It's Purely Carnal

Snape looked up from his papers and sighed.

"Potter, I've got far too much to do. There's a pile of essays with nothing in it, and a failure pile that is certainly only too easy to put them in. So, if you'd like to whine about Ms. Weasley, or if you want anything else, please come back later. I realize you think she's difficult; but, honestly, you treat her like a princess."

Snape watched the boy walk across the room. He was silent. Then Severus's Mark twitched.

He watched in terror and awe as the Dark Lord fell from Potter's body. He leaped from his desk and bowed in front of the spot where his master was currently solidifying.

"Severusssss…"

Snape involuntarily shuddered at the mix of snake and man.

"Yes, my Lord?"

"You did not sense me coming."

It was not a question.

"No, my Lord. Your guise was very good." Severus focused on clearing his mind of treacherous thoughts.

The Dark Lord stood.

"Excellent…I must ask, Severus."

Curiosity from the Dark Lord was never a good thing.

"Why did you believe that it was Potter before his body had even reached the light? Why would the boy come so late at night?"

"He has visited before, my Lord."

Severus exhaled slowly.

"Oh? And you haven't reported this to me."

"No, my Lord. I apologize."

Severus watched as the Dark Lord circled. He was only too aware of the wand in those long, pale fingers.

"What does the boy visit for, Severus?"

"It's purely carnal, my Lord."

The lust could be easily explained; he was known in the Death Eater circle for it. The rest…it could be kept hidden.

Voldemort laughed. It was a chilling sound. Instead of joy, it inspired fear.

"Carnal, Severus? You have been having intercourse with the boy?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"You wouldn't be lying to me; would you, Severus?"

He willingly opened his mind to Voldemort, keeping the deadly thoughts locked behind a hidden wall in his mind.

"Very good, Severus, very good indeed. I would have liked to have been informed of this. What does the boy think of you, Severus?"

"It's not always consensual, my Lord."

A lie.

"You said he comes to visit you."

Again, not a question. Voldemort wanted to catch him in a lie.

"He does, my Lord. As I said when you first entered, he usually comes to complain. It started out consensual, but now it is rather forced."

"What does this do for us, Severus?"

"I am gaining his trust, my Lord."

"How, Severus? It only seems that you are making him hate you more."

"No, my Lord. He is carefully Obliviated each time, leaving him with a sense of self-doubt and general anger, but nothing more. And then he comes to me – and that is consensual."

"So you are confusing and troubling the boy."

"Yes, my Lord. It will make him easier to destroy. He is becoming alienated from his so – called friends, and Dumbledore is getting nothing from him."

He was lying faster than he thought possible, but he was weaving a probable story. His palms were sweaty, but he kept his face composed. He needed to make this story work, or both Harry and he were dead.

"Very well, Severus. Now. What to do with Harry."

Severus's heart beat quicker.

"My Lord, if I may suggest something-"

"Don't become infatuated, Severus."

"No, my Lord, of course not. But, if you were to kill him now, Dumbledore and the others would only accuse you of cowardice, and it would boost the morale."

Voldemort sighed, a sound that emphasized the snake inside of him.

"What does the boy really think of you, Severus?"

"He is infatuated, as teenagers are prone to do."

"Why, Severus?"

"He is sexually confused-"

"No, you misunderstand. What is it about you, Severus Snape, which attracts love – romantic or sexual – from Harry Potter?"

"I am unsure, my Lord. The boy's explanations are the nonsense of a love struck fool."

And Severus had asked, many times.

Voldemort laughed softly.

"He is Harry Potter, the 'boy who lived'. Surely there are better partners than you, Severus."

Severus nodded, accepting the criticism.

"There is still the dilemma of what to do with Harry."

Snape allowed himself a glance at Harry. He wore that frown that meant he was having another nightmare. Severus wished to make it go away.

"My Lord, if you were to kill him now, I would not be able to remain here."

"But if I were to kill him now, I would have no need for a spy in Hogwarts."

Voldemort sighed again.

"I fear this is going to be a repeat of the Lily incident."

Severus stiffened. She was still a raw subject.

"My Lord, you know I detest the boy."

"Not enough to not have intercourse with him."

"My Lord, sex has nothing to do with it. I still abhor him."

"Yes, so you say. Too much of the father. Nevertheless, he is still Lily's. Are you sure that there is no affection in you for him?"

"Of course not, my Lord."

Snape felt the Dark Lord's mind knock against his own, and he willingly opened it.

"Are you hiding something from me, Severus?"

"My Lord, I thought you would appreciate not seeing the memories of the intercourse."

"I have never understood your sexual preferences, Severus. The boy is not attractive. Or perhaps, it is simply the idea of sleeping with Harry Potter?"

Snape smirked.

"Of course the idea is appealing, my Lord."

