Severus was nervously sitting on the couch with James. It wasn’t that he had not been enjoying the TV program that James had put on, it was some sort of chemistry lab show for children, and he greatly enjoyed the links he could draw to potions. But Lily seemed to take forever putting Harry down for the night. Severus still did not feel comfortable being alone with James. This man did continue to confuse him more and more. It had been a while since James had lashed out at him at all. The worst he had heard for a while were reminders that the boy was expected to listen to him and Lily.
While Severus was starting to consider leaving the room anyway, the door was suddenly violently opened. Before Severus had time to process, James had literally jumped off the couch and pulled Sev up to stand right behind him, so he was completely shielded by the man.
Just a second later James let go of the boy though. As he looked around, Sev saw that James was still holding his wand up and breathing heavy, but otherwise seemed to relax now that he saw who had entered in such a rush.
Sirius had practically stormed in, carrying a lump of rags over his shoulder. Padfoot did not seem to be in good shape though. There was blood clearly visible on his wand arm. There were scratches all over his skin and his clothes looked torn and dirty even burned.
The lump over his shoulders was turning out to be a child, probably a girl if her long black curly hair was anything to go by. Severus recognized that she wore a wizard’s robe but she and her clothes even her hair were definitely not in the best condition. Severus was still trying to process the scene in front of him and what had just happened when James turned to him.
“Severus can you please go get Lily, tell her to just bring Harry back down if she has to. Will you Lad?”
Sev shook his head once just to be able to even process what James had said but then gladly left this strange situation.
Prongs turned back to his friend as soon as Severus started walking. “What happened, you look terrible.”
“Later, I fear I feel like crap and will need Lily’s help first, probably not just for myself.” As he responded to James Sirius dropped the child laying over his shoulder to the floor. James instantly noticed that she had to be young. Even younger than Severus was at the time being. Because even though she must have just gone thru hell, her robe had been expensive, she seemed well fed and taken care of. Yet she was still about half a head smaller than Severus.
James watched how Sirius grabbed the girl by her collar when she tried to run for the door. While Sirius only seemed bored by it, this the girl clearly became furious.
“Let me go you stinking blood traitor, I know everything about you I heard your mother telling mine. And my family will make you regret this.” The child was yelling at him now, while openly struggling against his hold on her robe.
Sirius only laughed “let them try, they can’t be worse than mine”
Without even loosening his hold, his focus shifted back to an even more confused James. He quietly mimed “later”.
As soon as Lily saw the shape Sirius was in, she rushed down the last few steps and to his side. Severus was slowly coming down behind her. After examining her friend for a moment, she looked at the still struggling child beside him. There were burn marks on both their clothes. And plenty of evidence that both had been involved into a battle.
“I have to fetch a few things. Sit down please, I’ll be right back. And then I will fix both of you as best as I can.” She rushed back upstairs as soon as she had said this.
After Lily left, the child suddenly focused on James. “You’re the Potter brat, right?” Severus took a step back again. Her dislike was obvious right now, and James was not one to handle such insolence well. But the man surprised him with a pretty controlled response: “I’m James Potter, if that’s what you mean. And with whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?” Anyone could have caught the irony in James voice, he clearly did not regard it as a pleasure.
“Cassidy Prince, pleased to meet you.” The response was obviously trained, it came out automatically, and she did not seem pleased at all.
After this the girl seemed to ponder for a while, before she opened her mouth again.
“You married a Mudblood, Father says you are wasting decent blood and magic, I won’t let her touch me…”
As soon as Severus heard that word, his mind was going into overdrive. That stupid prat had just insulted Lily without even knowing her. There was no way he could allow that without responding. Before he even realized what he was doing he had pushed that bitch out of Sirius grasp straight to the floor. As his fists were pounding into that brat, he realized that at least he had shut her up before she could swear even more about Lily. “Don’t you dare to call Lily that! Don’t you ever dare to!” He screamed at her at the top of his lungs while still pounding into her and trying to evade any attempt she made to push him off of her. Then suddenly he was lifted off her from behind. As he was trying to free himself, he eventually realized that James grasp on him was too strong to free himself of it. As he looked over to the brat, he saw how Sirius helped her up only to grab her by the collar again.
