((No worries Hunter. Please take as much time as you need! :) ))

He looked into Harry's worried green eyes taking a moment to just slow his rapidly beating heart. The alcohol in his blood flowed through, muddling his brain. Without another thought he leaned forward and captured Harry's lips in a deep kiss; deep enough that the boy in front of him couldn't misconstrue his intent. He cupped the back of Harry's head pulling the boy closer. The sudden image of the young man beaten and bloody at his feet snapped him out of his euphoria and he let go of the Griffindor, like he was covered in acid. "Forgive me Harry. That was inappropriate of me."

Harry looked up at Severus, eyes wide and mouth open slightly, shocked by the sudden kiss. "Sev... W-why did you kiss me..?" He asked, wondering it the man had feelings for him, or if it were just the alcohol.

For the first time in his life Severus was utterly speechless. He did care for the boy a great deal, but what he had done was highly inappropriate. The alcohol had loosened his inhibitions, making kissing Harry seem like the right thing to do. The potions master sat silent for a moment. "Harry...I..."

He was stopped by a violent burning sensation in his arm. The dark lord was calling him again. A loud scream sounded from his bedroom and Severus leaped from the couch. Draco was clutching his arm screaming. Remus was holding him from behind trying to comfort the boy. The dark mark was pulsing on the blond's arm, growing worse and worse by the second. The wolf growled at Severus as he approached. Draco whimpered and tried to curl up into a ball.

"Remus do be quiet! I need to see to my godson. Now move." Remus huffed then loosened his arms for a brief moment. Severus knelt by the bed and took Draco's arm posessing the dark mark and pressed his wand to it. Muttering a few phrases in latin the pulsing of tattoo stopped. Draco's screaming had stopped, but he was now sobbing in Severus' arms.

"I can't go back...no, please..." Severus ran a gentle hand over the blond's head trying to comfort him.

"Your not going anywhere Draco. He can't get you here." Severus spoke calmly. Remus came in behind the boy and scooped him up. The potions master was sure the blond would have thrashed and screamed at the action, but the presence of the wolf seemed to comfort the boy. Severus looked Remus in the eye seeing more of the man than the wolf.

"Watch him Lupin. I'm trusting you." The potions master turned to leave the room and came face to face with Harry. He moved past the boy quickly grabbing a pepper up potion to banish the liquor. "I cannot talk now Harry, but when I return..."

Harry watched Severus run to the bedroom when Draco screamed. He could only imagine how much pain the mark was bringing him. As Severus returned, he got up and grabbed the man's arm. "Severus... Don't go, please..." He said softly, begging the man. Surely Voldemort would know Severus had taken Draco away from the manor... The madman would most certainly harm Severus because of it.

Severus laid his hand gently over Harry's. He wanted nothing more in that instant to stay with the young man in front of him, to curl up on the couch by the fire and fall asleep with Potter in his arms. The potions master knew that he had to report to his master, he had to keep Harry safe.

Pulling Harry close Severus wrapped the boy in his arms and leaned close. "What ever happens Harry, know that I do care for you."

Turning away Severus grabbed his thick cloak then made his way out of the castle to where he could apparate. He knew in his heart of hearts that it would be a miracle if he survived to return Harry. I am sorry Harry.

With a large crack he was back in front of the Malfoy Manor. It was unnaturally quiet as he walked through the manicured lawns and through the magical barrier. Severus stopped as he watched his master come slowly across the law, Beatrix at his elbow and a few of the other Death Eaters beside him. Fenrir was walking just tot he left of the dark lord his head held high, long ragged teeth gleaming.

"Hello Severus. I have to say I am surprised to see you here. I didn't think you would be so foolish enough to return here." Voldemort's voice was a dark vibrato chilling the hardened spy to his core. Severus stood his ground, his wand was suddenly in his hand.

The snake man saw the action, "Crucio!" Severus fell to the ground screaming. Over the sound of his own screams he could hear the laughter of Bellatrix and the violent wolf. The pain stopped and the potions master found himself face to face with the dark lord.
"It's a pity Severus, you were so useful to me. Tell me where the Malfoy brat is and I may spare you."

Severus spat in the Dark Lord's face, "Go to hell." Voldemort whipped another crucio at him making the man writhe on the ground. As the pain subsided the potion's master felt himself being pulled to stand. His vision was fuzzy as he was hauled upright. Voldemort raised his wand.

"One more duel before I end you? Hmm...?" Voldemort started to speak the killing curse and Severus closed his eyes waiting for the end.