"What about the blood traitor girl?"

"Ginny Weasley."

"Yes. Isn't he hopelessly in love with her?"

His thin lips curled. He obviously couldn't imagine anyone being in love.

"It's more that she is in love with him. He wants nothing to do with her. He complains about her endlessly."

Voldemort was leaning down and touching Harry. Snape restrained himself. Harry jumped, but he didn't wake.

"Is he under the Imperius, my Lord?"

"Yes. It was ridiculously easy."

Voldemort paused, still pressing his fingers to Harry's scar.

"Severus…are these your teeth marks on the boy's neck?"

Blood rushed to Severus's cheeks, but he kept his face expressionless.

"Yes, my Lord."

Voldemort chuckled darkly, trailing his finger down Harry's neck to the love bite in question.

"Severus. You have tasted this boy's blood – the same blood that now runs inside my veins. This boy cannot be allowed to live – you know that. I cannot, and will not, allow this to become Lily all over again. You have seen before that I will not make exceptions for your sexual interests. Harry Potter must die, and it must be tonight."

"My Lord…"

Severus needed to be careful here. He wiped his palms on his robes, thankful for Occlumency and Harry – Voldemort was still enthralled with making the boy twitch.

"There has been new intelligence."

"Why haven't you reported it to me?"

"Before tonight, it had not seemed to be a pressing matter."

The Dark Lord prodded Snape's mind, and it opened before him.

"Well, what is it, Severus?"

He could easily find it in Severus's mind, but why bother?

"Dumbledore has been doing more research on the prophecy. He does have the woman who made it, however useless she is now."

"What has he found?"

Voldemort swirled around to look Snape in the eyes. Snape stared back, keeping the pity he felt locked up carefully. This man, who had once been so powerful, so charismatic, now was disgusting and barely human. Snape saw the fanaticism in his eyes, the same light that all the Death Eaters saw, and knew that Voldemort would listen to every word he said.

"He believes that if Harry is killed without fighting back, the circumstances of his demise will be very different and perhaps devastating for you."

Voldemort looked for a trace of a lie, and found none. He turned back to Harry's scar.

"Severus…you may be telling me what you believe to be true, but I don't believe it."

"My Lord-"

"No, Severus. This boy will never wake again."

"My Lord, Dumbledore has guards everywhere. In this state…"

Voldemort heard the implied warning.

"Harry's blood has strengthened me – along with Wormtail's hand and my father's bone. Wormtail is the weak one. He wished to come, but he must stay. He is telling my other faithful what to do. Severus…you didn't join us. It was glorious, but strange. I imagine you haven't heard the full story yet?"

Severus shook his head.

"I was bested again by Harry Potter. That is why he must die now, in sleep. Killing does not affect me the way it used to. I am strong."

Voldemort reached into his pocket with his unnaturally long fingers.

"Dumbledore is watching now. He has resources, my Lord, which I am not allowed to know. He suspects me. If Potter dies tonight, I die."

"Severus, you are loyal, and your death would pain me, but Harry is more important."

Snape stood and reached for his wand.

"Severus, as wonderful a dueler as you are, attacking me would be an unwise course of action."

"No, my Lord. My wards have been tripped."

"Why did they not trip when Harry's body brought me here?"

Blood rushed back to Snape's face.

"You wished him to come. I see. Your fetishes aside, who is coming?"

"Quite likely Dumbledore. You emit a dark energy, my Lord, and it's likely he noticed it. It might be wise to flee."

"You seem to forget that I am stronger now. Dumbledore does not scare me."

"He brings reinforcements, my Lord. Aurors, along with Alastor Moody…Perhaps even Lupin and Black."

"A crazy old Auror who sees me everywhere, Ministry brats with no talent, and a werewolf and a mutt. I am not afraid, Severus. Leave Dumbledore for me."

"My Lord-"

Severus was cut off when Dumbledore finally burst in. Severus immediately repositioned himself to be able to take care of Harry, and to not align himself with a side.

"Tom. You've returned."

Dumbledore spoke as if a favorite student of his had come for a visit, instead of a Dark Lord coming to kill Harry Potter.

"Always so cool, Dumbledore. You and Harry, along with your group of followers, die tonight; you must realize that."

"You can't touch him, Tom. He is protected by love."

Dumbledore shot a glance at Snape, who coolly returned it.

"Love?"

Voldemort scoffed.

"That does nothing against me. I suppose you will say Lily is still protecting him, even from the grave?"

"No, someone else's."

Severus's palms started sweating again. Dumbledore took a step toward Harry, but kept his wand pointed at Voldemort, who was cool and collected.

"The blood traitor girl's? Yours, Dumbledore? The mutt? Nothing, Dumbledore; easily destroyed."

