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."No charges.Please, can we just go home?""I think we should allow Mediwitch Rodgers to treat your ribs first, young man," Headmaster Forrest saidin a kindly voice."If that's all right with you, Mr.and Mrs.Weasley?""Please," Hermione said.It was another forty minutes before his treatment was finished and all the excitement died down."Should we floo back?" Ron asked when it finally seemed to be over."I don't know, Ron," Hermione said."Harry's just had a head injury healed and Severus' ribs are stillhealing.Flooing can be very hard on the traveler.""You mean landing can," Ron said."Okay, so we walk then.How about it, boys, are you up to it? Orshould we get Hagrid to bring a carriage round?""It's dinnertime at Hogwarts now, Ron," Hermione reminded.Harry met Severus' eyes and then said to Hermione, "We'll be fine."It seemed to him that Hermione spent an inordinate amount of effort fussing over them while she gotthem into their winter cloaks and gloves.She took hold of each of their hands in a grip so tight amountain troll couldn't have gotten them away from her. Severus felt great relief as they set off down the moonlit road and put the school at their backs.The sunhad set while they were in Forrest's office and it was fully dark now."He's out on his feet," Ron said, gesturing towards Harry."Severus isn't much better," Hermione said.He could feel her gazing down at him, but was too tired tolook up."Maybe we should have called Hagrid, after all.""If you can handle Harry, I'll take Severus," Ron said.What he meant by that was a mystery, but Severus didn't have the curiosity to explore it."I can take Harry," Hermione assured.And then they were stopping in the middle of the road, halfway home to Hogwarts.Confused, Severuslooked up at Hermione, and gasped as Ron came up beside him and carefully lifted him into his arms.Severus saw Hermione bend to do the same to Harry."You all right there?" Ron checked, adjusting him onto a hip like he was a two year old.There was a part of Severus that was outraged and knew he should be deeply embarrassed to be treatedlike a baby.But the larger part of him was just so cold and tired that all he could do was nod and presscloser to the warmth."Good," Ron said."You gave us quite a scare today.The both of you."Not knowing what to do with his arms, he cautiously wrapped them around Ron's neck.When there wasno outburst at that, he slowly lowered his head to rest on that broad shoulder that was temptinglynearby.To his unending shock, Ron's right hand moved to rub his back."It's all right now.It's all over.You're safe," Ron assured.Releasing a deep, shuddery breath, Severus softly asked, "Ron?""Yes?""Did you really adopt us?" Severus asked, still thinking that must have been a dream."Yes.""Both of us?" he whispered."Both of you," Ron answered in a gruff tone.The sob escaped before he could stop it.Squeezing his eyes tightly closed, he pressed his face into Ron'sshoulder and held on as tight as he could.It seemed like those big arms held him back just as tight.Aftera minute, Severus felt Ron brush a light kiss onto the top of his head."You're home now, Severus.Stop worrying."Somehow, he knew Ron didn't mean just physically.Never having felt so safe or wanted in his life,Severus gave into exhaustion and allowed sleep to claim him. Bright morning light shone down on the field.The grass was thick underfoot and damp with dew.Everywhere he looked, there were rolling hills covered in wildflowers and aflutter with butterflies, bees,and dragonflies.Barefoot, Severus followed his smaller companion across the open field.They were both in short pantsand short-sleeved shirts.Severus couldn't help but wonder why Harry's were so large and ill fitting."Oh, this is great, isn't it?" Harry said, throwing his arms out in the air and gesturing at theirsurroundings.Severus gave a guarded nod.Yes, it was a lovely place, but Severus wanted to know how they'd gottenhere, and, beneath his confusion, there was something very like dread, as though he knew somethingtruly terrible were about to happen here."Come on, let's roll down this hill," Harry suggested as they mounted another peak."I think we should try to find our way home, Harry," Severus said."Come one! It'll be fun!"And before Severus could stop him, Harry was tumbling head over heels down the hill, laughing like amaniac.He landed in a heap at the bottom, covered in grass, still giggling."Come on, Severus! It's fun!"Severus stared around at the perfect morning, still not knowing why he felt so uneasy.Then he lookeddown the hill at Harry, who was waiting expectantly.Giving a mental shrug, Severus squatted down, tucked his head, and rolled down as Harry had.Harry wasright.It was fun.By the time he'd rolled three feet, he was laughing as well.Unable to direct or stop hisdescent, he crashed right into Harry, which only caused more laughter."Come on," Harry gasped, climbing to his feet."Let's do it again."And so they did, again and again, until they were almost nauseous from the motion.They were lying in a sweaty, giggling tangle amidst a shower of daisies when a tall shadow fell over them.Sheer terror clutched Severus' insides.Harry only looked puzzled as he turned to see where the shadowhad come from.At first Severus didn't recognize the tall wizard in the purple robes with the long white beard, but then thememory clicked into place and he knew why he'd been so frightened since they'd gotten here."Albus," he greeted, glad to see his old friend in spite of his fear."Professor Dumbledore," Harry shouted, jumping to his feet and hugging Dumbledore.Albus gave Severus a meaningful look and opened his other arm.After only the slightest of hesitations, Severus joined Harry in hugging their old friend.Harry lived so much in the present that he didn't recognize that Albus' reappearance was doubtless aboutto upend their world again.Severus, who looked for hidden meaning in everything, knew this visit did notbode well. "It's so good to see you!" Harry said in a rush when they eventually withdrew."As it is to see the both of you.Have you been enjoying yourselves?" Albus asked with a kind smile, hiseyes bright with affection."Immensely," Harry said."Severus and I made our school quidditch team last week.I'm their Seeker andSeverus is the youngest beater they've ever had!""Ah, very good." Those sparkling blue eyes speared Severus."And have you learned what you neededto?""What?" Harry seemed confused.Severus wondered if he even remembered the dream that had propelledthem into reliving their childhoods."Have you become friends?" Albus questioned.Always so open and honest, Harry threw his arm around Severus and announced, "Severus and I are bestfriends for life.""Ah, I can't tell you how happy that makes me." Dumbledore beamed at them both."It's been great, Professor Dumbledore," Harry continued."I'm relieved to hear that.I hoped that the season I gave you to enjoy some of the childhood pleasuresthat circumstances denied you when young might in some small way make up for my inability to help youwhen you most needed me.You've had fun, then?""Oh, yes," Harry answered.Severus shivered at Albus' words.The season he gave us.December through March was a season, wasn'tit?Suddenly finding it hard to breathe, Severus reached out and locked his hand around Harry's wrist.Harrygave him a curious glance at the action, but then just smiled at him."Very good," Albus approved."Unfortunately, the responsibilities of your adult lives can no longer beignored.I've given you all the time I could.You must now return to the lives you've made.If you lingerlonger, I'm afraid I won't be able to undo this
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