Title: The Paradox of Existence
Author: DragonLight
Summary: The future repeats itself in the past, i.e. which came first the chicken or the egg.
Pairing: HP/SS
Rating: Now PG-13 to NC-17 later on
Author Note: I've never written a story like this before let alone read one. So if this story resembles anyone's no infringement was intended.
I've decided to up the rating to R here and NC-17 on the SnapexHarryML. Just thought that I would tell you since it will be happening in the next couple of chapters.
Disclaimer: All characters that are the least bit familiar belong to JKR-same with places and items. Don't recognize it then it's mine.
Thank you to everyone that reviewed. I'll write individual thank you's when FF.net tells me who's who, everyone is coming up as zing@fanfiction.net.
To KaatShadowLover: I recognize you because of your long review. I love long reviews. To answer some of your questions. Think of the document as troop deployments and such, there is too much for Voldie to take care of therefore he wrote himself a reminder. He didn't think that he'd have to worry about losing it, since no one else can read it. As for the unsuspecting Dumbledore, he is waaaaay to trusting. And you'll see not everyone trusts 'Octavian Tyler'
Chapter Five: Odd Friendships
*The Past *
Harry was totally absorbed in reorganizing his lesson plans for the next month that he didn't see the man that walked into his office to lean against the doorframe.
"Knock. Knock" Harry looked up to be greeted by the smirking face of his former arch nemesis, Draco Malfoy. Although he didn't quite look like the Draco he always knew. This Draco had brown hair and violet eyes. The smirk was the same. "Miss me, Tyler?"
"Not really. So they sent you to check up on me huh? What happened to sending Sev?" Harry motioned for Draco to come in and close the door. He did, followed by powerful locking and silencing spells. "I thought Siri said that Sev demanded the next visit."
Draco perched himself on the edge of the desk and picked up a paperweight and started shifting it from hand to hand. Harry took a book and set it on top of the papers so they wouldn't fly away. He had learned that lesson the hard way. Finally the former blond spoke. "Oh he did. He just couldn't make it. Albus has all the visits planned out. So how have you been? Working hard?"
"Why couldn't he make it? Did something happen?" Harry leaned back in his chair and looked up at Draco.
"You're like that mangy godfather of yours with a bone. You just won't let go." Harry raised an eyebrow. "He got called, hit with Crucio and he's under Poppy's care. Happy. I told you and he's going to skin me alive because I wasn't supposed to tell you."
"Thank you, Dray. Why didn't he want me to know?"
"Simple. He says you worry too much."
"Well someone has to worry about him. He certainly doesn't worry about himself?" Harry rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Getting a headache?" Harry mutely nodded. "Normal headache, bad headache or Voldemort headache?"
"Non Voldemort migraines. I've been getting them off and on for the past month."
"Why didn't you tell Siri? Severus would have made you that potion you always take." Draco looked at him reproachfully.
"I would have, but the first one set in two minutes after he left. Ask him why, I'll bet he'll avoid answering until you have him tackled and pinned."
"Tempting." A feral glint entered Draco's eyes. Draco's favorite activity always tended to be besting someone in a fight. However there was something about that look…
"I don't want to know. Please don't tell me." Harry placed his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers. "So what does Albus want to know this time around?"
Draco pushed himself off the desk and went over to one of the windows. Looking out over the grounds for a minute he turned around and leaned on the windowsill. "The first thing he wanted to know was if the bond was affecting you. Did you feel him get called?"
"No. The bond's inactive. We're in different times periods. I'm not bonded to the Severus in this time."
"I still don't get why the two of you did that."
"It was just a blood rite Draco. You can read all about it in quite a few books that can be found in the school library."
"In the Restricted Section."
"We aren't students anymore. There is no restricted section for us."
"In the Dark Arts books." Harry just shrugged. Draco knew that he wouldn't be getting anymore of his questions answered about the life blood bond that Harry and Severus had performed a handful of years before.
"Second question: How is the translating going? Albus was worried about you having enough time."
"Going fine. It's still a little slow but the Order is finally starting to give me more access to the scroll. Before they were only allowing me to see a few lines at a time. At least now I can look at the whole thing. I'm supervised but I don't think that will change, and quite a few individuals don't trust me."
"Same ole, same ole."
"Basically."
Draco moved to sit in one of the chairs across from Harry's desk. "Albus wanted to know how you are getting along with the students and he wanted me to remind you about the last thing he asked of you before you left. Didn't tell me what it was though."
Harry smiled. Just like Albus to make sure he remembered that he couldn't touch
Severus. "He told me that the students were off limits."
Draco gave a small laugh. "He didn't want you to fall for a student this time. Last time you fell, you fell for a teacher. It shouldn't be a problem though, right?"
"Depends on the way you look at it."
"What do you mean?"
"Severus Snape has developed a crush."
"It must be killing you to watch him moon over someone else." Draco gave Harry a sympathetic look.
"Not at all. My guess is that he's 'mooning' over me."
"Are you sure?"
Harry raised his eyebrow again. "I've taught for at least three years. Even before then I dealt with hormonal teenagers constantly. I can tell when someone has a crush. He's almost as bad as Ginny Weasley."
Draco's eyes opened wide in shock. "That's impossible. Snape? Has a crush as bad as *The * 'Ginny crush on Harry'? I can't believe it."
