Disclaimer: All previous disclaimers apply.

A/N: Okay the poll is now closed and the Ayes have it so Lily will return. Alethea27

Chapter 7

"Yes, Harry and Sev; it's really me," Lily answered with a smile.

"Mum, you don't look like a ghost. I can't see through you like I can the ghosts at Hogwarts."

"That's because this is the one night when the Veil's the thinnest so it takes less energy to come through it," Lily explained.

Severus watched as Lily floated over to Harry and engulfed him in a ghostly embrace. "You've taken such good care of Harry, Sev. I've been watching you since you've had Harry."

"Dad's great, Mum. He adopted me and he makes sure I eat enough and get enough sleep and he helps me with my homework when I need help."

"Which is not very often," Severus said smiling.

"But most importantly dad loves me. I was just a waste of space to Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon and Dudley."

Lily's expression darkened for a moment. "I never meant you to go to my wretched sister and her family. You were supposed to go to Sev or Alice."

"Lily, why are you here tonight?" Severus asked. "I have been here for the last nine years and you have never appeared before."

"I know you have, Sev," Lily replied. "And I've enjoyed every one of your visits, but I came tonight because I've been offered a chance to return."

"Mum, are you going to do it?" Harry asked. "You could live with Dad and me in our quarters at Hogwarts."

"Hold on, Harry," Severus cautioned. "Your mum would not be allowed to live in our quarters, but I am sure Professor McGonagall will be able to find her other quarters within the castle."

"Is my father coming back too?" Harry asked. He hoped not. He didn't want to have to deal with both him and Sirius.

"I don't know, Harry if he was offered a chance to return."

"When will you come back, Mum?"

"I can only return at the hour of my death which was at midnight ten years ago."

"Will we need to return here or to the house here?" Severus asked while making a mental list of all the things he would need to bring.

"Neither. I will be able to come to your quarters at Hogwarts, but for now I've got to leave to prepare for my return."

"We will be waiting for you, Lily," Severus assured her.

"Bye, Mum," Harry called. "I love you!"

"I love you too, Harry," Lily's fading voice called back.

Before Severus apparated them back to Hogwarts he knelt in front of Harry and said, "Harry, we need to keep this just between ourselves for now. I'd rather not have Professor Dumbledore find out."

"Because he'll try and use mum like he does me. I won't tell anybody," Harry promised. "But I can't wait for midnight!"

"I think if he attempts to use your mum, he'll end up with a boot in his arse," Severus said smiling. He was excited as Harry. He had been given a second chance with Lily and this time he wasn't going to let it slip away as he did the first time.

When they got back from the cemetery Severus immediately went to his lab to get the potions he would need when Lily returned.

"What are you doing, Dad?"

"I need to have the proper potions right at hand when Lily returns."

"What kind of potions?"

"I would imagine returning from the Veil is hard on your magical core so I will need the Elixir of Power and a Strengthening Solution. Those two are always given together. I always keep a few vials of both on hand as does Madam Pomfrey. It is rare that a student needs them, but it has happened on occasion."

"What can I do to help, Dad?"

"In the chest at the end of my bed is a heavy blanket. Can you please get it for me, Harry?"

"Sure!" Harry went into his father's room, opened the chest and took out the blanket. He returned with it to the living room.

"Thank you, Harry," he said placing the blanket over the back of the couch. "Shall we go upstairs for the feast? I expect we have a lot to celebrate tonight. Now remember, eat something nutritious and not just sweets."

Harry grinned and said, "For sure, Dad!"

When they got to the Great Hall Harry joined his friends at the Gryffindor table where they were sitting that day. The first years were excited about their first Halloween feast and the third years were excited about their first trip to Hogsmeade.

Fred and George were talking animatedly about what they'd seen on their first visit and planning what they would do on their next visit. They talked mostly about Zonko's Joke Shop that was obviously their favorite place, but also described Honeydukes in a way that left the first and second years drooling and about the Shrieking Shack that was described as being the most haunted place in Wizarding Britain.

