AN: Arg, the stupid editor wouldn't let me put in the little line thingies, so thats annoyed me! Not too badly, though! Just want to say thanks to everyone who reviewed, yay! And as for the femme-slash, that was the first time I'd written it and only did just to give it a go! Sorry to those of you who don't like it!
CHAPTER ELEVEN: The plan of action
Harry couldn't believe how drunk Hermione and Ginny appeared to be, but he wasn't all that concerned. They were having a good time, and that's all that mattered. Well that's all that mattered to him.
"Maybe you should have escorted them, Remus." Harry said, grinning at him.
Remus smiled. "I don't think they were that gone, Harry. But you on the other hand..." He smirked.
"Hey! Two glasses of straight whisky doesn't affect me that badly!" Harry protested playfully. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but that sounds to me like a challenge..." Harry's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"No, that was not a challenge Harry." Remus said, shaking his head but clearly amused. "Not that you'd stand a chance, mind you. I think I've had more experience remember."
Harry shrugged. "Oh well. But I say we test it one day."
Remus had a half smile. "Maybe."
Harry relaxed back, feeling mildly sleepy as he does during the middle of the day and now also from the alcohol, smiled gratefully as Severus put his arm around him. Harry rested his head on Severus's shoulder and sighed in contentment.
"Are you going to come here for Christmas, Severus?" Harry asked, hopeful.
Severus thought for a moment. "No, I don't think I will."
Harry pouted. "Aww... why not? Everybody knows now, so that won't matter. Please?"
Severus studied Harry's face, and knew what he wanted to do. But also didn't want to give in so easily. "I know, but that's not the point. I don't belong here."
Harry looked angry. "Why would you say a thing like that? You've got every right to be here because I asked you to. I haven't told you this, but Sirius left this house to me in his will. So, if it's anyone's authority it's mine. I want you here for Christmas, and I'm inviting you here." Harry said very seriously, attracting the attention of Remus, Ron, Fred and George.
"That's not what I meant." Severus said- knowing Harry was right, but not wanting to say why he was so reluctant in front of everyone else.
"Then what do you mean?" Harry asked, almost pleadingly.
Lowering his voice and leaning in close to Harry's ear, he tried his hardest to converse in Parseltongue. "Not here, come somewhere else and I'll tell you."
Harry nodded, not even realising Severus had spoken in parseltongue, and stood up. "We'll be back in a bit." He said, but then noticed the funny looks on Remus, George and Fred's faces. "What?"
"I never knew you could speak Parseltongue, Severus." Remus said, looking both curious and impressed.
"That is a recent acquirement of mine." He said, a little surprised he'd been heard, before he and Harry left the room.
Walking hand in hand, they made their way around the corner and stood just outside Harry and Ron's bedroom door.
"What's wrong, Severus?" Harry asked, wrapping his arms around him.
"Harry, you know as well as I that I really don't belong here."
"But I've already told you I..." Severus cut him off.
"No, I know you said you invited be but lets face it, I've never been anything more than remotely civil with everyone in this house. And with the tension in the air at the moment, I really don't think it's a good idea. There will be other Christmas's, remember." He said, kissing Harry softly.
Harry sighed. He knew Severus was right. "But you and Remus are getting along, and I know you can't deny he's actually really nice, despite his past. I know that's not for me to decide, but I think he really is trying. The only person who seems to have a problem is Molly Weasley, and I really don't think she has much authority. Please, don't let her hinder your decision."
Severus took a deep breath. There was another option. "How about if we settle for a compromise?"
This got Harry's attention. "What sort of compromise?"
"Alright, you spend Christmas morning here, without me and then, around lunch time when they're all eating, I'll come and get you and bring you to my home to spend the remainder of the day. I'll understand if you want to stay and be with your friends though." Severus said, hoping that Harry would come with him.
For a few moments, Harry's expression was neutral. But then it changed and suddenly he launched himself at Severus. "That's a great compromise! Yes, of course I'll accept it! Only..." He paused, grinning like a maniac. "I'm going to miss you when I wake up."
