“Oh, Severus. I... I can’t thank you enough.” Lily said, wrapping her arms around him.

“Watch it! He’s regrowing his legs, don’t you disturb him.” She heard a nurse yell.

Lily shrunk back with a guilty smile. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize.”

He looked up at her. “I’m fine.” Lily snorted. Of course he was. If his smile was any wider the nurses would have to find him a new face. He probably did enjoy himself there, and was trying to hide it too. But she didn’t mind.

“How’s Harry?” He asked, trying to sit up.

Lily yelped. “No, no, sit! You’ll mess up the healing process.” She pushed him back down. “Take care of yourself, Severus. You need to recover.” She added. If it were in any other situation, Lily might have reconsidered her position. She was leaning over Severus, their lips almost touching.

“Harry is fine. The boy has a strong mind. The healers say he will recover.” A voice came. Severus tensed.

Sirius walked into the room. Lines of worry were visible on his face. “You’re fine then. I had thought the death eaters… forget it.” He sat down in a chair next to the hospital bed.

Lily’s gaze swung from one man to another. She bit her lip, not knowing what to expect. To her surprise, no spells were thrown. No insults either. She let out a breath she had been holding for quite some time. Sirius was staring at Harry. Her son was muttering something under his breath, hands covering his face. Lily smiled. He was fine, thank Merlin.

She turned back to Severus. His face was guarded now, just like she had remembered. Whenever James entered the room he looked like that, tense and ready for a duel. She sighed. More talking with him would have to wait. Trying to talk to him with his guard up is like trying to talk to a wall. Maybe she could invite him over for dinner sometime and talk about Harry’s potion lessons. Or maybe… no!

Lily’s face flushed at the thought. No, no, NO! What was she thinking? The weeks of being minister must have gotten to her head. She was just tired, just tired. The very thought of betraying James, soiling his memory. No matter how pl… No! Lily forced herself to not think of it. She would not. But a treacherous voice inside her head began singing, all the childhood memories coming back…

Sirius spoke up, thank Merlin for that. “What’s he saying?”

Lily moved over to his bed. Harry was squirming now, kicking at the covers and thrashing. “No, no, stop, please. Stop… stop, stop!” The last word became a cross between a scream and a wail.

His body began jerking and spasming, just as it had when… oh no. Lily rushed to his side, shaking him. “Harry? Harry?” She asked.

“What’s happening?” Sirius asked, his face pale.

Lily bit her lip. “The death eaters didn’t just leave him after I signed. They, they tortured him.”

She saw his eyes flash. “They what?” He growled.

“They used the Cruciatus curse on him. Then they sent dementors, and…” Her voice trailed off. “I couldn’t do anything. They made me watch.” She whispered, a lone tear falling from her cheek.

Sirius had the eyes of a madman. His face was twisted in fury. Lily could almost feel the heat in the room rise as he spoke through gritted teeth. “They will pay, all of them.” He spat.

“They will.” She heard from behind her. Severus had helped himself up, and the determination in his voice wasn’t overshadowed by Sirius at all. The two men met gazes, and something passed between them. Lily couldn’t believe her ears. Sirius and Severus, agreeing? Was this a dream? The silence stretched, neither man lowering his gaze. Until Harry rose.

Lily was the first to arrive at his side as he spoke. “Mom.” Nothing more. He was normal, and sane, from what she could tell. “Is it over?”

Lily hugged her as tight as she ever had. “Yes, Harry. It is. This will not happen again, I promise. Never.” She saw him look up at her, a terrible and alien expression crossing his face. It was as if he had put on a mask of marble.

His scar came to life, green light streaking down his face like a striking serpent. His eyes glowed, brilliant as a flame. They seemed like lights, so bright that she could not see his pupils. “No…” He said, his voice cold and unshakable as a mountain. Lily felt as shiver as he finished.“It will not.”