Age of Innocence

~~~~Age Of Innocence~~~~


A/N: This chap is dedicated to Ifede for believing that I would come back to it at some point. Cheers and hugs luv, and thanks for reminding me I still needed to update it, I was almost at the point of putting it on the dust pile :sighs:

~~~~Chapter Fifteen: Answers Within Dreams~~~~

~~Hogwarts School Infirmary, Scotland, UK - Jan. 10th, 1925~~

It felt like he was drowning at first, so much darkness and pain. Screams of a woman and man, frightened for their lives. He was being held in the woman's arms now and they running, and when they stopped he heard whispered words of comfort. Words that were telling him that he'd be all right, that she would protect him, give him her magic to help him. A strong power filled him suddenly, and he was no longer afraid but happy, content, a warm fuzziness that enveloped him...a warmth that could only be love.

That warmth spread through him like wildfire, and he somehow knew the woman had given everything of herself she could to him, and voices now swirled in his mind, telling him not to worry, that they were there with him, watching over him just as they always had and always would. He was one of them, and they protected their own. Then he heard more footsteps, and an argument between a man he didn't know and the woman, then the sound of a high pitched laughter and a thud as the woman's body now lay next to him on the floor, cold and lifeless.

He looked up and saw eyes that were tinged with red, looking at him full of hatred as well as pure triumph, but he wasn't afraid. He heard those voices from his place of safety, the voices that belonged to the people who showed him things of places and times not his own. They had told him that he would be all right, and he now faced those reddish eyes with that knowledge. He just sat there and stared back into those eyes, unwavering and unmoving, not a sound nor a cry would he utter.

Clutching his beloved black toy dragon close to him he looked into those red eyes, not as an innocent child facing death, but through the eyes of a child who was noble, proud, and seeking revenge against the loss of all he had held important. As the words of a spell began to leave the man's lips, he only sat there on the cold floor smiling as he heard the sound of triumphant laughter being replaced by a scream of pure terror. When the green light cleared and the darkness finally descended upon him, he knew that the danger wouldn't be gone forever. That the evil would return one day, and when it did...he would be ready...

Draco sighed and rubbed his eyes with a yawn, weariness settling in with all that had happened in the past two days. Hogwarts was now being galvanised into action like a war was about to take place, but the person who had started it all was at the moment missing from action. Remus Lupin was currently still holed up at the Shrieking Shack as far as Draco knew, oblivious to what was taking place under his orders. Though Draco didn't know much about werewolves apart from what little he'd learned in DADA classes, he knew last night had been a full moon, but somehow he didn't think werewolves stayed transformed past dawn.

He knew this transformation was important though, Severus had told him that it would hopefully purge the last vestiges of the opium from Remus's body. The past week had been rough for Remus as he fully came down off the opium, even with the potions Severus had been force-feeding him, Remus had been shaky, weak, dizzy, nauseous, and sometimes downright cranky at times from the full withdrawal. Draco was worried though because Remus had promised he'd be back after dawn, and though he'd been asleep at that time, when he woke up there was no sign of the wolf. Now it was several hours past dawn, and still no sign of Remus appearing in the infirmary.

Getting up and stretching he walked over to where Severus was, noting that Severus himself was on edge. 'Is Lupin all right, Professor? Shouldn't he have been back by now?' Draco asked Severus worriedly.

Severus's face was grave and he nodded slowly. 'Yes, he should have been back just after dawn. Since the effects of the potion he takes now, the Wolfsbane, keeps him from losing his mind when he transforms, he usually isn't as weak afterwards and can make it back to the club with little problems. I thought perhaps because he was ridding himself fully of the opium he might be weaker then usual, so I sent Madam Pomfrey out to help him if need be. However...when she went to the Shack...he wasn't there,' he said, fear clearly in voice.

'He wasn't? Where could he have gone then, the Forest?' Draco asked in surprise. He hadn't been told the little detail that Remus had gone missing.

