A/N: Sorry this took so long but writing a young Harry is really hard. I've plotted out what I want to do but actually sitting down and putting it into words has proved daunting. But, like before, I decided to give you a piece of what I've done. This is the second part of I don't know how many parts to what was supposed to be only one chapter but as you can see it didn't turn out that way. Now that I have a much better computer and one that's actually in my room I'll be able to do a lot more writing, if my new job doesn't get in the way too much. All right, I'll stop rambling and get on with it.
{....} means phoenixius (had to change it again)
Disclaimer: Don't own. Never have, never will. Duh.Chapter 36- Slowly Reaching for the End Part 2
Severus's heart stopped when Harry's cry of agony reached his ears followed closely by Meliyana's scream of "HARRY!!!" He looked up in time to see his son turn completely white and tilt forward. Acting solely on instinct, he shouted a spell to soften the boy's fall so that it seemed he had dropped down onto a floor of pillows, not stone. Still in all, his heart gave a painful wrench when Harry hit the floor. Ignoring the surprised and horrified gasps, Severus rushed forward and scooped his son into his arms, cradling him as through he were fragile glass. "CLASS DISMISSED!!!" The Ice Mage roared. "Everyone leave except for you, Ms. Rolan, report to my office." When the girl failed to comply with his order, Severus lost it completely. "NOW, MS. ROLAN!!!" he thundered.
Meliyana snapped from her shock-induced daze and rushed to fulfill his command. The dark-haired man swept at her heels, slamming and locking the door behind him. The only ones remaining then were Ron, Draco and Hermione. This sudden sound brought the three friends back to reality. Draco rushed to the door, Ron not fair behind, and Hermione (after grabbing the Slytherin's things and stuffing them in the bag to bring along) bringing up the rear. The Earth Mage cursed when he found the office door locked but after a few spells it bent to his will and slammed open, allowing them in. Meliyana sat frozen in one of the uncomfortable chairs, watching with wide brown eyes as the Potions Master bent over his child, pouring potion after potion into the still form. Finding nothing immediate that they could do, the three watched as well, mesmerized by the man's movements. Silver light surrounded the Ice Mage and as he continued to try and save Harry's life the light poured from him and into the small body. Finally he stopped, having done all that he could, and stood back. All eyes were glued to the Fire Mage who suddenly seemed so very delicate, as though he were spun sugar. Minutes passed and tension grew everyone all too aware of their own breath and that of their neighbors.
'Move, Harry, please by Merlin, move!" went through Severus's head like a mantra as his fingers dug into the wood. As though hearing his pleas, the small hand twitched—then the entire arm. A collective sigh of relief was released when the child moaned and cried out for his Papa. The Ice Mage scooped him up into his arms and hugged him tightly, babbling about how much he loved him and kissing him repeatedly. Harry took all of this reassurance willingly and clung to the man like a burr, shivering mightily. Severus caught this motion immediately and summoned a thick woolen blanket and wrapped it around him. Harry burrowed himself in, shivering subsiding. As the dark-haired Potions Master sat in his chair it changed slightly, becoming a rocking chair. His precious secure in his hold he began to trill a song while rocking; soon Harry nodded off to sleep.
Once he was certain his child was safely in the Land of Dreams, the Potions Master turned burning onyx eyes on Meliyana. "Ms. Rolan, I do hope this was not your doing." The frosty voice was low and dangerous; everyone in the room involuntarily shuddered.
Mutely the Slytherin girl shook her head before finding her voice. "I swear by Merlin, Professor, I had nothing to do with this! I would never harm a child, let alone Harry!" She said as a soft plea for her innocence.
The black gaze held her tight within its bounds. "Then tell me exactly what happened," he demanded.
The brown-headed girl took a deep breath and looked up at Draco gratefully when he laid a hand on her shoulder in support. "Harry came to help me with my potion like e had last time. I was eager to see him come; I admit I'm not the best with potions."
"As I'm well aware of, Ms. Rolan, get to the point," Severus snapped.
The girl blushed but after another breath squared her shoulder, staring with determination into her professor's unforgiving orbs. "We spent the rest of the period working on that and finished a bit early. I thought he might be a tired from sitting on the hard tabletop and transfigured a squishy chair for him and offered him a bean. It was only a minute or so after that he collapsed."
Severus sat up a bit straighter at her words. Could that be it? "What sort of bean did you give him?" he pursued.
She seemed startled by his question at first then that melted away into horror as realization struck. "Bertie Botts; oh Merlin, someone must have tampered with them!" She looked around desperately for her bag then smiled gratefully as Hermione held it up. Meliyana nodded her head to the Potions Master, indicating the Gryffindor girl should give it to him.
Motioning his nephew forward the Ice Mage, albeit with great reluctance, gave Harry to him while he relieved the girl of the bag. A brief search revealed the beans and after a short series of tests the Potions Master had positive results. "This entire batch was contaminated last night judging by the saturation rate." He took Harry back. "Was this sack ever out of your sight, Ms. Rolan?"
