"Severus!" Draco shouted as he bolted towards the crumbled form of his Godfather.

The first light of the morning streaked the sky with a pink-orange glow, making it look as if it were a painting. The Hogwarts castle became a shadowed silhouette beyond the twisted tree line of the Forbidden Forest once the sun began to rise. A light breeze was felt, carrying dry leaves, and further scattering them around the area they occupied. Harry could hear the Thestrals in the distance, along with the morning birds chirping happily upon their perch high in the trees.

If it were an ordinary day, Harry would have loved to marvel in it the beauty of the summer morning, but instead, he flipped his head around mere seconds after hearing Severus Snape plummet to the forest floor with a sickening THUMP. Both he and Draco turned to face each other so suddenly upon the horrifying realisation, as both stomachs filled with dread and panic. But neither of them could hesitate any longer, as they bolted from their safe zone to tend to the fallen man.

Harry, speeding closely behind, dropped down heavily beside both Slytherins once the selenite cage was deactivated by Draco. He was unable to peel his petrified gaze away from Severus' prone, and almost lifeless form, in his bid to detect any sign of a breath. The man was tangled up amongst his robes, while he noticed some blood trickling from Severus' nose and the corner of his mouth. The wound at his neck was seeping through the bandage yet again, and Harry reached out to apply pressure to it without hesitation. The man did not stir, not even once.

Harry leaned over and tilted his head close over Severus' mouth, but he could not detect a breath amongst his own panic. He watched as Draco tried to feel for a pulse, "…Anything?!"

"Shut it, Potter! I'm trying!" Draco tried to silence him, and Harry struggled to comprehend what was happening. He watched as Draco lifted up Severus' limp wrist and felt around for a pulse. Draco frowned slightly until he moved to place his fingers at Severus' throat instead, just under his jaw. Again, his frown deepened, "I – I can't feel anything."

"What?! Try again!" Harry snapped.

"I'm bloody trying, Potter! What does it look I'm doing?!" Draco snapped back, "I can't feel anything! We have to get him to St. Mungo's."

" – But - "

"- Don't be stupid! There is nothing more we can do – w-we need help!" Draco retrieved and flourished his own wand, as the objects used for the ritual packed themselves away quickly within Harry's satchel. The silver Death Eater mask lay dormant on the forest floor. Draco looked at Harry with uncertainty, "…Are we supposed to take this with us?"

"I – I don't know -"

"- Think Potter!" Draco snapped, irritably.

Harry didn't know what to do. Was the ritual over? Was it supposed to accompany Severus, still? He had no clue. There was nothing in the text to indicate it. Taking a chance, Harry carefully wrapped the mask in a cloth and placed it within his bag. "…We'll figure it out later. Let's just get him out of here."

Without another word, Draco grabbed a secure hold of an unconscious Severus and roughly clutched Harry's wrist, until they were both Apparated away from the Forbidden Forest. Harry's vision swirled manically before his eyes once they reappeared at St. Mungo's. He had been here a few times before, but they used the visitor's entrance in those instances. Here, seemed like a direct Apparition point. Was this the magical version of the emergency department? Harry's mind was a little confused, as he looked around to find staff racing in all directions. The pale blue décor masked the chaos that enveloped them. Small memos and letters were flying through the air overhead, much like the enchanted paper planes they were using at the Ministry. Patients of all ailments were being transported through on floating stretchers, with family members wailing in a panic not far from them.

Several of the Healers had spotted the strange trio and raced to their side. One of them conjured a stretcher.

The freckle-faced Healer, knelt down beside them, "What's the situation?"

"Ugh…" Harry stumbled on his words in a panic. What was he meant to say? His mind felt numb.

Draco interjected hastily instead, "A spell gone wrong. We found him like that."

Harry looked at Draco, who exchanged a small nod. That would be close enough. He heard the Healers murmuring to each other and watched as they levitated Severus gently upon the stretcher and took him away. The two teenagers moved to follow until another male Healer moved to stop them.

"Not beyond this point, I'm afraid – " The Healer insisted.

Draco looked livid, "He's my Godfather!"

The Healer shook his head, "We will see you once we have an update. In the meantime, go to the waiting area. We will tend to him as best we can."

Harry felt like he was about to have a panic attack, feeling his own struggled breaths burning in his chest. He was still trying to comprehend what had just happened. In all of his shock, he nudged Draco's arm and spoke with a shaking voice, "Come on...There is nothing else we can do for him."

Seeing the angry Slytherin, Harry watched as Draco stormed off to the waiting area and found an empty spot in the corner to sit in. Harry, unsure of following, leaned up against the wall. He was about to place his hands in his pockets until he realised that they were still coated with Severus' blood. Shaking slightly at the sight, he walked over to a cleaning station in his bid to scrub his hands clean. The tap magically activated, as the liquid soap jumped up from the basin, and poured some of the solution on his hands. Harry scrubbed intensely as if the task itself would help distract him. He lost track of the amount of time he stood there for but gathering how mildly wrinkled his fingers were getting, it was far longer than he should have.

