Title: Honey Bourbon
Author: Midnight Faery (midnight1_1faery@hotmail.com)
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: R
Category: Romance, or something.
Pairing: Take a guess as you read. Go on, guess!
Summary: Harry has to spend the summer with Snape.
Notes: This was inspired by a line in… I think it was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Something about Snape not doing this or that any sooner than he would adopt Harry… Well, this is what came of it in my silly little head. By the way, the title is meaningless. It was the only thing I could think of, so it'll most likely change in time.
Disclaimer: They aren't mine. They'll never be mine. Well, Honey Bourbon is mine, but that's another matter entirely.
***
"Potter, I need to speak to you for a moment."
Severus watched Potter say goodbye to his friends, then beckoned the boy into his office.
"Listen, Potter." Said Severus as Potter sat down. "You won't be going back to the Dursley's this summer. They've been notified on the change of plans." Severus busied himself with a quill and some parchment, trying to figure out how he was going to tell the boy what he needed to tell him.
"Oh. Well, why?" Severus knew Potter was ecstatic, even if he was a little confused.
"It seems, uh, that you're in danger there. The Death Eaters may or may not have found a way past Dumbledore's precautions. Therefore, you mustn't stay where they'd expect you to be." Severus knew full well that the Death Eaters had a plan to get at Potter, and this one would work if the proper steps weren't taken in protecting him.
"So I'll be staying at Hogwarts for the summer, then? Why isn't Dumbledore the one telling me this?"
Severus took a deep breath and dropped his quill. "Er, well. I'm the one telling you because, no, you won't be staying at Hogwarts. You'll be, uh, staying with. . . me."
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"So I'll be staying at Hogwarts for the summer, then?" Harry paused and thought a moment. "Why isn't Dumbledore the one telling me this?"
Professor Snape looked nervous. "Er, well. I'm the one telling you because, no, you won't be staying at Hogwarts. You'll be, uh, staying with. . . me."
Harry's jaw dropped. "What? You?" Snape nodded. "You? Why you? You hate me! Why not Professor McGonagall, or Hagrid, or. . . Or Dumbledore!"
Snape looked at Harry like he was an idiot. "Think, boy. You need to be somewhere they wouldn't expect you to be. They'd expect you to be with teachers that you like, and who like you. Not with one who's a Death Eater himself!"
Harry's jaw dropped and Snape fumbled with his quill again. "So, you are spying for Dumbledore?" Said Harry when he'd composed himself.
"Yes, yes. I'm spying on the Death Eaters, posing as one of them. Trust me, it's not a job I'm enjoying. I put that part of my life behind me a very long time ago. But the point is, I'll be the only one you're safe with if and when they put their plan into action."
"How do I know I can trust you, if you're a Death Eater? Who's to say you're not tricking me?" Harry asked.
"Don't be daft, boy! Ask Dumbledore if you don't believe me. This was his idea. I'm no more happy with it than you are. But face it, it's the only way to keep you safe. We'll talk about this later, go on to your next class." Snape waved impatiently towards the door, firmly letting Harry know that the discussion was over.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"What?" Hermione and Ron shrieked simultaneously.
"I know." Harry put his head in his hands and groaned. "How am I expected to last an entire summer with Snape? I have enough trouble lasting potions class!"
"Harry, you're going to have to put up with it. After all, if the Death Eaters get a hold of you, you'll be in much worse shape." Hermione lectured.
"I know." Harry said again.
"At least there's still another month before summer holiday starts, right?" Ron said, with some bitterness in his voice. Harry gave him a grateful look.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Harry made the best of his last month at Hogwarts. Even if he was coming back next year, he was sure staying with Snape would feel more like eternity instead of three months. Harry went with Ron and Hermione to see them off on the Hogwarts Express, then started off with Snape.
Snape lived just outside Hogsmeade in a small shack. It wasn't a dump, but it wasn't as meticulously clean as Aunt Petunia kept her house. There was a small garden full of overgrown weeds and dead flowers in the front lawn. Snape opened the door and led Harry inside.
Immediately to his right, Harry saw a fairly small living area with a dusty looking couch and an even dustier looking coffee table. Come to think of it, the entire room seemed to be covered in a thick layer of dust. Straight ahead he saw a door that clearly led to the kitchen, and on the other side of the living area he saw two doors, which he assumed were bedrooms.
