Lily's Charm- Severitus fanfiction

Truth

1996

Harry was falling, his heart ripping to shreds as he spiraled downwards toward an endless chasm of black. And then Harry was sprawled on his back on the floor of Dumbledore’s office, staring up into Remus’ anxious face.

“Lily,” Harry gasped and Remus sucked in a surprised breath above him.

“Harry?” Remus shook Harry’s shoulder gently. Harry blinked in confusion before pushing himself up unsteadily. Remus helped him sit up and Harry looked around for Snape, his stomach in knots.

Snape was hunched over in one of the Headmaster’s cushy chairs, his large hand covering his face. McGonagall was hovering over the Potions Master with a very concerned twist to her normally pinched lips. Snape didn’t seem to notice her, or anyone else in the room as he sat, his shoulders quivering slightly. Harry swallowed, trying to force down the large lump in his throat.

He was glad, Harry told himself firmly. Of course he was. Snape was not his father. James and Lily had always been his parents. He should be thrilled. Why, then, Harry wondered did he feel a deep emptiness echoing wretchedly throughout his limbs?

“Harry, what happened?” Remus was staring at Harry and Harry finally pulled his gaze from Snape’s hunched form.

Words tumbled from Harry’s lips before he could stop them. “Snape’s not my father. It was a lie. James was my father all along.”

Harry expected Remus to look at him in confusion and ask for an explanation to Harry’s babble, but Remus only narrowed his eyes for a brief second then turned toward Snape, a look of pity dawning on his scarred face.

“Remus?” Harry asked confusion and then in accusation, “You knew? You knew about this?!” Harry pushed himself up again, onto his feet, his voice ringing with anger as he glared at Remus.

Both Dumbledore and McGonagall had turned toward the pair and at once Harry realized, as he noted the sad slump to the Headmaster’s eyes that the Headmaster had known too. Harry balled his hands into fists as he began to shake in rage. A small glass ball on Dumbledore’s desk started to tremble.

Remus grabbed both of Harry’s arms and said sharply, “Harry! Get a hold of yourself!” Harry’s breathing felt ragged and he wanted to scream until his voice became hoarse with the force of it, but Remus held firmly to the boy and as Harry stared into Remus’ caring brown eyes, he slowly began to relax. When Harry was still, Remus released his grip.

Harry bit his lip to stop the quiver and asked him quietly, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Remus sighed. “There was no reason to tell you,” he told Harry wearily. “It wouldn’t have changed anything.”

“You could have told me my mum was married to Snape.”

Remus’ mouth fell open. “Married?” he echoed and now it was Harry’s turn to stare at the werewolf in confusion. Remus however, turned swiftly again to stare at Snape.

“How could you not know that?” Harry demanded of his friend.

“Enough.” Snape had finally risen from the chair and though his face was ashen, his voice was steady, though it was lacking its usual venom.

But Harry was not going to back down so easily. There were more questions now than answers. “Just how many lies have there been?” he demanded, to the room in general this time. “How many?” His voice was harsh and all but Snape were looking at him.