Notes: Sorry this took so long….I had a minor case of Writer's Block on parts of this chapter. You have a medium-rare steak to thank for my renewed inspiration….honest! Anyway I'll be started my first summer class Tuesday, but I should have a lot of time to write now, so updates should be much closer together. Cross your fingers I don't get a homework-savy teacher!!!
A Father's Sin
By Severitus
Chapter 36---The Book
Never before had the trek across the Hogwarts grounds seemed to take so impossibly long. Severus wasn't quite sure if it was concern or fear that made the trip seem longer than normal, but he did know that it had something to do with the haunting images that kept replaying themselves through his head. Each time he closed his eyes for even the briefest of moments, he found himself staring back into the dim room once again, faced with the horde of perfectly blank, death-like faces. And in those brief moments he also saw his son there, devoid of everything save that unbroken emptiness.
The castle doors flew open with a resounding 'bang,' echoing down the corridors and sending a few nearby Hufflepuffs scrambling for safety. Severus ignored them completely, in truth only dimly aware that he had made it inside the castle at all. All he cared about was giving his stupid report and getting back down to his rooms. He didn't know for sure when exactly Voldemort would summon the Serpent's Children, but he knew that he had to be with Harry when it happened.
"Sugar Quill," he hissed at the stone Gargoyle, and stood impatiently tapping his foot as he waited for the monstrosity to open. It seemed to take forever, and he glared at it as it swung open, mouth twisted in an angry snarl. When at last it was open enough for him to slip past, he dashed up the stairs, not even bothering to knock once he'd reached to door at the top.
The Headmaster looked startled to say the least, though thankfully he was alone in the office. Not that it would have mattered much to Severus if he'd had company, for he would have bee quite happy to toss said company right out the door if the need arose.
"Severus, is something the matter?" The Headmaster asked as Severus strode into the center of the room, huffing in a strained effort to regain his lost breath.
"No, I'm merely in a bit of a rush. I'd like to get my report out of the way as soon as possible, if you don't mind," he said quickly, and the Headmaster looked at him curiously, but nodded his assent.
"Not at all, have a seat, Severus, I hardly think standing so stiffly could be all that comfortable." he said, waving one frail hand toward the seat before the desk. Severus complied thankfully, falling heavily down into the chair. "Now, what news do you bring?"
"He has commanded me to search the school for a 'book' of his, something or other that was composed by Slytherin himself. I'm not quite sure what it is, but he's made reference to it on several occasions as well," Severus began, casting Dumbledore a decidedly searching expression. He was positive that Albus knew precisely what book the Dark Lord was talking about, and was hoping that he'd be kind enough to tell him about it.
"Does he seem convinced that it is here?" Albus asked, and Severus paused in inquiry, noting the worried expression plainly worn on the Headmaster's face.
"No. Actually, he had little faith that I would find anything. He said that he just wanted to explore the possibility," Severus replied, blinking in mild confusion. Not much could truly make the Headmaster worry...well...visibly worry anyway. What could be so important about a little book that it would make the great Albus Dumbledore worry?
"That's good...I had hoped he would assume as much," Albus sighed, sinking back in his chair with obvious relief. Severus narrowed his eyes, two and two slowly coming together. Instantly his eyes snapped wide open and he leaned back in his chair, gaping in surprise.
"You mean it actually is here?" he gasped, and Albus nodded, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Yes, it is. It has been here for the past ten years or so, actually. Igor Karkaroff delivered it to me for safekeeping," he explained, and Severus continued gaping, "He may not have trusted me much, but he certainly had faith in Hogwarts," Dumbledore continued, and Severus snorted. That had been an understatement; Karkaroff had trusted hardly anyone, and certainly not Dumbledore. Severus himself had been one of the few people that Karkaroff had been willing to confide it, and it was very surprising the he would have sent the book to Dumbledore so easily.
"So it would seem..." Severus mused, tapping his chin in thought. Hogwarts did have a reputation for being one of the most well-protected structures in all of Europe, when one looked at it that way, then it really wasn't too surprising that the book had been sent to Dumbledore, "If you don't mind my asking, Albus, what exactly is this book?" he asked, one eyebrow raised with curiosity.
"Ah, I suppose I should tell you, since it does concern your son in a way," Dumbledore said, not quite meeting Severus in the eye.
