The Healing of Enemies
Chapter 5
Return
Rating: R
Disclaimer: If you're thinking that I own anything cannon, you are quite mistaken. Thank you.
Harry lounged in the tub until the water got cool and then he let the water out of the tub. After drying off, the Boy-Who-Lived put on a long robe. He carefully stood up and, leaning on both the crutch and various stable surfaces, slowly made his way out of the bathroom. However, once he got past the bathroom door, there was nothing to lean on and Harry could basically just stand there. He looked around the rooms, but couldn't see Severus anywhere.
"Sev?"
"I'll be right there, Harry." Severus called from the living room.
After a few minutes of waiting, Severus came to get Harry from the bathroom. They went into the bedroom so Harry could get dressed. The Gryffindor pulled on a pair of black sweatpants and a large gray T-shirt. Severus looked slightly confused.
"Don't you have any other clothes, other than sweatpants and old, baggy T-shirts?"
Harry just looked at the dark green carpeting. He shook his head and picked at a loose thread on the duvet. Looking up at Severus, there were tears in his eyes.
"No, no Harry, don't get upset. I'm sorry I said something. I was just wondering because, I mean, what happened to your school robes and uniforms?"
"My uncle…he burned everything that I brought home from Hogwarts every year. I managed to keep my wand and my broom hidden. Hedwig stayed with Ron for the summers after 4th year. The only clothes I was ever allowed to keep was hand-me-downs from my cousin Dudley, also known as the human killer whale. I'd spend the last few days with the Weasleys and they would take me to Diagon Ally to get a whole new school wardrobe. Rather sad, isn't it?"
"What's sad is the fact that your family couldn't have enough respect for who you are to let you be in peace. Now come on, I have a surprise for you in our common room. Are you alright to walk?"
Harry looked somewhat puzzled, but he slipped on his slippers and held on to Severus so he could stand. The Potions Master wrapped his arm around Harry's waist to help support him. The two slowly made their way into the small living room Harry and Severus shared. The younger man looked around a few times before completely noticing the large black dog curled up in the black armchair. Harry stared up at Severus, eyes filled with hope. The Slytherin simply smiled and nodded. A huge smile covered Harry's face; this one was a genuine smile, one Severus hadn't seen in a long while. He took a few cautious steps forward.
"Sirius?" Harry whispered.
The dog perked up and jumped off the chair, its tail wagging a mile a minute. Sirius changed back into human form and pulled Harry into a hug. They both collapsed onto the couch, still holding onto each other. The Animagus sat up and looked Harry up and down.
"Dear Gods, Harry, I thought I would never see you again. How are you?"
"Now that I know you're alive, I'm doing wonderful. I missed you so much. Where's Remus?"
Sirius looked away, not really wanting to say anything. Severus sat behind Harry and looked at Sirius. The Potions Master gently touched Harry's shoulder. Sirius looked up, but not into Harry's eyes.
"Remus and I were on different missions, but, when we all met back at headquarters, he…I mean Remus…he didn't make it, Harry. I'm so sorry. Remus is gone."
Harry cried out and fell back into Severus' arms. Severus wrapped his arms around Harry and gently rocked the sobbing Gryffindor back and forth, trying to comfort him. Sirius looked incredibly confused as he watched the Slytherin act so gentle and loving with his godson. After a few minutes, Harry calmed down and was leaning comfortably against Severus. The Potions Master saw Sirius' puzzled look and softly nudged Harry. The Boy-Who-Lived smiled slightly at his godfather.
"I guess you're wondering what's going on with me and Severus. Do you remember how I used to tell you that there was someone I was in love with, but that person would never know? Well, he knows and feels the same way. I love Sev and he loves me too."
"It's more than just love, Harry," all three turned to look at Albus Dumbledore standing in the doorway. "I did a few tests when I realized how quickly your relationship has become serious. I am quite excited to tell you that you, Harry, and you, Severus, are Soul Mates."
"What on earth are you talking about, Albus? I thought you said that Willam was my Soul Mate, but that was never to be, thanks to Voldemort."
"If you recall, Severus, Willam was killed exactly 18 years, 5 months, and 4 days ago. Harry was born exactly 18 years, 5 months, and 3 days ago. What you may not know is that after someone's first Soul Mate dies, someone born the very next day is the surviving person's new Soul Mate. I think you two need a bit of time to talk this over. I will see you three at dinner, I hope. The rest of the staff is quite anxious to see how young Harry is progressing."
With that, Professor Dumbledore exited through the portrait-hole and went back to his office. Sirius just stared at the Potions Master and his godson. Harry looked back at his godfather, trying to read his expression. Sirius blinked once, twice, before speaking.
"Harry, I can't say that I'm alright with what's going on. Snape and I have not gotten along ever and now I find out that not only are you in love with him, but he's in love with you AND you're Soul Mates! SOUL MATES for Merlin's sake! I don't quite know how to take this, what to do. You're my godson and I will always love you because of that, but I just don't know if I can accept you being with him."
