Disclaimer – Isn't mine
Chapter 13 – Decisions and Consequences
Harry sighed; the feeling of the warm body wrapped around him was something he had missed dearly. A hand came and carded gently through his hair.
'You're thinking again, Leo.' Severus chided gently.
Harry looked up and smiled at the love showing in the onyx eyes. 'They're good thoughts, really.' Harry murmured, his fingers tracing small circles on his lover's chest.
'Stop it.' Severus whispered bending his head and capturing Harry's lips with his own.
Several hours later they emerged from their rooms and spent the day wandering the gardens in silence, both enjoying being with each other without threat of being seen by eyes that shouldn't. Tom joined them for lunch by the lake before leaving them alone once again.
Harry lay back on the blanket, warming charms around them still going strong as Severus lay beside him, gently rubbing his stomach.
'Leo, you can't do this again, you know that don't you?' the older murmured.
Harry closed his eyes. 'I know.' He whispered. 'I just...I had to come. I needed my family.'
Harry's voice was so weary and so full of want that Severus couldn't scold him further, instead wrapping his arms around him and pulling him close. 'You do know that Draco is going to strangle you when he gets here, don't you?' he snorted.
Harry laughed. 'Yes, yes I do.'
Sure enough, that evening when Draco, Pansy and Blaise arrived, their respective parents in tow, Harry was indeed set upon.
'Harry, we were so worried. We didn't know what had happened?' Pansy gasped throwing her arms around him.
'I could strangle you right now.' Draco snapped. 'You should have told us. How could you even think of such a Gryffindor thing to do?'
Harry snorted, gently untangling Pansy's arms from around his neck. 'Perhaps because I am a Gryffindor.' He said lightly.
'Not a real one.' Draco challenged.
Harry full out laughed. 'True, true. You must be a bad influence.'
Draco scowled at him and Harry turned to see Blaise smirking at him and raised an eyebrow. 'What, no, you should have told me, or, what on earth were you thinking, from you?'
Blaise shrugged. 'Nope, you're big enough and ugly enough to look after yourself.' He said simply.
Harry frowned. 'Thanks...I think.' He added causing those around them to laugh.
Severus wrapped an arm around his shoulders and they all headed for the dining room for what would be a night to remember.
Harry groaned loudly the next morning when he woke with a hangover that would have felled a troll. 'Bloody hell, what on earth was in that glass that Draco gave me?' He breathed.
'It's your own fault, Leo. I told you not to drink it.' Severus snorted as he picked out clothes from the wardrobe.
'Sev, please, don't you have a potion or something?' Harry whined piteously.
The potions master smirked. 'I might.'
'Sev.' Harry whined, an arm flung across his eyes.
'And just why should I give it to you? What will that teach you?'
'It'll teach me to get my own potion ready the night before so I don't have to listen to you saying I told you so all morning.' Harry retorted dryly.
'Touché.' Severus drawled crossing to the chest of drawers and pulling out a green filled vial.
'Sev, please, I'll do anything.' Harry pleaded, still unable to open his eyes against the harsh light.
Severus smirked. 'Anything, Leo?'
'Anything, please. I'm about to throw up all over your nice silk sheets.'
'Well, we can't have that, can we? Open.' The older man held the vial to Harry's lips and waited for him to open his mouth before tipping the contents in.
Harry grimaced as he swallowed and moments later the green tinge to his face faded away and he removed his arm.
'All better?' Severus drawled as if talking to a child.
Harry's eyes narrowed and he growled, grabbing the older man's forearm, yanking him down onto the bed and flipping them. 'Haven't you heard the expression about tormenting a bear with a sore head?' he hissed his green eyes bright as he stared down at the man under him.
'Leo.' Severus' breath hitched as Harry's hand closed around him. Any further comments were lost when his mouth followed thereafter.
The following eight days that Harry spent at Malfoy Manor were some of the happiest of his life. Christmas day was full of presents and food and laughter and love, Harry never wanted the day to end and that evening found him standing in his favourite window in the library staring out over the snow covered grounds that glinted in the moonlight as his eyes filled with tears. Severus knew exactly what was wrong and wrapped his arms around his lover's waist, gently kissing his neck.
'There will be many more days like this.' He murmured softly.
Harry sighed and sagged against the firm chest. 'I know.' Harry whispered.
