Harry ran, keeping close to the trees so he wouldn't catch the attention of the Dementors. His lungs burned and his mouth was so parched it hurt to swallow. If the Dementors spotted him he was sure to end up with the kiss before anyone could find him. The thought of Severus kept him going even with his leg blazing in sharp pain and his body shaking with the after effects of the Cruciatus. A smile came to his face when he thought about the battle. He had done it, he had killed Voldemort! No way would he stop fighting now.

He figured he was about two miles from the graveyard when he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. The chill swept through his entire body. He stopped by a giant boulder and looked up in the sky. Two Dementors flying above the trees! Were there more?

He could hear the sounds of a rushing river and tried not to think of how thirsty he was. The Dementors were circling the area above him almost as if they sensed he was there but not sure exactly where. If he could just make it to the river then he could follow it down until he reached a town of Muggles. His leg throbbed with raw pain but he knew he had to keep going. The tall pine trees provided good coverage from the Dementors. They must not be able to sense his exact location through the magic the trees provided. He made his way down to the river looking forward to a cool drink.

He bent down to cup a handful of water, never noticing a long slippery arm snaking up to him until it was too late. The arm wrapped around his leg and yanked him into the frigid water. He fought against the slippery thing holding him under. His wand was stuck in his back pocket but the tentacle from the creature had snaked around his entire body now. Harry panicked as he fought to get air. His foot connected with something and the tentacle let up for a moment. That was all he needed to grab hold of his wand.

He shot a rapid succession of reducto curses at the creature until it slowly sunk deeper into the river. He tried swimming toward the edge but the current was too strong. He was being carried down the river so quickly that all he could do was keep his head above water. The frigid water was unyielding as it trapped him in the powerful current. He couldn't remember any spells that would help him out of this situation.

The roar of the waterfall could be heard before he even saw the edge of the rushing river. He couldn't see over the edge but knew it would be a long way down. He tried with all his might to swim to the edge, grabbing at anything that was floating by. The edge neared closer until he felt himself plunging headlong down the waterfall!

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Severus held his wand out shouting, "Point me - Harry Potter!" Nothing happened. The wand didn't move or even quiver with magic. What did that mean? Was it possible the boy was …No! No, he couldn't even let his mind go down that road.

He was mildly aware of Molly Weasley sitting on the ground, rocking back and forth as her husband tried to comfort her without success. He couldn't concern himself with the Weasley's right now, he had enough distress just thinking about his son.

Shacklebolt looked pretty shaken up over the scene but quietly said, "I'll check the training camp, Severus. See if the kids made it out of here." He apparated from the graveyard but came back just a few short moments later with Tupin in tow.

Tupin ran towards Molly, "She's safe Molly, Ginevra is safe! Come see for yourself."

Molly looked up with so much hope, so much yearning at hearing those words.

"My baby's safe? My Ginny's safe!" Molly couldn't let herself believe it yet, she had to see with her own eyes. "Take me to her! Take me to my Ginny!" Shacklebolt held onto Molly and Arthur's arms. They apparated out of the graveyard with a loud pop.

"Wait!" Severus yelled at Tupin before she left too. He had a tiny wisp of hope. "Is Harry with her? Is Harry back at the camp as well?"

He knew the answer before the Auror spoke. Her look said it all.

"Sorry Severus. Only Ginevra portkeyed in. She had this around her toe," Tupin answered with regret as she held out the silver and red ring. "She was suffering from the Imperio but the spell broke all on its own." Tupin looked at the bodies on the ground, eyes falling on Voldemort's empty red eyes. Now she knew why the spell suddenly broke on its own. "Professor Dumbledore is trying to perform Legilimens on her. She doesn't remember a thing."

Severus took hold of the ring as a lump formed in his throat. Yes, it would be just like the altruistic boy to give away his one chance to escape this dreadful place. Why did the exasperating boy exhibit so many irritating Gryffindor qualities? A bit more of the Slytherin self preservation would have been just fine with him.

Several ministry Aurors apparated into the graveyard with Shacklebolt. Within five minutes the place was crawling with excited ministry officials. Harry's name was being spoken as if he was a hero.

Severus stood stock still amongst the hullabaloo, trying to come up with a plan to find his son. He watched as Draco knelt next to his dead father, crying for all he was worth. Poor boy knew he was partly to blame for the death. After all, the Slytherin had been the one to lead Harry here.

Shacklebolt cleared his throat and Severus became aware of a group of Aurors looking at him.

