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Side-along apparation was never easy for most wizards but apparating three people was near impossible. Nobody had ever told Harry that though, so when he had grabbed hold of both Charlet and Severus' hands he wasn't prepared for the shear magnitude of magic it took. The pull from his magical stores was way beyond his capacity after the abuse he had received. A smile broke out on his face when he saw they had landed in front of the gates of Hogwarts. In his next breath he fell to his knees and lost coconsciousness.
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Sirius sat at the end of his godson's bed in his animagus dog form. It was easier to maintain his temper when he was in his dog form. It had been three days since Harry had been found at the gates of Hogwarts, along with Snape and the girl. Snape and Harry had both been close to death's door and neither had woken from their loss of consciousness. Harry was suffering from magical exhaustion, along with the extreme after effects from the crutiatus, various bruises and cuts due to a harsh beating and as if that wasn't enough he also had another high fever. Sirius was most distressed to see the severe bite marks littered about Harry's neck and shoulders.
Snape was worse off with deep burns to his back and legs, along with a cracked rib, and brain damage that Pomfrey could not measure until the man woke up. Sirius went from feeling slightly guilty for driving Harry away, instead of letting him help, to feeling an extreme amount of anger directed at Snape. How in the world could Snape get his godson involved with those crazy women? Sirius was not pleased and let everyone know his feelings.
He had been forced into promising both Remus and Pomfrey that he would remain calm while staying with Harry in the infirmary. He insisted on sleeping there, not wanting Harry to be alone when he finally woke up.
He had been sleeping when he heard Snape make his first sound in three days. He quickly turned back into his human form before calling out to Pomfrey. They were all very curious to find out what had happened in that cell.
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Madame Pomfrey had always been the no-nonsense type of medi-witch. She didn't put up with much in her infirmary. When Sirius Black showed up again in her infirmary she made sure he knew that his bad temper would not be tolerated. She shooed him from Severus' bedside before beginning her assessment on the Potion Master.
The burns on the poor man's legs were quite bad and would require several weeks to heal properly. She was most concerned about the lack of activity coming from his brain. It was quite apparent that Severus was suffering from severe brain damage. So severe, that Poppy had been forced into calling in Healer Fairchild to take over his case. She raised her wand and sent a medi-owl to fetch the healer.
Poppy turned her attention towards the unconscious teen, still lying in the same position she had put him in the last time she had checked him an hour ago. It was disheartening to see that he still hadn't moved, even after three days of constant potions and magical help. She placed her wand over his heart before reciting yet another spell that would help to restore his magical core.
Poppy had a hard time coming to grips with the idea that a teenage boy could apparate three people at once. She knew it wasn't possible, especially given that the teenager in question had been suffering from such horrific abuse at the time. She shook her head in annoyance over the way the boy had never been taught boundaries. It was no wonder Mr. Potter thought he could achieve the impossible, since everyone, including the headmaster, had always encouraged him to do just that. Poor boy, now he would suffer the consequences of his actions.
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Severus was trapped deep within his own mind. He fought to break free from the fog, finally managing to let out a moan. He had no idea where he was or even if he was safe. His mind was merely trying to get to the surface. He felt as if he were drowning with small snatches of air sent his way, just enough to keep him alive. He heard the faint sound of someone calling his name and mentally clawed his way in that direction.
When Healer Fairchild had been called in three days ago, she had been shocked to find Severus in such a dire state.. He was clearly suffering from severe head trauma caused by an unknown dark spell. Now, having just received the medi-owl, she stood over her patient waving her wand as she yelled his name out.
After several long hours Severus managed to open his eyes and the first person he saw was Ella Fairchild. He tried to talk but his words came out inarticulately. Ella placed a hand on his shoulder and told him to rest.
The next time he woke up he was surrounded by Order members. Albus was sitting in a chair at his bedside as McGonagall, Tonks and Lupin stood behind the Headmaster. A cup of cold liquid was brought to his lips by Pomfrey. He sniffed it, then once he knew what potion it was, he drank. The liquid helped to relieve his parched throat and he attempted to speak once more.
