Walking In His Shoes Chapter 13 part 2
Here's the rest of the conclusion to Walking.
Albus sat in his office with a crying Hermione Granger and a distraught Ron Weasley. This particular scene had been replayed every day for almost a week. Neither student could force themselves to go to class nor could none of the teachers bring themselves to teach. Albus canceled classes since Severus and Harry's abductions and the students stayed in there dorms. The entire atmosphere of the school was subdued. The three of the houses were quietly waiting for word of Harry's fate while the Slytherins were mourning their head of house, with very small group of that house gloating instead.
Albus was at a loss as to what to do to recover the two men. Harry had a port key and he didn't think he'd leave Severus in order to save himself. In desperation he ordered sleeping charms to be cast in every dorm room in the school and had the teachers check the arms of the students for the Dark Mark. Sinistra and Vector dealt with the Slytherins, Minerva and Hooch the Gryffindors, Flitwick and this year's Defence teacher checked the Ravenclaws and Sprout and Poppy checked the Hufflepuff students. Poppy was enraged and Albus kept the woman as busy as he could to keep her mind off of the situation. Once the students that bore the Dark Mark were identified, he personally cast tracking charms that he linked to crystals so the bearers could follow their suspects.
After a week of waiting the children were summoned. They first let the Aurors and Order members to the Minister of Magic's home in a small, prestigious wizarding town. They destroyed almost everything in the small city before the authorities could arrive. Their luck held as those they followed led them location that looked to be an old abandoned farm in the windswept western coast of Ireland. Hope finally began to filter in when Fawkes let out a battle cry, leapt off his perch, grabbed the sorting hat and disappeared in a ball of flame.
They all waited as patiently as they could for news, but his hopes rose even higher when Gryffindor's sword disappeared from its case. He didn't say anything to the two students or Minerva when she arrived to wait with them. He was startled from his thoughts and prayers by the excited voice of Poppy when her head popped into the fire place.
"Albus, Harry's just arrived in the Hospital Wing. You need to come down. He's upset and wants to speak with you."
Albus didn't get a chance to reply because Ron, Hermione and Minerva cheered. He didn't have the heart to tell them that it wasn't Harry. Minerva quieted a few seconds later as she remembered about the switch Albus initiated, though she didn't say a thing to the two students with them.
They made their way to Poppy's domain on foot since the Ministry locked down all the floos for travel. They went silently through the halls because they didn't was to let the school know what was going on until everything was over and settled. Rumours do enough damage as it was and Albus wanted to keep it at a minimum. Once they were at the Hospital Wing he sought Poppy's gaze.
"Poppy, how is he?"
"Better than I expected. There are very few injuries considering You-Know-Who had him for a week." Poppy replied as she led them to the bed Severus was in.
"Harry!" Hermione screamed and she launched herself at the man she thought was her friend.
Albus noticed Severus stiffening in response to Hermione's enthusiastic greeting, but allowed the contact. Ron walked up and gingerly patted his shoulder. Albus was surprised at how well Severus looked despite his captivity and Tom's obsessive dislike of Harry. After all Voldemort was not one to leave a prisoner unharmed under any circumstance.
"You're looking very well considering where you were, my boy." Albus commented quietly.
"You've got a gift for the obvious, Albus. We had an ally in the Dark Lord's camp." Severus informed him without bothering to act his part any more. Both students were looking at him in shock after addressing Albus in such a familiar way.
"Who?" Minerva asked with a puzzled frown.
"Nagini," was Severus' reply and the two students flanking him gasped in shock.
"Voldemort's snake helped you?" Hermione asked her voice pitched high in shock.
"Yes, Ms. Granger. The Dark Lord's pet turned on him. She knew that his power wasn't as great as he thought and abandoned him for Potter."
"Why are you calling me that, Harry?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"Because, Ms. Granger, the person you are speaking to is Professor Snape. He and Harry have been disguised as the other for a while now." Albus told the young witch and wizard.
Albus chuckled as Hermione's face went white and stammered an apology, which Severus waved off. Albus took a moment to look closely at Severus. He was pale and very upset. Albus thanked the powers-that-be for Harry's generally open face. It made the task of reading Severus easier on the elderly wizard since the young man didn't have the control over his current body's expression. Something was bothering Severus and the look in his eyes bordered on fear. Determined to get to the bottom of Severus' problem he began to question the man.
"What happened while you were held captive, Severus?"
Severus proceeded to tell them about his and Harry's time in Voldemort's hands and explained how Nagini had been helping them as well as their attempt to escape with her aid. He told of their failure to make it past the wards and when they surrounded. He told of how Harry forced him to take the portkey and the events after that. Albus was able to tell that Severus was upset about the incident. The students didn't notice, but Albus was very familiar with the slight changes in Severus' tone.
"Then the idiot activated the port key and left himself alone." Severus ended his tale bitterly.
"Harry mentioned the other day that he found a way to get rid of Voldemort once and for all." Minerva said into the silence.
"He still could be killed even if he pulled that off. He had no one to cover him as he did what ever spell he was studying. Anything able to take down the Dark Lord would be too complicated to perform without support to protect him from the Death Eaters."
"Aurors and Order members are following the marked students so he's not completely alone, Severus." Minerva told him, but it didn't dispel the man's pessimism.
"What has you so upset, Severus?" Albus asked gently as he saw signs of building hysteria in Severus' voice. He was determined to do anything in his power to stomp out the man's fear.
"I love him, Albus." Severus replied, his voice barely audible. Albus heard small gasps from Ron and Minerva, but Granger's bright smile threw him off a bit. He shook the surprise off quickly and kept his attention on the man before him.
"Everything is going to be fine, Severus." Albus comforted with a bright smile. Hearing that admission was music to his ears and solidified the plans he set in motion for the two men.
"No it won't, Albus." Severus snapped. "He is alone out there and I have no hope of the Order or Aurors getting there in time to save him. The chances of his survival are very slim."
"Fawkes went to him, Severus. There's hope he'll return to us."
Severus stared at him in a way that made Albus feel that the younger wizard wanted a written guarantee. Albus was becoming alarmed at Severus' reactions, but did his best to reassure the man with his eyes. When Severus spoke next he knew that a mere look wasn't going to be enough for the man residing in the teenaged body.
"Fawkes can't intercept more than one killing curse and if he's in his newborn stage he can't transport Harry out of there. Harry's alone with the Dark Lord and at least forty nine adult Death Eaters." Severus looked distraught and it worried Albus to no end.
Albus looked closer at the young man and knew there was more to Severus' story than he was telling. Albus stood there deep in thought trying to figure out how to get Severus to tell him the details about his blossoming relationship with Harry.
"Professor, did you tell Harry how you felt about him?" Hermione asked the man residing in her best friend's body. Albus mentally cheered her insight. It must be regret for not voicing his feelings.
"Yes, yes I did." Severus responded softly after giving the young witch a penetrating glance.
"What did he say in response?" The young witch asked and Albus wondered what the problem was since he didn't see anything resembling the hurt of rejection in the other man's eyes or voice.
"What business it is of yours, Ms. Granger?" Severus snapped at the young witch.
"Hermione." She said and when Severus glared at her she continued. "Call me Hermione. It's disconcerting to have you calling me Ms. Granger when you're in Harry's body."
"Answer my question, Hermione!" Severus ordered stressing her first name.
"Something's bothering you and we know it has something to do with Harry. We can't help if we don't know. Does he have any feelings for you too?"
"Maybe Harry didn't believe him?" Ron added and Albus could see the validity of the question though he dismissed it quickly. He noticed their changes in attitude and knew that the relationship was as close as he hoped when he set this little swap in motion. The night Severus held Harry after the younger man thought he had killed his best friends proved it with out a doubt.
"Look in the mirror, Ron." Severus spat at the red head also stressing the younger man's given name. "Tell me what you see."
Ron walked to the mirror in the bathroom and did what Severus demanded. Albus wasn't sure where Severus was going with this.
"I see myself, Professor." Ron answered from the bathroom and his puzzlement was clearly heard in his voice.
"The fact that you look like yourself and not your brother is my proof to Harry about my feelings. I certainly didn't risk my life to gather the necessary ingredients for a quasi-legal potion for you. I did it for Harry. I couldn't bear seeing him so miserable after finding you were alive, but wearing the likeness of your traitorous brother. You didn't see how he was after he thought he killed you, but I did and I didn't want to see the results of seeing you in Percy's body would do to him." Severus said in a tight voice, the most emotion laden voice Albus has ever heard from him.
Despite that Albus did a happy dance in his head. He did the first step that would return him to his body and all they needed was Harry to do some selfless act for Severus. Once that happened everything would revert to normal.
"Oh," Ron answered, stunned at the revelation. Albus chuckled at the red head's stunned expression.
"Okay, so that's settled. What about Harry? Did he give you any sort of positive answer?" Hermione asked and Severus gave the witch another long look before answering.
"He's reciprocated." Severus said his voice quiet once again.
"That's great!" Hermione gushed and Severus blinked slowly at her. That was the only sign of surprise Albus could see in his spy despite being in Harry's body.
Ron looked just as surprised by Hermione's reaction, though he didn't say anything, which was unusual for him. Albus could see a small look of curiosity blooming in Severus' eyes, but he didn't ask the question he obviously wanted an answer for. Fortunately for him Minerva wanted the same answer.
"I think Professor Snape and Mr. Weasley need an explanation about your reaction, Ms. Granger." Minerva stated dryly. "As a matter of fact, so do I." She added a moment later to herself, though Albus heard it clearly.
"That's easy enough to explain." Hermione stated with a smile. "Harry needs someone stable and reliable. He hasn't had much of either in his life and he's seen so much more than the average teenager has. He needs someone that can understand that darkness he's seen."
"The fact that I'm male and twenty years older than him doesn't bother you?" Severus asked in disbelief. Albus knew the younger man couldn't understand why the young witch was being so supportive. It wasn't something that Severus was used to and Albus cursed the man's father thoroughly.
"It bothers me." Both Ron and Minerva muttered, earning them a glare from Severus and Hermione. Albus rebuked the two silently as he listened to Hermione's answer.
"No, should it? Harry's older in his head than the rest of kids his age. I don't see a problem with the two of you being together. You're both wizards and given the fact that wizards live longer than Muggles the age difference really doesn't apply in this situation. I think you'd be very good for Harry now that you see him and not his father." Hermione told him with a shrug.
"That covers the age difference, but you failed to mention the gender issue. I know he's never mentioned his orientation to Ron, but Muggles aren't the most accepting of such pairings."
"My parents taught me to make up my own mind and not follow the rest of the populous when it came to judging people. If it makes him happy then that's all that counts in my book."
