When Severus walked into the private room, Siguard was in the process of stepping away for a break. Severus walked across the room, standing at the foot of the bed and gazing at Leif. His friend remained still and unconscious, unaware of the turmoil his friends were going through. He was pale and his breathing shallow, his usually neat sandy-brown hair splayed messily across the pillow. His bottom half was covered by the thin hospital blanket while his top half remained bared of cover or clothes to allow for access. The skin on his bicep, shoulder, chest, and neck was still horribly blackened, bloody, and melted, skin bubbled and peeling. Spots had clearly healed, particularly one spot on the chest and one spot on the front of the shoulder where two runes and some instructions had been reapplied. Severus had seen a large number of terrible things-had caused many of those things-but none of them had ever made him feel the way he did then, seeing Leif so close to death.

"How is he?" he asked, looking at Siguard and Alexei.

Siguard sat heavily in the chair positioned next to Leif and obviously set up for when he took breaks. "Alive, but still barely." The Rune Mage ran a hand through his hair, sipping at the drink he held, presumably tea or coffee. "I've managed to redraw the immortality and regeneration runes with their instructions, but it takes a tremendous amount of power to make these runes and..." he trailed off and Severus frowned.

"What is it?"

"Leif's magic can't seem to bind to the runes, not permanently," Alexei explained. "I'm able to keep hold of his magic whenever it releases the runes, but it's essentially what the Muggles call life support. We're missing something about the way his magic connects to the runes."

"I've sent for the Association Masters in hopes they may have some insight," Siguard told him.

"You can keep him alive this way?" Severus asked, feeling skeptical.

"Technically." Siguard nodded.

"Our compatible magic allows me to hold Leif's magic and help it try to bind to the runes, to give them enough power each time to help him hold on longer," Alexei explained. "It is not indefinite though. My magic is still finite."

Severus nodded, understanding. "Keep me updated."

"Of course," Alexei said softly. "How are the boys?"

Severus let out a single small, humourless laugh. "Healed, worried, and testing my patience with their extreme displeasure with the new arrangement on Draco's side."

Alexei chuckled quietly.

"I overheard them discussing how to ask permission to go to Hogsmeade next weekend," Severus said and Alexei looked at him in surprise.

"Are you considering allowing them?" Alexei asked.

"Not particularly, but denying them could very well invite rebellion," Severus said with a small sigh.

"Would they after what's just happened?" Alexei asked.

"If it is something they want," Severus said. "Harry's done it before despite the danger he was in."

Alexei hummed, amused. "I admit, I am not surprised."

Severus just gave the vampire a look full of exasperation for the boy that was such a menace to his peace of mind, but had settled so firmly in his heart.

"Let me know what the Association says," Severus requested.

"Will do," Siguard said with a small salute.

Bidding ‘goodbye' to Alexei, Severus left the hospital though a part of him remained in that room, and returned to Hogwarts. Desperately wanting to return to his quarters and Draco, he grit his teeth in aggravation and made his way up to the headmaster's office as per Dumbledore's ‘request'. He bit out the password and rapped sharply on the door, hoping his irritation was evident. Upon his entrance being granted, he swept into the office and took a seat, immediately crossing his arms over his chest. He stared at Dumbledore, stonily silent.

"I appreciate you indulging me with this meeting," Dumbledore said and Severus arched an eyebrow.

"I did not detect a choice," Severus said evenly.

"There are a couple of things we must discuss," Dumbledore said as though it justified his orders and clearly choosing to ignore Severus' irritation. Severus just waited for the old man to continue, unimpressed. "The first thing I would like to discuss is Draco."

Severus didn't even try not to roll his eyes. "I believe I told you not to interfere any longer. They are under my care, not yours."

"You cannot have a student in your personal quarters," Dumbledore said. "It is inappropriate and against school rules."

"Except in cases of imminent threat to the student, and a parental relationship between professor and student," Severus pointed out.

"Parental?" Dumbledore repeated, leaning forward and clasping his hands. "Is that what you believe you are?"

