The Story of Severus: Chapter Six
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns everything.
By: Susan
Summary: Snape's past has been left a mystery. Why did he join Lord Voldemort? Why did Dumbledore clear him? Did he have a relationship with Lily Potter? How was he connected to Lily and James? And what about the prophecy?
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The first week of August had seen an extreme change in the lives of James and Lily Potter. It had been a week since the birth of Harry, a week of happiness (which seemed to make waking for Harry's feedings worthwhile), a week of congratulations, a week of enjoyment. Hidden under those happy feelings of their child, however, was the ever raging threat of the prophecy, which didn't cease in haunting Lily and James.
"Blimey, mate, you should look at the load of presents you've got in the other room," Sirius said to James, grinning, his mouth full of the froth of Butterbeer.
"They aren't my presents, you git, they're for Harry," James responded with a laugh, pointing to the tiny child wrapped in a feathery blue blanket upon his lap.
"Yeah, but he won't know if you take some of them," Sirius said mischeviously.
"Because James really wants some child's robes and cloth diapers," Remus said dryly.
"James wanted Lily," Sirius protested, "He's proven he has bad taste."
"I heard that, Sirius!" Lily shouted from the kitchen, "As punishment, get yourself in here and help me bring out these snacks."
"Yes ma'am," Sirius said saluting, and jumping up to grab a plate from her outstretched arms.
"You know, you men should be serving me," she said dryly, placing the plate on the table before them, "As you haven't gone through fourteen hours of labor."
"That was a week ago," Sirius said, reaching for a cracker, "You've recovered by now."
Lily's eyes gave away her anger, and Remus swallowed his cracker hard. "That was the wrong thing to say," he said knowingly.
"Try making Harry come out from between your legs," Lily shot at Sirius, then took Harry from James' outstretched arms and began swaying her son back and fourth protectively.
"Imagine that?" James said, not ceasing to let out a snort, making a bit of his Butterbeer shoot spectacularly from his nose and back into the glass.
"And he takes her side," Sirius said, feigning hurt.
"They are married," Peter said, taking a sip of his Butterbeer. "Why wouldn't he?"
"And Peter takes their side too," he said, with fake sadness in his voice. "Those years of being Marauders mean nothing when women come into your life, I suppose?"
"I won't have you talking about women in such a derogatory fashion, Black," Minerva McGonagall cut in as she approached from the kitchen, and he let out a false shudder of fright.
"I'd listen," Remus said wisely, "You wouldn't want detention, Sirius."
This time, it was James, Lily and Peter who had to snuff their laughter as Frank and Alice, appeared in the fireplace, with Neville in Alice's arms.
"I hope we aren't late," she said quickly, her round face bright with a smile.
"Here, Alice, I'll take Neville," Frank said, holding out his arms, "Go get a bite to eat."
He sat down in an armchair facing James, Sirius, Peter and Remus on the couch.
"How are the troublemakers?" Frank asked with a smile as he peeled the blanket from Neville's face.
"They're fine Frank," Remus replied, with a toying glance at his three friends. Sirius took Remus' comment as an invitation to sock him straight in the stomach. Remus winced, then added, "How are Neville and Alice?"
"Spectacular," he said, not paying much attention, as he was focused on Neville's red face.
"Here, Remus, take Harry," Lily said, "I've got to make sure everything's ready before Albus and Hagrid get here."
She bounded off to the kitchen, tailed by Minerva McGonagall and Alice.
"I don't know how they do it," James said, leaning back on the couch. "Really, you'd think she hadn't been in any pain a week ago, the way she's up and about."
"Well, numbing charms making it help a bit," Sirius replied. "Though if it were me, I'd numb Lily's tongue," he said, loud enough for anyone in the kitchen to hear.
"I HEARD THAT!" Lily shouted, and the men began to laugh heartily.
"I wouldn't be talking like that," James told him seriously, "She might take away your status as godfather."
"Nothing can take that away, mate," he told him. "I'd cross the Sahara to be with my godson," Sirius said, taking the baby from Remus, and cooing at him.
"Oh, so you do have a soft side," Remus said accusingly. "I wasn't aware you could make those noises."
Ignoring him, he continued, "I'd do anything for him," he said seriously.
"That's why you're the godfather," James said, patting him on the back, "And don't worry," he assured Remus, "You'll have the next one."