"You are ignoring the obvious, Tom."

Severus kept his head high and his mind blank, but he could do nothing about the flush of color spreading across his neck.

Voldemort caught Dumbledore looking at Severus. His lip curled.

"Severus? He's mine, Dumbledore, and certainly has no affection for Harry Potter. Sexual interest, perhaps, but it's purely carnal."

"I was unaware that anything carnal was going on."

"Then what would lead you to think that there was any affection for Harry from Severus?"

Voldemort twirled his wand.

Severus felt like a child again; watching his parents fight. Everyone was ignoring him, just like his childhood.

"I know Severus well."

"That makes no difference."

Voldemort took a step closer to Harry. The Aurors, and especially Sirius, got ready to cast spells, but Dumbledore was faster. He cast a shield charm, and the spells cast harmlessly off.

"Harry is in no danger."

Severus disagreed.

Voldemort laughed that bone-chilling chuckle again.

"Yes he is, Dumbledore. He is an inch from death, and I will finally win."

"Try."

Snape jolted despite himself. Dumbledore was going to get Harry killed!

Voldemort pointed his wand at Harry.

"Avada Kedavra."

There was a bright flash of green light, and Severus felt his heart break. But, when the light cleared, Voldemort was gone, and Harry was still there. Severus rushed over to check his breathing, but Sirius shoved him out of the way.

"You leave him alone, you greasy motherfucker."

"Sirius, please. Severus just saved Harry's life."

Sirius stared at Dumbledore incredulously. Snape shook his head, confused.

"I did…?"

"I told you, Severus; love is a powerful tool."

"I don't…we aren't…"

Sirius shoved Severus against the nearest wall. Snape rolled his eyes.

"You motherfucker, you are fucking him!"

"Sirius, please! I'm sure it's more than that."

"You just admitted that you had no idea that anything sexual was going on, so why should I believe that you know anything."

Snape sighed. He looked over at Harry, and was pleased to see that Lupin had the presence of mind to check Harry's pulse.

"Wake Harry up. He'll tell you the truth."

"Are you comfortable with the truth, Severus?"

"I have done nothing to be ashamed of. Personally, I don't believe this is anyone's business expect Harry's and mine. As it seems this mangy mutt is going to kill me anyway, we might as well have the truth."

"Don't you call me a mangy mutt-"

"Sirius."

Sirius grumbled, and didn't release Snape.

Dumbledore nodded, his eyes twinkling slightly, and cast a wordless spell on Harry.

He came to slowly, and was extremely disorientated. He looked around and focused on Severus first.

"Severus…what the hell happened?"

Sirius flinched at the familiarity.

"All in good time. First, perhaps you could ask this mutt to let me go?"

Harry noticed Sirius for the first time.

"Sirius! Let go of Severus."

Then his face blanched. He was being friendly to Snape in front of his worst enemy.

Dumbledore, grinning, motioned to Sirius to let go of Snape. He did, grudgingly. Harry immediately rushed over and pulled Severus into a hug. Snape blushed. Then he caught sight of Sirius's murderous expression and Lupin's displeased one, and he returned the hug, smirking. Being hugged by Harry and making the werewolf and the mutt mad? Priceless.

Harry seemed to have figured out what had happened because he was checking Severus's Dark Mark. It had faded since Voldemort's disappearance, but it was still dark enough to suggest that he was not dead.

"Severus, what the fuck happened? My scar…"

"The Dark Lord happened."

"What did he do?"

"Possessed you, and then tried to kill you."

"Did he…um…find out any secrets?"

"You can call it what it is. Dumbledore apparently knows."

Harry blushed.

"He knows…everything?"

"Everything about us, yes. The mutt isn't satisfied. He wants the whole story."

"I have to tell it?"

"Are you ashamed of it?"

Harry shook his head violently.

"Tell them then."

Harry sighed.

"Now?"

Dumbledore took a step toward the pair.

"How about we go up to my office and the Aurors who aren't connected to this information can go search the grounds?"

Everyone nodded, and Dumbledore, Snape, Harry, Sirius, and Lupin went up to the office. Harry was still disorientated and he stuck close to Severus, making Sirius glower.

Everyone sat down. Harry fidgeted nervously. Sirius tried to be patient for about a minute.

"Harry, just tell us what the hell is going on between you and Snape."

"It's complicated."

"How did it start?"

"I don't know…I had detention. Ginny came in and yelled at me for getting in trouble again. I guess I yelled back, and after she left I just sort of…vented. I get in trouble a lot, so we just kept talking. Eventually…"

Harry shrugged.

"So, you're not fucking him?"

Harry blushed, looking into Sirius's expectant face.

"Well…no. I am."

Sirius flinched.

"Why? I mean…is it just sex?"