"The Three Broomsticks is worth visiting just for Madam Rosmerta's grilled cheese sandwiches and a flagon of Butterbeer," Percy contributed.

"And Madam Rosmerta isn't hard on the eyes either," Lee Jordan who was best friend to Fred and George, added.

"You're very quiet tonight, Harry," Millie observed.

"Well, dad took me to visit my parent's grave. It's the first time I'd ever been to visit them; my aunt and uncle would never take me."

"I'm sorry. I forgot you lost your parents on this night," she murmured. "My parents are probably wearing black and mourning the death of You-Know-Who."

"Thanks, Millie and it's okay because I don't guess anybody ever told you," Harry said.

"If it's any consolation, Millie; my parents are probably doing the same as yours," Theo said then asked, "What about yours, Draco."

Draco shrugged. "Probably, but I try not to think about it too much."

"Are you coming back to Ravenclaw Tower tonight, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"No. I'm going to stay with dad tonight. He and my mum were best friends and I don't want him to be alone tonight and I don't want to be alone either," Harry replied.

"Aww …is the Git-Who-Lived going to start blubbering over his mummy croaking tonight?" Weasley mocked him.

Vince who was sitting near Ron took a big spoonful of mashed potatoes, pulled the spoon back and let it go, hitting Ron directly in his face and wiping the sneering expression off of it. Greg followed suit with the baked squash.

"Great shot, you guys," Fred complimented and followed with a spoonful of peas while George fired off a spoonful of corn and Lee a spoonful of carrots. Neville shot off a final spoonful of stuffing at Ron. "Now you have a complete meal," he joked.

Ron got up in a rage and stormed out of the Great Hall.

"Hey Weaselby! Aren't you going to wait for dessert too?" Draco yelled after him.

Percy sat eating and chatting with Hermione while pretending not to notice what was going on at the table.

Professor McGonagall also pretended not to notice what was going on at her house table either. Mr. Weasley had been acting like a bully towards Mr. Potter-Snape ever since the first day and she thought a little 'peer pressure' might help him adjust his attitude.

"Mr. Weasley does not seem to be very popular with his housemates tonight, does he?" Severus commented mildly.

The main meal vanished and every kind of sweet imaginable appeared. All the first year's eyes widened noticeably. Every table contained a bowl of lemon drops including the head table.

After the feast was finished and the students dismissed, Harry and Draco walked down to the dungeon together. Harry cast the Muffliato spell that his father had shown him around Draco and him and then said, "I'm sorry, you have to hear bad comments about your parents when you know they aren't what everybody thinks they are."

Draco shrugged. "I'm used to it, Harry. I've been hearing them since I was a little kid, but I know what my dad really is so it doesn't bother me that much."

"I hear dad referred to as the greasy bat of the dungeon all the time and it hurts even though I know what he's really like."

"It does hurt some," Draco admitted. "But of course I have to put on my junior death eater's mask for the likes of Parkinson and Zabini and pretend I'm thrilled."

They split up at Severus quarters; Draco continuing to the entrance to Slytherin House. Harry gave the password to the portrait of Salazar Slytherin and he heard a click and the portrait swung open. Harry stepped inside to find Severus toying with a strange wand he'd never seen before. Seeing Harry's expression, he said, "This wand was your mother's. I went to the house the next day after your parents had been removed. Dumbledore had already sent you to live with your aunt and uncle. I went inside and upstairs to the nursery where Lily had died and I found her wand under your cot. I've kept it ever since intending to give it to you when you started Hogwarts, but with all that happened in the beginning it slipped my mind."

"Well, you can give it back to mum now," Harry said. "Draco said once if a witch or wizard dies and they aren't buried with their wand or left it to somebody, the Ministry destroys it."

"That is true. I believe your father was buried with his, but I think the Ministry just assumed your mum's had been destroyed when the roof caved in."

"Well, I'm glad they didn't destroy mum's wand. What's her wand made of?"

"It's made of willow. It's a feminine wood which harnesses the power of moon and water. It has a Griffin claw core for casting powerful defensive spells, charms or hexes. We got our wands at the same time and I remember what Mr. Ollivander said."

