Disclaimer: None of this is mine.

Hi again. Guess what it is! Give up? I posted a new chapter earlier than I thought I would. Yeah me. Anyways, quite tired here, but very excited about Christmas, and am so happy I decided to bring myself down a notch and write a sort of depressing chapter. (Well, you'll see). So, glad that you all liked my last chapter. I tried to make it long, but it just got too boring when I did that, so I had to stick to a shorter version. I'll try my best to make this one longer, although I am never sure how that will work out.

Thank you all for the wonderful reviews last time. I would like to leave messages for you all, but I haven't the time. Sorry again about the cliffhangers, but I can't help it. I enjoy it too much.

Chapter 9: My Paradise

"Severus," a kind voice called into the dark expanse where Snape seemed almost to be waiting for something to happen. He had been in this dark but calming place every since he had arrived back at Grimmauld Place. It was the most relaxing place he had ever been, and even though it was just a dark expanse to him, it was the most wonderful place he could remember. Here, he was free. It was almost completely silent, free from all noise but the soft sound of violins in the background, and only recently the faint, familiar voice trying to call him away.

In Snape's paradise, there was only blissful nothing. No pain, no spying for either side, no one to get on his nerves, even. The place could only be described as beautiful. It was in a wooded area, the sunlight almost completely covered by the trees. There was green foliage all around, and a soft breeze that came through the treeline. Here, he was at peace, if not for the persistent voice calling his name. He wanted nothing more than to tell it to go away, and yet he found that he had no voice.

The voice became clearer, and his forest became more foggy, as though a mist were settling over it. It became brighter in his woods, and eventually the trees were lost in the shine of light. That was when Severus Snape opened his eyes again to the waiting world, his paradise gone, and in it's place the faces of those in the Hogwart's hospital wing.

Harry, meantime, was in a place all his own. He was sitting near a warm fire, as snow fell softly outside a window. He held a mug of warm cider in his hand, and the room smelled of cinnamon and pine needles. He turned and saw two figures standing near a Christmas tree. One was a woman with beautiful long hair, and the other a man, who looked remarkably like him, only older. Each of his parents were smiling happily, as if they were any other normal family in the world. The place was lit with candles, so he was in a wizarding home with his family, like he always should have been raised in. He was home.

He heard a voice in the room that belonged to neither of his parents, but he chose to ignore it. It was too distant to be concerned with. For now, all he wanted was to enjoy his time with his family. Family. How nice a word it was, and to say that he had one. He wanted so much to say something to his parents, but he found no words would form in his throat. Instead, they seemed to understand each other without speaking. His parents went over to where he was, reached around him with their arms, and pulled him into a warm embrace, where he would have liked to stay forever.

"I don't know when he'll wake up, Headmaster," Poppy said to Dumbledore, as they stood over Harry's bed. "Professor Snape was not as injured, so it was not as hard to awaken him. But Potter, his wounds run deeper than I can heal at the present time. He is very injured. The only way he will survive this is of his own will."

"He is a fighter, Poppy," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "He will pull through, as he always does." Somehow, though, he was not sure.

"I love you so much," his mother whispered into his ear as they family withdrew from their embrace. These were the first words anyone had spoken since his arrival. There was a knock on the door, and it opened to reveal a tall and handsome man standing in the doorway. It was Sirius. "Harry!" Sirius said in surprise. He strides over and gives Harry a brotherly hug. They are all together now: All the people Harry ever truly loved and considered family.

The time he spent there seemed an eternity, and yet it seemed seconds. They spoke often of times in school, and of the things they had all done together before Harry was born. He was told of adventures by the Marauders, and the conflicts the Order had had with Voldemort and his death eaters. But mostly, they spoke of happier times. One day, sitting with the three adults he admired in life, he asked them a simple question. "Can I stay here forever?"

His mother's face changed from a smile to a frown, and she looked thoughtful for a moment before anyone answered. "No, son, you can't," his father answered.

"But why? I'm happier here then I ever am down there."

"We know. And we also know that we wish you could stay here too."

"Then why not?"

"You still have a life to live, Harry," Sirius said. "Your friends are so worried about you. Not only that, but there is a job you must accomplish."

"What? The prophecy? Can't someone else kill him? Why me? Why is it always me?"

"It has to be someone," his mother said quietly.

"Where is this, anyway? Is it heaven?"

"Yes and no," James said. "This is your paradise. It is the place where you are happiest. It is only temporary. It will be gone once you return."

"Wait! So, are you all really here? Are you real?"

"Yes, Harry, we are real," Lily said. "We are only here temporarily for you. We are here to keep you company, so you are not alone and afraid while here. It is a terrible place to be alone in."

"How much longer do I get to stay?"

"You are leaving soon," Sirius said. "The time is coming when you will be needed again, and you must be prepared first."

"So I have to go."

"Yes," Lily said.

"Why do you have to leave me?"

"We are not leaving you, Harry," Lily said sadly. "We never left you. We are always there for you. In the times you thought you were alone, you never were. You are always under our watch."

"Do I come back here when I die?"

"I do not know. I don't know the future, Harry. None of us do."

"How do you know I will succeed in fulfilling the prophecy then?"

"We have faith in you," Sirius said. "You are a very powerful wizard. Never doubt yourself."

"Good-bye, son," James said, embracing his son.

"I love you," Lily said, hugging him next.

Sirius then came, giving another brotherly hug. "I do miss you," Sirius said. "You are so much like James."

Harry stepped back. He looked with admiring eyes at the three icons in his life. Slowly, the whole scene began to fade. He felt dizzy, and when he opened his weary eyes again, he was in Hogwart's infirmary. No one was around when he first glanced around. He turned his head over, and saw Snape sitting up two beds down from his. Snape looked at him in surprise. Harry closed his eyes slowly, and his only thought was "Merlin save me! It's like I can't escape from him!"

Please r/r. sorry so short. Next one will be longer. This one just gives you an idea.