NOTE: A huge heartfelt thank you to returning reviewers, and new ones! You'll have a few 'build-up' chapters before we delve into the story, so bear with me on this one.

"One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love."

― Sophocles

CHAPTER 2: Emerald Mirror

January 12th, 2002

[Harry Potter]

The following morning was met with a somewhat casual affair, as both Harry and Ginny reached six months into their marriage. Harry had treated her to breakfast in bed, spending the morning making pancakes whilst she slept in and simply relaxing together in comfort within each other's company.

Harry was proud to be with her. Ginny completed his heart beyond what he ever dared to imagine, and she was someone who truly understood him from within. With Ginny, he felt safe, and she was always able to validate his emotions so effortlessly, far beyond that of which he could even comprehend himself. She often worried about him at times when Harry's mind seemed to decline in periods, but regardless of their personal ordeals throughout the Second War, they had each other to help deal with it. Harry found a sense of inner strength with her, helping him to find his true voice once again and finding encouragement within her words of comfort.

After the events of the Clearwell mission, it took some time for Harry to stop feeling on edge and in constant defense, anticipating an attack that was not going to happen. He was, undoubtedly, still paranoid about the idea of being attacked again. At times when the War has only just ended, Harry even begged Ginny not to leave his side, for fear of her being taken once again during some of their casual outings. Even deep within when Harry felt a little ashamed for feeling that way, he couldn't ignore that deep familiarity with a situation he never wanted a repeat of. When Ron would come to visit, Harry's anxiety would peak again as he seemed to expect dismal news from the Auror front. He knew Ron's division was keeping an eye on any Death Eater activity that may still exist, but the last thing Harry wanted to know, was their untimely return and the dedication of their ideals that drove their movement.

He couldn't bear to go through that again.

But it had been years and since then, further enemies had now been caught during extensive efforts to seek those in hiding. They were in a sense, safe. But given the ruthless determination of the rogue Death Eaters previously, there was always that crippling paranoia of them striking again, and they knew very well they were capable of that. And Harry knew deep down that there will always be a threat. It's just that in recent times, the extensive Auror operations to keep them all subdued were no doubt effective and controlled. Minister Kingsley made sure of that, and Harry could at least breathe in some measure of relief, as with the rest of the Wizarding World.

Ron had been recently added to Dawn Rheingold's unit, WCID, as soon as he had completed his training. One of the previous Aurors, Edward Blackmore, had been an unfortunate casualty during the Death Eater's last stand after the demise of Voldemort. The same group of Aurors that were initially stationed at Hogwarts to guard its grounds, had now reformed into a more private division created by the Minister himself in order to round up and keep an eye on rogue supporters. Ron was accepted without question once he completed his Auror training and his team had already done a great service to the safety of the wizarding community, whilst even being sent on cases taking him internationally at times. Hermione, being focused on her own work within the Ministry, had since accepted Ron to always be traveling and found the complex cases rather intriguing whenever he arrived back home in safety.

Harry had always amused himself that the WCID, or Wizarding Covert Intelligence Division – or Wick, as Ron would call it sometimes -, was essentially the magical NCA. It was put together by Kingsley shortly after the Auror overhaul and re-training for new skills and Ron had volunteered to join without a second thought. The division specialized in covert operations and vigilance on families with previous connections to Death Eaters, or merely past supporters of Voldemort. In order to control the population and pre-anticipate the rise of any suspicious groups with any desires to rise up from the darker regime that had taken hold of the British community for years in the First and Second Wars. The division operated locally and internationally – wherever possible leads arose, they would follow and ensure the safety of the community, detain those that needed to be put away, and put an end to any unusual and potentially dangerous activity.

Neither of them wanted a repeat of Voldemort, or even Grindelwald, for that matter.

Dawn herself was still stationed at Hogwarts filling in as the Professor for Defence Against the Dark Arts, of which she will be closely mentoring Harry as soon as he begins his practical teaching year. Once Harry is fully qualified to take full responsibility on the subject, she will be able to resume her job as an Auror and work alongside Ron and the rest of her team as she had done before. But for now, the Headmistress was keen to keep Dawn on board for her professional expertise within the subject, and a desire to keep a competent Defence teacher part of the faculty for as long as they could.

Given the terrible record of the previous Defence Professors, she was a welcoming addition.

After Harry and Ginny spent the morning relaxing and snuggling by the fire, there was a more than persistent knocking on the door that day, leaving Ginny to scrunch her face up with nervous anticipation, "That's mum, without a doubt."

