Never Alone by Julz
Summary: Severus Snape is a complicated man, but when it comes to protecting Harry Potter's life, there is nothing more simple than succeeding. When Severus finds himself caring for the boy after an attack, how will their relationship change? Snape-Harry mentor fic.
Categories: Teacher Snape > Trusted Mentor Snape Main Characters: .Snape and Harry (required), Arthur, Bellatrix, Draco, Dudley, Dumbledore, Fred George, Ginny, Hagrid, Hermione, Lucius, McGonagall, Molly, Neville, Original Character, Petunia, Remus, Ron, Shacklebolt, Sinistra, Tonks, Vernon, Voldemort, Wormtail
Snape Flavour: Canon Snape, Snape Comforts, Snape is Kind, Snape is Loving, Out of Character Snape, Overly-protective Snape
Genres: Angst, Drama, Family, Hurt/Comfort, Tragedy
Media Type: None
Tags: Adoption, Animagus!Snape, Kidnapped, Pregnancy, Sibling Addition, Snape-meets-Dursleys
Takes Place: 6th summer, 6th Year, 7th summer
Warnings: Alcohol Use, Character Death, Neglect, Out of Character, Profanity, Rape, Romance/Het, Romance/Slash, Self-harm, Suicide Themes, Torture, Violence
Challenges: None
Series: None
Chapters: 62 Completed: Yes Word count: 397611 Read: 400106 Published: 24 Jun 2009 Updated: 10 Feb 2016
And So It Begins... by Julz
Author's Notes:
Ok, so I definitely lied about the number of chapters left in the first half, but I highly doubt any of you mind that haha. Thank you so much to all my readers and reviewers, and especially my beta and muse Renee. Without her, this story would have died. I hope you enjoy this chapter and the many more to come!

The Room of Requirement looked suspiciously like Draco’s quarters in the dungeons, sans bed and plus a sofa, but Harry ignored it in favour of flopping down into a plush armchair. He let Ron and Hermione take the sofa, and felt himself smiling when their hands laced together. He missed Draco, though the blonde had only been away a few hours, visiting with his father.

“So, what’s this super important news you have for us, Harry?” Ron asked, looking slightly smug as Hermione leaned into his side.

Harry sighed heavily. He didn’t even know where to begin. Despite being told that no one could know of Dumbledore’s waning health, Harry didn’t see a way around it if he was going to tell Ron and Hermione about the Horcruxes, and why he was taking over the hunt. He knew Hermione would be a valuable asset when it came to research, and Ron was always willing to help with just about anything. He still felt distinctly resentful that he couldn’t tell his parents or Draco, but he had a feeling he’d find his way around that as well.

“Dumbledore has started to give me important information about Voldemort. It’s essential to defeating him, but I’m going to need help. That’s why he said I could let you guys know. Only you guys.”

Hermione sat up straighter, looking ready to take in information like a sponge does water. “Why not your parents, or even Dumbledore himself? Wouldn’t they be of more help?”

This was it; Harry couldn’t lie to them. “Dumbledore is...ill. He’s not doing too well, and he’s starting to pass all the information he knows to me so that I can take over after he...goes.”

Ron’s jaw dropped, and Hermione made a pitiful noise in the back of her throat. “Dumbledore is dying? Oh, Harry...” Hermione whispered, reaching a hand out to rest on his knee.

“I’m fine, Hermione. Dumbledore is fairly ancient, and it was bound to happen. The timing is just a little inconvenient. He’s going to start meeting with me nearly every night to share pensieve memories of what he knows. It’s more complicated than just information about him, and that’s why I can’t tell Dad or Remus,” Harry said, his words heavy with meaning.

“What do you mean, Harry? Why can you tell us, but not them? That doesn’t make sense to me,” said Ron, his expression bewildered.

“Because this information is very dangerous, and in the wrong hands, can cause history to repeat itself. You cannot tell anyone about any of this, including Dumbledore’s illness. I need your word before I can tell you anything more,” Harry said, pulling out his wand. He trusted his friends, but this was too important to not use formalities.

