Severus

Severus remained at the castle for the holidays. He didn't spend this Christmas with Lily since she decided to go to the Black family home. After all these years and even knowing Sirius had grown as a person, he had these moments where all he saw was the bully, privileged pureblood.

He spent his short few days off keeping a close eye on Quirrell, but found nothing suspicious. Someone did try to get past Hagrid's horrendous beast, but since the attempt was unsuccessful he couldn't prove it was him.

Severus tried to pretend he didn't miss the boys, but was so far unsuccessful. Draco Black took to hiding into his office lately. He quietly read a book in a corner till Harry came and nagged him out to the Great Hall or the Common Room.

He saw himself in his godson, more than in Harry. Harry was vibrant, kind, creative and loyal. Fought for what he believed in no matter the consequences. And Severus couldn't see that in himself. He did see Draco's calm and calculating demeanor, his quiet pain at being rejected, his chin up in defiance against all his attackers. That he could understand. That cold hate.

He knew he shouldn't have gotten this close to them, but some people pulled you in like magnets. Lily was like that and Severus assumed Harry got it from her. Even though he knew James was quite the leader of his little gang.

He kept himself busy on purpose, brewing some potion for Pomfrey, so he wouldn't greet them. It took about thirty minutes till Draco made his way inside his lab.

„Do not forget you have detention tonight," Severus reminded his godson.
Draco sighed and opened his book. „I know..."
„You should not let Potter drag you into his schemes."
„He helped me with the troll, that's all. I had a duty to return the favor." Draco said primly.
„By painting the school... pink?" He spat the last word like poison.
„I agree with the notion that house separation is only creating more oppression in the long run."
„So you also got roped in because you support the cause?"
„Better than Granger... She helped only because the spell intrigued her."
„Well, I do hope you learned your lesson... Detention tonight and Harry is also banned from the next game."
„Against Ravenclaw? Not much damage."
„Careful, Draco, that sounded like a prejudice against a house," Severus smirked.
The young Slytherin huffed behind him. „Well, they do have a weak team this year."
„I didn't know you were interested in Quidditch," Severus said.
„Well... it is the only sport we are allowed to play," Draco said drily.
„Maybe you should try for the team then, next year." Severus pointed out.
Draco flushed. „Maybe I will."
„Draco! Here you are!" Potter's unruly hair popped at the door.
„You lost me?" Draco sighed.
„Come on, you will miss dinner. We need to be ready for detention tonight. Who knows what McGonagall will make us do, that woman is wicked."
„Mister Potter," Severus spluttered.
„I meant it as a compliment, Professor," Harry grinned. „Do you know what punishment she got for us?"
„I hope something suiting the crime," Severus sighed.
Harry made his way inside. He was wearing a Slytherin scarf charmed pink. He got to where Draco was sitting and boldly dragged him out.
„Kids," Severus rolled his eyes fondly and then scolded the expression away from his face.

***
The next morning, Severus was just reading Hagrid's report on what happened in the Forbidden Forest when his Floo lighted up. A direct connection to his private Floo was established from only two points – Lily's house and the cottage he owned which was deserted most of the year.

Lily's angry face was the one that popped in. In all of their years of friendship she only used the connection twice and each time was an emergency. Last time, Harry swallowed an unknown potion someone left at their doorstep.
He knew why she was here today though.