Severus shook his head with a frown. 'He wouldn't have gone there alone, not Remus. Since Black, Pettigrew nor myself was able to accompany him last night during his transformation, Remus would have been too bored to go there on his own if I know him. Werewolves tend to prefer a pack when they are 'hunting', rather then going solo. Not that Remus hunts mind you, the Wolfsbane lessens the urge to need human prey whilst he's the wolf, but Remus knows these grounds, he would be bored on his own I know that much.'

Draco looked surprised at what Severus had just said though. 'How can you possibly be round a Lupin when he's a werewolf? Isn't it way too dangerous?' he asked.

Severus chuckled then glanced round the ward a moment, satisfied that they were in essence alone. 'Werewolves are only a danger to humans, not to other animals, Draco. Black, Pettigrew and myself are all animagus, in that form we are of no danger to him anymore than he is to us. We are all unregistered though mind you, so keep that information to yourself,' Severus said giving Draco a stern look.

Draco grinned then and nodded. 'Not a problem, Professor, your secret's safe with me. Besides, if I told on you...then let's just say you could tell on me, and I certainly don't want that now of course,' he said nonchalantly.

Severus looked at Draco in surprise, then he laughed. 'Slytherin to the core, aren't you m'boy. Well then, I guess we both have our little secrets to keep eh? What worries me now though is where the fuck Remy's at. Dumbledore did an interior sweep earlier, no sign of him in the castle. As for the Forest, there were still too many untransformed werewolves this morning to determine if any of them were him, though Dumbledore gave me the impression he felt none of them were,' he said with a sigh.

Draco thought on that for a moment and happened to glance back at Harry, then gave a gasp of fear. 'Harry!' he screamed out, and dashed over to the bed in a panic.

Severus had no choice but to responded to that as well, and though he'd promised his lover he wouldn't leave his bed without assistance, at the moment it was called for. Poppy was still out trying to find Remus, as was a few others, so he was the only adult right now available to take care of this situation, whatever that was. Hobbling out of bed on the crutch that Poppy had given him to use for loo trips, he made his way over to Harry's bed quickly as he could. He gasped himself as he saw what had made Draco scream out in fear.

Harry's eyes were open but unfocused and unresponsive, and blood was lightly flowing from his scar again. He wasn't moving, nor even blinking Severus realised, just staring out at nothing. Emotions of fear, anger, hatred and something else Severus couldn't for the moment place, were swirling dizzily through emerald pools. Severus quickly touched him to make sure he wasn't dead, grateful when he felt a pulse. He was surprised because the pulse felt so strong underneath his fingers, yet Harry's body was cold and rigid, like in death.

Harry then moved finally, though only for a moment before becoming rigid again, and Severus watched as one of Harry's arms moved up against his chest, as if it was cradling something invisible, something small but apparently very precious. Severus put his hand on Harry's arm and it was like an electric bolt hit him, yet he was unable to pull away. Severus's mind began to stir then and he felt his eyes close against his will, as if he was being pulled into a trance...as if he was being forced to do something now...to remember something very important from long ago...and he relaxed as a feeling of calmness washed over him, and a dreamlike state took him over...

~~Godric's Hollow, Wales - July 30th, 1908~~

Severus Apparated into the clearing next to the Manor house carrying a small box with green wrapping paper and a huge silver bow, pausing a moment to make sure it was still in tact. Satisfied that it was he then turned and stood looking at the house before him for a moment, a soft smile on his face. He could hear the sounds of a child's laughter from somewheres, probably the backyard he thought, and smelled the scent of smoky wood, indicating that someone was cooking on an outdoor grill. It was early yet, just before noon, but today was a special day. Today he was going to help celebrate his 'nephews' first birthday, even if it was a day too early.

Severus knew James had not invited his school friends for the afternoon's events, he had arraigned it so that Black, Pettigrew and Lupin would come for dinner instead. Since the next night would be a full moon and Lupin wouldn't be able to be there, James had arraigned to have Harry's birthday celebrated by friends and family today, it was better all round for everyone. James and Lily had plans of their own tomorrow, making it a 'day out' for the three of them only, something they rarely got to do these days if ever.

