Unexpected Heritage

This story contains slash (male/male relationship)! If you haven't noticed the kissing going on in previous chapters, read them again please. If you realize that this is slash and this is what you want to read, please, proceed.

Rated: R, but not yet. It'll be another chapter or so before anything to really warrant the rating of R yet. Please hang on, I promise that there is not only shagging, but also tragedy coming.

Thank you to everybody who reviewed…You all rock!!

Jess-wrote more keep reading

Cassa-Andra-what do you mean by non-relationship stuff?

Ivy-*hugs you back*

Selua-I thought the restaurant was a fun idea, too

KittenBabyGirl-aww, I love you too!

ShadowHawk-I'm still writing

            Harry didn't move except to lace his arm under Severus' so that he could hold the Slytherin close to him. Neither blinked for quite some time; they were lost in each other's eyes. After a while, Harry pressed a quick kiss on Severus' lips and sat up, pulling the older man up with him.

            "What if I didn't want to get up yet? This futon is quite comfortable."

            "You can stay, but I'm going back to Hogwarts, maybe I'll do a bit of flying, read a little. See you later, then."

            Harry started to leave, but stopped when he heard Severus get up. Practically gliding, Severus came up next to Harry, took his hand, and they left the restaurant. Entering the bright sunlight, both men stretched a bit before heading back to Hogwarts. They talked, mostly about what Harry thought he wanted to do after he graduated.

            "Despite popular beliefs, I don't want to be an Auror."

            "What about Professional Quidditch? I do believe that the seeker for Puddlemere United is retiring. No doubt that they'd be overjoyed to have you try-out."

            "I don't know if I want to play pro Quidditch. I mean, I love the game, but I'm just not sure. I was thinking about teaching."

            "Teaching what?"

            "Well, I could become Remus' assistant, or maybe Madame Hooch."

            At this, Severus laughed out loud.

            "What's so funny?"

            "Just thinking of you having to spend every day with Madame Hooch. But helping Lupin doesn't sound like a very bad idea."

            "D'you think that it would be possible to do both?"

            "You mean work with both Hooch and Lupin?"

            "Yeah, why not? Help out Madam Hooch during Quidditch season and work with Remus during the winter and whenever Quidditch isn't playing. I don't know what I really want to do, so it would let me try both and see if I like one better or hate teaching altogether."

            "You could always talk to Professor Dumbledore about it, see what he thinks."

            "Yeah, maybe he'll have an idea."

            As the conversation came to a close, they reached the castle and went their separate ways. Harry headed towards the broom shed to get his Firebolt. Without much ceremony, the Gryffindor mounted his broom and kicked off. Soaring through the air high above the field, Harry felt more free than he ever did on the ground. He flew around the castle, past the towers, and along the edge of the forest. He hadn't been in the forest since his 5th year; the centaurs were still not very welcoming. Last year at the Welcoming Feast, the Headmaster actually had Firenze speak to the students about the new danger lurking in the Forbidden Forest. The speech would probably be repeated again this year and for many more to come. Touching down softly in front of the broom shed, Harry put his broom away and went inside to do a little reading.

            The days before Harry was to meet with Ron, Ginny, and Hermione in Diagon Alley passed mostly in the same way. He would fly for a while, read, and wander around the castle for most of the day. But he looked forward most to the evenings he spent talking with Severus. They talked about nearly everything, only not touching on the topics of Harry's parents, his childhood, Sirius Black, and basically all of Severus' past. Occasionally Harry would learn bits and pieces about what Severus was like as a child, but, for the most part, they didn't speak about anything in the Slytherin's life. The two would also play wizard's chess quite often. Harry was a decent chess player, but Severus could whip him any time and did every single time they played.

            "I have to find a way to get you to play chess with Ron. That would be fun to watch; maybe I could sell tickets."

            "I will not play chess with Weasley, and you can't make me."

            "Oh, Sev, stop being childish. I'm leaving for Diagon Alley tomorrow—"

            "Thank the Gods, I won't have to deal with the Gryffindor Golden Boy for two whole days."

            The obvious sarcasm was not lost on Harry. The younger man sneered at the older and slid off of the couch and stood in front of the sitting Slytherin.

            "Be serious for a minute! You know that once the term starts, we're not going to be seeing all that much of each other. You've got classes to teach and I've got N.E.W.T.s to prepare for. I'm not even going to see you three times a week in class like I did in 5th year. I need to ask you something."

