I'VE REPOSTED THIS CHAPTER TO ADD THE REPLIES TO YOUR REVIEWS AND A NOTE ON THE SEQUEL (AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CHAPTER)

CHAPTER 20

"Avada Kedavra," Harry cried, and the entire world seemed to glow with the deadly green light.

The Unforgivable backlash made Harry fall to the ground, unconscious.

Coming from every side, the members of the Order of the Phoenix entered the cemetery. Dumbledore's Army came next: Ron, Hermione, Neville, Ginny, Luna and even Zacharias. There wasn't any Death Eaters there, however, to fight them back: only a dead body and a petrified man without an arm.

*****

When Harry woke up in his Grimmauld Place bedroom, the first thing that came into his sight was the smiling face of the Headmaster.

"Harry! I'm glad you woke up. I have good news for you. I'm afraid that you have missed the party, though."

"Party? What party?"

"Voldemort has been defeated forever. And, confirming the prophecy, you were the author of this deed. You and professor Snape."

"How is it possible?"

"It's a long story. In Atropos battle, when you and Voldemort duelled, you cast Avada Kedavra on each other. You suffered many internal injuries and lost your power for some time, and he entered in a kind of coma state. When professor Snape learned about his condition, he had to face a terrible dilemma. If he left things the way they were, perhaps Voldemort would never recover consciousness. But there were rituals that could heal him and, sooner or later, some dark wizard would find out how to do it. Then professor Snape had the brilliant idea of performing the ritual to revive Voldemort, but in such a manner that, instead of remaining alive, he would be destroyed definitely. Well, the better way to do this was, precisely, to revive him with an excessive quantity of your blood, Harry. In the proper dose, your blood provided Voldemort the courage and the strength that he needed to perform his dark magic; but in overdose, he wouldn't be able to stand it. You are a Light Wizard, Harry, and your blood is saturated with light forces. So, the blood which professor Snape added to the potion revived Voldemort, but, anyway, even if you hadn't attacked him, it was virtually certain that he wouldn't survive after that ritual and the potion."

"Oh! Then what I did was unnecessary, after all? Severus... Professor Snape... I thought he was a traitor! I thought he had lied to me and... Oh, Merlin. He would never forgive me!"

"Harry, he's very concerned with you and, at the same time, he feels guilty. He tried to minimise the risks to you, convincing Lucius that the ritual should be performed privately this time, without the presence of the other Death Eaters. It hasn't been difficult to persuade Lucius of that, because he had been keeping his master's condition secret, in order not to lower morale among their ranks. Professor Snape knew that it would be easier for you to escape if he was there alone with Wormtail, who would be injured. Furthermore, he has told me his plans, and so the Order could besiege the area." The Headmaster stared at him with twinkling eyes. "He's really worried about you, Harry. I didn't know he had so much affection for you."

Harry blushed.

"Where is he?"

"He's downstairs, with your friends: Ron, Hermione, Neville, professor Lupin, Arthur and Molly..."

"Oh, everybody's worried about me! I want to see them all, but... could I talk to professor Snape... alone... first?"

"I'll call him. Stay where you are, you are too weak to get out of bed."

*****

Severus approached Harry slowly. Harry reached out and Snape held his hand between his. For a long time, they stayed like that, in silence.

"You should have told me," said Harry.

"I couldn't. If I had told you, the ritual wouldn't have worked. The blood supplied has to come from a foe, but it's not just that. The foe can't supply the blood willingly; he has to resist. If I had told you, you would have *wanted* to give your blood."

"Oh! What a strange ritual this is!"

"It's an ancient ritual, totally out-of-fashion."

Harry laughed and, wonders of wonders, a smile formed at the corners of Snape's lips. A shy smile, but a smile nevertheless.

"Harry, I'm sorry. I didn't want to deceive you, to use you like I did. I was so afraid for your life, but I remembered the prophecy. I knew that one day you would have to confront the Dark Lord anyway. And I thought I shouldn't lose the opportunity of defeating him for good."

"I want to apologise too, for not having trusted you."

Snape squeezed the boy's hand between his.

"Severus... can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, Harry."

"You and Lucius... You know..."

Severus' expression acquired sombre and bitter tones.

