Chapter Summary: The good will of the wizarding world must be won, the Headmaster's tower must be rebuilt, Hermione must be pacified, but Hogwart's new Headmasters just want to shag. A chapter named after the Sarah McLachlan song, listen to it whilst reading if you can. Warning, shameless fluff. Getting more MPREGgy because they're talking about it.
Sorry it's a bit later in the week than usual.
Beta by Kristine Thorne
This chapter is especially for Cha Cha Chica who likes Sarah McLachlan as much as I do, watch out for chappie 'Ice Cream' coming up soon (see track of same name on Fumbling Towards Ecstasy CD).
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Chapter Six - Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
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All the fear has left me now
I'm not frightened anymore.
It's my heart that pounds beneath my flesh.
It's my mouth that pushes out this breath
And if I shed a tear I won't cage it.
I won't fear love
And if I feel a rage I won't deny it.
I won't fear love.
Companion to our demons
They will dance and we will play.
With chairs candles and clothes
Making darkness in the day.
It will be easy to look in or out
Upstream or down
Without a thought
And if I shed a tear I won't cage it.
I won't fear love
And if I feel a rage I won't deny it.
I won't fear love.
Peace in the struggle to find peace.
Comfort on the way to comfort
And if I shed a tear I won't cage it.
I won't fear love
And if I feel a rage I won't deny it
I won't fear love.
I won't fear love.
I won't fear love...
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Harry and Severus returned to the dungeons once dinner was over with. Harry had decided that a nice cold, dark living room with a warm fire to help heat it was a much better idea than a supposedly cheery Gryffindor. He had to resist the urge to run down the stairs into the dungeon, as they were once more free from the oppressive atmosphere of the hall.
"That was enough to give me indigestion," Harry commented as he and Severus walked along the deserted dungeon corridor.
Severus reached out a hand to Harry and he took it, "Why didn't you just go with them?" He asked.
Harry gave Severus a look, "You know why," Harry said, "Anyway, they were only offering to play chess to get me away from you, I was quite prepared to go anywhere they liked as long as you could come too. Who knows what they are up to, probably trying to kidnap me so they can get me away from your evil clutches, I wouldn't be surprised."
"You can play chess with your friends," Severus offered, "I want to make that clear so they can't accuse me of keeping you away."
"Severus, I don't want to play with them if they are going to insist on excluding you," Harry said firmly.
At long last they reached the newly named Snape Kin quarters and Harry used the password to gain them both entry.
As soon as they were safely inside Severus flopped down into his chair and waved his wand at the fire, making it burst instantaneously to life, warmth immediately filled the room.
"Don't think you are going to sit there feeling sorry for yourself," Harry began, "Come on Sev, let's get rid of the chair of gloom shall we?"
Harry stood looking down at Severus with his arms folded. Severus had indeed been about to fall into his habit of brooding by the fireplace but Harry wasn't standing for it.
"If you don't get up I'll jump on there too, where am I supposed to sit?" Harry persisted.
Severus reluctantly got up and pushed the offending chair to the corner of the room. He was then instructed to move the sofa, which had hardly been sat in, to the position in front of the fire.
They both sat down on the sofa, which felt extremely cold at first.
"I think a few throws on this sofa and a toasting fork for the fire will be the making of this place," Harry commented as he curled up on the sofa with his head resting on Severus' chest. Severus slipped an arm round his Kin and hugged him close.
Harry immediately felt at home in Severus' arms, he found it hard to remember why he had felt such a strong pull towards Hogwarts, Severus was really all he needed.
"This is better," Severus was forced to admit, "All we need now is a few smokes and a nice big bottle of fire whiskey."
"You are not going to turn this into a sofa of gloom Severus, we can be at peace here and think about nice things and talk freely to each other, it's a haven," Harry persuaded his Kin, "Out there they can say and do what they like, in here we are Kin and we are happy."
"True," Severus agreed, leaning down to kiss Harry on the forehead, "We can't let them ruin everything."
"I want to talk to you about something," Harry found himself saying. After everything that had happened so far that day, he no longer found that he felt nervous about bringing up the subject, he was more determined than ever to make sure he got the family he wanted.
"Important?" Severus queried.
"Yes," Harry answered with a weak smile, "But not like fighting the Dark Lord was important and it's nothing to do with being Headmaster or anything like that."
"Shall I get us some smokes and a bottle of whiskey then? We have all night and no gloom I promise," Severus offered, "If the house elves don't want me dead too, that is."
"I don't want to drink," Harry said, hoping that Severus would take the hint about why, "I think I would like some hot milk, do you still have some of that Horlicks?"
"I think so," Severus said standing up and going to where their rucksacks still lay, "You get the hot milk."
Harry went to the hearth and found the floo powder, before he had time to think about the fact that he hadn't used the stuff for a long time, Harry threw some into the fire and stuck his head into it once the bluish flames had risen up. Seconds after Harry sat back down on the sofa, his favourite house elf, Dobby, appeared on the hearthrug carrying a tray with two mugs of hot milk upon it.
"Harry Potter has come home!" Dobby said placing the tray down on the floor, "These are Professor Snape's quarters! But why is Harry Potter in here?"
"Because he is with Professor Snape," Severus answered approaching with the two sachets of Horlicks.
"Eeek!" Dobby squealed, backing away.
"Great," Severus said sitting down beside Harry on the sofa.
"Severus is Harry Potter's friend now," Harry explained to the frightened house elf.
Dobby's face melted into a smile, he approached the sofa willingly, "Any friend of Harry Potter's is a friend of Dobby's, will that be all master?" Dobby said looking up at them both.
"Yes, Dobby, thank you," Harry said smiling at the familiar little elf, "But my name is Harry Snape now."
"Oh, oh, I am sorry master, oh, oh, I am so sorry masters," Dobby spluttered.