"There won't be a next one if you don't get in the dining room and set the table, James!" Lily shouted. James stood up quickly, almost tripping on his feet.
"Can't have that, now, can we," he muttered, sauntering into the other room.
There was a crash from the fireplace, and a soot covered Hagrid appeared.
"Hello Hagrid," Remus said smiling. Hagrid gave him a nod, then rushed over to Harry in Sirius' arms.
" 'ows the baby?" he said, climbing from the fireplace, " 'Course, I brought little 'arry something," he said, wiping his face with a rag he had retrieved from his coat and handing Sirius a box.
" 'ere you are," he said, then handed another box to Frank Longbottom. "That there is for Neville 'ere," he said. "Congrats."
"Thank you Hagrid," Frank said, as James approached from the dining room.
"Whew," he said, pretending to wipe the sweat from his forehead, "I'm lucky the woman hasn't driven me mad," he turned to Hagrid, and his face brightened.
"Hagrid!" he said, giving him a strong handshake, "How are you?"
"Excellent, Jimmy," he said, " 'ow's Lily?"
"As strong-willed as ever. I keep telling her to sit and get some rest, after all, fourteen hours of labor is a bit much, but the woman won't keep still."
"Some people won't ever change."
A pop, and Albus Dumbledore appeared, his white hair shining brightly.
"Hello, James, Hagrid." He turned and greeted the rest of the men seated around the room.
"Where are the mothers?" he said brightly. "I'd do well to give them my congratulations."
"In the kitchen, cooking up a storm," James said, "Come, Albus, I'll take you."
Dumbledore followed James to the kitchen and handed Lily and Alice each a gift for Harry and Neville, while Sirius was still cooing at Harry in his arms.
"I'd do anything for him," he told everyone proudly. Remus smiled, watching him act like a boasting fool in front of the others. "D'you want to hold him, Peter?"
Peter's eyes seemed to shoot out of his head. "Er…Actually…No…I don't-"
"Very well, we wouldn't want you to drop my godson," Sirius said.
Lily and James were watching Sirius from the kitchen with coy smiles on their faces.
"And you thought we made the wrong choice as godfather," James said, putting his arms around his wife.
"James, I was joking," Lily replied, kissing his nose. "Sirius will make the perfect godfather, I never doubted it for a second." Indeed, the way he looked at Harry was unlike the way he had ever looked at anyone.
"All right," Lily called, pulling herself out of James' loving embrace, "Supper is ready."
The table, which had been extended several feet with all sorts of magical charms, was laden with delicious food and enough chairs to support everyone, including the late arrivals of Mundungus Fletcher, Arabella Figg, and Mad-Eye-Moody.
Dumbledore led the toast, and everyone followed suit, placing their crystal goblets in the air and smiling brightly. Towards the end of the meal, Sirius elbowed James hard in the side. Gasping for air, he turned to his friend.
"What in bloody hell was that for?"
Sirius smiled sweetly. "I want to speak with you, actually."
James stared at him, then gestured in the air. "Go right ahead, Padfoot."
"No, I meant alone." James looked at him quizzically, but stood up, almost knocking over his chair. Sirius followed him into the kitchen.
"What did you want that was worth interrupting my supper?"
Sirius looked as if he wanted to say something important, but didn't know how to put it into words.
"Erm…James, listen…I just want to thank you for making me Harry's godfather."
"Sirius, there's no need to thank me-"
"James, mate, it's like having a kid of my own. I know it doesn't seem like it, but…Raising Harry is something I've always wanted to do," he said wistfully.
"Sirius, you'll find a woman someday, don't give me the craving sympathy look."
Sirius grinned. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'd do anything for Harry, and I wasn't joking when I said it before."
James smiled. "Look, Sirius…If anything is to happen to us…Er…me and Lily, I mean…With the war and all…"
Sirius nodded seriously, not the slightest bit of humor evident in his voice. "I'd brave Azkaban to be with Harry, James. If something happens to you, I'll always be here for him."
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Later that night, all the guests had left, save Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, and Sirius Black, who were seating on a couch in the sitting room. James was sitting in a ruffled green armchair beside them, Harry on his lap; Lily, fetching tea from the kitchen for the four.
