Disclaimer: Credit to JKR, I had some problems with the words affect and effect. American dictionary was of no help. So you'll just need to over look it. English is not my native language. This is the last chapter, Big Thanks to everyone who reviewed.
Portrait Living
By Tracev
Snape had been missing three days before Harry really started to feel the affects of the bond.
It wasn't the fact that his skin felt like it was crawling, nor the crazy thoughts that littered his mind, but it was the fact that Snape had left him with out giving him a choice. Granted Snape hadn't been given a choice about this bond but Harry felt they could have at least worked something out between them. What he wasn't sure.
He knew Snape had to be feeling the effects by now. The headmaster had said that he was probably stirring and itching just as much as Harry.
Somehow Harry doubted this, Snape had probably whipped out some non-itch potion and was very content with himself.
Needless to say Dumbledore was increasingly angry with Snape and his desertion. Ron on the other hand was relieved, felt bad for Harry but was relieved he did not have to spend his life with Snape.
Harry on the other hand was seeing first hand the effects of the bond. He itched, he fidgeted, he itched, he was restless… and of course he itched. But it wasn't just itching. Harry felt as if his whole body was on fire. He itched all over, his face mostly, well not as bad as his back... no he was sure it was his legs. Yes they itched more then any other place... he was pretty sure. Of course he itched in places he didn't know he had, places that he couldn't quite reach, and with classes starting in just a few days he was getting increasingly anxious. If he didn't know any better he would say that someone had hexed him but it was only Ron and himself and a few scattered professors.
Since Dumbledore and Poe had been unsuccessful in finding Snape, Harry was going to take matters into his own hands. Which is why he now stood in the Owlery. It was the only thing he could think of… to owl Snape and ask him to come back or to at least share his non itch cream with him.
Hedwig fluttered down to the lowest rung and allowed Harry to attach the envelope. He petted her a few times before carrying her to the window, "Girl," he whispered, "give this only to Professor Snape."
Harry watched her take flight out the window then circle back toward the castle. She swooped back in the window and sat on the lowest rung.
Harry hung his head. In all the years he's had Hedwig never had she failed to deliver a message. Snape was lost, undeliverable, unplottable.
Harry groaned, his itching was getting worse. He had this spot in the middle of his back that was driving him crazy.
Harry looked at the stone wall before him. Rough and ragged looking, grainy, with nice jagged edges. Harry ran his open palm along the Owlery wall. Yes very nice, he muttered.
He looked around the Owlery to make sure he was alone. All that remained was the silence that crept the corridors. He turned so his back was against the wall, taking small steps back so that his back was now completely against the stone. One last look toward the door and he began to wiggle. The stone rubbing against his backside and bottom. He rubbed and twisted, closing his eyes in the pleasure of finally have his itch relieved.
It felt good. It was a much-needed relief as the stone tore at his skin through the clothes. He was pleasantly surprised at the relief that was finally coming to him. For three days he had scratched and scratched till his skin was bleeding. Madam Pomfrey had even given him a cream to rub on at night but that gave no relief. Harry moaned and bent his knees to get the top part of his back and shoulders.
"Very provocative Mister Potter."
Harry stopped and his eyes shot open. Snape...
Snape stood with his arms crossed over his chest, leaning against the doorframe to the Owlery.
Harry looked him up and down. He was flushed and his collar was open with red patches marked on his skin. Harry looked at those marks... they were the same as his. Marks of where he had itched till his skin was mar.
Harry took a step with the intent to throw himself in the mans arms but stopped. The sides of Snapes mouth twitched. He made a small gesture with his hand, though his demeanor didn't change at all.
"Arse" Harry thought, he'd never admit he needs you as equally as you need him. Harry smirked and stepped forward so that his body was nearly touching Snapes. He wasn't as tall as the man, was to thin in his own right but he knew he would fit in those arms. Against that body. Perfectly.
Harry stood up on the tip of his toes, "Snape" he breathed not getting further then that. A strong arm came quickly around his waist nearly lifting him off his feet, his back hit the stone wall that just moments before he had been rubbing against.
Snape pulled back, a strange look on his face almost as if he was nervous, "Come to my rooms I have something to show you."
Harry went rigid in his arms. His jaw dropped.
Snape rolled his eyes, "Get your mind out of the gutter Potter. I have a surprise for you… for us."
Snape set him on his feet, taking his hand in his and slowly led him down a hallway Harry had never noticed before. They descend one staircase then another till they came to a double set of doors with Snake heads as the handles. The doors opened automatically as Snape neared the room.
Harry followed Snape through the entrance hall toward a well-lived in sitting room. The room was well furnished and smart looking. Normal items, sofa, fireplace, personal affects. Snape stopped and turned to look at Harry.
"I don't want to presume to much. In return I don't want you to presume too much but I took some liberties…" he nodded and walked quickly over to the couch.
Snape slowly pulled the portrait out from behind the couch. It now had a dark gold gild frame around it. Harry looked closer at the painting. Someone had touched up the messy work of Ron's though it was obviously still the same portrait.
It looked much better, Snape looked like Snape and Harry looked like Harry, Mrs. Norris her normal gray self and Hedwig had been added as well as a raven that was obviously Snapes pet.
Harry knelt next to it really taking in the details. But more so to gather his thoughts. He could tell Snape was uncomfortably looming above him.
"Do you hate me?" Harry asked softly. "because my father…" he stopped.
Snape snorted, "Obviously you're not my first choice… but opposites do make strange bedfellows…." Softer, he knelt next to Harry and the Portrait, "I assume you are not oppose to this with the way you attacked me in the Owlery, and as I would not like to spend the rest of my life itching myself raw, I feel we should decide later whether my dislike of you is real or not."
Harry smiled leaning in to Snape, "let's hang this shall we."
Together they lifted the portrait to the blank space over the mantel. If fit perfectly in the center.
Both stepped back to admire the now framed portrait. Snape slipped his arm around Harry's waist just as Harry leaned into him.
The portrait Snape and Harry did the same.
The End
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