Severus sat in his study, looking down at Harry's wand, the elder wand, laying innocently on the centre of the table. He kept staring at it, holding his hands together before his nose. He finally looked up at Albus who was waiting patiently for him to speak.

Seeing the other's expression, Severus scoffed shaking his head. "You knew this would happen." He said.

"I don't know what you mean Severus." Albus said calmly. Severus tried to contain his anger. He couldn't afford to fight with the other right now.

"Harry's powers have become out of control… and they've grown." He said.

"I always knew Harry would be a powerful wizard." Albus said proudly. Severus shook his head.

"No Albus. They are out of control… and Harry's changing." He said looking at the headmaster sternly. "Potter changed when he lost control. He was turning dark Albus… How could this have happened when he didn't even have his wand?"

Albus sighed in his portrait, looking at the wand. "The elder wand always poses difficulty to its new masters. The dark energies from all its previous owners often attempts to corrupt the wand's master." He said. "I had some trouble at first too..."

Severus closed his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "So… just to be clear… breaking the wand would therefore not do anything." He clarified.

"If the wand is broken, the power will remain in Harry." Albus nodded. "And… if the darkness in Harry's heart grows… the wizarding world will be facing a whole new threat."

"That's not going to happen." Severus said seriously and once more wrapped the elder wand up, putting it away.

o-O-o-

Harry woke up before dawn. He saw Severus sleeping on the chair beside his bed. Harry sat up slowly and with a gentle wave of his hand he ensured Severus was in a deep sleep. He lay him down on the bed next to his and his heart raced. It raced with fear.

He'd embraced the anger so easily in his capture. He turned away from the headmaster and walked out of the infirmary, a cloak wrapped over his shoulders. He couldn't stay here… he couldn't stay around the people he loved. He couldn't carry on hurting them.

He hurried, walking silently and barefooted across the castle's corridors, when Krum stepped out and grabbed his wrist.

"I'm afraid I can't let you leave Harry." He said smiling gently at him. Harry's eyes widened, not expecting him there at all.

"Viktor… let me go… please…" he said calmly. Krum let him go, Harry turned taking the other direction of the corridor, Ron coming out of the corner.

"We aren't letting you go anywhere mate." His friend said. Harry turn to go straight and saw Hermione there.

"Don't you understand? I'm trying to protect you!" Harry exclaimed.

"Do you enjoy being the sacrificial lamb, Potter?" Harry turned around shocked that Severus was standing there, wide awake. Snape looked at him unimpressed and Harry took a deep breath relaxing his stance.

"How?" Harry asked gently.

"Well, as mister Krum well informed me, as your soulmate I can choose to be immune to your magic." He said simply. Harry felt his heart racing. Inside… he was happy the other stopped him.

"What if I'm really turning evil?" he asked looking down.

"You aren't." The other said simply the side of his hand lifting Harry's chin. The fact that his friends were standing around remained ever present as Severus pressed his lips against his. His heart beat loudly against his ears. He wrapped his arms around Severus, hugging him tightly. Even with the audience Severus didn't hesitate holding the other close, though his face remained void of emotion.

Hermione and Ron didn't look, feeling that this was an intimate moment for them. Snape, however, did look at the Bulgarian that was clenching his jaw and smirked holding Harry closer.

"To my office Potter…" he said turning his back to the three other wizards and with an arm around Harry's shoulders guided him to his office. The three must have stayed behind because he didn't hear any steps following them. In the office Harry had the strange sensation that the other was angry at him. "Sit." He ordered sitting down in his seat. Harry had a sense of deja-vu. "You used your magic against me." Severus said.

"Severus I…" The headmaster raised his hand to motion him to stop talking.

"I don't want you to ever use your magic against me." He said simply. "And that's all we're going to say on the matter." He said. Harry nodded sighing softly.

"How did you know I would try to leave?" he asked. Severus scoffed.

"Because if I were to describe you in one single word mister Potter, it would be 'predictable.'" He said simply. Harry rolled his eyes at him. "I brought you here to talk to professor Dumbledore. He has some advice on the matter of your powers." He said standing, going to the adjacent room, letting them talk.

Harry turned to the headmaster's portrait who smiled kindly at him. "Oh my boy… Someday I hope you will come and tell me how normal and mundane your life is." He said gently.

Harry smiled chuckling gently. "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember?" He said.

"Right you are my boy." He chuckled. Harry looked down, his smile slowly fading. "Do not fear power Harry… it feeds on fear. And I know for a fact you are very brave." He said.

"What if I hurt those around me professor?" he asked gently.

"Oh on the contrary my boy… this power can be a blessing. Under control it will help you against any enemies that might arise. After all, if there ever is another dark lord waiting to rise, then it can be guaranteed that to prove themselves, they'll go after you." He said gently. "Under control, you can use this power to protect those you love." He told him kindly.

Harry looked down at his hands. He curled them into fists and opened them again, his hands glowing faintly. "How do I control it?" he whispered.

"Trust yourself Harry." Dumbledore said gently. Harry heard Snape could out once more. Harry looked at the tray he brought with him and smiled softly seeing the cup of hot chocolate.

"Careful Severus… if you keep this up, I won't want to leave your office." He chuckled and took a sip of his hot chocolate, enjoying the faint taste of cloves and cinnamon before looking up, noticing Severus still looking at him. Harry looked confused and thought back to what he'd said and blushed. "W-wait, I didn't… I mean… I didn't mean it like…" Severus gave a deep laugh, shaking his head in disbelief at the other. But he was glad… that the other could still be so innocent after what happened. He stood and walked over to him, extending his hand for him to take. Harry blushed and took his hand.

Severus pulled him close, just holding him against his chest. "I'm glad you didn't change." He said. Harry hugged the other back, his hands grabbing fistfuls of the other's cloak.

"Greyback… he…"

"Shh… there's no need to tell me if you don't want to." He said. Harry didn't want to.

"I want to stay here… I don't want to see everyone right now." He whispered. 'And I want to be with you.' Went unsaid. Severus nodded.

"Alright… lets sleep for now, there's still a couple of hours left before breakfast." He said.

As Harry curled up against him and fell quickly into sleep, Severus remained awake a couple of minutes more, cursing the deatheaters to hell. He would get a front line seat at their sentencing, no doubt the dementor's kiss was all that awaited them at this point.