A/N: For anyone interested, this chapter was initially meant to just be a treat, as my goal was to just post AI Anime pictures of the cast. I don't see how to do that here, so if you would like to see that, head over to Ao3 and have a gander. It's under "squigglybunnyears" just like this one. Enjoy!
Severus Snape's heart ached as he stood outside Lily's modest home. It had been years since they had last seen each other, their paths diverging after their tumultuous school years. Memories flooded his mind, the pain of lost love mingling with the hope of reconnecting, even under these difficult circumstances.
Even after the Dark Lord had spared her and taken her memories, he had asked a favour of Remus to relocate her, as he couldn't bear to see her again. Remus had asked him so many questions that night, but he refused to give any answers, and he still wouldn't.
Taking a deep breath, Severus approached the door and knocked, his hand trembling slightly. He had always been drawn to Lily, even after their falling out, and the absence of her in his life had left an indelible void. Now, faced with the prospect of reuniting and embarking on a strange journey together, his emotions threatened to overwhelm him. Despite this, he quickly drowned them with his occlumency shields.
Lily opened the door, her eyes widening with surprise as she saw Severus standing before her. For a moment, he wondered if Lily's ability to remember him came from the fact they had known each other before Lily had known about her magic. It was the only possibility he could fathom.
The years had taken their toll, etching lines of weariness upon her face, but the spark of recognition still glimmered in her gaze. Uncertainty mingled with hope in her voice as she greeted him.
"Severus? What brings you here after all this time?" Lily's voice carried curiosity and cautious anticipation. Although she had a small puppy running behind her, it seemed she was living the way a muggle would. It would be interesting if the dog was a crup, though he couldn't imagine she'd have access to one without going into Diagon Alley.
Perhaps this was her way to fill the void of her lost son.
Severus met her gaze, his voice tinged with pain and determination. "Lily, I've discovered something of immense importance. But you must come with me; I can't bring it up yet."
Too many emotions fluttered through Severus' stomach as she nodded. One of which was sorrow. Lily willingly going anywhere with him made it clear that she no longer remembered their time at school — or if she did, it wasn't the magical aspect.
Their shared past and uncertain future weighed heavily on them as they journeyed to the orphanage. Knowing Lily, she was thinking of all the ways she could ask what she was thinking as they walked. It made him want to curse that he couldn't use the Floo Network or apparition to get them to the orphanage quicker. The closeness was making him edgy, but a glance at Lily from his peripherals showed she didn't share the same aggravation as he did.
Severus knew Narcissa would be there and why, but it was still strange for him to see the Dark Lord's spawn grown up and gallivanting around with Harry Freaking Potter. Albus better be left in the dark about that.
The two had finally arrived and met up with Narcissa, Draco and the Matron of the Littlest Angels Orphan Home. It was chaos from the get-go.
There was one younger child he was unfamiliar with, but then his eyes found those of another child, and his heart stopped again. How was Regulus Black here? It couldn't be!
"You left me there!" the Potter child had screamed at his mother, and it was then that Severus realised the gravity of his mistake. He never should have brought Lily here without her memories. What had he expected to gain from this?
The show of magical prowess shocked him to the core, though Mrs Hacker did not seem surprised for some reason. Had the boy done something like this before? Not only that, now Regulus had disappeared too.
Shellshocked, the others were directed to a room away from the children, where Mrs Hacker immediately offered them a tea service.
"The Obliviators will be here any minute," Severus muttered to Narcissa, who nodded.
"Of course, there's no way they didn't feel that it was an explosion of magic."
"Mother, I want to sleep!" Draco whined, though his voice was exhausted rather than obnoxious as it usually was when he complained.
Narcissa took Draco into her lap, who appeared mollified yet embarrassed in front of his Godfather. Severus pretended not to notice.
"How are we going to find them now?" Severus grumbled. "I don't know why you even told me to come."
"Because Sala refused to leave unless I took them all out of there, and you're my backup."
