice lilting a bit, but Harry shook his head.

"No, I didn't, but I wanted to talk to you about Quidditch. I meant to last night," he explained as he levered himself to half-sit on the table. His father eyed him with some amusement and Harry smiled. "Hermione mentioned last night that it might not be the safest idea for me to play...because I'd be an easy target," he elaborated; his father nodded.

"She is correct. Playing Quidditch does hold a certain amount of risk," he acknowledged.

"But then, why did you let me play at all?" Harry wondered, thinking his father had gone quite daft.

"I put a Protego Charm around you," his father answered matter-of-factly. Harry goggled at him.

"You did?" he asked in complete astonishment. His father nodded easily. Harry leaned further against the table. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked casually, feeling much more at ease than he should have. He pushed a bit to cover his father's flame, giving him a look.

"Are you doing that on purpose?" he demanded abruptly and he almost laughed as his father's lips twitched. "How am I supposed to be annoyed if you're shooting feelings of calm at me?"

"My apologies," Severus offered, without any sort of sincerity. And then he said more seriously, "At the time I did not wish to worry you."

Harry's brow wrinkled. "I could have handled it," he replied, making sure not to sound too annoyed, though his father could likely feel his irritation.

"I know that now," Severus agreed soberly. "Are you planning to resume Quidditch then?"

"Yeah," Harry answered with a little shrug. His father nodded.

"I will arrange for you to see Madame Pomfrey this weekend. If she clears you, you may resume practice a week from this Monday," he declared and Harry frowned.

"A week from Monday?" he echoed, and then faltered. He glanced nervously up at his father, not really sure how to proceed. "But, that's not really seeing my friends," he reasoned. Severus raised his eyebrow.

"And will Mr. Weasley be attending practice next week?"

Harry frowned. "Well, no," he admitted, remembering how Ron had complained about how he'd be missing Quidditch for almost two weeks. But then with a sudden thought, he countered, "But Ron's and Neville's detentions are after dinner. So, studying with my friends before dinner should be no problem." His father smirked a little, looking highly amused by Harry's wheedling.

"Excellent point," he conceded with a nod. "Now go get dressed," he ordered and with a grin, Harry obeyed, though by the time he was ready, his father had gone ahead and ordered breakfast for them. Harry, invigorated by his newfound hunger, had no trouble eating again this morning, at least until his father told him their after-dinner plans.

"We're going to Grimmauld Place?" he asked, hating the way his voice cracked at the end. His father glanced up quickly from his plate; his features softened.

"It will be all right, Harry," he told him quietly. Harry's teeth grazed his top lip.

"I haven't been there since..." He shook his head, feeling all of sudden very guilty that he hadn't spared much thought to Sirius in such a long time, and then his face tingled a bit. "Wouldn't it better to meet somewhere else...with Kreatcher there...he was the one who-" He shook his head again in agitation.

"Kreatcher has been dealt with," his father broke in smoothly. Harry narrowed his eyes.

"Dealt with?" he repeated, fiercely ignoring his father's attempts to send him feelings of calm. "You mean killed," he stated dully and his father nodded without concern. Harry's insides prickled.

"Did you...?" he asked in one breath, but his father shook his head firmly.

"No, I did not."

Harry nodded, feeling relieved and allowing his father's ease to seep into his mind. He didn't much like the idea of his father as a house-elf murderer.

Severus went back to his eggs as he continued in a conversational tone, "Grimmauld Place, along with everything else Black owned, was left to you."

Harry shrugged. "I know. Dumbledore told me when he took me to the Burrow." He wished Sirius hadn't left him any of those things. He didn't want any reminders. Especially as his godfather would have been very angry about everything that had happened in the past few months. Not only had Sirius' best friend lied to him, his worst enemy had been Harry's father all along.

"Damn," he groaned, and then flushed as he realized he'd said that out loud.

"Are you all right?" his father asked immediately and Harry briefly thought about just nodding, but he figured his father would likely understand; after all, the animosity between Severus and Sirius had been completely mutual, and anyway his father could feel his discomfort.

"I was just thinking how much Sirius would hate this," he explained as he swirled his fork in his toast crumbs. His father nodded.

"It would have been difficult for him to accept," he agreed and somehow that made Harry feel more at ease, but he didn't seem to be able to still the irritation he felt.

"Difficult?" he repeated. "He probably would have hexed you for it," he said with a scowl, feeling no amusement at all with the idea.

