Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters. I'll give
them back to JK Rowling when I'm done. No money was made from this endeavor.
Feedback: Please read and review, flames are not welcome.
A/N: Thanks go, once more, to Sherdelune, my beta, for her patience and
encouragement. Any errors still remaining would be mine.
Warning: Some OotP spoilers.
Anything between two *, denotes a thought.
...
Wanted: Single, Older Male for a Roommate
Chapter 9: Are you ready?
Severus tendered his resignation that afternoon to Dumbledore. He had hoped that his leaving would upset the Headmaster and would leave the old wizard in a quandary. But, no, the old man could not even give him that small bit of satisfaction.
"My dear Severus, you have been a dedicated and wonderful addition to this staff for the last 17 years and we will certainly miss seeing your visage every day, but I'm sure you know what is best for your own well being," Albus said somberly, but on the inside he was doing a merry jig.
*I just can't wait to see what happens next with him and Harry.* Albus rested his chin atop his joined hands, his elbows propped on the arms of his chair. *Hmm, tomorrow Harry will be going to view the three houses he's picked out. I should get Severus to go with him. Say that it's for safety and security purposes, even though they have already been cleared by the Ministry.*
"I wonder if I can ask a few favours of you, my dear boy -- one for tomorrow and one for later on in the summer?" asked Albus.
Severus lifted an eyebrow in query. *Favours?! Oh, Merlin! Whenever that man asks for a favour, it usually means loads of trouble for me.*
"I think I'll hear what the favours are before I agree, Albus. What are they?"
*He always as a cautious and suspicious one. Well, I didn't figure he'd be any other way after all these years.* Albus watched Severus intently before answering his question.
"The first one is mostly for Harry's benefit," Albus paused and watched Severus lift his eyebrow again and barely contained his laughter when he saw the younger man almost smile at the mention of Harry's name. Usually, it was right about now that Severus would interrupt his speech to rant about how 'Mr. Potter' always got preferential treatment, but not today it would seem and possibly not ever again. Albus continued on, "He has my approval and the Ministry's to go tomorrow to view some homes that are for sale. He'll be traveling by Floo and the fireplace in this office will be open to them for tomorrow only. I would really like it if you went him to the three homes. I would go myself, but something unexpected has come up *yes, I must drop everything and go shopping at Honeydukes to purchase more lemon drops*. As much as I know Harry can take care of himself, I would be less worried for his safety if another capable wizard was with him. So, will you go with him tomorrow?"
Severus sat in thought for several moments. He didn't want Albus to guess that he was actually quite willing, even eager at fulfilling the request. He would get to not only spend time with Harry, but also have the opportunity to have some say over where 'they' would live. He knew that if he went with Harry, that the younger wizard would seek his input about each house.
"Certainly, Albus. Especially if it's for Harry's safety. That boy gets into more trouble just standing still in one spot than hundreds of his peers while they are in motion. Someone has to look after him."
*Now, how did I know you'd agree. Severus, for all your grumbling and posturing, you are very obvious in your feelings about Harry. I know that you will always look after him. You have for the past seven years, and you will continue to do so until the day either of you dies.*
"Good, good. I'm glad you see things my way about this. As for the other favour, I would appreciate your being here when we interview your replacement. Your judgment and expertise in this matter would be immensely helpful to us."
Severus nodded at this request. *That's the first favour he's asked of me where he has 100% of my approval. As much as I hated teaching those imbeciles for students, I wouldn't want them to go out into the world, especially with me in it, without being prepared and somewhat competent. So they'll definitely need to find someone with at least a basic knowledge of Potions, and a modicum of teaching skill. I'm sure even Ms. Granger would be a fine applicant.*
"Yes, I agree to be here for any and all interviews for the Potions professorial position. Just as long as they aren't like Lockhart or Umbridge, I think the students will benefit. They won't of course have my extensive knowledge, but then they'll hardly need it to teach these students."
