Hey! I have decided to do one more chapter, although i would have preferred positive reinforcement rather than the negative that i got, but ah well. You guys were right in the end, i had fun with this chapter. I actually know how i'd continue it further, i may do a post war harry/Severus/Draco relationship, since i'm in a poly relationship myself. But, that's for the future. For now, enjoy.
A curse hit Severus so hard, his side split open. Tonks screamed in agony. And Harry hit the ground.
But then, so did voldemort.
Everyone froze, watching their two silent leaders. And then death eaters began to disappear. They knew what it meant, they didn't bother checking to see if their leaders was dead- it was pretty clear. His lifeless body lay motionless, his head at an unnatural angle.
But then, so did Harry.
Severus rushed forwards, only one thought in his mind- Get to Harry. But not all the death eaters had fled. Some had stayed and some were angry with him, now clearly a traitor, in particular. There was a bang, a flash of light. And then Nothing.
He awoke some two days later, on a bed in St Mungos. It took him a long time to figure out where he was and what happened. In agony, he rolled over, and his breath left his body. Harry lay on the next bed over, his small body curled in on itself.
Was he okay?
Despite the pain, despite the fact that every movement was agony, he stood, and walked to his young , he stretched a hand down. He was breathing. Severus's knees trembled and he threatened to sink to the floor.
Luckily, at that moment, a Healer came in and helped him to bed, admonishing him softly. But he didnt care. He knew Harry was alive and that was all that mattered.
"Now, Professor Snape." The Healer said, smiling. "Im Healer Collins and im actually the head Healer here. Im very glad to see you awake, but please don't overexert yourself."
He explained, as gently as possible, that the curse down Severus's side was practically nasty, and he may never move normally again. But all his thoughts were on Harry.
For the next few days he slipped in and out of consciousness, each time rolling over desperately to see if Harry had awoken yet. He hadn't. But Severus's hope didn't fade. As long as he was alive, there was hope.
Finally, Severus awoke. Actually awoke, not merely fought through a haze of uncertainty to check on his beloved. He was suddenly alert, and whole, and feeling surprisingly well. Not much later, McGonigal bustled in.
"Severus!" She said, clearly happy to see him awake. Severus was surprised, but did not object to this new found affection for him. "How are you?"
"Fine. How's Harry?" And then, as a clear after thought he added "How are you?" As she, too was in a hospital gown. "Oh fine, fine. I caught a nasty Havamal Hex, but they say im through the worst of it."
"Mhmm. And Harry?" Severus prompted, not caring and not caring to hide that fact. He hadn't changed that much.
"He…" She bit her lip. "Well. It appears that he actually was a horcrux."
Severus was stunned.
"Or, at least his scar was. And Voldemort killed that piece of him. And Harry himself, is...well in a sort of limbo."
Severus shifted. That...wasn't the best news. But it wasn't the worst either. People had come back from these things. He'd have to look up the various presidents and prior cases, but he knew it had happened before. Suddenly, he felt so tired.
"I'm sorry to disturb you." She said, standing. "You need to rest. I'm only in the next room over, if you feel better, come and see me."
Severus nodded, but he could barely keep his eyes open. He drifted into sleep once more.
By the time he awoke again, it was night, and hushed voices drifted towards him from Harry's bed.
"Terrible shame, of course." Said one. Severus was pretty sure it was the minister. But why was he there? "Just can't risk it."
"Yes." Another said, although they didn't seem too sad. "The prophecy was quite clear anyway. They both had to die."
Wait what? Severus thought wildly. But that mysterious voice continued.
"Harry made it quite clear it's what he wanted. He went bravely, lets not forget that."
"Yes…" said the minister again. "Are you quite sure we should not at least try for a cure though?"
"Would you risk He Who Must Not be Named coming back?"
"No…"
"Well. There you are then. The prophecy has spoken and we can't risk it. Let's take him off the life support charms. He can slip away quietly."
Severus froze. Were they going to kill Harry?
""That would be rather painful...won't he starve?" The minster asked sadly.
"He won't feel a thing. If you ask me, he's already gone anyway, minster."
"I can't… that's too much. Surely there's a potion you could use… an overdose of painkillers or something."
There was silence for a moment. Severus could barely believe it. They were trying to kill Harry. He shook with rage. Part of him wanted to jump up and kill them both then and there. He would have too, if he wasn't so weak.
And then. "It could be done. Tonight?"
"Uh. Yes. Best not to linger I think." The minster confirmed uncomfortably. "Best to get it over and done with."
Slowly, Severus rolled over, as quietly as he could. He opened his eyes just slightly and saw- the Head Healer, who'd been so nice before. He almost couldn't believe it. Surely this was some sort of awful fever dream? But no, it was far too real. Behind the monster's back,. Collins smiled evilly, and Severus swore revenge.
