Author Note: Severus is … well, really OOC in this chapter. I figure a man who's been alone his entire life, who expects to be killed or at least attacked but suddenly finds himself with friends and allies on all sides, would be overwhelmed. He's held in his emotions for twenty years, but Harry's been softening him, and with everything, I thought it reasonable that all this would break down his defences.

But, just so you know, Severus is way softer in this fic overall, so if that's not your style, you might not like his characterization. I have a lot of trouble writing angry, mean, abusive Sev so most of the angst in my fics is external.

More notes at the end of this chapter.

Chapter 10

The moment Harry's feet touched down, a piercing shriek cut the night. He froze, but before he could even determine what had happened, strong hands shoved him further down the street.

"Go, Potter," a voice called in his ear. "Stationary targets are easier to hit."

With a shudder, Harry dragged his trembling feet forwards, letting the force at his back guide him. He stayed silent and moved swiftly, even when black-cloaked forms swept from every doorway, searching for the intruders. To Harry's shock, they searched the sides of the street, the shadows and corners, but left the middle of the road untouched. Of course, they would expect anyone who triggered a Caterwauling charm in a town full of Death Eaters to hide, not prance about in plain sight.

They passed the Hog's Head, where a grim-looking old man with familiar blue eyes watched the proceedings from the stoop, and the gates of Hogwarts appeared around the bend. Almost there. Once inside the castle, the Marauder's Map would show any approaching Death Eaters, making avoiding them easy. They just had to make it to the gates ….

A bone-rattling chill sank into Harry's flesh and tore at his heart. He gasped and tugged his cloak tighter around him, but no winter wind had brought such soul-biting cold. Familiar screams rebounded off his skull—Not Harry! You won't take him!—before he realised what had found them.

Dementors. Harry stepped back into Severus, shaking and petrified, as the ghostly black forms hovered closer.

"S-S-Sev?"

"I'll do it."

Harry leaned into Severus and held him, praying it would give the man the power he needed to call his Patronus. A moment later, an argent form leapt through the streets and Harry could breathe—oh gods, he could breathe again.

Severus whispered, "All right?"

Harry nodded into his shoulder and hugged him. "T-thanks."

"It is qui—"

"There," cried a voice on their immediate left. "I saw it! It was a doe."

Severus pushed Harry again, and they moved towards the gates once more.

"A doe?" A feminine voice cackled. "Snapey-wapey, where are you hiding?"

Bellatrix. Harry shuddered and moved faster.

The old man at the Hog's Head called out. "Oi, that wasn't a doe. It was a goat! My Patronus, you idiots. Expecto Patronum!"

Another silvery form darted through the streets. Harry silently thanked the old man and prayed the Death Eaters took the bait.

"You're lying," the male Death Eater protested. "I swear it was a doe."

Aberforth scoffed. "Brains like that, you could be a Death Eater, boy. Didn't I just prove my Patronus was a goat?"

The voices faded as Harry rounded the bend, Severus' hand still warm at his back. They said not a word until Severus had disarmed the alarm on the gates and led them through.

Harry tapped his wand against the map in his hand and whispered, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

"Potter!"

"Ssh!"

Severus pushed him forwards, and Harry walked while he scanned the map. Two dots outside the castle perimeter. Ah, there they were. He searched for any other dots around them and, seeing none, grabbed Snape's hand and pulled him at a run.

"What are you—"

"Ssh!" Harry tugged him forwards again. "I have a map of Hogwarts that shows the people in it and where they are, and no one can hide from it. We're safe—there's no one out here right now."

"You are sure of this?"

"It showed me Pettigrew in my third year, Severus. I thought it was malfunctioning at first …."

"But then you realised Pettigrew had been masquerading as Weasley's pet rat. Where is the nearest Death Eater then?"

"Um …." Harry looked over the map and scowled. "Old Mouldy is in the Great Hall with Dolohov. Reckon we should avoid them."

"Indeed. There is no one in the small hallway directly to the west of it?"

Harry followed his finger over and frowned. "Oh. That's not on my map."

"It wouldn't be, not if students had created it."

"What do you mean by—oh. Damn."

Severus gave a quiet snort. "Parchment that insults people, indeed."

"How in the bloody hell did you remem—"

"Later. We are almost to the doors. Guide me to the hall I just showed you. The door is at the southwest corner of the Great Hall, behind the portrait of Sir Carogan."

Harry groaned. "Oh no. Not that mad knight."

"No indeed. Sir Cadogan is his brother. There is not much of a familial resemblance, I am happy to report." Warm hands gripped Harry's waist. "Lead me to the area I spoke of."

Harry swallowed at the heady feeling of having Severus so close. "O-okay." He pulled the heavy entrance doors open as quietly as possible and waited until Severus had moved in behind him before easing them shut.

"Right," he whispered. "Follow me."

Harry guided Severus this way and that, pausing only for one tense moment when Amycus Carrow passed so close, Harry could smell the tang of blood on the man's sweat. He suppressed a gag and held his breath until the Death Eater had gone. With a soft sigh, Harry resumed their tandem trek to the unmarked hallway until a portrait of a stern, fair-haired knight halted their progress.

"Invisible or not, I know you are there. None may enter without a password."

