Title: To be with the one he loves.
Summary: Hp/Ss, including RW/HG, Albus Dumbledore, the marauders', Lily Evans and the ever popular Lucius Malfoy. Includes M/M relationships. All of consenting age.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, Hogwarts or the wonderful world created by the stupendous J.K. Rowling. She owns all. I simply own the idea.
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The next evening Harry bit his lip nervously and pulled at his new Hogwarts robes. He glanced at Hermione and Ron and saw that they looked just as nervous as he did. Sounds of students of all ages surrounded them as they waited in the back room, just off to the side of the Great Hall where the students and teachers congregated there. Greeting each other enthusiastically, shouts and calling out for each other.
Dumbledore had requested that they wait there to until after the sorting to avoid curious eyes. They'd agreed but Harry sort of wished that they hadn't. It was nerve wracking just waiting for Dumbledore to introduce them to the entire school. He really wasn't looking forward to have everyone's eyes on them, staring at them. It was just going to bring up memories of his own time.
There was only one set of eyes he wanted on him and he knew he shouldn't hope that they would be immediately filled with love for him, but he could hope that they would be a little curious at least, a little intrigued or…Lustful. He rolled his eyes, okay he knew he was pushing his luck for the last one but he couldn't help it he still wanted Severus like the sun rose.
He tapped his foot impatiently and looked around at Hermione and Ron, "What could be taking so long!?"
Hermione smiled in her annoyingly knowing way, "He'll still be here in ten minutes Harry."
"Oh you don't think it would take ten minutes do you?" harry complained, slightly startled by his new voice.
Ron chuckled, "Calm down mate, I doubt it'll take ten minutes."
"I'm so nervous! Not just for Sev, but for Dad …Oh I mean James, Sirius and Remus!" Harry bounced on his heels excitedly.
"I know I can't wait to meet everyone! Seeing them at our age, it'll be so odd but exciting too. Plus we'll be able to take our Newt's!" Hermione grinned clapping her hands. "We didn't get to take them, in our time. And now we do get to take them!"
At that moment, Harry heard the Great Hall go completely silent except for the Sorting Hat calling out the first year's new houses. They knew they had about five minutes before Dumbledore would be calling them out to introduce them as the new exchange students from America. Harry still found that intensely amusing, he'd never even been too America, what was he supposed to say when a curious student came up to him?
He, Hermione and Ron had spent a good part of the morning pouring over an atlas trying to decide which state in America they should say they were from and after much deliberation Hermione had convinced them to go with Colorado, because she'd read of a flourishing wizarding village in the mountains there, once.
But that's all they really knew about Colorado, or even the America. They would just have to be creative when it came to those predictable questions. Ron and Hermione were planning on being open about their relationship, and Harry didn't plan on hiding the fact that he was gay. At this point he didn't give a crap about what anyone thought about him being gay. He just wanted to see the love of his life again.
Hermione got his attention by squealing and flapping her hands, "The sorting's over!"
Harry jumped up and ran over to the door, pressed his ear against it and could hear Dumbledore saying, "Another exciting announcement is that this year we have three new exchange students, from America! They'll be joining the Gryffindor house as they were sorted last night upon their arrival!"
With a low groan Harry realized that Hermione and Ron had their ears pressed against the door too and could hear Dumbledore announcing their arrival too, and they clearly heard the excited and curious chatter from the sea of students, he was talking too. Because they shared his groan and nervous and slightly disturbed look.
When the door opened and they stumbled out, Albus blinked in surprise, "Well I was just about to ask you to come out! Didn't know that you would do it so dramatically!" He chuckled once and everyone in the Great Hall laughed lightly at their flushed, embarrassed faces.
Harry rubbed the back of his head and looked at the floor, kicking his feet on the ground. He did let a scowl drift up to Albus though, who motioned for them to stand in front of the teachers table so the whole school could see them.
"Well these are the three new students I was just telling you about! Hermione Granger, Ron Wiley, and Harry Pierson!" he motioned to each of them as he said there names.
Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes at his new name, it was just so weird. But in the moment he looked up, a pair of curious black eyes caught his and he felt like he'd been kicked in the gut by an angel. A clearly seventeen year old Severus Snape sat at the Slytherin table. His black hair down to his shoulder, his face barely achieving the angular, beautiful shape it would get as an adult. Harry just stared at Severus who was starting to squirm uncomfortably, his eyes anxious and confused.
