Chapter 36

Phaedrus rolled his eyes before he answered. "They just vanished," he said waiting for their incredulous looks.

Instead, Harry and Severus gave each other a look that to Phaedrus said that they were actually considering the possibility. So, the werewolf continued, "The short one also pointed a stick at me and started to say something that I couldn't understand."

At this, both his charges turned back to him with grave looks.

Phaedrus shook his head. This was getting more unbelievable by the second. He didn't know what else to say. He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head.

Severus looked down for a moment. Harry sensed that Snape was actually considering telling Phaedrus about their world.

"Phaedrus, there's much that you don't know about the world," Severus said slowly.

The werewolf gave a vague smile. "I know that, Severus. It's just that there seemed to be a lot less that I didn't know before I met the two of you. For instance, I wasn't aware that teenagers and grown men believe in werewolves. I am a werewolf and there are some days that I can't believe it."

The middle aged wizard nodded, taking what the man said into consideration. "A werewolf killed my parents," he said finally, diverting his eyes away from Harry and Phaedrus.

The young wizard turned his attention suddenly to his professor. "Is that why you don't like Remus?" he asked before he could stop himself. The second he heard the words come out of his mouth, he wished he could take them back.

Severus' expression darkened. His gaze remained averted. "Among other reasons," he stated sharply.

The tone in his professor's voice made Harry want to apologize but he felt that saying anything else at the moment wouldn't be in good taste.

Phaedrus' face paled. He now understood the severity of Severus' reaction to him being a werewolf and he couldn't really blame him.

After a few moments of reflection Severus began to speak about a part of the world that sounded like the fairy tales Phaedrus had heard as a child. The werewolf listened intently without interruption.

A few hours after Severus had enlightened him about the 'other world' and the reason why he and Harry were out here, Phaedrus was alone in the kitchen distractedly preparing dinner, thinking about what he had been told.

Severus had been sent back to the bed to rest but he couldn't be more wide awake.

Harry sat on the couch across the room from him with the knees tucked under his chin. He watched Severus staring blankly at a wall, thinking about his parents' death presumably. He felt guilty about blurting out that bit about Remus after Snape had shared that about his parents. People had done the same thing to him in the past: blurting out something random and insensitive when he had told them his parents were dead.

Licking his lips then taking in a deep breath, he decided to break the retrospective silence. "Professor?"

Severus' head jerked in his direction as if startled. "Yes, Harry?" he answered in a tired voice.

"I'm sorry about that bit I said about Remus. I didn't mean to-"

"It's all right," the potions professor interrupted. He wasn't in the mood for a heart to heart about his parents.

Severus turned his gaze back on the wall signaling to the boy that the conversation was over. "We're leaving tomorrow morning," he stated flatly.

Phaedrus served dinner but hardly anything was eaten.

Severus' already small appetite had been diminished further by the earlier conversation. It was exhausting to have all of the emotions from his tragic childhood so close to the surface after he had tried to bury them so many years ago.

Harry was concerned that all of the progress he and his professor had made was going to be ruined by his comment about Remus. He was also worried about their leaving the next morning. He didn't know if Snape's condition had improved enough.

Phaedrus had mixed emotions. It was encouraging to know that there were others like him living a somewhat normal life but discouraging to know that their lives were so different from his that it seemed like a different world. Severus had informed him of their intentions of leaving in the morning. He wanted to go with Severus and Harry to that world but he knew it was impossible. They wouldn't be safe with him and according to Severus he wouldn't be welcomed in that world anyway.

"Try to eat a bit more, Severus," the werewolf entreated. "You'll need your strength if you're going to leave tomorrow."

"I've had enough," the wizard protested pushing his plate further away from him on the wooden table top.

"Then get some rest," Phaedrus said getting up and walking around the table to where Severus was sitting.

Severus had already started to push himself up when his caretaker took his uninjured arm and hoisted him the rest of the way up. Now under Severus' shoulder Phaedrus helped the man back to the bed.

Harry grew more concerned about their imminent departure when he didn't see the wizard protest Phaedrus' help. How was the man supposed to walk for miles in the snow through the mountains to a remote cabin when he couldn't so much as walk to the bed without assistance?

