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[Previously, On The Nimrod Curse....]
"I need to get some supplies for when the barrier is lifted. I believe it is wise to be prepared for the worst case scenario." ... Without waiting for a reply, the black-clad wizard took his leave and left the house.
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Severus Snape returned to Privet Drive at around 3 o'clock in the morning. With him he brought a valise full of healing potions, just in case the boy needed it when the magic released him. He also brought a number of research books, hoping to find some clue as to what exactly was happening with Potter at the moment. He knew that he would not get any sleep at all for the remainder of the night because in less than an hour he was to meet Remus Lupin, in order to pass over the watch on the Potter boy. The dour potions master conjured a recliner in the hall outside of Potter's bedroom. He set a light over his shoulder and began to scan the books he brought. He had very little information to help him with his search, just that it was Potter's birthday and the wild magic that was sealing the boy in his room.
When a quiet alarm buzzed at 3:50, Snape went to meet Lupin at Arabella Figg's house. He was still unsure how he was going to sneak back into the Dursley home without Lupin noticing, but he wasn't a spy for nothing, he would manage. As he approached the meeting point he was greeted by an excited werewolf.
"Snape, finally, you're here."
The dark haired wizard checked the time. "I am precisely on time, as usual."
"Oh, I know, sorry. I just need to see Harry as soon as possible." Lupin explained and began walking away.
"Lupin," Snape called after him and chased him down. He knew that he had to return to Potter's home and he did not want Lupin there complicating things for him. "It is 4AM. You can not just barge into someone's home and wake them at this hour. It is not the time for tea and a chat!"
"I know that Severus." Snape hated when the werewolf used his given name. "Its just that there some things that I realized tonight that I have to explain to Harry. You wouldn't understand." There was a desperate tone in Remus' voice.
By now the two wizards were closing in on #4 Privet Drive, and Snape decided to take a risk based on Lupin's last comment.
"Yes I would," He said simply. "I would understand."
Lupin stopped dead in his tracks. He knew Snarky!Snape and was used to Sarcastic!Snape, but Sincere!Snape was a rare thing to behold.
"You are not the only one to have truths revealed to them tonight," Snape explained. He raised an eyebrow at Lupin. "It seems to be a night for odd dreams." That was as much as he was going to divulge at the moment. If Lupin had similar dreams to himself and the Dursleys then that would be enough of a confession, and if not, then it was vague enough not to endanger the Potter boy or himself.
They were standing at the large tree across from the Dursley home where the Order members often sat to keep an eye on Harry. Lupin looked around nervously, feeling suddenly edgy. "This is really, really, bad. Isn't it?" Lupin asked, knowing the answer and fearing it. Snape just nodded and together they crossed the street and entered the Dursley home.
Once inside, Snape briefed Lupin on the letter he had received from Petunia Dursley, and her explanation. When the reached the bedroom door ('Nice recliner, Snape. Leather?') he spoke more of the magic barring entrance to Potter's bedroom
"I have done a number of curse and ward detection spells, none of them were able to help identify the magic at work."
Lupin's hands were moving over the door, Similarly to what Snape had done when he first arrived at the scene some time ago.
"I don't doubt your abilities or knowledge," Lupin began, "but do you mind if I try a few things?"
"Go right ahead." Snape was confident in his own abilities. While he was not on the level of a curse-breaker he was quite learned in all sorts of magic. When one of Lupin's spells glowed blue, Snape was reminded that Lupin would be a Master if it weren't for his monthly complication.
"What was that?" Snape snapped.
"Counter-charm detection," Lupin replied. "I don't know how much that helps though. What do we know, or suspect, so far about this wild magic?"
"The barrier seems impenetrable, even to magic." Snape began stating his theory. "The window is also blocked, but probably open, so the magic is the barrier itself, it is not locking another barrier such as the door, into place. It may be related to the fact that today is Potter's birthday."
Lupin startled at this. "It is? How did you know that?"
"His bird and others were forced to leave parcels in the kitchen because the could not enter his room." Snape explained. "And thanks to you we can assume that what is happening is the breaking of a curse, instead of the forming of one."
"Which makes sense considering the dreams." They both gave a bit of a shudder. "We assume the dreams are also related, not coincidental?"
Snape nodded in agreement.
"You should talk about them, you know," Lupin offered. "If they were anything like my dreams then it should be..."
"What is should be, Wolfman, is private. If your dreams were anything like mine then your whole life would be turned on its head. You would not know who to trust, save, perhaps, others that have had similar dreams. All of which that we know of are now in this house. Potter's Aunt took a chance trusting his bird with a letter. The bird, his familiar, gambled with me and I took a chance trusting you Lupin, don't make me regret it."
Before Lupin had a chance to respond to Snape's vitriol, both wizards felt a shift in the magic. After nearly five hours, the barrier to Potter's room was finally coming down.
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