Chapter Seven
Severus spent a small part of his Sunday organising his files and selecting cases relevant to show the visiting Auror. He couldn't believe his bad fortune, he had taken the time and effort to alert the authorities that there was something amiss in his town and they had to send an irksome brat from his past. Potter's father and gaggle of friends had caused him significant grief at school, with their clever taunting and bullying tactics. Not to mention James had also got the girl, Lily had been a true friend in his youth and he couldn't help but love her. It was hard not to judge Harry and feel some resentment whilst he had watched him grow into a somewhat decent wizard but the boy had too caused him trouble at Hogwarts, although Dumbledore was always quick to justify his actions.
Ginny had married one of Bill's friends and to his knowledge had never dated Harry, but had harboured a well known crush on the boy during her time at school. They were careful in all there time together to never label their relationship, both having not the greatest experiences in regards to romance. Severus was feeling a touch of regret now, he wanted nothing to change but Potter's presence left him full of unease. Ginny was his woman, for heavens sake he finally admitted to himself. It wasn't simply the sexual release, he found he enjoyed her company and wit, she challenged him a way no one had before. Brooding did not improve his mood so he spend the rest of the day pleasuring her after skimming through a few romance novels in her library and gaining some inspiration.
As the sun began to set Ginny suggested they move from the bedroom to the kitchen, she was starving after such a fun vigorous afternoon of love making.
'Of course I can rustle up a meal, I just was not sure if you might be meeting Potter again?' Severus queried hoping his tone didn't ring of jealousy, plus half kicking himself for planting the idea. His marks were literally all over her body from her messy hair, swollen lips, love bites covering her torso and thighs, not to mention his seed he had spilled in ecstasy.
'Oh no, Sunday is always our night together. Besides we caught up yesterday and sure he is busy with work. Hopefully it's all sorted out soon and Lower Slaughter can get back to normal.' Ginny reasoned, and Severus agreed the sooner he was gone the better he would feel.
'We could invited him around for dinner one day if you like, swap old Hogwart's stories' Ginny teased, matching Severus raised eyebrow with one of her own. The idea was laughable but he liked the sentiment of we.
Returning to cooking he began grilling some fish and sautéing vegetables, whilst Ginny poured wine and buttered bread rolls. Both ended up devouring their plates clean and savoured the crisp white drop. Feeling slated and content from a successful day of satisfying his woman Severus was unable to stop himself hugging her and placing a gentle kiss on her lips. It was enough to stir him to a semi hardness and Ginny matched him wantonly grinding against him, letting out a strangled sigh.
'The mind is willing but I am a touch sore, I might have a soothing bath whilst you cool down' Ginny murmured, however she couldn't help but tease him further by rubbing her fingers delicately along his length.
Severus shuddered as his body enjoyed the warmth of her hand, nothing would feel better than placing her on the kitchen counter top and sinking into her tight warmth. Resting his head against hers he had a burst of inspiration, asking her to wait for a moment while he grabbed something.
Grabbing a soothing cool salve and two vials of half strength short term pepper-up potion he hurried back to the kitchen. Passing her a vial she had swallowed it before he could even tell her what it was, he was touched that she trusted him that much. Motioning her onto the cabinetry he showed her the jar of salve and offered to apply it. Opening her legs she hooded, eyes now bright and alert as the effects of the pepper-up kicked in.
'Couldn't have you falling asleep in the bathtub now could I' Severus spoke gently, as he deftly applied cream to her delicate parts, he didn't want her in any pain from their wild lovemaking.
'Never fear I am awake now' and she was hot too, leaning into his administrations they were soon kissing passionately and before long coupled together. All her soreness had vanished and they enjoyed the burst of energy from the potion. Eyes closed they both thought to themselves there was no other place they would rather be. Finishing within mins, Severus ever the gentleman dutifully carried her to the bathroom before collapsing in her bed. She found him fast asleep after her decadent bath and tucked the covers around him feeling content. For some unknown reason they simply fit together and she could admit to herself it was a deeper love than anything she'd once had for her ex-husband. Yawning she supposed one day soon they would have to talk about it before joining him in peaceful slumber.
Morning arrived and Ginny woke to the delicious scent of coffee brewing in her kitchen. Severus had already left but had thoughtfully started the beverage for her, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Silently wishing both Severus and Harry good luck for their meeting she set about her morning and getting ready for work. She usually liked to arrive early to ensure a smooth start to the week but today she was busy daydreaming and was the last staff member to arrive.
Ginny soon found herself wishing she'd stayed at home as just when she reached her office she found all the staff congregated around Livius the young maintenance man who appeared to have suffered an unfortunate accident. Whilst cleaning the playground he somehow found himself knocked out on the ground with a large gash to the back of his head. It was matted now with blood and he looked a little green sitting slumped in a chair. Taking charge Ginny assigned one of the teachers to escort him to the surgery and tasked another with sealing off the playground so they could investigate how it occurred. Satisfied that she had control of the situation she set off to the junior classroom as she would take over in the interim, hoping that this was not related to Harry's visit.
