CHAPTER 15: Golden Fountain

ANs:

Title is from Ecclesiastes 12:6. Some translations use the word bowl instead of fountain but I like fountain because I don't imagine the source of life as a bowl, but instead flowing and bubbling like a fountain. This is also a roundabout way to reference "Lenore" by Poe which starts with the line "Ah broken is the golden bowl! the spirit flown forever."

This is the end. No sequel or continuation of any sort planned for this story. I also don't have any deleted/removed scenes. This is it folks.

"Hermione says the games are barbaric."

"She would, she can't fly on a broom well."

"Something she's bad at? I will definitely have to tease her about that. I still think it's stupid you fly on enchanted brooms."

"We fly on brooms, you're a wizard as well."

"Not that kind. I have common sense. I'm a," he paused to think, then smiled, "….sorcerer!"

"You're something alright."

"Hey! You love me!" He shoved him lightly.

Severus stumbled a bit, stopped, and reached for Isaiah's hand. "You know I do."

"You're such a teddy bear, darling. Your students are going to have heart attacks," he pulled Severus into a quick kiss.

"They have been more annoying than normal."

"I know. Hermione has been whinging on about them in her letters. She got cornered by your Slytherins once demanding to know all about me."

"Did they? I must have missed that. What did she do?"

Isaiah smirked. "She threatened them with your wrath."

"Did she really?" Severus seemed impressed.

"Yeah, I told her not to take anyone's shit and if they got pushy to tell them to talk to you, since I'm your boyfriend. She's my friend, and as such is bound to keep my secrets."

"She knows your secrets?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. He pulled Isaiah so they could continue walking.

"Of course not. I've known her for like three seconds but she's very loyal."

"I'm surprised she hasn't been cursed into answering their demands."

"I gave her a protection amulet."

"When?"

"In September, for her birthday. Children are horrible and I wanted to protect her."

"I'm surprised, you being such a bleeding heart. What is it and what does it do?"

"It's a pretty beaded bracelet and it redirects anything harmful."

"That was very nice of you."

"She was very helpful with her rune notes, and I wanted to pay her back."

"Now that makes sense, you don't like owing anyone. I still can't believe you basically mastered runes in a few weeks."

"You're just jealous. And it's a language, I'm good at those. How else am I going to attract followers far and wide to my cult?"

Severus laughed. "It wouldn't matter if you only spoke Troll, the masses would still flock to you."

Isaiah squeezed his hand and gave him a flirty smile. "You're not going to ask why I didn't give you a bracelet."

"I can protect myself," Severus practically sniffed.

Isaiah rolled his eyes. "You don't need the bracelet. You have a different protection."

"What did you do?" Severus asked suspiciously as he paused to glare at him. "Please tell me it didn't involve a human sacrifice of some sort. Which god did you invoke this time?"

Isaiah laughed and nudged him to keep walking towards the castle where breakfast was waiting before the match .

"No human sacrifice. Just sex magic."

"Sex magic? Like that party you dragged me to last Autumn. The cellar orgy?"

Isaiah nodded. "It's renewed every time we have sex."

"How?"

"My semen."

"Excuse me!" he choked out, glancing around to make sure no one was around to eavesdrop. He waved his wand and cast a muffling charm.

"I cum inside you and you're shielded," said Isaiah like it was everyday magic and knowledge.

"When did this start? And why didn't you say anything?"

"It's not a big deal and it only started working after you told me you love me. Love is a strong magic. The love between a parent and child, between friends, between lovers. No invocation needed. Magic itself powers it."

"That's preposterous."

"You're so cynical."

"Aren't you? You actually believe that my loving you is a form of magic and that you fucking me is one as well."

"In our case, yes. A one-off doesn't count. I am becoming an expert on obscure magic," he said the last bit in a fake snooty voice.

"My apologies, Grand Sorcerer of Obscure Sex Magic." Severus gave a slight bow then removed the muffling charm.

They stared at each other for several seconds and then broke into laughter. They were still chuckling when they entered the Great Hall. Of course the students passing by were shocked into silence.

"Ah, Severus. You're back," greeted a jovial Albus from the entrance to the Great Hall. He was standing with several teachers.

