Lily's Charm: The Gift

August, 1976

"You ungrateful bastard!" Tobias snarled as he took a step toward his tall son.

Severus caught Tobias' fist as it sailed toward his face. The automatic reaction surprised him. But feeling oddly triumphant, he gripped his father's fist and gave it a hard shove. Tobias stumbled backward. He caught the edge of his desk before he fell. He growled in a way that had menaced Severus his entire childhood.

"How dare you?" Tobias spat through whitened lips. His hands moved immediately to his belt, but Severus was faster. Tobias froze as he found his son's ebony wand right in front of his nose.

"I am not a child any longer." His voice was shaking slightly. He had never dared defy his father. But he wasn't going to allow Tobias to strike him. Not ever again.

"As long as I am your father, you will do as I say, Severus." Tobias had regained his cold, deadly tone. The familiar words made Severus feel slightly light-headed; they were always followed by the sharp snap of the finest dragon's hide leather against his backside. To start with.

Severus ignored the memories. "No." His voice was very quiet; he would leave this encounter with dignity. Lily would be proud of him. There were only a few more days until he would see her at King's Cross before the start of their seventh year.

"I only agreed to allow you your apprenticeship this summer because your skills will be of great use to the Dark Lord."

"I will not serve him. You knew that I had no plans to take the Mark," Severus reminded the dark-haired man before him. It took all his efforts to keep his voice from trembling.

"I gave you another year, Severus, with the hope that you would come to your senses!" Tobias snarled at him.

"The extra year only solidified my repugnance for everything you ever taught me," Severus returned evenly, and was shocked by his words--and the cold hatred he could hear in his own voice. His father's face burned scarlet. Severus watched as his father pulled his emotions back under control, his own control wavering. Tobias raised a thin, black eyebrow.

"You will do as you're told, Severus, or you will no longer be my son."

The threat chilled the air between them.

Severus stared into the unflinching coal eyes of his father, his heart beating erratically against his eardrums. These words should not hurt! He despised this man--had feared his cruelty for too many years. But somehow, Severus could no longer feel his fingers.

He lowered his wand. Tobias smiled in cold satisfaction.

"Goodbye, sir," Severus said tonelessly. He stayed where he was only long enough to watch as his father's eyebrows shot upward into his black fringe. Severus pivoted away from his father.

"You deceitful, ungrateful-"

There were sputtering sounds behind Severus as he hurried out of the study. His feet were propelling him forward. He had to get away. He didn't even stop to wonder why Tobias was no longer shouting abuses at him.

--

1996

Harry couldn't even begin to process the things his father had just tried to tell him. Or the things Sirius had tried to tell him either. He didn't want to think about any of it.

"You have some questions, I assume?" Severus queried from above. Harry shrugged, even though he really did have loads of things he needed to understand. He pulled a deep, unsettled breath in through his nose as his gaze traveled, unbidden, back to his godfather. Severus nodded lightly. "We will have time after you rest. And you will be able to speak with Black as well." He paused, a small smile lighting his dark eyes. "Perhaps the conversation will go more smoothly if I am not so near."

Harry wasn't at all amused.

"You need to sleep as well, Severus," Pomfrey interjected tartly as she left Sirius' side. Severus dipped his head in acknowledgement, his eyes focused only on Harry, and Harry was almost certain that it wouldn't be that simple to get his father to rest.

Harry also wanted to tell his dad that he wasn't particularly interested in having him leave his side, but Pomfrey continued to prattle on about how much sleep they all needed. Harry pressed his palms over his eyes as he let his head fall back against the iron headboard. He could feel the dull ache of a new headache burgeoning behind his lids.

"Perhaps it would be best if you took Harry back to your quarters, Severus," Pomfrey's voice floated down. "Both of you can sleep uninterrupted," she hinted. Harry looked up in surprise at the suggestion. Pomfrey smiled thinly at him. "I never had any intentions of keeping you as my prisoner in here, Mr. Snape."

Harry flushed, thinking that was exactly what he'd thought the Mediwitch had had in mind.

