Chapter seven

"Harry you're awake." Cried Hermione reaching a hand over and grabbing his to give it a gentle squeeze. Harry looked around at all the different faces smiling back at him all except one.

"Yeah Harry you gave us a right scare there mate." Said Ron perching on the end of his bed. Ignoring the others he glared back at the dark greasy haired man stood before him at the end of his bed looking odd compared to the rest.

"I thought you were dead, i saw you die." Said Harry staring at Snape waiting for an answer all eyes in the room followed Harrys and looked deep into the dark narrowed ones.

"Always with the stupid questions Potter as you can all see i am clearly alive and well thank you." Retorted Snape keeping his eyes glued on Harrys questioning eyes determined not to be the first to look away. Squinting his eyes back at Snape trying to figure out how he could possibly be standing before him, he had definately seen Snape die at Voldemorts hands. Slowly shaking his head he remembered the conversation he over heard before.

"What was you talking about before? What do i have to decide?" Asked Harry looking expectantly into all their eyes but skipping past the cold black ones. Minutes past as they all just stared at the floor or in any direction but at Harry. Frustrated Harry fixed his eyes on to his friends in turn.

"Hermione? Ron? Ginny? Will someone just tell me or i will think it's something bad which would be normal considering the circumstances i've been through." Thought Harry more to himself than the others. His friends all looked at their feet as if their shoes had suddenly become the most exciting thing they have ever seen, all except Ron who brought his gaze to Harry's and finally gave Harry the answer he was waiting for.

"Well you see mate, we were talking about you know since you know whos gone and the protection thing has broken then maybe you would like to live at the burrow with us..." Ron paused slightly trying to examine Harrys face for any sign of emotion whether good or bad but he found none so he continued.

"... But then Snape had this crazy idea that you would want to live with him. I mean he is completely mental thinking..." However the rest of Rons sentence was drowned out as Harry brought his eyes back to Snapes.

"Is that true did you really want me to come live with you?" Asked a puzzeled Harry deepening his gaze trying to see into the dark mans soul, to see if he was genuine, for Harry still couldn't seem to trust this man even after seeing what the pensive held. After all it was his fault him parents and Dumbledore died there was no excuse for killing him even if the old man did ask him too it was still wrong.

Holding his gaze Snape replied. "Yes that is correct and i still do Harry. I think it best as i am the only one to give you the answers you seek, and should anything happen to you i am more than qualified to help you. It was Dumbledores dying wish for the two of us to get along now the dark lord really has gone." Harry stared back in disbelief, was it true, was Dumbledores dying wish really for him and Snape to get along but he knew Harrys hatred for Snape and vice versa but then if Snape were lying what were his true intentions for wanting Harry to live with him thought Harry everything he had heard in the last minute swirling around in his head.

"If it is your wish Harry, i could help you to over come what has happened in the past week or so but we have to do it alone." Said Snape looking back reasuringly to show Harry he was genuine.

"What why? Whys he got to be alone? Me and Hermione have been there for him right from the start and were was you? Oh yeah making his life a misery, Dumbledore trusted us to help Harry destroy the horcruxes so why wouldn't he let us help him throught this aswell?" Asked Ron going red in the face as his anger built, Snape opened his mouth to speak but was cut across by a quiet voice.

"Ron stop it. I can't think." Said Harry looking up at Ron then resting his eyes on the sheet covering his body.

"Harry you can't seriously be buying this, it's clearly a trap to get you on your own and kill you? It's Snape Harry, Snape." Urged Ron looking back at Harry willing him to remember the guy they both loathed so much.

"Mr Weasley the next few weeks will be very tiring for Mr Potter and its something he has to do alone. There are alot to get through which Potter if he is going to do what i tell him he will need no distractions, if Harry decides he wants to tell you later on then so be it but until then Potter and i have work to do. I have no intentions to kill Potter and i never will." Said Snape clearing the air of all the bad energy lingering around everyone.