Ron and Hermione both pulled out their wands and made a Wizard’s Oath, touching the handles of their wands to the tip of Harry’s. Ron looked like he wasn’t quite sure what to do, so with a roll of her eyes, Hermione took over.

“We take an Oath of Silence regarding the information you’re about to tell us, and the information about the Headmaster’s health,” Hermione recited. Ron nodded his agreement, and both of their wands glowed a soft blue before fading away.

 The room instantly became stuffy, and the silence heavy as Harry tried to figure out the right words. If Ron and Hermione were going to help him with this, they needed to know everything. Problem was, Harry still wasn’t sure on a few details himself.

“Voldemort is, essentially, immortal. There are things, objects, which have to be destroyed before he can even be killed. That’s why he didn’t die when the Killing Curse rebounded on him when I was a baby. Have you ever heard of a Horcrux?” Harry asked, betting that Hermione had at least heard or read the word somewhere.

Hermione gasped and dropped Ron’s hand as she stood up and began to pace. “Harry, that is very dark magic. I don’t even know the full extent of the magic; I just know it’s horribly dark, and that I should never have found out about it at all. You’re not saying that Voldemort made one, are you?”

Ron was looking between them, completely lost. Harry smiled humourlessly as he shook his head, frowning when Hermione sighed in relief. “No, he didn’t make one. He made six.”

Six?! That’s completely insane!”

“Would one of you please tell me what the bloody hell you’re talking about?” Ron shouted over Hermione’s indignant shrieking.

“A Horcrux, Ron, is a piece of somebody’s soul locked away for safekeeping. The only way to make a Horcrux is to commit the ultimate act of evil; murder. Voldemort has split his soul into seven pieces; six outside of him, and the last sliver left in his body. In order to destroy that last piece inside him and kill him, the other six have to be found and destroyed,” Harry explained, still feeling slightly nauseous just at the thought.

“Bloody hell! But they could be anything, couldn’t they? Rubbish on the street, random animals, other Death Eaters,” Ron said, his face going slightly green as he thought of all the possibilities.

Harry laughed at the expression on Ron’s face. He knew he looked exactly the same way when Dumbledore was explaining it to him. “No, they’re not random objects. It would be extremely dangerous to make any living thing into a Horcrux, since they can think for themselves and die. He wouldn’t just put a piece of his soul in a piece of rubbish. The objects are things that are important to him, have significance. Two of them have already been destroyed.”

“The diary,” Hermione whispered, smiling grimly as Harry grinned at her.

“Yes, the diary from the Chamber of Secrets. Dumbledore destroyed another one as well. So technically, there’s four more besides the piece still residing in Voldemort himself. Not quite as daunting as six, but still a little crazy,” Harry said with a weak laugh.

“Do you know what they are?” Hermione asked earnestly as she sat back down beside Ron, allowing the redhead to grasp her hand in his once more.

“We have ideas, but that’s it. I’m still learning what Dumbledore knows, but as soon as he fills me in, I’ll be sure to let you guys know. There’s not much time left...” Harry said, leaving out what they all knew was going to happen soon.

“This is really it. The war, it’s starting again,” said Ron. His face was drawn and tired, and he pulled Hermione close as she shuddered.

From the very first moment they had met on the Hogwarts Express, Ron knew his friendship with Harry would never include a dull moment, and he had been more than right. Now, as they were nearing adulthood, almost finished with school and surrounded by dark forces, it was time they realized that their childhoods were gone.

Harry shook his head, looking straight ahead with determination. That’s what he had to do from now on, just keep moving forward, because if he looked back now, he had the chance to change his mind. There was no going back now, and that scared Harry more than anything. “No, the war started a long time ago. It’s just time that we finally fought back, finish this once and for all. Time to show Voldemort he fucked with the wrong infant.”

S~S~S~S

The rain and wind were unforgiving, whipping at the window panes like many fingers tapping. The humidity was thick, and the air frigid. The stone cellar was dark and dank, with only a weak fire producing any light or warmth. A massive snake was curled tight on the rug in front of the fire, trying to soak up the warmth. In the far corner, where the light didn’t quite reach, a man, who looked nothing like a man, sat with his hands crossed over a bone-like wand.

