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Preventative Measures	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 151582 -:- Recommendations : 8 -:- Currently Reading : 30
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this work in perversion

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Chapter 47

Beta'd by the most wonderful, amazing and stupendous Tenchi. Woman, you are the best and love you for all you do 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.

“What are you taking on?” Severus asked with a glance around at the mass of books and parchments scattered across the table. After taking a cup of tea from an elf, he pulled out the books he procured on the topic Black mentioned then unshrunk them.

“This relates to what Sirius asked for our help with,” Remus told him, pushing aside what he just finished then warmed up his own tea. “I hoped you wouldn’t have anything to do today and could give me a hand.” Then he pushed over a largish piece of parchment with the notes already took so Severus could take a gander. “While, from all I’m reading, Harry truly needs to see a professional on the topic, I do have some suggestions already for Sirius.” Then he lowered his voice and added, “Sirius wants some help dealing with the nightmares as well. They’re back full force and he’s having issues coping with them. While he said he thinks they’ll go away after the hearing, he needs help until then.”

With a nod to let Remus know he heard, Severus read through the notes Lupin had taken. Then, tackling the first topic, he said, “Tonight I planned to go through some of the books I brought. My thought was to ensure we didn’t both have the same ones on the topic. However, working together might end up for the best.”

Then he touched on the second topic. “Before I go, I will speak with Black then get a rundown of what he’s seen. As it’s a very short time before the hearing, it might end up best for Harry to take Dreamless Sleep. In this short time span, we won’t worry about addiction. Let him get a handle on the matter before he has to face the loathsome duo.” Then he asked, before Lupin could answer him, “Has he finished his victim’s impact statement, do you know?”

“He has,” Remus nodded, taking the second topic first. “Sirius told me he’s adamant he won’t read it in court, though.”

“I’ll talk to him,” Severus nodded, pleased. “I’m certain I can talk him into allowing me to do so for him.”

“Dreamless Sleep might help,” Remus then admitted softly. “He doesn’t look as tired as before, but it’s creeping back in. We need no more issues with him than we’re already tackling.”

“Exactly,” Severus nodded.

“Speaking of issues...” Remus then sighed. When Severus looked at him, concerned, he pulled out a copy of the letter Harry received from his Solicitor that morning and pushed it over. As Severus read, he explained, “The day of the hearing, once it’s over that is, we’re to meet Madam Bones so Harry can discuss the memories of the graveyard. From what it says, while Rufus and some others will join us, Madam Bones is taking on the questioning.” Then, lowering his voice, he added, “We don’t need this stress added onto the other. While we made it clear to Harry it can only help matters, especially with Sirius, he’s still plenty stressed over it.”

“As we would expect,” Severus groused, looking dour after finishing the missive. “However, it might end up for the best to do it all in one fell swoop. Then it’s over and done with. Once we finish, we can press on.”

“There is that thought, yes,” Remus nodded. “Just not sure what we’ll have to deal with before then is all. It’s bad enough as is.”

“As Carthwaight will stay with us during the questioning, it won’t end up badly.” Severus imparted. “He won’t let them delve into areas we won’t like. As he’s up to date on the totality of the situation, he knows what we need to avoid. The rest—Harry is a witness, not a suspect in anything. The memories have ended up authenticated and will go through another round of it with the hearing, so there is no quibble they are real. Many might not like what is in them, but they can’t take the stance they are faked unless they want to disavow the court hearings. It’s not possible.”

“Just the idea, Severus,” Remus added softly. “With the shape Harry’s in, until the hearing we can expect more problems.”

“We were planning for that issue anyway,” Severus pointed out. “Black said the twins will come over most of the week?”

“They will and are here,” Remus nodded. “The four of them are working on one of the smaller rooms as we speak, then he plans to do what they did yesterday and leave the three alone to have some fun. It might help.”

“Good,” Severus nodded, silently agreeing it might. “While the three are doing whatever, we’ll hole up again and sort what we can when it comes to this mess and what we can do to help. Well, and put a plan in place to deal with what’s coming. Let’s see what we can hash out.”

After agreeing, Remus then mentioned, “You might want to put a bug in someone’s ear about staying away and everyone leaving Harry alone until after the hearing, Severus. One poke the wrong way or someone who can’t take a hint when it comes to him and they may end up unleashing hell and causing us even more issues than we already have. I don’t think you need to spill any huge secrets to impart the point either. Just a small suggestion that it’s best to leave Harry alone until after the hearing as he’s under tremendous stress from what’s coming.”

