First Place - Angst

Severus was alone in the Order's kitchen, drinking tea. He hadn't gotten any time alone to talk to James, but Harry let him know where Potter Manor was and he would be able to go back whenever he wanted. The only problem was that it was just a portrait. No matter how much he wanted to think it was a chance to see James again, it wasn't. A portrait was not a person. It held the essence of the wizard, and a great deal of memory, and knowledge of everything that happened around it since it was painted, but it wasn't real.

He looked up when the door slammed and footsteps came down the stairs. It was late. He was surprised anyone else was up. Tonks had been sharing his shift by the fire but had gone out when Albus reported an attack.

Charlie was disheveled, looking like he had just thrown on his clothes without much thought, half his shirt buttons one hole off, the other half not buttoned at all, and his jeans wrinkled. His hair was a mess, his eyes were reddened, and he had his duffle bag that traveled back and forth between London and Romania with him.

The appearance of the wizard instantly had Severus worried, "Harry... is he...?"

"He knows," Charlie wouldn't look at him and was clearly struggling with something. His voice was flat and tired and flustered. "He knows... and he left. It's my fault. I should have been blocking. I knew how he felt about it."

Severus swore silently. If Harry found out how Charlie felt about them then he must have panicked, "Where did he go?"

Charlie just looked down and shook his head.

"Damn you!" Severus stalked over and grasped the redhead by the shoulders. "We have to find him Charlie, make sure he's safe."

"I'm sorry Sev," Charlie still wouldn't look at him. "I can't. He won't want to see me. I'm going home. I can't stay here."

Charlie broke away and was in the Floo network headed for the Leaky Cauldron before Severus could do anything about it. He slammed his hand against the wall. He couldn't just abandon the fireplace. There might be an emergency.

"Dobby!" Severus commanded loudly.

The elf popped into the kitchen, "What can Dobby do for sir?"

"Find Harry," Severus ordered, furious that he couldn't go himself. "He's either at Hogwarts or Potter Manor. Get Nonny to look in the Manor."

"Is Harry Potter in trouble sir?" the elf looked like the world was about to end.

"No," Severus half-lied. Harry was going to get a long lecture about disappearing without a word but he was probably safe. Severus knew, or hoped at least, that Harry wasn't stupid enough to go anywhere else. In a panic Harry probably went to Hogwarts though, as Potter Manor was new and unfamiliar.

Dobby disappeared and Severus sat at the table for a moment, angry and reenergized. It seemed that the world was not going to give him time to mourn his losses. The fates kept throwing obstacles in the way. In a way, Severus was glad. Worrying over Harry was easier than acknowledging that his James was gone forever.

It was only a few minutes before Dobby was back.

"Harry Potter is at Hogwarts Master Snape sir," Dobby bobbed up and down. "He is sleeping sir."

"You are instructed to watch over him Dobby," Severus glared at the elf. "You will make sure he has food and that he does not hurt himself. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir, Master Snape sir," Dobby shook just a bit. "Dobby will take care of Harry Potter for sir."

Dobby vanished again and Severus threw some powder into the fireplace, "Albus Dumbledore!"

"It is late Severus," Albus pointed out when he appeared.

"Harry is in the castle Albus," Severus said in a strained voice. He was not going to share what happened, what little of it he knew anyway, with the headmaster. Harry did not need the man's interference. "He just left, and no I don't know why. Dobby told me where he is and is with him."

The headmaster just nodded and must have known Severus was holding back, "Thank you for letting me know Severus. Has Charlie returned to Romania?"

Severus felt his jaw clench. Trying to keep anything from the man was useless... well, almost useless, "Yes."

"Let me know if anything else occurs Severus," Dumbledore sighed. "Goodnight."

Severus felt like throwing something after the man's disappearing head, but he wasn't really angry with Albus. He was more annoyed with fate, with Charlie and Harry, with himself, with James and Lily.

The fireplace could be unguarded for a few minutes, Severus decided as he headed up the stairs. Once on the third floor he pounded on one of the doors, which was answered by a sleepy looking redhead.

"Severus?" Bill rubbed his face with one hand as he leaned half-way out the door. "What time is it?"

"Late," Severus replied. "Your brother has left to go back to his dragons and could probably benefit from your presence."

Bill blinked at him, "And Harry?"

"Hogwarts," Severus replied.

"Bloody hell," Bill swore. He pulled his hair back and spelled it into a ponytail. "I told him something like this would happen." He closed his eyes for a moment. "The goblins gave me next week off. I was supposed to be with the Delacours but Fleur will understand."

The door swung open and Bill began flicking his wand, sending his belongings into a small trunk. He spelled some clothes on, looking much more put together than Charlie despite the suddenness of the curse breaker's departure.

"The fire is untended," Severus informed the eldest Weasley before taking his leave.

Severus sat staring at the flames. In an hour or so he would be relieved by Arthur and Remus. It was roughly forty-five minutes before Bill Weasley came downstairs.