"It's all right Dobby, and don't call me master," Harry said smiling at the elf's confusion, he had really missed Dobby, he now realised.
Dobby picked up the tray and approached Severus, Dobby handed him the tray, "Professor Snape looks after Harry Snape, Dobby is pleased you are here," Dobby said before snapping his fingers and disappearing.
"If only they were all like Dobby the house elf," Severus observed as he stirred in the Horlicks. "Supposedly humble little slaves, but so perceptive."
"Or maybe he had the job of changing the bed sheets this afternoon," Harry said giving Severus a mischievous look, which was matched by a light-heartedly disapproving look in return.
Harry and Severus settled back onto the sofa with their drinks, Harry could feel the familiar warm, soothing feeling wash over him as he took the first sip.
"So what was it you wanted to talk about?" Severus asked.
"Well, there is no doubt that some evil or other will raise its ugly head some time in the future, but we're about as far away from it now as we're ever likely to be," Harry began.
"This is true," Severus responded.
"So we have time, to rebuild things, to make Hogwarts better than ever."
"Yes, if we can, we certainly will, I thought you said this wasn't about being Headmaster."
"We have time to have a baby," Harry said plunging in at the deep end at last.
Harry thought that he heard Severus splutter on his Horlicks a little but he couldn't be sure.
"We have already had this conversation," Severus said.
It wasn't the response Harry had been expecting, his heart was sinking, "No, we haven't, unless you mean all those times you said we wouldn't be having one, which wasn't a conversation at all."
"Last night," Severus prompted.
"Oh," Harry said sighing a little with relief, "That was hardly a conversation, that was a few muttered words whilst under the influence of too much rejuvenation potion, I wanted to talk about it properly."
"Do you stand by everything you said last night?" Severus asked.
"Yes, it was what made me train so hard, I wanted the war over with so that we could start a life together, properly, a home and a child."
"I think we may be in for more than we bargained for in that respect," Severus said, referring to the roles they had just taken on.
"Just think, Sev, your intellect and my good looks. Didn't you say that a child of ours would be really powerful?"
"Yes, I said that."
"Well, what better way to rebuild the wizarding world?"
"You don't have to convince me Harry," Severus said, clearly amused.
"Can we?"
"Of course, you know I can't refuse you," Severus said hugging Harry close to him.
"But you want it too don't you?" Harry asked.
"There is only one thing that I have wished for more," Severus said seeming suddenly a little sad.
"What?"
"That it could be me."
"Oh Sev," Harry said, wrapping his fingers round Severus' hand.
"I'm very envious that you can do this for me but I'm pleased for you too, come on, let's go to bed." Severus suggested.
"What are we going to do about tomorrow?" Harry asked, although he would have loved to have gone to bed there was so much that needed sorting out.
"We can go to bed now and get up early, let's just leave it for tonight."
"Hmm, I'm quite relaxed after my Horlicks it would be a shame to spoil it," Harry said standing up and holding out a hand to Severus.
Harry and Severus quickly made themselves ready for bed and when they were both lain down on the big four-poster, Harry drew the curtains round them both.
Harry came to a kneeling position beside Severus.
"Right, on your back," Harry commanded.
Severus did as he was told with a faint smile upon his lips, "I hate to tell you this Harry but it isn't going to work like this."
"Very funny," Harry said lying over Severus and kissing his neck with gentle pecks, "We'll get to that later, unless you don't like what I'm doing?"
Severus reached out a hand to stroke Harry's back by way of encouragement.
"Last night I felt complete, wanted, at peace, despite everything," Severus replied.
"So you liked it then?" Harry teased, pausing briefly from the sensual little kisses he was busy bestowing on Severus' chest. Harry traced a line of kisses down Severus' abdomen, "One for every time anybody said anything against you."
"We do have all night," Severus pointed out.
The pace was slower than the previous night, there were no potions fuelling their passion and they both wanted to make it last as long as they could to repay each other for a terrible day. Harry made love to Severus for the pleasure of seeing the tension and restraint melt away from his features in addition to the sensual enjoyment they both got from the act. Then as Harry lay back still feeling the rush of sensation, Severus began to make love to him in return, hopefully bringing them one step further in the process of procreation.
*****
In the morning Harry was woken by Severus, it was early just like they had agreed but to Harry it didn't now seem like a very good idea. He was relaxed and sated and as soon as Severus stopped shaking his shoulder Harry pulled himself up onto Severus' chest and snuggled into him.
Severus would have been quite happy to cradle Harry in his arms all morning but they had called a meeting and they had to work out a plan before they got to it.
"Harry…" Severus said shaking Harry's shoulder again as he seemed to be going back to sleep.
"Hmm, we can talk here, don't have to get up yet," Harry replied without even opening his eyes.
Severus had to admit that it was very tempting, "First of all we must formulate what we are going to say to the Prophet and other wizards about our victory," Severus began punctuating the end of his sentence by kissing Harry on the forehead.
"Then we need to present Albus's other letter regarding Professor Snape's conduct whilst we were on our travels, who knows what he did and what you need to be excused from being responsible for. Apparently Albus was quite convincing though, if your reception was anything to go by. Maybe we will find out what that potion mistake thing was all about," Harry added, catching Severus' lips in a kiss, which Severus willingly deepened.
"Bet Albus wasn't nearly as wicked as I really am," Severus whispered seductively, breaking away from the kiss only to duck down to nibble Harry's neck.
Harry groaned a little, "You are a very bad evil man, I don't think Albus could have had any idea," He added tilting his chin to allow Severus easier access.
"Hmm, straying slightly off topic," Severus said moving down to lick around a nipple.
Harry giggled a little, "We need to discuss the teacher's posts, find out perhaps who wishes to keep the job they previously held."