When Lily came back Severus was still struggling against James’s hold. Lily took a look around the room and did not seem pleased when she opened her mouth to speak. “What is going on here? No wait, that can wait till after you two are fixed up.” With the last words she indicated Sirius to sit on the couch with the now even more messed up child beside him. While Lily stepped towards them, she did fix Severus with a stern look until he stopped his struggles against James.
As Lily was busy healing Sirius wounds James kneeled down in front of a now practically frozen Severus. "Listen lad, I understand why you did it, I feel the same urge, but we can't go around using violence to solve our problems. Lily would kill us"
Was James serious? Did James truly feel the same way? Or was this just some sort of trick? Although he had gotten rather nasty with him at first and was now different. So, it might be possible the man did not consider himself perfect. But Sev wasn’t willing to believe this, still it was food for thought.
Severus was certain though Lily wouldn’t kill them. James probably just meant she would be furious. If so, what would happen to him now? There was no question right now she was not pleased with him. Everything going on left Severus quite nervous about what would happen. He was truly hoping that the corner was actually the worst he would have to fear here.
It took a while and by now James and Sev just stood there silently watching Lily work, but finally Sirius seemed to have been healed at least to a level that Lily deemed acceptable. “So, that’s the best I can do, now go upstairs and get yourself cleaned up, before you leave that dirt and sot everywhere.” The man was sporting a mischievous grin but nodded and did leave in the direction of the bathroom.
“Well let’s get you healed, as well.” Lily gently approached Cassidy only to take a step back as the girl jumped off the couch where she had been put next to Sirius.
“I won’t allow a Mudblood to touch me! Father would be de… det… dete… He wouldn’t allow it.”
Hearing the contempt in those words James took a gentle hold of Severus shoulders who flinched at first, only to have a completely confused look just a second later.
“Don’t, believe me I feel just like you, but we have to trust Lily to handle it herself. Can you do that?”
Severus slowly nodded. He didn’t like it but Lily’s expression, when she had come back, had made it clear. She was not pleased right now. While Sirius seemed to be accustomed to that expression, Severus felt terrible every time it had been directed at him. Not that this had happened often in the past. But it had terrified him each time it did.
As Severus focused back on Lily, he saw that her sour face was now directed towards the strange girl.
“Enough, I understand that everything must be a lot to take in right now. But you must have become aware that your father and mother’s opinion are not appreciated in this house, so kindly keep it to yourself. And refrain from using either of those words. Now your injuries do need to get treated I am your best choice while you are here. So, sit back down and let me do what needs to be done.” After she had said her piece in a strangely low tone, shivers ran down Severus back. He was suddenly glad that James had held him back. The boy was now certain he would never want to have to face an angry Lily. Just as certain that he was that so far this and the situation with Sirius at dinner had probably been the only times he had actually seen her truly angry.
Severus watched as the girl swallowed and looked around the room now obviously scared and uncertain. But after a moment she sat quietly down and held her tongue as Lily worked on assessing the damage and fixing it afterwards.
Lily was still working on Cassidy when a much cleaner Sirius reappeared and after taking one glance at the child’s stressed face magically locked the door.
Once Lily was done with it, she called Severus over and started examining his injuries. Thought other than a few scratches in his face only his knuckles showed any damage. As Lily looked at his hands, He realized that they actually hurt. But that did not matter for long because when Lily looked back at him it was clear, she had a good guess of what had happened, and she was definitely not pleased with him defending her. Severus became quite puzzled as Lily gently healed his injuries anyway. It made no sense, why would she be so careful in healing his injuries when she did not approve of his actions? After all, couldn’t they be seen as his rightful punishment for hitting that brat?
It did not take long, for Sev to be healed up though. Once that was the case Lily handed her wand to James and then took a hold of Severus’ hands sitting down on the living room table before him.
“Severus, can you tell me what happened while I was gone? Please be honest.”
The boy became terribly nervous. She was not pleased without knowing what had happened. James was probably right Lily most likely wouldn’t like him hitting. But it had been for a good cause, it was about her after all.
“She said something really bad about you, I couldn’t just let her get away with that. So, I gave her what she deserved.”
