Chapter 24

He was having the most wonderful dream. He didn't want to wake up and see cold dungeon walls again. He wanted the soft sheets under his cheek to be real, and the thick blanket keeping him warm to really exist. The gentle hand stroking through his hair felt like heaven. He wanted to stay just like he was forever.

He fought it off as long as he could, but eventually he opened his eyes.

The sheets didn't disappear. The pillows remained fluffy, the soft hand stayed where it was.

"Harry, love?"

He knew that voice.

"Mother?" He asked tentatively, not daring to hope.

"It's me, sweetheart. It's all over. You're safe again."

Harry sat up in the massive bed, breathing in the wonderful sight of his beautiful mother. Ecstatic, he threw his arms around her, hugging her tightly. She laughed at his exuberance and kissed his cheek.

"I've missed you so much!" Lily confessed, holding her son close to her. Harry, however, had other things on his mind already.

"My rescuer - I don't even know his name – where is he?" Lily smiled at her son's concern and his light blush.

"He is here in the castle. We just arrived a few moments ago and I came straight to your room. He is likely still in conversation with your father and Albus."

"Do you know his name?"

"He is Severus Snape. You probably do not remember him. He was the potions master of Hogsmede."

"He was very handsome," Harry replied a bit dreamily. Surprised, Lily raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Are you sure we're talking about the same man? He…er…isn't exactly known for his good looks. Then again, I haven't seen him since he left the village. Perhaps he has changed."

"It really doesn't matter. I want to talk with him. It's of the most importance!" Happily, Harry swung his legs out of bed and after a fond goodbye was gone from the room. Lily shook her head at his enthusiasm. The silly boy had run out still in his pajamas, with no idea of where he was.

Harry didn't know where he had been brought while he was asleep, but it was slightly creepy. The castle was huge. From the nearby window he could see what seemed like hundreds of spirals and turrets. The decoration was gothic, and there was an overabundance of green marble.

Still, the gloomy castle couldn't dim his spirits. He raced through the halls breathless until he managed to find a magnificent entryway. He finally saw some familiar faces.

His father was arguing with a man who had to be Severus. Ron was standing nearby, a cold look on his face. There were a few men from his father's guard, Albus Dumbledore, a pretty brunette that Harry vaguely recognized, and two other men.

The atmosphere, despite Albus's twinkling smile, was rather cold.

"Father? Ron?" Harry questioned hesitantly, not wanting his father to argue with Severus any longer. Suddenly, everyone's faces were on him. He smiled a bit shyly, then quickly descended the steps. Forgetting protocol, Ron pulled him into a manly hug, ruffling his hair and looking quite teary eyed.

"I was so worried when Severus brought you back knocked out! Hermione assured us you would wake up in no time, but I was still worried sick," Ron mothered, inspecting him for invisible signs of sickness.

"I'm fine, Ron. You're a bigger worrywart than mother."

"Harry, it's good to see you well, son. Are you feeling alright?" James Potter's tone changed drastically when he addressed his precious son. Severus, in particular, looked quite surprised by the sudden switch. It seemed Harry brought out a softer side in the arrogant, obnoxious king.

Smiling broadly, and shooting a defiant look towards the king. Ron tugged Harry towards Severus, who looked alarmingly like a deer caught in front of a wagon. He blushed deeply, which really did nothing for his complexion, and swallowed thickly. The two men, the dark haired one in particular, began to snicker at his embarrassment.

"Err…how are you feeling, your majesty?" Severus asked politely, remembering to bow his head respectfully. Harry smiled at Severus's nervousness, inwardly delighted that he wasn't a smooth talker or a muscle-bound Adonis. He was perfect – just the sort of hero Harry had imagined for himself.

Perhaps being more forward than was appropriate, Harry ignored his father's stern glare and surprised the potions master by embracing him in an affectionate hug. Severus stiffened like a board in his arms, but didn't try to pull away. The two men snickered louder.

"Thank you, Severus Snape, for rescuing me. I'm…deeply in your debt," Harry released him then, stepping back and smiling demurely. Severus remained frozen, quite unable to articulate anything intelligent. The dark haired men stepped forward and lightly punched him so that he would regain his ability to speak. Severus glared at his friend hotly, massaging his shoulder where he'd been punched.

