Lily's Charm: The Gift

1978

Severus tried not to scowl as Dumbledore smiled at him. "Yes, sir," Severus said thinly. "Thank you."

Dumbledore nodded. "Please don't hesitate to ask me, should you need assistance," he said kindly. Severus nodded.

"I will, sir," he agreed, not meaning it at all. He never did. But of course, the Headmaster smiled.

"That will be all, Severus. Thank you for seeing me."

"You're welcome, sir," Severus said. The required pleasantries were chafing against his throat. Finally, Dumbledore nodded toward the door. Severus inclined his head and turned to leave.

As he pulled the door open, Dumbledore said softly, "I am very proud of you, Severus."

Severus' feet would no longer obey, and neither would his head turn to face the Headmaster. Severus swallowed. Some sort of expression of gratitude seemed appropriate, but the words would not come.

"Yes, sir," he barely managed to say. And then, he left Dumbledore's office as quickly as he could without showcasing either his cowardice or his panic. He didn't wait for the staircase to deposit him at the bottom; he heard Dumbledore's door thudding above.

It was no match for his heartbeat.

"Sev?"

Severus looked up in surprise, though he knew his face gave nothing away. Lily was waiting for him as he emerged; he was not used to her wanting to be near him, as often as she could.

Her beautiful eyes were crinkled in concern.

"Are you all right?" she asked, and if his emotions hadn't been so reluctant to express themselves, he would have smiled at her. Obviously, it did not matter that his face had remained neutral. She knew him.

He took her hand as he stepped toward her. She smiled, her entire face lighting up as it always did, though he'd only noticed the reaction in the past few weeks...since the day she was supposed to have been spending with Potter.

"The Headmaster assigned another project," Severus explained as he pulled Lily closer to his side. They walked together toward the door leading outside.

"He did?" she asked, surprised at that. Her nose wrinkled in irritation. "Does he still not trust you?" Lily turned to him as they began descending the stairs. "Did you tell him...about your father?" The question was very gentle, as if she was afraid that she would upset him. Severus nodded; the question did not upset him.

"I did."

"But-" Lily began indignantly. Severus brought their entwined fingers to his lips. His concern on his behalf was touching--bewildering, but touching nonetheless.

"He asked me to take over brewing the Wolfsbane Potion."

Lily stopped walking.

Severus gazed down at her as she tiltled her head up to stare at him. Her emerald eyes were wide with wonder. "Severus," she breathed. And then to Severus' unexpected delight, she stretched herself on her toes and gave him a happy kiss. No one else was about at this time of night, so Severus could not object.

Grinning broadly, Lily grabbed his other hand and began tugging him toward the lake as she walked backwards toward the trees which would conceal them for several more hours before curfew. Severus followed her, listening with a contented ear as she began explaining exactly why this meant that Dumbledore did trust him. He had already decided to tell her, when she was finished, that Dumbledore had even gone so far as to say he was proud of him.

It wasn't until much later that he realized that Lily had never even asked him if he'd accepted the assignment. She hadn't needed to. And that meant more--infinitely more than the Headmaster's words had.

--

1996

"You really would have let me be on the Quidditch team...my first year?"

Severus directed his wand tip toward the far corner of the dark room; he tugged Harry's elbow. Harry turned to follow his father's silent direction. "Your mother would have insisted. She loved to fly."

"Wouldn't she have been worried that I'd fall or something?" Harry asked, twitching his nose against the tickle of gathered dust.

"Your mother was not a nervous person, in general. And she would have been very proud of your abilities. She often regretted not trying out for Gryffindor's Quidditch team." Severus gestured toward a tall door, which was now highlighted by his Lumos. "I would have taken you off the team your second year, the moment Draco attempted to knock you off your broom."

Harry made a face at the memory. Watching as his father weaved a spell over the old doorknob, he said, "Well, at least I caught the snitch."

"Yes. Lucius was most displeased," Severus said with a scowl.