"Headmaster," Severus nodded to him respectfully. "May I introduce you to Isaiah Santos, my partner," he gestured to the tall handsome man beside him.

"My dear young man, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you. You've had the entire castle on tenterhooks waiting for your arrival."

They shook hands.

"The pleasure is all mine, Headmaster Dumbledore. I'm so happy to hear that Severus is such a popular teacher that everyone would be so excited to meet me." This comment was directed to the gawking students who had stopped their procession to breakfast to stare. "It's great to know Hogwarts is like a big family instead of just another school," Isaiah gave his best dazzling smile looking towards the teachers. He knew it worked by all the wistful sighs he heard from the students behind them.

The headmaster introduced the staff that was standing by him. They were all very welcoming and friendly. The Headmaster led the group into the room.

"So, where's Mi?" Isaiah asked looking around the large room. More students were trying not to stare but failing.

Severus gestured towards the front of the Gryffindor table and almost pouted when Isaiah started walking towards it. He didn't follow as he did not want to be near insufferable Lions. He went to the Head Table and sat next to the headmaster and started eating.

"Isaiah!" Hermione jumped up from her seat and hugged him once he approached. "I can't believe you're here!"

He gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Hey, Doll. It's good to see you." They both sat at the Gryffindor table to the surprise of the students but not Severus who looked resigned.

"So, are you going to introduce me?" he winked at her. He heard the far reaching tittering.

"Of course, this is Neville Longbottom, and," she looked around, "Luna is at the Ravenclaw table over there." At the sound of her name a pretty blond rose, walked over and sat next to Neville across from Hermione.

"Hello, Isaiah Santos. I'm Luna Lovegood." She offered her hand which he took.

"Nice to meet Hermione's friends. You wouldn't happen to be the Luna Lovegood that writes for the Quibbler?"

"Yes, that's me. Daddy and I own it."

"That's pretty cool. I recently started reading it, it's quite fun."

"Really?" asked a surprised Hermione.

"The rune puzzles helped me learn them quicker than I was before."

Luna beamed at the compliment. "I'll let Daddy know that you like it, he'll be very pleased." She floated away like on a wind-sail back to her table.

"Sorry about her, she's…." Hermione wasn't sure how to finish.

"Great, she's great. Your description of her did not do her justice. Maybe she can come with us to The Bulgari. I'm still not happy that the Mandarin Oriental is going to be closed for so long."

"Only you trade a luxury spa in London with a luxury spa in Milan and complain about it," laughed Hermione.

"You guys are going to Italy?" asked Neville, finally finding his voice.

"My parents invited Isaiah over for Christmas and we're spending part of it in Italy visiting family."

"You're spending Christmas with Professor Snape!" spluttered Seamus then turned red as he noted his outburst.

Hermione huffed. "No, he'll be here over the break. The professors are on a rotation and it's his turn to stay at the castle. Isaiah can't stay here, obviously, so my mom invited him over when she found out that he didn't have any plans."

"He knows your parents?" asked Neville, eyes wide.

"Mi's parents are great. Doctors G are super cool."

"Doctors G?" Neville looked at Hermione for clarification but Isaiah replied.

"Her parents are both dentists, you know doctors. I called them that once during the mid-term break and it stuck."

"Wow, you have nicknames for her parents. You two must be close," he observed.

Isaiah shrugged. "So, Neville, are you freaking out about these siren exams as much as Mi?"

"Siren exams?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's what he calls NEWTs. Since the acronym is the name of a salamander, Isaiah thinks he's being funny by calling them after another species."

"It is funny. You talk about them all the time. I have to entertain myself somehow."

"Weren't you nervous when you took your NEWTs?" Neville asked.

"Nope, because I didn't take them. Nor did I take any type of strigiform exam either."

"What?" asked a still confused Neville.

"He means OWLs. The bird is in the scientific order of strigiformes. Another of his not-funny jokes."

"You love them. How many other people just know that off the top of their heads," Isaiah asked, smirking.

"Let's see then. Veterinarians, zoologists. ornithologists. Even bird watchers," Hermione listed ticking fingers.

"And swots like us," he plucked her pinky finger so her hand had all five fingers enumerated.

"Yes, well."

"Wait, you didn't take your OWLs or NEWTs? Where did you go to school?" Neville inquired.