“My Lord, it is high time we move on with this plan. Malfoy’s betrayal and the capture of Bellatrix and Greyback are setting us back too much. It can only mean that the Order think they’ve got us right where they want us. We need to show them that we are the ones in charge.”

“Silence, Yaxley. I am well aware of what the Order of the Phoenix thinks they’ve gained by taking Malfoy in. It is no concern of mine; he knows nothing I care about.”

There was a soft hissing sound, and the gigantic snake sleeping by the fire rose from its slumber, sending back an answering hiss before moving towards the armchair. She slithered up the side and wrapped her body around the back of the chair, her neck as thick as a strong man’s thigh. Her head came to rest on her master’s shoulder, and she hissed contently as a pale, long fingered hand stroked her snout lovingly.

“Have you managed to do what I asked of you, Yaxley? You know we cannot set this plan in motion without him under our command,” the snake-like man rasped, his voice not far off from the hissing that had come from his lips moments before.

The tall, balding man who stood off to the side of the fire looked up into cold, red eyes and fought back a shudder. He had no cause to worry this time; he needn’t lie, after all. “I did manage, my Lord. After careful manoeuvring and quite a bit of misdirection, I hit him with a quick Imperius. He is ours to command.”

There was another rasping noise, this one more rhythmic. It took the man a second to realize his master was actually laughing, though the cold sound could hardly pass as real laughter. It was more like a smug hiss.

“Then it is time. I shall call your brethren tonight. Let the Order think they’ve finally outwitted Lord Voldemort, and let them die when we prove them wrong once more.”

The creature sat forward, the dim firelight illuminating his waxy skin, snake-like nose and red eyes. This was no man, but a vile creature, something barely human. This was Lord Voldemort. A sharp nail beckoned the man on the other side of the room forward, and he obeyed at once, extending his left arm. The sleeve was pulled up, and a dark tattoo of an entwined skull and snake greeted its master.

With a smile that was more acid than pleasure, Voldemort pressed his finger to the tattoo, savouring the way his Death Eater squirmed with pain. The sound of Apparition was heard all around them as the creature sat back, stroking the enormous snake reverently as his followers came to answer his call.

S~S~S~S

It was a morning like any other in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. The secretaries were dictating to their quills as the filing assistants delivered and picked up files from the various cubicles of the Auror Department. Paper plane memos flew overhead as the sound of quills against parchment, light conversation and quiet laughter was heard. Everything was going quite smoothly, and nothing was out of the ordinary.

The temporary Head Auror, Reginald Barwing, was doing his usual check-ins with the different Aurors, dropping off memos, handing out files to be worked on, and updating personnel on important open cases. When Tonks accepted the Wickham file with a warm smile, she expected to get the usual parting words from her boss, “Wotcher, Dora.” Tonks would then respond, “Don’t call me Dora if you ever wish to sire another child, Reggie!”

This morning, though, Reggie handed her the file with a serenely vacant expression, and went on his way. Tonks knew there was something up, something out of place. As she looked over the top of her cubicle to talk to her partner, Clancy, he met her half-way.

“Something’s up with Reg, did you notice?” Jordan Clancy said in a quiet voice, straining his neck to see the back of his boss’s balding head.

“Yeah, I did notice. What does it look like to you?” Tonks asked, the answer already stuck firmly in her mind, only needing confirmation.

“Imperius, or possibly Polyjuice,” Clancy responded, his wand held tightly in his hand as he watched the seasoned Head Auror stop a filing assistant to hand off a file.

Tonks nodded slowly, wondering how the Head Auror could have gotten himself in such a mess. “Should we take it up with Kingsley, you think?”

“Definitely.”

Upon arrival at the Minister’s office, Tonks discovered that the receptionist usually outside of the room wasn’t there, and Kingsley’s door was standing partially open.

“Minister?” Tonks called as she pushed the door all the way open. She had about five seconds to realize what was happening before Rodolphus Lestrange sent a stunning spell at her. He completed his task of securing the Minister before moving on to his next job.

A full minute passed before Kingsley stepped out of the hidden room behind the bookshelf. He pointed his wand at the decoy version of himself, his receptionist Laurel, and removed the Imperius curse and glamour. “I’m sorry about that, Laurel.”