The doorknob clicked, and the wooden door squeaked open.

"I shouldn't have testified for him."

Severus sent a spell toward the center of the room; it erupted with light. Harry squinted a little as his eyes adjusted. The quick change in brightness scritched at the familiar headache barely burgeoning behind his eyes. The fresh air hadn't done him much good at all, at least in that regard. Odd, since he didn't feel tense.

"There was no way to know in advance that the tide would turn so readily in his favor," Severus tried to reassure as they moved toward a table in the middle of the room; it was stacked with yellowing parchment. Boxes littered the floor.

"You told me how much support the Malfoys have in the Wizengamot though...I should have listened to you," Harry said, feeling defeated by the entire process...and more than a little disillusioned by the workings of justice in the Wizengamot.

"Your actions are dictated by your conscience, Harry. You were attempting to repay him for saving my life."

Harry shook his head. "My conscience isn't going to be doing very well if he..." He shrugged; he wasn't really too sure that Lucius could do much of anything now. "...if he tries to get the Death Eaters back together or something."

Severus slid his wand back into his sleeve. "That is unlikely. Lucius had no desire to be a Death Eater after his initiation. He prefers the power of the Ministry."

"Why did he join then?" Harry asked curiously as he absently fingered one of the faded pieces of parchment. Severus gently slid the parchment from Harry's fingers, and set it neatly back on top of the stack.

"Most of those who joined Voldemort's ranks had no idea what they were agreeing to. And very few had the stomach for what they found there. Lucius was no different, but once in, there was no way out," he explained. "He told me, and I have no reason to disbelieve him, that he had been searching for a way out since before Draco was born."

Harry nodded. His fingers were pressed against the rough table top, smudging the years-worth of thick dust. "How did you know though that he wouldn't turn you in, when you decided to help him?"

Severus lifted a sardonic lip. "I did not decide to do it. I assisted Lucius on Dumbledore's orders...though after I rediscovered you, I was much more willing to help him." Harry smiled at that. "I knew he would not betray me, as long as he needed me to protect Draco."

Harry didn't have a response for that. The whole Lucius and Draco relationship was more mind boggling than Harry cared to think about. And with Mrs. Malfoy added into the mix... Harry shook his head to clear it a bit, and gestured to the parchment his father had so carefully placed on the stack. "Are those your recipes?"

Severus nodded. His fingers were resting very lightly on the topmost piece...protectively. Harry hid his grin and decided not to ask to see them. He turned to survey the boxes.

"Can I look through those?" he asked, pointing to a random box.

Severus smiled a little; his fingers lifted from the parchment. "You may look at anything you wish to, Harry."

Accepting the invitation, Harry leaned forward. He peered, with squinted eyes, at the neat script on the first recipe. It was a recipe for something called Elixir of Hardiness. "Elixir of Hardiness?" he asked as he looked up at his father. Severus gave him a quizzical look and leaned forward as well.

"Happiness."

"Oh." Harry peered closely at the word again and nodded. "What is it?"

Severus didn't answer. His head was tilted a little to the right as he gazed at Harry. "Do you have a headache?"

Harry brought his fingers up to his forehead reflexively. "It's not quite a headache yet."

Severus frowned at him. "You should not need to squint to read, not with your glasses on. When did you last have your lenses altered?"

Harry frowned this time. "Madame Pomfrey adjusted them for me before term ended." He shook his head. "I was squinting?"

Severus pursed his lips in thought as he nodded. "She would have made certain the new ones were the correct prescription after Pinth destroyed the original lenses."

"Er...yeah."

There was a ghost of a smile in the black eyes at Harry's lingering discomfort over that particular topic.

"If I may," Severus said lightly, unfolding his fingers near the side of Harry's head. Harry uncurled the earpieces from his ears and handed the glasses over. Severus slid his wand out again, and chanted a spell over Harry's head and then with another quiet spell, he tapped Harry's lenses with the tip of this wand. Golden shimmers waved over the glasses.

