Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter locations or characters. No money has been made from this endeavor. Just fun. Had lots of fun.
Warnings: AU after book 5 and slight spoilers for books 1-5. Slash! M/M. Harry/Snape
A/N: Thank you so so much for the reviews and story alerts. It is always like getting little gifts when I see that I have new reviews. I'm even on people's favorites list! It's unbelievable.
On with the show!
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Chapter 10: Clap Your Hands
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There is a basic emotion that all human beings—no, scratch that, all living creatures experience; some far more than others. It is non-discriminating. It is color blind. No creature large or small, brave or timid; even your creatures with big, sharp, pointy teeth can't escape this response. It has the ability bring people together and drive others apart. It can inspire self realization or induce madness.
Panic.
If you live and breathe chances are at some point in your life you have felt panic. Whether it is that small, smidge of panic of "Oh No! Did I lock my keys in my car?" to the more extreme form of "Oh No! There is a psycho killer with a chainsaw and a hook behind me!". Chances are your panic fits somewhere in between these two extremes. However the Seventh year students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who were only one week away from taking their NEWTS would tell you they would have the psycho with the hook any day of the week. This wasn't panic. Oh no. Panic came and went a long time ago. No.
This was terror.
Currently a large group of these horror stricken students were sitting in the library having a mass cramming session over a wide variety of subjects. At the heart of this group was a tall freckled red head, a short, green-eyed, black and green haired fairy and a bushy, brown haired girl who was currently pulling at her hair in utter frustration, making her hair look even bushier. The evening had started as only the three of them, however slowly but surely more and more of their classmates from all of the houses started to gather around. Eventually the group took up a whole two tables with a few extra chairs squeezed in.
"Why are they all here?" Hermione whispered in irritation. She had already snapped one of her quills in half worrying about whether or not she had taken sufficient notes about reversal animal transfiguration and all of these people around asking questions was not helping.
"Isn't it obvious? You are the smartest person in our class. You are a study magnet." Harry whispered in response. He had his head bowed down scribbling frantically. His wings were out and were a bright yellow. Ron stated obviously that that was the panic color. Harry's wings had been yellow for a week now.
"I am not that much help when everyone keeps bugging me."
"Hermione, even at your worst you are still the smartest person in this room."
"Yea, with the smartest witch ever and a muse around people think they will ace their NEWTS for sure." Ron mumbled from where his head lay in his arms on the table. His brain had exploded an hour ago. How he was still talking, breathing and staying conscious—who knows. In fact that last one was negotiable. He hadn't lifted his head for thirty minutes.
"I am not a muse."
"Shhhh" Madame Pince came around a corner and quickly disappeared again. This many students in one area made her nervous. Harry lowered his voice,
"I'm not a muse."
An unintelligible murmur was his only reply.
"I'm sorry. I don't speak your language Mr. Mumbles. Could you repeat that?"
"I said," Ron answered in a rather grumpy whisper as he finally lifted his head. He had a large red spot on the side of his face where it had laid on his arm, "that you don't know that Tink. You could be a muse."
"Do you feel inspired right now Ron?"
"No."
"Shhhh" Hermione shushed them.
Harry continued in what he hoped was a quieter voice, "Then I am not a muse. The book by McTorning never said—"
"Weren't you the one who pointed out that that book left out a few things?"
"Shhhh"
"Maybe I did and maybe I didn't. All I know is I am not a muse. You aren't inspired, Hermione looks more irritated by me than inspired and everyone else looks like they would rather eat the parchment they're reading than work so I certainly don't inspire them. Therefore—no muse."
"That's terrible logic."
"That's very interesting coming from you."
"Tink, I think a muse only works with people who have a brain and mine went away a couple of hours ago...as did everyone else's."
"You didn't have one to begin with." Hermione muttered with a grin playing at her mouth.
"Oh, shut up. You missed a parchment."
"WHAT? WHERE?!"
A loud "SHHHHHHH!!" came from several directions.
Hermione turned beat red and shot a death glare at Ron before returning to her work. Harry leaned back over to Ron to whisper in his ear,
"She is going to kill you, you know that right?"
"Probably."
"It will be slow and painful"
"Of course. I wouldn't expect anything less from my girl."
"You're not scared?"
"Oh, I'm terrified, but it will get me out of NEWTS and that's all I care about."
"You would die to get out of NEWTS?"
"Wouldn't you?"
"Touché."