"Do you have a headache?" Severus asked as he continued to study Harry, ignoring Pomfrey for now. Harry nodded. His father frowned in thought. "You only had one bottle of firewhisky last night, correct?" he asked. Harry's eyes widened a little as he remembered the party in the tower, as well as what had happened with Ginny in his room. His face began to burn in earnest as he realized his father would have found Ginny in his bed.

Before he could answer, McGonagall's disapproving voice cut in, "Only, Severus?"

Dumbledore and McGonagall, followed by Harry's three concerned friends, came from the shadows of the other side of the long room.

"Minerva," Dumbledore interjected gently, "I believe a discussion on last night's events can wait."

McGonagall glanced fleetingly over at the Headmaster and then turned back to Harry, her lips pinched sourly. "I am glad you're back safely with us, Mr. Po--Mr. Snape," she conceded. "And Professor Dumbledore has explained that you need time to recover from your various ordeals. However--and I am certain your father will agree--I am not inclined to ignore last night's behavior."

Harry's face was still flaming as he nodded. "Yes ma'am," he said quietly, not even daring to look at his father, certain that he would be glaring at him as well.

"I am quite capable of speaking for myself, thank you, Minerva."

Harry looked up then, surprised by his father's cold voice. Severus was gazing at McGonagall, as if daring her to argue with him. McGonagall, looking startled, opened her mouth to retort, but Dumbledore took her elbow and gently guided the Deputy Headmistress away from Harry's bed, saying quietly, "There are extenuating circumstances..."

"Oh, Harry, we were so worried about you," Hermione's voice broke over Dumbledore's hushed voice.

Harry peeled his eyes from McGonagall, whose expression had changed a little so she didn't look quite as irritated. Hermione was staring at him, her brown eyes huge with worry. Ron, standing very close to her side, nodded in agreement. Ginny had wasted no time in coming to stand beside Severus. Without a word, she leaned over and hugged Harry so tightly, he was momentarily afraid she would crack his ribs.

"Oi, Ginny, he can't breathe."

Harry glanced up at Ron. Ron smiled at him, raising his eyebrows a little bit. Harry returned the smile, knowing that was all he and Ron would say about what a berk Harry had been over the past few days. Especially as Ron had only really been angry on Ginny's behalf, and Ginny had obviously filled Ron's head with stories of Harry having not been able to help himself. But since it was obvious that Ginny wasn't angry with him, Ron's own anger was easily deflated. Harry wanted to say something, to apologize properly to his best mate, but he didn't really want to do it with everyone standing around. He knew Ron wouldn't want that either.

"Sorry," Ginny mumbled against his neck after a moment, before she pulled back. Ginny had deep shadows under her eyes. And her usually sparkling brown eyes were cloudy.

"I'm all right, Gin," Harry tried to reassure her. She nodded jerkily. She almost looked uncomfortable and Harry wondered with sudden embarrassment, if she was thinking about the time they'd spent in his bed. He felt his face heating once more, and he found it very difficult to look anyone in the eye. Luckily, Pomfrey stepped in again, so that Harry's awkwardness was covered.

"Remus, if you are ready now, I'd like to begin my Diagnostics," the Mediwitch said sternly, eyeing Remus critically. He looked reluctant, but he nodded anyway. Pomfrey beckoned him to sit on the bed beside Harry's. Remus obeyed, arranging his old brown robes around his legs. Harry didn't realize he was staring, until Remus smiled at him.

"Don't worry. Madame Pomfrey doesn't bite," he said, trying to look very serious. Harry grinned.

"She does, if you don't cooperate."

Pomfrey eyed him as she moved toward Remus. "Rest, Mr. Snape, or you and that bed will become very good friends, indeed."

"I'm lying down," he objected indignantly, glad to have a distraction from both Ginny and Sirius, for the moment.

"See what you can do about getting your mouth to take a rest as well, then," Pomfrey suggested. She didn't wait for a response as she turned swiftly to a chuckling Remus and began waving her wand up and down.