"All right, Potter. Since you're going to be staying with me, I expect you to earn your keep. Your room is the one on the right, there. Make yourself at home, then help me clean this place up. If you need to use the bathroom, it's on your right through the dining room." Snape said, and dropped his bag on the couch, sending waves of dust flying into the air.
Harry walked towards "his" bedroom and saw that to the left there was an opening in the wall, which wasn't noticeable where he was standing before. The opening led to a dining room, which had a small round table and four chairs sitting in it. To the left there was another opening in the wall, where he could see the kitchen, and on the right was the bathroom.
"Ah, lovely place you've got here, Professor. It's nice." Harry said, turning towards Snape.
"Don't patronize me, Potter. I know just as well as you do that this place is a dump."
Harry actually did like it, though. He enjoyed the change of scenery. The Dursley's could seem sickeningly clean at times, especially when Aunt Petunia was in a bad mood. That always made her want to clean more. Either way, Harry was glad to be away from the Dursley's at all. He just wished it didn't have to be with Snape.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Does the boy really need to sleep in this late? Severus thought, brooding over his breakfast. It's nine AM for Merlin's sake! He'd been taking care of Harry for a full week now, and it seemed to him that all the boy did was eat and sleep. But then again, he'd done every horrific chore Severus could think of, without complaining once. I suppose, for a Potter, the kid's not half bad. Severus felt goose pimples springing up on his arms and legs. Did he just have a nice thought about Harry Potter?
Harry walked into the kitchen, sleepily rubbed his eyes, and grabbed a bowl from the cupboard. "Morning, Professor." He yawned.
Severus sighed. "You might just as well call me Severus, Potter. We're not at school, and I don't care for being called 'Professor' all through the summer."
"Okay, Severus. But then, you might just as well call me Harry." Harry grinned as Severus scowled at him.
"Fine. Just so you know, I'm going out tonight. I need a stiff drink and some time away from you. I won't stay out late, but I want you to keep the doors and windows locked."
"Okay." Harry grinned.
He's in a good mood today, Severus thought. I wonder if he's up to something. . .
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Harry sat on the couch, sorting out the letters he'd received earlier that afternoon, trying to decide which to answer first. He'd reminded his friends not to say in their letters where he was staying, in case the letters were intercepted. They'd kept their word on that. Ron said in his letter, "How's the Bastard treating you?" and Hermione ended her letter with "Good luck, wherever you are." Harry figured he'd best answer Ron first, tell him not to refer to Snape as "Bastard," in case Snape found the letters.
Hagrid and Sirius, however, hadn't said anything at all about Snape or Harry's whereabouts. The only asked how he was doing and if he was having any fun. Harry was surprised to find that he was having fun. Severus really wasn't all that bad when he knew he had to be civil towards Harry. He'd left a few hours before, and Harry was really enjoying his time alone.
Just as Harry finished his last letter, he heard a noise at the door. It's just Severus, Harry thought. He's got his key with him. After a few more minutes all Harry had heard was loud cursing and banging, so he figured he'd better open the door. He looked out the window to make sure it was Severus, then opened the door.
"Harry!" Severus slurred loudly. "Didn't I tell you to keep the door locked? Oh well." Severus stumbled across the threshold, pulling a homely looking girl in behind him. He continued to stumble across the room into his bedroom, dragging the girl all the way. Harry could do nothing but stare, open mouthed, at his host's retreating form.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Severus woke up with the mother of all hangovers, and his arm slung around a man who looked as if he could make a very ugly woman. Severus saw women's clothes strewn around the bed, and groaned. Gods, I picked up a transvestite! And then I slept with him! He groaned again. Shit, I hope Harry was in bed already when I got home last night. Severus couldn't remember one damn thing that happened. He got out of bed, put on his robe, and walked into the kitchen.
Harry was sitting at the table, looking rather depressed and poking at his cereal as if he expected it to get up and walk across the table if he poked it enough. "Harry?"
Harry looked up. "What?"
"You, ah, you were awake when I got home last night, weren't you?"
"Yes."
Severus sat down heavily across from Harry and buried his face in his hands. "Harry, I am so sorry. I didn't expect to drink so much last night, I got carried away, and. . . Well, I'm sorry."