“It’s alright, Minister,” Laurel said in a quiet voice as she accepted the cup of tea that appeared on the desk before her.

Kingsley bent down beside Tonks, checking her pulse just to make sure. He touched his wand to her chest, just above her heart. “Ennervate!

As Tonks blinked open her eyes and looked up into the face of the Minister for Magic, she knew already what he would say.

“It’s begun; Voldemort is attempting to take over the Ministry. I’ve alerted the Order already.”

“Reginald has been compromised already. The Head’s of all of the Departments are getting the same treatment as we speak, most likely,” Tonks said quietly, accepting the hand that Kingsley held out to help her up.

“Lestrange, in the building! I just saw him, I swear it. I tried to stun him, but he got away,” Clancy gasped, trying to catch his breath after running all the way to the Minister’s office from the lifts.

“We need to get word to Dedalus down in the Department of Mysteries as soon as possible. Tonks, send a Patronus to Emmeline. She should have clearance to get down there,” Kingsley instructed as he waved his wand apologetically at Laurel, erasing the last fifteen minutes from her memory.

“I’m sorry you’re feeling ill, Laurel. You may use my floo to get yourself home and rest for the rest of the day.”

Laurel shook her head and blinked hard, wondering how she had ended up in the Minister’s office when the last she knew, she had been sitting at her own desk outside of the door. She figured that she must be riddled with fever, and it was affecting her memory. “Yes, sir. Thank you.” She took a pinch of floo powder and was whisked home by emerald flames in an instant.

Kingsley frowned as he stowed his wand back in his wrist holster, hidden by the sleeve of his plumb robes. “I hate having to do that to her. Clancy, get back to the Auror Department and try to head off as many people as you can, but be discreet. The last thing we need is for them to know we’ve found them out.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Kingsley and Tonks waited for a response from Emmeline, a high pitched scream rang through the office. With their wands pulled, the Minister and Auror rushed out of the office, and found a filing assistant unconscious and bleeding just outside of the lifts. The lift she must have come out of was heading down, and Tonks knew where they were headed.

Tonks jammed her finger into the button on the other side to call another lift. Her patience waned, however, and she left Kingsley with the young girl as she sprinted to the door that led to the stairwell, jogging down the many flights until she came to the very last door. She waved her wand, sending her magical signature and the spell that gave her clearance to any Department in emergency situations. The door opened, and she ran through with a sigh of relief to find Emmeline Vance and Dedalus Diggle heading towards the door of the Department of Mysteries.

“We’ve found out where the potion is being developed. You-Know-Who is a fool, because although the potion is complete, it hasn’t been released yet. We have to hurry, before Moreau figures out we’re onto him,” Dedalus whispered as he used the spell to locate the correct door. He moved through the confusing Department like it was no more confusing than his own home. Tonks hated being here again.

“You’re sure Voldemort hasn’t gotten his hands on it yet?” Tonks asked, grimacing at the tank of white, congealed brains as they passed through to another room.

“An Unspeakable heard about the potion, and got suspicious and reported it to Human Resources, including paperwork. We think it was someone who was helping, but got scared when they realized what this potion could do. We know every move of the experiment now, and it’s not been cleared to leave the room it was developed in. We’re positive You-Know-Who wasn’t expecting that one,” Emmeline explained. She pulled her wand as the sound of a slamming door up ahead caught them off guard.

They were in a small room, doors all on sides, each one smaller than the last, down to a rat-sized door at the very end. Emmeline and Dedalus both sent a spell at two different doors, and suddenly the walls shrank in, so that all the doors suddenly amassed into one on each side. Tonks had to blink a few times as her mind tried to adjust to what she was seeing.

“The left.”

“The right.”

“Bet you for it?” Emmeline asked, a twinkle in her eyes that caused Dedalus to laugh.

“Ten Galleons.”

“You’re on.”

Each one of the Unspeakables opened a door at the same time, and Dedalus cursed as his hand was scolded by the handle, the door slamming in his face. Emmeline smirked and headed through the door she had opened, her wand still at the ready.

“What was that all about?”