Albus' eyes twinkled brightly during Severus' speech. *My, Severus, you've gotten right mellow since you've become friends with Harry. I was expecting a more snide, biting response than that.*
"Thank you, Severus. You must indeed be in a good frame of mind to have agreed to both of my favours without a major fuss. What pray tell has got you feeling so amicable?"
"I've finally got some idea of what I want to do after leaving here. For the first time in almost two decades, Albus, I have a dream worth pursuing." Severus' face lit up as he once again envisioned his Potion's shoppe. He knew tat with the Ministry's clearing his name and Albus' endorsement soon after the war with the Dark Lord, that his shoppe would be accepted with fairly open arms by the wizarding world. His past as a Death Eater only a tiny, insignificant blot upon his otherwise pristine name.
"That's truly wonderful to hear, Severus. You, more so than any other, need to have a dream come true. I am happy for you." Albus beamed a bright smile at him and Fawkes trilled happily. "I'm sure that whatever you undertake to do, it will succeed. You are nothing, if not persistent."
Severus frowned and then shook his head slightly. "You know, Harry said the same thing to me last week. I guess I must be, if the two people closest to me believe it to be true." Severus rose from his chair, where he'd been sitting across from Albus.
"Well, my dear boy, I know you still have two weeks left before the end of school, but already it seems that I miss you. So don't be a stranger once you do leave. You must come to visit often; afternoon teas won't be the same without you." Albus reached his hand out to the younger wizard and drew him into a hug. At first, Severus was stunned and held himself stiff, but after a few seconds relaxed into the Headmaster's hug and even returned it tentatively.
Severus withdrew from the hug and said a soft farewell before leaving the Headmaster's office.
*You really have changed, my friend. For the better, it would seem. Harry has been a wonderful influence on you. I wish you well, Severus.*
That evening after dinner, Harry was once more in the Potions classroom doing a chore, instead of having 3 more left to do, it was the next to last one. Apparently, with all the work he'd done the previous weekend helping Severus with his experimental potion, the other man had decided to count them as double chores. *Not that I minded them really, even once I'm done with my 'chores' I'll still probably come down and help Severus with whatever he needs done. Of course, it will definitely have to be after the NEWTs, I don't think I'll be up to it otherwise.*
Severus wasn't in attendance at the moment, however. As soon as Harry had appeared for his chore, the other man had been called away to take care of a problem within his house. Mr. Malfoy had started a fight with Mr. Zabini over some valuable item his father had given him, and had escalated to involve the rest of the seventh years.
About an hour into the chore, Severus came back looking tired and stressed out. Harry stopped his chopping of ingredients that would be used for the coming practical exams and looked at the other man in concern. He went and sat down next to his professor and friend.
He leaned over and placed a comforting hand on Severus' shoulder. "Everything alright now? How are you holding up?"
Severus leaned his head down onto his desk as if in surrender and groaned as if in pain. "I am so glad I only have two more weeks of this. I don't know how much more I can take of my students. Well, of any the students really. I went to see Albus today, to tender my resignation. The old man didn't even bat an eyelash when I told him. Just told me I would be sorely missed and not to be a stranger." Severus snorted inelegantly and lifted his head to look at Harry.
"Beyond that, all he did was ask me two favours. I couldn't even argue about them because I was actually in agreement with what he asked. Me, being congenial. I know the old man must have secretly been laughing his arse off at me." Severus sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose in agitation. Harry noticed the habit that the older man had and thought it kind of endearing. Of course, he would like in some way to get rid of the frustration and frown lines that were marring Severus' forehead.
"What favours?"
"Well, apparently I'm going with you tomorrow while you view the houses you've picked out. Albus feels that we should take every precaution for your safety. I readily agreed on that note. There are still supporters of the Dark Lord out there on the loose and it wouldn't do for them to take you unawares. I hope you don't mind my tagging along?"
