Hex-Crossed Lovers

Chapter 4

By Corgi


The silence that followed the castle's revelation lasted for several long moments. Harry's eyes were wide with confusion and disbelief. Severus' eyes echoed the disbelief that Harry showed and Albus' were once again twinkling madly.

"Why me? Why chose me as the next headmaster? I don't have any experience dealing with children or the idiots in the ministry." Harry begged for a coherent and complete answer. "Wouldn't Professor Snape be a better choice?"

"I do believe that…" Albus stared before the castle interrupted him.

"I'd rather tell them, Albus," the castle stated. "It's been a long time since you've given a straight and complete answer to anything."

Harry giggled hysterically, while Severus snorted at the castle's sally. It definitely knew the Headmaster quite well after so many years working together. Albus at least had the good grace to blush in embarrassment. The castle also laughed and Harry found her laugh quite pleasant.

"The children from the three houses will readily come to Harry with there problems. Many already do and I've seen him make time for the younger Gryffindors the past couple of years. I also hope that the parents will leave the running of the school to him unlike the non-sense Albus has gone through." The castle replied, once they all stopped laughing. "Severus will be, as he is now, the one the Slytherins will come to in times of need. The Deputy Headmaster must be highly organized and able to think things through slowly and completely."

"Something I lack. I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached and I'm more intuitive than logical." Harry broke into the castle's explanations.

"Indeed," was Severus' sarcasm laden comment.

"Besides, we all know Severus is obsessive compulsive."

"I am not, Potter!" Severus snarled at the smiling Gryffindor.

"Okay, then you're anal retentive."

"Potter!"

"Now, now, Professor, don't start fighting over a little joke. If we fight anymore then we'll be spending the rest of the night smooching."

At this Albus and the castle started laughing hysterically at the stunned and slightly frightened face of Hogwarts' Potions Master. Deep down inside Severus felt something that made him cringe. Why did Potter joking about a kiss bother him so? Severus looked up and saw Potter staring at him. The look in the younger man's eyes confused Severus. Did Potter think this was a joke or was there something more to his so called teasing? Severus couldn't figure it out.

"Potter will get eaten alive by the politicians. Albus can pass himself off as a Slytherin, but there's no way Potter can do the same." Severus said more to the castle than anyone else in the room.

"Ah, but Horatio tells me that Harry would have done well in Slytherin." The castle softly replied.

"Who's Horatio?" Severus was mostly buying time. How could a Potter almost end up in Slytherin?

"Oh, I forget that you two don't know everything here yet." The castle responded sheepishly. "Horatio is the sorting hat. Godric and Salazar named the hat that after a week of bickering. Until the matter of muggle born witches and wizards came between them the two were good friends."

"I didn't know the sorting hat had a name." Albus muttered absently into the silence.

"Anyway Horatio told me that he wanted to place Harry into Slytherin, though Harry wanted anything but that."

"Why not, Potter?"

"Hagrid told me about Voldemort when we were shopping for my school supplies and after I met Malfoy in Madam Malkin's, who started spouting the anti-muggle born line at me. After spouting how he was going to be in Slytherin like all his family and degrading the Hufflepuffs, I asked Hagrid about the houses and he said better Hufflepuff than Slytherin. He also added 'There's not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin. You-Know-Who was one.'¹ A month later I encountered Malfoy on the train and he decide he was going to attempt to chose my friends for me. That decided me against Slytherin and I argued with the hat by saying anything but Slytherin."

"Why that overgrown…." Severus snarled but was cut off by Harry.

"Hagrid has good reason for his point of view, considering that Riddle was the reason he was expelled."

"Hagrid was expelled for constantly bringing in his pet monsters."

"No, he wasn't," declared Albus, Harry and the castle in unison.

Severus looked around with glazed eyes desperately trying to convey a sense of disbelief. He didn't like having the castle's 'voice' echoing through his head.

"Tom framed Hagrid for the opening of the Chamber of Secrets and as a result Hagrid was expelled." Albus informed Severus with a small frown. "When Professor Dippet passed away the following year I managed to convince the Aurors that Hagrid was innocent and brought him back to the school in the position of Gamekeeper. When Harry and his friends found out the truth I was able to secure him the teaching position he now holds."

"Headmaster weren't you able to hear the castle at that time?"

"It wasn't until after Hagrid's expulsion that I was able to do so. The Ministry scoffs at the castle's sentience and wouldn't accept my position."

"Yes, those fools at the Ministry don't realize that they have no say in the running of this school. If my requirements aren't met I will not allow the office to open." The castle informed them.

"Which is why Umbridge couldn't get into the Headmaster's office when he left with Fawkes?" Harry asked the ancient building.

