Chapter IV: An Owl And Her Boy
It was over a week later when Severus awoke. By then the Hospital Wing was fairly quiet. The critically injured had been sent to St Mungo's and anyone who was well enough was sent home. The ward, in fact, was empty except for Harry and Severus. Poppy wasn't about to trust her two most precious charges to anyone's hands but her own. If she needed any assistance, St Mungo's Healers were only a fire call away.
Severus opened his eyes to see his Godson's ashen face. When black eyes met silver he smiled at the boy. In a rare show of emotion Draco kissed the thin hand that was clutched between his own.
"Oh! Uncle, I'm so sorry I was cross with you before. I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to you!" Left unsaid was the sentiment that what could have been their last words to each other were spoken in anger. Severus however, sensed the unvoiced sentiment, as those thoughts were at the forefront of his own mind as well.
"It's all right Draco; I'm going to be just fine. Truth be told, you had every right to be angry with me. There's nothing wrong with giving in to your protective instincts where he is concerned. No, fret not for I deserved your wrath."
Neither spoke for a moment as they both looked to the smaller, unmoving figure in the next bed.
"I know I've gotten taller than average, but He is just so small. It's easy to forget that he's not nearly as frail as he looks."
"Indeed. After all, he's survived the killing curse again. I saw it with my own eyes this time." He didn't say how his own heart stopped at the sight.
"Do you think it was just Voldemort, or is Harry actually immune to it?"
"I truly hope never to find out." Those serious mercury eyes met ebony depths again. A shiver ran through both of them.
"What will you do Uncle?"
"If he'll ever forgive me, I shall marry him of course." Severus' tone was so superior that Draco couldn't help it: a huge grin broke out over his face and he laughed.
"Do you think with all this behind him, he'll finally put on some weight?"
"I shall see to it! I'll customise a nutrient potion for his skinny arse." Draco laughed again.
"Oh! But Uncle, it is such a lovely little arse." Severus just smirked and Draco continued to laugh softly.
They spent the rest of the afternoon in quiet conversation. Thanks to Harry, both were at liberty now to think and do as they pleased. They were free!
~oo0oo~
The Wizarding World celebrated and mourned their dead and began to rebuild. Classes at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were cancelled for the official five day mourning period and the ten days of celebrations which followed that.
All the while, their Saviour slept on, oblivious to the entire goings on around him, as his frayed body struggled to heal.
The Deputy Headmistress set Dobby and Winky to work sorting through, and organising, the post and gifts that arrived for the Boy Who Lived, so that these things could wait to be dealt with until Harry was ready to do so.
In the Hospital Wing however, such things as cards, gifts and visitors were limited to the Weasley Family and members of the Order Of The Phoenix and the DA, lest the place be overrun with such tributes.
~oo0oo~
Two weeks after the final battle – which was being called the Battle For Hogwarts – Poppy was sitting with Severus while he ate a light lunch. She was careful and attentive, but Severus could no longer keep his worries in check. His eyes were glued to the small, still form in the next bed.
"How is he really, Poppy?"
The Matron sighed and studied Harry for a few moments before replying.
"Not as well as I'd hoped. He's healing too slowly; his magicks have not recovered as they should. What little magical reserves he does have are healing his wounds, trying to keep him alive; leaving nothing for renewal."
Severus studied her closely; he noticed the pained look around her eyes and her weary posture.
"How worried are you?"
"Very. With the surge of power he experienced shortly before the battle, he's now more powerful than even Albus. He should be recovering much, much faster. He should be showing signs of waking by now, at the very least."
She politely did not mention the cause of Harry's latest powerful advance – they both knew what instigated it.
"Why do you think he's healing so slowly?"
"I don't think you want to hear my theory on that Severus."
"I most certainly do Woman, especially after your just having said that! You know how much I hate a conundrum."
"Very well …" She sighed and pursed her lips together. "It's my opinion that he's given up. It's only his body's involuntary instincts for self-preservation which are keeping him going. Truth be told, I don't know how much longer even that will be enough."
For a split second Severus just stared at her in complete shock. Then the tempest broke! He flung his covers aside and all but leapt to Harry's bed.
"Severus! You must calm yourself!"