The girl nodded; relieved they had found the cause of Harry's sudden illness. "When I was taking a shower would have been the only time; I always drop them in my trunk." She began to tremble in anger at the thought that someone had hurt a child. "How can anyone be so cruel..." she trailed off, too furious to continue.
"I can name several off the top of my head who wouldn't bat an eyelash at doing this and worse to a child," Draco said grimly. "And anyone who spends any amount of time in Slytherin knows you're addicted to those beans; it would be easy to exploit that."
Meliyana bowed her head in shame, knowing very well this was all true and someone had used her weakness to harm an innocent boy. "Professor Snape, I am so sorry; I don't know what else to say."
"Say you would be willing to listen to my next proposition."
She looked up at him in confusion. "What proposition, sir?" The Potions Master stopped rocking in his chair, staring at his student intently. Did he really want to do this to her? After all, what happened to Harry had not been her fault, but the opportunity was just too ideal to let slip by. As it was, he had a feeling her need for revenge would be too great to turn the job down willingly. What held him back now was that he did not want to take one of Harry's friends away from him when he'd only just made it. "I would like you to insinuate yourself into the...darker side of our House."
Ron and Hermione drew in a breath and Draco glanced sharply at his Uncle; Meliyana merely looked thoughtful. "That will be hard to do, gaining their trust most definitely. My family has been steadfastly Light for generations. Turning my back on that now will seem unusual."
Severus smirked at the girl's astuteness; she knew her housemates well. "Not if you are nearly expelled, constantly harassed, and have detention for the rest of the year with a certain Potions Master. Call it a personal vendetta."
Her eyes grew wide as he spoke before she nodded with confidence. "That's believable, especially if it's focused specifically on you." Suddenly standing she bowed to the Ice Mage and offered her wand to him, the tip pointed at her chest. "I take a vow now upon my honor as a Slytherin that I will fulfill this duty that you have bestowed upon me to the best of my ability and will cease to do so when you say."
Severus solemnly stood and grasped the handle of her wand, sealing the contract. "I will hold you to this, fellow snake, do not disappoint me." Releasing his grip he turned to the three Gryffindors. "You may go now; Ms. Rolan and I have a few things to discuss."
"And the longer she is in here, the better," Ron added.
The Potions Master barely contained a grimace but nodded. "I'll call you in later to see how he is doing, all right?" They agreed and left the office with out another word.
"What she's doing is so dangerous, will she be all right?" Hermione whispered.
"Never underestimate a Slytherin bent on revenge, Hermione," Draco returned grimly as they headed for Defense. "To do so would be most unwise."
The next several days saw Harry being very sick and unable to do very much. The child found that extremely frustrating and would be in a horrible mood because of it. The only respite he found from this was with his family. They worked hard to keep him entertained but at times it wasn't necessary. When this happened the small Fire Mage would be completely mellow and it took little effort to keep him happy.
After the third day Harry turned six but the transition was the easiest he'd had. They surmised that it was because at this point in his life Harry spent a great deal of his time at school and not at his relatives. At this age however, e was twice as fast as before. This, they knew, came from running from Dudley constantly. If the child thought he was in trouble he would hide, quite effectively hidden for hours. Without making a sound, another by-product of Dudley's doing. All of these skills were put to good use when playing with the familiars. These animals enjoyed entertaining the child and invited several games just for him. Usually it dissolved into Harry chasing them around the room, but it was fun for everyone nonetheless. Until his Aunt and Mother proclaimed him it to return to classes he stayed with his grandparents during the day. They gave him lessons but not nearly as long nor as strenuous as given by the other professors.
That's where Harry was today, in his grandfather's Tower. They had finished story time (Harry's favorite part of the day) and he now leaned against his grandfather's chest, gazing lazily out the window. Above him Albus ran a brush through the ebony locks, even if there was not on tangle in sight. It was a comforting, reassuring gesture to both the boy and man.
Harry suddenly sat forward as a flash of silver caught his eye; what could that have been?
"Child, what is it? Is something the matter?" The emerald eyes were intense as they continued to star out the window. "Harry?" The child answered the second inquiry by shaking his head, slowly laying back again the Light Mage's chest. He was so sure he had seen something; would it come again?
He waited patiently or ten minutes, glowing orbs glued to the view outside. He had been so sure he had seen something but what if he hadn't? Suddenly sunlight reflected off glossy silver feathers but even through this he recognized who it was. "Grandpa! Grandpa! It's Papa! It's Papa!" the Fire Mage squealed. Albus laughed as the excited child bounced happily in his lap, pointing out the window. Rising from his rocking chair the headmaster brought the child to the opening and peered out. Fifty feet below them, turning in a lazy circle, was Sureves. The black of the male phoenix's feathers stood out greatly against the almost blinding silver as he dove and tumbled, apparently enjoying the chance to stretch his wings. Albus smiled at his son's antics, happy the man had found a way to release some of his stress.
