You'll Be Safe Here

DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter is J.K. Rowling's. You'll be Safe Here is by Rivermaya. This decent attempt at fiction is mine.

WARNING: AU/OOC. Implied self-harm/ SLASH/ Abuse/ Violence/ CHARACTER DEATH. You have been warned.

RATING: M (for mature readers only)

A/N: Here's the requested conclusion of our tragic story. I hope it appeases those who were much bothered by the angst and the tragedy. Told in third person POV

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EPILOGUE: In This Lifetime… And Those to Come

Steam billowed from the Hogwarts express engine. It was again September 1st. Hoards of young witches and wizards were once again Hogwarts-bound. Amongst the chattering crowd, a small boy of eleven with dark hair and beetle black eyes seemed lost on the platform. He was lugging behind him a huge trunk and a small wicker basket.

"Hey, watch it, squirt!" A tall blond boy with pale gray eyes yelled when the small boy bumped into him.

"I –I'm sorry," the little boy quivered. He was quite new to this world. He did not want to upset anybody. The tall blond smirked evilly and pushed him back. The smaller boy fell on his behind due to the impact. His blond assailant laughed, as did his two equally mean-looking minions who stood beside him.

"That's what mudbloods like you get when you mess with purebloods like us!"

'Mudbloods?' the little boy looked up, confused. He did not know what mudbloods were. The tall boy took offense at the small boy's look of confusion. He made a move to strike the kid.

"Why you – how dare you look at me like that –"

The small boy cringed and shielded himself with his frail=looking arms. He closed his eyes waiting for the impact.

"That's enough, Octavius!" a strong, firm voice said.

"Suit yourself," Octavius, the blond, said, backing away from the small form on the ground. "Come boys, let's go. There's too much mud –"

"Shut it, or I'll hex you!" that voice warned him. He would follow on his threat if needed, and Octavius knew that. He stomped off the platform and into the train, looking sullen.

The small boy still lay on the ground, his eyes still shut.

"Hey, it's alright. They're gone. You can open your eyes now."

When the small boy did, he immediately saw the most beautiful set of emerald green eyes. The eyes of his savior.

"Th-thank you sir," he nodded towards the boy who saved him from those bullies. He stood up and deliberately brushed dirt off of his robes. Once he was upright, he had a good look at his protector; The boy who saved him was obviously older than he was, tall, with green eyes and wavy, auburn hair. His face was gentle and he had a pleasant smile on his lips. The small dark-haired boy thought he had never seen such an attractive-looking person.

"Were you hurt?" his protector asked.

"No –no sir."

"You're a firstie, aren't you?"

"Y-yes, sir."

"Well, I'm in fifth year. I'm a prefect." The red haired boy with green eyes said. "Know what house you'll be in?"

The small boy shook his head. The fifth year prefect grinned.

"That's fine. Nobody actually knows until before the Welcoming Feast anyway. I'm in Slytherin." The older boy pointed to a green and silver badge on his chest.

The younger boy looked uncomfortable.

"I-I hope to be in Slytherin too then." He said in a small voice.

"Really?" the older boy asked, looking surprised. "Why?"

The small boy gulped but said nothing. He looked towards the direction where the bully Octavius and his lackeys had gone. The older boy followed his gaze.

"Don't worry, not all of them are bad.' He reassured the younger one. "I know how you feel. It's all new to you and you're scared. That's alright." He touched the smaller boy's shoulders gently. "I promise I'll look after you, Slytherin or not, okay?"

The small boy looked up at him and was once again drawn to the taller boy's eyes… eyes that spoke to him, calmed him and reassured his fears.

"Y-yes, sir."

"Don't call me sir, though. I'm not your professor." He told him gently, then chuckled at seeing the embarrassed expression the other boy had on his face.

"Well, don't worry much about Octavius. He's just a bully for show. I won't let him mess with you,"

"Re-really?" the small boy asked, unbelieving.

"Yes, really. Now let's get you on to the train or we may be out of decent seats."

Together, both boys heaved the heavy trunk and the wicker basket onto the train. After a few minutes, the small boy was settled in an empty compartment with plenty of room and time to spare.

"Now, I'll need to leave you here for now while I check up with the other prefects. I'll drop by later once were done. The red haired boy said. The smaller boy looked uncomfortable. The red haired boy smiled.

"Relax, you'll meet new friends here soon enough." He then turned to exit the compartment. But before he was out, the small boy stopped him.

"Yes?" the older boy asked.

"It- it's just that I don't know your name and- and I want to thank you properly for being nice to me." He stammered, looking down. The older boy smiled again and held the younger one's chin up.

"Don't be ashamed. I can't believe I forgot to introduce myself to my new friend."

"Friend?"

"Yes," the older boy nodded. "Listen, um, do you have a name as well? It seems that I don't know yours either."

"Oh," the small boy gasped, looking surprised that somebody wanted to know his name.

"I –I'm Se-Severus Snape."

"Well, nice to meet you Severus Snape." The older boy said, extending his hand out for a shake.

"My name is Harry Potter."

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A/N: Thanks to everyone who has supported this story. I hope you enjoyed. Reviews are still very much welcomed! Tell me what you think. Until next time! – Eastwoodgirl.