What's your wand, Dad?" Harry asked. "I remember Mr. Ollivander saying something about it when we first came into his shop, but I was so excited about getting my own wand that I didn't pay much attention."

"Mine is ebony which is a powerful wood used for the defense, reversal, and dispelling of dark magic. The core is a serpent's scale which is excellent for somebody who wants to brew potions," Severus smiled reminiscently. "I remember Mr. Ollivander telling me I would do great things in potions and I have."

Harry yawned and Severus noticed. "You can lay down and sleep for a few hours and I will wake you when it is close to midnight," he promised.

"Okay, Dad." Harry went into bedroom and lay down. He doubted he would be able to sleep. All the times in his cupboard when he listened to his aunt and uncle praising Dudley, hugging him and making sure everything was perfect for him; he had often pictured it happening with his own mum and dad. Severus came into check on Harry a half-hour later and found him fast asleep. He got a blanket out of the chest at the bottom of Harry's bed and covered him with it. Even though he was still dressed it got cold in the dungeon at night. He went back to the living room and went back to searching through the books in his bookcases seeing if he could find something about what happens when someone returns from behind the Veil, but found nothing. Probably the only ones who would know for sure were the Unspeakables in the Department of Mysteries and of course, they could not reveal anything. Severus went into his kitchen and passed the time making chicken broth in case Lily needed nourishment upon her return. By the time it was done, it was 11:30 and he went to wake Harry. "Harry?" He called shaking him gently.

Harry woke up as soon as his dad called his name. He felt groggy and was surprised to find he had actually fallen asleep. "What time is it, Dad?"

"It's 11:30," Severus answered.

"Wow! I slept over two hours? I didn't think I'd be able to fall asleep at all."

"You did indeed," his father answered as they walked into the living room. They sat down both watching the clock that seemed to move with agonizing slowness and then just as both hands reached midnight the room suddenly began to shake violently. Severus quickly got up and pulled Harry up with him and put his arms around him to protect him. "What's happening, Dad?" Harry yelled.

"I don't know, Harry," Severus answered holding tightly to Harry.

Just as suddenly as it started the room stopped shaking, but a large vortex appeared whirling madly and casting a light so bright that Severus and Harry couldn't stand to look at it. When the spinning stopped and the light died, Harry saw his mum. She looked at the point of collapsing. Severus moved swiftly and caught her before her body hit the floor. He easily scooped her up and laid her on the couch. "Harry, get me a vial of the Elixir of Power and a vial of Strengthening Solution out of the drawer there, please," he asked pointing at the long table that sat back to back with the couch.

Harry opened the drawer and found the six vials labeled with his dad's spidery handwriting. He gave two of them to Severus who spelled them into Lily's system and then covered her with the heavy blanket he'd brought from his bedroom earlier. He cast a diagnostic charm over her and in a few seconds a piece of parchment appeared beside him. Severus took it and looked it over. He had taken two years of additional training after receiving his potions mastery and was a certified Medi-Wizard.

"How's mum?" Harry asked anxiously.

"Her vital signs are a bit low, but I am assuming that is to be expected. Her magical core is hovering around the dangerous level, but the Elixir of Power and Strengthening Solution should bring that up shortly."

Harry down on the couch beside Lily and took hold of her hand. "Mum's really pretty isn't she, Dad?"

"Yes," Severus agreed softly. "Even when she was your age; she was beautiful."

Something in his dad's tone made Harry look up at him and seeing his expression made him wonder if his dad's feelings for his mum were different than he was admitting to.

"Harry, will it be alright if I leave for a few minutes? I need to check on my house and make sure there was no damage and it didn't wake anyone up."

"Sure, Dad."

Severus was back in a few minutes. "Whatever we experienced in here apparently was not experienced anywhere else in the dungeon. Everything's quiet."

Harry yawned and looked at his mum again. "When will she wake up?"

"I expect sometime tomorrow possibly," Severus answered. "Why don't you get ready for bed?" With a wave of his wand he widened the couch so there would be room enough for Harry to sleep on it. "You can sleep here by your mother."

