Writer: Azure K Mello

Title: A Bond Never Dies

Part: 82 of 82

Words: 547

Warnings: Angst. Non-canon.

Thanks, to EVERYONE, for sticking with me this far. Sophie, are you okay?

Severus Snape stood in the hearth looking uncomfortable, "Albus asked me to inform you that tonight the Dark Lord announced that none of you are to be touched for thirteen years. In fact, there is to be no activity at all on his side for thirteen years."

Nodding James said, "Thank you," with more depth then most who knew him would believe possible. It was obvious to even the casual listener that Severus was not being thanked for passing on a message.

"Severus, you look tired, why don't you come in for some tea?" asked Remus in a voice that betrayed his fear.

The Slytherin man looked away before saying softly, "Thank you, that would be. . . nice," and stepped into the room.

"Done!" squealed Harry as he jumped out of Sirius' lap. Sirius put a binding charm on the puzzle.

"Bring it over to the table, buddy, you can pick it up in one lump," Sirius said quietly.

With a second squeal he brought it over to the kitchen table and placed it down. "Look! I's of horses and they're's runnin' from somethin' and they's goin' over the mountain!" He stood on his tiptoes between Remus and Severus and pointed things out that he feared they would miss out on seeing, "The bird's flyin'!" Remus handed the boy his own mug from which to drink; Harry sipped and then passed back, in this way they shared the warm, comforting tea between them. "And look! there's gonna be an av'lanch!" Severus wasn't looking where Harry was pointing and Harry couldn't imagine anything worse then missing out on the lovely picture so he touched the man's arm and pointed again, "Look!"

Attempting to respond to the child he said, "An avalanche would be frightening wouldn't it?"

"No," Harry answered simply he felt he was allowed to disagree with the man because Sirius had come to stand behind him and he felt safe.

"Why not?" asked Severus wanting to know what the boy's logic to the answer was.

"They're only drawn horses, they can'ts be 'fraid. It won't reeealllly hurt thems," he explained.

And feeling thoroughly chastised Severus smirked, "Oh."

Hearing a soft click Severus looked up to see James with a camera, "I don't have any pictures of you, Harry, I better get a move on because soon you'll be too big to catch on film!" The little boy laughed but swayed slightly, leaned against Sirius' legs, and James said, "Okay, baby, I think it's time for bed."

"But we gots company!" Harry protested having heard Dudley say it to wheedle his way out of bedtime.

His dad was thrilled that Harry was willing to speak up but it was nearly nine o'clock and he said, "It's very late, Harry, I'm sure Severus will come to tea again very soon. Right now it's time for you to say goodnight and then you can have a couple of pages of a bedtime story."

This idea perked up Harry. Before he'd come home to his dad no one had ever read to him. He liked having time alone with his daddy so he nodded, and hugged Sirius and Remus, and told Severus it was nice to meet him, before he took his dad's hand and went willingly to bed.

the end
Stay tuned for part three with 14 year old Harry.