AN: The surgery was a huge success, no more sleepless nights worrying. This chapter is kind of a teaser, not a real update. I haven't the time to write more coherent text, so sorry for the little mistakes and short chapter. I haven't the time to answer reviews now, so maybe in the future. Old responses can be found on my livejournal, link on profile page.
Chapter 10. Cold War
After the incident or as Severus called it the Conspiracy the relationship between the Marauders and the Slytherin duo simply died. Even if Severus had been inclined to forgive and forget, James' and Sirius' threats and simple arrogance in face of their own negligence and foolishness, made even Harry snap. What ever plan or idea that Harry had had of remaining friends was destroyed with every humiliation that the Marauders heaped upon the two. Remus tried mending bridges, but was too cowed by the others to make a true effort. With a close encounter with a death sentence (werewolves were executed if they ever infected another human) and OWLs he was half dead with fatigue and anger. Remus retreated into his studies and his other friend Lily Evans a muggleborn Gryffindor in his year. Severus was forbidden to tell anyone of the incident with James' life debt over his head.
The relationship with the two houses, Slytherin and Gryffindor was broken completely. Before the friendship between the Marauders and the Slytherin duo had formed a connection between the houses. Relations had plummeted with this. The corridors and halls of Hogwarts were places were small fights and insults occurred with startling frequency. The war had finally reached Hogwarts. Slytherins reputation for dark wizards and Gryffindors black and white world view were making the two sworn enemies as the deaths began piling up with You-Know-Who's rising reputation. All Slytherins were assumed to be junior Death Eaters and all Gryffindors future fighters for the Light side. It was complete war between the houses. Few tried to mend the relationship between the two warring houses, none accomplished anything.
After the little incident with a malicious prank that almost destroyed Severus' sight, Harry insisted that he accompany Severus everywhere. The boys' friendship was slowly chancing with hormones and time. Both had found the other attractive before, but with the time they now spent with each other increasing, they found each other again. As they say: "Best friends make the best lovers." The two danced around the subject for a better part of the next year, before confessing their love to each other. Both were virgins, so their relationship progressed at a snails pace. The two wanted to be sure because they both knew that this would be for life. They'd found their soul mate.
Severus was ecstatic, he had Harry, his potions OWLs had made it possible for him to pursue his dream of Potions Mastery and Professor Slughorn had just told him that he was looking for an apprentice. This would mean that in five years time he'd have his Mastery and be the youngest to reach Potions Mastery in Europe. All his hopes and dreams were coming true. His mother would have been so proud. This was what it meant to be a wizard. Even the war couldn't make him forget the happiness he had at his reach. All was well in his world.
TBC…