She stepped in and besides her Narcissa Black popped out. At least this time it was not the angry godfather, thank Merlin for small mercies.
„How did you even get informed so fast? I am just reading the report now."
„Hagrid firecalled me last night," She said voice tight.
„Good morning, Severus," Narcissa said polite as always.
He nodded his head. „Good morning, Narcissa."
„The Forbidden Forest!?" Lily's voice was a shriek now.
„It was not my detention to give," Severus answered.
„Minerva then?" Lily's eyes were blazing.
„From what I gathered, the detention was set by Dumbledore himself," He sighed.
„Well then, let's make a visit to the Headmaster." Narcissa offered Lily her arm. Ice and fire. Fairy passion and cold and calculated fury. Severus did not want to be in the Headmaster's place right now.
Severus followed them reluctant.
The women walked straight to the entrance to the Headmaster's office.
„Sherbet Lemon," Lily said in a confident tone, but the door didn't budge. „This is the password for years now," She said confused.
„It is, but I am afraid the Headmaster is not here. He was called with urgent business at the Ministry," It was Minerva's voice that answered her from behind them.
„Convenient," Lily glared.
„You have to understand, Mrs. Potter, Ms. Black. We had no idea there was going to be anything in that Forest" Minerva said in an understanding tone.
„The same forest you forbid your student from entering?" Lily replied.
„The forest where a unicorn killer was on the loose... A crime the groundkeeper was investigating with three young kids in his care?" Narcissa's tone was icy.
„The children were perfectly safe with Hagrid there."
„But he did split them up and left mister Black and mister Potter alone unsupervised." Severus surprised even himself by saying.
Minerva cast him a betrayed look.
„And they did encounter a hooded figure that we know is a unicorn killer and assume even worse," Lily's tone was cutting.
„They did, but the children are all safe now."
„Thanks to the centaurs and not anything the school or teachers did." Narcissa glared.
„We are very troubled by last night's events and we assure you the students are safe and will continue to be safe under our care."
„Well, this place seems more like a vault than a school since you hid the Stone in it to attract all the dark wizards that are after it." Narcissa said.
Minerva widened her eyes.
„We better talk in my office." She said and made her way to the Gryffindor tower.

Severus followed the two mothers and his fellow teacher. The students eyed their little party suspiciously, but none commented.

Percy Weasley fretted by the McGonagall's office ready to talk to her, but seemed to think better of it when he saw Minerva's face and retreated.
Minerva let them into her office. „Tea?"
Everyone shook their heads.
„I want to find out how you knew about the stone in the first place," The transfiguration teacher started.
„Remus figured it out." Lily said simply.
„Mister Lupin... of course," The teacher sighed. „The stone is not a danger to the student body."
„And how do you explain the unicorn killer?" Lily asked. „Someone clinging onto life is hiding in the forest next to the place where the Philosopher's stone is kept. It can't be a coincidence."
„Someone that needs unicorn blood to keep living is not strong enough to go past our defenses. And I can assure you the stone is well protected."
„Sod the stone. I do not care about it." Lily's outburst surprised McGonagall. "I care if a kid gets hurt in this mad pursuit for it, as hopeless as it is."
„Hagrid will be out again all week looking for the hooded figure."
„If he sucked dry as many unicorns as we assume, he may be good for a while," Lily said.
„We can't do anything else," Minerva sighed.
„Take the stone somewhere it won't endanger hundreds of innocent kids," Narcissa suggested. „I can give you my vaults, there is nothing more secure then a Black vault."
„We tried Gringotts, but there was a break in," Minerva said.
„How long is the stone supposed to stay here?" Lily asked.
„By the end of the year the Headmaster will destroy it once and for all," Minerva assured them.
„I hope he does it before someone gets hurt, my son was hexed while on his broom on the school grounds" Lily spat.
"The broom is being now checked for curses" Minerva assured her.
"Do you have any suspects?"
"Not yet"
"And you're telling me the kids are safe!" Lily raises her voice. "I trust you, Minerva, but you have the safety of my kid in your hands right now!"
"I am aware" Minerva gulps.
Lily nods and storms out.
Narcissa glared and rose as well. „Good day!"
Minerva let out a long breath after the two departed.
„Shouldn't you be letting them out?" Minerva asked.
„I don't have the faintest idea how they got in," Severus said.
„I really want to keep the students safe." She said in a defeated tone.
„I know, we all do," He said and rose from his chair. „Thank you for talking to them and easing some of their concerns."
„I did no such thing. They are as worried as they were when they got in."
„But at least now they consumed their energy," He sighed.

The next few days were quite calm, which was worrying considering Potter's tendencies. The young Seeker still trained with the team, even though he was banned from the next game against Ravenclaw, but he would play the next two.
Flint seemed unhappy with the stunt Potter had pulled at the last game and was extra hard on him. Everyone was in awe over his new broom though, so the situation balanced itself in that regard.
Severus was having long chats with Lily and often the other two parental figures about Quirrell. No matter how much he tried and how close he trailed nothing stuck out.

Draco was by his laboratory and office more often. He was quiet and skilled so he was no bother, but Severus wasn't sure how hiding would help him in the long run. Severus learned the hard way how unforgiving Slytherins could be, more so if they thought you had special privileges.