Harry went into his bedroom and changed into his pajamas and slippers and grabbed his robe. He gladly lay down beside his mum. He couldn't believe how lucky he was. How many kids were fortunate enough to get back a lost parent? He quickly fell asleep being very tired after all the day's excitement.

Severus stretched out in his favorite leather recliner. He dozed lightly waking up every couple of hours to check on Lily's condition. He gave her another vial of the Elixir of Power and Strengthening Solution at 4:00, did a diagnostic on her magical core and was pleased to find it was almost completely restored. He decided he would give her the last two vials at eight just to be on the safe side and made a mental note to brew more of both. When he woke at 6:00, he found Lily had turned over on her side and had her arm wrapped around Harry. He would need to wake Harry at 7:00 to get ready for breakfast. Since the first years only had a half-day of classes on Fridays Harry could get some sleep in the afternoon if he was still tired. He was thankful he didn't have that many classes either as he'd only gotten about four hours of sleep. He stayed awake, watching Lily and Harry until 7:00. He got up and gently shook Harry awake saying, "Time to get up, Harry."

Harry woke up and sat up and looked at Lily. "It wasn't a dream, Dad. Mum did really come back."

Yes, she did, Harry."

"Is mum doing better?"

"Yes, her magical core is almost back to normal, but I am going to administer the last vials of the Elixir of Power and the Strengthening solution at in about an hour just to be on the safe side."

Harry got up, but seemed reluctant to leave his mother which was perfectly understandable given his history.

"She will still be here when you come back," Severus said softly.

Harry looked up at Severus. How did his dad always know what he was thinking? "But who's going to look after mum while we're gone today?"

"I think I may have the solution for that," Severus said. "You go and get ready for school."

"Okay," Harry nodded and went into his bedroom.

Severus grabbed some floo powder out of the china cauldron on the mantle, knelt down in front of the fireplace and threw it down, stuck his head into the green flames and said clearly, "Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire."

Lucius got up from his desk in his study, came over to his fireplace and knelt down. "Severus, why are you calling so early? Is Draco alright?" He asked suddenly alarmed.

"Draco is fine," Severus assured him. "Is Cissa up yet? I would like to talk to both of you."

"Yes, she's in the drawing room giving the elves their instructions for the day. I will go and get her," Lucius said getting up.

He was back in a few moments with Narcissa. "What is it, Severus?"

"Can you both step through? It will be easier if I show you rather than explain it."

"Of course," Lucius replied, nodding.

Severus stepped back so they could come through. When they stepped out of the fireplace, Severus bade them to follow him around the couch. Narcissa gasped as she saw Lily and dropped to the floor beside the couch. "Is it really Lily?" She asked taking hold of her hand.

"Yes," Severus replied. He explained to them about the visit Harry and he had made to the cemetery yesterday, Lily's appearance and her announcement and what followed. "I would have sworn the entire castle would have felt the shaking."

"What about Potter?" Lucius asked. "Do you know whether or not he returned from behind the Veil too?"

"No idea," Severus replied.

"What if he has?"

"I deal with it if and when I have to, but I'm not going to worry about it until then."

"I would advise you to get Lily's identity established as soon as she is well enough. It should be fairly easy to do. She was an Auror before Harry was born so her magical signature will be registered with the Ministry," Lucius advised. He was a sharp and savvy businessman and had tripled the wealth of the Malfoy estate since his father's death in 1978.

"I have her original wand also. I found it under Harry's overturned cot the day after Halloween."

"Even better and St. Mungo's will have a record of her blood type also from when she was an Auror. The Gringotts Goblins will accept either to establish that she is Lily Potter and entitled to access the Potter vaults."

"I have the key to the vaults. I forced Dumbledore to give it to me when I found out he was illegally using funds from the Potter vaults to pay the Dursley's for taking care of Harry when they obviously were not," Severus replied looking angry at the memory. "I need Cissa's help today though," He turned to Narcissa who was sitting on the couch next to Lily. "Cissa, I have classes all day and I will need somebody to stay with Lily. Can you do it?"