Harry nodded his head. "All common signs are present. First to come to class, last to leave. Visits my office at least twice a week with an absolutely ridiculous question that I know he already knows the answer to. Forgets to take notes during class and instead I can feel him following me with his eyes. It's unnerving. And let's not even touch the way he blushes when I acknowledge his presence with the least bit of kindness. Oh and he'll be talking non stop with Lucius or another Slytherin, and no matter the topic if I come anywhere near, even just passing in the hall he immediately closes his mouth and turns a lovely shade of cherry red."
"Who could have imagined that Snape behaved like a normal teenager once?"
"Draco, was I that bad during sixth year?"
"I never noticed. From what I understand neither did Granger or Weasley. Speaking of whom. Granger told me to tell you that the Weasel was going to be home by the time that you returned to the present. And she sent one of those care package things." Draco started to empty his pockets. A small box and a tiny book were brought out of one and re-enlarged. Out of another pocket refills of all the potions that Sirius had brought with him last time. "Severus sent you more potions. The box is from Granger. The book is from Severus. He said that you had been waiting for it come out. Something about essays on -"
"Forming barriers and shields against the Dark Arts using basic spells without tying in complex rituals. I can't remember the name of the book though. I'll have to charm it into something that no one will look twice at though."
"Do the blank page spell. You know that spell that all the girls started doing in fifth year, so no one could read their diaries. It should work. And if you get the locking spell right then you won't have to worry about someone else reading it."
"Not a bad idea." Harry's stomach growled and he looked over at the watch he had set on his desk. He had totally missed lunch it was now nearly dinner. "Care to go get a bite to eat in Hogsmeade, Draco?"
"Sure, I'm in no rush. The three broomsticks? I want to see what Rosmerta looks like now."
"Whatever as long as I don't end up in another wizarding tattoo parlor."
Draco laughed. "You won't as long as you don't get drunk." He slung a companionable arm around Harry and the two headed for the exit and headed on their way to the wizarding village.
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Severus had all of the various school charters spread out in front of him on the library table. Each tome detailed the various regulations that had been passed over the years. Severus decided that he would go back to the oldest issues just to make sure that it wasn't an early law that had been taken for granted and not recopied in the newer books. So far he hadn't found anything that would keep him from carrying on a relationship with Octavian Tyler. Of course he had to convince his professor that he wasn't just a silly child. But he could plan that after he covered the rule part. Severus picked up one of the older ones and started flippling through the pages looking for any section that such rules might be under.
"I heard about your grandfather. My condolences. I know you were close to him."
The sound of the voice shocked Severus. The book he was flipping through fell to the table. He looked over the pile to see Black leaning against a shelf of books. "It happened almost three weeks ago. He wouldn't have wanted me to dwell on it. Besides it's not like he died. He's just in a ministry cell. Four months there and a 500 galleon fine. But then you didn't come here to talk about my grandfather. What do you want, Black."
"I came to call a momentary truce."
Severus let out a long sigh before looking at the young man questioningly. "Now why would you want to do that? We've been doing so well at hating each other. Let's continue. Go away."
"I can't continue trying to get you angry if you never get angry. I've never had this problem before. You always rise to the bait." Sirius gave Snape a very insincere smile.
"I have more important things to do than to have this immensely idiotic conversation. Go away."
"Something's been bothering you. Why don't you just tell me so I can help and then we can go back to hating each other and fighting and what not. Then everyone will be happy again." Sirius sat down across from Severus. He examined all of the books on the table. "Why are you going through the rule books? Trying to get us in trouble?"
"No."
"This is my point. Your answer is supposed to be yes. The Marauders are the bane of your existence. You hate us. We hate you. It's the way the world works. We make your life unbearable and you and your friends do the same for us."
Severus raised one eyebrow and looked at the boy across from him. "You are so simplistic, Black. I'm not attempting to get you expelled but trust me that I would like nothing better. I'm just trying to find some school rules on a particular matter. I will go much faster if you leave."
"You haven't been acting yourself lately. It's really noticeable in Defense class when Professor Tyler is lecturing." Sirius watched as Severus tried to control a blush that was rising on his cheeks. "You're falling for a teacher. That's what you're looking for. Rules regarding student-teacher relationships. Well you might as well stop looking."
Severus snapped his head up. "What do you mean Black?"
"There aren't any. You're free and clear. James and I know every single rule in this school backwards and forwards. We researched this one a couple years ago to make sure we had it right before we started… nevermind."
"I don't want to know. You're sure that there are no rules. Why should I trust you anyway." The lack of trust shone in Severus' eyes.
"Consider it one last favor. Besides I think that you hooking up with professor Tyler is a really bad idea. But I can think of a few up points."
"You said there aren't any school rules."
"Nothing to do with rules. It's a bad idea because the man is bloody dangerous. In case you don't remember he took on a dragon, single handedly. Of course he might just kill you so that could always be considered a plus." Sirius grinned at Severus evilly.
"I don't think he would." Severus stood and started to pile the books into a neat pile.
"Now that I've done my good deed of the day…" Sirius leaned over and knocked the pile of books onto the ground. He smiled and turned to leave the library.
Severus glared at his retreating back. "I'm going to make your life a living hell Black."
Sirius turned back around. He had his hands in his pockets and the stupid grin still plastered on his face. "That's what I expect."