"It's a good thing that Ginny got over her crush on him." Ron said quietly. The look on his face gave Albus the impression that his fondest wish was dashed to the cobblestones.
"Indeed." Severus answered with a small smile and Hermione laughed quietly.
Severus sagged a bit when the humour at Ron's comment dried up and Albus was unable to identify what was the matter with him. He hated it when he couldn't draw conclusions and when facts were kept from him. Severus must have felt his gaze because he ducked his head to avoid meeting Albus' eyes. He then cursed and made a grab at the glasses he was wearing as they slipped off his face.
"That's it! I have had enough of these blasted things. Poppy, get me a vial of the eyesight correction potion. I know I made you a fresh batch over the summer. I should have done this the day Albus did this to us." Severus growled in frustration.
Poppy went to get the potion Severus demanded while he folded the black framed glasses. Poppy returned a few moments later with the glass filled with a amethyst coloured potion, which she didn't hand over immediately earning a scowl from Severus.
"Are you sure you should be doing this?" Poppy asked in a hesitant voice. "Harry never asked to have his eyesight corrected."
"He most likely didn't know it was possible and those relatives of his taught him not to ask for anything." Severus snapped impatiently in Poppy's direction.
"Either way it would be for the best, Poppy. There will be Death Eaters that escaped if Harry's successful and they could disable him by knocking his glasses off. Give Severus the potion." Albus knew that Severus has another reason for wanting to correct Harry's eyesight, a purely selfish one. Albus knew he wanted to get rid of the one thing that clearly reminded Severus of James Potter.
Severus downed the potion the moment Poppy gave him the vial. Both Albus and Poppy watched him closely, looking for any adverse reactions. Severus closed his eyes after drinking the concoction and gave it time to work. After a few minutes where he wrinkled his nose in discomfort as the potion fixed the lenses of his eyes, Severus slowly blinked several times before opening his eyes completely.
"That's more like it." Severus stated as he looked around the room. "I now know why Harry messed up his potions in class. He must have needed new glasses for a while now. Everything is sharper than it was with his glasses on. Damn Muggles."
That was the second time Severus mentioned Harry's relatives and neither time was it in a positive way. Albus wondered what Severus knew that he didn't. Albus knew that the Dursley's didn't care as much for Harry as he hoped, but he didn't think they deserved the anger that Albus could hear in Severus' tone. He'd have to ask later when he had Severus alone. Severus looked ready to slide out of the hospital bed with the intent to escape when he suddenly swayed and nearly fell out of the bed Poppy ensconced him in. Albus was alarmed by the terror in his eyes. He turned to Poppy, but didn't need to say anything as she was already leaping to her feet with her wand leveled at Severus. She quickly scanned him and blanched as he read the results.
"Something is draining his magical energy. Did they force you to drink any potions, Severus?" Poppy asked in a panicked voice.
Severus shook his head and Albus began to cast several spells trying to locate the link causing the drain. No matter what he did he couldn't find the source of the drain. Severus paled as the magic drained out of him. He closed his eyes and Poppy flew to gather several potions for the young wizard. As she returned Severus' eyes popped open in surprise and his fearful expression faded quickly. Relief flooded him and Poppy did another scan. After reading the results she shook her head and looked at Albus.
"The drain is still there." Poppy said while giving Severus a puzzled frown.
"But now I know where it's coming from." Severus replied with relief.
"Severus, you're being drained at an alarming rate."
"Doesn't matter. I know who's taking it and why. I'm not going to stop it. Just leave me be until it's over." Severus' voice began to slur as exhaustion overtook him.
Severus sagged back into the pillows and closed his eyes. All the rest of them could do was sit and wait. After what seemed like an eternity Severus stirred. He didn't open his eyes, but his brow furrowed like he was concentrating on something. He frowned and slowly opened his eyes. The moment he slowly wrenched himself into a sitting position, Poppy started handing him potions. Severus drank them one by one without complaint. As he did so he watched the double doors of the Hospital Wing like a hawk. Poppy asked him several questions, which he didn't answer. Albus noticed the man's thoughts were far away, but he needed some answers and had no choice of where to go for answers. He placed a wrinkled hand on Severus' shoulder and drew the young wizard's attention away from the huge wooden doors.
"Are you all right, Severus?" Albus asked gently.
"I'm fine, Albus." Severus replied with a slight air of distraction.
"Was the magical drain related to Voldemort?"
"Yes, but I don't know the out come. All I know is there was a struggle and a small flash of relief. I don't know who won." Severus said and returned his gaze to the doors.
Time seemed to flow slowly as they all waited for what ever it was Severus expected to happen. No one made a sound and they all jumped every time a leaf brushed the window sill as they wind blew across the lake. Albus stood beside Severus' hospital bed with a hand on his shoulder as they waited for word of Harry. Albus was going insane in the heavy silence and was about to break it when the doors slammed open and two figures stumbled through. Hermione, Ron, Poppy and Minerva ran to help the two people to a bed. Neither was Harry and Severus turned his attention from them the moment he was sure Harry wasn't one of them. He returned his gaze to the door and Albus walked over to the new arrivals. One was a male Auror that Albus wasn't familiar with, but the other was Tonks.
"Tonks, how was everything going before you left?" Albus asked her desperate for some word about Harry. Dread was starting to fill him and he wondered if Severus' pessimism was starting to affect him.
"We were steadily capture or dispatching Death Eaters before I was hit with a cutting curse and was ordered to return to head quarters."
"Did you note any other injuries besides yourself and your co-worker?"
"To the best of my knowledge almost everyone was unscathed. Johnson went down just before I was ready to apparate out." Tonks was calm until this point and Albus became even more worried that he was before. "When I gather him up to portkey here I saw…"
"Tonks, what is it?"
"When I was ready to activate the portkey I saw Voldemort cast a Killing Curse. As they key started to work I saw it hit Snape."
Albus nearly collapsed on to the floor as the weight of his years landed on him all at once. He couldn't believe what he was hearing and his mind didn't want to acknowledge what it just heard. He could wrap his thoughts around the knowledge that Harry was gone and that Voldemort won. He dazedly looked through the room and noted the tear ridden faces around him and would have retreated back to his own thoughts had he not heard the racking sobs coming from Severus. Instead of retreating into his own grief, Albus throttle the emotions down; he would grieve later when he was alone, and struggled to his feet. He staggered to Severus' bed and gingerly sat on the edge. Albus tried to gather the tightly curled body to himself, but Severus was resisting. Albus could hear the younger man murmuring 'I'm not ready' over and over and he didn't have any idea what he wasn't ready for. Nothing he said or did brought the man out of his grief. Ron and Hermione came over to help and Severus ignored them all.
"Professor," Ron whispered to Severus, "you can brew that potion you made for me for yourself. You'll be able to have your body and life back."
"It won't work."
"What won't work, Severus?" Albus said in alarm. Severus' voice sounded like he was going insane in his grief.
"Making the potion would be a waste and so would what Harry asked of me. It won't work!" Severus began to repeat those last three words over and over. Albus was at a loss as to the reason why Severus was acting this way and hadn't a clue as to what to do.
"What won't work?" A voice asked loud enough to be heard over Severus sobs.
Everyone's, except Severus', heads snapped towards the door and saw the most unexpected sight.
It took a long time for Harry to navigate the stairs, though they were helping as best they could. He finally made it to the Hospital Wing and he quietly slipped through the doors. Sobbing permeated the room as two Aurors were being treated by Pomfrey. He wondered who was lost and hoped it wasn't anyone he was close to. He heard someone say 'It won't work' in a hoarse and pain filled voice and he couldn't help asking about it.
"What won't work?" Harry made sure that his question was heard over the sobbing man, he was sure it was a man who was making the noise.
Almost everyone in the room whipped around in shock and Harry wouldn't have been surprised to see Pomfrey treating them later for whiplash. He scanned the room and was concerned when he didn't see Severus. Pomfrey was treating Tons and an Auror he didn't know. Professor McGonagall was sitting next to Tonks and Hermione and Ron were hovering beside the bed that the Headmaster was sitting on. Harry took a few steps into the room, still looking for Severus as he did so.
"Professor Dumbledore, where is…" Harry began, but stopped as the elderly wizard got up and started walking towards him.
Harry paid no attention to what Albus was saying the moment he caught sight of what the older man was hiding behind him. Lying on the bed was Severus. Actually he looked like an animal waiting for Death. He was curled into a ball with his forehead resting on the mattress. Harry ignored the questions from everyone fired at him as he dropped Godric's sword and quickly made his way to Severus' side. When he touched the older man he got no reaction and he curled around the sobbing form and began to whisper.
"Severus? Severus!" Harry whispered into the man's ear. "Severus, it's all right. I'm home. Please listen."
Harry ignored the scream of terror from Hermione when Nagini made her presence known during her own bid to attract Severus' attention. Slowly the two penetrated the wall Severus built around himself. The man slowly uncurled and looked up as Harry and Nagini continued coaxing him. Harry watched as realization crept into Severus' eyes. Severus slowly raised his hand and touched Harry's face and Harry was completely unprepared for the man's next action. He wasn't even aware of what was going on until a sharp stinging pain blossomed on his cheek in the same place Severus touched gently moments before. Harry drew back in statement and watched the angry, tearstained face before him.
"If you ever do something that stupid again, I'll kill you myself." Severus snapped as he glared at Harry.
"I won't have to." Harry said quietly and rolled up the sleeve of his robe. He heard Nagini hiss in agreement from her new perch beside Harry. "Look."
"It's gone. It's really gone." Severus said with wonder as he touched the unmarked flesh. "He's gone."
"For the most part his is. There's just a loose end concerning Voldemort that has to be taken care of and it'll be over for good." Harry stepped away to the middle of the Hospital Wing. "Fawkes!"
Fawkes arrived in a burst of fire and flew to Harry's outstretched arm. Harry asked the scarlet bird if it would burn and cry over the gem to prevent Voldemort or his minions from resurrecting the bastard's soul. Fawkes trilled a positive response and took to the air. Harry set the diamond that the phoenix returned to him in the center of the room and took several steps back to make sure Fawkes had enough room to work. He didn't know how large a fire the bird would need to make, the book never said. Fawkes landed next to the diamond and quickly burst into flame. A wave of heat swept over the occupants of the wing as Fawkes worked his magic. It took the phoenix twenty minutes to render the stone into ash and Harry was surprised as the flames died to see a still fully grown Fawkes tilting his head to allow his tears to drip onto the ashes. Despite the heat of the flames the stone floor wasn't cracked or damaged in any way. Harry fully was expecting that there would be cracks in the flagstones. When Fawkes was done, the Headmaster walked to the pile of damp ashes and scooped them into a glass vial he extracted from his robes.
