Hi everyone! Glad you enjoyed Chapter one! Here's the next one, sorry it took a while to get up. There are also two more new chapters of Adventures In Life Drawing if you wanna check those out.
Thanks againt to Mad Madder Maddest Hatter for saving me from my grammatical mistakes and spelling errors yet again :)
Dav
Severus Snape, Reluctant Lover Chapter two: Honesty... the Best Policy?
"Alright," said Lupin, pacing behind his desk. Snape was standing next to him with his arms crossed and Malfoy was sitting in the chair next to Harry. "Mr. Malfoy, can you tell us what happened tonight?"
"Certainly," Malfoy said with a false sincerity. "I was going to the Owlery to meet my dear friend, Gregory, when I happened to spy him in a row with Potter. Potter proceeded to pull out his wand and, because my poor friend isn't so quick minded, hexed him before the other was ready to defend himself. Gregory fell over and hit his head, knocking him unconscious. Who knows what kind of lasting damage this will do? Anyhow, before Potter saw me, I ran to the nearest office I could find- yours, Professor Lupin."
"Mr. Potter, is this what happened," Lupin asked. Harry's face was red with anger.
"No."
"Then do tell, Mr. Potter," Snape said nastily. Even though he was angry, Harry had to fight off a smile at Snape's acting.
"I was going up to the owlery to send a letter-"
"Do you have this letter," Snape interrupted. Did my letter get mailed, he was really asking.
"No," Harry said, looking offended at the interruption. "I already sent it."
"I see," Snape replied, sounding unconvinced.
"Anyhow, I didn't notice Goyle lying there until I sent the letter. I was going over to see if he was okay when everyone walked in."
"Mr. Malfoy, one more question and then you may go. What about this letter that Ron says he found in Mr. Potter's room? Did you send any such letter?"
"No," Malfoy spoke coolly. Lupin nodded and Malfoy left.
"Harry," Lupin said softly, "Did you receive a letter from Mr. Malfoy?"
Harry looked down at his lap. "If there was a letter I never saw it," he replied.
"Could you step outside for a moment while I talk to Professor Snape?"
Harry nodded, sure that although one would be acting a part, both men were on his side.
When the door closed, Snape crossed his arms and spoke first. "Draco Malfoy is a top student from a very respectable family. I have never known him to tell a lie. I want Potter punished. He harmed one of my students."
"Look, Severus. I know you've never liked the boy, but we need to look further into this before punishing someone that may be innocent."
"What do you suggest, Remus?"
"Well, normally I suppose we would have a mock trial with the heads of houses, but it's so close to the NEWTs that we just don't have the time."
"So?" Snape started tapping his foot.
"So I suggest that we administer Veritaserum to Harry and simply ask him. I'm his guardian now and if he agrees to it, then I'll give my permission, as long as I can be the one doing the asking...in Dumbledore's presence, of course."
Snape knew that Lupin had come up with an acceptable idea, but didn't like the sound of it all the same. But how to object without raising suspicion? He waited a moment before asking, "Why not give Malfoy the Veritaserum instead?"
"Well, do you think that Lucius would ever agree to it?"
Snape cursed mentally. Lupin was right and it would seem odd if he didn't agree.
"No, he wouldn't," he finally replied. "We'll use your suggestion, then. When will this take place?"
"We can do it tomorrow evening, after supper, in my office," Lupin suggested. Snape nodded his agreement, and turned to go. "You can send Mr. Potter in, if you please."
Snape stepped out of the office and Harry looked up at him.
"You're wanted inside," he snapped, and then, lowering his voice, said, "Agree with what he asks you...you can just pretend to drink it tomorrow."
"Drink what," Harry whispered, but Snape stalked away and Harry had to go inside without the answer.
Lupin was sitting at his desk, rubbing his forehead. When Harry sat down, he looked up.
"I don't think you did anything, Harry," Lupin told him. Harry smiled and sighed with relief, although he'd known that Lupin would believe him. "But to prove your innocence I gave my permission for you to be given Veritaserum, as long as you agree. It's the easiest and quickest way to prove you aren't lying. Is that alright?"