"Grandpa, how does Papa become a bird?" Harry suddenly asked, interrupting the man's thoughts.
Albus blinked ignorantly at him for a moment before his brain processed the question. "Your father is an animagus. That is any type of person who can change into an animal at will."
"Like Aunt Minnie?" Harry ventured and Albus nodded.
"Yes exactly. Animagi transformation is a difficulty type of Transfiguration, what Aunt Minnie teachers, and is hard to achieve. And most people only have one form."
The Fire Mage leaned forward, completely immersed in the man's explanation. "Most people?" He raised an inquiring eyebrow, a gesture he had when he was fifteen.
Albus almost did a double-take. The look disappeared and only an eager child remained. "Yes, child; when people become animagi, they become animals that reflect their inner soul. Your father is both a warrior of the Light and a man, that's all I can equate it to. He is a phoenix, the warrior of the Light, but his tiger comes from what he would have been had hen not been a mage. Now he can become both as they make him whole."
Harry turned his gaze way from the wrinkled face and looked back outside; the whisps of clouds created wonderful pictures for him but now he had too much to think on. So his Papa was a bird...could he be a bird too? "Grandpa, can I be a birdie like Papa?" he asked hopefully.
The man grinned at the expression on his grandson's face and hugged him once before sitting him on the floor. "I'm sure you will be able to one day, fire bird, but for now you'll have to be content with keeping your feet on the ground." Rising from his rocking chair, he went to his desk to work, leaving Harry alone to amuse himself. The boy had several toys and books littered around the room but they could not hold his attention at the moment; he was deep in thought. Would it be possible for him to one day turn into a bird? To soar among the clouds and be utterly free from everything? That would be so much fun! But why did he have to wait? Surely he would be able to turn into a bird now if he tried hard enough.
Decided, he scooted to the center of the rug and sat Indian-style. He closed his eyes and focused on his magic as he never had before. Usually spells that he had seen man times he could repeat with relative, but he had never seen this. That meant he was all on his own. Using a picture of Fawkes as a reference he began imagining what he would look like as a phoenix. Completely submerged in this he did not realize hat his arms were becoming wings, head smaller, and neck longer. He was feeling rather strange which was breaking his concentration, so with a sigh he opened his eyes. Only to blink. Everything was so different! But why? Looking down he barely managed t contain a squeal of surprise and happiness. He was covered in golden feathers!
Glancing covertly at his grandfather he noticed the man was lightly dozing over his paperwork. He was doing that a lot lately which bothered Harry a great deal but usually he forgot that when the man played with him. What was important now was that the Light Mage had not noticed him at all; good. Shifting his gaze to his grandfather's familiar he noticed the smirk playing on the bird's beak.
{Go on, Harry, I'll keep an eye on you,} the bird encouraged. The baby golden phoenix grinned at his friend and began to waddle around the room. I was difficult at first, the body he was now in clumsy and mis- proportioned. This disorientation passed after a few moments and his bird form was like a second skin. Soon he was experimenting with brief hops, flapping his wings as he attempted to fly. He soon surmised that this would not be possible unless he jumped form a higher spot. Stopping, he looked around the room for a good starting point. Emerald eyes lighted upon the perfect solution: his grandfather's desk. Using the furniture like steps he managed to get himself there. Sidling to the edge he settled carefully preparing himself for the jump.
{Albus, you might want to see this,} Fawkes said as an off-handed comment.
Sighing tiredly the Light Mage glanced up just in time to see the tiny golden phoenix leap fro the edge of his desk. Albus's heart stopped as the ball of feathers disappeared out of the sight. He forced a squeaky, "Harry!" through his tightened throat. His heart began beating again as the golden bird re-appeared over the top of his desk, wings flapping clumsily to keep him aloft.
Shock wore off and instincts kicked in as the Headmaster leapt up from his chair (knocking it to the floor in the process) and darting around his desk to make a grab for the little phoenix. Arrigo unwittingly dodged him with ease and made it to one of the chairs. His little claws dug in deep, steadying him briefly before he launched into the air, again narrowly missing capture.
This strange mouse hunt, cat chase, or whatever you wish to call it lasted for a good half hour, Albus coming within in inches several times only to be foiled. Riddled with exhaustion the Headmaster collapsed into his favorite over-stuffed chair, a sigh spilling unbidden from his lips. Harry was fast in any form; this one was no exception. Albus was beginning to think he was getting too old for this. A warm but light weight settled on his head and a graceful, swan-like neck craned down, two curious emerald eyes blinking at him. All Albus could do was blink back, astounded. To further this Harry leaned too far forward and tumbled into the Light Mage's lap, squawking in surprise as he did so.
