Chapter 16: In His Stead
by ataraxis

The following week went like clockwork. Harry trained Mr. Turner every other day that the young man wasn't with Severus strengthening his defensive skills, and when Harry and Severus had a chance, Emma would visit Severus in his quarters for tea and conversation.

Harry was pleased that he and Severus were taking each step in their relationship slowly. In fact it was now Friday night and Emma was sitting next to Severus curled up next to him, with Severus' arm slung over her shoulders. They were discussing the possibility of what would happen tomorrow when Michael Turner would be facing the new Dark Lord.

"He's in Gryffindor for a reason, which means I'm a bit afraid that he'll take some unnecessary risks."

Severus snorted in response, "That's rich coming from you, the Gryffindor Golden Boy."

Emma's brown eyes peeked up at Severus from under auburn lashes and said with a tight smile, "Which makes it all the more reason that my fears aren't unfounded. I know what I was like, that means I don't want him to go rushing in without thinking through of the consequences. I have grown up, Severus. I'm still the reckless Harry I'll always be, but I can at least be aware of the results from my actions.

"I just need to convince Michael that all we require of him is to go meet the new Dark Lord and report back to us what he looks like if Michael doesn't know him personally. Once we identify who it is, we can plan an attack against the new leader accordingly." Harry spoke against Severus' chest as he fiddled with the buttons that lined the front of the black vest that Severus wore.

Severus' hand came up and clasped Harry's hand gently. "I know. I am aware that the Emma I came to know before realizing who she was, is the Harry you've become. You have been kind and courteous to everyone around you, fair and impartial to all houses, even my Slytherins from what they tell me, all much to my surprise."

Harry and Severus fell silent for a while, just enjoying the sensation of having someone to snuggle with, though Severus would never admit to it or even say the word aloud.

Harry recalled something amusing that had happened earlier in the day during lunch in the Great Hall, while Severus had been absent. "You missed an exciting moment at lunch earlier. Did any of the students mention it when they were in your class this afternoon?"

Severus snorted, "You know I don't allow anyone to speak while in my classroom unless I call upon them. Or at least I didn't. Even though I have started to subtly change my methods in teaching, the students are still afraid of me and that my attempts at being more open as a professor can only be a trap to take more house points. Besides the afternoon class was second year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, so no, I haven't heard."

"Apparently Mr. Turner has more courage than brains, but in this case, he's helping us set Albus up. He's spread the tale that the Greasy Git of a Potions Master has gone sweet on Professor Malsby and that he caught you ogling my arse. You should have seen Albus' face when the gossip got around to the Head Table. I don't think he could make up his mind to be concerned about you, about us, or overjoyed that you were still interested in me even knowing that I might not be who I said I was and that I've been keeping you publicly at arms length this last week. I think he's frustrated that he doesn't know what the status of our relationship is, and is not sure what you know."

Severus made a humming sound as if in contemplation. "I'm not sure whether then I should give Mr. Turner a real detention or award him house points for spreading gossip."

"Well, the former would be totally in character and the latter would be totally out of character and would certainly tip Albus off, perhaps go middle of the road and do nothing. Say you hadn't heard the rumor and would not dignify the gossip by fueling it." Harry sat up and stretched, before reaching for his now tepid cup of tea and taking a sip.

"Is that what you would do?" Severus resettled himself to a more comfortable position to relieve the stress on his lower back.

"It's what I have tried to always do, especially with gossip. You know what my life was like for the longest time. The Daily Prophet ran a story about me almost every day it seemed like, especially during my fourth year. I tried my hardest to stay out of the public eye, especially after defeating Voldemort. I remember the very day it happened and I had returned to the school from the one-on-one battle with Riddle; it felt as if everyone was in my face wanting to take my picture or get my autograph. They wanted something from me and I had nothing to give at that point," Harry sighed and leaned back heavily against the sofa.

Severus shifted to face Harry and reached out to soothe the tension from Harry by rubbing at his neck and kneading his shoulders.

"Yes, I recall that day quite well. You forcefully pushed your way through the throng of 'admirers' and even turned away from Albus to head for the Room of Requirement."

Harry turned his head to the side as he spoke, "You followed me? I hadn't realized that."

