Chapter two

'I'm sorry you found out that way, but even I was surprised by this. None of us had any idea that your father would do that. I know it happens in our world and it's been happening a lot more over the last fifty years because a lot of purebloods were giving birth to squibs or children with hardly any magic.'

'So you thought it was real?'

'Yes, your father acted like he loved Lily, I don't even think Albus knew he didn't.'

'All this has me thinking, first about my falsely immature beliefs on marriage and second, if I marry it won't be to a pureblood in case they are trying to do the same thing. I will not let myself be used just to keep a family magic going. My mother would have been better off with you than him.'

'Your mother was my friend; there were no romantic feelings between us.'

'Oh, then I had that wrong then because I thought you loved her in a romantic way.'

'No, I prefer the company of men.'

'Did my mother know?'

'She did, you don't sound surprise.'

'I'm not really, but I realised that about myself as well. That day I spoke with Draco I checked him out, his cute and has a great dress sense, not my type though, we're just friends. I had suspicions about my sexuality over the last few years but I've been a bit distracted to really concentrate on that.'

'I believe the dark lord's mind would be a distraction for anyone. So because of what you found out I take it you will not marry Miss Weasley?'

'No, she's a pureblood and very pushy like her mother, but she just doesn't do anything for me, now I know why. I've done a lot of thinking since I've had time, she is just too loud for me, if you get what I mean.'

'I do, so what is your type Potter?'

'Um, I wasn't sure at first but a few things about someone stuck in my mind and I realise that this man's looks was my type. I don't think I'm his type in any way, I doubt he has even thought of me like that.'

'I would not be so sure,' Severus gazed intensely at Harry until he blushed brightly, 'It was the time we lived in, not the right time to discuss…feelings or romance. But I have a confession to make.'

'Um, okay,' Harry couldn't believe the look Snape had given him, a look he had wished for a lot and a look he would dream about most nights and this look did things to his body.

'During our occlumency lessons and how easy it was to break into your mind, I noticed a few things, small glimpses into your inner most thoughts and dreams. You never noticed what I had seen as you were concentrating on what I was saying about your father and godfather. Sorry, I did that to distract you. I could not take the chance that a fifteen year old hormonal boy could give away my true role. The dark lord would look into our minds quite often; I was lucky that I had Albus who removed my memories of anything to do with aiding him and you and only left the memories of me belittling you. But all it would have taken is one small glimpse and he might have stumbled onto the truth.'

'Okay, I get all that, I knew he never trusted anyone, but are you…what are you saying?'

'I am saying…Harry that I would like to take you out sometime. Even though I enjoy my solitary life and you have many friends, I believe we are very much alike. It was my mother who decided to marry a muggle so the Prince magic did not die out, as I said, it's quite common.'

'I would like to go out with you; I just thought my looks would get in the way.'

'You do resemble my arch enemy but if you really take a look at yourself Harry there is more of your mother coming out in your looks now. At the age of eleven to fourteen you were your father, but your features have changed, subtly but they have. I see your mother's nose, her cheekbones and her lips, but it's not your mother I see, it's you, a very nice looking young man. But I need a truthful answer because I would not like to start anything if you are not sure. My age, my reputation and the fact that I am not the type of man who would show a lot of affection to you in front of others, in private I would lavish you with affection.'

Harry blushed but he smiled, 'Your age has nothing to do with how I feel about you and your reputation kept me, you and others alive. I know some of the things you did and you had no choice, I know how that feels. I never thought I would use the unforgivables but I did, twice and I'm not sorry for it even though I wish I could have done something different. As for showing affection in front of others, I'm like that, another thing that annoyed me with Ginny. She kept grabbing me and kissing me in front of others, but she got very physical while others were around. I should have realised then I was gay, she never turned me on. At first I figured it was everything that was going on, but over the last few weeks, since I've been able to relax my thoughts are about you,' Harry shrugged as he blushed again.

'So I turned you on?'

Harry heard emotion in Snape's voice but also a hint of amusement, 'Yes and it's not funny.'

'No it's not, your blushing is, I don't believe I've ever seen you blush. But it seems you have an owl,' Severus nodded.

'They arrive all the time, this is Pig though, Ron's owl, it comes at least once a day as well,' Harry stared at the overly excited small owl then with his seeker skills snatched the little bird out of the air, 'Calm down Pig,' Harry gave the owl a pat then took the letter before offering it a treat.

'Pig?' Severus raising his eyebrows.

'His full name is Pigwidgeon, but Ginny called it Pig and it stuck. Sirius gave Ron the owl after losing his rat,' Harry unfolded the letter, 'Again with going to the Burrow. Every day I get a letter asking to go to the Burrow that they needed to talk to me about something important. I think it's all to do with Ginny though.'

'It might be both. I know your education about our world was stilted so there might be a reason why they seem anxious to speak with you.'

'I'm not sure what you mean.'

'I have no idea if this is what it's about but it would be worth finding out. Now like with your father and his father, he worked out who would be suited to marry. A lot of pureblood family's will have their children bonded not long after they are born. Basically it means the children are married but nothing happens apart from some dating when they are teenagers until both children turn seventeen. It might not have crossed your mind since you were angry with your father that he might have bonded you to Miss Weasley or even some other family. He might have been a pureblood but you are a halfblood because of Lily, so you would be a perfect mate for a pureblood as your children would be halfbloods and their magic would be strong, just as you are strong with your magic. The other reason why they keep sending letters is simply to ask if you would consider marrying their daughter to keep the magic alive in the Weasley and Prewett line.'

'Okay, maybe it's all innocent, but if you're right about this bond thing, if I'm gay and married to her, how does that work, will she just divorce me if this is true?'

Severus heard how hopeful Harry sounded, 'No, you cannot divorce but it does not stop you using your rights to have a loving relationship. Draco was bonded as a child, but Lucius refused to bind his son to anyone other than a pureblood. So even though he is married to Astoria they will have their affairs, I suppose that is the best way to put it and it is quite common when marriages have been arranged. But the bond is a magical bond, unbreakable, some will produce an heir but otherwise will not touch each other again. So even if you are married to Miss Weasley it does not stop us dating, if you still wish to.'

'I do and I have to live the life I want, I can't stay with her like that. Is there a way I can find out if this is true and what my rights are?'

'There is a room at the ministry that has files on all magical bonds, there is also information there about everything on what is allowed and not allowed with the marriage. I do not know a lot about it, I have been a bit busy myself over the last twenty years to concern myself with who happens to be married. The Weasley family might just want you to visit and it could be all innocent, you will not know until you see them.'

'After reading my father and grandfather's journals then what you said, I think you're right. See, I met Ron at eleven, his mother showed me how to get onto the platform because Hagrid forgot to tell me. Ginny was ten and smiled at me before I went through the barrier. I listened to the family as they said their goodbyes, but when Fred and George happened to mention my name Ginny got all excited, she kept asking if she go on the train to see me. Then the following year I get told by Fred and George that Ginny's been obsessed with me since she was able to talk. I figured it was the boy who lived but maybe it's because her parents and my parents had us bonded.'

'You may be right, it might be time to look through the department of magical bonding. Right now though, I would like to kiss you.'

Harry's eyes widen as he blushed but his body heated up instantly, he was breathing heavy and he felt his blood pulse as he headed south.