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Chapter Never Leave Me


For those of you who read a chapter title “on the mend” as chap 25 I forgot to post this so, here is the real chap 25





“This is it.” Hermione looked at the manner in disgust. She and Snape had met up with Sirius’s group when they had managed to get an exact location out of Draco.

“I can’t believe how quickly that little weasel squealed.” Fred joked at the reaction their visit has elicited from the younger Malfoy. At the sight of his father he put up no resistance to the question at hand. Draco had sneered his response and apperated away with Malfoy Senior.

From their the group had traveled back to Hogwarts, meeting Atheena and Gathering Dumbledore, Ron, and Tonks. Severus and Granger were already in the vicinity of the unplotted house when they arrived.

“Who’s going in?” Ron questioned, eager to the get his hands on the man who had abducted his best friend.

“We’ll all venture into this man’s home together. I do not know what awaits us, if anything. If I know Marius he’s accepted the fact that we’re here. Don’t voyage into the train of thought that he fears us, he’ll simply have plans of his own. He’ll know we’re immortal and he is not akin to wasting his time. As for Harry, Sirius and Severus will go into the bedroom. We’ll all wait for there to be a sign of trouble, but Marius is long gone.” Dumbledore spoke and everyone followed his orders. Walking the long path up to the front entrance of the house in silence. After entering everyone took a few steps in opposite directions, ready for a confrontation.

Snape and Black did not wait for a go-ahead. Together they rushed up one side of a double spiral staircase, taking the steps two at a time. They couldn’t wait to the get the young man back. Severus took notice of his brother’s still lavish tastes. The house was decorated in rich bright colors; everything coddled his want for absolute comfort and luxury. He knew there wouldn’t be a speck of dust to be found, certainly the work of ill-treated house elves.

“What will we find on the other side of this door?” Sirius stopped when they reached the top of the stairs and faced Marius’s bedroom door. The fear of what Harry may have actually suffered suddenly hit the marauder. In that moment he wasn’t certain if he could face it.

Severus drew a deep breath, knowing precisely what his co-worker was alluding to. “May I have a moment? Please Black? I know that you are not accustomed to granting me favors but…”

Sirius fought his first instinct to turn the man down; trying to imagine the pain he’d be in if it were Lupin behind that door. “I’ll wait here. Let me know when you’re ready to move him.” He nodded to his old schoolmate.

Snape entered the room almost hesitantly. There was not light and the smell of blood and sex hit him instantly. The room was in a state of great disaster. Walls were crumbled, blood soaked through the foreign carpets. Blankets and scraps of clothing were strewn about adding to the catastrophe. It was what he heard that threatened to bring a man who had seen everything to his knees.

“Sev?” The voice was tiny. Like that of a child who had been battered and broken. “Please tell me that’s you.”

The potions master was at his mate’s side quicker than he though possible. “I’m here Harry. It’s me.” He ran his hand through plasma-matted hair. “I’m sorry…love I am so sorry…” His eyes wondered painfully over his lover’s body. The hours Harry had been left alone had allowed the majority of his skin to turn to deep blues and purples and his eyes…Sev could not view the green he loved so much through the swollen lids. His mate was in terrible shape; it didn’t seem possible that a body could withstand this much damage. Skin blistered, bones stuck out at odd angles, blood-filled sores oozed abuse.

“I cant…he did a spell…I cant get off of the bed.” The young man muttered ashamed, not bothering an attempt at moving on his own

“Retero.” The darker man whispered. Harry was lifted quickly into his bonded’s arms. The small body shook against Snape’s as torrents of tears assaulted the boy who lived. Harry released the fear that he would never be found, never be saved. Severus had gotten to him, just as he had promised. Harry was safe.

“I was strong…I didn’t back down. He…I was strong.” Harry had buried his head in the crook of Snape’s neck. “Take me out of here. Please. I can’t stay here.”

“Harry I have to check you over before I dare move you.” He said remorsefully.