Severus murmured, "Invictus," and the portrait gasped.

"Headmaster. You have returned?"

"For a time, Carogan. Guard these halls and let no one—not portrait, ghost, nor human—know that I am here." He paused. "Unless Professor McGonagall has given you instructions?"

"Yes. I know who to notify."

"Good. Make sure you say nothing to Armando Dippet."

"Yes, we know of his treachery. The scallywag now lies in tatters in the greenhouses among the Devil's Snare."

Harry shuddered. "Merlin."

Carogan fixed his eyes on Harry. "Students are not allowed within."

"This is Potter, Carogan. He is with me, and I cannot leave him alone."

Carogan nodded. "Ah. Then Mister Potter has a question he must answer before I grant him passage into the halls of his superiors."

Harry sighed. "Potter is standing right here, you know. What question?"

"In your first year, you found Quirrell attempting to steal the Philosopher's stone, but this was a surprise to you. Whom did you suspect at first, and whom did you warn of the attempt before going after it yourself?"

Heat flooded Harry's cheeks. "Er … gods, I'm sorry, Severus. I suspected P-Professor Snape, and I warned Professor McGonagall. She, she told me that Severus had created one of the traps to keep intruders out and therefore wouldn't try to steal it. She … she was right. I should have had more faith in him."

A warm arm wrapped around his shoulders and pulled him close. "Ssh. All is forgiven, Potter," Severus murmured. "You only believed what I wanted you to."

Harry hugged him in response.

"Well done, Mister Potter," said the Knight. "Do take care not to disturb anything, and hurry along before someone else comes."

"Yes, sir." Harry led Severus into a stone tunnel lined with torches and dimly lit house banners, watching in awe as the Marauder's Map added the room to its archives. "Wow."

A voice by his ear made Harry jump. "I find it hard to believe that the way to our hidden strategy room impresses you."

Harry blushed. "Er, no. The map is adding this place as we speak."

"Lovely," said Severus with a groan. "More generations of troublemakers seeking this place out, only this time with help."

Harry chuckled. "Mischief managed." He pocketed the map and gave his companion a hesitant smile. "Sev, about … back there. Your trap, it was utterly brilliant. I'd have poisoned myself for sure if Hermione hadn't been with me."

Severus wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders and walked close beside him. "I told you before, all is forgiven. There is no need to make it up to me."

"Oh. I just … I just wanted you to know I don't feel that way any longer."

Severus was quiet for a long moment. "Thank you, Harry. I am glad."

"So am I."

They walked in silence down the quiet tunnel, until voices began to filter through the stone. One in particular made Harry's heart lurch.

"Is that …?" He dashed forwards and listened hard.

"—like tiny cows with purple feathers for horns," said a dreamy voice Harry knew well.

"Luna!" Grinning like a madman, he tore down his hood and bolted around the bend.

Harry came to a stop in a round, stone-walled room lit by torches and a magical skylight. A u-shaped table sat at the middle of the room surrounded by chairs along the outside and a globe on the inside. The globe currently showed Britain and the surrounding countries with red dots over several countries. The four house banners hung proudly at the compass points of the room, as close as it would ever come to having corners, and each draped behind a section of the table. The Slytherin banner hung behind the top of the U-shape, behind a podium. Harry assumed Slytherin had the place of honour because the headmaster was currently of that house, but didn't spend much thought on the idea as he was more interested in the occupants 0than the room itself.

Professors and students alike milled about, some sitting in the chairs, most huddled in small groups around the room. At one end of the table, Luna sat with several of their professors, telling them about some odd magical creature.

"They like conflict, you see," she was saying, "and if you can track them, perhaps we would know where—"

"Luna!" Harry forced his legs to move and caught the girl into a hug, lifting her clear into the air and spinning her about. "Oh gods, you're alive!"

"Harry?" She held Harry's face and grinned. "Harry! Oh, you're back! But where's the Professor? I did try to tell them you would come together, but no one seems to beli—"

"Harry!"

Hermione's squeal brought a stampede running Harry's way. Before he knew it, two arms had embraced him, then six, then ten, until a veritable dog-pile had buried Harry in hugs.

"Air," he croaked, and the dog-pile backed away.

Laughing, Harry stood and looked around. Merlin, so many people had come. Besides the Professors—Flitwick, McGonagall, and Slughorn—Bill and Fleur were there, Hermione, Ginny, the Weasley twins, and Lee Jordan. Hannah Abbott and Neville were holding hands, and beside them stood Dean, looking thin and worse for the wear, but whole and alive! Then there were the Patil twins, Ernie Macmillan, Terry Boot, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass, and even in a corner, looking ashamed and afraid, was Ron.

After catching Dean in a tight hug, Harry went to Ron, hesitant and trembling. "Are you … still angry with me?"

Ron winced. "No. Are you still angry with me?"

"No."

With a sigh, Ron grabbed Harry into a hug and muttered, "Thank Merlin. I'm sorry, mate. Should've done better by you. Hermione gives me an earful for it least twenty times a day."

"I do not!" She stamped her foot, then broke into laughter and caught them both up. "Oh, my silly, wonderful men. I do love you so."

