Whatever dream he had been caught up in shattered at the sound of a child screaming. Instinct had him on his feet with his wand in hand before his senses caught up with him. He could hear movement in the spare room where the screaming had morphed into wails.
Exhaustion washed over him and he rubbed at his face. A glance at the digital clock told him they still had an hour before the sun rose at minimum, yet the thought of returning to sleep to only continue the dream made it very tempting to just start the day despite the early hour. The movement in the other room hadn't completely stilled even as the crying died out. It wasn't like he would be making much noise if he did stay up.
Slow feet padded from the spare room to the kitchen. His door opened with very little sound and he crossed to the kitchen on quiet feet. Black was filling the coffee pot with water which peaked his interest. He let the corner of the wall take his weight. "Has he been having nightmares every night?"
Black glanced at him shutting the water off. "Pretty much." The man turned and poured the water into the tank to boil. "He sleeps through the night; just ends up waking us up at ungodly hours."
He frowned. Black plucked the coffee filter and the coffee grounds from the cupboard. "Does he sleep much after?"
Black shrugged stuffing the filter into place. "Fitfully. Most of the time we just get up and get going and crash for a nap sometime after noon." Black gave him a shrewd - and very tired - look. "If you're going to want more sleep, here isn't the best place for it."
"You making enough to share?" cut through the beginnings of an argument as Lupin stepped around Severus.
It effectively deviated Black's attention. "Usually do."
Lupin went right for the mugs. "You joining us, Severus?"
Confusion pulled at his tired face. "Is that a genuine invitation or simple politeness?" he asked, the words sharper in his disbelief than he had intended.
"You don't have to," Black pointed out, sounding like he hoped Severus would leave them be.
Lupin glared at the man before turning a calm and surprisingly awake gaze onto Severus. "You are more than welcome to have some. There's always a good mug and a half left in the pot once we've filled ours. Not to mention it is your coffee we're using."
He took his weight back. Despite the doubt of his presence being wanted, Lupin made a very good point. "Sure," he offered finally and Lupin grabbed a third mug from the cupboard.
The barstool was cold but it was better than standing. He leaned his weight into the bar top counter behind the sink, watching as the two men danced clumsily around each other in the kitchen.
"Harry wake you, then?" Lupin finally asked as a hot cup of coffee was placed within reach.
He picked the mug up. "In a sense."
Black gave a faint laugh. "What's that supposed to mean?"
The coffee - black and still very hot - tasted as good as he remembered. He had forgotten about the grounds while keeping up appearances in the wizarding world. He was glad it was still fresh enough for them to use. The look of disgust on Black's face as he drank it straight was almost as satisfying. "The dose of Dreamless Sleep Draught I took wasn't strong enough. I was awoken from a very…" It hadn't exactly been a nightmare but it certainly hadn't been pleasant. "...a very off putting dream. I would most likely have woken on my own accord about this time had the boy not."
"Do you take it often?" Lupin inquired, leaning against the counter by the sink.
He glared at Black when the man hopped up onto the opposite counter, ankles brushing against the lower cabinet doors. "I try and not take it every night. I and a small group of others have managed to create one that allows some dreaming to occur so what I am taking is far less harmful if taken regularly."
Surprise crossed both their faces. If he wasn't mistaken, he had just impressed them both. "Where'd you manage something like that?" Black asked, leaning forward. How he didn't slip from the counter was beyond him.
He rolled his eyes, bringing the mug up to his lips again. "I'm a Potions Master for a reason, Black. Or did you forget that fact?" Honestly. Had Black been hit one too many times by the Confundus Charm?
Black glared at him. "Oh, sorry," the man drawled with bared teeth. "I didn't realize that would have been offensive, oh Great and All Knowing Snivellus."
Lupin smacked the man upside the head with barely enough force to make sound but it caused Black to slip unbalanced from the counter. It was a miracle coffee didn't go everywhere. "Don't antagonize him this early in the morning. I do not have the patience for it regardless if he does or not," Lupin berated. Black muttered something but hopped back up onto the counter, sulking. Those amber eyes turned to him with a neutral expression. "How did you manage to figure out how to counter the negative draws of long term Dreamless Sleep use? I thought many had tried and failed at adapting it due to its addictive nature."
