Lily's Charm: The Gift

Harry and Severus stood outside the Shrieking Shack with an uncommonly pale Remus. Remus was staring toward the cloudless sky. He'd been simply staring for more than five minutes now.

Severus finally broke the silence, his voice too loud in the cold, still air. "Poppy is waiting for us."

Remus' head swiveled around; his eyes looked a little glassy. He nodded slowly. "Yes, of course," he murmured, turning his gaze back to the sky.

But he didn't move forward to open the door, and he didn't turn around to look at either one of them. Harry and Severus waited behind him, so long that Harry glanced over at his father. Severus' features echoed Harry's worry.

It seemed like such a long wait, Harry actually jumped when Remus spoke. Remus' voice was uncommonly rough. "Thank you. I...I'll be all right now."

Harry stared at the back of his friend's head. "We said we'd get you settled, Remus."

Remus turned; the bitter wind had blown his neatly combed hair awry. It almost made him look...fragile. "There's no need." He hesitated, exchanging a look with Severus, which Harry didn't appreciate at all, but he made no comment. Remus gaze came back to Harry after a few seconds. With a sigh, Remus explained, "There are things that I would rather you not see, Harry."

Harry didn't know what to make of that statement, but Severus intervened. "He will think no less of you."

Harry forced himself not to react to the ominous words. He reached out and put his hand on Remus' forearm, though he had no idea where the gesture had come from. "I've already told you that I don't care if you're a werewolf." He almost looked away from the pain in Remus' eyes. "I'll understand if you need to do it alone, but don't go in there by yourself because you think I'll judge you."

Remus gazed at Harry for a long moment, and then with another brief exchange of eye contact with Severus, he nodded. He pivoted to face the delapidated door. After drawing in a deep breath, Remus pushed it open and stepped inside.

Harry glanced over at Severus again. Severus gave him a little nod as he motioned Harry to follow after Remus.

Harry fell in step behind Remus; he brushed his clammy palms against his jeans as they began the slow climb toward the upper part of the house. He wished he had some idea how to make Remus feel better.

They reached their destination in silence, except for their feet as they shuffled their way along the dusty floors. Remus barely paused this time; he pushed open the door at the end of the long corridor without hesitation. And then he stopped so abruptly that Harry plowed into his back.

Harry couldn't see anything beyond Remus, but Pomfrey's familiar voice said almost immediately, "I'm sorry, Remus. But she insisted-"

"It's not her fault. I had to come."

Tonks. Sounding anxious, and slightly breathless.

Harry stepped back from Remus, and nearly trod on his father's feet. "Sorry," he mumbled as Severus caught his arm.

"What are you doing here?" Remus asked quietly.

"I needed to talk to you, Remus," Tonks said, her voice equally soft. "Whatever happens here, it doesn't matter-"

"Doesn't matter?" Remus' voice was dull. He began walking forward again. Harry watched, with his father behind his shoulder as Remus went over to one of the walls, and squatted down. When he stood and turned around again, there was a large metal circle in his hands; a heavy chain trailed all the way back to the wall. "Do you know why this is here?" he asked flatly, addressing Tonks again.

Tonks was staring at him; her brown hair swayed as she mutely shook her head.

"For over thirty years, I've spent most nights of the full moon chained to a wall." He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing painfully along his throat. "On one of the nights that I wasn't chained here, I almost mauled Severus." The chain clattered to the floor at Tonks' muffled gasp. Harry felt Severus stiffening behind him.

Remus backed up against the wall. He closed his eyes as he tried to clutch his fingers against the surface. "When I forgot to take my potion one night, I tried to kill Harry," he whispered hoarsely. His eyes opened again. Tears were swimming in Tonks' eyes. "I told you, Tonks--I'm a monster. Please..." he begged roughly, "...just go."

His voice warbled out as he slid down the wall. His knees bent upward, and he dropped his head in his hands.

