Friendship and Beyond 40/?

Rated: R contains mentions of rape and torture, although not actual scenes. Possible HP/SS in later chapters, also HG/RW.

Authors Notes: I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters, that would be JKR. Subject matter not for children, although nothing too graphic, but be careful when reading just to be on the safe side.

Visitors

Snape watched in amusement as Harry and Granger blushed in embarrassment, while the Weasley brat only looked on in fond regard.

"Language, Potter." Snape responded jovially. "After all we wouldn't want to disappoint your fans of their information on your sex-life now would we?"

It was Weasley's turn to blush crimson to match his friends as Snape dissected them each with a lingering stare before laughing outright at their discomfort.

"Are you feeling alright, Sir?" Granger asked cautiously, looking at Ron and Harry in confusion. They had never seen their Potion Master so at ease in their presence before and it was a bit irksome.

"Fine Miss Granger." Severus assured them, still snickering occasionally.

"Did Madame Pomfrey give you medication of some kind?" Harry asked hesitantly, moving towards Severus, watching his face in concern.

"What is it with you and this fascination with drugs, Mister Potter?" Severus asked laying back comfortably on his fluffed pillows.

"You are just not acting like yourself, Professor." Harry answered softly. "Are you in any pain?"

"Thanks to Lucius I survived the battle in one piece, and due to your magic's I will make a full recovery." Snape answered quietly, waiting to see how the boy would react to both comments, especially as he alluded to the bond between them.

"Malfoy saved you?" Harry asked in confusion, sitting on the foot of Snape's hospital bed, with Ron and Hermione taking a chair at either side.

"Indeed. I seems while I was unconscious and you three were fighting the others that Malfoy protected me from harm. He has been to visit me often over the last three days retelling the events of the battle. He has also mentioned that particular piece of dark magic that you three performed in order to destroy the Dark Lord. What exactly were you thinking getting in the middle of such magic? You all could have been killed." Snape exclaimed calmly, although he seemed genuinely angered that they had put themselves in such extreme danger. "You three dunderheads don't seem to realize what you have done."

While Ron and Hermione looked chastised, Harry's head snapped up in defiance as he glared at his professor.

"I know exactly what we've done." Harry growled, ignoring the echo of anger buzzing around inside his head giving him a slight headache. "Voldemort is destroyed once and for all. The Death Eaters are without leadership and most if not all of their numbers are awaiting trial with the ministry. The magic that we used is not illegal, although it is dark. It's so ancient that it hasn't been used in over a thousand years, therefore there is no law restricting it. What we did was perfectly legal, and if Fudge tries to punish us for doing what he should have bloody well done himself I will make his life miserable."

"Harry." Hermione admonished sternly. "He's the Minister of Magic."

"Yes, and I'm the bloody 'Boy Who Lived.' Shall we see who the people will rally behind quicker?" Harry asked softly.

"Let's hope there is no need for that mate, and Fudge will step down quietly so that we can get a real Minister in the office." Ron commented thoughtfully, while looking at his best friend with respect. "You know mate, you can be scary when you want to be."

The trio looked at each other quietly before bursting out laughing, each remembering when Ron told Harry the same thing about Hermione years ago.

"Why Ron if I didn't know better I would say you fancy me." Harry flirted, fluttering his eyes at the tall redhead.

"You wish, mate."

"If you three are finished…" Snape interrupted impatiently waiting for them to be quiet. "I assume that the Headmaster has informed you that we are bonded."

"Yes."

"Good then there will hopefully be no undue surprises. I expect that over the next few weeks we will be able to figure out the extent of our magic, so until then you will remain in my quarters to practice. After we have gotten a handle on our capabilities, you will be free to return to the Slytherin Dormitory with your friends." Snape concluded quietly, sensing the unease in the room, and especially within Harry. He raised an eye in question waiting for Harry to enthusiastically agree. "Well, is this arrangement acceptable, Potter?"

"O-of course, Professor." Harry answered, stumbling over the words slightly. "When do you think you'll be out of the hospital wing?"

"By tomorrow afternoon I will be back in the dungeons. I will expect you to meet me there tomorrow once you are released. If you want to pass your NEWTS than we will need to work hard over the next few weeks to get you caught up again."

"That will be fine." Harry answered hesitantly when it became obvious that the closeness between Severus and himself had disappeared since the battle. Harry didn't know quite what to think except that his teacher was a bit schizophrenic, going from laughing animatedly one minute to dismissing him in a business-like manner the next. Before Harry could speak further the door to the room opened to emit Lucius Malfoy, who walked in aristocratically as ever. He barely acknowledged the trio as he entered, walking toward Severus gracefully. Only once he had usurped Harry's position by Severus' side did he acknowledge them.

"Potter, Weasley, Granger." Lucius said, nodding slightly before continuing sarcastically. "Now this is a surprise."