"Ah, Harry, you must tell me what that was all about." Albus asked, ignoring Tonks' shocked gasp.
"Voldemort's soul. I found a spell that bound Voldemort's soul into a gem in Severus' library and Fawkes consented to destroy the gem and the soul bound into it."
"Excellent work, my boy." Albus' eyes were twinkling madly and Harry grinned back at him.
"Of course Severus will be hexing the hoards of people who think he's the Heir of Gryffindor as a result of this whole mess."
"I think we'll deal with that mess when it happens."
"I do want to know one thing, Headmaster."
"Albus, my dear boy. You've more than earned that right." Albus said with a smile. "What is it you need to know?"
"You told Severus and me that we'd be each other for a week. It's been two. Why haven't we reverted to our proper bodies?"
"Did you read the note you received that first morning?"
"No, it was addressed to Severus."
"Ah, when you return to Severus' quarters read it. The same goes for you, Severus."
"I've got a question." Tonks yelled from the other side of the room as Harry returned to Severus' side. "How did you survive the killing curse and why is Albus calling you Harry?"
"That's two questions, Tonks." Harry replied with a laugh and began to answer after the witch glared daggers at him. "Albus thought it would be a good idea to switch Severus and me into the other's body. He expected us to work together better afterwards."
"It worked." Albus said smugly.
"He knows, Harry. Actually everyone in this room other than the two walking targets knows." Severus said quietly.
"Figures. The only explanation for surviving a direct hit with a Killing Curse is a wild guess on my part."
"Which is?" Minerva asked and was seconded by the rest of the room.
"Sirius." Harry responded quietly and Severus spluttered in surprise.
"You mean Black had enough brains to pull off Lily's protection?"
"I guess so. My Patronus looked a little smug before it left."
"Isn't your Patronus a stag?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"It seems that I have two now, my stag and a grim. Prongs and Padfoot."
"I've never heard or read about someone having a second Patronus." Hermione said in a distracted tone.
"It's possible." Severus replied with a knowing look on his face, which caused Harry to give the older man a questioning look. Severus answered that wordless question by mouthing 'later' to him.
"I have a question of my own, Harry. How did you make it home? I know you don't know how to apparate and I doubt that Severus found the time or patience to teach you."
"Dobby and Winky showed up to take me home. They arrived shortly after I sent Severus back to the school. They managed to cover me while I was dealing with Voldemort until the Aurors and Order members arrived. I sent Fawkes back with the diamond containing Voldemort's soul and finished helping with the mopping up. After dealing with the Dementors I found Nagini and had Dobby and Winky bring me back."
"Two house-elves left the school without permission?" Minerva asked in startled at the information.
"Winky and Dobby are free elves. They can come and go as they please." Albus answered with a smile. "I'm pleased that they took the initiative to find you themselves."
"So am I. They managed to deflect several nasty spells while I was wrestling Voldemort for his soul. If there isn't anything else I'd like to retire for the time being. I'm exhausted." Harry said quietly and turned to leave, but was accosted by Poppy before he could make his escape.
"Oh no you don't! You're not leaving this Hospital Wing without me making sure you're okay." Poppy stormed up to Harry brandishing her wand in a threatening manner. "In the bed. Now!"
Harry silently suffered the witch's attentions and by the time she was done the room became very crowded. Sometime during Pomfrey's examination, Severus had managed to sneak over to his bed. The crowd was making so much noise that Harry could barely hear Severus yelling in his ear. One voice rose above the crowd's muttering and it was one that Harry didn't want to hear. Fudge.
"Severus, let's get out of here. I have no desire to see Fudge." Harry yelled into Severus' ear, earning a glare from the man's now emerald eyes.
"Let's. There's no reason to stay and risk either one of us getting thrown into Azkaban for hexing the idiot.
Slowly they crept towards the door, doing their best to avoid the room's other occupants. Just when they thought they were going to get caught the Hospital Wing door's slammed open, revealing the greying hair of Remus storming into the room. Remus scanned the crowd until he caught sight of Albus and went right through the mob in the old wizard's direction. Harry and Severus ran for the doors in order to slip through before they closed.
As the doors closed behind them they heard Remus roar at Dumbledore.
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, what did you do to Harry?" Both men heard Remus shout. Harry was torn between making his get-a-way and listening to Remus yell at the Headmaster.
"As much as I'd like to listen to your pet werewolf verbally flay the Headmaster, I don't wish to be with in Poppy's reach when she discovers that we're gone." Severus stated blandly and Harry gave the man a small smile.
"Yes, let's go… quickly." Harry replied and forced his tired frame to move as fast as he could get it to.
Both Severus and Harry made their way to the dungeons in record time, despite the handicap of exhaustion they were both suffering from. By unspoken agreement they searched for the letters they received the first day of Albus' little plot. Severus dug through Harry's trunk and found the letter he received right next to the letter from his abominable relations. When he returned to the sitting room, Harry was already sitting on the sofa waiting for him. In his hand Harry held a scroll, which he was giving a nasty look to.
"Ready to read what ever nonsense the Headmaster dreamed up?" Severus asked the man that had lived his life for the past two weeks.
"Yeah." Harry replied softly with no little amount of dread colouring his voice.
Severus unrolled his scroll and slowly read through the message with in.
Dear Severus and Harry,
By now you both should be learning to survive as the other and understanding the difficulties the other faces everyday. I know when I gave you the potion to swap your souls I told you you'd remain that way for a week. In actuality you'll be forced to stay in the other's body until certain conditions are met.
The potion is a true love potion, which allows the couple to obtain a deeper understanding of each other. It was commonly used to reconcile couples on the verge of divorce and I felt that the negative feelings between the two of you was hiding something deeper than the hate you professed for each other. I always wondered why the two of you feared to love each other. I'm determined to make you two see the error of your ways.
The requirements for the switch back to your proper bodies are simple, but difficult. You each must perform a selfless act of love for the other. A difficult task, but one I have much faith in your abilities to accomplish. In order to catalyze the return to your proper forms once the conditions are met is a simple as a kiss.
Good luck, my boys,
Albus Dumbledore
Severus was flabbergasted and from the distressed sounds Harry was making, the other man wasn't faring much better. The nerve of the old man! How dare he take such a risk with their lives? Severus dreaded the thought of what would have happened had they not found those feelings the Headmaster thought they had for each other. Severus couldn't suppress the shiver that followed hard on the heels of that fear. Next to him, Harry was obviously entertaining similar thoughts. As he mulled over the details of the potions conditions his mind sent him an image of Albus' twinkling eyes during his conversation with Weasley in the hospital wing. A smirk formed on his face when all the pieces fell together and he turned to Harry.
"Get over here, brat." Severus ordered and Harry turned towards him.
He didn't give Harry a chance to question him once the younger man was facing him. He captured Harry's mouth in a searing kiss. He didn't get to prolong it as long as he'd like. He found himself on the receiving end of the same delirium the initial transfer sent him in and he could only guess that Harry was undergoing the same. He resisted the urge to vomit before he passed out. When he regained consciousness he found himself half lying on the sofa with Harry sprawled across him. Severus sighed in relief as he registered the fact that he was once again in his familiar body. As he waited for Harry to wake up he mentally reviewed the week. A lot happened and the one thing he wanted to know the most was how Harry survived the Killing Curse in his body. Normally spells that sacrificed one life to protect a loved one, according to his research, anchored itself in the flesh, blood and bone of the recipient. There shouldn't have been a way for it to protect Harry in a body that wasn't his.
Harry stirred and slowly blinked his eyes open. He looked down at his hands and smiled brightly. He looked up at Severus and repeated the smile and Severus lost himself in the light that shown from those grass green eyes.
"It was great being tall and all, but I'm rather glad to be back in my own familiar body." Harry said with a grin.
"The same here, Harry. I know you thought the reason you survived the Killing Curse was a sacrifice made by Black, but from what I was able to find in the books I know your mother read, there shouldn't have been a way for you to utilize the protection running around in my body. I want to hear your educated guess as to why you survived."
"I think we each still had a significant link back to our own bodies. You felt your mark when I was summoned and I felt my scar when you were witnessing another Voldemort vision. The spell couldn't tell which was me and which was you. It's the only thing I can think of at this moment."
"In other words the spell considers us one person."
"Yes. I'd say that's a good explanation. Why were you so upset it the Hospital Wing?" Harry asked in a hesitant voice.
"I was told you were dead." Severus closed his eyes against the memory.
"But you'd have the chance to fulfill your dreams. You know that was what I wanted for you." Harry protested.
"Yes, I know, but I wouldn't have lived long enough to follow your request. Nagini informed me the night I went to get a sample of her venom for Ron's potion that I had found my soul-mate and was more powerful that the Dark Lord. Nagini…. That's why the protect spell work! We're soul-mates and as far as magic is concerned we are one entity. I don't believe I overlooked that fact."
"We are?" Harry asked in shock and understanding dawned on his face. "You were the additional source of energy I tapped while wrestling with Voldemort for his soul. Thanks." Harry gave him another dazzling smile and stretched up to give him a light kiss.
"We're soul-mates, but there is still one thing we must do to solidify the bond." Severus told Harry, but he hesitated before asking the question on his mind. "Are you a virgin, Harry?" Harry blushed a bright red at the question, but answered anyway.
"Yeah, I am. I either never had the time to consider it or I was afraid of my first time being plastered across the first page of the Daily Prophet." Harry said quietly and Severus didn't blame him for his fears. It was something he wouldn't put past anyone who wanted to be involved with the famous Boy-Who-Lived-Twice. "Do we have to do… you know to cement the soul-bond?"
"Yes. Do you trust me? Do you want to complete the process?" Severus asked softly, making sure he kept eye contact with Harry as he did so.
"Yes." Harry answered without hesitation. "I love you."
"I love you." Severus rested his forehead against Harry's for a brief moment before pushing the younger man to his feet. "Get up and follow me." Severus said as he locked and warded every possible entrance to his quarters as well as casting silencing and privacy wards.
Severus led the younger man to the bed room and settled him onto the bed. He headed to the cabinet he kept his supply of personal potions and pulled to energizing potions from its recesses. He handed one to Harry and watched as the younger man quickly downed the potion. He smirked at the grimace Harry gave at the potions taste and followed suit. Severus heard to thuds and looked down to see the second of Harry's shoes settling onto the floor. Severus sat on the bed to remove his stolen shoes and quickly made short work of removing their clothes.
