Author's note: Once again I do apologize. I haven't had a computer for over a year. Out of desperation, I finally purchased a keyboard that was compatible with my tablet. Unfortunately, because my old computer is kaput, all of the old notes from my original writing are gone. So, I will recall as much as I am able, and the rest will be completely original. I'm not even certain how it will end. So, here we go.

Turn-Cloak

From behind a scoured brick wall, not far from the ferry harbour, a short, almost rotund man with square glasses and sandy blonde hair stepped out with his young son. He turned to the boy. His son looked to be about twelve with the same sandy hair and hazel eyes. The man fixed the collar of his son's overcoat against the bitter Orkney wind before adjusting his own. It may be ten degrees, relatively mild for such a northern latitude, but the wind was biting and the sunlight weak. His nerves didn't help to supress the shiver in his bones.

What they were trying to do was foolhardy in the extreme and the logistics it took to get this far were overly complicated. The only way they made it out of the school unnoticed by Death Eaters was through the secret passage beneath the Whomping Willow and Disapperate from the Shrieking Shack. But they had gotten this far and it was too late to turn back. To do so now would be fatally catastrophic.

"Where are we going?" his son asked in a strange, high voice.

"You'll see soon enough," Severus replied in an unfamiliar Scottish accent. As many times as he has used Polyjuice Potion in the past, it was always the voice change that was off-putting. Whilst on their...excursion...in the north Severus and Harry were to be known as John Brown and his young son, Johnny. Severus thought it best to keep things simple lest others forget their cover names...not to mention Harry. The number one rule of spy-craft...keep the lies simple.

Severus knew that he and Harry were being backed up by members of The Order. In fact, Kingsley Shacklebolt wasn't far behind them. He Polyjuiced into a Merchant Sailor who seemed to be intensely interested in the traveling father and son. But not even Severus knew the forms other members of their advance guard had taken. With Shacklebolt guarding their back, Severus wasn't worried that they had been followed. Their backtracking and countermeasures would have thrown off Sherlock Holmes. What he was worried about was a double-cross and ambush. The more he thought of their mission, the more he regretted removing Harry from the safety of Hogwarts.

Just as Severus and Harry began their trek up High Street, a very large, shaggy black dog wandered out from a mews.

His young son grinned widely and knelt down in front of the filthy cur. "Snuffles? What are you doing here?"

Well...Severus knew how at least one of the advanced guard was disguised. Of course, Black would risk discovery by leaving the safety of headquarters when the mission had such a high magnitude of danger for Harry. It was something they had quarrelled over during the initial planning. But Black would not be dissuaded. Severus finally relented to Black on the adamantine position that he would not... break... cover. However, knowing Black's proclivity to improvise were he saw fit; Severus was tempted to insist on an Unbreakable Vow. But, contradictory to his nature, Black made a well-thought counterargument that if the situation turned ugly, Severus would need his wand, and Black could scarcely cast a curse as a dog. Thus, Severus agreed that Black could come. If truth be told, as much as Severus still distrusted Black to protect him, despite what Lupin had assured, he knew Black would lay down his life for Harry. In the end, that was all that mattered.

Severus still scowled as he watched Harry scratch the dog behind the ears. Black seemed to throw all decorum to the wind as his entire backside shook with excitement of an over-caffeinated Hula Dancer upon greeting Harry. It was practically indecent. "'Johnny', teach that mutt to behave, or I will have to summon the dog warden."

'Johnny' ignored his father at first. Great Merlin! Is the mutt really rolling onto his back so Harry could scratch his belly? Severus finally sighed with exasperation and said, "If you aren't going to listen, then perhaps we should just go home?"

That had finally earned the attention of the boy and the dog. "Oh. Sorry." Harry called for the dog to heal. "Come on, Snuffles. We can play later." The dog barked joyfully at his disguised godson and settled at the boy's side, but just as quickly turned a gave Severus a po-faced look.

Severus bent slightly and placed his hand against the small of his son's back to encourage him to move along. "Stop faffing about, Johnny". It was an unfamiliar sensation. He wasn't accustomed to being so handsy with small children. Or with any child for that matter, if he were being honest with himself.