Jamie and Lily had decided in the end to hold the parties today, opting instead to spend his actual birthday by taking Harry to the new Muggle kiddie park that had opened nearby recently. They were also going to take him 'shopping' in Diagon Alley, though Severus suspected Jamie just really wanted to get a look at the new Silver Arrow broomstick that had just hit the markets last week. Severus had not really liked the idea of them going out in 'public' though, since right now James and Lily were supposed to be in 'hiding', but Jamie had dismissed it by saying they would alter their appearances and dress like Muggles to throw off suspicion. Jamie wasn't going to deny his son a proper first birthday for anyone, even his enemy.

Severus couldn't have been more honoured when Jamie had said that this afternoon was going to be for his 'family' only, and that Severus was to be there without fail. Severus never had gotten on well with his own family, and Jamie, Lily and Harry were more 'family' to him then anything else, so it made him feel giddy that Jamie considered him in the same way. For the thousandth time he wished things could be different, that he wasn't restricted by pretending to only 'tolerate' Jamie's presence in public, and even moreso that Severus could one day bridge the rift between himself and Jamie's friends...one in particular.

Ever since his days at Hogwarts he had loved Remus Lupin, even when he'd found out from Jamie what Lupin was it hadn't dampened that love. However by that point the rifts between the 'Marauders', specifically Sirius Black, and Severus were too great, and he knew that he would never have the chance to express his true feelings to the wolf. Lupin was bedding Black anyway far as he knew, though he was sure it wasn't love they shared since by graduation Black had earned the reputation of bedding down close to half of Hogwarts males and females, though Severus suspected most of that was nothing more than rumour, though he wouldn't put it past the Gryffindor playboy.

Today however none of that mattered as Severus stood looking at the Manor house, because right now he felt happier then he'd had in while, despite the fact danger was now lurking round the corner waiting to pounce. He had a 'family' here in this Hollow, and a 'nephew' who adored him and whom he couldn't help but to adore back. He would do anything to make Harry's life happy and free him of the tortured life that his father had been leading. It tore at Severus how badly his friend had to suffer like he did, and if he could do anything to help make that pain less for Harry, he would.

'Oi, Sev! You gonna stand there all day mate or come up and join us?' a voice called out now breaking into his thoughts.

He saw Jamie standing at the kitchen door, a spatula in being waved at him one of his hands, and to Severus's amusement, Jamie was also wearing a red and white checkered apron. Walking up to his friend now he gave him a hug, then said with a twinkle in his eyes, 'She got you horsewhipped into wearing the skirt in the family now eh, mate?'

Jamie pretended to scowl and looked down at his apron before looking up and rolling his eyes. 'Quiet before I make you wear it you git. Then we'll see who has the last laugh eh?' he chuckled as they walked through the house to the back patio. 'Oi, Lils, you didn't let 'em burn did you?' he called out now as they stepped out onto a stonework patio surrounded by a copse of trees and a large patch of grass.

Lily looked up huffily at that comment until she saw Severus and then she grinned. 'Would teach you not to wander off if I did now, wouldn't it,' she chuckled and winked at Severus, then came over to give him a hug. 'Hey you, glad you could make it.'

Severus snorted and hugged her back, 'As if I had a choice eh? Messr. High-And-Mighty-Gryffindor here told me if I didn't come he'd hex my arse off, which personally I'm rather fond of it,' he said shooting James a mock glare.

Lily and James laughed until a smoke signal shot up from the grill. 'Oh bloody hell, the food's burning!' James said in horror and quickly went over to salvage what he could.

Lily rolled her eyes and led Severus over to a picnic table decked out with some presents and assorted things like plates, cups and such. She poured out some pumpkin juice for herself and Severus, shaking her head she sighed a moment, then turned to watch her husband who was dealing with the almost burnt food. 'His mind's just not on things lately.'

'Can you blame him, Lils? He's got enough on his fucking plate for twenty men, let alone one. He's playing a damned dangerous game, Lily, you know that,' Severus said.