Severus' narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. He was not having this argument again.

Dumbledore sighed. "You cannot remove Draco from the Slytherin dormitory. I will not approve the move."

"Funny, I was unaware I was seeking permission given, as I said, I do not need it," Severus said sardonically.

"Severus-"

Severus dropped his arms and leaned forward with a glare. "No, Albus, you have no part in this. I told you if you interfered, I would stop you. I am stopping you. Draco was nearly killed in his own common room by his own housemates just a week and a half ago. I am not allowing him to stay amongst that threat because, yes, parental is exactly what I am and Lady Magic agrees, as you are well aware. I am not asking permission. Deal with it."

He met Dumbledore's gaze steadily, retaking his previous position with arms across his chest. He just waited. The old man would have to just move on because he wasn't budging, not at the expense of the boys. Eventually, Dumbledore gave a short nod.

"You said there were a couple matters to discuss," Severus said, aware this issue was not over, but needing to end this meeting all together for the sake of his temper and sanity. "What else?" He wanted to be there even less now, always more and more irritated each time Dumbledore tried to interfere with the boys.

"Umbridge," Dumbledore said simply.

Severus frowned. "What about her?"

"Severus, I understand you want her gone, but we have been without Defence for over a week," Dumbledore said. "It is time you stop whatever you are doing to keep her unconscious."

Severus' eyebrows pulled together in his confusion. "I am unclear what you think it is I'm doing."

"I have let it go on for long enough," Dumbledore said. "I wouldn't think you would want to draw the Ministry's attention if you are so keen on protecting Harry and Draco, particularly not after what happened to your friend."

Severus' gaze instantly sharpened and he stood swiftly. "While I appreciate your consistency in using threats and blackmail, I am doing nothing to Umbridge," he sneered. "Perhaps you should start considering who to replace her with come the new year. It is time to protect your students, all of your students."

He left before Dumbledore could respond, having absolutely no interest in hearing the man's attempts at explanation or justification. He headed down to his quarters, but took a detour to the Hospital Wing as Dumbledore's accusation continued to echo in his head. He crossed the infirmary to the bed still occupied by Umbridge and frowned at her as he remembered Alexei tell him it was magic keeping the woman comatose and not a potion. He also remembered Alexei getting interrupted when he began to say something else. Had the vampire been about to tell him he was the one keeping Umbridge unconscious? Was Dumbledore right? How was it possible? He hadn't done anything to the woman, hadn't even seen her that Friday before Alexei brought her to the infirmary after her attack on Harry. How could he be the cause of her persistent coma-like state?

As he stared at her and remembered the words forever inscribed on the backs of Harry and Draco's hands, and the sight of Harry collapsing in his quarters, he couldn't find it in him to care if he was the one keeping Umbridge there. It was simply one less threat towards Harry and Draco. With a glare at Umbridge, Severus returned to his quarters to spend his evening in fond exasperation with a petulant, but alive teenager.

A few days later, with less than a week until Winter Break, Severus was in his quarters, aggressively marking while arguing with Harry and Draco as they played chess. As each day passed, his nerves became more and more frayed, and his temper shortened. He'd heard nothing from Alexei regarding Leif and, as such, had little he could tell Harry and Draco that would reassure them that Leif would be alright, though he had hope the lack of news meant Leif was still alive at the very least. He was on edge over the fact that Lucius and, by extension, Voldemort had the prophecy transcripts, yet no meeting had been called, nor had there been any other indication that they had such crucial information. Despite his lack of care for the woman, he was still curious about Umbridge's continued unconsciousness and his possible involvement. Then, there were the boys themselves who had apparently decided to forget they'd been viciously attacked a mere two weeks ago while deciding to simultaneously push him with the boundaries of their new relationship by acting like the danger facing them was unimportant.

Which was precisely the current argument being had for about the fourth time in the past five days.

"I am unsure in which reality the both of you have chosen to reside that makes you believe I would allow you to go to the village," Severus snapped as he slashed a line of red ink across a paragraph angrily.

