Lily's Charm: The Gift

1996

Sirius paused in front of the mirror; he brushed invisible pieces of lint from his dark grey jumper, and ran his fingers once over his black hair before pulling his bedroom door wide and stepping into the musty corridor. He jogged lightly down the stairs.

Remus smiled as Sirius stepped into the parlor. Sirius grinned.

"Don't you look dashing," he drawled, stopping just in front of Remus. Remus' smile brightened just a bit.

"Do I?" he asked, glancing down at his neatly pressed trousers and white button-down, the top button open. His usual patched brown robes had been exchanged for a brand-new set.

"Tonks won't even recognize you," Sirius teased. Remus looked up again--his expression faltered, but only for a second before he smiled again.

"Maybe I actually will get in the door then," he said as he ran a hand through his hair, the gesture belying his easy banter.

"The two of you certainly seem to be close," Sirius said mildly as he watched Remus straightening the hem of his right sleeve. Remus looked up; his eyebrows furrowed, and a slight flush warmed his cheeks.

"Sirius, Tonks and I-"

"You and Harry," Sirius interrupted, clarifying as he picked up a square package from the mantel. He instantly regretted his brusque tone, but Remus was looking at him with concern now, without a trace of irritation.

"It's not a competition, Sirius," he said quietly. Sirius frowned at the box in his palm.

"I know."

"Sirius...Tonks will keep for a few minutes, if you want to talk-"

Sirius brushed his wavy hair out of his face with a swift movement of his fingers. "That's all right, Moony. You don't want to keep Tonks waiting." He smiled, making sure it was a care-free sort of grin. "And besides, I have a date," he lied. Best not to let Remus know he was simply wasting away here in his parents' rotting house.

Remus' eyebrows shot up and disappeared behind his fringe. "You...you do?" he asked, tripping over the words a little.

Sirius narrowed his eyes a little. Why is Remus so shocked? "With a woman I met in Diagon Alley this morning," he continued with the lie. After all, it very well could have been true. "Why shouldn't I?" He winced inwardly when he heard his mulish tone.

Remus gazed at him for a long moment. "I just thought..."

"You just thought what?" Sirius demanded, a little too sharply for his own tastes. "There's no reason I shouldn't go out with a woman," he said, a little more moderately. No reason at all...

Remus nodded slowly, smiled a little and shrugged. "I just thought you'd like a little more time to recover."

Well, there is that, Sirius supposed. He mimicked Remus' shrug. "I'm feeling perfectly well. Restless, you know." He smirked for good measure.

Remus nodded again. "Well," he said briskly. "I should be going then if I want to catch Tonks before she decides to go out for dinner or something."

"Right," Sirius agreed. He held out the delicately wrapped box. "She won't be able to say no to this," he said, his tone teasing once more. Remus closed his hand over the gift.

His fingers curled against Sirius'. He held Sirius' eyes as he said sincerely, "Thank you, Sirius."

Sirius shrugged; he'd been happy to do a favor for Remus, and it wasn't as if he hadn't had time to go pick up a gift for Remus to give to Tonks... "Good luck, Remus." He smiled. "I do hope you'll be happy."

Remus pulled the box away. "Have fun on your date," he said quietly. Sirius didn't respond as Remus stepped into the large fireplace. As he watched the fire swallow Remus up, Sirius buried his empty hand in his pocket, feeling suddenly very cold.

--

Harry mumbled something which he hoped sounded like 'go away' as his shoulder was jostled. The jostler apparently couldn't follow directions; Harry's shoulder was given another shake, this one a little more demanding.

"Up, Harry," his father's deep voice commanded, a bit impatiently as though this wasn't the first time he'd said it.

"...tired," Harry complained, keeping his eyes firmly closed as he smushed his face solidly into his pillow.

"You would not be, had you not stayed up all hours of the night," the deep voice admonished. Harry pulled his face away from the pillow at that, and peeled his eyes open. He relaxed though when he saw the unperturbed line of his father's lips. Indulgent, those lines. Harry smiled lazily and thumped his face back into the pillow. The pillow immediately disappeared and Harry's face flopped to the mattress.

Not that indulgent apparently.

Harry pushed himself up, with a frown to counter his father's smirk.

"Your friend was not nearly as difficult to rouse as you," Severus commented with good humor as he waved his wand to replace Harry's pillow, though it reappeared at the other end of the bed this time.