"I'm going. I'm going," the boy protested.

"Please do," Severus replied as the boy and the black dog finally began to move. "The sooner we get this done, the sooner we go home."

As they approached the intersection, Severus could see the shop they were heading for on the other side of High Street and there was a minor problem. There was a fair amount of people out and about shopping, hurrying to work, sightseeing, and all other manner of things that Muggles are wont to do. However, two middle-aged women with carrier bags had decided to take a break on the bench in front of the very same shop where Severus and Harry were destined. Harry began to step off the curb when Severus grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him back. "Steady on, Harry." Harry looked up at in with confusion with strange blue eyes. Severus had broke their first security protocol by using Harry's real name.

Black, in his dog form, glared at the women across the street and began to growl. There was supposed to be a Muggle Repelling Charm on the shop. No Muggle should be stopped anywhere within the storefront, much less seated at the bench. It looked as though their mission was compromised before it could begin.

Severus was trying to spot a good place to out when the burly sailor who had been following close behind, muscled his way past. "I'll check this out, Mr Brown."

Severus allowed himself a sigh of relief that he would not have to intervene. At least Shacklebolt had the presence of mind not to break character. Severus cursed himself for his slip and hoped that fatherhood wasn't making him sloppy. In this game of espionage, sloppy was fatal.

The massive black dog positioned itself directly in front of Harry. Harry looked back at Severus again and asked, "Dad? What's going on?"

"It'll be alright, son," Severus assured, though he was in truth, bricking it. He pulled Harry close in case he had to quickly Disapperate. There was no place close in which to hide, so if he had to Disapperate in the middle of the street, Muggles be damned.

There was a faint blue shimmer as Shacklebolt crossed over the spell line and he approached the women with his wand drawn. Two Muggle business men passed right by the scene and never turned their heads. One of the old women looked up at Shacklebolt, startled, which caught the attention of her friend. Although they practically leapt from the bench in protest (Severus thought they moved rather spritely for septuagenarians), neither woman drew a wand in return. After a few heated words between Shacklebolt and the women, the two friends reluctantly gave up their bench made their way to the corner were the shop row ended. Carrier bags in hand. They reminded Severus of Black after he had been chastised. They then settled for looking at their reflections in the haberdasher's window at the end of the row.

Shacklebolt hurried his way to the Pelican crossing and looked both ways before he jogged back across the road against the light, to where the disguised Severus, Harry and Sirius were waiting.

"It's alright," Shacklebolt said. "Mundungus and Dedalus decided they needed to rest their feet. The pre-maturely aged face of the sailor looked annoyed. "They may look distracted, but they're on it." Shacklebolt stared back at the pair as if he didn't quite believe his own words. Severus' gazed followed Shakelbolt's and his eyes widened as he realized that the two wizards weren't under the influence of Polyjuice, but simply draped in over-sized dresses and old wigs.

Severus shook out of his disbelief. "Thank you, sir," he said, remembering that he did not know this man. Inwardly he growled. It was a testament of the dire straits The Order was in, taking on the likes of Fletcher and Doge. Fletcher wasn't much more than a sneak-thief and Doge started to go off his onion about ten years ago. If the two did not make a cock-up of their mission, it would be a miracle.

"I think it's safe," replied Shacklebolt as he looked to make certain there were no ears too close. "Our man waits for you inside and we have two more on the other corner and in the shop behind you."

They waited for the cross light to change and made their way across the street. They crossed over the Muggle barrier and stopped in front of the same bench Shacklebolt just returned from. It was situated outside a large shop window. "Go on in. I'll wait for him out here. Don't worry. I'll stay here and make certain nobody gets past those two piss-artists," he assured. "No one gets past me without the password." Severus thanked Shacklebolt once again, feeling much more reassured, and ushered his son into the shop.

