Thank you Hinata7, BlueWater5, Zeugma412, and PadmeG!

PearlM21: Thank you so much! Molly is like everyone's mum! I really appreciate your comment about trauma. I really wanted to highlight it, and the different ways people deal with it, especially in this story. Everyone has their own coping strategies, some which are not healthy, as you can see.

Authors notes: Just hit over 50 reviews! You guys are amazing, and I appreciate each and every one of you and all of your lovely comments. Very grateful to be sharing this post-War magical world with you.

And also...Brace yourself for the next few chapters.

"We don't even ask for happiness, just a little less pain."

― Charles Bukowski

CHAPTER 15: The Uncertain Dusk

April 5th, 2002

[Harry Potter]

Teddy's fourth birthday was finally upon them.

How time went so quickly, Harry couldn't even bear to fathom.

Andromeda had organized a little play date for the toddler witches and wizards who were friends with Teddy from the childcare class she ensured he partook in. Cecilia, Phoebe, and Ronan were Teddy's friends, and those whom he spent the most time with and kept him company when his family could not. Their parents accompanied them and assisted to provide a joyous day in support of Teddy who was without his own parents to help him celebrate, and Andromeda wanted nothing more than for the child to be surrounded by those who loved him. Everyone had their part and helped to decorate the house with vibrantly colored moving animal balloons and blue canaries conjured confidently by Hermione.

There was also an abundance of cake – much to Andromeda's hesitance – and an array of food a toddler could only dream of.

For the last year, Andromeda ensured the child was able to interact with other magical children, as it was crucial for his learning to be with others. At first, she had desired to home school entirely, but she would have had to quit her job. But after being cut off from the Black family and her rightful share diminished all those years ago, she provided her own way and was very insistent on making it work. Even whilst Harry offered to assist with the expenses, she humbly refused. But Andromeda now took it upon herself to help the child interact with others, since he was usually a shy, withdrawn boy. She wanted him to ensure he had friends within his life that didn't just consist of adult Weasleys.

Despite Andromeda's own family who had far too many expectations of them, Andromeda was able to place the child with others for a few hours, twice a week. The rest of the week was spent with her, or at the Potters. Either way, the child was always interacting with people, and thankfully some of his own age. Between her own work and looking after Teddy, it was difficult to dedicate enough time to home school at his age. Although Teddy himself was a little reserved and quiet amongst his friends, she was thankful he had people in his life, and she wanted nothing more than to cultivate that.

Throughout the day, family and friends dropped by for a visit – Ron and Hermione had made a quick stop to see Teddy, along with George and Angelina, with no doubt, more items of mischief. To Teddy's delight, George had bought him his very own cotton purple Pygmy Puff as a pet. He was dotted on with gifts by the other Weasleys, and even received a small wooden rocking horse which moved and neighed, made lovingly by Hagrid himself and charmed by Luna. Harry and Ginny had bought Teddy a toy piano no bigger than a house cat, which emitted colored whisps of light with every note, that already captured his delight. With a new interest in music and sacrificing any future peace and quiet at the Potter's home, they gave in to the child's wishes.

With all the friendly faces arriving to visit, Teddy was happy, and that made Harry very happy, too.

As the day moved on and the last of Teddy's friends left for the evening, Harry and Ginny stayed behind at Andromeda's house to help with the clean-up. Throughout the day, Andromeda disappeared to the bathroom on several occasions, raising some alarming questions within Harry's mind. Every time she'd re-emerge, she looked a shade paler each time, with an odd greyish tinge to her skin.

And he couldn't ignore the familiarity of that sight.

Once they finished cleaning up, Ginny sat with Teddy amongst his mound of new toys with the Pygmy Puff hopping happily beside them. As the child remained occupied, and with a stern encouraging glance from Ginny, Harry tentatively followed Andromeda down the hall, watching as she stumbled to her room doing her best to grasp the walls to keep herself upright.

