Harry and Severus didn't stay too long down in Salazar's chamber; the two returned to the school around 11:30 pm with Salazar's assistance in teaching Harry how to access the castle's magic to open them a new passage from the room they were in and right to Severus's personal quarters. Harry and Severus stepped through a portrait in the chamber and it deposited them through a created hole in Severus's room.
Of course, the hole closed afterwards, but Severus and Harry installed the empty frame Salazar told them about. Harry tested it out by stepping through the new connection and ending up back into Sal's chamber. Harry returned afterwards and given how late it was, Severus just told Harry to stay the night with him.
The exploration of Salazar's room had been interesting for Harry and Severus, there were tons of books and journals on the man's research. Severus fell in love with the potions lab, stores and ingredients. Harry told Severus he was free to use them as he desired because some of them were hard to get.
Harry only told Severus it could be his late birthday gift and Salazar agreed with the notion for Severus to enjoy anything potion related. When the next morning came, Harry had woken up early to sneak back to his dorm to shower and get dressed for the day. No one suspected he ever left through the night considering he'd drawn his bed curtains the night before.
So today was the 14th, and the day had been going pretty average-like. At the moment, Harry was in Defense Against the Dark Arts with his classmates. Severus was fairly more pleasant in this class, likely because there was no immediate worry of dangerous potion mixtures. However, he was still the Professor Snape everyone knew him as, just less grumpy. Currently, everyone was working quietly, though, Harry was having trouble keeping focus because his scar was searing with pain and causing a massive headache.
Severus had noticed it through the bond that something was up with Harry. Regardless, the teenager put on the mask he wore to give nothing away to others and kept working on his assignment regarding shielding. Severus wanted an essay on the different kinds there were and what the incantations were to activate them. When the bell rang to signal the end of class, Severus didn't leave his seat at the desk in the front of the room.
"That bell does not release you, I do." Severus reminded his students. They waited as he finally set his quill aside and looked up at them. "Whatever you have not completed in class is to be your homework due on Thursday, and there will be a test Friday."
"I advise you to study what you've learned last week and what we've covered so far. The test will be both written and physical." Severus informed. "You are dismissed." Students quickly began to gather their things and escape the room. "Mister Potter…Remain behind."
"Yes sir," Harry replied softly as he still packed up his things into his bag, but stayed seated at his desk until the room cleared out. Severus flicked his wand to close the door when he noticed Harry's friends waiting outside for him, and cast a silent Muffliato charm so they wouldn't be able to listen in. "You wanted to talk to me, Professor?"
"Relax, Harry…We're alone." Severus moved out from behind the desk and stood next to Harry. "Are you alright?"
"Never better, Sev." Harry mumbled.
"You know that doesn't work with our bond, Harry. I picked up on your lack of focus in class, so I withheld from calling you up to help me demonstrate shielding in a duel. You seem like you're exhausted and dare I say, look ill." Severus remarked lightly. "What's wrong?"
"My scar is burning, searing like being cut with a serrated blade. It's giving me a migraine, which is all over distracting and making me nauseous and tired. Don't get me started on lights and sound." Harry admitted. "I don't know what it means. In the past, my scar burning was a sign of danger…That something bad was about to happen." He added as he sighed and brought the base of his palm to his scar.
"I do not like seeing you in pain, Master," Ivy made her presence known, head poking out of Harry's robes near his shoulder.
"It's alright, Ivy…I've been dealing with it a long time. I have no control over when it hits, unfortunately." Harry reassured his friend as Severus arched a brow. "She doesn't like seeing me in pain, I told her I've dealt with it for years and can't control when it strikes." He translated for his husband.
"I know I haven't found a way to stop the scar pains, but would anything work? Pain reliever, stomach soother?" Severus inquired.
"It's all tied to the scar, so my guess is no. I've never really tried, though. If I went to Madam Pomfrey every time this happened, she'd give me my own room to live there." Harry revealed, which only told Severus that this did happen far too often.
"Are you seeing any visions?" Severus asked.
"No…" Harry shook his head, which only made him wince at the pain.
"Then I don't think it's him trying to get in your mind, but either way…Can you focus enough to Occlude?" Severus questioned.
"Not like this," Harry told him.
