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Ch 7: Returns


“Dying doesn’t hurt…my arse.” Snape grumbled as he pulled himself into a stand inside of the shrieking shack.

“Dying doesn’t…coming back to life? That’s another matter entirely.” Sirius defended himself. “Christ I feel like I’ve been glued back together.” He tried to stretch his neglected joints.

“Where’s Harry?” Severus began rushing around the room. “And Dumbledore. Where are they?!” Sirius thought it possible that the roar could have been heard at the castle. “I have to go. He’ll have Harry with him!” Snape rushed out of the dilapidated building. He could feel the hardness of the world creeping into his bones.

“What of the Headmaster?” Sirius felt as if he was not controlling his legs.

“I suggest you look where we last left him.” With that Snape’s dark outline disappeared into the forest.

*** *** ***

Bullocks I feel like I went a round with a dozen bludgers. Harry mused as consciousness returned to his body. He was aware that he was being carried. He didn’t dare open his eyes to find out by whom. Is Severus here?

*** *** ***

“Marble? Very nice indeed.” Dumbledore pondered as he stepped out of his tomb. “Sirius? What a lovely surprise. Have you come to escort me to the great hall?”

“You awoke in there?” He pointed to a now empty sarcophagus.

“Ah…yes. A slight glitch I suppose. Surely not payback for telling the Old Ones that they were daft.”

“You told the rulers of the universe that they were crazy?”

“Merely a fact.” His voice was whimsical. “They’ve been departed from this plane for to long. They’ve lost their grasp on what it’s like to be human. Very well, we’d better be off.” The old man motioned for Sirius to follow him back to Hogwarts.

*** *** ***

There he is. Snape observed Harry from a corner of the Great Hall. His eyes had found Hermione and Ron looking battle-worn. Tonks and that idiot werewolf were slumped against a wall, still breathing and the fire-haired twins continued to exuded mischief.

“Harry Potter is dead!” Voldemort hissed. “Your savior is gone!” The sound on Bellatrix’ maniacal laughter stung Snape’s ears.

“I feel I’m compelled to argue that point Tom Riddle.” A confident voice boomed from the entranceway.

“It’s Dumbledore!” George whispered to his brother.

“I’m missing an ear. I can still see, you twit.”

“What magic is this?!” The dark lord bellowed. “You’re dead old man! Your time here is done!”

“Open for interpretation. It’s your time here that should concern you. I fear it limited.”

“Can I join the party?” Sirius quirked while stepping out from behind the older wizard.

Bellatrix screeched in agony. “I killed him my lord! I swear it!”

“It seems as if you were shown lacking dear cousin.” Sirius Black beamed with exuberance. “Tom.” He nodded to the snake-like wizard in front of him. “There are a few more faces I’m sure you’re dying to see.” With a wave of his hand Snape stepped forward. “My lord it is with deepest sympathies I must inform you that I regrettably resign.” His tone ripped with sarcasm.

“Bloody hell I will have to finish potions.” Ron whined.

“Ten points Mr. Weasley. You really must watch your language.” Snape’s stoic voice seemed highlighted with entertainment. He outstretched his hand to the supposed corpse of Harry Potter. With a collective gasp through the Great Hall Harry pulled himself up.

“Morning.” He smiled at his lover. Solely Hermione seen the love in her friend’s eyes.

“Quite like you to arrive later then the rest of us Mr. Potter.”

“Get off it.”

“ENOUGH!” Voldemort screamed.

“He’s throwing a tantrum.” Harry laughed quietly.

“You’re all dead! It’s because of me that you’re gone!”

“It’s because of you that we’re back Tom.” Dumbledore soothed. “There is more power against you in this room than you can fight off. Think before you act. Today is not the day in which you will perish. I will allow you to apperate out of here.”

Harry thought he glimpsed fear in the dark wizard’s slit-like eyes. “I’ve killed you all once I can…” With a dismissive wave of his hand Dumbledore expelled the wand from Voldemort’s hand.

“Take the offer.” Harry ordered. Voldemort spun around defensively. “I’ll find you another day.” The young man promised.

“The dark lord will never…”

“Silence!” Bellatrix was quieted by her master’s voice. “Foolish old man. If you let me leave I will only return stronger!”

“We are aware of the possibility Tom.”

“You’d let me live?”

“We know that we will not beat you today…you should know that you will not beat us. You and only you may leave. Your army stays behind.” With a nauseating red light and the sound of nails on a chalk board Voldemort vanished from the room. Leaving behind his faithful followers.

“Tonks, Kingsley can you round them up?”

