
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/6423226.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Major_Character_Death, Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Harry_Potter_-_J._K._Rowling
  Relationship:
      Severus_Snape_/_Harry_Potter
  Character:
      Draco_Malfoy, The_Weasleys, Hermione_Granger, Sirius_Black, Remus_Lupin
  Additional Tags:
      Mpreg, First_Time, Complete
  Stats:
      Published: 2016-04-01 Completed: 2016-07-18 Chapters: 51/51 Words: 121533
****** Where Others Fear To Tread ******
by riffraff84
Summary
     Snape calls in his debts in an attempt at saving himself from an
     impossible choice
Notes
     I don't own it, I don't make money on it so don't sue it or me.
     So this ship has been done to death but here is my spin on it. This
     is the last of the completed fics on my hard drive. It was one of my
     originals so yes I have already been informed about the flaws in
     Severus' debts, so spare me the comments regarding this fact. If you
     can believe that Snape and Harry would ever in whatever universe
     actually get together, then its not a big stretch to believe in some
     past debts owed to Snape. Also this is NOT Draco friendly. I have had
     conversations regarding my treatment of Draco in many of my fics but
     this one is probably not one for those who actually get genuinely
     upset/angry about Draco being the bad guy. FYI, I also kill off a few
     key figures so again if that is not your bus then wait for the next
     one. Anyway read and enjoy.
     Riffraff
***** Chapter 1 *****
Where Others Fear to Tread
Chapter 1
“You’re late.” Sweeping down the staircase he paused as he met one of his
colleagues on the way up. Despite the mask they knew each other on sight and
both bowed their heads in acknowledgement of the other. There were no friends
in their line of work only stepping stones to be trodden upon on your way to
the top.
“His mood?” The other asked inquiringly of his colleague. There was a pause
before the other answered his voice a little sarcastic.
“Difficult.” Was the reply causing the other to sigh inwardly as he saw the
other touch his hand to a darkening wet patch on his robe covered chest. Their
conversation was short and swift, the two robed figures parting quickly to
continue their separate journeys.
Reaching the bottom of the staircase he swept confidently into the chamber
ignoring the way the other lingering figures bowed low to him in
acknowledgement of his status among them. There were very few in their master’s
inner circle and far fewer who held positions of authority other than the
master himself but he happened to be among the fortunate. The doors to the
inner room slid effortlessly open before him and no sooner had he crossed the
threshold into the dimly lit room than he fell to knees his head bowed to the
floor in respect.
“Why are you late?” There was a hissing sound from the chair draped in shadow
by the fireplace on the far side of the room. Obediently he kept his head down
as he replied in the calm emotionless voice he favored.
“I received your summons during class my Lord. It is difficult for me to
explain my absence at such times to the fool in charge. I was forced to
complete my tutoring before returning to your side.” There was an angry hiss at
his words before a burst of magic hit him in the chest sending him sprawling
onto his back. He coughed heavily at the unexpected blow. From beneath the
relative safety of his mask he watched as the withered scaly hand resting on
the arm of the chair twitched irritably.
“Come here.” At the sound of the command he stood up slowly from the floor and
made his way cautiously over to the chair. With a hidden scowl he stared down
at the tortured body slumped in the chair. A thin, sallow being was buried
beneath lavish flowing robes, the picture just as sickening as it normally was.
At his master’s feet lay his pet, the fat lump of a man named Petigrew.
Petigrew had only one purpose at his master’s feet and that was as a slave to
the masters needs. Thankfully he himself was above such a pitiful position and
commanded far more respect than the man currently pawing at his masters
withered and grossly deformed feet. He held completely still as he watched the
pair of glowing red eyes turn to look at him. A withered decrypted hand came up
to grip tightly and draw blood from his hand resting at his side. He didn’t
even flinch as the trickle of blood ran down his fingertips from where the
man’s razor sharp nails dug tightly into the back of his hand lying motionless
at his side. “Were you not as important to me as you are I might not be so
tolerant to your willfulness.” He choked back a disgusted snort as he watched
the snake like being in the chair bring his hand up to his lips and lick the
blood trails from his skin. Behind the mask he closed his eyes ignoring the
feeling of disgust that welled in his stomach at the touch. Thankfully his
master dropped his hand quickly having tasted him and turned his attention back
to the flickering flames of the fire. “I have heard some disturbing reports
about you my alchemist.” Inwardly he cringed but as always he kept his mind
empty of thought. He knew if his master was not satisfied with his replies he
would test his loyalty through attempting to breach his mind.
“My lord.” He replied easily his voice not betraying any of his inner most
concerns.
“It seems you are not enjoying the gifts I give you.” His eyes followed the
direction of his master’s hand and fell on the four young women standing naked
against the far wall, their faces covered in the familiar white masks of their
circle. “They say you do not perform as you should. That it is unfulfilled on
your part. Do you not like my gifts?” He took a moment to gather his thoughts
and bring together a reply that would not be unacceptable.
“No my lord. It is only that I suffer a condition that prevents my full
participation in such offerings.” From behind the mask he watched, as his
master looked up at him the red eyes cutting through him like a knife. He felt
the familiar prodding of someone attempting to enter his mind but he calmly
reinforced his barriers and concentrated hard on his training. When his master
didn’t seem to get what he wanted from invading his mind he hissed angrily and
with a wave of his hand had him down on his knees before him in pain, trapped
in a curse.
“I am displeased by this news. It is of great loss that you unlike my other
most loyal followers do not possess the ability to give me what I want. You
should consider yourself lucky that I gave you a choice of only the finest. Yet
your body betrays me. I need younger blood among my ranks and I had hoped your
union would bring me such pure loyalty that you yourself display to me.” The
curse tightened about his body and he shook in pain biting and drawing blood
from his lips as he tried to remain silent and not show any sort of weakness.
“There is a rumor in the circle that your weakness is of the male variety.
Perhaps should I give you a choice in this direction you will overcome this
‘condition’ you speak of.”
Incapacitated now by the fire of the curse invading his body he collapsed in a
shaking heap on the floor his fists drawn tight as he fought the pain. The
blood pounded in his head making focusing on his master’s voice difficult.
Through it all though he kept up the walls of his mind closing it off to the
prodding he could still feel from his master’s attempts at breaking him. “I
have chosen three from among our circle, intelligent, strong and handsome
enough to tempt you. They are from pure bloodlines like your own and will
provide healthy, loyal offspring. You will choose a mate from among them within
a month. If not I will choose for you. I will have a child from you my
alchemist even if I must rip it from your unwilling body with my bare hands.
‘CRUCIO!’” The current curse on him ended not a moment before the second hit
him, sending his body into writhing pain on the floor. Still he didn’t cry out
his mouth firmly shut as he writhed about in the luminescent green light. The
curse ended and he slumped down on the cold stone floor, feeling the iron tang
of blood on his tongue as two thin trails slipped from the corner of his mouth.
“Be gone from my sight. I have been patient with you my alchemist but it is
wearing thin.”
Knowing he was being dismissed he pulled himself awkwardly up from the floor
still shaking uncontrollably with the effects of the curse. Bowing low to the
back of his master he turned and stiffly left the chamber. Luckily there were
few who mattered lingering in the outer chamber and none spoke as he staggered
unsteadily past them. Reaching the stairs he climbed them awkwardly, his torn
and bleeding hands clutching at the wall as he made his way slowly to the
surface. The staircase came to an end at the trap door and with a weak push he
found himself on his knees out in the middle of the grassy field. The
apparition point was just at the tree line on the far side of the field.
Staggering to his feet again he made his way cautiously across the uneven field
struggling to stay upright. Reaching the wooden fence and the tree line he fell
heavily against the wooden post ignoring the splinters in his cut hands as he
removed his wand from his inner robe. With a strained breath he whispered the
apparition charm and with a sharp pop and a rush of wind he was gone….
***** Checkmate *****
Chapter 2
“Check and Check-mate, mate!” Harry stared sullenly at the chessboard. The
remains of his pieces were scattered about the board like trash.
“Shit. I thought I had you that time.” Harry muttered to his best friend as Ron
waved his wand triumphantly over the board repairing all their pieces and
having the board pack itself away in its wooden carved box.
“Yeah right,” Ron laughed as he jumped over the back of the couch. He fell onto
the cushions beside Hermione who was buried, nose deep in her textbooks. “Don’t
you ever stop reading ‘mione.” Ron attempted to close the book his girlfriend
was reading but instantly received a stern glare from the brown haired girl.
“Ronald, reading is an excellent way of enhancing one’s general knowledge and
vocabulary. It might do you good to do a little reading now and then.” Hermione
looked pointedly at her lover before sniffing indignantly and returning to her
book.
“I do read!” Ron protested as Harry made his way around the couch to sit on the
single armchair by the fire. It was the first week back at school after the
Christmas holidays and already Ron and Hermione were fighting again. Harry
imagined that they probably even fought in bed together and that thought made
him smile cheekily to himself.
“Comic books, Quidditch magazines and Harry’s homework don’t count!” Hermione
countered making Ron fold his arms over his chest angrily. Harry smiled to
himself content to hear his friends bantering with one another; despite the
fact they were clearly in love. “So Harry what do you reckon ‘you-know-who’
wanted with Snape this afternoon?” Ron, deciding that he had lost the argument
with his girlfriend changed the topic. Harry shrugged his shoulders and
automatically reached up to touch his scar.
They’d been in Potions class that very afternoon when Harry’s scar had begun to
burn. Snape had just been demonstrating to the class the proper way of pouring
‘serpent vile’ into a potion when the professor had hissed in pain and dropped
the entire bottle of vile onto the floor as he’d clutched his arm to his chest.
Snape rarely made mistakes and such a disaster was almost unbelievable. Those
students not in the know had assumed Snape had burnt himself on the edge of the
cauldron but the rest of them understood the real cause of Snape’s upset. Snape
had swept out of the classroom like lightning, instructing Draco and Hermione
to take over the class. Snape had paused briefly beside Harry’s bench and
sneered down at him as he spoke ‘You’re bleeding Potter, go to the hospital
wing.’ Sure enough Harry had reached up to find a thin trail of blood dripping
from his scar down his nose and onto the bench in front of him. Snape was gone
from the room and having insisted that Ron come with him Harry had gone to the
hospital wing for treatment, leaving the class in the hands of the two
brightest students in the subject.
“I don’t know but I’m sure we’ll find out. Dumbledore usually calls a meeting
of the Order after Snape’s been summoned.” Ron and Hermione nodded, the brown
haired girl having put aside her book in favor of the conversation between her
friends. It was nearing dinnertime anyway and students would start entering the
common room soon on their way to the great hall.
“Let’s hope it’s not too serious an encounter. We’ve got a practice exam for
Newts in potions next week.” Both Ron and Harry rolled their eyes at Hermione’s
logic. Only she would hope for Snape’s speedy return. Ron and Harry were rather
pleased when Snape was summoned as McGonagall often filled in for Snape if he
was unable to teach lessons. Potions was far more exciting with their head of
house. McGonagall made just as many mistakes with her potion as the students
did theirs.
“Whatever Hermione.” Ron groaned as he turned more seriously to Harry. “Just be
careful tonight though Harry, incase you have another vision.” Harry nodded
understandingly just as Seamus, Dean and Neville strode into the common room,
exchanging jokes about the days lessons.
“You guys coming down to the hall? It’s pasta and ice-cream tonight.” Seamus
enthusiastically read out the meal notice on the pin board in the common room.
There were a few groans but most people seemed pleased with the menu for the
evening. Harry rose from his chair. Ron helped Hermione up as well as they
followed their friends out of the portrait hole and down the staircases towards
the great hall.
The great hall was already filling with students by the time the sixth year
Gryfindors arrived and took their usual seats at the banquet table.
“Hey Harry, how are you feeling? I heard about potions.” Harry looked down the
table to smile at Ginny Weasley who was sitting with her fifth year friends.
“Yeah fine thanks.” Harry called back, blushing a little as the young girl
winked at him suggestively. In the past few years Ginny had filled out into a
pretty young woman and more than a few admirers had noticed the youngest
Weasley, much to her elder brother’s dismay. Harry had been among those to
notice the change in Ginny especially this year. Harry couldn’t help glancing
at the youngest Weasley’s body in the locker room whenever they played
Quidditch.
“Harry look.” Containing his blush at Ginny’s attention Harry turned to glance
at Ron who’d elbowed him in the side. Ron was pointing at the staff table at
the end of the hall and Harry craned his neck above those students still
milling around to see Professor Snape being helped into the hall by Dumbledore.
Harry frowned a little in concern as he saw how tightly Snape was clutching to
Dumbledore’s arm. He certainly didn’t miss the wince of pain that swept across
the professors normally expressionless face as Dumbledore sat him down in his
usual chair.
“Damn, the git made it back yet again.” Ron cursed under his breath as the last
of the students settled at their tables. Dumbledore clapped his hands for the
feast to begin.
“Ronald!” Hermione admonished as she stared at professor Snape. “He looks
fragile and pale. Maybe he’s ill.” Hermione spoke calmly as she began helping
herself from the bowls of food that had appeared in front of her.
“He always looks like that.” Ron mumbled around a mouth full of spaghetti,
sauce splattering all over the napkin he’d tucked into the neck of his robes.
Harry hadn’t touched the food in front of him yet and instead continued to
watch as Snape was handed some of the food and poured himself a glass of water.
Harry had never seen Snape look so shaken before and it concerned him.
Admittedly Harry still hated the evil bastard but there was something about
knowing that Voldemort was hurting yet another person he knew that made Harry
angry and concerned for his professor’s welfare. It was only when Snape looked
up from his meal and locked his gaze with Harry’s that Harry finally looked
away.
Turning back to his meal Harry began serving himself with the food quietly
engaging in conversation with his fellow students. All the while he kept
glancing up towards where Snape was sitting ensuring the professor was still
there and still breathing.
Table talk consisted mostly of information about the big Quidditch match on
Friday between Gryfindor and Slytherin. Harry was a little apprehensive about
the first game of the season having seen the Slytherin’s training regime over
summer. Unfortunately Draco was getting better at seeking and Harry was finding
it harder to stick to the boy who had the advantage of a faster, newer broom.
Still it gave Harry a little more competition and it spurred him to train
harder. It also made his victories far sweeter knowing he’d worked for them.
Dessert as predicted was ice cream and Harry proceeded to pile on his favourite
toppings from the bowls on the table. Chocolate and blueberry sauce, nuts,
cherries, sprinkles and a large chocolate frog pushed right into the center of
it all.
“Ew that’s awful Harry. I don’t know how your stomach can handle it.” Hermione
commented from across the table at the concoction Harry had created. Harry
shrugged his shoulders and took a spoon full of mixture. It was as he was
reaching for his second mouthful when he felt a presence behind him and he
looked around, spoon still wedged in his mouth to see Professor McGonagall
standing patiently behind him.
“Professor.” Harry muttered around his mouthful trying and failing to swallow.
McGonagall rolled her eyes at the boys’ antics but quietly waited for Harry to
down his mouthful before she spoke again.
“Mr. Potter, Headmaster Dumbledore wishes to see you in his office after
dinner. The password is peppermint snaps.” McGonagall stared down at Harry
warmly from over the tops of her half moon glasses and Harry nodded obediently.
It was hardly surprising that Dumbledore wanted to see him as it was usually
the case after a death eater meeting.
“Does he want to see us too Professor?” Ron inquired quickly before McGonagall
could leave. The professor turned back to glance down at the red haired boy who
had piled his ice cream dish so high with ice cream it was currently melting
over the edges of the bowl onto the table cloth.
“No Mr. Weasley, just Mr. Potter. You may wait in your common room for Harry.”
With a curt nod McGonagall returned to the staff table and leaned across to
speak with Albus.
“That’s strange he usually asks for us all.” Hermione spoke having finished her
small two scoops of ice cream already. Harry nodded in agreement. The
headmaster had come to understand that what ever he told Harry, the boy would
usually report to his best friends about it afterwards, thus Hermione and Ron
often accompanied Harry to meetings.
“Oh well we’ll wait up for you Harry, you can tell us when you get back.” Harry
nodded at Ron who was again shoveling ice cream into his face.
Thinking very little about what he expected to be a routine meeting Harry
finished his bowl of ice cream slowly. Lingering in the hall to talk with his
friends Harry paid no attention to the staff as they all filed from the hall,
Professor Snape carefully escorted by Dumbledore.
When his friends finally headed for the tower for the evening Harry split from
them and headed quietly for the headmasters office. Harry knew he’d lingered a
little longer than he was supposed to after dinner but the meetings usually
began boringly with rollcall and general notices anyway, so he wouldn’t have
missed much.
“Peppermint Snaps.” Calmly Harry stepped up onto the staircase and quietly
hummed to himself as the steps wound up to the top of the spiral. Jumping
playfully off the top platform Harry stepped up to Dumbledore’s door and rapt
on it twice.
The door swung open easily and Harry smiled brightly as he stepped into the
room. His smile however faltered as he took in the five familiar faces sat
around Dumbledore’s desk in the center of the chamber. It seemed unnervingly
unusual to have such a small group of people at this kind of meeting. For
starters at least two Aurors or so would usually be present if it was a routine
meeting of the order. Five faces turned towards him as he entered and Harry
automatically searched out his godfathers in reassurance. Sirius was sitting in
an armchair by Dumbledore’s desk, his hands resting on top of one another on
the end of his crooked walking cane.
It had been almost a year now since Sirius had fallen through the veil in the
Ministry but with the foremost experts in the country Sirius had been retrieved
from the veils cold grasp. Admittedly he’d been scarred for life and his body
abused and broken beyond full repair but Harry was simply happy that he had his
godfather back at his side. Sirius met Harry’s concerned gaze and smiled mildly
at his godson who seemed to relax a little and smile back. Perhaps this meeting
would be routine after all.
“Ah Harry, we’ve been waiting for you.” Harry looked quickly at Dumbledore who
was sitting behind his desk with a large pile of parchment scattered around in
front of him.
“Waiting for me? Oh I’m sorry I was talking.” Harry whispered apologetically at
the small gathering all of whom nodded in understanding.
“Not to worry Harry, you’re here now.” Dumbledore smiled in his familiar way.
“Come and have a seat and help yourself to some tea.” Harry nodded and wandered
easily over to the chair beside Sirius that Dumbledore had indicated to.
As he poured himself a cup of Dumbledore’s favorite lemon tea Harry took a
moment to glance at the other faces in the room. Sirius was sitting to his left
in one of the plush armchairs. Remus Lupin sat next to his best friend his arm
resting strangely on Sirius’ arm almost in a calming manner. Professor
McGonagall stood quietly behind Dumbledore who sat at the desk and to Harry’s
right and a little out of the circle sat Professor Snape. Snape looked just as
awful close up as he had at the dinner table earlier. His face was withdrawn
and his tired eyes were sunken. His left arm was tucked protectively into his
robe and he seemed to sit painfully in the chair, as if breathing was
difficult. Harry looked away quickly though as Dumbledore spoke again.
“Well now we are all here, I think we should begin.” Harry crossed his legs up
under himself as he snuggled comfortably into the plush armchair next to Sirius
as Dumbledore cleared his throat and began the meeting. “I see no point in
sugar coating this Harry.” Almost immediately Harry felt his heart sink as
Dumbledore turned to look directly at him before continuing. “Professor Snape
is officially recalling his debts and has made a formal request upon your
person.” Harry had no idea what Dumbubledore was talking about and looked
blankly across at Sirius, for his godfather’s reaction. Sirius didn’t look up
from the desk in front of him. Although Harry saw the slight tightening of the
man’s jaw and noticed the way Remus’ hand was now soothingly rubbing over the
top of the man’s arm. Still in the dark Harry looked to Snape and scowled at
him with a questioning gaze. Snape met the boy’s gaze momentarily but then rose
steadily from his chair and walked silently over to the fire his back turned to
the room.
“I don’t understand. What debts? I don’t owe him money or anything?” Harry
queried as he looked to his head of house and headmaster both of whom looked
worryingly pale.
“Wizarding debts Harry are different from muggle debts and are not necessarily
financially orientated.” McGonagall spoke calmly to her young charge but Harry
felt his heart rate pick up a little in concern as he glanced at Snape’s turned
back.
“Then if it’s not money what is this debt about?” Harry inquired becoming a
little panicked at what exactly it was he owed Snape for. The panic it seemed
was well founded as Dumbledore spoke next.
“This debt is a life debt Harry and is both a combination of your father’s debt
and your own. While I won’t get into the specifics about your father, I will
however remind you that in your first year Professor Snape saved your life when
Quirrel tired to kill you.” Harry frowned but nodded quietly, remembering all
too well the mistake he and his friends had made when assuming it had been
Snape trying to kill him during the Quidditch match.
“Alright so. I didn’t ask him to and it’s not like I didn’t say thank you even
though it might have been three years late.” Harry was becoming irritated by
his lack of knowledge. Having grown up as a muggle he didn’t understand the
complexities of wizarding traditions and society and thus was completely
clueless as to what was happening around him. Dumbledore smiled warmly and
nodded understandingly at his charge, clearly seeing Harry’s frustration.
“Yes we are all aware of that Harry but wizarding debts are far more complex
than simple gratitude.” Dumbledore paused and drew out a thick bound leather
book from within his desk draw and placed it carefully in front of Harry before
continuing. “Wizarding debts occur in all sorts of situations but the most
common is that of one wizard saving the life of another.” Again Dumbledore
paused this time indicating to the book in front of Harry. “When a wizarding
debt occurs a record of it is sent to a department in the Ministry of Magic
where it is catalogued and kept until such time as the debt is recalled and
repaid.” Harry frowned a little in concern as Dumbledore continued. “Merlin
designed the system to promote harmony between warring wizarding families, in
that wizards and witches were duelly compensated for their selfless acts.”
Harry remained silent all the while listening intently to what Dumbledore was
explaining. While it was all a little complicated some of it was unfortunately
starting to make a hell of a lot more sense. “While now days most wizarding
debts are never repaid due to peoples selflessness, a wizard or witch is still
completely entitled to recall his debts at any time without question. Just as
Severus is doing so now.” Dumbledore finished his little speech his gaze
shifting across to where Snape was still standing next to the fire. Harry
stared at Snape’s back in silence for a long time his hand resting on top of
the dusty book on the desk. An awful feeling of dread swept through Harry as
the question his mind now posed sat precariously on the end of his tongue.
“And what does he want from me?” Harry whispered his throat tightening in
concern as he turned back to look at the headmaster. Harry watched as
Dumbledore sighed and picked up a small piece of parchment and reached across
to put it carefully in front of Harry on the desk.
“Severus Snape is recalling all three of his wizarding debts and in return is
asking for your hand in marriage.”
***** Sniveling Little Weasel *****
Chapter 3
Harry could hardly breathe as Dumbledore spoke. The world seemed to tilt on its
axis as what the headmaster had just said sank through the mist in Harry’s
mind. Before he knew what he was doing Harry began shaking his head vehemently
in refusal, not even bothering to look at the paper that had been slid in front
of him.
“No.” The words barely made it past the tightness in his throat or the panic
rising in his chest.
“Harry, please calm down.” Seeing her student beginning to stress McGonagall
rounded the desk and went to place a calming hand on Harry’s shoulder. Harry
shook her off and stood up abruptly from the chair to look at his godfather for
aid.
“Sirius, he can’t do this. Tell him I don’t want to marry that git. Tell him to
get fucked, we’re both male for fucks sake.” Harry’s voice was beginning to
become a little hysterical and his body shook with fear as he watched his
godfather slowly raise his head to look at him.
“I’m sorry Harry there’s nothing I can do.” That wasn’t the reply Harry wanted
to hear and continued to shake his head as he turned nastily towards where
Snape was still standing next to the fire his back turned to the mayhem as if
he didn’t care. Seeing Snape so calm incensed him even more and before anyone
could stop him Harry took out his wand and pointed it directly at Snape’s head.
“You’re a fucking arsehole. You’re a slimy, sniveling, little weasel of a man.
You’ll not be satisfied until I’m broken. Not content with making my life hell
in school, you’re going to ruin my future as well. I wouldn’t marry you even if
the only other option was death.” Harry spat the last word out with venom no
one in the room had ever heard Harry use in his voice before, the boy’s grip on
his wand deathly white.
“Harry James Potter, lower your wand immediately.” Dumbledore’s voice
penetrated the silence of the chamber the ominously angry tone the headmaster
had used clearly meant to have an affect. Harry however didn’t move, his wand
was still pointed at Snape’s turned back. The man had not flinched an inch
despite the danger he was in of being hexed to death by his livid student.
“Harry please, this is not doing any good. Sirius has already threatened him
with everything under the sun he won’t be moved.” Harry shuddered as he felt
the hand of Remus come to rest on his shoulder, the werewolf having moved from
his godfather’s side to comfort Harry. Slowly Harry lowered his wand and turned
helplessly around to face his godfather’s best friend, tears brimming in his
eyes.
“He can’t do this to me can he?” Harry watched as a sad flicker of helplessness
washed in Remus’ brown eyes and in that instant Harry felt as if his life had
ended. An hour ago he’d been playfully chatting with his friends his future
uncertain but bright but now in a brief second everything he knew had been
taken from him in one foul sweep.
“Unfortunately he can Harry. A wizard’s debt can be recalled for anything,
including marriage.” Remus led Harry back to the chair and sat the boy down
before calmly pouring him some more of the lemon tea in a hope of steadying
Harry’s shakes. Harry looked to Dumbledore the tears he’d kept back now falling
like a waterfall down his cheek.
“I’m not 18 yet and I’ve never even had girlfriend. I don’t want to get
married.” Harry reasoned his hands shaking uncontrollably as Remus helped him
take a few sips of the calming tea.
“I know Harry and I understand but there are very few options open to you.
Without wizarding debts of your own you have no counter claim. The only other
option is clause 103 and I fear that will be just as unappealing as the present
situation is.” Dumbledore came around and sat down on the edge of his desk in
front of Harry, calmly taking the boys shaking hands in his own and squeezing
them in comfort.
“What’s clause 103?” Harry whispered not daring to glance in his godfathers
direction knowing that seeing Sirius’ despair at being helpless to help his
godson would set his tears off again.
“Clause 103, states that if you yourself do not wish to repay this debt you may
voluntarily pass the debt on to Severus’ second choice.” Harry frowned a little
as McGonagall read from the big dusty book on the desk before looking up at
Harry from above her square glasses.
“And who is his second choice?” For a moment Harry saw brief hope but when
Dumbledore spoke that hope faded as quickly as it had come.
“Ronald Weasley.” Harry huffed a contemptible laugh hardly believing what he
was hearing. Snape had backed him into a corner with no way out. Snape knew
Harry would never condemn his best friend to the same horrible fate that Snape
had forced onto Harry and so that left no option but for Harry to accept the
offer. With a resigned sigh Harry slumped in the chair and closed his eyes
tightly willing everything to be a dream when he next opened his eyes.
Unfortunately he wasn’t so lucky and when he opened his eyes the concerned
helpless faces of his elders were still there reminding him of what now lay
ahead of him.
“Well that’s not an option then. I won’t put this on Ron.” Harry whispered
determinedly his glare shifting slightly to where Snape had now moved from the
fireplace over to the window seat at the far end of Dumbledore’s chamber. “So
that’s it. I’m fucked.” Harry cursed quietly to himself watching as all four of
his mentors sighed heavily and nodded in reluctant agreement.
“I’m so sorry Harry.” Dumbledore placed a warm hand on Harry’s shoulder but the
boy shrugged it off. “I think perhaps that is enough for one evening. I will
arrange a negotiation time for the ‘contract’ tomorrow. Harry you may wish to
note down some things you want the contract to contain. If you need help you
may come to any one of us at any time.” Harry nodded but remained seated in his
chair as Remus helped a tired worn out Sirius to his feet. Harry closed his
eyes as he felt Sirius bend down and press a soft reassuring kiss to the top of
his godson’s head before drawing back a little and making Harry look up at him.
“It’ll be all right Harry, you’ll see.” Sirius spoke softly although his voice
lacked the fire and conviction the man usually had in his tone. Sadly Harry
nodded and with a hug let Remus lead Sirius from the chamber. Dumbledore and
McGonagall followed them to the door to see them out. Harry noted cautiously
that Dumbledore had left he and Severus alone while the four other mentors
talked quietly outside the chamber.
Turning his gaze on the tall slender figure of his potions master Harry
suddenly thought of something that made him frown in confusion.
“You don’t want to marry me or Ron at all do you?” With no one else in the room
it was clear whom the question was directed at and Harry watched as Snape
turned slowly around from his stare out of the window to face his young
student. Straightening his back Harry stared into the inky black depths of the
man’s eyes trying to find even a flicker of emotion that was never betrayed
upon the man’s face.
“A brilliant deduction Mr. Potter.” Snape’s voice was the familiar dark drawl
he favored for his most detested students. Swallowing his urge to snap at the
man Harry took a deep breath and continued his questions.
“Then why are you doing this?” Harry asked hardly keeping the tremble from his
voice as he spoke. Snape lowered his gaze from Harry’s and turned back to the
window in silence his shoulders slumping a little as he sat down on the window
seat, his hands folded neatly in his lap.
“Because like you I have been given an impossible choice from Voldemort. I
either choose a mate from among the select few he deems appropriate for me or I
face the consequences of my actions.” Snape’s voice was cold and emotionless as
he spoke his eyes trained completely on the dark sky out of the window.
“So he’s making you marry someone? Why?” Harry questioned. He was curious as to
Snape’s motives behind this latest situation.
“Voldemort has long been arranging marriages among his followers for his
personal gain. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy are an example of one such marriage
born purely of Voldemort’s desire to swell his ranks with new blood already
loyal to him. Draco’s future was planned long before he was conceived.” Snape
whispered his voice trailing off as he thought about his own situation.
“Why hasn’t he pushed you into this before now?” Harry queried, concerned
suddenly about how deep this whole situation ran. Snape sighed softly in
obvious stress and pain. It was the first real emotion Harry had seen the man
display since entering the chamber.
“Until now I have strung Voldemort along claiming difficulties of a physical
nature in the bedroom with the female partners he has provided me with.” It was
clear in the way Snape twisted his hands in his lap awkwardly that he wasn’t
enjoying having to tell Harry this information. Not that Harry cared, he wanted
the truth and he didn’t care what that meant. Snape continued in his quietly
calm voice. “While this is somewhat true especially after years of being
subjected to the cruatius curse, it is not entirely correct. My performance in
the bedroom while linked to my physical problems is more directly related to
the sex of my partners.” Harry frowned unsure if what Snape had just said meant
what he thought it meant. Harry didn’t have time to question it however as
Snape continued. “Until last night I had successfully kept my sexual
preferences away from Voldemort’s knowledge. However it has come to his
attention and he has thus provided me with a choice of three male prospective
partners of whom I must choose a mate from or as I said before face the
consequences.” Snape trailed off his expression still neutral as he glanced
over his shoulder at Harry, who was now strangely silent.
“What will he do to you if you refuse the choices he gave you?” Harry stared
into Snape’s reflective gaze until the elder man blinked.
“I’m not afraid of death Mr. Potter.” Was Snape’s cryptic reply. Harry
shuddered at the intention behind that comment. Even if Snape wasn’t afraid of
death, Harry was and not just of his own.
“So he’ll kill you?” Harry inquired softly hoping to clarify what he was sure
Snape had alluded to in the last comment.
“The same fate of which will await me if he ever finds out you are the one I
married in an attempt to avoid the choices he tried to forced on me.” Harry was
confused and frowned a little at Snape who turned slowly around on the window
seat to face his younger charge.
“What do you mean?” Harry questioned confused all of a sudden.
“The only reason Voldemort is forcing me into marriage is to procure my heirs
as his own. The only way I can prevent him from doing that is for me to marry
someone of my own choosing, thus making it impossible for him to force another
less acceptable union upon me.” Snape paused again and rose from his seat in
the window. Harry watched as he walked over to the tray of teacups on the
headmaster’s desk and poured himself a steaming cup of lemon. “Like yourself
Mr. Potter, the idea of being forced into a union I do not want is not
appealing in the slightest but considering the options available to me I
believe this to be the most acceptable. At least in this regard I get a little
say in what I want in my life.”
“But what happens when he finds out you’ve gone behind his back and married
someone else, messing up his plans?” Harry inquired unsure Snape was thinking
entirely straight about the situation at hand. Snape sat down in the chair
beside Harry the cup of tea resting in his long thin fingers its steam trailing
up in little wisps of mist.
“We are all going to die eventually Mr. Potter, while it maybe sheer luck that
you have survived this long, I assure you it is a complete miracle that I have
survived at all.” Snape paused and took another sip from his tea his gaze
catching Harry’s out of the corner of the man’s eye.
“So he’ll kill you if you marry me too? Then why me? Why all this?” Harry
questioned slowly his voice still quiet as he gestured around himself as if to
illustrate his point. Snape seemed to consider the matter for a moment, the cup
of tea poised at his lips before he lowered it without having drunk from it.
“I have never been one to just accept my fate Mr. Potter and lie down and die.
While I am not afraid of dying, I do not however wish it to happen prematurely.
In my marriage to you, I am perhaps taking a risk. A risk that Voldemort will
overlook my willfulness and spare my life, due to the fact I am among his
closest advisors. If not? I have lost nothing and if so? I have perhaps gained
tolerable companionship for what remains of my life.” Harry couldn’t fault
Snape’s reasoning and for the first time ever Harry saw a genuinely mild
expression pass over Snape’s face as he gestured casually at Harry with a fine
boned hand. “As for why you Mr. Potter? I ask why not?” Snape raised a smooth
eyebrow in Harry’s direction, no hint of a smug smile on the professor’s face,
which Harry had expected. Snape allowed the rhetorical question to hang in the
air before answering it, his gaze focused on Harry as he spoke. “You’re young,
male, of relatively equal breeding as myself, your wealth is similar to my own,
you’re relatively attractive and despite my misgivings you would provide me
with at least some intellectual conversation.” Harry could hardly believe he’d
just heard what Snape had said. Although the comments were hardly compliments
they were sincerely meant and Harry was stunned that Snape had considered this
so closely. “I think considering the very few options I had in this matter it
is the most acceptable of options I could have chosen for myself.” For a moment
Harry saw compassion behind the stern exterior of the potions master he was
familiar with and it scared Harry a little.
“I’m not gay.” Harry whispered firmly and watched as Snape sneered a little
with a sarcastic smile, turning away from Harry back to his cup of lemon tea.
“You don’t have to be Mr. Potter.” Was the curious reply Snape gave him. Harry
watched as Snape sipped again on his tea his face now schooled back into the
familiar scowl he used when teaching, the compassion and sincerity vanishing as
if it had never been there.
“Why didn’t you just ask me to marry you instead of forcing me with this debt
thing?” Harry asked again this time not missing the way Snape rolled his eyes
at the word ‘thing’ at the end of Harry’s sentence.
“I see the eloquence of an uneducated, ignorant muggle born has reared its ugly
head yet again Mr. Potter. We will have to rectify that if we are ever at all
to get along.” Snape finished his tea and put the cup back on the tray before
standing up from the chair beside Harry. The door to Dumbledore’s chambers re
opened and McGonagall and Dumbledore returned minus Remus and Sirius.
“So what’s the answer?” Harry asked ignoring the audience Snape and he now had
to their conversation. Snape paused and looked over Harry with mild distaste.
“Would you have said yes had I asked?” Snape queried as he made his way over to
the fireplace and collected a handful of floo powder from the ceramic pot on
the mantel.
“No.” Harry whispered determinedly but truthfully. Snape smiled nastily and
nodded at Harry.
“Then there is your answer Mr. Potter.” With a curved smug eyebrow Snape turned
to face McGonagall and Dumbledore both of whom had remained silent not
interrupting the conversation they’d just walked in on. “Headmaster. Minerva.
Thank-you for your time I will see you tomorrow.” Snape inclined his head
politely to Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall before turning his attention
back to Harry who was still sitting staring at Snape. The man seemed a little
better since this morning but he still shifted awkwardly to the fireplace.
“Potter I’ll see you in class.” With a whispered word Snape flung the handful
of powder into the fire and with a single step he was gone in a green wash of
flame, leaving silence in his wake.
“Harry are you alright?” Harry jumped a little as Dumbledore’s hand fell
unexpectedly on his shoulders. Looking up into the headmasters eyes Harry could
still feel the man’s helplessness
“Did you know about Voldemort’s plans?” Harry whispered ignoring Dumbledore’s
question in favor of asking his own regarding the headmaster’s knowledge about
Snape’s situation.
“Yes, he informed us, as well as your godfather this afternoon when he told us
of his intentions.” Harry nodded and slowly rose from the chair feeling a
little stiff and very tired.
“What’s next?” Harry stretched awkwardly and moved over towards the door
getting ready to leave.
“You negotiate the marriage contract. I will arrange the necessary time and
place this week and contact you when you are needed.” Harry nodded and not
bothering to look at either of his mentors opened the door to leave. He paused
only briefly as another question sprung to mind.
“Was this in your grand plan for the-boy-who-lived?” Harry hadn’t meant to
sound as sarcastic as the words had come out but without seeing the headmasters
face, Harry would not know how it had affected the elder wizard.
“Life gives us many challenges Harry Potter.” Dumbledore’s words were wise but
to Harry’s ears they sounded bitter. With a sigh Harry shook his head and
stepped out onto the top of the stone staircase.
“Then life sucks.” Harry whispered in reply as the door to the headmaster’s
chamber swung closed and the steps began spiraling downwards returning him to
the ground floor and dumping him back into a whole new reality.
***** Muggle Ways *****
Chapter 4
“Mr. Potter, please try and concentrate in my class that is the third time
you’ve turned Mr. Finnigan unsuccessfully into a frog and quite frankly your
unappreciative classmate is beginning to look a little green.” Harry put his
wand down on the table quietly as McGonagall turned Seamus back into a very
normal colored schoolboy. Apologetically Harry smiled at Seamus but the Irish
born lad was having none of it and instantly gathered his books and moved seats
to the back. It seemed Seamus was taking his chances with Neville Longbottom’s
bad luck over Harry’s obvious distraction.
After the meeting last night Harry had spent all day in a daze, carrying out
tasks without thinking about them or their consequences. His mind was too lost
in the prospect of becoming Snape’s husband to allow focus on his studies. His
distance had not gone unmissed both by his professors and his friends.
Having not slept two hours together last night Harry had been the first down to
breakfast. The great hall was eerily quiet in the early hours of the morning.
Harry had sat for two hours at his seat at the Gryfindor table, a blank piece
of parchment in front of him and a quill poised to write. In an attempt at
stilling his disturbingly overactive imagination about what exactly it would be
like to be married to Snape, Harry had decided to get a head start on this
‘contract’ business. Harry had no idea what he was supposed to consider no less
what he was supposed to write. In the two hours he’d accomplished three points
he thought he wanted to include. One was that he wanted to still play
Quidditch. The second point was that he wanted to see his friends every day and
the third point was clearly scribbled in large capital letters. NO SEX. The
moment he’d written the last point down he knew he was in trouble, as his mind
began to reel at the prospect of actually having to sleep with Snape. The
thought had made him shudder with abhorrence, just as he did now as he sat in
the middle of Transfiguration with his friends.
“Are you alright Harry?” Harry snapped his attention back to the class and
glanced across at Ron who was staring at him strangely from the next desk over.
Thankfully Hermione was still in frog form and so Harry was spared the
inevitable questions she was bound to ask should she too have witnessed his
shudder.
“Yeah, just a bit cold that is all.” Harry whispered back to his friend who
didn’t seem at all convinced by his friends excuse. Thankfully Harry had been
spared an inquest from his friends the night before. Having returned to the
tower, Harry had found Hermione and Ron curled up together on the couch having
obviously fallen asleep waiting for him. Not that that was surprising it had
been rather late when he’d returned to his dorm. If there had been only one
decision he’d made during his restless night it had been to keep his situation
secret from his friends. There was little point in worrying his friends about
something none of them could change and Harry dreaded trying to explain to them
what was happening when he himself was still unsure.
That decision however had proved harder said than done at breakfast. While he’d
stashed his pathetic list away before anyone had arrived in the hall, Harry had
been bombarded with questions about the meeting before either Ron or Hermione’s
bums had hit the benches of the table. Harry had politely answered their
questions with vague answers, deliberately avoiding the topic of Snape when
Hermione asked after the professor’s health. Eventually they’d given up when it
was clear Harry was being obtuse. His unwillingness to discuss the meeting
however didn’t stop the concerned glances his friends had been throwing him all
day. It didn’t help either that Harry had done abysmally at all his assigned
tasks in class, even going so far as to hex Professor Lupin in defense class.
Further more with each mistake he made his professors had made very little
comment. Thankfully though this last class of the day was coming to an end.
“Thank you class that will be all.” Professor McGonagall signaled the end of
the class when she was pleased that all students had been returned to their
usual selves. The class of Gryfindors and Hufflepuffs began packing their
things away chatting quietly among themselves about the homework they had been
given and their planned evening activities. Harry rose to follow Hermione and
Ron from the room but was stopped by a gentle hand that came to rest on his
shoulder. “A word if I may Harry.” McGonagall smiled down at Harry warmly from
behind her square shaped glasses. She waited patiently until the rest of the
class had left before addressing her charge again. “Are you well Harry?
Professor Sprout and Professor Lupin reported to me at lunch that you are not
yourself today.” Harry sighed and lowered his head to his chest quietly shaking
his head.
“I’m fine I just didn’t get a lot of sleep last night and I keep thinking
about...” Harry trailed off to watch as his head of house nodded in
understanding about the unspoken problem. McGonagall sighed softly and led
Harry back to the chairs in the center of the room sitting her charge down in
one before sitting down herself opposite him.
“I understand this is difficult Harry. Your life is going to change
considerably over the next few months but you must do your best to accept these
changes and continue on with your life.” McGonagall could tell her words meant
little to Harry but she tried to comfort him all the same. “If I may be so bold
as to speak my mind, Professor Snape is hardly the worst person you could spend
your life with.” Harry was of a different opinion entirely and scowled up at
his head of house. McGonagall chuckled softly and shook her head in amusement.
“I know it may not seem like that now but with time you may come to understand
one another a little better. I admit Severus is neither the handsomest man I
know nor the most pleasant but he is loyal and defensively protective of those
he calls his family. He would not wish you harm and I know he will look after
you to the best of his ability.” Harry nodded quietly beginning to see where
McGonagall was coming from. Considering some other people he knew of, Snape was
hardly the worst man he could be married to. “And this ‘union’ I am sure will
bring you closer together, perhaps you may even become friends after some
time?” McGonagall looked hopefully at Harry who smiled and nodded warmed by his
professor’s attempts at making him feel better about his situation. “Which
brings me to the other thing I wish to tell you about. Headmaster Dumbledore
has arranged for your contractual negotiation on Friday morning after breakfast
in professor Snape’s private rooms. It will take most of the day and I have
already informed your professors you will be absent from their classes. Is
Friday’s meeting convenient for you?” Harry could hardly believe his professor
had just asked him that but smiled and nodded in acceptance.
“Yes. It’s not like I had anything planned except school.” Harry took out his
school diary and with one of his muggle ball point pens noted in the engagement
in big bold letters, not that he would need reminding.
“Good, I will tell Dumbledore you will be there.” McGonagall paused as she
glanced at Harry’s diary noting the spare bit of parchment sticking out over
the edge of the book, with ‘Things I Want’ written across the top in a messy
scrawl. “Have you given any thought to your additions to the contact Harry?
This is after all your marriage too.” Harry swallowed and nodded nervously
pulling out the sheet of paper in question and handing it to the elder witch.
Harry watched as McGonagall scanned the brief list, the three points he’d made
at breakfast not changing since then. McGonagall smiled at Harry warmly when
she came to the end of the list, handing it silently back to the boy who tucked
it carefully back into his diary. “That is a good start.” Harry wasn’t sure if
McGonagall was just being polite or if his list was actually worth the paper it
was written on.
“I didn’t really know what you’re supposed to write down or how. Those three
things are just what came to mind first while I was sitting at breakfast this
morning.” Harry fiddled nervously with his diary the tattered leather bound
book his most precious object that he owned. McGonagall got up from the chair
opposite Harry and moved swiftly over to her desk removing a small card from
her desk draw and writing down something quickly on the back of the card with
her quill.
“As I said Harry it’s a good start. You’re beginning to think about what you
want out of your life in union with Professor Snape but perhaps consider some
things you may not have ever thought about before.” McGonagall returned from
the desk and handed Harry the small card that Harry now saw was a pass for the
restricted section in the library. “Think about girlfriends, where you want to
live, what you want to do when you leave school, how often you want to see
Sirius and your friends, even think about children you might want to have.”
“Children? Girlfriends?” Harry blanched at what McGonagall had just suggested.
Surely the old woman had gone batty or at the very least had entirely missed
the concept of what it meant to be married and further more married to a man!
“I’m sorry professor those things can’t happen anymore.” McGonagall sighed at
Harry’s surprised reply but she was patient and pointed to the restricted pass
she’d given her young charge.
“Harry you are thinking like a muggle again. While Professor Snape has every
right to marry you, in wizarding law he cannot prevent you from taking lovers
so long as you have written it into your marriage contract. While there are
naturally restrictions regarding the nature of a ‘consort’ arrangement the fact
still remains you may take a lover. As for your comment regarding children?
Wizards have been marrying Wizards for millennia and have adapted potions and
spells which allow for a male to carry a child. While it is uncommon it is not
unheard of and you should seriously think about this concept before the meeting
on Friday.” Harry was stunned mute and stared nearly as horrified as he had
been at hearing Snape wanted to marry him in the first place. McGonagall again
smiled a little amused at the naivety of her student, as was the case with many
of the muggle borns in the school. “Now I understand you do not know of many of
these things, that is why I have given you that pass. On the back are two books
I highly recommend you reading before Friday. They will help you in making some
of these decisions and will aid you in further understanding the situation you
are in and what a ‘wizarding marriage’ involves.”
“Thank you” Harry whispered having just gotten over his shock of knowing male
wizards could have children.
“You’re welcome Harry and remember you’re not alone and if you need any advice
or help at all my door is always open to you.” Harry knew the conversation had
come to an end and rose slowly from his chair surprising his professor by
leaning down and pressing a chaste kiss to the side of the woman’s cheek.
“Thank you.” Harry whispered again with sincerity before he tucked the
restricted pass into his diary and headed from the room. He felt somewhat
better from the talk and far more determined to understand what was happening
to him now he knew how much this ‘contract’ was going to affect his life.
Harry ran up the grand staircase to the Gryfindor tower and practically jumped
through the portrait hole and in to the common room. There were a few lingering
students but most had already gone down to the great hall to wait for dinner.
There was fifteen minutes till dinner and Harry was going to have a quick
shower before going to his meal. With luck he’d have all evening to himself to
search and begin reading the books McGonagall had suggested. If the meeting was
on Friday Harry didn’t have long to research. Harry’s plans however came to an
abrupt halt when Harry sprang through the door of his dorm to find Ron and
Hermione pashing one another over on Ron’s bed. Startled by the door slamming
open Ron and Hermione jumped apart in shock, Ron’s hand was still buried up the
front of Hermione’s tunic as both of them stared at Harry.
“Bloody hell Harry, you could have knocked.” Ron admonished flushing a little
as Hermione pulled his hand free of her tunic and began buttoning her shirt
back up quickly.
“Sorry wasn’t expecting you to be doing that.” Harry whispered blushing a
little himself as he caught sight of Hermione’s plump breasts when he’d come
in.
“So, what did McGonagall want Harry?” Hermione changed the topic quickly
sweeping away the awkwardness between them as she sat up from Ron’s bed and
moved over to sit on Harry’s. The brown haired boy began shuffling through his
closet for some clean clothes.
“Just wanted to talk about my homework and stuff.” Harry hated lying to his
friends but the truth just wasn’t acceptable at present, even to himself.
Hermione folded her arms across her chest, having snatched the pair of jeans
from Harry’s grasp so that the boy would look at her.
“You’re not telling us something Harry. What happened at that meeting last
night?” Hermione was determined and Harry sighed at the brown haired girl
feeling extremely guilty under her accusing glare. Sitting down next to
Hermione on the bed Harry reached out and took her hand in his laying her palm
flat upon his own as he often did when they talked about personal things.
“Look. It’s really complicated and I don’t quite know what’s happening myself
yet. I can’t tell you because I don’t feel confident enough about it to say
stuff that’s not going to make you worry about me.” Hermione’s accusing gaze
softened as she entwined her hand with Harry’s in comfort. “All you need to
know is that I’m fine and if I need your help I’ll come to you.” Hermione
nodded quickly elbowing Ron in the side to ensure he nodded in compassionate
understanding as well.
“Will you tell us eventually?” Ron inquired as he watched his best friend pull
his hand away from his girlfriends, having seen a little of Ron’s jealousy
surge to the surface at the intimate touch.
“Yes, soon when I’m feeling better equipped to explain it. I just need you to
give me some space for a while and not keep asking me questions.” It hurt Harry
to ask this of his friends but he knew they’d understand. Hermione leaned
forward and hugged Harry softly around the neck making the boy blush a little.
Ron looked not too pleased and muttered to himself that he would be getting the
same treatment if Harry hadn’t barged into the dorm. Harry ignored Ron’s
muttering and got up from the bed gathering his things for the shower. “Thanks
guys you know I love you right.” Harry laughed cheekily as he made his way to
the door to the dorm.
“Bugger off Harry.” Ron threw a pillow in Harry’s direction as he went back to
mauling his girlfriend. Harry went to shut the door laughing to himself but
then paused and stuck his head back into the room to where his best friends
were kissing on his bed still.
“Hey and get on your own bed. The idea of you two fucking on my things is just
disgusting.” Harry glared at Hermione and Ron who both blushed a bright crimson
red at Harry’s comment. With that in mind Harry left his friends to their own
devises, having plans of his own for the evening….
***** Expanding the Mind *****
Chapter 5
It was Thursday.
Precisely 12 hours left before he walked into the most important meeting of his
young life and he was less prepared than he’d been for any of his exams.
Harry sat quietly in the corner of the library a biscuit in one hand and his
disguised restricted book open in his other. Every moment he’d had free this
week he had spent in the library reading. There had been a few whispered
comments in class regarding his suddenly studious nature. A few brave
Ravenclaws dared to even hazard a guess as to what exactly he was up to. Not
that he was paying the rumors any attention, for he had far greater problems to
worry about than gossiping students. Besides, Ron and Hermione were doing a
fine job of heading off the more malicious rumors.
The information he’d gained from reading specific chapters in the books he’d
borrowed were utterly mind-boggling. Some of the more complicated passages
about wizarding law he’d had to ask Madam Pince about but she’d been helpful
and thankfully hadn’t asked too many questions. Harry was beginning to see how
a muggle marriage differed from a wizarding one.
Most surprisingly, Harry’s list of contract items had grown to seven and was a
little more detailed. It now read;
1/ I want to visit or be visited by my friends and family whenever they or I
like.
2/ I want to be allowed to play Quidditch whenever I want.
3/ I want my own bedroom and bed if at any stage we share accommodation.
4/ I want to finish my education and be allowed to pursue a career of my
choice.
5/ I want to be allowed to have girlfriends if I choose.
6/ I do want to have children in the distant future.
7/ NO SEX.
The last point was now outlined in red with large striking balloons around it
which flashed ominously when being read. Harry had held onto that point with
vehemence but it somehow mocked him when put aside the sixth point. Not that it
mattered, the more Harry was reading the more he was beginning to realize that
the seventh point may be impossible to demand.
Harry was too busy reading a particular passage regarding financial aspects of
wizarding marriage to notice someone approaching him until a shadow fell across
his book. Instinctively Harry slammed the book shut its automatic locking
system closing with the pages to prevent any unauthorized students from reading
it. Not that Harry understood why the book was in the restricted section in the
first place, so far having found nothing to suggest its restriction from
students. Still when he glanced up to find Draco Malfoy standing over him he
was kind of glad the book had sealed itself shut.
“What are you doing here scar head.” Draco spat nastily nudging past Harry
forcefully to sit down in the armchair opposite his nemesis. Quite
uncharacteristically Draco had been rather placid all week, not that Harry had
gone out of his way to irritate the blonde like he often did. Still Draco had
been less feisty and his snarling comments had been kept to a minimum. Harry
wondered if Snape had told Draco of the marriage. It was now common knowledge
Snape was Draco’s godfather. Harry took a kind of sick pleasure in knowing one
day Draco would have to refer to Harry as ‘my godfather’s husband’. That
pleasure was fleeting though and Harry knew the reality was that Snape was
unlikely to tell anyone about the marriage. All of the potions professor’s
friends and relatives were probably all in league with the dark lord in some
way. If Snape wanted to survive to see old age he knew as well as Harry this
marriage had to remain a secret.
Refocusing his attention on the blonde haired boy and his two cronies now
sitting across from him Harry put his book carefully in his bag and glared at
Draco for invading his valuable reading time.
“Nothing that concerns you Malfoy.” Harry paused briefly before his tongue got
away from him as it always did around Draco. “I’m surprised to see you in the
library. I would have thought most of these books beyond your reading level.”
Harry chuckled as Draco snarled at him angrily.
“Good come back potty, now piss off and let me read my letters.” Harry scowled
at Draco who brought out two neatly sealed letters from the pocket of his
robes. Harry was about to point out that he had been sitting in the reading
spot first when he decided it wasn’t worth it. Shaking his head in silence
Harry gathered his things and with a final glare at Malfoy left for his dorm.
Dinner had been and gone hours ago and Harry had rather been grateful for
Malfoy’s interruption to his reading. It would be good to get a relatively
early night, knowing he would have to keep his wits about him if he was ever to
keep up with the meeting tomorrow.
Reaching the dorm Harry paused momentarily to talk to Seamus and Dean who were
playing exploding snap with Neville. Ginny was sitting with the girls from her
own year and smiled warmly up at Harry, catching the boy’s eye and winking at
him seductively. Harry blushed a little at her attention again seemingly unable
to keep his face the same colour when near her. Harry wondered if perhaps she’d
want to dance with him at the Yule Ball this year but then the heaviness of the
books in his school bag reminded him quickly that he might not be permitted to.
With a sigh Harry made his way upstairs to the 6th year boys’ dorm. Harry had
learnt his lesson with the closed door and knocked politely on it before
pushing it open. Thankfully Hermione and Ron where sitting on Ron’s bed looking
at Quidditch magazines. Ron was attempting and failing miserably to convince
her that Quidditch players were far better looking than muggle footballers.
“Harry! How was the study session?” Hermione inquired as she watched Harry walk
into the room and flop down onto his own bed with an exhausted sigh.
“Good I learnt a fair bit.” Harry motioned with his head to the chocolate frog
wrappers on Ron’s side table. “Got one left?” He inquired shortly before being
inundated with several of the wrapped chocolates. “Thanks” Harry muttered as he
opened one of the frogs, barely catching the springing chocolate before it
leapt off his bed.
“Hey want to hear some gossip Harry.” Ron sat up from his bed and propped
himself up on his pillow as Hermione lay back her head resting easily in his
lap.
“Ronald! It’s not nice to gossip.” Hermione chastised her boyfriend quickly.
Ron put his hands up in defense of himself.
“Hey I’m just going to tell Harry what I heard in study hall that’s all. It’s
not like it isn’t true or anything. I bet that’s what was in those letters he
got this morning.” Harry frowned a little in confusion but waited patiently for
Ron to explain. Hermione scowled a little at her boyfriend but let him continue
regardless. “As I was saying Harry. There’s a rumor going around that Draco’s
mother is having another baby and that Draco’s pissed he’s not going to be the
only child anymore so he’s moving out of home.” Ron looked knowingly at Harry
who remembered clearly the letters Draco had pulled out of his pocket in the
library.
“That’s probably why he’s been so placid all week.” Harry muttered around his
chocolate frog as he stretched out on his bed having charmed himself into his
pyjamas ready for sleep.
“Yeah more pressure on him now to be the good obedient son so that his daddy
still loves him.” Ron mocked nastily only to receive a short slap on the arm
from Hermione for being so nasty.
“Ronald that’s not nice. He may be a complete bastard but we shouldn’t make fun
of his family, that’s something he can’t help.” Although Hermione was being
deadly serious both Harry and Ron broke down into hysterics at the girls
comment. It took Hermione a moment to realize what she’d said before she tutted
loudly and rolled her eyes dramatically. “Honestly, you two are immature
children some times.” Harry and Ron were still laughing when Neville, Dean and
Seamus came into the room ready for bed.
“What’s so funny?” Dean inquired falling into his own bed dramatically.
“Just laughing at Malfoy’s expense.” Ron muttered trying and failing to regain
his self control as Hermione glared at him.
“That’s not hard to do.” Seamus spoke up, returning from the bathroom having
cleaned his teeth.
“True.” Harry commented as he got into bed and started to pull the curtaining
around. Harry had a big day ahead of him tomorrow and he knew it was best he
got the most sleep possible. “I’m going to get to bed guys, see you tomorrow.
Hermione are you staying the night?” Harry inquired of his friend watching as
Hermione and Ron exchanged a glance before Hermione nodded. The five boys had
become accustomed to having Hermione stay the night in their dorm room and all
accepted Ron and Hermione’s relationship. “Okay then I’ll see you tomorrow
morning.” Closing the last of his curtains Harry settled down in his bed and
snuggled under the blankets, listening as the others in the dorm settled for
the night and the last candle was blown out.
Exhausted after the stressful week Harry fell quickly into sleep his dreams
focused on the Quidditch match tomorrow evening rather than the ‘contract
meeting’ that would take up most of the day.
It was late when Harry was awoken by a familiar sound coming from the bed next
to him. Unlike his friends he was an extremely light sleeper. His years of
fearing Voldemort made him unconsciously aware of everything going on around
him even in sleep. Sighing heavily Harry sat up in bed as the springs of the
bed next to him creaked rhythmically. The deep labored breathing of his best
friend harmonized with his girlfriends yelps of delight. Sticking his head out
of the curtaining Harry glared at the closed curtain around Ron’s bed.
“Ron, the silencing charms!” Harry whispered to his best friend strongly from
the comfort of his own bed but it got no response. Harry tried again only this
time the motions of the bed and the accompanying grunts and whines of pleasure
increased. Sighing heavily Harry put his head back inside his own little bed
and with a flick of his wand that he kept under his pillow Harry had his own
silencing wards up around his bed. Wide-awake now though Harry knew there was
little chance of falling back to sleep and so grabbing a candlestick he lit the
wick and levitated the candle above his head so that it cast a warm glow inside
the enclosed space. Picking up his school bag from beneath his bed Harry pulled
out the book of wizarding marriage law he’d been reading in the library earlier
and began flipping through the pages. He was looking for a boring enough
chapter that would put him back to sleep. What he found however was certainly
not boring and it made him completely re-evaluate why the book was in the
restricted section of Hogwarts library.
Unlike the other chapters in the book, this chapter had pictures. While the
pictures were black and white sketch drawings they were still extremely
detailed and with their added wizarding movements Harry was captivated. Putting
his hand in on the page, Harry flipped back a few pages to read the title of
the chapter. ‘Sex in Wizarding Marriages.’ Harry swallowed hard, wondering why
he hadn’t seen this chapter sooner. Turning back to where his hand was wedged
in the book marking the page Harry watched as the little sketch drawings of the
naked witch and wizard on the page thrust backwards and forwards into one
another in the same erotic dance Harry’s friends were participating in on the
next bed over. Swallowing the familiar stirring in his groin Harry flipped
slowly over the pages, reading the captions but largely ignoring the rest of
the information in favor of the pictures. As the chapter progressed the
sketches became more erotic the positions the figures were taking more
elaborate and definitely more sensual.
Relaxing back in his bed Harry spread his legs a little wider to accommodate
his growing erection, his eyes now totally ignoring the words in favor of the
pictures his eyes were glued to. Harry let his finger tips run down over the
sketch of the two figures humping in the picture. His mind supplied the details
of the witch in the picture, red hair, slender bone structure, creamy skin
dotted with freckles. Harry found himself breathless as he imagined the
familiar witch in the position of the witch in the sketch. Harry closed his
eyes and let his left hand glide down to the tented fabric of his pajama
bottoms. Gently he squeezed and rubbed his engorged cock. Sighing heavily at
the pretty images in his mind Harry turned the page.
No sooner had the images of the familiar witch took over in his mind then they
were chased away by the drastic change in the sketches in the book. No longer
were the sketches of a womanly figure locked in a passionate embrace with her
man, they were now two distinctly male figures. Harry removed his hand from his
hard cock and ran his finger over the caption on the picture.
‘The dominant male in a wizarding marriage is entitled to dictate all sexual
encounters unless otherwise stated in the marriage contract.’
Harry read the caption again before looking back up to the picture. The two men
in the sketch were kneeling behind one another, their motions pistoning back
and forth. Harry wasn’t sure exactly what they were doing but he could most
probably guess. For a long time Harry stared at the sketch of the man in front
his facial expression one of rapture and utter pleasure. Harry bit his lip and
moved his attention to the expression on the man’s face behind him. Like his
partner this sketch seemed just as delirious. As Harry stared at the picture of
the two men, the sketch of the man behind began to change. The short hair began
to lengthen, his hair darkened and the nose lengthened and bent. In an instant
it wasn’t a faceless sketch, Harry was seeing Snape staring back at him,
frantically pounding into the body in front of him. Suddenly breathless Harry
shook his head violently and slammed the book shut, shoving it hastily back
into his bag and blowing out the candle above him. As Harry lay in the dark
staring up at the canopy of his bed, his pajama pants still tented in arousal
he couldn’t shake the image of Snape’s face staring back at him from the
picture.
“Shit.” Harry muttered to himself as he squeezed his eyes closed and reached
down and into his pants to grab his erection willing the image of the red
haired witch to return. The image did return for a time and Harry luxuriously
stroked his cock imagining the sounds she’d make. But when Harry’s peak came it
wasn’t her feminine voice that assaulted his senses it was a far more familiar
masculine sound. Harry was horrified but couldn’t stop and as he shuddered and
came. In his fantasy it was Snape’s dark eyes that met his in rapture.
Exhausted and disturbed Harry cleaned himself up with a quick cleaning spell
and turned over into bed, pulling his blankets up and over his head as he
closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep, two words playing over and over
again in his mind like a mantra.
‘No sex. No sex. No sex.’
Eventually Harry fell into a dreamless sleep…
***** Hold Your Tongue *****
Chapter 6
Harry was just finishing his last piece of toast from breakfast the next
morning when he felt a shadow fall over him. The conversation around the
Gryfindor table fell silent.
“Potter.” Harry knew immediately who was now standing behind him and having
swallowed his last mouthful of toast turned around to look up at Snape’s
imposing figure. Harry had awoken late from sleep this morning and had
hurriedly showered and dressed in his freshly pressed uniform. He checked his
appearance consciously twice in the mirror as if the way he looked would affect
the contract negotiations. Having stowed the two books from the library in his
bag incase he needed to look up something they were discussing, Harry made sure
he had his short list of demands in his pocket before heading for breakfast.
Everyone was excited about the Quidditch match later that afternoon but Harry
was strangely quiet his mind on more immediate worries.
“Sir?” Harry enquired already feeling intimidated by the professor.
“If you’ve finished breakfast you may follow me.” Harry nodded and having
drained his glass of orange juice quickly picked up his bag and followed Snape
from the hall. Harry barely kept up with the professors’ long strides. Harry
could hear the whispered comments about where he was going but he ignored them.
He would need his wits about him for the next few hours if he was to understand
at least a little of this ‘contract’ business.
Snape led Harry down an unused corridor that the boy had always assumed was a
dead end. Coming to a stop in front of the stone wall at the end of the torch
lit corridor, Harry barely avoided running into the back of the professor.
Taking a conscious step back from Snape Harry listened and watched as the
wizard ran his hand palm down across a central patch of stone on the wall. With
a hiss and a creak a door appeared in the stone and with a confident hand Snape
pushed open the door and walked inside. Harry hesitated on the threshold of the
room having never been allowed into any professor’s private quarters.
“Mr. Potter you’re lingering.” Jumping at the sound of Snape’s voice Harry
forced himself to move and stepped easily into the room the door sliding and
clicking closed behind him. Harry stood completely still at the entrance to the
room as his eyes wildly scanning the decor. The first thing Harry noticed about
the room was that it was surprisingly warm even though it was situated in the
drafty cold dungeons. Unlike what he’d expected Harry found the lounge almost
homely, colored in rich blood reds and creams. The room was medium sized with a
fireplace the main feature and two armchairs sitting in front of it on a thick
cream rug. In the corner was a small kitchenette and on the far wall were two
more open entranceways that Harry assumed led into other rooms.
“Does my accommodation meet to your standards Mr. Potter?” Harry practically
jumped out of his skin as he realized Snape had been standing watching him as
he rudely perused the man’s accommodation with a critical gaze for some time.
“Um, yeah it’s homely.” Harry knew he sounded nervous and inwardly cursed
himself as he watched a familiar amused twitch at the corner of the man’s lips.
“Well what were you expecting? A dungeon full of chains, torture devises and
jars of pickled creatures?” Harry swallowed guiltily and watched as Snape moved
over to the fireplace. Like the crockery pot that Dumbledore kept his own floo
powder in on his mantle, Snape kept his powder in an intricately crafted silver
tin. Taking a small handful Snape threw the powder into the flame and called
the headmasters name. A second later Dumbledore’s familiar face appeared in the
flame his eyes twinkling warmly as he looked across from Snape to where Harry
was still standing stoically in the doorway.
“Ah Severus, are you ready for us?” Harry watched as Snape nodded. “Good, good
we will be down shortly then.” With a flickering burst of green flame
Dumbledore’s image was gone the fire returning to its normal orange flicker.
Dusting his hands free of floo powder on his robes Snape gestured to the
armchair next to him, as he sat down in the other. Swallowing his nervousness
Harry moved over to the chair and sat down cautiously on the edge of the seat,
his hands folded in his lap and his satchel at his feet. For a moment there was
silence between them and although Harry was staring at his hands in his lap, he
knew Snape was staring at him. Not willing to talk out of turn Harry allowed
Snape to speak first.
“The two ministry officials are here to oversee that tradition and law are
adhered to. I have asked Professor McGonagall and Professor Lupin to witness
our signatures on the contract. I hope that’s acceptable to you.” Harry looked
up from his twisting hands and nodded silently at Snape who was reclined easily
in his own armchair. “Because you have yet to reach your age of majority, your
guardian must agree also to the terms in the marriage contract as well, thus
Black’s presence for this meeting.” Snape didn’t seem awfully pleased about
that fact and Harry knew why. His godfather was against this marriage 110% and
neither Black nor Snape would ever agree on anything, no less a marriage
contract. With a sigh Harry gestured to his bag where the books from the
library sat.
“I’ve been reading about the law. I didn’t understand a lot.” Harry whispered
wondering if he should have admitted to that. Unexpectedly Snape didn’t make a
sarcastic reply to Harry’s admittance of truth and instead the wizard just
nodded understandingly.
“You are not expected to understand everything Mr. Potter. Most of the contract
has already been decided due to your age and such. You will naturally be
informed of the most important aspects of the contract and should you need
something explained you may ask the officials or myself.” Harry was surprised
by the offer of help from Snape but remained silent as a soft melody played out
around the room. “That would be the headmaster.” Snape rose from his chair and
made his way over to the entrance that he and Harry had come in through. Harry
rose quickly from his seat as well, as he watched Snape repeat the gesture on
the wall he had done before to open it.
Through the now open door stepped a small gathering of people, all dressed in
rather formal robes. Severus greeted each with a slight inclination of his
head. “If you please I have arranged a table and some seats in my lab for this
discussion.” With a wave of his hand Harry watched as Severus directed the
group through the lounge and into the left hand door on the other side of the
room. Harry smiled warmly as Sirius and Lupin bid him a good morning on their
way through the door. Harry remained where he was standing until the chattering
group had gone through the door. Severus paused in the doorway and looked back
over his shoulder at Harry, his brow furrowing a little. “Come along Potter, I
do not wish to keep people waiting.” Harry nodded and grabbing his bag hastily
went through the door into the new room, all the while very aware that Snape
was staring at him with a strange look.
“Harry, how are you?” Entering the room Harry was surprised to see a large
square workbench in the center of the room. The party who had just arrived were
seating themselves on the comfortably padded stools around the bench. The
ministers were already beginning to bring out their stacks of parchment and
were spreading them out on the cleared table.
“Fine.” Harry whispered as he took up the stool next to his godfather who
seemed in slightly better sprits than earlier in the week.
“Ready for this Harry?” Remus inquired having taken up position next to Sirius
as well. Harry nodded and pulled the two restricted books from his bag and put
them in front of him on the table, ready to look up any terms he didn’t
understand. Glancing up from his books Harry saw McGonagall smiling at him
warmly, as one of the ministers began handing out some neatly bound piles of
parchment. She seemed proud Harry had sought out the books she’d suggested.
Snape was the last to sit down at the workbench in the space left between Albus
and Harry. Harry felt a little uncomfortable sitting so close to Snape, even
more so when the man leaned over him to grab his own copy of the bound
parchment being handed out. The long billowing arms of Snape’s robes brushed
lightly over Harry’s arms resting neatly on the table and the boy involuntarily
shuddered as he remembered his dream the night before. The shudder did not go
unmissed by either Sirius or Snape. Both wizards stopped their movements
momentarily to glance at the boy sat between them. Ignoring them though Harry
acted as if nothing had happened and when they were all settled the negotiation
began.
*********************************
Harry sat hunched over, his head resting on his hands atop the table as
parchment was passed back and forth above his head. So far he’d understood very
little except that yes indeed he would be marrying Snape. Terms, law and pre
determined decisions had been thrown about the table in heated discussion but
Harry had remained silent merely watching as the officials noted down decisions
and disputed others. Snape, Dumbledore and Sirius seemed to have everything
under control so far and while his godfather and prospective husband had not
come to blows yet, there was clearly strained tension bubbling beneath the
surface.
“Moving on to aspect 4.8. Residency of the parties.” The fat round minister
Harry had found out was called ‘Jones’ announced the next section of the
contract to be discussed and Harry picked his hearing up a little. He himself
had not really bothered to think about this, so long as he could visit Sirius
when he wanted.
“It has been noted that while residing at Hogwarts during the school term Harry
has been in occupancy of one muggle residence 4 Privet Drive during holidays
under the care of his aunt and uncle. It has been requested that until Harry is
18 that this arrangement still stand.” The second minister read the passage
from his notebook and Harry didn’t miss the glance the minister threw in
Dumbledore’s direction. Harry was hardly surprised Dumbledore had asked for
this. He was after all determined to see Harry’s summers away from Hogwarts as
miserable as possible or so it seemed. “Professor Snape do you wish to dispute
this arrangement?” Harry looked quickly from the minister to Snape who was
flipping through his pieces of parchment in front of him. Snape remained silent
through his search before he removed a small piece of parchment from the pile
and passed it carefully across the table to the minister.
”Yes.” The answer was calm and Harry’s eyes practically bulged out of their
sockets as he looked from Snape, to Dumbledore, to Sirius and then back to
Snape, all of whom were now glaring at one another.
“And your alternative proposal sir, bearing in mind that Harry is as stated
still not of legal age?” The minister inquired cautiously having looked up from
the parchment Snape had handed him.
“Sighting Harry’s woeful treatment at the hands of his muggle relatives and my
desire for him to reside with me in an environment where his status of wizard
is acceptable and encouraged, I propose Mr. Potter reside with me during his
school holidays, with the intention of having us find more suitable
accommodation of our own when Mr. Potter has finished his schooling.” Harry
stared at Snape in disbelief, not merely for the reason that Snape wanted him
to live with him but that he knew about the Dursley’s treatment of him at home
and was attempting to stop it. Harry opened and closed his mouth in disbelief
several times as he stared at Snape, the man who had goaded Harry ruthlessly in
the past about his spoilt and perfect home life. It was obvious Snape knew
Harry was staring at him but the wizard remained completely collected his gaze
not wavering from the ministry officials who were discussing the proposition.
“We believe that is a reasonable request and will be happy to include it in the
contract if Mr. Potter here agrees to it?” Harry had hardly noticed the
conversation turn to him until there was a silence at the table and Sirius
elbowed him hard in the side. Snapping himself to attention Harry blushed a
little when he realized everyone was waiting for his reply.