When Phaedrus returned to the kitchen he read Harry's thoughts from his expression.

"How far is the cabin from here?" he asked.

"He said about a week on foot," the teen answered.

"I'm sorry that I can't come with you, Harry," Phaedrus said truly regretfully.

Harry nodded quickly. He felt tears of helplessness and frustration trickle down his cheeks without warning. Embarrassed about crying at his age, he turned away and hastily wiped the evidence away with his sleeve just before he felt Phaedrus' arms embrace him around his shoulders. Realizing that being cut off from society for so long rendered the werewolf immune to society's unwritten rule that boys don't cry, Harry let the hot tears roll down his cheeks. He buried his face in Phaedrus' chest and gave up trying to be strong for Snape.

"What if he can't make it?" he questioned Phaedrus.

Phaedrus tightened his grip on the child. He didn't know quite what to say. He had the same fears has Harry. Realistically the odds were against Severus. "Shhh, it'll be okay," he cooed in the teenager's ear while rocking him back and forth.

Severus was just drifting to sleep when a noise coming from the kitchen brought him to a more conscious state. He made out Harry's voice. He didn't understand what the boy had said but he sounded upset.

Pushing off the blankets Phaedrus had covered him with Severus got out of the bed and with a considerable effort made his way to the kitchen. When he finally reached the doorway he stopped, stunned at the sight before him. Harry sat facing away from him engulfed in Phaedrus' arms. Phaedrus was saying something to the boy but his voice fell off the moment he saw Severus.

Immediately sensing something was wrong, Harry's face emerged from the werewolf's chest then following his gaze, turned around to see Professor Snape out of bed and staring at him.

Seeing Harry's red, tear stained face Severus impulsively stepped forward to comfort him but his knees buckled and he ended up on his hands and knees on the floor instead. The effort of getting out of bed on his own had weakened him.

Both Harry and Phaedrus came to his aid immediately. Phaedrus maneuvered him into a sitting position where Severus was using the werewolf's chest as a backrest. Harry eyes darted back and forth scanning over him to search for any visible signs of physical trauma sustained during the fall.

"Are you all right, Severus?" Phaedrus questioned from behind him.

Severus ignored the question, still focused on his charge. "Harry, what's wrong?"

Harry looked into his eyes and shook his head disbelievingly. "Professor, you're not going to make it if we leave tomorrow," he said hysterically.

Severus was at a loss as how to respond. His mouth moved as if trying to form the words itself but no sound was made.

Taking advantage of the man's inability to retort, Phaedrus gently suggested, "Why don't you stay for a day or two more, Severus? You'll still have a week before I transform."

Severus shook his head. His look of concern for Harry faded into a look of exhaustion. "They know we're near," he whispered. "Pettigrew could be back any time. The sooner we get you back, the better. You won't be safe until you're in Hogwarts."

"In case you don't remember, that's where we were kidnapped!" Harry shouted immediately regretting taking that tone with the man whose only concern was him.

For a moment Severus seemed at a loss for words. Slowly he opened his mouth and said, "Dumbledore will make sure it can't happen again."

"I'm sorry," Harry said shakily, wringing his hands together. He wanted to make his professor understand what he felt. How he was frightened that the man wouldn't be able to reach the cabin. How he was angry at himself that he was the reason. How helpless he felt.

Severus reached out an unstable hand and placed it over Harry's. He thought he understood what the boy was feeling and he wanted to let him know that it was okay, that this was not his fault. This was Voldemort's fault. But he too had trouble putting what he felt into words. After years of suppressing his feelings it wasn't easy for him to put them into words. Only Dumbledore and Minerva seemed to be capable of understanding him.

Harry stared at the pale hand covering his own. It was covered in ruddy, healing scratches. "Professor, please, can we stay a little longer?" he implored softly. "Just a day or two?"

The wizard looked away from his charge. His instincts pulled him toward leaving but the boy's reaction instilled doubt. After a moment's hesitation, Severus closed his eyes. "All right, Harry. We'll stay," he said finally.