However, he could not erase the last few hours that occurred in the forest, and the state of Severus once they were able to see him. This phase was different. He did not hear Severus in distress, nor any cries of pain or suffering. In a way, Harry was relieved. But it still left him confused – what had Severus seen? Both teenagers did not hear him much at all, only upon the chanting of the incantations. That was it.

Another dreaded thought occurred to him – did the curse decide to take his life?

No, no. It couldn't be.

No.

Harry tried to swallow back a rising sob, as his eyes burned.

No, not like this. Not after everything.

He failed him. He killed him. This was his fault.

When he had had enough of looking at his own shaking hands, he turned to see Draco sitting alone, leaning over his knees to stare idly at the floor. He, too, was in an obvious state of shock. Now, they were both lost.

What were they supposed to do now? Something must have gone wrong. Harry closed his eyes in his bid to remember what had happened since they left Grimmauld Place. Everything seemed to work out smoothly. Severus chanted the incantations as they were written. Was it something else they were missing?'

He had far too many questions, and no real answers.

Harry was at a loss what to think. As far as he and Draco had heard, there was nothing that suspected it went wrong. There was no knowing, and with Severus' ill health taking a deep dive for the worst, he felt like his world was yet again crumbling before him. At that moment in time, Severus himself was being attended to by Healers and advanced Potioneers of all ranks in their bid to keep him alive. There had to be some life left in him. Harry refused to come to the possibility that he was gone. That all their efforts were for nothing. But Harry couldn't help but think back to Severus' heartbroken expression before the ritual – He had sensed the man's demeanor had changed. Did he know what was going to happen? Severus had looked almost scared. He knew he was trying his best to retain his usual stoic confidence, but there was something else within him that frightened him immensely, and Harry felt stupid for not comprehending that earlier. Harry was so adamant that this phase would work without fault, and that everything will be okay.

He felt sick to his stomach. How could he be so naïve?

Harry turned to look at Draco once again and noticed the Slytherin did not move an inch. Silently, Harry walked up to where he was, and sat down a few seats away, still being cautious to give him his own space. There they waited for what seemed like hours, as both teenagers sat in silence. Neither of them dared to say a word, as silence was already too painful enough to bear. The wait alone was one of the most difficult things he had to endure. It seemed like such a simple feat, but to Harry, it meant the world. Harry hesitated to contact the others and decided against it for now as he was too frightened that he'd crumble in an inconsolable heap if they arrive. He simply couldn't bear to face anyone else. For now, he just needed time to come to terms with what had just happened.

Eventually, one of the Healers walked up to them with her arms neatly at her side. Her light hazel eyes darted from Harry to Draco, and back again. "Are you family of Mr. Snape?"

Harry shook his head.

"…I'm his Godson - " Draco's voice croaked, "- He has no blood relatives left."

The Healer nodded, soberly, "Alright. There are some things we must address in regard to his condition. We are unable to determine the cause, but there seems to be some kind of, well...resistance to treatment. We were able to seal off the wound, which appears to be an infected bite of some kind, but unlike anything we've seen before. It looks rough, but it seems to be knitting together a little too slowly for our liking. His lungs are a bit of a mess, along with the lack of oxygen he has sustained, causing other problems. We have administered what we could, but he has not responded. He - we have been unable to wake him since arrival."

"So...he's alive?" Harry asked, feeling his own heart thudding against his ribcage.

The Healer nodded, "Yes, but barely. It's difficult to assess right now, and his brain scans seem oddly normal, considering. Right now, he's in a deep sleep, and we cannot find the cause of it. The condition of his body is rather poor, so it is possible his body has seemingly shut down to heal. However, since we don't know exactly why he isn't responding to treatment, we cannot give you a clear prognosis. I'm sorry. There is not much else we can do."

"Can...Can we see him? " Draco asked, quietly.

"Of course. Follow me - " The Healer turned to leave, motioning for the two to follow.

Harry and Draco glanced at each other with equal dread, as they both turned to follow the young witch. The two were lead through a labyrinth of hallways and bustling rooms occupied by Healers, volunteers, and sick patients. They passed rooms filled with small children accompanied by their parents at their bedside, and elderly witches and wizards on their deathbeds, surrounded by family. Harry tried his best to avert his gaze as he walked by, but each room appeared more heartbreaking than the last.

It was no wonder Severus did not want to be here.

Harry dragged his feet as he walked, feeling no energy to pick them up as he went, until finally the Healer stopped at the door of one of the rooms towards the end of the dull, sunlit corridor. To his confusion, he spotted two Aurors stationed outside of the room, standing guard. Draco looked at Harry with a puzzled expression but proceeded to walk past the Aurors, eyeing them with a filthy glare, and entered the room. Once the Slytherin entered the room, they spotted Severus' motionless form lying on top of the bed with blankets drawn up over his chest, looking like he is in a deep sleep. His breaths, although faint, still sounded as sickly as he remembered however, he had an oxygen mask secured over his nose and mouth, seemingly attached to nothing. The mask itself was emitting small gentle wisps of blue magic as if a spell were generating oxygen for him, which had Harry a little intrigued with. They had removed the man's black cloak and suite and were found hanging up by the wardrobe in the corner. Instead, they had placed a white patterned patient robe over him, which to Harry, threw him slightly off guard. But that was not the only thing that left him speechless.

