Chapter 9 – Binding
Severus' heart practically stopped and the blood drained from his already pale face as he subconsciously pulled Harry closer. 'How?' he whispered.
'He was in a holding cell at the Ministry. They went to get him this morning and he was gone.' Albus explained.
Severus glanced down at the sleeping figure in his arms, unable to tear his eyes away as the others in the room tried to get his attention.
'Severus. Severus.' Ron finally got his attention by waving a hand in front of his face. 'We have to move. It isn't safe here.' The red head's Auror skills coming to the fore as he stood facing the door, a hand over his wand, a fact Severus hadn't noticed until now, even though the redhead had been standing that way since he came in.
Severus looked around at the group in concern. 'But Fudge would have to be a complete idiot to try and come here.'
Hermione raised an eyebrow at him and Severus sighed. 'Good point.' He said tiredly.
'Besides.' Albus said. 'Fudge couldn't have got out of the Ministry on his own. He had to have had help.'
'We can't tell who arrived with him but we know he arrived early this morning along with six others.' Carmichael explained.
'The wards of the Ministry hadn't been adjusted yet as the new Minister has yet to be confirmed. Somehow someone got hold of an International Portkey and the wards allowed Fudge to leave.'
'He's here? In America?' Severus asked incredulously.
Both Carmichael and Albus nodded sadly.
'Bloody hell.'
'Swearing again Sev?' Came Harry's weary voice as slowly opened his eyes. The silencing charm must have worn off. 'Hell must have frozen over.'
'Not far off.' Severus muttered, reaching out and plucking a vial of Dreamless Sleep off the bedside table and holding it out.
'Sev,' Harry whined. 'I've been asleep for weeks.'
The potions master's black eyes looked intently into green. 'Please Harry,' he whispered softly. 'Just trust me on this.'
Harry just stared at the pleading eyes for several moments before tossing back the vial and grimacing at the taste. 'Fine, I trust you.' He said softly before closing his eyes and drifting off.
Severus placed a soft kiss on his lover's temple before sliding off the bed and picking Harry up in his arms, blankets and all, rearranging them so his face was hidden.
'Let's go then.' He said softly heading towards the door.
'What did you do that for?' Hermione asked curiously, gesturing to the empty vial on the bed.
Severus turned back, looking at the vial before raising his eyes. 'Did you really want to tell him you are taking him to Hogwarts.' It was not a question and the others just looked dumbly back at him.
'Who told you?' Ron asked finally.
Severus smirked. 'No one, Ron. I may be getting old but my brain still functions quite capably thank you very much. Any idiot knows Hogwarts would be the safest place for him, especially with the Fudge over here. And with the Fidelius in place even if the students could see him, they wouldn't be able to tell anyone he was there unless they were the Secret Keeper. I assume you will be the final link in the circle Albus.' He added quietly.
Albus nodded. 'You will be under it too, Severus.'
'I expected as much.'
'We can't take a risk of someone knowing you are at Hogwarts. Anyone could put two and two together and realise Harry was there with you even if they couldn't find him.'
'I know.' Severus sighed. 'Are we going or not?' Without waiting for an answer he swept out the door, the others hurrying to catch up. It was a sight that stopped people in their tracks as they walked swiftly down the halls of the hospital. Twelve Aurors surrounded them clearing the way, Severus, a bundled figure in his arms, flanked by Albus Dumbledore and the American Secretary, with Ron, Hermione and Neville bringing up the rear.
The healers hurried after them, shouting refusals to allow the Boy-Who-Lived to leave without being checked over but they were ignored. As they approached the floo station Davies pulled out a bag from his pocket and threw in several handfuls of purple powder. 'Department of Magic, Washington. Secretary's Office. Password, light bulb.' He said quietly and the fire flared purple. Carmichael went first and everyone followed directly after, Davies shutting down the special link as soon as they had passed through.
Carmichael was not the only one to breathe a sigh of relief as they stepped out into his office.
'What about the charm?' Hermione asked.
Albus glanced at his wrist, as if looking at a watch which wasn't there, before speaking. 'It's night time now in Scotland. Let's smuggle them in and do it in the morning.'
Carmichael looked at Albus as he were raving mad but at Neville's shake of the head he held his tongue.
'I have a Portkey ready and Arthur, Kingsley and Tonks will be waiting for us in exactly five minutes.'
'Waiting for what?' Severus asked.
'To smuggle you both out of the Ministry of course.' Albus replied as if it was perfectly obvious.
Severus rolled his eyes and shifted the lightweight figure in his arms to a more comfortable position.
'Just give us a minute to clear the hallways so no one sees you.' Davies explained darting out the door with half the Aurors following him.
