Lily's Charm: The Gift

1980

"I hope you're not planning on giving that one to Severus. I don't think he's all that fond of maroon."

Lily turned slightly so that she could glance over her shoulder at James. He was balancing two trays of cookies and a pitcher of something vaguely foul-smelling which he had deemed necessary at any Christmas celebration. She wrinkled her nose at him.

"It's for Harry," she informed him; James gaped in mock-horror. "Severus knows I was in Gryffindor, James."

"Sure," James said with a nod, "but can you just imagine his reaction if Harry was sorted into Gryffindor?"

"Harry's my son as well," Lily said with a little sniff, to which James shrugged.

"And as such, I would be proud to see him in your house." Severus' deep voice from the doorway sent a shiver up Lily's spine. She turned and caught her husband's eye. He didn't smile but his face softened enough to make Lily smile in response; he had relaxed so much around James in the past several months, that Lily often had a hard time believing that they were ever enemies.

Harry was nestled against Severus' chest, scrubbed clean and in his new Christmas sleeper. His bright green eyes were round with awe as he stared, unblinking, at the Christmas tree, which seemed to fill up half the room.

"I'll go get the rest of the food," James told them as he passed Severus and Harry; he reached a hand out to smooth the infant's thick black hair. "Lily has something to show you before Sirius and Remus descend," he said with a wink for Lily.

"Oh stop it, James," Lily huffed. James just laughed, giving Severus and Harry a wide grin before he left the room.

Severus adjusted Harry in his arms so that he had a better view of the tree. "Those are candles, Harry," he instructed as he brought Harry closer to the tree, "charmed to endlessly burn without dripping wax. Your mother is particularly skilled in Charms."

Lily smiled into her palm as she watched them. Severus took a step back when Harry reached out a tiny fist, as if to grab one of the flickering flames.

"They are extremely hot," Severus cautioned. Uncoordinated as he was though, Harry missed, eliciting a small smile from Severus as their son relentlessly tried again, grabbing a fistful of air over and over.

Lily came to stand beside them; she entwined her arm through Severus'. Severus glanced down at her; his black eyes were softly reflecting the twinkling lights from the tree.

"You wished to show me something?" he queried. Lily smiled at the reserved anticipation she could hear in his voice.

"It's really for Harry," she told him, feeling a bit shy of showing her husband her creation. Severus raised his eyebrows expectantly.

So Lily raised the spun-glass ball which she'd created with quite a bit of intricate wand-waving. The maroon swirls dovetailed with silver, merging the two in several places. Lily watched Severus' eyes tracing over the patterns as they moved, knowing he could easily discern the nearly-camouflaged lion and snake occasionally swirling lazily among the colorful eddies.

Harry cooed in delight as his eyes zeroed in on the enchanted ornament. Severus plucked it gently from Lily's fingers and held it close to Harry's eager face. Severus' finger hovered just above the waving currents of color.

"Do you see the lion, Harry?" he asked, as he pointed with his finger. "Watch carefully," he directed, "and you will see it change into a snake." The words, of course, were lost on Harry, but he watched the patterns anyway. "It is lovely," Severus said quietly as he looked down at Lily.

Lily smiled up at him. "I knew you would think so." She stretched up on her toes, offering her lips to Severus. Severus dipped his head, Harry in between them, and kissed her softly. "I'm glad you liked it," she whispered. "I wanted to make him something really special for his first Christmas. The charm took weeks to develop," she told him. She had had to owl Flitwick twice for pointers.

"Despite James' disagreement, it is an apt gift for our son. I am certain he will appreciate its symbolism as much as I do."

"James just doesn't know you well enough yet," Lily assured him, not wanting to upset the delicate friendship forming between the two men.

"Or perhaps James simply enjoys ribbing our resident Slytherin," James interjected as he came back into the room, this time with savory appetizers. Severus raised an eyebrow. James grinned, glancing over at Harry and his gift. "Pardon me, make that our oldest Slytherin," he corrected.

Severus nodded, a trifle smugly at the acknowledgement.

"It does beg the question, though..." James went on, "...which House will he be sorted into? He certainly has the makings of a Gryffindor, though Slytherin would do well to take him in...you know, help change their less than stellar reputation a little..." He smiled innocently at Severus' affronted look.

"Hush James," Lily chided. She shooed the irrepressible man out of the sitting room to get the last of the trays. "I'll help," she said as she followed behind him.