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Future: Harry age 21
Harry paced back and forth across the living room floor of the flat that he shared with Ron in London. He was bored. He looked up at the muggle clock that was hung on the wall next to the wizarding clock. On the latter clock Ron's hand was pointed to 'work'. Harry's was pointed at 'bored.' Harry didn't look at that clock though, he looked at the muggle one. 6:00pm. On a Saturday. Harry once again went through all his options. Ron was out on a mission for the auror division, Harry had been sent on 'vacation'. One of the mandatory kind that gets assigned when someone overworks themselves. University was still in session so Hermione was probably unavailable, it was rather close to the end of term. Sirius was teaching at Hogwarts this year and he had gotten chaperone duty for the Hogsmeade weekend, so even if he was available now he'd have to get up early to escort the students back for their second day. Remus was out doing something or other for Dumbledore. As for Severus, he had made it quite clear that he would be grading papers all night, and that if Harry did decide to "stop by" that he would be pointedly ignored until all his papers were graded. Damn Severus and his procrastination anyway. That only left one person that Harry ever felt comfortable going out with, Draco. But after the last time…
Harry paced some more before finally giving in and going over to the fire to call Draco. An hour and a half later found him leaving his flat to apperate to Hogsmeade to meet Draco at the Three Broomsticks.
"Potter." Harry headed over to the table where the blond sat fingering a glass of what could only be firewhiskey.
"Started without me Malfoy?" Harry sat across from Malfoy and motioned for Rosmerta to bring the same thing that Malfoy was drinking.
"Of course. So you said you were bored oh mighty auror. How did that lead here instead of the dungeons of Hogwarts. I'm sure that Severus could have found a way to entertain you."
"Shut up Malfoy. Or did you forget that we're keeping it quiet."
"Sooner or later your godfather will find out and then the whole world will be made aware of it as he is carted off to Azkaban for killing Severus." Harry rolled his eyes at the other man. "That still doesn't answer why we're here instead of you heading over to the dungeons. Wasn't the last visit to St. Mungo's proof enough that the two of us shouldn't go drinking together without supervision?"
"I don't want to think about that, alcohol poisoning and blood loss certainly don't mix. As for the reason I'm here with you instead of visiting Sev, that's simple." Harry paused and waited for a good moment. Draco was sipping his whiskey and looking around the bar. When his head was turned as far away from Harry as possible Harry continued. "After all one can't survive on sex alone." Just as planned the whiskey was soon spit out over some un-expecting patron.
"Not funny, Potter. There has to be something more to your relationship for it to last as long as it has."
"Oh there is, but you should have seen the look on your face. It was bloody brilliant."
"You're trying to become a comedian Potter?"
"Not yet. Do you think that I would stand a chance, Malfoy?"
"Get enough firewhiskey in you and you do." Harry smiled at his former schoolmate. He enjoyed the bickering that was no longer mean spirited but instead usually quite friendly."
A silence fell over the two men while they measured how much they had changed over the months that they hadn't seen each other. Draco no longer kept his hair slicked back, and he usually carried a multitude of weapons, of course Harry didn't see most of them. Harry looked at the revolver Draco had in a shoulder holster. His jacket had been cast aside on the chair next to him. "I miss being able to carry a gun."
"What ever happened to yours anyway. Remus and Sirius made sure we were both fairly decent shots."
"It's in its box in Sev's rooms. Auror policy, the only 'visible' weapon allowed is your wand. A gun was too hard to hide. The dagger wasn't though. I usually keep it in my boot. I could get bloody fired if they found out I was carrying unauthorized weapons."
"Why are you even with the aurors anyway. I mean I'm sure that you'd be more use to the Order than the ministry. I hear that Albus is looking for a new teacher for next term."
"The Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Albus has offered me the position every year since I returned from Romania." Harry motioned to Rosmerta for another drink. She came over with the bottle, setting it down on their table in between them.
"No impromptu knife fights in the middle of my bar this time around you two. I have no intention of shipping you off to St. Mungo's again. This time I'll move the bodies outside and let you die." They two men looked at her and noticed the twinkle in her eye.
"Ah, Roz. You know that you'd miss us if we were to leave this plane of existence." Draco smirked and watched as she slapped him lightly on the shoulder.
"You break any of my tables this time around…"
"And there won't be anything left for St. Mungo's to fix." Harry finished for her.
"You two remember that." And she left them to their drinks.
"So why don't you just take the job?" Draco asked picking up the conversation where they had left off. "You'd be closer to Severus."
"I don't know if I want to live with Sev."
"You could live with him now. You did there for a while." Harry didn't respond. "So what happened to that arrangement anyway. You only lived together for six months before you moved back in with Ron."
"Severus is impossible to live with."
"Really?"
"In case you haven't noticed, he's a stubborn git."
Draco laughed. He was probably one of the only people who ever saw the relationship between Severus and Harry in actuality. Albus was the other one. In private the two acted totally different then they did in public. It was entertaining to see. "You are just now realizing this Potter? You've been together for what? Four years?"
"Something like that. No I've always known." Harry took a muggle pen out of his pocket and started to draw on one of the napkins. "The problem lies in the fact that I'm stubborn too. Makes for some really nasty fights."
"I've never seen the two of you fight."
"We don't." Harry poured himself another shot of whiskey before gulping it down and pouring another.
"Then how do you know that it makes for some rather nasty fights?"
"Would you believe that I just do?"
"No. You know that Roz is going to kill you for drawing all over her napkins. What are you bloody drawing anyway?" Draco leaned over and took the napkin away from Harry. The latter didn't stop him. A shield with a snake wrapped around it. "What is this bloody thing?"
"The Potter family crest."
"That's not the Potter family crest."
"How do you know?"
"My father had it on some important documents. Your grandfather always magicked it next to his signature. The Potter family crest is a sword-"
Harry cut him off, "with a lion head on one side and a bloody rose on the other. I know. It looks like a bloody girl with overly romantic ideas of chivalry drew the thing."
