AN: Twas the night before Christmas, and I posted an undate. I hope you all have a wonderful holdiay season.

Leadership

Mid-August 1999

The deep currant colored potion simmered gently. Severus gave it a final stir, and then extinguished the fire. Selecting a vial from the shelves along the wall, Severus bottled the potion and set it aside to cool. He quickly cleaned up the makeshift lab he'd set up in one of Harry's spare bedrooms.

When he'd finished, the bottles were cool to the touch, and Severus carefully placed them in his kit. Satisfied with the quality of the pain draught, he turned his thoughts to Harry. In the time since the disastrous Order meeting, the brat had been abnormally quiet. During the day Severus scarcely saw his lover, but at night Harry turned to him with a desperate sort of passion. Severus was at loss as to what to do, so he waited, and hoped the brat would snap out of it.

A brown barn owl flew through an open window and perched on a drying rack. Severus growled irritably at the owl, removed the message, and shooed the creature out of the room. Recognizing Devlin's handwriting, Severus quickly unrolled the parchment and read the message.

When he'd finished reading, Severus gazed thoughtfully at the cooling potion and tapped the note on his thigh. Armed with this information, he decided that Potter's mood had gone on long enough. It was time to confront the brat and make him talk.

Making his way through the house, Severus wasn't surprised to find Harry once again holed up in the training room, playing with his daggers. The young man had spent much of his time doing that lately. Severus could see that it had a calming effect on Harry and didn't comment on it. Taking care to ensure the brat heard his entrance, Severus waited till the daggers were safely stowed away, then spoke. "I would like to speak with you. Would you care for a drink on the porch?"

Harry wrinkled his brow at Severus' serious tone, but nodded and followed the older man outside. Accepting the glass he was handed, Harry sat on the swing and waited for Severus to begin.

"I'm aware that you've had a great deal on your mind lately," Severus said as he sat beside Harry. "I have refrained from prying, but I have been…" he struggled with the word for a moment, "…concerned."

Harry smiled softly at the confession and shifted so his thigh rested against Severus'. "I know I've been distracted," he agreed. "I've been doing a lot of thinking."

Relieved that Harry was talking again, Severus slipped an arm around the young man's back and nestled him under his chin. "Would you be willing to share these thoughts?" Severus asked cautiously.

Snuggling closer to his lover's warmth, Harry sighed. "I don't want to be a leader," he said forlornly. "I don't think I could ever send you or the Bar into a dangerous situation."

Severus simply held Harry tightly and offered his silent support.

"I can't lose you," Harry said roughly.

Kissing the black locks, Severus reassured his lover, "You will not lose me, Harry. I've been fighting this war since before you were born; I've survived thus far and have every intention of making it through alive."

Harry looked at Severus doubtfully, but dropped that line of thought. No doubt Severus didn't appreciate Harry's worry on his behalf. His thoughts turned inward for a moment, and then he spoke again. "And the whole thing with Hermione made me realize how much Dumbledore has manipulated my life."

At Severus' questioning 'hmm', Harry explained. "I trusted him to do what was best for everyone, even after Sirius died. But now I think that he was just doing what he had to in order for me to become his weapon."

Harry felt another kiss land on his head, and sipped his drink to moisten his throat. "It hurts," he admitted quietly.

Damning the old fool again, Severus hugged Harry to him fiercely. "The headmaster is an idiot," he spat. "Do not let him cause you to doubt yourself. You are a far better man than he is."

"But what if he's right?" Harry demanded. "What if I'm not capable of leading this fight? Who would follow a nineteen year old boy into battle?"

"Potter," Severus started gruffly, "you are not a boy. I do not have relationships with children." He didn't know how much longer he could be considerate. The brat was obviously upset, and Severus had no idea how to help.

"Fine," Harry snapped. "I'm old enough to fuck, but how does that make me mature enough to lead an army?" He dropped his head to Severus' chest. The older man didn't seem to understand Harry's point. "I never asked for any of this to happen," he mumbled.

