-135- Trust No One

The pitch was crowded with several parents there to help their son or daughter make the Hogwarts Quidditch Team. News of the big game had been plastered on every newspaper across the country. The game represented an ending to the war and everyone was eager to celebrate.

Harry stood next to Severus, just trying to take in all the excitement going on around him. At first only a few people noticed them, then it happened like a giant wave as the Quidditch pitch almost came to a standstill with all eyes on Harry.

Harry's shoulders slumped as he tried to become invisible. He glanced up to see the professor raise an eyebrow at him.

"Pay no heed to them," Severus advised, expression stern as he glared back at the gawking hordes of people. "Stand tall and never hide."

It was hard advise to follow but Harry forced himself to obey. As he looked about he saw Seamus an Michael wave him over.

"Can I go say hi?"

The Potion Master gave a slight nod, letting the boy reconnect with his classmates and take his mind off all the curious adults still watching them. A few of the braver parents approached the legendary Potion Master.

Several of Harry's Gryffindor friends came swooping down on their brooms to say hi. Ron almost knocked him over when he landed in the crowded area.

"Hey Mate!" Ron gave him a punch on the shoulder. "I've been wondering when you were planning on coming out to practice. I thought maybe you were turning into a Slytherin. I guess they feel they're too good to practice with the rest of us."

"They haven't been practicing at all?" Harry asked.

"The only Slytherin we've seen out on the pitch is Malfoy."

"It sounds like they're up to something," Harry said, slipping on his Quidditch gloves.

Ginny landed behind him with a big grin. She looked windswept and happy. Harry thought she had never looked cuter and told her so, "Hey beautiful! Care to take a ride?"

Ginny wasted no time in dropping her broom to throw her arms around her boyfriend, "You look like your feeling better?"

"Yeah, I am…" before Harry could finish his sentence, Ginny pulled him close and gave him a kiss.

All the guys hooted and hollered, making rude comments.

Come on Gin, let's get out of here," Harry said, mounting his broom. "These blokes are just jealous."

"Sounds good to me," Ginny said, kicking off and shooting up off the ground.

They circled the pitch before Harry flew over the lake with Ginny by his side. He let out a loud whoop when he flew so low his trainers touched water. Nothing felt better than flying so free with the girl he loved by his side. This would be one of those memories he would use when things got bad again. The air was warmer than usual for a winter day, with barely any snow left covering the ground.

Ginny held her hand out to Harry. Harry squeezed her hand tenderly as they circled the pitch once more. She flew in so close that their knees and the bristles on their brooms touched. He leaned into her and their lips touched for a brief second before their brooms collided, sending them flying in opposite directions to catch their balance once more.

"Whoo hoo! I've never kissed on a broom before!" Ginny exclaimed, flying upside down over Harry.

They heard the shrill sound of a whistle. Ginny righted herself once more and scanned the pitch. Standing in the middle of the pitch was Mr. Weasley, with a whistle dangling from his lips.

"Oops," Ginny said, "I forgot my dad was coming to give me pointers today. I guess I better get down there."

"Severus looks annoyed," Harry said, noticing the professor with his arms crossed and eyes directed at him.

They flew down to the ground, landing just a few feet from Severus. He gave Harry a look that definitely conveyed his irritation. Mr. Weasley wasn't quite so subtle about his displeasure over the sky high kiss.

"Ginevra Weasley! You could have been killed! What in heavens name is wrong with the two of you?"

"Daaad," Ginny griped in embarrassment, "We're fine. It wasn't all that dangerous a thing to do."

Harry was steered away by a firm hand to his shoulder. When they were standing by themselves, Severus finally spoke up, "Of all the reckless stunts to pull, that one was most irresponsible."

"Sorry."

Severus stared at him before finally saying, "No, I do not believe you are."

Harry wasn't about to admit that he really wasn't sorry but he at least had to make a show of being remorseful. "It just sort of happened but I'm sorry, Dad… I-I mean, Severus."