"I will have to approach Hermione and at least get her to talk to me if she intends to continue in the position of Potions," Severus mentioned as he headed down Harry's abdomen punctuating each word with a kiss. "I will have to act as mentor for a while as my Polyjuice version was doing before, there's something to look forward to."
There was a loud knock on the door to the Snape quarters; it was audible through the closed door to the living room.
Severus reluctantly got up, "I don't know why I am answering this," He grumbled, making for the door after wrapping himself quickly in a blanket.
Severus opened the door onto the dungeon corridor and found the former Professor Trelawney, a parchment clutched in her hand and a surprised look upon her face when she noticed how much Severus wasn't wearing.
"The tea leaves told me that now would be a good time to call," Professor Trelawney explained.
"Indeed," Severus replied.
"I know you are true," Professor Trelawney continued, holding out the parchment to Severus.
Severus took the parchment and looked at it, as he expected it was an application for the position of Divination teacher, "Thank you," Severus found himself saying, surely Harry's good nature was rubbing off on him, "I will give it my fair consideration."
Professor Trelawney smiled nervously, "Thank you," She said before scuttling off down the corridor.
Severus walked back through the living room clutching the parchment.
"Who was that?" Harry called from the bedroom.
"Professor Trelawney wanting her old job back," Severus answered, anticipating Harry's response with a smile already on his face.
"That's all we need!" Harry replied on cue, "Get yourself back in this bed right now, I want to continue with our meeting."
Severus' interest in Harry had not diminished with his surprise trip to the door and he willingly joined Harry again underneath the blankets. With a mischievous smile that Harry didn't see, he decided that he was going to teach his Kin a lesson about being impatient and demanding.
Severus took charge, the pretence of a meeting seemingly forgotten as he licked and kissed his way down Harry's body making him twist and wriggle beneath his touch. Harry's hands went to Severus hips, trying to pull him down and urge him on further but Severus wasn't having any of it and remained determined to set his own pace.
Severus looked down at Harry, and he lay charged up with passion and expectantly waited, a slight frown upon his face because Severus had stopped to look at him. Severus had to admit that the sight did not make him want to wait any longer. He gently parted Harry's legs and Harry smiled in a sleepy and languid way when he realised that Severus was done playing and was going to give him what he wanted.
Harry pulled Severus into a deep and luxurious kiss and Severus began making love to Harry, pushing his way inside till he could go no further, he pulled back a little and then forward again making Harry gasp. Then he stopped.
"We also need to find out what they have done with my things," Severus began, his voice quietly speaking at Harry's ear in a volume that was almost a whisper, "I am not particularly concerned with the whereabouts of the books but there were some personal items, which are all I have left of my brother."
Severus moved a bit and Harry made a slight 'squeak' noise in response.
"It might be an idea to think a bit about how we want the tower rebuilding, I think it should be exactly as it was since we intend to use the Talisman at some point, it would help if the castle matched up architecturally with other dimensions."
"Maybe the other dimensions have had their towers destroyed too," Harry contributed; his voice meant to be a whisper but tinged with what could have been a hiss.
"A good point," Severus said, feeling as if he wouldn't be able to hold back much longer.
"Sev, please, please, please," Harry begged at last.
Severus gave up torturing Harry and stopped talking in order to concentrate on the much more pleasurable matter in hand.
Harry and Severus spoke a little more about their upcoming meeting but it was soon getting very close to breakfast time and they both needed their showers.
Severus took the bathroom first and Harry was left waiting in the bedroom, as he had been the day before. He decided to spend the time fervently dreading the rest of the day. They both needed a bit of support from somewhere, Harry thought as he sat on the edge of the bed, it as all going so badly. He really wanted to know what on earth Albus had been getting up to when he had been impersonating Snape, the others were more against Severus than they had ever been, Hermione especially. The fact that he, 'the boy who lived', now supported him seemed to count for nothing.
Harry took his sword in his hand and watched the eager little serpents wind round his wrist. Without even thinking he said a few words to them in parseltongue, grumbling about his friends and their reception back at Hogwarts. The serpents looked up at Harry as if they were listening.
Harry suddenly had an idea and he wondered why he had never thought of talking to them before. The serpents could understand Harry and he had a favour to ask of them, if it worked, then the wizarding world would finally have some irrefutable confirmation of Severus' worth. Harry smiled to himself and spoke to the sword.
Harry had only just put his sword away when Severus came out of the bathroom with his hair still lank but dry, obviously still unwashed. He beckoned Harry over.
His curiosity peaked; Harry approached Severus and was promptly pulled into the bathroom. Severus shut the door and started to undress Harry as Harry stood perfectly still allowing his Kin to do as he wished. Harry thought about the shower and the two of them being naked and imagined that he knew what was coming next, he grinned to himself.
When Harry was completely undressed Severus turned him round and Harry noticed that the bath had been filled with hot water and there was bubble bath in it too.
"There's not enough room," Harry commented, wishing, even as he said it, that he could control his stupid head. The last thing he wanted to do was put Severus off.
"Get in," Severus said, seemingly confident that it wasn't a problem.
Harry did as he was told and was soon sinking into the lovely hot and soothing water. Severus joined him and Harry discovered that it was a magical bath, which was in fact about the size of a large single bed, once you got into it there was plenty of room.
Severus entwined his legs around Harry's and scooped water up with his hands in order to wet Harry's hair. Harry leant in for a deep and luxurious kiss as Severus rubbed shampoo into his hair. Harry reached out for some shampoo and returned the favour, then took some soap onto a sponge and made sure that Severus was clean all over.
"Why didn't we think of this yesterday," Harry said lying in Severus' arms as Severus rubbed his back for him.
"Just thought it might save some time," Severus said with a mischievous smile all the same.