His nerves were hyper aware of every touch he made and every one he received. Time began to move in slow motion as he worshiped at a new alter and was touched with an equal reverence from the green-eyed man sharing his bed. The mapped every inch of the others body and after that prolonged time Severus' need overwhelmed him. Slowly and thoroughly he prepared the young man and when they slowly joined he was lost in a bliss he'd never felt before. From the moans the younger man was making, the pleasure was reciprocated. The euphoria was eclipsed as their magic began to flow between them. The power began to radiate outwards as they raced towards their climaxes and when their pleasure swamped them in its wave their magic erupted outwards. By this time tomorrow the entire school will know a binding occurred and Severus really didn't want to face the Headmaster in morning.
Sleep ambushed the both of them, but Severus couldn't remember which of them cast the cleansing charm, nor did he care who did. Sleep was too important to bother with such trivial thoughts. Just before he surrendered to sleep's lure he gathered the younger man to him.
Morning arrived without Severus' awareness. He was perfectly content to remain curled around the ball of warmth next to him, but the insistent tapping of an owl's beak against his skull forced him to open his eyes. The barn owl was standing on his pillow with a huge roll of parchment attached to its leg. The bird gave him an annoyed hoot and stuck out its leg. Forcing himself to uncurl he took the papers off the owl's leg and unrolled them. They were the official paper work from the Ministry formalizing their bond. Thankfully it was an automatic system and that magic took care of registering the soul bond as well as filing the paperwork. Harry stirred beside him and slowly opened his eyes. Harry greeted him with a smile and gave the irritable owl next to him a puzzled frown.
"We've just received the official paperwork from the Ministry Archives." Severus told the younger man.
"Does that mean the Minister's going to show up and lob accusations of corruption against you?" Harry asked, slightly alarmed.
"No living human sees these forms. There's an enchanted book at the Ministry Archives that logs all soul bonds when they're completed. The paperwork is for the inheritance laws and other nonsense. When we sign these and give them back to the owl we'll be legally wed in a manner of speaking."
"So no one sees who has been bound then?"
"Yes, the Ministry will of course learn that a soul-bond been completed and where it was formalized, but not the names of the bonded." Severus summoned a quill and ink bottle and signed the appropriate place and handed everything to Harry.
He watched as Harry read over the papers and as the younger man began to fill in the appropriate places on the papers, Severus leaned over to read what he was writing, mostly to make sure he was doing correctly. When Harry came to the part where he had to sign, Severus was shocked into speechlessness as he signed 'Harry Snape' instead of Potter.
"Are you sure about that?" Severus asked quietly, suppressing every emotion. "They'll not be happy with your name change."
"I'm very sure. I've had enough of being Harry Potter and would much rather be Harry Snape. Maybe the fawning idiots will leave me alone finally." Harry said firmly, looking directly into Severus' eyes as he did so. "If my friends don't understand and accept it, then they weren't the friends I thought they were."
"We'll see. I can't wait to see Fudge's face. He'll be livid." Severus said with smirk as he rolled up the parchments and reattached them to the owl's leg. The bird leapt to the air and flew directly to the owl flue in the sitting room.
"You do know that we'll have to deal with a twinkling Headmaster soon."
"I think we can get away with avoiding him until dinner."
"You mean he could restrain himself from meddling that long?" Harry asked with a laugh.
"Go back to sleep, brat. It's going to be a long evening."
Severus nestled back in the blankets and dozed off with the sound of Harry's laughter ringing in his ears.
They cheerfully slept through breakfast and lunch while the rest of the castle was gossiping about the sudden surge of magic that occurred the other night. Severus would have spent that time cursing the knowing twinkle in Albus' eyes, Nagini's smug one and Dobby's joyful antics. Thankfully he was asleep and completely ignorant of the three's behaviour. The two men remained oblivious to the Minister of Magic's movements and his plans to ingratiate himself to the newly bonded couple. Severus woke and began his usual routine despite it being almost twelve hours later then he normally got up.
Unfortunately the outside world intruded on their little island of isolation in the form of Albus and his infernal twinkling eyes. Severus snarled and the cheerful man who's head was bobbing merrily in the fire.
"Severus, you and Harry must make an appearance at dinner tonight. We've prepared a celebratory feast for Voldemort's defeat and the principles must attend." Albus said with a bright smile.
"If we must, but I will not be hounded by anyone for details." Severus stated baldly.
"You won't be bothered by the students though the Minister will be there tonight. He's gotten wind of a bonding that occurred last night and he's anxious to meet the new couple if he could find them." Albus gave Severus a knowing look.
"Figured it out did you, Albus?" Severus sneered at his mentor. "If he says one thing out of line I will hex him, Minster or not."
"The castle's wards were able to pin point the origin of the magical swell last night. Congratulations, my boy, though I wish you had told me earlier. I would have done things a slight bit differently if I had known. Before you and Harry go to dinner would you collect Nagini and return her to your quarters? She's been frightening the students and terrorizing Sybill."
"Ah, she may very well be reacting to my dislike of Trelawny. I've mentioned it enough while talking to her as I brewed the Dark Lord's potions."
"Ah, that's why she was willing to help you too. Even in Voldemort's camp your dislike of Harry was well known."
"I know, but Nagini enjoyed having the remaining test rats when I was done experimenting and she didn't give a damn about rank when it came to my 'colleagues'."
"Well just contain her and make sure you show up for dinner. I can't wait to see the Minister's face when he discovers who our bonded couple is. He'll be so disappointed when he finds he can't curry favour with them." Albus said with a wink and with a pop his head disappeared from the flames that immediately returned to its normal red and yellow color.
"Was that the Headmaster?" Harry asked sleepily from the door way to the bedroom.
"Yes. We've been ordered to make an appearance at dinner tonight. Albus has planned a celebration for the end of the Dark Lord and warned me that Fudge is going to spoil the evening."
"I don't want to see that twit." Harry muttered.
"Neither do I, but we can't avoid him and he's going to be seeking us out."
"Because of the bond?"
"Yes. Albus thinks he's going to attempt to gain our favour."
"He's bound to be disappointed then. Neither one of us likes him. Do you think we can run him out of office?" Harry asked with a speculative look in his eyes.
"What are you plotting, brat?" Severus asked with interest.
"Obviously there's more to the soul-bonding than you've told me. How about we use what you haven't told me to get someone competent into office?"
"How Slytherin of you, Mr. Snape." Severus replied with a smirk.
"Do you have a preference, Professor Snape?" Harry said in the same tone.
"I would suggest Amelia Bones. She's fair and she looks into everything before making her decisions."
"I'd think she'd make a brilliant Minster of Magic. Is she going to be there tonight?"
"She may be, though Albus didn't say anything about other guests. I would suppose all the Ministry Department Heads will be here tonight."
"Then we'd best get ready. I wonder if my dress robes fit me still."
"We have one task to do before we get ready. We'll have to bring Nagini down here. She's enjoying tormenting the students and Trelawny too much for Albus' comfort."
"Can't we just tell her to stick with Trelawny?"
"I would agree with that, but Albus won't be happy with that arrangement."
"Damn. Oh well, let's go get her before someone hexes her."
The two made there way to the North Tower in hopes of finding the large black snake and as they walked the halls they made their plans for this evening. As they neared the tower Trelawny chose as her domain they could her shrieks of fear and as they made their way up the silvery ladder. Nagini had not only the Divination teacher, but Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil cornered and cowering in fear. The three women found Nagini's hissing to be frightening, but Severus was having a hard time stifling the laughter that wanted to burst through. Nagini's hisses were the equivalent of laughter and thanks to the bond he shared with Harry he was still able to understand her. Nagini found their cowering funny and Harry giggled as he walked up to the snake. After admonishing her and reminding her that she couldn't entertain herself by tormenting those he and Severus didn’t like. They retreated down the stairs with a depressed Nagini looped around both their shoulders and returned to their dungeon quarters. Once Nagini was settled in a comfortable spot they proceeded to get ready for the feast the Headmaster insisted they attend.
While they showered, trying very hard not to distract themselves with things they'd rather be doing, they discussed how to deal with Fudge and make their preferences for the next Minster of Magic known to the rest of the wizarding world. Their last few moments of privacy consisted of Severus telling Harry about the traditions surrounding soul-mated couples. Since they were so rare many people, especially pure-blooded families, sought the couples favour. That gave them a lot of influence, which they intended to use. After all Fudge gave the Dark Lord a lot of time to regain his footing before acknowledging his return and the wizarding world couldn't survive if it happened when the next Dark Lord rose. Better to prevent it before it could occur.
They planned their arrival to happen after everyone was seated. Severus expected his normal seat to be empty as well as a pair of seats on the Headmaster's right hand side. He guessed that Fudge would be seated at his right and said as much to Harry during the prolonged walk to the Great Hall. Harry voiced his own thought and mentioned that Hermione and Ron would be saving him a seat at the Gryffindor table. As the doors swung open Severus noticed that the set up was exactly as he predicted it would be. Reporters filled in the last few seats of each student table along with various dignitaries from the Ministry. He spotted Amelia Bones sitting next to her niece at the Hufflepuff table.
"I see our heroes have arrived." Albus' voice rang out in the silence their arrival created. There was a rumble of dissatisfaction through the adult portion of the audience. Severus hid his smirk at their reaction. He knew what they were waiting for and they didn't know that it was standing there in front of them.
Severus and Harry made the way down the space between the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables. They paused at space Hermione and Ron predictably left for the third member of the trio, so Harry could say hello to his friends. When they mentioned the burst of magical power that occurred the night before Severus smirked slightly, but enough for Hermione to notice and she stopped talking in midstream as she processed the meaning of the Severus' expression. Harry gave them a smile and a small wave goodbye before continuing on.
They made their way to the Head Table and managed to hide their amusement at Fudge's confused look as they closed the distance. Severus savoured the shocked silence when they sat on the two golden chairs next to Albus. They didn't bother hiding their smirks from Fudge as they man spluttered and turned white when he realized who the bonded couple was. The Minister didn't dare protest their bond in front of the press. Albus proposed a toast to them and after they drank to it Harry allowed his eyes to roam over the crowd sitting with the students as they planned. Severus watched as Harry settled his gaze on the Hufflepuff table and as if she in on their plans, Amelia Bones looked up and made eye contact with Harry. Harry gave her a brilliant smile and raised his glass slightly as if toasting her. Severus was amused as her eyes went wide before sliding over to look at him. He gave her a slight nod and watched as her eyes became predatory. The whole exchange went unnoticed by everyone, but Albus and Minerva, though Severus wouldn't be surprised if a few of his Slytherins saw they exchange.
Content that their plans for a better future for their world where in motion Severus decided to do something completely out of character. He captured Harry's attention with a touch and when they younger man turned towards him, graced him with another intoxicating kiss. He barely heard the gasps of those around the hall, the few wolf whistle and the clicking of dozens of camera. The only sound he heard was Harry's muffled giggle. For the first time in his life Severus had hope and love in his future.
