Bonds of Affection

Harry woke up from a kiss pressed to his forehead. He opened his eyes, to see Severus leaning over him. Harry was stretched out on the couch, with a cushion under his head, his body covered with the long, black robe. Harry smiled and shifted slightly, discovering that his back and bottom were still pleasantly, delightfully sore and warm.



“I guess I should get up,” Harry said reluctantly. “What time is it?”



“It\'s early evening,” Severus told him. “Getting up may be a good idea. We have Minerva and Albus coming over shortly. They firecalled an hour ago. I also took the liberty of firecalling your friends. They will come by as well, and bring your belonging and your owl.”



“Thanks,” Harry said sincerely. He got up, stretching luxuriously, and proceeded to get dressed. Severus stroked his back gently, and helped him gather his scattered clothes off the floor. Harry smiled shyly and got dressed, while Severus watched him with affection.



In preparation for the company\'s coming, they drew a set of armchairs around a long coffee table, and placed trays with sandwiches and drinks on it. Once they were done, Severus lowered himself on the couch. Harry sat on the couch next to him, but then, on an impulse, sprawled out, and placed his head in his lap. Severus stroked his hair gently. When Ron, Hermione, McGonagall and Dumbledore Floo\'d in, Harry did not bother getting up, just smiled and waved at them. This time he was not doing it to annoy anyone – it simply felt blissfully and completely wonderful to stretch out and rest his head against Severus.



“You alright, Harry?” Ron asked with a wry smile, dragging in Harry\'s trunk and travel bag. Hermione followed, and placed the cage with Hedgwig on the window sill.



“Totally,” Harry assured him. “Thanks you guys. For everything.”



The four guests sat in the arm chairs around the coffee table. They all ate together quietly, no-one saying anything. Harry glanced up, and noticed that McGonagall looked slightly distressed, and Dumbledore\'s face held a faint anguished expression, as well.



“You gave us quite a scare, Harry,” Dumbledore said quietly. “Imagine my concern when I received a firecall from my brother this morning, telling me that Harry Potter got blind-drunk in his pub, and had his friends remove him from the premises.”



“Yeah, sorry about that,” Harry smirked. “On the bright side, though, I saw Trelawney, and we got a new prophecy out of it.” He flicked his wand, summoning the trunk with his belongings. He pulled out the parchment and handed it over to Dumbledore, who read the words out loud:



The bonds of affection are patiently wrought,

Through them, he draws the twin he had fought.



Through them, he ensnares the traitor\'s groom;

Immortal hope he seals in a tomb.



Yet, life eternal, for flesh, is a lie.

Seven times born, once he shall die.



Whilst just above the heart of gloom,

Lies trace of fire, in wood entombed.



When Dumbledore finished reading, Harry realized that everyone in the room was staring at him with trepidation, no-one daring to break the silence.



“What do you think it means?” Hermione asked finally.



“Well... Seven Times Born, refers to Voldemort\'s seven Horcruxes, I think,” Harry said. “And Voldemort is planning to use the slave-bond to trap me, somehow... and I guess, I am going to die, given the tomb reference.”



Ron and Hermione paled slightly. Severus was glaring darkly, but not saying anything.



“On the bright side, the prophecy says that Voldemort will die too,” Harry said as light-heartedly as he could.



Dumbledore turned to McGonagall. “We should act now, don\'t you think?”



She pursed her lips into a thin, sad smile. “Yes,” she agreed. “We have to proceed with the plan right away.”



“What plan is that?” Harry asked, feeling instant irrational resentment that something having to do with the plan to defeat Voldemort had been formulated without his awareness.



“The rest of Voldemort\'s Horcruxes must be found and destroyed at once,” McGonagall told him.



Harry nodded. “Hermione, Ron and I have been thinking about it – we have some ideas...”



“I am sure you do, Mr. Potter,” McGonagall cut him off icily. “So do we. In fact, after extensive research and investigation, we have a very good idea of what those items are; where to search, how to destroy them; and several teams of well-trained elite Aurors are ready to act.”



“Oh,” Harry muttered. “I just thought...”



“You thought what, Mr. Potter?” McGonagall asked with obvious ire in her voice. “That you and your friends would be spending your summer holidays, and part of the academic year, hunting for Horcruxes?”



Harry smiled sheepishly, and he saw that Ron and Hermione did, as well. “Well, actually, yes, kind of...”



“Mr. Potter – the destruction of Voldemort\'s Horcruxes will likely attract his attention to the people involved. You will glue your butt to the Professor Snape\'s couch for the rest of the summer, and will not even think of getting involved. Same goes for the two of you,” she added, glaring at Ron and Hermione, “and the rest of your Army.”



Ron looked at McGonagall, with a confused expression. “Why would Voldemort try to stop people from destroying his Horcruxes?” he asked. “Won\'t he just go off and make new ones?”



It was Hermione who answered, with a brief shake of her head. “He can\'t. You see, most DADA researchers are certain that there can be only up to seven Horcruxes at a time. Moreover, once the seven are created, they become an unchangeable unit.... and no new ones can be created, unless all of the original seven are destroyed.”



Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. “Very good, Hermione” he said absently. “And yes, quite right. Fortunately, we already have a head start... two Horcruxes have been destroyed at this point. Harry destroyed Tom Riddle\'s Diary, and I, Marvolo Gaunt\'s Ring.”



“But the ring was poisoned, and now you are dying,” Hermione whispered dejectedly.



Dumbledore nodded serenely. “Yes... in a way. You see, while the effect mimics that of poison, the Ring was actually cursed.”



“Oh,” Hermione said weakly. “That\'s much worse.. without knowing the exact curses used...”



“Quite right,” Dumbledore said gently. “Healing from poison does not require the exact antidote, merely powerful healing spells. With Dark Magic curses, however...an exact counter-curse would be required.”



Ron glared at the Headmaster. “So what – you are just going to die? You are not even going to try some of the more obvious counter-curses?”



“Don\'t be an idiot, Weasley,” Severus snapped at him. “Firing random counter-curses can easily kill Professor Dumbledore before the effect of the Ring would. And yes, when the time comes, of course we will try... however, don\'t hold your breath. There are close to six thousand deadly Dark Magic curses that I am aware of. The odds of guessing the right few that had been used on the Ring are rather astronomical.”



“But not impossible?” Ron insisted stubbornly.



“Not impossible,” Dumbledore agreed with a twinkle in his eyes. “Just.. extremely unlikely.”



Hermione and Ron sat quietly, immersed in their own thoughts.



“We should go,” Hermione said finally. There was a faint tremor in her voice, but she fought it back. “Have a good night, everyone... Harry, I\'ll drop by and see you tomorrow.”



Harry nodded to her; and Hermione and Ron left together, using the Floo to get back to the Burrow.



Upon their departure, a heavy silence ensued once again.



Finally, Dumbledore broke the silence and spoke with unusual gentleness:



“On that note, I feel I should let you two know that, once I am gone, I intend Professor McGonagall to succeed me, as the Headmistress, and as the leader in all matters pertaining to the war. Over the next several months, in preparation for my death, I will be incrementally transferring my authority to her. Although her approach usually differs from mine, I am certain that she will guide you well.”



Severus nodded slightly. “I will be reporting to Minerva then?” he asked impassively.



“Yes,” Dumbledore said softly. “Do you have a better idea?”



“No,” Severus said. “That\'s fine. I accept.”



McGonagall glanced at Severus almost apologetically. “I realize that I can never replace Albus...”



“No,” Severus agreed, but without accusation in his voice. “No-one could. But we will make do.”



She stood up abruptly. “I should get going,” she said softly. “Albus, would you please find me once you come back to Hogwarts?”



“Of course,” Dumbledore assured her, and surprisingly, gathered her up in his embrace. She hugged him back, smiling sadly, and then she departed.



Left alone with Severus and Harry, Dumbledore eyed them both thoughtfully.



“How are you two... coping?” he asked cautiously. “What was Harry\'s sudden departure all about?”



Harry glanced at Severus, who smiled bitterly.



“Lucius had disclosed my involvement in the raid on Godric Hollow to Harry,” he said coolly. “An animated conversation ensued.”



Dumbledore nodded serenely. “I can imagine. And now? Have you worked it out?”



“Yes,” Harry said firmly. “We have.”



Dumbledore eyed Harry with concern. “Severus, would you leave us please?” he asked kindly.



Severus nodded instantly, and left the living room. Harry glanced at Dumbledore questioningly.



“Harry,” Dumbledore spoke quietly, but there was an undercurrent of fury in his voice. “You\'ve broken your promise to me.”



Harry glanced at him cautiously. “What do you mean?”



“You had promised to come to me if something went wrong here. You didn\'t.”



Harry felt an instant surge of irritation. “Whatever,” he said resentfully. “I didn\'t feel like it.”



Dumbledore glared at him. “You could have gotten yourself killed, roaming around Hogsmeade, blind-drunk and homeless. Next time, if something goes wrong, I expect you to report to me, or Minerva, at once. Is that clear?”



Harry snorted disrespectfully. “Or what?”



“Or,” Dumbledore said gravely, “I will get you out of here and keep you in a cage for the duration of the summer, to ensure your safety.”



Harry laughed a little. “Thanks for that, but need I remind you that the slave-bond will eventually kill me if I am removed from my Master\'s care?”



Dumbledore rose an eyebrow. “I will find a cage big enough for both you and Severus,” he said without even a trace of amusement in his voice.



“Fine,” Harry sighed with resignation. “Okay... fine. I promise... really.”



“Very well then,” Dumbledore spoke peacefully. “Good night, Harry.”



He departed shortly, and Harry remained sitting quietly on the couch. Resentment, anger, and frustration coursed through him when he thought of Dumbledore... and then, ache ran through his entire body, and he felt his heart clench in his chest when he thought of the Headmaster\'s imminent death.



Severus returned to the living room and sat on the couch next to Harry, drawing him into a secure embrace. Harry leaned into him, drowning himself in his arms. Severus pressed his lips to his head, and Harry found his grief and anger ebbing away, dissipating, being replaced with complete tranquility.



“Are you alright?” Severus asked softly.



“Yes,” Harry told him with absolute sincerity. He suspected that hard times were ahead, but for the moment, he felt peaceful and safe, held in his Master\'s arms.