Title: When Harry Left Severus

rating: R for adult themes including male/male relationships.

Chapter 10 - Changing Relationships
by: Raven Dancer

disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling except for the Drs. Barnes, Daniel Murphy and Beryl. I receive no monetary compensation for these works.




When Snape woke he was warm and completely relaxed. Someone was holding him loosely. Where was he anyway? Eyes slipped open and bemusedly looked about. Everything seemed so familiar. Curtains, windows full of blue sky, even the scent of soap was known to him. He inhaled deeply and pushed against his human pillow.

Severus, good morning, rumbled a voice both under him and above him. A hand began describing small circles over his back lulling him into peaceful reflection. He was in Albus' rooms. Safe. He began to reach back and figure out why he was here.

Must have been hurt. That was the main reason he ever landed on the lounge by the window. Although it wasn't Albus that was holding him. Hmmmm. He'd been at home and he'd been hurt. Digging through available memories he was suddenly assaulted by the overwhelming helplessness of being restrained and being kicked over and over and over again. Snape clenched up into a fetal roll.

a voice broke through his walls of recollection.

It's ok... safe... another voice? Snape shook as he clutched at his arm trying to remove a non-existent metal band tear into his flesh.

Oh, Severus, love, we have you! Again he paused, trying to focus on that soothing voice so far away. Hands on him. Gentle hands making the pain go away. He opened his eyes again and stared at his wrists. Unencumbered by the manacle he'd imagined only a moment before. No blood, no torn flesh. Just his wrists.

And someone's hands running softly over them.

See Severus? No chains. You are safe. Sirius took the metal
restraints off and we brought you to Dr. James, the second voice said. Lupin? Was that Lupin?

Snape managed to form his old lover's name.
he hissed. He was pulled up into those strong arms and felt lips against his face: forehead, eyes, cheek, brushing his lips. Lifting his hand he wiped the remnants of tears away before focusing on his comforter.

Snape said softly.

Good morning Severus, Black soothed back tangled hair. Snape leaned into the welcome touch and rested his head back on the animagus' chest.

Never thought I'd see the day I was glad to see you, Snape joked lamely.

The feeling's mutual, Black retorted gently. He rocked the Potions Master.

So I see that our resident patient is awake, Jeffrey Barnes' voice drifted over from the open door. As he came across the room Lupin stood up to let the Healer check on his friend.

Yes, just now in fact, the werewolf reported. The Healer scanned his patient.

My goodness, your heart is beating a trifle too fast, Barnes commented.

Nightmare. But you're feeling better now, hmmm? Black soothed as his voice rumbled up from his chest tickling Snape's ear.

Sorry, Jeffrey, I, I remembered someone kicking me and, and
being chained, the ill wizard admitted. A thin stream of energy filled him.

Yes, you were hurt. Do you remember who was there? the Healer asked. Best to let Snape work through the attack when he was able to. Dumbledore sat down next to the lounge and smiled softly at his friend.

Tell us what you recall, Severus. You're safe with us, the Headmaster said patting his friend's thigh. Snape looked at the four men, four people he trusted. He looked up at Dumbledore, the one person who'd been there for him for endless years and reached out.

Shifting around Snape soon found himself curled up against his mentor. Lupin had slipped in on his other side tightly sandwiching him on the lounge as Black sat down in the recently vacated chair. With a contented sigh the Potions Master relaxed a bit more.

I remember Harry and Vachel coming into the morning room. I
stood up and faced them. Harry didn't stay long, he was furious,
kept shouting how I'd kept him trapped for months, how I kept
Remus and Sirius locked away. I tri-tried to talk with him but he
was so focused on being trapped that Vachel told him to go and
find his godfather, Snape shuddered as he recalled the angry
eyes.
I was thinking that something seemed wrong with Harry when
Vachel took out his wand and destroyed the wards over the
windows. Stupid. I was so stupid. I didn't change them when
Harry left, even when he started getting angry with me.

Snape closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath.

