The Bonds That Tie

The last three months of school/work had been going surprisingly calm and well. Severus picked up normal work, just as Harry began his classes on September 1st, 1997. The pair kept to their plan of little Lilium staying with Harry during courses, except potions, and the child would be have exceptionally. Harry and Severus would typically have lunch together in Severus's room as a family, but would be present for meals with the entire school for breakfast and dinner. Although, sometimes, Harry, Lilium, and Severus would enjoy breakfast or dinner in their rooms, which Minerva informed was totally fine as long as Severus kept himself free to help a student who might come to him for assignments or just needing to talk to their head of house, which Severus still was for Slytherin. However, Tom usually stepped up to help with homework if he knew Harry and Severus were having a dinner with their daughter. Tom did quite well as Severus's assistant, and despite people's hesitation to letting formerly Voldemort be a teacher; everyone was fine with it now. Tom more than proved he was not the person he used to be, not only knowledgeable for Defense Against the Dark Arts, but also a fact reactor to things that might have possibly gone wrong. These reports made Amelia happy and some stories made it to the paper to let the public know that Voldemort was truly gone and sticking to his reformation as Tom Marvolo Gaunt.

As Severus had told Harry, Minerva was leaning towards giving Tom the job when Severus left, if Tom was no longer on parole come next school year. Everyone had gotten used to Harry being mated to Severus, it was pretty well known now, and also the two of them having an adopted daughter. Some thought it was funny how much Harry and Severus appeared to hate one another over the years, but they were actually soulmates. Others said you love who you love, and some still found it weird because of their age difference, but what did that matter when you'd live forever? At the same time, there was the argument that Harry was sixteen when the two bonded, but in actuality, Harry was perpetually fifteen years old because that's when he was turned and only looked older because of the vampire aging thing. Lilium remained looking three years old still; her age progression was still being tracked as a half human-half vampire who was birthed. The aging seemed to be happening with no real pattern if the child was technically five months old, but appeared three and had the brain functionality of a six year old. Harry still believed his theory that she would age quickly now, but it would slow as she approached ten years of age, marking her appearing like an adult.

All the death eaters were still minding the rules and doing their community service within either the Ministry of Magic, Hogsmeade, or Diagon Alley. Lucius did exceptionally well in the ministry, but that was a given as he'd always been part of things happening there. Everyone else fared well in their work, Harry always got excellent reports from Narcissa when he came to visit on the weekends. Most of the death eaters only worked their required time of fifteen hours a week, then remained at Potter Castle the rest. Or that's how it was in the start, now, they worked whatever their boss would let them. Harry was proud because it wasn't just showing they had good work ethic, but also that they were getting on good with the public and wanting to be accepted by the people. Harry had a good feeling that come the end of the parole year; all of them would be released free to continue their lives and never have to fear being frowned on by their pasts. Everyone made mistakes and bad choices, all anyone could do was move on in life. That's how Harry felt, at least. Everything else was going splendidly for others. Remus and Tonks were married, expecting a child of their own. Harry was already asked to be the godfather, which he excitedly accepted.

Bill and Fleur were now married too, holding off on kids to settle into married life. Last Harry heard, Percy Weasley was also preparing to get married to some woman named Audrey. Fred was with Angelina Johnson, only dating, which was the same for George with Alicia Spinnet. The twin Weasley's were still running the joke shop in Diagon Alley. Surprisingly, Bellatrix was one of the people working there for her community service; she got a kick out of their sense of humor. Also, Alecto and Amycus Carrow worked there too, must have been a twin thing. Neville was seeing Hannah Abbot, they just started dating around Halloween time this year. Luna and Draco had become good friends, but Harry didn't sense there being any kind of romantic thing going on, time would probably tell. A shocker, but nice to see, was Dean and Seamus becoming a thing at the start of the school year. It came out when Ginny attempted to get back with Dean, but he refused her and said he was taken already. Of course, Dean had said she felt Ginny wanting to be with him was a move to try and make Harry jealous. The bint still hadn't accepted that Harry was mated for life to Severus. Harry didn't care, the restraining and no contact order was still in effect and would be until the girl got it through her thick skull that Harry was never going to be with her.