New Years passed in a blaze of fireworks and champagne; Harry and Tom throwing an enormous party for all the Death Eaters and their families, not just the inner circle. Harry arrived in disguise and his use of charms so good even Severus didn't recognise him when he walked in. Once all those in the room had been charmed like those in the inner circle had been during the summer, then the charms were removed, causing a stunned silence that lasted for several minutes before a cheer went up and the celebrations continued.
Harry danced with Severus and Tom and Draco, Blaise and Pansy before returning to Severus once again.
'Happy?' The potions master questioned as they moved slowly around the ballroom.
Harry couldn't help but smile. 'Deliriously.' He murmured tilting his head and allowing the older man to kiss him softly as those around them tried not to stare.
Severus face turned grave. 'You know you will have to return before the students do in two days time. Dumbledore is pressuring me to rescue you. I don't know how much longer he will wait.'
Harry smile faulted. 'I know.' He sighed. 'I just wish this year was over.'
Severus ran his fingers gently down Harry's cheek. 'You don't have to go back, Leo.' He murmured.
Harry stared at the face of the man he loved. 'Yes, I do.' He whispered. 'There is too much at stake for me not to finish Hogwarts.'
Severus pulled him tighter against his body. 'Promise me you will be careful.' He pleaded softly.
Harry nodded. 'Albus can't hurt me.' he whispered. 'Not when I know I have you waiting for me. I'll be the perfect weapon for him until June; after that, he can't touch me.'
'I love you, Leo.' Severus breathed.
'Itarsshha cereath ssshiiaa assithp.' Harry hissed, feeling the immediate effects of the Parseltongue on the man in his arms.
'Leo.' Severus gave a strangled gasp but Harry just smiled wickedly at him and stopped dancing, lifting himself up on tiptoes to whisper in his lover's ear exactly what he wanted to do to him; in Parseltongue of course.
Severus black eyes were glinting with need. 'I have no idea of what you just said.' He said hoarsely before all but dragging the Boy-Who-Lived from the ballroom, to the amusement of Tom and the others, all of whom had been watching them for some time from the other side of the room.
'I don't suppose they will return anytime soon.' Lucius drawled.
'If you had Harry in your bed would you return anytime soon?' Blaise said mildly, causing Draco, Tom and Lucius to look at him in surprise. 'What?'
'I didn't know you were gay, Blaise.' Tom questioned.
'I'm not, My Lord. But that doesn't mean I can appreciate beauty and power when I see it.' The Slytherin said simply.
Tom regarded him curiously for several moments. 'Well said, young Zabini. Well said.'
Blaise smiled. 'Thank you, My Lord.'
Harry called them into the training room the following evening; Tom, Lucius, Severus, Draco and Blaise. He left Pansy out as he didn't think she would be up to this.
'What is it, Harry?' Tom asked quizzically at the look on Harry's face.
'I need you all to do something for me.' Harry said quietly.
'Anything.' Draco answered immediately and Harry couldn't help but smile.
'How very un-Slytherin of you, Draco. Leaping before you look, you do not know what it is I'm going to ask.'
Draco gave him a sheepish look even as Tom and his father snorted softly. Harry winked at him and went on.
'You all know the circumstances in which I arrived eight days ago and I'm sure if you think about it you will realise the condition I must be in when I am returned to Hogwarts.' Harry said carefully.
Predictably Severus was the first to work out what he was saying. 'No. Absolutely not.' The older man growled.
'Severus.' Harry began but he was cut off.
'You must be out of your mind if you think any of us could do that to you.' His lover snapped.
'Severus, you have to.'
'No, I don't. I could never lay a hand on you in that way.' Severus folded his arms over his chest as if to say the discussion was over.
'It is because you love me that you will do it.' Harry said softly, crossing the room to place a hand on the man's arm. Severus' expression became pleading.
'I can't, Leo.' He whispered.
'Sev, please, you have to. There is too much at stake. I knew when I decided this course of action of what the consequences would be. And I know the consequences will be much worse if you don't do as I ask.' Harry said firmly.
'But there are charms and things' Severus whispered helplessly, knowing Harry was right.
'Which Dumbledore will see through immediately.' Harry countered.
'Um, what is going on?' Draco asked, as dense as ever.
Harry left his lover's side, mindful of the horrified looks the others in the room were trying hard to hide, and moved to stand beside his friend. 'I have to go back to Hogwarts tonight, Draco. Severus is in too much danger if I stay any longer.'
'Well, go back then. Blaise and Pansy and I will be there tomorrow night anyway.'
Harry shook his head. 'Draco, what condition do you think I should be in after being kidnapped and held by my supposed enemy for a week; an enemy that is supposed to hate me and wants nothing more than my death?'
