Disclaimer – Nothing is mine

Chapter 7 – Not on your own

'Harry.' Snape breathed.

'Please Severus.' Harry pleaded softly.

Snape reached out and Harry's robe rose into his hand. He quickly wrapped it round the young man's shoulders before he grasped Harry's hands within his own and held them tightly. 'Harry, you don't know what it is you're asking of me.' He whispered.

'Yes, I do.' Harry replied. 'I know you would never overstep the bounds you so clearly keep, so I'm doing it for you. I need this, Severus. I need to be strong so I can finish this.'

Snape let go with one hand and gently traced his fingertips along Harry's cheek. 'It won't change anything. The bond will still be in place.'

'I know that.' Harry said softly. 'But it means we can live in peace. No Riddle. No Ministry. No Dumbledore.'

Snape's eyes closed. 'Harry, I…'

Harry watched as the potions master trailed off, closing his eyes as if in pain. 'Please, Severus. Please do this for me.' Harry urged. 'I have to make the best of what my life now is, and I need this to do it.'

Snape kept Harry's hand within his own as he tugged him over to the bed and sat down beside him. 'Harry, have you thought of the consequences of this. Once this is sealed do you realise what it will mean? It will change your emotions towards me, towards us. You won't have a choice in how you feel.'

Harry smiled wanly. 'I think it is you that doesn't have a choice in this, Severus. And besides, I have made mine.'

Snape stared into the bright green eyes. They looked so old, but so young at the same time. 'This isn't what I expected would happen.' He said quietly.

Harry sighed and closed his eyes, lifting a hand to run it through his messy black hair. 'I know. Albus knew what would happen. Or at least he thought he did. He hoped that I would be the weaker one, that I would stay with you at Hogwarts.'

'He isn't often wrong.' Snape muttered.

Harry's eyes opened and Snape arched an eyebrow at the fire shining in them. 'Well, he wasn't completely wrong.' He whispered. 'I will be staying with you. Just not anywhere near him.'

Snape stood and moved across to the window, looking out at the darkness. Harry could see the pain in his eyes reflected in the window and he too stood and crossed to stand. 'And just how long will you stay, Harry?' The long arms rose to cross over the man's chest in a defensive gesture. 'You will try and fight it. I know you. I know who and what you are. You won't be content with tying yourself to me for life. You will try and fight it and you will die. I don't want to see you die.' Snape's voice broke and Harry was by his side turning the older man to face him. 'How long will you stay, Harry? Until Riddle is destroyed? Until vengeance on Albus is yours? How long?'

Harry stood on his tiptoes and cupped Snape's cheeks with both hands before kissing the unresponsive lips tenderly. 'Forever.' He whispered. 'I don't want to die. I want to live…and I want to share it with someone.'

Snape's black eyes searched the green ones intensely as his arms wound around Harry's waist and drew him close. One long fingered hand came up to trace the planes of Harry's face as if they alone could tell him the truth.

Harry held his breath, willing the older man to see just how sincere he was. Snape must have been satisfied for a moment later he dropped his head and captured Harry's lips with his own.

Harry moaned softly as an insistent tongue pushed at his lips. He let his hands trail softly across the potions master chest. Snape's arms wrapped more firmly around him and lifted him, carrying him soundlessly across the floor and bending down to place him gently on the bed.

'Severus.' Harry breathed as the man's incredible hands began wandering all over his body. It was as if he'd suddenly grown a number of extra ones and his touch seared Harry's skin and left him panting.

'Harry.' Snape murmured, his silky voice sliding over Harry in much the same manner as his hands and mouth. Idly Harry wondered if the bond really made it that much better or it would have been as good without it. Several moments later Snape did something that caused Harry's eyes to roll back into his head and everything else was soon forgotten.

Harry woke to see black eyes staring intensely at him. He could see the fear lurking deep inside them. Fear that Harry would get up and walk away. That what they had shared had meant nothing. And that, in spite of his words, Harry really wanted nothing more than to destroy Riddle and the headmaster no matter what the cost to his life.

He smiled gently. 'Good morning.' He murmured dropping his head and all but burrowing into the firm chest in front of him. He heard the sharp release of breath and felt the strong arms tighten around him and he closed his eyes and smiled again.

'You need to get up, Harry. It's after midday.' Snape murmured, carding his fingers through Harry's hair.

