Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Potter Universe. It all belongs to the amazing J.K. Rowling, who, I might add, is a genius! I only like to force the characters to do things they would never do without the assistance of chemical substances!!!!
Pairing: Harry/Severus …. If this freaks you out, then PLEASE don't read any further, I don't really appreciate reviews telling me how sick I am, okay? P.S. Harry is underage, even in the U.K. okay? He's in his 5th year in this fic, but don't worry, it doesn't get really heavy for a while…maybe not ever, because I don't have much confidence in writing naughty scenes like that. -
Summary: Harry tries a blood magic potion to better understand his summer potions homework, but mixes up the name with another potion that binds the drinker to his or her most compatible match in ability – a soul mate, if you will(not necessarily romantic, for instance, siblings are often bonded). Guess who Harry gets bonded with?
Spoilers: All the books, especially the 4th one, so if you haven't read it, well, you'll find out what happens.
Author's Note: Yes, I know there are several fics out there just like this one, but I just wanted to write my own and maybe get a few nice reviews, so give me a break okay? And I've changed the rating to R for increased cursing in later chapters and naughty thoughts… and understand that a relationship between Harry and Severus will take a while to form. Kissing or any other actions probably won't happen for a while.
P.S. I found a way to solve the present question! You'll see! And Remus is more involved as well! There will also be a peek into Remus' head! Hee hee! It's longer too!
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Chapter 8: The Party
Severus Snape sat slouched in his arm chair in front of the roaring fire. The flames cast dancing shadows on the high stone walls. He was in his private chambers, clutching a glass of scotch in one hand and staring, unseeingly, into the flames. The clock on his mantel piece struck midnight. Severus let out a deep sigh and rested his head on the back of his chair, trying to quiet the whirlwind that was his mind, although the alcohol was slowly doing the job for him.
The meeting between Black and Potter had caused unexpected feelings in Severus, feelings that had no right to be there. Black's words had been almost exactly what Severus told himself every night, that there had been a mistake in the potion and that he and Potter couldn't possibly be soul mates. It shouldn't have bothered him that Black had said the same thing out loud. But it had.
Severus groaned and set down the glass. He rubbed his eyes, then stood up and stretched. It was time to go to sleep and not think. Severus snorted to himself; there was never a time when he was not thinking about his new problem. Being bound to a boy less than half his age was an often topic on his brain. He scowled heavily as he walked into his bathroom, remembering what Albus had said: …I'd rather wait to tell him until you are both more amendable to the idea…. Severus glared at his reflection in the small mirror above the sink as he angrily turned the tap. He still stuck by what he had said before. He would NEVER be amendable to the idea.
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Early the next morning, Severus was sitting in the Great Hall, hunched over his breakfast, eating mechanically. When he had sat down that morning, he remembered that Potter had shown up a few times before when he had been eating. A tiny part of him wondered if he would today. So far, he had not. No doubt Black had him cooped up somewhere, protecting him from the big bad Snape. This shouldn't have bothered him; the more the boy was away from him the better…Severus' lip curled, and he twisted his fork into a hunk of egg, imagining it to be Black's meddlesome head.
"Severus! Good morning!"
The Potions Master groaned at the Headmaster's cheerful greeting. The man's voice buzzed with energy, and he reminded Severus of an annoying fly.
"You're up early!" The man pulled out a chair with surprising force for a man his age, and sat down next to Severus.
"I always eat at this time, Headmaster." He drawled exasperatedly.
"Do you really, Severus? I hadn't noticed!" Albus speared a particularly fat sausage on the end of his fork and bit into it enthusiastically. Severus suddenly felt very claustrophobic with the man sitting next to him.
"Is there a reason that you are eating so early?" Severus spat. Why the hell was the old man invading his private breakfast? Bugger the man not noticing when he ate breakfast! The man noticed everything, there had to be a reason for this most unpleasant interruption.
"Actually Severus, I wanted a word with you."
Severus rolled his eyes. Imagine that.
"As you know, Harry's birthday is today," the headmaster began.
Severus suddenly sat still in his chair. No, he had not known that, and by the tone in the headmaster's voice, he was about to become thoroughly roped into something distasteful.
