Entry tags:

knightmare shad, submissions, team wartime

TEAM WARTIME ENTRY: Knightmare Shad "Stranger Than You Dreamt It"

Original poster: snarrymod

Title: Stranger Than You Dreamt It
Author: knightmare_shad
Team: Wartime
Genre(s): Angst & Hurt/Comfort
Prompt: Siege
Rating: Hard R
Word Count: 6050 +/-
A/N/Beta: Thanks to eeyore9990 and vleredreign, my eternal cheerleaders/betas. And to Nori, cause no matter what, you’re always there for me. Always. And thanks to djin7 for the warm welcome and the chance to write for the games.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.


Summary: The race for the Horcruxes is on, and Severus is determined that no matter what, he will come out a winner.




Tripping, running after him. Curses bubbling up, countered each time. ‘Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter!’

Harry struggled to his feet, feeling the world fade around him until all he saw was Snape, staring at him. This was not how the dream normally went, but who was he to fight it? He had a chance and Snape at his mercy. He raised his wand, only to see it disappear in his hands. Snape stepped forward, a sneer on his face, his wand digging into Harry’s throat.

‘Think, boy. For once in your pitiful life, think!’

Harry tried to step back, but found he couldn’t move. He also couldn’t explain how calm he felt, meeting Snape’s gaze evenly.

Snape stepped back, lowering his wand. ‘Be ready.’

‘Ready for what?’ Harry shook his head as Severus slowly disappeared. ‘Ready for what?!’ he shouted, nothing but the soft echoes of his voice answering him.

~*~

A ghostly figure, with a pale face, long, stringy, greasy hair lying lank against his cheeks and neck faced him. Dark eyes, eyes that, even as he stared at his own reflection, showed no emotion, no spark of life. Severus studied his image, seeing nothing—always nothing. He glanced at the reflection that came to rest beside his, nodding just slightly to acknowledge his Master’s presence.

‘Severus. It has been months. Do you yet mourn?’

‘I do,’ Severus answered quietly.

‘He was the most powerful wizard I’ve known, myself excluded,’ Voldemort said.

Severus continued to stare at his reflection, very aware of the scrutiny he was under. He knew, as well, that the Dark Lord was waiting for a response.

‘I do not regret what I have accomplished,’ Severus said, turning around to meet Voldemort’s eyes directly. The truth shone in his own eyes, rang in his voice. ‘It was necessary.’

‘Indeed, it was.” Voldemort paused, looking away from Severus, staring out the window into the dark night. ‘How many, Severus?’

‘Two. One remains lost, the locket. The others have not yet been found.’

‘I am perhaps safe, but it is still a risk I am unwilling to take. That boy…’

‘That boy relies too much on dumb luck and the skill of those around him.’ Severus’ disgust was plain.

‘The others. Gather them. I will not have them destroyed.’

‘As you wish, Master,’ Severus said, bowing. He left the room to prepare for his journey.

~*~

The grounds of Hogwarts shone softly under the pale, ghostly light of the moon. Harry walked carefully, waiting. He knew this was another of those dreams, had been having them for months now. Always the same, Hogwarts, that night, but as the dreams had gone on, the sights and sounds of that awful night faded away and now, the landscape was tranquil.

‘You still fail to grasp the simplest of concepts, boy.’

‘Snape. Why are you doing this?’ Harry turned to face the man he was supposed to hate. And he did, when he was awake, when he lived and breathed consciously, every single time he faced a photograph of a loved one that he had lost. But here… Here, he could meet those eyes without rancour; here, he could listen.

‘It must be done. You know that.’

‘Can’t you just tell me where they are?’

‘You know of one.’

‘The locket, yes, Hermione figured that one out.’

‘Then perhaps you should tell Granger all that you hid that year.’

‘I didn’t hide anything from her…’ Harry protested.

‘And again, you do not think!’

