Hours had passed before Harry walked into the waiting room, which still contained Tom and a sleeping Severus.
"How is he?" the Auror quietly questioned as he kneeled down before the boy, who was laying with his head on a pillow against the Dark Lord's tight.
"Physically fine, mentally, we'll have to keep an eye on him," Tom whispered back and Harry felt so bad for him.
"A four year old shouldn't lose his parents and definitely not in front of his eyes," he sighed while an empty feeling settled in his stomach. "If only we hadn't been on that balcony-"
"It's not our fault!" Tom interrupted him and glanced at Sev to see he hadn't woken up from his sudden raised voice. "The one who made those bombs is the guilty one." Brown eyes looked straight into green ones."
"I know, but I still feel guilty. Nobody else got hurt as badly as them."
"Not your fault," Severus' voice surprised them.
"Sev," Harry said pitiful as the boy crawled into a sitting position with the pillow hugged against his tummy. "You didn't make those things," Sev shook his head and the Auror sat down beside him, on the chair where the boy's legs had been resting before.
"Your mom's still inside," Tom said and Severus nodded.
"Did you see daddy?" Both adults looked surprised and alerted at each other before looking down at the boy.
"Yes," Harry answered honestly. Hope filled Severus' eyes and the Auror hated that he was the one to destroy it.
"He's gone, I'm sorry."
"When will he be back?" A sniff was heard.
"He won't be coming back." Harry sadly sighed and caressed the little one's black locks. "Your dad loves you," Sev looked up at him, "and when you love someone you will do anything to protect them. Even something that will make it impossible to return." Tears welled up in the boy's eyes and his grip on the pillow tightened.
"Listen Sev, it's also not your fault," Tom stated clearly. "Only the person attacking, is guilty!"
"Where's he?!" the boy looked up in anger and the Dark Lord looked at the Auror for an answer.
"He's been captured by the Aurors," Harry assured him.
"He'll be punished," the Minister added and Sev wiped his tears away.
"Good." Green eyes met brown ones again. 'A four year old shouldn't be saying something like that.'
-THTH-
Another hour passed before a wizard showed up in the private waiting room.
"She's out of danger," he announced with a smile at Severus. "She's sleeping, but you can visit her." All three of them immediately got up and holding Sev's hands in theirs, they followed the tired looking doctor. They entered a single person's room and helped the boy into a chair beside the motionless pale looking woman on the bed. Once Sev was distracted the wizard signalled them to follow him to the door. Casting a quick spell to make certain Severus couldn't hear them, the doctor gave the boy a pitiful look.
"How's she?" Harry questioned and the man's eyes moved from him to the Minister.
"Her nerves system has been damaged by the Crucios and it's too early to know if she'll make a full recovery. Her mental state can only be judged when she wakes up, but worst case: it could be she doesn't responds to external stimulus." A dead weight seemed to have settled in the Auror's stomach and he glanced at the boy sitting by the bed, holding his mother's hand like it was the most precious thing ever.
'This is the same as what happened to Neville's parents.' He realised.
"When's it suspected that she'll wake up?" the Dark Lord questioned.
"By tomorrow afternoon." Tom nodded at him in understanding. "I'll give you a moment in private," the doctor excused himself and both adults moved to the bed. After fifteen minutes they got word they had to leave and reluctantly, Severus let himself be led away from his mother.
"We'll come back tomorrow," Harry assured him and the boy glanced at him. The Minister guided them to a public fireplace and without a word the Auror followed him to his mansion.
-THTH-
Quietly, Harry closed the door to Sev's - hopefully temporary - room and with a sigh walked to Tom's home office. He politely knocked and the wood moved by itself. The Minister signalled him to enter while continuing his conversation with Abraxas.
"All right, take care of Lysandra and Lucius and get some sleep." The blond nodded before his face disappeared from the fire. Tired the Minister turned to the Auror.
"Could he fall asleep?"