"Of course, Severus. You don't even need to ask."

Harry came out of his room dressed in his school robe and carrying his book bag. He stopped as he saw Lucius and Narcissa. "Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy."

"Good morning, Harry," Lucius replied and then suggested. "Now I think, young man, you should start calling us Uncle Luc and Aunt Cissa."

Harry grinned. "Okay, Uncle Luc."

"Narcissa is going to stay with your mother today while we are away," Severus explained to Harry and directed a look at Narcissa. "If you need me for any reason at all, you can send your Patronus. I made some broth for when Lily wakes and it's in the kitchen under a warming charm."

Narcissa nodded in reply and summoned one of the Malfoy house elves to bring her the novel she was reading.

Severus, Harry and Lucius who was on his way to Dumbledore's office walked upstairs to the Entrance Hall. "I did notice the fracas at the Gryffindor table last night," Severus commented.

Harry flushed. "Please don't punish them, Dad. They were sticking up for me."

"On the contrary, Harry. I am awarding Hufflepuff thirty points for the actions of Misters Crabbe, Goyle, and Longbottom and thirty points to Gryffindor for the actions of the Mister Weasley's and Mr. Jordan."

"You go into the breakfast, Harry. I need to talk to your father for a moment," Lucius said.

"Okay," Harry said. He gave Severus a hug. "I'll see you after classes later, Dad. Bye, Uncle Lucius."

"Goodbye, Harry."

"What are you seeing Dumbledore about if it's not confidential business that is?" Severus asked since he knew Lucius was on the Board of Governors.

"The Board is becoming very dissatisfied with Dumbledore's choice of Defense Professors. It's a very important subject for the students to learn and we feel they're falling behind because of the quality of the people he has hired in the last few years. I was elected to speak to him about it," Lucius said with a sigh.

"Well, perhaps things will turn around with Professor Lupin. He is after all a Defense Master and the children seem to like him and feel they are actually learning something from him."

"Perhaps, I will wait a bit then to talk with the headmaster and see how Professor Lupin works out."

"It might be a good idea," Severus agreed.

Lucius turned and went back down the stairs towards Severus' quarters and Severus walked into the Great Hall. He noticed immediately that Harry and his friends were seated at the Slytherin table much to the dismay of Parkinson, Zabini the few others whose families had supported You-Know-Who. The second thing he noticed was that Dumbledore's overly large chair was empty. He walked up to the head table and sat down next to Minerva. "Where is the old barnacle this morning?"

"I don't know, Severus. When I woke up this morning a note flew into my quarters through the floo; it was from Albus and he said he'd had an emergency at the Ministry and didn't know when he'd be back. Apparently they called him out of bed in the middle of the night from what I understand."

"That is strange," Severus concluded. He had an uneasy feeling it had something to do with Lily's return. Surely, the turbulence of it would have been noted at the Department of Mysteries even if it went unnoticed at Hogwarts.

The morning flew by. Harry had double Transfiguration and Herbology and then lunch. After that the rest of his day was free. He was going to spend it with his mum even if she hadn't awoken yet. He'd sit by her and study quietly.

In double Transfiguration Minerva had the class leaning how to focus their magic. They had been doing that since their second week of school at the beginning of each class. It was sort of like the meditation Harry had seen his dad doing, but it was hard to keep his mind blank while attempting to focus his magic especially now with his mum had returned from behind the Veil.

All of them had been able to change their matchsticks into needles and Minerva had decided to their next lesson would be attempting to light a candle magically. It was a bit harder, but she felt the class could handle it. She would begin the lesson on Monday.

After Transfiguration everyone walked outside to the Greenhouse One for their Herbology lesson. Today they were learning about the properties of the Bacopa plant that was a nerve and cardiac tonic and they potted seeds for the plant as they were used in Calming Drafts, nerve potions of all kinds, and the Heart Ease potion.

When Professor Sprout dismissed the class, Harry hurried straight to the dungeon to check on him mum. He hoped she had awakened. There were so many things he wanted to tell her and ask her. He found his dad and Aunt Cissa bent over his mum, calling her name.