Draco's worst tormentors must have been Crabbe and Goyle, but Severus was not sure who was the mind behind the muscle and in true Slytherin fashion would not get involved regardless. Draco was a pureblood, he must fight his own battles... If only a certain someone got the memo...

Potter started trailing Draco around, never far enough. He accompanied him to class and always chose a seat by him, he dropped Draco off to Severus's office or the library when he was off training, all the stuff that made the other Slytherins hate the young pureblood more.

Draco ran in his office one evening when Potter was off training. Draco was out of breath with a red hex still active on his cheek.
Severus looked at him and put down the ingredient he was ready to drop into the cauldron.
„You know this is not a sanctuary, right? Most students dread this place," The teacher sighed.
„I am not most people," Draco panted.
„You are not doing yourself any favors by hiding here and running away from the others."
„They will find a shinier target soon," Draco pulled his wand out and removed the hex. Not easy task for a first year, Severus was quietly impressed.
„Shinier than a Black? Not very likely."
„I haven't done anything to them, not even spoken to half of them," Draco huffed.
„And that is where your mistake lies. By avoiding them it seems that you hold yourself too high for them."
Draco glared. „How do I get them to stop then?"
„You play their game, and win preferably."
„But I am not interested in their fortunes, or the matches their families have planned..."
„This is your world."
„Why me?"
„Because they fear you, your mind, your connections, the freedom you have to choose your own path... It's not something most of them have."
„You want me to pity them?"
„I want you to dominate them!" Severus said icily. „You are a Black, act like one. Even if not all of your family was Slytherin, they all acted like it."
„Sirius is nothing like a Slytherin."
„He was at the top of his class, he was part of the most popular group in school and he was a bully. He was more Slytherin than most."
„A bully?" Draco's voice dropped low. Severus should have known better than to drop that about the child's hero.
„Ask him. I will not shelter you any longer. My advice is, start building your alliances."
Draco remained frozen in the middle of the room.
„How about I have tonight to get my strategy?"
Severus nodded.
„I would start with Parkinson, she seems to have a soft spot for you."
Draco nodded and retreated to a corner with his book.

Even though the Quidditch team lost to Ravenclaw, they won all the other matches and they were currently on top of the charts. Only one match against Hufflepuff was left – a game where Potter could play.

Severus had a good day. He only had first year classes all morning, with properly awed and terrified students. He made Longbottom so scared his hands were shaking, but he did succeed in making the third best potion in class.

Draco was doing well as usual, best potion. It didn't escape Severus's attention that his godson changed seats in Potions today. He stayed by miss Parkinson instead of Potter. Severus felt a stab of guilt seeing Harry's sad face, but Granger slipped in the seat by him.
Granger was a know-it-all, but she was good at Potions. She would be a good influence on the young Slytherin in the long run. Although Severus would have preferred he befriended another Slytherin.
Severus was locking the Potion class for the day after the double Slytherin/Ravenclaw class when he heard something. He was accustomed to the whispers of the school now, after the sneaking and stalking he had to do this year.
It wasn't Quirrell though. It was Draco and Granger in an old classroom, being late for lunch most likely.
„Thank you for holding your end today, Granger."
„You know, you can call me Hermione, we are at that stage," The brushy haired witch stated.
„I do not think that studying a spell that got us in trouble, serving a detention and completing a bargain would make us friends," Draco said cold.
„It's more interaction then either of us has with other students."
„For your information, I have other friends."
„Yes, you have Harry. That you hurt today by the way." Hermione pointed an accusatory finger at him.
„Potter is not my friend, we know each other since we are forced to interact."
„Is that why you asked me to help him in Potions today? Because he is... an acquaintance?" Granger glared.
„I did that because I do not wish for my house to lose points due to Potter's incompetence."
„Well, in that case, next time stay by Goyle, he blew his cauldron up today."
Draco widened his yes, but schooled his features quickly.
„I will take that into consideration," He said cold. „Now for my end of the deal. The secret to my Pepper up Potion is that I add some cut strawberry. It makes it taste better, yours was just as effective."
„Thank you!" Granger smiled. „Draco... I do not know why you are doing this, but if it hurts you both is it even worth it? Think about it."
„I do not know what you mean..."
Granger threw him a pitying look and left.
Severus waited for Draco to go as well before continuing his way to the Great Hall. Was it possible he gave his godson a wrong advice? No... Why would he doubt himself over the opinions of an eleven year old witch? He did the good thing.