They both ducked under the water to rinse the shampoo from their heads before Harry wrapped himself around Severus once more.
"I can't believe I was frightened of being close to somebody," Harry said snuggling into Severus' chest.
"Intent is everything," Severus added.
"It can either be the most frightening or the most reassuring thing," Harry said, "That research of Hermione's made the sword's manipulation out to be an evil thing, but I don't care. I am glad the swords made me do it, if they did. After my uncle, I didn't think I would ever have been able to be with anybody, if it hadn't been for you and the swords I would have been alone. Actually, I know I would have been dead by now, the Death Eaters thought I was alone and the Dark Lord still sent hundreds of them against me, they had no way of knowing that I could fight them off. I am glad the swords made me love you, you love me with a kind of completeness that nobody else could."
"Your stupid little friends probably think I am controlling you, but we know better don't we Harry?" Severus said kissing Harry deeply.
"We do?"
"Hmm, I would do anything for you, we came here when I didn't want to, I'll put up with their crap for as long as you want me to, we know who is really in control, I will do anything for you."
"Anything? Even if we've done it once already today?" Harry said mischievously.
"Yes," Severus agreed, "Though I don't think we've done it in the bath yet at all."
Harry was lying on top of Severus and they moved against each other, the hot water and bubble bath making them slide against each other with ease.
"Though we haven't got much time," Severus said, his head tilted back against the bath and Harry's legs pushing his own apart.
"Oh you git, why mention it then, anyway I'm quick," Harry commented ducking his head to kiss and nip at Severus' neck. "You know you want to."
Severus unconvincingly shook his head, "I do, I just realised about the time."
Harry sucked on each nipple in turn and then returned to Severus for a kiss. Severus gave up without a fight and deepened the kiss.
"I knew it," Harry said smugly, "You can't resist me."
"I always want you, we just don't have much time," Severus defended, placing a hand on Harry, urging him to continue all the same, "Your little friends will be waiting for us at breakfast."
"Let them wait," Harry said entering Severus with one swift movement.
*****
Severus had been right, they hadn't had the time to mess about in the bath. Harry still didn't care about it, what was Hermione going to do anyway, give them both detentions? They were late for breakfast and Harry walked at Severus' side, they both kept their normal pace. The corridors were deserted which Harry was coming to like anyway. Harry was in a good mood after a wonderful night and he was reluctant to plunge himself into the atmosphere that he knew was going to ruin it completely.
"I am sorry Hermione, but I was too busy shagging to come to breakfast," Harry jokingly confessed whilst there was nobody but Severus to hear him.
"This will be all my fault you know," Severus grumbled at Harry's side as they continued to walk, "And we were the ones who called the meeting at nine thirty 'sharp'."
"The first thing we need to know," Harry said as they walked, "Is what the set up is here, there are families living here and they will need to be accommodated even if we manage to get the school back on its feet."
"Maybe you can ask Hermione before the argument breaks out," Severus suggested. They were getting very near to the hall and Harry's pace slowed. Severus gave Harry a quick hug, "Maybe you should just tell them everything straight away and then they will all be too shocked to give you trouble."
"It's quickly becoming an option," Harry said leaning into Severus' embrace before straightening himself up in preparation for the ordeal.
Harry thought that the best way was to show that he meant business, so he drew himself up to full height and entered the hall with a swoosh of robes, striding down the length of the hall to the table where Hermione and Ron sat. Both his friends looked up as he entered and when both Severus and Harry had reached their seats Hermione fixed them both with a disapproving glare.
"I would have thought that the 'Headmasters-to-be' would have liked to set something of an example to those they expect to teach," Hermione scolded.
"We were busy with our preliminary discussions, which needed to take place prior to our announcements today," Harry snapped despite the fact that he had been doing nothing of the sort.
"I summoned a reporter from The Prophet by owl this morning, they should be here any minute," Hermione announced.
"You did what?!" Harry burst in surprise.
"Well you can't sit on this much longer, surely people would start to notice that something was different?" Hermione said firmly.
Harry understood, he and Severus were being tested, he was glad now that Severus had brought all the wands they had taken from the Death Eaters with him.
"Hermione, if Severus and I are to do our jobs this September, we are going to need to make plans and so it would be very helpful if you could tell us briefly who lives at Hogwarts and where they are situated," Harry spoke before Hermione had any opportunity to say anything more on her own agenda. They really needed to take control of things and not let her walk all over them.
"Hufflepuff dorms currently house families whose houses have been destroyed, generally these families consist of children with only one parent," Hermione began, "Gryffindor is where the orphans are housed, Ron and I are currently acting as foster parents and Professor McGonagall is out on a mission to ensure that all children who have lost their parents find their way to Hogwarts safely. We don't know why but a few months ago the Death Eaters," Hermione couldn't help glancing at Severus, "Began killing elder members of the families but 'sparing' the children, all of them born to Muggleborn parents. Two young girls turned up at the edge of the wards one day asking for the Headmaster, which was the first that we knew about it. Since then it has become clear that there have been many occurrences of this tactic and Professor McGonagall has been leading the effort to make sure all the children are at least safe from danger and starvation."
"How long?" Harry asked stunned, he had only seen this in his visions for less than a week before he killed the Dark Lord.
"Since February," Hermione replied.
"I saw them," Harry said, "In my visions, but the Dark Lord only gave me this information in the last few weeks, I am sure he wanted to torture me without running the risk of my being able to stop it, it's a personal message."
"How so?"
"Because of what I am, an orphan, forced to live with ghastly relatives," Harry explained, feeling guilty for not being able to stop it in time, suddenly feeling wretched for everything and wanting to lie in Sev's comfortable arms, "I really did get rid of him Hermione."
"It isn't just us you need to convince," Hermione said rather sternly.
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TBC very soon
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In the next chapter - Judgement - Harry and Sev face the scrutiny of a reporter from The Daily Prophet.