"Yes," the potion master answered in a lifeless tone of voice.

Shacklebolt indicated towards the large group, "We're ready to begin the search Severus."

Yes, a search party would be a good place to start. Severus nodded his head and listened as the search party began to strategize. He forced himself to snap out of his defeatist attitude and come up with a plan to get his son home. The thought of loosing the boy was too painful to let himself dwell on any longer.

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Harry felt his stomach drop as he was plunged down the waterfall. He was thrust down into the cold murky water and his lungs burned with the need for air. He struggled to the surface as the roaring river forced him further down into the dark forest. The further into the forest he went the darker and colder it became. He was floating now and could have made it to the edge if only he had enough strength to swim. He was so dizzy, so lightheaded and so very cold. As hard as he tried he couldn't get his body to obey. His world swiftly became dark as he lost consciousness.

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The Aurors tried casting tracking charms but the area was so immersed in dark magic that it did not work. Shacklebolt dispatched the ever increasing group of Aurors and Unspeakables into the haunted forest. They all had ways to communicate in case anyone found any sign of Harry.

Severus started out into the forest when a thought struck him. Without telling anyone his plan he apparated back to Snape Manor. He quickly made his way into the house and called forth Hedwig. The snowy white owl flew down the stairs and silently landed on the professor's arm.

"Accio Firebolt," Severus loudly commanded and Harry's broom came floating down the stairs. He quickly took the bird and the broom and apparated back to the graveyard.

Severus quietly spoke one command to the white bird, "Find Harry."

The bird pecked at his ear then took off, flying high over the haunted forest. Severus followed on the Firebolt, hoping his plan would succeed.

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Harry woke up on the bank of a very beautiful lake. The lake water was rainbow hued and surrounded by colorful trees and bright vibrant flowers. The most amazing statues of every species surrounded the magical rainbow pond. He stood up on shaky legs, walking around looking at the statues.

The most interesting statue was of a man in tattered clothes with a sad expression on his face as he hugged his legs. The others were of magical creatures that almost looked frozen in time. Harry touched the statue of a threstral that looked to be curled up with its legs tucked under him. It was hard like stone but colder than ice.

This was the most beautiful place he had ever seen but also the coldest place he had ever been to. He sat down shivering in his wet clothes. The sun was almost set and the air was becoming more frigid by the minute. Harry took off his shirt and cloak then reached for his wand to cast a drying spell. His wand wasn't in his back pocket! He checked everywhere but his wand was gone.

The sun set and snow appeared out of nowhere. Freezing cold air whipped around the teen, sending shivers through his body. He put his wet shirt and cloak back on and looked for a way out of there. He stood up but his head spun and he had to sit back down again. His head felt so heavy, like it was made of stone. He tried to crawl towards a cave but he didn't get very far. The cold seeped into his bones making him shiver uncontrollably. He quickly felt himself going in and out of consciousness.

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Severus followed Hedwig for a few miles before the bird began circling a wide area high up over the trees.

"Where is he Hedwig? Go find him," Severus urged as he spotted a few Dementors off in the far west. Hurry up you pesky bird. He knew Harry would become even more vulnerable as the darkness brought out all the evil creatures that lived in these woods. He hoped the rumor of vampires existing in the forest was a falsehood.

When the bird continued circling the large area, Severus made up his mind to search on foot. Obviously the bird would be of no further assistance at this point. Perhaps the forest was filled with to much dark magic. He landed in a clearing and made his way into the forest. Hedwig flew by his side, stopping whenever he stopped. The area was too large; there were too many places to hide. With a feeling of dread overwhelming him, Severus pushed onward.

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Harry had to get out of here before he passed out for good. If he fell asleep in this frosty area he knew he would never wake up. In a horrible realization he knew the statues surrounding the lake were once alive. The magical lake had claimed them as her own and froze them to be forever still. He could hear the river calling to him, with a soft whisper to stay.

Harry shook his head and tried to keep from slipping from reality. "No!" he shouted out, "Leave me alone!"

But the spirit of the lake was relentless, calling upon the snow and wind to become ever more bitter.

He tried again to stand but immediately fell to his knees. He could no longer feel his legs. Where was his wand? He must have lost it in the plunge down the waterfall. He felt around his pockets once more, forgetting that he already checked there. He felt the flat cold surface of the mirror Severus had given him and pulled it out.

Would it work this far from the school? Was Severus even alive? He had kept his thoughts from drifting to the reality that his father may have died during the attack at Diagon Alley. He lifted the mirror to his face. He could see his lips were nearly blue and icicles had formed along his hair.