“You mean, you beat her?” The disappointment in Lily’s eyes was more than he could take. It took all his strength not to start crying just over that.
“Severus?” The boy started to realize that he would not get away without answering here. But the lump in his throat wouldn’t let him speak. It was so obvious; he had disappointed her again. Eventually she would realize that he was more trouble than he was worth. That thought terrified him, in a way Lily was the best thing that had happened to him. Especially now since his mother probably had decided that he was not worth all that stress. Even though he could hardly believe that the evidence there was overwhelming.
“Severus, I would like an answer.” While Lily’s voice was not raised at all, it did have a certain warning edge to it now. Severus swallowed and did try to answer her, but he could not get a word out. So, he mustered up all his courage and slowly nodded his head yes.
Lily kept looking at him for a while, which was making him even more nervous. Eventually she sighed and gently pushed his chin up until he was practically forced to look her in the eyes. Severus was now shaking. So far, she had not hurt him, neither of them had actually. Except for James earlier but even that had not been bad, and if hurting him had been the man’s intent he would not have pulled him behind him. No James had obviously feared danger and for whatever reason had chosen to protect Severus. Which was something that the boy definitely needed to think about later.
Sev was suddenly pulled out of his thoughts, by Lily’s stern voice.
“Severus, I need you to listen now. Just because someone calls us bad names, we can not hurt them. It is not right to hurt others like that, do you understand me?”
“But she called you that word, I couldn’t let her!” He needed Lily to understand, nobody got to say she was any less. No if anything Lily was better than all of them, maybe even his mother.
“That does not excuse you hitting someone, do you understand that? Violence is only appropriate if you have to defend yourself or someone else against a physical attack, not for just words, okay?”
Severus nodded. No, he did not understand, but it was obvious Lily felt strongly about this. So, it was probably better to just agree.
“Severus, I mean it, we and that includes you, do not choose to attack others, I will not have it.”
Severus couldn’t take it anymore and therefore chose to look at James and Sirius.
It was odd, Lily was obviously disappointed with him. Yet James was slightly smiling at him, as if the whole situation wasn’t as bad as it seemed. Sirius even gave him a thumbs up when he saw the boy was looking. He was instantly stopped by James who just pushed his hand down. But that didn’t stop Sirius from making a high five gesture. Sev had seen other children at school doing that, so he knew this was supposed to be a good sign. Again, James made a move to stop him though. This was all rather confusing.
He was aware that James and Sirius didn’t like him, so why were they acting like what he did was understandable, maybe even good, and Lily who had been so kind to him, seemed to really think he messed up.
All of a sudden Lily turned her head, following his focus.
The second the men were aware that she was looking they changed. It seemed they tried to act as if nothing had happened, but the grins that were plastered on their faces couldn’t fool anyone.
“Seriously, you two are impossible! You cannot encourage this kind of behavior! Honestly James, I thought you had grown out of this, and it’s about time you do too Sirius!” Lily’s tone was slightly raised as she suddenly approached the two men.
While looking at her, Sirius started laughing without any warning. Even Lily and James seemed confused about this. It took a moment for the man to calm down enough to be able to talk.
“Am I really the only one seeing the irony in this?”
Just seconds after this, all three adults were laughing confusing Severus even more. He had the strong feeling now, that he was missing information here.
Severus watched the adults with confusion. What was suddenly so funny about this situation? Lily had been so upset with him just a moment ago. She had obviously not liked the men’s actions either so what had them laughing now?
Before the Boy had a chance to figure it out or even find a likely theory, the girl at the other end of the couch suddenly got up quiet and slowly, doing everything to stay out of sight. Still, it did not take long for Severus to understand, where she was heading, the door. So, she intended to leave. Just for a second, he considered if he should say something. The condition she had been in didn’t indicate that she had been safe before. But Severus instantly pushed that thought to the side. He did not like her; she had insulted Lily and even worse it had made Lily upset with him. So, if that brat chose to leave, that was her choice, it was hardly his problem if that was safe for her. So, he leaned back into the sofa and suddenly realized that the TV was still running, even though it had been forgotten until now. As the adults made no sense right now anyway, he attempted to focus on the show that was running now.
