The Order
The night was cold, and Severus had wrapped little Harry to him carefully covering his head to protect him from the wind. They flew straight to the order. Severus did not know if he could trust many, but Dumbledore was trustworthy enough and after this night would be all he had. They flew hard for hours until they reached the old creaky shack.
Severus's feet crunched as they landed, another sign that winter was upon them. He knocked once, waited, and whistled a long low whistle to signal the order.
Molly Weasley opened the door. "Severus Snape, how on earth..."
"I must speak to him Now Molly," he cut her off. Severus knew he was mistrusted, and really could care less.
Molly looked as if she was about to refuse when Harry made a yawning like noise from under Severus’s big black robe. "Shhh Harry boy we will be warm soon." he said soothingly. Molly looked as if she had never been more confused in her life. She had no idea who the child was of course, but her kindness overcame her. Who could turn away a psychopath with a bouncing baby. Molly led him to the back room. They passed some cots of sleeping witches and wizards. A few were up playing cards quietly. It was around 1 am, too late to be fully awake, too early to not be paranoid.
The order of the Phoenix under Albus Dumbledore had been losing as far as Severus Snape was concerned. They had lost so many it was hard to keep up. Many had just sworn fealty to Voldemort to save their lives. Wise choices in Severus Snapes opinion. There was no point in resisting until now.
Severus and Harry were led through a hall full of suspicious paintings of older looking witches and witches who looked at him with disgust. They ended the parade of endless disappointment at the back of the shack where she opened a big wooden door.
"Someone is here to see you Albus." Molly said gently into the room. The room had a big round table with a large map that was a magically projected. The map appeared to be Hogwarts and the small town of Hogsmeade nearby. For a moment Severus thought about what they could be planning and then realized it no longer mattered. All that mattered was getting the boy to safety and staying alive long enough to keep him safe. Albus looked tired but as thoughtful as ever. He wore a long blue robe. Albus’s face did not even have a hint of the disappointment and resentment that everyone else in the shack seemed to have. Still awake planning it seemed. Albus just looked at Snape curiously and got up from his seat.
Albus came out to the hallway and seeing Severus said," she is safe, we do not have another meeting for a month, why are you here."
"She is dead!" Severus said bluntly with no emotion. He almost lost his grip on himself but reined in the flood of emotions.
"My word, are you sure? Molly alert the order. We must get eyes on the other child. Send someone to Godric’s Hollow." Albus said and peaked back in the room, “He-who-must-not-be-named is on the move he has struck the Potters. Get the Moody on the line and check on the Longbottom’s.”
"He has probably already found the other, but this one will stay in my charge." Severus said cuttingly.
Albus cocked his head to the side looking at Severus again, " this one?"
Severus uncovered Harry's small sleeping head. A sharp wound in the shape of a lightning bolt, that looked angry was on his head.
"Is that Lily's?" Albus asked quizzingly.
"Yes, she has left him in my care, I intend to eliminate all threats to him. So do not even think of the order or the ministry taking custody." Severus said this with passion that could leave no question.
"Severus, he has family, Lily had a muggle sister Petunia I believe." Albus said kindly.
"She cannot protect the boy from the threat that is against him Albus. Only I can. The order failed to protect her; I am the only one now who can." Severus had to take a deep breath to keep his grip on himself. These emotions were new and painful.
"I... are you sure...Severus I want to believe that you have found your way but this, he is a child, he will need you more than you can ever know."
"I will do whatever it takes."
Albus shook his head, " very well, do you know anything more?”
“There was a great hole is his home, I’m not sure how he survived.” Severus stated plainly.
Just then Minerva McGonagall came out of the room “Albus the Longbottom’s are fine. We just received word they have not had any suspicious activity. We have eyes on Godric’s Hallow as well. The watch there, Lily, and James have all been lost. We have no eyes on the boy. Do you think he-who-must-not-be-named took him?” She eyed Severus wearily.
Minerva was an incredibly talented witch with absolutely no taste for Severus Snape. She wouldn’t like him though she was a Gryffindor naturally.
“No I think we do not need to worry about the Dark Lord getting ahold of Harry Potter, it seems he is in solid hands.” Albus said side eying Severus.
Minerva glanced again at Severus, then back to Albus, then again at Severus only then seeing that Severus seemed a great deal plumper than usual, “Oh…ummm….okay….what?” Minerva looked anxiously between them.
Albus seemed like he knew how to choose his battles and walked back into the study. Minerva and Severus followed. Then the voice of Millicent Bagnold rang throughout the room as if in everyone’s head at once. “Voldemort is Dead. Perished attempting to murder Harry Potter. The wizarding world has won, the war is over. Thank you”
A moment passed when all was silent. Then as suddenly as the silence had come the Great cheers came breaking out all around the shack. Severus did not cheer, however, he wondered. How did they know? Did they know his plans? And when the plan failed did, they just assume he was dead? Severus looked at little Harry who seemed utterly oblivious but somehow warm and happy. Severus examined his scar. How did Voldemort hit him but not kill him? Then he realized it was Lily she somehow ended the Dark Lord. But how. She was a brilliant witch he knew of course they studied together.
Even her death seemed to knock the wind out of Severus like the first time he saw her. Lily had somhow sacrificed herself for her baby and killed the Dark Lord all in one night. Severus had to wipe a tear away as the emotions of pride and sorrow seemed to be overwhelming.
Severus realized this made him an orphan again too. For so long the only place he had known was by the Dark Lords’ side. He needed a place that was safe. “Help us Albus, tell me where to go. You know he will be back. The ministry cannot be trusted.”
“The only safe place is far from here Severus. Take him to be raised outside the wizarding world to your father’s old home.” Albus said confidently.
“I would rather die; the place is a mess no one has lived there since he died. You want us to live as muggles?” Snape spat.
Minerva’s eyes widened and she turned to give them space. It seemed to her that this was all a very bad idea.
Albus looked at Severus with that grandfathering look that gave him a wisdom Severus was not sure he had. “You know I am right Severus the boy will be famous. There will be nowhere he can go in our world where he is not known. He will be known throughout our world as the boy who lived.” Albus spoke softer now, “You need space from our world as well Severus. This way you can come to terms with….” Albus thought better to say something else,” everything that has happened.”
“Fine.” Severus spat.” But do not forget our arrangement. The order failed to keep Lily safe. I expect every protection to be afforded to the only piece of her that is left.” Severus glanced at Harry, then bundled him tighter and left the celebrating shack without another word.
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In another place far from the shrieking shack another baby boy with white hair cried hard. He cried until his eyes felt like they had no more tears, his throat was sore, and he lost all hope. Then a house elf named Dobby came in with a pop. "Dobby is sorry little master, Dobby came as soon as I could." He held the boy and gave him a bottle. "Master is safe now, every punishment is worth protecting you my little friend."