Lily's Charm- Severitus fanfiction

Shattered

1996

"Ireland," Ron objected, scoffing as Harry attempted to pick the winner for next year's Quidditch Cup, while Hermione continued to huff at their lack of study skills. Ginny had long since given up studying to argue with both of them about Ireland's prospects.

"Ireland was good enough last year," Harry insisted, grinning at his friend's disgruntled look. The laughter died half-formed in his throat as his father's flame burned him. It scorched against his storm with a terror he'd never imagined he could feel.

"Dad!" he cried out, his eyes going wide with the fear that was gripping him. It was all he could feel, the emotion almost forcing him to double over in agony.

"Harry?" Ginny demanded fearfully, but Harry ignored her, propelling himself upward unsteadily, knocking his book to the floor with a clap. His mind numbing with waves of panic, Harry fumbled for his robe, which he'd draped over the arm of the sofa earlier, clumsily trying to find the pocket where he still kept the little box of Floo Powder which his father had insisted he keep with him. But what if he wasn't in their quarters? He could be anywhere...

Harry turned frantically to Ginny. "Go find Remus or Dumbledore. Something's wrong with my dad," he told her, almost choking on the words as they flooded out. Without waiting for her answer, he turned back to his robe.

He clawed pointlessly at the black material. And then deft hands were moving his aside and the box was opened for him. Harry paid little attention to the action, grabbing a fistful of the powder, the tiny granules spilling through his fingers as his fingers shook. He shoved past the bodies nearest to him, even the one that seemed to want to stay with him. He ran wildly into the fireplace, croaking the call for his father's rooms.

The flames burst around him as he flung the powder to the floor and he felt himself pulled up, the sensation mingling strangely with his dread. The Floo network seemed to barely move, the rooms crawling by in slow motion and the impression of fear and now grief were painful. Harry was just beginning to feel desperate when he was finally ejected from the Floo and into his sitting room, almost losing his footing. He looked around frantically, his heart stilling when he saw his dad.

"Dad?" he yelled out in fright, stumbling toward his father even as Severus slithered down the back of the chair. Harry reached him in seconds, sliding his arm under his armpit and around his back, to steady him just as Severus' knees thwacked against the stones. Harry used his other hand to push up against Severus' chest, refusing to let him slump over. "Dad?" he demanded again, his voice jagged with fear.

He heard the Floo behind them and he turned a little, his arms heavy with their burden. Remus stepped through, his eyes going wide at the sight of the two of them. "What happened?" he asked anxiously but Harry could only shake his head wordlessly as he levered his father to sit awkwardly against the side of the chair.

It felt as if his whole mouth was filled with cotton wool. Remus came quickly to them, kneeling beside Harry. "Albus called me," he explained breathlessly as he leaned toward Severus, studying him briefly. He waved his wand once over the other man. "He's fainted," he added, and then pointing his wand toward the lab, he called, "Accio Reviving Potion," and a vial sailed out to them. He barely paused as he Spelled the contents into Severus.

And Severus' eyes slid open.

The black filled instantly with terror and Harry's heart ripped through his chest in response. And then his father's eyes widened and without warning, Severus grabbed Harry's arms and pulled him sharply forward.

"Harry," his father gurgled roughly, his eyes wild now.

"Severus, what's going on?" Remus asked, his voice strained, but Severus' eyes would not leave Harry. "I'll get Poppy," Remus decided quickly.