Another Beginning

Chapter 36

Okay, guys I am so sorry for taking so long to update this story it was so wrong of me. I'm going to try and finish this tonight so it's done and you all have the ending you crave. Thanks for all your wonderful reviews I love them and onwards to the chapter…

Decision Making Time

"How are you feeling?" asked Harry, when Draco and Regulus finally got up, having slept for seventeen hours under the influence of a Potion, a Dreamless sleeping potion. It was the last of them, Severus had not been brewing for the past month or so, which meant there was no brewing done unsurprisingly. It had to be Dreamless sleeping potion otherwise both of them would have had nightmares and ended up wakening. Draco and Regulus (and yes even Harry's friends) had bonded with Severus on a level even Harry was excluded from. They'd spent time in Azkaban, and when the Dementors hadn't been around they had just talked, revealed their greatest fears and deepest regrets. They had wounds that went too far to heal, with them they had people who understood that and never had to explain anything.

"I'm feeling a lot better, how is he?" asked Draco his silvery eyes hopeful, had he agreed with Harry? Would he turn him? Would he even survive? He couldn't imagine himself having to make the decision. The chance of losing his magic…it made him shiver, so it was no surprise he was glad it wasn't his decision to make. The thought of losing his godfather though, the only father figure he'd ever really had made his heart feel as if someone was crushing it.

"Sleeping, he should be awake soon, Esme made some more soup for him hopefully he'll be able to eat all of it this time." said Harry quietly, he'd never moved from Severus' sleeping form all night. Carlisle had brought the Muggle medication home, and he'd given Severus it and it seemed to be working so far. It was strong, and he thanked Merlin Carlisle was a doctor and able to get the Oxycontin. He still didn't have his answer, and he hoped Severus would give it, he couldn't turn him without his permission, he had tried, but he just didn't have it in him.

"Here you are sweetie, eat up, you need it." said Esme firmly, she knew how to talk to the boys when it came to making them do things. She had to be firm with them to get any results forthcoming, and of course she was right, Draco began eating and Regulus followed. He had been in Azkaban and was emotionally stunted, he mostly acted like a teenager he had been when imprisoned. Unfortunately reality had creped in, he'd been forced to watch a man he'd become very fond of deteriorate rapidly.

"Thank you, Esme." said Draco his stomach growling fiercely, he hadn't eaten properly in weeks. With his hope renewed he realised he could eat a scabby hippogriff. His clothes no longer fitted him; in fact even Regulus had lost weight, all the weight they'd regained after their stay in Azkaban. Mostly thanks to Dobby and Esme's cooking, he wished he could go back to Potter manor before all this started and just do it all over again…life had been so liberating then. It had been a new beginning for them all, now it was ending.

"You are welcome sweetie," said Esme trying to remain cheerful but her worry and concern for everyone here was putting a dampener on that. So much for the Christmas Harry had wanted, but at least she was still getting to feed them up. And the fact she went overboard was coming in handy now.

"Alice, would he keep his magic?" asked Harry, staring at the pixy vampire torn asunder.

"I cannot see it, Harry. I'm sorry," said Alice sadly.

"Does that mean you can't see him or whether he won't or will have magic?" asked Harry.

"I just can't see him," said Alice looking devastated, she so wished she could give Harry the answers he wanted, no doubt that Severus wanted too. She had seen him in Azkaban, saw Harry telling her to get Jasper emotional, she could see them but unfortunately Severus was closed off to her. She didn't know if it was because he wasn't going to be turned, or if his decision had yet to be reached on whether he wanted to be a vampire or not.

"It's alright," said Harry tiredly, rubbing at his forehead knowing if he was human he'd have a hell of a headache.

"What have you given me?" asked Severus as he returned to the land of the living; the constant pain had been dulled to an irritating ache he could live with. The potions had not been doing that for him, so it was no wonder he was asking the question.

"Oxycontin, a strong painkiller," said Carlisle, "Let me know when the pain returns." checking his pulse and pressing his cold hand against Severus' head. It was a testament to how sick Severus still felt that he wasn't grumbling or swatting Carlisle away. Well he wasn't any worse that was a good thing, unfortunately he wasn't any better and from what he'd got from Regulus just half an hour ago…he wouldn't get well again. He was thankfully not working over Christmas, since he had known it would be a family gathering, and he'd looked forward to seeing Severus and Hermione as well as the others again he'd not put himself on the work Rota.

"I see," said Severus grimacing as he tried and failed to sit up without aid. Harry helped him without as much as a word, and carefully especially considering he was a newborn vampire.

"Esme made some more soup for you, can you eat some?" asked Harry, placing a pillow at his back so he could relax and not strain himself.

"Yes," said Severus, he was so hungry, had been for this past month but he'd been unable to keep anything down not even with his stomach soothers. Surprisingly he had been able to keep the delicious home made vegetable soup Esme had made for him. He'd been so grateful nobody was here to see him at his weakest; even now they were finding excuses to go somewhere for that he was eternally grateful. They knew him well, and it made Severus feel blessed to have so many people caring about him…at the end of his life. He had heard Draco shrieking at the unfairness of life, and inwardly Severus agreed with him. Unfortunately he was used to it; his entire life had been filled with so much hardship.

"Here you are," said Esme not calling him sweetie knowing very well what his reaction would be.

"Thank you, Esme," whispered Severus, wincing at a sharp pain in his leg.

"No problem, I love cooking!" said Esme, but Severus and everyone else already knew that much about her.

Harry helped Severus eat the soup, he didn't fuss overly knowing Severus was already at his limit. Severus was actually able to eat all the soup, and remain awake afterwards. Not long after he finished and was quietly watching the Television did the others come back and fill the room.

