A/N: If you've been following this story from the beginning, I am sorry to report that I accidentally posted part of this chapter as Chapter 3. I realized my error and replaced it with the correct chapter. This is Chapter 4. You might have read some of it already, but this is longer that the chapter I mis-posted. Sorry about that. Enjoy.


Snape waited restlessly to begin. Although the potion for the binding spell was complex, it wasn't difficult. It merely required patience and attention to detail. And loathe as he was to admit it, both would have been difficult without a good night's sleep.

Luna entered the lab, humming softly under her breath. She sidled up beside Snape and said, "Today is a new day."

Snape grunted. "Shall I begin?"

Luna looked over the ingredients he had spread before him. Aside from the various bits of plants and other potions ingredients, a small fire had been started beneath the stainless steel cauldron. Two glass stirring rods balanced in individual beakers on one side, and his wand rested on the bench on the other. Two stainless steel flasks rested on the edge of the workspace, waiting for their respective potions.

"In a moment," Luna said. "First, let us sit by the fire."

"Miss Lovegood," Snape said, "There isn't time to waste…" he began, but still he didn't resist as Luna his hand and guided him to the two comfortable chairs before the fire in the corner of the lab.

Snape followed Lovegood's lead and sat as she did. He was anxious to get started brewing; patience was not his strong suit, especially not at a time like this.

"Today is a new day," Luna repeated.

Snape felt his annoyance flare. They didn't have time for Luna's musings!

Luna's voice took on an ethereal tone. "Today is the day you choose to share your magic with Harry Potter."

Snape stared, his attention now riveted by the otherworldliness of the witch beside him. She seemed to shimmer and glow, and the hair on the back of his neck prickled. "Luna?" he breathed.

Her voice dropped lower and her eyes slid shut. "Today is the day that you willingly offer your heart and soul, your magic and your essence, your health and your sanity, and everything you are, in the time-honored ritual of choosing a mate."

"Today is the day you will restore your mate to full health and happiness."

Snape caught his breath, seeing in his mind's eye days long past, after the Battle of Hogwarts, when Harry had come to him, desperation and longing in every line of his being. They had fallen together in a heap of lust and limbs and a desire to forget, to replace, the pain that had marked the boy's short life and Severus's longer one. What had begun as a quick coupling had turned into months of mutual soothing, and grown into something well beyond convenience. What he wouldn't give to have those carefree days back, with Harry healthy and strong and in love.

"Today is the day that you will claim what is rightfully yours," Lovegood said.

A twinge of regret washed over Severus as he remembered. Remembered Potter professing his love for him, to him. Remembered the way he had refused to return the words; not because he didn't feel them or mean them, but because he thought Harry had deserved better. Harry had been only 17 when the war had ended. What could he possibly know about love and commitment? Snape had taking his feelings of love for the boy and twisted them into anger. He had accused Potter of using him to hide from the world. He refused to believe that the boy could actually love him in any measure close to how much Severus himself had loved Harry.

He had pushed Harry away, sure that he was doing what was best for both of them. Soon Harry would find another and forget him. But Harry had never forgotten Severus, any more than Severus could forget Harry. Instead, Severus had forced them to lose more than 13 years that they could have spent together.

"Today is the day you will release any guilt from the past and embrace the future."

Focusing on Lovegood's eerie words, Snape forced himself to let go of the pain and regret that had consumed him upon Harry's return.

"Today is the day you will commit your entire being to your mate, and accept his entire commitment in return."

Snape closed his eyes, barely daring to imagine a brighter future than the one that had looked so blead for the last three months.

"Today is the day that you will brew a potion to cement your intentions."

Yes, Snape thought.

"Today is the day you will say the incantation that will bind you for your life."

Snape blinked back the tears threatening at his lashes.

"Severus Snape," Luna's strange voice intoned, causing Severus to snap to attention. "Today is the day you will bind yourself to Harry Potter with eternal love and devotion."

"Yes," Snape breathed, studying the witch beside him who didn't look to be herself at the moment.

"Then let us begin," Luna said, standing, and drifting to the potions bench where the ingredients were laid out.

Snape followed her, studying her closely. She seemed to be in some sort of trance. Her eyes were fixed, her breathing even, her normally blue eyes grey and distant. He swallowed, slightly unnerved.

He began brewing the potion as she stood silent and still beside him, her eyes staring straight ahead.

He raised a dropper of liquefied root of asphodel, planning to add the required two drops, when Lovegood stilled his hand. Her gaze still focused in the distance, the eerie voice speaking though her said, "You must first mix the asphodel with a tincture of essence of dittany. Then stir over a low flame for 5 minutes, add a pinch of cinder wood, let rest 7 seconds, stir clockwise, and add."