"Shall we hang your mother's ornament, Harry?" she heard Severus ask. She turned before she reached the door to the kitchen to watch as Severus delicately hung the ball from one of the boughs. "Whichever House you are sorted into, Harry," he said softly as the two of them continued to gaze at the ornament, "you are my son first."

1996

Severus shook the few remnants of lingering ash from his robes as he stepped out of the Floo. Black was watching him, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. As soon as Severus had assured the mutt that Harry was perfectly all right, he had agreed to let him enter; Black looked like he now regretted the decision.

"I have plans, so whatever it is you came here to say, say it quickly," Black said as soon as Severus stilled his movements.

"A date with Miss Ridley, no doubt," Severus drawled, enjoying the scowl that immediately appeared on Black's face.

"I don't believe that's any of your business, Snape."

"As a matter of fact," Severus told him cooly, "Miss Ridley is the reason for my visit."

Black's look of confusion amused Severus; he almost smiled.

"She isn't here," Black said curtly. "And what could you want with Dawn anyway?" Black's suspicion had returned.

"I assure you, Black, I do not want anything from Miss Ridley."

"Not good enough for you?" Black asked mockingly.

"Not nearly."

Black glowered at him. "What the hell do you want, Snivellus?" he demanded.

Severus' teeth gnashed together. He clamped his emotions tightly away and ignored the taunting smirk on Black's face. "As long as you insist upon exploring a relationship with Lucius Malfoy's advocate, your access to Harry will be restricted," he bit out, getting straight to the point.

Black stared at him for a long moment, and then as understanding finally dawned, he narrowed his eyes. "Dawn isn't some sort of spy for Lucius."

"It is enough that she works for Lucius at all," Severus retorted. "Miss Ridley is employed by the Malfoy family, Black. That alone should be enough to quell any urges you might have to pursue her."

Black glared at him. "Malfoy's her client. Her work has nothing to do with who she is," he argued. He smiled a familiar, taunting smile. "She isn't even a Slytherin, so I can't think why you are so worried."

"Lucius Malfoy attempted to kill your godson, more than once," Severus reminded him through his teeth, outwardly ignoring the barb. When the words didn't seem to affect Black, Severus continued scathingly, "You were there, in the Department of Mysteries, Black. Lucius would have killed Harry if he could have."

"Dawn isn't Lucius," Black snapped; his hands were restless by his sides. "She hasn't done anything to Harry."

"It was only days ago that you thought it would be wise to use her to discover information about Simon and Lucius. And have you already forgotten that it was Miss Ridley who suggested that Harry speak on behalf of Bellatrix?" he asked sarcastically. "Or perhaps you are suggesting that your lady friend is ignorant of exactly what Bellatrix is as well?"

"She was only doing what Lucius asked her to do!"

"And just how far will she take his requests?"

"You're actually suggesting that she would hurt Harry because he asked her to?" Black asked incredulously.

"No," Severus countered on a hiss. "I am suggesting that Miss Ridley is feigning an interest in you, in order to manipulate you to do as Lucius wishes."

"You're delusional," Black spat. "Dawn isn't feigning anything."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "No?" he drawled. "Oh, surely you must realize, Black, that a woman can pretend such things quite easily."

Sirius' face burned. But then he smiled and shrugged. "Oh sure, Snape," he agreed in a falsely-conciliatory voice. "Lily must have had that skill down to a science to have spent all those years with you. Of course," he went on blithely as Severus felt the wind knocked out of his chest, "I can understand your confusion about Dawn. But she doesn't have to work so hard with me. Lily wouldn't have had to either. She might have actually enjoyed herself--what's this Snape? Can't bear the thought of Lily with me?"

Severus barely even realized that he had drawn his wand; it was hovering just in front of Black's nose. The question snapped him back enough that he could push down most of the fury that burned his fiery shields. He did not move his wand though.

"Do not ever speak Lily's name in such a disgusting context again," he said in a low voice.

"Or what, Snivellus?" Black challenged, not even flinching from the wand tip. "You'll hex me? And how will you explain that to Harry, eh?"

Severus' expression didn't change, nor did his wand arm waver; he wouldn't allow Black to know how much the words had deflated him. "I will tell him that his godfather spoke ill of his mother," he said evenly.

The mutt's smirk faltered.

"I have already told him, that as long as you continue to be blind to Miss Ridley's obvious coercion, he is not to be in your presence without either myself or Lupin present," Severus went on smoothly. "It will not take much for me to forbid you from seeing him altogether." The threat, no matter how empty it was, felt good on Severus' tongue.