"Alright" Collins said. "I'll go get it"
"I'll be off too." The minister said quickly. "I don't need to be here for this"
They hurried out.
Severus jumped up. He had to do something, Get Harry out of there. He could do it, right? He had to. Maybe he was mad, he didn't know. But he's done enough battle healing to know the basics. He knew "life support charms" as that idiot called them (they were in fact an incredibly complicated cocktail of potions and charms calibrated to each person).
Lightly, he picked Harry up. And he almost fell over. The boy was heavy! He'd forgotten how muscular Harry was, never really taken into account how much that weighed. He froze, worrying that the sound had alerted someone. But they were used to strange sounds in the night, this was a magic hospital after all. Still, he knew he didn't have much time. He pulled Harry into a standing position, supported by magic and his own feeble arms. He apperated. That was sure to get their attention, it was hardly stealthy. But he didnt care. Again and Again, he apperated, the better to get them off of his trail. And then, an idea struck him. He needed somewhere to go that he wouldn't be followed. Hogwarts was out,. His cottage was out. Grimmauld place was certainly out.
But the shrieking shack was a good possibility.
He scowled. He hated to owe anything to that low life dog and the mangy werewolf, but he couldn't think of anything better. Besides, this way he could easily get to the castle, to his books and potions ingredients. It took almost an hour, but he dragged Harry inside, up the stairs and to the bed. It was still filthy, but at least it was safe. He wanted to fall down next to Harry, so badly. But he couldn't. He set up every ward, every charm he could think off, to get the others off of his trail. Only when he felt fully safe, did he crawl into bed next to Harry, submitting instantly to blissful; sleep.
No news reached Severus in the small shack, but the rest of the world was rocked
"DEATH EATER STEALS BOY WHO LIVED" read one head line
"HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED FAITHFUL CAPTURES HARRY POTTER"
And
"HIGH RANKING DEATH EATER SCUM ABDUCTS FALLEN HERO"
And the man hunt was on. His former "allies" didn't hesitate to throw him under the bus, Lupin especially came forward with all sorts of stories.
But Severus wasn't a brilliant spy (perhaps even the world's best) for nothing. Each day he regained his strength, and each day he kept Harry safe.
Those that knew the couple were astonished. It just didn't make sense. Why had Severus waited till now to harm Harry, if indeed, that's what he was doing? Most were convinced that it was. They reverted back to their hatred and distrust of the man very easily. But McGonigal wasn't. She thought back to their last conversation. The man had been so concerned with Harry, so genuinely worried...she trusted him.
And so she tracked them. She knew they had to be near Hogwarts. It was perhaps Severus's fatal flaw. In all his long life, he'd never really left. Not as a student, not as a teacher. She knew he had to be close.
And it was easy enough to bribe, trick or intimidate the portraits into giving her information. Yes, they were there. They had seen him slipping into his potions cupboard. But where exactly? They had no idea.
Severus, meanwhile was making some amount of progress. Harry still hadnt regained consciousness, not by a long shot. But he was now making involuntary movements, and that alone was good.
He had researched other cases of this thoroughly, and had come to a basic conclusion. The issue was either too much magic in his system, a sort of overload, or too little. But seeing as these were opposites and contradity solutions, it didn't help much.
One week shuffled into the next, and little changed. Severus was starting to get anxious. Yes, the movement was good, but it wasn't enough. Besides, by now he had heard the latest headlines...He lay back on the bed. He was willing to admit, that he maybe hadn't thought this through entirely. He had just been so scared for Harry...he clearly hadn't thought with his usual clarity though, and for this he cursed himself.
He looked down at Harry's body. He couldn't help but smile, every time he saw him. He gathered the boy up in his arms and kissed him lightly on the temple. That always made him feel better. But still fear crept in. What if he wasn't good enough? What if he failed this, failed Harry? He couldn't bare to think about it. Instead, he buried his face in Harry's chest, and breathed deeply. Tomorrow would be better, he promised them both.
But outside, McGonigal had finally got an idea. The shrieking shack had not shrieked in almost 18 years. Even the local people were getting rather casual about it. Cautiously, she turned into her cat form, and approached. She slunk low to the ground, hiding amongst the tall grass. There, on the top floor, was a broken window. Surely she could squeeze through it.
She scaled the wall quickly and easily, jumping from one window ledge to the next with grace. God she loved being a cat! She got in, landing neetly. She took a moment to wash herself, before heading forward. Her hearing was much more acute and immediately, she knew she was in the right place. Two people breathed deeply in a neighboring room. Both men, both injured. This had to be it.
Still low to the ground, still cautious, she stepped forward. Both of them would know her form instantly, of course. It was no disguise. But she was small and silent, and there was a chance they simply wouldn't notice. On this, she gambled. And she won.