*Fin*
Albus sat in his office with a crying Hermione Granger and a distraught Ron Weasley. This particular scene had been replayed every day for almost a week. Neither student could force themselves to go to class nor could none of the teachers bring themselves to teach. Albus canceled classes since Severus and Harry's abductions and the students stayed in there dorms. The entire atmosphere of the school was subdued. The three of the houses were quietly waiting for word of Harry's fate while the Slytherins were mourning their head of house, with very small group of that house gloating instead.
Albus was at a loss as to what to do to recover the two men. Harry had a port key and he didn't think he'd leave Severus in order to save himself. In desperation he ordered sleeping charms to be cast in every dorm room in the school and had the teachers check the arms of the students for the Dark Mark. Sinistra and Vector dealt with the Slytherins, Minerva and Hooch the Gryffindors, Flitwick and this year's Defence teacher checked the Ravenclaws and Sprout and Poppy checked the Hufflepuff students. Poppy was enraged and Albus kept the woman as busy as he could to keep her mind off of the situation. Once the students that bore the Dark Mark were identified, he personally cast tracking charms that he linked to crystals so the bearers could follow their suspects.
After a week of waiting the children were summoned. They first let the Aurors and Order members to the Minister of Magic's home in a small, prestigious wizarding town. They destroyed almost everything in the small city before the authorities could arrive. Their luck held as those they followed led them location that looked to be an old abandoned farm in the windswept western coast of Ireland. Hope finally began to filter in when Fawkes let out a battle cry, leapt off his perch, grabbed the sorting hat and disappeared in a ball of flame.
They all waited as patiently as they could for news, but his hopes rose even higher when Gryffindor's sword disappeared from its case. He didn't say anything to the two students or Minerva when she arrived to wait with them. He was startled from his thoughts and prayers by the excited voice of Poppy when her head popped into the fire place.
"Albus, Harry's just arrived in the Hospital Wing. You need to come down. He's upset and wants to speak with you."
Albus didn't get a chance to reply because Ron, Hermione and Minerva cheered. He didn't have the heart to tell them that it wasn't Harry. Minerva quieted a few seconds later as she remembered about the switch Albus initiated, though she didn't say a thing to the two students with them.
They made their way to Poppy's domain on foot since the Ministry locked down all the floos for travel. They went silently through the halls because they didn't was to let the school know what was going on until everything was over and settled. Rumours do enough damage as it was and Albus wanted to keep it at a minimum. Once they were at the Hospital Wing he sought Poppy's gaze.
"Poppy, how is he?"
"Better than I expected. There are very few injuries considering You-Know-Who had him for a week." Poppy replied as she led them to the bed Severus was in.
"Harry!" Hermione screamed and she launched herself at the man she thought was her friend.
Albus noticed Severus stiffening in response to Hermione's enthusiastic greeting, but allowed the contact. Ron walked up and gingerly patted his shoulder. Albus was surprised at how well Severus looked despite his captivity and Tom's obsessive dislike of Harry. After all Voldemort was not one to leave a prisoner unharmed under any circumstance.
"You're looking very well considering where you were, my boy." Albus commented quietly.
"You've got a gift for the obvious, Albus. We had an ally in the Dark Lord's camp." Severus informed him without bothering to act his part any more. Both students were looking at him in shock after addressing Albus in such a familiar way.
"Who?" Minerva asked with a puzzled frown.
"Nagini," was Severus' reply and the two students flanking him gasped in shock.
"Voldemort's snake helped you?" Hermione asked her voice pitched high in shock.
"Yes, Ms. Granger. The Dark Lord's pet turned on him. She knew that his power wasn't as great as he thought and abandoned him for Potter."
"Why are you calling me that, Harry?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"Because, Ms. Granger, the person you are speaking to is Professor Snape. He and Harry have been disguised as the other for a while now." Albus told the young witch and wizard.
Albus chuckled as Hermione's face went white and stammered an apology, which Severus waved off. Albus took a moment to look closely at Severus. He was pale and very upset. Albus thanked the powers-that-be for Harry's generally open face. It made the task of reading Severus easier on the elderly wizard since the young man didn't have the control over his current body's expression. Something was bothering Severus and the look in his eyes bordered on fear. Determined to get to the bottom of Severus' problem he began to question the man.
"What happened while you were held captive, Severus?"
Severus proceeded to tell them about his and Harry's time in Voldemort's hands and explained how Nagini had been helping them as well as their attempt to escape with her aid. He told of their failure to make it past the wards and when they surrounded. He told of how Harry forced him to take the portkey and the events after that. Albus was able to tell that Severus was upset about the incident. The students didn't notice, but Albus was very familiar with the slight changes in Severus' tone.
"Then the idiot activated the port key and left himself alone." Severus ended his tale bitterly.
"Harry mentioned the other day that he found a way to get rid of Voldemort once and for all." Minerva said into the silence.
"He still could be killed even if he pulled that off. He had no one to cover him as he did what ever spell he was studying. Anything able to take down the Dark Lord would be too complicated to perform without support to protect him from the Death Eaters."
"Aurors and Order members are following the marked students so he's not completely alone, Severus." Minerva told him, but it didn't dispel the man's pessimism.
"What has you so upset, Severus?" Albus asked gently as he saw signs of building hysteria in Severus' voice. He was determined to do anything in his power to stomp out the man's fear.
"I love him, Albus." Severus replied, his voice barely audible. Albus heard small gasps from Ron and Minerva, but Granger's bright smile threw him off a bit. He shook the surprise off quickly and kept his attention on the man before him.
"Everything is going to be fine, Severus." Albus comforted with a bright smile. Hearing that admission was music to his ears and solidified the plans he set in motion for the two men.
"No it won't, Albus." Severus snapped. "He is alone out there and I have no hope of the Order or Aurors getting there in time to save him. The chances of his survival are very slim."
"Fawkes went to him, Severus. There's hope he'll return to us."
Severus stared at him in a way that made Albus feel that the younger wizard wanted a written guarantee. Albus was becoming alarmed at Severus' reactions, but did his best to reassure the man with his eyes. When Severus spoke next he knew that a mere look wasn't going to be enough for the man residing in the teenaged body.
"Fawkes can't intercept more than one killing curse and if he's in his newborn stage he can't transport Harry out of there. Harry's alone with the Dark Lord and at least forty nine adult Death Eaters." Severus looked distraught and it worried Albus to no end.
Albus looked closer at the young man and knew there was more to Severus' story than he was telling. Albus stood there deep in thought trying to figure out how to get Severus to tell him the details about his blossoming relationship with Harry.
"Professor, did you tell Harry how you felt about him?" Hermione asked the man residing in her best friend's body. Albus mentally cheered her insight. It must be regret for not voicing his feelings.
"Yes, yes I did." Severus responded softly after giving the young witch a penetrating glance.
"What did he say in response?" The young witch asked and Albus wondered what the problem was since he didn't see anything resembling the hurt of rejection in the other man's eyes or voice.
"What business it is of yours, Ms. Granger?" Severus snapped at the young witch.
"Hermione." She said and when Severus glared at her she continued. "Call me Hermione. It's disconcerting to have you calling me Ms. Granger when you're in Harry's body."
"Answer my question, Hermione!" Severus ordered stressing her first name.
"Something's bothering you and we know it has something to do with Harry. We can't help if we don't know. Does he have any feelings for you too?"
"Maybe Harry didn't believe him?" Ron added and Albus could see the validity of the question though he dismissed it quickly. He noticed their changes in attitude and knew that the relationship was as close as he hoped when he set this little swap in motion. The night Severus held Harry after the younger man thought he had killed his best friends proved it with out a doubt.
"Look in the mirror, Ron." Severus spat at the red head also stressing the younger man's given name. "Tell me what you see."
Ron walked to the mirror in the bathroom and did what Severus demanded. Albus wasn't sure where Severus was going with this.
"I see myself, Professor." Ron answered from the bathroom and his puzzlement was clearly heard in his voice.
"The fact that you look like yourself and not your brother is my proof to Harry about my feelings. I certainly didn't risk my life to gather the necessary ingredients for a quasi-legal potion for you. I did it for Harry. I couldn't bear seeing him so miserable after finding you were alive, but wearing the likeness of your traitorous brother. You didn't see how he was after he thought he killed you, but I did and I didn't want to see the results of seeing you in Percy's body would do to him." Severus said in a tight voice, the most emotion laden voice Albus has ever heard from him.
Despite that Albus did a happy dance in his head. He did the first step that would return him to his body and all they needed was Harry to do some selfless act for Severus. Once that happened everything would revert to normal.
"Oh," Ron answered, stunned at the revelation. Albus chuckled at the red head's stunned expression.
"Okay, so that's settled. What about Harry? Did he give you any sort of positive answer?" Hermione asked and Severus gave the witch another long look before answering.
"He's reciprocated." Severus said his voice quiet once again.
"That's great!" Hermione gushed and Severus blinked slowly at her. That was the only sign of surprise Albus could see in his spy despite being in Harry's body.
Ron looked just as surprised by Hermione's reaction, though he didn't say anything, which was unusual for him. Albus could see a small look of curiosity blooming in Severus' eyes, but he didn't ask the question he obviously wanted an answer for. Fortunately for him Minerva wanted the same answer.
"I think Professor Snape and Mr. Weasley need an explanation about your reaction, Ms. Granger." Minerva stated dryly. "As a matter of fact, so do I." She added a moment later to herself, though Albus heard it clearly.
"That's easy enough to explain." Hermione stated with a smile. "Harry needs someone stable and reliable. He hasn't had much of either in his life and he's seen so much more than the average teenager has. He needs someone that can understand that darkness he's seen."
"The fact that I'm male and twenty years older than him doesn't bother you?" Severus asked in disbelief. Albus knew the younger man couldn't understand why the young witch was being so supportive. It wasn't something that Severus was used to and Albus cursed the man's father thoroughly.
"It bothers me." Both Ron and Minerva muttered, earning them a glare from Severus and Hermione. Albus rebuked the two silently as he listened to Hermione's answer.
"No, should it? Harry's older in his head than the rest of kids his age. I don't see a problem with the two of you being together. You're both wizards and given the fact that wizards live longer than Muggles the age difference really doesn't apply in this situation. I think you'd be very good for Harry now that you see him and not his father." Hermione told him with a shrug.
"That covers the age difference, but you failed to mention the gender issue. I know he's never mentioned his orientation to Ron, but Muggles aren't the most accepting of such pairings."
"My parents taught me to make up my own mind and not follow the rest of the populous when it came to judging people. If it makes him happy then that's all that counts in my book."