Now Snape's orders made sense. Harry nodded his consent and Lupin smiled.
"Good. Please come here after supper tomorrow and we can get it all sorted out."
Harry smiled back and took his leave.
TheMaster: if I know dumbledore, and I do, he'll just pour it into a cup of tea and have you drink some. so just pretend. simple as that.
4eyes: Why would he do that?
TheMaster: because it tastes awful and he's an old softy
4eyes: Oh.
TheMaster: so just come up with a good alibi by tomorrow
4eyes: I will, don't worry.
Harry was pushing his potatoes around his plate. Hermione and Ron exchanged a look.
"You don't have anything to worry about, mate," Ron said. "We know you didn't do anything. At least you don't have to go to a mock trial, right?"
"Right," Harry said, and stabbed a potato with his fork. He stuffed it in his mouth and tried to look cheerful as he chewed.
Don't worry, he told himself, only one question and you aren't really even drinking the stuff.
He swallowed the last potato and stood up.
"I'd better go," he said. Hermione put a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't sweat it," she said. "You'll be fine. Malfoy's a dirty liar."
Harry smiled at his friends and made his way to Lupin's office. Clearing his throat, he knocked on the door, which was immediately opened by Dumbledore. Snape and Lupin were sitting in chairs opposite eachother.
"Good evening, Harry. It won't be more then a few moments. If you'll have a seat here."
Harry sat down in the seat next to Snape, who glowered at him very convincingly. Suddenly, Harry saw Snape sit up straighter and touch his wrist...the wrist with the mark. He was being summoned.
"Ahem, if you have a moment, Headmaster," Snape said. They went outside and momentarily, Dumbledore returned.
"We will have to continue without Professor Snape," he informed the two. "Now, Harry, we'll have you drink the serum and then ask you just a few questions. Is that alright?"
"Yes," Harry said. Dumbledore turned to Lupin.
"As his guardian you consent to this, Remus?"
Remus voiced his consent and Dumbledore nodded.
"Right. Here you are Harry. I'm afraid I usually mix it into tea...abominable taste...but I'm afraid, given the circumstances and who we're dealing with, I cannot do so."
He handed a small vial of the clear liquid to Harry, who hesitated. He couldn't pretend to drink it now. No worries. Remus isn't going to pry into my privacy. He'll just ask if I did it or not. Harry tipped back the vial and drained it's contents. He then handed it back to Dumbledore with a grimace on his face.
"Dreadfully sorry about that," Dumbledore said. "I know it tastes horrid."
"It does," Harry said. Dumbledore smiled.
"And we know that to be the truth," he chuckled. "Alright, go ahead, Remus."
"Harry, where were you between 7.30 and 8 o'clock yesterday evening?" Both men looked at Harry, patiently awaiting his answer. But this was not the question that Harry expected. He had expected to get away with a simple yes or no question.
He opened his mouth, determined to say that he had been with Dean Thomas in the Library, but found himself saying, "With Professor Snape."
Dumbledore stood immediately. "There we have it. Harry shall go unpunished. Good evening to you both."
With that he swiftly made himself scarce. Harry stood up.
"Alright, Remus, I'll see you around," he said, making for the door.
"Wait a moment, Harry," Lupin said, stopping the other in his tracks. "Sit down."
Harry reluctantly turned around and took his seat again. He couldn't meet Lupin's eyes.
"If you were with Professor Snape, then why didn't he say anything?"
Harry mumbled, "Because he didn't want you to know."
"Did he have you in detention for something you didn't do?"
"No."
Lupin was confused. In his quest to figure out this conundrum, it didn't cross his mind that Harry might think it unfair to be questioned while on a truth serum.
"Then what were you doing?"
Harry looked up with pleading eyes. "I don't want to answer that."
Lupin became very worried. "Was he hurting you, Harry?"
"No!"
"Then why can't you tell me what you were doing? I just don't understand."
"Because," Harry said, looking down again. "You wouldn't approve."