"It's Hogsmeade, Professor," Draco argued. "It's filled with people."

"Including professors," Harry added.

"Need I remind you that you were both attacked within this school which is also filled with people, including professors?" Severus said, repeating their own words.

"Yeah, but we've only been attacked inside," Harry said dismissively.

"Thought we could give outside a shot," Draco said.

Severus looked up from his marking and stared at the boys sitting on either side of the coffee table on the floor, unimpressed. "I am about through having this discussion with you. I believe I have made my position clear."

"Come on, please?" Harry said, putting a whine that Severus did not appreciate in his voice.

"You've already got me under lock and key," Draco grumbled. "We just want to go to Hogsmeade for one bloody hour."

"I would walk back the tone and attitude," Severus warned, seeing Draco's eyes flicker up to him over Harry before meeting Harry's in front of him. He narrowed his own eyes at the challenge flashing in the grey eyes and held back a sigh of annoyance. While he was glad the boys were healing and comfortable enough to push back as teenagers were meant to, he couldn't help but bemoan the fact that they had chosen then of all times to begin acting like normal teenagers.

"What if Alexei came with us?" Harry suggested, craning around to look at Severus over the sofa without getting up.

"Someone say my name?"

Severus looked up and the boys spun around to the door as Alexei walked in.

"Can you come with us to Hogsmeade on Saturday?" Harry threw out before the door had even closed behind the vampire, making Severus roll his eyes.

Impertinent brats, he thought with a scowl at the boys they didn't see.

"Why do you want to go to the village?" Alexei asked with a glance at Severus who arched an eyebrow at the vampire as he moved to lean on the back of Severus' usual wingback, gazing down at the two boys. "It is a risk we would prefer you didn't take."

"Aside from the fact that I'm going to suffocate if I'm stuck in this bloody school any longer?" Draco snapped bitterly.

"Draco," Severus warned again, pinning the Slytherin with a hard look.

Honestly.

The boy was acting like he'd been trapped in a prison cell devoid of light and life for ages, not just moved to safer quarters and instructed to always have company when out. He shook his head at the attitude-filled scowl he received and turned back to his marking. Alexei could have a chance to deal with the brats, the term not feeling quite as affectionate in that particular moment.

"Christmas shopping," Harry said. "We haven't exactly had much chance and we'd like to feel at least semi-normal for once."

Severus couldn't help but huff at the very obvious emotional manipulation. And the boys had the gall to accuse him of emotional blackmail...

"Well, I am willing to be your supervision," Alexei said and Severus smirked at the essay he was reading at the quiet splutters he heard in response to the implication they needed supervision, "but it is still Severus' decision. Even with my presence, it is still very dangerous."

"What good is having personal mentors if they don't take our side?" Draco whined to Harry.

Severus looked up again, glaring. He'd had enough. "I think that is quite enough for tonight. Draco, to bed. Harry, to your Tower."

"What?" Harry gaped.

"Professor!" Draco said at the same time, appalled.

"Now," Severus ordered. "Good night to the both of you."

He watched them look at each other with what could only be described as pouts before mumbling ‘good night' to each other and Alexei. Draco retreated to his room and Harry left, both clearly annoyed and despondent. Once the boys were out of sight, Severus buried his face in his hands, rubbing his eyes with a quiet groan.

"They appear to be testing the limits, as you said," Alexei observed.

Severus lowered his hands to gaze at Alexei as the vampire moved to sit in the wingback. "Every inch of my being."

Alexei chuckled and gestured for Severus to join him. Severus did so, sinking into the sofa and summoning drinks. They each took a few sips before resuming conversation.

"I take it Leif is still the same, given your lack of urgency," Severus said.

Alexei nodded. "Though he is the reason I'm here. Siguard has managed to rewrite all of Leif's tattoos and we have flushed Lucius' potion that had been blocking his magic, but binding his magic to the tattoos is still proving to be difficult."

