CHAPTER 25 - AUGUST

HELLO DEAR READER!

Here we go with another instalment of this story, ENJOY!

The month of August had come and was slowly but surely leaving the Scottish Highlands. By this time, Severus and Harry had found a new routine that allowed them both to dedicate time to their duties and spend time together.

It was obvious that now that he was in his quarters, Severus was more comfortable knowing he could take his recovery at his own pace. Unfortunately, that also meant that his old workaholic and insomniac self was showing more and more with the passing of the days.

When Harry arrived in the morning for their shared breakfast and crappy news of the day, Severus was already up. He was bent over his desk at all hours, ink stains marking his fingers and parchments cluttering the surface. Books and parchments sprawled in chaotic order across the desk as Severus muttered under his breath, flicking his wand to rearrange stacks with precision. Harry winced at the sheer number of annotated notes crammed into the margins.

So, it was up to him to remind Severus to stop, take it easy, and rest between tasks.

"Severus, can't this wait?" Harry asked, exasperation leaking into his tone as Severus stacked papers in meticulous piles.

"The term begins soon," Severus replied, shaking his head as he shuffled the stacks. "And I've grown slower in writing and moving. There's no time to delay."

"Severus," Harry said, "stop, please. Look at me."

Severus stopped, raising his gaze, his wand still moving the papers around in three stacks.

"Come here and drink tea with me. The papers will still be there in an hour," Harry said as he tapped the space on the couch beside him, "come. Rest for a bit."

Severus hesitated, taking a deep breath before abandoning the papers and shuffling to the couch. He sagged into the seat, crossing his arms with a sour expression.

"I'm here now. Happy?"

Harry smirked and nudged him a bit.

"Hey now, don't pout with me," he said in a softer voice, "I just want you to rest for a bit. Remember what Pomfrey said, to take it easy? Yeah, I think you've conveniently forgotten that…"

Severus grunted but didn't reply, and Harry didn't push for an answer. He eyed him as he poured some tea in two cups, and passed his over to him. But Severus kept his arms crossed, even when sipping his tea and refused to look at him. Severus perched stiffly on the edge of the couch, spine ramrod straight, his hands clenching the teacup as if it might escape.

Harry pushed his hair from his eyes and sighed as he tilted his head.

"Severus," Harry called his attention in a soft, calm voice. "I'm here to take care of you and to remind you of the things you should be doing to continue in your recovery. Not to annoy you. You know that, right?"

Severus's gaze drifted past Harry, his tea untouched until he brought it to his lips in a mechanical motion. He drank deeply, the steam curling around his face as though he didn't feel the heat. He opened his mouth once, taking a big gulp of air in, and then closing it. He lowered his gaze and shook his head, his head billowing with the movement.

His shoulders then hunched, as if deflated, when he took a deep sigh.

"Time feels like it's slipping away," Severus whispered, his voice barely audible. "So much to do, and I can't even tell where to start… or stop."

He shook his head and let out a huff, his hands twitching on his lap, as though reaching for something to hold on to.

Harry moved closer, placing a steady hand on Severus's thigh. The quiet hitch in Severus's breath told him more than words could, and he leaned in.

Severus closed his eyes before leaning forward, letting his forehead rest against Harry's shoulder. The soft sound of Severus's exhale broke the silence between them.

His hand moved to the back of Severus's neck, stroking gently as he felt Severus's tension melt away under his fingers.

"You are exhausted, aren't you…" Harry murmured, his warm hand resting against the cool skin of Severus's neck.

Severus nodded but said nothing, only breathed in and out, as if he was trying to calm and anchor himself.

"I think it's time to call Slughorn," Harry whispered.

At that, Severus pushed his head up, looking at Harry through red-rimmed and exhausted eyes.

"Severus, you have to do it now. You can't keep going like this," Harry said, "don't wait until term starts. He's only a few floors up, just call him and ask. He will say yes."

"I… don't…" Severus said, but then he pressed his lips into a thin line. He shook his head and returned to his previous position, with his forehead firmly against Harry's neck, his face hidden with his hair.

This time, though, he was closer still, and Harry's hand moved from his nape to his back, embracing him and pulling him in.