"I could tell that you were upset. Except for Albus, I don't think the others really realized what you had just done. That the simple, hard fact was that you had just murdered a man. Yes, an evil, vile man, but in the name of justice you had committed murder none the less. To this day, you've not shared with anyone what happened in the battle between you and Voldemort. And I honestly think no one has the right to know, but you. When Voldemort returned at the end of your fourth year, it was no longer about the Wizarding world conquering the Muggle one, or about Purebloods being better than Muggleborns, it was about a vendetta against you. Every step he took, every action he made was in effort to weaken you and bring you to your knees. That infernal prophecy had to be fulfilled one way or the other. As I'm sure you've come to realize by now, your actions were necessary, because it was kill or be killed. No one could ever blame you for defending yourself or the Wizarding world. But at the time, you weren't concerned about what the correct thing was to do, only that something you felt was morally wrong had to accomplish the goal." Severus had wanted to tell Harry for a long time that he understand the younger man, for his actions that day, and now he'd had the chance. Severus reached out and tugged Harry into an embrace, wrapping his arms firmly around the smaller, feminine figure of Emma in reassurance.

Severus continued with his side of events from that long ago day, "So yes, I followed you the entire way out of concern, knowing that you felt tainted and needed time in silence to come to terms with it all. As you were about to enter the Room of Requirement, I hastily cast a monitoring charm to make sure you stayed healthy and whole, and then I stayed outside the room to make sure no one else tried to enter, especially Albus or your friends, Mr. Weasley or Ms. Granger, until you had left."

"All this time, I thought... I mean, afterwards, you never said anything to me." The look on Emma's face was unsure and confused.

"I know what you thought. I left you alone, which was just what I felt you needed. No antagonism, no false sympathy. If you took my distance and lack of antipathy to mean that I no longer cared whether I hated you or not, that was a false assumption on your part, but one I was not willing to correct at the time. I had my reasons for keeping my distance."

Harry snuggled as close to the other man as he possibly could. "I'm just glad you're not keeping your distance now, Severus."

'Me, too, Harry. Me, too,' Severus thought to himself as he tightened his hold around Harry, giving the other man a non-verbal response of his feelings.

- - - hpsshpsshpss - - -

Emma and Severus were seated quietly next to each other the next morning at breakfast in the Great Hall, both tense with anticipation of the events that would occur outside their reach. Harry waited for Mr. Turner to enter, so he could have one last word with the boy before everyone from third year and up ventured into Hogsmeade for a day of fun.

Instead, from the main doors, Professor McGonagall strode through the hall at a great clip, heading straight for the professors' table. She looked distraught.

Minerva interrupted Albus, who had been speaking to Professor Sprout, without apology. Neither Harry nor Severus could make out what the Deputy Headmistress whispered to the old wizard, but whatever it was, it caused Albus to frown and look towards Emma and Severus.

Albus rose from his chair and headed for the Potions Master and Charms professor. "I need you two to follow me; it seems there has been a slight accident."

Severus and Emma kept quiet while they trailed behind Albus and Minerva. They headed for the Infirmary. When they walked in, Mediwitch Poppy Pomfrey was hovering anxiously over the still form of their newest and youngest spy.

Severus strode forward, around Albus to consult with Poppy about the boy's condition. "What happened to Mr. Turner?"

"He got caught in a cross of two hexes. Apparently some of his house mates were dueling in the common room, and they were near the stairs, when Mr. Turner walked right into the middle of both hexes. According to Minerva, the students in question had used a Stupefy hex and a suspended animation charm. The two combined to put Mr. Turner in a coma like stasis that he won't be able to wake up from for at least a day."

Albus asked, "He's uninjured beyond that, Poppy?"

Poppy nodded, "He's in perfect health otherwise, Headmaster."

"But what will we do now? He was to meet the new Dark Lord for the first time this afternoon," Minerva queried.

Emma smiled slyly and Severus caught the look. "Oh no, you had better not be thinking what I think you're thinking."

"Severus, what..." Minerva started, only to be interrupted by Emma.

"I can go in his place."

Poppy stood there looking clueless, while Minerva thought to ask, "You mean with Polyjuice? That would be impossible, Emma. We don't have any on hand and it would be impossible to obtain from one of the potion shops without proper permission."