Harry kissed her cheek and hugged them both tight. "I love you as well, and … oh!"

He looked around, but Severus' lanky form wasn't yet visible. The man hadn't taken off his cloak, and Harry didn't blame him. He wished now he hadn't left the vulnerable man's side.

"Se—"

To his surprise, a gentle, invisible hand brushed his cheek before he could finish calling out. Harry smiled and caught the hand in his own, making it look as though he was merely scratching his face.

"Hey guys, listen. I have to tell you something, okay, and I want you to hear me out before you pass judgment. You too, Professors. This is really important."

The professors came to join them, McGonagall with a pronounced limp. Slughorn helped her to a chair and fanned his face as he sat beside her. Flitwick clambered onto the next seat. The little professor had a black eye.

"Do forgive us, Mister Potter," said Flitwick with a sad smile. "We are all rather badly injured. Professor McGonagall … well, perhaps I shouldn't speak of it."

"Indeed not," she said with a sniff. "I am not incapacitated." Her shoulders slumped. "Not for spellwork, at least." She sighed and motioned the students into chairs around the table. "I take it this is about Severus?"

Harry nodded.

She pointed her wand at the globe and it vanished along with the podium, leaving only a dais at the head of the table. As the other students and Professor Sinistra, who had come in while Flitwick was speaking, filed into the seats, McGonagall motioned to the dais.

"Well, go on then and tell us what we need to know, Harry. Is he friend or foe?"

Harry squeezed Severus' hand and led him onto the dais.

Severus was thankful for the feel of Harry's hand in his own, for without it, the fear and shame of standing before colleagues he had hurt would drive him mad. It seemed Harry understood as the young man never ceased caressing Severus—rubbing his fingertips, stroking his palm, lacing their fingers together—every touch grounded and soothed him as Harry pleaded his case.

"A friend," Harry said in a firm voice. "These past couple of weeks, he's … he's …." His expression softened and his eyes warmed. "Merlin, he's been so kind to me. Nothing like what we knew before. Never a cross word, unless I'd really said something awful and hurt him by it. And he didn't hide his emotions from me. Didn't close himself off half so much. Gods, it's like I've never known the man at all."

He sighed and looked into Severus' eyes, though Harry couldn't see them. "The truth is, we haven't known him. While he acted as a spy in Riddle's camp, he had to pretend to be cruel and hateful to anyone of the light—especially me."

Macmillan called, "And the years in between, when Riddle was still gone and the war was over for a time?"

"The war was never really over," Harry said with a sad voice. "It just went underground. There were still Death Eaters all around and Severus—"

"Severus!" Minerva shot Harry a sharp look. "You call the … Headmaster by his first name?"

Harry blushed. "He … he lets me. I didn't mean to be disrespectful."

Severus laid his head against Harry's, a way of communicating that he enjoyed hearing his name on Harry's lips, that it was okay. Harry tilted his head a bit and half-closed his eyes.

"I … I think he likes it, actually."

Severus squeezed his hand by way of reply.

Minerva scoffed. "Poppycock!"

Harry barely controlled his snort.

Severus whispered in his ear, "Behave."

Harry shivered and tipped his head back a little, enjoying the sensation of Severus' breath against his sensitive ears, then straightened and gave Minerva a sheepish smile. "Um, we've actually been having a bit of fun together. Well, as much as we can while trying to kill a dark lord and in between hearing about … about …." Tears welled up in Harry's eyes, but the words stopped.

Severus sighed and ran his fingers across Harry's cheek. The young man still could not say Lupin's name. Harry turned slightly into the touch and closed his eyes.

George Weasley stood, and Severus' insides froze. He stood straight to watch the others, but found himself missing Harry's warmth.

"All right, Harry," said George. "You say he's been good to you. Bully for him. What about this, eh?" He pointed to the hole on the side of his head, and Severus wished he could melt into the floor. "How do you explain this, if he isn't a total murdering bastard?"

Harry winced. "George, I … it was an accident. Avery was aiming to kill you, and Severus was trying to kill him, but when you dodged Avery's curse, you jumped into Severus'."

Fred frowned. "And I suppose he told you this?"

"Yes. And I made him swear it on his life."

"Muggles do that all the time," said Dean. "Doesn't make it true."

"With a magically-binding oath, Dean," added Harry, his tone revealing his frustration. "It's not the same as with Muggles. He would have died if it hadn't been the truth."

He held Severus' hand tighter and squared his shoulders. "The curse to your ear really was an accident, George. He really did kill Dumbledore under the old man's orders, too. We've been so wrong about him. Underneath that hard mask he had to wear for Riddle, he really is a … a gentle, caring man. Kind. Desperately lonely, but gods, so brave."

Flitwick said, "How do you know this isn't an act?"

Harry sighed. "Besides instinct? I made him swear magical oaths over and over again until I could trust him. Every significant thing he told me, I had him swear an oath on his life that it was true. Obviously, he didn't die, so he told the truth every time. Then there was the time that, that he told me … how Riddle found out about the prophecy. Hermione told you he came to me under the conditions of wizarding Sanctuary, correct?"

The others nodded.

"And you know that if I hurt Severus during this month while we're under the bond, it hurts me twice as badly?"

More nods and a wince from Hermione.