The two of them lay sleeping on the bed, entwined in each other's arms. Her heart immediately softened. She couldn't help but purr. It was clear to her that Severus hadnt meant Harry any harm. He was probably just addled by too much magic, driven insane by the war. She didn't blame him. But she couldn't let this happen to Harry, he needed proper care. She sighed.
She left quickly, before she could be detected by Severus. Even injured and asleep, the man was dangerous.
She lept back out the window. She wasn't entirely sure what to do next, however. She truly wanted the best for both men, although she had no doing that meant a mental asylum for Severus. In any case, she had to control it, she couldn't just go to the police.
She went to Dumbledore instead. They gathered up the loyal supporters, (though internationally leaving out Lupin, they didn't want to upset him further.) And headed out.
Though they weren't so lucky this time. This time, Severus was awake, tending to Harry. And he heard them approaching. He had more than enough time to get ready, throwing up every shield he could think of, through more around Harry than him. By the time the warriors set foot in the room, it was clear they were up against some serious magic.
"Severus…" Dumbledore started, taking in the slightly wild look in his eyes, his deschelved clothes, his obviously injured body. He certainly looked mad. "Let's be reasonable about this"
To be fair, Severus hadn't been expecting him. He'd been expecting the Minister and his assassins, after Harry. He paused.
"All we want is to look after Harry." Dumbledore continued smoothly. "Will you allow that?"
It was a trick question and everyone knew it, but it was a good one. There was no way Severus could say no. Instead he said.
"As long as he stays here."
"And why is that?"
"They want to kill him…"
"No, Voldemort is dead. " Dumbledore said, calmly and slowly as if speaking to a child. He meant it nicely, to calm the man. It wildly irritated him.
"Not him! Them!" Severus spat. "The minister."
Now dumbledore really knew Severus was mad. He sighed.
"No, Severus. That's not true" God, it drove Severus absolutely mad. After everything he'd done, after everything he sacrificed, they still simply did not believe him. Every bad memory, every shred of hate and bitterness came back to him. Nothing had changed. It was just like when Black was getting into the castle and no one trusted him, it was just like when he was bitten by Fluffy and no one helped him, it was like every time he'd ever been rejected. Again and Again and Again, and nothing changed. And he knew in that instant he could kill all of them, he didn't care if he died too, in fact he almost wanted to. He just need this to stop.
But Harry shifted, moaned just slightly. It was enough to draw them all in, each praying, hoping just for a moment, for a miracle.
Harry was worth staying alive for. He was worth fighting for, and he knew if he didnt, Harry would go straight back to Collins, and the minister, and he'd die. And he couldn't have that. Sohe kept his temper, though it pushed his strength of will almost to the breaking point.
"I can prove it." He said solow. "Bring me a pensive. I'll show you the memory."
And they did. It took them almost an hour- during which Severus wouldn't let anyone get even close to Harry- but they did it.
Wordlessly, he deposited the memory.
Mcgonial was first. She emerged, anger all over her face. "He's right" she said simply. They went one by one, each coming out enraged, dismayed, and shocked. He tried not to be offended that they were shocked he was actually telling the truth, but he couldn't quite manage it.
Finally, Dumbledore was the only one left.
"Well?" Severus asked tartly.
"I don't have to look. If they believe you Severus, I do"
It was meant to be a compliment, a show of faith. It didn't quite work, it was far too little too late. But Severus didn't comment.
"So what do we do?" Someone asked. Secretly, Severus was actually glad to have others around. It was good not to have to take full responsibility for everything.
It was decided that they would go to the press, expose everyone and everything. But that Harry would stay hidden. That's all Severus really cared about, he let the others deal with the rst.
A makeshift hospital was set up in the shrieking shack, mainly because Severus refused to leave Harry, and he still needed physical therapy for his side.
One month dragged in to the next and he only had a dim awareness of the outside world. He knew there were lynch mobs out for Collins and the minister had to step down for his own safety, but that was about it. He didn't care for much. Untill-
"Where's severus?" Harry mumbled, before he even opened his eyes. He heard screams, yells of delight, someone crying. But it all seemed so far away.
"He's doing physical therapy… he'll be so sad he wasn't here...he's barely left your side." Mrs Weasley half cried.
"Stop jabbering and get him mum" ginny admonished.
And so she did. Barely a moment later, Severus burst in, gathering Harry up in his arms.
"I've missed you." Harry said, before falling into unconsciousness once more.
But that alone was a great step, and from there it was only a matter of time untill a full recovery.
Barely a week later and he was sitting up in bed, the sun streaming through the window and bathing him in golden light. "So what actually happened?" he asked for the first time.
"Well..." Severus said, pulling him even closer, although they were so entwined he didn't know how that was possible "let's put it this way. Your going to have one hell of a lawsuit on your hands." Severus warned him
"That's okay. I can fight anything, with you by my side."