Harry raised an eyebrow and cautiously made his way to the door, "What if it isn't?"

There was suddenly a familiar voice at the other side of the door, barely audible amongst the cold winds howling outside, "Harry dear, it's Molly! Ginny, are you there?"

Ginny winced, as she glanced back at Harry, "Told you."

"Well, we can't leave her out there. Is it really so bad?" Harry gave a small chuckle, as he reached for the doorknob, "Besides, it's freezing. "

"Considering mum is such a worrywart and has been persistent in dropping food off to us enough to feed the entire village since we got married…I mean, you married me, not my family."

Harry couldn't help but laugh, "She's no Dursley, and I have a lot of respect for your family. Besides, the more you avoid it, the worse it'll get."

Ginny gave a teasing smirk, as she wrapped her long mustard yellow cardigan further around her waist, "You're lucky she adores you."

Returning an amused grin to his wife, Harry opened the door to Molly Weasley who immediately enveloped him into a familiar hug, feeling buried amongst the woman's woolen orange coat and thick cobalt-blue scarf. "Molly! Come in, it's horrid out there…"

Beaming, Molly shuffled awkwardly inside carrying a few bags of items, before placing them on the kitchen table and reaching over to finally hug her daughter. Ginny gave in, defeated, whilst Harry's eyes gleamed in amusement as he watched his wife buried in her mother's extra-suffocating embrace.

"Arthur was supposed to help me out here, but he's working overtime at the Ministry, " Molly brushed a frizzy red lock from her windswept hair, as a few extra silver strands were noticeable amongst it. Her face still smiling at the sight of the pair, while her hazel eyes darted around the house, "You've decorated this place splendidly! Although, you could put a pot plant in that empty space over there, and oh! I should knit you a wall tapestry which would look wonderful near the fireplace there – "

" – Mum."

Molly stopped in her tracks and gave Ginny a stern look, "Ginny dear, I'm just giving you suggestions."

"I know, but we haven't really had loads of time to spare. Quidditch has been keeping me busy and Harry is focused on completing his studies. Relax, mum. We've got it handled."

Molly sighed, as she turned to Harry, "When do you start at Hogwarts, dear?"

Harry shuffled his cold hands within his pockets, "Well, I have a thesis to submit still and a few other assignments, but I begin as a student teacher this September."

The Weasley matriarch beamed, "Oh, wonderful! Who will be mentoring you?"

"Dawn Rheingold – She's an Auror who has been teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts since the end of the Second War. She taught my class in my seventh year. She's really good. Ron says she has a strict work ethic. She'll be my preceptor for a year, then it's all me. Though according to McGonagall, she has been employing extra staff to split the subjects as the curriculum has since expanded."

"Something about preparing for an influx of students in the near future, I think. About time they did that. Besides, I think the Council had a field day reinvigorating the classes after the Second War. Hermione made sure of that, " Ginny started to unpack the bags Molly had delivered, including several containers of food. One which smelled curiously of a freshly cooked Sheppard's pie, in which Harry's stomach promptly grumbled.

"Well, that is a wise decision. I suppose now that it's safe for the students again, parents won't be so hesitant to send their children anymore. I heard a few families were homeschooling for a while. Besides, there was definitely a baby boom after the Second Wizarding War, " Molly smiled cheekily at Ginny.

Ginny rolled her eyes in annoyance, "We get it, mum. Thanks."

Molly wriggled her nose, teasingly. Harry gently cleared his throat to gently intervene, "Bill and Fleur must be getting excited preparing for their little one."

Molly beamed with joy, clasping her hands over her chest, "Oh, yes! Bill, bless his heart, has been renovating the bedroom at Shell Cottage. They are both overjoyed. I have a feeling the baby might be an early one."

"Have they decided on names yet? Last I heard, Bill had a list of twenty names each for a boy or girl. Talk about indecisive, those two, " Ginny asked.

Molly shook her head, "Bill says they have chosen a few, but it'll be a surprise. Not even a hint."

"Is Charlie still in on that trek in the Amazon? He was supposed to be back last week."

"Last I heard, he was tracking down a small herd of Southern Spindlings – I think he called them. I think he had plans to relocate them, as they were migrating closer to one of the small remote villages. That's all I know – He is just as elusive as you are with keeping in touch with me."

Ginny bit her lip, "Mum, we've all been busy. It's hard to have us all around the same time anymore."

