Chapter 8

"Sirius, I would like to ask a favor of you. Can you tell me a little about what James and Lily were like before…"

Severus didn't need to complete the thought, Sirius knew he was asking about the couple before their death. He wondered why, but began to sort through all the things he could tell Severus about the couple that wouldn't add to the guilt he appeared to be feeling.

"James and Lily were always happy together though in all honesty, I have never seen James happier than when Harry was born," Sirius looked at the sleeping figure across the room and smile wistfully. "James used to say he was lucky Lily loved him since he knew from the moment he saw her that they would be together. Then Lily would remind him that, being an earth witch, she had known since before they'd met that they would be together."

"I don't know if Lily ever told you, but I was in love with her when we were in school."

"Yes, I did know that. Your affection for Lily is the reason James worked so hard to be friendly with you. He thought it would be harder than it was to get to know you without the teasing. Lily's assurance that James had always been, and would always be, the one made it easy not to see you as a threat and he was able to just be himself with you."

"I have often thought about that time and was glad that Lily could forgive me for trying to get between them. Not having her in my life was very hard."

"Severus, why are you helping Harry?"

"I've told you, I understand what he is going through and want to help him."

"I know that, but what I want to know is, why are you really helping?"

Severus took a moment and looked out the window thinking. Why was he helping. Yes, he understood what Harry was facing and did want to help, but was that the only reason? Guilt? Over what, he had no control over what happened to Lily and James or by default, Harry. Duty? No, he had never been drawn to help any student more then was necessary for them to pass potions. So what was it?

"I'm not sure Sirius. I just know I have to."

Sirius smiled at the confused professor thinking he might know. Should he tell him? Explain how the earth magic that surrounded Lily worked? No, not yet. He needed to make sure he wouldn't abandon Harry right now.

"How did you end up at the Durlsey's last night."

"I felt like I needed to be."

"How did you know anything was wrong?"

"I was drifting off to sleep and had a sudden, over-whelming feeling that something was wrong. I didn't know where the feeling was coming from, who it belonged to, or why I was feeling it but I knew I had to find out so I could stop the feeling."

Sirius listened to the explanation with a growing certainty that Lily's magic was indeed at work and that the people involved had no idea what was happening. Should he tell them?

"I got dressed and focused on the feeling and when I opened my eyes, I was standing in Harry's room."

Poppy came into the room and saw the men talking and was happy to see they hadn't resorted to fighting…yet. She walked over to check on Harry who was still deep in sleep and appeared to be peaceful.

Walking over to the men she said, "Your meals will be brought up shortly, you may want to conjure a more comfortable seating arrangement while you eat. The boy is resting comfortably and will not wake up for another 12 hours. I suggest after you eat, you gentlemen get some rest and worry about your planning tomorrow."

As Poppy walked off, she thought she heard the men laughing.

Dobby appeared, carrying two trays, just as Sirius finished transfiguring an empty bed into a small table.

He had prepared a special meal for the men who were taking care of his master. Even as a free elf, Harry having released him from his enslavement, Dobby still felt loyal to Harry and would be forever grateful.

He placed the meals before Severus and Sirius and removing the lids, waited for their approval. Both men looked at the food before them and smiled. Dobby had outdone himself this time. They had Filet Minion with twice baked potatoes and steamed root vegetables. Fresh rolls and butter accompanied the meal, along with a bottle of red wine. Sirius thanked Dobby and dismissed him for the evening. The men enjoyed their meal in silence, savoring the food that was so lovingly prepared for eating, Sirius decided he needed to explain to Severus what he believed was happening, before Harry woke up. He had noticed how often Severus stole glances over at Harry and though he wasn't positive, he believed that Lily's magic had been transferred to the boy and upon his turning 17, had claimed Severus as his Bonded. If that was the case, it would explain how Severus got to Harry, even though it should have been impossible to apparate out of the school and through the wards at the Dursley's. With dinner finished, Severus vanished the dishes back to the kitchen, transformed their dining chairs to armchairs, and summoned a bottle of Firewiskey with two fresh glasses. He poured a hefty two fingers into each glass and handed one to Sirius. "To Harry," they said raising their glasses and taking long sips from their drinks. They sat enjoying the warm burn as the liquor made its way through them, and Sirius decided it was time to tell Severus what he needed to know about how this evening had come to be.

Sirius silently summoned a book he knew Albus kept hidden in his office regarding bonds between wizards and as it settled in his lap, he looked up at Severus and said, "I believe I can explain everything but this may take a while."

Severus looked puzzled, but figured whatever Sirius had to tell him might not be what he wanted to hear. He pour two more shots and deliberately placed the bottle on the floor next to his chair. "Anytime you're ready."