“Em yeah sure, I don’t care as long as I don’t have to do back to the Dursley’s
place.” The two ministers nodded and Harry watched as something was scribed
down on the already large selection of parchment in front of them at the table.
Still in shock at knowing Snape knew about his life at the Dursely’s Harry laid
his head back down on his hands on the tabletop as more trivial legal decisions
were tossed back and forth around him. Harry wasn’t sure how long they’d been
sitting here discussing the contract but now all he knew was that he wanted it
to be over so he could ask Snape how the hell he knew about Privet Drive.
Harry was still mulling over that fact when the final and last section of the
contract was announced, its name alone chasing all other thoughts from Harry’s
mind as he sat up quickly, the colour beginning to drain from his face.
“Section 5.7 of the wizarding marriage contract is that of ‘sexual marital
arrangements and any resulting offspring.” Harry swallowed difficultly around a
sudden lump in his throat as the plump minister looked up at Harry and Snape
from above his half moon glasses. “If you wish to discuss this section in
private you may ask the others in the room to leave?” The question was posed to
them both but Harry instinctively looked up at Snape who as usual was
expressionless until he turned to look at his younger charge, his eyebrow
raised in question.
“Potter, your choice as it doesn’t bother me.” Harry stared into Snape’s dark
eyes trying and failing to read an expression of emotion behind them that might
lead him to the right answer. In truth Harry didn’t want to discuss this at
all, most of all in front of his friends and family but he also didn’t want to
appear weak or shy by asking for them to leave. When it was clear Snape wasn’t
going to make the decision for him, Harry sighed and turned back to the
Minister slowly shaking his head in refusal of the offer.
“No it’s fine.” Harry muttered his eyes dropping to his books that up until now
had not been used for anything other than pillows for his head.
“Very well I shall continue.” The tall thin wizard began his spiel on the
section in question again, just as he’d done for the past how ever many
sections there had been. Harry had lost count after the first three. “As stated
in wizarding law, this marriage must be consummated at least once within the
first week of the ceremony for it to be valid. Any sexual relations there after
are bound by the minimal requirements to be decided in this contract. While the
decisions made here determine the minimal level of interaction between the
parties, anything above and beyond this minimum level, so long as they do not
breech the contract details are entirely the parties’ own private business.”
Harry hadn’t really caught anything of what the minister had said and bit his
lip in worry as he tightened his fingers on the edge of his books.
“Alright with that established, the first order of this section is the
establishment of ‘dominance’ in this marriage.” Harry nearly fell off the stool
as he heard the word dominance. Almost instantly the caption Harry had read
last night flashed in his mind.
‘The dominant male in a wizarding marriage is entitled to dictate all sexual
encounters unless otherwise stated in the marriage contract.’
Harry had little time to comprehend this as the minister continued.
“Taking into account previous sections and Mr. Potter’s age it is assumed that
Professor Snape will assume the dominant position within the marriage.” No
sooner had the words slipped out of the minister’s mouth than Harry was on his
feet his stool falling back with a clatter to the floor.
“Hey there is no fucking way am I being his bitch. I read about this shit. It’s
bad enough I have to have sex with him but being ordered about by him too,
think again.” Harry pointed angrily to his books ignoring the stunned looks
from the people around him. The one person who didn’t seem surprised however
was Snape who sat back from the bench a little and folded his arms across his
chest the ghost of a smug smile twitching at the corners of his lips.
“Harry I don’t think you understand.” McGonagall attempted to calm her young
Gryfindor student but Harry ignored her and continued to shake his head in
defiance. There was no way he was going to sign any contract knowing that Snape
would be dictating everything they did in and out of the bedroom.
“I don’t need to understand, I’m not gay and I’m not having him push me into
stuff that’s just sick.” Harry continued to protest completely missing the way
Dumbledore, Sirius and Lupin lowered their heads a little in embarrassment.
“Mr. Potter, you’re making a scene.” Harry spun around hastily as he heard
Snape’s angry growl. Still Harry wasn’t backing down. It was humiliating enough
that he had to marry and have sex with Snape without having everyone know he
was being told what to do in the bedroom by Snape.
“I don’t care.” Harry ground out determinedly from between his gritted teeth,
not backing down under Snape’s cold glare. Snape’s eyes narrowed somewhat and
Harry practically froze in fear as Snape leaned in to him so that they were
barely inches apart.
“Potter.” Snape spat his name out like venom into Harry’s face and the boy
flinched as he stared into the dark inky depths of Snape’s eyes, feeling the
soft expulsion of air as Snape breathed out. “Dominance is a term used to
describe the partner in the relationship that is taking responsibility for the
others welfare, both in their needs, wants and desires not as you have presumed
it to mean in its sexual connotations.” Harry paled visibly at hearing Snape’s
words suddenly finding himself utterly mortified at making a fool of himself.
“If perhaps you had read a little more of your books instead of looking at the
pretty pictures, you might have understood that it is only through an agreed
contract clause that the dominant in a marriage can dictate all sexual
encounters.” Snape slowly pulled back from Harry who felt suddenly dizzy and
sick to the stomach. “Now sit down and listen.” Snape growled low in his throat
and with a flick of his hand had Harry’s stool back upright again so that the
boy could sit down.
“Sorry.” Harry whispered as he sat back down on his stool completely humiliated
at his outburst knowing how foolish he’d been. He’d been so caught up in the
pictures last night he hadn’t bothered to read the passages explaining the law.
There was silence for a moment as Harry sat staring at the hands clasped
together in his lap. Clearing his throat the Minister continued.
“Well I think that point has been decided. The second in question is the
minimal frequency of intercourse, to reproduce. If indeed you both wish to have
children that is?” The minister was obviously being cautious with his phrases
but he needn’t have been as Harry remained silent merely listening to the
conversation around him. “Professor Snape I believe you have a proposal to put
forward?” Harry watched out of the corner of his eyes as Snape shuffled his
papers again and handed the minister one of them. In a way Harry felt
completely foolish with his seven-line list in his pocket, especially knowing
Snape was so prepared.
“Indeed. I wish for intercourse once a month for both my own satisfaction and
if at some later stage, the procurement of a child. I am perfectly amiable to
Mr. Potter having lovers knowing his own sexual preferences differ from my own.
The only restrictions I propose on this are that he does not date within the
first year of our marriage, his partners will be only female and should he
become pregnant at some stage with our child that the relationships stop for
the duration of the pregnancy and six months directly after it.” Harry had gone
beyond shock now and had moved swiftly on to reluctant acceptance. There was
nothing he really could do to stop this marriage and at some stage he was going
to have to have sex with Snape. What did it really matter if he wanted to do it
once a month? It didn’t really matter either that Snape was assuming Harry was
going to carry the child. It was all just a hopeless case.
“Mr. Potter? Do you agree to these suggestions? Perhaps you have something to
add regarding your partners sexual relations?” For a while Harry thought about
what he had just been asked but he could come up with nothing he wanted to
demand from Snape. With a small sigh Harry shook his head quietly his eyes
still cast down into his lap.
“No, it’s fine. I agree.” The Minister nodded at Harry’s affirmative reply and
with a flick of his quill the agreement had been penned in. Harry blocked out
the rest of the meeting merely nodding his head when prompted by Sirius.
Whatever Sirius and Dumbledore had argued for him was probably for his best
interests and so Harry sat quietly until finally the two ministers stood up
from the lab bench a collection of parchments in their hands.
“Well I do believe that these negotiations have come to a close. We will return
to the ministry to complete and file the contract. Expect to receive your
copies of the contract and requests for your signatures tomorrow morning. Once
that is done you may begin to organize the ceremony.” Harry listened to the
scraping of the stools as everyone stood up from the bench. Harry however
remained seated where he was as slowly everyone left the room. Dumbledore and
McGonagall escorted the two ministers to the apparition point. Sirius having
pressed a warm sympathetic kiss to Harry’s forehead had been invited to Lupin’s
rooms for a stiff drink and a chat which left Harry now sitting alone in
Snape’s lab his unopened books in front of him. Harry stared at the empty
stools around him and for the first time he felt his situation was truly
hopeless as the full weight of the situation fell onto his shoulders. Pulling
his tattered crushed list of things he had wanted from his robe Harry laid it
out on the empty table and stared at it. He didn’t know if he’d gotten any of
the things he wanted or if they’d even been discussed. Closing his eyes Harry
felt the tears well up in his eyes and with a heart wrenching sob broke down
into shuddering tears.
Snape having seen his guests out poured himself a stiff brandy before returning
to his lab where he knew Harry was still sitting. The sight that greeted him
was unexpected. Harry was curled up on his stool, his head buried in his hands
and his shoulders shaking as he cried. Snape could see the tears as they fell
like rain drops onto the surface of the bench. Snape knew Harry had been upset.
He could feel the hopelessness practically radiating off the boy next to him,
especially during the last part of the meeting. Taking a generous swig of his
brandy to calm himself Snape stepped into the lab and sat himself down on the
chair he’d previously occupied next to Harry. Harry paid him no attention and
only seemed to sob harder at his presence. Lifting his hand Snape went to put
his hand comfortingly upon Harry’s shoulder but the man hesitated silently
berating himself for being weak. Lowering his hand back to his side without
having touched Harry, Snape took another swig of his brandy before speaking.
“I’m not doing this to make your life hell. Given the choice…” Snape didn’t get
the chance to finish what he was saying as Harry sat up his eyes puffy and red
with tears.
“Given the choice you could have had anyone!” Harry screamed at him unable to
hold back the frustrations and anger he’d been bottling up inside himself all
week. “Lupin, Sirius, Draco, Seamus, Dean even friggin’ Longbottom for all I
care! Why did you do this to me?” Harry continued to scream at Snape but the
man’s expression remained unmoved, the same blank canvass he always wore around
school. Snape bit his tongue at Harry’s irrational comment forcing himself not
to remind Harry it was with him whom he’d had the wizarding debt, not the other
people Harry had named. The boy was upset and despite how much willpower it
took not to backhand the insolent brat, he had to let Harry get it all out or
there would be no moving on from here. “You’re a selfish, selfish prick, you
know that! I hate you! You’ve done nothing but make my life hell since I
started at school, just because you hated my dad. Well guess what fuck wit he’s
DEAD!” Harry spat the last word out into Snape’s face and despite how angry he
was he couldn’t disguise the pain that swept into his eyes at admitting that
fact. “The idea of having any part of you near me makes my skin crawl and to
think I’m going to have to let you touch me makes me want to be sick! I HATE
YOU!” This time Harry over stepped the mark his last biting comment hurting
Snape far deeper than the potions professor would ever let on. Snape couldn’t
stop the involuntary reaction as he drew his hand back and slapped Harry hard
across the face, sending the unsuspecting boy sprawling to the floor with a
sickening thud.
“I suggest you be very careful what you say next Mr. Potter.” Snape was shaking
with rage as he watched Harry sit up on the floor clutching his hand to his
stinging cheek. Harry’s eyes met Snape’s dark ones and once again the boy was
fearful as Snape rose from the stool. “I don’t want this marriage any more than
you do but I have to do it or my life is going to get even more miserable than
it is already. I’m a tolerant man Mr. Potter and I’m prepared to give you a
hell of a lot of things I would never dream of giving anyone else. So you
better fucking pull yourself together and accept this marriage or you’re going
to make life much worse for yourself. Now get out!” Harry whimpered as Snape
picked him up by the collar of his robes and dragged him through the lounge
room before throwing him out of the door onto the cold, hard stone floor of the
corridor. Not a second later Harry’s books came flying out after him narrowly
missing his head before the door to the room slammed shut and the stones of the
wall fell back into place sealing themselves shut.
Harry stared at the wall tears still streaming down his face. If it was
possible that he could feel any worse than he did now, then there really was a
hell and he was sitting smack bang in the center of it. Harry couldn’t be sure
but in the mayhem of being bodily thrown out of the chamber and Snape’s angry
speech, he was sure he’d heard a touch of hurt in the man’s voice and it made
the confusion in Harry’s mind so much more complicated. Crawling up onto his
knees Harry stood to his feet gingerly aware of how much he hurt after Snape’s
slap. With his eyes full of tears he gathered his things and with a final sad
glance at the blank stonewall he staggered off to find solace and lick his
wounds……….
***** Just To Talk *****
Chapter 7
Harry sat quietly on the benches of the Gryfindor locker room his eyes cast
downwards as he listened to his team mates excitedly chatter around him about
the game about to take place. Despite how hard he tried Harry’s heart just
wasn’t in it today. Closing his eyes Harry brought his hand up to his cheek,
gently touching the purple hand shaped bruise. After being thrown from Snape’s
room Harry had struggled up to the Gryfindor tower before sealing himself in
the 6th year boys’ bathroom. Literally he had crawled into the corner of the
marble room and cried himself into exhaustion. Harry had heard a few of his
friends trying to get in to him but as the first hour passed everyone had given
up and left him in a miserable silence.
Eventually he’d had no more tears left and what anger he’d had was now more
correctly directed. As simple as it would have been to just blame Snape for his
misery it was in fact Voldemort’s fault, just as most ugly things in Harry’s
life could be attributed to. Wiping his tears from his eyes with the sleeves of
his robes Harry had focused his rage on Voldemort and concentrated on sending
the bane of his life a good hard kick in the nuts. Harry had hoped it had
worked just as he always did when he wished pain upon his enemy, not that there
was any hope that it might. With his anger and sadness in check Harry had
slowly risen from the floor and moved over to the sink to wash his face. That’s
when he’d seen the bruise in his reflection. There was little doubting anyone
who saw it would know what had caused it, four long finger marks clearly
visible on his pale skin. Just as he did now Harry had run his hand over the
bruise unconsciously reliving the moment over and over again, remembering the
moment when he’d looked up into Snape’s dark eyes. Yes, there had been anger
and rage but the more Harry thought about it the more he was sure he’d seen
hurt behind the mask of the man and it scared him that he didn’t know why.
“Harry? Harry? Are you alright?” Harry shook his head quickly as he felt
someone shaking his shoulder. Removing his hand from his cheek Harry looked up
into the pretty blue eyes of Ginny.
“Um, yeah sorry what’s going on?” Harry silently thanked his forethought for
having put a glamour charm on himself to hide the bruise. There was no point in
having people question him about it especially when he was still feeling
extremely depressed. Glancing around the locker room Harry frowned a little as
he saw that the excitement of the team was somewhat now subdued.
“Didn’t you hear? Slytherin have forfeit, seems their seeker has just quit the
team.” Harry sat up a little straighter on the bench surprised at the news.
“Malfoy’s quit?” Harry whispered hardly believing what he was hearing. The
blonde haired boy would never do something as unpredictable as quit, especially
after his father had gotten him onto the team in the first place. “Any reason?”
Harry inquired as he loosened his wrist guards conscious now that they probably
wouldn’t be playing Quidditch that afternoon. Ginny shrugged her shoulders and
shook her head, obviously in the dark about Draco’s shock resignation as
everyone else seemed to be. A moment later McGonagall strode into the locker
room, Madam Hooch trailing behind her all geared up for refereeing the game.
“Attention please, may I have your attention.” The chatter in the locker room
fell silent as the team turned towards their head of house. When she was sure
she had the team’s attention the professor continued. “As you have all heard
Slytherin have forfeit the match. Despite that though the school is still out
there waiting to see a game of Quidditch and we will not disappoint them even
if it is only a friendly match they will be watching. Madam Hooch already has
‘Padama Snufflewig’ Hufflepuff’s seeker dressing to fill Slytherin’s vacancy.”
McGonagall smiled at her team all of whom were now excited again at being
allowed to play. “Well, get yourself ready play begins in fifteen minutes and
the weather out there is pretty nasty.” McGonagall dismissed the team who began
eagerly regrouping for the match. Harry however remained where he was as he
watched McGonagall, Hooch and a familiar dark haired girl walk over to him.
“Harry. I think you know Alison Woodly, she’s Ravenclaw’s new seeker this
year.” Harry smiled and nodded at the young girl, as McGonagall introduced
them. Harry had seen the girl a few times in the hall but had never bothered to
talk to her. “Alison volunteered to play for Slytherin but Padama is far better
suited to their side. Still Madam Hooch and I believe this friendly game would
be beneficial to Alison’s training and would give the Ravenclaws some interest
in the game as well, with these teams being mixed and all. Would you mind
awfully if Alison took your place just for this match?” McGonagall seemed
almost reluctant herself to allow her star seeker to be replaced but Harry
silently welcomed the excuse not to play in the match.
“No, it’s fine I wasn’t feeling the best anyway.” Madam Hooch and McGonagall
looked at Harry with concern. Quick to alleviate their worries Harry added.
“It’s just been a long day, I’m a bit tired.” McGonagall nodded at him
knowingly having herself sat through the vigorous meeting all day as well.
“That’s wonderful Harry, a great seeker and sportsman too.” Madam Hooch patted
Harry enthusiastically on the back causing the boy to wince a little with the
force. The flying instructor didn’t seem to notice however and with a final
smile left the locker room with McGonagall, leaving Alison standing quietly shy
in front of Harry.
“Thank you Harry.” Harry looked back at the young girl and nodded quietly. Just
then Ginny ran up to him her gaze resting somewhat jealously on the Ravenclaw
girl.
“Come on Harry, we’re having a quick strategy meeting.” Ginny tugged on Harry’s
arm but Harry pulled his arm free a little rougher than he meant to causing
Ginny to look at him in concern.
“Nah, I’m not playing today. Alison here is taking my place. McGonagall and
Hooch think it’s a good idea for mixed teams.” Ginny’s expression darkened a
little and Harry didn’t miss the way the ginger haired girl glanced over
Alison’s appearance with a critical gaze.
“Oh, right then. You better get dressed.” A little too haughtily Ginny turned
her nose up at Alison before turning her attention to Harry, her smile
returning instantly. “You’ll still be watching though won’t you Harry?”
“Yeah probably.” Harry whispered as he sat back down on the bench and began to
unlace his riding leathers. With a smug smile and a jealous glance at Alison
Ginny disappeared back into the team having their strategy meeting, leaving
Alison still standing in front of Harry who was undressing slowly.
“I didn’t know you had a girlfriend Harry.” Alison whispered a little shyly,
her face colouring somewhat as she spoke. Harry shook his head quietly as he
stuffed his wrist and shin guards back into his locker bag.
“Nah I don’t.” Harry didn’t want to go into specifics and changed the subject
quickly. “The girls change area is just over there behind the screen, you
better hurry not much time.” Alison nodded and Harry watched as the girl picked
up her own Ravenclaw colored locker bag and disappeared behind the screen to
get ready for the game.
Harry waited until the locker room had cleared and he heard the roar of the
excited crowd from the stands as the players took to the field. It was raining
hard outside, storm clouds had apparently rolled in during the day and Harry
was kind of glad now he wouldn’t have to play Quidditch in such bad weather.
Taking his time Harry slowly got changed back into his jeans and red sweater
before locking up his broom and his things in his locker ready for practice
after the weekend. With the roar of the crowd barely audible above the wind and
the rain Harry made his way out of the locker room and out onto the edge of the
field.
Grabbing his cloak Harry draped it around himself and pulled the hood over his
head to keep himself dry as he squinted up into the stands to look for where
his friends were sitting. Beyond the swooshes of brooms flying to and fro in
the rain Harry could see his two friends sitting with the cheering Gryfindor’s
up in the far right stand. Harry went to begin across towards the stand when he
unconsciously glanced up into the Slytherin stand. Amongst the banners of green
and black Harry saw a familiar figure sitting alone on the backbench of the
Slytherin stand. Despite the rain on his glasses Harry knew who it was and
something inside of him drew him suddenly left instead of right towards his
friends. Since he’d been thrown out of Snape’s rooms earlier, Harry’s mind had
spun with questions and it was that Gryfindor compulsion to find answers that
now drew him towards the Slytherin stands. Tucking the cloak around himself and
pulling his hood further down his face as a sort of disguise Harry began up the
stairs of the Slytherin stands. He was just coming to the seats at the top when
the Slytherin students stood up in a loud cheer as their chasers scored. Using
the opportunity of their attention to the game Harry scuttled up to the top
bench of the stands and shuffled awkwardly onto the bench beside the cloaked
figure sitting alone. Despite the small roof on the stands it did little to
stave off the rain and Harry huddled further down into his cloak glancing
sideways at Snape.
Before Harry could say anything though Snape had beaten him to it.
“Not content with getting yourself killed on the back of a broom, you must
instead walk unprotected into the lions den. I’m beginning to wonder about your
sanity.” Harry noted the way Snape kept his eyes trained on the Quidditch game.
His voice was low enough to be heard by Harry but not by the cheering row of
Slytherin students in front of him. The comment was also purposely devoid of
Harry’s name but even though Snape hadn’t said it Harry’s mind supplied the
ususal sneering ‘Potter’ remark on the end of the sentences.
“I wanted to talk to you.” Harry whispered deliberately ignoring Snape’s biting
remarks as he buried himself further into his cloak as some of the Slytherin’s
in front of him stood up to get a better look at the game.
“You seeking me out to ‘talk’. Should I be shocked or concerned by this unusual
and certainly most uncalled for event?” Harry bit his lip determined not to be
baited by the man whose usual sarcasm had returned with vengeance.
“Neither.” Harry whispered before continuing. “I just wanted to ask you about
something.” Harry waited patiently, intently watching Snape’s expression
beneath the man’s hood in case it changed even slightly from the usual stern
scowl. When Snape made no move to reply to Harry’s request the boy continued
regardless. “I wanted to know how you knew about my uncle.” Harry watched and
waited for Snape to reply but when the silence continued and Snape made no show
of answering the question Harry sighed heavily and went to move away from the
bench. There was little point in him sitting here waiting for trouble when
there was little chance Snape was willing to talk. Not that Harry should have
been surprised having abused the man earlier in the day.
“It was among my unofficial tasks to watch you.” Harry paused as he heard
Snape’s cold reply the man hardly flinching as Harry sat back down next to him,
a little closer now so that the information wouldn’t go beyond their hearing.
Harry remained silent as he waited for Snape to continue which the professor
did after a moments pause. “I am the only one among the group whom has such
close contact to you and free access to your school records. It is my
unofficial duty within the circle to keep him informed of your activities.”
Snape’s voice was now hardly audible above the driving rain, the howling wind
and the cheers and cries of the spectators. Admittedly the weather was playing
havoc with the Quidditch match but Harry paid it no attention, his eyes solely
focused on his professor’s expression. “While I choose carefully the
information I pass on I do research my subject matter thoroughly. The first
sign that something was amiss was your address being listed as ‘The cupboard
under the stairs’.” Snape trailed off and Harry lowered his head to stare at
where his hands were twisting in the edges of his cloak that he was having
trouble keeping around himself in the wind.
“And did you know about him hit….” Harry struggled to bring himself to say the
words, remembering all too clearly the beatings Vernon had graced him with.
Snape seemed to know what Harry was talking about without the boy having said
anything and continued answering the question, saving Harry the embarrassment
of being explicit.
“There are somethings magic cannot hide. A limp, a wince of pain, an unexpected
flinch when someone passed you too close. It’s amazing what you notice when
you’re looking for the signs.” For the first time since they’d started their
conversation Snape turned his attention from the Quidditch match to face Harry.
Harry swallowed nervously as Snape drew his hand up and slipped it easily into
the side of Harry’s hood, softly pressing icy cold fingertips to the disguised
bruised cheek. “Drop the glamour.” At the whispered command Harry closed his
eyes and allowed the magical energy to fall from his face, revealing the angry
purple bruise on his left cheek. Harry didn’t finch as he felt Snape’s
fingertips brush gently over the bruise now clearly visible. Not once did Harry
take his eyes off Snape’s and as he felt the man outline the clearly defined
finger marks on his cheek he saw a glint of regret in the corners of the
professors expression before the emotion was quickly blinked away again. “Come
down to my chambers after dinner and I’ll give you something to take the
bruising down.” Harry nodded feeling strangely empty when Snape drew his hand
from his cheek and turned back to focus on the match. “If you’ve satisfied your
curiosity I suggest you return to your proper house.” Despite himself Harry was
reluctant to get up from Snape’s side. There was so much more he wanted to know
but it was obvious Snape didn’t want to talk anymore.
Sighing Harry tugged his hood further down his face before he rose from the
bench and shuffled out to the end of the row. Harry was about to take a step
out of the stands however when he turned around and looked back at Snape, who
had strangely slumped in his seat his head bowed so that the only part of his
face Harry could see beneath the hood of the cloak was his nose.
“Sir?” Harry inquired softly aware now of some Slytherin students trying to see
who he was. Snape turned his face towards Harry in inquiry. “How come Draco has
quit the team?” Harry hoped he sounded like one of the Slytherins after all he
was drawing quite some considerable attention to himself now.
“That would be none of your business.” The reply was curt and like before Harry
mentally supplied the obligatory ‘Potter’ on the end of sentence he knew Snape
would have done if they were in a normal school situation. Nodding Harry sighed
and quickly turned to leave the Slytherin stands, not bothering to glance back
at Snape who unbeknown to Harry was watching the boy walk away.
***** It Is All Just Science Fiction *****
Chapter 8
“Here, put this on it.” Harry dubiously took the piece of raw meat from Snape’s
hand before gingerly pressing it to his injured cheek. It felt cold and nasty
against his skin but he obediently kept it there as Snape rounded the chair and
sat down in the armchair opposite him, a glass of amber liquid in his hand.
After the Quidditch match Harry had attended dinner with his glamour up.
Naturally there had been an inquest by his friends to where he’d been all day
and most of the afternoon. Harry had convinced his friends he’d just been
resting up in the dorm with a bit of a cold. At dinner Harry had been treated
to a play by play of Slytherin’s defeat on the Quidditch pitch, every story
told in detail by an ecstatic Ron, Dean and Seamus. Surprisingly Ginny had sat
next to him at dinner and although it was unusual for the young girl not to sit
with her friends Harry had enjoyed her company, especially when he tired of
hearing about the match. Begging off the celebratory match party in the
Ravenclaw common room Harry had said he was going to study in the library
before bed.
With his invisibility cloak Harry had easily slipped it on when he’d come to
the library as he turned around and headed back down towards the dungeons.
Harry wasn’t sure why he was actually going to Snape’s chambers again but he
supposed he should get used to the man’s company. It had shocked him even more
when he’d come to the dead end corridor and the door to Snape’s chambers had
automatically opened for him without him even having to wave his hands over the
stone. Harry had stepped cautiously inside forgetting completely about his
invisibility cloak until he came face to face with Snape’s wand the wizard
defensive about not seeing his visitor. Quickly Harry had dropped the cloak and
watched in small delight as Snape stared at him clearly shocked. Harry was sure
he’d heard Snape mutter something about ‘spoilt brat to have an invisibility
cloak’ but Harry ignored it as Snape had slapped the raw dripping piece of meat
into his unsuspecting hand and pushed him down into the armchair by the fire.
“I was expecting more trouble getting in.” Harry whispered around the meat
pressed to his face as he became a little uncomfortable with Snape’s constant
stare.
“I changed the wards yesterday.” Snape calmly replied as he sipped from his
crystal glass. Harry knew he must have looked a little surprised and watched as
Snape snorted a little at the boy’s ignorance. “You are shortly to become my
partner Mr. Potter, what is mine is now also yours. When I am here you will
have automatic entry into these chambers when I am not you may use the
password.” Harry blushed a little at Snape having referred to them as partners.
Silence fell over them again and Harry took his time to take a proper look at
Snape’s living room. Earlier in the day he’d been far too worried to take much
notice of the little personal things scattered about the room. Along the wall
beside the fireplace was a ceiling high set of shelves containing all sorts of
old looking books and interesting items he’d never seen before. To the left of
the fireplace was a chest, a large rusty looking paddle lock sealing it shut.
On the walls hung a few obscure portraits of people Harry didn’t recognize.
Quite surprisingly the portraits didn’t move like other wizarding paintings and
Harry found himself compelled to ask Snape why. Turning back to Snape from his
perusal of the room Harry addressed Snape who was now reclined back comfortably
in his armchair.
“Your portraits they don’t move like the others in the castle.” Snape looked up
from where he was lost in thought, staring into the swirl of his drink in its
crystal glass.
“Yes I prefer my relatives silent and unable to harm me should I do something
to displease them.” Snape fell silent again as he watched Harry looking around
at the paintings hanging on the wall.
“Nasty looking bunch.” Harry spoke his mind before he could stop himself and
turned quickly back to look at Snape apologetically having just realized he’d
insulted the wizard’s entire family. Harry was stunned when he saw a genuine
smile spread across Snape’s face. There was no hint of malicious delight or any
kind of sneer. Harry was completely floored by how different Snape looked with
a smile, his skin creasing in the corner of his eyes as those dark eyes
glittered in amusement. In that instant Harry knew he could get used to seeing
the man smile, he did it so rarely without underlying maliciousness.
“Indeed, the Snape’s are among the oldest dark wizarding families in our
history and about the only ones who actually look as dark as they are.” Snape
gestured idly at Harry with the hand which held the glass. Harry was still
reeling a little at having seen Snape smile. “I may also remind you that they
are shortly to become your own relatives.” Harry huffed a small laugh and
looked around at the portraits again trying to imagine himself fitting in with
a family reunion of the Snapes. The thought was purely ludicrous because he’d
never make it through the door without being hexed into oblivion. Surprisingly
Harry was beginning to relax in Snape’s presence, something he’d never have
imagined. When not commenting on Harry’s ineptitude or stupidity, Snape could
be almost pleasant. It had also come to Harry’s attention that Snape had
unconsciously dropped the sarcastic ‘Potter’ off the end of his sentences. This
alone was surprising and certainly a welcome change. They couldn’t go through
their married life calling each other ‘Snape’ or ‘Potter’ but Harry wasn’t
brave enough to mention that yet.
“You’ve got a large collection of books. May I have a look?” Harry felt a
little foolish as he gestured to the bookshelf. Selfishly he was more
interested in the magical items lining some of the shelves than the actual
books.
“I enjoy reading and yes you may have a look.” Harry nodded and stood up from
the armchair, cautiously taking the longer way around Snape’s own chair, so
that he wouldn’t have to squeeze past the man. With the meat still held to his
cheek Harry began perusing the shelves occasionally stopping to read a title of
a book but lingering more so on the intricate magical items distributed
sporadically on the shelves. Harry didn’t dare touch anything despite his
curiosity. The incident involving Snape’s pensieve was still raw in his mind.
There was also no way he was going to ask after any of the items knowing it
would make Snape turn into teacher mode again and start insulting his lack of
intelligent. Coming to the second shelf from the bottom Harry frowned as he
noticed some familiar titles of books lining the shelf.
“You read muggle science fiction?” Harry questioned as he stood up straight and
glanced over at Snape. Snape had turned around slightly in his chair, so that
one slender, trouser clad leg hung over the arm of his chair and his arm was
slung casually over the back of the chair.
“Yes.” The answer was short and cautious the man obviously deciding whether he
was about to be made a mockery of.
“I’ve read some of these. Uncle Vernon didn’t think Dudley’s science fiction
novels should grace the shelves beside Shakespeare and Dickens, so he dumped
them in my cupboard. I read most of them but some had pages missing so
sometimes I had to just guess what happened in the end.” Harry shrugged his
shoulders quietly as he sighed and moved back around Snape’s chair to sit back
down in his armchair. He was suddenly a little uncomfortable for having told
Snape something so personal. Harry had never dreamed of even talking civilly
with Snape let alone discussing his life at Privet Drive. “Um, can I take this
off now it’s dripping down my arm?” Slightly self conscious of Snape’s silent
stare Harry cleared his throat and pulled the piece of raw meat from his face
wincing a little in pain. His comment seemed to snap Snape out of his thoughts
and he stood up hastily from his armchair. Harry watched as Snape moved into
his lab returning a moment later with a silver dissection tray and a small hand
towel. When prompted Harry put the piece of meat onto the tray before standing
up from the armchair.
“Turn your head towards the light and let me look.” Harry obediently turned his
head to the side. He was a little reluctant to take his eyes off Snape who was
standing very close to him all of a sudden. When Harry didn’t correctly
position his head, Snape took a sharp hold of Harry’s chin and directed the
boy’s head in the right direction of the light. Harry closed his eyes
involuntarily as he felt Snape scrutinizing his injured cheek. “It’s still
bruised but some of the swelling has gone down. It should be gone by tomorrow
afternoon.” Harry worried his bottom lip a little as he felt Snape gently clean
the raw meat juice off his cheek. Despite the firm grip on his chin Snape’s
touch was almost caring and Harry squeezed his eyes tightly shut in an effort
not to be tempted to look up at Snape’s face. Eventually Snape’s hand let go of
Harry’s chin and the boy felt as the man stepped away from him. Reluctantly
opening his eyes Harry swallowed around the unfamiliar feeling that swept
across him at the closeness of Snape, his eyes instantly dropping to the floor
as Snape caught his gaze. “I have a somewhat volatile temper. It is a weakness
I am not proud of. I apologize for hitting you.” Harry was a little shocked by
Snape’s admission but nodded quietly unable to see Snape’s expression as the
wizard disappeared into the lab the tray and dirtied towel in hand. A few
moments later Snape returned to the living room wiping his hands dry on another
clean towel.
“Sir.” Harry whispered nervously, unsure of whether he should ask the question
that had just come to mind. Snape looked up from where he was meticulously
drying his hands on the towel. “Um, what did you mean when you said ‘you were
prepared to give me things you’d never dreamed of giving anyone else’?” Almost
immediately Harry knew he’d said something wrong by the way Snape’s familiar
expressionless mask slid into place and the dark eyes hardened in a glare.
Harry swallowed convulsively and involuntarily took a step back towards the
fireplace. Harry was half expecting Snape to pounce on him and eat him alive
but as he felt a swell of warmth behind him, Harry spun around to watch as a
purple flame erupted in the fireplace.
“Get in there and stay quiet.” In a whirlwind Harry found himself bustled into
a darkened room the door swinging shut behind him before he heard a complicated
ward being erected from outside. Stepping away from the door in shock Harry
practically fell onto something familiarly soft. It took a moment for Harry to
realize what he was sitting on before he leapt practically into the air and
onto his feet as he realized it was Snape’s bed he’d sat down on.
Pulling out his wand, Harry lit the end of it to cast an eerie shadow around
the room. Looking around the room Harry noticed a distinct theme that had been
carried through from the living room. The four-poster canopy bed dominated the
room, its cream curtains and canopy contrasting the blood red sheets. Unwilling
to think of Snape in any form of undress and in bed, Harry looked elsewhere in
the room. There was a dresser with a mirror on the far wall and an open doorway
that Harry assumed was a bathroom. To his right was a wardrobe and a smaller
bookcase with a few books scattered haphazardly upon it, along with a few
personal items Harry dare not look too closely at. With a sigh of relief that
he’d not been thrown anywhere too sinister Harry moved over to the door and
pressed his ear against it. What ever or who ever was using the fireplace
wasn’t a normal visitor because Harry had never seen purple flame like that and
Snape’s reactions had been split second.
Through the door Harry could hear muffled voices but nothing distinct enough as
to identify the people. In an attempt to hear more Harry pressed himself
impossibly closer to the door but no sooner had he put his weight on the door
than the voices stopped and the door abruptly swung open sending Harry
sprawling out onto the lounge room floor. Landing with a slap Harry
protectively turned over onto his back as a shadow fell over his body. Rolling
over with his wand out defensively in front of him Harry was shocked to see
Snape staring down at him with a familiar scowl.
“Potter you imbecile get up!” Harry sighed, ‘so they were back to the ‘potter’
thing again. Standing to his feet Harry now noticed an ominous red substance on
Snape’s palms. Harry didn’t have time to question Snape about it though when
another voice drew Harry’s attention.
“Potter!” Harry spun around and stood completely in shock as he stared down at
Draco sitting on the cream rug in front of the fire, his face bloodied and
almost unrecognizable. The blonde’s chest was heaving too as if the boy was
short of breath. “What is he doing here?” Draco spat at Snape before he hunched
over and began coughing uncontrollably. Snape was quickly at the blonde boy’s
side, his hand resting on the boy’s back holding him upright as Draco coughed
up an unhealthy red ball of spit.
“It doesn’t matter Draco.” Harry stood stoically still as Snape looked up from
Draco his usual scowl back in place. “Potter go into my lab. On the shelf above
the sink there is a set of four purple vials of potion bring them to me.” Harry
remained where he was staring at Draco’s battered body remembering all too
clearly how he himself had looked after one of his uncles more physical
sessions. “Potter! Now!” When Draco began coughing again Harry was spurred into
action. Following Snape’s direction Harry easily found the four vials and
returned them quickly to Snape, who snatched them forcefully from his grasp.
Harry watched as Snape sat down on the rug beside Draco, the boy propped up
sickly between the man’s knees. Tilting Draco’s head back Snape poured all four
vials down the boy’s throat in succession ignoring the way Draco choked on
them. The boy’s body shook uncontrollably in his godfather’s arms. With the
vials empty Snape tossed each one carelessly onto the rug. As Draco swallowed
the last vial of potion the blonde collapsed exhausted into Snape’s arms, the
man wrapping them comfortingly around the young boy. For a while Harry stared
at Snape and Draco sitting on the rug in silence. Snape’s arms were wrapped
tightly about the boy and gently rocked him back and forth as Draco whimpered
obviously in pain. In that instant Harry felt like an intruder and so backing
away towards the door whispered softly to capture Snape’s attention.
“Um, I’m going to go, it’s late.” Grabbing his invisibility cloak from the hook
by the entrance Harry wrapped it around his body. He paused briefly to look
back at where Snape was still rocking Draco back and forth in his arms. Harry
didn’t expect any reply but was shocked as he heard Snape’s voice as the
doorway opened automatically for him.
“Goodnight Potter.” With a weak smile Harry nodded his gaze meeting Snape’s for
a brief moment before Harry pulled the hood of his father’s cloak over his head
and literally disappeared out of the door and down the corridor….
***** Signing Your Life Away *****
Chapter 9
A none descript brown owl with a thick package arrived first thing on Saturday
morning, dropping its burden with a loud thud in front of Harry’s breakfast.
Three similar owls dropped similar packages in front of McGonagall, Snape and
Lupin at the staff table. Harry couldn’t help but sigh heavily as he picked up
the package and stowed it safely inside his bag without even opening it.
“What was that?” His friends having received their own mail, soon turned their
attention to Harry’s package but the boy easily brushed it off.
“Just a book I ordered a couple of weeks ago.” Hermione as usual didn’t seem
convinced but just as Harry had asked, didn’t question her friend or mention
the fact that she’d noticed similar packages being delivered to the teachers.
“So are you coming with us to Hogsmeade?” Ron inquired of Harry who now knowing
what was in his bag waiting for him played carelessly with his cereal.
“Yeah I need some fresh air.” Harry also needed to get away from the castle for
a while. After last night Harry needed some time to think to himself and the
walk to and from Hogsmeade would give him just such a chance. Ron and Hermione
smiled brightly. They hadn’t really seen a lot of Harry over the past week and
they were pleased their friend would accompany them.
“Great, we can have a couple of butterbeers together.” Hermione announced
excitedly.
“Yeah and Fred and George have asked me to go into Zonko’s undercover to see
what new lines they’ve got in. Fred swears the old bugger is stealing their
ideas somehow.” Harry chuckled and rolled his eyes at the twins’ antics. Since
leaving school the pair had made an extremely good living with their new
“Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes’ joke shop in Diagon Ally. Harry was rather proud
that the tri-wizarding cup money had gone to a worthy cause.
“Oh shit, here comes trouble.” Dean across the table lowered his voice as he
gestured with his head towards the Slytherin table. Harry watched as Draco
stood up from the table. The blonde was obviously still suffering from his
injuries the night before as he walked slowly towards the Gryfindor table,
coming to a stop opposite Harry.
“Potter.” Malfoy snapped disdainfully at his rival before tossing a sealed
letter in front of Harry with disgust.
“What is that Malfoy?” Ron glared angrily at the blonde having pointed to the
letter Draco had thrown at Harry.
“Nothing that concerns you Weasel.” Draco’s retort was filled with venom but
having seen the blonde cowering in pain in Snape’s arms the night before, Harry
couldn’t quite see Draco in the same light as he had before. Not rising to the
challenge Harry ignored the blonde and turned the letter over to open it. An
unfamiliar seal kept the envelope closed and Harry frowned as he ran his finger
over the green stamped wax. Mindful of the seal Harry opened the letter and
shielding it from prying eyes read the short two-line, hand written note.
‘Meeting after breakfast in the staff room, 2nd floor 4th corridor on the left.
Bring the ‘book’.’ S.S.
Even without the initials Harry knew the familiar scrolling handwriting, its
intricate swirls and delicate tails a definite give away to it being written by
a certain potions master. No sooner had Harry read the letter again and
memorized the instructions than Ron attempted to read the letter over Harry’s
shoulder. Almost immediately the letter burst into flame leaving behind only
wisps of smoke.
“Shit, someone didn’t want anyone else to read it.” Ron whispered a little
miffed that he hadn’t been able to glimpse the letter.
“Who was it from Harry?” Hermione inquired dusting her hands free of toast
crumbs on her napkin.
“Oh just a stupid love letter from a no name someone. I’m always getting them.”
Harry shrugged the contents of the letter off, having the good grace to blush
when Seamus, Ron and Dean all cooed at him teasingly. Thankfully Malfoy had
buggered off but Harry had to wonder why Snape had given the letter to Draco to
deliver, instead of passing on the message himself. Harry had been surprised
that Draco had even made it to breakfast, let alone was able to walk. The boy
last night had been in a right state and Harry was sure Draco was wearing
glamours to hide the abuse on his face which was there the night before.
“Alright then let’s not hang around. I want to be the first in Honeydukes, the
new series of ‘wizard trading cards’ in the chocolate frog packets come out
today.” Scoffing down what was left of his breakfast Ron jumped up from the
table, urging Harry and Hermione to hurry up.
“Um I’ve got something to do before I leave this morning. Can I meet you at the
Three Broom Sticks in an hour or so?” Harry inquired aware now of the meeting
he had to attend.
“Sure thing Harry. Ron’s promised to take me for a romantic walk through the
rose garden anyway this morning before we go into town, so we’ll meet you
outside The Broom Sticks in an hour.” Ron pouted dramatically at Hermione’s
reminder of his promise and Harry smirked as he saw an argument brewing between
his friends.
“Thanks, I’ll see you in a bit.” Grabbing his things Harry left the hall and
headed towards where the note had told him to go. Harry was only halfway there
though when an arm caught his and he spun around into the face of Draco.
“Malfoy, what do you want?” Automatically on the defensive Harry took a step
back from the blonde boy who sneered at him in a very unfriendly way.
“Just making sure you haven’t done anything stupid and opened your big trap
about last night that’s all.” Draco looked cautiously over Harry, who over last
summer had grown an inch or so taller than the blonde boy, leaving Harry to
stare down on him. Despite the height advantage Draco was still a formidable
foe and Harry warily kept his hand around his wand in his pocket.
“Now why would I do that? The sight of you coughing up your lungs was an image
purely for my own pleasure.” Harry glared at Draco who haughtily folded his
arms across his chest.
“I don’t know what you were doing in his quarters but I know you weren’t
supposed to be there and you certainly weren’t taking remedial potions classes
like he told me.” Harry narrowed his eyes at Draco who was searching for a
reaction from his enemy.
“Just like I’m sure you weren’t in the castle last night, by the way you
arrived via floo into his rooms. Attending secret meetings of the arsehole
society were we? Or were you out licking the arse of your master.” The
stalemate the conversation had now come to was unbelievable with both boys now
staring each other down in the hopes of finding the others weakness. That
opportunity never arose when a familiar voice broke their stand off.
“Potter don’t you have somewhere to be?” Snape’s voice was the familiar
sneering drawl and Harry sighed as he turned from Draco to look up at Snape who
was eyeing the two boys suspiciously.
“Yes sir.” Harry whispered as he glared one more time at Draco before
continuing on his way towards the ‘staff room’ leaving Draco looking far too
smug.
Harry reached the staff room door and knocked politely on it. A moment passed
before the door swung open and Harry stepped cautiously into the room. Smiling
Harry relaxed a little as he saw Remus sitting at a large square table in the
center of the room his copy of the finalized contract open in front of him.
“Harry, you found it.” Harry nodded and wandered over to join Remus at the
table, finally feeling safe enough to unwrap his own copy of the contract.
“Just reading over a few things, just to make sure they’re in your best
interests.” Harry nodded thankfully to his godfather’s best friend as he put
his own copy of the contract on the table.
“Is Sirius coming?” Harry inquired as he thumbed his way through the contract
idly, taking very little notice of any of the words.
“No he’s not needed for this part although he has read through this early this
morning just to make sure everything is as it was agreed to.” Harry smiled
mildly, knowing his godfather would have been thorough with his checks. Just at
that moment the door to the staff room opened and McGonagall and Snape wandered
in, their own brown packages tucked under their arms. As the two professors sat
down at the table Snape warded the door behind him before bringing over to the
table a quill and a pot of gold ink from within a cupboard on the side of the
staff room.
“Alright well you all know why we’re here. Let us get on with it. My copy is
the master and it is mine that will get signed and returned to the ministry.
Potter take the quill.” Harry sighed and reached for the black plumed quill
Snape offered him and dipped it carefully into the gold ink. Harry watched as
Snape sat down beside him before producing a single piece of parchment from
within his own copy of the contract and laying it flat on the tabletop. Harry
was shaking hardly believing that any moment he was about to sign his life
away. “You first read the words aloud supplying your full name where indicated
and then sign neatly on the line at the end.” Snape pushed the parchment closer
to Harry who stared blankly at it for a moment, his vision swimming a little.
“Harry are you alright? Remember what I said.” Remus reached across the
tabletop in concern and placed a comforting hand upon Harry’s arm resting on
the table. Harry took a deep breath and nodded, remembering what Remus had said
when all this had first began at the start of the week. Glancing up from the
parchment his quill still paused Harry looked at Snape who sat emotionlessly
beside him, his hands folded in front of him waiting patiently for Harry to
continue.
At the beginning of the week Harry would have killed himself rather than sign
the parchment in front of him but after yesterday Harry had seen something
different in the potions master. It wasn’t much but it was something and it
gave Harry enough hope to know his life might not be completely lost, despite
everything. With a deep steadying breath Harry turned back to the parchment and
sighing softly began to read aloud.
“I Harry James Potter, herby agree to all terms and conditions within this
marital contract and allow freely my life to be bound to…” Harry paused and
glanced at Snape for confirmation of the man’s full name, something which only
now Harry realized he didn’t know.
“Severus Tobias Snape.” Snape whispered softly prompting Harry to continue.
“…to be bound to Severus Tobias Snape, till death parts us.” Harry finished the
passage quietly and then taking another steadying breath leaned forward and
neatly scribed his name along the line at the bottom of the page. Almost
immediately the ink burned itself into the parchment leaving a shimmering gold
imprint of Harry’s name on the parchment. Still shaking Harry passed the quill
to Snape and pushed the parchment on to the potions master. Harry stared at
Snape and couldn’t help but notice the way Snape’s hand shook a little as well
as it paused above the parchment. It was only a moment though before Snape too
began to read aloud.
“I Severus Tobias Snape, herby agree to all terms and conditions within this
marital contract and allow freely my life to be bound to Harry James Potter
till death parts us.” With a soft expulsion of air Snape leaned forward and
with a flourish signed his familiar signature along the second line at the
bottom of the page. Just like when Harry had signed, Snape’s signature burnt
itself into the parchment. There was a silent pause as Snape finished his
signature the idea that they were now officially together seemed almost
surreal. With a cool collected breath out Snape pushed the parchment across to
McGonagall and Remus who having briefly checked the signatures on the parchment
signed their own names along the bottom line. No sooner had Remus finished the
last swirl of his name then the parchment disappeared in a powder blue cloud of
smoke, as did the four copies of the contract.
Harry could hardly believe he’d done it and having glanced up at Snape to see
if the man’s expression was still disturbingly calm and collected, Harry then
looked at Remus who smiled supportively across at Harry.
“Allow me to be the first to congratulate you Harry, may your union be
felicitous and bring you happiness.” Harry was a little shocked as Remus took
hold of both of Harry’s hands and having turned them over so that they were
palm down kissed them both softly before saying and doing the same thing to
Snape’s hands. McGonagall then proceeded to do the same her well wishes
altering slightly but following the same procedure of kissing Harry and then
Snape’s hands just as Remus had done.
“What was that?” Harry inquired as McGonagall sat up from having just finished
kissing Snape’s hands.
“It is tradition Potter, the blessing of the hands signals their sincerity of
their well wishes for our marriage. Expect anyone who knows about this to do
the same when they next see you.” Harry’s eyes widened in surprise but then
smiled at McGonagall and Remus thankfully.
“Oh right, thanks.” Harry whispered before turning back to Snape who was just
reclining back in his chair comfortably obviously having just come to terms
with what he’d just done. “You’re going to have to tell me about this wizarding
shit you know. I’m not exactly prepared for this.” Harry glared, a little put
out that Snape hadn’t told him about this before or he’d have washed his hands
after breakfast. A rough smirk and a quirked eyebrow lifted on Snape’s face.
“ ‘This wizarding shit’ as you put it Potter is steeped in over 100 thousand
years of wizarding tradition. A little respect for it wouldn’t go a miss.”
Snape stared at Harry pointedly who blushed a little and rolled his eyes.
“Sorry but I wasn’t prepared for that and I’d like to know what people are
going to do to me before I start getting random kisses from people.” Harry
continued to frown at Snape who sighed and tutted irritably.
“I have a book in my rooms about marriage tradition, you may borrow it.” Snape
slowly stood up from the table completely missing the cheeky knowing grins that
Remus and McGonagall shared with one another opposite them. The pair of them
had hardly signed the contract not a second ago and already they were bickering
like an old married couple. Hiding their joint amusement McGonagall and Remus
stood up with Snape, prompting Harry to do so as well. Obviously the meeting
had come to an end.
“Well now that is over I think I’m going to have myself a nice cup of tea with
the headmaster.” McGonagall smiled and with a wave of her wand dismantled the
wards Snape had put on the door and disappeared through it.
“I’ll go and owl Sirius and tell him it is done.” Remus smiled and hugged Harry
tightly pressing a chaste kiss to the boy’s forehead just as Sirius would have
done was he there. Harry blushed a little but nodded understandingly watching
as Remus left the room before turning back to face Snape who stood opposite him
in front of the entrance into the staff room.
“Well what do we do now?” Harry inquired feeling suddenly a little lost and not
really knowing what to do with himself or what to think. Snape took a moment to
contemplate the situation before replying.
“Our official ring ceremony needs to be organized sometime within the next
week. The sooner the better. I haven’t been summoned yet but I’m expecting it.
I need the ring on my finger before I face him.” Sighing softly Harry nodded in
understanding finally now beginning to realize what Snape was going to have to
face now the documents were signed. “Considering you’re coming up to you final
exams for the year I will naturally organize it. Is there anyone within the
discreet group who know about this that you wish to bless your ring?”
“Um, just Sirius. Do I have to get a ring for you or something?” Harry
inquired, somewhat dubious about having to wear a symbol of his marriage.
“No. I have a set that was passed on to me by my father. We will use them.”
Snape finished sternly his gaze resting steadily on Harry’s waiting for the
boy’s predictable next question.
“Would that be another ‘tradition’ I didn’t know about?” Harry whispered
watching with sadness as Snape nodded slowly in reply.
“Yes that would be another ‘tradition’ Potter but I’ll let it go this time,
knowing you have yet to read the book. Come by my chamber tonight and I’ll get
you it.” With a deep sigh Harry nodded and steeling himself for the rest of his
life that now lay ahead of him, Harry stepped from the staff room and
confidently began down the corridor towards the entrance hall. He was eager to
get outside and take a lung full of calming, fresh air. Harry was glad he’d
agreed to meet Hermoine and Ron because he certainly needed the distraction
from the rest of his life and the enormity of what he’d just done.
***** Two Can Play At That *****
Chapter 10
Surprisingly the weekend for Harry passed uneventfully. Having spent Saturday
in Hogsmeade with Hermione and Ron, Harry had then spent Sunday alone reading
the book Snape had loaned him. It was certainly interesting and in places a
little strange but it gave him a relatively sound knowledge of what he was to
expect with this ‘ring ceremony’ and all. It also told him what was expected of
him which meant he had to go shopping and soon. Having visited Dumbledore late
Sunday evening, he had arranged for Remus to take him into Diagon Ally on
Wednesday after class.
When Monday morning’s potions class rolled around Snape was his normal nasty
self, managing to remove 50 points from Gryfindor successively after Harry left
his potion cooling for too long. Harry had seen very little of Snape all
weekend and Harry wondered if he should feel any different now he was married
to the man. Snape obviously didn’t feel different judging by the way he acted.
Harry had managed to avoid Draco as well but as the week’s classes started
Harry had noticed the boy watching him suspiciously. Every corner Harry turned
Draco seemed to be there, his eyes narrowed cunningly watching the boy who
lived. This fact alone was why Harry had yet to return Snape’s book. With the
blonde Slytherin watching his every move Harry was becoming paranoid that Draco
would find out what was going on.
Tonight however Harry had taken the opportunity of the Tuesday night dueling
club to return Snape’s book. With his invisibility cloak wrapped around him
Harry easily slipped down into the dungeons. Most of the school populace was in
the great hall eager to learn about duels. Harry had assumed Draco would be
among those students in the hall. The opportunity to injure other students
without punishment was too much of a temptation for the Slytherin blonde not to
attend.
Reaching the dead-end corridor Harry stopped in front of the stonewall and
frowned. Last time he’d come down here the door had just opened for him but now
it remained firmly closed. With a sigh Harry tried to remember what Snape had
done to open the door and so having looked around behind him cautiously stuck
his right hand out from beneath the cloak and ran it over the central stone on
the wall. Nothing happened and Harry frowned trying it again with his left
hand. When the door didn’t budge the second time he stepped forward and pushed
on the rocks uselessly. Harry was sure Snape had said to him the doors would
let him in automatically. There had also been a mention of a password but Harry
didn’t know it as yet. With a resigned sigh Harry turned to leave but no sooner
had he taken a few steps away than the door behind him suddenly opened up
revealing Snape’s impressive shadow standing in the entrance.
“Get in!” Still wrapped in the cloak Harry was surprised Snape even knew he was
there but doing as he was told he swept quickly past Snape into the man’s
living room. Harry was about to drop the cloak when he heard the splash of
water and the sound of a familiar voice calling to Snape from the bedroom.
“Sev, can you pass me a towel?” Harry spun around and glared uselessly at Snape
as the dark haired man strode into his lab a moment later returning with a
white fluffy towel.
“Where are you Potter?” Snape whispered harshly in completely the opposite
direction to where Harry was standing.
“What’s he doing here?” Harry whispered back causing Snape to spin around and
approximate where Harry was standing.
“He’s receiving treatment for his injuries Potter, now sit down and be quiet.”
Snape gestured for the couch but Harry ignored his offer as he noticed a pillow
and a few blankets lying discarded on the couch as if someone had spent the
night there. Harry watched as Snape disappeared in through the door leading to
his bedroom before returning a moment later minus the towel. “Potter?” Snape
snapped again towards the couch assuming the boy had followed his instructions.
Harry however was now leaning against the bench of the small kitchenette.
“What?” Harry snapped back causing Snape to spin around again. The professor
went to say something but he was cut off as a wet looking blonde haired boy
wandered into the lounge with only a towel wrapped around his waist. Harry
scowled at Draco jealously. The boy was muscular and slightly tanned. His upper
arms flexed with strength as the boy flicked his wet blonde locks from his face
to smile at his godfather. What really got to Harry however was the tattoo that
sat iridescently on the blonde’s right shoulder, the intricate snake twisted
around what Harry assumed was a family crest of some sort. Harry had always
wanted a tattoo having seen his godfathers.
“Do they look better?” Harry watched as Draco turned around to show Snape his
back. Having overcome the twist of jealousy at Draco’s fine appearance, Harry
now saw the red slashes across the blonde’s upper torso and back. Like train
tracks on the boy’s skin the slashes were angry and red, some still bleeding a
little when the boy twisted around to look at Snape over his shoulder. Snape
moved over to Draco and Harry watched in silence as Snape ran his fingers
gently over the boys back inspecting the cuts. Harry didn’t know where it had
come from but the instant he saw Snape’s hands touching Draco’s milky white
skin, he felt instant jealousy swell through his body. Trying and failing to
squash the feeling Harry shook his head his fists clenched at his side. Unlike
the jealousy of seeing Draco looking better than him, this surge of emotion was
different and it shocked Harry completely. The idea of Snape touching him at
all turned his stomach but why was he so suddenly jealous of the man’s innocent
touch of his godson.
“Yes, considerably so. You need to continue rubbing the lotion into them though
or they will scar.” Snape stepped away from Draco who turned back around.
“Good, they’ve stop stinging now too. I’ll go get dressed.” Draco disappeared
back into the bedroom the door closing behind him. Harry was glad beyond words
that Snape couldn’t see him as the man spun back around as if to find out where
the boy was.
“Potter what do you want?” Snape inquired hastily still keeping his voice low.
Harry ignored the man, suddenly scared and angry that he was feeling so strange
towards Snape. Walking over to the door Harry paused and threw the book he’d
meant to be returning onto the side table, alerting Snape to his position.
“Potter?” Snape demanded again but Harry continued to ignore him and when the
door opened Harry fled easily through it the cloak tucked around him tightly.
Harry returned to the empty dorm, his friends still down at the dueling club.
With a flurry he put his father’s invisibility cloak in his trunk and got into
bed, pulling the curtains closed around him. In the dark of his bed Harry
stared up at the canopy his mind filled with a swirl of emotions he knew he
shouldn’t have. He shouldn’t be jealous of Snape, shouldn’t be angry Draco was
staying in Snape’s rooms, and he shouldn’t be hurt that the man allowed Draco
to use he first name and not him. With an irritated sigh Harry turned over and
buried his head beneath his pillow willing the strange feelings to go away.
Eventually Harry fell to sleep not even hearing when his friends returned to
the dorm.
***************************
The next morning Harry sat at the breakfast table alone. He was in an extremely
foul mood. Ron and Hermione had picked up on it immediately and left their
friend well alone. Others were not so attuned to the boy’s moods and Harry had
snapped and snarled at both Dean and Ginny who had attempted to ask him what
was wrong. Harry had avoided looking at Snape all morning and had instead tried
to burn a hole in the table with his acidic stare.
“Hey Harry isn’t that Hedwig?” Harry glanced up at Ron’s comment only to watch
as the snowy white owl came fluttering down to sit on the table in front of him
a letter in her grasp. Taking the letter Harry fed Hedwig what was left of his
square of bacon before rising hastily from the table as he recognized the
familiar green seal again.
“Harry where are you……” Hermione went to ask where Harry was going but the boy
blatantly ignored her and just continued to stride from the hall. Harry arrived
at Defense, far too early for class to start. Still Harry sat himself down and
got comfortable before pulling out the letter Hedwig had delivered. Ignoring
the seal this time Harry tore open the envelope and pulled out the small piece
of parchment inside and began to read.
‘Mr. Potter. I have arranged our ‘ring ceremony’ to take place this Friday in
the headmaster’s private observatory. The ceremony will be at 6.00 with a light
meal to be served to our guests afterwards. I have also arranged for you to be
absent from your dorm that evening. S.S’.
Harry stared at the note, its sharp, irritatingly cold tone causing him some
concern. For a ceremony that was supposed to be sacred and romantic Snape
seemed no less concerned by it than he would be a badly written report. Not
that Harry wanted the ceremony to be romantic or anything. Harry shook his head
in irritation as he felt the familiar swell of strange emotions pool in his
stomach. And who, did Snape think he was presuming Harry was going to spend the
evening with him? Screwing up the letter Harry stuffed it nastily into the
bottom of his school bag and sat seething in his chair. It was while he was
staring at the front of the classroom that the fluttering of the envelope
caught his attention once again. Glancing down at the envelope the green seal
drew him and he picked it up to get a closer look. Holding the green seal up to
the light Harry ran his hand over the intricate motif stamped in the wax,
something about it vaguely familiar. A snake sat curled around a crest of some
sort. Harry was still staring at the seal when the doors to the classroom
opened and students began filing in chattering among themselves.
“Hey Harry, you alright?” Ron sat down eagerly next to his friend trying and
failing not to notice what Harry was holding. “Was that your letter?” Ron
inquired as he began dragging his books out from his bag.
“Yeah nothing important.” Harry brushed the letter off and Ron knew better than
to argue. Harry was still staring at the seal on the envelope when he was
caught by a passing hand, with a firm whack to the back of his head. Harry spun
around and glared as he watched Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle sit down opposite him,
the blonde smiling smugly at Potter. Harry went to comment but Professor Lupin
strode into the classroom to begin the class.
Harry paid very little attention to Lupin as he droned on about Vampires and
instead he sat staring at Malfoy who was drawing rude cartoons on Crabbe’s
books. Despite himself all Harry could think about was seeing Draco in Snape’s
rooms the other night. The stupid arse blonde, with his well-defined body,
tanned skin and stupid bloody tattoo…
In an instant it hit Harry like a Hippogriff at full speed. The tattoo on
Draco’s back matched the seal on the letter. Forgetting completely about the
class Harry pulled the envelope from amongst the piles of books on his desk and
ran his fingers over the serpent curled around the crest. Harry would never
have believed it matched but to him it seemed to match perfectly. The intricacy
of the crest something Harry wouldn’t mistake. With this knowledge came another
more confounding mystery that stirred some unknown feeling in Harry yet again.
Why on earth would Draco have Snape’s seal tattooed on his shoulder?
“Harry? Harry Potter are you at all listening to me?” Harry looked up sharply
from the envelope to look guiltily into the eyes of Remus, who was now
glowering at him from the front of the class. Coming back to reality Harry
ventured a glance around the room and realized that everyone was now over in
the practice area waiting for him.
“Sorry Professor.” Harry whispered apologetically as he grabbed his wand and
moved swiftly over to join his friends. Naturally Draco and his cronies laughed
at his expense but Harry ignored them.
“Harry are you alright?” Hermione laid a friendly hand on Harry’s shoulder
whispering softly as not to be heard above Remus who was now instructing the
class again.
“Yeah I’m fine.” Harry whispered back his gaze automatically searching out
Malfoy who not surprisingly was glaring right back at him. Shaking his head
Harry focused back on class, already making up his mind to ask Snape about the
seal when he next saw the potions master.
Class passed slowly. Harry already knew spells to prevent vampire attacks and
so he tried desperately not to look bored when Remus went over it for a third
time for those in the class still not getting it. When the professor released
the class Harry couldn’t have gotten out of there quick enough. Divination was
next and Harry wanted to ask Ron if his family had a seal or something there
of. Harry had only just made it out of the door to the classroom when Malfoy
stepped out and blocked his path.
“What were you staring at Potter?” Malfoy snapped pushing Harry firmly on the
chest sending the boy staggering back a little into his best friend.
“Nothing but your ugly face Malfoy.” Ron barked over Harry’s shoulder having
righted his friend again after the push.
“Shut up Weasel, I wasn’t asking you.” Malfoy glared at Ron but then turned his
attention back to Harry. Harry glared at Malfoy, remembering the emotions that
swept through his body when he’d seen Draco in Snape’s rooms.
“When did you get the tattoo Draco?” Harry inquired calmly his gaze not leaving
the blonde’s. Harry watched as Draco’s gaze narrowed the boy now staring at
Harry evilly. Harry knew in that instant he was right but no sooner had Draco’s
expression darkened, it returned back to its usual sneer.
“You’ve gone absolutely mad haven’t you Potter? Not only are you seeing things
but you’re staring at other lad’s in the showers? Not satisfied with your
boyfriend’s body, you have to come sneaking around looking at mine? I don’t
have a tattoo Potter and keep your filthy little gaze away from me.” Like
before Draco’s gaze narrowed at the last comment, its unspoken meaning far more
important than anything Harry had heard. Not waiting for a reply Malfoy pushed
past Ron and Harry and swaggered off down the corridor his two bodyguards
trailing him closely. Harry watched Draco go his fists unintentionally clasped
tightly at his sides. ‘So Draco wanted to play that game? Well two could do
that.’
“What was all that about? Boyfriends, looking at boys in the shower, tattoos,
has the git gone completely off his rocker?” Ron inquired as they started
towards Divination class. They were undoubtedly going to be late.
“No Ron, Malfoy’s as mad as he usually is. When he said boyfriend I believe he
was referring to you and I.” Ron looked completely affronted but Harry
prevented any of Ron’s angry retorts by continuing quickly. “As for the rest, I
have no idea.” With a shrug of his shoulders Harry began to run up the
staircase towards the North Tower, Ron running after him still complaining
about Malfoy thinking he and Harry were dating.
Harry had a lot to think about now. Obviously Draco didn’t want anyone knowing
about the tattoo but Harry was going to get to the bottom of it and he spent
most of the day plotting ways of getting to the truth….
A/N As usual 10 chapters a post, to give me time to check a few things. Read
and enjoy. Riffraff
***** It's a Wolf Thing *****
Chapter 11
“So come on Harry fess up. Where exactly was your mind in my class today?”
Remus sat patiently in the chair opposite the podium Harry was stood on. The
tailor was still magically cutting and styling the fabric around Harry for the
new robes he’d commissioned.
“On Malfoy if you can believe.” Harry whispered as he turned slowly around,
having been prompted by the tailor, who was making a fine job of the rich blood
red robes. Remus looked slightly surprised at Harry’s confession but didn’t
comment as Harry was turned back around. “I think he’s sleeping in Snape’s
chambers.” Harry didn’t mean his comment to sound so sour but just thinking
about the blonde made his blood boil.
“How do you know that?” Remus inquired as he played with one of the ties of the
many parcels that sat around him. He and Harry had been shopping all evening,
the boy seriously having put some thought into his purchases. Harry shook his
head quietly at his professor, indicating silently he didn’t want to answer
that question in unfamiliar company.
“There, we go Mr. Potter.” Harry turned his attention to the old wizard before
him, who stood back from him and brought over a full-length mirror. Harry
stared at his reflection in admiration. The new robes were beautiful. His
trousers and shirt were made of the purest black while the outer formal robes
were blood red, trimmed expertly with gold. Turning full circle to acquire the
full affect, Harry looked questioningly at Lupin, who was now staring at Harry
in amazement.
“Well what do you think?” Harry questioned, eager to hear what Remus thought of
the new robes he’d had made especially for this ‘ring ceremony’.
“Wonderful, Sirius will be amazed by how mature you look in them.” Harry
blushed but nodded in acceptance. Turning to the tailor Harry smiled his
thanks, as he stepped down from the podium.
“Thank you you’re very talented. I’ll just go change and Remus will finalize
the payment for me.” The tailor nodded and ushered Harry into the change room
leaving Remus to pay the 100 galleons it had cost the boy to have the new
robes. Harry emerged from the change room back in his normal school robes and
watched as the tailor carefully packed away the new outfit as he and Remus
collected up their other parcels.
“So is that everything now Harry?” Looking down at the armfuls of parcels they
had Remus sighed as he stepped out into the moon lit street.
“Yeah, that’s about everything. Do you want to sit and have a pumpkin juice
before we go back? On me of course.” Harry smiled gesturing at the small café
on the corner of the street. Remus agreed easily and both men sat down at an
empty table inside having ordered their drinks.
“So are you going to answer my question now?” Remus inquired as the waitress
brought over their juices. Harry reclined back in his chair pondering whether
he should be explicit about his concerns. Considering there was precious anyone
else Harry could speak to, Remus seemed the obvious answer.
“Snape leant me a book and I returned it last night. Draco was there, having a
bath. Snape said he was just receiving treatment but I saw a pillow and a
blanket on the couch.” Harry whispered softly as he sipped from his drink,
cautiously gauging Remus’ reaction. There was silence for a little while before
Remus shrugged his shoulders unknowingly.
“All I can say Harry is that Draco is Snape’s godson and he is rightfully
allowed in his guardian’s rooms. And if Snape does say that Draco was receiving
treatment I see no reason not to believe him.” Remus paused as he sipped
thoughtfully on his juice before continuing. “Why does it bother you anyway?”
The question Remus asked was the one Harry had been asking himself all day. No
matter how Harry reasoned a little part of him still swelled up in rage when he
thought about Draco and Snape.
“That’s the point Remus, it shouldn’t bother me.” Harry whispered his juice now
finished. Remus frowned but let Harry continue. “Last week I couldn’t have
cared less if Draco was sleeping there or not. In fact I didn’t care if Snape
fell off a cliff and died but since I signed that piece of paper the other day
something inside of me is irritated knowing Draco’s sleeping in his chambers.
Unconsciously I’m keeping track of Snape, watching him when I’ve got no reason
to do so. It’s driving me up the wall Remus. I hate the slimy little git, but I
don’t too, if that makes any sense at all?” Harry sighed and put his head in
his hands finally cracking under the strain of the week of hell he’d just had.
Through Harry’s little speech, Remus had remained strangely silent. Glancing up
from his hands Harry was a little stunned to see Remus staring at him blankly
almost in shock.
“It is the bond, it’s forming already.” Harry dropped his hands and looked
curiously at Remus who had now pushed his juice aside and was leant forward on
the chair, his voice lowered so no one else could over hear them. “I’m sure you
read the differences between a wizards’ marriage and a muggle one yes?” Harry
nodded prompting Remus to continue. “Well this is one of these differences.
Wizard marriages are legally called ‘bonds’ and describe the uniting of two
magical creatures with one another.” Harry frowned and shook his head not
following Remus at all. With an exaggerated sigh Remus continued regardless.
“Unlike a muggle marriage which is merely a uniting of souls, a wizard marriage
is a uniting of magic. Essentially by agreeing to marry Snape, you’ve agreed to
share your magic with him and he with you.”
“So Snape can use my magic? Shit.” Harry whispered all of a sudden regretting
having ever put his name on that parchment. Seeing Harry’s fear, Remus reached
across a placed a gentle hand on Harry’s.
“No, not yet anyway. That is the last stage of a bond and takes many years to
occur if ever. What you’re experiencing is the early stages of the bond
forming.” Remus paused yet again letting the information sink in before
continuing. “Normal couples have already experienced this. Due to their
affection for one another, the effects of a bond can be passed off as love but
because you and Snape are rather adverse to one another you are feeling the
effects of your magical bond forming far more acutely. Most couples never feel
any different after marriage because the feelings for one another that would
have been formed during the bond have already happened during the early stages
of their romantic relationship.” Remus came to the end of his speech and while
a little wiser Harry was more worried than ever, with what Remus was
suggesting.
“So you’re saying I’m falling in love with Snape because my magic wants
company?” Harry pulled a horrid face the idea alone turning his stomach. Remus
chuckled and shook his head lightly.
“No, you’re just becoming more aware of Snape because your magic is combining
with his. Your magic is essentially a very intimate part of you and is highly
sensitive to your moods, health, mental well-being. It only makes sense that
when you introduce another person’s magic, just as intimate as your own that
you’re going to feel it. This is why it is usually only couples in love that
form wizard bonds or marry if you will.” Harry stared at the empty glass in
front of him deep in thought before he looked up in concern at Remus.
“Isn’t this a little dangerous? If Snape and I are ‘bound’ to one another,
won’t you-know-who be able to feel it through my bond with him?” Harry touched
his fingertips to his scar by way of explanation. Harry watched as Remus sighed
deeply his expression darkening a little.
“We don’t know. That is why we tried so vehemently to prevent this but as you
know we had no choice.” Harry sighed inwardly and rubbed his scar absently. So
even if none of them told old Voldie, he and Snape were husband and husband,
the bastard might already know through the bond. Snape was doomed and that
somehow made Harry feel bloody awful. “Come on Harry it’s late and we need to
get back.” Harry nodded and gathering his purchases followed Remus towards the
apparition point. There was a little line up for the point and Harry and Remus
joined the queue to wait patiently. It was while they were standing there that
Harry thought about the other thing bothering him.
“Remus?” The werewolf glanced down at Harry who was staring up at the night sky
absently. “What do you know about seals?” Harry inquired as they moved along
the line.
“Seals?” Remus whispered in complete confusion. “Well they swim in the ocean,
they’re kind of gray and furry oh and they taste like chicken.” Harry stared up
at Remus blankly the man seemingly pleased that he’d recalled that last fact.
“Seals as in wax seals you close letters with, not the sea mammals.” Harry
clarified watching as Remus’ face lit up in realization.