There were magical constraints on the man's arms and legs, binding him to the bed with dormant electric-like shackles. Harry suddenly felt enraged.

"Why the hell are Aurors here?!" Harry exclaimed, "And why the hell is he restrained?!"

"The tracing alerted us here. His signal was faint overnight, but we were contacted at once as he arrived, " One of the Aurors spoke sternly, as he addressed him.

"And? Look at him! He's sick, dying, and not bloody going anywhere!" Harry spat.

"Our protocol says - "

"- To hell with your protocol! Release him, now!"

"I must ask you to calm down, Mr. Potter, " The second Auror stepped in, "You have no authority over the Ministry."

"Calm down?! Bring me Minister Shacklebolt, and I'll sort this out with him, " Harry was livid, as he felt himself breathing far too heavily, and was unable to calm himself. Draco, sitting beside Severus, watched on in disbelief as Harry yelled at the Aurors. The Healer herself looked sullen. Eventually, a short silence befell the room, and not even Severus' sickly breaths could be heard.

The first Auror sighed, "Very well. You take this up with the Minister, Mr. Potter. We will send for him at once if you so desire."

"Yeah, you do that!" Harry's face grew hot with rage.

The first Auror nodded to the second, until he departed swiftly past the Healer, leaving the second Auror to remain stationed behind, looking irritated and sour. Harry was still rooted to the spot, staring into the room at the man lying helpless in the hospital bed, in his bid to manage his own anger. How dare they treat a dying man in this way. He is already incapacitated, and yet they still had the nerve to further bind him, like he was going to wake up and flee the country, much to their anticipation for a solid reason for the man's conviction.

"My apologies for the Auror interference. We were not given notice – " The gentle-faced witch turned back to face Harry sympathetically, "I am Healer Melody. If you require any assistance or have any other questions, I will be in the vicinity."

"Wait...Melody?" Harry crinkled his brow, "You…It was you who sent the letter to him, right?"

The Healer tilted her head as if to observe Harry further. Her eyes trailed upwards until her eyes widened as she took notice of his now-faint scar, "Oh! Mr. Potter? Harry Potter?"

Harry nodded, "I saw your letter...sorry, I didn't mean to pry. My owl delivered it to me first, but Severus did eventually receive it."

The woman's expression relaxed, looking relieved, "Oh, I'm pleased he did. I was hesitant about sending one, but...I felt it was the right thing to do. You did a noble thing with that article. You're both heroes -" Her face suddenly fell, "- My sincerest apologies for him, Mr. Potter. Truly."

"...Do you think he'll make it?" Harry was scared to speak those words.

Healer Melody's face fell, "I really do not know. He was in a terrible state when he arrived. He was obviously cursed with something, and whatever it was, had a right good hold of him. I did notice he had these strange, black wisps around his neck wound, radiating through his body, but the more I looked...they began to…well, fade. Does that mean anything?"

Harry hesitated. The tendrils? Did they disappear? "…I don't know. What are the chances of us taking him home and making him comfortable there? I mean, it's not like you guys haven't done a good job, because you're brilliant, but...Right now, he is safer with us. The situation is kind of complicated. He might be at risk and further danger if we leave him here."

Healer Melody gave a small nod, "I understand. Considering we've exhausted our magical resources, the only thing we can do now is wait, I'm afraid. Whatever happened to him, he will respond in his own time. His body is rather damaged and appears to have been that way over time. Rest is what he needs. Proper rest. The way I see it, it appears he had been unable to do that for a while. Some of his side effects are consistent with prolonged pain, leaving him exhausted and heavily weakened."

Harry glanced sadly back at Severus, with Draco still at his side, "Yeah. That seems right…Is Madam Pomfrey around?"

"She is, yes. She is also aware of his current status - Would you like me to inform her of your wishes? I gather Mr. Malfoy is also on board with it?"

"I'll discuss that with him. Thank you, Melody, " Harry replied, gratefully.

The Healer seemed to give him a small smile, "Tough as nails, he is, isn't he? I used to be scared of him in my first few years. Absolutely terrified, the bumbling potions idiot, I was. Once I reached my Sixth year, he was actually one of my favorite Professors. An intelligent and extraordinary man. Knows his stuff, far beyond textbook level. It's a shame I drove him nuts for most of my time there, though, " She gave a small chuckle before her expression turned a little more serious, "There is something within him that is not ready to give up just yet...There's still hope, Mr. Potter. Do excuse me. I will inform Poppy right away...I'll give you some time alone."

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

The Healer dashed off picking up her pale blue robes as she went, leaving Harry and Draco alone once more. A single Auror still remained at the door, and Harry shot him a darkened look before he finally entered the room where Severus lay still. Shutting the door behind him, he pulled up a chair and sat on the opposite side. Draco had not peeled his pained gaze off his Godfather.

After a very lengthy silence, Harry sighed.

"We go tonight, and get this over and done with, alright?" He reassured, turning to see Severus' unconscious body barely breathing on the bed, "...Then you - we - can stay with him."

