Warnings: little bit of foul language.
Summary: Severus goes after his silly mate and gets everyone ready for battle. The soul-gates have their say, too.
Notes: I went through the latter chapters of this story and altered all references to Severus' Soldiers. The acronym was just too unfortunate and had some really dark implications I did not intend to give them. Now when someone refers to them by their shortened name, they call them the Soldiers. I think I caught all the references but please let me know if you find one I missed. Thanks!
CHAPTER 29
Severus cried out after Harry, but the young man had already gone and Severus was half naked. Shite! He had no choice but to dress himself—quickly—and hope he could catch Harry before the idiot got himself killed.
Then he would kill Harry himself for leaving without his gear.
Well, thank the gods Severus was a wizard. He Summoned his clothing and spelled it onto his body with three well-aimed flicks of his wand, then Summoned a golden scimitar from his weapons rack, along with Harry's gear. To his surprise, the Reaper gear came in the box Lily had presented it in—including the scythe, shrunken to fit. Severus' hands trembled as he took the box and prayed the gear would recognise that he had no ill intent towards its true bearer. It settled into his hands without so much as a tickle, and Severus let out a sigh of relief.
Tucking the gear and sword under his arm, he raced into his office and slammed down the switch to set off the castle's alarms. As the screaming, wailing sirens rang out all around him, fear flooded his veins. Fuck. He was running out of time. Harry had said Riddle was already at Hogsmeade and had found a way through the wards.
Severus sneered at the idea that the bastard still had remnants of his soul. Was it possible to call them back? He tried to pull the shreds of his being back to himself, but felt no response. Without the link, perhaps it was impossible to reunite with the remaining pieces, or perhaps they had no true connection to Severus any longer since Harry had healed his soul. He knew without a doubt that his soul was whole once more, even if Riddle had managed to maintain a bit of his magical signature, or whatever he had in that staff.
Severus would be all right, but Merlin, he worried about what Riddle could do with Rowle's soul. The monster had the whole of that unfortunate's being at his command. Only time would tell what the bastard planned to do with it.
Perhaps they could set a ward against soul magic to prevent him levelling Hogwarts like he had Blackpool. Maybe then they would have a chance. That should accomplish their goal, especially if they could convince the soul-gates to aid them. Yes, he would do that, as soon as he caught Harry and—
Harry. Coldness washed over him. Shite, what was Severus doing worrying about souls and magical theory? He still had to catch Harry and prepare the castle's occupants for war.
Gods, Harry wasn't the only idiot in residence tonight.
Wanting to hit himself for the delay, Severus dashed off a Patronus to Minerva, then, with his warning sent, borrowed of the castle's power to apparate himself to the entry hall. Just as he landed—on his feet, of course—Harry came careening around a corner and almost bowled Severus over.
"Where do you think you are going, Mister Potter?"
Harry cringed and tried to run past him, but Severus caught him by the arm.
"Are you mad, Harry? You're alone and unprepared for battle. By the gods, have some common sense, man! You cannot face Riddle and all his Death Eaters like this!"
Harry said nothing and struggled to break loose, but Severus held him in a death grip.
"Harry, stop this at once!"
Harry sobbed out, "He's got fragments of your soul, Sev. I can't let hi—"
A shuddering boom shook the castle, knocking even the graceful Severus onto his arse. Harry toppled on top of him and landed in a heap, but the next instant, was on his feet and barrelling towards the door with murder in his eyes.
"Incarcerous!"
Magical ropes bound Harry's legs and brought him down, and Severus dragged the struggling young man towards him. With a snarl, he flipped Harry onto his back and grabbed his mate's face.
"If you do not stop struggling this instant and begin using the brain I know you have in there, I shall lock you in the dungeons until this is over. Do you understand me?"
Harry fought and growled, but when Severus knelt before him and brought him into his arms, the young man stilled, no doubt in fear of hurting his mate.
"Please. Please stop this, Harry. You cannot go out there unarmed and alone. He will kill you, and then I will have nothing left."
"Your s-soul," Harry choked out between sobs. "He's g-got a piece of it."
Severus held him tighter and took in a shaky breath. "I know, and judging by the force of that explosion, he has already used what little he had left."
Harry howled and struggled to break loose, but Severus refused to let him go.
"Harry, be at peace. Everyone save Ariana is out of Hogsmeade, and she will be back in the castle by now, warning the Order that Riddle is here. He cannot use my soul to kill this time."
With a sob, Harry flopped onto Severus' shoulder. "I'm s-so afraid. You're not drained? It doesn't hurt at all?"
Severus ran a hand through his mate's hair. "He has no link to me any longer. He cannot drain me. I do not even think those pieces he had left have a connection to me, not now that you have healed all the emptiness within me. Perhaps it might have hurt me before then, but now, he can do nothing to harm me, not indirectly at least." He kissed Harry's forehead and lifted the young man's chin with a gentle hand. "Come, love. I am well, but I will not be for long if you die trying to save me from a danger that has already passed."
Harry sniffled and gave Severus a hesitant nod. "I … I'm sorry."
"It was understandable—bloody stupid, but understandable, if you were afraid I would die because of Riddle's staff. But I am safe, and now we must prepare our troops for battle. I am the general, at least in spirit, and you are the hero. They need us both. Are you able to face the soldiers with me by your side?"
Harry sniffled and wiped his eyes. "Y-yeah. I was just afraid it would drain you again. Couldn't lose you. You … you're sure your chest doesn't hurt?"
Severus kissed him lightly. "You healed me completely, love, and that has not changed. Now, buck up and let's get our troops ready for war."
Harry sighed. "Think you could take the ropes off my legs first?"
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Can you swear not to run into battle alone and without your gear again?"
Harry looked down at his chest and winced. "Merlin. I really forgot it. I am an idiot."
Severus chuckled. "You are merely a Gryffindor. You think with your heart first and your brain second, like all of your House. But I have your gear here, and I will give it to you and release your legs if you swear to use your bloody head from now on."
Harry rubbed his scar and nodded. "I promise. Let me up."
Severus released the ropes and hauled his lover to his feet. "No more mad dashes, Potter. I expect you to live long enough to attend our wedding."
Harry gave a wan chuckle and took the box from Severus. "You won't be able to call me Potter then. Anyway, give me a minute to change."
"Hmm. Out of sight of our allies, I think."
Severus used the castle's magic again to bring them to his office.
"Whoa," said a dazed Harry. "You can apparate in Hogwarts? Is it because you're the headmaster?"
Severus gave a curt nod and unhooked the dagger from Harry's waist. "Indeed, but we must hurry, love. We have little time."
Harry nodded and tugged the robes over his shoulders. Severus helped him dress, and once the young man had zipped his robes and belted the dagger around his waist again, Severus passed Harry his scythe. Harry took it with a frown, lines of worry creasing his forehead.