Harry's face softened and he smiled at Severus. "It's okay, I just wish you hadn't brought that girl home." Severus blushed slightly, but Harry didn't seem to notice, and went on. "I, um. I had to hear you and her. . ." Harry blushed as well, and cleared his throat.
Severus blushed even harder. "I wish it had been a girl." He muttered.
"What?" Severus wasn't sure if Harry hadn't heard him, or if we was just shocked.
"Transvestite."
Harry bust up laughing, and any remains of his depressed mood vanished instantly. "You. . . You mean she. . . she was a. . . a he? I w-wondered. . . Why she was so ugly!" He cried out between peals of laughter, and he fell off his chair and curled up on the floor, holding his stomach.
"It's not that funny." Severus mumbled.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Later that night after "Honey Bourbon" left, Harry and Severus were sitting in the living room reading, when there was a knock at the door.
"Harry! Go to your room, I'll let you know when you can come out."
Harry got up and went to his room, and listened carefully to see who was at the door.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Severus moved from the couch and answered the door. But never in his life did he expect to see what he did when he opened the door.
"Draco? Gods, Draco, what happened to you?"
Draco stood in front of the door, blood matting his hair to his forehead, body bruised, and tears streaming down his face. Severus quickly ushered him into the house and locked the door behind them.
"Draco, what happened?"
Draco's eyes went wide and he fell backwards onto the couch. When he spoke, his voice shook. "F-Father. . . He. . . he wanted me to start on my Death Eater initiation rites. I refused him, and he. . ." Draco's voice broke in a loud sob.
Severus gathered Draco into a hug, and smoothed his blood smeared hair away from his face. "Shh, Draco, it's all right. Why did you come to me, though? What if I agreed with your father, and sent you back?"
Draco wiped the tears from his eyes. "I knew you wouldn't. I know you're not really a Death Eater. I figured that out a long time ago."
Severus chuckled. "How'd you know?"
"Just a good guess." Draco shrugged.
"Come on, let's get you cleaned up and into bed. You look like you need both." After Draco got cleaned up, Severus set up the couch for him to sleep on, and he fell asleep almost immediately.
Author: Midnight Faery (midnight1_1faery@hotmail.com)
Fandom: Harry Potter
Rating: R
Category: Romance, or something.
Pairing: Take a guess as you read. Go on, guess!
Summary: Harry has to spend the summer with Snape.
Notes: This was inspired by a line in… I think it was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Something about Snape not doing this or that any sooner than he would adopt Harry… Well, this is what came of it in my silly little head. By the way, the title is meaningless. It was the only thing I could think of, so it'll most likely change in time.
Disclaimer: They aren't mine. They'll never be mine. Well, Honey Bourbon is mine, but that's another matter entirely.
***
"Potter, I need to speak to you for a moment."
Severus watched Potter say goodbye to his friends, then beckoned the boy into his office.
"Listen, Potter." Said Severus as Potter sat down. "You won't be going back to the Dursley's this summer. They've been notified on the change of plans." Severus busied himself with a quill and some parchment, trying to figure out how he was going to tell the boy what he needed to tell him.
"Oh. Well, why?" Severus knew Potter was ecstatic, even if he was a little confused.
"It seems, uh, that you're in danger there. The Death Eaters may or may not have found a way past Dumbledore's precautions. Therefore, you mustn't stay where they'd expect you to be." Severus knew full well that the Death Eaters had a plan to get at Potter, and this one would work if the proper steps weren't taken in protecting him.
"So I'll be staying at Hogwarts for the summer, then? Why isn't Dumbledore the one telling me this?"
Severus took a deep breath and dropped his quill. "Er, well. I'm the one telling you because, no, you won't be staying at Hogwarts. You'll be, uh, staying with. . . me."
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"So I'll be staying at Hogwarts for the summer, then?" Harry paused and thought a moment. "Why isn't Dumbledore the one telling me this?"
Professor Snape looked nervous. "Er, well. I'm the one telling you because, no, you won't be staying at Hogwarts. You'll be, uh, staying with. . . me."
Harry's jaw dropped. "What? You?" Snape nodded. "You? Why you? You hate me! Why not Professor McGonagall, or Hagrid, or. . . Or Dumbledore!"