"What has happened?" Severus whispered. He knew something big must have happened to bring so many people to his bedside. Usually he woke up quite alone, which actually suited him just fine.
Albus put a hand on his arm, "Severus you are at Hogwarts and quite safe now. Can you tell us what you remember?"
Severus furrowed his brow as he tried to remember what had brought him to the infirmary. He struggled to remember anything but it seemed as if a big portion of his life were missing. He looked back at Albus with confusion, "I can not recall where I last was."
"That is to be expected, Severus. Rest assured both you and Harry are safe now," Albus said in a soothing voice.
Snape immediately looked to the bed on his left. He saw the messy hair of the boy-who-lived- to-irritate- him. "What disaster has Potter gotten himself into now?" his voice dripping with bitterness.
The Order members looked quite uncomfortable with his question, so Snape asked another, "Am I to assume that Potter is responsible for my stay in the infirmary?"
Someone suddenly stepped out from behind Pomfrey. Snape's eyes grew wider with disbelief. It couldn't possibly be Sirius Black! The man was dead!
Poppy could see the shock on her patient's face and quickly shooed everyone out of the room but not before Sirius said a few choice words.
"Snape, how dare you blame this mess on Harry! You slimy snake, it was your family that put the both of you in here!" Sirius was quickly made to shut up with a silencing spell from Albus.
"That is enough, Sirius!" the Headmaster roared.
Poppy used her most forceful voice to shoo all but the headmaster out the door. Sirius was still trying to talk when the infirmary doors shut in his face.
Poppy gave Severus another potion before leaving him alone with the Headmaster.
Severus took in a deep breath, "Black went through the veil. How did he come back?"
"Severus, what is the last thing you remember happening?" Albus held his breath in anticipation.
Severus rubbed his forehead, "I remember Potter wrecking your office after he found out about the prophecy. I remember everything that happened at the ministry … including Black going through the veil. How is it that he is still alive?"
"The veil allowed him to come back. It is still a mystery how it happened." after a pause Albus continued, "Do you recall rescuing Harry from the Dursley's?"
The question was asked with such intensity that Severus hesitated answering. After careful thought he said, "No, I do not recall that. Are you sure it actually happened?"
Albus felt every year his age at that moment, "Yes, I am sure that it did happen. Do you recall the demise of Voldemort?"
Severus immediately raised the sleeve of his pajama shirt to look at the dark mark on his arm. The mark was fading to grey. It couldn't be possible, he'd remember something as powerful as that, wouldn't he? He felt a sudden stab of pain in his head and clutched at it with both hands.
"That is enough for today," Ella said from the doorway. She quickly walked over to the bed and began her assessment of Severus. "I do not believe he would benefit from hearing more today, Headmaster Dumbledore. Perhaps we should allow him to recover before providing more information." The last statement was an order, not a request. She held a cup of mind healing potion mixed with sleeping potion, to Severus' lips and he drank.
Albus stood up and gave Severus a pat on the arm, "Very well, we shall talk again soon, Severus."
Severus would have liked to learn more but the fierce headache he felt forced him to obey Healer Fairchild. He was rather reluctant to have his ex-girlfriend attending to him. He wondered who had called her in to take over his care? Those were his last thoughts before the potion caught up with him and he fell into a deep untroubled sleep.
For the next twenty four hours he woke up several times but was given precious little information from Pomfrey or Fairchild. Ella Fairchild had spent extensive amounts of time trying to evaluate his memory. He was aware of his loss of memory but unsure of the amount of time he was missing, for no one would give him the current date.
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Harry could see the light through his closed eyelids, he knew it was daytime. He tried to force his eyes open but they felt glued shut. He heard someone talking, it sounded like Sirius. What was he saying? His name, yes Sirius was calling for him. He fought harder to open his eyes, wanting Sirius to know he was okay.
It took another hour of going in and out of consciousness before Harry finally managed to open his eyes. The blurry image of Sirius and Remus were the first people he saw.
"My dad?" Harry whispered. Remus put a cup of cool water to his lips and he drank until the cup was pulled away.