The shop was dark, despite the incandescent lighting. The stone walls were dark and the wooden beams were even darker. A faded green chesterfield was positioned against a wall flanked by two wooden straight-backed chairs with miss-matched cushions. A scuffed, wood table was placed in front of them, laden with what must have been nearly a decade's worth of outdated periodicals. A counter with an old till was positioned on the opposite wall. Beyond this waiting area, there were, what was once two large gilded mirrors hung on the wall. Most of the gilding was worn away exposing the raw, decretive wood. But the mirrors, themselves, had been replaced recently. Their clarity and brightness were the only newness in the room. They hung over two chipped linoleum countertops. Before the mirrors, were two old-fashioned barber chairs that were probably new sometime in the late 19th Century. The place looked as ancient as the old man who owned it. It was obvious the shop had been in the family for generations. The decor would have been out-dated in the 1920's. Severus had to supress the goose-flesh that was trying to creep up on him. The place made Spinners End look sunny and French Provincial.

They no sooner entered and Severus recognised the annoyance on his son's face. The look was universal in every teenager, despite the fact that this particular teenager currently inhabited a ten-year-old body. "A barber? Honestly?" Harry huffed.

The mongrel growled. "Get over it, Black," Severus said as he tried to fight back his annoyance. "He's not getting a haircut. Not unless he trusts his hair to Remus' capable hands."

"But they aren't my capable hands, are they, Severus?" A tall, nearly skeletal man appeared from the back room. He had more white hair in his ears, than on his head. It wasn't the best look for a barber in Severus' opinion. "They are actually the hands of Mr Lochlan Abernathy. A once highly skilled barber with over sixty years' experience and twenty years of rheumatism."

"I don't care if he cuts hair for the Queen. You aren't getting anywhere near my head with a pair of scissors," Harry asserted.

'Mr Abernathy' chuckled, "It's quite alright, Harry. I won't cut your hair if you don't want me to. I'm actually not that bad, though. In my youth, I was known to give my friends a haircut on the odd occasion."

At that moment, the black dog positioned himself close to Harry and growled at Remus. Severus suppressed an undignified snort. He reached into his pocket for the Polyjuice and reassured his son. "Not to worry, Harry...calm yourself, mutt." Was Black actually circling to keep Remus and his scissors away from the boy?

"Harry, as much as it is against my better judgment, you won't be getting a haircut, today. There is simply no time." Harry might have thought differently, but the only reason the barber shop was chosen was strictly logistics. The only person they needed to obliviate was the owner and it was easy to divert his few customers. The real Mr Abernathy had the sudden urge to catch the bus and visit his son in Edinburgh.

Severus removed a flask from the inner pocket of the Adirondack he wore. It was a Polyjuice antidote. He uncorked the flask and jerked back a swig before taking a tiny bag from his pocket. With a wave of his wand, it returned to its proper size. He handed the rucksack and the potion to Harry. "Quickly, Harry. Ian should be here, soon."

"There's a office in back you can change in," Lupin offered

Harry took the potion and the rucksack, then headed towards the back room. "I bet this one tastes like dirty socks, too."

"It wouldn't work if it didn't," Severus replied.

The black dog began to follow Harry to the back. "Black! The boy is perfectly capable of changing on his own." Sirius whimpered and forlornly sat next to Lupin. Severus wondered how much Black's canine instincts overtook him when he was metamorphed. Between hiding from Dementors in Azkaban and then hiding from Dementors while on the run in Harry's third year, Black had spent more time in his animal form than anyone Severus had ever heard of. Black seemed to lose much of his humanity when he was Snuffles. Was his dog-like devotion and antics part of his cover, or could Black truly not help himself? Severus found it all a bit unnerving. Minerva had mentioned that Harry had recently expressed an interest in Animagus studies. No doubt due to his evolving relationship with his Godfather. Severus would have to do some studying of his own before giving his approval.

When Harry was out of sight, Severus took advantage of his absence and allowed himself to pace. He needed to release some nervous energy.

"Calm down, Severus." Lupin said in a thin, cracked voice that did not sound reassuring. "Half the Order have their wands fixed on this place. Everything will be fine. You too, Padfoot," he admonished the dog.

"I don't like this," Severus confessed. "How do we even know this is going to work?" "It will, Severus," Lupin assured. "I've seen him do it with my own eyes."

"I know," Severus replied. "I just don't understand how." "Nobody does," Lupin said in a hushed tone. "But now isn't the time to natter over theories. Here comes Harry."