The steam from the hot tea rose and curled into ringlets above Dumbledore's head as he turned to Sirius, who had taken Harry from James and had his feet upon the couch, cuddling the sleeping child.
Lily took her own cup of tea from the tray on the table and balanced herself on James' lap, as Dumbledore continued to stare at them.
"Albus?" James asked awkwardly.
Dumbledore looked around at them, Lily, smiling and toying with James' hair, whilst he playfully put his arms around her waist, and Sirius happily watching Harry in his lap.
It was a horrible thing, he'd have to say. To ruin their night together with their closest friends, to alert them they were not safe.
"Albus," Professor McGonagall said quietly. "You'll have to say it." She placed a comforting hand upon his own wrinkled one.
"Yes," he said softly, "But that doesn't make it any easier."
"What are you talking about?" James asked curiously.
"The Fidelius Charm," Dumbledore breathed into his tea, taking a sip. Though it should indeed have felt smooth as it trickled down his throat, all he could feel was lumps of resentment towards Lord Voldemort.
"The Fidelius Charm?" Lily questioned. "What of it?"
"Now that the child is here," Dumbledore said softly, "We need to begin taking full precautions. Nobody is safe, especially not you two. You'll have to go into hiding," he said quietly. "We can't risk losing either of you."
"How does the Fidelius Charm work?" James asked.
"It conceals a secret inside of a soul," Professor McGonagall said, "The Secret-Keeper hides the information, which is impossible to find unless they speak of it."
"And you're suggesting that we go into hiding under this Fidelius Charm?" Lily asked.
Dumbledore sighed. "Voldemort will soon be coming after you, and I ask you to consider it."
James looked at Lily, then at Sirius. "Sirius, you'd be Secret-Keeper for us, right?"
Sirius looked shocked. "Me?"
"Obviously," James said, "You're my best friend, and after what you said at dinner," he stopped, not wanting to reveal Sirius' speech to him, "Well, I'd trust you with my life, and Lily's, and Harry's."
Sirius grinned. "Right then, mate. When are we doing this?"
Dumbledore looked troubled. "Now, Sirius, please take no offense to what I'm saying. I am offering myself to be Secret-Keeper, instead of you, because this brings great risk to your life."
"Why would I take offense to that?" Sirius asked, realizing that there was something Dumbledore had sidestepped.
"Someone has been giving information to Lord Voldemort from our side," Dumbledore said, not wanting to meet Sirius' eyes. "I do not, however, think that you might be the person doing so, but I do think it would be best to secure myself with the position of Secret-Keeper."
Sirius looked thoughtful, but James just looked plain upset.
"You don't trust him? Sirius would give up his life for us. And, he'd go into hiding as well, if it meant protecting us."
"James, I meant no offense, I just feel it would be safer this way."
"James, don't get upset," Lily said, tugging on his arm, "Albus knows what he's doing, and the Order would be nothing without him. You know that perfectly well."
"Yes, but he's acting like he doesn't trust him. Sirius is no spy for Voldemort."
Dumbledore blinked. "James, I meant to inform, not to insult. I do not suspect Sirius of having any contact with the Dark Lord, but I am quite aware that there is someone in our midst who undeniably does. How else would he have known that Lily and Alice were pregnant, and that we suspected them of being possible answers to the prophecy?"
James paused; the look on his face troubled. Sirius clapped him on the back.
"Mate, it's your choice. It'll either be Dumbledore or me."
James thought for a moment, looking at Sirius intently. After what he had said at dinner…He'd been best friends with Sirius since he was eleven. James knew he could trust his best friend with his life. He could trust all of his best friends; he'd learned it ages ago.
"Albus, I'd really like it to be Sirius." Dumbledore looked troubled, but said nothing more, just clutched Minerva's hand all the more tighter. "I have something for you," James said quietly. He lifted Lily off of his lap, stood, then opened the top of the table, and pulled out a silvery cloak.
Sirius gave a low whistle. "James, what-"
"Look, Albus," James said, ignoring his friend, "If anything is to happen to us, I need you to give this to Harry when he comes to Hogwarts." He tried to put the thought out of his mind that Harry might not live long enough to do so.
"But why?" Professor McGonagall breathed.
James gave her a coy smile. "He'll figure out a use for it sometime. If you see that he needs it, Albus…"
Dumbledore just smiled at James, his blue eyes twinkling in the warm room.
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