
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/38866.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Harry_Potter_-_Fandom
  Relationship:
      Harry/Severus, Harry/OC, Severus/Sirius
  Character:
      Harry_Potter, Severus_Snape, Sirus_Black, Remus_Lupin
  Additional Tags:
      Slash_sex, Angst, and_love_all_the_way_around.
  Stats:
      Published: 2009-12-26 Words: 17610
****** Next Time I Fall In Love ******
by Calanor
Summary
     Summary: They loved once, and forces beyond their control forced them
     apart. As always its a long road to love, but next time Harry falls
     in love, it will be with Severus as it's meant to be.
Notes
     Title: Next Time I Fall In Love
     Author: One Twisted Witch
     Giftee: fed_up_fiction
     Word Count:17,620
     Rating: NC-17
     Pairing:Harry/Severus, Harry/OC, past Severus/Sirius
     Warnings: Slash sex, angst, and love all the way around.
     Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of
     J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is
     intended.
     Summary: They loved once, and forces beyond their control forced them
     apart. As always its a long road to love, but next time Harry falls
     in love, it will be with Severus as it's meant to be.
     Author's Notes: It was a long road, but I finished.. I do so hope you
     enjoy. I wish to thank:: WC, B, M and R. Thanks to all these great
     ladies for putting up with me and all their hard work to make sure it
     flowed when I was panicking. Thanks to the Snarry Mods who were very
     understanding.. and putting this fest together again this year. Merry
     Christmas and Blessed Yule!

                                  -0-0-0-0-0-

Mid June, 1998, summertime around Hogwarts
Harry Potter hummed a little tune he had heard earlier that day, as he was
walking back from Black Lake. He and the Giant Squid, whom he had taken to
calling Matilda, had been swimming and playing together for the past hour. She
would pick him up with one of her tentacles and then toss him back into the
water. He'd curl into a ball and make as big a splash as possible. Matilda
seemed to like that. A few of the Merpeople had even appeared to watch.
He'd stayed on at the school after graduation while his best friends, Hermione
and Ron, went to spend what time they had left with their families, before they
returned to complete the tasks required to finally put an end to Voldemort and
the war. 
He and the Order of the Phoenix had taken over an unused part of Hogwarts,
converting it into a headquarters and living area. Over the years, since the
events of Fifth Year, Harry had grown into a quiet young man. The lessons he
learned at the Ministry taught him the harsh lesson that his rash actions could
cause the loss of life. But it didn't stop there. While Sirius lay in hospital
recovering, Harry confronted the Headmaster for the first time, calling the old
wizard on his actions over the years. Too much time had been wasted with his
crazy games of manipulation and misdirection.
"It's time to be united, Headmaster. Not these games you are playing with our
lives!" Harry had shouted. The Headmaster reluctantly agreed, his twinkle
replaced by remorse.
In the days and months that followed, Harry became a madman in his quest to
finally rid the world of Voldemort. He studied every Dark Arts book he could
find, from Grimmauld Place to Hogwarts to the private collection of Severus
Snape. 
Harry chuckled to himself. Now that was a fight if there ever was one. He had
gone down to the Potions office to apologize to Snape about his behavior during
their lessons with Occlumency.
What began as an amiable discussion slowly descended into an all out argument
that almost brought the dungeons down around them both. They had traded hexes
and curses back and forth for almost an hour, without letting up; shouting at
each other the entire time between speaking the spells. Back and forth they
continued until Harry had sidestepped a curse, causing it to rebounded off of a
mirror behind him, and back on Snape, sending him crashing into the wall behind
him. 
Severus Snape had conceded that, if Albus Dumbledore had explained why Harry
needed the lessons, instead just telling him he needed them, then maybe things
would have gone better. Wasn't it better to know every angle of the problem
instead of just one side?
"How very Slytherin, Potter," Snape had breathed in hard. "Your skills of
deduction are improving--surprisingly."
It wasn't a friendship per se...but it worked. 
Severus expected Harry to work hard. 
And Harry willingly complied. 
Then somewhere along the way, there was shift in power; as to the leadership of
the Order. It was gradually changing, as the direction of the wind. One by one,
the members started looking to Harry; because this boy--almost man, was seeing
them all as human beings, instead of pawns on a chessboard. He cared about
them; he made sure they were fine when they returned from missions. He tried to
do whatever he could to minimize the dangers in a situation they would be sent
into.
During the meetings, if Harry said something regarding something that didn't
sit well with him, or that he suspected something, they took note of it. 
When Harry welcomed Lucius Malfoy into his circle, along with his son Draco,
they were all wary, but they accepted it and moved on. They were at war. Petty
differences needed to be put in the past and their importance negated. 
When the Burrow was attacked, Harry ran head long into the fight. He didn't
stop as he took up his mantle that sunny day in April. They had been enjoying
Spring Break when the Death Eaters attacked. He didn't hesitate when he dueled.
He didn't back down. And when Voldemort stepped into the fray, both Dumbledore
and Harry faced him. 
The battle was magnificent. At only seventeen, Harry Potter showed the Dark
Lord why he was his equal, and Dumbledore reminded him why he was feared. 
Lucius and Severus were outed that day as spies when Bella tried to kill Molly
Weasley, as the matriarch was protecting the younger children that had gathered
for the spring celebration. 
But at the end of the day, Voldemort was short six of his Inner Circle, four by
death and two to the side of the Light. 
All in all, the day ended up very well.
Later that day, Molly fussed over Lucius and Severus like they were long lost
sons: kissing them on the cheeks and brushing their hair back from their faces,
and making sure they had food and drink. Both were blushing and looking
uncomfortable, but secretly pleased with the fussing.
Harry stopped in his musing on the past, on his trek back to the castle, when
he heard spell fire and the clang of swords. His own wand slid down into his
hand as he quietly made his way towards the edge of the forest. His body was
suddenly ready for anything as he stealthily crept through the trees, stopping
when he heard Sirius' voice call out to Snape. 
"You can do better, Severus." Sirius spoke with a distinctly seductive purr. 
Harry frowned. He reached out and pushed the brush aside for a better view.
Snape and Sirius were circling each other in the clearing, armed with swords
and drawn wands. Harry settled onto the ground, in a lotus position amidst the
brush, to watch the mock battle unfold before him. 
Harry held his breath. In his opinion, both Sirius and Severus were fine male
specimens. Both had lithe forms, full of strength and agility. Severus would
never be drop dead gorgeous, but he was classically handsome. Even now, he was
dressed in a dark poets shirt, dark trousers and knee-high dragon-hide boots.
His hair was pulled back with a dark scarf, and the small trim goatee on his
chin gave him the rakish look of a pirate from centuries past.
Sirius was his opposite, attired in a white button down shirt with the sleeves
rolled up, his dark tailored kilt, gleaming leather knee boots, and his long
curly hair wild, and unrestrained around his face. He looked like one of those
rugged Highland rogues from one of Hermione's trashy romance novels. 
Not that he ever read one. But the men on the front were sure nice to look at. 
The dance that the two men were doing around screamed sexual tension, belying
the challenge indicated by the presence of weapons. Harry was mesmerized;
unable to look away as the men moved fluidly in the clearing, coiled and ready
to spring at the slightest provocation.
They circled, then lunged. The sword fight was a dance, beautiful and deadly,
as metal scraped against metal, the sound ringing off the surrounding trees.
Both men looked cool and in control, but the sweat was making their shirts
stick to their bodies. The harder they fought, the heavier their breathing. But
their concentration did not waver.
Their words grew bolder as they exchanged taunts back and forth. 
The dance continued until Severus had Sirius backed up against a nearby tree;
his own sword across his throat and Sirius' weapon on the ground where it had
fallen when Severus had disarmed him. They stared at each other, almost nose-
to-nose, faces flush, and their chests heaving.
"Do you yield?" Severus purred. 
"I yield."
Both men were breathing hard. Chests were heaving in the charged atmosphere. 
Harry was holding his breath when Severus closed the distance between him and
Sirius, and took his mouth in a dominant and bruising kiss. Harry's eyes
widened, expecting Sirius to push him away and begin screaming bloody murder.
Only he didn't. 
Severus' sword had also slipped discarded, to the ground, forgotten, as both
men seemed to be hungrily devouring each other. 
"Claim your spoils, Severus. Fuck me. Make me feel it for days." Sirius' mouth
was only a breath away Severus. The words might have been ragged as he spoke,
but Harry heard them loud and clear, and his jaw dropped. But, he couldn't--
didn't want to--tear his eyes away.
Severus needed no more prodding as he grabbed the other man and hitched him
higher up on the trunk of the tree. His hands cupping the kilt covered arse. "I
shall take my spoils," he said as he slid his hands up the bare muscular
thighs, pushing up the hem of the kilt. 
Sirius' left leg had hooked around Severus' waist, as the Potion Master's long
fingers gripped his arse and spread him wide. 
"Should I prepare you? Or just take you? Do you want to feel the hot burn as my
cock fills you while you beg me like a bitch in heat?"
Harry's own member, in his cutoff denims, was as hard as it had ever been.
Severus' voice and the mewling whimpers from Sirius were incredibly erotic and
hot!
Sirius licked his lips, as he tried to regain control of his thoughts. "J-Just
ease the way so I d-don't b-bleed. I w-want the p-pain."
Severus' eyes glinted and he grinned. "As you wish, Black."
Dropping his wand from his sleeve, he whispered a spell, then the wand returned
to it's holster. Reaching down, he lifted both of Sirius' legs over his
forearms, gripping and spreading the other man's arse wide above his now bare
and slicked erection. Their gazes locked, and Harry's hand slid into his
cutoffs and pants, wrapping around his own erection.
"J-Just fuck me already, Severus!"
Sirius felt his body suddenly drop, as Severus thrust upward, driving fully
into him in one thrust. Severus only waited a moment before lifting him and
pulling almost completely out, then slamming back into him. He had no time to
catch his breath as Severus set a fast and hard pace. With his legs draped over
the other man's arms, he had limited control, and it frustrated the hell out of
him, but knowing Severus, he'd done it on purpose. So he did the only thing he
could. Keeping his grip on Severus' shoulder with one hand, he wrapped the
other around the back of his neck and pulled the snarky man into a bruising
kiss, mapping out the inside of his mouth eagerly, tasting him and sucking the
other man's tongue into his own mouth. 
Severus shifted his stance a bit, and on the next thrust, hit Sirius' sweet
spot, causing the man to break their kiss and cry out in pleasure. Sirius head
dropped back against the tree and he continued to moan as Severus repeatedly
hit his sweet spot over and over. 
Harry couldn't look away. Severus the snarky professor was now a sex god in his
eyes. The young man wanted to be Sirius. He wanted to be up against that tree,
getting fucked within an inch of his life, to have that Slytherin's cock
pounding into him. His hand sped up as he watched, his thumb passing over the
head of his own cock on every upstroke. His other hand found the edge of his t-
shirt, slipping under it to pull and pinch his nipples, causing him to hiss in
pleasure. He could feel his own skin flush and arousal coiling low in his
belly.
Severus leaned in and sunk his teeth into the side of Sirius throat, biting
firmly and then laving the skin, tasting the salt and arousal on his skin. He
felt strong fingers dig into his shoulders, as Sirius strained to lift himself
and move against his thrusts. 