"I thought that you would like to join Sirius, Remus, Hagrid, and myself in planning his surprise party."
Severus turned and looked Dumbledore straight in the eye. "What makes you think I would like to do something like that?"
The Headmaster ignored the other man's tone. "Well, I believe that Harry would be happy if everyone that meant something to him were present. Now that you are his soul mate, I think it is only fitting that you attend."
Severus sneered. "Fitting indeed. He does not want me to be a part of his life, Albus. We do not mean anything to each other except a headache! Surely he made that quite clear last night, what with all of that drama he and Black put on."
Albus sighed. "Severus, you need to give Harry a chance. I understand that this is hard on both of you, and that you've been bound for only a week, but remember this: you have been soul mates your whole lives. You just weren't aware of it." Albus finished, giving Severus that famous searching look.
Severus couldn't think of a retort, so he settled for glaring.
"Good!" Albus clapped his hands together. "Now that that's taken care of, all that's left is the matter of a gift –"
Severus snapped out of his glare. "What?!"
Albus looked at him, eyes wide and innocent behind his glasses. "A gift, a present. The customs of a birthday party includes giving a gift, do they not?
Severus mouthed wordlessly, apparently too appalled to speak.
"So, I suggest you make a trip to Hogsmeade and purchase a nice, simple gift for Harry. Now, if I understand correctly, you and Harry don't know each other very well, so I suggest you get something Quidditch related, something that won't seem awkward. Remember, Sirius will be there." Albus' beard twitched with a smile. Severus gaped at Albus.
"I – I don't think –"
"Nonsense, Severus!" Albus stood up.
"But I –"
"Severus, all I'm asking is for you to simply toddle up to Hogsmeade and buy the boy a gift, I'm not asking much!" Albus was struggling not to laugh.
"There will be no toddling!" Severus roared desperately, standing up.
"Goodbye Severus!" Albus strolled out of the Great Hall, waving merrily behind him.
"Argh!" Severus sunk back into is chair, rubbing is temples vigorously. This was a horrible situation. This must be a dream, this whole thing… or else he'd finally cracked. Yes, that was it. He was truly insane and currently at Saint Mungo's and none of this was really happening.
"Good morning, Severus." Ah. The werewolf is here.
"Good morning indeed," he groaned, pushing his plate away.
Lupin sat down in the chair Dumbledore had left.
"I assume you know about the party?"
Severus moved one hand to his face, covering his eyes. "Unfortunately."
Lupin was pouring himself some tea. "Dumbledore told you it was a surprise, right?"
Severus sighed. "Yes Lupin, he told me. I must purchase a gift as well."
Lupin laughed lightly. "You sound enthusiastic."
Severus put his hands out in front of him, and pushed himself up from the table. "Quite," he sneered.
Lupin was chewing a biscuit thoughtfully. "I can help you if you'd like."
"I'm sure I can manage." Severus said stiffly.
"Well, if you change your mind, I'll be in my new office." Lupin's voice seemed to jingle when he said this. He was obviously pleased about his new position.
Severus was about to go, when he thought of something. "Lupin, where are Black and Potter?"
"Harry, Severus." Lupin was looking at him sternly. "You're soul mates, you should get used to calling him by his name."
Severus' jaw clenched, and his hands were balled into fists. He was sick of people telling him how to handle this. How would they like it if they were suddenly bound to an obnoxious brat who couldn't even eat toast properly?!
Lupin's expression changed, sensing Severus' discomfort. Was that pity? "They're on the Quidditch field." He said quietly.
Severus nodded curtly, and turned on his heel.
"Severus, wait!" Severus growled. He really didn't want to talk about it anymore.
He turned to see Lupin stand up and walk up to him. Severus was taller than Lupin by about two inches, and he used this difference to glare menacingly down at him. Lupin appeared unshaken.
Lupin took a deep breath. "Severus, I just want you to know…" Severus raised an eyebrow. Lupin was acting too serious for his liking. "I just want you to know that I don't think the potion made a mistake," Severus' eyes widened. "And if you want, I'll talk to Harry, or Sirius –"
Severus held up a hand to stop him. "That won't be necessary, thank you."