Pomfrey wasted no time in hustling a dazed Tonks out the same door Remus had just entered through. Pomfrey came bustling back through and giving Harry a sympathetic pat on his back, and fleeting smile for Severus, she ducked back into the room, and closed the door firmly behind her. A Locking Spell grated the air.

Harry could hear her making soothing noises to Remus.

"Harry," Severus said, his voice echoing slightly in the empty house. Harry tore his eyes from the door when he felt his father's fingers closed around his elbow.

"I don't want to just leave him."

"There is no other choice."

Harry nodded as the words sunk in. Severus withdrew his hand and Harry turned slowly toward the stairs. As they turned away, Pomfrey's muffled and distant voice could be still be heard. "...here to see you, Remus..."

Pomfrey's voice faded away as they trudged down the stairs.

Tonks was outside when they exited. She was sitting on a rotting log, her body hunched over her knees. Harry couldn't continue past her; he paused just in front of her. Severus stopped as well.

"Tonks..." Harry licked his dry lips. "...are you all right?"

Tonks looked up. She wasn't crying. Her eyes were dull now, instead of shimmering with unshed tears. "Is it true?" she asked, not looking like she actually wanted to hear the answer.

"Erm..." Harry hedged, but Tonks didn't look away so Harry nodded. "Yeah...third year."

Tonks turned to Severus. "All of what he said is true," Severus told her before she could ask. Tonks' let out a shaky breath.

"I love him," she said helplessly, staring at her clenched fists. "Why can't he understand that?" Her voice broke on the last word, but still she didn't cry.

"He understands," Severus murmured. The wind whipped his cloak around his legs. Tonks' eyes came up, but Severus was gazing at Harry, his eyes full of deep meaning. Harry's brow furrowed as he processed what his father was really saying--to him, not Tonks. She just happened to be there.

Tonks made a snuffling noise. "He can't if-"

Severus glanced down at Tonks' hunched form. "He is trying to protect you," he said, a touch impatiently, and like the intensity of his first successful Lumos, everything was suddenly much clearer to Harry.

His father didn't not understand love, not in the way Remus had suggested during Harry's faux detention--he understood it quite well, had been crushed because of how much he'd loved, in fact. And he didn't want Harry to experience the harshness of such a loss, and so he gave Harry every opportunity to say he no longer wanted this, before Severus inevitably drove him away. It wasn't selfish--misguided, certainly, and Harry was more convinced than ever that his father needed years of sessions with whoever was the wizarding equivalent of a therapist. But the intention was purely unselfish.

A weight dislodged itself from Harry's chest.

Severus' head came sharply around to study Harry's face. Harry smiled at the look of confusion on his father's face as he realized that his storm was gathered in a warm embrace around Severus' flame--Severus must have felt suffocated. Severus' features relaxed as Harry released the flame, though none of the warmth had diffused from the storm.

An acute awareness passed between them. Severus didn't smile outwardly, but Harry didn't need him to. He let his own smile linger for a few more seconds. And then he turned to Tonks.

He sat next to Tonks on her rotted log. Odd, but he felt no discomfort; he wanted Tonks to understand as well. "Remus loves you. I know he does," he said firmly. Tonks' brown eyes were blinking rapidly as she stared at Harry. "Just let him make it through the night."

Harry knew it was none of his business, but Remus had few friends--one of whom had gone off to become an Auror while Remus suffered alone. Harry stuffed away his irritation with Sirius when Tonks made a sound which Harry recognized as the beginning of a flood of tears. Harry looked up imploringly at Severus.

"I'll take care of her now. The two of you be off now."

Pomfrey was coming up behind them. She smiled at Tonks as she sat down beside her. She gave Harry a pointed look though when he didn't move.

"What about Remus?" he asked. She'd left him awfully quickly. Pomfrey shook her head and made a shooing motion toward the village.

"He'll be perfectly well," she assured him crisply. She didn't turn back to Tonks until Harry stood. "Now, Nymphadora, you and I will go have a nice cup of tea before you go home. There, there...no need to get yourself so worked up."

Harry glanced uncertainly back at the Shrieking Shack as he tuned out Pomfrey's practiced ministrations. He sighed. He hated the thought of leaving Remus all alone. Nothing for it though.