Harry stood there, tears in his eyes as he watched Severus leave. He knew the man would not return, if something was not done. Calling for Dobby, he asked the elf to take him to Malfoy Manor. The elf complied, and with a quiet pop they were gone from the dungeons of Hogwarts and landing on the lawns of the manor. He could see Voldemort, wand aimed at Severus, the potions master swaying on his feet. The tip of the dark lords wand was glowing green. Harry knew exactly what was coming. He whipped out his wand, and cast the first spell he could think of, without even thinking. "Expelliarmus!" He cried, and the spell hit its target with enough force that the dark lords wand flew from his hand, and the creature t hat was once Tom Riddle was thrown back several feet. Harry stared in shock, surprised at the strength of his spell. He barely dodged a spell sent at him, and quickly erected a strong Protego around himself, concentrating on keeping the magical shield up as he ran to Severus' side. "Severus!" He cried, reaching the man, catching him as the man fell, barely able to support the sudden weight.

Severus opened his eyes when he heard Harry's voice casting the deflection spell. No, no...Harry can't he here. Severus tried everything to keep standing and get to the young man that came to save him. The potions master started to fall his body still weak from the crucio curse inflicted on him. Two thin strong arms were wrapped around his waist helping to keep him upright.

"Harry you should not be here," Severus' rasped, "You have to go please." The death eaters were gathering their wits once again to attack the two men. The dark Lord had risen to his feet ans was being handed his wand by Bellatrix. He tried to push the boy away only to feel the arms going tighter around him. Suddenly the thin ever loyal house elf was by their sides.

"Time to go Masters." Thin little hands grabbed at both men and with a loud pop they were pulled away from the grounds of the Malfoy estate. Before they were fully disappeared Voldemort cast one last powerful dark spell. It clipped Severus in the shoulder and as they landed back on the Hogwarts lawn. The potion's master fell to his knee. his body finally giving up trying to stay upright; then everything went black as he started to seize.

((What spell?))Harry shut his eyes as they apparated, never having liked the sensation. He opened them again when they were on solid ground, and looked at the professor in his arms. "Sev? Severus?" He called his name. Upon recieving no answer, Harry started panicking. "Dobby, go fetch Madame Pomfrey. Quickly!"

Severus was no longer fully in his body. The pain from the seizures had driven him to the edge of the veil. The potions master first noticed how warm and bright; everything was wieghtless. He could hear Harry's voice trying to call him back. He lost the voice after a moment then caught onto another one. "Severus. You can't leave yet."

Lily's beautiful face was suddenly in front of him again. "He still needs you." Suddenly James Potter and Sirius Black were standing on either side of the woman. Both surprisingly were smiling at him. James took one of Lily's hands.

"Snape. I know I treated you horribly, but thank you for helping Harry." He gave the potions master a smile. "He still needs you, please Snape you have to go back." Severus looked at his former rival with wide eyes. James approached the other man. "Look, I will probably never like you, but you're good for my son. I know that you love him."

Sirius stepped on the other side of him. "Please Severus. Get your ass back there and take care of my godson. And tell Remus I want him to move on."

Lily pushed the other two aside until she had both of Sev's hands in her own. "It's going to be alright Sev. I promise. Take care of my boy." She pressed a kiss to his head and the veil suddenly melted away.

------
Poppy and Albus raced outside after being summoned by the little elf. Severus was still seizing in Harry's arms when they arrived. The headmaster helped Poppy moved the man off the boy's lap to the ground. She cast a quick charm to silence the flaring neurons in the poor man's brain.

Once Severus was still Albus helped levitate the man into the castle and to the infirmary. Once they had him settled Albus got Harry to sit down and wrapped a warm blanket around the boy. "That was very foolish Harry. If they had caught you...Merilin help us."

Poppy continued to look over the unconscious potion's master. She gasped lightly as she preformed a diagnostic spell. "Albus," Poppy called from across the room "I need to speak with you. Harry, why don't you sit with Severus." She pulled the head master out of room to explain the situation.

"Albus he's dying. He was hit it with the killing curse. Not head on, but enough that his life is slowly slipping awa, what are we going to do? I don't think I can save him."

Harry nodded and moved his chair closer to Severus, taking the man's hand, tears distorting his vision. The doors hadn't been shut properly, and as such, Harry could hear what was being said. Not that he needed to- he'd seen the flare of green light just as they'd escaped from the grounds of the manor. The way Sev was acting, he knew he'd been hit. "Sev... please... I-I can't do this without you... you can't die on me..." He said softly, tears falling and landing on the potions master.

Albus looked over at young Harry holding Severus' hand and crying. He patted Poppy's shoulder, "Make them both as comfortable as you can Poppy. I am going to look to see if I can find something to help the both of them."

"Albus, should we tell Harry?"

"I think he already knows, dear. Just make them comfortable and I'll be back quickly." Albus raced back to his office and began to look through his ancient texts.