Severus actually laughed, feeling happier that he could ever remember feeling. The rich sound of his voice made Harry's skin tingle. "Not as much as I'll miss you." He said quietly and seriously.
Harry swallowed, cursing himself for his softness, trying to remove the lump of pure emotion in his throat. He smiled, his eyes watering up a little, and Severus lent in and kissed him. Harry could barely comprehend what he was feeling, only that it felt as though he could never be unhappy again. His whole body was tingling with the pleasure of knowing just how much Severus really did care for him, and after their kiss wrapped himself around Severus's body. "I never want to move..." Harry said lightly, his cheek against Severus's and taking a deep breath of his masculine scent.
"Nor do I." They stood like that, until Harry heard a funny noise.
"Severus... did you just hear that?" He asked, pulling back and raising an eyebrow.
"Indeed." He appeared to be listening for it again.
"There it is again... it almost sounds like..." Harry grinned suddenly, his eyes moving towards Hermione and Ginny's door. "No... you don't think they're...?"
Severus was smirking. "We could always make sure. Weasley could consider it pay back, if she must."
Harry jumped up and down in excitement. "Oh wow, I never ever in all my dreams pictured either of them to be... um..." Harry didn't finish his sentence before breaking his embrace with Severus and moving closer to the door. He put his ear to it and discovered the noises were definitely coming from in there. "Oh, but what if we see something we're not supposed to? I don't know if I could handle seeing either of them naked." Harry said, not meaning that he thought the girls to be unattractive, he thought they were both beautiful for girls actually, but because they were his friends.
Severus shrugged. "Weasley saw me literally naked and she survived."
Harry laughed softly. "Of course she survived, you're gorgeous!" Harry took Severus's hand in his when he saw the look of embarrassment on his face- Harry had come to realise Severus didn't react well to compliments. "Come on... lets do it."
Severus raised his free hand to the door handle, and silently turned it. Harry kept his eyes on those of the serpent handle, until Severus pushed the door forward gently. Ginning with excitement and trying not to laugh, Harry moved his face, along with Severus's, to the gap in the door.
Both their eyes widened with what they saw.
Suddenly, Harry pulled Severus back and they shut the door.
"Alright, we so should not have seen that." Harry said, his cheeks red.
"Agreed." Severus said, his eyes larger than usual.
They stood in silence, but then Harry noticed something. "It's a bit quiet, isn't it?" He asked Severus, looking at him, both with their backs pressed against the door.
Severus furrowed his brows. "Yes... you're right." They stood for a few moments, before stumbling as the door was opened. Shocked, Harry and Severus turned to find equally shocked Hermione and Ginny.
"Err... Hi." Harry said, his expression one clearly stating he knew something he shouldn't.
Ginny face turned red with anger. "Don't tell me..." She fumed. "No, you can't have. Harry... I know you wouldn't..." She looked to Severus, then back to Harry. "Harry, were you just spying on Hermione and myself?"
Harry gulped. "No, not spying." He said, his voice higher than it should be. "Just curious to see where the two of you were."
Hermione rubbed her eyes with her hands. "Harry, you could at least tell us the truth. You saw what we were doing, didn't you?" She asked in a tired tone.
Harry nodded. "Yeah... yeah we did. Sorry 'Mione! We really weren't expecting that..." Harry smirked, and was glad to see the hint of a grin on Hermione's face.
"Yeah, I guess it's not you're fault." Hermione said, her tone returning to normal.
"Not their fault? Are you serious 'Mione? They're the ones who didn't knock! We are entitled to privacy in our own room!" Ginny was clearly still angry.
"If you're worried about us telling anyone that you're both... um... we wont tell anyone, and we really didn't see that much." Harry said, hoping to calm the angry redhead.
"You wont tell anyone? You think that's a good enough apology Harry?" Ginny said, raising an eyebrow.
"I would say this could very well work out to be a form of pay back, if you must. You see, Miss Weasley, weren't you the one walking into rooms without knocking only mere hours ago? You wouldn't want to be a hypocrite would you?" Severus said, and everyone knew he was right.
Ginny sighed. "Yeah, I suppose not. But really, you could have at least knocked."
"So could've you." Harry said, smirking at her.