Harry twisted his neck, and true enough, the rollaway his dad had conjured for Ron last night, was neatly made up, with a pajama-clad Ron sitting on top, though he did look a little bleary-eyed. "Traitor," Harry muttered as he sat up, rubbing the last bit of crusty sleep from his eyes.

"I didn't want him to take points," Ron shot back in a whisper, out of the corner of his mouth, though he kept his eyes on Severus.

Harry groaned. "You're as bad as Hermione. He's not gonna take points for rolling out of bed late. And you didn't have to make up your bed," he added with a roll of his eyes.

Ron glanced back at his neatly centered pillow. "I just straightened the covers a bit," he said defensively, fluffing the pillow a little as he said it. "You always made up you bed when you were at my house."

Huh. So he had.

Harry smiled at his friend then. "Want the shower first?"

"Sure," Ron said with a shrug. He was used to waiting for a turn, after all, first at home with so many brothers, and then waiting for bunk mates in the tower. Before he stood though, Severus pulled out his wand and directed it toward the messy pile of Ron's school clothes. With two quick spells, Ron's uniform and robes were folded neatly in a clean stack on Ron's bed.

Ron looked up at Severus, his eyes rounder than usual. "Er...thanks, sir," he said, even as his cheeks pinked a little. Severus simply nodded and stepped away from the door. Ron glanced at Harry as he stood. Harry gave him an encouraging nod. Ron smiled a tiny bit as he scooted out the door, his bundle of clothes clutched to his middle.

"I think he likes you," Harry said with a smile before he rolled over, flipping his pillow back into place as he did. He yawned.

"Perhaps I should vanish your bed."

Harry turned his head, grinning at his father. "You wouldn't," he said confidently, but he rolled off the bed anyway, popping up to stand a second later. "I'm starving," he said as he stretched out the kinks in his muscles. Severus raised an eyebrow.

"The two of you were ordering food from the kitchens after midnight."

Harry's arms flopped back to his sides. "We're still growing, you know." With a thoughtful look, he moved closer to Severus. Palming his hand flat against the top of his head, he slid it forward until it was level with the bridge of his father's nose. "I need to eat a lot more," he mused.

Harry wrinkled his nose at his father as Severus pushed Harry's hand dawn a few centimeters; Severus' lips were quirked in subtle amusement. Harry smiled.

In all seriousness though, he asked, "Do you think I'll grow at all now...more than I would have I mean?"

"It is possible," Severus told him. "Although, James and I were almost the same height."

Harry sighed as he turned to his bureau to gather up his own uniform.

"You are by no means, the shortest young man in your year," Severus reminded him.

"I'm not exactly the tallest either," Harry pointed out. Severus didn't respond; his lips had pressed together. "What's the matter?" Harry asked after he'd closed the large bureau doors.

"Harry..." Severus began, tentatively for him. He pursed his lips again before he continued, "You yourself said that the Dursleys often did not feed you. It is likely that your growth has been affected by early malnourishment."

"They didn't starve me," Harry said with a shrug.

"A child can be malnourished without technically being starved," Severus said with scowl. "And there is no reason for you to pretend that you were not mistreated by them. Especially not for my sake," he finished in a tone that Harry didn't particularly want to argue with, but really, he was making too much of the whole issue. How many times was he going to ask about the Dursleys?

"I'm not pretending they weren't completely worthless as guardians," he argued anyway. "But they weren't so bad that I couldn't handle it, you know."

"It is not a question of how well you were able to handle their abuse," his father returned, probably using that word on purpose to make Harry take him more seriously. But what was the point of talking about things that couldn't be changed? "It is not a mark of weakness on your part that they treated you the way they did," Severus continued.

Harry bristled as his father came a little too close to the mark. "That's not what I said."

"That is precisely what you meant, however," Severus said calmly. "You cannot be held responsible for their depravity."

"Depravity?" Harry echoed. "I think that's a bit much," he said with a grimace. "They didn't feed me much sometimes and I had to do more work probably than any of the other kids in my year, but it's not like I sit up nights worrying over it."

"Not even when you were in their care?" Severus challenged. "Not even when your friends used to send you care packages to ensure you would have enough to eat?" His voice was shaking a little as he spoke. "Remus told me the Order had to threaten Petunia's husband at the beginning of this summer past."