“A sound suggestion I’ll take,” Severus assured him with a determined nod, planning to do just that tonight when he left here. “Now, on to this mass—are you finding what we need or is it just rehashed in almost all the books?” He then pulled the ones he brought over, closer to him, conjuring a quill and parchment.

“Mostly it’s a rehash,” Remus told him distractedly, fishing around for the one odd book he had. “However, there is a newer one here which contradicts what the others say on some points. My hope was you could help me suss out what we need.” Once he found the tome in question, he pushed it over to Severus, explaining what he meant.

With a distracted nod as he looked over the bookmarked passage and listened to Lupin, Severus’ brow furrowed as he read. Yes, this might end up complicated. However, they had an assist therapists didn’t; they all knew Harry and could rule out some areas and lean toward others. He hoped they’d have some sorted before he went to poke a certain old man that night.

“I’ll bring it up to Harry and see what he says,” Sirius told Snape and Remus with a nod. “It’s a good idea and I’ll press for it. We’re going to try something different tonight. If it works, it’ll help, so I won’t press too hard for the Dreamless Sleep tonight.”

Before either of the two could ask, he explained, “Lucius is coming over tonight even though it’s not his normal day. We discussed it this morning through the books before Harry woke up. Our thought on the matter leans towards if the two of us are here it might help. If it works and helps more than minimally, we’ll do it each night until the hearing.”

“It might assist,” Severus agreed with a slow nod after thinking it over. “Let us know and we’ll deal accordingly.”

“Will do,” Sirius agreed. “We’re just going for getting through this until after the hearing. I’m sure, as is Lucius, some of this will settle once it’s over. Maybe. Hopefully, after that we can find a better way to handle whatever it chucks up.”

“It should level out some, though is bound to cause issues,” Remus tossed out there with a sigh.

“School resumes very quickly after then, so it might help since Albus won’t come around as much. I’m sure it will help plenty. You’ll have to tolerate the sheep he’s put up to trying to suck up to Harry, but that’s all.” Severus told the two, looking between them.

“Those we can deal with,” Remus assured him, pleased with the idea of a slight break in the issues.

“Just a suggestion—have Lucius explain to Harry what is coming with Madam Bones and the meeting about the memories. If we demystify the whole process he might handle it better,” Severus suggested, looking at Black intently.

“Will do,” Sirius agreed firmly. “I’ll have him walk Harry through everything he can think of. Then we’ll assure him you two and his Solicitor will stay with him through it all. While he won’t like it, it’ll help plenty and throw spanners in many gears, something we need desperately.”

Severus planned to press on, but a familiar burn lit up his arm. Face twisted in pain, he hissed then grabbed his arm where the Dark Mark burned. “I have to go,” he said, standing. “Get in contact with Albus for me and tell him about the summons. I’ll contact him when I return.” When he heard the affirmation from the two, he strode out, hoping it wasn’t too bad.

After watching Severus go, Remus stood, brow furrowed, then said, “Go check on the boys and I’ll get in contact with Albus so he knows. We’ll go from there.” Then he stood to tend to the matter.

With a sigh, wondering if the evil arse summoned Lucius as well, he stood to check on the boys and see what they were up to. They’d sort it once it was over and press on.

“He wanted plenty,” Severus told Black, Lucius, Lupin and Harry when he sat down in Black’s bedroom about an hour after returning from talking with Albus. “Mostly what he wanted from me had to do with information about Harry and what’s going on there.”

“He is also pushing for missions,” Lucius added with a heavy sigh. “It has to do with the Hall of Prophecy,” he explained softly, looking around. He, too, was summoned, so he knew what Severus spoke of.

After a worried glance at Sirius, Remus asked, taking what Severus said first, “What about Harry? Anything we need to worry about?”

“Nothing,” Severus assured them, looking at the concerned Harry. “He just wanted a rundown of what’s happening with the mess. As it’s fairly common knowledge, some of it, I told him. It was information which pleased him greatly. Tweaking Albus and making it harder on him is probably behind it.”

“As long as it isn’t something we need to worry about,” Sirius told him, though slightly concerned. Anything dealing with the evil arse required them to stay cautious.

“He asked more about Albus and matters pertaining to him when it comes to what’s going on,” Severus assured him.

“We think Albus is a target of some sort, though not sure in what way,” Lucius chimed in, looking around, putting a reassuring hand on Harry’s knee and giving it a squeeze. “Not sure what he plans there, but I’m certain it factors in. The topic of Albus is one he brought up with several people. Harry—only what Severus just mentioned.”

