Bonds of Affection

For the remainder of the day, and the morning of the following day, Harry remained in his bedroom, avoiding everyone. When Severus, or Ron and Hermione came to knock on his door, he growled insults at them, and did not emerge from his bedroom. Eventually, they received a firecall regarding a memorial service for Remus Lupin and Fred Weasley being held at Hogwarts; and Severus entered Harry's bedroom unceremoniously, to tell him that it was time. Harry, looking more withdrawn than ever, only nodded slightly, and proceeded to get dressed. They all Floo'd in back to Hogwarts, and joined the gathering in the Great Hall, that had been spelled to twice the normal size to accommodate everyone.



Others had already began to gather as well. Minerva, Albus and Sybill were there. The Weasleys already there, all standing together, except for Ginny, who was slightly aside, with Luna and Neville flanking her at each side, arms thrown around her. Severus saw Nymphadora Tonks, who stood apart from everyone else, looking down. Her pale face was even sadder than usual, and her hair had turned absolutely snow-white, looking even lighter than Luna Lovegood's.



Ron and Hermione stood together with Harry, who avoided looking at anyone. Slowly, others poured in, and the Hall filled with people.



Of the deceased, there was little left. A small urn with the ashes of Remus Lupin; and nothing was left of Fred Weasley, whose body had been claimed by Fiendfyre in its entirety, along with the Horcrux.



Albus spoke first, then Tonks, then Arthur, then Minerva. Severus found himself barely listening to the words... and looking at Harry with concern. Harry's face was frozen into a stiff mask, and whenever Ron or Hermione reached out to touch him, he only tensed more.



The speeches ended eventually, and then, Severus watched Luna Lovegood make her way to the podium, and speak to Albus about something.



“It appears that we have a song,” Albus announced eventually. “A tribute to the heroes who will never be forgotten.”



The crowd fell silent, all eyes fixing on Luna Lovegood, who stood tranquil in front of everyone, seeming to be unaware of anyone around her. Blond hair cascading down to her shoulders, her eyes were half-closed, and her face calm and focused. Without any further words of introduction, and without any music to aid her, she opened her mouth and sang, her melodic voice bringing the song to the gathering:



Lone's the mist-cloaked road before me lying;

On and on it winds and draws me far.

Night is still, all earthly sounds are dying;

Nature lists to god; star speaks to star.



Clothed in starlight, earth is wrapt in slumber,

And the skies are full of majesty.

Why, then, does reflection, drear and sombre,

Plague my heart and slay felicity?



As she sang, Severus found himself making his way through the crowds, circumspectly, but persistently, determined to advance as close as possible to the words that haunted and drew him.



I await no boons of fate, regretting

Not the past, for that is buried deep.

Ah, to find true freedom, true forgetting

In the calm of everlasting sleep!



Yet I dread the cold and clammy fingers

And the leaden, icy sleep of death.

Would that life within me, dormant, lingered

And I felt its warm and balmy breath;



Would that love's own voice, my ear caressing,

Night and day sang joyful song to me,

And an ancient oak, my slumber blessing,

Swayed above my head eternally.



There were no applause, and no words after that. The conversations in the Hall resumed, and Luna Lovegood stepped down from the podium, standing right in front of Severus. He surveyed her with caution.



“It was beautiful,” he told her evenly. “Though I doubt it reflects the personality of either Fred Weasley or Remus Lupin.”



“The songs are not for the departed,” she answered quietly. “They are for the living.” She looked at him intently.



“Yes,” he said softly. “I suppose they are.”



She extended her hand to him. “My condolences for your loss,” she offered, still staring at him.



“I haven't lost anyone,” he retorted, a little sharper than he had intended. “At least, not this time.”



Her unblinking gaze almost began to unnerve him. “But you think you already have,” she murmured. He could not argue with that, so he just stared back at her blankly. Then, she moved away, before he had a chance to accept her handshake.



He had barely moved when he saw Albus and Minerva approaching.



“Severus,” Albus said with his usual serene smile. “We will speak briefly. Harry should come along.”



“What about Weasley and Granger?” Severus asked, surprising himself. Albus raised an eyebrow.



“It doesn't matter one way or another. Whatever Harry knows, his little secret-keepers will know in turn.”



Severus nodded absently, and went to collect Harry and his friends. A few minutes later, they walked into the Headmaster's office and sat around his desk. Minerva and Albus were already waiting for them.



“The Horcrux hunt went well,” Minerva said bluntly, as soon as they were all seated. Severus noticed Harry's lips forming a thin angry line.



“Now.. the next order of business... Nagini – and Voldemort himself,” Albus said. “Severus – what do you think Voldemort going to do?”



Severus knew exactly what Voldemort was going to do. He was going to set up a secret location, summon his Death Eaters, and bring his two remaining Horcruxes to be in his presence. He would regroup, gather support, and strike back. Severus said so out loud. Albus did not appear to be surprised.



“We need to find a way to track Voldemort and Nagini,” Minerva said. “He had evaded us for years, but this time, we have an advantage.”



“What kind of advantage....” Severus started saying, but then caught himself. Of course. Harry. Severus had no idea where the locations of the Death Eater gatherings were – he merely Apparated as the Dark Mark directed him. Furthermore, no surveillance or tracking spells outside of Voldemort's control could be placed on Severus – the Dark Mark prevented that. However, Harry could be tracked... providing the Order with the location of Voldemort and Nagini.



It appeared that Hermione Granger had caught on as well.



“I don't like this,” she said sharply. “It's risky. To have Harry be under the same roof with Voldemort...Just so that you could track Voldemort and Nagini through him. You are going to use him as some kind of microchipped pet...”



“Meow,” Harry said with a wry smile, speaking up for the first time. “It's a brilliant idea, Hermione. I want to do it.”



Ron rolled his eyes. “Here we go again...” he muttered, not even bothering to conceal his distaste.



Albus was regarding the trio thoughtfully. “I won't lie to you, I am hesitant...” he said softly.



Harry glared at him defiantly. “I said I want to do it,” he repeated. “Not because I am a Horcrux, not because I am going to die in a month's time anyways. I want to do it because I want the war to be over. I would do it regardless.”



“Then we will do it,” Minerva said sharply. “On one condition, Harry – no useless heroics. Don't think of your life, however much you have left, as being expendable.”



“I don't,” Harry said firmly. “Not anymore.” Severus felt Harry's fingers touch his hand fleetingly.



“Well then... let us apply the tracking spell now, why don't we,” Albus said gently. His wand pointed at Harry, and a series of spells were uttered. Harry shifted uncomfortably a few times, but then relaxed, and glanced at Albus.



“That's all,” Albus assured him with his usual kindness, and then gazed at Severus and Harry at once. “I will offer another word of advice, to both of you, that you may or may not heed. You don't know when Voldemort will summon you both to join him. It could be three weeks from now. It could be this afternoon. I suggest that you spend your remaining time focusing on things that are life-affirming.”