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CHAPTER 2

Albus had been deep in thought, staring at the lunascope polishing itself, when Severus spoke the password to the Gargoyle. He arranged himself and took one of the lemon drops.

Severus? At this hour? Albus thought alarmed.

Albus had had his hands full these last few months, with the Ministry spy, Ms. Umbridge and the Order business. Since Hagrid and Ms. Olympe had returned unsuccessful from the remote mountainous region in Northern Europe; he was planning on sending them to other Giant tribes but with the Ministry's new reforms, it was going to be quite a headache.

The Order members were diligently searching for other half-creatures to ally with them, now more than ever because they would require a lot of help. These creatures that were neglected and were the unfortunate bystanders in the last war could very well change the tides this time; and the Order had to convince them to come over to the Light side, especially now that Voldemort was also courting them and Tom wouldn't stop at using just his charms; there'd be hollow promises and death threats involved which were very good arguments in any setting.

Albus sighed and sat down. No point in worrying about what will happen.

Though Severus would never have wanted to go to someone else, especially his superior and someone as important as Albus Dumbledore for romantic advice, he consoled himself because anything related to Harry Potter was bound to play a bigger role in the history of the Wizarding World and so must be scrutinized minutely. Was this how his life was going to be? Severus bemoaned inwardly. Always handling rumours and press and gossip; and Severus would also have to check all the statements they might release, being the elder one in this relationship.

What relationship?! The boy doesn't even know yet Severus scoffed.

Severus knocked on the large wooden door and entered.

Upon entering Severus found the Headmaster in his high-backed chair, looking at him and waiting patiently for him to speak. Though not very discernible, but Severus could make out an alert look on Dumbledore's face, which made him realise what an important piece of information his little love confession had become. This irritated him further because Severus Snape wanted a life without drama. His Veela-Awakening had already damaged that hope, but having Harry Potter as his mate had completely destroyed it.

"Hello, Severus. What's kept you awake at this hour?"

"I believe I have some rather dire news, Albus. Harry came to my office for Occulumency lessons earlier tonight and I star—

He had a sudden wish to make up an excuse and leave, not wanting to divulge his mate's identity for majorly security reasons, but also because Harry should have been the first one to know about all this or his guardian in Harry's steads which exasperatingly was Sirius Black.

The proper etiquettes regarding courting were well-known and followed in the pureblood families, like chaperoning or greeting the intended's family members whenever present or exchanging gifts and finding an agreeable set of terms for the relationship to proceed further. Discussing the relationship openly, especially before the families were aware of it was just crass. And besides that the Veela wanted to give his mate this choice of whether to keep the relationship private or public.

Telling Dumbledore felt like an indirect manipulation tactic, which it technically was but Harry's security was at stake, and that detail just won over every other argument.

Albus had leaned forward, leaning on his elbows on the table.

Severus took a deep breath silently and went on "I think my veela heritage has started to show itself Albus and it seems Mr. Potter is my intended."

"You are a Veela Severus?"
Albus looked surprised, which was an unusual expression on his face. And Severus felt his Veela getting more irritated, almost like it wanted to scratch that piece of information from Dumbledore's memory.
So the Veela doesn't wish to broadcast its mate's identity. We agree on something at least.

"Yes Albus. Some aunts on my father's side were some far-related descendants of the Veela tribe in Eastern Bulgaria." Severus replied.

"I always thought Tobias Snape didn't have any magical blood in him."

"It was a well-kept secret in earlier times, and then it got lost as a minor detail as generations of Squib relocated to Muggle society."

"How much Veela blood do you have Severus?"

"I don't know, that's part reason why I came here; to find out the full extent of my inheritance and find a solution to this mess"

"You seem to think this will necessarily be bad?"

"It cannot be otherwise"

"But Severus, it makes much more sense why you would be so attached to Lily when it is her son who is your intended."

As Severus's defences were down in Albus's office, he couldn't help the frown that marred his face at this statement. Could he not love Lily just because he loved her? Does even Albus believe that there had to be an external reason for his emotions to be so passionate about a person?

Albus seem to have picked up on it, and amended his statement.
"It isn't that you aren't capable of such love, Severus; it is merely too improbable that you would feel so strongly for your intended's blood relation independent of the bond."

Severus sighed.
"I had thought about it too. So what will this spell for the future?"

"That will depend primarily on what the nature of your Veela is and how long we can avoid its interference."

Severus's eyes flashed silver for a quick second but that was enough for Albus who was watching Severus intently.
"Keep a hold on it Severus. You are one of the most capable in this regard. And just as a random enquiry, what caused that reaction?"

"No creature likes to be controlled, Albus." Severus replied resignedly after a moment.

"True, true" Albus got up from his seat and started pacing around, stopping briefly at the phoenix's stand every once in a while.

"Why now though Albus? I should have known when I first met the boy." Severus asked.

"It would seem that the Veelas of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons have incited the dormant creature by their presence. However why the Veela was dormant is a very curious case indeed."

"The Veela was made to lie dormant?" Severus asked, shocked though his voice did not betray that.

Albus nodded.
"It would be best to act unaware until more is known about it."

Watching Albus pace, Severus assessed that it was time to lay this vain discussion to rest and come to terms with another disappointing facet of his life and make a move to finally get some sleep.
"Albus, I am aware that we will have to keep this a secret too. I had come here only to inform you at the latest."

