Forever

Forever

Harry cried out in agony as another blast hit him in the chest. They were not deadly blows by any means, but strikes meant to inflict the utmost pain upon him.

The death eaters surrounding him snickered with delight as they watched him writhe where he stood, shooting off curses and hexes like children with dangerous toys. Harry blocked some and missed others, glancing down at Severus, who lay bloody and broken on the ground beside him.

He choked back a sob and waved off another stream of light as it headed his way.

Then, he saw him.

Through the swarm of death eaters came another figure. They parted, their cackles finally silenced and wands hovering, unused for the moment, in midair.

Harry%u2019s heart froze and anger and fear consumed him at once. The man approached him slowly, gracefully, and with a smile and delicate wave that reeked power. He stood before Harry and laughed.

Harry, chilled to the bone as he looked upon his enemy, shivered as he looked into the eyes before him. They were the eyes that had haunted his dreams for years and filled him with more malice than he ever thought himself capable of.

They were the eyes of Lord Voldemort.

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With a shout, Harry woke. Sitting up quickly, he tried to calm his raging heartbeat as he wiped the cold sweat from his brow. His boxers, the only clothing he bore, stuck to him like flypaper and he shifted uncomfortably under the heavy covers of the bed.

Those eyes had haunted his dreams once more.

Closing his eyes tightly and shaking his head, Harry turned to the man lying peacefully next to him, sound asleep. It was Severus, and he was fine.

Harry%u2019s heart skipped a beat and his breathe slowed.

Thank Merlin.

Severus meant more to him than he could ever admit. He couldn%u2019t bear to lose him; especially after all they%u2019d been through.

Harry had depended on Severus for as long as he%u2019d known him, even before he knew he depended on him. Severus had saved him, taught him, and now loved him, and Harry knew that he would die without the other wizard by his side.

Severus was the glue that kept him together, no matter how corny it sounded. If he left, Harry would fall apart like a crumbling castle wall.

Reaching out, Harry stroked Severus%u2019s cheek softly with his knuckles, smiling tiredly. The man twitched, but did not wake.

Stretching, Harry decided he would not be able to sleep again. Besides, he needed a shower. He carefully picked the covers off himself and swung his legs over the side of the bed, only to be stopped by a hand of slender fingers wrapping themselves around his wrist.

Harry sighed, his throat rumbling as he did so. %u201CI didn%u2019t mean to wake you up.%u201D

%u201CDid you have another nightmare?%u201D Severus asked, releasing his grip.

Harry turned to his lover and frowned. %u201CIt%u2019s nothing to worry about Severus,%u201D he insisted, %u201CIt was just a little dream. No big deal.%u201D

Severus looked Harry dead in the eyes, holding the younger wizard within his gaze. %u201CHe%u2019s dead, Harry. You killed him.%u201D

%u201CI know,%u201D Harry replied, looking away. %u201CBut he still haunts me.%u201D

%u201CHe haunts us all, but that will end,%u201D Severus said softly, %u201CIt has to.%u201D

%u201CI know.%u201D Harry closed his eyes and smiled. %u201CIt%u2019s been almost a year. I guess I really should get over it. I have had less dreams. It%u2019s just%u2026%u201D

Severus grabbed Harry%u2019s arm and pulled him down into his chest, holding him in a protective embrace. %u201CJust as you killed him in body, you have to kill him in thought. It doesn%u2019t do to linger.%u201D

%u201CYeah,%u201D Harry answered, %u201CBut heck, my head is always a bit thick. I guess it just takes it longer to heal.%u201D

%u201CThat%u2019s what you get for being a Gryffindor.%u201D Severus chuckled lightly and shifted to kiss his young lover.

They broke apart and Harry grinned. %u201CYou know, I%u2019m actually glad I woke you up.%u201D He snickered deviously.

Severus quirked a brow. %u201COh really? What did you have in mind?%u201D

Pulling himself up off the bed, Harry stood and tilted his head back over his shoulder. %u201CI was thinking of taking a shower.%u201D

With that, he sauntered into the bathroom, his hips jerking playfully from side to side and Severus not too far behind.