He suddenly stopped talking when he saw the look of confusion on the professor's face. A second later he realized what was happening. He had set off some sort of memory for Severus that was just beginning to overcome the professor. Without hesitation, he grabbed his dad's chin and forced the man to look at him. In a flash he had taken hold of the memory and was helping to slow it down.

The memories came flooding back faster and harder than ever before. Harry had trouble slowing them down, as one after another they pounded his head. The first memory was the night the adoption papers came through and Ron had suggested he call Severus "dad". The second was the night Severus sat by his side after he had visited Sirius for the first time after he had come back through the veil. The third memory almost brought him to his knees as the impact seared into his brain:

It was Hogsmeade Day and they were in the midst of being attacked by Death Eaters. Harry was cornered by Malfoy and quickly losing the battle, when Severus came to the rescue.

Finally, the memories ended and both Severus and Harry were breathing hard. Harry felt his head spinning and fought with everything he had to remain on his feet. Severus grabbed hold of his son's arm and steered him behind the stands and away from prying eyes. To anyone watching it must have looked like they were in deep conversation.

Harry staggered to a bench and felt the blood begin to collect behind his eyes and nose. No! he screamed in his own head, not wanting his dad to see him like that. He stood up, using his broom to help keep him balanced.

"Got …to go," Harry managed to whisper, heading for the locker room. The memories had never effected him quite this badly before. He knew it would just be a matter of seconds before he lost consciousness and started to bleed. He was slowed down when his dad gripped his arm.

"To the dungeon. Come," the voice left no room for argument.

They were halfway to the castle before Harry stumbled to the ground. He lie on his stomach with blood drenching his sleeve from his dripping nose. His vision was almost gone with the blood smearing across his glasses.

"I'll be okay," he said, before his dad could discover the blood. He was lifted back to his feet, then heard Severus take in a sharp breath.

"Harry!?!" Severus pulled him closer. "You should never have assisted. You are far too weak to take on that sort of pressure."

Harry tried to wipe away the blood but his endeavors were fruitless. He held onto his dad's arm, "Just get me outta here before anyone sees me."

Severus unhooked his cloak and threw it over Harry's shoulders. He pulled the hood up to hide the boy's bloody face. With the last of his strength he picked the teen up and carried him to the castle. He knew Harry must have been worse off than he was leading onto because the young man did not protest being carried.

Harry tried to stay conscious but he finally succumbed to the blackness that awaited him.

The next time he awoke it was to Poppy leaning over him as he rested in his dungeon bedroom.

"My dad?" Harry managed to ask, with a scratchy voice.

Severus stepped out from behind the medi-witch. "I am here."

Poppy made Harry sit up and drink a few potions before she spoke, "How long has this been happening, Mr. Potter?"

Harry looked down at his hands. He didn't want his dad to know what price he had to pay for helping him with his memories. He shrugged his shoulders.

"How many times have you hemorrhaged?" Poppy filled another goblet with potion.

"I'm not sure," he finally said.

Poppy turned to look at the professor, "I have no doubts that he has bled like this every time he tried to help you."

"That explains his pale complexion and his odd decline in health," Severus stated, shifting his narrowing eyes towards Harry. "You have no sense of self preservation, boy. It is that Gryffindor heroics that drives you to foolishly harm yourself for another's sake! Has this happened every time you helped with my memories? Have you been hiding this from me?"

"I couldn't just sit there and watch you suffer," Harry quietly admitted.

"But I am forced to watch you suffer!?" Severus snapped back, as he moved to stand next to the bed with arms folded in front of him.

"It's no big deal," Harry claimed, but even as he said it he tried to keep from passing out, once more.

"No big deal?" Severus repeated, "I can assure you, Mr. Potter, this is certainly going to become a big deal for you."

"Severus," Poppy admonished, placing a hand to his arm. "He is very ill."