"Just how the bloody hell do you expect me to do that when you've all but told me he's willing himself to die?"
"That doesn't by any means point to you getting yourself worked up enough to follow him!"
Severus ignored her as he sat beside Harry. He leaned forward and took Harry's face gently between his hands. He tried to will all of his desperation into his voice.
"Harry! Harry please, do not give up now Little One. Not now, when your life is your own; when you're finally free to live your life as you wish. Not now, when you've overcome so much; you have so much to live for."
"Does he Severus?"
"Yes! Of course he does." His eyes never wavered from Harry's face.
"Then you'd best tell him exactly what it is that he has to live for." He looked at her for a moment, just blinking. Then he looked down into the precious face between his hands.
"Please Little One, oh, please don't do this." He leaned forward and kissed each of Harry's eyelids. "Don't give up on us now, don't give up on me!" He let go of Harry's face and took both of those smaller hands in his own, kissing them desperately. "Please Dearest! I'm begging you."
"You'd better tell him Severus. Your last words to him were more than harsh. No." She held up her hand to stop his protest. "I, of all people understand why you felt that you had to speak to him like that, but for all he knows now; you hate him. You'd better tell him otherwise, he needs to hear it."
Severus leaned his forehead against Harry's, oblivious to his own tears falling onto Harry's cheeks. "I love you Harry, I love you so much!" He let out a choked sob as he continued to whisper his love, over and over.
Poppy placed a gentle hand on Severus' shaking shoulder for a moment and then quietly left them alone.
~oo0oo~
When Draco arrived that evening, it was to find Severus still sitting on the side of Harry's bed. He was hovering over the smaller body, with his face buried in Harry's hair, whispering too quietly for Draco to make out the Potions Master's words.
"Uncle, has something happened?"
When Severus rose his head Draco was so taken aback that his 'Malfoy Mask' slipped. He had never in his life seen his Godfather looking so lost and anxious.
"Poppy thinks he's given up. He's not recovering as he should. She thinks he doesn't believe he has anything to live for."
Draco looked briefly to Harry, then to his Godfather, then back to Harry again.
"May I?"
Severus rose slowly to his feet and stood aside as Draco took his place on Harry's bed. He placed a gentle, chaste kiss on Harry's lips, then began to speak softly, in a voice filled with love and concern.
"Hey Baby, it's Draco. Of course you know that, who else would dare to call you 'Baby'? You know what? I know you're tired and that's okay. You sleep as much as you need, yeah? But listen to me Luv: Don't you dare give up! We all need you and love you so very much. I know you may doubt it right now, but Uncle Severus loves you so much as well. I need you too Baby. I have to bury my parents tomorrow. I know they weren't perfect, but they were mine and they loved me in their own way … and … now they're gone.
"The thing is, I'm in desperate need of those broad shoulders of yours, yeah? I need your vibrant eyes and that crooked grin too.
"I can … we can wait for you Baby, as long as it takes, but I need to know that you will be coming back to us. So, you do just that okay? You hang in there, don't give up. You've overcome so much in your life, so show us that unfailing Gryffindor optimism again Baby and come back to us. We need you in our lives and we're waiting for you."
Draco closed his eyes, kissed Harry's forehead and ran his hand through the soft hair. He slowly stood, still looking down on his best friend's pale face.
"Don't you give up Baby. Don't you dare give up!" Draco turned to Severus, who had collapsed onto his own bed and lay staring up at the ceiling. "Don't worry Uncle, he'll pull through this."
"What if he doesn't?"
"That is not an option!"
~oo0oo~
Some time later, Severus seemed to come out of his dazed state. He looked at Draco, eyes wide and curious.
"Draco?"
"Yes Uncle?"
"Broad shoulders?"
"It's a bit of an inside joke, really."
"Indeed? I should think it would be, as his shoulders appear to me, to be anything but broad."
"We were simply kidding around one day. I had just gone through another growth spurt and he said I looked like a giant bean pole, so I said that at least I had shoulders. I was implying, of course, that he did not." Draco smiled softly at Harry's reaction. "Harry came back with … he said, and I quote: 'Small they may be, but I guess they're broad enough to carry the Wizarding World'." Draco couldn't help choking on those words. Both he and Severus remained silent for a moment to grasp the sheer magnitude of Harry's place in the grand scheme of things, as though truly grasping it for the first time.