"Oh shut up Harry." Ginny said, a small smile on her face. "Get in here both of you, we need to have a little chat." Ginny and Hermione ushered them into their room, where Harry and Severus sat on Hermione's bed and Hermione sat on Ginny's bed with Ginny.
"So..." Began Harry, in a teasing tone.
"Before you say anything Harry," Ginny began. "We want you to know this is the first time we've done this."
Harry nodded. "Okay, not that it's any of my business anyway." He and Severus took each other's hands again. "Just please don't tell me you're both Vampires or Werewolves or... or banshees or anything."
Hermione actually laughed. "Harry, you really can be silly sometimes. No, we're nothing of the sort."
"What about the other sort?" Harry insisted.
Both Ginny and Hermione frowned, and he knew he'd said the wrong thing.
"I'm sorry, once again it's none of my business. I think Severus and I better go, we promise not to tell any one." Harry said considerately.
"And also not to speak of what we saw." Severus added, although noting the embarrassed looks on both girls' faces remained.
"Thanks." Hermione and Ginny both said, appreciation evident in their voices.
"I knew you'd understand Harry." Hermione said, giving Harry a quick hug.
Severus and Harry left the room, and entered Harry and Ron's. Sitting down on Harry's bed, they both sighed.
"Wow... I never expected that you know." Harry said, lying back in Severus's arms.
"Some things are quite surprising, are they not?" He asked, smirking.
Harry chuckled. "Yeah that's hell true." He shivered as Severus kissed him on the neck.
Harry was just glad that both surprises so far had been good ones.
Hermione was a little confused. She'd never really considered that she wasn't quite normal. Not quite normal in the sense that she wasn't all that enthralled by men. But now that she had been with Ginny, Hermione realised that there was no alternative for her. After really looking at Ginny, and having a good think, Hermione knew that she could make their relationship a very regular occurrence. But would Ginny want the same thing with her?
"Are you alright, 'Mione?" Ginny asked carefully after Harry and Snape had left their room. She put her hand lightly on Hermione's shoulder. She couldn't read Hermione's expression.
Slowly, Hermione nodded. "Yes, yes I think I am actually." She faced Ginny, a smile on her face. "Thanks, I think you've really cleared up a lot."
Ginny sighed in relief. She had almost been expecting an angry outburst. "Not a problem, it's not like I didn't like it either you know." She smirked.
"Really?" Hermione asked, uncertain.
"Yeah, I did." Ginny smiled and, slowly, lent forward to briefly press her lips to Hermione's. Ginny had yet to have what she could consider a girlfriend, and really wouldn't mind trying it. "I could get used to this, you know." She whispered.
"So could I." Hermione agreed, leaning in to kiss Ginny again. This time they deepened it, their tongues finding the others and moving in slow caresses.
They pulled away, looking deeply into the others eyes. "Do you think we should? Get used to this I mean?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes, I think we should." She said, a smile emerging on her face. "Are we going to tell anyone yet? Or just Harry and Snape?"
Ginny shrugged. "I don't know, depends whether or not we want to. I can just imagine what Mum's going to say; now her chances of grandkids are going to have to come from Bill, Charlie, Percy or Ron. Although, as you know, Percy's such a prat that I doubt any sane woman would have him."
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you saying Fred and George are... are gay?" She asked, hating to say that word.
"Well, they haven't admitted it, but I think it's pretty clear their intentions lay in the joke shop and themselves. You know..." She giggled. "I really would not be surprised if they were into each other."
Hermione scrunched up her nose. "Ew... how can you think that's funny?"
Ginny shrugged. "I don't really, I just think it's quite pathetic. They're just so stuck on each other these days, you can't get them apart."
"I've noticed that actually. I think they're just happy the way they are." Hermione relaxed into Ginny's offered arms.
"I'm happy just the way I am right now too." Ginny said, grinning.
Hermione laughed. "Me too." Their lips met feverously, hands not bothering to be shy. Hermione sighed when Ginny's lips caressed her neck tenderly, and then ventured back up to take her lips.
