Disclaimer: Everything Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling

Chapter 11

Sylvia awoke early Sunday smiling happily – it was time to implement her plan. When she had first seen the handsome Auror James Potter come in the club with his friends she couldn't believe her luck. He would be her ticket out of this place, for sure.

As a member of the illustrious Peverell family, she had grown up expecting to take her place in pureblood society. Her family was not rich, as some branches of the family, but her breeding was impeccable. When she didn't receive her Hogwarts letter they had her magic tested, unfortunately she barely had enough to light a Lumos. She was practically a squib.

For years she had worked, trying to do even simple spells. She could finally manage enough to do simple housekeeping spells and an occasional alohamora and such. Later, she realized her real asset was her beauty. But the wizards she wanted to attract wouldn't look at a near squib. She had to find another way.

She had found the job at the club, to her family's horror, and formed a plan. She soon had Potter in her bed, a friend provided the fertility potion, and she got James drunk enough to forget the contraceptive spells. Lily catching them Friday night had been a bonus, and the news of their divorce just too perfect. She was now over a month along, - time for an owl and a tearful plea.

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Sunday started off not too bad for James, he had a nice lie in, - then he woke up and the day went downhill from there. James had fallen asleep trying to figure a way to win Lily back. So, they were divorced – they could always remarry, mostly he hated the thought of losing her after working so hard to win her. He had chased her for years, while she ignored or sneered at him, winning her from Snape had been his crowning achievement at Hogwarts.

He had barely gotten dressed, when an owl arrived from Sylvia. It was just as well that no one was there to hear the foul language that ensued. A dazed Sirius and he had gone straight to the house she lived in with several other girls from the club. Several paternity spells later he realized she wasn't lying.

He had rubbed his aching head "Look, Sylvia it has been a hellish two days, give me a day or two. We will work something out."

What Sylvia lacked in magic she made up for in brains and cunning, and she knew when to ease off. "Of course, James," she continued sniffing into a handkerchief and managed to look forlorn.

Sirius had been speechless, "Did someone cast a massive bad luck charm on you?" They had gotten good and drunk at a favorite bar and James had stumbled home, hoping work in the morning would take his mind off things.

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Monday was a hellish day at work for one Auror Potter, the files regarding he and Lily had all been gathered, put under extremely restricted status and placed in Amelia Bones personal office file cabinet – one that was well known as a biter when provoked.

The divorce papers that were accessible to the drooling gossips cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the sudden divorce. But of course, since he and Sirius had not been the only ones at the club, news of the debacle there had spread throughout the ministry.

Women were either stiffly polite or made obvious overtures 'now he was single'. Men mostly treated him with sympathy since there were whispers about the curse as well. He was very happy to finally be home.

His attorney soon arrived, as planned. Randall had been insistent that he immediately update his will and 'protect his assets'. However the attorney was looking rather glum as he wordlessly handed over what appeared to be a Gringotts account report.

He was glad he was seated when he saw the last entry. The reason Lily had wanted her vault to be untouchable in the divorce decree became clear. He could hear Randall mutter that they at least did not need to worry about alimony or child support.

How in all of the nine hells had she managed to do this?

Anger that had been smoldering all day, with all the slights he had been subjected to burst into fury. The hurt he had been feeling at Lily's rejection now transformed into rage. She didn't want him anymore? Well, there were others that DID. He wouldn't be the only one to feel the pain of rejection, and he well understood that a mother felt her child's pain even more than the child did. It was too late to toss Lily aside as she had done to him, but not too late to reject their – no HER child. After all, there was another on the way.

Randall eyed him warily, "There really isn't anything you can do, James."

Oh yes there was! His fury was totally out of control, now. He strode to the fireplace and firecalled Sirius, "Padfoot! Get over here and bring the ceremonial knives with you, NOW!" He needed to do this before his rage subsided and he had second thoughts.

Sirius soon arrived looking at the end of his rope. "What now Prongs?"

He didn't answer, he simply picked up a knife and slid it over his palm, chanting the spell to disown a child. His mindless rage made his voice harsh, and rock hard. He closed his eyes and found the center of his magic and the familial links there, he found the one linking him to Harry and tore it free, continuing the chant. He voiced the words to renounce him as a son and cast him magically from the Potter line. No Potter wards would recognize him, no family tree would name him. He was no longer a Potter.

Best of all, he no longer felt any pain at the thought of Harry, as he had ripped the line straight out of his heart.

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Lily had enjoyed Monday, visiting the properties Lucius was offering. They were lingering over an after-dinner coffee, when they heard an ear-piercing scream from Harry. They rushed in and Lily scooped him into her arms. But they could find no cause for the obvious pain.

"Call for Severus, Narcissa" Lucius ordered tersely as he waved his wand in an intricate pattern over the baby, looking for the problem.

A moment later Severus skidded to a stop at Lily's side, looking pale and frightened at Harry's frantic cries. A moment or two more passed, and Harry's screams suddenly dropped to unhappy whimpers, although he still trembled frighteningly.

Lucius stiffened and his eyes flew to Lily's in shock.

"What is it Lucius?" Lily was frightened at the look of hatred on Lucius' face.

"That bastard! He disowned him magically!" Narcissa gasp and look of horror at Lucius' pronouncement was all Lily needed to know – this must be bad indeed.

"But he's too young for this to happen" Narcissa cried out, "those spells are for adult wizards who had done something unforgivable to the family. In an infant they will scar his magic, and can harm him spiritually. The rejection felt by the child at such a deep level will affect him his entire life."

While Narcissa horrified Lily with all the details, Lucius pulled Severus a few steps away. "Do you understand the opportunity here Severus." Severus lifted eyes that were glassy with shock. "Harry's magic will be open for the next few minutes. He can be claimed by another family – he can be claimed by you."

Severus swung his dark eyes to Lily's green ones. She and Narcissa had heard the last part. Severus walked up to her and the still whimpering child. He put his hands on Harry next to hers. "Will you let me do this, Lily? I would like very much to be his father. I promise to care for him as my own; I already love him because he is yours."

Lily searched his eyes carefully, and then Lily gave Harry to him and hugged them both tight, "Swear it to me Severus." She said a frantic note in her voice.

"I do swear it Lily, I swear on my magic." Severus whispered fiercely back to her.

Narcissa raced to a desk and drew out a beautiful silver dagger and brought it to them. Severus drew a line across his palm and chanted the words to bind Harry to his family. He found his magical core and accepted Harry into his magic and his heart, soothing the injuries he found in Harry's magical core and spirit.

At last the four of them stood watching the exhausted baby finally sleep – all of his magical injuries healed.

"Congratulations Severus, it's a boy" Lucius grinned at him.

Severus stared at him in shock, "I need a drink."

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A/N hope this was an unexpected twist – I like those, personally.