Weariness was something Severus loathed to acknowledge. He and Dumbledore had finished putting all the spells and magic back into their rightful places upstairs; transfigured the material from the cupboards into beds and bedside tables. Finally, in the end, they'd cast thorough sanitizing charms upon every surface imaginable.

But while Dumbledore still looked as strong and cheerful as ever, Severus himself felt like limp pasta. The last twelve hours, coupled with the sleepless night he'd had, had been more emotionally draining than he would ever care to admit; most especially in the presence of his more powerful employer.

"Thank you for your assistance," he told Dumbledore, as they surveyed their work.

Dumbledore smiled. "Nonsense, Severus. I did help dismantle it all. You are the one taking on two house guests for the summer. I should be thanking you."

Severus tightened his lips. He refused to play that game with the nosy old man. Dumbledore was well aware of his feelings for Lily and also that he could never turn the woman away from his house, even if she had the Potter brat clinging to her skirts. He would prefer to not be reminded of the boy, but if it meant seeing Lily every day, he would put up with him.

As it was, he'd already thought the situation over a bit as he'd lain in bed the night before. He would do his best to be tolerant of Potter. He owed at least that much to Lily, and perhaps in the meantime he could get the boy to do his homework and other useful things. Something besides focusing on that damn broomstick, for he would certainly not be flying that around the neighbourhood. But if anybody thought he was going to coddle the boy, they were in for a rude awakening.

As if the older man had seen directly into his thoughts, Dumbledore spoke up, his voice low and warm, yet earnest. "You will try to be kind to Harry? After all, he is only a child."

"I will not shower him with hugs and sweets, if that is what you are referring to," sneered Severus. "But yes, I will do my best to be at least civil to him. Not because I like the boy, mind you, but because Lily deserves it."

"Did she not before?" Dumbledore cocked his head to one side as he studied Severus' stoic face. "When you thought her to be dead, did she not deserve even more then? And yet you have treated Harry better this morning than you have since the child ever set eyes on Hogwarts."

"This is not something I wish to discuss, Headmaster, and I would thank you to drop the subject," Severus ground out, spinning on his heels and leaving the newly renovated bedroom.

The truth was Severus knew that the older man was right. Logic was a trait he always prided himself in. Completely controlled, logical, and correct. And here Lily was back in his life for less than a day and he was acting like a fool. It was all incredibly ridiculous.

He reached the bottom of the staircase and was dismayed to find the kitchen empty. Hadn't he told Potter to stay in there and read? Oh, no... he hadn't. Another slip up on his part. Severus fumed as he entered the sitting room.

The child was sitting in the chair closest to Lily, but he didn't appear to be causing a disturbance. His dark, messy head was bent over the book he had been given and did not seem to notice Severus' entrance. The man cleared his throat.

Potter's head shot up so fast, he nearly dropped the book.

"Oh! Is it time for lunch already?" He twisted around to look at the clock.

Severus shook his head. "Hardly. I merely wished to check in on your progress and to see that you had not found any trouble." He gazed at the old storybook, noting with interest the place the boy's hands were holding the pages. "You are reading, I presume? Or did you just pick up this book in an asinine attempt to try and fool me?"

"Um, n-no, I'm reading."

"I'm sure." Severus was beside the chair in two quick strides and snatched the book from the boy's hands. "Ah, page 220 already, and so soon. It looks like you have been quite busy. Tell me, what happens in the first chapter?"

The child shrugged.

"A verbal response, if you would."

"I don't remember."

Severus shut the book and then leaned over Potter's chair, his own face so close to the boy's that he could nearly see his reflection in the smudged glasses. "You don't remember?"

"Okay, okay! I didn't read it! Are you happy now?"

"Do I look happy to you, Potter?" Severus asked, his voice hushed, as he stood straight again. "Can you not simply do as you're told for once in your miserable life? This is a storybook; not a textbook. You make things hard on yourself."

"I just don't like to read, okay?" the boy grumbled.

"No, it is not okay. Do not expect to live under my roof and keep up such an attitude. I assure you, I will have you finished with many books by next term and you will, hopefully, be all the wiser for it."

Slouching further, the boy frowned. "Can I go upstairs now?"

Severus gave a jerky nod and the boy wasted no time in leaping from his chair and hurrying out of the room.

Severus swore under his breath and turned around to see Dumbledore standing in the doorway to the kitchen.

The potions master scowled. "Have you been standing there the whole time?"

"I just stepped in," the old man said, eyes dancing. "I helped myself to some tea, I hope you do not mind. But now, I really must be getting back to the school. I have some ministry matters to attend to and it appears that you have things under control here."

Severus gave the man a blank stare, waiting for him to leave.

"Do greet Lily for me when she wakes, will you?" Dumbledore asked. "I suggest you try and get her in to see a Muggle doctor. She appears healthy enough, but I am certain a medical examination would not go amiss."

"I will be sure to relay that. Thank you."

Dumbledore took a pinch of Floo powder from the wooden box on the mantle. "Oh, and I would give Harry a rest for the time being. Being alone to sulk can sometimes work wonders on a child."

