Chapter 17

Albus ran his hand over his long beard thoughtfully.

"You're doing very well, Draco. Very well, indeed."

Draco beamed.

"Do you think we're ready?" Draco asked.

Albus narrowed his eyes ominously. "I do not believe any of us will ever truly be ready. It's my wish for you both to learn as much as you can before he attacks. Have you heard anything else?"

Draco shook his head.

Harry placed a reassuring hand on Draco's shoulder. He knew he was terrified, for the fate of his parents, for having to face Voldemort, for his own life.

"People are going to die. All you can do is try to not be one of them," Harry told him honestly.

"That's all for this evening, boys. Same time tomorrow." Albus lead them to the door. Draco and Harry stepped out of the room of requirement. Albus always seemed to stay back once they left each evening. Harry suspected Albus had been meeting with the aurors there.

At this time of the night, Harry's heart would always begin to pound as he stepped into the corridor. Twice over the past few weeks, Harry had seen Severus after the training sessions. He knew Severus well enough to know it was purposeful. He was as desperate as Harry was to see one another. They'd seen each other in class, but it was terrifying to risk more than a glance.

It'd been one of the hardest tasks of his life to keep distance from Severus. When Draco had told him of Professor McGonagall's idea: that they should mislead others into believing they were in a relationship, Harry agreed easily. It was to protect Severus. If it was the last thing he did with his life, Harry would keep Severus alive through this, and he would need a home and career to come back to. He couldn't allow the man to lose his position at Hogwarts simply because Harry was unable to keep away from him.

Harry didn't need to wonder if it hurt Severus to see him with Draco. He knew that it did. But he'd been assured that Severus knew it was all an act to save his reputation. Surely Severus could understand that and know that despite the part he played with Draco, his heart belonged to him always. He hoped Severus would wait for him, should Harry survive the battle.

Without his nightly walks with Severus, or being cuddled against him the only way Harry could calm himself enough to find sleep each night was to close his eyes and let his mind wander back to the safehouse where the two of them had been free to be themselves. Harry yearned to go back there. He hoped that a life like that was in their future. That he and Severus could one day have a home of their own, free from the public's eye. Harry would come home from work, remove his shoes and step into the kitchen, where Severus would be cooking dinner for the two of them. His love would turn his dark eyes towards Harry and give him the grin that was reserved for him alone. Harry would wrap his arms around his partner, breathe in his scent, and place a kiss to his neck. Severus would turn, envelop Harry in his lithe arms and tell him how much he'd missed him that day. Perhaps then they would eat their dinner together, retire to the sitting room and talk about their days.

About that far into the fantasy, Harry usually had drifted to sleep. On other nights Harry would fight sleep to allow the imaginary future-Harry and future-Severus to stumble into the bedroom, tripping over shoes and trousers as they kissed and undressed one another, finally falling into bed together.

Draco held his hand out for Harry to take. It was habit now, just to reinforce the image to anyone who might see them before they part ways to their own dormitories. Harry took the proffered hand. The contact was nice, but didn't compare to having his hand in Severus's.

"You're dating Draco." Sirius said blankly.

"No. Well, yes. He's my friend. It has redirected the attention from Severus. And Draco knows it will get back to his parents. He's still not above rebelling against them."

"I'm not a fan of any Malfoy, but I think I like the idea more than you with Snape." Sirius sneered the name.

"I'm not actually with Draco. And your prejudices have no weight in my dating life, Sirius."

Remus grinned at Harry over his cup of tea.

Harry continued, feeling brave enough to be honest. "I love Severus."

Harry looked slowly between the two men.

Remus frowned sadly. Sirius growled.

"I am only dating Draco to save Severus's reputation. I have every intention to openly pursue him once the war is over and I've matriculated. I know both of you have your qualms with the idea and I don't know how to soothe them but I love him." When both men remained silent, Harry continued. "As I've tried to tell you before, he's different with me. Sirius, you still think of him as the weak, angry teenager that you knew over twenty years ago. He risks his life every single day for our cause. Isn't that enough to show you he's changed? That he's grown? He's done nothing inappropriate with me. He's patient with me. He's kind. He has spent every spare minute researching ways to keep me alive. He truly loves me. And no, I don't think it's the prophecy pulling us together. I think this is something that has happened between us organically. I intend to never let him go."

"You're telling me Severus fucking Snape is secretly some type of hopeless romantic and you want to spend your life with him."

"Yes. That is what I am saying. I am beyond caring about your opinions on the matter."

Remus spoke softly, "It is only important to me that you're happy, and if he is what gives you hope to make it through all of this, then I can support the relationship. Not long ago you believed yourself destined to die. You were falling apart. It's wonderful to see that you're hopeful and determined now."

Sirius huffed in agitation.

Remus rolled his eyes at his friend and continued. "I do have one concern." He pursed his lips and sighed. "Is Draco aware that none of it is real?"

"Of course he does. He's the one that proposed it. Why?"

"He plays his part quite well. Do you mean to tell me he is not so affectionate in private?"

Harry considered this.