Poppy approached the young man and still unconscious potions master. She pulled out a calming drought and handed it to Harry. "Here lad. You need to drink this, Severus will need you in top shape to look after him." The medic patted the young man on the shoulder and tightened his blanket. "It's going to be alright Harry."
---------------
Severus was still swimming in pain and darkness as he slowly started to surface. He could hear Harry's broken tear filled voice and he followed it. His eyes fluttered opening a fraction. The pain in his head and back were intense, but he was able to get out a small croak, "h-urts..."

Poppy, who was still standing by the boy, turned around and grasped his hand. "Oh Severus. Here." She grabbed a pain potion and poured a few drops on the potion masters tongue. If she gave him too much in his state Severus would slip further into the darkness and never wake back up.

Severus swallowed what little he was given gratefully. "H-harry safe?"

Harry nodded slightly and drained the calming draught quickly, thankful for the instantaneous results. He wiped his tears away and leaned forward, gripping Severus' hand tightly. "I'm fine, Sev... I'm safe..." He said softly, ignoring Poppy still in the room as he lifted Sev's hand, brushing a kiss across his knuckles.

Severus was still floating on the various mix of pain and pain potion. He felt Harry's lips on his knuckles and he smiled slightly. The boy was safe...that was all that mattered. Cupping the younger man's face Sev thumb traced over the boy's cheek bone wiping away tears. With what little strength he had Severus pulled Harry down and wrapped him in his arms. "That was very foolish Potter...thank you though."

The potions master could tell that he was dying he could feel his life slowly draining away, but here was nothing he could do. He didn't know why Lily had sent him back if he was going to die anyways. His arms tightened slightly around Harry.
------
Albus entered the room a few moments later smiling at the sight of the potions master and the boy that lived. He walked forward, a large tome in his hands. "Harry, Severus. I think I have a solution to the problem at hand. It may require more unconventional methods, but if it works..." He left the last unsaid knowing that the two men should know what he meant.

Harry laid next to Severus, snuggling right up beside him. When Dumbledor came in, he looked up, curious. "And what is this solution, Sir?" He asked, willing to do almost anything to save Severus.

Severus pulled Harry closer enjoying the warmth coming off the boy. Suddenly a hacking cough ripped through his chest making the potions master sit up, dislodging his companion. He took a few wheezing breaths a sipped on some water Poppy provided. When the glass left his lips the water was tinged pinkish red with blood. His eyes widened and he nearly dropped the glass. Albus caught the cup and placed it on the table, before helping Severus lay back down.

The older wizard cleared his throat before speaking to the two on the bed. "There is an old spell that can keep Severus alive as well as keep you safe Harry. It's a binding spell. Severus' magical energy will be tied to yours and vice versa. This bond though...it is unbreakable. Once it is made there is no reversing it. You too will be tied to one another for the rest of your lives. I would like you to both think this over."

(Sorry that took so long)

Harry settled back down next to Severus, watching him carefully as he thought about it. He couldn't see his life with anyone besides Sev. "I'll do it, as long as he's willing... I... I can't lose someone else I care about. Not like this, because of Voldemort." Harry replied, taking hold of Severus' hand as fresh tears sprang to his eyes.

Severus listened to Albus his heart growing heavier at every word. Yes, the bond would save his life and keep Harry from Voldemort's clutches, but it would tie the boy to him forever. The potion master was pulled from his own musings as he listened to Harry. It warmed the cold knots in his heart a fraction, but Severus knew in reality that Harry would not want to stay with him forever.

He was old and not very attractive...Harry was a young and handsome man he would eventually move on. And Severus...he would let Harry move on. Though the bond would bind their magic, he would let the boy go when the younger wizard was ready. Severus turned to look at Albus. "If Harry is willing the I agree to the binding."

Albus gave the pair a bright smile. "Wonderful! For the first part Poppy could you heat a cauldron of hippogriff milk then I need these herbs." He handed Poppy a long list. "You should find most of them in the potions closet. We will also need a few feathers from Fawkes. Harry, you and Severus rest until I get this prepared. You will both need your strength."

Without another word the older wizard left to prepare the spell. Severus sighed deeply holding Harry close.

Harry curled up to the dying man, arms wrapped around him tightly. He laid there for a few minutes, just listening to Severus' heartbeat. "Sev... I meant what I said..." He said softly, looking up at the potions master. "I can't lose someone else like this... not one that I love so much..." His gaze, while teary, never fell from Severus' own eyes.

Severus looked down into the deep green eyes looking up at him. Harry loved him? His heart beat rapidly at the thought and his arms tightened around the boy. "Alright..." The potions master closed his eyes to rest, slipping easily into sleep.

