When Death Comes Knocking

See the first chapter for any warnings and the disclaimer.

A/N’s: I’m sorry this was late I was trying to get it up by 12-17 but that’s my birthday and I got very distracted. *cowers* please don’t hurt me… I don’t have a beta so any mistakes are mine and mine alone. Some people in their review mentioned wanting to be my beta, I don’t think my grammar and spelling is that atrocious but if you guys think I need one then I’ll get myself one. Enjoy the chapter and see you next Wednesday!

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Harry sat in his bed in the infirmary sobbing until he could cry no more and succumbed to the deep depths of sleep where he dreamed horrible things no child should ever be pray to. He awoke sometime later with a cool cloth pressed to his forehead and unable to move his body.

“Potter, it’s about time you decided to grace us with your presence; the headmaster wishes to speak to you once he has finished speaking with professor McGonagall.” Severus said briskly leaving no room for interruption “Finite Incantatium” he said lazily allowing Harry to move again

“What are you doing here sir?” Harry asked, trying his best not submit to the blinding headache he had

“I was asked to ‘watch over you’ by the headmaster if you simply must know Potter” Severus spat, his words laced with thinly veiled contempt

“I’m sorry Professor I was merely curious since you had left so huffily earlier” Harry retorted with equal venom

“I was not ‘Huffy’ merely annoyed by your inability to keep your hands to yourself” Severus said acidly

“Whatever” Harry said closing his eyes

“Once again Potter you openly flaunt the fact that you are as articulate as you are competent” Severus sneered

“Well excuse me sir but I’ve just gotten out of traumatic situation I’ve had to deal with my whole bloody life!” Harry shouted, his voice wavering as he fought not to cry.

“How long have they treated you like that?” the tenderness and emotion in Severus’ voice startled both of them into a state of momentary shock which Harry recovered from to answer the question.

“As long as I can remember, I think the first time they hit me was when I was three; my aunt sheered my head leaving only the fringe to cover my ‘hideous abnormality’ but when I woke up the next day my hair was back and just as messy. For that on I was locked in my cupboard for two weeks without meals and my uncle broke my leg while my cousin broke three ribs.” He said quietly

“How long have they kept you in that cupboard?” Severus found himself genuinely curious now

“I was always there, they would puttherthere when they didn’t want me around, which was always; except to cook and do chores” Harry said while gazing at his most hated professor with intuitive eyes

“You cook?” Severus said disbelievingly

“Since I was tall enough to reach the stove and strong enough to serve without spilling” Harry replied without pause as he looked into his professors eyes which, he was shocked to find; were glistening with unshed tears “Are you alright professor?” he asked tentatively

“When s a s a child it was a broom closet and I only slept there when none of fathers’ friends were around.” Harry made a motion as thought to speak but Severus cut him off “He was a good man but he already had four children, all carbon copies of himself but then I came and I looked nothing like him or my mother. I was the child he was ashamed to say was his, he told me once that my mother was a whore and that he should have drowned me the moment he saw my hideous face.” By the end of the speech Harry had tears streaming down his face and he reached blindly to grasp Severus’ hand but when he did a white light burst from his body and he arched his back off the bed as the light encompassed both of them.
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The headmaster and Madam Pomfrey had been enjoying tea in her office discussing Harry’s future living arrangements when a blinding flash of light came from the direction Harry’s bed was in. both leaped up at the same time and dashed to the area in question only to find both Harry and Severus surrounded in the light and seemingly passed out.

Once the light had subsided and Albus had nodded for Poppy to examine them she tread towards them unable to ignore the crackling of magic in the air. She began examining Severus casting a spell to insure he was not injured on the inside but during her exam she noticed his magical signature had changed from the last time she had examined him. Satisfied with the results she then moved on to Harry only to discover he had the exact same signature as Severus had; calling Albus over to her she explained and judging by the look on the headmasters face and his hurried command to wake them she thought he knew what was happening.

“Ennervate” Poppy uttered

Both of the men stirred, identical groans gracing their lips as the light broke into their eyes and grabbing their heads in unison; it was as though they were performing some sort of strange dance.

“Harry, Severus what happened?” Albus asked, concern lacing his words

“I don’t know sir, professor Snape and I were arguing about trivial matters when I began telling him of my early life. He told me of his and that’s all we remember” Harry said confusion evident on his face

“I have heard of this happening but never before have I seen it…” the headmaster trailed off and began again with vigor “do either of you know anything of bonds?” he asked

“Some” both replied in unison

“Well if I am correct you are now bonded to one another” he stated calmly “in particular a bond called ‘Protero Condolui’”

“What does it mean?” the two said looking at one another confusion drawn on their faces

“It means simply this gentlemen; ‘Defeat Much Pain’, you both must have felt deeply about the pain of the others past and your souls have joined as one in order to overcome and defeat any pain you may face” Albus said while thoughtfully stroking his beard; both the men could see the visible absence of the normal amused twinkle in his eyes “side effects of this bond include not being able to tell the difference between either of your thoughts being as soon you will be able to communicate through a mind link and speaking for one another as you did a few moments ago Harry, you said ‘that’s all we remember’ also, I’m afraid you won’t be able to be apart more than two hours without some sort of physical contact until you have adjusted to the bond and it has been completed.” At this a small smile graced the headmasters’ lips and they could see a bit of his twinkle return
“The adjustment period will end with a bonding ceremony binding your bodies, minds and magic together. You will find that your magic has increased, you will be to to draw on one another’s magic and you will also discover that your powers multiply a great deal when you are touching.” The headmaster looked towards Harry and said “the increase in your powers will give you all the strength you will need to vanquish our foe” he stated in a solemn tone surveying the young man whom had been denied a childhood sitting before him with a expression of sorrow etched on his face

The two men sat in shock, completely dumbfounded and unable to process the fact that they would be stuck together for the rest of their lives. As realization dawned Harry passed out and Severus shouted in indignation.
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Hugs, kisses and BIG chocolate covered Sevvies’ and Harrys’ to all my reviewers

-Kitten