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Sylvanus Snape: Though Remus is a much-loved character, I have never found him to be very interesting. I find him kind of wussy, actually. That's why he hasn't really made it into any of my fics. Thanks for reviewing. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
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Lasitar: I just wanted to thank you for your heart-warming review. It truly made my day to receive it. I'm so glad you like my writing. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
AN1: OK everybody – Albus will be confronted. I promise! Just please be patient for a bit longer, ok?
AN2: This story is a continuation of all those fanfics in which Harry and Severus are forced together by a "Soul Mate" potion (or spell), usually masterminded by Albus Dumbledore. I've never written such a fic myself, but after having read more than my share, this plot bunny just wouldn't let me be. I've chosen to remain true to the variety of fics I'd read which sported this particular plot so Harry is an Auror, Sev is no longer teaching at Hogwarts, and the rest you will find out in due time…
Warning: HP/SS Slash!
He Who Knows Best
Chapter 8:
Harry woke up at the break of dawn with a smile on his face. He was snuggled tightly in Sev's arms, where he belonged. The content wizard savored each blissful moment that passed, trying not to worry about his husband's reaction once he woke up.
An hour later he felt Severus stir. Harry remained motionless, unsure of what to expect. He sighed deeply when he felt his husband's grip tighten around his lithe body as Severus nuzzled his neck and whispered in a husky voice, "Good morning".
Harry turned to face Sev and was met by a long sultry kiss that nearly took his breath away. If Sev was compensating for these last sexless weeks, he most certainly wouldn't hear a complaint out of Harry. Once the steamy kiss ended the two wizards gazed into one another's eyes meaningfully, each one trying to ascertain his mate's thoughts. Severus lay on his side, his head leaning on his palm, as he said:
"We have some things to discuss".
This reawakened Harry's nerves as his expression grew apprehensive.
"I suppose" he replied.
"I have behaved foolishly, Harry." Severus began.
"Rather than stand united with you in avenging the lie that had tainted our lives, I fled. I expect I've hurt you deeply in the process, not to mention the fright my behavior must have given our children." Severus turned away from Harry and continued.
"I am not proud of my latest actions, Harry. Ever since the ball at Hogwarts, I've transformed into an egocentric weakling immersed in his own self-importance, but it all stops here and now."
At this point Severus sat up in bed, pulling Harry to a sitting position beside him. He held the younger man's chin steadily and added:
" Be that as it may, it does not mean I am willing to sit idly by and watch you carry on with another. For weeks you've claimed your feelings for me have not diminished. If indeed that is still the case, I expect you to sever ties with Hermione Malfoy so that we may be able to resume our marital relationship."
Harry opened his mouth to reply, but Severus cut him off with a hand gesture.
"I am willing to disregard your falter, Harry, just this once. I hold myself equally responsible for your act of infidelity, as long as you keep in mind that should it reoccur, I will not be so forgiving."
It was Harry's turn to speak. He was moved by Sev's words but knew he must come clean at this very moment, or risk losing his husband again, at a later date. The truth always had a way of surfacing. Harry had learned the hard way that honesty truly was the best policy. Especially when dealing with someone as rigid and prickly as Severus Potter-Snape.
So Harry took Severus' hand in his, stroking it lightly, as he explained:
"There is no need for me to sever ties with Hermione, Sev."
To which Severus responded with an annoyed arch of his eyebrow.
"I am going to put the cards on the table now in the hope that you will keep an open mind. Can you do that for me?" Harry's tone was uncertain, almost pleading.
Severus remained silent, though he graced Harry with a curt nod.
"There is nothing going on between Hermione and me. The late night 'rendezvous', the flowers, the card; it was all a trap. We wanted to make you think you might lose me, in the hopes that it would knock some sense into you, and help you get your head out of your arse!
I was desperate, Sev. I had tried everything to get through to you but you were being so unbelievably stubborn!"
Harry grew silent, eyeing his husband worriedly, trying to decipher his blank expression. Severus said nothing. Noticing that the his love's hand hadn't been removed from his grip, the young man added boldly:
"Hermione was dead set against the plan, just so you know. It was all my idea, though Draco thought it was brilliant.
I didn't do this to trick you, Sev. It was my last attempt at helping you realize that what we had was too precious to let go of!"
As another silent moment followed, Harry was growing restless. Severus' expression conveyed absolutely nothing and the young wizard feared the worst. That is why when Severus collapsed in a fit of laughter his young husband simply stared at him, a puzzled look on his face.
Severus laughed harder and louder than Harry had ever witnessed. He was clutching his stomach while rolling manically on the bed, his eyes glistening with laughter-induced tears. Then he shocked Harry further by yanking him down to the bed and wrapping his arms around Harry, as if inviting him to join him in his odd display of amusement.
Harry held Severus firmly and allowed the man to roll on top of him, as they both laughed in unison. It was quite a strange experience for both men. An experience Harry found not only relieving but also very cathartic. He was still unsure of Sev's reaction, wondering if the man hadn't lost his marbles momentarily, but nevertheless allowed himself the joy of laughing aloud with his husband and feeling the warmth melt down the walls that had been erected by the Albus' revelation.
As their giggles subsided and both men regained composure, they remained in position: limbs entangled, facing one another, Severus slightly leaning on top of Harry.
Severus stroked Harry's cheek with his hand, as he said:
"Merlin knows where I'd be without you, Harry. I supposed sometimes I could do with a swift kick in the derriere, so as not to lose sight of everything I have."
