Tuesday morning dawned wet and cold as the rain poured down around the castle and grounds. It was a week before Christmas and the castle was almost empty of students, which just felt strange to Harry as he walked back from the Great Hall after breakfast with Ry at his side.
"Ron wants me to come around to the Burrow for Christmas," Ry said excitedly. "Mrs Weasley has invited you and Snape as well."
"That's very nice of her," Harry replied.
"Yeah," Ry exclaimed, bouncing on his toes. "Can I go?"
"Sure," Harry agreed, his cane tapping away on the floor as they walked to his classroom. "I'll ask Severus later to see if he wants to come. I'm not sure a house full of Weasleys is his idea of Christmas."
"Hermione is coming to," Ry pointed out.
"Ah," Harry said with a grin. "At least there will be another person to break up the red heads then."
"Dad!" Ry cried, smacking his arm.
The boy was a good head taller than he was now. He wouldn't get as tall as Severus but he was about the same height as Ron. Severus and him had a secret bet on which boy would be taller. Harry had his money riding on Ron. Ry had also filled out, no longer looking like a gangly teenager.
The differences between the two were more noticeable now. They still had the same dark hair but Harry had his cut short while Ry's was a shaggy mess that always seemed to get in his eyes. Harry wasn't sure how the boy could stand it. They both had the same green eyes but Harry's seemed to look paler since he didn't wear glasses like his son did, even if they were stylish wire rimmed ones.
When Harry opened his classroom door he found Severus and Narcissa waiting for him.
"Mrs Malfoy," Harry greeted with a smile. "Thank you for coming."
"Thank you for the invitation, Mr Sun" The slim blonde woman intoned, holding out a hand.
Harry took the hand and kissed her fingers.
"Well worth it to see your beauty in person," Harry purred with a grin.
He could hear Ry gagging behind him and swiped his cane out, clipping the boy.
"Hey!" Ry yelped.
"Please forgive the boy," Harry apologised as he stepped back. "Let me introduce my son, Harry Potter."
Ry stepped forward, still rubbing his leg as Narcissa looked down her nose at him.
"Nice to meet you, Mr Potter." Narcissa said sweetly, her lips curling up in the smirk.
"Hello," Ry said politely.
"Okay," Harry announced as he tapped his cane against the floor. "Let's get down to business. May I call you Narcissa? Everyone calls me Blake, unless they are being impolite."
"You may," The blonde replied, giving him a small smile.
"Okay, perfect." Harry said as he moved into the bronze circle in the floor. "Everyone please step into the circle. Severus and Narcissa, please pull up your left sleeves."
Severus pulled up his sleeve showing off the Dark Mark on his arm, Ry stared at the mark. The boy had known it was there but had never seen it before. Narcissa pulled up her sleeve to show just pale skin. Harry reached forward and ran his fingers down her arm in interest. He could feel the mark on her skin but couldn't see it.
"Please drop the spell," Harry requested.
The mark appeared on the woman's pale skin under Harry's fingertips and he could feel the very slight magic as it appeared.
"That's a neat bit of magic," Harry muttered. "How come you don't hide your mark Severus?"
"I like to remind myself of my stupidity." Severus replied dryly.
Ry snorted while Narcissa smiled over at Severus.
"Right then," Harry continued with a grin. "Please hold your arm over Narcissa's arm Severus, so that the marks line up."
Severus moved closer to the woman and did as ordered. Harry pulled his cherry wood wand and with a muttered spell a line of painless fire twisted around their arms before absorbing into their skin holding the marks lined up together.
"Ry please stand next to Severus and place your hand over the mark," Harry ordered.
The boy placed his hand on the Dark Mark, touching shoulders with the taller man. Harry rolled his shoulders as he looked down at the marks covered by his son's hand.
"This might hurt," Harry said to them all. "Try not to move your arms please. I've bound them together."
Harry's eyes locked with Severus and the man's dark eyes looked at him intensely. Harry was slightly nervous as he was unsure about how this was going to go. He'd never done this before but he was very good at making and destroying connections and links. That's what made him such a good curse breaker and his expert skills at working with wards.
"Feel free to curse me if needed," Harry told him calmly. "Even if you need to knock me out but give me time to work. I don't know if he will have a trap ready for me or not. Ry you have the more direct connection to the Dark Lord. I'll be using that connection first to get a feeling of what I am working with. Okay, everyone ready?"
"Dad, are you sure?" Ry asked, looking at his father in concern.
"If Severus and Narcissa want their connection to the Dark Lord severed then yes," Harry replied, meeting Severus and then Narcissa's eyes evenly.
"Yes," Narcissa said softly.
"Do it, Blake." Severus conceded smoothly, concern in his eyes but also steel.
"Okay," Harry whispered. "Let's hope for the best then."
Harry threw his cane to the side before he pulled the elder wand and held it in his right hand while the cherry wand sat in his left. He placed both wand tips to Ry's hand and carefully opened his mind as he calmed his breathing and centred himself. The dark magic of the Dark Mark pulsing around him and he gently pushed it to the side with the elder wand. He closed his eyes to better see the stain of the mark and the spells and connections within it.
He first took a look at the link Ry had with Voldemort to see what it looked like, since his son had the stronger and more direct connection. He could see the way Ry had blocked Voldemort with a closed door in the back of his mind. It wasn't perfect but would work for now.
"Well done with the block, Ry." Harry said softly.
Harry studied the link he had with Voldemort and could feel the presence of the man on the other side.
"Okay, take your hand away, Ry." Harry muttered.