Livius meanwhile was seething internally with rage. His perfect plan had not worked. Monday was the best day to stage his injury as he knew Ginny arrived early and would be there to render him first aid, plus it would upset Snape's day which was an added bonus. He had dreamed all weekend of her rushing to his side and tenderly cleaning his abrasions, she would even be close enough that he would be able to smell her delicate perfume. In his eagerness to enact his plan he had not checked to see if she was there first and had waited for minutes calling out for help before anyone responded. It was one of the young teachers who rocked up and while he was tempted to Obliviate her and start again, however his head did really hurt and he was not sure if he had enough strength to re-stage his injury. Hoping that Ginny would come soon and take over looking after him, he had exaggerated his pain limping to her office so he could lie down on her couch.
Whilst they waited for more staff to arrive he kept himself preoccupied by daydreaming about all the things he could do to her on the couch and it somewhat lifted his mood. One witch conjured a bandage and he hoped he did not look silly wearing a turban, hiding his beautiful hair. Just as he expected one Ginny arrived she sprung into action only she was going to stay at the school. He tried to argue he did not want to disrupt the school class schedule but she had simply laughed.
'Thank you for your concern Livius but I am more than up to the challenge of the younger years plus best that I remain on grounds and check over the play area. Please just make sure you rest up once your cut is fixed' and without another glance she was off to the classroom.
Once Livius was escorted safely to the surgery he was ushered through to the doctors rooms, interrupting what looked to be a conversation between the Doctor and Harry Potter, who promptly excused himself and left Snape to attend his unexpected patient. Within minutes Severus had fixed the laceration, ensuring there would be no scar and ran through his head injury assessment. Livius continued to play dumb about how the event occurred, feeling quite pleased with himself. Not only would he have removed suspicion from himself, he could also embellish his story now and make a lot of noise about how quick the doctor was to treat him. Eventually someone would put two and two together and reach the conclusion he had planted, that the Doctor was setting it up so that he could look like a hero. Sprinkle in some of his slightly darker spells he'd used and that would be more then enough to have him removed and placed somewhere else, leaving his obsession alone and ripe for the picking.
The Doctor advised him to have the rest of the day off and to return if he had any symptoms. Leaving the treatment room he stayed to flirt with the secretary, talking up how well the Doctor had treated him hoping that another patient would be eavesdropping but unfortunately there was only Ginny's visiting friend flipping through Quidditch magazines. Humming a breezy tune he left and went about checking his old haunts and set only one new trap as he did not want word getting back that he was galavanting around on his sick day. Livius was confident that within the week Snape would be hauled in for questioning by the magical law enforcement agency.
Harry Potter pretended to be engrossed in the magazine he was flipping through, his day had just become interesting. That morning he had read through Snape's detailed files and together they saw a set pattern of injuries and illnesses. It was as if someone had made a formula to cause mild inconveniences to the town, was it some form of terrorism to dissuade tourists visiting the quaint little town? Harry was still debating the cause when they had been interrupted by a fresh emergency. Recognising him as the burly man from the coffee shop, Harry spied the maintenance badge on his uniform. He must work at the local school, coincidently where Ginny was Headmaster. Excusing himself he had made a quick firewall to Ginny asking her to preserve the scene as he would visit soon, but quick as ever she had already done so.
He had a gut feeling about this latest incident and stayed in the waiting room for the man to come out, as luck would have it he was a chatty guy and he stated for a few minutes flirting with the receptionist. Listening to him wax lyrical about how efficient the Doctor had been and how lucky they were to have him in a crisis, Harry felt his gut tingle. There was something to the mans words, of all the incidents no one was coming off better than Severus Snape. He may not be liked for his personality but he was now well trusted to look after the townspeople and he resolved to ask around the pub tonight and see what others thought of him. The only puzzling aspect was Snape never cared what wizards thought of him, Harry was quite aware of all the work he had put in for the light side yet the man never sought out any credit.
Snape barked out his name from his office and they quickly resumed work, Harry did ask a few leading questions until tact as ever Snape snipped 'Out with it Potter, I will have a full afternoon of patients soon and this has taken enough of my time'
'Well Snape thank you for all your time, I will take leave now and go investigate my theory. I best head to the School and see if there is anything untoward causing that young mans injury' Harry did his best to stay polite.
'Hmph the idiot likely tripped on his shoe whilst watching the teachers' Severus tailed off, he had noticed the man keep his eyes on Ginny a few times whilst they were out in town. He thought the man harmless and besides who wouldn't stare at such a gorgeous witch.
Colour flared in his cheeks and he thought best to explain the offhand comment 'Why its just I have noticed him observe Ms Weasley at times thats all'
Harry nodded and not skipping a beat replied 'Hard not to, lovely woman she is' He quite enjoyed watching the sour man squirm. He had spent a long time chatting with Ginny and knew the depth of her feelings were real and that they were a proper couple. With a nod he gathered his notes and set off to the school, Severus breathing a sigh of relief his office was quiet again and he took a moment to savour the peace. Harry in turn enjoyed walking down the small streets and taking in the beauty of the seaside town.
A/N: Is Harry smart enough to see through Livius' ruse? Will Severus and Ginny define their relationship? Hope you like the new chapter.
