A Mother's Love is a crossover between The Dresden Files and Harry Potter. It takes place after Cold Days and midway through Deathly Hallows. Yes I know it's not actually possible this is my story. Artistic licence so to speak.

All know and recognisable characters and places, magic etc are the rightful property of Mr Jim Butcher and Ms J. . I own nothing but this crazy idea.

I will make alterations and repairs when people point out glaring errors, as I am unbeta'd and appreciate the feedback.

Dedicated to my very tolerant partner, Paul. Thank you for the Plot Bunny that became the scene between Snape and Dresden.

Chapter Nine

Most Unusual Meeting of the Minds.

The first of the rebels began arriving in the copse of trees beyond the Keep's walls just before six pm. They were met by either Dobby or Kreacher (who'd been thoroughly lectured on appropriate behaviour befitting a Potter Elf.) who popped' the expected visitors through the wards and into the magically enlarged dining room. By half past six the first members of the New Rebellion were gathered together.

Karrin's P.O.V

It was a mixed group that Potter had pulled together. The Weasley family was there in (almost) full force, and they all had bright red hair. Arthur Weasley was thin and balding, but he had a quiet assurance about him, a steadiness I recognised, he was an old soldier, living the quiet life, but a soldier just the same. His wife, Molly, seemed to have her head in the sand but there was no doubt she would fight fiercely for family or any innocent, especially a child. Their sons, all sturdy, freckled and red-haired were a cheerful, lively bunch. Bill had left his wife hidden in their cottage taking care of Olivander and come to the meeting alone. The twins, Fred and George, a mischievous, likeable pair who cracked constant jokes, could be told apart only because George was missing an ear. Burn scarred Charlie Weasley was a burly young man, with the same lively mischief as the twins in his eyes. He sat, relaxed in a kitchen chair, seemingly almost asleep but I could tell he was watching everything. The massive black Wizard, Kingsley, was thoroughly interrogating Dresden. The big man was a cop through and through, I was almost drooling.. oh get your minds out of the gutter.. I was admiring his skill and technique.. though he did have some nice muscle...what I wouldn't have given for an officer like that in my days as lieutenant! Harry was looking kinda peeved, which I found hilarious. Lupin's wife, Tonks was laughing at her former boss's face and Molly and Thomas seemed to be enjoying the show too. We were waiting for Lupin and Snape.. young Harry was kinda jumpy.

Thomas had called him Little Harry once and the looks of horror on both their faces had had us all laughing at them. That changed for Thomas, when the boy, after a slight nod from Dresden, muttered a spell and Thomas was dangling upside down by his ankle. Advancing on him, his green eyes glittering Young Harry had hissed "Take It Back" Thomas wasn't stupid, he stammered out an apology and the boy had dropped him. Literally. On his Head. We were all useless after that, laughing so hard none of us could breath. Both Harry's had looked far too pleased with themselves.

Dobby popped in and announced, most importantly, "Harry Potter's Moony and Headmaster Nasty Snape is here Master Harry Potter Sir!" Harry took a deep breath and smiled at the elf. "Thanks Dobby, show them in please." The little elf nearly exploded with joy, reminding me strongly of Toot Toot. I idly wondered if House Elves likes pizza. He 'popped' out and less then a minute later Lupin entered followed by a tall, dark man all in black. He had very dark eyes, glittering with intelligence, longish greasy black hair, sallow, pale skin and long stained fingers. He smelt weird, like all kinds of nature and death. He was, apparently a Potions Master (whatever that was) so the stains and odour made sense. Though seeing as he was supposed to be the Headmaster of Britain's most prestiges magical school I didn't know where he'd find the time. I filed him under Dangerous, Watch carefully. Do not trust.

For his part Snape obviously knew he was in very dangerous territory. However he was who he was and wasn't going to let us see him sweat. His eyes took in the room and landed on Potter. He sneered. His eyes glittered with malice and dislike. The tension level in the room ratcheted up a notch, it was palpable, hanging in the air.. Then he opened his mouth.

Now I had thought Dresden had a big mouth at times. There were countless moments I could have sworn he was trying to jam both feet in as far as he could go. Or to at least piss off everyone he spoke too. Snape was worse.

"So Potter.. this is the 'army' you've gathered to defeat the Dark Lord. You really are just like your father, so arrogant! This is not an army Potter! You've just gathered a bunch of misfits, outcasts, and Weasleys..." he sneered "I was hoping this wouldn't be a complete waste of my time. I should have known you'd disappoint me, we both know how.. quickly.. you learn things. At least this time I am not rescuing you and your dunderhead friends from another hair brained, life threatening situation that you've no business being involved in." Malice glittered in his eyes. Then his eyes flicked over everyone in the room. "Who are these... people." his disdain was apparent. I began counting down, under my breath. I didn't get past nine.

