The Plan
-October 1 1991-
Lucius exited the New Ministry with a victorious smirk on his face. His Lord had been most gracious when he offered him a chance to bring Little One home, one that Lucius had immediately accepted. It was a brilliant plan, of course, and all they had to do now was wait.
When Lucius first heard that Little One had been taken, his first thought was,’Merlin save those souls’, because he knew that they would die a slow, and agonizing death. But as the days passed, Lucius found himself hoping for their suffering.
It had been exactly six days since Little One was taken, and the rapid devolution of his Lord was alarming. For the first few days, his Lord acted calmly, if a bit agitated. But as the days continued, and the search for Little One yielded nothing, the Dark Lord seemed to revert back to the Dark Lord that Lucius was terrified of. The one that had won the war and the respect of the proud Pure-Blood Wizards.
And, as loathe he was to admit it, Lucius kind of missed the creature. Lucius wasn’t used to admitting such feelings, and as the Lord to an Ancient and Noble House, such things were below him. Yet, each day he passed through the kitchen to see an empty vase on the table, Lucius felt a hollow pang in his chest.
He had gotten quite used to seeing Little One weekly, and watching as the adorable toddler handed everyone flowers. Lucius had gotten close---as close as a Pure-Blood Lord could, anyway---to the Inferius these past seven years. Not to mention, his dearest Wife loved the thing.
It was a struggle to see Narcissa stare forlornly at the empty vase, see her wish for the child to return. Lucius knew that Narcissa cared for Little One like one of her own, knew that Draco saw Little One as a little brother. And if there was one thing Lucius didn’t stand for, it was hurting his family.
And so, the chance to bring Little One home was too good of an offer to pass up.
Lucius felt that it was a brilliant plan, one that wouldn’t expose Little One’s existence to the public but still work effectively. With brilliant planning and the tiniest amount of luck, Little One should be home in time for dinner.
Lucius apparated back to Malfoy Manor, his icy facade breaking just a bit to reveal a triumphant smirk hidden underneath.
Severus knew that it was only a matter of time before it happened. To be honest, he was surprised it took as long as it did. Perhaps having that mangy mutt and his dog had helped calm him down and keep him docile, but six days… No, it was too much for the child.
Severus had been called to the Order’s Headquarters earlier this morning, and he showed no signs of stopping.
“Please!” Black cried, his dark eyes wide and pleading. “Just calm down! Are you hungry? I can get you some food!”
“He’s not listening!” Molly cried, her face as red as her hair while she wrung her hands anxiously. Severus bit back an exhausted sigh.
“Please, Harry, please stop crying!” Black tried again. “I don’t know what you want? Please, just talk to us!”
According to Black, Little One’s suspicion had finally overtaken his friendliness. He was suspicious of the entire Order, save for Black and Lupin, and refused to go anywhere near them. After six days of nonstop cuddling and coddling, Black was beside himself with worry.
Severus knew exactly what was wrong with him, but watching the Order scramble like a bunch of adolescent children brought Severus great entertainment.
The floor flared to life and Moody stepped through, his magical eye boring a hole into the back of Little One’s head. “How long?” he asked gruffly.
“All night,” Black said, and the bags under his eyes confirmed his statement. “I just don’t know what’s wrong with him! He won’t come near anyone and anytime we get close he just…”
“Throws a tantrum.” Molly cuts in, her eyes darting between the Inferius huddled up in a ball in the corner, and the gruff auror by the fireplace.
“What did you do, Black?” Moody asked, raising an eyebrow at the disheveled animagus. Black only growled at him.
“I didn’t do anything!” he snapped. “I don’t know what happened! He won’t talk to me!”
Severus sighed, and he knew he needed to intervene before those idiots did something drastic. Severus stepped forward, ignoring the strange looks (and glares) he received from the frazzled Order members, and bent down so that he was eye level with Little One.
He was curled in on himself in the corner of the living room, his arms holding his knees to his chest. He was crying quietly, barely making any sound save for the sniffles and hushed sobs. His hair was messier than usual and tear tracks stained his cheeks.