"Did you get to talk to Sirius, Harry?" Hermione spoke up, glancing expectantly toward Sirius and then back to Harry again. Ridiculously, Harry's stomach danced with her question. He nodded though, and Hermione and Ron were grinning. "It's amazing, Harry. To think, that after all-"

"Severus."

Pomfrey's sharp voice cut across Hermione's excited gushing. Everyone turned to the Mediwitch. She had a funny look on her face.

"What is it?" Remus asked, not sounding anxious at all. Pomfrey shook her head.

"If you wouldn't mind, Severus, I would like your assistance," she said evasively. Severus, his head tilted in confusion, went to stand with Pomfrey, effectively blocking Remus from view, even when Harry leaned forward as much as he could. "Perform a Diagnostic Spell, if you would, Severus," Pomfrey directed. She stepped back, giving Severus space to wave his wand.

And then there was silence.

"What is it, Severus?" Remus' voice was a far sight more anxious this time. And Harry, not caring that Pomfrey and his father would likely snap at him to get back into bed, flipped his covers aside and scooted off the edge of the bed, wobbling only slightly as his socked feet hit the floor.

His father and Pomfrey were glancing at one another. "Not a trace?" Pomfrey asked quietly. Severus shook his head.

"His blood is completely free of it," Severus answered, just as quietly. Both of them looked very confused.

"What's going on?" Harry demanded as soon as he reached his father's side; Remus' face had gone pale.

"You can't mean...?" Remus asked, looking back and forth between Pomfrey and Severus, paying no attention to Harry standing right in front of him. Severus nodded. "It's not possible," Remus told them, sounding both desperate and madly hopeful all at the same time. "There's no cure!"

"Cure?" Harry echoed, beginning to feel very concerned over what they were talking about. What could have happened to Remus that he would need a cure? "Dad? What's happened?"

Severus turned to him, seeming to notice him for the first time.

"Severus?"

Both Dumbledore and McGonagall had joined them. Harry's friends were just beyond their shoulders.

Pomfrey looked around at the worried faces surrounding Remus. She reached out and gently shook Remus' arm. "Remus?" she prodded. Remus looked up dazedly at her query. His eyes focused a little as he found Harry. He nodded. Pomfrey turned to Dumbledore.

"There is no trace of the dark agent that used to be in Remus' blood," she told him, her voice brisk and business-like. McGonagall gasped, and even Dumbledore's eyes widened a little. His wand was in his hand a second later.

"May I?" he queried of Remus, indicating his hand. Remus nodded and held out his left hand, palm up. Dumbledore aimed his wand at the crisscrossed skin and muttered a spell. The palm was sliced open, and somehow a vial was in Dumbledore's other hand. A thin stream of blood trailed from the wound and into the vial. With another incantation, the wound was healed again. Dumbledore smiled at Remus, patted his hand and without a word, he disappeared into Pomfrey's Floo.

"Dad!" Harry finally exploded, feeling like he had through the past months, when secrets were still being pranced all around him. He ignored all the eyes that turned toward him. Except his father's. "What's wrong with Remus?" he grated through his teeth. Severus frowned, looking like he was deep in thought.

"He's not a werewolf, anymore, Harry."

Harry turned sharply to Hermione, who was gazing at Remus with incredulity. And then Harry turned back to Remus. Remus swallowed, as he shook his head. He opened his mouth once, and then slowly, so slowly, closed it again.

"We cannot be certain," Pomfrey explained. "Professor Dumbledore will perform some tests on Professor Lupin's blood..." Pomfrey shook her head, as if remembering something very important. She pierced the four children with a stern glare. "None of you are to say a word about this. You shouldn't even have heard any of this discussion. Not a word, do you understand?"

Harry and his friends nodded.

"If you will excuse us, then," Pomfrey continued, losing none of her terse tone, "I need to speak to Professors Lupin and Snape."

Harry stiffened indignantly. But Lupin waved away Pomfrey's suggestion. "It's all right Poppy," he said tiredly. "It doesn't matter."