Harry watched as that link moved away and he focused back on the Dark Marks before him. His spell from before pulling the two marks together making the link to the Dark Lord stronger, than if he had just one mark to work with. He worked on the magic around the them as he sliced through the charms that he could that wouldn't alert the Dark Lord. He then focused on the direct link to Voldemort.
"Ah shit," Harry swore. "He knows I'm doing something."
Harry moved his cherry wand to his right hand. He held both wands in the same hand as he gripped Severus's arm with the other. He placed his thumb on the mark as he focused.
"Hold still," Harry ordered.
His head started to pound as Voldemort took notice of what he was doing. He quickly sliced through Narcissa's link in the mark first. He cut cleanly straight through Voldemort's connection to the woman and his own spell holding the two Death Eaters together. He would have rather cut through both connections at the same time but couldn't. He focused on Severus's link next as he took a deep breath.
"Oh god," Harry whispered as he gained Voldemort's full attention.
"Blake?" Severus asked quietly.
"You can move back Narcissa, but don't step outside the circle." Harry whispered. "I've sliced through your Dark Mark."
Harry groaned as the pain in his head increased as Voldemort picked up the link with Severus and Harry quickly grabbed a hold of it from his end. It felt like he was holding one end of a rope and Voldemort the other. Like a game of tug of war as pain spiked across his head.
"Blake!"
"Dad!"
"Sh," Harry hissed, eyes still closed. "Take these, Ry."
He felt his son take his wands and Harry wrapped both of his hands around Severus's forearm. He pressed both of his thumbs into the Dark Mark. The pain increased and he took a couple of deep breaths before he opened his mind to the full link with Voldemort. He dropped to his knees suddenly and felt Severus kneel with him.
'He is mine!' Voldemort hissed along the link.
Harry grabbed hold of the magic and suddenly he was standing in a room facing Voldemort. The man sat in a throne like chair, his red eyes completely focused on Harry.
'He's mine now,' Harry thought, stepping forward.
His spirit body standing tall before the Dark Lord. He could feel the link to his own body spread out behind him and he kept a tight hold on it. Voldemort sneered and pulled his wand from his robes and Harry braced himself.
'Crucio,' Voldemort hissed and Harry flinched.
He couldn't feel the pain but knew his body was screaming. He didn't have much time.
'That won't work!' Harry hissed.
'Maybe I should torture your pet instead,' Voldemort hissed as he raised his wand.
Harry quickly grabbed a hold of the link between Severus and Voldemort and pulled, breaking it harshly. He felt Severus cry out in pain but he couldn't help it as pain surged into his body. He gritted his teeth but held the link, like a live wire in his hands.
'He's mine now!' Harry snarled.
Voldemort stood in anger, holding his wand tightly. Increasing the pain in Harry's body to the point that Harry could feel it in his spirit form, racing up and down his spine like fire.
'You forget, old man,' Harry hissed. 'Once a connection is made, it can be broken!'
Harry bared his teeth and broke the link harshly. Slicing straight through the curse. The Dark Lord howled as the broken link smashed into him and Harry was sent tumbling back to his body.
He smashed into his body and cried out in pain, releasing Severus's arm as he collapsed to the floor panting and shivering from the pain curse. His protection circle breaking, as he lost his concentration.
"Not…doing…that…again!" Harry panted, not even trying to move.
"Blake?" Severus asked softly, hand on his shoulder.
"Dad?"
"Cruciatus," Harry stuttered. "Severus?"
A potion appeared in front of Harry and he tried to take it but his hand was shaking too much.
"Potter get behind him, Narcissa help him." Severus ordered.
Harry felt two people moving him and he bit his lip tasting blood as pain coursed through his body setting it on fire. Suddenly a potion was at his lips and Harry gulped it down and the next one that followed it. Harry frowned as the second potion settled in his stomach and everything suddenly spun around him as his world went dark.
xXx
Severus watched closely as Blake went limp after the second potion. The calming and sleeping potion taking hold quickly. He placed the empty vials into his pocket and looked into Ry's large green eyes.
"What did you do?" Potter gasped, taking his father's weight as Narcissa knelt next to them.
She couldn't take her eyes off the faded Dark Mark on her arm. The snake had stopped moving and the black had faded to a dark grey. It was the lightest that the two Death Eaters had ever seen it. Severus however had a greater concern then the Dark Mark.
"It was a sleeping potion," Severus replied. He could still see Blake shaking from the pain curse. "He was held under the Cruciatus curse."
"Was it Voldemort?" Ry asked.
Severus sighed, the boy was never going to learn about saying the man's name.
"Yes," Severus replied. "I don't know how, but yes."
"He severed the link Severus," Narcissa said in disbelief.
"Yes," Severus snapped, checking his lover's pulse.
Ignoring the pounding in his own head as he checked Blake over. The other man was still having problems breathing, his pulse was racing and he was pale, sweaty and shaking. All signs of prolonged exposure to the pain curse.
"How did he…" Narcissa tried to say then trailed off.
"I don't know," Severus hissed. "I don't know how he does half the things he does!"
"He was in my head," Ry added.
Severus started and looked at the boy.
"He was in your head?" Severus repeated slowly.
"I could feel him," Ry replied, tapping his scar. "Here."
Severus didn't want to think on that too hard, for the simple fact that Blake had had his eyes closed the whole time. For Legilimency to work there needed to be eye contact.
"Alright, Potter." Severus said sharply. "Let's get him up and back to his rooms. Narcissa why don't you go see your son? Albus has set up a room in the guest wing. Do you know where that is?"
"Yes, Severus." Narcissa answered, still looking shocked. "Thank you and please thank him. I owe him a debt"
Severus nodded to the woman, more concerned with his lover than the Dark Mark.