"You spoke with the Association?" Severus assumed and Alexei nodded again.

"They helped us determine that there was another component to his immortality that we were unaware of," Alexei said and Severus looked at him curiously. "Leif's said his mother gave her life for his immortality. While nothing quite so extreme is required, it does tell us what's missing: the life force of someone Leif has a particular connection to."

"What are you saying?" Severus asked, confused.

"You, Severus," Alexei said. "Leif has always told me he felt drawn to you from the moment he met you in a way he'd never felt with anyone else except his mother. Someone with extraordinary power and willing to sacrifice out of love."

Severus stared at Alexei, trying to understand.

"All I need is a bit of your blood and I believe Leif will be alright with time," Alexei told him. "Siguard and the Association are working on the application to use your blood to complete the binding and re-establish the connection."

Severus' mind spun with the revelation that, somehow, he was apparently the key to saving Leif. Yet something else to add to the multitude of other things pulling him in a dozen directions, begging for his attention.

"When do you require my time?" Severus asked. He may have many things vying for his attention, but this one he could actually do something about.

"Thursday, during your free period or after dinner," Alexei said.

Severus nodded. "I will be there, of course," he said, taking a sip of his wine.

"Never a question, moy drug," Alexei said with a gentle smile. "There is something else before I go. You said the boys are healed, yes?"

"Physically, yes," Severus said. "They are pretending the attacks have not affected them, but they have a fair bit of emotional healing to do as well."

"Magical as well, it would seem. Have you noticed anything about their Aether and Elemental Magic?" Alexei wondered.

"I haven't felt it as strongly and neither have used their magic since their attacks," Severus said, thinking of what he'd noticed a few days after the attacks. He'd become so used to feeling their magic all around him and tangling with his that it had been immediately noticeable when neither of those things were happening to the same degree. He could feel their magic, but it was muted as though slipping away and, each day, it felt a little further away. He had been concerned, but had attributed it to their severe injuries.

"This is just a theory and there could be another explanation, but I believe they may be suppressing their magic," Alexei told him. "If they are, it may not be consciously."

"They could be afraid after everything that's happened," Severus said in understanding.

Alexei nodded. "And knowing Voldemort has the prophecies, they could think they can keep us and each other safe if they don't have their magic."

Severus sighed and his eyes drifted shut as he rubbed his brow. Anymore and he was certain his head would implode.

"It could harm them to suppress their magic now it's been active and growing," Alexei said.

Severus looked at him, feeling exhausted. "So, what can be done?"

"We need to help them understand their magic is nothing to be afraid of. In many ways, we could be back to where we were in the summer when Leif and I first arrived," Alexei said. "We'll go to Prince Manor for break. Leif should be able to be moved from the hospital and can heal with Prince Manor with us. We'll bring them back to where they felt safe and felt free to use their magic. We'll help them."

Severus just nodded, overwhelmed with everything.

"Let me take them to Hogsmeade as well," Alexei added and Severus frowned. "You told Leif and I to treat them their age. They ask for very little. Let me take them. Allow them to be fifteen."

"Alexei, they were both nearly killed only two weeks ago and the Death Eaters will do anything to get to them," Severus said pointedly.

"Yes, but you are keeping Umbridge unconscious and I will not allow anyone to get near them in the village," Alexei said and Severus looked at the vampire sharply.

"What did you say?" Severus said.

"I tried to tell you," Alexei said. "You are keeping Umbridge unconscious. It is your magic working with the Life Bond. Your magic is keeping a threat you have identified from Harry and Draco by reacting to your subconscious desire to keep them safe."

Severus was stunned, having the claim confirmed. He was the cause of Umbridge's magical coma, and it was because of his need to protect Harry and Draco. How far they had come in six months.

"Severus," Alexei said and Severus blinked at the vampire, pulling himself from his musings.

"Very well. Take them to the village, but do not let them out of your sight," Severus said.

Alexei smiled. "You know I won't." He finished off his glass of blood and stood. "Get some sleep, moy drug. Leif will be okay, as will the boys. I will see you on Thursday."