"Clifton College, it's in Bristol."

"I've never heard of a magical school in Bristol."

Isaiah shrugged again. "So, back to my question. How are classes and exam preparations going?"

That question led to a Hermione size rant, Neville disparaging and other seventh year Gryffindors chiming in about the horror of it all.

"It would be cool to learn the Patronus, but it's beyond NEWT level. It would be extra credit for the DADA NEWT," finished Hermione and the rest of the group actually nodded.

"Even some aurors have problems learning it, Hermione. Only you want to outperform professionals," teased Neville.

Isaiah had been watching the students gripe on and on in silence but then piped up. "I can teach you, if it means that much to you, Mi." Every single eye in the vicinity turned towards him. In case he had forgotten for just a few minutes that the entire hall was eavesdropping, here was proof.

"WHAT!" spluttered Hermione. "You didn't tell me you could produce a Patronus."

"You never asked."

"Isaiah! You have to teach me!" she all but demanded.

"Didn't I just offer?" he asked her and then looked at Neville, "You heard me right?" and Neville nodded. "See, a witness. I offered first."

"When did you learn it? Who taught you? Is yours corporeal? How long did that take? Do you have any reference books? When can we start?" Hermione asked all in one breath.

Isaiah looked amused. "Recently, Severus, Yes, a couple days, no, Christmas break."

Hermione looked at the Head Table. "Professor Snape taught you?! And only in a couple days?" Many eyes followed hers as they stated in awe at their Potions teacher.

"I've been reading through his personal library and he's been teaching whatever catches my interest. The Patronus was one of them."

"It's impossible to learn in a couple of days!"

"I wasn't practicing the whole time. I have a life you know. It took what…" he looked up at the ceiling while thinking, "six tries. Yeah, six tries before it was solid. Pretty cool charm. Plus they can carry messages. Severus regretted teaching me almost instantly." Isaiah finished with a laugh. More longing sighs from the masses.

"Can you show us now?" asked Seamus who had gotten over his embarrassing outburst.

"Sure," and Isaiah flicked his hand over his shoulder. A bluish white light emitted from his pointer and middle finger and then quickly transformed into an animal. A large majestic raven flew in a circle over his head then perched on his shoulder. "This is Allan, my Patronus. Say hi to the students Allan," the raven made several boop noises. "You're such a good girl," he petted her head which she tilted to accept the gesture. The boop-boop noise continued.

"It's a raven!" offered Neville.

"That was wandless!" ooh and ahhed several students further away.

"Where's your wand?" asked Ron

"Don't have one," replied Isaiah who wasn't looking at the surprised and awed faces but at his Patronus.

Hermione cut off any further inquiries about that. "How do you know it's a girl and why did you name her Allan?" she asked to keep the conversation a bit on track.

"Wow," said the raven.

"Did she...did she just talk?" a surprised Neville asked.

"Of course she can talk," then the raven proceeded to make a series of knocking noises. "She doesn't appreciate you insulting her intelligence. She's a very smart lady."

"I'm sorry, I was just surprised. I don't know anything about ravens."

"Waaaaaaa," said the raven.

"She accepts your apology. Anyway, I know she's a female because of her smaller size. And I didn't like Nevermore for her, let alone Lenore." Hermione snorted in a very undignified manner.

"Nevermore? Like the poem "The Raven"?" asked Dean.

"Five points to Gryffindor!" replied Isaiah and they laughed. He cleared his throat an in a deep, mournful tone proceeded to recite a bit of the poem:

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore, "Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven, Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore— Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!" Quoth the Raven "Nevermore." Several people clapped. He continued in his normal voice. "For those that don't know muggle literature, that was part of the poem "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe. My beautiful friend is named after the author."

"It's such a sad poem though," replied Hermione. "The protagonist is mourning the death of Lenore and doesn't think he'll be reunited with her even after death. Stuck in limbo always missing her."

"Sounds depressing," said Neville.

"It's romantic," countered Pavarti.

"Poe wasn't a happy chap. The poem's main theme is undying devotion. The unnamed narrator is conflicted between wanting to forget and wanting to remember Lenore after her death. It's quite self-deprecating. He drives himself further into his own feeling of loss. The raven is his only companion and witness to this perverse conflict. It offers no answers except to say 'Nevermore' and that drives the man into a frenzy and finally madness." Isaiah gave Allan one more pat and it disappeared.