"Molly can i have a word outside in private there are a few things i need to discuss." Molly surprised to be addressed jumped a little and and gave a small nod following Snape towards the double doors and after one last glance at her children left the room. Silence followed as Harry tried to make things sound right in his head the swirling thoughts all colliding together making his head hurt. Rubbing his forehead he followed a bird taking flight from the nest in the tree just outside the window only bringing his thoughts to the back of his mind when he heard his name whispered from his left.

"Harry, are you okay?" Asked Hermione seeing him rub his forehead and the look on his face. Clearly brought back from his thoughts he took a minute to gather his answer but never had time to say it.

"Listen mate Snapes a..." Said Ron but got cut off short as Harry replied.

"Not now Ron all this is giving me a headache can we change the subject for a while? What have you lot been up to these last few days?" Asked Harry taking the water jug to make himself a drink but finding himself still to weak to move it. A small hand wrapped around his holding the jug offering to pour the water for him. Once the plastic cup was filled a centimetre from the rim, Harry found himself drinking from the cup held by Ginny. The water wetting his, just moments before, dry mouth.

"Nothing much mate we were to worried about you, mum was going beside herself trying to take care of you..." Explained Ron looking a bit grim. He red face slowly turning pink as the embarassment from before died down.

"What happened Harry?" Asked Hermione placing her hand over Harrys and looking sympathetically into his eyes. Harry not understanding what she mean't just stared back confused.

"I mean what happened that night when you first woke up, do you remember?" Asked Hermione sitting down on the side of his bed and waited patiently for an answer. Harry thought for a moment, he remembered that night alright. How could he forget it, he had been in the worst pain imaginable, every part of his body had seared in pain as if a thousand cruicatus curses had been fired at him all at once and being submerged into the firery depths of a burning fire.

"Harry... was it me... was it me that caused you to be in pain." Cried Ginny a tear escaped and slowly made it's way down her face. Looking up at her he brought his eyebrows down causing them to end up in a v and slowly lifted his hand to reach her face. Cupping her cheek in his hand he wiped the fallen tear away with his thumb. She gently placed her hand over his and gave him a gentle smile which he returned then he placed his hand back beside him.

"I remember talking to Ron and then suddenly i felt weird i don't really remember exactly but my chest just didn't real right and then you guys came back..." He indicated to Hermione and Ginny by nodding in their direction. "... and then thats when it happened, i've never felt anything like it, it was the worst pain imaginable." Just then Ginny flinched and sobbed a littlle louder allowing the her guilt to become clear. "Hey it wasn't your fault Gin it was bound to happen. I felt it before you came in anything could of caused it, whatever it was it just so happened you touched me first." He brought his hand from the bed and reached for hers placing it in his hand on the bed beside him. After checking Ginny was ok he he carried on.

"It started here," he pointed at his chest right where the unexplained light had hit him a week ago. "and then stared to spread across to the rest of my body, it was like i was burning and no one seemed to notice, i was hoping one of you would put the fire out but i couldn't speak or move all i could do was scream." Remembered Harry shuddering from the thought of the pain he had been in hoping silently to never have to experience it ever again.

"Oh Harry it must of been absolutely awful" Cried Hermione placing a hand on his leg and patting it gently.

"We just felt so useless, there you were screaming out in pain and all we could do was just stand on and watch it was awful not knowing what was happening." Explained Ginny sobbing just letting the tears fall free down her face and taking a seat by Harrys side. Shuffling over in his bed Harry made room for Ginny to lean over and rest her head on his shoulder where he wrapped his hand around hers after removing her hair from her face.

"What did you need to talk to me about Severus?" Asked Mrs Weasley once they were clear of the double doors leading back into the room with the others. Looking to his left and then his right Snape slowly backed up into a room, dragging Mrs Weasley with him.

"What's going on Severus what are we doing in here?" Asked a worried Mrs Weasley as Snape shut the door behind them and made his way to the other side of the room leaving Mrs Weasely closest to the door. Spinning around to face her he slowly reached into his pocket and withdrew his wand.

"What, what do think you are doing?" Shouted Mrs Weasley as Snape pointed his wand at her fumbling in her cloak trying to get her own wand free of the fabric to defend herself.