"Eventually," Harry answered with a sigh. "Do you mind if I stay over?" he questioned already knowing the answer.
"Of course not," the other's response was immediately.
"Thanks," the younger man smiled, "the same room as last time, I presume?" Tom nodded. "Great, then I'm going to get some sleep and I suggest you do the same." The Auror hesitated for a moment before departing to his room.
-THTH-
Tom sneaked a peak into Severus' room and found the boy still fast asleep. Quietly, he closed the door and made his way to the next. Standing in front of it, he closed his eyes while taking a deep breath. Even if the circumstances were awful, he was more than glad to have Harry under the same roof again. His feet started leading him away from the door when it opened.
"Tom?" the younger man's voice was still laced with sleep. "Where are you going?"
"To the Ministry," the Dark Lord responded and the other frowned at him.
"It's way too early! It's not even 6 o'clock yet!" As the Auror stepped closer the other could see the redness of his eyes.
'Has he been crying?' he slightly wondered and wouldn't be surprised if he had with everything that had happened.
"I wasn't sleepy any longer," Tom shrugged. "So, I figured it would be better to do something productive." He watched a pout settle on the Auror's face and wondered if the other even knew what kind of face he was pulling. "Sev's grandparents need to be informed about their son's dead and be given permission to enter the magical community to be able to visit Eileen." Green eyes widened at his explanation. "Also, Sev needs someone while we're at work." Harry blinked at him, clearly taking in his words before nodding.
"I'll take the next couple of days off," the Auror decided on the spot.
"I'll inform Cornelius," the Minister reacted. "And I'll arrange that Sev's grandparents can watch him, when you have to give your witness testimony."
"That would be great," Harry gave him a small smile. "I'm going back to bed. I'll see you later."
"Sleep well," Tom said and the younger man closed the door between them again.
-THTH-
What Harry hadn't been expecting, was to see Tobias' parents in the sitting room when he woke up.
"C-condolences," he stammered to his surprise. The old woman gave him a thankful nod while her husband stood up.
"You're a cop, aren't you? Did you get him? That bloody bastard!" he screamed the end.
"We did," the Auror answered.
"How's Eileen holding up?" Sev's grandmother asked.
"She's stable, but still unconscious, so we don't know yet," Harry continued and saw Tom's eyes move to the door. It took a couple of seconds before the wood opened and Severus showed himself. The younger man hoped the older couple didn't notice that their grandson wasn't touching the wood and that the door seemed to open by itself. 'Tom must have told Dopper to stay out of sight.'
"Sweetheart!" the woman called out and held her arms open for the boy, who ran straight towards her.
"We would appreciate it if you could watch Sev today," the Minister said and the old man briskly turned to him.
"He can stay as long as needed."
"We weren't expecting anything else," the Auror quickly responded with a smile. "I'm planning to take a couple of days off-"
"Shouldn't you be working on the case?" Tobias' father interrupted him and the Auror shook his head.
"I'm a witness and as I have a close connection to the victim, it isn't allowed." The older man frowned but gave a nod in understanding before turning to his grandson.
"Severus, do you want to stay with your grandma and me for a few days or with your godfathers?" The little boy looked up from his grandmother's chest and blinked at him in thought.
"Uncle Tom and Uncle Marvolo," Sev decided and a warm feeling spread through the Auror's chest, while the grandparents frowned in disapproval.
"You're fine with spending the day with them, aren't you?" Harry quickly asked and got big scared eyes directed his way. 'That's not normal.' He shared a look with Tom.
"You'll be save with them." The Minister kneeled down to Sev's height and the boy looked down at the ground. Harry watched as the Dark Lord leaned closer to be able to hear the little one's mumblings. Suddenly Tom raised his hand and patted the top of Severus' head, while whispering something back. Their conversation continued until the boy nodded his head and stepped towards his grandparents.
"We'll pick him up after dinner," the Minister stated and the old woman gave him an unreadable expression.
"He might be asleep by then," she responded stiffly.