"His broad shoulders sort of became a running gag between us after that, especially since I was filling out and he was not." As Draco was silently cursing the Dursleys – again, Severus' thoughts were taking a different direction.
"Does that make me 'the final straw'?" Severus' voice was low as he looked down on the young man (and broad shoulders) in question.
"We're not going to go there right now Uncle, that's an issue for another time."
~oo0oo~
With Draco by his side, Severus spent the night sitting on Harry's bed. He clenched Harry's hands in his own and spoke gently to him throughout the darkest hours; putting all of his passions into imploring to his beloved – this astonishing young wizard – to come back to him.
~oo0oo~
Shortly after dawn Poppy entered the room to see two pale and anxious faces watching over her youngest patient.
"Severus, have you been awake all night?"
When Severus did not respond, she turned her questioning eyes on Draco. The younger wizard caved almost instantly under the weight of her scrutiny.
"Yes."
"I will not have this Severus Snape! You are not recovered and if I have to, I shall spell you to your bed until you are!"
The Potions Master still did not respond, or take his eyes from Harry's face. He started to speak to Harry again, in the same gentle, velvety tone he'd been using all night, beseeching the boy to keep on fighting.
"Madam, has there been any change at all?"
In response to Draco's query Poppy gently moved him aside and began to run scans over Harry's still form. Severus seemed to ignore her, until she spoke again.
"There has been some improvement Wizards, but I'm afraid it's not very significant." She tried, but failed, to keep her voice optimistic.
Severus suddenly found it extremely hard to breathe. He thought he'd hidden it well, until Poppy tried (vainly) to pry him from Harry's side.
"Please Madam, allow me?" With his usual grace and gentleness, Draco pulled on Severus' elbow. "Come Uncle, you need to lie down."
"No, Draco …"
"Uncle you're too weak to continue doing this. You're tired and stressed. Please, lie down for a few minutes at least?"
Eventually Draco was able to pull Severus away. Once he settled his Godfather into his own bed, Draco pulled a blanket over the older man. As he did so a beautiful, majestic Snowy Owl flew in and landed on the bed beside Harry. She nipped his ear affectionately and then settled down on the headboard of Harry's bed.
"Hedwig." Severus acknowledged her softly.
"Hey Sweetie." Draco added his greeting as he gazed at her.
"She's been here every day, off and on." Poppy whispered, touched by the bird's devotion to her wizard.
Draco suddenly smiled. He summoned parchment and ink, then wrote a quick letter and attached it to Hedwig's leg.
"Could you please take this to the Weasleys? Your boy needs them right now." Hedwig replied with a small hoot, nipped Harry's ear again and then flew off. "She has excellent timing."
"Hedwig is very intelligent, even for a wizarding owl. She is very protective of Harry as though she sees him as her hatchling, and always seems to know his needs. She's more like a familiar really." Severus spoke once again in that soft, tired voice.
"Well, she's right again. I've sent a missive off to the Weasleys. I realize they're grieving for Genevra right now, but unless they come they could lose another child."
Severus' only reply was a choked sob.
"You know they'll be here immediately upon receiving that message. They won't let him down. Meanwhile, I need you to do something for me."
"What is it Draco?"
"Will you promise to get some sleep? I have to go home and get cleaned up as I need to be ready for the internment this evening and I don't want to have to worry about you too."
"I'll promise but you must do something for me as well Draco."
Draco smiled. "Ever the Slytherin. I'll do whatever I can."
"Come back for me before the service."
"But you're not recovered yet."
"I'm recovered enough for this. I'm not going to allow you to bury your parents on your own. Despite everything Lucius was my friend: you're proof of that. As you said, they were your parents and they loved you, as you did them. What kind of Godfather would I be if I weren't by your side this evening?"
"One who is still convalescing from a fatal battle?"
"No Draco, I'll not have it. If you won't promise to come back for me, I'll just accompany you now."
"Very well, I promise, but you must rest and Madam Pomfrey must agree."