"No, not at all. In fact, that's wonderful. You can give me your impression on the houses I've narrowed it down to. I mean, since you might be sharing it with me, you should be comfortable in it just as much as myself." Harry smiled shyly at the man he had come to love.
"Ah, yes. As to that, that was also on my list of things to do today," Severus paused when he saw Harry look at him quizzically, then continued, "I wanted to tell you, that I accept your kind invitation to move in. I would very much like to share a home with you."
Harry sat stunned for a few seconds. He had decided after the last conversation about the housing arrangement that he would be patient and wait, fully expecting he wouldn't receive an answer to his invitation until almost the very end of school, but now that he had he was shocked. His mouth opened and closed a few times, trying to find the right response, when finally he blinked and shook the surprised feeling off. "You mean it, you really mean it?!"
"Yes, I really mean it." Severus rolled his eyes at Harry and smirked. "Mind you, if we're going to live together, we're not doing red and gold furnishings and decorations and neither will I insist upon green and silver. I personally am more into jewel like tones. I think they would suit us both quite well, don't you agree?"
Harry just nodded in agreement, still feeling a bit stunned by this wonderful news. He knew it would be difficult being around the man he had just recently come to love and not have the feelings of love returned, but he would settle for his friendship any day. He truly enjoyed being close to Severus and savoring the other man's sarcastic wit *as long as it's not directed at me*, easygoing conversation, and extensive learning.
"So, once we pick out a house and settle everything with the owners and the bank, we'll go shopping for furniture?" asked an excited Harry. Harry was slowly loosing himself in imagining the two shopping together for furniture. He smiled dreamily.
Severus looked at Harry and chuckled. *Who knew Harry would be so pleased at the prospect of furniture shopping.*
"Yes, we'll go shopping for furniture once we've settled on the house we both like. The list will be quite long. I'm sure though that your friends and my co-workers will probably give us housewarming presents." Again, Severus rolled his eyes. "Hopefully, useful presents, but with those we know, I'm not sure about it. I'll draw up a list of the things will in all likelihood need. I'll share the expenses with the furniture and other odds and ends."
"Sure, that's fine. I don't rightly know how much money I have in the bank, but I'm sure I have enough to cover everything. Plus, once I'm working, that will help."
"Ah yes, that was another item on my list of things to do. Honestly, dealing with my Slytherins really fouled up my day. I researched some possible careers for you. There aren't many out there that have a 'physical' component to them, but are still fairly demanding on you physically speaking."
"That's great. How about instead of discussing it this evening, we talk about it while touring the houses tomorrow?" asked Harry, who was still concerned about how tired Severus looked.
"That's just fine with me. I am feeling a bit worn out. How far along in the chore are you?" Severus waved his hand towards the work area where Harry had been chopping potions ingredients.
"Almost done, just have to dice the shriveled figs and that's all."
"Good. I really do appreciate your help more than you can imagine, Harry. It's been a real time saver. Even with all the detentions I've been assigning this last week, I just haven't trusted any of the students to deal with the more delicate of tasks. Of course, the cauldrons and desks have never been so clean." Severus smirked and let his gaze wonder around his classroom. As much as he couldn't wait to leave, and get away from the students, he would definitely miss his office and classroom. They had become his home.
"Well, you should get back to work, and I should finish writing with my exams for the first years." Severus clapped his hands, more to jolt himself out of the fog his mind and body had fallen into those few moments of introspection.
Harry nodded and went back to cutting up the figs. Once he was done, he washed up and cleaned the cutting board and knife. He gave Severus a comforting squeeze on his shoulder and said before he left, "I'll see you in Professor Dumbledore's office after breakfast, alright?"
Severus just nodded and didn't look up as he continued writing on parchment the exam questions.
The next morning dawned bright and clear. The day was going to be sunny and warm and Harry couldn't think of a better day to go house hunting. He looked over at his friend, who was still sleeping like the dead in the bed next to him. Ron had turned in before he had, and would sleep long after Harry awoke.