"What should I do with this, Sev? I can't just leave it visible. You know some of those idiots would get ideas, and they might hit too close to the truth. And Merlin help me if Rita Skeeter gets hold of that little titbit."
Severus frowned too. "Indeed. Well, strap it on and put a disillusionment spell on it. I would, but I am afraid it might react poorly to any magic but your own."
Harry winced. "Good thinking."
He strapped the weapon to his back and cast. The scythe vanished, but Severus made note of its position lest he accidentally take off his own head.
"Do be careful not to hit anyone with that, Harry. Keep your back clear. I will warn the troops not to touch your back and make sure they don't get too curious."
Harry nodded. "Are they in the Great Hall?"
"They should already be there, but we are not finished here yet. Here. Take this scimitar as well, just in case. I intend it to be more for show than anything, but if all else fails, it is always good to have a backup weapon."
Harry smirked. "I thought that was the dagger."
"A backup for your backup, then. I am taking no chances, not with you."
"All right, love. Help me with the belt, then?"
"Yes."
Severus girded the scimitar around his love's waist behind the dagger, hoping against hope Harry would not need it. He was an inexperienced swordsman at best and a danger to himself at worst. Still, it wouldn't hurt to have the weapon as a last resort should all his other preparations fail. Besides that, it looked intimidating, and Severus was all too familiar with the psychology of war.
As for himself, he dressed himself in long, black duelling robes with silver filigree and strapped a silver katana to his back. At his waist, he carried the sword of Gryffindor, though he had no intention of depending upon it in battle unless it presented itself. It was simply too finicky to rely upon in a true life-or-death situation. Still, at least it would be on the battlefield should it decide to place itself where it was needed, whether that was in Severus' hands or someone else's. And again, it looked intimidating. It would bolster his image with their allies as well.
Harry whistled as Severus snapped a wand holster to his wrist, complete with a spare wand. "Merlin, you're bloody hot like that."
Severus gave a wry laugh. "In more ways than one, apparently. These robes are a bit too warm, though that will change as soon as we are outside. January in the Scottish highlands is unpleasant, to say the least." He tied his hair back and checked himself in the mirror. "There. I believe I am ready. Are you warm enough, Harry?"
"I will be. These robes are spelled to stay the right temperature."
Severus gave him a half-hearted glare. "Merlin, what I wouldn't give for a pair like that."
"I wish you had some too. I'd feel a lot safer."
Severus nodded. "You would be at that, but I promise to take every precaution possible to ensure I survive the night."
Harry gave him a grim nod. "You'd better."
"Hmm. I said I would. Now, come, if you're finished."
"Yeah, but wait. I just want to …."
"What? We don't have time to was—"
Harry grabbed Severus' face and caught him into a breath-stealing kiss.
"There," he panted after a moment. "Now I can face this."
Severus shook himself out of a daze and nodded. "R-right. Then come, and let us floo to the Great Hall."
"After you, love. Otherwise I might fall on my face."
Severus snorted and led the way to the floo. By the time they entered the Great Hall, the soldiers had already gathered. Minerva and Filius had the students in two lines near the staff dais, the two professors heading an effort to distribute spare duelling robes and weapons among those who had none of their own. Lily and Remus were helping the students dress once they had their robes in hand.
The aurors stood front and centre, having forgone their customary red robes for less obvious grey duelling robes. Each carried a short sword and dagger along with two wands, and all of them looked deadly serious, even Tonks.
On the side of the hall opposite the students, the Order members milled about, each one pale and afraid but determined. The non-Order affiliated adults gathered around the middle of the hall, looking nervous and unsure of their welcome. And the teachers not involved with handing out weapons or herding the troops had gathered around the staff table, watching the proceedings below with worried eyes.
Every head turned when Harry and Severus walked into the hall, and the relief in the room was palpable. Harry scowled, obviously irritated that these fully-grown adults placed so much on his young shoulders, but a discreet poke from Severus cleared that up quickly.
Severus whispered out of the corner of his mouth, "Do try not to terrify the army before they even meet the enemy, hmm?"
Harry frowned. "Sorry. The hero worship thing just gets old."
"I know. For now, however, you must endure it."
Harry smirked. "They're enamoured of you a bit now too, you know?"
Severus struggled to keep from blushing. "I … I do not know what you mean." Before Harry could 'explain' and overwhelm him further, Severus climbed atop the Hufflepuff table and cast a Sonorous upon his throat. "Thank you, all of you, for your support tonight," he said in an amplified voice. "Having trained most of you at some time during the past week, I can safely say I am honoured to be fighting alongside you."
Harry clambered up beside him with much less grace, but with more enthusiasm. He cast an amplifying spell as well. "Same here, but there's something we need to settle before we go out there tonight. Everyone, I know you guys all think I'm some sort of hero, the Boy-Who-Lived and all that rot—" Severus shot him a sharp look, and Harry smiled. "I swear to you," he continued, "I'll do my best to fulfil that role, but I'm not your leader. Not here."
He stepped forwards and held his hands out in a gesture of supplication. "I'm an eighteen year old boy, not a warrior. I'm not a general, not a leader. The truth is, I don't have a bloody clue how to lead an army. My sole focus is finding and dispatching Riddle before he can kill us all, and that's what I'll be doing tonight. My mission is a solitary one, so I can't lead you. Your leader, the one you need to listen to is Severus." Harry reached behind him and took Severus' hand, pulling him forwards to stand at his side. "He's experienced in battle, a brilliant strategist, and he knows our enemy a lot better than I do. You take orders from him tonight, not me."
"General Snape," cried someone from the former DA—Severus wasn't sure who. "We're honoured to follow you into battle!"
Severus' face flamed and warmth filled his heart. "T-thank you."
Harry squeezed his mate's hand, and Severus kissed the back of Harry's. "I love you, Harry."
Shite. Severus had forgotten to mute his Sonorous, and as a result, the entire hall heard his soft declaration. The crowd erupted into a maudlin display of sentimentalism and, blushing from head to toe, he resolved not to be so affectionate again, not in front of the entire army at least. He Occluded hard and let his arm drop, but did not release his mate's hand. He needed Harry's touch to keep him grounded.
"I love you, too," Harry murmured in Severus' ear. Harry, thankfully, had remembered to cover his throat and mute the charm. Severus wasn't sure he could handle further embarrassment.
He cleared his throat and glared the whistling, cheering crowd back into submission. "Well, now that you are assured of my loyalty and I am assured of yours, please form ranks like we discussed earlier in the week. Grab your wands and weapons, and be warned that I will tolerate no foolishness." He sent his fiercest glare straight at the Weasley twins. They held their hands up in a gesture of surrender, but Severus knew better than to trust it. "Hurry and get into battle positions, excepting those of you who are still waiting for duelling gear. This is not a training run—Riddle is in Hogsmeade as we speak."
All traces of amusement died and a shudder went through the crowd. Still, they all moved into their assigned positions, save for the students still in line for gear.