"Not too much, Harry," Remus softly advised.
"Remus, my dad, is my dad okay?" Harry asked in a scratchy whisper.
Remus nodded his head, "He is recovering."
Severus Snape had been awake for the last half hour but refused to look in the direction of the mutt and the werewolf. He thought it quite cruel that Lupin should lie to Potter in such a way about his father. He listened more intently when he heard Potter ask another question.
"Is Vespa dead?"
"Yes," Lupin answered.
Severus couldn't help but to look in their direction. Potter couldn't possibly be talking about Vespa Snape, could he? But then again, hadn't Black said something about this all being the fault of the Snape family? He was so confused, how had Potter gotten involved with Vespa?
"I killed her," Potter confessed with obvious regret. "I used an Avada on her."
Snape struggled to sit up. He pushed against his pillow and leaned up on one arm, ignoring the pounding his movement caused in his brain.
Potter looked at him at that instant and the teen's look of guilt turned into one of great relief.
"Dad," Harry called out, realizing for the first time that Severus was in the bed next to his own.
Severus fell back onto his pillow with a huff. "Obviously whatever happened has rattled your brain completely," came his sarcastic response.
Poppy rushed out at that moment and flung a sleeping spell at the boy but not before Snape caught the perplexed look on the boy's face. What the bloody hell was happening? Snape felt as if he were in some alternative universe.
Poppy gave him a sharp look and held out another mind healing potion mixed with sleeping draught. He drank it, if only to get away from the obnoxious "Marauders". He vowed to request his release from this place when he awoke next. There was no way he intended to stay in a room with Potter and his fan club.
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The next time Harry woke up he found his infirmary bed surrounded by fabric screens, separating his bed from the bed next to him. He wondered if his father was still on the other side of the screens and whispered out, "Dad? Dad, are you still in here?"
When no answer was forthcoming he thought maybe his dad was sleeping and didn't want to wake him up. He fell back into a fevered sleep, hoping that when he woke next he would be able to see his father.
Severus heard Potter calling out for his father. He wondered if it were possible that James Potter had also come back from the dead, given that somehow Black had managed to escape death. He thought about the desperate almost relieved look the boy had on his face yesterday when their eyes connected. He conjectured on how muddled the boy's brain must be to mistake him for James Potter. At any rate, he didn't want to waste his time thinking of Potter.
His biggest concern at this point was to get his memory back and find out what had happened to the Dark Lord. One thing was certain; the Dark Lord was most definitely dead. He could feel the loss of connection that had pulsed through his dark mark for the past few years, since the Tri-Wizard tournament. He pulled his wand out and threw up a silencing spell so he wouldn't be forced into listening to Potter, should the boy call out for his father again.
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Throughout the night every time Harry woke up, the first thing he would do is to ask for his father. Poppy, Dumbledore, Remus and Sirius had all given him looks of pity before telling him that Severus was recovering. He could tell they were holding back on telling him something important. It bothered him to no end that secrets were being kept from him … yet again.
The next morning Harry felt the sleeping form of Sirius the dog resting on his legs and he wiggled his toes to wake the dog. The dog poked his head up and gave a whine, just before the animal turned into Sirius, the man.
"Hey pup, how're you feeling?" Sirius asked as he stretched his legs to the floor.
"Okay," Harry answered. "When can I leave? Where's my dad?"
Sirius shook his head in frustration. He was getting tired of his godson asking about Snape. He tried to answer the way he was instructed to, "I'm not supposed to answer that. All I'm allowed to say is that Snape is recovering. But just between you and me; you would have been better off if the greasy git had died."
Harry couldn't believe that Sirius had said that.
"Sirius, that's just cruel." He didn't want to get angry but felt his temper running short with the fever making his head hurt. Why wouldn't anyone tell him what was happening?
"Sorry." Sirius came to sit in the chair next to the bed, "I just want you to be happy and I hardly think Snape is capable of giving you anything but grief."
"If you really wanted me to be happy, then you would just accept the fact that Severus is my father!" Harry yelled, letting his temper get the better of him.