“Oh right, okay then. What do you want to know?” Remus inquired bubbly, a
little more enthusiastic now he knew what he was talking about.
“Anything really, like do all wizarding families have seals, what do they
symbolize?” Harry looked expectantly up at Remus who pondered on the questions
for a moment before answering.
“I don’t know a lot about them but I know the old wizarding families still use
seals a lot. They’re more old school than anything else. They used to symbolize
ownership of property but now I think people just use them to ‘seal’ letters
and important documents. Each individual family seal supposedly incorporates
the characteristics of that family. I couldn’t tell you much more about them.
Snape probably knows more, his family seal has been around for millennia, you
should ask him.” Drawing closer now to the end of the line Harry began
shrinking his packages and slipping them into the pockets on his robe. Remus
helped the boy.
“Yeah I think I will ask him.” Harry replied thoughtfully as the last of his
packages were stowed securely in his pockets.
“May I ask why the sudden interest in seals?” Remus glanced down at Harry again
as he paid the point keeper the two knut’s to use the apparition point.
“Oh just something I saw, it’s not important I’ll just ask Snape.” Harry
brushed the question off as he and Remus stepped up into the apparition point.
Harry automatically wrapped his arms around the professor, still legally not
having his apparition license. “Incidentally Remus how do you know seal tastes
like chicken?” Looking up at Remus from the man’s chest, Harry watched as a
cheeky smile twitched at the corners of the professor’s lips.
“It’s a wolf thing you wouldn’t understand.” With that they were gone, a sharp
pop echoing in their wake.
***** Wedded Bliss *****
Chapter 12
Quietly Harry stirred his potion, taking due care not to mess up. It had been a
miracle he’d made it into advanced potions this year he didn’t need to fail it
now.
“Your strokes are too short, lengthen them.” Harry felt Snape approaching him
long before the professor had made it to his bench. Looking up from his
cauldron Harry met Snape’s gaze for a second before adjusting his stirring
motion accordingly. Snape lingered over Harry’s bench watching intently as the
boy added the last of the powdered shrivel fig root to the mixture. Returning
to his stirring Harry avoided glancing at Snape, not giving the man the
satisfaction of seeing Harry looking for his approval. Being ignored by Harry
didn’t seem to sit well and with a snort of disgruntlement, Snape pointed to
the disarray of used dishes and bottles on Harry’s bench. “Five points from
Gryfindor for an untidy bench Potter.” Harry’s head snapped up abruptly, hardly
believing that Snape was being so petty. “How you don’t create more disasters
than you do currently with your preparation area in such a mess is beyond me.”
Snape moved to continue his slow walk between the rows of students. Harry went
to protest Snape’s unfairness but the man cut him off before he could speak a
word. “Open your mouth Mr. Potter and I’ll make it 15.” The threat was not idly
given and Harry knew better than to push Snape, who from the moment he’d
stepped into the great hall that morning seemed to have been in a foul mood.
Harry glared at Snape’s back angrily but having stirred his potion the required
amount, returned to cleaning up his workbench. Harry noted his bench was no
untidier than Draco’s or Hermione’s for that matter.
While he was washing some of the used potions bottles, Harry glanced up to see
Draco staring at him, a smug smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The
blonde was far too smug and Harry watched as Draco drew Snape’s attention
calling the man over to look at his potion. Silently Harry watched as Snape
bent over the bench to see into Draco’s cauldron, the blonde exaggerating his
motions as he asked questions. Harry distantly heard Snape award Slytherin
points for a well-made potion but that wasn’t what angered him so violently. As
Harry watched the blonde’s hand that had strayed on top of the bench was now
touching Snape’s. It wasn’t anything Snape or anyone else may have noticed but
every inch of Harry’s body screamed in rage as he saw Draco’s flesh touch
Snape’s.
“Harry! Harry!” Harry was drawn abruptly back from his stare to find Hermione
shaking him violently. Glancing from his friend down into the sink Harry saw
the cause of her anguish. The glass vial Harry had been washing now lay
shattered in his hand, the shards of glass embedded deep in his skin, causing
it to bleed profusely. The clean water was now bloodied and Harry felt suddenly
weak at the knees at the sight of his cut up hand. Shaking Harry struggled to
stay up right, Hermione having trouble propping her friend up as he began to
sway and paled visibly.
“Potter what on earth do you think you are doing you clumsy boy!” A harsh angry
voice rang through the fog of Harry’s shock as the pain finally began to
register as the anger fled. Strong arms captured Harry’s waist before the boy
could collapse completely. “Granger, grab me that cloth then go and fetch Madam
Pomfrey.” Harry felt Snape growl angrily right before a cloth was wrapped
around his bleeding hand. “The rest of you finish and bottle your potions.
Homework is on the board. Class dismissed.” Harry briefly saw the flick of a
wand out of the corner of his eye before he was being helped into Snape’s
office and sat roughly down in a chair. “I can not leave you alone to do one
simple task can I? It will be your own fault if you have contracted something
from the mix of ingredients in the water.” Harry’s vision swam a little before
his eyes but everything soon came back into focus as Snape wafted an awful
smelling liquid beneath Harry’s nose.
Coughing with the strength of the smell Harry focused on Snape who was now
perched on the edge of the desk, the boys chin firmly clasped in his fingers.
“You will make no Auror Potter, if you faint at the sight of your own blood.”
Disgusted but satisfied that the boy was not going to pass out on him Snape let
go of Harry’s chin and gestured for the boy to show him his injured hand. Harry
obediently brought his hand up and tried not to wince as Snape roughly pulled
the hand towards the candle light, inspecting closely the shards of glass that
reflected in the light. “Madam Pomfrey can deal with this, you are lucky there
seems to be no signs of contamination.” Harry sighed softly as Snape wrapped
the injured hand back up in the cloth before allowing Harry to cradle it back
against his chest. Harry watched as Snape moved away from the desk, over to the
door of his office obviously making sure that his class was doing as they were
told.
Harry had not spoken to Snape since storming from his rooms Tuesday evening and
they had hardly spent an hour in each other’s company since signing the
contract. Having heard Remus’ diagnosis of his weird feelings, Harry wondered
if Snape was experiencing the same strange feelings. Now however was not the
time to question it especially with Snape so volatile. The slap he’d received
last time he’d spoken his mind still fresh in his memories. Harry went to ask
about Snape’s family seal when the professor spoke first startling Harry into
silence.
“Where did you go with Lupin last night?” Snape didn’t turn around from where
he was staring out of his office door, his arms folded into the fabric of his
robes across his chest. Frowning a little in confusion Harry tucked his injured
hand closer to his body, unsure how Snape knew he’d left the castle at all.
“Shopping in Diagon Alley. With the headmaster’s permission.” Harry added
quickly already knowing the way the potions professors mind worked and not
wanting to lose more house points. “Why do you want to know?” Harry queried
quickly knowing that their conversation was likely to be a short one, with
Hermione returning with Madam Pomfrey soon.
“Students aren’t permitted to leave school grounds during the year unless on a
supervised excursion such as the ‘Hogsmede Weekends’.” Snape it seemed was
going to ignore Harry’s inquiry and this irritated the boy.
“I just told you I had the headmaster’s permission and Lupin was my
supervision. Quite frankly it is none of your business where I go.” Almost
instantly Snape had crossed the room and Harry had to lean back in the chair as
Snape’s face came within inches of Harry’s, the frightening glare unbelievably
close.
“You don’t get it yet do you Potter?” Snape practically growled from the pit of
his stomach into Harry’s face, the man’s nose just brushing Harry’s as he
leaned impossibly closer, his hands blocking any escape from the boy who was
pinned to the chair. “Everything you do is now my business and I will not have
you foolishly running about Diagon Alley just asking for trouble from those who
would take the opportunity of your lax security arrangement to serve you
filleted and on a platter to the Dark Lord himself. Do I make myself clear?”
“Perfectly.” Harry whispered as he felt yet another of his freedoms being
snatched away from him. Snape seemed almost relived to hear Harry’s reply and
Harry watched closely as the man pulled away and sat back on the desk opposite
the boy. Harry straightened back up again, his bleeding hand still against his
chest. Surprisingly Harry continued his gaze not leaving Snape’s as a new
determination welled in his stomach. “Logically after the statement you just
made I would jump to the conclusion that the opposite of your statement is true
also and that your business is now also mine?” Harry watched as Snape’s gaze
narrowed in suspicion, surprised that Harry was being so bold.
“And your point being Potter?” Snape queried his suspicious gaze not wavering
an inch.
“I want to know why Malfoy was in your rooms on Tuesday evening.” Harry knew he
sounded foolish and that thought was concreted when Snape’s suspicious gaze
softened slightly and a malicious smile broke out onto the man’s lips.
“Why Potter, if I didn’t know better I would say you’re jealous.” Harry’s
determination and confidence deflated quickly and the boy looked hastily away
from Snape’s nasty smirk. “Is that the reason for the tantrum the other
evening? Pissed off are we that someone other than you occupies my time?” Harry
instantly fell into defensive mode and glared accusingly at Snape, a very
familiar and old anger for his hated greasy potions master rising in him.
“You have an over estimation of your self-worth Professor. I couldn’t care less
whom you spend your time with, so long as I don’t have to spend any more time
than I have to in your company.” Harry paused slightly disbelieving how acid
his own words could sound. “As for jealousy? You mistake jealousy for self-
preservation and concern. I am merely wondering why you are taking risks in
exposing our relationship, when you yourself admit it must remain a secret if
you are to retain your life. You can doubtlessly see my concern of our secret
escaping when you freely allow the son of a death eater in your rooms? But
perhaps you enjoy flirting with your own death but then that would make your
comments about my little shopping trip, just that little less meaningful. After
all what’s the point in chastising me over my trip to Diagon Alley when you
yourself are digging your own grave any how.” Harry tried desperately not to
let the pain those words caused him show in his expression as he met Snape’s
glare with one of his own. The silence that now hung in the air was thick and
Harry could feel the tension riddled air almost suffocating him. As the silence
continued Harry was almost sure Hermione or Madam Pomfrey would come in a break
the tension but that way out never came. Instead it was Snape who made the
move, leaning in again close to Harry.
“Touché.” Snape whispered his gaze burrowing deep into Harry’s who was
unfortunately faltering under the pressure. “It is little gems like that Mr.
Potter that remind me of why I chose you for my partner in wedded bliss.” No
sooner had Snape spoken then Madam Pomfrey and Hermione came bursting in
through the office door. Snape expertly moved away from Harry onto the other
side of the room as if nothing had passed between them.
“Oh Mr. Potter, what have you done this time.” Madam Pomfrey sighed and quickly
bustled around to see to Harry’s injury. Harry’s gaze never left Snape’s the
boy completely dumbstruck by the reaction Snape and given him. The pair
continued to stare at one another in silence, oblivious to the other observer
in the room….
***** Tomorrow You'll Get Lucky *****
Chapter 13
In a quiet corner of Dumbledore’s reading room Harry sat staring at the wall of
books in front of him, completely numb all over as he heard the quiet, nervous
chatter of his friends and family outside. The day had passed in a blur, his
classes running into one another as Ron led him blindly between the rooms
concerned for his friend’s vagueness but not commenting. Tonight was the night
they completed the deal the rings and all. While it hadn’t seemed like anything
when Snape had talked about it in the letter, sitting here alone in this little
room Harry couldn’t think of anything else. Outside was four of the people
Harry considered his closest and only family he had, all of them waiting to
witness Harry’s union to a man he despised. The sinking feeling had begun when
he’d woken up this morning and had only steadily grown throughout the day until
sickness was imminent. With his head down the toilet violently being ill, Harry
had pondered everything that had happened and was going to happen. After the
ceremony Snape was going to take him back to the dungeons and have sex with
him. A man, was going to fuck him and above all else that was what frightened
Harry the most. After the contract negotiations Harry had put it out of his
mind. The idea of having sex with Snape was just too horrifying but while
sitting in the 5th floor boy’s bathroom being ill, it had all come slowly back
to him.
Harry had made his own way up to the headmaster’s office just before 6, leaving
behind his confused friends knowing he would return to them tomorrow a changed
person. With a sigh Harry had allowed Dumbledore to show him into the reading
room to get changed and prepared, not that he could ever have prepared himself
for what was to come. Dressed in his new robes Harry sat on the chair staring
at his reflection in the mirror opposite him unable to draw his eyes away. In
all his life he would never have imagined himself in this position and regret
began to build in his mind, about all the things he would never probably do now
he was bound to Snape.
A sharp knock at the door interrupted his miserable musings and Harry barely
made it to his feet when Snape strode into the room.
“Potter your godfather………..” Snape trailed off as the potion professor’s gaze
fell on Harry. Self-consciously Harry tugged on the sleeves of his new robe his
gaze not lifting from the floor as he felt Snape’s gaze travel up and down his
appearance in appraisal. Harry half expected to hear Snape sneering something
about the colour, the two of them not having spoken a word to one another since
the incident in the classroom yesterday. However no comment was forth coming
and when the silence continued Harry braved a glance up to meet Snape’s dark
gaze. Harry was stunned by what he saw. Snape stood up in a floor length black
coat, buttoned from the neck to mid knee. The coat was made of the finest black
material and the soft black leather boots just visible beneath seemed almost
lacking. Snape’s dark greasy hair was now cleanly washed and was tied back with
a black ribbon at the base of the man’s neck. Harry had never seen Snape
looking so regal and the man’s presence grew immensely with the new appearance.
While Snape brushed up well the man’s appearance did nothing for the way Harry
was feeling and as he drew his gaze away from Snape’s Harry sighed heavily
unable to stop a single tear from escaping.
“Tell me there’s something beyond this because at the moment I can see nothing
but my life slipping through my fingers.” His words were full of pain and
hopelessness and Harry felt his chest tighten in agony at the true extent of
what he was losing by being forced into this marriage. Harry hardly flinched as
he felt Snape move further into the room, the man quietly closing the door
behind him leaving the room only illuminated by the single candle Harry had lit
when he’d first come in. Cast in shadows Snape moved forward until he was
standing in front of Harry, the boys face turned away into darkness. Slowly
Snape drew his hand up to cup Harry’s cheek drawing the boy’s face towards him
gently so that the single silver tear glittered in the flickering light. Harry
had little choice but to meet Snape’s gaze instantly falling into the dark
windows of the man’s eyes. Without hesitation Snape leaned forward and
involuntarily Harry closed his eyes and parted his lips knowing what was coming
and powerless to stop it.
The first tentative touch of Snape’s lips to his own was strange. Harry had
only ever kissed one other person and that was Cho and that had hardly been a
kiss. Still it was the only thing Harry could compare Snape’s kiss to. Where
Cho’s lips were sweet tasting, Snape’s were bitter. The girl’s lips had been
soft and supple but Snape’s were slightly chapped but warm. Cho had smelt of
strawberries and flowers but Snape smelt of sandalwood and crisp winter air.
With his eyes closed Harry could almost imagine the kiss being that of a woman
but it was the firmness of the roughened hand on his cheek that reminded him of
whom the lips belonged to. All in all the kiss was not unpleasant and Harry
stayed completely still when the chaste kiss ended and Snape pulled slightly
away. With his eyes still closed Harry felt Snape’s thumb gently brush away the
tear on his cheek before another gentle kiss was placed on his cheek were it
had been. A soft whisper met his ears although it sounded far louder as the
blood rushing to his head made his senses supersensitive.
“Tomorrow is what’s beyond.”
“Tomorrow?” Harry whispered back not daring to open his eyes for fear of what
he’d see.
“Yes, tomorrow you may get lucky and I’ll die.” At Snape’s whispered reply
Harry couldn’t help but open his eyes and he looked blankly at Snape as the man
pulled back from him consciously straightening out his coat, his pink tongue
briefly flicking out to wet his lips. Harry could hardly believe those lips
were the ones just kissing him and despite himself a little part of him wanted
them to return.
“I wouldn’t want that.” Harry whispered softly watching as a surprised smile
twitched at the corners of his lips.
“No?” Snape inquired obviously of a different mind.
“No.” Harry whispered again this time accompanying it with a shake of his head.
“Who would save me from myself then?” Snape huffed a small laugh at Harry’s
comment and the boy couldn’t help but let a small smile of his own play at the
corners of his lips. Perhaps McGonagall had been right after all, and that
Snape wasn’t the worst person he could marry in the world.
“True.” Snape whispered in return and opened the door to the room, allowing the
light from Dumbledores spacious office to filter back in. “Your godfather has
arrived and the master of ceremonies is ready to begin.” Snape held out his arm
for Harry who having taken a deep steadying breath stepped up to Snape’s side
gently taking hold of the man’s arm and sliding his hand into Snape’s just as
tradition require of them. Stepping out into the main office, Snape led the way
quietly to the steps leading up into Dumbledore’s observatory.
“I still hate you.” Harry muttered cheekily as they began up the stairs feeling
better but still not overly confident. Snape’s presence by his side seemed to
sure up some of the more radical emotions Harry had been dealing with all day
but he still wasn’t perfect. Snape smiled down at Harry as they reached the top
of the staircase, the small gathering clustered around the white rose podium in
the center of the observatory.
“I would expect nothing less Potter.”
******************************************
“That wasn’t too painful.” Harry muttered as he stared at the platinum and gold
ring around his finger, its matching brother glittering on Snape’s finger. It
didn’t feel as strange as Harry had expected it too. Admittedly it was heavy on
his finger but it was not uncomfortable. Snape said nothing in return to the
comment and merely continued to eat the raspberries from the punnet beside him.
Sirius, Lupin and McGonagall sat opposite them on plush white cushions sharing
the picnic feast the house elves had prepared in secret. Elderberry wine, had
accompanied soft cheeses and fruit platters, along with turkey and cranberry
sandwiches. Like Snape had said it was a very light meal and everyone it
seemed, although subdued, was enjoying themselves, quietly chattering with one
another. Trying not to be overly romantic Harry couldn’t have picked a more
perfect spot to have the ceremony; under the open roof of Dumbledore’s
observatory the stars had played silent witness to the pairs union even if only
five actual people knew about it.
“I didn’t picture you as a romantic.” Harry whispered as he stared up into the
clear sky trying and failing to remember anything from astronomy class that
he’d learnt.
“Don’t fool yourself, I’m not.” Snape replied as he politely wiped his fingers
on a napkin and reclined easily back on his own plush cushion, his coat having
been undone to reveal the crisp white shirt beneath and the tailored fitted
trousers. Harry sighed but said nothing, not wanting to upset the equilibrium
they were currently sitting on at the moment. Having not spoken two nice words
to one another for most of the week, to be back to being civil was almost
pleasant. While trying not to think about it, a niggling part of Harry’s mind
reminded him that the night was not over when the ceremony was over, but for
the moment Harry tried to forget about his impending deflowering.
Snape had kissed him again as customary to the traditions of the ring ceremony.
This kiss had been quicker and Harry had noted the tenseness in the man’s lips
obviously disliking the public display of intimacy. It was a point Harry made
to note, that Snape obviously wasn’t an exhibitionist. Yet again Harry didn’t
feel anything especially ‘gay’ about the kiss, in fact it wasn’t any different
from kissing Cho in reality. Technically it wasn’t as foul as he would have
expected, and his skin didn’t crawl with horror at the memory of it either.
The night wore on with Snape and Harry’s time spent in pleasant company, just
as they had back in Snape’s chambers when they’d been discussing Snape’s love
of books. There was no ‘Potter’ or scowls only polite exchanges about the
ceremony and the food. Eventually though it had to come to an end and Harry was
surprised to feel Snape’s hand come up to touch his arm, drawing Harry away
from his conversation with Sirius. The moment Harry looked into Snape’s eyes he
knew it was time and Harry breathed out awkwardly as he nodded silently at
Snape’s request.
“I’ll make our excuses to the headmaster.” With a curt nod Harry watched Snape
rise from the pillow, the man disappearing over to where Dumbledore was talking
with McGonagall about the stars above them. Harry turned slowly towards Sirius
who had silently watched the exchange between the unwilling couple. Reaching
out a supportive hand Sirius placed it comfortably on Harry’s shoulder.
“The first is always the hardest Harry but you’ll survive it.” Harry nodded
quietly smiling at the chain looped around Sirius’ neck, a thank-you present
Harry had brought and given to his godfather after the ring ceremony earlier.
“And remember Harry its only once a month. Think of it as a chore and nothing
more.” Sirius brushed his hand down Harry’s cheek before leaning in a placing a
soft kiss to his godson’s forehead. “And if that bastard hurts you at all, I’ll
hunt him down and tear his heart out with my bare hands.” Sirius looked
seriously at Harry who nodded in understanding right before a shadow fell over
them. Harry sighed as he glanced up at Snape, tentatively accepting the hand
the man offered as help from the ground. Harry watched Snape and Sirius stare
at one another before Snape turned away and led Harry down from the observatory
and over to the fireplace in Dumbledore’s study.
“You first.” Snape handed Harry a small handful of floo powder and Harry
stepped up to fireplace, pausing in front of the flames Harry glanced back at
the observatory saddened somewhat to see Dumbledore, McGonagall, Sirius and
Lupin all standing at the top of the staircase watching him leave. With a sigh
Harry waved weakly at Sirius his godfather smiling and waving weakly back. The
man had restrained himself well throughout the entire ceremony, not once
referring to his hatred of Snape. Like wise Snape had returned the favor
although Harry was sure there was only more hatred between them now than there
ever was before. Turning back to the fireplace, Harry threw the powder into the
flames and having steeled his nerves stepped through into Snape’s quarters.
Not a moment later Snape was standing next to him, the man absently brushing
the soot from his clothes as he stepped casually over to his little kitchen and
poured himself a glass of what Harry assumed was brandy. Standing awkwardly
where he was in the middle of the living room, Harry began to absently turn the
ring on his finger around, the motion soon to become a habit. Due to the
secrecy of their marriage, the rings had been charmed so that no one other than
Snape and Harry could see them. On his second sip of his brandy Snape moved
quietly over to his chair by the fire, unbuttoning the last of his coat and
taking it off to drape over the back of the sofa before he sat down. Harry
swallowed nervously his eyes turned to the floor as he felt Snape’s perusal of
him.
“I’m not going to jump you like a wild animal Potter, you can relax.” Snape
watched carefully as Harry breathed out for the first time since he’d stepped
into the living room, the boy nervously sitting down on the edge of the chair
opposite, his eyes still trained to the floor. Harry had no idea what was
expected of him now. This was completely new territory for him and no amount of
books would prepare him for what was required of him.
“I didn’t expect you would.” Harry whispered trying and failing to make
conversation so that he didn’t feel so god damn vulnerable as he was feeling
now. Snape huffed what Harry assumed as a disbelieving chuckle before speaking
again. “I’m just nervous. When I pictured losing my virginity in no part of it
was there another man.” Harry couldn’t believe he’d just said what he had but
that seemed to draw Snape into further conversation, which at present was
something other to think about than the bed waiting for them in the other room.
“Believe me Potter, there are far worse ways of being plucked than having sex
with your male potions professor.” Harry glanced up cautiously into Snape’s
eyes and was a little frightened by the way Snape’s expression spoke so wholly
of experience in this matter. Harry however didn’t want to ponder how Snape
knew about the other ways to loose ones virginity and instead dropped his gaze
back to where he was twisting the ring about his finger again. Silence again
fell between them and Harry watched from above the rims of his glasses as Snape
finished off what was in his glass of brandy before setting it aside on the
table. Snape’s gaze then fell back on Harry’s. “As disbelieving as it seems Mr.
Potter I do prefer my bed partners willing and having spent a good six years
pretending to be impotent my cock has seen little more action than daily
urination. While I acknowledge you will likely get very little from our sexual
encounters I do ask you learn to accept this monthly copulation, so that I
don’t feel like a dirty, perverted old professor every time we do this.” Harry
nodded silently having hardly believed he’d just heard what he had from Snape’s
mouth. “Now are there any requests or rules before we enter the bedroom? I know
how much this task disgusts you so I’ll do my best to refrain from touching
you, anything else?”
“No.” Harry shook his head quietly and watched as Snape gestured towards the
bedroom.
“Good. There’s a nightshirt in the bathroom and a fresh towel. I would expect
that before entering my bed you would shower thoroughly and use the facilities.
If you catch my meaning?” Harry read clearly between the lines and nodded again
in understanding. Getting up from the chair Harry moved quietly over to the
bedroom door pausing just on the threshold to glance back at Snape who was now
reclining thoughtfully in his chair.
“Um do you think I could call you Severus now that we’re….” Snape turned around
and glanced over the back of his chair at Harry who had trailed off and was
gesturing to the ring on his finger. For a moment Snape seemed to consider the
question, Harry assumed the man was going to say no.
“I suppose that would be acceptable, calling me ‘Sir’ or ‘Professor’ seems
somewhat a joke now that we are bound. It will only happen in private though.”
Harry nodded enthusiastically surprised that Snape had agreed.
“And would you call me Harry?” Harry was sure he was pushing his luck and he
was right as he watched Snape turn back around to face the fire, his back to
Harry again.
“We’ll see.” Was Snape’s cool reply. Harry sighed but was expecting that
answer. Turning Harry hurried into the bathroom trying and failing miserably to
prepare himself for the night ahead…
***** Unattainable Ecstasy *****
Chapter 14
Checking his appearance in the mirror a final time Harry steeled himself and
gingerly opened the bathroom door. Harry was surprised to see Snape sitting up
in bed, a book propped open in his lap. Like Harry the man was dressed in a
blue night shirt, and Harry was rather pleased Snape was under the covers,
having just realized he’d never seen the man’s bare legs. The bedroom was
bathed in minimal light a single candle sitting on the bedside table, aiding
Snape in reading. Snape had also untied his hair the black locks now back to
resting on the man’s shoulders and about his face. Harry decided instantly he
liked the man better with his hair tied back.
“I was beginning to wonder Potter, if the bath full of water was not too much
temptation?” Harry jumped a little at Snape’s calm voice the man not even
looking up from his book.
“It crossed my mind.” Harry whispered as he stepped gingerly into the bedroom
carefully closing the bathroom door behind him. Yes Harry had thought of all
the gruesome deaths he could think of in the bathroom as a way out of this, but
in the end reason had won out.
“Get in.” Harry watched as Snape flipped down the edge of the sheets still not
looking up from his book. Wrapping his arms nervously about his body Harry
scampered across the cold slate floor and launched himself into the bed. The
bed groaned and rocked at the boy’s entrance and Snape looked up from his book
as the bed shook violently. “I am somewhat glad these chambers are built on
solid bedrock or I’m sure we would just have plummeted through several floors.
Must you jump into bed?” Snape stared blankly at Harry who blushed and settled
on the very far side of the bed away from Snape.
“Sorry the floor is cold.” Harry whispered as he pulled the blanket up to his
chin feeling terribly uncomfortable wearing a nightshirt to bed. Harry had
thought about putting underwear on underneath it but had thought again when he
remembered what exactly they were going to be doing.
“Then it would serve you well to remember to bring slippers or perhaps some
socks with you next spend the night here.” Snape stated quietly as he returned
to his book completely ignoring Harry who lay huddled up in the blanket by his
side. For a long while there was silence, Harry staring up into the cream
canopy above him while he listened to Snape turning the pages of his book
occasionally. When the silence wore on Harry began to feel even more nervous
and awkward. He had at least expected Snape to get on with it, but the man
seemed to be in no rush. Turning over onto his side Harry stared blankly out at
the set of draws beside him, waiting and listening for the moment Snape chose
to do something.
Eventually Harry felt the bed shift slightly and heard Snape close and put away
his book. With his body stiffening in fear Harry heard Snape mutter ‘nox’ right
before the candle was snuffed out leaving only the darkened room. Harry knew
what was coming and the boy closed his eyes and swallowed fearfully. A warm
hand came to rest on his waist pulling him back towards the middle of the bed,
until Harry felt a warm body pressed up against the length of his own. Harry
was as rigid as a board as the hand that had rested on his waist dropped down
to his thigh easily pushing up the thin material of the nightshirt until it sat
on his waist exposing his lower half. In a way Harry was glad it was dark,
because Snape wouldn’t see how embarrassed Harry was. The hand that had moved
the nightshirt now rested gently on his hipbone precariously close to Harry’s
limp cock and the soft nest of curls it lay in. Harry shuddered involuntarily
as he felt Snape’s soft breath ghost across his neck where the man was far too
close for comfort in Harry’s opinion. Harry felt the bed shift slightly and the
chink of a bottle being removed from a draw. Harry listened, as the bottle was
uncorked before a strange aroma of lavender and sage assaulted his senses.
Thank-fully Harry felt the hand on his hip removed but the happiness was short
lived when the hand returned to a far more private place. Harry practically
tried to scoot off the bed when a wet finger delved easily between his arse
cheeks. The boy didn’t make it very far though when a strong hand came up again
to rest on his hip, holding him in place.
The digit was persistent and circled Harry’s tightly clenched pucker rubbing
its cool liquid coating into Harry’s skin. When it was clear the digit wasn’t
being intrusive Harry began to relax almost enjoying the intimate massage. It
was when he relaxed though that the digit became more insistent and Harry
squeaked out loud, his body tensing as the digit pushed its way easily into
Harry’s entrance. Again Harry tried to pull away but the hand on his waist kept
him where he was. The feeling of something inside him like that was strange,
and while it was uncomfortable it didn’t hurt as such. Harry wondered if that
was it, but then the finger began to move gently sliding in and out of Harry’s
body. Harry found it far easier to relax into the sensation when he didn’t
think about whom the finger belonged too, although the gentle breath against
his neck was pretty hard not to ignore.
Eventually the first finger was joined by another and while this was a stretch
it wasn’t painful. By the time a third finger joined its brothers inside of
Harry the boy hardly noticed the intrusion or the gentle in out motion of the
fingers. If he screwed his eyes up Harry could almost enjoy the feeling and his
own cock had taken an interest in proceedings as well. However his relaxed
attitude soon died as the three fingers were removed completely from his body.
Harry heard the rustling of material behind him shortly before something far
thicker than three fingers was nudging against his backside.
Harry stiffened immediately, his back going rigid and his breath catching in
his throat as Snape pushed the head of his cock just past Harry’s tight ring of
muscles. Where there had been no pain before, there was pain now and Harry
cried out in anguish, tears springing to his eyes at the burn. The strong arm
around his waist however still prevented him from moving away though and so
Harry was helpless as the thick cock was pushed steadily deeper until Harry
could feel the man’s wiry pubic hair brushing against his backside. The pain
was unbelievable and Harry couldn’t stop the tears from sliding down his cheeks
his breathing erratic. When he was buried to the hilt inside, Harry felt
Snape’s hand come up from his waist to his cheek, the man gently brushing away
the tears before Harry felt a soft almost apologetic kiss being placed on his
shoulder blade. Harry breathed out raggedly unbelieving that the thing inside
of him belonged to Snape.
For a long time they remained still Snape’s hard cock buried inside Harry and
the boy’s pained breathing echoing in the silence of the bedroom. As Harry
relaxed again the pain began to subside so only the strange feeling of being
filled was left behind. Experimentally Harry shifted and almost immediately he
heard Snape’s badly muffled gasp behind him. At least one of them seemed to be
getting something out of their coupling because Harry wasn’t even turned on,
let alone hard? After a few more moments Harry felt Snape shift behind him the
man drawing back a little before thrusting his cock slowly back inside Harry,
just as he’d done with his fingers. Harry just lay there allowing the man to
thrust back and forth into his body, the thrusts growing with intensity but
never doing much more for Harry than peeking his interest. As Snape took his
fill of Harry’s body, Harry remembered the picture he’d seen in the restricted
book. Both men in that picture seemed to be in ecstasy but Harry couldn’t see
that was possible. Harry felt nothing remotely like he’d expect to cause a
feeling of ecstasy; perhaps it was because Harry wasn’t gay that he wasn’t
getting any response from this. Snape seemed to be certainly enjoying himself
judging from the grunts and enthusiastic thrusts coming from behind him.
A moment later Harry felt Snape’s fingers tighten around his waist before a
strange warm wet wave washed over Harry, its ripple effects making Harry shiver
from head to toe. The wave happened again before Snape breathed out heavily
against Harry’s neck, some semblance of a word whispered quietly into his neck,
too quiet for Harry to hear but the only word the man had uttered since they’d
started. The man’s fingers loosened on Harry’s waist, the boy sure there would
be marks left behind. Harry wondered what had happened and if it was over but
Snape made no move to pull out. Instead the hand that had rested on Harry’s
waist now moved around to Harry’s front the callused fingers searching out
Harry’s cock. Harry held his breath as he felt Snape’s hand slide down the
length of his flaccid member. When it was clear Harry was neither excited or
had come from the experience Snape’s hand disappeared shortly before the man
pulled out quickly from Harry’s body. The pain was almost instant and Harry
curled up on his side, his knees coming up to his chest as the burning
sensation returned. The bed dipped and Harry heard Snape get out of bed, the
man pulling on what Harry assumed was a dressing gown. Harry listened as the
door to the bedroom was opened and closed, Snape gone. Harry had half expected
the man to return but he didn’t and eventually in the darkness Harry fell to
sleep curled up and in pain, tears dripping from his cheeks onto the pillow
below.
***** Didn't Feel A Thing *****
Chapter 15
It had been a strange four weeks since the ‘ring ceremony’. The morning after
had been awkward but Snape had acted like nothing had happened between them,
merely handing Harry a pain potion for his backside and sending the boy on his
way. Harry was kind of glad Snape hadn’t made a big deal about the sex and
neither of them had mentioned it again since.
With his exams looming ever closer Harry had not had time to think about much
else but study. Nothing had changed much since the ceremony. Harry still
attended classes and spent time with his friends and Snape was still his usual
snarky self, taking points from Gryfindor when ever possible. What had changed
though was Harry’s new routine.
On Wednesdays and Fridays Harry would go down to Snape’s chambers after dinner
and the pair of them would sit together in Snape’s living room. Often Snape
would be brewing potions in his lab and Harry would simply read or finish his
homework quietly. There was never much conversation between them but Harry felt
marginally more relaxed having been in the man’s company for those brief few
hours. Harry didn’t know where the compulsion to be near Snape had come from
but he’d been unconsciously seeking the man out during class or over the
weekends. Harry assumed it was the bond and Remus confirmed it when the boy
sought out his advice. His friends too had begun to comment on his attitude
change towards Snape and while Harry was reluctant to admit it, he was being
unconsciously nicer. The ring on his finger was a constant reminder of his
marriage and Harry had become so accustomed to it that he no longer took it off
to bathe.
Pre-occupied with exams Harry had also forgotten about Draco although the
blonde boy still seemed to turn up everywhere. The blonde’s abrupt departure
from the Slytherin Quidditch team was still a talking point at games, although
the blonde had noticeably stopped attending them. Having confronted Snape about
Draco being in his rooms, gone too was the evidence of Draco having slept on
the couch. All in all Harry felt relatively in control of his life again, his
rogue emotions were back in check and he and Snape seemed to be getting along
civilly.
Tonight however that order and control was about to crumble yet again.
Harry was pleasantly drifting in sleep after an exhausting Quidditch practice
when he heard a commotion downstairs in the common room. Sitting up in his bed
Harry opened the curtains and lit a candle on his bedside table, illuminating
the dorm. Getting out of bed Harry hastily pulled his dressing gown about his
body and drew his wand out from beneath his pillow. Edging slowly closer to the
door to the dorm Harry was stunned when a flustered and pale looking Professor
McGonagall burst into the room still dressed in her night things. Harry could
do little but stand stock still as his obviously upset head of house came over
to him and began inspecting his face, in the candle light looking for something
unknown.
“Potter? Are you in pain?” Harry shook his head quietly confused by the pale
gaze of McGonagall. McGonagall took Harry’s hand and led the boy over to the
mirror on the sidewall and set Harry in front of it, the sight that greeted him
made Harry heave. His face was covered in blood; all of it he assumed was his
own. Smears and drips stretched all the way down to his chin, where it had
pooled. Some of it was fresh but most had already dried and Harry consciously
reached up and touched his scar, which was the source of the blood flow.
Usually Harry felt the scar burn before it began to bleed but Harry had felt
nothing, no vision, no cries of agony or pain. Nothing. Swaying a little on his
feet McGonagall took hold of Harry around the waist carefully helping the boy
down the stairs and into the deserted common room.
“Harry, did you feel anything at all? A strange dream perhaps or a vision?”
Harry shook his head confused completely by what was happening.
“No I haven’t had a vision for weeks now. I just thought Voldemort was occupied
with someone else.” McGonagall shook her head at her student’s naivety but said
nothing as she plucked a handful of floo powder from her night robe pocket and
threw it into the fire, taking Harry through the flames with her. They stepped
out into Dumbledore’s office where already a large group of order members were
gathered. Almost instantly they fell silent as all saw Harry’s state.
“Fucking hell.” Sirius burst through the gathering sweeping Harry up into his
arms. The man’s hands gently inspected the boy’s bloodied face for signs of
pain or permanent damage.
“He says he didn’t feel anything Sir, I believe what we feared may be true.”
McGonagall moved away from Harry over to where Dumbledore was sitting at his
desk, also dressed in his own night things. Sirius was gently trying to wipe
away a little of the blood caked on Harry’s face but the boy pushed his
godfather away from him and walked over to where the headmaster was sat,
looking extremely concerned.
“What’s going on? Where’s Snape?” Harry didn’t know where his last question had
come from but inwardly he felt something strange swelling inside of him.
Unconsciously Harry had begun twisting the ring around his finger nervously,
worry rising in his throat as he noted Snape’s obvious absence. To those in the
dark about Harry’s marriage, the boy’s unconscious twitch looked like he was
scratching his finger. Harry remembered that he hadn’t seen Snape at dinner but
he’d thought nothing of it. If Snape was working on a potion in his lab he
would often miss meals. When Dumbledore didn’t answer him straight away Harry’s
emotions got the better of him. “Where is he?” Harry demanded angrily the
feeling that had been niggling at him all day now fully forming in his chest
like a dead weight.
“We don’t know. He was summoned just before dinner and he has yet to return.”
Harry felt his heart sink and automatically he began pacing his unconsciously
formed habit of turning his ring becoming more noticeable as was his strange
behavior. Harry didn’t know what to do with himself all of a sudden. Usually he
felt it when the death eaters were summoned but he’d felt nothing, in fact
Voldemort had been worryingly silent for the past four weeks.
“Harry.” Harry was still pacing when Sirius stood in front of him to stop him,
as a few members of the order began to question Harry’s behavior. Harry looked
up helplessly at his godfather who gently wrapped his arms around Harry
cuddling his godson close to his chest.
“It was there, it has been there for weeks. I knew he was going to have to face
it but I just didn’t think about it. I shouldn’t feel like this Sirius, I
shouldn’t care…” Harry trailed off clearly upset and Sirius hugged his godson
tighter aware that Harry was still turning the ring around on his finger.
“Shh it’s the bond Harry, don’t fight it.” Harry tightly held on to Sirius his
eyes falling closed. Harry heard McGonagall, Remus and Dumbledore sharing a
whispered conversation but the boy couldn’t make out what they were saying. His
blood was now pounding in his ears and stars popped in front of his vision as a
headache formed in Harry’s head. All of a sudden Harry was feeling decidedly
ill and Sirius had trouble holding him up as his legs began to give out. Harry
had never felt like this before, unlike when he’d experienced the visions from
Voldemort this feeling was far worse. Harry felt cold but hot at the same time,
he was shaking uncontrollably and he could hardly breathe. “Albus, it has
started.” Sirius called helplessly to Dumbledore who was instantly beside Harry
helping his godfather hold Harry up.
“Take him upstairs into the observatory and lie him down.” Sirius nodded at
Dumbledore and with help from Remus began guiding Harry up the stairs into the
headmaster’s private observatory where only four weeks earlier Harry had
married Snape beneath the stars. Harry distantly heard the headmaster’s speech
to the gathered order members, all of them being sent off around the castle
grounds to keep watch for Snape returning. Harry was laid carefully down on the
white cushions laid around the telescope and Harry automatically curled up onto
his side shivering and whispering Snape’s name. Sirius gently cleaned Harry’s
face with a charm before he gently began running his hand back and forth across
Harry’s forehead in comfort.
“This is ridiculous Albus I swore I’d kill him if he hurt Harry and just look!
Look at what he’s doing to him!” Sirius was angry and practically growled at
the headmaster who was now pacing himself back and forth past the viewing
platform.
“Sirius control yourself. We don’t know as yet what is happening. For all we
know Severus may already be dead and that is the cause of Harry’s distress. The
bond is not fully formed this could mean anything!” Harry whimpered Snape’s
name as he heard Dumbledore’s words, his brain just registering the word death
before his heart shut that thought down quickly.
“We can only hope Albus.” Sirius bit back angrily his hand still soothing
across Harry’s forehead as the boy began to thrash wildly his body reacting
violently to not knowing where Snape was or if he was coming back. “James never
meant this for his son Albus, and I don’t care what he owed Snape. That little
sniveling sod deserves only death and if Voldemort doesn’t do it, I will.”
Sirius wrapped his arms around Harry, trying and failing to stop Harry from
hurting himself as he trashed in a fever like state on the pillows. The room
fell silent then and all of a sudden Harry collapsed like a rag doll in Sirius’
arms a sudden weight lifting from his body and pushing him into darkness….
***** Protector & Savior *****
Chapter 16
When Harry next awoke his head throbbed painfully as if he’d experienced the
worst vision of his life. Stirring stiffly Harry attempted to sit but groaned
and only managed to shift slightly beneath the crisp sheets and blankets tucked
around him. Without his glasses Harry could see little and the boy squinted
tightly in an effort to see his surroundings. A blurry shape sat in a chair
next to him but Harry couldn’t make out who it was, only that they seemed to be
reading something. Harry saw the blob move before his glasses were slid easily
onto his face, bringing everything into sharp focus.
“Professor?” Harry whispered a little hoarsely as the blob sitting next to him
turned out to be Professor Snape. Harry was shocked to see the man dressed in
his dressing gown, his face scratched and bruised but looking no less worse for
wear, although perhaps a little tired. “What happened?” Harry whispered again
gratefully accepting the glass of water Snape poured for him. Glancing around
Harry assumed they were in the hospital wing and so the boy made a note not to
be specific in his questions. Snape didn’t look up from his book to answer
Harry, instead proceeding to casually answer the question in the infuriating
way Harry had become accustomed to when the two of them passed conversation
together.
“Exactly what I predicted would happen Potter. My resident overlord was
somewhat disgruntled by my confession and proceeded to take out his
frustrations on me but because I am perceived as a valuable asset to his
entourage I was, albeit reluctantly, spared my life.” Harry stared at Snape in
disbelief as the man turned the page of his book, still refusing to look up
from its pages. “In fact having made me endure the Cruciatus curse for several
hours, he then proceeded to tell me that he wishes my marriage is felicitous
and that any offspring my mate might bare will be brought up with the same
values I myself have in regards to this ‘war’.” Snape finished his comment,
casually turning another page of his book.
“He’s an absolute mad man. I can’t believe someone so stupid can do that?”
Harry could hardly believe what he’d just heard completely shocked at
Voldemort’s incomprehensible way of thinking. This time Snape did look up from
his book this time meeting Harry’s gaze with a stern one of his own.
“Voldemort may be many things Mr. Potter, but the dark lord is not stupid. In
war there are very few people a dictator can truly trust because men are weak
and easily swayed. In me Voldemort believes he has found one such trusted,
loyal confidant and he is not stupid enough as to dispose readily of a person
he believes he can trust. If Voldemort is anything then he is guilty of having
poor judgment, but he is certainly not stupid.” Snape trailed off his gaze
falling easily back to his book resting in his lap. Harry sighed and turned
carefully over onto his side, still stiff and sore, his head still throbbing.
“While I may not have chosen a partner from among the few Voldemort deemed
worthy, I still have the potential to bear my master future followers something
which he can not sniff at. I am not in his good books but I’m still here and
that says a lot.” Snape turned the page of his book again and Harry fell into
silence. Internally a little voice rejoiced in the fact Snape was still alive
too, although Harry squashed it quickly with a tight fist and a shake of his
head. For a few moments more they sat in companionable silence not unlike
Wednesday and Friday nights they spent together but too many questions were
running through Harry’s mind for the boy to stay silent for long.
“I didn’t feel it.” Snape glanced up from the pages of his book to look at
Harry who was now curled up on his side, staring at Snape sitting in the chair.
“The summons I mean. It usually burns and bleeds but I didn’t feel it this
time.” Harry brushed his finger lightly over the scar on his forehead drawing
Snape’s attention to it momentarily before the man looked back into Harry’s
eyes.
“I know. I blocked it.” Snape closed his book with an exaggerated sigh, which
told Harry the man was irritated.
“What?” Harry inquired his eyes wide as he waited for Snape to explain himself.
Snape crossed his legs over in front of him and pulled out his wand, spelling
the curtains around Harry’s hospital bed closed and warding them. It was not
really safe to be discussing their bond in the open and Snape was taking no
risks.
“If it has escaped your memory Potter, I am one of the foremost occluments in
the country a gift I inherited from my mother.” Snape paused ensuring he had
Harry’s complete attention before he continued. “Unlike you however who can
barely spell the word ‘Occlumency’ let alone practice the art of it.” Harry
blushed. His failed attempts at Occlumency were still a sore point with the
boy, especially when he knew Snape had seen him fail. Snape moved on quickly
not wishing to dwell on one of his pet irritations about the boy. “Also unlike
you I possess considerably more knowledge regarding wizarding bonds and I knew
instinctively that combined with your ineptitude at occlumency and your
youthful inability to control your emotions, especially ones unfamiliar to you
such as those associated with the forming of our ‘bond’ that in no time at all
Voldemort would be aware of our arrangement, which as you know is not
acceptable.” Snape trailed off watching as what he’d said began to sink into
the boy’s head.
“So what you’re saying is that you fucked around in my head for the past four
weeks?” Harry was suddenly angry at the prospect of Snape poking around in his
mind, uncovering some of the more private things Harry wanted to remain
private. Snape sighed irritably his patience wearing thin with a boy who seemed
far denser than he’d given him credit for.
“I assure you Mr. Potter I was not deliberately attempting to spy into your
private memories. I was simply seeking out your connection with the dark lord
and blocking it, as you failed so miserably at trying to do yourself.” Snape
paused again a strange wash of concern filtered into his stern expression.
“What I happened across during this processes was purely unexpected and not
maliciously meant.” Harry frowned suddenly trying to remember all his most
embarrassing, hated memories that Snape might have stumbled across. “Why did
you not say that you suffered the effects of the ‘Cruciatus’ during your
visions, which I was stunned to find out are more frequent than you let on?”
Harry stared silently at Snape for a moment before the boy turned over away
from Snape. This was something he really didn’t need right now. “There is
little point you ignoring this Potter. I have already informed the headmaster
of this and he is seriously considering monitoring your sleep, an invasion of
privacy I’m sure you don’t wish upon yourself.” Harry sighed and turned back
over his gaze focused sadly on Snape. Harry had not talked about this with
anyone, not even Ron was aware of how frequently he’d been receiving visions or
the extent to which ‘Cruciatus’ curse effected him.
“They started getting worse after Cedric died last year.” Harry’s voice was
barely audible and he avoided completely meeting Snape’s gaze. “I didn’t say
anything because I didn’t want everyone to make a big deal, it’s not as if you
can do anything to stop them and I hate the way everyone treats me like I’m a
child when they learn something more terrible about me.” Harry trailed off his
finger involuntarily beginning to twist the ring about his finger again. “Are
you going to tell me the rest of why you’re snooping around in my mind?” Snape
noted the new habit Harry had formed but said nothing about it, instead
choosing to continue his own little story when it was clear Harry wasn’t going
to talk further.
“I resent the word ‘snoop’ Potter.” Snape growled irritable before continuing.
“What I came across was purely coincidental in my attempt at protecting you. I
knew that through our bond you would doubtlessly be exposed to the normal
anxieties a partner in the relationship feels when the other is in grave danger
and so was attempting at block that. When I came across this new piece of
information it came to my attention that you may just also be exposed to my
actual pain, intensified if you like through your own link with Voldemort and
in turn your link with me.” Harry looked confused at Snape who sighed and
rolled his eyes contemptibly at boy’s ignorance. “In laymen’s terms Potter, you
were going to be exposed to not only my emotions through our bond but also my
pain through your bond to Voldemort. Thus I blocked you out of the connection,
more successfully than I had hoped for too, if the account of your break down
yesterday evening was anything to go on.” Harry stared at Snape in shock hardly
believing what he was hearing. Snape had actually selflessly sacrificed himself
to stop Harry from feeling the full effects of Snape’s abuse. “I was doing a
rather fine job of keeping things in check until he did this.” Harry looked on
horrified as Snape for the first time since Harry had awoken removed his hand
from the folds of his dressing gown to reveal his bandaged hand, minus three
fingers. Seeing the horrified look on his mate’s face Snape tucked his hand
back in his robes and put Harry’s mind at ease. “Don’t look too mortified
Potter. I am growing back my appendages as we speak, a medical marvel I believe
muggles have yet to replicate.”
“You can do that?” Harry asked in wonder still feeling ill at having seen
Snape’s mutilated hand.
“With the help of potions, yes thank Merlin.” Snape muttered, internally
berating the severe inconvenience it was of having to work with three missing
fingers for the week it would take for them to grow back.
“So is constantly blocking my mind difficult? Do you have to think about it all
the time?” Intrigued now by Snape’s revelation, Harry was interested in what
other things Snape had been doing while he hadn’t been aware of them.
“Surprisingly I do it almost unconsciously now. I believe our ‘bond’ has made
it easier for me. I recall my mother being able to read my father’s mind quiet
easily and I expect it is the same for me and you.” Snape ended quietly his own
not so fond memories of his parents forcing their way to the surface
momentarily before Snape stamped them back into submission as he’d learned to
do.
“But you won’t though.” Harry added quickly.
“Won’t what?” Snape inquired quietly in return.
“Won’t read my mind.” Snape rolled his eyes at Harry as the boy looked
suspiciously at him.
“No Potter but the very nature of our ‘bond’ means I will be privy to some of
your more interesting quirks. Quirks that your magic has picked up on and thus
passes on to me.” Harry frowned in confusion but allowed Snape to clarify his
meaning. “For instance I now know you get cravings for muggle ‘cheese and onion
crisps’ when you’re studying for exams, having last week been forced to bribe
Professor Minstrome our muggle studies professor for a packet from her own
personal store to stave off my own sudden craving for them.” A smile twitched
at the corners of Harry’s lips, finding the image of Snape asking the weird and
slightly eccentric Professor Minstrome for anything just hilarious. Harry
managed to keep his full-blown smirk in check as Snape glared at him warningly.
“I wouldn’t laugh Potter, as a child I had a taste for ducks liver on toast and
I still occasionally find myself hungry for it.” Harry’s smile fell immediately
and he stuck his tongue out in disgust at what Snape had just suggested.
Pleased that he’d got the desired response from his young mate Snape rose
painfully from his chair beside Harry’s bed, for the first time showing the
true extent of his injuries by the expression of agony that swept across his
face as he rose. Harry didn’t comment on it though but his heart pounded
ruthlessly in his chest in sympathy. “Now I believe it is just about time for
that meddling old coot of a medi-witch to make her rounds and should I not be
in my own bed I believe she may ‘Thestral’ whip me into submission.” Snape
walked awkwardly to the end of Harry’s bed the boy noting the way the man held
on to the bed for support as he moved. With a swish of his wand Snape opened
the curtains again revealing the brightly lit hospital wing bathed in the
morning sun. Harry watched as Snape walked gingerly back over to the bed
opposite Harry’s in the ward and climbed in under the blankets.
“Severus.” Harry whispered, still not entirely sure about using Snape’s first
name. Snape looked up from where he was tucking in his blankets around him and
glared at Harry across the ward.
“Watch it Potter.” Snape warned the boy quietly about using his name in a
public place.
“Sorry. I just wanted to say thank you and I’m glad you’re not dead.” Harry
watched as the man lying across from him smiled genuinely amused by Harry’s
comment.
“From you Potter, I will take that as a compliment.” Harry smiled in return and
watched as Snape swallowed a mouthful of water before slipping down into the
soft pillows of his hospital bed. “Now get some rest you’ve got exams next week
and this little incident will not excuse you.” Turning straight back into
‘teacher’ mode Snape glared at Harry sternly from across the ward and Harry
nodded understandingly before quietly settling down in bed, content in the
knowledge Snape was watching over him as he fell back into a healing slumber...
***** One Month *****
Chapter 17
“Can you turn on the tap?” Harry looked up from his book and reached easily
over to the sink, turning on the water for his mate. Harry watched as Snape
washed his hands meticulously as he always did when making potions. When Snape
stepped away from the sink Harry turned off the water again and went back to
reading his book. Snape’s fingers had grown back quickly but the man still
didn’t have complete movement in them as yet, so Harry was doing odd things to
help. “How did your exam go?” Snape inquired softly as he sat down opposite
Harry at the bench, the cauldron slowly simmering between them. Surprised that
Snape had started a conversation Harry closed his book and sat up from the
bench a little.
“Um, it was okay. A lot of the answers were just straight out of the text but
there were a few I had to think about.” Harry smiled softly at Snape over the
top of the cauldron, watching as Snape nodded in acknowledgement.
“Have you finished studying for Potions on Monday?” Harry nodded in reply
feeling the awkwardness radiating from Snape as he continued the strained
conversation. Silence fell between them for a moment and Harry watched Snape
cautiously as he saw the man fiddling uncharacteristically with the sleeve of
his robe, his gaze not meeting Harry’s. Harry knew there was something more and
he didn’t have to wait long for Snape to tell him. “It has been a month since
you last stayed the night. I have arranged for you to be absent from your dorm
this evening.” In a flurry Snape rose from the bench, not meeting Harry’s gaze
as he turned his back and went over to the cupboards to begin taking stock of
his ingredients. Harry stared quietly at Snape’s back and sighed. He’d hoped
the man had forgotten about it but obviously not. Their last time together had
been painful but at least Harry had had the weekend to recover, being a
Wednesday he was not going to be so lucky this time.
“I’ll go get a shower then.” Marking his page in his book Harry rose from the
bench and left the lab, Snape glancing only briefly over his shoulder to watch
Harry leave before sighing and going back to his task. Harry showered and
changed quickly trying not to think about the second night he’d spend in
Snape’s bed. Exiting the bathroom Harry was surprised not to see Snape already
in bed but when he heard voices out in the living room it became clear why the
man wasn’t waiting for him. Edging cautiously towards the door Harry peeked
briefly around the opening.
There in the center of the living room was Draco, talking heatedly to Severus.
Involuntarily Harry glared at the blonde irritated by having seen his presence
yet again down in Snape’s rooms. The twinge of jealousy that rose in Harry was
now a regular occurrence whenever Harry laid eyes on Draco. Refocusing his
attention Harry listened in on their conversation.
“Sev, I can’t keep doing this he’s calling for me more frequently.” Harry
frowned a little as he heard the edge of desperation in Draco’s voice as he
spoke.
“Draco I’ve already told you there is very little I can do. You have to do this
on your own.” Harry dug his nails into the wood of the door as he watched Snape
draw his hand gently down Draco’s face, the touch so gentle it was almost
loving. Draco’s eyes closed at the touch making Harry scowl at the boy more
jealously.
“But he’ll kill me if I attempt to stop it. This is driving me insane and you
promised me you’d help me.” Draco was practically begging Snape now, the boy
nuzzling against the hand of his godfather resting on his cheek.
“I promised I’d help you after you cut yourself off from him but I can’t do
anything while ever you still return to his bed, it’s just too risky.” Snape
sounded exasperated at his godson and Harry watched as Draco turned away from
Snape the man’s hand falling from his cheek onto his shoulder.
“I’m scared Sev, I’m afraid of dying.” Harry practically snorted at that
comment. Draco sounded like a wet blanket, even Harry wasn’t afraid of dying
after all there was little that could stop it happening. Despite how weak Draco
sounded Harry still watched as Snape wrapped his arms around Draco’s waist
pulling the boy back against him and hugging him tightly. Fiery rage swept
through Harry’s body at seeing the intimacy of the touch and without thinking
Harry slammed the door closed unable to handle seeing any more of the display,
his emotions getting the better of him. Climbing into his side of the bed Harry
curled up on his side, his back to the door as he waited for Snape’s inevitable
arrival.
The door to the bedroom opened half an hour later and Snape walked quietly into
the room, shutting and warding the door behind him. Harry was still wide-awake
and angry and listened quietly to the man pad around the room. The bed dipped a
little as Snape sat down on his side of it and Harry listened to the rustle of
the man’s robes as he undressed. Harry wasn’t even tempted to glance over his
shoulder and sneak a peek at Snape’s body his anger and jealousy just lingering
below the surface. Harry remained still as he felt Snape climb into bed behind
him, the man not even waiting as he wrapped his arm around Harry’s body and
pulled the boy flush against him. Like before Snape’s hand easily drew up the
nightshirt and Harry this time was prepared for the intrusion as the first
finger began to massage his hole.
Just as happened last time Harry felt little in the way of excitement and this
time only grunted a little in pain when at last Snape sheathed his cock. The
hand that gripped his waist was looser than last time but still held him as
Snape began to thrust. Not clouded by pain or fear Harry listened acutely in
the dark to the change in Snape’s breathing as the man neared his climax. When
it came Harry heard Snape’s breathing catch in his throat before the same warm,
wet explosion swept through his body. Unconsciously Harry found himself
matching Snape’s breathing pattern and the boy shuddered involuntarily as Snape
breathed out against his neck the whisper of a word on his tongue, but not
definable to Harry’s hearing. If there was one thing Harry found even remotely
exciting about their encounters was the sensation of having Snape come inside
him, and that whisper of a breath on his neck afterwards. Admittedly it wasn’t
enough to get even a twitch out of Harry’s cock but it was something he’d found
in their coupling he was mildly interested in. Similarly as in their first
encounter Harry felt the hand on his waist dip around to feel his limp cock but
when it didn’t find what it was looking for, Snape pulled out and rolled easily
away from Harry.
Harry hissed a little in pain as the man pulled out and was expecting Snape to
leave like he did last time but the man didn’t. Daring a glance over his
shoulder Harry watched as Snape settled on his back, the man’s dark gaze
staring up at the cream canopy above them. Still in a little pain and very
aware of the cooling liquid running down his thighs Harry turned slowly over to
face his mate. After their coupling Harry’s anger had somewhat died but his
jealousy still bubbled beneath the surface.
“Did you know Draco’s got a tattoo?” Harry winced at how loud his voice sounded
in the silent wake of the sex. Seemingly surprised that Harry wasn’t asleep
Snape turned his head slightly towards Harry, his dark obsidian gaze meeting
Harry’s steely green one.
“What are you talking about? Draco doesn’t have a tattoo.” Harry scowled a
little remembering all too clearly Draco giving him the same reply when the boy
had confronted him about the tattoo as well.
“It’s on his right shoulder and it’s the same seal you use to close your
letters with.” Harry stared pointedly at Snape who was now staring back at him
as if Harry had lost his mind completely.
“I assure you Potter, Draco Malfoy does not have a tattoo. I know the boys body
like the back of my hand, having patched it up for him for a good number of his
years. Now will you please be silent.” Harry stared defiantly into the dark
gaze of his mate, Snape not backing down an inch. Finally though Harry sighed
and looked away before rolling back over away from Snape and closing his eyes.
There was something bugging him about Draco and Snape. Now more than ever,
Harry wanted to know what was going on between them. Still quietly seething
over Draco’s appearance in Snape’s rooms that evening Harry fell reluctantly
into slumber, the warm body of his partner in bed with him.
***** Little Slime Ball *****
Chapter 18
“So you really are staying here all summer Harry?” Hermione, Ron and Harry
stood on the train platform, the red Hogwarts Express still loading the
students for the trip home for summer.
“Yeah, it’s not that bad. At least it’s not the Dursley’s.” Harry smiled at his
friends who both nodded their agreement. It had come as shock to everyone to
find out Harry would be spending his summer holidays at Hogwarts now, under the
care of Dumbledore. It had also sparked more than a few malicious rumors about
Harry’s health and his relationship with his guardians but Harry had ignored
them.
“True and at least you can practice for your apparition license. I bet Vernon
wouldn’t have let you do that.” Ron patted his friend warmly on the back as a
few lingering students ran past eager to find their carriages on the express.
“And you will come and visit won’t you?” Hermione implored as the whistle of
the train blew signaling to the last of the passengers to get their act
together.
“Yeah, I’m spending a week with Sirius in a couple of weeks’ time so I’ll come
see you then.” Harry called as Hermione dragged Ron onto the train and opened
the window so they could still talk to their friend. The station guard began to
check and lock the doors and Harry stood on the edge of the platform opposite
Ron and Hermione’s carriage window.
“Make sure you owl us when you get your exam results too, I want to know how
dismally you did at potions this year without me.” Ron chuckled brightly as the
train’s whistle blew one final time and the carriages began to pull away from
the station. Harry laughed and nodded at his friend doing his best to keep up
with the moving train. By the time Harry reached the end of the platform the
train was already rushing past him. Harry could do little but wave to his
friends as the train disappeared from view. Not that he’d have admitted it but
Harry was a little sad he wouldn’t be returning with his friends to muggle
London for the summer. With a sigh Harry made his way off the deserted platform
and towards the gravel road that led back to Hogwarts. Having ridden the
carriages down to the train with his friends Harry had decided to walk back
instead, giving him time alone to think of what he was going to do with himself
all summer.
Harry strolled lazily along the grass verge of the road, picking and eating
blackberries from the bushes he came across. The sun was warm on his back and
Harry hummed quietly to himself, pleased that he’d survived his second last
year at Hogwarts without too much dilemma. Unconsciously Harry twiddled the
ring on his finger as he thought about the school year just gone.
It was midday by the time Harry reached the castle and the boy strolled easily
into the deserted hall, his fingers and tongue stained with blackberry juice.
It seemed strange walking the halls and not seeing the other students. Knowing
it was about lunchtime, Harry made his way to the great hall looking for
something to eat. What he found was somewhat unexpected. The long banquet
tables that had only last night hosted the end of school year feast were now
stacked on the side of the hall and only the head table remained. Dumbledore,
Severus and McGonagal were the only professors sitting there, the three of them
dressed in their own informal robes. The rest of the professors returned to
their homes for summer, most usually going away with their families and the
like.
“Ah Harry, we were waiting for you.” Dumbledore looked up from his conversation
with McGonagall drawing attention to Harry who stood fresh faced in the
entranceway.
“Oh Sorry, I dawdled along the way.” Self-consciously Harry wiped his hands
down the front of his jeans as he joined the professors at the head table. A
spare seat and space had been made for the boy beside Snape. Harry smiled
apologetically at the three professors as he sat down.
“What on earth have you been doing Potter?” Harry looked up from his empty
plate as Snape grabbed hold of his hands inspecting the blue stained fingers
with disgust.
“Picking Blackberries.” Harry laughed cheekily as he poked out his tongue
displaying his matching blue tongue. Snape rolled his eyes and handed Harry his
napkin, having dunked it quickly into his glass of water to wet it. Harry
gratefully accepted the napkin and wiped what he could of the stain off his
fingers.
“Mmm roast beef sandwiches, with chips and gravy.” No sooner had Dumbledore
muttered his praise than the meal appeared on the table. Harry smiled and began
helping himself, his stomach growling after his exercise.
“So Harry, what are you planning on doing this summer?” McGonagall who was sat
on the other side of Dumbledore leaned forward to grab the gravy jug. Harry
swallowed his mouthful of sandwich politely before continuing.
“Nothing really, this will be the first summer I won’t have to work in the
garden and do chores everyday.” Harry took another bite of his sandwich washing
it down with a swill of pumpkin juice. Out of the corner of his eye Harry
noticed Snape struggling a little to pour some gravy on his chips and the boy
automatically reached over and took the jug from him and proceeded to do it for
his mate without being asked. While Snape’s fingers were all but physically
perfect again, the man still found some tasks awkward. “Say when.” Harry
muttered as he poured on the gravy.
“When.” Snape whispered, barely audible but still managing to sound a little
pissed at the assistance. Harry ignored Snape though and continued with his own
meal.
“I assume you’ll be practicing for your apparition test.” McGonagall continued
seemingly delighted that she had someone else to talk with aside Dumbledore and
Snape, both men as quiet as the other.
“Oh yeah, that’s priority one.” Harry laughed as he speared a few chips with
his fork and shoveled them into his mouth. “I thought I might also do some
reading, and perhaps some walks around the area if that is okay.” Harry looked
to Dumbledore and Severus both of whom nodded quietly in agreement. Secretly
there were a few other things Harry intended doing this summer but he wasn’t
about to put voice to them. Harry had, just as their marital contract had
stated, moved in to Snape’s chambers this morning. Admittedly Harry didn’t have
his own room and he would be sharing a bed with Snape every night from now
until the end of the holidays but it was better than being alone in the
Gryfindor tower. Harry was even hoping to spend some more time with Snape now
the man wasn’t teaching and Harry wasn’t attending class.
“Your godfather has arranged for you to visit him in two weeks time, Lupin will
come for you on the Monday morning.” Harry wiped his mouth with his napkin and
pushed his now empty plate away from him, having thoroughly eaten his fill.
Snape was still eating his way through his sandwich, even as Dumbledore reached
for second helpings.
“And what are you going to do without me for a week?” Snape looked sternly up
at Harry the boy’s cheeky grin instantly faltering as he realized his mistake.
While Snape accepted help he didn’t like it being rubbed in his face.
“I have managed 37 years without you Potter, I’m sure I can manage for a week
by myself.” Snape snapped nastily in Harry’s direction the boy quietly turning
his gaze back to the tablecloth. “Besides, I’m attending a dinner party that
night and Draco will be staying with me for the rest of the week while his
parents are away.” Snape added the last part quickly but Harry didn’t miss a
word of it.
“What?” Harry snapped now just as pissed as Snape had been a minute ago.
“I beg your pardon Potter?” Snape looked affronted at Harry’s abrupt attitude
change and the silence from Dumbledore and McGonagall was deafening as the
other two professors watched the marital spat unfold.
“Why does that slime ball have to stay with you, isn’t he old enough to be left
alone by himself?” Harry crossed his arms over his chest, the familiar jealousy
rising in him again at the mere mention of Draco’s name. Harry knew his
jealousy was getting beyond a joke but he just couldn’t help himself, his
emotions taking hold. Snape’s gaze narrowed but Harry wasn’t backing down, his
jealousy overriding the rational part of his brain that screamed at him to not
piss Snape off.
“That ‘slime ball’ you’re referring to Potter, is my godson and you would do
well to respect that fact.” Snape growled low in his throat at Harry, very much
aware that his fellow professors were watching on.
“Like I can forget that fact with him constantly in my face, popping up
unexpectedly in your rooms like it’s a fucking motel. What would you have done
had I been here that week? Would you have shunted me off back into the tower? I
know we have to keep it a secret but this is fucking ridiculous having to watch
my own back constantly because that slimy little shit is keeping tabs on me?”
Harry stood up angrily from the table tossing his napkin back onto the table
irritably. “I’m going to the library to read.” With that Harry strode off
hastily from the hall shaking a little with the intensity of emotions raging
through his body. Harry wasn’t sure why he’d reacted so angrily knowing Draco
was going to be staying, after all he shouldn’t give a shit but of late he was
beginning to think he did actually care about Snape.
Reaching the library Harry smiled as he surveyed the perfectly lined shelves of
books, every one of them returned for the holidays and all at Harry’s disposal.
Stretching Harry walked over to the card catalogue and began looking for the
word he wanted.
“Seals, wax, family.” In triumph Harry pulled out the card, noting quickly the
sections the books were catalogued in before replacing the card. Wandering
quietly between the shelves Harry sought the section and when he found what he
was looking for pulled several large dusty tombs from the shelf and read the
titles aloud to himself. “Correct ways of using wax seals.” Harry replaced that
book quickly and moved on to the next. “Sealing Wax and Stamps.” Harry replaced
that book too. “Wizarding Family Seals.” Bingo. Putting the rest of the books
back on the shelf Harry carried his find over to the large reading tables in
the center of the library. During school he hardly used these tables, with them
far more frequently used for gossip sharing than actual study. Now though with
the library to himself Harry could sit where he liked without being hindered.
Sighing to himself Harry settled in for an afternoon of solid reading. Snape
and Draco may have denied the existence of Draco’s tattoo but Harry knew what
he’d seen and was going to find out what it meant.
***** Historically Barbaric *****
Chapter 19
Harry awoke to a warm body pressed against him. Mumbling quietly to himself
Harry nuzzled closer into the warmth of the person beside him, his arm
automatically folding across the other’s waist. A pleasant feeling of
relaxation washed over Harry and the boy yawned in contentment as he slowly
opened his eyes. What his eyes met however was by far the scariest thing he’d
yet encountered in his young life. There staring back at him was a familiar
pair of obsidian eyes.
“Shit!” Harry practically leapt from the bed as he realized whom he’d just been
snuggling up to. Unfortunately his feet tangled in the bed sheets and before
Harry knew it, he had landed in an ungraceful heap on the floor. Looking up
over the edge of the bed Harry watched as a wicked smile broke out onto Snape’s
face.
“Smooth dismount Potter.” Snape chuckled evilly as he himself rose from the bed
before tying his dressing gown about him.
“How did I get here?” Harry inquired, as he rose from the floor remembering
having spent all afternoon yesterday in the library but not much else. Snape
moved out into the living area and Harry hastily flicked his wand at the bed so
that it made itself before following his mate out into the other room.
“When you missed dinner last night we assumed you were still a little heated
after the argument at lunch, so we left you. When you then didn’t show up here
afterwards I naturally went looking for you. You’d fallen asleep in the library
and were drooling quite disgustingly all over this particular book. I brought
you back here.” Snape had sat himself down in the armchair by the fire a cup of
steaming tea in one hand and the book Harry had been reading all afternoon in
the other. Harry swallowed awkwardly as he sat down opposite Snape in the other
armchair, reaching for the morning tray of tea the house elves had brought in.
“This is a strange book to be reading in your spare time wouldn’t you say?”
Snape sat the book on his lap and began flipping idly through the pages, Harry
watching him cautiously over the rim of his cup of tea.
“Not really. I just felt like reading up on something I didn’t know a lot
about.” Harry dismissively nodded his head towards the book as he sipped from
his tea, still a little pissed about their argument yesterday about Draco’s
stay. Harry however had found out some quite interesting things before he’d
fallen asleep yesterday afternoon and he eagerly took the opportunity of an
interested Snape to question the man about what he’d learnt. “Did you know
wizarding family seals were first used to dictate ownership of one family’s
property from another’s? Much like muggles brand cattle, wizards used to brand
their house elves?” Harry watched cautiously as Snape sipped from his tea the
man doing his infuriating habit of not looking up from his book when he was
answering a question.
“Yes, it was common practice back then. Barbaric but common.” Snape replied
calmly still thumbing his way through the book while he sipped his morning tea.
Irritated by Snape’s seeming lack of interest Harry continued, determined to
gather as much information as possible while he had this moment.
“Did you know they also used to brand their children as well? It was like a
right of passage, to accept your family’s seal on your skin was a sign of your
worth?” Harry raised a curious eyebrow at Snape, daring the man to answer the
question rather than brush it off.
“Again Potter, this is not news to me. Our wizarding ancestors were rather
archaic in their rituals and traditions but no more so than muggles of the same
time.” Snape sniffed indignantly at something he’d just read in the book but he
didn’t comment and instead continued to flip through the pages. Snape was
deliberately being obtuse and awkward and it was driving Harry insane. So Snape
probably didn’t make the connection between the abrupt discussions of Draco’s
‘non-existent’ tattoo but the least the man could do was take Harry’s bait
instead of acting all blasé about the topic. Sighing in frustration Harry tried
once more.
“It was only ever the males in a family that took the family seal. At parties,
balls and dances their seals were displayed as a sign of their wealth, breeding
and status to all the eligible females out there. It was even common practice
that when a woman married a man that she received the man’s family seal so that
everyone else knew she was already taken.” This time Harry smiled secretly in
success as Snape looked up from the book to stare at Harry.
“What are you telling me here Potter?” Snape inquired tightly causing Harry to
frown a little not really understanding what Snape was talking about. A reply
obviously wasn’t needed though as Snape continued quickly. “Are you suggesting
I pin you down and brand you as mine with a hot iron? Or perhaps you’d like me
to urinate all over you, marking you with my scent so that all rogue ‘potion
professors’ know you’re already a kept man.” Harry knew that tone. Snape was
mocking him. Standing abruptly from his chair Harry slammed his cup down on the
coffee table and glared at the man over the rims of his glasses.
