FINDING THE LOST by Daintress
PART ONE
Introduction
March 2011
Severus was waiting when the other members of the Order appeared out of the fireplace in Albus Dumbledore's office. He and Hermione Weasley, who was only beginning to show evidence of the baby she carried, handed each of them a flask. In response they got mumbled thanks and wide eyes. When Ron appeared, he was upset to find his wife handing him a potion he had never heard about, but took it and stood silently beside her as she gave out the rest.
"This potion has not yet been released to the public for reasons which will soon be obvious," Professor Dumbledore began as several people drew themselves chairs. He paused as the chairs thudded heavily to the floor. "Severus and Hermione have found a way to counteract the Killing Curse. It will be effective for only a 2 hour span of time, so do not drink it until you leave the castle. We expect the attack in only half an hour's time. Our N.E.W.T. level students have already been given their flasks and are awaiting us downstairs." The Headmaster fell silent, and Severus stepped forward from his place by the fire.
"It won't block the curse entirely. In our tests, people have been knocked out by the curse for anywhere between a few minutes up to 16 days, in one case. It will depend on the strength of the caster, as well as the person hit."
"And just who was this potion tested on?" Ron demanded, after a quick look at Hermione's pale face. To everyone's surprise, Fred and George Weasley raised their hands sheepishly. But after a moment everyone realized that they've been testing things on themselves for years. Small wonder that the Headmaster had asked them to help with this. Ron fell silent.