"Indeed. I would have to insist that you do, then," Severus growled lightly, eyes narrowed once again. Albus sighed and laced his fingers atop the desk, looking very much like he was about to give a lecture before the Wizard's Council.
"Very well," he began, "The book contains all of Salazar Slytherin's greatest magical achievements, I suppose you could call it his 'work' journal of a sort. Within it are detailed plans for the Chamber of Secrets, information on the construction of the original magical barriers of the school, and even details on how Slytherin forged his weaponry," he said, and Severus could already feel his eyes widening. That much information alone was cause for considerable alarm, but he had a feeling that the Headmaster was far from finished. "However, the most significant information contained within that book is a step by step account of the creation and control of the Serpent's Children," he said, and Severus stared blankly at him, hands gripping the chair in a white-knuckled grasp.
"Slytherin created that spell?!" he stuttered in surprise, blinking in an attempt to bring the thought into clarity. It had always been assumed by the Death Eaters that Voldemort himself had designed the spell to create the Serpent's Children as a way of fulfilling Slytherin's dream, never that Slytherin had created it himself. All of Slytherin's possessions had thought to have been destroyed long ago by the other three founders or the school. That such a powerful item could have survived destruction was shocking enough.
"Yes, he was the mastermind behind it. The original Serpent's Children were a part of the reason that Slytherin defected from the other three Founders. Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff would not tolerate magic that so blatantly enslaved anyone, let alone children," Dumbledore said, gaze directed at the top of the desk, "Voldemort acquired the book when he was a student here. I do not know for sure, but I believe he found it secreted away in the Chamber of Secrets. As you know, he later used it to create the Serpent's Children through his Death Eaters. He entrusted Karkaroff with the book until such time as he would need it again...and that time has arrived." he said quietly, and he raised his gaze once again, locking it with Severus' own startled gaze.
"But what does he need it for? Surely he doesn't mean to create another batch of Serpent's Children...." Severus asked, brows scrunched in thought. It wouldn't make sense to create more Serpent's Children now, unless he merely wanted to secure the future once again, as he had fifteen years ago. But that didn't explain why he was so desperate to acquire the book. The adamancy with which he was pursuing it suggested that it had some immediate purpose, something that played an integral role on his current battle with Dumbledore and the Ministry.
"Voldemort's control over them is not currently absolute. Yes, he has complete control over their minds and bodies, but at the moment they are nothing more than puppets. However, that is not all they are capable of becoming," Dumbledore paused, and Severus grimaced. He wasn't sure that he wanted to hear what the Serpent's Children were capable of. After all, Harry was technically one of them, and everything that concerned the rest of them, concerned him as well...."The Serpent's Children have many dormant abilities that Voldemort desires to make use of; however, he requires a spell contained within that book to awaken those dormant abilities. Needless to say, we cannot allow that to happen. The results would be...devastating to say the least," Dumbledore said, and he looked pained for a moment, and Severus imagined that Dumbledore was envisioning just how devastating it could become.
"What kind of abilities...?" Severus asked softly, half afraid of the answer, and half afraid that if he didn't ask, he would find out first hand.
"You are aware that the Children are interconnected?" Dumbledore began.
"Yes..."
"Among other things, they have the ability to essentially act as one being. Through one of their number, they could cast a single spell...say Avada Kedavra for example, and though the spell was only cast once, the magical power from each and every one of the Serpent's Children would be behind that one curse, focused through that one child. So in essence, one Serpent's Child could be strategically placed in a populated area, and could effectively devastate the population with only one cast spell," Dumbledore said, his gaze unnaturally sharp and penetrating. Severus leaned back in his chair, eyes widening as the gravity of the Headmaster's words began to sink in. "Quite easily Voldemort could send the Children across the country, and one by one they could be ordered to cast the spell...I'm sure you can imagine what would happen," the older wizard continued, and Severus visibly cringed, shutting his eyes against the imagery conjured by his imagination.
"Good lord....within a matter of minutes he could completely destroy entire cities...." he breathed, once again wide-eyed with shock. If what Dumbledore was saying was indeed true, than a single Serpent's Child would possess the ability to cast a spell at the very least 40 times more powerful than normal. With some curses only one was already more than enough, he couldn't even begin to imagine the effect that much power would have on the world.