"Quite likely," Severus agreed and then his mouth turned down in a sad smile. His eyes grew stormy and Harry was hit by a wall of grief. "Black cared for you, Harry," his father told him, his voice very soft. "Almost as much as James did...and Lupin."

Harry swallowed. "You really think he would have been okay with you being my father?" he asked and after a minute, Severus nodded.

"Eventually," he allowed and Harry frowned a little as he tried to untangle the emotions churning up inside him.

--

The rest of the day was much easier. It was more difficult to feel his father's emotions from a distance, and he was a bit surprised when Severus and Remus came to collect him from the Gryffindor table as soon as dinner concluded. Severus wasn't projecting any emotions. Harry frowned, wishing he could have as much control.

His father caught his look and assured immediately, "It will come, Harry." Harry nodded as he stood up, about to say goodbye to his friends, but his father announced abruptly, "The Headmaster wishes the three of you to come as well. Professor Lupin will escort you."

Ginny, Ron and Hermione nodded immediately and Ron, looking particularly relieved as it meant he'd be skipping detention, scrambled up. Remus smiled in amusement.

"Come along." He gestured to them and Harry's friends, after quick goodbyes, followed after Remus.

"Why aren't we going with them?" Harry asked as he walked beside his father out of the Great Hall.

"Albus asked to see me."

"About the same thing as yesterday?" he guessed, guarding his words, but his dad shook his head. And since he didn't elaborate, Harry figured it must be something that shouldn't be overheard by the passing students so he didn't press for more details.

"Cinnamon Mint," his father rapped out once they had reached the Gargoyle and then they were spun to the Headmaster's office door. They stepped in as soon as the door opened for them. Harry, his eyes going wide, feeling a fear he wished he didn't feel, took a step back. He bumped into his father's chest.

"Lucius," Severus smoothly greeted the man standing next to Albus, even as he put a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry felt a welcome calm come over him. He wasn't sure what he was nervous about anyway.

"Severus," Lucius returned through his pinched lips. His gaze strayed to Harry. "Mr. Potter," he greeted, putting a little too much sneering emphasis on the Potter and Harry stiffened. His father's fingers gripped against his shoulder, and Harry made himself ignore his annoyance as he stared back at Lucius.

"Narcissa, how are you?" Severus was asking, his voice seething with polite interest. Mrs. Malfoy smiled tightly at both of them.

"I am well, thank you," she replied, her tone brittle.

Malfoy was standing stiffly on the other side of his father, staring straight ahead, as though he was trying very hard not to make eye contact with either Harry or Severus.

"Lucius and I were just going over last night's meeting with Voldemort." All three of the Malfoys flinched at the name; Dumbledore smiled. "Kingsley, if you would escort Lucius and Narcissa back to their home," he added, gesturing toward the Floo. Shacklebolt, who Harry had only just noticed, was standing near the Floo with Tonks. He nodded.

"A word, Draco, before we depart," Lucius directed without even looking at Malfoy as he turned toward the Floo. Malfoy didn't pause though, obediently following his father. Mrs. Malfoy brought up the rear. Shacklebolt and Tonks waited discreetly a few meters from the family.

"You will conduct yourself appropriately," Lucius was saying coldly and Harry watched as Lucius tapped the silver head of his cane against Malfoy's cheek to emphasize his words. Harry's insides pinched nervously; he turned away from them.

His father was watching Harry closely, his eyes turbulent and Harry wondered if he was thinking about Tobias. They waited silently together until Lucius and Mrs. Malfoy finally Flooed away with Shacklebolt; Tonks stayed close to Malfoy.

"Severus, if you and Harry would like to go first," Dumbledore suggested into the silence and although his father had already told him Malfoy was coming along, he still felt a surge of nervousness as he thought about how Sirius would not have liked it.

Harry followed his father into the fireplace, carefully not looking at Draco as Severus threw down the powder. And then a heavy sadness settled over Harry as they stepped out into Grimmauld Place; he felt his father's hand briefly patting his shoulder. He was distracted further as Ginny, Ron and Hermione came out of the kitchen. "Hi Harry," they greeted simultaneously.

Before Harry even had a chance to greet them, Mrs. Weasley came from the kitchen as well and snapped to Ron, "I believe you have some work to do upstairs, Ronald." Ron's face flushed as his mother handed him a bucket full of cleaning supplies and Harry almost volunteered to help him, but Mrs. Weasley was already moving toward him.