Several minutes passed, Hermione nudging Ron and Neville and motioning towards Severus who seemed to be almost...rocking?...Harry in his arms as he stared out the window. Ron opened his mouth to say something scathing but Hermione shook her head.
'Leave it be.' She scolded softly. 'He's been through so much just leave it be.'
Ron glanced at the man and nodded with a sigh. 'Bollocks.' He swore softly. 'I hardly ever have a chance to get one back on him.'
Moments later Davies returned. 'It's clear, we've sealed everyone in.' he said brusquely, herding them all out the door and down the corridor. True to his words the corridors were empty and they hurried through to the Department of International Magical Co-operation and into a private room where Neville quickly hugged Ron and Hermione saying he had a few things to clear up and he would see them in the morning.
Carmichael looked sadly at the bundle in Severus' arms. 'He's like a son to me, Severus.' He said quietly. 'Please watch over him.'
The potions master nodded solemnly. 'With my life.' He vowed.
Carmichael nodded and took the offered Portkey from Davies before handing it over. 'Stay in touch.' He said firmly. Ron and Hermione smiled, shaking the Secretary's hand before touching the Portkey. Davies gave the word to activate it and soon the number in the room was halved and Carmichael, Neville and Davies and the other Auror walked slowly away.
'Oh thank Merlin.' Arthur Weasley sighed as they appeared. 'We thought you would never come. We only have the room spelled for another minute and a half. Quickly Severus, under the cloak.' Kingsley and Tonks quickly wrapped a large cloak over his shoulders pulling the hood up to hide his face and spelling the front closed to keep the still sleeping Harry well hidden. Arthur handed Ron and Hermione robes to cover their muggle clothes and as one the group unwarded the door and hurried from the room.
The group received a few curious looks as they walked swiftly through the halls and outside. Thankfully it was late and they Ministry was fairly empty and the obscuring charm Albus cast over Severus before they left the room meant that most just saw the six others and not the heavily cloaked figure.
The minute they were out of the building and down the steps, they all apparated away with a crack.
Harry slept though the night and most of the next day. So long and deep in fact that Severus was practically having nine fits that he had fallen into a coma once again. It was only after numerous scans and checks from Poppy who assured him that Harry was just sleeping soundly, the shock making the dreamless sleep more potent, that the potions master finally relaxed.
'Severus, you have to eat something.' Hermione insisted. 'You won't do Harry any good by refusing to eat and getting sick.'
Severus glanced at the still sleeping Harry. 'Fine.' He sighed sitting down at the table and picking up a fork. It was just Ron and Hermione with him and the conversation was stilted.
'Bloody hell.' Harry swore, startling them minutes later as he finally woke. 'Did you have to bring me here?' He didn't even open his eyes instead laying his arm over his face as if to hide.
'How did he know?' Ron wondered aloud.
'I can feel it.' Harry muttered.
'Harry?' Severus asked, dropping his fork and crossing to sit on the bed.
'I will still be here if I open my eyes won't I?' Harry sighed.
'Harry, I'm sorry. This was the safest place for us.' Severus said sadly as Hermione and Ron slipped unobtrusively from the room.
Harry finally removed his arm and opened his eyes. 'It's okay, Sev. I do understand. I just wish you had told me, or better still, asked me, first. What is it about me that makes everyone think they know what's best for me?' The question was rhetorical but Severus answered it anyway.
'It's because you're just so adorable.' He said with a smirk.
Harry snorted softly and smiled. 'And you're incorrigble.' He said with a laugh.
'You must be hungry.' Severus noted as Harry sat up and his sharp intake of breath hardly covered the enormous grumble his stomach gave.
'Observant bugger, aren't you?' Harry chuckled allowing Severus to help him up. He felt the pain wash over him and his legs shook. He pushed the bile down as his brow became dotted with sweat.
'Harry?' Severus voice showed such concern that in spite of the condition Harry was currently in he just had to look up and give his lover a wane smile.
'I'm fine.' He said roughly. A raised eyebrow showed just exactly what the potions master thought of that statement.
'If I had a Galleon for every time you've said that.' Severus left the rest of the sentence unsaid and helped Harry over to the table, filling his plate and handing over a glass.
They sat in silence, revelling in just being alone but together once more. Eventually Harry put down his knife and fork and looked up to see longing eyes looking back at him and the breath caught in his throat. 'Sev.' He croaked out before reaching out and clasping his lover's robes, pulling the older man closer and kissing him. Pouring every emotion he had into it until he almost ran out of air and had to pull away.
'God I missed you, Harry.' Severus whispered, gently lifting the younger man and holding him tightly.
