Lily's Charm

1996

The wind marred the hurried whispers and then rapid footsteps were fading away and Harry had no idea if he was in the room alone. But surely his dad wouldn't leave him behind the curtain without any sort of protection. Bill, Harry decided, must have been ordered to stay behind. Harry felt a cold chill run through him. His father was out there...Remus was out there. And it was much too early for Death Eaters to come crashing in on them.

The wind was yowling through the crack in the window pane above his head. Harry wanted to twist his head up, but he couldn't move. He was too close to the dusty, molding curtains; any shift in his position would be detectable. But who cares, his heart taunted him. He had to go after them. But Bill, if he was there, would surely try to stop him. And Harry had promised, hadn't he? Promised to follow his father's orders...

Harry's jaw began to ache as he clamped his teeth desperately together. Death Eaters could be steps away! But his father and Remus could take care of them. Harry chafed to move; he could feel his muscles straining to propel himself beyond the curtain. But he controlled them, ordered them to halt. He'd promised. He'd promised, damn it. His dad wouldn't trust him...wouldn't believe him. It meant something, this trust. But it would mean nothing though if something happened...

Nothing would happen, Harry told himself firmly. His father had promised he wouldn't have to do this alone.

--

Severus stood, almost pressed against the curtain. It was as though Harry was urging him to stay; he didn't want to move away. But he had no choice. "Weasley," he snapped, flinging his hand down to direct the other man to stay with his son. But Lupin was looking at him with incredulity.

"Bill, you're coming with me," he whispered, turning his head slightly in the direction of where Weasley should have been.

"Lupin," Severus hissed sharply but Lupin shook his head, his face set in a grim scowl. Weasley materialized, identifying himself swiftly.

"You're not coming, Severus," Lupin returned with a hushed growl. He gestured to Weasley, beckoning with his head for him to come. Severus made a move to follow, not quite a step from the curtain. "Stay here, dammit," Lupin spat, and then not waiting a second longer, he grabbed Weasley's arm and the pair skulked from the room, leaving Severus no recourse but to remain.

Too many minutes ticked by.

He held his wand at the ready, waiting as his heart hammered loudly in his chest. It was too soon. An animal, he told himself reasonably. Nobody has a reason to be here. Not yet. And yet Harry had said Voldemort had been here, in this very room. The thought ran through him and a chill frosted the air.

A silver wolf breezed into the room. Severus tensed, ready to pull Harry from the curtains' concealment. But the wolf only yawned its mouth wide and recited sedately, "Muggles."

Severus felt his body deflating. And then he cursed himself for overreacting. No one knew they were here. They could not. But his skin was prickling with unease. He directed his wand toward the door and sent his doe toward the stairs. Within a short moment, he heard footstep coming quickly upward. Severus did not lower his wand. Lupin stepped into the room.

"Identify yourself," Severus snapped and without hesitation, Lupin pulled out a triangular crystal, dangling from a chain around his neck. It glowed pink, just as it should.

"Amicus," he supplied. Severus nodded curtly, drawing his own circular crystal from beneath his coat. Green.

"Instituo," Severus said smoothly and then asked quickly, "Are they subdued?" Lupin nodded. Severus turned and brushed aside the heavy curtain, still holding his crystal in one hand for Harry to see. "Harry?" he breathed as he crouched down; he could feel Harry's core being pulled toward him. It was disorienting and for a moment, Harry looked bewildered, as though he wasn't sure where he was.

He blinked dazedly, quickly running the back of his hand across his cheeks, leaving a wavy trail through the soot. "Dad," he croaked shakily. He drew a shuddering breath as he studied Severus, his eyes straying to the emerald crystal. Severus dropped the crystal; it swayed against his coat. Harry's eyes followed it briefly before they darted back up to Severus. "Is-is everyone all right...Remus?" he asked raspily. Severus nodded quickly.

"He is here," he assured his son. He heard Lupin stepping toward them and Harry released another breath.

"Muggles broke into the house," Lupin supplied, his voice sounding much too tense.

Harry's eyes narrowed a bit before he nodded in a disjointed manner. Severus' own heart was still beating wildly as he surveyed his son. Harry seemed unhurt, though he was watching Severus closely; he looked as though he would spring if Severus attempted to move away too quickly.