"I will not pretend this is not a dangerous fight," said Severus after the adult fighters had taken their places. "Besides his Death Eaters, Riddle has a magical staff full of soul magic—the same kind of magic that levelled Blackpool. We do not yet know if he intends to use it as a weapon or if he will try to level the entire battlefield at once, though Harry, his mother, Remus Lupin, and myself will be taking measures to prevent the latter.
"To that end, Harry has a secret weapon that will harm anyone besides himself who touches it. He is wearing it on his back—there are spells upon it that make it so only Harry can see it until the right time. Be warned and do not touch his back. I am his mate so it will not harm me, but I cannot say the same for anyone else who gets too close."
Harry smirked and squeezed Severus' hand. Severus smiled back. He thought it rather an ingenious plan to keep the masses away from Harry's scythe himself. Judging by the awed, nervous looks on the crowd's faces, he could trust that no one would risk getting too close to Harry, which had the extra benefit of keeping any fawning admirers from getting too close.
Severus even surprised himself with his intelligence, on occasion.
He Occluded away his amusement as he faced the crowd once more. "We are taking every precaution to keep everyone safe, but even with the best we can do, casualties are inevitable tonight, much as I wish I could say otherwise. I do understand that this is a daunting prospect, as does my mate, so we will not judge you if you are frightened to face such a grim situation or do not think yourselves adequate. Anyone not prepared to die may take refuge in the castle without fear of judgment. As for the rest of you, hurry and ready yourselves to fight. We march in half an hour—sooner if he arrives at the gates before then or our wards do not work."
There was a mad dash for the duelling gear, and several other professors stepped down from the dais to help hand it out.
"Lily, Remus, Filius, Miss Tonks, and Mister William Weasley," said Severus, "please follow us outside. We need your help to strengthen our wards. Anyone else with warding skills, strong elemental magic, or large magical power reserves, please feel free to join us."
Those Severus mentioned left rank and dashed to the 'general's' side, along with a few others—Kingsley Shacklebolt, Neville Longbottom, Charlie Weasley and his twin brothers, Hermione Granger, and several aurors and adult warriors Severus was unfamiliar with. Without a word, they each saluted their battlemaster and fell in line behind him. Harry gave his mate a quick kiss and took his place at Severus' side.
"I'm proud of you," Harry murmured to his mate.
Severus gave him a shy smile. "Thank you. Do not overwhelm me now, though. I need my wits about me."
Harry kissed his cheek, but said nothing else. Relieved, Severus led them to an area near the lake, about halfway between the castle gates and the entrance. He examined the position of the moon, checked the magical currents, laid his hand against the earth—bloody hell, it was cold. The fire element would be weak at this time of year no matter where he started the ward. With a shake of his head, he wet a finger in his mouth and tested the direction of the wind.
No, not there. The water element overpowered in his current location. Frowning, he moved about ten yards away from the lake and checked again. Not there either—the beech by the lake blocked the air element and muted it. Severus moved out of the way of the tree and tested one more time. Ah, all the elements were in balance there. Well, save the dip in fire magic, but there was nothing he could do about that. Not in the Scottish highlands in January. He would just have to hope his fire warder had powerful enough magic to make up for the deficit.
"This will do."
He took Harry's hand and moved him into position at what would be the nexus of the circle. He motioned to Lily, and she took her place standing in front of and a little to the side of her son. Severus placed Remus in front of her and saved a position for himself in front of Harry. The others had gathered around in the meantime and stood in a circle, watching with nervous expressions and blowing on their hands to keep them warm. Severus cast a wide-area warming charm. He hoped the blast of heat would not only keep his casters out of hypothermia, but also boost the weakened fire element. He checked the earth one more time and grinned. Perfect.
Severus stood and brushed off his hands. "Charles, why did you come to help?"
Charlie grinned. "Call me Charlie, please. You're my brother now. And as for my skills, you'd better know how to cast really strong wards if you're going to work with dragons, unless you want to be toasted every time one of them gets in a tiff."
Severus nodded. "What kind of elemental magic are you best at, Charlie? Answer in as few words as possible. We have little time."
"Earth. Rock wards and such."
Severus tested the young man's power level and, satisfied that Charlie would be able to handle it, placed the dragon keeper to the left of the Reapers and about two yards away, atop a quickly cleared patch of earth. "You will be a key then. Stay there. Longbottom, your reason for coming out and your skills?"
The boy lifted his chin. "Power reserves, sir, but I'm not really sure what element I'm aligned to."
Severus nodded. "Had you a decent Defence professor, it would have been taught this year. There is a simple spell: Elementum Cor Meum. Simply hold your wand in front of your body like this—" Severus demonstrated by holding his wand parallel with his body and just in front of his heart. "—And open your heart to the elements as you cast, Mister Longbottom. Try it now."
Longbottom smiled wryly. "Call me Neville, sir. Harry is my family, too." He closed his eyes and cast.
Severus watched as an almost neon green light surrounded the boy. Well. That would explain his proficiency with herbology.
"You are a natural earth Elemental, Neville. One of the most powerful users of earth magic I have ever had the opportunity to meet. When this is over, if you are both well, you should see Professor Sprout for guidance. She is not an Elemental herself, but she will know how to get you the training you need."
Neville flushed pink. "Really, sir? Merlin. Well, I guess it's a good thing I'd planned to apprentice to her next year anyway."
Severus nodded. "Indeed. Take your position to the left of Charlie. You will be his primary grounder." He watched as a grinning Neville bounded into position. "Shacklebolt, your skills?"
Kingsley stepped forward. "Warding and water magic, sir."
Severus blinked at the honorific. "Sir?"
"Well, you are leading us at the moment, aren't you?" Kingsley grinned. "Slytherins know when to show respect. Well, most of us do."
Severus bowed his head in response and, as he was already familiar with the man's power level, placed Kingsley directly across from Charlie and Neville, in the position nearest the lake. The groundwater was plentiful there, so the auror would have plenty of natural magic to draw from.
"You are the water key, Shacklebolt. Now, Tonks!"
She stepped forward with a grin. "Power reserves and fire magic, sir, in particular, controlling Fiendfyre."
Severus shuddered. Merlin. Only the most powerful of fire Elementals would even dare attempt controlling Fiendfyre. It seemed Tonks had some secrets, too. "No casting of Fiendfyre here tonight, though your skill with fire will be helpful. You will be the primary grounder for the fire key, once I find one." He placed her in the corner nearest the gates and cast an extra warming charm under her feet. "Filius, you have air magic and high power reserves, but no particular skill at warding, yes?"
The little wizard squeaked an affirmation.
"Then you will be a grounder for an air warder, again, once I find one."
"That's us," said Fred Weasley.
"We have great wards and powerful air magic," said George.
Fred smirked. "We're Elementals too."
George shook his head. "Yes, but we can't use our powers—"
"Unless you put us together."
Fred gave him a sheepish smile. "Our cores are linked."
"That's why we always—"
"Finish each other's sentences."
