Disclaimer – Anything you don't recognise from canon, is mine.

Chapter 7 – Losing the War

Sure enough as the two men stepped back into the room all eyes turned and fixed on the younger one.

'Harry?' Hermione said tentatively.

Harry sighed again and shook his head, allowing Severus to guide him over to the sofa and sit him down. The others exchanging worried glances as Harry hissed sharply, his face paling and sweat dotting his brow. Severus immediately fished a vial out of one of his many pockets and held it up to Harry's lips.

'Drink Harry.' He commanded softly. Harry swallowed the potion but it was several minutes before his breathing returned to normal and his hands stopped clenching.

'Harry?' Hermione tried again and waited as pained green eyes opened and Harry blinked several times. 'Are you okay, Harry?' Hermione asked, sitting down beside him.

Harry glanced at her and gave her a wan smile. 'That really has to be the most ridiculous question someone ever come up with.' He murmured.

Severus snorted and continued rubbing his back, remembering when Harry had said almost exactly the same thing to Albus and Minerva.

'Harry, what happened?' Carmichael asked.

'My leg hurts. What do you think?' he snapped.

Carmichael glanced at Severus who shook his head and turned back to Harry, knowing the reason the young man had immediately become so defensive. 'Harry,' he said soothingly. 'What happened this morning?'

Harry swallowed heavily. 'Please don't.' He whispered.

'Don't what Harry?'

'Don't ask me.' He breathed as Ron, Hermione and Neville finally sat down on the sofa opposite them.

'Harry, it wasn't your fault.' The redhead told him.

'You did what you had to do.' Hermione added.

'I killed them.' Harry whispered, turning away. 'I swore I wouldn't do that again.'

Severus grabbed his chin, turning the other's head and meeting his eyes. 'They would have killed you Harry. They would have killed us all.'

'I know.' Harry said softly.

Severus' eyes narrowed. 'Do you? Because I don't believe that you do.'

Harry didn't answer.

'Just tell us Harry, please.' Neville pleaded softly.

The Boy-Who-Lived shook his head.

'Harry, please. We need to know what happened so that it doesn't happen again.' Carmichael added gently.

Harry glanced away again before standing abruptly, swaying as he waited for the pain to subside. Severus offered him another vial but Harry ignored it and hobbled over to the window, looking down on the Manhattan streets. Severus moved to go to him but Hermione grasped his wrist.

'Just let him speak.' She whispered.

'There were four of them.' Harry began, refusing to look at them. 'I heard a noise. I woke up. I went downstairs to check.'

'Why didn't you wake me?' Severus burst out.

Harry flinched but didn't respond, instead continuing on as if he hadn't heard. 'They were in the hallway, checking each room. They were almost at Neville's. I went through the sitting room and caught two of them in the dining. I dropped one with a dagger but the other missed. I killed the other.'

Ron opened his mouth to ask how but Harry went on before he could speak, inadvertently answering the unasked question.

'The others saw the green light and came running. We duelled. They died. And then my house fell down.' The explanation had been blunt, to the point and oddly disjointed but none could miss the pain evident in Harry's voice and Severus shook off Hermione's arm and moved to the window.

'Harry.' He whispered wrapping his arms around the younger man. Harry leaned back, turning slightly and burying his head in his lover's shoulder as he let out a small sob.

'Why, Sev? Why can't they leave us alone?'

Severus hugged Harry tightly. 'I don't know.' He said sadly.

The others sat silently as Severus whispered soothingly, calming Harry until the younger man could face them again.

'He's very good for Harry, isn't he?' Carmichael murmured to Neville who had moved to stand beside the Secretary.

'He wasn't always.' Neville said softly. 'But now, yes.'

Severus gently guided Harry back to the sofa and sat down, tugging the young man down beside him, whispering to him again as he gasped in pain.

'God, what a shitty day.' Harry mumbled finally as he leant against the strong chest and closed his eyes.

'Well at least it's over. That was yesterday.' Hermione said brightly and Harry cracked an eye open and glanced at the clock on the side table before snorting softly.

