Chapter 29

)O(

A/N – There is no excuse for the appalling delay in update other than I have been on holiday lazying about. Sorry about that!

)O(

Minerva jumped as the three wizards appeared in her office and rushed to help Severus lower Harry to the floor, as well as keep the headmaster steady.

'My goodness,' she exclaimed, automatically sending her Patronus to summon Poppy. She fell to her knees beside them, her hands supporting her students head . For one awful, terrifying moment she thought that the child was dead. Pasty white, cold and covered in blood he certainly looked it. She noted his chest rising and falling with relief, stopped from asking what had happened by Poppy's swift arrival through her floo.

'Albus first!,' Severus barked and the mediwitch moved swiftly to her employers side.

Whilst she worked, Severus raided her healers bag, pulling out two potions and pulled Harry back into his arms.

'Harry! Open your eyes.'

Harry struggled to push his eyes open past the half dried, sticky blood that covered his face. He felt a potion vial pushed to his lips and swallowed, recognising the bitter metallic taste of a blood replenisher. A moment later a pain reliever was added to the mix and he sighed in relief as the fire in his skull dropped to a manageable level.

Severus cast a warming charm on him and then lifted the light boy into his arms and moved towards the floo. A second later he was stumbling into the bright hospital wing and laying Harry on his normal bed. Severus scowled in irritation at that thought. What child had a 'normal bed' in a damned hospital!

The doors crashed open and Remus ran the length of the ward, skidding to a stop beside them and paling at the horrific sight Harry made.

'It's not as bad as it looks,' Severus reassured. 'He's hypothermic, showing signs of magical exhaustion and obviously has a head injury but he's stable and was conscious a few minutes ago.'

Remus sighed in relief and pulled up a chair to the side of the bed, simultaneously summoning one of Poppy's sterile wound cloths and starting to wipe the blood from Harry's face.

'Merlin Severus, I can see bone here!'

Severus nodded soberly. 'It looks like his scar split open. I have no idea what could have caused such an injury.'

'This happened last year after Voldemort possessed him in the Ministry.'

Severus stilled and looked back at the wolf in alarm. 'Should I get some security in here?'

'I don't think so Severus. Albus didn't think Voldemort could possess him again in that way. Maybe it was something to do with him being in close proximity to the other horcrux?'

'An excellent reason not to let him go on any more of these ridiculous missions,' the Potions Master snarled in annoyance, glancing over his shoulder as the door swung open to reveal the headmaster limping in, supported on each side by Minerva and Poppy.

The Deputy's broad Scottish drawl could be heard berating him mercilessly.

'...the most ridiculous thing you have ever done...endangering students...not a word of your location...'

Remus shared a faint smile with his colleague before returning to his ministrations. Harry lay still and oblivious to all the care as the headmaster limped towards his bed.

'Oh my boy,' the elder man said softly as he caught sight of Harry's bloody face.

'What happened Albus,' Severus barked out and the headmaster looked at him with confusion and distress.

'I don't know. The horcrux had a curse on it that I unwisely walked straight into. I tried to apparate us back here but ended up at the bunker. I think I passed out.'

He limped to the edge of the bed and took one of Harry's hands in his.

'Harry must have cared for me. My arm was dressed...well wrapped anyway and the curse had been removed. I don't know how he did that.'

Poppy huffed beside him. 'The boy likely saved your arm Albus. The bag he placed around you kept off infection and prevented the burns drying out. If they had it would have been too late by now to fix.'

'Where would he have learnt to do that?' Minerva queried and Remus smiled.

'It's a muggle first aid technique Minnie. I expect he saw it on TV or learnt it at school.'

'How is he Severus?' Poppy lowered the headmaster into an armchair beside Harry's bed.

He handed over the parchment he had been scribbling on and she read it quickly, her posture relaxing in relief.

'Thank heavens, ' she whispered. 'I feared...'

'Can you do something about his scar Poppy?'

She moved forward and after casting a sterilization charm and checking the wound for debris, started a slow incantation. They all watched as the wound closed together from the deepest bit, up to the skin layer.

'Good heavens,' she whispered as it sealed. 'Would you look at that!'

'What is it?' Severus swept Harry's damp hair back and his eyes widened. The famous lighting shaped scar had faded to a tiny pink line that was barely visible. He exchanged a startled glance with Remus and then both men looked towards Albus who was staring in bemusement.

They watched as a slow smile spread across the older man's face and a single tear fled down his cheek.