He lowered the emptier mug slowly to the countertop letting his gaze drift between the two men. "The addictive aspects are easy enough to eradicate," he offered. "It's the dream blocking aspect that is the challenge. It makes figuring out the right dosages for public use. Case in point: I'm still working on that part."
When nothing came past their gaping maws, he picked up his mug and took another long drink.
"You're testing it out on yourself?!" Black demanded, sliding off the counter again. The man took a step forward but whatever he had planned on doing or saying was cut off by Lupin. Lupin turned with a step forward, shoving a hand into the man's chest. "Sirius, calm down."
"Remus, you can't seriously th-"
"I am just as appalled by the thought as you are, Sirius," Lupin assured him, voice even and calm despite the hard look sent Severus's way. Severus simply watched them. "But that doesn't mean you need to leap at him for it."
Black adjusted his stance enough to take his weight from Lupin's hand muttering something too quiet for Severus to hear. If Lupin heard - and he most certainly did - the man didn't comment on it. Instead, he turned to face Severus head on. "Are you testing the potion on yourself?"
Severus managed to maintain eye contact but just barely. "Only after it has been thoroughly tested by myself and numerous others. This particular batch is perfectly safe, simply finicky on the dosages." His expression flatted and added before the two could get going again, "I am under dosing, you idiots." He huffed into his coffee, grumbling, "Honestly. What do you take me for, a Hufflepuff?"
He had self-preservation, thank you very much.
Lupin must have concluded that on his own because the man relaxed even as Black riled himself back up. Unfortunately for Black, Lupin resumed the conversation. "How long until it can be released to the public?"
Severus wrapped his hands around the mug once it was back on the counter. "A few more years at least." The loss of hope at the edge of Lupin's expression shot confusion through him. "It's still too strong in the normal vial sizes and there has been a request for child sizes to help with nightmares, trauma, or long hospital stays." Oh. His expression closed off. "Unfortunately, I wouldn't feel comfortable giving Harry any of what we have now, even if we could get the dosage right."
Black clued in at that. "Do they even make child safe Dreamless Sleep?" the man half joked.
Severus shrugged. "Half a vial usually works for younger children but Harry is still too young for even that." A bitter thought crossed his mind. It must have shown on his face because concern flittered in the other men's expressions. "Until he has been checked over in a few hours, I don't want to risk using anything with magic on the boy."
"So that's actually happening?" Black asked, looking from Lupin to him. "Remus had mentioned it but I hadn't honestly believed you'd actually follow through."
The man looked sheepish under both of their glares. Severus sighed, standing. He walked around the counter as he spoke. "I would say I'm surprised but after all the shit through school," he shot a nasty glare at Black even as Lupin's hand drifted towards him as if to keep him from fully approaching Black, "I'm not."
Black glared right back but was kept from responding by Lupin speaking up. "And we are very grateful that you are willing to help Harry to such extents despite our shared history." The werewolf shot the other man a glare as Black moved to say something and the man thought better of it. Lupin turned a much calmer and pleasant expression onto Severus. "You said nine, correct?"
He nodded. The rinsed mug clinked against the other clean dishes in the drying rack. "If not a few minutes earlier. Madam Gold is overly punctual at times."
"Which gives us just over four hours," Lupin commented. "Who wants breakfast?"
Despite the ungodly hour, both men agreed to breakfast.
The knock on the door seemed to amplify the unease that had filled the flat over the last hour. Black was on the floor of the living room with Harry playing with the blocks again. Lupin turned the water off at the kitchen sink and started to dry his hands on the dish towel he had draped over his right shoulder. Severus stood up from the couch where he had been scouring through the required documentation Dumbledore needed to allow him to teach potions at Hogwarts and answered the door.
Two people stood on the doorstep, one of whom was very familiar.
"Severus," the familiar figure greeted, a gentle smile on the aged face. "It is so good to see you again."
"And you, Madam Gold," he returned politely and honestly. He stepped back, gesturing inside. Out of the corner of his eye he noted that Lupin and Black were standing near the far wall, Harry between them on Black's hip. "I am glad you found your way without too much trouble."
