Rebirth

Chapter 12

Severus was stunned, Harry was going to die?

"Is there not a way to prevent his death?" Severus asked feeling stupid due to his lack knowledge on the subject of intendeds.

Draco smiled a sad, bitter smile.

"Not unless we could bring Hermione back to life, it's too late now anyway," Draco said bitterly while wishing death upon his aunt.

"Too late?" Severus echoed.

Draco nodded.

"Harry has already began to wither, the process has already began to speed up," Draco said flatly

"Wither?"

"It happens when intended are seperated for any extended amount of time. And now that Hermione is dead...it will only happen that much faster,"

Severus staggered back as if struck, he fell back into a chair. He leaned forward and rested his arms on his knees, he ran his hands through his hair and knotted his fingers in his long, ebony locks. Severus tugged on his hair so hard, it had Draco wincing.

Draco heard Severus muttering softly to himself, Draco leaned forward to hear him better.

"I'm so sorry Lily, I've failed you. And I've failed your son, forgive me...please forgive me," Severus whispered.

Draco suddenly felt awkward for listening in, and guilty. It was private and Draco had no buisness sticking his nose into it.

"How long?" Severus asked.

"What?" Draco asked, not understanding the question.

"How long until Harry dies?" Severus asked.

Draco thought about the question, it was difficult to answer.

"I don't know, Severus, I just don't know. It will be soon though, that I can tell you. If Harry's appearance earlier was anything to go by," Draco said.

Harry was in agony, he was slowly dying. His very soul was withering slowly, leading to a slow and painful death. He couldn't sleep, his dreams were plauged with nightmarish images based what might have happened to Hermione based on her appearance. His dreams were also filled with memories of Hermione, and the life they had had together.

After Harry had first dreamed of Hermione, he had woke up with a feeling of warmth and happiness that long since destered him. He woke up and started to call out Hermione's name, but her name died on lips when he saw the empty side of the bed.

Reality hit Harry hard, Hermione wasn't home in bed. And she never would be again, that thought was enough to make Harry's tired eyes sting.

"We will be together again my love," Harry whispered.

That had been days ago, no sleep coupled with no food or drink left him with only enough energy to sit and dwell on the past while praying for the end. Harry looked up weakly at the sound of knocking on his door.

Harry sighed wearliy and slowly shuffled over to the door before opening it. Snape and Malfoy stood on the other side of the open door, Harry looked them over tiredly. He didn't actually believe that they were standing there, he was probably halluncianting.

"Come in," He said lifelessly as he moved to allow them access to his home.

Draco and Severus were shocked by Harry's appearance, he looked worse than he had days prior at the ministry. Draco was correct, Harry had almost completley withered at this point. He would pass soon, that thought caused Severus' heart to constrict painfully as he was faced with physical proof that he had failed Lily and broken his promise.

Harry stared at them as if he didn't quite belive that they were standing there. He appeared to have reached a descision and moved away from the door, allowing them to walk inside the house. Harry closed the door and then leaned against it heavily as if that small action took a large amount of energy.

"Why are you two here?" Harry asked in a weak, tired voice.

"We're here to see you Harry," Draco said soothingly.

"You mean you're here to look at me pityingly and give me false sympathy?" Harry asked in the voice as before.

Draco and Severus were both deeply shocked.

"Don't look surprised, you both hate me. I don't even understand why you're here," Harry snapped, lacking any real anger.

Draco opened his mouth to contradict Harry, to tell him that they both cared about him but Harry cut Draco off.

"You know what? Save it, leave. I'm not in the mood," Harry said and opened the door while motioning towards the outside.

Draco and Severus found it pointless to argue and quitely left out the open door, they both heard it shut once they were off of the porch.

"It will happen soon, very soon," Draco said.

Harry closed and locked the door behind his "guests", why Snape and Malfoy chose to visit him was beyond Harry. Harry felt a wave fatigue wash over him, just those few, small movements exhusated him. Harry slowly shuffled back over to the couch and layed down on the couch.

He was so tired, a quick nap would have him right as rain. He breathed in deeply and slowly released it as he sank into the couch. Had it always been this nice and comfortable? Harry wasn't sure. Harry felt everything beginning to slow down as his lids began to slip, Harry drew in a second deep breath and slowly released it.

The last of Harry's breath left his lungs as his body stilled.

Severus stopped and turned to look back at the house with an odd expression on his face, Draco noticed that Severus had stopped.

"What?" Draco asked him.

"I'm going to try again, make him see reason," Severus said determinedly.

"Severus..." Draco sighed but didn't continue.

Severus began walking back towards the house, he stopped on the porch and knocked. When he didn't hear movement he was annoyed than concerned.

"Harry...? I know you're in there, no use hiding," Severus called out.

When he heard no sounds he sighed and withdrew his wand and unlocked the door and walked inside. Severus froze at the sight that met his eyes.

Draco watched Severus unlock the door and enter the house from afar, when saw Severus freeze he grew speed walked over to him and stood beside him.

"What is-" Draco broke off suddenly at the sight that met his eyes.

There, on the couch, lay the still form of Harry Potter. The saviour of the wizarding world was dead.