Ashes of Armageddon

Author\'s Note: Thank you all for your reviews.



whitehound: there will be indeed a major crisis in Book 2 - it is still, however, a few chapters away. The cockatrice will be eventually involved, of course (I didn\'t bring them to the island for nothing.)



softobsidian74 many thanks for your help with chap 51!



qwerty thank you for the kind words.



And here comes the next chapter:



The Covenant



They sat together for a while, each of them deep in thought., the old faded photograph lying between them, as an invisible boundary, both separating them and connecting them.



“I\'d like that,” Severus said at last. “To be able to stay, one day.”



“Soon, I hope,” Harry replied instantly. “You still want the covenant?”



It seemed almost obscene to want it, after the absolution that had been granted so quickly and easily, and Severus bowed his head, staring at the surface of the desk. He did want the covenant though, he had to admit. With his internal boundaries eroded almost completely, he really did need some external restrictions to ground him, and assure him of reality of his own personhood.



“I\'d like us to establish a covenant if you think it will help,” Harry said gently. He picked up a scroll, and opened it. “Tell me what you want,” Harry offered.



Severus smiled wryly. “I see no quill, or ink.”



“It\'s a Covenant Scroll,” Harry explained. “It will update itself as we go on.”



“Covenant Scrolls are very rare,” Severus observed with a small smile touching his lips. “You really took this quite seriously.”



“Didn\'t want to disappoint you,” Harry said quietly. “Tell me what you want me to promise you.”



Severus took a deep breath, and said the first thing that came to mind:



“My brand. I never want you to use the tracking spells in it to locate me. I do not wish to be tracked down as a wayward pet or a lost sheep.”



Harry winced slightly, but nodded. “Understandable. What if ... there is a genuine emergency?”



Severus glared at him. “In all honesty, I do not care if the entire world is on fire,” he snapped, fully realizing he sounded petulant and petty, but not really caring. “I shouldn\'t have been given this damned brand,” he pointed to his forehead, where, beneath the layers of Glamours his mark lay. “I don\'t want it used. Period.”



He expected an argument to ensue, and he was bracing himself for a fight, but Harry simply nodded calmly and said:



“You are right. I agree.”



The Covenant scroll came to life, and updated itself. Severus watched with absolute fascination, unable to tear his eyes away from the careful script along the aged parchment.



“What else?” Harry asked.



“I still don\'t want you at Spinner\'s End, or St. Mungo\'s,” Severus said, almost apologetically. “It\'s hard to explain...” his voice trailed off, as he was considering how to phrase this demand without resorting to emotional cruelty.



“It\'s not that hard to understand,” Harry said evenly, not appearing to have taken any offense. “Those places are your territory. I should have thought about that, before barging in on you in your home uninvited. You need your own space, free from my presence, and the constant reminder of the bond.”



Severus nodded, encouraged by the lack of recrimination. “At least for now,” he managed to say.



“For as long as you like,” Harry assured him, and the scroll updated itself. “What else?”



“I need you to stay out of my personal affairs. Specifically, my friendships, my career, and my finances will not be interfered with, even if you think you know better.”



Harry nodded. “Of course. What else?”



Severus sighed slightly. “To be honest, from time to time, I still dread the possibility that one day I might end up a Dark Lord\'s mindless puppet.” As if in response to his words, a faint tremor of ache ran through his Dark Mark beneath the Glamour covering it. “I realize that in our case, this fear is most likely unfounded, but nonetheless, I will state my most important condition. It is, simply put, that you never try to force me to go against my conscience. If I say that I am unable to do something that is objectionable to me, you must respect that.”



Harry nodded quickly. “I agree,” he said. “What else?”



Severus said: “In the last couple of months, since we\'ve reconnected, you\'ve avoided using my given name, probably not wishing to follow in the footsteps of Tom Riddle, who had used it liberally, and without invitation.”



“I haven\'t noticed,” Harry said stiffly.



“I have,” Severus said. “You may want to start using it again, at some point.” His lips twitched into a slightly contemptuous not-quite-smile. “Unless, of course, you are planning to start calling me pet, or slave, or some other ridiculous thing like that.”



“I wouldn\'t dream of it,” Harry said wryly. “I may be a power-hungry megalomaniac with a death wish, but I would never tempt fate to that extent.”



Severus laughed amicably, absolutely surprised at how easy this was - so far.



“Your turn,” Severus said. “What would you like me to pledge to you?”



“Nothing,” Harry said quickly.



Severus winced, as the feeling of warmth and contentment began to fade, and give way to utter emptiness. Of course not, he thought, what could he possibly offer that would be of any value or interest? He had become an object of pity, being humored and coddled into security, while he himself held nothing of interest to his partner. He was nearly ready to get up and walk away, when across the desk from him, Harry\'s face went ashen.