"Doesn't matter?" Pomfrey returned, her eyes huge. "This is-"

"It's nothing," Remus interrupted, his words uncharacteristically snappish. "Just some kind of mistake...my life signs are probably simply reading wrong after being beyond the Veil." He was waving his hand in a random fashion, that Harry supposed was meant to be nonchalant. It wasn't at all.

"Were Black's life signs normal?" Severus asked, turning his head to Pomfrey. Pomfrey nodded immediately. "Perform the same Diagnostic Spell on me," he ordered. Pomfrey complied. When she finished, she gave Remus a satisfied look.

"Severus' reading is perfectly normal," she told him triumphantly. "We'll need to run several more tests, of course and you'll need to spend at least one full moon cycle without aid of Severus' Wolfsbane to be certain, don't you agree, Severus, but-"

Remus swore loudly as he pushed himself up from the bed. "It can't be as simple as all that! I've been a werewolf for more than thirty years. It can't just be gone!" Remus' shouting was directed at Severus, though Harry had no idea why. His father was gazing at Remus calmly, no expression on his face.

Pomfrey and McGonagall were staring at Remus, their mouths agape, and none of Harry's friends were faring much better.

"There is no trace of the-" Severus began.

"Do you hear what you're saying, Severus?" Remus demanded, throwing his arms agitatedly into the air, and Harry was dimly aware that McGonagall was ushering his friends off to the side of the room again. "Just like that, and poof, it's all gone?" He snapped his fingers very close to Severus' face. Severus didn't even blink. "No more disease? No more inhuman monster?" He was almost shouting.

Remus' chest was rising and falling rapidly, his breaths loud and furious as he glared at Severus. Harry stared at him, wishing he could understand what had set his friend off.

"Are you finished?" Severus inquired, his lip curling a little, though he wasn't sneering. Not exactly.

Remus stared at him, and then his shoulders sagged. He looked dejected. "I'm sorry," he apologized softly. He brought his fingers up to his temples and rubbed repetitive circles into the pressure points.

Harry glanced at his father. Severus met his gaze, his eyes dark, but Harry could tell it was due to his discomfort with whatever Remus was going through. Harry gave his dad a little nod and stepped closer to Remus.

"What's wrong, Remus?" he pressed gently. "If what Pomfrey and my dad said is true, why aren't you happy?" Remus should have been shouting for joy. His 'condition' had brought him nothing but misery for the better part of his life.

Remus brought his head up. His brown eyes were full of pain. He leaned against the edge of the bed; it creaked a little with his weight. "I broke off my engagement with Tonks." The whispered words seemed to squeeze Harry's heart.

"What?" he whispered back. "Why?"

Remus sighed, the sound coming from deep within his gut. But he shook his head, unable to answer.

"Scrimgeour is attempting to force him out of his position at Hogwarts."

Severus' voice was cold through. Harry's eyes widened with outrage.

"What?" he demanded. "Is that why you weren't at the banquet? Did Scrimgeour un-invite you?"

Remus turned to frown at Severus. "I asked you not to tell Harry."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "I do believe you were owed that," he returned cooly. Remus looked surprised, but then was shooting Severus a narrow-eyed glare.

"Why didn't you want me to know?" Harry asked quietly, crushed by this bit of news, and knowing it was because of the way he'd been acting lately. Remus obviously hadn't trusted him to care at all about his problems. "I mean...I understand that you thought I wouldn't care-"

"Harry," Remus interrupted, sounding appalled at his friend's ramble. "Of course I didn't think that. I simply didn't want you to insist on speaking to the Minister on my behalf, and yes, the Minister rescinded my invitation to the banquet."

Harry looked away. If he could help it, he would choose never to speak to Scrimgeour again. He scowled at nothing in particular. His father was watching him, the concern evident in his black eyes.

"Harry," he said quietly, "perhaps we should discuss this after you have rested."

Harry shook his head. "I'm all right." He turned back to Remus, not wanting his dad to insist that he leave it. "You broke off your engagement because you won't have a job, then?"