As if in agreement Harry's stomach let out an enormous growl and he raised his head, a brilliant flush suffusing his cheeks. 'Excuse me.' He whispered.

Snape chuckled and pulled away reluctantly and pulled on his robe as Harry watched. 'I'll go and get you some fresh clothes while you have a shower.' Snape gestured to the doorway to the left of the bed and disappeared out the door. Harry smiled brightly and snuggled down into the warmth that had been left by the older man.

He had never felt so well.

Hermione and Ron sat quietly at the kitchen table, Ron with a copy of Quidditch Monthly he was more than astounded to find in the library and Hermione with a book.

'Do you think it's time yet?' The redhead would ask every twenty minutes or so until Hermione just gave up answering and glared at him every time he asked until he stopped doing it.

Ron lasted about an hour longer before he laid down the magazine and sighed heavily. 'We can't wait much longer, Hermione. People are going to start looking for us.'

'I know, Ron. But we can't go anywhere without Professor Snape. We don't even know where we are.'

'It's alright Miss Granger.' Snape said briskly as he swept into the kitchen and began quickly throwing a plateful of sandwiches together. 'I will escort you back to Hogwarts after we've eaten.'

'Thank you, Professor.' Hermione moved the book off the table and began pouring pumpkin juice for everyone. 'And thank you for letting us stay here. For bringing us to see Harry I mean.'

Snape turned and nodded. 'It was nice to see him smile again.' Was all he said.

Ron stared at the potions master in silence for a moment before taking a deep breath. 'Is um…is Harry alright? You didn't…you wouldn't…'

Snape placed the plate of sandwiches on the table and raised an eyebrow, folding his arms over his chest. Obviously Harry had discussed his decision with his friends the evening before. Well, one of them anyway, going by the expression on the young girl's face. 'I would never hurt him, Mr Weasley.' The older wizard said quietly.

Hermione looked between them in confusion before it dawned on her. 'It's sealed?' She squeaked.

'Yes, it is.' Harry grinned as he walked into the room.

Snape smirked. 'You do realise that it's rude to eavesdrop.' He drawled.

Harry just poked his tongue out at him and sat down reaching for a sandwich and biting into it.

Hermione and Ron stared at their friend in stunned silence. He looked wonderful. Well, except for the fact that he was still too skinny.

'How do you feel, Harry?' Hermione asked slowly.

Harry glanced at Snape as he swallowed the food in his mouth. 'I feel fine, Hermione. Why?' There was a mischievous glint to Harry's eyes that neither Ron nor Hermione had seen in more the two years.

'Um, no reason. Just curious.' She stammered.

'I'm sure.' Snape muttered as he sat down and Harry snorted.

The meal continued with Harry eating almost three sandwiches, something that was unheard of, at least in recent times before swallowing the last of his pumpkin juice and sitting back with a sigh of contentment.

Ron almost snorted at the unguarded look on his friend's face. He hadn't seen Harry this relaxed without the assistance of a potion in a long time.

That expression changed minutes later however, when Snape stood and banished the plates. 'We should get you back to Hogwarts and I need to alert the headmaster as to how the great search is going.' He muttered sarcastically and they all quickly stood as well.

'Oh Harry, please take care of yourself.' Hermione cried, throwing her arms around him. Harry closed his eyes and hugged her back tightly.

'I will.' He promised hoarsely.

Ron came over a slapped him on the back, his own eyes bright. 'Be careful.'

Harry nodded, opening his eyes and glancing at Snape as the potions master pulled out what could only have been a Portkey and placed it on the table.

Hermione nudged Ron and they moved slightly away as Harry stepped closer to the older man. The two stared at each other in silence.

Harry's expression became one of fear. 'Don't go.' He whispered pleadingly.

Snape frowned. 'I have to, Harry. You know I have to. I'll be back in a day or so.'

Harry looked away and swallowed heavily. 'I know.'

Snape reached up and cupped his cheek, lifting his head so he could look into his eyes. 'Don't do anything stupid.'

Harry smiled wanly. 'I'll try not to.' He responded.

The corner of Snape's mouth lifted and he wrapped his arms around Harry's waist and pulled him close, holding him tightly and closing his eyes. His cheek rested on Harry's head and Harry's arms held him just as tightly in return. They looked just so right together both Ron and Hermione couldn't help but stare.