"Does it stop eventually?" Severus wondered.
"Eventually," Harry replied tiredly.
"Do you want to go lay down in the dorm? I can give you potions to help with pain, nausea, and even get you to sleep. I'll write a note to your next teacher to excuse-," Severus tried.
"No, it's fine, Severus." Harry refused.
"But Harry," Severus began.
"I'm not missing classes over something that has been happening for years. I'll just deal with it, like I always have. It's fine…There's only a few more hours of the day, then I can rest for a bit." Harry said.
"Alright, Harry…But if you're still feeling like this by dinner, I want you to tell me." Severus demanded calmly.
"I will," Harry nodded slowly.
Severus pressed a light kiss to his forehead. "Okay. Go on then. But so help me, Harry…If I get any reports of you collapsing between now and then, I won't give you a choice. I know you have Potions somewhere today and you already know that is not a class you want to not be focused in. I'm not trying to be harsh, but I don't want anything to happen to you."
"I understand, Sev." Harry told him. "Kiss kind of helped, to be honest."
"Maybe something to do with our bond and physical contact." Severus theorized. "Head to your next class, so you're not late. I'll see you for dinner, or in my room…If you feel up to visiting?"
"I'll see how I feel." Harry promised. "See you later, Sev." He gave Severus a small kiss before standing up with his things and hurrying to the door. Severus already got it unlocked and ended the charm he put up. Harry disappeared with his friends as Severus sighed. The man returned to his work, now having a free period and hoped Harry would be alright.
. . .
Severus's hope didn't last when he discovered that Harry had not come to dinner; it was one of the first things he noticed as he sat down at the head table. Harry was not sitting with his friends. The meal carried through as it normally did, but once over, Severus went out the side door to meet Draco as he was coming into the dungeons passageway.
"Where's Potter?" Severus asked the teenager, who was standing with his friends.
"He's either gone to Madam Pomfrey or laying down in the dorm, Uncle Severus. We left him in the dorm, he said he wasn't hungry." Draco informed.
Severus wanted to sigh, but he didn't want to give away too much concern with Draco's friends there. "Head along to your common room."
"Yes, sir," The group agreed before they continued walking and Severus moved forward to his office.
Severus technically had two offices, the one in the dungeons and the one in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Severus never really used the Defense one, he felt it was too small and he preferred his place in the dungeons as it was also near Slytherin common room, and his personal quarters.
Severus got to the door of his office in the dungeons, and opened it up, going inside and closing it behind him by aiming his wand at it. Severus went over to a picture on the wall and uttered a password before the photo moved and he stepped through into his personal quarters.
Typically, the rooms were farther away from one another, but Harry activated the castle's magic to create a new passageway from Severus's office to his bedroom. When Severus got into his room, he found Harry laying on his couch in the main space.
"Harry?..." Severus went over to his husband.
"Hi…" Harry greeted. "It's getting worse. I'm sorry for just being here without you...But I couldn't make the walk to the hospital wing and assumed you'd be back here after dinner ended."
"No, no…It's alright. I told you that you could come here any time, Harry. What do you mean you couldn't make the walk to the infirmary?" Severus sat next to Harry on the couch and the teenager instantly leaned against him, eyes closed.
"Got as far as your room before the nausea kicked in, so I originally came in here for your bathroom to throw up. Afterwards, I just sat down to wait for you. I knew I wasn't going to make it all the way to Madam Pomfrey." Harry told him.
"It's after classes now, why don't we try some of those potions?" Severus offered.
"Okay…" Harry agreed.
Severus non-verbally summoned the potions to him as Harry seemed comfortable leaning against. "Here, come on now…" Severus tried to adjust Harry to take down the three potions he was given. "It might not take away the scar pain, but it should help with the effects the pain is causing you." Severus said gently.
"Being against you helps…" Harry mumbled softly. "Do you have work to do tonight…Or can you just stay here holding me. You might be right about the bond having a role to play in helping."
"Why don't you spend the night with me, Harry?" Severus suggested. "We can share my bed? I know last time, you slept on the couch…But if being close to me helps, then why don't you sleep with me in my bed tonight. Maybe it will help you get some rest?"
"You don't mind?"