"We'll be there," Harry quickly added and leaned down to the boy. "We will pick you up!" he stated and Severus clenched the adult's sweater for a second before giving a nod.
"In which hospital is Eileen staying?" Mr Snape asked and the Auror glanced at the Minister.
"St. Mungo's, a special clinic for victims' like her," Tom quickly answered. "We'll let you know when you're allowed to visit her and if they don't transport her to another facility." The man frowned at that explanation, but seemed to give in when looking at his grandson.
"We'll see you tonight then," he indicated that he wanted to leave and politely, they guided them out.
"What was that with Sev just now?" Harry questioned the moment the Snapes were out of hearing range.
"He's afraid they will get hurt because they don't have magic," Tom answered with a sigh. The younger man sadly shook his head while watching the grandparents leave with their grandson.
"We should get to the Ministry," the Dark Lord suddenly announced and he turned around. "Dopper made breakfast," he continued before walking to his office.
"Did you already eat?" Harry had to ask as he watched the other's back. Tom nodded at him over his shoulder.
"With Sev."
-THTH-
Harry was more than glad the moment his testimony was over. As he walked back to his desk, he found Tom sitting at it while talking to Zanal.
"Marvolo!" Cornelius called out and the Dark Lord twirled towards him. "I've accepted your request for leave," the Head Auror told him as Tom got up from the Auror's seat.
"Thanks," the younger responded to his boss before turning to the Minister with a heavy but hopeful heart.
"Eileen woke up," Tom delivered his news. "I suspected you wanted to come." Harry nodded thankfully and together they walked over to the lift.
"Did they say anything about her condition?" the younger man questioned once the doors closed.
"She isn't responding to them." Brown eyes glanced at him. Neither wanted to think about the meaning of that sentence.
"Let's not make assumptions," the Auror decided but somehow only felt worse. "Oh, is it okay if I stay at your place with Sev?" Harry felt nervous asking that.
"Officially, you still live there," hearing that, the younger man felt like he had swallowed a brick, "so, come and go as you like," Tom said casually and the other glanced at him.
"Are you sure?" Now those brown eyes turned to him.
"Always."
'Damn,' Harry's heart just skipped a beat as the lift came to a halt. "Let's go," the Auror awkwardly said as his feet couldn't carry him quickly enough out of the tight space.
-THTH-
Standing in front the emotionless woman, Harry felt his hope diminish to a minimum.
"She still doesn't respond to any stimulus. We were hoping she would react to someone familiar," the doctor explained and the younger man glanced at Tom, who frowned at him. They both knew Severus was the best chance they had, but what would it do to the little boy if his mother didn't recognize him.
"Could she still improve over time?"
"It's possible, but she'll never be completely the same. A healthy part of the brain could take over the functions of the damaged part, but it's a small chance," the doctor answered honestly. A sad sigh slipped from the Auror's lips as the Minister thanked the wizard for his work. "Should we start the muggle procedure?" the doctor questioned and the Dark Lord nodded.
"Yes, her parents-in-law will want to visit her while her son sees the child counselor."
"And they'll want to see Tobias… start preparing his funeral," Harry added. The wizard nodded.
"I'll start the arrangements." Together they left the room and the doctor split up from them at the nurses' station.
"Will you be going back to the Ministry?" the Auror asked and the Minister nodded.
"Without Abraxas, Miss Grelyon is the only one present."
"I should Floo him," Harry referred to his cousin.
"Visit him with Sev. Lucius could have a good influence on him." The younger had to admit that was a good idea.
"I'll do that," he nodded. "I'll go pick up Sev and the Snapes. I'll see you later?" The Dark Lord nodded at him before stopping at a fireplace. They shared a comfortable look before Tom left.
'I should get some of my stuff first.' A sigh left Harry's lips. 'It's like I'm moving back in…'
-THTH-
"Give us five minutes," Sev's grandmother said the moment Harry informed them they could visit Eileen.