“The Room of Chance. You can’t find the way out without a bet or a wager,” Dedalus explained in a whisper. Tonks decided that she was extremely glad she was an Auror, and not an Unspeakable. She’d never be able to remember all these strange rooms.

A red streak of light hit the wall just above Tonks’ head. She ducked and cast a shielding spell, looking around to see that Rodolphus Lestrange was leading a tall, blonde man through another door. There was a glint of light as Tonks spotted a vial of potion on a thick chain around the taller man’s neck. That had to be Moreau.

“Stop them!”

Emmeline and Dedalus rushed forward, shouting a spell Tonks didn’t recognize to open the door. She followed just behind, and managed to shield her companions from another stunner. There was a loud bang as the door they had just come through opened once more, admitting Kingsley and Fred and George Weasley.

“This place is wicked,” Fred said, an excited gleam in his eye.

“I’ve always liked jigsaw puzzles!” George exclaimed, sharing a mischievous grin with his twin.

Kingsley ran forward, sending a stunner of his own at the two retreating Death Eaters. His spell caught Lestrange, and the man fell, tripping up the French Potions Master. With a panicked noise, Moreau chose a door at random, and promptly ran head first into a brick wall, knocking himself unconscious. Six different binding spells shot at the two men.

Tonks knelt down beside the Potions Master, pulling the chain from around the man’s neck and holding the vial of potion up to Kingsley. “Here we are, boss. The potion with the power to strip magic.”

Kingsley took the vial and smiled grimly. He tapped his wand against the glass. “Evanesco!” The potion vanished completely.

“The fun is always gone before we get here!” Fred complained, his brother patting him sympathetically on the arm. Tonks couldn’t help but laugh.

S~S~S~S

Unspeakable Potions Master Arrested!

‘Sources say that newly hired Potions Master Jean-Pierre Moreau, was arrested yesterday after a breech in security in the Department of Mysteries. Though the Auror Department and Minister refused comment, rumours suggest the Frenchman was caught trying to smuggle out a very important, secret experiment from the Department of Mysteries, and was apprehended by the Minister himself. It was also rumoured that the arrest of Death Eater Rodolphus Lestrange was connected to Moreau’s arrest, though the Minister refused to confirm or deny suspicions.

The only response this reporter got came from an Unspeakable, and judging from their statement, the details of this investigation will continue to be kept under wraps for a long time to come.

“You’re not seriously asking an Unspeakable to speak about a breech in security, are you? I wasn’t aware being daft was a requirement for Prophet Reporters. No details are being released at this time. No further comment.”

The Unspeakable asked that their name not be used for this article.’

“So that’s it, those plans that Lucius went on about are foiled?” Harry asked as he passed the Daily Prophet back to his father, who had a smug smile on his face. He sipped his tea leisurely as Draco scowled at Harry from his spot beside him on the sofa.

“That’s it. As Malfoy said, without that potion, the rest of the plans cannot be put into place; though I’m sure we’ve not heard or seen the last of them. Like Lucius said, Voldemort has the tendency to spring back from a failure quickly. That pathetic excuse for a Potions Master actually managed to knock himself out by running into a wall,” Severus snorted, tossing the paper onto the coffee table as Remus perched on the arm of his chair. He glared at the werewolf, who only smirked back at him and did not budge from his seat.

Harry snorted into his own cup of tea, just imagining how stupid that man must feel now that he was in Azkaban. “I guess Dumbledore was right. There was nothing I could have done to help.”

“The Headmaster is, occasionally, correct when he speaks of such things. Speaking of which, what did he want to discuss with you?” Severus asked, setting his cup of tea aside as he focused his full attention on his son, who looked suddenly very uncomfortable.

Harry sighed heavily, not looking up to meet his father’s eyes. “Er...I can’t tell you. Dumbledore made me promise not to tell anyone besides Ron and Hermione.”

“Why on earth would he allow your friends to know something that your parents cannot?” Remus inquired, his expression quite bewildered as he gave in and sat down on the ottoman instead of the arm of Severus’ chair.

“He said it was too dangerous. What he’s teaching me, it can go very wrong if the knowledge falls into the wrong hands,” Harry said, his tone earnest as he felt Draco stiffen beside him.