"Exactly. Currently the Children can only act as puppets, connected in mind yet not in power, not too unlike victims of the Imperius Curse. They require a 'guide' of sorts to function at all, one of their number thinking for the rest of them in order to maintain any real connection. Without that guide, they are roughly the equivalent of comatose," Dumbledore recited, drawing his fingers idly across a parchment spread across his desk. His eyes weren't shining with their usual twinkle, but were dull with worry. Even Fawkes on his perch looked depressed, tail feathers falling limply to the floor.
"So if we were to take out the 'guide'....." Severus began, eyes alight with renewed hope. Perhaps if that one particular Serpent's Child was destroyed, then the rest would simply fall into a comatose state, thus depriving Voldemort of his 'weapon.' Dumbledore cracked a half-smile but shook his head, sighing deeply as he met the younger man's eyes.
"A nice idea, yes, but unfortunately that would not work. Were the current 'head' of the group to be killed, Voldemort would merely choose one of the others as the focus for his control, and they would assume the role as the new 'guide.' The only way to stop them is to destroy Voldemort himself," Dumbledore sighed, steepling his wrinkled fingers atop the desk. Severus clenched his jaws, now he realized just why Dumbledore seemed so depressed.
"And if he gets a hold of the book...." he said, eyes downcast with thought.
"Then he will no longer have need of a guide, and the Serpent's Children will essentially become one mind with many bodies, a single entity with abilities even I do not know the full extent of," The Headmaster said, and Severus cast him a brief, disbelieving stare. He didn't doubt for a minute that the old wizard knew precisely what 'abilities' the Serpent's Children possessed. He also had no doubt that pressing the man about it wouldn't get him any closer to answers. And then again, this was something that he wasn't sure he wanted an answer to. If Albus wasn't willing to tell him, then he undoubtedly had good reason for it, and Severus had the strangest feeling that it had everything to do with Harry.
"I don't suppose the barriers would protect Harry any longer if that were to happen either..." he settled on replying, focusing his gaze on his own folded hands.
"Quite honestly, I do not know," Dumbledore said, and Fawkes sang a brief note as he stroked his head, the fiery bird bristling with delight. Severus watched him vacantly for a moment, his eyes slowly narrowing as he mind retraced the events of the day. Black gaze once again alight with worry, he quickly changed the subject to another pressing concern.
"Albus, I believe that Voldemort suspects something...about Harry," he said, and Dumbledore glanced up in surprise.
"Did he ask about him?" he asked, hands splayed anxiously across the desktop.
"Yes, he asked how he was adjusting to Hogwarts...right before he showed me the Serpent's Children. I think he suspects that 'Zachary' has the Mark...." Severus replied, hand unconsciously drifting to his own link to Voldemort. It tingled lightly at his touch, but thankfully stayed silent.
"Then we must be extra careful. Severus, if he gives any more indication that he suspects as much, I do not want you to return to him. I will not risk you and Harry like that," Dumbledore commanded, his eyes once again possessing that calm, powerful air that dashed any hope of argument. Severus blinked in shock and quickly stopped himself from gaping. Albus would absolve him of his spying duties? That was something he hadn't expected in a million years, and he couldn't exactly say it was something he would be looking forward to. As much as he despised his work as a Death Eater, he had a duty to perform and sins to atone for.
"V-very well, Albus. Now, if you'll excuse me, I really must be off," he managed to mutter as he shook off the surprise. Dumbledore only smiled and nodded, leaning back in his ornate chair once again.
"Alright, come and get me if anything happens, I will be here all evening," he said, and Severus nodded silently, once again forced to wonder if the man was telepathic.
"I will," he said quietly, and slipped eagerly out the door. The clock was ticking, and despite his lingering curiosity over Slytherin's book, he wasn't about to let his son go through the summoning alone. Neither of them were entirely sure than anything would actually happen with the summoning, as Harry had only been briefly affected before, but they couldn't take chances. If something happened, Severus would be there, to either comfort or...restrain his son, whatever the need be.
The thought of having to physically restrain Harry made Severus' heart clench painfully, but he continued on toward the dungeons, dashing through several short cuts along the way. He couldn't bare the thought of his son becoming like those children in the room, just a puppet. It hurt to think about it, and he quickly forced his thoughts away. The barriers would protect him, if not completely, then at least enough to allow him to keep his own mind. And once Albus' friends arrived to strengthen the barrier, hopefully the summoning would no longer have any effect at all.