“Little One,” he whispered softly. Little One relaxed ever so slightly. “What’s going on?”
“Don’t call him that!” Black snapped. “That’s not his name!”
“It’s the name he’s comfortable with!” Severus replied bitingly. “Can’t you see you’re making it worse?!”
Black’s eyes flared dangerously, but Lupin grabbed his arm and pulled him away ever so slightly. Severus smirked and turned back to face Little One, ignoring the holes Black was burning into the back of his head.
“Little One,” Severus tried again. “Why are you so upset? We can’t make it better if you don’t tell us.”
The Order held their breath as Little One uncurled slightly, tilting his head so that his emerald eyes locked with Severus. Severus plastered the most welcoming and gentle smile on his face that he could muster, ignoring the wide-eyes from the idiot Order members.
In a soft, child-like voice, Little One whispered. “Wan’ Papa.”
The Order froze, their eyes wide with horror while Severus sighed. “He wanted us to take care of you.” he tried, hoping to soothe the child’s fear.
It didn’t work.
Little One’s lower lip wobbled as his eyes filled with tears He sucked in a harsh breath only to sob it out. “You lying!” he whisper-shouted.
To be honest, if he weren’t desperate to calm the child down, he would be impressed. That was the loudest Severus had ever heard Little One speak. “Little One…” Severus said softly.
“Home.” Little One said in between gasps. “I go home now.”
Severus opened his mouth to say more when Moody interrupted him, his harsh voice causing Little One to jump. “Kitchen. Now.”
Severus looked at Little One, his eyes full of regret and sorrow. He never wanted this to happen. As the Order members shuffled awkwardly out of the room, Severus leaned forward to whisper at the child.
“I’m so sorry, Little One,” he said softly, making sure that no one but Little One could hear him. “I tried to protect you. Please, forgive me.”
“I wan’ my Papa.” Little One whined, his hand reaching up to tug on his hair nervously.
“I’m going to try my best to get you home,” Severus promised, his eyes darting up quickly to make sure that no one heard him. Black and Lupin stood by the door, Black’s arms crossed and his eyes narrowed suspiciously, but no more than usual. They couldn’t hear him. “But I need you to promise me something.”
Little One tilted his head to the right gently. “P’womise?”
Severus nodded. “Please, don’t tell your… Don’t tell your Papa I brought you here.” he said. “It’s a secret.”
Little One’s eyes lit up at the prospect. Severus knew that Draco had taught Little One that word, and what little guilt Severus felt at manipulating the child was overshadowed by his survival instincts. If Little One thought keeping secrets was a game, then he was less likely to tell the Dark Lord who kidnapped him. A sad price to pay, but a necessary evil indeed.
“Snape.” Black growled, clearly done with Severus bonding with his precious godson.
Severus sighed and stood up, brushing the dirt off his robes with elegant grace. He pointedly looked away from Black’s snarling face as he passed him, only to be jerked back by a strong grip on his forearm.
“Black.” Severus raised an eyebrow as he looked down to the hand on his arm. “Remove your appendage if you wish to keep it.”
“Stay away from Harry,” Black snapped. “He doesn’t need you anywhere near him.”
“Seeing as I was the one to calm him down,” Severus replied bitingly, smirking at the wince of pain that flashed through Black’s eyes. “I think he does. More than he needs you anyway.”
Black snarled, his face contorting with rage, but Lupin quickly put his hand on Black’s shoulder, effectively silencing the man. “Thank you for your help, Severus.” Lupin said softly, his eyes full of weary gratitude. Severus sneered.
“Keep a leash on your mutt,” he snapped. “Wouldn’t want to put him down.”
And with that, Severus walked briskly into the kitchen, his robes billowing behind him. He heard the couple follow in behind him, but Severus didn’t care to turn around. He sat down at the far end of the table, far away from the pair. He put on a disinterested expression and looked to Moody.