Over the course of the next few days, Draco gained more points with the Slytherins. He stayed with Parkinson on most classes, but he was trying to get Blaze Zabini as well from what Severus could tell.

Potter spent less time with the Slytherins. As more popular Draco became, they saw less of Potter. He either was alone or with Gryffindors. The two gravitated around each other, but the orbit was off, they got pulled further and further away.
Severus thought of asking Lily's opinion on it, but he knew what she would say. That friendship is not a weakness, that true friendship makes you stronger...
In the end, he did nothing. Draco was not bullied anymore and Potter did win against Hufflepuff. Their grades remained constant and no new pranks were pulled. Although Potter got in detention a lot for not respecting the uniform code. He never had the house colors on, he appeared to one class wearing a skirt, he was a split image of his father.

His only concern was that Quirrell didn't make any move. He didn't try to get past Hagrid's dog again. It was not long before the term end, maybe nothing would happen and Dumbledore can destroy the stone...

It was quite late on a Friday night. Severus was reading a letter he got from a Potion Master in Rome. Italy is one of the few countries where werewolves have complete rights and are not shunned in any way. From what Severus gathered it has to do with their founders, Romulus and Remus who were raised by a werewolf.
They were working on a potion to help werewolves keep more of their human mind during a change and Severus was in close contact with one of the Potion masters. He was telling himself it was a favor for Lily, but she was unaware of the Potion being produced, it was easier, then to say he came to... li... tolerate Remus in the last years.

Severus was just composing a response on the benefit of using salvia leaves over root when someone knocked on his door. He opened it to a frantic Draco Black. The boy was trying to breathe and talk in the same time and what came out was only wheezing.
„Harry... Harry..." He gasped.
„What about him?" Severus asked.
„He... was... left... stone…"

Severus's eyes widened. He didn't need to hear more. He left Draco in his quarters and ran to the third store room that housed the entry to the place the stone was kept. The three headed dog was sleeping. Severus didn't waste any more time and sent his Patronus to alert Dumbledore. His heart would have liked to go to Lily first, but the Headmaster was closer.

Severus slipped inside the trap door by the paws of the beast. He cast a quick „Lumos" at the devil's snare and ran ahead. The flying key was still in the door so he continued on his way, to the chess table.
On the board he saw a figure kneeled over a fallen knight from what he could tell. That was where he found Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Weasley was bleeding from a wound at his shoulder, he was trapped under rubble and Potter was trying to get him out.
„Step aside," Severus called. He could see Weasley flinch, but Potter looked relieved and complied immediately.
A quick Wingardium Leviosa later Weasley was pulled from under the horse.
„What were you thinking? Or most precisely... you were not thinking, were you?" He snapped.
„Someone is trying to get the Stone," Harry supplied.
„And you thought that you must play hero?"
„We tried to get an adult, but no one believed us!" Weasley panted.
„You didn't come to me!" Severus said glaring at Harry.
„To the Hospital Wing, both of you, I will deal with this myself."
„But... what if it's dangerous..." Harry hesitated.
„Then I am in less peril then you would have been. Now, Potter, take Weasley to the Hospital Wing and then bring the rest of the teachers here."
„Yes, sir..." Harry gulped and helped Weasley stand.
The next trial was easy, since it was his own task. He drank the correct flask and was over the fire and into the last chamber.
The mirror of Erised greeted him in the room. Tall and dark, the silvery surface flashed and the mist cleared. Severus didn't want to look at it, but it was like a magnet drawing him in. He saw himself holding Lily's hand, they were both smiling with matching rings on their fingers. Harry was behind them grinning wide, he had the prefect and Quiddich captain badge and he looked older, closer to graduation.

