HP – SS – HP – SS
Harry stood in a small niche in the corner of what he imagined had to be the gaudiest room in the Manor. It was a smaller sized room compared to the Manor's other reception rooms and had been decorated with heavy intricately carved furniture all upholstered in toile of silver or gold on blinding white and the thick, plush white rugs appeared to be some sort of shaggy fur. This was not so bad on its own but combined with the rest of the room it irritated Harry like a nagging itch.
The walls were covered in gold on gold damask while the wooden frames of panels, portraits and doors were gilded. The heavy wooden furniture was also covered with gilt. The ornate and highly polished silver candelabras and wall sconces glistened and caught the light refracted by the mirrors and many mirrored surfaces around the room. Even the heavy golden drapes behind which Harry now hid were dripping with crystal ornaments.
According to Lucius, it was one of the few rooms so warded by his ancestors that Narcissa had not been able to redecorate. Draco, the poncy git that he was, clearly thought it was the ideal room in which to launch his seduction of Severus. He had just spent half an hour showing off the room's more fiscally valuable objets d'art. For as much as Harry hated that and had feared that he might retch if forced to listen any longer, he preferred it to Draco's current activity.
"I was so relieved to find out from Father that you were still alive!" Draco simpered. "You may never know just how much you mean to me. I admit that in my sixth year I was jealous of you, especially your ability to remain so calm when you must have been under so much pressure to spy for the Dark Lord! And now that I know you were also spying against him," Draco said with an awed sigh, feigning hero-worship, "well, I just cannot tell you how much I admire you!"
The sycophancy continued for at least another ten minutes; Harry had to hand it to Draco, he certainly knew how to layer on the false adoration. But Harry was also angry with Severus who, instead of shutting Draco up with a hex or a cutting remark as he had often done to Harry, appeared to be appeared to be thrilled. He knew it was most likely an act since this was the man who had managed to fool Voldemort by pretending to be the maniac's most loyal follower. But Harry felt that Severus need not act quite so convincingly.
"Thank you, Draco," Snape whispered silkily. "But it was my pleasure saving your life."
Draco's cloying demeanour faltered for a moment leaving Harry confused by the ferret's reaction and the glimmer of triumph he'd seen flash in his lover's dark eyes but Malfoy soon recovered. "No," he said, taking Snape's hand in his with apparent affection, "I should thank you." He kissed the back of Snape's hand and Harry shuddered and gagged.
Harry remained confused until he reminded himself to think like a Slytherin. He realized that for all Draco's gushing, Malfoy fils had never acknowledged the life debt he owed to Severus nor thanked the man in any way for saving his life. He clearly did not appreciate Severus' frank reminder.
Harry glowed with pleasure and pride, his insecurities defeated for the moment by this insight. No wonder Severus often called him a dunderhead. He should have realized that Severus was a Slytherin dealing with a Slytherin. The entire interaction would probably be filled with subtle jabs and layered with innuendo.
When Draco invited Severus to join him for a light stroll in a secret garden, Harry scowled in frustration. With the hastily whispered words 'Defigo, Colloportus' he locked the French windows that led to the terrace.
"I think you'll appreciate this garden, Severus," Draco said, his smile looking genuine for the first time since this encounter had begun. "I've never been allowed to take anyone there before but under the circumstances, I was able to coax Father into giving me permission. Only Malfoys can usually see this garden."
"What makes this garden special?" Severus asked, unable to or not bothering to hide his curiosity.
"My ancestor Diomedes Malfoy was a brilliant Potions Master -"
"Yes I am aware of him, Draco," Severus interrupted, his eagerness to see the garden and, Harry hoped, impatience with Draco's boasting, made the former headmaster edgy. "Even had your father not spent most of our acquaintance telling me about his famous ancestor, any self-respecting Potions Master would know about the creator of Veritaserum."
"Yes, well, Diomedes, which means god-like, created-" Draco began to say, only to be interrupted again.
"Cunning."
"What?"
"Diomedes means god-like cunning, Draco, not god-like."
"Is there much difference?" Draco asked in a failed attempt at witticism. Seeing Severus' sneer begin to form, he wrapped his arm around the prickly man and spoke hurriedly, "Diomedes created a potions garden filled with exotic, rare and otherwise extinct plants."
"Mr. Malfoy," Severus scolded, glaring meaningfully at their entwined arms.
