DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of it, JK Rowling and associates own all rights, no infringement intended, no money is being made, unfortunately.
WARNING; HP/SS Slash if you do not like do not read remember you have freedom of choice. Reviews appreciated but no flames, as I will trash them.
Chapter 6 Watch your back
Snape walked into the staff room behind Dumbledore smirking as he listened to the babble of gossip going on behind him. Only Albus, Draco and Lupin had know that he was involved with Harry the rest had assumed that they were just friends. This was going to be interesting. Sitting at a small sofa in front of the fire, he wondered who would be first. No sooner had Albus handed him his drink then Minerva sank down next to him.
"How long had this been going on Severus?" she asked curiously
Snape looked around and saw everyone watching except for Draco who was curled up in a chair still giggling. 'Just wait Mr. Malfoy it will be your turn soon.'
"How long has what been going on?" Snape asked innocently.
"You very well what I'm talking about; why didn't you tell us?"
"Because it was not anyone's business but our own and no we did not get together until after he graduated. Of course Albus knew as did Lupin and Draco."
Flitwick turned on Draco, who immediately sobered up, "You knew and didn't tell anyone. After all the conversations we've had; I am afraid that this disqualifies you from the pot."
"What pot?"
"That's unfair I entered my bet before I found out they were involved" Draco protested with a bit of a whine.
"What pot?"
"Maybe so but your last two bets were made with definite hidden knowledge and as such disqualifies you."
"What POT?"
"I believe Minerva that makes you the winner of all three bets"
"WHAT POT", by this time Snape was on his feet glaring at his colleagues.
"Now Severus calm down," Albus said with smile on his face. "The rest of the staff was just wondering when you two would admit that there was more there then what was on the surface."
"Yes I said it would be this term, in the great hall, and Harry would have made the first move," Minerva said with a smug look at the other teachers. Turning to Flitwick, she held out her hand, "I believe that we were up to 25 galleons at the last meeting."
Snape sat down with an offended look on his face although inside he was laughing, "I cannot believe that our colleagues have nothing better to do then to make bets about our personal life."
McGonagall snorted, "Like you wouldn't do the same Severus."
Snape looked at her with a puzzled expression as something she said registered, "how do you know that Potter made the first move?'
"Really Severus, I've known you since you were eleven, there was no way that you would have made advances to that young man unless he made the first move and probably beat you over the head with the fact that he cared about you."
Draco was laughing again, "That's the truth Harry mentioned that he had to…"
"Shut-up Draco," Harry said as he entered the room. Crossing the room, he sat down on the arm of the sofa next to Snape, resting a hand on his shoulder he leaned over and stole a biscuit from his plate. "Did I miss anything?"
"Only the fact that the others had a bet on us getting together" Snape answered slapping at the offending hand that was reaching for a second biscuit.
"Really how much and who won", Harry asked interestedly.
"Potter!"
"I did" Minerva answered with a chuckle, "25 galleons."
"Nice, well if you guys don't mind we have a housewarming to attend this afternoon and I really would like to get some rest before that." Standing Harry reached for Snape's hand and pulled him out of the room to the applause of the rest of the staff members and the laughter of Draco.
"Well that didn't go too bad," Harry said as Snape pulled his hand away with a sneer and began striding to their rooms. Harry followed grinning at the various students that they passed.
"Honestly Potter I hope that you plan to control yourself at the housewarming, we don't want any of the Weasley's to have an attack."
Reaching their rooms Harry followed Severus inside gripping his arm he swung him around, "remember what I told you Sev, you are the most important thing in my life the first insulting remark we are leaving."
"Harry, I don't want you to lose your friends, they are a very important part of your life."
"You are a very important part of my life; I will not let you go and if they can't understand that then they obviously don't care that much about me." Suddenly Harry grinned devilishly, "besides Hermione and Ginny are now on my side and those two will knock some sense into the rest of them sooner or later, as for Remus that's taken care of as well."
"What did happen with Lupin anyway?" Snape asked realising that the werewolf had not returned to the staff room with Harry.
"I told him he had to choose between accepting our relationship and staying a friend or to continue on the way he has been behaving and never come near us again."
Snape looked in shock at the young man standing next to him, knowing intellectually that Harry swore to stand by him was one thing; hearing that he had forced Lupin to make a decision based on his acceptance of their relationship was something else. Reaching out he pulled his lover into his arms not saying anything but holding on tightly, he knew how much he cared for the werewolf and how much it must have cost him to make that choice. He felt Harry wrap his arms around and they stood comforting each other.