"It's a good thing that Ginny got over her crush on him." Ron said quietly. The look on his face gave Albus the impression that his fondest wish was dashed to the cobblestones.
"Indeed." Severus answered with a small smile and Hermione laughed quietly.
Severus sagged a bit when the humour at Ron's comment dried up and Albus was unable to identify what was the matter with him. He hated it when he couldn't draw conclusions and when facts were kept from him. Severus must have felt his gaze because he ducked his head to avoid meeting Albus' eyes. He then cursed and made a grab at the glasses he was wearing as they slipped off his face.
"That's it! I have had enough of these blasted things. Poppy, get me a vial of the eyesight correction potion. I know I made you a fresh batch over the summer. I should have done this the day Albus did this to us." Severus growled in frustration.
Poppy went to get the potion Severus demanded while he folded the black framed glasses. Poppy returned a few moments later with the glass filled with a amethyst coloured potion, which she didn't hand over immediately earning a scowl from Severus.
"Are you sure you should be doing this?" Poppy asked in a hesitant voice. "Harry never asked to have his eyesight corrected."
"He most likely didn't know it was possible and those relatives of his taught him not to ask for anything." Severus snapped impatiently in Poppy's direction.
"Either way it would be for the best, Poppy. There will be Death Eaters that escaped if Harry's successful and they could disable him by knocking his glasses off. Give Severus the potion." Albus knew that Severus has another reason for wanting to correct Harry's eyesight, a purely selfish one. Albus knew he wanted to get rid of the one thing that clearly reminded Severus of James Potter.
Severus downed the potion the moment Poppy gave him the vial. Both Albus and Poppy watched him closely, looking for any adverse reactions. Severus closed his eyes after drinking the concoction and gave it time to work. After a few minutes where he wrinkled his nose in discomfort as the potion fixed the lenses of his eyes, Severus slowly blinked several times before opening his eyes completely.
"That's more like it." Severus stated as he looked around the room. "I now know why Harry messed up his potions in class. He must have needed new glasses for a while now. Everything is sharper than it was with his glasses on. Damn Muggles."
That was the second time Severus mentioned Harry's relatives and neither time was it in a positive way. Albus wondered what Severus knew that he didn't. Albus knew that the Dursley's didn't care as much for Harry as he hoped, but he didn't think they deserved the anger that Albus could hear in Severus' tone. He'd have to ask later when he had Severus alone. Severus looked ready to slide out of the hospital bed with the intent to escape when he suddenly swayed and nearly fell out of the bed Poppy ensconced him in. Albus was alarmed by the terror in his eyes. He turned to Poppy, but didn't need to say anything as she was already leaping to her feet with her wand leveled at Severus. She quickly scanned him and blanched as he read the results.
"Something is draining his magical energy. Did they force you to drink any potions, Severus?" Poppy asked in a panicked voice.
Severus shook his head and Albus began to cast several spells trying to locate the link causing the drain. No matter what he did he couldn't find the source of the drain. Severus paled as the magic drained out of him. He closed his eyes and Poppy flew to gather several potions for the young wizard. As she returned Severus' eyes popped open in surprise and his fearful expression faded quickly. Relief flooded him and Poppy did another scan. After reading the results she shook her head and looked at Albus.
"The drain is still there." Poppy said while giving Severus a puzzled frown.
"But now I know where it's coming from." Severus replied with relief.
"Severus, you're being drained at an alarming rate."
"Doesn't matter. I know who's taking it and why. I'm not going to stop it. Just leave me be until it's over." Severus' voice began to slur as exhaustion overtook him.
Severus sagged back into the pillows and closed his eyes. All the rest of them could do was sit and wait. After what seemed like an eternity Severus stirred. He didn't open his eyes, but his brow furrowed like he was concentrating on something. He frowned and slowly opened his eyes. The moment he slowly wrenched himself into a sitting position, Poppy started handing him potions. Severus drank them one by one without complaint. As he did so he watched the double doors of the Hospital Wing like a hawk. Poppy asked him several questions, which he didn't answer. Albus noticed the man's thoughts were far away, but he needed some answers and had no choice of where to go for answers. He placed a wrinkled hand on Severus' shoulder and drew the young wizard's attention away from the huge wooden doors.
"Are you all right, Severus?" Albus asked gently.
"I'm fine, Albus." Severus replied with a slight air of distraction.
"Was the magical drain related to Voldemort?"
"Yes, but I don't know the out come. All I know is there was a struggle and a small flash of relief. I don't know who won." Severus said and returned his gaze to the doors.
Time seemed to flow slowly as they all waited for what ever it was Severus expected to happen. No one made a sound and they all jumped every time a leaf brushed the window sill as they wind blew across the lake. Albus stood beside Severus' hospital bed with a hand on his shoulder as they waited for word of Harry. Albus was going insane in the heavy silence and was about to break it when the doors slammed open and two figures stumbled through. Hermione, Ron, Poppy and Minerva ran to help the two people to a bed. Neither was Harry and Severus turned his attention from them the moment he was sure Harry wasn't one of them. He returned his gaze to the door and Albus walked over to the new arrivals. One was a male Auror that Albus wasn't familiar with, but the other was Tonks.
"Tonks, how was everything going before you left?" Albus asked her desperate for some word about Harry. Dread was starting to fill him and he wondered if Severus' pessimism was starting to affect him.
"We were steadily capture or dispatching Death Eaters before I was hit with a cutting curse and was ordered to return to head quarters."
"Did you note any other injuries besides yourself and your co-worker?"
"To the best of my knowledge almost everyone was unscathed. Johnson went down just before I was ready to apparate out." Tonks was calm until this point and Albus became even more worried that he was before. "When I gather him up to portkey here I saw…"
"Tonks, what is it?"
"When I was ready to activate the portkey I saw Voldemort cast a Killing Curse. As they key started to work I saw it hit Snape."
Albus nearly collapsed on to the floor as the weight of his years landed on him all at once. He couldn't believe what he was hearing and his mind didn't want to acknowledge what it just heard. He could wrap his thoughts around the knowledge that Harry was gone and that Voldemort won. He dazedly looked through the room and noted the tear ridden faces around him and would have retreated back to his own thoughts had he not heard the racking sobs coming from Severus. Instead of retreating into his own grief, Albus throttle the emotions down; he would grieve later when he was alone, and struggled to his feet. He staggered to Severus' bed and gingerly sat on the edge. Albus tried to gather the tightly curled body to himself, but Severus was resisting. Albus could hear the younger man murmuring 'I'm not ready' over and over and he didn't have any idea what he wasn't ready for. Nothing he said or did brought the man out of his grief. Ron and Hermione came over to help and Severus ignored them all.
"Professor," Ron whispered to Severus, "you can brew that potion you made for me for yourself. You'll be able to have your body and life back."
"It won't work."
"What won't work, Severus?" Albus said in alarm. Severus' voice sounded like he was going insane in his grief.
"Making the potion would be a waste and so would what Harry asked of me. It won't work!" Severus began to repeat those last three words over and over. Albus was at a loss as to the reason why Severus was acting this way and hadn't a clue as to what to do.
"What won't work?" A voice asked loud enough to be heard over Severus sobs.
Everyone's, except Severus', heads snapped towards the door and saw the most unexpected sight.
It took a long time for Harry to navigate the stairs, though they were helping as best they could. He finally made it to the Hospital Wing and he quietly slipped through the doors. Sobbing permeated the room as two Aurors were being treated by Pomfrey. He wondered who was lost and hoped it wasn't anyone he was close to. He heard someone say 'It won't work' in a hoarse and pain filled voice and he couldn't help asking about it.
"What won't work?" Harry made sure that his question was heard over the sobbing man, he was sure it was a man who was making the noise.
Almost everyone in the room whipped around in shock and Harry wouldn't have been surprised to see Pomfrey treating them later for whiplash. He scanned the room and was concerned when he didn't see Severus. Pomfrey was treating Tons and an Auror he didn't know. Professor McGonagall was sitting next to Tonks and Hermione and Ron were hovering beside the bed that the Headmaster was sitting on. Harry took a few steps into the room, still looking for Severus as he did so.
"Professor Dumbledore, where is…" Harry began, but stopped as the elderly wizard got up and started walking towards him.
Harry paid no attention to what Albus was saying the moment he caught sight of what the older man was hiding behind him. Lying on the bed was Severus. Actually he looked like an animal waiting for Death. He was curled into a ball with his forehead resting on the mattress. Harry ignored the questions from everyone fired at him as he dropped Godric's sword and quickly made his way to Severus' side. When he touched the older man he got no reaction and he curled around the sobbing form and began to whisper.
"Severus? Severus!" Harry whispered into the man's ear. "Severus, it's all right. I'm home. Please listen."
Harry ignored the scream of terror from Hermione when Nagini made her presence known during her own bid to attract Severus' attention. Slowly the two penetrated the wall Severus built around himself. The man slowly uncurled and looked up as Harry and Nagini continued coaxing him. Harry watched as realization crept into Severus' eyes. Severus slowly raised his hand and touched Harry's face and Harry was completely unprepared for the man's next action. He wasn't even aware of what was going on until a sharp stinging pain blossomed on his cheek in the same place Severus touched gently moments before. Harry drew back in statement and watched the angry, tearstained face before him.
"If you ever do something that stupid again, I'll kill you myself." Severus snapped as he glared at Harry.
"I won't have to." Harry said quietly and rolled up the sleeve of his robe. He heard Nagini hiss in agreement from her new perch beside Harry. "Look."
"It's gone. It's really gone." Severus said with wonder as he touched the unmarked flesh. "He's gone."
"For the most part his is. There's just a loose end concerning Voldemort that has to be taken care of and it'll be over for good." Harry stepped away to the middle of the Hospital Wing. "Fawkes!"
Fawkes arrived in a burst of fire and flew to Harry's outstretched arm. Harry asked the scarlet bird if it would burn and cry over the gem to prevent Voldemort or his minions from resurrecting the bastard's soul. Fawkes trilled a positive response and took to the air. Harry set the diamond that the phoenix returned to him in the center of the room and took several steps back to make sure Fawkes had enough room to work. He didn't know how large a fire the bird would need to make, the book never said. Fawkes landed next to the diamond and quickly burst into flame. A wave of heat swept over the occupants of the wing as Fawkes worked his magic. It took the phoenix twenty minutes to render the stone into ash and Harry was surprised as the flames died to see a still fully grown Fawkes tilting his head to allow his tears to drip onto the ashes. Despite the heat of the flames the stone floor wasn't cracked or damaged in any way. Harry fully was expecting that there would be cracks in the flagstones. When Fawkes was done, the Headmaster walked to the pile of damp ashes and scooped them into a glass vial he extracted from his robes.