The dungeon hallways were empty when he at last reached their cool darkness, the damp stones glistening in the flickering torchlight. He hadn't been in Albus' office long, but the setting of the sun outside the castle walls set his nerves on edge. If only he'd known exactly when the summoning would come....With a bit more force than necessary, Severus flung open the door to his chambers and dashed inside, only realizing how panicked he must have looked by the expression on the face of the person sitting across the room. Harry was sitting calmly on the couch, an old, ratty looking book laid open in his lap.
"Hello," Severus said, surprised to find himself slightly short of breath, "Did everything go okay today?" he asked, struggling to calm his racing heart. Harry looked more than a little surprised at the sudden change in his attitude, but he shrugged and closed the book, turning on a bright half-smile.
"Yeah," he said, and as Severus approached, he noticed for the first time the look of worry in his son's eyes, "You had a meeting today," Harry said, one hand absently reaching up to brush over his scar.
"Yes," Severus said, and busied himself in throwing off his outer robe before taking a seat next to his son. Something like relief was slowly flooding his veins, and only now did he realize that he'd been half expecting to find his son sprawled on the floor in pain.
"I thought so, you look a little distressed, if you don't mind my saying so," Harry said with another slight smile, and Severus shook his head.
"It's not the meeting that's bothering me, Harry," he sighed, leaning back into the plush warmth of the couch, "Have you been here long?"
"Not really, I was up in the library," Harry replied quickly, and Severus noticed the faint, unmistakably mischievous glint in his emerald eyes.
"Studying, I hope," Severus said, fixing Harry with a determined glare. The boy shifted uncomfortably in his seat, biting his lip with obvious guilt.
"Er...." was all Harry said, averting his gaze to the cold hearth before the couch. Severus shook his head with amusement and sighed deeply, watching the boy with a glint within his own eyes. It really was quite amazing how the boy could be such a good actor when it came to taking on his new identity, and yet couldn't manage to look innocent when guilty if his life depended on it.
"I thought not. But rest assured this summer you won't be procrastinating," Severus said, fixing Harry with a glare that practically dared him to argue. Harry blinked in surprise, his eyes suddenly becoming very wide and owl-like.
"Does that mean what I think it means?" he gasped, and Severus smiled.
"What do you think it means?" he asked, thoroughly enjoying his son's obvious excitement. He'd been mulling over the idea for a while now, but hadn't dared to broach the subject with Harry until Black had been informed of the situation.
"That I....Can I stay with you?" Harry stuttered, and Severus was surprised anew by the look of pure desperation and hope on his son's face. He hadn't thought that Harry would refuse, but he also hadn't dared to imagine that the boy would be overly thrilled by the idea either.
"Oh, I imagine I could find room for you somewhere...." he said, waving one hand dismissively. Instantly Harry broke into a wide grin, and Severus was nearly bowled over when the boy suddenly trapped him in the fiercest bear-hugs he'd ever experienced. He was pretty sure that even Hagrid would be hard-pressed to do better.
"Thank you," Harry whispered into his hair, and Severus patted his back lightly, returning the hug in a slightly less lung-crushing manner. He was both thankful and not when Harry finally let him go and sat next to him on the couch once again, looking a little embarrassed about his sudden display of appreciation.
"The Headmaster told me that you asked him if you could stay here last summer, I assumed that it was because you did not wish to return to your relatives," Severus said once he'd fully regained his breath. Harry looked away and nodded, the vague pain swirling in his eyes instantly igniting Severus' curiousity.
"Yeah. I'd rather not ever see them again if I have any choice in the matter, and I know that the feeling is more than mutual," he said, and Severus was almost sorry he'd brought it up. The mood change from excited to pained had been almost instantaneous, and Severus knew without a doubt that there was something more to it that simple mutual dislike.
"Wait, these are your mother's relatives we're talking about here, correct?" he asked, brows furrowing with thought. On multiple occasions he'd heard Harry say one negative thing or another about the Dursleys. He knew that they hadn't exactly paid attention to him or been a proper family, but the pain in Harry's eyes seemed to go deeper than that. Surely Lily's relatives wouldn't have been...abusive in any way....He'd met her parents once, and they'd been some of the nicest people he'd ever run across. Surely Lily's sister wasn't that different from them....
"Yes," Harry admitted with a nod, now staring quite adamantly at his lap.