It didn’t take long for Lily’s attention to shift to the child sneaking around the room. This stopped her laughter, which resulted in the same reaction for both men who followed her view. Sirius thought just shrugged after a moment. “Don’t worry, I spelled the door shut earlier. Didn’t think she would feel comfortable enough not to try to run.” This appeared to calm both James’s and Lily’s worries.
Severus attention shifted fully back to the adults when he heard James talking. “So, what happened?” Yes, the boy definitely wanted to hear the answer. But he instantly remembered that Lily and James didn’t speak about the war in front of him, not normally. In order to appear distracted he forced himself to look at the TV instead of them. But he did notice Lily looking at him and then the girl, who was currently attempting to open the door.
“Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this in front of the children.” Her concern was obvious in her voice. She did not like the thought of it. Severus wanted to look at her and try to understand more thru her expression, but he managed to keep his eyes on the TV. If he wanted to listen, he better made her believe that he was not listening.
“We could send Severus upstairs, but I doubt it would make much sense to exclude her, she was there, she probably knows more than Sirius. We might need her. Plus, I don’t think leaving her alone anywhere would be smart.” James’s voice was so low, Severus had to concentrate to hear what he said. Lily responded at first only by nodding her head. Which of course went unnoticed by a Severus who impatiently strained his hearing to find out what everyone else said.
“Especially not with Sev.”
Hearing Lily say that, instantly reminded Severus of how upset she had been with him. He was certain he only got away with just her stern words, because the men had distracted her. Which meant he needed to be as invisible as possible. Her mentioning this also let him know, that she still remembered. That meant she could still decide to punish him for it. Severus instantly decided that his best course of action right now was to attempt to stay invisible. He did want to hear what had happened. But he understood challenging Lily or trying to eavesdrop could have serious consequences for him right now.
They could hardly blame him, if they chose to speak with him in the room, at least he dared to hope that with them.
Neither James nor Lily had been pleased when they had caught him listening to their conversation the last time. But then they had thought him in bed, so he could hope this time. He dared to allow himself this hope.
Also, just the thought of not getting to listen created a strange rage within him. This stupid girl was certainly younger than him. If she got to be here, so should he. Anything else would not be fair. But then again life was rarely fair or just. Especially not for him.
Severus got pulled out of his musing, when Lily unexpectedly appeared next to him. “Hey what are you watching?” Sev chanced a glance at Lily. And even though he knew it was not an acceptable response he shrugged. He needed to figure out what to say. Sure, he had had his eyes trained on the TV but he had been completely focused on their conversation. That was until his thoughts had distracted him. He focused on the screen now, hoping he could figure out what it was faster than Lily who was currently observing the screen as well. It might not be realistic, but it was his best chance right now. He didn’t want to be sent away, but he feared how Lily might react if he told her no.
James had often enough pointed out that he was supposed to mind them.
Before Severus had a chance to figure out his next move, the two of them witnessed a shooting on the screen. Sev flinched without even wanting to, and Lily instantly put an arm around him while reaching for the Remote with her other hand. “Maybe you shouldn’t be watching this. Do you want to find something else, or shall I turn it off?” Lily’s voice was so gentle now, it confused Severus to no end. Not knowing what to respond he shrugged again. It wasn’t like he wanted to watch, he wanted to be able to listen. “Okay, then I will turn it off. Why don’t you go upstairs to read? Or play with Mrs. Plump in the garden room while we talk?”
“Because I don’t want to! I want to hear what happened I should get to I’m sure I’m older than she is, and you don’t want to send her away!” Severus did not like that she was attempting to send him away, but that didn’t mean he had intended to rant like this. He just didn’t like to be kept in the dark. And he truly hated the thought of this brat who must be at least a year younger than him being allowed to stay, when he wasn’t.
Still, the second he realized what he was doing he shut his mouth and pushed himself as far into the sofa as he could. Although that proved to be a ridiculous move, since Lily’s arm was still around him.
Severus now looked from one adult to the next and wondered what would happen. He knew he should have kept his temper. He knew he shouldn’t have raised his voice. And he sure as hell knew he should not have refused Lily’s request, shortly after he had been so lucky to get off so easy, with just a few stern words.