"Harry, you only get one father in life and yours happens to be dead. That greasy git, you call father doesn't even remember you!" Sirius yelled back.
"What the bloody hell are you talking about!?!"
"I'm the only one who loves you enough to tell you the truth! Snape's so screwed up, he couldn't give a rat's ass about you!"
Harry eyed him warily, it just couldn't be true. "You're a liar. Get out."
"No Harry, I'm not lying. Snape made Pomfrey put these screens up so he wouldn't have to see you. Does that sound like a loving father to you?" Sirius stood up abruptly, the chair fell backwards clanging against the stone floor. "I'll be back. Hopefully by then, you'll realize that I'm all you've got left, kiddo!"
Harry watched his godfather storm out of the screened off room. His fevered mind was barely able to grasp the words his godfather had spoken. It couldn't be true, could it? But Vespa had performed that awful spell on Severus, maybe it had messed him up to the point of forgetting. Just thinking of the spell sent a chill down Harry's spine.
Gathering all his Gryffindor bravery, he decided there was only one way to find out. He slowly stood up on shaky legs and held onto the nightstand for balance. He grabbed hold of a corner of the fabric screen and pulled it to the side. His breath hitched in his throat when he saw his father sleeping on the other side. He pushed the screen out of the way and sat down on the chair next to Severus' bed. His dad looked so pale, he'd never seen him look so vulnerable. Instinctively he reached out a trembling hand to take hold of his father's hand.
His dad opened his eyes . "Hi, how're you feeling?" Harry asked.
Snape's eyes flew open before he snatched his hand away. "Potter, just what do you think you are doing?" came the cold, malicious tone of voice, that Harry hadn't heard in months.
Harry looked back at him in confusion, "Dad, it's me!"
"Stop calling me that, you dim-witted fool! What spell has addled your brain into thinking I would be foolish enough to become your father?" Snape saw the shocked look the boy now wore, "Get out of here!"
Harry stood up, then sat back down as he pulled himself together. He wouldn't give up this easily. He knew Severus was suffering from that weird spell Vespa had used against him and tried to tell him, "Vespa used a black pensieve to steal your memories. Before the spell hit, you said you might not remember things. You adopted me this past summer…"
Snape didn't let him finish the sentence, "Potter, I would never be foolish enough to adopt you." Then thinking this all must be some elaborate joke put on by Black and Lupin, he yelled out, "Get the hell out of here! I will speak to the Headmaster about your impudence!"
Harry stood up and in a steady voice said, "I'll go, but I need you to know that we were a family."
"Who put you up to this?" came Snape's snarky reply. "Who was it …the mutt or the werewolf?"
"Neither," Harry felt how important this moment was. He looked into Severus' angry eyes… their eyes connected for one brief moment.
Without meaning for it to happen, Severus saw into Potter's memories: like watching a film at high speed he saw a memory of himself, pleading frantically at Potter, "Harry, you know I love you, don't ever forget that. Don't ever forget how proud you make me."
The Legillemens connection suddenly broke off and Severus found himself in the grips of a headache so fierce that he vomited on the bed. He clutched at his head and felt blood dripping from his nose and eyes from the pressure.
Both Madame Pomfrey and Healer Fairchild ran towards the screened off room. Poppy cleaned off the bed with a wave of her wand. Healer Fairchild shooed Harry from the bedside before helping Poppy administer strong doses of healing potion to the besieged potion master.
Severus closed his eyes until the worst of the pain passed. He looked up at Ella, "What happened? Without casting any spells I found myself in the throes of a legillimens connection. I saw Potter's memories … or should I say delusions."
"What did you see, Severus?" Albus asked coming from around the screen.
The potion was beginning to effect Severus' discretion or else he never would have confessed, "I was in the throes of being tortured by my Aunt and yelling out words of utter nonsense to Potter! The boy must be completely delusional to maintain such a strong memory of an occurrence that never happened."
"But, I believe the occurrence did happen, Severus," Albus said gently.