“My hands are broken. I have…thrashes on my back…and…oh gods…He…Voldemort’s mark…” Potter began to tremble harder. He felt faint. He couldn’t do this. He’d never make it through this

Severus moved so he could look at Harry’s back. It was then he seen the dark mark. He’d kill his brother for this, he’d do much worse than kill him. The sight of that image on his Harry boiled his blood. “Baby I…” At this moment Harry glanced around the room, fully remembering the days and nights he had spent with Marius. Seeing his blood on the bed and walls brought back all of the events of the last few days. Including everything Marius had shown him. Had any of Sev’s victims felt this way? Had anyone saved them? Had anyone searched for Mathias Creevey? His thoughts began to breakup, words coming to him in a sort of Morse code, no sentence complete. Harry tried desperately to not let go, he failed and his frail body fell limp in his lover’s embrace, his green eyes rolling lifelessly into the back of his head.

Severus didn’t make eye contact with Sirius as he carried Harry out of the bedroom, nor did he pay any mind to the other’s as he descended the stairs. “I’ll be in the hospital wing.” He was kind enough to warn Dumbledore before he and his mate popped out of view.

“My god.” Tonks threw her hand to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears. “What kind of monster…”

“The kind that has no soul.” Atheena’s foot flew violently into a nearby table. “We have to get him this time.” She looked towards Sirius and Lupin. “We have to get rid of my brother.” How she hated that man.

“We will.” Sirius vowed. “He’s just signed his death certificate.” Black growled.

Hermione clenched her jaw tightly, not allowing her waiting tears to fall. Ron wrapped her in his arms. He’d stop at nothing to find the man who had harmed his friend in such a malicious manner.

“Let’s all get back. I’m sure that Harry will need our support right now.” Albus tried to rally his troops

“I’d like to take the twins and get a head start looking for Marius.” Tonks urged her boss. “Please Headmaster. He’s partially our responsibility. We need to have a search in progress.”

“If Fred and George are agreeable than you have my best wishes.” He nodded his head, and without a response the twins followed the Auror out of the manor. “As to the rest of us we really must get back.”

*** *** ***

“Poppy!” The deep voice bellowed as Snape entered the infirmary. “Poppy!’

“Severus I’m right…thank heavens!” She hurried to the student in Snape’s arms, helping him lay Harry on a cot. “You found him.” She nodded to her collogue.

“I’ll gather the potions. You’ll need skele-gro, cooling salve for the burns, we’ll need to do a general healing spell…do you think we should…” The man was in a frenzy, his usual well though out words were spilling from his lips in a bumbling heap.

“Slow down son. You’ve done your job now allow me to do mine. Just be with him in case he wakes.” Poppy guided his lightly to a chair.

“No I need to…” He fought.

“You need to do as I say before I boot you from my hospital.” The mediwitch warned.

“Don’t think for a moment you could remove me from his side you old bat.” His words less than harsh.

“Then I’d suggest you take heed of my warning, I’ll not give it again.” The older woman had already began pouring potions from her robes down Harry’s throat. Snape watched helplessly as his mate lay unable to move. “Pardon my saying so but your brother should suffer the cruelest of fates. There is such hatred in these wounds. He operates on pure malice. Thank Merlin you got to him.” She asserted after she had taken in the extent of the damage.

“Not soon enough.” Sev whispered under his breath, his fingers trembling as they rested on Harry’s arm.

“How is he Poppy?” Albus approached them carefully. The rest of their group waited at the door.

“I’ll be able to fix him. It’s a blessing that he’s unconscious. He’ll be more comfortable that way. You’ll all be able to visit him tomorrow. I’m afraid I’ll only be able to allow one of you to stay.” No one questioned who that person would be. Even Sirius nodded his head in agreement. Albus said nothing as he squeezed his friends shoulder and exited the hospital wing, ushering the others out in the process.