"Thank you, Harry," Severus said quietly, "for doing as I asked." Harry seemed to shrug and then his jaw hardened as he slid his eyes away. "Harry?" Severus pressed, his brows pulling down in tensed confusion. He rested his fingers on Harry's knee and the brown eyes that did not belong to Harry slid back; they were full of accusation.

"You just left me here," he said, his voice very soft. Severus' lower eyelids came up a little, attempting to understand the indictment in his son's eyes.

"I did not leave you here," he denied in a low voice, meant to reassure. Harry narrowed his eyes, suspiciously, from Severus' view. "Lupin and Weasley went to investigate," he added, his tone hardening at bit in; he did not enjoy the mistrust in his son's eyes. Harry stiffened only slightly.

"Then why did you shove me behind a curtain if you were right here?" he asked, moderating his tone, Severus noticed, so that it wasn't a demand though it might as well have been one. Severus restrained the frown he wished to favor his son with.

"It was easier to pay attention to my surroundings, knowing you were safe," he explained, keeping his tone perfectly light. Harry shook his head resignedly, his features telling, even though they didn't belong to him.

"I'm not safe. Neither one of us is safe," he pointed out, his words heavy with his tension. "And you said we were going to do this together..." His voice trailed off as Severus' chest rose and fell in a soft sigh.

"Harry, there was no way to know what was downstairs. I cannot allow you to be hurt."

"And if you get hurt?" Harry asked quietly. Severus had no answer, his chest stormy with his conflicting emotions and Harry seemed to understand. "I know you want to protect me," he acknowledged, pulling himself up a bit so that he was eye-level with Severus, "but once we get to Voldemort, you won't be able to hide me."

"I realize that, Harry," Severus said, nodding quickly in an attempt to end this conversation. He knew precisely where Harry was attempting to steer him and he would not, he could not agree to what his son was seeking.

"You said this was my fight as well," Harry continued, as though Severus hadn't even spoken. "I'll do whatever you tell me to do...I swear it Dad, but you can't keep trying to protect me like this."

Severus stilled. He kept his voice as even as he could as he explained, "You are my son." The words brought a soft tingle to his chest, as they always did. "I will protect you until I no longer have the ability." He could see Harry's catch at the declaration. They were silent as they studied one another.

--

The words were like a gouge to Harry as he tried without success to find a hint of black in the light blue eyes. It was too disconcerting; the black had carried them through so much. He knew his father wouldn't fail to protect him; the trust went both ways. Summoning the bit of Slytherin his father had bestowed on him, he tried again. "Dumbledore said if you separate from me too often, the Charm won't even work anymore."

His father's face didn't so much as twitch.

"That is not what Albus said," he corrected in his best Slytherin tones, eclipsing Harry's completely. Harry sighed in frustration. "You cannot out-Slytherin me, Harry," Severus said with a small smile. Harry tried not to let his mouth stretch, wanting to demonstrate just how serious he was. Severus pressed his lips together, putting his smile away and nodded swiftly in response. "You do however, have a point."

Harry blinked. "I do?" he asked before he stop himself. His father smirked at him.

"Indeed," he nodded and then his face grew serious once more. "And as you did do as I asked, I believe a different reaction may be called for in the future."

Harry grinned. He hadn't expected to win. "I won't let you down," he said seriously, to which his father nodded smoothly.

"I have no doubt of that," he confirmed, his eyes warm even through their blue mask. Harry smiled at him. "I am gratified you followed my orders with almost no hesitation," his father reiterated, his voice very grave. Before Harry could respond, Severus stood fluidly, extending his hand to help him get off the dusty floor.

"I was sort of afraid you were going to put me in a Body Bind if I didn't," Harry admitted sheepishly as he took his father's hand. Severus nodded once.

"I would have, if you had hesitated a second longer," he said seriously. Harry swallowed as his father pulled him upward.

"I did listen though," he pointed out, his voice sounding scratchy and childish with his insistence, even though his father had said it three times already.

"Yes, and I am proud of you," Severus told him, his voice full of amusement. "I know you did not wish to."