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%u201CHarry, mate!%u201D Ron hollered jovially from across the corridor as Harry stepped out from his and Severus%u2019s dungeon quarters.

%u201CRon!%u201D Harry%u2019s face broke into a broad grin at the sight of his friend. He had not seen his red-headed companion the whole summer, as he and Hermoine, newly engaged, had taken off to Albania to visit Ron%u2019s older brother, Charlie.

They hugged happily, patting each other on the backs and uttering numerous salutations to one another.

%u201CAre you ready?%u201D Ron asked, a glint worthy of the late Headmaster in his eyes.

%u201CFor what?%u201D Harry inquired, perplexed by his friend%u2019s excited quarry.

%u201CThe school year of course!%u201D Ron exclaimed, widening his arms to gesture around the hall. %u201CIt will be our first year of teaching! Can you believe we%u2019re no longer the students?%u201D

Oh. That was right. Harry hadn%u2019t even thought about it. Both he and Ron had scored jobs as Professors at Hogwarts. Ron as assistant Care of Magical Creatures Professor, and Harry leading Defense against the Dark Arts. Even Neville had taken a place as the new Herbology professor. Never in all the years of Hogwarts had teachers been appointed at such a young age, Minnerva McGonnagal, the Headmistress of Hogwarts, told them; and it would not be likely to happen again. Many believed that their prodigal and incredible power and talents had come from the fact that they were the ones who were in the most direct battles with the Death Eaters and Voldemort himself. What child would not excel in such a situation?

Now they were eighteen and already shaping their lives in the wizarding world, finally free of the Dark Lord and all his painful and insufferable business. They were free to comfortably use their potential and now, to teach it to others.

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Ron and Harry had been walking slowly throughout the halls and corridors of the school for some time now, reminiscing and chatting like only the best of friends can do. They visited the Gryffindor common room, the Quidditch pitch, and even Hagrid%u2019s hut to have a spot of tea and catch up with the friendly half giant. Fang still drooled as much as ever and Hagrid%u2019s cakes were, as always, a dentist%u2019s worst nightmare.

As the two walked across the grounds, they were greeted by yet another friend. This one was no longer as timid as he was in the old days. He had outgrown his mousy, yet well-intentioned personality, and had become a confident, intelligent Herbologist who loyally kept in touch with his old companions.

%u201COy! Neville!%u201D Ron shouted, waving the plant fetishist over to them.

%u201CHey!%u201D Harry smiled, happy to see another familiar face. %u201CIt%u2019s grand to see you mate!%u201D

The two patted the other on the shoulder kindly and walked with him back to the castle.

%u201CI%u2019m nervous about this year,%u201D Neville sighed. He sounded more anxious than anything. He scratched the back of his head in thought and chuckled as they reached the Great Hall, his mind obviously swirling with memories. %u201CI hope the years we teach are not as exciting as the years we learned.%u201D

Ron laughed. %u201CJust like you Neville. Always wanting the calmer side of things. I personally wouldn%u2019t mind a bit of excitement, but I%u2019ll have to admit I%u2019ve had enough of gigantic chess pieces and forbidden curses.%u201D

%u201CI think this year will hold much more peace for us,%u201D Harry%u2019s expression was soft, but tired. %u201CI can only hope that if another Triwizard Tournament comes around that I am in no way involved.%u201D

They laughed heartily at this, but with no disrespect. They all remembered Cedric, and forever would respect his name until the day they died.

%u201CActually I think the Triwizard Tournament was banned after that last one,%u201D Neville pondered for a moment. %u201CI%u2019m quite sure of it actually. I don%u2019t think anyone would want to enter it anyway. Though the danger has died, the fear has not yet passed.%u201D

Harry frowned. He knew this all to well. The man may be dead, but his idea; his memory; no matter how cruel, evil, or terrible; lived on. Even in him. He could feel him. His cold, searing eyes and spiny, twisted fingers around his throat-

%u201CHarry?%u201D

Harry jerked to reality.