"If you think I'm going to raise the Potter spawn, you have another thing coming, Cissa." He made sure to whisper, though, as Lily was sat too close for comfort.
"No, but you can take Lawrence."
Who the hell is Lawrence?
"Sorry, but who?"
Narcissa gave him a strange look. "The other boy who was with them."
Why does she call him Lawrence? It's not Lawrence. His name is Regulus Black!
"I need to call in reinforcements." Severus hissed angrily but patted Draco on the head as he left, grabbing an undershirt of Harry's when no one was looking.
He left Lily behind and walked out of the orphanage once more. He trusted Narcissa to keep the woman occupied until he could return.
Once he felt it was safe and secluded, he apparated to one place he never thought he'd go.
Remus Lupin.
In the depths of the night, well past 10 o'clock, Severus Snape stood outside Remus Lupin's door. The cool breeze whispered through the darkness, carrying a sense of urgency that mirrored the weight upon Severus's shoulders. With the man unemployed and always home, this was the opportune time to seek Remus's assistance. At least, Severus hoped so.
With a grimace, Severus knocked. It was good that the full moon was two weeks away, or the children might not have been found. With Remus, at least they had a chance.
Severus rapped his knuckles on the door a second time, the sound echoing in the quiet street. Finally, the lights flickered inside the home, and Severus sighed in relief. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing Remus' tired face. He blinked in surprise, his eyes widening as he recognised Severus standing there.
"Severus, what brings you here at this late hour?" Remus asked, concern etched in his voice. To my home of all places was not said out loud, though it was a sure thing that the wolf was thinking it.
Severus met Remus's gaze, his expression grave. "Remus, I come to you with a request of utmost importance. Harry is in danger, and I believe your unique capabilities as a werewolf may hold the key to locating him swiftly and safely."
Remus's brow furrowed, his apprehension strong on his scarred face. "Harry? What has happened?"
Severus's voice held a sense of urgency as he explained the situation; he had to upsell it if the wolf would do his bidding. "There are forces at play, dark and dangerous. I fear for Harry's well-being, and time is of the essence. Your heightened sense of smell as a werewolf could help us track him down more efficiently than any other means. I have his undershirt here…."
Remus's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. "But Severus, how can I be of help? I don't even know where to begin searching."
Severus's voice lowered, filled with conviction. "You possess the instincts of a predator, Remus. Trust your senses, and follow the trails that only you can discern. We can ensure Harry's safety and bring him back to us."
"Where exactly did he go?" Remus asked, taking hold of the undershirt Severus had and sniffing it, his eyes flashing amber as his wolf came to his surface thoughts.
"If I knew that, I wouldn't be here, would I?" Severus growled.
Remus rolled his eyes, his fist clenched around the tiny t-shirt. "Isn't he nearly ten? Why is his clothes so small?"
Severus shifted uncomfortably. "I'm going to go with malnutrition. But I don't know the full story. Harry was found in an orphanage…Just find him, and we can figure out everything after."
Silence hung in the air as Remus weighed the options, and it seemed like he understood the risks and the magnitude of what was being asked of him. After contemplating, he nodded, determination igniting within his tired eyes.
"Severus, I will do what I can for Harry's sake. I'll tap into my lupine senses and use them to track him down. We won't let him fall into the wrong hands."
Severus nodded, gratitude and relief washing over him. "Thank you, Remus. Your assistance means more than words can express. We must act swiftly, for Harry's life is at stake."
Both men exchanged knowing glances, solidifying their resolve. Using the instincts of a werewolf and the determination of a former Death Eater, they set out on a mission to protect Harry Potter from the lurking dangers that threatened his life.
After all, spending too much time with the child of the Dark Lord… was bad, right?
By the looks of it, though, he knew it was far too late for him to separate them. They were already close. And Regulus was somehow involved.
With a heavy sigh, Severus and Remus parted ways, with the former going back to the orphanage and the latter in search of Harry.
He would need to give Lily back her memories if this was going to go in any way beneficial to anyone.