"Dammit, Sev'rus! N-Need to m-ove!" Sirius growled, pinning Severus with what
he hoped was a glare.
He immediately felt himself dropped to his feet, his arse feeling way too
empty. Before he could open his mouth, he was grabbed again, spun, and bent
against the tree, his legs kicked wide. Severus grabbed his hips, digging his
fingers in, and buried himself in one thrust. Sirius howled, and grabbed at the
tree seeking a firmer hold.
Still gripping one hip, Severus began to thrust. Raising the other hand high,
he brought it down on Sirius arse, hard. Sirius yelped in the middle of a moan,
shocked at the unexpected pain. Then as the heat and pain bloomed in his skin,
he moaned again.
"Like that, did you, Black?" Severus asked, an evil tone to his voice.
"You kn-know blo-ody w-well I do!" Sirius looked over his shoulder, his eyes
glazed with arousal. "H-Harder!"
"S-Such. A. Bossy. Greedy. Bottom. You are!"
Harry stared at his godfather's tight bare arse. The kilt was bunched up around
his waist now, and Severus' trousers had slid down his thighs, giving him an
unimpeded view of Severus pistoning in and out of Sirius' hole. He could see
the bloom of red where Severus had struck, and now it was darkening and
spreading with each new strike. The man was alternating sides every third or
forth thrust, forcing the most foul and erotic babble to spill from his
godfather's mouth. It only seemed to spur Severus on.
A moan erupted from Harry's throat, luckily unheard by the other men. He raised
up on his knees and quickly pushed down his cutoffs and pants, then removed
them. Sitting back down, he palmed his wand and spread his legs,
casting 'Lubricous' on his other hand. Dropping his wand, he wrapped his
fingers around his now slick cock. Dragging two fingers of his other hand
through the lube, he reached down behind his sac and breached himself, and
moaned, biting down on his lower lip. Pulling with one hand and thrusting with
the other, his eyes locked on the men in the clearing, as he tried to match
their pace.
Severus was no longer striking Sirius, as his arse was a lovely cherry red
color now. He admired it as he widened his stance a bit, so he could put more
force behind his thrusts. Sirius was pushing back hard, his arse slamming into
Severus' body each time, jarring them both. Bits of bark were coming loose from
the tree as Sirius' fingers continued grasping, trying to keep his hold.
Gasping for breath between moans and cries, the arousal was beginning to
coalesce into a ball of furied pleasure deep in his belly. He could feel his
balls drawing up, the adrenaline making his legs shake.
"Close, Black. Can. You. Keep. Up?" Gasped Severus, noticing Black's pace
becoming erratic.
Sirius moaned loudly and managed a nod. Leaning forward, Severus wrapped an arm
around Sirius' waist and lifted him up flush against his own body. Taking the
few steps forward, he pinned him against the tree and began to thrust again.
Noticing the men change position, Harry knew it wouldn't be long now. His pace
sped up and he could barely contain his whimpers and moans. This would give him
months of wank material, until he could figure out a way to get that sexy
Slytherin to fuck him.
With their left hands, fingers entwined, against the tree, and Severus' arm
around his waist, Sirius dropped his head back against the shoulder behind him
and tipped his head away. When his collar pulled in the other direction, a
lovely long expanse of pale neck appeared.
"P-Please. B-Bite. Make c-cum." Sirius' voice was barely above a whisper, as he
made his plea for his lover to send him over the edge.
They were both shaking, tiring, adrenaline pumping; hair damp against their
sweaty skin, and their shirts clinging to their bodies. Severus leaned in and
licked the shell of Sirius' ear.
"Come for me. Sirius." He commanded in a whisper, right before he bit down
where neck met shoulder. He thrust once more, and his orgasm exploded through
his body, filling his lover with his essence.
As soon as the teeth sunk into his skin, Sirius howled and came, hard, coating
the tree trunk with his seed. His vision swam as his body was overcome by the
convulsions of his orgasm. His legs turned to jello, and he was grateful for
the arm holding him up, though Severus was using the tree to keep them both
upright.
When his godfather's voice filled the air, that was all it took to send Harry
over. He wailed long and hard, as he came, his cries drowned out by those of
Severus and Sirius. Pumping and squeezing, he didn't stop until his cock was
empty and limp.
Severus' forehead rested on the back of his lover's shoulder, his arms wrapped
tightly around the strong chest and waist. As their breathing finally slowed,
he loosened his grip and moved back enough to allow Sirius to turn around.
Black has already cast a wandless cleaning spell over them--the only wandless
one he had managed to learn. 
He looked into Severus' eyes and saw both victory and contentment there. A
mischievous smile stole across his face. Severus' eyes flicked down to his
mouth and an elegant eyebrow arched. Sirius felt warm, long-fingered hands cup
his face as Severus' lips covered his own. He wrapped his arms around the
taller man and went with the sensations. The kiss this time was slow and
passionate, both men taking their time to thoroughly enjoy each other's taste.
Harry sat, wand in one hand, cutoffs and pants in the other, watching the men
kiss. This shocked him even more than what had transpired previously. That was
the kiss of lovers! This was not a one-off! His brain was befuddled. When he
realized that the men had moved apart and righted their clothing, He hurried up
and cast a Cleansing Spell over himself and put his shorts and pants back on. 
He would have to think on this revelation later. He scooted back quietly in the
bushes and quickly made his way back to the castle.

Mid-July....
Harry was walking down one of the long corridors of the castle, where most of
the Order occupied family quarters, when one of the doors opened and Sirius
stepped out, walking backwards, with an armful of a robe-covered Hermione. And
they were kissing!
Harry's mouth dropped open. Not even a month ago, Sirius was in the forest with
Severus Snape. Now here he was with a half-naked Hermione out in the hallway
where anyone could see them!
Anger filled Harry. What was his Godfather? A playboy? Just last month, he was
letting Severus fuck him in the forest....Now here he was with Hermione. His
best friend and one of the few girls he considered a sister!
"S-Sirius?!"
"Oh, hello, Harry!" Hermione said as she cuddled up closer to Sirius.
"Please tell me-not my godfather?"
"Oh, please, Harry," Hermione giggled. "Everyone deserves to have a... little
fun."
Harry's eyes bugged and he sputtered. "Mione! What are you saying?!"
Grinning, a mischievous glint in her eyes, as she wrapped her arms around the
older wizard. "Sirius is very pleasant company."
He shook his head. He didn't recognize his Hermione anymore. Everyone was
changing. Too fast.
Sirius kissed Hermione once more and stepped away.
"Later, Sirius?"
"We'll see, Hermione. We'll see." He winked at Harry and sauntered down the
hall.
Hermione watched until he turned a corner and she could no longer see him. 
Harry mumbled a goodnight, and hurried after his Godfather. "Sirius!"
Sirius stopped at the end of the hallway where it tee'd off into different
directions. "Hey Pup!"
"Sirius! Can we talk?!"
"Sure! Let's go to my rooms. I need a shower anyway. What's on your mind?"
Once they were in Sirius' rooms and the older man had disappeared into his
bathroom, Harry began pacing. Why did it bother him that Sirius was with
Hermione? He understood in the time of strife and war, that relationships come
and go. But, what about Severus? Their actions the other day, well, it was
clear they'd been together for some time. It didn't seem to bother Sirius, and
he hadn't seen Severus acting any differently. So, why was he worrying about
it?
"Okay, Pup? What's wrong?" Sirius said walking out in a bathrobe and pajama
bottoms, rubbing a thick towel against his hair.
Perching on the edge of the sofa, Harry tried to gather his thoughts: how he
should start this, what to ask first. He finally looked up, curiosity and
concern in the green eyes.
"How do you do it?"
Sirius frowned. "How do I do what?"
"I saw you with Severus. Now with Hermione? What are you trying to do?"
"I don't understand, Harry."
"How can you sleep around! How can you be so--so--promiscuous?"
"My, that's a big word. 'Mione teach you that one? What's wrong with being...
unrestricted?"
"Sirius!"
"And how do you know about Severus? We never did anything where anyone could
see us!"
Harry felt the blush burn his cheeks and spread down his neck to his chest, as
he looked down. His answer was mumbled.
"What? You need to speak up. I didn't catch that."
"I-I saw the two of you w-when I was coming back f-from the lake. Last month.
In the clearing."
Sirius smirked. "Ah, gave you a show did we?"
"Bloody Hell, Sirius, the both of you acted like long time lovers. Sure didn't
seem like a one off to me!"
Sirius tossed the damp towel back toward the bathroom, ruffled his hand through
his still-damp hair and sat down on the sofa next to his godson.
"That's because, Pup, it wasn't. It's never been a one-off between me and
Snape."
The look in the green eyes became even more confused. "Explain, Sirius."
"Why are you so defensive about this?"
"Just tell me!"
Sirius sighed. "Very well. I guess it really doesn't matter at this point if
you know, but, you must promise to keep it to yourself! There are those that
must not know. At least not until after Voldie is dead and gone!"
Harry looked at him oddly for a moment before agreeing.
"Snape and I became interested in each when we were still students here. We got
along well enough and found out we were smashing at sex together. But, the fact
that I hadn't been Sorted into Slytherin like the rest of the Blacks, was a big
problem. He couldn't be seen fraternizing with a Gryffindor, and I couldn't be
seen doing the same with a slimy Slytherin. The Slytherin's saw me as a
turncoat, a traitor. So, Moony and Pads--your Dad-- came up with a plan to make
us look like enemies, even though we were far from it."
Harry's eyes widened. "The Whomping Willow incident..."
"Yup. And it worked like a charm!!"
"But what's Hermione got to do with it?"
Sighing, Sirius said, "Nothing. She's just matured into a voluptuous, beautiful
young woman, with an entertaining and interesting mind."
"Sirius..." Harry crossed his arms and gave him that 'don't hand me that shite'
look.
"Well, she is! And bloody damn good in bed too."
Harry continued to glare.
"Alright. Severus and I aren't meant to be together. It would always be a
'scratching a mutual itch' thing. We've always been the best at sex with each
other, but that's all it is. I can't settle and he's too wary of everyone to
stop and make a go of a relationship."
"What do you mean?"
"Past experiences have made it...very difficult... for him to trust anyone to
get that close."
"Why? Who hurt him?"
"That's not my story to tell, Harry."
"So. The way you act toward each other. Around others. It's all...an act?"
"Yes. During Voldemort's first rise, a lot of us pureblood's had to find a way
to stick together. Especially when some of our families were forcing their
children to take the Dark Mark. Severus' Great-Uncle Malcolm was in the thick
of things. And Severus was brilliant in Potions, in his brewing and in his
creating. He was a prime candidate for the Dark Lord. His mother was good
woman, but she was weak when it came to going against her family."
"They took him and... forced him to take the Mark?" Harry asked, clearly
shocked and repulsed.
"The same night. Lucius and Regulus as well. They held Lucius' Mother captive
and threatened to hurt her if he didn't comply. Regulus took the Mark to keep
them from killing our little sister. But in the end, it was for naught. The
snake-faced bastard killed them anyway." I think sometimes, Bella went mad that
night when they hurt her amd killed her."