'Only you Mione could see a good side to all this.' He muttered.

'There is another good side. You're all not dead.' She quipped. Harry opened both eyes and turned to raise a single brow in her direction.

'Gotten rather blunt in your old age, haven't you?' he said wryly.

Severus snorted. 'She's always been this blunt, Harry. You just choose to ignore it most of the time.'

Hermione gave a huff and reached over, smacking the potions master sharply on the arm as Harry snorted, all in the room happy to see him smile.

'I've never worked out how someone as sharp as you, Hermione could be so blunt. On paper it's a contradiction in terms.' Neville giggled.

Hermione mock glared at them all as Harry snorted again.

Suddenly Severus glanced at Neville. 'Mr Longbottom, would you mind ordering some room service please? I don't know about you but Harry hasn't eaten for over twenty four hours.'

Harry scowled. 'Severus, I am quite capable of taking care of myself thank you very much.' He said indignantly.

'Quite.' Severus said with a smile.

'I am.' Harry protested.

'So you're not hungry then?'

'No.' Harry said firmly. His position of strength completely obliterated just moments later when his stomach gave an enormous growl. 'Bloody hell.' Harry groaned as everyone laughed. 'You could take over from Trelawney.' He teased his lover and more laughter ensued as Severus looked at Harry in horror.

'Wash your mouth out, you little brat.' He breathed. Harry laughed again and settled back against the strong chest once more.

'Alright, out with it.' He said with a sigh.

Ron and Hermione exchanged glances but it was Carmichael who spoke as Neville moved to the telephone to order some food.

'Harry, you need a secret keeper.' He said frankly.

'Guess Mione isn't the only blunt one in this room.' Ron muttered.

Carmichael ignored him, quickly going on when Harry's face suddenly became devoid of all expression. 'A plan has been put forward of a circle of secret keepers.'

'No.' Harry said firmly.

'Harry, please listen.'

'No. No, secret keeper.' He hissed adamantly, moving to stand again. Severus stilled his motion by tightening his arms.

'Stop being so bloody intransigent and sit still and hear them out.' The older man commanded.

'Stop treating me like a child.' Harry growled. The jovial air that had been present only minutes before was evaporating almost instantly.

'Then stop acting like one.' Severus retorted. 'Every time you hear something you don't want to, you go and hide in the shadows; by the window or in the corner. I know you don't want a secret keeper, but you don't have a choice, I'm afraid. You are the most powerful wizard in the world, even with your leg, and Voldemort or not, every Dark Lord in training is going to have to knock you off before they can hope to make good their ascension. You are in danger, Harry and you always will be and I'll be damned if you risk your life just to save your personal sensibilities. I won't allow it.' Severus was breathing quite heavily by the time he finished and Harry was staring at him wide eyed.

'I…I…I just can't.' Harry stammered. 'I can't ask anyone to place themselves in that amount of danger.'

'But you're not asking them.' Severus burst out. 'They're offering.'

'Insisting.' Carmichael added.

Harry looked around at his friends, all of whom were nodding hopefully, and sighed, sinking back against the comforting body once again. 'Fine, but I still reserve the right to say no.'

'Of course.' Severus said, with no small amount of derision.

Carmichael spoke quickly again as Harry turned to glare at the older man. 'As I said, a plan of a circle of secret keepers has come up. For instance Ron would be your Secret Keeper, Albus would be his, Neville would be Albus' and you would be Neville's. That way everyone in the circle is protected by another and because that person is protected then the circle should remain unbroken.' He finished.

Harry glanced once more at those around them, his eyes going distant. He was silent for some minutes before shifting slightly. 'I need to get up.' He whispered. Severus, knowing what he meant, stood slowly before placing him gently on the ground.

The all waited in silence as Harry paced, or really limped, back and forward in front of the mock fireplace, murmuring softly to himself. Harry had always paced when he was thinking deeply about something. There was a knock on the door and Harry automatically flicked a hand at it and it swung open, startling the room service waiter on the other side, who couldn't work out how the door was opened when no one was standing nearby. The green eyed man didn't even seemed to notice as Neville quickly signed for the food and ushered the waiter back out, or the fact that as the pain in his leg got worse the more pale he became, until Severus finally decided to put a stop to it.

