Hexes were flying, curses being yelled of all kinds, and screams of terror echoing from terrified townsfolk trying to get to safety. This was not how Severus initially saw his night planning out but it seemed Lady Luck was not with him tonight. He had been called by the Dark Lord shortly before dark. What he had assumed to be a simple meeting turned into a raid of a small muggle town that Severus had never even heard of before. He had been fortunate enough to find a brief moment to send off his Patronus to Dumbledore without being noticed.

As it were he still had to endure the cries and screams of those captured by his fellow Death Eaters. Many of the children were killed on the spot while the men were only put out of their misery after watching their wives and sisters be tortured and raped in front of them. It took everything Severus had not to be sick as the women cried and begged for mercy only to be laughed at by the men who brutally took what light they had in their eyes. Thankfully the Order showed up before he was forced to take part in the 'festivities'.

Acting quickly he found the one Order member that would recognize him and wouldn't throw the Killing Curse first to duel with; which turned out to be Lupin off all people, while trying to keep an eye on the rest of his surroundings. He discreetly threw 'wayward' spells at other Death Eaters while making sure he was seen casting a few of his specialties at the Order when he felt masked eyes fall on him. An explosion sounded to his left and large chunks of debris started falling around him and Lupin making both men jump to the side in an effort to avoid being crushed in the collapse. Severus was quickly on his feet looking for the werewolf through the smoke feeling oddly relieved when the man was also back on his feet in record time. He looked around and saw Moody being surrounded by Death Eaters. Taking notice that no one could see him, Severus took a step to help the old Auror when a howl brought his attention back to the werewolf. Said werewolf had been wrapped in magically conjured silver chains by none other than Bellatrix Lestrange who was laughing manically.

Both men were about to be killed. He could only save one. Severus chose.

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Severus sat in the upstairs study at Number 12 Grimmuald Place, staring into the blazing fire, and nursing his sixth glass of Firewhiskey since he had left the Order meeting not thirty minutes prior. There were too many tears for the Potions Master to honestly handle, so he had slipped out without being noticed, and secluded himself here. Of course he had run into Potter and his friends on the stairs trying to listen in, but one glare from him had them looking away in shame, except for Potter himself. The boy had given him a concerned look though he had wisely kept his mouth shut. He had also passed by Black curled up outside one of the bedrooms in his mutt form. The dog had watched him without lifting his head but flopped his tail twice in what Severus assumed was supposed to be a wag. He simply nodded his head in response knowing the mutt's werewolf was currently healing behind the sealed door.

It had been Moody or Lupin. He had chosen Lupin with barely a thought. Moody had been the best Auror the Order had, but now no longer. Lupin was… Lupin was Harry's. Severus closed his eyes as he threw back what was left in his glass grimacing a bit at the burn. Firewhiskey was not his normal drink of choice but it was all the mutt had. The werewolf belonged to Harry, was Harry's Guardian, yet no one thought to tell him what that meant. No one told him that Lupin wouldn't die because he was connected to Harry. No one told him that the werewolf would have to literally lose his damn head to not be able to come back from anything. Severus growled and threw the empty glass against the hearth. The result did nothing to improve his mood.

"Go away, Potter." Severus did not have to open his eyes to know that the boy had snuck his way in.

Harry shook his head moving to stand in front of the fire. "No."

"Potter…"

"No, Professor. This is my fire. It's too bad that you came here to get away from everyone."

The two glared at one another for a time before Severus growled in defeat and closed his eyes again. Harry sat in front of the fire, staring at his hands, happy that Severus didn't just up and leave like he would have a few months ago. It told of how used to his presence the stern Professor must have become. "Thank you."

"What?" The tone was tense but it didn't make Harry back down.

"I said 'thank you'."

Severus was back to glaring at him. "Thank you?" Severus stood to tower over the young vampire who was returning his glare. "For allowing the best Auror the Order had to perish?"