Harry looked over at Severus, who seemed to be very interested in a spot on the wall.

"Well…not to me."

Dumbledore smiled.

"Certainly not for Severus either. His love saved you tonight."

Harry frowned.

"That's a story for another time. Harry, Sirius still looks like he wants to kill me. Maybe you could assure him that everything is consensual?"

Harry nodded furiously.

"Oh, of course it is! I…well, technically, I started it."

Sirius shuddered.

Dumbledore stood.

"I think that's enough for one night, Harry. You must be exhausted. We need to get you to the hospital wing."

Harry nodded, and Sirius stood, but Dumbledore motioned him back down.

"I will take Harry to the hospital wing. You and Lupin stay here. Talk to Severus. You all have a vested interest in Harry, and you need to put away your old school boy quarrels."

Severus scowled. Harry looked back at him before the door shut.

Sirius crossed his arms and turned away from Snape, acting like a child.

Lupin sighed.

"Both of you need to sit and talk. Sirius, you know that Harry is stubborn. He's not going to stop being with Snape just because you want him to. Snape, you must know Harry just as well as Sirius does. He'll be upset if the two of you can't work something out."

"He can stop fucking my godson."

"He can leave Harry alone and let him pick who he wants to fuck."

Lupin rolled his eyes.

"Compromise, you two."

"Remus, you can't possibly be fine with Harry fucking a Death Eater!"

Severus scowled.

"It's none of my business, Sirius. Maybe I'm just more mature than you."

"Whatever."

Neither Severus nor Sirius looked ready to talk.

Dumbledore walked back in.

"Harry is well taken care of. Have the two of you reached an agreement?"

Lupin chuckled.

Dumbledore sighed.

"I expected as much. Neither of you can visit Harry until you reach an agreement."

Severus scowled; Sirius swore.

"Honestly, you two. You both love Harry, albeit in different ways. Can't you get along?"

"Albus, don't be such an optimist. I have hated this mangy mutt for years, and I'm not going to stop because I love Harry."

Sirius flushed.

"Same here."

"How about a compromise? Both of you can love Harry in the ways he wants you to, and leave the other alone."

"Nothing would make me happier than to never see this flea-bitten mongrel again."

"I don't think Snape should be allowed around Harry. He's too close to Voldemort."

"Severus, I've been meaning to ask you this. What do you think happened to Voldemort?"

Severus pulled his sleeve up. Sirius recoiled from the Mark.

"My Mark is still dark. It is similar to the night the Potters died. I believe that the Dark Lord is still alive, weak and hiding somewhere. I must go and look for him if I want to remain on his good side."

"You may do so."

Severus hesitated.

"What is it?"

"May I see Harry before I leave?"

"As long as you realize that you and Sirius are not done negotiating."

"Of course."

"Then go."

Sirius snorted.

Snape left quickly.

Harry was sitting up in a hospital bed, looking weak but angry.

"Severus! I see Sirius didn't kill you."

He grinned, watching Severus closely.

"Not that he didn't want to."

Snape sighed.

"Harry…we've never truly discussed this. Do you truly think that there is something between us?"

"Of course I do. I…I think I love you, Severus."

Harry flushed.

Severus felt his neck redden, and blood rushed lower as well.

Harry bit his lip.

"Was Dumbledore right? Do you really love me?"

"Would I let you call me Severus if I didn't?"

One side of Harry's mouth crept up.

"Are you going to stay here? I have to take Skelegrow, so I probably won't be able to sleep. I can get the Invisibility Cloak if you don't want any one to see you."

"What bone is missing?"

"An Auror tried to fix my wrist on the way up the stairs, but he said that the Killing Curse messed up my magic or something. So, are you going to stay?"

"I can't, Harry."

His face fell.

"Why not?"

"I have to go to the Dark Lord."

Harry's eyes widened.

"Why? Isn't he gone?"

"Do you need to see the Mark again, Harry?"

He shuddered.

"No."

"Harry, we need to keep a spy with the Dark Lord."

"Do you have to call him the Dark Lord?"

"It's a habit."

Harry bit his lip.

"Be careful, okay, Severus?"

"Always."

Snape stood up to leave. He couldn't move, and he turned around to see Harry holding on to his robes.

"Don't you dare try to leave without kissing me goodbye."

Snape was happy to oblige.

When they broke apart, Harry blushed bright red.

Dumbledore, Moody, all of the Aurors, Sirius, Lupin, Hermione, Ron and Ginny were there. Dumbledore was grinning, almost as if he planned it, but Hermione, Ron and Ginny looked horrified.

Harry grinned sheepishly.

"I guess I have some explaining to do?"

AN: I hope everyone liked this! Please review. I thrive on feedback. There's going to be a second chapter, and maybe a few after that that I will try to post soon. Thanks for reading!