Chapter 10: Trusting

Minerva deliberately waited until she knew that Ron was serving his detention with Professor Flitwick before going to each of the four houses and explaining the reason behind the article that had appeared in the Daily Prophet. There had been the expected whispers that morning in the Great hall, occasional glances towards the staff table, to see if Severus had come to breakfast. She thought it was best to give explanations sooner rather than later to prevent any further speculation. She was quite proud of the students of Hogwarts to say the least at the support that had been offered for Harry and more surprising for the potions master. They had all readily agreed that the article was nothing more than a blatant attempt to get attention. Minerva had the feeling that any further attempts to discredit Harry and Severus made by Mr Weasley would be thwarted.

The Potions lesson that morning had proven to be an interesting one. Ron was trying and failing miserably to get a rise out of anyone about the article. One of the students had told him the prophet was rubbish and anyone who thought otherwise was an idiot. "Now everyone knows who the famous Harry Potter really is a Queer an arse loving queer, must of gotten tired of Snapes arse when went looking for something younger, hasn't got the guts to come back and face the music coward" Ron sneered.

A Ravenclaw girl who was usually soft spoken, turned to Ron and said "There is only one Coward here Weasley and that would be you for not having the guts to say these things to Harrys face, and if you ever say another thing about Professor Snape in my hearing I'll hex you eight ways to Sunday. He and Harry have more courage in their little fingers than you do in your entire body" "Detention Weasley and Miss Chang" spoke Severus having no intention of giving Cho anything of the sort, but to keep up appearances he would give the impression.

Class ended and Severus asked Hermione and Cho to stay behind. He told Cho that he had no intention of following through with her detention and dismissed her. He gestured for Hermione to sit down. "How are you Miss Granger" he asked "I'm good thank you Professor how are you?" "Anxious to hear how my darling Harry is" he blushed. "He is alright Professor, it was a bit of a shock to him to hear all that the Minister told him, and he broke down towards the end. I went in and had a word with him; he has a lot of fears and a lot of doubts, he doesn't want it to be over with you, he loves you very much.

The photos are scaring him the most, he wants to believe that they are fake and someone is trying to get to him, but he cant wipe the image from his mind. He gave me this letter to give to you" Severus beamed as Hermione handed him the envelope. " I'll leave you to read it in private" she said picking up her bag. "Thank you Miss Granger" Severus was smiling and crying at the same time as he read and re read Harrys letter. His love wanted to see him, wanted him to go to Ireland and finally see his beautiful face after all these months. He put his hand over his heart, positive it was going to jump right out his chest it was beating that fast. He grabbed some parchment and his quill and wrote a reply to Harry.

My Darling My Universe,

You have made me the happiest man alive. My heart is soaring with the thought of finally being able to see you again. I have missed you beyond belief my darling Harry, your beautiful face has not left my mind for a single moment since you have been gone. I will come to Ireland to see you my love, I would go to the ends of the earth to see you. I ask only one thing of my darling Harry, will you let me hold you, if only for the briefest moment, I have missed holding you so very much it aches. I understand however if you cannot allow me this, seeing you is more than I could have ever hoped for. Let me know when you want me to visit and I will be there.

I love you with all that I am

All my love

Severus

It had been a busy day in the infirmary, Harry was currently dealing with a student who had accidently spilled a shrinking potion on themselves and was now no bigger than a beetle. Suffice to say it was quite hard to examine them. Connor Harrigan had been called upon for advice regarding the shrunken student. He told Beth and Harry that there was an antidote that he would get started on straight away. "Harry do you mind if I have a word with you?" asked the Professor. "Not at all Connor what can I do for you?"

"I was hoping to ask your friend Hermione to visit and have dinner with me soon, I was just wondering if you knew when she would be visiting again, I know you said somewhere near Halloween, just wondering when" he said turning red. "If you write her a letter I would be more than happy to send it on to her" replied Harry suppressing a grin. "Thank you Harry, I will do that," he said smiling. "That's the 3rd time he has been to the hospital wing and only one of those was to give medical advice," commented Beth as she came out of the office. "He has a crush on my friend Hermione wanted to know when she was coming back to see me" said Harry

"I can't wait to meet the woman that has our potions Professor blushing all over the place" she said with a grin. "You did meet her Beth, she was with me when I first came here for the tour" said Harry quizzically. "Oh so I did, I'm such a scatterbrain sometimes" Harry only laughed. "What about you Harry, have you written to your man yet?" "Yes I have, I've asked him to come over here to see me," said Harry now blushing himself. "Good on you Harry, I'm sure it will work out fine" she answered giving his shoulder a pat. "Now lets check on some patients shall we?"