"It's for the wards, you see," Draco explained. "We will need to remain in very close contact at all times, for your own safety. It shows the wards that I am willingly letting you accompany me."
Harry snorted at the dubious claim. He suspected that merely holding hands would have been enough. As it was, Draco was practically attached to Severus at the hip.
"Are you ready?" Draco asked, pulling the door open with a flourish.
But it didn't open.
Draco blushed. "Strange, it always opens so easily."
"Perhaps it is locked?"
"No, there is no lock on the door, the wards are that strong." Draco never could resist an opportunity to boast.
"Then perhaps you should try it on your own," Severus said, tugging to free his arm.
Harry's grin died when Draco held on tight. "Nonsense! Even when I tried this with Pansy it let me in and she was holding me even closer. I felt no resistance though the wards threw her off of me most violently." Draco looked amused. "Of course, I was much younger back then and didn't realize that only the family patriarch could give permission to non-Malfoy visitors," he reassured Severus.
He tugged at the stubbornly closed door again. "I don't understand it. Alohomora!"
Harry had to quickly strengthen the privacy spell around himself when he collapsed in laughter as Draco's practiced elegance was undone by his frustration with the locked doors. Peeves would be proud. However he suspected that he had not been fast enough when Severus glared his way.
"Reduct-" Draco had almost shouted the curse before Severus managed to grab the wand from him.
"Are you bloody insane? One never, NEVER, uses an offensive spell on a defensive ward! The curse would rebound on the caster, you silly…" Severus took a deep breath and calmed himself, sparing a suspicious and warning glance for Harry's hiding place. "Finite Incantatem!"
"Finite…? What?" Draco looked confused at Severus' actions.
"Try it again, Draco."
"That's not going to dismantle the wards!"
Severus stared at Draco with eerie calm. Draco's angry flush turned into an embarrassed blush of a Weasley-level hue.
"Oh! Do you think someone…? Perhaps one of Death Eaters, frustrated at not being able to get in set a trap?"
Harry thought that Severus would point out to Draco that if any traps had been left, Lucius' diligent cleansing of the Manor would have already revealed it. Instead he merely said, "Try again, Draco."
And this time the door responded immediately to the touch of Draco's hand.
Harry knew better than to try to join them and instead looked out the window to what he now realized was clearly a mirage. The leaves of the small trees shook as though touched by a slight breeze and then stilled. A small bird landed on the park bench and fluttered its wings. A small fruit fell from a tree and scared away the bird. Then a light breeze disturbed the small trees and the same small bird landed on the same spot on the park bench. Harry looked quickly at the spot where the fruit fell only few minutes before but it was not there. Then it fell again, startling the bird which flew away. As Harry watched, the cycle repeated itself like a Wizarding photograph. The entire cycle was about five minutes long. Harry wondered if it was an image in the window pane itself as it occurred to him that from outside he had never seen the rose garden but instead a wing of the Manor which he had never explored.
He contemplated the spells necessary for creating a Marauders' map of Malfoy Manor and admired the Marauder's intelligence at creating such a clever device. Tom Riddle, the Marauders, Severus, the Weasley twins and Hermione all seemed to have received a better magical education than Harry. They had all applied the basic knowledge to be able to do such clever things. Even Ron had the advantage of his magical upbringing and casual knowledge of the endless possibilities for using magic. He'd just begun a pity party for himself when his lover's voice interrupted.
"The Agave Titanota is monocarpic. It only blooms and bears fruit once during its life before dying," Severus lectured as he emerged from the secret garden, clutching a strange bouquet in his hand. Harry jealously glared at Draco who seemed genuinely interested in what Severus was saying. "Diomedes was a master at putting a stopper in death. Today, most of his spells are either useless because the plants are thought to be extinct or under the strict lock and key of the Unspeakables. At least they were – the Dark Lord provided me with three that I was to help him to brew. They were given to him after the fall of the Ministry." But thoughts of Voldemort dampened Severus' joy. "Thank you, Draco," he said, subdued. "This was a privilege that my fellow Potions Masters would envy."
"You're welcome," Draco replied, clearly pleased. Harry could resist using a mild non-verbal stinging hex on the git. "Ow, my neck!" Draco wailed.