%u201CYou alright mate?%u201D Ron asked. %u201CYou looked a bit pale there.%u201D

Harry swallowed and nodded, a smile replacing his grimace. %u201CSorry. I%u2019m fine. Just an old ghost.%u201D

%u201CWhat%u2019s that about ghosts?%u201D An airy voice echoed across the hall, making the three men look up in surprise. Nearly Headless Nick floated a ways from them, bowing courteously at the former students and tilting his head ever so much to give his most%u2026 unappetizing salute.

%u201CUgh, Sir Nick, I do wish you wouldn%u2019t do that,%u201D Neville groaned, turned away from the ghostly visitor.

%u201CI%u2019m afraid I would lose my trademark if I decided to cease the tradition,%u201D Nick replied cordially, lifting his hand to give them an airy wave. %u201CI bid you adieu for now, boys, as I must speak with the Bloody Baron for a moment. Good to have you back!%u201D

With that, he flew soundlessly through the wall, humming a lonesome tune.

%u201CBleh!%u201D Ron exclaimed, %u201CThat guys always gives me the willies.%u201D

%u201COh bugger off Ron,%u201D Harry replied, %u201CHe is the ghost of our House after all. Gryffindor would be lost without him.%u201D

Ron grunted and Neville nodded in agreement as they began to walk once more.

%u201CSpeaking of Houses, Harry,%u201D Ron spoke, an eerily playful edge to his voice that set Harry on a nervous watch for a prank or joke of some sort. %u201CHow%u2019s the man of Slytherin himself? I must admit I%u2019ve wondered how the old git is faring these days.%u201D

Harry opened his mouth to respond, but was cute off as a silky voice emanated over the hall, causing Neville to squeak as if he were once more a child and Ron to grimace as if a stick had just been shoved into a very uncomfortable place.

%u201CI am just fine, Mr. Weasley,%u201D Severus drawled. He swept across the floor with his same dark grace, %u201CYour concern is touching. Though I%u2019m sure you%u2019re both just ecstatic to see me once again,%u201D He nodded his head towards Neville, who cowered behind Harry with a look mixed with fear and determination not to be attacked, %u201CI am afraid I have terribly exciting business elsewhere.%u201D

He fixed his robes and moved to go past them, but Harry lay a hand of light fingers upon his arm, causing him to sway to a slow halt and look down at the young man with a lifted brow.

%u201CSeverus?%u201D Harry asked, his voice soft and casual, %u201CYou will be helping me with my class preparations this evening?%u201D

%u201COf course, Harry,%u201D Severus replied, %u201CBe sure to give my greetings to any other annoying memory that returns in my absence.%u201D

Harry let his hand fall and with a nod, Severus was off down the hall with a speed not even a jogger could match.

%u201COh, Severus,%u201D Ron crooned, batting his lashes at Harry and grinning madly.

%u201COh, shut up, will you?%u201D Harry retorted, shoving Ron lightly to the side. %u201CWe%u2019ve been together for over a year now.%u201D

%u201CYeah, and it%u2019s still disturbing!%u201D Ron gesticulated wildly. %u201CYou hated each other! And he%u2019s still as much of a git as ever.%u201D

%u201CI hated him, yes, but things change, Ron,%u201D Harry plastered a look of fake irritation onto his face. %u201CAnd he never was a git. He just finds it hard to be friendly.%u201D He added as an afterthought.

%u201CFriendly!%u201D Ron replied, his dubious voice bouncing off the castle walls, %u201CHe can%u2019t even be bloody genial! I can picture him smiling, let alone shaking my hand!%u201D

%u201CHe has smiled before Ron,%u201D Harry rolled his eyes. %u201CYou just haven%u2019t seen it.%u201D

%u201CBollux,%u201D Ron answered, crossing his arms in defiance.

Harry didn%u2019t reply and just shook his head. He knew Ron was just messing around. He had made it clear to Harry quite a long while ago that he supported the relationship as long as Harry was happy. He truly was his best friend.
%u201DI don%u2019t see how you manage it Harry,%u201D Neville said thoughtfully.