"You know, I don't think I want to keep this a secret. I want to be able to kiss you where ever we are, and not worry about who's going to see us. I mean, even if its just between Harry, Snape, Fred, George, Ron and Remus because they don't care when Harry and Snape kiss and stuff, so I doubt they'd worry about us." Ginny said, her arms still around Hermione.
"I have no problem with them knowing. Only... what's Ron going to say? I mean both of his best friends have turned towards the same sex, one being with a teacher and the other with his sister. Ron hasn't always been known to react well under a bit of pressure." Hermione said, not wanting to hurt her friend.
"True, but it's not up to him who we choose to be with is it? If I like you and you like me, then I say it's none of his business. He'll accept it, even if it takes him a few hours or days or whatever." Ginny said, kissing Hermione.
"Let's tell him now, I say, away from everyone else. Before I loose my nerve." Hermione said nervously.
"Okay, I'll agree to that. Lets go and get him."
Hermione and Ginny went back to the Drawing room, where they noticed Harry and Severus were still absent from, and summoned Ron back up to their room.
"Why did you want me to come up here?" He asked, sitting on Hermione's empty bed.
Hermione and Ginny looked nervously at each other. "There... there's something we have to tell you, Ron." Hermione said, biting her lip.
"There is?" Ron asked, his voice smaller than usual. He was clearly thinking it was something horrid.
"Yes." Said Ginny defiantly. "We thought we should tell you first." She winked at Hermione. "It has to do with Hermione and I. With our relationship." She said, hoping Ron would understand what she meant.
"Your relationship?" Ron asked stupidly.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, our relationship." She shuffled closer to Ginny and took her hand. Only then did it seem to dawn on Ron exactly what they meant.
"You're... you two are...?" He stuttered, his eyes wide and jumping from their joint hands to each of their faces.
Hermione and Ginny nodded.
"When?" Ron asked, frowning.
"Only since today, actually." Said Ginny. "But we're quite happy to continue with things. That's why we're telling you. And we are going to tell everyone else, aside from Mum that is."
Ron nodded. "Yeah, don't tell Mum." He shuddered. "I don't think she's very stable at the moment." He looked up, still obviously shocked, but not looking like he was going to act like a crazed lunatic.
"So you're not angry, then?" Hermione asked, hopeful.
Ron sighed. "I've learnt that not everything goes your way, Hermione. I really have no right to be angry with this, because I know you'll hopefully treat each other right. But if you don't Hermione... or you Ginny, then you're going to have me to answer to!" He said, smiling.
Hermione and Ginny both sprung up and enveloped Ron in hugs. "Thanks Ron, you have no idea how much it means to me for you to say that..." Hermione said, kissing him on the cheek. Ron blushed.
"I don't think I could be bothered being angry, because I know the two of you are going to do what ever you plan to do whether or not I give my condolence. Besides, I've gotten used to Harry and Snape and if I can tolerate them I can tolerate this and basically anything I reckon." He laughed lightly, the girls letting him go.
"That's true and I think it's one of the few decent things you've ever said, Ron." Ginny said, smiling as she did so.
"Oh shut up, I could always just threaten to tell Mum." Ron warned, a smile threatening to break out on his face.
"You wouldn't." Ginny said simply.
Ron sighed. "I know, but you never know."
Ginny hugged Hermione. "I say we go and tell the others while we're on a role." She kissed Hermione gently on the lips.
"Alright." The took each others' hand and, followed by Ron, made their way back down to the Drawing room. This time when they entered, Harry and Snape were back.
Harry lent over to whisper in Severus's ear. "I think they're about to tell everyone. Do we act surprised?"
"You can, although I doubt I would even if I didn't know." He kissed Harry's ear.
Harry smiled. "Yeah, that's true."
Hermione and Ginny caught the whole rooms attention, mainly Remus, Fred and George's since they were the last ones to know.
"What's this little sis?" Fred asked, surveying their clasped hands.
Ginny grinned at him. "What does it look like?" Her and Hermione sat down on the last available chair- it was a recliner designed for only one person, but they squished on together.
"No... the two of you? Really?" George asked, obviously surprised.
They nodded.