'I love you, Sev.' Harry whispered. 'I'm sorry to put you through so much.'
'You're worth every moment.' Severus insisted kissing him once again.
Harry didn't know how they made it to the bed or where their clothes ended up but soon they were one. Between the pain in his leg and the heat in his heart it was agony and bliss all rolled together and Harry couldn't get enough. Tears streamed down his face, Severus kissing them away before they could fall. He seemed to understand what Harry was thinking and gently continued showing the young man just how he felt. It was lovemaking that was full of promises and Harry knew things would never be the same again.
Severus was woken by a soft knock the door. He glanced down to see Harry's tear streaked but smiling face resting on his shoulder and couldn't help but grin. God, but he had missed this. Gently he untangled himself and climbed quietly out of bed, pulling on a robe and walking silently out into the sitting room, closing the door behind him and placing a silencing charm up so Harry wasn't disturbed.
He smiled again when he saw Ron and Hermione sitting by the fireplace.
'Well, don't you look thoroughly shagged.' Ron smirked.
Hermione rolled her eyes. 'Ron.' She hissed, slapping him.
Severus just continued smiling. 'Did you want something?' he said, idly fiddling with the belt on his robe.
Hermione just gaped at him speechlessly. Severus Snape not only smiling at an insult, but fiddling? Fiddling! The world was definitely ending.
'Hermione.' Ron nudged his wife and she snapped back, shaking her head.
'Oh, right, yes.' She stammered. Severus' smile turned into a smirk and Hermione was back in familiar territory. A smirking Severus Snape she could deal with. 'Albus and Neville will be here in an hour to do the Fidelius Charm.' She explained. 'But I wanted to talk to you first...'
Severus raised an eyebrow as she trailed off. 'Oh?' He encouraged her to continue.
'I found something.' She said, glancing nervously at the closed bedroom door. 'Something that might help Harry, with the pain, I mean.'
Severus was instantly alert. The smile dropping as his eyes widened. 'Really?' He asked hopefully.
Hermione nodded. 'Yes.' He hesitated. 'But it's complicated.'
'Tell me.' Severus all but growled.
Hermione glanced once more at the bedroom door before lowering her voice and launching into a lengthy explanation.
'Will it work?' Severus asked finally.
'Yes.' Hermione said adamantly.
Severus seemed to ponder over it for several minutes. 'Do we tell him?'
Hermione glanced at Ron. 'I wouldn't recommend it.' The redhead advised. 'You know he won't agree.'
Severus nodded. 'Give me the incantation so I can memorise it.' Hermione sighed and handed over a roll of parchment, getting up and moving to stand by the window and he scanned the contents several times before screwing it up and throwing it in the fire just as the fire flared green and Albus' head popped into it.
'Good morning, my boy.' The headmaster said cheerfully. 'Are you all ready to come up. Neville's just arrived from the Ministry.'
'I just have to wake Harry. Will be up in about ten minutes.'
'I'm up.' Harry called, limping slowly out of the bedroom. He had obviously showered and changed into clean clothes, removing the bandages from his head and just leaving the white cap like covering over the still healing injury. 'Morning all.' He said brightly.
'God, this is nauseating.' Ron groaned. 'Another thoroughly shagged person.' Harry just winked at Severus before smirking at his friend.
'Jealous?' he inquired innocently.
Ron blushed a deep red, suddenly finding the floor very interesting. 'No.' Ron muttered and Hermione giggled.
'Come through when you're ready.' Albus asked, his head still in the fireplace and his eyes twinkling blindingly. Harry looked at the fireplace.
'I'd rather walk.' He insisted heading towards the door. Severus sighed and dutifully followed as did Harry's friends. The students should have all been in the great hall having breakfast but Harry still cast several strong obscuring spells over them so they were not noticed by any latecomers as they made their way slowly to the headmaster's office.
Greetings were exchanged with Neville; Harry thanking him for coming over to help. Finally they moved into the room beside the office and Albus arranged everything they would need.
Before the headmaster could start Hermione spoke up. 'First thing I think Harry and Severus should perform a simple binding spell. It would make the Fidelius stronger between them.' She suggested.
Severus looked carefully at Harry who shrugged. 'Fine by me.' He said agreeably, not noticing the three sighs of relief. Neville did and glanced at Hermione who gave him a confident smile before taking advantage of Harry's seemingly cooperative stance and quickly sketched out four runes on the floor with chalk. As Harry and Severus to their places she pulled a piece of parchment from her pocket.
'Harry, you just repeat after me and then Severus you do the same.' She gave the potions master a pointed look and he knew what she meant and nodded curtly.