"It's true, sir." Both Severus and Harry turned. Ron, his damp hair plastered to his scalp was just coming into the room. "My dad thought maybe they were hurting him. And we used to send Harry food to make sure he had enough to eat. Once mum heard that the Dursleys weren't feed-"

"Ron," Harry interrupted, his voice a bit sharper than he meant it to be. Ron shifted toward Harry. His face took a familiar pig-headed look--one he often wore when he was arguing with someone about the Canons. "No one was hurting me," Harry said through his clenched teeth, wishing Ron would shut up.

"They didn't feed you, Harry," Ron said as if that said everything. "I know you don't like to talk about it, but we all knew it. And it wasn't right the way treated you so horribly, Harry. We all knew that as well. It's not your fault, you know."

Harry stared at his friend, who was gazing at him, his face frank and wise somehow. He was obviously being slowly taken over by Hermione's brain. Which Harry wouldn't have minded in most cases. But in this one...

"Mr. Weasley, if you would excuse us for a moment," Severus said quietly, his eyes held fast to Harry's.

"We'll be late for class," Harry said quickly, already stepping toward the door.

"Then you will be late."

Harry halted. It had been a long time since he'd heard his father use that tone. And he knew he wouldn't be leaving their quarters without listening to what his dad had to say. He turned slowly back around.

"There is food on the table, Mr. Weasley. Harry will be with you shortly," Severus said to Ron, without even looking at him. Ron didn't move though. Severus turned to him. "I have no plans to reprimand him, if that is your concern."

Harry wondered if Ron could detect the very slight sarcasm in the reassurance.

Ron shook his head though, looking thoughtful. "I didn't think that, sir," he said, and then with a small smile, he left Harry and Severus alone.

"I really don't think about the Dursleys much," Harry said as soon as the door had closed behind Ron.

"He is correct, Harry. It is not your fault that you were mistreated," Severus said as a response.

"I know that."

Severus took a step toward him. "You never wondered if you could have done anything to make them hate you so much?"

Caught off guard, Harry stared at him. "I..."

"You never tried to be what you thought they wanted, hoping if you were good enough, they would love you? Harry, I do understand the impulse," he said gruffly. "But just as my father was, the Dursleys are repulsive people. Nothing you could have done, would have changed that. You do not need to earn the right to be loved."

"I used to wonder why they didn't love me," Harry admitted after he'd chewed his lower lip for a minute or two. "I used to think that maybe they'd treat me more like Dudley if I tried harder not to do all the odd things I used to do--accidental magic. But I know they're twisted," he tried to explain. "I mean, I know it now," he amended when his father furrowed his brow.

Severus didn't say anything. Harry shrugged a little.

"I heard you too, you know," he said, making sure not to smile too broadly so his father wouldn't think he was making light of Dursley situation any longer. "I do understand that it was easy for me to believe you would eventually not want me around because no one ever wanted me around." He risked a smile. "You told me so a bunch of times."

Severus frowned. "I did not realize you had fully accepted my words on the subject."

"I know the Dursleys are basically as worthless as they come," Harry replied, not exactly answering his father's unspoken question. He couldn't really imagine not worrying that he'd do something to mess things up between them. Even if Harry knew it wouldn't happen, he still worried. He knew his father understood what he hadn't said, and it was a measure of how far they'd come, that Severus didn't comment on it.

"If I did not know you would disapprove, I would make sure that they pay for their crimes," he said instead.

Harry's eyes widened with alarm. "You won't though, right? You'd get in trouble."

Severus shook his head. "I will not harm them," he promised, though it looked like it pained him to do so.

--

Harry smiled at Remus as he came toward him during his final stroll around the classroom. Remus didn't seem to notice Harry's smile; his eyes were far away. He stopped in front of Harry though, and gave Ron a quick pointer on how to hold his wand to make his curse more effective.

"Just hold it a bit higher, and pointing away from your body," he advised. Ron nodded as he concentrated. He followed Remus' advice and ended up sending Harry into a tangle of arms and legs that he couldn't get out of.

"Wicked!" Seamus called out from nearby.

"Brilliant!" was Ron's assessment as he gave his wand a proud look.

"Hey!" Harry protested as an impressed group of students circled around Harry. "Someone want to help me?" he asked pointedly.

"Sorry mate," Ron said with a grin, "but I don't know the counter spell."

"Ever hear of a Finite?" Harry asked sarcastically as he tried to make his legs stop trying to twist themselves into a pretzel. He wondered where the hell Remus was. Ron chuckled and aimed his wand at Harry.

"Finite."