Once Andy entered her bedroom, Harry stopped at the doorway, "Andy, what is going on?"

The woman shakily lowered herself to the bed, holding a hand to her head as if the room was spinning, "I-I don't know exactly..."

Taking a moment to consider, Harry walked closer and sat down beside her. He couldn't help but study the older woman carefully. Her face was flustered and her pale cheeks tinged red. A bead of sweat formed at her temple and her lips were ashen and dry. He could have sworn he could see dried blood caked under her nostrils, but he wasn't entirely sure. Although looking worse for wear, she looked terrified and her reddened eyes widened, unnerving Harry deeply. There was no mistaking the fear upon the woman's face, and something sunk sickeningly in the pit of Harry's stomach.

"This has been happening for months, hasn't it?"

Wordlessly, the woman nodded.

"Have you had it checked?"

Andromeda nodded shakily again, closing her eyes briefly as she did so, "I've been seeing a Specialised Healer for the past few months now. I didn't want to tell anyone because I didn't want you all to worry. They…they found something…"

No…

A breath caught in Harry's throat. This was not what he expected to hear, and he did not like where this was going. The deep dread building up within him, was nauseating, "…What did they find?"

Andromeda looked close to tears and seeing the woman's lips quiver broke his heart. A woman usually so composed and controlled, was losing the fight before his eyes, "They don't exactly know. They've been investigating this for a while now and still nothing. There is something not right. It's getting worse and I'm so scared, Harry…"

Harry felt upset and shattered. He tried to find the right words to say, but he knew nothing would make this situation right, "I'm guessing no one else knows about this?"

"Yes, and I'd like to keep it that way. Please. Until I know for certain."

Harry looked away and refocused his gaze on the large painting of azaleas above the woman's bed. His mind drifted away.

This cannot be happening.

It was bad enough having to keep Severus' illness a secret from everyone all those years ago, and now he was expected to keep Andromeda's. His heart shattered for not only the distraught woman beside him but for his godson. Little Teddy had no idea and Harry couldn't even fathom how he was ever going to know. How do you tell a young child that a close family member is sick? The one who sorely raised him from an infant.

Harry tried to think back to when he was a child, but inwardly he scoffed knowing that the Dursleys kept so much already from him. To them, he was a waste of space. But Andromeda was a part of their family, and she had been such a wonderful addition that it was difficult to even see her as once a Black. It didn't make sense and he was thankful her upbringing did not destroy the kindness and humanity within her. She wanted what was best for Teddy, but now with this dreaded piece of news, they did not know what to do next.

Andromeda looked down at her hands, which were nervously twisting within her lap, "There is something in my head and I don't know what will happen. The Healers prescribed a potion for me to take to bring down the swelling causing my headaches, but they make me feel more ill."

"Maybe I can get Severus to brew something for you?"

Andromeda gave a small, cold laugh, "No one knows what this is. How can you cure something you don't know? All the Healers can tell me is that thankfully, it's not contagious."

Harry paused in thought, studying the older woman seated anxiously beside him. She wouldn't meet his gaze and still continued to twist her hands. Harry swallowed bitterly, "Andy…I-Is there something I can do? Do you want to move into ours for a while and you can stay with us – "

Andromeda shook her head immediately, even before she heard the end of it, "No. I appreciate the offer, but I want to spend time alone with my grandson."

"Okay, " Harry responded quietly, both stopping to hear the joyous sounds of Teddy giggling away in the other room with Ginny. The pair of them could hear the disastrous note-playing by his wife to entertain the child and if this was not such a grim situation, he would have laughed. But the thought of doing so gave him such a terrible ache within his chest. At that point, Andromeda turned away and could be seen wiping away a tear or two in her bid to hide it. Harry continued, "We won't tell a soul, okay? You have my support with Ginny, too. Anything you need, we'll be here."

Andromeda nodded and could barely usher any further words, "I-I appreciate that, Harry. I'll let you know once I know more, alright?"