Snape looked at Harry like he was an idiot. "Think, boy. You need to be somewhere they wouldn't expect you to be. They'd expect you to be with teachers that you like, and who like you. Not with one who's a Death Eater himself!"
Harry's jaw dropped and Snape fumbled with his quill again. "So, you are spying for Dumbledore?" Said Harry when he'd composed himself.
"Yes, yes. I'm spying on the Death Eaters, posing as one of them. Trust me, it's not a job I'm enjoying. I put that part of my life behind me a very long time ago. But the point is, I'll be the only one you're safe with if and when they put their plan into action."
"How do I know I can trust you, if you're a Death Eater? Who's to say you're not tricking me?" Harry asked.
"Don't be daft, boy! Ask Dumbledore if you don't believe me. This was his idea. I'm no more happy with it than you are. But face it, it's the only way to keep you safe. We'll talk about this later, go on to your next class." Snape waved impatiently towards the door, firmly letting Harry know that the discussion was over.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
"What?" Hermione and Ron shrieked simultaneously.
"I know." Harry put his head in his hands and groaned. "How am I expected to last an entire summer with Snape? I have enough trouble lasting potions class!"
"Harry, you're going to have to put up with it. After all, if the Death Eaters get a hold of you, you'll be in much worse shape." Hermione lectured.
"I know." Harry said again.
"At least there's still another month before summer holiday starts, right?" Ron said, with some bitterness in his voice. Harry gave him a grateful look.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Harry made the best of his last month at Hogwarts. Even if he was coming back next year, he was sure staying with Snape would feel more like eternity instead of three months. Harry went with Ron and Hermione to see them off on the Hogwarts Express, then started off with Snape.
Snape lived just outside Hogsmeade in a small shack. It wasn't a dump, but it wasn't as meticulously clean as Aunt Petunia kept her house. There was a small garden full of overgrown weeds and dead flowers in the front lawn. Snape opened the door and led Harry inside.
Immediately to his right, Harry saw a fairly small living area with a dusty looking couch and an even dustier looking coffee table. Come to think of it, the entire room seemed to be covered in a thick layer of dust. Straight ahead he saw a door that clearly led to the kitchen, and on the other side of the living area he saw two doors, which he assumed were bedrooms.
"All right, Potter. Since you're going to be staying with me, I expect you to earn your keep. Your room is the one on the right, there. Make yourself at home, then help me clean this place up. If you need to use the bathroom, it's on your right through the dining room." Snape said, and dropped his bag on the couch, sending waves of dust flying into the air.
Harry walked towards "his" bedroom and saw that to the left there was an opening in the wall, which wasn't noticeable where he was standing before. The opening led to a dining room, which had a small round table and four chairs sitting in it. To the left there was another opening in the wall, where he could see the kitchen, and on the right was the bathroom.
"Ah, lovely place you've got here, Professor. It's nice." Harry said, turning towards Snape.
"Don't patronize me, Potter. I know just as well as you do that this place is a dump."
Harry actually did like it, though. He enjoyed the change of scenery. The Dursley's could seem sickeningly clean at times, especially when Aunt Petunia was in a bad mood. That always made her want to clean more. Either way, Harry was glad to be away from the Dursley's at all. He just wished it didn't have to be with Snape.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Does the boy really need to sleep in this late? Severus thought, brooding over his breakfast. It's nine AM for Merlin's sake! He'd been taking care of Harry for a full week now, and it seemed to him that all the boy did was eat and sleep. But then again, he'd done every horrific chore Severus could think of, without complaining once. I suppose, for a Potter, the kid's not half bad. Severus felt goose pimples springing up on his arms and legs. Did he just have a nice thought about Harry Potter?
Harry walked into the kitchen, sleepily rubbed his eyes, and grabbed a bowl from the cupboard. "Morning, Professor." He yawned.
Severus sighed. "You might just as well call me Severus, Potter. We're not at school, and I don't care for being called 'Professor' all through the summer."
"Okay, Severus. But then, you might just as well call me Harry." Harry grinned as Severus scowled at him.
"Fine. Just so you know, I'm going out tonight. I need a stiff drink and some time away from you. I won't stay out late, but I want you to keep the doors and windows locked."
"Okay." Harry grinned.
He's in a good mood today, Severus thought. I wonder if he's up to something. . .
