Harry ends up spending most of the day fielding questions about what happened while he was gone and how he could honestly like the Potions Master

As it were, he hasn't had the chance to see the other man since lunch that afternoon, so he is overly glad to go to dinner. As he walks in, friends in tow, he immediately searches out Severus and locks eyes with him. Harry smiles, but doesn't receive one in return -not that he was really expecting one- but the look he does receive worries him

After sitting down, he fidgets while waiting for the food to appear, since they arrived a little early today

At seven, Dumbledore stands up and begins to speak, "I just have a few announcements before the food gets here. First, Miss Elizabeth Swanson has seemed to have misplaced the silver necklace that her parents gave her, and would like it back. So if anyone sees a silver rose pendent, kindly return it to her, myself, or any other staff member," He pauses, face falling before continuing, "And lastly, I'm going to need to see Harry Potter and Professors Snape and McGonagall in the side room. Immediately, if you please"

With that, Dumbledore claps twice and the food appears before he walks off to the room that Harry'd been brought to during his fourth year after being declared one of the representatives for the Tri-Wizard Tournament

"Good luck, Harry," Hermione says, chewing her bottom lip as he pushes himself up from the bench

He's the last to arrive and takes his place in between McGonagall and Dumbledore, across from Snape, forming a square of sorts

"I'm sure you're wondering what could possibly be urgent enough to interrupt dinner for," he attempts a weak smile, but it quickly fades as he notices the lack of cheer in the others faces, "I am afraid that there are two things that have gone against our plans. First off: Severus, "he turns slightly towards the man, "It has been brought to my attention, by our other Death Eater spy, that your cover has been blown. I'm sorry, Severus, but he knows you can't be trusted. You are not to answer any of his summons', and you are not to leave the ground unaccompanied"

"Other spy? What other spy?" Severus is most shocked and upset about this news

"Lucius switched sides two years ago. We decided it'd be best not to tell you"

"Why?" Severus asks, feeling betrayed and untrustworthy

"We figured it'd help you keep your guard up better. The last thing Lucius wanted was to endanger you with his switch"

Severus can't look Dumbledore in the eye, and his stomach is doing some weird things

"Severus, are you alright? You're swaying," Dumbledore tries to comfort him, but Severus pulls away abruptly

"I'm fine, Headmaster," He says icily, and Harry notices the wince Dumbledore performs at the tone, "I'm going to lie down," he says and sweeps out of the room before he can be stopped

Dumbledore sighs before turning to McGonagall, who looks ready to run after the man, same as Harry, "Let him go. He'll know the other news soon enough, anyway," and with that he turns to Harry, "I'm sorry, Harry, but Lucius has also informed me of multiple plans of attack, all designed to catch you off guard and kill you. So far, Voldemort refuses to enter the castle, but I fear it may not remain that way. With child Death Eaters here, it won't be long before e knows you're back, if he doesn't already "

Harry nods in understanding before the Headmaster continues, "Taking this into consideration, I feel that it'd be best to keep both you and Severus secured down in the dungeons at all times, where there is more protection from dark magic. Severus' rooms are safe. While Voldemort can likely undo any guards Severus has placed on the room -a side effect of the Dark Mark- every previous Potions Master has placed strong charms for protection as well, and he can't touch those. For once, Slytherin paranoia may be to our advantage"

"How long?" is all Harry manages to get out through the lump in his throat

"I don't know. Your things will be brought down later, but right now I think it'd be best for you to inform Severus of the changes"

Harry nods once more before moving to leave

"Oh, and Harry?" Dumbledore asks softly, causing the young man to look back over his right shoulder, "Try to tell him I'm sorry," the sorrow in the older wizards eyes is enough to cause Harry's heart slight pain

Harry wants to tell him Severus won't listen. Harry wants to tell him no. Harry wants to tell him to do it himself, but instead he only nods sadly in understanding again, saying only, "I'll try, Professor"

When Harry reaches Severus' chambers, he attempts to simply knock to get the other man to let him in, but it doesn't work

"Severus," he calls out, but receives no answer, "Severus, please open the door"

Still there is nothing. After a few more failed attempts, he begins to get worried. He stretches out his magic, somehow manipulating the wards enough to allow the door to open without the password

The sight that greets him once the door is ajar shocks him. There, on the plush carpet in front of the idle fireplace, lays the crumpled, sobbing form of his stoic Potions Master

"Severus," Harry hurries over to his side, dropping to his knees as the door is closed by his magic

"Severus," Harry whispers again, suppressing his own tears as he lifts the older man into his lap, "It'll be ok...it'll be fine"

Severus merely shakes his head in answer, "Yes it will," Harry persists, but feels awkward talking while Severus cries, so he stops and waits for the older man to compose himself

It only takes a few minutes, which Harry spends rocking Severus while carding his right hand through the others hair, before the older man is quiet

"Tell me what hurts the most," Harry whispers, knowing he always preferred direct questions instead of the general "what's wrong?"

It takes a few seconds before he receives an answer, "All that work...all those years, are wasted. I'm worthless now. Albus has no use for me anymore"

"Your years as a spy were hardly wasted, Severus. You helped the Order immensely with risking your life. Be thankful that you've lived this long and found out about the Dark Lord's knowledge before he could punish you"

"I have no worth now, though. You don't understand"

Harry pulls the man closer to him before lifting the others chin and saying forcefully, "You always have worth. You are the best Potions Master Hogwarts has seen for many a year. Not only that, but you're worth something to me"

"But that's just..." He begins, but Harry cuts him off

"Severus, I love you. I would die without you. Don't do anything rash. Please, I beg you"

Severus buries his head in Harry's chest, finding comfort there, "I won't...as long as you live, I won't"

"Thank you," Harry whispers, laying his head atop Severus'

They remain that way for about ten minutes before Severus speaks up, "What else did Albus want?"

"Seems the Dark Lord's planning multiple attacks to try and kill me again. Nothing new"

"Still, I should've been there for you"

"It's perfectly fine. It was nothing that I hadn't heard before"

"But still," Severus tries again

"It wasn't that information that shocked me or anything; it was more the other thing"

Severus pushes away from Harry, separating all contact except for his left knee touching Harry's right, "What other thing? He said only two"

"Well, this kind of goes with the other two"

"What is it, Harry? Tell me"

"We are, for an unspecified amount of time, to remain in your chambers. Together"

"Alone"

"Yes, that too," Harry smiles slightly

"Down here because...?"

"You live here and it's well protected due to all the previous Potions Masters casting such strong charms"

"I understand..."

"It won't be so bad," Harry smirks now

"No," Severus returns the smirk before moving onto all fours and crawling the short distance predatorily towards the other man, "I'm sure we can find something to occupy the time with," he whispers against Harry's lips before taking them in a bruising kiss

Terribly sorry, kiddies, but this chapter ends here. The kiss leads other places, and the other places will be described in detail, but it's too long for me to type up tonight and put in this chapter, so it's coming next. I have the day off tomorrow (Thursday), so hopefully I can type it up then and update whenever I'm satisfied with the reviews I receive

I'm incredibly sorry for the amazingly long wait you guys had to endure to get this chapter. I've been so busy with music things this whole month that it's been difficult to find time to even read fanfics sometimes. So I apologize profusely for that, but please don't leave me because of it

I hope you all liked this chapter!