Harry was unprepared for Snape’s lunge, and, unable to block or take the physical blow, they both landed hard on the ground. Snape pinned him down, one hand holding the boy’s hands above his head as he rested the other on Harry’s chest. Harry bucked up, but here, in the dream, Snape controlled all. Harry’s eyes widened as Snape’s face came closer, those black eyes gleaming, crooked teeth bared in a parody of a smile.

‘The time for foolishness and failure is over, Harry. Do what you must do. Use your friends as you always have, but you cannot fail in this. Destroy them, or you have destroyed us all.’

~*~

‘Ah, so the conquering warrior returns home.’

‘Jealous, Bella?’ Severus asked, smirking at her and sketching a slight bow.

‘You failed, Snape. He won’t forgive that.’

‘He forgave you all your failures, Bella. He can do no less for his current favourite.’

Bella glared at Severus, her face set in a mask of anger and hate. ‘Not for long, Severus,’ she hissed, stepping far to close to him. ‘You are not worthy!’

‘I must answer my Master’s call,’ Severus said calmly, pushing her to the side.

He continued down the hall, opening the library doors and stepping inside. Voldemort looked up from his chair by the fire, his eyes narrowed as Severus approached, kneeling in front of him with his head bowed.

‘Too late?’

‘I was. I have failed you.’

‘The old fool was more thorough than I gave him credit for. Tell me, Severus, had you known that the Order was aware of the location of the brooch, would you have told me?’

‘Of course, my Lord.’

‘Look at me, Severus.’

Severus raised his head, meeting that red gaze head on.

‘No, you did not know.’ Voldemort turned away, staring into the fire. ‘The locket?’

‘At Grimmauld Place. They’ve removed it, of course. It was the first place I went to. I did not think they’d know about the orphanage.’

‘So, I have lost two more.’

‘Three, my Lord.’

‘Three?’

‘The cup at Hogwarts. Potter discovered the hiding place, although he was unaware of the fact, while attempting to conceal something from me. I can only assume it was Granger that surmised the cup was hidden there, however. Potter is much too dim.’

‘I can feel it, each time.’ His voice was quiet, no more than a whisper.

‘I should have been quicker, my Lord. I have no right to ask forgiveness.’

‘No, Severus. You have not failed me yet. Dumbledore was always far too clever and far too interested in my business. Still, there is one that I am sure he knew nothing about. You will go and protect that one—that precious, last one. Severus, you will do this for me.’

‘Anything, Master.’ Severus made as if to rise off his knees, but Voldemort placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

‘Stay, Severus. There is time yet.’

Severus looked up at Voldemort, seeing no emotion on that alien face, nothing for him to read. He nodded slightly and settled more firmly on his knees, oddly comforted by the hand that remained on his shoulder.

~*~

Harry paced on the lakeshore, his path lighted by the ever-present moonlight. He had come to accept these dreams for what they were, aid in defeating Voldemort. Snape was continuing to play his role, somehow. What he didn’t understand was his own impatience and eagerness for these dreams, for the peace that existed here, and what he hated to admit the most, for Snape. He was eager to meet Snape.

‘Snape?’ He looked all around him, turning in a circle. This was the longest he’d waited in a dream before. Usually, as soon as the familiar grounds appeared, he knew he’d see Snape within moments.

He left the lakeshore, heading for the Forest. In the real world, it would be full of sounds, animals moving about in the night, but here, it was eerily silent.

‘Snape?’ he called out, louder.

He heard a soft groan and followed the sound, entering the forest. Another breathy sound and harsh pants pulled him forward. He entered a small glen, moving forward quickly when he noticed the figure lying on its side on the ground.

Harry knelt next to Snape, rolling him on to his back, earning a glare. Snape grunted in pain, closing his eyes and gritting his teeth. His face was bruised and bloody, his lips split, and his eye already swelling. If he was bleeding elsewhere, the robes he wore hid it, but Harry had no doubt that he had other injuries.

‘What happened?’

‘The Dark Lord… I failed…’

‘He punished you?’ Harry reached out his hand, hesitating when Snape flinched. ‘I won’t hurt you.’

‘Not here, but if you ever met me outside of our dreams…’

‘I hate you out there.’