"I think I might know what's happening through your mind," Harry whispered close to his ear as he stroked Severus's hair. "But this doesn't mean you're less capable or less powerful, or whatever it is you're thinking. You're in recovery, you aren't at 100% and can't expect you to be. Am I on the right track?"

Severus scoffed and nodded his head, slightly, without moving from his position. Harry tightened his hold on him.

"Asking for help doesn't make you weak, Severus. You've faced worse, and you still kept going," Harry murmured. "But this—letting your body and mind heal—is just as brave. You're not some machine that can be switched on or off at will, recovery takes time."

"I know. I just never imagined it would take so long…"

Harry nodded, "But it's okay, it means your body is taking the time it needs. And the point is that if you ask Slughorn, he will say yes, and you can focus on your recovery before term starts. And maybe you can start brewing soon?"

At that, a small sound came from Severus's throat. Something that sounded like disbelief.

"Of course you will be able to brew, it'll just take time," Harry said, "for now, let's have our tea. Then I'll help you with those papers, and in the evening, you'll talk to Slughorn. Does that sound fair to you?"

Severus nodded but didn't move from Harry's embrace. He pressed his face against his neck, breathing in and out, and Harry went back to stroking his hair. Their tea was growing cold, but neither seemed to mind much.

That evening, after dinner, Severus walked with Slughorn to his office.

Harry watched them go, offering a small smile and a nod when Severus glanced back at him. Asking for help didn't come naturally to Severus, and Harry knew how much it had cost him to listen to him and take this step.

Relying on others—truly leaning on someone—was still foreign to him, even after all they had been through together.

Harry sighed, his hand raking through his untamed hair as he wandered outside into the Hogwarts grounds and the crisp evening air. He didn't worry about Slughorn's answer—deep down, he was a good and kind man, and his respect for Severus ran deep.

No, what concerned Harry was Severus's unease, the way his fear of appearing weak continued to gnaw at him.

Severus had made incredible progress, the man he'd known for seven years almost seemed like a distant memory. Even his expression and gait were different, lighter. And he'd trusted him with deep, personal things that Harry would've never dreamed of.

But there was still a long road ahead.

Physical recovery had been their priority— healing the wound on Severus's throat, rebuilding his strength. But the scars went much deeper. There was a fragility in Severus that he tried desperately to hide. A fear of abandonment and a desperate desire for hyper-independence that shaped his every interaction.

The weight of Severus's grip that night in Diagon Alley returned unbidden to Harry's mind. He could still hear the raw edge in Severus's voice, the way his hands had clung as though terrified Harry might vanish. The desperation in his grip was palpable as he sobbed in his arms, clinging to him.

From that moment on, Harry made sure to remind Severus he wasn't leaving, that he was there and he could lean on him. He'd promised himself then that he would never let Severus drown in that pain again, not if he could help it.

It warmed Harry to know Severus trusted him enough to seek his presence. Those moments when Severus leaned into him, quietly needing his steadiness, lingered in Harry's mind. He was so touch-starved that it still warmed the deepest parts of Harry's heart, how deeply Severus needed that affection and his steady presence.

However, Severus still found it hard to ask for help from others. Harry hoped that, in time, he would find that easier too.

Lost in thought, Harry barely noticed the chill in the air until a voice broke through his reverie.

"Harry," said a voice from behind him.

Harry turned around and saw Severus standing on the Front Door, looking at him with his eyebrows high. Harry blinked and realized he'd been sitting on the front stairs for Merlin knew how long, waiting.

"Hey," Harry greeted, springing to his feet with a smile. "So? Did he agree?"

Severus nodded, stepping closer with a sceptical glance. "He did. Now, will you explain why you've been loitering out here like some lost first-year? You'll catch a chill."

Harry then shivered and realized that Severus was right. Despite being summer, the temperature had dropped considerably and the breeze was cool that evening.

"I hadn't realised," Harry said, shivering a bit, "come on, let's go. What did Slughorn say?"

Severus shook his head as he followed Harry inside, and falling into step with him, they both descended towards the dungeons.

