A/N: Sorry guys, I've been going to doctors and hospitals like crazy. I promise to update as much as I possibly can. Love you!
Chapter 29: Save Me
Alex was lying in a crumbled ball behind the statue, just how Harry had left her. The Gryffindor looked down at her with a satisfied smirk, pleased with how weak she appeared. He glanced over at Severus and expected to see a disapproving look. But that wasn't the case. The Slytherin was staring at Alex with more malice than Harry thought possible. "Sev," he whispered. "We can't harm her. Just Obliviate and leave her in a chair or something."
Snape hesitantly nodded before levitating her into a professor corridor. The three proceeded toward the Library as swiftly as they could. It was imperative they not get caught. Harry's heart hammered in his ears as he took a deep breath and concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. He stole a glance at Severus, who only looked mildly annoyed as he followed Alex's floating form. Harry was always fascinated by his ability to appear unfazed. He envied him a bit for it.
Harry held the door open as they reached the end of the hallway. He watched with hard eyes as Alex hovered passed before turning his gaze to the floor.
Severus dumped her in an old leather chair. He positioned her to look like she fell asleep before stepping back and casting Obliviate. "She shouldn't remember today," Snape said darkly as he turned, expecting the Gryffindor to follow. He walked to the door and realized Harry wasn't behind him. "Potter," he hissed.
"Hm?" He replied, transfixed by Alex. Tendrils of limp hair shadowed her face, unmasking her innocence. Her skeletal hands seemed to caress the chair as her bony knees threatened to puncture its soft, fragile arms.
"Come."
Harry didn't move. His eyes were locked on her face. Anger flooded through his veins, he didn't want to leave. He wanted to kill her. His jaw tightened as he clenched his fists and took a step closer. Hands tightened around his shoulders and he was led backwards. He fought, but the hands were stronger, steadier. They pulled him through a doorway, away from Alex, away from the temptation. A door slammed and he was plunged into darkness.
Severus caught Harry and guided him to the wall with great care. He waited impatiently for his eyes to adjust to the dim corridor light. The Gryffindor breathed heavily beside him. "Are you okay?" Snape inquired as he reached a hand toward him.
Harry released his breath slowly. "I'm fine. I don't know what came over me." He didn't feel like himself when he was moving closer to Alex, prepared to wrap his hands around her throat and choke the life out of her weak body. Revolted that he had even considered it, he shook his head.
"People experience intense desires when seeing a weakened opponent; especially who harmed them deeply," Severus said softly, hesitantly. He was ready for Harry to fall back into the trance. It worried him.
"Let's just go," he said weakly and started heading back toward Snape's chambers.
Once they were both seated on Severus's leather couch, Harry spoke. "Is there a way we could get rid of her?" His fist curled around the thick arm of the couch.
"What do you mean, exactly?" He asked slowly.
"Send her to Azkaban, or something."
Snape nearly breathed a sigh of relief that Harry didn't want to murder her. "Most likely."
He shot him an inquisitive look.
"There would have to be a trial, and evidence."
"Oh," he whispered.
"I could schedule a meeting with Dumbledore about it, if you'd like."
Harry knew it was a lot for Severus to offer. And though both of them weren't particularly fond of the headmaster, he knew his help would be beneficial. "Thank you," he replied softly.
Severus watched as he pulled himself off the couch. "Where are you going?"
"My room." He sulked away and slammed the door behind him. I wanted her dead. Dead by my bloody hand. His fingers trembled as he pulled open the drawer. He sighed as the blade sank into his arm. Relief washed over him as the blood raced down his fingers. His eyes traced the red rivers that crisscrossed his palm and he smiled. Harry knew he should regret it, but couldn't be bothered—not while the relief was so strong. No one would miss me. I could do it, he thought as he pressed the knife just over his collarbone. He traced along it to the base of his throat and pressed until blood slithered beneath his black V-neck.
Severus didn't hear the familiar creak of Harry's bed. He paced the run before the young man's door. A feeling of dread and cold swept over him. He shoved the door open and saw Harry leaning against the wall with a bloody blade against his neck. His voice failed him. Swiftly, he sprinted to Harry's side. His fingers wrapped around the Gryffindor's and pulled the knife free. He threw it across the room, away from them. "What… What were you doing?" Severus asked in a broken voice.
"Remember when I was on the ledge of the tower? I wanted that. I wanted to go because I didn't want to hurt anymore." His voice trembled. "I want it again. I'm hurting you by being here. I wanted to kill her, Sev. Don't you understand that?" He choked off. "I—I wanted to hurt her like she hurt me. I didn't want her to have the power to hurt us anymore." Tears streamed down his face." If you hadn't pulled me back—" He choked off again. "I can't do it anymore."
Snape pulled him into his arms and guided him to the bed. Harry fell into his lap as they sat. Severus rubbed his back. "I love you, Harry," he said softly. "You're strong… brave… and I believe in you." His heart raced and tears burned his eyes as he thought about what would have happened if Harry had been successful. "And I don't know what I would do without you," he whispered around the lump squeezing his throat.
Harry buried his head in the black robes. He concentrated Snape's comforting scent. Tears leaked from his eyes as the man told him how much he cared. "You would find a way to go on," he whimper
"I wouldn't," he admitted.
The truth struck the Gryffindor and he sat up to look Severus in the eyes. They stared at each other for a few seconds. He studied the red-rimmed, onyx eyes before him. The pain of his own heart was etched in those eyes. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "You shouldn't love me."
"I never do what I should. And I will always love you."
"I love you too"
Severus pressed a kiss to his forehead and cradled him close. They laid back, Harry nestled against his chest. Soon after, the Gryffindor fell asleep. Snape listened to his gentle breathing, felt his chest rise and fall beneath his hands. He dozed on and off, but couldn't seem to drift into a deeper sleep, worried that Harry wouldn't be breathing when he woke. "Please don't leave me," be whispered into the messy, raven hair.