"Dad, is mum alright?" Harry asked anxiously.

"Cissa believes she might be coming around," Severus answered.

"Maybe if Harry talks to her, she'll respond better," Narcissa suggested.

"Yes, that might work much better," Severus agreed.

"I'll try," Harry said uncertainly and picked up Lily hand, holding it in his own. "Mum? I know you probably don't recognize my voice since I was probably still babbling the last time you saw me, but it's me, Harry, your son."

Lily stirred and suddenly opened her eyes. Harry noticed immediately that he had his mum's eyes; the very same almond-shape and emerald green. She blinked and looked around her. "Sev, Cissa …" Her eyes fell upon her son. "Harry?"

"It' me, Mum," Harry said. "I've grown a bit since you last saw me."

"Harry," Lily said and opened her arms to him. He flew into her arms and she hugged him tightly and kissed the top of his head. "I'm so sorry for what happened! I should have forced James to make someone else our Secret Keeper. All those years you spent with my horrible sister!"

"It's okay, Mum. You saved me and everything turned out alright in the end."

"Harry, why don't you keep your mum company while I get her something to eat?"

"Okay, Dad."

Lily looked up at Narcissa who had been her lifeline while she'd been in hiding. James, of course had thrown a tantrum about her remaining friends with a Slytherin. "How is Draco doing, Cissa?"

"He's doing fine, Lily. In fact he and Harry are good friends along with a variety of kids all from different houses."

"I got sorted into Ravenclaw, Mum. Neville Longbottom, Greg Goyle, and Vince Crabbe are in Hufflepuff. Draco, Ted Nott, and Millie Bulstrode are in Slytherin. Dean Thomas is in Gryffindor and Hermione Granger in Ravenclaw with me. She a Muggleborn and she's the top witch in our class so far," Harry said.

"Not unlike another Muggleborn witch who I know," Severus added coming back into the room carrying a tray with a bowl of chicken broth on it and a slice of buttered toast that he set down in front of Lily. "Try and eat as much of this as you can, Lily," Severus said gently.

"Dad's a real good cook, Mum," Harry said. "I had to cook all the time for the Dursley's so I guess I'm a pretty good cook too, but Dad lets me cook if I want to and doesn't make me."

Lily frowned at that. She was going to be having some words with Petunia when she was recovered. "Your Grandma Evans always believed a young man, whether he was a Muggle or a Wizard, should be able to cook for himself so when he was on his own he didn't starve to death."

"My mother taught me the basics, but your grandmother taught me a lot more," Severus added.

Lily began slowly eating the broth and toast. The broth was rich and delicious and the buttery taste of the toast was a perfect addition with it.

"Well, seeing as you're in good hands, Lily. I'd better be getting home," Narcissa said, getting up. "I'll stop back tomorrow and see how you're doing."

"I'd enjoy that, Cissa," Lily replied and then joked, "After all I have ten years of gossip to catch up on."

Just then Dumbledore's phoenix Patronus flew into the room. "Severus, I need to see you immediately. Please come to my office."

"Merlin's beard!" Severus muttered. "That man has unbelievable timing!" He turned to Narcissa. "Would you mind staying a bit longer while I find out what he wants?"

"Of course not," Narcissa replied. "Go ahead and see what's so urgent."

Severus went upstairs and made his way to the Gargoyle. "Ice Mice," he said and it jumped aside. He knocked on the headmaster's door. "Come in, Severus," Dumbledore called.

Severus came in his robe billowing out behind him and stopped short as he saw not only Dumbledore, but Minerva, her lips tightly folded; Remus and unfortunately, the Mutt. What the hell was going on?

"Severus, last night I was called to the Ministry because of a disturbance in the Department of Mysteries. Apparently there was a violent reaction in the Veil room; none of the Unspeakables had ever seen anything like it before, but it was caused by someone returning from behind the Veil."

Oh?" Severus remarked. "Don't tell me You-Know-Who has returned! I must say I thought he would return in a more dramatic manner."

"It was James, Snivellus and now you'll have to give Harry back because his real dad is back," Sirius sneered.