“So what, he can trust three teenagers to such dangerous knowledge, but not two adults who are in charge of you? That man has finally lost it,” Severus snapped, glaring as Remus frowned over at him.

“What the hell? Granger and Weasley can know, but not me? That’s completely asinine!” Draco shouted, glaring at Harry. He hated feeling like, despite Weasley’s attitude in the beginning of the year towards Harry, he was being pushed out now.

Harry sighed heavily and scrubbed at his face. He knew this was going to happen, and he still didn’t have any idea of how to appease everyone and still keep the secrets Dumbledore made him keep. “Look, Dumbledore knows that Ron and Hermione have been there to help me in the past, and he knew I would need their support to get through this. The nature of this information is the reason I can’t tell you three specifically. It’s just too dangerous for that many people to know.”

“Severus, I have to go. I’ll see you in the morning,” Remus said quietly as he stood up, looking up at the clock above the hearth. It was nearing sundown, and Remus could feel the pull already. Even with the Wolfsbane, he had no intentions of ever letting these children see him go through the transformation. Harry had already seen it once back in his third year, and it was still one of Remus’ biggest regrets.

“Hold on, I’m coming with you so we can talk,” Severus said, standing from his seat and giving Harry a dark look. “And we are not done talking either, Harry, so don’t even think about leaving.”

Harry nodded in a defeated way, leaning back in his seat as he felt the potent glare still coming from his boyfriend. His eyes slowly shifted over, and Draco was indeed still sending him a death glare. Harry sighed. “Draco, I’m sorry that I can’t tell you. I really want to, because I could use your help too, but Dumbledore had a point. What he’s teaching me, telling me about, it’s really dark, and very dangerous if it were to fall in the wrong hands. It already has once, and that’s why I’m in the position I am.”

“So you can’t tell me or Sev and Remus because you think we’re going to use this information to what, become the next Dark Lord?” Draco asked in a scathing tone, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.

“No, I don’t think that at all. Dumbledore might have mentioned something like that, but I don’t agree with him. The reason I think it’s best to keep this as quiet as possible is because it’s really scary stuff, Draco. I hate the very idea of it, and I just think it would be best if very few people knew,” Harry explained, shrugging as Draco just continued to glare at him. He didn’t know what else to say to appease the blonde.

“Well you have fun with your friends then, bonding over the best way to make Voldemort snuff it. ‘We’ll always be together, no matter what happens’? My arse,” Draco snapped, his voice cracking at the end as he finally looked away from Harry. He stood up from the sofa and stalked towards the door, slamming it behind him as he left.

“Draco’s sense of betrayal is, I’m sure, very high right now. He asked his father if he could join the Order, and Lucius told him no, but not because of his age. He told him no because he didn’t want Draco involved in such things. He wanted him to stay neutral. Draco went off on him and explained that it would be a little hard to stay neutral in the war when he was dating the leader of one side, but Lucius didn’t seem to think your relationship was anything serious. A flight of fancy, I think he called it.” Severus ignored his chair in favour of sitting beside his son, who was looking extremely distressed and exhausted. A sixteen year old boy had no business looking so worn down.

“I thought Lucius was on our side? How can he tell Draco that he has to stay neutral, when he’s not doing the same?” Harry asked, brushing his messy hair out of his eyes as he looked over at his father. The man looked tired, but surprisingly happy.

“Because the fool doesn’t have a choice in the matter. His willingness to cooperate is the only thing keeping him out of Azkaban. Draco just needs a little time to calm down. I’m sure he’ll be trying to convince his father to change his mind,” Severus explained, patting Harry gently on the knee.

“He’s almost of age; it won’t matter after that,” Harry said with a shrug. “How’s Moony doing? Er – I mean...” Harry trailed off, hoping his slip didn’t cause his father to blow up at him. He still wasn’t sure what he thought about Harry’s preferred nickname for Remus.

“Harry, I don’t mind the nickname. There’s no need to worry about how I’ll react to it. If that’s what you want to call Remus, then I’m fine with it. It’s not my business to interfere with your relationship with him,” Severus assured his son, slightly amused at the slight look of terror that had crossed the Gryffindor’s face. “Remus is doing fine. He took his potion like he was supposed to, and laid down to get some rest before moonrise.”