The Headmaster's large gentle hands came up to stop the fall, securing his grand pho-er-son in a protective embrace. "Harry," he said firmly, gaining the little creature's undivided attention, "I need you to turn back into a human, concentrate on that. Okay?" The golden phoenix bobbed his head in understanding, closing his eyes. After a few seconds a golden glow encompassed the bird form; in the next moment he gave a faint pop and was once more human.
Harry was barely given a chance to register this fact when he was drawn into a tight hug, soft white beard pressed against his cheek. He returned the gesture of affection with as much ardor as it was given. After a minute or so he looked up at his grandfather, curious why the man should be so worried. "Was wrong, Grandpa?" he asked, running his fingers through the downy-like whiskers.
Albus could not suppress a smile at this gesture; it was another of Harry's favorite activities, just as soothing to his grandfather as it was to him. With a sigh he broke the quiet spell by sitting the boy back, hand on either shoulder. Looking him square in the eye and with a stern air he said, "Harry, I want you to promise me that you won't ever do what you just did without the supervision of a family member or one of the teachers. It is very dangerous magic and something cold go wrong, that's why you need someone with you. Do you understand this?" Harry's expression grew more solemn with each world and nodded when the man finished, eyes completely somber. Albus smiled in relief and drew his grandson back into a hug, knowing the child would keep the promise to the best of his abilities. With contented sighs the pair rocked in the chair, sinking into a relaxed state. It was definitely going to be an interesting story to tell Severus---later.
Remus dragged his feet wearily towards the stalwart doors of the entrance to Hogwarts. Padding faithfully but in an equally tired manner behind him was a huge, shaggy, Grim-like dog that answered to Snuffles. The pair was a welcome sight to many of the students who missed the werewolf and even the "lovable" mutt, as the animagus had been named. At the moment both were only coherent enough to direct their two feet (or four in one's case) in the direction of the Headmaster's office.
The last month had been spent in deep seclusion (with absolutely no contact with the Order) with the werewolves. When it had first reached their ears that Voldemort was courting the werewolf packs, Remus had all but run out the door to stop him, Sirius not far behind. One of the hardest parts of this task was finding all of the packs as there were many scattered all over Britain. Next was actually talking to tem all and convincing them that Voldemort's offer (while it sounded good) was a horrible idea. This had been a more difficult task than the duo had ever thought possible, but in the end they had come out successful.
But Remus held a secret, something he had brought back from the werewolf packs. Not even Sirius, who had spent nearly all their time there in Remus's company, knew about it. That something was currently tucked safely away in Remus's shabby robes, its existence unknown at the moment.
No they were back at Hogwarts and desperate for any news on Harry. When they'd left the situation had been grim as the remaining family had geared up for a confrontation. Who they were confronting had been kept a complete secret: no one outside The Family had been allowed to know. While this had irritated both men (along with most of the Order and staff) they had refused to budge on their decision. Something about the grimness that had wrapped around them had been enough to discourage even Sirius from pressing the issue. What the status of the situation was now was entirely unknown to them.
"Oh, you should have seen him, he was so cute! Every time Professor McGonagall would turn around he would turn her robe another color! It was so strange to see a six year old get the spell when none of the rest of us cold," a Gryffindor third year girl gossiped with her friend, catching the D.A.D.A. professor's attention. However tired the man might have been the mention of an unknown child at Hogwarts was bound to catch his attention. He turned slightly in the pair's direction but they had already turned the corner to go to the Great Hall for lunch. He hesitated for a moment before deciding not to follow and moving on with his quest to make it to the Headmaster's office before he collapsed.
As they went on they couldn't help but notice that the children seemed much more...cheerful than normal. Or at the very least more cheerful than when they had left! Remus let his brain ponder this as he gave the password to the gargoyle and allowed the stairs to move them upwards. He knocked quietly on the great ok door, looking curiously at the interesting new knocker. It had been the Hogwarts crest when he'd left but now it was a brass phoenix head, the eyes of which twinkled eerily in the torchlight. It reminded him distinctly of the Headmaster.
Before he was allowed to contemplate this any more, the door was opened to reveal a beaming Albus Dumbledore standing on the other side. "Remus! Snuffles! Come in! Come in! We've been expecting you for some time. He practically dragged them both (or Remus at least) into the room before he shut the door behind them and waving to the table before he reclaimed his own spot. Remus thankfully collapsed into the offered seat, wearily curling his fingers around the steaming cup of tea that was shoved into his hands. Padfoot plopped down beside him, tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth. Remus took a moment to look over the other occupants of the table while the Headmaster ordered them food. Seleyna sat directly across from him, silver hair in a loose bun and a vibrant blue dress in the place of the normal black. She smiled and nodded a greeting to him, which he returned, before continuing her conversation with a small child. Remus would have studied the boy further but was distracted by the inviting aromas of a steak dinner assaulting his nose. A peak down at the floor showed that Dobby had brought the same for Snuffles, minus the potatoes and carrots. The over-large Grim-like dog had wasted no time in tearing apart the meaty morsel. Remus ate at a slower rate but with no less enthusiasm than his canine friend.