Harry was grateful to the medi-witch. He didn't think he could take a lecture just now with the way his head pounded and the way his stomach was on the verge of rejecting the potion he had just been given. He grabbed his stomach and swallowed back the bile that burned the back of his throat.

"Don't you dare vomit that potion back up! I've just spent the better part of an afternoon brewing the last of …" Severus stopped talking when he saw the teen squeeze his eyes shut and curl into himself. He lost the last bit of anger when Harry rolled to his side and began to hemorrhage out of his eyes and nose once more.

"Dear boy," Poppy fussed as she spelled clean the bedding, "Dear, dear boy."

Severus rubbed the young man's back until Harry relaxed a bit and breathed easier. He sat down on the bed and pushed the hair back from his son's sweaty brow.

"I suppose you've been punished more than enough," Severus shook his head as he placed a hand to Harry's pale face. "I can not imagine what goes through that head of yours. Most likely you do not even think about the consequences before you immerse yourself in your laudable endeavors." He was finding it hard to accept the sacrifices the young man had made for him. A moment passed before Harry spoke.

"Keep talking, Dad" Harry whispered out, "It's helping me fall asleep."

Severus huffed out in indignation, but was pleased to hear his son call him "Dad" once more, "I'll try not to take offence to that statement. I am grateful to offer some measure of comfort, Harry. I suppose I shouldn't take offence to your lack of respect either but should consider myself fortunate to provide …" Harry fell asleep before that sentence was even finished. He slept better than he had in months, completely oblivious to the fact that try outs were just beginning.

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Severus paced in front of the fireplace. It was fast approaching ten o'clock, the time he had planned to go under the memory spell with Albus. The potion with rare ingredients had already been made and would spoil if it was not used soon. He knew Harry would not take kindly to waking up in the infirmary, so he had arranged for Sirius Black to come stay whilst he was under the memory spell. He should never have counted on the wretched mutt! Black was already half an hour behind schedule before the fire turned green and the intolerable man came tumbling out of the floo.

Severus was immediately aware of the stench of alcohol emanating from the insufferable man. "You have been drinking," he stated with anger rising.

"Ssoo, what's it to you, Snivellus," Sirius slurred as he stumbled to the sofa.

"Harry is ill, you imbecile! His needs must be met by an adult, not by an inebriated idiot!"

"My godson and I will be just fine. Why don't you go off to your Vampire convention or wherever your kind goes."

"Shut up, Black. You know bloody well where I will be going! Harry will be waking soon and will realize that he missed the try outs. I highly doubt you are in any condition to offer him intelligent console."

"You're damn right he's going to be angry when he finds out how your Slytherin's cheated their way onto the team!"

"That has not been confirmed yet."

Sirius felt the room lurch as his head spun like mad. The try outs couldn't have gone worse for Gryffindor. Every student trying out had made terrible blunders. The only students to show any real signs of talent had all come from Slytherin House. Now, he would be expected to help train a bunch of Slytherin and he was not happy about it. As soon as try outs had ended, he had headed up to the Astronomy Tower and gotten himself nice and drunk. He hadn't felt any guilt when a large group from Gryffindor had come up to join him either. He figured he wasn't really their teacher since none of them had made the team, so why not get smashed with them.

"I can hardly go under the memory spell with you taking care of Harry. Where is Lupin?"

"It's a full moon, you brainless bat!"

At that moment the floo turned green once more and Narcissa stepped through. She stopped in her tracks when she spotted Sirius reclining on the sofa. Her nose wrinkled and her eyes narrowed sharply.

"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in," Sirius rudely remarked. "I hear you've been chasing after Snape? Or should I say, Snape's galleons?"

Narcissa pulled her shoulders back and sneered down at Sirius, "You came back through the veil even more demented then you were before!"

"And you've turned into an even more money hungry whore than you were before," Sirius retorted as he stood up on unsteady feet.