When Black saw him, he wagged his tail and trotted happily over to the boy. Harry came out sporting black trousers with a green polo-neck. He did not look thrilled. "Well, let me guess who picked this ensemble out?" he griped. "I look like a berk."

"You look like a well turned out young ma..." A shadow crossed the window. Someone was talking to Shacklebolt. Severus turned. "Quickly. Sirius. To the back room." The massive black dog nodded and dashed into the back office. It was imperative that Death Eaters did not think that Harry kept a great black dog as a pet. Other than Harry, Severus and Ian Nott, everyone else would remain in disguise so the rest would not be associated with The Order.

A short Asian business man walked into the shop. He was impeccably dressed and looked totally out of place in the establishment. Severus, Harry, and Lupin had their wands out. Assuming that this was, indeed, Ian, not even Severus knew him well enough to assume that he wasn't capable of a double-cross. The man reached for something in his lapel pocket. Severus, Harry and Lupin raised their wands higher.

"I'm just reaching for my antidote," the man said as he raised his arms. Between the fingers of his left hand, he held a small phial that looked like Polyjuice Antidote. The Muggle whose body Nott currently occupied was obviously affluent. His Oxford accent was perfect. Typical.

"You will use mine," Severus said unequivocally as he reached into his own trouser pocket to retrieve his own flask. "I insist."

"I get it," the man replied nervously as he slowly placed his own phial on the counter. "You want to be certain I'm who I'm supposed to be. No need for wands. I'm more than willing to play by your rules, Severus." The man trembled slightly as he took the flask Severus offered. Severus couldn't blame him. The life of his family was riding on the success of this meeting. Nott closed his eyes and hesitated. He looked as though he were taking a moment to compose himself. Severus wondered if Ian recently found religion, because he honestly looked to be praying. He opened one eye and looked up at Severus.

"I know you don't want me using my wand, Severus. So do you mind?" Severus gave a slight nod and with a quick flick of his wand, Nott's previously impeccable clothing sagged on his body.

Nott took a deep breath and closed his eyes again as if trying to find his courage. He then downed the antidote in one hard swallow. Less than thirty seconds later, Nott stood before them in his true form, impeccably dressed once again. All the colour had drained from his face.

"Sit down before you fall down, Ian," Severus said tersely.

It was Harry who reached out and took Nott's arm. Nott startled and looked curiously down at the boy as Harry led him to the barber's chair. Harry looked as equally unsure as Nott. Nott slowly lowered himself into the chair, never taking his eyes off Harry. Severus knew he was beginning to question the wisdom of this course.

"Are you sure this is going to work?" The question was intended for Severus, but it was Harry who answered. "I don't know for certain. But it can't hurt."

Nott gave a jerky nod of his head and settled himself into the chair. He looked nervous, but resigned. "You're right. Let's give it a go, then."

Harry turned to Severus. His son's questioning green eyes were looking for answers from his father. Never before had Harry Potter looked to Severus Snape. Not like this. But this boy wasn't Harry Potter. Not anymore. This was Harry Snape. His son. And his son was afraid. "You can do this, Harry. But you don't have to. We can turn around and go home, if that is what you wish."

Nott looked around the room in a panic, as if trying to find a higher authority to appeal to, but finding none. Seeing that he had no one else to appeal to and there was no sympathy in Severus' eyes, Nott turned frantically to Harry. His knuckles turned white as he grasped the arm of the chair. "No, boy! You must! You're my last hope to save my son!"

Severus found it difficult, but he kept himself from turning away in disgust. It was hard to watch a grown man beg to a child. But despite his outward veneer and inward distaste, he did empathize with his former colleague. Severus had little experience as a father but he knew he would willingly descend to his knees and piteously beg for mercy if it meant saving Harry's life. He waited to see what Harry would decide. No matter how much empathy he held for Nott's situation, deep down, he hoped Harry would say no. The pragmatist within him knew that Harry had no choice but to be involved, as he was Voldemort's obsession. But the father in him just wanted to take his son far away and hide.

"It's okay, Mr. Nott," Harry said bravely. He gulped as if trying to suck his courage out of the thin air. "I'm going to try. I just can't promise that it will work again. What if it only worked for my dad because he's...well...my dad? Please...just don't be angry if it doesn't work." Severus felt the corner of his mouth twitch as he suppressed his smile. As scared as he was for his son, he could not deny that the boy made him proud.