"Well this doesn't look anything like the family crest."
"I'm changing it. This is more appropriate."
Draco looked the other man up and down. "You're right it is more you. So why else don't you want the Defense Against the Dark Arts job?"
"Besides the fact that my whole life has been nothing other than Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"So doesn't that make you especially qualified to take the job?"
"Actually I was planning on it. Sev's been right. I'm not doing nearly as much with the aurors as I could be."
"You've talked this over with Severus? He's actually told you that you shouldn't be with the aurors. I thought he supported all of your decisions."
"Of course. We talked about it years ago. This was one decision that he didn't agree with."
"Hence you moving out. The mystery solved itself." Draco slipped one of his stilettos out from his sleeve and started to balance the tip on his middle finger. He had built up calluses over the years and such tricks no longer drew blood. He flipped the stiletto over so that the point was on the table and he spun it around.
Rosmerta walked over with another bottle of firewhiskey. "If you two want this the weapon gets put away."
"It's not like Harry has his drawn."
"No bloodshed in my bar you two. Put it away Draco." Draco tossed the blade into the air catching the hilt with the blade pointed toward his arm. With his forefinger he pushed the stiletto back into it's sheath on his arm. The bottle was set on the table with a resounding thud. Draco smirked at the back of the retreating woman before returning his attention to his companion.
"There's got to be a reason other then the fact that you're qualified. Admit it Harry. You're just taking the job so that you can be closer to Severus."
"I can't get closer to Severus."
"Harry," Draco's tone of voice was that of an adult to a little child. It could have been the alcohol though. "You live in London, Severus lives here in Scotland. That's pretty far apart. I'm sure that you can get a hell of a lot closer."
Harry watched as Draco downed yet another shot of firewhiskey. He decided to confide his biggest secret in Draco. After all he wanted to tell someone, had for a while but he didn't want to explain the whole situation. The alcohol also made it easier to get open up. "Not like that you idiot. We're bonded."
"Oh my god. Since when?"
"About a year." Harry laughed at Malfoy sitting across from him with his mouth hanging open. Harry drew his dagger and used the tip to reach across and close his mouth.
"Potter!" Harry turned to Roz who had yelled at him, she was waving her finger at him in a scolding manner. He slid the dagger back into his boot sheath.
"Just because someone breaks a few tables and scared away a bunch of customers is no reason to scold them for playing with weapons." The two men snickered and continued to drink covering a variety of topics about what they had been up to over the last few months.
Halfway through their third bottle Draco once again pulled the napkin that Harry had been drawing on while they were talking and looked at his 'crest'.
"That would make a bloody awesome tattoo, Potter." Draco's voice was slurred but still mostly recognizable.
"Wha?"
"Come on. Let's go!" Draco stood up, albeit a little unsteadily and dragged the other man up. "Roz we're gonna borrow your fire place k?"
"Just get out of here you two." A couple minutes later found the two men in the middle of the Diagon Alley entertainment district. A wobbly Draco pulling an equally wobbly Harry after him into one of the shops that lined the streets.
After pushing Harry down into a chair Draco started to pull things out of the many pockets that lined his pants. Vials of poison followed by a switchblade and projectile weapons with a letter falling on top. "I knew that I had it somewhere!"
"Had what?"
"That letter. The seal you use on the wax is that picture."
"Huh?"
A rough voice coming from the back room interrupted their conversation. "How can I help you?"..........
........."Hey Harry, close your door! That's not what I want to see first thing in the morning!" Harry rolled over from his stomach onto his back before sitting up and groaning in pain. Ron's voice carried from the other room. "If you two are doing what I think you're doing your door better be shut. While you're at it put up silencing charms!"
Harry climbed out of bed to shut the door, turning back to his bed he noticed Draco was passed out on it. "What the hell. Draco!"
Draco groaned and turned on his side. "I have the biggest headache. Oh god what am I doing here?"
Harry rubbed his head and sat down. They were still clothed from the waist down so that was a good thing. "We most likely got blitzed, you helped me home and then we passed out." Harry collapsed back on the bed and then immediately bolted upright as he yelped in pain.
"Silencing charms!" Harry turned to his bedroom door and turned back to Draco.
"I wonder when Ron got back."
"I'd rather know when you got the tattoo."
"What?" Harry looked back at Draco who was pointing at his back. Harry put his hand on his back and quickly moved it as a shot of pain went through it. "No way, I can't have a tattoo on my back. What is it?"
"Your new family crest." Draco snickered. Harry whipped around to glare at him. "What?"
"This HAS to be all your fault. I always end up in the stupidest situations when we go out. I'm so gonna kill you, Malfoy!" Draco moved from the bed to the door.
"You'll have to catch me first!" He darted through the bedroom door. "Bye Weasel. Catch you later Potter!"
Harry walked out of his bedroom to see Ron at the kitchen table eating breakfast.
"Is there a reason that Malfoy just flooed out of here half dressed and with no shoes looking like he just got shagged?" Ron asked with a suggestive rise to his eyebrows.
Harry was about to object when he remembered that everyone thought that he and Draco were having an off and on again fling. "'Cause he convinced me to get a tattoo last night and I threatened to kill him this morning."
"A tattoo? That's bloody brilliant."
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I wanted to give you a little more of Draco's and Harry's friendship. I thought that this scene would do it. I was a little nervous about posting it, though. I hoped you liked it. And don't ask... Nothing happened between them, they just passed out.
Read and Review. Positive feedback makes me write faster.