Black's face transformed completely then; his lips twisted into an ugly snarl. "You can't keep Harry from me," he said furiously.

"I can, and I shall," Severus returned tonelessly, his wand moving closer to Black's nose. The horror-struck look on the mutt's face was comical.

"Harry won't agree to that," Black sputtered.

"Harry is sixteen, Black. And though you seem unable to grasp the concept, I am his father."

"So this is your idea of what it means to be a father to Harry, then?" Black demanded. "To keep him away from people who love him--to keep him caged in a dungeon for the rest of his life? I am beginning to see even more merit in Simon's idea-"

The rest of Black's words were cut off, and Severus stepped back to watch the results of his silent Strangling Hex with grim satisfaction. Black's hands went up to his throat; his fingers scrabbled pointlessly against his throat as he gurgled at Severus.

"I realize that there is nothing I can threaten that would stop such an asinine course," Severus said acidly. He flicked his wrist. Black's eyes stopped bulging out of his head. "The knowledge that Harry would never forgive you should be enough, however."

Black was sputtering and coughing as he tried to return his vocal chords to a useful state.

"I do hope your little trysts with Miss Ridley are compensation enough for losing any freedom you might have had where Harry is concerned," Severus drawled, unable to resist the barb. Black's face, as predicted, flushed a deep red. Severus smiled slightly and turned away toward the Floo.

"Wait, Snape..."

The raspy, pathetic plea had Severus turning slowly back to see the mutt beg. He was unprepared for the fist that smashed into his face.

Severus stumbled back, almost unable to catch himself on the edge of the high mantel. He half-slumped against the aging bricks; the room was swirling around him. Black's face swam in his vision.

"I'm sure you'll enjoy explaining that to Harry as well," Black said, his voice dripping with an odd mixture of scorn and triumph. There was a vague scraping sound, and then Black's voice again, calling out, "Dawn Ridley's Home, London."

Blearily, Severus watched the flames engulf Black. He closed his eyes to anchor himself, and pushed off the bricks when he was steady again--time seemed to be passing slowly. Ignoring the tang of coppery blood seeping into his mouth, Severus probed his nose with ginger fingers.

Broken.

Well-used to this particular spell, Severus pointed his wand at his own nose this time, and chanted the spell to knit the bone back together. He grit his teeth as pain radiated through his face. A Cleaning Spell removed the trail of blood in the next instant, and then with more controlled movements, Severus straightened his robes and slid his wand back into his sleeve.

He stepped into the Floo with only a trace of a wobble before he was spinning through the network. He came to a fluid stop in his own fireplace. He paused in surprise as he found Harry sprawled out on the sofa--fast asleep and with the note that Severus had left on the table, crumpled in his fingers.

His fringe had fallen into his eyes; his head angled as if he'd been watching the fireplace, which he probably had been.

Severus bent down and with a gentle hand, shook Harry's shoulder. Harry's answering mumble brought a smile to Severus' lips, followed by a grimace as more pain shot through his nose. He paused in his efforts to wake his son only long enough to call for and swallow a vial of Painkilling Potion.

"Harry..." he prodded when the pain had vanished; he shook Harry's shoulder again.

Harry's eyes fluttered open. He blinked up at Severus. "You're back," he said fuzzily, though the relief in his voice was plain. He stared at Severus for a few seconds before pushing himself up to sit. "Where did you go?" he asked, massaging the sleep from his eyes. The parchment crinkled in his fingers.

"I was attempting to learn more about Lucius' plans," Severus told him vaguely, and was unsurprised at Harry's blank look; his green eyes were still muted with fatigue. Much to Severus' relief, Harry didn't press for details. He simply yawned.

"What time is it?" he wondered through the last of his yawn.

"Half past midnight," Severus answered, estimating. Harry had only gone to sleep less than two hours before. "Did you have trouble sleeping?" Severus inquired with concern as he swept his robes off his shoulders and hung them beside the dungeon door. He and Harry had parted ways on less than comfortable terms.

"I woke up when you activated the Floo," Harry answered, running a tired hand through his tousled hair.

"I apologize," Severus said with a frown. "I did not mean to wake you."

Harry shrugged. The last vestiges of sleep were draining from his face as he glanced briefly over at the tree, still waiting dejectedly beside the fireplace. "I realized while I was waiting for you that we didn't decorate the tree. I know I wasn't really in the mood earlier..." He stared glumly at the blue cushions, his fingers teasing against Severus' missive.