"The air magic in our cores—"
"Carries our thoughts between us."
"Merlin," Harry said with a grin. "That's bloody amazing!"
The twins bowed dramatically, making everyone laugh.
Severus brought them to task for it, too. "This is not the time! We must get these wards up before Riddle uses that staff."
The twins sobered immediately and trotted to Severus' side. With a nod and a mental note to examine their magic closely at a later date, Severus placed the twins and Filius opposite Kingsley. Bill turned out to be a high-powered warder aligned with fire, so he placed him nearest the castle with Tonks.
And so he went on until he had nine people in position, one powerhouse to each warder—excepting the Weasley twin duo—and each element represented. He placed the others in a circle around them, keeping the elements together as much as he could. He thanked whatever deities had decided to look favourably upon him that day that he had a relatively even number of each. There were a few less air elementals, but with the Weasley twins as their key, the power from the air side would be approximately equal to the others.
"Now that we are all in position, keys, prepare to pour all your elemental warding magic into Harry, Lily, Remus, and myself. Grounders, prepare to share your elemental magic with the warders. Charlie, if you will explain the process to Neville while I am working with our primary warders, it will save us time."
Charlie nodded, and Severus took his place in front of Harry and beside Lily, lowering his voice so only his family could hear.
"Harry, Lils, you are our only people with intrinsic soul magic. You are going to use your intent magic to cast the most powerful soul wards you are able to. Ask the soul-gates for help in your minds while you chant the incantation for soul warding out loud. The incantation is: Locus Praesidio Animus. Do not stop chanting that for anything until the wards have set. Remus and I will ask the soul-gates as well, but I do not think them likely to obey our requests. You two are the … magical beings here. They will be most likely to listen to you."
The others nodded.
"Do not hold back." Severus held his hands out, palms facing his mate and Remus. "Place one hand against my hand, Remus, and one against your mate's. Harry, you place one hand against Lily's and one against mine."
His mate and friends obeyed, until their arms were intertwined in a knot of sorts.
"Good. Now …." Severus raised his voice again, speaking to the others as well as his family. "On the count of three, we will begin releasing our power. Everyone, ready yourselves." He gathered his magic and searched for an opening in the currents. No … not yet … yes, there! Severus latched his magic onto the surge in magical current and tied his in to that of his family as best as he was able.
"One … two … three!"
Severus' breath left him in a rush as the power hit him. Dear Merlin, it was singing in his veins, setting his entire body tingling. Every hair on his body—including that atop his head—rose at the surge in magic, and beside him, his family looked much the same. Lily, in particular, drew the eye, her red hair flying all around her head like flames, but Severus focused on his mate. With a sigh, he laced their fingers together, enjoying the closeness with his beloved. He did the same with Remus, just in case something happened to shock them during the casting. To his relief, the others mirrored him without the need to be told.
"Begin your incantations," Severus murmured to his family.
"Locus Praesidio Animus … Locus Praesidio Animus …."
As the chant began to take on a song-like form, one the magic had shaped for itself, Severus gave over his power to the soul-gates and begged their assistance.
"Soul-gates, please, help us. Help us guard our souls from the evil threat, the one you have created Reapers to destroy. We need your assistance."
Suddenly Severus was whisked away to someplace … different. Rainbows of colour drifted about in a whiteness so bright, Severus had to shield his eyes. He looked around for Harry and his family, but they were nowhere in sight, and neither was Hogwarts—or anything at all other than the strange light.
Panic fluttered in Severus' chest. Had they failed? Had he used too much power and killed them all?
"Harry!"
"Peace, little human."
The voice came from somewhere within him as well as from the whiteness. Severus was unsure if its bearer was male or female, nor could he distinguish an age from the sound.
An androgynous figure in silvery-white robe shimmered into existence before his eyes. Severus gasped at the creature, a being unlike any he had ever seen. It had slitted pupils and eyes of a rainbow hue, a catlike nose, a cloud of silvery curls that stretched to its feet, and lupine ears that twitched and turned every which way extending high above its hair. Its skin was the same glittery silver as its robe and, as it came nearer, Severus wondered if the 'robe' was not actually fur of some sort. A long, bushy tail curled around the creature's feet—paws, in truth—and angelic wings drifted lazily behind its back.
"Who … who are you? Where am I?"
"All is well," the creature said without moving its mouth. "Your family is safe, little one. We are simply granting your request for an audience individually."
Severus gulped. "You are a soul-gate?"
The creature bowed its head in acknowledgement.
"Merlin. You are nothing like I expected."
The creature gave a tinkling laugh. Female, then? "Perhaps you expected us all to look like the Veil in your … Ministry?"
"P-perhaps."
"Little human, have you forgotten that you asked me here for a purpose?"
Severus shook himself and sank to one knee. "Forgive me. I had indeed forgotten. I was rather stunned."
"There is no need to kneel. You are the mate of our Avenger. You do not kneel to us."
Bemused and shaken, Severus rose to wobbly legs and tried to gather his wits. "Thank you. Ah, Madam Soul-Gate—"
The creature laughed again. "You believe I am female? How dear."
Severus winced. "You are not? I apologise, sir."
The soul-gate gave Severus what could only be described as a grin. "And now you believe I am male. Humans are rather entertaining creatures, I must say. So limited, though, with only two genders to choose from. I suppose it is no wonder you all look so much alike."
Severus gaped. "Ah … oh. H-how should I refer to you, then?"
"You could call me by my name, perhaps. I am Xenidan."
Severus bowed. "It is my pleasure to meet you, Xenidan. You may call me Severus."
Xenidan bowed in a graceful, exotic move somewhere between dancing and a curtsey. "Welcome, Severus, to the realm of In-Between."
"This is not the soul realm?"
The soul-gate tittered again and shook its curls. "Oh, little human, I quite like you. You ask such funny questions."
Severus shook himself. "Right. This is not the time for pointless inquiries. We have no time."
"Do not worry, Severus. Time does not pass here. You will arrive back at your previous location the same instant you left it."
Severus let out his breath in a rushing whoosh. "That is a relief. Thank you." He cleared his throat to give him a moment to think. "Ah, Xenidan, we requested your help in order to protect the Reapers and our soldiers from their target."
The soul-gate's eyes narrowed, and Severus gulped, terrified he had offended it. He had no idea what strange powers this creature might have, but he did not want to be on its bad side.
"Ah yes," Xenidan hissed through its teeth. "Tom Marvolo Riddle, otherwise known as the Dark Lord and Vold—"
Severus cried, "Don't!"
The soul-gate raised an eyebrow. "His taboo does not work on the realm of beyond, dear Severus, but thank you for your efforts to protect me."
Severus bowed his head, shamed. Of course the taboo would not work here. Had he left all his wits on earth?
"No need to be so dismayed, little human. You are in shock. Now, how can we help you defeat Riddle? Your mate has told you we are not killers, yes?"