Lupin thought about this for a moment and it started making sense. He was one of the few people who was aware of Snape's sexual orientation, for the simple fact that he knew first hand. A disapproving frown crossed his face and he went to stand by Harry.
"Harry, what were you doing with Snape?"
Harry mumbled something inaudible.
"I couldn't hear you," Lupin said.
"We were kissing."
"Where," Lupin asked. He sounded calm, but inside he was boiling with anger.
Harry considered shouting that Lupin wasn't his father, that he didn't have the right to question him in this way, but he knew that Lupin was the closest thing he had to parents. Lupin had taken him in and Harry was grateful for this. The truth tumbled out of his mouth, "In his private chambers."
Lupin's hand tightened on the back of Harry's chair and he took a deep breath. "I'm not angry with you, Harry. I want you to know that. I just think you've made a very bad decision. I know that Severus Snape does a lot to help the Order, but if this is the way he conducts a relationship, I highly question his respectability."
"You don't understand," Harry said softly, willing himself not to cry with frustration.
"You may think so right now, but I understand more than you think. Severus has thrown away more men than you could count on both hands. Wait here. I think I need to have a talk with someone." Although he had obviously been trying to contain his anger, Lupin slammed the door on his way out of the office. Harry flinched at the sound.
Severus Snape relaxed into his office chair. He had only been summoned to brew a rather simple potion and then sent away again. For tonight, he had nothing to worry about. Surely everything had gone alright with Harry.
But he thought too soon. His head snapped up as his office door burst open and a very furious looking Lupin strode in.
"How dare you?" Lupin slammed the door behind him. Snape adopted his steely glare.
"Good evening, Remus," he said calmly.
"How dare you invite a student into your personal chambers?! Not just any student... but my ward! My responsibility! I'm trying to protect Harry, for Merlin's sake!"
Snape sighed. "I assure you, Remus that it isn't what you think."
"Isn't what I think?! Severus, he was on Veritaserum! It's not like you can claim that he was lying. He said you were... kissing! You were kissing a student."
Snape hated to let someone he disliked know what he was thinking, but he could see it would do no good to anger Lupin any further.
"Sit down, Remus." He sounded very commanding and Lupin reluctantly took a seat. Snape leaned forward.
"I know that you have no reason to trust me, but I do not plan on taking advantage of Harry." His voice was very even and sincere, but Lupin shook his head.
"You hurt people, Severus. You push them away when they get too close. I know Harry, and he's not going to be content with the person you pretend to be in the presence of others. He's- what am I even saying? He's only seventeen!"
"I am aware of that."
"You're old enough to be his father," Lupin pointed out. Snape frowned.
"I am aware of that, as well, and don't think that it hasn't nagged at me in the back of my mind. But the fact remains that Harry doesn't care about the difference in our ages and that he is a consenting adult who is far more mature than people even ten years older than him."
Lupin's anger was fading but he still wasn't happy. "He's still your student. You can't change that-"
"Which is why," Snape interrupted, "It was a mistake to invite Harry into my chambers. I assure you that I only invited him in initially for a bite to eat. I just got... carried away."
"Severus," Lupin started, looking into the other's eyes. "I want your assurance that nothing happened besides a kiss."
Snape returned the look steadily. "Nothing else. I have already told Harry that nothing can happen while he's here at Hogwarts. I'm trying-" he paused, not sure if he'd already revealed too much. He decided he must continue if Lupin was ever going to approve. He was half wondering why he even wanted the approval, let alone the relationship. But the answer came almost immediately, to his own surprise, and Lupin's. "-I'm trying to make this work, because despite all my common sense, I care for Harry greatly. I'm not going to hurt him intentionally. I know I hurt you in the past, but that was so many years ago. Despite what you may think... Hell, despite what I think, a man can change."
Lupin sat back. Snape could tell that he'd won. Lupin sniffed and raised his eyebrows. "Severus Snape? Change? New things happen every day, I suppose."
Snape knew this was a grudging approval.
