Lily's Charm

1996

Harry tried to pull his elbow away, but his father held tight; he was staring at Dumbledore. Harry turned his eyes back to the Headmaster. The old blue eyes were darkening, and Harry flinched as fire exploded his scar. Before he had time to react, Severus was flinging him backwards with a force much more powerful than Harry could have expected.

He landed with a hard crack inside the fireplace and in the next instant, as he cried out in protest, Harry was swallowed in green flame, even as a roared command, stay put, Harry! flamed through his mind. He had no idea how to answer back as the rooms flashed by with dizzying speed.

The Floo spit him out angrily and Harry flew a couple of meters through the air before crashing down on a hard floor, his nose smashing up against the wood. Pain seared through his face. He had to drag a shallow breath through his open mouth before he was steady enough to sit up.

Harry looked around in bleary confusion, his eyes blinking rapidly against the sting of pain. He reached a cautious hand up and flinched as he brushed against his nose; his fingers came away from his face coated in crimson.

He reached his other hand up belatedly to his scar, as he realized that the blinding pain he'd experienced in Grimmauld Place was gone. But he was almost certain he'd seen Dumbledore's eyes turning red and then a terror that had not been his own, had gripped him before his father had threw him into the Floo. Before the green flames had finished pulling themselves around him, Harry had seen his father raising his wand toward the Headmaster.

Anxiety filled him and though Harry wasn't sure he was steady enough to stand, he did finally draw his wand. But he couldn't hear any sounds that might indicate he wasn't completely alone. He looked around the room slowly, carefully trying not to move the muscles in his face too much. The room was fairly large, though it was mostly empty, except for a sofa, a low table...and a picture.

Harry squinted toward the frame, wincing again as he did. His mum was smiling out at him, his toddler self laughing in her arms and Harry realized this must be the safe house his father had mentioned, but since he'd never been told the location, he couldn't see how he could have gotten here. He couldn't worry about that right now...

Harry levered himself with his hand against the sofa and stood up, his knees shaky. His head swam and he thought he'd sick up. He paused, trying to allow himself to regain his equilibrium, but it was almost impossible. All he wanted to do was rush back into the Floo and go back to his dad. He didn't know what had happened but whatever it was, somehow it had to with that locket.

Ignoring the wash of nausea as well as the throbbing throughout his face, Harry turned unsteadily back toward the fireplace, a new anxiety working through him. He knew his father would likely ground him for a month if he went back, as the order to stay where he was had been unmistakable, but he couldn't just sit here, waiting to find out what was happening. Both his dad and Remus were there and Dumbledore...well it was as if he had somehow been possessed. The only other eyes he'd ever seen that had glowed that way had been Voldemort's. And his scar had burned...

With a shaky nod, though no one could see him, Harry finished his journey to the Floo. He found the small box of powder on the mantel; it looked just as delicate as the one in their quarters at Hogwarts. Harry moved his fingers over the top of the box, but it didn't seem to have a lid.

"Amium," he commanded as he pointed his wand at the box. He winced as the word came out differently than he'd intended. Damn nose! The box stayed firmly closed. "Obvium," he ordered more forcefully, stressing the word this time and then gasping as fire spread throughout his features, but still nothing happened. Frustrated, and hoping maybe he could split the box open, Harry threw it sharply against the floor. The box stayed closed.

"Shit," he muttered as his face throbbed even more. Not knowing what else to do, he sank into the chair next to the fireplace. Harry stared at the Floo, willing his father and Remus to appear.

--

Severus gripped Harry's arm as Albus' eyes began to darken toward crimson. With as much force as he could, he threw Harry behind him, silently directing the Floo to take him away. He closed his mind to his son's protests, while ordering him somehow through their connection not to come back and with a mighty roar of flames, Harry was whisked away to safety.

Even as he shunted Harry away, he raised his wand toward Albus, commanding, "Accio Locket!" but Albus' counter-Charm was faster; the locket stayed put. Lupin, much too late, understood and made a jerky movement toward the Headmaster, swiping at the swaying Horcrux.

Albus, with a chilling hiss, turned toward Lupin.

"Protego!" Severus roared, erecting a shield in front of Lupin with so much force, the other man crashed into the wall behind, slumping gracelessly to the floor and after sparing only a split-second hope that Lupin wasn't dead, Severus gave up his attempt to match his own magic to Albus'. He stepped forward and with all his strength behind the blow, Severus smashed his fist into the old man's face.