Severus silently handed them back to Harry.

"Thanks," Harry said as he adjusted them over his ears again. He blinked a few times.

"Read the list of ingredients," Severus suggested, indicating the same recipe. Harry leaned forward.

"Wow," he said, making a face. "I hadn't realized everything was so fuzzy before."

"You are no longer squinting. Perhaps your current headache will fade now as well." He paused. "May I examine the scar on your shoulder?"

Harry's eyebrows scrunched together, trying to figure out why they'd switched topics so abruptly. "The one from the Hogsmeade tunnel?" he asked, surprised. "Er...sure...why?"

"Testing a hypothesis," was Severus' mysterious answer. Harry, still confused, did as he was asked anyway, shrugging out of his left sleeve and turning slightly toward his father. He pulled the side of his lightweight jumper up a bit. Severus moved the material higher, and tugged Harry a little to expose his shoulder to the light. Severus ran his fingers along the shoulder blade. It was unmarred.

"It's still there, isn't it?" Harry asked, twisting his neck a little to see his father's face; he looked...Harry wouldn't have said excited, except that Severus did look rather excited. "What's wrong?"

Severus dropped the fabric. "It is no longer visible, just like my own scars."

Harry turned to face him. "How can it just be gone?"

"I can only hypothesize that the Veil affected you, in the same manner it affected Lupin and I."

Harry straightened the hem of his jumper after he pushed his arm back through his sleeve. "But I wasn't there." They'd already gone over this.

"Your soul was there," Severus said simply. "It seems not to have affected you as fully as it affected Lupin or I, since you still retain both Voldemort's and Umbridge's scars, but you have obviously been affected. It may account for your improved vision, as well. Your eyesight should not have changed so much in such a short time otherwise."

Harry adjusted his glasses. "Why would the Veil fiddle with my eyesight?" He shook his head before his father could answer. "Never mind. I know there isn't any way to know." He sighed. It made no sense. "Maybe it tries to make you physically perfect?"

"My nose is still crooked," Severus said with a self-deprecating wave toward his nose.

Harry considered his father's nose. "Did you break it?"

"It was broken, yes."

Harry didn't want to ask.

"I would like to know if you experience another headache," Severus said, smoothing over the moment of silence. "If you do, we may need to adjust our theory."

Harry nodded in agreement. Oddly, he hoped the headaches were caused by something else. He didn't like the idea of the Veil intruding on him like that. It reminded him too much of Voldemort, clinging onto his soul. He ignored Voldemort and turned back to his father's old work table.

"So," he said with renewed interest, pointing to the stack of parchments again, "how does your Elixir of Happiness work?"

Severus looked amused. "It is does not work. For the most part, these are failed experiments. There are a few formulations I worked on during the summers I lived here, that I would like to examine. They may have potential."

"What are they?" Harry asked, leaning forward against the table again, and smearing layers of dust on his jumper. Severus rifled through the stack, and as if he still remembered the exact order of the recipes, he pulled one from the middle of the pile. Harry took it as it was offered.

"Curse...Repellent?" Harry glanced up at his father, trying to hide his smile.

"Mmm," Severus murmured. "Not the most eloquent name, to be sure."

"What is it?" Containing his humor wasn't working. Severus gave him his raised eyebrow, and the grin cracked Harry's lips. "Awful name, whatever it does."

"It is as ineffective as the Elixir of Happiness, unfortunately. I was attempting to create a formula that would repel certain types of magic."

Harry's gaze swept over the list of ingredients. "Taker's blood?" he read. He glanced up again. "You were trying to repel Dark Magic, then?"

Severus nodded, the glint in his eyes letting Harry know that the question had pleased him.

Feeling altogether more confident, Harry continued, "Remus told us about how each type of spell or curse has its own magical structure. And you have to use human blood in potions that use Dark Magic, don't you?"

"Yes," Severus answered. "Each witch and wizard has a unique magical signature. When a spell is cast, its magical structure changes to mingle with the magical aura of the wizard it is intended for. I was attempting to create a potion which would allow the aura to repel the curse."