Lily nodded sadly and turned to Severus, a weary look on her face. 'What can I do though, Sev? I'm only his wife, doesn't count for much in these days. I may run this house and take care of Harry, but that's as far as it goes, I have no more say in anything else any more than my mum did before me. What good is having all the jewellery, money, clothes, and the rest of the damned material things he got when he became a Death Eater, if all it's doing is bringing us unhappiness?' she asked angrily.

'That's the whole point though, Lils, he knows that now. He knows it's all pointless, and he wants a better future for you and Harry. He'll do anything to get it, even if means cheating, lying, stealing, or even killing for it,' Severus said quietly.

'Even if that also means dying in order to get it?' Lily said with a hitch in her voice.

Severus nodded slowly. 'Jamie told me once that death would be far more preferable than living like this, Lily. He's too noble to admit it, but he's just as scared as you and I are. I fear every time I come here now that one day I'll see the Morsmordre over the house. I don't like what he's doing anymore than you do, but I'm no fool to stop him either. He's a fucking arse 'Gryffindor', and nothing we can say nor do will stop him from being one.'

Lily chuckled at that and nodded, her gaze turning back to her husband who was fighting a losing battle with the grill. 'I know, Sev, I know. I just wish...well...one day maybe Harry will carry on and do what we can't...and be free from all this.'

'I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that happens, Lils. Where is the tyke by the by? Haven't seen him yet, though I thought I heard him earlier right after I Apparated in,' he asked curiously.

'Had to send him off for a quick bath. Apparently he decided to turn his sandbox into a mudbox right before you got here. I swear I don't know what gets into that boy sometimes,' Lily said with a shake of her head.

'He's already doing transfiguration?' Severus asked in surprise.

Lily frowned and nodded, letting out a small sigh of exasperation. 'Amongst other things. He doesn't even have a fucking wand yet, Sev, and he's already doing magic like that. I just don't know what we'll do with him when he gets older and does get a wand, Godric help us then. What worries me now is if 'he' finds out what Harry can do, 'he' won't want him dead...oh no not 'him'...'he' will just want him for his own evil purposes,' she said with a shudder.

'Don't you worry, Lils, that'll never happen as long as I'm alive, I promise. Still though, hasn't the Ministry picked up anything? They can always tell when underage magic is being used, though they're fucking useless prats most times, they're usually right on par with tagging underagers,' Severus scowled.

'Oh yeah, they've noticed, believe me they have. They sent a team round just a few weeks ago even, right before we went into 'hiding'. Jamie took care of it though when they got here, and they went off with their pockets a lot fuller than when they arrived. Amazing what an old blood-line and a few thousand Galleons'll get you isn't it,' she said bitterly.

'Now, Lils, Jamie's only doing it to protect you and Harry, you know that. Don't worry you're pretty little head about it, it'll all work out,' Severus said with a smile now and wrapped his arm round Lily's shoulder. 'Now...if I remember correctly here, Jamie said something to me yesterday about there being something a hell of a lot stronger then pumpkin juice floating round in the house. Care to show me where that might be?'

Lily laughed and nodded, then turned back towards her husband. 'Oi, Jamie! I'm taking Sev inside to look at those bottles you picked up a few weeks ago. Which ones should I give him?' she called out.

'Whatever he fucking well wants! For the love of Godric, don't bother me with such trivial things right now woman, can't you see this damned grill hates me!' he yelled back. 'Oi, give that back you piece of shite!' he screamed at the grill now, causing Lily to only roll her eyes and chuckle as she watched the grill now shut on Jamie's hand purposefully, causing him to yell out a whole new string of oaths.

'I told him not to buy a wizarding grill but would he listen...nooo...insisted on the bloody thing he did,' she chuckled. Wizarding grills were picky things, and would attack anyone who was mistreating them and would burn the food or attack the cook like it was doing now to Jamie. Obviously Jamie had not learned yet how to control the thing, it took skill to use a Wizarding grill, and right now James Potter's skill level was sorely lacking.

As the two of them got into the house Lily led Severus over to a low deep brown wooden bar and opened one of the side doors, and at least twenty bottles of Muggle liquors slid forth on a crystal tray. Severus picked out a few bottles, including some gin and vodka, and closed the door in triumph. How Jamie had gotten hold of this stuff he didn't know, but Severus knew this was the good stuff, not just bathtub swill. Just as they were leaving though a voice from behind called out, 'Unkie Sevahrus, Unkie Sevahrus, yows hewre!'