            Severus looked up at Harry with a serious look on his face. He nodded, showing the Gryffindor that he was listening and could continue.

            "Do you want to make this work? Us, I mean."

            The Slytherin motioned for Harry to sit next to him on the couch; the younger man sat sideways on the couch so that he was looking straight at Severus. Severus took Harry's hands in his and started rubbing absent-minded little circles on the top of Harry's hands with his thumbs.

            "I do, Harry. Spending these past few days with you has made me happier than I can remember being in a long time. I want us to work, I really do. Are you planning on staying in the rooms next to mine?"

            Harry smiled slightly and nodded. Severus pulled Harry into his arms and hugged him tightly. Harry wrapped his arms around the Potions Master's neck, holding him close. They stayed there, cuddled together for a while, just holding onto each other. This was the most comforting thing that passed between them. An all-consuming sense of calm put the two men at ease whenever they were close like they were at that moment. After a little while, Harry pulled back a little bit, pressed a quick kiss on Severus' lips, and got up, pulling the Slytherin with him.

            "Where are we going now?"

            "There's got to be something good on television."

            "But it's late and you have to meet Granger and the Weasleys early tomorrow."

            "Please, Sev? Just one movie?"

            Severus sighed, "alright, just one."

            Harry's bright smile filled his face as Severus was dragged into his bedroom. Taking off their shoes, they climbed into the bed and got comfortable. The Slytherin flipped through the channels, finally settling on yet another American comedy. It seemed that Severus had a passion for American comedies; Harry couldn't help but be enthralled by them as well.

            "What's this one called?"

            "'Dogma'" (A/N: I know, "Dogma" came out in 1999 and this part of the story is taking place in 1997, but before you kill me, this is an AU fic and the can watch "Dogma" if I want them to. Plus, Alan Rickman was quite amusing in said movie.)

            "What's a 'Dogma'?"

            "It's a religious code of beliefs. This movie's about Catholicism…you know that's a Muggle religion, right?"

            "Mmm-hmm"

            The Slytherin and the Gryffindor watched the movie straight through, the silence between them punctuated by their laughs. At the end of the movie, Harry, still giggling slightly, turned to Severus.

            "You know, you kinda look like that Metatron guy."

            "The funny thing is, Albus…er…the Headmaster said the same thing."

            "Go figure, huh? I wonder how you'd look with big, feathery wings. Well, g'night, Sev."

            As Harry moved to get off the bed, Severus grabbed the Gryffindor's arm. Harry turned quickly to stare at the Slytherin, confused.

            "Stay…please?"

            "You sure you want me to?"

            "Yes…it's the last time we may get to spend time together like this. Do you mind?"

            Harry slid off the bed; the Slytherin's head dropped, feeling utterly rejected. The Gryffindor strolled over to the edge of the bed closest to Severus. Tipping the older man's chin up so that he could look Severus in the eye.

            "Let me just go change into my pajamas and I'll be right back, okay?"

            Severus perked up.

            "You mean you'll stay?"

            "Of course I will. I expect you to be ready for bed when I get back."

            "Oh, I will be."

            Harry casually strolled out of the room and went into his bedroom. Sitting on the bed for a moment, Harry tried to decide what to wear. Severus was in the same predicament. Finally, Harry settled on wearing a pair of navy blue cotton boxers and a sleeveless shirt; Severus changed into charcoal gray cotton pants, opting to forgo the shirt. The Gryffindor brushed his teeth quickly and slipped quietly back into the Slytherin's rooms. Severus was brushing his teeth when Harry knocked on the half-open door; a couple seconds later, the Potions Master pulled the door open the rest of the way, wiping his face on a small towel. Harry's eyes wide when he saw Severus without a shirt for the first time. Those robes certainly did hide a lot. The Potions Master wasn't overly buff, but he was nicely toned and muscular. Severus, on the other hand, was slightly embarrassed with himself for thinking that it would be a good idea to go without a shirt. Sliding over to the wardrobe, the Slytherin started looking for a shirt to sleep in.

            "I'll be ready in a moment…umm…didn't want to get water on my shirt."

            Harry came up behind Severus, sat on the bed behind him, and pulled the Slytherin backwards so that Harry had his arms wrapped around his waist.

            "No need to lie to me. If you were planning on wearing a shirt to sleep, you would have laid it out already. You're embarrassed."