"I had planned to trim the tree tomorrow, in any case--after your friends boarded the train in Hogsmeade," Severus assured him.

"Oh." Harry raised his eyes then; Severus forced his tense muscles to relax. Harry responded in kind; he settled back against the cushions and brought his wandering hands into his lap. "I was talking with Ginny earlier...about Sirius and what you said."

Severus nodded warily, not at all inclined toward another argument with his son. But Harry didn't seem to notice.

"Couldn't you work out some sort of spell or charm that wouldn't allow Dawn to come near me or something...or Sirius could take some sort of vow that-"

"Harry," Severus interrupted with enough force that Harry immediately fell silent, "it is far simpler to allow myself or Remus to accompany you." When Harry opened his mouth to counter that, Severus continued, "The type of spells you are speaking of, are extremely complex."

Harry slumped back against the cushions. Sighing, Severus sat in the chair opposite. He steepled his fingers, angling his elbows so that they rested on his knees and asked quietly, "Under any other circumstances, Harry, I would not hesitate to allow you as much freedom as a responsible young man, such as you are, deserves."

Harry colored at that, and Severus wasn't certain if it was because he was pleased by the compliment or still resentful of the strictures.

"As soon as such strictures are no longer necessary, you will have the same freedom as your peers. I want you to have a normal life as much as you do, Harry," Severus said sincerely.

Harry sighed. "I know. And I know you're not trying to keep me from that," he said as he punched one of the sofa pillows lightly. "I just hate this."

I just hate this...

Severus stared at his son.

This wasn't how it was supposed to be; not now that Voldemort had finally been put to rest. Secrecy and cleverly-crafted plans were supposed to have been put behind them. He had told Harry himself that he would be free from Voldemort's influences. The unintentional lie lodged like a rock in Severus' stomach.

Harry was staring at the tree again.

Severus closed his eyes briefly as he tried to convince himself that his earlier decision was the best course for his son. He was unsuccessful.

"I will attempt to devise an alternative solution," he said after he'd opened his eyes and found his son again.

Harry's eyes snapped to him. "Really?" His entire posture had transformed.

"I will attempt it," Severus stressed, cautioning his son with a pointed look; Harry sobered instantly but his eyes were brighter than they had been a moment ago. "And until I have an alternate plan in place, my original decision remains in force. As long as Black refuses to believe in the possibility of treachery from Miss Ridly, you will not see him alone."

Harry nodded solemnly, and Severus was momentarily pleased by his ability to convey a stern enough tone; the fact that he had waffled in his original decree was easy enough to ignore.

"Can I help you?" Harry asked; he scooted forward on his cushion.

Amused, Severus nodded. "If you wish. Any other plan will require research. We can begin tomorrow."

Harry grinned. "Thanks."

"Do not thank me yet," Severus warned him. "Your safety is more important to me than your freedom."

Harry deflated a little at that, but still he nodded. "I know." He smiled again, this one a silent apology. "Thank you, even if it doesn't work," he added. With Severus' nod of acceptance, Harry rubbed his hands together. With a bit of a sly grin, he asked, "So...if we're going to be holed up in the lab tomorrow, maybe we ought to trim the tree now?"

Severus raised a thin eyebrow. "It is nearly one o'clock."

Harry was not dissuaded, however. He glanced around the room. "You said you have ornaments," he reminded Severus hopefully. Severus quirked his lips. With a quick wave of his wand, two rectangular boxes--one smaller than the other--appeared in front of the sofa, their covers already removed.

Grinning, Harry slid off the sofa and plunked onto his knees in front of the boxes.

"Your mother and I had very few items in storage at the Cottage," Severus began apologetically. "Most of these are new..."

Severus trailed off as his son looked up at him; his green eyes were shining with excitement.

"Which ones?" Harry asked eagerly.

Unaccountably moved by the question, Severus could only point to the smallest box. He watched as Harry picked up one of the delicate spun-glass ornaments. The colorful swirls caught the light as Harry twisted the ball in his hand.

"Your mother made that for you."

Harry looked over to Severus in surprise. "Made it? With magic, you mean?"

Severus nodded. "She wanted you to have one with both Slytherin and Gryffindor colors." His eyes softened at the memory. "Though I believe she secretly hoped you'd be sorted into Gryffindor..."