"Get out!" Severus snapped. "I should have known better than to trust someone with the maturity level of a third year!" He half pushed, half dragged the animangus towards the fireplace. Without waiting to hear another word he threw a handful of floo powder into the fire.

"You slimy bat! I 'm not leaving my …"

Severus shoved the man into the floo as he called out, "Headmaster's office!" He immediately locked the floo as soon as the flames turned green. He wiped his hands on his robe and turned to face Narcissa. "I am sorry for that."

Narcissa rolled her eyes, "Sirius will never change."

"I am afraid Harry will be the one to suffer for it."

Narcissa stepped closer, until she was close enough to wrap her arms around the tall man, "I came to keep you company tonight."

Severus wrapped his own arms around the beautiful witch, "I wish I could accept your offer, however, I have an appointment I must attend to."

"I'll wait," Narcissa purred as she kissed Severus on the neck.

"As much as I wish to accept, I am afraid I will be detained for at least a day, perhaps two," he breathed in the faint scent of her perfume.

"What sort of appointment takes a day or two?" Narcissa asked as she stepped away from the professor. Her tone definitely conveyed jealously "I'll not wait around while you go off sampling other…"

"Narcissa, stop. Just stop …I'll not defend the way I spend my time." At the hurt expression Narcissa now wore, Severus continued, "For your information, I am attending a meeting with the headmaster. It is rather important. Black was intended to stay with Harry. The boy is ill."

"So, now what will you do?" Narcissa asked, her mind coming up with a plan.

"I suppose I shall be required to call upon Hagrid."

"A sick child needs a mother's touch. I would be happy to stay."

"It is not so simple as that," Severus stated. He made a decision to trust in the witch, "Unfortunately my son was mislead and signed a document releasing him from my custody. Ministry officials must be kept from Harry until my return."

Narcissa could hardly contain her delight, "You may count on me, Severus. I will be sure the ministry does not come near our dear Harry whilst you are away."

"Are you certain you are comfortable with this?"

"Of course I am! I've grown quite fond of the boy. I'm sure Draco will be happy to help keep his spirits up while you are away."

Yes, Severus thought, Draco would help to buffer the disappointment of not making the Quidditch team. In addition, perhaps this would be a good opportunity for Harry and Narcissa to grow closer. He really had no other choice at this point, since the memory potion would spoil soon if it was not used. He took a deep breath, "Very well. If you are certain?"

"I am."

"Harry must not leave the confines of the dungeon. As long as you stay down here you will be safe from the ministry or any other wishing to do harm. Let no one in, other than Draco and perhaps Harry's closest friends. Trust no one from the ministry."

He gathered Narcissa into his arms and gave her a long, deep kiss. "I shall look forward to spending time with you when I return." He gave Narcissa a detailed list of precautions for his ill son. In the end he still felt rather uneasy about leaving, but knew he had no other choice. "Please call on Madame Pomfrey or Healer Fairchild should Harry show any signs of illness, other than fatigue. I shall return as soon as possible."

Severus took one last look at his sleeping son before gathering his bag of potions and heading to the infirmary. He couldn't shake the feeling of dread.

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As soon as the door to the dungeon shut, Narcissa laughed out loud. She clapped her hands in glee. She could just imagine how distraught Severus would be when he returned and the boy was gone. She would be there to offer comfort and help to ease his loneliness by offering her own son as a replacement.

She wondered how long it would be before the ministry came to get the boy? Perhaps she should offer her assistance and contact Cornelius Fudge directly. Yes, that should help to initiate the process of having the boy removed even sooner.

She threw a handful of floo powder into the flames then stuck her head in the green fire, "Cornelius Fudges' office!"

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Hi Friends,

Do you think Ginny should play a bigger role in this story?

I know Sirius is acting like an idiot but I think he was immature in the books too. I wanted to portray him as slightly crazy with a sweet side but quick to anger. Would you like to see more of him the story?

Let me know what you think,

Rachel