‘And I, you.’

Harry reached out again, his eyes following the path of his fingers as he traced the swollen cheek. A soft hiss caused him to glance up, meeting those dark eyes. He settled more firmly on his knees, pulling his wand. He had learned a few rudimentary healing spells, enough to help.

‘I can’t do much,’ he apologized before casting the first one to reduce the swelling. He swept his wand over Snape’s face. The cut on his lip healed over, the bruises faded to pale green and yellow, and the swelling went down. Taking a deep breath, Harry placed his wand down, reaching out for the fastenings on Snape’s robes.

‘What do you think you are doing?’

He snorted at the harsh words and continued undoing the buttons. ‘I didn’t think you were that dense, Snape. I’m planning to ravish you and have my wicked way with you,’ Harry joked. Startled, he looked up when Snape let out a harsh bark of laughter.

‘You couldn’t handle me, Potter. You’ve neither the skills nor the stamina.’

‘Are you saying I wouldn’t meet your expectations?’

Harry flushed slightly, not believing he was having this conversation, but not backing down either. And, as a side benefit, it was keeping Snape distracted, letting Harry get on with the healing. He had the robes open now and he pushed on Snape’s black shirt, somewhat surprised when Snape shifted to allow him to move the cloth out of the way. The bruises here were deep and ugly. Picking up his wand again, he started to heal them.

‘Oh, you’d meet my expectations of you, Potter,’ Snape said, his voice deep and soft.

Harry stopped short, a slight shiver going down his spine, his hand hovering over Snape’s stomach as he stared at the man.

‘You would not meet my qualifications, however.’

‘Qualifications?’ Harry shook his head, laughing at the absurdity of the statement.

He finished healing the bruises on Snape’s chest and torso and, hesitated, glancing up. Snape merely raised an eyebrow and smirked. He sat up suddenly, causing Harry to fall back.

‘Enough.’ Snape climbed to his feet, holding his hand out for Harry, who ignored it, standing on his own. ‘We have work to do.’

‘There is only one left, Snape,’ Harry said, ‘thanks to you.’

‘I am not the one who has destroyed the Horcruxes.’

‘No, you’re just the one who’s showed me where they are.’

Snape shook his head. ‘You figured that out on your own, Potter.’

‘Modesty, Snape? That’s not like you.’

‘There is one left, as you stated, Potter. Find that one.’

‘How, where?’

‘Think, Potter. You and the Dark Lord are bound together and have been since the beginning. You must go back to that.’

‘Back to that…’ Harry wanted to ask more, but he could only watch helplessly as the dream faded around him, leaving him drifting in half-sleep.

~*~

A steady rain fell, an almost living cloak of water that pounded into everything, driving down what little vegetation still grew, and turning the ground into a muddy mess.

Severus sighed deeply, pulling his sodden cloak closer around him in a vain attempt to keep the rain from dripping down his neck and under his robes. He wouldn’t risk a spell, as the Order was out in force, supporting their saviour. Severus snorted in disgust; were it not for his nocturnal visits to said saviour, the Order would have been left bereft, with little hope of defeating the Dark Lord.

He moved under the cover of night, slipping easily past the Order members that stood near the front of the property. The crumbled stone wall was not obstacle, nor was the overgrown garden, and soon he stood in front of the burned out husk that was his goal.

Weeds and trailing vines had long overtaken the walls of the building, climbing what was left of the structure, coating it in a shield of greenery. The windows were boarded up, the wood warped and stained, cracked in some cases. He circled the building, stepping over a missing bit of wall and into the actual home.

This was the back of the house, he surmised, and, from the evidence of the destruction around him, where the confrontation had taken place. One entire side of the house was completely gone; the darkened beams stood stark in the half-light of the moon. The roof was half gone and debris and foliage littered the floor. The vines had made inroads here as well, climbing around and under the broken and burnt remains of furnishings.