"Only trouble was the traffic," Madam Gold chimed, amused. She glanced at one of the clocks. "Though it would seem we still ended up a touch early."
He glanced at the same clock as he closed the door; it was only ten till. "We had just settled in to wait for your arrival so it's nothing to be concerned about." He stepped around the two figures. "Madam Gold, this is Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and young Harry Potter. Black, Lupin, this is Madam Gold, head of IPPA."
Black frowned, shifting Harry higher up on his hip. "Ipuh?"
To Severus's surprise, Lupin actually explained for him with a thoughtful expression. "It's the common acronym for the International Population Protection Agency. Though their involvement here in England isn't widely known. I doubt very many actually know what it is."
Madam Gold offered with a tight smile, "That is in part due to how IPPA normally operates and largely in part due to your Ministry fighting us at every turn when we offered our services during the height of your second or so war against a Dark Lord." The woman gave a large shrug, palms open to the ceiling. "Not that it mattered overly much to us. If you lot don't want help aiding your citizens through messes like that, we'll go help those that do want it."
"I think I'm still missing something," Black spoke up. "What exactly is IPPA?" Those dark colored eyes turned onto Severus. "And how did you get involved?"
Severus arched an eyebrow. Madam Gold answered for him. "IPPA is an organization made around the idea of protecting both magical and non-magical populations from the fallout of natural disasters and wars. Oversimplified: we're a large relief organization, though there are some aspects that are in place to help neutralize confrontations, but that requires a bit more willingness from both sides." The vicious grin that joined the latter half of that comment put everyone on edge. It vanished quickly enough but Severus was not surprised neither Black or Lupin relaxed. "Beyond that, our goal is to find a way to allow the magical and non-magical populations to continue a peaceful living while looking into how technology and magic both isolated and blended can benefit both sides."
"Wait," Black cut in again. "Isn't that against every Statute of Secrecy on the planet?"
Madam Gold grinned again, this one jovial and less off putting. "You'd be surprised how easy that is to get around." She looked to Severus, her curiosity evident on her expression. "You didn't share much, did you?"
"I have been rather busy. This is only the second time in a week that I've actually been face to face with these men," he offered easily enough. It wasn't a complete lie.
The glint in her eyes told him she was well aware what that full truth was and he glared at her for it. Her curiosity split into an amused grin. "Leaving that to me wasn't wise, Severus. Now you can't control what they learn about you."
He was well aware of that but having her point it out made him feel foolish. She focused on Lupin and Black, her expression professional. "I have with me Dr. Trill. They are well versed in both magical and non-magical pediatric medicine and will make sure young Harry Potter is nice and healthy."
Dr. Trill stepped forward with a soft smile on their face. "If you want, we can do this on the couch." The doctor looked to Severus. "You said in your letter that Harry was subjected to a severe curse?"
Severus looked to Madam Gold. She met his gaze but gave him no feedback. He looked to Lupin and Black in turn as the men moved to the couch and was surprised when it was Black who nodded to him. "He survived the Killing Curse."
The raised eyebrows and glance at Madam Gold was the only sign of surprise and disbelief the doctor shared. Even with the impossibility, the doctor took the information in stride. "Now I understand the urgency and secrecy," Dr. Trill offered in lieu of their silence. "Where was he hit?"
"The forehead, if the gash was anything to go by."
Dr. Trill crossed to the couch where Black had settled with Harry. Remus stood at the end of the couch in an obvious attempt to stay close without crowding the doctor's work.
"We removed the adhesive bandage this morning," Black put in as the doctor used the coffee table as a seat.
Dr. Trill's gaze went to the scar first, looking it over before meeting Harry's steady gaze. "Hello, Harry. I'm Dr. Trill. I'm here to give you a check up and make sure you are all nice and healthy." The words were spoken softly but that was probably more for proximity than anything else. Harry stared at the doctor. Dr. Trill smiled softly. "I am going to touch your head to look over your injury and ask your guardians some questions as I do so."
Harry kept staring at the doctor. Black shifted in his seat. "Do kids his age understand you when you tell them that?"