"Harry, what is it? You won't get in trouble, you know," Severus asked, placing one comforting hand on his son's thin shoulder. Harry flashed him a brief, thankful smile before looking back down again.
"I know. I'd just...rather not talk about it, right now, anyway," he said, twisting his hands nervously in his lap. "I promise I'll tell you, okay? Just not right now," he said, raising his eyes once again.
"Okay, I'll trust you," Severus sighed, leaning back into the couch once again. Harry returned his gaze to his lap and remained silent, his eyes fixed on his folded hands. Eyes narrowed in thought, Severus tried to think up something to distract him. There was no way that he would simply leave Harry to sit there like that, waiting for the summoning like some death-knell, and all while thoroughly depressed. After a moment, his eyes settled on a chess board sitting on a nearby bookshelf, and he turned back to Harry, "I don't imagine you'd be up for a game of chess...." he asked, and Harry laughed, shaking his head vigorously.
"No, you'd beat me in three moves," he said, and Severus was glad that the pain had once again disappeared from his eyes, "You could tell me about the time Sirius gave you kitten ears," he offered with a wry grin, eyes twinkling with that familiar light. Severus snorted with surprise and laughed, for it was no mystery who exactly had mentioned that particular incident to him.
"Oh, he told you about that, did he?" he said, and Harry nodded, smiling in anticipation, "Alright...I suppose it wouldn't hurt, he'd undoubtedly tell you a warped version anyway."
"Definately," Harry agreed.
"Well, it was back in our sixth year...."
****Flashback****
The transfiguration classroom had always been a bit too bright for Severus' tastes, but today the morning light shining through the windows seemed to make the entire room glow. Or perhaps it was just the fact that everyone seemed far too cheerful for the morning, rather than sitting limply at the tables, minds and bodies reluctant to completely relinquish sleep. Severus cast the room an icy glare as he sat down in the far, back corner, eyeing the group of Gryffindors at the front of the room with particular distaste. The four boys were by far the most cheerful of the bunch, with even shy little Pettigrew looking bright and happy. Severus scowled even more deeply, this did not bode well....
If the truth were to be told, Severus would have admitted that he wouldn't have cared less about Potter, Black, Lupin, and Pettigrew if he had a choice in the matter. Back in first year he'd been quite content to ignore everyone but those select few brave (or stupid) enough to approach him. But then Black had come up with the notion that Severus would be the perfect 'subject' for all of their newest pranks, and the war had begun. Now Severus wanted nothing more than to get the lot of them expelled, and he would get them expelled, one way or another....
"All right class, please turn to page 256 in your textbooks, I will partner you up momentarily," McGonagall said as she appeared from her office in the back of the room. To Severus' chagrin she looked just as cheerful as the rest of the class, and that was even worse than the Gryffindor Quadra being in such a mood. When McGonagall was happy, class tended to become very interesting, in a decidedly not-so-good way. With a resigned sigh, Severus flipped open his book and quickly read the required section, absorbing the information with much less enthusiasm than normal, even considering it wasn't normally much. They were going to be turning mittens into kittens, according to the book at least. It was supposed to be more challenging due to the fact that two objects (mittens) were to be transfigured into one (a kitten), but that wasn't what had Severus worried. What concerned him was the fact that McGonagall had mentioned the word 'partner,' and with her chipper mood, he had no doubt that the class was going to be a painful one, in one manner or another.
The sound of many people shifting in their seats drew his attention back from his thoughts, and with a groan he noticed that everyone appeared to be finished with the reading. Why couldn't she just let them work alone? He wondered, already scowling around the room. "Alright class, close your books and get out your wands. I'll be setting you into pairs for practice," she said, and Severus grit his teeth as she started naming off the pairs, eyes darkening as each of the people he considered at least tolerable were marked off the list. His last hope was dashed when 'Evans, Lily' was paired with 'Creevey, Xander' and only he and one other person were left glaring at each other across the room. It was none other than Sirius Black, the most vicious of the Marauders.....oh yes indeed, the day was turning out quite well.
Severus slammed his book shut and fixed a deadly glare on his face as the Gryffindor made his way across the room, a mischievous gleam shining within his bright blue eyes. The other boy sat down heavily and stared at him, as if daring him make one of his famously sarcastic remarks. Never one to do the expected, Severus merely returned the stare and clutched his wand tighter, not even glancing up when two pairs of mittens suddenly appeared on the table between them.
