15 October 1985 - Hogwarts, Early Morning - A Cure Proposed
Since ending the existence of Voldemort the day before Severus had not slept; he was afraid that old nightmares he had imprisoned with his Occlumency shields had been awakened. He had tried to read, played chess against himself, and even had lemon tea with his father until the old man had begun to yawn. He had then spent a fruitless hour watching as the last of the full moon waned in the star-sprinkled sky. Then, with students and teachers snugly asleep in their beds he trudged out to the Whomping Willow, stopped its flailing branches, and descended into the tunnel beneath its great roots. He emerged within the Shrieking Shack.
Remus, due to the Wolfsbane, appeared exhausted after his first night's ordeal beneath the full moon. The transition from man to wolf was not easy but the Wolfsbane greatly reduced the horrible animal drive that often caused Remus to cause harm to himself. He would change, and soon after, as a full wolf, drift into sleep on the floor. Two more nights were ahead of him but Severus needed to speak to the wizard.
"Severus?" inquired Remus as he leaned back against the foot of the bed. He remained seated on the floor.
The Potions Master crouched down in front of the bewildered wizard. "I created the worst potion of my life," he began conversationally. "It destroyed Voldemort's soul as surely as a Dementor would with its kiss."
"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is dead? Completely?" asked Remus in puzzlement.
"His name was Voldemort," Severus corrected with frustration. "You need not fear his name any longer. Now, pay… attention."
"Yes. Of course, Severus. You were saying…?"
"If I am able to create a potion that will destroy a magical soul… Remus… then I can create a cure for Lycanthropy," Severus declared drily.
Remus smiled wryly and slowly shook his head as he scoffed, "No, Severus. A cure is impossible!"
Severus' gaze narrowed sharply, "I did not just 'put a stopper in death', Lupin, I created… death." He rose to his full height and then put out his hand towards Remus. Remus stared at the proffered hand before accepting it. Severus' grip was firm and certain as he helped Remus to his feet. "You will be my guinea pig, Lupin." Remus frowned as he was unfamiliar with such an animal. "My test subject. My most willing… volun… teer."
"It is impossible, Severus," Remus shook his head as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "The closest anyone has come to a cure is Wolfsbane."
"And, therein I believe lies the problem. Tell me. I need to know precisely the differences in your transition when you are not under Wolfsbane and when you are," said Severus rather imperiously, and then he began to pace.
Remus studied the wizard before him. The Potions Master appeared wired and alert but there was weariness just beneath that facade. "Severus, when did you last sleep?" The man in question whirled angrily upon Remus; the werewolf did not flinch. "Don't take offense, Severus. I can see the weariness upon your face. You haven't slept since He-Who—- I mean, Voldemort, was vanquished."
Severus grasped the edges of his open cloak and drew it against himself as he crossed his arms over his chest in belligerence. "Not interested in contributing to a cure, Lupin? I will find another…"
Remus interrupted by holding up his hand. "I concede, Severus. I will disclose all the information you need, I will take your potions and tinctures, but first you must sleep."
Yes, Severus admitted to himself, I am tired down to my bones. However, my past... dances grotesquely at the edges of my consciousness. Nightmares awaited him should he fall into sleep. He dropped down to a sitting position beside Remus and lowered his head into his hands. Remus noted that the Potions Master would never show him such vulnerability.
"Severus," Remus spoke softly, "I cannot begin to think why you are not sleeping and I do not profess any such cure. A suggestion is all I have."
"And what is that, Lupin?"
Remus could hear the tired sneer in the man's voice even though he could not see his face. "Your son. I have observed you and he a time or two and when he hugs you it is as if the weight of the world leaves your shoulders. Go to Harry."
The werewolf's suggestion is ridiculous, thought Severus. Nevertheless he rose to his feet as the overwhelming need to see and hold his son took hold of every nerve and blood cell in his body. He looked down at Remus. "I do not have anticipate any detentions today, Remus. Take your dinner and then meet me in my office at 8 of the clock this evening. Be prepared. I will discover a cure."
Severus turned and billowed out of the Shrieking Shack.
Remus frowned as he realised that twice the Potions Master had referred to his first name.
15 October 1985 Hogwarts, Dungeons - A Bit Later in the Morning
Severus did not immediately go to his apartment and thence to his son's bedroom. He stopped in his classroom, prepared it for his first class, and then he vanished to his private lab. Once in his own domain he destroyed every single note in regards to the Essence of Dementor potion and its curious, teardrop, container. His demolition did not end there. He included the cauldron he had used, a precious cauldron carved from a single piece of iron. He melted it down added a fine powder of clear quartz to clean the liquefied metal. The quartz, now smutty with the 'filth' of the iron was extracted and Vanished so that it would never defile anything ever again. Severus then shaped the 'new' iron into a cauldron.