Severus frowned. "Let me see! There were several poisonous plants in there." Harry groaned as his prank backfired. Severus leaned in close to peer at the cowardly blonde's neck. "Just a small irritation, Draco. Nothing to fear." He frowned at the drapes which had been Harry's hiding spot earlier, unaware that his jealous younger lover was now standing behind a large ornate golden urn less than a metre away.
"They claim Potter is the hero," Draco drawled, "but you're the one always saving me, Severus. I guess you're my personal hero." He feigned love-struck, hero-worshipping eyes at Severus and gently stroked the older man's jaw with his thumb.
Harry clutched his wand tightly. He was surprised that they did not seem to hear his angry bull-like snorts as they echoed against the urn. Or perhaps Severus had; Harry couldn't see his lover's face from this angle. He glared instead at Draco's pointy face. He saw Severus lean into Draco's caress and bit his knuckles to keep quiet. He recognized the instant that Severus moved to kiss Draco. The only thing that kept him hidden behind the urn was the look on his rival's face.
Draco's eyes widened in horror as Severus' lips descended on his. The grey eyes remained that way as the older man deepened his kiss until they began to water… or he began to cry. Harry wasn't sure which.
"Draco, are you crying?" Severus echoed Harry's thoughts.
"N-no," Draco said through barely moving lips. "I'm just so… happy… yes, happy that you feel that way about me?" His voice rose with a slight touch of hysteria. "I- I should go… M-mother will be angry if I am late for dinner."
Severus caught Draco by the elbow as the young man backed away. "Won't you stay for dinner, Draco?"
"D-dinner?"
Severus raised his right eyebrow.
"Oh, y-yes, dinner. I mean, no, no dinner. I mean no, I can't stay for dinner. Mother is expecting me!"
"Then perhaps she should join us."
Harry fancied he could hear Draco's heart thudding wildly. The blonde nodded and shook his head almost at the same time in a series of jerky movements before grabbing an extremely large handful of floo powder. Harry ducked behind the urn a moment too late but Draco, not taking his eyes off of Severus, never saw him.
"Chateau Roussillon!" Draco shouted urgently and disappeared in a ball of flames.
Severus, of course, had seen Harry's sudden movement. "Alright Harry, out!"
Harry considered not answering.
"I saw you behind the urn, Potter. Come out or I will bring you out!"
"Must you always threaten?" Harry stepped from behind the urn and glared at his lover. "Tergeo!" he said, pointing his wand at the sleeve that Malfoy had clutched. "Tergeo!" he said again, pointing at the jaw that Draco had caressed.
"What are you doing?"
"Tergeo!" Harry aimed at Snape's open mouth as the other man spoke. "I'm disinfecting you from Draco's germs," he replied before ravishing his lover with a breath stealing kiss. 'And now,' Harry thought, 'I'm disinfecting your mind from all thoughts of the pointy git.'
HP – SS – HP – SS
In spite of Draco's cowardly flight that day, to their surprise he returned every day that week, helping to research Diomedes' potions in the lab or library. Severus was amused but Harry was furious.
"You're kissing him too well!"
"I cannot help it if my kisses are intoxicating," Severus drawled.
"Put that stupid book down and pay attention to me!" Harry demanded.
Severus snarled, "Always in need of attention, aren't you, Potter?"
"Shut up! We're beyond that. You know I'm not some attention seeking, fame hungry brat!"
"Well you're certainly acting like one at the moment!"
Harry took a calming breath and continued more reasonably. "Severus, love, I just want to know why you're letting this go on for so long. We haven't made love or even had a proper kiss in days." Severus retrieved his book and resumed reading, ignoring Harry. "Severus?" Snape turned the page casually. "SNAPE!"
"I will not entertain this childish jealousy!" Snape hissed. "You said you trust me then you need to show it! I will not molly-coddle you!"
"I don't expect you to but…" Harry tugged at his hair in frustration. He removed his glasses and wiped at angry tears. "Severus, please," he cupped the narrow face in his hands and looked into the dark eyes which were deliberately avoiding him by staring in the distance. "Do you still want me or do you want him now?"
Snape sneered and tried to pull his head away.
"I swear this is the last time I'll ask you this, Severus, but I need to know. I realize that you and Draco share a love of potions and I see how much you enjoy it when the two of you are in the labs and I… I know that I can't give you that." Harry cleared his throat as his voice broke. He took a deep breath and released it, defeated. Severus lowered his eyes.