"He'll likely be dead before we get back, so what's the point?" Draco stared dismally at his Godfather, barely blinking, "If there is nothing more the Healers can do for him, then we make him comfortable elsewhere. Like you said."

"I know he didn't want to die in a hospital. He's told me that much - " Harry felt sad, as he peeled his gaze away from the sick man, to stare at his own shaking hands, "- I can't believe we're even having this conversation."

Draco looked sourly at Harry, before his paled face relaxed, "No…you're right. He always joked about that with me, you know, with his usual morbid humor...Saying he'd rather go home, and..." The younger Slytherin cut himself short.

Harry lowered his head, "We'll take him back to mine…It's far safer and more secure at Grimmauld Place. We can ask Madam Pomfrey to stay with him, while we go..."

Draco sighed, "He'll hate that, too. Bloody hell."

"I know. I mean, we're just waiting now, aren't we? You heard what the Healer said. There was nothing more that they can do, " Harry bit his lip, feeling incredibly uneasy.

Draco nodded, "Then it's settled. If my place were still standing, I'd take him there instead…But he has nowhere else to go."

"…I'm glad we can agree on this. I'm not comfortable leaving him here, unprotected, and I know you wouldn't be, too. One rogue Death Eater could find out and take their shot. I already don't feel comfortable with the Aurors here."

Draco bawled his fist, "They would do that, the sly scum they are. The Death Eaters, I mean."

"We've been deceived already, " Harry thought back to when Ginny was taken before his eyes at Godric's Hollow, "It's been effective before, so of course they'll try again. I'll talk to the Minister when he gets here, and figure something out."

"…What a bloody mess."

"One thing at a time, okay? We rescue the others tonight and get everyone back in one piece, " Harry lowered his voice, even having difficulty listening to his own advice.

Draco looked bitter, as he snarled towards the Gryffindor, "You seem to be overly confident that the others will even allow me there. Not only do I need to dodge the Death Eaters, but also that bloody DA of yours."

"Did you prefer I tell them that you'd be helping us?" Harry shrugged, "Is that really what you want?"

"No! You will not tell them! Not a chance in hell, Potter!"

"Alright, I won't tell them, then. I just figured so the others don't get the shock of their lives when they see you there. Just…stay with Ron and Luna at all times. They'll ensure you stay hidden."

"I really don't care about what they think. They are not to know – I don't want them to. They just…wouldn't understand, " Draco ran his hand through his hair, grimacing, "Bad enough you've paired me with Weasley, Lovegood, and Hagrid's mangy mutt."

"...That's for your own good."

"Hmpf, " Draco scoffed, as he rolled his eyes, "Whatever."

"Thank me later when you leave in one piece."

"I most certainly will bloody not."

Harry had the urge to continue but shut his mouth instead. They shouldn't be fighting like this. Not here, and definitely not at the point where both teenagers were sitting by Severus' side, helpless and powerless. Had he awoken; he would have scolded the both of them in a bid to prevent them from tearing each other apart. Severus alone was in a critical state, and they were all waiting for him to wake up. If he even had the will to do even that. Nothing Harry could do or say, could help the situation they were stuck in as his heart sunk deeper within his chest. He felt nauseated with worry. He had never been in a position to watch someone gradually inch closer to death, before. Everyone he has ever lost in his life has all been taken away from him so suddenly. But this was already agony enough, waiting for the inevitable, whether he was able to pull through, or…

…leave him.

Harry felt further sickened.

Not bearing to remain in the room any longer, Harry excused himself from the room a few hours later, to find Minister Shacklebolt in discussion with the stationed Auror outside of the door. After a few moments, the Auror nodded and walked into Severus' room. With a flick of his wand, the magical restraints dissipated, thus freeing the man from the constraints. He then fled down the corridor, pocketing his wand. Kingsley turned to Harry, and it was then did he realise, he was holding Severus' wand.

"Mr. Potter - Harry - I received the news a short while ago. My deepest apology for the delay, " Kingsley spoke softly, "…What is his status?"

"The Healers couldn't wake him up - " Harry replied, feeling his voice shake a bit " - Like he's in a coma or something. I dunno, this morning has been a blur. Severus isn't doing so well."

"I spoke with Elphias and Griselda upon his situation. Now, I was able to come to a mutual agreement with them to return his wand. At the state he was in, he'd be in no condition to perform magic, thus, I was able to convince the Council to return it. I didn't see the point in withholding it any further, in his state, and for a man as ill as he, it would be dishonorable to deny him of that. The trace is still active, if anything, I could not sway that decision."

"Return it? Well, fat lot of good that's going to do him now, is there?!" Harry was still remotely angry, though he didn't mean to snap at Kingsley, "...I'm sorry. I'm just so...frustrated."

Kingsley presented Severus' wand to Harry, who took it with shaking hands, "I told the Council you could hold onto it, but you are welcome to keep it with him. I apologise for the Council's behavior, Harry. They are just being overly cautious. I understand your disapproval with them."

Harry seemed to grimace, still feeling bitter over the tirade, "We'll do the rescue tonight, so we can prove them even more wrong. That is if they still think I'm a liar or Severus for that matter..."