"Okay Potter on three," Severus ordered.
Ry got under Blake's left arm as Severus got under his right.
"One, two, three," Severus hissed, pulling Blake to his feet.
They lifted the smaller man easily as his head lulled limply, completely out of it. Narcissa held the door open for the men and they made it to Blake's rooms easily. Narcissa opened that door as well before moving off down the hall.
Severus and Ry moved Blake into the bedroom and carefully laid him down on the bed. The man was still shaking and twitching, deepening Severus's concern.
"Potter run up and get Madam Pomfrey," Severus ordered.
Potter nodded before bolting from the room. Severus turned back to Blake, the man was still shivering with small tremors working their way down his body. His short black hair was plastered to his head as his eyes flickered under his closed lids. The sleeping potion had sent him under but not far enough as Severus gently brushed his hair back.
"Oh my god."
Severus looked up at Poppy in the doorway as she held her hand in front of her mouth.
"What happened, Severus?" Poppy asked, stepping forward.
"He was held under the Cruciatus curse," Severus reported, moving out of the woman's way. "I've given him the nerve, a sleeping potion."
"Oh god," Poppy gasped, running her wand up and down the man's body. "For how long?"
"Twenty minutes," Severus replied, looking over at Potter and he nodded in agreement.
"Mr Potter run up and get the Headmaster," Poppy requested softly. "We might need to transfer him to St Mungo's hospital."
Severus and Ry paled at the words. Potter looked at Severus with large green eyes.
"Go, Ry." Severus said softly.
"Okay," Ry muttered before running out of the room again.
"He won't go," Severus stated, remembering the way the man was last time the hospital was mentioned.
"He has nerve damage, Severus." Poppy told him. "His magic reserves are very low as well. What happened?"
Severus paled at the woman's words looking down at his lover. He took the man's hand in his own as the ring he had giving him glinting up at him in the low light.
"I can't say," Severus replied.
Poppy nodded, understanding the need for secrecy in these kinds of times. Blake groaned suddenly, tightening his hand around Severus's hand.
"Blake?" Severus asked, kneeling next to the bed.
Pale green eyes blinked open, sightly unfocused. He shouldn't even be awake so soon after the potion Severus had given him.
"Mr Sun," Poppy said, stepping forward. "Does you head hurt?"
Blake's eyes flicked to the mediwitch for a second and he nodded. Severus could tell that he was struggling, those green eyes glazed.
"Can you feel your toes and fingers?"
Another nod if a little slower this time.
"Are you in pain?"
"Yes," Blake whispered.
Severus tightened his grip on his hand, since it was unlike him to admit to being in pain.
"Can you give him a pain potion, Severus?" Poppy said, running her wand down the man's body.
Severus pulled the potion out of his pocket and raised the man's body slightly, ignoring the hiss of pain the man gave as he helped him with the potion. Blake drank it down and relaxed back into Severus's grip as it took effect. The shaking easing off as Blake lay boneless in his arms.
"Don't go back to sleep, Mr Sun!" Poppy snapped.
Blake's eyes blinked open again at the command. Poppy used a small torch to test his eyes as Blake blinked up at her.
"Bloody nurses," Blake cursed.
Severus chuckled as Poppy glared down him.
"How is he?" Albus asked as he stepped into the room with Ry on his heels. "Mr Potter explained everything on the way. I could feel the dark magic from my office."
"He needs to go to St Mungo's," Poppy said sharply.
"God no," Blake slurred as Severus held him.
"Dad!" Ry cried, jumping forward.
Blake flinched at the loud noise and Severus quickly grabbed the boy's shoulder.
"Sh!" Severus hissed.
"Sorry," Ry muttered.
"Are you sure Poppy?" Albus asked.
"Yes," The mediwitch confirmed, standing up straight. "He has nerve damage and very low magic reserves."
"Wha'?" Blake muttered, squinting up to the group.
"You were under the Cruciatus for at least twenty minutes, Blake." Severus explained softly.
"Really?" Blake asked, looking confused. "Didn't think it was that long."
"Thank you for your help, Poppy." The Headmaster said to the mediwitch.
Madam Pomfrey nodded stiffly before leaving the room. The Headmaster closed the door after her before turning back to the others in the room.
"Was it Voldemort?" Albus asked.
"Yes," Blake said quietly. "He knew I was trying to cut through the Dark Marks. He was waiting."
Blake leaned back further in the bed and Severus moved slightly to let him lay down completely. Blake's eyes starting to slip shut as he fought against the potions in his system.
"No hospital," Blake hissed.
"We will see," Severus replied.
"No…" Blake hissed then went limp as he lost his battle with the potions.
"Dad?" Ry asked softly.
Severus land a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"It's okay, Ry." Severus said kindly. "It's just the potions sending him back to sleep."
The boy looked close to tears but nodded at Severus, taking the comfort the man was offering.
"We'll let him sleep," Albus suggested. "And make a decision tomorrow about whether he goes to St Mungo's or not. Do you have the nerve potion Severus?"
"Yes," Severus replied. "I have them in my supplies that were ready to go to St Mungo's next week."
"Very well," Albus said softly. "We'll talk tomorrow."
The Headmaster clasped a hand on both of Severus and Potter's shoulders before leaving the room.
"Why don't you head up to your common room, Potter?" Severus said. "I'll call you if his condition changes."
Potter looked down at his father and Severus could see the argument building before the boy turned to Severus and all the fight went out of him.
"Okay Professor," Ry agreed.
Severus reached out and grabbed the boy's shoulder and those green eyes focused on him.
"He will be okay," Severus said softly.