Harry looked at Sirius, on the verge of tears. He'd thought that his godfather would have some objections to the relationship, but Harry never thought that Sirius wouldn't accept it.
"If you love me, you love all of me, not just the parts you want to love. Severus is a part of me and I am a part of him. I'm not asking you to become his best friend or anything like that. But please understand that you can't make me choose between you and him. If either of you makes me choose, I won't. I'll choose to move to America and start a new life there, without either of you. Please, Siri, don't make me choose."
"I could never do that to you, Harry. You're the only one I have left. Remy's gone; we all thought you were dead; I thought that I had lost everyone. Don't worry. It will just take me a little while to get used to seeing you and Snape together."
"Please, Mr. Black, call me Severus. That was a silly fight from our childhood. I'm actually surprised you remembered that I told you never to call me by my proper name."
"When someone threatens my life, I tend to remember it. I wasn't sure if you did, but I thought it would be best if I just stuck with Snape unless otherwise told. And feel free to call me Sirius, if you'd like."
"Thank you. It's good to see you alive and well."
The two older men shook hands and Harry simply smiled. Sirius stood up and pulled Harry up into a hug. He made sure that Harry was standing steadily before heading for the door. Just before leaving, Sirius turned back to Harry and Severus. He smiled.
"I think you two have a bit to talk about now. See you at dinner, then?"
Harry smiled and nodded, sitting back down. He took the Slytherin's hand and laced their fingers together, gently squeezing. Severus looked into Harry's eyes and smiled.
"I never thought that I could feel so happy, since Willam died, but here you are. You've given me my life back, Harry, and I can't thank you enough. Merlin, you're my Soul Mate! I could never have imagined that the Gods would give me another. Thank you."
"Don't thank me, thank the Gods. Remember, they gave you to me, too. Now, I don't quite understand," Harry said while yawning. "What happens now that we know we're Soul Mates?"
"Well," Severus pulled Harry into his arms and kissed his temple. "It means that we are meant to be together for the rest of our lives. Even if we were apart, our lives would be incredibly synchronized. Major events would happen to each of us within days, sometimes hours of the other. And we would always feel strangely compelled to be together."
"But we ARE together, Sev. What happens to us since we are together?"
"Okay, okay. Since we are together, we'll start to know what the other is thinking. If our bond is strong enough, we may be able to communicate telepathically. If we choose to go through a permanent bonding ceremony, many things will happen."
"What's a permanent bonding ceremony?"
"It's like a wedding, but it permanently connects us to each other. We exchange portions of our magical core. Neither of our powers would be diminished, but we'd be a part of each other. After a permanent bonding, my touch could help ease your pain, and yours would ease my pain. It would become possible for one of us to carry a child. Our talents and passions would mingle. You would become better at potions and I would probably develop a love for Quidditch. The only downside, as many see it, of being bonded is the fact that, after a couple is permanently bonded, if one person dies, the other dies shortly thereafter, usually within a week."
"So I take it that you and Willam never bonded?"
"Willam hated the fact that I was a Death Eater and he wanted me to leave. I tried to tell him that it wasn't that easy. That the only way someone could leave Voldemort was to die. On July 30, 1980, Willam decided to take my Death Eater robes and mask, go to the meeting scheduled for that day, and kill Voldemort. But he was discovered and killed that very day. We were supposed to be bonded in a month. When I found my robes missing and Willam gone, I knew what had happened, even before his body was found in Hogsmeade. That was when I became a spy for the light. I never thought I would ever feel love again and I hadn't, until you came here."
Harry leaned in closer to Severus, burying his face in the nape of his neck. Severus slid one arm under Harry's knees and one around his waist and stood up, lifting Harry with him. Severus carried the young man into his own chambers. After sitting Harry on the bed, Severus began rummaging through his wardrobe.
"What are you doing, Sev?"
"It's nearly time for dinner and you can't very well go to the Great Hall looking like a beggar, so you can wear some of my clothes for now. That is, until I get a chance to take you to Diagon Alley to get you a new wardrobe. I hope you don't mind black."
Harry shook his head and Severus picked out a wool turtleneck sweater, a T-shirt, and a pair of cotton twill pants, all black. Harry got dressed, slipped on socks and shoes, and was swept up off the bed by Severus yet again. After stopping briefly in the living room to grab his crutch, Severus carried Harry up the stairs until they were on the landing near the main entrance. Just as Severus was putting him down, Harry wrapped his arms around the Slytherin's neck and softly kissed him.
"What was that for, Harry?"
"Just wanted to say thank you for everything you've done for me so far. I love you."
"And I love you."
Severus planted a quick kiss on the Gryffindor's forehead and opened the door the Great Hall…
*fin capitulo cinco*
A/N I know it's a crappy ending to this chapter, but I just wanted to post something new!!! I hope you enjoy. Please review.
Many thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far. Gracias a todos ~ Laura