Sorry this took so long to post. I had bad writers block and then with Christmas this was just set aside. However now I know where I want this to go and am excited to get back into the story.

Thank you to everyone that reviewed it means a great deal to me, it really does.

To those that put on their alerts and favourites again thank you.

Chapter 10

"Why don't you get some rest Harry? Young Edward will sleep for a few hours." Severus tugged on the young hero's hair, a soft smile on his face.

"I don't think I could sleep. I'm to restless." Harry sighed.

"Would you like me to give you something to help you sleep? Nothing too strong that you won't wake if your godson needs you."

Without thinking the younger wizard leaned his head on the headmaster's chest. Finding comfort in the strong heartbeat, something Harry found oddly peaceful. When strong arms wrapped around his shoulders the hero closed his eyes as they swayed gently as though dancing to their own music.

How long they stayed this way neither knew nor cared. It wasn't until a car horn broke the peace that Severus seemed to snap out of it. Blushing Harry quickly stepped back, not able to look the taller man in the eyes. Not saying a word, Severus led Harry to his bedroom.

"Stay"

Severus sighed as he sat down at his desk. Before him was a mound of paperwork that he couldn't put off any longer. The ministry was asking him for miracles getting the school open and fully functional before the new school year. Even with all the help they had and magic the chances were slim to none.

He was interrupted when he felt the wards go off at the bottom of the stairs. Anyone who had the password would have just walked up. However whoever wanted to see him wasn't one of the students or Charlie. Waving his hand towards the door the gargoyle stepped aside allowing entry. Severus stood wand at the ready, just in case. He managed to school his features when Neville Longbottom entered. Relaxing he took his seat once more his gaze not leaving his former student.

"Mr Longbottom what can I do for you?"

Neville the once scared boy who almost fainted every time he saw the potions master smiled and walked forward sitting down across from Severus. Any fear he held for him now gone.

"I just wanted to say thank you." Severus raised his eyebrow. Neville chuckled before continuing. "I may be rubbish at potions sir, but I'm not blind to what you did for me and the other students."

"No thanks required Mr Longbottom."

"I believe there is sir. Hogwarts chose the right man for the job." Neville smiled as he stood and held out his hand.

Severus took a few seconds to follow suit and shook the younger wizard's hand. "I feel I need to reciprocate Mr Longbottom. If not for you we would never have won this war. I admit I always wondered why you were put into Gryffindor. I guess the hat was correct all along. Would you join me in some tea?"

"Neville and please it would be most welcome sir."

"You may call me Severus, Neville. May I ask why you won't be returning?"

"Thanks to Professor Sprout I have been accepted as an apprentice in London."

"Congratulations. Apprenticeships are hard to come by but with your herbology scores I am not surprised."

Neither man spoke as they sipped their tea. "Sir, you will look after Harry won't you?"

"Always." Severus wondered how Neville knew he was in contact with the saviour of the wizarding world.

Nodding the young man put his cup down and stood, Severus standing as well held out his hand. "It's been an honour and a privilege sir." Neville left without waiting for a response.

"The honour was all mine." The headmaster said at the closed door.

Harry jerked awake to the sound of his godson crying. Unsure what to make of his dream. He couldn't deny the safe feeling he had when the potions master was around. Why wouldn't he, after all the man had kept him safe for the last seven years of his life. Yet had never felt compelled to actually seek comfort from the man, also doubting the man would appreciate it. One Severus Snape didn't come across as a cuddler at all.

Yawning he swung his legs over the side of the bed before grabbing his glasses from the bedside table. Teddy cries were getting more persistent and demanding. Running a hand through his hair the young wizard made his way through to the nursery and picked up the distraught child.

"Getting a little hungry there champ?" Harry asked having checked out for any weird smells. "What shall we have today? Milk or, let's see milk…. Yeah will go for milk huh kiddo."

Once Teddy was happily sucking on his bottle Harry sat down with a sigh. He knew that Severus was busy but a small part of him hoped the man would still be around. The ache in his chest had once again returned but not as bad as it was before he had seen his old potions professor. Maybe he should mention it to Poppy next time he saw her. He was still young and healthy and knew it couldn't be his heart. Although it wasn't unheard of in the muggle world for young men or women to have heart attacks. He was drawn from his musing when he heard Teddy sucking on nothing but air.

"Guess you were hungry, huh little dude." he said placing his godson on his shoulder and patted his back lightly like he had been shown.

It wasn't until Harry had put Teddy down that he went to find himself some food. All the while rubbing his chest, wincing at the pain. No longer feeling hungry he, settled for a cup of tea. His stomach still small from the year on the run, didn't feel so bad when it was filled with the warmth the tea offered him.

While his godson was down for a nap he pottered around the house tidying up. There wasn't really a lot to do but he needed to keep himself busy. When everything was done he ran his fingers through the small selection of muggle books as television never held his interest during the day. Settling down on the couch he began to read the Hobbit.

Just as he was dozing off a sharp pain in Harry's chest woke him. Sweating he stumbled towards Teddy's room fearing the worse. Opening the bedroom door he collapsed in agony.

"Really Severus you need to rest. You will be no good to anyone if you fall ill." Poppy sighed.

"Stop nagging me woman. I'm perfectly fine. I slept a few hours."

"Yes well…."

The medi-witch was interrupted when there was a sudden explosion and the walls of the castle began to crack. If it wasn't for Snape's quick thinking she would have been crushed as the wall from her office collapsed.

"Move we need to get out" Severus shouted pulling her to the door. Walls all around them and the floor started breaking away. "Get to the grounds as far away from the building as you can. Don't stop for anything."

Poppy didn't have time to protest as the headmaster pointed his wand at his throat and ordered everyone out of the building. Dust and debris falling all around him as he tried to keep his footing as more of Hogwarts began to crumble.

Outside people could be heard screaming yelling for family and friends fearing they were again under attack. Charlie Weasley was helping people move away along with Neville. Seeing Poppy run down the steps, Charlie raced towards her.

"Was anyone still inside?" he shouted helping her further away as the roof of the entrance collapsed.

"The headmaster." she cried out kneeling on the grass her legs no longer able to hold her up.

Charlie ran towards the castle only to be held back by strong arms. "Let me go Severus is still in there." He shouted twisting to try and get out of the hold.

"It's to dangerous." Neville panted holding the strong dragon tamer in his arms.

There was another big explosion and everyone turned away as dust and debris shot up into the air before making its descent. When the dust cleared there was nothing left but a huge pile of rubble. Hogwarts was no more.

"NOO!" Charlie screamed, finally breaking free from Neville's arms and raced towards the rubble.

Neville quickly followed as did a few other men. "No, no, no, no." Poppy cried looking around for any sign of the headmaster.

"Poppy snap out of it." Minervia said grabbing her friend's arm. "You need to get a hold of yourself. Everyone here is going to look for the headmaster. I need you to go and check on Harry," she took a deep breath. "If we have lost Severus what will happen to Harry?"

The medi-witch looked around at the cacious. "Dear God no. I have to go." she said stumbling over the pile of stones.

Racing through the wards she took one final look at the building that was once her home and disappeared with a crack.

TBC