"Harry!" Hermione hissed and tugged at his arm, pulling him over to the Gryffindor table where many of the students were clapping.
He lost eye contact with Severus and nearly growled at Hermione, but Ron seeing the thundery look on Harry's face, leaned in and whispered, "Remember what Dumbledore said Harry…He doesn't know you."
"Oh yeah…" Harry took a deep breath and looked where they were going. They walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat at the end, with Harry in between Hermione and a short black boy who stared at him curiously.
Harry got annoyed by the staring and looked at him pointedly, "Hi. I'm Harry, I'm from Colorado, I like to hike and make out with boys in my Toyota truck. And you?" he said this in a completely dramatic and fake cowboy voice.
The boy flushed pink while Hermione, Ron and a group of people next across from them laughed. The boy mumbled something and stood, hurrying down to the other end of the table. Harry mock sighed, putting his chin on his hand, "Why does everyone always run away from me when I introduce myself?"
Hermione chuckled and swatted him upside the head, but her eyes were serious and they flicked to the group across the table from them. Harry looked across the table and blinked trying to hide the shock at seeing the seventeen year old versions of his dad, Remus and Sirius. They were staring at him, Ron and Hermione curiously.
He snorted and pushed back his black hair, "Hi I'm Harry…"
James laughed, "Yeah we've heard your introduction speech you don't have to repeat it, and it's a bit long to do every time, isn't it?"
"That it is. That it...is." Harry chuckled slowly, reaching for his pumpkin juice.
"Hi. I'm James Potter. This is Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew." James said motioning to each of his friends.
Harry, Ron and Hermione smiled at each of them, saying hello nicely. Though they're tones got slightly cooler when saying hello to the plump boy. Remus smiled shyly at them, Peter just stuffed more food in his mouth and grunted a hello to them, but Sirius grinned and shushed James, "Jamie…Don't be rude I can introduce myself!" He leaned across the table and batted his eyes at a red faced Ron, "Hi, I'm Sirius Black. I forgot your name, cutie."
Not able to help himself Harry started laughing at the horrified look on Ron's face and the very flushed amused look on Hermione's face. He shook his head, "Um, that's Ron and uh…this is his girlfriend Hermione." Harry laid a light hand on Hermione's shoulder.
Sirius pouted, and pulled back with a sniff. "Well you're an adorable couple…But if you ever want a threesome I'm so there!" He yelped when Remus slapped him upside the head and raised an eyebrow at him.
"Oh moony! Don't be jealous love!" Sirius said clutching at Remus's hand dramatically. "You're the only man who could capture my heart so completely!" Sirius was close to shouting now. But apparently this was something he did on a normal basis because only a few people looked over and started laughing while Remus blushed from the bottom of his pale neck to the top of his hay colored hair.
"Sirius shut up and sit down!"
"OH You said my name! My heart thrums and purrs at the mere sound of mine name dropping from your ruby lips!" Sirius dramatically ran his hand down Remus's face, before dropping heavy kisses onto the pale hair.
Remus growled at Sirius and shoved him away, while Harry, Hermione and Ron all laughed along with James and the closest people around them. Sirius continued his attempt to get close to the furiously blushing Remus, who finally consented to letting Sirius lie, his head on his shoulder. Remus shook his head and rolled his eyes at Harry and the others, "Sorry…He's a bit of a prat sometimes."
"But that's why you love me right?"Sirius sniffled and laid a big, wet kiss on Remus's cheek and Harry noticed him blush and look down at the same time that Remus blushed and stared away pointedly.
Harry's eyebrow raised and he smiled a small smile that he tried to hide as he drank his pumpkin juice, but James caught his eye and winked knowingly. James set down his own goblet and began speaking with Hermione and Ron about the school, just general things, including teachers, classes and ghosts and such.
But Harry's eyes were drawn past Sirius's shoulder to see Severus looking down at his plate, his lips moving slightly, like he was talking to someone but very reluctantly. Harry was still studying his face, when Severus seemed to feel like someone was staring at him, because he squirmed around a moment before looking up. He looked around carefully for a moment, under his dark eyelashes, and then narrowed his eyes when he glanced at the Marauders. And the hate was easy to see in his eyes. Then he looked between Sirius and Peter and caught Harry's gaze. His eyes narrowed, in what Harry knew was his curious gaze. He was trying to figure Harry out. Harry loved seeing that look once more and smiled softly, his eyes tracing a path across Sev's face.