Harry placed a hand on the woman's shoulder in comfort, "We'll figure this out."

The woman looked at Harry in deep worry; her eyes were red and puffy, but she did not appear optimistic, "…I hope so."

Harry sure hoped to, too.

April 6th, 2002

[Dawn Rheingold]

"How on earth does this even happen?!" Dawn exclaimed as she raced towards the Hospital Wing with Minerva swiftly at her side.

The students had returned back from Easter break on that day when the Hogwarts Express made the journey from Kings Cross Station. It was the evening when the students had arrived in time for a welcome back feast and things were running smoothly for a short time. Dawn had already angrily visited the kitchens where Peeves apparently thought it would be amusing to prank the easily spooked House Elves. Yells and screams in the kitchen made it appear as if a dangerous creature was running loose, but after casting Peeves away, she was able to restore some sort of order and the feast could continue as planned.

However, barely an hour after the feast had ended, one of the Ravenclaw second-year students fell ill on the way up to their Common Room and fell down several stairs. Suffering several minor injuries, the girls' friends assisted her to the Hospital Wing, where she was given a Wiggenweld Potion as a remedy. A short time later, the student went unresponsive and was sent to St. Mungo's for an urgent assessment, shocking the school Healers at what had unexpectantly happened under their care.

Dawn and Minerva were alerted by the school Healers and made their immediate way to the Hospital Wing to speak to Horace, who was present at the time. Once they entered, they found the Potion's professor slumped hopelessly into the chair beside the student's now-empty bed, holding a small glass vial of what was once the potion given to her.

"Horace – " Minerva entered the Wing to find one of the Healers consoling him. Her icy blue eyes darted from each dismal witch and wizard already within the room.

Horace could barely look up, looking as pale as the ivory skele-grow vial on the bedside table a few beds down, "Terrible…absolutely terrible…"

After the Healer beside the other Professors informed them of what had happened in the sequence of the known events, Dawn's frown etched deeper within her face, "How does a healing potion cause one to be ill? I thought the brews were highly sufficient?"

"They were, " Horace croaked, looking absolutely appalled with himself, "I can brew that potion with my eyes closed and have done so for years. It cannot possibly be wrong."

"It is indeed baffling, " Dawn crossed her arms over her chest in deep thought, allowing her brain to formulate some semblance of an explanation. Her Auror brain was ticking, "The potion came directly from you?"

"Yes, it did, " Horace's shoulders slumped further, and anymore, he'd topple to the floor, "I delivered this one directly to the Healer and I was there when it was used. The potion never left my sight…And now, they had to be taken to St. Mungo's…"

The green-eyed Healer handed Horace a glass of water, looking back at the Headmistress, "Is it possible the student ingested something else? How can we be sure it was the potion that caused this?"

"It is indeed a possibility. However, until the child regains consciousness, I'm afraid we won't know for certain, " The Headmistress glanced worriedly at her colleagues, eyeing them individually, "We will need her to retrace her steps so we can gauge an understanding."

But Dawn didn't seem convinced and addressed her colleagues rather sternly, "If she ate something ghastly at the feast, surely we'd have more sick students here?"

A few of the Healers nodded collectively.

"Perhaps, " Horace interjected, drinking the entire glass of water in one go, likely wishing it was something far stronger, "But the fact still stands – whatever this potion contained, caused a reverse effect. The potion is supposed to heal, not make one more ill. I-I don't understand…"

Minerva looked at the man sympathetically, "Horace, we'll get to the bottom of this. I'll get into contact with the student's parents and let them know what happened and where she is."

"I suggest we vanish the other Wiggenweld potions in case one of them is somehow out of expiry or is ingested by someone else, " One of the Healers added, "We must prevent such a disaster from happening again."

Horace looked around the room, aghast with the situation. His hooded gaze refused to meet anyone's eyes. His hands had at least stopped shaking, but he was wary and still placed the blame on himself, "They were brewed at the start of this week, far within the two-week shelf life. They are within a timely potency, and they've been locked up here in the Hospital Wing until they are needed."