Harry nodded slowly. "Like two magnets."

"Exactly." The glint had turned into a full-fledged gleam.

"Are you going to work on it again?" When Severus nodded, Harry asked immediately, unable to stop the excitement in his words, "Can I help you?"

There was no surprise. "I would appreciate your help," Severus said with a nod. "Your knowledge of Defense will be most useful for this particular brew. Lupin has been very pleased with your work in his class this term."

Harry blinked. "You've been discussing me with Remus?" He shook his head. "My work in his class, I mean," he clarified. Of course he realized that his father and Remus spent a great deal of time discussing him otherwise.

"Certainly," Severus said as he carefully placed the parchment on the top of the pile--the place of honor now. "It is my prerogative, as your father."

"Oh." Harry had no idea why this bit of information should shock him, but it did. "Have you..."

"Spoken with your other professors as well?" Severus queried, his flames dancing with the familiar, silent laughter. "Frequently. And all of them are pleased with your performance. Though Minerva believes you spend too much time chatting with Mr. Weasley."

"I know. She tells us at least once a week that she'd like to put a Silencing Spell on us," Harry said, not at all chagrined by that.

Severus raised both eyebrows this time. "Perhaps you should simply stop speaking to Mr. Weasley during class time."

Harry shrugged. "I could, I suppose. But Transfiguration would be a lot less fun then."

"Your classes are not supposed to be fun, Harry," Severus said mildly, though it was enough to make Harry's grin disappear. Severus tapped the stack of parchments until they were no bigger than his hand. He tucked them into an inner robe pocket. In a more serious voice, he said, "Even though I suspect that you will be allowed to have any career of your choosing, you will find it easier to complete the work required of an Auror if you do well in your classes."

Harry's feet shuffled softly against the dirty stones. "Actually, Dad...I don't think I want to be an Auror anymore."

"Oh?" Severus' relief was not hidden well at all, and Harry wondered briefly if his father was aware of it.

"I've been thinking about it, since..." Harry had to gather his emotions close before he could go on, "...right before Halloween, and especially since then. I don't think I want to spend my life...surrounded by evil." He looked away; the next words were very difficult to say aloud. "I don't think I'm really made of the right stuff."

A coward...that's what he should have said.

"Harry." The single word drew Harry's eyes back around again. "You are not a coward. You experience fear, as we all do. A coward would not have been willing to die to protect the rest of the world." When Harry didn't react, Severus asked, "When you picture yourself an Auror, facing a foe, do you feel fear?"

Harry didn't need to think about that. He'd pictured that particular scene hundreds of times. "No." A pause. "I just don't want to face any more foes. I'm tired of it." He felt vaguely ashamed that he should feel that way.

"As you should be," Severus said quietly. "I was actually rather surprised when you told me of your post-Hogwarts plans."

"Yeah...I think the idea was actually loads more appealing because Umbridge told me I was unsuited to it. And McGonagall practically insisted..." He shrugged. "I didn't really know what else to choose. And both Sirius and James were Aurors. Don't you think I should want to continue on, destroying evil?"

"No. You should not have had to destroy evil at all," Severus said with a frown. "Others will undoubtedly expect it of you, but you should not allow that to persuade you." Harry nodded a little. At least his dad didn't mind if he didn't want to continue a legacy he had never wanted in the first place. "Do you have any ideas, now?" Severus asked curiously. Harry shook his head. "None at all?"

Harry gave him a crooked smiled. "Do you?" he countered. Severus didn't smile, though he was obviously amused by the query.

"I had assumed you would wish to explore a career in Quidditch," he said. "I am certain any team would be eager to have you as Seeker."

Harry made a face. "I don't want to be wanted by a team because I killed Voldemort."

"You are one of the best seekers Hogwarts has ever seen, Harry. You would win a spot based on your talent, not your fame." There was no lie in Severus' voice, no indication that he didn't believe it absolutely, and Harry allowed himself to bask briefly in his father's praise.