Author: DragonLight
Summary: The future repeats itself in the past, i.e. which came first the chicken or the egg.
Pairing: HP/SS
Rating: Now PG-13 to NC-17 later on
Author Note: I've never written a story like this before let alone read one. So if this story resembles anyone's no infringement was intended.
I've decided to up the rating to R here and NC-17 on the SnapexHarryML. Just thought that I would tell you since it will be happening in the next couple of chapters.
Disclaimer: All characters that are the least bit familiar belong to JKR-same with places and items. Don't recognize it then it's mine.
Thank you to everyone that reviewed. I'll write individual thank you's when FF.net tells me who's who, everyone is coming up as zing@fanfiction.net.
To KaatShadowLover: I recognize you because of your long review. I love long reviews. To answer some of your questions. Think of the document as troop deployments and such, there is too much for Voldie to take care of therefore he wrote himself a reminder. He didn't think that he'd have to worry about losing it, since no one else can read it. As for the unsuspecting Dumbledore, he is waaaaay to trusting. And you'll see not everyone trusts 'Octavian Tyler'
Chapter Five: Odd Friendships
*The Past *
Harry was totally absorbed in reorganizing his lesson plans for the next month that he didn't see the man that walked into his office to lean against the doorframe.
"Knock. Knock" Harry looked up to be greeted by the smirking face of his former arch nemesis, Draco Malfoy. Although he didn't quite look like the Draco he always knew. This Draco had brown hair and violet eyes. The smirk was the same. "Miss me, Tyler?"
"Not really. So they sent you to check up on me huh? What happened to sending Sev?" Harry motioned for Draco to come in and close the door. He did, followed by powerful locking and silencing spells. "I thought Siri said that Sev demanded the next visit."
Draco perched himself on the edge of the desk and picked up a paperweight and started shifting it from hand to hand. Harry took a book and set it on top of the papers so they wouldn't fly away. He had learned that lesson the hard way. Finally the former blond spoke. "Oh he did. He just couldn't make it. Albus has all the visits planned out. So how have you been? Working hard?"
"Why couldn't he make it? Did something happen?" Harry leaned back in his chair and looked up at Draco.
"You're like that mangy godfather of yours with a bone. You just won't let go." Harry raised an eyebrow. "He got called, hit with Crucio and he's under Poppy's care. Happy. I told you and he's going to skin me alive because I wasn't supposed to tell you."
"Thank you, Dray. Why didn't he want me to know?"
"Simple. He says you worry too much."
"Well someone has to worry about him. He certainly doesn't worry about himself?" Harry rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Getting a headache?" Harry mutely nodded. "Normal headache, bad headache or Voldemort headache?"
"Non Voldemort migraines. I've been getting them off and on for the past month."
"Why didn't you tell Siri? Severus would have made you that potion you always take." Draco looked at him reproachfully.
"I would have, but the first one set in two minutes after he left. Ask him why, I'll bet he'll avoid answering until you have him tackled and pinned."
"Tempting." A feral glint entered Draco's eyes. Draco's favorite activity always tended to be besting someone in a fight. However there was something about that look…
"I don't want to know. Please don't tell me." Harry placed his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers. "So what does Albus want to know this time around?"
Draco pushed himself off the desk and went over to one of the windows. Looking out over the grounds for a minute he turned around and leaned on the windowsill. "The first thing he wanted to know was if the bond was affecting you. Did you feel him get called?"
"No. The bond's inactive. We're in different times periods. I'm not bonded to the Severus in this time."
"I still don't get why the two of you did that."
"It was just a blood rite Draco. You can read all about it in quite a few books that can be found in the school library."
"In the Restricted Section."
"We aren't students anymore. There is no restricted section for us."
"In the Dark Arts books." Harry just shrugged. Draco knew that he wouldn't be getting anymore of his questions answered about the life blood bond that Harry and Severus had performed a handful of years before.
"Second question: How is the translating going? Albus was worried about you having enough time."
"Going fine. It's still a little slow but the Order is finally starting to give me more access to the scroll. Before they were only allowing me to see a few lines at a time. At least now I can look at the whole thing. I'm supervised but I don't think that will change, and quite a few individuals don't trust me."
"Same ole, same ole."
"Basically."
Draco moved to sit in one of the chairs across from Harry's desk. "Albus wanted to know how you are getting along with the students and he wanted me to remind you about the last thing he asked of you before you left. Didn't tell me what it was though."
Harry smiled. Just like Albus to make sure he remembered that he couldn't touch
Severus. "He told me that the students were off limits."
Draco gave a small laugh. "He didn't want you to fall for a student this time. Last time you fell, you fell for a teacher. It shouldn't be a problem though, right?"
"Depends on the way you look at it."
"What do you mean?"
"Severus Snape has developed a crush."
"It must be killing you to watch him moon over someone else." Draco gave Harry a sympathetic look.
"Not at all. My guess is that he's 'mooning' over me."
"Are you sure?"
Harry raised his eyebrow again. "I've taught for at least three years. Even before then I dealt with hormonal teenagers constantly. I can tell when someone has a crush. He's almost as bad as Ginny Weasley."
Draco's eyes opened wide in shock. "That's impossible. Snape? Has a crush as bad as *The * 'Ginny crush on Harry'? I can't believe it."