Severus quickly handed the bottles to Lily who took them outside, and seconds later a very tiny and still half wet Harry flung himself into his 'uncle's' arms. Severus picked him up and swung him round a moment, then chuckled as Harry gave him a huge hug, and a sloppy wet kiss on the cheek before he put the lad down. 'Hey kiddo! Was wondering what was taking so long,' he said happily.

Harry took his 'uncle's' hand and they started to head outside. 'Kibby makes me scrwub rweal goods so's I can pway again. He didn' liwke the muwd,' Harry said dejectedly.

Severus smiled at that. 'House-elves usually don't like to be that dirty, Harry boy. You're ma says you made a mudbox earlier hmm?'

Harry nodded sheepishly, though his green eyes twinkled in mirth. 'It was fwun, Unkie Sevahrus! Sand's bowring, muwd is so muwch funner!'

'Not sure you're ma agrees with that, though personally I certainly do,' Severus said ruffling the boy's hair, which even wet it stuck up in all directions just like his da's did. 'Come on, let's see if your da is done fighting the grill yet shall we? Hopefully we'll eat before the sun sets.'

Harry giggled and nodded, and then giggled again as they came out onto the patio and saw the grill spitting the food back out at Jamie. 'Guewss the gwrill no liwke da muwch huh, Unkie Sevahrus?'

Severus nodded, then dropped Harry off with his mum and went over to help Jamie salvage the meal. Thankfully Severus knew how to handle the wayward grill, and with some coaxing and a promise to it that Jamie wouldn't touch it again for the day, the grill stopped fighting and gave up the food. Not more than a few minutes later they were all sitting down to a lovely afternoon lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, cole slaw, crisps and some other assorted things. Finally it was time for the gifts and Harry couldn't have been happier.

From his da he got a new toy broomstick, which he spent at least five minutes playing with before moving on to the next gift. His old one had been broken a week before when 'Padfoot' accidentally sat on it somehow, snapping it half like a twig. From his mum he got the more 'practical' gifts, some new Holyhead Harpies (one of the only two pure Welsh Quidditch teams and Jamie's favourite team) pyjamas with golden snitches on it, some socks and y-fronts, and new outfit that he would wear for tomorrow's outing.

Severus's gift however Harry fell in love with the moment he opened up the box. Harry squealed in delight and kept saying, 'A dwagon! Unkie Sevahrus gots me a dwagon! Loowk da, mama, it even moves!' he kept saying in awe as the small dragon came up and snuggled against the lad's hands.

The dragon was just perfect for cuddling, black as ebony and made by pure magic, so it was softer than anything Muggle's could ever make. He'd seen it in the window of the Hogsmeade Toy Shoppe whilst he was still back at school teaching, and knew it would be perfect for his 'nephew'. It was designed to move round on it's own, though thankfully it didn't breath fire, though the poor thing was trying to apparently. It had black eyes that looked up lovingly at Harry, and Harry couldn't help but to love it back. He then picked it up and nestled it firmly into the crook of his arm, petting it and whispering to it happily.

'Thwank yous, Unkie Sevahrus. He's the bewstest!' Harry said giving his 'uncle' another hug and a really sloppy kiss again.

Severus laughed. 'You're welcome, Harry boy. I think he really likes you too.'

'What are you going to call him, squirt?' Jamie said smiling and ruffling his son's hair.

Harry thought on that a moment before answering. Holding the tiny dragon that was nestled against him in his arm he said, 'I thwink I'll cawlls him awfter my fwiend, is thawt okays?' he asked looking up at his 'uncle'.

'Sure, Harry, but who's you're friend?' Severus asked curiously. As far as he knew Harry didn't know any other kids his age, Jamie and Lily had kept him totally isolated in that respect for many reasons. Looking up for a moment he happened to see a strange look in Jamie and Lily's eyes, and then an even stranger look pass between them before they looked back at Severus, shaking their heads silently as if warning him of something.