Harry's arms and legs straightened themselves out obediently. "Thanks loads, Ron," he grumbled. Ron kept grinning and offered him a hand up.

"Class dismissed."

Harry twisted his shoulder a bit. Remus was standing near the door, a piece of parchment in his hands; he was frowning.

"Harry, if you would stay a moment, please," he added as he glanced up. Harry's stomach rolled, the words reminding him of the day he'd been such a twat to Remus.

The rest of the class quickly lost interest in Harry as they scrambled for their bags. Ron and Hermione gave Harry uncertain looks, but Harry just shook his head for them to go.

"We'll wait outside for you," Ron told him under his breath.

Remus waited until Harry's friends had passed through the door before coming forward. He handed Harry the folded slip of parchment. "It's from Sirius." Harry's brows furrowed; he tried to decipher the look on Remus' face, but he couldn't. His muscles twisted into knots, Harry took the note and flipped it open.

"It's addressed to you," he said unnecessarily. Remus nodded.

"Simon wants to speak with Sirius," he supplied. Harry quickly scanned the note.

"He can't do that," he burst out as soon as he'd finished reading. "You're not a werewolf anymore anyway."

Remus sighed. "No one else knows that."

Harry glared at the missive. "Sirius isn't going to do what Simon wants though, is he?"

Remus sat wearily on one of the desks. "I think he means to, yes."

"But this can't be anything as simple as we thought before," Harry protested. "Dad said he and Dumbledore are suspicious about what Simon's trying to do. And now he's hinting that he might create a special law to bar werewolves from teaching?" Harry scrunched the note in his fingers. "Sirius just can't go off and say that Malfoy is some sort of saint, even if Simon tries to threaten you."

Remus plucked the abused note from Harry's hand. "Sirius doesn't have all the information-"

"But then you have to tell him not to go," Harry interrupted.

Remus smiled without mirth. "I have very little influence over Sirius' choices, Harry."

"Well, I'll tell him then," Harry decided. He nodded as he swung toward Remus' office. "Classes are over; I'll just Floo over to Grimmauld Place and-"

Remus caught his arm. He was staring at Harry as though he'd lost his mind.

"What?" Harry asked in confusion.

"You can't leave the castle," Remus said as if it should have been obvious...which, of course, it should have been. "I am quite certain your father would object."

"Yeah, all right," Harry conceded. "I can just Floo-call him though. Can I use your office?"

Remus, by this time, was looking vaguely amused. "I believe I will," he said. Harry followed Remus up the stairs to his office.

"I was going to ask you before Sirius' note came. How did everything go with Tonks last night?" he asked just as they reached the landing. Remus had pivoted a bit so that they were facing one another. Harry knew the answer immediately. "Are you all right?" he asked quietly. It was all he could think to say without asking for details.

Remus smiled again, and Harry wondered how he hadn't noticed how much sadness had been in Remus' face all afternoon.

"We still have things to work out of course," Remus explained, "but Tonks understands-"

"Wait," Harry interrupted. "You didn't break it off with her?" he asked with confusion. "I mean, you're still together?" He'd been certain by the look on Remus' face that things had not gone over well last night.

But Remus nodded. "Yes, we are."

"But...aren't you happy about it, then?"

Remus looked surprised at the question. "I... Of course I am," he finally answered, nodding his head firmly.

"Then why do you look like you've just lost your best friend?" Harry asked. Remus looked startled, but only for an instant. He patted Harry's shoulder.

"We'll be just fine," Remus told him with another small smile. "Tonks is a lovely girl, Harry, and of course, things are a bit complicated..."

Remus cleared his throat as Harry stared at him. Remus shook his head. "Never mind," he said softly and then putting a hand on Harry's shoulder, he steered Harry into his office.

Harry let Remus guide him as he tried to figure out what Remus had been babbling about. He recognized that Remus had decided that whatever he was going to say would have been over Harry's head. But that didn't annoy Harry as much as it intrigued him.

Remus stuck his head into the flames as they rose up. Harry waited impatiently, watching Remus' back; it looked like Remus was gesturing, rather emphatically from the way the muscles around his shoulder blades kept tensing. But finally Remus pulled his head back through the fire; his lips were set in a thin line.

Sirius stepped through a second later, glancing at Remus briefly, his own expression one of irritation. But when he turned to Harry, he smiled, though it looked like it took some effort.

Harry couldn't help but stare at him. Sirius' smile faltered a bit.

