Disclaimer – Isn't mine.
Chapter 3 – Oh ye of little faith.
Albus smiled brightly when Harry arrived for breakfast on Snape's arm. The potions master walking slowly enabling Harry to keep up quite easily. Snape pretended not to notice when Harry stumbled slightly before sitting down and leaned heavily on him, although he could tell by the slight flush to Harry's cheeks that the young man was embarrassed.
The meal continued quietly, the other professors asking after Ron and Hermione and the other students Harry had gone to school with. Harry answered as politely as he could.
'Ron and Hermione are coming for lunch on Friday.' Severus murmured.
Harry continued with his meal as if he hadn't heard the softly whispered comment, a slight curving of his mouth the only indication that he had.
As everyone was leaving Albus pulled Harry aside. 'I have taken the liberty of having the floo in your rooms connected to both Poppy and Severus just in case you need anything.' Harry opened his mouth to protest but Albus held up a hand to quiet him. 'It's just precautionary Harry. You might need some potions or such things quickly and it saves you walking all the way down.'
The Boy-Who-Lived hesitated. 'You do know that I have trouble flooing like this.' Harry said softly.
Albus nodded his blue eyes dimming. 'Yes, but they can bring them to you.'
Harry sighed, realising even as he wished he could vehemently deny any help from anyone, it was a sensible idea. 'Thank you Albus.' He murmured.
'I'll let you get back to work my boy. I know you have lesson plans to finish.' Harry nodded and limped slowly towards the door having found that even the simple task of walking down to breakfast had been tiring.
When he arrived back in his room he noticed that Severus had surreptitiously left two vials of pain potion on his side table when they left this morning. Harry sat down at his desk and swallowed one, sighing as the pain faded. Mentally thanking the potions master he pulled out the first year's text books and began his lesson plans.
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The next few days passed in relative peace, Severus escorted Harry to breakfast and dinner each day and joined the young man in his quarters for lunch. Severus was trying very hard to be what Harry needed but Harry didn't want to rush things. He didn't think he could stand it if the older man shut him out again.
On Friday it was eleven o'clock when Hermione tumbled out of Snape's fireplace, it was still connected to the floo network from three years ago.
'Morning Severus.' Hermione said brightly.
'Miss Granger.' Severus gave her a small smile.
Hermione frowned. 'None of that thank you. Harry told you, and it goes double for me and Ron.' She said firmly as the above mentioned redhead tumbled out onto the hearth.
'Morning Ron.' Severus snorted as the youngest Weasley male stood and brushed the soot from his robes.
'You know it wouldn't hurt to have the house elves clean your floo once in a while Severus. Anyone would think you didn't want visitors.' Ron grumbled.
Snape snorted again. 'Who do you think forbids them from cleaning it?' He asked with a smirk.
'Sadist.' Ron retorted.
Severus just smiled. 'Shall we?' he gestured to the door and the three moved to head up to Harry's rooms where they were to have lunch.
'How is he Severus?' Hermione asked tentatively as they trekked up from the dungeons.
Snape sighed softly. 'He's still in a lot of pain. He insists on being the first to every meal so he is already sitting down when everyone else arrives and then he waits until the room has almost emptied before he leaves.'
'What about with you?' Ron asked curiously. The two Gryffindors couldn't help but smile at the slight softening of the potions master's expression.
'We're good. I've had lunch with him each day. He is still fiercely independent and again, he is always already sitting down when I arrive. However he does use an awful lot of wandless magic, everything from opening to door to pouring the tea.' Severus grumbled slightly.
Ron snickered softly. 'Harry's wandless magic still creep you out then.'
Snape glared at the young man. 'I just don't think the saviour of the wizarding world should be using a skill noted as sinister so conspicuously.' He said primly.
'Have you ever thought that it saves him more pain by not moving?' Hermione countered.
Severus sniffed. 'Of course I have, but it doesn't mean I'm comfortable with it.'
'Does he ever get up, when you're there I mean?' Hermione asked.
Snape shook his head. 'Not if he can help it.'
