Chapter II: And So It Begins …
Some time later, after almost drowning himself in the hottest shower he could stand, Severus finally made it out of his chambers. He made his way toward the Great Hall, looking for news of the coming conflict. Just outside the doors however, he ran into his very irate Godson.
"What have you heard Draco, what's wrong?"
"I've heard nothing of the Dark Lord's advance, but in case you're interested, Harry's in the Hospital Wing."
"Excuse me! Whatever for?"
"Oh! I think you know, Godfather."
With a bad feeling, Severus looked down his nose at the boy, only to realize that he was barely looking down at all. The young man almost matched his own height of 6'6" now. 'When did he get so tall?' Severus thought, but he wouldn't let this pondering distract him.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Only that it was outside your chambers Uncle, where I found him huddled against the wall like a broken and discarded doll!" Without further word Draco turned and headed back to the Hospital Wing to let Poppy know that he had reported Harry's condition to the Deputy Headmistress.
Severus followed quietly. As they approached the doors to Poppy's domain however, he was accosted and thrown into the wall. He looked into almost feral amber eyes, yet he did not struggle against the arm across his neck, which held him in place.
"What the hell did you do to my Godson?"
"I'm sure I don't know what you're rambling about Wolf." Despite his inner turmoil, Severus' voice remained steady and dripped with distain.
"Don't give me that dragon dung Snape – he reeks of you!"
"I beg your pardon …"
The angry werewolf could barely contain his rage at Severus' dismissive attitude.
"Did you rape my Cub?"
Something flickered in Snape's eyes, but it was gone before Remus could identify the emotion. If he didn't know better, he might have thought it was regret.
"Let me allay your fears. I did nothing to your 'Precious Cub' that he did not ask for, that he did not, in fact, beg for." Lupin deflated slightly at that statement but still did not back down.
"But he … Harry is … he's a virgin." Snape may have felt sorry for the Wolf if not for the fact that, at that very moment, his arm began to burn.
"Rest assured he will not die one this day. Now release me Wolf, at once!"
Lupin's devastation at Snape's allusion to Harry's impending death was obvious as Lupin's hold on Snape went limp. The darker man could not be concerned with that now however, as matters had just become urgent.
~oo0oo~
The sight which greeted Snape as he entered the Hospital Wing would have tugged at the coldest of hearts. As it was though, he had to struggle to keep his mask of indifference in place.
Draco was sat beside Harry, he clutched his friend's hand in one of his own and stroked Harry's hair with his other hand. He would not take his eyes from Harry's face and ignored everything else around him. Snape would have, in that moment, given just about anything to be able to be in Draco's place (where he belonged).
Several red-heads also stood by, fretting as Poppy bustled about trying to get some kind of response from Harry.
Harry himself was a gut-wrenching sight, curled up on his side as he was, in a tight ball. It was as though he were trying to make himself disappear. He almost succeeded for he looked so small and despondent, as he stared straight ahead, unmoving and (it seemed) unblinking.
Severus stood for a moment to reign in his control as he listened to the argument that had started up around Harry's bed.
While everyone was thus distracted, Severus moved silently to Harry's bedside table and, unnoticed by even Draco, he slipped Harry's glasses and wand onto the smooth surface. Poppy, ever vigilant, did not miss the gesture however, nor did her keen eyes miss the slight shaking of the Potions Master's hand.
"Isn't there something we can give him? A calming draft, anything?" Ron asked in desperation.
"You can't give a calming draft to someone who's practically catatonic. Do you want to put him into a coma?" Poppy replied in a stressed voice.
"We have to do something! It can't be much longer before we get word on You-Know-Who's advance on Hogwarts."
Before Poppy could respond to Lupin's frantic plea, Snape interrupted.
"We haven't time for Potter's histrionics right now. Get out of my way!"
"Now, Severus …"
"Move Wolf, before I hex you into the next full moon!"
Without waiting for a reply, he pushed Lupin aside and stepped up to Harry's bed. Draco moved into a protective stance and blocked Snape's approach.
"Uncle, wait …"
"Step aside, Draco."
At Snape's tone, no one dared challenge him. Draco was pulled away.
Snape stood over the bed looking down on Harry for a moment while everyone else stood around in complete silence. They all dreaded the next words out of the acerbic man's mouth. He began to speak in a stern and frigid voice as the others stood in shocked, pale faces and stared at the Potions Master, fearful of the effect his words would have on their friend.
Ron took Hermione's hand in his and squeezed tightly. George put his arm around his twin's waist and pulled him closer. Luna just clung to Neville's shaking form and Lupin was actually being held back by Draco, Bill and Charlie.
"Who are you going to be today Potter? The Boy Who Lived, Gryffindor's Golden Boy, The Saviour, The Chosen One, or are you going to lie there pathetically and wallow in your wretched self-pity?"
Outrage and helplessness threatened to overtake those around Snape as his harsh words continued their assault.
Amazingly, Harry blinked at Snape's tone and answered in a small, barely audible voice.
"No Sir."
"Then get up off your sorry arse and address me properly!"
