"Old enough for what exactly, Mr. Potter?" Snape attempted a sneer, but failed, his hands tightening their hold.
Harry winced, blinking through the blackness overcoming his vision. Did Snape have to hold his wrists so tightly? He tried to concentrate, Snape would be upset and take points if he didn't answer the question, but what was it? Oh, yes. "Old enough to take my life in my own hands. So to speak..." He tried to smile as he looked down at his hands.
"You've always had your control of your life."
Harry shook his head. "No. When I was with the Dursley's, they controlled me. Here, it's Dumbledore. I've never had my own life, now it's all mine. I'm sixteen now, my life is mine." He leaned his head back against the wall, closing his eyes. He was so tired.
Snape's eyes widened as he watched Harry slowly slip away. "No Potter, you can't fall asleep now. Stay awake. Do you hear me Harry? Wake up!"
Harry looked down at his hands again, at Snape's hands around his wrists. Though it was hard to tell where the hands where, everything being covered in blood like it was. It was so hard to concentrate, an annoying blackness steadily overcoming him. "I like it when you call me Harry. Professor, will you tell Ron and Hermione that I'm sorry I won't be there? I'm so sorry I can't be their hero."
"I promise."
He leaned forward, face inches away from his teachers. "Oh! And Draco." He seemed to loose his train of thought for a moment, looking at the window, then back to Snape. "Tell Draco that I'm sorry we won't be able to continue our rivalry. I'll haunt him if he wants me too."
"I don't think that will be necessary." Snape looked towards the door. "Hold on Harry. Draco will bring Madam Pomfrey here soon. Just hold on."
"Tell everyone I'm so sorry I did this, but I had too. They have to understand that."
"You seem to be sorry for a great many things, Harry."
"I am. I can't be everyone's hero like they want me to be. I want to be their hero. I really do, but I can't take this."
Snape leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss on Harry's forehead. "You're my hero, Harry. Let that hold you up, please. I've had enough disappointment in my life, I don't think I could take it if my hero died."
Harry gave him a blinding smile. "At least I can die knowing I'm not a total failure. I'm so glad I didn't disappoint everyone. I didn't want to be the hero, and I tried."
"I know you did. You did the most wonderful job with what you had."
"Oh! Severus... I need you to tell Severus..." Harry's eyes closed and his head fell back.
"Harry! Harry, tell me what? Stay awake Harry, talk to me!"
Impossibly green eyes opened, clear for the first time since Snape and Malfoy had found him in the Astronomy tower with slit wrists. "Tell you that I think I love you." The eyes closed again as his breathing slowed.
Snape lunged forward. "Harry!"