"If you can set aside your misplaced ego for an hour Black, I believe we should join the rest of the class in getting to work," Severus snarled, drawing Sirius' away from his contemplation of a blonde girl seated across the room. With a derisive snort, Sirius waved his wand over his pair of mittens and snapped his wrist. There was a subtle 'pop,' and the mittens had instantly transformed into a tiny white kitten.
"There. Work finished, ego appeased," Sirius said, his arms crossed proudly over his chest. Then he smiled his usual wicked smile at Severus and lifted his chin, "It should be fun watching you struggle to do that for the rest of the class," he said, and Severus growled darkly as he picked up his wand.
"If you'd bother concentrating for a moment, Black, you'd notice that your kitten is wearing a mitten. I'm quite sure that was not in the text," he replied, and was rewarded with a faint flush of embarrassment appearing on Sirius' cheeks as he realized that this indeed was true.
"And what makes you think you can do any better?" he retorted once he'd regained his composure.
"Merely the fact that I can do better," Severus said, and with a graceful wave and flick of his wand, his own mittens were transformed into a perfectly normal gray kitten, which gave a tiny 'mew' of surprise. Severus smiled proudly to himself, infinitely glad that he'd bothered to practice over the winter break, "Have I survived your scrutiny, Black? Care to give it another try yourself? Or has my success finally cowed that superiority factor of yours?" he said, smirking at the glaring Gryffindor at his side.
"You think that's impressive, Snape? How about trying something a little harder?" Sirius taunted, and Severus narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest.
"We have completed the assignment, Black. I have no intention of working with you any longer than is required," he growled, not daring to take his eyes off of the Marauder. Undoubtedly he was thinking up some plan or another to either embarrass him or get him in trouble...
"Are you sure? Because I don't think you can do anything harder than that," Sirius taunted, and Severus glared, lips drawing back from bared teeth. Mentally he cursed himself for allowing Black to get under his skin so easily, but his pride in his skill was definitely a tender subject.
"Do not presume to know what I can and cannot do," he hissed, and Black laughed, twirling his wand boredly and arrogantly tossing his head back.
"Who said that I was presu--" he began, but never finished the sentence. In the span of an instant, Severus had flicked his wand twice, effectively turning Sirius into a kitten and back again, all while McGonagall had her back turned to the class.
"There. Now will you leave me alone?" he grumbled, eliciting another curious meow from the gray kitten.
"My turn!" Sirius yelled happily, and Severus whirled angrily.
"Oh no you don't, I won't have you practicing on-" he began, but after a brief pop and a subtle itching sensation on his scalp, he paused mid-sentence, "-me," he finished, glaring at the boy who was laughing at him with tearing eyes. He knew what had happened, he could feel them sticking up through his hair. Black had gifted him with a pair of very feline ears, which were even now laid back across his scalp in anger, "I hate you," he growled, and Sirius just kept right on laughing.
"Mr. Black! What do you think you're doing?!" McGonagall's voice suddenly rang out, and Severus cast her a miserable look, "Mr. Snape, to the hospital wing at once," she said in exasperation, casting an icy glare at Sirius even as Severus muttered a quick 'thank you' on his way to the door.
"Meow," Sirius called out suddenly, and Severus shut the door with a powerful 'bang,' studiously ignoring the roaring laughter of the class beyond the doors.
"And that's twenty points from Gryffindor! Honestly, Mr. Black, I would have expected better from--" McGonagall began to yell once he'd left, but Severus only grumbled on his way down the hall. One of these days he'd get back at Black for all the times he'd embarrassed him....
***End Flashback***
"I never did get revenge for that...." Severus said with a thoughtful sigh.
"Well, Sirius will be here for a week or so longer...." Harry said, somehow managing to look completely innocent and conspiratorial at the same time.
"Are you encouraging me to seek revenge on your godfather for a prank he pulled when we were sixteen?" Severus asked with feigned shock, mouth twitching with amusement.
"Yes," Harry said, crossing his arms behind his head, blinking innocently.
"Now I know you're my son," Severus laughed, and Harry grinned.
"Am I? And here I thought I was a Flitwick...." he said, tapping his chin in thought.
