Nose to the Wind // tomarry

Chapter 3: Death and Living Reconciled

Things calmed down for the Potters after they accepted Voldemort's offer, as they were effectively out of the Order. They still kept up with the news, and James still went to the ministry to be an auror, but they were...well, almost happier. Lily certainly smiled more often when she didn't think Harry or Will was watching her.

After a week, many of their Order friends started dropping by, admitting they had also accepted Voldemort's offer. Some of them seemed ashamed, or discontent with their choice, but most of them seemed relieved.

Voldemort didn't try making any further contact with Harry, which he appreciated. He was still occasionally giving himself a mental smack for his carelessness, but he suspected Voldemort was just pleased to have caught Harry out. In all fairness, they now both had something to hold over the other's head, which put them on the sort of equal footing that Voldemort wouldn't like, but could stand for a while.

One afternoon in June, while James was at work, someone knocked on the door. Lily frowned towards it, then glanced over at where Harry had been absently playing with blocks with Will. He met her eyes and nodded – he'd keep an eye on Will and get him out if it was trouble – and her mouth quirked. "Your father is right, you are far too clever for your own good," she informed him as she stood.

Harry shrugged to himself and caught Will's uncertain frown. He reached over and poked his brother's nose, then smiled once he had the boy's attention. Will wiggled his nose and giggled before reaching over to poke Harry's nose back.

"Severus?" Harry heard Lily say, and he couldn't help but jerk in surprise. He knew the man had requested his mum's safety, but he'd never have expected Snape would come by the Potter residence.

"Lily. Is it– Might I...possibly come inside?"

Lily didn't reply for a long moment, clearly debating, before she let out a sigh and pulled the door open further, letting the man in. "I suppose so."

Snape had dressed in black slacks and a dark button-up, his childhood in the muggle world showing through best in his knowledge of how to dress like one. Harry ducked his head to hide his expression, not sure how he appeared at seeing the man in something other than robes for the first time.

"Harry, Will," Lily called and they both looked up. Will gave Snape an uncertain look and shifted closer to Harry, setting the pile of blocks they'd been working on tumbling between them. Lily sighed. "This is Severus, a friend of mine. But we can't let Daddy know he visited."

Will turned to Harry, who offered him a smile and nodded, then pressed his finger to his lips. "Seccet?" Will guessed. When Harry nodded, he beamed and turned back to Lily to declare, "Seccet!"

Lily eyed Harry suspiciously. "I wonder who taught you that word."

Harry put on his best innocent expression.

Lily shook her head, amused, and turned back to Snape. "The quiet one is Harry, my eldest, and the talkative one is Will."

Snape's expression was pinched. "I do see the resemblance to their father," he offered.

Lily rolled her eyes and shoved his shoulder lightly, the action the sort of familiar one that friends shared. "For Merlin's sake, Sev. I swear, I don't know who's the youngest in this room right now, you or Will." Snape made a face. "Did you want something to drink?"

"Anything but tea," Snape decided, looking towards the kitchen.

Lily nodded. "Harry, keep an eye on your brother for me, okay?"

Harry nodded and picked up a block to wave in Will's face, bringing his attention to the knocked over tower, which Will then proceeded to mumble sadly over as he started to fix it.