Ian took a hard breath and quickly nodded his agreement. "I...pr... promise," Ian managed to stammer as he settled uneasily back into the barber's chair.

Severus' own heart seemed to take up residence in this throat. He couldn't imagine the excitement and terror that must be going through Ian's brain at that moment. After all, Severus was unconscious when Harry conjured his miracle. This was a first for Severus, too.

Harry took a slow breath and closed his eyes as he gently picked up Nott's arm, as if it were some fragile thing that would shatter if he breathed too hard. Slowly his son opened his eyes. Harry's gaze was hard as he lightly pressed the tip of his wand against the abomination that scarred every Death Eater. Severus' hair stood on end as a soft hissing filled his ears. Severus had no idea what Harry was saying, but he knew he was saying it in Parseltongue. Ian's eyes shot open in terror at the sound, but he daren't move. Ian looked grey when he turned and looked at his arm. The colour to Nott's face slowly returned as he watched in fascination as the ink-black Dark Mark, that had cursed him for nearly two decades, simply turned to smoke as it lifted from his arm, then vanished into nothingness.

Harry removed his wand and Nott started to breathe again. Severus wondered when he had stopped. It was then that Severus remembered to breathe, himself. He shook his head in awe, trying to process what he had just seen. It was the voice of old-man Remus that brought Severus back to his senses. "Are you alright, Harry?"

Harry looked slightly perplexed, as if it was an every-day occurrence for a teenager to counter one of the darkest spells conjured by, arguably, the darkest Dark Lord to ever exist. "Of course, I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

Harry suddenly jumped back. Nott was on his knees, literally grovelling at Harry's feet. "Thank You! Oh! Thank you!" Harry had to step back once more as Nott attempted to wrap his arms round the boy's legs. Harry backed into Remus as Severus dragged Ian up to his feet. "Get yourself, together, man! You're making a spectacle!"

"I don't care!" Nott said happily with a histrionical smile. "He did it! I'm Free!" Nott turned to Harry and grabbed the boy's hand, shaking it with a frenzy. "Thank you, my boy. Thank you."

Harry looked around the room as if looking for help. "Yeah...erm...you already said that."

"And I meant it," Ian said emphatically, then turned to Severus as he gathered back what was left of his dignity. "Severus, I'm certain you know that I need to take my family into hiding."

"Of course," Severus said soberly. "I don't see that you have much of a choice."

Ian nodded. "My wife and our mothers are already at our safe house," he said. "I will go straight to Hogwarts from here and withdrawal Teddy. Our family will unite before sunset."

"That is wise," Severus agreed as he offered his hand to Nott. "You need to be gone before Voldemort's next summoning." The name felt strange rolling off his lips.

Nott startled, expecting pain. But when the pain did not come, he looked at his arm in disbelief. "Huh?" He looked and Severus and smiled. "Severus, my house owes you and your son a debt we can never repay."

Severus tried to interrupt, but Ian raised a hand and stopped him. "No. Truly. Anything...Everything we have is at your disposal. You and your Order just need to simply ask."

"That's very generous of you," Severus admitted. "As much as I would like to take you up on the offer, you will need to keep your head down for the time being."

Ian looked over at Harry, then ushered Severus into the waiting area where they would have more privacy. Severus could have cast a Muffliato charm, but it would have been the epitome of rudeness to do so in front of Harry and Remus.

"Why don't you and your son, join us, Severus." Ian offered in a hushed whisper. "At the risk of sounding like a selfish prick, your son is going to be inundated by other Death Eaters. Those who aren't looking to kill him will be looking to have their Marks removed. What kind of life is that for your son?"

Severus shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but Harry will never leave his friends."

Ian shrugged. "He'll make new ones. He and Teddy are the same age. Once they get over House rivalries, he'll come to see that Teddy is a good boy. He's a hell of a lot better person than his old man, at least."

Severus scoffed internally at Nott's notion that Teddy and Harry would become fast friends, but he simply reiterated, "No. With Harry gone, Voldemort's primary attention will turn to Harry's friends. He will kill off their families if he thought he could find Harry. Harry would run back to Hogwarts as soon as we Apparated."