“Alright. By all means then…” Lily did not seem in any way pleased. But she gave in and didn’t even say a word about his rant. She only pushed him gently to the side, so she could take a seat beside him. Her arm stayed wrapped around his shoulder.
“Okay, so Sirius what happened today?”
James and Sirius now joined them, sort of. Sirius took a seat on the other chair and James actually sat on the arm of the couch putting his arm around Lily.
Severus saw how Sirius swallowed before starting his tale. “Today we were alerted of several Death eater attacks all of them happening at practically the same time. So, we divided up and tried to save what could be saved. Well, a couple of us apparated to Prince manor. The dark mark was nowhere to be seen, but honestly the place already looked like a warzone and there was fire everywhere. We started battling against the attackers. They left after a few attempts on us. So, we finally got to look around. It was terrible, everything destroyed and no sings of any survivors, that is until I saw my cousin moving towards the woods. I went after her and well. This one was running thru them, and my dear cousin had nothing better to do then to attempt to kadavra a child. She focused on me as soon as she noticed me though. And well you saw the result, but at least I managed to disarm her. She activated some portkey after I stepped on her wand. I wanted to go after her, but the kid didn’t seem in good shape. When I got to her, she ran though. Once I got hold of her, I came straight to you guys. Thought you needed to know. As far as I know they practically wiped out the Prince family.”
As Padfoot was speaking Severus was suddenly glad, that Lily was holding him, although it made him even more worried when her grip on him tightened as Sirius told his tale. The room was entirely quiet now. Severus chanced a glance at the girl. She was leaning with her back to the door now. Apparently, she had started to listen as well. She looked utterly terrified but before Severus could truly start to process, she suddenly ran to Sirius. “What happened to mother and father? Where are they?”
Now that she was facing Sirius, she had her back turned to the other three. But her voice sounded desperate. And Sirius face turned white at her questions. Severus saw how Sirius alternated his eyes from Lily to James and back, after a few times the man took a glance at the girl in front of him and then looked to Lily again. He swallowed several times. Looked back at the girl and swallowed again.
As the man was still white as a sheet and yet had to find his voice, Severus figured he knew the answer. Sirius had said there had not been any survivors. Hence everyone who had been there was probably dead.
“Do you know where they were when those people came?” Severus had not seen Sirius this serious so far. It seemed to be the first time he saw this man, without the slightest hint of mischievousness.
“Mother wanted to write a letter to her cousin, she writes in the sunroom. Father and I were outside, he got me a new broom but I am only allowed to fly when he is there with me. Father told me to run and not look back, why did he do that?” Severus thought that question was stupid, if there was a war and someone attacked, there was only one reason to tell someone to run. Sirius seemed to lose even more color, so far Severus would have not considered that possible, but the man had proven him wrong. The boy chanced a glance at Lily and even James. Their faces only confirmed his suspicion. They obviously expected the worst now and they knew Sirius well. Sev didn’t know what to think now, sure he hated this brat, but she obviously loved her parents, just as much as he loved his mother. No, he would have wished her something bad, but nothing this bad.
There seemed to be an endless silence, with everyone swallowing a few times. The girl looked around now, she was obviously panicking, but didn’t even seem to have the slightest idea what to do.
“Sweetheart I don’t think anyone here knows for sure yet. After all Sirius brought you here before he could check with the others. Maybe you should go and check with Albus and let him know what happened. We will all be safe here.” It was Lily who eventually spoke. Severus thought her voice sounded tired, almost broken. Unlike before the girl just silently looked at Lily, it seemed like she was putting together what no-one dared to say. Her father had sent her away because that at the time was his only hope to safe her life.
Severus had known the Potters were hiding because of a war, it scared him to realize it was actually happening. The Potters obviously weren’t the only ones in danger.
Although Sirius had nodded, when Lily had addressed him, he had yet to stand up.
“Okay, I guess your right, should I bring anything when I come back?”
In Severus opinion, Sirius appeared at least 10 years older right now and mostly clueless.
“A couple of sets of clothes for her, I guess. But it would probably be better to go to a muggle store, you might want to ask Andromeda for help, you don’t want to draw attention. But now you better get to Albus. Stay safe.”