Harry returned home that night to find a letter waiting for him. Feeling his pulse quicken Harry read the letter. Severus had agreed to come and see him, he wanted to hold him, and at reading this simple request Harry burst into tears. When Dean and Seamus arrived home Harry was still crying. "Harry love what's wrong?" said Seamus coming to pull Harry into a hug. "Severus is coming to see me" he choked. That was all he could get out before the tears started again; he gave the letter to Seamus to read for himself. Sitting at the table, Seamus asked Harry " Would you like to let Severus hold you Harry?" "More than anything in the world" replied Harry. But what if after I do that, then tell him that I don't want to return to England, and he says that he doesn't want to come here and be with me, it will have been for nothing" Seamus and Dean finally understood why the letter had upset Harry so much. His one great fear was being abandoned. "Harry I have no doubt in my mind that Severus would go anywhere you desired if it meant that the two of you could be together" said Dean.

"You wont know until you ask him Harry, don't let fear get in the way of happiness, take a chance and trust that it will turn out ok "Seamus said Harry knew that his friends were right, the time for fear was over, he loved Severus with everything he had, and it was about time he showed him that. He wrote a reply to Severus with a date and time, then a letter to Hermione coupled with the letter from Connor Harrigan. That night Harry had very pleasant dreams indeed.

Kinglsey shaklebolt was sitting in the headmistress's office surrounded by a pile of cream coloured envelopes, Severus had just arrived along with Hermione and was taking in the sight before him. "These are all letters that have been sent to the Daily Prophet from Ronald Weasley, most of them are about Harry and Severus, there is one about Hagrid although I believe that may have come from Molly. Cho Chang got a mention." Kingsley said folding another letter in half. "He will be very disappointed when none of those articles appear in the Prophet then won't he" said Severus.

"It will be interesting to see what his reaction is as he is unaware that the Ministry are checking the Prophets mail" commented Minerva. The answer to the headmistresses question came the next morning, when Ron was overheard to be complaining the incompetence of the Daily Prophet for not printing news worthy articles, he was seen exiting the Great Hall, no doubt to give the editor a piece of his mind.

It was 2 days before Halloween, Severus could barely contain his excitement, tonight he was going to see his love, and his world, his universe, and nothing could have made him happier. Eighth year potions were the last class of the day, and then he would be on his way.

As per normal Ron was trying his best to get a modicum of attention from anyone that would care to listen, he was still seething that nothing had appeared in the prophet, it was now 5 days running and still no sign of any discrediting articles. He had seated himself within looking distance of Hermione's desk and inturn Hermione's notes on the current potions they were working on. Every so often he glance over at the witches book and copy down what he had managed to see.

Hermione was doing her very best to ignore him; she had decided to write down something completely different, knowing full well that he would copy it down. Come time to make the potion, naturally every ingredient that Ron added was the wrong one or the wrong amount, resulting in the potion hissing and spitting at him, and in the end emitted a rather foul smelling odour. Seething he turned on Hermione. "You did that on purpose Granger", he yelled. "I have no idea what your are talking about" came Hermione's reply "You know exactly what I'm talking about you stupid mudblood, you deliberately wrote down the wrong notes so I would get my potion wrong." He bellowed. Pulling together every ounce of strength she had, she turned to the redhead "if you didn't copy other peoples work than it wouldn't happen would it."

"Idiot mudblood" he muttered. Hearing that for the second time and refusing to let it be said again Blaise Zabini rose from his seat at the back of the room and walked over to wear Ron was sitting. "Don't you dare call Hermione a mudblood again let alone an Idiot, or you will deal with me.

That blood status crap was left behind with the war. If you cant do the same then you are going to be in a world of trouble." "You don't seem to learn do you Mr Weasley, how many detentions do you need before the message sinks in?" said Severus getting up from his desk, and waving his wand to clear the foul smell clouding the room. "You are now on detention every week until the end of term." He said in a brighter tone than he had meant. "What about Zabini?" he huffed. "Mr Zabini didn't copy someone else's notes Mr Weasley, therefore he doesn't require detention" with that Ron closed his mouth and fumed silently.

Harry was more nervous than he thought he had ever been in his life, he didn't know why, he hadn't wanted to see Severus so badly that the week had dragged on to the point the thought it would never end. Dean and Seamus had gone out for dinner and dancing in Dublin, they told Harry to send his patronus when it was safe to come home again. Sensing that Severus was close by Harry walked out onto the front porch.

There coming up the path was the man he loved more than anything in the world. Harry walked towards him lowering the wards as he did. Without really thinking about it he walked straight into Severus' arms and held on for dear life. "Harry my darling I have missed you so much, I never thought I would get to do this again" Severus was crying and celebrating at the same time. "I've missed you too Sev more than you know" came Harrys soft reply. "Lets go inside" he said and gently took his love by the hand and walked back inside. Harry led Severus into the lounge room and sat down beside him on the sofa.