Albus stumbled, giving Severus only a moment. He wasted no time, chanting two spells almost simultaneously, binding the Headmaster with ropes while putting him into as deep a sleep as was possible without killing him. Severus grabbed Albus before he could fall. As the Headmaster's fingers slackened with sleep, the locket slipped to the floor, with a soft chink.

Severus kept his wand trained on the helpless headmaster as he ran his wand swiftly over the locket. It seemed to be pulsing but then just as swiftly, it was still. The thing was dead again.

Wanting to get to Harry, Severus ended the Protego Charm he'd cast and chanted a quick, "Ennervate," toward Lupin. Lupin stirred immediately; Severus felt a quick relief that he was indeed alive. It was short-lived however, as Lupin stared dazedly at him. Losing his patience, Severus barked, "Get over here, Lupin!"

Lupin blinked once before nodding in bewildered acknowledgement. He stood unsteadily and made his way over to Albus' fallen form.

"Is he all right?" Lupin asked hoarsely.

Severus didn't answer as he stepped over to the Floo. Throwing down a pinch of powder, he called for Poppy's quarters before sticking his head through the flames.

Poppy was rushing into her sitting room clutching her dressing gown around her. "What's happened?" she demanded.

"Albus...at Headquarters," was the Potions Master's reply before he drew his head back through, not wanting to waste time. And in the next instant, Poppy was stepping through the flames and hurrying over to Albus.

"What happened to him?" she asked as she waved her wand over his still form. "Why did you bind him?" she demanded, looking sharply at Severus.

"I had to subdue him," Severus told her quickly, ignoring her sputtering. "Heal him, but keep him asleep until I get back," he ordered and though it was not the Mediwitch's custom to take orders from Severus, she nodded briskly.

Severus threw down another pinch of powder, this time calling for Minerva's quarters. He stuck his head through. Minerva stood up from where she had been reading on her sofa.

"Severus?" she inquired sharply.

"Minerva, you are needed at Headquarters," he told her and to her credit, she didn't argue. She simply nodded. Severus pulled his head back through the flames. A moment later, Minerva stepped into the parlor. She gasped when she saw Albus. Severus repeated what he'd told Poppy and then pointed to the locket on the floor.

"I need you to apply a Shadow Charm to it. As strong as you can make it," he told her. She nodded, not even wasting time to demand an explanation.

Toward the locket, Minerva chanted softly, "Umbra Profundus." The locket seemed to shimmer with the words, until it looked as if it had been covered in a hazy fog.

She looked to Severus for confirmation. He nodded and with a quick word, the locket rose into the air as Severus levitated it over to the mantel. "Do not allow anyone to touch it. I will be back shortly."

Minerva simply nodded.

Stepping into the Floo this time, Severus snapped, "Lupin." Without hesitation, Lupin stepped in beside him and Severus couldn't help but wonder at the unusual compliance he'd witnessed tonight. A second later, Severus called for the safe house and then they were being pulled through the Floo Network.

They stepped out sedately into the sitting room of Highlands Cottage. Severus immediately tensed as he saw Harry, leaning bonelessly against the back of the chair, blood trailing from his nose. Harry looked up as they entered and his relief filled Severus. Harry tried to stand, but he didn't finish the motion, his face going stark white. Ignoring Lupin's gasp, Severus took the two steps to the chair and knelt down in front of his son.

"Are you all right?" Severus asked rather pointlessly, Harry thought as it was quite obvious that he wasn't. Harry didn't answer, feeling much too lightheaded. With gentle fingers, his father took his chin in his hands, tilting Harry's head back slightly.

Harry blinked up at Severus, remembering the last time his father had held his chin, marveling a bit at how much things had changed in the past few months. This touch against his face was nothing like the one in Dumbledore's office in September had been, though the fingers were the same--rough and calloused from years of working with Potions.

His father smiled a little, as though he somehow knew what Harry was thinking and Harry could feel the agitation mingled with affection. Waving his wand quickly over Harry's nose, his father chanted softly, "Resarcio." He grimaced as Harry gasped as a new pain bloomed over his face.

"The bones are knitting together," Severus told him as he slipped his wand back into his sleeve. Harry winced as the spell completed its work; it felt as though the bones were grating themselves together. And it hurt.

Harry moved his hand to scrub away the dull ache, but his father caught it, giving Harry's fingers a light squeeze. "Do not touch it. I will give you a Strengthening Potion when we get back to our quarters as well as a Pain Relieving Draught."

Harry groaned a little. "It hurts," he complained, not wanting to wait. His father nodded.