"Dad?" Harry whispered in a croaky voice while looking into the mirror. "Severus can you hear me?"

The wind pushed harder, seeping into his very bones. Harry curled up into his wet cloak and thought of the statue of the man huddled in a ball. Would he end up frozen into a sculpture like that man?

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Severus had just finished searching a cave then decided to head down to the river he was hearing roaring off to the west. A soft voice made him stop dead in his tracks. Was he yearning so hard to see his son safely home that he begun to have delusions? The voice sounded like Harry had called to him! He reached in his pocket and pulled out the now quivering mirror. For the briefest moment he caught sight of Harry's face. The boy's lips were blue and he looked to be struggling to stay awake.

"Harry! Son, where are you!" Severus yelled into the mirror, berating himself for not trying to contact him this way earlier.

"Dad, I n-n-need you," came a whisper soft voice. And the image of Harry came into focus.

Severus could see that Harry was struggling to keep his eyes open and his face was looking blue.

"Harry, I'm here. Tell me where you are?" Severus asked his voice fraught with worry.

Harry felt his eyes getting heavier as the cold took hold of him. He knew he wasn't going to make it now.

"W-w-waterfall, s-s-statues, help me," the freezing teen managed to say just before his head hit the icy ground. He held onto the mirror for dear life, holding it before his face so he could see his father.

"Stay alert and talk to me," Severus commanded sternly. He watched as his son closed his eyes, then the mirror went blank.

Severus jumped on the Firebolt once again, flying faster than ever before. He flew high above until he spotted the river. He followed it down to the waterfall. The thought of his son falling down the giant waterfall forced his heart to beat faster.

Severus followed the waterfall down and saw that there were several waterways where it ended. He didn't take the first two because they led into the biggest open lakes. He took the next one and found it ended in a swampy lake. He followed it out then held the mirror before his face once more.

"Harry? Wake up!" A blurry image of Harry appeared in the mirror. His son was shaking uncontrollably by now and Severus knew that frostbite was not far from setting in.

"D-dad? I d-did it! I k-killed V-Voldemort!" Harry exclaimed with chattering teeth. He had to let his father know he had succeeded before he slipped away.

"Indeed. Voldemort never stood a chance," Severus choked out with emotion as he maneuvered the broom further down the river. He saw the small smile on his son's face.

Harry suddenly felt the magical lake take a strong hold once more but this time he didn't have the energy to fight it. With ever increasing exhaustion he struggled to say goodbye. He didn't want to leave his father, he didn't want to cause the only person he ever truly trusted, to have pain in his life but he knew he wasn't strong enough to fight any longer. With an aching heart he forced the words out of his mouth.

"I'mm not g-goin t' mmake it d-dad," Harry's teeth chattered uncontrollably. He felt his energy being drained after all he had been through. "Th-thank y-you f-for e-everything. L-love you," He managed to say before succumbing to the strong hold and closing his eyes. He didn't want to leave Severus on his own but the thought of seeing his parents again was starting to pull him away. He could see his mum's face and almost feel those arms wrap around him like when he was a baby.

The magical lake now had a tight hold on Harry that he couldn't get away from. Within seconds it would be too late. The iciness seeped further into his body making his breathing become more labored. Every breath burned his struggling lungs with frigid air.

Severus' heart raced, he knew his son was dying, he could feel it in his soul. "No! Harry James Potter you listen to me now! Don't you dare let yourself slip away. Sit up this instant!" Severus yelled in a choked up voice, his mind filled with panic.

Harry struggled to hear his father but the glacial air tried to keep the words away from him. His mother's presence was felt but instead of welcoming him he knew she wanted him to fight harder. Her spirit was telling him to not give up.

His mind tried to reach out to her, in his head he was screaming, 'I can't mum, please I can't fight anymore. I did what I was supposed to. Please let me come.' He was so tired, so very tired. Couldn't he just rest now, didn't he deserve to rest?

He felt his mum push him back into the living. His heart filled with mixed emotions. Part of him resented being turned away by his own mum but the other part of him didn't want to leave his new father alone. With that push from his mum came a small spark of energy that seeped deep within his soul. Her feelings were understood, 'It is time for you to live.' Simple, that statement but with so much hardship and sacrifice behind it. His parents had given their lives so he could live.

"Harry James Potter, you will not die!" Severus yelled in a strangled sob. He was more determined than ever to reach Harry before it was too late. Without Harry, his life would be empty, void of all that was good.