Harry looked at him quizzically. %u201CWhat?%u201D

%u201CWith Professor Snape, I mean,%u201D Neville nodded his head back the direction Severus had left. %u201CI%u2019d never be able to get it up cause I%u2019d always be too scared he%u2019d give me a detention or something of the like!%u201D

They laughed at this. Wiping a tear from his eye, Harry chuckled and said, %u201CYeah well sometimes the detention scenario helps!%u201D

This evoked another burst of laughter from them, causing a few portraits on the walls to look curiously over at them.

%u201CI did not need to hear that!%u201D Ron gasped, trying to catch his breath from severe giggling.

Harry smiled and slung his arms around the two men%u2019s shoulders, setting off for another long walk to dwell upon their memories.

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%u201CSeverus?%u201D

%u201CMm?%u201D

%u201CDo you think I%u2019m ready for this?%u201D Harry sighed, putting another book into the cupboard. %u201CI mean. I just don%u2019t know if I have what it takes to teach this class.%u201D

Severus looked up from his paper sorting, contemplating this. %u201CYou practically taught this bloody class with your Dumbledore%u2019s Army business and the like. I know you have the skills.%u201D

%u201CBut do I have the patience?%u201D Harry turned, and furrowed his brows almost comically. %u201CI don%u2019t know if I could stand any imbeciles like me in my class.%u201D

%u201CNo student could ever measure up to your level of imbecile, Mr. Potter,%u201D Severus smirked, standing from his chair and crossing the dimming room of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

%u201CWhat a line,%u201D Harry chortled, setting down the books in his hand and watching Severus as he neared him.

%u201CI don%u2019t have any need to use lines with you,%u201D Severus breathed, stopping before his lover and placing his hands on his shoulders.

Harry laid his palms of Severus%u2019s hips, turning his head up to smile at him. %u201CNo, you don%u2019t, but you could try to sweet talk me every once and a while.%u201D

%u201CLike what?%u201D Severus asked. He ran a thumb along Harry%u2019s cheekbone and the other on his neck.

Their faces drew closer.

%u201CLike my love, perhaps,%u201D Harry%u2019s eyes were now half lidded, his lips parted sensually as he stared into the older man%u2019s eyes. He ran his hand up Severus%u2019s stomach and stuck his fingers in between the buttons of his shirt, feeling the warm skin beneath. %u201COr should I be the one to use that endearment?%u201D He leaned forward to kiss Severus%u2019s neck tenderly. %u201CMy love?%u201D

Severus sighed with lust and pulled Harry%u2019s head to face his own, capturing his lips with ardor. They kissed with as much a passion as the first time they had ever done so, and soon enough they had backed up to a wall. Enraptured in their own world. One where the only thing that mattered was each other's mouths, bodies, and souls.

Then%u2026

%u201CAh hem!%u201D

The two broke loose, surprised and agitated at the intrusion. An extremely uncomfortable looking Ron stood in the doorway, wringing his hands nervously. %u201CS-sorry. I was just sent by the Headmistress to get you. She wants to talk to the staff about something.%u201D

Coughing, Harry wiped his mouth and pushed himself from the wall. %u201CRight then. We%u2019ll be right up.%u201D Severus flattened out his robes and seemed to be concentrating very hard on an inkwell on a nearby table.

%u201CO%u2026. Ok,%u201D Ron replied, giving a half smile and bolting out of the room as if there were a Death Eater on his tail.

Harry let out embarrassed laugh. %u201CI guess we%u2019ll need to remember to lock the door next time.%u201D He touched Severus%u2019s lips with the tips of his fingers, tilting his head back at his suggestively. %u201CWe will finish this later.%u201D He grinned, trotting out the door like a lovesick schoolgirl.