"You had a sister?"
"Yes, her name was Guinevere. She was beautiful and shy. Quiet and loving. My
father was never the same."
"Who brought her to Voldemort?" Harry asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"My moher."
Harry left not too long afterward. He had a lot to think about. He'd heard the
stories from various members of the Order, about the fist rise of Voldemort,
but things didn't sink in until now, like the brutality and underhanded
schemes, to get wizards and witches to join him.
Harry was going to greatly enjoy in sending the bastard to Hell, where he
belonged.
Three Months later.....September.... 
Severus was conducting dueling training in one of the empty rooms at the
castle. Different individuals were sparring at various locations around the
large room. Harry was standing off to the side alone, dueling with his own
invisible opponent. He was practicing with a pair of Sai at the moment; and
becoming quite proficient in their use. Severus stood in the shadows and
watched, silently.
The young man had ripped off his old white tee shirt earlier, leaving him
standing in worn blue jeans that had seen better days and hung low on his hips,
when they first started going through drills and different stances. Harry had
warmed up with Tai Chi when he first arrived, just as he'd done everyday since
Severus began again to teach him the art of Occlumency. It was his meditation--
a way of clearing his mind, a way to bring out the cunning Slytherin in him,
and keep the rash Gryffindor at bay. 
The boy who came to Hogwarts at eleven years old was now on the cusp of
manhood. He was beautiful. Not that he would confess that to anyone. Not even
to his favorite drinking partner, Minerva. 
Ah, a woman who could drink a room full of rowdy wizards under the table with a
good bottle of twenty year old Scotch. 
He continue his silent observations as Harry reached out during one of the
positions and picked up a bamboo Tai Chi Bokken and continued on without
stopping or hesitating. Moody had argued with him and Sirius at order meetings
about Harry learning swordplay and dueling as such. He felt learning to fight
with swords was a waste of time. 
The Dark Lord wasn't going to call Potter out for a formal duel with Muggle
swords. He would take the first chance he had and cut the boy down with a
Killing Curse.
Moody wanted Harry completely immersed in the Dark Arts. He wanted him to
become a weapon, thinking of nothing more than killing. The man obviously cared
nothing for the boy as a human being.
The boy was very intelligent, but he had hidden it well: something Severus
couldn't understand once he'd realized the boy wasn't an imbecile. It took him
a while but he eventually divined the reasoning behind it all, and the first
chance he had, he planned to pay dear Lily's poor excuse of a sister a visit,
and give her a fitting punishment for her maltreatment of young Harry. Beating
a child for good grades! Those Muggles thoroughly disgusted him. In their
particular case, maybe the Dark Lord had the right idea...
When Harry finally finished his warm-up, Severus stepped from the shadows.
                                  -0-0-0-0-0-
Harry's eyes popped open as Severus stepped from the shadows. All he could see
now was the raw sensual beauty of the man. This was no longer the dark, snarky,
brooding man, with an acid tongue that he'd had as a professor for years. There
was more to the man than just what everyone saw on the outside. 
Severus Snape was intelligent. Cunning. An excellent fighter and dueler. A
Master of Potions. Strong both mentally and physically. Fit. Sexy. Moved with a
feline grace. With a voice... oh, that voice... the rich timber of which could
make him come in his trousers with only a few well chosen sentences...
And even now, since he'd watched that scene in the forest, Harry could see even
more of the REAL Severus Snape. 
A man just like the rest of them. 
Severus walked up to him, seeming to glide. Stepping into Harry's personal
space, he whispered. "I know you saw us," he purred, leaning in close. "Stayed
to watch. Did you like it when your godfather....begged? Screamed?" He had
known that someone was out there in the forest, watching. Harry hadn't been
quite as stealthy as he thought, when Severus caught him leaving through the
brush.
Sirius had already moved on to someone else. The man hadn't wanted anything
permanent, only the occasional fuck. He was living wild and free while he
could.
Devilish amusement danced in the onyx eyes. It was immediately, but only
momentarily, replaced by surprise, when the young man leaned in as well and
licked seductively up the shell of his ear. "Think you could make... me...
scream... beg... Severus?"
"Imp!"
"I bet, I could make you beg, Severus. Make you lose your well-earned and tight
control."
Severus stepped back. "What makes you think I would be... willing to, Mr.
Potter?"
"See it as a challenge to play with fire." Harry purred as he stepped away,
picking up his white tee shirt and wiping his hot and sweaty chest off.
"You may find yourself burned."
"What's a little pain, when you find pleasure in it?"
Severus eyed the young man silently for a moment. Was he prepared to play with
the fire that was Harry Potter?
Harry smiled slightly as he turned and walked away from Severus. Now the older
man had something to ponder: this other side of Harry Potter. 
Harry Potter, the sexual being.
                                  -0-0-0-0-0-
It began that day. A glance, an occasional brush of the hand, a small smile. A
sensual dance of touch and heated looks. Severus found himself some days
wondering about this game he was playing with Potter. He found himself almost
unsure as to what to do next, until, with something new, the young man would
throw him off balance again. 
As he had a few days previously, when Severus had been walking down the dim
corridor away from the dungeons. He'd been suddenly whisked into a shadowed
alcove, silenced by soft lips and a whispered, "Severus", before he'd even had
a chance to pull his wand. 
Severus had never, in all his years, allowed anyone get close to him. Sex had
always been something instinctual--an itch that he scratched, when he could no
longer ignore it. It had only been something that was brutal and raw. No
attachments. No emotions. But here was Harry bloody Potter, breaking down the
emotional walls he had erected over the years. 
It was a sultry desire that was building, a haze of pheromones and need that
was all want. Everyday was different. It wasn't a dance of just sex.
Somewhere along the way, as they continued their verbal and physical
altercations, something changed. The touches started to elicit a feeling of
utter enjoyment. Severus began to crave the presence of Potter. They trained
together. They dueled. They talked.
Then they found themselves in long discussions. Severus talked about Lily as he
remembered her growing up, both before and while attending Hogwarts. Those deep
green eyes locked on his as Potter--no, Harry listened raptly to tales of the
mother he couldn't remember. Severus had been stunned when he'd first realized
that the young man knew nothing of his beloved mother, and Severus' best
friend, except that he had her unique eye color. Severus was also taken aback
when he also realized that there was much more of dear Lily in her son, than
there was of his arrogant father. It caused him silent anguish for all the vile
treatment he'd heaped upon the boy over the years because of his 'blindness.'
As September bled away into October, Severus and Harry settled into a routine
as the world continued around them, and unfortunately, the war as well--order
meetings, drills, training, preparing, and thwarting attacks by Voldemort, one
day at a time.
Severus noticed one thing amongst the members: a desperation. Walking the stone
corridors at night, he found more than one couple in the shadows or in one of
the many empty classrooms, evidently seeking comfort--a distraction from the
war.
It seemed that he found the most interesting couples when Harry walked with
him. They'd happened upon Longbottom and the oldest Weasley, in a very intimate
embrace, outside the greenhouses one night. That was a pairing he hadn't seen
coming, but Harry had just smiled knowingly.
Or, during a heated argument between Draco Malfoy and Ron Weasley at the last
Order meeting, the youngest red head had finally grabbed the blond and kissed
him, effectively silencing them, and everyone else in the room.
"I didn't see that one coming," Harry had whispered to him later, as everyone
was leaving.
But the biggest surprise and a very loud warning to one and all, was finding
Hermione Granger in the Prefect's bathroom with both Weasley Twins.
"Locking charms! A Do Not Disturb sign! The itch to have sex.. and everyone
forgets where they are and clothes go flying! They forget their manners, and
don't give a toss who might hear or see them!" 
Severus' cheeks were flushed. He'd been ranting ever since he backed quickly
out of the Prefects' Bathroom, twenty minutes before. Harry walked silently by
his side, being the sounding board, as he tried, barely, to curb a grin. When
they had reached the East Wing, Severus finally settled himself in one of the
window seats, looking totally exasperated. Harry leaned against the wall, his
arms folded casually across his chest, and one ankle crossed over the other, as
he studied his companion.
"Well, Severus, the Muggles have a saying; "If you can't beat them, then join
them." He grinned mischievously, as he waited for the other man to register his
words. "And, it's not as if someone else couldn't have caught you and Sirius,
that day out in the forest."
Severus stood swiftly and elegantly up from his seat. Like a large cat stalking
it's prey, he took the few steps and cornered Harry, against the wall, between
his arms. "Getting caught, being flippant about your surroundings, and just
doing it is one thing but one must be an artist. Love making is beautiful. Raw
and sensuous. The act is something to be shared. To be in control," Severus
dropped one arm and let it slide down to Harry's hip. His voice all dark
chocolate and aged whiskey. "I would stroke and caress you, until you felt you
could take no more. Touching, biting, and tasting you, with fingers, tongue,
and lips. You would beg me. Then I would make you feel the burn as I entered
you."
Harry was trembling ever so slightly, eyes immediately dilated with arousal.
His nostrils flared, as he breathed deeply. "What if I fucked you, Severus?
Would you keen as I tasted every inch of you?" His voice was low, but rough, as
he stared up at the other man.
They were at the next fragile step, th e point of no return. The next moment
could end the tentative friendship or be the greatest thing he, Severus Snape,
would ever do. And the decision he made, could change his future forever--and
not for the worst, as had happened in the past. He stared into Harry's viridian
eyes, so like his beloved Lily's. James' traits no longer stood out in the
young man any more. No, Harry, both emotionally and physically, followed his
mother's traits.
He stepped back and extended his hand. "Come."
Harry looked up and down the deserted corridor before returning his gaze to
Severus. He quirked his head to the side, "Here is--"
Severus pulled the younger man to him, his eyes serious and his voice low as he
spoke, "You are worth more than a quick and dirty shag in the hallway."
Harry studied Severus for a moment, before snapping his fingers. A rambunctious
House Elf in an over-sized tie-dyed tee shirt, mismatched socks, and a pair of
wild Jamaican print shorts appeared.
"Dobby, bring me the bottle of Alpine ice wine, that Viktor Krum sent last
month."
Bouncing excitedly, Dobby replied. "Yes! Master Harry Potter, Sir!"
Severus' eyebrow rose. "Yours?"
"Like the proverbial Muggle cat, he's chosen to attach himself to me."
Dobby popped back and handed the clothed covered bottle to Harry with a smile.
"Is there anything else Dobby can be helping Master Harry Potter with, Sir?"
"Nothing. Thank you, Dobby."
A loud pop announced the departure of the house elf. Severus held out his hand
again. This time, Harry took it firmly. No words were spoken as they moved
quickly toward the dungeons. Never in all his years at Hogwarts, would Severus
have allowed himself to be seen holding hands with anyone, especially Harry
Potter. But tonight, he didn't care.
He was following his heart and his feelings, for once. The old coot's blue eyes
would be twinkling madly right now, if he could see them. Knowing the old man,
and all his meddling ways, he was probably watching them right now, through one
of those crazy gadgets in his office!
Severus' quarter's were neat and orderly, with only a few books laying about
here and there. A case of potion ingredients waited in the corner to be put
unpacked and the items stored. The stone walls were visible and decorated with
a few tapestries and paintings.