Harry nodded his head. "All common signs are present. First to come to class, last to leave. Visits my office at least twice a week with an absolutely ridiculous question that I know he already knows the answer to. Forgets to take notes during class and instead I can feel him following me with his eyes. It's unnerving. And let's not even touch the way he blushes when I acknowledge his presence with the least bit of kindness. Oh and he'll be talking non stop with Lucius or another Slytherin, and no matter the topic if I come anywhere near, even just passing in the hall he immediately closes his mouth and turns a lovely shade of cherry red."
"Who could have imagined that Snape behaved like a normal teenager once?"
"Draco, was I that bad during sixth year?"
"I never noticed. From what I understand neither did Granger or Weasley. Speaking of whom. Granger told me to tell you that the Weasel was going to be home by the time that you returned to the present. And she sent one of those care package things." Draco started to empty his pockets. A small box and a tiny book were brought out of one and re-enlarged. Out of another pocket refills of all the potions that Sirius had brought with him last time. "Severus sent you more potions. The box is from Granger. The book is from Severus. He said that you had been waiting for it come out. Something about essays on -"
"Forming barriers and shields against the Dark Arts using basic spells without tying in complex rituals. I can't remember the name of the book though. I'll have to charm it into something that no one will look twice at though."
"Do the blank page spell. You know that spell that all the girls started doing in fifth year, so no one could read their diaries. It should work. And if you get the locking spell right then you won't have to worry about someone else reading it."
"Not a bad idea." Harry's stomach growled and he looked over at the watch he had set on his desk. He had totally missed lunch it was now nearly dinner. "Care to go get a bite to eat in Hogsmeade, Draco?"
"Sure, I'm in no rush. The three broomsticks? I want to see what Rosmerta looks like now."
"Whatever as long as I don't end up in another wizarding tattoo parlor."
Draco laughed. "You won't as long as you don't get drunk." He slung a companionable arm around Harry and the two headed for the exit and headed on their way to the wizarding village.
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Severus had all of the various school charters spread out in front of him on the library table. Each tome detailed the various regulations that had been passed over the years. Severus decided that he would go back to the oldest issues just to make sure that it wasn't an early law that had been taken for granted and not recopied in the newer books. So far he hadn't found anything that would keep him from carrying on a relationship with Octavian Tyler. Of course he had to convince his professor that he wasn't just a silly child. But he could plan that after he covered the rule part. Severus picked up one of the older ones and started flippling through the pages looking for any section that such rules might be under.
"I heard about your grandfather. My condolences. I know you were close to him."
The sound of the voice shocked Severus. The book he was flipping through fell to the table. He looked over the pile to see Black leaning against a shelf of books. "It happened almost three weeks ago. He wouldn't have wanted me to dwell on it. Besides it's not like he died. He's just in a ministry cell. Four months there and a 500 galleon fine. But then you didn't come here to talk about my grandfather. What do you want, Black."
"I came to call a momentary truce."
Severus let out a long sigh before looking at the young man questioningly. "Now why would you want to do that? We've been doing so well at hating each other. Let's continue. Go away."
"I can't continue trying to get you angry if you never get angry. I've never had this problem before. You always rise to the bait." Sirius gave Snape a very insincere smile.
"I have more important things to do than to have this immensely idiotic conversation. Go away."
"Something's been bothering you. Why don't you just tell me so I can help and then we can go back to hating each other and fighting and what not. Then everyone will be happy again." Sirius sat down across from Severus. He examined all of the books on the table. "Why are you going through the rule books? Trying to get us in trouble?"
"No."
"This is my point. Your answer is supposed to be yes. The Marauders are the bane of your existence. You hate us. We hate you. It's the way the world works. We make your life unbearable and you and your friends do the same for us."
Severus raised one eyebrow and looked at the boy across from him. "You are so simplistic, Black. I'm not attempting to get you expelled but trust me that I would like nothing better. I'm just trying to find some school rules on a particular matter. I will go much faster if you leave."
"You haven't been acting yourself lately. It's really noticeable in Defense class when Professor Tyler is lecturing." Sirius watched as Severus tried to control a blush that was rising on his cheeks. "You're falling for a teacher. That's what you're looking for. Rules regarding student-teacher relationships. Well you might as well stop looking."
Severus snapped his head up. "What do you mean Black?"
"There aren't any. You're free and clear. James and I know every single rule in this school backwards and forwards. We researched this one a couple years ago to make sure we had it right before we started… nevermind."
"I don't want to know. You're sure that there are no rules. Why should I trust you anyway." The lack of trust shone in Severus' eyes.
"Consider it one last favor. Besides I think that you hooking up with professor Tyler is a really bad idea. But I can think of a few up points."
"You said there aren't any school rules."
"Nothing to do with rules. It's a bad idea because the man is bloody dangerous. In case you don't remember he took on a dragon, single handedly. Of course he might just kill you so that could always be considered a plus." Sirius grinned at Severus evilly.
"I don't think he would." Severus stood and started to pile the books into a neat pile.
"Now that I've done my good deed of the day…" Sirius leaned over and knocked the pile of books onto the ground. He smiled and turned to leave the library.
Severus glared at his retreating back. "I'm going to make your life a living hell Black."
Sirius turned back around. He had his hands in his pockets and the stupid grin still plastered on his face. "That's what I expect."