“You didn’t believe me when I told you Draco has your family seal tattooed on
his shoulder did you?” Snape had shut the book on his lap and put down his half
empty cup of tea watching through narrowed eyes as Harry glared down at him,
determination in his eyes.
“I told you Potter, Draco has no tattoo.” Harry shook his head angrily at his
mate and pointed to the door to the bedroom, the exact place he’d seen Draco’s
tattoo.
“I saw it, there on his shoulder when he turned around for you to look at his
injured back. It was there, why would I lie?” Exasperated Harry folded his arms
across his chest, suddenly feeling hurt that Snape didn’t believe him. “Either
you know it is there and are lying to me or he’s concealing it from you in some
way just as he is from everyone else.” Harry couldn’t keep the hurt tone out of
his voice and he turned his back on Snape having felt another tantrum coming
on. Behind him Harry heard Snape sigh heavily and the slide of a book being
pushed onto the table.
“Alright I concede.” Harry glanced back over his shoulder as he heard Snape’s
words. “For all I know Draco might have a concealed tattoo on his shoulder and
it just might be my family’s seal but I doubt it means anything as sinister as
you’re making it out to be.” Harry’s small won triumph fell flat on its face
the moment Snape’s mouth opened again. “A tattoo is a tattoo, it means nothing.
These practices you are describing are nearly two millennia old and most of
them died out along with the wizards who used to practice them. Draco in no way
is trying to resurrect past traditions. In fact I doubt very much if the boy
even knows about them, history isn’t his strong point.” Harry continued to
stare at Snape over his shoulder as the man sat back in his chair, having
picked up his teacup again. “Now are you going to let this go?” Harry turned
around slowly and stared at Snape, niggling questions still bubbling in Harry’s
mind. Harry wasn’t stupid though and he knew that to disagree with Snape was
asking for trouble, so Harry simply nodded. Snape sighed and acknowledged
Harry’s positive reply with a nod of his own. “Good now go and dress. I believe
you have some apparition practice to attend to, if you’ve got any hope of
passing the test next Friday.” Snape picked up the paper from the table and
began to read and Harry sighed as he left he lounge and headed back into the
bedroom, to shower and change. Snape was being far too defensive of his godson
and this only fueled Harry’s determination further. Even if Harry had to peel
the truth from Draco’s dead body the boy would get to the bottom of the tattoo
and its connection with Snape.
***** Doing It In The Woods *****
Chapter 20
“You passed then?” Harry leapt into Sirius arms childishly as the boy barged in
through the front door of Grimmauld Place, having just apperated alone onto the
front pavement.
“Yep, only two mistakes. I left my shoe behind on the apperating to an unseen
location test and I miscalculated the apperating into a confined space test and
ended up in the fireplace instead of on the rug beside the fireplace.” Sirius
smiled proudly at his godson as Remus walked in a second or two behind Harry
carrying the boy’s bag for the week.
“So how are things with you Harry?” Sirius inquired as he walked with his
godson into the kitchen, while Remus stowed Harry’s bag in the spare room
upstairs.
“Okay. It’s nice not being ordered around and it’s absolutely brilliant being
able to eat whatever and whenever I like. This has got to be one of my better
summers.” Harry sat down at the kitchen table as Sirius poured out three
glasses of pumpkin juice and joined Harry at the table.
“And what about things with your other half?” Sirius looked seriously across
the table at Harry who sighed and lowered his head a little to stare at the
glass in his hand. The two weeks leading up to him leaving Snape for the week
had been absolutely hell. Harry had become moody and snappy, unable to
comprehend that Draco would be there all week with Snape instead of him. It
didn’t help either that the so called dinner party Snape was going to tonight,
was at Malfoy Manor and was doubling as a meeting of the ‘death eaters’. Still
Harry had pulled himself together long enough to apperate away from the castle
but that didn’t mean he wasn’t completely thinking about Snape from the moment
he’d left.
“Yeah we’re getting along alright. I’m still getting a hang of this emotional
stuff though, it’s like my emotions are rebelling against my mind.” Harry
smiled up at his godfather just as Remus walked in and sat himself down beside
Harry at the table, grabbing for his own juice.
“They’ll settle down soon enough Harry, just give it time.” Having heard the
last part of their conversation Remus put his hand comfortingly on the boy’s
shoulder and offered his advice. Harry nodded quietly, although not sure
himself that his emotions were going to settle down like that. Of late he’d
been having weird dreams and every morning for the past week he’d awoken in bed
snuggled up into Snape’s side.
“So what have you got planned this week?” Harry inquired, changing the subject
in case his emotions got the better of him again.
“Oh heaps of stuff. We’re going to a picnic tomorrow at The Burrow, and
Wednesday evening we’re going to the theater, Thursday we were thinking of
taking a broom flight around the country side, perhaps even going for a swim up
in the lake and then Friday we’re planning a few drinks here before I take you
home.” Remus easily listed off the planned events for the week and Harry
practically bounced off his chair with excitement. At least with a filled week,
he’d be less likely to think about Snape so much, or the evil little sneak of a
blonde who was there in the castle with him.
“Wow sounds great, what is today?” Harry asked cheekily as he watched his
godfather jerk his head over towards the kitchen bench, where various cooking
utensils and ingredients lay out ready for use.
“We have to cook some sweets for the picnic tomorrow.” Sirius didn’t sound too
thrilled about the prospect of cooking but Harry thought it sounded fun.
“Yeah and we thought seeing as though you passed potions this year that you
might actually be able to help us create something edible.” Remus stood to his
feet and surveyed the kitchen counter with a wolf like sniff.
“But you can go upstairs and settle in first Harry, we can start this after
lunch.” Sirius glared at Remus for having dumped Harry into the middle of their
cooking crisis but the wolf merely laughed and rolled his eyes. Harry laughed
too and with a smile at his godfather disappeared up to his room, to unpack and
prepare himself for the week ahead
************************
Remus reclined back on the rocking chair while Harry sat on the porch steps a
butter beer nestled in his hand. After a hard day’s cooking and a fair few
disasters later, the three of them had created 20 small iced pixy cakes, and
one large jam and cream sponge for the picnic tomorrow. Sirius had fallen
asleep on the couch inside, his dog like snoring drowning out the television
set. So Harry and Remus had moved outside into the silence of the back porch
over looking the overgrown frog pond.
Harry leaned quietly against the upright of the porch and watched quietly as
Remus rocked back and forth in the rickety old chair, the man’s expression
completely relaxed. This week was the second after the full moon and so Harry
knew Remus was still probably a little tired from his transformation but also
glad it was over for another cycle.
Despite having been busy all day Harry hadn’t stopped thinking about Snape. It
was strange knowing he wasn’t going to see him for a week and it was even
stranger to know he’d be sleeping alone. For all it was worth, Harry had almost
become used to waking up every morning next to Snape, although the morning
after their monthly ritual was something Harry would always rather forget.
After those first few times they’d stopped talking about sex. Harry just knew
that every Friday on the last day of the month Snape would take him and he was
ready for him. If anything positive was coming out of their sexual encounters
it was that Harry had come to just accept it. There was very little pain now
and Snape was still gentle and not demanding. It was over relatively quickly
too, Harry going so far as to time his mate’s actions from penetration to
climax. Snape always whispered a word after he’d come but Harry could never
make it out and had given up trying to decipher it. He had also given up hoping
for arousal. What ever Snape did to him it wasn’t even remotely arousing and
Harry never achieved more than a pleasant shudder usually when Snape climaxed
inside of him. Embarrassing as it was Harry had stopped masturbating too. Not
only because of the fear of getting caught doing it in Snape’s bathroom but
also because he found his stimulus material not stimulating anymore. In truth
his entire sex life was a joke and it was beginning to take its toll. Harry
needed to talk to someone and that someone was sitting in the rocking chair
before him. It was just finding the right thing to break the ice with.
Swallowing a large gulp of butter beer Harry sighed and turned his attention
fully on Remus.
“Remus?” Harry inquired quietly drawing the man’s attention back from the night
sky to him. Acknowledging Harry with a nod of his head Remus stopped his
rocking and waited for his charge to continue. “Have you got a mate?” Knowing
that werewolves only mated with their own kind and for life, this question was
not completely out there and it wasn’t too personal that Remus wouldn’t answer
it.
“I have.” Remus answered quietly tucking his feet up onto the side of the
chair. “She’s a werewolf from Liverpool and we meet every couple of months. On
the full moon of course.” Harry nodded quietly watching Remus’ interest pick up
at why Harry wanted to know.
“And do you, you know….do it in the woods so to speak?” Harry whispered hoping
he hadn’t pushed it too far. The last thing he wanted to do was offend Remus.
Remus chuckled at Harry’s comment and nodded knowingly.
“Aye, why else would I meet up with a female werewolf? To play cards?” Harry
laughed a little as well pleased that Remus seemed to be fairly relaxed about
discussing something this private. Wetting his lips with a swill of butter beer
Harry steeled himself for what he was about to ask. Nervousness took hold
before Harry could say anything and he lowered his gaze from Remus’ and blushed
profusely in embarrassment. Picking up on Harry’s distress Remus stopped
rocking again and moved forward in the chair, leaning just close enough to
Harry to make the boy look up shyly. “We can talk about anything you like
Harry, even sex. There’s no need to go all sheepish on me, for fucks sake I do
it doggy style out in the open what could be possibly more embarrassing than
that?” Harry blushed a deep shade of red but his gaze remained on Remus’
“Doggy Style?” Harry inquired completely in the dark about what the man was
talking about. This time it was Remus’ turn to blush and the werewolf gingerly
sat back in his chair.
“Um, it’s a sexual position but let’s move on. What do you want to ask me or
talk about?” Remus changed the topic quickly and Harry knew better than to
pressure for an answer, so taking a deep breath he began to explain to Remus
what was going on.
“When he and I do it, I don’t get hard.” Harry trailed off hoping Remus would
fill in the blanks for himself.
“Do you want to get hard when you and Snape have sex?” Remus inquired just as
softly watching carefully Harry’s facial expressions as they talked.
“Um, I don’t know.” Harry shrugged his shoulders in confusion causing Remus to
frown a little but as Harry continued the werewolf began to make sense of a few
things. “I know I’m not gay and don’t like men and those first few times we did
it I really didn’t want it to happen but now when we do it I feel like I want
something from it. But not from men in general just from him. Does that make
any sense?” Harry sighed heavily hoping he didn’t sound like a complete and
utter loser. Remus nodded silently and reached out a hand to place it on
Harry’s shoulder.
“It’s the bond Harry. You’re forming feelings for Severus both emotional and
physical as the bond strengthens and draws you together.” Harry stared at Remus
still confused but the werewolf continued quickly trying to alleviate some of
Harry’s stress. “This has nothing to do with if you’re gay or not. It’s to do
with how you feel about Severus in particular not men in general. You’re
growing attached to your mate and it’s only natural that you want to experience
the pleasure of being with him. Just because you want to enjoy sex with Snape
doesn’t mean you’d want it with any man.” Harry smiled mildly beginning to see
what Remus was explaining.
“So it’s okay to want to have proper sex with him.” Remus chuckled at Harry’s
question and rolled his eyes.
“Proper sex? Harry does he get it in or not?” Harry blushed and nodded quietly
in reply causing Remus to chuckle a little harder. “Honestly you’d think we
were talking about flying to the moon or something. Sex is sex Harry. If you
want to enjoy fucking then you should enjoy it. So it’s Snape? Who cares what
everyone else thinks or the circumstances that brought it about. He’s your
partner in bonded matrimony until death you can’t go through your entire life
limp and if you ignore the pull of the bond it’ll only get worse until you
don’t know what to do with yourself.” Harry sighed a little more pleased that
he’d heard Remus’ easy identification of his problem. The solution however was
probably going to be far worse to solve.
“Well that’s all great, we’ve established I do want to fuck and I do want to
enjoy it but just getting Snape to do anything other than his usual is going to
be difficult. I don’t even know if he wants to do it with me like that. I mean
he hasn’t even kissed me since the ring ceremony.” Harry sighed all the while
continually turning the wedding band around his finger like he usually did when
he was stressed.
“That’s hardly surprising considering the fuss you made at the contract
negations about not wanting ‘sex’ with him.” Harry sighed guiltily and lowered
his gaze to stare at the wooden stairs he sat on.
“I was frightened Remus.” At Harry’s whisper Remus reached forward and wrapped
his arms around Harry’s body pulling the boy in for an awkward hug.
“I know Harry, honestly we were all frightened for you but it seems to be
working out better than we’d expected.” Harry nodded, quietly reflecting on
just how easily he’d fallen into a routine with Snape and just how much he
enjoyed his company even if he’d never admit it to anyone.
“So come on wolf tell me how to make things better.” Harry inquired contently
wrapped in Remus’ protective arms.
“Start with a kiss Harry. Snape’s obviously respecting your wishes not to want
a physical relationship with him, so he’s restricting himself. So get him to
kiss you properly or you kiss him. It’s intimate enough to suggest you’re
looking for more but it’s also not pushy if it does turn out this isn’t what he
wants. Does that make sense?” Harry nodded and leant up to press a chaste kiss
to Remus’ cheek smiling warmly as the elder man blushed.
“Thanks Remus, I don’t think I could have done this without you.” Remus nodded
in understanding as he allowed the boy to stand up from the steps and stretch.
“Okay I’m going to go to bed, picnic tomorrow and I get to see Ron.” With a
final hug Harry disappeared inside and up to bed, leaving Remus rocking back
and forth steadily on his chair. Sirius was not going to be happy about this
new turn of events in Snape and Harry’s relationship, not happy at all.
***** Only Yours *****
Chapter 21
Harry was drunk.
Very drunk.
In fact the boy was so drunk he could barely stand.
Harry had just experienced the best week he’d ever had in his life ever and now
he was ending it lying against the porcelain basin feeling thoroughly ill. The
twins were going to die when Harry next had the strength to lift his wand.
“Harry?” There was a tentative knock at the door before it creaked open
revealing a sympathetic Remus. “How are you doing?” Harry groaned sickly
swallowing the vile that threatened to rise in his throat. “Here take a couple
of swigs of this it should help settle your stomach.” Not bothering to look at
the label on the potions bottle Remus was handing him, Harry merely swilled
from the bottle quickly grimacing a little at the mint milky taste. The potion
seemed to take effect immediately and Harry felt the swirl of his stomach begin
to settle and his head clear a little, enough at least for him to sit up. “I’ve
fire called Severus again but I’m getting no response.” Harry managed to school
his features into a frown of concern but that faltered quickly as his head
began to throb again. Harry had been trying to contact Snape all week just to
check in but it seemed the man was doing just fine without Harry, just as he’d
said he would. Harry wouldn’t let on that it irritated him not knowing what
Snape was doing and he certainly hadn’t told anyone he was worried. “I think
it’ll probably be best if I just took you back tonight.” Harry nodded weakly as
Remus helped him to stand. Wrapping his arm in support around Harry’s waist
Remus guided Harry out of the bathroom and onto the silent landing.
“How’s Ron?” Harry whispered softly remembering the state of inebriation that
his red haired friend had gotten into, having drunk far too much of the twins
‘special’ fruit punch.
“Passed out in the spare room. Molly will be back for him tomorrow morning.”
Remus chuckled softly as he aided Harry down the stairs, the boy’s trunk
already waiting by the door.
“Sirius?” Harry inquired softly as Remus shrank Harry’s trunk and dropped it
into the boy’s jeans pocket before they stepped out onto the darkened street.
“He’s sleeping it off in the lounge with Arthur.” Harry nodded again and clung
tightly to Remus’ waist as they apperated away. It was only moments before they
arrived just outside Hogwarts grounds the gates of the school automatically
opening as they sensed a student approaching.
“I think I’ll be alright from here on my own Remus.” Harry let go of Remus’
waist and stood steadily on his own feet, the potion he’d swallowed before
leaving Grimmauld place beginning to take more of an effect.
“Are you sure Harry? I can walk you to the entrance?” Harry shook his head but
leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his godfather’s best friend’s cheek.
“Nah, it’s fine Remus and thank you for having me. It was fun.” Pulling his
jumper down over his hands Harry slowly walked his way through the gates and up
towards the castle briefly hearing the pop as Remus apperated away. In the
slightly chilly breeze Harry felt the effects of the alcohol dull in his
system. The night air helped to clear his mind and vision. By the time Harry
reached the entrance into the castle he was feeling at least 50% better than
what he had been like.
Pushing his way into the castle through the side door Harry made his way slowly
down the quiet corridors towards the dungeons. His thoughts were now focused on
Snape, whom he hadn’t seen for a week. As always the doors to Snape’s chamber
opened for him and Harry smiled half expecting Snape to be sitting in his arm
chair waiting for him but Harry was disappointed when he took in the deserted
living room. Frowning a little Harry noticed acutely that there was no pillow
or blankets on the couch, which had indicated last time Draco had spent the
night in the rooms. Becoming suspicious Harry walked across the living room and
glanced into the bedroom. The bed was unmade. This was something Severus hated
was an untidy room but that was not what caught Harry’s attention. Instead it
was the way both sides of the bed had been used having clearly contained two
occupants the night or day before. Like a sweeping tidal wave all Harry’s built
up jealousy from the week just gone swept through his body. So instead of
sleeping on the couch Draco was actually sharing a bed with Snape. Clenching
his fists tightly together Harry checked the bathroom, lab and closet for signs
of the two other wizards but found nothing. It was no wonder that Severus was
not responding to fire calls when he was out with that blonde git.
Storming over to the door Harry was heading towards the headmasters office to
ask if he knew where Snape was, when he heard a rush of flame from the
fireplace. Instinctively Harry grabbed for his invisibility cloak, which was
housed on the hook by the door. In no less than a second Harry was wrapped up
in it making himself invisible to the two people he watched step out of the
fireplace. While it was with some relief that Harry recognized the two people
entering the room, it did little but ignite his anger and jealousy even more as
he watched the scene unfold.
“Oh come on Sev, like you didn’t see that coming.” Draco drawled childishly as
he flopped down into what Harry had come to know as ‘his’ armchair. Harry
watched Severus carefully as the man wandered over to the kitchen, pouring two
glasses of his favorite brandy before returning to sit on the end of the couch.
Harry felt his fists clench tightly in rage as he watched Snape hand Draco a
glass of the brandy, a gesture he’d never offered Harry. Draco took the glass
and swilled from it as if he’d been weaned on the stuff from birth.
“I would have, had you not rammed me into the trees Draco.” Severus replied
easily no hint of malice or even sarcasm in his tone, only good-natured
laughter. It was then that Harry noticed the pair’s attire. Both wizards were
dressed in Quidditch leathers; an outfit Harry had never in his life seen Snape
wear before. Draco was naturally in his Slytherin team jersey and trousers but
Snape was wearing a black pair of leather trousers and a tight fitting gray and
white jersey, his hair tied back with a strap of leather.
“You’re just a sore loser Sev, besides I’d have thought you’d have been able to
dodge my attempts at cheating, being the grand ‘Quidditch’ star you keep
bragging to me about.” Draco drawled as he sipped again from his brandy.
Severus snorted and sipped from his own brandy.
“I never bragged Draco Malfoy. I simply mentioned I was on the Slytherin team
when I was in school but that was a long time ago. I’m out of practice.” Snape
laughed jokingly and Harry watched carefully as Draco laughed out loud as well.
Enviously Harry listened as the pair talked easily about Quidditch together.
Snape knew Harry enjoyed Quidditch but he’d never talked about it with him,
ever. As the laughter and friendly taunts of skill and ability died down the
topic of conversation changed. Harry all the while stood by the lab door
listening to everything.
“So do you think they’re going to come after me?” Draco inquired as he allowed
Snape to pour him another glass of brandy. Severus relaxed on the couch,
something he never did in Harry’s presence.
“Expect it Draco. The dark lord doesn’t like being stood up and what you did on
Monday won’t go unpunished.” Severus had turned serious but he was still
relaxed on the couch, which irritated Harry further.
“But I’ll be safe here right? I mean you promised me if I did it you’d look
after me.” Harry screwed his nose up with disgust at Draco’s innocent act,
really now fighting the urge not to wrap his hands around Draco’s throat and
squeeze the life out of him.
“Yes I promised but he can’t know it is me you’ve come to. I’ve only just
gotten myself out of his bad books without this as well. Dumbledore has to be
your main protection.” Harry frowned as he listened to the conversation
progress. Draco moved over from the armchair to sit easily beside Snape on the
couch.
“I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been there. I probably
wouldn’t have said no.” Harry tightened his fists angrily as he watched Draco’s
hand slip from his own knee onto Severus’ the man not even flinching as he
reached and placed his own hand comfortingly over Draco’s.
“I understand Draco and you’re welcome, although you’ve got to keep your wits
about you now. No stupid business.” Draco nodded at Snape’s stern gaze and
Harry could hardly breathe with anger as he watched Draco’s hand slide up
Severus’ thigh, the elder wizard not even acknowledging the move.
“That’ll be easy and I’m looking forward to spending time with you. It’ll be
strange sleeping in the Slytherin dorms alone this summer. Can’t I stay here?”
Harry’s eyes narrowed the blood raging through his body and pounding in his
head loudly as he watched Draco pout dramatically. Snape seemed completely
oblivious to Draco’s advances and everything Harry had learnt now began to fit
into place like pieces of a jigsaw.
“No, I need time to myself but we’ll spend some time together I promise.
Besides Potter is here this summer as well.” Harry silently slid forward as he
watched Draco nuzzle up into Severus’ side the man chuckling and brushing Draco
away with a playful swat.
“Potter?” Draco spat nastily his hand still resting on Snape’s upper thigh, his
thumb drawing circles on the leather. “Why would I want anything to do with
him? If he keeps out of my way then I’ll be happy.” Draco continued to nuzzle
into Snape’s side the man eventually giving up on pushing the boy away and
instead allowing him to settle against him. “You know what, I’ve been watching
him and I think he’s got a secret crush on you.” Harry’s rage was now just
boiling beneath the surface as he watched Draco’s spiteful face smiling sickly
sweet up at Snape. Snape rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“Don’t be stupid Draco. Potter’s hatred of me exceeds even the hate he has for
you.” Snape replied casually as he drained what was left of his brandy and set
it aside. “Anyway what does it matter to you?” Snape inquired casually his legs
still stretched out in front of him. Harry knew what was coming and he froze
completely consumed in fiery rage as Draco sat up and swung his leg over
Snape’s lap surprising the potions master a little, who’s hand came up to sit
on Draco’s waist automatically.
“I’m jealous of course.” Draco pouted his back now to Harry who was standing in
front of the fireplace still invisible. Snape tutted as if what Draco had said
was just a joke.
“Don’t you think you’re a little old to be sitting on my lap Draco?” Snape
inquired his hand still resting on Draco’s hip. Harry watched as Draco leaned
forward so that his lips were resting just below Snape’s ear lobe. Harry had to
listen closely to hear what Draco said.
“That’s not what I want to be sitting on.” Was the husky reply. Harry watched
as Snape’s eyes widened impossibly the man’s hand instantly falling from
Draco’s waist as the blonde pulled back from him a little. “I’ve wanted to show
you this for months but I wasn’t sure.”
“Draco what are you doing?” Snape’s voice had lowered a little to a suspicious
growl. Harry watched as Draco took off his shirt revealing the tattoo on his
shoulder.
“I got it done last summer after the week we spent in Spain. I missed you so
much while we were there. I knew I had to be yours.” Draco picked his wand up
from the coffee table and performed a complex revealing spell on his shoulder
before leaning forward to display the tattoo to Snape, who was obviously seeing
it for the first time. Harry watched as Snape’s mouth fell open the spark of
realization beginning to filter into the man’s obsidian gaze.
“Draco get off…..” Snape went to say something but the blonde sat up quickly
and pressed his finger to Snape’s lips silencing him effectively.
“Shh don’t say anything. You own me, I’m yours, love me.” Harry practically
exploded inside as he watched Draco lock his lips onto Snape’s the man seeming
to struggle for a moment before surrendering to the kiss. Harry watched the
kiss with anger as their tongues intertwined. Snape had never kissed Harry like
that before. In fact he hadn’t kissed Harry since he had to at the ring
ceremony. Unconsciously Harry had been twisting the ring around and around his
finger since the scene between Snape and Draco had begun and now the boy had
drawn blood with it and had rubbed it raw of skin.
“Draco I don’t, Harry….” Snape went to push Draco away as the kiss ended but
Draco was quicker the blonde’s hands instantly delving into the depths of the
man’s trousers to stroke the lump they found beneath. Snape hissed in pleasure
at the touch, his head lolling back at the touch. This alone was the final
straw Harry’s rage and jealousy surging to the surface in an agonizing wave of
emotion. Stepping up away from the fire Harry let the invisibility cloak slip
from his shoulders and onto the floor his wand now out and pointed squarely
into the center of Draco’s back.
“Get off him now!” Harry didn’t scream he simply growled low in his throat. It
was so low in fact he sounded very much like Snape did when he was majorly
pissed. Snape’s head practically snapped up his eyes meeting those of Harry’s
as the boy glared down at them. Draco spun around on Snape’s lap as he felt
Harry press the tip of his wand into the curve of Draco’s spine.
“Potter!” Draco spat nastily completely ignoring the way Snape was now
desperately trying to push him off his lap.
“I wouldn’t Draco. Give me another reason and I won’t hesitate.” Draco went to
spit more nasty comments at the other boy but Harry silenced him, his face
schooled into complete hatred for the blonde. Draco glanced down at the wand
pointed at him just as Snape pushed him successfully off his lap and stood up.
Draco fell to the floor with a thud the stunned boy watching as Snape
approached Harry, attempting and failing to get the boy to lower his wand.
“Potter, don’t do this. I didn’t….” Snape was cut off abruptly as Harry shook
his head his gaze not leaving Snape’s.
“Yes that’s true. You didn’t did you?” Snape frowned a little in confusion
noting that Harry was still twisting his ring around on his finger and the
blood that was dripping off the end of it. “You didn’t believe me when I told
you I’d seen the tattoo. You didn’t believe me when I said it meant something.
You didn’t come and meet me at the gates tonight like you were supposed to and
you didn’t resist him when he kissed you just now.” Harry paused watching as
Snape closed his eyes and took a deep steadying breath almost guilty at having
done the last thing Harry described.
“Potter it’s not an issue, I wasn’t aware that he…..” Snape gestured at a
stunned Draco who sat on the floor watching the exchange between his godfather
and his enemy.
“No you’re not aware are you. I’ve made a fucking big effort to get to like
you. I’ve lied to my friends, I’ve slept in your bed, I’ve even let you screw
me because I thought this was what needed to happen but its crap isn’t it?”
Harry was losing his resolve now and the jealousy and anger was being quickly
replaced by hurt. “I’m the only one suffering from this ‘bond’. I’m the only
one who thinks I’m going insane because I’m beginning to get feelings for you I
shouldn’t fucking have! I hate you! Go fuck the blonde if you want, I’m
obviously not doing anything for you because I can’t even get hard!”
“What the fuck did he just say?” Draco stared up at Snape stunned having just
taken in the extent of what the argument was suggesting. Snape didn’t have time
to reply however as Harry turned his wand on the blonde and ‘Stupefied’ him
where he sat.
“Oh shut up you stupid, slimy little wanker! He’s MINE and you can keep your
fucking greasy, grubby, fingers to yourself.” Harry was completely not in
control of his emotions as he screamed angrily at the frozen blonde, who
despite not being able to move heard every single word Harry had screamed at
him. Snape was stunned at what had just come out of Harry’s mouth and could
only watch as the boy stormed over to the door grabbing his firebolt that leant
against the coat stand. “You can both go FUCK YOURSELVES.” Harry screamed a
final time as he slammed through the entrance out of Snape’s rooms leaving
Snape standing shell shocked in the center of the living room. Snape had been
aware acutely at how Harry had been handling the growing bond between them and
he’d instinctively picked up on Harry’s jealousy but never had he imagined it
would come to the surface so easily or so violently as it just had. Grabbing
his coat quickly, Snape took his wand and un hexed Malfoy who fell like a rag
doll onto the rug. Snape stared down at the blonde who stared up at him anger
mixing with hurt behind his blue eyes.
“You’re bound to him aren’t you? That’s who you married after Voldemort gave
you the ultimatum, you married Harry Potter!” Snape stared down at Malfoy who
practically gawked at Snape like he was an alien.
“Yes, now shut up and sit here until I get back.” Snape growled angrily in his
throat, suddenly very much aware of just what Draco had done and was likely to
cause. Opening his broom closet Snape pulled out his own old broom and stormed
off after his mate, leaving the blonde sealed in the room behind him….
***** Love is Blind but Deatheaters Ain't. *****
Chapter 22
It was relatively easy for Snape to find Harry. The boy was circling the
darkened Quidditch pitch like a lost player. Harry was obviously emotional but
the boy wasn’t stupid enough to go beyond the castle wards and leave himself
open to attack. Mounting his own dusty old broom Snape unsteadily took to the
sky managing to keep himself upright as he drew up level with Harry, in the
center of his circles. Harry continued to circle Snape who remained still in
the center watching the boy fly automatically around him, his body lying flat
against the shaft of the broom and his face turned away from Snape in the
center.
“Potter…” Snape went to ask the boy what he thought he was doing in his usual
professor like way but Harry’s voice cut him off.
“Potter? You can’t even call me by my first name. You call him Draco but with
me it’s always Potter, like I’ve got some disease or something.” Harry
whispered letting the wind carry his voice over to where he knew Snape was
sitting on his broom. Snape sighed softly and watched Harry continue on with
his circles. Snape had come out here with every intention of demanding the boy
tell him what was going on but as he watched the sad figure of his mate circle
him, he knew it was time to confess his sins.
“I didn’t think you wanted me to call you Harry. I assumed you proffered the
familiarity of being just Potter to me.” Snape watched as a silver tear fell
from Harry’s broom into the darkness of the grass below them. The glistening
droplet caught the moonlight as it fell. Snape swallowed guiltily as Harry
continued his circles, his face still turned away from Snape.
“I did want that at first. I just wanted everything to go back to normal, me
hating you, you despising me. Detentions for fucking up potions, point taking
for no bloody good reason. I just wanted to be your student again like nothing
had happened but that isn’t possible is it?” Snape shook his head quietly
already knowing that Harry’s question didn’t need an answer. The boy was
intelligent he’d already worked things out for himself.
“No.” Snape whispered the wind taking away his voice and making him sound like
nothing. Harry continued his slow circling. Snape gave up trying to follow him
around and instead watched as the boy flew past his vision every few moments.
“You didn’t tell me I’d feel like this when I put this on.” Snape watched as
Harry twisted the bloodied ring around his already raw finger, the gold and
platinum shining in the moonlight.
“I didn’t realize it would affect you so much.” Snape spoke honestly already
knowing what Harry was referring to. Snape heard Harry huff a weak sarcastic
laugh the sound raw and painful.
“Not affect me? What did you think it would do to me, hating you one day and
then finding myself falling for you the next?” Harry spoke coldly causing Snape
to shiver a little with the intensity of how hurt Harry sounded.
“I thought it would happen slowly, giving you time to adjust to the new
feelings but the ‘bond’ obviously saw the need to draw us together quickly.”
Snape by way of explanation touched his own ring, still keeping his gaze steady
on Harry who had slowed his circles further so that his hair was barely moving
in the wind.
“It’s all so strange. Feeling jealous of Draco, feeling hurt that you didn’t
believe me when I told you about him. I haven’t stopped thinking about you all
week. I was worried that you might not be all right, longing to wake up to your
nasty moods in the morning. I’ve given up hating you, I just can’t do it. I
need you and that’s so fucking scary.” Snape heard the choked sob in Harry’s
throat but he resisted the urge to reach out and stop Harry’s broom so that he
could comfort the boy. After a few moments of silence Harry continued, having
wiped away his tears with the back of his hand. “What was worse though was
seeing how unaffected you were by it. You acted no different than you always
did and I never saw any sign you were affected like I was. I thought I was
going insane. Why haven’t you felt anything like this?” This time Harry looked
around his teary gaze locked on Snape’s as he circled the man. Snape sighed
heavily having known this was going to come but still not being prepared for
it. Harry was silent, still waiting patiently for Snape to answer, his gaze
firmly fixed on the man sitting on the broom in the center.
“It didn’t affect me because I was already in love with you before we married.”
Snape trailed off his gaze trained on the end of his broom not even daring to
look up as he saw Harry come to a complete stop in front of him, his circles
forgotten. Snape had never in his life opened his emotions up as he’d just done
to Harry. All his life he’d kept them hidden behind the nasty, indifferent mask
fearing ridicule and censure. Harry could hardly breathe as he stared at Snape
hovering before him.
“You’re in love with me?” Harry whispered in disbelief his heart literally in
this throat as every emotional bead of jealousy, anger and hurt began to slide
away from his body leaving him shaking and suddenly feeling very content.
“Yes.” Snape whispered his gaze steadily rising to meet Harry’s.
“Why didn’t you…?” Harry questioned confused by why Snape had never shown any
interest in him.
“Because it was easier to hate you than admit my feelings and have them not
returned as I knew they would be. I was also your teacher, your father’s
greatest enemy, a death eater, I’m nearly 20 years older than you and as you’ve
told me several times you’re not gay.” Snape trailed off after easily listing
the things that had made him hide his feelings. To Harry it sounded like Snape
had had a long time to think about it. “When I was forced into making a
decision about marriage, I automatically chose you in the hope that maybe we
might just learn to get along, not really hoping for anything else but your
companionship.” The wind had blown Harry closer to Snape a little and the boy
now hovered directly in front of Snape who as Harry had noted was gripping the
broom handle with a white knuckled grip.
“And you would have been content with just my friendship?” Harry whispered his
heart pounding in his chest.
“That’s why I haven’t pushed myself on you. I didn’t force you to kiss me. I
didn’t force you to get pleasure from sex. I didn’t pressure you into liking
me. I just tried to keep things the same like I thought you wanted them.” Snape
watched as Harry drew his broom up along side him.
“I want you to kiss me.” The comment seemed to come out of nowhere but Snape
nodded and gently reached forward to cup Harry’s cold cheek in his hand,
drawing the boy towards him. Harry hesitated inches from Snape’s mouth his eyes
flickering up to meet the dark gaze of his mate. “Kiss me like you kissed
Draco.” A small smile twitched at the corner of Snape’s thin lips and Harry
automatically closed his eyes and leaned forward the last inch so that his lips
came into contact with Snape’s. The kiss was tentative at first, Snape’s tongue
flicking out softly against Harry’s cold lips. Harry yielded to the licks and
parted his lips allowing Snape’s warm tongue to delve into his sweetness. Harry
could hardly breathe as Snape’s tongue explored his mouth coaxing Harry to
reciprocate. The boy eagerly followed the lead, tangling his tongue with that
of his mate tasting the unique flavor of the other man mixed with the
smoothness of the brandy he’d been drinking. Eventually breathlessness drew
them apart and Snape sat back on his broom having sucked lightly on Harry’s
bottom lip before pulling away completely. Snape stared at Harry’s face, the
pale features highlighted in the moonlight. The boy looked completely at ease
with his eyes still closed and a smile playing at the edges of his slightly
parted and glistening red lips. Rubbing his thumb gently back and forth across
Harry’s cheek Snape smiled to himself feeling hope rise in his own chest.
The moment however was fleeting as Snape saw a bright green flash behind Harry.
Without thought Snape launched himself forward pushing himself and Harry off
their brooms into a free fall towards the ground. Clutching Harry’s rigid body
to his own Snape rolled around cushioning the fall on the boy’s body as they
hit the ground with a shudder. Snape cried out in pain as they both slammed
into the ground of the Quidditch pitch below them. Pushing the stunned Harry
off him, Snape was already rising to his feet, his wand in hand, as the
broomstick Harry had been riding burst into flame as the curse struck.
“Get Up!” Falling instantly into protection mode Snape hauled Harry up by the
boy’s collar pulling him back behind him as another curse whirled past them
exploding against the bottom of the stands. Recovering quickly Harry had his
wand at the ready his gaze falling on the black figures now circling above them
and getting closer by the minute.
“They’re death eaters.” Harry whispered unbelieving of what he was seeing.
Snape however didn’t reply the wizard already sending powerful curses into the
sky above him aiming for the flying figures most of whom he knew. Never had
Harry seen so many death eaters in one place, it was like an entire Quidditch
team bearing down on him. How they’d gotten through the wards was beyond Harry
but he didn’t really have time to think as Snape pushed him towards the castle.
“Stay with me Potter and keep moving!” Snape turned and began to run towards
the castle. Harry didn’t need to be asked twice and turned with Snape, staying
in front of the wizard by a fraction as the death eaters began their attack.
Harry was firing curses at anything that moved, as was Snape by the sound of
the man behind him. Harry was sure some of the flashes of magic were close, too
close. Harry heard Snape hiss in pain several times but the man’s step never
faltered. The death eaters were diving at them now and Harry felt the wisp of
their robes on his head as they swept past him. Blindly Harry began to swing
his arms about hoping to knock them from their brooms. Snape it seemed had gone
one better and had transfigured a pencil inside his coat pocket into a length
of wood, which he swung like a baseball player at anything that came too close.
Harry was almost relieved as they drew closer to the front entrance into the
castle, the great doors opening revealing McGonagall and Dumbledore both of
whom began firing their own curses at the death eaters. Harry heard screams and
the dull thuds of people hitting the ground around him but he ignored it
completely and ran faster towards Dumbledore, all the while aware of Snape at
his heels.
By the time he reached the steps leading up into the main hall Harry was
running faster than he had in his entire life. Taking the steps in one leap
Harry was inside the hall and sliding flat onto his face on the stone before he
knew it. Harry distantly heard Snape follow him in before Dumbledore’s voice
commanded the doors to close and seal themselves. As if someone had tripped a
switch the entire castle fell into darkness, the hall so pitch black Harry
couldn’t see his hand in front of him. Silence hung thick for a moment, only
the sound of Harry panting echoing in the hall. From somewhere behind him Harry
heard a muttered charm before Dumbledore’s face was lit up from the
illumination at the end of his wand.
“Harry?” Harry looked from Dumbledore across the shadow to the stairs where
Severus was slumped against the banister, panting breathlessly. Getting to his
feet Harry moved swiftly over to his mate, instantly wrapping his arms around
the man’s waist and pushing his face into the man’s chest. Snape’s hands drew
up around Harry’s body holding the boy tightly to him in the flickering light
of Dumbledore’s wand.
“Severus?” Dumbledore walked the short distance from the sealed doors to the
steps and Harry felt Snape turn to face the headmaster.
“He knows.” The comment hung sour in the silence and Harry dared to glance up
from Snape’s chest to watch the exchange between Dumbledore and Snape. For the
first time in a long time Dumbledore looked worried. With a sigh the elder
wizard stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment before shaking his head.
“We can not stay here.” With determination Dumbledore turned the end of his lit
wand towards McGonagall who waited patiently for her instructions. “Free the
owls and then meet us in the Room of Requirement. Severus go to the dungeons
and gather the supplies you will need, take Harry with you. I need something
from my office. We will meet up in the room of requirement in fifteen minutes,
do not dawdle.”
“Headmaster, what about the castle, we can’t abandon it.” Harry looked up
shocked at the headmaster who shook his head quietly managing to smile at Harry
with warmth.
“The castle has ways of protecting itself Harry. It will still be standing when
we return but it is not safe for us here now.” Dumbledore turned to leave but
then Snape rose from the stairs as if remembering something but before the
professor could speak the headmaster had already cut him off. “Draco has
already gone Severus. I fear he will not return.” Harry watched on as Severus’
shoulders slumped the man’s eyes closing in despair.
“I didn’t know.” Severus whispered and Harry watched as the headmaster turned
back around and placed a warm hand on the professor’s shoulder.
“Love blinds us to many things Severus. We can not blame ourselves for others
mistakes.” With that Dumbledore strode off taking his lit wand with him. With a
sigh Harry illuminated his own wand just in time to see McGonagall in cat form
running up the grand staircase towards the owlery, leaving Severus and he
standing alone in the dark hall.
“Come along Potter…” Severus made to move towards the dungeons indicating that
Harry should follow but the boy remained where he was.
“It’s Harry.” Harry whispered softly feeling rejection pool uncomfortably in
stomach, even after what had happened outside. Snape stopped mid stride and
turned abruptly back to face his mate, taking in Harry’s withdrawn expression.
“It’s a habit Harry, I’m sorry. Now come on we haven’t got much time.” Harry’s
spirits lifted instantly and running to catch up with Snape followed the man
down into the pitch-black hallways of the dungeons….
***** From the Fire to the Furnace *****
Chapter 23
Harry walked through the fire into chaos. Behind him he heard Snape, Dumbledore
and McGonagall come through the fire after him but he could do nothing but
stare at the hundreds of people running about the small, dimly lit room.
“Find Poppy and have your injuries looked at Severus, we’ll talk with Black and
the Auror’s.” Harry glanced over his shoulder to watch Dumbledore address
Severus, the man nodded quietly before McGonagall and the headmaster strode off
into the mayhem. Harry had no idea where he was and it had only been through
Severus insistence that he stepped through the fireplace in the room of
requirement first. Harry jumped a little as he felt a hand come to rest in the
small of his back and the boy glanced over his shoulder again to smile at
Severus who was now standing behind him.
“Come on Harry, the sooner I get seen to the sooner I can find out what’s going
on.” Harry nodded and allowed Severus to guide him through the crowd of people.
Harry could do little but take in his surroundings. From inside the place
looked to be a house of some sort but there was little furniture and dust
lingered in the air like the place hadn’t been used in years. Severus guided
him slowly to the staircase in the hall but just as Harry was about to go
upstairs he heard someone call his name.
“Harry!” Spinning around Harry smiled as he saw Ron and Hermione pushing their
way through the crowds towards him. Almost instantly Harry felt Snape’s hand
fall from his back the man continuing on up the steps leaving Harry to talk
with his friends. “We heard what happened. Are you alright?” Ron reached his
best friend first and physically spun his friend around to make sure he was all
in one piece. Harry didn’t comment that Ron looked like death warmed up, the
red head probably still suffering from his brother’s spiked punch at the party
earlier.
“I’m fine guys, Sev…I mean Professor Snape was injured but he’s okay. I think
we were lucky. I’ve never seen so many death eaters in one attack before.”
Harry easily covered his slip up, his friends not even noticing he’d done it.
They were too busy themselves watching people running about frantically around
them.
“Tonk’s says it’s really serious this time, that this might just be the
beginning of the end.” Hermione was trying and failing to listen in on passing
conversations but Harry paid little attention to her comment.
“Yeah, my Dad reckons you-know-who has finally flipped.” Ron looked seriously
up at Harry but the boy wasn’t listening his gaze instead was up on the landing
above him where he watched Severus disappearing into a room. “Harry are you
listening?” Harry turned his attention back to his friends who were now looking
at him strangely.
“Um, sorry guys I’ve got to go do something.” Without waiting for his friend’s
permission Harry ran up the stairs and entered the room he’d seen Snape go into
a moment before. Harry stepped cautiously into the room and glanced around.
Despite its deceivingly normal door, the room Harry stepped into was a stark
clinical white with three beds and a chest full of medical implements along one
wall. In the center was an examination table and there sitting on the edge of
it was Snape, his shirt and cloak stripped off so that he sat in only his
leather pants.
“Mr. Potter, what do you think you are doing?” Harry froze as he watched the
medi witch spin around from where she’d been attending to Severus’ back. Harry
shrugged his shoulders as he watched Snape glance back at him over his own
shoulder. Snape’s back was a mess, the razor curse he’d been hit with shredding
his skin like paper. The cuts were deep, raw and bleeding and Harry didn’t know
how the man had managed to keep running when they’d been back at the castle.
“Out this instant young man. Professor Snape doesn’t need you ogling at his
injuries…..” The medi witch was striding towards him with every intention of
bustling him out of the door again but Harry desperately wanted to stay with
Severus the pull of the bond so strong.
“But, I….” Harry opened his mouth to protest but the medi witch was having none
of it as she began to push Harry back towards the door.
“Unless you’re injured Mr. Potter, I don’t want to see you in here….” Madam
Pomfrey had already opened the door ready to kick Harry out when Severus’ voice
made the woman stop.
“Poppy, let him stay he needs to be here.” Harry watched as Madam Pomfrey
looked strangely from Snape back to him, then back to Snape again her frown
deepening. Harry didn’t bother waiting for her reaction. Instead he ducked
under her arm and ran hastily over to where Snape was sitting on the examining
table. Almost instantly Harry pushed himself against Snape’s chest the man
gently wrapping his arms around the boy and pressing a chaste kiss to the top
of his head.
“You should have said something.” Harry whispered as he avoided looking at the
blood pooling on the white sheets of the examination table behind Snape. Snape
huffed a contemptible laugh and shook his head.
“What good would it have done? I’ve survived worse Harry, these are just
scratches.” Over by the door Harry heard Madam Pomfrey gasp in surprise but any
forth-coming comment from her was silenced as Severus glared back over his
shoulder at the medi witch. “Will you get on with it woman.” Harry smiled
against Severus’ chest as he heard the fast click of the medi witch’s heels on
the floor as she returned to tending Severus’ injuries.
Despite himself Harry couldn’t help but take notice of Snape’s body. While the
man was pale he was very well toned and muscular especially for a potions
master. There was a light mattering of hair on the man’s chest and Harry smiled
at the trail of dark hair that led from the man’s shallow belly button into the
waist band of his leather pants. Harry had not bothered much about seeing Snape
in any form of undress and when they’d slept together both of them had always
been wearing the ugly gray nightshirts preventing any skin on skin contact.
Harry was content to sit wrapped in Snape’s arms, listening and feeling each
flinch or hiss of pain as the medi witch worked her medical magic. Eventually
though she was done and she stepped silently away from the pair to wash her
hands in a sink on the far wall.
“They were deep Severus but not life threatening. Probably the result of a
badly aimed curse. You were lucky you didn’t take the full hit.” Harry stepped
away from Snape as the man stood up from the table his back cleaned, healed and
bandaged up to prevent infection. Harry helped Snape pull his shirt and cloak
back on before tucking the man’s wand into Snape’s sleeve in just the position
he’d notice his mate liked it. Snape smiled his thanks to Harry before turning
back to Poppy.
“So how many casualties so far?” Snape inquired as he moved towards the door,
obviously eager to be back among the mayhem downstairs. Harry follow him
feeling very much like a puppy to its master but unable to stop himself. Since
their kiss on the Quidditch field Harry’s body had completely stopped obeying
him and he’d instead been completely reliant on Snape to guide him in what to
do.
“Minor injuries so far but we’re expecting the worst this time. Something
really has set the cat among the owls.” Harry swallowed nervously as he watched
Madam Pomfrey glance between he and Snape. Beside him Harry heard Snape grumble
something beneath his breath before he opened the door and strode from the
room, leaving Harry to trail quickly after him.
Where there had been chaos in the house before when Harry and Snape came back
down the stairs it was to silence. Glancing both ways Snape chose left down the
hall and quietly followed the sound of someone’s voice. Taking a right to
another set of stairs, Harry held his breath as he stared down into the
basement of the house. Not a spare inch of room could be seen beneath the
bodies of people. Hundred’s of people seemed crammed into the little space all
of them intently listening to Dumbledore who stood in the center of them all on
a stool. Many faces Harry had never seen in his life but dotted among the crowd
were a few he knew. The Weasley clan was easily spotted, as was Sirius, Lupin,
Tonks and Mad-eye. Following Snape’s lead Harry trailed the man down the
crowded steps to the floor of the basement, people making a path for them until
they came to stand at McGonagall’s side, the woman holding the stool steady
which Dumbledore was perched on.
“Ah, Severus. Harry. I believe we can begin now.” Dumbledore smiled mildly down
at the pair who’d just arrived before glancing up seriously at the crowd. “As
you all know a situation has arisen in the past few hours. The wards at
Hogwarts have been breached by Voldemort’s forces, making it no longer safe for
our students or us. While we were aware that Voldemort possessed such
capabilities he has until now not used them, leading us to assume he had other
plans.” Dumbledore trailed off allowing the information he’d just passed on to
settle over the crowd.
“Do we know why he has chosen now to act?” A voice from amongst the crowd
called out and Dumbledore turned around precariously on his stool to look
towards where the voice had come from.
“We believe we have some idea. Through our intelligence we have gathered
information which suggests that while possessing the ability to breach the
schools wards, Voldemort did not intend to do so, preferring instead to lure
his victims out into unfamiliar territory and attack them there. This sudden
change of his plans seems to have been brought about by rashness, anger and the
burning desire to exact revenge upon one of our own.” Harry stepped back
against Severus as he watched Dumbledore glance down at them both. Dumbledore
looked almost apologetically at the two of them before the elder wizard sighed
and addressed the main gathering again. “Unbeknown to everyone save for those
few of us privy to the circumstances, Professor Snape and Mr. Harry Potter have
recently become bound to one another.” Harry closed his eyes as he heard the
shocked gasps and heated chatter break out around the room. All eyes now turned
to he and Snape. Behind him Harry heard Snape sigh heavily before Harry felt
the man’s hand slip comfortingly into his own, their fingers entwining together
in strength.
“How come we were not made aware of this?” An angry shout from the back
silenced the mutterings in the room and Harry briefly opened his eyes, only to
catch the stunned gazes of his two closest friends across from him. Ron looked
positively pale but Hermione seemed more solemn and not at all surprised.
Dumbledore turned his attention towards the comment his commanding voice
silencing what was left of the chattering.
“Their marriage was not made common knowledge for the simple reason that Lord
Voldemort was not to know under any circumstances of this engagement. The
repercussions of having one of Lord Voldemort’s closest advisors joining
together in a wizards bond with ‘the boy who lived’ were beyond comprehension,
besides the danger it would place upon the pair in question.” Dumbledore
trailed off pleased that he’d alleviated any possible outrage at the keeping of
the secret.
“Then how did he find out, assuming that is what has caused you-know-who’s
latest attack?” Another question this time from somewhere up on the staircase.
Again Dumbledore swiveled around on his stool to look up at the staircase over
the tops of his half moon glasses.
“Indeed, this is what we believe has triggered the latest attacks. How
Voldemort has been made aware of this is still unknown, what is known however
is that Severus will no longer be able to supply us with information regarding
Voldemort’s plans so we must rely on our own skills in tracking him yet again.
This marriage is not only an irritation for Voldemort it is also a threat to
him. Harry’s magic combined with Severus will be a weapon Voldemort has yet to
experience and he will be trying everything in his power to dissolve the bond.”
Harry squeezed Snape’s hand tightly feeling suddenly very afraid as the true
risk Snape had taken marrying Harry now became apparent in Dumbledore’s words.
“Let the word go out. I want every watcher and friendly to our cause keeping
tabs on Voldemort’s army. If a death eater so much as sneezes I want to know
about it. You all have your jobs and each of you know your place. Let’s ensure
Voldemort doesn’t catch us off guard a second time. We may have been displaced
from our base but we will fight on.” With a wave of his hand Dumbledore
dismissed the gathering and Harry watched as the basement emptied. All kinds of
animals appeared from witches and wizards, all of them disappearing through
open windows, down drainpipes and out through various doors. Those not an
animagus took the stairs. Everyone seemed to know where they were going and
what they were doing. Eventually with the majority of the crowd gone, only a
few faces remained as Dumbledore stepped down from the stool with McGonagall’s
help.
“Harry are you alright?” Sirius was the first to get to Harry and the boy
nodded and allowed his godfather to hug him tightly. Harry didn’t miss the way
Sirius growled at his and Severus’ joined hands but his godfather didn’t say
anything for which Harry was grateful. Ron and Hermione were the next faces
that approached Harry and the boy guiltily lowered his head remembering all the
lies he’d told.
“I can’t believe it.” Ron muttered still obviously in shock but probably still
a little drunk after the night’s party at Grimmauld Place.
“Ignore him Harry he’s still inebriated.” Hermione pushed her boyfriend out of
the way and gently lifted Harry’s hand to her lips pressing a chaste kiss to it
before smiling up at her friend. “I’m happy for you.” Was her comment before
she did the same to Snape’s free hand. Harry smiled as she leaned in and hugged
him just as Sirius had done. For Harry it was like a weight had been lifted
from his chest with no more lies to his friends keeping them apart. Harry and
Severus stood there for a few minutes allowing everyone to say their piece
about their marriage before finally Dumbledore called for silence.
“It’s late and I believe some of us need some healing rest after a certain
party? There are a few furnished rooms upstairs for those of you staying
although you may have to share. The rest of you know where you have to be. I
will be in the study should anything happen.” With that Dumbledore began up the
stairs, McGonagall and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley following them up. Sirius and Remus
bid goodnight as well before disappearing up the staircase, leaving Ron,
Hermione, Severus and Harry in the basement.
“Well Ron and I are going to go find us a room see you both tomorrow morning.”
Ron was practically dead on his feet and Harry smiled at his friends as
Hermione dragged her boyfriend out of the basement. Finally Harry was alone
with Severus again and the boy instinctively turned into the man’s chest and
closed his eyes in relief. For a long while the pair of them stood together in
silence their fingers still intertwined tightly.
“You better go upstairs and find us a bed before we have to sleep on the
couch.” Severus finally spoke up his voice just a whisper against Harry’s neck.
“Are you coming up?” Harry inquired reluctant to leave his mate. Severus
chuckled a little at the possessiveness hardly believing that Harry was asking
him to bed when only hours before the boy had told him to go fuck himself.
“I will in a little while. I’ve got to talk with Dumbledore.” Harry nodded and
gingerly stepped away from Snape heading slowly towards the steps. Behind him
Harry heard Snape following him. When they reached the top of the basement
stairs Snape walked Harry to the bottom of the second flight of the stairs
before stopping. Harry stood on the second step up and Snape on the floor, so
that they were relatively the same height.
“Don’t be too long.” Harry whispered fiddling self-consciously with the ring on
his finger again. Snape smiled and shook his head before gently leaning forward
and pressing a soft kiss to Harry’s lips.
“I won’t now go on.” Harry huffed a contemptible laugh and rolled his eyes
before turning and making his way up the stairs in search of a spare bed for
the night. Severus watched him go. When the boy disappeared into one of the
rooms Severus sighed to himself and turned to go in search of Dumbledore. There
were things that needed to be discussed….
***** Pest Inspectors *****
Chapter 24
Harry sat quietly in the in the window seat of the darkened bedroom. It was
cold in the bedroom, the central heating not working and the fireplace doing
very little but blow drafts around the room. Behind him he could hear Mr.
Weasley snoring loudly his hand knitted nightcap sticking ridiculously out from
beneath the gray blanket. Mrs. Weasley slept next to him her knitting needles
forgotten on the end of the bed. Harry had tried to find a room that was
unoccupied but the three bedrooms upstairs were already full of resting
occupants. There was no hint of privacy in the shared bathroom either and Harry
had simply washed his face and swilled his mouth with water before returning to
the only free bed left in the house. Harry had no idea what time it was or
where he was. Downstairs he could still hear people coming a going from the
house, not that he knew what they were doing.
Harry was still staring out of the window when he heard the door to the bedroom
creak open and a familiar figure step inside.
“Harry?” Harry turned around on the window seat and smiled at Snape as the man
glided quietly around the sleeping Weasley’s.
“You said you weren’t going to be long.” Harry whispered quietly as Snape sat
down cautiously on the edge of the single bed, they were destined to share.
“There was a lot to talk about.” Snape whispered back already beginning to pull
off his boots and unhook the clasps on his cloak. Harry sighed inwardly still
twisting his ring around on his finger as he’d done for the past three hours
he’d sat here in the window seat. Snape seemed to notice the boys self injured
finger and easily slid onto the cushion of the window seat beside Harry before
taking the boys hand in his own. In the dim moonlight shinning in through the
windowpane, Harry watched Snape slowly ease the ring off his finger. Harry
hissed a little in pain only now realizing just how sore he’d made his finger
with his habit. “You should stop doing this Harry.” Snape whispered as he took
a potion vial from his cloak pocket and a handkerchief from within another
pocket. Snape gently poured a little of the potion onto the handkerchief before
proceeding to dab the raw, bleeding skin around Harry’s ring finger. Harry
flinched a little as the first sting of the potion on his wound but Snape
gently rubbed Harry’s palm in slow gentle circles with his thumb soothing the
pain. The touch was gentle and caring, something Harry hadn’t expected. When he
was done Snape cleaned the blood from the ring with the sleeve of his robe
before carefully replacing it on Harry’s finger.
“Thank you.” Harry whispered the redness of his wound already beginning to
heal. “It’s a habit.” By way of explanation Harry went to begin twisting the
ring again but Snape closed his hand over Harry’s stopping the boy from doing
it.
“I know. You’ve had it for months. Every time you get stressed you twist it, it
was quite off putting watching you do it in my class.” Snape smiled warmly and
Harry shivered a little as he watched Snape raise Harry’s hand to his lips and
press a soft kiss into the boy’s palm. “But you’ve got to stop it or eventually
it will scar.” Harry nodded gently his gaze locking with Snape’s. For a moment
neither of them dared breathe and Harry’s eyes automatically slid closed as
Snape leaned forward to kiss him. Harry could feel Snape’s soft breath against
his own as Snape’s lips locked with his. The kiss was different from the last.
There was less hesitation but no less intensity. For saying it was only Harry’s
second real kiss he’d caught on relatively quickly. Harry slid his tongue
easily against Snape’s lavishly tasting every inch of the man’s unfamiliar
taste. While Snape’s hand still held Harry’s the other had slipped up to gently
card through the boy’s unruly hair. Harry surrendered himself completely to
Snape’s knee weakening kiss feeling as though every ounce of him was being
enthusiastically devoured. If he died now, he’d die happy or at the very least
content. For the first time in their relationship Harry could feel the familiar
stirrings of arousal within himself as the kiss continued. Snape now took his
time to suck and lick every inch of the boy’s sweet lips.
But the romance of the situation was soon stripped away as a loud warthog like
snort ripped through the silent room. Mr. Weasley turned over abruptly in his
sleep. Snape and Harry parted like caught teenagers to look over at the double
bed the Weasley’s were sharing. When it was clear neither of the two red heads
had woken Snape sighed and turned back to Harry.
“Bloody Weasleys.” Snape muttered as he rose from the window seat and finished
undressing, ready for bed. Harry smiled to himself as he too pulled off his
jeans and climbed easily into the single bed. Snape climbed in behind him. The
sheer lack of room in bed made finding a comfortable position for the two of
them nearly impossible but finally the pair of them settled, Snape lying on his
side with Harry spooned up against the other man’s chest. “Keep your rotten
cold feet to yourself Potter.” Snape grumbled irritably as he let his arms wrap
easily around Harry’s waist. Harry smiled and snuggled back against the man
merely content to have the elder wizard holding him.
“You really aren’t a romantic are you?” Harry whispered cheekily as he pushed
one of his ice cold toes against Snape’s already warm feet. Snape hissed in
shock and pushed Harry’s feet away from his own.
“No I’m not. Now get some sleep” Was the curt reply. Harry closed his eyes with
a smile. It was only as he was drifting asleep that he felt a soft kiss on his
shoulder blade before slumber finally took him.
********************************************
Harry awoke to a familiar aroma and sense of warmth wrapped around him. The
spicy scent of only one person he knew hung around Harry like a cloak and the
boy luxuriated in it for several moments still on the breach of being fully
awake. Finally though Harry opened his eyes, squinting a little in the sunlight
streaming in through the curtainless window. Groping for his glasses on the
window seat beside the bed Harry easily slipped them on, his eyesight coming
back into focus on the man that was now hovering above him.
“Morning.” Was the whispered reply from Snape. Harry smiled and leaned up to
steal a kiss from the moist lips of his lover. Snape rolled his eyes at Harry’s
stupidity so early in the morning but said nothing as he continued to stare
down at the boy lying in bed beside him. Harry suspected Snape had been
watching him sleep for sometime but he didn’t mind. Glancing over Snape’s
shoulder Harry took in the empty double bed across from them. The Weasley’s
were obviously early risers. “They got up about half an hour ago.” Snape
whispered softly as Harry settled back against the pillow they’d shared to look
up at Snape.
“You didn’t tell me what you talked to Dumbledore about last night.” Harry had
been dying to know what Snape and Dumbledore had talked about and had been set
to ask just that when the wizard had arrived back to the room but it hadn’t
seemed the right time then so he’d held his tongue. Now however in the warm
sunshine of the morning Harry was desperate for information. Snape groaned and
rolled easily out of bed. Harry sighed having become very used to Snape’s moods
in the morning. The man certainly wasn’t a morning person. Sitting up in the
single bed Harry watched as Snape washed his face from a bowl of steaming water
someone had placed on the dresser for them.
“Why did I know that was coming? It’s been killing you all night hasn’t it?”
Snape threw accusingly over his shoulder as the man rooted through the pockets
of his cloak, pulling out with ease a small shrunken trunk that Harry and he
had hastily thrown together before fleeing the school last night.
“Well I want to know that’s all. I hate being kept in the dark especially with
things that concern me, for godsakes I don’t even know where we are.” Harry
defensively gestured around the room as he too rose from the bed and went to
the basin to wash his face and hands. Snape had resized their trunk and now had
it open on the end of the bed, searching through it to find some clean robes.
“For your information we are in a muggle house in Surrey.” Snape pulled out
some clean trousers and a black shirt for himself before stepping back to allow
Harry room to search for his own clothes. Harry quickly chose a pair of black
slacks and a blue t-shirt from amongst his belongings thrown into the trunk and
began to dress.
“Are we staying here long?” Harry inquired as he moved over to the mirror on
the back of the door in an attempt at taming his wild hair. Snape was sitting
on the window seat lacing his boots.
“We will not be staying at all but this place will be the headquarters of the
order until such time as Hogwarts becomes safe again.” Harry looked around at
Snape in confusion as the wizard rose from his seat and wrapped his cloak back
around his shoulders.
“Where are we going then?” Harry inquired a little puzzled by Snape’s
explanation.
“We are going to Scotland.” Striding across the room Snape easily opened the
door to the bedroom and walked out onto the veranda. Downstairs Harry could
already hear the buzz of people talking and chattering, the house obviously
full again.
“Scotland?” Harry followed Snape downstairs still quizzing the man about where
they were going. Harry practically ran into Snape’s back as the man came to an
abrupt halt outside the closed door of what Harry assumed was the kitchen.
“Yes Scotland. I have a friend there who is willingly taking us in.” Harry
frowned but kept his mouth shut as he noticed Snape’s rising irritation. “This
place is simply a muggle house sealed off with an apparent rodent infestation
to ward off nosey neighbors. It is designed to not draw attention to itself and
in no way differs from the other muggle places of residence which surrounded
it, save from it’s wizarding visitors, who are coming and going as ‘pest
inspectors’.” Snape paused allowing Harry to comprehend everything he was
saying. “This place isn’t safe for us Harry, not now my head is just as hunted
as yours. We will be traveling to Scotland on the 6.15 muggle train to Glasgow
this evening where we will stay in a little cottage on the moors. Does that
satisfy your curiosity enough to allow me to eat breakfast without your
persistent questioning?” Harry nodded quickly feeling like a chastised student
under Snape’s angry gaze. It struck Harry then that maybe it wasn’t such a good
idea to be questioning Snape first thing in the morning when the man had an
empty stomach. It was a mental note Harry would be careful to remember in
future. With a nod Snape turned and strode into the kitchen, Harry trailing
behind him……..
***** JJ's Back *****
Chapter 25
Harry rested his chin on the ledge of the train window, watching as the
darkened countryside sped past. Opposite him Snape sat with a potions magazine
open in his lap and a half eaten egg and lettuce sandwich at his side. If it
hadn’t been for the man’s dragon leather boots or the tip of his wand showing
out the sleeve of his jumper he may have just looked like any other of the
muggles using the train. Harry smiled at his own reflection in the glass as he
leant his head against the window and tucked his feet up onto the seat beside
him.
With Voldemort’s attack upon Hogwarts the school it seemed would not be
reopening after the summer. Students had been sent owls informing them that
until further notice their schooling was suspended and that if they wished
their parents may take up tutoring. Harry had managed a weak chuckle, as he’d
read Ron’s letter earlier that morning. His Uncle Vernon would have loved
receiving that letter and Harry was awfully glad he was no longer in his
relatives care. While the other students were bound to continue their schooling
under the care of their parents Harry however was destined for far worse.
Severus, his mate was gentle and understanding but Professor Snape, Harry’s
tutor for the past six years was nothing if not ruthless in his discipline and
teaching. Harry had an awful feeling that learning defense against the dark
arts with Snape was going to go beyond even the worst of his nightmares. What
little hope Harry held onto that he still might survive Snape’s teachings was
the wizard they were to meet at Glasgow station and the man whom Snape has said
would also be teaching Harry. His name was Jasper apparently and a wizard whom
Harry should respect. Harry was a little dubious about Snape and Jasper’s so
called friendship but the boy could do little but trust his mate just as
Dumbledore had for the past 37 years.
Harry had been a little emotional this afternoon at the train station. Due to
the very nature of their journey Auror’s had flanked their every move. Harry
had said his goodbyes to his friends with promises of writing when he could.
Admittedly Snape had muttered something about ‘not on your life’ but Harry
would find other ways to contact his friends if not through owl post. Remus had
given Harry a few textbooks on Defense and Harry had noticed the indignant
sniff Snape had made at the gesture. Saying goodbye to Sirius had been the
hardest though and when it had come time to leave Harry had been reluctant. Far
too raw a memory was seeing Sirius disappearing into the shroud at the ministry
and Harry didn’t want to lose his godfather again. Finally having boarded the
train dressed like muggles going on vacation Harry had let his emotions win and
as the train pulled away and he waved for a final time at his friends he let
the tears fall down his cheeks. Snape had been conveniently already buried in
his magazine and Harry wondered if all the tenderness, caring and love last
night had been a dream. Sitting before him now was the same cold, hated potions
professor he’d known for six years.
Harry sighed deeply as he pushed the crust of his own half eaten sandwich back
into the brown paper bag it had been wrapped in.
“Are you still moping Potter?” Snape inquired as he put down his magazine and
glared at Harry across their compartment having heard the boy sigh for the
fifth time in under a minute.
“Back to Potter again are we? I’m beginning to think you enjoy messing with my
emotions.” Harry snapped a little nastily back at Snape who, in a green turtle
neck sweater and a gray pair of trousers look no less menacing than when he was
in his black school robes. Snape swilled from his bottle of water before
capping it and stowing it in his satchel, his gaze trained carefully on Harry.
“What were you expecting Harry? Long walks under the stars, romantic picnics in
the rose gardens, chocolates and flowers, love poetry perhaps?” Snape cocked
his head questioningly at Harry who deliberately turned his gaze from Snape
back out onto the passing scenery. Harry heard Snape sigh when he didn’t reply.
“I already told you Harry. I’m not a romantic and will not become one simply
because you desire to be pampered like a love sick maiden. I do not need soppy
out pourings of my heart to show my love for you. I take simple pleasure in
your company and the small moments we are alone together. It would do you well
to learn to enjoy those times also.” Harry nodded silently, hardly surprised by
what Snape had just said. No matter how hard Harry wanted it, Snape was never
going to be the idealistic mate, showering him with unadulterated love trinkets
and tokens. It was better therefore to resign himself to doing as Snape seemed
to do and take pleasure in the small moments Snape showed Harry his softer
side. Deciding to change the topic of conversation Harry gestured to the two
defense books Remus had given him.
“So what exactly am I going to be doing at this cottage? I was supposed to be
finishing my final year at Hogwarts.” Snape put aside his magazine obviously
more interested in discussing this than reading about the latest craze in
Cauldron designs for modern potion masters.
“I thought it is high time you started learning what Hogwarts teachers have
failed to teach their students in the past because of Ministry restrictions.
You are going to work six days a week 11 hours a day, learning everything
remotely offensive and defensive from muggle martial arts to advanced curses.
Myself and Jasper are going to turn the wizarding worlds ‘boy-who-lived’ into
the great wizarding savior they’re all expecting him to be.” Harry stared at
Snape in utter shock his mouth hanging open as he watched his life spiraling
down the toilet. Harry was sure Snape was going make his life at the Dursley’s
seem like a happy family retreat.
“That sounds……..” Harry trailed off not sure what words he could put to such
comments from Snape. Snape smiled crookedly at Harry pleased by the boy’s
speechlessness. This was going to be hard but Harry needed to learn what they’d
failed to teach him in school. The boy needed to know how to survive and now
more than ever Snape had an invested interest to see the boy both win and live
to see the end of the war. Admitting his love of Harry had been difficult but
nothing would be as difficult as saying goodbye should the boy fuck this up.
“It sounds like hell Harry and believe me you have no idea how much you’ll want
to kill us by the time we’re through with you.” Harry grimaced as Snape reached
across and placed a gentle hand on his knee as if he hadn’t just suggested
death and himself in the same sentence. “But you’ll survive it, even if I have
to drag you through it by your hair, kicking and screaming.” With a comforting
pat of Harry’s knee Snape sat back in his chair and watched as Harry
practically shit himself as his mind began to work overtime. Snape went back to
his reading for a little while, allowing Harry to stew over what was to come.
Eventually though the boy seemed to come out of his shocked stupor, a little
wiser and far more determined.
“So who is this Jasper person?” Harry questioned as he watched Snape smile from
behind his magazine.
“Jasper is an Auror’s worst nightmare. He’s escaped more jail cells than I can
count, he has a degree in curses and has more experience with dark wizards than
you’ll probably ever encounter in your lifetime. Essentially he is going to be
the thorn in your side until you tear him from your body with your bare hands.”
Harry’s gaze darkened the fleeting hope he’d had that Jasper may have been his
saving grace, was fading quickly.
“He sounds great.” Harry whispered cautiously trying and failing to hide his
nervousness from Snape, who laughed and rolled his eyes.
“Oh don’t get me wrong, he’s a great wizard. Friendly enough and well mannered,
of good breeding and extremely intelligent. He owns a muggle pub called the
Crouching Dragon in Glasgow.” Snape casually flicked a page of his magazine and
Harry sighed a little in relief that Jasper wasn’t a complete bastard.
“So how do you know him?” Harry queried still somewhat dubious about Snape and
Jaspers relationship.
“I’ve known him since I was a child, we played together.” Harry frowned a
little in confusion but said nothing as Snape continued. “He’s my brother.”
Harry was floored in an instant, his eyes wide like saucers and his mouth
gaping like a fish. “Jasper Julius Snape.” Severus continued as if he was
stating some none interesting potion fact.
“Brother?” Harry stumbled over the word as his brain caught up with his mouth.
“You never told me you had a brother.” Harry said a little accusingly making
Snape glare at him from over the top of his magazine.
“You never asked and I didn’t really see fit to indulge you about stories of my
childhood or family.” Harry moved brazenly across the carriage and sat himself
down on the seat beside Snape, having put aside the rest of the man’s sandwich.
“Will you tell me stories about it now?” Harry questioned hoping against hope
that Snape would agree. Harry had never really had a family, not like the one
Snape probably had and it always intrigued Harry to hear about everyone else’s
families. Snape seemed to pick up on Harry’s need and gently gestured for the
boy to pillow his head in his lap. Harry had seemed very interested in Snape’s
relatives back when the wizard had been describing them in the paintings in his
rooms and Snape supposed now they were married it seemed fitting Harry should
become part of his life both past and present.
“Alright, where to begin…”
Harry spent the rest of the train trip completely enthralled with listening to
Snape’s stories about his family. Harry had grown up around muggles and it was
strange listening to tales of wizarding family mayhem. Somewhere between Snape
telling Harry about his schooling and his brother Harry had fallen asleep,
certainly not intentionally but asleep nonetheless.
Harry was awoken by the shuddering of the train and the squeal of the train’s
brakes as they pulled into the station. Blinking in the early morning light
coming in through the window Harry sat up groggily from the seat only to find
the compartment empty, their cases on the other seat ready to leave but without
Snape. Stretching and muttering about having slept with his glasses on Harry
got up and stuck his head out of the compartment, glancing up and down the hall
for any signs of Snape but there were none. Harry began to panic a little as he
stepped back into the compartment and began glancing about for signs of where
his mate might have gone. Before Harry could begin to worry the sliding door of
the train compartment opened and Snape stepped back inside, his hand coming to
rest on Harry’s tense shoulder. The relief must have shown in Harry’s face when
he spun around because Snape enveloped him in a strong hug to calm the younger
wizard.