As Harry struggled to get his shaking legs underneath him, it was all Severus could do not to reach out and help the boy (as Lupin moved to do). Harry's movements were slow and robotic, as though he were a marionette being controlled at the hands of a demanding, unfeeling Puppet Master. He straightened, but Harry did not meet his teacher's eyes. Snape kept his voice and stance cold, neither did he acknowledge the fact that Harry wore, not his own robe, but the one Severus himself had worn earlier. It did, however, trigger a tightening in his chest and a piece of the Slytherin's heart fell painfully away.
"You have one purpose in this war Potter and that is to fulfill the words of your prophecy. You want to feel sorry for yourself, fine: you could curl up in a dark corner somewhere and die for all I care, so long as you do it after you've done your job!" Severus pretended to ignore the hitch he heard in Harry's breath.
"Yes Professor."
"You were brought into this world to deliver our nation from the fists of a madman." Severus pulled up his sleeve to display the swollen Dark Mark and the angry red skin that surrounded it. "I have been summoned! The Dark Lord is upon us. Now is the time for you to rise to your challenge!"
Harry's shimmering eyes met Severus's for a moment.
"Don't worry Professor, You will be freed today. I won't let you down."
"Do not concern yourself with anyone's welfare but your own out there today! The Aurors will deal with the Death Eaters. The Order of the Phoenix and the DA will have your back. You keep to your task and let everyone else take care of their own."
"But Sir …"
"No! I will not hear of it Potter. Everyone else is expendable, for only you can vanquish the Dark Lord. It is your job to free us all, so that you can get on with your life and the Wizarding World can get back to some semblance of normality! Do we understand each other?"
"Yes, I understand Professor."
"Do not sacrifice thousands of lives to save one!"
"No sir."
"Good. Now give me your glasses."
From out of nowhere someone pressed Harry's glasses into Snape's hand. He tapped them with his wand to cast impervious and unbreakable charms on them, and then handed them to Harry. As Harry put his glasses on, Snape also cast a temporary sticking charm on them.
"We can't have the Saviour of the Wizarding World failing today because his glasses got damaged." If that didn't sound as sarcastic as he intended, no one admitted it.
With the flick of his wand and another silent spell, Snape covertly shortened the hem at the front of the robe Harry wore. Anyone who knew the Potions Master, even a little could easily recognize that robe as his, but this too went unacknowledged.
Harry silently and wandlessly summoned his own wand, then without meeting Snape's gaze again he headed out of the hospital wing; his back straight and his shoulders set.
As everyone took their stance around their leader and left with him, Draco lagged behind for just a moment.
"It won't work Uncle."
"I'm sure I have no idea what you're on about."
"Yes, I'm sure you don't." Draco turned without further word.
Poppy however, could not remain silent.
"He's right you know."
"What do you think you know?"
"Even if he could hate you, he would still risk his life to save yours, because that's just who he is."
Then she too turned and stepped away to ready her domain for the coming onslaught.
~oo0oo~
As Harry made his way to the Great Hall, more and more people fell in with him. Six and Seventh years many were members of the DA, who were willing to fight alongside their classmate and friend. They reached the Great Hall and were met by Professors McGonagall and Flitwick.
"As much as we stand behind you Mr Potter, we will not accompany you into battle this day." McGonagall, her voice less stern than usual, eyed Harry critically. He showed no sign of his earlier upset. In fact, he radiated confidence in his abilities, if not his own self-worth. She hoped against hope that it was enough to carry him through this tempest.
"Professor please, we've been through this. You two are the most capable to fortify the lower chambers should it be necessary. Protecting the children is everything. You will have fifth year members of the DA with you and I trust no one better with our youngsters."
McGonagall gave Harry a rare smile and then to the surprise of everyone – herself included – she embraced him and whispered into his ear.
"Good luck Harry. Come back to us!"
"Don't worry Professor." The Transfigurations Professor tried desperately to ignore the fact that the boy before her simply attempted to allay her fears and did not, in fact, confirm his return.
Professor Flitwick shook Harry's hand, but did not trust himself to speak. He prayed to any gods who would listen that this would not be his last interaction with the brave young man before him. Harry seemed to understand the smaller man's silence and nodded to him with respect.
The two professors then turned and headed to the bowels of the castle, the lower grades all followed behind, subdued and quiet. Harry and the others put on brave faces for the younger students, but otherwise watched in silence until the last child was out of sight.
~oo0oo~
Those remaining took a moment to embrace their friends and loved ones for what could very well be the last time as Harry stood with Hermione and Ron at his side. As one, the remaining students turned to the outer doors, but Harry stopped them to look out over his classmates. Their faces were brave, their postures determined, yet they were still just youths.
"We've been through the drills, and you know what to do. Keep your heads up, keep partners at your backs and I want to see each and every one of you on the other side of this day!"
With the cheers of his companions in his ears Harry turned to suddenly find Draco at his side as well.
"You don't think I'd leave your side now, after you stood with me against my father?"
"No." Harry simply gave him a soft smile.
"Are you ready, Scarhead?"
"Yes." This time Harry gave Draco his bravest smile.
Draco gently took both of Harry's hands in his and leaned down to whisper in his ear. He gave Harry a quick, chaste kiss on the lips.
"Alright then Baby, let's do this!"
Harry simply nodded. With one final sweep of his eyes over his classmates-turned-comrades, he turned, pushed open the doors and stepped out onto the battlefield.
~oo0oo~
Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Potterverse, but I promise to return everything the way I found it (well … maybe not exactly)!
~oo0oo~