Harry sighed and nodded in relief, unaware of the fact that he had shifted closer to his father on the sofa. “Do you ever worry about him, Dad? I know it sounds horrible, but people with lycanthropy aren’t known for living long past forty, and he’s almost there. I can’t even imagine not having Remus here. It scares me so much to think of losing him.”

Severus wrapped an arm around Harry’s shoulders, pulling him close to his side. The teen had hit right where Severus had been trying his best not to focus on, and knowing that his son was worried about the same thing scared him that much more. “I worry about him every day, Harry. I’ve been working on a potion for after the transformation, something that will help him heal more quickly and completely. Remus is a very strong man, never doubt that, but I know exactly how you feel. I don’t even want to think about Remus not living past...” Severus couldn’t even finish the sentence as his heart raced in his chest.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Harry said in earnest, leaning heavily against his father’s side and savouring his warm embrace. It wasn’t often he got to just sit and talk to his father, and it was nice to feel this closeness.

“It’s alright. It’s nice to know I am not the only one fretting over such things, but no more talk of that just now. This thing with Dumbledore, Harry...it sounds extremely dangerous. I think it would be wise if you told at least Remus or me, if not both. What if something were to happen to you concerning whatever this is, and Dumbledore passed? No one save your friends would know what was going on, and their Gryffindor sensibilities would no doubt hinder them from telling us. I am only concerned, Harry. I want to keep you safe,” Severus said quietly, brushing the dark locks of hair out of his son’s eyes as the teen seemed to melt into his side, relaxing at his touch.

Harry sighed heavily, knowing his father was right. He made Ron and Hermione swear an Oath; there was no way they could tell if something were to happen to Harry after Dumbledore died. He knew if he told one of them, the other would no doubt be informed, but he couldn’t help but feel like he was betraying his parents by keeping this from them. The thought of Draco finding out that his parents knew as well made Harry cringe, and he knew he’d have to confide in the blonde as well. Dumbledore hadn’t made him vow not to tell, so there was nothing to lose but his sense of security about keeping the information under wraps.

“Can you put up a silencing spell around us, just in case?” Harry asked as he pulled slightly away from the Potions Master and looked him in the eyes, his expression quite serious. As soon as his father had flicked his wand and muttered a spell, Harry launched into his explanation, noting the increasing look of fear and horror on Severus’ face. He knew it was a privilege to see the man’s face so unguarded.

“Dear Merlin, Harry. I think I understand now why Dumbledore wanted to keep this limited to very few people. That magic is some of the darkest magic there is. I haven’t even heard of it actually being used in several centuries,” Severus said, still reeling from what his son had confided in him about the Dark Lord’s seeming immortality.

Harry nodded emphatically, bolstered by his father’s seriousness. He wasn’t the only one who thought this was extremely insane, which made him feel much better about his own reaction to the information. “Yeah, and of course it happens to be sodding Voldemort who’s crazy enough to do it not once like any other normal evil bugger, he has to go do it six times. Git.”

Severus chuckled, though the information was actually more horrifying than funny. He was glad his son could joke about it, however, and wasn’t currently breaking down from the stress of such an added expectation. “You know I must let Remus know. I cannot rightfully keep him in the dark concerning his son’s welfare.”

Harry nodded and smiled, feeling a comfortable warmth in the pit of his stomach at being referred to as the man’s son. For some reason, being Severus’ adopted son felt much more real than being Remus’ son by marriage. He wished the werewolf could opt for second parent adoption. “Yeah, I know. And I’ll have to tell Draco, or he’ll never speak to me again.”

“I think Vows or Oaths will be in order.”

“Yeah, I already made Ron and Hermione swear an Oath, so you were right in saying that someone else needed to know, in case something bad happened,” Harry admitted with a sheepish smile. He felt slightly stupid that it hadn’t occurred to him first.

“We’re all here to help, Harry. I hope you know that you are never alone in this, ever.”