"I'd have to do all sorts of dangerous stunts, you realize," he finally pointed out with a teasing smile.

Severus nodded. "I would keep my wand at the ready," he promised gravely.

Harry grinned, both because his father was perfectly serious, and because Severus had essentially just said he'd attend his matches. "I haven't ever given much thought to the idea," he admitted. "I'm not sure I'd want to make a career out of Quidditch."

"You need not make any decisions now, and truly, Harry, you do have a considerable number of options. Any department at the Ministry of Magic would welcome you, including, if you change your mind, the Auror office."

Harry considered his father. "Are you saying I should be an Auror then?"

Severus shook his head. "I am simply attempting to explain that there are many ways for you to utilize your talents. You might consider a position at Hogwarts, for example."

"As a professor?" Harry asked in surprise. "Me?" He shook his head. "I don't think I'd make a very good teacher."

"I believe the members of Dumbledore's Army would disagree with you," Severus said. He turned toward a cluster of boxes before Harry had processed the statement. Severus flicked his wand and three of the boxes no longer sported tops. He pivoted a little; Harry was gazing at him thoughtfully. Severus gave him his familiar tiny smile. "You wished to see these?"

Harry nodded, bringing his mind back to this little secret room, which no one else, according to his father, had known about save one of the family's house elves. He walked over to where Severus was waiting. Harry crouched down to get a better look inside the trio of boxes; he grinned. Two very familiar children blinked back at him, both of them holding brooms--the girl was grinning excitedly, her green eyes bright.

"You and mum," Harry said with a glance at his father as he gingerly picked up the picture. "First year?" he asked. Severus nodded. Harry looked once more at the photo before handing it over to his father.

Severus gazed at the photo for several seconds. "I will make a copy for you when we return home."

"Thanks," Harry said with a smile, happy he hadn't even had to ask. He turned his attention back to the boxes. Two of the boxes, the one in which Lily's picture had not been in, were mostly full of random oddments. None of its contents could have been considered worthy of being kept in so secret a hiding place. But it was clear that the contents of the first box Harry had opened would have been met with severe, and violent, repercussions if it had been discovered by Severus' parents.

"You wrote this?"

"During my sixth year. Albus assigned it," Severus explained as Harry settled out of his crouch to sit on the floor, with a thick sheaf of bound parchment in his hands.

"Assigned it?"

"He was rather insistent that I not follow my father's teachings. He and several of my professors charged me with exploring all the reasons purebloods are not superior to other wizards," Severus elaborated. "That particular piece of research took me three months to complete. Your mother and I spent many hours researching together in the library."

Harry had no idea why that should make him feel like his throat had been scrubbed with sandpaper. He didn't look up again as he asked, "May I read it?"

"Certainly. There is another one in that box. Entitled, 'A Liar's Rise'. You are welcome to read that as well," Severus said. "I will warn you, however, that it is a bit graphic. Albus believed it would be beneficial to understand exactly what Voldemort expected of his followers."

"Why didn't Dumbledore try to help anyone else?" Harry had extracted the other bound volume. He looked up at his father expectantly.

"Just as my attempt to 'help' Regulus was ineffective, so were similar attempts by Albus. A person needs to have a desire to change before they will have a chance to succeed."

Harry stood up, being careful not to let his father's essays come in contact with the dusty floor. He brushed off the seat of his jeans with his free hand. "Do you think that if Sirius would've been sorted into Slytherin, he would have ended up like Regulus?" The question had been plaguing Harry for days now, but since he hadn't wanted to talk about Sirius, he had kept it to himself. It didn't seem like such a difficult conversation anymore.

"It is possible," Severus allowed, resealing the boxes, but leaving them on the floor. He gestured toward the door; Harry took the lead. Once the heavy door was closed and locked, though no longer invisible, Severus spoke again, "Surrounding himself with people who despised the ideals of his parents would have made it easier to rid himself of their indoctrinations."