Harry sure can move fast. I noticed idly.

This was going to be good

Dresden's P.O.V

Ok I was predisposed to dislike Snape. I had read the books after all and the guy was a right bastard. He was also a bully. A bully who liked to pick on kids and people who can't defend themselves. I hate bullies. He was a thirty eight year old man still holding onto a school-boy rivalry and bullying the son of one of his youthful nemesis was really pathetic. Ok.. in fairness one of those school-boy enemies had tried to feed him to a werewolf, but it had been partly his own fault and from what I could tell had always given as good as he got. Harry wasn't his father and Snape needed to realise that. Snape wasn't in his dungeon now and I wasn't a frighten school student.

So when he opened his mouth and spoke to young Harry like he was something nasty on the man's shoe I may have over-reacted.

One minute the odious, greasy haired git was mocking Potter, the next he was suspended two feet off the ground, gasping for air as the Winter Knight's ice claws tightened on his throat. The mantle was howling at me to rip out his throat but instead dark, bottomless black eyes locked onto winter grey and the Soul Gaze began.

The man had some impressive defences but with the power of winter fuelling me they crumbled with only a little push.

This wasn't just about family and blood, nor about the unfairness of the man to heap ridicule on the boy who already carried the weight of his whole world on his shoulders. He was the son of his best friend and yet the man only saw his rival. James Potter had won his love's heart and, by marrying her, put her forever beyond his reach. But she'd been alive, it had been enough to catch glimpses of her shopping along Diagon Alley, browsing in the apothecary, buying potion's supplies or perusing Flourish and Blotts for new books. She ignored him but she lived.

I saw the memories of the worst mistake he'd ever made.. Taking the Dark Mark. He'd gotten out of the mandatory rape and killing, stating that it would contaminate his potion making, which was literal truth for many life saving potions. As a Death Eater he was largely unnoticed, often forgotten in the lab brewing for his Lord. Until he went to Voldemort with the first half of Trelawney's prophecy. He had been so eager, it had been his chance to BE important. He'd gone not knowing the consequences, never guessing who would be targeted. He'd gone seeking praise, admiration and a chance for self promotion and he got it in spades, a party had even been held for him and for then on Snape was highly valued and trusted as the Dark Lord's only brewer. I saw him in battles, saw his horror and revulsion at the acts of his fellow Death Eaters, felt his disillusionment grow and disgust taking hold. I saw newspaper headlines that flashed past rapidly. Epic magical fights, the shining lights of the Order, Dumbledore, Black, the Potter's and the Longbottoms repelling Voldemort time and time again. He caught a glimpse of a pregnant Lily at Saint Mungos, and then came the events that broke the already bitter man. Two little boys were born, merely a few hours apart. Two babies who fit the prophecy, Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom. The Potter's and Longbottoms vanished from sight and Snape started damage control.

He begged the Dark Lord for Lily, shamelessly discarding James and with only a pang for the boy who was just a baby after all. I watched him on his knees abasing himself and all but begging. I heard the emptiness in Voldemort's promise just as he did, and was witness to Snape's last ditch effort to save Lily. I watched him throwing himself on Dumbledore mercy. He traded a cruel master for another, albeit a kinder, more benevolent one. I felt his humiliation and shame and then.. came the NEWS and the grief. Agonising grief and guilt that twisted the man into what he was today. A hollow shell of a man who was trying to atone for many sins. Watching always for the return of the thing that killed his Lily.

I came to myself to find Harry and Hermione hanging off my arm and Molly shaking my shoulder. Hermione was yelling and as I came to myself I got an earful "Don't kill him, we need him!" I winced, damn the girl had lungs! I looked back at the man.

Ice was creeping up his jawline, his face was an inserting combination of red and purple and he was utterly terrified. His black eyes were wide, the pupils almost indistinguishable from the iris. Sweat beaded his face and upper lip, which was trembling. In fact he was trembling all over, ant not just because he was cold. His fists were clenched and his breathing incredibly shallow but fast paced. I felt vindicated, my point had been made and I hadn't had to say a word. I dumped the man into an empty kitchen chair and stalked out of the room. My ice claws retracting as the Mantle grumbled over being deprived blood. "We still need that one" I told it. "There will be plenty of death before we're done" The Mantle sighed and settled, appeased for now. I walked outside. It would not do to let anyone see me laugh. The Terror of the Dungeon had looked like he was ready to wet himself. I chuckled.

I stopped, the laughter fading away. What the hell had he seen in my eyes to frighten him so much? He was A Death Eater, a spy, he'd seen awful things, I knew because I'd seen it there in the gaze, and I scared him so bad he almost wet himself?

Hell's Bells.