Lily's Charm- Severitus fanfiction

Peace

1996

Harry didn't know how long he had been lying against Severus' ribs. He was so tired, though, he decided hours could have passed already.

He had kept his emotions carefully in check for days, now, not letting them free even once after he'd first realized his father was alive. And now he felt drained... almost empty.

But even after he'd completely exhausted his tears, Harry just kept his cheek pressed against his father's chest. He didn't want to move. He was afraid it would all turn out to be a dream. But the hand hadn't loosened its grip, and though his stomach wouldn't stay still, Harry slowly brought his head up.

Severus was still there, watching him.

And Harry had no idea what to say. Part of him was so angry he could barely stand to look at the man, while the other part was so giddy he wanted to just throw his arms around his father and then... there was an intense fear.

And the fear wouldn't let him express either one of the other emotions. So he stared.

"Thank you, Harry." His father's voice was rough from disuse, but that didn't have any effect on the warmth in the words.

Harry continued to stare.

His father's pale features softened. "It's all right, Harry," he said gently. "I am really here." Harry blinked slowly, finally realizing he needed to say something or else his father was going to start to think he'd gone mad. So he nodded shakily.

"I know..."

His father moved his hand down to Harry's neck, the tips of his fingers still resting in his hair. "Are you all right?" Severus asked, his eyes filled with concern.

No! he wanted to shout. Of course, I'm not all right, he wanted to rage. You left me, he would have accused. But Harry wasn't going to forget the promise he'd made. He wasn't going to have any more regrets with Severus. Harry nodded again, carefully burying his anger under his shields, refusing to give it purchase.

Severus was still watching him, and his eyes narrowed in appraisal. Harry forced his face to relax. "It's been a rough week," he tried to jest, but it fell flat when he had to look away as the tears threatened him again. "Sorry," he whispered hoarsely.

Severus' fingers found the back of Harry's head again. "Harry, you need not apologize for being distressed. I cannot imagine what you must have endured..." Harry's head snapped around as the deep voice trailed off. Severus' fingers tugged at Harry's hair a bit. "A week?" As he took in his surroundings, his fingers slackened and dropped back to the bed.

Harry sat up. "Are you all right?" he asked urgently, twisting around to call for Pomfrey. Severus' hand gripped Harry's arm; Harry turned back around.

"It seemed as if only an instant had passed," Severus was saying quietly, almost to himself, and Harry could hear the sorrow in his father's words. He tensed against the hold on his arm. Severus seemed to focus on Harry again, and he loosed his grip. "It is no matter, of course, but why are we not in the Hospital Wing?"

"Madam Pomfrey brought you down here yesterday," Harry explained with a shrug. "She said it's easier to recover in familiar surroundings," he added, watching his father carefully for signs that he felt Harry's presence in his room an invasion.

But his father simply nodded. "And so it was, it seems." His eyes moved to the door as it opened quietly.

"Severus, wonderful to have you back, my boy," Dumbledore greeted cheerfully as he came in with Pomfrey. Harry bit back a less than tactful request for both of them to leave. His father was watching him, so he smiled.