Harry turned with his father and they walked away together toward the village. It was pretty deserted, since it was so close to the dinner hour.

"Do you have any plans for your day with Ginny?" Severus asked as they passed Madame Puddifoot's.

"Not there," Harry said with a fervent shake of his head.

"You have been there before?"

"With Cho, yeah. As a date though...well, it was pants," Harry admitted with a grimace.

"I am certain you will fare better with Ginny."

Harry smiled at the pointed look his father gave him. Yeah... Whenever he thought about it, he always wondered what he had even seen in Cho. The entire relationship--if it could be called that--had been a disaster. Cho wasn't even as pretty as Ginny.

"Where does the secret passage end?" Severus asked after a moment. Harry glanced over at his father. He was smiling a little.

"Honeydukes."

"You do realize, I assume, that coming to Hogsmeade was exceptionally foolhardy?"

"I know," Harry answered, not looking away. There was no heat in Severus' gaze. "Remus really laid into me after we left your office." That memory still made him flush slightly.

"Yes, I imagine he would have," Severus answered. His eyes became serious. "If Albus ever tells you to do anything as ridiculously dangerous as using a Timeturner again-" He broke off and seemed to consider his next words. Finally, he said simply, "You are not to do it. Not without consulting with myself or Remus...even Minerva or Poppy in a pinch."

Harry stopped walking.

"But Voldemort's dead," he objected. "Why would Dumbledore have any reason to tell me to do anything?"

Severus frowned. "I am not convinced that there will no repercussions to Voldemort's defeat." As Harry bit his lip worriedly, Severus continued, "It seems unlikely that the Aurors would have been able to incarcerate every one of his supporters."

"But..." Harry glanced around them, "...shouldn't we be taking more precautions then?"

"I will not allow anything to happen to you," Severus said gravely, but Harry frowned.

"What if someone comes after you, though? A Death Eater who feels betrayed?" The thought made panic soar in Harry's chest.

"We will continue to take precautions. Just as we have been doing throughout our holiday," Severus said and continued along the street. Harry kept close to his side, feeling his muscles tense at the thought of some raging Death Eater with vengeance toward his father on his mind. "I expect you not to go off alone with anyone you do not know, nor would it be wise to take anything from an unknown person."

"Right," Harry said, nodding seriously. He didn't mention he wasn't quite that daft; his dad was only speaking out of concern. "Do you still think Simon is up to something?" he asked.

"He desires power within the Ministry, which would not happen were he to harm you." He pierced Harry with his black eyes as he added, "You are not to be alone with him, however."

"I won't," Harry said obligingly, giving his father an amused smile. Severus gave a low snort, which was possibly supposed to be more of a harrumph.

A young couple walking up the path stopped abruptly in front of them. She was gaping at Harry's forehead. She grabbed the man's arm and demanded excitedly, "Are you Harry Potter?"

"Snape," Harry corrected with a small smile. She looked confused. Harry sighed. "Yes, I'm Harry Potter," he said resignedly. The woman shrieked, making Severus purse his lips and Harry cringe.

"I knew it was you! I could just tell, you know? Your autograph?!" the woman cried excitedly. She began digging through her overly large handbag, and quickly came up with a quill.

Severus help up his wand, tip toward the darkening sky. "May I?" he inquired, making both man and woman quake a little at the dark question.

The woman nodded though, clearly wanting Harry's autograph enough to put up with a father whose protectiveness was in overdrive. Severus waved his wand over the quill, and then over the couple, uttering several spells. He finally nodded curtly.

Without warning, the woman ripped her blouse open and thrust her lace-covered breasts toward Harry, insisting, "Sign here!"

Harry's eyes widened, and his mouth flopped open.

"Miriam!"

The man hastily grabbed the sides of the flushed woman's cloak and hauled it closed. One fist kept the sides scrunched together, while his other hand grabbed her arm and dragged her away.

The woman, her black hair flying haphazardly, turned and flung her arm out toward Harry. She called out desperately, "Marry me, Harry!"