"For the most part it helps to create a sort of connection." Dr. Trill scooted closer. They cupped the right side of Harry's face to steady the boy's head as they started gingerly tracing the scarring through the hair. "Often I will ask if they understand but he's younger than when I would expect a yes or no to that complex of a statement. Has the scarring been bothering him?"
"Not that we can tell," Black answered. Severus settled in a dining chair, letting Black - and probably Lupin at some point - answer the doctor's questions. Madam Gold sat across the table from him, settling to watch as well.
"Any bleeding or other discharge?"
"Only from the scabbed area. It scabbed over by morning after the incident."
Dr. Trill hummed. Lupin shifted his weight, piping in, "Is it alright?"
Dr. Trill met the man's gaze, pulling their hands from Harry's head. The boy's gaze snapped back to the doctor's face. "From what I can see, it looks like it's healing just fine but to know for sure I want to remove the hair from around the scarring."
Black's eyes got comically large. "Why?"
The doctor furrowed their brow slightly. "He still has healthy, thick hair in the affected area but I want to make sure there isn't any damage being hidden by the hair. It can't be done magically and I am ill equipped to do it myself today."
Severus stood up. "I should have a straight razor and an electric one in the bathroom. If you are alright waiting the alloted time to cut his hair."
The doctor nodded. "I am here on Madam Gold's time today so I am available until she sends me off."
Madam Gold chuckled at that. "Give the boy his haircut. You're the only thing I had scheduled for the day."
He returned with two different boxes. Black looked moderately stressed by the prospect. If Lupin was uncomfortable with the situation, he was doing a much better job at hiding it. "This seems a bit excessive," Black voiced, glancing at Dr. Trill who had wandered over and taken Severus's vacated seat. Severus noted Harry had stared staring at Madam Gold. She was meeting his gaze with an amused smile on her face.
Harry's eyes were strikingly green compared to Madam Gold's green, almost to the point of looking unnatural. But hadn't Lily's green eyes been just as strikingly green? Or had Lily's been closer to Madam Gold's?
"The doctor does have a point, Sirius," Lupin tried as a way of soothing some of Black's agitation. "No one has survived the Killing Curse before and giving Harry a haircut to guarantee we didn't miss something seems like the least we can do for his health and safety."
"You don't even have to cut his hair," Severus pointed out, setting the two boxes down on the coffee table before taking the doctor's seat. "I'll shave his head and you can just sit there and keep him entertained while I work."
"You sure? I don't mind doing it," Lupin offered.
He popped open the electric razor and handed the man the end of the plug. "I'm already sitting here."
Lupin took the plug and plugged it into the socket next to the couch. Black eyed the electric razor as if he didn't trust it. Severus raised an eyebrow at him. "I take it you've never used one."
Black glanced at Lupin who settled on the arm of the couch. "Not one like that."
He looked to Lupin, curious. Lupin actually chuckled, offering, "We - me and Lily - were curious to see how James and Sirius would react to having to use one. Sirius managed far better than James, surprisingly enough, but it wasn't the smoothest introduction to electric razors and there's never been much need for him to use one since he favors a straight razor when not using magic."
"Facial?"
Lupin nodded.
He focused back on Black. "This is like the one you used, just larger. And unlike your experience, I actually know how to use it well."
That didn't help Black's distrust - regardless of if it was towards him or the electric razor - and he didn't care. The one he needed to trust him was still staring at Madam Gold. Somehow she was entertaining the boy by holding his gaze. "Harry," he spoke. The boy blinked and he took it that he had the boy's attention. "Harry, I need you to look at me." Those green eyes met his but the boy hadn't turned his head back. Annoyance and discomfort prodded at him. He showed the electric razor. "I'm going to cut your hair with this. Turn and face me fully."
The boy blinked. He waited for what felt like an excessive amount of time. When it seemed he would have to direct him again far less gently, Harry righted himself. He shook his head brushing the annoyance aside and turned the razor on.
He made quick work of the boy's hair with the large electric razor but left stubble around the scar. He didn't dare cut closer with the awkward electronic. He pulled out the straight razor from the other box and made sure to use plenty of the muggle shaving cream where he raked the blade between scarred skin.