“We have to do something about that.” Moody said, his magic eye lazily glancing around the room, while his real one stared directly at Black. Severus smirked internally at the uncomfortable expression on the mutt’s face.
“About what?” he asked.
“That Inferius,” Moody said, ignoring the outraged expressions on Lupin, Black and Molly. “He’s a liability.”
“He’s a toddler!” Molly gasped.
“Yeah. The Dark Lord’s toddler,” Moody snapped. “We thought we were rescuing him when we took him! Does he look happy to be away from that man?”
It was silent for a moment as they took it all in. Severus wished he could say ‘I told you so’. It would improve his mood dramatically. “He’s just confused.” Black said finally. And there it is… Severus was wondering when Black would say that.
“Of course he wants to go back,” Tonks said, her hair turning an ugly shade of yellow. “He’s stuck in a place with strangers while the man that raised him isn’t here.”
Black growled. “That man didn’t raise him.”
“And what do you call housing, protecting, taking care of, and loving a child?” Severus asked. Black was spitting mad by now and his dangerous eyes held a mad glint in them.
“Kidnapping with extra steps.” he responded. Severus grinned lazily.
“Pot. Meet kettle.”
Black slammed his fists onto the table as he stood, his chair scraping against the floor loudly. “We did not kidnap him!” he snapped. “Harry just doesn’t understand yet! That’s all! He’s my godson, and it’s my job to protect him!”
“And who, exactly, are you protecting him from?” Severus asked. “Because to me, it looks like you kidnapped a child away from a loving parent because said parent happens to run the country in a way you don’t agree with.”
“Watch it, Snape!” Black snarled. “And I wasn’t the one who kidnapped him.”
“So you admit it’s kidnapping.”
“I’m just trying to protect him!” Black cried. “Don’t you see? Harry is my godson and I love him! He’s safe here!”
“But is he happy?”
The resounding silence was, for lack of a better word, loud. No one said anything, eyes looking pointedly away from Black’s upright figure. Black was staring daggers at Severus, but Severus could see the wheels turning behind them. Good. He’d instilled doubt. That was what he needed. He could work with this. If he could convince the Order that what they were doing was wrong, then he could bring Little One back easier.
However, just as Severus was about to deliver the final blow, Albus bloody Dumbledore walked in.
His face was grave, his blue eyes downcast as he entered the kitchen. As the door opened, Severus caught a glimpse of Little One, still huddled up in the corner. Dumbledore walked silently to the head of the table before he collapsed into the chair.
“Albus?” Molly asked quietly, her eyes searching the downtrodden man. “What’s happened?”
“Voldemort… Voldemort has made his move.” he said softly.
Everyone tensed and Severus could feel his muscles freeze at the notion. Dear Merlin… Why was he not informed of this? Did the Dark Lord no longer trust him? Has he figured out that Severus was the one who kidnapped Little One?
“What did he do?” Black asked, sinking back into his chair. All the fight from the previous minute has since left him, and all that was left was a broken man, desperate to keep the last of his friend’s memory with him.
“He has… issued a warrant for my arrest,” Dumbledore said softly. Gasps rang from around the table. “It is effective starting tomorrow unless…”
“Unless?” Molly asked.
“Unless… and I quote, his ‘property’ is returned safe and sound before the arrest is put into order.” Dumbledore said. Severus could see Black’s rage return to him.
“His property?” he snarled, righteous anger plastered all over his face. “That… that… bastard! How dare he?! Property?! Harry is not his property.”
“What are we going to do?” Tonks asked. “Somehow, I don’t think you’ll end up in a cushy prison cell if you’re caught.”
Dumbledore chuckled despite himself. “No, I don’t believe so,” he said. “I have no doubt of what will be done to me if I am arrested.”
“Are you going to go into hiding?” Molly asked. Dumbledore shook his head.
“If I am to leave Hogwarts, I can’t guarantee the children’s safety.” Dumbledore said. Severus fought back a scoff. Their safety? As if. The Dark Lord would not allow any harm to befall the children. Severus knew that what Dumbledore was really afraid of, was losing his power over the children and their ideals.