“Relax Harry, I went to the bathroom.” Snape whispered gently against Harry’s
forehead, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of the boy’s head before pulling
back. “Come on let’s get going. Jasper should be meeting us outside the coffee
shop on the platform.” Harry nodded and grabbing his own trunk followed Snape
off the train and down onto the bustling Glasgow train station. It wasn’t hard
to follow Snape in the crowd of muggles the man the only one with shoulder
length black hair tied up with a leather band.
Eventually they pushed their way through the crowds to the coffee shop and
Harry watched as a man, dressed in black slacks and a white shirt and knee
length leather jacket approached them. Snape smiled brightly as the man came to
a stop in front of him. Remarkably it seemed Jasper was extremely similar to
Snape. The two of them both had black hair, although Snape’s was shorter, their
noses were both a little crooked and the dark obsidian eyes were near images of
one another. Yet Jasper was bulkier, either through pork or muscle Harry
couldn’t tell beneath the coat and Jasper was older with a more defined,
chiseled chin.
“Severus, you’re looking old I didn’t recognize you little brother.” Harry
smirked behind his hand as he watched Jasper ruffle Snape’s hair and tug
playfully at the man’s turtleneck sweater. Snape pushed his brother’s hands
irritably away from him.
“Sod off Jasper, mother always said your wit was tasteless.” Snape’s tongue was
sharp but Jasper’s it seemed was sharper as he pulled his brother into a strong
hug.
“Yeah but mother was a nasty old cow with no sense of humor.” Came the reply
mid way through the hug. Harry couldn’t suppress the snort of laughter at the
comment or the sibling argument happening before him. Never in his six years of
knowing Snape would Harry ever had imagined him with a brother, who it seemed
was just as sharp and nasty as Snape seemed to be. His snort drew attention to
him and Harry schooled his features into a smile as Jasper looked at him from
over Snape’s shoulder. “And this must be your young husband.” Jasper stepped
away from Snape and came around to look at Harry properly. The boy dutifully
lowered his gaze to the platform as he felt Jasper casually pursuing him like
he was a delicious meal. “I have to say Sev, you’ve got good taste.” Harry
blushed crimson at Jasper’s comment before glancing up as a hand was thrust in
his direction. “Jasper Julius Snape, pleased to meet you Harry, is it?” Harry
gingerly shook Jaspers hand and nodded, Severus’ obvious disapproval shining
behind his narrowed eyes.
“Jasper.” Severus growled low in his throat as Jasper held onto Harry’s hand a
little longer than necessary. Already Harry liked Snape’s brother but he made a
note to be careful if the man’s attentions were to wander.
“Oooh do I detect some possessiveness there Severus?” Jasper let go of Harry’s
hand and turned back to his brother, who was eyeing him in warning.
“No, just keep your hands to yourself or I’ll cut them off.” Was Snape’s cool
reply. Almost immediately Jasper nodded and picked up Snape’s trunk, the man
obviously familiar with Snape’s threats just as Harry was.
“Alright then let’s be going. I want to miss the morning traffic.” Jasper
smiled over his shoulder at Harry and Snape who having glanced at one another
began following the other wizard from the platform and into Glasgow’s heart.
Harry wasn’t sure yet if this was going to turn out to be a nightmare or not
but he was pretty sure he was looking forward to seeing Snape and his brother
arguing over the next few months…
***** What is Mine is Mine *****
Chapter 26
“I know it doesn’t look like much…..” Jasper glanced over his shoulder at the
two wizards as he led the way down the gravel path leading to the little
sandstone cottage at its end.
“It doesn’t.” Snape muttered to his brother who glared at him before finding
the large brass key for the front door.
“It looks cozy.” Harry whispered, rather more interested in the rolling fields
the cottage sat on than the cottage itself.
“Well it is Harry, very cozy.” Jasper smiled at Harry behind Snape as he pushed
open the door and led the way into the cottage. Severus instantly began
checking the place out, structurally and magically. Being a single level
cottage there really wasn’t a lot to the place but Harry got a feeling of
warmth the moment he’d stepped into it. Snape disappeared into what Harry
assumed was the kitchen, the potion masters wand flicking methodically about
the place as he went. “So do you like it Harry?” There had been little
conversation in the car traveling from the train station to the cottage, Harry
had merely sat in the back seat of the emerald green mini, listening to the two
brothers discussing wizarding issues.
“Oh yes it’s homely.” Harry muttered as he watched Jasper begin pulling
dustsheets from the furniture, revealing aged red oak furniture beneath the
layers of dust.
“Yes, it is isn’t it that’s why I brought the place, though I hardly get time
to stay in it what with the pub and all.” Jasper began piling the dustsheets in
the hall. Harry put down his trunk and began helping Jasper clear the
dustsheets, eager to reveal more character of the little cottage.
“The kitchen window was broken, but I’ve fixed it. The place will need a good
clean, but thank-fully it’s already well warded.” Snape strode determinedly
from the kitchen, across the dusty living room and into another room, Harry
assumed was the bedroom. Jasper huffed a contemptible laugh at his brother and
rolled his eyes at Harry, who managed to stifle his smirk.
“Well I wasn’t exactly going to leave it unprotected was I Sev, besides I
warded this place myself as soon as I knew you were coming.” Jasper smiled at
Harry warmly as he threw the last of the dust cloths into the doorway before
flicking his wand at them and banishing them. Harry frowned a little in
curiosity as he took in Jaspers wand. Unlike his own standard shaped wand,
Jaspers appeared to be slightly thicker, and the grip of the wand was carved
from the wooden shaft itself, rather than added after from a separate piece.
The wand was also made of a dark hard wood, chestnut in colour with a spiral of
red burnt into its length. Jasper noticed Harry’s interest in his wand, and
smiled secretly.
“It’s unusual isn’t it?” Harry snapped his head up from Jaspers wand to the
wizards face. When Harry didn’t answer straight away, Jasper gestured to his
wand by way of explanation.
“Oh yeah, I’ve never seen a wand like it.” Jasper stepped towards Harry having
spun his wand expertly around between his fingers so that the grip was facing
towards Harry. Harry was silently impressed by the skill in wand handing the
man seemed to have.
“It’s red cedar, 13 inches. Would you like a closer look?” Jasper offered Harry
the wand and the boy nodded eagerly, opening his palm ready to accept the wand
offered to him.
“Expelliarmus!” Snape’s charm rang clear through the dust hanging in the air,
the bright blue flash sweeping effortlessly between them to send Jasper’s wand
flying from his hand. Harry spun around to face Snape stunned, clutching his
hand to his chest where the charm had grazed his hand causing a small burn.
“Jasper, you’re a damn fool.” Swearing at his elder brother who was now
retrieving his wand from where it had been thrown into the hall, Snape strode
hastily over to Harry. Harry didn’t know what he’d done as Snape took his burnt
hand in his own and inspected it closely for signs of injury. When it was clear
there was no other injury save the burn Snape turned to glare at his brother
who was leaning smugly against the wall in the hall, his strange wand tucked
into the waistband of his pants, and his arms folded across his chest
“I did wonder if he was going to actually take it.” Jasper inquired curiously
his eyes locked firmly on Harry, even though he was addressing his brother.
Harry instinctively moved back behind Snape feeling suddenly like a child.
“He would have had I not stopped him.” Snape growled angrily, Harry noting with
some dismay that Snape still had a firm grip on his own wand.
“But that’s basic defence Sev, are you trying to tell me a wizard of Harry’s
age doesn’t know about wand possession?” Harry swallowed nervously as he
watched Jasper glance from him back to Snape in question.
“Harry has for the most part of his life been brought up by muggles Jasper. He
knows only what he has been taught at Hogwarts, where the syllabus doesn’t
include dark wand creation and possession.” Harry watched from behind Severus
as Jasper’s face fell a little, the strange smile he’d been wearing all
afternoon falling away to leave a pale-faced man behind.
“Oh sweet Merlin, I’m sorry Harry I didn’t mean you any harm.” Jasper looked
genuinely concerned that he’d hurt the boy but Harry merely shrugged his
shoulders, not really knowing himself what he’d done. Snape nodded and spun
around to face Harry who was looking nervously at the floor.
“Rule one Potter. Never, under any circumstances ever take a wand offered to
you by another wizard.” Harry nodded quickly although not really understanding
why.
“Why not? I mean I touch yours all the time, and Ron’s and Hermione’s.”
Innocently Harry gestured to where Snape had tucked his own wand back inside
the sleeve of his jumper.
“Because it is likely that it will not be your friends or me who are offering
you the wand in the future. We may not wish you harm but there are many wizards
out there that do. A wand is your lifeline to the wizarding world and your
magic, without it a wizard is vulnerable. Any sensible wizard will not part
willingly with their wand, just as a dark wizard would not be separated from
his without death. If a wizard is offering you his wand, he’s either lost his
mind or he wants you to let your guard down so that he can pounce, which in
this business is much more likely.” Snape paused allowing Harry to comprehend
everything that he’d just been told.
“Alright I won’t make that mistake again.” Harry muttered cursing his
upbringing. If he’d been brought up in a wizarding family he might already know
this stuff. Snape nodded quietly and gestured with his head back at Jasper who
was leaning stiffly against the wall, still a little upset by what he’d just
done.
“Further more all dark wizards have protection spells on their wands that
prevent others using them. While the spells vary, all of them usually result in
permanent loss of limb or something equally horrifying. I for a fact know my
brother over there has a rather nasty curse attached to his. His wand is also
unregistered and hand crafted with elvan magic, something you Harry should not
be meddling with.” Jasper looked apologetically at Harry as the boy realised
just how close he’d come to probably loosing his hand. “Now why don’t you go
unpack and begin cleaning the bedroom, I’m going to go have a look at the barn
down the back where you’re going to be starting your training tomorrow.” Harry
nodded and with a weak smile at Jasper collected his and Snape’s trunk and
wandered silently into the bedroom. From the bedroom Harry caught the last of
the two brother’s conversations outside.
“Honestly Sev, I didn’t realise we were starting his training from the very
beginning. It’ll take him years to learn all this sort stuff.” Harry sat down
sadly on the edge of the dusty bed, grimacing as the springs of mattress
groaned and squeaked ominously.
“Harry’s intelligent enough. He picks things up relatively easily. And we don’t
have years to teach him this. We have six months if that.” Harry heard the
front door of the cottage creaking open.
“Six months? You’ve got to be kidding me. Auror’s don’t even start full defence
training until 12 months into the program.” Jasper sounded shocked and Harry
just heard Snape’s reply before the voices disappeared.
“We’re not teaching him to be a hero Jasper, just a survivor.” With that the
front door to the cottage slammed closed and Harry sighed heavily as he stared
around at the dusty dark furniture of the bedroom. Harry had a terrible sinking
feeling that his stay in this cottage was not going to be one he’d idly forget.
Kicking himself into action Harry took his wand and began charming brushes,
dusters and brooms to begin cleaning the rooms. If his stay was going to be
hell, at least he could rest in a clean home at night….
***** Breaking the Drought *****
Chapter 27
Harry lay flat on his back staring up at the barn roof, panting like he’d run
the mile.
“Get up! Try it again!” Harry pushed himself weakly up onto his elbows and
glared at Jasper who was standing at the other end of the barn, his wand still
pointed in his direction. Just as Snape had predicted three weeks ago, Harry
was beginning to hate both of the brothers with a passion. “Now Potter! Up!”
Harry winched as he got to his feet, managing just to collect his wand before
another curse was flying towards him. Instinctively Harry put up the shield
he’d been taught, watching in successes as the shield actually worked. “Good!
Again!” Jasper shouted again firing a different variant of the curse he’d just
used before. Harry blocked it again this time sending the spiraling blue flash
into the hay bails on the far side of the barn.
“Well done.” Harry spun around as he heard Severus entering the barn, the wards
shivering as the man passed through them. Harry blushed and nodded at his mate.
Three weeks they’d been at the cottage and as bad as it had started off, Harry
was beginning to get the hang of the day’s workouts. Mornings were spent with
Severus, doing meditative exercises, practicing ancient charms and doing
physical activity like running and gym. Afternoons were spent with Jasper,
dueling. Harry had learnt very quickly that Severus’ brother was just as
demanding a teacher as Snape was. Mistakes were taken as learning curves and
Harry had learnt more from being injured by the curses thrown at him, than he
would have ever had learnt reading about them in a book. Jaspers’ knowledge of
magic was phenomenal, and Harry was often left in aw as he began noting down in
his journal the extent of curses he’d learnt in just one afternoon with Jasper.
Evenings were spent with Severus in the living room, reviewing the day’s
workout and what he’d learnt. Harry had hardly had a moment to himself and
every evening after his shower he’d been so exhausted he’d fallen straight into
slumber. Harry knew he’d never worked so hard in his life but he’d also never
accomplished so much. Jasper and Severus were pushing him to his limits, pain
barriers had been broken and Harry no longer flinched when struck by certain
curses. Severus had taught him how to block pain out, and it had worked
especially when the duels had become particularly nasty. Dark magic was
extremely similar to legal magic, and many of the curses were just variants of
their legal form.
Today however he really was exhausted and he was so unbelievably glad to see
Severus coming to end the afternoon lessons.
“You did well Harry, how’s your back?” Jasper had tucked his wand into its
specially made holder on his belt and was wiping the sweat from his brow with
the corner of the towel he brought with him. Harry winced a little as he
remembered the last curse he’d failed to block properly. Turning around Harry
lifted his shirt to display the whip like burns across his back, crisscrossing
his skin making him look like a chessboard.
“Shit.” Severus whispered as he approached his younger mate, his fingers gently
brushing over the deep burns. Harry stiffened but bit his tongue determined not
to show pain. This curse really had hurt but Jasper had demanded he get up and
block it again, so Harry had pushed aside the pain determined to win.
“I’m impressed you didn’t flinch, I thought I’d missed you.” Jasper was
standing beside his brother who was still inspecting Harry’s back. Severus
helped Harry lower his shirt again before allowing Harry back around to face
him. Harry was exhausted and it must have physically shown in his face because
Severus sighed and pulled Harry into his arms. Like a rag doll Harry slumped
against Severus’ chest the man holding him up in firm hands.
“I think this weekend we might just relax a little.” Harry nodded weakly
against Snape’s chest. Behind him Harry heard Jasper huff a small laugh as he
began collecting his things to return to the cottage.
“You always were a softie Severus.” Jasper joked as he led his brother and
Harry from the barn. It had grown a little cold outside. Here up on the moors,
the wind tended to pick up in the evening, drawing the cool air up from the
valley below. Harry snuggled into Snape’s cloak as they walked the short path
back up to the cottage. Harry always seemed to relax when he entered the little
warm cottage, and the boy instantly wandered over to the armchair by the fire
and sat down in it.
“I’ll sort out dinner tonight.” Jasper dumped his things on the coat rack by
the door and disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Harry and Severus alone.
With Jasper constantly in the cottage, Harry and Severus had hardly had anytime
alone together. Harry was usually too exhausted to even stay up and talk to his
mate in the evening and when Severus did come to bed, Harry would usually be
already fast asleep. Their lack of interaction was straining the bond too and
Harry was beginning to feel decidedly ill. They hadn’t had sex since the week
before Harry had stayed at Grimmauld Place four weeks ago. Not that Harry
wanted it. He just thought perhaps Snape might want it, after all they had
agreed to do it once a month in the contract. Harry was also interested to see
if the sex changed now they were closer.
“Here take this it’ll ease the burns on your back.” There was a chink of potion
bottles from behind him before Severus passed Harry a small blue potion, which
the boy downed immediately. “Jasper says you made some good progress today, I’m
proud of you.” Severus leaned down over the back of the armchair and pressed a
gentle kiss to the boy’s forehead. Harry smiled contentedly, having come to
enjoy the small compliments Severus gave to him. Admittedly the compliments
were well earned but they were there and they warmed Harry’s heart. Harry
obligingly stood up as Severus moved around to the front of the chair. Severus
sat down comfortably into the armchair before allowing Harry to sit down in his
lap. Most nights would see Harry sitting here in front of the fire on Severus
lap. With so little interaction between them during the day, Harry had come to
rely on these moments spent in his lover’s arms, to get him through the day.
While Harry had come to accept his dependence on Snape, it was still a little
scary at how much time apart from his lover affected him. “You feeling
alright?” Severus inquired gently his hand running soothingly across Harry’s
neck. Harry nodded and nuzzled closer to Snape who obligingly tightened his
hold on his needy lover. “I thought perhaps we could have an early night
tonight.” Snape lowered his voice to a hesitant whisper. Harry knew that voice,
having heard it the last time Snape had asked to spend the night with Harry.
When Harry didn’t reply straight away Snape continued. “It has been a month
Harry but if you’re too tired I’ll understand. These past three weeks have been
difficult.” Harry swallowed nervously and glanced up from Snape’s chest to meet
the man’s obsidian gaze.
“I’m not too tired it’s just…” Harry worried the bottom of his lip unsure if he
was going to over step the mark by asking for what he wanted. He and Snape
hadn’t discussed sex since the marital contract negotiations and the boy wasn’t
sure if he’d say something stupid. From the kitchen there was the sound of
clattering pans shortly followed by Jasper cursing to himself. Harry glanced
towards the kitchen door before looking gingerly back at Snape, whose blank
expression hadn’t changed. Leaning closer Harry lowered his voice to barely
above a whisper. “I want it differently.” Harry whispered softly into Severus’
ear before pulling back a little to assess the man’s expression. While Snape’s
brow furrowed a little in confusion his expression didn’t change.
“Different?” Snape inquired his gaze not leaving Harry’s. Harry swallowed and
sighed gently before leaning in again to whisper into Severus ear.
“I want to enjoy it Severus.” Harry paused and pushed his nose against Snape’s
cheek, his eyes closing as he worked up the courage to say what he wanted. “You
said that you didn’t make me take pleasure from sex before because you thought
I didn’t want it, but I do want it.” Harry blushed as he avoided looking into
Severus eyes, fearful of what his admission had caused. There was silence for a
long time and Harry gently went to rise from Severus lap feeling again
rejected. Before Harry could move Snape had pulled him back down onto his lap
and had locked his lips tightly with Harry’s in a passionate kiss. Harry was
shocked and could only allow himself to melt under Severus’ ministrations.
To Harry it felt as if the man was trying to suck his brain out through his
mouth and he could do nothing but go with the flow. Never in their short
relationship had Harry experienced such passion from Severus. Closing his eyes
Harry sank into the abyss of sensation Severus was bringing to his body.
Unaware of anything or anyone other than the man that was ravishing his mouth,
Harry felt the stirrings of arousal in his groin. Harry didn’t know where his
confidence had come from but Harry grabbed Severus’ hand and pressed it
desperately to front of his jeans, where his blossoming erection was beginning
to push against the fabric. Harry groaned into Severus’ mouth as he felt the
man’s thin fingers gently massaging the bulge they’d been guided to. Gasping
for air Harry threw his head back against the backrest of the chair. Harry had
never had anyone else but himself massaging his prick and after nearly three
months of no release he was desperate to feel true relaxation. “Merlin Severus,
I’m going to…” Gasping for breath Harry stiffened and in instant he’d cum in
his jeans, the wet warmth spreading quickly across the fabric of the front of
his jeans. “Shit.” Harry breathed out both in embarrassment and relief as he
buried his head into Severus’ neck. Harry couldn’t believe he’d cum so quickly
from just that controlled touch. The hand that had been massaging Harry’s cock
moved easily up the back of Harry’s shirt to hold the boy in support about the
waist, just before Severus pressed a warm chaste kiss to Harry’s neck. “Sorry,
I didn’t know….” Embarrassed over what he’d just done Harry closed his eyes
tightly as Severus tilted the boy’s head back so that he was forced to look at
him.
“Shhh, it’s okay.” Severus whispered against Harry’s neck before sweetly
capturing Harry’s lips in a warm kiss.
“Merlin’s balls that was hot.” Severus and Harry jumped apart and glanced
around over the back of the chair to see Jasper standing gawking at them from
the kitchen door, a jug of pumpkin juice grasped in one hand. From the smell
coming from the kitchen dinner was ready. Blushing Harry held his hand
cautiously over the wet patch at the front of his jeans as Severus pushed him
up off his lap. Harry avoided looking at Jasper who was still standing staring
at them with a wicked little grin. Protectively Snape stood up in front of
Harry and glared at his brother.
“Thanks for that observation Jasper but don’t you have dinner to serve?”
Severus’ tone was not one to be argued with and Harry watched from around Snape
as Jasper nodded and disappeared back into the kitchen.
“Go change Harry, we’ll wait for you.” With a glance over his shoulder at
Harry, Severus followed Jasper into kitchen, leaving Harry to scurry quickly
into the bedroom.
Harry listened hard for shouting from the kitchen as he cleaned himself up.
Washing his hands in the bathroom Harry hurried out from the bedroom and across
the living room towards the kitchen eager to be back in Severus’ presence. As
the boy drew closer to the kitchen he heard the conversation inside. Pausing at
the door to the kitchen Harry listened in on the conversation.
“So what’s he like?” Harry could see through the gap between the door and the
frame. Snape was sitting at the head of the little kitchen table and Jasper was
standing at the other end spooning out vegetables and meat onto the plates.
“I’m not sure that’s the first time he’s actually responded to me.” Severus
poured himself a glass of water, as Jasper brought the gravy boat over from the
bench.
“You’re kidding. You two have been bound for how many months and you haven’t
fucked his little tight arse yet? That’s not like you Sev?” Harry smiled
secretly as he listened in closer on the conversation between the two brothers.
Harry had never heard Severus talk so openly about his private life with
anyone.
“I didn’t say that Jasper. It is part of the contract we engage in sexual
intercourse once a month but that was the first time I’ve actually had a
response from him.” Harry watched as Snape poured gravy over his meal before
passing it down the table to Jasper who did the same.
“Merlin, you’ve either become more restrained in your old age Sev, or you
really do love him.” Jasper commented casually as he sat back and waited for
Harry to arrive.
“Both I believe.” Snape replied casually as he glanced towards the door looking
for Harry. “Where is he?” Snape snapped irritably, obviously hungry. Taking
this as a perfect time to reveal himself Harry stepped into the kitchen making
out as if he’d just walked across the living room.
“Mmm, smells good.” Harry muttered as he sat down between Jasper and Severus
and began the meal, completely unaware of the knowing glance the brothers
shared across the table.
***** Harry *****
Chapter 28
Harry sat nervously in the center of the rickety old bed, his legs crossed and
a pillow lying in his lap to hide his already eager cock. Harry felt as if he
was about to experience his first night with Snape all over again. He felt the
same tingle of fear and nervousness but something was different. Where before
he hadn’t wanted the man to touch him let alone have sex with him, Harry now
could do nothing but imagine what the man’s hands were going to feel like all
over his skin. Harry swallowed nervously and pushed the pillow further against
his lap as his cock gave an appreciative pulse at the images Harry had conjured
in his mind.
Jasper had left an hour ago to return to the pub and after spending half an
hour noting things in his journal Snape had asked him to bed. Currently Snape
was taking a shower and Harry watched through the open door as the man’s blurry
figure moved back and forward behind the steamed up glass. Admittedly Harry was
now accustomed to seeing Snape’s upper body regularly naked, as they often did
their meditation in the mornings naked from the waist up but it occurred to
Harry while he’d been sitting on the bed waiting for Snape that he hadn’t
actually seen the man’s penis. Sure he’d felt it pushed inside him but actually
seeing another man’s thing was a little daunting.
The spray of the water was turned off and Harry snapped his head up from the
pillow across his lap to watch as a dripping hand reached out of the shower and
grabbed the towel from the rail. Harry was twisting the ring around on his
finger awkwardly again. The habit wasn’t as prevalent as it had been before the
attack but every now and then when he was really apprehensive or worried, Harry
would find himself twisting the ring about his finger unconsciously.
“We’ll have to fix the hot water tank in the morning; the water went cold on
me.” Snape stepped out of the bathroom a towel wrapped loosely around his
waist. Harry watched as Snape moved over to the draws and bent over to pull his
nightshirt out from the bottom draw. Harry bit his lip as he watched the beads
of water Snape had missed with the towel continue to roll down his taunt back
and soak into the towel at his waist.
Despite drawing blood from where he was biting his lip hard a small groan
passed out from between Harry’s lips, causing Snape to spin around to look at
his lover a little concerned. “You okay? Is your back still hurting?” Harry
shook his head tightly, his fists now stuffing the pillow fully onto his lap in
an effort at calming his raging hard on. Harry didn’t know where this
desperation or need had come from. All he knew was that he was going to look a
fool if he came again without being even touched. Snape frowned a little at
Harry’s strange facial expression. The boy it seemed was obviously trying hard
to hide something and Snape had a feeling he knew what it was. Smiling to
himself Snape put the nightshirt aside on the dresser top and drew his hand
down the middle of his chest to rest on the knot that held the towel around his
waist. Harry’s eyes practically bulged out of their sockets as Snape undid the
towel and let it pool around his ankles on the floor. Harry couldn’t breathe as
he stared at Severus’ cock. Despite how it had felt inside of him, Harry was
not prepared for how large the man’s member actually was, even when it was
resting limply in the man’s crotch as it was now. Harry bit his lip harder as
he stared at the cock with its slightly blushed head, and the thick shaft,
which lead down into a dark mattering of wiry pubic hair. As if testing the
waters Snape drew his hand down his torso to his cock and wrapped his fingers
around it, giving it an encouraging squeeze.
“Oh fuck that’s it.” Throwing off the pillow Harry curled up on his side as the
familiar tingle of orgasm swept through his body. Stiffening Harry came with a
stifled grunt spilling his seed onto the front of his nightshirt, without ever
having been touched. Humiliated Harry curled up and closed his eyes tightly,
shivering a little in the draft, which swept through from the open door leading
to the living room. Harry heard Snape sigh softly before he heard the pad of
feet on the slate floor, just as the bed dipped. A gentle hand came down to
rest on Harry’s shuddering shoulder, while the other softly brushed the stray
hair from Harry’s forehead.
“Potter don’t do this.” Snape’s voice was warm and caring, just as it had been
the night Severus had confessed his love. Harry gingerly cracked open his eyes
to glance up at Severus who was sitting naked beside him.
“Do what? I spent the first few months of this marriage without a fucking hard
on, and now I can’t stop myself from….” Harry trailed off as Severus leant down
and pressed a chaste kiss to the top of Harry’s nose.
“Harry it doesn’t matter.” Snape whispered softly against Harry’s cheek as he
pushed the boy back onto the bed before moving himself so that he lay atop of
him. Harry willingly allowed himself to be manipulated and simply gasped a
little in surprise as Snape muttered a charm against Harry’s neck to rid the
boy of his soiled nightshirt. The feeling of Snape’s warm skin stretched over
his own had Harry whimpering within moments. Coupled with Snape’s attentive,
lavish kisses to the boy’s neck and chest Harry was hard again within minutes.
“I would have given anything to have you writhing beneath me those first few
times we had sex. I wanted to feel you breath my name against my neck as I
thrust into you that first time. I wanted to hear those beautiful sounds I know
you’ll make when I kiss every inch of your body. I wanted to see the expression
on your face when you came, your tight virgin hole squeezing the seed from my
body, and my name screamed from your lips as you fell into ecstasy with me.”
Harry was panting loudly his body thrumming with utter pleasure as he listened
to Snape whisper words against his skin like prayers to gods unknown. Harry was
hard and he could feel the answering hardness of Severus against his thigh.
Harry thrust up uselessly against the man who was above him, Severus chuckling
a little and moving his hand to hold Harry’s waist still. “I never thought I’d
see you eager to fuck me Potter.” This comment was almost sinful in it’s tone
and Harry arched his back and gasped Severus’ name as the man locked his lips
onto Harry’s nipples sucking each of them in turn before gracing them with a
stinging nip of his teeth. Whatever Harry had thought sex might be like, this
would never compare to his childish imagination.
Harry obligingly allowed his legs to fall open as Snape reached over to the
side table and removed a corked vial of potion. The scent was a familiar one,
the one Snape always used to prepare Harry when they’d had sex before. It was
strange seeing Severus coat his fingers with the viscous fluid, having only
ever been privy to the sensation of having the fingers thrust into him rather
than witnessing it. “Open them wide Harry.” Harry could do little but let his
legs fall wider open as Snape sat back from him having placed a kiss on Harry’s
abdomen, dangerously close to the boys erect cock which sprung up from the boys
light pubic hair. Harry watched as Snape kissed the inside of each of his
thighs before he felt the familiar slide of two oiled fingers tracing his hole.
Harry had learnt not to tense and instead he closed his eyes and fell back
against the pillows of the bed as Severus thrust two fingers inside him. Before
this sensation had been unwelcome, knowing it would lead to eventually having
Snape inside him, but now Harry couldn’t get enough of it. Instinctively Harry
pushed himself down onto the intruding fingers and all but arched off the bed
as the fingers brushed something deep inside of him, that had never been
touched before. Gasping and writhing in pleasure Harry was almost incoherent as
Snape thrust his fingers back and forth across that spot inside Harry that made
his toes curl.
“What was that?” Harry gasped as Snape thrust his fingers in a final time
before pulling them free and moving back up to cover Harry’s body with his own.
“That would be something I’ve avoided touching for months.” Snape hissed into
Harry’s ear before locking his lips with the boys in an eager, breath-stealing
kiss. Groaning Snape drew back from Harry’s bruised red lips and closed his
eyes in an attempt at calming himself. “I need you Harry.” Harry could do
little but stare back into the expressive obsidian gaze staring down at him.
Finally Harry could see past the indifferent mask Snape had constructed to see
the man inside. Blindly Harry nodded giving his permission. Rising up on his
knees Snape gently guided Harry’s legs up to wrap around his waist, before the
man propped himself up with his muscled arms over Harry. “I love you.” The
words whispered out across Harry’s lips before Snape thrust forward, his thick
leaking cock sliding easily into Harry’s willing body. Harry’s eyes never left
Severus’ as the man slid his entire length into the boy for the first time.
Severus had restricted himself in the past to just shallow thrusts as not to
cause Harry unwanted arousal but now he held no restrictions and continued to
push himself in until his pelvis met Harry’s and the boy threw his head back in
silent exclamation of pleasure. “God your beautiful.” Severus whispered against
Harry’s lips the boy’s fingers wrapped tightly about his upper arms,
undoubtedly causing bruising by how hard they were gripping him.
“Move.” Harry ground out from between clenched teeth his emotions finally
getting the better of his control. Taking the hint Snape drew almost all the
way out before thrusting back inside. The rhythm was awkward to begin with but
moving his right hand down to Harry’s waist the elder man guided Harry up to
meet him, until they were easily thrusting backwards and forwards with pace.
For a long time the pair of them continue to stare into the others eyes but as
the tension between them built Snape’s eyes slid closed and his mouth opened in
gasping pants. Determined to watch every second of their coupling Harry fought
to keep his eyes open, watching as the sweat dripped down Snape’s forehead and
the dark locks of the man’s hair fell wildly into his face. Harry had never
experienced anything like this in his life and having Snape’s thick shaft
buried so deep within him was so far removed from what sex before had been
like. Eventually though Harry couldn’t stop his eyes from falling closed as he
began gasping Severus’ name in time to the man’s fast thrusts.
The bed creaked violently under the movement but neither men paid it any
attention as their climax neared. Harry knew the feeling of Snape’s cock
swelling inside of him seconds before the warm flood swept through his body
like a wave. When he came Snape was silent just as he had been the other times
but this time instead of stopping he continued to thrust into Harry, the
leaking cock and the warm wave exploding inside of him, drawing Harry into
climax as well. Harry wasn’t sure if he screamed or not but when his vision
finally cleared and his body stopped humming there was nothing in the silence
of the room except his loud pants.
Finally Snape’s arms gave out and the man fell easily onto Harry’s limp body
beneath him. Reluctantly Harry let go of Snape’s arms, already knowing he’d
left marks behind on the man’s skin. Harry wasn’t sure if he should say
anything but as he went to look down at Snape he felt a gentle kiss on his
shoulder shortly before he heard his name whispered against the kissed spot.
Harry’s eyes swelled with tears as he heard Snape whisper his name. All the
times they’d made love, it had always been Harry’s name the man had whispered
against his shoulder, even if Harry hadn’t realized it. Feeling tears falling
onto his cheek Snape sat up sharply, fearing he’d hurt Harry but when he leant
up he saw the smile twitching on Harry’s lips he relaxed again.
“My name, you said Harry even back then when you were still calling me
‘Potter’.” Severus blushed a little but nodded as he gently eased himself out
of Harry and slid down onto the bed beside him. Harry winced a little in pain
but said nothing as he rolled over and curled up against Severus’ side.
“What else was I going to call you in bed?” By way of explanation Snape pressed
a kiss to Harry’s shoulder again whispering the boys name against his skin.
Harry smiled and snuggled closer to Snape as the man pulled up the blankets,
aware now of the cool air surrounding them.
“I love you too.” Harry whispered back, his eyes still glistening a little with
tears. Snape snorted undignified and ran his hand through Harry’s messy, damp
hair.
“Don’t go soppy on me Potter. It’s not becoming.” Harry rolled his eyes and
wiped the tears from his eyes.
“I’m not going soppy, I’m just telling you how much I love you.” Harry bit back
sharply knowing that Snape was being awkward like he usually was when romance
came into their relationship.
“Well that’s good to hear, but strange considering only six months ago you
hated my guts.” Snape glanced down cautiously at Harry who was drifting in
between sleep and awareness on his chest.
“People change.” Harry whispered defensively. “Besides why wouldn’t I love you,
when you fuck me like that. Perhaps if you’d done that earlier I might have
fallen in love with you quicker.” Cheekily Harry smiled up at Severus who
rolled his eyes and swatted Harry playfully across the head.
“Cheeky Potter, now shut up and get some sleep.” Harry nodded and closed his
eyes, still floating on his pleasure induced cloud as he fell contentedly into
slumber beside his mate. Severus watched Harry fall to sleep his hand gently
running through the boy’s hair.
”I love you too.” He whispered as he pressed a final kiss to Harry’s forehead
and fell silently into sleep himself.
***** Letter *****
Chapter 29
“You’ve got a letter!” Harry practically jumped away from Severus as Jasper
came bustling into the bedroom without knocking. Jasper had rather a habit of
doing that, especially on days when Harry was training with him first thing in
the morning. It wouldn’t have been so bad but Severus’ hand had up until that
point been wrapped tightly about Harry’s cock, giving him a luxurious morning
hand job.
“Give it here.” Harry glared at Jasper as Severus sat up his hand falling away
from Harry’s cock to take possession of the letter. Jasper remained stood at
the foot of the bed staring at Harry as Severus pulled open the letter and
began to read to himself. Harry lowered his gaze to the bed spread and pulled
the blankets a little self consciously up around him as Jasper continued to
stare at him the strange smile he used when looking at Harry present on the
corners of his lips. “Damn, I knew this would happen.” Severus swore to himself
and rose from the bed unashamed of his nakedness in front of his brother as he
grabbed his robe and wrapped it loosely around his body.
“What’s going on? Who’s the letter from?” Severus strode out of the bedroom,
Jasper hastily following his brother, leaving Harry to hastily pull on his
boxer shorts and follow the two brothers.
“It’s from Dumbledore, I’ve got to go back to Surrey.” Severus glanced over his
shoulder as Harry stumbled out of the bedroom still wrapping one of his
Severus’ robes around himself.
“Why?” Harry inquired, already beginning to panic at the prospect of being left
alone without Snape.
“They’ve attacked Grimmauld Place.” Severus had moved into the kitchen and was
hastily making himself a cup of tea, while Jasper listened in from the doorway.
“Attacked Gimmauld Place? Are Sirius and Remus alright?” Concerned now not only
for Snape but also for his godfather and his best friend Harry followed Snape
uselessly around the kitchen, his heart racing. It had only been a week since
they’d made love, and Harry was only just beginning to really come to terms
with how close he and Snape had become. Yet now it seemed the man was going to
be taken away from him.
“I don’t know but I’ll find out when I get there.” Snape was hastily drinking
his tea as he passed back out of the kitchen and moved into the lounge room.
Harry like a distressed puppy followed him completely ignoring Jasper who was
observing the conversation quietly from the kitchen doorway.
“Well can’t we fire call them and find out, and why do you need to go? Am I
coming with you?” Harry knew he sounded pathetically desperate but he couldn’t
help the feelings welling up inside him. Harry had come to just accept the bond
and the emotions it brought with it, but at times like this Harry couldn’t
control how helpless he felt as the bond cried out.
“Ah no fire calls, this place isn’t connected to the floo network.” Jasper
added quickly as Harry looked to him for confirmation of his suggestion.
“And for good reason too.” Snape quickly added as he finished his tea and spun
around to stare sternly at Harry. “I need to go Harry because I’m the only one
who knows what Voldemort is capable of and they need me to help in finding
them. You are not coming with me because it’s too dangerous, and you’ve got
training to continue.” Harry sighed and stared sadly at Snape who sighed
heavily himself. “Don’t give me that look Potter, it won’t achieve anything.
You’re staying here with Jasper and that’s final. I’ll be ready in an hour
Jasper, can you take me to the station because I won’t risk apperating from
here and giving away our position?” Jasper nodded at his younger brother before
Snape turned and disappeared into the bedroom to pack, leaving the door to slam
closed behind him. Harry sighed heavily and slumped down into the armchair by
the fire, trying and failing to stop his eyes from welling up with tears.
Behind him Harry heard Jasper approach him before a gentle hand came down to
rest on his shoulder. Harry looked up at Jasper who smiled warmly down at the
younger wizard.
“Severus isn’t stupid Harry, my brother is quite capable of looking after
himself, and he’ll be fine. Besides he’s right, you are far safer here than in
Surrey.” As much as Harry knew what Jasper said was true it did little to
alleviate his worries and fears of losing Severus.
***** Debts of Three *****
Chapter 30
“Ow, enough.” Harry collapsed in the hay bails clutching his tingling arm.
Since Severus had left earlier in the week Jasper had been spending all day
training him. Jasper was a very talented wizard and Harry was sure most of the
things he was being taught were not sanctioned by the ministry. Harry was also
pretty sure Jasper wasn’t an average wizard; the man had more dark objects in
amongst his leather coat pockets than Harry could count. He’d used some of them
on Harry with devastating affects, yet always the wizard would teach him
something about protecting against them and the pain inflicted was always
brief. Today however Harry wasn’t feeling the best and his concentration was
lacking.
“That was bloody awful Potter, if I was Tom, I’d have killed you by now.” Harry
looked up curiously from where he was massaging the feeling back into his arm.
“Tom?” Harry inquired as he tucked his wand away. Jasper wandered over to him,
stripping his leather coat off and draping it over the hay bails before he sat
down.
“Tom Riddle.” Jasper casually smiled at Harry as he rolled up the sleeves of
his light blue shirt to his elbows. It was warm in the barn with the sun
streaming in through the panels in the roof.
“You mean Voldemort.” Harry pushed having never heard anyone aside from
Dumbledore ever call the dark lord by his given name. Jasper shrugged casually
and flicked his wand at the hay bail between them, where a plate of sandwiches
and some pumpkin juice appeared.
“Whatever you want to call him, he’s still Tom Riddle and he’s still an
narcissistic, evil dictator.” Jasper poured himself and Harry a glass of
pumpkin juice before grabbing one of the sandwiches on the plate.
“So you’re not afraid of saying his name?” Harry picked up one of the
sandwiches of his own and began eating it. In the two months he’d been at the
cottage now, Harry had learnt very little about Jasper. Admittedly he knew
Jasper was no ordinary wizard but the boy knew nothing about the wizard
himself. Now seemed a perfect time to start doing his research, and there was
something else that had been bugging him that he thought the man might be able
to answer.
“Me, afraid of him? I don’t think so. I’m more afraid of the pickled creatures
in Severus’ lab than I am of Riddle.” Jasper shrugged his shoulders idly and
grabbed for another sandwich having washed the other down with a swig of
pumpkin juice.
“You must be the only one who isn’t afraid.” Harry whispered already knowing
his own fear of facing Voldemort. Jasper snorted indignantly in the same way
Severus did when his students were lying to him.
“Nah, Severus isn’t afraid of him. Cautious and wary maybe but not afraid.”
Jasper stretched out on the hay bails having eaten his fill of the sandwiches.
Harry was still munching his first one, his appetite lately non-existent. Harry
thought perhaps it was the bond making him feel ill, after all Severus had been
gone a week without word. “Tom is only a man Harry, and a mud blood at that.
He’s as prone to weakness as any of us. It’s just a case of finding that
weakness and exploiting it to your benefit. Severus did it, I did it and most
likely you will do it too, eventually.” Harry put his half eaten sandwich back
on the plate and instead sipped from his juice tentatively.
“But he’s really powerful, how can you not be afraid of his magic.” Harry sat
back on the bails and crossed his legs intent on hearing what Jasper had to
say. Unlike Severus, Jasper didn’t talk in riddles and he was far less
sarcastic in his replies.
“Because it’s a false illusion he’s created Harry. Riddle learnt his magic in
the same way you and I did, as a mud blood he never received the inherited
magic that purebloods get. Everything Riddle knows about magic is what he’s
learnt, and he’s only as powerful as his knowledge, which surprisingly isn’t as
extensive as people think.” Jasper casually brushed a stray straw from his
shirt as he settled back and propped his hands behind his head like a pillow.
“How do you know all this.” Harry whispered intrigued completely by Severus’
mysterious elder brother.
“Mostly its information I’ve come across in my line of work, some of it’s first
hand experience but a lot of it is common sense and not allowing myself to
believe everything I’m told.” Jasper rocked his head to the side and smiled at
Harry who was pleasantly surprised at how much easier it was to see Voldemort
how Jasper had just described him, rather than the powerful dictator everyone
thought he was.
“Jasper, your pub, isn’t really a pub is it?” Harry watched as Jasper laughed
out loud, his laugh deeper than Severus and mellower.
“To muggles it is for all purposes a pub with a varied and eccentric clientele.
To wizards it’s a veritable goldmine of less widely distributed wizarding
artifacts.” Jasper looked sideways at Harry a small smug smile twitching at the
corners of his lips.
“What you mean is that you’re a black marketeer.” Harry put bluntly watching as
Jasper laughed again and nodded.
“Essentially yes. I trade in wizarding artifacts, some legal, most illegal. I
don’t support anyone side of this war and what my clients do with their
merchandise is purely not my concern, so long as the items aren’t ever traced
back to me.” Jasper watched carefully Harry’s expression. Harry frowned
suspiciously at Severus brother, as what the wizard had just said settled in
his mind.
“So if you don’t support any one side of this war how do I know you’re not
selling me out to Voldemort as we speak?” Harry’s eyes narrowed dangerously his
hand slipping easily towards his wand. Jasper laughed at Harry’s suspicion, not
even bothering to reach for his own wand, even though he’d seen Harry reach for
his.
“Just because I’m not loyal to either side doesn’t mean I’m not bias Harry. Tom
Riddle is an evil son of a bitch who deserves everything he gets. To pronounce
yourself a higher being than those who you consider unequal is just asking for
trouble. Honestly it will make life far easier for everyone when he’s gone but
that doesn’t mean I’m all for the self righteous cause for good.” Jasper paused
as he glanced across at Harry who was still looking at him suspiciously. “You
shouldn’t believe everything you hear from the Ministry you know Potter. While
Riddle is a mass murdering lunatic, not everything associated with him is
inherently evil as well. Take for instants the ‘unforgivable curses’.” Harry
nodded at Jasper, having loosened his hold on his wand and returned to sipping
his juice. “The only reason they are illegal is because the Ministry of Magic
say they are, but you know yourself that in some instances their uses are
invaluable. In fact if you ask Severus he can list several curses, which are
direct variants of ‘Cruciatus’ that can be used to treat medical conditions.”
Jasper trailed off and turned back over onto his side, so that his head was
propped up on his hand facing Harry. “You see Harry not everything is clear
cut, you shouldn’t restrict yourself to one way of thinking, or you become like
our current Minster of Magic, so blind you can’t even seen what’s in front of
your very eyes.”
“So if you’re not one sided why are you helping me?” Harry could hardly believe
how insightful Jasper’s words were and while Harry had always known what the
man was saying was true, hearing it from someone else other than his inner
voice, was reassuring. Sure Harry believed that Voldemort should die, but he
wasn’t doing it for the Ministry whom he had completely no faith in.
“Ah, apart from the fact Severus is my brother and I believe in what he’s
striving for, I am also bound by a wizards debt.” Harry’s head snapped up
instantly to stare at Jasper in shock.
“A wizards debt?” Harry whispered remembering his own repayed debt, which
thankfully had worked out better than he’d ever have imagined.
“Yeah, didn’t Severus tell you?” Harry shook his head.
“No, I can remember Dumbledore telling me when I first found out about my debt
that Severus had recalled, that there were two others also. One was my fathers
and I’m guessing the other was yours.” Jasper nodded slowly at Harry almost
hesitant to tell the boy about the debts.
“I’m not really sure I should be telling you this if Severus hasn’t.” Jasper
hesitated watching as Harry rolled his eyes casually.
“It’s only because I haven’t asked. Seriously I doubt he’d mind you tell me
about them.” Harry looked hopefully at Jasper who sighed heavily and nodded.
“Alright I’ll tell you but if Severus hexes me you’re for it.” Harry chuckled
and nodded in acceptance of the terms, as Jasper continued. “Severus only had
three debts, One with me, one with James Potter, and the most recent one with
you. Before I explain to you about the debts you have to understand that my
brother had no intention of recalling any of his debts, he’s too honourable to
do that. Also Severus only ever does things to protect himself and his loved
ones, so even if you might have thought at first he was being malicious in
asking for you to marry him, he did it out of love.” Harry nodded, having
understood for sometime now what had motivated Snape to ask for what he had.
“So you know about my dad’s debt too?” Jasper nodded easily.
“Yes, I am Severus’s brother after all and at present his only living
relative.” Jasper paused before continuing again. “My debt was the first, I was
in my last year at Hogwarts and Severus was in his third. The Snape family have
long been associated with the dark arts and dark magic; we were one of the
families Riddle had taken a specific interest in. I was destined to take the
dark mark when I finished school, however I had other intentions that didn’t
include being one of Riddle’s minions. I didn’t want the mark but I knew if I
refused my father would essentially kill me. Severus knew that, we talked about
it often. I don’t really think he knew what he was getting himself in to but
when he offered to take my place at the ceremony, pretending to be me so that I
could ‘disappear’ I accepted. I think he thought having the dark mark would
give him some authority over Potter and Black at school, they’d been teasing
him for three years, I suppose he thought it would end once he had the ‘dark
lord’ on his side. I was foolish enough to let it happen. Essentially Severus
saved my life by taking my place to accept the dark mark thus the debt.”
“But he didn’t actually save your life, not like he did me?” Harry was confused
and watched as Jasper pulled a ‘sort of’ face as he went to explain.
“Yeah not in the literal sense of the word, but in the eyes of the ministry to
accept the dark mark is essentially signing your own death warrant, so by Snape
taking the mark for me saved me from my fate.” Harry nodded still a little
confused but more or less understanding. Jasper continued quickly. “The second
debt was your fathers. It was in their seventh year if I remember right. I’d
already ‘disappeared’ but Sev kept in touch how he could. It was a potions
accident. Your father and his mates had been fucking around with some potions
in the lab after curfew. Severus caught them just as your Dad went to pour some
explosive ingredient into the potion they’d cooked up. Severus took the brunt
of the explosion having pushed your father out of the way. Put him in the
infirmary for two weeks with burns. No offence but your father was a jackass,
and let my brother take the entire blame for the accident without a single word
about him saving his life.” Harry sighed heavily, again finding out another
awful truth about his none too angelic father.
“And I know about my debt, so what did Severus ask from you?” Harry moved the
conversation on quickly not really wanting to hear anymore about his father’s
awful behaviour in school.
“Severus does everything for a reason. He knew by marrying you he was risking
his life and I was the insurance to make sure if he died you were looked after.
He asked me to take care of you and any children you may have had. He asked me
to train you and help you defeat Riddle how I saw fit. I was to become your
surrogate husband should he not make it.” Harry stared at Jasper in shock
hardly believing that Severus had put so much thought into protecting him.
Harry suddenly felt so guilty for having said such foul things to the wizard
when he’d first heard about the bond. Severus really had married him out of
love.
“And my father?” Harry asked almost dreading hearing the response. Jasper
hesitated really reluctant to answer the question.
“Um, do you remember when we first met and I offered you my wand?” Harry nodded
quickly, remembering all to well how close he’d come to loosing his hand. “Well
do you remember how you commented that ‘you touched Severus wand all the time?”
Again Harry nodded. “Well there’s a reason you can actually touch Severus’
wand, it’s because it’s not his.” Harry instinctively knew what was coming and
his heart leapt into his chest. “It’s your fathers. That was what Severus asked
for in exchange for his debt.” Harry swallowed around the lump in his throat.
“Why?” Harry inquired having assumed his father’s wand had been destroyed along
with his parents.
“I’m not sure why, all I know is that Severus is currently using two wands.”
Jasper shrugged his shoulders unable to answer Harry’s question further. Harry
nodded with a sigh before drinking what was left of his juice, the contents now
having turned warm. “You haven’t eaten a lot Harry, aren’t you hungry?” Harry
put his empty glass aside as Jasper stood up and stretched, lunch obviously
having come to an end.
“No, my stomachs a little upset.” Harry smiled mildly up at Jasper who frowned
a little at the boy but said nothing. “So what are we practising now?” Harry
inquired as Jasper banished the tray and held his hand out to help Harry up
from the hay.
“Oh I thought we’d try some blocking.” Harry nodded in acceptance and took his
position at the end of the barn, as Jasper got into position as well. “You will
tell me if you’re not feeling well won’t you Harry?” Jasper inquired making a
mental note to mention the boy’s ill health to Severus when his brother got
back.
“Yeah Jasper, but I’m fine honestly.” With that the two began to spar again,
Harry far more focused on his task now he’d settled a few questions in his
mind.
***** Complicated Brandy *****
Chapter 31
Harry sat quietly on the front steps of the cottage staring up at the path to
the road beyond. It was pouring with rain, the last of the summer sunshine
having given way to the Autumn rains. Severus had been gone two weeks, and
Harry was empty inside, like a part of him had been ripped away. It was an
awful feeling and no matter what Harry did it wouldn’t go away. Where their
bond had been growing continually from the moment Harry had signed the marital
contract, it felt now as if a giant wedge had sunk deep between he and Severus
forcing them apart and casting doubt in Harry’s mind for the first time in
months. It was worse at night and in the early mornings. He was having
nightmares, not visions of reality but actual dreams created by his own wild
imagination. He’d hardly slept in the last three days. In the mornings he’d
wake up wet with sweat, the sheets often torn where he’d struggled against
unseen restraints. He was ill too, and had found himself knelt on the floor,
dry retching every morning in the bathroom.
So far he’d managed to keep Jasper’s questions at bay but with his failing
appetite and his loss of weight his sickness was beginning to show physically.
Harry was still completing his training everyday though and if anything he was
focusing harder so as not to think about more worrying things in his life.
Jasper it seemed was pushing him harder each session now, but Harry was giving
as good as he got. Spells, incantations and his moves were coming almost
instinctively, his wand a mere extension of his arm as he easily deflected
curses and reassigned spells Jasper threw at him. Harry had learnt more in the
past weeks at the cottage than he had ever in his entire life. He’d learnt a
lot about Jasper to, or rather the Snape family in general rather than Severus’
mysterious elder brother. Whenever conversation had turned to Jasper’s life
specifically the wizard had changed the subject quickly, avoiding answering any
specific questions Harry had asked. While Harry had an niggling feeling that he
shouldn’t turn his back on Jasper for a minute, he also knew he could do
nothing but trust the man for the time being.
Today had been an utter disaster. His morning ritual of heaving up the contents
of his stomach had left him exhausted. Jasper had also demanded he do exercise
in the rain. Still dripping wet Jasper had then proceeded to drag Harry into
the barn and began firing curses at him, in no order or pattern. Harry couldn’t
keep up, for every curse he blocked two more hit him. Although he’d struggled
through the pain, the last curse had struck him firmly in the chest sending him
flying to the floor with a sickening thud. While the curse itself hadn’t hurt
all that much, the pain that swept through his abdomen and stomach as he hit
the ground made him scream in agony. Curling up on himself Harry had lay on the
floor screaming in pain, his hands clutching uselessly at the burn in his
stomach. Jasper had been apologetic and had carried him back to the cottage,
before helping him with a warm bath and to change. The ache was still there
though even after the pain potion Jasper had given him. Unlike his brother
Jasper had absolutely no skills in potions, and Harry had just pointed to the
right bottle, which Jasper had gladly given him. Harry didn’t know what was
wrong with him, but he knew inwardly it had to be something to do with the
bond.
Now with the rain pouring down in buckets Harry could do nothing but watch the
droplets bounce off the gravel path in front of him. Behind him Harry heard
steps on the slate floor of the hall before a warm steaming cup of chocolate
was held in front of his face.
“How are you feeling now?” Jasper sat down cautiously beside Harry on the step,
his own cup of chocolate clutched in his hands.
“Sore.” Harry whispered as he sipped from his chocolate, relishing the warmth
it brought to his insides.
“I honestly don’t know what happened, I didn’t mean for that to happen.” Harry
glanced sideways at Jasper who was staring out into the rain-drenched moors
that lay beyond the road at the top of the garden path. “It could have been any
number of things, incompatible curses, refraction from a block, even an
unintentional concentrated burst of magic from my wand, it’s not registered so
it’s prone to doing that.” Jasper sipped from his chocolate before sighing and
looking back at Harry. The boy was resting his mug of chocolate on his knee,
while the other hand had begun twisting the wedding band around his finger
again. Where the skin had healed over the past few weeks, since Severus’
departure Harry had managed to rub the finger raw again. Despite the obvious
pain the habit must have been bringing to Harry, the boy continued to twist the
gold and platinum ring.
“I miss him.” Harry choked a little on his words as he continued to stare at
the raindrops running off the entranceway roof into the rock gutter of the
path.
“I know.” Jasper replied clutching his cup of chocolate in both hands to keep
them warm. There was a long silence that hung between them as they both stared
out into the rain. Finally though Jasper spoke again. “I have to go into the
pub this evening I’m making an exchange. I thought you would like to come with
me, for a change of scenery.” Harry blinked away his stare and turned to look
at Jasper with both a little shock and some suspicion. One of Severus’ specific
instructions before he left was that Harry wasn’t to leave the cottage,
accompanied or not.
“Em, I don’t think Severus would…” Jasper cut Harry off quickly.
“It doesn’t matter what Severus thinks Harry, I think you need to get out a
little. The pubs usually quiet on a Saturday and with it raining they’ll be
even less people there. With your cloak on you’ll look like every other
eccentric patron who’s in there.” Jasper paused and glanced down to where Harry
was holding the warm mug of chocolate against his stomach in an attempt at
easing the ache. “Besides there’s no brandy in this old place and I think you
need a glass or two of it.” Harry awkwardly removed the mug from where he’d
pushed it against his stomach and quickly downed what was left of the contents.
“Well what if I’m recognised by other wizards? The whole idea of coming to the
cottage was for Severus and I not to be found by Voldemort.” Jasper rolled his
eyes and finished off his own chocolate before taking Harry’s empty cup and
stacking it with his own.
“Riddle is going to find you eventually Harry whether you’re trying to hide or
not. You can’t just stop living because he’s after you, one day you’re going to
have to face him.” Jasper smiled warmly and reached across to put a hand on
Harry’s shoulder. “Besides you know what I’m capable of Harry, I can protect
you if he does show up. Please. Just tonight.” Reluctantly Harry nodded in
agreement, both too tired and sore to argue and already knowing Jasper would
have his way anyway. Jasper smiled brightly and stood up from the step, helping
Harry to his feet afterwards. “Good, now I think you should just lie down for a
while until we leave.” Harry liked the idea of lying down and allowed Jasper to
lead him through into the bedroom. Kicking off his shoes Harry shifted himself
up onto the bed and stretched out. Jasper brought a blanket out of the wardrobe
and went to drape it over the boy. Harry however reached out a hand and grabbed
Jaspers before he could leave.
“Can you stay with me, I don’t like being in here alone.” Harry wasn’t sure he
should have asked Jasper to stay with him but the bond inside him cried out for
touch and Jasper was the only person currently able to oblige him. Jasper
smiled lopsidedly and climbed easily into bed beside Harry. Instinctively Harry
cuddled up to the other wizard as Jasper laid his hands around Harry’s waist.
The ache in Harry’s abdomen lessoned a little as the elder wizard placed his
warm palm flat against his stomach. It was strange having someone not Severus
lying next to him but Harry couldn’t fight the need for comfort and the boy
eventually closed his eyes and fell into a light sleep beside his mate’s elder
brother.
**************************
“I really don’t think this is a good idea.” Harry whispered as they approached
the country pub. There were a few muggle cars parked on the road outside and
Harry could hear music coming from the old style jukebox inside. It was still
pouring rain but one of Jaspers supposedly simple ‘staydry’ spells had allowed
them to walk to the pub without getting wet. Pausing at the entrance to the pub
Jasper turned around and tugged the hood of Harry’s cloak down on his face a
little casting his features in shadow.
“You’ll be fine Harry, trust me. Just keep you head down and don’t talk to
anyone.” Harry swallowed nervously and nodded making Jasper smile. Taking a
step into the little pub was like stepping into another world. Wooden chairs
and tables, occupied but some colourful characters lay gathered around the
large roaring fire on the far wall. At the back of the pub was the bar and from
beneath his cloak Harry could see a young blonde woman serving the men waiting
on stools at the edge of the bar. Harry stuck close to Jasper as the man led
the way through the crowd. People called his name in welcome and Jasper nodded
and acknowledged them with the same beaming smile he’d aimed at Harry when
they’d first met back on Glasgow station. It was hard to tell the difference
between the muggles and the wizards, and although Harry had always assumed the
two worlds to be distinctly apart, here in this little pub wizards, witches and
muggles sat side by side joking, laughing and playing cards. “Sit.” Jasper
pulled up a bar stool onto the end of the bar and gestured for Harry to sit
down. The boy did so obediently, still glancing about the pub from beneath he
relative animosity of his cloak.
“JJ, I was wondering when you’d crawl in.” The young blonde witch behind the
bar smiled brightly at the customer she was serving before glancing over at
Jasper who pecked her softly on the cheek as he passed by to hang up his cloak.
“Well can’t leave this place in your hands for too long, or I’d go broke
wouldn’t I Alice.” Jasper grabbed a half black apron from the coat hook at the
back of the bar and Harry watched as the man expertly pulled a crystal glass
from the racks hanging above the bar. Jasper poured a familiar amber liquid
into the glass before placing it carefully in front of Harry who glanced up at
Jasper in question. “Sip it and when you’re done I’ll get you another.” Harry
nodded and sipped from the glass, the rich taste of brandy assaulting his
tastebuds. This brandy wasn’t as expensive as the stuff Severus preferred but
it did the trick, warming Harry inside and out as the liquid slide effortlessly
down his throat. “Is he here yet?” Harry watched carefully as Jasper began
serving another cloaked man at the end of the bar, still talking with Alice who
was also pulling beers at the tap.
“Yeah, far right booth came in about an hour ago.” Harry glanced carefully
around to look at what Jasper had been directed at. A man hidden in shadow and
nursing an unfamiliar blue drink sat in the corner. Harry couldn’t make out the
man’s facial features but he looked to be rich, with rings of gold and silver
adorning his hands.
“Wonderful. I’ll be back in ten.” Jasper made another of the strange blue
drinks the man in the corner was drinking, before smiling at Harry as he moved
out from behind the bar and headed directly for him. Harry cursed that he
couldn’t see what was going on without turning around, something he didn’t want
to do in case he aroused suspicion. Harry wanted to know what Jasper was
trading and if possible get a glimpse of whom the man was. But without drawing
attention to himself Harry could do little but sit at the bar sipping his
drink. Customers came and went from the bar as Alice served them, a man with a
long streaky white beard had sat in the chair next to him for a little while
before heading back to the chairs around the fireplace. The brandy Harry was
drinking was making him relax and his upset stomach had calmed a little.
Finally though after 15 minutes Jasper returned to the bar tucking into his
jeans pocket a strange leather pouch. Jasper smiled at Harry and went back to
serving the waiting customers at the bar. Daring to glance over his shoulder
Harry sighed heavily as he saw the man who had been in the far booth had gone,
two empty glasses the only evidence that he’d been there.
“So who’s your little friend JJ.” Alice poured herself a glass of lemon as the
crowd at the bar died down a little. Jasper huffed a chuckle and shook his head
as Alice attempted and failed to see beneath Harry’s hood. Harry ducked his
head so the woman couldn’t see him.
“None of your business Alice.” Jasper answered quickly having refilled Harry’s
glass of brandy for him. The young blonde tutted loudly and rolled her eyes as
she sipped from her own glass of lemon.
“You’re no fun JJ, is he sweet?” Harry frowned a little completely lost on why
a comment like that would have been made about him. Jasper laughed again and
shook his head.
“He’s not my property Alice and you’d do well to keep your paws to yourself
lady less you want a wand up your anal cavity.” Harry glanced strangely from
the blonde to Jasper and then back again. Alice was still staring at him her
eyes narrowing as she tried to see his face beneath the cloak. Harry didn’t
trust her, just like he didn’t trust half of the shady characters in this pub,
wizard or not.
“Oooh touchy are we, sorry I asked.” Alice finished her drink and Harry watched
her pull a packet of muggle cigarettes from the pocket of her black half apron.
“I’m going out back for my break.” With a beaming smile at Jasper she
disappeared through a back door behind the bar leaving Jasper to serve the few
customers who approached the bar. Harry was content sipping on his own amber
alcohol and watching each unusual character approach Jasper for a drink. Jasper
talked to them all with relative joviality, even if the customers chose not to
reply to him, for their own reasons. Nothing major seemed to be happening and
everyone kept to themselves enough for Harry to almost relax. It was while he
was sipping the last of his second brandy however when there was a gust of cold
air as the doors to the pub were pushed open. Almost instantly all the hairs on
the back of Harry’s neck stood on end and there was a rush of scraping chairs
and mutterings of ‘going home’ as people began to leave in a hurry.
“Move!” Jasper whispered harshly to Harry, as he gestured back behind the bar.
Without even looking around Harry guessed that whoever it was who’d just walked
in wasn’t a welcome guest. Leaving his brandy glass on the bar Harry shot
around the back of the bar, and ducked below the cabinets out of sight as
Jasper had indicated. Casually Jasper continued wiping glasses with his checked
tea towel as Harry listened to the scrape of the bar stools as several people
sat down at the bar.
“Can I help you gentlemen.” Jasper inquired Harry noting acutely that the man’s
wand stuck out from the pocket of the apron ready for action.
“I was informed you had rooms available.” Harry froze like a statue hardly
daring to breath as he heard the familiar voice of his blonde Slytherin rival.
No one had heard or seen Draco Malfoy since he’d mysteriously disappeared from
Snape’s rooms the night of the death eater attack at the school.
“That depends.” Jasper replied as cool and calm as he always appeared when
negotiating something. Harry heard a shuffle of robes before the unmistakable
tinkle of gold galleons, as they were slide across the bar.
“Depends on what?” Was the same cool reply from Draco. Harry glanced up and
watched as Jasper put aside the glass he was cleaning and physically counted
the galleons that had been placed on the bar before him.
“There’s one room, two singles and a double bed. Breakfast is served at 6.30
and the rooms get cleaned at lunchtime.” Harry could hardly believe Jasper had
just agreed to let the boy stay at the pub, didn’t he know who he was? Well
maybe he did… There was a huff of agreement from Draco who ordered a round of
beers for him and his supposed three companions. Jasper dutifully poured the
four beers staying close to Harry who was still hiding behind the bar. “I
haven’t seen you around these parts before, you do realise the colony is closed
to outsiders.” Harry frowned in confusion as Jasper put the four beers on the
bar and pocketed the galleons and sickles for both the drinks and the rented
room.
“Quite aware Mr….” Draco paused as if waiting for Jasper to supply his name.
“That’s not important.” Jasper answered back as he returned to drying the
glasses freshly out of the automated sink. There was a long silence and Harry
heard the men drinking from the beer they’d been given. “So what are you doing
in this part of the country, a little far from the dark lords lair isn’t it?”
Harry put his hand over his mouth hardly believing Jasper had just said what he
had. There was a short evil little chuckle from Draco.
“You’re full of questions for a bar keeper.” Harry knew condescension when he
heard it, having put up with Snape’s condescension for the past five years of
school. Draco was being awkwardly arrogant just as he was at school.
“I like to know who’s staying on my property that’s all.” Jasper calmly replied
as he put aside the last of the clean glasses, ready to re hang on the rails
above the bar. Just at that moment Alice came back in through the back door of
the bar and instantly froze. The expression on her face telling Harry far more
than if Harry had seen the people on the other side of the bar himself. Harry
was sure Alice had seen him hiding behind the bar but she’d covered it quickly
and gone back to her job of cleaning up the bar, not a word passing her lips.
It was a long half an hour sitting crouched behind the bar until finally Draco
announced that he and his companions would retire to their room. Jasper had
Alice show them upstairs with clean linen and a bottle of complementary whisky.
Once they’d gone Harry hardly had a moment to speak as Jasper dragged Harry to
his feet and pushed him hastily out the back door of the pub. The rain was
still falling outside in the darkness but Jasper didn’t bother with a ‘staydry’
spell and instead huddled Harry up against his chest and began walking the boy
back down the road towards the isolated little cottage. Harry was doing his
best to keep up but stumbled a few times on the rocks. Jasper’s wand was
pressed up against the length of Harry’s sternum the man’s white knuckled grip
on it immediately obvious.
Reaching the cottage Harry was bundled down the gravel path but was pulled
hastily to a halt when it became clear someone was inside the house. The wards
were broken and humming loudly and the flicker of a fire from the fireplace
caught their attention.
“Stick to my back.” Jasper whispered as he pushed open the cottage door his
wand out stretched in front of him as he stalked carefully into the hall and
across into the lounge. There was no telling whom it was sitting in the chair
by the fire waiting for them, and having just encountered Draco and death
eaters at the pub Jasper wasn’t taking any chances. Harry himself had his wand
out but was dutifully behind Jasper. As they stalked carefully into the lounge
room both of them came to a halt as a hand appeared from around the side of the
chair, it’s wand tightly grasped.
“Where the hell have you been?” Harry instantly recognised the icy cold voice
and lowered his wand as he ran over to the figure sitting in the chair. Severus
was sitting in the armchair in front of the fire, his cloak still wrapped
around him but his wand still pointed directly at Jasper.
“Severus, when did you get back.” Harry leant down to press a kiss to his
mate’s lips but Severus turned his face away quickly and stood steadily to his
feet. Harry had seen Severus mad on several occasions and he knew what was
coming, as Severus turned to his brother his wand still out stretched and
aimed.
“I gave you specific instructions not to leave the house.” Severus narrowed his
eyes at Jasper who didn’t back down himself from where he was aiming his wand
at his brother.
“He needed some time away from this place, you can’t keep him in a gilded cage
like a pet Sev.” Jasper glared at his younger brother and Harry could feel the
tension rising between the two brothers.
“He’s not a pet Jasper he’s my husband and you took a risk I didn’t give you
permission to take!” Severus was losing his temper quickly something Harry had
only even seen him do once. The wand Severus held in his hand shook a little as
Severus growled at his brother. Harry went to say something to try and
alleviate a little of the tension but before he could speak Severus had torn at
the collar of his jumper tugging it down so that he could see either side of
the boy’s neck.
“Severus what are you….” Harry was stunned that his mate had done something
like that and stepped back cautiously even as Severus continued to run his
fingertips across his neck searching for something unseen.
“You won’t find anything.” Jasper whispered hastily as Severus tugged at
Harry’s jeans dragging the material and the briefs underneath down, so that
Harry’s milky hips were exposed.
“Well better safe than sorry, considering it was your lingering presence I
found beside my mate in bed.” Harry’s face flushed red and hot as Severus
inspected his hips looking for something.
“I wasn’t feeling well, he just kept me company this afternoon while I slept
that’s all.” Harry looked apologetically up at his mate when he’d finished his
strange inspection. Severus glanced at Harry before looking back to Jasper who
had since lowered his wand and was now leaning back against the wall his arms
folded across his chest. Harry gingerly pulled his jeans back up and
straightened the collar of his sweater where Severus had pulled at it
ruthlessly.
“I told you, you wouldn’t find anything didn’t I?” Jasper whispered smugly as
he moved over the lounge room and sat down in the chair opposite Severus’ in
front of the fire. Severus sighed heavily and sat down in his own chair again,
his wand tucked back in his cloak. Harry gingerly sat down at Severus’ feet
eager for touch from his mate whom he’d missed terribly the last few weeks.
Sitting quietly on the rug between Severus’ legs Harry nuzzled contently
against the man’s trousers feeling the warmth radiating from within him.
Nothing in a million years could compare to the presence of Severus in his
life, and that was a frightening thought to Harry. “You’ll never guess who
turned up at the pub this evening.” Jasper whispered as he flicked his wand and
summoned a tray of fresh aniseed tea from the kitchen.
“Draco Malfoy and a little entourage of death eaters.” Jasper didn’t look
stunned that his brother knew this and merely nodded. Harry however was
concerned as he watched Severus pour himself a cup of the tea. “I’ve been
following them for four days, it seems Lucius’ prodigy’ has finally taken his
place among the ranks.” Severus cast his eyes downward and sighed into his
teacup. “To think I devoted the better half of his schooling trying to ensure
he broke the mold Lucius had carved out for him. Like most things though it was
all in vain.” Severus sighed and sipped from his cup of tea, Harry silently
rejecting the cup offered to him by Jasper. The unwelcome swirling of his
stomach had begun again making him feel thoroughly ill despite being pressed up
against Severus’ leg.
“He was never destined for anything else Severus don’t blame yourself. The boy
didn’t stand a chance what with being Tom’s personal plaything.” Harry sat up
sharply surprised at this revelation Severus rolled his eyes at his brothers
loose tongue and turned his attention to Harry who was staring at his mate in
question.
“When you become a death eater Potter, it is expected that you promise
something to your lord in thanks for bestowing his trust in you. I promised him
to perfect an anti aging potion, Lucius however promised him his first-born
son. Your gifts worth will directly effect your station among the ranks.” Harry
stared at Severus in horror as everything about Draco’s life began to fit into
place. “Young Draco has been a permanent fixture in the dark lords bed for
quite sometime, I had every intention of aiding him in escaping from his fate
but it seems my godson did not want to be saved after all.”
“So why’s he here.” Jasper inquired quickly as he picked up a chocolate cookie
from the tray to dip into his aniseed tea.
“Undoubtedly it was he who informed the dark lord of my binding with Harry, and
it is he who is now hunting me and my mate. One of your less savoury customers
it seems has taken report back to his master that there is a strangely warded
cottage on the moors, thus their presence here.” Severus looked pointedly
across at Jasper who swore into his teacup. “Don’t stress though brother, I
believe everyone is still under the illusion that you are dead.” Jasper nodded
thankfully at his brother before finishing off his biscuit. “Harry and I
however aren’t so lucky and will be leaving tonight.” Harry sighed heavily
still trying and failing to quell his stomach. The aniseed tea did little but
make him heave. Severus must have caught sight of Harry’s lurch and frowned
down at his mate in curiosity. “Harry are you alright?” Harry couldn’t hold it
in any longer with a sharp shake of his head Harry bolted for the bathroom his
hand clasped uselessly in front of his mouth trying to prevent the inevitable.
Harry threw himself to the floor in front of the toilet basin and proceeded to
lose the entire day’s contents of his stomach. Behind him he heard Severus and
Jasper come into the bathroom but the boy didn’t acknowledge them as he threw
up again, his hand clasped to his stomach in pain.
“Harry?” Severus put his hand on Harry’s back but the boy shrugged it off,
completely upset that Severus was seeing him so ill. Snape obediently backed
off and Harry heard Jasper whisper to his brother as they both stepped out of
the bathroom.