Draco's eyes widened and he shrugged nervously. 'Well, I suppose you would be a bit thinner.' He joked wanly.
Harry snorted softly and looked around at his family. 'You have to do this, you know that don't you?' he asked softly.
'Are you sure a charm wouldn't work?' Blaise asked hopefully.
Harry shook his head. 'No.' He turned to see Tom staring at him.
'I swore I wouldn't.' The Dark Lord said quietly.
'I know.' Harry whispered, knowing that if anyone would do as he asked it would be this man, and that if he did then the others would follow.
Tom shook his head even as he raised his wand. 'Contushio.' He murmured, the red light streaking across the room and hitting Harry square in the chest. Harry grunted in pain but didn't make any other movement.
'Please.' He whispered hoarsely.
Lucius went next and one by one they all joined in. Severus found himself unable to even look at Harry as he sent curses and hexes in his lover's direction.
About fifteen minutes later Harry finally dropped to the ground, covered head to toe in blood and looking as if he had just gone twenty rounds with a rampaging herd of hippogriffs. Draco and Blaise both were crying, Lucius was looking as if he would rather been anywhere but where he was, Severus was practically having a breakdown on the spot, something unheard of for the normally stoic man, and Tom's face was coldly impassive as he tried not to show just how much he hated what he had done.
Severus rushed to Harry's side, gently cradling him against his side. Harry let out a pained gasp as the movement caused his three broken ribs to poke sharply into his lung. The others crowded around as Severus effortlessly lifted the Boy-Who-Lived in his arms.
'Draco, run and get a pain potion and a dreamless sleep.' Severus murmured and still crying the blonde Slytherin tore from the room. 'Just relax, Leo.' Severus whispered. 'It's over now.'
Draco was back in seconds and held both vials up to Harry's mouth. The Boy-Who-Lived swallowed them both, pained green eyes looking steadily at each of the figures in the room. 'Thank you.' He gasped out before his eyes closed and he slipped into unconsciousness.
Severus closed his eyes and shook his head. 'My Lord, could you give me twenty minutes to get him there and send for me please?'
'Why Severus, I thought you would want to stay with Harry?' Tom asked quietly.
'I would, but I can't. I know Poppy will take care of him and if I have to be in the same room with that man for longer than a few minutes I won't be held responsible for my actions.'
Tom nodded in understanding, lifting hand and gently touching the only part of Harry's face not covered in blood; his scar. 'Go now, and make sure he's alright. Give him this when he wakes.' The Dark Lord pulled a small package out of his pocket and handed it to the potions master.
Snape nodded and quickly strode from the room.
Severus hurried through the darkness, Harry held tightly in his arms. He couldn't help but shudder as his lover's pale and blood covered face was illuminated by the castle lights.
'I love you, Leo.' Severus whispered as he all but leapt up the steps and slipped through the door. He watched as several portraits were quickly vacated and knew the headmaster would have been alerted to their arrival.
Sure enough Dumbledore was stepping out of the floo in the hospital wing as they arrived.
'Oh, Severus, thank Merlin.' Dumbledore rushed over to the bed as the potions master placed the unconscious figure down gently. 'I was beginning you think you wouldn't be able to get away.'
The calculating look in the headmaster' eye turned Severus stomach but he stared back impassively. 'I had to wait until just the right moment. As it is I should return before my absence is noted.'
Dumbledore waved dismissively and turned back to Poppy. 'How is he? Will he be able to return to training tomorrow?'
'Albus, he's been tortured.' Poppy said bluntly. 'What do you think?'
'He's had a week off, he needs to train.'
Just as Severus was about to strangle the elderly wizard in front of him with his bare hands he felt the tell tale burn in his forearm and hissed. 'I must go.' He said curtly, spinning on his heel and walking swiftly from the room. Dumbledore did not even take his eyes from Harry, letting the other man walked to what, if there hadn't been the hidden story, in reality would have been his death.
Poppy glanced his way in concern but Severus never saw as he closed the door behind him, walking rapidly through the darkened hallways to the entrance hall and out onto the grounds.
The burning in his forearm wasn't painful and it took his mind off the bloody figure back up in the hospital wing but the moment he landed at the gates of Malfoy Manor the burning stopped and Dumbledore's feigned concern and calculating eyes came back in full force.
'I shouldn't have left him there.' He murmured, his usually impeccable posture slumping as he lent against the stone pillar beside the gates and pinched the bridge of his nose.