Dumbledore did not give any chance for a response before he was stepping into the Floo and was gone. The sounds of the Floo faded into a near silence and Severus' gaze sought the last source of noise in the room. The corners of his lips twitched.

Lily had always snored. Never was it loud or obnoxious, but it was there, if one listened close enough. She slept peacefully, her face pressed into a pillow; tousled hair falling to cover her fine features; but her back rose and fell steadily, the only real sign she was even alive.

That and the snoring.

He could have stood there and watched her breathe the rest of the day, but something felt wrong about that. His insides were writhing with guilt at a strength he hadn't felt in many years; not since the day of the funeral. As overjoyed as he was to have Lily back in his life, he feared the moment when she learned of his part in the tragic story that had become her life. And she would hear of it. Severus, prepared to hide nothing, would tell her himself.

Tearing his eyes away from her, he forced himself to move into the kitchen, where he sat down with a fresh cup of coffee. He drank too much of the stuff; he knew that. Pomfrey reminded him of the fact every so many weeks. But, he reminded himself just as regularly, a solid caffeine addiction was infinitely healthier than one of alcohol, particularly for a man who was genetically predisposed to such things.

Besides, he hadn't slept properly at all last night. After tossing and turning for two hours, he had made his way back downstairs, if only to make sure that Lily was indeed alive and well. Stepping carefully over the boy taking up his floor space, he'd selected some questionable books from his shelves and spent the rest of the night in his bed, perusing the tomes for any hint at all of what had happened that night in Godric's Hollow.

But by early morning, he had come up with nothing of substantial interest and was only left feeling exhausted and frustrated. He didn't mind problems arising, because he usually found the process of solving them quite satisfying. But this was a puzzle he could only find stressing and disturbing. He was missing something, and until he discovered just what that was it would be difficult to piece together much more.

Severus hated being kept in the dark.

A loud thud brought Severus' attention to the ceiling above. He had no great love for Harry Potter either. He had decided that long before he even met the boy, which was perhaps a bit hasty, but that was simply how it was.

The boy was a harsh, blunt reminder of so much that Severus wished he could forget. If he wasn't reminded of the dreadful days he'd spent as a student, he was hit with the stark reality of his and Lily's broken friendship and the one she had formed instead with James Potter.

He didn't begrudge her happiness. He couldn't. And she was happy, that much had been obvious. He only wished he could have been the one to make feel that way. But he hadn't been capable of such a thing. That was something he had realized years after it was far too late. His guarded love for Lily had been an immature, selfish one. It was his own damn fault that he lost everything that truly mattered to him.

But Potter was the reminder. Severus didn't need that swift kick in the stomach every day of the school year; he would develop an ulcer.

Rustling of sheets in the next room had Severus lifting his eyes to the doorway. How was he supposed to proceed from this point? Small talk seemed so simple and pathetic, but what else was there? How do you pick up the pieces after more than a decade? Was it even possible? Severus always tried to have a plan; an obvious correct choice. But in this case, there didn't seem to be one.

Lily shuffled into the kitchen, bleary eyed, but alert. Her hair appeared like she had at least tried to comb it through with her fingers. Pulling out a chair, she plopped down beside him.

"Morning," she managed through a wide yawn.

"Barely, as it is nearly noon." Severus offered her the coffee pot.

"Oh, no thanks, I can't drink that revolting lifeline of yours. I'll just get some water. Where are your glasses?" she asked, already getting up and heading for the cupboards. After filling a glass from the tap, she came back and sat down.

Severus cleared his throat. "I thought we might attempt a trip into town this afternoon, if you are feeling up to it. I'm sure there are a number of things you need. Dumbledore also suggested we get you in to see a doctor."

"That's a good idea," she agreed.

"We can go by the office here and see if they can work you in."

"Sounds perfect. Why don't we have lunch, then go?" Glancing around the room, she asked, "Where's Harry at?"

"Upstairs," said Severus, and seeing no reason to hide the truth, added, "He's sulking, I believe."

"Oh," she murmured, wrapping her fingers around her glass. "Can I ask why?"

Severus sat back and stared. "Lily, he's your son. You have every right in the world to ask why."

Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. "I know that."

"I only remind you because you seem to be..." Severus waved a hand in the air, unsure of what word he was searching for.

"Floundering? Lost?" She gripped her glass harder. "Maybe that's because I am, Severus. You ever think about that? All of a sudden, I'm the mother of an eleven year old, and I have no idea what I'm doing."

Rubbing at the back of his neck, he turned his head. Why must they always get into these quarrels? Sometimes he wondered at the simple fact they remained friends as long as they did. They had never spared much patience for one another.

"You have always been his mother," he reminded her, hoping to ease some of her irritation.

But she shook her head. "No, I haven't. Not where it matters. And just because that's not my fault, doesn't mean I don't feel guilty about it."

"Take your time. That's why you are here, remember?" He reached out and gently tugged the glass from her iron grip. "Don't push yourself. No one in their right mind would demand anything more of you."