Harry distracted him again as the boy looked over at something a moment then back at his 'uncle', saying, 'Well...he's nowt rwelly my fwiend yet...but he will be one day, Unkie Sevahrus. He towld me he would be an' I bewlieves him. His name's...Dwaco. He sawys it means dwagon too, sos I thwinks it's a perwfect name fowr my dwagon, don' you?' Harry asked quietly, then before Severus could reply he dashed off towards his toddler swing set, his new dragon friend still nestled firmly in his arm.

Severus watched him a moment puzzled, then turned back to Jamie and Lily. 'What the hell did he mean by that?' he asked.

Jamie and Lily passed another look between them and then sighed, gazing after their son. 'He sees things sometimes, Sev, things we don't. At first we thought he had some of those 'imaginary' playmates that Muggle kids have sometimes, but it wasn't that. Then we thought he was talking to a...a spirit or something. He's no Necromancer though, I made sure of that,' Lily said firmly and shuddered at the very thought of such a thing.

'Well that's a relief,' Severus said letting out a small breath. Necromancers were not treated well, worse than werewolves or vampires even. They were simply just exterminated whenever possible, for no other reason than it was 'better off' not to have such beings running round creating trouble and bringing the dead back to life. 'So what is it he's seeing then?'

Jamie looked at Severus carefully, then back at his son, a sad look in his eyes. 'We're not 100% sure but..we think he's seeing the 'future', Sev, best as we can figure anyway. It's not just 'divination' either, it's something more, like he can interact with it, people from it or something, but from the way he talks sometimes when he thinks we're not listening...he says things we can't understand. What we do know is that there's only one person with the name he mentioned that we've ever heard of, and we've never had any reason to say that person's name, nor have we...or anyone else for that matter...ever said it in his presence.'

'You mean...Lucius Malfoy's kid?' Severus asked in surprise.

Jamie nodded and turned back to Severus. 'That's the one. Whatever Harry's able to 'see'...whoever it is that's showing him the 'future' or whatever...I'll bet my cloak that the Malfoy kid is a part of it. There's more as well, Lily and I heard Harry talking to this 'Draco' recently about umm...things...and well...not that it's not good for you but...well it's not exactly what I hoped for Harry...but...guess that's the way it will be one day...' he said with a sigh.

'Stop talking in damned riddles, Jamie. What is it you're trying to say?' Severus said sharply.

'What Jamie's saying, Sev, is that Harry is most likely...going to end up like up you, rather, liking the same preferences you do, if you know what I mean. Not that we're against it, if that's the way it is, that's the way it is. I just hope that whatever the future does hold for him...that he'll be happy with his choices,' Lily said quietly.

Severus didn't know how to respond to that, he was too stunned to think really, and turned to watch Harry on the toddler set for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. Harry was apparently talking to someone, not the dragon either because he was holding it out as if he was showing it off to a person none of the adults could see. Then Harry dashed off with a giggle, pretending that his dragon was flying, and then Severus distinctly heard the words, 'Come on, Dwaco, let's pway!'

As Severus watched Harry move near a copse of trees and look back at him, Severus got a strange feeling worm it's way through him. The more Harry was now staring at him, the more Severus began to see things. Before he knew it an image appeared next to Harry, and Severus watched as Harry clasped hands with the image, making the ghostly image more visible so that Severus could get a better look at what he had a funny feeling only he was seeing.

Standing next to Harry was a ghost-like silver haired boy with grey eyes, a boy not Harry's age but older. From the looks of it Severus guessed the boy was perhaps seventeen years of age, and he had a smile on his face, love clearly showing in his eyes for the young boy who was clasping his dragon tightly and beaming with happiness. The silver haired boy looked up for a moment then, as if he could sense he was being watched, and smiled at Severus as well, giving him a little nod as if assuring him everything was going to be all right.

Severus watched as the silver haired boy then bent down and whispered into Harry's ear for a few minutes, and Harry turned back to look at his 'uncle', a very serious expression on his face. Then the silver haired boy was gone, and Harry was now coming over to the table, a curious yet determined look on his face. Standing next to his 'uncle' he pulled on the sleeve of his robe, indicating he had something to tell him and him alone. Severus then leaned down and whispered to him, 'What is it, Harry?'