'Harry.' He snapped. Harry stopped and his head shot up.

'What?' the green eyed man stammered. 'Oh damn.' He moaned as the pain finally sunk in. Severus quickly moved to grab him, gently cradling him as he collapsed to the floor and pushing the sweaty hair back off his face. He delved into his robes for another potion but Harry had already passed out.

'You won't get anything more from him for a while.' Severus said quietly, lifting the young man and carrying him through to the bedroom. The others heard the older man talking softly as he removed Harry's shoes and outer clothing before placing him under the covers.

'Do you always have to think of everyone else first? Your life is just as important as anyone else's, you foolish brat. You would Keep for them so why can't they do it for you? Your job is done, Harry. It was done the minute you killed Voldemort; please let us help you to live.' The bed creaked as Severus sat down on the edge and Hermione and the others could almost picture him staring at his lover, tenderly running his fingers through the messy black hair, his eyes filled with worry. Of course there was no sound from the unconscious figure and several minutes later they heard the potions master give a heavy sigh before standing and returning to the sitting room.

He sat down, pinching the bridge of his nose as he surreptitiously wiped his eyes. 'Is he alright?' Hermione asked softly.

Severus snorted. 'Harry's right.' He drawled. 'That really is the most ridiculous question.' He added in response to their quizzical expressions. 'To answer your question, no, Harry is not alright and never will be, and if I hear you ask such a, as Harry puts it, inane question again, I will obviously have to resort to much more drastic measures.'

Hermione looked rather affronted but Ron laughed. 'Severus is well and truly back on form then.' He chuckled, ducking the cushion that was sent sailing his way.

'Mr Snape.' Carmichael began.

Severus sighed. 'Secretary, please, I insist you stop calling me that. I keep looking around for my father, which I might add is extremely disconcerting as he died more than thirty years ago. I haven't been called Mr in more than twenty five years.'

'I don't want to take liberties that aren't appropriate.' Carmichael said quickly.

Severus gave the American a wry grin. 'A true pureblood upbringing then.'

Carmichael flushed and nodded.

'Well as I am no longer a professor, even though Mr Longbottom insists on using the title continuously,' he scowled, rolling his eyes. 'You'd best be calling me Severus then, hadn't you?'

Carmichael smiled. 'It works both ways of course.'

Severus snorted. 'Oh, of course, Secretary.'

Carmichael glared as Ron and Hermione laughed. 'Don't worry Secretary.' Hermione winked at him. 'It took years to get Severus to use our given names and he was flooing us practically everyday.'

'It was not every day, Mrs Weasley.' Severus sniffed disdainfully.

'It was when you and Harry had that huge fight and he wasn't talking to you.' Ron snorted.

Carmichael glanced at the potions master who flushed slightly, Hermione smacking her husband for telling things she knew neither Harry nor Severus would have wanted spoken about. 'Hush your mouth, Ronald Weasley.' She scolded before turning to Carmichael and smiling. 'Please ignore my mentally challenged husband.' She said sweetly. 'His verbal diarrhoea runs quite rampant on occasion and his mouth functions without any regard or conference with his brain.'

Neville burst out laughing. 'Good god, Hermione.' He cackled. 'You sounded just like Professor Snape.'

'Mr Longbottom.' Severus snapped, standing abruptly and giving the young man his most menacing glare. 'Will you kindly stop calling me that?'

Neville's chuckles stopped suddenly as a flashback to potions classes had him cowering slightly. Severus' eyes narrowed and he stalked into the bedroom and closed the door behind him; the last topic that had come up very obviously touching a nerve.

Silence reigned for several minutes before Carmichael finally spoke. 'I imagine he would have been quite intimidating in the classroom.'

Ron snorted again. 'You have no idea.'