Ian nodded his understanding. "Severus, I meant what I said about helping. Though I won't divulge our location, I have already spoken to Dumbledore and he will have a communication plan ready by the time I get to Hogwarts. Whether it be my wand or my resources, you need only ask."

Severus was flabbergasted. As much as he wanted to trust Ian, every Death Eater knew you could never fully trust another Death Eater. Even a turn-cloak. Ian obviously sensed Severus' doubt. He turned towards Harry and Remus. "Wizard! I know you are not whom you appear to be. Can you perform the Unbreakable Vow?"

Remus looked from Nott, to Severus, and then to Harry. He looked taken-aback, but willing, "Yes," Remus said in a deceptively feeble voice. "I can administer the vow."

This time, it was Nott, who ushered a stunned Severus towards Remus. Remus instructed the former Death Eaters to face each other and grasp the other's fore arm.

Are you certain about this," Severus asked Nott.

Nott nodded and answered, "Definitely more certain than I was about taking the Dark Mark."

Remus took his position between the two wizards and rose his wand. He looked to Severus and Ian. "This is your last chance to back out, Mr Nott." Ian said nothing, but instead, looked more resolute than ever.

Remus began to raise is wand when Ian shouted, "Wait!"

Severus' heart sank. Of course, Nott's promises were empt...

"Just so we're clear," Nott said. "My allegiance is not to Dumbledore and his Order. But rather to Severus and his son."

Harry smiled widely as Severus felt the tension release from his shoulders.

Remus grinned a nearly toothless smile and raised his wand again, "If there are no additional caveats?" When both wizards remained silent Remus began his incantations.

It took no more than a minute or two. Ian swore to never betray Severus or Harry to Voldemort or any of his minions. He swore to never divulge any information regarding the Snapes to anyone without express permission from Severus. He swore to provide any aid to Severus or Harry, when asked, to protect their lives or help to instigate the downfall of Voldemort. There were other vows of aid, but what really astonished Severus, was that Ian offered up these vows himself. Severus asked for nothing.

When it was done, Ian thanked everyone, once again, then turned to Harry. "You are an inspiration to more people than you realize, young man."

Ian shook Harry's hand and the boy said awkwardly, "Erm...thank you?"

"Still, you will have to be careful," Ian added. "Severus, your defection was bad enough. But once the Dark Lord realises that he has lost another from his inner circle and realising my intent...well...things will turn ugly, fast. The Dark Lord may Imperious others in an attempt to get closer to you and your son. You are about to be inundated with requests. You won't know who to trust."

"I know," Severus said in resignation. "I have twelve more requests sitting on my desk as we speak. I have no idea how we can accommodate the ones we have now."

"Don't," Ian said. "Join my family in hiding."

Everyone in the room looked stunned, and frankly, Severus was tempted. Every time he thinks on the task Harry set for himself; it weighed heavy on Severus. It was his first impulse to just take Harry and leave. The only thing that prevented him was the fact that Harry had already promised to run back into the fray should they do so. At least this way, Severus could have some semblance of control and protect his son. Harry confirmed his decision.

"We can't!" Harry exclaimed. "I have to stay! I've helped Nott, but what of the others? I can't let them be killed!"

"Harry," Lupin said in a feeble voice as he put a wrinkled hand on the boy's shoulder. "You can't save everyone. Sooner or later, this is going to be too dangerous to continue."

"Then I'll save as many as I can. We..." Harry said stubbornly.

Severus shook his head as he raised a hand to end Harry's rant. "We're not going anywhere," he said in capitulation. "I'd rather do this openly and be here to protect you than have you go it alone." In addition, Severus knew too well that if Harry tried to go alone, his little friends would likely get themselves directly involved, somehow, despite Harry's objections. Attempting to go into hiding with Harry would likely lead to the deaths of all.

Harry looked visibly relieved. Ian looked sceptical. "Severus. This is folly. Surely you realise that at some point, you are likely to be betrayed."

"Then we will have to be prepared for betrayal," Severus said simply.

"I assumed as much," Ian said regretfully. "But I had to try."