They sat staring into each other's eyes, taking in every part of the others face, relishing in the fact they were finally in the same room. " Severus I'm so very sorry that it has taken me so long to write to you or see you. I shouldn't have just left without giving you an explanation. I can see that now.

When I got that first photo I thought I would die, my whole world came crashing around my ears. After everything that has happened I couldn't stand one more heartbreak or betrayal. To save myself the pain, I came here. Thought that if I got away I could protect myself from the hurt. But all I did was cause myself more pain, because I realised that I couldn't stand to be away from you" Tears were pouring down Harry's face as he spoke. Severus reached over and wiped the tears from Harry's eyes with his thumb, then took his hand in his. "Harry my darling you have no reason to be sorry, yes I would have rathered that you stayed and explained why you were leaving me, but I can thoroughly understand why you didn't. I need you to understand that I would never do anything to cause you pain ever, that is why I complied with your request to not come looking for you, no matter how many times I wanted to. These last few months have been unbearable, but they have also strengthened the love I have for you." Severus' eyes never left Harry's for a moment.

"There's something else that I need to talk to you about Sev" said Harry lowering his gaze to his knees. Severus placed a finger under Harrys chin and lifted his head up. "Anything" there is nothing that you can't tell me" he said holding is loves gaze. "Since I have been over here and working at the academy, I realised that I don't think I want to go back to England or Hogwarts for that matter, with everything that has been happening with Ron, it makes me want to stay here more, I know you have your job at Hogwarts and you like where we live, but I was wondering if you would move over here with me, have our life in Ireland" Harry looked for a reaction from Severus.

"I've always wanted to live near the ocean and I do love the colour green" Severus grinned. Harry looked at his face as realisation dawned on him. "Really? You will move here with me and have a life?" he claimed in hopefulness. "Yes, I will Hogwarts doesn't mean the same things to me as it used to, I can make potions anywhere, as long as I'm with you I don't care where that is. I won't be able to come here until terms end, as I need to give Minerva time to find someone else to teach potions, and I would like all this other unfortunate business dealt with so we can truly move on with our lives, do you think you'll be alright til then?" "Yes, Yes, Yes I'll be fine as long as we can see each other in the mean time I'll cope" Harry said grinning.

He launched himself into Severus' arms and crushed his lips to the stunned potion masters. After being kissed breathless by the other, Harry and Severus spent time telling each other what had been going on in their respective worlds. Harry told Severus about all he had learnt at the school and the ailments he had treated so far. Severus told him what had happened at Hogwarts and in his potions class. Harry was furious that Ron has stooped so low as to call Hermione what he did, he vowed silently that he would hex him if he ever got the chance. Lying in Severus' arms Harry stifled a yawn. "Tired my darling" Severus inquired. "Mmm a bit" said Harry. "Maybe I had better let you go to bed," said Severus. "Only if you come with me" Harry turned and looked at Severus. "Are you sure" Harry's reply was to take Severus by the hand and lead him into the bedroom.

Harry walked into Severus' arms and placed his lips against his in a gentle kiss, he moved his tongue and brushed Severus' bottom lip, he complied with the unspoken request and let Harry explore his mouth with his tongue. Severus moved his lips from Harrys mouth a kissed his neck, nipping it in places resulting in a groan of pleasure. Somewhere in that moment Harry had decided that he and Severus were wearing far to many clothes, he spelled them away and the both stood there in all their glory. Severus let his hands roam down Harry's naked chest all the while kissing his neck and slowly moving his way down.

"I think we need to take this to the bed" said Harry between moans of pleasure. "Couldn't agree more" Severus muffled. Harry lay down on the bed and Severus leaned down on top of him. He moved from Harry's neck down to his hardened nipple and circled it with his tongue, "Oh gods Sev" moaned Harry. "You like that my darling" Severus said breathily moving over to Harrys other nipple. "Merlin yes" came another groan. Severus ran his tongue down the entire length of his lover's body, devouring him with kisses and relishing the taste. He lifted his head to see Harry's cock that looked more than happy to see Severus. Bypassing the hardening member Severus concentrated on Harry thighs, kissing the insides and leaving tiny marks behind. Harrys back arched in pleasure, Severus could the heat radiating from his mates body. "Sev please suck me please" came Harry's moans.

"My pleasure my darling" Severus moved towards Harrys shaft and ran his tongue from his balls right to the tip of his cock, that was slick with pre cum. He rubbed his thumbs over the head of Harrys cock; he slowly took his love into his mouth and gently sucked him, moving his head up and down in a gentle rhythm. "Oh god, that feels so good Sev, I've missed that so much, missed your mouth on my cock so much" Harry was writhing in pleasure and pure bliss.