By that time it was five in the morning. Severus was loathe to disturb his son, and in turn his godson, from their blessed sleep. However, the need to see Harry, to hold him, even tickle him so he could bathe in the innocence of his laughter, had only grown with the passing of the hours. Leaving his lab behind the Potions Master made his way to his apartment.
Upon stepping into the sitting room he was rudely reminded that he had not expanded the kitchen, and his plans for a bedroom for Neville had not been done. Making a mental note to address both the moment he could he headed for Harry's 'Jungle Bedroom'.
At the door to his son's bedroom he paused. Harry's bed, which had been at the room's center, was now against the far wall on the right side of the Enchanted Window. Neville's bed was on the left. Harry, now more relaxed in sleep, sprawled over his twin bed with Nellie asleep against his side. Neville, curled up to near obscurity beneath his covers, slept softly and peacefully.
The older wizard was very tempted to waken both his children but a full day of school awaited them all. He felt peace descend upon him, though, as he listened to the boys' gentle breathing as both slept. Making up his mind his transfigured one of the chairs in Harry's bedroom into a cot for himself. He removed his robe, and long jacket, then his shoes. Pulling back the covers of the cot he crawled in, lay down, and before he expected it, he slept.
Severus was not plagued by nightmares.
15 October 1985 - Breakfast
Severus was pleasantly startled awake when his exuberant son bounced on his cot, fell on his chest, and kissed him. Neville soon followed and the Potions Master actually laughed as his two boys cajoled him from bed.
"What are you doing in here, Shadow?" asked Harry as he nestled against his father's side.
Severus yawned and curled the more shy Neville against his other side. "I just needed my boys, Magpie." he kissed Harry's forehead. "And you, my Mouse, did you sleep well?"
Neville nodded. "I had a dream where I had my own garden, Shadow."
"Did you now?" He kissed Neville's cheek. Severus then pushed both boys from his cot. "Time for us to get ready for breakfast. Hurry now. Your grandfather would like to see both of you having breakfast in the Great Hall this morning."
Harry and Neville sprinted to their bathroom and soon there was the happy sound of water running as Harry began his shower, and Neville brushed his teeth. Severus roused himself, transfigured his cot back into a chair, gathered his coat and robe, and went to his room to make himself ready for the day.
Twenty minutes later all three were fresh, dressed, and quite hungry for breakfast. Severus escorted his boys to the Great Hall where they were greeted with smiles from nearly all of the students. Bill and Charlie Weasley waved, and all at the Slytherin table smiled, waved, or nodded in greeting.
The staff all greeted the Snapes and Neville and the two little boys took a moment to embrace their grandfather. Albus had each of the boys sitting on either side of him while Severus sat beside Harry to the left. Just as Severus was tapping the table for his son's breakfast, he felt the warmth of a hand to his shoulder. He looked back and up, and was pleased to see Poppy.
"I hope you don't mind, Severus, but Albus moved me from the end of the table to beside you," she said with a smirking smile.
Severus nodded, rose, pulled out the Healer's chair, and helped her into it. He noticed that she no longer affected the Glamour that aged her. No less beautiful to him with the Glamour he did notice that she had a much fresher look that had matured with her own natural age. Her eyes, a blue that was nearly gem-like in their richness, sparkled with warmth. He did much prefer Poppy without the Glamour.
Breakfast passed with agreeable chatter and Severus observed that everyone around him appeared more relaxed than they had been since returning from their Summer vacations.
"The last of the magic exhausted students, DeWayne Johnson, was sent back to Hufflepuff today, Severus," commented Poppy.
"Very good," nodded Severus as he sipped at his coffee. "There is a general air of vitality that was absent before, Poppy."
Poppy smiled. "I woke up feeling as though I were free to breathe without restriction."
Severus gave her a small smile as he nodded. "I must admit, I slept better than I have in years." He placed his coffee mug on the table and turned to the Healer. "Poppy, I am beginning a project where I would welcome your medical opinion, and expertise. Would you be available?"
"Of course, Severus," smiled Poppy demurely. "Any time that you need me I will be available for you."
Severus raised his gaze to the witch sitting beside him. She nodded, winked, and he felt suddenly rather pleasantly… uncomfortable. He did not return her smile but his black gaze glittered in understanding. When she turned away to concentrate on her breakfast Severus rested his hand on Poppy's thigh. He smirked as she jolted. However, the wily witch did not move the Potions Master's hand.
Manchester Primary School for Witches & Wizards
Draco and Neville applauded as they watched the blue crayon skate easily across the surface of the paper. Harry had finally managed to control the crayon with his magical intention. And, he noted to himself, he was not frowning, glaring, or glowering at the crayon. It moved as if it coloured across ice.
"Very good, Harry!" praised Madame Bilcross. "That will be an extra star for you today. Your father will be very proud of you."
Harry blushed. "Thank you, Ma'am."
"All right, Draco. It is your turn. Show me what you can do with that crayon," said Madame Bilcross.
