DISCLAIMER: Come on let's say this together, the author of this work of fanfiction DOES NOT own Harry Potter. If she did, suffice it to say that it would have been written very differently.

A/N: FYI, this is a Snarry slash fic, just in case you were in la-la land when you clicked on it. There will be intimate homosexual encounters between Harry and Snape ahead. If you don't like it, please go away now.

~*~ Prologue ~*~

Harry could tell feel Snape's life draw to an end and watched as the older man's eyes grew distant and began to close. It was as if a shard of ice had slashed through Harry's stomach and up into his throat.

Oh God, he thought, Severus Snape doesn't deserve to die like this. God, he doesn't deserve to die at all . . . oh God please don't snuff the life of another person who's devoted themselves to protecting me. Oh please, I can't take another death on my conscious. It's not fair! It's not fucking fair!

The freezing discomfort now permeated Harry's chest and burned his lungs. He watched in horror as Snape's chest heaved convulsively one last time . . . and suddenly his subconscious surged forward as swift as a world class Seeker grabbing the snitch at the World Cup.

No thought was involved as Harry brought his lips soundly against Snape's. And for one agonizing second he feared his delayed effort was in vain and that he was now kissing a dead man. But then he felt a faint breath tickle his nostrils, shallow but much less convulsive than the last.

He moved his lips, urging the mouth beneath his to open as well. And as he unselfconsciously deepened the kiss he breathed life into Severus Snape's body. He felt the man beneath him respond, strength gradually returning to his muscles as he drank the energy Harry offered.

Bracing his hands on either side of Snape's head, now that he'd become an active participant, Harry opened his mouth even wider allowing himself access to Snape's tongue. His tongue thrust against Snape's and Snape accepted the intrusion, his mouth locked with Harry's, his movements very gradually become stronger and more purposeful.

After a few moments, Snape was strong enough to put a gentle yet firm hand on Harry's chest.

"Potter," he said when Harry quickly broke the kiss, rocking back on his heels to regard the Potions Master. Neither said anything for several seconds.

There was something Harry had never seen before reflected in Snape's eyes: amazement. He watched as Snape raised himself into a sitting position.

"You're needed amidst the battle," he told Harry softly.

Harry stood up and backed away. "Don't die while I'm out there, please, sir?"

Severus exhaled deeply, his hand feeling the blood that had dried at his neck.

"You go kill Voldemort and I'll endeavor to keep breathing. Does that sound acceptable?"

All Harry could do was nod curtly and force himself to hurry away.