Lily's Charm- Severitus fanfiction

Recovery

1979

Lily knelt in front of her husband, waiting for him to let her know he was ready to begin. Her stomach was twisted painfully and she felt vaguely ill, although she knew she couldn't contribute that solely to what they were about to do. No, morning sickness was most likely to blame.

As she watched Severus Occluding his mind and grounding himself, she felt the familiar twinge of uneasiness that she had not yet told him about the baby. But Lily knew if she had, they wouldn't have ever reached this point. Severus would never have agreed to try to the Charm. She would tell him, as soon as he'd taken the Mark. He would be angry, certainly but it was nothing compared to Severus deciding her life was in too much danger if she stayed with him. And it didn't matter anyway, Lily told herself firmly. The Charm would work and there would be no more need for all this secrecy.

"I am ready," Severus finally said, his voice rough. Lily looked up at Albus, who smiled and nodded encouragingly. She turned back to her husband; he was watching her carefully. Before he could ask her again if she was sure she wanted to do this, Lily wrapped her small fingers around his wrist and pulled his left arm toward her.

She brought her wand up and pressed its tip gently into her husband's flesh as she whispered, "Impentribiilus Morsmordre," and then Severus joined in, his voice soft and seductive as their voices blended together, their eyes locked, "...Anima Evictum Morsmordre, Tom Marvolo Riddle...Anima Expulsum..." Over and over they chanted the words, while Lily pulled her wand over the entire surface of Severus' arm from wrist to elbow.

"...Anima Evictum Morsmordre, Tom Marvolo Riddle...Anima Expulsum..." and a blue mist encompassed Severus' arm, glowing and pulsing gently. "Anima Expulsum," they breathed together as the mist melted slowly into Severus' flesh.

Lily's eyes had not left her husband's. His black eyes were haunted, dark with shadows and Lily, paying no mind to Albus, standing just behind Severus, dropped Severus' wrist and wrapped her arms around her husband's neck; she leaned into his chest and Severus pulled her close. It was done. Even though Severus had no idea...their child would be safe.

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1996

A hulking man kicked at his father, right in the face. Severus' skull cracked eerily against the ground and without pausing, the big man's booted heel connected again with the face. Bright red blood splattered the dusty black boots. The man's twin joined in, as he always did, bringing an almost identical boot toward Severus'. More blood broke free. And there was nothing Harry could do; he watched in horror as the masks assaulted his father.

Harry!

Long silver hair filled Harry's vision, whipping gently in the light breeze. There was another sharp crack and Harry's stomach turned over. The man with the silver mane knelt down, drawing his wand up the smooth black fabric, resting the wood against the crimson throat, beginning the deadly chant...

Hear your father's screams, Harry.

"No! Dad!" Harry screamed, jerking himself awake. He began flailing wildly, trying desperately to get out of the bed to get to his father, before he realized he was still on the sofa and Severus' was hovering in front of his own, his black eyes stormy with undisguised concern.

"Harry, it's all right," his father was saying and it sounded like he had been repeating it as some sort of refrain. Harry pulled in a shaky breath and struggled to sit up. Severus helped him, guiding him gently until he was balanced again. Severus was kneeling on the floor in front of the sofa. Harry took his glasses off with one hand and ran his other hand over his face, which was beaded with perspiration.