“Forgive me,” Harry said quickly. “I spoke without thinking. That must have sounded completely rude. That\'s not how I meant it. I just don\'t want to bind you. I would like the covenant to maximize your freedom, not limit it.”



“Then don\'t limit it,” Severus said dryly. “However, if there\'s anything you would like, now is a good time to state it.”



A faint smile appeared on Harry\'s lips. “I wish I could get you to promise me to be kind to yourself,” he said softly. “But somehow, I do not think the Covenant can include a condition like that.”



Severus shook his head. “Too vague, not specific enough.”



“I find myself dreading the possibility that something might happen to you,” Harry said quietly. “Not to sound trite, but would you promise me that you will not cause yourself physical harm, or place yourself in danger?”



“I can promise I will not deliberately cause myself physical harm,” Severus agreed quite easily. “The latter is going to be difficult, given that we will be raising a clutch of venomous rooster-snakes together.”



Harry gave a nod of reluctant acceptance.



“What else?” Severus insisted quietly.



“I want you to tell me if you need something, or want something from me,” Harry said. “I also want you to tell me if I ever hurt you or embarrass you unintentionally, so that I can learn to avoid that. Finally, I don\'t want us to be dishonest with other. If you want to keep something private, that\'s fine. Just say so, and do not try to lie to me. I am willing to promise the same in return.”



“Acceptable,” Severus agreed. “What else?”



“That\'s it, I think,” Harry said softly. They watched quietly as the scroll updated itself.



“Who is going to be your Guardian?” Harry asked.



“I was thinking of asking Hermione Granger,” Severus said instantly, and was surprised, when Harry\'s expression turned into an unfriendly scowl.



“I don\'t like that,” Harry said, and there was just a slight undercurrent of anger in his voice.



“Well, it\'s not exactly your choice, is it?” Severus retorted sharply. That was not completely accurate, as the Master could veto a specific Guardian if he so desired, but Severus doubted that Harry would opt to take that route.



“True,” Harry said stiffly. “However, I would prefer if you named someone else.”



“What exactly is your objection to Hermione Granger?” Severus asked, slightly bewildered that they were arguing over this, of all things. “Are you really that worried that her being my Guardian will interfere with your friendship?”



“No,” Harry said vehemently. “If anything, it\'s just the opposite. I\'m afraid that because she is friends with me, she might take my side, or ignore signs of trouble until it is too late. Not to be rude, but she didn\'t exactly do a stellar job defending you the first time around.”



“Who do you suggest I name then?” Severus asked sardonically. “Draco Malfoy?”



“That\'s a great idea, actually,” Harry said, appearing completely sincere. “He is your family, after all. Besides, he he was willing to act on your behalf as soon as he suspected you to be in trouble. And I think I can trust him not to make sentimental excuses for me, if I screw up.”



Severus chuckled, bemused. That was true enough, however Severus was quite certain that he had worn out his welcome with the elder Malfoys, and he was unwilling to drive a wedge between his godson and his parents. Harry saw a resolute look on Severus\' face and did not press.



“What about Neville?” Harry asked instead.



Severus nodded. “He might have a difficulty with the idea. But I will ask him. Should he agree, the covenant will be finalized and active the moment he gives his consent. And after that, it will remain binding and permanent, until we both choose to modify it or dissolve it, or should my Guardian become unavailable.”



“Good,” Harry said. “I can\'t wait.”



Severus looked at him, still surprised in spite of himself that the discussion had concluded amicably, with them coming to an agreement.



“What about you?” Harry asked. “No second thoughts?”



“No. Why would you suggest it?”



“I saw the look in your eyes a few minutes ago,” Harry said. “You were about to leave because of something I\'d said.”



Severus bowed his head again, and gave no response. Harry\'s hand reached to his face and stroked his cheek, and for the first time, Severus pressed his face into Harry\'s hand blissfully and without any hesitation.



“I can\'t help it, Harry,” he said finally with absolute honesty. “It\'s instinct, I am afraid. I am too old and too tired to endure being pitied, or played with. I have no energy left for something that is not fully genuine.”



“I know,” Harry said. “But deep down, you must know that it\'s not about pity, or games; and running can be tiring too, I imagine.”



“It is,” Severus conceded. “And for what it\'s worth, I don\'t want to run anymore.” He smiled ruefully. “If I were a dog, I\'d ask you to tether me. If I were a bird, I\'d ask you to clip my wings. But seeing that I am neither...”



Harry nodded. “You can run, if you need to,” he said. “Just don\'t forget to come back.”



To Be Continued...