Chapter 14

disclaimer as usual: I don't own HP

a/n: this is the last real chapter of this story. There is an epilogue that bridges this story to the next part of the arc which will be entitled Life on Life's Terms. I will post the epilogue after the Holiday. Im only a couple of chapter in; dealing with a bit of writer's block and my husband constantly watching over my shoulder. The posts will not be as regular as the ones for this tale have been and in advance I apologize.

The stubborn child, he is going to go off and try to do this on his own just to spite me. Or is it he is going to sacrifice himself? Severus, stop it. You know the boy has a level head. He wouldn't. Would he? All he did know was that he had to find Harry. He had made the largest mistake of his life by pushing away the one person who had decided to stand by him in his life. This was just like he had done to the boy's mother; the only other he had ever loved. What was it about this family that just pulled his heartstrings? But Severus knew why he loved Harry most and it definitely had to do with Lily. It wasn't seeing her in his eyes which he certainly did. It wasn't even just he owed her his life. There was a genuine kindness the two of them shared and that was what made his cold heart melt. He never could tell Lily the things he wanted. And here he was married to someone that felt the same way back. For all of his degrees, publications, and years in school how could he have been so stupid? A tear flew down his cheek, he automatically cast aflego to dry the tear and it disappeared. It disappeared. I did magic. He looked down at his ring and Harry's that he had already placed on his finger. The rings, he thought. The draining spell was in the rings. It wasn't a wedding guest at all. Who ever put that snake in my rooms had a specific purpose. To drain my magic; it had to be someone who knew I worked for the Light; Someone so close to me that they could have caught me at some moment of weakness.

With those very thoughts Snape went from his rooms to Gryffindor tower. Harry has to be there. He flew down the corridor to the stairs. He got and one set and made the necessary changes to eventually get to the door. The fat lady winced when he walked up to her.

"Ma'am, you know I am not the head of house who resides here but I need to speak to a Gryffindor student, my husband Harry. Has he entered?"

"Yes, he was here but it already gone. He left with the Weasley."

"Which way did he go? I have to get to him."

"I'm not sure. Give me a moment to consult with some other portraits." He saw the fat lady move from her own frame down the hall way through some other pictures. Snape tapped his foot impatiently as the lady socialized as she went. After a good few minutes she had returned.

"They were talking about going to Hogsmede for a few days. But sir, they didn't make that far. There was a Dark Mark in the sky and there is an unnatural storm holding them right outside the gate. You should go to them. Please save my Gryffindors."

The Fat Lady heard a thank you as he ran down the hall with his wand at the ready. He tore out the door and down the front lawn. He could see the two boys being encased in a torrential downpour that was only in the one spot. They staggered together and the rain moved with them beating them down to the ground. Weasley was actually crawling but Harry wasn't much farther from it himself. He stumbled over and over but he was able to get to his feet. The ground under them became so wet they began to stick with each foot. Snape looked around and he spotted masks appearing from the forest. This was it. "Harry," he called but the boy didn't look up. He probably couldn't even hear him. Snape put his wand to his throat. "Harry, stop moving and the spell will dissipate," he bellowed. Harry did indeed hear him this time and the two in the bubble stopped moving as the rain simultaneously ceased. "Harry, listen to me. I know you hate me right now but listen. They are coming for you now. Look to your left. Even if you don't want me here I won't let you do this alone."

"Severus, why are you here?" Harry yelled to the man. "I gave you back your ring. I want out. I have been so hurt by you I don't even feel as if I ever loved you."

'It was the ring that made you love me Harry. The snake was magicked to drain me of my magic, probably so the Dark Lord could punish me for spying. He has known the entire time. Something in the binding of us to one another made the magic only work through love. Love, Harry is a two way street. Harry, I love you."

Harry's eyes misted. He was completely empty of the passion he had felt for the man for months now. He vaguely remembered the feelings he had hours ago. He remembered how hurt he had been Snape wouldn't love him but it was now only a shadow. How could he have fallen out of love as suddenly as he had fallen in? There was only one thing he knew that was as erratic as love, and that was magic. A spell.

"Severus, look out!" Harry screamed as there was a magic flash from the wand of a short golden haired death eater at his once lover. Draco stood right behind where Severus now lay on the ground. "I guess I finally did something right, Uncle."

By this time the whole field was covered with Voldemort's legions. Harry set up to kill the boy but he saw what he thought was a Severus's dead hand tug on the boys robe and he stunned himself and fell to the ground. It was a plan dammit. He really is that smart. This is it. Where is Voldemort? But Harry didn't have to wait long. Among the horde of people rushing Hogwarts Castle he could see the Dark Lord. Harry ran over to Severus's body and got down to its level. He said to the man, "I need your magic Severus." Out from his other hand fell Harry's ring; he snatched it up and put it on his finger. He was filled with a rush of power and his heart almost burst welling up with pent up feelings. I am ready.