"Regardless, I agree with the Healers. We'll remove the others and start the brews from scratch. I'll assist you, " Dawn advised, "Were there any drops left of the one the student had taken?"

Horace raised the tear-drop vial, containing a small amount of sea green liquid, "A few."

Dawn nodded, "Good. Perhaps there is a way we can test it. If it's not the potion, then we can eliminate that cause from the list."

"Unless it is simply a case of a severe allergic reaction, " One of the Healers said, "But either way, I've never seen that effect from this particular potion before, especially one as common as that. Odd indeed."

Minerva clasped her hands together in front of her, drawing in a deep breath as she did so. Her fingers entwined a little anxiously, even out of her usual, "Right – Horace, do what you are able to investigate that particular brew within that vial. As Dawn suggested, it may be wise to eliminate the other potions in case we run into this situation again. I will contact the parents right away, not that I have any inkling as to what to tell them…"

"We'll figure it out, Minerva, " Dawn reassured, perhaps a little too confidently, "We'll get a new batch brewed as soon as possible, so the Hospital Wing has access to some when needed. Otherwise, I may have to do a little investigation for any possible indication of interference."

The Headmistress in a look of dismay, departed their company and Dawn retrieved the vial from Horace with the potions' remnants within. It was indeed a baffling situation. A once healthy student combating a bout of sickness, which should have easily been remedied and cured by this one potion, ended up far sicker than she arrived in. Dawn had never encountered such a thing before. Something as simple as the Wiggenweld potion was, although an ingredient-heavy brew, a common one used among students.

Dawn accompanied Horace back to the potions laboratories, with the man white with shock still, and offered to help him brew more potions in preparation for the classes resuming that Monday.

Not exactly a great start to the new school term as originally hoped for.

What the bloody hell is going on…

April 7th, 2002

[Harry Potter]

Harry and Ginny had been in many heated conversations regarding Andromeda's declining health since she divulged some of her issues at the end of Teddy's fourth birthday. It had come as quite a shock for the Potters and more so their concerns for her future health. The fact that even the Healers were unable to discover what it was or provide any real treatment, caused Harry such an immense amount of stress. And worst of all, Teddy had no idea that his grandmother was severely sick. He was too young to truly understand the gravity of it. Whilst seeing her hold her head at times, Teddy frequently exclaimed that 'Gramma hurt her head again' as if she fell over and bumped it on something.

That day, Andromeda had another appointment with her Healer and so Teddy stayed over once again for the afternoon. Something he knew would be a more frequent occurrence and finally understood why that had to be the case. Ginny had offered to go with her this time, but she wanted to go alone. She was queued up for several more tests and symptom management, more importantly, the severe, almost blinding headaches she had been experiencing. He could only hope that she would return with some promising news, but the longer the delay in hearing anything, the anxiously sick with worry they all were.

With Teddy occupying the sitting room tapping away at his tiny toy piano and a bouncing Pygmy Puff beside him, the Potters sat in the dining room in a hushed discussion of how to handle the sensitive situation they were in. Occasionally they would glance over at the distracted child, ensuring he wasn't about to eavesdrop. But Teddy remained blissfully unaware, and for now, it was wise to keep it that way for the time being.

"I feel awful for her, " Ginny sat at the kitchen table in complete dismay, nursing a mug of milky tea within her grasp.

Harry could barely manage a nod, looking slightly more in worried disarray than Ginny was, "I offered for her to stay with us, but she refused."

"We just can't leave her on her own, though, " Ginny bit her lip.

"I know, but - " Harry sighed heavily and ran his fingers through his messy hair in a small effort to distract himself, "I don't know, Ginny. I don't even know what magical illnesses exist. I know Muggle ones and this one reminds me of one of them. It…It doesn't look good."

Ginny tucked some of her loose hair behind her ear, "Hopefully St. Mungo's has a solution, soon. Feeding her potions without knowing what she's got, seems rather useless, don't you think?"