"Harry, we will work this out, alright?" Kingsley reassured as he placed a hand in comfort over Harry's shoulder briefly, "One thing at a time. Everyone is under immense pressure, especially you. Severus would not want you to be angry on his accord."

"Yeah, I know. I'm just…tired of all this."

"We all are. "

"Kingsley – Malfoy and I have decided we want to take him back to Grimmauld Place. In safety. The Healer here was going to talk about the possibility with Madam Pomfrey as she knows him and might be able to stay with him while we are off on the retrieval."

Kingsley frowned, pausing for a brief moment, "Grimmauld Place? With all due respect, I think Hogwarts will be a far safer alternative. I will inform the Council that Severus will be relocated securely under medical supervision. I agree it's far too risky to leave him exposed here without adequate protection. If Death Eaters were posing as Aurors, then a Healer would not be so far off. He would be a far easy target here."

"That's what we gathered, " Harry replied, "Besides, the Healers are unable to do anything else for him now. We're all just waiting for…for something. He told me he didn't want to die here, and…I want to honor that." He closed his eyes, hoping above all else, that he will be able to wake up. Harry turned his gaze away from Kingsley, not wanting to think about it any further. His head pounded with stress, and he wanted nothing more than to sit by Severus, not bearing to leave the man alone when he needed them during this delicate time.

He was grateful at least, that Kingsley understood their plea. Harry would never forgive himself if they left, and Severus was attacked at St. Mungo's in the meantime. Any Death Eater could waltz into the hospital posing as an Auror again, or anyone else, and the medical staff would be none the wiser. Severus would never survive that attack, and they were not about to risk that. And Severus himself would not have wanted to remain at St. Mungo's – no matter what happens, he wanted to at least respect the man's wishes. That, at least, was an easier task. As much as he'd prefer to go to Grimmauld Place where they both called home for the last three months, Kingsley was right. Hogwarts would be far safer and more fortified, as there would be no one left to defend headquarters if they were to be attacked again.

Now, Harry was even more determined to go ahead with the mission as further drive, despite not wanting to leave the man's side at all. He knew full well that Severus would have wanted them to continue with it, and if anything, Harry deep down, wanted to make him proud. To take over the reins and follow through with a mission that Severus had been preparing them for, and he was more than eager to utilize everything the man had taught him since the uncovered truth.

Kingsley had departed shortly after, leaving Harry and Draco alone with Severus once more. Eventually, Harry decided to contact his friends, and explain to them what had happened overnight and upon their arrival at St. Mungos. It didn't take long until Ron, Ginny, Hermione and even Luna showed up. Draco was very protective over his Godfather and at first, didn't want the others there. But eventually, Draco cooled down and allowed the extra visitors despite his original protests. All of them sat in silence for a while, unsure of what to do or say. It felt strange gathering with around their ex-Professor, but the anxiety upon waiting for Severus to wake up was a little too difficult to endure.

Harry informed the others to meet at Hogwarts later that night, in preparation for the mission. They were going to proceed with it regardless, and yet no matter how much planning they were able to do, they all still felt rather nervous and ill-equipped. Draco and Hermione stepped out of the room for a time to practice with the cloaking spell again while they had the opportunity. And yet Harry remained by Severus' side, staring hopelessly at each small rise and fall of the man's chest. Ginny stayed with Harry for a while, clasping his hand in an attempt to ease some of Harry's silent pain. Harry was grateful he had her by his side, and Ginny could sense that he really did not want to talk about it. She knew not to press the issue, and he was thankful for that.

Words were currently too painful, and not enough to sum up the emptiness Harry was feeling.

Shortly after, Healer Melody had returned with Madam Pomfrey, who was more than surprised to see the group of them waiting idly within Severus' room. Kingsley had alerted McGonagall to Severus' situation, so she too, was able to clear her schedule almost immediately and arrive at St. Mungo's. Upon her arrival, she looked devastatingly upset upon her friends' motionless form in the hospital bed, drawing up a chair and deciding to perch herself beside Draco. There was even a moment where the Headmistress clasped a reassuring hand on the younger Slytherin's shoulder, which Draco did not even protest against. In fact, Draco breathed a small sigh of relief. Harry couldn't help but smile at the unexpected gesture.

Hermione, Ron, and Luna departed once Madam Pomfrey seemed to scold them for having too many visitors in one room, thus, they left directly for Hogwarts to await the others.

There was silence in the room with Harry, Ginny, Draco, and McGonagall once Madam Pomfrey and Healer Melody prepared the final arrangements for Severus' transportation to headquarters. Since Severus was admitted, there had been no change to his condition through the many hours Harry and Draco spent by his side. Despite that, they were at least relieved that he was not further deteriorating. Not actively, anyway. He was still in a deep sleep and had made no change during their time there. His breathing was still raspy and worrying, but manageable with the oxygen he had additionally running. Occasionally his heart rate would drop, as evident on the diagnostic charm the Healers would cast on the hour. Severus at least was not spiking fevers, but other than that, there was nothing else that they could do.

