Chapter 9

Resurrection

Summary: When dead people come alive.

A/N: Thank you guys for the great reviews! You are keeping an author alive.

Most of your questions will be answered in this chapter, so I won't tell you anything beforehand to keep up the suspense. I am evil, ne?

Just, you don't need to know anything about Underworld to understand this story. It's a movie about war between werewolves and vampires. I have only borrowed a few ideas which will be explained.

The relationship between Harry and Severus is going to be built up anew as they have changed over the time spent apart.

I am sorry that it has taken so long but I have had this huge writer's block and university is killing me. I have to finish the written part of my diploma within the next four weeks and the final exam is in about 2 months. I am already shaking in my boots here.

Now, on with the story:

Staring unbelievingly at the apparition before him, Severus Snape had to pinch himself to make sure he was not dreaming. But the pain together with the persistent visual – even after blinking several times – finally convinced him of the person in front of him being real. It was the same he had seen at the market, the one who had looked so much like Harry Potter and whom he had told himself again and again was an invention of his overactive imagination.

Sliding closer, Severus studied the man in detail. He was not very tall with a slender, but lean figure. His gaze involuntarily lingered a bit on the bare, hairless chest and he couldn't help but watch the muscles ripple each time a breath was drawn or exhaled. It sent a shudder through his body and he hastened on, not yet ready to deal with the implications of his reaction. The face was exactly what he had envisioned Harry to look like if he had not died four years ago – minus the scar. Full red lips that were slightly parted, finely chiselled features with high cheekbones, framed by black strands of hair. Was it really him? But how could that be? And what had happened?

A groan caught Severus' attention and he saw the man's eyes – they had been shut tightly during the transformation - fly open giving him a good view: vivid green. At that moment Snape knew for certain. How many times had he stared into those orbs under the guise of hatred and contempt? Too often to not having learnt about the soul hiding behind. And it was the same, though now clearly older, more experienced and laden with shadows of darkness that hadn't been there before.

Seconds passed until the other finally focused on him. And Severus watched, waiting for signs to confirm what his heart was already sure of. There was surprise followed by fear and a soft moan escaped him, hardly loud enough to be heard but the Potions Master was paying attention: 'Severus.'

'Potter,' he replied in recognition falling back into his old habit of nonchalance, his sight never wavering for even an inch. He watched as the other manoeuvred himself painfully into a sitting position, quickly overcoming the urge to help. As Harry had finally managed to lean against the tree trunk, Severus raised an eyebrow in question. He had no intention of being the first to talk. It wasn't him that had come suddenly back from the world of the dead, just in time to save his life. Nope, it was definitely not him who knew what was going on.

'Damn, that was not supposed to happen. Stupid Dumbledore, stupid McGonagall,' Harry mumbled under his breath. Aloud he added, 'You won't believe me if I tell you that you dreamt the whole thing and that I am not really here, will you?' He attempted a grin that morphed into a grimace of pain, one hand involuntarily moving down to the wound on his abdomen. With interest Severus noted that it had stopped bleeding completely and was beginning to scar over.

'Not likely,' the Potions Master answered, trying to keep his voice clear of emotions.

'It was too much to hope for,' the younger man sighed. 'You want an explanation, I take it.'

Not deeming the statement worth an answer Severus inclined his head willing him to talk on.

'Okay, I think you deserve one. But where to start?' Harry's eyes glazed over as he sank down into memory a bitter smile on his face. Severus' mind itself wandered back to four years ago. He saw the graveyard and the small group of mourners as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. It had been a rainy day and only the people closest to Harry had been invited, knowing that Harry had never liked his fame. There had been the Weasleys, Granger, a few others of his year-mates and some of the teachers. He hadn't seen any of the boy's remaining family. There had not been long speeches of praise, no recounting of all his brave deeds, just words of good-bye to a friend, an adopted son, a pupil.

'Well, best thing at the beginning: the day I died.' Severus almost jumped as he was thrown back into the present. 'It wasn't an act, you know. The poison really killed me. I just didn't stay dead for long.' Harry paused, collecting his thoughts.

'I can't remember much of what happed after I drank that poisoned bottle of butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks. The pain started immediately and it was almost as bad as being hit by the Cruciatus curse. I wasn't aware of being brought back to Hogwarts or the hospital wing. The next thing I noticed was something being poured down my throat. It must gave been a pain killer because afterwards I was able to think again, at least a little.'

Severus nodded. It had been him to administer the potion, although it was only a weak one that was unlikely to have any cross effects with the poison.

'I knew that something was really wrong because everyone looked at me sadly. They seemed afraid and nobody wanted to talk about my condition. It was actually you who convinced me I was going to die.'

There was a slight smile on Harry's face as he looked at Severus expectantly. Playing into his game the man tilted his head in question.

'Your eyes. I saw it in your eyes. They were full of pity and something else I couldn't place. There was just no way you would show these emotions if I had a sore stomach or something as trivial. I wasn't frightened, you know, even a bit relieved that the fighting was finally over for me. I knew that I would die eventually, I only regretted that I wouldn't be able to take Voldemort with me. I was actually looking forward to seeing my parents again.'

Severus was shocked and glad that he wasn't supposed to speak at the moment. He wasn't sure his voice would be stable. Harry had wanted to die? How could that be? He had always seemed to be happy with his friends! Well, there had been the time after Sirius' death but starting seventh year the boy had been back to normal. At least outwardly, the Potions Master conceded to himself.

