Title: When Harry Left Severus
rating: R for adult themes including male/male relationships.
Chapter 17 - Of Pans and Fire
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. I also wonder if anyone really pays attention to the disclaimer at all...
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Harry pushed his empty plate away and pulled his cup of hot tea in front of him. His companions, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley, continued their conversation on some muggle author named Steele leaving him to his thoughts.
*Merlin I'm tired!* the young wizard thought to himself as he selected a sugared bisquit to dip into his tea. He was very glad Dr. Barnes had left; the Healer was abrupt at times and somewhat cool towards Harry. Of course Harry didn't like to admit he himself was angry and was very sharp with the Healer himself.
Barnes and he had spoken for nearly two hours that afternoon. They'd discussed Harry's betrayal by his fiancé. He still had trouble accepting that Vachel had anything to do with ensnaring him. The Healer had offered him copies of the initial interviews but to Harry these were inconclusive. Oh, Andy and Iris, they'd been very forthcoming in their desires to use Harry to get to Snape. But not Vachel. He'd said very little except that he'd supported his friends in wanting to get rid of Snape once and for all.
Setting that entire conversation aside Barnes had attempted to talk about Harry's relationship with Snape. How did Harry feel now that the potions and blocks had been removed? Frankly, Harry didn't know how he felt about Snape anymore. He knew he'd loved the wizard but the intense desires had diminished and disappeared once he was out on his own.
In fact, he did feel a bit angry at Snape for keeping him shut away for nearly a year. Harry'd missed so much being hidden from the world and the accolades he thought he so richly deserved. For gods sakes he'd destroyed Voldemort and had pointed that out rather defensively to Barnes.
Barnes had the audacity to remind him the Potions Master had done the actual destruction. That Snape had risen above his abilities to protect the young wizard when the dark lord advanced on them. Harry had stood behind the wizard and fed him energy when the final curses were thrown. Then kept Snape alive until the medi-wizards arrived.
This little known fact thrown back at him marked the decided down turn in their session. Yes, Snape was the hero and the history book would note that. But Harry was the one who'd received the praise and news coverage. For someone who'd been thrown in a closet and treated like dirt for years it was an overwhelming experience. One he enjoyed greatly and strove to keep experiencing. It wasn't as if Snape had minded. He'd been decidedly quiet about the entire event and ensuing minor hoopla St. Mungo's had allowed.
Harry realized that Vachel and his cronies had been the ones to exploit this need: throwing parties and dragging him to popular wizard bars and resorts. They were the ones who sent word ahead that the famous Harry Potter was coming and that measures should be taken to assure the proper atmosphere for a hero. They had fed his ego and encouraged this need for more attention.
Barnes then pointed out that Snape had been sheltering him until the fervor had died down enough to allow Harry a more normal life. It may have been selfish, it may even have been wrong, but Snape cared deeply for Harry, had protected him as best he could. When Dumbledore asked him to watch over Harry a little while longer he had.
*Cared deeply* Harry snorted to himself. He'd LOVED the Potions Master. And Snape had LOVED Harry, he'd said as much on several occasions. Loved him.
With that troubling thought Harry took another sip of tea and forced his attention back to the two witches chatting nearby.
Jeffrey Barnes felt he'd gone from the fry pan and into the fire. He stood in the Headmaster's offices watching a conversation completely deteriorate into open warfare. It started with all concerned agreeing that the Potions Master needed to heal another day before discussing the manor and the attack. Then Lupin had smiled at Black and made a comment about comforting. Which had been mostly misinterpreted by the Headmaster.
Which led to this ridiculous situation: Lupin, Black and Dumbledore in opposing corners yelling. Barnes was in the fourth corner rolling his eyes wondering if binding the lot of them would be an ethical no-no.
Into said situation stumbled the Potions Master. He curiously glanced around the room.
I don't suppose I want to know what's going on? Snape asked no one in particular. Truth be told he'd heard quite a bit of the argument through the door as he lie on the bed. He was rather touched by Dumbledore's over-protective stance and rather interested in both Black's and Lupin's declarations of love and concern.
But the anger had bothered him and in the end Snape decided to simply come out and stop the three from doing any more verbal damage. Moving through the room he went directly to the Healer for support and a neutral corner.
Jeffrey was surprised when Snape willingly came to him and accepted a hug. His father must have been doing some good work to have the intensely private wizard seek out physical contact.
Why didn't you stun them? Snape whispered into the Healer's ear. Barnes snorted and held tighter as he poured in a warmth of healing energy.
I was weighing the ethical implications when you came in, the Healer replied as he tugged his patient to the couch. He hadn't scanned Snape for two days and wondered how he was healing.