*
Severus squirmed impatiently in his seat, as the new student Harry Pierson stared him deeply. It was unnerving how this boy stared at him, his dark green eyes fixed on him so intensely. Like he'd known him, like he'd know intimate parts of him and worst of all it was a possessive gaze. Like he thought Severus was his.
The boy was very interesting to look at, so Severus didn't mind the little staring match they were having. His shoulder length curly black hair, was messy but in an attractive way. His dark green eyes, framed by thick black eye lashes that he could see all the way over at the Slytherin table. A thick full mouth, it was an attractive and yet mischievous mouth. Tricky and playful, but stern and serious at the same time. It was over all a curious mouth, it confused Severus because it couldn't tell him anything about the boy.
He was just as tall as Severus was, if not a little bit taller, had broad shoulders and a lean, strong body. It seemed to be a full of strength, ready and waiting for the chance to be proved. Severus frowned when he realized that he was ogling the American boy in way similar to many of the girls around him. He blushed and pointedly narrowed his eyes at Harry, who just smirked at him.
Severus sniffed and looked on at the other Americans. One was the girl, with out of control, curly brown hair, and plump cheeks. She had a quick and intelligent look about her though, and he figured she was the brainy one.
The last American he inspected was the red head. He was very tall, very gangly but full of wiry muscle. He simply seemed wary and nervous, constantly checking his surroundings. He was the one to notice danger first. He also seemed very protective of the girl and of Harry. His body always tilted slightly towards them, as if he would take the hit, if someone shot a curse at them. He would willingly sacrifice himself for Hermione and Harry.
For some reason that had Severus annoyed. He scowled and took a deep breath, "I'm going up to bed." he muttered to his only friend.
The beautiful blonde looked up and looked him over, "Okay. I'll be up soon."
Severus nodded and stood to hurry out of the Great Hall before that idiot James Potter and his friends could start anything with him.
*
Across the hall Harry watched Severus leave with a small smile on his face. Hermione nudged him and Harry jumped, "What?"
She raised an eyebrow at him and smiled knowingly, she leaned in close and put her chin on his shoulder so that she could whisper, "It just makes me so happy to see you smile Harry."
Harry turned his head so that he could lightly nuzzle his face into the hair that always smelled like old parchment and a dusty library. His right hand stroked Hermione's hair and he whispered, "He does that to me. Do you think it's odd, that I don't even really know him in this time and yet…I still love him and he still has that strange power over me? The look that just burns right into my soul…"
"No, it's not odd Harry. You guys were bonded and that's a deep magical connection. Your souls are connected. No matter what…decade you're in!" Hermione laughed, with Harry joining her after a moment. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and looked up catching Sirius and James staring at him seriously, while Remus talked to Ron about their previous defense against the dark arts professors.
Harry raised an eyebrow at the guys, his hand still tangled in Hermione's hair. James looked away but Sirius tipped his head to the side, "I thought you were dating the cute red head?" which of course made Ron blush fiercely.
Hermione nodded, "I am."
And when James gave her and Harry a confused look, Harry chuckled, "Hermione's like my sister. The three of us practically grew up together. And I don't really swing that way, no matter how pretty she is!" Harry laughed, affectionately rubbing Hermione's hair.
"Oh! So you really are attracted to men then?" Sirius asked, studying him closely.
Harry nodded once and waited for their reactions. James didn't seem to care, because he simply looked off into the distance at the far end of the table, Remus was sneaking looks up at Sirius and Sirius was just nodding and staring at Harry, who was starting to get annoyed at the staring.
After a long while of nonstop staring, he sighed and said, "I'm going to head up to the common room."
Sirius coughed nervously, "Do you need me to show you where it is?"
Harry could have groaned, as Sirius looked at him eagerly and Remus looked back and forth between Harry and Sirius with a crestfallen look on his face. Instead he shook his head quickly and stood, "No! No…Professor Dumbledore showed us where it was last night." When Sirius opened his mouth again Harry quickly added, "And he told us the password to the portrait."
