Harry pried himself from his chair, and with Severus' help stumbled to Ron's side.
"'lo, there, Ron." Harry was unable to keep his grin off his face as he stared down into those pale, but intact features. "How are you doing, mate?"
Tired blue eyes smiled up at him. "A little rough, but . . . Hermione and mum told me what you did for me." Ron's gaze moved to McGregor's lurid figure. "It's . . . hard to believe, but . . . thanks."
"There's nothing to thank me for. You'd've done the same for me in a heartbeat," Harry said.
"I'd've tried," Ron corrected, breaking into a wide yawn afterwards.
"You need to get some rest," Harry said, barely able to keep his own eyes open.
Ron nodded. "I just -"
"Yeah, me, too," Harry said, bending down to briefly press Ron's hand. To his embarrassment, he wobbled forward and would have measured his length on top of Ron had Severus not quickly braced him up.
"You need to rest. Now," Severus insisted.
Unable to argue the point, at least not while Severus was physically supporting him, Harry gave a weak nod. "Okay." Turning back to Ron, he said, "I'll be back later. Rest up."
Harry allowed Severus to lead him from the bed. Before he left the room, Hermione, Molly and Arthur all stepped forward to hug and thank him again. He was relieved that they all seemed thankful, rather than frightened by what he'd done.
Harry could barely stand as he was released from the final hug. To his unending shock, Severus slipped an arm around his waist and took most of his weight as he led him from the hospital ward to the public floo down the hall. While it was true that the hour was late and the corridor was deserted, it was still a public thoroughfare in a busy hospital. Anyone could have seen them. But Severus seemed unconcerned and Harry was too bone-weary to care.
Harry had never flooed while hanging on to someone before. He couldn't decide if it made the process more or less nerve-wracking. All he knew was that he'd never been so grateful to be anywhere as he was to step out of the floo into Severus' sitting room.
Severus led him wordlessly to the bedroom.
Harry didn't have the energy to undress. Hell, he didn't even have the energy for a simple fourth year transformation spell.
He often thought that magic was like a Muggle rechargeable battery, and his was totally worn out. When a wizard or witch's power was extended in the kind of extreme effort he'd performed today, it could take days or even weeks for the power to rise to its former level of potency. Harry knew that even though he'd saved Ron's life, it would probably be a month or more before Ron's magic was at its former level of potency. He knew that with his own freaky powers, he usually recovered faster than most wizards. He hoped that would be the case with this, because he'd really like to take a shot at healing McGregor in the morning.
While he was standing there, ruminating on the nature of magic, Severus withdrew his wand from his pocket, muttered a spell, and waved the wand in his direction.
Harry smiled as his clothes were transfigured into the Muggle pyjamas he'd worn that time Severus had been poisoned by the toxic fumes and too sick to make love.
"I take it this means no fun tonight?" Harry asked, not knowing what he'd do if Severus called his bluff.
Those dark eyes gave him an assessing glance. Then, Severus flicked his wand over himself with a few muttered words, and Severus' clothes were replaced with his favourite grey-striped nightshirt. "We can do whatever you are up to. I suspect that will be snoring."
Harry laughed and made his wobbly way to the huge, comfortable bed.
Despite his assertion, Severus collected Harry into his arms and drew him close as they settled beneath the green duvet.
Harry felt almost drugged as his muscles relaxed against Severus' warmth. He gave a sleepy smile as Severus' lips began to shower his face with gentle kisses. The last conscious recollection he had was of Severus licking the tip of his nose. On that odd thought, exhaustion claimed him.
*~*~*
Harry slept sixteen hours straight and woke up ravenous.
Forcing his sticky eyes apart, he slowly focused on the dark gaze watching him from across the white pillow.
"Good morning. I was beginning to think you'd sleep the day through as well," Severus remarked, not quite able to conceal his worry.
"Sorry. I feel good, though," Harry said, leaning in for a morning kiss. He didn't think he'd ever be more grateful for anything than he was for how normally Severus melted against him. He knew that a lot could have changed after his power demonstration yesterday. To his eternal delight, nothing felt any different.
Their mouths latched on to each other as each did his utmost to brand the other's tonsils his own. Restless hands soon had pyjama and nightshirt buttons undone. Bare flesh shivered under hot mouths and the dungeon's chill.
Severus rolled onto his back, guiding Harry on top. Their naked fronts pressed together through their open nightclothes. Lost in that incredible warmth beneath him, Harry moaned into the endless kiss as Severus' cock nestled familiarly against his own. Those strong hands stroked over his pyjama covered back. They so rarely did it without magic that this simple contact felt almost exotic.
Harry's hips found a rhythm, which Severus' quickly picked up. Locked in that wet, wonderful kiss, they rocked together, spiralling higher and higher with pleasure, until it ignited their bodies like a star going nova. Gasping as he shuddered in climax, he clung to the precious warmth below him.
Severus bucked up at him, and seconds later more warm, sticky fluid was added to the mess between their bellies.
"Gods, you're amazing," Harry murmured, snuggling closer.
"Only to you." Severus had that bewildered note in his voice again.
Harry raised his head far enough to meet Severus' eyes. "If the rest of the world knew how fantastic you are, I wouldn't stand a chance. Don't think I'm not aware of that."
Severus stared into his eyes for a very long moment before softly replying, "Even if the rest of the world were as deranged as you . . . it would still be only you."
It took Harry a while to figure out he'd just been complimented. When he unravelled Severus' words, his heart practically melted. "I could get disgustingly gushy here if you give me the chance."
"Then perhaps I should feed you instead and spare us both the embarrassment?" Severus suggested, but his eyes were warm and pleased. "Your house elf set up breakfast for us by the hearth."
Harry glanced over at the bedroom fireplace to see a small table for two there.
"He's not my house elf," Harry denied, fully aware that Hermione would skin him alive if he ever made such a claim on another sentient being.
"Dobby is looking after Master Snape for Harry Potter," Severus said in the strange, singsong melody of house elf speech.
"What?" Harry asked, chuckling at the ridiculous tone.
"That's what your elf said to me last month. Whether you claim him or not, the elf is yours," Severus said.
"What did Dobby bring us to eat?" Harry asked to change the subject.
"That was a pathetically transparent attempt to change the conversational topic," Severus noted, wriggling out from under him.
Rolling away so that Severus could move, Harry hauled himself up to a sitting position. A little food, well, a lot of food, and he might just survive. Chuckling at Severus' put upon expression, he agreed, "It was, wasn't it? But I really am starved."
Harry rose to investigate the charmed platters on the table that would keep their meal hot indefinitely. All his favourites were there.
Severus joined him and the next twenty minutes passed in companionable silence as they did their best to ingest everything Dobby had brought.
"You can't possibly consume a fourth helping of bacon," Severus said some time later.
Giving the man across the table from him a lazy smile, Harry said, "I'm considering it."
