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46 - Night Sky Is Calling

Severus walked his son down to the apartment so the boy could get some much needed sleep. He was grateful the students were now in class so they didn't risk running into to anyone in the hallways. They didn't talk until they reached Harry's bedroom.

Harry felt worn down by the time he stumbled through the doorway into his bedroom. He pulled off his robe and flung it across the foot of the bed. In a single tug he loosened his tie, and then sat down on the bed.

Severus pulled his wand out and spelled Harry's robe across the room to hang up in the armoire. He could tell that Harry was exhausted and silently berated himself for putting the boy through so much. He never should have pushed the boy so hard.

"Did any of those spells injure you?" Severus asked, noticing how pale the teen looked.

"No, I'm fine," Harry said as he rubbed the bruise on the back of his head.

Severus stepped forward and gently traced the bump on the back of Harry's head with his fingertips. "I've no excuse. You deserve better."

Harry grabbed his dad's hand and held it, "Don't say that … don't even think that. I can't blame you for wanting me to fight back. I'm sorry."

"Sorry? You did nothing wrong."

After a long moment, Harry whispered, "I- I'm sorry I have to leave you alone. I'm worried about you."

Severus clenched his eyes shut and squeezed his son's hand. He opened his eyes to see Harry struggling with his own emotions.

He never intended for the boy to worry over him.

"Get some sleep," Severus said before emotions took over completely. He let go of Harry's hand and pulled a chair to the side of the bed.

Harry settled himself on top of the covers after toeing his shoes to the floor. He put his glasses on the nightstand and leaned back against the pillows. He looked over to Severus, noticing how he seemed to be settling in. "Are you just going to sit there and watch me sleep? I'm okay, you know?"

"Silence. Go to sleep, Harry," Severus crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes at the boy.

"I'm okay, you know. I'm sure you have other things to do."

"I said silence. I am staying."

"It's going to be hard to sleep when I know you're just sittin there staring at me," Harry grumbled as his eyes started to shut on their own accord.

Severus leaned forward and pushed Harry's hair back off his forehead, "Impertinent boy."

Harry grumbled out something indecipherable. A moment later, he was softly snoring.

Severus dropped his head forward and leaned it upon the bed. His son would die. Voldemort, that malevolent creature, had managed to rise up from the grave and obliterate the life he had come to treasure!

He ran a thumb over Harry's scar, cursing the day it had been cast. Harry grimaced in his sleep before rolling over and curling into himself. Severus thought about that fateful day fifteen years ago that had forever changed the boy's life.

He stayed by his sleeping son as so many thoughts went through his mind. He would not give up hope. He must come up with a way to bring the boy back from the dead.

He had barely closed his eyes when a thought struck him like a bolt of lightning. Vespa had almost killed to get her hands on The Elixir Of Life! The Elixir of Life! Was there a way to alter the potion? The potion was meant to extend life, not bring someone back from the dead. Could there be a way to modify the potion to bring Harry back to life? Vespa had planned to modify the potion to make her younger, so possibly he could alter the potion too…?

He already knew that there was not much information available about the Elixir Of Life. Most Wizards did not even believe it existed. The potion had been made over a hundred years ago by his Grandfather and the main ingredient had been obtained from Goblins. That main ingredient was said to be made from a piece of Merlin's robes. And everybody knew that Merlin's robes were made by Goblin magic.

Severus spelled the covers out from under Harry to cover the boy up. His mind was reeling with possibilities on how he could alter the Elixir Of Life. With one final glimpse at his son, he swept from the bedroom with a glimmer of hope.

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Harry woke up with a searing pain in his scar. He clutched his head and used every last bit of energy he had to Occlude. Voldemort continued pushing to get in. He stumbled out of bed, and landed on the cold stone floor. He clenched his teeth tight to keep from screaming as he knelt on the ground.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity but was probably only ten minutes, the pounding stopped. He slumped to the floor and leaned against his bed. He knew that he hadn't been strong enough to keep Voldemort from stealing a bit more of his magic. He also knew that Voldemort was stronger than ever before. He felt that raw power radiating through his scar, coming from Voldemort's core of magic.

If Dumbledore was right about Voldemort getting strong enough to keep the killing curse from rebounding and killing him, then he would have to face him soon. He was getting weaker as Voldemort was getting stronger.

He didn't want to die. Not now, not when everything was just starting to get back to normal. His throat tightened up with emotion when he thought about leaving his friends behind. How would they react when they were told? He didn't want to have that conversation, but he knew he had to … and soon.

He couldn't hold back his tears when he thought about his dad. Severus had changed so much. He meant everything to him. The memory curse Severus had suffered had only made him realize just how much his dad had changed since last June.

Harry dropped his face into his hands and couldn't hold back the deep sob that escaped. His dad was going to be so lonely. Even if he asked his friends to come down and keep him company, he already knew what a disaster that would turn into. He couldn't picture Severus hanging out with Ron and Neville. Draco would need to step up and keep his dad from secluding himself and turning back into that angry person he once was.