"Then what happened?" Asked Hermione brushing her hair behind her ear.

"Nothing i woke up to hear you all talking." Said Harry watching as Hermiones face fell in confusion. Ron and Ginny just looked at each other in concern. "You don't remember Snape giving you the elixar?" Asked Hermione looking at Harrys face crunch up in concentration.

"No, what elixar?" Asked Harry looking at the other three in turn waiting for their answer.

"Harry, Snape saved your life if it wasn't for him i don't think we would be having this conversation right now. Harry he gave you the elixar of death." Gasped Hermione but only when she didn't recieve the shock she was after from Harry she went on to continue. "Harry the elixar of death is used to kill people or at least put them into a state no better than being kissed by a dementor. We thought he had killed you until you smiled when Ginny kissed you." Explained Hermione, Harry stared on in shock and only at the end did he look towards Ginny whos face reddened with embarrassment.

"It was Snapes idea he explained that someone who had drank the elixar of death wouldn't be able to convey emotions so when i kissed you and you smiled it proved you were going to be ok but it didn't stop us from worrying. Mum kept watch on Snape all night a few nights ago and you know how she gets if she doesn't get any sleep." Explained Ginny her cheeks fading to a dull pink. Staring at the twinkling green eyes staring back at her she felt at home, the happiest she had felt in ages as she realised this a smile spread across her face shocking Harry into smiling too.

"What you smiling at?" Asked Harry the smile carved into his face, he loved to see her happy, it made him happy also. She shook her head and replied. "Nothing i'm just so happy your back." She brought her lips to his and gently kissed him and seconds later withdrew to lay her head back down into the hollow of his neck and shoulder, her head fitting like a puzzel piece.

A bright red light seared straight past Mrs Weasleys ear and hit the door. Mrs Weasley ducked and dived into a seat lined up against the wall.

"What do you think you are doing? I knew it all along Snape." Muttered Mrs Weasley holding her chest trying to get her breath back.

"What are you talking about Molly?" Asked Snape innocently taking the seat set underneath the window.

"You trying to kill me, i knew i couldn't trust you." Said Mrs Weasley finally able to release her wand from her cloak and pointing it at Snape whos face turned into recognition. Lowering his wand and placing it on the seat beside him he felt inside his robes and pulled out a small white envelope.

"I was meerly casting a spell to stop us being heard Molly as i have already told you i wish none of you any harm i am just following Dumbledores orders." Explained Snape placing the envelope on the table and sliding it closer to Mrs Weasley for her to pick up. Reaching forward to retrieve the letter she found it addressed to her, she looked up at Snape wondering what it could contain.

"It's a letter from Dumbledore explaining what must happen in order for Harry to live his live. I hope you will begin to trust me Molly after all we are on the same side even if it didn't always seem like it." Said Snape slowly turning up the sides of his mouth into an awkward smile, Snape never smiled.

The sky outside began to darken, the sun had started to settle behind the fluffy white clouds and the stars began to shine when the adults finally came back into the room. Ron sat on one side at the end of Harrys bed whilst Hermione occupied the other both holding hands over Harry's legs were the first to look up and acknowledge the adults as Mrs Weasley lead them back in Snapes Cloak trailing behind them.

"What's going on?" Asked Ron looking at his mum but she didn't answer instead she slowly shook her head and looked at Harry.

"How are you dear? You feel ok? You look a bit peaky but thats to be expected." She said not waiting for an answer, then began to fuss over all their surrounding, tidying everything just for something to do.

"I've made up my mind, i think i would like to live with Snape if thats ok with you?" Asked Harry looking at Snape whos eyes widened in surprise for he said he would but he never believed him I guess Dumbledore really does know everything thought Snape a smile made his face look slightly younger and less mean.

"Of course." Said Snape looking back at Harry and then at Mrs Weasley who had temporarily paused in her cleaning.

"What?" Said a shocked Ron standing up and dropping Hermiones hand.

Thanks for reading please review. What does everyone think of Harry and Ginny do you want them to stay together or split up.