'I wish they could do something for him.' Ron said sadly as they crested the final staircase and headed down the corridor.
'I can't believe St Mungo's can't do anything for him.' Hermione sighed.
At that point they reached Harry's door and Severus knocked. 'Come in.' came Harry's voice. Sure enough Harry was already seated at the table. He beamed at his best friends as they hurried across the room to say hello. Hermione gave him her usual bear hug as Ron slapped him on the back.
'It's good to see you mate.' Ron said happily, sitting down next to Harry.
'Yes Harry, how are you?' Hermione asked sitting on his other side. Harry flicked a hand at the door closing it sharply causing Severus jump. Harry smirked before speaking.
'It's good to see you too, and I'm fine Hermione.' He said firmly, gesturing to Snape to sit down. 'I hope you're hungry, I think Dobby's trying to kill me again with all this food.' He snapped his fingers and a huge assortment of heavily laden plates appeared.
'God I miss Hogwarts.' Ron whined immediately piling his plate high with food.
'Ronald.' Hermione scolded, slapping him on the arm.
'What?' Ron asked innocently. 'I was just stating a fact.'
'Yes, well, you should be more polite and stop thinking of your stomach for more than a minute. You are a guest.' Harry had been watching the exchange with a smile. He had missed this.
Ron and Hermione had stayed together after graduation but decided they wouldn't get married until after the Dark Lord was destroyed. At the time they had said they weren't ready, but Harry had found out later that they had made a pact that until Harry had a life, a life free of Voldemort, than neither would they. To this day Harry still couldn't work out what he had done to deserve such great friends.
Of course they weren't always this carefree. Five years ago they had both been captured by Lucius Malfoy on their way home one evening from the cinema and had been held hostage in a daring plan to lure Harry to him.
Harry had been fighting a Death Eater cell with six other Aurors down in Kent and hadn't even known they were missing until he had returned almost a week later. Thankfully in the meantime, Severus had found where Malfoy had been hiding them and had somehow released them without revealing himself, secreting them in his home at Snape Manor until they had fully recovered. It was how the two Gryffindors had come to be so close to the normally irascible potions master, allowing Harry to finally reveal to them his feelings for the other man.
'Isn't that right Harry?' Ron asked.
Harry shook himself out of his daze. 'Sorry Ron, I didn't catch that.' He replied softly. He noticed Severus look at him in concern but he just shook his head.
'I just said that we aren't really guests, are we?' Ron asked.
Harry smiled. 'I don't know Ron guests don't usually have to help tidy up afterwards.'
'Guess we are guests then.' Ron said firmly, tucking into a large piece of chicken. Harry snorted and began his own lunch.
The meal continued on in this vein, laughs and jokes exchanged between all four friends as they discussed all manner of subjects. Finally Hermione suggested they move to sit by the fire for tea.
'Severus, why don't you show Ron and Hermione the view from the window in the study, it's absolutely magnificent.' Harry requested. Snape, knowing the request for what it was, gestured for the two to stand before ushering them into the study but not far enough that they couldn't see from the doorway.
'He barely lets anyone see and he certainly won't let anyone help.' The older man whispered as they watched Harry take several deep breaths before pushing himself out of the chair and balancing one hand on the table and one on his cane. They saw the blood drain from his face and his breath come in gasps as he fumbled in his pocket for a vial. He downed it and with shaking hands placed it back on the table before he limped slowly towards the sofa and lowered himself into a large armchair.
'Oh Harry.' Hermione whispered, her eyes filled with tears. They watched as Harry closed his eyes, his face flushed and sweat dotted. 'Surely there is something we can do.' She whispered insistently.
Severus shrugged. 'I am working on a few things but nothing yet. They managed to regrow the bones but there are still bone fragments from the old ones throughout the leg that are too small for the Banishing charm to remove. They also have no way of regenerating the shredded muscles or the nerves. It was a one in a million curse to hit him where it did and for him to live.'
'Harry always has been luckier than most.' Hermione said sarcastically.