"Ah, Harry, you must tell me what that was all about." Albus asked, ignoring Tonks' shocked gasp.
"Voldemort's soul. I found a spell that bound Voldemort's soul into a gem in Severus' library and Fawkes consented to destroy the gem and the soul bound into it."
"Excellent work, my boy." Albus' eyes were twinkling madly and Harry grinned back at him.
"Of course Severus will be hexing the hoards of people who think he's the Heir of Gryffindor as a result of this whole mess."
"I think we'll deal with that mess when it happens."
"I do want to know one thing, Headmaster."
"Albus, my dear boy. You've more than earned that right." Albus said with a smile. "What is it you need to know?"
"You told Severus and me that we'd be each other for a week. It's been two. Why haven't we reverted to our proper bodies?"
"Did you read the note you received that first morning?"
"No, it was addressed to Severus."
"Ah, when you return to Severus' quarters read it. The same goes for you, Severus."
"I've got a question." Tonks yelled from the other side of the room as Harry returned to Severus' side. "How did you survive the killing curse and why is Albus calling you Harry?"
"That's two questions, Tonks." Harry replied with a laugh and began to answer after the witch glared daggers at him. "Albus thought it would be a good idea to switch Severus and me into the other's body. He expected us to work together better afterwards."
"It worked." Albus said smugly.
"He knows, Harry. Actually everyone in this room other than the two walking targets knows." Severus said quietly.
"Figures. The only explanation for surviving a direct hit with a Killing Curse is a wild guess on my part."
"Which is?" Minerva asked and was seconded by the rest of the room.
"Sirius." Harry responded quietly and Severus spluttered in surprise.
"You mean Black had enough brains to pull off Lily's protection?"
"I guess so. My Patronus looked a little smug before it left."
"Isn't your Patronus a stag?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"It seems that I have two now, my stag and a grim. Prongs and Padfoot."
"I've never heard or read about someone having a second Patronus." Hermione said in a distracted tone.
"It's possible." Severus replied with a knowing look on his face, which caused Harry to give the older man a questioning look. Severus answered that wordless question by mouthing 'later' to him.
"I have a question of my own, Harry. How did you make it home? I know you don't know how to apparate and I doubt that Severus found the time or patience to teach you."
"Dobby and Winky showed up to take me home. They arrived shortly after I sent Severus back to the school. They managed to cover me while I was dealing with Voldemort until the Aurors and Order members arrived. I sent Fawkes back with the diamond containing Voldemort's soul and finished helping with the mopping up. After dealing with the Dementors I found Nagini and had Dobby and Winky bring me back."
"Two house-elves left the school without permission?" Minerva asked in startled at the information.
"Winky and Dobby are free elves. They can come and go as they please." Albus answered with a smile. "I'm pleased that they took the initiative to find you themselves."
"So am I. They managed to deflect several nasty spells while I was wrestling Voldemort for his soul. If there isn't anything else I'd like to retire for the time being. I'm exhausted." Harry said quietly and turned to leave, but was accosted by Poppy before he could make his escape.
"Oh no you don't! You're not leaving this Hospital Wing without me making sure you're okay." Poppy stormed up to Harry brandishing her wand in a threatening manner. "In the bed. Now!"
Harry silently suffered the witch's attentions and by the time she was done the room became very crowded. Sometime during Pomfrey's examination, Severus had managed to sneak over to his bed. The crowd was making so much noise that Harry could barely hear Severus yelling in his ear. One voice rose above the crowd's muttering and it was one that Harry didn't want to hear. Fudge.
"Severus, let's get out of here. I have no desire to see Fudge." Harry yelled into Severus' ear, earning a glare from the man's now emerald eyes.
"Let's. There's no reason to stay and risk either one of us getting thrown into Azkaban for hexing the idiot.
Slowly they crept towards the door, doing their best to avoid the room's other occupants. Just when they thought they were going to get caught the Hospital Wing door's slammed open, revealing the greying hair of Remus storming into the room. Remus scanned the crowd until he caught sight of Albus and went right through the mob in the old wizard's direction. Harry and Severus ran for the doors in order to slip through before they closed.
As the doors closed behind them they heard Remus roar at Dumbledore.
"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, what did you do to Harry?" Both men heard Remus shout. Harry was torn between making his get-a-way and listening to Remus yell at the Headmaster.
"As much as I'd like to listen to your pet werewolf verbally flay the Headmaster, I don't wish to be with in Poppy's reach when she discovers that we're gone." Severus stated blandly and Harry gave the man a small smile.
"Yes, let's go… quickly." Harry replied and forced his tired frame to move as fast as he could get it to.
Both Severus and Harry made their way to the dungeons in record time, despite the handicap of exhaustion they were both suffering from. By unspoken agreement they searched for the letters they received the first day of Albus' little plot. Severus dug through Harry's trunk and found the letter he received right next to the letter from his abominable relations. When he returned to the sitting room, Harry was already sitting on the sofa waiting for him. In his hand Harry held a scroll, which he was giving a nasty look to.
"Ready to read what ever nonsense the Headmaster dreamed up?" Severus asked the man that had lived his life for the past two weeks.
"Yeah." Harry replied softly with no little amount of dread colouring his voice.
Severus unrolled his scroll and slowly read through the message with in.
Dear Severus and Harry,
By now you both should be learning to survive as the other and understanding the difficulties the other faces everyday. I know when I gave you the potion to swap your souls I told you you'd remain that way for a week. In actuality you'll be forced to stay in the other's body until certain conditions are met.
The potion is a true love potion, which allows the couple to obtain a deeper understanding of each other. It was commonly used to reconcile couples on the verge of divorce and I felt that the negative feelings between the two of you was hiding something deeper than the hate you professed for each other. I always wondered why the two of you feared to love each other. I'm determined to make you two see the error of your ways.
The requirements for the switch back to your proper bodies are simple, but difficult. You each must perform a selfless act of love for the other. A difficult task, but one I have much faith in your abilities to accomplish. In order to catalyze the return to your proper forms once the conditions are met is a simple as a kiss.
Good luck, my boys,
Albus Dumbledore
Severus was flabbergasted and from the distressed sounds Harry was making, the other man wasn't faring much better. The nerve of the old man! How dare he take such a risk with their lives? Severus dreaded the thought of what would have happened had they not found those feelings the Headmaster thought they had for each other. Severus couldn't suppress the shiver that followed hard on the heels of that fear. Next to him, Harry was obviously entertaining similar thoughts. As he mulled over the details of the potions conditions his mind sent him an image of Albus' twinkling eyes during his conversation with Weasley in the hospital wing. A smirk formed on his face when all the pieces fell together and he turned to Harry.
"Get over here, brat." Severus ordered and Harry turned towards him.
He didn't give Harry a chance to question him once the younger man was facing him. He captured Harry's mouth in a searing kiss. He didn't get to prolong it as long as he'd like. He found himself on the receiving end of the same delirium the initial transfer sent him in and he could only guess that Harry was undergoing the same. He resisted the urge to vomit before he passed out. When he regained consciousness he found himself half lying on the sofa with Harry sprawled across him. Severus sighed in relief as he registered the fact that he was once again in his familiar body. As he waited for Harry to wake up he mentally reviewed the week. A lot happened and the one thing he wanted to know the most was how Harry survived the Killing Curse in his body. Normally spells that sacrificed one life to protect a loved one, according to his research, anchored itself in the flesh, blood and bone of the recipient. There shouldn't have been a way for it to protect Harry in a body that wasn't his.
Harry stirred and slowly blinked his eyes open. He looked down at his hands and smiled brightly. He looked up at Severus and repeated the smile and Severus lost himself in the light that shown from those grass green eyes.
"It was great being tall and all, but I'm rather glad to be back in my own familiar body." Harry said with a grin.
"The same here, Harry. I know you thought the reason you survived the Killing Curse was a sacrifice made by Black, but from what I was able to find in the books I know your mother read, there shouldn't have been a way for you to utilize the protection running around in my body. I want to hear your educated guess as to why you survived."
"I think we each still had a significant link back to our own bodies. You felt your mark when I was summoned and I felt my scar when you were witnessing another Voldemort vision. The spell couldn't tell which was me and which was you. It's the only thing I can think of at this moment."
"In other words the spell considers us one person."
"Yes. I'd say that's a good explanation. Why were you so upset it the Hospital Wing?" Harry asked in a hesitant voice.
"I was told you were dead." Severus closed his eyes against the memory.
"But you'd have the chance to fulfill your dreams. You know that was what I wanted for you." Harry protested.
"Yes, I know, but I wouldn't have lived long enough to follow your request. Nagini informed me the night I went to get a sample of her venom for Ron's potion that I had found my soul-mate and was more powerful that the Dark Lord. Nagini…. That's why the protect spell work! We're soul-mates and as far as magic is concerned we are one entity. I don't believe I overlooked that fact."
"We are?" Harry asked in shock and understanding dawned on his face. "You were the additional source of energy I tapped while wrestling with Voldemort for his soul. Thanks." Harry gave him another dazzling smile and stretched up to give him a light kiss.
"We're soul-mates, but there is still one thing we must do to solidify the bond." Severus told Harry, but he hesitated before asking the question on his mind. "Are you a virgin, Harry?" Harry blushed a bright red at the question, but answered anyway.
"Yeah, I am. I either never had the time to consider it or I was afraid of my first time being plastered across the first page of the Daily Prophet." Harry said quietly and Severus didn't blame him for his fears. It was something he wouldn't put past anyone who wanted to be involved with the famous Boy-Who-Lived-Twice. "Do we have to do… you know to cement the soul-bond?"
"Yes. Do you trust me? Do you want to complete the process?" Severus asked softly, making sure he kept eye contact with Harry as he did so.
"Yes." Harry answered without hesitation. "I love you."
"I love you." Severus rested his forehead against Harry's for a brief moment before pushing the younger man to his feet. "Get up and follow me." Severus said as he locked and warded every possible entrance to his quarters as well as casting silencing and privacy wards.
Severus led the younger man to the bed room and settled him onto the bed. He headed to the cabinet he kept his supply of personal potions and pulled to energizing potions from its recesses. He handed one to Harry and watched as the younger man quickly downed the potion. He smirked at the grimace Harry gave at the potions taste and followed suit. Severus heard to thuds and looked down to see the second of Harry's shoes settling onto the floor. Severus sat on the bed to remove his stolen shoes and quickly made short work of removing their clothes.