Severus nodded. "His mother did, but we are not asking you to help us kill Riddle. We simply need your help to protect our fighters while Harry does his job."
Xenidan made a sort of gasping sound and lowered its ears. "You have asked the soul-gates for protection? That is strange. None of your kind have ever done so before."
Severus bowed, acknowledging the statement as a likely truth. "This battle is unusual for us as well. Our dilemma is this: Riddle has obtained a magical staff and filled it with the soul of a human being, along with remnants of m—"
The soul-gate hissed and bared sharp teeth. Severus reckoned it was not angry with him, but took a step back just in case.
"Abomination," Xenidan spat. "It is an abomination against life to steal the soul energy of another."
Severus lowered his head and struggled to hold in a sudden surge of grief. "Yes, I know."
Xenidan's voice softened. "Your soul has been healed recently."
Severus nodded. "Riddle nearly drained all of mine to … to destroy Blackpool. An entire human town." Tears dripped down his face in spite of himself. "Almost everyone within perished, and I shall carry that guilt for the rest of my life, however long or short it may be."
"Oh, little one. So much pain inside you."
Xenidan pressed a paw to Severus' heart, and he gasped as his anguish abated, healed as if years had passed in an instant and he had somehow already gained perspective on his grief. It wasn't his fault. It had never been his fault. Riddle was to blame, and Dumbledore. Severus stood tall and wiped his eyes.
"There. How does that feel, Severus?"
Severus looked up, wide-eyed and shaking. "B-but … I don't … how?"
Xenidan chuckled. "We are masters of soul magic, Severus, though we do not use it to harm like Riddle does. To heal a broken spirit is not so difficult for our kind."
Severus swallowed hard and laid his hand on Xenidan's paw. "T-thank you," he said in an emotion-roughened voice. "It is much improved."
The soul-gate patted his hand and stepped back. "I am glad. Now, little one, tell me how Riddle drained your soul? Heretofore, we had thought this impossible."
Severus scowled. "He had attached a horcrux to my skin and, through its evil taint, he was bleeding my soul to feed his power. Then, a few weeks ago, he either found or created a spell to speed the process." He lowered his head. "Had Harry not used his unique abilities to destroy the horcrux within me and heal my soul, we would both be dead by now. Worse, I … I do not know what would have become of me, with my soul destroyed."
Xenidan's eyes took on a bright white glow. "Ask of us what you will, dear human. If it is within our power, it will be granted."
Severus gasped. "Truly?"
"For one who has been used so cruelly and to destroy the abomination who would do such a terrible thing, we will aid you in whatever way we can."
Severus released a shaky sigh. "Oh, thank Merlin."
Harry opened his eyes to the familiar scene of Hogwarts and had the strangest urge to kiss the earth. Merlin, the In-Between realm was weird. That purple panther being—Harry still had no idea if it had been male or female, and he hadn't been foolish enough to ask. Still, at least it had agreed to help.
Harry looked around and frowned. His family was all still … asleep? In a trance? At any rate, they were unconscious on their feet. Harry shook out his stiff muscles and settled in to wait. They would awaken any moment, and then they would have a battle on their hands.
A battle. Right. Harry continued the chant as soon as his mind cleared. "Locus Praesidio Animus." Severus woke first, and when he came to, he nearly toppled into Harry's arms. Only sheer strength and a gust of wandless levitation magic from Harry kept the man on his feet.
"Locus Praesidio Animus," Harry said in a firm voice, trying to help Severus remember where he was.
Severus gave Harry a look as if he didn't recognise him, then the fog cleared, and the man smiled more brightly than Harry had ever seen. Merlin. Harry would have to ask Severus what had happened in his experience with the soul-gates as soon as they had the time.
As Severus joined in the chant, Lily woke up. She looked as disoriented as Severus had for a moment, then smiled and joined in as well. Finally Remus came to, and the man burst into tears of joy the moment his eyes opened. There was another one Harry would have to speak to when they had the opportunity.
He had to believe they would survive long enough to have those conversations, because he couldn't bear the alternative. Losing any of his family would destroy him.
As soon as Remus joined in the chant once more, the ground beneath Harry's feet began to shake. At first, Harry thought Riddle had activated his weapon and a surge of terror raced through him, but no. Harry could see the gates from his vantage point and they were still firmly closed. Flames had started in Hogsmeade, turning the sky there orange, but the area near the gates was quiet. Riddle had not yet made it to Hogwarts, thank Merlin.
Harry looked down and noticed a bluish magical fire, the same kind that had surrounded him during his initiation into the Reaper ranks, had started at their feet, indicating it was the source of the rumbles. Harry gulped and continued his chant as the fire licked around the chanters in a circle, rising higher and higher until it had sealed them in a bubble of flames. Harry found it oddly comforting, a reminder of the beings that had given their oath to protect Hogwarts and her defenders.
In that at least, they had an advantage over Riddle. Denoxia's unflappable cheer had shifted to fierce rage the instant Harry had told the strange being what Riddle had done to his mate. Well, now Voldemort would find out what the consequences were when one messed with souls. Well, thanks to Harry, the consequences for Tom Riddle wouldn't be as bad as they might have been, but he reckoned Riddle was still in for a rude awakening when he crossed over to the Realm of Souls.
Merlin, he only hoped his family would understand his choices. Severus, especially.
It had to be this way, though. Harry had no choice if he wanted to be sure they destroyed all the horcruxes before Tom Riddle met his end. There was no guarantee, after all, that Riddle hadn't created others that he hadn't boasted about in his journal. It was the only way to be sure Voldemort well and truly died this time, with no way to return.
Denoxia had given Harry a spell to use when he finally learned how to destroy Tom's life from within, if Harry could manage the feat. The spell would draw together all the remaining bits of Tom's soul—even if there were other horcruxes Harry didn't know about yet—and patch them together again. It would even collect the bits Harry had already sent into the soul realm and affix them to the remainder of Tom's soul without harming anyone involved. It would expel all foreign entities as well, so Pettigrew would be sent to the soul realm rather than existing on as a living horcrux for eternity, and Rowle's spirit would be set free as well.
Even the rat didn't deserve a fate like that.
When Harry finished the spell, if everything worked as it was supposed to, Pettigrew would be officially dead and Tom's soul would be that of his teenage self, the way he was before Dumbledore had corrupted him. A whole human being once more.
Unfortunately, it would do nothing to cure Tom's mind, so Harry would still have to kill the man.
Denoxia hadn't known how to help with finding a way into Tom's dream realm, but Harry had decided that it didn't matter. One way or another, whether by his scythe or by his dreams, Harry would perform that spell and send Tom to the soul-gates. It was far past time for his madness to end once and for all.
A loud whooshing sound brought Harry back to the present. The flames above them shimmered white and silvery, like Denoxia's robes, then shot out in an ever-increasing radius, spreading over the entirety of the Hogwarts grounds.
Exhilaration rushed through Harry, bursting from him in a laugh. They had done it!