McGonagall looked to Madam Pomfrey, "Thank you, Poppy, for your assistance with Severus."

The Hogwarts nurse added a new blanket over Severus, keeping him warm, "It seems my duty overseeing Severus' health is never complete, no matter where we are. I used to treat him on many occasions after his, well…dangerous meetings with You-Know-Who, as you know Minerva. He is used to placing himself at high risk…Albus was always worried, and Severus would scold us for doing so."

"I'm surprised neither of us noticed, considering how many times we used to end up in the Hospital Wing, " Harry interjected, with slight amusement and even nostalgia.

"That's because Severus never stayed more than a night, " Pomfrey replied, with a small eye roll over the man who never complied, "I'd patch him up, and he'd return to his quarters at the dead of night, limping away. He is often reckless with his own health. In fact, half the time Severus made me swear not to inform Albus of his exact inflictions, even though my client confidentiality prevented me from doing so, anyway. Albus was largely unaware of the man's frequent injuries."

"Sounds very like Severus, " McGonagall nodded once, looking slightly irritated upon her friend's self-disregard, "Stubborn as a mule. However, I'm glad we'll be taking him back to Hogwarts, and we can make him comfortable there. At least Horace and Sybill will be around to assist if needed. I believe Pomona and Aurora have agreed to arrive early on campus as an added defense if needed."

Harry watched as Draco bit his lip, avoiding eye contact from the older witches in the room. The Slytherin appeared rather dismal at the thought of his Godfather putting himself in frequent mortal danger and must have been aware of some of the Death Eater happenings if his own father wasn't usually boasting about it.

Before they departed St. Mungo's, Harry, Ginny, and Draco left the room briefly to allow Minerva McGonagall to sit with Severus at her request and giving her space and privacy, she needed. He could not imagine how difficult this would be for her as well. She had known him for many years, and yet attacked and cast him away from Hogwarts with the same dark hatred as everyone else assuming he was the enemy. Despite both of them reconciling with each other in regard to that event, both individuals still felt remorseful over it. McGonagall especially still felt dreadful over her own actions and even her words, but Harry knew she really did care a lot about Severus, and he was glad the both of them were able to try and put that behind them.

McGonagall exited the room, eyes looking rather red as Harry noticed her clutching a single handkerchief tightly in the palm of her hand. She glanced sadly at Harry, both feeling the immense helplessness of Severus' deterioration.

Within the hour, the group of them prepared Severus for transport back to Hogwarts, which turned out far easier than Harry imagined it to be as they were able to go directly to the Hospital Wing by Floo. Much to their relief.

By evening, Severus was resting comfortably in the Hospital Wing and without a single stir or murmur. The arrival back was solemn and still, and no one dared to disturb the silence as if to make the situation worst. Healer Melody bid Harry and Severus good luck, as Madam Pomfrey accompanied them to assist with Severus' needs. She set up her own potion supply from her medical toolbelt and prepared them upon the bedside table ready for the next use. Severus' own wand lay dormant beside him once it was safely returned. Harry had to silently commend Kingsley for attempting to get it back. As from what he was told, it was an old honorable tradition to keep a wizard's wand by their side, in an event of their likely passing. A wand was essentially an extension of themselves and provided some measure of comfort that it was still close to them, and a token of their own personal skills and magic.

Draco sat with Severus alone for a long while, allowing him respectful time with his Godfather. Harry could have sworn he heard him sniffling occasionally, but Harry continued to feel a deep resonating pain within his chest, as he began to feel a little more empathy towards Draco in this situation. For once, he could connect in that way, as he also lost so many people close to him. But at least he had friends to support him – Draco had no one left but his mother, and Severus. Well, for as long as Severus was able to cling on to life.

As more time passed, Draco and Harry swapped yet again with the Slytherin daring not to meet his gaze as he walked miserably past him and made his way back to his own familiar dormitory room to decompress the day's heavy events. Harry entered the privately sectioned-off area of the Wing shortly after once everyone else had left, except for Madam Pomfrey who went to sit in her office, allowing him time alone. No one else occupied the Wing except the Slytherin, and Harry was relieved with the privacy. Severus however, still remained unmoving and stirred not even once. He looked comfortable, and yet strangely at peace. It was likely the most relaxed he had ever seen the ex-Professor, as he rested without enduring his usual painful episodes. Dragging his feet, Harry managed to sit on the chair at the man's bedside, unable to peel his eyes away from the man's struggled and strained breaths, causing Harry to hold onto his own. He had to remind himself to breathe, as the panic rose up from within him yet again. It was as if every breath of his own, took one away from him, and he felt oddly guilty for it. Here Harry was alive and well, whilst Severus was fighting for his life. It was terrible fate yet again.

Harry felt strange to be feeling such deep grief, even though the man was still alive and breathing before him. He felt wrong for feeling that way, but perhaps he was grieving for the possibility of having someone else yet again, being ripped away from him so cruelly. It was an agonising anticipation, and Harry hated himself for it.