"Yes," he agreed, not without sympathy, as Remus stepped toward them, holding out a cloth. His father took it. "This will hurt as well. Be still." Harry flinched once more as his father brought the damp cloth to his nose, presumably wiping away the blood.

Feeling less woozy now, Harry asked, from underneath the cloth, "What happened?" When Severus didn't answer immediately and Harry could feel the slight indecision, h put his fingers around his father's wrist, stilling the seemingly compulsive movements with the cloth. "What is it?" he asked again, this time with a bit more emphasis. It did the trick; his father, looking surprised, moved his hand away from Harry's nose. He didn't let his chin free however.

He tilted Harry's face again so that Harry was looking him in the eye this time. He considered his handiwork briefly before asking, "Do you remember when you asked me what Albus meant when he spoke of 'all the pieces of Voldemort's soul'?" Harry scrunched up his eyes in thought until the dull ache around his nose made him widen them again.

"A bit."

Harry's chin was set free as his father stood up. He and Remus sat on the couch at almost exactly the same moment and he could feel the faint surprise and irritation from his father as the black eyes flicked quickly toward Remus and back. Harry probably would have laughed if his face hadn't still hurt. As it was, he just sort of looked at them, waiting for his father to tell him about Voldemort. Severus leaned toward Harry and Harry smiled as he felt his father's discomfort and he wondered if the slight shift in his position on the sofa had been intentional.

Severus looked momentarily confused before he started speaking again. "Voldemort found a way to separate some of his soul from his body."

Harry stared at him, not sure he had heard correctly. His father nodded as though to confirm what he'd just said.

"Why?"

"He was attempting to make himself immortal," his father answered simply, as though it made all the sense in the world and Harry supposed, in a way, it did.

"But how will that make him immortal?" he asked, as that part made absolutely no sense.

Severus leaned forward a bit more as he explained, "There is a very ancient form of magic which allows a wizard or witch to place a piece of their soul into another object...a Horcrux."

--

"But that's mad!" Harry finally declared with a shake of his head once the lengthy explanation was concluded. Remus chuckled.

"Of course it is," he agreed with a nod. Harry frowned as he looked between the two men on the sofa.

"So, how many of these Horcruxes are there...besides the diary?" he asked. Severus shook his head.

"Albus is uncertain. We've only found one other."

"And Voldemort can't die until all the Horcruxes are destroyed," Harry repeated what his dad and Remus had just told him. When his father nodded in confirmation, Harry looked uncertainly at Remus.

"Your father and Professor Dumbledore told me that you might be able to take Lily's place as the caster," he assured him. Harry relaxed. It made him feel better somehow that Remus knew everything.

"So, if I can, then we won't need the Horcruxes, yeah?" Harry asked eagerly. His father nodded. In sudden confusion, Harry wondered, "But how are you keeping the Horcruxes if this-whatever happened to Dumbledore-happens every time you find one?"

"It did not happen with the other one," Severus told him. Harry tilted his head in confusion.

"What happened this time, then?"

Both his dad and Remus shook their heads. "I am not certain," Severus answered and Harry could clearly feel his father's regret. He shrugged.

"It's all right," he told his father. Severus didn't look convinced, so Harry leaned forward a bit. "I'm all right," he insisted, realizing the regret had more to do with the way his father had tossed him into the fireplace than about his lack of knowledge about the locket.

"It put you in danger." Scowling, he gestured to Harry's face. "And you broke your nose." Harry smiled at that.

"That wasn't your fault. Floos don't like me," he said with an elaborate shrug. His father pressed his lips together, clearly determined not to smile in front of Remus.

"I am however gratified that you stayed here," he finally said when he had his lips under control. Harry's eyes flicked guiltily to the little box of Floo powder that still lay against the wooden floor. Severus followed his gaze, his eyes narrowing as he turned back to Harry.

"You heard me tell you to stay here?" he inquired, not quite as sharply as Harry would have expected.

"Yeah," he admitted, his face heating a bit. "I didn't know how to answer you though," he offered as an excuse. Severus nodded, still frowning at his son.

"We will work on it over the weekend," he promised and Harry was grateful his father hadn't reprimanded him in front of Remus. Of course, he was fairly certain he would as soon as they were alone. As though changing the subject purposely, his father told him, "This was our safe house."

Harry nodded. "I thought so...how did I get here though, without being told the location?" he remembered to ask.

"You've been here before," his father answered. "When you were young. The Magic recognizes you." The idea that he'd been here as a young child, with his parents, as a family, was an unsettling one. His father was watching him, his eyes dark and Harry pushed away his grief, turning to Remus.