"What did you do, Harry?"

Harry chuckled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. "Er, well, when I realised that, um … that Severus had done something that had caused me a lot of pain in the past, I sort of punched him. In the face. Hard. I almost broke my hand."

Hermione groaned. "Harry."

"I know. The rebound broke my jaw. I thought I was going to die. But Severus didn't even bother fixing up his own injury; he just knelt down and healed me. He didn't even want to let me heal him when he'd finished and explained himself, because he thought he deserved the pain."

Severus leaned in and whispered, "I did."

"Hush," Harry whispered back out of the corner of his mouth. He raised his voice again. "And you know, all those oaths I made him swear—I could see that every single one both hurt and terrified him. But he did it. Every single time. And even warned me that, should I use the method in the future to make sure someone's honest, not to drop my wand until the oath had completed in case they attacked me. Why would he say such a thing if he wasn't honest? Why would he swear at all?"

Severus leaned into Harry and whispered, "I will do so again, if you ask it of me."

Harry rubbed his thumb over the inside of Severus' wrist and the former spy gasped at the jolt of sensation it sent through him. Harry paused, then rubbed once more. A hitch in Severus' breathing thrilled him to no end. Even if Severus didn't love him the way Harry loved him, the older man wasn't immune to Harry's touch. Maybe there was hope.

Gods, Harry hoped so.

Severus shivered against him and dropped his head onto Harry's shoulder. Merlin, the feel of Harry's fingertips against his skin was paralysing. He bit back a moan at a third pass and whispered in Harry's ear, "Please, Harry. I need to focus."

Harry desisted and rubbed Severus' palm instead, a soft smile on his face.

Ronald Weasley said, "What are you smiling about, mate?"

Harry's cheeks went crimson. "Er, just thinking about something he said earlier. Listen, you guys know me. I'm the most suspicious berk in this school. Don't you remember when I tailed Malfoy all of sixth year because I knew he was up to something and pretty much no one believed me? Or when I kept telling you Professor Snape was no good and you all tried to get me to see sense? How many times did you tell me I was being a paranoid git, Hermione?"

The woman chuckled. "Too many to count. But do recall I'm on your side in this. I saw the Headmaster's confession and how the shade of your mum tore him to shreds. I watched him destroy … Riddle's artefact. I believe you."

"So do I, Harry," said Luna.

Harry gave them a relieved smile. "Thank Merlin someone does! But the rest of you lot, think about this. You know how badly Severus had to treat me before. Do you really think I'd be telling you he's a kind, honest, thoughtful man under the mask if he hadn't proved himself to me in spades?"

The others shuffled about, looking a bit ashamed of themselves, with only Ronald still wearing a mistrustful expression. Severus frowned at the boy. He would be trouble, he was sure of it. And while he didn't so much care for his own sake, Ronald's refusal to believe them would hurt Harry. Badly.

Merlin, he hoped something could convince the boy to believe them soon, preferably before Harry revealed him.

"All right." Filius climbed upon his chair to put himself at eye level. "If you truly believe he is innocent, Harry, then I will support you." He lowered his head. "It seems I owe Severus an apology."

Tears welled in Severus' eyes at the tiny, but powerful man's show of good faith. He blinked them back, but more welled up when Minerva stood as well.

"I will give you my support as well," she said in a sad voice. "It sounds as if we all owe Severus apologies. Sweet Circe, how frightened he must have been this past semester!"

"I can only imagine." Aurora Sinistra rose from her seat as well. "My support is yours."

Slughorn heaved himself to his feet and sighed. "I should have been kinder to him. It must have been terribly lonely with no one but his enemies to talk to."

As others rose and added their support, Hermione stood and gave Harry a piercing look. "You know, Professors, I don't think the Headmaster is alone any longer."

Harry's cheeks went pink again. "No. He's not." He lowered his voice to whisper to Severus, "Nor will you ever be again."

Severus had to bury his head in Harry's shoulder to hide a sudden exodus of emotion. Gods, Harry's soft declaration had ripped the heart right out of him, healed it, and put it back in new and free of the holes twenty years of war had wrought. He hadn't wanted to break down, but he'd been alone for so long, so many interminable years without a soul, and knowing Harry intended to stay by his side flooded him with need and hope and yearning he couldn't begin to control.

He crushed his face into Harry's shoulder with a silent sob and wept for all the nights without warmth. For the moments he needed a friend and found only darkness. For the times he had to be hateful to someone he would rather protect. For Charity. For Lily. For Harry. The tears came on hard, and it was all Severus could do to keep his sobs silent.

Someone called out—Severus was too far gone to know who, "Harry! What is that? On your chest there? Your shirt …."

Harry sighed. "I want a promise that you won't shoot curses."

Minerva said, "It is Severus, isn't it?"

"Yes. Will you promise not to hurt him?"

Harry's desire to protect Severus only added to the man's emotion, and he clutched at Harry like an anchor in a storm. All around him, promises of safety broke through more and more floodgates until Severus was a shattered mess. He just wanted to crawl into Harry's arms and weep.

And suddenly, Harry was there. Hands gently brushed back his hood, revealing Severus' tearful face and hair. Warm arms surrounded him and a soft voice murmured in his ear.