'What is it?' Minerva asked sharply. 'Albus?'

Dumbledore sighed heavily before answering. 'Harry's connection with Voldemort is finally broken.'

'Does that mean no more nightmares or visions?' Poppy queried and Albus laughed.

'Amongst other things, yes.'

'It's gone?' Remus whispered in awe. 'Are you sure?'

'As sure as we can be my boy,' Albus answered as Severus fell into a chair beside the bed and buried his head in his hands with a groan of relief.

The horcrux in Harry was no more. Severus hadn't realised how much he had been preparing himself for the boys death until that very moment. The relief had nearly sent him to his knees.

Poppy pressed a calming draught into his hand before turning to see to Dumbledore. Ten minutes later, the headmaster's arm was almost fully healed, dressed in a crisp white bandage and the man had been bundled into bed.

Remus had gone to inform the Ministry that their wayward colleague and student were safe and Severus had finished cleaning Harry and spelled him into clean pyjamas.

The hospital wing settled into calm tranquillity as Severus watched his ward sleeping. The colour was slowly returning to the boys face as his magical levels regenerated. What on earth had the child been doing to exhaust himself so thoroughly?

A shiver ran through the Potion Master and he glanced over his shoulder, half expecting to see Peeves up to mischief but there was nothing there.

Unseen by the adults in the room a pretty redhead stood with her hands on her hips as she shouted at her husband.

'Will you stop doing that! Honestly, I thought you were being mature about this?'

James Potter grinned at his wife as he passed his arm through the Potions Master shoulder once more and the man shuddered.

'Arr come on Lils; where's your sense of fun? It's only Snivellous.'

At her answering glare James stepped sheepishly away, ignoring Sirius as he sniggered and dropped down on the bed next to Harry's.

'Yeah Lils, just think. If we make him cold enough he might actually have a shower..'

'...and wash his hair.' James finished in a mock serious tone.

'I am not laughing' She answered in a furious tone and James sniggered.

'Oh come on, you know we are only...' James trailed off as a sharp sob echoed through the room. The oldest Potter looked back to where Severus had dropped his face into one hand, the other tightly gripping their son's still fingers. The man's shoulders shook quietly as he let the tension of the last twenty four hours escape him.

James and Sirius sobered immediately and James moved to stand directly behind the sobbing man. He exchanged a helpless look with his wife, guilt marrying with concern. It was with relief that they watched Remus emerge from Poppy's office and after a moments hesitation, move to sit beside his colleague.

Remus didn't say anything for a long time, he just sat there in silence and let the man cry.

'Why doesn't he do something?' James hissed at his wife and Lily answered dryly.

'Because he's much better with emotions than either of you two imbeciles!'

Once Severus began to calm, Remus moved forward and pressed a hanky into the man's hand.

'I'm going to order something from the kitchens Severus. Can I get you anything?'

Severus shook his head numbly, still hunched over.

'Well save me a bed then,' Remus said with a smile. 'I think I will be kipping here this afternoon. In fact I may never let the brat out of my sight again.'

Remus left quietly, unaware of his friends snort of amusement.

'That's it?' Sirius barked in outrage. 'That's an example of the great Remus's emotional maturity. Sit there in silence for ten minutes while Sniv...er Severus cries and then shove a hanky his way?'

Lily sighed heavily. 'There's no hope for you two is there?'

'Hey Lily?' James said with a thoughtful expression. 'Do you think Moony's finally gonna get...you know?' he nodded his head towards Severus and she laughed.

'No dear, I don't think Sev and Remus are going to get together. Remus is just over his crush now so he's less awkward and Severus has clearly got over his issues with Remus.'

'Because of Harry,' Sirius said softly and the two Potters smiled.

'Yeah, because of Harry.'

)O(

Harry drifted awake in a soft bed; warm, comfortable and feeling like he had slept for a week. Soft voices were arguing in the distance and someone was humming a tune. He opened his eyes and found soft green eyes looking at him.

He felt a beaming smile take over his face as memory flooded back and his mothers gently lullaby swept over him.

'Harry?'

He glanced to the other side of the bed to find Severus sat there, his face pale and drawn. Harry looked between the two adults, realizing immediately that only he could see his mum.

'Are you all right?' the older man asked, looking at the blank space that Harry had been staring at. James and Sirius stopped the argument they had been having and moved to stand at the bottom of the bed. James smiled down at him gently.

