Chapter Twenty-One: Albus' Suggestion

Harry and Severus finally mustered up the courage to go and talk to Professor Dumbledore. Well, his portrait, more specifically.

Harry knew it would be difficult, seeing him again—but he needed to know about this bond.

~~HP/SS~~

"Well," Albus started, looking less wistful as per usual, "from what you are describing, Severus, I can think of only one conclusion." He looked to the side of the painting, as if there were something interesting over there. Typical Albus…even as a painting. Severus thought dryly.

Harry had the same thought—or, at least, he heard it in his mind somehow…so he must have thought it…yes, he reasoned. He must have.

For a moment, despite the heavy topic at hand, Harry did wonder what kept Albus busy inside his painting. Was there anything paintings couldn't have in them?

He supposed Albus, especially unique, could entertain himself with a dust-bunny if he must.

The room was cold to Harry. He didn't want to face what was about to come into light. A bond with Severus Snape…

But he loves the man. Except…well, they were just getting to know each other, weren't they? And a magical bond is permanent.

Love, unfortunately, isn't always so reliable. It wavers…sometimes it even breaks.

Harry looked up at Severus, who had his brow furrowed in concentration.

I've known him for so long—through mostly bad times—and I still love him, Harry thought considerably. He shook his head to clear his mind, but he swore, I can't imagine falling out of love with him. No one—except, a Muggle, perhaps—would treat him like Severus did. Like anyone else—anyone but 'The Boy Who Lived.'

Albus eyed Harry. "Harry, my boy. You seem to have a lot on your mind." He pushed up his glasses and ate a lemon drop.

"Erm…well," Harry started, "it's just that, I'm not sure if this is right—if I'm right, that is—but I think…well…" he trailed.

Snape rolled his eyes, "Out with it, Harry."

Dumbledore's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Even knowing that Harry and Severus were in a relationship, hearing Severus call Harry by his given name and not Mister Potter was…well, wonderful, in Albus' opinion.

He chuckled lightly—only Severus caught it. Both of my boys, together! He sucked the lemon drop and enjoyed his thoughts.

Harry murmured under his breath, "Git." He took a deep breath, "I believe Severus and I can…read each other's thoughts, sir."

Albus swallowed the remains of the lemon drop, and sipped his tea. "Is this true, Severus?"

Snape took a curt nod. "I have had my speculations."

Albus rubbed his chin and sighed. "If my theory is correct, I believe you two have a bond far more powerful than the ones you recited to me earlier, Severus." He looked at Harry. "I do not mean to pry, my boy, but I must ask. Have you," Albus turned to Severus, "either of you," then he turned back to Harry, "felt particularly…compelled by each other's scents or tastes?"

Harry's mouth dropped open. "How did you know that?"

Severus had a similar reaction—but he kept silent, and closed his mouth.

"He…he tastes like strawberries!" Harry blurted out. He slapped a hand over his mouth and pinked.

Albus nearly doubled over in laughter. "Haha…ah," he wiped a tear, "but Severus, I assume you have had a similar experience with Harry?"

Snape raised one eyebrow. He looked at Harry, who was less pink now. "I have noticed that your hair always smells fresh…like a crystal clear ocean." Harry pinked again. Severus smirked at him—he looks far more delicious when he's pink.

Albus nodded. "Harry—do you have a particularly happy memory that involve eating strawberries? Perhaps with your friends? A time of complete bliss?" He turned to Severus. "And Severus—I know we have discussed a bit of your past, my boy, so I needn't ask you the same question in regards to the ocean."

Harry eyed him incredulously. "Yes," he nodded, "it was during summertime, when I was four." He went on, "Dudley was actually nice to me at that age, when we were out of the house. Aunt Petunia gave him a basket so he could pluck the strawberries off the bushes from the backyard." Harry smiled, "I think he felt bad that Uncle Vernon made me scrub the kitchen floor that day. He shared the whole basket with me—it was one of the only happy times I remember before the age of eleven."