Harry smiled, as he eyed the delicious food Molly had delivered. His mouth watered, "Thank you, Molly. You really didn't have to do all of this."

The Weasley matriarch waved her hand casually, with a proud smile upon her face, "No matter, you two. Keeps me busy these days! With everyone slowly moving out of the Burrow, it gives me a chance to visit you lot - " Molly sighed and placed her hands on her hips, " - Speaking of which, I have another visit to make. Do give darling Teddy an extra hug from me! I made him his favorite little cherry pies in there."

Harry smiled, "I will. Give my best to Arthur and George!"

With another round of smothered hugs from Molly, she soon departed in her usual flustered disarray leaving the pair of them to reorganize their fridge storage in wake of her mass cooking.

At times Ginny would find her mother far too overbearing even more once they eloped, but Harry was grateful for her presence regardless. Molly had always felt like a second mother to him, and he was always happy to see her no matter what the occasion. She cared for them both deeply and was elated when she discovered that Harry had finally popped Ginny the question in her hand in marriage. Of course, Molly was always anticipating that day, but knowing that he was now officially a part of the Weasley family, made it all the more special. If it weren't for the Blood protection binding Harry to the Dursleys in his youth, this would have been a family he would have loved to have grown up in.

Although he knew Molly meant well, Ginny was right. With the Weasley family expanding, gathering everyone together again was tricky business. Everyone had moved on with their lives, building their families, and dealing with the fallout at the same time. He loved Molly and Arthur as if they were his own parents, but even he and Ginny were occupied with other things. As much as he found some amusement with his wife's attitude in response to her mother, he could tell sometimes she wished she was a little more patient with them. Of course, Harry could only see how loving and devoted Molly was to her family since he only really had the Dursleys, who could hardly be remembered as a part of his family. Unlike Molly, his Aunt Petunia was further in the opposite direction. Dismissive, cold, and manipulative towards him.

Molly was a welcoming blessing in his life.

The Weasleys were special. Despite the small quarrels and bickering within such a large family, they loved and cared for each other despite it all. Even whilst Percy was going through his family's abandonment after the War, they grew to accept him again and Percy soon realized the value of family and the togetherness they shared. Molly was the glue that held them all together and she is damned to allow her family to separate over a clash in moral fiber again. Once Percy soon realized, he had been mistaken, they gradually accepted him back into their embrace. Of course, Ron and George took a little while to find that acceptance with him and although they could never forget, Percy still returned back to them and re-joined the Ministry in a more positive way rather than for political power.

Harry, although with no blood relatives left than that of the Dursleys, was happy to be surrounded by the Weasleys and their infamous hospitality and love he had always longed for. Molly had accepted Harry immediately even before he himself set foot on his first ride on the Hogwarts Express.

And for that, Harry always had a soft spot in his heart for Molly, for she would always mean the world to him.

Lily would have been so proud of her.

January 15th, 2002

"…Severus?"

Harry stood nervously at the familiar stone porch as the dark door with the dull silver handle swung open to reveal Severus Snape – Ex-professor and Potions Master.

A man who once stood at the helm of the Death Eaters' inner circle under Lord Voldemort's reign but dedicated his time working behind the scenes to bring him down from within. Ever loyal to both Albus Dumbledore and his mother Lily until the very end. Protector of the Chosen One himself and a man who sacrificed his life and reputation to remain dedicated to the cause with every ounce of his strength. A man who made himself hated, tarnishing his own meticulously built reputation so that his good deeds could go unnoticed and his mission for the Order, victorious.

A man who finally allowed his life to be known to Harry himself and together, the duo was able to find a middle ground and a yearning for understanding. After the fall of Voldemort, both of them were able to make amends for their past mistakes against each other and their misjudgment and their bond grew stronger in the time it took to halt the final acts of the Death Eaters upon the demise of their master. Their mutual hate turned to respect, even comradery and a deeper connection Harry never in his wildest dreams previously foresaw within the man. Severus overcame his own personal odds and both he and Harry helped each other to push past their shadowed obstacles and pull through the darkness together.

They finally worked united and no longer divided, and that meant more to Harry than anything. And he was sure Severus felt the same as well. They were closer than they had ever been.

But that was three and a half years ago, and time quickly passed.

