Somewhere

yeah it's another short one but the next one is longer and you finally get to find out about harry's new powers.
*jumps up and down in glee*

muse: please stop
isis: i can't
severus: then i shall stop you
isis: ooo does that mean you'll beat me?
severus: no. why ever would i do that?
isis: shame *sigh*
muse: just don't ask sev

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He was worried. This could go wrong in so many ways. He carefully measured out two grams of dried foxglove and added them to the potion. It hissed for a few seconds, smoking ever so slightly, then turned an angry shade of red. That worried him most. Only poisons turned red, but that was what it was really, a mild poison that forced the body to shut down. Merlin he hoped this worked.

Picking up the bottle he headed back to Harry’s room. He was dismayed to find him curled in a tight ball, muscle taught, shaking with pain. Putting the bottle on the table, he ran a soothing hand over Harry’s back, easing him over to face him.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“There are so many things that could go wrong with this Harry. It could be years before you wake up. You might not wake up at all.”

“How long should I be out,” he asked.

“Two days maximum.”

“Then I’ll see you in two days,” he said, forcing a small smile. Taking the bottle from the table he downed the contents and grimaced slightly at the taste. He started to feel it take effect immediately. His whole body seemed to slow down, his heart, his breathing, his thoughts. Vaguely he felt fear in the back of his mind.

“Severus,” he whispered.

“It’s ok, I’m here Harry,” he murmured softly stroking the unruly hair.

“Just in case…” he slurred, “Severus… think I… love…” but he never managed to finish as the dark void that had been closing in finally crashed over him.

“Harry. Harry!” he shouted. What had he been about to say? Something about love. Could it be that…no, surely he just wanted Severus to tell the mystery man something. It was nice to imagine though, for those few seconds, that it was Severus he was confessing his love to. Merlin he hoped this worked.

He kept himself busy for the next two days, trying not to think about the what ifs. It was during that time, when he would sit next to the lifeless form and trickle a nutrient potion between breathless lips, that he realised something. He was falling in love with him. He wasn’t sure when it had happened. When the friendship had changed into something more, a need to protect the young man from the cruelty of the world. Still he wasn’t about to do anything. This friendship was too precious to him, he wasn’t about to ruin it. So instead he sat by him for hours on end praying to any deity listening that Harry would wake up. That was what he was thinking as he sat in front of the fire. Checking the time he realised that Harry should wake up in about an hour, so putting down his tea, he trudged up the stairs to maintain a constant watch over the object of his affections.

An hour came and went and Harry didn’t so much as twitch a muscle. Two hours passed, then three, then six, then ten and sill nothing. He hadn’t moved from the chair in all that time and it wasn’t until he felt the hand on his shoulder that he turned around. There stood Albus in a surprisingly sombre set of charcoal grey robes dotted with tiny, twinkling stars.

“I take it the time has come and gone?” he asked quietly.

“He should have woken up hours ago Albus. What am I supposed to do?”

“There’s nothing you can do my boy. We must just sit and wait.”

“I don’t know how much more waiting I can do.”

“I shall make us some tea,” said Albus as he headed back downstairs.

Soon enough he reappeared with a tea tray floating behind him. Pouring two cups he added a generous helping of Firewhiskey to Severus’ before handing it to him.

“Thank you Albus.”

“You’re welcome my boy.”

Together they sat and watched they boy, no the man, they’d both become so fond of in such different ways.

“I have to go Severus but I shall be back soon. Have faith my boy. It will all turn out alright, you’ll see,” he said before he disappeared with a pop.

“I hope you’re right Albus. I truly hope you’re right.”


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To my Reviewers (sorry about the cliffies!)

Kurai -- don't worry even i'm not that mean... actually...

Werewolf Mistress -- well they both realise that they more than like each other now... problem is harry is in denial that sev would ever like him and sev is to scared and stubborn to do anything in case he ruins their friendship

Amanda Rose -- i hope you got this chapter before you went away... now you just have to worry about whether he's going to wake up or not :D mwahahaha

mis -- but i am crazy! have you not realised that yet... those conversations with my muse really do happen! it ain't summut i write to giggles... i really am like that!! ask vyator!!!!

Vidalark -- i've put you on the mailing list and i'm glad that you're enjoying it... sorry about this cliffie but it's gonna be worth it