During the night and into the early hours of the morning the others apart from Carmichael who had moved into the library to answer some urgent owls, had transfigured the sofas into beds and settled down to sleep. They heard Harry's cries but all pretended they hadn't. Harry would whimper softly, crying out against the pain and the nightmares, and then the sound of Severus soothing baritone would drift under the door. Any one of them could have cast silencing charms but no one did, almost as if by hearing Harry's pain they could take some of it from him.

Finally at almost five o'clock Harry quieted. 'It's so bloody unfair.' Ron muttered, pulling Hermione closer to him. No one gave any response, the unspoken agreement plain in the silence.

Finally just after eight o'clock Severus opened the bedroom door and stepped out, a momentary expression of surprise flicking over his features before his face became once again impassive. He tried to hide the strain of the past few days but the dark circles and concerned eyes were unable to be covered by the indifferent expression.

'Good morning Severus.' Hermione said cheerfully as she bustled around the table that had been set with various breakfast foods.

'Morning.' The potions master replied, smiling slightly as no one asked if Harry was alright even though he knew they were dying to. 'Harry will be out momentarily.' He said softly.

'Great.' Carmichael said brightly as he breezed into the room, the library door closing behind him with a soft click. 'There is something else we must discuss that we didn't get to last night.'

'Isn't there always.' Harry muttered, limping slowly into the room. He looked awfully bright eyed and refreshed in spite of the annoyed expression on his face and Hermione frowned. Something was off.

'Nice glamour, Harry.' Severus drawled, immediately confirming her suspicions.

'Fuck off, Sev.' Harry retorted the scowl on his face saying volumes more than those three words had.

Ron and Neville snorted and Harry threw both his friends a glare Severus would have been proud of. Unfortunately it only made them laugh harder and Harry kept up his glare until the corners of his mouth twitched and within moments he too began snickering softly. Hermione glanced at Severus who was still looking at Harry, his black eyes glinting fondly. She knew he would love to see Harry smiling like that far more.

'So Carmichael,' Harry asked eventually, fixing his eyes on the older man. 'What else was there to discuss? Please take it easy on me; I don't think I can cope with another repeat of last night.'

The American Secretary's face paled slightly. 'Well, Harry, you see, it's just not. I really don't think. I have to say.' He babbled, trailing off.

Harry rolled his eyes and took pity on the man. 'They want to see me today, don't they?' he said bluntly.

Carmichael gaped at him and Severus snorted. 'I knew teaching you Legillimency was a mistake.' The potions master chuckled.

Harry tossed a smirk at him before turning back. 'It's alright, really.'

'Who wants to see you Harry?' Ron asked quizzically.

'The UN.' Harry, Severus and Carmichael all answered in unison.

'The Wizarding Council anyway.' Harry added.

'What time?' Severus asked.

Carmichael glanced at his watch. 'Half past ten, so we'd better hurry.' He said quickly. As his words everyone quickly dived into their breakfast, finishing in record time before taking turns to shower and by ten o'clock they were ready to go.

As one they made their way down to the lift, out through the lobby and climbed into the waiting cars, picking up what seemed to Harry to be an extraordinary amount of Aurors on the way and snaking through the Manhattan traffic.

Neville looked out at the sea of red tail lights. 'Can't you just jump us there?' he asked wistfully.

Carmichael shook his head. 'Sadly no.'

'Damn.'

At Ron and Hermione's quizzical expressions Severus smirked. 'This car is like the Knight Bus. That's how the Secretary travelled from Connecticut to Washington and back so quickly, it would take most of the day otherwise.'

'Oh.' Said Ron as Hermione glanced around the interior of the car.

'So why can't you, jump?' she asked.

Carmichael sighed. 'New York City Mayor won't allow it. Unfortunately while the muggles might not be able to see us, it doesn't stop us from running into, over or through them if they suddenly get in the way and with this amount of traffic it happens quite regularly.' As if to prove his point the Auror driving the vehicle slammed on the brakes, throwing Neville, Ron and Hermione to the floor as two well dressed businessmen just stepped off the kerb in front of them.