A gentle hand landed on his arm startling the potions master. 'Harry knows what he's doing, Uncle Severus.' Draco said quietly, his eyes still red rimmed from the events of the evening. 'He's strong and he's smart. He'll be okay.'
Severus stared at his godson and nodded. 'I know.' He whispered and wrapped an arm around the seventeen year old's shoulders as they walked slowly through the snow up to the manor.
Harry woke almost a day later to a dull ache right through his body. As usual Dumbledore had forbid him his pain killing potions and Poppy had to go along with it. Harry just thanked god that Severus had had the presence of mind to give him one before they left the manor.
Unfortunately, strong as it was, and the ones in his drawer were up there, it was starting to wear off and Harry knew it was going to hurt. The only thing he had to take the edge off the pain were the memories of the past week and they were so strong Harry had no questions as to whether he had done the right thing. Just waking up in Severus' arms every day for a week reminded him of what he was working so hard for.
'Sev.' He breathed, his face screwing into a grimace as the potion finally wore off and a wave of pain washed over him.
'Mr Potter?'
Harry heard Madame Pomfrey's tentative voice from nearby and froze. He had forgotten where he was for just a moment. Hesitantly he opened his eyes and couldn't stop the sigh of relief when he saw no sign of Dumbledore.
Thankfully Madame Pomfrey took the sigh to mean he was in pain. 'I'm sorry, Harry, but Albus won't let me give you anything.'
'It's alright, Madame Pomfrey. I think I have one I made myself in my bedside drawer.' He murmured conspiratorially just as Dumbledore, Snape, Lupin, Moody, Flitwick and Shacklebolt swept into the room.
The medi-witch bent low as if adjusting Harry's pillows. 'Be careful, Mr Potter.' She whispered softly.
Harry looked at her curiously but she just backed away and disappeared back into her office.
'Ah, Harry, my boy, you're awake at last.' Dumbledore said cheerfully as he crossed the room to stand beside his bed his other teachers following.
It was in that moment that Harry realised what Poppy Pomfrey meant. Dumbledore had cast a monitoring charm on him while he had been unconscious. There was no other explanation for the group's sudden appearance during what Harry knew must have been the feast to welcome the students back from their Christmas Holidays.
He glanced at each of the Professors in turn before finishing with the potions master. 'Thank you for getting me out of there, Professor Snape.' Harry murmured softly.
'You're welcome, Potter, but if you had listened to Lupin in the first place you wouldn't have had to be rescued. You practically need a minder.' Severus sniffed, his black eyes piercing Harry as if to tell him what he already knew.
Harry nodded slowly making Severus was aware that he had understood.
'I have to agree, Harry.' Dumbledore's previously twinkling eyes were now ice cold. 'You should have returned to the castle with Remus the moment you were told. You were reckless and stupid, something I had thought you had grown out of.'
'I'm sorry.' Harry whispered, hanging his head.
'You do realise now that you aren't ready to face him, don't you? This means much more training. The three weeks without have obviously taken their toll, something that will have to be rectified immediately.' Harry struggled not to react to that statement even as Dumbledore continued. 'Thank goodness you came to your senses before the holidays and we can get back to some serious work.'
'Yes, Professor.' Harry said meekly, suddenly realising that there was one factor to his brilliant plan he hadn't counted on.
The fact that Dumbledore would use it against him.
Dumbledore cast a tempus charm. 'We have to get back, Harry. We'll expect you in the great hall in fifteen minutes.' His piece finished the headmaster swept from the hospital wing, all but Lupin and Shacklebolt following.
Harry closed his eyes and shook his head. 'Damn it.' He whispered.
The two adults waited in silence but Harry could feel their presence and it grated on him. He quickly sat up, almost throwing up what little he had in his stomach at the pain that tore through him. Instead he swallowed heavily and pushed back the blankets, shuffling his legs over the side of the bed and standing. Without a word he crossed to the bathroom and relieved himself before splashing a liberal amount of water on his face.
'Well, game's on once more.' He murmured scrubbing furiously at his face with a towel before conjuring a clean set of robes before walking back into the hospital wing and towards the door.
'Mr Potter, just where do you think you're going?' Madame Pomfrey's shrill voice sounded across the room.
Harry glanced back at her and shook his head before sweeping from the room, Lupin and Shacklebolt trailing. Poppy sighed heavily and shook her head, knowing that no matter what she wanted she was unable to do anything about it with the oath to Albus hanging over her head.