“He’s not been well for two weeks Sev.” Harry clenched his fists as he heard
Jasper tell Severus about his illness. “I thought it was separation anxiety
with the bond but I don’t think that’s it.”
“What are the symptoms.” Severus whispered back knowing himself that although
feeling a need for Harry while he’d been away, he certainly hadn’t been
physically ill with separation.
“I’m not sure he’s been hiding them from me, but he’s not eating, restless
nights, physically being ill and something really strange.” Jasper paused and
lowered his voice more so that Harry had to strain to hear what was being said.
“I threw a anti protection curse at him the other day and it knocked him off
his feet. He blocked it perfectly but it still hit him square in the chest,
curled up in a ball on the floor screaming like I’d cut out his heart. It
shouldn’t do that, I thought maybe it was my wand but it was like his body
absorbed the curse. It was really strange and there’s only one conclusion I
could come up with...” Jasper trailed off a moment before Harry heard Severus
swear. A second later Severus came striding back into the bathroom and knelt
easily down beside Harry who had for a moment finished heaving.
“Potter, look at me.” Harry gingerly looked up at Severus, who having wiped the
boys mouth with a towel cupped Harry’s cheek in between his hands to ensure the
boy’s face met his own. “Now you have to tell me this honestly, no lies because
this important. Have you taken or drunk anything from my potions collection in
the last month? By accident or on purpose?” Harry swallowed and shook his head
as much as he could with Severus cupping his face.
“Just the pain potions you’ve been giving me for the scratches and bumps after
training, nothing else.” Harry swallowed heavily and stared honestly into
Severus eyes. For a moment it seemed like Severus didn’t believe him but then a
moment later Severus sighed heavily and shook his head in confusion.
“Jasper, help me get him onto the bed.” Harry didn’t know what he’d done or
what was wrong with him, and he easily allowed Severus and Jasper to help him
to his feet and walk him back out into the bedroom. “Just lie down.” Obediently
Harry lay down on the bed and squirmed a little uncomfortably as Severus lifted
his jumper and shirt and gently began prodding his abdomen and stomach. Harry
hissed a little in pain as Severus pressed a particularly sore part of his
stomach. Severus’ brow furrowed deeply as he pressed the spot again a little
firmer this time. Harry instantly reacted and slapped Severus’ hand away
catching the man completely off guard.
“That hurts.” Harry snapped moodily at Severus who stared at him blankly. For a
moment Severus remained silent before he glanced up over his shoulder at where
Jasper was standing worriedly at the end of the bed. Harry watched as a strange
unspoken conversation passed between the brothers before Severus sighed and
looked back at Harry, his hand coming up to gently rest on Harry’s stomach.
“This complicates things.” Harry looked from Severus to Jasper and then back
hoping to find some sort of explanation to go with Severus’ worried look and
strange comment. When nothing was forth coming Harry sat up on his elbows and
looked pensively at his mate.
“What complicates things?” Harry had a feeling he wasn’t going to like the
answer but what came from Severus lips floored him instantly.
“You’re pregnant Harry.” The last thing Harry remembered as he passed out was
Severus face hovering worriedly over him and calling his name.
***** Serious Appologizing *****
Chapter 32
“Come on, Potter this isn’t the time.” Harry was snapped from darkness by a
foul smelling odour that assaulted his sense. Coughing and spluttering Harry
blindly pushed the offending bottle being shoved under his nose away and
blinked a little to clear his vision. Severus was leaning over him intensely
his hand resting on Harry’s forehead and the other still clutching the awful
smelling bottle of potion.
“Oh god I’ve just had the worst nightmare.” Harry whispered as he stared up at
Severus. Severus grimaced a little as he sat up and re corked the bottle of
potion.
“Unfortunately Potter, I do believe the nightmare in question is very much
real.” Harry paled visibly at Severus comment. Instantly Severus leant forward
again and gently cupped Harry’s cheeks with his hands preventing him from
slipping into darkness a second time. “Hey don’t go again we haven’t got time.”
Just at that moment Jasper ran into the room
“You guys have got to go, Alice just sent word that they’re on their way down
here.” Severus swore and grabbing Harry’s invisibility cloak helped the boy up
from the bed. Harry grimaced and bent over a little clutching at his stomach.
He ached like he had earlier in the day when Jasper had hit him with the curse.
“Come on Potter deep breaths, I’ll give you a potion for the pain when we’re on
the train.” Harry straightened a little as Severus pulled his cloak around the
boys shoulder guiding him from the cottage and out the front door. Waiting at
the top of the gravel road was Jaspers little car.
“Where are we going?” Harry whispered as Severus helped him into the back seat
before climbing in next to him.
“Back to Surrey.” Severus whispered as he pulled Harry against him, and allowed
the boy to lay his head in his lap. Severus hastily pulled the invisibility
cloak up over the boy’s head just as Jasper started up the engine and pulled
away from the cottage. In the darkness of the back seat of the car Harry rested
his hands on his stomach beneath the safety of the invisibility cloak. He
didn’t want to be pregnant; he hadn’t even finished school yet. He didn’t know
how it had happened, well he did but that wasn’t what he was thinking about. It
seemed a longer drive to Glasgow station than it had been when they’d arrived,
and in the dark the world outside the car window blurred into nothing.
Not much was said between them until finally Jasper pulled the car up into the
train station car park and looked over his shoulder into the backseat, where
Severus sat with an invisible Harry.
“You’ve got a good ten minutes to be on the train, I’ll get the bags out of the
back.” Jasper smiled at them and hopped out of the car. Harry sat up and went
to take the invisibly cloak off but Severus pulled it back on.
“Not yet, if we’re seen it has to look like I’m travelling alone.” Harry
nodded, not that Severus could see him but it seemed the right thing to do.
Severus got out of the car and Harry followed sticking close to his mate.
During the trip Severus’ hand had come to rest on Harry’s resting on his
stomach and that touch alone had alleviated most of the ache he felt.
“Come on, platform 4 the train should be there.” Jasper and Severus carried the
bags between them and Harry hung between the two brothers cautiously looking
over his shoulder every five minutes in case someone was watching them.
Surprisingly the train was full and it took them five minutes to find a
compartment not occupied by muggles. Jasper stepped off the train just as the
whistle blew signalling departure time was nearing. Harry stood beside Severus
at the window as the two brothers hugged one another and closed the door into
the carriage.
“Be careful little brother, he’s a sadistic son of bitch.” Severus nodded at
Jasper the brothers smiling warmly at one another.
“You too, lay low and keep me up to date when you can.” Jasper touched his hand
to his chest in silent acknowledgement and Harry was surprised to see Severus
do the same.
“I’ll expect a owl when the little one arrives.” Jasper smiled at where he knew
Harry was standing next to Severus in the window. Harry nodded again although
knowing Jasper couldn’t see it.
“Take care.” Severus whispered as the train pulled away from the station.
Severus waved at his brother for a moment before the image of the man dressed
in the black leather coat disappeared from view, as the train pulled out into
the darkened countryside. Moving into the compartment they’d found for
themselves Severus warded the door and sealed it shut, pulling the blinds to
the hall closed so that no other passengers could see in. Harry pulled off his
invisibility cloak and folded it neatly on top of his case. Harry sat down
quietly on the edge of the bench seat his hands folded neatly in his lap as
Severus sat down opposite him. Carefully Severus reached across and placed his
hands gently on top of Harry’s knees in comfort, feeling acutely the young boys
distress through the bond.
“Everything’s going to be okay Harry, I promise.” Severus leaned forward a
little more and pressed a chaste kiss to Harry’s cheek where a single tear had
leaked out from the corner of the boy’s eyes. Harry truly wanted to believe
Severus but the way he felt at the moment, everything had turned to utter shit
yet again.
“I didn’t want this, not yet, not now.” Harry was still trying to comprehend
the fact he was pregnant without having to explain how he felt about it.
Severus sighed and moved swiftly over to sit beside Harry, his arm coming up
around Harry’s shoulders to hold him closely to his body.
“I know Harry, and this is unexpected for me too. It takes months even years
for male wizarding couples to ever conceive, and both of us would have needed
to take a potion. That’s why I asked you before if you’d taken a potion from my
stock.” Severus rubbed his hand gently across Harry’s shoulders, his thumb
ghosting the side of the boy’s neck and making him shiver.
“I didn’t take anything.” Harry whispered vehemently, to which Severus nodded
firmly and pulled Harry tighter against him in reassurance that he believed
him.
“I know that’s why this is complicated. You didn’t conceive through normal
means Harry, this bond seems to have accelerated our relationship, either
through need or some other emotion.” Harry frowned in confusion completely not
understanding. Severus sighed patiently and began again. “A wizarding bond has
a life of its own, it is shaped not only by the people it’s connected to but
the external environment and other factors such as age, emotional stress,
situation. Something either emotionally or externally has triggered your body
into conceiving, it’s just unfortunate it has picked such a time, but obviously
the bond thinks there is a need for this.” Severus sighed and sat back against
the seat his free hand coming up to worry his brow in concern. “This is all
extremely frustrating. Had I known what I was getting myself into in the
beginning, I might have just chosen one of the devotee’s Voldemort had selected
for me and just accepted my fate as it was dealt.” Severus closed his eyes and
slumped in the chair, his hand falling from Harry’s shoulder. Harry stared at
Severus the man’s despair resting unchecked and unconcealed on his face. A
strange emotion welled up in a Harry, a mix of hatred, sadness and fear, which
swelled in his stomach and rose into his chest. Voldemort yet again had fucked
with his life. Sitting before him was a man he’d hated up until his sixth year,
a man he’d been forced to marry, and a man he’d unwittingly fallen in love with
and was now carrying his child. Harry stood up abruptly from the chair and
walked over to the window, startling Severus a little as the lights in the
carriage flickered as if a surge of magic had interrupted the flow. “Harry.”
Severus whispered concerned for his lover, only just realising what he’d said
and how it had sounded to his mate. “I didn’t mean….” Severus fell silent as
Harry spun around the boy’s scar burning an orange colour.
“I’ll kill him.” Harry whispered his voice not his own. “I’ll skewer him
through with his own wand and shove my fist so far down his throat I’ll feel
his very life slipping through my fingers and you know what?” Harry paused his
gaze seemingly looking straight through Severus. The potion master shook his
head silently, as a trail of blood ran down Harry’s forehead and nose and fell
in a little droplet onto the boy’s jumper. “I’m going to enjoy every single
minute of seeing him suffer, just like he’s made me suffer all these years…”
Harry trailed off and closed his eyes. A second later Harry’s eyes opened
again, the scar had stopped bleeding and Harry’s expression had returned to the
normal passive one Severus had seen a few moments before. Stunned silent
Severus watched Harry smile at him before gesturing to their bags. “Can I have
a drink Severus, I’m thirsty.” Severus nodded dumbly and having grabbed a small
amount of muggle change from his bag quickly exited the compartment in search
of the drinks cart and to give himself time to think about what he’d just
witnessed.
*********************************
Severus sat opposite Harry, a small piece of paper sitting on the fold out
table between them. For the past three hours they’d sat in relative silence
playing a game of hangman, Severus managing to incorporate all the weirdest
potions ingredients into his clues, making guessing the answers completely
impossible for Harry. Since Severus had returned with some sandwiches and a
drink for Harry neither of them had spoken of the incident. Harry it seemed
hadn’t even noticed the blood trail running down his face and Severus had
merely muttered a cleaning spell on the boy when he hadn’t been looking. Harry
hadn’t acknowledged what had happened and Severus hadn’t either, but the potion
masters mind had not once strayed from the issue. Never had he seen Harry
acting like that, and the boy’s vehemence for revenge was almost identical to
what Severus had seen in Voldemort during his time spying.
Harry was oblivious to his partner’s internal thoughts and made light
conversation about seeing Sirius, Remus and his friends again. Severus
strangely kept his answers as short and clipped as possible, all the while his
brow furrowed and his gaze on Harry.
“Are you going to continue training me?” Severus couldn’t avoid Harry’s direct
comment this time and was forced to answer his mate.
“No, you know mostly everything myself and Jasper could teach you. Admittedly
there will have to be slight modifications to take into consideration your
condition but it is only practice you need now.” Severus removed another line
from the hangman on the paper in front of him as Harry lost another letter.
“Modifications?” Harry queried as he guessed another two letters and lost
another two strokes on his hangman. Severus nodded and drew Harry a clue to the
answer on the side of the paper.
“Yes, adjustments you need to make in your casting.” Harry frowned a little at
his lover and when Severus made no attempt at explaining himself Harry threw
his quill down onto the table in disgust.
“And, you’re being deliberately awkward, do I have to spell out the need for
explanation? What adjustments?” Severus narrowed his eyes at Harry and put down
his quill managing not to splatter the paper with ink like Harry had with his
temper. Folding his arms across his chest Severus sat back on his chair and
glared at the boy across from him.
“That for one, Mr Potter. Your mood swings are already becoming intolerable and
I have only been back in your company a mere few hours, how my brother coped
with you for two weeks like this is beyond me.” Harry opened his mouth to shout
at Severus but the elder wizard cut in quickly. “One adjustment Mr Potter will
be to learn to take three deep breaths and think about the consequences before
opening your mouth, less you make matters worse with your volatile moods.”
Harry closed his mouth quickly and instead glared at Severus with just as much
conviction as Severus was staring at him with.
“And what else? I’m assuming that’s not the only thing to change, as nothing I
ever do is bloody simple.” Harry looked pointedly at Severus who huffed a
contemptible little snort.
“Back to the old ‘poor little me’ syndrome again are we Potter, I thought we’d
progressed on from that but obviously I was mistaken.” Severus’ tongue was a
sharp as acid but unlike when Harry had just been Severus’ student the sting of
his comment made little affect on the boy who gave just as good back.
“You’re an utter bastard aren’t you Snape.” Harry paused his gaze narrowing to
meet Severus’ one with one of his own. “They could dress you in pink, with
frills and a bouquet, then coat you in honey and you’d still be the nasty,
sarcastic son of a bitch you are.” Again Harry paused his gaze not flinching as
he stared at Severus. “It’s a good job you fuck well or you’d have no redeeming
features what so ever.” Harry never wavered as he watched Severus’ eyes flash
with something akin to anger. For a moment Harry half expected another just as
stinging remark from his lover but when Severus opened his mouth what came out
was unexpected.
“You have to remember when casting spells, particularly blocking charms, that
you are now no longer just protecting yourself, you are also protecting our
child. You have to cast the ‘block’ to protect the two of you. This is why when
Jasper threw certain, more complicated curses at you, your blocks were useless
because they sought out that weakness. At all times you have to remember to
protect the both of you.” Harry nodded silently and picked up his quill and
pointed to where he’d only managed to guess a few letters of the hangman
answer.
“It’s Aquavirius Maggot Juice.” Filling in the blank spaces Harry put the quill
back down on the table and watched as a small smile twitched at the corner of
Severus’ lips.
“Ten points to Gryffindor, for using your head, finally.” Severus whispered
coolly as he flicked his wand at the table and made it and the paper
disappeared back into its folded position.
“School’s not in professor, points don’t get counted.” Harry whispered back
watching as the familiar dark smile graced the professor’s lips.
“Good job too, or my reputation would be shot to hell.” Severus smiled and
Harry snorted in laughter.
“Do we get to have make-up sex now our fights over?” Harry whispered colouring
a little as Severus rolled his eyes and folded his arms over his chest.
“I would hardly call that a fight Potter, more a disagreement.” Severus raised
an eyebrow at Harry in challenge but the boy merely shrugged his shoulders and
smiled coyly.
“Still it’s got to classify for something, a kiss?” Harry paused and moved
across the compartment to sit next to Severus on the bench, his nose coming up
to press against Severus’ cheek and nuzzle. “Besides it’s been four weeks since
we last did it and I do believe that would make our monthly scheduled
rendezvous well overdue.” Harry nuzzled closer to Severus’ cheek the man’s
resolve weakening as Harry trailed his hand down over Severus’ chest, flicking
at the buttons of his jacket restlessly. “I’d have thought you’d have jumped at
the chance to mark your territory again after Jasper…” Harry instantly fell
silent as Severus’ mood soured instantly.
“Not funny Potter, if my brother laid a finger on you, you better bloody well
tell me now.” Harry realized his mistake and instantly shook his head.
“No I told you, he just kept me company while I slept this afternoon.” Harry
paused but then continued quickly before Severus could say anything. “And I
can’t believe you thought we’d done anything, it was so humiliating having you
inspect me like you didn’t trust me.” Harry frowned at Severus waiting for
answer but the potion master merely shook his head in concern.
“You have no idea what I was looking for when I did that do you?” Harry shook
his head bewildered as Severus gestured to Harry’s neck and waist. “It wasn’t
you I didn’t trust Harry, it was my brother and his associates.” Harry frowned
again still not catching on to what Severus was saying. “The cottage we were
staying at is situated on the boundary of a vampire colony, Jasper’s bar apart
from being a watering hole for the unsuspecting muggles, also doubles as
Jaspers’ black market trading house, and the colony’s feeding place.” Harry
paled visibly his hand automatically straying to his neck as if to double check
that all his flesh was in one place. “I wasn’t checking for signs of sex Harry,
I was looking for a vampires tell tale feeding marks.”
“Fucking hell, why did you not tell me this. I could have been sucked dry in my
sleep, I could be already infected.” Harry automatically bared his teeth, his
fingers running uselessly over his top canine teeth looking for signs of fangs
forming. Severus snorted and pulled Harry’s hands away from his teeth making
the boy look down at him.
“Trust me you’re not infected Harry and the wards on the cottage were designed
to deter members of the colony that strayed too close. However Jasper broke my
rules by allowing you out unprotected into an alehouse where you would have
made an easy target.” Stunned Harry slumped back down into the seat beside
Severus, suddenly remembering the way Alice; Jaspers’ barmaid had stared at
him, and what she’d said. Suddenly it all made sense.
“Is Jasper a…?” Thinking how he’d slept so soundly beside Jasper in bed earlier
in the day Harry looked abruptly to Severus who silently shook his head.
“No he’s not. He used the colony as a hiding place after fleeing from
Voldemort, not surprisingly the colony just accepted him as one of their own.
Vampire’s do not pledge their allegiance to anyone accept their own kind, and
contrary to popular belief are relatively peaceful creatures. They feed on the
new moon each tri semester of the year, and while it is a violent and rather
gruesome experience for the victim, the muggle or wizard is usually returned
unharmed to their place of residence with no knowledge of what has occurred,
save for the puncture marks, which fade with time. A colony such as the one we
were staying with remain relatively undisturbed by wizards and muggles alike,
and provide a perfect cover for those who wish to disappear and those like us
who are hiding.” Harry still sat stunned on the bench staring at Severus who
seemed undisturbed by what he’d just told Harry. After a few moments of silence
Severus leaned in a pressed a soft kiss against Harry’s parted lips before
drawing back a little and smiling at his lover. “We can have sex now.” Severus
whispered against Harry’s cheek making the boy shiver a little.
“I should hope so, you’ve got some apologizing to do having not told me we were
living with blood suckers for the past four months.” Severus laughed out loud
and pulled Harry onto his lap the boy’s arms coming up around his neck as they
both leant forward and kissed passionately.
“Sorry.” Severus whispered before devouring Harry’s lips ravenously.
***** Making It Up To You *****
Chapter 33
Harry slackened the muscles in his throat as he sucked Severus’ thick cock
deeper in his mouth. With his lips wrapped around the elder wizard’s shaft and
his hands massaging the tops of Severus’ spread thighs, Harry felt almost in
control of Snape. Harry had been practicing his oral technique since Severus
had sucked his brain out through his cock one morning at the cottage. It had
been a challenge taking the entire length of Severus’ large member but he’d
done it eventually without gagging. Now though he was getting good and took his
time laving licks and playful nips on his lovers tip while sliding back and
forth up and down the man’s thick shaft. The groans and expressions of delight
that issued from Severus’ usually composed mouth were well worth the effort and
the feel of Severus fingers gripping and running through Harry’s wild hair were
always enough to bring the boy to the edge several times. The first time
Severus had come without little warning, and Harry had chocked and coughed up
the man’s cream. The taste was unique, not pleasant but not awful either. It
had taken some getting used to, but for the moment of pleasure swallowing
brought to Severus, Harry was quite willing to put up with it. At the cottage
Harry had only ever done this with Severus sitting on the edge of the bed and
Harry kneeling between his legs, but in the dim light of the moving train
carriage limited space had Severus laid back on the bench seat, Harry stretched
round about on his mate.
Like always Severus’ balls tightened and his cock throbbed a little in
anticipation of an approaching climax. Harry doubled his effort failing to hold
back Severus’ hips as the man thrust up into the wet heat of his lover’s mouth.
Harry enjoyed this part so much and opened his eyes to stare up at Severus, as
the man thrust once more before spilling his seed with a guttural curse. With
his hand wrapped around the base of Severus’ cock, Harry pumped the man’s seed
into his mouth swallowing greedily the unique flavoured fluid. Severus relaxed
back into the cushions of the padded bench seat when his climax finally passed
his cock still twitching and leaking a little of the come. Harry lapped at the
man’s softening but still flushed member, gracing every inch of skin with a
reverent kiss, a lavish lick or a cheeky nip. Severus’ hands loosened in
Harry’s hair, before the right hand dipped down and brushed a stray lock of
hair from the boy’s forehead. Drawing up onto his knees Harry bent over Severus
and kissed his lover soundly on the lips, allowing Severus to taste himself on
his tongue.
Exhausted though Severus fell back against the cushions quickly his hands
falling from the side of Harry’s face to the boy’s waist as Harry propped
himself up on Severus’ lap, straddling the man as best he could on the small
bench seat. Harry smiled down at Severus who was staring up at his mate, a lazy
smile on his face and his eyes half lidded in fatigue. Despite having found his
own climax Harry was still painfully hard beneath his jeans the damp patch
forming around the zipper a clear indication of his need. Reaching down Harry
began rubbing himself through his jeans, his gaze not leaving Severus’.
“You do know that you don’t have to finish me every time you give me a blow job
Harry, it’d be nice to have sex with you without having to wait until I get
hard again.” Harry blushed a little and grasped his crotch hard through the
denim as Severus ran his hands up Harry’s torso and tweaked the boy’s nipples
playfully.
“I like swallowing.” Harry whispered back cautious that he didn’t sound silly
or romantic knowing Severus hated that when they were together.
“I know but just occasionally it’d be nice to follow through instead of having
to recover before continuing.” Severus smiled warmly at Harry who nodded
remembering to make a note of Severus’ request for next time. Even though
they’d had sex more times than Harry could count, the boy was still learning
new things about it. Severus drew his hands back down Harry’s chest and easily
snapped open the top button of the jeans before unzipping the damp material.
Harry’s rose red cock sprang free of its confines between the v of the open
jeans; it’s head slapping against Severus’ stomach. Harry half expected
Severus’ hands to take over massaging his cock, but instead the talented potion
masters hands came up to gently rest on Harry’s stomach. Gently the hands ran
over the slight rise of Harry’s skin the right hands’ fingertips dipping
delicately into Harry’s belly button before continuing on to where they’d
started. Harry shivered a little at the touch disbelieving of how sensitive his
stomach had become. “It’ll be strange seeing you fill out.” Harry watched
curiously as Severus past his hands over Harry’s stomach again, reverently.
“We’ll have to charm your robes to expand with you.” Harry shivered as Severus
leant up and pressed a chaste kiss against his stomach. “What sex do you think
it’ll be?” Harry was somewhat stunned by the question, his hand having fallen
away from his hard cock as Severus’ mood changed.
“Don’t know, haven’t really thought too hard about it. I’m kind of still trying
to believe it myself.” Severus’ hand slid down from the side of Harry’s stomach
to grasp the boy’s leaking erection. Harry bit his lip to stifle the gasp as
Severus ran his thumb under the foreskin that was pulled back exposing the
bulbous flushed tip.
“I’d like a son, hopefully he won’t have your ineptitude at potions.” Harry
looked affronted by Severus’ comment and slapped the man’s hand away from his
stomach, as he felt Severus’ renewed hard on rising against his jean-clad
backside.
“Hopefully he doesn’t have your nose.” Harry bit back sarcastically as he leant
down and pressed a kiss against Severus’ crooked nose. Severus pushed Harry
back away from him and tightened his hold on the boy’s cock, flicking his wrist
around to tweak the member which throbbed appreciatively against his palm.
“Don’t be surprised Potter, it’s a family curse and comes with the name.”
Harry’s eyes slid closed as Severus guided him up onto his knees dragging the
boy’s jeans down so that they slid effortlessly off Harry’s feet hanging over
the edge of short bench, leaving him naked from the waist down, unlike Severus
who’s trousers where still tangled around his lower legs, exposing just his
upper thighs and lap. Harry shuffled up obligingly on the couch as Severus
propped himself up a little against the wall, giving him a better angle to
thrust when the time came. Severus’ fingers which had dipped in Harry’s belly
button earlier were brought up to Harry’s lips the tips of them just brushing
the wet sheen from the lips where Severus had just kissed him. “Suck them
Potter, you know where they’re going.”
“Can’t be bothered to open your suitcase?” Harry inquired as he licked the tips
of all three fingers Severus pressed to his lips. Severus shook his head
silently and Harry smiled briefly before closing his eyes and engulfing all
three fingers just as easily as he had Severus’ cock half an hour before. Harry
knew this game, and swirled his tongue around each digit as if worshiping it,
sucking it clean then wetting it thoroughly through again. Severus like to
watch, Harry’s so named ‘sinful mouth’. He’d told the boy just that the morning
after their first ‘real’ night together in the cottage, and Harry took every
opportunity to indulge his partners desires with a show. Eventually Severus
pulled his wet fingers from Harry’s mouth with an audible slip, before putting
them to much better use up Harry’s arse. Harry was still getting used to the
first penetration of three fingers inside of him, the burn still present but
now fading fast. He’d learnt to relax and steady his breathing so that Severus’
fingers always slid easily inside with minimal pain.
The train’s cramped compartment provided an interesting proposition. Harry for
the first time was on top, and he sat easily on Severus’ fingers, his hands
clenching and unclenching against his lover’s chest.
“I missed you.” Harry whispered as he lifted himself up and then lowered
himself down again on Severus’ intruding fingers, Severus’ guiding hand aiding
in establishing rhythm in their new position. Severus smiled and pulled his
fingers free of Harry’s hole wiping them carelessly on the boy’s shirt before
guiding the boy up and over his own straining cock. Harry obligingly shifted
and pressed his forehead to Snape’s as the man guided him slowly down onto the
leaking shaft. Harry hissed at the pressure, his legs shaking as he lowered
himself down onto Severus. The new angle was strange and Harry clung to
Severus’ neck as he settled himself down fully on his lovers lap. It felt so
good to have Severus buried in him again, after two weeks of being apart to
come together again was heaven. Perhaps they’d been more affected by the bond
than either had thought.
“I missed you too Potter.” Severus hissed into Harry’s ear as he bent his legs
a little to give himself leverage and stability with the boy’s frame sitting
atop him. Harry was a little nervous at the new position but Severus leaned
forward and pressed a reassuring kiss to Harry’s lips before pushing up to
settle his cock comfortably up inside his lover. Harry whimpered at the
movement his breath coming in short, sharp gasps and his chest rising and
falling rapidly. Severus loved seeing Harry so debauched. The boy’s hair lying
flat with sweat against the forehead, the emerald green eyes unfocused and
wild. The boy was perfection and sin all rolled into one delectable package.
Their rhythm was awkward at first like it always was but with Severus’ guiding
hand Harry was soon rising and falling onto his lovers solid cock, riding it in
time with the click of tracks beneath the train. It took very little time to
push them both over the edge, Harry sinking down onto his lover as Severus
thrust up their impact sweeping their bodies like a wave. Harry gasped Severus’
name loudly the warm wave of Severus’ orgasm washing over him in the familiar
breathtaking feeling. Collapsing after his second orgasm Severus slumped
uselessly against the bench, Harry’s passage still clenching around his
softening cock as Harry sought his own awaited release. When it came Harry was
acutely aware of Severus staring at him, the boy’s hand seeking out his own
cock to milk his load out onto Severus’ stomach, in creamy white tendrils.
Sated and out of breath Harry collapsed like a rag doll against Severus’ chest
ignoring the spreading moisture over his shirt. Severus wrapped his arms
loosely about the boy’s body holding him closely as they both rode out what
remained of their high.
Lowering his legs from behind Harry, Severus’ cock slipped easily out of
Harry’s hole, the boy hardly flinching as Severus inspected the pucker for
damage just as he always did. When he found no signs of injury Severus rolled
Harry off him and rose from the bench, his back stiff with having lain in one
position for so long. Harry complained at being moved but merely snuggled in
against Severus’ coat as the man leaned down a pressed lazy kiss to the boy’s
lips.
“I’ll go dampen the cloth in the bathroom down the hall, so we can clean up.”
Harry muttered his ascent his body still strangely humming after his high.
Severus disappeared for a while before returning to find Harry laying on his
back his hands cupping his belly. At first Severus thought Harry was in pain
but when he drew closer he realized it was a strange smile twitching at the
corner of the boys lips.
“He’s going to kill me isn’t he?” Harry whispered no explanation needed for
whom he was talking about. Severus sighed and sat down beside Harry on the
bench, using the warm wet cloth to wipe away the sweat and cum on Harry’s skin.
“The odds were never good for any of us Harry, but there’s always a slither of
hope even in the darkest hour.” Harry smiled and moved his hands away from his
belly allowing Severus to bathe the skin with the warm cloth before placing a
gentle kiss on the slight rise.
“Perhaps.” Harry whispered as Severus helped him pull on a clean pair of
trousers and a jumper.
“You better get some rest, no doubt it’ll be the unusual chaos when we arrive
at the station.” Harry smirked and sat up a little allowing Severus to settle
in the corner of the seat before Harry laid his head down in his lovers lap.
Severus pulled a blanket over the both of them before dimming the lights until
they were no more than an eerie glow.
“Are we going to tell anyone about this Severus?” Harry rubbed his stomach by
way of explanation and watched as Severus sighed and shook his head.
“No, not until the time is right. We don’t need more stress.” Harry nodded
almost glad he didn’t have to tell Sirius about his pregnancy just yet. Closing
his eyes Harry entwined his fingers with Severus’ over his stomach before
silently allowing the click, clack of the train to lull him into slumber….
***** Mistaken Identity *****
Chapter 34
“..and Sirius was just like grabbing his wand and the guy just whacked him
straight in the face and then Sirius said….”
“…nice hit now it’s my turn and shoves his wand right in this guys face and
kills him.”
“Oh and Lupin was cool too, he and the headmaster were felling them like
trolls.”
“It’s so good you’re back Harry, now you’ll get to see what fighting’s all
about. Ron’s really become quite good, and Neville nearly took out two
deatheaters last week, if he hadn’t dropped his wand.”
The Weasley twins banter hadn’t stopped since Harry had sat down in the
backseat of the car sandwiched between them. While he’d got some sleep on the
train journey his dreams had been filled with pain, suffering and the
irrepressible fear he had of losing people he loved. From the way everyone was
talking it was as if the war was only a game, scores of kills being kept like
points in a game of skill. Mr Weasley was driving the new ford anglea he’d
picked up at bargain basement prices from a guy up town. Unlike the blue ford
Harry and Ron had crashed into the whomping willow in second year, this little
car had no added wizarding features.
There had been only a relatively small party waiting for them at the station.
Almost immediately Harry had been separated from Severus, some Auror’s Harry
couldn’t name dragging him off in a hurry, leaving the twins, and Mr Weasley to
escort Harry back to the house, which had become the new base for the order of
the phoenix. Beneath the relative safety of the invisibility cloak Harry tuned
out of the twins conversation instead listening to the radio and watching the
awakening streets of the early morning town of Surrey flow past the window.
“So what have you been up to Harry?” It was only when Harry felt Fred nudge him
in the side that the boy realised he was being directly asked a question.
Despite being invisible Harry blushed a little guiltily and cleared his throat.
“Um, just training mostly. Learning new spells, hexes and charms just basic
stuff.” Harry lied weakly, not wanting to give away anything. Before they’d
left the train carriage Severus had given him a stern warning to keep his mouth
shut about what had gone on during the past months with Jasper, and Harry had
no intention of breaking that silence.
“Cool, you can teach us what you’ve learnt. We’re not really supposed to go on
missions, but sometimes when the missions come to us we’ve got no choice but to
fight back.” George smiled across at his brother before both twins smiled at
the reflection of their father in the rear view mirror.
“I’m sure Harry, doesn’t need to be teaching you two anymore than you already
know.” Mr Weasley smiled at the space between the two twins where Harry
undoubtedly was sitting. “And remember when we get to the house, no messing
with the neighbours.” Harry looked suspiciously at the twins who winked
secretly to one another before giggling like silly schoolgirls. It amazed Harry
how people could just act so normal despite the face they were at war with
their enemy, and every day someone they knew didn’t come back from the
battlefield. With a silent sigh Harry sat the rest of the way in quiet
contemplation until finally Mr Weasley pulled the car up into drive of the
unassuming little bungalow in an ordinary muggle street. Harry hadn’t actually
seen the house in daylight and it was clear why Albus had chosen it as the
orders base. If it hadn’t been for the welcome mat that had the shape of a
phoenix burnt into it, Harry would have never have guessed wizards were living
inside of it at all. Mr Weasley led the threesome up the garden path to the
front door and knocked on it twice. Still beneath his cloak Harry watched as
the door swung open to reveal a strange looking old lady, with glasses, a
walking stick and strange lavender coloured hair.
“Hello, Hello my dears come in.” Harry was sure he’d heard the woman’s voice
before but thought nothing of it as the woman let them inside, barely allowing
Harry in before slamming the door closed. Harry watched stunned as the old
woman transformed into a purple haired tonks, her walking stick transfigured
back into her wand as she warded the doors closed again. “Sorry, the woman from
next door came round yesterday evening looking for a cup of sugar, we can’t be
to careful.” By way of explanation she pointed to the 1kg bag of sugar that sat
on standby on the hallstand. “Hello, Harry, hope I didn’t catch you there with
the door.” Knowing he was now safe Harry dropped his cloak and smiled at Tonks
who’s lavender hair had turned back into her more familiar electric purple
colour.
“No, I’m too quick.” Harry whispered still clutching the invisibility cloak
loosely around his shoulders. Nyphandora Tonk’s chuckled brightly and gestured
to the stairs.
“Ron and the others are upstairs go on up and get settled we’ll call you when
breakfast’s ready.” Harry nodded and disappeared up the stairs to the second
story of the house, leaving the twins with their father and Tonks in the hall.
Harry didn’t get far along the landing when he was crash tackled by Ron, who
over the past few months had grown quite considerably taller than Harry and
bulked out quite a bit.
“Harry! I knew I heard someone come in.” Brightly Ron hugged his best friend
before helping him up from the landing floor and dragging him into a bedroom.
Ron was stronger than before too and he pushed Harry with some force onto the
bed where Hermione, Neville and Seamus sat with a board game of some sort
spread out in front of them.
“Harry! You’re back!” Hermione hugged Harry tightly, Neville and Seamus doing
the same. Seeing Neville and Seamus here was unexpected but Harry supposed that
as the war escalated everyone loyal to the cause was needed.
“Yeah, how are things going?” Harry put his small bag down at the end of the
bed and sat up next to Hermione who waved her wand over the board that came
alive with different coloured dots, and map coordinates. Harry was amazed at
the detail and stared in aw of the map.
“Alright we think. It’s getting harder to tell what with all the confrontations
happening but the map helps keep track of everyone.” Harry nodded as Hermione
pointed out several dots on the map, indicating who they were and what or whom
they were fighting, as indicated by the complicated key down the side of the
map.
“Hermione created the map because we’re not allowed to go on missions.” Neville
whispered as he pointed out his gran who was fighting one of the many ominously
dark dots on the map. Harry was strangely silent as he surveyed the map trying
to see if Severus was on it somewhere. Seamus must have picked up on Harry’s
concern and pointed to the only two-coloured dot on the entire map, a green
mixed with black.
“He’s easily picked out.” Seamus whispered as Harry smiled as he saw Severus,
Albus, Sirius and Lupin were not surrounded by other black dots.
“I couldn’t get his dot just one colour, the spell refused to work I don’t know
why.” Hermione shrugged her shoulders apologetically at Harry, but the boy
merely smiled mildly and flopped down exhausted on the bed.
“So what have you been up to Harry, it has been like months since we’ve heard
from you. You were supposed to write.” Ron looked a little put out that Harry
hadn’t written to them like he’d promised and Harry guiltily lowered his gaze
to where he was still fiddling with the corners of his invisibility cloak.
“I know and I’m sorry guys Severus has been training me non stop for the past
few months. I feel like my heads going to explode with all this stuff I’ve
learnt.” All four of his friends look sympathetically at Harry who sighed
heavily and closed his eyes.
“Yeah, we’ve been having Auror lessons in the back shed while you’ve been away.
Who ever has been not on mission has been training us, it’s really cool some of
the spells we can do now.” Knowing he wasn’t the only one to be trained Harry
opened his eyes at length and nodded at his friends. After so long with just
Jasper and Severus as company Harry desperately wanted to dump his thoughts on
his friends, but he knew he couldn’t with so much depending on the secrets he
knew.
“BREAKFAST’S READY!” From downstairs a familiar voice called to them and
Hermione hastily cast a spell over the map, turning back to an unassuming
muggle board game which she shoved under the bed. Harry looked at his friends
strangely all of whom had the good grace to look guilty.
“They don’t know we’ve made it, so don’t tell them.” Hermione looked at Harry
who nodded understandingly. Neville led the group downstairs Harry trailing
behind. Harry wasn’t really hungry but he knew he’d had nothing to eat since
yesterday afternoon and he really did need to feed himself, as well as…. Harry
touched his stomach involuntarily before snapping his hand away as he walked
into the mayhem of the kitchen at breakfast time. Harry was almost relieved
when he walked into the kitchen to find Severus sitting at the bench behind a
newspaper, a cup of tea and toast sitting at his side.
“Mr Potter, nice to have you back.” Albus rustled the boy’s hair as he passed
the table and made his way over to his lover.
“Harry.” Harry paused briefly to hug his godfather before stepping up to
Severus side, and pressing a chaste kiss to the man’s cheek. Severus looked
suspiciously over the top of his newspaper at Harry’s unexpected show of
affection but didn’t mention it, knowing they had a rather large audience.
“Drink, then eat.” Was the command as Severus pulled a small vial of potion
from his pocket and pushed it along with a large plate, of bacon, scrambled
eggs and toast across to Harry.
“I’m not really hungry…” Harry fell instantly silent and sat down at the bench
as Severus glared at him over the top of the newspaper.
“All of it.” Severus replied quickly as he went back to his wizarding
newspaper. Harry sighed and having grimaced down the potion set to eating his
large breakfast.
The conversation around the table was varied, everything from cake baking to
plans for defeating Voldemort were being discussed in between calls for more
bacon, where Mrs Weasley was gladly slaving away. When it was clear to Harry,
Severus wasn’t in the mood for conversation Harry turned to his godfather whom
was sat at the table in front of him.
“Severus said Grimmauld Place was attacked is it alright?” Sirius burped loudly
and shovelled another round of bacon into his mouth, as he nodded.
“Yeah, scorched around the edges but still in tact. Gramp’s built the place to
last, it’s just a pity he told the Malfoy’s about his achievements.” Harry
picked at the eggs on his plate his appetite really not there despite Severus’
insistence.
“So if Voldemort knew about the place why didn’t he attack it earlier.” Harry
inquired as he shoved a small flake of bacon into his mouth as Severus glared
at him from around the corner of his paper.
“We think he just didn’t realise it’s value, didn’t think we’d use an old dark
wizarding house, as our base. Once this is all over though we’ll get back there
and sort it out proper.” Harry watched Sirius eat another strip of bacon just
as Mrs Weasley dropped a large place of grilled cheese on toast down in front
of him. The smell of the cheese made Harry’s stomach churn violently and the
boy barely swallowed his own mouthful of bacon. “Oooh you’re a charmer Molly,
just what I need.” With a wide grin Sirius picked up the melting cheese toast
and took a large greasy bite.
“Well can’t have you lot going out there without an empty stomach.” Mrs Weasley
paused and turned to glance at Harry, who had paled to an almost translucent
complexion, as he tried to force his rebelling stomach into submission. “Harry
love, you alright you don’t look very….” It was as Harry watched Sirius take
another bite of the cheese that Harry couldn’t hold it. Springing to his feet
Harry pushed past Mrs Weasley and Sirius, all but knocking Severus off his
stool and completely bowling Neville over as he ran out the back door into the
garden, falling to his knees in the rose garden as the meagre contents of his
stomach reared its ugly head.
“Harry!” Behind him Harry heard Ron, Sirius and Mrs Weasley get up to come
after him, but Severus’ voice made them all fall silent.
“He’s fine, if you’ll excuse me.” Harry heard the distant chink of glass before
footsteps crunched behind him on the pebble garden path.
“A waste of a perfect potion.” Severus sighed and knelt down beside Harry as
the boy retched up again before falling limply against his lover’s knees.
“Here, sip it this time.” Harry accepted the small glass of pumpkin juice its
slightly purple colouring suggesting Severus had added some more of the potion,
Harry had just thrown violently back up into the rose garden. Severus gently
soothed his fingertips back and forth across Harry’s forehead, the boy’s eyes
closed as he sipped the juice slowly. In the kitchen Harry could hear the
morning continuing on without disturbance, Albus making announcements and then
sending everyone off to their duties. “I do believe I saw that coming before
you did Potter. My own mysterious, and sudden dislike of regular cheddar cheese
now completely explainable.” Harry opened his eyes and glanced up at Severus in
question. “The bond Harry, like I feel your cravings for crisps I have also
felt your ‘conditions’ dislike of cheese in the last week.”
“Just watching him eat it, I couldn’t stop….” Harry gagged physically just on
the mental picture of his godfather eating his breakfast.
“Yes, I too find your godfathers eating habits quite disgusting, but I believe
this is entirely another matter. No cheese for the next few months,
understood.” Harry nodded quickly at Severus’ soft instructions, before
allowing his lover to help him up from the grass and brush himself off. “Now go
on upstairs, take a shower and change. I’m leaving with Albus today, so you’ll
be spending the day with your friends in the shed.” Severus pointed down the
small-grassed garden to a rickety old iron shed in the far corner, a rusty old
lawn roller and a spade leaning against its side. The shed looked no bigger
than to hold one person but Harry knew better. Nodding Harry turned back to
Severus who was straightening out his robes.
“Be careful.” Harry whispered in concern up at his lover. Severus rolled his
eyes contemptibly and shook his head.
“Do not lecture me about care Mr Potter.” Harry blushed a little awkwardly, and
leant up to kiss Severus on the lips but at the last moment Severus turned his
head away and Harry’s lips only met the man’s freshly shaved cheek. Harry
pulled away and looked strangely at Severus who had screwed up his nose a
little in disgust. “Remember to clean your teeth potter, that breath is as
rancid as Lupin’s after the full moon.” With a short glance over his lover
Severus turned and disappeared back into the house. Harry sighed and kicked a
pebble across the grass from the side of the path. Glancing up Harry caught
Sirius staring at him from out of the kitchen window, the man obviously having
watched the entire scene play out. Not realizing how bad the scene had appeared
to Sirius, Harry sighed and headed indoors, to do as Severus had said.
***** The Trio of Debts *****
Chapter 35
“Again!” Alaster Moody, called the group to begin sparing again. Like Harry had
predicted the shed they were all clustered in was rather large, and each of
them with their partners had spread out in an even line, practicing the hexes,
charms and spells Alaster was teaching them. Surprisingly Moody, was far better
than Harry remembered him, and his reputation for being completely mad, was
over rated. Harry was careful not to use any of the dark spells Jasper and
Severus had taught him, only sticking to the routine casts everyone else knew.
Just like Severus had said Harry was refocusing his spells on protecting both
himself and the child within in him. It was hard and more often than not Harry
would be sent flying flat onto his arse by Ron, but he was getting better as
the day progressed.
At lunch they had paused to feast on sandwiches prepared that morning by Mrs
Weasley, the four of them then having fled upstairs to check Hermione’s map.
Harry was relieved to see Severus’ dot still moving and completely away from
the insuring danger, although he was alone. Harry wondered where he was
exactly; the map not sophisticated enough to pinpoint his exact location.
Eventually Moody had come to find them and they’d been put back to work.
By the time late afternoon rolled around they were exhausted and none except
Harry heard the door to the shed open, or the curse that tore through the air.
On instinct Harry dropped to the ground, the shield Jasper had taught him
whipping around him like a bubble as the cruse shot straight past him,
ricocheting off the shield and exploding through the side of the shed like a
cannon ball. Quick as lightening Harry had spun around onto his back his wand
aimed firmly at the intruder as a nasty little disabling charm left his lips.
The dark curse hit the intruder’s own shield and dissipated into the ground but
before anyone else could attack the dark figure had stepped out of shadow to
reveal Severus. Harry’s heart, which had been firmly wedged in his throat, the
entire time suddenly relaxed and the boy collapsed in a heap, allowing his
shield to fall.
“You’re an utter bastard Sev.” Harry croaked weakly as a small wicked grin
broke out across Severus’ face. The others who had taken cover behind the
garden tools in the shed all slowly came out of their hiding places to stare
stunned at Harry and Severus.
“Just keeping you on your toes Potter.” Severus replied as he strode into the
shed and helped Harry up from the dusty floor. “Very sloppy return curse
Potter, but quick reaction time, and a nicely rounded block.” Severus leaned in
closer to Harry, his voice lowering to a whisper so the others wouldn’t hear.
“Didn’t take you long to adjust after all.” Harry smiled knowing that Severus’
round about comment was the best he could hope for in the way of a compliment
from his mate. Jasper and Severus had been springing surprise attacks on him
since they’d first starting training, and Harry was rather glad he’d had the
practice.
“Wow Harry, that was cool.” Ron strode over to his friend as Severus stepped
away and over to Moody whom was leaning casually against the wall, his own wand
still clutched in his hand.
“Teaching the boy dark magic have we Snape.” There was a little gasp of
disbelief from Harry’s friends as they all realised the curse Harry had just
used was illegal. Harry cautiously watched the exchange between the Auror and
his mate, Severus merely shrugging with little caring.
“Nothing you wouldn’t have Alaster.” Severus replied curtly before turning back
to the group gathered around Harry. “Molly’s put dinner on you’re all to go
wash up ready for it.” There was a sigh of relief from everyone, and Harry
smiled as he began to follow his friends from the shed. Having had only minimal
food all day, he was rather hungry now. The twins were still chattering
excitedly about Harry’s block of the curse and Harry was following them, but as
he went to step out of the shed, Severus pulled him to a halt, slamming the
door closed in front of him. “Not yet, we need to discuss something.” The shed
now empty of people had shrunk back to its normal cramped size and Severus
shifted around Harry to sit down on a toolbox. Harry watched as Severus pulled
out the second wand from beneath the folds of his cloak and laid both wands
side by side on the rickety wooden box in front of Harry. Harry determined not
to give away the fact Jasper had already told him about the two wands pretended
to look shocked but Severus wasn’t fooled.
“Cut the act Potter, I know Jasper told you about it.” Harry sighed and nodded,
as he sat down beside Severus on the toolbox. Harry had never seen his father’s
wand before, or not knowingly anyway and he stared at the dark wooden shaft and
the worn leather grip. Harry went to reach for the wand in question but Severus
slapped his hand and pointed to the familiar light wooden wand, with the red
carved grip Harry was used to seeing Severus handle. “That’s your fathers, this
is mine.” Severus picked up the dark wood wand and tucked it back into his
cloak, leaving Harry staring stunned at the light wood wand.
“But I thought…..I mean you even used this in class….I assumed.” Harry was
speechless, Severus it seemed had only ever used James’ wand, or at least only
around Harry.
“Well you assumed wrong.” Severus paused and Harry opened his mouth to demand
an explanation but Severus silenced him with a sternly pointed finger. “And
before you start accusing me of things there is a perfectly reasonable
explanation for my use of your fathers wand as my own.” Harry fell silent and
closed his mouth patiently waiting the explanation he’d been dying to hear,
since Jasper had first told him about Severus’ debts and the payments he’d
asked for them. “I have for the past year and a bit been testing your fathers
wand and its capabilities, because I believe it is the key to the success of
your defeat over Voldemort.” Harry frowned but dutifully kept his mouth shut.
When Severus was explaining something important Harry knew better than to
interrupt him. “Without all the other interfering forces, you and Voldemort are
equally matched, that is why when you confront him at times such as the Tri
Wizarding Tournament neither of you win nor lose the battle. Now it’s my
theory, having studied Voldemort for as long as I have, that something about
you must become different from him in order for you to gain the edge over him.
And I believe your fathers wand is the key.” Harry frowned in confusion at
Severus who sighed and picked up the wand, handing it to Harry who held it
reverently in his own palm.
“I don’t understand.” Harry whispered was he hesitated in wrapping his fingers
around the grip, as a strange tingling sensation rippled through his hand and
up his arm. Severus watched him closely, noting the boy’s uncomfortable
feeling.
“I know and it’s complicated. But just trust me when I say this must be the
wand you use to kill Voldemort with, because he won’t be expecting it.
Voldemort is so attuned to you Harry, it’s as if he’s apart of you and he’s
become used to fighting you with your own wand, and your own magic because it’s
so like his own. He can predict your moves and spells; I’ve seen it first hand.
This is something he doesn’t know about, that he can’t predict and he won’t be
able to stop. It has your fathers signature not your own, and will have a far
better chance of making it past Voldemort’s barriers.” Harry looked skeptically
at Severus who merely sighed and folded Harry’s hands around the wand’s grip
and held them there tightly. “I have researched this thoroughly Harry. Your
father while stupid in my opinion was a powerful wizard, far more than he
probably realised.” Harry frowned at Severus’ insult of his father but let the
matter drop as his mate continued. “That power you inherited, only you also
inherited your mothers intellect and good nature as well, making you a
formidable wizard Harry. But for you to defeat Voldemort you must channel all
of those characteristics through your father’s wand so that Voldemort has no
defense against it. The wand is going to make the difference between you and
he, and seal your fate.” Harry swallowed difficultly and flicked his father’s
wand, hoping to create a simple light charm in the darkened shed. What exploded
from the end of the wand was a fireball that singed both his own and Severus’
robes before Severus put it out with a quick flick of his own wand. This time
Harry did look extremely skeptically across at his mate who sighed and shrugged
his shoulders. “I didn’t say it was going to be easy Potter, using and
controlling another wizards wand is hard but you only really need to know how
to create the killing curse with this wand, the rest can be done with your own.
If I can teach you to control this long enough to use the killing curse then
that’s all you’ll need.” Severus smiled at Harry who nodded quietly and put his
fathers wand back down on the wooden crate where Severus snapped it up and
tucked it back into his own robes.
“How are we going to practice that, and on what? I don’t think anyone’s going
to volunteer to be killed.” Harry whispered as Severus stood up and opened the
door of the shed, leading Harry out into the darkened garden. Light streamed
out from the kitchen window and the voices of the order eating dinner filtering
out of the open back door.
“I’ve acquired some lab rats, which can be easily transfigured into likenesses
of your enemies Potter. It’s a little macabre but it’s the only thing Albus and
I could think of to help you.” Harry nodded silently as Severus guided him up
the path with a hand in the small of his back. Before they reached the open
door however Severus pulled Harry to a halt and stepped in front of him, the
hand that had been at Harry’s back sliding around to gently caress the boy’s
stomach.
“Severus.” Harry blushed as his mate pressed a soft kiss to his lips, playfully
tickling the boy’s stomach. Pushing Severus hands away from his stomach Harry
leaned up and wrapped his arms around Severus’ neck pulling his mate down for a
deep passionate kiss, something he’d missed earlier that morning. “Why didn’t
you tell me all this sooner?” Harry whispered as he broke away from Severus’
lips but still pressed his nose up against Severus’.
“You weren’t ready.” Severus replied brushing a stray lock of hair from Harry’s
forehead.
“And do you think I’m ready now?” Harry whispered again as Severus’ arms sat
comfortably about his waist, gently caressing the middle of his back.
“No.” Harry was a little stunned by Severus blunt answer and pulled back a
little to stare at his lover in confusion.
“Then why are you telling me this now if you don’t think I’m ready?” Harry
looked affronted at his lover, and Severus sighed and placed a gentle
reassuring kiss to Harry’s forehead before slipping his right hand around, and
up Harry’s t-shirt to rest gently on the boy’s belly.
“Because of this.” By way of explanation Severus drew his thumb over Harry’s
belly before pulling his lover against him in a warm hug. “We just don’t have
the time to wait anymore Harry. Come December the risk will be too great to you
and…” Severus trailed off as someone moved past the back door blocking the
light momentarily before allowing it to stream out again. Lowering his voice
even further Severus continued in a hush whisper. “You need to defeat him now
while you can, because I won’t risk you going into a confrontation in that
condition.” Harry nodded understandingly and hugged Severus tightly back before
stepping away from him and entwining his fingers together with that of his
lovers.
“You know you keep telling me you’re not a romantic but when you say things
like that I don’t believe you.” Harry looked sideways at Severus who rolled his
eyes and allowed himself to be led towards the door into the kitchen.
“I’m being sensible in my reasoning Potter, not romantic.” Was Severus reply as
they walked past the small rose garden Harry had thrown up in that morning.
“I don’t believe you Snape, I bet if I wanted chocolate, poetry and roses you’d
get them me.” Harry glanced confidently over his shoulder at Severus who
snorted loudly and shook his head.
“You’d be sadly disappointed Potter.” Severus replied, as Harry pulled him into
the kitchen, totally unaware that on his way past the rose bushes Severus had
secretly picked one of the red flowers and tucked it away out of sight into his
robe.
***** Draco Malfoy *****
Chapter 36
Quietly Harry padded down the darkened hallway, softly treading on his toes as
he descended the stairs. A creaky stair had him frozen for a moment his eyes
darting about the darkened house in case he’d woken someone. When he was sure
the house was still sleeping Harry continued down the stairs and quietly crept
into the living room. The warm fire was still burning low in the fireplace
casting a shuddering shadow over the witches and wizards sprawled out on the
various, chairs, sofas and transfigured mattresses. Harry had never seen the
house so full and so quiet at the same time. Glancing about the room Harry
looked at the shadowed faces as he crept between the bodies. Harry was sure
Severus was down here, having sat on the top step of the staircase until he’d
seen Severus finally exit Dumbledore’s study at the ghostly hour of 2am.
Severus had certainly come into the living room. Harry had decided to wait a
little while before joining his mate. Severus had told him quite clearly after
dinner that they wouldn’t be sharing a bed while ever they were in the orders’
headquarters but Harry had other plans. It was terrible sharing a bed with Ron,
and his elder brother Charlie. Admittedly Charlie was handsome and it was kind
of kinky being sandwiched between two warm bodies, but Ron snored and Charlie
drooled and neither of them could possible compare to Severus.
Harry paused as he drew up along side the day bed, a familiar black mop of hair
sticking out from the blankets the potion master was wrapped in. Smiling Harry
gently eased up the covers and slide effortlessly in beside his warm mate.
Almost immediately the warm body beside him turned over strong arms coming up
to wrap around Harry, who obligingly snuggled in. Surprisingly Severus smelled
a little different tonight but Harry didn’t think anything of it and merely
closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
*********************************
“Headmaster! Headmaster! Harry’s gone!” Harry was awoken by the frantic voice
of Ron who came thundering down the stairs with his elder brother both still
dressed in their silk boxer shorts. Cracking open an eyelid Harry smiled as he
saw some members of the household come to Ron’s calling.
“Please don’t shout Ronald, he’ll be about I’m sure.” Mrs Weasley calmed her
son and Harry closed his eyes again and snuggled back against Severus, the
man’s arm tightening about him. Harry listened to the household searching for
him content to remain unfound in Severus arms. Eventually though someone was
bound to find him and Harry sighed heavily as he heard a gasp above him as he
was discovered.
“Go away.” Harry mumbled as he snuggled back into his mate, squeezing his eyes
shut in aid of remaining in his sleepy haze. The next voice he heard however
made his heart skip a beat.
“Potter.” Severus voice cut through the silence and Harry’s eyes sprung open
immediately to stare up into the face of his mate standing over him, his arms
folded across his chest. Stunned Harry glanced over his shoulder only to
recognise the face of the man he was snuggled against.
“Remus.” Harry breathed disbelieving that he’d been so stupid as to climb into
bed with his godfather’s best friend. It didn’t help either that at present,
what Harry had assumed was Severus morning erection pressed against his
backside, turned out in fact to belong to the still sleeping werewolf. “Shit.”
Harry swore and flung back the blanket all but tripping over his own feet as he
stumbled up from the couch. “I didn’t know. I thought…it was dark…I just
assumed…he looked like….” Harry stumbled uselessly over his own words hardly
believing he’d done something so dumb as mistaking Lupin for Snape. Desperately
hoping for forgiveness Harry glanced up at Snape, but the man’s expression was
cold and he was glaring down at Harry. “We didn’t do anything. Remus, tell
him!” Harry bent down and pushed Lupin hard on the shoulder waking the wolf
from his sleep. A dopey looking Remus was shaken awake but despite Harry’s
urging the wolf shrugged his shoulders unknowing what had just happened.
“What?” Remus whispered still foggy in his sleep, as he glanced around at the
people staring down at him.
“Severus, please. I thought he was you.” Harry pleaded with Severus but the
potions master merely turned in silence and strode out of the living room.
Harry was stunned and ran after his lover uncaring of the chilly air that bit
at his skin as he ran down the back garden path after Severus. Snape had come
to a stop at the bottom of the garden the man leaning against the fence staring
down at the little stream that ran down the back of the garden. “Sev.” Harry
whispered cautiously as he came to stop a step behind his lover. Severus had
his arms folded into his cloak and his features were schooled into the familiar
blank mask he wore when teaching. “Please Severus, I didn’t mean to do that. I
genuinely thought he was you.” Harry wrapped his arms around his exposed upper
body as the chill wind whipped around him.
“I told you we wouldn’t be sleeping together in the house and yet as usual you
didn’t listen to me. Had you followed my instructions to remain in your own bed
I might have been spared this embarrassment of finding my husband in bed with a
werewolf.” Harry went to protest that he and Remus hadn’t done anything but
Severus cut him off abruptly. “…and I don’t care if you didn’t do anything or
not, it still looks suspicious and tongues no doubt are already wagging.”
Severus still had his back turned to Harry the man’s stiff shoulders and
rigidly straight back reminiscent of when he’d caught Harry stealing potion
ingredients from his cabinet during class in fifth year. Harry felt awful and
swallowed back the familiar swell of sickness that penetrated his stomach.
“Need I also remind you that it is a contractual condition of this union that
you don’t take other lovers during and six months after your pregnancy?” Harry
was stunned by the change in Severus’ attitude and could hardly believe he was
hearing such harsh words.
“You don’t believe me that nothing happened?” Harry whispered, his anger
suddenly growing that Severus didn’t trust him.
“All I know is that wasn’t Lupin’s wand in his pants this morning Potter, and
what ever your excuse it is paltry in comparison to what everyone else saw and
is now thinking. I don’t like being humiliated Potter.” Severus glanced
disgustingly down over his shoulder at Harry who felt breathless as if someone
had ripped out his lungs from his chest. Something was wrong. Severus had never
talked to him in such a way; well okay he had but not concerning their
marriage.
“I wasn’t trying to humiliate you, I just made a mistake.” Harry pleaded with
Severus to be reasonable but the potion master was having none of it. With his
back still turned to his lover Severus spoke coldly.
“Go back inside before you catch a chill Potter, your grovelling is solving
nothing.” With tears stinging his eyes Harry turned and ran up the path
bursting through into the kitchen, where everyone was sitting.
“Harry. I’m sorry I was asleep I should have known…..” A distraught Remus stood
up abruptly from the table, where Sirius and Albus had just been telling him
what had gone on. Harry ignored the werewolf and pushed his way past the crowd
and ran towards the stairs.
“Harry!” Sirius called after Harry with concern but again the boy ignored them
all and ran up to the room he shared with the Weasley’s. Grabbing his trunk
Harry threw it open on the bed and took out a pair of jeans and a baggy jumper.
Harry felt practically heartbroken, and for some reason his stomach churned
restlessly like a thousand kicking butterflies had made camp in there. Pulling
on his jeans Harry muttered to himself when he couldn’t do up the top button,
so left it open and just pulled his baggy jumper down and over his belly.
Grabbing his cloak and his wand, Harry tucked a small leather pouch of muggle
money into his jeans pocket before storming out of the bedroom. Harry
practically bowled Sirius and the headmaster over the two men waiting anxiously
at the bottom of the steps for him.
“Harry, where are you going my boy?” Albus reached out to place a comforting
hand on Harry’s shoulder but the boy shrugged it off and swung his fathers
invisibility cloak about his body. With his head the only visible part of him,
Harry easily dismantled the complicated wards on the front door with one single
wave of his wand before he stepped out and disappeared down the path into the
morning sun.
Harry wasn’t sure where he was going or what he was going to do, all he knew
was that he had to go some space and think about what had just happened.
Crossing the road at the corner Harry headed down the streets towards what he
assumed was the high street where the shops were situated. If he remembered
correctly there was a little coffee shop on the far corner. Walking down the
street was easy especially once he dropped the invisibility cloak and shrank it
into his pocket. Reaching a quaint little coffee shop Harry stepped inside and
wandered up to the counter ordering himself a hot chocolate with extra
marshmallows before taking a seat at the far end of the café near the window
overlooking the street.
For the longest time Harry sat by himself watching the world go by and sipping
his chocolate. Harry didn’t know what to think about Severus. One moment the
man was unbelievably loving, caring and a cherished partner and the next he was
a monster. The more Harry thought about it the more he questioned if Severus
did truly love him or if it was all just a grand plan to serve Severus’ selfish
needs. Harry sighed as he drank what remained of his chocolate, and got up
feeling the need to walk in the fresh air. Before he could move however three
figures sat down at his booth essentially blocking him in. Harry was about to
politely tell them he was leaving and they could have the table to themselves
when he glanced up and saw an extremely familiar blonde haired boy sitting
opposite him a wand pointed directly at him.
“You’re not going anywhere Potter.” Draco spat nastily his eyebrow arching in a
smug smirk just as he spoke a charm to prevent Harry from apperating. Harry was
quicker though and just as the magic hit him Harry was already swirling through
space before landing on his arse in the middle of a muddy field. Harry wasn’t
sure where he’d apperate too his reaction more involuntary than he realised.
Harry attempted to sit up from the mud but swore and clutched at his stomach in
agony as a pain swept through his body. The pain robbed him of breath and Harry
rolled over onto his hands and knees panting heavily as he clutched at his
stomach. Knowing how easy it was to trace apparition trails Harry knew he had
to get up and run but every time he moved the pain in his abdomen made tears
spring to his eyes. Crawling helplessly Harry headed towards the trees he could
see at the edge of the field. Harry barely made it to the trunk of the first
tree he came to before there were three sharp pops of magic that crackled in
the air. Slumping against the tree Harry clutched at his stomach with one hand
and stuck out his wand with the other. He shook terribly both with pain and
fear as he watched the three black cloaked figures walking towards him.
Weakly Harry threw a hex at the figures but a spike of pain made him drop his
wand and curl up onto his side helplessly. The hex did little but bounce off
the death eater’s block and Harry closed his eyes tightly and willed himself a
million miles away. He had no idea how Draco had even found him. Three shadows
fell over Harry’s body and the boy merely cowered his hands clutched around his
stomach as Draco crouched down beside him and pushed his hood back in order to
get a better look at his enemy.
“Pathetic. The wizarding worlds saviour cowering like a baby.” Draco spat
before hitting Harry with a stunning spell and immobilizing him. Harry could do
little but watch as Draco picked up Harry’s wand from the ground before
gesturing for his beefy comrades to levitate Harry and follow him.
***** Not Affraid of Death *****
Chapter 37
“You’re quite the little surprise aren’t you Potter?” Harry awoke to a familiar
voice to his right. Harry opened his eyes and watched as the blonde haired boy
spun both his own and Harry’s wand around his fingers expertly. Attempting to
sit up Harry hissed in pain and clutched his stomach. Draco smiled smugly and
stood up from his chair beside the bed Potter was lying in. “You know its basic
magic that when you apperate Potter you’re meant to take every part of you with
you, including your child.” Draco pointed his wand at Harry’s stomach and the
boy hastily clutched his hands over his stomach protectively. “You’re lucky you
didn’t loose it, or so I’m told.” Harry remained silent as he watched Draco
wandered slowly around the strange looking bedroom the boy still twirling the
two wands about his fingers. “What a surprise it was to find you and uncle Sev
have already been busy creating heirs to the Snape bloodline. How sweet, were
you planning to be a family?” Harry chose not to answer Draco’s sarcastic
question and remained silently clutching his stomach. Draco chuckled nastily
and tucked his fringe back behind his ears so that the piercing blue eyes
narrowed to glare at Harry.
“Just shut up and tell me what you want with me Draco.” Harry whispered
cautiously watching as the boys sharp blue eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Now see that’s the attitude that’s going to get you killed Potter. You have to
learn that when I have your wand you’ve got no power Potter and what I say
goes.” Draco growled nastily at Harry and in no time at all the blonde had
strode over to the bed and had grasped Harry’s chin painfully in his right hand
drawing the boys face so close to his own that Harry could feel their noses
touching.
“I’m not afraid to die Malfoy.” Harry spat nastily back wincing painfully as
Draco struck him across the face sending his head snapping back into the wooden
headboard of the bed.
“Neither am I anymore Potter. You see death isn’t as scary when there’s nothing
left for you here.” Draco walked away from Harry and over to a window. Harry
could just see the tops of trees out of the window but not enough to tell him
where he was. “I wondered why he chose you over me. You, who had nothing to
offer him, nothing in the way of experience, family, breeding or intelligence,.
You’re just a name Potter, a scapegoat for the wizarding world to pin their
problems on.” Draco turned around and stalked dangerously back towards the bed
where Harry remained. “I could have given him everything. I knew his tastes,
his likes, his desires. I share his passions and his hobbies. I enjoy his
company and know only too well how hard life has been for him. I understand him
and I would have made him a perfect mate. Yet he still chose you over me.”
Draco had stalked up onto the bed and was now mere inches from Harry’s face,
the blonde’s hands pinning Harry’s to the bed to stop the boy from moving.
“Tell me does he make you scream his name Potter. Does he fuck you so hard you
forget your own name? I know what he likes but I bet you don’t.” Draco looked
smugly at Harry, who despite his attempt at feigning ignorance couldn’t help
but be intrigued by what Draco had to say. “No. I didn’t think so. He thinks
you’re too fragile for that. Repressing his deepest desires, holding himself
back just because he’s worried he’ll break you. I bet he hasn’t even drawn
blood.”
“Shut up Malfoy you haven’t a clue what Severus wants.” Harry was worried that
perhaps Draco did know something he didn’t but the boy wasn’t going to let on
he was concerned. Draco laughed nastily in Harry’s face and sat up in front of
Harry his hand cruelly reaching forward and snatching Harry’s hands away from
his stomach, ripping away the thin night shirt to expose the slight round of
Harry’s stomach.
“Oh I think I do. I’ve watched him countless times paying for sex from some
nameless wizard in Knockturn Alley. I bet he didn’t do the sorts of things I
saw him do then, to you, when you were making this did he?” Harry winced as
Draco dug his nails into Harry’s stomach drawing blood and creating red
crescent shaped marks on the pale skin. Harry wondered what Draco was going to
do next but then there was a resonating knock on the door and Draco jumped up
from the bed and commanded the visitor to come in. A dark hooded figure stepped
into the room and whispered something in Draco’s ear. The blonde nodded and
smiled cruelly back at Harry on the bed. “It seems our little conversation is
to be cut short Potter. You’ll be staying here until I wish Voldemort to know
of your whereabouts. I don’t suggest trying to escape, the wards are deadly. I
have things planned for you Potter before I give you over to my lord. Great
things.” Harry swallowed awkwardly and watched as Draco grabbed the two wands
before disappearing out of the door, it slamming and locking tight behind him.
Sighing heavily Harry sat up slowly from the bed and walked gingerly about the
room. There was little in the way of furniture in the room the bed the main
feature. Whoever lived in this room lived in opulence, with rich velvets and
silk dressings adorning the furniture. Having inspecting the so-called deadly
wards around the room Harry slowly walked over to the open doorway into a
bathroom. The bathroom was black marble with silver tap ware. Unwittingly Harry
caught his reflection in the mirror above the sink and winced, as he turned
sideways on, his hand resting on the little bump of his stomach. The bump was
barely noticeable to those not looking, and to most it would just seem as if
the boy who lived had put on a little weight, yet to Harry it meant much more.
The crescent shaped marks on Harry’s skin that Draco had left behind were angry
and Harry winced as he ran his fingertips over the marks willing them away.
Tears streamed down Harry’s face as he realised how hopeless his situation was,
and as he knelt down on the cold marble floor the only thoughts in his mind
were of seeing Severus again. As much as he’d cursed the potions master for his
confusing moods, jealousy and strange behaviour Harry had to admit he did love
him still. With a sigh Harry closed his eyes and rocking backwards and forwards
on his heels chanting Severus name desperate to find the little part inside of
him that belonged to his mate.
***** The Stupid Boy *****
Chapter 38
“Put that on your hand it’ll help.” Mrs Weasley handed Sirius an icepack as the
man sat opposite Severus at the table. Severus glared at Sirius who glared
unblinkingly back.
“Anyone would think you two are children the way you act.” Albus muttered
irritably he himself sporting a shining bruise on his cheek where a wayward
punch had connected.
“That mangy mutt over there doesn’t understand anything other than childish
banter headmaster.” Severus spat coldly wincing a little as Poppy applied the
last of the magical stitches to Severus arm where Sirius had caught him with
the kitchen knife.
“No I just don’t understand pompous gits like you, who refuse to complete a
sentence without using at least one word that has more than six syllables.”
Sirius growled at Severus who narrowed his eyes and threw daggers at his rival.
“You truly are a narrow minded, sanctimonious moron aren’t you Black. I’m
surprised your family didn’t accept you better after all you have all the Black
family traits.” Severus allowed himself a brief smug smile as Black flew up
from his chair at the table attempting and failing to reach over and throttle
Severus again.
“You’re a bastard Snape, a slimy fucking bastard. I can’t believe I allowed
your sick marriage to Harry to even happen. You’ll never change, you’ll make
his life a constant living hell and it’ll be a good day the day I’m dancing on
your grave.” Just as Snape’s cutting blow had caused Black’s reaction, Black’s
remark had Severus himself on his feet his wand held out and pointed at Black’s
head.
“You don’t know anything Black. Potter is my mate and there is nothing you can
do about it and it would do you well to keep you misguided comments to
yourself. What happens between Harry and I is our business and need I remind
you I am now his closest relative and your so called authority over him is
nothing.” Severus flicked his wand before anyone could react and in an instant
Black’s mouth had sewn it self-shut. The hex wasn’t permanent but it would last
several minutes enough to scare Black into keeping his mouth shut.
“Severus!” Lupin admonished as Black stopped struggling and began trying to
speak, the panic in his eyes clear. Severus smiled in self-satisfaction before
glancing at Lupin with undisguised jealousy.
“I told you Lupin, unless you want me to make your manhood severely shorter I
suggest you don’t speak to me again.” Remus nodded quickly and sat Black down
at the table. With a satisfied smile at having won the first round Snape
shifted around the table and headed out of the kitchen.
”Where are you going?” Albus inquired as he saw his potion masters intent to
leave. Severus paused in the door way and glanced back over his shoulder.
“To find Potter before something or someone else does.” There was an
unintelligible muttering from in Black’s direction and Severus smiled at how
nice it was not to hear the man’s comments. Severus went to turn to leave when
he was hit in the stomach by a wave of magic that had him gasping for breath
and slumping against the wall, profanity flying uncharacteristically from his
mouth as a wave after wave of pain shot through his body.
“Severus!” Everyone who was able came to Severus’ side the man’s body wracked
with pain, leaving him pale and shaking. Gritting his teeth against the pain
Severus closed his eyes and in an instant he could hear Potter’s voice, calling
out to him desperately. “Severus, please tell me what’s wrong.” Albus was knelt
beside his professor, soothing the pain with a strong hand running up and down
his back. Severus couldn’t speak and continued to suck in great breaths of air
desperate to quell the pain. The moment he opened his eyes again however the
pain was gone and Potters voice had faded. Slumping uselessly against the wall
Severus shook his head at all the faces that were now standing above him
staring down at him.