"Shhhh"
"Stop that Hermione. You sound like a snake." Ron grumbled.
"No, not really. A snake sounds more like this—"
"Oh no, no snake talk Tink. My brain can't take anymore."
With that Ron returned his head and arms to the table. A nap sounded so nice right about now. Harry let out a quiet giggle and looked around at the rest of their study companions.
There were Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, more than a few Gryffindor and surprisingly one or two Slytherins. Malfoy had even joined the group although he sat off to the side in case someone questioned why he was there. There was no group of girls around him at the time. He had become quite unpleasant earlier when a few fourth years came over giggling and flirting with him. The trademark Malfoy snark came through with flying colors and Harry felt quite sorry for the two girls as they practically ran from the Veela. Apparently Malfoy was also feeling the strain of NEWTS very keenly.
Neville looked even worse that he did during a potion's class which meant that he looked about three breaths away from keeling over. His eyes darted around frantically from parchment to book and Harry had a hard time believing that any of it was committed to memory. More than a few of the others had the same look.
Harry himself was lost. Not because of transfiguration—though that was a little bit confusing—but he had become more and more confused about what he was going to do with his life after Hogwarts. NEWTS were scary but they would eventually be over with. The rest of his life was a little bit more long term; or at least Harry hoped it would be. Since he had first learned about it he had wanted to be an auror, however after the war he had been feeling less and less of a draw to the profession. He had seen fighting. Seen what it could do. Could he do that for the rest of his life? For that matter who in their right mind would be scared of a wizarding law enforcer with bright wings and a giggle? Maybe he should join a circus....
Harry turned back to his noted and stuck the tip of his quill in his mouth. It was a terrible habit he had picked up on back in sixth year and the problem now was with his brain more focused on spells, notes, and a general pondering of his place in the universe that he often forgot to not stick the writing utensil in his mouth when it had a draw of ink in it. This was one oh those times. His eyes widened three sizes as he quickly removed the quill from his mouth. He made a gagging noise and quickly brought his sleeve up to his tongue to wipe the ink away.
"Shhhh" Hermione supplied again as she flipped through a book.
This was going to be another long night.
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"I have a plan!" Ron said triumphantly as he plopped down on a couch in the common room next to Hermione who was reading an ancient runes book for the fifteenth time.
Harry was close by in a chair munching on chocolate frogs. Sweets made him feel less anxious over the impending NEWTS. The only problem was that the large amount of sugar in his system was making him even more hyper-active. Currently his right leg was shaking up and down at a rate of a large motor piston. His ears perked up when he heard Ron's confident statement.
"Plans are good! What's the plan?" Harry asked in a rush. More than a rush really. What is faster than a rush? Oh yes, a small explosion of words.
Ron paused and looked at the young fairy.
"How many of those have you had?" he asked as he pointed to the half eaten candy in the other teen's hand.
"I lost count after seventeen." Harry said slightly slower but still a surge of language.
"I think you have hit your limit there Tink." Ron said with a laugh.
"Probably." Harry said as he popped the rest of the chocolate into his mouth. "It just makes me feel better and it's good to feel better because the NEWTS are coming and I don't wont to fail them and I don't even know what I want to do with my life because I mean, seriously, who would take an auror fairy serious and I know that the sweets make me even more hyper but I am fine really and I can stop eating sweets whenever I want and I really wish my leg would stop shaking."
Hermione had stopped her reading and both she and Ron were staring at Harry as he finally started to breathe again. The sprite looked at his two best friends.
"What?" he asked.
Hermione just rolled her eyes and returned to her reading but Ron looked even happier than he did when he first walked in.
"Well, my plan has a way for you to put all of that hyper energy to good use!"
"It does?"
"It does." The red head said with a smirk. "Tink, how fast do you say you can fly?"
"Broom or wings?"
"Wings."
The fairy shrugged. "Pretty fast. I guess I can go about as fast as I can on my broom. Why do you ask?"
"We are going to hold a race!" Ron said triumphantly. He crossed his arms and leaned back in the couch and waited for his accolades.
His two companions were quiet save for the constant tapping sound of Harry's heal hitting the stone floor as his leg continued to shake. Hermione had once again stopped her reading and was staring at her boyfriend with a blank expression.
"That is your big plan?" the smartest witch of their year said in a flat tone.
"Yep! Is it great or what?"