Merlin, how was he going to be strong enough to do this? He knew he had to do it alone too. If anyone tried to come with him when he faced Voldemort, they would be instantly killed. He couldn't let his dad come with him, no matter how much Severus insisted.

He didn't want to stand by and watch his dad die and he didn't want his dad to see him die either. How was he ever going to do this? He tried not to feel sorry for himself but the injustice of the situation was just so glaring.

He wished, more than anything, that he could jump on his broom and fly. Merlin he missed flying so much. He remembered back to his third year when Remus was his DADA teacher and was trying to teach him how to cast a patronus. He was supposed to think of his happiest memory. The memory he chose at first was the first time he ever rode a broom. He couldn't stop the deep sorrow over never being able to fly again. He grabbed his pillow off his bed and stuffed his face into it to muffle the sound of his crying.

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Draco stood outside Harry's bedroom door with his hand on the doorknob. He was unsure whether his presence would be welcomed or not. He wished Severus was still here to check up on Harry himself.

Earlier, he had been just about to go out to the Quidditch pitch to practice, when Severus had sent an elf to come fetch him. As soon as he had walked through the apartment door, Severus had given him strict orders. He was not to let anyone into the apartment and he was supposed to floo call Dumbledore, should Harry need anything at all.

Now, Draco stood outside Harry's bedroom door, unsure if he should go in or not. He wasn't sure if Harry was crying because he was in pain or crying for some other reason. Everyone in the Great Hall had witnessed Potter push his girlfriend away, maybe that was why he was crying? Or maybe it had something to do with Voldemort's return? Bloody hell, he couldn't just walk away when his friend might need him. He knocked, then when he didn't hear an answer he decided to just go in.

Harry didn't want his dad to see him crying like this. As soon as he heard the knock, he wiped his face on the pillow before peeking through his fringe towards the door. When he looked up and spotted Draco, his face reddened with humiliation.

He stood up and turned towards the bed. In a hoarse voice he asked, "Where's my dad?"

Draco looked away, noticing how embarrassed Harry seemed to be over getting caught crying. "He had to go to Snape Manor for something. He told me to stay here until he could get back." He looked back and could see the Gryffindor wiping his eyes, "Um, are you okay, Harry? Should I call Dumbledore?"

"No," Harry quickly replied. He pulled himself together and cleared his throat, "Erm, I'm fine. Please don't mention anything to my dad."

"I wouldn't."

"Right," Harry pulled his robe out of the armoire. He pushed back his hair, before putting his glasses on. "What time is it?"

"Just past seven. Are you hungry? Severus left supper for you."

Harry shook his head, "No." He felt uncomfortable having Draco baby-sit him as if he were six again. He looked at Draco and could tell the Slytherin was just as uncomfortable as he was.

He saw the Quidditch robes Draco was wearing and felt a stab of jealousy, "Were you out flying when my dad called you?"

"I was just going out to practice… but it's no big deal," Draco said.

"You can go practice if you want. You don't need to stick around here," Harry offered, putting the pillow back on the bed and pulling the bedcovers back into place.

Draco watched as Harry made up the bed. He caught himself grimacing over the menial labor that came so naturally to the Gryffindor. He figured all the years Harry spent acting as a house elf for the Muggles, had caused him to act so oddly.

"Severus told me to stay until he got back. If I leave now …" Draco spread his hands apart and shrugged. They both knew better then to disobey a direct order. "Besides, I don't mind staying."

"You're not afraid of my dad, are you?" Harry challenged, with a smile.

"Shut up, Potter," Draco picked up a pillow off the ground and threw at Harry.

Harry caught it and put it back into place on the bed, "How bout if I go out to the pitch with you then?" If he couldn't fly, then the next best thing would be to watch other people flying.

"I don't know, Potter? I don't think Severus would like that."

"So, then, you are afraid of him," Harry mocked with a grin.

"I am not," Draco said, rubbing his neck with nervousness. Bloody hell, if anything happened to Harry while under his watch…

"Then prove it," Harry said, grabbing his heavy winter cloak out the closet.

"Bloody hell, Potter! Alright, let's go," Draco said, praying that Severus wouldn't return anytime soon.

When they reached the front door, Draco reached for Harry's broom.

"Uh, I don't think I'll be flying today," Harry said with true regret.

Draco heard the sorrow in those words, "Why not? Are you still ill?" He certainly looked ill.

Harry shook his head, then pointed to the door, "Cast a privacy spell and I'll tell you."

Draco spelled forth a very powerful privacy spell that spread from one side of the room to the other. He looked to Harry.

Harry took a deep breath, "I think Voldemort's tapping into my magic. You should probably know … my magic is almost gone."

Draco let go of the broom and leaned back against the door, "Gone? You mean all those nose bleeds and headaches were really Voldemort attacking you?"

"Yeah, he waited until I was using all my power to help my dad with the memory curse, then he attacked without me even knowing."

Draco closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, "How is that possible? How was it even possible for him to come back from the dead?"

