Lily's Charm- Severitus fanfiction

Promises

1996

As Severus watched his son walk out of the office with Lupin, he felt a moment of relief that the subject of Halloween had not come up, even as he realized he would not be able to avoid the topic forever. He would have to talk to Harry about it soon. With a somewhat weary sigh, Severus turned back to Albus, who was watching him with a somewhat bemused expression.

Severus eyed the Headmaster expectantly as he gestured for the Potions Master to sit.

“We will need enough Polyjuice Potion for at least twelve hours,” Albus told Severus as he sat lightly in a chair.

Severus nodded. “Who is going?”

“Alastor,” Albus answered immediately and Severus was satisfied with his choice. At the look in Severus’ eyes, Albus sighed a little. “I never had a chance to apologize to Harry,” he started.

“For which mistake?” Severus inquired icily.

Albus lifted his spectacles to rub tired old fingers over his eyelids and Severus felt a hint of guilt for his anger at the Headmaster. The old wizard was doing the best that could be expected in an entirely impossible situation. “For Remus, Severus. You must know I didn’t mean for anything to happen to him.”

Severus pursed his lips, not entirely able to believe the Headmaster. “He is aGryffindor, Albus. Did you really expect him to simply stand by and watch while you attempted to get yourself killed?”

Albus shook his head regretfully. “He insisted Severus. I could not stop him.”

“Perhaps you should have tried harder,” Severus said coldly and then looked away, shocked at his own vehemence.

“Harry would have preferred for me to be in the infirmary.” It was not a question and Severus didn’t answer. “I do not blame him, of course.” Albus said quietly. The room was silent for several moments. “I didn’t know what else to do, Severus.” Severus firmed his jaw, knowing Albus was referring to the Dursleys.

“Any one of the staff would have taken Harry,” Severus snapped, unwilling now to restrain his anger on his son’s behalf.

Albus shook his head with remorse. “Don’t you think I know that, Severus? He was safest at the Dursleys…”

“Your definition of safety is very different from Harry’s,” Severus scorned.

Albus gazed at him and Severus could almost see what the Headmaster was thinking. If you hadn’t left your family, Harry would never have had to go to the Dursleys at all.

Severus clenched his jaw, pushing down the guilt as it threatened to turn to rage at the Headmaster. The assertion was inarguable; the blame lay just as much, if not more with Severus. “The Polyjuice Potion will be ready tomorrow morning,” Severus informed the Headmaster, determined not to continue the other conversation.

Albus’ old blue eyes held Severus’ steadily for another few seconds before he answered quietly, “Bring it to my office as soon as it’s ready. Alastor will be here first thing.”

Severus nodded tersely and stood up.

“I am sorry, Severus.”