            "I don't know what I was thinking—"

            "Sshhh"

            Harry quickly silenced Severus by placing several soft kisses along the older man's spine. This sent a shiver through the Slytherin. In the blink of an eye, Severus spun around, gently pushed Harry onto his back, and captured the Gryffindor's mouth. Caught completely unaware, Harry could only whimper and pull the Slytherin closer. Severus lapped at Harry's lips, and then caressed the younger man's tongue with his. Breaking for only a second to take a much needed gulp of air, Harry started to participate in the exploration. Their tongues danced back and forth; Harry explored the Potions Master's chest and back as Severus cradled the younger man's face in his hands. Parting for air once more, Severus crawled up onto the bed and yawned. Harry yawned too.

            "Let's go to sleep, okay?"

            "Yes, I think that's a good idea."

            "G'night, Sev"

            "Sleep well, Harry."

            The two young men slid under the covers, curling up together. Severus fell asleep on his back with Harry using him as a pillow, arms wrapped around each other. Within minutes, they were both peacefully sleeping.

            Morning rolled around all too quickly for Harry and Severus. The sun peeked through the enchanted windows, sending streams of light across the blankets and the men under them. The Slytherin woke up first, checked the clock, and, since it was still rather early, decided to watch his soul mate sleep and do some thinking. **Look at him. He's so beautiful. I can't believe that I treated him the way I did. Merlin, help me. I'm falling in love with this boy. I have to tell him, if only to know whether or not he feels the same way.** After a little over half an hour, the Gryffindor for whom Severus was a pillow woke up, blinking his emerald green eyes rapidly to adjust to the light. Severus ran his fingers through the younger man's slightly mussed hair.

            "Did you sleep well, Harry?"

            "Mmm…yes I did. You're very comfortable, did you know that?"

            "So I've been told. Well, you may as well get up now. You have to be at Diagon Alley in a little less than 2 hours."

            Harry stretched and then sat up, rubbing his eyes. Severus sat up as well and casually draped an arm over the Gryffindor's shoulder so that his hand was resting on Harry's stomach. Harry leaned back against Severus' chest.

            "Harry, there's something I think I need to tell you before you go."

            "What is it?"

            Severus shifted around a little so that he could see Harry better. For the first time in all of his years at Hogwarts, Harry saw Severus Snape looking worried.

            "I don't know if it's the right time to say this, but I think that you should know that, what I mean to say is—"

            "Sev, you're babbling. It's quite unlike you."

            "I'm sorry. I don't know if I can."

            Harry cupped the Slytherin's cheek with his palm. Emerald eyes met obsidian and held their gaze.

            "You can. You're Severus Snape, the most headstrong person I know, aside from the entire Malfoy family. Whatever it is you have to say, just take a deep breath and say it."

            A slight smile played on the Potions Master's lips. He took Harry's hands in his. Still staring into each other's eyes, Severus took a deep breath, exhaled, and plowed forward.

            "I am starting to fall in love with you."

            Harry's eyes brightened as he smiled. The Gryffindor gently gave the Slytherin's hands a squeeze.

            "And I am already falling."

            "You're sure?"

            "Of course. My heart has never lied to me before."

            Severus stared down at their hands for a good long moment before speaking again.

            "Thank you"

            "What for, Sev?"

            "For giving me a chance. I'll be the first one to say that I haven't exactly been the nicest person to you. And yet you just looked past it all. I don't know what to say."

            Harry watched as Severus fretted almost imperceptibly. The Gryffindor leaned closer to the Slytherin.

            "Say you won't leave me ever."

            "Harry, my love, you will live so much longer than I will, you know that. Even if you didn't have such a long lifespan from your elven blood, you're twenty years younger than I am and would live longer than I would anyway."

            "Not if I give you my necklace, then—"

            "No Harry, not yet. Someday, maybe I'll be able to accept your life force and bond our souls, but not now, not yet. I can't accept it."

            "Alright, we'll wait, but know that I do want you to have it. You make me happy and I want to spend my life with you."

            "You will, my lion."

            Harry started chuckling at the nickname. At that moment, with something as seemingly trivial as a nickname, Severus turned himself completely over to the pull of his soul mate's heart to his own heart. Harry felt it too, though he couldn't exactly put his finger on what he was feeling; it felt more like a wake of contentment washing over him. Severus laughed softly, still watching Harry happily. Just for that moment, everything was perfect. Then Severus remembered why this conversation was started in the first place: the Weasleys and Granger.

            "You have to meet your friends in Diagon Alley soon."

            "I know. I wish you could come too."

            "Oh please, Harry, Granger and the Weasleys hate me. Why should they like to spend their last two days of freedom before returning to Hogwarts with their most despised Professor?"