Ry nodded before leaving the room, closing the door behind him softly. Leaving Severus alone in the room with his hand still wrapped around Blake's.
"God, you will be the death of me," Severus muttered to the sleeping man.
xXx
Harry woke slowly, feeling Severus curled along his back with an arm resting on his side and stomach and his legs tangled with his own. Slight tremors still ran down his body and the pain in Harry's head had him moaning softly. Severus's arm tightened around his waist.
"Blake?" Severus asked softly.
Harry silently cursed the fact that Severus was such a light sleeper.
"Yea'," Harry whispered back.
He felt Severus move behind him and soft light lit up the room. Harry blinked his eyes a few times before focusing on Severus looking down at him, concern in his dark eyes.
"Hey," Harry whispered, throat feeling raw.
Severus reached over and grabbed a glass of water off the bedside table. He tipped a pain and nerve potion into the cup before passing it to him. Harry's hand trembled slightly as he took the glass in both hands. He took a couple of sips as he tried not to spill the contents.
"How are you feeling?" Severus asked, his voice soft.
"Did someone get the licence plate of the car that hit me?" Harry joked softly with a crooked grin but the pain in his eyes gave him away.
Severus smiled down at him, his face pale and eyes intense. Harry then noticed the Dark Mark on the man's arm. It was so pale on the man's skin he could barely see it in the darkened room. Harry reached out a shaking hand and placed it over the mark. He couldn't even feel the raised skin of the edges of the tattoo.
"It worked." Severus said softly, placing his own hand over Harry's trembling one.
Harry smiled tiredly, the potions starting to pull him back down. He finished the cup and Severus took it from his hand as sleep over took him once again.
xXx
"Potter!" Severus yelled up at the boy from the bottom of the stairs in the Gryffindor Common room. "Hurry up!"
Hermione moved nervously from foot to foot as they waited.
"Go get him," Severus demanded of the girl.
"Yes, sir." Hermione gushed before bolting up the stairs.
If someone had told Severus that he would be standing in the Gryffindor tower yelling at the son of the man that had tormented him as a child, so that he could take him to the Weasley's house for Christmas. He would have laughed in their faces. However, this is what his life had become and strangely Severus wouldn't change any part of it. Well, maybe the waiting for Potter part.
"Sorry, sir." Potter huffed as he ran down the stairs, Hermione on his heels.
Severus grabbed the boy's shoulder and pushed him towards the portrait hole with Hermione hurrying along behind them.
"Come on," Severus snapped. "The quicker I drop you off at the Weasleys the better!"
"Will you and Dad come over on Christmas?" Ry asked softly.
"We will see," Severus replied with a sigh.
"How is Mr Sun, sir?" Hermione asked politely.
"Getting better slowly," Severus replied.
Blake was still sleeping a lot and the trembling in his hands and body were still concerning Severus and Poppy. However, Blake didn't seem as concerned and still refused to go to the hospital. Severus was not happy with the man but what more could he do except stunning him and dragging him there.
With Christmas only two days away it was making Severus feel as guilty as hell for what the man had gone through to break through the Dark Marks and yet. He would catch Blake's eyes catching on the faint tattoo on his arm and the satisfied look on his face made him feel less guilty.
"It would be great if he could make it," Ry remarked softly.
Severus gently laid his hand on the boy's shoulder in comfort. Blake had given them both a scare.
"It's okay, Ry." Hermione whispered, taking the boy's hand.
They made it out of the castle and Severus apparated the three of them to the Burrow. He looked up at the Weasley's house, surprised all over again that the house was still standing. They walked up to the front door and he knocked loudly. Molly opened the door with a big smile.
"Oh Severus!" Molly cried, hugging the stunned man. "Welcome, welcome. Come in!"
Molly pulled them into the house with a happy grin as she quickly hugged Hermione and Ry.
"Ron's upstairs." Molly told the children. "Ry you are bunking with Ron and Hermione you are with Ginny. Now off you go!"
Ry and Hermione hurried out of the room and disappeared up the stairs.
"Come this way, Severus." Molly offered with a smile.
She led him into the living room where Arthur and Bill were sitting on the lounge talking quietly. They both looked up at him as Severus entered.
"Severus," Arthur greeted with a smile. "Welcome. You remember my boy, Bill?"
"I do," Severus replied, shaking the boy's hand.
"Nice to see you again, sir." Bill said politely. "Blake's not with you?"
"He's a bit sick at the moment," Severus replied evenly. "He might be well enough for Christmas dinner?"
"We would welcome him," Molly gushed as she came back into the room with a tray with cups of tea on it. "Take a seat Severus."
"Yes," Bill agreed with a smile. "Haven't seen him for a while."
"You have worked with him before, correct?" Severus asked.
"Oh, yeah." Bill said excitedly. "Mostly work with Gringotts. He's a pro when working with the goblins and the way he works with wards! Never seen anything like it."
"Hey, Professor!"
Severus looked up as Fred and George piled into the room with matching grins. He reached into his robe and the twins paused but he just pulled out a few pieces of paper and held them out.
"Blake wanted me to give you these," Severus offered.
He had refused to read them, if they involved the Weasley twins, he did not want to know. Fred picked the papers out of Severus's fingers with care. Seven years of teaching them potions had been enough for Severus.
"Thanks, sir."
The two boys huddled around the papers, whispering between each other before floating back out of the room.
"You might want to check up on that later," Severus said casually to the other Weasleys. "If it involves Blake it could be anything."
Bill barked a laugh while Arthur grinned and Molly looked after her boys in disapproval.
"He wouldn't give them anything dangerous, would he?" Molly asked softly in concern.
Severus grinned.