"It was nothing," he finally managed to reply gruffly, obviously very embarrassed.

"Which was just what I was saying. While we appreciate your aid, Snape, I'm sure it wasn't anything that Captain Ronald couldn't have done if given the chance. I'll be returning to Hogsmede with Harry and my wife shortly, if there is nothing else I must attend to. You will, of course, receive a handsome reward for your services."

Harry was shocked. This was not how it was supposed to go. Ron apparently agreed with Harry.

"But your majesty, Prince Harry was promised to the Chosen One. Really, I can't think of anyone more deserving than Severus," Ron protested respectfully but with unmistakable force. Harry's heart warmed at that. If Ron approved so highly of him, then Severus really was just the sort of man he wanted to marry and spend the rest of his life with. He wasn't about to let his father ruin it all.

"Perhaps, Captain, if your opinion of Snape is so high, you should remain in his service rather than mine," King James replied, his implication clear. Push the issue and you loose your title.

Harry, however, could not be fired.

"I'm sorry, father, but you really were quite clear. I am promised to the one who rescued me. If he will have me, I think it would make me very happy to spend the rest of my days with him. He has proven himself more than worthy," Harry said in a firm voice that he had never used before. His father and Ron, and his mother who had just joined them, stared at him in surprise. It was true that Harry never pushed anything. He was very quiet and soft spoken by nature. Up until now, he had been perfectly content and had never raised his voice. Harry, however, only had eyes for Severus. It was then that Albus decided to speak up.

"First of all, I would like to congratulate Severus on a job very well done. Secondly, there is something I must explain. I took it upon myself to contact an old friend and a long time resident of Slytherin Kingdom. Alastor Moody was a counselor to King Sturgis, Lucius Malfoy's predecessor. He was dethroned by Malfoy, who was a distant cousin. Malfoy was able to take the throne because he was a more powerful wizard than the previous king, who was talented with potions but not with dark spells. However, now the entire Malfoy line has been destroyed," Albus cast a glance at Remus, "so the business came about of finding the rightful heir to the throne of Slytherin. That is where Moody was of so much help to me. He informed me that there are only two potential heirs. The first is the son of King Sturgis. However, upon some investigation I discovered he had been murdered while in Ravenclaw. A culprit was never found, but I believe it is safe to say Malfoy Sr. was responsible. The other possibility lie in the former king's older sister, who fled the country when trouble began to brew. She is dead now, but she too had a son. If he is willing, he would be at the perfect age to rule. And, as Moody has guaranteed me, he is the rightful heir."

"This is all very fascinating, and I'm sure very important, however I don't see how this is a concern that needs to be addressed at this time…" James interrupted a bit rudely. Albus merely smiled at him benignly and turned expectant eyes on Severus. He looked very pale.

"What have you to say about this, Severus?" Albus asked knowingly. Severus studied the floor intently, his brows knitted.

"My mother…was a refuge from Slytherin. She once told me she left because there was a threat to her life. I was never to tell anyone of her origins."

"You see, King James, Severus is in fact your equal now. His mother and the king's sister are one in the same. And, as a king and the rescuer of your beloved Prince Harry, he really is an ideal candidate for marriage. It would unite two lands that have long been separated for foolish reasons."

"This is…ridiculous!" James replied heatedly, his eyes widening in anger and disbelief.

"I have already spoken with the villagers in the valley. They remember their old king. His rule was a time of prosperity for Slytherin. They are eager to have someone of his blood back on the throne. They want Severus as their king. Besides, he is already quite well staffed for the job. Lady Hermione, his resident witch," Albus nodded kindly at the brunette. "Ronald Weasley, the captain of his knights. After all, he is looking for work now, isn't he King James? And of course, Remus Lupin as his new counselor."

"What about me?" Sirius asked, speaking for the first time. Albus cast him an amused glance.

"Of course. I had not forgotten you, Mr. Black. After all, what is a court without a jester?"

Remus and Ron snickered at the cantankerous thief, who merely glared sullenly at Dumbledore.

"You see, King James, all our new king requires is a prince."

James's glare towards Severus intensified, then hardened.

"I won't allow it."