The man's pace became a half-run as he pulled the woman down the street. Harry stared after them. The woman was still shouting. "Miriam Hamm! Owl me, Harry!"

Harry's mouth finally snapped shut.

"Maybe I shouldn't come here with Ginny," he said when he found his voice. Severus said nothing, and Harry glanced toward him. "Why are you smiling?" he asked, and then flushed as the implication hit him.

"Because," Severus drawled, not seeming to glean where Harry's thoughts had strayed, "I placed a rather strong Sticking Charm on her blouse." He smirked. "It will be quite some time before she can display herself so wantonly to any other unfortunate young men."

Harry bit down on his lip, but the laughter burbled up anyway. "Oh," he finally managed. Severus gestured toward the path that would take them to Hogwarts.

"Shall we?"

Harry nodded, grinning at the look of smug satisfaction on his father's face.

--

Ron was just coming down the enchanted staircase as Harry and Severus entered the entrance hall. "Harry, you're back!" He greeted his friend with a wide grin, and a hard whack on Harry's back, followed by an only slightly less effusive greeting for Severus--and one that involved no touching.

"Good evening, Mr. Weasley."

"Hiya Ron." Harry grinned in return, and then asked, "Where're Ginny and Hermione?"

Ron looked like he was trying to hide a smirk as he glanced quickly at Severus. "Detention," he answered as he fell in step beside Harry as he and Severus continued on toward the Great Hall.

"Detention?" Harry echoed. "What for?"

"Ginny hexed Elizabeth from Hufflepuff," Ron told the two stunned Snapes cheerfully. "Hermione hexed Elizabeth's friend."

Harry clamped his lips together, but it didn't help; he burst out laughing.

"Why?" Severus asked curiously; he was peering at Ron with unmasked interest.

"The two of them were making plans to ambush Harry as soon as he arrived," Ron explained. "Elizabeth made some sort of love potion. They were going to give Harry some chocolates with the potion inside." His face screwed up in thought. "Semper Amor, I think they said-"

"What?!" Severus suddenly roared, freezing all of the other students in their paths as he came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the corridor. Ron looked delighted though and didn't even flinch.

"Don't worry, sir. Ginny burned the box of chocolates. Elizabeth and her friend are still in the hospital wing," he added, still grinning. Severus snarled.

"Dad? What's wrong?"

"Go eat your dinner, Harry," Severus said through his teeth; he looked murderous. And without another word, Severus pivoted around and swept up the stairs in a cloud of furiously billowing robes. Harry and Ron stared after him, but only for a minute. Ron grabbed Harry's arm.

"Come on, mate. Ginny and Hermione should be out of their detentions by now."

"But..." Harry sputtered as he gestured toward the stairs. "...what the hell was that about?"

Ron jiggled Harry's elbow impatiently. "He's obviously going to give Elizabeth one of his scathing lectures," he said without worry. "Probably give her detention with Filch until the end of the school year." He grinned. "Maybe he'll demand her expulsion!"

Harry shook his head in amusement. His father was every bit the overprotective mother hen. After all, how much harm could a student-brewed love potion do? "Yeah, all right," Harry said with a little shrug. He and Ron continued on to the Great Hall. Colin Creevey handed him a copy of the Daily Prophet before he even sat down.

"Peter Pettigrew and Bellatrix Lestrange were Kissed," he said excitedly. "Did you hear?" he asked, so eager that Harry wondered if Colin had been waiting impatiently for days to give this to him. The paper was dated the day after Lucius' first trial.

"Yeah," Harry answered, even though this was the first he'd heard about Pettigrew receiving the same fate as Bellatrix.

"It says the minister and some important bloke, Bavister Simon, insisted on it after they attacked you and Ginny," Colin's younger brother added breathlessly. "Is it true that you were both mauled by Pettigrew?"

"No," Ron said irritably as both Creeveys both pressed themselves closer to Harry. Harry extracted himself gingerly from Colin's fist on his sleeve.

