It took another few days before Severus was made aware that Dumbledore had been returned to his portrait. He had been man handled and it took several hours to get the counter spell out of the man. As Severus had left the room the man in the portrait had been screaming obscenities at Severus before the door had shut and Severus took off for the Hospital wing where Erik was as well as he could.

Severus told Erik that he had the counter and saw how pale Erik was and noted how ragged his breathing was. Pointing his wand at him and ignoring everything around him Severus reversed the spell as a deep purple tendril shot out of Severus' wand and wrapped itself around Erik who was screaming in pain. Madame Pomfrey rushed out of her office looking at Severus with wide eyes and went to stop him, but the purple light created an energy backlash throwing Severus away from the bed into a wall and knocking Madame Pomfrey into a chair seated.

Erik had finally settled down from the screaming, but there was an energy crackling around him as his wounds closed up, his body healing from the healing spells that had been previous put on him. The spell that had been taking his power had also prevented him from being healed correctly in the first place. A rustling from the bed and a squeak a moment later Erik emerged from behind the curtain of his little place and stepped forwards.

Poppy looked at Erik incredulously and was on her feet as she rushed over to him, but Erik pushed her away gently and moved to Severus who was holding his head in his hands as Erik kneeled down in front of him, the man had blood coming down his face. Pulling his hands away Erik was relieved that Severus hadn't really been injured too badly other then the broken nose. The school nurse came up and started to fuss over Severus and Erik much to both the men's annoyance. Once she cleared them both finding that Erik was as healthy as an Ox, she warned that if either showed up with serious injuries that lead to death she would let them die. Both looked at each other before looking at the woman who had tears in her eyes and she hugged them both, she may have threatened them both, but they were like her children and she loved them both.

"We'll be fine, don't worry. I don't plan on getting myself hurt too much... I'll take care of Severus too"

"You better, or I'll keep my word"

Erik had since changed into clean clothes that Severus had kept in a box in his rooms; it wasn't regular wear of Erik's but rather old-worn and rather cared for Battle robes that looked strangely like those worn by a character from a famous muggle fantasy character Brom. The colours were different as they were all black with hints of grey and the leather bands on the arms were a solid single piece, his black with blood red lined cloak sat on his shoulders and around him like Severus' outer robes. As the two men left they ran into Harry followed by his two friends, Harry had run up and wrapped his arms around his uncle and held him tight as Erik returned the hug and offered a smile to the boy and his friends.

"I'm alright now, no worries you three... now what are you still doing here?"

"We didn't want to leave... no without you anyways..."

"Harry, I understand that, but being here isn't good for your health and there is that wedding you have to go to"

"Look I don't think I should be attending wedding"

"Harry, attend the wedding, have a few to drink... I'm allowing you to be a normal young man for once..." Erik said as he released Harry resting a hand on his shoulder glancing at the others raising an eyebrow at them, Ron and Hermione had nodded and they grabbed Harry and started to drag him away.

"Waa.. wait, no, Erik!" Severus stepped up beside Erik and with both standing side by side they watched at Harry was dragged away kicking and screaming. With a wide grin on his face Erik glanced to his friend and saw the stern Potions Professor trying to keep his lips from forming into a smile.

"What are you trying to stow away Sev?" Severus turned and raised an eyebrow at Erik, his face faltering as he smiled and chuckled lightly.

"Not stow away Erik, but rather repress..."

"That would be?"

"You being dragged to Lily's Wedding from what I saw while hiding" Erik's face blanched as he started to walk away heading for the headmasters office with Severus following in tow laughing. Amidst all the darkness that was closing in around them there was always a spot of bright light that shone down illuminating the path ahead.

Okay, okay, I apologize... I've been having a rough go at things... . this wasn't supposed to be short but I wanted to give someone seeing as I'm updating my stories. PLEASE review I like them... sad as it is I really do like my reviews even if my story is trash. Now as short as this is I haven't really thought ahead in my story for this one... not completely. I'll have a much longer chapter up at a later date in between my studying for finals.

Ghost