"Hey, ssh. It's okay. They all promised not to hurt you. Even Ron, though he was more stubborn than most. Oh, Severus. Ssh. I'm here."

Severus held onto Harry and wept. Words spilled from his lips he never imagined he would have the strength to say, especially in a moment of utter weakness.

"I am sorry, so sorry. Don't want to be alone. Don't leave me alone. So sorry."

Harry led Severus somewhere, Severus was too broken to notice where, but the coolness of the air suggested it was somewhere shadowed, a place where he could gather himself in peace, with only Harry to see his pain. They sat on a sofa in the quiet corner, and Severus thought it suited him to have Harry alone with him, soothing him in his hour of need.

Some part of him wanted it to always be like this.

"Harry," he whispered.

"I'm here, Severus," he murmured. "It's going to be okay."

"Stay. Please. Just … stay."

Harry hugged him closer and laid his head upon Severus'. "Okay."

Harry held Severus close and ran tender fingers through the man's hair, hoping his presence eased the man's sorrow.

"Stay," Severus whispered. "Just … stay."

Harry's words caught in his throat. Tears welling, heart pounding, all he could do was press close and murmur, "Okay."

He hoped it would be enough, because his tight throat would not allow him to elaborate. It seemed to help Severus. His sobs slowed and began to even out.

"I'm right here, Sev. You're going to be okay."

Severus pressed a light kiss to Harry's neck as he pulled back. Harry shivered at the sensations such a gentle touch caused. Gods, the man only meant to show gratitude, and Harry felt it down to his toes. It took all his self-control not to tip his head back and beg for more. He might have, had there not been thirty other people just beyond a hastily-conjured screen and if he hadn't known Severus didn't feel the same.

That thought hurt enough that Harry wanted to cry too, but he held it together. Severus needed him to be strong now. Maybe in time, Severus would come to care. Until then, he needed a friend to anchor him, and Harry would be there.

Harry shook off his sorrow and took the older man's hands.

"Are you okay?"

Severus nodded, freeing a hand long enough to conjure a handkerchief and wipe his face. "Forgive me."

Harry smoothed Severus' hair and brushed stray tears from his cheeks. "Ssh. Nothing to forgive. Everyone needs help sometimes. But if you can tell me, what brought that on?"

"I … I have had no one for so long, Harry, and knowing people would support me …."

More tears slipped down, and Harry gently wiped them away. "Oh. Well, you don't have to be alone anymore, okay? Even if everyone else abandons you, I won't."

Severus gave him a shaky smile. "Thank you, Harry. I never expected to find an ally in you, but I am grateful."

'More than an ally, Severus.' Harry kept his thoughts to himself in case he overwhelmed Severus again. It was best to share that in private, if possible.

"You're welcome. Are you okay now?"

"Yes." Severus stood and took a deep breath. "Come. We should return to the others."

Harry stood with him and led him back out from behind the Japanese screen. The divider vanished as soon as they reappeared.

Severus looked behind them curiously. "Did you conjure that?"

Harry grinned. "Er, would you believe me if I said yes?"

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Not at all, not with you looking like that."

"So if I wasn't grinning like a fool?"

"I doubt it."

Harry chuckled and led Severus out of the little cubby he'd rushed them to earlier. "You'd be right. Hermione conjured it, I think."

Hermione, McGonagall, and Luna were waiting by the exit. McGonagall sat in a red tartan armchair—obviously conjured—and wore an expression of deepest concern and sorrow. Hermione looked much the same, but Luna had her usual dreamy smile. It seemed nothing could ruffle her.

"Excellent transfiguration work with the screen, Miss Granger," Severus said with a shy smile. "Or do I have you to thank, Minerva?"

McGonagall reached up from her seated position and patted Hermione's shoulder. "It was indeed Miss Granger. I am forever telling her she will take my place one day."

Hermione blushed. "Oh tosh, Professor." She took a hesitant step towards Harry and Severus. "Um, Headmaster, are you all right?"

Severus looked stunned for a moment, but recovered quickly. "Ah, I am … better. Thank you."

Luna gave him a bright smile. "I'm glad you have Harry now, Professor. He's bringing the colour back to your eyes."

Hermione gave the girl a piercing look. She raised an eyebrow at Harry and gasped at his blush.

"No. Really?"

Harry's ears flamed, too, but he ignored her. "Come on. If Severus is well enough, we've got to get the rite started soon."

"Mm-hmm." She whispered in Harry's ear. "I expect a letter once you've said something. Second to know, remember?"

"Ssh! Quit poking, Hermione."

She moved back and gave the bemused Severus a bright grin. "I'm glad to see this open side of you, Professor, though I wish it hadn't started with pain." She hesitated. "Are you okay? Did we say something hurtful? I don't understand what made you so upset."

Severus' cheeks reddened. "It was foolish of me, but, as I told Harry, the show of support overwhelmed me." He gazed at the young man with a soft smile. "I never expected to find it. I thought I would die alone and friendless, and all I could hope was that my death could serve some purpose for the greater good, so to speak. Harry was hard at first, as cold and mistrusting as everyone I have ever known, but since I have shared my story honestly, he has become a true ally. I think … I will not die alone now."