Harry jumped to his feet. "No! For saving Remus even though you didn't need to!" The dark eyes flashed in their anger at the young vampire.

"Exactly, Potter! Moody is dead for no reason! If I had known…"

"You didn't know!" They were yelling, almost nose to nose.

"..I wouldn't have bothered wasting my energy to save him!"

"Then why did you!?"

"I DON'T KNOW!" With that Severus turned away stalking to lean heavily against the large desk stationed in the corner. He took a couple deep breaths to calm down. "I don't know."

Harry watched the strong back move with each breath the other man took. "Yes you do." He watched those shoulders tense as he took a few steps closer. "It would bother you a lot more if you didn't."

Severus snorted turning to look at Harry. "What makes you think you know me well enough to be able to make a statement like that, Potter?"

Harry shrugged unbothered by the sneer sent his way. "Instinct." Severus scoffed. "From what I understood, and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but there wasn't truly enough time to make a good well informed decision, was there?" When Severus did not answer Harry continued. "You acted on instinct, Professor."

Severus rolled his eyes. "And what instincts would those be?"

"You tell me."

Severus growled and looked away from the young man standing in front of him. He knew what it was that spurred him to save Lupin. It was the same drive that had him seeking the wolf out to start with. Safety. Security. The knowledge that the wolf would not harm him, that he would help watch his back because of Harry. Harry was the reason for all of it, though Severus would be loathed to admit it out loud. The reason he had saved the wolf was because he was close to Harry. The wolf meant something to Harry. He wanted to mean something to Harry. Severus closed his eyes in frustration. When did he become like this? Why did he become like this? When did the brat in front of him become so damn important? A hand touched his arm and his eyes snapped open to meet bright emerald.

"It's okay to be scared, Severus."

Severus could not fully explain what happened next. All he knew was that he was drawing the vampire into his arms and his lips were pressed against smooth cool ones. Harry gasped a breath of cool air into Severus' mouth making the elder shiver. The body in his arms was cold to the touch. He pulled away from Harry enough to turn them around and lift Harry to sit on the desk behind him. Cool arms wrapped around his neck as he stepped closer, situating himself between firm thighs, and taking those lips back in a hungry, desperate kiss. One arm was around the thin waist holding the young vampire as close as he could, so close he could feel the unnatural coolness through his robes, while the other buried itself in the unruly strands of dark hair. Someone groaned. Most likely him as the vampire before him tasted so chillingly sweet.

"You're cold. You need to feed."

"You offering?" Harry was breathless, his eyes shining their eerie green gold, and fangs just noticeable behind his lips. How Severus had not cut his tongue he would never know.

Without saying anything, he quickly unbuttoned enough of his robes so Harry could have easy access to his neck, and tilted his head to the side. His heart was racing as he threaded his fingers back in the others hair and guided him where he needed to be. He needed this. His entire body was thrumming with the need to have those fangs piercing his skin. When had he become so addicted? Harry whimpered shortly before there was the sharp twinge of pain before the pleasure spread through him. Severus moaned holding the boy closer to him and closing his eyes in bliss. There was no time to question when Harry pulled away before he was being pulled into a blood filled kiss. He knew he should pull back in revulsion but there was the smallest sweet tang to the bitterness that fascinated him. He chased the taste with his tongue letting it twine with Harrys. Harry grasped at his shoulders starting to move and rub against him making them both groan into the kiss. He broke the kiss to nibble along the boys chin to his neck where he nipped the skin there with his own teeth.

Harry hissed. "Severus. Mine."

Warmth spread through him as he made a small noise of pleasure. Yes, he was Harry's. "Yours."

The air left his lungs as he found himself staring at the ceiling from the large sofa in front of the fireplace. He blinked and Harry was on him again with a kiss that made it seem as though he was starving. Severus dug his fingers into the vampires' hips pulling him down as he thrust upward. Harry made a choked noise, his hands starting to wonder under Severus' Deatheater robes that he had still yet to remove. Suddenly he wanted them off. They were wrong, stained with others blood, and burnt from stray hexes and spells. Severus sat up quickly, unbalancing Harry, and started to fight to get them off. He felt smothered, like he couldn't breathe. Hands cradled his face drawing his obsidian eyes to meet the golden swirled green before him.