Severus inclined his head and bid the vampire ‘good night'. Once alone, he turned his gaze to the crackling fire, mind awash with too many things to count. He cycled through each before landing on Umbridge, again with the idea this was one thing he could deal with. He left the sofa and made to return to his desk, but took a short detour to the boys' room. He quietly cracked the door open and looked to the far side of the room. His mouth curved into a small smile.

Draco was sprawled across the bed, one arm hanging off the bed and one draped over his head on the pillow. The boy looked young and peaceful and happy, traits that hardly, if ever, touched the Slytherin while he was awake.

Small, endeared smile still on his face, Severus closed the door and sat at his desk. He put the essays he'd been marking aside, and grabbed a blank page of parchment and quill. He'd intended to have Leif's assistance, but he could handle this himself.

Umbridge was one danger he could remove.

He would make Hogwarts safe for Harry and Draco once more.

"Can we even find this kind of thing in Hogsmeade?" Harry asked, reading through the notes they'd jotted down under the rough sketch.

"I don't know for sure, but there's this one shop at the northern village edge that might," Draco said. "It sells all kinds of crystals and gems and the like."

Harry looked at the blonde in surprise. "How would you know about a shop like that?"

"Hid in there a couple times to get away from the Slytherins," Draco admitted stiffly.

Harry gave Draco a sympathetic look, seeing the blonde quickly getting pulled back to his attack. He noticed it happen fairly often over the last almost three weeks. He didn't blame Draco for constantly returning to that day; he did too. He'd found almost anything could send him back to that corridor with Umbridge and nightmares about that day were the only dreams he seemed to remember anymore. 

He shook himself before he could get lost and returned his attention to their gift plans, plans they'd made nearly a month prior...with Leif. He had to shake himself again at the thought of Leif, reminding himself that the man was going to, miraculously, be okay, that that was where Snape currently was, providing the last bit that would save the immortal.

"So, say we find this thing," Harry said. "What about our magic? I still haven't been able to pull mine out."

Draco sighed, sitting back in his library chair. "Me neither. I don't know what's wrong. Still having those dreams you can't remember?"

Harry nodded. "It could all be Voldemort," he suggested. "Dumbledore said Voldemort could drain our magic through me. Maybe that's what's happening."

Draco shrugged a shoulder. "It's possible, I suppose. Not sure what we can do about it if that is what's happening."

Love and protection...

Harry frowned at the barely-there whisper in his head, the words feeling familiar, but not remembering them.

Don't let him in...

Harry rubbed his chest at the sharp pain that hit for a few seconds and the way his magic seemed to sink deeper within him. It frightened him, the inability to feel Draco's magic or to connect with Snape's or to really feel his inside him. It felt like he was losing something, something more than his magic, and it was a terrifyingly empty feeling.

"Do you think he'll like it?" Draco asked quietly.

"A way to track us?" Harry scoffed, amused. "He'll be thrilled."

Draco laughed lightly. "Not that part. He's only our guardian and only for the last two months. Will this...mean too much?"

Harry looked at Draco, seeing the Slytherin gazing at their plans. "I don't know. Does it mean too much?"

He was well aware what their gift meant, what it could represent to all of them. It was terrifying to think of them in that way when no one had ever wanted him before. He was taking a chance that they were different, that the last six months had meant the same to all of them.

Grey eyes moved to him.

"We did wish for a home," Draco said and Harry flashed back to that day in June in Privet Drive briefly.

Harry smiled. "And magic doesn't lie." He held his hand out. "Brother?"

There was a moment of hesitation, a moment Harry understood. A lifetime of loneliness, of hurt, of being unwanted was likely running through Draco's mind. Soon, the blonde grasped his hand.

"Brother," Draco echoed with his own smile.

Harry felt his magic flutter and felt a pulse from Draco's. Whatever was blocking their magic and bond had been shaken in that moment. Not broken, but shaken.

Love and protection...