It was a good few minutes before Snape pulled away abruptly and grabbed the Portkey. It was clear that the last thing he wanted to do was leave but he picked up the clearly weeks old paper. 'Wait for me.' He murmured and Harry nodded, his own eyes suspiciously bright. He knew Snape was talking about going after Lucius Malfoy.

'Let's go.' The potions master said hastily and Ron and Hermione quickly moved forward and reached out a hand to the Portkey.

'Bye Harry.' Hermione called out and they were whisked away.

'Goodbye.' Harry sighed sadly in the now empty room.

They landed with a thump and Snape delved into one of his pockets and pulled out Harry's invisibility cloak and handed it to Hermione. 'I trust you can take good care of this until its owner needs it back, Miss Granger.' He drawled, the thin black eyebrow rose once again. 'Now, I have one final request.'

'Anything, Sir.' Hermione said quickly.

Snape rolled his eyes. 'Gryffindors.' He muttered and Hermione blushed.

'You've done so much for Harry, we're very grateful.' She explained and Snape scowled.

'Right then, let's get on with this.' He sneered, back in potions master demeanour. 'I need to you hex me Miss Granger, just like you did in third year. I trust you remember how.' He murmured sarcastically.

Hermione's eyes widened. 'Why on earth would I do that?'

'Because he needs an excuse for Dumbledore.' Ron said knowingly, surprising the older man. Snape stared at the redhead and quickly realised that it had been him that had convinced Harry to do what had needed to be done the evening before.

'Very good, Mr Weasley.' He sneered. 'It's imperative the Headmaster doesn't know the bond has been sealed. He won't believe that I didn't find Harry so he must think that Harry got away from me once again.'

'Oh. So why do I have to do it? Why can't you do it yourself, or even Ron do it?' It was quite clear the idea of cursing the potions master was abhorrent to her.

Snape's mouth twitched. 'Because firstly, Miss Granger, a cutting curse cannot be performed on one's self, and secondly,' Here his eyes flicked to Ron. 'I don't trust Mr Weasley to perform it anywhere near my head without accidently slitting my throat.'

'No offence intended of course.' Ron muttered dryly.

Snape smirked wickedly. 'Oh no, it was definitely intended.'

Ron just snorted softly and gestured for Hermione to go ahead.

Hermione raised her wand with a shaking hand. 'Contushio.' She incanted as she swished and flicked.

A large gash appeared across Snape's temple, immediately spurting blood and running down the potions master's face.

'Oh, Professor. I'm so sorry.' Hermione gasped, cringing as if expecting an attack.

Snape rolled his eyes and lifted a hand to stanch the flow 'Think nothing of it Miss Granger. Now, if you two would get going and make sure you are not seen for a least a couple of hours. It would not do for us to be seen appearing at the same time.'

Hermione and Ron nodded and hurried down into the tunnel back to Hogwarts, Harry's invisibility cloak clutched tightly in Hermione's hands.

Dumbledore swept into the hospital wing just as Poppy Pomfrey closed the large gash caused by the seventh year Gryffindor and returned to her office to fetch several potions.

'Well, judging by the state of you, you found him then.' He said briskly.

Snape scowled. 'No, I cursed myself.' He muttered sarcastically.

'What happened?'

The potions master sighed. 'I found him...in surprisingly good shape.' He added curiously. 'We argued, as usual, he cursed me and then the little bastard apparated away.'

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed. 'He didn't even listen to you? Did he seem as if he wanted to listen to you? As if he might want to try and return to Hogwarts?'

Snape sneered. Here, he would have to be careful. 'Not likely. The brat hasn't listened to anyone in his life. The likelihood of him starting now is all but laughable. Although the expression on his face when he cursed me was disturbing to say the least.'

Dumbledore pounced. 'What expression?'

And Snape brought it home. 'He looked as if it pained him to do it.' He muttered. 'I would have thought he would have jumped at the chance.'

Dumbledore smiled triumphantly before saying something that cut straight to Snape's heart. 'You will remain here at Hogwarts for the rest of the week, Severus. That additional time should help in drawing Harry back to you.'

'Yes, Headmaster.' Snape said calmly, even as his mouth dried up and his heart raced at the thought.