Severus watched fascinated as all of the adults rose and actually hugged each other even the men.
When Sirius went to the door, the girl suddenly jumped into action again.
“I am not staying here; father would never allow it.” With those words she rushed to the door where Sirius had his wand out. “You will, at least until we have a better plan, it’s the safest option and I will not risk a child’s life, forget it.” The man seemed uncertain how to respond, Sev thought he had a point though. But the girl did not seem to agree. “No! father would not allow it!” How could what her father thought matter more than her life right now? Suddenly the boy noticed that Lily let go of him and stood up. He instantly took an uncertain look towards James, right now the man was a little too close for his liking, but he figured he would have had several chances to hurt him tonight, so he stayed where he was. When the boy looked at Lily, she was standing behind the girl and put her hands on the brat’s shoulders. Cassidy seemed to attempt to shake her off with no luck.
“Just go Sirius, there is no point in discussing this.” Lily spoke in a strange tone. She seemed stressed, and it was a clear order. She was still forcefully holding the brat back.
“No!” “Alright bye, kiss Harry from me.” After one look to the now screaming girl, Sirius had lifted his hand, in a waving gesture and then spelled the door open, before he slipped out. Lily kept a death grip around the girl’s wrist while she seemed to be looking for something with her other hand. She suddenly turned to James. “Spell the door shut.” Only after James had indeed done some spell, did Lily let go of the struggling child. Severus almost felt sorry for her, when she instantly ran to the door and desperately tried to open it.
Severus suddenly realized that Lily was sitting back down beside him. She seemed to still be focused on the girl, when she hugged him to her side. The boy knew it was highly inappropriate, yet he couldn’t help to lean into her and cherish the feeling it created within him.
“You ok.” Lily’s question surprised him quite a bit. He had to consider it for a moment, while he did so, he looked at her as if her face could convey how he should respond.
Eventually he tentatively nodded. Yes, he had a lot to think about, but he figured he was okay. Confused but okay.
Lily’s attention shifted to him for a moment, which did not settle too well with Severus. While Lily did not appear angry, she did seem tired and thoughtful. Just when the boy started to fear that he might have given the wrong answer, Lily nodded slightly and then actually kissed him onto his head.
“Alright, why don’t you go upstairs then, get washed up and ready for bed? I’ll come and tuck you in when its time.” Severus nodded, and then slowly got up to leave the room. At this moment he was so confused, that he appreciated the time to contemplate what all had occurred lately and what it meant for him. Just as he walked upstairs a terrible thought occurred to him. Could it be that his mother had been attacked and nobody had known? It would have made sense, if his father just left him, if she was gone.
Once Severus was out of the room Lily leaned into James’s front for a moment. The man responded by handing her her own wand and then putting both his arms around her waist. Both where currently watching Cassidy who was slowly giving up on her struggle against the door.
After a moment the child seemed to have opted for hiding for now. As Cassidy squeezed herself into a corner, as ridiculous as it was, considering both adults where watching her, James held his wife tighter for just a moment. “I’ll sort out a room for her. I’ll make sure to be back down before Severus’s bedtime.” Lily nodded, held his hand for just a moment but then let him go.
After James had left Lily waited a few more minutes. The child still seemed quite scared, not that anyone could blame her. But she also appeared much calmer, quiet and observing at the moment.
Eventually Lily got up and sat down against the wall near the corner where the child was hiding, being careful not to come too close. “Hey how about some hot chocolate, and then we will get you cleaned up I’m sure that would make you much more comfortable.” Lily waited quietly for the girl to think about the offer and hopefully respond.
It took quite a while and Cassidy was obviously struggling with herself but eventually she opened her mouth. “I cannot, mother says I’m not allowed sweets after dinner.” The disappointment was obvious in the child’s voice. Lily was taken aback with this response, what child refused a treat? Especially if they had the best chance ever to get away with it. But the redhead did not show her surprise instead she just adapted the offer. “Well then how about a cup of tea? Something nice and calming?” The girl was again just pondering but then eventually did nod her agreement.
This evening Lily and James would have a lot to discuss, although it would most likely be a while till they’d get a chance to.