"Wow, you're so smart," complimented a blushing Lavender.

"Thank you, Miss," he inclined his head in acknowledgement.

"Do I really have to wait for Christmas?" asked Hermione, practically vibrating with impatience.

"Yes, plus it's not like I can come to the castle all the time to teach you. And hello, I still have a life. We'll both have time while on holiday."

"It's not fair that you'll only teach Hermione, what about the rest of us? I want to learn it too," said Ron and the others agreed.

"Well, she is my friend. The rest of you can ask Severus. He's a great teacher." That statement was met with spluttering, choking, and squawks of indignation.

"I don't think that's such a good idea," said Hermione politely. She noted that her classmates did not want to say anything bad about Professor Snape in front of Isaiah.

"Oh, I know he's a bit of an ogre in your Potions class," that was met with even more spluttering, "I'm in a relationship with the man and wouldn't let him teach me potions. But as smart as he is in that field, he's even better at Defense. You have access to him for months unlike me. Just ask him, if you dare."

"We have an actual DADA professor, we can just ask him," offered Dean.

"You guys do that. Anyway, it's been nice visiting with you all. Thank you house-elves for the brekky, it went down a treat." He got up from the table and pulled Hermione into a hug. "See ya, Doll. I have to sit with the grown-ups at the game but I'll be in Hogsmeade during your next outing. Maybe I'll take you out to lunch again." She hugged him back and nodded.

The Headmaster and the rest of the staff watched Isaiah and the Gryffindors in interest as they ate their breakfast.

"I must say, Severus, he's very charming," complimented Albus.

"He's very young," teased Minerva.

"Cradle robber," teased Septima. "He's very good looking, your young man."

"How long have you been seeing each other?" asked Pomona.

"Over a year."

"You rascal! And you never said anything!" accused Minerva.

"My private life is private."

"We didn't know you had one, no offense," said Septima.

"I don't recognize him as an old pupil. Where did he go to school?"

"He currently attends University."

"Muggle schooling? He's not a muggle is he? He can see the castle."

"He's a wizard."

The staff continued to eat and all looked up when a warm loving feeling filled the room.

"Goodness me, is that a corporeal Patronus?" asked a surprised Minerva.

"Very impressive, I wonder who taught him," inquired Albus.

"I did, Headmaster," offered Severus. "He's a quick study. Picked it up in half a dozen attempts. I regretted it as soon as he figured out it could send messages. He likes to send me singing messages just to annoy me. I hate ABBA."

"I'm liking him more and more Severus. I myself am partial to 'Dancing Queen' if I'm honest."

"You would be," grumbled Severus under his breath, then louder. "Don't encourage him."

"I've never seen a Patronus so animated," said Filius.

"He treats her like a pet."

"It's interesting that his animal is a Raven. They aren't social creatures and tend to be alone unless at food sources. They are confident and very inquisitive. One would say hard headed as well, as they cannot be coerced into doing anything," explained Albus happily.

"Sounds just like him," said Severus with a small smile while looking at Isaiah.

"It actually sounds just like you too," said Minerva to which he scowled in response.

"Then they make a great pair," complimented Albus.

The game was fun to watch though many in the audience were distracted by Professor Snape and his boyfriend Isaiah Santos. The couple smiled, laughed, cheered, and all in all acted very normal. That normalcy caused waves of gossip that ebbed and crashed through the spectators. To many a Hogwarts student, it seemed like hell had frozen over, pigs could fly (without magic), the moon turned to cheese and Dumbledore wore black. They had proof, with their own unblinking eyes, that their sharp-tongued, ever-scowling, robe-billowing, Potions master had a heart. They weren't sure what other life changing news they could handle.

The students were appeased by the time they went to bed as it had made the gossip rounds that Professor Snape had, that very afternoon, taken points from several Gryffindors for breathing too loudly. Points that were for once willingly relinquished. And so, hell thawed, pigs landed, the moon declared itself lactose intolerant and Dumbledore blinded them all in resplendent shimmering orange robes at dinner. All was well.

-THE END-