Sorry for the longer wait, you guys. I started school again two Tuesday's ago (I think...) and was immediately bombarded with tons of homework. So I've been working on that (including reading and writing for a Contemporary Fiction class, yay!) and such...I never thought Senior year would have this much homework! Isn't Junior year supposed to be the busiest? Blah...ok...so anyway, here's the next (last?) chapter of this...hope you enjoy it! Even if it is a little on the shorter side...

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The pair apparated into the main foyer of Snape Manor with a 'pop' of displaced air. As soon as their feet were firmly planted, Severus gently pushed Harry away from him and took a step back

The two men stood staring at each other, sizing the other up, for a few tense minutes, "Why?" Severus finally managed to get out

"Why what, Severus?" Harry asked quietly, fearing the almost inevitable kicking out of the man's house he would receive

"Why did you sing with me? Why did you hold my hands gently and whisper so desperately in my ear back there? Why did you break your promise? Why did you allow me to take you with me?" The older man pleaded, all of a sudden very worn down

"I sang because it was the only way I'd get close to you just then. I held your hands gently because you're delicate, and I whispered desperately because I was just that: desperate not to lose you. I broke my promise because I knew I would die if I tried to fulfill it. I allowed you to bring me here because I love you...and I hope you love me, too," Harry answered shakily

Severus just stood there, mask back in place as he stared at the boy again. He couldn't say that he wasn't at least a little happy that the man that he loved had followed him here, but he didn't know if he was truly ready to simply open his arms once more

"Harry...you know I still love you," He said at length, "But what happened that night..."

"Was an accident. A slip up. You know that I don't love anyone but you, Severus, you know that," Harry cut his former-Professor off

"I...I need some time, Harry, please," Severus' mask slipped; he was too tired to hold it up and have this emotionally draining conversation at the same time

Harry felt tears prick the back of his eyes, "Please don't send me away. I wouldn't survive without you...I know I wouldn't"

"But..." He didn't have it in his heart to send this man away, he knew that, and he hated that fact just a little bit. How had his ex-student gotten so far into his heart that he was able to run him into the ground, just be to allowed back in after apologizing for it?

Harry saw the indecision in the ebony eyes of his lover and, instead of seeing it as a weakness in the man, saw it as an opportunity for happiness. He slowly walked back over to the man and wrapped his arms around the others waist lightly

"Harry, I..."

"Please, Severus," The boy begged, "Let me do this," and he leaned up slightly to capture those lips that he had missed; the same ones he thought that he'd have to wait a seeming eternity to taste again

Severus was reluctant at first. He hated his heart and subconscious for loving the boy so much that he just allowed him back in so easily. All he wanted was to hurt; to feel the loss of the one man he knew he could love forever. Wasn't he allowed even that much?! But apparently the fates looked down on him in pity, as if silently saying 'We're sorry, Severus, but you've hurt for far too long. It's time to be happy", and who was he to contradict the will of fate? Apparently no one, so he gave in

Harry moaned into the kiss when he felt the other man react to the action, but Severus broke the kiss as he felt Harry's hands undo his numerous buttons

"No," Severus said, not quite as forcefully as he might've liked as he took the others hands in his own, "I really want to take it slow this time," he said while looking the younger man in the eye so he knew how serious he was

Harry nodded, "I understand. I'm sorry to've rushed you"

"It's fine, you know now"

"So...does that mean I'm allowed to stay?" He didn't want to push anything, but this was something he really needed to know

"I won't lie to you, I'm having a big internal struggle with this...but as much as I just wanted to be allowed to be mad for awhile, I fear my heart is winning, saying that I wouldn't be able to last long...but God, Harry!" Severus drew back again and buried his face in his hands, hiding his sorrows from those green eyes

Harry backed away a few steps, thinking it wise to give the man the space he obviously needed. For many long minutes they stayed like this, until Severus straightened himself out and took a deep breath before finally looking Harry in the eye again