'I see what you mean.' Hermione ground out as she pushed herself back up onto the seat. Severus smirked at her before taking Harry's hand in his own.

'Harry?' he said quietly. Green eyes flicked from the window to meet the older man's. Harry had sat quietly, not uttering a word since leaving the suite and staring blankly out the window.

'I'm fine.' He said quietly, giving his lover a wan smile.

Severus snorted mockingly. 'Oh, I can see that.' He drawled.

'Harry.' Carmichael interrupted before Harry could retort. 'You do realise that any concealing magicks, including glamours, will fall the moment you walk into the Chamber.' He said tentatively. 'The Council has it more heavily warded then even your Hogwarts.'

Harry's eyes widened and his head turned to see black eyes watching him in concern. 'Sev?' he whispered softly. Fear evident in the bright green eyes. Severus lifted his arm and wrapped it around Harry's shoulders pulling the young man close and whispering softly in his ear. The others watched as Severus' other hand came to rest on Harry's cheek as the young man slowly shook his head. They didn't know exactly what was said, all they could hear was the soft deep murmuring, but several minutes later Harry bowed his head and buried it in his lovers shoulder. Severus grasped Harry's chin and raised it so he could see the tear filled green eyes.

'You're beautiful.' He whispered, before placing a soft kiss on Harry's lips. It was all the others could do not to gasp in shock as Severus pulled away and they got a glimpse of their friend. The potions master's worried expression didn't even begin to cover the state Harry was in. The strain of the last few days, combined with the pain he had experienced both during the attack and last night after his little pacing episode, had reduced the saviour of the wizarding world to a mere shadow. Hs heavily lined face was so pale you could see the veins under it, his cheekbones so sharp and his eyes so sunken that if you hadn't seen him in the last few months you would have trouble recognising him and the circles under his eyes were so dark the term, at death's door, could have been written for him.

As Severus continued murmuring softly to Harry who had buried his head in his lover's shoulder once more the three Gryffindors and the American Secretary exchanged knowing glances. Each of them knew they were running out of time. It was becoming startlingly clear just how little, both physically and mentally, Harry could continue to handle before he broke. And while Harry may not intentionally end his life to get away from the pain, his body may just shut down on itself anyway, particularly if the amount of magic he wielded became too much for him.

Severus, gently carding his hand through the messy black hair, caught the glances and shook his head. All could see he knew what they were thinking and would do anything to stop that from happening. His dark black eyes glinted defiantly, challenging them all to think otherwise and after several moments they all looked away.

It was a stilted silence that permeated the car for the rest of the trip, breaking only when they arrived and were quickly ushered out of the car and into the UN building, through the obligatory security checks and into a specific wizarding lift that dropped deep into the bowels of the building.

As they stepped out of the lift, three gentlemen stepped forward. 'Secretary Springs.' The man in the middle held out his hand.

'Antony.' Carmichael greeted the other man before turning to Harry. 'Harry this is Antony Viaires, Head of the UN Wizarding Council.'

Harry smiled politely, switching his cane to the other side so that he could shake the man's hand.

'A pleasure to meet you, Sir.' He said softly.

Antony tossed a meaningful glance at the Secretary before looking back at Harry in concern. 'You too, Mr Potter.' He said. 'Can I get you anything?'

Harry shook his head. 'No, thank you.'

Antony didn't look that convinced but gave a small shrug in acquiescence. 'I don't know how much the Secretary has explained to you Mr Potter.'

'Not much.' Harry admitted.

'Well, we will try and make it as easy as possible for you. The Council will convene in a little over ten minutes. You will be seated down on the floor of the Chamber and I will call for you. It will be an open session, unfortunately. We tried to seal it but there is just too much international interest.'

Harry groaned inwardly. 'Of course there is.' He muttered dryly.

'Your own Minister is even here.' Viaires added.

'What?' Harry gasped, all manners forgotten. Severus eyes darkened and he placed an arm possessively around Harry's waist as Carmichael whispered furiously to several of his Aurors who shot off down the corridor and disappeared through a door.