'Come on.' Ron walked back into the sitting room. 'Alright there, Harry?' he asked softly.
Harry opened his eyes and smiled wanly at Ron. 'Yes thanks.' He whispered, snapping his fingers as Hermione and Severus walked in to call for some tea. Snape perched on the arm of Harry's chair, placing a soft hand on Harry's shoulder and looking intently into his eyes.
'Are you sure?' he asked gently, the concern evident in his expression.
Harry smiled, reaching up to place a hand over the older man's. 'I'm fine, Sev. Really.' Harry promised. Snape looked intently for several moments before nodding and moving to sit in the other armchair.
'So.' Harry asked, his voice unnaturally bright. 'Have you two set a date yet? No more excuses now.'
Ron and Hermione exchanged suddenly nervous glances. 'Well, actually….' Hermione trailed off.
Harry frowned. 'What? What is it?'
'Well, you see…we thought….it will be a long….' Ron stammered, trying to get out what he wanted to say in such a way that Harry wouldn't get offended.
Harry's eyes narrowed. 'Oh no, no, no. You aren't putting this off anymore.' He said firmly, eyes flashing. 'You said when Tom was gone you would. You've put this off long enough because of me and I refuse to let you put it off any longer.'
'But Harry, we really want you there.' Hermione cried.
'I will be there.'
'But I want you to stand up for me.' Ron interrupted. Severus could see Harry beginning to get upset and he tried to signal to Ron to let it go but it was to no avail. 'The ceremony will be long, more than an hour, we just wanted to wait until you were better.'
'I won't ever be better Ron.' Harry said coldly. 'This is as good as it gets.' He pushed himself up off the sofa, hissing sharply as the pain ripped through him. 'If you wait until this is fixed,' he said hoarsely, gesturing to his injured leg. 'You will be waiting forever. Don't do that Ron, don't do that to Hermione and don't do it to me.' All three could see Harry struggling to control his emotions and weren't surprised when he limped slowly over to the bedroom and disappeared through the door.
'I didn't mean it like that.' Ron said quickly.
Snape sighed. 'Just set the date Ron. Harry thinks you both have given up so much already for him. Set the date, Harry will be there, I can promise you that.'
'Maybe.' Hermione said softly.
Severus looked at the two Gryffindors intently. 'You both do realise that Harry knows exactly why you haven't got married before now. He knows that it had less to do with the Dark Lord and more to do with him.'
'What? How?' Ron asked.
Severus sighed. 'You are not known for your discretion Mr Weasley.' He said with a small smile. 'He overheard you talking, to Mr Longbottom I believe.'
'Bloody hell.' Ron swore.
'Indeed.' Severus smirked. 'Just set the date. He will be there and he will stand up for you. If he can stand up and face the Dark Lord in the condition he was in, he can stand up for his best friend on the most important day of his life.' The older wizard said sincerely.
'He's right Ron.' Hermione said softly. She got up off the sofa and walked over to the bedroom door, knocking quietly. 'Harry? Harry, please can you come out? We have some news for you.' Harry limped back out the open door and it was clear that he had washed his face and combed his hair. Severus wondered what exactly had happened behind the silencing charm he knew Harry had erected the minute he had walked into the bedroom. Harry didn't sit down, instead leaning against the back of the armchair.
'We've set a date.' Hermione said. Harry's face brightened instantly.
'Really?' he asked. His voice was even hoarser than before and Snape wondered if he'd been screaming. He studied the pale face intently as Harry's attention remained on Hermione.
'Yes, well, we didn't really set it.' Hermione gave him a small smile. 'We've known for years that we would get married on this particular date for a particular reason. We just didn't know which year.'
'What date? Why?' Harry asked, his excitement finally becoming evident.
'We wanted to marry on this particular date so that you could have something good to celebrate. It hasn't been a good day for you for so many years.' Hermione said tentatively.
'Halloween.' Harry whispered, his expression becoming distant. 'You're getting married on Halloween.' He swallowed heavily and dropped his head to his chest.
