Chapter Seven: And all my dreams come true
One sign, that's all he needed, one sign to let him know that Harry was alive! Severus paced the length of his massive chambers, boots clicking on the marble floor. He had spent two months looking for Harry, and not even a trace of him! He sighed and sat down heavily on the dark, mahogany bed, putting his head in his hands. What was he going to do? He had less than three months until the deadline and then his parents would force him to marry whichever dunderhead they saw fit. He felt his heart constrict painfully at the thought. He wanted to be with Harry, having spent seven blissful months getting to know him and spending days on end together. He missed his laughter and the happy smile that lit up his face whenever he saw him.
Severus stood up abruptly, and started to pace again. He needed to find Harry, but he had already looked everywhere, even going so far as to sneak into the castle one day and questioned all the maids and servants. About his disappearance, all they could tell him was that he went off with the huntsman and was not seen again. Severus could've pulled out his hair in frustration. Of course, once he went to look for the huntsman he discovered that he had left the kingdom and was not going to return. Severus had sent out search parties for both Harry and the huntsman but neither of them were found.
Severus looked at the small sundial viewable on his balcony and sighed. He needed to meet his parents soon. They had called an impromptu meeting this morning and he was morbidly curious as to what they wanted to discuss, although he had a sinking feeling that he knew exactly what it was.
An hour later, Severus sped walked all the way to the courtyard, his heels clicking menacingly through the stone hallways. Any servant that got in his way quickly scurried out of sight. He smirked. They were all so afraid of 'the dark prince' as they called him. Then he sobered at the thought of what his parents had just told him. He made it outside and strode over to one of large oak trees, then proceeded to rest his back against it and slowly slid down the trunk. He put his head to his knees and let out a shaky breath. He was out of time. His parents were forcing him to marry now, he was to go and meet the prince they had chosen tomorrow. He was being to forced to marry some pathetic prince, who had a reputation for being a snob, and worse he was being forced to marry someone he didn't love. How could his own parents do that to him? He didn't even get a say in the matter, because they had said his 'fruitless searches had gone on long enough and now it was time to grow up and be a man.' Severus scoffed. He was more of a man than his drunk father would ever be. He slowly rose and went to his chambers to prepare to ride out and meet his fiance.
'Yes, thank you Filch you may be on your way.' he told the old stable hand, who bowed low and shuffled away, mumbling under his breath. Severus rolled his eyes and with a flick of the reins, his large black horse started cantering away from the castle, picking up speed as it went. He scratched his arms in discomfort. He had put on a new outfit to meet the prince and his hair had been washed thoroughly, until there was no greasiness left, and was pulled back in a low ponytail, tied with a satin ribbon. He wore a well fitted, black and gold, high necked tail coat and a silk and lace, ruffled button down shirt underneath, with black trousers. He had donned his cloak that looked like it was made out of the night sky, as it was his favourite for traveling. He was on his way to meet this obnoxious prince, Lucius Malfoy, whom he was told was six years older than himself and a complete pompous arse. The prince's kingdom lay next to Harry's, so he took the route through the Harry's kingdom's forest, which would make him only an hours ride away from Lucius.
Severus had been riding for hours and was completely exhausted, his horse in a worse state. The poor creature had been struggling through the brambled path without a break, and was close to collapsing. They both needed to rest for a bit. He stopped the horse and slid off, his thighs and back aching from the nonstop riding. He lead the horse up an unfamiliar path that looked well trodden, black boots almost silent on the dirt. Eventually, he came into a small clearing, where he saw several red headed peasants kneeling by a glass coffin. He walked over to them and was about to ask what they were doing, when he glanced at the coffin and gasped in shock. It was Harry! They were gathered around his body, silently crying. They turned to glare at him, but Severus paid no attention. He only had eyes for Harry, whose face was drained of life. Severus looked down at the tear stained faces of the red headed family and felt his stomach drop. No, it couldn't be. He felt his feet carry him over, until he was pressed against the edge of the coffin. He raised the glass covering on the younger prince and put it gently down on the grass beside him.
Severus felt his knees buckle and his knees hit the cold, hard earth. Harry was dead, gone, never knowing what he had felt for him. Severus bit his lip and looked at Harry's serene face, and ran a shaking hand down his face. It was still slightly warm. He looked at the oldest man in the group that was gawking at him and asked,
'How long has he been like this?' The man looked at him and bowed his head.
'Three days' he replied softly. Severus thought it odd that Harry's skin was still warm, even though he had been dead for more than a day.
'Who are you?' a little girl asked.
'My name is Lord Severus I am from one kingdom over. Harry and I are...were…..friends.' he replied, unable keep the misery out of his tone. He heard a few small gasps and looked to the now surprised faces of the people around him.
'What?' He demanded.
'It's just that...Harry had told us about you..' The young girl trailed off her face red.
'Harry talked about me?' He looked disbelievingly at the family. They all nodded. He felt a small warm glow in chest but it faded quickly when he glanced back at the love of his life. Severus squeezed his eyes shut trying to stop a tirade of tears. He turned to face Harry and gently ran a hand through his soft unruly hair. Taking a deep, shaky breath he leaned towards him, a tear making its way down his large nose and landing with a soft tick on Harry's cheek. He let his eyelids close and pressed his lips to Harry's soft ones. Severus lingered a moment, then pulled back and lay his head on the edge of the dais, his shoulders shaking. Suddenly he felt a hand touch his arm. He looked up and cried in surprise
'Harry!'
Harry had been trapped in a dreamlike haze, until he became aware of a warm feeling seeping through his bones, as if magic was flowing throughout his body. He could feel his heart restart and begin to beat wildly. His eyes fluttered open and looked straight into the eyes of one, Severus Snape.
'Severus' he breathed. Both of their smiles could have lit up the sky. Harry held out his arms, wanting to be held by the one he loved most.
Severus stood up and put his arms around Harry's small frame, scooping him up, bride style. He didn't know what had happened, and he didn't care. He had his Harry back and that was all that mattered. Harry nuzzled his head into the space between Severus's neck and shoulder, resting there contentedly.
After a while, Harry became aware of the Weasleys, voices and realized they were thanking Severus. He lifted his head and blushed at all the smiling and knowing gazes set upon him. He looked up at Severus's face and met his eyes, then leaned forward and their mouths met in a slow, sweet kiss. Harry pulled away with a happy sigh and laughed as he saw the gobsmacked look on Ron's face. Severus put him down and took his small hand in his larger one and squeezed. They were finally together.
After a tear felt reunion, (it was mostly the girls who were providing the tears and Ron) Harry was put on Snape's horse and they rode away to his castle.
Once they arrived they approached his parents, who gave them their blessings, and soon after they were married. All the Weasleys were invited along with all the maids and servants who had been kind to Harry, while under his Aunt and Uncle reign. Vernon and Dudley were both taken care of in the dungeons, and Hagrid was found working at some weird school called Hogwarts. Harry and Severus united their kingdoms and ruled them both together. They loved each other for the rest of their lives and lived happily ever after.
One day Harry was walking through the courtyard when he saw his old well. He paused, then smiled to himself and passed it by. All of his dreams had already come true.
The End
