Sevvy woke up early on the day before Halloween. It was Saturday, and he would be allowed to go to Hogsmeade with Harry.

He quickly washed and pulled on a set of deep red robes that professor McGonagall had given him. He liked them; they had a little lion playing with a large snake on his chest. The embroidery really moved, like many of his Daddy's embroidered robes did!

Harry got up early as well, knowing Sevvy would be anxious to get going. When he entered the Common Room, Ron and Ginny approached him.

"Oi mate, listen, we're really sorry…" Ron started.

"Mum and Dad have to go to Diagon Alley with us first. My wand got damaged in Defense Class last week. The headmaster gave us permission to go with Mum and Dad, but he thinks it's too dangerous for you and Sevvy to come along," Ginny said apologetically.

Harry nodded. "He's probably right about that."

They stared at him. They knew Harry had become a lot more responsible, but to accept the headmaster's refusal without complaint?

"I wouldn't have gone with Sevvy anyway," Harry explained, seeing their confused faces, "and I wouldn't have let him down by not taking him to Hogsmeade either. Are you still coming this afternoon?"

"Yes, Mum said to tell you and Sevvy to meet us for lunch at the Three Broomsticks at 13.30."

"Oh good. If you're back that late I can justify buying Sevvy some Honeydukes Chocolate first! See you this afternoon, then. Have fun in the Alley and be careful!"

An hour later, Harry and Sevvy sat in one of the carriages that took them to Hogsmeade. Sevvy was excited.

"Daddy gave me an all-allo…he gives me some money every week, so I can buy things! Can I spend some today?"

"Yes, your Daddy said you could. Let's not forget to bring him back some lemon drops, ok?"

"I'm going to buy Daddy a present," Sevvy said, "And professor Mac and professor Flitwick for getting me presents at the start of term. Do you think they like chocolate?"

Harry suppressed a snort. Severus had tried, but failed at pronouncing Minerva McGonagall's name. Since he could not call her by her first name at school, he had settled on 'professor Mac'.

"I think they'd love getting a present from you, but don't forget to save some money to buy something for yourself, ok?"

"I want a book," Sevvy said decidedly, and Hermione, sitting across from them, grinned proudly.

Two carriages ahead of them, Draco Malfoy and Remus Lupin said in uncomfortable silence, not liking each other's company, but aware of their joint project for the day.

"So you remember the plan? I distract P-Harry, you grab the kid, and hand him to Weasley."

"Yes, yes, I am not an idiot, thank you. I don't understand what is in it for you, however."

"Removing my Head of House from Hogwarts. That's not where he belongs now."

"I agree," Remus said, staring out the window.

-later-

Sevvy danced out of Honeydukes. "I have lemon drops for Daddy, a tin of ginger newts for professor Mak and a slab of dark chocolate for professor Flitwick. Now I want to…"

"Potter," a voice behind them sounded.

"Malfoy," Harry replied neutrally, shoving Sevvy behind him.

"So, still brainwashing my Head of House, I see?" Draco sneered.

"I'm not brainwashing him. He is happy."

"He's a snot-nosed brat! I bet you like this, don't you? Getting revenge."

Harry didn't react, but turned around, wanting to take Sevvy's hand and walk on, but Draco, seeing that his taunts had not the expected result, grabbed him from behind and pinned his arms to his side.

Remus Lupin appeared, grabbed Severus and carried the screaming child across the street, where he pushed him in the arms of Arthur Weasley. Then he stood back, and Draco disappeared into a small alley.

"Stop him!" Harry roared after the running Weasley.

"Harry, let him go, he'll raise the brat at the Burrow and we can…"

Harry raised his fist and slammed it into Remus's face.

"You idiot! That's not Arthur! The Weasley's are in Diagon Alley!"

He grabbed his wand.

"He's going for the mountains. Hermione, go get help, quickly!"

He raced after the retreating pair.

Sevvy kicked and screamed, fighting as much as he could.

"Keep still, or I'll send a Killing Curse at your precious brother," Arthur threatened.

Sevvy's eyes widened in fear, and he quieted. Suddenly he saw the man's red hair losing its color, and growing long.

In a matter of minutes, short red hair had given way to long silvery strands. Lucius Malfoy ran on, the child in an iron grip.

Harry panted. The run up the mountain was steep and tiring, but he knew he was gaining on the imposter he suspected to be Lucius. The Death Eater was carrying a child, and Harry's condition was better to begin with. He just wished Sevvy would make some noise so he knew where to go.

Lucius reached a small alcove in the mountain side where he put the child down.

"One word from you, and your brother dies," he whispered, as he held his wand at the ready. Severus nodded, and slowly moved a bit further away.

Harry skidded to a halt. He smirked. Sevvy was a smart child, and for a moment he felt his chest swell with pride despite their predicament. Sevvy had probably been gagged or threatened into silence, but the boy was communicating all the same. He was standing in such a position that the sun was casting his shadow in Harry's direction, alerting the older boy to their presence around the corner.

"Wingardium Leviosa," Harry whispered, pointing to himself. He floated into the air. With his wand he directed himself upwards until he floated 15 feet above the ground. Then he directed himself forward.

Lucius failed to notice, focused as he was on the corner he expected Harry to come around.

Harry directed himself to the ground, motioned for Sevvy to get out of the way and shouted "Petrificus Totalis!"

Lucius whipped around and managed to dive just in time.

"POTTER!" he screamed, "Expelliarmus! Sectumsempra!"

Severus paled at the last one.

"Protego!" Harry yelled. It blocked the Expelliarmus, but the Sectumsempra cut his lower leg.

"Crucio!"

Harry convulsed with pain while Lucius laughed madly. Harry's wand dropped from his limp hand.

Through the pain, he glared at Lucius.

"Clear your mind…Put the pain away in a separate part…" Harry panted and slowly got to his feet.

"That…that's impossible!" Lucius said, still keeping up the curse. Then two things happened simultaneously; Harry cast a wandless Expelliarmus, causing his wand to drop, and Severus hit him with a rock.

He balanced on the edge of the ridge, throwing himself forward. In doing so, he lost his footing. Desperately trying to grab a hold on something, anything, he found the fabric of Sevvy's robes, and the two of them went over the ridge, plummeting to certain death.