"He agreed to assist with the remaining papers and other tasks I have to complete," Severus explained. "He'd like me to focus on getting the Potions syllabus ready and up to date, including the necessary compensations; and on my duties as Head of Slytherin. He will manage everything else."

"You see? Now you can have more free time to focus on what needs to be done and to rest," Harry said, "it wasn't that bad, asking for help, was it?"

Severus whipped his head around, focusing his gaze on Harry, his eyes narrowed.

"I know it's not easy for you to ask for help," Harry said softly, his smile gentle, "but really, that's all it is. The worst that can happen is that someone says no. Asking for help is never, ever wrong."

"Says the one who dealt with the Dark Lord on his own," said Severus, but Harry shook his head.

"You're wrong. I didn't do anything on my own, I relied on Ron and Hermione for almost everything," Harry said, "but that's not my point. It's easy to ask someone to help to open a jar or to write a paper you've got no idea how to start writing. But it isn't so easy when asking for help would imply you're not good enough, not independent enough, or not strong enough. Am I wrong?"

Severus was silent, walking beside Harry while his eyes were focused on the stone floor, his boots resonating in the cold and darkened corridor.

Harry placed a hand on Severus's forearm, which made him slow down his steps.

Severus looked from the hand, perched on his forearm, to Harry's face, his lips turned downwards. Harry smiled, tilting his head as he leaned forward, his face close to his.

"You are just as capable as you were before, Severus. Just remember that," Harry said in a whisper.

Severus's lips twitched faintly, not quite a smile but close, and swallowed thickly. Harry saw the movement of his Adam's apple even under the bandages. He squeezed his forearm and waited before Severus's eyes were clear and he nodded, before letting go.

Severus said nothing, he only took a deep breath and then resumed walking until they arrived in front of Severus's dark wooden door. He placed his hand on it, the magic running its course, until the door clicked open and both went inside.

Severus was silent. In other circumstances, Harry would've worried that he'd said too much or had maybe made him uncomfortable.

It had taken a bit of time to understand that Severus might not even have the vocabulary, the words to say what was going on in his mind. In moments like these, Harry liked to gently touch him, speak to him in low tones and lead him.

And Severus let himself be led.

"Let's sit down and change the bandages," Harry said as he placed a hand on his lower back and led Severus towards the couch. He let him sit and wrapped the blanket around his shoulders; despite being August it was quite cool in the dungeons.

Harry sat down beside him, and Severus moved his head away, giving him space to work as his fingers removed the bandages. Harry worked with slow, deliberate motions, further calming Severus through his actions. He gently rubbed the salve onto the almost-healed wound and wrapped clean bandages around his neck.

"Ready for bed?" Harry asked once everything was done and he'd vanished the salve and bandages.

But Severus shook his head.

He leaned back, his gaze half-lidded as his hand brushed against Harry's, trembling a bit before curling around it. Harry smiled, shifting closer to wrap the blanket more securely around them.

The fire crackled, casting golden light over Severus's face. Under the warm light, his features were striking. The pale skin on his cheek, now clean-shaven, was suddenly enticing for Harry. He leaned forward, resting his face close to Severus's as he wrapped his arm around his tummy. Their breaths mingled in the quiet space between them and shifted even closer.

"I suppose I can stay a bit longer," Harry murmured, his voice thick with warmth. Severus chuckled softly, shifting even closer and closer to him, so much that their noses touched.

The fire burned low, but Harry stayed, letting the quiet rhythm of Severus's breathing soothe him until both of them had almost fallen asleep. In his sleepy haze, Harry felt cold fingers wrapping around his own, and a whispered "thank you" close to his ear.

He didn't even know if he was dreaming or not.

.

THAT'S IT!

Poor Severus still finds it hard to get rid of all these core ideas in his head. Thank god he has Harry by his side.

I know this was short. It's actually part of the next chapter. I initially wanted to publish it all together, but it was too long, and too many things happened in one chapter.

Hopefully, you enjoyed this one and can wait until the next chapter is posted. It won't be long until we go back go Hogwarts, and things change dramatically for Severus and Harry.

What do you think will happen? Any insights or predictions? Or suggestions or ideas you'd like to read? I can try and include them!

And a always, thanks for your support. Much appreciated!