"Harry, do you hear me!"

With a suddenness Harry startled awake. His parents were gone and this time for good. His heart cried out for them to come back, take him with them. Gone was the warm feeling deep in the core of his heart. He knew they wanted him to stay and he was alone once again. He struggled against the magical pull of the lake, not wanting to disappoint his parents or Severus. With renewed vigor he pushed towards consciousness. He wasn't alone, he still had Severus. He had to have hope that he would survive this and struggled with everything he had to answer his father's call.

"Y-yes sssir," Harry forced himself to uncurl and sit up with the tiny bit of renewed strength that had come from his mum. It hurt so terribly to move, his whole body protested but he knew he had to try.

Severus could see that his son was no longer lying in the snow. With a shock he knew why Harry had the energy to fight again; Lily. He could feel her presence now. She was helping Harry and helping him too. He heard her message loud and crystal clear, 'Take care of Harry. His job is done, now it is his turn to live.'

Then the gentle presence was gone, leaving him with an overwhelming responsibility that he willingly accepted.

He would not fail Lily. She had entrusted him with the greatest gift you could give to another person.

With a renewed vigor and spark of hope Severus shouted, "Harry, look around and tell me what you see?"

When Harry didn't respond for a minute Severus raised his voice and used the harshest voice he could muster, "Do not let go! Do you hear me son?"

Harry focused on the voice pulling him from confusion and looked around before answering, "Yess sssir, I see a r-rain-bow r-r-iver, t-tall yyellow t-treess," that was about as much as he could say before the next rush of wind fought to keep a hold on him. He fought against it, with one thought in his mind; I can't let my father down.

Hedwig began to beat her wings frantically and suddenly let out a loud succession of hoots! Severus followed her as she dodged between trees. Yellow trees!

As fast as they could fly they headed down the river. Severus could feel the cold creep into his skin as he followed Hedwig further down the river. He knew they were heading in the right direction. The river snaked around a large bend and plunged again. Now he could see the water was changing into a rainbow hue. The cold was almost unbearable and he felt pained for what his son was going through.

After fighting his way through a heavy clump of trees that almost knocked him off his broom, he broke through and flew over the rainbow lake that Harry had described. He could see several statues scattered around the lake. Then he spotted a dark figure lying in a heap on the ground. He swooped down to the snow covered ground and gently pulled his son close.

"Harry! Harry open your eyes!" Severus yelled with emotion. The boy didn't move but the Potion Master could feel he was still alive. He pulled his wand out and cast a very light heating charm across Harry, not wanting to harm his frozen skin. If he heat him up too quickly the boy would go into shock.

The teen didn't move. Severus quickly searched his cloak for a potion to get the boy's body working once more. He had brought along a host of potions not ever expecting to be using any of them on his own son. He held onto Harry with one arm around his shoulders and poured the contents of the vial through his parted lips with the other. It took a moment for the potion to take effect but finally there was movement in Harry's limbs.

"Open your eyes Harry!" Severus yelled out and saw the boy stir.

Harry groaned in agony as he felt his skin come back to life with the heating charm. His skin burned so dreadfully he wanted to scream. He wanted to let himself drift back into oblivion once again.

"Harry, look at me!" Severus shouted in his most ominous voice. He felt his son flinch in his arms and struggle to obey.

Harry heard the command and tried to open his eyes. He didn't give up. He forced his eyes to open and saw his father staring back at him. He felt like he was on fire. Everything was burning hot. "Y-yes sir," Harry managed to say.

The boy wasn't gone; he was trying to fight for his life. Severus felt a surge of love and protectiveness he didn't know he was capable of feeling.

"Good Harry, well done my boy," Severus said softly as he held him tighter. Hedwig flew around them, flapping her wings and squawking loudly.

The potion coursed through Harry's body beginning the task of warming him up from the inside out. The pain was close to unbearable but it also meant he could feel his arms and legs once again. His mind began to clear making him more aware of his surroundings. He could hear a loud squawk that pulled him further into reality.

It took Harry a moment to comprehend what the noise was but it finally occurred to him that it was Hedwig making all that fuss! A small smile spread across his face at the thought of his old companion making noise once again. He felt his father's strong arms lift him up and hold him close and it was at that moment he knew that both he and Hedwig were going to be okay.

His thoughts were confirmed when he heard his father's soothing voice whisper out, "Exceedingly well done. I am so very proud of you, son."

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The End

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