He laid back down and closed his eyes and recounted the conversation Ron, Hermione and he'd had earlier in the week. Ron had become curious about what was going on with Harry and had demanded to be told. Ron was aware that Hermione knew most everything and felt left out, so Harry had told him how he felt about the 'greasy git.'
At first Ron had been outraged that Harry could be in love with the snarky bastard, but Ron being Ron, eventually calmed down and realized that maybe the potions professor wasn't so bad after all. Ron had seen how much or perhaps less, as the case may be, mean and evil he'd become, at least towards himself. Noticed in fact, that Snape was quite tolerant of Hermione, even encouraging in some cases. With Harry, it was as if Snape had become neutral in the presence of others, which was saying quite a bit really, compared to his usual vitriolic self. Snape hadn't even taken any house points from Gryffindor in two weeks, well at least not because of Harry or Ron.
Harry smiled at how Ron had accepted the news of Harry's inviting Severus to come live with him, once he found a new place to live. Ron had been at first put out that he wouldn't be Harry's roommate, but realized that perhaps it was for the best.
Harry got up and got ready for the day. He was really looking forward to seeing the houses and hoped that one of them was the right one for Severus and him. He went down to breakfast and noticed that Hermione was already there and had her nose once more stuck in a book. Harry leaned towards to table to see which book it was. *Ah, Advanced Transfigurations. I don't think I'll have too much trouble with that really. With all the extra training I've had from McGonagall, and plus being an animagus -- though no one is aware of that fact but Dumbledore and McGonagall -- should help him ace his Transfigurations exam.*
Harry sat down next to Hermione and watched as a plate appeared in front of him. He grabbed several slices of bacon, potato cakes, and eggs. A goblet of pumpkin juice also appeared. Harry sighed with repletion once he was done eating and leaned away from the table. He turned to Hermione to talk with her about his plans for the day, but noticed that she was still glued to her book. He smiled at her and rolled his eyes.
He reached out and grabbed the book from her hands, shocking her and causing her to look up at the offender.
"Hey, I was studying. Why did you go and do that for?" asked a disgruntled Hermione.
"Because I wanted to talk to you, that is if you have a moment?" asked Harry with his puppy dog eyes.
"For you, yes, I have a moment. What's up?"
"Well, you know I'm going house hunting today, right? Well, apparently, Severus is coming with me. Dumbledore asked him to escort me for safety reasons."
Hermione smiled at her friend, who looked so happy -- like a little dog who'd been given a meaty bone for a treat. "That's great, Harry. You can spend time with him away from school."
"That's not all, Hermione. Severus accepted my invitation to move in with me last night. I'm just so ecstatic. After we pick out the house we both like today, he says will go furniture shopping."
*My word, house hunting, furniture shopping. They don't sound like future roommates, they sound like husband and...well husband. Like a couple starting a new life together, which in a way they are, but not like that. At least not yet.*
Hermione smiled and hugged her friend, knowing that this was possibly one of the most happiest moments in his life.
"What's more, Severus says he has a few career options to discuss with me. I'll be leaving in a few minutes, to head up to Professor Dumbledore's office. Would you tell Ron good morning for me, when you see him? He was still out like a light when I came down for breakfast."
"Sure, no problem. Be sure to remember everything so you can tell us later, when you get back. Have fun."
"Thanks, I will." Harry hugged his friend one more time and left the Great Hall and headed straight to the Headmaster's office.
He gave the new password, "Cashmere" to the gargoyle sentry and climbed the spiral staircase. He lifted his hand to knock on the entrance to the office, but was told to enter before his fist came within striking distance.
Harry opened the door and noticed the only occupant inside wasn't the Headmaster, but just Severus.
Severus wanted to waste no time this morning, so he asked right off, "Are you ready?"
Harry nodded and handed Severus the list of addresses to the three places they would be viewing.
Severus looked down at the list briefly and nodded. "Alright then, first up is Pemican House."
And with that, they both Flooed to the first stop of the day.
~tbc~