'Is that alright, Harry?' Hermione asked uncertainly. 'It's just we know that Halloween has been such a sad time for you for so long and we wanted to do something to change that. If you don't want us to we won't, we just thought that.' Harry cut her off.
'Mione, you're rambling.' He whispered huskily, raising his head so they could see the tears in his eyes.
'Sorry.' She said softly.
'I can't believe you would do something like this. What did I ever do to deserve such good friends?' he whispered, tears finally escaping his eyes and trickling down his cheeks.
'Oh Harry.' Hermione cried and rushed to wrap her arms around him. At Severus' urging Ron stood and crossed the room to stand beside his friend, an arm around his shoulders.
'Is that alright, Harry? You don't mind?' Ron asked tentatively.
Harry raised his head from its hiding place in Hermione's hair. 'I think it's great Ron.' He said huskily. 'I can't thank either of you enough.'
Ron beamed at Hermione and Severus snorted, knowing the idea had obviously been the redhead's.
'Why don't we finish our tea?' The potions master suggested. 'I believe you have to be back at the Ministry in less than half an hour, Ron.' Ron nodded and everyone sat down, Harry surreptitiously wiped the tears from his face. Severus struggled to remain seated when Harry gasped harshly as he settled.
'I'm fine.' He breathed heavily at the older man's look, but Severus watched as he swallowed several times trying to push down the nausea that threatened to overtake him.
'Oh my, look at the time.' Hermione cried. 'You might have half an hour, but I have to back in ten minutes.' She jumped up, pulling Ron with her. 'We'll drop by next week.'
'Yeah, see how you're going with the brats.' Ron added with a grin.
'Ronald.' Hermione scolded, leaning down to give Harry a kiss on the cheek.
'I'll walk you down.' Snape offered. Ron squeezed Harry's shoulder in goodbye and with a wave and a promise to return from Severus the door closed behind them leaving Harry in peace.
'Good god.' Harry whispered, shifting slightly as he tried to get comfortable. Finally in a position that didn't pain him too much he leant back and closed his eyes. His breathing steadied and it wasn't long before he was asleep.
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When Severus returned Harry was still asleep. He closed the door softly and smiled when he saw the relaxed expression on the young man's face. He gently lifted him, careful not to move his injured leg and carried him through to the bedroom and placed him down on the bed. The last action woke the young man and he gasped, opening his eyes.
'Sorry.' Severus said guiltily. Harry smiled and shifted over, biting his lip almost hard enough to draw blood, and gestured for Snape to sit down. Severus sat and placed an arm around Harry's shoulder allowing the young man to rest his head on Snape's chest.
'Thank you Severus.' Harry whispered. Snape smiled and reached up to run his fingers through Harry's soft black hair. He had forgotten how much he had missed holding the younger man in his arms.
'You're welcome, Harry.' He replied softly.
They lay there for several hours, Harry sleeping peacefully curled in Snape's arms as Severus gently carded his fingers through Harry's hair, occasionally placing a soft kiss on the top of his head. The potions master couldn't remember being so at peace.
Eventually Harry stirred and opened his eyes to see onyx black ones looking at him intently. Harry smiled and tilted his head up to capture the lips above him. Severus groaned softly as their tongues met. Harry used his arms to pull himself further up the bed and wrapped his arms around Snape's neck as he deepened the kiss. Severus reached under Harry's shirt grasping his waist and lifting Harry gently onto his lap.
'Severus.' Harry half gasped, half moaned as Snape's lips travelled down his neck to his collarbone and began nibbling gently. Harry pulled the man's head back up and plundered his mouth before hugging him tightly. Both men were breathing heavily and it was several moments before their heart rates returned to normal.
'Severus, I…'
Snape held his fingers up to Harry's mouth, halting his words. 'Harry, it's okay.' He said softly. Harry smiled and tenderly cupped the other man's cheek.
'Thank you.' He whispered. Severus gave him another chaste kiss before gently lifting the younger man off his lap and placing him down on the bed.