When he finished, Harry was completely bald, the only hair left on his head being his eyebrows. The boy barely seemed to notice beyond the initial rub after Severus announced he was done. Dr. Trill walked back over as Severus repacked the razors.
The scarring was larger than Severus had first assumed. The worst of it was the thin, lightning bolt shaped gash on Harry's forehead, the part that he had bandaged that first night. From there, the scar branched out in both directions like lightning reaching through storm clouds. A large portion of what had branched downward covered Harry's left eye, the top of the cheek, and crossed over his nose. A thin branch touched the top of his lip but most of it looked as if it would become hard to see as the scarring healed. What had branched up reached back and branched out along the left side of Harry's skull, stopping in line with the point of Harry's ear. Dr. Trill felt along the scarring, a slight frown on their face.
"Do you know how large it was when he was hit with the curse?"
"The scarring on his face hasn't spread," Black offered, sounding unsure.
"I know it had branched into his hairline but I don't remember how far in I followed it," he stated evenly. He frowned. "Are you saying the scar may have grown?"
Dr. Trill shook their head. Their hands went rooting through pockets. "No. There is residual magic lingering in the scarring but if you haven't noticed any growth, then I'm not concerned about it."
"Residual magic," Severus and Black parroted, though his comment was out of disbelief rather than the alarm Black had squawked his.
"It isn't anything that is harming him but it does pose a mild threat until he turns three or so."
"Why is that?" Lupin asked before he could.
The doctor draped the stethoscope across the back of their neck. "Well, until he's three, his magic lines, magical network, whatever you wish to call the pathways that magic takes in our bodies- until his magic has filled those lines and has created a sort of immune system to foreign magics, magic used on him has the potential of agitating what damage is already there."
"Then why not heal the damage?" Severus asked.
The doctor looked to him but their expression was nothing more than attentive curiosity. "His magic lines have yet to fully develop, which is perfectly normal. It's why we tell parents to expect accidental magic after the age of three. Going in now to try and repair any damage would only create more damage. It's not anything life threatening and it certainly won't delay his growth in any way." The doctor's expression turned thoughtful. "Though it may affect hair growth. It might not get that long on that side or it may just make tracks in among the follicles but it shouldn't cause baldness." The doctor tugged the stethoscope off their neck, looking back at Harry. "What residual magic remains will fade with time. I suggest being on the safe side of things and not using any magic or magic containing products on him until his magic lines have reached that fully developed stage." They offered the stethoscope to the boy when he didn't stop staring at it. Harry immediately reached out, tiny hands tracing over every inch of the stethoscope. "I'll list out a few muggle products you can use on his head that will help the scar fade as well as help his system clear out the residual magic. I also suggest that you cut his hair down this far once every four weeks or so. It should help encourage stronger hair follicles as well as let you care for the scarring and check it over during the coming months."
"All of this until he's three?" Black verified.
"Three's the expected age but I have seen children have their magical lines fully develop younger than that. I can drop by every six months or so and check if you would like." Dr. Trill glanced at Madam Gold. "From my understanding, it doesn't seem like it would be that difficult of a thing to coordinate."
Black opened his mouth but Lupin put a hand on his shoulder, silencing him. Lupin offered the doctor a soft smile. "We appreciate the offer. Is there a way to reach out and schedule those visits if we decide to follow through with that offer?"
Madam Gold spoke up in the doctor's stead. "I'll cover that bit if you are up to letting Dr. Trill finish young Harry's physical. If you two are comfortable with Severus staying with Harry, we can start our conversation now so that we're not imposing on your time for too terribly long."
The two men shot him worried looks. He met both with a steady gaze. "It is up to the both of you. I already know what the discussion will be about, not that I won't be able to hear you from here."
Madam Gold smiled at them, amused. "While I am sure you are just as comfortable where you are at as I am, the only hiccup of you two staying over there is that you can't look over the documents I have brought without someone playing messenger."
Reluctantly both men made their way over to the table and joined Madam Gold. Severus took Black's spot on the couch, half listening as he kept an eye on Dr. Trill and Harry.