Daniel Perkinson hid behind the drawn curtains of his bed contemplating the bottle in front of him. One of the Gryffindors had done a booming business selling Muggle alcohols this term. This one was called bourbon and it wasn't too bad. Taking another sip he considered his options:
A) He could fight Professor Potter (the man who defeated The Dark Lord),
B) He could find something out about Professor Potter and force him to give up his lover in return for silence
C) He could sneak a love potion to Snape somehow.
D) He could admit defeat and find someone else.
Option A was out, obviously, if the professor could defeat The Dark Lord at eighteen then there was not a chance in hell that he could beat him. Besides he thought with a toss of his head, his forte was brains not brawn.
Option B was out, if that journalist Skeeter could not do anything with all her stories then there was nothing he could do.
He would not even consider Option D, he was the most intelligent student in his house, and he felt he deserved the best and the best was Snape.
'So I guess it will be Option C,' he thought 'I know someone who has the connections, I will get the stuff and slip it to him in detention when we're alone and Potter will be history.' With a smile, he drained the bottle, 'nothing like applying intelligence to the problem to get a workable solution.'
Harry and Severus Apparated to the walkway in front of what would be Ginny and Neville's new home, they could hear voices inside, and Harry knocked and waited. Neville answered the door when he saw who stood there he smiled and grabbed Harry in a bear hug, "Harry thanks for coming it means a lot to me and Ginny after all if it wasn't for you we would not be together." Releasing Harry he turned to Snape and to Snape's surprise held out his hand with a genuine smile and gave him a formal wizard greeting, "Welcome to our home Professor, may you always find warmth, shelter, food and caring within these walls."
Snape bowed as he gave the formal reply, "While within these walls I will protect you and yours against harm and treachery, my thanks for your warm welcome."
"Ginny is in the kitchen with Mrs. Weasley and Hermione the rest are in the living room. What can I get you two to drink, I have butterbeer, ale, Firewhisky and for you sir I have a bottle of scotch that my grandmother gave me."
Harry grinned, "Butterbeer for me and Sev will take the scotch."
As Neville handed out the drinks Mr. Weasley came up to Snape, "Severus just the person I need to see can you come explain to Charlie about that potion you were telling me about for dry dragon hide." He left pulling Snape with him; Harry watched for a minute before turning to Neville, "Thanks for making Sev feel welcome in your home it means a lot to me."
"No problem Harry, I really came to respect him during the war, not of course, that he doesn't still scare the pants off me, but I do respect him for what he did and what he went through. We could not have won without him. Gotta admit he's not what I would have thought you wanted but if you do then that's your choice." He stopped and gave a sheepish smile to Harry before continuing, "Besides Ginny already told me that if he was not made welcome here I was sleeping on the couch for next few years and she scares me more then he does."
Harry started laughing and the two began talking about work. All the while keeping an unobtrusive eye on Sev because he knew some of his friends especially Ron were dumb enough to try something figuring that he would let them slide. Sure enough, there was a muffled shout of rage from the other side of the room; turning Harry saw Severus making his way back across the room to him with a smirk on his face while Charlie Weasley was holding Ron in a headlock to keep him from following. Ginny and Hermione came hurrying from the kitchen as Harry waited for Severus to reach him. "Well", Harry asked.
"Ronald Weasley made a remark about Deatheater training and my qualifications for that role claiming to be joking"
"I hope you responded correctly" Harry was smiling now while Hermione was getting rather red in the face.
"Yes, I mentioned that since intelligence and the ability to use your wand for more then self-pleasure were required he never had to worry about having been approached" Snape replied with an innocent expression on his face.
Looking at Ginny Harry reached out for Snape's hand, "I'm sorry Ginny, please apologize to Neville for me as well but we are leaving now. I will not remain where Severus is insulted. Hermione I'll see you Wednesday for lunch as usual."
Ginny held out her hand to Snape, "My apologies Professor I hope the two you will join Neville and I for dinner latter this week."
Snape shook her hand politely and with a genuine smile assured her that they would be delighted to come. As they left, his smile grew as he heard Hermione yell, "RONALD WEASLEY IN THE KITCHEN RIGHT NOW, I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO YOU!" 'Life was good' he thought 'now how to handle Draco, maybe it was time he settled down; that would keep him out of trouble. Now what unlucky person can I foist him on', he wondered as they Apparated back to Hogwarts. When they reached the gates, he saw Lupin entering from the direction of Hogsmeade, 'perfect'.
Tbc.