Chapter Twenty-One:
Lean On Me
A/N: Read, Review, Enjoy!! I choose this song because it reminds me of what Severus/Remus are feeling in reference to the boys at this point...enjoy!! =D
.Lover - Hehe, yeah I'm sneaky like that. I know tis unexpected, but I like being spontaneous like that! hehe ;)
allieb23 - I know the whole marriage thing is a big jump, but you have to think of it in the way that Harry nor Draco understood that that's what was happening, it was just the natural order of things. Hehe, or at least in my little world ;) I'm glad you enjoy my cheesiness, I enjoy it just as thoroughly lollll
thrnbrooke - Good, I'm glad!! xD
kira1525 - Ohmigawsh...your comment made me squeal and jump in utter glee - my family thinks I'm nutters, but yip-yip!!! Thanks for the cheery review, I'm so glad you like it!!! ^_^
Lean On Me - Bill Withers
Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow.
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on.
*
It was well passed midnight when Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey were fully filled in on the events of the evening, confusing as they were. The Medi-witch had already halfway healed Draco's leg, doing the best she could, and was fussing over Harry's nose but the brunette insisted that they finished figuring out what to do with the captured Death Eaters first.
"I don't want this public, Professor. Please, sir, I can't take much more of it," Harry grumbled, referring to the media. He specifically didn't want people calling him a murderer all over again, he was through with that especially since the idea of having Bellatrix finally dead made Harry overjoyed.
"Of course not Mr Potter, I will ensure that the Ministry understands the importance of keeping this under wraps. I can assure you that nobody will know unless you, myself, Mr Malfoy or Madame Pomfrey tells them. I have one question, however, if you do not mind," Dumbledore said, glancing over to the half-resting Draco Malfoy lying on the only occupied hospital bed. He had a few cuts and bruises on his face from the hard fall he had taken, and his neck was red from Blaise's tight hold.
"Anything," Harry nodded in agreement, his own face was dried with blood from his broken nose.
"You say that you were fighting with Mr Weasley and Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked for confirmation, Harry nodded, "Then you suddenly felt as though you were being apparated? You felt the pull and everything?"
"Er, yes sir. I can't explain it. I know you can't apparate into or out of Hogwarts because of your wards, sir, but it kinda just happened without me realizing it..." Harry blushed heavily, he was just eternally glad he had arrived in the nick of time, for Draco's sake.
"That's brilliant," the Headmaster beamed, his eyes twinkled in the moonlight. Madame Pomfrey was still holding a Sleeping Potion in her hand, one she wished to adminster to Draco but he just kept refusing - not wanting to miss anything.
"Sorry sir, but how is that brilliant? I think that's bloody scary!" Harry muttered.
"Harry, remember what I told you about soul mates? That they had abilities with one another normal Wizards do not have?" Dumbledore explained seriously, both boys nodded, "This is one of yours, unique to your bond with Mr Malfoy. You both can apparate to one another despite the wards or things that bind you, and not just for near-death situations either. It is within my speculation that you can learn to do so at will," Dumbledore was smiling happily at the two of them, he was just so amazed and continuously astounded by both of them through-out the past six years.
"Oh, well erm..that's always good to know," Harry was blushing, he felt Draco's hand lightly on his forearm and he sighed at the touch comfortingly. Harry took a seat beside Draco's bed now, he entwined their hands tightly as the Headmaster smiled brightly at them, Madame Pomfrey merely blushed and averted her gaze.
"What is to be done about Parkinson, Zabini and Zabini Jr.?" Draco interupted the conversation seriously, Harry's grip tightened on his hand as he felt his mates anger, though Draco coolly masked it from their elders.
"They are to be transported to Azkaban specifically by me. However, Miss Parkinson will undergo trial at the Ministry for Magic so she shall be held in their cells there. We will submit her to Veratasirum for questioning,"
"That is not sufficient," Draco quickly responded, shaking his head, "Parkinson knows how to beat the truth serum, just like I do. We were taught as children how to avoid answering the question," he explained dryly, Madame Pomfrey was looking at him with her mouth open but Dumbledore merely smiled at the Sixth Years.