"Severus, if you still care about me, either reassure me or set me free."
Snape scowled and looked up at Harry.
Harry felt hope as he saw the anger and annoyance melt away from the black eyes.
"Your eyes are so beautiful," Severus sighed. "Harry, I do not care for Draco any more than he cares for me. Draco is a Slytherin and more than that, a Malfoy. While the last few generations of Malfoys are intelligent and adequately skilled in the art of potion making, their preference for galleons and political power have always taken precedence over the slow and time consuming activity. Potion making can be a thankless task and it is not flashy; it often requires long isolated hours spent hidden away in a dark malodorous room.
"Yet, and this, you see, is the beauty of pride in pureblood traditions, they honour the achievements of their ancestors. Draco returns because as cowardly and selfish as he is, he is even more greedy and ambitious. He knows that if anyone can recreate Diomedes' fabled potions it is I. Well, I am not the only one, but I am the only one who he believes can trust to do so and share the glory with the Malfoys."
"I suppose that explains why he returns but you cannot deny, whatever his motive, that you light up with joy whenever you see him."
"I do not 'light up'!" Snape denied, horrified.
"You know what I mean! You can't deny that you enjoy chatting with him about potions or spending time in the lab with him. And after dinner, you and the two Malfoys abandon me, going off to the library to talk potions incessantly or at least until Narcissa summons Draco."
"Honestly, Harry, I despair. All this ridiculous jealousy! Look, you don't even like potions but if you wish, the next time I will invite you to join us," Severus mocked. As Harry's eyes flooded again into a watery sea of green, he relented, "Harry, try to understand. When young Mr. Weasley visits and you begin your quidditch chatter, does Miss Granger burst into jealous tears? No, she does not, although Merlin knows I sometimes wish she would. What makes her think that because you and I have a relationship means that I welcome her company?" He continued, preventing Harry from uttering his angry retort, "I do not fret about our relationship because I am jealous of your friendship with Weasley; you should respect my friendship with the Malfoys."
"Well, alright, I suppose… but it doesn't explain why you keep kissing him."
"It is my reward."
"Your … reward?"
"Yes, my reward. My payment if you will. The high and mighty Draco Malfoy, desperate enough to kiss the poor and ugly half-blood Severus Snape," he said with malicious glee.
"Well," Harry said, dubiously, "I suppose I can understand that… but what about me?"
"You?"
For all that Severus was an intelligent man, Harry sometimes suspected that he, like Ron, had the emotional range of a teaspoon. When it came to revenge and spite, Severus' otherwise brilliant mind often abandoned him.
"Yes, me, Severus! How am I supposed to feel while you get your jollies with Malfoy?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Severus sneered and returned to his book, his capacity for tenderness and reason apparently exhausted. His teaspoon runneth over.
HP – SS – HP – SS
After yet another week, Harry's patience had exceeded its capacity. He decided that since neither patience nor gentle prodding were working, he would do what he did best and resort to Gryffindor bluntness.
That was why on a sunny Thursday morning, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy enjoyed a friendly game of catch-the-snitch high above the grounds of Malfoy Manor.
Harry was pleasantly surprised. He'd only meant to prove a point to Severus but instead found that he had enjoyed the exercise. They had perhaps been a bit more competitive than a fun game of quidditch at the Burrow but it was less contentious than it had been at Hogwarts. Harry found it easier to predict Draco's moves and matched the blond taunt for taunt.
Their stroll back to the house was even more surprising as it was also pleasant. Draco, it turned out, was a fan of Puddlemere United and once Harry ignored the snide remarks and truly paid attention, he was amused to discover the Draco had a crush on Oliver Wood.
"It's ridiculous how everyone goes on about Wood," Draco sneered. "He is merely a reserve! Just because he played three games and was lucky as Keeper hardly means he deserves seven magazine covers."
"Seven?" Harry asked, surprised. "I never realised that there were that many quidditch magazines in Britain."
"There aren't, of course. Some are French, one is Irish…"
"And you subscribe to them all?" Draco must have been even more of a fan than Harry ever realised.
"Don't be stupid, Potter. Of course not! I do have a life outside of quidditch, you know! I ordered them to see what that stupid Wood had to say. You should see him - seven portraits of Wood, smiling at me at every turn. It's ridiculous, is what it is! No matter where I turn in my room, there he is."
