Making the future history
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and many of the places mentioned in this story. The plot is the only thing created by me.
I apologise that it's been two weeks since my last update. I'm back at uni and not coping as well as I would like but I will be making more time to write now that I'm feeling a little bit more organised. Thank you for being patient with me. I really hope you enjoy the chapter.
Thanks to danniperson, Limelight12, Jaffa Jaffa and GoddessonmyKnees for reviewing. Keep the reviews coming and I'll be more tempted to write lol.
Chapter 29: The Final Week
Severus woke up to the sunlight streaming through his eyelids and his body felt unfamiliar. It wasn't just the effect of the cruciatus curse and it wasn't the numbing from the pain relief potion; his entire body just felt different. It wasn't until Severus opened his eyes that he realised he was in an unfamiliar setting and upon realising where he was, he let his lips form a weak smile. He turned his head to see Harry next to him, fast asleep with his mouth slightly open, looking more peaceful than Severus had ever seen him. He wished he could lay there with him until he woke up but he knew that he had more important things to do today. He had to speak to Albus and tell him everything that had happened in the meeting, particularly his suspicions about there being a horcrux within Hogwarts. Surely the headmaster would be the best person to start asking about places to hide things in his own school?
The man began to dress and despite being as quiet as possible, he was unable to stop the younger man in the room from waking.
'Severus, where are you going?' he muttered, looking at the man eyes half-open.
'I need to see Albus' he replied unhesitantly.
'Tell me what happened' he pleaded, becoming slightly more awake.
'Not now Harry, I think it's more important that I speak with Albus first. I mean no offence' he added, seeing the hurt look in his eyes, 'but he needs to know these things.'
'Then please let me come with you so that I can hear too. You can't expect me to not know considering everyone expects me to be the one to kill him?' Harry was getting slightly heated but his sleep-filled eyes just made him look even cuter than usual.
'Cute?' Severus questioned himself, 'I did NOT just think of someone as cute. I really am losing my grip. I suppose he's right though, he should know everything that went on in the meeting just as much as any other Order member, well perhaps more so.'
'Ok Harry' he said out loud, 'come with me and I will tell you both but you need to promise me that whatever I say, you won't make any stupid decisions.'
'Why would I make stupid decisions? What's this about?'
Severus didn't want to disclose any more than he already had at this point. He was certain that if he told Harry that there may be a horcrux within the school then he would want to help search for and destroy it and this was the most dangerous place for Harry right now.
After Harry had dressed, he took Severus' arm and allowed him to apparate them both to a nice but modest looking house that Harry didn't recognise. However, before Harry could even question their whereabouts, it became apparent by the greeting they received from none other than Minerva. Knowing that her house like the Weasley's had many protection charms, Harry realised that this must be the place that Dumbledore was now staying.
'Severus, what's the matter? Has something happened?'
'Perhaps we should discuss it inside Minerva?' The woman nodded and led them through the hall and into a living room, in which Albus Dumbledore sat, sucking on what appeared to be some form of sweet.
'Ah! Harry! Severus! Please sit down' he spoke as if it were some joyous occasion.
'Albus, I had a meeting last night and I need to discuss a few things with you' replied Severus as he took a seat.
'Please go on, I will not interrupt.'
Severus told Albus, Harry and Minerva everything. He noticed a glimpse of sadness in Harry's eyes as he mentioned that he would soon be back at Hogwarts. When he had finished telling them about his horcrux suspicions, Harry jumped to his feet.
'We HAVE to find that horcrux!' he exclaimed.
'No, WE don't have to do anything. You are not going near that castle' replied Severus.
'But-'
'Harry I suggest that you don't argue with Severus. You would be in awful danger if you were to return to Hogwarts at any point this year.'
'But what if I can help find it?'
'Is there somewhere that you think he may be able to hide something?' Minerva asked. Harry thought for a moment before realising where the horcrux must be.
'It's in the Room of Requirement' he said excitedly.
'The what?' Harry wasn't sure who asked as everyone looked very confused and so he explained to all of them what the room was and how to enter it.
'It amazes me that it's always the troublemakers that know more about the school than the teachers' Severus smirked, 'I will search this room when I return whenever I get the chance and know that I am not being followed.'
'Severus there are thousands of things in that room and you don't even know what it is.'
'Unfortunately, I have a lot of experience with dark magic and I'm sure that once I am close to the object, I will sense the magic. Although I'm sure it will take me some time, I'm sure that I will be able to locate it in the end.'
'Thank you Severus' smiled Albus, 'I think we need to continue our researches to consider what and where the final horcrux is, though I must admit that I am concerned about the lack of leads I have on it.'
'In terms of the Weasley girl' continued Severus, 'I do not believe that she is in genuine danger as the Dark Lord only wishes to plant a false idea into Harry's head about her being kidnapped. If it does come to it, I will ensure that I am the one to kidnap her myself so that I can be sure that no harm will come to her.'
'Thank you for this information Severus.'
Neither Harry nor Severus wanted to hang around any longer than necessary and so both apparated back to Grimmauld Place.
'Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?' Harry asked with clear hurt in his eyes.
'You saw me last night Harry, I was weak. I was unable to get into any lengthy discussions.'
'But still, you could have warned me about that part before I had to hear you say it in front of other people.'
'I'm sorry Harry but I don't want you to be upset.'
'How can I not be upset? Things were going great between us and now you have to leave.'
'I understand your pain Harry but you know that I must do this.'
'I know. Will you please think of some way that we can talk to each other? I can't handle it if we can't even talk.'
'Of course I will Harry.'
'Am I stupid to assume that you'll still think of me while you're there?'
'Harry I know that I have other duties but that doesn't mean that I will forget you by any means.'
'I just wish I could see you.'
'Us seeing each other will be difficult. I will make sure that I am able to see you sometimes but I don't know how often that can be.'
'Promise me?' Harry asked.
'Ok I promise but you can't be angry with me if it can't be often.'
'Deal. Can I ask one more thing?'
'As much as I would love for you to stop asking questions one day, yes I suppose you can.'
'If you're only going to be here for another 6 nights, can I share your bed with you? Just to… make the most of it?' Harry felt embarrassed asking and hoped that Severus wouldn't mind being that close just for a few nights.
'I'm sure we could manage that but would it not just make it harder when I leave?'
'No because then at least I'll have more memories to keep me sane.' Severus could see the distress building up in Harry at the thought of losing him and so he held him in a comforting embrace and kissed him lightly on the lips. He instantly felt Harry go less tense and stroked the hair at the back of his head absent-mindedly as he looked into the emerald eyes.
'Harry this will all be over soon. It will be a horrible fight but then it will be over.'
'I know Severus. I just can't have my life on hold any longer. I've always been destined to do this thing; I've always been The Boy-Who-Lived and it's controlled my entire life.'
'But you're also destined to be you; you need to be Harry not The Boy-Who-Lived.' Harry smiled when he saw Severus' disgust at the title.
'And you think when this is over I'll get to do that?'
'I'm sure of it.'
'And you'll be there too?' Severus didn't want to respond to that question. It was almost going too far, like a sort of unspoken commitment. It was true that if he were to survive, he would want to be with Harry but really what were his chances of survival?
'I'll be there too' he responded half-heartedly not wanting to upset Harry further. He was rewarded with a comforting kiss.
The next few days went by miles too fast for Harry to cope with. It was now the day before Severus was leaving and despite spending every night with the man, he felt no better. The worst of it was that Harry had hoped that before Severus left, they'd have sex and since their last incident, nothing of the sort had been initiated. It wasn't that he was frustrated; it was more of a sentimental thing. He wanted to have that kind of bond with the man he loved before he left in the hope that somehow it would make things better. While in bed together, they had shared some intimate moments, including many heated kisses and at one point, Severus was even on top of Harry, kissing him hard, which had caused arousal on both their parts. But Severus had eventually turned away. He hadn't been cold but had simply stopped everything with a tender kiss and pulled Harry into his favourite sleeping position.
It was now evening and Harry was staring into the dinner that Severus had prepared even more depressed than he had felt before.
'Harry please eat your dinner.'
'I'm not hungry.'
'I wanted to wait until after dinner but I have something that might cheer you up a little.'
'What?' said Harry emotionlessly, not even looking up. Nothing at that moment in time could make him feel any better, he was sure of that. Severus simply handed him a box, which Harry slowly took before opening it. Inside it was what looked like a brand new diary. Harry simply looked up at Severus, completely confused.
'Usually one offers their appreciation when they receive a gift' he teased.
'Thank you… but why have you got me a diary?'
'Harry it's an enchanted diary and I have a matching one. When you write in it, the writing will appear in mine and I will be able to respond to you. I know you were worried about not being able to talk to me and so I thought of this.' This seemed to cheer Harry up a lot.
'Oh I'm sorry I didn't realise. Thank you. That's really great. I know I still won't see you but at least I can hear from you.'
After a small amount of cuddling in the sitting room, the two headed up to Severus' bedroom for the night. They both undressed down to their underwear as usual and climbed into their own side of the bed. Severus kissed Harry slowly and meaningfully before turning the smaller man over to spoon him. Harry was glad to receive the affection but was disappointed that Severus didn't seem to want more on their final night living together and so he got up as much courage as he could.
'Severus, can I ask you something?'
'If I had a knut for every time you said that, I would be able to pay the Dark Lord into joining the muggles' Severus smirked against Harry's shoulder.
'You're hilarious.'
'I do try.'
'I've wanted to ask you something all week but have been too worried that you'll say no.'
'What is it?'
'Promise you won't laugh at me.'
'I won't.'
'Will you sleep with me?'
'Your observation skills never fail to amuse me. I am trying to sleep with you now but you are talking.'
'No Severus. Will you have sex with me?'
So what do we think Severus will say? Why has he avoided getting intimate with Harry this week? Let me know what you think and I'm sure everyone will be anticipating Sev's reply lol.