"You had better not die at all," Harry said in a gruff voice. "At least, not anytime soon."

Severus smiled and blushed a little deeper. "I shall try my best."

Hermione leaned into Harry's ear again. "Hmm. Looks like your suit isn't hopeless."

"Hermione!" Harry gasped and shoved her away, his face and ears on fire. "Leave off."

She giggled and went to Luna's side. "I should give you more credit, you know. How you're the first person to know everything is completely beyond me."

Luna smiled. "The creatures tell me."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Sure they do. Come on. Let's leave those two to Professor McGonagall. I imagine she has a lot to say to Severus."

"Oh, yes. They have lots of nargles to shoo away."

Hermione shook her head and led Luna back into the main room.

After the girls left, Severus leaned down to Harry to murmur, "Dare I ask what that was all about?"

Harry groaned and buried his face in his hands. "No, you don't. Luna's a mystery."

"I am aware of that. I was speaking of Granger."

"She's a mystery, too."

Severus chuckled and straightened with a pat to Harry's shoulder. "I suppose it is a good thing we are both gay men if women are creatures beyond all understanding."

Harry gasped. "S-Severus, I … I'm not … I haven't …."

Severus paled. "Oh, Merlin. I apologise, Potter. That was insensitive of me."

Minerva patted Harry's shoulder. "Not to worry, Harry. I will say nothing. It isn't my business anyway." She turned to Severus and gave him an appraising look. "You believed you would die friendless? Does that mean we were never friends?"

Severus lowered his head. "When have you seen the man I truly am, Minerva? I thought of you as a friend, but you have never known me."

She smiled and offered her hand. "In that case, I look forward to getting to know the man you truly are, Severus Snape. Will you forgive me for doubting you?"

He shook her hand. "It was what you were meant to do, Minerva. You could not in good conscience have done otherwise with the information you had."

"Perhaps not, but it still must have hurt. My apologies for calling you a coward, Severus. It appears you are the bravest man I have known."

Severus looked away and dropped her hand. "I … I am not—do not deserve—"

Harry picked up the hand he had let fall and cradled it in his own. "Yes you are, and yes you do. You are brave, Severus. Brave and smart and incredibly strong. I'm proud of you."

Severus covered his eyes with his free hand. "Please. I cannot."

Harry rubbed Severus' fingers. "All right. It's okay. Just breathe."

Severus took several deep breaths, and when he emerged, his eyes had gone black and blank.

Harry squeezed his hand. "Your barriers?"

"Yes. Forgive me. It is … too much to bear without Occlumency."

"It's all right. Just so you don't shut us out entirely, okay?"

Severus gave Harry a small smile, all his Occlumency would allow. "You are entirely too forgiving, but you know well these barriers only shut off my emotional response, not my ears. I hear you. I am listening. I merely cannot bear all the emotions without breaking down again, and I have embarrassed myself enough for one evening."

McGonagall gave him a motherly smile. "In that case, we shall try to make this easier for you. Come, Severus, if you are able."

"Yes."

Harry started to drop Severus' hand, but Severus clutched him tight.

"Please. I … I fear I cannot hold my barriers steady without help."

Harry's face burned, but he nodded and held the Headmaster's hand as they walked into the room once more, McGonagall leaning on Severus' shoulder. The situation surprised most people around the table as Harry and Severus returned, but a few more than Harry would have liked had knowing expressions. Fleur, Bill, Hermione, Luna, and Ron all looked as though they were expecting it. But while the former wore uncertain or encouraging smiles, Ron looked as if he had been betrayed.

Harry sighed and squeezed Severus' fingers. Severus needed him, and he wouldn't abandon the man for a silly feud Ron seemed determined to carry to his grave.

Bill rushed over to help McGonagall, gave Harry an encouraging smile, and half-led, half-carried the injured Professor to her seat.

"Thank you, William." McGonagall straightened her robes and said in a stern voice, "Now, with Severus here and able, we will move right on to the ritual. Sir Carogan has alr—"

"Just a moment, Professor," said Ron, and Harry groaned inwardly. "Is there any reason why Harry and Professor Snape need to be holding hands for this?"

Severus flinched and started to pull his hand away, but Harry tugged him back.

"No," Harry murmured. "You need me. It's okay."

"But Weasley—"

"He'll get over it."

Professor McGonagall spoke over their quiet conversation. "As a matter of fact, there is, Mister Weasley. Severus is completely overwhelmed by the support and needs help to keep his Occlumentic barriers steady. Harry is anchoring him."

Severus whispered under the woman's admonishment, "Harry, I do not wish to harm your relationships with your friends."

Harry held Severus' hand tighter. "If Ron can't understand that I've chosen to support you of my own will and support me in turn, then maybe—" His voice broke. "Maybe he isn't as good of a friend as I always believed."

Severus sighed and lowered his head. "Forgive me. I never wanted to hurt you, but I have. Over and over, even when I attempt to avoid it."

Harry scrubbed a hasty hand across his eyes. "You didn't hurt me this time." He sniffled and did his best to hold steady. It helped if he looked at anyone but Ron.