Severus opened the bottle with care and poured two glasses, handing one to
Harry.
Harry sat on the edge of one of the chairs holding a chilled glass of wine,
slowly sipping the cool beverage, savoring the taste as it blossomed across his
taste buds. "This harvest was a very good one."
Severus stood, leaning against the fireplace mantle, his glass held elegantly
between long fingers, as he rolled a sip of the ice wine over his tongue. He
swallowed slowly. "Indeed. I've rarely tasted better. Does Mr. Krum send you
wine often?"
"No. He has family that owns the vineyard and winery. He sent me a couple
bottles last year and again this year. I've shared most and kept one for
myself. It stemmed from a conversation we had concerning places I've never
traveled..." Harry drained the last sip from his glass. "...things I had never
tried..."
"And what things have you not tried, Mr. Potter?"
"I've never felt the sand between my toes on a beach somewhere. I've never swam
in the ocean. I want to travel to China and see the Great Wall. I want to walk
where the Pharaohs of Egypt walked."
"I, myself, have experienced the ocean, but here in Britain only. The others I
have not had the pleasure of experiencing." He refilled his glass, offering the
bottle to Harry. "Perhaps, when the war is done and the threat gone, we may
experience them...and others, together." 
Harry smiled crookedly. "Nothing but a suitcase and a wand in your pocket, and
the open road?"
Severus held up his glass. "If you wish."
"There's a lot of things I've wished for over the years."
"Wishes are for dreamers?"
"Dreams were pretty much all I have had."
"If we don't dream, we don't work for a better future, Harry."
"That's very un-Slytherin of you, Severus."
"You are mistaken. Slytherins dream. The dreams are just different than what
you are accustomed to."
Harry stood up, set his glass aside, and walked towards Severus. The older man
had to admire the lithe figure as he approached. A deep red turtle neck and
black fitted denims set the young man's body off quite nicely. What was
underneath was most likely quite nice as well. 
He took Severus' glass and drank the remaining wine, and then leaned up to kiss
him; tentative and light, just a brush of lips at first. He pressed his lips
more firmly against Severus' as the kiss was returned. Long fingered hands slid
under his shirt and up his back, touching and caressing along the way. He
pressed his tongue against Severus’ lips, sweeping them, gently forcing it
between them. He heard a moan, as Severus granted entrance and sucked in
Harry’s tongue. Feeling his tongue being twisted and pressed in the warmth of
Severus’ mouth created a flushed and very urgent arousal to swim below his
stomach and into his groin. With a whimper, he jerked his hips forward and a
returning thrust sent shivers of desire to pool into his hardening cock. He
ground their hips together, soaring when he felt an answering hardness against
his own.
Harry leaned back, "Severusss," he hissed. “Bedroom. Now.”
He felt Severus’ cock grow harder and his body radiate heat, aroused by the
hissing tone. Parseltongue had never sounded that good coming from the Dark
One's mouth, and seemed such a welcome gift now, knowing that it elicited such
pleasure and those needy moans coming from the older man. Severus pulled away
slightly; leaning down, he trailed nibbling kisses along Harry's his jaw and up
to his ear, taking the lobe in his mouth and tonguing it. Strong hands held on
to his biceps, as he heard desire in the hums amid the kisses.
“Severusss,” he hissed again.
How they ended up on his bed, Severus wasn't quite sure, but Severus pushed
Harry back towards his bedroom, all the while stroking and kissing along a jaw,
a cheek, his lips- whatever he could easily reach as they moved. As they
entered the bedroom, he scrambled for his wand and hastily lit the candles
around the room. Still walking, he grabbed the hem of Harry’s jumper and yanked
it up and over the boy’s head. Static charged and crackled, but Severus thought
it no contest to the wild sparks that were coursing through him, settling into
a thrum in his cock. He pressed the young man back to lie flat along the center
of the mattress, head resting on the pillows. He leaned back onto his heels,
staring at the beautiful body spread out before him. Smooth, lean lines of
tanned skin, a smattering of dark hair on the chest and a thicker line that
disappeared beneath Harry’s denims; a promise of hidden treasure.
He looked back at the lust-filled darkening viridian eyes. ‘Merlin, but he’s
beautiful,’ he thought, leaning in to press his lips hard against Harry’s.
Their kiss was aggressive, control passing back and forth for a while, until he
felt Harry surrender to him. His body relaxing, giving way to Severus’ own,
urged him to stretch his body over Harry’s length and press their groins
together.
Harry’s head thrust back into the pillows and he let out a gasp.
“Fuck me, Severus. Please.”
At the pleading tone, any semblance of control over his lust was shattered, and
he ground hips, mouths and chests in intense passion. Rolling off Harry,
Severus made short work of their clothes, throwing them haphazardly of the bed
as each item was removed. Naked, he studied Harry’s body again, drinking in
every pore and sinew of him. From the impossibly messy hair, bright green eyes,
and red full kiss-bruised lips, down a trim body of sun-kissed, only slightly
scarred, skin. Small in stature, but well muscled and lean, he had the perfect
Seeker's body, muscles rippling gently under the skin with each movement. The
surprisingly thick cock pulsed as he stroked along the top of each thigh. Dark
with arousal and already weeping, it bobbed in its nest of dark curls.
Never before had he been treated to such a feast. Whether it was Harry’s
exquisiteness or that he was seeing the young man's masculinity anew with eyes
and heart now open, he didn’t know. And, as Harry writhed and whimpered under
his attentions, he didn’t care.
Raining soft kisses into every dip and valley, and along each limb, he
worshipped Harry; he blessed him with his lips, and his fingers, and with the
heat of his body. So beautiful. Harry’s hands were buried deep in his own silky
strands and he delighted at the sharp tugs that sent trickles of pleasing pain
through his nerves. He drew his mouth down the squirming torso, already
scenting the musky scent of him. Harry keened as Severus whispered soft,
torturing kisses to either side of his shaft, just nudging the silky member
with one cheek.
“Please,” he moaned, “Severusss.”
Groaning, Severus opened his mouth and took Harry’s cock in, wrapping his
tongue around the head, teasing, as he tasted the leaking essence there.
Harry’s hips jerked and he felt the hard cock hit the back of his throat;
swallowing to control the gag reflex, he allowed his throat to open and take
Harry deeper. As he knelt over his soon-to-be lover, expertly teasing and
tormenting him with oral pleasure, he reached down and wrapped a hand around
his own straining erection, and began stroking himself. Harry let go of his
hair and reach his hand beneath Severus’ head to his own balls and gave them a
sharp twist to forestall his release. Severus groaned again, feeling a hot
surge of desire ram into his balls at the sight. He let go of his cock, loving
the feel of it as it sprang up to hit his stomach.
Whispering Lubricuous, he slid his hand down Harry’s shaft and fondled him,
rolling the small orbs against each other. He then stroked the smooth skin
behind them, causing Harry's hips to jerk upwards again, and be swallowed all
the way into his throat again. Drawing back up slowly, Severus laved the head
still in his mouth, soothing the urgent cries into wordless sounds of ecstasy.
That tight little pucker flexed and those strong thighs shuddered as he began
to lightly stroke and slowly press a finger in, pushing against and past the
tight ring. Harry’s moans were becoming more desperate and Severus could see
his sac tightening against his body. He sped up his strokes, his head bobbing
up and down, matching it to the rhythm of the finger buried in Harry's body.
Adding another finger, he hooked them, probing until he found and rubbed that
magical bundle of nerves. Harry’s hands clenched in Severus’ hair and he keened
as he fell over that peak, shooting warm streams of come into the back of
Severus' throat. Continuing to suck and swallow, Severus finally released the
quiescent cock, with a kiss to the tip, and looked up to see Harry lying limp
and sated. Ignoring his own aching arousal, he began kissing Harry’s body
again, as his fingers continued to stroke inside Harry.
“Severus, in me, please.” Harry begged.
“Pull your legs up, Harry.” 
Severus removed his fingers and settled between Harry’s thighs, until his cock
was nudging at Harry’s entrance. Placing Harry’s calves on his shoulders, he
took a deep breath, willing his desire to abate, and watched his cock slowly
disappear into the body below him.
“Merlin!” he gasped.
As he buried himself, flush against Harry, the younger man grasped the back of
his neck and pulled him down into a searing kiss. The heat around his cock, the
slickness, Harry's legs now wrapped around his arse, plus the almost
overwhelming kiss, was more pleasure than Severus had ever felt. Thoughts and
emotions tumbled through him, as detritus in a storm. Madness, connection,
love, passion, sharing; all these whipped and molded Severus into a different
form. A different form that was all Harry, yet left Severus feeling
intrinsically whole.
He began to thrust, slowly at first, the movement deepening and becoming more
urgent as pleasure and heat swirled in him. He nibbled on Harry’s lips,
suckling them, teasing them. He felt Harry harden again, his cock pressed and
stroked, between their bodies. He snapped his hips faster, thrusting deeper and
deeper.
“Harry… My Harry,” he growled into the warm mouth of his lover.
Harry was stroking Severus’ back, running his nails along his shoulders and up
the back of his neck, causing his spine to arch at the sensation.
“Harder, Severus. Fuck. Me. Harder.”
And he did. With a growl, he thrust into Harry, his balls slapping against the
other man’s. He felt Harry squeeze a hand between them and start to pull and
tug in fast, rough twisting jerks. The feeling morphed into the image in his
mind and he bucked and rammed into Harry’s arse twice more before the heat
pooling in his cock embraced him, drowned him and then burst into a
breathtaking orgasm. As the waves took him, shaking him, he was vaguely
conscious of Harry going rigid and a hot wetness between their bodies.
Severus fell onto Harry, who wrapped his arms and legs around the older man, as
they rolled to the side, still facing each other. Shushing him and pressing
sweet kisses on his shoulder, Harry eased the shuddering body from him,
allowing Severus to slip free of his body, before pulling him close again.
“So, this is what it feels like,” Severus sighed, exhausted.
“What do you mean, what what feels like? Harry asked.
“To be me--unrestrained, me, unfettered, open. To be me. Not the man everyone
has seen for the last twenty years...”
With that, he slipped into a light sleep, Harry joining him soon after.
They awoke some time later and made love again and again. Each one a wonder he
experienced for the first time, but four rounds later, his body was boneless
and sweaty amongst the twisted silk sheets. Even now as he and Harry lay
together, still intimately joined from their latest bout of lovemaking,
breathing heavily as they drifted off to sleep, the beats of their hearts
slowing down to normal, Severus Snape wouldn't trade this a moment of this day
for anything in his life.
The days that followed, the sex was wild and passionate, mind bending, and
complete. They connected at a level Severus never thought he could with
another.
When the end of November rolled around, Severus and Harry hadn't been out of
each other's company for nigh on six weeks. Albus had a permanent smile on his
face, and a twinkle in his eyes to match, even though there was a war raging
outside the castle wards.
Minerva walked into the teachers' lounge one afternoon, and caught Severus and
Harry kissing. Her eyes widened, and she shook her head, turned and walked
right back out, fanning herself furiously.
Severus was blushing when he realized that Minerva had walked in on him and
Harry, but chose to say nothing. "That old cat. She'll have something to say
later."
"Then you can punish me later, or I can punish you... by tying you to the bed
and having my wicked way with you."
