Chapter 4
Over the next few years Harry had every healing potion or cream he thought he would need to have ready, he had plenty of food stocking his cupboards and icebox, he kept them stocked hoping that maybe they might release Severus early, but they never did. Harry had snuck into Hogwarts to retrieve all Severus’ belongings that Minerva had packed away and stored in her room, now those belongings were at the cabin, Minerva and Harry had a long talk while Harry was at Hogwarts, Minerva wanted to make sure Harry was coping and he seemed to be, barely but he was.
The attacks continued so more people were either hurt or killed, hundreds were leaving the country because they had enough. One thing Harry found out, they blamed the ministry for not supporting their hero Harry Potter in regards to Severus Snape, so to them, their ministry was the one that had let everyone down.
Harry had woken before daybreak on the day that Severus was due for release. He couldn’t eat breakfast so he just had some coffee then paced the living room. Finally he just couldn’t stand waiting anymore, so he apparated to the dock where the boats left to head to Azkaban or arrived from Azkaban. Harry knew he had a couple of hours before the boat was due to arrive, but he just couldn’t stay in the house any longer knowing he would see Severus today. He was also nervous on how Severus looked, what condition he would be in but also how his mind would be. One thing that Harry was pleased about even though nothing about this situation pleased him in any way, Azkaban was no longer guarded by the dementors, but there was some of there residuel effects left over at the magical world's prison. After they deserted the ministry and took orders from Voldemort, the ministry said they could never be trusted again, so they were all destroyed under the law for the control of dangerous creature legislation.
‘I knew you would be here early.’
Harry turned, ‘Hello Minerva, yeah, I couldn’t stand waiting at the cabin.’
‘I was the same, ended up pacing my office.’
‘How do you think he will look?’
‘I wish I could say he will be fine, but I can’t. One consolation is he wouldn’t have to suffer the effects from the dementors.’
‘Yeah, I was thinking about that earlier. Merlin I’m nervous Minerva.’
Minerva put her arm around Harry, ‘So am I, but Severus is a strong man Harry, he had to be. Playing his part as Voldemort’s spy while really spying for Albus, that was incredibly dangerous, yet all those years he was unharmed.’
‘I know, but the effects left behind from dementors could still harm him, what about the new guards, they might have hurt him, then there’s all the real death eaters that are inside Azkaban.’
‘You won’t do any good worrying, now come sit with me,’ Minerva conjured a couple of chairs, then made Harry sit before pouring them both cups of warm tea from a thermos she’d brought with her. ‘Do you want me to have Poppy check him over?’
‘I’ve made every healing potion I could think of, but having the matron do a proper check-up would be good,’ Harry conjured a slip of parchment, ink and a quill, he wrote Minerva a permission note for her and for Poppy, ‘That will get you past the fidelius charm,’ then the two of them lapsed into silence while they waited.
‘Here it comes Harry,’ Minerva pointed as she stood up.
Harry stood and together they walked to the edge of the dock, both feeling very anxious and apprehensive, but neither of them spoke as they watched the boat coming closer and closer. Harry kept wringing his hands as he waited for the first sign of Severus, he noticed Minerva doing the exact same thing.
When the boat docked, two guards held both of Severus arms as they escorted him off the boat.
‘Sev,’ Harry ran to him, ‘Let him go,’ he glared at the guards who were still holding Severus’ arms, then he saw Minerva with her wand pointed at them, ‘He’s sentence is over, now unless you want to go the same way Voldemort did I suggest you take your fucking hands off what’s mine,’ Harry growled angrily, but they did what Harry suggested, they released Severus Snape, ‘Let’s go Sev.’
‘Harry, is that you?’ Severus blinked a few times before focusing on Harry’s face, ‘It is you, unless this is a dream again.’
‘It’s not a dream Severus, let me take you home, Minerva, I’ll see you there.’
‘Take him Harry.’
Harry looked once more at the guards, ‘Expect a visit,’ he snarled then he kept his arms tight around Severus and couldn’t believe how much weight he had lost, he saw bruises but he also saw some scars that were not there before. He turned on the spot, apparating away from the dock, landing inside his living room. He never stopped, just kept moving until he came to the bathroom where he stripped off Severus’ ragged old robes, then had Severus sit on the toilet while he removed his boots and socks. He ran a warm bath then helped Severus in, making sure to add some nice fragrant oils. He took the shower gel, soaped up his hands then gently started to wash Severus’ body but his eyes never left the dull onyx eyes that used to hold so much life, now they looked dead, but Harry was determined to bring his lover back.
‘It’s over Sev, you’re home, our new home where no one can hurt you again,’ Harry tried to hold himself together as he stared at Severus underweight body that was covered in scars.
‘Home.’
‘Yes, you’re home my love. I’m going to clean you, feed you then Poppy is going to see what is wrong. I learned how to make potions Sev, I made ones that you might need.’
Severus lifted his head to stare at Harry, ‘You can’t make potions, you destroy the simplest of potions.’
Harry sniggered, ‘There’s the man I love, but I think even you would be impressed with how well I’ve done. Make sure you tell me if I get to rough or hurt you in anyway.’
‘I’m too numb to feel anything.’
‘You won’t be for long,’ Harry washed Severus hair, rinsed and smiled as Severus moaned in pleasure that he was becoming clean, ‘Now stand for me so I can finish washing you,’ Harry helped Severus stand, he washed him, rinsed him then made him sit then used his wand to remove as much hair from Severus’ face as he could before shaving him, then helped him out, cast a drying charm before helping him into a bathrobe. Harry slipped his arm around Severus waist then they walked out into the living room where Minerva and Poppy were waiting. Harry sat Severus down, then went to make some food and warm cup of tea while the matron examined Severus, but Harry placed a dozen vials on the tray along with a jar of healing ointment before setting it on the small coffee table in front of Severus.
‘You will need two healing potions, one for your bruises, one for your breaks plus a ointment for all these cuts and scars, a nourishment potion would do you good as well. I think Harry can do the ointment especially on some of your private areas.’
Harry held up three vials and got a nod from Poppy so he handed them to Severus. ‘Are they safe?’
Harry grinned, ‘You tell me, you’re the potions master.’
Harry, Minerva and Poppy watched as Severus uncorked one of the vials, sniffed it, then gave it a swirl, looked closely at it before drinking it, then he repeated the process with the next two potions.
‘It seems I knew what I was doing, I might end up as good as you Sev.’
‘Don’t push it brat.’
Harry laughed, Minerva and Poppy both sniggered before Harry placed the tray on Severus’ lap and the three of them never took their eyes off Severus to tell him they were making sure he ate everything that was on the tray. It wasn’t a lot, his stomach wouldn’t handle too much food too quickly, but they were still going to make sure he ate.