Harry shrugged, though he felt rather giddy. Strange how that could be, as they stood in this room full of so much horror. Horror... The same dread fell over him again, a blanket of fear.

"Harry?" his father questioned; Remus moved closer.

"It's this room...something," he shuddered again, feeling suddenly rigid with cold.

"You said Voldemort was here with Crouch's son," Remus reminded him. Harry closed his eyes, the fear almost spilling over though he could find no reason for it. No reason for the sensation. Pulled toward the ice...

"Did Voldemort send you a vision of this house?"

His father's voice pulled him back.

Harry focused on him; the warmth returned slowly. Harry nodded, beginning to feel anxious again with Severus' apprehension. His teeth were chattering as he saw the scene again.

Severus' brows pulled together, the lines deepening around his eyes. He reached a hand out, his palm cupping against Harry's cheek. The brows pulled further down. "Your skin is like ice." Harry could tell he was trying to keep the worry from his voice.

"I'm cold." he explained with a shrug. Severus frowned.

"The Warming Charm should not have dissipated so quickly," he said as his eyes ran up and down Harry's frame. He cast another Warming Charm, the words changed a bit so that Harry understood he was strengthening it. And then obviously still unsatisfied, Severus pulled himself out of his coat and cast a precise, "Engorgio," before holding it out to Harry. Harry shook his head in quick protest, but his father ignored him. He shook the coat impatiently, not even wasting words to make it an order, but Harry was well aware that it was one. He sighed and shrugged the coat on.

"You'll be cold," he argued weakly, even though he'd already zipped himself into the enlarged coat. In response, his father cast a Warming Charm on himself.

"I will be warm enough," he replied. Then, seeming to put that conversation behind him, he returned to the matter at hand. "We need to leave," he said to both Harry and Remus.

"But the ring-" Remus began; Severus shook his head.

"We will return after we have discussed this development...I feel uneasy as well," he admitted, averting his eyes so that he was looking only at Harry. Harry swallowed, the admission making him feel closer to the glacier again. The flame, stronger now than it usually was, melted the ice closing in.

--

Bill, assisted by Remus, had Obliviated the two ragged Muggles who had thrown a rock through a downstairs window. They had been easy to subdue, Remus told them as they set up camp on one of the hills overlooking the property. The ice had returned only briefly on their rapid trek through the grounds; Harry shivered with remembrance. Bill had taken the first watch, leaving Harry, Severus and Remus sitting at the square table inside, all of them more anxious than they were willing to admit to.

"Was that specific room in a vision?" Severus asked as soon as they were settled with teacups, Harry's somehow larger than the other two. Thankfully, the coats had come off, but Severus had wasted no time in ushering the steaming cup of liquid into Harry's hands. The heat was soothing.

"Voldemort killed someone...I think Dumbledore said it was the caretaker," Harry told them as he sipped his tea. His father and Remus glanced at one another across the table and Harry paused in his sipping as a look of irritation crossed his dad's face. For Dumbledore, Harry assumed. He was taken aback as the irritation turned in his direction, though it was milder than it had been when it had first arrived on his father's face.

"Why did you not mention this before we left?" Severus inquired in a low voice. Harry shook his head quickly.

"I didn't remember," he explained, his fingers spreading away from his cup. "The visions are all sort of hazy...the earlier ones anyway," he amended as his face darkened. The lines in Severus' face immediately smoothed.

"I should have realized," he offered softly, not quite able to voice an apology in front of Remus. Harry gave him a small smile anyway, curling his fingers around his cup again.

His dad watched him with tense blue eyes; Harry sighed, "Can we end the Polyjuice for now?" He didn't like that face.

Before Severus could answer, Remus put in, "I think it may be wise for Bill and I to go back alone anyway." Harry wanted to protest but the memory of those icy fingers clawing at him stopped him. His father had watched his reaction carefully and there was no hesitation as he gave his approval.

"Both of you, conceal yourselves," he ordered. Remus nodded. He pulled himself up from his chair, in a quick and steady movement. He smiled at Harry.

"Be careful," Harry warned, a slight shudder coursing through him again but he wasn't sure if he was cold.

