Harry, to the surprise of Serverus and even to Albus, snuggled deeper into Serverus' body as the pain washed over him in wave after wave. He was oblivious to the surprised and worried look that Albus and Severus were currently sharing with each other as they waited helplessly for their friend to recover. When the pain finally stopped, Harry loosened his grip on his teacher and friend, but refused to let go. The after tremors still coursed through him, and he was distinctly reminded of the after effects of the Crucio curse, only at about 50 times worse.
Severus quickly realized that Harry was unable to walk short distances let alone the distance that would have to be covered to return to the Great Hall, so without a word he turned, still carrying the surprisingly light weight Harry, and started to head back to the Great Hall and the comforting presence of the roaring fire. Harry was conscience of the unexpectedness of the action, but in his current state did not care at all, in fact he welcomed the uncommon feeling of unconditional love and acceptance. Harry clung to Severus tightly when the older wizard tried to ease him into his own chair, and ended up making some sort of unintelligible sound of negation. He heard Severus sigh, as he felt himself once again lifted into a comfortable position within those comforting arms. Serverus ended up taking the seat himself, situating Harry so that he was comfortably lying in his lap. Harry had, as of yet refused to turn his face from its position buried deep in Severus' robes, but that didn't seem to be bugging Severus as the Potion Master found himself to be unconsciously petting Harry's hair, much as Aphrodite had commenced in doing only minutes before. Albus looked on silently as this was going on, he had taken Severus' old chair, and was trying to put his mind around everything that had happened this night.
Harry, meanwhile, was desperately trying to find a way to explain the occurrences of the night to his curious Headmaster and his Potions Master. He found that he still needed to stop the shaking and painful tremors that still ran throughout his body. He mused that the soul bond backlash he had just lived through had been one of the most painful experiences he had had to face in all the millennia of his long life. He pondered, with furrowed brow, that being in Severus' arms was oddly comforting, more so even then being in his "sister's" had been.
Not knowing what he was doing, only knowing that it felt right, Harry laid a gentle, barely perceptible, feather-light kiss to Serverus' neck in thanks. Pulling away quickly, Harry refused to meet his Potion Master's surprised look, instead turning to see his Headmaster's thoughtful visage.
Leaning back into Serverus' comforting presence, Harry wiggled around until he found a comfortable position. He did not happen to see Serverus' surprised and taut features and he did not see those features relax as the Potions Master allowed his arms to snake around Harry's slim form and pull him deeper into his body. Harry let a small smile run over his face as he felt a barely perceptible, feather-light kiss being laid to the pulse point on his neck. Harry let out a silent sigh of contentment and closed his eyes in bliss; at last finally being able to live out his dream of being held by this one man. When Harry finally got the courage to look up and into Severus' eyes he was surprised at the range of emotions that he found there. The man's expressive eyes were awash in worry, confusion, and something warm, but wholly different and unacknowledged. Albus was still in his own world, working on the problem he had set for himself, oblivious to the momentous moment happening in the next chair.
Harry was more than content, being cradled in Severus' arms. He still, however, had to put together an explanation that would explain everything in a coherent, linear fashion. Harry was just about to put voice to his worked out explanation when he suddenly cringed back into himself, grabbing his head in pain, and burrowing back into Severus' robes as the resounding and echoing sound of a giant gong being struck banged inside his already aching head. Severus' grip tightened as he swore, "Bloody Hell! Why is this happening to you Harry?" Still gripping Severus tightly, Harry turned enough to whisper, through a suddenly hoarse throat, "Because I'm me, remember?!" Serverus and Albus, who had come out of his reverie at the sound of the pained groan, both shake their head in consternation that Harry could joke around even when he was in such pain. Closing his eyes, Harry continued to rub his temples as he let out an amplified yell of, "Generals, attend!"
In the next moment, to the surprise of Dumbledore and Severus (who tightened his hold on his burden), four spectral figures solidified, kneeling, and forming a half-circle in front of Harry, for all appearances sake, answering Harry's powerful summons. With their fists over their breasts, their eyes downcast, they murmured a, "My Lord…." Harry just smiles, opening his eyes to the familiar view of Endymion's most trusted friends and generals with an interest born of a long term friendship forged out of the dual concern over the Earth Prince's safety. "Stand, my friends, none of this! I've told you that before. Now, tell me what that rather painful summons was about…."