Harry gave a weak shrug, "Yeah. But I suppose something is better than nothing. I learned that when Severus was sick. I just…I don't know what we are going to do…"

His wife slowly pushed her now cold mug of tea aside and reached for Harry's hand, curling her own around it. There weren't any more words spoken, but the comfort of her touch alone was a small warmth he sought amongst the bleak news they had discovered and the heaviest thing on their minds at that point in time. As much as Harry was tempted to simply down the rest of the elixir, he had to stay strong and sound for Teddy. He needed them both during this time and staying strong for Andromeda is also what they needed to do.

Once again, they were at this alone.

What could anyone say to it? How could they remedy a grim situation? It was heart-wrenching and made the pair of them feel useless and unable to do anything about it. Ginny wanted to tell her mother and ask for some sort of a solution, but they had to at least honor Andromeda's wish to keep it amongst themselves. Harry was tired of keeping such painful secrets, but he was at least reassured he had Ginny to share it with this time. But it was still a rather forbidding predicament and they had to do what they could to keep Teddy happy until they could figure out a way to deal with it all.

An hour later as Ginny tended to the pumpkin soup bubbling quietly in the kitchen, there was a sharp knock at the door which almost caused Harry to jump out of his skin. Doing his utmost best to put on a brave face, he approached the front door and opened it to find, to his surprise, Severus at his doorstep. The man's soft traveling cloak billowed slightly in the evening breeze, along with his unkempt black locks which always seemed to grow longer each time Harry had seen him. There was a slightly untameable stubble on the man's chin and dark bags under his eyes, which was a sight he wasn't entirely used to just yet.

The man stood curtly, with his hands grasping a small, old varnished dark wooden box in front of him. He looked at Harry, studying the Gryffindor with a frown of curiosity until eventually, his hardened gaze softened.

"A word."

Suddenly, Harry got his hopes up, and his eyes widened in a sudden burst of energy, "You're coming back to Hogwarts?"

Severus' frown returned and deepened, "Not so fast."

The hopeful smile was instantly wiped from Harry's face, "…Oh."

"I was in the area, " Severus held his gaze, but he appeared slightly uncomfortable, and Harry knew he had just made a stop at the cemetery. He didn't need to ask, "Figured it was imperative I'd stop by to deliver this in person since I do not trust owls to deliver more than a mere letter."

Stepping aside, Harry led the man within the comfortable confines of his home and sealed the door behind them. Severus handed Harry the slightly dusty box to reveal an antique-looking quill, with the black feather of a raven and its ink tip an aged, dull silver. With a look of confusion, he looked up at him, "A quill?"

"A modification quill. With your ghastly handwriting and consistent errors, you'll need it for all the letters you habitually send me."

"I'm not sure if I should be honored or offended."

Ginny snorted quietly from somewhere behind him.

Smugly, Severus raised his chin, "Consider it an impromptu gift. I was reorganizing my lackluster possessions and happened across it."

Harry couldn't help but smirk at a new thought, relieved to have something more light-hearted to occupy his mind, "Does that mean your handwriting was horrible once upon a time?"

The older man tried to keep a straight face, "Once."

Harry had to bite back a laugh, feeling amused by that morsel of information, "Sure, it was."

"It was a gift from my grandmother, " Severus answered quickly with a face so deadpan, that the man must have missed the humor. Despite Harry's slight amusement with it, Severus however, was serious.

But Harry soon felt a little awkward, "If it's from your family, you should keep it."

"Preferably not. It would never be used by my hand again, so I figure it best to pass it to someone who would surely make better use of it."

"Thank you, sir, " Harry smiled, gratefully, "Hey, why don't you stay for dinner tonight? Ginny made enough pumpkin soup to feed the entire village."

"Hey, I heard that!" Ginny called out from the other room.