“I know, Dad. Thanks,” Harry said, leaning against his father once more, and closing his eyes as the man ran his fingers through his messy locks. He was so very lucky.

S~S~S~S

The first three knocks went ignored. Harry was sorely tempted to just use the password and barge in, but decided to respect Draco’s privacy and come back later. As he turned to leave, the portrait opened, and a red-eyed Draco peered out.

“What?” he asked plainly, not opening the door more than a crack or inviting his boyfriend in. He was still terribly hurt, and he was sure Harry could tell.

Harry felt his stomach knot up in guilt at the obvious signs of Draco recently crying. He sighed and moved closer to the door, gently pushing on it until Draco allowed it to open all the way and let Harry in. He gathered the blonde into his arms and held him there, placing chaste kisses on his cheeks and brow. The Slytherin went slack in his arms and held tightly to his robes.

“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, Harry. I feel so terrible,” Draco cried, his head tucked in the space between the Gryffindor’s shoulder and chin.

Harry pulled away and took Draco’s hand, leading him over to the bed where he sat down and pulled Draco into his lap. “It’s alright. You were upset, and Severus told me it wasn’t just with me. I decided to tell Dad about what Dumbledore is teaching me, and he’ll tell Moony. It isn’t fair that you be the only one not to know, and I really want you there with me, helping me with this. Ron and Hermione will be there to support me, yes, but you can give me a kind of support that they never could. You have to make an Oath not to tell anyone though, not even your father.”

“Fat chance of me telling him anything. I asked my father about joining the Order, to help out with the war effort and all, but he told me that I’m to stay neutral. I told him he’s mad; I’m dating you, there’s no way I could ever be neutral. He’s a bloody hypocrite as well,” Draco snapped, glaring at nothing in particular at the memory.

“He also said our relationship is just a flight of fancy, and that it won’t last. I pretty much told him to stuff it, and if he’d had a wand, he would have hexed me up one side and down the other.”

“Maybe he thinks you staying neutral will help keep you alive. If he does, I think he’s very much mistaken. Voldemort doesn’t care if you’re neutral or if you support the Light. If you’re not with him, you’re against him; end of story. Your father is just worried about you, especially after losing your mum and hearing what happened to you afterwards. He may be a right bastard sometimes, but he does seem like a fairly decent father.

“Concerning our relationship, he hasn’t had much time to get used to it, nor has he seen us interact with each other very much. He knows that you say you love me, and I love you, but he’s yet to really witness that love. He’ll know one way or the other, that this isn’t just some passing phase. Forever, and I meant it,” Harry said firmly, leaning down to kiss Draco tenderly on the lips, his fingers sliding through silky blonde hair.

“Alright, I’ll take the Oath,” Draco said breathlessly after Harry pulled out of the kiss. He looked slightly rumpled, and his breathing was uneven. Harry smirked.

Draco uncurled himself from Harry’s lap and reached for his wand, which was on his bedside table. He held it out, handle first, and waited for Harry to touch the tip of his wand to it before speaking. “I take an Oath of silence regarding what you are about to tell me.”

Harry’s wand glowed blue for a second, then faded away. The Gryffindor took a deep breath, and began to explain. He was glad this would be the last time having to do so, as he felt his heart grow heavy with dread with each retelling.

Draco’s expression turned smug, and his smirk was a little unnerving as Harry finished retelling as much as he knew. Everyone else had reacted with horror, yet Draco seemed to be amused, even pleased.

“See Harry, I knew it would be a good idea if you told me,” Draco said, his tone unexpectedly gleeful, which only made Harry worry more.

“Why is that?” Harry asked tentatively, fearing for his boyfriend’s sanity and almost regretting telling him anything at all.

“Because I’ve heard of this before, and I might know where to find some more information on it; Malfoy Manor,” Draco explained, his expression as smug as Harry had ever seen it. The Gryffindor couldn’t help the smirk that spread across his own face before pouncing on the blonde, attacking his lips with fervour.

The End.
End Notes:
Ah yes, a bit of a cliffy, and you’ll most definitely want to kill me when you read the next chapter. But fear not! All will be answered in the end...whenever that may be, hehe! Thanks for reading, and please leave a review!


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