Awaken Before the Emerald Dawn

By: T-i-e

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary of last chapter: Back in the present Severus Snape sees the effect of Harry's meddling in the past, and needless to say, is not pleased.

Author's note: Thank you for all the reviews, and threats, they really do keep me going. And without further ado this is your chapter .

Chapter 12

Meddling old coots!

Harry awoke in the hospital wing, he was surprised he awoke at all really. He groped for his glasses and sat up, running his fingers through his untidy hair. This really wasn't what he thought death would be like… He felt very much alive, which would mean, that he failed once again, he was caught in this existence once more. There seemed to be no escaping it. Why would such a thing cling to him!

He looked down to his wrists and saw the pale scars, barely visible and then the striking, vivid red scar down his palm. Now that he couldn't ignore. He didn't remember doing that to himself. It was still fresh, unlike his wrists which were closed and healed.

The nurse bandaged his hand slowly. "I'm glad to see you're awake Harry.", she said, though didn't really sound happy at all. He supposed he had let her down in a way… let everyone down. But that didn't explain how he arrived here.

Dumbledore soon walked into the room, as if hearing Harry's questions. "Ah, Mr. Winters, so good to see you up.", he said, though he, like the nurse, didn't sounds all that happy, at least, he sounded disappointed. Probably in the fact that he was here in the first place, not of the fact that he survived.

"There are some things we need to discuss…", he said with a nod. He motioned over to the bed next to him. Harry hesitantly looked over to see Severus, cold and pale, laying there. He blinked in shock. "Severus? How did… Is he alright?" Dumbledore slowly shook his head. "I will have to say no, Harry. He is dying and there is nothing we can do to stop it. His body is giving out… he poured all of his energy and life into saving you…", he said slowly.

Harry looked at Dumbledore as if he had grown another head. Severus had sacrificed himself… for him? He shook his head. No! Not another one! He rushed over to the bed and held Severus' hand. "C'mon Snape! You can't do this!"

Severus was barely breathing, struggling with every breath. Harry let his head fall on his chest, listening to the light heartbeat. It wasn't strong, so Dumbledore was right. Severus was indeed dying. "What can I do?", he whispered as he clung to him, holding his uninjured hand. "I can't let him die, professor!", he whined.

Dumbledore sighed and nodded slowly. "There is very little that can be done… It's a loosing battle…" Harry shook his head as he slapped Severus across the face. "I WON'T LET YOU DO THIS TO ME!", he screamed.

"Must you always be such a drama queen Potter?", came a voice. Harry opened his eyes and looked down at Severus. No… he was still out cold… but he recognized that drawl. He looked behind him and saw the imposing figure of Severus Snape, twenty some years older than the one he was holding and very much angry. "That will probably bruise. Don't you think you've done enough?", he snarled as he walked over and looked at his younger self.

Time seemed to have stop except for Severus, well the two of them and Harry. Dumbledore and the nurse looked stopped in mid-sentence or worried glance and weren't even breathing. Snape was rather proud of himself. At least HE wouldn't be meddling.

The sense of pride wore off as he reached the bed. Severus couldn't believe he was looking down at his sixteen year old self. It was surreal to say the least. He ran his fingers down his cheek, through his hair and felt the life draining out of him, pouring into Potter. He shook his head. He had been foolish to say the least. Some of the memories were returning to him now. He remembered his love for the "Winter" boy, and how they were so much alike… how he loved to look into those emerald eyes.

As if wanting to see for himself, he looked at Harry, and so those eyes brimming with tears. He shook himself… he could see how his younger self would fall in love with him… he could feel himself drawn to the other boy… but that's all he was… a boy. He shook his head. No. He would not become lost in memory. He had to save himself… though he wasn't quite sure how…

He tipped a vial into his younger self's mouth and watched him swallow. That should help, buy him a few hours that he would need to come up with something. He sat down and watched them. Something must be done… how could he get his life back…

Dumbledore watched the three of them, still frozen in time but, his eyes filled with sorrow, though there was a slight twinkle in his eye. The old coot knew something… But then he always did… Why he didn't voice the idea was maddening? And so Snape, being Snape, took matters into his own hands and decided to perform a bit of Legillemence. He would probably be scolded in the future for it should he be caught, but it was worth it.

He forced his mind onto Dumbledore and soon, far too easily, he found himself swimming in the man's thoughts. He saw images and faces zoom by as he tried to find the one he wanted. There he was his teenaged self and the Potter brat together. He couldn't make out much of what Dumbledore was thinking at the time, but one word did come up, loud and clear. Bond.