"And what did you lie about during your questioning, young Mr Malfoy?" Professor Dumbledore asked eerily but merely winked and smiled, "None the less, you may be there if you wish it,"
"I do. I will know how to make her cough everything up," Draco spat coldly, Harry looked worriedly at his boyfriend. Husband...'What do I call him?!' the brunette thought irritated, but it quickly vanished as there were more important things at hand.
"Fine by me. Now, I have quite a few Ministry matters to deal with because of this evening. You two boys have quite the slew of visitors as well. First, I think it best to send in Severus and Remus, they have been filled in and are absolutely dying to speak with you," Dumbledore smiled and nodded his goodbye to the boys, as he walked out of the Hospital Wing, Madame Pomfrey immediately turned to the boys with a stern look.
"You will drink this Potion, now Mr Malfoy," she demanded firmly.
"If you would please just leave it on the nightstand, I promise to have it after all our visitors leave us be. I certainly cannot miss a conversation with Professor Snape, it is rather imperative," Draco spoke softly, his silver eyes were round and big as he looked pleadingly up at the Mediwtich who blushed and placed down the Potion.
"Oh, alright. I'll just be in my office, knock if you need anything," and with that she left them.
Severus nor Remus had yet to arrive so Harry took the time to turn to his boyfriend and smile sadly at him, he bent down and kissed him on the face. "Can you not let her fix your nose?"
"Oh, sorry...forgot..."
"Forgot? How did you forget...how do you always forget when you are in pain, love?" Draco asked softly, reaching forward with the back of his hand he stroked Harry's face gently, ignoring the flakes of dry blood it left on his pale skin.
~Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you don't let show.~
Harry shrugged, and then with that the two Professors came rushing in, both trying to get ahead of one another. The other couple smirked broadly at them, seeing as how ridiculously upsetted they both looked as they came to the bed. Severus was glaring at Draco, Remus was frowning disappointingly at Harry. Both boys squirmed in the familiar situation.
"Draconis Lucius Malfoy, what the hell were you thinking! Just out for a late night stroll, were you? Did you ever think to use your imbocilic, small pea-sized excuse for a brain!" Severus yelled, his arms crossed across his chest as he glared daggers at the blonde.
Harry was rather surprised to see Draco whimper and cower away from the Potions Master, he grinned understanding that he and Severus were the only two human beings that could make Draco feel that way - good or bad. "S-Sorry Sev, I did not mean to. I just had a lot on my mind and -"
"Do not give me excuses, boy!!! Do you have any idea what I was thinking when Albus came to find me at the Ball and said; 'Oh and by the way, Mr Malfoy seems to have had a run in with some Death Eaters this evening!'!!" Severus was furious, his eyes were wild and Harry found himself surpressing a deep laugh. Only if Hermione and Ron could see their usually cold Potions Master this way.
"I said I was sorry, okay Snape?!" Draco snapped back, finally retrieving the last bits of his Malfoy courage by yelling back. This seemed to calm Severus down as he took a deep breath and Remus put a hand on his lovers shoulder comfortingly.
"Yes, I'm sorry Draco...It's just...all I could think was that I was going to lose you, and you know that would kill me," Severus admitted sadly, he lowered his head in shame.
Harry felt like he was invading a very private moment then, he unslipped his hand from Draco's and the blonde leaned forward in his bed, wincing slightly as his leg was still in pain, and grabbed ahold of Snape's hand who held it back. They looked into each others eyes, there was a silent conversation there. "You will never lose me, Severus,"
"You're like a son to me,"
"And you're the only Dad I have ever had the chance of knowing," Draco smiled softly.
"Great big Hufflepuff's these two are, aren't they Harry?" Remus chimed in cheerily, Draco shot a glare at him before letting go of Snape's hand.
"Keep up with that attitude and you'll be on the couch," Severus mumbled before conjuring two chairs from the other side of the room. Both men sat down alongside Harry who was back to holding his boyfriend's hand.
"You're not mad at me, Remus?" Harry asked slowly, not like he wanted the werewolf to be. It's just that Severus had gotten so mad and...