"Not if he still wants to come to Christmas dinner," Severus drawled with a straight face but his black eyes glinted in amusement.
"Ha!" Bill laughed. "He's changed you."
Severus just smiled as he sat back in his chair.
"Well," Severus announced as he stood up. "I better get going. Thank you for the tea."
"You are more than welcome, dear." Molly said as she bustled over and gave him another hug. "I'll see you for Christmas dinner?"
"Thank you for the offer." Severus replied with a nod.
As he moved out of the house he couldn't help but feel like a part of the family. Blake had given him more than a relationship. He'd given him a life, family and friends. He felt more complete now than he ever had in his life and that was due to just one man.
xXx
Harry limped his way to the table in his rooms, feeling better now than he had in days. His hands still shook slightly but he could feel his magic reserves were working their way up to where they should be as they worked on repairing the nerves in his body. He knew that he had scared Severus badly but he couldn't have helped it and he wouldn't go back and change it for the world.
"Hey," Severus greeted as he came into his room.
Harry looked up, his face rough and still pale but his eyes were brighter as they looked at Severus.
"Hey, how'd you go with the Weasleys?" Harry asked, sitting back in his chair.
Severus's eyes roamed over Harry's bare chest before he moved to the kitchen to make a coffee.
"They expect to see you for Christmas dinner," Severus stated.
"We'll be there," Harry said with conviction in his voice. "Ry would never forgive me if I wasn't there."
"I'm sure he would, if you don't feel up to it Blake." Severus replied.
Severus placed the cup of coffee on the table. His sharp eyes picking out the tremble still in Harry's hand.
"Dracka is coming by tomorrow night," Harry said, changing the topic. "To pick up the ward stones. I rang the Headmaster before to give him the heads up."
"Do you feel up for that?" Severus questioned, taking a seat at the table and placing a nerve and pain potion on the table next to Harry's cup.
"Haven't got much choice," Harry said with a sigh. "I was supposed to give him the ward stones over a week ago."
He took the nerve potion but only half of the pain potion. He placed the half empty potion back onto the table and Severus picked up the empty vial and slipped it away in his pocket.
"Did you inform him that you are unwell?" Severus questioned.
"Yes," Harry confirmed. "He picked it up in my voice. Not sure how he's going to react."
Severus tensed and asked, "Should I be concerned?"
"Nah," Harry said with a small smile. "He'll probably just be more of an ass than normal."
Severus smiled. "You do seem to bring that out in people."
Harry barked a laugh then grabbed his ribs.
"Still giving you trouble?" Severus remarked in concern.
Harry nodded and said, "It's getting better, just really slowly."
xXx
Severus stood at the gates of Hogwarts, bundled up in a warm coat as soft snow fell around him on Christmas Eve. The last of the light touched the horizon and Severus dug his hands further into the pockets of his overcoat as he waited.
"Severus Snape."
Severus looked up to see Rolf Dracka standing before him with his black hair well-groomed and stylish as he stared at him with dark eyes. The other man stood about an inch or so shorter than him with sharp features. He was a man that would get a second glance and had a presence around him that put you slightly on edge. Even before he showed off his slightly pointed canine teeth and the red glaze that would come into his eyes.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Severus drawled. "You have safe passage."
Dracka gave him a grin and stepped onto the grounds of Hogwarts.
"I'm surprised that Sun didn't come down to meet me?" Dracka asked.
"He is unwell," Severus said simply.
"He mentioned he felt under the weather and couldn't make the trip to France." Dracka sneered.
"Correct," Severus confirmed.
Dracka grabbed Severus's arm, pulling him to a stop and he raised an eyebrow in question. The vampire released him but his dark eyes looked him over.
"Is he okay?" Dracka questioned.
"He's getting better," Severus replied shortly.
"You know that I have known him for over ten years," Dracka remarked. "In that time, I have never seen him unwell."
"Well," Severus sneered. "You will see him unwell tonight."
"Very well," Dracka conceded and they started moving again.
"What was he like when you met him?" Severus blurted out, unsure where the question had come from.
"Bitter," Dracka replied after a couple of seconds of thought. "Like a dark cloud was following him around. His magic was so dark you could almost taste it on the air. It was intoxicating, making it hard to keep the demon back."
Severus almost missed a step, unsure what to make of that.
"My brother was never good at keeping his demon at bay," Dracka continued.
"Is that what happened between Blake and your brother?" Severus asked.
"Yes," Dracka said sadly. "He was part of a team that we had hired from Gringotts to ward the village and mansion."
"What happened?"
"It was his dark magic," Dracka admitted. "It rolled over the village while he was working on the wards. I don't think he was even aware of it. It drove my brother mad."
"And Blake killed him?"
"Yes," Dracka confirmed. "My brother torn through his team while he was distracted by the wards. I tried to hold him back but he broke through my grip and jumped on Blake. I thought for sure the man was dead then suddenly my brother was bleeding out on the ground and this slip of a man was holding a sword. A pure silver sword right through my brother's chest."
"What happened then?"
"I lunged at him seeing red," Dracka replied. "His dark magic rolling over me one second then it was just gone. He bashed me in the head with the hilt of his sword and I fell back in shock. The dark magic was just gone. He stood over me holding the silver sword out, the point of it at my throat. He could have killed me at that moment.
"He didn't. He was covered in my brother's blood, holding a silver sword to my throat with those green eyes of his slightly glowing and he apologised." Dracka recalled with a shiver. "He said if he'd known there were vampires around he would have been more careful. He said it without any feeling in his voice as if it was an everyday thing that three members of his team and an elder vampire lay dead around him with my brother's blood on his hands."
Severus shivered at the image the other man's words brought to his mind.