"Would I be offering it if I did?" Severus asked as Harry shook his head. "I don't mind, Harry. Have you done what work you can that is due tomorrow? If not, I will write a note for an extension explaining you fell a bit ill and went to bed early." He said.
"The only thing I haven't done is Slughorn's Potion's work. I couldn't focus on finding the information to one of his questions," Harry mentioned. "In fact, I don't think there is an answer. I think it's a trick question."
"What was the question?" Severus inquired.
"Something to do with Unicorn Blood." Harry stated. "All I know about it is what a centaur, Firenze, told me in first year during a detention in the Forbidden Forest."
"What did Firenze tell you?" Severus asked.
"The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even if you are an inch from death, but at a terrible price. You have slain something pure and defenseless to save yourself, and you will have but a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips." Harry repeated. "Voldemort had been feeding off one, when he was possessing Quirrell's body. Firenze saved me that night, since Draco ran off."
"We'd been in detention with Hagrid, he said something was slaying Unicorns and wanted us to track it down to put it out of its misery. Draco and I were paired, but when he saw someone feeding off the Unicorn, he ran with Hagrid's dog, Fang." He explained. "I think Slughorn asked us how to harvest and use it, but can't seem to find the information anywhere."
He sighed. "The only things I know it was used in was some potion Voldemort used to restore his body. I found it in one of your books, the ritual Pettigrew used at the end of fourth year."
Severus stared at Harry a moment. "What potion?"
"You…Didn't know a potion was used to bring Voldemort back to a new body?" Harry asked.
"No. Explain this to me…" Severus said.
"Well, I don't know what was used to make the liquid base of the potion, I just know it was a large cauldron that already had stuff in it, then Pettigrew lit the fire underneath. He dumped an extremely disfigured Voldemort into it then used three things to finish the creation. It was…" He paused to try and recall it.
"Bone of the father, unwillingly given. Flesh of the servant, willingly sacrificed, and Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken. The liquid turned red and then the cauldron just kind'a faded, leaving Voldemort back in the flesh. His disfigured form grew to his size now, already draped in his robes. I can't give you much more. But I think Unicorn Blood and Nagini's Venom were components, if I read the ritual right. Before he was returned to his body, I kept getting flashes of Unicorns and Nagini."
"Sounds like the Rudimentary Body potion, to describe how the dark lord looked before entering the cauldron. He would have needed those two things to give himself a physical form. The potion you speak of, I do not know that one. It's possible that it was a creation of Voldemort's. He was well off in potions, part of Horace's slug club. As was Lucius, and myself. Even your mother was in it. I've heard you are as well."
"I wouldn't even be in it if not for your book. Originally, my schedule had been set for me to not take NEWT potions because I thought you were teaching it and you only accepted students who passed their OWL with an O. McGonagall is the one who told me Slughorn takes students of O and EE. So Potions was added first day back this year, and then I ended up with your old book." Harry shrugged.
"Dumbledore wants me close to Slughorn, I don't know what for. He told me about it end of last year, sticking to Slughorn's side and being a jewel in the man's crown…So to speak." Harry remarked. "Oddly, I rather learn from you. I believe I told you that without your book, I'd still be failing over dinner during the holidays because Slughorn doesn't know all your tricks."
"Either way, your blood used in the potion may be the link you two share." Severus stated. "You said that during first year, Quirrell couldn't touch you and Dumbledore said that it was because of your mother's sacrifice. In fourth, Voldemort was able to touch you?"
"Yeah. He said it was old magic that wouldn't let him touch me, but no matter…There was new magic where he could, commenting on what just a few drops of my blood would do. Then he insisted we duel and everyone saw that whole ordeal." Harry mumbled. "Either way…I'm guessing that you can't possibly help me with Slughorn's assignment?"
"Oh, I don't know. I couldn't possibly tell you that Unicorn Blood, Hair, and even the Horn are rare ingredients. Or that they cannot be harvested by force or it tampers with the effectiveness of their usages. I can't tell you that these items are stronger when received willingly. Nor that the Horn is used in antidotes to most poisons, Draught of Peace, or the Wiggenweld potion." Severus stated. "Oh, dear me…I've said too much." He winked.
