Chapter Text
Harry blinked tiredly, for the second time in a week he was waking up to the bright lights and familiar smells of the hospital wing. He groaned and tried to roll over, a soft weight on his leg stopping him; he looked down and saw Ash stand up, stretch and jump off of his bed, yawning as he landed lightly on the floor.
Everything came rushing back and immediately Harry sat up looking around, he could feel that Severus was around somewhere but he needed to see him. Severus likewise rushed from his bed where he had been reading to his omega, wanting to make sure that he was awake and fine.
“Severus!” Harry said wrapping his arms around the man, Severus stroked the back of his head gently, holding him close. “Are you real?” Harry asked pulling back and staring up into his alpha's eyes.
“Yes, Harry,” He chuckled. “Yes, I'm real.”
“How long have I been asleep?” Harry asked, his voice muffled by his face being shoved into Severus' stomach.
“Only three days.”
“Only?!”
“That's really not a lot considering how magically drained you were. You took down all the wards in the school, or more accurately blew a hole right through them.”
“Did I?”
“You don't remember?” Severus asked, climbing onto the bed behind Harry and pulling him back into a hug.
“I remember...” Harry thought hard. “I don't know. I just remember saving you.”
“Well, you flew to me as soon as you found out I was in danger, but not before storming into the Slytherin common room, using legilimency on Draco and leaving Albus stuck to the Entrance Hall wall,” Harry snorted, Severus couldn't hide his smirk either. “They did finally get him down, I believe he's been sulking in his office ever since.”
“Good,” Harry snapped bitterly. “I'm surprised he didn't go to the press and tell them it was all his idea.”
“He did. Well he didn't go to them, he released a written statement claiming it was all planned but unfortunately for him your fight was pretty public; apparently a lot of people wrote in to debunk what he had been saying and Rita had quite a few things to say on the matter.” Severus smirked, pulling Harry closer and kissing his head, very happy to have his omega back. He was going to wait until he was a bit better to let him see what was being said in the news.
“Of course she would,” Harry grumbled, Severus understood his displeasure considering what she usually wrote about him but he knew Harry wouldn't be opposed this time. “What about... him.” Harry said, knowing Severus would understand.
Severus rolled his left sleeve up, his Mark was no longer black but the brand was still there, no longer moving, just a scar. Harry put his hand over it gently, leaning back against Severus' chest. “He's gone, properly this time.”
“I killed him.” Harry said softly, he wasn't sad that Voldemort was dead but he couldn't help his hollow empty feeling knowing that he had killed someone, if there was anyone who deserved it... well to Harry that would be Dumbledore, but Voldemort too.
“He tried to kill us, it rebounded and hit him. You didn't do anything.” Severus assured him.
Harry shrugged. “It had to happen one way or the other. Anything else?”
“No, nothing else. Why don't you get some more rest?”
“I've been asleep three days.” Harry argued, but he couldn't deny that he was still tired.
“I know but even so,” Severus said softly, pulling Harry down and lying next to him, spooning him. “Lets get some sleep.”
“Someone could walk in.” Harry mumbled, already half asleep, Severus gave a smirk, he'd forgotten about that.
“Everyone already knows, as I said your fight was very public.”
“Oh,” Harry said, but he was already slipping into a land of dreams. “Good.”
* * *
Flashback
McGonagall stared up at Albus, who was stuck to the wall, giving her a pleading look. “I'll wait for you in your office.” She said simply, turning away and stalking up the stairs.
None of the other teachers were inclined to help him so in the end it was down to Filch, climbing up a ladder with a big stick to wrench him off.
* * *
Rita looked around the jar with contempt, she couldn't believe that damned frizzy-haired girl had got her again. She buzzed at the side irritably, Hermione shushed her.
“This will be good for you too.” She promised, giving the password to the Griffin statue and hurrying up the stairs to the Headmaster's office, Rita looked around confused.
Hermione walked in finding McGonagall sitting there. Neither of them said anything but the teacher gave a curt nod, she didn't know what Granger was up to but she wasn't going to be the one to stop her.
The younger witch opened the jar and let Rita fly out, then she gave McGonagall a smile and left without a word. Rita flew to a place on the shelf, staring around the room curiously, she knew where she was but didn't know why Hermione had taken her there, all she could do was wait.
* * *
“How dare you!” Minerva roared as soon as Albus had entered the room.
“Minerva, I...”
“Was trying to stop their Mating not enough?! You told me you had nothing but Harry's best interests at heart!”
“I do...”
“No more of your lies Albus, you never cared, you were only interested in your own selfish ends!” She accused. “You told You-Know-Who who Harry was mated to, knowing it would put Severus in danger! Why?! Just because the Hunt didn't go as you had planned? You're lucky Harry brought them both back alive!” She said threateningly.
End Flashback
* * *
“How did she even find this stuff out?” Harry said looking through the news paper, normally he'd be bothered that Rita was writing about him but this time he was glad. He took a bite of toast, Severus was re-reading it over his shoulder, having been the one to point out that Harry would find it interesting in the first place.
“I don't know, but I applaud her methods.” He said. Both of them were too engrossed to see Hermione's smirk from behind her book.
Ron walked in dumping Harry's broom on the end of the bed, just missing Snape's feet. Harry looked up confused.
“How did you...?”
“I went to get it for you, I'd have gone earlier but... you know...” Ron said rubbing the back of his neck. There were a lot of reasons why he couldn't have gone sooner, not least of which was that it had been an active crime scene for a while, swarming with Aurors, and Harry presumed still was. Not to mention Ron definitely shouldn't have left the school and everyone had been waiting for Harry to wake up.
“Thanks,” Harry said with a grin, Severus rolled his eyes, fully aware of Harry's love of quidditch. He might not have been thinking about his broom before, but now he was the omega wasn't going to let it out of his sight. “Since everyone already knows about us, and since Rita somehow already knows that Dumbledore tried to stop our mating should we... you know?”
“Press charges and get him sent to Azkaban?” Severus finished, Harry nodded. “I think that's a great idea.”
* * *
Albus frowned as he was forced through the long corridors, passing several Deatheaters sitting in their cells. He couldn't believe this was happening, that he had been sentenced to Azkaban because of his interference in a Mating; even being the great Albus Dumbledore didn't help when it was Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived-Twice, who was accusing you. He shook his head sadly, it was ridiculous, why couldn't anyone see that he had no choice, that it was all for the greater good? He felt a prod in his back and stepped forward into the cell that was his new home, turning around in time to see the barred door close in his face, he could already feel the chill that signified Dementors being close.