St. Mungos was quiet at this time of the day. The large ticking clock built into the wall of the reception marked ten past six in the morning. The receptionist waved her wand and a green orb of light directed Severus to the room where the boy had been taken.

On the ground floor, the orb led him to a private room. He saw Molly Weasley with her husband and Remus, who looked paler than usual after a full moon. No doubt not being able to attend the ritual to try and save Harry was plaguing his conscience. McGonagall was there. He couldn't remember seeing her in the battle but he hadn't exactly been focused on the Order members at the time.

"How is he?" Severus asked. She turned her full attention to him. It made him recall the last conversation they'd had about Potter.

"He is recovering. The potion he inhaled seems to have been nullified of any magical properties at dawn. Still, he needs to stay a couple of days until his lungs recover." She said.

"Is Albus with him?"

"Yes." Severus reached for the door. "Oh, Severus, wait." She stopped him and he really did not want to hear what she had to say. "I… we have questions." She said.

"I have nothing to answer for." He said calmly.

"I don't understand at what time you grew to care so much for him Severus. I just… you have to understand how surprising it looks." She said.

"He was Lily's son. I don't see why I wouldn't grieve her son's loss should it ever happen." He knocked on the wooden wall carving that framed the wall to banish any bad luck gathered by just saying that out loud. Ironically it was the only thing his father taught him to ease him at times of misspeaking.

"You were never close to Harry Potter, in fact, your animosity toward each other is well known." She said.

"Things have changed, professor." He said softly.

Before either of them could continue, Albus came out. "Ah, Severus my boy. Harry has just gone to sleep. He's had a long number of days." Albus said. He seemed very content.

"He's alright?" Molly Weasley asked.

"They want to keep him for observation to ensure the ritual didn't have any lasting effects. Any idea why it didn't work as expected Severus?" Albus asked.

Severus crossed his arms over his chest and looked at the others briefly. They were all looking at him.

"It could be anything. The Dark Lord said it was important not to stop until it was over but I interrupted the ritual. Or… the potion may have been tampered with. It was supposed to stay out of the sun. When I arrived to the lab the curtains were wide opened. I was never intending on letting Potter come into contact with it anyway so I didn't concern myself too much with it." He said.

Albus's features filled with concentration. "Yes… the sun would explain the heat, the fire." Albus said softly.

"But they don't know the side-effects it will have." Tonks said.

"The healers will keep an eye on him. I suggest we all go and follow Harry's example. We all need a good night's rest." Albus said gently.

"May I see him?" Lupin asked. "I just need to see him, make sure he's ok…"

"Of course Remus, go right ahead." Albus said.

"Headmaster may I speak to you?" Severus asked. Albus nodded and walked further down the corridor with him while the others checked on Potter.

"Who's staying with him?" He asked.

"Well… I was going to stay. However the minister is insistent that I answer some questions. Professor McGonagall is required at the school in my stead after madam Umbridge's suspension. Remus needs rest after the full moon last night. Molly Weasley is the ideal option." He said.

"…I'll switch with her in the afternoon." He volunteered.

"Oh that will be alright Severus. After everyone is well rested there will be more than enough people to guard Harry."

Severus felt a smile coming, in an attempt to avoid getting angry at the headmaster. "I swore to protect him. There are still deatheaters out there that will very much want him dead." He said.

"I will have aurors and Order members looking after him. Including you Severus. I'm not pushing you away from him. But… you too need rest."

Severus nodded slowly. He was about to agree. He was about to turn around and walk away. But he didn't. He looked down thinking of the words over his head. Thinking of how to say them appropriately.

"Albus… I want… would like… to care for him on a more permanent terms. Considering that his godfather is gone." He spoke, looking up at his mentor, the man who gave him a second chance at living.

Albus seemed to take a moment to register his words. "Severus… Harry is still at risk. Now from disorganised fanatics. He is safer under the protections of the blood wards."

Severus stared at him. "Have you contacted Petunia?" He asked coldly.

"…No."

"Why not? She's his legal guardian. She is allowed to come and see him."

"Petunia Dursley… expressed clearly that she does not wish any information on the boy during term time."

"And that exactly is what you're sending Potter back to? Let's not forget who else lives on that same god forsaken road. Someone we cannot have arrested because there is no evidence except for Potter's memories of what that man is capable of." Severus said.

"It will be safer for him there." Dumbledore repeated.

"Albus. I want to take the boy in. I want him by my side where I can make sure that he is safe!"

"You have absolutely no claim over him."

"I'm not-" He paused to rearrange his thoughts. "I want to be given the chance to offer Potter an alternative."

Albus finally sighed. "Very well… but only on the condition that you are truly honest with him."