A certain part of Severus' anatomy came immediately to attention, and he gave
Harry a feral gaze. "What an interesting suggestion."
Just as Harry smiled, the castle shook from the foundations up. "The wards!"
Severus whispered.
"He's here," Harry said, looking towards the ceiling. "He's brought the battle
to us."
Severus started to move Harry off of him and stand, but the younger man stopped
him. "Severus!" His green eyes were hard but serious.
"Harry?" Severus frowned.
"Promise me you will stay safe. Promise me."
Severus looked up into eyes he'd come to enjoy, his voice soft but firm. "I
shall endeavor to do all within my abilities to survive both physically and
mentally intact. Will that suffice?"
Harry studied his lover, "I love you, Severus Snape. Just don't get yourself
killed or hurt." With that he stood and pulled Severus up with him. "Now, let's
go kick some Dark Lord arse!" 
The day after.....
Arthur and Percy Weasley ran from the Apparition point as fast as they could.
They had overheard Umbridge speaking with Moody, Scrimgeour, and Fudge, about
their plans to arrest Harry Potter and send him to Azkaban. Their consensus was
that Harry was too big of a risk now that he had finally defeated the darkest
wizard of the century, and their fears were that he was most likely was going
to become the next Dark Lord. Or try to take over the Ministry. The people
would follow him now that he had finally beaten the Dark Lord. 'Preposterous!'
thought Arthur as he and his son crashed through the main doors of the school,
heading for the Headmaster's office.
They were stopped by Minerva as she stepped out the doorway, "Gentlemen! What's
the rush?"
"It's the Ministry!" Percy was frantic. "They're coming to take Harry and put
him in Azkaban!" He leaned over and put his hands on his knees as he tried to
slow his breathing.
Minerva's eyebrows went up. "Who's going to put Harry in Azkaban?!"
Arthur steadied himself against the stone wall behind him, "Umbridge,
Scrimgeour, Moody and Fudge, have decided that Harry is a threat and they are
coming to apprehend him and place him Azkaban before he decides to become the
next Dark Lord or tries to take over the Ministry with Dumbledore's help."
"Merlin's knickers! That's an outrageously silly idea!! Harry is no more going
to be the next Dark Lord, than I am going to become Rita Skeeter." Minerva's
eyes flashed cat-like in anger. She turned and hurried back down the hall.
"Come, we must go to the Headmaster immediately!"
The two men struggled to stand upright again and rushed after her. They were
soon joined by Severus Snape as he came up from the dungeons with a crate full
of bottles; potions for the Infirmary.
"Whatever is going on?" He asked.
Percy stopped and turned. "Those fools at the Ministry are on their way to
arrest Harry on charges that he's the next Dark Lord. We have to get him to a
safe house. And fast!"
Severus' mind was rolling. NO! Not when they were both finally free to do as
they pleased! "No!" He snapped his fingers and a house elf appeared. "Take
these to Madam Pomfrey immediately!"
The elf took the crate and disappeared. Severus grabbed Percy's upper arm and
pulled him along as he hurried after Minerva and Arthur. Severus was using all
his self-control to not have his own panic attack.
He knew one thing was certain about his lover: Harry Potter wouldn't leave
without a fight. He wouldn't back down even in his shattered state the final
battle had left him in. And the Ministry wouldn't stop if the young man wasn't
in the castle? They would tear Britain apart to find him no matter who got in
the way. 
Severus took the stairs on the spiral staircase two at a time, leaving Percy
behind. He had to think of a way to convince Harry to go; to hide somewhere
safe. He came to a skidding halt outside the doors. He closed his eyes as the
answer came to him. Push him away. Make him leave. Make him think there is no
reason to stay.
Could he give up the one good thing in his life, the most wonderful thing to
ever happen to him? Severus heart clenched in agony as he thought about what he
must do, the last thing he would ever want to do. A voice in the back of his
mind, 'Harry would be better off, and needs to be safe, that is all that is
important.' He had to contact Black and get his help. 
Time was running out.
                                  -0-0-0-0-0-

Harry was holding his head between his hands as he sat on 'his' bed, in the
Infirmary. "I can't leave!"
"You can and you must!" Minerva said in her no nonsense voice that brooked no
argument.
Albus moved to Harry's side, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Please, Harry. It is the only way to keep your freedom. And it will give us
time to stop this madness."
Harry looked up at the pale blue eyes, noticing that the twinkle was absent,
replaced by worry and concern. He looked around at the others in the room.
Poppy was fussing with the bottles the house elf had brought. Minerva was
standing with her hands on her hips, looking like she wanted to rip someone
limb from limb. Percy was pacing, unable to stand still. Arthur was sitting on
the edge of the next bed, twisting a button on his robes as he listened to the
conversation, ready to support whatever was decided to protect his adopted son.
And Severus. Harry sought out those dark eyes and noticed something in them he
hadn't seen in a while: sadness and resolve. The man stood back from the bed,
seeming to distance himself. Harry didn't understand it.
Just then, the doors opened suddenly, and Sirius and Remus strode in, looking
around frantically. When they spotted the group, they headed that way.
"I'm not running away!"
"Umbridge has a Dementor!" Remus howled.
Severus stepped forward, "Potter, stop this nonsense and just go! You are
putting more people in danger by lingering."
Sirius glared at Severus, but said nothing to his ex-lover. He moved to stand
in front of Harry. "Please listen to what they are saying! I don't want to lose
you now that the war is over. You and I were going to work on our relationship-
-be a family--you, me, and Remus. Like your folks wanted--"
"If you stay in the country, they'll use your friends and family against you,"
Severus interrupted, "Starting with Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley. They would
keep a cell in Azkaban warm, Potter, until they find you." Severus had moved to
stand at the end of the bed.
"Why are you doing this, Severus?" Harry asked pitifully.
"It is for the best. You must get to safety. The Dark Lord is dead--you have
fulfilled your destiny and duty to the Wizarding World. You've earned your
freedom."
Remus moved to Sirius' side. "Listen to Severus, please Harry."
"But..."
"Potter! Don't put more into our affair than there was. It was just a fling and
that was all! Nothing more. Nothing less!"
All eyes were suddenly on the Potions Master, looking back and forth, shocked.
Severus stood tall and stiff, arms folded tightly across his chest. The ebony
eyes were cold, a sneer on the man's face.
Harry's eyes widened in shock as he stared at his lover. "Sev-Severus! But – we
– you --we--you said we'd be together after –--"
"It was nothing. NOTHING!" The man shouted, before he spun, and stalked from
the Infirmary, the doors slamming behind him. 
Sirius watched Severus leave, confused--he'd seen something in the man's
expression that had stopped him from tearing into him for hurting Harry. He
looked to Albus and the old man nodded. Remus wrapped his arms around Harry
from behind, grasping Sirius' shoulders firmly. Folding his upset godson into
his arms, he activated a Portkey that he'd brought with him.
"Gateway," he whispered. Then they were gone.
"Albus! What on earth is going on between Harry and Severus?! They were so in
love--" Minerva was just working up a good head of steam, when Albus took her
arm and guided her toward Poppy's office and the Floo.
"Shhh, Minerva dear. Let's go to my office and have some tea. Arthur? Percy?
Are you coming?"
Outside, in the corridor, Severus sagged weakly in the shadows, sinking against
the stone wall, his shoulders shaking as his grief overwhelmed him.
“I will find you again, my Harry, I will.”

                                  -0-0-0-0-0-

Mid August, 2008,  London
The figure stood looking out the large window over London. He had missed this.
Not so much the city itself, since Harry Potter never really gotten to spend
time there in his younger years. But England herself- the land called to him,
called him home after so long. The magic in the air was wild and free just like
across the pond, in the States. But it was different here. 
Here, it was home.
So much had happen in the years since he had abruptly left Hogwarts, forced
away from the only home he'd known because of power hungry idiots. He had been
so hurt by the betrayal of Severus Snape that he'd shut down emotionally.
Sirius and Remus tried to explain to him that Severus couldn't leave and why.
But it fell on deaf ears. Harry only knew that the one person he had put all
his love and faith into, had rejected him.
When he finally emerged seven years later, from his dark place, the remnants of
the little boy were gone, replaced by a young man, with experiences far beyond
anyone of his years, reserved, patient, and wary of trusting others. Newly
divorced, and now a single father of three cherished children, he'd wanted a
fresh start. Well, about as fresh as it could get, considering how homesick
he'd become after the divorce. Siri and Remi had been oddly encouraging after
that for him to return to Britain. Looking back on it now... it seemed even
odder.
His exile from Britain was rescinded three years after he left. When Kingsley
was finally elected, he threw out unjust and unethical laws left and right.
Kingsley even came to visit him, personally, in St. Louis, to tell him he was
free to come home, anytime he wanted. But he'd been married with a child, and
another on the way, and Nesta had no desire whatsoever to leave her family
and St. Louis. So, he thanked the Minister for all he'd done, and wished him
well before the dark-skinned wizard Floo'd back to London. 
But now he was free of Nesta; both he and his children were free. It had been a
carefully crafted front, the loving, caring demeanor. He thanked the Goddess
again for having the sense to make the marriage contract so detailed and
thorough, and for him to have walked in in time to stop her from seriously
injuring their son. That had been the final straw and the day of revelation.
He'd finally seen her for what she really was, and thankfully, she hadn't had
enough sense to pay attention when she'd read the contract before signing,
allowing him to gain full custody of his children. Her legal rights and ties to
them had been permanently severed, and he hadn't been surprised when she just
walked away and never looked back. Deep down at that point, he'd been
exceedingly grateful that he had married a Muggle instead of someone magical,
or it could've ended very badly, for him and the children. 
Not that the children were lacking for love and affection. Sirius and Remus
more than made up for Nesta's lack of attention.
Then they welcomed Josephine Brown, a Squib nanny who had a gift for working
with children. She liked to call it 'her special magic'. She quickly became a
member of the family and took absolutely no nonsense from Sirius, much to his
and Remus' amusement. Sirius referred to her affectionately as the Cajun
Scotswoman, since her demeanor was very reminiscent of Minerva McGonagall's.
She established a comfortable routine immediately for both him and the
children, allowing the normalcy of it to calm them all and reduce the stress
from the messy divorce, making it no more than a muzzy memory.
The home was a safe and happy one. What more could they have asked for?
Until the letter from Albus came. His Aunt Petunia had died suddenly, and
shockingly, he had been included in her will. Remus had told him he needed to
put the remainders of the past to rest for good, or he would never move on.
After some thought, he grudgingly and apprehensively, agreed. Remus took care
of the arrangements for their trip, since he and Siri would be accompanying
him, as well as the children. Sirius said it was time they saw where their Da
had come from. 
His children. Gods, he was blessed there. Sean-Paul Tomas Potter, his first-
born, was a carbon copy of himself. Green eyes so like his, and his own
mother's, and dark messy hair like his own and his father's. The twins,
Anastasia Grace and Fiona Gabrielle, both had long wavy deep auburn hair and
his father's hazel eyes. Sweet little faces that could charm with an innocent
smile, but to those unaware, they could give Gred-n-Forge a run for their
money!