As it stood, Arthur had custody of Ginny, but she was permitted to see her mother on the weekend. Supervised. To ensure there was no more plotting happening against Harry. Right now, it was the 31st of December. Not only was it New Year's Eve, but it marked one full year that Severus and Harry had been bonded. Students who went home for the holidays left on Saturday, the 20th. Christmas had been fun, Harry had his close friends over for dinner. Harry got a little something for everyone to enjoy Christmas morning. It was a good time overall, but now it was the day before January 1st, 1998. A new year would begin and Harry was excited. There would be a party to bring in the new year, but then the rest would belong to him and Severus to celebrate their anniversary of bonding. Technically, they got into all the intimacy when the bond took place after midnight so the actual anniversary was on the 1st of January. Tonight was gonna be a good night, Harry couldn't wait. Currently, Harry was waiting for everyone to arrive, should be any time now given the hour of it being 3:00 pm. Lilium was just waking up from a nap and sitting with Severus on their bed in the man's lap. Harry loved the sight of seeing Lily sit comfortably with him finally, though, it was well known that Harry was the favorite.

"Papa, do I get to stay up until the new year with everyone?" Lilium asked.

"If you'd like to. That's alright, isn't it, Harry?" Severus looked at his mate.

"That's fine with me," Harry replied. "Come on, we should go out and see everyone. Guests will be arriving soon."

Lilium hopped off Severus's lap and the potions master was slow to stand, Harry instantly felt like something was wrong with him. "Papa, are you okay?" She questioned softly.

"I'm alright, little one." Severus assured. "Why don't you run ahead to greet Grandma and Grandpa, also Uncle?" He suggested as Lilium rushed out of the room. As soon as she was out, Severus sighed.

"What's wrong?" Harry inquired calmly.

"Just feel tired," Severus informed.

"And weak. I can feel it." Harry stated. "I'd say you're sick, but that shouldn't be possible as a vampire." The teenager mentioned afterward.

"Are you sure about that not sick thing?" Severus bent forward a bit. "Because I feel like I'm going to vomit…" He groaned.

"I suppose it could be a side effect of taking the potion to allow you to eat normal food. Some bodily functions have returned to working order, but…" Harry trailed off. "Maybe I should call San over…" He considered. It was a moment later when Severus forced himself up and moved at vampire speed to their bathroom and was hunched over the toilet to puke. Harry frowned as he moved next to his mate and knelt down next to him.

"I've never been sick…Not even as a boy," Severus muttered as he ended up leaning against Harry.

"We'll figure this out. I can call Sanguini over…" Harry stated.

"No, it's fine…I think I feel better after puking," Severus told him.

"It's still something we should look into, Sev." Harry sighed at his mate's stubbornness. "You ate last time we hunted, didn't you?" Severus nodded. "Are you hungry now?"

"A little…" Severus replied.

"Dobby…" Harry said as the elf appeared. "Do we have any blood left from that package brought here a couple months back?"

"Dobby believes so. Master Harry be needing to feed?" Dobby inquired.

"Not for me, Dobby. Can you get some for my mate, please?" Harry hoped.

"Dobby be right back!" The elf vanished for a moment, then returned with a goblet of warmed blood and handed it to Harry. "Master Harry be needed anything else?"

"No, this is good. Thank you. Just make sure everything is ready for the party? Greet guests, let them know that Severus and I will join them soon?" Dobby nodded and disappeared again as Harry brought the cup into Severus's hands. "Drink, love…" Harry told his bonded. Severus took in the blood slowly, hoping it would ease his unsettled stomach. For the life of him, he didn't know why he felt this way. "Has this happened at all before, you feeling sick?"

"No, I don't think so." Severus replied.

