Chapter Eighteen- Spring Intimacy
Harry used Muffliato in Charms the next morning so he could tell Ron and Hermione what he learned and Snape's reaction.
"You're going to go with Dumbledore…and try to destroy…Wow," Ron said. Harry noticed that Ron seemed happier and surmised that he had broken up with Lavender. Certainly, Lavender seemed upset. But, Harry wasn't concerned. His thoughts were on his match against Ravenclaw that was coming up. He suspected his lessons with Dumbledore were done and all he needed to focus on were his classes, Quidditch, homework, and time with his mate. It was the height of spring and both were feeling quite intimate with each other, especially in the evenings.
Snape let Harry do what he wanted during their time together and he enjoyed the teases and gestures the young fox gave him. Of course, he gave Harry pleasure as well; he wasn't going to let Harry have all the fun.
Their Charms class ended and they headed to the Common Room for their free period. They entered and the knot of seventh-years caught Harry's attention as well as who they had gathered around. "Katie!" he exclaimed, going up to her.
"Hey, Harry," Katie said as she went up to him and scratched an ear.
"Katie, listen. Do you know who gave you that necklace?"
"No, nothing. Last thing I remember was walking into the ladies' room."
"Well, at least you're back. We'll have a good chance of thrashing Ravenclaw." Harry turned out to be right. He saw the best team practices he had seen since the start of the year. He was certain that the Quidditch Cup was theirs.
Snape was heading to dinner a few days before the match and paused to check the map, making a note to give it back to Harry very soon and saw that Malfoy wasn't on the seventh floor; he was in the boys' bathroom on the first floor…with Moaning Myrtle! His curiosity was intrigued and decided to indulge it.
He approached the door, slowly opened it, and entered silently. Draco was at a sink, his hands clutching the basin and his head was bowed.
"Don't…tell me what's wrong…I can help you," crooned Myrtle's voice from a cubicle.
"No one can help me," Draco said. "I can't do it…I can't…It won't work…and unless I do it soon…he says he'll kill me."
"Perhaps, you'll accept my assistance now," Snape said quietly.
Malfoy whirled around, tearstains on his face which twisted into a scowl. "I don't want your help."
"Draco, be reasonable. The plan is yours still. I would be a mere resource, someone to suggest what to do. I could tell you what you need to do and then leave, nothing more."
Malfoy's scowl turned thoughtful. "Maybe," he said. "Let me think about it."
"All right." Snape left, thinking Draco may now accept his help.
A few nights later, Snape was in bed in fox form with Harry beside him also a fox. Snape had watched the match that morning and was gleeful when Gryffindor won the game and the cup. All of Gryffindor celebrated long and hard until night and then Harry went down to a private celebration with Snape. He had entered and received a telepathic message: "Take fox form, Harry." He did so and found his mate in bed as a fox.
Snape pulled Harry toward him so that they were snout to snout and then began to lick and nuzzle Harry's snout, his whiskers tickling his face and making Harry giggle via telepathy. Snape continued his licking and nuzzling and Harry yipped in contentment. Snape growled in pleasure at hearing Harry's yips. His tail moved to brush the pads of Harry's back paws making Harry yelp in surprise and then laugh in a yipping manner.
"Severus," Harry thought-spoke in a laughing and breathless tone. "Stop, please. That tickles."
"I know and you are at my mercy," Snape teased.
Harry barked in a pleading tone and Snape ceased tickling, but moved on to licking Harry's ears and fur. "You ae so cute," Snape said. "Oh, Harry. I love you."
"I love you too." Harry sighed softly and his eyes slid shut and he fell asleep amidst Snape's grooming.
May soon arrived and Snape had not received a note from Malfoy asking for help and he acknowledged that the boy was determined to do it himself. He put that to the back of his mind as he was busy assigning homework, particularly to the fifth and seventh years as O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. tests were coming up. Harry was spending his free time doing his homework in the Gryffindor Common Room. Snape's thoughts dwelled on Dumbledore briefly. The headmaster didn't seem to be suffering at all and it had been nearly a year since the curse activated. He was certain of the curse's potency and could lonely conclude that Dumbed roe was able to resist the curse's strength…but for how much longer? No one could fight it forever. It would be kinder to let Draco kill him, or rather me, as I doubt Draco would do the deed. Murder is not as easy as one believes. Contrary to what some people think, I have never killed in my Death Eater days. I have participated in other activities, but never murder. Sadly, I must kill Dumbledore to save Draco's soul for his soul is not damaged like mine is.
"You and Snape fighting?" Ron asked one afternoon in June.
"What?"
"Well, you're spending a lot of time up here and not with Snape."
"Everything between us is great. I'm giving Severus peace and quiet to work on O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. and I get to spend more time with you two."
"It's just that you seemed…desperate for Snape's attention for weeks and now you're up here more often."
"It was spring, Ron. My desire for intimacy peaks in spring and gradually returns to normal. Severus experiences the same thing." Harry heard someone approach and looked to see Jimmy Peaks, one of his Beaters, with a scroll of parchment. "Thanks, Jimmy." He said once Jimmy left, "It's from Dumbledore!" He opened it and scanned it. "He wants me to come to his office as soon as I can." He exchanged looks with Ron and Hermione.
"You don't think he…?" Rona asked.
"Better go and see." Harry got to his feet, left, and hurried down to Dumbledore's office. When he got there, he found Dumbledore at his window with a long black traveling cloak in his arms. He turned and smiled at the fox.
"Well, Harry. I promised that you could come with me."
"You found one? A Horcrux? Where is it? Do you know which one?"
"I don't know which one but I think we can rule out the snake. I believe it is hidden in the cave where Riddle terrorized two children. Do you still want to come?"
"Yeah. I do."
"Then, fetch your Cloak and meet me in the Entrance Hall in five minutes."
Harry wasted no time in flying down to his room and to his trunk while Snape stared, bewildered. "Harry?"
"Dumbledore found the location of a Horcrux and said I can come. I'm taking my Cloak with me." He extracted the silvery cloth, gave Snape a kiss on the cheek, and dashed off.
Snape frowned. Now that he knew about the Cabinet, he had been making regular visits since May to check on Draco's progress. He had made one such visit several minutes ago and heard the sounds of joyful whooping once inside the room. He succeeded in fixing the Cabinet. The headmaster's death is at hand. I should alert the Order and perhaps any members of the D.A. Granger and Weasley will want to help. Snape gathered up the map and left to summon the Order for a likely Death Eater invasion and to round up D.A. members through those clever coins Granger had created and Harry had left his coin behind in his trunk.
I will also utilize my fox magic to defend the school and protect those who need my help. Things could get dangerous here. I only hope that Harry doesn't face terrible danger. He shouldn't as long as Dumbledore is with him.