Lupin nodded. "Okay. But remember my offer. And if you want, I'll help you buy a gift for Harry."
Severus stared at Lupin. This could be a way out…. "I am quite busy today, you know." Severus began. "The full moon is coming soon, and I need to get started on…" he trailed off, not wanting to ruin anything. This was practically the first time he and Lupin had gotten along. Severus would never admit it, but having someone in the castle besides Dumbledore who didn't shiver at the sight of him was nice.
"Well, maybe I can just get it for you." Lupin said agreeably. "You can stay here, and I'll get the gift. I have to pick up decorations anyway; that's my job. Sirius has to distract Harry while we set up." Lupin's eyes glowed with excitement. "This is going to be a great party."
"Hmmm."
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Remus Lupin walked into Zonko's Joke Shop, humming to himself. He now had the task of buying decorations and a gift for Harry from Severus; Remus had already purchased his own gift, a luxury calligraphy set, complete with inks, stationary, and quills. To find a gift from Severus would be interesting. Remus grinned.
Remus strode down an aisle marked 'wacky party decorations'. There were flashing streamers, confetti tubes, wizard crackers, and all sorts of things. He shifted through a box of funny table placement cards and settled on the ones with flying snitches zooming around the box where you wrote the name. The description on the back of the packet said that the card was enchanted to make the name flash gold. That sounded nice. Remus set the packet in his shopping basket. He also picked matching napkins and a table center piece made up of golden roses that sang 'Happy Birthday' on command. Now for wall decorations! Remus had to debate on whether to get the giant balloons that lifted you off of the ground or the balloons that twirled and floated in formation patterns. In the end, he picked the twirling ones, deciding that the others might be unsafe. He also picked light blue sparkling streamers to hang on the walls, and tubes of silver confetti stars. Checking his list, he saw that he was done; the House Elves could set the table with plates and the like, and would be making the cake, and they possessed an array of tablecloths unmatched by any other. Remus stuffed some last minute wizard crackers into his basket before walking up to the cashier. Now for the gift!
After deciding that Zonko's was not a place that Severus would shop, Remus stepped out into the sunny streets of Hogsmeade. He looked up and down the street, scanning for a store that looked Severus-ish. He had to think like the grouchy potions master. Remus grinned. His eyes stopped on a book store. Would Severus buy Harry a book? Yes, Remus thought; he probably would. That was why Remus deliberately did not go into the bookstore. Severus had given him the task of buying Harry a meaningful, thoughtful gift, and that was what Remus was going to do. He grinned to himself; Severus owed him one.
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Severus scowled as he walked to the Great Hall. It was six o'clock in the evening, and Potter and Black were due to come back from god knows where any moment. He had just received a call from Albus through his fireplace to hurry to the Great Hall, and he was on his way.
When he entered the Hall, he was shocked to see almost every professor in the school there. They were all buzzing around with excited looks on their faces, complementing the decorations and massive cake in the middle of the table. Lupin and McGonagall were running around straightening placement cards and smoothing out the table cloth, while Hagrid was hanging last minute streamers around the walls. Professor Flitwick was levitating balloons to their designated places above the table, and Albus was testing the punch. The old man was wearing sparkling light blue robes with gold trimming to match the decorations, and a tall hat with a snitch hanging off the tip. Severus felt suddenly plain as he looked at his own black robes. It was an odd feeling; he had never felt self-conscious about what he was wearing before. He was pulled back to earth by the sharp tone of Professor McGonagall.
"Come, come, stand here everyone, they'll be here any moment! Yes, put your gifts here on this table." There was a stampede of professors rushing to put their gifts on the tiny circular table. Professor McGonagall noticed that Severus did not join the others and stared at him shrewdly.
"Did you get Mr. Potter a gift?"
"Oh," Severus glanced at Lupin, who nodded and pointed discreetly to a lumpy, silver wrapped package. "Yes, I put it down already."
"Right," She turned away from him. "Everyone, let's stand here," she motioned to a spot facing the doors. "Now, when they come in, we all will shout 'surprise!' and I will light the candles." McGonagall pressed her lips together. Obviously, planning a raucous surprise party was not the sort of thing she did very often. Severus joined the mass of teachers and stood next to Lupin. Professor McGonagall waved her wand and the candles flickered and died. The Hall was filled with excited whispering.