Ignoring Ginny's remark, Severus bore his dark eyes onto Harry's and held that gaze a little longer than usual. After a short pause and a subtly crinkled brow, Severus finally responded, "Home is where I prefer to be at this time."

"Just a little while, Severus, " Harry tried to keep calm and for a strange thought, Severus was unable to look any further. He focused on sealing away any evidence of the elixir within his chaotic mind as he was not in the mood to be debating with the man about it. Regardless, Harry returned a friendly smile, "Teddy would be happy to see you."

Severus slowly curled his lip distastefully at the mention of the child's name, "Even more of a reason not to stay."

But Harry simply glared back at him, "Sir, you're always welcome here."

Without another word and a very obvious conflict upon the man's face, Harry led the man through to the dining room despite the Slytherin looking hesitant and slightly uncomfortable. Harry and Severus sat at the table, whilst Ginny continued to tend to the now boiling pot of pumpkin soup at the stove. The smell of herbs and vegetables was welcoming to the senses, despite his earlier loss of appetite over the conversation regarding Andromeda. At least with Severus being here, he could redirect his mind to something else.

"Evening, sir, " With a welcoming smile, Ginny greeted him as he sat down. Her hazel eyes darted to Harry, then refocused on stirring the large pot of soup on the stove.

"Mrs. Potter, " Severus nodded curtly, "I heard of your fouls in the semi-finals, and you ended the match unscathed. Can't say I'm surprised."

Ginny casually shrugged; a slow smile of intrigue etched upon her face, "One less foul than the previous year, sir. Not that I'm making it a habit, or anything."

The man leaned back into his chair, looking slightly unimpressed and an eyebrow slightly raised, "No wonder my Slytherins ended up with consistent injuries after a match with you."

Ginny's face erupted into a mischievous grin, placing a pitcher of water on the table as she responded, "We do what we can to win. All or nothing, sir."

"Typical, " With a small eye roll, Severus pursed his lips, "Regardless, you made it to the semi-finals, despite the loss to the Wasps. The Harpies have always had a good reputation and your choice in team will bode well for you in the future."

"Um, thanks for the compliment…sir, " Ginny looked taken aback by the commendation, but soon did a double take with a look of surprise, "So, you were keeping track of the League?"

"Well, I'm not completely useless, Mrs. Potter – "

" - Sev'us!" Teddy had since bounded in from the other room, upon hearing the additional familiar voice amongst his concentration with his new toys. The child grinned in delight, despite Severus imposing his usual steely gloom within the household.

But Severus glanced bitterly at the child who walked up rather uncomfortably close to him, "Hello, child. What have you to come to bother me with, this time?"

"You're silly!" Teddy hoisted the little piano from his grasp and dumped it onto the table in front of Severus, causing the man to flinch back into his seat, "Look what I got!"

…Silly Severus. Harry tried incredibly hard not to laugh, but it was such a monumental effort especially since Severus was glaring rather venomously at him periodically.

Feeling quite obviously irked with Harry's amusement, Severus peered back down unenthusiastically at the child who still hadn't left his side, "Fascinating."

Smiling proudly at his godson, Harry turned to Teddy, "Teddy, tell Severus how old you are now."

Holding up four tiny fingers at Severus, Teddy beamed, "Four!" In his delight, he turned to the piano and played a single musical note, when a whisp of yellow sparkle of light emitted above it. "See?"

Glancing quickly at Harry with an expression telling him he wished he was elsewhere, Severus slowly turned back to the child with a deep breath. "…I see." Severus' eyes darted to Ginny who was observing the exchange in her own curious amusement behind her goblet of water. Reluctantly, Severus reached over to the piano and hit a single note, emitting a wisp of blue light.

Teddy jumped on the spot with joy, pleading with his innocent face, "Again, again!"

Severus clenched his jaw and played another few notes, causing the child to squeal in excitement over the notes played. Colored light danced above the table, as he continued to play "…Easily pleased."