Severus heard Harry's muttered words, but didn't know how to respond. He held the younger man close, hoping somehow that his presence would be enough. Several minutes passed in silence when Severus felt something wet fall onto his hand. After a moment he realized it was a tear. Staring down at his lover's bent head, Severus felt shocked. Harry never cried.

Realizing how distressed the young man must be to actually cry, Severus simply laid his chin on Harry's head and held him. He was furious, but he didn't know who with: Harry for crying or the headmaster for precipitating this loss of control.

After several minutes, Harry lifted his head and discreetly wiped his eyes. He was surprised that Severus hadn't commented on his bawling like a child. Uncomfortable at his show of weakness, Harry stood and muttered, "I'm going to go train some more."

Narrowing his eyes at Potter's back, Severus came to a decision. The brat's melancholy couldn't be permitted to last any longer. Severus didn't think he'd be able to handle any more tears. "Let me tell you this, Potter," Severus snapped. "When you get over your self-pity, I will follow you into hell itself." Tossing Devlin's letter on the table, Severus drawled, "And so, apparently, will half the Order."

Severus stalked past Harry. "You know where to find me if you want to talk."

Staring at his lover's retreating back, Harry dropped back onto the swing. He had a lot of thinking to do.

Sprawled out on the floor in the training room, Harry was talking to Saoirse, trying to make sense of his confused thoughts. The little snake was a good listener and no one would overhear his whining in Parseltongue. At first he'd been angry at Severus for accusing him of self-pity, but then he realized the older man was right. I have been wallowing in my fears instead of trying to deal with them, he admitted to himself. After that acknowledgement, he was determined to overcome his fears, and talking with the snake was helping.

He was unaware of how much time had passed, but the sun was low in the sky, so Harry thought it was probably late in the afternoon. Hedwig flew into the room and dropped a rolled up note on his head. Rolling his eyes at his familiar, Harry read the message and groaned. Apparently Severus was still peeved. The note read:

Devlin has arranged a meeting with your new followers at six. I will meet you there.

S.

Harry scrubbed a hand across his face and muttered, "Well, fuck. This is going to be a nightmare." A glance at the clock showed he had enough time for a quick shower, so he hurried off to clean up and change.

Thirty minutes later Harry stepped out of the Floo into the entryway of Sinister Place. No one appeared to greet him, so he headed for the library where the Bar usually congregated. Passing the sitting room, he noticed a movement. Peeking in the doorway, he saw that Ginny was alone in the room. "Hey, Ginny," he said easily. "Do you know where everyone's gathering?"

Ginny turned to Harry with a predatory gleam in her eye. "In the library, I think," she answered softly. "But, Harry, can I talk to you a minute? Alone?"

With a watchful air, Harry agreed. If Ginny was serious about stepping away from Dumbledore, he'd answer any questions she had. They needed all the help they could get. Harry stepped into the room, but kept a healthy distance between them.

Ginny looked around furtively, and gestured Harry closer. "It's kinda private," she said. "I don't want my brothers to hear."

He could hear the twins laughing, so he joined Ginny at the window. She took a step closer and leaned up like she wanted to whisper to him. The next thing Harry knew, Ginny had her arms around his neck and was trying to press a kiss to his lips.

Standing in shock for a moment, Harry could only stare at Ginny. Shaking his head, he tried to pull away, but she wouldn't release him. He wasn't sure what to do; he didn't want to hurt her, so he lifted his hands to pry her loose.

Severus walked into the room, and saw the pair. He looked at Harry and raised an eyebrow. "Potter," he growled warningly. The brat smiled sheepishly, shrugged and went back trying to pry the Weasley chit off him.

"We're busy," Ginny said coldly. "You can talk to Harry later."

Glaring at the twit, Severus asked, "Potter, do you want Ms. Weasley's hands on you?"

Still struggling with Ginny, who seemed to have devolved several new hands, Harry snapped, "You know I don't."

Ginny stopped trying to climb him and gave him a crestfallen look. "But, Harry," she protested, "we belong together. Can't you see that?"