"By the way you two are acting I would say this is the first decent meal you've had in several months," Albus commented as he sat back to watch them.
Remus cleaned his mouth on a napkin before answering. "At least since we've left Hogwarts. It's not so easy living deep in he forests, but it was worth it."
One white eyebrow rose. "You succeeded in your mission?" Remus gave his employer a tired grin. "Wouldn't be back if I hadn't. Snuffles and I were able to convince the packs' leaders that joining Voldemort is possibly the worst idea any of them could come up with. They eventually believed us," The Defense Professor concluded.
Albus gave an audible sigh of relief and clapped the man on the shoulder. "We done, Remus; we could not have asked for more. By the way, where did Snuffles get to?"
Remus blinked amber eyes at him, not quite grasping the answer before looking down to find the dog's plate clean and his partner gone. "Snuffles, where did you run off to?"
While his dear friend Moony had been conversing with the headmaster, Snuffles had been devouring his steak as fast as he could without choking. There had been little enough food for Remus and he'd been a dog almost constantly around the wolf packs. They thought him no better than a domesticated runt, a genetic throwback. He had done everything in his power to prove them wrong. Had he done much more he would have stood up right and served them tea. It had been hard enough not to transform in front of them to prove he wasn't as awful or pathetic as they thought.
At least the children had liked him, he thought with a sigh. It was so natural for kids to be curious but to be curious about him had come as something of a shock. Upon reflection he realized that it should not have at all; he was something new that the children had never seen before, they were bound to wonder what he was, what he did and how he acted. They had spent several gratifying hours romping around the various areas. It was then that he remembered, with a certain sting, that this is what he had wanted to do when Harry was a child. Run and play with the boy, a chance to be a real godfather to him. But Pettigrew's betrayal and escape had shattered that into a thousand pieces, almost beyond repair. His only consolation the entire time in Azkaban had been his innocence and the thought of his godson, somewhere out there and very much alive. That, more than anything else had allowed him to maintain his sanity. It was his first return to Hogwarts that he had discovered that Harry wasn't just his anchor, but Severus's as well. The man stood on three legs of support: that of his parents, Seri and Harry. Without his son the man was severely off- balance and in danger of toppling into the abyss of insanity, never to return. He'd dangled on loose threads before but never so close as when Sirius had seen him. If something had happened to Harry, God have mercy on his killer's soul because Severus would not.
Speaking of Harry---Snuffles raised his head and took a deep breath. This room was covered in the boy's scent. This would not have sent the animagus into s the frenzy that it did except for one thing: it was fresh. When he'd left the scent had been weak and was fading. Now it was strong again. There was just something a bit peculiar about it that the ex-convict could not place. Rousing himself from the stupor a full stomach had created he put his nose to the ground and followed the scent. The first place it led him was to a rocking chair near the fireplace. There wasn't just Harry's here but Albus's as well, entwined together and overlaid with happiness. He moved away from there and went to the bookcase behind which lay Albus's bedroom. Harry's scent was here as well but not as recent as the one at the rocking chair.
This lead brought him to several different points in the circular office: the desk, window, and the base of the stairs (which he couldn't get up). Eventually it led him back to the little boy seated at the table. He ran is wet nose over one leg, oblivious to the giggle this caused. This boy reeked of Harry's scent; could it possibly be? Using his paws to brace himself against the table he looked the child in the face. Emerald eyes shined with mischief behind the black framed glasses. On the forehead, nearly hidden by the raven locks, was the lightening shaped scar. His eyes widened as the child grinned at him and threw his skinny arms around his neck. "Hi, Uncle Paddy!" he squealed, squeezing the air from the animagus.
He wasn't given the chance as Sirius turned back into a human. "HARRY! You're alive! You're okay!" With his godson securely in his arms the man danced around the room, laughing and crying at the same time. He only stopped when he was dizzy and fell onto the couch.
Harry giggled at his godfather's silliness and patted the man's head before hopping out of his lap and running over to Lupin. The Defense professor, who was still gaping like an overgrown fish, stared at the boy in utter amazement that did not cease when the boy through his arms around his neck in a hug. "Hi, Uncle Moony! I'm so happy to see you!" shock wore of as realization suddenly sunk in and Remus squeezed the boy just as tightly as he could. He couldn't believe it; he just couldn't believe it! Harry was alive and here in his arms. This was no illusion but all reality and all in his arms. Bubbling, ecstatic, alive, so very alive! It was all so incredible. Somehow he was able to let go and allow the child his freedom.