'Dwaco says to tewlls yous nowt to wowwry sos muwch, tha' evewrytwing wills be all riwght now,' Harry whispered back.

'I don't understand. What do you mean?' Severus asked puzzled.

'Dwaco says you needs to mawke us remem'ers...in the fwuture. He says Moony in twouble, evil man haws him. Yous hawve to fwinds him at the biwg cweepy howse on the hill. Then Moony mawkes us remem'ers, an' the evil gows 'way.'

'Harry, why does your friend say this? What's going to happen?' Severus asked worriedly.

Harry looked at Severus with a strange far off look in his eyes, his emerald eyes swirling rapidly as if he was seeing things again that Severus could only imagine. 'Mama an' da gows 'way soon, but I won' cwry, I pwomised I wouldn'. Dwaco will go 'way too for awhile, so's I'll be sad, but he'll come bawck he says. Juwst liwke you will Unkie Sevahrus.'

'Oh, Harry boy...I'll always come back for you. You're my family...I'm your 'Unkie' right?' Severus said sadly, a feeling that something dreadful was going to happen flooding through him.

Harry smiled and nodded, hugging his 'uncle' closely. 'I lovwes you Unkie Sevahrus. Yous mawkes Moony happy soon, he lovwes yous too,' Harry whispered with a giggle.

Severus started at that, no one but himself knew how much he loved Lupin, but now he was hearing that Lupin may love him as well? Could Harry really be seeing the 'future' then? Could Lupin really be his one day? He made a vow to himself then and there that he would keep a close eye on what happens to Remus Lupin from now on, and when the time would be right...he would make his move. If Harry's 'prediction' was on par, some things in the future at least were not so bleak. 'Thank you, Harry, for telling me that. Just don't tell anyone else, all right kiddo?'

Harry nodded and giggled again, putting his finger to his lips. 'I won'! Paddy get mad at me anyways if I do tells,' he said conspiratorially, gazing deep into his 'uncles' eyes for a moment as if he was seeing way down into Severus's soul, and then something odd began to happen.

The backyard began to shift round him, and Severus felt like he was being pulled into a different place, a different time even. Looking round a moment he wondered what could be happening, the colours and shapes round him were hazy, all grey, fuzzy, and dreamlike. Jamie and Lily were gone now, and he now smelled not the scent of outdoors, but of medical supplies, and he realised he was in another place. He was standing in the infirmary at Hogwarts he recognised it now, though he couldn't imagine what he was doing there or how he'd gotten there. Suddenly he felt another tug at his robe sleeve, and he looked back down, only it wasn't 'Harry' he seeing...yet it was.

It wasn't a child Harry he was seeing, but a grown-up one, round seventeen years of age, who was lying in front of him in a hospital bed. He looked so much like Jamie that at first he thought it was the teenage James he was seeing. Except this 'James' had emerald eyes and a scar on his forehead, one that was burned into him, a curse scar, and it was bleeding. Severus knew then he wasn't seeing 'James', but Harry, an older, harsher Harry, one that had seen too much of life for such a young age.

The boy in the bed was unmoving which worried him, and when he looked round now for help he gasped in surprise. There was another boy there, the same boy he'd just seen at the copse, but this boy was crying now, clearly upset at what was going on in front of him. There was one other person there as well as, a man in a hospital gown, and with a sense of de ja vú he realised he was looking at none other then...himself, though a much older, more wearied self. A sound behind him made him turn round quickly, and he was confronted now with another image. The same 'Harry' that was lying there on the bed with an unblinking gaze, was now a ghost-like image in front of him, and Severus noticed a strange silvery strand connecting this ghostly Harry with the Harry on the bed. 'What's going on?' he asked torn between fear and anger..