"Watch out for her temper Hermione, she really is a shocker." Fred said, shuddering as if remembering encountering her wrath.
"Oh I'm not that bad." Ginny defended herself, brushing aside the claim.
"I bet you are." Hermione said, smirking at Ginny.
"Maybe, but you'll be the one to find out for sure, wont you?" She smirked back, hastily kissing Hermione on the lips in their first public display. They pulled away her hear Harry cheering.
"Woo hoo!" Harry cried, jumping up in his seat. "Encore!" He cried.
"I didn't think you fancied girls, Harry." Fred smirked at him, winking.
Harry shrugged. "In some ways I don't, but I think they look good together. Even I can't deny they're hot." He laughed as Severus rolled his eyes.
"Thanks for that Harry." Ginny said, smiling at him.
"Any time Ginny, any time." He settled back down in his chair. "Only..." He said, lowering his voice. "I think you better watch out for your Mum... you never know where she might be lurking, spying..." He looked around the room. "Your positioning could cause some questions to arise."
Ginny sighed. "You're right, Harry. At least she knows about the two of you."
"Maybe I could keep a tab on her for you?" Remus spoke for the first time.
"You'd do that for us Remus?" Hermione asked gratefully.
The Lycanthrope nodded. "I wouldn't mind, really. I know what it's like to harbour secrets that could possibly hurt people, until they're ready to know them, that is." He said honestly.
"Thanks, you really are a great guy." Ginny said, hugging Hermione to her, who hugged back smiling.
Remus blushed slightly. "I'm just giving back what I was given by my friends when I was about your age."
Harry turned and grinned at Severus. "See, he's not all that bad is he?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "Won't you just forget it?"
Harry shrugged. "Yeah, but it'd be nice if you two could be more civil... although I must admit you have been rather good." Harry kissed him gently.
"Of course I've been good." Severus admonished. "But... I'm afraid you're not going to like me when I say what I'm about to say."
Harry frowned. "Why? Severus, why am I not going to like it?" Harry held him closer.
"Because it involves me leaving here. But I'll be back. I just have to go to my house and pack a few things if I'm to stay here over night. I'll only be gone an hour at the absolute most." He said, smoothing his hands over Harry's.
"Must you go?"
Severus nodded. "Yes, but as I said it wont take long." He sat up.
Harry sighed. "You're going whether I like it or not, aren't you?"
"You're already beginning to know me too well." Severus stood up.
"Alright. Just try not to be too long." Harry stood up with him and they left the room unnoticed. Harry walked Severus to the front door where he pushed him up against he wall and kissed him with fervour. "I'll see you soon then."
"Yes, see you soon." Severus exited, and Harry lent against the door already missing him.
"Where did Severus go, Harry?" Harry turned to see that Remus must have followed them.
"He had to go and get a few things from his home. But he'll be back soon. Did you want something?" Harry asked.
"Actually, if you don't mind can we go somewhere and talk?" Remus asked in a friendly tone, not one that implied anything sinister like prying questions.
Harry nodded. "Sure, we can go up to my room if you like." Remus agreed and soon they found themselves sitting on Harry's bed. "What's up?"
"Nothing really, I was just a little concerned for you."
Harry smiled. "There's no need, because I'm fine. But thankyou."
"That's good to hear, because I know if I were you I'd be feeling pretty scared. I mean with Voldemort being involved and everything." Remus lent his back against the wall.
"Yeah, I'm not really. Although I can't help but think that now it might be easier for me to kill him, considering I can't be so easily killed any more. But then I can't help but wonder why Voldemort would want me like this. Although he didn't exactly bargain for Meier going against him."
"I can't think of any reasons why he'd want you a Vampire either. It just doesn't add up. But I can see how it would be easier to kill him, as long as you didn't get stunned or something because it would be quite easy for him to... you know what I mean." Remus frowned, thinking how horrible it would be to loose Harry. He'd come to really like him, almost like a son in many ways, but in more ways like a friend. Remus didn't have many friends these days.
"That's true. If only I could kill him by biting him, although I don't fancy tasting his blood or being condemned to the darkness for ever just because of him." Harry sighed again, wracking his brain for the umpteenth time.