Professor McGonagall spoke again. "As I was saying, Sir Carogan has already inform—"

"Sorry, Professor," Ron interrupted again, "but I still don't see why that means Harry needs to hold Snape's hand. Unless Snape's a bloody pouf or someth—"

McGonagall barked, "Mister Weasley! If you cannot contain your outbursts and keep a civil tongue in your head, you may leave this gathering, and at once!"

Severus sighed and shook his head. "I am sorry, Harry."

"Ssh. It's not your fault. It's okay." Harry raised his voice and said with more bravery than he felt, "And what if I am the 'pouf,' Ron? What then?"

Ron reeled back and choked. "You … you're not. You're joking!"

Harry steeled himself and glared. "Actually, no. I … I'm gay, Ron. Deal with it."

Ron leapt back so fast, his chair tipped over and fell with a resounding clang. "Ugh! No, I can't. Gods, I never thought you would turn out to be one of them."

Them. The blood drained from Harry's face and his stomach dropped into his feet, full of lead and icy cold. It seemed he had his answer as to whether Ron would accept him or not. And judging by the horror in Ginny's eyes, he could expect the same from her. Well, perhaps for her it was only the shock of discovering Harry's orientation would never lean to her when she had thought they would continue dating after the war. Harry supposed it would horrify him, too, if he had to find out in such a way.

'Gin, I'm sorry.' He gave her a pleading look and hoped she understood.

She looked away, tears shining in her eyes and her jaw set with obstinate fury, and his heart sank along with his stomach. He pushed his arm into his ribs between them, trying to stem the bleeding no one could see.

Never in his life had he wished more that he had paid attention in Occlumency lessons. Perhaps he might have been able to block the virtual tsunami of pain from his chest now, if he had only given more effort then. Tears flowed down his face and his body trembled, but he refused to voice his grief. Severus needed him. The school needed him. He would not let them down because his surrogate family had turned him away.

Hermione's sorrowful voice reached his ears over the din of pain screaming in his head.

"Oh, Harry."

He flinched and turned his face away. At a gentle tug back, he suddenly found himself pressed against black cloth and in strong arms.

"I am here, Potter," Severus murmured. "Forgive me. I did not mean to bring such pain upon you."

"You d-didn't," he choked out. "Ron did. He c-can't accept what I can't help, and, and it h-hurts. Gods, he's always hurting me."

"Ssh." Severus wrapped him up tight and called, "Minerva, perhaps we should delay this until the other professors have arrived. Potter needs a moment."

"Yes, so I see," she said in a sad voice. "Severus, take him into the resting nook and help him recover. And as for you, Mister Weasley, you and I are going to have a talk. Now."

"Oh, I want in on that conversation, too," said Bill in a fierce tone. "Seems like my dear little brother somehow missed a few clues about his own family."

"What!" Ron's squawk reverberated off the walls. Harry hoped they had a damn good silencing charm set.

George glared. "Oh, yes. Or didn't you know about me, brother?"

"What? You're not—you're joking!"

Harry glanced back just in time to see Lee swing an arm around George's shoulders and pull him in for a tender kiss.

"Nope," said a devilishly grinning Fred. "Not joking. Seems not everything passes between twins. Right, Ange?"

Angelina Johnson, sitting at Fred's side, laughed and kissed his cheek. "Apparently not. Lucky for me, and Lee too."

George said something in reply, but Severus led Harry into the cubby and the voices vanished. The room must have had a built in silencing charm. At the sight of several camp beds surrounding a sofa and coffee table, Harry understood why.

The click of heels on stone told him at least two females had followed. He didn't care. He just wanted to crawl into Severus and cry.

Once out of sight of the others, Harry buried his head in Severus' shoulder and wept. Some part of him had believed that Ron would understand. He had hoped Ron would accept Harry's orientation without issues, but given the man's rigid stance on everything else, his rejection shouldn't have surprised Harry.

A second set of sobs let him know Hermione had come into the cubby too and was sitting beside him. Harry enclosed her in his arms and hugged her tight.

"Hermione, I'm sorry."

"Ssh. It's not your fault. He's just an idiot. And I'm an idiot for falling in love with such a closeminded fool."

Severus' low voice rumbled close to Harry's ear. "Miss Granger, I do not believe we are given the capability to control who we fall in love with. It simply happens, and we are left to sort out the mess afterwards, for good or for ill."

That he stroked Harry's hair immediately after saying this gave the young man some little hope amidst the crushing storm of his grief.

Hermione gave a bitter chuckle. "There should be a spell or something."

"Oh, there are spells," said Severus in a grim voice, "but I recommend none of them. They help little and cause great pain. I am afraid no magic exists that can truly speed emotional healing. No magic, save this one." He held Harry's hand and hesitated over Hermione's. "May I?"

She nodded tearfully, and the man caught her hand in his.

"I do apologise that my need caused the both of you such pain."

"Hush," said a broken Harry. "You did nothing wrong. It's Ron who's got his head stuck so far up his arse he can't see anything but shite."

Severus snorted. "Crude as that analogy is, I find it singularly fitting. But it does not comfort you now, does it?"

Harry shook his head and crawled back into Severus' arms.

Hermione released Severus' hand and hugged her waist. She gave a little huff of irritation. "I'd like to smack him. Hard."