Dr. James said I was better, Snape offered, suddenly reluctant at this uninvited invasion.
Yes, he told me. He also mentioned you were healing a
bit slower than normal for you. Just going to nose about, Barnes explained as he snugged his patient closer, hands stroking down his back. With a sigh Snape relaxed into the Healer's concern.
Across the room the three principals glared at one another while tracking the movements of their ill friend. Once settled on the couch they quickly declared a truce and went to sit near the Healer.
Jeffrey noted several areas of damage that needed attention. He also noted the fine tremor was much better. Shifting slightly he managed to pull Snape up onto his lap and rocked him shamelessly. He was rewarded by a raised eyebrow.
If you dare start to sing... Snape growled. With a laugh Jeffrey moved his hand down his patient's torso feeding in specific energy and charms. The warmth and relief filled Snape and he curled into the Healer without another complaint.
How is Severus doing? Dumbledore asked in subdued tones. His child had now cuddled quite willingly into the young Healer's arms drawing rather concerned looks from all three attentive wizards. Barnes smirked.
Seems to be asleep. Mostly, the Healer replied snugging his patient closer. Snape sighed and accepted the affection. Once either Healer suffused him with their energy he simply melted into them. It was better than anything he could remember. Well, almost anything as his mind recalled Lupin.
the Headmaster growled a bit. Pesky Healer! Barnes stifled a snicker.
ahem, well, he's physically healing a little slower than we'd
like to see. The damage to his groin is much more extensive
than we first believed, Barnes moved his hand to scan Snape's lower back and pursed his lips. Some more energy fed into the spot.
emotionally he's bearing up much better than I was
expecting given how much sleeping draughts and soothing
potions he's been given the past three days. Black shifted uncomfortably.
He had a very bad night. He managed to have a series
of progressively worse nightmares even with the potion
Dr. James gave him, the animagus explained. Jeffrey raised a curious eyebrow.
We managed to get him to Albus and gave him the sleeping
draught. He was very upset, Lupin added. Again the appraising look.
He slept until nearly eleven when your father stopped in, Dumbledore reported.
Jeffrey knew all this but he wanted the three warring factions to band together and convince him they'd done all they could to make Snape comfortable. It was amazing how three men who all wanted the same thing could disagreed on the methods to achieve it.
You've all done a great job looking after Sev, the young Healer smiled.
As long as you don't hex one another... All three wizards shifted uncomfortably.
I just don't want Severus to be hurt anymore, Dumbledore managed.
None of us want Sev to be hurt again, Lupin said in a quiet voice.
I appreciate that, Snape suddenly said, but it isn't
realistic. Turning his head he looked at the animagus first than glanced at Lupin and the Headmaster.
That's true, the Healer murmured. We can't shelter
Severus from his life.
Well, not shelter from, but more support you Sev. You
have had a lot of crap thrown at you all at once, Black spoke out as he shifted back into his chair.
Just going out to the manor is going to be hard. Snape absolutely froze, causing Jeffrey to shift his weight back against him.
Just thinking about my h-home is hard, Snape managed as he sank into the Healer's warmth. The animagus mentally kicked himself and earned a glare from his mate.
I know it's hard child, Dumbledore murmured. But you
have so much still. There was a muffled laugh from the Potions Master.
Like m-my health! gods how... Snape started then stopped. The room sank into deathly silence. This was certainly taking a huge downturn and Jeffrey's mind turned to the potions sitting just out of reach.
Sev? Severus! It will all work out, you'll be fine, Barnes tried. Tried and was rewarded with increased trembling and a derisive snort.
It's going to work out whether you think so or not, Dumbledore asserted. The Headmaster stood and sat next to Jeffrey. With a paternal growl he pulled Snape onto his lap and completely enfolded him in a hug.
For a brief moment the Potions Master snarled, but only a brief moment. He then simply rested against his mentor and struggled to slow his breathing. No matter what else happened Snape did trust Dumbledore completely. If Albus said it would be all right, then it would be. Eventually.
Jeffrey decided to stay the night tucking Snape into bed between himself and the Headmaster without any potions.
If you're going to have bad dreams, Severus, we'll simply
wake you. The potions didn't really help much last night
and actually hurt you more, Barnes explained as he gathered his patient against his body.
But I might thrash and hit you or Albus, Snape said softly as he tried to get comfortable. Barnes had to struggle not to laugh. Although Snape had gotten out of bed the night before he was not a threat by any reckoning.
Don't worry Sev, we'll be just fine, the Healer murmured running a soothing warmth over the Potions Master's back. He muttered a sleeping charm sending Snape into much needed sleep.