Severus shook his head, but allowed himself a smile reserved only for Harry. Following the young wizard out the door of the class to the gargoyle at the end of the next corridor, Severus allowed himself this smile for the entirety of the short trip as he watched the man before him walk lightly and almost goofily. Harry never used to walk that way. He wouldn%u2019t have been able to now if it weren%u2019t for the death of the Dark Lord; of%u2026 Voldemort. Severus was grateful that he could see an earnest smile on Harry%u2019s face now. It showed that times were really starting to change, and that they may finally have some peace in their long, complicated lives.

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%u201CFor those of you who have taught here for the past years, I am sure you know why I have called you here,%u201D Minnerva spoke, her voice as authoritarian as it had ever been. She sat in the Headmaster%u2019s chair that was now her own, an untouched can of lemon drops on the desk and the forever-smiling picture of Dumbledore hanging on the wall.

The old Professors nodded in agreement at the statement. The younger, less knowledgeable ones sat nervous and interested in their conjured chairs, awaiting the Headmistress%u2019s explanation of the gathering.

%u201CThis meeting, for those of you who do not know, will be to discuss the upcoming events of the school year, Great Hall seating arrangements, and other numerous things that either you or I feel necessary to discuss,%u201D Minnerva clasped her hands together as she spoke, making eye contact with every person in the room, one by one. %u201CAny questions?%u201D This was directed towards the new teachers, who shook their heads.

%u201CWell then,%u201D Minnerva put on a kind, but stern smile, %u201CWould anyone like some tea?%u201D

Everyone nodded once more in the affirmative, no one yet ready to speak until McGonnagal started the discussion.

%u201CRight,%u201D she conjured up small glasses of tea for everyone. All of whom took it gratefully and sipped in thought as she began her speech. %u201CAs you know, this will be the first school year to be held in almost seven years where Voldemort has not been alive in one form or another to torment us.%u201D

A few turned their heads or took a sharp intake of breath at the name, others; those who had been more intimately acquainted with it; merely frowned.

%u201CAnd as this is the case, it must be a wonderful year for our students. The students that will return this year have lived through those dreadful days, and those who will be new to this school never need to know what such terrors are like. This is a school for learning and setting a life for these children, and we are the ones who will help shape those lives. We must honor Albus and his wishes to set these times right and bring up a new generation of wizards and witches for the Wizarding World.%u201D

Many of the older teachers nodded firmly, their eyes glowing with her strengthening words. Harry thought of Dumbledore and felt empowered by his memory. The Headmistress was right. This was a time to rebuild the broken world that Tom Riddle had left behind him in death. It was a time for them to rebuild themselves.

Minnerva took a sip of tea, pausing for a moment. %u201CI know that the memories of those days will never leave us,%u201D she continued, %u201CBut times of trial give us strength in the end, and we can use what we%u2019ve learned to teach those who have not learned our lessons. Because that dreaded monster is no longer among us, we can let the younger live lives of peace at last. It is time for the students to really feel safe, and we will ensure that safety. It is our job and lifestyle to protect these children and give them a time they will never forget as long as they are at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.%u201D She finished vehemently, her eyes narrowing.

Harry had known ever since Dumbledore had died that McGonnagal would make a fine Headmistress, but as he listened to her this moment, he felt his heart swell with the knowledge that she would whole heartedly do Dumbledore justice.

A few teachers clapped quietly and smiled, with Treylawny bawling in her armchair in the corner of the room and Hagrid%u2019s face flushed red with love for the school and those around him.

%u201CWith that said,%u201D Minnerva said suddenly, drawing everyone%u2019s attention back to her instantly, %u201CIt is time to discuss the events of the year.%u201D

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Harry folded his shirt neatly and set it on the dresser, taking in a deep breath of the moist, cool air of the dungeons. The light from the fireplace flickered wildly across the walls and it crackled with laughter about a joke that only the flames knew.

Harry made his way over to the couch, plopping down onto the soft, black leather and snuggling against Severus%u2019s side.

Severus pulled his arm around Harry, holding him close as he closed his eyes and soaked up the warmth of the fire.

%u201CMcGonnagal made an incredible speech today,%u201D Harry mumbled into Severus%u2019s button up shirt.