They emerged from the darkened passageway below the house. Harry blinked rapidly as his eyes tried to adjust to the harsher light. There was a wild flapping sound, an angry screeching, and Harry felt his father's fingers closing around his wrist.

The solid wall of rock met his back.

An anxious hooting met Harry's ears as the spots cleared from his eyes. He grinned.

"Hedwig!" She was peering at him, perched on a tall, jagged rock. Harry jiggled his trapped wrist. "It's all right. It's Hedwig."

Severus didn't release him.

"Yes, I recognize her," he said curtly; he was looking up, however. Harry's eyes followed Severus' gaze. There was a bizarrely massive hawk circling above them. Harry's breath gusted out in surprise.

"Oh..." Severus already had his wand out. He pointed it toward the great bird. In alarm, Harry grabbed his father's arm--the one that held his wrist. "Dad! What are you doing?" Severus' aim was steady, as if Harry hadn't even touched him.

"Revalo," he said calmly. The hawk continued to circle. Another spell; terser words this time. The hawk's yellow eyes watched them. Severus spoke again, this time to Harry, "Do not move from this rock." His fingers tightened briefly on Harry's wrist, a warning which Harry understood perfectly.

He unclamped his fingers from his father's arm and pressed his back against the rock. His wrist was released, and Harry drew his wand from his jeans. That hadn't been part of the warning to do as he was told, but it couldn't hurt to be prepared. He watched, his entire body alert, as Severus stepped out of the cliff's shadow.

The hawk drew its neck in a little, as though it was relieved and then while Harry kept his wand at the ready, the predator circled lower. Severus waited, his own wand out of sight, but perfectly poised. The hawk continued in its lazy spiral, and then without warning it flapped its wings and soared from above the cliff with a piercing cry, and come to graceful stop in a flurry of beating wings.

It found a suitable perch on a boulder, far enough from Hedwig, that she only gave the hawk a quick look. She seemed unconcerned that it meant Harry any harm. She turned back to wait patiently for him.

The hawk, its topaz eyes locked with Severus', settled its wings neatly against its feathered sides. Harry could feel his father's caution as Severus kept a hand on his concealed wand. Severus stepped toward the intense bird. The bird almost looked like a statue. It was perfectly still, except its yellow eyes as they followed Severus' movements.

And though he received no permission that Harry could see, Severus reached outward when he reached the hawk and then a flat rectangle was in his fingers. The hawk blinked once and then as mysteriously as it had come, it took flight once more. Severus watched until the anomalous bird was out of sight before turning back to Harry. He gave Harry a short nod; Harry slid his wand back into his pocket as he too stepped out of the shadows. Hedwig hooted, in excitement this time; she fluttered her wings, preparing to glide toward Harry.

"Tell her to stay where she is," Severus ordered as he walked toward the snowy owl.

Hedwig gave an indignant chirrup.

"It's all right, girl," Harry soothed. "He wants to make certain you're not bringing anything dangerous."

Hedwig's feathered head spun slowly; she blinked at Severus reproachfully, but she stayed where she was. Severus, looking rather amused, waved his wand toward the owl's leg. Apparently satisfied, he nodded at her. She gave herself a shake, telling both of them just exactly what she thought of their precautions and then with another hoot, she flapped her beautiful wings and was perched on Harry's shoulder a moment later.

"Ow!" Harry yelped as she nipped his ear. In response, Hedwig simply stuck her encumbered leg outward. With a rueful shook of his head, Harry obediently undid the small square package from her leg; it looked too small to be a letter. She ruffled her feathers again, clearly still annoyed. Harry reached up a hand and gently stroked her head. "Hedwig, I haven't properly introduced you to my father, Severus Snape. He's a bit paranoid," he explained with smile.

Severus gave him a disapproving frown. Hedwig gazed at Severus with interest.