He let his hand ghost across Ron and Hermione's shoulder's, in a familiar and reassuring way before walking out of the Great Hall. He started up the stairs, his heart beating happily. He had a new life, a new chance to be happy. Harry knew that he would have to kill Voldemort all over again, destroy all the hocruxe's again, but he would have a chance to have a life now. A real life, where he could just be Harry, he could have the man of his dreams, and he could live happily ever after.
He snorted at the hostile look Severus had given him and thought, that's if he could convince Severus to fall for him. But as well as he knew Severus, knew exactly what would make him fall for Harry again, he wasn't really worried about that. He had seduced him the first time, he could do it.
*
Sighing impatiently Harry bit another bite off his buttered toast and glanced around quickly, looking at the Slytherin table, hoping to see Severus. But he wasn't there yet and already Harry was wishing he could see him again.
"Hey morning." James said dropping into the seat next to Harry, his eyes drooping heavily and his posture heavy, he was clearly not a morning person.
"Morning." Harry muttered, pushing the plate of toast towards James, who grunted out, his thanks and took four pieces of toast.
"So you're not a morning person either, Harry?" Remus asked smiling shyly at him as he sat across from him and Ron. Hermione hadn't come down yet.
"No I must be on American time still." Harry smiled at Remus, wanting to be friends with him. He was the gentle, sweet friend who'd always been there for Harry to talk to if he needed him.
"Do you think you'll miss America? You're families?"
Harry and Ron glanced at each other, "Um…No, we didn't really leave anyone behind, and it's just the three of us." Harry said slowly, his eyes asking Ron if that was okay for him to say. Apparently though Ron couldn't think of anything else to say and that it was okay to be honest, to a point.
But a flicker of apprehension rose up in their eyes as they saw James and Remus look at each other curiously. James looked back at Harry, his gaze curious, "Just the three of you? Did you…All live together?"
After another glance between Harry and Ron, Harry shrugged, 'Yeah it's just us."
"Oh…" James nodded.
"Mione!"Ron said in a relieved voice, getting up to embrace his girlfriend, which Harry knew was a cover so that he could tell her what they would be talking about.
Hermione met Harry's eyes once as she said, "Morning Ron, Harry, James, and Remus." The guys smiled and greeted Hermione who sat on Harry's other side.
"Excuse me…"
Harry looked up and around, on Hermione's other side a beautiful girl with fiery red hair smiled brightly up at them. Recognizing his mother instantly Harry smiled just as brightly, she was just as wonderful as everyone had ever said!
"Hi, I was wondering if you could pass me the coffee." Lily asked looking around at the container of coffee that sat in front of Harry's plate.
Harry passed the warm container of strong smelling coffee to Hermione, who handed it to Lily. Who seemed relieved that James had yet to notice her, he was leaning heavily against Remus with his eyes closed.
Lily held out her hand, "Hi, I'm Lily Evans. You must be so excited to start classes today!" she shook each other their hands in a firm but not overwhelming grip.
"Oh yes!" Hermione smiled excitedly, "I still have yet to decide which classes to take though! I know newts are extremely important and I just have to do well!"
"You should most definitely sign up for Defense, Potions, Arithmancy, and Runes. They're the key classes. But of course that's depending on what you want to do."
"Oh well I definitely want to join the ministry, but I also want to promote muggle-wizard communications or at least some sort of muggle information act, so that wizards have a more honest view of muggle's and muggle-born's."
Lily looked impressed, "Really? That is so interesting. I'd love to do something like that. That or something to do with potions."
She leaned forward to talk more with Hermione but at that moment James sat up, and said loudly, "Evans! My darling, future wife! Won't you do me the honor of going out with me just once?"
With a grimace, Lily rolled her eyes at James and shook her head haughtily. Harry smirked and followed Lily's suddenly alert gaze. She was staring at Severus who'd just walked in looking tired and annoyed. Harry smiled at the sight of him and then frowned when he saw the tall, beautiful blonde boy who walked in right behind him and was leaning down to speak quietly in his ear.
"It's Lucius Malfoy!" Ron whispered in Harry's ear. "I sort of thought he would look like Draco… But I guess he gets his looks from both his mum and dad."
