Disclaimer : I don't own the characters or else I'd be enjoying myself ona beach, no slogging on my computer..
A big thanks to Nebulasaunha for beta'ing this for me. Also thanks to my reviewers SnapesYukuai and Anna and to all those who added the story to favs or alerts
02 Severus - Visit From Remus
"Severus, I need your help," Remus said as soon as he stepped out of the fireplace.
"What for? Full moon's still more than a fortnight away"
"No it's not about me, it's about Harry"
"What has he done now?" Please let him be fine.
"Severus, will you stop acting like that now? Listen, in front of me, you don't have to act like you hate him. I know the truth" No you don't. No one will ever know the truth.
"Remus, I don't want the boy to die does not mean I don't hate him. And that is the truth"
"Lily told me what had happened that night at Hog's Head. I know he's your son"
I couldn't believe my ears. Lily? She was the one who'd wanted this to be a secret, she thought it was a mistake she'd made in her state of drunkenness. I still remember when I had seen her there, drinking on and on. Her eyes were red from crying but still she looked as beautiful as ever. As soon as I went over to her, I knew I'd made a mistake. She'd been too drunk and took me to be Potter coming with an apology. We spent that night at a room in Hog's Head. The next morning, I left before her leaving a simple note.
'Morning Lily. I wanted to let you know that last night it was I, Sev, who was with you not Potter. You tried to get me here and I couldn't resist. I know you trusted me and now I've proved myself unworthy of it. I'm sorry Lils, I really am'
We didn't talk after that for nearly a week. I'd smiled at her when I saw her but she'd just walk away. Then one day she came to me and told me she was pregnant with my child. I don't know how she found out who the father was but she said she was sure.
'This can't happen Sev! What if someone found out, what if James found out? He'd - Oh Sev, I'm going to abort'
'But Lils, it's our child, you can't kill it. You can't!'
'Easy for you to say. You aren't the one who's engaged. He'll have your features, everyone will know Sev'
'No, that won't happen. Tell Potter it's his child. If he stays with you, takes care of you, his magic will affect the womb, it'll look like him, not me. But please Lily, don't kill it. Please don't'
By the time the child was born, I was in too deep with the Dark Lord. I never heard from her again. The next I heard about Lily's son was when everyone else did, when the Dark Lord's curse backfired from the little boy. That event caused me to go to Albus and turn myself over. I never told him about my son, I just confessed I'd loved Lily. Here is where it brought me, pretences of hating my son, being friends with one of the marauders, working as a spy.
"Yes, she did. She was upset after what happened, every time James held her, she felt guilty. I sensed the scent of her fear of discovery, thanks to my werewolf instincts. So, I coaxed her into telling me." My face must have shown my inhibitions as he added -"It's only two of us now that know it."
"I -"
"Don't say anything. It wasn't your fault."
"Is he fine?"
"Yes, more than that. The Weasley's had said he could come to live at the headquarters for his birthday. The Order was supposed to pick him up today. But after this week's events - "
Albus' death had weakened the wards. Also, every member of the Order had become the secret keeper. I had feared the Dark Lord would ask me to take him there so we'd vacated the place a fortnight ago. However at the meeting with the Dark Lord, I had found out that he already had access to the headquarters, thanks to some member's inability to resist Imperius. Harry had not been told about this yet.
"I thought he'd be staying with the Weasley's"
"He could but your wards are much stronger Severus. Moreover you can provide him blood protection too"
"Everyone has consented to it?"
"They don't know it yet. I said I'll go get him but they all think I'll bring him to the Burrow. Only Dora, Alastor and Minerva know this and they agree with me."
"Even without knowing a thing about the blood protection"
"Even without that. Don't think too much Severus. Say yes, we have to go there by six today"
"But what about Draco? They both can't stand each other. How will I explain to Draco why Harry is placed here with us? And even if he understands about the wards, it doesn't mean they'll get along." My thoughts wandered to my godson who'd been staying with me since a few days after the Hogwarts attack. The Dark Lord had punished him dearly; it had been hard to help him escape. But now no one but me and a few Order members knew he was here. The Dark Lord didn't care to come to my house, it being set in a muggle area so this was probably the last place he, or Harry could be found by the Dark Lord by accident. As for intentional search, the snake trusted me too much for that.
"I know you can manage them both"
"I am no good father Remus"
"You've been a great godfather to Draco and I'm sure you'll be and equally good father."
"Fine. We meet him at his relatives' house?"
"Yes"
"Care for some tea, meanwhile?"
"Tea would be good"
After tea, Remus went to rest for a while and I went to explain things to Draco.
"Am I in place to make any negotiations?" he asked when I'd told him about the arrangements.
"I don't think so. Draco, I know you've hated each other for six years but don't you think it's time to end the childish feuds. Try to be civil. Maybe you'll find something good in him, see me and Remus, we're great when we work together, and we have perfect co-ordination while dueling because we know each of the other's tactics thanks to our previous animosity. Maybe you two will find something similar"
"I'll try but I'm not making any promises. If he crosses the line, I'll not -"
"I understand and that's all I'm asking" I hadn't known it'd be this easy but then Draco was a different person now. He was more mature than most boys his age, all because of the time he spent being punished by the Dark Lord. I just hoped Harry had matured a bit too, though if Potter's magic had affected his mind as much as his looks, I doubt it would have happened.
At six'o'clock, I was standing at the Dursley's door while Remus stood in the driveway trying to figure out if it'd better to have Harry fly with him to my place. When the door opened, I saw him standing in front of me. His eyes, Lily's green eyes, lit up with anger. The green was more prominent than ever. His well-toned body was discernible even from above his clothes. When had my son changed so much?
"You bastard! How dare you show your face here? You killed him! You- " His voice too was deeper and huskier. But I needed to keep a check on my emotions.
"Potter, that's enough. You are supposed to be leaving and I'm here to pick you up. Now if you will, then let me know where your luggage is so that we can leave at once" He looked behind me, probably trying to sense any danger.
"It's in the first room up the stairs, two trunks, a broom and an owl cage" The bitterness was clear in his voice but at least he wasn't shouting.
After I had levitated my luggage down to the hall, Remus came up to us.
"Severus, the skies are clear, it'd be the best to apparate. Harry, I know it's a shock for you to see Severus here. For now, all I can say is that he's here because we're going to his place instead of number 12. I'll explain everything but for now let's leave"
Harry paused for a moment, still unsure.
"Fine. Let's go then"
We both took one of his hands and apparated him to my house.
"So here we are, Spinner's End. Severus' place. Harry why don't you go get fresh, come we'll show you your room"
"No. First I want to know what's going on. Why am I here? Why are you calling him Severus? Why isn't he in Azkaban or something? And -"
"Relax Harry. Ok, we'll answer you first then you can have rest."
Actually Remus, cut out that we. You are explaining it to him; I'm not taking any part in the Golden Boy's lift from ignorance"
Remus sighed but said nothing as I went into the kitchen. I used the time to organize my thoughts while I prepared the evening tea. It was easy to act in school, when he only saw me during classes. But staying with him for two months? I wondered if I'd be able to keep up my façade. I hoped so.
I set the tray on the table.
"Four cups?" Trust him to state the obvious.
"Oh yes, you think I'd consent to spend the more than a month with you alone?"
"But why can't I live with the Weasley's or - "
"Potter, I am not interested in babysitting you but this is the best for your safety" With that I left the hall to call Draco and to practice hiding away my emotions. These two months were going to be the hardest time of my life.