Finally wrenching free from her, Harry stepped out of her reach. "Ginny, I don't want you," he said gently. "Frankly, I wouldn't be able to trust you. Not after what you did to me."

"I love you," she cried reaching out for Harry again.

Severus took a menacing step forward. "You know nothing of love, little girl," he spat. "Your obsession with Potter has nothing in common with love; a foolish child such as yourself cannot even comprehend his needs, let alone meet them."

Harry watched Severus with shock. The older man might claim he had little understanding of love, but it was obvious to Harry that Severus knew a great deal about what Harry needed. However much he agreed with Severus' sentiments, Harry couldn't in good conscience allow it to continue. "Severus, that's enough," he said softly.

"Stay out of this, Potter," Severus warned. Turning back to the Weasley girl, Severus snarled, "It would behoove you to refrain from any further attempts to sink your claws into Potter." With a sinister twitch of his lips, he drawled, "Or I will be forced to remove them, permanently."

Ginny looked at Harry, shock evident in her eyes. "You're shagging Snape?" she asked incredulously.

Chuckling softly, Harry admitted, "As often as possible."

"But why?" she whined. "You should be with me. I have it all planned, first we'll…"

Either the chit was truly dense or she had more tenacity than was healthy. Either way, Severus was finished trying to reason with her. Pulling his wand from his sleeve, he paused a moment to think of the most appropriate spell to use.

Harry took a step forward to stop Severus, when Luc strolled into the room. The blonde man quickly sized up the situation and for once didn't make it worse. Luc threw a wink at Harry, and then went to Ginny's side. "Ginny. May I call you Ginny? I was hoping you could answer a few questions for me."

Seemingly aware of the danger she'd been in, Ginny allowed Luc to steer her from the room, much to Harry's relief. Cursing possible allies was not a good policy, even ones as obnoxious as Ginny had become.

Leaning against the wall, Harry let out a relieved sigh and looked at Severus. "Are you still mad at me?" he asked quietly.

Severus glared at the empty doorway and reluctantly put away his wand. Facing Potter, he shook his head at the younger man's question. "I was not angry with you, merely the situation," he explained. "I don't know how to help you and it frustrates me."

Smiling softly, Harry offered, "It meant a great deal to me that you were just there."

Crossing the room in three strides, Severus pulled Harry against him and held him tight. "I'll always be there," he vowed. Severus ignored the fact that someone could walk in at any moment, and that there was an important meeting waiting for them, as he tried to give Harry what he needed.

Harry laid his head on Severus' shoulder and inhaled the soothing scent of his lover. Slipping his arms around the taller man's waist, he let Severus comfort him. After several moments, Harry murmured, "All I ever wanted was just to be normal."

Grasping Harry's shoulders, Severus pushed back so he could look into Harry's eyes. "You will never be normal," he said flatly. At his words a bleak expression flashed across his lover's face, and Severus swore. "Damn those Muggles. Potter… Harry, being different does not make you a freak."

Determined that this time Harry would understand and believe him, Severus growled, "You are unique, remarkable, and most importantly… mine." He swooped down and captured Harry's lips in a searing kiss. Pulling the young man against his body, Severus tried to put how extraordinary he thought Harry was into the kiss.

Harry was lost in Severus' kiss; he could feel the passion rolling off the older man and surrendered to it. Maybe being normal wasn't that important after all.

Eventually Severus released him; they did have a great deal to do and, as much as he regretted it, Harry understood. The older man spent the next few minutes explaining the plan the Bar had devised to assure the loyalty of those present for the meeting.

"Veritaserum?" Harry questioned.

Rolling his eyes, Severus impatiently explained, "It's only one drop, brat. It's only good for approximately twenty minutes, more than enough time to determine if they are being truthful or not."

Pacing restlessly, Harry quickly thought it over. After a moment he turned to Severus. "I guess it's necessary," he conceded reluctantly. "But I think you should let me propose it."

"Indeed," Severus drawled.

Harry took one look at his lover's smug expression and grumbled, "Prat, that was your intention all along."

