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Lucky Strike	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Sirius Views: 76008 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 17
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this strange dance in JK Rowling's world.

Chapter List
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- 23
- 24
Beta'd by the most amazing Tenchi, who I can't thank enough for all the hard work she does for me!

With help from Lynn who works with me when it comes to flow, continuity and other issues.

Just a reminder of what's on my profile: reviews complaining or whinging about the lack 'o sex in stories will get deleted. If you want a smut-filled romp, you need to find another story to read.

Chapter 22

“How did Albus explain what happened to Maggie?” Lily asked her husband after he came into their bedroom, shutting the door softly behind him. They hadn't been home long and their daughter was still highly upset and distressed over what happened. She supposed it was partially over the bit she saw with Harry, but it probably also had to do with the fact that all of them were obviously distressed over what they witnessed. As Albus was better at masking his emotions than they were, he was taking on working with Maggie to get her to calm down while the two of them had some time alone.
They were all—well—what they saw was horrifying. That's the only way to describe it. She and James needed time to themselves to deal with all that they had witnessed and come to grips with it. As she was still on the verge of tears, something she was desperately trying to keep her daughter from seeing, they thought it best that Maggie stay with Albus for a time so they could gather themselves and talk it over.
Coming over and conjuring a chair next to his wife's, James sat down then said, softly, eyes locked on the floor, “We thought it best to tell her that Harry is afraid of dogs. That's something she understands. He won't go into it further than that, but it's probably the truth. From what I overheard, she's upset because she thinks she caused what happened. Albus will handle it, nothing to worry about. You know him, Lily, he will get her calmed down. We talked and he's going to play some games with her to give us some time alone.”
Nodding to let her husband know she heard, Lily then sighed and looked at the floor. It was for the best that Albus handle Maggie for a while, of course. She just wanted time alone with her husband. Eyes burning again, she said, tone watery, “I never want to see something like that again in my life. It's—I've never felt so helpless! It didn't seem like there was anything anyone could do to stop it, James. And I don't want to imagine what brought it on.” Lowering her voice, tears starting to slip down her face, she hitched out, “He was staring at Bones until they took him away. The thought of what that might mean makes me sick.”
Standing, James then went over and sat on the arm of Lily's chair, slipping an arm around her and holding her close. Kissing her on the top of the head, he muttered, “I know. Trust me, I do. Standing there and watching that—it was almost more than I could take as well. Especially knowing that we set up what happened.” Shutting his eyes, hearing his wife sob softly, he shook his head and gave her a squeeze. “We'll make it all up to him, Lily, I swear we will. Somehow. Most of all, we'll protect him the best we can. I know he doesn't trust us. Shite, I can now understand why, but we'll protect him. It's the best we can do. He needs that.”
Dabbing her streaming eyes with a tissue, Lily sniffled then shook her head, unable to stop the tears. “We will. I don't care what it takes, we will. It's the least we can do.” Eyes lowered, she said, “Narcissa—what she said hit too close to home, James. It hurt, too. All of it. We're to blame. Whether we like it or not, we are. We—well, there is no excuse for what we did. I know why we thought it was for the best at the time. It was to protect Harry from what's coming. We just—we shouldn't have. Now we have to deal with it.” Not looking up, she asked, voice almost a whisper, “Do you think the kids wonder if we'll abandon them too? I never thought of that.”
“No,” James told her with a level, even tone that was firm. “They know we won't.”
“We did it to Harry. I know we didn't see it that way up until now, but, Merlin help us, we did,” she told him in a quaking voice. “We abandoned our son and ran.”
“I know,” James agreed, slumping at that finally sinking in. “The kids know better. They know, at least some, why and that the circumstances now are different.”
“I think we need to back off pressing to see Harry,” Lily finally admitted. “Let him get his problems under some form of control before we make a move in that direction. That and do what we can to help them.”
Though not liking that thought, wanting his son in his life, no matter how troubled he was, James gave the barest of nods, “For now, we won't mention that. The next meeting we have with Remus and Snape, we'll offer to do what we can for Harry. We just won't mention seeing him again. At least for a while.”
“I wonder how he is,” Lily sighed. “They mentioned surgery. I mean, we saw how bad he was bleeding. So, I want to know.”
Wondering the same thing himself, James sighed once more. Thinking it over, he said, “I'll say something to Albus. He's not popular right now, but he still has contacts, so he might be able to find out. I don't know. Minerva might hear as Draco was there. Albus might want to ask her as I'm sure Draco will say something.”
“My poor boy,” Lily said brokenly before she started to sob. “Poor Harry. I wish he knew how much we loved him.”
“I do, too,'' James told her, voice uneven. Feeling his own eyes burn, he held his wife close. “Someday we'll be able to tell him how much we love him or he'll understand. We will. That I swear.” He did, too. There had to be a way and he would find it. Until then, they would prove to Harry just how much they loved him. He didn't care what it took, his son would know.