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Future: Harry age 21
Harry paced back and forth across the living room floor of the flat that he shared with Ron in London. He was bored. He looked up at the muggle clock that was hung on the wall next to the wizarding clock. On the latter clock Ron's hand was pointed to 'work'. Harry's was pointed at 'bored.' Harry didn't look at that clock though, he looked at the muggle one. 6:00pm. On a Saturday. Harry once again went through all his options. Ron was out on a mission for the auror division, Harry had been sent on 'vacation'. One of the mandatory kind that gets assigned when someone overworks themselves. University was still in session so Hermione was probably unavailable, it was rather close to the end of term. Sirius was teaching at Hogwarts this year and he had gotten chaperone duty for the Hogsmeade weekend, so even if he was available now he'd have to get up early to escort the students back for their second day. Remus was out doing something or other for Dumbledore. As for Severus, he had made it quite clear that he would be grading papers all night, and that if Harry did decide to "stop by" that he would be pointedly ignored until all his papers were graded. Damn Severus and his procrastination anyway. That only left one person that Harry ever felt comfortable going out with, Draco. But after the last time…
Harry paced some more before finally giving in and going over to the fire to call Draco. An hour and a half later found him leaving his flat to apperate to Hogsmeade to meet Draco at the Three Broomsticks.
"Potter." Harry headed over to the table where the blond sat fingering a glass of what could only be firewhiskey.
"Started without me Malfoy?" Harry sat across from Malfoy and motioned for Rosmerta to bring the same thing that Malfoy was drinking.
"Of course. So you said you were bored oh mighty auror. How did that lead here instead of the dungeons of Hogwarts. I'm sure that Severus could have found a way to entertain you."
"Shut up Malfoy. Or did you forget that we're keeping it quiet."
"Sooner or later your godfather will find out and then the whole world will be made aware of it as he is carted off to Azkaban for killing Severus." Harry rolled his eyes at the other man. "That still doesn't answer why we're here instead of you heading over to the dungeons. Wasn't the last visit to St. Mungo's proof enough that the two of us shouldn't go drinking together without supervision?"
"I don't want to think about that, alcohol poisoning and blood loss certainly don't mix. As for the reason I'm here with you instead of visiting Sev, that's simple." Harry paused and waited for a good moment. Draco was sipping his whiskey and looking around the bar. When his head was turned as far away from Harry as possible Harry continued. "After all one can't survive on sex alone." Just as planned the whiskey was soon spit out over some un-expecting patron.
"Not funny, Potter. There has to be something more to your relationship for it to last as long as it has."
"Oh there is, but you should have seen the look on your face. It was bloody brilliant."
"You're trying to become a comedian Potter?"
"Not yet. Do you think that I would stand a chance, Malfoy?"
"Get enough firewhiskey in you and you do." Harry smiled at his former schoolmate. He enjoyed the bickering that was no longer mean spirited but instead usually quite friendly."
A silence fell over the two men while they measured how much they had changed over the months that they hadn't seen each other. Draco no longer kept his hair slicked back, and he usually carried a multitude of weapons, of course Harry didn't see most of them. Harry looked at the revolver Draco had in a shoulder holster. His jacket had been cast aside on the chair next to him. "I miss being able to carry a gun."
"What ever happened to yours anyway. Remus and Sirius made sure we were both fairly decent shots."
"It's in its box in Sev's rooms. Auror policy, the only 'visible' weapon allowed is your wand. A gun was too hard to hide. The dagger wasn't though. I usually keep it in my boot. I could get bloody fired if they found out I was carrying unauthorized weapons."
"Why are you even with the aurors anyway. I mean I'm sure that you'd be more use to the Order than the ministry. I hear that Albus is looking for a new teacher for next term."
"The Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Albus has offered me the position every year since I returned from Romania." Harry motioned to Rosmerta for another drink. She came over with the bottle, setting it down on their table in between them.
"No impromptu knife fights in the middle of my bar this time around you two. I have no intention of shipping you off to St. Mungo's again. This time I'll move the bodies outside and let you die." They two men looked at her and noticed the twinkle in her eye.
"Ah, Roz. You know that you'd miss us if we were to leave this plane of existence." Draco smirked and watched as she slapped him lightly on the shoulder.
"You break any of my tables this time around…"
"And there won't be anything left for St. Mungo's to fix." Harry finished for her.
"You two remember that." And she left them to their drinks.
"So why don't you just take the job?" Draco asked picking up the conversation where they had left off. "You'd be closer to Severus."
"I don't know if I want to live with Sev."
"You could live with him now. You did there for a while." Harry didn't respond. "So what happened to that arrangement anyway. You only lived together for six months before you moved back in with Ron."
"Severus is impossible to live with."
"Really?"
"In case you haven't noticed, he's a stubborn git."
Draco laughed. He was probably one of the only people who ever saw the relationship between Severus and Harry in actuality. Albus was the other one. In private the two acted totally different then they did in public. It was entertaining to see. "You are just now realizing this Potter? You've been together for what? Four years?"
"Something like that. No I've always known." Harry took a muggle pen out of his pocket and started to draw on one of the napkins. "The problem lies in the fact that I'm stubborn too. Makes for some really nasty fights."
"I've never seen the two of you fight."
"We don't." Harry poured himself another shot of whiskey before gulping it down and pouring another.
"Then how do you know that it makes for some rather nasty fights?"
"Would you believe that I just do?"
"No. You know that Roz is going to kill you for drawing all over her napkins. What are you bloody drawing anyway?" Draco leaned over and took the napkin away from Harry. The latter didn't stop him. A shield with a snake wrapped around it. "What is this bloody thing?"
"The Potter family crest."
"That's not the Potter family crest."
"How do you know?"
"My father had it on some important documents. Your grandfather always magicked it next to his signature. The Potter family crest is a sword-"
Harry cut him off, "with a lion head on one side and a bloody rose on the other. I know. It looks like a bloody girl with overly romantic ideas of chivalry drew the thing."