'Harry, you need to move the stone away from your skin. Tuck it between your T-shirt and pyjama top.'

The smile fell from Harry's face as he realised they would go away if he did that.

'Harry?' Severus asked softly, alarm in his voice as he saw distress flash across the boys face.

'It's all right Harry,' James reassured. 'You can call us back any time but we have been here too long. It's not good for us or for you.'

'Why don't you speak to us again in a week?' Lily suggested gently. 'You just have to turn the stone in your hand and it will call who you need.'

'You'll come back?' Harry whispered, not noticing as the Potions Master hurried away for the mediwitch.

Lily nodded. 'I promise and maybe next time we can bring your grand parents? They are rather grumpy with us for not letting them through this time.'

Harry's eyes widened in excitement. 'My grandparents?' he whispered and Sirius chuckled.

'Yeah kid, you're gonna love the Potters, they're great. The Evans lot aren't too bad either.'

'It's time Harry,' James said gently as Severus and Poppy hurried towards his bed.

'...hallucinating Poppy...didn't seem to know I was there...,' the voices drifted over to him and he nodded at his father before reaching for the leather strap around his neck.

'Remember, the old codger doesn't get the stone,' James reminded him as Harry moved to lift the resurrection stone away from his skin.

'I love you darling...'

'We love you so much...'

'Take care kid. Keep washing your hair...'

Harry smiled and lifted the stone away, tucking it between his clothing layers and the three adults drifted away. He stared blankly at the empty space before looking at the worried faces of his guardian and nurse.

'Can you hear me Harry?' Poppy asked softly and Harry smiled.

'Yeah, sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. It was a bit fuzzy there.'

Severus gave a sigh of relief and sat on the edge of the bed.

'How are you feeling?' the man asked softly, pushing Harry's hair away from the now smooth forehead.

'OK; really tired,' Harry answered with a yawn. 'Is the headmaster OK?'

Poppy pursed her lips. 'He's just fine Harry. He's sleeping in his own bed and thanks to your quick actions his arm should be completely recovered by the weekend.'

'How did you remove the curse?' Severus asked and Harry yawned again loudly, his eyes drifting closed.

'I pushed it out,' he muttered. 'Attuned to it and pushed it away...was really hard.'

Poppy and Severus exchanged startled looks.

'Nicely done Harry,' Severus said with amusement. 'Don't do it again!'

Harry chuckled. 'OK.'

'What happened to your head?' Poppy asked trying to keep the boy conscious long enough to ensure he was truly coherent.

'Had to push the horcrux out,' Harry whispered, fighting the battle sleepiness.

Severus started. 'What do you mean Harry?' he asked sharply.

'I was a horcrux,' the boy stated as Poppy squeaked, her hand flying up to cover her mouth. 'Got rid of it.'

Severus stared down at his young charge, dumbfounded at his calm statement.

'Yes you did Harry,' he whispered softly, his hand buried in the boys hair. 'You go back to sleep. Everything's fine now.'

'OK.'

Harry's breathing evened out and his hand relaxed in Severus's. Poppy finished her notes and then left the two men alone, stopping to throw a blanket over Remus who had crashed on the nearest bed.

Ten minutes later she was gently transfiguring Severus's chair into a recliner as he drifted off to sleep beside his son.

)O(

When Harry next awoke, the first thing he saw was the unmistakable outline of the headmaster sat beside him in a lurid purple armchair. Even without his glasses, he could see that the man's arm was covered in a crisp, white bandage.

He felt his glasses being slid gently onto his nose and smiled faintly in thanks.

'How are you Harry?' Dumbledore whispered and Harry glanced around the hospital wing, seeing the Potions Master sleeping in a recliner beside his bed and what looked liked Remus's feet poking out behind the screen next to him.

'Is Professor Lupin hurt?' Harry whispered anxiously and the older man smiled gently.

'No Harry, he just wanted to sleep near you. Both of your guardians have been very worried about you. I must thank you for your quick actions in the safe house. Madam Pomfrey informs me that you likely saved my life.' The headmasters sighed before continuing. 'You must think me a very foolish old man indeed for putting that ring on?'

Harry yawned and answered sleepily. 'No, I felt it too. A compulsion charm I think. It tried to get me as well. It promised me all sorts of things.'

'I'm assuming you used the sword to destroy it?'

'Mmm, it blew up the room though. Wasn't expecting that.'

Dumbledore chuckled. 'No, I expect you weren't. I know you are very tired child but I wonder if you could answer a few questions for me?'