Remus sighed again. "Not exactly," he hedged. Harry raised his eyebrows expectantly, ignoring the slight feeling that he was intruding in Remus' personal life. But Remus clearly needed someone to talk to, and as Harry had basically been a walking pain in the arse for days now, he owed his friend this much. "Tonks' parents weren't exactly pleased with her choice of a husband," Remus told him sadly. Anger flared up in Harry's chest.

"Because you're a werewolf," he stated flatly, doing his best not to let his irritation at Tonks' parents show. Remus nodded tiredly.

"I don't blame them, of course. Tonks is their only child, and no parent would want their child to marry a werewolf."

"But they don't even know you," Harry said in objection, irritated as hell at such bigotry. Remus smiled a little, the expression sadder even than his eyes.

"If you had known I was a werewolf before you got to know me as something else, how would you have felt about me?" he asked quietly. Harry didn't know how to answer that. It wasn't a fair question, though. He would have been scared, but he wasn't about to admit that to Remus. But Remus nodded in understanding anyway. "It isn't their fault. Most wizards fear werewolves."

"But Tonks doesn't," Harry reminded him. Remus shrugged.

"Tonks is special," he agreed. He smiled sadly. "It's complicated...I can't put her through everything that comes with being a werewolf. I thought, for awhile, that it could work. But, if we were to have children...to have children who were ashamed of their father..." Remus shook his head agitatedly.

"Remus, your children could never be ashamed of you. No one who loves you has ever cared about that part of you. Your friends didn't abandon you, did they, when they found out?" he pointed out. Remus got a faraway look in his eyes and Harry turned to look at Sirius with him.

"I'm not sure things will ever be the same between us," Remus murmured. Harry turned back to his friend sharply.

"What do you mean?" he asked, remembering that Sirius has snapped at Remus a few times, but hadn't understood why at the time, and he still didn't understand. Remus didn't answer him, though his eyes did slide in a very suspicious manner toward Severus. Harry turned to his father. "What happened?" he asked curiously. Severus pointed to Harry's bed.

"You are supposed to be resting," he reminded his son. Harry hopped obediently back onto the bed, still looking at his dad.

"Well?" he asked when his back was once more against the headboard. He could tell his father was trying very hard not to smile.

"I did not plan to tell Black that I am your father," Severus told him, after his face was a mask again. "Voldemort told him in an effort to weaken us. Black was less than pleased that he wasn't told immediately."

Harry sighed. "So, he's mad at you for not telling him?" he asked Remus, understanding where Sirius obviously couldn't, why they hadn't told his godfather anything. Remus nodded.

"I promised your father I wouldn't say anything. Sirius didn't understand that," he explained with a shrug.

"You told me to give him time. I'm sure he'll forgive you after he's had time to adjust, just like you said."

Remus said nothing, but he looked unconvinced. And again, his eyes darted to Severus. Before Harry had a chance to ask what that had been about, the Floo roared, and Dumbledore stepped back through. He was smiling. He came over and handed the little vial of blood back to Remus. "The dark magic has been expelled, Remus. It's as if it was never even there at all," he told Remus happily. Remus was staring at the vial.

"But it isn't possible, Albus..."

"Impossible is a Muggle misconception," Dumbledore chided. He smiled when Remus continued to shake his head in disbelief. "Your blood is pure again, Remus. Just as it was when you were a child, before Greyback used you for his revenge."

Silence enveloped the room.

"How can that be?"

Albus smiled. "Consider it a gift from the Veil," he offered gently. He patted Remus' arm lightly. "I have several appointments in the morning," he added to Severus and Pomfrey. Pomfrey nodded, her eyes locked on Remus. Dumbledore gave Harry's shoulder a light squeeze and then he left, through the door this time.

"Remus?" Harry queried when Remus didn't do anything other than stare at the opposite wall. "Are you all right?"

"I don't..."

"But everything will be all right with Tonks now," Harry said encouragingly, still not understanding why Remus wasn't excited. "And Scrimgeour can't make you stop teaching now."

Remus shook his head. "It's not that simple Harry. What will I even tell the Minister? We can't tell anyone we used the Veil and I don't even know for certain that it's even true."