Harry couldn't help but smile proudly, watching the man interact with his godson. It definitely wasn't something to witness so commonly, especially with Severus himself who had no clue how to interact with small children. Teddy himself appeared to be delighted with him, even though if Harry were his age, he would have been somewhat scared of the man with his dark demeanor. Regardless of how imposing Severus usually was, Teddy was not even bothered by it, so long as Severus managed his temper.

Severus, although obviously looking slightly annoyed, was handling it surprisingly well. There was an awkwardness and quite obvious inexperience within his interaction with the child, but he was clearly doing his best to remain patient with him. Perhaps he remembered how he was warned of his treatment of Teddy a few months prior, and thus, made the effort this time to do better. Harry watched as Severus played a few more notes amongst Teddy's joyous giggles until it was time to have dinner.

Ginny turned to Teddy, "Alright Ted, go put your toys away, now. We're about to have dinner."

"Ok-ay!" Compliantly, Teddy grabbed the piano in front of Severus and took it back to the sitting room amongst the rest of his birthday gifts.

As Ginny was filling up the bowls of soup, Harry and Severus's gazes met briefly, leaving Harry to give a small smile in appreciation. Severus did not say a word but merely gave a small nod in a noticeably hesitant response. The man's mind appeared to have traveled elsewhere and there was no doubt loneliness behind his eyes which Harry was already familiar with. He knew he was still getting over the recent loss of his father with the attached darker memories, and the very least Harry could do was help him feel a part of their family and make new ones. As best as he could, despite how difficult it was.

The four of them ate together, exchanging conversations about the wizarding world. Ginny continued talking to Severus about her sporting venture, earning a few rare, impressive nods from the man himself. Although rather stoic about it, Harry was merely impressed that the man was able to hold a conversation about Quidditch with his wife and it was rather a relief to have such a strangely normal conversation with him about it.

Shortly after, Severus decided he'd jump straight into lecture mode about the properties of dragon scales, and how each preparation method could change the features of the potion they were intended for. Harry had fired off questions asking if different dragon species affected its magical properties of it and was shocked to discover that it did. He didn't realize how vast the potions world truly was, and a had a little more appreciation for it with everything Severus had taught them over the years. When no longer a student in Severus' classroom, the subject took on a rare and welcoming perspective and Harry found new enjoyment in that.

Harry had tried to ask Severus about his progress with the memory potion several times, but he had sidestepped every one of his concerns shutting Harry down almost immediately. The man appeared rather angry about the intrusion, causing Harry to wonder why this particular creation was so difficult, especially by the hand of the Potions Master. He didn't want the possibility of the man losing his skills because of his depressed state, but he knew how much this meant to him to retain. Eventually, Harry gave up knowing Severus had no desire to explain why the potions were failing even despite already having an inkling of why. Given the man's lack of enthusiasm for it, it did not seem to bode well. Of course, Harry remained worried.

Teddy had since departed from the table during the boring conversations the adults were holding and sat on the couch quietly reading one of his new books, gifted to him by Hermione.

Throughout the conversation, Harry could tell Severus was fully intent on boring into his mind. Occasionally, Harry caught Severus staring at him and each time Harry noticed the man's brow crinkled in a strange effort. It was an odd feeling and reminded him of the ill-fated Occlumency lessons. However, this time felt very different and he couldn't fathom why. At several points, Harry looked at the man who appeared in deep thought, redirecting his own dark eyes into Harry's. But as the evening went on, Severus looked more dissatisfied as if he could not find what he was looking for. And that made Harry slightly uncomfortable.

"What is it?" Severus finally questioned seriously as his darker, shadowed eyes bored deeply into Harry's.

At first, Harry refused to meet the man's gaze upon the question, but he knew he was doomed either way. He always knew if he was lying whether he made eye contact or not; that which he knew from personal experience. But this time Harry looked up and shared the man's familiar piercing gaze, keeping his thoughts trained ahead. It was a strange thing – it was as if Severus was trying to search his mind, but he kept his own free of his own troubles. Blank, even. It was almost like imagining a barrier between them and Harry didn't think much of it at the time. But there was no mistaking the look of serious intrigue ever so subtly on the man's face; Severus' brow arched again but he could tell he was growing frustrated.