Harry mumbled his agreement although keeping his eyes open was proving hard work. Albus glanced over to his Potions Master as the man stirred and stretched, quietly listening to the conversation but making no move to intervene.

'I was wondering if you kept any parts of the ring?'

'Just the stone,' Harry muttered. 'But my dad says you are not to have it. He says it's dangerous for you.'

Eyes closed, Harry did not see the confused look Severus threw the headmaster or that Remus had moved to stand at the bottom of the bed to listen.

'He did, did he?' Albus asked softly. 'Just that or did he have anything else to say?'

'Just that 'the old codger can't have the stone,' oh, and he told me how to heal your arm and how to get rid of the Horcrux in me.'

Albus smiled softly and lifted a hand to stop the questions that Remus and Severus were about to ask.

'Are your parents here now Harry?' He asked and Remus started in shock.

'No,' Harry yawned and snuggled down further into his pillow. 'Can't come too often...bad for them.' Harry smiled sleepily. 'Sirius is really happy, doesn't blame me...', his voice trailed off and it appeared he was falling back to sleep.

'Harry,' Albus called, squeezing his shoulder. 'Just one more question my boy and then you can rest. It appears that my wand is no longer working for me. I wondered if you had cause to remove it from me at some point.'

Severus was now learnt forward on the edge of his chair, confusion evident in his expression. The headmaster again stalled him with a hand.

'Mmm,' Harry answered. 'You were trying to curse the ceiling...hallucinating. I disarmed you.'

The headmaster chuckled and then nodded thoughtfully.

'Well, I can't think of a better guardian,' he said gently before drawing out his wand and tucking it carefully into Harry's sleeve.

'Albus?' Severus barked, beginning to lose his patience. 'What on earth is going on?'

'I will explain everything once Harry is asleep,' the older man said calmly.

'Harry, when you next speak to James you tell him I will still have my revenge for that 'old codger' comment. Just because I can't give him detention any more doesn't mean I don't still have my ways.'

Harry chuckled and took a deep breath, sleep pulling him down. 'Will tell him Sir...they're both really nice. Mum's from Yorkshire...didn't know that. Dad said to give Severus a hug...really pleased for me...'

The teens voice trailed off as he fell into sleep leaving his two guardians staring at him in barely concealed shock. Albus brushed the hair from the boys forehead and dropped a light kiss on the barely visible scar.

He slipped a hand beneath Harry's pyjama top and lifted the stone into the view of the two Professors, being careful to only touch the string binding it.

'The resurrection stone,' he whispered softly in explaination to his colleagues.

'Are you saying that can resurrect the dead?' Remus asked in a scratchy voice.

Albus nodded gravely. 'It can but should never be used that way. That path is a very dangerous one that I only narrowly avoided in my youth. Harry here has discovered that it can also be used to communicate to those who have passed on. It effect it allows them to remain here for a time.'

Remus fell heavily into a chair. 'He really saw Sirius, and...and James?'

Albus beamed at them. 'It would appear so. In fact unknowingly I believe Harry may have discovered the power he knows not.'

'You'd better start explaining old man,' Severus barked and Albus peered over his spectacles at the man in amusement.

'I seem to be enduring a great deal of comments about my age today. One might thing you and James Potter are in cahoots!'

Severus scowled heavily. 'Albus...,' he warned threateningly and the older man rose from the armchair.

'Let us retire to Poppy's office and I will tell you everything I know.'

He pulled a handkerchief from from his pocket and transfigured it into a circular piece of leather that he then tied around the stone before slipping it back beneath Harry's top.

'The stone is activated by contact with the skin,' he explained before leading the men into the office.

'I want Poppy here,' Severus barked. '...and Minerva.'

'This is extremely sensitive information,' the headmaster said gravely and Severus snorted.

'It's too late for that now. If you want to hold all the cards to your chest then you can't go gallivanting off days at a time with no-one knowing where you are. Both Poppy and Minerva know about the Horcruxes. I trust them with Harry's life, as should you.'

Albus peered at him for several minutes, his eyes moist in the firelight.

'How far you have come my boy,' he said softly and Severus growled in annoyance.

'Remus, could you call them for me?'

Remus moved to the floo and then settled beside the headmaster on the sofa. Once the two witches had joined them, the headmaster took a deep breath and launched into his tale.

'Now, how many of you remember the tale of the Deathly Hallows?'