"Are you sure there isn't a potion that can help?" asked Harry quietly, remaining crouched down barely moving but his family knew he was a vampire and weren't wary of his stillness.

"I am a Potions Master, Harry. I've already tried every possible solution." said Severus in tired sarcasm.

"What about a de-aging potion?" suggested Ron.

"While it would de-age me, it wouldn't get rid of the problems, your bones and organs remain the same even if they get smaller." lectured Severus.

"I already suggested it," said Draco subdued.

"Have you thought about what I said?" asked Harry softly, staring at Severus his eyes filled with pleading.

Severus stared at Harry drolly, he'd fallen straight back to sleep, and of course he hadn't got a chance to think it through. Honestly, sometimes he was pure Slytherin otherwise he was as idiotic as the worst Gryffindor. His heart clenched, he'd never had children or really wanted them, yet he had two young boys' who had claimed him as their own fathers. Draco had been understandable really; Lucius had only ever been interested in climbing up the social ladder and kissing the Dark Lord's arse. He'd only had a son to continue his beloved 'pureblood' line but he didn't have a fatherly bone in his body. Draco had been spoiled, he was used to getting everything he wanted or so he thought. When he attended Hogwarts and had a godfather who always made sure his homework was done, and was there to talk to him he began to realize what he'd missed out on. The look on Draco's face when he first gave him a little nickname was heart-wrenching. Then he'd been taken to the Dark Lord, and the Slytherin in him, didn't want to die so he had done as expected of him became a Death Eater and received the mark. Of course right afterwards Draco had come to him, terrified and shaken by what he had seen. He had just begun getting over Azkaban and what his parents had put him through when he got sick. He'd tried to hide it from them, but it had been next to impossible a fortnight later.

Harry though, he didn't understand why or how he'd claimed him as a father figure. He had trained Harry that much is true, after all none of the Order could show Harry the things a Death Eater did better than him. They had spoken some nights, afterwards, when he noticed Harry was worried. It was then he began to realize there was more to Harry than he knew; it had been a long time in coming really. Harry was a teenager, a young boy, not yet even on the cusp of manhood and he had the entire world resting on his shoulders. Knowing if he failed the world would be doomed, knowing if he succeeded he'd be a murderer. He had tried to help the boy, he wasn't sure if what he said sunk in, but Harry probably just needed someone to talk to. It hadn't been long before he was confessing his deepest fear to Harry; he didn't understand why he had to this day, maybe to show him he wasn't the only one with fears. Then he'd gone out there, been captured and faced the man without fear, gaining Severus' admiration that would never diminish with age. Then when all appeared lost, Harry had done the impossible and defeated the Dark Lord. Merlin being in Azkaban and not knowing what had happened to Harry had terrified him to the core. He had assumed Harry was dead, after all how could he be alive? He'd been Apparating when he'd been sliced with a cutting curse. Seeing him there, alive and whole had been the best sight he'd seen in years, he didn't care that Harry was a vampire.

Coming back to the present, he felt himself getting lost in those beautiful green eyes, oh how they scorched him with intensity. Harry desperately wanted to turn him; this was why he'd stopped Regulus or Draco from telling him. As much as he would love to live longer…he'd never had a desire to be immortal, he'd always assumed he'd die one day and get to see Lily again. It was the only way he'd been able to embrace its solace. Despite the pain he felt leaving Draco behind and doing this to Harry, not allowing him the chance to grieve for him before finding out he'd passed on. There was the fact he may lose his magic that was the biggest fear of all.

"Please, Sev!" cried Draco, coming around and sitting on the edge of the sofa, he couldn't lose him.

"Do not pressure him, this has to be a decision he makes on his own." said Carlisle softly, understanding where they were coming from but also aware of the repercussions of pressuring someone into something. It would cause anger, unresolved resentment it had to be what Severus wanted. He knew what it was like, Edward and Rosalie had gone through the same thing with him. Although Rosalie had become happier very quickly, when she'd found Emmett and asked him to turn the young boy. Edward himself had only realized how he truly felt saving him when he'd felt he had no choice but to save Harry.

Draco just glared petulantly at Carlisle, as if he was telling Severus to say no.

"Trust me, I speak from personal experience." added Carlisle sombrely.

"Alright," grumbled Draco, but he remained where he was, this was the best he'd seen Severus in over two weeks.

"I will think about," said Severus quietly, his eyes half lidded exhaustion written across his face.

Draco and Harry shared a look; they weren't sure how much longer Severus was going to be with them. He better not spend too much time thinking about it or he would be doing it in the afterlife! Dear Merlin, only Severus Snape could die or be turned on his own terms! Harry laughed at his thoughts, but it was so true, so like him. So much had been beyond his control that he was making sure this was in his hands too.

"What's so funny?" asked Draco staring at Harry curiously.

"It's so like him isn't it?" said Harry wryly, "He has to do everything on his own terms, even this."

Draco smiled weakly, "Yeah, it is like him isn't it? The ultimate Slytherin, measuring up the pros and con's before deciding."

"You do understand if he chooses it…you cannot be around him right?" said Hermione softly, as if trying to lessen the blow.

"I know," sighed Draco, nodding his head tiredly. "I don't care though; as long as he's alive and happy then I can live with it until he's ready." he had over one hundred years to live (if he wasn't hurt or killed), a few years was nothing to him. Although if was probably a few days to the vampires who'd been living for over a hundred years...well some of them he hadn't actually asked about their real age.

Short i know but perfect place to stop it...next chapter will be Severus' decision on whether or not he becomes a vampire!