"Yes indeed, Harry. Dippet while an excellent administrator was as responsive as a brick wall. He was a very poor choice on my part. I should have made him the Deputy instead of Headmaster. The fool wouldn't listen to me at all."

"That explains a lot. Riddle wouldn't have gotten away with it if Dippet listened. As it was the only reason he didn't continue after murdering Myrtle and getting Hagrid expelled was Professor Dumbledore's suspicions."

"Alright so Potter talked himself out of Slytherin based on Hagrid's opinion, but what does that have to do with him becoming Headmaster at a later date?" Severus asked while filing away the information he just received for later perusal.

"His natural Slytherin tendencies will help him maneuver when it comes to the Ministry, especially as it gets honed by working with you, Severus," the castle explained. "That's part of the reason for my initiating the emoticon bond. Before you have a fit, Severus, I also formed it because the two of you need to learn to work together. Harry needs someone strong to trust when the time comes for him to face Voldemort and destroy him once and for all. You, next to Albus, are the strongest of the witches and wizards in Hogwarts."

Silence met that statement though Albus' eyes were twinkling madly. Harry wondered what the old man was thinking. Those twinkles usually indicated he was hiding something and Harry wished the Headmaster wasn't so good at Occlumency. Harry was going to bug the old man for information when suddenly Severus let out a hiss of pain. Harry whipped his head around and saw him grasping his left forearm in pain. Albus summoned Severus' robes and mask with a flick of his wand and Harry moved over to the other bed and transformed into his animagus form with a small pop.

The Headmaster walked quickly to Madam Pomfrey's desk and picked up a bottle of ink and brought it to the beds. He placed a finger over the opening and tipped the bottle. With his ink covered finger he covered Harry's scar and with a muttered word dried the ink. Severus changed and was about to leave when Harry wrapped himself around the man's wrist, effectively keeping him from leaving.

"What are you doing, Potter?"

"Severus, you have to stay within sight of each other, remember?" Albus reminded the younger man with a bright twinkle.

"Damn! Well hurry up, Potter."

Harry worked his way up Severus' arm and coiled around the man's neck in lose folds. Severus stormed out of the infirmary and to the edge of the school's wards. He muttered under his breath, and being where he was Harry heard every word clearly. Severus was annoyed with the whole situation too. Harry hissed with laughter when he heard Severus complaining about his animagus form.

"You would have to break all known magical rules and be a magical animal. You just had to be an Egyptian Temple Guardian Snake. I'm lucky I was recently in Egypt or I'd have a hard time explaining you. I just hope the Dark Lord doesn't ask if you've bonded with me." Harry just gave him what he hoped was a reassuring squeeze.

Severus reached the anti-apparation wards and promptly disappeared from Hogwarts. When he and Harry reappeared it was in a dark and dead forest. Severus was the second to last to arrive and gave a small sigh of relief. Harry on the other hand wasn't relieved at all. Voldemort would most likely find an excuse to torture Severus for not being prompt at arriving. Harry's past visions showed that anyone not there with in two heart beats of being summoned was punished regardless of the circumstances. Harry knew that Severus was punished on a regular basis despite the fact he's a teacher and can't get to the edge of the wards that fast.

Voldemort arrived and everyone in the circle sank to their knees and crawled forward to kiss the monster's hem. After everyone returned to their places in the circle Voldemort began his usual speech against the mudbloods and Ministry.

"McNair, how is the situation with the werewolves going? Are they ready to join me?"

"I'm sorry, my lord, they will not commit and join us. Dumbledore has a werewolf campaigning for him."

"You will return and up the offer. Tell them I have a cure for their disease. Do not fail me again, McNair! Crucio!"

McNair fell to the ground screaming in pain. Voldemort held the curse for several long moments before removing it. The monster continued questioning each follower on the success of their missions, frequently cursing them if their answers displeased him. Eventually he made his way to where Severus was standing.

"Severus, I wish for you to develop a new potion for me. I want it to have the properties of Veritaserum, but also the properties of a slow acting poison. I want it done in two weeks."

"Yes, Master, it will be done." Severus replied, bowing low before Voldemort.

"Now Severus, tell me who your friend here is." Voldemort ordered while running a pale finger down Harry's serpentine form.

"This is Noir, Master. I found him in Egypt this summer."

"Ah, has he bonded to you yet?"

"I have not been able to convince him to do so, as of this moment."

"So, my dark child, you do not wish to bond with my Severus? Perhaps you will like a better choice?" Voldemort's sibilant voice slithered throughout the clearing.

"I have not made up my mind about him yet, speaker. I did not care for being removed from my den. What other choice would there be for one such as I?" Harry responded, hoping Voldemort wouldn't notice the discordant black spot on his head.

"I offer myself as your bonded. We two can do great things together."

