Lily's Charm- Severitus fanfiction

Acceptance

1996

"Get Poppy!" Dumbledore gasped, finding Snape's gaze.

Harry had no idea what happened after that, as all he could see was Remus.

"Remus," he whispered as he staggered toward his friend. Dumbledore was still kneeling in the fireplace, the upper half of Remus' body lying in the old wizard's lap, his face a ghostly white. Harry crouched down next to his friend, reaching out immediately for the werewolf's hand. Dumbledore didn't try to stop him. And Remus' hand was so cold.

Harry began desperately searching for a pulse along Remus' wrist, and then, purposeful hands were moving Harry aside, pulling him unwillingly away from Remus. "Let me go!" he cried as he struggled against the firm grip.

"Harry."

The deep voice was close against Harry's ear as he was pulled backward into his father's chest. Snape's arms closed around him. The voice sounded unnatural, and panic screamed in Harry's mind. His struggle began anew; he began to thrash against Snape, wildly trying to get back to Remus.

"No! Remus!" Harry fought his father, and the tears were flowing freely as he blearily watched Madam Pomfrey waving her wand over Remus.

"He's alive, Harry. It is all right." Snape's words were soothing, gentling Harry's furious panic, and slowly as the arms tightened again briefly around his chest, Harry began to calm. His breaths slowed with each one of Snape's. Harry didn't relax, though. Even if Remus was alive, it didn't look as if he would remain that way for long.

"The Hospital Wing is secure. We need to get him up there now," Pomfrey was saying urgently to Dumbledore, and the old wizard, looking rough and haggard, was nodding. "Don't move him," Pomfrey commanded as she stepped carefully into the Floo. With her sharp demand for the infirmary, the trio was swept away. Harry tried to lunge for the fireplace, needing to go after Remus, but Snape's arms stopped him.

"Let go!" Harry screamed, trying to twist around to see his father's face. But the arms did not loosen their grip.

Snape's low voice spoke again next to Harry's ear. "We will follow, but you must calm yourself first. Poppy will need to tend to Lupin without interference," he assured him quietly. His father's voice was eminently logical, and Harry didn't give a damn.

He wanted to shout at Snape to let him be, to get off! But the strong arms firmed their grip one more time, and Harry forced himself to stop moving. As the arms relaxed slightly, Harry wrenched himself away.

He headed straight for the Floo, but a wall of black stopped him. "Get out of my way," Harry growled, trying to shove Snape bodily from his path, but two large hands latched onto Harry's upper arms and shook him. Harry glared up at Snape.

"Occlude your mind," Snape snapped, his own glare penetrating Harry's. "Occlusion is not merely an exercise in our training sessions."

"Who the hell cares about my training right now?" Harry shouted back, enraged at his father's stupidity.

"You need to care about your training, precisely at a time like this. Otherwise, it will be of little use," Snape pointed out.

"Just get out of my way."

"Occlude your mind," his father repeated, not moving a centimeter.