"I woke Mum and let her know what's going on," Bill shook his head, "what I know at least. She won't make a scene in the morning when they don't come down for breakfast." Severus nodded. "I'll be stopping in Paris on my way. Mum decided to tell everyone Charlie and I are gone on Order business, seeing as Percy's still here."

Severus had forgotten all about the third Weasley, "Charlie's blaming himself, from what little I got out of him."

"He would," Bill sighed and shook his head. "Just contact me if anything happens with Harry. I'll let Charlie know."

"Good luck," Severus wished Bill honestly. He had a feeling that Charlie would be easier to talk to than Harry, but getting either of the empaths to admit they weren't at fault was going to be a trial.

He only got a few hours of sleep that night, and breakfast was an awkward affair. Severus prepared to return to Hogwarts that day, as there was no point in him staying at Grimmauld Place. He would be much more useful at the school.

The remaining Weasley siblings, with the exception of Percy, were mostly snickering and insinuating why Charlie and Harry might not be down for breakfast yet. Percy either didn't catch the allusions or already knew there was something going on between the dragon handler and the Boy-Who-Lived.

"That's enough," Molly snapped as she set down a bowl of porridge in front of each person at the table. "Bill and Charlie are gone on business, and Harry has returned to Hogwarts."

Confusion appeared on each of their faces. A few of them looked questioningly at Severus.

"I will also be returning to Hogwarts today," Severus looked at his students and former students sternly.

Nothing more was said, and so far as Severus knew not one Weasley had mentioned the Order in Percy's presence. The former Head Boy had to suspect something odd about the house, as there were Aurors and various other wizards and witches in and out. But Percy hadn't really seen any of that, Severus reminded himself. Tonks had shown up after Percy was shown his bedroom and had disappeared for the night. The only oddity was Remus's presence, which was easily explained away by Harry being there.

"What do you think happened?" Remus quietly asked Severus over a game of chess. He had also returned to the castle at the same time Severus did. Molly, Arthur, and Remus had decided not to tell Percy that Remus owned the house.

"Harry scanned him," Severus answered with assurance. "Charlie knows better than to bring that subject up, so Harry must have dropped his shields for some reason. My guess is it was completely unintentional. Harry must have slipped."

"He had to know already," Remus casually directed a pawn to take Severus's queen. "Harry is much less oblivious than he lets on."

"Denial can be an easy escape," Severus pointed out from experience. He considered his next move and decided on a more Gryffindorish approach in hopes to throw Remus off. "So long as he kept himself from actually feeling what Charlie felt he could pretend all he wanted."

Remus smiled widely at him when Severus sent his rook into danger, said rook complaining loudly all the while, "I think we might be rubbing off on you."

"Temporary insanity," Severus muttered in response.

There was a 'pop' and Severus and Remus instantly looked for the house elf. Dobby had been giving regular reports on Harry, holed up in Granger's private Head Girl room. None of them were comforting.

"Master Snape sir," Dobby wrung his ears and shifted from foot to foot. "Master Harry still won't eat sir. Dobby puts the potion in his water like you say."

Severus and Remus exchanged a troubled glance. As far as most of the staff knew Harry was still in London, and most of the Order thought Harry was training or doing homework in Hogwarts.

"Go talk to him Severus," Remus suggested quietly. "Snap him out of it."

Severus shook his head. He and Harry did not discuss relationships, or intimacy, or anything related. They were just barely comfortable talking about their pasts and their interactions, even outside of Hogwarts, still had a bit of a student and professor feel to them. Despite all the memories Severus had seen Harry was uneasy whenever the Dursleys were brought up. Harry might call him 'Dad', but they had a long way to go.

"He won't talk to me," Severus sighed. He did not know what to do, only that something needed to be done, "not about this."

"Who will he talk to?" Remus prodded.

Severus snorted, "If it was any other subject I would say Charlie, until a couple days ago anyway."

"What about his friends?" Remus pushed.

"No Weasleys," Severus sad and Remus nodded in agreement. They were too close to the problem. "Granger is the only chance."

He really disliked travel by the Floo system, but it was either that or walk to the edge of the wards, apparate to London, and walk to Headquarters. He could be there much more quickly if he resigned himself to a few ashes and a little dizziness.

"Severus!" Molly Weasley was beginning the preparations for dinner when he came in. "We didn't expect you back so soon! Is everyone well?" By which she clearly meant Harry. "Percy had to go back to his apartment. He has work, and as much as I would like him to move back with us..."

She didn't need to finish. Percy was not a member of the Order, and so he could not live in Headquarters where he would certainly hear quite a bit of Order business. Even the students were less of a risk.

"I'll be taking Miss Granger back to Hogwarts," Severus informed Molly. She looked torn, clearly concerned for her son and the boy she had all but adopted. "Have you heard from Bill?"

She shook her head, "Not yet. He said he would call."

"Where are the miscreants?" Severus asked with a more humor than distaste. Merlin help him he was actually growing fond of Harry's friends.

That brought a small smile from the mother of seven, "I think they're all in the parlor, the twins included. It's Sunday."