Draco nodded, grabbed the crayon, and set it down on the paper. He then looked at it and tried not to frown. He recalled his father telling him once that the best magic was done when the caster was relaxed and confidant. When the crayon did not move he huffed out a breath, closed his eyes briefly, and then looked at the crayon again. This time he filled his thoughts with his desire to see the crayon drawing across the paper. In that moment of thought the crayon flew across the paper leaving behind a straight but solid line of blue.
"Very good, Draco," smiled Madame Bilcross. "You get an extra star today as well."
"Thank you, Ma'am!" grinned Draco.
"Now, Neville, it is your turn. Let's see how you do."
Neville nodded, picked up the crayon and placed it in front of himself on the paper. His glance was worried as he looked at the crayon. It wobbled but did not move. He glowered and crossed his arms tightly over his chest.
Harry moved over to Neville and whispered encouragingly, "You can do this, Nev. You just showed me how to do it. Right?" Neville nodded and uncrossed his arms. "Okay, breathe and make that crayon colour lots."
Neville breathed in and out, put his hands on the edge of the table in front of him, and leaned slightly forward as he watched the crayon. In his mind he thought of the crayon colouring a huge expanse of blue sky for birds to fly in. Suddenly, and to everyone's surprise, the crayon melted and the colourful wax smeared across the paper.
"Wow! Wicked!" cried out both Draco and Harry as they clapped. Neville was not smiling. He was embarrassed at having destroyed the crayon.
Madame Bilcross knelt beside Neville and patted his back. "You did well, Neville. Your intent was a bit overmuch but you will learn to focus that."
"But I just made a mess, Madame," sighed Neville mournfully.
"You did not," the witch admonished sternly. "Tell me, what did you imagine for that crayon to do?"
"Well, I was thinking of a big sky with lots of birds to fly in it," replied Neville. "Too much?"
"Ambitious I would say," said Madame Bilcross. She then tapped the paper with the swath of blue. "And, you did create a sky as you intended. Therefore, an extra star for you, Neville."
"Ohhh, thank you!"
15 October 1985, Hogwarts - Evening Before Dinner
Albus stood looking out of his tower window with his hands together, resting against the small of his back. The sun was just a thin sliver in a dark blue sky with artistic shades of purple, burnt orange, dull pink, and quiet yellow. An entire day had passed of classes, points gained and lost, and detentions set. All this without the looming threat of Voldemort.
The Headmaster had collected from his son the pensieve memory of the Dark Wizard's final dissolution. He had made an acceptable modification which stripped out Severus' emotion as he poured the Essence of Dementor over the creature that was the remains of Voldemort's Ka. In the privacy of his bedroom he had wept for his son who had held such a great and painful hatred of the thing that had once entrapped his soul as his slave.
Albus had, for a long time, chosen not to think of what his spy was going through when he had to face his Dark master. The abuses Severus tolerated in order to gather intelligence upon Voldemort and his Death Eaters the older wizard only now realised had nearly destroyed his son.
Harry coming into the younger man's life had changed him. Severus was now free to love and to be loved. This he had embraced so quickly, as a parched man might thirst for water, that Severus had taken Neville into his family. That had been quite unexpected to Albus who had been thinking of seeking a good family for the small boy. Instead, Severus had not only taken guardianship of Neville but he had made the boy his godson. It allowed Albus to claim the child as his grandson, though only in name.
As Albus spied the creation of magical lights down on the front lawn of the castle he saw that nearly two dozen students had gathered just before the evening meal for an impromptu snow fight. He was pleased to be a silent witness to this youthful joy. He was pleasantly stunned when he realised that the students were being refereed by his son, Severus. The captains of each team appeared to be Harry and Neville.
Levitating one of his chairs over to the window Albus settled in to watch as the snowballs began flying. With a wave of his wand he was able to hear the joyous screams and laughter as the snowballs hit their targets or missed. Much too soon the snowball fight was ended with Harry cheering on the winner's team, Neville.
Albus muted the sounds, smiled and returned to his desk. Not before murmuring, "100 points to Slytherin."
Much later as Severus was just ushering his Slytherins out of the Great Hall after they had eaten dinner he glanced over the staff table at the large hourglasses that held the gems for each of the Hogwarts Houses: ruby for Gryffindor, sapphire for Ravenclaw, citrine for Hufflepuff and emerald for Slytherin.
"Two-hundred and eighty-three points for Slytherin?" the Potions Master frowned. "How did we earn 100 points in one day?"
"Don't worry, Severus," smiled Minerva McGonagall as she passed him. "I'm sure your Slytherins will lose at least that much in the next Quidditch game."
"Unlikely, Minerva, I understand that your Seeker has a difficulty with heights," he smirked.
Minerva scowled. "I do believe you are misinformed, Severus. Mr. Jackson is simply not fond of heights above the playing field." The Transfiguration teacher sauntered after her Gryffindors.
Severus smirked smugly. "Afraid of heights, I dare say."