Snape watched Harry's facial expression change from blissful to melancholy—and he understood all too well.

As if he couldn't help it, he grabbed Harry's hand and squeezed it gently. Harry looked up at him.

Albus smiled softly, "It seems, as fate would have it, that you two are far more alike than presumed."

Severus narrowed his eyes. "Fate?"

Albus nodded. "Ah, yes. There is a reason why you two can read one another's thoughts—you have been given the gift of telepathy, but only with each other. In addition," he continued, "as the bond strengthens, so will your telepathic abilities."

Harry shook his head once in confusion, "But won't that be burdensome? I mean, I can hardly stand Occlumency."

Severus smirked in amusement.

Albus continued. "Telepathic connection is quite rare, my boy. It may seem like a burden, but it will actually make the two of you stronger. In fact," he paused to sip his tea again, "the only thoughts that you will be able to hear from each other are genuine, strong, emotional ones."

Severus startled. That certainly explained a lot.

"There is only one other couple known to have had this type of soul bond." He paused. "Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor—they were lovers, and soulmates. Therefore, when they both realized their attraction to each other, the bond started to form. It is called a 'Lacrimas Bond,' Lacrimas meaning 'tears' in Latin, because one partner must have been healed by Phoenix tears in his or her life."

He looked at Harry. "You were healed by Faux in your second year in the Chamber of Secrets." He turned to Severus, "Godric Gryffindor had been healed by a Phoenix as a child. When he realized his love for Salazar Slytherin, it was just before Salazar was about to die from a poisonous attack."

Harry blinked. Well, that makes sense.

Severus was still trying to wrap his mind around Slytherin and Gryffindor as lovers.

Albus chuckled. "It appears that you boys realized just how much each other meant—and it took a near death experience to do it."

Harry squeezed Severus' hand. "I'm just glad we're alright."

Albus smiled, "Yes, quite. Some soulmates are misdirected—or, even worse, they die before their time. I realize this must be a lot to take in."

"How on Earth did you know all this, Albus?" Severus questioned, not trying to hide his curiosity. He knew everything, every detail about Slytherin. How could he not know this?

Albus laughed heartily. "Being dead does have its perks. I have my own personal library, you know."

Harry raised an eyebrow, taking all this in. "So, what you're saying is, this bond…is…"

"Permanent, yes." Albus interrupted. "And there is more—it is quite, ah, complex. The telepathic element will be at full power, only after each partner has performed penetration."

Harry and Severus' eyes widened.

"Yes," he sighed, "it is quite uncomfortable for me to tell you this, but I must. You both will feel the urges to…perform…in submissive and dominant roles. This is unexplained, but inevitable. Godric and Salazar realized that their sex drive had increased quite dramatically. As experiment, they tested how long they could stand being apart—and the result was that of one week's time."

This time, the two men dropped their jaws. Harry felt a little numb.

Severus cleared his throat, "Well…Albus—we are appreciative of your help. If it were not for you—"

"Oh, come now, my boy—no need for praise on my part. I am quite happy for you both, to put it mildly. Be that as it may, I have an appointment, and I must depart soon." He looked wistful.

Harry's voice cracked, "An appointment?"

Albus chuckled, "Yes, even the dead have places to be, Harry."

"Of course," he said quietly. "It was nice talking to you Prof—I mean, Albus."

He smiled, "Oh yes, same to you both—you have my best wishes. Do come back and visit."

"We will." Severus said deeply, tightening his grip on Harry's hand.

After Albus waved and left his portrait, both men looked at each other in awe. So we do have a bond, Severus thought, as he grazed Harry's chin.

Harry smiled, "Let's go home, Severus."

Author's Note:

Happy Holidays everyone; I'm back! I sincerely hope you enjoy these chapters I've posted-I've had major writer's block lately, so I thank you for bearing with me. Please leave any suggestions or feedback in the review section, and remember to favorite and follow!

If you want to see my Snarry oneshot, you can visit my page! (It is unrelated to this story.)

Thanks,

-Jen

The Snarry Shipper