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Severus took meticulous care in preparing the polyjuice potion. He was fortunate to have a rather large bottle on hand that was much improved from the customary polyjuice potion. He twirled the bottle as he held it up to the torch to inspect the color. It was the perfect shade, needing only the final ingredient, a hair from Harry's head.

The cool damp air from the dungeon lab helped Severus to calm down and evaluate the situation. It would take all the strength within him to let Harry suffer the tender mercies of Voldemort's clutches. He was struggling against the impulse to just pick Harry up out of bed and apparate both of them to a far off location, never to return to the wizarding world again. If it were at all possible he knew he would have done just that.

The reaction to flee was not a usual response for him, but then again, it was not himself he was most concerned for. He had to fight against his very core to put Harry in such a perilous position. He pocketed the bottle of potion in his robe and looked at his shaking hands, berating himself for being so emotional.

He went back upstairs, eager to get back to his son. He stopped when he saw Draco, Granger, and Ron Weasley standing in the living room with tears in their eyes. Harry must have said his good byes.

"He is awake then?" Severus asked.

Draco gave him a sad smile, "He can hardly manage to sit up, yet he is insistent that he go alone to find Voldemort. I offered to help him get there but he refused."

Severus frowned, "No, I would never let him go alone, nor would I ever allow you to go with him, Draco."

"You can't take him," Hermione insisted, rising to her feet. "No one else has the ability to brew the Elixir if something should happen to you."

"I am aware of that fact," Severus said in a tight voice, "I have arranged for another to take Harry."

"Thank you. " Hermione said, handing him a small clump of Harry's hair to add to the polyjuice potion, "I gave Harry the coin to let us know when we should take the polyjuice potion."

Severus took hold of the hair, "Ms. Granger, I trust you have the ability to distribute this potion to the students?"

"Yes, sir."

Severus opened up the bottle before adding Harry's hair, blending the whole lot with a simple spell. He handed the bottle to Hermione, "The students need only consume a small sip. Be certain the students fly as far from the castle as possible. It will give us more time to get Harry away."

"Yes, sir."

"Professor Dumbledore sent Dobby off to gather the students and have them meet in the Room of Requirement," Ron said. "We'll wait there until we get the signal from Harry."

Hermione looked up at the stoic potion master, "No matter what happens, I just want you to know how good you've been for Harry. I don't think any of us ever really believed he would be so content after everything that has happened to him. He seems to be at peace with his fate and we owe it all to you, Professor Snape."

Severus was moved by the sincerity of Granger's words. He bowed his head in respect for the girl he had always thought too smart for her own good.

Harry's bedroom door opened as the youngest Weasley stepped out with a reddened face and tears on her cheeks. She went directly to her brother and was caught up in a fierce hug. They both cried for the danger Harry would be in once more.

Ginny wiped her tears on her brother's robe, then turned to face Severus, "He wants to see you, sir. I think he's more worried about leaving you then he is about facing Voldemort."

Severus closed his eyes for a moment as he gathered his strength. He would not let Harry waste any thoughts on him.

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Harry leaned back against the mountain of pillows on his bed. He smiled at the thought of Ginny conjuring up so many pillows in her eagerness to do something for him. It had been so hard to say good bye to her. She, more than any other person, knew exactly what he would be facing.

His bedroom door opened and Severus stepped in. Severus stood at the threshold with a look of uncertainty on his face. It took Harry a moment to realize why his dad was so hesitant to enter.

"It's okay, dad," Harry said, "The rebounding spell has settled, you won't hurt me."

Severus gave a curt nod, "I am most regretful to have hurt you with my magic."

"It wasn't so bad," Harry said, shaking his head and patting the bed for his dad to come sit next to him. "I think Remus' magic hurt more."

Severus slowly made his way to the bed, ready to stop at the first sign of causing Harry any pain.

Harry could feel his dad's dark magic as Severus came closer. He kept his expression from showing the discomfort it caused him. Once his dad sat down on the bed he breathed in deeply as he tried to get used to the sharp ache against his magical core.

"I think the plan Ron came up with is brilliant," Harry said, trying to take his mind off the pain.

"Yes, it was a most ingenious strategy," Severus granted, with a tilt of his head.

"You should tell him you think so."

"I did."

"You're kidding?"