Severus, who was at first surprised, then worried, then put easily to ease when he saw that Harry's smile was directed towards their odd guests. He started to snarl, however, when he heard that it had been through their actions that Harry had had to deal with his latest bout of pain. All it took to settle Serverus' sudden protective streak was for Harry to lay a gentle hand on Severus' arm. Half through a snarl, Serverus immediately backed down, once more content just to watch and to be there if he was in fact needed for anything. Albus, on the other hand, had no such restrictions, and had therefore found himself on his feet, wand raised immediately after the sudden appearance of the spectral beings. Harry smiled at this proof that his mentor still had the makings of the greatest wizard of the century. Catching his Headmaster's attention briefly, he sent him a subtle shake of his head that instantly seemed to calm and reassure the Headmaster. It was surprising to Harry, as a side note to think of later, to see how much these powerful and older wizards trusted his judgment.
Meanwhile all of the generals gained a truly worried look as they prepared to tell their powerful friend why they had been so desperate in their need to call him. They started to take quick looks at each other, as if determining who would be the one to tell their tale. Harry noticed their nervousness, and quickly set it to ease as he calmed them with one single, reassuring, smile. Malachite, after giving a pointed look at the two unknown presences in the room, gained Harry's permission to speak his piece. "Lord Ambrose (AN: I just liked the name, has no significance whatsoever.)," Harry sighs over the formality he has yet to succeed in removing from the generals' vocabulary when they speak to him, and inclines his head as a sign for Malachite to continue, "we have been watching over our princesses after they freed our brainwashed bodies from the clutches of the evil Queen Beryl. The position that Serenity's disguise has put her in has made it impossible for her to show her true self. She has been able to hide it amazingly well, and even Endymion is fooled, but the scouts do not understand. They have deemed the Lady Serenity unfit to lead the Sailor Scouts. They plan to usurp her position and take the Silver Crystal, thinking that the person who takes over as leader of the Scouts can handle it better than the Princess. They do not understand that the crystal is keyed to Serenity and Serenity alone. We do not know what to do, and we cannot help without our bodies!"
Harry's eyes, which had been closed in the contentment of being in the company of loved ones, flew open at the news. Harry gasped as he once more drew into himself. Mumbling at the stupidity of some people, Harry buried himself in the soothing folds of Serverus' robes. As Serverus shifted, trying to find a better and more comfortable position without moving Harry's precious weight, Harry realized how uncomfortable his position must be for Serverus. Trying to slip out of the comforting arms, Harry was stopped by a graceful, long-fingered hand. Looking up, Harry was surprised to see a look of sorrow and worry gracing the sharp angles of Serverus' face. A quick scan of Serverus' aura picked up on the intense feelings that were swarming the man, the first and foremost being desperation and need. Letting a smile slip across his face, Harry allowed Serverus to pull him back onto his lap. Harry sighed as Serverus started to once again stroke his hair.
Turning his mind to his current problem at hand Harry's eyes lost focus as they searched his knowledge for an answer to the problem. Turning his piercing gaze on the generals, his suddenly tired voice rang throughout the silent room as he addressed them, "Are you sure?! Absolutely sure that they are going to do this?" The generals took a sad look at each other before giving Harry a united nod to the affirmative. Harry gave a pained look to the sky reflected on the Great Hall ceiling.
Serverus, meanwhile, was pondering over his surprise and sudden emptiness when he thought that Harry was leaving. He found himself watching the emotions and thoughts flicker across Harry's usually stoic face. Serverus smiled as he realized that if Harry had not been fully trusting of the company he was currently in then he would have maintained his masks, no matter how tired or pained he was.
After ten minutes of watching Harry's blank eyes, yet very expressive face, Serverus could not take it anymore. Moving his hand, he started to caress the young man's cheek, trying to break him of his reverie. It seemed an effective effort because Harry was soon quite aware of the fact that there were other people in the room waiting for an explanation. Sighing, Harry shook his head in a determinedly tired, defeated way. Getting up, Harry gave Serverus a look that clearly stated that he would rather be in his arms at the moment.
"Come Generals. I'd say that those bodies of yours are just about done healing." The generals looked at each other with smiles on their faces, clearly anxious about getting their bodies back as soon as humanly (or godly) possible.
Harry turned to Serverus, and taking his hands, pulled the older man from his chair in a clear attempt to give him permission to follow them. He welcomed Albus to the same with a smile and nod of his head.
It was a testament to Harry's tired state, when he did not notice nor anticipate the arrival of one fleet-footed messenger god, bearing of all things a golden chalice and a letter that simply said, "looked like you could use this…." The only evidence to its sender was a silver moon in front of a golden sun, Artemis and Apollo.
With a glance at the chalice's contents, Harry smiled and without hesitation threw back the concoction. When the white glow had faded, Harry's tiredness had vanished, and with it any form of aging. Ambrosia…Hermes had been sent to deliver him a glass of Ambrosia. Smiling, Harry returned the glass, and gave a nod of thanks to the already retreating god.