There were four wizards waiting outside. They shattered the
windows. They never spoke and I couldn't see their faces
because they were wearing masks. Death eater's m-m, the Potions Master stopped. Dumbledore simply held him close, letting Snape hide in his beard and robes.

That's enough for now, the Headmaster said, both to Snape and the listeners. Although his friend was not crying he was trembling uncontrollably. Lupin found himself quickly replaced by the hands-on Healer who simply wrapped himself around his patient and began pulsing him lightly.

Black and Lupin pulled back, deciding it would be best if they worked with Dobby to bring up a hot lunch. As they cleared off the the table they could hear sniffling from the lounge. Lupin looked over, wanting to rush over. His mate pulled him into a comforting hug.

It's ok, Remie, he'll be fine. He has Albus, Jeffrey and you to
pull him through, Black soothed.

And you, Siri, you too! Lupin countered as he leaned in for a soft kiss.




Lunch arrived. Dobby carried a large mug of chicken noodle soup to his master. It was accepted and soon Snape was full of the warm liquid.

Thank you Dobby, that was very good, the Potions Master murmured sleepily. The Healer had managed to calm him with judicious pulsing.

Sleep for me, Severus. A little nap, Barnes soothed. Snape's eyes were blinking, fighting against the inevitable. Stepping up his crusade the Healer nudged him against his chest and began to rub small circles of warmth across his patient's back.

Another face-splitting yawn. Snape actually curled into the Healer as his hands pushed into robes and held on lightly. With a smile curving on Barnes' lips he hummed an old lullaby until his patient was finally asleep.

Lupin nearly melted into the ground. Judging by his mate's shallow breath he was in much the same shape. They both wanted to fling the Healer aside and protect the Potions Master. Well, that and cuddle him close.

*for merlin's sake, no wonder Remie loves him!* Black thought dimly. He knew part of his attraction to Snape was his own protective streak. Snape was completely defenseless and vulnerable. But the animagus also knew the sleeping wizard was physically appealing.

Suddenly both wizards realized they were being watched. And not by a benevolent force. Turning slightly both were ensnared in the Headmaster's steely gaze. If Black thought he felt protective of the black-haired wizard he had nothing on Albus Dumbledore!

Perhaps you two would like to go shopping today? the Headmaster actually growled.
I have contacted Gringotts and have arranged for you to pick
up a debit card. You can shop in Diagon Alley and out in Muggle
London.

Um, well, I thought perhaps we'd stay around to help Severus
since you'll be busy with school business, Lupin managed to say with a perfectly sincere face. Dumbledore's right eyebrow twitched upwards in disbelief.

He's not slept well these past few nights... Black tried to support his friend's statement.

Perhaps if he weren't constantly levitated from his bed and
passed around to cuddle constantly he'd manage more than an
hour or two at a time, Dumbledore said sternly.

I don't think we're the only one to move Severus about the
room Albus! Lupin huffed. Seemed to him the Headmaster moved Snape as often as they did.

Perhaps not but at least I don't seem to be drooling over him, the older wizard retorted, stunning them for a moment.

FIne, Albus, Black drawled. We'll go shopping and leave
Severus free from our drooling! The animagus pulled Lupin hard and they stormed out of the room. Barnes watched with growing interest.

Um, Albus? What exactly was all that about? the Healer asked innocently enough. He watched Dumbledore jerk around in agitation as he practically stomped back to the lounge.

Those two! the Headmaster hissed, they want to play with
my child! And I don't mean a game of exploding snaps!

again, the innocent questioner managed to look confused. Dumbledore glared at the Healer trying to assess if he were being mocked.

Play, as in having their way with him and then dumping him when
they've had their fun. Severus does not need another affair
ending with being cast aside when something better comes along.
He doesn't deserve to have his heart shattered, the Headmaster seethed. His roiling anger surprised Barnes but he was wise enough not to press on that.

I don't think having your mate returned to you after 12 years
something better', Barnes said carefully. Dumbledore's righteous rage dimmed somewhat.
And I believe Severus chose to shelter young Harry. Otherwise
they would have separated much earlier on.