"What did you get him?" Severus hissed to Lupin.
"I got him a calligraphy set."
"No, I mean what did you get him for me?" Severus growled.
"Oh," Severus could almost see Lupin's mischievous smile. "You'll see."
"Lupin –"
"Shhh! I hear them!" someone whispered. Everyone was silent. They could hear two sets of footsteps, and a pair of voices.
"Sirius, are you sure you don't want to go back and rest for a bit? You look tired."
"I'm fine, Harry, I'm fine." Black's voice was full of barely contained excitement.
"Okay," said the boy's voice doubtfully.
The door pushed open. Severus saw the outline of the pair, one tall and one short.
"Why is it so dark?"
Suddenly, light filled the room, and confetti poured from the ceiling.
"SURPRISE!"
Severus mentally kicked himself. He had missed the surprise.
Potter was standing still, mouth slightly open. He didn't have the look of absolute rapture that Severus had imagined. In fact, he looked quite distressed. He looked up, confused, at Black, who was smiling warmly.
"Go on." He said.
Potter turned and walked shakily to the table, eyes wide and curious, looking around at the decorations and the smiling faces.
"Happy Birthday, Harry." Albus said kindly, his eyes twinkling. Severus was still confused. Why did the boy look troubled? Was he ungrateful? Severus snorted to himself; he wouldn't doubt that.
"Thank you," Potter said quietly. He was blinking rather rapidly. Everyone parted so that he could see the table. Hagrid shifted and the boy caught sight of the cake. His eyes widened, and he allowed Lupin to steer him into a seat at the middle of the table. He sat down and looked at his place name. His mouth was turning up at the edges, and he looked at over at everyone, who was watching avidly.
"Thank you," he said again, this time with a little more strength. Everyone nodded and began to look for their seats. Was it just the candles reflecting off of the boy's eyes, or were they wet? Severus suddenly felt Lupin's hand on his back, leading him to a chair. His eyes widened as he saw his place name. He was to be seated right next to Potter! Oh no, oh no, oh…
"Harry!" Severus looked over to see Black pull out the seat on the other side of the boy and sit down. "What do you think?"
The boy set his place name down and swallowed. "It's wonderful, Sirius."
"Really?" Black sighed in relief. "You had me worried for a second; I thought you didn't like it."
"No!" Potter said quickly. "No, I – I love it, thank you."
Severus tried to sit down unnoticed.
"Snape?" Black said incredulously. "Why are you sitting there?"
Severus threw him a sneer. "I am sitting here because this little contraption," Severus picked up the card with the whizzing snitch and waved it at Black. "says I am to be seated here." Severus glanced at Potter, who was looking nervous.
"Who the hell made the seating arrangements?" Black muttered, glaring at Severus. The potions master glared back.
"I did." Both men turned in shock as Remus Lupin sat down next to Severus.
"Remus?" Black's mouth was hanging open. Severus suddenly felt very uncomfortable. Not only had Lupin helped him out with the gift, but now he was sticking up for him against Black. This could turn very ugly.
"Remus, why are you sitting there?" Black asked carefully.
"Because I am. Let's eat." Lupin said shortly. Serving plates filled with food suddenly appeared. Severus hoped it would distract Black. All he wanted to do was eat, then get out of there. That was most likely not going to happen.
The next hour began with a toast from Albus for Potter's fifteenth birthday, then of excited talk and delicious food. However, one section of the table was not happy.
"Snape, pass the salt."
"I already did, Black."
"Pass the pepper then!"
"Dear, dear, Black. You have no manners whatsoever. Lupin, I suggest taking the mutt to obedience school."
"Sirius, Professor, please –"
"How dare you, you oily bastard! Why Dumbledore thinks you've changed, I'll never know!"
"Sirius, stop –"
"For your information Black, I turned from that path a long time ago. For you, however, I might make an exception!"
"Professor –"
"Don't talk to him, Harry –"
"STOP!"
Everyone, including Sirius and Severus, stopped talking and looked at Harry, who was standing.
