Author's Notes: Hello all and welcome to the lovely little corner of the world that I have created for my readers and myself to join in. I of course do not own the world of Harry Potter as it belongs to J.K Rowling a woman I both abhor and admire. If you have a problem with me please do not bother leaving a review, simply send me a message and we will take matters up that way.
Scrambling across the floor, his nails broke on the stones as he fought to get to a man he had come to respect. A ma who was now lying painfully torn apart from the abuse at the hands of men who had once been his friends. Blood slid into his eyes, his scar split open and screaming with pain as he fought to continue his way across the room, he would win this.
Severus Snape lay, his spine protruding dangerously from his skin, the white bone gleaming dimly in the light, his breath echoing in the room as a deadly rattle sounded from his chest. His eyes were half open, the black shining dangerously still, the man still managing to look deadly even so close to death. He had been tortured for hours before the rest of the Order had arrived having heard from Lucius Malfoy what they had all done to him, rape, savagery, torture beyond repair unless they got to him soon.
He had arrived first and had immediately been struck down by Lord Voldemort with a well place cruciatus sending him to the ground, his scar spurting blood at being so close to the twisted remains of the man who had once been Tom Riddle. Glancing up he saw Draco Malfoy smile cruelly as he stepped on Severus' right hand, his wand hand, those perfect hands mottled with bruises, the bones poking out, he would never be able to create another potion again. The sound was horrible, that wrenching cracking sound that made anyone with a weak stomach swallow back their gag reflex.
Pulling himself to his feet he gathered his power within him and pushed it out in a rush all down the link he held with the Dark Lord, a scream shattering the relative silence of the room. The Dark Lord didn't fall; instead he turned and pulled out the sword of Slytherin plunging it into Severus' gut and twisting it before dragging it upward.
"NOOO!" He struggled trying to move forward still, alarmingly finding that his magic was gone. He had expelled it all in an effort to destroy Voldemort once and for all and instead the other man had absorbed it, his looks returning to those of a twenty year old with cold red eyes.
Harry bolted upright in bed, his stomach turning; he stumbled when he got out of bed, the sheets tangled around his legs. He rushed to the bathroom and knelt in front of the bowl heaving roughly, the back of his throat burning as his body attempted to rid itself of whatever was making it feel so completely horrible. Unfortunately it couldn't as the memories, distorted by his subconscious continued to appear behind his eyelids every time he closed them. Continuing to heave roughly Harry felt like he was being torn apart inside, shudders wracking his always too skinny frame as he sobbed, the thought of losing such an important battle breaking him apart inside. He couldn't tell how long he had been there and when it finally ended he rested his head against the lid after closing it comforted by the coolness of the plastic. It wasn't until a small creaking noise announced the arrival of another and the door opened that he even looked up.
Severus Snape looked down at his lover of two years, a look of tired annoyance on his aristocratic face as though this was something that happened regularly. And unfortunately for both of them it was, too often as did the argument that followed.
"Potter," He snapped lightly, his voice no longer holding the sting it once had; although it still had the ability to cause Harry's back go ramrod straight when the right tone was used. "Why didn't you wake me?" He arched a fine black eyebrow, almost sneering.
"I didn't deem it necessary to do so," Harry responded, showing a mask of wide eyed innocence in return to Severus' frustration despite the dried tears on his cheeks. "It was only a dream."
Rolling his eyes Severus shook his head, his dark hair falling into his face. "For Merlin's sake you know your dreams leave your mind fragile as well as ill for the better part of the day. If you were to wake me immediately I would be able to stop you from feeling such pain." He was exasperated, his knuckles whitening as he clutched the arm of the wizarding chair he sat in, the ability of mobility forever taken from him.
"Perhaps I thought that you needed your rest as well," Harry snapped, unable to stop the irritation that flashed through him, his green eyes filled with a weak anger, growing steadily within him. "I am not a child I am quite capable of taking care of myself."
"Then stop bloody well acting like one Potter." Severus growled, his voice low and almost dangerous as he moved further into the room reaching out to jerk Harry up from the floor, almost sending the young man tumbling into his lap.
Harry seethed, jerking his arm away from Severus he fell back against the wall before pushing himself upright. "My name is Harry, I am not a stubborn arrogant git like my father, and perhaps you forget that sometimes. Just remember who warms your Slytherin green sheets at night Snape." He shoved past, ignoring the indignant look when Severus' chair whipped around quickly and made his way back to the bedroom. He lay down on the bed on his side, closest to the window and stared out at the brilliant green yard trying to calm the shaking in his muscles.
A few moments later the bed sank down as Severus managed to get into the bed and wrapped both arms around Harry, pulling him back against his chest, allowing him to feel the strength in him still. "You're a real brat sometimes Harry."
"I know, I'm sorry. I just...I feel like I could have done more, I could have saved you," Harry murmured turning to face Severus he took one of the potions master's hands in his own and kissed his palm. "I don't mean to act like a brat."
"Yes you do." Severus kissed his brow and smoothed some hair away from Harry's face, his fingers as long and elegant as always. "At least you're my brat though." He commented. "I can deal without walking."
Harry nodded and lowered his eyes his cheeks flaming, "I miss it. You walking that is, not that I have any protests against you being this way at all. It's simply, you never being able to sweep along hallways in that melodramatic manner again scaring students."
"Harry," Severus chided, his voice as smooth as every, gliding over Harry's skin. "You of all wizards know that I was not going to return to that castle to teach those dunderheads one more lesson about potions, an art which very few appreciate and understand. It is a waste of my good education and breeding if there isn't a war."
Grinning Harry shook his head, "You git."
"Your git." Severus pulled him closer still and sealed his mouth over Harry's, something, as he had learnt years before that could be used to effectively quiet the Gryffindor.
Harry chuckled against Severus' lips and returned the kiss easily, wrapping his arms around the older man's waist moving closer as the moment engulfed them both.
"Now go back to sleep brat, it is far too early in the morning to be participating in such activities, and far too bright outside." Severus pulled back and drifted off to sleep, one hand on his hip comfortably.
"Good morning to you too Professor," Harry chuckled as he too fell asleep, snuggling into Severus' side despite his protests.