Harry looked shockingly at the man he hadn't seen for a long while. Severus was still pale-faced, and although there were some spots of color in his cheeks, the crevices of the wrinkles around his face were prominent with additional lines. His skin did not appear to have seen the sun in a long while. The bags under his eyes were dark and slightly puffy as if sleep alluded him, also. He had lost some of the healthy weight he re-gained after his illness, but not the alarmingly noticeable stature of bones that Harry last remembered. The man's dark hair was slightly wavy with moisture and unkempt but had grown a little past his shoulders leaving him wondering when he last tended to it. There was a small bit of stubble on his chin, which appeared in light blotchy patches across his shadowed skin.

Severus wore a slightly crinkled dark navy buttoned shirt, covered by an un-fastened black robe over a black pair of trousers. It was a very casual attire and although Harry had seen him become so careless about his appearance before, it was still unusual to see him in this state. Along the side of his neck was the twisted scarring left behind in Nagini's wake which was his death sentence, as the curse tore through his system leaving physical and emotional scars. It now served as a reminder of what he fought against and yet Severus shamefully still desired to hide it.

The man's almost haggard appearance took Harry by surprise.

Severus frowned lightly, dark eyes boring into Harry's, "You could have owled me prior to your visit."

"I would have if you actually responded to them, " Harry glared at Severus, who looked more than a little unimpressed by the impromptu visit. Eventually, he sighed, "Please, can I come in?"

Severus faltered for a short moment before he motioned for Harry to step inside, peering briefly outside for any more unwanted intruders to his personal space, upon finally closing the door behind him with a gentle click.

The rooms were dark and devoured of clear daylight and the only light available was the scarce lamps emitting a dull glow in the corner of the rooms. The air seemed stale, and Harry was certain he could smell a trace of firewhiskey wafting through the small abode. There was a window ajar by the kitchen, but only barely. However not enough for a fresh breeze of cool air to wash away what felt like dust suspended around him. The rooms, although basic in furniture, felt like they did not receive the care they should have or the time to maintain them and keep them in good condition. Some of the furniture was shifted oddly out of place, and there were some items strewn across the floor in such a careless fashion.

He knew Severus was usually a neat and tidy man, often taking great care into cleanliness and order within his space, or rather, used to be. But seeing so many things in such strange disarray now was alarming.

The pair of them wandered to the cold, empty couches and sat down. But Harry could not help but feel like something was quite seriously wrong and that left him with an odd unease.

"Everything alright?" Severus' mildly hoarse voice pierced through the silence as if he hadn't used his voice in some time.

Harry's jaw dropped, feeling stunned by the man's question. The burning question he was going to ask him, "Please tell me you're joking? I hadn't seen or heard from you since the wedding because you wouldn't answer my recent letters and you're asking me if I'm alright?"

The older Slytherin scowled at the younger man before him in slight annoyance; wrinkles appeared deeper and set into his pale skin causing him to look far older than he was, "If you've come here to make my day difficult, then I will not allow it."

Harry sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Their last encounter last ended up just as they were, and it was Harry who ended up storming off in the anger he could not suppress. But he knew that couldn't happen again. He did not want that to happen again because Harry instantly regretted that when he did, and he felt horrible about it for weeks afterward. Sometimes he just could not manage his fury and found himself losing far more patience these days. Mostly he blamed himself for it, but at times, the man before him knew how to push all the wrong buttons.

Sometimes, Harry felt like they were back into their old ways. Not intentionally, of course. But between the duo's struggle with overcoming the war in the past few years, each found it difficult to grasp these personal changes and at times, old problems would drift to the surface.

Severus had struggled the most with the changes within himself and sometimes the stress would re-open old wounds. Harry had given him the space and patience he needed, but he wanted nothing more than to ensure Severus continued to receive the support necessary to thrive on those changes. The Slytherin very well knew he hated the person he was still, but even so, he found difficulty in fully embracing all that he had overcome. And the way Severus sullenly appeared before him at that moment, he could almost feel the self-doubt and self-loathing emanating from his bones.

Harry drew in a deep breath in his bid to settle himself and looked at Severus with hopeful eyes, wishing for more than Severus' usual cold dismissal, "I wanted to visit because…Well, I've been worried. You barely stayed at all for the wedding, and yes, some of us noticed. What is going on? …Is there something I can do?"

Severus tensed slightly, observing the young man before him, "Nothing is going on."

Harry was skeptical, and it took every ounce of his willpower not to fire up over it. Three months stuck in the same household during the time Severus was deathly ill, enabled Harry to read the man a little more carefully than most people would. Things he never dared to notice before, now became something of an instinct now. He knew very well he was lying, "…You know I don't buy that."

