Chapter 9

Harry laid atop the blankets, only in his underwear. He'd not lit the fireplace in his room for the evening, and the air was cold around his bare skin. He took a deep breath and focused on the goose skin he could feel rising along his calves and forearms.

Harry was a fool to think Severus Snape would come to number 12 Grimmauld just to see him. He was just following orders. He was always just following orders. There was no place in Severus's life for Harry. How could there be? Harry clenched his jaw. Indeed, there was no room in his own life for Severus, either. He only had space for learning strategies to kill Voldemort once and for all, to rid the world of the bastard. That was that, then. Harry would allow Severus no more space in his mind, nor in his heart. It was time to get to work.

Do you hear that, Tom? Are you listening to me now? I'm coming for you. You're a fucking dead man.

Harry was going to kill him. To keep muggleborns like Hermione safe. To free Severus from his dual life. To punish him for taking away Dudley's and Petunia's opportunities. For taking Harry's entire family from him.

Harry finally slid his body beneath his blankets, seeking warmth. He looked around the dark room, only dimly lit by the moonlight through a dirty window. It would have been nice to decorate this room and make it his own. He wouldn't live long enough to do so.

The Dreamless Sleep soon overtook Harry's bitter thoughts.

Harry had only just finished breakfast with Remus and Sirius when Ron and Hermione appeared in the sitting room.

He hugged each of them.

"We need to talk," Harry nodded his head in the direction of his empty bedroom. From his usual seat, Remus shot Harry a sad, understanding smile- knowing which conversation Harry needed to have with his two closest friends.

The three sat cross-legged in a circle on Harry's bed.

"I owe you both an apology. I've tried desperately to separate myself from you two."

"We've noticed. It's okay, mate. We get it. You've got a lot going on."

Harry shook his head. "No. I mean, yes. That's true. But, there is more to it. Swear to me this stays between us."

Ron nodded emphatically, curious to learn more. Hermione swirled a strand of hair nervously but ultimately agreed.

"When I defeat Voldemort," Ron hissed at the name. "I will die, too."

"Oh, Harry, you can't think that way!"

"No, Hermione. Listen to me. It's in the prophecy. I won't live."

"Prophecy?" She clarified, her voice just a strained octave higher than usual. Her head shot back and forth between the two young men sat across from her. "That… makes sense."

"No, none of this makes sense," Ron told her.

Hermione's eyes were full of thoughts she was struggling to not speak. It was a look that Harry had often seen on her face through the years.

"We will find a way to save you," Ron continued. "We won't let this happen."

"I need you both to be prepared. I don't need you to search for answers. I just need the both of you to be here with me now."

"I'm already looking for answers." Both men looked towards Hermione. "Professor Snape… he asked me for help with research last night. He said he needed resources on how to break a prophecy. He made me swear to tell no one, including you two, so you mustn't breathe a word to anyone. But, I'm sure this is what he need my help researching."

"Damn," Ron mumbled. "Snape really is looking out for you."

Harry shrugged. "Yeah, well, he works for Dumbledore."

"Have you found anything, Hermione?" Ron asked, his voice full of a desperate hope that Harry himself had long since abandoned.

"I've not had very much time yet. Now that I know why Professor Snape is researching this…" she let her words trail off, but Harry and Ron knew what she meant. Hermione would be going into research overdrive. The young woman was an expert at finding answers, and she wouldn't stop until she found them.

"Hermione," Harry began, placing his hand on her knee. "Severus shouldn't have put this on you. I shouldn't have, either. If you find no answers, you can't…." Harry took a deep breath. "You can't let yourself feel any blame, okay?"

Hermione nodded blankly but Harry knew it was moot. Now when he died, Hermione was only going to blame herself for not finding a way to save him. Harry could kill Severus in that moment. How dare he put it on her? Perhaps Severus really was the selfish bastard Harry had once thought him to be.

The three friends wrapped their arms around one another. A few tears escaped Ron's eyes. Hermione cried freely.

At least the two would have one another when Harry was gone. He was grateful for that.

Ron visited with Harry over the next couple of days.

Hermione would visit the library at Hogwarts, having received special use of Severus's personal floo, and a permission slip from the man to use the library over the holidays (including the restricted section.)

This was all according to Ron.

At night, Severus would come through the fireplace, with Sirius sat on the sofa outside of the kitchen door. Severus would put a silencing ward around the kitchen. And the two men would get to work on the occlumency lessons.

Harry was inevitably left spent on the floor, panting and aching.

Harry didn't touch Severus. He did not smile at the man. He didn't speak to him other than what was necessary. He was livid that he had brought Hermione into his search for answers that could not be found.

Just like that, they were nothing more than a student and a professor. Begrudging allies once more.