Severus pulled back quickly with this revelation. A Bond… Well…. He supposed it could work… It would work wonderfully actually. It would save his life and probably make him stronger… Which made all the more sense to do… But there was a nagging feeling, his Slytherin voice, warning him against such an action. Being tied down to the boy who ruined his life? Another voice, much lighter, argued for the boy. This boy had brought them some kind of happiness he never remembered being there… He was salvation.

Snape closed his eyes and shook his head. "There is something you can do…", he said softly. Harry looked up, his eyes red from crying. Ah yes, the old man wouldn't meddle… but he would get someone else to.

"There is a spell that would save Severus' life… Make him stronger.", Snape said softly. Harry nods. "I'll do anything!", he said, with such conviction, Severus was surprised. "A bonding spell… It will allow you to share the energy he gave you… You would keep him alive, just as he is keeping you alive… But… there is a catch… Bonding isn't something you do lightly. It's like marriage, Harry… You can never be with anyone else… He would be your mate… not even death would keep you apart for long… Its very old, very complex magic…"

Now it was Harry's turn to be surprised. Was Snape asking him to marry him to save his life? Forsake all others, blah blah blah? Snape rolled his eyes. "I am not asking for marriage Potter!", he snarled. "It's just the best plan I have. It's the most logical course of action to keeping both of your little self-sacrificing, suicidal, death-wishing asses alive!"

Harry watched him stunned before his eyes lowered to the ground in shame. "Oh… Well… I'll do anything to save him… I… I love him.", he said, almost too softly for Snape to hear. The words caught the cold man off-guard. "You do realize, he will turn into me one day, right?", he asked as if it was impossible to believe.

The boy simply looked up at him and smiled a small, sad grin. "Well, I suppose I will be use to it by then… I don't plan on going back just yet, professor… I… there's just a ruined world there… At least in this place I have friends and love…" Snape nodded slowly. He understood the temptations too well. "That won't last forever… staying in the past won't help you. The Dark Lord will find a way to fish you out and leave Severus all alone in the world as he was meant to be… But… if you bond to him.. he will know your thoughts, know where you are… and know that you love him… Maybe he won't be as bitter as I am…"

The idea alone was both frightening and relieving as he looked down at his younger self. Harry couldn't help but nod before looking back to Severus, taking his hand. "How do we do this?", he asked.

Snape took out his wand. "The bond can be undone… only if you want it to be undone badly enough to suffer the consequences… it will make you stronger and of course, keep him alive… Do you so choose this course of action?" Harry nodded. "Yes, please.", he replied softly.

The professor closed her eyes and started to chant in Latin, waving his wand in a figure eight motion. "To be bound through yours lives… For the good…" First, a rope of velvet was conjured and wrapped around Harry and Severus' hands. The boy watched, enjoying the feel of the soft fabric against his skin. "To be bound through the bad…" Next a rope, large and rough, wrapped around them, gripping him painfully.

A chain next shot out of Snape's wand and flew over and struck Harry in the chest, knocking the wind out of him as some of the length disappeared inside him. "To share one heart, ever connected…" The pain rushed through him like nothing he could remember feeling. He watched, in agony, as the other end disappeared into Severus. The body grew tense and jumped from the unexpected shock. "To love no other but he before you…" Next a collar formed around both boys, the length of chain, tying them together.

"Together, forever, death forgotten…" Leather, rope, chain and silk all rushed around them, binding them. Snape struggled to concentrate on the last words. "Together ye be bound… two lives, two minds, one heart, one love."

Harry's world seemed to crash around her, the edges darkening before being consumed. He fell, his head coushined against Severus' chest. Snape shook his head as he saw them, a strange warmth spreading through him. Perhaps… life wouldn't be so sad and lonely…. Now that he would have someone inside…

TO BE CONTINUED!

THANK YOU! For those just tuning in, welcome, for those who came back, Here's your update, finally! I know I know, six bloody months without a word, I didn't mean it, I'm soooo sorry. So this piece of fluff is just for you, but don't get cozy, its not over yet.

Snape: Awww they're in love. And you would ruin that?

TiE: Of course…

Snape: YOU RUTHLESS… You know how much work that spell was?

TiE: Oh… I know. But, we're all forgetting three very important things?

Snape: Such as?

TiE: Time… and… oh yeah… Voldemort… and wait… EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE BABY!

Snape: burning with anger I… hate… you…

TiE: But you'll love me eventually… I think… I hope… looks off skimming through ideas You know… unless you die… could happen…

Snape: fumes AVADA…