'Minister Fudge. He arrived by international portkey this morning. Is there a problem?' Antony added at the expressions on most of their faces.

'No. No problem.' Harry said stiffly if not a little hoarsely. 'Shouldn't we be going?'

The head of the Council gave him another concerned look before gesturing for them to follow him.

The walked slowly, Harry using both the cane and Severus' arm until the reach a set of large wooden doors. Several people were milling around outside chatting quietly, but that stopped the moment Harry was spotted. They watched a one man darted onto the chamber and then heard it go almost silent before a wave of noise washed out the doors.

'Again, I apologise, Mr Potter.' Antony said before opening the doors and stepping inside. Harry looked curiously at the man, wondering what he was so sorry about but as he limped into the chamber it all became clear.

The Chamber itself was enormous, easily seating over five thousand and every seat seemed to be filled. It was semi-circular in shape and from where they stood the floor fell away in large steps that on either side of the aisle held row upon row of seats. There were about fifty steps down to the middle where the dais stood and opposite that, along the flat section of wall sat the Council.

The noise grew as Harry was recognised. 'Bloody hell.' He whispered softly. Carmichael looked at him sadly.

'We have to sit now, Harry. We can't help you with this.'

Harry swallowed and nodded. 'I'll be fine.' He whispered.

He watched as his friends walked slowly away, Severus placing two vials of pain killing potion in his hands before kissing his cheek and hurrying after the others, Harry easily seeing through his lover's mask that it was the last thing he wanted to do. Antony was still by his side as was Davies and another Auror, obviously under Carmichael's orders.

Harry looked at the dais, all the way down the stairs and sighed. It seemed so far away. He clasped his cane tightly and gritted his teeth and began the long and painful journey to the centre of the chamber.

'We could levitate him down.' He heard Antony whisper.

'I don't think he would appreciate that, Sir.' Came Davies soft reply.

It took him almost ten minutes to climb down the fifty steps, the chamber almost deathly silent the entire time. Harry could feel all eyes on him and while his face remained blank, his anger, pain and frustration at his disability washed through him. He stopped about two thirds of the way down, sweat dripping down his face as he swallowed a vial of potion. The relief didn't last long but eventually he made it. How on earth he was going to make it back up again he didn't know, but he dropped gratefully into the offered chair, gasping sharply as he was once again reminded that while he may have won the final battle, he personally had lost the war, physically at least.

He swallowed the other vial and wiped his sweaty forehead, barely noticing as Davies plucked the now empty vials from his hand and replaced them with two full ones.

He distantly heard Antony call the session to order and begin. He could feel Severus eyes watching him intently and lifted his head to meet them. The black eyes showed concern and strength and Harry felt his heart fill with love. Their eyes stayed locked for several moments more and Harry knew exactly what he had to do. Fudge was going down and there was no way the United Kingdom was going with him. Harry nodded sharply and Severus smiled. He heard his name called and he stood, stifling a groan.

'Mr Potter.' Antony Viaires said politely. 'Is there anything you would like to say?'

Harry glanced up at Severus once more before fixing his eyes on Fudge, who was sitting with Amelia Bones and Delores Umbridge in the seats allocated to representatives of the United Kingdom. 'Thank you, Mr Viaires.' Harry said quietly, his voice was magically sent out across the entire Chamber. 'I certainly do have something to say. Quite a lot in fact.' His eyes never left the increasingly agitated ones of the British Minister of Magic.

No one in the room missed the omnipotence in Harry's voice as the Boy-Who-Lived seemed to straighten and strengthen before their very eyes. When he had first walked in you would have been forgiven for laughing if told that he was the most powerful wizard in the world. However, now standing tall, his shoulders set, expression impassive and green eyes flashing with both knowledge and power, Harry radiated a sense of strength like no other. And, as five thousand of the most prominent witches and wizards in the world looked down at him, no one in the room was left with any doubt that this was the man who had defeated Voldemort. Injury or no, this was not a man to be trifled with or ignored, and it was in that moment and that moment alone, that Cornelius Fudge realised exactly what he had taken on.

And he was scared.