Severus never understood the appeal of the mirror until now. He could see why people wasted their entire life in front of it. The bigger the dream, the more impossible or far away, the more alluring the prospect seemed. He clenched his fist and turned away from the mirror facing the rest of the room.
As expected Quirrell was lurking in a corner. He was fidgeting and watching Severus with fear in his eyes. „Not what you expected?" Severus asked.
„Where is the boy?" Quirrell asked no trace of stutter left.
„Away from you," Severus said cold.
„Severus, my old friend," A voice hissed.
Severus felt his whole body turn to stone. No. It was the voice he hoped to never hear again.
„H...ow?"
„Release me, we are safe here," the voice hissed and Quirrell unwrapped the turban from his head.
„My lord... how?" Severus asked trying to keep his voice under control.
„After the Potter's magic destroyed my body I was a mere phantom for so long... all my followers left me or were imprisoned... And then Quirrell came, lost, scared, filled with resentment, but so alive... filled with magic. It is not enough, is just half of a life even with the Unicorn blood, but with the stone... I can get my body again, we can finish our mission. Bring me the boy and everything will be forgiven."
„Why do you need the boy? He doesn't have the stone. Dumbledore wouldn't risk it," Severus said.
„Dumbledore is a fool who always picks children to fight his battles. We both know he is a coward."
„The kid is in the hospital wing, Dumbledore is with him as we speak," Severus said.
„ I need the stone, I can't wait," Voldemort hissed.
„Severus?" Dumbledore's voice could be heard down the room behind.
„I can't lose my standing with them, it may be more useful in the future," Severus whispered urgently.
„As you wish, but I expect you to find me this time!" A ghostly shape rose from Quirrell head.
„No, p-p-please, you p-p-romised," He pleaded.
The shape raised and melted into the ceiling.
Quirrell fell into a heap at Severus's feet, unconscious and convulsing violently.

Severus left the hospital wing close to dawn. Weasley had a broken arm, but madam Pomfrey fixed it pretty fast. Harry had minor bruises and cuts. Quirrell still didn't wake up. From what madam Pomfrey gathered, his mind was scattered, similar to someone tortured with the Cruciatus curse for too long.

He would be moved to St. Mungo's in the morning, but there was no chance of recovery. Lily and Molly Weasley were notified and were currently fussing over their children in the hospital wing.

Severus stepped out, still reeling from tonight's events. He was back, one of his nightmares played tonight before his eyes. And even if Voldemort didn't have a body anymore, Severus knew it was only a question of time till he would be back again.
„We mustn't worry for nothing. It took him 10 years to be back again," Dumbledore said from behind him.
„I hope it will take this much next time, but something tells me it won't."
„Do we know where he was last time?"
„He didn't say..."
„I will destroy the stone in two days' time when the term is done."
„That is for the best."
„He thinks you are still loyal?"
Severus nodded.
„Good, we can use that," Dumbledore said.
Severus nodded gravely and bid the headmaster good night.
The sun was rising over the Forbidden Forest when he made his way inside his room.
Draco was still there, asleep on the sofa. Severus smiled at the sight, but he did shake him awake.
„Harry?" His godson shot up.
„Alright, minor bruises," Severus reassured him. „It is a good thing you let me know when you did."
„I saw him sneak out of the dorm, he took the... He was hard to track, but I saw him meet Weasley and I know he would get in trouble... So I came straight here... They were saying about stopping someone from getting the stone..." Draco spat without pause.
„You did well, I managed to get there in time," Severus said.
„I..." huge yawn „ think I should go to bed now, if everyone is okay."
„Good night, mister Black."
Draco nodded and scurried away.

The end year feast was good. The food was great as always, Slytherin won the Quiddich Cup, but they lost the House Cup due to Albus being bias as always…Severus was too used to that to even react. Harry and Ron Weasley were both healed, but Quirrell was still in St. Mungo's, his condition unchanged.
Severus wanted to be happy or at least content with the turn of events, but he couldn't escape the feeling that something was set in motion. Something big and dark that would tear away the little happiness that he gathered.

Lily wrote to him. She thanked him for taking care of Harry and asked him to come and spend if not the whole summer than a few weeks with them in Godric's Hollow. The letter still laid unanswered on his desk.

Maybe it was better if he distanced himself from Lily and Harry now. So it could be easier later. But he didn't expect it to be this hard. When did he come to love Harry? A cocky boy, full of energy and mischievous spirit. So much like his dad sometimes that Severus felt transported in time... But so different in the same time, a smart kid, a kind kid that never bullied anyone, that took care of the weak... In retrospect, how could he not come to love him?

In his entire life, he only loved one person, and somehow now it was two. That was even harder to protect. He had to sacrifice so much last time to keep Lily safe... it would be even harder this time.

He sighed. Who was he kidding? He would do it again in a heartbeat. And he would stay by their side this time as well. No matter how great the cost.