But Harry did not leave instead he began digging through the professor's robes. "Moony, was in here?" he asked as he dug further. It took a moment to register what Harry was talking about but it soon came back to him when Harry poked what he'd discovered and a giggle emanated from the robes. Remus flushed blood red as he moved Harry to one knee and reached in to pull out his secret. Wrapped in the same blanket as when she'd been born was a tiny, two week old infant. Blue eyes blinked at the room's stunned occupants before she yawned and returned to her earlier activity of sleeping.
"It's a baby, Moony," Harry's statement of the obvious brought everyone from their stupor. Emerald eyes looked up hopefully into amber. "Can I hold her? Please? I'll be really, really, really careful, I promise!"
The werewolf hesitated for a moment then gently arranged her in Harry's arms. The boy's expression softened into a smile as he carefully rocked her, cooing in a comforting way. She had wiggled and fussed a bit at being moved but when Harry began to do this she quieted instantly, cooing happily in return. To say Remus was astonished at the boy was an understatement; he was positively floored! Harry was so young yet he knew exactly what to do to calm her.
Looking up at the man's astonished expression Harry gifted the man with a grin. "Papa taught me," he said simply before sliding from Remus's lap and padding over to his grandfather who picked them both up.
After situating the two carefully in his lap, Albus took the time to examine the child while Sirius demanded from Remus just when the hell had he gone and had a baby.
Harry giggled. "Padfoot, Remus can't have a baby, only mommies have babies!"
Albus lifted an eyebrow at the Sirius's abashed expression. "Actually, fire bird, men can have children but we'll go into that another time," he said hurriedly when he saw Harry open his mouth to ask how. Honestly, the boy's thirst for knowledge was insatiable. The headmaster looked up at Remus. "What's her name?"
A guilty expression crossed the werewolf's face. "To tell the truth, I haven't had time to name her."
"Ariana," Harry proclaimed, gaining everyone's attention.
Remus cocked his head to the side. "What?"
"You should name her Ariana, Ari for short," the raven-haired boy explained patiently.
Seleyna leaned over to look at the infant. "I agree with the fire bird; the name seems to fit her."
The Defense professor smiled in relief. "Then Ariana it is. I'm certainly not going to argue." He accepted her carefully into his arms when Harry handed her back. "But I do think we're avoiding another subject." He looked pointedly at Harry who had hidden himself behind his grandfather's beard.
Albus paused in tickling his grandson to give both men an appraising look. Carefully he extracted Harry from behind his beard and sat him on the floor. "Fireling, I need to speak with Sirius and Remus alone, okay?"
The child turned solemn and nodded gravely. "Okay, Grandpa." He turned toward the silver-haired woman and grinned. "Can we go swing, Grandma?"
Seleyna smiled and stood, taking the boy's hand. "Why, Harry, that sounds like a wonderful idea!" She paused a moment and looked over at the infant. "But perhaps there is something we should do first. Would you like Harry and me to take Ariana to Serenity for a check-up, Remus? By the way Sirius reacted to her presence, I take it her existence was hidden and that you haven't exactly had time to make side trips to a healer."
Remus's eyes thanked the woman greatly as he silently handed her over. The two bid good-bye to the other three before (in Harry's case) skipping out the door, Ariana safe in the silver-haired woman's arms. The second it clicked closed the two men burst forth with questions, both wanting to know everything.
Albus let them continue while he mentally called Severus. He knew the man would need to be there to explain somethings. When he tuned them back in and discovered that they will still blathering as loud as ever. With a small frown he hit both with a silencing charm. "I'd like to know how I'm supposed tell either of you anything if you will not let me get a word in edgewise," he said sternly. "Now would both of you like to know what happened?" The two men nodded. "Very well, then we'll have to wait for Severus; he should be here any moment."
As f he had conjured him the Potions Master strode though the door, blue cloak swirling behind him. "Well it seems the mutts were able to find there way home," Severus said as he gave them a mock sneer. "Tell me, how are the two of you?"
When neither of them answered but made gestures to do so, the Ice Mage turned his amused gaze upon the headmaster and the man gave him a sheepish grin. "I'm afraid there was no other ay to get them to be quiet so I..." he trailed off, waving his hand.
Severus nodded in understanding, a devious grin plastered on his face. "Not a bad idea, I'll have to remember that one." The Potions Master sat at the table and calmly poured himself a cup of tea, making the other two squirm. He sat at an angle, watching them from the corner of his twinkling eyes. Finally deciding that they had suffered enough he sat the cup aside and turned to them, waving away his father's curse.
Now having the power to speak returned to him, Sirius wasted no time in using it. "Severus Salazar Snape-Dumbledore!" I want to know what the hell is going on!" he shouted.
Severus raised a smug eyebrow at this and took another sip of tea. "Do you now?" he remarked casually. The animagus went red in the face but blinked in astonishment when the dark-haired man laughed. "Calm yourself, Sirius; I was merely having my fun with you. However, if I were you, I would get comfortable because this is an extremely long and bizarre story."