'It is almost dinner time, I should make an appearance. Do you want to come?'
Harry shook his head. 'No, thank you. I'm rather tired. Can you please pass on my apologies?'
Severus nodded and squeezed Harry's shoulder before placing a soft kiss on his lips. 'I have to go to London tomorrow but I will be back before the feast on Sunday night, okay?'
Harry smiled. 'I'll see you at the feast.' He promised. Snape gave Harry one of his rare true smiles before disappearing out the door.
Severus returned just as the sorting finished and the headmaster called for the food. It had taken him longer than he had thought it would to find the ingredients he needed for the potions he was making to try and heal Harry. He slipped in through the side door, snorting inwardly at the soft groans from three of the tables as he sat down on the headmaster's right.
'Good evening, Severus.' Albus said brightly, himself snickering at those same groans. 'We weren't sure you'd be back in time. I trust you found everything you needed.'
Severus nodded. He had told the headmaster what he was going to London for as he needed Albus' help in procuring some of the rarer ingredients. 'Where is Harry?' he asked suddenly.
Albus shrugged slightly. 'I haven't seen him since yesterday.'
Severus face paled. 'You haven't seen him at all?' he hissed urgently.
'I sent Dobby up with his meals but other than that, no I haven't.' Albus said simply. Snape stood up abruptly. 'Severus?'
Snape ignored the headmaster, instead sweeping around the table and stalking swiftly from the hall, robes billowing menacingly behind him.
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'Harry?' he knocked loudly on the younger man's door. There was no answer. 'Harry?' he called again.
'Go away.' Came the pained reply.
'Harry, let me in?'
'Go away.'
'Harry, please.' Severus pleaded. A sudden pop startled the potions master.
'Oh Professor Snape, Dobby is so happy you is back. Master Harry needs help but he has forbidden Dobby to get anyone.'
'What happened?'
'Dobby does not know Professor Snape. Master Harry is on the floor and he can't get up. He won't let Dobby help and Dobby does not know what to do.'
'I can't get in past his wards.' Severus gestured frantically at the door.
'Dobby can.' The little house elf said, grabbing Severus' hand and disappearing with a crack. They reappeared moments later in Harry's rooms. Severus dropped Dobby's hand and rushed to Harry's side as Dobby began beating his head against the wall.
'Harry.' Severus cried. Harry was prone on the floor, a broken glass nearby.
'Severus, I'm fine, please just go away.' Harry said slowly.
'Oh yes, you look fine. Dobby say's you need help and Albus says he hasn't seen you since last night. Just how long have you been down there?' He asked drawing his wand.
'Don't.' Harry pleaded waving his hand and disarming the older man. 'Please Sev, just leave me alone.'
'Harry.' Severus began, kneeling next to the young man but not touching him. 'I just want to help you. You can't stay down there forever. The students are all waiting to meet their idol.' He added with a smirk.
Harry snorted. 'Some idol.' He muttered.
'Harry.'
'I don't need any help.' Harry said harshly.
'Yes. You do.' Severus said just as harshly. 'Don't be such an idiot. Everyone needs help sometimes. You are just going to have to learn to accept it.'
'I have two words for you, Severus. Cauldron and black.'
Snape ignored him and bent down, wrapping his arms around Harry's shoulders and waist and pulling the young man to his feet. He ignored the vehement protests spouting loudly from Harry's mouth and practically dragged the man over to the sofa and set him down on it gently.
'Dobby, stop that and get back to the kitchens.' He scolded the house elf who was still banging his head against the wall and Dobby soon disappeared with a crack.
'Now what happened?' Severus asked, delving into his robes for several vials he carried around with him. Harry had snapped his mouth closed and looked at him sulkily. Snape sighed. 'Harry, do you remember the second time I came back from a meeting after you first moved in?'
Harry nodded. 'Yes.' He said petulantly.
'Do you remember the condition I was in?' Harry nodded again. 'Do you remember how you took care of me?'
'I remember how much you complained about it.' Harry said snidely.
'But I let you.' Severus said quietly.
