Writer: Azure K Mello
Title: A Bond Never Dies
Part: 128 of 132 or part 43 of Part Three
Words: 614
Harry waited on the couch for Severus to come home. Cedric had left several hours before after giving him a tight hug and whispering, "You'll be okay. And once it's all over we're going to have to discuss this again. Be safe, beautiful." And then out loud he said, "Can I come see you again?"
"Next week?" asked Harry.
"Great." And then he thanked James for dinner and told Remus he'd see him on Monday and left.
Now he was sitting with his head on his knees. James said, "Baby, why don't you go to bed?"
"Isn't Sevra coming home?"
"After the meeting, going back to school, and showering. Go to bed. I'll wake you."
"No. Because you won't wake me if he's beaten up. I want to see him."
Severus stumbled into the floo and said, "It's all set. If we're going to do this we need to move this week. Dumbledore has destroyed all the horcruxes. He's had spare time these last few years, especially since he hasn't had a troublemaker like Harry running around the school." Harry saw that the joke was meant to lighten the mood but Severus was limping so he barely attempted to sneer in response and instead took the man's arm and maneuvered him to sit down in the closest chair. "The Dark Lord will move in three nights to break into the Hall of Prophecy and hear it. We need to act before then."
"Is he still recruiting?" asked James. He wanted Harry to go to bed. He didn't want his son to hear him plot murder but he knew that Harry wouldn't go so he didn't even voice his wish.
"Yes." Severus nodded as he spoke already knowing what James would say.
James looked at the man he had hated for years and felt such fierce love for Severus Snape he could not voice it. "So we'll put you under the Imperius tomorrow night and make it look like an ambush. Plus that way you can fight on our side because you can claim it was the spell. If this ends poorly you'll get screwed later for incompetence but not for being a traitor. How many recruits can one person bring?"
"Three."
"Good, Remus," he turned to the wolf, "I'm sorry but you're out. We need someone here. We'll get Kingsley, he's good."
Remus nodded unhurt by being left out of the plan. If James died so would Sirius so it seemed obvious that to minimize the risk they should go together and protect each other while fighting side by side. Someone needed to be left for Harry and Severus was a spy first and foremost. Kingsley Shacklebolt would kick arse and take names, he was a clear choice for back up.
"Can we get Lucius in on this?" asked James, "He's damn good, and I'd like another ally."
"Hell, he can bring three more 'recruits'," Severus agreed.
"Sturgis Podmore, Mundungus Fletcher, and Hestia Jones," suggested Remus and James nodded.
James stood saying, "I should contact the others."
"No," said Remus, "I'll go, I'm also going to Royma see what he thinks. I'll be home soon." He left giving Severus a slow kiss and saying, "Sleep well, everyone." While his words addressed the room his eyes never left his lover's.
After Remus stepped into the floo Severus said, "I should leave too. I need to spend the night at school." He left quickly so only Harry, James, and Sirius remained.
Harry didn't look at hi parents as he said, "I suppose it's time for me to go to bed."
From where he stood Sirius could see the sheen on Harry's eyes but he said nothing.