"Oh yes, I can see the resemblance," Severus taunted, and they both broke down laughing at the imagery. If either was surprised at how easily the laughter came, neither on showed it. Only Harry took the time to note how truly transformed his father was by the emotion. With his dark eyes alight and mouth spread in a wide smile, evil was the last word to come to mind. This man was completely different from the one that Harry had been intimidated by back in first year, and even different from the snappish, nervous man who'd paced beside his hospital bed. This was a man he was proud to call his father.
"You've changed....outside of class, I mean," Harry said, a half-smile still gracing his lips. Severus only smiled and ran a hand back through his hair, casting him a thoughtful gaze.
"So have you. I seem to remember a time when you'd leap behind statues to get away from me," he said.
"--and you'd take points from me for breathing," Harry continued, and Severus cracked a half-smile.
"Well I can't very well take points from my own House now, can I?" he said, eyes twinkling with humor.
"I like the new you," Harry smiled, crossing his arms across his chest. Severus didn't say anything, but rather watched the brightly smiling boy, enjoying the sharp flare of pride he felt as he looked at him. He couldn't even fathom how he'd ever managed to hate the boy that sat at his side, those past feeling seemed so distant now that he could almost imagine that they'd never existed.
A startled gasp drew him out of his thoughts, and his gaze instantly refocused on the dark-haired boy at his side. The muscles in Harry's jaws had suddenly gone tight, and his pale hands were even paler than normal as they clenched at the folds of his robe, nails digging into the dark material. His breathing was quickening and he was blinking rapidly, as if struggling to clear something away from his eyes.
"Harry?" Severus asked, tentatively grasping his son's shoulder once again. Beneath his palm he could feel Harry shaking, all of his muscles tensed as he waged some internal battle.
"He's...calling...." Harry gasped, suddenly clenching his eyes shut against a fresh wave of pain. Ice-cold panic flooded Severus veins in an instant, the calm he'd managed to find somehow disappearing into the depths of his stomach. Harry suddenly started trembling more violently, his breath coming in short, hissing jets.
"Hold on Harry, just focus on my voice...." he said, quickly grasping Harry's other shoulder and turning him so that they were facing each other on the couch. Even as he struggled to help his son, he couldn't help but see those images in his mind once again. So many blank faces, empty eyes....lifeless and staring out of empty shells....Harry seated among them....
"...hurts...he's closer...." Harry gasped quietly, his voice weakening. Even as Severus watched the color of Harry's eyes seemed to be fading, dulling as the life slowly bled away. In a wave of wide-eyed panic Severus jerked Harry into his arms, clutching him to his chest as if he could physically protect him from Voldemort's call. Surprisingly, Harry seemed instantly calmed, the violent shaking in his body reduced to a minor quiver.
"Stay with me....you can fight it," Severus whispered, drawing his fingers through his son's long, dark hair. Harry took a shuddering breath, and suddenly fell limp in his arms, long fingers clutching weakly at the folds of his robes, "Is it over?" he asked, still drawing his fingers back through his son's hair.
"I think so," Harry whispered, and Severus instantly released the breath he'd been holding. Harry still sounded incredibly weak, but he was no longer shaking or breathing quickly. He was sucking in slow, shuddering breaths, unconsciously pressing himself tighter into his father's arms.
"Do you need to go to the hospital wing?" Severus asked, and Harry shook his head against his chest.
"No, I'll be okay," he said, and Severus smiled at the top of his head. He was pretty sure that Harry wasn't completely okay, but if he didn't want to go to the hospital wing, then he'd just have to give him a potion or two instead. There was no way that he would let the boy out of his sight in anything near his current condition, "Thanks, Dad," Harry's soft voice suddenly called, and Severus froze, staring wide-eyed at the dark head nestled against his shoulder. All thought seemed to come to a crashing halt then, his mind blissfully blank in the wake of the soft voice speaking that one heartfelt word. He blinked in surprise, only then noticing the green-eyed gaze smiling up at him. Instantly he returned the smile, tightening his arms around the thin body held protectively against him.
"You're welcome," he said, and Harry smiled wider, closing his eyes in obvious contentment. Severus really couldn't blame him for it either. If he could have, he would have danced among the stars for all the joy that one simple word had brought into his heart.
-----end chapter 36------
Notes:: Okay! Okay! Since everybody asked, I promise to keep the hydra around. I like him too…I just tend to get really paranoid about new characters….And by some miracle I actually wrote a longer chapter….woohoo! I'm tired now….
Next Chapter-the lion, and Sirius get's surprised! This one should be fun….hehe…