Harry hid a grin. Maybe Draco had shopped at that teaspoon store with Ron and Severus.
"So, you have the seven magazine covers starring Oliver Wood scattered around your room, annoying you?" Draco nodded with an exaggerated grimace. "Malfoy… Draco," Harry said slowly, "Have you considered getting rid of them or turning them face down?"
Draco sneered. "You really are an idiot, Pot- H-Harry. I paid for them. Do you imagine that I throw galleons away? If I did that, I wouldn't be as rich as I am, now would I?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Well then maybe you should send them to me. That wouldn't be wasting them and I wouldn't mind seven Olivers staring at me." Draco's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Or not," Harry added, chuckling.
"Whatever, Potter."
"Hello Draco," Severus greeted, interrupting Harry's stroll down (recent) memory lane. "Harry," Snape added dismissively.
"Hello, Severus! How is the potion progressing?"
"It was a success. I tried to firecall you but Narcissa informed me that you were already here. She and I were both surprised that you did not see it fit to let me know."
Draco ignored the scolding. "It worked? It really worked? Oh Severus!"
Harry gasped when Draco hugged and kissed the Potions Master. Draco had never been so demonstrative in his presence.
"How dare you, Malfoy!" Harry shouted. He reached for his wand but Severus stopped him.
"P-Potter," Draco said, wiping his mouth on his sleeve and blushing a violent red.
"Harry, don't be silly. Draco is just excited. This is great news, you see. It is nothing more than a gesture of congratulations between friends."
"Is that so?" Harry replied more calmly than he felt. "Well then congratulations, Draco!" Harry yanked Draco by the arm and pulled him into a passionate embrace. He was surprised at how soft Draco's lips were and how pleasant his mouth tasted. Draco tasted of strawberries and cream and something elusive. Harry's ran his tongue around the blonde's mouth once more.
"Draco!" "Mr. Potter!" Lucius and Narcissa shouted in alarm.
"What is going on here?" Narcissa demanded.
"Severus is mine!" Harry declared, somewhat incongruently and seemingly apropos of nothing. "Draco can't have him."
"Yes, I'd also like to know what that was about, Harry," Hermione demanded. No one had even noticed her and Ron's arrival.
"Yeah, Malfoy!" Ron snapped, pressing his wand to Draco's head. "So back off, yeah? Harry is Snape's so you can't have him, you greedy prat!"
"Really, Ron," Hermione scolded and rolled her eyes, "Harry was the one being greedy."
"Hmmph, Hermione, trust me on this. Whatever is going on, Malfoy started it."
"He's right, Hermione," Harry insisted. "Draco and Lucius plotted to have Draco steal Severus from me!"
"Lucius!" Narcissa screeched, outraged. Lucius flailed, pointing at Draco who was still busy being stunned by Harry's assault to notice. "Lucius Malfoy, we agreed that Harry Potter belongs to Severus, that Severus deserves that true and unwavering love, did we not?"
"Hang on," Ron said, frowning. Something wasn't right about what Narcissa was saying but he hadn't quite figured out what yet.
Severus Snape woke out of his trance. His observations of the youngest Weasley over the past few months had led him to realize that the boy was not as stupid as he appeared. The same bizarre humour that had led the Fates to decide that Snivellus Snape would fall in love with James Potter's clone had also decided that the Weasley with the shortest fuse and laziest tendencies would also be the one with the shrewdest analytical skills.
The last thing that Severus needed was for Weasley to figure out that the Malfoys had manipulated the situation. While Severus didn't like that he had been the pawn in some Malfoy game, he had no intention of losing Harry. If losing Lily had taught him nothing else, he had certainly learned that time was no salve for his regrets.
Severus grabbed Harry's arm and tugged him towards the Floo.
"Loathe though I am to admit it, Mr. Weasley is right. A Malfoy started it and Harry is mine." He held Harry's chin and looked searchingly into the green eyes. Satisfied by whatever he found, he kissed Harry passionately, ignoring Ron and Draco's groans of disgust, Narcissa and Hermione's giggles and Lucius' boastful snort. "Harry is mine, and I am his, always."
A/N - It's over! I think... I hope you enjoyed my tale. I know some of you hoped for a Harry-Snape-Draco romance but this Draco was never actually interested in Snape. Please review!