The rotting carpet on the floor squished under his boots as he walked between the beams towards the half of the house that still had a roof and walls. The entire place reeked of earth and mold, and Severus didn’t want to think of the flashes of movement he caught out of the corner of his eyes. Best not to know what had chosen to make this a home again.

The living room was nothing but a shell. The planks of the hardwood floor were rotted in some areas and contorted with water damage in others. Severus was careful as he picked his way across, pausing in front of the stone fireplace. He leaned against it, waiting.

He did not have long to wait, thankfully. He heard the boy long before he saw him. Careless and sloppy as always, Potter made no attempt to mask his approach, obviously secure in the knowledge that he was alone in the house.

Severus tensed, standing straight, setting his face in an emotionless mask. His fingers danced on his wand, hidden in his sleeve, ready should he have need of it. He had no idea which Potter he would be facing, the one who’d stared at him with such hate and loathing, spitting ‘coward’ as they raced against each other and time on the school grounds, or the boy who’d bantered so easily with him in the dreamscape he’d created, who worked with him, not against him.

Potter stopped suddenly when he saw him standing there. Severus knew how he must look; a dark figure, black robed and face shrouded by the hood, standing so still. He reached up with his free hand, keeping the other on his wand, and lowered his hood, meeting Potter’s gaze.

He watched the emotions play on the boy’s face. A flash of hate making his eyes blaze, then confusion, and finally, anger. Potter stepped forward, his wand out in an instant, pointed straight at Severus.

‘What are you doing here?’

‘You truly are that stupid, aren’t you?’ Severus allowed his voice to show his disdain, curling his lip in a sneer.

‘I thought you were helping me—us,’ Potter said, taking another step forward.

‘You thought. How droll.’

‘I don’t understand. It was you, wasn’t it, in the dreams?’

‘Why, Potter,’ Severus purred, ‘what have you been dreaming?’

‘N-not like that,’ Potter sputtered, turning bright red. Stubbornly, he held Severus’ gaze, and it was quite easy to determine that indeed, like that, although Severus hadn’t shared those particular dreams personally. ‘The Order’s here. All I have to do is call.’

‘Then do so,’ Severus challenged. He waited, watching the boy as he fidgeted. ‘You have always wanted to, haven’t you? Turn me in, watch me suffer? Do you not blame me?’

‘You’re the reason Sirius is dead.’

‘No, Black went to the Ministry on your account. I told him to stay at Grimmauld Place.’

‘And you knew he’d do the opposite!’ Potter frowned. ‘And my parents, you told Voldemort to attack them.’

‘Again, child, you are completely wrong, and have managed to twist the facts to fit your own warped view of what is right. I merely passed on what I’d heard of the prophecy to the Dark Lord. What he did with it after that was not my choice. And, you may remember, I am the one who informed Dumbledore as well, so that your worthless hide was saved.’

‘Dumbledore…’

‘That one, I cannot deny.’ Severus could not keep the pain out of his voice, even now.

‘Why?’

‘Why? Why did I kill him? Were you not told?’

‘No one tells me anything,’ Potter complained bitterly. ‘Everyone speaks in riddles.’

‘Perhaps it is simply that you lack the comprehension to decipher what you are being told.’

‘I figured this out, right?’ Potter strode forward, standing inches from Severus. ‘It’s here, isn’t it? The last one?’ He lowered his wand, sliding the pack that he had been carrying on his back to the ground.

‘Are you asking? Or do you know?’

‘Damn it, why won’t anyone be straight with me?’

‘You’re not even straight yourself,’ Severus taunted, smirking when the boy flushed again.

‘Enough.’

Potter walked the perimeter of the room, sealing it, creating a wall of magic, whether to hold them in or someone out, Severus couldn’t guess. He slipped off his jumper, revealing a dark shirt, and wiped his hands on his jeans before casting a Warming Charm, taking the chill out of the air. Severus slipped his own cloak off; thanks to the brat it was too warm to keep it on. He said nothing as the boy approached him once more.

Potter knelt at his feet, knocking his hand against Severus’ boot. Snorting in amusement, Severus moved over, allowing Potter to get to where he had been standing. He watched as Potter pulled a blade from his pack, digging at the edges of the stone.