“Yes but where…”

“Order has been restored to Azkaban. Sirius, Fred, George, Lupin…if you would be so kind as to assist the aurors.” Dumbledore walked to the staff table, smiling at tired faces. He seated himself in the large center chair that was rightfully his. “The war is at a stand still. Don’t mistake it as over. Yet I feel compelled to allow you to enjoy a reprieve.” He waved his wand and suddenly the great hall was transformed to it’s likeness at the start of term. House table full of food seated weary students. The staff table longed for lost faces. “Welcome back to Hogwarts!” A grand cheer erupted through out the hall. Harry smiled as he received a loving nod from Snape. The following moments were consumed by hugs and greetings from friends and family.

“I’m glad you didn’t stay dead Severus.” Whispered the witch to Snape’s right.

“As am I Minerva.”

*** *** ***

“Harry! You’re…I’m so happy…we thought…”

“It’s a long story.” Harry embraced his best mates.

“You died you wanker.” Ron chastised through a full mouth.

“Only for a little bit.”

“Did you see Snape where you were?” Hermione questioned.

“Something like that.”

“Well Harry! Tell us everything…”

“You asked for it.”

*** *** ***

“Huh?” Ron was dumbstruck.

“Come again?” Hermione asked indignantly.

“Really Albus the students are just not as quick as they used to be.” Snape sneered from his chair.

“You saved his soul?” Ron choked on disbelief. “I…I have to go. I can’t. Harry this is Snape. We could have done it without him…”

“Ron wait…”

“I’m sorry…” Ron walked out of the office slamming the door behind him.

“Ungrateful twerp.”

“Severus don’t.” Harry sighed.

“He should be thankful…”

“I said leave it!”

“Well…” Sirius cleared his throat. “I see that calm wore right off.”

“Piss off!” Both men yelled at once.

The feud was interrupted by the sound of Hermione laughing. “This is what I expected of a relationship between Harry and Snape.”

“You’re not…”

“Mad? No. It is apparent you feel something for one another. The Old Ones know what they’re doing. I must say it is nice to know I have immunity from mortality until this is all finished. Give Ron time, he’ll come ‘round.” She squeezed her friend’s hand. “And you…” She turned to Snape. “I’ll be watching you.” Her words rang oddly threatening. “I should go check on all of the DA members. Will I see you in the common rooms?”

“I’ll stop up but my place is with Severus now.”

“You’ll always have a place with us to.” She whispered before going down the stairs.

Harry turned immediantly to Dumbledore, Sirius, and Severus. “When will he be back? When will we fight him?”

“Don’t rush the fight my dear boy. We had a victory today. Be satisfied with that.” Dumbledore stood. “I must go brief the faculty and check wards. Severus show Sirius to one of the dungeon rooms and Harry…go check on your friends before you retire.” They nodded in acceptance. Harry rushed out in avoidance to Snape.

*** *** ***

“That’s killer mate. Is your mom still a babe?” George slapped Harry on the back.

“You know what frightens me more then the future battle with he-who-must-run-for-the-hills?”

“What’s that Fred?” Harry knew nothing good would come of this.

“Think of how positively cheery Snape was prior to all this now they’ll have to deal with him during marital spats.”

“Can you even imagine what he’ll be like if Potter stops putting out?”

“Thanks for the support guys.” Harry chuckled and moved so that he was seated next to Hermione.

“I didn’t ask you before, who did we lose?”

The young girl sighed. “Do you really want to hear this now?”

“I’d like to know.”

“Well Flitwick is gone as well as Trelawney and Slughorn. Harry Seamus and Cho…” Tears streamed down her face. Harry supported her in his arms.

“We’ll get him someday ‘Mione.” He glanced at Ron. “Should I…”

“No let me soften him up.” A pained giggle slid from her lips.

“I’d better…”

“Get back…to Snape.”

“Yeah.”

“See you at breakfast?” She seemed hopeful.

“Save me a seat.” He winked and crept out of the door.

*** *** ***

Snape’s dreary thoughts were interrupted by a warm body wrapping itself around his.

“Harry.” He regarded his mate. Silently thanking the Old Ones for another chance to hold the young man.

“I was so happy to see you standing over me when I opened my eyes. I could have done anything in that moment.”

“I find that I am thankful to have you back in my presence.” Severus smoothed unruly hair.

“I’m sorry about earlier…with Ron.”

“It was to be expected.” Snape lied.

“Can we go to bed? I know that we have things to talk about and we will, but I am exhausted. Will you just hold me?”

“Your proposal is expectable.” Snape smirked as he led Harry to the bedroom. They slept heavily that night, never leaving eachother’s arms.



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