"We will, Harry," his friend promised as he squeezed Harry's shoulder lightly. "We'll be back as soon as we can," he added and both Harry and Severus nodded. Remus smiled once more and slid out the flap.

"We will need to go outside and keep watch," Severus interrupted the quiet conversation that Harry could hear outside. Harry didn't answer as he stood. His father pulled two vials from his sack as Harry put his coat on again.

"I don't need yours now," Harry said hurriedly, not wanting to be encased in the bulky warmth again. Severus simply handed him the potion that would reverse the effects of the Polyjuice. Harry drank it and felt the familiar twinges as his body was pulled back into its own shape. Severus made a similar transformation. And with two quick spells, their clothes fit again. Harry gave a short laugh as black overtook his father again. He shook his head as they went outside together to watch the darkness feeling much better.

He rested his arms loosely on his drawn-up knees in front of the tent. He tipped his head forward, hunkering down against the whipping wind that was tearing through his hair; it had not abated in the past hour. He felt his father's hand flipping his hood over his head; Harry smiled. His eyes roved over the desolate landscape, not certain what they were watching for. Death Eaters he supposed or perhaps, more curious Muggles.

"You think I'm being affected by the house somehow?" he finally asked when the wind made his face burn cold. The wind howled as he waited for an answer

"It is possible the property has been hexed by Voldemort," Severus answered, his voice sounding muffled. Harry glanced over to him, keeping his head down. "But it may simply be that your memories are more disturbing than one might anticipate."

"I didn't really remember it though," Harry pointed out.

"Your subconscious holds far more memories than you will ever have a use for. In this case, they were triggered by the vaguely familiar surroundings," Severus told him. "I would prefer not to gamble on your feelings of disquiet," he added.

"You feel uneasy, you said," Harry reminded his father, but curious and anxious about that.

"I did. Another reason I believe that whatever is happening has to do with Voldemort. I can control our connection enough not to be influenced by your moods." Harry raised an eyebrow, to which is father raised his own. It was good to see it back in black.

But in seriousness, Harry suggested, "Maybe not as well now that our connection is stronger."

"It is possible," his father allowed and Harry tried not to smile.

"Do you realize how mellow you've become?" he asked, ignoring the following glare.

"I do not believe you would find even one person to agree with you on that point," Severus said evenly. Harry smirked.

"Oh, I don't know," he mused playfully. "Remus would probably agree."

"Hm," was the only response he received.

Harry relaxed as the wind whipped against the tent; he enjoyed the sound. He felt content, sitting here next to his father. It seemed like so long since they had done this. Just talked. Without really meaning to, Harry leaned in toward Severus; their shoulders grazed together. The wind grew louder.

"What did you mean about mum's Patronus...when we were with Malfoy?" he asked against the howl, the sound dragging the memory up. He didn't question it.

"Your mother's Patronus was a doe," his father answered without hesitation, though his voice was distant.

"James' Patronus was a stag," Harry told him, a bit hesitantly. He thought he could hear his father smile.

"Yes," he said lightly. Harry hunched further over his knees, absorbing that.

"Was your Patronus always a doe?" he asked after a bit.

"In its corporeal form, yes," was the simple answer. Harry nodded. He wondered if the same was true of James' form. "As far as I know, James' always took the form of a stag," Severus told him, making Harry glance over swiftly. He didn't think he had been reading his thoughts. Severus' lips quirked. "You emotions are easy to discern," he told him seriously. Harry rolled his eyes.

"I'm not a Hufflepuff," he grumbled. The black eyes glinted in the darkness.

"No, you are a Gryffindor," he agreed easily, sounding not in the least bothered by the idea. "There is little difference in the emotional states amongst the four Houses," he informed his son and Harry shrugged.

"I suppose not. Hermione cries at everything...Cho did as well," he mused, remembering the girl's penchant for sobbing almost every time they were together. "Did you know she was my girlfriend last year...well, sort of," he amended with a bit of a self-conscious shrug. His father nodded.

"You are better suited to Ginny," he commented and Harry grinned over at him. In truth, he'd been surprised at how little his father had seemed to object to Ginny at the beginning, but there really wasn't any reason for him to object to her. Still, Harry enjoyed the feeling that his father approved of their relationship. And then it came to him just how much his father had approved.