"Be calm, Severus."

For the first time, Severus let Harry work his gaze on him without fight. He found himself surrendering willingly to the vampire in his lap. "Harry." He was aware of the robes being removed from his body, leaving him in the shirt and slacks underneath. Severus was aware when the gaze was lifted and glared at Potter on principal.

Harry smiled at him, a mischievous glint in his eyes, before leaning back down to nuzzle at his neck. Cool hands slipped under his shirt to run up along his back making him shiver at the contrast to his own body heat. His own hand found its way to the front of the boys jeans to rub against the hardness found there. Harry whimpered against his throat and thrust up into his hand. All the times they had done this, he had yet to actually touch the young vampire. The craving, the want, hit him so suddenly he felt breathless with the need of it. Severus made quick work of the fastening, wrapping his hand around the cool, hard length. Harry let out a sharp hiss as he came with just that one touch. The boy buried his head into Severus' shoulder in embarrassment causing Severus to chuckle softly. Harry jerked his head up to glare at the Potions Master before attacking his lips with a growl. Severus moaned as he let himself fall back onto the sofa allowing Harry full access. His body was still warm but he could feel the tingly pleasure of the bite starting to fade. Not that he cared as a cool hand wrapped around his own hot length. Tossing his head back, he thrust up at the sharp temperature contrast, breathing Harrys name to the room. He was so close already that he was instantly lost the minute those fangs found their way back into the skin at his throat.

Severus came down slowly to the feel of Harry gently working his life source into himself. The gentle motions were oddly relaxing to Severus as he thread his fingers through the soft hair over and over in soft encouragement. He watched the flames of the fire flicker peacefully in the fireplace feeling his eyelids get heavy, not from blood loss, but exhaustion from the day. He made no movement when Harry licked the wound closed before nuzzling under his chin. Severus rolled his eyes at the boys antics knowing the vampire was leeching warmth from him as well as the fire. Harry said nothing for which Severus was grateful. Maybe the boy had come to know him better than he thought. That in itself was more concerning for Severus than anything that had happened in the past 24 hours.

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Her master was angry. She could tell by the pacing he was doing and the clipped hisses he made through his teeth. She could taste his anger in the air as she watched him from where she was wrapped elegantly around his chair. Nagini attempted to make comforting hisses of her own but he resolutely ignored her. Her tail flicked in agitation. She turned to the door as it opened and tasted the air to find it was the rat. If only her master would let her eat the thing already. The rat made the mistake of speaking in which her master punished it, causing it to make the most delicious squealing noises. Maybe tonight she could have her long awaited meal.

*Nagini.*

She slid down off the chair toward the sniveling thing in the floor. Her mouth watered in hunger as she worked the joints of her jaw loose in preparation. It pleaded and begged in human tongue to which her master called her off. Nagini hissed in contempt. Why her master kept the thing alive was beyond her. She moved back under the chair in disgust as more words were said in a tongue she could not understand before the rat scurried off. Nagini watched her master move to the chair before smoothly moving to rest her head on the arm. Long fingers stroked her head making her close her eyes with a soft hiss.

*We have a traitor in our midssst, my pet.*

Nagini stayed to offer comfort for a while longer, as was expected of her, before moving away to hunt. Her meal had been denied her and she was hungry. She wondered what her living death had caught for her tonight.

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Whelp, I'm Back! After only, what, 3 years? o_0 Yikes! Soooooo sorry guys. I'm hoping this chapter will somewhat make up for it but if not I totally understand. And I'm not going to promise regular updates from here forward, because let's face it, real life SUCKS, but I will provide you with updates. This story will be completed one way or another.