'It was time to say goodbye. I was okay when the teachers, the twins, Ginny and Ron left. But then it was Hermione's turn. Her eyes were full of tears and somehow I felt guilty that I would leave her and everyone else behind with the burden to destroy Voldemort. And as she asked me if I was willing to live even if it would cost me, I said yes, not comprehending what she meant. She left and the pain returned throwing me into a world of blackness. The only thing I can recall form there on up until my death was the presence of someone keeping vigil over me and telling me things I didn't understand but glad to hear the voice.'

Severus Snape watched him closely as he paused in his narration, enthralled by the story. It seemed to bring the past alive, so much feeling was being conveyed through his words. He could practically live what had happened then.

'The next I knew was waking up in darkness, no longer feeling pain but a hunger that seemed to eat away at my soul. Never before had I been starved like that although I had gone days without food at the Dursley's. There was someone beside me. I couldn't see them but I heard their heart beat. Do you want to live? a voice asked and I remember thinking, what a stupid question. What did I care if I lived? I just wanted the hunger to stop! But I was too weak to move and so I only nodded, not really knowing what I was doing. There was a noise of sucking and then a smell, sweeter than anything else, drifted to my nose. I was lifted and a wrist held before my face. It was bleeding. Instinctively I grabbed it and started sucking. I can't describe the way it tasted, there are no words for it. Think of the best thing you have ever eaten and multiply it with thousand. You won't get close.'

There was a dreamy expression on Harry's face and Severus knew he was savouring the memory like a long lost treasure. Not daring to startle the young man out of his reverie the Potions Master waited patiently for him to resurface.

'It seemed an eternity before the hunger was sated and the hand drew back. For a few seconds I was in heaven, before the pain crashed back in. It was worse than before. Worse than the Cruciatus. My whole body spasmed with each wave of agony that rocked through my being. I must have bitten through my lips with the effort of trying to stifle my screams, without success. I really hope no one else heard me, they must have had nightmares from it. Time didn't seem to exist. But when it was over I was exhausted beyond bodily fatigue. I fell asleep immediately.'

Severus shuddered. He knew that Harry was not prone to snivelling, experiences during Quidditch matches told him as much. To hear him describing the amount of pain he had had to go through was, to say the least, disturbing.

'When I came to my senses, there was still a feeling of the lingering stress my body had had to go through but it was bearable, just as the hunger that was again burning a hole into my stomach. I sat up and looked around. The room was still dark but I could see nonetheless, without my glasses and I recognized the surrounding. I was in the Shrieking Shack, alone. Though I felt a presence nearby. I couldn't tell how exactly I was sure that the person was male and waiting in the night just outside the rundown erstwhile manor. Nor could I explain how I suddenly knew that a couple of ravens were sleeping on the roof or a cat was sitting outside in a tree. My senses were sending impressions to my brain I didn't think were possible for a human being. I felt as if I had been blind for all of my life and had just been given the gift to see. I stood up and walked out towards the man, stopping beside him. He didn't look at me but stared into the forest surrounding us. Finally he spoke and I recognized his voice from before, The night is full of wonders, is it not?

I could only nod, too engrossed in the new world that had opened up to me, not unlike six years ago as I had been introduced into the wizarding world. We stood there for a long time before he turned to me and said, You surely want to know what happened, breaking the magic of the moment with it.'

In the pause that followed these words Severus Snape inhaled deeply, not having noticed that he had held his breath. What had happened? It sounded distantly like being turned into a vampire but he had not heard of it being this painful nor that it was connected to such a raise in sensual powers. Luckily, it was not long before Harry continued.

'We went back into the Shack and after we had settled down, the questions seemed to tumble out of my mouth, Who are you? What did you do? What am I now? He just grinned at me and answered calmly, Name's Michael Corvin. I repaid a debt to a friend and you are a hybrid, half vampire, half werewolf, same as I. The rest is history.' With that Harry leaned back, making no sign as to go on.

Severus Snape stared at him incredulously. History? He had to be joking! Now as the interesting part was starting! 'What!' finally escaped his lips.

Harry looked up at him, mirth in his eyes. 'It would take too long to tell you everything that happened the last few years and there are some things you definitely don't have to know, so ask and perhaps I'll tell you.'

The mongrel had done it deliberately! Severus fumed. He would have to beg to hear the rest. He hated begging. He never did it. But he was curious. So he decided on the next best thing. Talking back. 'There are no vampire/werewolf hybrids.'

He was met with a raised eyebrow.

'And even if there were, they'd be strong enough not the need help. So why a debt to be repaid?'

Again a raised eyebrow. He scowled. Yes, they were lame arguments but he was not going farther into the direction of begging. He had a pride to uphold.

Seemingly his opposite knew that he had pulled Severus' stings as far as he could, because he went on, 'Well, you are right in that there are no magical vampire/werewolf hybrids. But there are Muggle ones. One of them at least. You see, as the Muggles are not aware of the wizarding world neither they nor we are aware of the secret vampire and werewolf society that has developed apart from the wizarding one. And they don't know about us either. It was pure chance that Hermione met Michael as she went to Hungary to visit Victor Krum.

There was a war between vampires and werewolves going on and it had culminated in the creation of a hybrid, Michael Corvin, who was quite strong and nearly impossible to kill. Neither side was happy about him coming into being and hooking up with a rogue vampire and so they went into hiding. Though they were discovered, of which Hermione had the fortune to witness. She helped them escape, learned their story and had from thereon a hybrid in her debt, which she kept to herself till the day I died.'

Deep in thought, Severus forgot his intention of not asking questions, 'Who else…'

He was interrupted by Harry raising his hand, bidding him to be quiet. Watching the other intently he noticed that the wound on his belly had healed during their conversation, leaving only a scar and dried blood.

'Someone's coming.'

A/N: I know, it's a cliffhanger again. Don't kill me!

b biblios /b I'd really like for you to beta my story, do you have an e-mail address where I could reach you?