"I thought for sure he was going to walk away," Dracka continued softly. "But he just turned back and finished the wards with his sword still pointed in my direction. He used pure light magic to finish it."
"Oh god," Severus cursed as they stood there as the snow fell around them.
"He's changed a lot since then," Dracka added softly and laid his hand on Severus's arm. "We would never have considered making a Treaty with that man. Harry Potter and you have been good for him."
Severus didn't know what to say to that as he just stood there. He knew that Blake had made a big difference in his life but he hadn't realised how much he had also helped him. The man that Dracka described was nothing like the man he knew now.
"Can you feel that dark magic around him now?" Severus asked softly, moving back towards the school.
"It's still there," Dracka replied. "But he holds it tightly under his control but every now and again it just feels like a light touch against you."
Severus nodded and the two moved down the hall towards Blake's room in silence. Severus knocked twice then opened the door for Dracka. The man stepped through the door and stopped suddenly.
"You look like shit," Dracka stated as he looked Blake over.
"Thanks," Blake deadpanned.
He still looked pale and there were dark circles under his eyes. His facial hair was out of control and his short black hair was longer than normal and a mess. He sat in dark jeans and a loose shirt since he had lost a fair amount of weight over the last few days. His cane hung from the table where an array of snap lock bags of different coloured stones were spread out. Dracka eyed the man over before picking up one of the bags.
"Each bag has four ward stones in it for each village or building," Blake explained. "The gold ones are the ones that I cast and the other coloured stones are ones that my students cast. I've written location, date and time on each one."
"Blake made it into a field trip," Severus explained.
Severus placed a coffee down in front of Blake and two other cups in front of the other empty seats with milk and sugar. Severus took a seat as Dracka looked over each group of stones. Reading Blake's neat script on each plastic bag and working them into different piles on the table.
"Do you have a box I can put these in?" Dracka asked.
"Yes," Severus said. "I'll just get you one."
Severus got up and moved into the kitchen to grab one of the plastic containers that Blake kept in there.
"What happened to you?" He heard Dracka ask Blake.
"A brush with the Cruciatus curse," Blake replied.
"That's why you smell of dark magic?"
"Sorry. I can't pull it back any more, is it a problem?"
"Is that why you didn't want to come to France?"
"In part, yes."
Severus moved back into the other room to see Dracka standing very close to Blake but he moved away when Severus walked back into the room. Severus passed over the container and noticed that Blake's hand was trembling more than it had been before as he picked up his coffee. He raised an eyebrow in question but Blake just shook his head slightly and he let it pass.
Dracka smiled in thanks and packed away the stones in groups. Once the last bag of stones was packed away Dracka nodded in Blake's direction.
"Thank you," Dracka said softly, holding out a hand.
"No problems," Blake replied.
The two men grasped hands over the table before Dracka turned to Severus.
"Will you see me out, Severus?" Dracka inquired.
"Of course," Severus said.
Blake's green eyes followed the two men and Severus gave the man a wink as he closed the door behind them. The two moved to the entrance hall before Dracka turned on him.
"You didn't say he was that bad," Dracka hissed, his eyes flashing red briefly.
Severus just raised an eyebrow in question.
"What was he doing?" Dracka demanded.
Severus pulled up his left sleeve of his robe, where the Dark Mark could just be seen. It had been fading slowly since Blake had cut the link but could still be seen.
"Death Eater," Dracka whispered as he stepped forward, his eyes locked on the mark. "What did he do?"
"He broke the connection," Severus responded.
"Well, fuck me," Dracka swore with a savage grin. "No wonder he stinks of dark magic."
Severus stiffened, making Dracka look up.
"He'll be fine," Dracka said.
"I hope you're right," Severus replied, letting the sleeve of his robe slip back down.
"Good bye, Severus." Dracka offered with a grin before he walked out into the snow.
Severus just leaned back against the school wall and watched the vampire before turning and walking back to Blake's rooms.
"He told you what happened the night I killed his brother, didn't he?" Blake stated when Severus walked through the door.
Severus looked down at Blake seeing the man he loves looking back at him with tired green eyes.
"He did," Severus confirmed.
Blake sighed and looked away from Severus. The normally strong man, looking venerable. Severus moved until he stood next to him and kneeled down. Blake looked at him in surprise before Severus leaned forward and cupped the man's cheeks before pulling him into a soft kiss. Blake kissed him back, snaking his hand behind Severus's head and pulled him closer as he deepened the kiss.
"Back to bed I think," Severus whispered, when they pulled apart. "We have a big night at the Weasleys tomorrow."
Blake groaned as he let his forehead rest against Severus's as he looked deep into the other man's eyes.
"You just had to remind me."
xXx
Severus woke Harry about an hour before they had to be at the Weasleys but at least he had a coffee in his hand, which he placed on the side table.
"Merry Christmas," Severus whispered giving the other man a long kiss.
Harry reached up and pulled the other man on top of him, hissing slightly as the man's weight put pressure on his ribs. Severus went to pull back but Harry held him in place.
"Oh no, you don't." Harry hissed, pulling him back down for another kiss.
Harry released Severus when the need to breathe became more important. Harry gave him a soft grin as Severus leaned on his elbow beside him on the bed.
"Come on," Severus said softly. "We have to be at the Weasleys in about an hour for dinner."
"Did I sleep all day?" Harry asked in surprise but felt a lot better for it.
"Your morning coffee may or may not have had a sleeping potion in it." Severus remarked with a smirk.
"Bastard," Harry cursed, but without any heat to his words. "What's in this coffee then?"
Severus looked at the coffee on the side table.
"Nerve potion and a half pain potion," Severus commented lightly with a wink.