%u201CYou are a Professor now. You can call her Minnerva,%u201D Severus replied.

%u201CIt just doesn%u2019t feel right,%u201D Harry answered, %u201CI call her that because I respect her and because she was once my teacher. It would feel wrong to call her anything else.%u201D

Severus chuckled dryly. %u201CAh, but I do recall another teacher that you were a student of. A certain regal Potions Professor%u2026%u201D

%u201CRegal is hardly the word for him,%u201D Harry mused playfully, %u201CMore like adorable.%u201D

Harry laughed and pushed away from Severus in order not to be jinxed, only to find the other man on top of him in seconds, pinning him by his legs and shoulders to the couch.

%u201CInsolent as ever I see,%u201D Severus chastised, his deep voice rumbling with amusement.

%u201CI%u2019ll always be the brat of a student,%u201D Harry remarked, his grin feral.

%u201CMaybe I should teach you a lesson about respect,%u201D Severus purred.

%u201CThat%u2019s one of the oldest ones in the book!%u201D Harry snickered.

He gasped when Severus took his lower lip into his teeth, pulling it unto his mouth as if to taste it.

%u201CTrust me, we won%u2019t be needing a book for this, Potter.%u201D

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They lay together under a warm blanket in the firelight, holding each other as only lovers do. Harry%u2019s brow furrowed in his slumber, and obvious demon harassing him as he slept.

Severus felt the movement and looked down to the face of his companion. It was contorted and frightened, sweat sliding down the frowning cheeks.

%u201CHarry,%u201D Severus whispered, pushing the matted hair out of the young man%u2019s eyes. %u201CHarry wake up,%u201D he muttered a bit louder.

Harry jerked awake with a start. He was panting loudly and his eyes were round circles in his surprise. %u201CSeverus%u2026?%u201D he inquired, his question left in the air.

%u201CYou were having a nightmare,%u201D Severus reasoned, %u201CWhat was it about?%u201D

Harry turned away, unable to look him in the eyes. Severus, not accepting this as an answer, placed a loving hand on Harry%u2019s chin, turning his head to face him once more.

%u201CHarry,%u201D Severus spoke, clearly and tenderly, looking deeply into the wizard%u2019s eyes as he did so. %u201CYou must let him go. He will never cease to haunt you until you accept what has happened to you.%u201D

%u201CI know%u2026%u201D Harry sighed, %u201CI just can%u2019t. Even though I know he is gone, I can%u2019t seem to forget my past.%u201D

%u201CYou aren%u2019t supposed to forget it Harry. You must come to terms with it. Pasts are never meant to be forgotten. They are only meant to teach. You have to understand that. It isn%u2019t about your past anymore. It%u2019s about right now, right here, and what will come to pass in the future.%u201D

%u201CYou make it sound so easy, Severus,%u201D Harry groaned, %u201Cbut I am not as strong as you.%u201D

%u201CYou are far stronger,%u201D the Potions Master said firmly, %u201CYou aren%u2019t doing this alone, Harry. I will not abandon you and neither will your friends. Because of what you did; how you saved this world; you will always have us for as long as you will need. I have no desire to be by anyone else%u2019s side and I will be right here to help you forget the ghosts of your past and start a new life. You don%u2019t have to be the Boy Who Lived anymore.%u201D

Harry couldn%u2019t stop from crying a little. It didn%u2019t make him feel weak, though. It made him feel relieved. He already knew everything Severus had said, but hearing it somehow made the truth seem more real. Just as the school was starting over, he had to too, and he knew that Severus would be at his side the whole time.

%u201CThank you,%u201D Harry whispered, laying his head once more onto his lover%u2019s chest.

Severus kissed the top of the ruffled hair and wrapped his arm around the firm muscles of Harry%u2019s abdomen. He watched as Harry once more fell of into another world. And as Harry slept, Severus saw no grimace upon his face; no frown or sign of fear. The savior of the world%u2019s face was calm, content, and perfectly and utterly happy.