Spur of the Moment

Chapter 50

"It has been eleven days, Albus. I am beginning to fear the worse," Poppy said one night while the others slept.

"I would not worry so soon, Poppy," Dumbledore said.

"So soon?" Poppy repeated. "It has been eleven days, Albus. I, frankly, am amazed that Severus still lives after all that has happened."

She and Dumbledore looked at Severus. The man's skin was tinged red and there was gauze on all parts of his body. Bruises and small cuts covered the skin. He was breathing shallowly from his many broken ribs that had occurred along with his right lung being punctured three times and his left once.

"They are strong," Dumbledore said.

"I wonder, though, if that will be enough," Poppy said.

Dumbledore was quiet for a time as he stared at the unconscious forms of Harry and Severus.

"They are strong," he said.

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"You have no idea what to do, do you?" Severus said as he and Harry left the tree.

"No, but I'm following my instincts," Harry said.

"And that's supposed to reassure me?" Severus raised an eyebrow.

Harry chuckled. "If you want it to. I usually follow my instincts and I'm still alive."

"Barely," Severus said quietly.

"Hey, I've managed so far," Harry said with a grin.

"With help," Severus said.

"Well, yeah, but still." Harry shrugged and Severus rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Look, just trust me. You said you can do that so come on."

"If you get me killed—"

"If you die, you had better come back as a ghost because you are not leaving me," Harry said firmly, all teasing seemingly gone.

"Harry—"

"No. I can't do this without you and I am not willing to lose anyone else, especially not you," Harry said, staring into the dark onyx eyes he was coming to love.

"I will not make a promise I cannot keep," Severus said.

"Then promise to try," Harry said.

"I promise to try my hardest to stay with you," Severus said and Harry gave a small smile.

"Thank you," he said. "Now, you need to get to your magical core."

"Why?" Severus frowned.

"First is because it is how I'll get back to my body. Second, I believe it is the way you will wake up. So, close your eyes and feel your magic," Harry told him. Severus gave the Gryffindor a steady look before letting his eyes fall shut. "Once you feel it, let it take you to your core."

Severus kept his eyes shut, feeling for his magic. Finally it was there and he gave into the insistent tugging he could feel. He suddenly felt very light and very much like he was floating on air. It wasn't long before he felt solid and stationary, and he opened his eyes. His eyes were assaulted by a large and bright glowing ball with a few strands connected to it.

"You have a few less strands than me," Harry said, pulling him from his thoughts.

"I do not and have not had many people in my life," Severus said and Harry put a hand on his arm.

"Hey, you have one to Voldemort, too, and it's the second largest," Harry said, pointing at the large black and red strand. "Who's that one?" he asked, pointing at the largest thread that was red, silver, and purple.