He continued to work at the stone, but it was slow going, and he was making no obvious progress. His frustration was clear on his face as he rocked back on his heels and looked up at Severus.

‘Well, are you just going to stand there and watch me?’

‘I must admit, the position is quite impelling,’ Severus said, ‘but you will not achieve your goal with Muggle methods.’

‘Then what do I need to do?’

Severus simply stared at him, knowing it would infuriate him.

‘Help me.’

‘Help you?’ Severus was a bit shocked when Potter faced him directly, shifting on his knees, and turned a pleading face up to him. He hadn’t lied before, the sight of the boy like that was more than pleasing, it was intoxicating.

‘Help me, please?’

With a sigh, Severus nodded, sealing his fate. He made Potter move out of the way, although he did order him to remain on his knees, just to see if he would. He cast the spells necessary, disarming the traps that would have injured, possibly killed, Potter with ease. The stone disintegrated, showing an ornately carved wooden box. Severus gestured to Potter, who moved forward, lifting the box out of the hole.

‘Can I just open it?’

‘The only remaining danger lies within the box itself. I’ve disarmed all the traps and curses.’

‘You’re supposed to take this to him.’ Potter looked up at Severus then, holding the box in his lap.

‘I am.’

‘And you’re just going to let me destroy it?’

Severus paused for a second. He’d played both sides, very well, if he did say so himself, and now a choice had to be made. He could take Potter, take him and give him to the Dark Lord. For just one moment, he considered doing just that, to rid himself of this irritating thorn in his side, this arrogant upstart of a child. To be by his Lord’s side as his favourite, to have pleased and served him in such a manner was something he desired.

But… there would come a time when the Dark Lord found another, someone more pleasing than Severus. Once he no longer had need of Severus’ talents, where would that leave him? Playing second fiddle, once again? That was something Severus could not bear. And he had spent many months, night after night, working through the dreams he shared with Potter to cause the boy to grow dependent and sympathetic to him. Was it enough to ensure his safety? He had only one way of finding out.

‘Of course not. I will assist you.’

Potter put the box down, turning to dig in his backpack. He removed several brick-like objects, placing them on the apron of the fireplace. He arranged them carefully, the first layer solid, the second layer with an opening in the centre.

‘They’re specially treated, got them from Charlie,’ Potter explained. He rocked back on his heels and reached into the backpack again, pulling out an iridescent powder, which he sprinkled on the bricks. ‘Want to hand it to me?’ he asked, holding out his hand and looking at Severus expectantly.

‘Not as stupid as I’ve thought, Potter,’ Severus commented. He lifted the box from the floor and opened it. The pendant lay undisturbed, looking the same as it had the day Severus had watched the Dark Lord seal it in the box. A large ruby, dark as fallen blood, suspended by a simple gold chain, otherwise unadorned. He lifted it out, silently passing it to Potter.

‘I hope this works,’ Potter said, putting the chain and jewel in the centre of the bricks. Standing up and stepping back, Potter lifted his wand, glancing at Severus before lighting the bricks.

‘Granger?’ Severus asked, smirking.

‘She figured out what’d we need to do, yes,’ Potter admitted, grinning sheepishly. ‘Concentrated bricks to burn hot enough, charmed and treated with dragon fire, and the powdered eggs intensify the flames.’

Loud cracks sounded outside the broken walls, echoing above the steady sound of rainfall. Severus shared a look with Potter.

‘Stay here.’

‘It could be Order members. If it is…’

‘If it is, Potter, I am certainly more capable of remaining hidden than you are. And if it happens to be my companions, you would not last five minutes against them. Finish your task.’

Severus left then, stepping from the room, pausing to create a barrier, turning the open room into an enclosed space, hiding Potter from view. He turned and, thinking it prudent, sealed the entire room, allowing no one but himself to enter or exit. One had to know where one was Apparating, and to make a Portkey, one had to know the destination as well, so this made the room as safe as he could make it. He moved quickly, stepping through the broken wall once more and circling the building.