The man got through the rest of the goblet and Harry set it aside on the countertop while they were sitting together on the floor. Harry watched his mate carefully, the man seemed miserable and sick, which wasn't right. Even with the potion enabling them to eat normal food, have digestive and waste systems reactivated, there hadn't been reports of coming down with basic illnesses like colds and flu. Harry wanted to call his lord, but Severus seemed against it, that meant Harry needed to figure it out for himself.

"Have you felt like this all day?" Harry inquired.

"No, only just began…" Severus responded. "Being close to you helps."

"I suppose I won't leave your side then." Harry chuckled a little and kissed the man's forehead.

"You're stuck with me for life." Severus said.

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Harry nodded. "How do you feel now? Think you can handle the party?"

"Between vomiting the two times I did and the blood, yes…I think I'm alright." Severus told him. "Let's go on. Wouldn't want to keep people waiting," He added.

Harry wasn't sure of his mate's response, but agreed quietly. The two walked hand in hand out of the bathroom, once Severus got himself cleaned up and brushed his teeth. Severus still felt a little off, but it was okay. It was going to be a good night; he didn't want to ruin it for Harry. It wasn't just a New Year's party; it was also their anniversary. One year since they bonded completely by accident, or rather, it was meant to be as they were soulmates. Harry would just keep an eye on Severus through the night and act only if he felt necessary. Getting out into the main room from their own, Hermione was first to greet Harry with a big hug and kiss to his cheek. Severus didn't get jealous because one, Narcissa and Bellatrix kissed Harry's cheeks all the time as his family, and two, Harry saw Hermione as a sister. Harry saw Luna the same way.

"Harry!" Hermione beamed. "It's so good to see you."

"Hermione, you act like we haven't seen one another in years when it's been a week," Harry joked.

"Harry, I will miss you whether it's been a day or a year." Hermione smiled. "You, Ron, and I have been friends since first year and despite all we've faced; the bonds we have can't be broken."

The young vampire eyed her carefully. "Indeed, so I know when you're all sweet and complimenting like this…It's cause you want something."

"Me? Never." Hermione said calmly.

"'Mione, don't make me have to vampire-version of imperious on you. Come on…What is it?" Harry asked. "Vampire version is entirely legal, I remind you, before you go saying it's an unforgiveable."

"Oh…Fine!" Hermione muttered. "I hate that you can do that. But…You mentioned having a certain movie I've been dying to see cause you know I love my history…I was wondering if we could watch it before actually partying?"

"Mov-Oh, you mean Titanic?" Harry questioned as Hermione nodded her head. "Sure, but you know it's a two-hour showing, right? I don't mind as long as no one else does."

"Sounds like a lovely time." Narcissa said. "I've always wanted to go to the muggle theatre…"

"What is this…Titanic?" Bellatrix wondered.

"It's a movie called Titanic, but the Titanic itself was a massive ship. It's a real ship too, currently sitting at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean. It went down in April of 1912, said to be unsinkable but sank due to an iceberg. It was rather tragic tale, actually. So many people died, the ship has never been recovered, but been found. It's been argued to leave it where it is because where it went down, where all those people lost their lives…It's now a watery grave and should be left alone. You'll see." Harry informed, sensing he gathered some of the guest's attention. "A movie director turned the story into a movie, and it just released in November in theatres. I have a copy of the film and told Hermione, she loves all things about history; she wants to watch it." Harry explained. "I can set it up to play in here, just gimme a bit to find a massive sheet, my film player, then darken the hell out of the room." He added as Hermione clapped her hands with glee.

Harry shook his head and went to go locate the things he wanted. It didn't take long, but soon, Harry had turned the great room into a mini theatre. Harry closed the curtains, set the sheet up against the windows, then set up the projector with the film in it before closing the doors and darkening the lights of the room. Last was rearranging the furniture to fact the screen, of course, there were snacks and drinks too. Harry got the film rolling and made sure the speaker sound was up. Yes, this would be a good night indeed.

. . .