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Thanks to Saechan for reminding me about Fawkes, he's in the next chapter.
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Sorry it's a bit later in the week than usual.
Beta by Kristine Thorne
This chapter is especially for Cha Cha Chica who likes Sarah McLachlan as much as I do, watch out for chappie 'Ice Cream' coming up soon (see track of same name on Fumbling Towards Ecstasy CD).
______________________________________________________________________________
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Chapter Six - Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
.
All the fear has left me now
I'm not frightened anymore.
It's my heart that pounds beneath my flesh.
It's my mouth that pushes out this breath
And if I shed a tear I won't cage it.
I won't fear love
And if I feel a rage I won't deny it.
I won't fear love.
Companion to our demons
They will dance and we will play.
With chairs candles and clothes
Making darkness in the day.
It will be easy to look in or out
Upstream or down
Without a thought
And if I shed a tear I won't cage it.
I won't fear love
And if I feel a rage I won't deny it.
I won't fear love.
Peace in the struggle to find peace.
Comfort on the way to comfort
And if I shed a tear I won't cage it.
I won't fear love
And if I feel a rage I won't deny it
I won't fear love.
I won't fear love.
I won't fear love...
.
.
Harry and Severus returned to the dungeons once dinner was over with. Harry had decided that a nice cold, dark living room with a warm fire to help heat it was a much better idea than a supposedly cheery Gryffindor. He had to resist the urge to run down the stairs into the dungeon, as they were once more free from the oppressive atmosphere of the hall.
"That was enough to give me indigestion," Harry commented as he and Severus walked along the deserted dungeon corridor.
Severus reached out a hand to Harry and he took it, "Why didn't you just go with them?" He asked.
Harry gave Severus a look, "You know why," Harry said, "Anyway, they were only offering to play chess to get me away from you, I was quite prepared to go anywhere they liked as long as you could come too. Who knows what they are up to, probably trying to kidnap me so they can get me away from your evil clutches, I wouldn't be surprised."
"You can play chess with your friends," Severus offered, "I want to make that clear so they can't accuse me of keeping you away."
"Severus, I don't want to play with them if they are going to insist on excluding you," Harry said firmly.
At long last they reached the newly named Snape Kin quarters and Harry used the password to gain them both entry.
As soon as they were safely inside Severus flopped down into his chair and waved his wand at the fire, making it burst instantaneously to life, warmth immediately filled the room.
"Don't think you are going to sit there feeling sorry for yourself," Harry began, "Come on Sev, let's get rid of the chair of gloom shall we?"
Harry stood looking down at Severus with his arms folded. Severus had indeed been about to fall into his habit of brooding by the fireplace but Harry wasn't standing for it.
"If you don't get up I'll jump on there too, where am I supposed to sit?" Harry persisted.
Severus reluctantly got up and pushed the offending chair to the corner of the room. He was then instructed to move the sofa, which had hardly been sat in, to the position in front of the fire.
They both sat down on the sofa, which felt extremely cold at first.
"I think a few throws on this sofa and a toasting fork for the fire will be the making of this place," Harry commented as he curled up on the sofa with his head resting on Severus' chest. Severus slipped an arm round his Kin and hugged him close.
Harry immediately felt at home in Severus' arms, he found it hard to remember why he had felt such a strong pull towards Hogwarts, Severus was really all he needed.
"This is better," Severus was forced to admit, "All we need now is a few smokes and a nice big bottle of fire whiskey."
"You are not going to turn this into a sofa of gloom Severus, we can be at peace here and think about nice things and talk freely to each other, it's a haven," Harry persuaded his Kin, "Out there they can say and do what they like, in here we are Kin and we are happy."
"True," Severus agreed, leaning down to kiss Harry on the forehead, "We can't let them ruin everything."
"I want to talk to you about something," Harry found himself saying. After everything that had happened so far that day, he no longer found that he felt nervous about bringing up the subject, he was more determined than ever to make sure he got the family he wanted.
"Important?" Severus queried.
"Yes," Harry answered with a weak smile, "But not like fighting the Dark Lord was important and it's nothing to do with being Headmaster or anything like that."
"Shall I get us some smokes and a bottle of whiskey then? We have all night and no gloom I promise," Severus offered, "If the house elves don't want me dead too, that is."
"I don't want to drink," Harry said, hoping that Severus would take the hint about why, "I think I would like some hot milk, do you still have some of that Horlicks?"
"I think so," Severus said standing up and going to where their rucksacks still lay, "You get the hot milk."
Harry went to the hearth and found the floo powder, before he had time to think about the fact that he hadn't used the stuff for a long time, Harry threw some into the fire and stuck his head into it once the bluish flames had risen up. Seconds after Harry sat back down on the sofa, his favourite house elf, Dobby, appeared on the hearthrug carrying a tray with two mugs of hot milk upon it.
"Harry Potter has come home!" Dobby said placing the tray down on the floor, "These are Professor Snape's quarters! But why is Harry Potter in here?"
"Because he is with Professor Snape," Severus answered approaching with the two sachets of Horlicks.
"Eeek!" Dobby squealed, backing away.
"Great," Severus said sitting down beside Harry on the sofa.
"Severus is Harry Potter's friend now," Harry explained to the frightened house elf.
Dobby's face melted into a smile, he approached the sofa willingly, "Any friend of Harry Potter's is a friend of Dobby's, will that be all master?" Dobby said looking up at them both.
"Yes, Dobby, thank you," Harry said smiling at the familiar little elf, "But my name is Harry Snape now."
"Oh, oh, I am sorry master, oh, oh, I am so sorry masters," Dobby spluttered.
"It's all right Dobby, and don't call me master," Harry said smiling at the elf's confusion, he had really missed Dobby, he now realised.