"You're going to let her call you by your given name?" He raised his eyebrows in a bit of a challenge. "How about Ron and Hermione as well?" he queried. His father eyed him coolly.

"Not unless they wish to find themselves in detention," he drawled. Harry chuckled.

"Ron would soil himself anyway if you offered. And Hermione would probably be too nervous to actually do it..." He studied his father. "And that's why you won't offer," he concluded, his voice thoughtful.

Severus held his gaze for a moment before returning to his study of the darkness. Harry watched his father's still form for awhile longer, his mind wandering over everything that had changed.

"Did you know the Hat gave me the choice to be in Slytherin?" he asked suddenly. The wind picked up again.

"Indeed," his father's voice was strained and Harry turned swiftly toward him again.

"Dad?" he queried, his worry spiking. But Severus shook his head.

"I had not realized," he said quietly and the words were almost lost on the wind. Harry knew there was more to be told; his father sounded like he struggling with a deep pain. So Harry waited. He felt, more than heard the sigh. "You chose Gryffindor," he said unnecessarily. Harry nodded, confused.

"Malfoy was a prat on the train and I knew that Voldemort was Slytherin," he tried to explain, feeling horribly guilty all of a sudden.

"I wanted the Hat to choose Slytherin," his father spoke through the howl, his voice sounding as though it would crack if he didn't close his mouth. Harry stared at him. "I would not have admitted it, but I wanted you to be mine again...as soon as I saw you." Harry put a hand on his father's arm. Severus' fingers closed over his. "If I had known..." he whispered.

And Harry understood. "I'm yours now," he assured his father, not at all surprised at how fragile Severus really was. His dad pulled his arm from under Harry's hand and reached it quickly around his shoulder. Severus pulled Harry to him. Harry smiled as he felt his father's lips press once, very quickly, against the top of his head. And then father and son sat in contentment one last time.

--

"Severus," Remus' quiet bass interrupted the silence as he came up the hill; the wind had died down again through the hours. Remus was already holding out his glowing crystal. He panted his password. Severus returned the favor before Remus moved any closer. He crouched down in front of them. "Bill's here as well. We'll need another search. We couldn't find anything," he told them, sounding glum. "And there are many more rooms to search."

Severus pursed his lips in thought. He glanced at Harry. "If you do indeed have some sort of connection with the property, you may be able to find the ring with more ease," he mused. Harry didn't like the sound of that at all, but unfortunately it made sense. He said as much. "Before we make another attempt, we need to rest," his father decided swiftly, giving both Harry and Remus pointed looks.

"Of course," Remus agreed. And then, gesturing behind him, he added, "There's a shack, near the edge of the property. Did you see it?" he asked.

"I did," Severus told him. "It was barely standing."

"The Gaunts were paupers," Remus reminded him quickly, "and Merope would have had many opportunities to see him before she cast her spell if that's where they lived."

Severus was nodding thoughtfully.

"But wouldn't Voldemort want to hide it in the house where his father lived...the place he never got to be?" Harry put in, doing his best to think it through logically, even though he certainly couldn't make any claims about being part Ravenclaw.

"Voldemort's mind doesn't work in the same way a sane person's might," Severus disagreed.

"We should be as thorough as we can," Remus added. Harry nodded.

"I'll stand watch," Bill's disembodied voice volunteered, startling Harry. His father nodded smoothly, unaffected. He and Harry stood together, moving toward the tent. "What the hell?' the voice breathed again.

The other three men spun around. Severus' hand twisted itself in Harry's coat. Bodies were breaking through the air, solidifying in front of them. They're early, Harry's mind screamed! They were not supposed to be here. Not yet!

"Get out of here, Remus!" Severus suddenly exploded from beside Harry, using the hand that wasn't tangled in Harry's coat to thrust the other man back. Remus stumbled, losing his footing for only an instant and then he was trying to move himself forward again. Before he completed the step, a green light came from the direction of the approaching Death Eaters as the deadly curse filled the air. Remus went still, a cry of rage frozen on his lips as he fell.