After they arrived in London, Harry rented a magically enhanced Range Rover to
drive them to Scotland, so they could take in the scenery at a comfortable
pace, and stop along the way occasionally. His three little rascals were in
heaven. It was all they could talk about; they were going to Hogwarts!
The three men and Josie were hard pressed to keep the children from running
rampant in their excitement. The clever nanny just shook her head and smiled.
Every attempt to stray or escape was quickly thwarted, even when they thought
she wasn't paying attention. 
Harry was ready for the drive. He spent the last two days with Petunia's
lawyers. Dudley could not be there because of his unfortunate incarceration in
the English penal system. He had been caught smuggling drugs with some of his
old friends. Uncle Vernon had died while Harry was still a student at Hogwarts.
She had left him everything. Harry arranged for her flat to be sold and her
things to be sent to the church for distribution to those who were in need,
along with the money she had left him. He didn't need it and didn't want it.
'Tomorrow is going be a very long day', Harry thought to himself. He turned
away from the window of their cottage, to help gather up the imps and get them
to bed. Morning would come early and his children were no early risers.

Hogwarts, the same night....
Minerva sat down at the table next to Albus. "Where is Severus?"
"He's coming, Minerva. He sent a message that he would be a few minutes late.
He's finishing up the last of the Hospital potions before he comes up."
Pouring herself some tea, she said, "I wonder how he's going to take Harry
being here tomorrow."
"Harry with three children, Minerva."
"Well what did he expect? He pushed him away."
"Harry didn't understand the circumstances. And remember, Harry's exile was
rescinded and he chose not to return. He had a family by then. Remember,
Minerva, there is usually more to a story than we know."
Minerva lost herself in thought for a few moments as Albus waited. "Well, his
behavior did become suddenly very out of the ordinary for him at that time..."
"Severus couldn't leave because he had taken part of the Wards of the Castle,
as did you. He would have been dead before the Portkey landed them in their
destination."
"True."
"Though, I suspect, and have for some time, that there was more reason behind
it than that. Something... personal."
Minerva raised an inquisitive brow. "Such as, Albus?"
"Age. And possibly his doubts that Harry would continue to love him." Albus
answered quietly.
"Love!?" Minerva gasped. "Are you certain of that, Albus? Severus' behavior--"
"Do you both always talk about my person when I am not around?" Severus drawled
as he entered the room, walking stiff-legged and leaning heavily on a finely
carved cane.
Minerva shook her finger. "Severus Snape, what have I told you about sneaking
up on me!"
His only reply was to smirk at her as he pulled out one of the empty chairs and
tried to sit as gracefully as was allowed, given the limited control he had
over his legs. Laying the cane across his lap, he eyed the Headmaster.
The blue eyes twinkled behind small gold spectacles as Albus turned to greet
his Potions Master. "We were only discussing Harry's arrival tomorrow, and our
concerns for you. Tea, Severus?"
Severus frowned, staring down at the table. Here were two people he could
always be honest with. Both were like parents to him; he could admit that now.
"I'm not sure about tomorrow, myself."
"What do you need us to do, Severus?" Albus asked.
"I'm not sure. But I know I cannot run from Harry forever. It hurt when he
didn't return after his exile was rescinded, and it was revealed that... he'd
married." Sadness filled those dark eyes as he looked up, to Albus' face, then
to Minerva's. "It still hurts..." he whispered.
"But...?" Albus asked.
"But I shoved him away. I had hoped he would understand. That Sirius and Remus
would make him understand. I did it for him."
"But they couldn't." Minerva pursed her lips. "He was too hurt himself by what
you'd done, Severus."
Albus patted Minerva's hand and cast her a look. "If things had been different,
the both of you would be together right now."
"No, we wouldn't, Albus. I still hold the wards. He wanted to travel."
"There's no reason you can't travel, Severus. Only that day, it would have
killed you. Hogwarts would have ripped the connection from you, seeing it as a
threat to her. It was too soon after the connection. The Wards settle, as you
now know, and travel is possible."
"I am hard and ugly person, Albus. He would have left me sooner or later. It
was better this way."
"Severus Snape! Did you think so little of Harry? Of what you shared?" Minerva
growled.
He just looked at her. And in that moment, she saw a bit of the gangly,
insecure, tormented youth Severus once was. Some of that boy was still there.
"Oh, Severus."
"What I wanted and what I deserve are two different things, Minerva. Look at me
now? I am now a man with artificial legs. I'm not even whole! Why would a
strapping young man like Harry want to be with someone who couldn't keep up
with him any longer? Walk the grounds with him. Fly brooms with him. Spar with
him. Make lo--" Severus groaned, as he caught himself, and buried his face in
his hands.
Minerva stood up and came around the table, and cuffed the dark man about the
head, "Let me tell you something, young man! My grandfather lost his legs in
the First Great Muggle War. And he still fathered six children afterward! And
kept a smile on my grandmother's face in between! There are multiple ways to
enjoy sex. Should we find you a book? Ask Mrs. Granger-Weasley, she would most
definitely know where to locate one!"
Albus' eyes twinkled madly. He didn't know whether to be shocked or laugh, as
he sat back and let Minerva mother some sense into the boy.
"Unless he outright rejects you, I'd say you have a chance."
Severus shrank away from the angry witch. "He married a woman!"
Minerva snorted, hands landing on her hips, as she stared at him. "And that
matters why?"
Severus glared. "He clearly has feelings for women now."
"So, you've moved into international Legilimency, I see," she replied with a
bit of sarcasm. "You know exactly how he feels. Seven bloody years later!"
"So what am I to think? He married a woman, Minerva!"
"Did you think maybe he just settled? And it didn't last very long, did it?"
Albus motioned toward the empty chair. "Minerva, stop verbally berating the
boy. This is far better than the rage he inflicted on everyone for the two
years after, until..." His gaze flicked quickly to Severus and back. "Oh, just
sit down and have some more tea. Ah! And here's Winky with some nice fresh
biscuits! Thank you very much, Winky."
Minerva returned to her seat, shooting the Headmaster a scowl. He held out the
plate filled with an assortment of still-warm biscuits. Severus grabbed a
chocolate espresso one, and began munching on it. What would he do tomorrow?
Only tomorrow would tell. He really didn't want to think about it.
The Next day....
Josie was, as always, up first at the crack of dawn setting out the children's
clothes for the day. Breakfast had already been prepared and waited under
warming charms as she busied herself with folding laundry, while waiting for
everyone to waken. She didn't have to wait long, as she saw Sean Paul leave his
room with his blue dragon plushie under one arm and tiptoe through the door to
his father's room. A moment later, squeals and laughter could be heard. A few
minutes later, they were joined by twin squeals as the girls ran into the room
and crawled up on the bed.
Ten to fifteen minutes later, both father and son, with the toddling girls
right behind them, exited out of the bedroom with happy smiles.
Sirius and Remus exited out of the other rooms down the hall, wearing bathrobes
and smiling. Remus headed straight for the coffee pot. Sirius just held out his
hand for the coffee cup as Remus passed by.
"Why do we have to get up so early again?"
"Hogwarts. Albus is expecting us by tea time," Remus said as he grabbed some
biscuits off the trolley. "And Minerva is also expecting us to be on time."
Harry rolled his eyes before taking a swallow of his coffee, as Josie set the
plates on the small table. "Some things never change, do they?"
"I also imagine that Hermione and Ron will be there waiting," Remus said as he
took a fortifying drink of his coffee.
"I wonder if a certain blond will there as well," Sirius said grinning, as he
slid a sideways glance at Remus, who just ignored him.
"Boys," Josie warned. "The children are present."
"Aw, Miss Josie, just having a bit of fun. And I wouldn't corrupt these
beautiful children, now would I, Moony?" Sirius said with a too-straight face.
Remus snorted into his cup before replying. "Padfoot, Miss Josie says to
behave."
Anastasia climbed up into Remus' lap and proceeded to lay back with her thumb
in her mouth. "How's my girl this morning?"
"Tir'd," she mumbled.
Fiona took her place in Sirius' lap." Yeah. Tir'd an' seepy."
"When we leaving, Daddy?" Sean Paul asked.
"As soon as breakfast is over and you get dressed."
"Then we'll meet the old bearded goat? And the tabby lady?"
Sirius choked on his coffee and Remus spit his out. Harry pinned Sirius with a
reproving glare.
"What?!" He tried to look innocent, then flinched when he felt something snap
the back of his head.
"Ow!" He yelped, rubbing at the back of his head as he spun in his chair to see
Josie standing behind him, at the sink, calmly drying a plate. 
"What'd you do that for?"
She just raised an eyebrow at him, giving him that scolding stare she usually
reserved for the children when they got into mischief. It just so happened that
it wasn't his first time experiencing it either.
"Uhtoh, Unca' Siri," Fiona looked from him to Josie and back. "You's in twouble
wif Miss Josie!"
"Awr you gonna make him do 'timeou'', Miss Josie?" Ana asked, her eyes wide.
Remus and Harry cackled as Sirius put upon expression. Harry rose from the
table. "Tuck in, you three. We have to leave in less than an hour if we're to
arrive at Hogwarts on time."
                                  -0-0-0-0-0-
Severus sat in his chair going over lesson plans or, at least, trying to. His
mind was a jumbled mess as he tried to concentrate on what he was doing, but
his mind kept drifting back to that pivotal time, when his relationship with
Harry started, then the threat, forcing Harry to leave... his uncontrolled
rage, and the loss of his legs.
After Sirius and Remus had whisked Harry away to the States, he'd ended up back
in his rooms, not knowing exactly how he'd gotten there. He'd been so
overwhelmed by his grief and what he'd actually done. Drinking himself into a
stupor, he'd passed out, and been awakened the next morning by a large hawk,
plucking at his sleeve, where he lay slumped in his chair by the fire.
As soon as he took the scroll from the pouch attached to the avian's leg, the
bird swooped back out the way it came. The missive was from Black letting him
know they'd arrived safely, and Harry had been tucked into bed and given
Dreamless Sleep.
Then it hit him all over again. The pain he'd caused Harry. He would have been
distraught and overwhelmed. That would be the only reason for Harry to be
drugged to sleep.
He stood up, stumbling, and began to throw things, anything he could reach.
Yelling out his anguish at the world for doing this to him once again.
Damning those from the Ministry that wanted to take Harry away. Damning
Voldemort for killing Lily and putting his Harry into a life the young man
never wanted. Damning all those who manipulated and used Harry. Damning the
Prophet and their reporters for the lies they spread. And finally, damning
himself for knowingly hurting the young man so deeply--a young man whom he now
loved so dearly!
Storming next, into his personal lab, he had smashed everything he could get
his hands on. Thankfully, there hadn't been anything volatile at hand that day.
From that day forward, he became the sour, foul-tempered, acid-tongued bastard
he'd been during the war. Some of the staff and students swore he was even
worse. The Slytherins found out the hard way, that not even they were immune. 
Minerva and the rest of the Staff learned quickly to stop confronting him and
asking him about his abhorrent treatment of Harry. That only fueled his anger
and when he cast a hex that blew up the broom shed behind Rolanda, after she'd
called him an uncaring, selfish, cold- hearted wanker, Albus had finally had
enough. He stepped in, called a staff meeting for everyone except Severus, and
informed them if they did not stop pestering the Potions Master, he would
personally censure them. There was no twinkle evident in those pale blue eyes.