Albus looked towards Severus now, standing beside the high-rise window.
"While secrecy is best for now, I do not believe it would be required for long."

"Meaning what?"

"Just that it can prove to be helpful in the coming war. Veelas can track the location of their mates' up to a sufficient accuracy and the foreboding of a Veela is quite reliable. Really, Severus this creature inheritance may just have a silver lining after all."

"Albus, surely all of this can be used against Harry if it slips out, you must see that."

"And how much information slipped out in the past 15 years? You give yourself far less credit than you deserve."
Albus's eyes twinkled as he watched Severus, knowing very well that the Veela-awakening would have innumerable ripples but also that it had to be borne invariably.

After a few seconds pause, where Severus tried looking at his achievements from the past 15 years and turning up empty, he continued on.
"Well, I suppose a Disillusionment Charm and Vulnere-Celare potion would do for now."

"Yes, yes. Good choice Severus, though I would recommend a diluted dose of the potion for now."
Albus's voice which was calm a moment ago; got grave at once,
"Severus, it is imperative now that Harry learn Occulumency soon. I am sure Ms. Granger will figure out your predicament soon enough."

"So there is nothing more to be done? You think it is safe for me to continue working here?" Severus asked.

"For now, Severus. This can go in many directions. It will be unto our decisions to take complete advantage of this situation."

The Veela started getting irritated again. It had expected solid answers not a precautionary warning. Severus got up to end the discussion which was going in circles now.

"And Severus, I would recommend that you keep a Calming Draught with you."

Severus stood up, nodded and took his leave of the Headmaster.

- Scene Break-

Harry knocked on the door to the dungeons, nervously.
Severus opened the door almost immediately.

Excited like a schoolgirl meeting her crush, pathetic Severus.

Harry came in and sat on the stool, ready for another boring Occulumency lesson with Snape. While Harry was sure that the lessons were for his benefit, he couldn't think of a more useless teacher than Snape.
Useless because Snape wouldn't point out his faults directly, instead twist the situation in a way only Slytherins know how to, and then sneer down at him. That couldn't be inducive to learning Occulumency any faster than a snail's pace and Voldemort was surely moving faster than that.

Moreover, Snape was the one Order member that he did not trust, and it was in fact only Dumbledore's judgement that Harry used to justify Snape's involvement in the Order's inner working. Surely Snape had to be back-stabbing them, but then Dumbledore had never been wrong so far; Harry had to just continue as he always had - maintain a distance from Snape.

And Harry hadn't still forgiven Snape for making that obnoxious statement to Sirius about him being the only one doing something productive when Snape had come to Grimmauld Place in the Holidays. He already regretted not getting a proper last talk with his godfather and not reassuring Sirius that not everyone thinks so and that he is the only family Harry has. Harry hadn't forgotten how the mischievous marauder looked so gloomy when they had all left the Grimmauld Place for Hogwarts.

Harry felt like he would never forgive Severus.

"Take a seat, Mr. Potter" Severus said.

Harry sat quite forcefully on the circular-topped stool. His hand twitched to reach for his wand, hidden in the pockets of his robe.

"Mr. Potter, take out your wand, shield your mind and concentrate on keeping me out" Severus said, the lack of a sneer or a mocking tone was noticed by both.

Severus raised his arm and cast Legilimens. Harry was surprised by this attack that he didn't start opposing the force in his mind until after a few seconds.

"You did not notice that I already read your mind." Severus brought back the sneer full-force in this dialogue.

It'd do no good if Harry, of all people, started suspecting me. Severus explained to his stupid part of brain which was whining about the distance Severus kept between him and his mate, even when they were alone.

Harry smashed his teeth together to stop the snarky remark on the tip of his tongue.

"Really boy, did you practice last night, in the holidays, or at all?" Snape said, his volume rising with each moment, his frustrations seeping into his voice. "Do you expect this pathetic attempt to keep the Dark Lord out of your mind? This is not Quidditch, Mr. Potter; that you can fly your way through."

"How can I stop my thoughts? That is just not done" Harry raised his volume in return.

"Not your train of thoughts stop your emotions. And it is very well done by all those who lie to the Dark Lord" Snape lowered his volume and sneered down at the boy.
"And it is Sir or Professor to you, Mr. Potter."

Thus began another gruelling hour of mind-reading and ego-clashing.
Harry defended his thoughts a little, and there were many bursts of accidental magic to stop an attack but no matter how hard he tried couldn't block out an entire attack.
Severus on the other hand, was angry and slightly desperate. Angry because Harry did not seem to be interested in putting enough effort into this and desperate because he couldn't imagine losing his intended to foolish immaturity.

As the lesson came to end, Harry turned to leave and Severus felt his Veela rising to the surface again. He had no doubt he'd be able to subdue his Veela nature, after all there was a reason that no one knew about his Veela heritage. But no matter how he denied it; there was a part of Severus that wanted to get closer to Harry, and surprisingly not because he had his mother's eyes.

Without a sigh, Severus charmed the doors locked and began collecting ingredients to start on the Vulnere-Celare potion. Though making the potion was only a day's work, it required a further two days before it was fit for consumption.
The sooner the better.

AUTHOR NOTE: Hey people. I would love some plot bunnies or pairings that I could include in this story. I'm trying to keep it as cannon as possible and I expect this to be a long long fic so send some ideas my way. RnR