Once they'd become friends, Draco had become more affectionate over time, long before Harry'd spent any time with Severus. Initially Draco had been supportive, perhaps even encouraging about his relationship with the professor, but became hesitant about it. His words often mirrored Sirius's, wondering aloud if Severus was actually good for Harry. Harry hadn't bothered to ask him why his opinion changed. Honestly, he didn't care.

But did Draco behave as a real boyfriend? Harry couldn't say. He'd not had a partner before. All he knew for certain was that he and Draco were close, but he was only truly happy with Severus. Which is why, despite the necessity to create distance from the man, he still sat in the sitting room during the dreaded Order meetings, just to be in the presence of the man he loved.

"I'm not sure," Harry finally answered. "I'm not sure of anything anymore."

"I don't wish to meddle in your private life, Harry. But I'd suggest that if your feelings aren't real for Draco, you need to make that known to him- just in case."

"If we are done talking about my godson's awful taste in men, we could make our way to the kitchen. The Order will be here any moment."

Remus and Sirius stood and went into the kitchen and began conjuring extra chairs to pull around the table.

Harry grabbed the book from the table he'd been reading through the meetings. Each time the fire would flare, signifying another arrival, Harry's heart would skip, but he dared not look up until he was greeted.

Finally the fire flared, and there was no greeting, only the sound of someone stepping through, and then silence. Harry knew it was Severus. He could sense it. He wanted to look up, he wanted to stand and embrace him.

Severus stood by the fireplace, unmoving for a long moment. Being the only two in the room for these brief moments was as close as Harry could be to Severus for now, and though it hurt, Harry lived for these moments.

Harry took a long breath and closed his eyes.

He felt the bracelet around his wrist become warm and vibrate softly. He couldn't explain why, but he knew it was the man's way of telling him. "I'm here and I love you."

Harry's eyes stung, but he refused to cry. He'd done too much crying over the past year.

The bracelet cooled to its usual state and he heard Severus disappear into the kitchen.

Draco didn't attend tonight. He wasn't called to the meeting. He hoped Severus would notice this and let it assure him that Harry was here only for him.

The seconds ticked by, slowly becoming an hour... and then two. These meetings had never lasted so long.

Soon the room was filled with the various members again, making niceties and bidding goodbyes. Not a single person seemed happy or content in the slightest. The air of the room was of a decidedly fearful tone.

Each member told Harry goodbye. Molly hugged him a bit tighter than usual.

Harry's bracelet warmed again. He let his guard down over his mind only briefly and saw the image of his own room here at Grimmauld. He looked around carefully and saw that everyone was either gone, or preoccupied. Harry stood and slipped into his room. He pushed the door closed as quietly as he could. The room was only lit by the dim crescent moon.

Harry gasped as he felt strong hands wrap around his back and he was pulled against someone.

"Harry," Severus whispered, and pulled Harry to him tighter.

Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Severus put a finger to his lips.

"Don't say anything. I know you don't wish to see me. I understand. I only had to feel you one last time before..."

Before the battle. Severus didn't need to say more for Harry to understand. Voldemort was coming.

"I left something for you in your trunk." Severus kissed Harry's forehead then slipped away so quickly Harry couldn't be positive he hadn't imagined it all.

Harry stepped through the floo in Albus's office. The old man paced behind his desk, as he often did.

Albus attempted a smile, but the pity and fear in his eyes overshadowed it.

"He's coming," Harry said.

Albus nodded. "Soon."

"How long do we have?"

"Moody's Auror team is coming now. Ms Granger and Ms Tonks are preparing the room of requirement to house the students."

"I'm not ready! This can't be happening!"

Albus grabbed Harry roughly by his elbows.

"You are ready," he said calmly. "You have been trained. You have a support system in place. Severus will be by your side as prophesied."

Harry couldn't articulate that he was ready for the battle, but he was not ready for the aftermath. The death and destruction that would surely be left. He'd lost so much in his life already, he couldn't lose any more.

"How do we know he is coming now?"

"Moody and Arthur have seen that his death eaters are circling the castle. Draco sent word to Severus that he has set forth a battle plan to be enacted tonight. You must be ready. Still your nerves, Harry. Do you need to gather anything?"

Harry twisted the bracelet around his wrist. "Just a few things."

"Go, Harry. Meet me in the front corridor in twenty minutes."

Harry sprinted to the dormitory, where Ginny lined up all of the Gryffindors.

Ron spoke to them as they queued. "You will follow your Head Girl and Boy to the room of requirement. You will be silent. You will stay together. Everyone claim a mate at this moment. You will be responsible for one another. Do not attempt to go anywhere or do anything until you've received the all clear. Am I understood?!" Ron looked along the line at each of them. "Good. Go!"

They began filing out. Ginny and Hermione stood behind him, exchanging nervous glances. Once the last student had left, Harry turned to them.

"You don't have to do this. This is my fate, not yours. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to any of you."

"We've made our decision and we are fighting by your side," Ginny said. Hermione and Ron agreed.

Neville jogged down the staircase. "Me, too." He stood by Ginny and took her hand in his.