Albus busied himself as he working on the spell. He ground the herbs in Poppy's mortar and pestle pouring them into the large bowl. The older wizard added the hippogriff milk while he stirred the mixture with his wand. The final ingredient would be blood from both wizards.

He looked over to the pair resting on the bed. Severus was steadily growing paler and his breaths were coming less frequently. Albus crossed the room quickly and picked up one of Severus' limp hands. "My boy...wake up." The potions master didn't move or even respond to the stimuli.

"Poppy I need an invigorate potion. There are words that Severus needs to say to complete the binding ritual." Albus gently pierced Severus's thumb with the knife. He took three drops of blood. "Harry I need just a little of your blood."

Once the mixture was complete, Albus helped Severus sit up and poured the invigorate potion down his throat. Severus blinked rapidly trying to wake up. The older wizard helped the potions master lay back down on the bed. "Harry I need to to pull over the other bed lay flat on it and take Severus' hand."

Severus was floating barely conscious as his life force started to slowly slip away. He felt Albus open his shirt exposing his thin chest; the cooler air making him shiver. Albus dipped his finger into the paste taking a scoop and drawing arcane symbols on Severus' chest. Albus whispered a few words and the mixture started to glow; he turned to Harry.

"Harry if you'll open up your shirt I need to do the same to you." Albus waited not wanting to frighten the boy.

Harry nodded and let Albus take some of his blood for the potion, then got up and pulled the other bed up next to Severus', laying down after pulling off his t-shirt, hesitating only briefly. Taking hold of Severus's hand, he could feel the life slipping away from the professor. Harry gave a slight squeeze, hoping for a reaction of some sort to let him know Sev was still there.

Severus could feel Harry's hand in his own the sensation tied him to the present keeping him alive for the moment. With what little strength he had the potions master returned the squeeze from Potter. I'm still here...

Albus could see Severus was fading quickly. The older wizard moved to Harry marking him with the same arcane symbols as the potions master. Placing the bowl to the side Dumlbedore reached for the ancient tome that contained the binding spell. "Severus, Harry; I need you to repeat after me:

Ego vinculum cum te.
Per vitam, mortem tui ambulabunt.
Anima et cor tuum.

O Luna, diutius super prima unio.
Dea iunge corda et corpora nostra animae

aeternum unum
numquam solus*

Severus concentrated on the words of the spell. Each phrase became easier as the spell started to take effect. "-Aetetnum unum. Numquam solus..." With the final phrase Severus felt a rush of power fill his body. His back arched off the bed as he screamed the light burning through the dark spell and healing the dying man.


*Latin Translation:
I bond with thee.
Through life, in death I shall walk with thee.
My soul and heart are thine.

O Moon, dwell longer over our first union.
Goddess, Bind our hearts, our bodies, our souls

Forever one
Never alone

Harry repeated the spell, concentrating on getting the pronunciation right so he wouldn't screw this up. He felt the bond set in, through which he could feel Severus' pain as well, but he just grit his teeth and stuck through it. He knew what he was feeling was nothing compared to what Sev was. He tightened his grip of Snape's hand, giving the man something to actually focus on besides the pain, something to keep him grounded.

After a brief moment the light dissipated from the room and Severus fell back against the bed exhausted, but alive. Sweat drenched hair was plastered to his forhead and soaked his white shirt. His hand was still clutching tightly to the boy's. He closed his eyes and tried to clear the cotton feeling from his throat. "Ha-...Harry, are you alright?"

The potion's master could feel the magical presence of Harry through their bond; a bright spot in the cold recesses of his heart. Severus turned to look around the room. A few of the windows were cracked and three were actually broken. Poppy and Albus had been floored by the burst of magical energy. My god...Severus thought, was Harry truly that powerful?

Harry looked around briefly shocked at the damage done by their bonding. "Yeah Sev,... I'm fine. Question is, are you?" He asked softly, forcing himself to sit up, groaning a little when he did and the room spun. He shifted himself from his bed, to Severus', snuggling up to him, worried a little about the man still, despite knowing he was now safe.

He tucked the boy in tighter to his side, brushing his hand through the messy locks.

"I am alive, Harry thanks to you." Severus placed a kiss on the top of Harry's head. The bond flared within him at the touch and he sent all his joy and contentment and through it. As he basked in the warmth of the younger man's arms he noticed the arm that held the dark mark. Rolling his sleeve above where the mark should have been he found something new and surprising. In place of the skull and snake writhing on his arm there was a large Gothic lion roaring silently. Merlin... Severus looked at Harry with wide eyes. The boy's power had removed the dark lord's mark, a feat Severus had always deemed impossible.


Sev's New Tattoo On his inner arm:
http://www.uniquetattoofinder.com/wp...ion-tattoo.jpg