As Harry explained everything, Draco's face slowly turned from astonished to down right angry. He pushed away from the door and paced in the living room. By the time Harry had finished telling him everything; Draco was hardly able to control himself.

"How can that be!?!" Draco screamed. "I've never even heard of a horcrux before! How can Dumbledore be sure that your scar is a horcrux?"

Harry stayed where he was, leaning up against the wall by the door. He shrugged his shoulders, "I just know it's true. I can feel him."

"You already killed that bastard once; you shouldn't have to do it again!"

"Erm, well …I'm not exactly going to kill Voldemort."

"Good! Let Dumbledore do it," Draco emphatically stated.

"Draco …" Harry hesitated, "Um, Dumbledore's not going to kill him. I-I have to let him kill me…"

Draco's face drained of all color, "WHAT! No! Severus won't let you. That is the most idiotic…"

"Draco, there isn't another way. My dad knows there isn't another way to get rid of Voldemort. He'll come back through me. The Muggles wouldn't be safe, I have to do it."

"But…"

Harry didn't want to think about this anymore. He grabbed the handle of the door. In a gruff voice he said, "Come on, I need to get out of here and stop talking about this."

"But…"

"Malfoy, let's go!" Harry growled out, not wanting to think of his fate. "I need to get out of here! Are you coming or not?"

Draco knew it was a bad idea to leave the apartment but he couldn't bring himself to deny Harry. "Bloody hell, Potter. If Severus comes home he'll kill me."

By the time they made it out to the Quidditch pitch, the stands were half full. The skies were even fuller with everyone trying to get in a practice before the try outs.

Harry watched as Draco mounted his broom and tried not to let his jealousy get away from him. He would give anything to fly one more time.

"Do you want a ride?" Draco hesitantly asked, wondering what sort of gossip that scene would cause.

Harry wished he could say yes, but he knew he wouldn't be safe up in the air should Voldemort attack him through his scar. He shook his head, "Naw, that's okay. You go ahead."

Draco looked a bit relieved, "Don't go anywhere, Potter. Stay in the stands."

"Yes, mum."

"Shut it," Draco said, before kicking off and soaring up into the night sky.

Harry sighed. He sat down on the cold grass and watched as his friends circled and dived. It was so cold out that his breath came out in white puffs. He pulled his cloak tighter around himself. He felt so alone down here, while everyone else was up there.

He was glad it was dark out and no one had spotted him yet. He couldn't face his friends. It had been hard enough telling Draco about the horcrux, he couldn't imagine what Ron and Hermione would say. He shook his head, he wasn't going to think about all that, he just wanted to pretend like everything was good, like everything was normal.

He wasn't sure how long he had been fantasizing about flying when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and smiled. Only Dumbledore could sneak up on you without making a sound.

"Hi Professor," Harry said as Dumbledore conjured up a big blue overstuffed chair.

"Do you mind if I join you, Harry?"

"Please do."

Dumbledore leaned back into his cushy chair and stared up at the night sky. After a few silent moments, he spoke, "If I could give you one thing, Harry, it would be to get you up there with the rest of them."

"Yeah, I'd take you up on that offer if you could manage it, sir."

"I wish I could, Harry. I would be too fearful of your father's wrath if anything should happen to you," Dumbledore chuckled and patted Harry on the shoulder.

"Don't tell me even you're scared of him too?" Harry asked with incredulity.

"He thinks the world of you, Harry. I would never have thought anyone could change a man so dramatically. You saved him from himself and for that I will be forever grateful to you."

"It's more like he saved me, sir."

"You saved each other," That twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes could be seen in the moonlight.

Harry rubbed the kink in his neck caused by looking up into the sky for so long. He had wanted to ask the older man about something. He finally gathered his nerve. "Um sir, could I ask you something?"

"Certainly, my boy. You may ask anything you wish."

"Did you know that Voldemort would come back? Did you know that my scar was a horcrux?"

Dumbledore let out a deep sigh, "I will not lie to you, Harry. I knew it was not over, but I was not certain you were a horcrux. I had hoped Voldemort would have stayed dead for a bit longer though. I wanted you to have the opportunity to live a normal life."

"Yeah, that would have been nice."

Albus placed a hand on Harry's head, "You deserved so much more out of life. For that, I will be forever regretful. I wish you did not have this task ahead of you."

Harry kept his head bent as his eyes filled with tears. "I'm scared. Do you think it will hurt?"

Albus felt his own eyes fill with tears. The boy sounded so young, far too young to die. "Your bravery will shine through, Harry, just as it always has."

Harry wiped his tears on the sleeve of his robe. He was tired of all these emotions overtaking him. He stared back up at the night sky. It was so beautiful out. It looked as if everyone were having so much fun.

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The story is almost finished. Who is your favorite character in my story? Maybe I can fit some more scenes with that character into the story.

BTW- I'm fine and out of the hospital. I only stayed two days for a head concussion. Stupid accident! Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed. I can't tell you how much a few words from you mean to me. :+)

Take care,

Rachel