Madam Gold started with an overview of the offer from IPPA in answer to Severus's request for assistance. She went into detail how the offer could keep Harry and them safe by relocating Black, Lupin, and the boy to one of the North American blended communities and the safety procedures that would accompany the move. The offer included a house, jobs for the both of them, and public education for Harry once he reached school-age. There was even offered Early Childhood Education and Kindergarten classes before First Grade to help Harry acclimate to school life if they were interested. Most of it he already knew so the conversation at the table didn't require any of his input until he was getting Harry back into his pants and shirt.
"But what of Severus?"
His head whipped around, shocked that it had been Black who had called him by his given name. Lupin he was half used to at that point but Black?!
Madam Gold looked from Lupin and Black to him. "There is work available for you at IPPA but, last I remember, you turned it down due to opportunities here."
"And it would be the same if you offered it to me again," he confirmed, confusion pulling a frown across his face.
For whatever reason, Black was having a hard time with that simple concept. "So you're staying behind?"
He didn't understand. "Of course I am. Or did Lupin forget to mention what I agreed to do so that the two of you could hide Harry away from prying eyes?"
That concerned frown didn't ease off of Black's face as the man looked back to Madam Gold, standing. "Excuse us for a minute. Remus, you too."
Remus's face showed the bewilderment Severus was feeling when Black crossed right to him and grabbed him by the arm, pulling him to his feet away from the couch. "Black, what the bloody-"
"Be good for Dr. Trill, Harry. We'll be right back," Black called over his shoulder, not even sparring Severus a glance.
Lupin followed as Black dragged him into his own room. The man made him sit on the bed as Lupin closed the door.
"There is no way we're just up and taking Harry away from you like that," Black hissed at him.
"I don't see how that's a problem, Black," he countered, the words sharp in his confusion. "I have given you a very lucrative opportunity that is costing you nothing."
"Exactly!" Black threw his hands up. "And you don't see it!" The man lowered his hands only to point one at Severus but the gesture was nothing more than Black talking with his hands. "Look. From what Madam Gold has told us, we've got a good few months here before we'll be able to move. Come here between whatever tasks you go off and do and then decide that you don't want to at least visit Harry once in a while. We'll even make sure you have your own room and a dungeon if absolutely necessary."
If his hunch about this was right, this had nothing to do with him and everything to do with Harry. He shook his head slowly, countering with caution, "Harry doesn't need me. Even if I'm loath to admit it, he has two competent guardians in the both of you."
"But you need him." To his utter bewilderment, this was about him personally. He stared at Black completely lost. Black rolled his eyes, explaining, "I'm not taking Lily's son away from you." He tore his gaze away from Black. He had been vehemently ignoring that fact and now Black was shoving it in his face, taunting him with it. Black either didn't notice or couldn't stop. "Not after you've been the one to not only get him out of that house but assured his safety with people that would love and care for him. Please Severus." He found his gaze snapping back to Black's face at the sound of his name as a plea on Black's tongue but it did nothing to cut through the defenses he had thrown up. "If not for your sake, then at least be around for Harry."
"I'm not moving to America," he stated, the words bitter and flat. Why was Black so adamant about this? What the hell had he missed in the last week, let alone the last few hours, that had Black looking out for him in this bizarre way?
"Not asking you to," Black pointed out.
Lupin spoke up from near the door. "You could floo in on the weekends once school starts up and spend the majority of the holidays with us. You could take the holiday weekends and come back here if you needed to."
Severus wasn't sure if he wanted to hit or curse something. "Do you know how much of a hassle that is? And need I remind you long distance floo travel is not the most comfortable mode of transportation."
Lupin shrugged. "Madam Gold spoke of having a work around for that when we were discussing the possibilities for when Harry got his Hogwarts letter, especially if Sirius and I have jobs in North America. It's probably what prompted Sirius's question, actually."
It was another ten minutes of back and forth before Severus found himself getting backed into a corner, convinced on the matter but not wanting to be. A desperation he was not proud of had him snapping, "Why are you even pushing this? Not even a week ago you had been willing to curse me without a second thought and now you're acting as if you have my best interest in mind. After everything you put me through at school and you expect me to believe you had a change of heart in a week."
