Christmas under Duress

The Golden Trio retired to the Gryffindor common room for the evening. Except there was a new person with them. One by the name of James Tyrone Potter. JT for short.

Harry stared at his son for twenty minutes straight. James was stretched out on the couch with his head resting on his father\'s lap. He had his thumb in his mouth and was gently sucking it while asleep. Harry couldn\'t help giving his son a gentle stroke along his cheek. JT stirred and opened his eyes a slit. He smiled.

\"...love you, daddy,\" turned over and fell back to sleep.

Harry rapidly blinked eyes to distract the liquid trying to fall through. He sniffed.

Hermione was sitting on Ron\'s lap and the fluffy, rocking chair by the fire. They had been watching Harry for some time now and they liked what they saw. They haven\'t seen so much life in Harry since the last battle. Snape was helping and he didn\'t even know it. Having James now have given Harry a new perspective on things and with Snape by his side, they have no doubt that Harry will be ok.

\"Harry...?\" Hermione called out softly to him

He looked up. Tears were streaming down his face. He choked. Wiping a hand across his cheek he stared down at the wetness that was glimmering on his fingers. \"...They just keep coming...and they...won\'t stop! \'Mione, Ron...why won\'t they stop...?\"

His best friends were at his side in an instant. \'Mione brought his head down to her shoulder and Ron rubbed soothing touches on his back.

\"It\'s ok, Harry. Let it out. We\'re here for you, never forget that. Never, ever! Snape is here for you too. He would never let anything hurt you...you found that out during all your battles. I...I can\'t pretend I know what you went through but I know whast it feels like to want someone to understand even if it\'s just a little bit. A little bit can go a long way,\" Hermione said quietly.

\"Mate, I love you like a brother...if anyone was to hurt you, including Snape, I will personally kill them. You\'re a honorary Weasely, and we Weasely\'s have to stay together, you know? Don\'t hide under the shell you\'ve been under.\"

\"I\'m sorry! I\'m so sorry...!\" Harry burst out. He buried his head in \'Mione\'s chest. His sobs were racking his thin frame.

\"For what, Harry...living?\" Hermione asked.

\"All those people died because of me! Colin, Draco, Pansy, Charlie, my mom and dad, the Dursley\'s, Lupin, Sirius, Moody! They all died because of me!! If only...!\"

\"Oh, but we can\'t live in \'if only\'s\', Mr. Potter,\" Professor Snape cut in. \"It does them no good if they found out that their sacrifices were in vain. Bo you think that they gave a hoot whether they or not they died? They gave up their lives for a cause, Mr. Potter! Do not undermine their deaths!\"

If anything Harry\'s cries got harder. \"I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, but...\"

\"No buts...\" Snaped snapped out.

\"Daddy? Daddy? What\'s wrong with Daddy?\" JT asked rubbing his eyes with a fist.

\"Mr. Weasely, Miss Granger, show James the kitchens. I\'m sure Harry\'s elf, Dobby, would love to meet him,\" Snape told them, never taking his eyes from Harry\'s folded figure on the couch.

\"Yes sir,\" they whispered.

\"James go with Aunt \'Mione and Uncle Ron, they\'re going to take you to get some snacks. Probably something sweet,\" Snape told him.

\"Pumpkin pie with lots of whipped cream?\" he asked.

\"If you wish.\"

\"Then what are we waiting for?\" Ron asked. He took one of James\'s hands and Hermione took the other. Together the three of them left.

Snape knelt down on the floor by the couch. \"Hey?\" he said gently. \"You\'re scaring me Potter.\"

Harry looked up at him, tears glistening in his eyes, and at that moment Severus was sure Harry was the most beautiful person in the world.

Severus held out his arms. \"Come,\" he gently beckoned.

Harry stared up at him for what seemed like hours before he wrapped arms around him.

In one smooth move, Snape had him in his arms and stood up. \"Harry, you have got to eat more. An old man such as me shouldn\'t be able to carry you.\"

Harry hid his face in Snape\'s neck and giggled. \"Old man?\"

They sound sent shivers up Snape\'s spine.

\"Hush, you insolent brat, before I drop you!\" and then they were out the door.



Sorry about the angst. But honestly, what\'s a Snape saves Harry from himself without a bit of angst?

So what do you think...you like? Please review.