"I thought that I might've been able to take you back right now, but I realize now that I still just really need some time. I'm sorry, Harry, but you have to understand," Severus begged

Harry looked down at his feet which were moving slightly from side to side, "I do understand," he said quietly, looking away from those fiercely dark eyes, "So six months still then?" He couldn't bring himself to raise his gaze from the wood paneling of the floor, not wanting the other to see the wall of tears that was none-too-slowly building

Because he was looking at the ground, he didn't notice the small, sad shake of Severus' head

"I'm afraid that I wouldn't be able to last that long," Severus admitted solemnly, and Harry raised his head at that, "I need...at least a month, though," Severus continued

"I can do that," He nodded, hopes lifting at the drastically decreased separation

"Thank you, Harry, this means a lot to me"

"I know," Harry said seriously, "Will you be staying here?"

"Yes. My wards will keep any uninvited guests from getting too close to my house," Severus stated, "And yes, that also includes you"

"Why? I promise I'll stay away, but don't limit me like that.......please," Harry begged

"It's for my own comfort. If I know no one can get in, even those promising to stay away, I can relax and truly be able to recover and do the things that are necessary. I'll set the wards to allow you to enter as soon as the month is up"

Harry wasn't happy about this prospect, but he knew it had to be done; that he wouldn't get this man back if he were to disregard his simple request, "As long as you promise to allow me in at the end of the month, I can do as you bid"

Harry took one last sorrowful look at the older man before turning and walking towards the door. When he reached it, he turned around, "Goodbye, Severus, I'll see you in a month," he said before exiting Snape Manor without waiting for a reply

As soon as the door closed, Severus sat down on the ground, legs folded Indian style and placed his head in his hands, not being able to conjure up enough will power to move from the wood-paneled entrance way

On the other side of the door, Harry stood with his back pressed against the thick oak, trying to collect himself as the tears began to burn their trail down his cheeks

"What have I done?" Severus whispered to himself, "What if he doesn't come back?"

"What have I done?" Harry whispered, unknowingly mere seconds after Severus uttered the same words, "What if he doesn't take me back? I didn't even get one last kiss," and with that last, sad thought, Harry pushed himself from the door and slowly walked away

It had only been a week since he had left, and Severus was already going crazy. Well, if he were honest with himself, it had been one week, two days and 13 hours, roughly, since the boy had walked out...but of course, he hated being honest, especially with himself, so he refused to acknowledge this information

He couldn't sleep, because his dreams were plagued by that innocent face and the shockingly green eyes

He would toss and turn for most of the night, and then when he was finally claimed by the darkness, the boys face would have to appear. He would feel those muscular arms wrap him safely and feel content

Then, after merely a half hour, at most, he would wake up crying. He felt like a bloody seven year old away at camp and feeling homesick! Not that he really knew that analogy very well, but that's beside the point

Little did he know that Harry wasn't doing any better. He had decided to rent a room in the nearest town, to be as close to Snape Manor as he could be. For the first few nights, Harry left the older man alone, but that soon became too much for the mischievous Gryffindor

On the fifth evening since leaving, Harry decided to take a walk to the mansion. He was sure to detect where Severus' wards began so he wouldn't accidentally set them off and have his probation extended. It became a little ritual for him to go visit the grounds every night

Therefore, it was that on the eve of the two and a half week mark that Severus found himself out on his yard, trying desperately not to think of the younger man

He was pacing near the forest on his property, just short of where his wards ended, muttering nonsense

"Leave me...never return...deal..." He took a long pause, then added quietly, stopping in his tracks, "I love him"

That seemed to be his undoing as he placed his head in his hands and his shoulders began to shake. It started off slow and quiet, his calling out for Harry, but soon he was positively screaming it out

"Harry!!" The name came out so desperate and heart breaking that Harry, who had been taking his nightly walk, ran from his hiding spot in the woods just outside the wards and his love and tried to get to him