The Headmaster meant business. They all gave him a wide berth after that. 
Sadly, it took much longer for some of the students to learn. Even two years
later, there was still the occasional one who didn't seem to see the obvious
danger inherent in angering thier Potions Master. Then came that awful day...
It had been early February, in a Friday afternoon double-session with the Fifth
Year Ravenclaws and Gryffindors. They'd been mid-brew of a delicate potion, and
he had already scolded the same pair of students twice for not paying attention
to their cauldrons, and several others at least once. Damned Valentines! Damned
teenaged hormones! He'd growled and snapped and they still didn't listen!
He'd turned to his desk to check his notations for the following class when he
heard a sudden gasp behind him. Spinning around on his heels, his gaze locked
on one of the Ravenclaw girls panicking as a foul black foam began billowing
from her cauldron. She and her partner had jumped back and were squealing,
their hands in the air, rather than either adding ground Crown of Thorn to stop
the reaction, or ask for help Vanishing the potion. He'd had enough. 
Storming over to thier table, he Vanished the mess, then loomed over the
weeping girl and began to verbally eviscerate her. She'd already been caught
twice mooning over one of the Gryffindor boys at the next table. It evidently
was more of the same. 
He hadn't spoken two full sentences, when there were several panicked shrieks
behind him. Straightening, as he pulled his wand, he looked around in time to
see another nearby cauldron explode, spectacularly. Casting spells one after
the other, he sent the students to safety at the far end of the room, leaving
only the two students he'd been berating. With no time left to cast another
spell, he pushed them down and covered them with his body, assuming his potions
robes would protect all of them. 
The next thing he remembered was waking two days later, in the Hospital Wing,
Poppy, Albus, and Minerva all standing by his bed. The news hadn't been
positive. One of the Gryffindors had bolted from the room as soon as he was
safe and run for the nearest professor to get Poppy. But even Flooing to his
classroom fireplace hadn't been fast enough. The accidentally altered potion
had become an extremely caustic and fast-acting flesh-eating acid. She had
assured him all the students were fine, and unharmed but for a few scrapes and
scratches.
As Poppy quietly explained, he hadn't understood. He'd looked at his hands and
felt his face; they were fine. His body didn't hurt. His special robes and
apron would have protected him. Then she pointed toward the end of the bed, as
she said the words; words that became a buzz in his ears.
And his life changed forever.
"--sorry, Severus. The potion had already taken your feet and halfway up your
calves. It was an unknown potion. I couldn't stop it. I had to amputate to save
your li--"
He had stared at the three of them in horror, feeling all the blood drain from
his face. He passed out.
He didn't awaken again until that evening, thinking it a bad dream, until he
looked down and saw the truth, again. His bellowing brought Poppy
running, Dreamless Sleep already in hand.
After that, each time he awoke briefly, a member of staff was sitting by his
bed, and he could tell Poppy had kept him sedated so he wouldn't flail around
again and hurt himself further. 
He remembered, once he was able to stay awake, he'd already slid into a deep
depression, something no one could pull him from. That was, until Albus had
contacted his mother. Eileen Luisa Prince-Snape had just breezed into the
Hospital Wing as if he had a simple cold and she was bringing him one of
her Echinachea Potions.
She passed a Healer, in St. Mungo's robes, on his way out. He didn't look happy
at all; grumbling about uncooperative and rude patients.
"Severus Sebastian Tobias Snape!"
"Not now, Mother!"
"Oh yes, now, my son!"
A single look assured the mediwitch and sent her scurrying to her office, as
Madam Prince-Snape sat on the side of her son's bed and pulled him into a hug.
When she released him, she fixed him with a look, and he knew he'd better start
talking.
She had listened to every one of his thoughts, feelings, and fears; all
discussed within a Silencing Charm of course. Then she had proceeded to
logically dissect every one of them. As much as he'd hated it afterward, she
had talked sense into him.
He'd only had to suffer the prosthetic legs, pitiful things, for a couple of
months. Then Hermione had appeared with news of magically enhanced Muggle
prosthetic legs she'd developed with some help from friends medically trained
in both the magical and Muggle Worlds. It became easier after that to relearn
how to move and walk on his own. He'd never be the same, but he'd learned to be
grateful that he managed.
And manage he did. Lucius came three months later and gifted him with a
specially-made cane, done in silver and black, with the head of a lion and the
body of a snake. He'd said it was his reward for learning to walk again, and
the stylish cane would draw attention away from his legs, and, Lucius had added
with a smirk, give him some class at the same time.
Spending his healing and therapy time reflecting on his life up to that point,
writing his mother or visiting, and talking with Albus, who he'd finally
trusted enough to open up to, had helped him. He realized he had to let go of
his anger and self-recrimination, as well as shed the evil double-spy persona,
once and for all. The quieter, more introspective Severus surprised everyone,
except maybe Albus and Severus' mother.
He didn't return to teaching until the following school year and when he
returned, he was gifted with a standing applause. The proud man only nodded and
sat down in his usual seat at the staff table.
Here he was five years later, a man moving on. But a man who still loved Harry
Potter, just Harry; who was now a man who'd married, had children, divorced,
and was now a single father with three children. Harry had clearly moved on
much farther than he had. Did he have any feelings left for him, or did the
young man just hate him now?
                                  -0-0-0-0-0-
The Weasley's arrived, invading Hogwarts along with various others to wait for
Harry to arrive.
Minerva wasn't happy about it. She wanted Harry's first time home to be a bit
more private, but it had snowballed out of control. She wasn't sure who she
should hex for the word getting out.
The poor man was going to be overwhelmed, instead of welcomed. And then there
was Severus. Her temperamental colleague had holed himself up in his rooms when
everyone started arriving and turned the Great Hall into a circus of grand
proportions.
It was Ronald Weasley who came rushing into the Hall when he saw the vehicle
that Harry was driving enter through the gates. "He's here!" Then rushed back
out.
Between one breath and the next, everyone started speaking and crowding to get
out the doors until Albus stood up, "Silence!"
Various red heads and others turned towards the older man, "Lets not overwhelm
and crowd him and his family, ladies and gentlemen. Mrs. Granger-Weasley,
Arthur and Molly? If you would, please."
Albus motioned the three to follow him and join Ron outside on the steps.
Neville and Draco were waiting alongside Lucius who looked slightly nervous
himself.
"Do not worry, Lord Malfoy, they haven't changed all that much since they have
left."
Grey eyes glared ever so slightly in the Headmaster's direction. "I am not
worried, Albus."
The black Range Rover rolled to a slow stop at the base of the steps, and as
one, everyone began descending the stone steps. A back door opened and out
stepped a older but healthier looking Sirius Black. The front door opened and a
smiling Remus Lupin came into view.
"Why couldn't I drive?" they heard Sirius whine.
"Some things never change," Molly said.
"If I'm not mistaken, that is what is called a Muggle S-2-B!" Arthur's eyes
were bright with excitement.
"Not now, Arthur!" She warned him as she grabbed his arm. "Harry and his
children are here! Our grandchildren!"
"You think Harry would let me drive it?"
Molly rolled her eyes and gave a disgusted sigh."Arthur Bilius Weasley!"
Arthur was clueless to his surroundings. Only focused on the Muggle vehicle;
his fascination of anything Muggle overtaking his thoughts of Harry finally
home.
Albus and Minerva were chuckling to themselves, as Lucius eyed the man,
confused as to his fascination with the contraption. Everyone else just looked
amused. It was at that point that Harry looked up and over the Land Rover and
spied the look on Arthur's face. He poked Remus in the ribs and pointed.
Remus grinned and leaned down to Harry. "You'd best offer to take him for a
spin before Molly hexes him."
Minerva spied him first and was the first one down the steps. He was engulfed
in a hug before he could step away.
"Oh, Harry! It's so good to see you again!"
"H-Hi, Minerva. It's grand to see you as well." Harry gave her a squeeze then
patted her back, surprised at the sudden demonstrative action of his former
Head of House. He stepped back as she released him.
He was immediately being hugged senseless again by a sobbing Molly Weasley. He
patted her on the back, while Ron laughed from where he was standing. Hermione
was fidgeting at his side, waiting for her turn as well.
The Rover was magically enhanced for a bit of speed and expanded on the inside
to be more comfortable, especially with four adults and three children. The
drive had been long but not as long as it could have been. Still, the three men
were a bit stiff, especially Remus. But the children had been unaffected, and
bounced happily down from their safety seats after being released.
Three children that happen to belong to Harry Potter and raised with the help
of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, whom the children referred to as Unc'a Siri
and Unc'a Remi.
Harry looked up at the castle and felt like he had finally come home until he
looked eagerly around, then looked directly at the Headmaster. "Where's
Severus?"
"Well," Albus began, "When you notified us that you were coming, we decided on
a small gathering. Low key so not to overwhelm you and your family..." He
opened his arms wide, and the double doors opened fully, showing the crowd
waiting inside the doors, "So everyone showed up."
"Everyone?"
"All the Weasley's," Ron smiled.
"The Order," Hermione added.
"And just about everyone else that knew you," Draco grinned.
Harry closed his eyes. There was one thing Severus Snape hated, large crowds.
But damn it all to hell, he was hoping the git would be waiting for him. A
small part wanted the dark and dour man to be standing there waiting. A word of
welcome. Something.
"Daddy?" Sean-Paul looked at his daddy, "Is that the old bearded goat, Unc'a
Siri is always talking about?"
Minerva smiled. Albus grinned and Sirius... well his face was flaming red, and
he was nursing the back of his head again.
"Everyone, my son--my oldest, Sean-Paul Tomas Potter."
The little man looked at his father, "You say that like it's a bad thing,
Daddy."
Laughter erupted around them.
Harry wrapped an arm around the waist of the woman standing beside him. "I
would like you all to meet Josephine Brown. My children's nanny, and another
member of my family." He kissed her cheek, causing her cheeks to flush. 
"Pleasure to finally meet all of you."
Two beautiful little girls were lifted into the arms of their uncles, standing
to either side of Harry. He motioned toward each of them.
"And these little ladies--the only ones in my life--are my twin daughters,
Anastasia Grace- and Fiona Gabrielle Potter."
The girls smiled brightly and waved enthusiastically to everyone. Harry looked
around again at all the people who'd come, some uninvited, to see him and
welcome him and his family home.
Harry still felt a pang in his chest. Some small part of him wanted Severus to
be here when he introduced his children. He wanted to share them with the one
person he could never forget.
The one person he never went a day without thinking of.
The one person he would love till the day he crossed over into the Summerlands.
Even now staring at the old castle, he had always known that there would never
be anyone who could stir his blood and his soul, the way Severus could. Nesta
never stood a chance in taking his place.
But he had that just tiny bit of hope that he would be standing here waiting
for him to return. They would argue of course.
Shout.
Maybe cast a hex or two.
Kiss.
Make up.
Make love.
And then live happily ever after.
But he wasn't waiting, and it showed on his face. Albus gently grasped his arm
as Harry and his family moved up the steps. Leaning in, he whispered in Harry's
ear.