"Well this doesn't look anything like the family crest."
"I'm changing it. This is more appropriate."
Draco looked the other man up and down. "You're right it is more you. So why else don't you want the Defense Against the Dark Arts job?"
"Besides the fact that my whole life has been nothing other than Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"So doesn't that make you especially qualified to take the job?"
"Actually I was planning on it. Sev's been right. I'm not doing nearly as much with the aurors as I could be."
"You've talked this over with Severus? He's actually told you that you shouldn't be with the aurors. I thought he supported all of your decisions."
"Of course. We talked about it years ago. This was one decision that he didn't agree with."
"Hence you moving out. The mystery solved itself." Draco slipped one of his stilettos out from his sleeve and started to balance the tip on his middle finger. He had built up calluses over the years and such tricks no longer drew blood. He flipped the stiletto over so that the point was on the table and he spun it around.
Rosmerta walked over with another bottle of firewhiskey. "If you two want this the weapon gets put away."
"It's not like Harry has his drawn."
"No bloodshed in my bar you two. Put it away Draco." Draco tossed the blade into the air catching the hilt with the blade pointed toward his arm. With his forefinger he pushed the stiletto back into it's sheath on his arm. The bottle was set on the table with a resounding thud. Draco smirked at the back of the retreating woman before returning his attention to his companion.
"There's got to be a reason other then the fact that you're qualified. Admit it Harry. You're just taking the job so that you can be closer to Severus."
"I can't get closer to Severus."
"Harry," Draco's tone of voice was that of an adult to a little child. It could have been the alcohol though. "You live in London, Severus lives here in Scotland. That's pretty far apart. I'm sure that you can get a hell of a lot closer."
Harry watched as Draco downed yet another shot of firewhiskey. He decided to confide his biggest secret in Draco. After all he wanted to tell someone, had for a while but he didn't want to explain the whole situation. The alcohol also made it easier to get open up. "Not like that you idiot. We're bonded."
"Oh my god. Since when?"
"About a year." Harry laughed at Malfoy sitting across from him with his mouth hanging open. Harry drew his dagger and used the tip to reach across and close his mouth.
"Potter!" Harry turned to Roz who had yelled at him, she was waving her finger at him in a scolding manner. He slid the dagger back into his boot sheath.
"Just because someone breaks a few tables and scared away a bunch of customers is no reason to scold them for playing with weapons." The two men snickered and continued to drink covering a variety of topics about what they had been up to over the last few months.
Halfway through their third bottle Draco once again pulled the napkin that Harry had been drawing on while they were talking and looked at his 'crest'.
"That would make a bloody awesome tattoo, Potter." Draco's voice was slurred but still mostly recognizable.
"Wha?"
"Come on. Let's go!" Draco stood up, albeit a little unsteadily and dragged the other man up. "Roz we're gonna borrow your fire place k?"
"Just get out of here you two." A couple minutes later found the two men in the middle of the Diagon Alley entertainment district. A wobbly Draco pulling an equally wobbly Harry after him into one of the shops that lined the streets.
After pushing Harry down into a chair Draco started to pull things out of the many pockets that lined his pants. Vials of poison followed by a switchblade and projectile weapons with a letter falling on top. "I knew that I had it somewhere!"
"Had what?"
"That letter. The seal you use on the wax is that picture."
"Huh?"
A rough voice coming from the back room interrupted their conversation. "How can I help you?"..........
........."Hey Harry, close your door! That's not what I want to see first thing in the morning!" Harry rolled over from his stomach onto his back before sitting up and groaning in pain. Ron's voice carried from the other room. "If you two are doing what I think you're doing your door better be shut. While you're at it put up silencing charms!"
Harry climbed out of bed to shut the door, turning back to his bed he noticed Draco was passed out on it. "What the hell. Draco!"
Draco groaned and turned on his side. "I have the biggest headache. Oh god what am I doing here?"
Harry rubbed his head and sat down. They were still clothed from the waist down so that was a good thing. "We most likely got blitzed, you helped me home and then we passed out." Harry collapsed back on the bed and then immediately bolted upright as he yelped in pain.
"Silencing charms!" Harry turned to his bedroom door and turned back to Draco.
"I wonder when Ron got back."
"I'd rather know when you got the tattoo."
"What?" Harry looked back at Draco who was pointing at his back. Harry put his hand on his back and quickly moved it as a shot of pain went through it. "No way, I can't have a tattoo on my back. What is it?"
"Your new family crest." Draco snickered. Harry whipped around to glare at him. "What?"
"This HAS to be all your fault. I always end up in the stupidest situations when we go out. I'm so gonna kill you, Malfoy!" Draco moved from the bed to the door.
"You'll have to catch me first!" He darted through the bedroom door. "Bye Weasel. Catch you later Potter!"
Harry walked out of his bedroom to see Ron at the kitchen table eating breakfast.
"Is there a reason that Malfoy just flooed out of here half dressed and with no shoes looking like he just got shagged?" Ron asked with a suggestive rise to his eyebrows.
Harry was about to object when he remembered that everyone thought that he and Draco were having an off and on again fling. "'Cause he convinced me to get a tattoo last night and I threatened to kill him this morning."
"A tattoo? That's bloody brilliant."
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I wanted to give you a little more of Draco's and Harry's friendship. I thought that this scene would do it. I was a little nervous about posting it, though. I hoped you liked it. And don't ask... Nothing happened between them, they just passed out.
Read and Review. Positive feedback makes me write faster.