            "Dunno"

            "Spend time with them. You can't forget about them because of me. That will only make them hate me more, if that's possible. Go; I will see you tomorrow."

            "Promise?"

            "Of course. Now go before you're late."

            Harry smiled and scampered into his rooms to change. Quickly he changed out of his pajamas and into a pair of perfectly fitting jeans and a snug white t-shirt with an animated snitch on the chest. Slipping on his trainers, he put his uniform into an overnight bag and headed back into his sitting room. When the Gryffindor reached the door, Severus stepped into the room without a sound.

            "Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?"

            "You said it yourself; I'm going to be late."

            "Well then, goodbye."

            Harry quickly turned around and bolted across the room into Severus' arms. Wrapping his arms around the Slytherin, Harry pressed a warm kiss on his lips. Severus pulled away first and softly kissed down the side of Harry's neck, finally stopping to suck lightly on the sensitive flesh where neck met shoulder. Harry placed his hands on either side of Severus' face and tilted up his head, laughing.

            "Stop it, Sev! You'll leave a mark!"

            The Slytherin kissed him once more, on the lips this time, and then walked Harry to the Entrance Hall. The fireplace there was connected to the Floo Network, but was only open when Headmaster Dumbledore authorized it. The Gryffindor took a handful of floo powder.

            "Tomorrow then"

            "Bye Sev"

            Harry stepped into the fireplace, clearly announced "The Leaky Cauldron", and threw down the handful of green dust. Within seconds, he was gone and appeared in London at the Leaky Cauldron where Ron, Ginny, and Hermione were waiting. Hermione was Head Girl, of course, and Ginny and Ron were prefects again. Harry had no title other than Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team but that was fine with him. Ginny played in the Chaser position, since Harry was reinstated as Seeker at the beginning of his 6th year. Ron still played as Keeper and had greatly improved. This was probably because Fred and George were no longer there to harass him, but he also did plenty of Keeper-specific training over the summers. Harry strolled over to the table and sat down. Ron spoke up first.

            "Pardon, but that seat's taken."

            "I know, Ron. You were saving it for me, I hope."

            "Harry, is that you?"

            "Course it is, Hermione. Why else would I sit here?"

            "But you look so different. Where'd your scar go?" Ginny spoke up this time.

            "Covered it up with a glamour charm. Hopefully, I won't get mobbed at Hogsmeade Station this time."

            "Bloody brilliant idea, mate."

            "Thanks, Ron. But now I have something to tell you and it's very important. You have to promise not to tell anyone."

            All three nodded and Harry continued.

            "What I have to tell you is kind of shocking, so don't say anything until I've finished, alright?"

            They nodded again, staring at Harry with a sort of nervous apprehension.       

            "Okay. Now, mind you I just found this out about two weeks ago and I'm sorry for not telling you right away, but I had to get used to it myself. James Potter was not my father. My real father was an elf name Dior Eluchíl. So that makes me half elven and half human. My real father died when he found out that my mother was killed. If that wasn't enough news for one day, I also found my soul mate. Before I tell you who it is, do you guys have any questions?"

            Of course, Hermione spoke up while Ron and Ginny just stared rather blankly at him.

            "So you're telling me that you have elven blood? No wonder He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named couldn't kill you. Do you have your life force?"

            Harry nodded and showed them his necklace. Ginny brushed her finger across the opal.

            "It's beautiful, Harry. Now who's your soul mate?"

            The youngest Weasley was practically bouncing up and down with excitement.

            "Promise not to freak out. I hardly doubt that Ron will turn a deep shade of scarlet, Ginny'll stop bouncing around, and 'Mione, I dunno what you'll do."

            "Just spit it out already, mate."

            "Professor Snape"

            He was right about Ginny and Ron; she stopped bouncing and his ears were bordering on maroon. Hermione on the other hand, simply chose to sit there and stare contemplatively at Harry. The Head Girl touched Harry's hand and looked him clear in the eye before speaking.

            "Do you love him, Harry?"

            Ron turned purple, stood up and started yelling.

            "WHAT DO YOU MEAN, DOES HE LOVE HIM?! OF COURSE HE DOESN'T! IT'S SNAPE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE! TELL HER, HARRY."

            "Ron, I'm going to ignore that outburst. Because you all need to know the truth. You're my best friends, always will be. Hermione, to answer your question, yes. I haven't told him yet, but I do."