“While it should keep Albus occupied, it’s still a concern,” Remus tossed out there, voice soft, brow furrowed.

“I think it’s Albus’ plans for so much, from questions asked,” Severus told them. “As none of us really know what the old man is plotting, it’s nothing to concern ourselves with, honestly.”

“It’s his other plottings which are a concern,” Lucius then added, looking around, tone serious. “It’s that damnable Prophecy he’s after, if I read the signs right. Since Albus wants it protected, this means we need to know what it says.”

“Agreed,” Severus nodded. “Which means we need to find out. The Dark Lord doesn’t know all of it, only part. My thought is he wants to hear the rest. And I blame Albus for him wanting to know.”

“Why?” Remus asked, curious. Severus’ guesses were generally very good, so he thought he might end up correct on this one as well. It would give them a slight edge over both sides if they knew.

“Albus has put so much stock in that prophecy it has the Dark Lord intrigued,” Severus explained, looking around. “He already knows Albus is doing what he can to guard it. In doing so, it’s like a bright and shining beacon to the Dark Lord.”

“And probably helping to fulfill whatever it says,” Lucius added in quietly, brow furrowed, looking down as he thought over what Severus said. Then he added, “From both ends. I’m not sure, but it does sound like Albus is almost trying to draw the Dark Lord in to find out what it says. He’s taking the standard precautions with the people guarding it, but even the Dark Lord knows there’s something, which is piquing his curiosity.”

“Lucius is correct,” Severus nodded.

“Shit,” Sirius groaned, scratching his chin and looking down. “How to find out what it says, other than what we’ve discussed, is beyond me. And I think we need to find out fast, before we’re caught in the middle of a bigger mess than we already have.”

“I agree,” Lucius sighed, glancing around. “I’ll prod Amos to see what he can find out, but it’ll take time.”

“I’m not sure how much of that we have, Lucius,” Severus admitted very softly. “You know what the Dark Lord is like when he wants something. He will have it, no matter what it takes.”

“Very true,” Lucius conceded with a resigned nod. “Amos, though, is our best hope. We have no means of procuring the prophecy on our own. If we did, we would have by now so we’d know what we’re facing. I’ll—well, let me see what I can manage to get across to him regarding the urgency of the matter. If there’s a way, he’ll find it. Until then, we do what we can to find a means to protect ourselves.”

“I also say we need to find a way to get out, at least the basic plans of one,” Remus tossed out there, looking around. “Any planning fell by the wayside because of events. It won’t do any good to find out whatever if we have no means of escaping if it turns out as bad as we all fear.”

“Something we need to focus on, honestly,” Sirius admitted. “I’ll admit I want cleared first as it will take the heat off all of us and we won’t have to worry about someone stumbling across me or protection if they kick up the hunt more. If we can’t, we can’t and need a way out.”

“More matters I’ll discuss with Amos,” Lucius told him with a determined look on his face. Then he did admit, a soft sigh in his voice, “Just what we can manage is beyond me. All my properties are out as the Dark Lord would find us. Sirius doesn’t have anything left but this house and its Order headquarters so plenty know where it is. Severus and Remus have nothing. Harry—we don’t know and won’t find out any time soon. The only one I’m aware of is Godric’s Hollow.”

“It’s all I knew about as well,” Sirius told him. “We can’t use that for obvious reasons.”

“Which means we just have to find another means, ones more creative,” Remus imparted, looking around. “We’ll find one, just give us time. While I do understand we don’t have as much of that as we would like, we might have enough. Maybe Narcissa can come up with something? She has more free time than we do and can sneak around in a way we can’t without anyone growing suspicious. I don’t know. It’s more than just somewhere to go, honestly. We need plenty of protection as the world will explode around us and we have other issues to attend to.”

“I’ll discuss the matter with her and see what she can do,” Lucius assured them all. “We’ll also do what we can on the matter. Between all of us, we should manage to find something before the worst happens. Let’s see what we can manage.”

With a nod, Severus then began to discuss what else they overheard so they were all up to date. The more they all knew, the better they could sort out what it meant.

About midnight, several hours after the they had fallen asleep, Sirius and Lucius ended up jolted awake by Harry having another nightmare.

Though Sirius somewhat expected this, being woke this way still jarred him. After snagging his wand and checking around, he then groaned and pulled Harry close, holding him the way he had since this started. Though he knew this wouldn’t work, he would try.