"What is it?" he asked worriedly. Harry shrugged; he couldn't really explain it. Even though he knew that Sirius was alive...

"It's a bit surreal to see you stepping through the Floo is all," he tried to explain. Sirius relaxed; he smiled again.

"For me as well," he admitted. He stepped forward and patted his hands up and down Harry's arms, squeezing a bit. "See? I'm really here," he teased. Harry grinned, but then he remembered why Sirius was here.

"You can't testify for Lucius," he blurted. Sirius sighed, pulling his hands away from Harry so that he could brush his hair back from his face.

"If I don't at least agree to meet with this Simon bloke, Remus will have prove he isn't a werewolf."

"Well, he should do that anyway," Harry countered. "Don't you think?"

But Sirius shook his head. "There isn't actually any proof that he was a werewolf in the first place. Only hearsay. He'll be tested by Ministry officials until they bleed him dry."

"I believe you're overstating the case, just a bit, Sirius," Remus said dryly. Sirius glanced at him.

"If anyone asks questions, how will you explain what happened?" he demanded, ignoring Remus' comment.

"There are only three other people who have proof that I was a werewolf. And none of them will admit it," Remus told him calmly.

Sirius opened his mouth, but after a mild glare from Remus, he closed it again.

"He won't say anything," Harry said quietly, knowing exactly what Sirius had been about to say.

"I know," Sirius agreed immediately; much too quickly. He turned back to Remus. "All of the Order members were aware-"

"Only what Albus told them. They never saw anything," Remus cut in. He shook his head. "There's more going on here, Sirius. Simon has no reason to be so desperate to have Lucius free. And Harry's already decided he's helped enough. How can you possibly want to speak on behalf of Lucius Malfoy?"

Sirius frowned. "I only want to make sure Simon keeps his mouth shut about you," he said quietly. Remus didn't respond; if anything, he looked confused. Sirius cleared his throat a little as he turned back to Harry. "I'm seeing Dawn Ridley this evening. She's Lucius' advocate, you remember?"

Remus made a funny sound, and both Harry and Sirius turned to him. Remus' face had flushed pink.

"You're dating Lucius' advocate now?" he sputtered.

Sirius narrowed his eyes as he gazed at Remus. "I wouldn't say we're dating, no, but she sent me an owl this morning and she asked me to dinner-"

"Sirius, she obviously wants to try to convince you to do what Simon is asking," Remus interrupted.

"She isn't Simon's advocate, Remus," Sirius said, sounding just mildly irritated with Remus' observation. "And she said she's been thinking about me since she met me at Lucius' trial-"

"Sirius," Remus interrupted again, throwing his arms up in exasperation, "you can't really believe this is a coincidence."

"You have to admit, Sirius, it's sort of suspect," Harry put in. "She's a bit dodgy, anyway, didn't you think so?"

"You would be wise, not to trust anyone associated with either Lucius or Bavister Simon," a deep voice interjected.

Harry turned. Severus stood in the doorway to Remus' classroom. His eyes flicked briefly to Harry, and Harry could tell he was less than pleased about something, before Severus turned his attention back to Sirius and Remus.

"It is your own business who you choose to dine with, Black," he continued on, "but it more than likely that whatever Simon plans to do once Lucius is free, it has something to do with Harry."

"To do with Harry?" Sirius echoed, his eyes going to Harry immediately.

"Simon has suggested that Harry may be better off with another guardian," Severus explained. Sirius' face flushed, and he looked away from Harry. Severus' eyes were cold as he gazed at Sirius. "Perhaps you know something about that?"

Harry whirled around, his mouth falling open as he stared at his godfather. "You suggested it?" he asked as his voice rose in disbelief.

Sirius shook his head vigorously. "Of course not, Harry!" he denied. "Simon sent me a letter this morning..." he explained with a grimace, "...he suggested that perhaps I might wish to be the one to accept custody of you, if it was proven that-"

"And you find nothing peculiar about the fact that Simon is attempting to orchestrate who controls Harry?" Severus demanded harshly. Harry tried not to let his father's phrasing bother him. Sirius's spine stiffened.

"Of course I didn't find it peculiar that he'd suggest I take care of Harry," he retorted. "I'm his godfather, and even though I couldn't technically be Harry's guardian, I knew I'd take care of him if something happened to the Dursleys. Why shouldn't Simon assume I'd do the same now?"