Emma just shook her head. But before she could say anything further, Severus interrupted her, pulling her away from the group to speak with her privately. "Harry, you can't be honestly thinking of going into that meeting blind?"

Emma snickered, before retorting, "You could always cast a temporary sight correction charm on my eyes, then I wouldn't be going in blind."

"Don't misconstrue my words, brat. You have no idea what you're up against."

"No more so than Mr. Turner did, and he's only fifteen years old. I will take his place. I believe I've spent enough time with him, to know his voice and gestures. It will only take a moment to study his face and body to change into him. Don't stop me in this Severus, let me be the stupidly, courageous Gryffindor you have always accused me of."

Severus sighed and pinched his nose in frustration. "Very well. You are a grown adult, therefore you must do as you see fit."

"Thank you, Severus. I do appreciate your concern and it is duly noted," Harry said and reached up to place a soft, tender kiss on the Potion Master's cheek.

They both went back to where the others stood waiting. "It's been decided, I will take his place."

"But how?" asked Minerva.

"Are you sure about that? This will be your only chance," Albus said.

"I know, and I'm willing to risk it." Emma strode forward, pulled back the sheets lightly covering the still Gryffindor student and then seated herself next to him.

While Harry carefully noted Michael's height and weight and features, he could hear Minerva and Severus talking softly in the background with Albus.

"How long have you known, Severus?" was asked from Albus.

"Just over a week. We were waiting to see how long we could get it by you that we knew what you'd been up to."

"What are you two men talking about?" Poppy asked, though Harry was sure Minerva would have if the Mediwitch hadn't.

Severus spoke, "Just watch Emma and you'll understand."

Harry tuned out the rest of their conversation and focused intently on Michael Turner. Once Harry was sure he had the necessary changes fixed in his mind, he began the process.

As he changed, he didn't hear the gasps that issued from Minerva and Poppy. Once the change was complete, Harry dropped Emma's voice and tried to modulate his to match more closely to his student's.

As he turned back to the others, he noticed the surprise and shock on the two women's faces.

"Who are you?" Minerva demanded.

Before Harry could voice his answer, Severus spoke for him. "Honestly, Minerva, take one guess as to who it could be? I know and Albus knows who it is, that should help narrow down your options."

Minerva looked closely at Harry, but could only see Michael Turner standing before her where once Emma Malsby had been. But as she looked into Harry's eyes, realized that the person truly did need glasses, and took in the face that was trying to squash a crooked grin, she beamed and shouted with joy, "Harry!"

Before Harry knew anything, he was being hugged within an inch of his life.

Then just as quickly, she released him and turned with a stern expression on her face towards Albus, "Why didn't you tell me? I could have been trusted with this information. Shame on you Albus Dumbledore."

Minerva cornered Albus and harangued him for his deceit, while Poppy gave Harry an affectionate hug of welcome as well, and left Harry to Severus's care.

"I would give you a kiss for luck, Harry, but seeing you masquerading as one of my students keeps me from going anywhere near you."

"That's okay, Severus, I'll be back before you know it and then you can rain kisses on me to your heart's content," Harry replied back with his ever-present optimism.

"You should be going. The others have probably already finished breakfast and are gathering in the courtyard as we stand here. I'll follow at a distance as I chaperone, but try not to mingle too much with the other students," Severus stated firmly.

"Yes, Professor Snape," said Harry in Michael Turner's voice. "But before I go, I really do need you to cast the temporary eye-sight correction charm, as Mr. Turner doesn't wear glasses." Severus did as Harry requested, taking Harry's glasses to keep them safe. Then Harry talked briefly with Albus and Minerva before he left with possible plans of action once he was before the new Dark Lord. Albus told Harry they would have the Order waiting in the wings if they were needed. And with that, Harry left the infirmary with Severus hot on his heels, looking like thunder, and joined the other students as they prepared for their day in Hogsmeade.

A/N: I'm posting this in preparation for the temporary closure of HPFandom for this weekend and to give myself the chance to write the final chapter. It will be long and hopefully will satisfy everyone. So look for the last chapter on Monday. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. And thanks go to Magdelena for beta read. Any errors that remain are my own.