"Lily," Severus called once he was back in the room, his robes billowing behind him from how fast he had strolled. She looked at him, "Come here, please."
She really was half of her person without her spitfire personality, but it was undeniably lovely that she listened to him without any fights.
She followed him out of the room with Narcissa, Draco, and Mrs Hacker and into another, where it was just the two of them and some desks and chairs. A study, perhaps?
In a dimly lit room, Severus Snape and Lily Evans sat facing each other. The weight of their shared past and the need for Lily to remember her magic and son hung in the air. Lily's memories were buried deep within her mind, and Severus knew legilimency could unlock them.
Taking a deep breath, Severus gently placed his hand on Lily's, their eyes meeting in a silent understanding. "Lily, I am going to perform legilimency to help you remember. It may be overwhelming, but trust that I am here to guide you through this process and not to hurt you."
Severus expected her to ask what Legilimency was, but she didn't, and it made him wonder if she had been fighting the curse from the get-go.
Lily nodded, her eyes reflecting vulnerability and determination. She knew the truth she sought lay hidden within her, waiting to be unveiled. With a shared breath, Severus delved into the depths of her memories, the connection between them forming a bridge through which they would navigate the fragments of their shared past.
Scenes from their Hogwarts years flickered before their eyes. The joy of discovering magic for the first time, the camaraderie and laughter shared among friends, and the bittersweet moments that had shaped their lives. Together, they traversed the corridors of memories, exploring the pleasant and painful moments that defined their journey. Severus even reviewed the memories of how he hurt her with his 'Mudblood' comment and saw how she flinched as she remembered it with him, but he kept going.
As Severus carefully sifted through the memories, he noticed a veil of darkness shrouding certain events. The weight of suppressed emotions and obscured truths kept Lily from fully embracing her magical heritage. With delicate precision, Severus probed deeper, unravelling the knots of confusion and doubt.
A surge of raw emotions washed over Lily as the memories resurfaced. Tears welled in her eyes as she relived the pain of estrangement and loss, but also the fleeting moments of happiness and love that had been forgotten. With each passing memory, the barriers holding her magic and her son at bay weakened.
Severus stood as a steadfast guide, offering support and reassurance amidst the tumultuous journey. He whispered words of encouragement, allowing Lily to find solace in rediscovering her true self. Piece by piece, the puzzle of her memories began to fit together, forming a clearer picture of her past.
And then, in a poignant moment, a memory of her son, Harry, emerged from the depths. The love and longing flooded her being, overwhelming her with a profound sense of purpose and despair. She embraced the truth buried within her, no longer afraid to acknowledge the magic coursing through her veins, though her emotions were too much for her to handle, and she began sobbing.
As the legilimency session drew to a close, Severus released his hold on Lily's hand, their connection slowly dissipating. She took a deep breath, her gaze steadying as newfound clarity washed over her.
"Severus," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude and a resolute determination, "thank you for guiding me back to myself, for helping me remember the magic that is not only within me but within my son. I am ready to face the challenges ahead, for him, for us."
Let us hope the Dark Lord never finds out.
Severus offered a faint, understanding smile. "Lily, you are stronger than you realise. Together, we will protect Harry and ensure his future is filled with the love and acceptance he deserves." Severus tried not to gag as he said this, but Lily had to hear it.
The bond forged through hardship, and their shared history merged at that moment, setting the stage for a new chapter in their intertwined lives. Having regained her magic, Lily embraced it with newfound strength and determination to face the trials that awaited her and her son.
"Let's go back now," Severus replied, directing her slowly to the other room and holding her up from the trembles she was experiencing; whether it was an aftereffect of the legilimency or merely remembering the events of her life, he had no idea.
What the hell was taking so long! It's been hours!
Severus Snape stood in the dimly lit room of the orphanage, his eyes fixed on the door. He had been pacing back and forth for what felt like years. The tense silence was shattered as the locked door swung open, the hinges squeaking, revealing Remus Lupin, his pale face etched with exhaustion and fear. Severus's heart sank at the sight of the man's trembling form. He had blood dripping down his neck from an even, deep cut delivered by a skilled, precise hand.