As if on cue, Poppy appeared out of nowhere with Severus' breakfast tray. She presented him with a look that said; 'Eat or there will be hell to pay!' She also handed him a sleeping draft.
"Take this when you're finished with breakfast. I was going to slip it into your meal, but the effort would be wasted on a Potions Master of your calibre. Just take it Severus, you need the sleep. You're no good to him – or anyone – in this state." She gave him her 'no nonsense' look again and walked away.
"On that note Uncle, I'll take my leave. I'll come by for you after dinner, but if you don't take that potion, the She-Dragon will never let you out of here – not even for a couple of hours."
Severus merely nodded and stared at his meal as Draco got to his feet. When he leaned over and kissed his Godfather on the head, it was a sign of Severus' grief that he offered no resistance or objection to the sentimental gesture.
~oo0oo~
After Draco left, Severus picked at his food to bide his time. Sure enough, before he was finished eating, the Weasleys arrived en masse, along with Hermione Granger. Severus banished enough of the food to satisfy Poppy and put the tray aside.
The Weasleys, for the most part, did little more than pass greetings with Severus. They all knew what he'd done for the War and the Order. He'd sacrificed so many years of his life and they all appreciated his efforts; they knew he was a Hero, but Harry was their main concern at the moment. Their youngest son and brother needed them, and despite their loss, they were going to be there for him.
Molly went straight to Harry, sitting beside him and taking his hand. She began speaking softly to him as Hermione stepped up to the Potions Master.
"How are you feeling Professor?"
"I am recovering, thank you Miss Granger."
"Sir, about Harry …"
Severus glared, preventing her from voicing whatever she'd planned to say.
"Miss Granger, I cannot discuss this with you at this time. I have been up all night with him and I am fatigued. There are also confidences which are not mine to divulge. Now, if I don't get some rest, Madam Pomfrey will not allow me to leave here this evening. I'm sure you will excuse me."
"Why would you go anywhere if you're not yet recovered?"
"My Godson has the difficult task of burying his parents tonight. It is my place to be at his side."
"Surely Draco would understand …"
"I would not." Severus interrupted sternly. "Supposing I have to spell myself to stand, I will pay my respects to my friends and honour their son."
"Of course Sir." Recognizing a dismissal when she heard one, Hermione turned away. Severus took his Dreamless Sleep and fell quickly into blessed unconsciousness.
~oo0oo~
The day wore on as Severus slept and the Weasleys (plus Hermione) took it in turns at Harry's bedside. They spoke to him in quiet reassurances, words of encouragement and love. Being a very loving family, and knowing some of the neglect of Harry's childhood, they were very tactile with him. They held his hand, touched his face, kissed his head and ruffled his hair. They were each and every one, kind and caring, as was their nature, and determined that should Harry not hear their words, then he would feel their presence.
The family never discouraged or gave up, as they had faith in this boy who was so dear to them. The Wizarding World could have their Hero, but 'Just Harry' was an honourary Weasley. He was theirs; they would love and support him always.
This was the real magic of Arthur, Molly, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George, and Ron Weasley: they would pull him through this, if by no other means than by the sheer magnitude of their love and conviction.
~oo0oo~
When Severus awoke, late in the afternoon, it was to the sight of George lying on his side and curled protectively around Harry. Fred, who was sat on Harry's other side, reached over and rubbed slow circles on his twin's back. Severus immediately clamped down on his jealousy as the twins murmured softly to Harry.
Severus was shifting his weight around in order to get out of bed when Poppy appeared, once again seemingly out of nowhere.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I was merely … "
"You were 'merely' nothing Severus Snape. You lay yourself right back down this minute!"
"But, I …"
"Now young man!"
Severus tried to ignore the giggles that came from those blasted twins as he complied with the formidable woman's demands.
"Will you cease and desist in your fussing woman? I must make myself presentable for my Godson …"
"You will eat first, and don't you think for one minute that I was fooled by your little stunt with your breakfast. As if not eating it wasn't bad enough, you're not supposed to be using any magic. It's called 'magical exhaustion' for a reason. When I'm satisfied with what you've eaten, then and only then, you may summon a house elf to get the clothing you'll need. After that I will help you with your shower."