Curious as to the words mentioned by Healer Melody, Harry flicked aside the collar of the man's shirt they had placed back upon him and noticed that she was right…The blackened tendrils had disappeared, without a trace. The wound at his neck appeared clean behind its bandage, realising that the tendrils of the curse had also retracted from its desperate hold on the wound. He really had no idea what this meant, although he was more than inclined to believe that the dark curse was well and truly removed, and yet still allowed the man to die peacefully, in his own time. Perhaps even the curse had a strange sense of dignity in its dark resolve.

He leaned forward on his knees, still staring at the prone Slytherin, in his attempt to spot any further sign of life. An eye flutter. A quivering lip. A grumble of frustration.

Anything.

Harry tried his hardest to quell the deep sadness burning him up from within him.

Eventually, he could no longer bear the silence as he broke, "…I'm so sorry."

Those words felt like too heavy of a burden to withhold. The weight of everything in his feeling was like an anchor on his chest, unmoving.

"I'm such an idiot. I always made things difficult for you. I blamed you for trying to steal the stone. I blamed you for Sirius' death. I loathed you for Dumbledore's death. I blamed you for everything else I didn't have an answer for and hating you for no real reason made it easier to deal with my own problems…and that wasn't fair on you. "

Harry rubbed his eyes, as he leaned back into the chair. The man remained unmoving.

"Why…Why did you have you hate me so much? Maybe, just maybe…I would have been able to understand if you had just told me why, " Harry spoke quietly, "I get it. I know now why you couldn't have told me. Just…You let me hate you and wish you dead for all these years, and for that…I hate myself for it."

Harry looked up briefly at the dull evening light streaming down through the stained-glass windows, casting the Hospital Wing with a comforting glow. He had to try and stop himself from crumbling completely, and he really didn't want anyone to see him like that. He knew that they just wouldn't understand. To others, he was a man who fought on the right side after deceiving everyone for years. To Harry, he meant so much more than even dared to anticipate. Bringing his gaze back to the painful reality, he looked at Severus' paled face yet again, "We're going to get the others back tonight…I'll be careful. I wish…I could really do with your advice…That brutal honesty I used to hate so much. I don't feel comfortable admitting this, but…I'm scared. Really scared. Of the mission, of losing people, of…seeing you like this. At least, you're not in pain anymore."

He paused, looking at the man's eyes expecting them to flutter open and scold him for wasting time. When nothing happened, he lowered his voice once again, almost hoarse, and yet, quivering as it started to break yet again, "…You can let go if you want, Severus. I know you wanted to before, but I want to say that it's okay if you still do. I know it's selfish of me to want you to stay, but…I understand. We both worked so hard to make amends…Set things right…I just wish…we had more time."

He then reached into his pocket and pulled out an object he had been holding on to ever since it was passed on to him. It was the beaded bracelet with the tiny lily charm his mother made for Severus when they were kids – the one that Severus had given him on that dark night in return as a small comfort and token of his mother's memory. Without further hesitation, he slipped it over the man's wrist, tucking it just under his sleeve so no one else could see it, "…Just in case I don't make it back."

Then Harry did something he never thought he'd ever do. He reached over and clasped the man's hand in desperation as if with one final act, might wake him up. The same hands which marked his essays, handled dangerous potions, chopped up complicated ingredients. The same hands which were folded behind him, when he was questioned consistently by Voldemort and fighting to seal off his mind, and the same hands which flourished his wand in defense of the lives that were in peril. The same hands which cast a curse to save Remus and conjure stretches for everyone unconscious from the Dementor attack in Third year. The man's hands were cold; calloused from his years of tinkering away within his potion's lab, but those hands were still gentle every time he tended to Harry's injuries, or even a comforting hand extended to him out of need. Human connection. That was what the both of them were denied for so many years, but Severus was denied of it the most.

Feeling his heart shatter all over again, he rose up from his seat beside Severus and took one more look at the dying man, and without another word, turned and departed the hospital wing. Just outside of the large oak doors, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were waiting for him in silence, looking up with worry as he finally joined them. Harry could not shake the miserable feeling inside of him, and he knew very well that he was not hiding it well from the others. He wanted to run away and let his tears flow without another soul in sight, but his feet refused to comply. His entire world seemed to crumble.

Hermione let out a small gasp, upon seeing Harry's upset state, "…Is he?"

Harry shook his head, averting her gaze. He felt a warm hand slip into his and felt Ginny's fingers caress his soothingly.

"We'll get you through this, alright?" Ginny spoke softly.

"It's just so hard to…deal with this. Every other person I've lost died so suddenly…This is just agony. I can't bear this, Ginny. I really can't – " Harry was exhausted, and barely held enough energy to speak those words so heavy on his heart.

"Don't beat yourself up over it, mate, " Ron said, gently, "You did all you could. The Healers did all they could. It's up to him, now."

Harry still felt in deep disbelief, "This whole time, he's kept me alive…And I can't even do the same for him. I let him down."

"Oh, Harry, " Hermione looked upset, too, "No, you most certainly did not – "

" – No, you don't understand. I gave him hope that this would all work out fine, and it didn't, and now I feel like I'm the reason he's lying in there, about to die."