She gathered him in a close hug and Harry returned it. "How are you, Harry dear?" she asked, as she trained her eye up and down. Before he could even answer, she turned sharply to Harry's father. "Severus, I hear you've been taking good care of Harry." She continued sternly to Harry, "You mind your father now, Harry." Harry nodded solemnly though he was trying to not to laugh. Mrs. Weasley smiled broadly, patting Harry encouragingly on the back. "That's a good boy."

Malfoy and Tonks appeared in the Floo and Mrs. Weasley waved her hands toward the other room. "You children go play now while we have our chat," she directed and Ginny rolled her eyes. "Go on, now," Mrs. Weasley encouraged with a gentle push to Harry's back, as he floundered.

Hermione had gone with Ron to do whatever chores his mother had assigned him and Harry didn't know how he was going to sit in the same room with Malfoy and Ginny. He found his eyes straying to his father, who simply nodded and with a somewhat muted sigh, Harry followed Ginny into the other room, with Malfoy presumably following.

As if they were all merely puppets on strings, each one of them sat, their backs stiff and their hands folded in their laps. Ginny kept darting her gaze between Harry and Malfoy, but Malfoy continued his performance from earlier, just staring. They might have sat that way all night, but without warning, the door was flung open from the sitting room. George and Fred, their mouths turned down in identical frowns, burst into the room.

"Oi, Ginny!" Fred exclaimed and then as he took in Malfoy sitting stiffly on the other side of the room, he narrowed his eyes. "Oh good...Malfoy. These two need a chaperone." Malfoy's grey eyes flicked toward them, but he said nothing. Fred and George exchanged looks before turning to glare pointedly at Harry.

"Mind your manners, now Harry. Ginny's still an innocent little thing," Fred said in a sing-song sort of voice and Ginny immediately stood up while Harry blushed at Fred's insinuation.

"Get out of here!" Ginny said fiercely. The twins smirked at her.

"Well, all right," George allowed, "but only because Malfoy's in here to keep you out of trouble." Ginny stalked toward her brothers and both of them backed up in mock-horror.

"Ginny, you don't want Harry to think you're mean-tempered, do you?" Fred asked.

"Well, that way at least, she'll stay our innocent little thing," George observed and then the twins ducked as Ginny threw a dusty book toward them. Chortling, they left, though Harry noticed, even with all of their humor, they left the door open. And through the entire exchange, Malfoy hadn't moved a centimeter.

Ginny looked between them and then, with a silent reassuring squeeze against his fingers, she said, "I'm going to see if Ron and Hermione need any help."

But even after she'd left, Malfoy continued to stare off to his left, his fingers tightly clamped on his knees and Harry wasn't sure there had been any point to Ginny's leaving. He didn't know what he was supposed to say, even alone with Malfoy. So instead, Harry let his own gaze wander about the room, remembering with a dull pang the times he'd spent here with Sirius.

His eyes fell on the old desk in the corner and he remembered the cleaning they'd all done here with fondness...there really had been a lot to throw away, papers and books, that old locket that none of them could open--Harry narrowed his eyes as he thought of that locket, wondering if could have anything to do with the locket his father had asked Dumbledore about yesterday. He'd have to ask his dad later, but for now the silence in the room had grown oppressive...

After too many more minutes of stifling quiet, Harry asked quickly, "Is your father all right after last night?"

Malfoy stiffened and Harry wished he hadn't asked.

"What do you care, Potter?" Malfoy snapped. Harry pursed his lips and realizing his father, and probably Dumbledore, had likely arranged things this way, he went against all of his instincts.

"I know what it's like to worry about someone like that and I'm sorry, that's all," he offered quietly. Malfoy finally looked at him, his gray eyes dark. His shoulders seemed to slump a bit.

"It doesn't matter," he finally said, his voice subdued. Harry shook his head.

"Of course it matters, Malfoy. Nobody should have to worry so much about someone they care about."

Malfoy snorted in response. "Have you been re-sorted into Hufflepuff, Potter?" he asked with a sneer. "We don't need your pity and my father can take care of himself," he said importantly. Harry stared at the other boy.

"I didn't say he couldn't," Harry denied. "I was just trying to-"

"What Potter?" Malfoy demanded. "It's not enough that you're the bloody savior of the wizarding world, now you need to play Mind Healer with me? I don't need your sympathy," he finished furiously and Harry's eyes snapped in anger.