"I don't really know anything more about it," he said with an apologetic shrug. "Sorry..." he mumbled as he and Ron backed further along the table so they could take their seats next to the other sixth years.

Ron and Harry rolled their eyes in unison as they plopped into their seats.

"...not on your authority though, Miss Weasley."

Harry spun his head around at the thick Scottish brogue. McGonagall was escorting Ginny and Hermione toward the Gryffindor table. Hermione was nodding obediently, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment. Ginny's face was flushed as well, but Harry recognized that it was from anger--she looked like she was trying very hard not to throw out another curse. McGonagall gave her a disapproving look.

"Unless you'd like another night of detention, Miss Weasley, I suggest you leave the matter to Professors Sprout and Dumbledore."

"Yes ma'am," Ginny said in a low voice, clearly not appeased in the least. But McGonagall nodded sharply, and made a dismissive gesture toward the other Gryffindors.

"It is good to have you back, Mr. Snape," she said shortly, with barely a glance in his direction before she swung away to the head table.

Ginny marched the three short steps to the Gryffindor table, and dropped down with so much force, the empty plates jumped; her hands were quivering fists on her thighs. Hermione sat down much more quietly, her face still flaming. She stared fixedly at her plate.

Neville and Ron glanced at one another, and even Dean and Seamus looked a bit worriedly at the two girls. Neither Lavender nor Parvati seemed to have any difficulty speaking. "You actually hexed her?" Lavender asked, her eyes round.

"I can't believe it!" Parvati added excitedly.

Ginny turned her blazing eyes on them. Lavender's smile faltered. "She was going to give Harry a love potion," she snapped. Parvati shrugged as she flipped her hair over her shoulder.

"It would wear off, Ginny," she said reasonably. She smiled at Harry. "It would have-"

"No, it wouldn't have." Everyone turned at Hermione's quiet words. She finally looked up from her plate.

"Of course it would, Hermione. Those sorts of potions never-"

"It wasn't one of 'those sorts'," Hermione interrupted haughtily, with a glare for Parvati. "She brewed an illegal potion--one that would have made Harry fall in love with her--permanently."

"Permanently..." Harry breathed. His and Ron's eyes locked over the expanse of tabletop. Severus' reaction suddenly made perfect sense.

Ginny's fists were denting her thighs by that point. "And McGonagall won't even do anything about it!"

"She didn't say nothing would be done about it," Hermione said quietly. "Only that it wasn't her decision."

Ginny scowled.

Food appeared on the table. The other sixth years lost interest in the conversation as they turned to their dinners.

Ron grabbed a steaming jacket potato, fumbling it in his hands with fevered, "Ah...ahs." He finally managed to drop it onto his plate. "I don't think you need to worry about Elizabeth any longer, Ginny," he said, not looking at her as he speared a piece of chicken with his fork and added it to his plate. "Snape was pretty steamed," he said, chortling a little at the memory.

Ginny's fists uncurled. She turned to Harry, her eyebrows drawn together. "How did he find out already?"

"Ron met us on our way in," Harry explained. "As soon as Ron told him the name of the potion, he flew upstairs in a bit of a rage. Toward the Infirmary, I guess."

A slow smile spread across Ginny's lips. She and Hermione exchanged significant looks, and without further ado Ginny's arms were around Harry's neck. "I really like your dad, Harry," she said against his cheek. Harry grinned and though he waited for the inevitable choking cough from Ron, it didn't come. Ron simply continued to munch happily on his chicken leg.

"Me too," Harry told Ginny as he put his arms around her back.

Ginny pulled her head back to look at him. Her brown eyes were sparkling. "Welcome back, by the way."

"Thanks," Harry answered with a laugh. He kissed her cheek and then they too were digging into their meals, while Harry filled his friends in on his holiday.

"What did you do today?" Hermione asked as she neatly speared a roasted carrot. "Did Professor Lupin continue on with you? Flitwick taught his classes."

"Yeah, he came with us. We went to Paris," Harry supplied. "It was my mum's favorite city. My dad took her there a few times before I was born."