Sitting by his son's bedside after bringing him home from the hospital, Severus was stroking Harry's head gently. Of course, as anyone would expect, Harry was sleeping. He was drugged enough with pain killing draughts that he was out cold. For the next couple of days, as what was repaired healed, Harry would stay that way for the most part. Though Harry didn't know he was here, Severus wanted to remain. Like normal after such incidents, Harry had wanted him there to give him the draughts and stay until he went to sleep. That was fine and Severus took no issue with that. Usually, once Harry was out, he left to tend to other needed tasks. This time, though, he didn't do that. Instead, he wanted to stay by his son's side for a time. He knew that he had plenty to attend to, of course. Brewing the potions Harry would need were on the top of the list. It was just that he couldn't force himself to leave.
Glancing at Black, who was seated on the bed with Harry's head in his lap, he could see the man had his eyes shut and appeared as though he were dozing. That was understandable considering how stressful the day was. Remus and Lucius were downstairs with Narcissa and Draco. So, he was alone with Harry, other than Black, who Harry wouldn't let leave.
Once more gazing at his sleeping son, Severus' chest ached as he thought about the pain Harry had endured that day and how that memory must have been horrific to deal with once more. From the talks with Stuart, he knew that your mind suppressed some events of your life to protect you if you just couldn't handle them, as a means of self-preservation. They all knew Harry had suppressed plenty, thus the flashbacks he got. It was just—it was so hard to see him suffer through something because of events from the past.
Over his time, he had heard how hard it was to watch someone you loved suffer. As he really hadn't had anyone close in his life aside from Lily then, much later on, Remus, he couldn't relate to that. His heart had been broken when Lily died, well, supposedly died. It had shattered him in many ways. Later on Remus came into his life once more and he had gained something he never really had; a lover and friend that he wanted to stay in his life forever.
While Remus suffered plenty because of the lycanthropy, it wasn't something that bothered him the way it did with Harry. Because he had known about it going in, understanding what it was and not really having to ever have witnessed the transformation, it wasn't something that bothered him other than when people were idiotic about how they treated his husband. Besides, it was something that Remus had dealt with since he was a child, so it was normal. Harry, though, was different. For the first time, shortly after Harry came into their lives, when he still insisted on being called Lucky, he began to understand what it felt like. The more Harry allowed them close, the more it hurt when he saw his son suffering from something. This time, though, it was the worst.
While the flashback brought on plenty, it wasn't anything they hadn't dealt with before. Others had caused the same kind of reaction. This time, though, with everything piling on, he hurt for his son. It hurt to watch him suffer and know there was nothing he could do to help. Standing there watching Harry relive that horrific memory was about the hardest thing he had ever done in his life. The helpless feeling of knowing there was nothing he could do other than just stand there and watch his child suffer was agonizing. In the past, he dealt with situations by doing all he could to help, even if it wasn't overt. In the case of Harry, there was nothing he could do. Watching his son bleed and suffer hurt worse, in some ways, than the torture he had endured at the hands of the Dark Lord. In fact, if he had a choice, he would take that torture once more to spare his son suffering anymore. He just couldn't.
Running his fingers gently through Harry's soft hair, he gazed at his son. He loved Harry. With all his heart. In the beginning, when Harry came to live with them, he wasn't sure he could do that. Harry was the spitting image of James, something he had issues with. Then there was the behavior. That had taken him a great deal of time to deal with and get a handle on. As he did—well, he grew to love the young wizard that would become his son. He couldn’t pinpoint exactly when it happened, but it did. Harry was unlike anyone else he had met in this world, even some of the more degenerate Death Eaters. He was hard to handle at first, but the more they all got used to each other and worked with the multitude of problems that came with Harry, the love began to grow. When Harry began responding to him, spending time alone with him when they talked or did other things, with him answering questions that Harry had, it was already there. He adored those times, more than he would admit to anyone. Having Harry close was something that helped him as much as it did Harry, in so many ways. Everything just grew from there.
Now—Harry was his son, one he loved with all his heart. Of course, he wasn't one to say that aloud to anyone, but it was there. And he adored it. The swelling in his chest and wonderful feelings when Harry called him dad was unlike anything he had ever experienced and it felt incredible. In the past, he hadn't been able to comprehend what kind of protective instincts parents had. He could on an analytical level, of course, but he had no basis for that to actually understand it. Now he did. It was unlike anything he had ever felt. Harry was his son, someone he would protect with all he had. Which made it harder to endure watching his son suffer. He couldn't protect Harry from the memories he had or the awful things he had endured. He wanted to, but couldn't. That hurt. And, on some level, it made him angry. No, not at Harry, but at all the people that had hurt his son or had done him wrong to cause the situation. It was an impotent anger as he could do nothing to alleviate it, but it was there.
Leaning forward, he kissed his son on the top of the head. Pulling back, hearing Harry mumble something he couldn't decipher, he stroked his head again then stood with a groan. There was brewing to do. As Draco was around, he thought he would enlist him to assist. Not only would Draco be a huge help, it would be a good lesson for him. Besides, Draco was feeling the same way the rest of them were and wanted to do something to help Harry. This would probably give him that and make him feel better.
After one last look at his sleeping son, he swept out. Harry would be out for hours still, thankfully, and resting comfortably. As much pain as he must be in, it was best to let him rest. Besides, he made his son a promise. That he would fulfill.