"Of course not, Harry. I'm proud of you, again, as always. And besides, life wouldn't be the same if you weren't constantly getting yourself into life threatning situations with vogue Death Eaters," Remus winked, causing not only Harry but Draco to laugh as well.
"I could not agree with you more, sir,"
"It's Remus, Draco...I had all of that formal stuff," Remus grinned at the roll of Severus' eyes.
"At least Draco's got a bit of refinement, unlike Potter. He's like a wild, mangy, mut," Severus scowled.
"Hey! I am not! I just haven't got a stick stuck up my arse!" Harry protested, crossing his arms with a fake pout on his face.
"No, but you do have something stuck there," Draco mumbled, causing Severus to pale and Remus to chuckle amusedly.
"Shush, you!" Harry smacked his boyfriend in the arm, Draco stuck out his tongue but didn't speak any further as he had a satisfied smirk on his face.
"Now now, boys, I don't think Pomfrey would like it if we got you two all riled up. You should really be getting your rest and it seems as though you still have two more visitors to deal with. And Harry...you need to get your nose looked at by Pomfrey," Remus said seriously.
Harry merely shrugged, "I don't like her fixing me up. No offence, she's a great Mediwitch but...her Potions are always so aweful tasting!" he shivered in thought of it.
"Why don't you just get her to do a Healing Spell instead?" Severus suggested.
"Oh, that's a wonderful idea, hun!" Remus jumped up from his seat excitedly, smacking Severus on the back who glared ice at him. "This would be a perfect time to test out their connection to one another!" he explained to his lover, understanding dawned on Severus' face.
"What are you on about, our connection?" Harry asked slowly.
"Since the two of you are soul mates, Healing one another should work much more efficiently than a third party person. This is due to the fact you two are so close you can even feel each other emotionally," Remus explained hurriedly, a large anticipating smile on his face.
"Erm, okay so...what..."
"I know a spell we could test," Draco interupted quickly, feeling just as much excitement as the Dark Arts Professor to see this theory through. "C'mere, Harry," Draco ordered gently, Harry blushed and turned towards his boyfriend and allowed his face to be cupped in his hands. And then one pale hand lingered gently ontop of the broken, bloody nose. "Vigoratus Infractus," he said firmly, and then a clear white stream of magic glittered from the palm of his hand over Harry's nose. Immediately a small crack was heard, Harry jumped and winced but then he smiled brightly.
Draco moved away his hand, but with the poor lighting and the dried blood it was difficult to see the results. "I think it worked!" Harry said happily, he reached up to rub at his own nose and began doing it viciously with a sloppy grin. "Yupp, definitely worked," and all three men grinned in response.
"Will the same spell work for you?" Harry asked hopefully, Draco thought this over for a second before nodding gently. Harry bit his lower lip nervously, he didn't want to mess anything and make Draco lose all his bones like Professor Lockhart did to him in Second Year! Then the blonde would have to drink Skele-Grow and well...that's just never a good thing.
Placing his slightly shaking hands over Draco's injured shin bone, Harry closed his eyes momentarily. "Vigoratus Infractus," he said. After he heard a crack, and no screaming afterwards, Harry allowed himself to reopen his eyes and look hopefully at Draco.
"Wow. It worked. Perfectly. I-I do not even feel it anymore," Draco smiled brightly through the semi-darkness. Harry smirked back at him.
"So...we're in accordance that this night when from Hell to Heaven, right?"
"Right, love,"
"Well, I do apologize but I believe it will turn to Hell once more," Severus drawled in his usual tone again, both boys turned their attention to the other couple in the room, they were holding hands silently behind them.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I would like to speak with you privately, Harry, but after that you have two more rather anxious, worried, and angry visitors," Snape said pointedly.
"Urgh, you've got to be kidding...I don't want to deal with them now!" Harry groaned.
"Deal with them? Aren't they your best friends?" Remus asked confusedly.
"Yes, of course they are. I love Ron and 'Mione but, not only was Ron the one that broke my nose but neither of them are going to understand all that's happened between...us," Harry gripped onto Draco's recently healed leg. Draco looked up at his partner worriedly, he could feel him getting nervous by the moment.
