Chapter 8
Harry apparated directly into Minerva’s office, ‘Harry how did you do that?’
Harry looked up at the portrait of Albus Dumbledore, ‘I have no idea why I can, I just can, but where is Minerva, it’s important?’
‘Down in the school, I am not sure where.’
Harry nodded then left the office and hurried down through the school, receiving a lot of looks and whispers as he passed. He found Minerva in the great hall talking to a couple of Seventh year students.
‘Harry, how?’
‘I’ll explain later, we need to talk,’ Harry said urgently.
‘You two head to class, I’ll see what I can do,’ Minerva waited until her students left the great hall, ‘Now, what is going on?’
‘Salus said his sister heard the death eaters talking about a school and mudbloods.’
‘We need to reinforce the enchantments.’
‘If you let me Minerva, I will, but make sure you can change or remove them,’ Harry held up the elder wand.
‘Very well, let’s go out into the grounds,’ Minerva and Harry hurried outside, they stood together while Harry concentrated on the enchanted barrier around the school, ‘I can do the tunnels even though Severus sealed them years ago, it might be wise. I have no idea how they think they would get inside this school.’
‘Neither do I, but we can’t take the chance they will find a way. They might even take some of the students when they go into Hogsmeade, either they force you to let them in or use polyjuice potion to change into them, either way could get them through the gates and the enchantments. You would not allow the students to be killed.’
‘No, I wouldn’t and those two ideas you just had are the perfect way in. Well no more Hogsmeade visits and I will have to notify the ministry, I have no choice there.’
‘They will want to know how you came by this information.’
‘I can say a source told me. After all the information Albus was able to get from all his sources they know sometimes informants can’t be named or it would put them in danger, but Kingsley will not ask who, I suspect he will know who,’ Minerva saw Harry shrug as he went about sealing the tunnels, then he decided to stay with Minerva while she spoke with the ministry, ‘How is Severus?’
‘Weak, he asked me to get Draco, that is the only reason I’m here, he’s not alone right now.’
‘You might not like him Harry but he is Severus’ godson.’
‘I realise that and it’s the only reason I will put up with him in my home.’
Harry and Minerva turned as the fire flared green, the minister and an auror stepped out, both staring at Harry.
‘So Harry is your source, so what is this information?’
Minerva looked at Harry, ‘I heard through a source of my own that the death eaters mentioned a school and mudblood, Hogwarts and the muggleborns.’
‘They can’t get inside Hogwarts.’
‘No, but they could take a student during the Hogsmeade visit and force Minerva to let them in or just use polyjuice potion to change into a student, either way it gets them through the enchantments.’
‘Harry and I strengthened the enchantments straight away, but I need to officially cancel the Hogsmeade weekends, that needs your approval minister.’
‘You have it, but is there anything else your source said Harry?’
‘No, but I have to go back to Severus. Minerva if you need anything let me know.’
‘Harry wait,’ Kingsley stretched out his arm but the look on the young man’s face made him stop, ‘The law states any death eater had to spend time in Azkaban, I couldn’t make an exception just because we are friends, but I’m not on the wizengamot, I did not vote for that.’
‘We were friends,’ Harry snarled, ‘I don’t have any friends, I have Minerva and I have Severus, that’s it, but you could have stood up and spoken on his behalf, the minister of magic surely could have made a difference, you didn’t so don’t expect me to think of you as a friend, you’re just a politician like all the other idiots. Now I’m going back to the man I love as he’s hurt and needs my help,’ Harry nodded to Minerva then turned on the spot apparating from Hogwarts and landing directly in his living room. He hurried through the house until he saw Severus talking to Malfoy, ‘We strengthened the enchantments and Minerva got permission to cancel the Hogsmeade weekends,’ Harry knelt down in front of Severus, ‘Are you okay?’
‘I’m fine, will you stop worrying so much.’
‘Impossible until you’re well. Is there anything you want?’
‘No, Draco made me a cup of coffee.’
‘Okay, I’ll get your potions,’ Harry hurried into house, grabbed two vials and hurried back.
‘It’s hard to believe you made these, are you sure you didn’t get help?’
Harry chuckled, ‘No help apart from what I learned from you my love. Minerva gave me all your books, so they are in the potions room.’
‘So my books helped, are they in one piece?’
Harry scowled, ‘Yes, I’m not hopeless Severus and right now I’m not in the mood for you smart arse remarks. Since you have your godson here, I’m going for a swim,’ Harry stood and hurried away.
‘Harry,’ Severus called.
‘No, I need some time alone Sev, so just leave it,’ Harry never turned but kept walking.
‘Sounds like the Potter I knew.’
‘No, it’s nothing like Harry, he’s not dealing with any of this very well. Maybe you should go, I’ll get you back once I know Harry’s okay.’
‘Will you be okay alone, you don’t know how long he’ll be?’
‘I’ll be fine, you do not have to worry about me as well.’
‘Alright, send me an owl or something in a day or so,’ Draco apparated away.
Severus conjured a walking stick then slowly pushed himself up and walked down towards the pond. He saw Harry swimming towards the other side, so Severus conjured a chair and sat down to wait.
Harry turned and swam back, as he was swimming he saw Severus sitting in a chair watching him. When he got to the edge he climbed out, dried off and sat on the grass at Severus’ feet, wrapped his arms around his legs. He could feel himself choke up and tried not to let Severus know, Severus hated it when someone cried. He felt Severus’ hand brush down his hair, very slowly and very gently.
‘It was so hard Sev, I know you hate hearing all this, but I felt like I was dying inside. I missed you so much.’
‘I know you did, I did too. I can see you’re not coping my love, but I’m here, we’re together, they can’t separate us again, no one can separate us. But I think it’s time to join the world again.’
Harry sniffed then slowly lifted his head, Severus was staring down at him. He wondered what Severus meant by joining the world, Harry supposed the only way to find out would be to ask, but right now he just wanted to feel his love close, so he put his head back on Severus knee and relished in the feel of his lovers hand brushing down his hair, with every stroke he could feel his heart healing. Every stroke of Severus hand was pumping life back into his barely beating heart.