"I wasn't trying to analyze you, Malfoy," he bit out. "I was just trying to talk to you. We're not exactly on opposite sides anymore-"

Malfoy stood abruptly, his face drained of all color. He stalked past Harry and without another word, he slammed the door behind him. Harry stared at the wooden door as it echoed. He wondered briefly if someone would make Malfoy come back in, but after a few minutes of waiting, the door stayed closed, so Harry pushed himself up from the sofa and went out into the sitting room. Malfoy was sitting primly on one of the chairs, staring again. Harry shook his head and went to the kitchen door. He knocked hesitantly.

The door was opened immediately by Mrs. Weasley. Her face immediately became concerned. "What's wrong Harry?" she questioned and almost instantly, she was moved aside by Harry's father.

"Harry?" he demanded. Harry had to bite his lip from laughing at his father's overprotective worry. He shook his head.

"Nothing's wrong. But I just wanted someone to know that Malfoy doesn't want anything to do with the rest of us and I didn't think it was such a good idea to leave him alone."

His father nodded curtly, backing up a pace from the door as Tonks, with a loud sigh, came through. Harry pointed to the sitting room and with a roll of her eyes, she moved in that direction.

"Is everything else all right?" Severus asked quietly. Harry nodded.

"Go on upstairs, Harry," Mrs. Weasley suggested. "The other children are up there." Harry nodded, giving his father a little smile before Mrs. Weasley shut the door again. He turned to go up the stairs, but Ginny was already on her way back down.

"What happened to Malfoy?" she asked. Harry sighed.

"He stormed out." Ginny smiled in understanding and took his hand. "Is Ron actually cleaning?" he asked. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"No, and trust me, you do not want to go see what he and Hermione are doing," she answered with a smirk. And smiling with her, the two of them went back to the office that Harry had just vacated. Malfoy was still in the sitting room, under guard now. Tonks waggled her fingers at them as they went quickly past.

"I should have stayed I guess," Ginny decided as they plopped down on the ragged sofa. "Maybe he would have been nicer." Harry shrugged.

"I doubt it. He's sort of impossible," he told her seriously. She smiled.

"Speaking of being alone in here," she said pointedly and Harry raised his eyebrows.

"We weren't speaking of being alone," he objected, and then chuckled as she moved closer.

"Well, as this is the only time we're going to get for the next week, maybe we should be," she suggested.

Not wasting another minute, Harry leaned over Ginny, pressing her into the arm of the sofa. She smiled as he moved closer, reaching up to pull his head down. Harry's heart hammered in his chest, forgetting about everything else as Ginny kissed him; they completely lost track of time.

"Ginevra Weasley!"

Harry's eyes widened and he flung himself backward, quickly untangling his and Ginny's legs and snatching his hands away from where they'd planted themselves on Ginny's hips, as Mrs. Weasley's voice screeched indignantly. The flame on his neck fired up through his face as he saw his father standing slightly behind Ginny's mum, his features stiff. Harry bit his lip and looked down at the faded cushion on the sofa.

"Mum!" Ginny objected, sounding just as indignant as he mother had, as she pushed herself up from the sofa.

Without pausing, Mrs. Weasley grabbed Ginny's wrist and pulled her unceremoniously from the room. "That is no way for you to behave!" Harry could hear her lecturing as her voice faded quickly away. Harry glanced up through his fringe; his father was still staring down at him.

--

Severus' mind was assaulted with a feeling of simple lust as Molly pushed open the door to the little office and then as she shrieked her daughter's name, Severus felt a loud mixture of embarrassment and trepidation. He forced the feelings down as he watched while his son scrambled off of Ms. Weasley; he had been pressed rather tightly against her.

Harry's face flamed a deep red as he tried not to catch Severus' eye. Severus stepped aside silently as Molly pulled her daughter from the room, the matron's voice ringing loudly through the house as they went toward the kitchen. The feelings of anxiety raged from Harry as Severus carefully sat on the sofa.

"I am not angry," Severus assured his son immediately.

"You're not?" Harry asked, bewildered. Severus shook his head. There was a long silence as he considered his next words carefully.

"Has anyone ever spoken with you about the proper way to behave with a young lady?" he asked seriously, realizing that the only person who might have, would have been Black; Severus cringed at the thought.

"Young lady?" Harry echoed, sounding dismayed. Severus raised an eyebrow.