Harry frowned at that. If they couldn't tell anyone about the Veil, how would they explain Sirius' sudden return? "We'll think of something," he said anyway. He glanced at his dad for confirmation. "Right, Dad?"

Severus nodded. "Albus will, I am certain," he agreed. Harry cocked his head to the side. His dad's voice was off. He sounded distracted.

"We will continue to monitor your blood, Remus and we'll need you to go through a cycle of the full moon on your own, without the Wolfsbane, to be certain," Pomfrey told him again, trying to reassure him.

"It is a sound precaution," Severus said with a quick nod.

"And you can talk to Tonks in the meantime," Harry added encouragingly.

"Harry, Lupin is entitled to his privacy, where Ms. Tonks is concerned," Severus chided, still sounding distracted. Harry's concern at his father's behavior stopped him from blushing at the mild rebuke.

"Back to Lupin?" Remus inquired of Severus with a small smile, to which Severus simply gazed at him. To Harry, Remus said, "I was embarrassed by what happened between Tonks and I. Your concern is not prying. But it isn't that easy," he said again, with a small self-deprecating shrug. "But there's no need for you to worry about it, Harry. I'll be all right."

Harry eyed him skeptically. All right? Not likely.

Remus smiled wryly at him. But he didn't acknowledge Harry's thoughts on the matter any further. He slid away from the bed. Harry watched as one of Remus' hands lingered over a patch in his brown robes. Whatever happened with Tonks, Harry decided, he would speak to Scrimgeour about making certain Remus would be able to keep his job. Harry knew how much he enjoyed teaching. And by far, Remus has been the best Defense teacher he had ever had.

"How long will Sirius be asleep?" Remus asked quietly, effectively turning the conversation away from himself.

Pomfrey pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing slightly in appraisal at Remus before she replied, "I would like to perform a few more diagnostics before I allow him to wake up, and when he does wake up, I'd like the Infirmary to be empty. He needs time to adjust."

The echoed words stabbed at Harry's conscience. He'd helped to bring Sirius to such a frenzied state that he'd needed to be spelled to sleep. And he was just going to be trapped there, in whatever nightmares he was having. The air was beginning to feel very heavy as Harry took in the room around him.

His friends were staring at him; Ginny was almost fidgeting beside her brother. McGonagall probably wanted to give him enough detentions to last out the remainder of the school year--not to mention the points she would probably take. Pomfrey would insist that he stay in bed until Christmas. And Remus was going to be all alone, if he didn't try to make it up with Tonks. He would be too sad, and something was wrong with his dad.

The room seemed to be spinning.

"Harry."

His father was gripping his shoulders in his long-fingered hands.

"He's having some sort of panic attack, Severus," Pomfrey was saying as he joined Severus in Harry's line of vision. Harry frowned.

"I'm not panicking," he denied quickly. He'd had enough of that. There wasn't anything wrong with him. Not anymore. Voldemort was gone.

His father's fingers pressed into his shoulders. Harry drew a breath through his nostrils, steadying himself, without realizing that he needed to.

"I realize that you would probably like to speak with your friends," Severus said quietly. "I believe it would be a wiser course however, to return to our quarters so that we may rest."

Harry glanced past his father's worried eyes. His friends were still watching him. Ginny looked even more anxious than she had before. Remus was again staring at nothing. Harry turned his gaze back to his father. "Is it all right if I just talk to Ginny? Just for a minute."

Severus nodded almost without thinking on the request. One of his hands moved up to squeeze Harry's neck lightly. Harry smiled a little; Severus returned it, his lips pulling up slightly and then he straightened, his hand still against Harry's neck. With a start, Harry suddenly realized that his father was probably afraid to leave him. Maybe that was why he seemed so distracted earlier.

"Gin?" Harry called, trying to keep his voice even. But there were just too many things for him to worry about properly. Too many people who needed his help. He watched warily as Hermione squeezed Ginny's hand. Ginny moved away from the other two.

Severus stepped away from the bed, and Harry didn't miss the hesitation of his fingers against his nape. Severus moved far enough away that he was standing by Remus' side. The two of them stared at nothing together.

"Are you really all right, Harry?"