"I'll – I'll be right back." Harry muttered. He turned around and walked out of the Hall without a backward glance.
Instantly, everyone was talking. Many people kept throwing looks of anger and annoyance at the two men. Sirius shifted guiltily in his seat, while Severus picked up his fork and dragged it through the mashed potatoes. Remus looked upset at the pair of them, and when Sirius tried to say something to him, he held up a hand, silencing him. Dumbledore stood up and walked over to them, bending low so that no one could hear.
"Sirius. Severus. I am very disappointed." The man's eyes were as hard as steel. "I don't know if we will be able to salvage this evening or not. No, Sirius." He silenced the upset looking man with a hand. "Both of you know that you are responsible. I will not listen to childish accusations. From either of you. Now, I want you, Severus, to go find Harry and see if you can get him to come back." Severus nodded, even though he would rather fight with Black than reason with Potter. "Sirius, I will move your seat if I have to, but don't you think that would be embarrassing? You are, after all, a grown man. Work this out now. I don't want to hear about it again." The Headmaster straightened and walked back to his chair.
Severus turned and looked at Black with contempt. Black had an identical expression on his face.
"I'll get along with you. For Harry's sake." Black said, holding out his hand.
"Why do you always have to drag him into it?" Severus hissed.
Black glared. "Because he needs me! He's bound to you, or have you forgotten?"
"He's fifteen as of today, you don't need to play parent to him, he's done fine up until now." As soon as he had said it, Severus instantly regretted it.
"Fine? Fine? You've got to be joking!"
Severus glared, then held out his hand. "Just shake my bloody hand so I can go find the brat."
"See?" Black hissed. "He needs me because that's all you think of him as! That's all you'll ever think of him as!"
Severus clenched his jaw and said through gritted teeth, "Just. Shake it."
Black shook his hand quickly, but continued to glare. Severus stood up and swept out of the Great Hall in search of Potter. He found him, sitting against the wall a little ways away from the doors. Severus didn't know how to approach him, so he thought that maybe a joke was in order. He hardly ever joked anyway.
"What's the matter, Potter? Cake the wrong flavor?" he sneered.
Potter looked up, anger blazing on his face.
"Go away."
Severus sighed. "Come on, Potter, stop that childish sulking."
Potter laughed bitterly. "You've said that before."
Severus paused. "So I have. But you deserved it both times," he said haughtily.
Potter looked up at him. "Do you have to be so mean?"
Severus glared. "Come on, Potter, what's the matter? Tell me so that we can go back."
Potter suddenly stood up and glared at him. He was at least a head shorter than Severus, but he still was slightly intimidating.
"I'll tell you what's the matter. You and Sirius are ruining this party! For everyone, not just me!" the boy leaned against the wall and slid down it, putting his face to his knees. The boy's voice was muffled, and Severus leaned down to hear. "This is the first birthday party I've ever had…I just wanted it to be nice…"
Severus stood there, stunned. He had never been stunned speechless so often. In fact, he was prepared to bet everything, that he had been stunned more times in the past month alone, than his entire life combined. This was Potter's first birthday party? No wonder he had been so emotional in the beginning…
"But surely…Granger and Weasley…"
"They only sent gifts. I was never with them for my birthday. The Dursleys never threw me a party, they hated me."
"Ah." Severus stood there for a moment. It felt quite awkward to be standing when Potter was on the floor, head level with his knees. He leaned against the wall and slid down beside Potter. Not too close though.
"You know Potter," Severus started. He felt really odd. It was almost as though he was watching the scene take place. He wasn't in control of his mouth. "When I was your age, I never had any birthday parties either…" Severus busied himself by arranging his robes over his knees.
"You didn't?" Potter's voice wasn't muffled anymore. "Why not?" Severus looked down and was surprised to see not only curiosity in those green eyes, but concern as well.
"I don't know," he answered. "I guess I didn't have anyone to invite."
Potter nodded. "I didn't either. Dudley, my cousin, made sure no body talked to me. Dudley and his gang were bullies. They beat me up all the time. People were scared that if they talked to me, Dudley would beat them up as well." Potter looked suddenly shocked, then embarrassed. "I don't know why I told you that."
