The war was claiming the lives of hundreds of wizards and destroying the Wizarding World. Severus was exhausted, at the end of his strength. His two "masters" demanded the maximum of him, all the time. He would have to continue to perform his mission until the end: it was his destiny as an accomplished spy.

As Dumbledore was always busy planning general strategies and working to put every piece in its right place at the right time, he had assigned to Severus the task of assisting Harry Potter, instructing him on the Dark Lord's weaknesses and strengths, and teaching him everything he needed to learn to defend himself and attack his opponent.

Potter was drained, clearly falling apart too. Severus had never known how to be kind; his way of spurring Potter on had always been harsh and severe, and their relationship had never been an easy one. Despite the respect Potter had for him now, their disputes were frequent.

However, in recent days Potter didn't seem to have the energy even to argue. He would accept Severus's words without question, and seemed to have become attached to Severus in a strange, perhaps sick way.

Severus didn't know what to do. Noticing that the more he pushed, the more Potter looked downcast, Severus reduced the pressure on him. Potter couldn't succumb now, when the end was getting near.

Finally, the Dark Lord decided to attack Hogwarts. He had deemed himself strong enough to overcome the Castle's defences. Severus reported the Death Eaters' plans to the Orders.

On the eve of the attack, Harry Potter knocked on the door of Severus's private quarters in the dungeons, and when Severus opened it, he flung himself into his arms. Potter was only a few inches shorter than he was. With his heart beating fast, Severus held Potter against his body.

"It's my last night. I don't know if we'll be alive tomorrow. I want you. Take me, please."

Severus was not completely taken by surprise, and attributed Potter's behaviour to adolescent hormones and the extreme tension in which he was living.

Severus had never felt attracted to anyone as intensely as he was to Potter. He used to admire strength and power in other wizards, and respect them when they deserved to be respected. As hard as he might find it, life had forced him to get accustomed to those situations. Severus admired Harry Potter's power and - he was loath to admit it - courage, but what made him feel differently about Harry was that Harry aroused his protective instincts. His feelings for Harry were changing into something more complex and dangerous. Potter was his student, young enough to be his son, and wasn't in his right senses. If Severus took advantage of him, his conscience, already tormented by his past errors, would never be at ease.

So he firmly pushed Potter away by his shoulders. "Potter, go back to your dormitory. We will survive."

"No, don't make me go! I can feel you want me too."

"You are my student, and have been under a high amount of stress. Later you will see I am right."

Severus saw Potter walk away, his shoulders hunched down. As soon as the door shut behind the boy, Severus wrapped his arms around himself and closed his eyes. He still could feel the boy's smell on his robes.

Harry. A surge of regret hit him. He had wanted to protect the boy, because deep inside he was sure he, Severus, wasn't going to survive the next day. Perhaps he had acted wisely, but at that moment Severus bitterly regretted his decision.