Dobby picked up the tray and approached Severus, Dobby handed him the tray, "Professor Snape looks after Harry Snape, Dobby is pleased you are here," Dobby said before snapping his fingers and disappearing.
"If only they were all like Dobby the house elf," Severus observed as he stirred in the Horlicks. "Supposedly humble little slaves, but so perceptive."
"Or maybe he had the job of changing the bed sheets this afternoon," Harry said giving Severus a mischievous look, which was matched by a light-heartedly disapproving look in return.
Harry and Severus settled back onto the sofa with their drinks, Harry could feel the familiar warm, soothing feeling wash over him as he took the first sip.
"So what was it you wanted to talk about?" Severus asked.
"Well, there is no doubt that some evil or other will raise its ugly head some time in the future, but we're about as far away from it now as we're ever likely to be," Harry began.
"This is true," Severus responded.
"So we have time, to rebuild things, to make Hogwarts better than ever."
"Yes, if we can, we certainly will, I thought you said this wasn't about being Headmaster."
"We have time to have a baby," Harry said plunging in at the deep end at last.
Harry thought that he heard Severus splutter on his Horlicks a little but he couldn't be sure.
"We have already had this conversation," Severus said.
It wasn't the response Harry had been expecting, his heart was sinking, "No, we haven't, unless you mean all those times you said we wouldn't be having one, which wasn't a conversation at all."
"Last night," Severus prompted.
"Oh," Harry said sighing a little with relief, "That was hardly a conversation, that was a few muttered words whilst under the influence of too much rejuvenation potion, I wanted to talk about it properly."
"Do you stand by everything you said last night?" Severus asked.
"Yes, it was what made me train so hard, I wanted the war over with so that we could start a life together, properly, a home and a child."
"I think we may be in for more than we bargained for in that respect," Severus said, referring to the roles they had just taken on.
"Just think, Sev, your intellect and my good looks. Didn't you say that a child of ours would be really powerful?"
"Yes, I said that."
"Well, what better way to rebuild the wizarding world?"
"You don't have to convince me Harry," Severus said, clearly amused.
"Can we?"
"Of course, you know I can't refuse you," Severus said hugging Harry close to him.
"But you want it too don't you?" Harry asked.
"There is only one thing that I have wished for more," Severus said seeming suddenly a little sad.
"What?"
"That it could be me."
"Oh Sev," Harry said, wrapping his fingers round Severus' hand.
"I'm very envious that you can do this for me but I'm pleased for you too, come on, let's go to bed." Severus suggested.
"What are we going to do about tomorrow?" Harry asked, although he would have loved to have gone to bed there was so much that needed sorting out.
"We can go to bed now and get up early, let's just leave it for tonight."
"Hmm, I'm quite relaxed after my Horlicks it would be a shame to spoil it," Harry said standing up and holding out a hand to Severus.
Harry and Severus quickly made themselves ready for bed and when they were both lain down on the big four-poster, Harry drew the curtains round them both.
Harry came to a kneeling position beside Severus.
"Right, on your back," Harry commanded.
Severus did as he was told with a faint smile upon his lips, "I hate to tell you this Harry but it isn't going to work like this."
"Very funny," Harry said lying over Severus and kissing his neck with gentle pecks, "We'll get to that later, unless you don't like what I'm doing?"
Severus reached out a hand to stroke Harry's back by way of encouragement.
"Last night I felt complete, wanted, at peace, despite everything," Severus replied.
"So you liked it then?" Harry teased, pausing briefly from the sensual little kisses he was busy bestowing on Severus' chest. Harry traced a line of kisses down Severus' abdomen, "One for every time anybody said anything against you."
"We do have all night," Severus pointed out.
The pace was slower than the previous night, there were no potions fuelling their passion and they both wanted to make it last as long as they could to repay each other for a terrible day. Harry made love to Severus for the pleasure of seeing the tension and restraint melt away from his features in addition to the sensual enjoyment they both got from the act. Then as Harry lay back still feeling the rush of sensation, Severus began to make love to him in return, hopefully bringing them one step further in the process of procreation.
*****
In the morning Harry was woken by Severus, it was early just like they had agreed but to Harry it didn't now seem like a very good idea. He was relaxed and sated and as soon as Severus stopped shaking his shoulder Harry pulled himself up onto Severus' chest and snuggled into him.
Severus would have been quite happy to cradle Harry in his arms all morning but they had called a meeting and they had to work out a plan before they got to it.
"Harry…" Severus said shaking Harry's shoulder again as he seemed to be going back to sleep.
"Hmm, we can talk here, don't have to get up yet," Harry replied without even opening his eyes.
Severus had to admit that it was very tempting, "First of all we must formulate what we are going to say to the Prophet and other wizards about our victory," Severus began punctuating the end of his sentence by kissing Harry on the forehead.
"Then we need to present Albus's other letter regarding Professor Snape's conduct whilst we were on our travels, who knows what he did and what you need to be excused from being responsible for. Apparently Albus was quite convincing though, if your reception was anything to go by. Maybe we will find out what that potion mistake thing was all about," Harry added, catching Severus' lips in a kiss, which Severus willingly deepened.
"Bet Albus wasn't nearly as wicked as I really am," Severus whispered seductively, breaking away from the kiss only to duck down to nibble Harry's neck.
Harry groaned a little, "You are a very bad evil man, I don't think Albus could have had any idea," He added tilting his chin to allow Severus easier access.
"Hmm, straying slightly off topic," Severus said moving down to lick around a nipple.
Harry giggled a little, "We need to discuss the teacher's posts, find out perhaps who wishes to keep the job they previously held."
"I will have to approach Hermione and at least get her to talk to me if she intends to continue in the position of Potions," Severus mentioned as he headed down Harry's abdomen punctuating each word with a kiss. "I will have to act as mentor for a while as my Polyjuice version was doing before, there's something to look forward to."