Ginny wound her fingers in Harry's as she smiled at him.

"It was nice of you to take Remus," Hermione said with a warm nod. She lowered her voice as she glanced around. "How is he?"

"I'm worried about him. He's pretty anxious about it. And he's up there all alone."

"You'd have thought that Sirius could've waited a couple more days to go on to his training," Ron said around a mouthful of peas. Hermione elbowed him. "What?" he asked, bewildered.

"Professor Lupin probably told him not to worry about staying," Hermione said soothingly to Harry, but Harry shook his head. He'd already realized Sirius could have waited. For Remus. He'd been trying not to think about it. It seemed more selfish than Harry could have fathomed Sirius to be.

"I don't really want to talk about Sirius."

So they didn't. They carefully skirted around the issue. When the students began trickling out, a scroll popped into existence next to Harry's plate. His hand reached out automatically for it, but then he remembered his father's warning about strange objects.

It is from me, his father's flame tickled against Harry's storm.

Harry smiled. He undid the ribbon and unwound the scroll. He read it through before letting the scroll snap back in on itself.

All right, his storm rumbled in response. Severus' flame projected an instant's warmth before nestling back amongst the storm.

"My dad," Harry told his curious friends. "He said he'll be in the Infirmary for most of the evening."

Ginny and Hermione exchanged grins again.

"I haven't had a decent opponent for chess, for weeks now, Harry," Ron said, his eyebrows bobbing in excited suggestion.

"I've been playing with you, Ron," Hermione said archly. Ron rolled his eyes.

"That's what I said."

Before Hermione could retort, Harry stood and pulled Ginny with him. "You're on, Ron."

Ron grinned and popped up from his seat. "Brilliant!" He grabbed Hermione's less than enthusiastic hand and tugged her toward the exit. Harry wrapped his arm around Ginny's waist, and the two of them followed at a measurably slower pace. It was easier for Harry to steal a few kisses that way.

--

Harry sighed as he let his head fall against the back of the sofa, too many chess games, and not enough kisses later. He listened to his father's footsteps as Severus entered the sitting room.

"Tired?"

"Knackered," Harry mumbled, not even opening his eyes. "I'll unpack tomorrow."

"It is done."

Harry cracked an eye. He had to angle his neck back a little so he could look up at his dad. Severus was gazing down at him. Harry smiled at the affection in his father's dark eyes. "Thanks."

"You are welcome," Severus said. He raised an eyebrow at Harry's lingering smile. Harry closed his eye again and re-settled himself against the cushion. "You have a bed, you realize."

"Mmm," Harry murmured. "Too far..." He waved a hand dismissively.

"You flew for three hours yesterday morning, but now the twenty steps to your bedroom are too far?"

"Must be out of shape..."

"Perhaps you'd like me to levitate you?"

"If you wouldn't mind," Harry agreed with a lazy smile.

A low chuckle brought both of Harry's eyes open. "I believe our holiday may have extended for too long," Severus observed.

"I haven't gotten lazy," Harry objected through a wide yawn. "Just tired."

"All the more reason to sleep in your bed. You have class in the morning."

Harry groaned at the reminder; he'd gotten used to not going to class.

"I will assume your displeasure is for Minerva's class, and not my own," Severus said dryly. Harry smirked at that.

"Of course," he agreed. Severus gave him a mild glare, which Harry ignored. "Can I have a new partner now?" he asked as he straightened up.

"If you wish," Severus agreed; any trace of smile around mouth and eyes had disappeared. Harry shrugged, and then used one hand to massage one of his shoulders--he really did seem to be sorer than he ought to be.

"Well, there isn't any reason to act like we can stand one another," he said as he kneaded his shoulder.

"No," Severus agreed. He studied Harry for a silent moment. "Would you like a Muscle Relaxant?"

Harry shook his head. "I'm all right," he assured his father. He pushed himself to his feet. "I don't exactly regret trying to help Lucius." He stretched, trying to force the crinks out of his back. "But I sort of wish I hadn't."