Harry huffed a laugh and took a sip as Severus laid out on the bed beside him, fully clothed waiting for the show.
"Tastes like drugs," Harry muttered with a grin.
Severus barked a laugh as Harry sat on the edge of the bed, fully naked. Severus eyes ran over the scars on the man's back and the way he could see every one of his ribs.
"We need to put some good food in that stomach of yours," Severus muttered, running a hand down Harry's back.
Harry shivered at the feeling and grinned over his shoulder at him. Severus just placed his hands behind his head as his dark eyes watched his lover.
"Tease," Harry muttered as he used his cane to get to his feet.
Severus's laughter filled the room and warming Harry's heart as he limped to the bathroom. Harry glanced into the mirror, his face was pale under the dusting of dark hair on his face and his short hair was a little longer than normal. He didn't look as tried as he had been the last few days. He quickly shaved off the hair on his face but left his dark hair the way it was, it grew too bloody quickly. He had a quick shower and limped back to the bedroom. Severus was where he'd left him but had his own cup of coffee in his hands.
"Are you just going to watch me?" Harry asked as he went through his drawers.
"Yes," Severus purred, making Harry shiver.
Harry refused to turn around as he pulled on his blue jeans and a black shirt. He ran his hands through his hair, messing it up.
"Your hair is as bad as Potter's," Severus said smoothly.
"Why do you think I cut it so short?" Harry asked as he turned back. "Curse of the Potters it is."
Severus smirked. "I don't mind it."
Harry grinned and purred, "What? Do you want me to look more like a Potter?"
A shiver ran down Severus's length making Harry grin as he finished off his coffee.
"I'll take that as a no?" Harry asked with a smirk.
Severus stood in one fluid movement and stalked towards him with a glint in his dark eyes. Harry stood up straight and tilted his head back as the taller man captured his lips in a soft kiss. Harry wrapped his arms around the taller man just taking in the feel and scent of the man.
"I can only live with one Potter in my life," Severus whispered in his ear and Harry shivered. "And one distant one."
Harry barked a laugh and grabbed Severus's bum before stepping back with a smirk.
"Come on," Harry said with a grin. "We don't want to keep the Weasleys waiting."
xXx
They landed in the field near the Burrow with Severus steadying Harry when he stumbled. Harry grinned at him before planting his cane on the ground and limping towards the house with Severus at his side. They could see the lights of the house from where they were and the floating tent out the back that the Weasleys had set up.
"How many people are they expecting?" Severus questioned in dismay.
"Well," Harry said with a smirk. "There are a lot of them. Having second thoughts, Severus?"
Severus just groaned even louder as a large black dog came running towards them.
"Not Black too," Severus hissed.
Harry laughed as the dog pranced around them before running back to the house, barking loudly.
"For fuck sake," Severus hissed. "I should have stayed at home."
"And let me face this alone?" Harry said softly, taking the man's hand in his.
Severus looked down at Harry with a soft look in his eyes as Harry smiled up at him.
"Get a room!"
Severus and Harry turned towards Black and Severus gave him the finger. Harry laughed then gasped holding his ribs with a hiss.
"Did you want the rest of the pain potion?" Severus inquired, turning to the shorter man.
"Nah," Harry gasped. "All good."
"Come on you two!" Black yelled out. "We've been waiting for you!"
"Ready to face the music?" Harry muttered to Severus.
"They are your family," Severus replied.
"Hey! I'm not claiming Black!" Harry muttered, then grinned. "And they are your family as well."
Severus tightened his grip on Harry's hand as they turned back to the house.
"You look like shit, Sun." Black said in greeting.
"So nice of you to notice, Black," Harry drawled dryly, shaking the man's hand.
Sirius gave him a grin before leading them into the house.
"Blake and Snape are here!" Sirius yelled out. "We can eat now!"
Harry groaned and shook his head.
'What the hell have I gotten into?' Harry thought.
Severus tightened his grip on Harry's hand so at least he knew he wasn't alone.
xXx
Harry sat sprawled out in an armchair that Severus had floated out to the lawn for him after dinner that night. He was watching as the kids ran around trying to catch Black in his dog form as Remus cast spells to trip them up. He'd eaten way too much and was starting to feel sleepy again but was fighting it back. Suddenly a mug of coffee appeared in front of him and he followed the arm up to a smirking Severus Snape.
"Thank you." Harry said gratefully.
"That man will never grow up," Severus muttered as he settled in the seat next to Harry.
"It's good to see him moving passed Azkaban at least," Harry commented.
Suddenly Ry smashed into Black sending the dog sprawling with a yelp as the kids giggled around them.
"Merry Christmas, my boys."
Harry looked up at Albus Dumbledore looking down at the two of them. Harry grinned up at the man, happy to see that his hand was looking a lot better and the dark magic only a thin coating around him.
"Merry Christmas, Albus." Harry greeted. "What brings you here?"
"Molly invited me, however I couldn't make it until now." Albus told them as he took a seat across from the two men.
"Albus, would you like some tea or coffee?" Molly asked as she bustled over.
"Tea would be lovely, my dear." Albus replied with a smile.
"Of course," Molly said kindly. "I'll be back in a minute."
Albus turned back to Harry and looked him over.
"You are looking better?" Albus asked.
"Yeah," Harry agreed. "Getting stronger every day."
Albus sat forward in his seat and whispered, "I've found another one."
Harry sat up straight as he felt Severus stiffen next to him. He focused completely on the man before him.
"Do we have time to get to it?" Harry asked.
"Yes, my boy." Albus said brightly as he patted Harry's knee.