There was a loud knock on the door to the Snape quarters; it was audible through the closed door to the living room.
Severus reluctantly got up, "I don't know why I am answering this," He grumbled, making for the door after wrapping himself quickly in a blanket.
Severus opened the door onto the dungeon corridor and found the former Professor Trelawney, a parchment clutched in her hand and a surprised look upon her face when she noticed how much Severus wasn't wearing.
"The tea leaves told me that now would be a good time to call," Professor Trelawney explained.
"Indeed," Severus replied.
"I know you are true," Professor Trelawney continued, holding out the parchment to Severus.
Severus took the parchment and looked at it, as he expected it was an application for the position of Divination teacher, "Thank you," Severus found himself saying, surely Harry's good nature was rubbing off on him, "I will give it my fair consideration."
Professor Trelawney smiled nervously, "Thank you," She said before scuttling off down the corridor.
Severus walked back through the living room clutching the parchment.
"Who was that?" Harry called from the bedroom.
"Professor Trelawney wanting her old job back," Severus answered, anticipating Harry's response with a smile already on his face.
"That's all we need!" Harry replied on cue, "Get yourself back in this bed right now, I want to continue with our meeting."
Severus' interest in Harry had not diminished with his surprise trip to the door and he willingly joined Harry again underneath the blankets. With a mischievous smile that Harry didn't see, he decided that he was going to teach his Kin a lesson about being impatient and demanding.
Severus took charge, the pretence of a meeting seemingly forgotten as he licked and kissed his way down Harry's body making him twist and wriggle beneath his touch. Harry's hands went to Severus hips, trying to pull him down and urge him on further but Severus wasn't having any of it and remained determined to set his own pace.
Severus looked down at Harry, and he lay charged up with passion and expectantly waited, a slight frown upon his face because Severus had stopped to look at him. Severus had to admit that the sight did not make him want to wait any longer. He gently parted Harry's legs and Harry smiled in a sleepy and languid way when he realised that Severus was done playing and was going to give him what he wanted.
Harry pulled Severus into a deep and luxurious kiss and Severus began making love to Harry, pushing his way inside till he could go no further, he pulled back a little and then forward again making Harry gasp. Then he stopped.
"We also need to find out what they have done with my things," Severus began, his voice quietly speaking at Harry's ear in a volume that was almost a whisper, "I am not particularly concerned with the whereabouts of the books but there were some personal items, which are all I have left of my brother."
Severus moved a bit and Harry made a slight 'squeak' noise in response.
"It might be an idea to think a bit about how we want the tower rebuilding, I think it should be exactly as it was since we intend to use the Talisman at some point, it would help if the castle matched up architecturally with other dimensions."
"Maybe the other dimensions have had their towers destroyed too," Harry contributed; his voice meant to be a whisper but tinged with what could have been a hiss.
"A good point," Severus said, feeling as if he wouldn't be able to hold back much longer.
"Sev, please, please, please," Harry begged at last.
Severus gave up torturing Harry and stopped talking in order to concentrate on the much more pleasurable matter in hand.
Harry and Severus spoke a little more about their upcoming meeting but it was soon getting very close to breakfast time and they both needed their showers.
Severus took the bathroom first and Harry was left waiting in the bedroom, as he had been the day before. He decided to spend the time fervently dreading the rest of the day. They both needed a bit of support from somewhere, Harry thought as he sat on the edge of the bed, it as all going so badly. He really wanted to know what on earth Albus had been getting up to when he had been impersonating Snape, the others were more against Severus than they had ever been, Hermione especially. The fact that he, 'the boy who lived', now supported him seemed to count for nothing.
Harry took his sword in his hand and watched the eager little serpents wind round his wrist. Without even thinking he said a few words to them in parseltongue, grumbling about his friends and their reception back at Hogwarts. The serpents looked up at Harry as if they were listening.
Harry suddenly had an idea and he wondered why he had never thought of talking to them before. The serpents could understand Harry and he had a favour to ask of them, if it worked, then the wizarding world would finally have some irrefutable confirmation of Severus' worth. Harry smiled to himself and spoke to the sword.
Harry had only just put his sword away when Severus came out of the bathroom with his hair still lank but dry, obviously still unwashed. He beckoned Harry over.
His curiosity peaked; Harry approached Severus and was promptly pulled into the bathroom. Severus shut the door and started to undress Harry as Harry stood perfectly still allowing his Kin to do as he wished. Harry thought about the shower and the two of them being naked and imagined that he knew what was coming next, he grinned to himself.
When Harry was completely undressed Severus turned him round and Harry noticed that the bath had been filled with hot water and there was bubble bath in it too.
"There's not enough room," Harry commented, wishing, even as he said it, that he could control his stupid head. The last thing he wanted to do was put Severus off.
"Get in," Severus said, seemingly confident that it wasn't a problem.
Harry did as he was told and was soon sinking into the lovely hot and soothing water. Severus joined him and Harry discovered that it was a magical bath, which was in fact about the size of a large single bed, once you got into it there was plenty of room.
Severus entwined his legs around Harry's and scooped water up with his hands in order to wet Harry's hair. Harry leant in for a deep and luxurious kiss as Severus rubbed shampoo into his hair. Harry reached out for some shampoo and returned the favour, then took some soap onto a sponge and made sure that Severus was clean all over.
"Why didn't we think of this yesterday," Harry said lying in Severus' arms as Severus rubbed his back for him.
"Just thought it might save some time," Severus said with a mischievous smile all the same.
They both ducked under the water to rinse the shampoo from their heads before Harry wrapped himself around Severus once more.
"I can't believe I was frightened of being close to somebody," Harry said snuggling into Severus' chest.