Severus frowned. "What do you mean?" Dumbledore gave him that look that seemed to point out that what he was saying was obvious. "You want me to tell him about the prophecy."

"I want the boy to make a conscientious decision."

"…I understand."

oOoOoOo oOoOoOo oOoOoOo

By the time Harry opened his eyes, the clock on the wall marked three and the painful tightness of his stomach known as hunger kept him from going back to sleep, even though he wanted to. The hospital blankets were scratchy too. He didn't like that.

It hurt a little to breathe but not too badly. His chest felt slightly irritated with every breath. He looked at his left forearm. The dark mark was gone, but a nasty scar strongly resembling it remained.

"Don't worry mate, no one can tell." Harry turned to the side where he first noticed Ron. "Hermione's just gone to get something to eat." The redhead said, standing by the side of the bed. "How're you feeling?" He asked.

"Like I can breathe fire." Harry tried joking, but his voice came out a little hoarse. Ron chuckled none the less and offered him a glass of water which he welcomed gladly.

"…Mate… I can't imagine what happened to you there." He said gently. Harry looked up to see the concern and guilt in his eyes.

"It's over… the first days were not too bad." He said gently. "Because I was under his control." He looked into the cup of water. "After that… it was only a day or two to bear with." He said softly.

"Did he really teach you dark magic?" Ron asked gently.

Harry nodded. "Yeah… but it's disgusting. I'm not doing any of that again." Ron seemed relieved at that. "Also, how's Draco?" Ron looked a bit surprised by the question. "I mean… his dad got arrested… and he did help me a couple of times."

"He's alright. I don't know the details, but it seems that Lucius Malfoy defected. So he may get off this lightly."

Harry nodded. "And you two?" He asked gently. Ron looked down briefly.

"…I thought you were going to die." He looked back up. "I was really scared mate…"

"…I'm fine Ron… it's over. He's gone… for good this time." Harry said. Ron nodded and gave Harry's arm a firm squeeze.

The door opened and Hermione came in with Molly Weasley. The moment she saw him awake she nearly dropped what she was holding and rushed over to hug him tightly.

"Harry! Thank goodness. I'm so happy you're safe." She said gently. Harry chuckled, one arm around her gently.

"I'm safe now Mione. I'm ok." Harry said gently.

"Come now you two. Remember he's still recovering." Mrs. Weasley said. However, the moment Hermione let go of him the mother of seven had him in her tight embrace.

"Oh darling. We were all so worried about you." She said gently and instantly emptied out what she had in her bags. "Come now, eat something first." She insisted.

A sandwich later Harry was feeling more awake and good enough to go home, but the healers explained why he needed to stay a little longer.

Harry also knew that he was still in shock. He was aware that he hadn't quite found himself emotionally. His mind didn't seem to register Sirius' death just yet and he felt strangely… empty at the moment. He was hoping that when it did hit him, it wouldn't be as horrible as the suspense was making it out to be.

The moment the clock struck five it was time for Molly to go. "Someone is coming soon to replace me." She told him.

"I really don't need a babysitter Mrs. Weasley." Harry chuckled gently.

It was Snape who came in briefly after through the doors. Ron and Hermione frowned, giving Harry a look of worry. But Harry couldn't help it. He felt happy that the potions master had come. He had been briefly worried that now that Voldemort was dead the other would wash his hands off him.

"Good luck mate." Ron mumbled. Hermione gave Harry a peck on the cheek and left with Mrs. Weasley.

Harry relaxed back into his pillows. "Hey…" Harry mumbled.

"Eloquent as ever." Snape said softly. Harry chuckled and smiled.

"How long are you staying?" Harry asked.

"I will be keeping watch over you the entire night mister Potter." He said calmly.

"I really don't need a babysitter." He insisted.

"You are a minor. Staying in hospital. A pare-adult." He paused. "An adult should stay with you for good part of your stay. Specially you since deatheaters may try something in desperation."

"Hmm… Last night was a blur. I remember drowning… and feeling very cold… and then I was in a warm bright white place. I saw my mom there." Harry said remembering. She had given him a choice.

"Your mother?" Snape said softly.

"Yeah… she let me come back." He said softly. He looked up to see Snape looking down at the ground. "Snape?" He asked.

"Focus on recovering Potter… we can talk about all these things when you go back to school."

Harry groaned. "I missed most of my O.W.L. exams." He said.

"I think they may grant you a different opportunity to take them mister Potter."

"Mister Potter sounds odd by now… why not call me Harry?" Harry asked. "I heard you calling out to me with it anyway."

It was the one voice that made him turn around and walk away from his mother in that white limbo.

"…No. Your first name will be reserved for special occasions." He said simply.

Harry chuckled and nodded.