"What do you mean?"
Potter fiddled with the ties on his shoes. "No body knows about that. Not even Dumbledore."
Severus nodded. Then suddenly, a horrible thought struck him. What was even more surprising was the fact that he thought it was horrible. "Your cousin… he doesn't still beat you does he?"
"Oh no," Potter said quickly. "The most they do is yell at me. There was a brief time in my second year when they locked me in my room and put bars on my window," Severus' eyebrows rose at that. "But that was all."
"Hmmm."
For some odd reason, this made Potter smile.
"What?"
"Nothing," Potter shook his head, smiling.
Severus frowned a bit. His goal wasn't to make the boy smile.
"Well," he said uncomfortably. "Shall we go in?" Potter nodded.
They both stood up and Potter led his way into the Hall. When they entered, people smiled at him, and Potter smiled back. He sat in his seat and nodded when Sirius muttered a quick 'sorry'. Severus sat down and Albus stood up.
"I think it's time for the cake!" Everyone clapped and cheered as the candles went out and millions of tiny candles on the cake lit themselves. The candles reflected off of the old man's glasses as he used his wand to conduct. Potter smiled as everyone started to sing.
Severus didn't really do singing. He had been told years ago by Albus that he had a beautiful voice when he had been caught singing while working, but he doubted that was true. Awkwardly, he joined in with everybody else in time for the last verse.
Happy Birthday Dear Harry!
Happy Birthday to You!
When it was over, everyone clapped again. Albus had a small piece of cake with fifteen candles already cut, and put in front of Potter.
"Make a wish, Harry!" Sirius called.
Harry smiled and closed his eyes. Then he opened them and blew out every single candle.
He looked bashfully at everyone when they started clapping again. Only Severus knew the significance of why there were tears in the boy's eyes. That was the first time he had ever been sung to, and his first time to make a wish. The sappiness of it all was getting to him.
Twenty minutes later, after everyone had had their fill of cake, Lupin called, "Gifts, gifts!" The table cleared itself and the many gifts that had been on the small table appeared in front of the overwhelmed Gryffindor.
Severus suddenly began to sweat. He sat through gifts being opened, clutching the arms of his chair. He hoped to God that Lupin had gotten something appropriate. Like a book, or something. Judging from the lumpy package, he doubted the gift was a book. Suddenly, the package he had been staring at was picked up.
"Open this one, Harry!" Severus glared at Lupin, who smiled back.
"From Professor Snape…" Potter read off the card. Severus shrunk in his chair. He couldn't help but notice Black tense up.
Potter eagerly ripped off the silver wrapping. There was a layer of white tissue paper, and Potter tore through that too. Severus glimpse something brown and furry looking. Oh Christ.
Potter gasped. He had in his hands a soft, plush stuffed animal. Severus recognized it to be a stag. There was a name tag around its neck. The tag read 'Prongs'.
Potter looked up at Severus. Oh shit, Prongs was the nickname of James Potter at school! Potter might get upset…he never should have trusted Lupin.
"Thanks," he said quietly.
Severus cleared his throat. "You're welcome."
Potter looked down at the animal with a smile. Severus was too busy watching the boy to notice the looks he was getting from everybody else.
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Later that night, unbeknownst to anyone, Harry Potter hugged the first stuffed animal he had ever received and lay down for bed, a small smile forming on his face.
TBC
Whew! Wow that chapter was hard to do. I completely redid this chapter. Originally, I had planned for this just to be a gift shopping chapter, but then, since I'm a day late, I thought I owed it to you all to make this a long chapter (well, longer. 10 pages on the computer!). I also added the whole Remus bit. I hope you all liked it! I did some character developing of Remus, hope he was up to par. This was also the first chapter told almost totally in Severus' POV. I hope this satisfies you all for a while because I won't be here next Sunday, I'll be with my grandpa for Easter Break. So, REVIEW and tell me what you thought.
P.S. I really really enjoy reading your reviews, especially those of you who have reviewed every chapter! It's awesome to have such dedicated fans! Remember, if you want that picture of Harry, don't hesitate to ask! Also I got the second Harry Potter DVD! It's awesome! You should all go buy it right now!