Harry smiled as he watched the snake and lion fighting for space on the sphere.

"James attempted to make one for you after Lily made the first one. It is in the box as well."

Harry kept Lily's ornament in his hand as he leaned down again. He grinned as he extracted another, less-spherical ornament from the box.

"James was far less accomplished at such charms," Severus said dryly.

"It's a bit lopsided," Harry agreed, though the assessment was far too kind. Harry peered at the static, childish lion on the flat side of the ornament. "It doesn't move," he chuckled. He held up both ornaments, comparing them. "Do we have lights?" Harry asked, still staring at his mother's gift. "The Dursleys always had the colored ones."

Severus raised his wand, ignoring the pang he felt at the longing he heard in Harry's voice. "You would like colored lights, then?" he inquired smartly, but Harry shook his head. He was holding the two ornaments close to his chest.

"Clear, I think," he said quietly. Severus nodded wordlessly, and with a simple spell and a short series of arcs, the tree was alight with tiny glittering bulbs. Harry stared at the tree, and then his face split into a huge grin. "Perfect," he breathed softly.

Severus silently agreed.

--

"It's not reflecting yet," Harry told his father, though he didn't look up from the murky sapphire. "Should I keep stirring?"

"Yes. Add the toenails," Severus murmured distractedly; he was poring over a musty tome--one he'd said had belonged to his great-grandfather. They'd been in the lab for most of the last few days, working on two different potions, one of which was his father's original Curse Repellent--the other a potion which would only work if Sirius took it willingly.

Overall, a change in plans didn't seem promising at the moment, especially considering Harry was going to see Sirius in a few hours.

"Er...which one?" Harry questioned even as he continued to stir. "Dad?" he added when Severus only nodded.

Severus immediately looked up. He tilted his head in inquiry at Harry's look of confusion.

"Stir? Or Toenails?" Harry asked again.

Severus blinked at the question, and Harry smiled at his uncharacteristic absentmindedness.

"You said to add the toenails," he clarified.

Severus leaned over a bit to peer into the cauldron. "Not until the surface of the potion is reflective, no," he said, just as if Harry had been the one to suggest they put in the Horned Skink Toenails, and then went back to studying the open text.

Harry went back to stirring, still amused.

His father cursed under his breath a moment later; Harry looked up from his stirring. "What's the matter?"

"We cannot go any further, not without a sample of Black's blood." Severus closed the book with a solid thump.

Harry studied his father's frustrated features. "Should I stop stirring, then?" he asked after a moment of silence.

"No," Severus said with a small sigh. "Perhaps it is time to inform Black of our plans."

"Remus thought he would agree," Harry reminded his father. "I mean, it doesn't much matter to Sirius if I visit him alone or with Remus, but he'll agree if I ask him."

His father murmured what could have been an assent, though his eyes were more shadowed than they had been a moment ago as he leaned forward to examine the boiling potion. "Three and half more minutes should suffice."

Harry nodded, and continued on with his stirring, no matter that his arm had long since begun to feel like it would fall off into the potion. But this had been his idea, after all. And if it worked, he could be one step closer to just being like everyone else. The notion made his arm ache a little less. Which was good since he was planning on helping Sirius' build his new house today with Ginny and Ron today. He would probably need his wand arm.

"I think it's ready," he said when he could see his reflection rippling on the surface of the blue potion. Severus nodded his agreement after a quick assessmnt, and Harry carefully added the toenails. His father studied the liquid as it roiled and churned.

"Excellent," he finally decreed. Harry grinned at the praise. Severus' upper lip shifted into a smile as he plucked a vial from the bench. "If Black agrees-"

The rest of Severus' words were cut off as the Floo flared in the sitting room.

He and Harry turned to see Dumbledore's head sticking out of the flames, looking extremely anxious.

"Albus, are you all right?" Severus asked as he stepped into the sitting room.

"Alastor has been injured," Dumbledore said, his voice strained. "Hagrid found him in Knockturn Alley. He was a hit with a self-perpetuating curse. Poppy is on holiday, as you know. We could use your assistance, if you wouldn't mind. Hagrid and I brought him back home." He shook his head when Severus' eyes widened in alarm. "There was no sign of Death Eaters, though Nymphadora and Kingsley are there right now."

"Will he be all right?" Harry asked. Dumbledore shook his head.

"I don't know, Harry." To Severus, he pressed, "Severus?"