"Oh, yes you will James Potter. Why are you being so thick headed? Have you forgotten our own marriage? Is that what you want for Harry? Look at your son, James! He loves Severus. This is what he wants. I won't stand by and let you ruin his chance for happiness!"

If Harry's firm voice had surprised them, Lily's vehement half-shout shocked them completely. James blinked once, then twice.

Meanwhile, Severus stared at all of them like they were crazy.

"What are you people on about? He doesn't even know me! He can't possibly…love me!" Severus protested slightly bewildered.

"Yes, exactly! Snape…err…King Snape…err…he's right! Harry can't possibly love him. Harry may wish to marry him, but Snape has no desire to marry Harry. Really, I think that it's much better that way. Harry is young. He doesn't know what he really wants. In time, son, you will understand what you wish for in a partner more clearly."

Harry looked like he'd been wounded. Enormous green eyes looked beseechingly at Severus.

"Is what my father says true? I want you to be happy as well…" Harry said brokenly, suddenly very afraid that the dreams he'd had as a child had been, well, childish. Had he really believed in love at first sight? That his hero would instantly fall madly in love with him? Severus hadn't replied.

He suddenly felt very stupid, standing in a room of adults dressed in his pajamas, a good deal shorter than even Hermione and his mother, looking for all the world like the child his father said he was. Harry resisted the urge to run to his room and lock himself inside. What would Severus see in him? Severus had met so many people, and been so many different places – why would he want a child who didn't know anything about anything?

He felt the strongest urge to cry at the sheer rejection he felt.

Severus nearly melted at the look on Harry's face. With no further thought about who was watching, he stepped forward and gently lifted his hand to Harry's cheek. The action mimicked what he had done upon seeing Harry in the castle. With a soft smile, Harry leaned into the touch.

"I…I'm not a nice man, Harry. I don't deserve someone as pure as yourself," Severus said honestly, regret obvious in his low voice. Harry felt tears began to cloud his eyes.

"That's not true. It's me that doesn't deserve you. It's just as my father says. I'm an overgrown child. I've only been out of Hogsmede once in my entire life. I don't know anything. I wouldn't know how to make you happy."

It was a heartbreaking moment. Sirius, of course, ruined it.

"Alright, already! We've established that you don't deserve each other. So what? You both lucked out. You don't deserve someone so perfect, but you've been given it anyway. Quite whining about how undeserving you are and just kiss each other already! Sheesh!" Sirius shook his head in annoyance. Severus and Harry stared at him dumbly.

"You know…as crazy as it sounds…there's some merit in what he says," Severus said hesitantly. Harry smiled in what Severus secretly thought was the cutest way, then stepped a little closer to him.

"Do you usually take his advice?"

"No," both Severus and Sirius responded at the same time.

"Maybe you should? Just this once."

"You mean…kiss you?"

"Yes, kiss me," Harry encouraged before his father could think to put a stop to it. Harry had moved until he was just inches away from Severus. Severus leaned forward, ever so slightly, then hesitated yet again when Harry softly shut his eyes.

"For godsake man, JUST DO IT ALREADY!" Sirius shouted in frustration. Startled, Severus closed the distance between them accidentally, pressing his lips to Harry's for the first time. Severus started to pull away, blushing dark red, but Harry twined his arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.

The reaction was, for the most part, the same. Ron and Hermione looked on with understanding, they too knowing what new love felt like. Their hands clasped, and they smiled at the pair. Lily looked pleased, obviously seeing something in the kiss that her husband could not. Tears were sliding down her cheeks, but she was smiling broadly. Remus was scowling at Sirius for his impudence, who was grinning devilishly. Albus had his usual twinkling smile, and James…well, he looked like he'd just bit down on something sour but what did he matter? What father is ever able to truly let his princess…err…prince…ride off into the sunset for the happily ever after? He'd get used to it eventually. All fathers do.

-

A/N: Still not done. There's one chapter left, then the EPILOGUE. Forgive me for saying the prologue. Slip of the key. Also, please forgive the repeated misspelling of the word "vicious." It was unintentional. I promise….Or was it? Dun dun dun!

Anyway, It's hard to believe this thing is almost over. Wow. I guess I won't believe it until that final chapter is posted…