“One of the nightmares?” Lucius asked, voice fuzzy from sleep as he sat up.

“Yeah,” Sirius sighed, planning to shift to the chair until Harry calmed down. With a tired groan, he sat up, explaining the plan to Lucius.

“We’ll shift over together and see what we can manage,” Lucius told him, waking more.

Once more, he moved Harry over to the chair and enlarged it so Lucius could sit with them. After wrapping Harry in the blanket, he handed Lucius the book they were reading. He thought Lucius reading might help as well. Of course, he would talk to Harry and let him know he was there, but the two of them together might do more and speed this up.

Quickly catching on to what Sirius wanted, Lucius took the book then opened it to the marked page and began to read. As they rocked, he put a hand on Harry to let him know he was there and continued, observing so he had a better idea of what they were dealing with.

After over an hour, Harry finally settled down and the three were back in bed. Propped up against the headboard, Lucius passed the butterbeer to Sirius, who stayed curled up against Harry’s back. “You’re right,” Lucius sighed, shaking his head, “he needs something. We’ll talk him into the Dreamless Sleep until after the hearing then press on with other areas. While none of us are therapists, we can manage partially. He needs to get a handle on part of this as I’m sure it won’t go away after the hearing and may grow worse.”

“Snape and Remus said they found some to help. I’ll take it on and pass what they have to you. Between all of us, we can manage some until we can talk him into getting the help he needs. As I don’t see that happening anytime soon, we have to do it on our own.” Sirius told him with a heavy sigh.

“I agree,” Lucius grumbled, shaking his head. “Between all of us, we’ll find a way, Sirius. At least until we can get him the help he needs. Just go on as you are. We’ll find a way to push him onto the closest we can find to an even keel and help him deal.”

“It’s getting better, honestly,” Sirius told him, sipping the butterbeer then passing it back. “He’s managing. It’s just hard now because of that damned hearing.”

“This won’t end all the issues, Sirius,” Lucius schooled softly, shaking his head. “Just this one. Others will come. We won’t delve into the area with Dumbledore and the Dark Lord.”

“I know, I know,” Sirius grumbled, shaking his head. “Just trying to get over this one before I look to the next.”

“Something I can appreciate,” Lucius admitted, finishing the butterbeer and vanishing the bottle. Sliding down, he curled up to the other side of Harry. “We’ll manage, Sirius, keep that in mind. Will just take time and work. As we’re both committed to ensuring it does work out, it’ll come.”

“Would be easier if we could stay together all the time,” Sirius told him quietly, looking at Lucius. “I could use plenty of your help with some of this and not through the mirror.”

“Let me see what I can arrange after Draco returns to school,” Lucius told him with a tiny smile. The idea of setting up housekeeping with the two was appealing and he wanted to, even if was only for so many hours a day. “We might manage in some way even if it comes to dividing time between here and the Manor.”

“Might work,” Sirius nodded slowly as he thought it over. “I can do this alone as I have been, but it would help to have you around more.”

“It would, yes,” Lucius nodded “We’ll find a way, Sirius, it’ll just take some work and effort. Most will come after we escape from the mess.”

“Which can’t happen fast enough if you ask me,” Sirius groaned, shutting his eyes. “The longer we wait, the worse this will end up and the harder it’ll be.”

“Again, an assessment I won’t quibble with,” Lucius groused. Leaning over, keeping a hand on the sleeping Harry, he kissed Sirius. “We’ll manage, Sirius, just as we always have. It’ll just take some work and effort to find a way, nothing more. We’ve been through plenty together and many situations were harder than this.”

“Not sure about that, Lucius,” Sirius told him reaching over to run his fingers through Lucius’ hair. “This might end up trickier than anything we’ve done before. Anything dealing with Harry is a nightmare because of the shit both sides are pulling. I have a feeling dealing with Albus might end up the worst end of it. The other side? We at least know what he’s apt to do.”

“Very true,” Lucius conceded with a groan. Eyes sliding shut, he then sighed. “Let’s sleep. I have to rise before you are used to and go home to deal with issues.”

“Tend to forget that,” Sirius chuckled. “Yeah, we do.” Leaning over, he kissed Lucius again then settled down. Making damned sure Harry stayed curled up between them and they pressed close, he let out a tired sigh and shut his eyes.

While this was all plenty stressful, he liked the closeness. Nothing in the world felt as good. He just wanted to have it all the time. At some point, they would manage. Now wasn’t the time, though. Soon. Soon they would have it and he couldn’t wait.
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Preventative Measures