Yes, you're right. But I am worried about Severus, here the Headmaster reached over to touch his sleeping friend.
He's lost everything! He's completely vulnerable and I can see
he's come to rely on Remus and Sirius as completely as he does
on me. What's going to happen when Harry comes to his senses
and is free from his magical entrapment? I don't think Sev could
stand the heart break of losing his home and his new protectors

You are assuming that Remus and Sirius will leave with Harry, Barnes stated flatly. Snape twitched slightly, dreaming, and he soothed away the forming dream with a mild suggestion and energy pulse.

Yes, I am assuming that. Sirius adores Harry. He wants to be
with him, form a family. He's said that often enough during the
months at St. Mungo's and at the manor, Dumbledore replied tersely. Barnes nodded in agreement. He recalled the animagus saying many times he just wanted to settle down where ever his godson was and enjoy life.

I remember him saying that, but I also have had much more
recent conversations with him and Remus about staying with
Severus, Barnes said.
You are aware that Remus still loves Severus deeply? That
even though he has Sirius back he does not want to lose Severus
again? The look Dumbledore gave him showed plainly this was a new bit of information and not entirely believed.

I understand you want to protect Severus. It is completely
reasonable to protect your child. But I ask you to be open to
the possibility Remus and Sirius want to continue their friendship
with Severus and very possibly explore a sexual relationship with
him, Barnes said bluntly.

This latter concept went over like a proverbial lead balloon.

Oh, right, Dumbledore said scornfully.

*tough audience*, Barnes sighed to himself.

Remus was devastated when he found out how much Severus
missed him. It seems your child is a master of containing his
feelings, the Healer launched the next attack.

Well, what good would it have done to pursue Remus? He's
mated to Sirius. It goes without saying any relationship Severus
had enjoyed with Remus was over with! Werewolves mate for
life! Dumbledore asserted.
If they are interested in bedding my child it's only for the
experience, not for a relationship!

Oh Joy! The Headmaster was back to hissing through clenched teeth. Barnes sadly shook his head, not believing Dumbledore was so ignorant, blindly accepting the societal lies about werewolves.

Wolves mate for life. Werewolves are not wolves, they are
people that have a disease! Werewolves do not mate for life.
That myth has been perpetrated for ages. Remus might have
made different choices if he'd not been constrained by the
racist upbringing of the wizarding world, Barnes shot back firmly. He began to card his fingers through Snape's tangled hair working out knots to soothe himself. At the very least Dumbledore was silent, working out the latest bit of information the Healer had provided.

You're telling me the experts lied? growled the Headmaster.

I am saying, Albus, that the experts have continued to report
the same erroneous piece of information for centuries and not
bothered to even do a study on it. There is no pool of money
for research for the sexual lives of such creatures, Barnes snarled back.
Although there's tons of it to contain and destroy them. I'm
surprised given how good you've been to Remus over the years
you didn't think about why he was so upset when Severus was
nearly killed by Voldemort. Not to mention able to have a lasting
sexual relationship with him even though his mate was alive. If you
believe they mate for life.

The Healer was now actually glaring.

How do you know so much about werewolves? Dumbledore asked suspiciously.

Whereas the science community has no interest in werewolves;
Severus has been an exception although I suppose you'd
attribute his interest as self-serving, the therapists community has
had begun to take interest. As counseling has become more
acceptable in our society, more people can take advantage of
therapy. I've had several patients that are werewolves and have
many colleagues that have also. Since we actually discuss and
share our knowledge I can confidently say Werewolves do not
mate for life, Barnes stated definitively, his expression brooking no negative comments.

Well, be that as it may, Remus has been with Sirius and continued
their relationship. Where would Severus fit in? As a play toy when
they're bored? Dumbledore was not going to give up easily. This was his child they were discussing!

Barnes simply pulled Snape closer to him, resettling blankets silently and curled into a new energy feed. He knew that the Headmaster was not going to give in and consider what he'd been told right now. The information had to be assimilated. It wouldn't hurt to see Lupin and Black caring for Snape either. He hoped the two would think to buy something for the ill wizard.