Severus smirked at Harry and raised an eyebrow.

"Let's get this over with," Harry said with a huff. Still muttering about Slytherin bastards under his breath, he strode from the room and headed for the library.

Stifling a smile, Severus trailed after his lover. He still enjoyed winding Harry up − the young man's response was always rousing. Watching Harry walk down the hall, Severus lifted his brow in admiration and mentally added, And so is his magnificent arse.

Harry stopped just inside the library and looked around the room. He wasn't surprised to see most of the Weasleys, though he was sad to note that Ron hadn't come. Remus and Tonks he'd expected due to their recent conversations, but Kingsley Shacklebolt was an unexpected addition. There were a couple of members whose names he couldn't remember, but he was pleased to see them anyway. But the biggest surprise of the evening was Minerva McGonagall, sitting primly in the Bar's library.

Hesitating in the doorway, Harry was still nervous about walking into the limelight. Severus leaned down and whispered, "You can do this, Harry. I believe in you." Then the git shoved him into the room.

Stumbling a couple of steps forward, Harry glared at Severus over his shoulder. The older man smirked and drifted to a corner, joining Vane. I hate public speaking, Harry thought grumpily. He took a deep breath and faced the crowd. "Thanks for coming on such short notice," he began.

Looking at each person present, Harry continued, "I am pleased to see so many of you here." Catching McGonagall's and Kingsley's eyes, he added with a smile, "Some of you quite unexpected."

"But enough of that. Let's get down to business," Harry announced. "Unfortunately, because of Dumbledore's manipulative nature, I have to ask each of you to prove your loyalty."

Fred jumped to his feet. "Do you want us to…"

"…Slay a dragon for you?" George finished at his brother's side.

Harry chuckled. "Nothing like that. Sit down, you two." He gestured to Devlin who brought to him a vial of clear liquid. "One drop of Veritaserum is all I'm asking." A quick glance around the room showed several uneasy faces, so Harry offered, "I'll go first. You'll have twenty minutes to ask about my motivations. Sound fair?"

After several moments of whispered conversation, the group agreed. Well aware the truth serum would render him disoriented, Harry pulled a chair to the center of the room and allowed Remus to place a single drop on his tongue. Then the questions began. They were what he'd expected: questions about the Black magic, Parseltongue and his plans for Voldemort. As a precaution, Devlin had been instructed to silence him if his answer would reveal sensitive information.

With only a couple of minutes of Veritaserum remaining, the group fell to asking meaningless questions, and Severus turned his attention back to his conversation with Vane. A moment later a question from the twins caught his attention.

"Hey, Harry," George called, "is it true…"

"…That you're buggering Snape?" finished Fred.

A shocked silence filled the room. "Well, only the once so far," Harry admitted. The Veritaserum compelled him to add, "Mostly he buggers me." Choked laughter followed his answer.

Severus closed his eyes momentarily, trying to control his temper, but the effort was useless. A flick of his wrist and his wand was out, and he silently cast Stolidus Quaeaudio. Fred and George Weasley's eyes widened. Fred had been struck deaf, and George mute. Molly humphed and declared, "Should have thought of that years ago."

Devlin led Harry out of the room, much to Severus' relief. The brat was sure to be mortified when the Veritaserum left his system. He glared daggers at Vane, who was doing a poor job of concealing his laughter. Severus strode to the front of the room and drawled coldly, "Would anyone else care to pry into my personal life?" Everyone glanced at the strangely silent twins and shook their heads. No one would risk the ex-Death Eater's wrath.

"Then perhaps we can proceed," Severus snapped. "You will be informed of all we know about the Horcruxes. Teams will then be formed to locate the ones still hidden." He paused a moment. When there were no objections, he continued, "Those not tasked with identifying Horcruxes will either research certain objectives or work with the Bar on analyzing the Death Eaters and their movements. Are there any questions?"

No one spoke up. "Very good, then one at a time, join Potter and Devlin in the sitting room for the Veritaserum. We will meet back here when that is finished."