Harry looked at his friend speculatively. "Does anyone else know this place exists, besides Remus and Dumbledore?" he asked. His father shook his head.

"No."

"Can I look around before we go...see that book of mum's?" Harry asked eagerly. His father's lips twitched again and feeling guilty, as he knew his father was uncomfortable with such a display in front of Remus, Harry attempted to shadow the flame a bit. His father gave him a little nod. Harry tried not to smile again like a lunatic.

"Boxes with your mother's belongings, as well as James' are in the lab," His father told him, gesturing off to the right as he stood. Harry looked at him in confusion.

"Aren't you coming?"

"I need to speak with Albus." When Harry frowned, Severus added with a pointed look, "I want you to stay here."

"Why?" Harry asked immediately, not liking the implication of that one bit.

"Until we know exactly what happened, I do not want you near Albus," his father said simply. Harry frowned.

"But if it might be dangerous, you shouldn't be near him either," he argued. His father shook his head.

"There is likely little danger. I need to speak with Albus before he returns to Hogwarts," he said firmly.

Harry pushed himself to his feet; he was much steadier than he had been earlier. "If there's no danger, then why can't I go back to Hogwarts?" Harry countered. His father pursed his lips.

"I would rather you stay here."

Before Harry could even open his mouth to argue further, Remus interjected, "I can go, Severus. You stay here with Harry."

Harry turned to scowl at him.

"You think I want you in danger instead? Don't be stupid," he said with more anger than was probably necessary.

"Harry," Severus scolded automatically; both Harry and Remus turned to stare at him. Severus' face stilled instantly, and there was a short pause before he went on and Harry had no trouble identifying his discomfort. "I will go," he told them, his voice tight.

Before Harry had a chance to argue further, he felt the small flame amongst his storm brighten. He could feel his father's calm ease. There is no need to worry, the flame assured him. Harry's eyes widened, startling at the clarity.

"How can you do that, already?" he wondered. His father almost smiled.

"I have had some practice," he answered blithely. Harry smiled despite the little tendrils of fear he was feeling. The flame warmed a bit more; Harry's tension eased again. His father turned to Remus. "Stay here with Harry," he ordered gruffly.

"Of course, Severus."

"I don't need a babysitter," Harry objected, mostly on principal; he didn't mind having Remus staying with him one bit. In answer, his father plucked the Floo powder from the floor, raising his eyebrows slightly. Harry bit his lip, sliding his gaze away.

"I will return shortly," Severus promised, stepping closer to Harry. He rested a light hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry turned his eyes back to his father. He nodded, ignoring his irrational urge to demand his father just stay put. Severus squeezed his shoulder. I will, the flame soothed the chill and Harry nodded.

His father drew his wand and tapped the little box. "Obvium," he commanded. Harry squinted at the box.

"But I tried that exact incantation," he exclaimed.

"How very odd," his father mused as he took a pinch of the powder. The little box closed again before Severus set it back on the mantel. The flame was vibrating with amusement and Harry narrowed his eyes as he watched his father throwing down the powder. Instead of stepping fully in after calling for Grimmauld Place, he stuck only his head in. After a moment, he pulled it out. "Contact me if the need arises," he told Harry, though his gaze included Remus, and after a nod from both of them, Severus stepped into the fireplace.

Harry watched the flames die down before turning to Remus. "Sorry," he offered, embarrassed at his outburst. Remus shook his head.

"Don't worry about it Harry."

"I don't want you to be hurt either though," Harry tried to explain.

"I know, Harry," Remus nodded, smiling at this friend. Harry cocked his head.

"So...are you two friends now?" he asked hesitantly. Remus chuckled.

"Don't let your dad hear you say that," he warned lightly; Harry grinned.

The Floo roared up again and two small vials popped out. Take both, the flame ordered abruptly and Harry laughed. Remus was smiling beside him as Harry picked up both of the vials and downed them. The ache across the middle of his face eased almost instantly.

Still smiling, he turned back to Remus. "Should we go see what we can find?" he asked, almost cheerfully. Remus nodded and Harry led the way into the lab.

--

With a quick wave of Poppy's wand, Albus' eyes fluttered open. The lines in his face wrinkled in confusion.

"How do you feel, Albus?" the Mediwitch asked gently, leaning in toward the Headmaster. Albus blinked a few times, his eyes widening as he tried to move.

"I had to restrain you," Severus informed him as the blue eyes met his gaze. "You were affected somehow, when you took the locket."

Albus frowned. "Where is it?" he asked, his voice raspy.