"Dad, this is Hedwig," Harry continued, still smiling as he watched his owl and his father sizing one another up. Severus gave the white owl a measured nod.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Hedwig," he said gravely. Hedwig hooted softly, and extended her neck the tiniest bit. Severus took a step closer and ran his first two fingers slowly over her head and down her soft back. "My son's safety is of the utmost importance," he told her as he brought his fingers around to stroke her breast. She hooted again, this time more deeply. Severus gave her a small smile.

Relieved that Hedwig had taken to his dad, Harry told her they'd get her some food as soon as they made their way back to the beach. Hedwig seemed content to ride Harry's shoulder; she gave him another nip, this one gentler and Harry knew he'd been forgiven.

"Do you know who sent that hawk?" Harry asked as they turned toward the front of the house.

"Bavister Simon," Severus answered without hesitation. "Would you like me to enlarge that parcel?" he asked, gesturing at the brown-wrapped square in Harry's hands. Harry stopped walking.

"Simon?" he echoed, ignoring the question. "Why would he be sending you a letter?"

"It is for you," Severus clarified. At Harry's look of confusion, he explained, "Simon simply knew I would wish to examine it before I allowed you to have it. His hawk was most likely given instructions to allow me to receive it."

Harry glared at the letter, though of course the parchment itself had done nothing to offend. "I don't want it," he decided. "I don't want to hear anything he has to say to me."

"I would like to see what Simon expects of you now, even if you do not wish to know," Severus told him. Harry sighed and held out his hand. Severus gave him the envelope. Harry tore it open.

A light breeze ruffled Hedwig's feathers, and Harry's unruly hair, as Harry scanned the pretentious script. He was too astonished to read past the first paragraph.

"Dumbledore wants the Wizengamot to declare a mistrial, and Simon wants me to come back and tell Dumbledore to stop interfering!" Harry said incredulously.

Severus frowned. "May I see it?"

Harry gave the letter to his father, not even caring that he hadn't finished it yet. When he'd finished, Severus folded the parchment into a square, the movements abrupt and angry.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked quickly; the sharp movements did not bode well for Bavister Simon.

"He suggests again that you might find more contentment with a more appropriate guardian," he said in the voice that Harry hated; it was soft and dangerous...and full of suppressed fury.

"What?" Harry's voice rose several octaves, but neither of them seemed to notice. Hedwig's wings fluttered agitatedly. "And what do you mean, again?" Harry demanded, his brain finally catching up with his father's statement.

"He made the same suggestion at your banquet," Severus said.

"To you?" Harry sputtered, feeling strangled. Severus shook his head, his scowl deepening.

"To Scrimgeour. He made certain I would overhear."

"He..." Words were failing him, especially as Harry was trying to think of a word foul enough to call Simon. "They can't do that, can they?" he asked in sudden worry, forgetting to curse Simon.

"No," Severus said sharply.

Harry stared at his father's taut features. "You've already thought about this, haven't you?" he asked slowly. "What you would do if they tried to claim you aren't fit to be my father...because they think you were once loyal to Voldemort."

"There is no need for concern," Severus told him firmly, and not actually answering his question. Harry pursed his lips. At the telling motion, Severus drew a long breath through his nose and Harry watched as he steadied his emotions. "There would be no one to testify if Simon did attempt it, Harry." He put his hand on Harry's free shoulder, and as such contact always did, Harry felt himself relaxing a little. "I would never let it happen, and do not want you to worry over it."

Hedwig trilled her solid agreement and Harry couldn't help smiling, despite his lingering anxiety. Severus turned to study the stately owl. "I would like to send a response to Simon, if you would be willing to deliver it, after you have rested," he addressed her. Hedwig gazed at him expectantly, willing, it seemed, to help her boy's new protector. "Thank you," Severus said while Harry grinned. He never would have thought his dad would be one to talk to a familiar.

"What are you going to say to him?"

"I do not want him to contact you again. And I will make it perfectly plain that you have done what you agreed to do, in regards to Lucius. Miss Ridley will need to work a little harder this time."