“There isn't any problem with Draco being gone from Hogwarts?” Remus asked Lucius. The man had used their Floo to talk to the headmaster after they got home. Though Rufus probably filled Filius in on the emergency, Lucius had wanted to talk to him as well.
“He's excused from classes until tomorrow,” Lucius assured him. “Rufus gave him a basic rundown of what happened, without details and in general terms, of course, so there isn't an issue. I explained that as upset as Draco is over what happened and what he saw, I thought it best that he be here when Harry wakes. He had no problem understanding that and thought it wise as owls can be delayed by various things, thus causing Draco more stress over the matter.”
“We'll take him back after breakfast tomorrow, making sure that he gets there before classes start,” Narcissa explained. “It's best that he stay in his own bed tonight, honestly. He didn't see the worst, but heard enough that I'm sure he's going to have issues. We'd rather have him around us so we can explain it, than for him to sit and fret over it at school with no one to talk to.”
“Not something we thought of, honestly,” Remus sighed, shaking his head. Smiling a little, he told them, “He should feel better after working with Severus. They have a wonderful relationship and Severus will use the time to talk to him.”
“It can only help,” Lucius admitted with a short nod. Sighing, he asked, “As you've dealt with these flashbacks before, how long do you think it'll take him to recover this time? I know there were plenty of issues over the last one that was close to being this severe.”
Looking down at the table, Remus drummed his fingers on it as he thought it over. After a minute or so, he shook his head then said, honestly, “I don't know. It took weeks last time. He closed himself off and wouldn't talk. This time it may be different. He's in a far better place than he was before and is asking for help, at least in his own way. It may not be much, but he is. I'm sure that's going to help in more ways than we can imagine. With how he is, though, I'm not sure. These are areas we let Stuart handle for the most part. All we deal with is his behavior at home. I think we'll do better than the last one, but I can't be sure. With all the stress he's under from so many areas, it has to factor in. How much that's going to set back some areas I won't hazard to guess.” Sighing, he shrugged then said, “We'll handle it, just as we always have. He's got plenty in place that helps him deal the right way that it'll help. It's something he didn't have for the last major one.”
“If you need anything, you Floo,” Lucius told him in a determined voice. “We'll help all we can.”
“We will, you have my word,” Remus told him with a smile. “Let's see what we can manage. He's far more attached to Sirius now and is willing to let him help. The same with Severus and myself. That gives him something he didn't have the last time. If he feels unsafe, we're going to have him spend time with you.”
“As always, he can stay as long as he needs to,” Narcissa assured him with a smile. “Is there anything else you need? Like us to sit with him so you can attend to some matters?”
“No, I don't think so,” Remus told her after pondering that. “After these episodes, we try to make sure one of us is in the house at all times so he has continuity when it comes to talking to someone. I don't think we have anything pressing that's approaching other than the next meeting with James and Lily. Sirius will stay here of course. We'll juggle schedules if we have to so one of us is around at all times. Of course, as always, if you want to come over and sit with him for a while, you're more than welcome. It can only help.”
“I personally think that Sirius should attend that meeting and give them a good chewing out,” Narcissa huffed, lips pursed. “We'll make time to come over and see him, rest assured.”
Chuckling at the imagery of what could come if Sirius was in the same room with James and Lily, Remus told them, amused, “I think Sirius being anywhere near them is a bad idea. Severus is hard enough to deal with. Tossing Sirius into the mix would cause all out war. That's not what we want and would help nothing.”
“True, but it would be worth the price of admission,” Lucius added, looking completely amused.
“I think, eventually, we'll see it. And it's going to take all of us to separate James and Sirius when it happens,” Remus admitted with a shake of his head. “And I may have to stop Severus from joining in.”
“James can't avoid Sirius, and what he caused for him, forever,” Narcissa said softly with a shake of her head. “With how Sirius is when it comes to his temper, I don't fancy James' chances of coming out on top.”
“Severus and I fear that if Sirius gets into it with James, Harry will jump in as well, what with how attached he is to Sirius. I don't think it would take much to set Harry off, honestly. If that happens, I'm sure we're going to have huge problems. You know Harry. He doesn't have the flash-fire temper of Sirius, but he will not put up with such nonsense. I don't think James has any clue what Harry is like when it comes to defending himself. Severus and I made it as clear as we could, but I doubt it sank in. If James looks like he's going to do something to Sirius, Harry will defend him. And I very much doubt his wand will come into play. If that happens, I'm sure it's going to make the situation we're in all the worse because I don't think James understands that Harry is not like his other son.”
“My opinion is let it happen,” Lucius shrugged. “That might finally drive the point home. I do tend to agree that it's going to take a confrontation with Harry to get the point across. Then James peeling himself off the ground after Harry cold cocks him.”
“We don't want it to come to that,” Remus sighed, though figuring Lucius was right. “Shouting we can understand and won't say a word about, violence, unless Harry is defending himself, isn't something we want to happen.”
“Very true,” Lucius admitted with a nod. “We'll deal with that scenario when it comes.” Pressing on, he asked about the upcoming meeting and what they planned to discuss to see if he could add anything he thought would help. Like everyone else, he doubted it would do much good, but he hoped it would back them off some.