"You do realize that Ms. Weasley is a young lady, I presume," he asked, feeling somewhat amused by his son's embarrassment.

"Of course I realize it," Harry grumbled, "...it just sounds so old-fashioned."

Severus ignored the slight irritation in Harry's tone to redirect the conversation. "May I assume from your chagrin with Draco's taunting in class yesterday that you have not yet been intimate with anyone?"

Harry's face burned, his eyes shooting downward again, and Severus felt his own neck heating with Harry's mortification. He pushed against the warmth; it receded. Ignoring his own discomfort, as well as his son's, Severus pressed, "Harry?" Harry nodded silently and Severus pursed his lips. Uncertain how much Harry would have taken young Malfoy's taunting as a challenge, he asked quickly, "Was this in fact, about what Draco said to you?" His voice was too shaky.

"No!" Harry yelped, his voice rising to an uncomfortable octave; Severus shifted nervously. "I mean, we weren't about to--we weren't doing anything..." Harry finished uncomfortably as his face bloomed scarlet.

Harry's discomfort unsettled Severus and having no wish to embarrass his son further, he asked quietly, "Have you and Ms. Weasley discussed your feelings?" Harry looked confused, as his eyes finally came up again and Severus clarified, "What are your feelings toward Ms. Weasley?" Harry stared at him for a minute before he shifted uncomfortably and Severus was startled by the depth of Harry's emotions for the girl and he wondered if Harry even realized that he loved her.

--

The warmth that had spread throughout his body had backed off a bit and he was certain that was his father's doing, as Harry really just wanted to sink through the floor. What sort of question was that? How could he explain how he felt about Ginny--to his dad no less? Merlin's balls, what he wouldn't give for Malfoy to walk back through that door right now.

Shifting uncomfortably as his father waited for an answer, he wondered how pointless it would be to refuse to answer; most likely completely pointless. There was no way his father would just let this go. And anyway, he wasn't a coward...

He squared his shoulders, forcing his mind to calm. "I care about her," he stated, sounding almost unaffected by his own embarrassment. His father nodded, his features not quite still.

"And have you told her how you feel?"

Harry was certain he could detect faint spots of pink against his father's cheeks even as he felt his own face heating again. "Not really," he admitted softly. His father pursed his lips.

"It is not wise to allow yourself to become carried away without an understanding of how the other person feels...especially as I am certain that you do not wish to hurt Ms. Weasley."

Harry swallowed nervously. Of course he didn't want to hurt Ginny. "We weren't about to...well you know...anything..." he trailed off, feeling ridiculous and childish; it wasn't as if he had never thought about it, but he wasn't about to admit that...or even anything close to it. He was confused as his father smiled a little.

"That would have been in poor taste indeed, as most of her family was right outside the door," he remarked. "As far as that goes, though, Harry, it would be best to show a bit more decorum, even without sex."

Harry couldn't answer, as the word almost submerged him into a panic and he was almost certain his face would go up in flames at any moment. He made a couple of attempts at a stuttering response before he finally gave up and fell silent, feeling completely mortified. His father gazed at him silently for a long time before he relaxed a bit.

"You are young, Harry," he said in that almost-gentle voice of his. "There is no reason to rush into anything." Before Harry could say anything, his dad leaned in a bit and said, in an even softer voice, "It is an experience you will enjoy much more if you wait until you are ready." And though it was impossible, Harry felt like his entire face and neck was burning painfully. Maybe if he just closed his eyes, this conversation would fade into nothing but a nightmare.

"It is also wise to be certain you have chosen the right young lady," his father continued. Harry's eyes snapped open, the embarrassment turning immediately to irritation. He knew his father would say something like that!

"And I should date lots of girls, before I can be sure?" he almost snapped, catching himself just in time so it came out in a tone only a bit harder than normal, but he didn't want to have this conversation either. He couldn't explain how he felt about Ginny, and so Harry was quite surprised when his father shook his head, with a little smile.

"Not at all. Your mother was the only woman I really ever courted seriously."

Harry's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really?" he asked, almost forgetting what had brought them to this conversation, as he loved hearing about his mum, especially from his father. Severus nodded, his face relaxing fully as he settled against the worn cushions.

"I was taken with Lily from the first time I saw her," he explained, his eyes lighting with the memory.

"But you didn't start-er-courting her until your seventh year, right?" Harry remembered and his father nodded.

"We were friends for most of our years at Hogwarts, though I always felt much more than friendship for your mother," he admitted fondly.