"For once Harry, please, remain within your own affairs."

Harry steepled his fingers as he paused leaning forward on his knees, before he looked back at his ex-Professor once again and sighed speaking the next at barely an audible whisper, "Sir, I just really wanted you to be a part of it. You have every right to be, and you saved Ginny too. Because of you, I got to marry her. And it's not just me who is worried, but Minerva…Kingsley…Molly…Hell, even Hagrid has been asking about you…Do you see anyone at all?"

Severus stared at Harry with a blank expression, blinking only a few times to examine the Gryffindor before him. He clenched his jaw, about to speak. A tense pause grew between them, and Harry had to wonder how he would react. But instead of snapping back with a usual snarky answer, the man slowly rose up from his chair and walked to the adjacent open kitchen. Immediately, he began to tinker with the teapot upon the bare counter, tapping his ebony wand here and there, seemingly distracting himself from responding.

Harry hated when he did this because he knew he was hastily trying to avoid the question.

Instead, Harry sat dumbfounded at the man and wondered what was trailing within that mind of his. After a pause to recollect his own thoughts, he bit his lip and eventually followed suit, rising up from his seat to follow him into the kitchen. Harry leaned against the doorframe carefully observing the older man busy himself with making tea, almost forgetting about his additional guest. The Slytherin seemed a little manic and stressed, which was seen in his actions and the way he moved around the bare kitchen in an unusually flustered manner.

This was not the Severus he last remembered.

The kitchen itself appeared in slight disarray. A single mug sat idly in the sink, with no clean dishes to be seen. A subtle scent of something sour and old wafted through the room seemingly originating from the fridge, making him wonder how possibly neglected the food items were inside. The room was lit with a single small candle, casting a dull murky glow in combination with the dull overcast light through the window and further highlighting the shadows in the room. It looked slightly eerie, and Harry could not deny the inattention to the space he could see causing goosebumps to ripple across his skin. A few potion bottles, some empty, were scattered carelessly across the countertop. Harry had recognized the amber liquid as the potent analgesia which Severus had used to combat the pain his disease had ravaged him with years prior. The shimmering amber liquid appeared darker this time around and Harry knew that Severus had adjusted it to be far more potent and longer acting as the scarring still caused him some grief.

But Harry could no longer stand the silence between them.

It was suffocating.

"Severus please, stop and listen to me. I didn't come over here for you to ignore me."

As if the man was spooked, Severus suddenly dropped the teapot a little too forcefully on the counter with a loud CLANK and leaned forward against it, looking away from his guest. There was another silence that followed and all that could be heard was the ticking of the old dark wooden clock upon the wall and Severus' uneven breaths. Slowly and surely, he turned around on his heel. His sullen face was worn of worry and Harry knew he tried desperately to hide that from him. But now after learning so much about him, Harry knew better.

Severus undoubtedly knew that, too.

"Harry, I request that you leave, " Severus spoke quietly, almost in a whisper.

Defiantly, Harry frowned and shook his head, "No. Not until you talk to me about what is going on, sir."

"I will not ask again."

Harry was shocked and admittingly, a little heartbroken. "Why-why won't you let me help?"

"The reasons are my own, " Severus himself appeared dismal as his voice wavered ever so subtly, but he soon straightened his shoulders and placed his hands curtly behind him as if nothing were wrong.

The younger man was still shocked at what he was hearing, "After everything, you're just going to push me away?"

Severus remained silent.

Harry lowered his head, not knowing how else to respond. He could see that the man was hurting in some way, and he felt helpless that he did not know what was going on this time. Even more so, that Severus was not willing to confide in him at that moment. The trust that they had previously and meticulously built before, had now begun to helplessly crumble.

Glancing at the man sadly, he swallowed thickly as his throat felt like razors, "It's been nearly four years, Severus. Is it so bad that I miss…this? Our talks. You don't even respond back to me anymore, and that worries me. Is it something I did or said? Tell me, so I know. Tell me, so that I can stop worrying."

A small but saddened smile twitched at the corner of Severus' mouth ever so briefly, but he looked exhausted trying to hold that in place, "You have far more important things that require your attention and I must request that you just…let me be. For now."

Harry's shoulders sagged, "Didn't I already? The wedding was six months ago. Six! No one else has seen or heard from you since then. It's like you've dropped off the radar."