*** *** ***

“I’ve done all that I can do for now Severus. We’ll just have wait for him to wake up.” Poppy smiled sadly. She had been working on Harry for hours; all the while cursing the day Marius had entered this world. “You should get some rest. You’re welcome to one of the cots.” Snape hated it when she tried to mother him.

“No thank you.” He answered crossly. “I want to be here if he wakes up.” He settled deeper into his granite-hard arm chair, daring her to further argue.

“Very well. I’ll be in my quarters, wake me if he comes to.” Her robes bustled off leaving Severus alone with his bonded. The Potion’s master hesitantly traced his fingers over Harry’s bruised and swollen features.

“I promise you love, he will pay for this…pay for touching you.” His dark eyes transfixed on Harry’s face. His very soul hurt. “You have to wake up soon Potter. I know longer know how to live this life without you. You have to come back to me.” His voice strained with utter sorrow. Ever so carefully Severus laid his head awkwardly on the bit of cot that was open by his partner’s head. “Everything will be fine when you wake Harry…” They were the last words spoken before the older man was force to succumb to a few hours of sleep.

*** *** ***

Snape jumped to a start when he felt his bedmate move in the early morning hours. “Harry?” His eyes shot open to find a slowly awakening man.

“Am I…” Harry caught his breath. “We’re home?” He struggled to sit up.

“We’re home.” Sev pledged.

“Marius…” Harry shook his head at the memories.

“He got away. I’ll find him. His time has come to an end.” Snape kissed his lover’s forehead softly. Harry shrank back into the mattress, remembering the way Marius’s lips had felt. His thoughts acted on their own accord, bringing back, in vivid color, the events of the past few days. Harry was subjected to waves of everything he had felt, everything that he had been shown, every way that he had suffered.

“Harry are you in pain? I’ll fetch Poppy.” The Professor was quick to his feet.

“Wait.” Harry ordered. His slotted eyes met Snape’s. “I need you to answer me something.”

“Anything Harry.” He was desperate to get the injured man someone who could properly care for him. Severus didn’t think it possible to be feeling so ecstatic to lay his eyes on another human being. His bonded was back.

“Did you know Mathias Creevey?” Harry searched for a lie, yet hoped that all he had seen under Marius’s guide would prove to be a falsehood. He was back at Hogwarts. He wanted desperately for things to return to normal.

Snape blinked once, solely he noticed the hitch in his breath. “Yes.”

Harry nodded, his heart dropping. “Were you and he…did you two…” He could not bring himself to say it.

“Yes.” The man kept eye contact. The pit of his stomach began to knot far more than anything he had experienced at the feet of the dark lord when he had found himself under interrogation and accusation.

Harry felt his swollen eyes fill with fluid, knowing what was coming next. “Did you kill him?”

“Harry that was…” He tried to defend. His partner need not be subjected to his past. He wished for Poppy to make an appearance, in hopes that this conversation would end.

“Answer me.” Potter whispered. His voice bit at Snape with it’s unreserved repugnance.

“Yes.” The professor closed his eyes, cursing his brother. The look on Harry’s butchered face was worse than a thousand deaths. His expression was sickened, revolted, and worst of all disappointed. “Harry it was so long ago. We can talk about it when we get you healthy again, you’re badly hurt…”

“I’m fine.” He moved himself away and wrapped himself in a sheet. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t lay his eyes upon this man right now. Not with all he had seen, all that he was feeling. “Is anyone else with you?”

Severus stepped back, confused at his lover’s sudden inquiry. “They’re all still asleep. Harry will you please let me make sure that you’re alright? Let me take care of you. I…” He took a step towards his mate.

“Like you took care of Frank Longbottom? Are you going to hold me close like you did Regulus?” The boy whimpered, curling into a ball at the top of the bed “Please just get Sirius. I can’t stand to look at you right now…all of this…everything you’ve rescued me from…you’ve done to someone else. Who rescued them Severus?” Harry felt as though all of the images Marius had exposed him too were replaying inside of his head. Gods it was all true. Why did it have to be true?