"And Harry?"

"I highly doubt he knows what to expect." Severus frowned, recalling how Petunia had reacted to Lily's arrival. "And as for his sulking, I don't believe he was impressed with being told to sit and read."

Licking her lips, she swallowed. "Oh. Do I need to...?"

"No, I don't think so. Unless, of course, you want to."

Lily laughed this time, pushing her tangled hair out of her face. "Listen to the two of us. Neither one of know what we're doing, do we?"

Severus remained silent, casting a quick warming charm on his coffee. But before he could pour any more, cool fingers wrapped around his wrist. Lifting his head, he met Lily's serious gaze.

"You'll help me, won't you? With taking care of Harry? Because I have no idea what I'm doing."

Arching an eyebrow, he said, "I am hardly ideal parental material."

"But at least you've got experience with kids. That's more than I can say." Sitting back in her chair, she released her hold on him, leaving him feeling empty. "I'm all alone now, Severus. I can do this by myself, but I'd prefer not to. Please help me?"

Ashamed, Severus swallowed and gave a slight nod. He had never meant to make her beg. "Anything, just ask me."

The stiffness in her posture seemed to vanish. "Thanks."

Sliding her water back in front of her, he stood up and walked across the room. When he returned to the table, it was with Lily's wand in hand.

"Dumbledore brought this with him today," he said, holding the wand out to her.

Lily stared at the thin, pale rod. It had been polished to look like new, but she didn't move to accept it and Severus set it carefully down on the table top.

"We thought you would be most eager to have it returned to you," explained Severus, shoving his hands inside his trouser pockets. "I understand it might be a bit overwhelming, being without it for so long. But I'm certain that with a bit of practice, you will be back up to your regular speed in no time at all."

"Thanks," she murmured again, still staring at the wand.

Severus wondered if she was perhaps recalling the last time she had used it.

"Are you not going to try it out?" he prodded her, as light footsteps sounded on the staircase.

Glancing upward, she shook her head. "No. No, I don't think so. Not yet."

But she did reach out for it, and yet when she grasped it, it was only to slide it into her dress pocket.

Seconds later, Potter burst into the room. He froze when he saw his mother at the table. "You're awake!"

Lily flashed the boy a sheepish smile. "Sorry. Mornings aren't exactly my favourite part of the day."

"Yeah, Professor Snape said you'd probably be tired." The boy dropped into the chair across from his mother. "Are you still?"

"Not so much. Did you sleep okay?" Lily asked the boy.

Potter nodded, now grinning ridiculously.

"No nightmares?"

"I'm almost twelve!" The boy ducked his head, blushing.

"Of course, Harry, but you know, even grown-ups have nightmares sometimes. Besides, it's a mother's job to ask those questions, and I've never even had the chance. Who else is going to ask? Humour me, hmm?"

Potter looked thoughtful for a moment, then grinned once again. "Are you hungry? There was toast. I don't know if there's any more, but I can make you some. Or eggs, or a sandwich, or anything else you want."

"Thanks, sweetheart, but I think I'm going to take a hot bath right now and then we're all going to have lunch, and go into town for a bit."

"I can come too, right?"

"Of course you can." Lily reached out and patted his hand. "We wouldn't leave you here alone."

Severus caught the smug look the boy sent him. The brat was insufferable. He longed to invent a potion with Potter as the main ingredient. It would be meant to cause misery.

"Why don't you stay here with Severus and see if you can help him?" suggested Lily, giving Severus a meaningful look. Of course she was going to insist he spend some time with the brat. She could be insufferable too.

The corners of Potter's lips turned downward. "Do I have to?"

Clearing his throat, Severus said, "Do not argue... Harry."

The boy's eyebrows shot up.

On her way to the staircase, Lily stopped and kissed her son's messy hair. Pausing, with her hand on the boy's head, she wrinkled her nose.

"Does anybody else smell dead fish?"

Potter had the grace to look slightly chagrined. "Um, oops?"

Wrinkling her nose again, Lily vowed the boy would get a bath that evening, and then she disappeared up the stairs.

When he was sure she was out of hearing distance, Severus turned to the child left in his care. He opened his mouth to speak, but the brat beat him to it.

"You're calling me Harry!"

"Listen, Potter, your mother has been through very much. While you and I may not care much for each other's company, it just so happens that this house is very small. We are going to be forced upon one another for the entirety of the summer. We should at least try to act civil in the company of your mother." Severus narrowed his eyes. "That means doing as you're told and behaving yourself."

"Well, it means you've gotta be behave, too," insisted Potter, eyes darting nervously around the room. "You can't just call me Potter when she's not looking."

"You are the child and I am the adult," Severus said through a clenched jaw. "I will call you what I wish to."

"But that's not fair!"

"Life rarely is. The sooner you accept that, the fairer it will become. Now come over here and set this blasted table."

The boy complied with shuffled footsteps, and Severus forced himself to take a deep breath. What the hell was Lily thinking, asking for his help? He was absolutely not cut out for parenthood. The only way this arrangement could end was in disaster.