Severus nodded briskly. "I will be with you in a moment," he promised, asking no questions at all. Dumbledore nodded tiredly and pulled his head back through the flames. Severus turned to Harry. "Contact Remus and inform him of the situation. I will contact you after I speak with Shacklebolt. Do not leave until I am certain it is safe."

"Remus is coming here," Harry reminded him. Severus nodded.

"I would prefer you wait here until I have a chance to speak with Shacklebolt, even with Remus to accompany you, though you are likely in no danger. We will test the potion with Black's blood if he agrees."

Harry nodded reluctantly. "All right."

Severus clasped Harry's shoulder and then Harry watched as he was whisked away through the flames. He sighed and grabbed a handful of Floo powder. He threw it down and called for Remus' quarters. But when he stuck his head through, Remus' parlor was empty.

"Remus?" he called. With no answering greeting, Harry simply stepped through the flames and onto Remus' hearth rug. "Remus?" he called again. He jumped as the flames roared to life again.

Sirius' head came through the green flames. He looked startled to find Harry standing in the middle of Remus' sitting room. "Harry? Where's Remus?"

"I came here to find him," Harry answered. "My dad wants me to wait for him. Moody was injured...suspiciously, I guess."

"I know. Tonks just fire-called me. I wondered if you wouldn't be able to come..." Sirius cleared his throat. "Listen, Harry...Snape told me that Remus is acting as a chaperone for us."

"He did?" Harry asked in surprise.

"He didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

Sirius grimaced as he shook his head. "He just came to visit me at Grimmauld Place." He shrugged, and Harry wondered why his dad hadn't told him about that particular visit. "And I told Dawn that Snape's paranoid. No, Harry, she understood," he said hastily as Harry gaped at him. "I know Remus doesn't trust her either, and to be honest, neither did I, at first. But she really does care about me. She would never hurt you, and either way, Harry, I would never let anyone hurt you." Sirius' grey eyes were dark with worry.

"I know, Sirius," Harry assured him. "I tried to tell Dad and Remus that, but it's hard to explain...we've been through an awful lot..."

"I know that, Harry," Sirius said with a sigh. He smiled hopefully though. "Er...Snape said he didn't want you around Dawn...and well, she isn't with me, so if you want I'll come through to Remus' quarters, and then we can go on straightaway to the new house and wait for Remus. All right?"

Harry hesitated. "You aren't allowed access to Moody's Floo, are you?" he asked, wondering if perhaps his father would agree--even though he still loathed Sirius, he wouldn't be able to claim that Sirius wasn't being perfectly reasonable.

"Moody has his Floo locked to most everybody," Sirius snorted.

Harry sighed.

"Dawn hasn't been to the plot yet--she doesn't know where it is," Sirius told him, half-mocking. "And Ginny and Ron will be there shortly--probably with Arthur as a chaperone." He smiled in a self-deprecating way and Harry's decision was made.

Remus would be along shortly, after all...and Harry already knew that Mr. Weasley was going to be escorting his two youngest children. And as for his father, well...Harry was certain he'd be irritated, at least until he could explain that Sirius had actually been trying to do as he'd been asked to do. Harry pushed away the guilt chewing at his gut.

His father couldn't be really angry at him anyway, and he'd explain...

"We should leave a note for Remus," Harry said. Sirius grinned.

"I'll do you one better." He gestured for Harry to move aside. When Harry did, Sirius stepped into the room. He drew his wand and with a single spell, a giant dog leapt from the tip and bounded through the walls. "You ready?" Sirius asked excitedly as he re-pocketed his wand. Harry smiled, the excitement always contagious with Sirius. "Come on, then. We'll go past the Hogwarts' gate and you can side-along with me."

Harry made a face, and Sirius laughed. He slung an arm over Harry's shoulders and together they left Remus' quarters. It didn't take them long to leave the castle proper, since it was deserted except for a cheerful Flitwick on his way out of the library.

Once they'd passed the gates, Sirius wrapped his arms tightly around his godson. "Hold on," he said, still grinning. Harry closed his eyes as Sirius spun on his heel and both of them were turned inside out.

They appeared with a loud crack in the middle of a partially-constructed two-story house. Sirius released him and Harry stepped back, his eyes roaming over the new construction with admiration.

"Hello, Harry."

Harry spun sharply at the familiar, slightly drawling voice.

Dawn Ridley was standing near the edge of the property. She smiled slowly as he stared into her ice-blue eyes. "You're finally here," she said quietly.