"We'll go with Severus to his appointment and then visit Eileen," Mr Snape stated and waited until his wife pulled Sev away to put on his coat. "And I expect we can finally see Tobias!" It wasn't a request.
"The police has released him," the Auror nodded with his eyes cast to the ground. He couldn't help but feel guilty. If only he hadn't been on that balcony or just closer to him; he could have saved him.
"Good," Snape responded before the other two returned.
"Let's go," his wife said while holding Sev's hand. As they stepped outside the little boy also grabbed hold of Harry's hand and gave him a pleading look when the older looked down. Giving him a small reassuring smile, the Auror guided the boy after his grandfather to the older man's car. When his grandmother wanted to sit down on the back seat, Sev pulled her back and pointed to the front seat. The old woman blinked at him before glancing at Harry and giving him a pointed look before moving to the front seat. Next the little boy ushered the Auror in the back seat before following him and sitting in the middle to be able to keep a hold on the adult. His grandparents shared a frowning look before glancing worried at their grandson. Their eyes moved up to the man sitting beside Severus and Harry tried to give them a reassuring look. If it worked he didn't know as they just looked away.
"Ride to the West, I'll give directions along the way," Harry said carefully and the engine of the car started running.
-THTH-
As they walked into St. Mungo's the Snapes looked around suspicious while Harry was impressed by the muggle look it had. Naturally, they hadn't taken the main entrance but a side one that suddenly looked like the main one. Doing the talking, the Auror quickly got them at the child counselor's practice and they all joined Sev inside for a quick greeting session. Eventually the counselor asked for some time alone with Severus and the boy looked up frightened at Harry when the adults stood up.
"We'll be right outside. Don't worry," the Auror smiled reassuringly. "We'll be right behind that window," he pointed towards the glass, "You'll be able to see us the entire time." Together with the elderly couple he walked out of the room and found the boy shrinking in on himself as he looked through the window. Meeting Sev's eyes, Harry smiled encouraging at him and watched the boy's attention move to the counselor when she asked something.
"While Severus' inside, we would like to see Tobias," Mr Snape suddenly stated to the younger adult, who looked surprised back.
"All right, but someone should stay with Severus. I'll go get someone to guide you," Harry suggested and the older man nodded his approval. Quickly the Auror left the room and stepped towards the nurse station.
"Hi," he greeted the witch behind the desk and the woman's eyes widened as she clearly recognized him. "The muggle Snape family would like to see their son-" Unmistakably she knew what he was talking about and fiercely nodded her head.
"I'll warn the personnel at the mortuary and come and get Mr and Mrs Snape in a couple of minutes."
"Thank you," Harry smiled at her before walking back to the child counselor. "The nurse will take you in a couple of minutes," he assured the Snapes, who nodded gratefully before looking back at their grandson.
-THTH-
Before going home the quartet made a last stop at Eileen's room. "Remember what I told you, Sev," Harry kneeled down to the boy's height as they stopped in the corridor. "Her body is still recovering, so it's hard for her to communicate with anyone. So it's possible she also doesn't respond to you, but don't worry too much about that yet. She still needs time," he emphasized and doubt filled the little boy's eyes before he gave a quick nod with a glance at the adult. "Come on then," he smiled and pushed the door open. Sev grabbed hold of his hand and slowly walked towards the bed. Only the sound of the door closing behind them, told the Auror the boy's grandparents were following. They had become more subdued since they returned from the morgue.
"Mommy?" Sev tried but the woman on the bed didn't move. The boy looked down at his feet and Harry could only feel sorry for him. Mrs Snape walked past them and moved a chair beside the bed before sitting down on it. Next she grabbed hold of his daughter-in-law's hand and squeezed it. Eileen glanced at her before staring back to her blanket. Mr Snape pulled up another chair next to his wife and signalled for Severus to sit on it. With a little push from Harry the boy complied and while he crawled on it, the Auror noted how Eileen moved her eyes again and kept them on her son.