‘Is he here?’

‘I’ve seen no sign of Snape, but Potter is.’

Bellatrix and Dolohov. Severus shook his head; if they were here, so were others. Bellatrix never made a move unless she was certain of an advantage, and she rarely underestimated her opponents. Glancing back towards the house, he prepared to Apparate, growling low in his throat in frustration when he found he couldn’t. No hope for it now. He moved back, working his way back to Potter. They had to leave, and soon. He wondered if Potter was up for the run.

A deafening blast rang through the night air, and the house shook alarmingly, startling the animal inhabitants. Severus ran towards the room, slipping on the slimy carpet. He could hear the shouts from the front, but what made him truly worry were the shouts beyond that, of other voices he recognised, Moody and Tonks.

He dove into the room, taking precious moments to strengthen his wards. Potter lay in the middle of the floor, his arm thrown over his face, blood streaming from a long gash along his forearm. Where the fire with the pendant had been was a steaming, gaping hole, the stone actually melted and twisted with the force of the blast and the incredible heat.

Severus ignored the shadowy figures that moved outside his shimmering wards and knelt next to Potter, trying to assess his injuries. ‘What happened?’

‘It blew up when I added some more powdered eggs to the fire,’ Potter explained, wincing as Severus moved his tattered shirt to the side. Severus sighed; he really needed to see how badly Potter was hurt.

‘I’m going to strip you.’

‘What?’

‘You are hardly in a position to argue with me, Potter,’ Severus said.

He ignored the wide eyes that watched him as he used his wand to remove the remains of Potter’s shirt, running his hands lightly over the boy’s skin. He lightly traced the skin of his stomach, sliding his fingertips just over the surface towards Potter’s upper chest.

‘How is this helping me?’ Potter asked breathlessly. Severus smirked at the blush on his cheeks and the obvious, physical reaction that the boy just could not hide.

‘Who said I was doing it to help you?’

‘You bast…’

‘Shut up, Potter,’ Severus interrupted, using his wand to heal the bruises and cuts that he found. ‘You were facing the fire?’

‘Yeah. I threw up a Shielding Charm, just barely in time. Who’s out there?’

‘Everyone,’ Severus answered. He held Potter’s gaze, sliding a hand down his stomach and dipping his fingers in Potter’s jeans.

‘Severus,’ Potter croaked, licking his lips.

‘I don’t recall giving you permission to use my name,’ Severus said, placing his hand on Potter’s erection and pressing, just enough.

Potter moaned, his body arching up before he remembered himself. ‘You’re the one touching me!’

‘Indeed, I am.’ Severus removed his hand, swiftly unbuttoning Potter’s jeans and jerking them down, inspecting his legs. ‘You’re only bruised here, so I do believe you’ll live. What a pity.’ He stood, looking down at the flustered and flushed boy. ‘Cover yourself up, won’t you? You look like you’d only cost a Knut.’

Potter sat up, his face now impossibly red as he pulled his jeans up and reached for his jumper. ‘When you said everyone’s out there…’

‘I meant Death Eaters and Order members alike. We’re trapped.’

‘Trapped? The Order can call for Aurors, and the Death Eaters will run.’

‘Can you be sure of that?’ Severus regarded Potter. ‘If you are, by all means, leave the wards. I’m sure Bellatrix would love to say hello.’

‘Well, we can’t stay here!’ Potter was clearly aggravated as he ran a hand through his hair, pushing his glasses up his nose in that nervous habit of his. ‘We’ll Apparate out, go to Grimmauld Place. I’m sure I can hold them off of you long enough…’

Severus shook his head. ‘We can’t Apparate.’

‘How do you know?’ Potter snorted, rolling his eyes. ‘Of course. You tried, didn’t you? Were you just going to leave me?’

Severus didn’t bother replying. He needed time to think. Conjuring up a chair, he sat gracefully in it, staring at the curtain that his ward created. It would keep out anyone who was currently here, of that he was sure, as would the wards Potter had placed around the room, especially since Severus had strengthened them.