"It looks like Professor Dumbledore has more power than the Malfoys," Harry remarked.

"Scrimgeour was not pleased with Simon. He may have been easy to persuade," Severus replied. He indicated the parcel Hedwig had brought. "Do you wish to open it? A Shrinking Spell has been applied."

Harry nodded, and drew his wand. He looked up once more at his father. Harry wanted to ask if he was certain that Simon would not be able to do anything to disrupt them, even though he knew there was no need to ask. His father wouldn't just let him go, after all. Feeling more secure, Harry chanted an Enlargement Spell and the little square parcel became a large square parcel. Severus held it obligingly while Harry chanted another spell to cut it open. It was filled with envelopes, and there was a folded piece of parchment on the top.

It was from Dumbledore.

Harry, it began, I have several hundred more of these telling envelopes in my office, awaiting your anticipated return. As you are aware, the Order has been screening each one as a precaution. I received several owls last night, from various businesses, who are anxiously awaiting your response. I hope you and your father are enjoying your most deserved holiday. Perhaps the two of you will find an interesting diversion among this collection.

It was signed in a loopy flourish, Albus Dumbledore

Harry handed the missive to his father. Severus read it without a word, and then waited while Harry tore open the first envelope. It was addressed to The Most Revered, Harry Potter (Snape). Harry shook his head, half in amusement, and half in irritation. It was from Flourish and Blotts. They wished to discuss the exclusive rights to sell his autobiography.

"I don't have an autobiography!"

"I have no doubt that you will find numerous offers from agents hoping to convince you to write one. If not in that box, then 'awaiting your anticipated return' in Albus' office," Severus told him dryly.

Harry smirked. Very probably. He put that letter to the side and ripped open another.

"I'm not even out of school."

"Neither was Victor Krum until a year ago."

Two more envelopes joined the crumpled pile.

"Do wizards allow bigamy?"

"They would probably make an exception for you."

"For Twins?"

"If you wished it."

"Urg."

"Indeed."

Three more envelopes were tossed aside.

"Ginny would hex them...or me."

"Quite likely."

"Why does an all-female Quidditch team want to pose with me anyway?"

"Imagine how many girls would buy such a poster, Harry."

"I don't want to imagine."

"Best to refuse then."

And finally an envelope with contents that didn't make Harry want to cringe.

"Can we go?" he asked excitedly. Severus nodded, not even taking any time to consider it.

"We will leave directly after breakfast in the morning," he promised. "That means, you realize, that I will need to demonstrate the Contraceptive Charms this evening."

"Dad..."

Harry could tell his father was fighting to keep his features stern. He was utterly amused by Harry's chagrin. "We will be busy all day tomorrow. There is no point in arguing, Harry," he said, "unless of course you do not want to see Ginny tomorrow..."

Harry practically jumped with excitement; Hedwig squawked as she was jostled atop Harry's shoulder. "Well, of course I do!" But then Harry's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "How do you know Ginny's going to be there tomorrow?"

"Do you really believe Albus would interrupt our holiday simply to send you a box of fan mail?" Severus drawled, his eyes bright with anticipation. Harry grinned, but then his smile faltered a little.

"You don't mind, do you? I mean this was meant to be our holiday, and I don't want to muss it-"

Severus interrupted him smoothly, "This was meant to be a time for you to relax. Your friends are looking forward to seeing you."

Harry's guilt dissipated as Severus projected sincerity toward his wisp. "Wait," he said suddenly. "Friends?"

"Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger have been invited as well," Severus explained, looking satisfied as Harry grinned. Surprising both himself and Severus, Harry flung himself at his father; Hedwig didn't even protest as she fluttered into the air. Harry hugged his father with all his might.

"Thanks, Dad."

Severus returned the hug, feeling unabashedly pleased with himself. Harry's holiday, thus far, had certainly been a success. And tomorrow would bring more of the same for his son; Severus would make certain of it.

--

TBC...