"Because, if something happens to me," Severus said tightly, "my will states that Lupin will be named as Harry's guardian. And," he added, ignoring the shock that had dazed Sirius, "no matter how much you wish it could be so, the Ministry will not be able to take Harry away from me."

Sirius' face was frozen.

Harry wanted to say something, but he felt so torn that he couldn't even untangle his thoughts. No matter what he said, he would hurt one of the men standing there, so he stayed silent and watched until Sirius' jaw thawed, and finally nodded.

"Of course not," Sirius said, his voice completely flat. To Harry he said, "I wouldn't try to take you away from him."

I know, Harry wanted to say, but only moments before, hadn't he just accused Sirius of that very thing? Before he could even nod, Sirius turned so that he was facing both Remus and Severus.

"If you really believe Simon wants something from Harry, I'll keep my date with Dawn. Even if she doesn't know what he's plotting, she might be able to tell me things about Simon or Lucius that we wouldn't otherwise know."

Harry felt his father's surprise. "It might be wise," he said with a crisp nod. Sirius' eyes flickered his own surprise as well, but he simply nodded.

"I should be going then."

"Wait," Harry said as Sirius turned toward the Floo; Sirius hesitated. "I didn't mean that I believed you'd try to do anything. I was surprised-"

Sirius smiled sadly at him. "It's all right, Harry. It's not as if the thought hadn't crossed my mind." With that, Sirius gave Harry's shoulder a squeeze and then he disappeared through the Floo.

"Was it really necessary to tell him like that?" Remus asked quietly as the flames died down again.

"Would you have preferred that he find out after I was already dead?"

"Of course not, Severus, but surely there was a better way to bring up the contents of your will."

"Did you believe I would enjoy arguing with Black about your assuming responsibility for Harry on my deathbed, then?"

"Can we please not talk about you and your deathbed, any longer?" Harry asked, his voice strained.

Severus and Remus turned to him, as if only just realizing he was there. Severus frowned.

Harry made his fingers uncurl from the sleeves of his robes and asked, "How did you know that Simon had asked Sirius about trying to take me away from you?"

"Albus informed me this morning."

"How did he know?"

"I have no idea," Severus said. He gestured toward the door. "Dinner has already started in the Great Hall."

Harry shook his head, preparing to dig his heels in if he had to. "I can eat later," he said with a frown. "You know something, don't you? You said you would tell me."

"I do not know anything more than what I just told Black," Severus said, and Harry could hear the slight edge in his voice, as though he expected Harry to argue with him. "Simon is plotting something, and it stands to reason that it involves you in some way."

"Just because he wants to take me away from you?" Harry didn't like the way his chest tingled even as the question came out calmly.

"He cannot take you away. You are my son, in every sense of the word, Harry," Severus spoke quietly, his voice very firm. "Biologically, legally and magically. There is nothing he can do to break those bonds."

"Then why are you so worried?" Harry asked, his storm focused on the nervous tremors of his father's flames.

Severus' jaw shifted ever so slightly. Harry was afraid he would deny it. And when his father spoke again, his voice was even stiffer than Sirius' had been a few moments ago, "I do not relish the thought of having to prove I have the right to be your father."

"Surely, it won't come to that, Severus," Remus protested. When Severus had no response, Harry's stomach lurched.

"But there's no reason for him to try to do that. Why would he possibly want Sirius to...what, adopt me?" he asked desperately.

"I do not think Simon wants Black to become your guardian," Severus said. "Whatever he does want though, will come more easily if your godfather agrees that I am not a fit father."

Harry stared at his father.

"Severus, Sirius was upset when he found out about you, but he would never do something so cruel to Harry," Remus said quickly, his voice hard with his conviction.

"He admitted himself that he had entertained the thought," Severus reminded him.

Remus fell silent.

"But he meant...before." Harry blinked up at his father. "Didn't he?" That didn't make it much better though, Harry knew. Especially where his father was concerned.

When Severus didn't answer, Remus said in exasperation, "Of course he did, Harry. He wouldn't do that to you. You heard what he said. He wants to make sure that whatever Simon and Lucius are up to, it won't affect you."

"It is unlikely that Black would make a protest against me right now, not if it would put you in unnecessary danger," Severus agreed, but Harry heard the 'right now' part more than the reassurance that he had nothing to worry about when it came to Sirius. If Sirius had any doubts that with Severus was where Harry was safest, would he make a protest then? Harry wondered silently. He didn't much like the answer he came up with.