Snape balked. He checked the instructions again. Nothing she said was there.

As if sensing his disquiet, she spoke again. "This is more than a ritual binding; you must also heal your mate's magical core. You must tend to his pain. You must do this, Severus Snape, or the binding alone will be unequal to your desires."

Severus shivered at the command in her voice. Considering she wasn't even watching him brew, yet seemed to be completely aware of his every move, not to mention not herself at all, he obeyed. He repeated the instructions back to her to be certain he'd heard and remembered them correctly.

He worked in silence, occasionally interrupted by slight deletions and additions from Luna in that odd all-knowing voice. He hoped beyond hope that whatever it was he ended up brewing would work.

After 2 hours, the potion was ready. It was blood red in color with strands of silver treaded throughout. Smoke hung on the surface, but didn't rise into the air above.

Carefully, Severus decanted the potion into the two stainless steel flasks and set them aside.

Luna's voice rung with authority. "He will need a strengthening solution before you begin."

Nodding, Snape retrieved two different vials from his stores. He had to assume that the two wouldn't interfere, lest Luna would have told him otherwise. He held them out to Lovegood. Without hesitation, she reached out her hand, and selected the pearlescent one with a silver sheen.

"Can we go to Harry now?" Snape asked, waiting to see if she had any further instructions for him.

She turned and walked out of the lab, heading toward Snape's bedroom.

Severus followed, only slightly surprised to see the Dream Team in residence, gathered around Harry's sick bed. Severus steeled himself against the sight of the man he loved, who looked to be on death's doorstep. His breathing was ragged, his eyes closed.

Everyone glanced up at their entrance.

"Luna?" Neville asked. "Are you alright?"

Severus glanced away from Harry to look at Luna. She was stark white, her eyes distant, her expression severe. She looked like an old crone, and it was frankly disturbing.

"Luna?" Hermione echoed, stepping towards the witch.

"Don't touch her!"

Hermione froze and everyone looked to Snape. "She seems to be commanding the ritual at the moment. I would guess she's channeling an ancient spirit, or ancient magic at the least."

"How is that possible?" Weasley asked, as Ginevra placed a featherlight charm on a wet cloth and laid it upon Harry's brow.

"No idea," Snape said.

Luna stepped out of the room and Snape made to follow when the others closed in around him.

"Is Luna going to be okay?" Neville asked.

"I presume so," Snape replied.

"Is the potion ready?" Weasley demanded.

"Yes…"

"What do we need to do?" Hermione asked.

"You all…"

"When will we know if it worked or not?" Ginevra queried.

"I…" Snape was frustrated at the constant questions and interruptions. He wanted time alone with Harry. He wanted to shoo everyone away.

Luna returned with a mug of what looks like broth and vegetables. She pulled a chair up next to the bed and pulled Harry into a sitting position.

Harry cried out in pain and Snape stepped forward, but Granger put a hand on his arm to stop him. "Wait," she whispered.

Sweat ran in rivulets down Harry's face and a keening filled the room. Snape clenched his jaw, desperate to ease the other man's suffering.

Luna placed a hand on Harry's head and chanted something none of them could understand. Harry stilled beneath her touch. If Snape didn't know better, he'd think she'd just put him under the Imperius curse.

"Harry Potter, you must eat this," the voice that wasn't hers said.

She spooned the broth into his mouth with efficiency, then held out her hand. "Professor, the strengthening solution."

Snape fumbled in his pockets and pulled it out, placing it in her hand.

Lovegood poured out two spoonfuls, which she fed to the obedient, silent man before her. Then she laid him back down, and pulled out her wand.

Snape winced, afraid of what she might do. She waved her wand at the vial in her hand and it changed into a dropper. Carefully, she placed one drop of the strengthening solution into each of Harry's eyes. Everyone in the room gasp as Harry's eyes flashed silver before settling back into their characteristic green, now with silver strands threaded in the irises.

Then she placed a bead of the solution on Harry's closed lips. "Severus Snape, you must seal this with a kiss."

Ginevra scooted off the bed, and Snape took her place, carefully settling beside Harry. He leaned forward and gently touched his lips to Harry's quiescent ones. He almost pulled back at the sensation of power that spread across his lips and radiated between them, the taste of silver spreading across their chaste kiss.

When the tingling sensation seemed to imprint itself more firmly, Snape pulled away, touching a finger to his lips.

"It is time," Lovegood said.