The darker man’s eyes were wide as he stepped backward. How did his brother do it? How could he know all of those things? What else had he shown Harry? “I’ll get Sirius for you.” His gaze fell downward defeated, ashamed. Snape turned and walked to the fireplace, disappearing in a blast of green smoke.

*** *** ***

“It is customary to knock on one’s door Severus.” Sirius looked surprised when he found Snape standing at the foot of his bed. “Did Harry wake?” Black climbed quickly out of bed.

“He’s requested you.” Sev whispered.

“Alright. We’ll all go to him…”

“Not me. He just asked for you.” Sev shook his head, his fists clenched. “Make sure he’s properly cared for. If madam Pomfry feels the need to send him to St. Mungo’s please put the tab in my name.” Snape’s eyes connected with Sirius’s. “Just take care of him.”

“Severus what’s going on.” Black’s hand grasped the upper arm of his collogue.

“He knows about Mathias Creevey…and Regulus…Merlin knows what else. Go take care of him. I’ll respect his wishes for space.” He spun and walked briskly down the hall, in search of some sort of solace. Sirius did not have time to comfort the man. He needed to tend to his Godson.

*** *** ***

When Sirius entered the infirmary Poppy stopped him. “I don’t know what’s going on but if you upset the boy anymore than he already is I’ll be forced to not allow him any visitors. Understand?” She eyed Dumbledore as he obviously forced a disheartened Snape into a corner out of Harry’s view.

“I wont upset him. You have my oath.” Sirius walked out of Harry’s sight to Dumbledore and Snape.

“How did he stay injured? We’re supposed to heal.” His tone was angry.

“I’m hesitant to even guess…he may have had a slowing spell on the property. Do remember that Marius is a remarkable wizard.” He scratched his beard. His eyes met Snape’s as Madam Pomfry pulled and blanket on top of her charge and administered a vial of dreamless sleep. Harry quickly drifted off. “You’ll let the boy sleep.” She ordered the three men. “I’ve not seen such malicious injuries in all my years. He’ll need time a patience to be back the way he was.” She hurried away to take notes in her office.

“Severus would you mind explaining to me why you left your bonded this morning right after he awoke?” Albus waved his wand and three chairs appeared next to Harry’s bedside.

“He doesn’t want me here.” Snape argued and Albus motioned him to sit down.

“My boy he doesn’t know what he wants now humor me with an answer.” The old mans finger tips tapped together.

“Marius told him…Headmaster I don’t know what he’s told him but…He knows of Mathias Creevey and Regulus and…” He shifted uncomfortable, glancing at Sirius. He was not comfortable discussing his indiscretions.

“Severus we may not be friends but after all of these years we do know all of eachother’s secrets…good and bad.” Sirius reassured his nearly-friend.

“Indeed.” The headmaster encouraged.

“He mentioned Frank Longbottom.” Snape rubbed his eyes, pulling the skin of his face downward. “Headmaster I can’t bear to have him look at me like that again, the disgust in his eyes….”

“He’s young.” Sirius explained. “He’s got very little experience with what it really take to win this war. He hasn’t had the time to make our mistakes. Severus he’s never been given the opportunity to travel the wrong path. It’s no wonder he’s upset.”

“Given time he’ll adjust Severus. You’ll need to talk with him of course, explain your actions.” Albus looked the sleeping man.

“There is no explanation for my actions.” Snape pushed his chair back and quickly left the wing.

*** *** ***

Severus found himself pacing the Slytherin corridors. How could this have happened? You deserve it. Harry’s right you are just like your brother. A sneering voice nagged inside of his head. Now that he knows what a monster you truly are he’ll never be able to love you. Snape’s squeezed his head digging his nails into his scalp. His world was spinning out of control and the one person he needed most had discovered his truth and would have nothing to do with him. Did you really expect your happiness to last? Foolish imbecile. No one could ever love you.