"Harry, I'm sure it'll be fine. Hermione and Ron have seen you through everything, it wouldn't be like them to just turn their backs now," Remus assured gently, "Now, you both are in dire need of rest so hurry along with Severus, I'll keep Draco company," the werewolf winked, making Harry uneasy.
Severus proceeded to lead Harry to the other side of the room by the doorway, they stood staring at one another levelly for a moment before Severus smiled gently. It was a true genuine smile and Harry blushed and looked down at his feet, it was just too weird to awknowledge at the moment.
"Harry...I wanted to apologize,"
Harry's eyes snapped back up to Severus, it was the last thing he thought he'd hear at that point in time. "What for...sir?"
"Stop it with that Sir nonesense, besides in class," Severus smirked, "You can call me Sev," he smiled at Harry's bewildered experssion. "I wanted to apologize for those years of anguish, but you have to understand that I was a bitter man then. I had everything I cared for taken away from me by the Dark Lord, and I hated everybody and everything save for Draconis. Then you came along, looking so much like the same guy that kept what I wanted away from me in my school years...oh I hated you so much," Severus growled but then took a deep breath, he smiled down at Harry once again and reached out to put a hand on his shoulder. "And now, you've given it all back,"
"Er, si-Sev," Harry said unsurely, shifting on his feet, "But what are you talking about? I haven't given you anything,"
"Yes Harry, yes you have," Snape's eyes were glittering now, and Harry refused to believe that they were with tears but even in the low lighting, it was obvious they were, "You defeated the Dark Lord and you set me free. You've finally given what I've wanted since I was Eleven and that was the chance to be with the love of my life," Severus was openly crying now, though the tears were silent as he looked across the room at Remus' silhoutted, talking in whispers to Draco.
"I-I, uhm..." Harry felt at a lose for words, and his heart tighten in his chest. "That must have been terrible, Sev. I mean, not being able to be with him even though you both knew you loved each other," the boy blushed, this was not the conversation he was expecting to have with Severus Snape on Halloween night.
"It was. But now that's all better, you've brought him back. Not only that, but you've kept my Draco safe and happy too. You know Harry, he's always going to be like the son I've never had," Severus said fondly, glancing at the blonde boy before back down at Harry, smiling gently. Severus did the extremely, extremely, extremely unexpected by bending down slightly to embrace Harry in a tight hug. He placed his head on Harry's shoulder and allowed himself to cry, Harry felt himself welling up with emotions and the tears streamed down his own face too as he hugged Severus back.
'This is getting too weird...' Harry thought idly, and it wasn't only him that thought this as Draco was staring at the scene with an open mouth, Remus was grinning like a madman.
"You know that means if Draco's like my son...then you're my son too," Severus whispered softly, "And I couldn't have asked for two better boys than yourselves," he admitted.
Harry certainly wasn't willing to hear that at the moment, his breath caught in his throat and he felt a sob of joy come into his chest. Yes this was Severus Snape, but it wasn't evil Potions Master Severus Snape anymore. It was nice, caring, although still fully Slytherin, Severus Snape. 'He's a lot like Draco...just misunderstood...' Harry thought to himself.
"I was terrified when Dumbledore told Remus and I what happened, I was terrified that I had lost you both at once and I knew I couldn't deal with that, Harry, I just couldn't. Even though you may never be able to forgive me, or care for me, know that in my mind you'll always be like family to me and Remus, just as Draco is,"
"Sev, that means so much to me," Harry finally responded in full honesty, "And there's nothing to forgive so stop asking for it, you were just being your regular big ol' prat self...just like Draco," they both chuckled lowly. And then they just stood there quietly embracing for a few more minutes.
Until, of course, the party was broken up by a loud yell from the doorway. "WHAT THE HELL!? Snape too? Honestly, mate, have you fucking lost your mind?" Ron Weasley bellowed, his face red with fury as he glared at the Potions Master who immediately detatched himself from a blushing Harry, and somehow he had wiped his tears in the process and put back on his cold demeanor.