His nerves were hyper aware of every touch he made and every one he received. Time began to move in slow motion as he worshiped at a new alter and was touched with an equal reverence from the green-eyed man sharing his bed. The mapped every inch of the others body and after that prolonged time Severus' need overwhelmed him. Slowly and thoroughly he prepared the young man and when they slowly joined he was lost in a bliss he'd never felt before. From the moans the younger man was making, the pleasure was reciprocated. The euphoria was eclipsed as their magic began to flow between them. The power began to radiate outwards as they raced towards their climaxes and when their pleasure swamped them in its wave their magic erupted outwards. By this time tomorrow the entire school will know a binding occurred and Severus really didn't want to face the Headmaster in morning.
Sleep ambushed the both of them, but Severus couldn't remember which of them cast the cleansing charm, nor did he care who did. Sleep was too important to bother with such trivial thoughts. Just before he surrendered to sleep's lure he gathered the younger man to him.
Morning arrived without Severus' awareness. He was perfectly content to remain curled around the ball of warmth next to him, but the insistent tapping of an owl's beak against his skull forced him to open his eyes. The barn owl was standing on his pillow with a huge roll of parchment attached to its leg. The bird gave him an annoyed hoot and stuck out its leg. Forcing himself to uncurl he took the papers off the owl's leg and unrolled them. They were the official paper work from the Ministry formalizing their bond. Thankfully it was an automatic system and that magic took care of registering the soul bond as well as filing the paperwork. Harry stirred beside him and slowly opened his eyes. Harry greeted him with a smile and gave the irritable owl next to him a puzzled frown.
"We've just received the official paperwork from the Ministry Archives." Severus told the younger man.
"Does that mean the Minister's going to show up and lob accusations of corruption against you?" Harry asked, slightly alarmed.
"No living human sees these forms. There's an enchanted book at the Ministry Archives that logs all soul bonds when they're completed. The paperwork is for the inheritance laws and other nonsense. When we sign these and give them back to the owl we'll be legally wed in a manner of speaking."
"So no one sees who has been bound then?"
"Yes, the Ministry will of course learn that a soul-bond been completed and where it was formalized, but not the names of the bonded." Severus summoned a quill and ink bottle and signed the appropriate place and handed everything to Harry.
He watched as Harry read over the papers and as the younger man began to fill in the appropriate places on the papers, Severus leaned over to read what he was writing, mostly to make sure he was doing correctly. When Harry came to the part where he had to sign, Severus was shocked into speechlessness as he signed 'Harry Snape' instead of Potter.
"Are you sure about that?" Severus asked quietly, suppressing every emotion. "They'll not be happy with your name change."
"I'm very sure. I've had enough of being Harry Potter and would much rather be Harry Snape. Maybe the fawning idiots will leave me alone finally." Harry said firmly, looking directly into Severus' eyes as he did so. "If my friends don't understand and accept it, then they weren't the friends I thought they were."
"We'll see. I can't wait to see Fudge's face. He'll be livid." Severus said with smirk as he rolled up the parchments and reattached them to the owl's leg. The bird leapt to the air and flew directly to the owl flue in the sitting room.
"You do know that we'll have to deal with a twinkling Headmaster soon."
"I think we can get away with avoiding him until dinner."
"You mean he could restrain himself from meddling that long?" Harry asked with a laugh.
"Go back to sleep, brat. It's going to be a long evening."
Severus nestled back in the blankets and dozed off with the sound of Harry's laughter ringing in his ears.
They cheerfully slept through breakfast and lunch while the rest of the castle was gossiping about the sudden surge of magic that occurred the other night. Severus would have spent that time cursing the knowing twinkle in Albus' eyes, Nagini's smug one and Dobby's joyful antics. Thankfully he was asleep and completely ignorant of the three's behaviour. The two men remained oblivious to the Minister of Magic's movements and his plans to ingratiate himself to the newly bonded couple. Severus woke and began his usual routine despite it being almost twelve hours later then he normally got up.
Unfortunately the outside world intruded on their little island of isolation in the form of Albus and his infernal twinkling eyes. Severus snarled and the cheerful man who's head was bobbing merrily in the fire.
"Severus, you and Harry must make an appearance at dinner tonight. We've prepared a celebratory feast for Voldemort's defeat and the principles must attend." Albus said with a bright smile.
"If we must, but I will not be hounded by anyone for details." Severus stated baldly.
"You won't be bothered by the students though the Minister will be there tonight. He's gotten wind of a bonding that occurred last night and he's anxious to meet the new couple if he could find them." Albus gave Severus a knowing look.
"Figured it out did you, Albus?" Severus sneered at his mentor. "If he says one thing out of line I will hex him, Minster or not."
"The castle's wards were able to pin point the origin of the magical swell last night. Congratulations, my boy, though I wish you had told me earlier. I would have done things a slight bit differently if I had known. Before you and Harry go to dinner would you collect Nagini and return her to your quarters? She's been frightening the students and terrorizing Sybill."
"Ah, she may very well be reacting to my dislike of Trelawny. I've mentioned it enough while talking to her as I brewed the Dark Lord's potions."
"Ah, that's why she was willing to help you too. Even in Voldemort's camp your dislike of Harry was well known."
"I know, but Nagini enjoyed having the remaining test rats when I was done experimenting and she didn't give a damn about rank when it came to my 'colleagues'."
"Well just contain her and make sure you show up for dinner. I can't wait to see the Minister's face when he discovers who our bonded couple is. He'll be so disappointed when he finds he can't curry favour with them." Albus said with a wink and with a pop his head disappeared from the flames that immediately returned to its normal red and yellow color.
"Was that the Headmaster?" Harry asked sleepily from the door way to the bedroom.
"Yes. We've been ordered to make an appearance at dinner tonight. Albus has planned a celebration for the end of the Dark Lord and warned me that Fudge is going to spoil the evening."
"I don't want to see that twit." Harry muttered.
"Neither do I, but we can't avoid him and he's going to be seeking us out."
"Because of the bond?"
"Yes. Albus thinks he's going to attempt to gain our favour."
"He's bound to be disappointed then. Neither one of us likes him. Do you think we can run him out of office?" Harry asked with a speculative look in his eyes.
"What are you plotting, brat?" Severus asked with interest.
"Obviously there's more to the soul-bonding than you've told me. How about we use what you haven't told me to get someone competent into office?"
"How Slytherin of you, Mr. Snape." Severus replied with a smirk.
"Do you have a preference, Professor Snape?" Harry said in the same tone.
"I would suggest Amelia Bones. She's fair and she looks into everything before making her decisions."
"I'd think she'd make a brilliant Minster of Magic. Is she going to be there tonight?"
"She may be, though Albus didn't say anything about other guests. I would suppose all the Ministry Department Heads will be here tonight."
"Then we'd best get ready. I wonder if my dress robes fit me still."
"We have one task to do before we get ready. We'll have to bring Nagini down here. She's enjoying tormenting the students and Trelawny too much for Albus' comfort."
"Can't we just tell her to stick with Trelawny?"
"I would agree with that, but Albus won't be happy with that arrangement."
"Damn. Oh well, let's go get her before someone hexes her."
The two made there way to the North Tower in hopes of finding the large black snake and as they walked the halls they made their plans for this evening. As they neared the tower Trelawny chose as her domain they could her shrieks of fear and as they made their way up the silvery ladder. Nagini had not only the Divination teacher, but Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil cornered and cowering in fear. The three women found Nagini's hissing to be frightening, but Severus was having a hard time stifling the laughter that wanted to burst through. Nagini's hisses were the equivalent of laughter and thanks to the bond he shared with Harry he was still able to understand her. Nagini found their cowering funny and Harry giggled as he walked up to the snake. After admonishing her and reminding her that she couldn't entertain herself by tormenting those he and Severus didn’t like. They retreated down the stairs with a depressed Nagini looped around both their shoulders and returned to their dungeon quarters. Once Nagini was settled in a comfortable spot they proceeded to get ready for the feast the Headmaster insisted they attend.
While they showered, trying very hard not to distract themselves with things they'd rather be doing, they discussed how to deal with Fudge and make their preferences for the next Minster of Magic known to the rest of the wizarding world. Their last few moments of privacy consisted of Severus telling Harry about the traditions surrounding soul-mated couples. Since they were so rare many people, especially pure-blooded families, sought the couples favour. That gave them a lot of influence, which they intended to use. After all Fudge gave the Dark Lord a lot of time to regain his footing before acknowledging his return and the wizarding world couldn't survive if it happened when the next Dark Lord rose. Better to prevent it before it could occur.
They planned their arrival to happen after everyone was seated. Severus expected his normal seat to be empty as well as a pair of seats on the Headmaster's right hand side. He guessed that Fudge would be seated at his right and said as much to Harry during the prolonged walk to the Great Hall. Harry voiced his own thought and mentioned that Hermione and Ron would be saving him a seat at the Gryffindor table. As the doors swung open Severus noticed that the set up was exactly as he predicted it would be. Reporters filled in the last few seats of each student table along with various dignitaries from the Ministry. He spotted Amelia Bones sitting next to her niece at the Hufflepuff table.
"I see our heroes have arrived." Albus' voice rang out in the silence their arrival created. There was a rumble of dissatisfaction through the adult portion of the audience. Severus hid his smirk at their reaction. He knew what they were waiting for and they didn't know that it was standing there in front of them.
Severus and Harry made the way down the space between the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables. They paused at space Hermione and Ron predictably left for the third member of the trio, so Harry could say hello to his friends. When they mentioned the burst of magical power that occurred the night before Severus smirked slightly, but enough for Hermione to notice and she stopped talking in midstream as she processed the meaning of the Severus' expression. Harry gave them a smile and a small wave goodbye before continuing on.
They made their way to the Head Table and managed to hide their amusement at Fudge's confused look as they closed the distance. Severus savoured the shocked silence when they sat on the two golden chairs next to Albus. They didn't bother hiding their smirks from Fudge as they man spluttered and turned white when he realized who the bonded couple was. The Minister didn't dare protest their bond in front of the press. Albus proposed a toast to them and after they drank to it Harry allowed his eyes to roam over the crowd sitting with the students as they planned. Severus watched as Harry settled his gaze on the Hufflepuff table and as if she in on their plans, Amelia Bones looked up and made eye contact with Harry. Harry gave her a brilliant smile and raised his glass slightly as if toasting her. Severus was amused as her eyes went wide before sliding over to look at him. He gave her a slight nod and watched as her eyes became predatory. The whole exchange went unnoticed by everyone, but Albus and Minerva, though Severus wouldn't be surprised if a few of his Slytherins saw they exchange.
Content that their plans for a better future for their world where in motion Severus decided to do something completely out of character. He captured Harry's attention with a touch and when they younger man turned towards him, graced him with another intoxicating kiss. He barely heard the gasps of those around the hall, the few wolf whistle and the clicking of dozens of camera. The only sound he heard was Harry's muffled giggle. For the first time in his life Severus had hope and love in his future.
*Fin*