"You have to stop blaming for things beyond your control. You can't fix everything, " Ginny squeezed his hand tighter, "Please, Harry. You are not to blame for this. This was all Voldemort's doing, not yours."

Harry lowered his head, shamefully, feeling his eyes prick with tears again, "I just…What happened to him…I just never expected it to hit me as hard as it did."

"Then let's get this mission going, and we can try and get you back soon, alright?" Ron added, "Snape isn't going anywhere just yet. He'll be safe here, while we're away. Bringing him here was a good decision."

Harry couldn't bear to respond this time. The four of them made their way silently to the Clocktower Courtyard to meet up with the DA for a last-minute meeting before the big mission. Harry still felt like he was in somewhat of a trance, not feeling completely alert with what was happening within his mind. It felt clouded and hazy like he had to pause to remember where he was. Beyond that self-blame and guilt, was a wave of simmering anger waiting to burst out from it. Those Death Eaters best be prepared because Harry was done playing around. He was going to make them pay for all the damage they, and their old master had caused. They ruined his life. They ruined Severus' life. They ruined Draco's life. He'd be damned to allow them to hurt another again.

They exited the main building to find the old fountain surrounded by his allies...His friends. Not only the ones who had been helping them all this time but even the ones that had previously abandoned their coins had returned to finish the task. Harry stood waiting before them, as the last few members soon re-joined them.

Harry cleared his throat, doing his best to push aside the rising cries building up within him during his distress, "Right, I'm going to keep this short because this should not be delayed. In a moment, I will call out your names and the entrance you will be taking. Keep your coins with you at all times – that is what we will use to communicate to you. Once you get inside, mark your entrances with Flagrate using the color chosen for your groups. The reason for this is so that you know which group has been there if you so happen to cross paths. Like we've said before, we don't know the layout down there and it's important that you know where you've been."

He looked around the room, as he saw them nod intermittently, listening closely to his words. Some of his friends looked worried and anxious, but this would be a test of their strength once they reach down into the depths, "Right now, those fighting on the outside are being stationed as we speak. Their goal is to clear a path for us and distract whatever might be guarding them. Once we see Professor McGonagall's Patronus, we will head straight to our entrances, alright? Be prepared for Dementors, especially. The Ministry has already decreased their numbers since the Quarry after our venture there, so although there may not be many there, they will be as dangerous and brutal as ever."

"I have given you all an Instant Darkness Powder, for when you need a quick getaway if a Death Eater won't leave you alone, " George interrupted.

"And no explosives allowed, just so you know, " Ginny said, "As much as the fireworks display worked well previously, just keep your explosive spells to a minimum this time."

Harry nodded in appreciation and pride, "Thanks for the heads up, Ginny." He turned to the others, "Ginny, George, and Angelina – You'll be joining me at the Quarry. Ron, Luna, and Fang, with an Auror, will be going through the Puzzlewood entrance. Hermione, Hannah, and Parvati, with an Auror, will be going through the Old Bow mine entrance. Arthur Weasley, which they are already on their way now, will be joining Bill, Fleur, and Percy at the Clearwell entrance. Lastly, Dean, Seamus, Katie, and an Auror will be taking the Lambsquay entrance. The Aurors assigned to you will meet you there. Is that clear?"

There were collective nods through the group, and yet no one else dared to speak. The tension in the air was heavy.

"Those not venturing down with us, will join the others on the surface and keep Dementors and whatever else, from cornering us down there. You'll have plenty of help. Just so long as you stay with someone at all times."

Ron drew in a deep breath, "And try not to get yourselves stuck, alright? There are no direct Apparitions in the caves, so use your head to way find your way out and mark your exits. The goal is to find our friends and rescue them safely. Stun the Death Eaters if you have to, but don't risk your life to bring them down. We'll use the coins to communicate if they've been found."

"And for goodness sake, if you come across anything down there that we should know, send a message – " Hermione added, quickly, "Use those coins, so that you can avoid giving yourselves away with your Patronus'. We are trying to give an element of surprise – "

And it was at that point, that a silvery blue ball of light appeared before the group, which soon morphed into a tabby cat, floating peacefully within the evening breeze. The wispy apparition of a Patronus blazed ominously as its glowing eyes blinked sternly at the group, in pure McGonagall fashion. The cat's mouth soon opened, as the voice of their Headmistress came through instead.

"Old Bow and Clearwell have been secured. Quarry needs additional assistance. Puzzlewood overrun with Dementors. Lambsquay requires several more wands - Make haste, you lot, " The voice of McGonagall sounded slightly breathless, but stern. As soon as the message was delivered, the Patronus disappeared into nothingness.

Feeling a new wave of dread, Harry turned to the others, drawing in a deep, anxiety-filled breath, "…Please, be careful everyone. Stay in contact, and if everything goes sideways, return here…Good luck, and stay together."

The moment Harry spoke those words, the DA suddenly sprang into action as each headed towards the Apparition barriers of Hogwarts breaking out into a run as they did so, with wands withdrawn. Harry grasped Ginny's hand and turned to see Hermione and Ron exchanged determined glances, before they finally arrived at the castle outskirts, and Disapparated immediately away.

This was it.

There was no turning back now.