Remus actually chuckled. "If you were to bite and change him, I could somehow get in there during a full moon and bite him also. If a Werewolf bites a Vampire their inevitable fate is immediate death. But that would never happen."
Harry's eyes widened. "Did you just say what I think you did?"
Remus frowned. "I don't know, did I?"
Harry nodded slowly, his brain going a hundred miles an hour. "Yes... I think you did actually." Harry looked up at him and grinned. "This could work you know."
"What? You mean somehow get him infected so that he's a Vampire then get him bitten by a Werewolf?" Remus cocked an eyebrow.
"Yeah! I don't see why not..."
Remus shook his head. "Oh Harry, you really can be amusing."
Harry lost his smile. "No Remus, I'm serious. Just think... people have tried duelling with Voldemort and other ways of killing him yet no one has succeeded. Possibly what we need is a completely unthought of way and maybe, just maybe it could work."
"But it would be a lot of fiddling around, not to mention highly dangerous."
"I know. But I'm willing to risk it. I'd rather a life of darkness and a safe world than a short-lived one in daylight. But do you know any other Werewolves aside from yourself Remus?" Harry asked, frowning. He didn't want to impose on the wolf, knowing that it really was a deadly assignment.
"No, I don't actually. The only one I've ever spoken to was the one in St. Mungo's when Arthur was in there two years ago. But we never kept in touch with each other." He looked at Harry curiously. "Why?"
"Because I think this idea is a good one!"
"Harry... you do realise that the chances of is actually working are pretty slim, don't you?" Remus asked warily.
"No, I think it's got just as much, maybe even more, chance than any other way of overcoming him. Really Remus, think about it... if it were to succeed, then he'd have absolutely no way of coming back! In fact, the worse that could happen is he'd be too scared to confront death and would stay on earth as a ghost. But even if that happened he wouldn't be able to harm anyone, and the ministry may even find a way to be rid of him. But if he were to die, he'd go straight to hell... and there's no escape from hell!"
"That's true, I suppose. But I don't know if I could do it..." Remus said in a shaky voice. He startled slightly when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, it's okay. I wasn't asking you to do it, I'm sure we could find someone else." Harry soothed, smiling lightly at Remus.
"But Harry... you know as well as I that it's going to be hard to find another Werewolf, let alone one willing to risk their lives." He sighed lightly, feeling comforted by Harry's touch.
"I don't know about that Remy. We can't give up hope yet."
"I know, but really... we have to be reasonable. We don't even know where to... where to find Voldemort." He almost stuttered out the name he'd only recently begun saying out loud.
"That's true..." Harry released Remus's shoulder. "Oh wait! I know... but I can't be certain, I'll have to ask... Oh Remus, this really could work!" Harry began muttering excitedly. But then turned to Remus. "I have an idea on how to find that out, now all we need to do is find out who's going to be involved. I'm of course going to be the one to bite him, and I wouldn't mind some back up in case things got a little nasty..." Harry was interrupted as the door open and Severus stuck his head in. "Severus!" Harry cried, jumping up off the bed and pulling him into a hug. "That was quicker than I expected, but it still felt like you'd been gone an eternity."
"You seem to be occupied, maybe I should leave...?"
"It's okay Severus, I'll leave the two of you alone." Remus said, standing up and straightening his robes that were crushed from sitting on them.
Harry pulled away from Severus. "No, you don't have to leave. I think it might be an idea for the three of us to have a little chat actually." Harry said, looking at Severus with an extra sparkle in his amazingly green eyes.
"And why would that be?" Severus asked, holding Harry's hand to his in what could be called a protective manner.
"Because Remus thought of a spectacular plan to rid the world of Voldemort all together. All we need to do now is discuss it in depth." Harry grinned, noticing he had caught Severus's attention.
"Is that so?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, it is so. And if you'd like to take a seat I'm sure we can discuss it further."
Severus cast a quick glance at Remus before following Harry's lead and taking a seat on the bed. Severus was glad however when Remus took a seat on Ron's bed.
Harry began retelling his talk with Remus with avid rapture while Severus listened in carefully and thoughtfully.
TBC...