“Sev?” Atheena’s calm voice interrupted his rampage of self-loathing. She had watched him from the stairwell until she felt it pertinent that she interfered. Dumbledore had informed her of the situation between her brother and Harry. “You need to rest. It’s been a long couple of days for all of us. Sirius is sitting with Harry. You need to regain your strength.”

“There are a great many things that I need Atheena, rest is not one of them. I need to find Marius. I need…”

“To be the man Harry thinks you are? That’ll help things. He thinks you’re a murderer so obviously you should go kill someone to regain his trust. I love you but sometimes I swear I may have dropped you on your head as a child. You have made amends for the evils you have committed during your life. This is no different. He knows your wrongs now. Show him your rights. Teach him again that you love him and that you are not that person any longer.” She had in the process of her speech, ushered her brother into his rooms.

“What if I am?” He let himself sit down on his bed.

“We all know that you’re not. If you want him to believe it then you have to. You’ve done right by him. You saved him. Now all you can do it wait for him to come to you. Tonks and the twins have already begun the search for Marius. You cant do anything else right now baby brother. Just get some rest.” Atheena fumbled through the top drawer of the nightstand, pulling out a glass bottle containing Severus’s infamous sleep potion.

“It hurts to much Atheena. I need him next to me. I cant live with him hating me.” Snape had curled into a ball on his side. His sister rubbed his back gently. Sev reluctantly took the potion.

“I promise that he doesn’t.” He brother was asleep before she finished. Atheena stayed positioned in a chair, keeping watch over the woeful man.

*** *** ***

“What time is it?” Harry opened his eyes to face his godfather.

“8:30. You’ve made me miss dinner. You missed your friends visiting. You’ve missed the whole day.” Black tried humor as a defense mechanism. The truth was that he didn’t know where he was finding the strength to see Harry in this state.

“Marius really worked me over.” Potter smiled. “I must look a fright.”

“You have seen better days. While you could never hope to look as good as me…you aren’t turning out so bad…well…until now.” He grinned and ruffled the young man’s hair.

“Where’s Sev?” Harry looked around, almost expectantly.

“He’ll be waiting for you…”

“He’s in for a long one.” Harry snapped, remembering disdain for the man at the moment.

“Harry he loves you. He…” Sirius was abruptly cut off.

“Can we not? Please? I can’t see him. Would I be able to come stay with you and Lupin? Just until I figure out what I’m going to do.”

“Of course Harry. You’re always welcome.” He comforted the man in front of him. He’d go easy on him for a few days but he would have to work through this eventually.

“Did Poppy say when I could leave?” Harry questioned.

“Not until tomorrow. I’m going to stay here tonight. You’re wounds are healing, I’ll help you to our quarters in the morning. Go back to sleep.” Potter didn’t need much coaxing, the truth was he was exhausted. He fell back to slumber knowing that he was under the watchful eye of his caretaker.

*** *** ***

“You smell disgusting.” Hermione stomped through the mess of books and papers on the floor of Snape’s private potion’s lab. The mess had made this room almost uninhabitable. She was down for her daily visit with the professor. She had started then them the day Harry had bee released from the hospital. They had yet to have a conversation concerning her best friend. They mostly enjoyed the unbridled bickering that their friendship allowed for. “Is this your plan? Smell so badly he’s forced to take notice?” Granger cocked her head the side, her hip jutting outward.

“Either help me or remove yourself. My smell is all I have to distract me from that unbelievable grating quality in your voice.” Snape tossed her a vavarian root and pointed to a knife. “That needs to be sliced in exactly one sixteenth of an inch segments. Do you believe you’re capable or should I find myself a troll?” He sneered.