Dumbledore nodded in agreement with the other man's answer before sweeping from the hospital wing as the medi-witch came back out of her office.

Four days passed and Harry waited. He ate, because his body demanded it and he slept, because it demanded that too. But otherwise he waited for Snape. Every hour that passed chipped at his resolve to wait for the potions master until finally, on the evening of the fifth day he couldn't wait any longer.

The burning need to finish what he had started sent him out into the cold night in an effort to find a way through the wards of Malfoy Manor.

They were strong. Much stronger than any of the one's Harry had slipped through previously.

It took him almost six hours to make a hole big enough for him to slip through unnoticed but shortly before midnight he stole through the darkness within the walls of the manor in search of the master of the house.

Snape tried to floo away the moment the evening meal was finished but Dumbledore once again engaged him in an earnest discussion on how important it was that they get Harry back to Hogwarts.

By eleven o'clock Snape was ready to hex the old man, consequences be damned. Eventually he told him that, as discussed, he had something far more important to be doing than sitting here drinking scotch and all but leapt for the floo.

He stepped out of the floo at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade before apparating away….

….into an empty house.

He searched everywhere for Harry but to no avail and he quickly realised that the young man had gone to finish what he had begun. Idly he wondered whether Harry had thought Snape had abandoned him. The thought lasted only moments however as Snape hurried to the house of his once friend.

'So it is you.' Lucius Malfoy drawled softly as Harry entered the man's study, wand drawn, locking the door behind him and throwing up a silencing charm.

Harry didn't reply, just stared at the man.

'I suspected it when Severus told us you and the old fool had fallen out.' Malfoy went on. 'I never expected that you would turn from the light, Potter.'

Harry raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

Malfoy stared at him. 'Dumbledore must have done something incredible.'

Harry allowed a small snort to escape him but that was all.

'So Potter, what are you going to do?' Malfoy asked idly, inspecting his fingernails even as he loosed his wand from its holster and flung a curse at Harry.

Several more followed it in quick succession and it quickly became clear to Harry that Lucius Malfoy had no intention of going quickly or quietly.

Harry responded in kind, landing at least three nasty hexes on the blond aristocrat before Malfoy finally disarmed him, leaving him panting heavily, a small cut on his cheek. Getting through the wards had obviously taken more out of him than he'd first thought.

Not that Harry cared.

Malfoy was staring triumphantly down his wand at Harry when the fireplace flared, startling them both.

Harry's heart began pounding almost out of his chest when the elegant form of Severus Snape stepped out of the fireplace and dusted off his robes.

Malfoy's grin became even smugger. 'Oh, Severus, impeccable timing as always.' He gloated, not taking his wand, or his eyes, off Harry.

Snape stared between them for a moment before drawing his own wand. 'Indeed.' He murmured as he flicked his wand in the Death Eater's direction.

The look of utter disbelief on the elder Malfoy's face was even more pronounced than Bellatrix's had been, and that was even before Snape, seeing that his ex-colleague was now silenced and bound, crossed the half dozen steps towards the Boy-Who-Lived and ran his finger over the still bleeding cheek before kissing him softly.

'You were supposed to wait.' He chided softly.

Harry smiled wanly. 'You were supposed to come back.' He accused.

Snape nodded and sighed. 'He wouldn't let me go.' He murmured, knowing just how Harry would take that. Sure enough the green eyes flared in anger but the body was still too tired to do much more than that. 'Are you alright?'

Harry smiled and nodded wanly. 'Yes. Let's finish this so we can go home.'

He raised his hand but Snape reached out and clasped it with his own. 'No. You have done enough.' The potions master whispered.

Harry stared up at the black eyes in sadness. 'At this point I don't believe one more would make much difference.' He said honestly. 'And I'm not letting him live.'

Snape bent his head and kissed him gently even as he raised his wand. 'And I'm not letting you shoulder this burden on your own. Formicere.'

Neither man watched as the Malfoy patriarch let out a silent scream and curled in on himself as much as he could when bound to a chair.

Harry's eyes were filled with tears. 'Thank you.' He gasped out.

Snape wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close, even as he tugged him towards the fireplace. The potions master could feel the locking and silencing charms Harry had placed still hanging heavy in the air and quickly disabled them before grabbing a handful of floo powder and disappearing into the green flames with Harry held tight to his side.