"That is the point. However, I assure you, everything is fine for the time being."

Harry frowned, "Right. Fine, that you don't respond to my letters for weeks, if not, months at a time? That kind of fine? You took months just to respond to the invitation. Why are you avoiding everyone, Severus?"

Severus now began to look irritated, "Enough with the questions...It is not that simple."

"Isn't it, though? I get you wanted some space, and I gave it. But – "

" - Harry, why are you really here?" Severus gave a tired, long exasperated sigh.

Harry stopped in his tracks and averted his gaze briefly before turning an almost pleading expression back to the man, "I need your help…I ne-want to talk to you."

Severus leaned back on his heels, eyeing Harry carefully. "I already provided you with the means to ease your mind."

"…I ran out of the elixir."

The older man's face went rigid as he frowned, making Harry feel like a child again, "That supply was supposed to last you for another few months."

Harry bit his lip. He knew this was not going to bode well.

He stared at the man blankly, but a slight nervous shift in his eyes caused Severus to suddenly become angry. "I specifically advised you to reduce the administration to two drops, not bloody double it! The elixir is extremely potent and can harm you if taken incorrectly. It is not pumpkin juice!"

Harry shrugged half-heartedly, pushing the man's tone of voice to the back of his mind, "My mind is screwed up enough...how much worse can it get?"

"You can be infuriatingly dense, Harry. The side effects can be severe. It can act as a potent sedative. You need to take this seriously!"

Harry flinched at the sudden outburst and swallowed thickly again. He knew he has been over-using it, but never once did he think about its long-term implications. He was quite honestly looking for a quick fix, and he felt silly to think that there were no side effects he could be worried about. Now he had the dreaded feeling that he had become far too addicted to it, especially recently, "I don't – "

Severus drew in a sharp deep breath, trying desperately to calm even himself down, " - You cannot be so reliant on the elixir, otherwise it may eventually lose efficiency and ceases to become effective. If not already. You should know this by now and I should not be reminding you again."

"I know, but…" Harry looked utterly defeated, as his face fell, "…I just needed your help, Severus. I'm struggling with things and the elixir helps me to deal with it. That's all."

Severus frowned deeply for a short while, but eventually, his expression gradually softened the more he stared hopelessly at him. He finally turned back to the counter where he withdrew his dark ebony wand again and flourished it at the teapot which began to start brewing on its own in his bid to finish such a mundane task with great effort. In the short time, the tea was finally ready, Severus picked up both mugs and filled them both to the brim, setting them both on the small kitchen table. He lowered himself into one of the chairs and soon Harry gingerly followed suit, feeling oddly like he was intruding on the man's space still. Harry could smell a strong scent of honey with a subtle addition of cinnamon, and it felt soothing to his otherwise clouded and scattered senses.

It brought back memories of the time they spent in hiding, sipping tea by the fire, deep in heartfelt conversations. The nostalgia tore at Harry's heart, for it was so long ago.

Harry watched as Severus sat in deep thought; eyebrows knitted together in his bid to formulate the right words. Instead, the older man lowered his head slightly, "My apologies for not responding as…timely, as you had hoped. I realize I have not been there for you, albeit recently, but there are some things that I cannot begin to explain. Just know that I need adequate time to do so. In the meantime, respect that. That is all I ask of you."

"Okay…" Harry nodded understandably, holding the mug of tea tightly within his grasp, warming his cold hands, "I still have nightmares, Severus and I haven't been able to focus much. I'm tired and I feel like I'm not really with it. Ginny catches me zoning out sometimes, and…I just…I don't know what else to do."

"I am ill-equipped to help you deal with this, except with the elixir that should not have been over-used. It is but a casual remedy, not something to be taken on a regular basis…" Severus stopped himself from continuing once he eyed Harry solemnly. The man lowered his head shamefully, "I told you before, that I am not good at this."

"Just to have someone else to talk to, is enough, " Harry gave the man a weak, lopsided smile, but he still felt rather defeated. "I'm sorry to dump this on you. I can only share with Ginny so much and she puts up enough with me and my nightmares. Molly and Arthur wouldn't really understand. Ron has enough to deal with in the new Auror division, and Hermione is a workaholic always trying to put forth some new laws within the Council alongside Kingsley. Luna is well, Luna, and Neville is stuck in his studies much like I am. I guess I thought keeping myself busy with that, and Teddy - "

" - I cannot act as your therapeutic medium, Harry, " Severus interrupted, as he spoke firmly.