As soon as these words registered with Harry, the young man was all over Severus. He was kissing him frantically, finally allowing himself to relax and enjoy the safety and comfort of his husband's embrace.
* * * * * *
Several hours later the Potter-Snapes were enjoying a family brunch. Ariel was ecstatic at discovering her parents on good terms again, even if their constant kisses and touches were making her feel queasy. She'd roll her eyes playfully at them whenever they exhibited such fluffy behavior, but inside she was pleased to see them happy together, again.
All of a sudden a loud screeching sound was heard as a swift express-owl swooped down in the middle of the table, knocking over the eggs. Severus retrieved the parchment from its leg as Harry and Ariel offered it pieces of their bacon. Receiving a special delivery by express owl was quite a rare event so naturally they were all very curious regarding its content. Severus eyed the parchment hastily and announced:
"It's from Luke"
This only served to add to their concern. Was he alright? Why would he send them an express-owl on a Saturday morning?
"Read it out loud, father" Ariel pleaded, as Harry nodded his agreement.
Dear Dad and Father,
I have discovered something fascinating regarding the 'Animus Ligare' spell and I would love your opinions on it.
As you may remember, this is a Hogsmeade weekend. I would really appreciate it if you could meet me at 'The Three Broomsticks' at 1 pm in order to discuss it.
This could be very important to our family.
Send my love to Ariel.
Your son,
Luke
Harry and Severus exchanged curious glances with one another, wondering what Luke could have discovered. After all, hadn't Albus explained that the spell had been a hoax? Ariel, however, was beaming with excitement at the prospect of visiting her brother in Hogsmeade, as well as at the prospect of Luke having discovered something truly substantial. Something that might reverse the nasty effects Albus' announcement had had on her parents.
* * * * * *
At 5 minutes to 1 pm the three Potter-Snapes once again found themselves flooing from their living room fireplace to 'The Three Broomsticks'. They sat around a corner table waiting for Luke to join them. Moments later the boy swept in gracefully, and Harry couldn't help but smile as he noticed how very much like Severus his walk had become. The Potter-Snapes greeted their son warmly and the family proceeded to order drinks from Rosmerta. Once they'd been served (Harry and the children were having butterbeer while Sev had opted for Rosemary Schnapps), Luke began speaking excitedly of his discovery:
"I've been poring over the scientific data on 'Animus Ligare' over the past month. I've practically memorized the formula and have wracked my brain trying to figure out where the problem lay"
Severus cut his son off, intent on filling him in on the missing details,
"Luke, you mustn't…"
"No, father" Luke's tone was assertive.
"Please allow me to finish before responding."
Severus exhaled loudly but nevertheless, obliged his son.
" So as I was saying, I've been analyzing all facets of this spell for a month now and finally found the missing link, this morning! That's why I express-owled you as soon as I could! I knew it could help you two…you know…with everything" Luke's voice trailed off at the end of the sentence as he noticed Harry and Sev's hands clasped together.
"They made up!" Ariel squealed happily at her brother.
A thin smile formed on Luke's lips as he acknowledged his parents' closeness.
"But still, this could be huge! I think I'm on to the problem with the original 'Animus Ligare' spell!"
Harry smiled warmly at his son and asked: "What have you discovered?"
Luke's expression became pensive for a moment, before he began explaining:
"Well, you know how in the original spell, Albus and the person on whom the spell was being cast were the only ones in the room and Albus said the incantation while the tip of his wand touched the tip of the recipient's wand?"
Harry and Severus both nodded.
"That's precisely the problem! It's so simple that I almost missed it. I imagine that's why Albus missed it as well, considering he's practically the greatest wizard alive!"
"What" Snape snapped, "is so simple?"
Luke gulped nervously and continued:
"The wand channels a wizard or witch's magical power. It is closely linked to a wizard or witch's talents, abilities, aura, and magical prowess, but it has absolutely no link to the person's soul. The human soul is the one thing in a magical person's body that is in no way touched by his magical essence. That is precisely what keeps us human, what makes us vulnerable.
That is why performing a soul-binding spell would never work through the wand! You'd have to link it to the wizard or witch's actual body – perhaps the eyes or the blood. Something untarnished that is directly linked to the soul."
Luke's passionate speech left both Severus and Harry at a loss for words. The boy was merely 15 yet seemed to grasp magical theory better than most fully-grown wizards. If what he said was true then he might have solved a problem even the great Albus Dumbledore had been bested by!
Severus looked at his son appreciatively and asked:
"Have you shared this with anyone else?"
The young man shook his head, his eyes still shining with excitement.
"If your theory is correct then you would be responsible for the biggest breakthrough in the field of Magical Spells in the modern age. Do you realize this?"
Luke allowed a shy smile to grace his lips as he received his father's unique praise.
Harry joined the conversation by adding:
"I must admit your logic makes sense, Luke. We'd have to try the spell again before we know for sure, though."
The four Potter-Snapes exchanged looks with one another before Severus cleared his throat, placed his glass on the table ceremoniously and said:
"I expect we should end this charade once and for all. Harry and I will be your first subjects, Luke."
Luke and Harry were totally flabbergasted by Sev's announcement while Ariel flashed her father a luminous smile.
"Great idea, father!" she chirped happily.
TBCSorry about the cliffie, guys. I think all will be revealed in the next chapter, which will either be the very last one or the second to last one.
So let me know what you think about this chapter! Was it fluffy enough for you? :)