"Lucius was my protector during my first two years at Hogwarts. When he was gone, I suffered at the hands of James and his friends." Snape's face reflected a mixture of pain, hate and concern. "I was feeling so alone, and I kept remembering how it had been when Lucius was with me, and I became attached to a mental image I made of him. I felt in love with this image. I would go to Malfoy Manor on every holiday, and he would take me to the Death Eaters' meetings - when the meetings weren't closed. I loathed Dumbledore for letting James and his friends do what they did to me, but I think the truth is I joined the Dark Lord to stay near Lucius. That's highly ironic, because Lucius has never really cared about me. I was, like your godfather would say, Lucius' lapdog. He used me, like I was one of his house-elves, or a slave. He used to say that he was being magnanimous, allowing me in his bed. That I was so ugly and repulsive that nobody else would accept me."

"Oh, Sev, this is so cruel! How could you believe that crap?"

"My father used to say the same, as did James and Sirius..."

"Sev, it's not true! You aren't ugly!"

"I know what I see in my mirror, Harry. You are terribly short-sighted," said Snape, with a crooked smile.

Harry shook his head and stroke Snape's hand with his thumb.

"Did you stop being lovers after his marriage?"

"No. But then we could not meet as frequently as before, and I was very jealous. He has never stopped treating me like a servant. He trusted me - I was one of the few people that he trusted, because I was always there to help him, in everything. When I found out what the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord really wanted... when they... when I had to participate in all that horror..."

"You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to, Sev."

"It was terrible, Harry, I really don't want to recall those scenes. When I could not take it anymore, I came to see Dumbledore. He advised me not to break my relationship with Lucius. And that's the only reason why I continued to see him. But I didn't feel anything for him anymore, except despise and disgust."

Harry squeezed his hand tightly.

"He's still free, isn't he?"

"Free as a bird. He will probably try to lead the Death Eaters and will cause us many problems yet. Wizards like him and Bellatrix are very dangerous and must be imprisoned."

"But now you won't have to be a spy anymore. You won't have to see him anymore."

The black eyes shone intensely.

"Are you jealous? Of me?"

"I want you just for me."

Severus rubbed his knuckles on Harry's face.

"You know, Harry, you were truly my first lover. Lucius and me was just a macabre nightmare from which I'm glad I finally woke up. I only could admit to myself that I loved you when I almost lost you, at Atropos battle. Up until then, I believed that what I felt for you was a mixture of hate, resentment, grudging admiration - due to all that you learned in your latest two years and the courage you always showed - and an unexplainable protective instinct that you have always inspired in me, even when I loathed you. I never stopped to analyse my feelings for you because... well, because I wasn't brave enough. However, when Dumbledore brought you here, unconscious, and told me you and Dark Lord had cast Avada Kedavra on each other, you can't imagine my despair."

"I'm so glad to hear you say that, Severus! I want to tell you how my feelings for you changed too... It's true; I used to hate you, because I thought that you hated me. But after I came here and saw how you... cared for me, the hate barrier I had built to protect myself from you crumbled down to pieces. Everything changed so quickly."

"When you started to come on to me, I shouldn't have done what I did. I didn't have the strength to reject you. It was wrong," stated Snape. "I don't care about the age difference, and also I admit that, despite being too young, you are mature enough for a relationship. But something was telling me that I would have to... to use you like I did. I will never forgive myself for what I have done, Harry. And I will understand if you don't forgive me too."

"You did what you had to do!"

"I put your life at risk."

"I am not a fragile damsel, Sev. I'm a powerful wizard and I would have been able to defend myself."

"Oh, but I deceived you, and I hurt you. Nothing can erase that from my soul."

"And I didn't trust you."

"I don't deserve your trust, or your forgiveness I don't deserve you."

"Sev... Don't speak like that. Your life, and mine too, was always so full of darkness and hatred. Voluntarily or not, we have hurt each other more than once. But now the monster's gone and we can start over again... the right way."

A gleam of hope sprouted in the depths of the black eyes.

"You are very stubborn, Harry Potter, and I'm thankful for that, because I cannot live without your magic anymore."

Severus bent his head and placed a tender kiss on Harry's lips.

"Classes will restart in four days. We will have three months of replacement classes, and after that... you won't be my student anymore. Until then, we mustn't meet... You know."

"Three months." Harry sighed. "It will be a long wait."

Severus reached into his robes and produced a little box. He opened it and took out some sparkling tiny object. He grabbed Harry's hand and slid an emerald-eyed serpent ring onto his finger.

Then he showed Harry his own ring, with a ruby-eyed lion.

"Nobody besides us can see these rings, so you don't have to worry. However, they should be, for us, a symbol of our feelings for each other."

"I reckon you are saying that you love me, aren't you? I love you too, greasy git."

A dark eyebrow arched.