“If you did he could give you some pointers on bathing and perhaps some general housekeeping techniques.” She nodded her head in mock sincerity. “And after that we can wring out your hair and use it to shine all of the floors…or if you’d prefer, grease the wheel axels of the school carriages.” She began to impeccably slice the roots in front of her. Working in perfect harmony with her teacher. “At least the whisky smell hides all of the other foul odors emanating from your direction. That’s considerate.” Hermione smiled.

“It is a pity that you’re immortal. My threats have all become so useless…if I could only find somewhere to trap you until my death…my life would be ever so much more peaceful.” Sev chuckled at the girl. He truly did enjoy her visits.

“Then you could be repulsive and friendless. I always knew you were a man of many goals.” She countered.

“I see that your meager brain has taken over once more, unless I said ½ of an inch you’re doing that incorrectly.” He eyed her flawless slices. “Do you ever wonder what life would have been like if you'd had enough oxygen at birth? Your poor parents…”

“I might be able to be a bit more efficient if I could find some air in here. I’ve come across troll waste that’s less offensive than you. You really must shower if you even hope to get Harry…” Hermione stopped instantly. “Sev I’m…”

“How is he?” Snape questioned without looking up.

“Quiet. Hurting. He’s not the same. I know he must be going off his rocker without…”

“Perhaps we should just work on this potion.” He ended their conversation for the day. He wasn’t ready to discuss Harry. They ventured on in silence.

*** *** ***

Harry had settled into his substitute home well after Poppy had begrudgingly released him into Sirius’s care. It had been five days since his return to Hogwarts. He was beginning to once again feel safe.

“Happy Christmas Eve Harry.” Lupin chimed as he brought in a tray carrying dinner. He had requested that he be allowed to stay with Sirius and Lupin and had not spoken a word to his bonded. They had done well avoiding each other, due in part to Snape not leaving his quarters. Severus ate a forced meal everyday with Dumbledore or Atheena and on several occasions engaged in derogatory banter with Hermione as she helped him with potions. Everyone had agreed it was safer to remain at the school for the Holidays. Harry visited with his friends everyday in Gryffindor tower. No one dared bring up the situation between he and Severus. For his part he hid his longing for his bonded well.

“Happy Christmas Remus.” Harry answered, one of the few times he had spoken to the man since returning. “What do you have planned for tomorrow?”

“We’re having dinner in the great hall later and exchanging gifts after that. You are coming with.” He set the food down and began to much on a sandwich.

“I don’t know…I…” Harry appeared nervous.

“You’ll have to face him eventually Harry. He’s positively miserable without you.” Sirius chimed in, joining them at the table.

“He should be…all of the things…”

“Harry if you think those things are the measure of a man you’ll soon find yourself in short company.” Sirius was irritated. “Would you like a rundown of the lives I’ve taken in this war? The things I’ve done in prison? The ignorant stunts I pulled while I was in school.” Sirius was irritated.

“I was there with him. I can attest to it. Harry I’ve maimed and killed as a wolf and as a man. You live in a world taken over by war. Some chose to fight it using good magic but there isn’t always time. Do you any idea the people he’s saved by staying in Voldemort’s service? It far out numbers the lives he’s taken.” Lupin placed his hand on his student’s shoulder.

“But some of the things…he enjoyed them…he…” Harry’s voice was rising.

“He was raised to believe that was the road he should take. We give him a hard time Harry but Severus has fought for our side. He has proven himself time and again. He has always had your best interests at heart and you need to remember that. Whatever Marius showed you…it’s only a few chapters in a very long book. I’d be terrified for you to read any of mine.” His godfather lectured. “I’ll give you my personal guarantee that he’s not done anything different from me…if he had I’m sure I would make the same choice had I been in his shoes…you’ve no right to judge.”

“He’s miserable you say?” Harry piped up, not wanting to imagine Sirius or Lupin in their youths. He was far more interested in his bonded’s broken state. Deep down he couldn’t stand to be the cause of any more pain in Severus’s life.