Healer Fairchild shook her head at Albus. Albus tilted his head to the side, "We shall talk more when you are feeling up to it. Get some rest, my boy."
Severus leaned back against the pillows. He couldn't shake that memory, it bothered him. The memory had felt real, as if it had occurred, yet he knew he would never speak such nonsense to Potter. He was grateful when the sleeping potion took hold and he didn't have to think about the memory any longer.
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Albus could see how flustered Harry looked. He took hold of his arm and led him back to the bed. "Come, my boy."
Harry reluctantly went. So, it was true, his dad no longer thought of him in the same way. He laid his head back on the pillow and let the headmaster fuss over him, pulling up the covers and getting him a glass of water. Dumbledore took the seat next to his bed and looked at him with sadness in his eyes.
"Harry, Healer Fairchild has told me that it may take some time before Severus gets his memory back. You must be patient."
Harry closed his eyes, wishing dearly that this had never happen to them. He opened his eyes to see Dumbledore with his face resting in his open palm.
"But, he'll remember, right?"
Dumbledore looked up, giving Harry a small smile over the trusting voice he heard. "Harry, I've never seen him look more fulfilled in life than when he became your father." He patted Harry on the arm before standing up. "Get some rest. Your classmates will be returning tomorrow."
Late that night Harry woke up to sounds of people arguing. His hand felt around his nightstand for his glasses. He pushed them on his face and looked around. He could see into Poppy's office and was surprised to see it was filled to capacity with members of the Order Of The Phoenix. He heard his name being shouted by Sirius before someone put up a strong silencing spell. He shook his head as once again his fate was being decided without his input.
A while later the Order members came out of the office, all looking grim and very somber. Sirius looked in Harry's direction but didn't come over to say goodbye. Dumbledore came out of the office last and went directly to Severus' bedside before casting several silencing spells. It was apparent to Harry that something big must have happened to call a meeting at two o'clock in the morning. Harry tried to wait up until Dumbledore finished talking to Severus but he couldn't manage to keep his eyes opened after a few hours had passed.
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The next morning after breakfast both Harry and Severus were given thorough check ups by Poppy.
Dumbledore came into the infirmary with a solemn look on his face, "They must leave before the students arrive."
"They really are not ready," Poppy insisted. "Mr. Potter, still has a fever and Severus is still recovering from those burns, not to mention the head trauma."
"It can not be helped," Albus insisted. "They must not be in here when the students return."
Poppy reluctantly agreed to their release, albeit with many conditions attached.
As soon as she went into her office, Dumbledore waved away the screened partition that had separated Severus' bed from Harry's. He took a seat in a chair between them and looked from one person to the other. Harry looked at Severus but the potion master refused to look back at him
"Good morning gentlemen. I hope you had a goodnight's rest," the room remained quiet. Dumbledore looked as if he hadn't slept in days. Tired blue eyes looked towards Harry, then with a deep sigh Albus said, "Harry, Severus and I had a long talk last night. I think it important that you understand that Severus does not recall most everything that has happened since June of this past year."
Harry looked towards Severus once again. Severus kept his gaze firmly on the headmaster, refusing to look at Harry.
"You'll remember again, I know you will," Harry said, almost desperately.
Severus closed his eyes, a look of aversion on his face. Dumbledore placed a hand on Harry's arm, "Harry, Healer Fairchild feels it best that we do not tell Severus any of the events that have occurred these past months. She feels it is vital to his mental health that he remember on his own. As you saw yesterday, his brain is very fragile. A sudden memory could cause a hemorrhage, the memory must happen naturally."
At Harry's horrified look he quickly went on, "But there is hope that he will remember most, if not all of what happened in the past six months. As a matter of fact, Severus had a memory return to him last night." When Severus kept silent Albus continued, "He remembered having a broom race with you at Snape Manor, isn't that so, Severus?"
Severus turned a dark glare towards Harry, "As I stated last night, I can not imagine that it actually has happened."
"Yes it did!" Harry said enthusiastically. "We had a race, then we had a water fight after I landed in the fountain!"