"They asked us to give you a chance."
Lupin's voice had been quiet cutting through the room as a stark reminder the other man was there. He hated that for a breath he had forgotten.
"What?" he bit out more as a statement than a question, unable to glare at the man like he wanted to.
"Lily and James," Lupin explained. "Before they went into hiding, they asked us to give you a chance. They spoke of how you were doing what you could to make amends for past mistakes, asking to mend bridges if they were willing. James was aware that you only truly intended to mend the bridges between you and Lily but he knew the only way for that to happen fully was to face what had happened at Hogwarts." There was a pause, as if Lupin needed a steadying breath to keep going despite appearing as calm and collected as ever. "So he asked us to give you a chance if you ever reached out. He spoke at length of how you had changed, were changing, and wanted to make sure we at least tried as well."
"So that's all that this is," he verified. "A favor for the dead."
"No!" Black cut in, sounding and looking appalled at the thought. "This is making sure you get what you deserve after everything you've done for us, for Harry! Even if J-James hadn't spoken up, we'd still be doing this!"
The crack on Potter's name shot awareness through him. Despite the week and the topic, two people had died barely a week ago and he highly doubted that was enough time to mourn anyone. He hadn't stopped long enough to even humor the idea of mourning Lily too busy trying to make amends and protect her son.
They spent another ten minutes on it before he finally gave in. In the end, there wasn't a good reason he shouldn't exploit the opportunity set before him, to make sure that the boy didn't get raised by Gryffindors alone. Even Harry seemed to prove their point as he crossed to the boy and Dr. Trill as Black and Lupin returned to their seats at the table. The boy looked right at him as he approached and dropped the toy he had been playing with in favor of reaching for Severus.
Had he been able to maintain his hardened heart against the world, he probably would have been able to ignore the way he gladly reached for the boy and probably would have managed to dump the boy into Black's lap once he had moved to the table. Instead, he sat in a vacant chair and let Harry nestle against his chest, forehead against the side of his neck.
He would deny the fact that he wrapped his arms around the boy willingly, soaking up the trust and unconditional love young children were capable of showing between disasters.
Housing plans weren't settled but the jobs were narrowed down by the time Madam Gold left. Dr. Trill had departed shortly after they had returned from the room and had returned briefly to drop off the documentation surrounding Harry's check-up. While Black and Lupin were discussing the remaining job options, he read through the paperwork from the doctor. Near the bottom of the stack was the short list of non-magical substances they could use for Harry's head. Muggles were still very resourceful when it came to their lack of access to magic and he was reminded of such as he read a few of the items and their uses. A number of them would be easy to find at the nearest supermarket. He would have to send Lupin if he couldn't manage it himself. He didn't trust Black to recognize any of it but maybe over time...
"Severus?"
He blinked, bringing his head up. Exhaustion gnawed at him like he had taken a nap he hadn't intended to take. Lupin was standing next to him, patiently waiting for him to gather himself. He was shocked to find Harry still on his chest, still tightly tucked up under his chin where the boy had chosen to settle. The boy's back was rising and falling slowly indicating he was still sound asleep; explained why Lupin's call of his name had been so gentle.
"Are you staying for dinner?"
He frowned at that, glancing at one of the clocks. It was going on five in the afternoon. "I can leave before then."
Amusement pulled a smile onto Lupin's face and he hated it. "That's not what I asked. Are you staying for dinner? I think the plan was spaghetti because it was easy but we can always order out or make something else if you'd rather."
The part of his brain that was still asleep finally clued in on what Lupin was getting at, of the conversation the three of them had shared hours prior - of the promise to at least try living together in short bursts for Harry's sake and his. "Oh. No, spaghetti is fine."
He wasn't sure what plans he had made after the chaos that followed Madam Gold's arrival and he couldn't bring himself to care enough to remember them. It could all wait until morning and if not, damage control worked just as well.
Lupin wandered back into the kitchen where Black was already working, the tap running at the kitchen sink. The pair of them talked in low voices. Fragments of words and the occasional sentence drifted towards him as he watched. For a brief, unconscious moment, he was content with the idea of never truly being alone in his own home again.