Harry looked at him intently, his green gaze boring right though him into his soul making Severus fidget uncomfortably. 'I can't explain this all to you right now, it would take too much energy that I don't have control over yet. You won't remember any of this anyway until the time is right, Uncle Severus, and when it is that time...it'll all make sense. Until then things must happen as they are meant to, even I cannot change them now. When you do remember though, tell Draco I'm sorry for scaring him like this, and that I love him. Also, you must not let anyone wake me up by magic or Muggle means, it's too dangerous they tell me, it could sever the life-cord and if that happens...well, let's just hope it doesn't.'

'Why? Who's telling you this?' Severus asked confused.

'When you find Moony, he can tell you part of it, all you have to know right now is that they will let me wake when I'm ready, when my training here is finished. I won't be gone much longer though, I promise. Please tell Padfoot and Wormtail I love them too, they need to know that. One more thing before I go...tell Moony that he must send Draco 'back'...tell him to seek out the answers in the dreamworld...he'll understand...I love you, Uncle Severus...never forget that...' Harry said softly, then like a chalk picture being erased by the rain he faded away, and Severus was left in darkness a moment before returning to the normal looking backyard. Here could here voices now, though he couldn't yet tell what they were saying.

'Sev? Severus? You all right mate?' Jamie asked worriedly at seeing the blank look on his friend's face.

Severus blinked a moment and shook his head, clearing away some nagging feeling something important had just been told to him, but he couldn't remember what it was. Nodding his head at Jamie he glanced back at Harry, who was still trying to get his little dragon to fly. 'Yeah, Jamie, everything's all right,' he said, though not thoroughly convinced of that himself. Turning back to Jamie he said now with a grin, 'So, what about that Muggle liquor eh? Would go good with some pudding wouldn't it?'

Lily huffed and rolled her eyes, swatting Severus on the shoulder. 'Bah, he's fine. Cake time then eh?' she said with a smile then turned to call her son. 'Harry! Come on little one, pudding time! You want your birthday cake don't you?'

'Yeah, your ma slaved over a hot cooker all day for that thing, come on squirt!' Jamie called out with a grin as a jubilant Harry came toddling up at the prospects of his cake.

'Chokie cawke, da?' Harry said climbing into his 'uncle's' lap, holding dearly onto his dragon.

Jamie laughed and winked at him. 'Don't know, squirt, you'll just have to find out now won't you!'

Severus smiled, once again the feeling of warmth spreading through him at having a 'family' just like he always wished he'd had growing up. This was what the word 'family' meant, the happiness, gaiety, laughing and good times together. All thoughts of Voldemort and the looming threats disappeared for a while as they enjoyed the rest of the afternoon together, as a 'family'. Severus didn't remember anything odd had happened to him that day, however, there was a sudden desire after that to keep track of one Remus Lupin in his mind, for which he did just that.

When the time came he did make his move, taking the object of his desire to bed, and permanently into his heart. He never did remember why he was so sure he would succeed one day, but he was grateful to whatever it was that had given him the urge and the hope to watch and wait. Thanks to careful planning, prepared potions, and a large payoff to Lucius, Remus Lupin was his now, and no one would ever take him away again. The only regret he had was that he hadn't been able to save his family, if he had his life truly would have been complete, but that would never happen now.

It would be three months after that wonderful day at the Hollow when they had celebrated Harry's birthday before he would get the chance to see his family again, even though he had promised his 'nephew' he'd be back. The next morning Voldemort had found out about Jamie's 'theft' of the item in question, of his betrayal, and after that it was three long months of lying and fighting off Voldemort's anger at losing the heir of Gryffindor to his ranks.

By the time Severus could go back to the Hollow and see his family it would be too late. James and Lily were dead, and all he could do was watch Albus and Minerva take Harry away, leaving him behind with far too many questions. Voldemort was gone, but Lucius would rise in his place, corrupting the ones left behind of the group once known as 'The Marauders', turning them into his pawns and playthings. It would be sixteen long years later before he would remember that he'd had so many questions about his nephew the night James and Lily died, and he knew now without a shadow of a doubt, that he would finally get those questions answered. He just hoped that they would find Remus in time...

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September 20, 2002 8:36 PM ©Piriotessa/Piri Lupin-Snape/Piri Malfoy