"Everything's fine, sir, " Harry blurted out rather casually. He almost laughed out at the ridiculousness of that statement because he knew what a terrible lie that was.

With the man's eyes still trained on him, he continued to question, "Has the elixir's adjusted dosage been adequate?"

Harry nodded, as he tried his best to push away the contradicting memories, "Yeah, it's fine. I don't use it much at all." At this point, he could almost feel Ginny murderously staring him down, but he dared not look her way.

"No drowsiness, flushed skin, or rashes?"

Harry shook his head, "None of that, sir."

Much to Harry's surprise and a short strenuous pause later, Severus nodded looking a little unusually pleased, "Good."

…What?

Inwardly, Harry felt a little confused. Did he suspect anything? Usually, in the case that he did, Severus would have known instantly and wouldn't hesitate to openly berate him about it. But something happened in that split moment, deterring the man away from prodding him further. Harry knew he was terrible at Occlumency, but he didn't really know what a successful bout of it felt like. At the time when he met the man's gaze, he merely focused on the times he felt comfortable and calm without it. On the rare moments that he did have things under control, bringing those to the forefront of his mind seemed like a gamble in the watchful eye of Severus, but Harry simply acted on instinct. He really did not need the man's further questioning upon his excessive usage of the potion that help to calm his racing mind.

But then Severus redirected his focus to something else as if what he saw within Harry's mind was satisfactory.

…What did he see?

Harry really had no idea, but at that moment, it happened to be a small blessing. He did not want to get into that conversation. Several times he noticed Ginny's subtle sideward glances during Severus' questioning, and he knew she was going to prod him about it later.

Eventually, Severus departed the Potters' home and Ginny turned to face Harry as soon as the front door had shut behind him.

"What on earth was that about?" Harry was startled by the tone of Ginny's voice.

"What was what?" Harry responded with a shrug, failing miserably to sidestep the question.

"You said he could read minds, or something, " Ginny spoke firmly, "Why did you lie to him? And to his face of all things. Ballsy, yet stupid move."

Harry hesitated, struggling to get a single word out.

The brows on Ginny's face creased in all seriousness, now clearly looking unimpressed, "Harry, I really think you should have told him how much of the stuff you actually use."

Harry shook his head adamantly, "He doesn't need to know."

His wife frowned deeply, "I really think he does. Maybe he can adjust it again for you? Or figure out an alternative?"

"No, I'm not asking him to do it again. He scolded me for it last time."

Ginny's shoulders dropped, reminding Harry of Molly when she'd scold Ron, "He'll help you if you just ask him. You should have been honest with him, that it wasn't working well."

"No, Ginny. He's got enough to deal with, " Harry tried to distract himself by clearing the dirty dishes from the table.

"So do you."

Harry turned his head away, not wanting to face Ginny's obvious frustration, "I don't want to talk about the elixir anymore. It helps me get through each day and I'd be a wreck without it. You know that."

There was a slight pause until Ginny responded quietly, "…I'm worried for you."

"As you said, in time, things will get better. For now, this is just what I have to live with and I'm going to deal with it the only way I know how."

"Harry – "

"No, Ginny. I don't want to talk about this anymore. I'm going to bed."

Tensing up his muscles in his bid to subdue his growing temper, Harry swiftly left the room leaving Ginny standing alone in the kitchen.

He thought she'd be able to understand, but not this time.

He didn't comprehend how Severus wasn't able to read him as usual, but that was a thought for another day. For now, his mind was racing like a brand-new broomstick, and he needed to settle it. Picking up the elixir at its familiar place on his bedside, he took four drops, changed into his pajamas, and crawled under the bed covers.

He was just tired of everything.

Something just had to give.