"You most certainly will do no such thing!"
"That's enough of your back chat! You've nothing I've not seen before. Honestly, between you and Mr Potter, I don't know who has availed themselves of my services more over the years." The Mediwitch snapped her fingers and a house elf appeared with a tray.
"Now eat!" With that Madam Pomfrey sat down and watched every morsel of food that passed over Severus' lips.
Fred and George turned their attention back to Harry while Severus grumbled under his breath about overbearing Matrons and obnoxious Weasley twins.
When Draco arrived, Severus had just finished eating to Poppy's standards and was giving instructions regarding his robes to the house elf that had appeared to gather his tray. Draco gave an elegant nod of his head by way of greeting to Fred and George. He then turned to Severus.
"Godfather, you're looking greatly improved." Much to Severus' embarrassment, Draco leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek before sitting.
"Yes." Severus huffed. "And I was just about to shower, provided this She-Dragon masquerading as a Mediwitch will allow it!"
"Severus, that's enough!" The She-Dragon in question nipped back.
"No woman, you are enough!"
"Am I going to have to give you a Calming Draft? Because, if I do, you'll not be going anywhere this evening."
Severus merely huffed again and looked away; he crossed his arms across his chest petulantly.
Draco did his best not to chuckle, he truly did, but when he met two sets of blue eyes shimmering identically, he couldn't help it; all three young men burst into laughter. It was not every day that anyone saw the ever intimidating Severus Snape cut down as though he were a three year old throwing a tantrum!
"I'll leave him to you then, shall I?" Poppy just snorted at Draco as she walked away.
Severus sent his best glare at the idiot boys, but it was somehow diminished by the hospital pyjamas, as well as the boys' laughter.
"Come Uncle." Draco spoke when he'd calmed down enough to breathe. "If I help you to the Loo, will you be all right on your own from there?"
"Of course I will, you insolent brat! I'm not a three year old!"
"No Sir, you're just convalescing from a battle of mythic proportions, which almost completely drained your magical core."
Severus said nothing more, simply closed the bathroom door behind himself with another glare – which only resulted in more peals of laughter.
Once he heard the shower going, Draco spent the next half hour or so in quiet conversation with Fred and George. He also spoke with Ron and Hermione when they came to relieve the twins.
"So you're spelling off then?"
"The whole family is here." Ron replied to Draco's enquiry. "We all came in for a while this morning, but then Mum thought it would be too overwhelming for Harry when he woke. You know how he gets."
"Sound reasoning, what of Lupin?"
"The full moon is tonight. We thought it best to let him rest today. We'll floo him if things get urgent." Hermione tried to keep her voice optimistic.
"Has there been any change in him at all?"
"Poppy hasn't said; or rather she won't say." Fred began, "but she's been checking on him regularly and …"
"Her mood hasn't darkened any, so we can only assume that he's holding his own." George finished for his twin.
Before anyone could comment further Severus emerged from the bathroom looking fresh and surprisingly well in his formal robes. Draco stood to greet him.
"Uncle, you look very elegant."
"Thank you Draco." Severus came to stand at Harry's bedside and looked down at him. "Are you ready to leave?"
Draco just nodded and also turned his attention to Harry. He leaned down to kiss his lips softly and whispered what had fast become his mantra.
"Don't you give up Baby, don't you dare give up. I'll be back as soon as this is over. Maybe by then you can arrange for me to see you open those beautiful eyes of yours, yeah?" With those words he stepped back.
Severus sat on Harry's bed, took his hand in his own and kissed it. He then leaned down and kissed Harry's forehead.
"Please Dearest," he whispered lightly against Harry's lips, "Be here when I return." To everyone's surprise, Severus was unconcerned with any witnesses to his emotional demonstration. He kissed Harry tenderly, and then rose to his feet. Without meeting anyone's gaze, he left the Hospital Wing with his usual grace, if not his usual speed, as Draco followed quietly.
"Wow!" Ron breathed and no one else could find their voices, though they all nodded in agreement with his sentiment.
Silence reigned in the room.
~oo0oo~
Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Potterverse! I promise to return Jo's toys as soon as I'm done with them!
~oo0oo~