It was true, besides the long shockingly white blonde hair, haughty bone structure and strange silver eyes, Lucius looked nothing like Draco. Draco was softer somehow, gentler than his father. Harry studied Lucius and decided that although he grew into a very attractive older man, his looks would become much harsher with age. He was probably in his prime of attractiveness right now.
And he was very attractive, very startlingly beautiful. But Harry's eyes were drawn to Severus; he was the very epitome of beauty in Harry's mind. He watched Severus follow Lucius up to their head of house a much younger, but still just as plump Professor Slughorn. He handed them their schedules and pointed to the back tables were they were to sign up for the classes of their choice.
He looked around when Ron poked him. Ron smirked and handed him his schedule, he nodded towards where Severus was still poring over his schedule. "Thanks mate." Harry grinned before jumping up and walking slowly to where Severus was standing.
He closely and discreetly watched Severus absentmindedly sign up for advance Defense against the Dark Arts, then Advanced Potion Making. He hovered over Advanced Runes before signing up for that too, grudgingly going to stand in line to collect his books for the classes.
Harry signed up for the same classes, slightly cursing his luck that he would have to take potions again. As he walked slowly to the end of the line to wait to get his books for his classes, Harry stared at the back of Severus's head. This was the closest he had gotten to Severus and he had to forcibly hold himself back from pulling Severus into his arms and breathing in the scent that was completely Sev.
The scent was so strong in Harry's mind that he couldn't help breathing him in, leaning in just so. Just to smell in the warm scent of his robes and his hair. He reached out and lightly tapped Severus on the shoulder, shivering at the feel of his lover.
*
Severus jumped at the light tap on his shoulder, his eyes wide with shock. No one touched him. It was like a well known, unspoken rule. He spun around and glared at the American boy, who had stared so intently at him the night before. His mouth tightened and he raised an eyebrow at Harry.
"Hi, I'm Harry Pierson."
"The American Gryffindor, right?" Severus asked fluidly, staring down his nose at Harry, but his eyes betrayed a hint of surprise that they were talking.
Harry laughed, one hand lightly pushing his hair back and his eyes twinkling brightly. Severus blinked, at the thought that that move was so alluring. He scowled and tried to put a lot of intimidation into his pose, it usually worked with everyone else. He waited for Harry to nod before continuing, "Then you do not know not to talk to me. I'm not interested in an acquaintance with a Gryffindor, American or not. Now you know how uninterested I am."
He waited for the boy too look offended or intimidated and was shocked when Harry just smiled and traced his eyes across his face, in that same possessive way. He leaned in to Severus, who stiffened at how close Harry was too him, and whispered, "I can't stay away from such a beautiful boy and I don't intend too."
He pulled back and winked at Severus who was gaping in shock, before taking the books from one of the prefects and walking slowly, lopingly away. Severus realized that his hands were clenched and that his schedule was crumpling up in his hand. He scowled as he tried to smooth it out. He realized that the musky, slightly spicy scent that lingered around Harry was making him dizzy.
"If I didn't know better that young man was just flirting with you…" A smooth voice slid into Severus's right ear.
Rolling his eyes at the absurdity of what Lucius was saying, Severus snorted, "Don't be stupid Malfoy. Of course he wasn't."
"Oh no? Than what did he want?" Lucius moved to stand next to Severus, his eyes following Harry as he rejoined his friends.
Recognizing the look on Lucius's face, Severus scowled, "Honestly Lucius, he's a Gryffindor. You wouldn't!?"
"He's gorgeous, and he isn't completely a Gryffindor, just for this year after all." Lucius grinned wolfishly, one long, elegant finger, lightly tapping a button on his robes.
Severus's scowl grew and he growled, "Oh just leave him be, Lucius."
"Mm, why? Are you laying claim on him?" Lucius smirked and raised an overly amused eyebrow at Severus, who flushed just as he knew he would. "I didn't think so. So that makes him fair game doesn't it?"
He made to walk towards Harry but Severus called after him in a snotty tone, "He won't fall for it you know!"
"They all fall for it Severus. You know that." Lucius said his lip curling.
"He won't. He's not as stupid as your usual conquests Lucius."
"We'll see wont we?"
Severus watched his only friend make his way over to Harry and felt something clench his gut angrily. His scowl deepened and he snarled at a first year to get out of his way, before swooping over to the Slytherin table to grab some toast before the table cleared itself.
*