"Only a foolish Gryffindor like you would be capable of it!"

Severus captured Harry's lips again in a sweet and tender kiss.

THE END

Author's Notes:
Do you want a sequel? Hm, I won't promise anything, but I was especially moved when anna may said she wanted a "happy sex" scene. Yes, it's true, I haven't written one! I'll think about it.

You know what? I won't say goodbye yet. Please, review this last chapter and I'll include another chapter just for replying your new reviews, okay?

Now let me tell you something weird: I have another pen name. Why do I need another pen name? Let's say that I like to write stories with...uh... different flavours. When I write as Suaveserpens, I add more sugar, and perhaps some ketchup, LOL! My other pen name is Ptyx, and I have just finished my first story, "Baphomet I", translated by a friend of mine who writes better than myself in English. Well, "Baphomet I" has received few reviews here on FF.net! Why is it so? Maybe because when I write as Ptyx, I add more *exotic* spices. However, despite the exotic appearance, "Baphomet I" is also a love story, a Snarry story. So, I'm asking you: give "Baphomet I" a chance. It's not as cliched and fluffy as "Hurt & Comfort", and its style is more sophisticated, but maybe you'll like it. If you don't like Ptyx' style and prefer Suaveserpens, no problem. I am Suaveserpens too.

Replies to Reviews:
Aseret: Oh beautiful singing mocking bird perched high on the tree / Are you mocking me?

DracoMalfoy-Hogwartsschoo: Hm, I don't know what's your problem, seriously.

heathersnape: Heather, my love! I've missed you. I hope we see each other again!

Anarane Anwamane: Yours was one of my favourite reviews of this chapter. That was precisely the reaction I wanted from my readers!

Candace: What, Sev is gay? Why do you think so? ;-P

Nymphadora Tonks1: How did you know that he wasn't a traitor? Perhaps you've been reading my chapters previously??? LOL! I'm kidding, I know that you trust Sev with your life. Oh, thanks for your analysis! I'm glad you liked it. Would you like to beta a "happy sex" short story for me? One day, perhaps?

sev1970, jamie, and Sally-Jo: Yes, I agree with you. Sev went too far. Would you forgive him, if you were Harry? Thank you for your wise reviews!

Kristen: Thank you for all your reviews!

sweetygirl420 and MissCrystalix: Now you understand? Or do you want me to explain something else?

Faerie Fighter: Smart girl! I think you can be a Legilimens too!

Saavik13: You've guessed right! Congrats!

xikum: Ha! xikum! That's funny! I'm glad you've find me here too! You've guessed right too. Did you like the ending?

selua: Like xikum, you have been following "Baphomet I". Do you prefer ptyx or suaveserpens? LOL! Thanks for your reviews.

REPLIES TO LAST CHAPTER REVIEWS:

Anarane Anwamane, emeraldtwinklingstar, Heather Snape, and Kristen: Okay, you'll have a sequel!

Saavik13, Lady Lorene, sweetygirl420, and Fuzzy-Bumpkins: Thank you!

Sally-Jo: Thank you, hon! I can email you, but if everybody ask me to do so, I wouldn't be able to write anymore! Also I'll be posting everything about the sequel in my new lj account: www.livejournal.com\~suaveserpens (reverse the slash).

Tate Soyker: Thank you! I'm glad you liked the way I've developed the different parts. I'll try to do the same in the sequel.

sev1970: Yes, Severus had to maintain his relationship with Lucius due to his spy role. Thanks for the kind words!

snapescookiejar: You're right, the beginning of chapter 20 went a little fast, indeed! I don't like to write action, you know? I prefer dialogues! I love you too! ;D

jamie and I luv Vege: I'm glad you liked the rings. It's not a very original idea, but they will have an important role in the sequel! Thanks, darlings.

THE SEQUEL
1) The summary:
What Ron and Hermione are going to do when they find out *everything*? Now that Voldie's gone, what are Harry's plans for the future? Will Harry and Snape be able to endure three months of celibacy???

2)LJ
I've opened a livejournal account just for posting information about suaveserpens's fics!!! If you wanna know about the sequel to "Hurt & Comfort", go there: www.livejournal.com\~suaveserpens (reverse the slash). Please, leave comments there, and if you don't have a lj account, don't forget to sign your comment!

From now on, if you let a review here, I may reply to it there.

FINAL WORDS
I want to thank Mandi (Nymphadora Tonks1) for betaing "Hurt & Comfort" and for being such a wonderful friend.

Also I would like to thank all of you, my reviewers. I'll miss you so much.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!