"Intent is everything," Severus added.
"It can either be the most frightening or the most reassuring thing," Harry said, "That research of Hermione's made the sword's manipulation out to be an evil thing, but I don't care. I am glad the swords made me do it, if they did. After my uncle, I didn't think I would ever have been able to be with anybody, if it hadn't been for you and the swords I would have been alone. Actually, I know I would have been dead by now, the Death Eaters thought I was alone and the Dark Lord still sent hundreds of them against me, they had no way of knowing that I could fight them off. I am glad the swords made me love you, you love me with a kind of completeness that nobody else could."
"Your stupid little friends probably think I am controlling you, but we know better don't we Harry?" Severus said kissing Harry deeply.
"We do?"
"Hmm, I would do anything for you, we came here when I didn't want to, I'll put up with their crap for as long as you want me to, we know who is really in control, I will do anything for you."
"Anything? Even if we've done it once already today?" Harry said mischievously.
"Yes," Severus agreed, "Though I don't think we've done it in the bath yet at all."
Harry was lying on top of Severus and they moved against each other, the hot water and bubble bath making them slide against each other with ease.
"Though we haven't got much time," Severus said, his head tilted back against the bath and Harry's legs pushing his own apart.
"Oh you git, why mention it then, anyway I'm quick," Harry commented ducking his head to kiss and nip at Severus' neck. "You know you want to."
Severus unconvincingly shook his head, "I do, I just realised about the time."
Harry sucked on each nipple in turn and then returned to Severus for a kiss. Severus gave up without a fight and deepened the kiss.
"I knew it," Harry said smugly, "You can't resist me."
"I always want you, we just don't have much time," Severus defended, placing a hand on Harry, urging him to continue all the same, "Your little friends will be waiting for us at breakfast."
"Let them wait," Harry said entering Severus with one swift movement.
*****
Severus had been right, they hadn't had the time to mess about in the bath. Harry still didn't care about it, what was Hermione going to do anyway, give them both detentions? They were late for breakfast and Harry walked at Severus' side, they both kept their normal pace. The corridors were deserted which Harry was coming to like anyway. Harry was in a good mood after a wonderful night and he was reluctant to plunge himself into the atmosphere that he knew was going to ruin it completely.
"I am sorry Hermione, but I was too busy shagging to come to breakfast," Harry jokingly confessed whilst there was nobody but Severus to hear him.
"This will be all my fault you know," Severus grumbled at Harry's side as they continued to walk, "And we were the ones who called the meeting at nine thirty 'sharp'."
"The first thing we need to know," Harry said as they walked, "Is what the set up is here, there are families living here and they will need to be accommodated even if we manage to get the school back on its feet."
"Maybe you can ask Hermione before the argument breaks out," Severus suggested. They were getting very near to the hall and Harry's pace slowed. Severus gave Harry a quick hug, "Maybe you should just tell them everything straight away and then they will all be too shocked to give you trouble."
"It's quickly becoming an option," Harry said leaning into Severus' embrace before straightening himself up in preparation for the ordeal.
Harry thought that the best way was to show that he meant business, so he drew himself up to full height and entered the hall with a swoosh of robes, striding down the length of the hall to the table where Hermione and Ron sat. Both his friends looked up as he entered and when both Severus and Harry had reached their seats Hermione fixed them both with a disapproving glare.
"I would have thought that the 'Headmasters-to-be' would have liked to set something of an example to those they expect to teach," Hermione scolded.
"We were busy with our preliminary discussions, which needed to take place prior to our announcements today," Harry snapped despite the fact that he had been doing nothing of the sort.
"I summoned a reporter from The Prophet by owl this morning, they should be here any minute," Hermione announced.
"You did what?!" Harry burst in surprise.
"Well you can't sit on this much longer, surely people would start to notice that something was different?" Hermione said firmly.
Harry understood, he and Severus were being tested, he was glad now that Severus had brought all the wands they had taken from the Death Eaters with him.
"Hermione, if Severus and I are to do our jobs this September, we are going to need to make plans and so it would be very helpful if you could tell us briefly who lives at Hogwarts and where they are situated," Harry spoke before Hermione had any opportunity to say anything more on her own agenda. They really needed to take control of things and not let her walk all over them.
"Hufflepuff dorms currently house families whose houses have been destroyed, generally these families consist of children with only one parent," Hermione began, "Gryffindor is where the orphans are housed, Ron and I are currently acting as foster parents and Professor McGonagall is out on a mission to ensure that all children who have lost their parents find their way to Hogwarts safely. We don't know why but a few months ago the Death Eaters," Hermione couldn't help glancing at Severus, "Began killing elder members of the families but 'sparing' the children, all of them born to Muggleborn parents. Two young girls turned up at the edge of the wards one day asking for the Headmaster, which was the first that we knew about it. Since then it has become clear that there have been many occurrences of this tactic and Professor McGonagall has been leading the effort to make sure all the children are at least safe from danger and starvation."
"How long?" Harry asked stunned, he had only seen this in his visions for less than a week before he killed the Dark Lord.
"Since February," Hermione replied.
"I saw them," Harry said, "In my visions, but the Dark Lord only gave me this information in the last few weeks, I am sure he wanted to torture me without running the risk of my being able to stop it, it's a personal message."
"How so?"
"Because of what I am, an orphan, forced to live with ghastly relatives," Harry explained, feeling guilty for not being able to stop it in time, suddenly feeling wretched for everything and wanting to lie in Sev's comfortable arms, "I really did get rid of him Hermione."
"It isn't just us you need to convince," Hermione said rather sternly.
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TBC very soon
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In the next chapter - Judgement - Harry and Sev face the scrutiny of a reporter from The Daily Prophet.
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Thanks to Saechan for reminding me about Fawkes, he's in the next chapter.
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