Voldemort thought he had the upper hand though no emotion showed on his face or in his eyes. Harry could taste the suppressed triumph exuded by the pale creature. Voldemort held out a hand towards Harry and the young wizard could feel Severus stiffen up when he realized what the monster was trying to do. Harry pretended to consider and tasted the air around the offered hand. Rapidly his human mind sorted through all the possible responses he could make and finally settled on one as the tension in the clearing increased exponentially.

"You are not worthy of being my bonded. You lie to those who serve you."

"I do not lie to them. I give them the power they crave and a cause they believe in!"

"Do they know that you are one of those they believe should be excluded? Do they know you are a half-breed?" Voldemort tasted surprised when Harry paused to test the air around him. He paused a moment and continued before Voldemort could voice his next thought. "You do not share the power; you only take it from everyone who comes to you. Also you already have a bonded familiar and have no need of me."

"I can remove Nagini from the picture. I have no need for her now."

"See, you are not worthy. You would throw away a faithful familiar who served you better than those who swore an oath to you." Harry's reply placated the now angered Nagini who heard every word her master uttered. Harry figured the snake may abandon the monster she served faithfully for decades. "Severus does not lie and does not abandon those who aid him. No, I will not bond with you."

Voldemort flew into a rage at Harry's response. While the snake-faced bastard yelled and spat at Harry's refusal, Nagini slithered away from the clearing hissing to herself. Voldemort looked at Severus with anger in his narrowed red eyes.

"Severus, you will give me Noir now!"

Severus hesitated a moment before slowly raising his hands to lift Harry off of his neck. Harry could taste the fear in the air surrounding Severus. Before Severus could do more than lift Harry off his shoulder, Voldemort pointed his wand at Severus.

"You are disobeying me Severus. I said NOW! Crucio!"

Harry in his desperation did something that Severus would not appreciate. He bit the man on the shoulder pumping the specialized venom that allows the Egyptian Temple Guardian Snakes to bond with their partners. Harry knew that Severus was going to flip and skin Harry alive the moment they returned to Hogwarts. Harry spread out his hood and hissed a warning at Voldemort while forcing the magic that ripped through Severus' nerves into the ground; nullifying the effects and stopping the pain racing through Severus' body.

"I want those potions on time, Severus! NOW GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!" Voldemort roared into Severus' face.

Severus didn't wait till the last syllable went silent. He apparated immediately and in the blink of an eye they were just outside the school gates. Severus headed up the drive using his normal ground eating pace. They stormed through the front doors scattering the students loitering in the Entrance Hall. Up the stairs he went, almost at a run, and snarled the password to the gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office. He didn't bother waiting for the staircase to take him up to the office; instead he bounded up the stairs two at a time and stormed into the office with out knocking.

Albus looked up with a twinkle in his eyes, which promptly died when he noted the expression on Severus' face. Harry quickly slid down the fuming wizard's body onto the floor and resumed his normal form. Harry backed away as far as the emoticon bond would let him and braced himself for the whirlwind of rage he knew was coming.

"Severus, my boy, what happened?" Albus asked, concern etched over his features.

"That blasted boy…" Severus' anger surged through him making it hard for him to force the words out.

"Riddle tried to get me to bond with him. When I refused to bond with him he ordered the Professor to hand me over. Because he was moving too slowly Riddle cast the Cruciatus Curse on him. I had the feeling it wouldn't be lifted so I followed the snake's instinct and bonded him so I could ground the curse." Harry looked up to see Severus was still seething, but Albus on the other hand was grinning with a twinkle in his eye.

"That's very good!" Albus announced to the two men.

"How can this be a good thing, Albus? Now I'm stuck with the brat worse than before!"

"It's not a soul bond, Professor! I can only ground magical attacks against you and communicate telepathically with you when I'm in my animagus form."

"You didn't ask me!" Severus retorted angrily, his black eyes flashed with rage and menace.

"Did you really want to go insane? I'm sure the Longbottoms and Lockhart would love to have your company in the closed ward, especially Lockhart. I heard he was overly fond of you!" Harry snarled back, his own eyes flashing the same color green as the killing curse.

"It doesn't matter now, you arrogant little monster!" Severus' voice was rising in volume as his anger ran out of control.

"Would you have liked me to transform before Voldemort and ask your opinion while you were in agony? That would have gone over well for both of us! Why won't you allow anyone to give a damn about you? Stop being such a BASTARD!"

"WHY YOU LITTLE…" Severus pulled out his wand and started to aim at Harry.

The emoticon bond then chose that moment to strike. It forced the two men to close the gap between them. They did their best to fight the bond but their feet moved them forward until they stood chest to chest.

"Well, Professor Snape, with whom would you like to share your bed tonight? You have two choices; Harry Potter or Noir, the snake who can rummage in your head at will?"

~tbc~

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