Three hours later silence reigned in the Headmaster's Tower. Severus sat curled up beside Albus, tired from the emotional rollercoaster and needing the comfort the man was willing to offer. The Headmaster kept his arm firmly around his son but watched the two Marauders carefully. While he was relatively certain that Remus would take all of this fairly well, he could not say the same for Sirius. It did not bode well that the man was clenching and unclenching his fists, but at least he wasn't trying to strangle the Potions Master---yet.
"You---you used the Killing Curse on him?" Sirius whispered, blue eyes very stormy. Severus only nodded, unable to make his voice work. The animagus abandoned his perch on the window sill and approached the two at the couch. Remus glared at him warningly but it seemed to have no effect. Finally standing before the pair Sirius locked himself in a staring contest with his one-time archrival. Severus met his gaze unblinkingly, allowing himself to be tested. "Would you do it again?" As the Head of Slytherin's eyes widened, Sirius went on. "If Harry was suffering like he was then, would you kill him?" Sirius demanded an answer.
Onyx eyes never moved away. "To keep him from suffering, yes, I would. I would hate myself for it afterwards and curse the world for its cruelty but I know that in the end I did what was best for him and I can do no more than that," was the Potions Master's answer.
Albus felt pride swell in his heart at his son's answer. He knew and felt that it had been the only one appropriate for the situation and was similar to what he would have replied with. The question was though: would Sirius see it that way? He was Harry's godfather after all and would try and prevent any harm from befalling his precious godson. Could he leave him in the care of someone who would willingly (well, not willingly) kill him?
Sirius listened to the man's answer with as much objectivity as possible. He could do no more as it already took everything he had during the tale not to strangle he man and make himself the murderer most of the world claimed him to be. Part of this amazing restraint was the obvious distress and anguish the retelling was causing the man. As Sirius studied him more he saw the same emotion he had when he'd returned to find Harry gone: pain. It was there, so tangible he could almost reach out and touch it. What he had done, kill his own son that was something that Sirius didn't want to linger over. It must have nearly killed him! But it had; he had nearly done himself in over what he had done to Harry. Could Sirius, in Severus's place, have done the same? Could he have given Harry the release he had so ardently wished for?
He shook his head and heaved a heavy sigh, rubbing at his eyes. "Severus, you are one brave son-of-a-bitch, I'll give you that. I really don't think I could have done the same in your place." He stuck out his hand. "There is no man here finer than you to be Harry's father and I trust you to always do what's best for him."
Severus stared at the outstretched hand in disbelief. Was Sirius, serious? The Potions Master grimaced internally. Okay, now was not the time for bad puns, not when the man was being so sincere. It was just so hard to believe that Sirius had accepted it so soon. Perhaps he was not as unforgiving as he thought. A shining, grateful smile broke out over the Potions Master's face and he grabbed Sirius's hand, giving it a firm shake. "Thank you; I hope I do not ever betray that trust."
Remus's sudden and light chuckle drew their attention to him. "I really don't believe there is anything you or the rest of us has to worry about, Severus; you are a natural father and you love Harry more than life itself, that's quite obvious. He couldn't be in better hands," the werewolf reassured the Ice Mage.
Severus turned that rarely seen but beaming smile on the man. "And thank you, Remus. I'm glad to have both of your blessings."
Sirius grinned and lightly punched the man's shoulder before flopping like a sack of potatoes back onto the couch. "So," he began slyly, grinning at the wary expression that crossed the Ice Mage's face," When do we get to keep him?"
"So I get to live in Uncle Moony and Uncle Padfoot's room?" Harry asked as he scooped a modest amount of potatoes from the pile on his plate. It was dinner time and the three of them (Severus, Seri, and Harry) were spending it together in their rooms. The Ice Mage had invited Sirius and Remus to join them and initially they had agreed but the adrenaline caused by being reunited with Harry soon wore off and both had to decline. They were currently holed up in their room, deep in slumber. What they had been denying themselves for months would no longer take no for an answer.
Severus nodded, swallowing his green beans. "Yes; I have already spoke with them and you should pack a few things tonight because you will go there first thing in the morning and stay for three days. I'm afraid you can stay no longer as you should regain your memories on the fourth and I would rather have you here, under our watch for that, all right?"
The little emerald orbs blinked wisely as Harry nodded. "Can I come visit you, Mama, Grandpa, and Grandma?" he asked anxiously, as though it would be denied to him.
Severus responded with a smile and a kiss on his forehead. "Of course, my child, you know exactly where to find us." Obsidian eyes twinkled mischievously. "Or at least all of the places to look."
Harry laughed and threw his arms around his father's neck, giving it a hearty squeeze. "You're the best Papa in the whole wide world! There isn't anyone I would rather have," he exclaimed.