“Harry.” Severus whispered between his laboured breaths. It was only when Poppy
gasped that Severus glanced down at his arm, to see blood pouring out of his
dark mark and pooling like a puddle of water on the floor at his side. Over the
past few months the dark mark had all but healed over completely but now it was
angry red and glowing like fire. It wasn’t the usual feeling Severus had when
he was being summoned it was a different feeling like the dark lord was enraged
and had taken it out on his followers.
“What? What about Harry?” Sirius it seemed had unfortunately regained the use
of his lips and Severus groaned as the mutt pushed his way through the crowd
and knelt before his enemy.
“He’s gone, he’s not in Surrey anymore I felt him leave and the stupid boy
didn’t…..” Severus trailed off consciously making the effort to stop his
comment before he let something slip. Unconsciously Severus rubbed his stomach
painfully, hoping against hope that what he’d felt hadn’t caused any harm to
Harry or their child.
“What do you mean he’s not in Surrey?” Sirius was fuming and began shaking
Severus’ shoulders angrily. Severus kicked out and pushed Sirius away from him
sending the man sprawling out on the kitchen floor, as Severus shakily stood to
his feet.
“I mean exactly that Black, I felt him apperate he’s not in Surrey any longer
and I think he’s in trouble.” Severus closed his eyes again and tried to
concentrate to hear Potter’s voice again but it was useless trying to hear
anything with the noise in the kitchen. Over the past week Severus at night had
been able to hear little snippets of Harry’s inner voice in his mind but he
hadn’t mentioned it to anyone. Sharing thoughts was the final stage of a well-
developed wizards bond and was rare, it went beyond even what Severus had
expected from his union with Harry. Very few couples ever achieved full mind
sharing capabilities, and it never happened below 50 odd years of union, let
alone one year. Severus hadn’t wanted to mention it because he wanted to fully
explore the possibility first yet it seemed Harry had other ideas. Shifting out
of the noise kitchen into the relative quiet of the lounge room Severus closed
his eyes again and focused on the weight of the ring around his wedding finger,
and it’s connection with Harry. Almost immediately Severus heard Harry’s voice,
calling his name over and over again. The hopelessness in Harry’s voice made
Severus’ heart ache, wherever his lover was he wasn’t there willingly. Trying
to send his own voice to Harry didn’t seem to work and in the end frustration
made Severus lash out at the voices he could still hear in the kitchen.
“Will you lot shut up!” Severus growled angrily as he strode back into the
kitchen and glared at the stunned crowd. None of them had seen Severus looking
less than composed, his distress and worry clearly etched in his expression.
Albus approached the stressed looking Severus and placed a comforting hand on
the man’s shoulder.
“I’ve sent everyone out into the field to start searching for him Severus,
perhaps you should just go and lie down a while…” Before Albus could finish his
sentence Severus had cut him off with a firm shake of his head.
“No, I’m going to look for him as well.” With that Severus turned on his heel,
and having grabbed a few things to stash in his cloak he swept out of the
muggle house and apperated away. Severus knew Harry was in danger and despite
their argument that morning he wasn’t going to let his mate go so easily. Sure
he was irrationally jealous of Lupin but he did still love Harry no matter how
angry he was at having found his lover in bed with another.
***** Sold *****
Chapter 39
“It’s vegetables and fish, Holly the house elf says it’s good for the baby.”
Harry didn’t move from his seat looking out of the window, down onto the frost
covered overgrown garden below. It had been almost two weeks since Draco had
found him in the muggle café in Surrey and Harry was no closer to finding a way
out of where ever he was being kept. Harry watched Draco’s reflection
cautiously in the window as the blonde haired boy moved about the room checking
the wards as he always did in the evening. The fresh meal sitting behind him on
the table smelt wonderful but Harry wouldn’t stoop to eating in front of the
blonde. Harry had tried several times to escape, each time with spectacular
failure, the burns on his wrists, back and neck testament to the strength of
the wards. Most surprisingly was the fact Draco had yet to inform Voldemort
about Harry’s capture. Admittedly Harry had seen death eaters come and go from
the house but none had been brought upstairs if they even knew of him being
there at all.
“What are you going to do with me Malfoy? Barter me for a better reward?
Because I don’t think Lord Voldemort takes kindly to his followers taking
initiative.” Harry kept his voice calm despite his growing frustration at being
locked in a room with no contact other than Draco. Draco chuckled and Harry
listened as the boy sat down on the chair beside the bed, in the usual place he
sat when he was visiting.
“Do you still believe I’m doing this for Voldemort?” Harry started a little and
glanced cautiously over his shoulder at Draco who was reclined smugly in the
armchair playing as usual with Harry’s wand like it was a toy won from a fair.
“No Potter, this goes far beyond that.” Harry didn’t like the blonde’s tone and
stared cautiously at the boy, who had gone beyond the nasty school bully Harry
had known at school. Before him sat a bitter, twisted young man with eyes only
for revenge.
“Then what is this? Are you still pissed because Severus chose me over you?”
Harry winced as Draco threw a magical slap at his cheek, sending the boy
reeling into the corner of the window seat. Draco smiled darkly at Harry’s pain
pleased that he seemed to have mastered Harry’s wand just as well as his own.
Harry silently cursed to himself that he hadn’t put harder wards on his own
wand.
“Perhaps a little, after all he was mine first and would have continued to be
mine without you interfering.” Draco threw a nasty glance at Harry but then
schooled his features back into the calm smug expression he usually wore.
“I never interfered, Severus called in his debt and I didn’t have a choice.”
Harry spat angrily at Draco who merely rolled his eyes and flipped Harry’s wand
casually from one hand to the other.
“Whatever Potter, it matters to me not. All I care is that you’re here and he’s
on his way to rescue you, like the hero he enjoys being.” Harry frowned in
confusion as he spun around in the window seat, Draco somewhat pleased he’d
drawn more than the usual disinterest from Harry.
“What are you talking about?” Harry hissed angrily his concern for Severus
rising as Draco flicked his wand back and forth between his two hands.
“Your knight in shining armour of course.” Draco chuckled evilly the boy’s
sallow skin reflecting the flickering of the fire and candles. “As we speak
Severus draws ever closer to this house intent on saving his beloved mate. When
he arrives there’s a welcome party downstairs ready to deliver him to Lord
Voldemort. As for you, you’ll have the pleasure of watching him die at the end
of my wand, before watching as Voldemort takes from you the child he desired so
much. Then when you’re broken and the life is leaving your lips, you’ll beg
before my feet to end it because you know I am the only one who can.” Draco
smiled and stood up from his chair and took two long steps over to where Harry
still sat. Harry didn’t flinch as Draco leaned down and pressed a sickening
kiss on his lips before drawing back, so that his steely blue eyes met Harry’s
green ones. “I don’t care who wins this war Potter, either way I’m doomed to a
life of servitude either to my father, my lord or worse to the ministry but it
will make that life so much easier to bear knowing I took from you what you
took from me. An eye for an eye Potter.” With a nasty pinch Draco threw Harry
to the floor heavily before stepping over him and striding over to the warded
door, pausing briefly to glance back at Harry who was sprawled out on the
floor. “I suggest you eat something, you look disgustingly like a cheap whore
and I’m having guests tonight, guests that will want to see you.” With that
Draco left, the door sliding closed behind him and the wards settling back into
place. Harry sighed and pulled himself weakly up from the floor. With a sigh
the boy shuffled over to the bed and drew the tray with his meal up onto his
lap and picked at it listlessly. Everything Harry had tried to escape so far
was useless, perhaps tonight might present such a chance.
Harry ate what his stomach would allow him to and then having meditated in an
attempt at reaching Severus for an hour with no success, moved into the
bathroom and tucked the sharp bits of tile he’d cracked from around the bath
into his jeans pocket. Despite Draco’s hospitality the boy was still wearing
the same thing he had when he’d been taken from the café, and baths could only
go so far in cleaning the clothes. With his meagre weapon tucked into his
pocket Harry sat himself back in the window seat to watch the scene, waiting
for the inevitable confrontation he knew would come.
It was late by the time the door to the bedroom opened again and Harry started
a little having begun to doze in the window seat. Turning around Harry wasn’t
surprised to see Draco dressed in his death eater robes, a strange red sash
Harry had never seen on any other of the death eaters, draped around the
blonde’s neck.
“Come along Potter, we’re waiting for you.” Harry was somewhat surprised that
for the first time during his entire stay Draco was allowing him out of the
room he was being held prisoner in. Cautiously Harry moved towards Draco and
flinched as the boy cast a clothing charm over him, changing him from his
muggle jeans and jumper into traditional wizarding robes of crimson and royal
blue to match the sash around Draco’s neck. “Can’t have you looking mistreated,
or you won’t sell.” Harry frowned, not at all liking what Draco’s words had
just suggested. Deciding quickly to keep his mouth shut and look for escape
routes rather than arguing with Draco, Harry followed his captive down the long
hallway and down a spiral set of stairs. Draco paused outside a large set of
locked doors and Harry watched as the boy pulled down his white mask concealing
his identity. Harry hesitated as Draco opened the doors and all but choked on
his own fear as he looked in at the twenty odd, masked death eaters sitting at
a long banquet table in the centre of the hall, all of them seemingly enjoying
themselves eating, drinking and joking. With the masks Harry couldn’t make out
one from another and Harry bit the inside of his mouth as Draco gestured for
him to follow him in. “You see Potter, the Dark Lord has many followers but
there are some that believe in other things, in other people, in other goals.
To some people Potter, you’re just a wizard.” As Draco approached the table the
chatter fell silent and Harry was more than aware of the attention that was
drawn his way. Draco forcefully sat Harry down at the seat at the head of the
table, the blonde’s hand resting longer than necessary on Harry’s shoulder.
“Gentlemen, I welcome you to our little gathering. You’re all aware of the
rules of this game and any damage done to the prize will be paid for in blood.
Shall we begin with the first bid?” Harry began to panic as he watched a death
eater from down the table throw a bag of galleons into the centre of the table.
“200.” He grunted indignantly. Stunned by what he was watching before his very
eyes Harry began to look for an escape route, his eyes flickering to the wands
the death eaters undoubtedly carried. Admittedly the wands probably held nasty
irreversible curses but Harry was willing to give it a shot, if just to get a
wand and a chance to escape. Harry’s intent on escaping must have looked rather
obvious because Draco’s hand tightened on Harry’s shoulder the boy leaning
closer as the bidding around the table began to get fierce.
“Don’t try anything Potter, the wards would kill you the instant you stepped
across them, and apperating will kill you and the child.” Harry sat shaking in
his chair as he listened to the bids, and the exorbitant price the death eaters
were willing to pay to get their hands on the boy who lived. Eventually the
bidding slowed at 10,000 galleons the bags of gold coins on the table
considerable. The biding was between two death eaters, one sitting opposite the
other. When the bigger, bulkier death eater made another bid of 10,200 galleons
the slighter man opposite him stood up and without even flinching drew his wand
and killed him, the green light of the unforgivable curse leaving his lips and
felling the man in his seat. None of the death eaters around the table seemed
to care that one of their own had killed another of their own. Behind him,
Harry heard Draco chuckled as the death eater sheathed his wand back into his
robes quickly. “I do believe we have a winner.” Draco declared easily and
gestured for the death eater who’d just killed the other to approach the head
of the table. Harry watched the robed figure with hatred, hardly believing this
was happening.
“One hour.” The voice that came from behind the unidentifiable masked figure
seemed vaguely familiar to Harry but the boy showed no outward expression of
being surprised. While Harry couldn’t perhaps put a name to the voice he knew
it was a voice he’d heard before. Swallowing nervously Harry shifted quickly as
Draco dragged him to his feet and pushed him into the chest of the winning
bidder.
“You know the rules, and mind the child he’s worth nothing to me damaged.”
Harry winced as the stranger grabbed his arms roughly and dragged him out of
the room. Harry had trouble keeping up with the long strides of the man, who
took the steps up onto the second floor two at a time. When they reached the
second floor Harry stumbled as he was pushed forcefully into the bedroom. Harry
winced as his stomach connected with the end of the bed, causing him to yelp in
pain before falling to his knees. Scared now, Harry pulled himself to his feet
ready to fight off his attacker but as he turned around he was stunned as he
watched the death eater slide the mask from his face revealing a very familiar
face from behind it.
***** Quick Exit *****
Chapter 40
“I can’t believe we’re doing this. It’s complete madness.” Sirius whispered
harshly beneath his breath, his body pressed flat to the grass, his head hidden
behind a clump of overgrown roses.
“Perhaps but it’s the only chance we’ve got. The house is too well warded.”
Dumbledore lay beside Sirius in the grass, his long beard braided in long
strands to keep it from impeding his focus during the raid. It had taken them
two weeks to find Harry, or rather it had taken them three days to find him but
another eight days to actually think of a plan to get him out.
“And this is Draco Malfoy we’re talking about here, he might be smarter than
his father but he’s inherited the same faults so it seems.” Both Sirius and
Dumbledore startled as another darkened figure crept up on them and lay down in
the grass beside them.
“I’m guessing he got in alright then Severus.” Dumbledore inquired quietly his
eyes twinkling in the dark as he glanced across to his potions professor.
Severus nodded quietly his eyes scanning the lights streaming out of the house
windows in front of them.
“Aye, a little too easily I reckon but we’ll soon see if this works.” Severus
sounded a little more then just concerned to those listening. Severus had been
a nightmare to live with the past week. The man had had no sleep, pacing the
living room of the house in Surrey until he’d worn down the carpet. Even Sirius
who had doubted Severus attachment to Harry, couldn’t pick fault with the
wizards unwavering concern for his mate. None who had been in Severus’ company
all week could doubt the man’s devotion.
“I hope for your sake this works Snape, we’re gambling with my godson’s life
here.” Sirius couldn’t help himself in making comment to Severus.
“Instead of picking fault in my plan Black, perhaps you better prepare yourself
for the battle that will come when we get Harry out of there, because I assure
you as soon as he breaches those wards every death eater in country is going to
descend on this place, including the bastard all mighty himself.” Severus
looked sharply across at Sirius who instantly shut his mouth and drew his wand
out from the pocket of his cloak.
“Madness.” Sirius muttered as he tightened his fist around the hold of his
wand. Severus silently sighed to himself, for the first time actually agreeing
with Black’s appraise of the situation, if not admitting to it. This plan was
complete madness, and it would have been better had they just stormed the
house, but Severus had a niggling feeling that something wasn’t right, like he
was expected and so instead he’d come up with this mad plan that was bound to
fail, if it hadn’t already.
“How long to go?” Dumbledore whispered to Severus, who pulled out the little
sand timer from his cloak pocket to check its progress.
“He should just be getting to the bedroom now, a few more seconds for the
potion and………..” Severus was cut off, as there was an almighty popping and
crackling sound behind them. All three wizards lying in the grass spun around
their wands out stretched as in the field behind them two figures appeared in a
bright blue flash of light. “Right on time.” Severus breathed as he leapt to
his feet and took off across the garden towards the two figures, one
disturbingly clutching onto the other. Behind him Severus could hear his
colleagues following him but just as he’d predicted he also began to hear more
sharp pops before the sky lit up with a very familiar green mark. “Shit.”
Severus whispered as he ran faster towards where the pair were still standing
exposed in the centre of the field. As he drew closer to the pair a bright red
flash erupted from the tree line on the opposite side of the field heading like
lightening towards the pair standing in the field. “DUCK!” Severus screamed
watching as the taller of the two figures threw himself over the younger one
the red curse barely missing the pair. Falling automatically into his old
habits Severus began throwing curses at anything that moved, as did the
contingent of the order members who had arrived better late than ever.
Unfortunately, so to had the death eaters and in the mayhem that ensued Severus
lost sight of his goal and was swept up in the fighting.
************************************
“Jasper!” Stunned Harry watched as Severus’ brother removed a familiar thick
gluggy potion from within his robes along with a singular strand of hair from
another tube.
“Shhh, just drink it.” Jasper put the hair into the potion and with a half
hearted shake pushed the bottle into Harry’s hand. Harry didn’t hesitate as he
lifted the mixture to his lips and took one, long foul swig fighting to stop
the gagging reflex as he swallowed. The polyjuice potion was just as foul as
Harry remembered it to be, but now with his sensitive stomach the feeling was
even worse. “Cork it Potter, we don’t have time. Put these on.” Seeing Harry
beginning to heave Jasper pulled out a set of robes from within his own and
pushed them into Harry’s hand. Harry nodded and swallowing another threatening
heave pulled on the robes quickly, his skin already beginning to bubble, ripple
and change. Harry stumbled a little as his legs elongated, and his hair
thickened and lengthened. When the change was complete Harry stood up straight
and went to look at his reflection in the mirror, but Jasper had already
grabbed hold of him pulling him against his chest. “We don’t have time Potter,
now together with me on three we’ll apperate.” Harry clutched to Jasper’s cloak
but shook his head vehemently.
“No, it’ll kill me, Draco’s set the wards I’ll die….”
“Yes he set the wards for Harry Potter, not for Lucius Malfoy now together on
three. One, Two………”
*POP* Before Harry could protest or even comment upon whom he’d just been
transformed into they were swirling through space, before staggering out onto
the grass in the darkness. Harry felt ill and doubled over the contents of his
stomach including the potion he’d tried so hard to keep down resurfacing onto
the grass.
“Harry? Are you alright?” A soothing hand rested on Harry’s back and the boy
nodded his hand going to his stomach surprised somewhat to find his little
acquired bump still there, despite his appearance as Lucius Malfoy. The pain
that had come with his last apparition attempt wasn’t present and Harry assumed
that was a good sign. Jasper it seemed wasn’t as foolish as he had been to
neglect the child he was carrying with apperating. Movement out of the corner
of Harry’s eye made the boy stand up straight instinctively reaching for his
wand and then remembering Draco still had it in his possession. “Come on they
should be this way.” Jasper went to head towards several figures running
towards them but a cry caught up in the wind had Jasper throwing himself onto
of Harry, pinning him to the ground. Harry cried out in pain at the impact of
the ground Jasper’s heavy frame pinning him down but it wasn’t the pain that
put fear in Harry’s chest, it was the bright flash of green above them in the
sky, followed by the red curse that flew just inches from them. “Up and fight
Potter.” Jasper was on his feet in an instant and before Harry could register
anything he was being hauled to his feet and a strange, unfamiliar wand was
being pushed into his hand. “Aim and shoot at anything that moves Harry, and
stay close to me we have to find Sev.”
“But….” The scene that met Harry’s eyes was chaos figures in robes were
crawling all over the countryside for as far as the eye could see. Curses and
spells lit up the night sky, creating a myriad of coloured lights against the
darkness. Occasionally Harry saw a face he recognized but the instant it had
been there it was gone lost in the chaos of the ensuing fighting. Harry didn’t
know what to do but as he stared at the battle field a pair of familiar red
eyes met his own from the other side of the field and narrowed. Whether it was
fear or the pure hatred that rippled through his body at that very moment Harry
wasn’t sure but lifting the unfamiliar wand Harry left fly with the killing
curse hoping that it wouldn’t hit anyone he knew. The curse that spiralled from
the end of Harry’s borrowed wand wasn’t quite what he’d expected. Never in his
entire life as a wizard had Harry even felt the recoil of a wand but as the red
hued unforgivable left his lips the boy found himself on his backside the curse
ripping through several bodies like a knife. The curse had lit up the sky and
those near enough to have witnessed the curse paused in their individual
battles to glance at the boy who lived. For a split second there was shocked
silence at the power behind the curse but that silence was again replaced by
the screams and shouts of those fighting. “Fucking hell, give old Tom one of
those up his backside and he won’t know what’s hit him. Come on, head towards
the trees where we’ve got a bit of cover.” Jasper called to Harry over the
deafening roar of wizards, fighting. Harry nodded and got to his feet, sparing
a second to glance in the direction where he’d seen those familiar red eyes but
they were already gone.
Using all his training Harry easily fell into step beside Jasper fighting,
dodging and firing his own curses as they moved towards the trees. It was
strange how Harry’s brain just kicked into gear, his body automatically
following instructions like Jasper and Severus were there calling them to him.
Eventually Harry and Jasper stumbled into the trees, Harry slumping
breathlessly against the trunk of the nearest pine. The wand in his hand was
hot and Harry loosened his grip on it for a moment hoping to get the
circulation back into his fingers where he’d been strangling the wand so
tightly. Jasper hadn’t rested and circled the trees before returning to Harry’s
side. Looking back onto the field the coloured flashes of curses made the field
look like a muggle carnival had set up camp, but where there would have been
screams of delight emanating from the carnival, this scene was accompanied to
screams of terror and pain.
“Are you okay?” Harry wasn’t sure if he was alright or not, after the first
curse he’d let fly his body had gone numb. “You’re bleeding.” Harry didn’t even
notice the blood that had pooled down his face from his scar, and it was only
as Jasper dabbed away some of the fluid that the pain that accompanied his
bleeding scar began to throb.
“Ow.” Harry whimpered not sure what hurt more, his stomach or his head. Jasper
chuckled and rolled his eyes dramatically.
“Don’t be a sook Potter, that’s nothing compared to this.” Jasper turned around
and displayed the shredded back of his cloak and the bloodied razor cuts
crisscrossing his back. Harry gasped in sympathy but Jasper merely shrugged his
shoulders and turned back to his young charge. “Not too painful missed the full
blast of it.” Jasper looked back out on the battle before sighing heavily and
glancing back at Harry. “I have to go find Severus, you need your fathers wand.
Just stay out of the way here and kill anything that moves, I’ll be back.”
Harry looked fearfully at Jasper who smiled and leaned forward to press a
chaste kiss to Harry’s bloodied forehead. “Trust me Potter, you’ll be alright
and if anything does happen, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction
alright?” Harry nodded quickly, with every intention of sticking to Jaspers
words. Harry knew the day would come when the final battle would happen between
Voldemort and the Order but he hadn’t thought it would be today, he just wasn’t
ready. With a final smile Jasper ran off back into the thick of things, leaving
Harry watching him go.
***** A Fathers Legacy *****
Chapter 41
It was cold standing next to the tree, his arms wrapped about him and
shivering. What had been a fine evening had slowly turned foul, as bad weather
had rolled in from the west. Harry muttered to himself and tucked his head back
into the hood of his cloak. Over the past hour he’d changed slowly back into
Harry Potter, the long blonde hair that had been Malfoy, and the tall bulkier
body had withered leaving Harry the same, scrawny, unkempt boy he felt. Rain
dotted his glasses and ran down his face, leaving his hair plastered to his
head. Still though Harry watched as the battle continued to rage on the field.
The rain had begun to drown out the cries but the light show that was the
curses and spells wasn’t dampened in the least, although it did seem to be less
fierce. Harry wondered silently if Jasper was ever going to come back, and if
somewhere out there Severus was lying in pain. Absently Harry began rubbing his
belly beneath his cloak trying as he’d done for the past two weeks to contact
Severus through their bond. It was while Harry was staring intently at the
battlefield that he heard a rustling in the trees behind him. Spinning around
Harry stepped away from the tree, his back turning to the battlefield to face
the darkness of the wood. With his vision a little blurry with the rain on his
glasses it was hard to see anything but there was definite movement. Wand
outstretched Harry shifted forward towards the movement almost compelled to go
forward. The movement and rustling began to shift and Harry froze where he was,
his gaze flittering about the darkness as the movement began to surround him.
“Potter.” The hissing voice that came from behind him made Harry’s blood run
cold and the boy spun around to face the sound, now completely disorientated in
the darkness. From no where two red eyes appeared from the darkness their
wicked gleam sending shivers down Harry’s spin. There was really no point in
deluding himself as he backed up against one of the tree trunks, as Voldemort
approached him. He was in deep shit, with no foreseeable exit. Technically
Harry shouldn’t have been scared, he’d faced Voldemort more times in his life
than many but with his back pressed against the tree trunk, and a wand not his
own shaking in his hands, Harry felt less than confident this time around.
“Fuck off!” Harry put voice to his frustrations as Voldemort’s body
materialized from the darkness before him. Tom Riddle the wizard boy was no
more, instead a snake like creature devoid of features, and with skin peeling
from his face stood before Harry. Where there would have once been brown hair
atop Tom’s head, there were scales instead, the red piercing eyes the only
distinguishing feature sticking out from beneath the hood of the black cloak.
There was a throaty, chuckle from Voldemort at Harry’s weak declaration as
several death eaters stepped out from the shadows as well, blocking off any
escape Harry might have been contemplating.
“I’ve waited a very long time for this Potter, a very long time indeed.”
Voldemort raised his wand and aimed it steadily at Harry but the boy was far
quicker and sent forth a volley of killing curses, which rebounded easily from
the block Voldemort put in place. The curses were useless and Harry heard
Voldemort chuckle again. “Lucius’ wand, not your own I see Potter.” Harry was
stunned and glanced at the wand in his hand, hardly believing that in his grasp
he held the wand of a death eater, who most probably was standing around him at
this point in time wanting it back. Still the flimsy bit of stolen wand was the
only safety net that stood between he and Voldemort at present and he wasn’t
about to give it up. With a deep steady breath Harry let go with another more
complicated spell Jasper had taught him before dodging to the side in an
attempt to escape.
The ploy worked to a point but Harry was left running blindly between the
trees, dodging the curses that had begun to fly his way. All the while
Voldemort laughed the sound piercing every inch of the wood, surrounding Harry
like a net. Panicking Harry stumbled a curse hitting him square in the back,
sending him sprawling to the ground to begin screaming in agony. His skin felt
like it was on fire, the prickles of heat spreading over his back and down his
legs, incapacitating him so easily. Screaming in agony Harry got to his hands
and knees and began crawling away from the approaching sound of feet behind
him. It was a pitifully attempt at moving but Harry could hardly believe this
final battle between he and Voldemort would end so easily, without him even
having given up half a fight. Backing himself up against the nearest tree Harry
waited for the red eyes to yet again appear before him.
“You’re quite helpless aren’t you Potter. You can run all you like it won’t get
you anywhere. I know where you are at all times, I feel you like a rash on my
skin, crawling, burning and peeling away my sanity, with every waking hour.
I’ll take great delight in removing you from existence Potter, tearing you from
my body so I may live free of your oppressive grasp. Perhaps had I not
underestimated you as a child I might not have lived so long in your shadow but
be sure, I will not underestimate you again. Where magic failed last time, a
silver blade will not.” From between the shadows moving about the trees Harry
saw the glisten of a long carving knife, as Voldemort stepped out from between
the trees, his red eyes glowing ominously. With measured calculated steps
Voldemort approached Harry, who could do little but pin himself against the
tree and fire useless killing curses at a man who seemed impervious to them.
Closing his eyes Harry willed himself miles away as Voldemort drew back the
knife aiming for the boy’s heart but the blow to the chest never came and Harry
opened his eyes long enough to see Voldemort staggering backwards a very
familiar figure fighting him all the way.
“Severus.” Harry whispered as he struggled to get to his feet, the pain in his
back subsiding a little but still very much there. Groping around on the ground
Harry found a wand, it didn’t really matter whose wand it was so long as he had
one in his hand. From seemingly nowhere auror’s had descended on the little
wooded grove, flashes of curses erupted around him but Harry ignored them and
instead watched as Severus cried out in pain and fell back on the grass, the
handle of the silver blade sticked out from his chest. Voldemort let out a sick
little chuckle as he leant over his traitorous death eater and pulled out the
knife with a brutal tug. Severus screamed again but nothing could compare to
the screams as Voldemort casually flicked his wand at Severus and ensnared him
with the Cruciatus curse. Harry could do nothing but watch as his beloved
wreathed in pain, his cries drowning out all others. As the curse continued
Harry could see the blood begin dripping from the corner of Severus mouth, and
the light in his eyes begin to diminish but just as quickly as Voldemort had
started it he ended the curse, allowing Severus’ body to fall limp on the
ground, his chest hardly rising and falling.
“Who knew such satisfaction could be derived from seeing you in pain my beloved
little alchemist, but you knew the price of betraying me yet you tried all the
same. Now I will show you what pain is really about, and let you watch as I cut
your child from the body of its parent before letting Potter here die slowly
with this blade in his chest.” The movement in the wooded glade seemed to stop
as Voldemort glided across the grass barely flinching as he drew nearer to
Harry. Harry didn’t know what to do but in seconds that it took Voldemort to
cross the glade, Harry had caught the graze of his lover, lying dying in the
grass. If at all possible Harry saw a smile tug at the corners of Severus lips,
the potion masters shaky hand gesturing softly to the wand in Harry’s hand.
Glancing down Harry could hardly believe what he was staring at. In his white
knuckled grip, beneath the blood and the bruises was an initial carved into the
handle of the dark wooden wand.
JP.
As Voldemort approached him Harry glanced up just as the man was on top of him.
Automatically Harry pushed forward with his fathers wand watching as the end
disappeared into the folds of fabric of the dark lords robes. Voldemort was so
close Harry couldn’t breath as he whispered the words he’d been learning all
his life.
‘Avada Kedavra.’
Harry couldn’t see for the light that burst from the end of his wand, the
little wooded glade lighting up like a firework blinding everyone within the
vicinity. A blinding pain swept through Harry, his scar burning like needles as
the weight of Voldemort frame fell away from him. There was screaming, and
shouting Harry was sure but it was the wave of magic that swept over him,
knocking him off his feet that sent him flying into the tree and reigniting the
curse in his back. Harry heard voices, swirling around him, Cedric Diggory,
Sirius, Lilly, James and many more Harry would never be able to name.
Eventually the light died, and slumped painfully against the tree Harry blinked
as the darkness of the night returned. All around him Harry could hear muttered
conversation before a footsteps ran over to him and a familiar figure knelt
before him.
“Harry. Harry, speak to me. Are you alright?” Harry stared straight past Jasper
to where Severus was lying in the grass, his chest barely moving. “Harry listen
to me!” Jasper drew his hands up to Harry’s face trying desperately to get the
boy to look at him but Harry pulled his face free and went to stand up from the
ground. “Harry you shouldn’t move, just…..” Harry pushed Jasper away from him,
sending the bulky wizard backwards into the mud.
“Harry!” Sirius, seemed to come from nowhere practically sweeping Harry off his
feet, where the boy had managed to stand up. Harry however pushed his godfather
away and continued to stagger over to where Severus was lying. Reaching
Severus’ body Harry fell to his knees beside his lover, and slumped carelessly
onto Severus’ chest, the blood from the knife wound having seeped through the
cloak, completely soaking the fabric through.
“Severus.” Harry whispered quietly watching as the dark obsidian eyes of his
mate flutter open. “Severus.” Harry whispered again dropping the wand in his
hand to clutch to his lovers bloodied face. Severus coughed deeply a dark
trickle of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. Lovingly Harry wiped the
blood away and fought back the tears he knew were streaming down his face.
“Don’t leave me.” Harry whispered again, just as the orange light of the early
morning began to filter into the wood. Severus coughed again barely swallowing
enough to speak.
“Not afraid.” He managed to croak out, a small smile twitching at the corners
of his lips.
“I know.” Harry whispered again this time leaning forward to press a gentle
kiss on Severus’ crooked nose. “But I’m afraid.” Coughing again Severus drew up
his hand the weak trembling fingers coming to rest on the little bump just
visible beneath the soaking wet robes.
“Love…” Severus whispered his eyes closing in pain, as his breathing faulted.
“I love you too, so much.” Harry cried tears streaming from eyes. “Please, Sev
don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me, Please.” Harry cried harder as he leaned
forward and pressed his lips to those of his mate, just as the last trickle of
air left Severus lungs. “Severus.” Harry whispered as the potion professor’s
eyes closed for the final time. “No, please no. Don’t go, don’t leave me. I
can’t do this, please!” Hysterical Harry shook Severus lifeless frame,
desperately trying to gain a response from him but nothing. Crying and shouting
Harry began to hyperventilate, and hands began trying to pull him from Severus’
body but Harry fought them, still trying to get a response from Severus.
”Harry he’s dead!” The words were like a knife to his heart as Harry turned
around to look at his godfather. Sirius was standing there looking down at him
sadly. Slowly as the words sunk in Harry felt ill, the world began to spin
until finally Harry collapsed the last of the orange sun dying into darkness.
***** No Chocolate *****
Chapter 42
“Really my dear boy you’re not doing yourself any good by staying here.”
“I said I’m staying put.”
“It’s been three weeks my dear boy, you really should rest yourself.”
“Albus leave me alone.”
“Please. Poppy is going spare, she insists that you return to your house.”
“There’s nothing left of my house.”
“Nonsense, the few who remain are in desperate need of your guidance, many have
lost their parents you know.”
“I’m no one’s surrogate parent Albus, let Minerva deal with them compassion is
her area of expertise.”
“Compassion is everyone’s expertise my dear boy, perhaps you should show a
little.”
“Compassion?”…….. “And I suppose this is what you call compassion Albus?”
“We can not help other people’s perceptions of us my dear boy. This is an
unfortunate oversight by the ministry.”
“With all due respect headmaster, I couldn’t give three fucking newts about
whether the ministry have failed in their job or not, all I want is for you and
everyone else to leave me alone.”
“Very well my dear boy, but please sleep a little this is not helping his
situation at all….”
*************************************
An irritating tickle under his nose drew him from the realms of darkness, into
the golden glow of the morning sunlight, streaming in through the high glass
window behind him. His eyes were dry as if they hadn’t been used in years, and
he blinked a couple of times to clear his vision. Slowly he pushed himself up a
little in the bed trying not to move the body pressed against him. Sitting up a
little straighter he fumbled about on the bedside table until finally he found
the familiar frames of his glasses, and slid them on the end of his nose. His
world came into focus and he could hardly believe who was lying against his
stomach. Familiar black, greasy hair tumbled over the stark white sheets,
obscuring the pale thin face hidden below the curtain of hair. The man was
breathing deeply in his sleep, his mouth slight parted and his eyes shut tight.
Still in disbelief Harry stretched out his hand to tentatively touch the man’s
cheek. The cheek was warm in the sunshine, and slightly rough as if it hadn’t
shaved in a few days. The long dark eyelashes fluttered in his sleep and the
man muttered something unintelligible as he unconsciously leaned in to the boys
touch. Harry had never seen such a welcome vision in his entire life, than that
of the man lying at his side. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he stared at the
man, his fingertips just ghosting over his face ensuring what he was seeing was
real.
“Honestly Ronald, madam pomfrey warned you last time not to bring chocolate
into the infirmary!” Harry heard the doors to the infirmary swing open and
smiled brightly as he listened to the voices of his two closest friends as they
approached the closed curtains around his bed.
“So, if Harry wakes up I want him to have a good supply of chocolate frogs.”
Harry smiled at Ron’s reasoning, as the footsteps drew closer. Harry had been
living in a nightmare for three weeks, not that he knew it, and one of the
images that featured heavily was that of seeing his friends lying dead around
him. It seemed almost too good to be true to hear Hermione and Ron heading for
his bed. Hermione tutted loudly and Harry could picture clearly the girls
sideways glare at her boyfriend. The footsteps stopped outside the curtain and
Harry braced himself as the curtains were pulled slowly open.
“Besides I want Harry to…………” Ron’s continued protests trailed off as both he
and Hermione stepped into the little cubical to find Harry sitting up in bed,
smiling at them.
“Harry?” Hermione was the first to speak her voice hardly audible as she stared
at her best friend in complete shock.
“Hermione. Ron.” Harry croaked weakly watching as a single silver tear ran down
Hermione’s cheek moments before the young girl had launched herself onto the
bed smothering Harry, and the man lying asleep in his lap. Harry could hardly
move as Hermione hugged him, speaking at ten times the speed of light in
sentences that rolled into one another like gibberish.
“What the fuck!” The man that had been sleeping in Harry’s lap had sat up
abruptly from the bed all but falling back in his chair beside the bed as a
fuzz of brown hair engulfed the boy on the bed.
“Madam Pomfrey! He’s awake He’s awake!” Screaming at the top of his lungs Ron
disappeared from the cubical his shouts echoing around the deserted infirmary.
Harry smiled at Hermione who sat back from him having pressed a firm, sloppy
kiss to her best friend’s lips.
“You scared us soooo much.” Hermione admonished sternly right before there was
a thud from beside the bed. Hermione and Harry both looked sideways and watched
as the potions professor slumped in the chair, his head in his hands and his
shoulders shuddering in tears of relief.
“Sev.” Harry whispered still hardly believing it was really his mate sitting
beside him. Dutifully Hermione stepped down off the bed and slipped out of the
half open curtains. Slowly Severus rose his head from his hands, his cheeks
stained with tears and his eyes red with tiredness. There were fading bruises
on his sallow cheeks, and his hair was straggly and knotted. “I…” Harry didn’t
know what to say and shook his head quietly still in shock. “I saw you die, I
felt you go, you shouldn’t be here.” Harry whispered turning his hands over in
his lap as if looking for the blood he’d wiped from Severus’ face the last few
moments before he’d watched his lover die. Uncharacteristically Severus
sniffled back his tears, wiping his nose on the sleave of his robes as he stood
up shakily from his chair and took the half step over to Harry’s beside. Harry
shook visibly as Severus reached down and cupped the boy’s face between his
hands ensuring the emerald greens eyes were fixed on his own.
“You saw my brother die Harry, it was Jasper.” Harry wasn’t sure what to feel
as the words slipped from Severus lips, and as he stared into the eyes of his
lover Harry broke down into heartbreaking sobs.
“I thought you were gone, I didn’t know what to do, I can’t…I couldn’t face it
without you, it hurt so much…..” Harry sobbed openly clearly distressed by
everything. Severus nodded understandingly and pulled Harry against his chest,
holding his lover tightly as the sobs wracked his body.
“Shhhh, it’s okay, it’s all over now.” Severus rocked Harry back and forth
gently in his arms as Harry continued to cry, the salty tears soaking the
potion professors shirt through.
“You’re a complete bastard!” Harry burst out unable to control his emotions as
disbelieve turned into relief before swaying towards anger. Severus chuckled
and snuggled Harry closer to him, his nose buried in the boy’s messy mop of
hair.
“And you’re not in my good books either, kissing my brother like that.” Severus
laughed gently watching as curious green eyes looked up at him from within the
circle of his arms.
“I thought he was you, I thought you left me you sadistic son of a bitch.”
Severus laughed out loud this time before glaring with mock anger down at his
lover in his arms.
“Harry James Potter, language like that is not permitted in my wards!” Harry
glanced around Severus as the last of the curtains were pulled open to reveal
quite a crowd gathered in the infirmary. “Now come along young man and let’s
have a look at you, now you’ve finally seen fit to grace us with your presence
again.” Harry smiled sideways at the mediwitch as she approached the bed.
Severus sat back down in his chair as Albus walked quietly over to him and
placed a comforting hand upon his shoulder.
“Now will you return to your chambers my dear boy?” Harry muttered quietly as
the mediwitch fussed over him, half listening to the conversation going on
between Albus and Severus.
“In a minute Albus I want to hear about……..” Harry watched as the mediwitch
raised her head from a clipboard and chart she was reading, interrupting
Severus before he could continue.
“They’re both fine Professor Snape, for goodness sake go back to your rooms and
clean yourself up.” Harry smiled as Poppy placed a gentle hand on Harry’s
stomach, indicating to Severus what she was talking about. Severus nodded
quietly and having stood up carefully leant over and kissed Harry gently on the
forehead before allowing Albus to lead him from the infirmary. Harry didn’t
miss the way Severus limped or the twisted cane Severus collected from the end
of Harry’s bed to help him walk. Harry desperately wanted to know what had gone
on during the last battle, and if he truly had killed Voldemort but as Poppy
shooed everyone away there was little chance Harry was going to hear the story
anytime soon. With the curtain pulled closed again and Poppy finishing her
procedure Harry smiled as the mediwitch paused and placed a gentle hand over
Harry’s lying atop the covers. “You’re the luckiest wizard I know Potter, no
one would have survived that as well as you did. Now promise me, no stressing,
no getting out of bed and no chocolate.” Harry rolled his eyes as he watched
Madam Pomfrey confiscate the three chocolate frogs left on his bedside table by
Ron. “You have to look after yourself for a few weeks Harry or this baby is
going to get a rough ride into being, if it hasn’t already.” Harry smiled and
nodded, Madam Pomfrey moving to leave Harry to himself.
“Madam Pomfrey.” Harry whispered stopping the mediwitch before she could leave.
“Yes my dear Mr Potter?”
“Did everyone survive?” Harry whispered unsure if his question was appropriate
or not. Harry watched as Madam Pomfrey sighed heavily, her smile faltering a
little to become more melancholy.
“Some better than others Harry.” Was her reply before she disappeared into her
own little ward, leaving Harry sitting up in bed contemplating that comment.
***** Return To Hogwarts *****
Chapter 43
“…and the derivative of that would be?” Snape looked up from where the potions
textbook was lying open in his lap, waiting for the answer from his young
lover. Harry was miles away though; his head tilted back soaking up the sun as
he reclined on the picnic rug at Snape’s feet. When Harry made no attempt at
answering him Severus sighed and closed the book with a sharp snap. “You’re not
listening to me are you Potter?”
“It’s boring Sev.” Harry whispered quietly closing his eyes as a light breeze
blew up across the lake.
“Need I remind you Potter, you still have three exams left to complete before
the ministry recognise you as a fully trained wizard.” Harry groaned and lay
back down on the picnic rug, his hand coming down to rest on the little bulge
of his stomach hidden beneath his school robes.
“This is crap, Ron and Hermione have already graduated, and even bloody Neville
has been granted his certificate by the ministry.” Severus sighed heavily
having already had several useless arguments with Harry over this very topic.
It wasn’t helping either that Harry’s pregnancy was making him grumpy and
fatigued, a lethal combination for anyone stupid enough to get in Harry’s way.
“Harry please don’t start this again. The ministry granted you clemency on
Defence and Transfiguration, it’s only fair that you sit for the three other
subject exams you have shown no competency in knowing about or using in
practical situations.” Severus watched as Harry turned over away from him, his
eyes remaining stubbornly closed and his face schooled in the usual disgruntled
scowl.
“Fucking ministry, they didn’t even believe Riddle was back let alone that we
were fighting him. What do they know.” Severus bit his tongue, knowing that
arguing with Harry in this mood was pointless. Not that he didn’t agree with
the boy concerning the ministry, after all the sods had labelled him a
murderer. “Did you read the headline in the prophet this morning?” Harry
muttered angrily fiddling with the corner of the rug as the sun disappeared
behind a cloud.
“You know I didn’t Potter, you tore it into shreds and incinerated it before I
had a chance.” Snape muttered casually as he put aside the textbook his leg
beginning to ache at having sat so long on the stone bench.
“They’re bastards, they say they still won’t release your families assets even
though Albus told them what you’d been doing all these years, the spying and
all. They’re accusing you of killing Malfoy now, they don’t know when to quit.
The big headline across the page, ‘Potter’s Secret Marriage to a Murderer.’”
Harry trailed off as Severus stood up hissing a little in pain at the ache in
his leg. Grabbing for his walking cane Severus propped himself up against it,
as Harry stood up slowly as well.
“I never expected to see any of my family’s assets again Harry, I had quite
resigned myself to that. As for our marriage, it’s been headline news now for
weeks, you should be used to it.” Harry linked his arm through Snape’s as they
began to walk back towards the castle, slowly taking their time to compensate
for Severus permanently injured leg.
“And what of Malfoy?” Harry whispered cautiously, still wary about asking
Severus questions about the night of the final battle. Severus pursed his lips
together momentarily before answering.
“Lucius Malfoy was a nasty individual who just happened to get between the end
of my wand and my lover at the wrong time.” Severus whispered quietly his gaze
never leaving that of the path ahead of them. Harry smiled secretly to himself.
Rumour had it Malfoy senior had been found in two pieces, his internal organs
liquefied and strewn about around the body. The papers had it that in the heat
of battle some dark wizard had turned on his own kind. At present the ministry
were searching for the ex-Deatheaters wand, which had yet to be recovered from
the battlefield. What the ministry didn’t know however that Lucius Malfoy’s
wand had already been used by one Severus Snape as kindling for his wood fire.
“They’re going to find out eventually how you got me out of Malfoy manor
Severus and they’re going to want to know how you came by a lock of Malfoy’s
hair, three days after he was already reported as dead.” Harry tucked himself
closer to Severus as they walked up the stairs of the castle into the front
foyer where a few seventh year students eager to finish their schooling were
waiting for lunch in the great hall.
“Strange things happen in wars Potter, not everything can be explained.” Harry
smiled again as Severus led him through into the great hall, where the house
elves were scurrying about making the single banquet table down the centre of
the hall ready for lunch. With Voldemort gone and the war officially over,
Dumbledore had while reopening Hogwarts, not declared the school year to
commence until after Christmas. There was grieving to do for those who’d lost
loved ones, and the three months left before Christmas had been kept aside for
those seventh years wanting to finish their schooling as they should have done
before the war. Harry let go of Severus’ arm as they reached the top of the
table, Dumbledore was already sitting there lost in a book, and Severus pulled
out a chair for Harry to sit down before sitting down himself beside the elder
headmaster.
“Ah Severus, Harry how is the weather out there?” Albus smiled at the pair
warmly from over the tops of his half moon glasses as the few students began
filing into the hall, ready for their meal.
“Pleasant headmaster.” Severus spoke calmly as he poured both himself and Harry
a small glass of elvan red wine.
“Good, good. Professor Sprout will be happy to see her plants doing so well.
All the casualties of the war had quite depleted her stock of medicinal plants.
This fine weather is quite a treat.” Harry smiled sideways at Severus who
nodded and smiled as well. Albus was cheery as always but those who knew him
well could see how he still mourned the loss of some of his friends on the
battlefield. When everyone was seated Albus waved his hand and the midday meal
appeared on the table.
“Tuna and lettuce sandwiches.” Harry muttered in disgust as like usual his own
plate became already filled with his own specially prepared meal. Everyone else
was having roast beef sandwiches with hot chips and gravy. Severus chuckled and
took a bite out of his roast beef sandwich, watching as his lover prodded the
unappetizing sandwich on his plate.
“You know the rules Harry, healthy meals until….well you know.” Severus
chuckled again as he stabbed a few hot chips with his fork and greedily ate
them. Harry sighed and picked up his sandwich forcing it into his mouth despite
how much he didn’t want it.
“Yes indeed Harry, fish is good for you and the little one.” Harry glared at
Professor McGonagall over the tops of his glasses as she too teasingly ate her
hot chips, still dripping with thick luscious gravy.
“This bites.” Harry muttered as he ate his sandwich, the bowl of chocolate
pudding sitting mockingly in front of him.
“I can’t even have bloody chocolate.” Harry mumbled moodily as he finished one
of his sandwiches and started on the other. The general acquaintance chuckled
quietly at Harry’s distress all of them thoroughly enjoying their meal.
“Oh yes, that’s a big no no I’m afraid Harry. Chocolate stunts the growth of
magical ability in unborn wizarding children, it reacts badly with the magic in
the womb. It has the same effect like smoking in muggles has.” Harry nodded,
having already heard the speech from Madam Pomfrey and Severus a thousand
times. Harry sighed and continued to eat his sandwich all the while watching as
Severus put chip, after bloody chip into his mouth.
“Oooh did I tell you Harry, Sirius is coming by tomorrow.” Albus spoke up
midway through some meaningless conversation around the table, obviously just
remembering what he had to say. Harry perked up a little and smiled brightly.
He hadn’t seen Sirius since the funeral, and was eager to hear about his
godfather’s trip to America.
“Really?” Harry inquired surprised that his godfather had come back from his
holiday so soon. It had been devastating to loose Remus and Mr Weasley in the
war, the two men laid to rest last month when the ministry had been finally
satisfied that they died in fighting for the right cause. Sirius had been a
complete wreck, having lost both James and now Remus his two closest friends.
Albus had suggested the holiday; the ministry were still investigating Sirius’
status, as escaped prisoner and the man needed time to grieve alone in private.
A change of pace for a while was just the thing Sirius had needed.
“Great.” Severus muttered sarcastically under his breath at the news. Despite
having fought side by side in the war he and Sirius still weren’t friends, and
after news of Harry’s pregnancy had slipped out all hell had broken loose.
Sirius had demanded to know why Severus had still allowed Harry into the battle
knowing he was carrying, he wanted to know why he wasn’t told, if it was what
Harry had wanted, if it was forced, how it had all come about. A fight had
eventually broken out, Sirius and Severus laying into one another with their
fists. Harry had just let them fight until finally Dumbledore had stepped in
and broken them up. Severus and Sirius were never going to be friends but both
had become civil to one another after Dumbledore told them they were children,
and the time for grudges was over.
“Don’t be a bastard Sev.” With a strategically placed elbow to the ribs Harry
continued to his meal, silencing his lovers complains for the rest of lunch.
There was studying to be done after lunch, and Harry left Severus to his
tutoring other students for the library. If he could just get through these
exams he’d be free of being a student, and he and Severus could actually sleep
in the same bed again. As was such, Severus had been with holding all sexual
intimacies between them until Harry was officially no longer his student. If
there was one thing Severus stuck by, it was his principals, even if they were
irritatingly inconvenient for Harry. Harry was sure, if sexual favours had been
part of the normal teaching regime at Hogwarts, he’d have learnt Potions a hell
of a lot quicker, with incentives like that.
***** Experimental Magic *****
Chapter 44
“So how is my favourite godson?” Sirius smiled as reclined back in the chair,
having leant across to pick up his cup of tea off the tray, Severus had
begrudgingly brought over from the small kitchenette.
“Tired.” Harry whispered as he sipped from his tea, very much aware of the way
Severus hovered next to him protectively. Sirius had arrived in the early
afternoon, invited by Dumbledore to stay for dinner. Now though after the meal,
the three of them had retired to Severus’ chambers in the dungeons so that
Harry could spend a little time with his godfather. Severus had managed to keep
his mouth shut the entire time, but Harry hadn’t missed the protective hand
that had strayed to his knee at any opportune moment. Harry was sure his
godfather had noticed it too, the message very clear.
“Well that’s to be expected Harry. When you’ve finished your exams you can rest
up a little.” Sirius smiled at Harry who nodded in agreement.
“Yes, Mrs Weasley’s invited us to the burrow for Christmas, so I can get away
from this place for awhile.” Sirius smiled warmly, the silence that hung in the
air testament to the fact the burrow would never be the same again without Mr
Weasley.
“I heard Ron’s doing well.” Sirius continued not willing to linger on the pain
they all felt in the loss of their friends.
“Quite, he says Auror training is tough but his elder brother Charlie is
helping him with the tests, now he’s come home to look after his mum.” Harry
sipped from his tea, Severus’ fingertips just ghosting across his neck making
Harry shiver slightly. There was a lingering silence that stretched for a
moment and Harry sensed his lover’s unease as Sirius put aside his cup of tea
and stood up so that he was the same height as Snape.
“Snape, do you mind leaving us for a minute I need to ask Harry something.”
Harry was stunned by Sirius’ forwardness and Harry glanced from his godfathers
determined expression to Snape, who narrowed his eyes and glared at Sirius
suspiciously.
“Harry is my partner Black, what you can tell him you can tell me.” Snape was
standing his ground and Harry could see the rising irritation between the two
wizards.
“Perhaps it’s none of your business Snape….” Sirius went to step forward and
push his finger pointedly into Snape’s chest when Harry stood up abruptly
between them, holding his godfather back as he glanced over his shoulder at
Snape.
“Please Sev, leave us I won’t be long I promise.” Harry bit his lip nervously
as he watched Snape glance from him, to Sirius and then back again at his
lover. Snape wasn’t in the slightest happy but begrudgingly swept up his coat
and a few books from the side table.
“I’ll be in the library when you two have finished.” Harry knew that tone in
Severus voice, and inwardly winced at the hurt hidden beneath the sarcasm.
Severus was pissed, and Harry knew it. Of late Severus had become extremely
possessive of Harry, going so far as to follow him to and from the bathroom,
and hovering over Harry’s tutoring sessions with the other professors. Harry
hadn’t mentioned it, after all the last time they’d been apart after an
argument Harry had been kidnapped and Harry supposed Snape was just being
cautious. The door slammed closed with some force and Harry sighed and sat back
down in his chair as Sirius puffed his chest out in success.
“This better be worth it Sirius, he’s already withholding sex from me I don’t
need him with holding the kisses as well.” Harry looked pointedly up at his
godfather who looked at Harry a little confused.
“He’s using sex against you?” Harry rolled his eyes at his godfather before
reaching for Sirius’ hand and dragging him down onto the couch beside him.
“No, he’s just doing the whole morally correct ‘professor’ thing again, he’ll
come around.” Sirius chuckled sarcastically and patted Harry’s knee in comfort.
“It’s a bit late for the ‘morally correct professor routine’ Harry, he should
have thought of that when he was calling in his debts.” Sirius reached forward
and rested a warm hand on Harry’s slightly swollen stomach, caressing it gently
before leaning forward and pressing a chaste kiss to his godson’s forehead.
“Are you going to hold that against him forever Sirius? He means well, and I
know he didn’t exactly have my best interests in mind when he called in his
debts but I truly believe he loves me, and would do anything to look after me,
and….” Harry paused awkwardly and placed his hand over Sirius resting on his
stomach. “…well me and our family to be.” Sirius smiled and nodded reluctantly
at his godson.
“But are you happy Harry? Now the wars over and you’ve done what was expected
of you, I just want to see you content for the rest of your life. I don’t see
how you put up with him? He’s miserable, old, hardly good looking, and apart
from his past he hasn’t exactly led the life of a saint. His dark mark may be
gone but you can’t forget his family were involved in the dark arts long before
Tom Riddle ever entered their lives. Do you honestly think he’s going to make a
good parent to your child Harry?” Harry swallowed awkwardly as he watched the
sincerity wash through his godfathers eyes. Sirius had always looked after him,
as had Remus and Harry supposed that now that what friends Sirius had had, were
gone he was just looking after what family he had left.
“A good parent?” Harry whispered carefully choosing his words as not to hurt
Sirius feelings. “I haven’t exactly been the model parent so far. I’ve failed
numerous times in protecting it against curses, I tried to leave it behind when
I apperate, I forgot to fall on my hands when I was hit from behind by
Voldemort, and I’ve been secretly eating chocolate under Snape’s workbench at
night. Compared to me Snape will make a perfect parent.” Harry hung his head
sadly against his chest unable to look into his godfathers face, knowing the
disappointment he was bound to see there. Unexpectedly however Sirius laughed
out loud his right hand coming up to cup Harry’s cheek gently.
“Oh Harry don’t be so hard on yourself, they were mistakes you made genuinely
that no one could blame you for. You’re young and you don’t have the experience
yet to understand magic like that. As for chocolate, between you and me it is
an old wizard’s tale, completely untrue. Lily ate chocolate for three meals a
day when she was pregnant with you and you still turned out alright.” Harry
smiled mildly as Sirius sighed and ran his thumb across Harry’s cheek where a
stray tear had settled. “Those things are all superficial Harry, what I’m
referring to is Snape’s history, his temper, his moods, do you think he’s truly
going to make a good parent.” Sirius looked seriously at Harry who thought
silently for a moment before nodding quietly.
“Yes I think he will make a good father. He’s not how everyone thinks he is.
Okay he’s snarky, sarcastic, moody and completely anal sometimes, but he’s also
intelligent, careful, calm, understanding on good days, patient despite how he
appears in class and he’s intensely protective of me. I believe he will make an
extremely good father.” Sirius’ lips thinned, visibly not convinced of Snape’s
ability to be a parent. Harry didn’t care though he knew Sirius would never get
along with Snape, and despite what his godfather believed, Snape would make a
good father.
“I suppose I can’t fault that, we all saw to what extents he was willing to go
to, to rescue you from Malfoy Junior, although his methods were slightly less
conventional.” Sirius sighed and let his hand slide from Harry’s cheek to come
to rest back on the boy’s knee. Harry frowned a little in confusion. No one had
yet given him a full account of what had happened the night of the battle.
Severus had been avoiding the topic, Dumbledore also refused to be drawn into
conversation about it, and even Harry’s friends like Ron and Hermione were only
able to give him little bits of information about their own fights.
“Less conventional?” Harry inquired treading carefully unless Sirius too was
bound to the secrecy everyone else seemed to be.
“Yes, well not exactly methods sanctioned by the ministry that’s for sure. Not
that the Snape family have ever complied with ministry laws. I suppose not many
of us were strictly using magic in accordance with the ministry that night. But
still, using that potion, foolish even by my standards.” Harry’s frown deepened
as Sirius picked up a small lemon curd biscuit from the tea tray and nibbled on
the corner, the crumbs catching in his newly grown goatee. “And then to go to
all that trouble, just to let the slimy little shit slip through his fingers.”
Sirius shook his head and finished his biscuit before reaching for another, but
was stopped just short of his target as Harry grabbed his hand and drew his
godfather’s attention directly to him.
“Sirius, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” It was Sirius turn to frown
in confusion as he watched his godson sigh heavily.
“You don’t know?” Sirius inquired, as if disbelieving that no one had told the
boy who lived what had actually happened the night he’d faced his fate.
“No, everyone’s been avoiding the conversation, like I shouldn’t know or
something. All I know is that Jasper bid for me at Draco’s sick little death
eater meeting, and then gave me the polyjuice potion. I changed into Lucius so
I could escape the wards on the house. Then it’s kind of a blur, I remember the
pain and I remember his eyes, the last thing I remember is watching Severus die
in my arms.” Harry looked pleadingly at Sirius who worried his bottom lip for a
moment before glancing cautiously around the room as if someone was listening
to their conversation.
“Shit, I didn’t realise they’d all decided to keep shut about the matter. I
knew it wasn’t conventional magic, and I knew if it got out we’d all be under
investigation but I didn’t think that included you as well. I don’t think I
should be telling you this Harry.” Sirius looked over his shoulder again before
glancing back at his godson. Harry closed his eyes and took a deep calming
breath, his desperation to hear the entire story of the night Voldemort was
defeated absolutely killing him.
“Please Sirius, I want to know what happened. It won’t go beyond me I promise.
Please if you don’t tell me no one will.” Harry looked pleadingly at Sirius who
at length finally relented and nodded in agreement.
“Alright I can only tell you what I know.” Harry smiled and settled himself
comfortably on the couch as Sirius picked up the plate of biscuits and settled
beside his godson. “From the beginning it was always an unspoken rule that to
defeat Voldemort it was going to take more than just ‘ministry sanctioned’
magic. No one talked about it but secretly everyone knew. Dark magic was going
to have to be used to defeat dark magic; hence you’re secret training.” Harry
nodded already having assumed this was true anyway. “Admittedly we were all
using ‘forbidden’ curses that night but I think Severus and his brother went
one step further.”
“What’s beyond dark magic?” Harry whispered somewhat confused by what other
types of magic there were.
“Experimental magic.” Sirius whispered again cautiously looking towards the
fireplace that was still warming the cool dungeon room they were sitting in.
Harry looked blankly at his godfather who sighed heavily and rolled his eyes.
“Experimental magic is stuff wizards don’t like to talk about. The ministry
bans it and all those found attempting to harness it are in for a long stay in
Azkaban but it still goes on. All magic at one stage was experimental, after
all that’s how the first wizards and witches learnt to use their talents but as
the decades moved on, experimental magic became used not for creating new
charms or new magical abilities, instead it was being used in the dark arts by
dark wizards, that’s why it was outlawed.” Harry was completely fascinated and
stared at Sirius who was gradually snacking his way through the custard filled
biscuits.
“But if its outlawed how do new wizarding techniques, spells and charms come to
be?” Harry inquired confused by how wizarding society could continue to
function without growth and expansion.
“Well new ‘discoveries’ as they’re termed are classed as mishaps rather than
innovations. Innovation implies the creator spent time experimenting with
magic, whereas a mishap implies a mistake of some sort, which resulted
‘miraculously’ in this new discovery. Do you understand the difference?” Harry
nodded, although to him it sounded like a whole heap of crap, thought up by the
mother of all crap mishaps, the ‘ministry of magic’.
“That’s utter two facedness. What about Fred and George, they’re always playing
with magic to create new pranks.” Sirius nodded in agreement and continued
having munched through another biscuit.
“Yeah I know but that’s life. What I’m getting at however is that the Snape
family have been dabbling in ‘experimental magic’ for as long as there’s been
Snape’s in the wizarding world. Which is probably why they attracted the
attention of Riddle, but anyway the plan to get you out of the house involved a
great deal of this ‘experimental magic.’” Harry listened again, intent on
hearing what was going on. “What you thought was a polyjuice potion wasn’t, it
was a variant form which according to Snape allows the drinker complete
embodiment of the person they’re turning into. It’s highly illegal, and
completely not tested but luckily for us it worked.”
“Complete embodiment?” Harry inquired unsure of what Sirius meant by the term.
“Yes, for that brief time, you were in every sense of being ‘Lucius Malfoy’.
That’s why when you had Lucius’ wand you were able to use it just as he would
have. It’s also why the wards didn’t pick up your leaving, because you also had
Lucius’ magical signature, another ‘mishap’ Snape incorporated into the
potion.” Harry was completely dumbstruck and sat open mouthed staring at his
godfather. “I’m surprised the potion lasted so long on Severus and his brother,
but Severus was determined to rescue you himself, and Jasper was determined to
keep his brother alive, even if that meant sacrificing himself.” This
revelation stunned Harry further as realization settled in.
“You mean it was Severus who came into the house for me, that Jasper agreed to
be his brother to confuse Voldemort.” Sirius nodded sharply as he dusted the
crumbs from his robe and put the empty plate back onto the tea tray resting on
the table.
“Yes, he didn’t tell you?” Harry shook his head quietly still reeling over
Jasper’s self sacrifice for his brother, and Severus own risk in saving Harry.
Although Harry also had to admit the plan had worked flawlessly despite the
tragic outcome. “Well I suppose that was all part of Dumbledore’s larger plan
to cover our tracks. When the fighting got bad I lost track of what was
happening but by the time I made it up to you in the woods, Severus and his
brother were already there with your fathers wand. It all happened so quickly
then. It was a good curse Harry, straight through his heart, you sent that
fucker to hell, it’s just a shame Remus or your father weren’t there to see
it.” Harry reached across and gently placed his hand comfortably over Sirius
who took a deep calming breath before looking back up into the eyes of his
godson. “After you’d passed out, when were back in the house discussing what
had happened and who we’d lost, it came into conversation that ‘Draco’ had
escaped. Severus didn’t tell the specifics but I know Dumbledore knew
something, but no one questioned it. The ministry had us all under house arrest
for a week until they were satisfied we’d not broken any laws or so they
reckon. Severus was questioned the most, they had him locked in a room upstairs
for a week and a half in questioning. He looked completely shattered when they
finally let him out, but I guess Dumbledore’s cover up of the unsanctioned
magic was done well.” Harry bowed his head a little against his chest, thinking
quietly about how much Severus had been through for him.
“I’m glad it’s over.” Harry whispered genuinely sounding relieved. Sirius
smiled in acknowledgement and leaned forward to press a kiss against Harry’s
forehead.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up, I just needed some time to myself.”
Sirius whispered softly against Harry’s head as he hugged his godson close.
“It’s okay I understand, I miss Remus too and I miss Jasper and Mr Weasley.”
Harry smiled up weakly at Sirius who sighed and closed his eyes, his pain for
the loss of Remus so very fresh.
“I can’t believe after all these years ‘Jasper Snape’ was actually still
alive.” Trying to lighten the mood a little Sirius put forward what Harry had
been hearing all month about the sudden reappearance of the long dead ‘Jasper
Snape’.
“He was really nice to me, I think Severus misses him but he doesn’t let on.”
Harry smiled warmly at the memories of Jasper training him, but then allowed
the smile to drop as he remembered listening to Severus sobbing in the bathroom
the evening after they’d laid to rest those lost in the war. Severus had never
showed any outward emotion to Harry that he was in pain but as Harry had sat at
the closed door listening to his partner cry alone and in private Harry had for
a moment understood.
“You know how it feels to lose someone you love Harry, perhaps old Snivellrus
has a heart after all.” Harry was a little stunned by what he’d just heard from
Sirius’ mouth.
“Was that compassion for Snape I just heard in your voice Sirius?” Harry
questioned unsure if he’d heard correct.
“Perhaps, just don’t tell him will you.” Harry chuckled and nodded before
closing his eyes and settling against his godfather’s chest, comfortable in the
circle of Sirius’ arms. Not everything was clear about the battle but at least
something made a bit more sense to Harry. Now all Harry had to discover was
what else Severus had done that night.
***** Teaching *****
Chapter 45
“…how did it go?” Harry waddled into the staff lounge through the side entrance
to the great hall. Over the past couple of weeks Harry was sure he’d doubled in
size, and the small round unnoticeable bump had grown into a hideous lump
sticking out from his robes, making him look like a pot bellied pig. Or so
Harry thought anyway.
“Alright I think.” Harry whispered as he shuffled over to the armchair beside
Severus’ in front of the fire. “I got stuck on the question about ‘love potion
number 9’ but I just bluffed it, it wasn’t worth many points anyway.” Harry sat
down slowly into the armchair beside the fire and without Snape’s permission
slipped his shoes off and drew his feet up to rest on Snape’s lap. The potions
master who had been reading a rather dusty looking tome glanced down
distastefully at Harry’s feet, and then up at the boy but dutifully held his
tongue. Harry smiled secretly to himself. Of late Snape had become more
tolerant of him in general. Harry assumed it was because the evidence of their
baby was now clearly evident beneath Harry’s school robes, and within the next
few weeks’ students would be returning to Hogwarts. “You know I’m officially
not a student now, that was my last exam.” Harry looked seductively over at
Severus who merely ignored him and turned the page of his potions book. “Are
you at least going to stop sleeping on the couch now?”
“You are still officially a student until you receive your signed and sealed
certificate from the ministry Potter.” Harry pouted dramatically already
feeling one of his moods coming on. Severus sensing his lover’s distress
quickly continued. “But I will concede to returning to our bed, if not to keep
you happy but because that bloody couch is doing me a serious spinal injury.”
Harry smiled triumphantly and ran his foot up the inner seam of Severus’
trousers slowly, watching as his lover shifted uncomfortably before batting
Harry’s foot away irritably. “Have you made any decisions on what you want to
do with yourself when you graduate? Your letter confirming your reserved place
on the Auror training program arrived today.” Severus still not glancing up
from his book gestured to the opened envelope on the side table. Harry sighed
silently to himself as he picked up the letter and glanced through it before
putting it aside again.
“I don’t want to work for the ministry anymore, I don’t want to be an Auror.”
Harry watched as Severus let out an almost relived sigh right before he lowered
the book and looked directly into Harry’s gaze.
“I’m so glad to hear that.” Severus whispered with relief making Harry smile.
It had come to Harry’s attention very quickly that his decision to become an
Auror hadn’t sat well with his lover, and considering the ministry’s reputation
and treatment of Severus during his life it was hardly surprising he didn’t
want Harry becoming one of them. “If you still haven’t decided I can arrange
some work experience in positions you’d like to try, of course nothing too
strenuous until after…” Severus leaned forward and pressed a gentle soothing
hand to Harry’s stomach making the boy close his eyes and smile in comfort.
There was just something so special about having Severus touch him like that.
“No I’ve decided what I want to do.” Severus looked up expectantly from Harry’s
stomach to meet the boy’s gaze, matching Harry’s stunning smile with one of his
own.
“Yes, and your chosen career path would be?” Severus urged hoping to get Harry
to answer quickly.
“I want to teach.” Harry watched as the stunning smile on Severus’ face slipped
a little into more a confused grimace, than a genuine smile. “I know it’s not a
glamorous job, the pay’s pretty shit house and according to you the entire
wizarding student population has less brain cells than a flobber worm but I
think I’d enjoy it, and it’d be nice to see others learning skills I found so
useful in life.” Severus smile returned to its usual smugness as he realised
Harry was serious about what he wanted. With a curt nod Severus stood up and
tucked his book under his arm before offering a hand down to his mate.
“Well if teaching mindless miniature twits who will never appreciate the fine
art of your chosen subject is what you wish, I suppose a trip to the headmaster
is in order. You can’t just begin teaching like that.” Harry stood up slowly
from his seat and latched on to Severus’ arm as the man drew up his cane from
beside the fire and began to walk them back towards the great hall.
“Well I hope not, I’ve got other priorities for the time being.” Harry placed a
hand over his stomach as they stepped out into the great hall where the
examiners of Harry’s potions final were just finishing packing up reading to
leave.
“You’ll have to be assigned to a qualified teacher for the first year, like an
apprentice. At the end of the year you’ll have to submit a written paper
outlining your goals for your students, and the way in which you’ll meet the
curriculum standards of the ministry and of Hogwarts. Ultimately your success
will be determined by a panel of your peers, the headmaster and the ministry’s
representative for the department of magical education.” Severus walked Harry
out of the great hall and slowly down the winding corridors towards their
shared accommodation in the dungeons. In the next few weeks what remained of
Harry’s things in Gryfindor tower would be moved permanently in with Snape’s in
the dungeons. It truly would be the end of his school days, at least as a
student and he was somewhat disappointed.
“It sounds complicated.” Harry whispered as he avoided the strategically placed
exploding fake flobber worm Peeve’s had left on the steps leading down towards
Snape’s private quarters.
“It’s not going to be a walk in the park Potter, and it requires commitment and
study on your part.” Seveurs waved his hand slowly over the stonewall leading
into his chamber, opening the door with a click and allowing he and Harry
through it before sealing it shut again behind them. Unclipping his cloak Harry
threw the school cloak onto the back of the chair before he slumped tiredly
down in the plump armchair beside the fire.
“You’re not really being positive about this are you, is this how you council
your Slytherin students on careers week?” Harry glanced cheekily over his
shoulder at Severus who was making himself a cup of his favourite aniseed tea
in the small kitchenette.
“Would you rather me lie to you Potter, and say it’ll be easy? I think not. If
this is truly what you want to do you’ll accept the challenge and commit
yourself fully to the task. You’ve got determination if you put your mind to
something, and I will naturally aid you in anyway I can as I am sure most of
the professors here will offer aid as well.” Harry nodded understandingly and
kicked off his shoes, intent on warming his feet by the fire. “Now do you want
a sandwich or something?” Harry shook his head quietly before standing back up
from the armchair just as Severus settled himself.
“No, I’m going to go and have a bath I think.” With that Harry bent down and
pressed a soft kiss to Severus cheek before smiling warmly and disappearing
into the bedroom. He was tired, sore and cold, a bath would be just what he
needed to relax and think about the future.
***** Defence Against the Moron *****
Chapter 46
Harry sat quietly on the couch watching the small muggle television Sirius had
sent him for Christmas. Severus had absolutely thrown a fit at the contraption
in his living room and had promptly banned it from working while he was in his
chambers. Harry had complied with his lovers rules, knowing how much Severus
liked his peace and quiet, not that Severus was in his rooms much anymore, with
school having begun back. It had been strange sitting at the head table at the
start of year feast, all the new and old faces present even if Harry’s own
friends were no longer there. After the war the numbers of students had been
severely cut down but the castle had still come alive again with the sounds of
laughter and chatter. Albus too, it seemed was brighter with the students
having returned and Harry considered things were slowly beginning to move on,
in life after Voldemort.
Harry too was moving on, and with the arrival of his wizarding certificate of
education, he was now no longer a student. The headmaster had been delighted to
hear of Harry’s wish to become a teacher and had set about finding Harry a
mentor from among the professors at Hogwarts. Minerva McGonagall had
volunteered and Harry had jumped at the chance of having his old head of house
as his tutor. With that sorted and the ministry having approved his petition to
become a teacher, Harry was now set to begin his study as soon as the baby was
born in May. He was pleased, and so apparently was Snape, who as usual was back
to terrorising a new bunch of first years, and tormenting all those not of his
Slytherin house.