Harry detected the note of foreboding in his professor's voice but he didn't care. He was so grateful that they were staying that he hugged the man.

The next couple days seemed a blur to Harry. Phaedrus had ransacked his cottage for clothes, blankets, medical supplies, and food they could take with them. Much to Severus' chagrin the werewolf had shown Harry how to tend to the man's injuries and made Harry practice a number of times. It had been awkward for Harry too but he knew the importance of being able to dress the man's wounds himself.

Severus made a conscientious effort to eat more than usual at meal times which gave him more energy.

When the morning of their departure arrived Harry changed Severus' bandages one more time while Phaedrus oversaw.

Severus' own pants and shoes were still in good condition but his shirt and coat had not survived the last full moon. Phaedrus surveyed the clothing he had gathered earlier and proceeded to help Severus into them. First a thermal undershirt followed by a gray, wool button-up shirt. The wizard did the buttons himself then Phaedrus pulled a faded black sweater over the shirt and finally topped off the outfit with a long, black wool coat.

Harry's clothes seemed to be in good condition but Phaedrus made him take a moth-eaten navy sweater and a brown wool coat that was warmer than the one he had of Draco's.

About an hour before they were to leave, Severus and Phaedrus were alone in the kitchen.

"It's not a cure," Severus was saying, "but it will help."

"What does it do?" Phaedrus asked hopefully.

"It makes it easier. The transformation won't take as much of a toll and instead of running wild, you'll sleep."

A smile formed on the werewolf's lips. "I would very much appreciate that, Severus," he said softly.

"I won't be able to get it to you before the coming full moon but the next and all after I will," he said apologetically. He wanted to help Phaedrus after he had done so much to help them. This was the one way he knew to thank Phaedrus.

When it finally came time to leave, Harry hugged Phaedrus tightly. "Thank you for everything, Phaedrus," he said letting go and swinging a parcel that the werewolf had packed for them over his shoulder.

Phaedrus smiled back then gripped Severus' hand in a firm shake. No words were exchanged but both seemed to have developed a new appreciation of the other.

"Be careful and don't push yourselves too hard," Phaedrus advised after them as they started their journey to the old cabin where Severus had helped so many escape Voldemort before.

Harry followed behind his professor as they made their way through the dense mountain forest. Their progress was slow but he didn't mind. Every half hour or so he inquired how Severus was doing and if he wanted to rest, to which the man replied that he was fine and didn't want to rest.

About five hours into their departure Severus stopped and leaned against a tree. He took in slow, deep breaths. This was harder than he thought it was going to be. He didn't realize how weak he was in the comfort of Phaedrus' cottage.

"Professor? Are you all right?" Harry asked putting down the parcel Phaedrus had packed for them.

Severus closed his eyes but nodded.

"Why don't we take a rest here?" the boy suggested.

The man didn't respond but allowed himself to slide down the trunk of the tree so that he sat on the ground with his back supported by the trunk.

Harry plopped down beside him and surveyed the man's condition. Snape's eyes were still closed.

Severus opened his eyes when he felt Harry's hand on his forehead, apparently checking for fever.

"You're warm," Harry remarked observing the dullness of the man's eyes.

"I'm fine, Harry."

"How's your chest?" Harry inquired.

"It's fine."

Harry narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the man's face in an effort to determine if he was being honest.

"Really, Harry, I'm fine. I was just a little tired. That's all," Severus said endeavoring to reassure the young wizard.

Harry very much doubted that his professor was fine but decided to let it go for now. "Have something to eat," he said as he grabbed the parcel. After a moment of searching he pulled out some bread.

Severus looked at the bread. He didn't want to eat. He knew he should eat and he knew Harry wanted him to eat. "May I have some water?" he asked instead of taking the bread.

Harry nodded but forced the bread into his hand before groping inside the parcel again for the canister of water.

Severus didn't miss the connotation.

Retrieving the container, Harry passed the canister to the man's free hand.

Severus took a sip then handed it back to the teen. He broke off a piece of bread and put it in his mouth in acquiescence.

He chewed it slowly then swallowed and handed the rest of the loaf to Harry. "You should eat too."