'Maybe she does recognizes him?' he wondered hopefully. "I'll give you a moment," he said and the two elderly nodded to him thankfully.
-THTH-
Half an hour later, Harry was nurturing a coffee in the hallway when the Snape family came out of the hospital room.
"We would like to go home," Mrs Snape tiredly said while rubbing her grandson's back comfortably.
"Okay," the Auror quietly responded and guided them to the exit. "We'll drop you off at home," Mr Snape decided and Harry agreed with a nod.
It was weird to enter the domain through the front gate and even more to use the front door. The Snapes hugged their grandson goodbye and gave the Auror a firm handshake before stepping back into their car.
"She kept staring at me," Severus suddenly said as they watched the automobile leave their premises. Confused, the adult looked down and the sad look on the boy's face told him of whom he was speaking.
"That's more than she did with anyone else. She must have recognized you," he smiled and Sev looked up at him.
"I don't know," the boy honestly answered before turning around and moving deeper into the home. With a heavy heart, Harry watched him go.
-THTH-
Writing down his name, function and signing underneath it, Harry eyed the paper in his hand once more. 'Looks good,' he shrugged and looked over his shoulder when he heard a door closing behind him. His eyes fell on Tom, who entered with a tired look, which seemed to lighten up at the sight of him.
"You're still awake," the Minister stated the obvious and the younger turned his chair towards him.
"Yeah, I couldn't sleep. So, I've been writing my request to be Lily Evans' godfather." Harry raised the letter he was still holding.
"That's good. I could deliver it tomorrow?" the Dark Lord carefully suggested and got a thankful nod. "Also, I got some papers for you to sign," he continued while feeling around in his pocket before handing a folder to him. Eyebrows rose in wonder as the younger accepted it, but as his green eyes read the contents, he got mixed feelings. "I know," Tom sighed as he noted the other's expression. "It's just to make certain that nobody can cause any problems for Sev." Harry sighed while reading the last of the papers.
"It's good that it states we'll only be his guardians until Eileen is capable of taking care of him again. Only, it's like saying Eileen won't be getting better." The Dark Lord sighed.
"I had a talk with her doctor." Green eyes looked up in surprise. "He said that her recovery will need time. At least a couple of months to see a clear improvement." Dejected, Harry looked down again. "We're not going to take him from his mother," the Minister emphasized in a quieter but clear voice and the Auror looked up at him again before giving a nod.
"He'll just be living here officially until she's better," Harry sighed while looking back at the papers. "We need to keep him safe," he determinedly said before signing them.
"Yes," the Dark Lord agreed and also signed when the other handed him his pen. "I'll be going to bed," Tom told him as he took possession of the folder and the Auror's letter.
"Good night- Oh, I'll be going to… Eileen's house tomorrow to get some things of Sev. I was thinking of asking Dopper to come along."
"That's a good idea," the Dark Lord agreed.
"All right, sleep well." Harry watched him go.
-THTH-
"Are you up for this?" Harry questioned at Sev as they stood before his parental house. The boy's eyes moved over the façade and gave a short reluctant nod. The Auror silently moved him to the front door and waited patiently for Sev to enter as he held it open.
"Take your time," Harry said as the boy kept standing in the hallway. Closing the door behind them, the adult called for Dopper, who popped in immediately.
"There isn't a house-elf present, Master?" he questioned and Sev shook his head.
"Mommy didn't want one," he mumbled and Dopper's nod looked more like a bow.
"We'll go to Sev's room. You can set up your spells wherever you think is best," Harry patted the elf on the back, who nodded with a quick: "Yes, Master! Right away, Master!" Slowly, the Auror moved to the staircase and even slower the little boy followed him. When Severus reached the top of the stairs, his eyes immediately got pulled towards the door of his parents' bedroom. Harry patiently waited for the boy to release the balustrade and step towards him. In silence they walked to Sev's room and entered it.