"Utter nonsense," Snape flicked non existent dust from his covers. He had not told Albus about the water fight but he did remember it.
"Not to me," Harry said. "It was something I'll always value… no matter what happens."
"How touching," not only were those words filled with sarcasm but a fair amount of scorn was mixed in as well. "Delusional freak."
"You're not yourself, so your words can't hurt me," Harry stated, contrary to the way he felt. He flushed over the name Severus had called him, feeling quite stung.
"You are wrong about that, Potter. Obviously I wasn't myself when I was idiotic enough to actually play childish games with the likes of a boy desperate enough for a father that he would conjure stories up and spread them around!"
"That's a lie. And, it's not me who is delusional," Harry stated.
"You insolent little brat! How dare you …"
Dumbledore stood up, "That is enough!" He looked from one to the other. "Something important has come to my attention. We must work together now, more than ever."
"What happened? I saw the Order meeting taking place last night," Harry said. "I would have liked to have been included."
Severus huffed, reluctant to actually agree with the spoiled brat.
Dumbledore took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, "Severus and I spoke last night, he knows how important this is, Harry. It is imperative that no one find out about Severus' loss of memory, not even your friends. Remember, with Sirius' claim to be your rightful guardian, Wizarding Child Protective Services has not yet closed your case."
"What!?!" Harry looked towards Severus, angered he hadn't ever been told that the adoption was in jeopardy of being revoked. "I thought we were done with that."
"I am willing to sign over my claim to being your father today. Unfortunately the Headmaster has strictly forbidden that," Severus knew he would be reprimanded for voicing that.
"Severus! We came to an agreement," Dumbledore hissed out between clenched teeth.
Harry had never heard the headmaster use such a severe tone of voice before.
Albus harshly added, "Do not test my patience, Severus!"
Severus inclined his head, indicating he did understand.
After a few uncomfortable moments, Albus continued, "We caught one of the Death Eaters at Vespa Snape's cottage. He was interrogated by myself and Kingsly Shacklebolt. Harry, I know how much you hate having added protection, but we have come to find out that you are in grave danger."
Harry's eyes glanced over to Severus. The man didn't seem bothered by this in the least, in fact he seemed somewhat relaxed now.
"It seems they are very eager to get a hold of you. We must take added precautions to keep you safe. I would like you to stay with Severus, down in his rooms. You mustn't ever walk the halls alone, nor must you ever go outside the walls of Hogwarts."
"So, I'm to be a prisoner?" The rage Harry felt welled up inside him. Voldemort was still ruining his life.
"It's not like that, Harry. You would also be helping Severus by staying with him," Dumbledore paused when Severus gave a loud snort. "Healer Fairchild, feels that Severus' memory will return much sooner if he is close to you, since you and he were together for so much of the time that he has forgotten."
"Fine. The sooner Severus gets his memory back, the sooner we can get back to the way we used to be," Harry stated.
"That is Professor Snape or Sir to you!" Severus snapped.
"You told me not to call you those names!" Harry shot back.
Severus narrowed his eyes at the obtuse boy, "It will be Sir or Professor. Anything other than those names will earn you detention."
"Severus, we must not let anyone know of your loss of memory. In front of all others you must act as you did before the spell. We went over this last night, you know of its importance. You will treat Harry with your utmost respect and Harry will call you Dad, just as he did before."
"I would prefer he not speak my name at all."
"Severus, please. Do try to act mature," Albus admonished.
"It's alright," Harry said. "I know he wouldn't say stuff like that if he remembered how it used to be."
Snape scoffed loudly.
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Hi Friends,
Yes, Severus did loose his memory. Yes, Harry is being hunted … once again. And yes, both Harry and Severus had thought the adoption was taken care of but in reality it was still open for further investigation.
For those of you wishing things would settle down for poor Harry … get real! You know how much I like to torture Harry, what makes you think I'm going to let him live happily ever after now!?! HeeHee (evil grin)
I have a question for you:
Should Harry make a brief visit back to Privet Drive?
The faster you reply the faster you get the next chappy!!!!!
Love ya,
Rachel