Then the power left him, and Harry fell to his knees with a groan. Dear Merlin, he felt as if he had been run over by a lorry. How was he supposed to fight like this?
"Some Pepper-up is in order, I believe," said a panting Severus, kneeling before his mate.
"Uh-huh," Harry agreed.
Severus called for one of the medic elves and requested a tray of Pepper-Up be made available to all the warders once they made it back to the Great Hall. The others helped the four exhausted soul warders to the castle, where Poppy Pomfrey appeared out of nowhere with a tray full of Severus' strongest Pepper-up brew.
"Madame Pomfrey!" Harry rushed the woman and hugged her tight, weariness forgotten in the joy of seeing her alive and well. "Merlin, I'm so glad you're okay."
She gave him an indulgent smile. "Mister Potter, I cannot hand out these potions if you hold my arms." She laughed. "But how glad I am to see you again, and only in need of a potion this time!"
Harry grinned and took one off the tray, downing it in one gulp. He shuddered at the taste, but as soon as he had swallowed, his energy came back in full force.
"Gods, that's brilliant, Sev."
The Headmaster gave the shocked matron a smirk and plucked a bottle off her tray. "Only the best for my mate." He took his potion in one swallow and banished the phial. "Much better."
Poppy blinked back tears as she handed out the rest of the potions. "Oh, Severus! You're mated? Honestly?"
Severus nodded and pulled Harry into an embrace. "We are, and we love each other dearly, but we do not have time to chat, I am afraid. Riddle will break into the grounds soon, and we must be ready for him."
Bill Weasley frowned and sidled up to them. "But the wards we just set—"
Severus interrupted. "—Will keep him from turning Hogwarts into another Blackpool and limit what he can do with that staff, but they won't keep him out indefinitely."
Bill grimaced. "You'd best break that to the others, then. We all thought it was to keep him out."
Severus frowned. "My apologies. Harry, come with me in case they are angry."
Harry linked his arm through Severus'. "I think it'll be okay, but I'll come. Actually, do you just want me to handle it?"
"That might be best."
"All right." Harry leapt onto the nearest school table and cast a new Sonorous on his throat. "All right, people, gather round."
The soldiers rushed to stand around Harry, all peppering him with questions at once.
"What was that fire?"
"Are we safe?"
"Has Riddle breached the gates yet?"
Severus silenced them with a glare. "Be quiet and listen, and we shall tell you."
Harry chuckled. "Go easy, Sev. They're scared."
"Hmm."
Harry cleared his throat. "Okay, here's the status report. You remember that General Snape—" His mate gave a strangled gasp. "—Told you that Riddle had a staff chock full of soul magic? Well, the fire was us setting wards to neutralise it with the use of ancient elemental magic. No good asking me what spell we used—I can't tell you. Rules of the wards and all. They have to stay a secret to keep their power."
Severus stifled a snort.
"Anyway," said a grinning Harry, "those wards will keep Riddle from levelling this place like he did with Blackpool and limit his staff's power, but they can't stop him completely. We bought a little time, but that's it. So we need you all to get back into ranks and get ready to follow us onto the battlefield."
A hush fell over the crowd, one pregnant with fear and unsaid things.
Harry closed his eyes, overwhelmed with the knowledge that any or all of these people could be dead by the time the sun rose again. He covered his throat with a hand to temporarily mute his sonorous spell and whispered, "Denoxia, watch over us all."
Severus gave him a strange look, then his features relaxed. "Denoxia was your soul-gate, love?"
Harry nodded.
"Xenidan, grant us your blessings," Severus whispered.
Beside him and from the ground, Lily murmured, "Cerizio, guide our spirits and our feet."
Remus bowed his head and added, "Unara, thank you for your gifts and help us to use them well."
Harry closed his hand over his heart and hoped that their friends from the worlds beyond had heard their message. He lifted his eyes and removed his hand from his throat. The soldiers were all watching him with nervous expressions.
"We were asking for blessings," said Harry with a sad smile. "But now, we must prepare for war. General Snape will help. And—" He fixed a cold glare on the room. "Be warned. I will take any disrespect against him as a direct insult towards me. And you do not want to hack me off, so treat him with the respect he deserves."
"We'll take it as an insult too," Ron bellowed, his eyes narrowed and his mouth set in a devious Weasley-twin grin. "The soldiers—that's us, in case you were wondering." He waved to the group dressed in navy blue duelling robes. "We'll all take any threat to General Snape as an insult to our family—he is now that he's Harry's mate—and we'd all be clueless tonight if not for his help anyway. Right, guys?"
The Soldiers—formerly known as the DA—all cheered in response, and Harry beamed at his friend.
"Ron—Merlin, mate. Thank you."
Ron grinned, this time without the devious edge. "We all love you, Harry, and that means General Snape is family. And we Weasleys are all about family."
"Damn straight," said Bill with a grin.
Harry's eyes prickled. "Thank you. All of you. He means the world to me, so protect him, please."
"We've got your back, Harry," said Dean with a nod. "The Soldiers will keep him safe."
Severus cancelled his Sonorous and laid his head on Harry's shoulder to hide an influx of emotion. Harry wrapped an arm around his back and brought him close, his heart soaring to know the people he loved most had accepted his beloved mate. Somehow, knowing that made the fight ahead less terrifying. Severus had an entire army looking out for him, and Harry trusted his soldiers with his life.
Everything would be okay again, soon.
Someone among the medics called out, "No disrespect intended, sirs, but what's the Soldiers?"
"Severus' Soldiers," said Harry with a grin. "My secret defence class and Neville's. We used to go by the DA: Dumbledore's Army, but once we realised what kind of man Dumbledore really is, we thought it was time for a change. Severus has been training us all the past few days, and since he worked so hard with us and suffered so terribly from Dumbledore's manipulations, we thought he deserved to be our namesake instead."
"Hear, hear," said McGonagall.
The room burst into cheers, and Severus sobbed into Harry's shoulder. Damn. Severus was completely overwhelmed. They had to get down to business for his sake. Harry rubbed a hand up and down his mate's trembling back and called orders to the crowd, taking attention off of Severus' tears.
"All right, everyone, we're running out of time. Everybody line up according to their groups—remember where the General wanted you, because he'll be inspecting the ranks before we go out. Get moving."
Severus squeezed Harry's hand as thanks.
Harry muted his Sonorous again. "Love, are you okay?"
Severus stood tall and wiped his eyes. Tears still rimmed his lashes, but he was smiling. He covered his throat as well. "I am better than I have ever been, my lovely mate."
Harry brushed the tears from his mate's cheeks and kissed him gently. "Good. I love you."
"And I, you."
Harry smiled at his mate and dropped his hand from his throat so the others could hear him again. "Then, if you're ready, go inspect your troops, General Snape." He cancelled his amplification spell and motioned Severus on.
Severus chuckled and began to work his way through the crowd.