"I know, but you understand. That's what sets you apart from them. That's why, with this, I feel comfortable talking to you about it."

The older man could only glance hopelessly back, eyes drooping almost exhaustedly, "…What would you require of me?"

"What?" Harry hesitated, and bit his lip lightly, "I don't require anything from you, Severus. I just wanted someone to listen, and I wanted that to be you. That is why I sent so many letters. With you, I feel like I don't need to explain because you just, well, get it. You're good at that."

Severus appeared to curl his lip slightly at the last statement, but instead returned a curt nod amidst his piercing gaze, "I will work on brewing more of the elixir for you, and I will do my best to respond a little more promptly to you. That, I am able to do."

Harry smiled tiredly but gratefully, "Thank you, sir. I'd appreciate that very much." Once he downed the rest of his tea, he rose from his chair, "I have to get going. Perhaps you could visit mine sometime? Ginny has been inundated with training sessions for the next few weeks before the semi-final match. I'd love to have you visit."

The man before him appeared to hesitate at the invitation, but after a short pause, he nodded. He seemed conflicted, as his darker eyes seemed to falter. Something was holding Severus back and Harry really wanted to know why. He knew the man had developed a little more social unease after the Second War – he was obviously afraid to face people after his prior acts, both good and bad, during the ordeal. He knew that there were times Severus had faced the wrath of the community for those that did not accept him, even still. Even after his hearing was made public, there were still those that preferred to condemn him for his mistakes, not caring to recognize the sacrifices he made for the greater good.

But even so, Severus had been noticeably avoiding going out when absolutely necessary, but he was still anxious to show his face even amongst people he knew, and thus, Harry knew he was still very wary of what his allies thought of him. As much as Harry tried to convince him that he had a place still among them, Severus was still hesitant to accept it.

After Harry bid goodbye to the man, he began to make his way home hoping above all else, Severus would not bail on the offered visit.

Harry did not want to give up on him. Not after everything, they both went through to be there for each other.

Grief itself will always be a heavy weight to bear, no matter how much time has passed.

January 16th, 2002

The following morning, Harry decided to venture to one of his favorite secluded spots on the beach in order to clear his head.

It was a place in West England that he had discovered recently since moving to Godric's Hollow and was usually found there when he needed to get out of the house and away from the usual mundane tasks of his day. Only slightly more north-west than his own home, he found himself on a small, isolated beach that Muggles could not get to. Looming behind him on the treacherous mountain top sat the ruins of Tintagel castle scattered across the earth. The location around the castle was indeed a Muggle tourist dwelling, but Harry had since found a spot that they could not reach and one area which was surprisingly well-hidden. So, he had discovered a small rocky clearing beside a small trickling waterfall, which flowed into a small stream leading out to the ocean. Harry would often sit there with his invisibility cloak, tucked away from the world, and watch the calm waves of the ocean melt seamlessly together.

The evenings were especially beautiful as Harry would take Ginny here sometimes to watch the sunset. This place helped him feel at peace and was the only place where he could listen to his own thoughts and try his best to sift through them on his own. Being at home for too long was simply too depressing for him and the salty sea breeze was enough to enlighten his senses enough to keep him focused.

This was, essentially, his own sanctuary. A safe place in which he had fortified himself with charms to repel Muggles and keep the area from being discovered. It was nice to have a place of his own where he could escape to. Ginny knew that whenever Harry needed some air, this was the very place he would be found in.

Eventually, Harry made his way back home for the afternoon and headed straight to his home office to work on more of his academic assignments. He had seated himself at his desk in the study, scribbling away at some of his paperwork in his bid to submit what was left of his current work, when his wife decided to poke her head inside of the room. Her bright sunny disposition caused her freckles to become far more prominent as the sunbeams streaming through the window.

"So, how did it go?" Ginny anxiously wriggled her nose.

"Oh, ugh - " Harry shrugged lightly, " - Well, it didn't end in an argument like last time, so I guess that's an improvement. It's just…something seemed…off."

Ginny frowned curiously, "…How so?"

Placing his quill back in the ink pot, he leaned back into his chair and sighed, "I don't know. He seemed quite scattered. He didn't want me asking about it, but I can't help but worry, you know?"

Ginny nodded in anticipation, "That I figured."

"I just want to help. It makes me feel like he can't trust me with whatever it is."