"His rooms are still in the dungeons, Harry," Albus said, his blue eyes
twinkling.
"Go, Harry," Remus whispered. "Reclaim him. Reclaim what was lost to the both
of you."
He turned to Remus and Sirius. "Watch the babies, I'll be back."
They both nodded to him, knowing where he was heading. They had both looked for
the Potions Master too, as soon as they'd exited the Rover.
"Not a baby, Daddy!" Echoed in unison, as his twins, lower lips pouting, looked
at him with a displeased glare, from thier perches. 
He gave them each a kiss on the cheek. "You will always be my babies, Ana...
Fiona...as will Sean-Paul."
"Not!" Growled Sean-Paul, his arms folded tightly across his chest. His scowl
softened as he saw the love in his father's eyes. "Well... maybe... but just
yours!"
Scattered laughter broke out among those within earshot, as Harry pushed
through the crowd and hurried into the Entrance Hall.
                                  -0-0-0-0-0-
Severus finally pulled himself up from his chair as the knocking became
insistent. It was clear that ignoring it wouldn't make it stop. Grabbing his
cane, he moved stiffly to the door. Damn! He'd sat for too long.
Must be Albus, he thought. Only he would come down here to persuade him to
attend the that gathering that became a circus in the Great Hall. If he hadn't
reinforced his wards, the old bugger would have just Floo'd in or breached the
wards on his door. Severus sighed as he reached for the door handle.
Severus looked up as he opened the door to tell Albus to leave him be, when he
lost his next breath. Instead of twinkling meddling pale blue, he was looking
into verdant green. Green eyes that spoke of wariness and caution.
"H-Harry..."
"Hello, Severus."
Severus leaned out the door and looked up and down the empty corridor. "The
children?"
They're with Remi and Siri, and Josie--" Severus gaze snapped to Harry's face.
"--their nanny."
"Nanny?"
"Yes, she helps me--and Siri and Remi--with the children. Takes care of all of
us, actually." He smiled to himself as he spoke. "She's kind of like a mix of
Molly Weasley and Minerva. You should get along with her fine--I hope."
Severus eyes widened a bit again at the mental image the description conjured.
"Indeed!"
Dressed in black trousers, black suspenders, and a white shirt, Harry looked
very sharp. He took in the younger man before him. He was older and more mature
now, but still the beautiful creature he fell in love with, had shared moments
with, and wanted to grow old with.
"Um, Severus...?"
Harry watched as the older wizard blinked and straightened, wincing and
obviously in pain. Severus stepped back slowly, and not without difficulty, and
motioned Harry to enter. He felt old survival tendencies wanting to take over.
"Why are you here?" he asked as Harry walked in, a bit of challenge in his
voice.
"What do you mean?" Harry looked puzzled, at the words as well as the tone.
"You could have settled your aunt's affairs from the States. There was no need
to bring your children to Britain at all. Let alone come all the way to
Hogwarts. It's been seven years. Why now?"
"It was time."
Severus limped across the room to the liquor bottles on the cabinet in the
corner. "Time for what, exactly? To tell me how much of an utter bastard I am?
How much you hate me now?!"
Harry's eyes widened and his jaw worked, but shock prevented the words from
coming.
"Why didn't you come back when your exile was rescinded? You were free to
return." Severus turned, two tumblers grasped in one hand as he moved back to
offer one to Harry. "You didn't even come back to visit!"
Severus sat roughly in his chair, dropping his cane in the floor beside the
chair. He took a large swallow of the firewhiskey and glared into the
fireplace.
"I know you don't want to see me, but I'm sure there are others here that
wanted to see you... and... missed... you." He growled, petulance in his voice,
his gaze still on the flames.
Harry moved to stand behind the other chair and took a drink to steady himself.
"Severus... what...?" Had no one told him? "Nesta was giving birth to Sean-Paul
when you had your accident."
"As I said, there were others who wanted to see you."
"I didn't want to see anyone."
"And you didn't want to see me."
"Should I have?" He snapped. Harry moved around and sat in the chair facing
him. "Severus, when you rejected me that day in the infirmary, you were just
another in a long line of people who'd rejected me. But I had gotten past that
by the time I married Nesta. Or at least, I thought I had..." 
He looked at Severus, wanting the man to look at him, as old pains and wants
resurfaced. "Remember, I had just gotten rid of Voldemort the day before. And
here was the Ministry, coming after me for being a so-called 'dangerous
individual', ready to take over the Wizarding World!"
Severus finally looked at Harry. "You should have believed in me!" He spat.
Green eyes snapped with anger. "You told me that it meant nothing!"
Severus struggled to his feet and moved to loom over Harry. "You wouldn't
leave, Potter!"
"Because I loved you, you Git!" he screamed back.
Black eyes blinked, and Severus was suddenly silent, staring at Harry."Loved?"
"Yes! Still love you!" Harry took a gasping breath when he realized his words,
and continued, almost under his breath as he looked away "I never stopped!"
Severus slumped back into his chair, all his anger suddenly gone. "Harry?"
"I didn't love Nesta. She was the daughter of a man I worked with. She was
kind--in the beginning. But she changed, and the children--" He looked
hesitantly at Severus. "Only one person has ever held my heart like no other. I
tried to write several times--but I couldn't. So, finally I asked Remus to
contact Albus for me. I needed to know how you were. After that, Albus sent a
message once a week detailing your progress. I wanted to return. But I wasn't
sure. You've no idea how hard it was to choose between my children and you..."
Harry's head dropped into his hands. "I'm so sorry, Severus. So sorry I wasn't
here for you..."
Severus stood again, and reached out a hand towards his....love. Afraid to
touch, to be rejected and it would be no more than he deserved, until Harry
lifted his head and their eyes met. There it was. Everything he had ever wanted
was right there for the taking.
"Harry," he breathed. "It is I who should be apologizing. In trying to protect
you--I hurt you very deeply. And I have regretted it every minute of every day
since I spoke those horrible lies to you. I am so very sorry--and I don't
expect you to forgive me--"
Severus was leaning on the arms of Harry's chair now, trying to kneel in front
of him, when Harry urged him to sit on the low table between the chairs.
"Oh yes, it hurt. And I thought I would never get over my anger at you, and
those idiots in the Ministry. But I did like I've always done. Out of sight and
out of mind. And I forgave you a long time ago, Severus. I just couldn't keep
the anger at you burning in me. It would have eaten me alive."
He reached up to stroke the dark hair, Severus leaning into his touch. Reaching
up Severus gently took the hand away, placing it upon Harry's knee. Shaking his
head, he rose slowly to move back to his chair.
"Severus?"
"So much has happened. Changed. Can we--where would--we start? Do I even hope?"
He motioned toward his legs. "Would you even... want me now...like this?"
Harry moved to kneel at Severus' feet, gently parting the man's legs, so he
could slide in closer. Grasping the long-fingered hands, he held them firmly in
his own, as he looked directly into those onyx eyes.
"Oh Sev, love. I promised myself, when I was finally rid of Nesta, that the
next time I fell in love, it would be you. And only you. Or, I would remain
alone to raise my children."
"But--"
"No. My love is never conditional. Haven't you learned that by now, considering
my history? I. Love. You. Warts and all, as the Muggles say--"
"Actually, that is a Wizarding saying from--" Severus began.
Harry quirked an eyebrow at him. "Hush you! As I was saying. I love you. For
you. As you are. Both positive and negative attributes. I wouldn't change a
thing."
"Start again at the beginning?"
"Oh no, we start here. Now. Me and you. Because you breathe life into my heart,
Severus Snape." Harry leaned forward. "Kiss me, would you?"
Severus pulled Harry into his lap. "Bossy brat," he said and proceeded to do as
requested.

Outside the door of Severus' quarters....
Albus, Minerva, Remus and Sirius were standing with their ears against the
door, listening. "I thought for sure they would hex each other!" Sirius
whispered. 
Albus just looked at him, knowingly, those eyes twinkling madly. He looked down
when he felt a repeated tug on his robes. Sean-Paul was staring up at him.
Remus gently removed his hand from Albus' sleeve.
"Don't bother the Headmaster, Sean-Paul." Remus admonished quietly, since the
twins were asleep in his and Sirius' arms.
"No, Remus." Albus replied, then leaning down. "What is it, child?"
"Mr. Albus. That man Daddy's talkin' to, his name is Sev'rus?"
"Why yes it is, young man. Why do you ask?"
The boys eyes got big. "Ohhhh! That's why Mummy was so mad!"
Eyebrows rose all around. Sirius spoke up. "Why would Mummy be angry, Sean-
Paul?"
"'Cuz, Daddy says it--Sev'rus--when he dreams at night. Me an' Ana an' Fiona
all heared him. An' Mummy got mad, when Ana asked who Sev'rus was."
"Oh dear!" Minerva exclaimed. Albus just smiled, and Sirius and Remus both
stared at each other, in shock.
                                  -0-0-0-0-0-
Five months later, December 23.... </b>
"Do you, Severus Sebastian Tobias, take Harry James to be your husband? To love
always in heart and soul? Until you pass into the Summerlands?" Albus asked,
dressed in red robes decorated with little sprigs of mistletoe, his blue eyes
twinkling like mad. 
"I do," Severus said, his rich deep voice strong as he spoke the words binding
him to the young man beside him. 
"Do you, Harry James, take Severus Sebastian Tobias to be your Husband? To Love
always in heart and soul? Until you pass into the Summerlands?"
Deep green eyes brimmed with tears, as they met onyx. "I do."
Ana and Fiona were standing in front of the two men, each with a circlet of
flowers their heads, each child holding a ribbon. Fiona handed a red ribbon to
the Headmaster.
"Red to signify life, vitality and courage."
Albus wrapped the men's hands then reached for the ribbon Ana is holding out to
him.
"Green to signify balance, love and peace. "
Sean-Paul stepped forward and held out two ribbons, which Albus accepted with a
smile.
"Indigo and Violet for understanding and wisdom."
He tied the last two ribbons and began an incantation. The ribbons glowed and
disappeared.
"For all the trials and rough roads these two men have traveled, may the
Goddess bless them and let nothing or no one part them now. So Mote It Be."
"Blessed be," was echoed around them. 
Lucius and Remus stood at Severus side in the circle. Sirius stood behind them
with Ron and Hermione at Harry's side. They were all dressed in splendid navy
blue velvet robes as they stood outside near theBlack Lake. Snow was starting
to fall slowly around them but warming charms kept them from feeling the cold. 
Minerva, Eileen and Molly all stood off to the side, crying quietly and holding
on to one another with happy smiles on their faces.
Josie stood next to them, smiling for her boys. Oh yes, Severus Snape was now
hers as well. And possibly the blond man as well, if her catching Remus kissing
him under the mistletoe last night was any indication of their relationship.
Yes, more family to take care of. It couldn't get any better... unless... What
had Mr. Albus said? Wizards could carry babies...?
Oh yes, a very happy life indeed.
"The rings you have given each other are a circle. Unbroken and complete.
Strong and beautiful. Let the Goddess bless you and keep you. So mote it be."
"So mote it be," was echoed.
Albus looked at both men, waiting. "Well? Kiss!"
Laughing, Severus and Harry sealed their new life with a passionate kiss.
~finis...but is it ever?
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