“Unreservedly inconsolable. We’ve never seen him like this. He’s not even being mean he’s just…broken. It’s sad really and you are the only one who can fix it…when you’re ready.” Remus patted his knee. The twinkle in his eye alluded Harry. Sirius smiled knowing that their conversation would prove to be just enough of a shove.

Sirius finished his dinner and smiled to Lupin. “Harry if you don’t mind I like to take Remus for a walk…early Christmas gift.”

“I’ll be fine. I have some things I want to do anyway.” Harry grinned and watched the two men leave. He knew where his heart was leading him

*** *** ***

Potter took a deep breath before knocking on the dark wooden door in front of him. He could make out the rustle of papers and the sound of things falling over as someone made their way to answer. His mate’s appearance surprised Harry when the professor opened the door and jumped back out of sheer amazement. He looked tired. All of his features seemed to sag restlessly. His hair was greasy and his clothes soiled. His black facial hair had quickly taken over his face.

“Harry…what are you….” He quickly ran his hands though his hair, trying to make himself more presentable.

“I’m not forgiving you and we are not ok. Understood?” Harry stepped inside and chuckled at how disastrous the room had become. “It’s our first Christmas and we should spend it together.” He whispered a quick scurgify and seated himself on the sofa.

“This is your home Harry. You’re always welcome here.” Severus made sure to sit far away from the man. They sat inside silence, both twisting their fingers together. “Do you feel better?” Snape questioned.

“Tired mostly but yeah.” Harry crossed his legs under himself. “How have you been?”

“Not well.” He nodded to the mess that was their home. “Will you be staying tonight? I can…I can sleep on the sofa.” He anxiously searched for words. He hated this. It wasn’t like him. He prided himself on having strict reign over his emotions.

“I said we’ll spend it together. In our bed.” Harry assured him.

“If it’s of any consequence Harry, I miss you…I…tell me how to fix this.” He stared at his mate.

“I don’t know how to answer that, given time…I’ll be able to deal with it. That’s all I can offer.” Harry found Severus kneeling in front of him.

“I’d do anything to make this right Harry. I could never see the end of us….you’ve kept me alive Harry please…” Snape swallowed his pride and begged. “I love you with all I have.” Harry could smell the slightest trace of fire whiskey.

“I didn’t stop loving you Sev, I could never. I just don’t know how to deal with the things you’ve done.” He took his lover’s hands in his. “Things are not back the way that they were but this is a step. It’s going to take a lot of time and explaining, but not tonight. Will you just take me to bed and hold me? We’ll wake up and have Christmas exchange gifts, have a huge meal. We’ll worry about it after that. Please?” He stood and pulled the man with him.

“I would be honored if you’d share our bed.” Snape led him into the room. “I have to shower before going to bed. I fear it hasn’t been a priority. I’ll be out in a few moments. Will you be alright alone?” He wasn’t sure how to handle the younger man.

“I’ll be fine. I still know how to lie down.” Harry jested. He changed quickly and crawled into his bed waiting for his bonded. Severus couldn’t remember showing as quickly as he did that night. He felt as though his insides would soon force themselves to be outside if he felt any more joy or apprehension. The man carefully laid on the bed after pulling on his night clothes. He was careful to allow Harry his space. It was Potter that closed the distance between them. Snape hesitantly wrapped the boy in his arms when he rested his head on the older mans chest.

“Happy Christmas Eve Sev.” He added.

“You too Harry.” Snape thanked the higher powers for the man in his arms. His heart breathed a sigh of relief that they were headed in the right direction. He wasn’t sure hoe but he would find a way to fix all of this. He had to make it right again.

“Sev?” Harry whispered into the darkness.

“Hmmm?” Snape answered, fearful that if he caused too much motion this would all prove to be a dream.

“I do love you…I detest the things you’ve done but I love you.” It would have to be enough. It was all that he was able to give.

“I couldn’t love you more Harry.” Both men entered a sound sleep. Complacent to leave things not mended for the time being.

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