"Why don't you get the toys you want to take with you?" The boy nodded and moved to a big box in the corner of the room. The Auror watched him a minute before starting to collect clothes. Making certain he had seven pieces of everything, his eyes turned back to Severus, who seemed to have emptied his entire toy box on the floor and was staring at everything aimlessly.
"Can't decide?" the adult kneeled down beside the boy, who glanced up at him with a desperate expression. "There's nothing you don't play with anymore?" Sev's eyes intensely moved over every piece before he looked up again and shook his head. A sigh left Harry's lips before he smiled encouraging. "Why don't we put everything back and we'll take the whole box?" The boy seemed to lighten up a little as he nodded. They started putting the toys back until they got interrupted by the doorbell.
"Dopper!" the Auror called out with a frown and the house-elf appeared with a pop. "Do you know who's at the door?"
"Muggles, Master." Confusion filled Harry's mind. "They seem to be carrying a gift," Dopper continued and the adult got up.
"I'll go see who it is. I'll be right back Sev," he said to the child, who nodded. As he reached the door, the Auror wondered if their visitors would still be there as it took a while before he got to it. As he opened the door, his eyes did a quick sweep of the woman and her two daughters, who were standing behind it and they widened almost comically when he recognized the little girls.
'Mom! And Aunt Petunia!' As his - assumingly - grandmother started talking, he looked up at her again.
"I hope we aren't disturbing you," she started with a friendly smile. "But we saw the two of you enter and wanted to pay our respects."
"That's very kind of you, Mrs...?" Harry inquired if his suspicions were correct.
"Evans! Where are my manners? And these are my daughters Petunia and Lily." She pushed the girls forward a little. "We live in the neighbourhood."
"Are you close to the Snapes?"
"We've talked a couple of times and the girls have played with Severus," she smiled politely while Harry saw his mom giving a weird look at her mother.
"Please come in. I'm Marvolo, Sev's godfather." he smiled back and let the three enter. After accepting their coats and the fruit basket they carried as gift, he led them to the living room and had them sit down on the sofa. "I'll go get Sev and see what kind of beverages the Snapes have stocked." His grandmother gave a polite nod while urging her daughters to sit still. Once in the corridor he quietly called for Dopper, who appeared immediately out of nowhere.
"Are there any drinks in the house?" The elf directly nodded.
"I can prepare some tea and orange juice, Master."
"That would be great! I'm going to get Sev." Dopper nodded again with a smile and Harry quickly made his way upstairs again. "Sev?" he gently called out as he walked through the doorway and the boy blinked up at him. "We've got company. Your neighbours, Mrs Evans and her two daughter wanted to see how you are doing." Innocently the boy looked up at him. "Shall we go downstairs to meet them?" the Auror proposed and the boy took a moment to think before slowly nodding and getting up.
"I've filled the box." Sev pointed at his toy box as he stood straight up again and Harry gave him a big smile.
"That's great. Is there anything you want to take down to our guests?" The child narrowed his eyes at him.
"No!" he stated with a huff. "I don't play with dolls!" Green eyes widened at that.
"I'm sure they won't mind a couple of cars," he tried and Sev's eyes moved back to his box before he slowly raised the lid again. A race car, a fire truck and a police car got chosen and they both made their way downstairs.
"You know they don't know about magic, don't you?"
"Muggles," Severus mumbled while nodding his head. Dopper stood waiting on them in the hallway with a plate filled with drinks and cookies.
"This looks great, Dopper. Thank you!" Harry smiled widely while the house-elf handed over the treats. Walking back into the living room, he found the Evans still in the same position as he had left them.
"Here we are," the Auror smiled and Sev followed him closely. "We've got some tea, orange juice and some cookies," he summed as he put down the plate.
"That's more than enough," his grandmother politely smiled and accepted a cup of warm water. The girls eyed Severus but didn't dare to move until their mother gave them a little push. "It's good to see you again, Severus. Please girls, go play with him," she sweetly smiled at the boy and her daughters immediately flew from the couch. "Children," Mrs Evans chuckled while choosing a bag of tea from the box Harry was holding open for her.