Earlier in the week, Severus, Kingsley, McGonagall, and the senior aurors had questioned everyone on what their strengths were and tested their levels individually. They hadn't time to do a full scan on everyone, but what they could do was enough to form several platoons of mixed fighters, including everything from charms masters to martial artist non-magical folks to Animagi, and everything in between. Severus and Kingsley had also assigned several medics, shielders, warders, and grounders to each infantry unit. As well, they had gathered two groups of ranged fighters made up of Muggle weapons users and Elemental mages, and two groups of stealthy individuals good at sneak attacks.
Severus had made it clear that he wasn't sure what tactics they would need to use when Riddle attacked, but thought it wise to cover his bases. His helpers agreed and had worked hard to set up the infantry so they would be prepared for anything. Harry hoped it was enough.
None of the fighters had elected to take refuge in the castle. Despite the fear Harry could almost taste in the air—if he had been able to let his creature out to play, he probably would have choked on it—everyone wanted to be a part of the last battle, and they were even willing to listen to Severus to do it, despite the lingering tension between the new general and those he had alienated and even hurt in the past. A few medical personnel—led by Madame Pomfrey, of course—would remain behind to treat the injuries too severe for the field medics, but everyone else would be out on the field, fighting. Even the few house elves left in the building had taken up arms, with Kreacher and Dobby each leading a team, and a finally-sober Winky would be helping in the Infirmary.
Harry was so proud of them all, he thought he might burst.
But someone was calling his name and probably had been for several moments, judging by the irritation in their tone.
"Er, sorry about that." Harry tore his eyes away from his mate and looked down. Cho Chang stood at the edge of the table, her hands on her hips and her face a moue of indignation.
Harry ruffled his hair, bemused. "Um, yes?"
She instantly put on a winning expression, and Harry's guard went up. "Oh, just wanted to talk to the hero, that's all."
Harry bristled. "Then go talk to Severus. He's the real hero here."
"Oh, so modest." Cho laughed as if he'd made a joke.
"I'm serious."
"Of course you are," but she acted as if she didn't care either way.
"Cho, what do you want?"
She looked hurt. "Can't I say hello?"
Harry gave her a sharp glare. "Not if you intend on insulting my mate while you do it."
She scowled. "Right. I'd forgotten about that. Why did you—"
"Cho. Get in rank. We have a war to fight."
The direct command got through when nothing else would, and the woman walked off with a huff of irritation.
"Well," said Remus from the ground, "that looked unpleasant. Friend of yours?"
"The type with an ex attached to it," Harry muttered.
"Oh, that kind. Sirius had more than a few of those." He chuckled and climbed atop the table. "Need some protection?"
"Please!"
Lily laughed and climbed up on Harry's other side. "Happy to oblige."
With Cho gone and Severus busy taking care of the troops, Harry's curiosity about the ritual would wait no longer. He cast a surreptitious silencing spell and motioned his family closer.
"Hey, Remy, what happened during the ritual that made you so happy?"
Remus gave him a brilliant grin, the first without a trace of pain that Harry had ever seen upon his face. It made him look ten years younger. "My soul-gate, Unara? She cured my lycanthropy. Now I'm just a wolf Animagus rather than a werewolf. I'll be able to have a normal life again, Harry."
Harry grinned so hard, he thought his cheeks might split. "Remy, are you serious? Oh gods, that's brilliant!"
"Mine blessed our daughter with good health," said Lily with a misty-eyed smile. "He set a protection spell over me and my belly so the baby wouldn't be harmed in the battle. What did yours and Sev's do? Cerizio said we would all be given gifts or help of some sort."
"He did? Brilliant!" Harry frowned. "I don't know what they did to help Sev, though. I didn't have a chance to ask."
Remus rubbed his shoulder. "We can ask him later then. After the battle. What did yours do?"
Harry stared at his feet and rubbed his toe on the table. "Denoxia gave me a spell."
Remus prodded, "Yes?"
Harry winced. "Don't be mad at me, okay? I had to do it if I'm going to kill him. It was the only way."
"Then there's nothing to be so worried about, Harry," said Lily with an encouraging smile. "Come on, love. You can tell us."
Harry sighed. "I asked them to help me put Riddle's soul back together and look after him in the realm beyond. He'll be a teenager again when this is done, the spell I mean, and a Dragoon again without the madness, since it doesn't affect a soul. So I thought, well, it's not that teenager's fault that all this happened. It's Dumbledore's. So I asked them to help him through his grief over his sins when he does cross over. I don't think I could have killed him with a clear conscience otherwise."
Lily wrapped her son in a hug. "I'm so proud of you, baby."
Harry gasped. "You're not angry?"
She moved back and held his shoulders. "Because you showed compassion? Of course not. This way, we know we've destroyed all the horcruxes without a doubt, right?"
Harry gave her a hesitant nod.
Remus held his shoulder. "Then you did the right thing, Harry. It's okay. We understand, and I think you were right to ask."
Harry smiled tentatively. "Even though he's such an evil bastard?"
Lily shook her head. "The adult Riddle is. The teenager hadn't done anything wrong yet. So yes."
Harry grinned. "Thanks Mum, Da."
Remus hugged Harry tight. "I'm proud of you, too."
Harry sighed, relieved that at least his parents had accepted him. "Do you think Sev will hate me for it?"
"I don't," said Lily, looking to her friend with a soft smile. "I think he'll love you even more."
Harry smiled at his mate too. He was standing on the teaching dais arranging a pile of what looked like dark blue purses. "I sure hope so. I don't want to hu—"
Severus' amplified voice cut across Harry. "Field medics, over here, please." Harry frowned and cancelled their silencing spell so he could listen properly.
Severus had moved to stand beside the pile of blue purses and was holding a giant purple bag he had Summoned from Merlin knew where. Several people broke rank—a portion of each group, even the ranged fighters—and went to hover around Harry's mate. Each one of them were wearing dove grey robes with a green signet on the breast pocket—the field medics' uniform. Severus pulled a small blue disk out of his giant bag and held it up so everyone could see.
"Field medics, pay attention. These are portkeys to the Great Hall. If, while on the battlefield, you come across someone who is too injured to carry on fighting, but in no danger of immediate death, place a token on their chest and activate it to send them here. A house elf will then transport them to the Infirmary as space becomes available." He placed the token into the sack once more. "The activation word is 'Sanctuary.' I have enough here for all of you to take fifty and a token bag for everyone." He pointed to the pile of blue bags beside him. "Summon the carrying bag first and then Summon the tokens into your bags, please. We do not have time for you to each count out your portions."
Severus motioned to a pile of blue messenger bags on the platform beside him, and the field medics each Summoned a bag and called their tokens inside it, sending little blue disks flying every which way. Once everyone had their tokens, they strapped their bags around their shoulders and looked back to the general. Severus then moved aside and a wave of his hand revealed a pile of red bags much like the blue ones.