The room, placed at the front of the house, let out onto the front porch, with two windows. Those entrances and the edges of the room that let into the rest of the house were protected by Severus’ magic.

The Dark Lord could Apparate in or create a Portkey, as could Hagrid. Both had been inside the house on that night. The question was, would either make an appearance? It was impossible to determine if Hagrid would show, given the fact that Potter was in apparent danger. The Dark Lord… Severus was uncertain about him as well. The fact that the Horcrux was now destroyed, the last one, and the fact that Potter was here might be enough to draw him out.

‘Snape?’

‘Leave, if you wish, Potter.’

‘I can’t.’

‘And why ever not?’

‘If I do, and it’s Order members out there, they’ll get you. If it’s Death Eaters, they’ll get me.’

‘And me as well, as I have failed the Dark Lord.’

‘Can they come in?’

‘As it stands right now, no. No one can enter.’

‘Then we can wait it out, right? I mean, it can’t be that long, can it?’ Potter walked up to Severus, enlarging the chair into a couch and flopping next to him. Severus glared at him, but Potter only shrugged and settled in.

~*~

Severus stood next to a window, staring out at the figures he could see moving about. The Death Eaters had dug in, for some reason, instead of fleeing. He’d altered the spell so that he could see out, but they could not see in, hoping that he’d be able to find a way out of this.

The rain had finally stopped just after dawn, giving way to a grey, cloudy morning. The Death Eaters were just outside the perimeters of the building, occasionally coming forward to test the barriers before moving back to the shelter of the small structure they’d erected.

Beyond that, he could see what must have been Order members or Aurors, likely a mix of both, just outside the garden walls. Why they hadn’t come in any further, he didn’t know, but he could guess. More wards, more barriers, all of it keeping them trapped in this room.

He turned at a soft noise and unashamedly watched as Potter stretched, his jumper rising and showing the pale skin of his stomach. Potter wiped his eyes and slid a hand up his jumper to scratch before speaking.

‘Are they still out there?’

‘Yes.’

‘I’m hungry.’

‘What am I supposed to do about that?’ Snape demanded. His own stomach grumbled in protest.

‘I wasn’t complaining, just saying,’ Potter protested.

Severus sighed and walked over to him, sitting down next to him on the couch.

‘He knows, doesn’t he? That I destroyed the last one?’

‘Yes.’

‘Is he out there?’

‘No.’

‘What do we…’

‘I do not feel like conversing, Potter,’ Severus said, turning his face away from the boy and resting his head on the couch, closing his eyes. He could hear Potter’s grumpy reply, but ignored it.

~*~

‘I’m bored.’

‘That might possibly be the single most frightening phrase I have ever heard uttered.’

‘Ha ha.’

‘What do you propose I do, Potter? Create amusement for you?’

‘No. I’m cold, too.’

‘Must you complain?’

‘There’s nothing else to do,’ Potter whinged, drawing his legs up and sitting cross-legged on the couch cushion. ‘Are you sure we can’t get past the Death Eaters?’

‘Quite sure,’ Severus answered in an aggrieved tone. He’d already answered this question, three times to be exact.

‘How long are they going to stay out there?’

‘I don’t know, Potter, I forgot to ask!’

‘How long can you keep the wards up?’

Severus startled at the quiet question, turning to face Potter. He was curled up, knees under his chin, arms locked around his legs, head down.

‘I am unsure,’ Severus admitted. ‘Potter…’

‘Can you call me Harry?’

‘Your name is Potter.’

‘No, my name is Harry. Remember it, you’ll be screaming it later,’ he joked, lifting his head and offering a weak smile.

Severus opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, there was an enormous blast, and the house shook, raining bits of plaster and dust on them. Potter tried to jump off the couch, but Severus reached out, grabbing the boy about the waist and pulling him back, just in time. Another loud noise, and whole chunks of the ceiling caved in, revealing the wooden support beams of the ceiling.