Severus slowly fingered Harry's entrance; slipping in one finger and gently moving it around to loosen his lovers hole up. By the time he had three fingers in there Harry was lifting his hips of the bed in ecstasy. "Fuck me Sev, please need you inside me. Happy to comply Severus removed his mouth from Harrys cock and grabbed his wand, he waved it over Harry's entrance to loosen him magically, and he did the same with his cock and knelt between Harry's legs.

He entered Harry slowly giving him time to get used to the sensation once again; he pulled out almost the whole way then back in again gently. "Harder Sev" moaned Harry Severus thrust forward and made sure he hit Harry's sweet spot. "Oh fuck yes, again Sev" Harry screamed. He thrust forward again and connected with Harry's prostate, emitting another scream from his lover. He took Harrys cock in hand and pumped it in time with his thrusts.

"Oh Sev I'm close so close Harry writhed beneath his hand. Severus let go of Harrys cock and looked him in the eyes. "Cum for me Harry, cum to the sound of my voice, my darling, make that lovely cock cum just by listening to me talk, imagine my hand on your cock my love, stroking and rubbing, cum for me Harry" Harry could feel the orgasm gaining on him, he came hard spilling onto his stomach.

Severus, who could feel his own release getting closer, thrust a few more times before spilling everything he had into Harry. He pulled from Harry and lay beside him panting, he cast cleaning spell and took Harry into his arms. "I have missed you so much my darling Harry, apart of me has been missing since you left, I love you with everything that I am, I hope you know that" Severus said stroking Harrys head. "I do Sev, I wouldn't be anywhere if I didn't have your love, and I know in my heart that it wasn't you in those photos, I understand now that someone is trying to hurt me again. I'm sorry I doubted you Sev"

"Harry there is a reason I went to Paris and it certainly wasn't to have an affair. I went because there was a potion I wanted to know more about. I have known that you are I want to spend the rest of my life; with you Harry nothing will ever change that. There is a potion that can help a wizard fall pregnant, I wanted to find out more about it, I want a family with you Harry, to have children and raise them with you, would you like a family with me Harry?" Severus asks looking into those gorgeous green eyes he loved so much. "More than anything Sev" said Harry with pure love in his eyes.

" I had heard that some wizards can fall pregnant, but didn't ever really think about it" he explained, " I would like to carry our child Harry, to fall pregnant and start our family. When all this is over, that's what I want" Nothing would make me happier Severus Snape, than to see you pregnant with our child" beamed Harry. He pulled Severus into a passionate kiss, they snuggled and let sleep take them. Dean and Seamus had decided to spend the night in Dublin and give Harry and Severus some time alone. Harry woke the next morning to the wonderful feeling of Severus' arms around him. "Morning my darling" said Severus kissing harry gently. "Morning Sev" said Harry snuggling down further and leaning closer to Severus. "I could lay like this all day, I could freeze this moment right here and just stay like this," murmured Harry. "Me too my love, there is nothing I love more than holding you like this, waking up in your arms" Severus spoke softly.

Harry turned over and faced Severus, "I love you so much Sev, and my heart aches, the thought of you sends lightening bolts through me, I cant believe I was so stupid to think that you would ever hurt me" "That is in the past my darling, what matters is now, we start our lives again now. We will get through this hard time, I can promise you that I will not let anything happen, nor will I let that stupid Weasley hurt you in any way." Harry could see the love in his partner's eyes. "Do you think that he is behind the photos?" asked Harry. "I am inclined to believe that he has something to do with it yes, I do not think he is smart enough to do such a thing on his own" "You're right Sev, he wouldn't where to begin with something like that, even at school he was always relying on me or Hermione to get him through the classes and the exams" "Enough talk about him, I would like to take my love to breakfast, then a bit of sight seeing before I have to go back to Hogwarts" Severus said giving Harry another kiss.

They spent the morning together, walking around the country lanes, Harry showing his lover the village and the hills that surrounded it. They apparated to Dublin, Harry took Severus to the zoo and around some of the Phoenix Park. Meeting up with Dean and Seamus for a quick lunch, then it was time to say goodbye to Severus. "I will see you very soon my love, remember you can write to me everyday if you want. I love you my darling Harry." I love you Severus with all my heart, and I will be thinking of you and other things" Harry said winking at his lover. Dean and Seamus did their best to cheer Harry up that night, he told them all about the conversations he had with Severus. The boys couldn't be happier. For a bit of extra fun, they went out and had a nighttime game of Quidditch.