His wife leaned against the doorframe of the slightly cluttered study room filled with Quidditch memorabilia, trophies, and boxes stacked against the wall with additional items in storage. They hadn't gotten around to unpacking everything, with all the focus on Ginny's rigorous training schedule and Harry's academic ventures. She folded her arms casually over her chest, tightly bundling up the long beige jumper she wore, "I'm sure he'll tell you eventually. If it seems to be weighing so much on his mind, then I doubt he'll keep it to himself for long. He always seems to be worried about telling anyone anything, that is until he explodes in anger and frustration."

"He's had to keep so many things to himself for years, that he has trouble dealing with it otherwise," Harry bit his lip lightly, "Besides, one doesn't just get over being undercover at the drop of a hat. He had to wear a lot of masks, one being quite literal. It's difficult for him to just let that all go."

Ginny nodded in agreement, "You and I both knew he'd have difficulty adjusting and we'd be stupid enough to think that he wouldn't. Remember when he sent that messy letter last year when you turned twenty? We could barely decipher it, which was definitely out of the norm for him. Everything just seems out of his depth, even now. Or at least, that's what he's convinced himself."

Harry appeared defeated and he knew she was right, "It's all taken a heavy toll on him. I mean I know I struggle with things sometimes, but I have you, and Ron, and Hermione, and the rest of your family to help me deal with it…He chose to shut himself away. He has no one else. As much as I try to reach out, I just feel helpless."

"If anyone can get through to him, it's you. And you've done it before, so don't underestimate your influence on him, " Ginny said, brushing her long hair away from her face.

There was a slight pause, leaving Harry to contemplate further into it, "I was going to ask him to come over on Monday. I have to go to the Ministry that morning and deal with the rest of my license in preparation for the new school year. Other than that, I have no other plans."

"Unfortunately, I have training that day."

"It's not fair for you to not be here."

Ginny removed herself from the doorframe and dropped her hands casually to her side, "Look, I have a lot of respect for him, but he doesn't trust me as much as he does with you. My being here would just make it more awkward. Considering how uncomfortable he looked at the wedding, I want him to feel like he is safe here, at least."

"I'm sorry, Ginny."

"Don't be. It's not your fault and frankly, I don't blame him for feeling that way, either. He is quite obviously still stressed. Surely you can't expect him to just get over everything completely?" Ginny spoke firmly.

Harry winced, "No, of course, I don't. I mean, we're all still struggling in a sense, aren't we?"

"Yes, but you and he went through the worst of it. Don't deny it."

Harry went silent.

There was a slight pause and Ginny appeared to hesitate, "…You're not going to like what I'm about to suggest, but maybe you should suggest to him to see a Healer?"

Harry shook his head vehemently, dropping his jaw in bewilderment. The thought alone sent shivers down his spine, "Are you kidding? He'll never talk to me again if I ever suggest that to him."

Ginny released a heavy sigh, as she wandered to the edge of the desk and perched herself casually on its edge beside Harry, "You and I both know he can't go on like this. He needs help. Our help. If we don't, then who will?"

Harry's brow creased, as he noticed the fresh look of concern on Ginny's face, "…You're worried about him, too."

"Well, of course, I am. He means a lot to you, and we wouldn't be here if it weren't for him. We can't just forget all the things he did for us all and expect him to live the rest of his life blissful and happy. Far from it, Harry, " Ginny stared at Harry in all seriousness, "Frankly, I don't think he even knows how to be happy."

"I know…you're right. It hurt to see him so…well, lost."

Reaching out, Ginny rested her hand softly upon Harry's forearm, "Send him an owl on Monday, alright? At least that will help get him out of the house a bit. Get him talking about work, or his projects, I dunno. Just…don't give up on him. If I suddenly turned my back on you when you were feeling terrible already, how would you feel?"

Harry glanced sadly at Ginny and nodded, slowly curling his hand around hers. He hated the idea of it, but she was right. He'd feel abandoned, lost, and empty. He couldn't bear the thought, and he knew deep down that it would not bode well for him. The sadness would swallow him whole, and he would never be able to live with himself, "You're right. He didn't give up on me, and I can't forget that."

"Giving him space is one thing but abandoning him completely is something else entirely. Don't undo all that time you spent making peace with him, alright?"

He'd be damned if he threw away all of the efforts it took to mend something that he thought would forever be broken.

No, Harry wanted to keep reaching out and he desperately needed some answers if he was going to help him in any way that he could.

He had to keep trying.

Someone had to.