"Remus," Severus called out, his voice laced with concern. "What has happened? You look unwell."
Remus staggered forward, his breathing laboured. He held himself upright, his hands quivering with an unseen force. His eyes locked onto Severus, filled with urgency and desperation.
"Severus," Remus managed to say, his voice strained and hollow. "I... I've seen them... I've seen the children."
Severus's eyes widened, a surge of expectation mixed with trepidation coursing through his veins. "Remus, what did you see? Are they safe?" Why do you look like you went to battle?
Remus's voice wavered as he spoke, his words coming out in fragments. "There's... a secret... a Secret Keeper. I... I can't tell you anything unless... unless you agree to read and sign the contract. It's the only way... the only way I can reveal their location."
Severus's heart raced, understanding the gravity of Remus's words. The contract held the key to their children's safety, their reunion. At the same time, it made him even more sure that Regulus was with them. He must have retained his mind from his past life for him to think like this for the children.
He nodded, his voice firm with resolve.
"Remus, I understand. We will read and sign the contract. Show us where it is, and we will do what needs to be done. The children's well-being depends on it."
Relief washed over Remus's features, though exhaustion still clung to him. He led Severus to a secluded corner of the room where the contract lay, its pages ready to be read and sealed. The air crackled with magic and intent as Severus's eyes skimmed the words, absorbing the weight and responsibility they held.
Severus looked up, meeting Remus's gaze with unwavering determination. "We will do what is necessary. For the safety of the children, for their future. Let us sign this contract and protect what is ours." I might as well start protecting the Potter brat now; after all, I promised Albus.
Severus approached the table in a private room, joined by Draco, Narcissa, and Lily. Remus joined after a moment, looking ruffled. The contract lay before them, a beacon of hope and the key to their reunion. Severus's heart swelled with a blend of emotions - the longing for the love he had lost, the responsibility to protect their secret, and the fervent desire to somehow bring his fractured life together again. And Regulus, what the hell was he going to do about Regulus.
He watched as each person read the contract, their brows furrowing with concentration. The significance of the document was not lost on them. It represented their chance for a new beginning, a chance to rebuild what had been broken. And in Lily and Narcissa's case, a chance to be reunited with their children.
Severus' gaze lingered on Lily, the woman he had loved and lost, now standing at this precipice of destiny with him once more. Their eyes met a silent understanding passing between them. The road ahead would be challenging, but they were determined to face it together. He wondered momentarily if Lily would ask him to stay once she got Harry back and couldn't picture it.
Remus's eyes glimmered with a strange fire, the amber in his eyes still there since he had hunted Harry.
"We are ready to sign, Severus," Narcissa said to him, placing an arm on his shoulder, then gesturing between herself, Draco and Lily.
"I'll sign first," Severus murmured and reached for the quill with a steady hand, feeling the weight of their collective hopes and fears resting upon his shoulders. As he etched his signature onto the parchment, he knew that this act would bring him closer to both Narcissa and Lily and perhaps even Remus, who now had a strange connection to the boy. And Regulus.
The others signed, including Draco, who seemed wary but interested. Narcissa had explained to him what it meant, and only once he had parroted back the meaning to her did she allow him to put his name to parchment.
As the ink dried and the contract sealed their commitment, Severus couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope ignited within him. The road ahead would be treacherous but united by their shared purpose, they would face it head-on. The children's welfare was paramount; Severus and the others would stop at nothing to bring them back into their arms.
And with that final thought, Remus handed them each a parchment. On it, it was written, "The hidden refuge at Highclere Castle is located in Highclere Park, Newbury," and suddenly, Severus knew precisely where the children were. Without waiting, he apparated there, trusting that Narcissa and Remus could control the situation without him. Severus needed answers, and he would get them if it was the last thing he did.