"No one is preventing you," Severus said in a conspiratorial whisper.

Harry burst into laughter. "That's great. You should do it, 'Mione. Wait until Bill and Professor McGonagall finish putting him through the wringer, then just march out there and smack him around the head. Might make him think twice before he just spews whatever rubbish is mucking around in his brain."

"It might at that," Severus agreed.

Hermione gave him a sly look. "Should you be encouraging us to smack around other students?"

"Hmm. Are the three of you currently enrolled?"

Hermione shook her head with a wicked grin.

"Then I see no issue."

She laughed and brought Severus into a hug. "I'm glad you came to us for help that night, you know. You're really sweet under that hard mask you had to wear."

Severus' cheeks pinked and his eyes widened. "Oh. Merlin, I … thank you."

Hermione chuckled and pulled back, wiping her eyes. "Sorry. I overwhelmed you again, didn't I?"

"It is quite all right. I still have my barriers up, or I might have slapped Weasley around the ears for you. Or possibly hexed him."

"Let's be glad you didn't," said Harry. "Too early for hexing when we just got people to trust you again."

Severus sighed. "I suppose you have the right of it. Pity. A set of elephant ears would go quite nicely with that swelled head of his."

Harry chuckled and scrubbed a hand across his face. "Thanks, Sev. I feel better."

"That was my hope." He brushed Harry's fringe away from his face. "Are you well?"

Harry lowered his head. "No. It hurts like hell, but I think I can hold it together now."

"Perhaps the others will be able to knock some sense into him."

Harry nodded. "Maybe."

Hermione squeezed Harry's hand. "I'll be here for you regardless, Harry. I don't care who you like."

From a dark corner, Luna chirped, "Neither do I."

Harry jumped at her voice. "Merlin, Luna. Have you been here the entire time?"

"Yes, but I thought I should let you heal each other before I spoke. The nargles were choking you, Harry. Are you better? There are fewer now, but you still look haunted."

"Better," he said with a nod, "but not okay. Maybe never okay again."

Severus slid an arm around Harry's shoulders and nudged him against the older man's chest. "Ssh. You will heal in time."

"I hope so." Harry breathed in Severus' scent and listened to his heartbeat, gathering strength from the man's closeness.

"There you are, Harry," said Luna. "The nargles are flabbergasted now."

Harry snorted against Severus' chest, then burst into full-fledged laughter. "Merlin, Luna. What did we ever do without you?"

She smiled and shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I wasn't there."

Harry chuckled and sat up straight. "True. Come on then. I'm okay, I think, or as okay as I'm going to be for a while. 'Mione?"

"Yeah." She made a final swipe under her eyes. "I think I can face him now."

"Right." Harry offered her and Severus his hands. "Together, then?"

"Yes," she said with a nod. "That might help."

Severus took Harry's hand on one side, Hermione on the other, and together, with Luna traipsing behind, they returned to the main chamber. Harry searched the group's faces when they passed into the main room once more, but found no one looking disgusted. Ginny still refused to meet his eyes, but he supposed he could expect no better from her. Ron hung his head, eyes red and puffy, and shuffled his feet as Harry looked to him.

"Mate, I, I'm sorry. I was a right arse."

McGonagall huffed, but said nothing.

"Yeah, you were." Hermione glared at him. "What made you think you had the right to decide who or even what Harry likes? You should pay more heed to yourself before you go about judging others, considering how you just mucked up everything."

Ron cried, "I know, okay! Bill and McGonagall—"

Flitwick cleared his throat.

"—Professor McGonagall boxed my ears already. I don't need another round."

"On the contrary, Ron, I think you need a good hundred or so more before I'm finished with you."

He groaned and rubbed his temples. "Going to be a long night then, I guess." He looked to Harry, but Harry refused to meet his eyes.

"Mate, can you forgive me?"

"S'pose so," Harry said, but still couldn't look at him.

"A-are we still friends?"

"Been through too much not to be."

Yet, even as he said it, Harry knew their relationship had been irrevocably damaged, like an elastic stretched too far that wouldn't return to its proper shape. They would never fit together the same way again. The trio had broken down the middle, and no amount of apologising would fill the crack. Harry wondered if Hermione felt the same way, and if her relationship with Ron was damaged now, too.

She gave Harry a sad smile, as if she had heard his thoughts. "I'll try to soften Ginny up a little, okay?"

Harry shook his head. "I owe her a proper apology. Thank you, though."

She squeezed his hand and went to sit with Luna and Ginny anyway. Perhaps her feelings for Ron had changed. She hadn't gone to him, after all. The way Ron stared after her told Harry he wasn't the only one to suspect it, either.

"I'm sorry," Harry whispered. "I never meant to … do this."

Severus rubbed Harry's fingers. "Potter, how many times must I tell you that you are not responsible for the mistakes of the world at large?"

"Apparently as many times as I have to tell you to use my first name," he fired back, but his heart wasn't in it, and Severus only held his hand tighter.

"Harry? I do understand."

Harry thought of his mum. "Yeah. I suppose you do."

Notes: Invictus is Latin for 'undefeated' and is the title of a poem by William Ernest Henley. I thought it fit Severus to a t.

Invictus—William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

I am the captain of my soul.

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