"Do I ever?" Severus asked, an eyebrow raised.

"Not so much," Harry smiled.

"Is it better?" Severus asked.

"Is what better?"

Severus rolled his eyes, "Is the pain I am causing you getting any better?"

Harry breathed out heavily, "Merlin, dad, is there anything you don't notice?"

"Not where you are concerned," Severus dryly remarked. He leaned back away from Harry, to lessen the pain.

Harry leaned forward and grabbed his dad's hand, "I'll be fine, dad. Don't move away. It's not that bad and I'd rather you stay by me."

Severus sighed, wanting nothing more than to stay by the boy's side but knowing the time was nearing when he would need to let him go. He reached up and gently touched Harry's face.

Harry leaned into the touch, "I'm not going to get all emotional, cause I know you wouldn't want me to. But, I just want you to know how much I appreciate you making me your son. It feels good to have someone I can always count on."

"It does, indeed." Severus couldn't stop the emotion overtaking him. He quickly turned his face away and gruffly replied, "You need more sleep."

"I have to get going soon," Harry whispered, not wanting to leave. "Dumbledore said that Hagrid will be waiting for me at the Astronomy tower with a thestral." Harry looked everywhere but at his father.

Sensing that the boy wanted to say something, Severus prompted, "Is there something you wish to say, Harry?"

Harry nodded, "I want to ask you to do something but I'm afraid you'll say no."

Severus pressed, "Go ahead, Harry, ask."

Harry kept his eyes downward as he picked at the fuzz on his blanket, "If anything should happen to me… would you please watch out for Sirius?"

Severus sat up straighter, taking a deep breath and pulling away from the boy. How could he tell Harry that Sirius Black would no longer be here when the teen returned?

Harry reached out and placed a hand on his dad's arm, "I know you guys don't really get along but it would mean a lot to me to know someone else is watching out for him."

Severus stood up, turning away from that pleading look. He strengthened the fire in the grate, just to give him something to do. The flames shot up the flue instantly warming the room. He turned to see Harry's emerald green eyes staring back at him with an intensity he rarely ever saw in the boy. The question hung in the air between them.

Finding no reasonable response without giving the boy an outright lie, he finally replied, "You need rest. We will talk about this later."

Harry tried not to let his disappointment show. He turned to rest on his side and face the wall. He was disappointed but not completely surprised by his dad's response. He looked to the bedside table where the portkey ring and coin were shining in the bright firelight.

Resigned to the fact that he wouldn't get the response he wanted, Harry calmly replied, "I guess I should probably get going. I don't think I'm going to get any stronger then I am right now."

The panic that filled Severus was beyond reason, "No! It is not time. You must rest, gather your strength!" He went back to the bed and pushed the boy back against the pillows. When Harry looked up at him, he steadfastly replied, "It is not time, son."

Harry struggled against his dad's firm grip to sit up once more, "Dad, let me up."

"No!" Severus gruffly barked. All rationale was clearly escaping him as terror took over.

For a moment nobody moved. In that moment it occurred to Harry that his dad would never be ready to let him go. His heart filled with warmth. He let himself be pushed back into the pillows.

"There now," Severus said in a shaky voice, "I shall bring you a nutritional supplement and read to you for a bit."

Harry nodded his head, giving his dad one last smile before closing his eyes.

Severus pulled the covers up over his son, "Rest." With a last look at the boy he proceeded out the door.

Harry waited until the door was closed before he sat up once more. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, using the nightstand to help him pull himself up to stand. His head spun with dizziness but he knew he had to leave now. He picked up the portkey ring, thankful that Hermione had shrunk it a bit since it made it easier to swallow. The cool water felt good against his parched throat as he choked down the red ruby ring. He tried not to let himself think about his imminent death. It was just too scary to contemplate.

He opened the drawer and pulled out his wand. The coin warmed up in his hand when he pressed the wand to the surface. Hermione had now been alerted to begin Ron's brilliant plan.

He slowly made his way out of his bedroom and down the hallway. The door to the lab was open. He breathed in the scents of the dungeon, forever reminded of the man he had grown to love so much. He ignored the tear that escaped his eye as he quietly whispered out, "I love you, dad."

Harry opened the door to the dungeon apartment, ready to face his destiny.

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Is anyone reading this?