Harry broke off a piece of bread, purposefully not taking the loaf from his professor.

Severus sighed. "Harry, I can't."

Harry swallowed the piece of bread he had been chewing then turned to face the man. He read the look in the man's eyes. He could see that Snape truly was sorry that he couldn't do this for him.

Harry took the remainder of the bread and stowed it back inside the parcel. He handed the canister back to the injured man who took another sip and gave it back to him.

Cramming the canister back into the parcel Harry quietly asked, "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine," Severus replied automatically.

Placing his hand over the man's forehead again Harry tried to analyze their situation. Professor Snape had always done this before. He had made the decisions. The teenager hadn't really appreciated how comforting that had been until now.

"Let's stay here for a little while," he said finally. Heeding Phaedrus' advice he didn't want to push Snape. If they took a few more hours, or days for that matter, it wouldn't really matter in the long run. As long as they both made it back to Hogwarts safely.

Severus nodded. He wrapped his arms around his chest to keep in some of his body heat. At that moment the realization hit him that he might not make it back to Hogwarts. He supposed that he had thought that many times in his life. The same thought had occurred to him several times now that he thought about it. The night that Remus had attacked him and countless nights when Voldemort had summoned him, when he was taken with Harry, and when Phaedrus had attacked them. But this was the first time when he had time to think upon it before hand and mentally prepare himself. He also needed to prepare the boy.

"Harry," he said after some time, "I'm going to tell you how to get to the cabin in case… well, in case."

"I don't need to know," Harry stated matter-of-factly. "You're going to get us there."

"Harry-"

"You promised that you would be okay!" he shouted. It was childish, he knew, but he didn't care. He wanted to be under the security blanket of knowing everything was going to be okay because Professor Snape was going to take care of him and nothing would ever happen to Professor Snape because he knew how to do everything.

"Please be reasonable," Severus said calmly.

"I don't want to be reasonable," he said bluntly. "I want you to be okay and you will be. We just need to get back to Hogwarts"

Severus opened his mouth to retort then shut it again. He knew that Harry was not going to accept what he wanted to say. He would have to tell him eventually but it could wait a little longer. "Are you ready to start again?" Severus asked instead.

Harry nodded. He got to his feet then helped Severus to his. The silence they walked in was only disturbed by the crunch of their footsteps in the snow and Harry's inquiry into Severus' state of being every half hour.

At dusk it had become difficult for them to see where they were going. Severus stopped and leaned against a tree as he had done earlier that day. "I think it's best we stop for the day," he said.

Harry agreed. Putting the parcel down, he began a search for firewood. It wasn't easy to find dry wood with all of the snow but he eventually found enough to start a decent fire.

Severus had cleared the snow away from the ground in a rough circle. This would serve as their camp ground for the night. Taking some of the wood Harry had collected, he proceeded to make a fire.

Harry sat down next to him, hugging his knees to his chest. "Can you show me how to do that?"

Severus beckoned him closer so that he could see what he was doing. Then he handed the wood to the boy and let him give it a go.

It took Harry about twice as long as it would've taken Severus but the teen eventually got a fire going.

Once the fire had been taken care of, Harry again rummaged through the parcel, this time pulling out two blankets. He handed one to Severus who wrapped it around his shoulders to block out the cold. Wrapping the other around himself Harry then pulled out the canister and some dried meat.

Severus still wasn't in the mood to eat. His chest hurt and he was tired. His other wounds had mostly healed but his chest still served as an annoyance. He ate more than he had earlier, mostly to appease Harry.

By the time they had done with the meal the sun had completely set and the moon was out. They were both drained from walking and just wanted to go to sleep. Harry got down on his side and pulled his blanket tightly around him. He was somewhat surprised but glad when he felt Snape lie down next to him and drape his own blanket around both of them.

Severus wrapped an arm around his student's shoulders. "You head about sixty degrees northwest from here. Six days, at least," he said, immediately sensing Harry's body tense. He knew that Harry would be angry but he had to tell him. He waited for a retort from the boy but none came before he gave in to sleep.

Author's note: Yes, it has been a while since I was able to indulge in writing. Anyway I needed to get back into it so I'm back.