Standing on the rocks in front of the imposing prison in the North Sea, Lord Voldemort looked around. He had a few people with him, such as Barty Crouch Jr. and Fenrir, but he didn't think they would be a huge help. What he needed most he already had; an alliance with the Dementors. Once he was through the wards and the human guards alerted, they would step in and handle them. That was his deal with them. As long as he and his minions were allowed to free those of his followers confined in there, the Dementors could have everyone else. The problem came in with getting through the ancient, heavily fortified wards. As he had the plans and specs for them, he thought he could manage this, though it would take much out of him.
Focusing on the point he knew was the weakest, on the backside of the prison that only had a small entrance they used to dispose of waste, he lifted his wand and pointed it. In a gruff voice that was hissy, he said, “And we attack.” Then he unleashed the first spell. It would take a good half an hour to dismantle the wards. Thankfully, no one inside would know they were under attack until the very last layer. As that was the weakest and easiest to get through, he didn't anticipate a problem.
This was what he had been waiting for since his return. As it had taken him longer to regain his body than he initially thought, his plans had been pushed back. Now he was at the strength he needed to once more let their world know he was around and that they should fear him. It was time that the Wizarding World learn that Lord Voldemort had returned. When they did, he wanted those most loyal to him at his side so his power was at its greatest. Once he had those imprisoned here free, he would then start exacting revenge. There was a list of those who were going to feel his wrath first. Lessons would be taught and people would learn not to betray him.
Concentrating on the wards, stripping them away layer by layer with help from those with him, he grinned, something frightening to anyone who would see it. Lucius Malfoy was at the top of the list when it came to those he was going to impart his displeasure with. He was well aware by now that he had been a spy. Such betrayal didn't go unpunished. The man may think he was safe now, but he was about to learn he wasn't. When he finished with Lucius, Severus Snape was next. Another spy that would feel his wrath. However, when it came to Severus there was something else he wanted; his son, Harry Potter. The Boy Who Lived would soon be The Boy Who Died. That he would ensure.
Feeling the wards give way, he focused. Yes, it was time their world knew of his return and he planned to make sure there was no doubt.
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Lucky Strike