Severus drank in his son's never-ending supply of love as though it were his life source. Once again Harry had managed to amaze him with the depth of his love. Even though the magelet was not (currently) as empathy and therefore unable to project his emotions they felt his love no less.
Finally releasing his death grip, the six year-old turned to his mother. "May I be excused?" Manners were at the forefront of Harry's education but he needed little prodding to be polite. Another by-product, the Ice Mage had no doubt, of living with the Dursleys.
Seri glanced at her son's plate and, satisfied with what she saw, nodded. He grinned and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before taking his plate to the counter where the house-elves would retrieve it later. Making sure his place was clean he ran to his room to pack, chirping to Rowena and Hedwig as he did so. Attracted by the calling the two avians left their perches and followed closely behind.
When they entered the room they were immediately assaulted by UFO's. While Hedwig was able to move out of the way quickly enough, Rowena was not so lucky. The predator was sent tumbling to the floor, squawking her displeasure. Hedwig quickly came to her rescue by capturing the red shirt in her claws and lifting it off of her. The bird fell out in a tangle of feathers and wings. Righting herself she glared at Harry (who, otherwise occupied, did not see) and began preening her disheveled feathers. {Child, what are you up to?} Hedwig asked.
#Yes, young one; I believe we are all curious,# Octavian put in.
Harry finally paused and the torrent of clothes that had been flying from the wardrobe stopped. Emerald eyes laid upon them in confusion. "You didn't hear what Papa said?" He asked disbelievingly.
Both birds shook their heads and the snake hissed a negative. {We were rather occupied by the dead ferrets he gave us to worry too much about his words,} the snowy owl confessed.
#And I was in here sleeping but one can hardly sleep when there is so much ruckus.#
The raven-haired child blushed at the small chide and immediately apologized. The albino hissed his acceptance before once more expression his curiosity. Harry couldn't stop the grin that crossed his face as he bounced in place like a child who'd had too much sugar. "I get to stay with Uncle Moony and Uncle Padfoot; Papa said so!"
{Really,} Rowena said, speaking for the first time. {Would you like one of us to go with you? Octavian perhaps, he's the easiest to carry about.}
The fire magelet stopped to think for a moment before nodding. "It would be nice to have him to talk to. Okiedokie, that means that I gotta take Tave's stuff too, 'k." This decided, articles of clothes began to fly through the air again and the animals scattered.
A few hours later Severus peeked into the room to find Harry draped over the top of his bed, his room looking as though a tornado had blown through it. Usually it was Harry's responsibility to keep his rooms tidy and they would stay messy until he did but this time Severus thought he would give the child a break and he picked up the scattered things, eventually locating the bag his child would take with him. The room looking somewhat presentable Severus gathered his child up and arranged him more comfortably, actually under the bedcovers instead of on top of them. The boy smiled sleepily when a kiss brushed against his forehead. "'night, Papa," he whispered before once more drifting off to sleep.
Severus smiled, tucking the child in carefully. "Goodnight, my child, and sleep well." An arm snaked around his waist and a head lay on his chest; the Ice Mage looked down at his wife warmly. "Aren't we lucky to have such a child, loverling?" he wondered aloud.
Serenity chuckled. "That's a very true statement, my love, very true indeed." She looked up at her husband, her emerald eyes tinged with worry. "Do you think he will be all right with them? I mean, Remus already has Ariana to look after."
Severus's brow furrowed in confusion. "Ariana?"
The healer's eyebrows shot to her hairline. "You mean that they didn't tell you?" When the Ice Mage shook his head she grinned. "Let's just say that our dear werewolf has found himself responsible for an eight pound bundle of love. She's a beautiful child and from what Seleyna told me, Harry named her himself." She nodded to the sleeping child.
The Potions Master looped an arm around her waist. "Then we've nothing to worry about. By naming her he has established her as family in his mind; he will not do anything to harm her nor keep Remus from her." He raised an eyebrow at her. "By the way, how did Remus become an unexpected father?"
Serenity chuckled as she steered her husband out of the room. "Funny you should ask that as I sat him down and demanded he whole story before I gave Ariana back. While they were in the werewolf packs Remus ran into an old acquaintance of his named Ellen..."
End of Chapter 36
A/N: Don't worry, you'll eventually find out the entire history of Ariana but no, she's not Remus's baby as he obviously has not been gone for nine months. I do apologize for taking so long but life has been interesting. I graduated from high school, got a job (guess where: would you like fries with that?—not hard huh?) and a new car which I absolutely love! Don't worry, there is more to come and I'm anxious to get Harry back to fifteen as the real excitement begins after that! What?—you thought I was over? Have you not been paying attention to how I write? {groans but is handed a hot chocolate from Severus} That's much better. Well, I'm off to write more and I hope you are off to review!
So, please Review!
P.S. Look at my new story called Brother, My Brother. I think you'll really like it!