)O(

Harry next awoke to a hospital wing in darkness, a single candle on his night stand the only light. He stirred and stretched his leg which was starting to cramp.

'Harry?'

He jumped at the voice and turned to see Professor Snape sat beside him, dressed in a bathrobe and pyjamas.

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. How are you feeling?'

Harry pulled himself into a sitting position and grimaced.

'OK, better.' He stretched. 'I feel really sticky.'

Severus poured a glass of water from the night stand and helped him to drink.

'I can draw you a bath if you feel up to it?' the Potions Master suggested and Harry nodded enthusiastically.

'That would be great.'

Severus called a house elf that Harry hadn't seen before and the elf scuttled off to get the hospital wing bath ready. It took a few minutes to get the teenager to the edge of the bed and standing, where he wobbled precariously.

Once his balance had settled, he took the arm that Severus offered and walked slowly down the darkened wing.

'Has the headmaster recovered?'

'He has. He has even been taking some of Professor Lupins classes today. His way of making amends I believe,' he said wryly.

Harry glanced sideways at his guardian. 'Did he tell you what happened? I mean with the stone.'

Severus answered carefully as he walked the boy slowly towards the bathroom.

'I was there when you were telling him, so I heard some of it for myself. I believe you spoke with your parents?'

Even in the darkness, Severus could almost feel the boy smiling.

'Yeah, they were great. They were never real before you know? And they argue a lot!' Harry added with a laugh. 'Mum kept hitting Dad and calling him an idiot. It was brilliant!'

Severus shook his head in amusement. It was not everyday that a child found a domestic between his parents brilliant.

'They were both really happy that you are looking after me,' Harry added shyly. 'Dad said that you were wearing a hole in your study floor pacing; because you were worried about me?'

Severus heard the questioning uncertainty in the teenagers voice and squeezed the hand tucked into his elbow firmly.

'I was very worried Harry. I knew the mission you were going on could be dangerous and when you didn't return, I was frantic. As was Remus and your Head of House.'

Harry blushed and pulled away slightly from the Professor to open the bathroom door. A large tub stood steaming in the middle of the room, nearly overflowing with thick bubbles.

Harry let the Professor help him with his pyjamas and climbed carefully into the tub, sighing in relief as the hot water washed all the dust and dried blood from his skin.

'I will wait outside for you Harry. Take your time, the house elf will let me know when you are ready to get out. Don't try and stand by yourself, your magical core is still low.'

'Thanks Severus.'

The man nodded and lightly brushed Harry's hair back from his face.

'You might want to have a look in a mirror while you are here,' he said with a wry smile before quietly leaving.

Almost as if in answer to his question, a small hand mirror appeared on the table beside the bath.

Harry hurriedly picked it up and looked at his face. He took a big sigh of relief. For a moment he thought he might have collected a few new scars but everything looked fine. He scrubbed his face with a wash cloth and then examined himself carefully.

At first he couldn't see anything different. The soft candle light showed Harry, just Harry. Then with a jolt he realised what was missing. It took several minutes of passing the mirror back and forth before he could find the faint outline of a lightening shaped scar. It was nearly invisible.

Harry felt like jumping up and down in glee, and would have if getting out of the bath didn't seem like such a chore.

His whole life, that damn scar had defined him. Firstly as a reminder of his drunken parents and then of his status and fame in the wizarding world. It had meant he was recognised instantly whenever he went.

No more, he thought with excitement. Maybe now he could actually be anonymous. If only for a while.

He sighed in contentment and relaxed into the hot, soapy water; allowing the heat to seep into his bones and gently pull him back into sleep.

Unseen by him, a small house elf drew a stool up beside the bath and climbed onto it. Setting charms to alert him if the teenager slipped below the water or became unwell, it pulled out a half knitted jumper and settled down to work.

It was an hour later that the Potions Master slipped back into the room and observing the scene with a smile, cast a sleeping charm on his charge before magically emptying the tub and conjuring a nightshirt onto the teenager.

He levitated Harry back to his bed, imagining how embarrassed the teenager would be if he knew the man had dressed him for bed. He thanked the house elf and then wondered back to his dungeons for the first good nights sleep in a week.

This caring for the-boy-who-lived was bloody hard work, he thought wryly.

)O(

A/N – A bit of warning for you all. I expect there to be three or four more chapters to this story and then we are done! I know, I know; I want to stay with Harry and Sev forever as well. Draco alert next chapter!