"You do realise that I'm older than you are Headmaster," Harry pointed out with a smirk.
Albus laughed and gave him a wink. "That I do, my boy."
Severus barked a laugh and placed his hand on Harry's leg as Molly came back out with the tea. She blushed slightly when she noticed where Severus's hand was resting. The men ignored the blush as she held out the tea out to Albus.
"Thank you, my dear." Albus said, taking the tea from the woman.
Suddenly Molly looked up and gasped. Harry found himself on his feet without realising he was moving and swayed slightly when the blood rushed to his head. Severus grabbed his shoulder to steady him.
"What is it?" Severus hissed.
"It's Percy!" Molly squealed and rushed over to her son and the man beside him.
"Is that the new Minster of Magic?" Severus asked.
"Yes, yes, it is." Albus replied. "I wonder what he's doing here."
"Hey dad, what's going on?" Ry asked.
The other children, Sirius and Remus had come over when they heard Molly squeal.
"It's the Minister of Magic," Harry replied, eyeing off the man.
Black moved closer to Harry and Ry even if he had been acquitted, he still didn't feel comfortable being around anyone from the Ministry. The Minister looked up at them, his golden eyes roaming over the group before settling on Ry. Harry placed his hand on his son's shoulder and the man's eyes flicked to Harry, whom stared him down. The man looked away and said something to Mrs Weasley and Percy.
The man limped towards them and Harry stood up straighter, his own cane planted on the ground beside him. The man had shoulder length brown hair and a face that stuck in your memory. His body still full of strength even though was no longer an Auror. Between his gold eyes and shaggy mane of hair he looked more like an old lion than a Minister of Magic, but Harry knew the man's history from his file and he was not a man to take lightly or dismiss easily. As the Minister's eyes settled on him, Harry was sure that the man was thinking the same about him.
"Merry Christmas, everyone." The man greeted as he made eye contact with each person gathered.
"How can we help you tonight, Minister?" Albus asked with a smile.
"I was hoping to have a quick word with Harry Potter," Minister Rufus Scrimgeour intoned softly to the group.
"No," Harry said shortly, with steel in his voice.
"Ah, Mr Blake Sun." Scrimgeour exclaimed with a smile. "I've heard all sorts of rumours about you."
"Some of them are even true," Harry remarked dryly.
The man reeled back in surprise as Sirius and Severus snorted.
"I'm happy to have a word with you, Minister." Albus announced brightly, his blue eyes twinkling in amusement.
The man turned his head towards the Headmaster.
"No need," The Minister said. "I'm only here so that Mr Weasley could see his family on Christmas. If you will excuse me, I'll be going."
"Good night, Minister." The Headmaster called after him with a smile.
Harry watched the man walk away calmly. Fudge had been easy to work with but Harry knew that he would have more trouble with Scrimgeour. Being a former Auror he knew that Scrimgeour would have a natural mistrust of Dark Wizards.
"Dad?"
Harry looked up at Ry and realised he'd been holding the boy's shoulder tightly.
"Sorry, Ry." Harry apologised as he released him. "Remus, why don't you take the kids inside?"
"Sure, Blake." The werewolf agreed. "Come on kids, I think Molly has some ice cream in the freezer."
"Blake, are you okay?" Severus asked, once the kids were out of sight.
Harry hadn't noticed that his hands had started shaking again and he sat back down in his chair carefully.
"Yeah, yeah." Harry said, waving off the concern.
"I don't know, Blake." Sirius remarked as he looked down at him. "You're looking pretty pale."
Harry glared up at the man.
"Ah," Black muttered, looking around. "I think I'll join the kids for ice cream."
Then the man bolted, proving that he did show sense sometimes.
"Ha!" Severus barked. "And I thought my glares could kill."
"You want it turned in your direction, Severus?" Harry asked softly.
"I'll talk to you in a couple of weeks about what we were discussing before, Blake." Albus commented with a twinkle in his eyes. "Merry Christmas, boys."
"Merry Christmas, Albus."
Severus and Harry watched the man walk away before Severus held his hand out to him. Harry smiled up at him before taking his hand and letting the taller man pull him to his feet.
"God, I hate feeling weak," Harry muttered into the other man's shoulder before he placed his cane on the ground and stood straighter.
Harry titled his head back as Severus looked down at him with dark eyes. Severus cupped his face and gave him a soft kiss.
"Get a room!"
Harry huffed a laugh against Severus's lips.
"I think we've been told," Harry commented lightly. "Should we find a room?"
Severus rumbled a laugh as the men turned away from the Weasleys' house.
xXx
A few weeks later found Harry sitting at the Ravenclaw table with a book in front of him. He was trying to explain a complex spell to a group of third years when Professor McGonagall walked up to him with a familiar gold glass figurine. She held the glass by the scruff of the neck while it twisted around trying to bite her.
"I believe, Mr Sun." She said dryly, holding out the figurine. "That this beast is yours."
"Why yes, Professor." Harry cried, holding out his hand. "I must have misplaced it."
McGonagall dropped the griffin onto Harry's palm to the giggles of the Ravenclaw students around them. She gave him a 'professor' stare over her glasses with tight lips and disapproval rolling off her.
"Make sure it doesn't get misplaced with my lions again, Mr Sun." McGonagall said sternly as she glared down at Harry before sliding her glasses up her nose and striding away.
"Poor little guy," Harry cooed at the griffin as it started preening its golden glass feathers. "What did the nasty woman do to you?"
The kids around him dissolved into laughter as the griffin shook itself before sitting down on his palm and looking up at him. It cocked its head to the side as its red eyes glinted in the light of the Great Hall. Harry gave it a soft smile as the small animal looked around.