And the only way to ensure that he is neither arrested nor booted from Hogwarts…
“So… what are you going to do?” Black asked, a suspicious glint in his eyes. It appeared that the mutt came to the same conclusion Severus did.
Dumbledore’s eyes held something akin to sadness as he looked at him. “My dear boy…” he said softly.
Black’s eyes hardened. “No.” he said firmly, shaking his head. “No. No way.”
“Sirius…” Molly said, standing up and walking towards the man. He scooted away from her touch, shaking his head vigorously.
“We are not giving him Harry!” Black cried. “That’s crazy! We just got him back…”
“We don’t have another choice,” Dumbledore said gently. “We’re boxed in. We have no other options.”
“Yeah there is!” Black snapped. “You could get arrested! Boom! Problem solved!”
“Sirius!” Molly cried, aghast. Black was unrepentant. Dumbledore only shook his head sadly.
“I’m so sorry, my boy,” he said. “But right now, our best option is to return him. We need time to plan our next move before we retrieve him again.”
Severus snapped his head to the side, staring at Dumbledore incredulously. “You intend to kidnap the child again?!” he asked.
“Severus, we cannot allow Harry to fall into Voldemort’s hands.” he said. “Right now, our best option is to return him, find a way to counteract any attacks Voldemort might throw at us, and take Harry back when the opportunity presents itself.”
Sirius shook his head even harder. “No! Nope. No, that is not happening.”
“Surely you can’t be serious!” Severus said. “You saw that taking Little One from the Dark Lord is a bad idea! You know he’s not a weapon! Why on Earth would you involve a child in this?”
“Because Harry is so much more than just a child.” Dumbledore said cryptically.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean!?” Severus cried.
“It doesn’t matter because it’s not happening!” Black cried. Moody growled.
“You’ll get him back, Black,” Moody said. “It’s only for a little while. Stop whining.”
Black snarled wordlessly at the man but Moody only stared at him firmly. “This is… This is insane!” Black cried. “You realize this, right? This is bloody insane!”
“I know you're upset, Sirius,” Dumbledore said, holding his hands up in a placating manner. “But this truly is our best option. Please understand, I don’t want this either.”
“Then why---”
“Because if we don’t, then Voldemort will arrest me and take control of Hogwarts, and we can’t let that happen.” Dumbledore said. “We will not leave him, Sirius. I swear to you we will go back for him.”
Black only shakes his head and storms out of the room, Lupin sending one last reproachful glance at them before he follows. Dumbledore sighed before he walked out of the room, the rest of the Order following close behind.
Severus entered the foyer where Sirius was attempting to coax Little One out of the corner. He reached for him, only for Little One to shy away from him and sniffle. Severus sighed. “Little One.” he called. The Inferius turned to look at him. “Are you ready to see your Papa?”
Little One’s eyes lit up and he nodded in an exaggerated manner. “Go home now?” he asked, wiping his nose with his sleeve. Black looked at him with a pained expression and some tiny, infinitesimal part of Severus felt bad for the man. He’d lost his two best friends and his godson, only to get him back and then watch helplessly as he’s taken away again.
“Yes,” Dumbledore said, walking towards him. “I’ll take you to see your Papa.”
Little One stood up clumsily, tripping over his feet as he ran to Dumbledore with a smile on his face. “I go home now! See Papa!”
Dumbledore lifted the child up into his arms. He holds Little One to his chest, the distracted Inferius playing with his long beard, and looks at Sirius with regretful eyes. “We will get him back, Sirius,” he promises. “I swear it.”
Sirius just looks at Harry, his eyes filled with an unnamed emotion before he walks away. The door slams behind him and Lupin sighs, and presses a quick kiss to Little One’s temple before he follows after his idiotic lover. Dumbledore sighs sadly before his face steels with determination. He tightens his hold on Harry, and apparates away.