As soon as he reached the wards, however, he was forced away to stumble backwards by them. Severus still hadn't seen him, due to the tears in his eyes, as he fell to his knees, fists clenched and facing upwards as he cried

Harry had ran back up to the ward and started beating on it incessantly, ignoring the fact that his hands were thrown almost painfully back each time they came in contact with the invisible wall. It wasn't until Harry began to call out to Severus through his own tears that the older of the two noticed that he wasn't alone

Severus looked up hopefully and, not believing his eyes, softly asked, "Harry?" For surely the man before him was just a mirage or something. But it was the sadness and urgency in those emerald eyes, as they slowly became level as Harry sank down, his legs too weak to hold him that convinced him of his presence. Harry's left hand was sliding down the barrier, creating the only obstacle keeping him from simply collapsing onto the ground

For many minutes, the two simply watched each other as the Sun was setting behind Severus

Finally, Harry spoke up after he had composed himself a little, "Let me in, Severus," He pleaded

The older man nodded sadly and waved his right hand. This time when Harry attempted to move forward, he was allowed to pass through the wards

He crawled the short distance to his lover and, upon reaching him, placed himself in the others lap, draping his arms around Severus' neck as his legs went around his waist before he buried his face into the others neck as well

They stayed in that position awhile: Harry wrapped up in the safety of his ex-Professor's arms, and Severus' head buried in the younger's messy head of hair

"Don't make me go...please don't make me go," Harry cried

Severus hugged the other body closer to his and whispered, "Never...I never want you to leave me again"

"I promise I won't...please let me stay here"

"Forever, love, if you'll have me that long"

Severus felt the younger man smile into his neck and snuggle closer to him and knew it was his way of accepting the offer. Things would be ok from now on...they had each other again. The thought made Severus smile

THE END

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So it's done now!!! Wee! ::dances::

I hope you guys like this ending better...I made them cry, I made them happy and I even made Severus Snape smile

Again, I'm sorry it took so long for me to update this, but with all my homework and college applications to get done, I had no time until now...and that's only because of the Jewish New Year (I'm not Jewish, but the kids in my school who are kept complaining about missing important lessons, so they gave us those days off)

Thanks to all my faithful reviewers! I love you all!

Serena23- Thank you very much for recommending this to other people! And thank you for the compliments...I hope you enjoyed this ending

Valanthe, Chris1021, KORNfused Pyro, texasjeanette, kears, spirit element, Mikie23, Opal and Ruth- Thank you all for your encouragement to write another chapter and for following along with this story! It's much appreciated!

Oreopet- Lol! Severus semi-accepted Harry, because he felt that the whole six month thing wouldn't've been good for either of them...but actually, Harry did force his way with Sev for the most part...good deduction! And thanks for your support!

Rue- Thanks for the ideas! However, by the time I actually started to really work on it, I have forgotten you had given them ::is ashamed:: Sorry! But they're awesome idea's! Thanks for following!

Katie Lupin Black- Don't get in trouble! Bad Katie! And yes, saying that the chapter was good more than once in a review is fine, lol. Thank you so much for following along with this story!

Tazthedevilman- Oops! Thanks for pointing out my Leaky Cauldron error! Now if I ever get the motivation to fix it...lol. I don't know if "I'm Movin' On" was ever released...I'm pretty sure it wasn't...it's awesome though; if you're able to dl songs, definitely do so. I thought of making a whole 'nother story, as well, but it just didn't turn out that way, unfortunately...I'm getting ideas for other stories, though, so yeah. And after writing that, I realized Miki had been mentioned in your notes on ANB, so yeah, I believe that's it. Thanks again for your help and everything! ::hug::

So that's that, folks. Keep an eye out for any later works of mine...I'll be thinking of new story ideas as I sit in Trig class, lol. Thank again, everyone! And I hope you liked this!