'Yes, you did.' Harry said grudgingly.
Severus took Harry's hand in his. 'I tell you what. You let me be, god forbid, a Gryffindor, and help you, and you can complain about it as much as you like.'
Harry looked at the smirking face in front of him and couldn't help but snort. 'You're incorrigible.' He muttered, grabbing the vials out of the potions master's hand and downing them one after the other.
'Yes, but you love me anyway.'
Harry looked deep into the black eyes inches from his. 'Yes, I do.' He whispered seriously.
Severus swallowed, knowing it was now or never. 'I love you too, Harry.' Severus saw Harry stiffen imperceptibly and leant forward to kiss him, pouring everything he felt for the other man into it. After several minutes he pulled away to see Harry's eyes suspiciously bright.
'Really I do. I'm sorry I never had the courage to tell you before.' Severus said softly.
Harry smiled, leaning forward to place a kiss on the potions master's forehead, an action that Severus found both surprisingly erotic and soothing at the same time. 'Good things come to those who wait.' He whispered. A silent conversation seemed to pass between them before Harry sighed.
'I guess we had better get down there.' He said sadly.
'Yes, if I know Albus, and I do, I imagine he has held off pudding until you arrive.' Severus smirked. Harry groaned.
'Do you need a hand?' Severus offered his arm.
Harry grinned. 'I'm alright from here. It's just from the floor that I have a problem.' He said wryly, taking the offered arm anyway, gasping slightly as he stood.
'I'll just have to make sure you are never on the floor then ever again.' Snape told him. Harry snorted. 'Not without me, anyway.' Severus added.
'I knew that was coming.' Harry snickered.
Snape groaned. 'Oh god, I'm getting predictable.' Harry laughed and they headed slowly towards the door.
The trek down to the great hall took almost ten minutes, Harry getting quieter and more solemn every step. He stopped just as Severus went to open the door.
'I can't.' Harry whispered.
'Harry, you can do this.' Severus said softly.
'No. They'll be expecting Harry Potter, not some crippled waste of a wizard.'
Snape grabbed his shoulders turning him to look into the frightened green eyes. 'You are not a cripple, Harry.' He hissed harshly. 'You are injured, after fighting and defeating the darkest wizard this world has seen for many years. You are injured but you will get better.'
'No I won't.'
'Yes, you will. You might not be back to a hundred percent but you will get better than you are now. I promise you.'
Harry's eyes brightened. 'You've found something?' he asked hopefully.
Severus smiled, reaching up to cup the young man's cheek tenderly. 'Something.' He confirmed. 'There is still a lot of testing to do before I know for sure however.'
'Thank you. For trying I mean.' Harry said sincerely.
'Was there ever any doubt?' Severus smirked.
Harry looked thoughtful for a moment. 'I don't know. When you first came down from the castle to meet me, I thought you were ready to throw me to the giant squid.' Harry snorted.
'Well, we had been waiting for sometime, brat.' The potions master said fondly.
'Too true.' Harry said ruefully. 'But I did have a very good reason.'
Snape nodded. 'That you did. Now, we had better get in there before we have a riot on our hands.'
'Yes, the puddings have always been very popular,' Harry snickered as Severus pushed one of the large oak doors open and followed the green eyed man in.
Harry limped in, leaning heavily on his cane. He came abruptly to a halt as the entire hall instantly stopped talking and turned his way.
'Oh god.' Harry whispered as he caught the looks in the faces of the students.
'It's okay, Harry.' Severus murmured from his side as he took the young man's elbow to propel him gently in the direction of the head table.
Albus stood up at this point and called for the student's attention. 'And now I'm extremely pleased to be able to introduce you to your new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher, Mr Harry Potter.' He said with a smile.
Whispers broke out around the hall, most disbelieving that they were actually going to have Harry Potter as their Professor. Soon the students were on their feet clapping and cheering and it continued for the entire time it took Harry to limp slowly up to the head table.
'Oh ye of little faith.' Severus murmured as he helped Harry into his chair before sitting down beside him.
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