Severus said nothing, and Harry sighed. "He was part of the raids on the villages that you were talking about, wasn't he?" He wasn't sure why he wanted his father to say no, but he found himself waiting anxiously.

"Yes."

Harry shook his head. "You shouldn't have let me help him."

Severus raised both eyebrows.

"I know," Harry said with a heavy breath. "You tried to tell me he didn't deserve my help."

"You needed to attempt it, however," Severus said seriously. "You gave Draco your word."

Harry frowned. He didn't like to be reminded. "So," he asked casually as they turned together toward the corridor, "did you have Elizabeth expelled?"

"Yes."

Harry glanced at him in surprise. "Really?"

"As Miss Granger undoubtedly informed you, she was intending to use an illegal love potion on an unsuspecting victim. She is lucky she does not find herself in Azkaban," Severus said. At Harry's shock, Severus questioned, "Miss Granger explained that its effects would have been permanent?" Harry nodded. "You would have been unable to love anyone else--not even Ginny. There is no cure."

Harry swallowed; it sounded even worse when it was put like that.

"I think it is even more important that you be on your guard, at all times," Severus continued as he followed Harry into his room. Harry sat heavily on the bed. "It is obviously not only Death Eaters that hold a threat to you," he said disgustedly.

"You're not going to say I can't go to Hogsmeade, are you?" Harry wanted to smack himself as soon as the whinging words left his mouth. But his father's presently harsh features softened a little. He shook his head.

"We will take precautions, as I said."

Harry nodded. "Thanks." He smiled. "It was a brilliant holiday. Thanks for that as well."

Pleasure flooded Harry's storm. "You are quiet welcome. I am pleased you enjoyed it."

"I did. And thanks for letting Remus come with us today." Harry flipped his robes off his shoulders and draped them over the nearby chair. "Do you think he's going to be all right?" he asked; the anxiety had stayed with him all night, even when he'd been enjoying his time in the tower.

"He will make it through the night."

Harry frowned at that.

"Would you like to meet him at sunrise?" Severus asked, sensing his son's growing worry. Harry brightened.

"Can we?"

Severus nodded, his eyes fully amused. "I will wake you in plenty of time, if you wish."

Harry grinned. "Remus will need someone there," he said with a decisive nod. Nagging anger at Sirius was shoved away as Severus nodded in agreement. The anger didn't stay away though, not even after Severus had gone to his own room. It permeated Harry's dreams as he spent a restless night, visions of romping grims and werewolves dancing in his head.

--

It was with crusted eyes and leaden feet that Harry made his way, with Severus, to the Whomping Willow--the sky was still dark.

"What if he doesn't come out this way?" Harry chattered; he stuffed his gloved hands into his cloak pockets. A Warming Charm crested over him. "Why don't they just charm cloaks with that spell?" he muttered grouchily into his maroon and gold scarf.

"It is not wise for Lupin to be alone either," Severus murmured, his eyes focused on the still branches of the magical tree.

They stood together in silence as the wind scattered fallen leaves across the brittle grass. Harry yawned as the moon dipped toward the skyline, and pink dusted across the sky. Harry's heart skipped a nervous beat as the hidden passageway slowly squeaked its way open. Remus, his clothes dirty and a bit mussed, emerged.

Remus smiled when he caught sight of Harry and Severus.

"Well?" Harry demanded, his stomach twisted in endless knots.

Remus beamed. "I'm free."

Harry whooped and Remus nearly toppled over one of the low branches as Harry launched himself into his arms. Remus was laughing as his hands thumped over Harry's back. It was the most care-free sound Harry had ever heard.

"As I expected," Severus said from behind Harry, the deep timbre of his voice telling much more than the simple words, but Harry wasn't listening anymore. He pushed himself abruptly away from Remus.

"Sirius?"

Sirius, his dark hair matted a bit from the trek upward, drew in a surprised breath as he emerged from the tunnel.

Remus dropped his arms from around Harry's back, his lips waffling between frown and smile as Sirius and Harry stared at one another.