            Both Ginny and Hermione flung themselves at Harry, hugging him so tight that he thought they would strangle him. Harry wrapped an arm around each girl's waist, smiling brightly. Ron was still a deep red, staring at them as he opened and closed his mouth. The girls slid off of Harry and sat next to him, very close. The table was standing between them and Ron, though it seemed that if there was any more fire in Ron's eyes, the whole Leaky Cauldron would burn to the ground. The older Weasley was never one for subtlety and it was quite obvious to all those sitting in the pub that day when he exploded.

            "WHAT IN THE NAME OF MERLIN IS WRONG WITH YOU THREE? HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY BE HAPPY? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SLIMEBALL GIT THAT HAS TORTURED US SINCE FIRST YEAR! THAT FUCKING DEATH EATER WILL KILL YOU WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT, HARRY. LOVE, HA! THAT SCUM IS INCAPABLE OF LOVING ANYONE BUT HIMSELF. HE'S SUCKING YOU INTO A TRAP AND I WON'T LET YOU GO MERRILY TO YOUR DEATH. YOU'RE GOING TO STAY AWAY FROM HIM IF I HAVE TO TIE YOU TO YOUR BED."

            "Ronald Weasley, we've had quite enough of your irrational ideas. If Harry says that he loves Professor Snape, then he obviously sees something in him that we haven't seen yet. I think that we owe it to Harry, as his friends, to get to know Professor Snape better before we judge him. If you can't get over your own highfalutin ideas, then I'm not sure if I still want to be your sister."

            Everyone stopped what they were doing and all of the patrons were watching as meek Ginny Weasley shut up her older brother. She turned to Hermione and gave her a high-five. Harry patted her on the back; she was still angry, but smiling widely. Ron flung a chair into the wall and stormed out of the room. None of the three at the table actually cared where he went; he needed time to cool off.

            "Sorry 'bout that Harry. You know my brother's temper. He'll stew for a while, then come crawling back. No wonder he can't keep a girlfriend."

            "Speaking of girlfriends, Gin…Come on… how's Padma?"

            Ginny blushed a deep pink and bit her bottom lip. Harry had been the first person Ginny told about her sexuality. She'd through she had a crush on him for so long, but it was nothing more than being in awe of his scar. Harry accepted it without question, gently pushed her to tell Hermione, then her family. Parvarti, Padma's twin sister, set them up shortly before Halloween and they had been together ever since. Ron, as usual had been the hardest to convince that there was nothing wrong with his "baby sister" being a lesbian. The subject was still touchy with the youngest male Weasley; his ears turned pink every time Padma was brought up in conversation. The silence was broken after Hermione nudged Ginny with her elbow.

            "She's fine. Look at what she got me for my birthday."

            Ginny picked up from the bench a black denim schoolbag with white stitching. On the flap was the Hogwarts and Gryffindor emblems with "GW" monogrammed underneath in gold thread. She smiled, putting it back on the bench.

            "It's gorgeous, Gin. Padma's something special, you know."

            "Yeah. George kept trying to convince me that Padma sent it for him because, well, we have the same initials and he was in Gryffindor, too, but mum whacked him over the head and asked him why my girlfriend would send him a present on my birthday."

            "And what's Justin been up to this summer, 'Mione?"

            "He worked at his parent's shop to make some extra money. I saw him a couple of weeks ago. He said that he's got something planned for my birthday. I can't wait to find out what it is."

            Harry wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulders and squeezed her in a friendly hug. They talked and joked around for a little while longer before heading out into Diagon Alley to pick up their books and supplies. Harry already had everything he needed, but the company of good friends made the trip worth it. The three strolled from shop to shop, picking up everything they needed and sending it back to their rooms at the Leaky Cauldron. The Boy-Who-Lived picked up a pocket-sized, self-updating encyclopedia to give to Hermione for her birthday. They were standing outside Quality Quidditch Supplies, trying to decide what to do before having a late supper and calling it a night. It was Harry who had the idea.

            "You know what? I want to get a tattoo."

            "Are you thinking of going into Muggle London right now?"

            "No, 'Mione, a wizard tattoo. There's a shop that does them past Gringotts. I'm going and you're more than welcome to come along and watch, if you'd like."

             Ginny looked at Hermione and Hermione looked at Ginny. Both thought about it for a couple seconds before each grabbing one of Harry's hands and dragging him towards the shop. They went inside and, instead of seeing a dirty little hole in the wall like Hermione was expecting, they found themselves inside what looked a lot like a doctor's office. It was clean and bright with posters on the wall of all the kinds of tattoos they did. The photos showed the fully healed tattoos shifting around beneath the person's skin. It was quite an amazing sight actually.