"They'll be a great distraction for Sev," Harry honestly said and the woman turned her attention to him.
"How's he holding up?" Green eyes moved back to watch the boy.
"Like you would expect," he sighed and his grandmother nodded in understanding.
"And how's Eileen, if I may ask?"
"Of course you may, physically she'll be fine, but mentally she's… broken." The image of the woman in the hospital bed resurfaced in the Auror's mind and he sighed.
"Poor woman." The woman shook her head in pity. "Just being at the wrong time at the wrong place. Did they get the culprit?"
"Yes," Harry was quick to answer. "He'll get what he deserves."
"Good, good," his grandmother fiercely agreed with him when a sudden cry pulled their attention and Petunia came running towards them.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" her mother immediately asked worried.
"Lily! She threw the car at me!" Petunia yelled while rubbing her head with tears streaming over her cheeks.
"Lily!" Mrs Evans called out as the other girl ran towards them denying everything.
"I didn't! It moved by itself! It didn't want Petunia to play with it!" she called out and her mother narrowed her eyes at her, clearly not believing her, while the Auror's widened.
'Did she use magic?' He looked at Sev, who stopped next to Lily. "What happened Sev?" he questioned in a calm voice and the boy looked up at him with a hint of excitement.
"Lily didn't touch it!" he stated firmly while raising the police car in front of his face and the girl beside him looked at him like he was her saviour.
"Toys don't just move by themselves," her mother reasoned with a doubtful expression and Harry knew his mother was going to get blamed anyway.
"I think I know what happened, may I have a word with her?" he questioned and his grandmother gave him a surprised look but nodded her permission. With his hands he manoeuvred the two children before him a little backwards so he could speak to them without the two others interfering. Lily gave him a mistrusting glare. She was clearly expecting him to berate her.
"I believe you," he started and her expression turned confused. "You didn't touch the car, but I think you did want to throw it at her, didn't you?" he questioned and panic filled the girl's green eyes. She glanced at Severus before slowly nodding. "It was like-"
"Magic!" Sev interrupted him and Lily's eyes widened almost comical.
"Yes, magic," Harry nodded. "You're a special girl," he smiled, "but your mom and sister aren't. They don't understand it. They don't believe in it."
"We can make them!" Lily said eagerly and the Auror sadly shook his head.
"Sadly, with magic comes a price." Little green eyes widened again. "A danger that we need to protect them from." A small terrified sound fell from the girl's lips. "And it's easier for us if they don't go looking for it. And they won't go looking for it if they don't know. Do you understand?" he ended his explanation with a question while Sev was sternly nodding along with everything he said. Lily glanced at Sev again before hesitatingly also nodding. "So, making them think you actually threw the car, will protect them." Now those small green eyes narrowed at him again.
"I'll get punished!"
"I won't let them," he smiled reassuringly.
"How!"
'Little demanding girl,' Harry couldn't help but mentally chuckle. "With magic!" She didn't look convinced, so he pulled out his wand a little to be able to cast a quick levitation spell on the car Sev was still carrying. An astonishing sound escaped from Lily and with starry eyes looked back at the adult. "So, will you apologize to your sister?" Eagerly the girl nodded. "Go on then," he smiled and she was quick to skip to her mother and sister.
"I'm sorry!" she called out loudly and her mother looked surprised from Lily to Harry.
"What do you say, Petunia?" she asked her other daughter, who looked confused at her little sister.
"I forgive you," she mumbled with a look at her mother, who smiled at them and signalled them to go play again.
"How did you do that?" Mrs Evans asked as she stepped closer to Harry.
"I explained to her why it's bad and she seemed to understand it. If it happens again, she'll understand why she'll get punished. It's best to let it go for today, then her punishment will have a bigger impact, if it happens again." His grandmother looked at him like he was giving her the answer to the meaning of life.
"I'll do that," she nodded completely convinced.
R&R