A Potter Secret

The Girl Touched by Death

          Snape rushes into the house and up the stairs. James Potter lies there, staring up at nothing. Severus pauses for a moment, terrified of what he will later see. Pushing through, Severus follows the sounds of a baby crying to the nursery. He gasps as he sees Lily and falls against the doorframe. He spares a quick glance towards the young boy in the crib. Kneeling down beside Lily, Severus gently picks her up, cradling her to his body.

A crash sounds from downstairs. Severus stands up, gently setting Lily down and standing in front of Harry. Despite his anger towards James, he won't let anything hurt Lily's son. Acting quickly, Severus laid Harry down in his crib, covering him with a blanket and turned off the lights. The door to the nursery opens but no light comes in. Sniffles come from the person blocking the light. "Incarcerous!" Severus whispers. Ropes fly out of the wand and towards the figure.

"Blimey!" the person cries, falling back.

Severus steps out, turning on the lights and sighs when he sees who it is. "Hagrid."

Hagrid looks up. "Professor Snape, wha' was tha' for?"

Severus removes the ropes quickly. "Hagrid, what are you doing here?! I could have killed you!"

"Professor Dumbledore ask'd me ta pick up youn' Harry here," Hagrid explains. "He's ta live wit his aunt. Sirius 'as been taken ta Azkaban."

Severus' eyes grow wide. "Is Dumbledore mad? Petunia hates magic and always has!"

Hagrid shrugs. "The're still 'is famly," Hagrid reminds.

Severus sighs and leads Hagrid to the crib. Gently, Severus picks up Harry and cradles him while wrapping him in a blanket from the crib. "I know that you know your creatures, but an infant is different than those that you care for at school. I assume you're flying?" Hagrid nods. "Keep him warm and the wind off him. Try not to jostle the boy too much."

Hagrid nods again and opens up the fabric draped across him. Severus gently places Harry into the fabric cradle and then into Hagrid's arms. With one last look towards Lily and James, Hagrid walks out of the nursery.

Severus turns back to Lily, gently moving the hair from her face. He stands there as medi-witches come and take James and Lily away, watching the care that everyone takes with them.

Finally, once everyone is gone, Severus takes one last look around the nursery, gathering all the small toys and momentums that he could send to Young Harry. As he works, his hand brushes against something non-existent. Confused, Severus' hands search the air until he has hold of something. "Finite Incantatem." The spell disappears and Severus is left looking at a small baby girl sitting in a carrier. Instantly, Severus checks her over. He notes her chilled form and her small stature. She's alive.

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The infirmary doors slam open and Severus rushes in. The students within jolt. "Anyone who is not in here for injuries is to leave. Now!" Several students rush past him, leaving only two in beds. "You two are to not speak of anything you see or hear. Have I made myself clear?" Both nod, terrified.

Pomfrey rushes out a moment later. "Severus, why are you bursting in here and disrupting these students?! They need rest!"

Severus raises his wand and closes the two students off and making sure they can't hear. He uncovers the newborn girl and sets her onto one of the beds carefully. "Poppy, I think the Potters had a second child. I found this little girl disillusioned in the nursery. Please, help her!"

Poppy immediately sets to work as soon as she sees the child, checking her over. She mumbles spells, trying to find out what's wrong. A small scroll appears, listing any facts about the child that are known. "Severus, she's alive, but barely. I suggest we put her in a stasis for now. It will allow her body and mind to heal without her aging. It focuses specifically on healing her, not other functions."

"Why are you saying this, Poppy? Just help her!" Severus shouts.

"I'm saying this because the spell requires permission from a guardian!" Poppy interrupts. "There's no guarantee that she wakes if I do this. It will, however, increase her chances of living through the night."

"Alright, how do I find a guardian?" Severus demands.

"Severus, you are listed here as her Godfather," Poppy replies. "I need your permission!"

Severus pauses for a moment, thinking. "It will give her the best chance that there is?" Severus checks.

Poppy nods. "Yes. Otherwise, she may not live through the night. And there are still no guarantees."

Severus sighs and puts his head in his hands. "Yes. Do it!" Poppy starts to cast spells over the baby before relaxing and sitting down on the bed beside her.

"This is the best chance she has, Severus, but there are still no guarantees. She's barely a month old. I'm sorry, Severus, but it's not looking good for her. The odds are against her. I- I will say this. If she makes it through the week, it'll be much better odds. For now, all we can do it wait." Severus leans over the child and reaches out, hesitating. "It's perfectly fine to touch or hold her, Severus. You won't cause any damage. Might help, actually. Make her know that she's loved. Magical children, especially young toddlers and babies feed of the magic of their parents. She can probably sense that her parents are gone. Since you're her godfather, she'll attempt to feed of yours."

Severus gently picks up the child, bundling her in a blanket Poppy hands him. After a moment, he looks up. "Poppy, can you watch her for a while? Half-hour, tops. I'd like to go and gather whatever I can from Godric's Hollow, where the Potters were. Anything so she can know of her parents." Poppy nods and takes the child. Severus transfigures a crib for her in Poppy's hidden office before taking his leave.