Title: "Remember (Part Two)"
Authoress: Mistress Vamp
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Summary: Always remember.
Rating: R (M)
Warnings: Mention of Mpreg, Character Death, Attempted Suicide, OOCness
Disclaimer: I'm not JKR. I wish I were, though. I am merely using the characters for my own twisted and perverted pleasures. Inspired by Josh Groban's "Remember Me" from the Troy soundtrack. Mary Elizabeth Frye wrote and owns the poem used at the top. No copyright infringement intended. I needed it for my story.
Authoress Notes: This is for Katie (quixotichope) who requested Harry/Severus; hurt/comfort/first time; Harry is insecure and he needs someone (Severus) to show him that he's worth something. Rating anywhere from pg-13 to nc-17. Thank you for answering my 'FmNbLe' song lyric challenge, love. I hope you like this.
Beta: Shannon (shannon730 on LJ)
Word Count: 1,198 ((Does not include -0-0- symbols or 'The End'))
Written on: August 8, 2005
Special Note: POV's change between each -0-0-0-0- breaker.
Special Thank You Note: A very special thank you to my beta, Shannon, who read through this little three-part fic in its entirety and help me piece it together to make sense. I hope you all enjoy this version better than the last!
Do not stand at my grave and forever weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and forever cry.
I am not there. I did not die.
by: Mary Elizabeth Frye
-0-0-0-0-
((Italics are flashback))
Harry's eyes bolted open as he sat upright in the chair in front of the fireplace, his face covered in a cold sweat and his body shaking from the memories of that night. Raising his hand slowly, Harry covered his face as he took several rigid breaths to try and calm his breathing. For months now, he had been trying to heal past what happened, but even if things were starting to look like he had a bit of hope, he still couldn't forget that night.
-0-0-0-0-
"No."
"Harry, please."
"No!"
Soft eyes had shut briefly at the word, tears falling gently. The figure in the bed reopened her eyes to look at the man she had been friends with since their very first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As she looked at him, she thought back to the many adventures they had faced together. From the troll that was let in during their Halloween Feast all the way through their final adventures in their seventh year.
-0-0-0-0-
He had done what Hermione had asked him to do without second thought. He had pulled the plug on the machine that was helping his friend stay alive. Why? Because she had asked him to do so. Or perhaps he knew that she was right and because if she had gone on that way, she would have suffered worse than Ron had. Ron, his second friend coming into the wizarding world, had been killed in the final battle against Voldemort. He had been hit with the killing curse by a Death Eater. That particular Death Eater had paid the price. Harry had taken revenge destroying the Dark Lord and nearly all who had followed him.
-0-0-0-0-
Harry looked at her as his eyes connected with hers, knowing what he had to do, but refusing to realize it was the right thing to do. This was something unfair that was being asked of him, but he knew, even if he refused to believe it, that this would put this person to peace. He had first lost his best male friend, now, not even six weeks later, he was going to be the one to request the death of his best female friend.
"Hermione..."
Hermione gave a slow smile, her eyes shutting just a little. "Please, Harry. It's been so long since I've been able to see him," she whispered as she reopened her eyes to look at him. "Let me go and be with him."
Sitting slowly in the chair beside the bed, Harry gently slipped his hand into hers, his eyes starting to plead with her. "Hermione, you have no right to ask this of me."
"I know this, Harry, but I'm dying. I will not recover from these wounds. Even the mediwizards agree with the diagnoses of the muggle doctors and nurses. My time is short, Harry," she whispered a little lower as tears fell over her cheeks slowly. "Please. I don't want to die knowing I could have joined Ron sooner than later."
Harry raised his free hand and wiped the tears from her cheeks tenderly, his own tears falling without realization until she wiped his cheeks with her own trembling hand.
Hermione looked at him, giving him the softest of smiles. "You truly are a hero, Harry James Potter. You will always be the friend that Ron and I were so proud to have. I know you will try to join us, but I beg of you, please try to live on. We love you, Harry, but we don't want to see you in the next life until you are old and gray, and barely able to move. Promise me?"
Harry just looked at her for the longest of time then slowly nodded in agreement; he would keep the promise, though in his mind he knew he wouldn't be keeping it if he could help it. Hermione smiled gently and lowered her hand, placing it over his own to keep it trapped.
-0-0-0-0-
Absently rubbing his stomach, Harry was now breathing slow and deep, unfazed by the tears that fell from his eyes. He knew he had done the right thing by letting Hermione go, but that still didn't stop the nightmares that he knew would come when he closed his eyes. The only moments he didn't have them were the times he was against his mate.
-0-0-0-0-
"You have one free hand, Harry. Ron waits for me, as does our little one. I want to be with them, now. I'm ready."
Harry looked at her then shut his eyes tight, begging to Merlin that he would have the power to do what it was she asked of him. He raised his trembling hand to the pillow and grabbed it tightly, holding back his sobs as much as he possibly could. He could feel her body trembling and knew she was crying, but even though the word 'No' had been spoken from his mouth, his hand let go of the pillow and pulled the plug without a word.
As he sat sobbing and clutching his best friend's body, he never heard her final breath nor did he hear the doctors rushing in to check her. For what seemed like hours, screams of horror and agony rung through all the walls of the hospital.
What appeared the next day in the Daily Prophet had all wizards and witches talking about it for years to come.
-0-0-0-0-
Thinking about his mate, Harry's eyes shut and a small smile pulled at the edge of his lips. He immediately felt at peace, remembering the night his children had been made.
-0-0-0-0-
Harry lay spooned against the side of the snarky Potions professor, Severus Snape, as they gently and tenderly brushed their fingers over each other's naked bodies. Smiling gently, Harry nuzzled Severus' neck and cuddled a little closer.
Severus, who never allowed anyone to see the caring side of him, smiled a rare soft smile and held his beloved, Harry, a little closer. Bending his head slightly, he brushed a kiss over his neck and pushed him tenderly to his back, Severus slid slowly inside of his mate. Harry's body arched and his legs went around his lover's waist, rocking his hips to match the rhythm his mate was going. As their dance increased, each reached ecstasy and soon panting to regain their breath once again.
Harry's eyes opened gently and he moved his hands from Severus' back to his face, pushing the hair back from his face. He smiled very softly and raised his head, brushing his lips against those of the Potions Master. He looked into the gleaming onyx eyes and smiled even more, earning the rare soft smile of the professor to a full, broad smile.
"I love you, Severus," Harry had whispered.
"And I you, Harry James Potter."
As the two tenderly kissed, they relished in the glow that they would be together for as long as they could possibly wish.
-0-0-0-0-
Harry's eyes opened when he heard the sound of someone coming into the chambers, his lips forming a brilliant smile as he looked at the man who had given him a chance at hope.
Severus Snape.
To be Continued...