‘They’re obviously as tired of waiting as we are,’ Severus said, his mouth against Potter’s ear.

‘I really don’t want to die,’ Potter said. ‘I thought I was prepared, you know, when Dumbledore died last year. I knew what I had to do and I was ready to do it. When it came down to it, I planned to face Voldemort, and knew I might not make it out of that fight. But, I don’t want to die. I’m not ready for this at all.’

‘A Gryffindor, giving up this easily?’ Severus sneered, lifting an eyebrow when Potter snapped his head around, glaring at him.

‘You can let me go now,’ Potter said, struggling.

‘I think not. You did say you were bored, correct?’

Severus licked just behind Potter’s ear, turning his head slightly to nibble at his earlobe. He heard the catch in the boy’s breath and smiled against his skin, lightly licking along his chin.

‘Wha—what are you doing?’

Severus chuckled at how high his voice had squeaked at first. ‘You are certainly old enough to understand,’ he said, pushing Potter down on the couch.

‘We’re about to be killed, and you want to snog?’

‘You’re so convinced you’re going to die, don’t you want to die happy?’ Severus taunted.

‘You buggering me is going to make me happy?’ Potter countered.

Well, at least he got the who’s going to be buggering who portion correct, Severus thought. ‘Beyond your wildest dreams.’

Potter’s laughter died in his throat when Severus stretched out on him, pushing against his body. He put a hand on Severus’ chest, pushing against him, even as his hips rose in counterpoint to Severus’

‘You’re saying no, but your body is saying yes,’ Severus said, dipping his head and nibbling along Potter’s collarbone.

He slid one hand down, tugging on the jumper, and spreading his hand across the heated flesh. As he continued to lick along Potter’s neck, he wormed his hand into Potter’s jeans.

‘Dobby!’ Potter yelled, sitting straight up suddenly, his chin hitting Severus rather painfully across the nose.

‘We haven’t even gotten to the point were you’d need a safeword, Potter,’ Severus complained. ‘And I’d insist on another one, anyway.’

‘I mean, Dobby, he’s here,’ Potter said, pointing.

‘Harry Potter, sir! Dobby is to be taking you to the friends outside!’

Dobby ran forward, wrapping his thin arms around Potter’s legs and beaming adoringly up at him. Severus groaned, sitting back on the couch once more.

‘Was Harry Potter with Professor Snape?’

‘It seemed like a good idea at the time,’ Severus said, glaring at them both. ‘Well, Potter, what are you waiting for? You’re saved, go on!’

‘You’re coming with us,’ Potter insisted, dragging him to his feet. ‘Dobby, take us to Hogwarts.’

‘Yes, Harry Potter!’ Dobby grabbed both their hands, and suddenly, the floor dropped out from beneath them and they fell in a swirl of nauseating colours.

Severus decided as they were whisked away that he most definitely did not care for elf-travel.

~*~

The door closed on McGonagall, and for the first time since arriving back on the castle grounds, Severus allowed himself to relax. He wasn’t free yet, far from it. He was, in fact, a prisoner here, in the place that had once been his home. But Hogwarts was better than Azkaban, and here, he could aid the side of good with his skill at potions. The war was not won, but the end was in sight.

‘Why are you still here, brat?’ he asked crossly, staring at Potter—must he really call him Harry?

‘You didn’t think you were getting off that easily, did you?’

‘I have no idea what you mean,’ Severus sniffed.

‘I couldn’t have done anything without you. All those dreams, when you came to me, telling me where the Horcruxes were, how to destroy them. You just kept coming at me, no matter how I tried to keep you out, no matter how many walls I put up, waiting patiently for me to weaken enough to let you in. And you could have turned me over to them, and saved yourself. It wouldn’t have mattered about the Horcrux, if you’d have given him me.’

‘Your point, Potter?’

‘Now it’s my turn to play battering ram,’ Potter said, standing and locking the door.

What the bloody hell have I gotten myself into? Severus thought, just before he ended up with a lap full of Potter.


'Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter!' HBP 28 (American)


fin~



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