            "So…what are you going to get?"

            "I want a serpent with a long tail on my hip, with the tail wrapping around my thigh. Green and gold, Slytherin and Gryffindor combined."

            "Sounds like you've thought about this before."

            "I did, Gin. You two want to watch?"

            The two young women did the staring at each other thing again, and then nodded, smiling. Harry went up to the receptionist and told him what he wanted done and that he wanted his two friends to watch. Motioning for them to follow, the three Gryffindors went into a spacious room in the back of the shop. The woman who was to do the tattoo, Gwynn, stepped into the room and had Harry sign a few papers stating that he knew that, once healed, the serpent would move freely around his chest and back, but would be in its original position when "sleeping".

            "Alright Mr…oh Merlin, it's Harry Potter!"

            "Yes, I'm Harry Potter and I came here for a tattoo. Now, if you're unable, I'll gladly take my business elsewhere."

            "Oh no, sir, it won't be a problem at all. Now I need you to lie down on the cot and then I'll start."

            Harry lay down on the cot; Gwynn draped a thick sheet over Harry, leaving only his right leg exposed.

            "Now I'm going to have to remove your clothes to expose the skin, alright?"

            Harry nodded and with a flick of her wand, Harry was nude from the waist down.

            "I'll start by making an outline after which I will fill it in with color. It shouldn't hurt; most people say that it feels like pins and needles when your limb falls asleep. Then in a couple of hours it ought to itch, possibly burn a little; I'll give you a cream to put on it whenever it itches or burns. After that, it will be mostly healed. Movement should start in a day or two. Ready?"

            Harry nodded and Gwynn used the tip of her wand to draw the outline of a serpent on his hip, wrapping the tail around his thigh with the tip of the tail about six inches above Harry's knee. She was quite right; it felt as though his hip and thigh was asleep. It took a little over half an hour to fill in the red tongue, black eyes, green body and tail, and a sort of jagged banded pattern in gold. Spreading a thin layer of healing lotion on the serpent, Gwynn flicked her wand again, replacing Harry's boxers and pants. She handed him a small jar of blue cream.

            "There you are, Mr. Potter, all done. Here's the cream for when it starts to itch. Come back any time."

            "Thank you Gwynn. I will recommend your fine establishment to everyone desiring a piece of your fine artwork."

            Gwynn blushed, giggled, and left the room. The three Gryffindors started laughing hysterically.

            "'Fine artwork'? Really Harry!"

            "Oh shush up Virginia Weasley or I'll tell Padma that you were staring at her breasts the entire time!"

            "I was not!!"

            "I know, but Padma doesn't."

            Ginny jokingly punched Harry's shoulder as he got off the cot. Leaving the shop, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione headed back to the Leaky Cauldron where they ordered soup and sandwiches for dinner. Ron was still no where to be found, but no one was concerned. They knew that he would turn up eventually, even if they didn't see him until they boarded the train tomorrow morning. When they finished their dinner, the three went upstairs to their rooms.

            "Ginny, would you mind if I stayed in your room? I kind of feel odd staying with Ron since he's not all that pleased with me right now."

            "No problem. You know you're welcome any time. See you in the morning, 'Mione."

            "Good night Harry, Gin."

            They all hugged before parting, Harry and Ginny in one room, Hermione in another. Their suite of rooms was basically just two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a common room. The suite Harry was supposed to be sharing with Ron was the same. Harry curled up on the couch in Ginny's room after stripping down to his boxers. He'd spread a bit of the cream on his tattoo so that maybe he could sleep all night without the itching waking him up.

            "What do you think you're doing, Harry?"

            "Going to sleep, Gin."

            "Get in this bed. It's not like anything's going to happen."

            Chuckling, Harry climbed into bed next to Ginny and wrapped an arm around her stomach. Content, the three Gryffindors fell asleep, anxious and excited to start another year at Hogwarts.

A/N: Alright folks, there's another chapter. It's the longest chapter I've ever written. 11 pages in Microsoft Word. Well, I did this hoping to appease you because I will be unable to write and post another chapter until at least Monday. Please review and let me know what you think. I know that Severus is rather OOC and he will be like that for most of the fic. Also, I know that the relationship is progressing a little fast, but there is a reason for that as well. Both Harry and Severus have been deprived of affection for so long that they are pretty desperate for contact and companionship. There you go.