Harry sat staring blankly out the arched window of St. Mungo's Hospital. The window showed a vision of a mountain range with white peaks, with a bright green meadow of flowers right outside. The image was fake as the hospital was in the middle of London.
A hand covered his own and gave it a firm squeeze. "Come on mate… snap out of it. You're scaring me." Ron said softly. Harry looked at him and took a deep breath and nodded.
"Y-yeah…" Tears formed. "Ron. What if he…?"
"Don't think about that. Come on, there comes the mediwizard." Harry stood up at that as a middle aged wizard approached with a serious look in his face. Dumbledore came from where he had been talking with the Weasleys. Dumbledore pulled Harry along with a firm arm around the shoulders.
"Oh… Professor Dumbledore… it would be improper to explain this to a non-member of Professor Snape's family. You are an exception of course but…"
Harry felt his chest clench painfully. He wanted to say that he was family. But of course, in paper… he was currently just a freeloader.
Dumbledore gave his shoulder a squeeze. "I can assure you, that Severus is family to Harry in all that matters."
The mediwizard seemed uncertain for a bit but finally relented.
"Professor Snape is steady. He suffered minor splinching along his shoulder and neck from what seems like an unconscious, last minute attempt at apparition. It will leave a scar. The major damage has been caused by the force of the explosion, several shattered bones that needed mending. One needs to be completely re-grown. He suffered some internal bleeding which has been mended. He will be in considerable pain until the bones are regrown, but you are welcome to come and see him." He glanced at Harry as if he wanted to object to him in particular but Harry simply glared at him and Dumbledore pulled him along.
"Good, we'll go see him straight away."
Harry rushed out of Dumbledore's hold when he saw Severus' name on the door and went inside. Severus lay with his eyes closed but he was not asleep. A nasty twisting scar remained against his neck and left shoulder.
Harry walked slowly to the side of the bed. "Sever-us…" He cleared his throat as his voice cracked a little.
Severus opened his eyes slightly. "Harry. You're safe." He mumbled and gave a sigh of relief, as if not knowing that Harry was safe had been the only thing paining him.
Harry sobbed, a wave of emotion overwhelming him. He had been so scared. So scared of losing him. He reached over to hug him, though it was awkward since Harry had to twist a little. Harry wanted to squeeze him hard and never let go, but he couldn't. It would probably hurt Snape so instead he shook and gripped hard onto his dark hospital robes.
"I should have been with you… I should have…"
"Shh… do you know… how much I thank the fates that you weren't there?" Severus mumbled and weakly placed a hand to the back of Harry's head.
Harry sobbed harder. Deep, audible sobs accompanied with tears. "I thought you were going to leave me too." He whimpered. He hated being so weak to the man he so longed to show his strength to, but he couldn't help it. He had to cry. He had to let out these emotions that he was used to bottling up.
"You didn't leave me… naturally I couldn't leave you." He stayed there, head against the Severus' chest, just taking in the comforting feeling of having the other pet his hair. An action so small and gentle that he hadn't known how much he'd yearned for it until he had it.
It was only after a while that Dumbledore made his presence known and Harry, a little calmer, moved back, his neck aching from the position he'd been in.
Severus turned from him to Dumbledore. "I don't know who it was. I sensed them too late."
"We believe it was Greyback and his pack. Several werewolves tried to attack the burrow also."
Snape turned to look at him, examining up and down as if trying to find any evidence of harm on him. Harry tucked his bandaged hand out of sight.
"We're fine… no one was hurt." Harry said. He glanced at Dumbledore nervously, wondering if he was going to tell on him. However, Dumbledore gave him a look that seemed to say 'either you tell him or I will'. "I-I… used druid blood magic to create a shield around the burrow." He mumbled, looking down, unable to meet the Snape's eyes.
"You what?! NNh!" Snape had tried to sit up and regretted the attempt, groaning in pain and cradling his ribs.
"I was just-!"
"Do not give me a single excuse! You are in so much trouble Potter! The moment I am out of here you will be so grounded that no broom will be able to lift you so much as an inch!"
Harry flinched and felt his face heat up as people gathered by the door, seeing him getting told off.
"So irresponsible! As if the theory you were taught was enough for you to even attempt such a thing! Nnh…" It looked like it was hard to even tell him off. But even when Dumbledore tried to get him to relax and rest Severus refused. "Do not tell me to calm down Albus! What do you have to say for yourself Potter?!"
"I-!" But Severus couldn't hold himself back long enough to hear the explanation and jumped right in.
"You promised me you wouldn't try that kind of magic again." He said a little softer. "I guess I can't trust you." The mediwizard finally came in and ushered them all out for distressing the patient.
That last words cut Harry deeper than he had expected. He never wanted to disappoint Severus. In fact… he was the one person he was desperate to make proud.
"But…"
"Out!" The mediwizard said strictly. Harry looked back at Severus who was currently shaking his head and mumbling under his breath. Harry looked away and left the room.
Ron was grinning widely when Harry made his way out.
He frowned. "What are you so happy about?" Harry mumbled sitting down beside him.
"Oh… Nothing." Ron said casually.
"…You're glad I got told off?"
"Yes and yes. It's refreshing to have you red-faced when you truly mess up." Ron said. "You know what? I'm liking this whole Snape-dad thing a whole lot more now." He said with glee.
Harry rolled his eyes at him. "You're an ass." He said.
Dumbledore came up to them. "Mr. Weasley, if I may have a word with Harry?" Ron nodded and got up, going to his family, letting Dumbledore take a seat beside him.
"I didn't know how many they were… I just thought a barrier would be faster and safer." Harry said.
"It was faster. It was not safer for you."
Harry sighed leaning back against the wall. "Did I break the law?" Harry mumbled.
"No, actually. The Dark Arts are not illegal. The unforgivable are. There's just a negative stigma around those who use it." Dumbledore explained.
"Oh well, that's nothing different to the last five years of my life." Harry shrugged.
"More importantly Harry. Severus' home has been destroyed."
Harry winced knowing that it was mostly his fault. Even if Snape had said he didn't like it, he could have sold it and gotten some money out of it. Harry sighed. His duvet was probably ruined too.
"Does that mean… you won't let me stay with him anymore?" Harry asked.
"Your exams are coming up soon and he still needs a little time to recover. Currently the burrow is the best place for you but I promise that after that you may go live wherever Severus decides to move into. I will personally ensure that the appropriate wards are placed on the new home." He said.
Harry thought about it. That did make sense. He was sure that Severus would want him to study in the last remaining days before the O.W.L.s.
"Ok… thank you professor." He said.
Dumbledore nodded and patted his shoulder before going to talk to the Weasleys. Harry sighed. He wished he could just stay with Snape.
"Come on Harry dear. We can come visit tomorrow." Mrs. Weasley said.
Harry stood, feeling heavy and looking back at the room. The mediwizard narrowed his eyes at him and Harry glared back. Stupid medics and their strict rules.
Anyway, he would work hard on his studies. Maybe if he got really good grades Snape's anger for him using the dark arts will diminish. Hopefully Snape wasn't too angry to take him house-hunting with him when he got better. He had been looking forward to doing that with him.