“Bloody imbeciles, I swear on Merlin’s grave these students become more
incompetent every year!” Harry startled as the door to the chambers swung open
and Severus strode in angrily, his face like thunder and the remains of his
billowing teaching robes still smouldering in patches. Harry hid his smirk
behind his hand as Snape threw off the ruined robe in disgust and strode into
the bedroom to retrieve another. From the smell of the burnt robes Harry
assumed that the accident had resulted from a botched watering potion, which
turned to acid if left too long to simmer. It had been a mistake he himself had
made in first year and paid for with 30 points from Gryfindor and two weeks
detention after the acid had burnt right through the bottom of the cauldron and
desk top. It was one of his more spectacular mistakes in potions class. “One
wonders if there is a brain cell between them at all sometimes, and then to
drop it!” Severus strode back out of the bedroom a fresh teaching robe slung
about his shoulders neatly. “What are you doing? I thought you were watching
the Gryfindor Quidditch team try outs.” Still irate at his students Severus
stopped briefly by the small kitchenette and poured himself a glass of juice,
swallowing it in one go while he glanced at Harry sitting on the couch.
“I was but I got cold so I came in, it’s pouring with rain out there. I’m
writing a letter to Ron and Hermione instead.” Putting aside his empty glass
Snape approached Harry and glanced down at the half scrawled letter on the page
in Harry’s lap, briefly reading the first few lines before Harry self-
consciously covered it up with his hand. “If you don’t mind Severus.” Snape
sniffed indignantly, not fussed by the fact Harry had chastised him.
“I’ve got sixth years now anyway, god knows if any of them have actually read
the text book but perhaps I can still hope.” Snape rolled his eyes down at
Harry who chuckled cheekily remembering all to well Snape’s positively
distasteful irritation of his students.
“I’ll see you at dinner then?” Harry leaned up and drew Severus’ lips to his
own, passionately kissing him before catching the man’s bottom lip between his
teeth and nipping at it playfully as he pulled away. Harry smiled to himself as
he watched Severus sigh heavily, his eyes opening slowly after the kiss had
ended.
“Yes I’ll see you at dinner.” Severus reluctantly headed towards the door,
leaving Harry smiling quietly to himself. He and Severus hadn’t had sex in
weeks, what with the students returning to school and Harry being tired but
Harry was getting edgy, and judging from that reaction so too was Severus. Just
as Severus reached door and it swung open, Snape turned around as if an after
thought. “The Slytherin prefect meeting is tonight after dinner.” Harry’s smile
faded and the boy sighed heavily. Snape smiled at Harry apologetically before
disappearing from the room, the sound of the class bell echoing down the
corridor as the door shut closed again.
“Fuck.” Harry swore to himself and threw his pen across the room in anger. He
wanted some time with Severus and he wanted it now! Retrieving his pen with a
quick flick of his wand Harry turned back to his letter to Ron, and continued
to write. If he got this done quickly he could spend the rest of the afternoon
working out a way of getting some time alone with Snape.
**************************
Harry was just waddling down the staircase from the owlery when he met Ginny
Weasley and a few of her now seventh year friends in the corridor outside
Professor Binn’s classroom.
“Harry!” Harry smiled widely and accepted the hug from his honorary ‘little
sister’, blushing a little as she rubbed his swollen stomach. Ginny’s friends
hung back a little giggling girlishly and blushing slightly in the presence of
Harry Potter. Ginny however didn’t pay them any attention and linked her arm
with Harry’s leading him towards what Harry assumed was the Gryfindor girl’s
next class of the day. “I haven’t seen you all week, I was beginning to think
you were avoiding me. Ron says to say Hi.” Harry nodded quietly comfortable in
the presence of the young red head, despite the fact he could hear her friends
whispering behind them.
“Well I haven’t exactly been in the position to be running about the school,
and as Sev puts it I need to spend my confinement in solitude.” Ginny laughed
and rolled her eyes as she continued to lead Harry in the opposite direction to
which the boy needed to be going. Not that Harry minded, Ginny and Colin Creevy
were about the only two students left in the school who Harry was even remotely
friendly with.
“Confinement? You’re only having a baby Harry, you haven’t got some hideous
disease. Although mum reckons it’s catching. She’s hoping the time you spent
with us at Christmas has rubbed off on Charlie and Suzette.” It was Harry’s
turn to laugh, as he remembered having spent Christmas listening to Mrs
Weasley’s hints to her son’s about giving her grandchildren to look after.
“What class do you have now?” Harry inquired, changing to subject as he heard a
few whispered comments behind him about how stunned they were that their
potions professor was married.
“Oh defence. The new professors an absolute scream. Hasn’t a clue what he’s
teaching us but it’s worth going just for a laugh.” Ginny smiled brightly as
they drew up to the defence class door, most of the class were inside already.
“Can’t be any worse than Lockhart.” Ginny looked sceptically back at Harry who
laughed out loud and shook his head in amusement. He’d met the new defence
against the dark arts teacher briefly at the start of year feast and he’d
seemed a quaint fellow by Harry’s standards. Severus had hated him instantly
calling him an imbecile and a blithering idiot. Harry had liked him but it was
clear he wouldn’t turn out to be the best defence teacher Hogwarts had ever
seen, even if he lasted till the end of the year. “Go on, or you’ll be late.”
Harry let go of Ginny’s arm, accepting the soft kiss on his cheek as she
wandered past him into the classroom. Before Harry could turn to leave however,
the podgy, red faced defence professor appeared spritely in the doorway.
“Mr Potter, we are honoured by your presence, please come and sit in on our
little class. We’re discussing blood curses today, and the proper defences
against it.” Harry hesitated on the threshold of the classroom, very much
conscious of all the eyes in the room staring at him.
“Um, I shouldn’t really Sev forbid me to……” Harry rested his hand on his
stomach remembering very clearly the warning Severus had given him about over
taxing himself by using magic.
“Nonsense my lad, I won’t hear of it. We’ll keep you well out of the way of the
practice but you’re expertise in the subject will be greatly appreciated in our
class forum, now come along and have a seat.” Before Harry could protest again
he’d already been hustled into the classroom and the door had shut behind him,
leaving Harry with no excuse. With a sigh Harry sat down in the spare seat
beside the Gryfindor girls, Ginny seemingly thrilled at having Harry in her
class. Harry was in a different mind entirely and sat quietly observing
proceedings, and adding his piece when called upon for the rest of the class
period.
****************************
“See I told you he’s a complete lunatic.” Ginny laughed as she led Harry away
from the classroom, and through the bustling corridors towards the great hall.
Harry was now in complete agreement having seen first hand Professor Wing’s
teaching techniques.
“Completely.” Harry laughed back as they entered the busy hall. Harry smiled
and followed Ginny to the Gryfindor table to say hello to Colin, but as Harry
stood laughing with the group his gaze caught that of Severus who was sitting
at the head table, staring at him with a look of thunder. “Oh shit.” Harry
whispered midway through the conversation, drawing Ginny and Colin’s attention.
“What’s wrong?” Ginny inquired quickly worried Harry wasn’t feeling very well.
“He’s pissed.” Harry whispered gesturing with his head towards the staff table.
Ginny bit her lip worriedly as she glanced at Snape, before turning back to
Harry sympathetically.
“Isn’t he always pissed?” Ginny whispered making Harry roll his eyes and sigh.
“No, I’ll see you later.” Ginny nodded understandingly as Harry took a deep
breath and headed for his seat beside Snape at the head table. Snape watched
him the entire way and by the time Harry reached his seat, his head was
practically buried in his chest with guilt. There was complete silence as Harry
sat down awkwardly beside his mate, Snape predictably ignoring him. Dumbledore
made the necessary notices of the evening before summoning the meal. When
everyone was engrossed in their meals and their own private conversations,
Snape finally broke the silence between them, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Rumour is that you’re paying visits to Professor Wing’s defence classes.”
Harry swallowed his mouthful of chicken careful to wash it down with a little
juice before replying to Snape’s comment.
“It wasn’t intentional, I tried to get out of it but he just…..” Harry was cut
off by an irritated snap from Snape.
“Not hard enough obviously. I warned you to stay out of that man’s way, he’s a
liability with a wand and completely unpredictable.” Harry wasn’t going to
argue with Snape’s logic, especially having seen the defence Professor’s
disaster riddled lesson.
“Sorry.” Harry whispered before turning back to his meal. Snape seemed to
accept the apology but it was clear he was still mad at Harry. They ate in
relative silence for the rest of dinner. When the meal came to an end Severus
was the first up from the table and out of the entry door, sweeping off to his
Slytherin prefect meeting. Harry sighed heavily and shoved the last mouthful of
peaches and cream into his mouth. Harry had hoped for a little intimacy tonight
with his lover, but after that little episode that was looking slim. With a
resigned sigh Harry bid Albus, and Minerva goodnight and retired for the
evening with a book about the history of hogwarts teachers, McGonagall had
leant him for some background reading.
********************
“I’m surprised you’re still up.” Harry ignored Snape as he swept into the
bedroom, his teaching robes being discarded as he went. Snape it seemed was
oblivious by Harry’s lack of reply and continued to talk as he stood in front
of the wardrobe slowly undressing. “Slytherin’s finalized their Quidditch team
today. The new seeker is quite the expert, just moved here from America.” Harry
continued to ignore Severus, despite the fact his eyes had begun to wander from
the book over to where Severus was now standing naked in front of the wardrobe.
“We might actually have a chance of winning the cup this year, with you out of
the picture.” Harry bit his tongue tightly determined to continue ignoring
Snape. Severus closed the wardrobe and moved over to the bathroom door his silk
robe barely tied together around his body. Harry tried to keep his eyes on his
book but his willpower was wavering. “I can’t say that Ginny Weasley’s up to
much standard, we’ll wipe the floor with Gryfindor’s team this year.” Harry
knew he was being baited but tried desperately to remain calm, as Severus
washed his face and cleaned his teeth in the bathroom before returning to the
bedroom. “Won’t it be wonderful to see the entire Quidditch pitch draped in
Slytherin colours….”
“No it bloody won’t, Gryfindor’s got far better tactics than Slytherin is ever
likely to have and Ginny Weasley is the best captain Gryfindor has ever seen.”
Finally the pressure of listening to Snape gloat was too much and Harry broke
the silence with a frustrated groan. Severus smiled in success of having broken
Harry’s resolve as he climbed into bed beside Harry. “You’re a complete
bastard.” Harry put aside his book and turned over onto his side facing away
from Snape with a huff. Severus chuckled and settled himself down beside Harry.
“I’m sorry I snapped at you Harry but I really don’t want you anywhere near
Professor Moron’s defence classes. He’s accident-prone and curses often go
astray during student practicals. I don’t want you getting hurt.” Harry sighed
and turned reluctantly over onto his back again to look up into Severus’
concerned gaze.
“Are you saying I can’t protect myself from a few stray curses.” Harry accused
carefully, watching as Severus rolled his eyes and tutted irritably.
“No, you’re completely capable of protecting yourself from stray curses, but
accidents happen Harry.” Harry nodded understandingly.
“Yeah I know, I just had no way out, plus I was a bit lonely actually.” Harry
hated admitting he was lonely especially because he didn’t want it to look like
he was missing Severus’ company.
“Lonely?” Severus inquired watching carefully as Harry nodded.
“Yeah sad isn’t it?” Harry blushed guiltily, as he fiddled with the edge of the
cream bed cover.
“No, it’s perfectly understandable.” Severus reached forward and wrapped his
arm around Harry’s shoulder, drawing the boy up against his body and into a
warm hug. Harry smiled faintly and snuggled up closer against Severus’ smooth
chest, his hand coming to rest on the man’s taunt stomach. “I’m sure once you
begin studying and teaching, you’ll feel better but until then why don’t you
spend some time at the burrow and with Black. I’m sure Molly would welcome the
help around the house, and she’ll look after you. Also despite my better
judgement your godfather needs some help getting Grimmauld place back into some
semblance of order.”
“You’d let me go stay with them for a while?” Harry inquired a little stunned
Severus had suggested a holiday.
“Of course, you’re not a prisoner Harry. I’m going to be pretty feral to live
with for a while until I get back into the routine of teaching again, and you
need to get out of here for a while, you’re looking quite pale.” Harry blushed
a little as Severus ran his hand down Harry’s cheek his thumb lingering lightly
over Harry’s lips. “Besides I’m only a floo away and you deserve to spend some
time with your friends.”
“Thanks.” Harry whispered pressing a soft kiss to the thumb pad of Severus’
finger resting against his lips. Harry watched as Severus’ irises darkened a
little in lust as Harry flicked out his tongue and ran it seductively over
Severus’ finger.
“You better fire call the Burrow in the morning then.” Severus spoke, his voice
a little hoarse as Harry sucked Severus’ finger deep into his mouth. Harry
didn’t answer and Severus merely stared as his finger disappeared into Harry’s
mouth once more before finally Harry let the finger go from his lips with an
audible pop. Licking his moist lips Harry looked up at Severus from beneath the
fan of his lashes.
“Yeah, tomorrow.” Harry whispered as he flicked his hand at the candles in the
room, plunging the room into darkness just as his lips met Severus’ in a
passionate kiss.
***** Charlie *****
Chapter 47
“…To the right a little Harry.” Harry flicked his wand and shifted the planter
box to the right; it’s flowery contents shuddering with the move. Mrs Weasley
nodded and smiled in success as Harry lowered the box into its final resting
place on the windowsill of the burrow.
“Wonderful, now come in inside and we’ll get a drink.” Tucking his wand into
the pocket of his robes Harry waddled after Mrs Weasley back into the house,
his fingers covered with dirt where he’d been planting herbs all afternoon.
Sitting cautiously down on a chair at the kitchen table Harry patiently waited
for Mrs Weasley to make him a drink. “So Harry, not long to go now.” Like a
beamingly proud parent Mrs Weasley brought over two ice cold glasses of juice
and sat promptly down beside Harry, who was gently massaging his stomach with a
grubby hand.
“No, a couple of weeks.” Harry sipped from his juice welcoming the refreshing
taste on his parched tongue. For the past month he’d been busy between the
burrow and Grimmauld place, helping his godfather and Mrs Weasley sort out
their homes. It was strange being away from Severus for so long but Harry had
made a point of fire calling him whenever he had a spare moment alone. He was
now just two weeks from giving birth so Madam Pomfrey had told him. Quite
frankly Harry hadn’t wanted to know. Mrs Weasley had been telling him almost
daily the trials she’d been through giving birth to her children and quite
honestly Harry was horrified at the very thought. Keeping busy however had
managed to keep his mind of the impending date, which he was thankful for.
“Good, good we’ll get you back to Severus this week then so you can rest up.
Are you excited?” Harry grinned weakly at Mrs Weasley who despite having lost
her husband was keeping in good spirits most of the time.
“Um, not really…” Harry bit his lip hoping he wouldn’t have to explain but when
Mrs Weasley went to ask for a reason, the fireplace burst into life and the
grandfather clock at the bottom of the stairs chimed 4.30pm.
“Mum!” Harry sighed thankfully as Charlie, Bill and Ron stepped through the
flame into the living room.
“Oh, you three are early today.” Mrs Weasley forgot all about her conversation
with Harry and swept her three sons into hugs of welcome before setting about
starting dinner.
“Harry, how have you been today?” Harry blushed a little as Charlie flopped
down into the chair opposite him, while Bill and Ron disappeared upstairs to
change. Harry had always thought Charlie Weasley one of the better looking in
the family, the elder boys smiled shining as brightly as his emerald eyes.
“Fine, just been planting stuff.” For effect Harry held up his soiled hands and
Charlie laughed and rolled his eyes.
“Got you doing Ron’s job again I see, he was supposed to do that last weekend.”
Harry rested his hand back on his stomach, as the child within gave a swift
kick.
“That’s okay I enjoyed it, very therapeutic.” Harry whispered glancing over his
shoulder at where Mrs Weasley was cooking up her usual fanfare of dinner.
“Is that what Mum told you it was? I call it hard work.” Harry chuckled as
well, and slowly went to get up from the table, intent on washing up and
resting a little while before dinner. Charlie was on his feet instantly, his
hand reaching for Harry’s to help the boy up. Harry blushed a little at
Charlie’s attentiveness but still thanked him politely for the help.
“I’m just going upstairs to lie down a while Mrs Weasley, and wash my hands.”
Harry smiled over his shoulder as he waddled carefully to the bottom of the
stairs. Mrs Weasley who was already at the stove didn’t look at him as she
nodded.
“Alright love, but be careful on the stairs.” Harry nodded and slowly made his
way up the stairs, his hand resting in the small of his back. If there was one
thing he really had come to hate about being pregnant it was constant,
unrelenting backache. The lack of sleep, the cravings, the occasional fits of
moodiness and his lack of clothing that fit him, were all things he could deal
with but the backache was the worst. Harry had a niggling suspicion that the
curse Voldemort had hit him with back during the battle had something to do
with it, but he hadn’t mentioned it to anyone because he didn’t want a fuss.
Having washed his face and hands, Harry lay down for a quiet snooze on his bed,
his hand resting over his stomach as he listened to the singing of the birds
outside.
It was late when Harry awoke, the afternoon having waned into night. A cold
breeze blew in through the open window, and Harry shivered as he sat up
carefully from the bed. Glancing at the clock on the side table Harry muttered
to himself as he realised he’d missed dinner. Rising slowly Harry closed the
window of his room and carefully made his way to the bathroom for a leak,
before finally heading downstairs. Judging from the voices, quite a few people
were downstairs in the kitchen. Harry came to the bottom of the stairs just as
Ron came bounding past him, his ears spouting smoke and his tongue green with
yellow spots.
“Harry!” Harry smiled at he stepped down the last step into the kitchen. As
predicted everyone was there, the twins, Hermione, Charlie, Bill, Mrs Weasley,
Sirius and most unexpectedly Severus.
“Hermione!” Harry hadn’t seen Hermione since she’d finished school before
Christmas last year and Harry eagerly engulfed her in a hug as best he could
considering his stomach. Hermione had gone to university, studying to be a code
breaker like Bill. Her and Ron were still dating and rumour was that Ron was
going to propose as soon as he made enough money to buy the ring. Harry knew
his best friend well and had offered him the money, but Ron had had none of it,
determined, as he was to pay for it himself.
“My god, you look wonderful Harry!” Hermione lead Harry further into the
kitchen, where Charlie had stood up to allow Harry a seat beside where Severus
was sitting.
“Practically glowing I’d say.” Sirius pushed a small plate of sandwiches across
to Harry who gratefully accepted them along with a glass of water.
“Not as glowing as little Ron’s is going to be in a few minutes or so, those
Melting Weasley Moments pack quite a punch.” Fred along with George burst out
laughing as they showed Harry their latest invention. Chatter around the table
consisted mainly of work, study and what Harry had been up to all week. Harry
had spoken very little, as had Severus who remained silently sipping his tea
the entire time. Harry was surprised Severus was here, especially on a school
night. It was even more confusing when Harry watched Charlie round the table
and lean down next to his old professor and whisper in his ear. Harry just
managed to catch what was being said, and was more than a little put out that
it obviously wasn’t Harry Severus had come to see.
“Professor if you’d join me outside.” Charlie gestured to the backdoor of the
burrow and Harry frowned as Severus nodded. Finishing his tea in one go,
Severus rose from his chair and gently pressed a kiss to Harry’s temple before
following Charlie out of the door. Harry couldn’t help the swell of jealousy
rise in his chest as he caught the two men walking a short distance away from
the house, chatting easily with one another and exchanging strangely two small
pieces of parchment.
“Harry? Are you alright?” So intent on seeing what his lover was up to, Harry
had completely missed the conversation Sirius had been directing towards him.
Sirius hand on his shoulder snapped his gaze away from the two shadowy figures
outside now deep in conversation, and in Harry’s opinion far too close to one
another.
“Sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.” Harry answered honestly as he watched his
godfather roll his eyes.
“I said I’ve finally cleared the second bedroom, put a crib in there with some
toys for when you come to visit.” Harry smiled warmly at his godfather, his
hand rubbing his stomach gently at the restless child within. Harry tried to
keep his attention a little longer on the conversation inside but again his
attention wandered outside to where the figures of Charlie and Severus were
still in deep discussion
“I didn’t expect Severus to be here, he’s not supposed to be picking me up
until Monday?” Harry’s comment must have come at an awkward moment and all
conversation ceased as the boy reluctantly turned his attention back indoors to
where his friends and family were seated at the kitchen table. Harry frowned a
little at the silence, and watched in suspicion, as everyone looked at everyone
else none willing to supply an answer to Harry’s query.
“Well I suppose he just wants you home dear, after all it’s not long now.” Mrs
Weasley was the first to offer an answer to Harry’s question but it was not the
answer Harry wanted to here. Like always they knew something he didn’t and none
of them were forth coming with the truth.
“What’s going on?” Now sure that something was being hidden from him Harry
pushed his plate of peanut butter, jam and chocolate sandwiches away from him
and folded his arms across his chest moodily, as he glanced from Mrs Weasley to
Sirius. Sirius was avoiding eye contact with him, a bad sign in Harry’s
opinion. “Right, if you’re not going to tell me…” Standing up from the table
Harry strode over to the back door of the burrow and threw it open, hardly
flinching as it slammed into the side causing the echo to sound through the
night. “SEVERUS!” Standing in the open doorway his arms still across his chest
Harry called to his mate, who spun around slightly startled along with Charlie.
Harry watched as Charlie and Severus shared a silent glance at one another
before both men walked slowly back up the garden path and back into the
kitchen.
“Don’t stand like that Harry, you remind me of my mother.” Severus stepped
casually back into the kitchen and picked up one of Harry’s half eaten
chocolate sandwiches, obviously having felt Harry’s own craving for them.
“What are you doing here?” Bluntly Harry stared at Severus who after glancing
at Charlie casually shrugged his shoulders and took a bite out of the sandwich.
“Visiting my mate, what else would I be doing?” Severus finished off the small
triangle sandwich and licked his lips free of the chocolate spread, before
cocking his head slightly to the side to inquire after Harry’s reply.
“Bullshit!” Harry spat nastily stunning a few of his friends, who looked
instantly to Snape who merely ignored Harry’s use of foul language as he poured
himself a drink of water.
“Language Mr Potter.” Snape snapped coolly as he drained his glass.
“I would have believed that Sev, had you spoken two words together with me
since I came downstairs but you haven’t. You also failed to mention you’d be
stopping by when I fire called you this morning. Now tell me again why you’re
really here, and don’t think of lying to me because if you do I won’t be
speaking to you for a week.” Harry looked determinedly at Severus who despite
outward appearances knew he’d lost the fight. With an exaggerated sigh Severus
gestured to Charlie with a nod of his head.
“Charlie’s been feeding me information about what the whereabouts of the
remaining Death Eaters.” It was a simply put sentence but Harry knew it was
only part of the answer, as he glanced around at his friends and watched the
expressions on their faces.
“Accio Pockets!” Drawing out his wand Harry flicked it in the direction of
Severus’ robes, the contents of the wizards pockets instantly turning out and
flying into Harry’s open palm.
“Potter!” Alarmed that his mate had done what he had, Severus lunged forward in
an attempt at grabbing back his things but Harry was quicker and flicked his
wand at Severus, freezing him instantly mid-step.
“I can’t believe you’ve just done that Harry. You just froze Professor Snape!”
George looked completely shocked that anyone had dared mess with a Hogwarts
Professor, especially Master of Potions, Professor Severus Snape! Harry paid
the twin no heed however and inspected the contents of his lover’s pockets as
if it were his own. A wand protector, a few dust covered lemon drops
conveniently shoved into a pocket no doubt having been taken from Dumbledore to
keep the man happy. A confiscated cheating quill, a few empty potion vials, a
hanky and lastly a folded piece of parchment Harry had seen Charlie handing him
before. With a smile Harry returned the contents of Snape’s pockets into the
man’s robes before unfreezing him. Snape was practically red with anger as he
was given control back of his body, to see Harry standing with the piece of
parchment open in his hands.
“What’s this?” Harry inquired calmly as he read the note.
“An address.” Snape offered curtly as he grabbed Harry’s wand and hastily put
it into the sleaves of his own robe so that the boy wouldn’t embarrass him
again in such an undignified way.
“Whose address?” Harry questioned again, watching as Snape glanced at Charlie
who shrugged his shoulders, not willing to get involved having seen what damage
Harry could inflict. Severus was silent for a long while and Harry stared into
his mate’s eyes, watching every flicker of emotion that sang through the man’s
irises. Almost instantly the answer came to Harry, without a word having been
spoken and the boy slumped painfully against the kitchen cabinets.
“Harry! It’s not what you think.” Severus leapt forward as did Mrs Weasley,
Sirius and Charlie, all of whom helped move Harry over to a chair.
“So it is his.” Harry whispered his fingers clutching at Severus hand, while
the other uselessly rubbed his suddenly churning stomach.
“I’ll get you a glass of milk dear, that always helps settle the child.” Mrs
Weasley darted over to the fridge, intent on warming Harry some milk. Severus
dragged over a chair and sat closely down next to his mate, Harry’s hand buried
in his own in comfort.
“Please calm down Harry, or I’m not going to tell you anything.” Harry was
almost hyperventilating by the time Mrs Weasley brought over the warm glass of
milk, Severus helping Harry to sip from the glass before pulling his mate into
a comforting hug. Eventually Harry settled, Severus hand gently rubbing his
stomach while the other held Harry’s head against his chest. “Have you calmed
down now?” Severus whispered, as Harry nodded his head.
“It’s Draco’s isn’t it?” Harry’s voice was barely above a whisper against
Severus’ neck and the elder wizard sighed and nodded quietly.
“We’re not sure, according to Charlie it was where the most recent sighting of
him happened.” Severus looked up to Charlie who nodded seriously, his concern
for Harry clearly reflected in his eyes.
“That’s only five miles from the Leaky Cauldron, he’s in London.” Harry
whispered the tone of his voice indicating that he was beginning to panic
again. It had been almost five months since the final battle and despite the
horrors Harry had seen it was only one nightmare now that plagued him. Draco
Malfoy. The boy as far as he knew was still on the run, and it was on a daily
basis that Harry hoped he’d been caught. Draco Malfoy was the only true threat
Harry had now, with Voldemort and most of the Death Eaters in jail or dead.
Soothing his hand again down Harry’s back Severus sighed and pressed a gentle
kiss against Harry’s forehead.
“Shhh, I know but that’s a long way from Hogwarts Harry, besides we’ve got no
way of knowing where he is now. He’d be a fool if he’d step within a hundred
yards of Hogwarts.” Harry looked seriously up at Severus, with a look that told
his lover far more than words ever could. Draco had taken him before, and was
more stupid and far more powerful than any of them had given him credit for
before. He had turned out to be every inch Lucius Malfoy’s son.
“Then why the address.” Harry whispered intent on hearing what Severus wanted
to know from Charlie. Severus sighed again and hugged Harry tighter.
“I’m just trying to keep tabs on him Harry. The ministry don’t seem to be able
to catch him, and I just like to be informed of where he is in case he gets too
close for comfort…” Before Severus could continue Harry hastily butt in, his
hand pointing to the address.
“That is too close Sev, him being still on this bloody continent is too fucking
close! He needs putting away and throwing away the key! Owwww.” Harry was
practically sobbing when he doubled over his hands clutching at his stomach in
agony, at a particularly hard kick.
”Shit! Harry!” Severus was on his knees in front of his lover within an
instant, his own handing coming up to rest on Harry’s stomach, feeling himself
the firmness of the kicks. Harry was upset, and so too it seemed was their baby
who was quite disgruntled. “I think we need to go home.” Severus whispered as
Harry finally straightened again as the pain subsided, tears still streaking
his cheeks.
“I’ll get the floo powder. Ronald, Bill get a blanket and Harry’s things from
upstairs!” Mrs Weasley almost instantly snapped into motion scuttling the group
in the kitchen into jobs. Severus stood up from the floor and pressed a soft
kiss to Harry’s lips, the salt from the boy’s tears lingering on the elder
wizards tongue.
“Just stay with him for minute Black, I’ve got to talk to Charlie.” Harry
watched through teary eyes as Severus stepped aside with Charlie the two
exchanging heated but hushed words. Sirius sat close to his godson, having not
spoken two words together the entire conversation. Glancing up from his chest
at his godfather Harry watched as Sirius swallowed nervously.
“What’s he not telling me Sirius, it’s guilt I see in his eyes. Please tell
me.” Sirius looked directly into Harry’s eyes, beneath the nervous exterior
there was anger, a fiery determination Harry was far more familiar with seeing
in his fiercely protective godfather. It looked for a moment as if Sirius was
going to hold his tongue but finally at length he spoke, his voice cold.
“He let him go Harry. That night, Snape had the chance to kill him but he let
him walk away because of his damn promise to his father, and now he’s trying to
make up for it because he knows his mistake, and he knows he’s coming for you.”
Sirius lowered his voice further and Harry was stunned as he watched his
godfather slip a small silver gilded revolver into Harry’s inner cloak pocket
out of sight. With all seriousness Sirius brought his hands up to Harry’s
cheeks, drawing the boys attention directly to him. Harry could do little but
stare into his godfather’s eyes, completely stunned by what had just been
revealed. Finally the final piece of the night of the battle fell into place
and Harry shuddered with shock. “Promise me Harry, if you see him don’t
hesitate. Just pull the trigger and shoot him. It doesn’t matter what Snape
thinks, or what he says. Draco Malfoy is a dangerous wizard and he’s coming for
you. Now promise me you’ll do as I say?” Quickly Harry nodded with no
hesitation. Draco Malfoy wouldn’t live long enough to say anything if he came
within distance of Harry, that was for sure.
“Harry, come on lets get you home.” Sirius’ hands fell away from Harry’s face
as Severus stepped back into the kitchen, where everyone had now gathered to
see them leave. Harry stared at Snape for a long time in silence, hardly
believing that his own mate had let Draco Malfoy go. Still with a sigh Harry
slowly rose up from the chair and linked his arm with Severus. Severus
obviously had his own reasons for his actions that night and Harry would get to
the bottom of them as soon as they were alone. Thanking Mrs Weasley and Sirius
for having him and promising to send them a card as soon as the big day came,
Harry stepped into the fire with Severus and disappeared home to Hogwarts.
***** End of Family *****
Chapter 48
“…Merlin only knows how much I missed you Harry.” Harry gasped breathlessly as
Severus thrust into him again, this time aiming for the boy’s sweet spot.
They’d been back in the castle an hour perhaps before Harry had cracked. He
desperately wanted to confront Severus about Draco but his body had other ideas
first. It had taken him less than a minute to strip Severus naked, push him up
against the door and suck him to orgasm. With the edge gone Severus had led
Harry to bed and there they’d taken their time reacquainting one another with
their bodies.
It had been strange to Harry, lying there having Severus pepper kisses all over
his swollen stomach. It had been stranger too to have Severus demand a new
position, one they hadn’t tried yet. What had really blown Harry’s mind though
was how fucking amazing it had been to kneel on his hands and knees, and have
Severus hold his belly as the elder wizard had thrust into him from behind. If
this was what Remus had been talking about when he meant ‘doggy style’ then
Harry didn’t see why it was embarrassing. As Severus rode him harder, his
thrusts more powerful and swifter Harry began to see why in the pictures of
that first book he’d read from the library about sex in wizarding marriages,
the man in front looked to be in complete ecstasy. Harry was sure at any moment
his knees would give out as his head spun at the sensation of Severus thick
cock buried in him to the hilt. Panting, and groaning Harry managed to get
enough brain function to reach for his own cock and pump it in time with
Severus thrusts.
Harry loved hearing his lover lose control and practically screamed Severus
name as the man bit down on his shoulder as he came in shuddering succession,
flooding Harry with his seed. Come splattered, sweaty and completely exhausted
Harry collapsed uselessly onto his side, Severus falling with him. The bed
springs protested mildly at the combined weight but settled with the occupants.
Panting Harry closed his eyes tightly as he felt Severus lean down over him and
press one sacred kiss to his stretched stomach, the man’s whispered words
filtering up to him.
“Sorry sugar, daddy needed that.” Harry smiled to himself at Severus’ words
barely feeling as the baby inside of him settled after the commotion. Severus
pressed another kiss to Harry’s stomach before spooning himself up against the
length of Harry’s back, his arms wrapping around his mate in a comfortable
embrace. Harry smiled and nuzzled closer into Severus chest, inhaling the spicy
smell of his mate, and the unique musky flavour of sex that hung in the air
around them. With his eyes closed Harry picture how sex had been when they’d
first married, how awkward and unfulfilling it had been. Harry wondered if
things had been different had he and Snape actually been friends back then.
There was no point in dwelling on the past however and Harry merely snuggled
closer to his mate, content that sex now was far better than he’d ever
imagined.
The pair of them slept soundly for an hour or so but as usual Harry was awoken
by a swift kick to his stomach. Groaning Harry sat up in bed and rubbed his
stomach uselessly trying to calm the baby. Severus stirred at the noise,
sleepily looking up at his lover.
“You alright?” Was the groggy question that came from Snape’s sleep deprived
brain.
“Yeah this always happens, I never sleep the night through now.” Reluctantly
Harry slid to the edge of the bed, and having pulled on a dressing gown slowly
rose from the bed and disappeared out into the living room, all the while
rubbing his belly. Lighting the fire and a few candles in the living room Harry
paced uselessly back and forth past the fireplace, one hand rubbing his belly
the other supporting his back. At length Severus emerged from the bedroom his
hair sticking out at awkward angles and his robe barely tied together right. He
looked a mess but Harry didn’t spare him a second glance as he continued to
pace. “You don’t need to stay up, you’ve got to teach in the morning. I’ll be
fine.” Harry whispered as he watched as Severus shuffled over to the
kitchenette and began making himself a pot of aniseed tea.
“Nonsense Harry, you need company. Can I make you something? No potions I’m
afraid but camomile tea settles the child. My mother drank it constantly when
she was pregnant with me.” Harry shook his head in refusal and continued to
pace. Severus nodded understandingly but made Harry a cup of tea anyway, not
convinced the boy was aware of what he was passing up. Sitting himself down in
his favourite chair in front of the fire Severus watched Harry pass him by, all
the while sipping his own tea. “You should be practicing keeping you breathing
even and deep you know.” Severus offered quietly as Harry passed him for an
eighth time. Harry paused in front of Severus and glared at him.
“You try breathing when you’ve got a watermelon resting on your bladder.” Harry
snapped angrily before resuming his pacing. Severus smiled mildly behind the
rim of his teacup, amused by Harry’s rapidly failing patience. There was
another lengthy silence before Severus spoke again.
“Have you put anymore thought into where you want to give birth? I did suggest
here but you said no, promptly followed by a no to Poppy’s suggestion of the
hospital wing? Where else were you planning on bringing our child into the
world? In a pub somewhere perhaps?” Severus arched an eyebrow in Harry’s
direction as the boy stopped pacing momentarily to glare at his mate again.
“I don’t really care so long as you get it out of me quickly!” Harry noted
sharply watching as Severus rolled his eyes and nodded in understanding.
“Yes we’ve established your tolerance for pain is nil Potter, but we can’t just
whip it out we have to wait until its ready and that could take some hours of
labour.” Harry sighed and sat quietly down on Severus’ knee, suddenly feeling
very light headed and extremely worried about what he was going to go through
within the next few weeks.
“I’m scared Sev.” Harry whispered as he buried his face into the folds of
Snape’s sleeping robe. Severus sighed heavily and put aside his cup of tea
before wrapping his arms tightly about his mate.
“I know Harry, but I promise I’ll be with you the entire time and when the time
comes Poppy will be so very gentle with you.” Harry nodded quietly and snuggled
closer to Snape, finally finding the right moment to ask the questions he’d
been desperate to ask all night.
“Severus?” Harry whispered drawing his mates’ attention to him from the
fireplace roaring away in front of them. Severus nodded for Harry to continue,
as he brushed a stray strand of hair from Harry’s forehead, where the
lightening scar was beginning to fade away. “Why did you let him go?”
“Let who go?” Severus continued to trace his fingers back and forth across
Harry’s forehead completely oblivious to the seriousness of the question Harry
had just asked. Taking a deep steadying breath Harry tried to stay calm,
despite the niggling part of Harry that thought perhaps Snape was being
deliberately ignorant.
“Draco.”
The name hung in the air like a bad smell. Severus’s fingers had instantly
stopped tracing across Harry’s skin and the man’s comfortable posture had
suddenly stiffened. For a long time the two of them sat in silence, but Harry
was determined to give Severus the chance to reply rather than butting in.
“Who told you?” The reply was not the first Harry had expected but it was
certainly in the top ten things Severus could have said.
“Sirius.” Harry glanced over the back of the chair to where his robe was
hanging on the hook by the door the silver handle of the revolver just visible
in the inside pocket.
“Why doesn’t that surprise me.” Severus muttered his eyes no longer looking at
Harry and instead were lost in the depths of the flickering fireplace. There
was another long silence before finally Severus took a deep resigned sigh and
looked directly back at Harry. “I couldn’t do it Harry. I couldn’t kill a boy
I’d watched grow up like he was my own child. I thought about it. Thought about
killing him outright while I had the chance. I thought about the consequences
if I didn’t. I thought about you. In the end though I just couldn’t do it and I
let him walk away.” Severus hung his head against his chest and Harry watched
as sad eyes closed defiantly against the weakness just confessed. “I thought
he’d just disappear, do the right thing now he was free of Lucius control but
when I heard talk in the Three Broomsticks last month about a sighting in
London I knew I’d hoped for too much. Charlie’s been feeding me information
from the Ministry files about Death Eater sightings, more particular the
movements of Draco. If there’s one thing Malfoy’s are known for it’s revenge
and I believe that is exactly what Draco’s looking for.”
“He’s coming after me isn’t he?” Harry whispered his resolve finally set that
Draco was his last remaining threat in his life. Reluctantly Severus nodded.
“Yes. He has nothing to lose anymore and is more likely to succeed than any of
his predecessors, just because of his sheer doggedness. I’ve been trying to
keep tabs on him so I can alert the Auror’s but it’s impossible he’s just too
quick for those fools at the Ministry. I need you safe Harry and the only way I
know how to keep you safe is to keep you close to me. If he wants you Harry,
he’ll have to go through me first.” Harry smiled warmly at Severus conviction
having never actually heard Snape put words to his protectiveness.
“Have you told Dumbledore?” Harry whispered intrigued to know who else knew of
Draco. Again Severus nodded.
“He knows alright. He was the one who defended me when they arrested me on
charges of aiding the escape of Draco. You’re godfathers accusations hadn’t
helped but Dumbledore managed to convince them of my relative innocents, at
least in part. I never expected to ever be recognised for my efforts in this
war Harry, but I did if secretly want to come out the other end of it a free
man.” Harry nuzzled comfortingly into Severus arms the man holding Harry
tightly against his chest, as if the world would end should he let go.
“All the important people know what you did Severus and if no one else believes
it, we’ll still all be thankful for your contribution, me especially.” Severus
chuckled and kissed the top of Harry’s mop of hair before closing his eyes
tightly. It was while they were sitting there in relative comfort that the
wards on Severus door shivered. Someone wanted the Professor. Reluctantly Harry
sat up from Severus lap and let the professor stride over to his door, pulling
it open with some force so that the pale faced first year Slytherin student
practically shat himself at the sight that greeted him.
“Sir…Sir…” The boy stuttered, with far from what Harry would have considered
Slytherin confidence.
“What do you want?” Snape snapped glancing over his shoulder at the clock on
the shelf by the door. The hand read, ‘Witching Hour’. “You do realise you’re
out after curfew and my private chambers are strictly off limits to students in
the lower school years!”
“Sssorry Sir but the headmaster asked me to get you, a fights broken out in the
duelling classroom and your assistance is needed.” Harry frowned a little. It
seemed strange that any students would risk being out after curfew, especially
enough students to create a fight. Harry watched Severus sigh the man’s
shoulders slumping a little as he reached for his school cloak and pulled it
hastily on.
“Potter, stay here.” Harry didn’t comment on Severus use of his last name. Over
the years ‘Potter’ had become a habit to Severus and on the odd occasion
Severus slipped into his old habits, especially in moments where he was
extremely pissed off. Harry nodded as Severus disappeared out of the room the
door locking and warding itself shut behind him. Sighing at having his evening
ruined Harry sat up from the chair and waddled over to the small kitchenette to
make himself a cup of hot chocolate. It had been an utterly huge argument he’d
had with Severus over eating chocolate while pregnant and it had taken three
medical books, and two medicals to convince his mate chocolate was having no
ill effects on their baby. It had been a tough battle but the rewards were
worth it, or so Harry reckoned.
It was while Harry was filling his mug with warm milk that the strangest
feeling wrapped itself around Harry’s body, making him shudder and shiver quite
ominously. Something wasn’t right. Leaving his milk where it stood on the
counter Harry quickly shuffled over to his cloak and wrapped it around himself,
his wand and the revolver nestled quietly against his side. A compulsion like
no other drew Harry out of the room and into the torch lit corridors of the
dungeons. Waddling like only an 8 1/2 month pregnant wizard could do Harry
shuffled up the corridors to the main entrance hall of the castle. For saying
there had been a fight in the duelling hall, there weren’t many students
milling about, and no signs of professors. There was also no sound, not even a
creak from ghosts or the snoring of the paintings. The strange feeling wrapped
itself around Harry again and the boy drew out his wand as he turned down the
corridor to head for Dumbledore’s office. Harry had just made it to the moving
stone staircase that would take Harry up to the Headmaster when someone stepped
out in front of him cutting off his path. It took a second for Harry to
register the cropped blonde hair and the piercing blue eyes, and the wand
pointed directly at his chest.
“Draco, how did you get in?” The question echoed around the silent corridors.
“Wouldn’t you know it, the castle just let me in. Seems I’m still apparently a
student here.” The boy’s voice was like ice, and the evil little chuckle that
followed it froze Harry to the core. Harry self consciously put his hand over
his stomach as Draco eyed him up and down, the hand that held the wand not
waving an inch. “You’ve filled out Potter, rather like a fat Bubotuber full of
puss, would you pop like a balloon should I put a needle in you?” Draco looked
positively possessed as his eyes lit up like candles at the suggestion of
popping Harry.
“What do you want?” Harry inquired getting suddenly nervous that no one had
noticed Draco’s entrance into the castle. Draco grinned lopsidedly at Harry as
he flicked his wrist….
“I want you dead Potter…” Harry saw the curse coming before the words had left
Draco’s mouth. Flinging himself to the side Harry smacked into the wall face
first as the curse shot straight past him, exploding the stone of the entrance
halls’ staircase. Ignoring the throbbing of his nose, or the blood pouring from
his split lip Harry flicked his wand back at Draco sending a strangling curse
his way as he turned to run. The curse must have caught Draco a little off
guard and it gave Harry enough time to run to the end of the corridor. Harry
didn’t know where he was going to go, the place was seemingly deserted. The
moment’s hesitation was his undoing and a curse shot down his arm searing the
skin like stitches in a patchwork quilt. In his training with Jasper though
Harry had learnt to control his pain and without thought began struggling up
the staircase, all the while throwing curses back at his pursuer. In a duel
Harry might have just stood a change of winning against Draco, but with his
belly twice its size and the baby inside moving restlessly Harry was at a
distinct disadvantage.
Another pause on the third floor, to go right into the forbidden corridor or
left to the owlery and tower. One well-aimed spell made the decision for him as
the door to the forbidden corridor sealed itself shut, forcing Harry to
continue running up the stairs. Not in the entire time he’d been pregnant had
Harry done so much exercise and by the time he crashed through the door into
the owlery he was panting and holding his belly in complete agony. The curse on
his arm still tingled but Harry had enough fight left to slam the thick wooden
door closed and seal it shut with a weak but effective charm. Not a moment
later Harry heard Draco crash into the door, the boys foul language and the
explosions of magic from outside testament to the blonde’s rage. The spell on
the door wouldn’t hold long and Harry desperately looked around the owlery for
a means of escape. Most of the school owls were out hunting at this time at
night and only a few remained, but they fluttered irritably at his intrusion. A
second later a snowy white owl landed on Harry’s shoulder and nipped at his ear
affectionately. It was Hedwig. Stroking the owl’s chest Harry turned to her
easily.
“Go find Severus, Hedwig I need help.” Another loud explosion from outside the
door made the tower shudder on its foundations and Harry walked quickly over to
the open arches of the tower and let Hedwig fly off into the night. It was then
that a dusty, old broomstick shoved into the corner of the owlery caught
Harry’s attention. Scrambling over chewed mouse bones, owl droppings and
forgotten lovers blankets Harry made his way over to the broom. Harry picked
the boom up and moved over to the nearest archway and glanced down. It was a
hell of a long way to the bottom of the tower, and the gravel at the bottom
didn’t look soft. The broom in his hand was old, extremely old. The handle was
cracked in several places, rough and dusty to the touch. The polish that had
once made it gleam was just peeling flecks. The brooms bristles were in no
better shape, bent, broken missing and full of cobwebs. If the broom flew at
all it would be a complete miracle, let alone if it managed to hold Harry’s
considerable weight long enough for him to land it safely.
There was another explosion of magic from outside the door and Harry held his
breath as he began to see the light of the magic through cracks beginning to
appear in the door. Harry turned around and pulled himself quickly up onto the
ledge of the archway and tucked the flimsy broom between his legs. Since they’d
discovered Harry was pregnant Severus had refused to allow Harry to fly his
broom anywhere, so it had literally been nine months since Harry had last been
balanced on a wooden handle. Harry had no other choice now though and as the
door behind him began to crumble with Draco’s magic Harry closed his eyes and
launched himself off the archway into the night air.
Harry screamed as he felt himself plummet his eyes opening in fear as he
gripped uselessly at the brooms handle, trying to get it to at least fly. There
was a lurch and shudder and Harry felt the handle splinter in his hands as the
old decrepit broom shuddered to life and levelled out. Harry was panting as he
pulled the broom to a stop, making it hover just above the trees in the gardens
below him. The broom seemed to want to pull to the left all the time, no doubt
because of its extreme lack of bristles that side, but Harry fought it as he
caught his breath. He’d just leapt for his life and survived.
The whir of the wind and a green curse shooting past him reminded Harry very
quickly of what he was running from and with a glance behind him at the tower
Harry spurred the broom on towards the dark forest. With luck Harry would loose
Draco in the forest and would be safe until Severus came to find him. Harry had
to fight the broom the entire way though, it’s shuddering form creaking and
cracking under the strain. The broom was rapidly loosing more bristles and with
the loss of bristles Harry lost speed and height.
As Harry drew just level with the edge of the forest that the broom finally
gave out and with an almighty crack snapped in two and sent Harry plummeting
the last few meters to the ground. Harry barely managed to put his arms out to
cushion his fall and protect the baby. Harry landed heavily with a loud
expletive. A wave of fire exploded from Harry’s abdomen and the boy doubled
over on the ground clutching what remained of the broom handle in his hand as
the pain peeked and finally subsided again. Breathless and completely unaware
of what the fall had just triggered Harry staggered to his feet and began
hobbling quickly into the dark forest. With no oil lamp or torch, Harry was
running blind and helplessly dodged branches, trees and fallen logs. Not really
knowing where he was going Harry was surprised when he reached the edge of the
lake, obviously having run an entire circle. Panting Harry fell silent and
listened quietly for signs that Draco had managed to follow him. After a few
minutes when only Harry could hear the soft lap of water on the edge of the
lake the boy relaxed and slumped down into the sandy lake edge. Like before a
wave of fire shot through his stomach, doubling him over and leaving him
gasping for air. Harry didn’t like pain and this pain was something no amount
of training could help him block out. Again the pain peeked, drawing tears from
his eyes before subsiding again. Collapsing Harry curled up on his side and
wrapped his hands around his stomach. Something wasn’t right he just knew it….
It was an hour or so that Harry lay on the sandy shore of the lake, his body
periodically paralysed with the excruciating pain. Thankfully it seemed to come
in regular intervals and Harry took the time without pain to try and calm
himself. Harry didn’t dare move in case Draco found him. By the time the first
rays of morning sun glistened off the lake surface Harry was exhausted, both
with running and fighting his pain. It was almost a relief to see light and
Harry closed his eyes and lapped up the warm morning sun as it ascended into
the sky. As morning came so too did the sound of the birds and creatures of the
forest awakening behind him and Harry listened carefully for signs of life
other than creatures.
A fluttering of wings above him was not unwelcome and Harry practically laughed
with glee as he saw Hedwig circling above him, cooing madly. Harry stared at
the brilliant white owl until he heard footsteps running through the
undergrowth behind him. Cautiously Harry held out his wand ready to hex anyone
not Severus, but as the figure emerged from between the tree trunks Harry cried
out and collapsed in a heap on the sand. Severus’ had never looked so good as
he fell to his knees beside Harry in the sand, and looked down over at him.
“Fuck you’re alive.” Severus whispered in complete shock as he bent down and
pressed a possessive passionate kiss to his lover’s lips. Harry could do
nothing but allow Severus to hold him. The moment was short lived however and
Harry froze as shadow appeared over them shortly before a foot came crashed
into Severus head sending him sprawling into the shallows of the lake,
spluttering and coughing.
Draco.
Harry stared up at the boy looming over him, a grin so evil it rivalled even
his fathers. Before Harry could say anything however another wave of fire swept
through his stomach and had him curling up on himself. Draco laughed as he
watched Harry’s pain completely oblivious to where Severus had regained his
footing in the water and was now standing knee deep in the lake his wand
pointed directly at the blonde.
“Get away from him Draco.” Severus’ voice cut through Harry’s pain and the boy
fell slack as the pain passed yet again. Draco was still towering over him and
Harry scrambled to his feet only to have Draco push him back to the ground with
a strategically aimed foot, to an already badly cursed arm.
“I don’t think I will Uncle Severus.” Draco spat back as Harry crawled
uselessly away from Draco and over to a fallen log, half hanging in the water.
Harry needed help getting up too exhausted to do it unaided. He needed to be on
his feet or he didn’t stand a chance. For once, something was going right, with
Draco far too interested in his staring match with Severus to notice Harry
crawling to his feet.
“Leave him alone Draco, it’s me who rejected you so it’s me you have to deal
with.” Severus called to Draco again who laughed nastily and shook his head,
right before sending a particularly nasty curse in Severus direction. The
potions professor easily dodged the curse but its tail caught the wizard’s leg
twirling around it and burning into it like a brand. Severus hardly winced as
he threw a curse back at Draco, the boy easily reflecting it into the forest
behind him. Draco laughed again his eyes wild with rage.
”You know Uncle Severus, I don’t care anymore what this is all about. All I
know is that I want him dead, and I’m going to take delight in seeing you hurt
as much as you hurt me. I’m stronger than you are Sev, I’m better than you and
unlike you I don’t make silly promises….” Draco smiled and with a flick of his
wrist sent a lightening bolt curse at Harry who had only just got to his feet.
The curse struck with deadly force only Harry was quicker and set up his
shield, the curse reflected off the shield and shot straight in Severus’
direction. Unable to move quickly enough Severus was a sitting duck for the
curse, which struck him fair and square in the chest. Harry couldn’t believe
what he’d just done as he watched Severus cry out in agony as a bolt of
lighting struck him straight through his chest, pushing him literally out of
the water and slamming him into a nearby tree on the shore line. “Fucking hell,
this just gets better! Couldn’t have done better myself Potter!” Draco snarled
at Harry who just at the moment got another attack of pain through his stomach
and doubled over back onto his knees. Knowing that Harry was incapacitated
Draco strode confidently over to where Severus was slumped against the tree
heaving in pain. Angrily Draco grabbed hold of Severus hair and yanked it hard
pulling the potion professors hair so that the wizard was forced to look at
him. “You’re so pathetic Snape. All these years I loved you but you are
nothing. You’re a sad, lonely pathetic professor who’ll never amount to
anything. After all those years sacrificing yourself for the cause of ‘good’
you don’t even warrant a mention in the war stories. No one will remember you
Severus Snape, no one cares. At least when I die I’ll be remembered for killing
Harry Potter, which is better than not being remembered at all. You’re just a
sad old potions professor who didn’t have the guts to kill his own godson in
the war…”
Harry watched the scene unfold before him, Draco’s words angering him beyond
any rage he’d felt before. As he watched a single tear roll down Severus’
bloodied cheek at Draco’s words, his own godson’s wand pressed tight against
his throat Harry’s blood boiled. Beyond pain there is hatred and as Harry drew
himself to his feet and reached for the revolver inside his robes his hatred of
Draco Malfoy clouded all of his other feelings leaving him numb.
“…You can never kill me Severus you don’t have the guts….” Draco never finished
his sentence as Harry put the gun to the back of the blonde’s head and pulled
the trigger. The shot rang through the forest like a clap of thunder, sending
birds skywards and making the trees shudder in fear.
“No he can’t kill you, but I can.” Harry whispered as he watched Draco’s body
slump backwards the boy’s wand falling from his grip. As if in slow motion
Harry watched Draco fall into the sand at his feet, the boy’s blue eyes, open
but staring coldly at nothing. Harry’s blood splattered hand shook as he stared
down at Draco’s body, a thin trickle of blood running out of the boy’s nose and
into the sand as the last exhale of air passed the Slytherin’s lips.
***** Scream If You Want To *****
Chapter 49
“Potter you’re not helping the situation by pacing, sit, calm down and just
enjoy the experience.” Harry stopped pacing immediately and bent over the end
of Severus’ hospital bed, his fingers gripping the bed end in a white knuckled
grip.
“Enjoy the experience?!” Harry ground out from between gritted teeth, clearly
agitated by Severus words. “You wouldn’t be saying that if you had a dragon
inside of you trying to claw its way out.” Another wave of pain shot through
Harry and the boy cried out in agony as the wave passed, leaving him panting
desperately.
“I resent having our child referred to as a dragon Harry.” Harry rolled his
eyes as his lover who sat calmly in his hospital bed snacking on a tray of
fresh fruits and sipping a goblet of water. “And you might cope with the pain a
little better if you simply breathed like Madam Pomfrey showed you how.”
“You’re not helping Severus.” Harry bit out angrily as he resumed his pacing,
all the while rubbing his hand back and forth over his stomach that felt as if
it might explode at any moment. Harry completed another full pace of the
hospital wing before a wave of pain hit him in the gut all but doubling him
over.
“Owwwww! FUCK!!” Harry screamed in defiance as the pain finally subsided again
leaving him weakly kneeling on the cold stone of the hospital wing floor. The
pain was slowly beginning to get worse and the time between each wave was now
barely a minute. Harry hurt, he wanted it over and he wanted it over now.
“Now there’s completely no need for that language Potter, and you’re quite
overreacting with the screaming.” Harry looked up from where he was crouched on
all fours on the floor panting, to where his irritatingly calm other half was
now staring sternly down at him from over the edge of the hospital bed.
“I thought you said you’d help, ‘you’d be there with me all the way’ you said!”
Harry looked incredulously up at Severus who sighed and pointed to where a
tight wrapping of magically locked bandages was around his chest and the wound
in his leg was being slowly healed by one of his own potions.
“That was before you liquefied three of my ribs Potter, you’re lucky I carry my
brothers lucky charm wherever I go or I wouldn’t be here at all.” Snape snapped
nastily down at Harry who groaned loudly as another wave of pain swept through
his body.
“It was an accident Sev, I said I was sorry and need I remind you, you wouldn’t
be here anyway if I hadn’t shot the bastard…ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!” This time a wave
of pain followed directly after the other leaving Harry whimpering, breathless
with tears streaming down his face. It had been almost eight hours since the
incident down on the lake edge and Harry’s body was beginning to weaken as his
labour progressed. At Harry’s sudden outpouring of pain the maliciousness of
Severus’ words faded their argument forgotten and the man all but crawled out
of his hospital bed and over to where Harry was still kneeling on the floor at
the foot of the bed.
“I want it out, and I want it out NOW!” Harry screamed in Severus face with
pain as the potions professor knelt down beside Harry and cradled the tense boy
against his body. Tears began to dampen the sleave of Severus’ bed robe but the
man ignored them and merely reached for Harry’s belly that had swollen
impossibly in the last hour. As much as Severus hated to admit it he knew Harry
was in desperate pain, far more than himself with the curse still playing havoc
with his insides.
“Shhh, I know Harry, I know. It’ll be over so soon I promise.” Severus cooed
softly against Harry’s cheek as the boy’s body, now continually strung taunt in
agony, shook against his. Just at that moment the doors to the end of the
hospital wing were flung open and Madam Pomfrey strode inside, a tray of
medical implements hovering behind her, along with a small army of house elves
she’d recruited from the kitchens.
“Well it’s not perfect but it’ll do. We’ve never had to deliver a baby here at
Hogwarts.” Severus glared at the cheery faced mediwitch who had the house elves
help Severus back to his bed as she herself helped Harry into the bed beside
his mates. Harry groaned as Madam Pomfrey lifted the young boy’s shirt,
clinically running her hand around the round swollen belly of the young boy.
Severus propped himself up with some pillows, pushing away the attentions of
the house elves who were busily preparing things around Harry’s bed. Severus
watched intently everything Poppy did, mentally cursing himself that he was
currently incapably of performing the birth of his child as he’d planned to do.
“Mmmm well I think he’s along far enough to put him out of his misery.” Pomfrey
looked across at Severus calmly waiting for his inevitable disagreement to her
assessment of his husband but none was forth coming. Severus it seemed was to
lost in holding Harry’s hand across the small gap between the beds than the
medical procedure about to happen. The mediwitch smiled secretly to herself
having for the first time seen genuine, undisguised concern for Harry written
across the professor’s face. “Nobby, the potion and rag please.” The doe eyed,
house elf sitting on the end of Harry’s bed handed the mediwitch the uncorked
potion bottle and a small square of gauze cloth, which she liberally dampened
with the purple potion. “Okay Mr Potter, deep breathes and it’ll be over in no
time.”
Harry had gone far beyond everything now and hardly even noticed as the potion
soaked cloth was held over his mouth and nose. As he breathed slowly, the
potion began to take affect and before Harry knew it he was soaring high up in
the clouds on his broom, the wind rushing about his face blowing his hair
around him. His robes were flying about him in a wave of material. Harry loved
flying and he laughed and chuckled to himself as he looped the loop and ducked,
weaved and dived through the cloud formations. Harry had never felt this good
before, even after Dudley had snuck magic mushrooms into the stew one night at
his Aunt and Uncles house.
Eventually though his dream began to fade and Harry slowly became aware of
fingers tightly interlinked with his own and a gentle soothing hand brushing
over his forehead.
“Shhh Harry, sleep you did so well my love.” Harry heard a very familiar voice
whisper against his cheek but in his current state of mind couldn’t put a face
to the voice. Slowly Harry closed his eyes again and as the fingers continued
to sooth over his forehead Harry fell quietly into the darkness of sleep.
************************
Harry awoke groggily to many hushed whispers. Harry’s head felt like he had a
really bad hangover, and his eyes felt red and sore. Squinting in the light of
what he assumed was the hospital wing Harry could just make out lots of blurry
figures standing in a huddle at the far end of the wing, their voices just
hushed whispers. Intent on seeing what was going on Harry went to reach across
for his glasses, which were perched on the bedside table. Before his fingers
could reach the glasses however Harry hissed in pain at the stretch, his hand
instantly falling beneath the sheets to his stomach where it hurt. Harry winced
a little as he fingered the light bandage on his abdomen, an inch or so below
his navel. It took all of three seconds for Harry to register that his stomach
was flat again, and that the bulge that had been there when he’d fallen asleep
was gone. More carefully this time Harry rolled over and grabbed his glasses
slipping them on hastily before lifting the edge of the bandage on his stomach
to glance at the damage beneath. What he saw however was not what he expected.
A single burn like mark stretched from one side of his stomach to the other,
it’s edges still a little purple and bruised but not a scar in sight. Stunned
Harry dropped his blanket back into place and looked up at the crowd gathered
in the corner of the ward. Sirius, Ron, Hermione, Mrs Weasley, George, Fred,
Bill, Charlie, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Neville, Seamus and Ginny were among
just a few of the faces Harry recognised. All of them were crowded around
something or someone, some of them even holding wrapped gifts. Harry frowned as
he tried and failed to see what they were looking at, and then he heard it. A
soft cry of a baby coming from the centre of the crowd. Immediately everyone
cooed at the baby and Harry couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of Sirius and
Dumbledore making baby faces at the unseen crying child.
Harry’s giggle was louder than expected and almost immediately the entire group
spun around to face Harry, who managed to wiggle his way to sitting up in bed.
“Mr Potter, ready to join us at last!” Madam Pomfrey emerged from the centre of
the crowd and strode confidently over to where Harry was sitting up in bed.
“How are you feeling? A little groggy still, that potion is one of the best
made especially for you by the foremost potions masters in the country.” Madam
Pomfrey winked at Harry knowingly as she inspected the wound below the bandage
before fluffing his pillow and giving him a pepper-up potion to drink.
“Oh Harry he’s beautiful.” Harry smiled as Sirius immediately took up position
beside Harry’s bed when Madam Pomfrey moved away.
“Absolutely adorable.” Mrs Weasley cooed from where she moved over to the end
of Harry’s bed and was currently tucking in Harry’s blankets like a doting
mother.
“And a healthy little tyke too, judging from the set of lungs he’s got on him.”
Albus sat quietly down in the chair beside Harry having patted the boy’s hand
warmly in congratulations.
“Oh well I’ll just have to believe you I haven’t seen him yet, in fact I didn’t
even know he was a he.” Harry whispered his voice still a little raw from the
considerable amount of screaming he’d done earlier. There was gentle laughter
from those who’d heard Harry’s comment. From over in the corner the baby
continued to cry and Harry watched as the small gathering parted and Harry saw
for the first time what had held the groups attention for so long. In a warm
beam of sunlight streaming in through the glass windows, sat Severus in a plush
armchair, cradled in his arms a tiny little crying bundle. Harry couldn’t keep
the tears from rolling down his face as he watched Severus look up at him a
beaming bright smile stretching from ear to ear on his face.
“He really is the most gorgeous baby Harry.” Harry smiled at Hermione who had
perched herself on the end of Harry’s bed, Ron dutifully standing behind her, a
hand on her shoulder.
“Yeah and the best part is, he doesn’t look a bit like Snape.” Ron added
cheekily before his mother swatted him across the back of his head. At length
Severus rose from the armchair in the sunbeam and walked ever so carefully over
to where Harry was, the bundle cradled so gently in his arms as if he was
carrying his most precious potion.
“Don’t drop him.” Fred chimed in unhelpfully as Severus slowly sat down on the
edge of Harry’s bed and softly transferred the still crying child into Harry’s
awaiting arms.
“Yeah or he’ll turn out like Draco.” George muttered both twins again receiving
double swats across the back of their heads from Mrs Weasley. Strange as it was
Severus laughed at George’s comment something very few people had ever seen
Snape do.
”So true.” Severus whispered up at his former students who all but passed out
having seen the softer side of Severus Snape. “Isn’t he perfect.” Severus
whispered as Harry settled with the child in his arm, the unfamiliar weight
somewhat disconcerting. Harry didn’t know what to do now that he had an actual
live son, and he was so afraid he’d fuck up as he stared into the pretty green
eyes of his son.
“Yeah perfect.” Harry whispered back in aw as the child instantly settled down
in his arms and closed its eyes in sleep. Gently Harry stroked a fingertip down
his son’s rosy cheek feeling the baby smooth skin and the soft dusting of black
hair on the baby’s head.
“You’ve got to name him yet, any ideas Harry? We’ve been throwing a few around
all afternoon.” Bill appeared from beside his mother, Charlie on the other side
both looking as cheeky as Fred and George who were still staring at Severus
like he had another head growing. Silently Harry glanced up at Severus who
merely shrugged his shoulders and instead gently brushed his fingertips back
and forth across he new son’s forehead. Turning back to his son Harry thought
for a moment before a name popped instantly into his head.
“Alexander James.” Harry whispered listening as the group murmured their
agreement, and debated the prospects of giving the child such a strong and
meaningful name.
“Very good choice.” Severus whispered as he leaned across and pressed a chaste
kiss on Harry’s lips.
“Indeed.” Whispered Dumbledore as he stood up from his seat beside the bed,
sensing the couple need to be alone. “…and in saying that, I believe our new
resident family are in need of some recovery time.” Albus’ eyes twinkled in the
sunshine as he looked from Severus to Harry and then to their quietly sleeping
child. “I extended my invitation to all of you to join me for biscuits and tea
in my office.” Everyone muttered their agreement and slowly one by one each and
every witch and wizard bid their congratulations and farewells to Harry and
Severus, until finally the couple were alone.
“Severus.” Harry whispered drawing his lover’s attention up from where Severus
was again doting over his sleeping son.
“Hmmm.” Severus replied as he glanced up from Alexander to smile warmly at
Harry.
“I’m sorry I killed Draco.” Harry wasn’t sure why he felt compelled to say that
but he watched silently as a tear fell down Severus cheek and dropped silently
on to the blanket Alexander was wrapped in.
“It’s okay. It’s just hard to separate the difference between the boy I knew as
a baby and what he’d become. It needed to be done and I’m so unbelievably
grateful that he didn’t take you or Alexander away from me or my life really
wouldn’t have been worth living.” Harry blushed a little as Severus pressed a
warm kiss to his lips before placing one on Alexander’s forehead.
“What are they doing with his body?” Harry whispered still a little hazy about
what actually happened after he’d shot Draco.
“He’s going to be buried beside his father in a muggle cemetery in Kent. The
Malfoy’s have been buried there for centuries; it’s a fitting end really.”
Severus sighed sadly but then smiled again as Alexander squirmed in Harry’s
arms, muttering his discomfort of having both his parents talking over him
while he was trying to sleep.
“I think that’s a sign you both need to get some sleep.” Alexander whimpered
and complained as Severus lifted him from Harry’s arms allowing Harry to settle
back down into his bed. Harry smiled as he watched Severus coo soothingly to
their child who snuggled back against his fathers robe clad body.
“You really are a hopeless sook you know that don’t you Severus Snape?” Harry
spoke very matter of factly, as Severus settled himself in another armchair
beside Harry’s bed, having tucked the blanket back around his son for warmth.
“I resent that Potter, I am and always will be Professor Severus Snape, snarky,
sarcastic son of a bitch that I always was, it’s just now I’ve got something to
look forward to coming home to at the end of the teaching day.” With a wink
Severus watched as Harry chuckled before the boy put aside his glasses and
rolled over onto his side. For a long while Harry listened to Severus
whispering sweet things to Alexander as he slept, he himself beginning to drift
into slumber. The very last words Harry heard as he fell into sleep was
Severus’ voice whispering ever so softly into his ear.
“I love you Harry Potter.”…
***** End *****
Chapter 50
Professor Potter ran swiftly along the halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry, his robes swirling around him in a flury. Harry slowed down as he
reached the open doors of the great hall. Inside already was the usual rabble
of students gathered around their respective house tables, gorging themselves
on the Halloween feast laid before them. Straightening his robes Harry paused
briefly to acknowledge the headmistress, Minerva McGonagall before he swiftly
strode down towards the head table.
“Ah Mr Potter, so nice of you to join us, trouble with your last class?” Harry
shuffled along the table and sat quickly down beside one Severus Snape.
“Just a small minor hitch.” Harry tried to brush the incident off as he reached
for his own plate to begin filling it with his chosen meal of the evening.
“A minor hitch Potter? The explosion rocked the castle.” Harry glared across at
Snape who was sitting far too smugly in his chair; his silver fork paused above
his plate filled with a slice of meat. It had been less than six months since
Harry had been officially instated as the newest Defence Against the Dark Arts
Professor at Hogwarts and everyone was eagerly monitoring his progress. Six
years of training had prepared Harry very little for what actual teaching was
like and there were quite the few rumours flying about the castle about
Professor Potter’s unusual classes.
“Yes, just a minor stray spell nothing too life threatening…” Harry spat
pointedly at his husband who obediently kept his mouth shut, having become very
much aware of Harry’s moods.
“Daddy says you made a ‘spiny crusted demon’ disappear.” Harry nearly choked on
his potatoes as he glanced down at his six-year-old son who was sitting,
propped up on several pillows between his parents.
“It didn’t disappear Alex, I just misplaced it…”
“In the girl’s bathroom on the sixth floor while Lavender Goodwell was in there
washing her hands.” Harry glared at Severus from over the top of his son’s head
his face suddenly turning an unattractive shade of red as the entire teaching
staff roared in laughter. So everyone obviously knew about the mistake, Harry
had hoped vehemently that he’d fixed the problem before anybody knew. Even
Alexander was giggling although the six year old probably didn’t know at what.
The boy was too busy getting Spaghetti all down his front and over his face to
actually be paying much attention to the conversation going on around him.
“Can I have a toffee apple Daddy?” Alex’s voice cut through the laughter as he
addressed Severus, his hands and face covered in spaghetti sauce and pasta.
Harry assumed not much of which had made it into Alex’s mouth.
“Not until you’ve finished that.” Severus replied as he attempted fruitlessly
to wipe some of the mess from his son’s face. Alex just giggled and pushed
Severus napkin away from him.
“Harry did you see the postcard from Albus in the staff room?” McGonagall
glanced down from her seat in the middle of the table, her half moon glasses
catching the candlelight and making her eyes sparkle much the same as Albus’
had once done. Harry shook his head. It had been almost a year since Albus
Dumbledore, the greatest headmaster Hogwarts had ever seen had finally retired.
According to his leaving speech he had indeed gone on a trip, in search of the
factory, which made lemon drops.
”It’s wonderful, he’s in Wales at the moment doing a bit of muggle skiing.”
Harry nodded and smiled hardly surprised that Dumbledore was trying muggle
sports.
“Oh and Hermione and Ron have sent us the invitation to their wedding next
month.” Harry beamed across at Severus, finally glad to hear that his two best
friends had finally set a date for their wedding. Hermione had gone on to be
Bill Weasly’s apprentice working for Gringotts, while Ron had gone on to be the
most unconventional Auror the ministry had ever seen. Harry was proud of his
friends just as they were proud of him.
“Daddy?” Harry turned his attention back to his son who had most surprisingly
finished his meal his tomato smeared grin beaming from behind the mop of unruly
black hair.
“Yes?” Harry inquired quietly as he like Severus attempted to clean up his
grubby son.
“Can I have a toffee apple now and one for Uncle Sirius too?” Harry sighed and
nodded and having reached across to the bowl of sweets grabbed two of the
toffee-coated apples, handing them both to his son. Within an instant Alex had
wiggled himself down from the table and having crawled under the table from
between his parents feet he took off up the centre of the student tables, the
two toffee apples held out in either hand and his arse hanging out of his
little trousers which had slid down off his hips. At the sight of his bare
backside son Severus groaned and put his head in his hands. The students
laughed but all of them had become used to having Alex running around the
castle and a Gryfindor prefect managed to catch Alex at the doors to the great
hall and helped the boy get dressed before sending him off on his way again.
Harry smiled at the prefect in thanks and leaned across and pressed a soft
reassuring kiss to Severus cheek.
“Its times like that I truly believe he inherited your lack of shame Potter.”
Severus arched his eyebrow accusingly at Harry who looked mildly affronted at
the comment.
“Oh that’s rich, coming from you who allowed him to get his fingers stuck in a
potions bottle last week.” Severus blushed a little and sighed before smiling
and shaking his head.
“God that was funny.” Severus chuckled as he remembered the scene Alex had
created having been rummaging through his potions classroom, and getting his
fingers stuck in a bottle.
“Yeah it was.” Harry whispered as he leant his head against Severus shoulder,
as the elder man placed his hand comfortingly over Harry’s under the table. The
moment however was broken as a first year Gryfindor approached the staff table.
“Um, professors I just thought you should know Alex has just gone into the
forbidden corridor on the third floor, Professor Black has gone after him but
he told me to inform you.” Harry rolled his eyes and sprung to his feet, as did
Severus both parents with the same mind.
“You know what Potter I think our son has inherited your same ability of
finding trouble where ever he goes.” Severus and Harry strode out of the hall
side by side intent on finding their son.
“Well could be worse, he could have the magical ineptitude of Longbottom, then
we’d really be in trouble….” Harry and Severus broke into laughter as they
disappeared up the grand staircase towards the third floor.
It had been six long years since Voldemort had gone, and seven since Harry’s
life had changed so dramatically when Severus had called in his debts. If Harry
had perhaps known what he knew now about how things would have turned out he
might, just might, not have called Severus a slimy little bastard when the man
had asked for his hand in marriage. It was strange how things in the world
worked out, and stranger still how happiness could come from such desolate
beginnings…but then those are the rewards when one walks a path that others
fear to tread….
THE END
***** Fan Art *****
Chapter Notes
     The Art is not mine it was a gift from a talented artist whose name
     escapes me. Please if this is yours or you know who created it please
     let me know so I can acknowledge the artist. Thanks Riffraff.
[Where Others Fear to Tread]
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