"Well, what made her change her mind?" Harry asked. His father smiled a bit more, most likely feeling too much excitement from Harry.

"James had been trying to gain her favor for years," Severus explained, "and Lily finally agreed to go to Hogsmeade with him early in our seventh year...he kissed her."

Harry grinned at the irritation coming off in waves from his father. Harry tried not to laugh. "So, mum got mad, then?" he surmised but Severus shook his head.

"She just asked James to bring her back to the castle. He did and she came looking for me." His eyes had lost much of their focus and his voice was full of wonderment. Harry felt very warm inside, and he was reminded fiercely of the way he always felt when he was with Ginny.

He listened in fascination as his dad continued softly, "She told me that when James kissed her, she found herself wishing she was kissing me instead."

And there was no room for embarrassment about the idea of his parents snogging, as Harry was feeling too many other emotions, from pure elatedness to infinite grief. Harry smiled sadly at his father. "You really love her, don't you?" Of course it was no surprise, but he had never experienced the full breadth of emotions his father felt for his mum. His father looked surprised for a moment and then nodded.

"Immensely," he answered simply and then he leaned forward a little. "And that is how you and a young lady should feel toward one another before making any decisions about intimacy," he said seriously. Harry squirmed again.

But before he could stop himself, Harry asked, "How will I know when that is though?" He wanted to be embarrassed, but his father's face held no judgment and in fact Harry thought his dad felt pleased. Harry smiled in spite of himself.

"I cannot make that decision for you, Harry," his father told him. "I would prefer that you wait until you are ready for all the consequences that come with it and that you be responsible. But most of all, Harry, I do not wish to see you hurt and if you and Ginny are not ready, it will hurt both of you."

Harry stared at his father. None of that had been what he'd been expecting his father to say. He had expected his father to order the two of them to keep at least a meter of space between them at all times...and had his dad just called Ginny by her first name?

And then leaning forward a bit, Severus inquired, "Do you know the appropriate Contraceptive Charm?" Harry cringed, and with a wry smile, his father promised, "I will teach it to you. And it would be wise for you to insure that Ms. Weasley knows the correct Charm for herself as well," he advised. "Though," he mused, "I cannot imagine that Molly would teach it to her. Perhaps I should teach it to both of you."

"Dad!" Harry objected, his face flaming again, and then he froze; the word had come tumbling out and he could immediately feel the happiness from his father, even as his own face lit in a smile through his flush. It really did feel good to call him that, but he still looked away in embarrassment at the idea of his father teaching Ginny a Contraceptive Charm. Was he completely mad?

"I don't really think...wait," Harry interrupted himself. "Did you say something about a locket the other day, in Dumbledore's office?" He asked as he stared again at the desk in the corner. His father nodded, unperturbed by Harry's calculated subject change. "We found a locket here when we were cleaning. We couldn't open it though-" He was startled when his father stood up without warning.

"What happened to it?" he demanded. Harry pursed his lips in thought.

"Sirius put it in a pile of junk to be thrown away-"

"Did Kreatcher see it?" Severus interrupted again. Harry shrugged. His eyes narrowing, his father spun around and left the room with long, quick strides. Harry, perplexed, hurried after him, passing both Remus and Dumbledore in the sitting room as they talked quietly over tea.

Harry almost crashed into his father's back when Severus stopped abruptly in front of the cupboard where Kreatcher had slept. His father wrenched the door open and crouched down. Then with a sharp movement, Severus yanked his arm back up.

The locket and its chain were hanging in mid-air, directed by Severus' wand. The locket went a bit higher as Severus narrowed his eyes, studying it. Then he straightened up and without a word, he headed back to the sitting room.

"Albus," Severus called sharply. Remus and Dumbledore were already facing the kitchen and

Severus held out the locket, still swinging from its delicate chain for them to see, and with an almost reverent "Ah", Dumbledore plucked it from the air, bringing it close to his spectacled eyes.

Harry looked up in surprise as his dad's hand gripped around his elbow; the movement felt frantic somehow. "Is that it?" Severus demanded harshly and after what seemed a very long moment, Dumbledore nodded, his mouth moving into a huge, triumphant smile. Remus, next to him, grinned as well, looking quite giddy.

"That's it," Dumbledore announced, his voice full of awe. His eyes were glowing and Harry frowned as some sort of spasm seemed to have overtaken his father; the fingers around Harry's elbow tightened.