Ron, Neville and Albus all moved to stand around the edge of the room as Hermione murmured several soft words while waving her wand in an intricate pattern. They watched as the runes flared with light before fading.
She looked over to catch Harry's eye. 'Maximus, astringo, obligatus, eternus, familius.' Hermione said softly.
'Maximus, astringo, obligatus, eternus, familius.' Harry repeated. Hermione smiled and turned to Severus, again her wand waved intricately and the runes flared once again. She repeated the same five words to the older man and waited. Harry was caught by the deep black eyes several feet from him. The words out of his lover's mouth didn't seem to be right but Harry was lost in the sea of black. Suddenly he could feel himself shifting. The pain in his leg dulled and he could feel his magic moving around him, mixing with another. He could feel Severus' heart beating in time with his own and his eyes widened as he saw the older man flinch.
Suddenly he knew what was going on. He knew the incantation Severus was murmuring.
'No!' he cried. He could feel Severus taking some of his pain and fought hard. He wasn't going to let this happen again. They had tricked him into this binding. He fought harder, pulling his magic inside him and pushing the other's away. He could feel his magic being fuelled by his anger. Softly under his breath he began incanting the counter to the binding charm. He drew his magic in him so tightly it was coiled like a spring, he closed his eyes and clenched his fists, mentally seeing the thread of magic that was the charm stretching between them. He felt along to the middle of it and snapped it. The resulting shock wave was enormous sending both Harry and Severus flying backwards. Ron and Neville managed to catch the potions master but Harry hit the wall behind him with a thud.
The air around them crackled with magic and anger. Albus and Neville looked in shock between the two men as Severus, back on his feet, hurried to help Harry.
'Get away from me.' Harry growled, using the wall to lever himself painfully to his feet.
'Harry, please.' Severus pleaded softly reaching out to clasp the young man's arm.
'Don't touch me.' The anger and betrayal was very evident in his tone. Harry finally looked up and his green eyes were blazing. 'How could you? You of all people.' he spat.
'Harry, I'm sorry. I was trying to help.' Severus pleaded.
'We all were.' Hermione cut in; trying to take some of Harry's anger off the potions master before he id something he might later regret. Harry glared at them all. Ron and Hermione looking sheepish as Neville and Albus just looked on in confusion.
'You didn't know.' Harry stated.
'Didn't know what, my boy?' Albus asked curiously and Neville echoed the headmaster's comment.
Harry didn't reply instead returning his anger to his lover and his two closest friends. 'Just last night I told you to ask me, or at least tell me, but for some reason you can't seem to grasp the concept that I don't like having my life run for me. And you two should know better.'
'We thought it might help.' Ron explained.
Harry clenched his fists tightly; the knuckles on his hands going whit with rage. 'What gave you the right?' He hissed. 'What even possessed you to think I would have wanted that?'
'Harry. What's going on?' Neville asked tentatively.
Harry's glare softened slightly. It wasn't Neville's fault. 'They tried a binding spell.'
'We know. That's what they were supposed to be doing.' Neville's said quizzically.
'Not that one they weren't.' Harry glared at them again. 'I know every single binding charm, you idiots. Did you think I wouldn't know what it was? I spent two years researching them to make sure that when Tom died, the one we had wouldn't take me with it. I bloody well wish it had now.' He practically spat as he hobbled painfully over to the door.
'Harry.' Severus tried again.
Harry turned back as he reached the door, green eyes full of both anger and pain. 'Don't. Just don't. I can't even bear to look at you.' He said painfully, turning away and continuing out of the room and through the office. Silence permeated the room as they listened to Harry's cane tap softly down the moving stairs and out into the corridor before fading away.
'What the hell was that about?' Neville finally burst out after almost ten minutes of silence.
'We were trying to bind Harry and Severus so that Severus could carry some of the burden of Harry's injury for him. Give him less pain.' Hermione explained.
Neville looked between the three of them in outrage. 'Are you out of your minds? You tried to take on the strongest wizard in the world without his consent; mix his magic with another's without even telling him. Are you completely nuts? For a smart woman Hermione you can be awfully stupid sometimes. His magic would have rejected the spell even if he hadn't known what it was.'
'I think we should move this into my office.' Albus said gravely, eyeing the three with concern as they followed him out of the room. Neville moved immediately to the far window, his anger at the others quite palpable in the cluttered space.
Severus seemed almost incapable of speech but still tried. 'I…I h..have to find Harry.' He stammered. 'I h…have to explain.'
'You're too late.' Neville said harshly his gaze retuning from out the window.
'What?'
'Harry's gone. He just apparated away.' Neville spat.
'Gone?' Severus paled.
'Yes. And we never got to the Fidelius charm.'