"Watch your language, Weasel. Twenty points from Gryffindor for that foul mouth and one nights detention," Snape snapped coldly, Ron groaned immediately about to retort but the Potions Master turned to look at his smirking lover. "Come Remus, lets allow these Gryffindorks have their play-time," he said, and Remus quickly was at Severus' side, he looked at Harry for a moment before hugging him gently.
"Love you," he smirked before starting off to the door.
"I love you too, Moony," Harry grinned, waving goodbye as the two older men left.
And then he turned to the two people in the world he did not feel like dealing with right now. Ron was, surprisingly silent, as they fully entered the room now. Hermione was clutching her boyfriend's upper arm until she finally brust into tears and ran forward and grabbed Harry in a bone crushing hug, Harry was shocked at first but slowly embraced her back.
"We were so worried! One minute you two were arguing and then...you were just gone! Oh Harry, I thought the worst possible things happened, like you tried to Apparate and got splinched and one half was in Romania and the other God knows where..!!" Hermione sobbed heavily, clutching onto her friends jumper.
Harry patted her back as he was glaring dagger at Ron, who seemed to be calming himself from across the room before slowly walking forward. Hermione released him, and then Ron stood forward and opened up his arms awkwardly as well. "I, er, I was worried too, mate," he blushed.
Harry found a smile creeping onto his face as he stepped into Rons arms for a moment, although there were no tears he knew this was much more than he expected anyway. "Do you know what happened?" Harry asked, leading them over to Draco's bed where the blonde was glaring at the redhead, Ron attempting to completely ignore the Slytherin's presence.
"Yes, well, er...Dumbledore explained what happened tonight. Though he did leave out how you disappeared. Or, for that matter, why Malfoy was wanted by Death Eaters. No offence, but I thought he was one..." Hermione explained before shooting a tentative look at the bed-ridden blonde.
"Harry, may I?" Draco asked softly, Harry bit his lip and nodded, taking his seat as Hermione and Ron slowly took the other two unoccupied ones.
"Death Eaters were after me because they thought my Father had betrayed them by abandoning them. That is a lie, I actually murdered him on the night of the Final Battle after I watched him murder my Mother. Oh, and Harry did Apparate but because we are eternal Soul Mates, forever bonded and married in the eyes of Wizarding Law, he is able to apparate to my side by will or at time of need despite the wards that separate us. Also, we have been seeing each other for a few weeks and no, that is not going to change. We are soul mates, Weasel, get that through your thick skull," Draco seemed cool, calm relaxed, if not slightly cold and irritated to have to be explaining this all. But then Harry looked over at him frowning, Draco shot him a wink and a smile, making Harry blush and reach out to grab his hand.
There was collective silence before Ron spoke, "Soul mates?"
"Yes well..."
"Married? Wait...don't you have to consumate the bond to be married?" Hermione interupted curiously.
"Well, erm, you see Herm..." Harry began nervously, his palms were beginning to sweat in Draco's and the blonde rolled his eyes. Even though he found his boyfriend rather cute when he stuttered like this, all he wanted to do was get some sleep and that meant getting the Gryffindors out of there.
"We fucked. Henceforth, married," Draco drawled, Ron shot him a death glare which he ignored easily, "Now answer my questions," the blonde growled seriously, anger crossed over his pale features.
"But you haven't finished answering ours!" Ron protested angrily, "What about Snape? What the fuck was that, 'eh?" he directed this at Harry who merely looked back down at his lap.
"Weasel, shut the fuck up and answer my questions," Draco snapped icily, "What happened tonight after you found us in the broom closet?" he asked unexpectedly.
Harry and Ron looked up at one another and then quickly averted their gazes, Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed. "These boys...so immature...how do we ever manage?" she asked Draco who merely raised an eyebrow at her, "I'll tell you," she blushed.
By the end of her explaination, Draco was out of the hospital bed with his wand pointed at Ron's throat as he held him up against the wall.
"Give me one good reason why I should not kill you this instant, Weasel,"
*
If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me.
call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on.
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your rfiend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long,
Till I'm gona need
Somebody to lean on
Lean on me...