'Merlin protect you, Harry Potter.' She murmured. 'Because it seems as if no one else is will.' She added softly, returning to her office.
Harry struggled through the feast, accepting the hugs and pats on the back with only a grimace. Almost everyone seemed to be glad to see him back. Draco and the Slytherins were their usual nasty selves but Harry knew it was all for show and just responded in kind.
He could feel the numerous eyes around the hall on him repeatedly and he made a show of eating and talking to his friends. Eventually the meal was over and the students stood to leave. Harry caught Dumbledore's eye and nodded when the elderly wizard gestured for him to stay.
Once the hall was empty the six teachers came down and surrounded him. 'I wanted to restart your training tonight, Harry, but several of your Professors have suggested that you may need another day to recover.' Dumbledore's blue eyes glanced towards Shacklebolt and Flitwick and Harry couldn't help but flash the two a grateful look.
'Thank you, Sir.' Harry murmured when he notice Dumbledore was awaiting an answer.
'Enjoy your reprieve, my boy, because tomorrow all bets are off.'
'Yes, Professor. Thank you again.' As Harry walked swiftly from the hall he couldn't help but wonder why he was actually thanking the man but he did it anyway.
Ron, Hermione and everyone else were all still in the common room tell each other about their wonderful holidays. The conversation halted the moment Harry joined them and several eyes held pity for what Harry had supposedly been through over the break. Harry gave them all a small smile.
'I'm still a bit tired. I'll see you all in the morning.' He said softly before crossing the common room.
'Are you okay, Harry?' Hermione asked hesitantly.
Harry looked back at them, his foot on the first step as he studied each one in turn. 'I'm fine.' He murmured finally and disappeared up the staircase.
Thankfully the dorm room was empty and Harry pulled off his robes and tossed them on the end of his bed, only just hearing a thud as a small package tumbled from the pocket to hit the floor.
Harry frowned, he didn't remember anything being in his pocket when he conjured the robes in the hospital wing several hours earlier.
Suddenly he remembered the small tug on his robes as he passed his lover on his way out of the great hall. Almost leaping over the bed he grabbed the small package and quickly tore of the small bit or wrapping, his heart leaping into his throat as he saw a familiar but slightly different looking mirror.
Gingerly he opened it. 'Um, hello.' Harry said hesitantly.
'Sev?' There was no answer.
'Draco?' Again nothing.
Harry's eyes widened. 'Tom?' he whispered incredulously. The mirror fogged for a moment before the face of the Dark Lord appeared within.
'Harry, you're alright.' Tom sighed in relief.
Harry couldn't help but stared unmoving at the elder wizard.
'You are alright, aren't you?' Tom tried again after several moments of silence.
Harry shook himself out of his stupor and nodded. 'Yeah, I'm fine. The old man gave me a reprieve from training tonight. I was just getting into bed when I found this in one of my pockets.
Tom gave Harry a wry smile. 'Yes, Severus is a sly thing.' He drawled softly and Harry snickered.
'You don't know the half of it.' Harry chuckled.
Tom frowned.
'Actually, he told you didn't he, so you probably do know don't you?'
Tom snorted and shook his head. 'I'm glad to see your experiences of the other night have not dulled your sense of humour any.'
Harry grinned. 'Are you kidding? The memories of the other night can't even break through the ones from the holidays. They override everything else.'
Tom smiled. 'I'm glad.'
'Thank you for having me.' Harry said sincerely. 'And thank you for understanding why I had to come in the first place.'
Tom cocked his head and nodded. 'It's not even six months, Harry. You can do it.'
'I know.'
The two stared at each other for several moments in silence before Tom spoke. 'I've charmed the mirror so only you can see it. Keep it somewhere safe and if you ever want to talk just call and I'll be there.'
Harry nodded and swallowed thickly; the thought behind the gift surprisingly touching. 'Thank you.'
Tom smiled again. 'Good night, Harry. Pleasant dreams.'
'Night Tom.' Harry whispered, closing the mirror and using a sticking charm to fix it to the back of the bed head where even the house elves wouldn't find it. That finished he took off the heavy shoes he had worn all evening and pulled on some slim trainers and without taking off his trousers shirt or jumper climbed into bed.
He had no illusions as to Dumbledore's idea of tonight. According to the headmaster it finished at midnight and tomorrow started. There was no way Harry would be unprepared. He swallowed a vial of pain potion to dull the lingering effects from the night before and lay down; it wasn't long before his eyes closed and darkness took him.