Harry turned back to Ginny. He smiled a little. "I'm not really sure," he admitted, but then he shook his head. "What's wrong, Gin?" he asked, reaching out to take her hand. She curled her index finger over his thumb, fiddling it back and forth a little. He sneaked a glance to make sure no one was watching them as he lowered his voice. "Are you upset about what happened..."

Ginny's cheeks flushed and she looked oddly embarrassed and pleased at the same time. "Not upset," she assured him. "But your dad and Remus told us what was happening to you after your battle with Voldemort and that it wasn't really you, and that maybe Sirius was even influencing you."

"Sirius?" Harry repeated, bewildered. Ginny nodded.

"Because he was trying to contact you. I was just worried, I guess..."

"Worried?" he echoed in disbelief. "What do you mean? You think Sirius took control of me...or Voldemort did and..." He trailed off, staring at her in horror. But then he shook his head firmly. "No one was controlling me, Ginny. That was me. All of it was me. I was a prat, just like Ron said. Voldemort didn't make me argue with Remus, or with my father. And Sirius didn't make me some sort of magnet for girls like Elizabeth, and he certainly didn't make me snog you in my bed!"

He was whispering very loudly by the end of the outburst, and Ginny was staring at him, her mouth having fallen open with surprise. Everyone else was staring at him as well. Harry closed his eyes, embarrassed. He gripped Ginny's small fingers before she could pull away. "I'm sorry," he said heavily. But Ginny didn't pull away.

"Harry," she said softly, and Harry opened his eyes again. "I think you should get some rest, as Madame Pomfrey suggested. We'll talk later," she promised him. Harry didn't know how to protest, so he nodded. Ginny smiled at him, her eyes dark with sadness. It made Harry's heart ache to know he'd caused that.

Ginny squeezed his hand once more before stepping back from the bed.

"We'll come to see you later, Harry," Hermione promised him. Even Ron didn't look angry. They were all looking at him as though they were afraid he was going to break. He felt like he was going to break.

"Severus, Sleeping Draughts," Pomfrey said quietly, sliding two vials into Severus' palm.

"I'll be by later, as well, Harry," Remus told him, his voice very gentle. Harry wanted to shout at Remus not to come by later, but to go make things up with Tonks. But all he did was nod. He wasn't even good as a friend anymore. His eyes strayed to Sirius. Or as a godson...

"Will you tell me before you wake Sirius up?" he asked Pomfrey. Pomfrey nodded kindly.

"I won't wake him until you've had a chance to rest," she told him firmly. Harry sighed and nodded.

Severus touched Harry's elbow lightly. Harry tore his eyes away from Sirius. Severus and Harry walked into the Floo silently.

His friends, Pomfrey and McGonagall all watched as the green flames swept them away. It was probably just as well that Sirius couldn't watch them.

They reappeared in their quarters an instant later. Harry made it out of the fireplace and onto the hearth rug without mishap. But Harry didn't move beyond the dark rug. He stood where he was, staring at his school shoes.

"Harry," Severus finally prompted softly; his black boots were almost touching Harry's shoes.

"I don't know what's wrong with me," he said quietly as he studied the two pairs of shoes, wishing he could sink through the floor and reappear in a place where he couldn't hurt anyone anymore.

"There is nothing wrong with you, Harry." Severus' fingers were on Harry's shoulders again. "You've essentially lived and died twice in the past few days," he continued in his deep, soothing voice. Harry sagged beneath the comforting hold.

"I just can't-" he tried to explain, but he couldn't explain. He didn't even know what he wanted to say. He was feeling too many emotions. Too many things hurt. He couldn't sort it all out.

His father could have said any number of things in an attempt to soothe him. He could have promised him that everything would be all right, or that nothing was really as bad as Harry made it seem. But he didn't.

Severus simply pulled Harry toward him, wrapping his strong arms securely around him. Harry leaned his head into his father's shoulder, feeling vastly relieved as he listened to the in and out pattern of Severus' breathing. And somehow, Harry knew his father was receiving as much strength from this embrace as he was imparting.