"Thank you for letting me know how you really feel," Lupin continued. "I know that doesn't come easily for you." Lupin stood up and made his way to the door, and then pausing with a realization. "And, by the way, if Harry shows up late to my class one more time with a flushed face I will be hunting you down like a rabid wolf."
"Don't you mean, werewolf," Snape commented. A smile seemed to be tugging on the corner's of Lupin's mouth, but then the moment passed. He simple nodded his head, and with that, he left, leaving Snape to his thoughts.
Lupin stepped back into his office and jumped at the sight of Harry sitting in a chair.
"Harry!" Lupin took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, I forgot that I asked you to wait for me."
"Well," Harry said sullenly. "Is he still living?"
Lupin sighed and sat down next to Harry. "I suppose I deserve that. I'm sorry I... over-reacted. I'm new at this guardian thing."
Harry was silent for a few moments and Lupin could tell there was something on his mind.
"Tell me what the matter is," he said, leaning forward and putting a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I'd like to have your trust, Harry."
"You don't think... you don't dislike me for it?"
"For what," Lupin asked.
"For being... gay."
Lupin was taken aback. "Of course not! I must say I had assumed that you were dating Ginny Weasley, but I'm not going to judge you for your sexuality. Actually, I... I might as well be honest with you, seeing you didn't have the option of being dishonest with me. And I apologize for that, by the way." He pulled up the chair next to Harry and sat down. "I wasn't going to tell you, because I wasn't sure how you'd take it, but you may as well know now. Sirius and I were life partners."
Harry looked up with surprise. "You were?"
"Yes, we were... and you don't dislike me for that, do you?"
"No," Harry said. "I think that's nice... I always thought that Sirius was lonely."
Lupin smiled a bitter-sweet smile. "I tried to make sure that he wasn't."
Harry bit his lip, considering whether Lupin would tell him more. He decided it couldn't hurt to ask. "How long were you together?"
Lupin leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Well, we made our commitment when you were still in Lily's womb. It was kept secret from most, considering the discrimination we faced. Your parents knew, as did Peter and Albus Dumbledore. You can imagine how upset I was when I thought Sirius had betrayed two of our dearest friends and murdered another. Even after I found out the truth nearly four years ago, I was angry because Sirius hadn't trusted me enough to tell me Peter was the secret keeper. But every relationship has its problems, I suppose. After I left Hogwarts, I tried not to think about him, but it isn't so easy when you love someone. So when I received an owl from Sirius asking me to come live with him, I accepted immediately. That was during your fourth year... when we decided that his family house was the best place to hide."
"How do you know so much about, ah, Snape's dealings with other men?"
Lupin looked down at that. Harry thought now he had asked to much.
"Remus?"
"Another time, Harry, it really is getting late." But the man made no move to get up from his chair or show Harry out. Harry just sat there, hundreds of thought flying through his head. After a moment he looked up at Lupin.
"So you really think that you over-reacted?" Harry looked hopeful. Lupin looked up as if coming out of a trance.
"Yes. I did over-react, but not much, considering. As long as you are waiting until after graduation, I shouldn't discriminate against the age difference. It would be hypocritical, considering the discrimination against same sex relationships."
Harry smiled. "Thank you, Remus."
"Just one condition," Lupin said. "Dear me... I wonder what your parents would say to me... I want your promise that you are going to wait until graduation. You may be of age, but you are still a student and he's still a professor. I'm sorry to sound like a nagging parent, but-"
"I promise," Harry assured him with a grin. "And I don't mind it when you act like a parent. You're the closest thing I have to a father. I just want you to know that."
Remus sighed with relief and then smiled playfully. "There is one more thing I just have to know, while we're in such a bonding mood. How in the world did you two end up in a... relationship? It feels so odd to use that word concerning Severus Snape, by the way."
Harry smiled and settled back into his seat. "Relax, this will take a while.
"Well, it all started at the beginning of the school year when Hermione and I..."
Ahhhhh this story seems to be getting harder to write. I'll try to come up with the chapters more quickly :) Later! Let me know what you think, it really helps.
Dav
