They stood frozen for several minutes, re-reading the letter and hoping they had misread something.

"Harry is going with the mutt and the wolf," Alyssa said, her voice low and hoarse.

"Yes, it appears so," Severus said, re-reading the letter for the tenth time, unwilling to believe what was in front of him. "What should we do?"

"Whatever is best for Harry," Alyssa said, sinking into one of the chairs by the fire.

"Even if we do prevent the Dark Lord's return," Severus said dispiritedly as he caught onto his sister's train of thought, "We're still known as Death Eaters."

Alyssa nodded, her face void of all emotion. "Even if everyone knew we were spies, which only Order members know, we would still be treated like filth."

"Harry shouldn't have to suffer that," Severus said, his voice as dead as his sister's face.

Abruptly both moved, needing to do something, anything, to keep them from thinking.

"I'll begin brewing the potion," Severus said, striding towards the lab as his sister moved toward the kitchen.

"I'll start dinner."

Neither wanted to feel upset about Harry leaving, but they couldn't help it. They hadn't expected to care about him, especially seeing as he had only been with them for a short while, but they gotten attached to him regardless. Alyssa shut her eyes against the tears that threatened to fall. She couldn't cry, not yet. Down in the lab, Severus was fighting a similar battle. He had lost Lily because of a stupid mistake, and now he was going to lose Harry.


He put the potion under a stasis spell when it was time for dinner, washing his hands before leaving his lab. He saw Harry playing with his blocks on the living room floor, near enough to the door leading to the kitchen so he could babble to Alyssa while she cooked. He heard Alyssa call to Harry, telling him to put his blocks away because it was time for dinner. Harry obediently began to pack away his toys, smiling at Severus as he noticed him. Severus smiled back, but it didn't reach his eyes. Harry toddled over and grabbed his hand, trying to pull Severus towards the kitchen. Severus let himself be led, wondering what the child was so excited about.

"Showing Sev how you set the table?" Alyssa asked as she put dinner on the table.

Harry's plate was already waiting for him, food cut up and charmed cool enough that it wouldn't burn him.

"Did you really set the table?" Severus asked in a tone of (slightly exaggerated) surprise.

It's odd how we've already become so used to Harry being here, Alyssa thought as she observed the reaction between her brother and Harry.

"Yes," said Harry happily, "Wif Aunt Lyssa."

"Maybe the two of you could set the table for breakfast tomorrow. It would make a great picture," Alyssa said as Severus put Harry into his highchair and sat down.

"I'm sure we could do that, minus the picture of course," Severus said lightly as they started eating.

"There's still one exposure left before we develop the film," Alyssa said calmly.

Both were purposefully speaking of anything but the following day, but the letter was constantly in their thoughts.


After dinner was over and Harry was once again playing with his blocks (assisted by Hissy of course), neither Snape was able to deny that they would miss Harry when he left tomorrow. After Harry went to bed, the Snape's worked on the Wolfsbane potion, as much as they could anyway. It needed to sit for three days before the final ingredients could be added, and would be ready in time for Remus to take during the full moon. That wolf will not be going anywhere near Harry until he downs the entire goblet, Severus thought grimly. He knew all too well what werewolves were capable of, thanks to Black.

It was midnight before they retired to their rooms. Severus sat in his armchair with his favorite book. He stared at the pages, but none of the words sunk in. He kept going over the letter, as well as berating himself for ever believing that Dumbledore trusted him enough to look after the boy. Alyssa lay down to sleep, but ended up tossing and turning, thinking of the letter. She finally gave up attempting to sleep as she shifted to her animangus form, slithering outside and curling up on the front step, watching the stars. She went back inside as the sun rose, noting that her brother was up as she passed his room. He probably didn't sleep any better than I did.


While Severus was bathing and dressing Harry for the day, Alyssa packed Harry's clothes and toys, leaving Hissy out because she knew he never went anywhere without it. She also undid the enchantments on the crib and changing table, reverting them back to their former state. As she carried Harry's belongings downstairs, she couldn't help but feel saddened that he was leaving, even though she tried to ignore the feeling. She would never see him again, except at Hogwarts when he was old enough; he would never call her "Aunt Lyssa" again.


As Severus got Harry ready for the day, he tried to ignore the ache in his heart as he thought that Harry was leaving. He would never see him again, at least until he was old enough to go to Hogwarts. Ten years! By then, all thoughts of "Uncle Sev" would be forgotten, or soured by tales of "Snivellus".


Severus and Harry entered the kitchen while Alyssa was making breakfast. Harry helped Severus set the table while babbling a strange mixture of parsletongue and English that was still 90% gibberish in either language. Alyssa managed to get her picture and she sent the camera to her room, so she could develop the pictures later. Neither Snape was hungry, so they sipped their tea while Harry ate.

As Severus was cleaning Harry up, there was a knock at the front door. Flicking her wand to send the clean dishes back to the cupboard, Alyssa went to answer the door. Standing on the other side was none other than Sirius Black.

"Well if it isn't the vamp," Sirius jeered as he walked through the door.

"What do you want Black?" Alyssa sneered as she closed the door behind him. "Don't you have cars to chase?"

"I'm here to rescue my godson from you slimy snakes," Sirius growled, "Dumbledore should have never placed him with you."

Before Alyssa could reply, Severus and Harry appeared in the doorway.

"Lyssa what's …" Severus trailed off as he saw Sirius. "Oh, it's you," he sneered in disgust.

"Oh Snivellus, don't say you're not happy to see me?" Sirius mocked.

Harry looked confusedly between the three adults. He could tell that something was wrong, but he was unsure what it was. He moved closer to Severus, who gently carded his fingers through Harry's hair.

"OI!" Sirius yelled, startling the others, "Get your filthy hands off my godson!"

Harry cowered back, frightened by the sudden loud voice and the anger on Sirius's face. Alyssa picked Harry up, murmuring soothing words while Severus gently rubbed his back.

"Scary," said Harry, his voice slightly muffled by Alyssa's hair.

"I said let go of him!" Sirius demanded again. Why was Harry being comforted by Snivellus and the vamp, he wondered, that's my job.

Sirius moved forwards, taking Harry (not very gently) from Alyssa's arms, causing Hissy to fall to the floor.

"Hissy," Harry said, trying to get down to get his toy and get away from this strange man. Padfoot didn't act like this, did he?

Sirius held Harry tighter, preventing him from moving. "You don't want that mangy old snake Harry," Sirius said as he turned towards the door. "We'll get you a lion when we get home."

Harry ignored Sirius, becoming increasingly frantic in his attempts to reach his friend and protectors.

As Sirius went to open the door, he kicked Harry's box of belongings. He looked at the clothes and blocks scattered on the floor. Is it possible that they were actually trying to take care of Harry? Nah, they were probably just doing it to spite James. Sirius drew his wand as Severus moved forward. Both Snapes froze. They knew that they could beat Black in a duel, but in the process they would hurt Harry.

"I just wanted to give Harry Hissy back," Severus said evenly as he picked up the discarded toy.

"He doesn't need it Snivellus. He's already got toys from people who aren't Death Eaters."

Both Snapes flinched back, and Sirius used their momentary distraction to step out the door and disapparate with Harry.


A/N: There is drama ahead, as Sirius gets what's coming to him. Will Remus finally stand up to his best friend?