To see so many people be moved by the movie was interesting for Harry, more so because he told them that this movie was based on real muggle events that happened years back. The story seemed easy to follow, but knowing it was real…Seeing the disaster play out was something different. At the end of the two hours, the credits began to roll playing the tune that they'd heard so many times.

"Oh, I love this song…" Hermione smiled, humming the tune.

"Yeah. Celine did a fantastic job with it. I don't think anyone could have sung it better…" Harry agreed.

"Every night in my dreams…I see you, I feel you. That is how I know you go on…" Hermione sang lightly when the lyrics to the song began.

"Far across the distance and spaces between us. You have come to show you go on." Harry joined her.

"Near, far, wherever you are. I believe that the heart does go on. Once more, you open the door and you're here in my heart. And my heart will go on and on." The two continued together. Lilium crawled over into Harry's lap, leaning against him as he wrapped his arms around her figure gently and gave her a light squeeze.

"Love can touch us one time, and last for a lifetime. And never let go 'til we're gone. Love was when I loved you. One true time I'd hold to. In my life, we'll always go on." It sounded lovely, despite everyone figuring that with this being a new movie that was out; Harry and Hermione wouldn't know the words. Regardless; the two sang great together. "Near, far, wherever you are. I believe that the heart does go on (Why does the heart go on?). Once more, you open the door and you're here in my heart. And my heart will go on and on."

Harry ended up turning his head to look at Severus. "You're here, there's nothing I fear. And I know that my heart will go on. We'll stay forever this way." Harry linked hands with Severus, kissing the back of his. "You are safe in my heart and my heart will go on and on…" It was kind of romantic. Hermione had still been singing in general, but Harry had directed his entirely to his mate. It made sense, they were vampires and would live forever. What they had would last forever.

"I love you, Harry," Severus said gently.

"I love you too, Severus." Harry replied before leaning in to kiss the man, only a little passionately.

"Okay, so before you two jump one another…Can we party?" Draco asked. Harry broke the kiss and flung a couch pillow at his brother, who managed to dodge it. "Hah, you missed." The young man grinned that Harry missed, however, he didn't notice the second pillow that shot at Draco from behind.

"Don't underestimate me, brother…Come on, I taught you to be aware of all your surroundings." Harry smirked. "But yes…We can celebrate now."

"I just want it on record that duet was lovely!" Narcissa informed. "Harry, Hermione…You both have such wonderful voices in song."

"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione bowed her head.

"I thank you, Mother." Harry said to her.

"The movie was nice too, though quite tragic. I must ask…At the end, before the song…Did the woman die? How was she back on the ship?" Lucius inquired.

"I believe it's open to interpretation of the viewer. Some say the ending scenes show the actress playing Rose asleep in her bed, but we see all those pictures that she did the things her younger self had said she'd do with Jack. Riding horses in the surf, flying a plane…Actor of Jack, had told her while they were in the water that she would die an old lady, warm in her bed after living a filling life. The interpretation is if she is simply sleeping, and dreaming of what would have been her reunification with Jack, and their marriage, or that she died and is joining him in the afterlife, on the ship where they were separated." Harry explained. "Either way, all the people you see clapping in the sequence of her reuniting with Jack, are those who did not survive the ordeal. It's rather interesting, I say she died. After all, she would have been well over a hundred years old at the end if she was seventeen in movie, then eighty-four years later, she'd be one-hundred and one."

"I agree, I think she died." Hermione stated. "That the ending was more or less where she chose to be when she died. Over the wreckage of Titanic where she had said goodbye to Jack. Dying an old lady in her bed. Reuniting with him and everyone else lost…"

Harry put everything away, then reopened the curtains to look over the night sky with a smile, holding his daughter and having Severus beside him. It was only about 6:30 pm now, plenty of night left to go for bringing in the new year. Harry certainly looked forward to it, no matter what might happen. With a flick of his hand, the lights fixed and the music started up. It was time to celebrate, all of them ready to bring in the year 1998.