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Harry sat on the couch, sorting out the letters he'd received earlier that afternoon, trying to decide which to answer first. He'd reminded his friends not to say in their letters where he was staying, in case the letters were intercepted. They'd kept their word on that. Ron said in his letter, "How's the Bastard treating you?" and Hermione ended her letter with "Good luck, wherever you are." Harry figured he'd best answer Ron first, tell him not to refer to Snape as "Bastard," in case Snape found the letters.
Hagrid and Sirius, however, hadn't said anything at all about Snape or Harry's whereabouts. The only asked how he was doing and if he was having any fun. Harry was surprised to find that he was having fun. Severus really wasn't all that bad when he knew he had to be civil towards Harry. He'd left a few hours before, and Harry was really enjoying his time alone.
Just as Harry finished his last letter, he heard a noise at the door. It's just Severus, Harry thought. He's got his key with him. After a few more minutes all Harry had heard was loud cursing and banging, so he figured he'd better open the door. He looked out the window to make sure it was Severus, then opened the door.
"Harry!" Severus slurred loudly. "Didn't I tell you to keep the door locked? Oh well." Severus stumbled across the threshold, pulling a homely looking girl in behind him. He continued to stumble across the room into his bedroom, dragging the girl all the way. Harry could do nothing but stare, open mouthed, at his host's retreating form.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Severus woke up with the mother of all hangovers, and his arm slung around a man who looked as if he could make a very ugly woman. Severus saw women's clothes strewn around the bed, and groaned. Gods, I picked up a transvestite! And then I slept with him! He groaned again. Shit, I hope Harry was in bed already when I got home last night. Severus couldn't remember one damn thing that happened. He got out of bed, put on his robe, and walked into the kitchen.
Harry was sitting at the table, looking rather depressed and poking at his cereal as if he expected it to get up and walk across the table if he poked it enough. "Harry?"
Harry looked up. "What?"
"You, ah, you were awake when I got home last night, weren't you?"
"Yes."
Severus sat down heavily across from Harry and buried his face in his hands. "Harry, I am so sorry. I didn't expect to drink so much last night, I got carried away, and. . . Well, I'm sorry."
Harry's face softened and he smiled at Severus. "It's okay, I just wish you hadn't brought that girl home." Severus blushed slightly, but Harry didn't seem to notice, and went on. "I, um. I had to hear you and her. . ." Harry blushed as well, and cleared his throat.
Severus blushed even harder. "I wish it had been a girl." He muttered.
"What?" Severus wasn't sure if Harry hadn't heard him, or if we was just shocked.
"Transvestite."
Harry bust up laughing, and any remains of his depressed mood vanished instantly. "You. . . You mean she. . . she was a. . . a he? I w-wondered. . . Why she was so ugly!" He cried out between peals of laughter, and he fell off his chair and curled up on the floor, holding his stomach.
"It's not that funny." Severus mumbled.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Later that night after "Honey Bourbon" left, Harry and Severus were sitting in the living room reading, when there was a knock at the door.
"Harry! Go to your room, I'll let you know when you can come out."
Harry got up and went to his room, and listened carefully to see who was at the door.
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Severus moved from the couch and answered the door. But never in his life did he expect to see what he did when he opened the door.
"Draco? Gods, Draco, what happened to you?"
Draco stood in front of the door, blood matting his hair to his forehead, body bruised, and tears streaming down his face. Severus quickly ushered him into the house and locked the door behind them.
"Draco, what happened?"
Draco's eyes went wide and he fell backwards onto the couch. When he spoke, his voice shook. "F-Father. . . He. . . he wanted me to start on my Death Eater initiation rites. I refused him, and he. . ." Draco's voice broke in a loud sob.
Severus gathered Draco into a hug, and smoothed his blood smeared hair away from his face. "Shh, Draco, it's all right. Why did you come to me, though? What if I agreed with your father, and sent you back?"
Draco wiped the tears from his eyes. "I knew you wouldn't. I know you're not really a Death Eater. I figured that out a long time ago."
Severus chuckled. "How'd you know?"
"Just a good guess." Draco shrugged.
"Come on, let's get you cleaned up and into bed. You look like you need both." After Draco got cleaned up, Severus set up the couch for him to sleep on, and he fell asleep almost immediately.