The joke shop closed early on Sundays, Severus recalled, wondering when such information had made its way into his brain. He left the kitchen and heard the sound of chopping behind him. Molly must have been an excellent potions student in her day.

The teenagers, Fred and George only barely qualifying still, were where Molly had thought they were. They were practicing their dueling skills, and Ginny was making notes as she was not of age yet. He stood in the door and waited, watching. The four duelers, the twins separated one on each side of the duel interestingly, were good, too good for their age, forced to learn fighting skills at a level only seen in Aurors during years of peace. This was no formal duel, with etiquette and rules. They were fighting fiercely, and Ron had a hastily bandaged cut on one arm.

Ginny saw Severus and threw something in the middle of the duel. A cloud of smoke appeared between the duelers and they all immediately stopped and looked for the reason Ginny interrupted them. When they spotted him questions erupted from all of them at once.

"What's wrong with Harry?"

"Bill and Charlie aren't on Order business, are they?"

"Were there more attacks?"

Severus glared and they all fell silent. Perhaps he still did have some effect on them after all.

Granger then spoke up for all of them, "Harry went back on his own, didn't he?"

"Yes," Severus replied. "Pack your things Miss Granger. Your presence is necessary at Hogwarts."

"Idiots," Ron mumbled, and his siblings looked at him in confusion. He ignored them though, and spoke directly to Severus. "He did that connection thingy again right?"

It was the most likely, if poorly worded, explanation Severus had heard yet. He had nearly forgotten of that incident at Highlands Cottage and wondered how different the connection would be between Harry and Charlie, especially if it formed while... Merlin, no wonder Harry had panicked, and Charlie had looked so distraught. He had no idea what effect connecting like that would have on their empathy but it most likely increased their perception.

"You are most likely correct Ron," Severus sighed, and the other Weasleys looked surprised to hear Severus referring to Ron by his first name. "Unfortunately, no one has spoken to Harry since, and we haven't heard from Bill. Perhaps Miss Granger will be able to keep Dobby from twisting his own ears off though," he said the last sharply.

The statement sparked something and Hermione gave Ron a quick kiss on the cheek and then ran up the stairs, wand in hand. The twins began repairing any damage to the room from the duel.

"Is there anything we can do?" Ginny asked hopefully.

Severus shook his head, "I don't think any of your family could get through to Harry right now."

Both Weasleys winced and Ron nodded, "He doesn't talk with me about Charlie anyway, but that's probably my fault."

Severus healed the wound on Ron's arm, and the redhead thanked him, asking him to repeat the spell he used. The twins stopped their work and came over to learn the healing spell as well.

"Are we going by Floo?" Granger was back, presumably with her bag shrunk and in her pocket.

"Unfortunately," Severus glanced around the room quickly. The four youngest Weasleys all looked worried. "Harry will be fine. If nothing else, the task before him will pull him through, and then maybe Charlie can slap some sense into him."

They all nodded, and looked a bit better. The room in order again, all four of them said goodbye to Hermione and to Severus as well before sitting at a table and going over Ginny's notes.

Severus had no idea what Hermione did or said, but she and Harry were both at breakfast the next morning. Harry was eating... not much but it was still eating. He looked wearied and withdrawn and his housemates who were present, with the exception of the Head Girl, kept their distance.

Granger looked up and smiled sadly, then nodded. Ron's assessment was dead on then. Severus wondered if Harry would ever get a break.

There was a knock on his door the day the students were scheduled to return. He opened it and saw Harry on the side, "You don't need to knock Harry. You know that."

"I know," Harry said simply and looked off to the side at something Severus could not see. "I just wanted..."

Severus waited. If he pushed Harry would fold up and refuse to say a word. He knew, as he reacted the same way to people prying, though Albus usually managed to push through anyway. Severus stepped back in a silent invitation to enter his, their, quarters.

Harry shook his head, "I wanted to ask you to change the Potions partners and put me with Nott. Malfoy thinks he might be leaning toward our side and looking for a chance to talk to me."

That was how it was going to be then. If Harry wanted to pretend nothing had happened Severus would let him for a time. They couldn't afford for Harry to break again like he had the summer after Black died. The end, one way or another, was drawing close.

"I can do that, if for no other reason than to keep Ron and Corner on opposite sides of the room," Severus smirked and noticed that though Harry laughed, his eyes were dull. "What is the problem between those two anyway? I intended to ask since the beginning of the year."

It was Harry's turn to smirk, "Corner dated Ginny, and dumped her after Ravenclaw lost to Gryffindor. He started dating Cho almost immediately after. First Ron hated him for dating his little sister, and then for dumping her, and then for dating Cho when she and I were still a bit confused."

Severus just shook his head. The Weasleys all had terrible tempers, but Ron's had the shortest fuse.

"We're having a lesson tomorrow night," Severus reminded his son. Time and tide waited for no man, and neither did Voldemort. Harry's jaw tightened and he nodded stiffly.

Finding the Key - Chapter 37

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