Harry didn't have time to argue with them. He ran to his trunk to retrieve his broom. Laid atop his belongings was a letter addressed to him in Severus's handwriting. Harry knew he hadn't the time to read it, but opened it regardless.

'Harry,

Do not doubt your capabilities. You've already accomplished the impossible more times in your life than I could count, among those you have claimed my heart. I am with you in this battle. I am with you always.

Be the courageous lion that I love.

Yours,

SS"

Beneath the letter lie a vial of Felix Felicis and a healing potion. Harry swallowed back the luck potion and pocketed the healing potion along with his shrunken broom.

Ron, Ginny, and Hermione waited for Harry by the door to the tower. They looked more like warriors than Harry had ever seen them. Ginny wore a leather jacket, with her arms crossed over her chest and eyes fixed determinedly. Ron had grown impossibly taller and more muscular over the past few weeks. He, too, shrunk his broom down and put it in his pocket. Hermione's curly hair was twisted atop her head in a bun, she held her wand tightly by her side. For the first time, Neville seemed neither nervous nor hesitant. Any time he felt like he had no family, he was wrong. Here they were, ready to fight by his side.

Ron pushed the door open, to see Draco standing there. He held his hand out for Harry to take. There was no one to see them here, but Harry took his hand anyways. They allowed the other three to walk ahead of them. Draco ran his thumb over Harry's hand as they walked.

"If I survive today, I want you to give me a real chance. No acting."

Harry looked up in shock and searched the blond's piercing eyes. He was not speaking in jest.

"Draco, I can't. You know I care about you, but I love Severus."

"He can't give you what I can give you, Harry."

"It isn't about money." Draco dropped Harry's hand and looked at Harry, seeming offended.

"My parents excommunicated me. I have no money. You have far more than I. I wouldn't insult you to think you're after societal status or riches."

"Then what-?"

"Do you think my godfather wants a family? Can you see him waking up in the middle of the night to fix a bottle for a little one? Kissing your forehead as he slips back beneath the blankets and cuddles up close to you? Walking next to you as you shop in the town market?"

Harry could hear every ounce of desperation in Draco's voice. In this moment, as they marched to the biggest trial of their lives, perhaps the end of their lives- he wished he could console his friend, but he couldn't lie to him.

"Yes. I can see him doing those things. He loves me."

They approached the group gathered around the entrance to Hogwarts. Every Order member, aurors, a few of the older students all stood silently at the ready, all eyes on Harry.

Severus was nowhere to be seen.

"Stay strong. Be smart," Albus commanded. "We must not allow Voldemort to impose his will on our world."

Harry wrapped his left hand over his right wrist, sending a message to Severus through the bracelets. Only a moment later Severus approached. Everything around Harry disappeared. He could only see Severus as their eyes locked on one another.

"Are you ready?" Sirius asked, leaning over his shoulder.

Harry nodded, but kept his eyes on Severus.

Albus flicked his wand, opening the doors. The sky blazed red with the constant barrage of attacks being launched against the wards. Each attack thrummed against the invisible dome, echoing around the grounds. The group spread out in formation and began to walk forward and out through the grounds.

George nudged Harry, and saluted him with a wink. "You got this, mate."

Another attack beat down against the dome, followed by a loud sound like glass shattering and crackling.

"We have to stay together." Harry looked up to his left, to find Severus standing by him.

Harry nodded dumbly. Despite the prophecy claiming otherwise, he knew this might be the last time they were together, alive and healthy. Harry reached his hand up towards his love's face, the way he had so many months ago and stroked his fingers against that angular jaw. Distantly, Harry was aware of the sound of Sirius growling in irritation and Draco scoffing.

The whooshing sounds of people landing around them caused Severus and Harry to jump apart. Death Eaters surrounded them.

It was Ginny who threw the first curse, then it was a slew of curses and hexes whirring around them. Masked Death Eaters fell. Arthur was struck in the shoulder, sending him stumbling backwards. Molly grabbed his shoulder to steady him. He was okay. He lifted his wand and continued fighting.

Severus grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him into a sprint.

"They're not our focus. They're a distraction. We have to find him."

The two dodged curse after curse as they ran. Harry spun around and ran backwards, stunning the few Death Eaters who dared to run after them. He knew they would not harm him, Voldemort would want him for himself. But they would delight in killing Severus and he wouldn't allow that to happen.

"Fuck!" Harry swore. "Where could he be?"

"He will find us," Severus assured him. "Best we can do is get him away from his cronies." Severus raised his wand and sent a killing curse flying.

The Death Eater next to him called out, "Wait! Don't! Severus, please." The man dropped his wand and lifted his mask.

"Lucius, join us and I will not harm you." Lucius flicked his eyes towards Harry nervously.

"I love Draco," Harry told him quickly. "I won't hurt you unless you force my hand."

"Where is he?" Lucius asked, looking panicked.

Harry pointed in the direction he'd last seen his friend. "Fighting."

"Thank you," Lucius said breathlessly and took off after his son.

Severus and Harry didn't make it very much further before a voice came from behind them.

"My, my. What a ssweet sssight, Severusss. My intel was correct. You really have formed an attachment to the little... cretin."