"Minerva applied the Shadow Charm." Albus raised his eyebrows in surprise. To the silent question, Severus responded, "I did not explain anything." The Headmaster's blue eyes sought Minerva and Poppy.

"Would you give us a moment please?" The witches nodded immediately, moving off toward Poppy's office. Severus erected a quick Silencing Charm before Albus admonished, "You should have asked Remus to do it."

Severus shook his head. "After your reaction to the locket Albus, it seemed unwise to give possession to anyone close to Harry." He had not considered his words; the Headmaster flinched almost imperceptibly. Severus pursed his lips. "In proximity..." he offered uncomfortably. Albus looked away.

Severus stilled the conflicting emotions within him to press, "Do you remember what happened?"

Albus' eyes shifted back. He nodded. "I wouldn't describe it as possession," he mused. "I was aware of myself and what was happening. I felt angrier than I ever have though," he explained slowly, shaking his head, looking a bit dazed. "I had to have the locket."

Severus nodded. "You attempted to attack Remus when he tried to take it from you," he informed the Headmaster. Albus frowned.

"Is he all right?" he asked worriedly.

"He is."

"Minerva did not have a similar experience?" Albus asked after a moment.

"She did not."

"Something to do with my having possession of both of them, then," Albus decided as he nodded firmly to himself.

"Possibly," Severus agreed. Glancing over the Headmaster's still form, he queried, "Do you feel in control again?" When the older man nodded, Severus ended the Restraining Spell.

He eased the Headmaster into a sitting position and Severus was struck by how brittle the other man was; he seemed so weary. With a compassion that he had rarely ever felt, Severus said quietly, "I told Harry that you did not know how badly he had been treated by the Dursleys." Albus' blue eyes flashed up. Severus looked away. "I explained that you did not intend to hurt him," he added stiffly.

"Severus..." the Headmaster murmured softly. Severus turned abruptly back to him.

"Could you feel Voldemort at all?" he spoke over the Headmaster. Albus closed his mouth, his blue eyes suddenly dancing. With a start, Severus realized that it was the first time in many weeks that he'd seen the Headmaster's eyes so light. He did his best to ignore the other man's mood as he waited for an answer.

"No, I don't think Voldemort was aware at all of what happened, Severus," Albus finally told him, smiling fully now. Severus scowled at him.

"This is hardly an occasion for happiness, Albus," he scathed. Albus didn't stop smiling, though he did shake his head.

"But it is, Severus," he disagreed. "We are so much closer now."

Severus narrowed his eyes. "I need to return to Harry," he informed the Headmaster. Albus nodded once again.

"Before you go, Severus..." he held up a hand and Severus paused as he was about to stand, "...I had wanted to speak with you before we came here, but Kingsley brought Lucius unexpectedly. I spoke with Stephen this morning." Severus' lips pressed together in agitation, though it was an involuntary gesture.

Knowing perfectly well that the conversation with Pinth had involved Veritaserum, he asked impatiently, "And?"

Albus shook his head. "It is as I expected. He has no connection to Voldemort nor does he wish to. He is simply a bully," the Headmaster told him sadly.

The information did not surprise Severus; he'd watched Pinth tormenting other students for years and nothing Severus had ever done had encouraged him to stop. It had never helped that Pinth's father had shown an almost sadistic pride in his offspring's taunting. But the seventh year was also a coward.

"He has been warned to stay away from Harry, under threat of expulsion," Albus told him, his voice hardening a little and again Severus marveled at how many people cared for his son...though he understood now why they did. How could one who knew him, help but be endeared to Harry?

"And Argus?" Severus asked roughly, both grateful he'd allowed Albus to deal with the Squib, and wishing he would have simply broken Argus' neck, as had been his first inclination.

"He will not touch Harry again," Albus promised firmly.

"He had better not," was all Severus had to say to that, knowing he would not restrain himself again, no matter that it would be a terrible example to his son. Albus nodded his understanding. Severus inclined his head shortly. "Have you had any success with the Charm?" It was with a mix of relief and trepidation that he watched Albus frown.

"Not yet, Severus." He narrowed his blue eyes a little. "We may never be able to know for certain," he told him, his voice almost a plea. Severus ignored it.

"Then we will simply need to keep looking for the Horcruxes," he informed Albus icily. Not waiting for the Headmaster to respond, he said, "We will need to bring Minerva in on this and likely others, as well." Albus nodded resignedly. Severus nodded shortly, standing up. He called for Poppy and when she and Minerva re-entered the room, Severus stepped back through the Floo, leaving the Headmaster to their care.

--