"Oh my god, I think I just fell in love with you." Harry shifted a bit to kiss the man's cheek. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. If you really want to impress him, the Wiggenweld potion is a healing one that is an antidote to Draught of the Living Death, Sleeping Draughts, and heal injuries." The man added. "Throw in what Firenze told you too. Obviously…I never told you any of this. You located the answers in Book of Potions by Zygmunt Budge, Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger, and a copy of Untold Secrets of the Ingredients. That last book was clearly in your godfather's private library." Severus informed.
"Wait, wasn't Magical Drafts and Potions one of our required books for first year?" Harry asked.
"Very good, Harry." Severus praised. "There may be hope for you yet in potion making. Your father was hopeless, but your mother was not. She had the capability to be a master, like myself. We always said we would open a shop together, until I screwed up our friendship."
"I'm sure she forgives you, Sev." Harry stated. "I usually hate comparisons to my parents, but according to Remus…My determination and kind nature are a lot like mum's. There's no denying I share her eyes."
"I'll give the wolf that one." Severus agreed. "You do…Look just like your father, but I will admit that I was wrong and you are not like him in personality. You inherited more than your mother's eyes for sure." Severus told him.
"Hey, we're past that…" Harry reminded. "I know you feel bad about how you treated me as a student, and in the beginning of our marriage. But we talked it out, made up, and now moving on. Leave all that in the past, let it be the path that takes us into the future."
"So young, and yet, so wise." Severus kissed Harry's forehead.
"I don't know why being so close to you helps…Do you truly think it's the bond?" Harry inquired.
"Rumor says that bonds can result in only your partner knowing what you need as far as feeling your emotions and energy." Severus told him.
"Well, whatever it is…This works for me. I haven't felt so relaxed all day…" Harry sighed softly, snuggling against Severus more.
"Pain receding?" Severus hoped.
"Slowly," Harry replied.
"So…Tell me. Why does Dumbledore want you sticking close to Slughorn?" Severus asked.
"I'm…Not supposed to tell anyone. Dumbledore said so…" Harry frowned.
"You can tell me, I won't ever reveal to him you said a word. Trust me, as good as Albus is in Legilimency, he is not on my level. The dark lord himself cannot break my Occlumency shields, which is why I wanted you to learn from me, and we will pick up those lessons when you're feeling better."
"For now…I only want to know so I can ensure the old fool isn't going to put you in mortal danger, which he somehow seems to do every year…" Severus muttered. "I promise, he'll never know you revealed it and…Maybe I can help with whatever it is. I assume there's a purpose to it?"
"There is…" Harry nodded and sighed. "Okay, I'll tell you." He agreed. "Dumbledore has been showing me memories in his pensive of Voldemort when he was a boy, a figure to learn your enemy in order to beat them. Finding weaknesses, or anything of use that would help."
"I'm following so far, what is that to do with Horace?" Severus inquired.
"There's an alternative memory Dumbledore has between Slughorn and Riddle when Tom was about sixteen or so. It's just them talking, but the words are faded out. You only see lips moving, and it ends with Slughorn telling Tom he knows of nothing and not to ask again, that even if he knew; he wouldn't tell him." Harry revealed as Severus listened.
"Dumbledore thinks the true memory has a secret to something with Riddle, and Dumbledore wants me to get it from Slughorn. The real memory of what they talked about. I just have no idea how to even begin with trying to get the memory from him." Harry informed lightly.
"Odd indeed. If Slughorn has changed the memory, it must be something he is ashamed. Subconsciously, perhaps, feeling responsible for something Riddle did." Severus remarked. "Well, seems you have your work cut out for you, but…I will assist all I can as a member of the Order, and your husband." He added.
"Thanks, Sev," Harry yawned.
"Why don't you get yourself changed into night clothes and then rest." Severus told him. "I'll hold you until you're asleep. I do have a small amount of work to grade, but then I will put us both to bed. I'll take care of getting you an extension on your potions work for Slughorn. I'm sure he would be amendable to giving you an extra day or two." He added.
Harry smiled as he nodded tiredly then went and got himself changed into his night clothes; he always left a set of casual wear, night clothes, and change of robes in Severus's room for situations like these. After Harry had gotten changed, he returned to the couch and cuddled up to his husband. Eventually by 9:30 pm, Harry was fast asleep.