Severus Banished the empty purple sack and Summoned a smaller red sack from behind the staff table. He reached into the bag and pulled out a token similar to the first, but red instead of blue.
"This is an emergency portkey. It will transport a severely injured fighter directly to the Infirmary. The activation word is the same as for the Great Hall tokens. Please do not use them unless your target is truly in danger of dying—our Infirmary staff will most likely be extremely busy tonight. There are enough here for each of you to take twenty. As before, Summon them into your bags."
A shiver went through the group at the mention of the risk for casualties, but the field medics each Summoned and filled their bags as before. These were shorter messenger bags which fitted over the blue pouch, resting at the medic's side in two neat tiers. Harry had to admire his mate's ingenuity. Those tokens would save a lot of lives that evening. If they pulled through this battle, come morning, Harry would make sure everyone knew who had really made it possible.
Severus stepped aside, revealing a pile of black fanny packs that sent a shiver through Harry at the sight of them. He could guess what those bags were for without being told.
A grim-faced Severus Summoned another large sack, also black, from the same place the red one had come. The room had gone silent as the grave, and Harry guessed he wasn't the only one who had deduced the purpose of the black pouches.
Severus cleared his throat and pulled a black disk from the sack, holding it up as before. "This is to be used … when your target has died. Please make absolutely sure with a life-force scan before you use it, as it will transport the person's body directly to a cold room in the dungeons. If they are not dead when you use the portkey, the cold will finish them off before long, and the medical staff will not know of their plight. If you have any doubt, use the red tokens." He returned the disk to the sack. "The activation word for these is 'Peace.' There are enough for each of you to take ten."
The medics shuddered, but dutifully Summoned the bags and their tokens. As the medics fastened their black bags to their hips with a sombre air, Harry noticed Severus had revealed a shelf full of neat white briefcases positioned behind him. Harry had no idea what those might be for, but beside him, Lily let out a soft gasp. Her reaction only increased his curiosity.
Severus waited until the medics had finished strapping on their death tokens before he pointed to the shelf. "This contains a fully-stocked field kit for each of you. Each one has a standard array of healing and rejuvenating potions, as well as several non-standard potions to combat curses I know the Death Eaters favour quite often. Each potion is clearly labelled and can be Summoned by listing the curse or symptom while you have the kit open in order to locate the correct potion quickly. Besides potions, each kit also contains a wide range of medical supplies, including several pounds of gauze and pressure bandages. I am sure you will need them."
Severus moved to the end of the shelf and stood beside it. "There are replacement supplies and potions in the Infirmary stockroom if you run out while you are in the castle. You may also call for one of the following house elves: Tizzy, Jula, Dindy, or Patchy, and they will retrieve fresh supplies for you. You may keep the kits after the battle if you care to, or donate them to St. Mungo's or our own Infirmary if you do not. Please Summon one kit apiece."
Harry watched, open-mouthed and wide-eyed, as the field medics eagerly strapped on their new kits. Mother of Merlin, where had Severus found the time between training and evaluating everyone's skills to create thirty-plus medical kits? If Harry hadn't woken up next to the man every morning, he would have thought Severus had skipped on his sleep.
Harry shook off his shock and sent his mate a blinding smile. Severus blushed and gave him a shy smile in return. And gods, Harry loved that sweet side of his mate. No one would ever have suspected Severus was capable of it until his walls had melted away a couple weeks before. Harry himself wouldn't have even suspected, but now that Dumbledore's manipulations had finally ended, Severus could be himself at last.
As Harry watched the medics strap on their kits with expressions of shock and glee—kits he expected were worth a small fortune apiece—he knew once more how lovely his mate truly was, inside and out.
"Gods, I'm so lucky," he whispered to himself, then raised his voice. "Severus Snape, you beautiful man! You had better pull through this in one piece, you hear me!"
Dean cried, "Hear, hear!" The medics and Harry's year mates cheered. Many of the other soldiers did the same, and after a moment, a round of applause broke out.
The medics all called, "Thank you, General Snape," and Harry soared with pride for his mate all over again.
"Mine," he mouthed to Severus, his very being alight with joy and desire. "You're mine, my beloved."
Severus blushed pink and nodded. The man cleared his throat and laid his hand over his chest before he spoke again, and Harry smiled, knowing his words had deeply affected his mate. The man was still so unused to praise.
But he deserved it. Merlin, how he deserved it.
Severus addressed the medics once more. "I can do but one more thing to protect you. May the might of Merlin go with each of you." He held out his hands, and a wash of white light spread from his palms, settling over everyone in the building.
As warmth spread through his chest, Harry tilted his head back to welcome the blessing. "May the might of Merlin go with you as well, my beloved," he murmured, and lifted his hand to return the gesture. He was not the only one to do so either. Severus lowered his head, overcome once more, as light from several sources settled on his slender frame.
"Thank you." The man had said it in breathless tones, but Harry heard him just the same.
Severus cancelled his Sonorous and moved to join Harry once more. As soon as his mate reached him, Harry jumped down from the table and tilted his head back to receive a tender, thorough kiss.
"I love you," Severus whispered against Harry's forehead. "I love you with all of me. No matter what happens tonight, know that."
Harry wrapped his arms around Severus' neck. "And I love you, my snarky, sweet, lovely mate. Please, protect yourself and don't take unnecessary risks. I know you think your life isn't equal to everyone else's, but it is, and I can't endure without you regardless."
Severus nodded and pulled out a necklace. "A portkey. Should I become seriously injured or cursed in any way, this will transport me directly to the Infirmary, whether I am capable of speech or not. I do not need to activate it." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a double of the pendant. "And this one is for you." He slipped it over Harry's head and tucked it beneath his robes, pressing a hand against the younger man's chest where it lay hidden. "Be careful, my Harry. You are my entire world."
Harry thought it best to reply to that with a kiss, and so he snogged his mate senseless. He only stopped when his year mates catcalled and whistled at him.
Harry pulled back with a laugh. "All right, Sev. I … I don't want to let you go, but I think I'd better. It's time."
Severus laid his forehead against Harry's. "Be safe."
"You too."
With a sigh, Severus nodded and moved away from the warmth of Harry's embrace. He kept his eyes on Harry even as he moved towards the doors, his mate following him to his own position at the centre of the armies, with Remus and Lily beside him. Harry held that look of love and longing in his heart like a benediction.
"I will return to you safely, my Sev. See that you do the same."
As if Severus had heard him, he gave Harry a nod and finally turned his face towards the troops. Severus restored his Sonorous.
"Now, my friends and allies," Severus said in a strong voice full of courage, "we go to meet our fate, whatever that may be. I expect to see you all here in one piece come morning." He opened the doors and brought an arm down in a sweeping motion. "Follow me."
Severus led the way out of the doors, and Harry took a deep breath, gathering the love of his mate close around him like a cloak.
"I will follow you anywhere, my beloved."
With a nod to firm up his courage, Harry tugged his hood over his head and prepared himself for battle.