"Or what. Why on earth would you have a race? People should be studying for their end of year tests. There is OWLS and not to mention—although you seem to need a reminder—we have NEWTS starting in four days!"
"But that's why this is the perfect thing right now! We need a distraction. Quidditch is over and now people have nothing to take their minds off of this horrid school work and—"
"School work is not 'horrid' Ron Weasley. It is an important part of our educational process. Without it we would be—"
"Yes, yes. All very true but still very horrible. The point is we need a break! A little distraction. Some fun!" Ron was sounding like one of the twins more and more by the minute.
"I will have no part of this!" Hermione said in a huff as she picked up on her reading. Ron looked at her for a moment and then shrugged. He turned to his other cohort.
"Are you in Tink?"
Harry was at that glorious stage of sugar inebriation when silly, pointless things seem like the best possible idea of all time. He should be devoting all of his time to studying. NEWTS were important. For that matter he needed to figure out if going into auror training was really what he wanted to do with his life. Harry unwrapped an acid pop and stuck it into his mouth.
"I'm in!"
Ron's face lit up like he had just been told he would not have to take his tests.
"Excellent! Okay, so here is the plan: We put up fliers saying anyone who wants to race the resident Diligarian show up on Saturday morning with their broom. I guarantee that all the quidditch players will show up for the challenge and the rest of the school will show up to finally see the wings at work."
"There needs to be a prize. Some type of incentive or people won't really care." Hermione said from her book.
"People will do it for bragging rights won't they? And I thought you said you would have nothing to do with this?"
Hermione gave a sigh, "You two couldn't plan your way out of a paper bag."
"What does a paper bag have to do with this? You're not suggesting we have a paper bag be the prize are you?"
Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose. "No I...never mind. Okay, so they will race Harry for bragging rights. You're only doing this for the pride of winning and not because you want to bet on the race?"
"Hey," Ron said with as close to an innocent face as he could muster, "I have no control over what some students want to do with their money. This is simply a sporting event to take my fellow student's minds off of their work and alleviate stress if only for a short period of time."
Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"You've already bet on this haven't you?"
"No, of course not."
"Ron—!"
"Okay so maybe I have a bet going with Seamus and a few Ravenclaws...and more than a few Slytherins"
"Ronald!!"
"Hey, they started it." Ron whined in his defense, "I was just talking to Seamus about the idea in the Great Hall and they came up saying that Harry the Fairy couldn't possibly be faster than a broom. I had to defend his honor."
"Thanks Ron." Harry said as he rolled his eyes and tucked his feet under him in the chair so that the shaking of his leg wouldn't vibrate the chair so much. He felt somewhat like a can of pop that had been shaken too much.
"Anytime Tink"
"You haven't even put up signs Ron."
"Hermione this is fool proof. All we have to do is put up, like, one flier and the whole school will be there. It will be great! Harry will race and win and I will get to rub it in those Slytherins faces."
"Hey, I've just thought of a problem with this plan."
"What's that Tink?"
"What if I lose?"
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"It seems this will be our last tea with you as a student Harry." Dumbledore said merrily as he stirred his sweetened tea.
"That is if I passed my NEWTS" Harry said darkly as he munched on a lemon drop. He could see why the headmaster liked these things.
He should be studying.
Dumbledore chuckled, "Of course you will pass your NEWTS! You do not give yourself enough credit my dear boy.
"I can pass DADA, but what about History and Potions and Transfiguration and—"
Dumbledore held up his hand before the young fairy got too worked up. "You and your friends have been studying very hard. I believe if you were to just calm down and think clearly then you will do just fine. Perhaps you may even resist eating so many sweets for the time?"
Harry choked as he was taking a drink of tea.
"I'm sorry sir, could you repeat that sir?" Had the King of Candy, the master of all sugary confections, just said not to eat candy?
Holy moly.
Another chuckle came from the silver haired headmaster, "It is a shock coming from me I know, but you are already a very exuberant young man. The extra sugar may be the reason you are feeling so scattered."
Harry thought for a moment. Perhaps an abundance of sugar was the reasoning behind his agitated state.
"I have a ton of candy in my pockets. Would you like it sir?"
Dumbledore's face lit up. For a man at his age it seemed pleasantly funny how attached to sweets the he was, "That, my dear boy, is very kind of you. Thank you."
And with that Harry dug into his pockets and gave his friend and headmaster his collection of sugar quills, acid pops and chocolate frogs which his companion stored in his own robe pockets for future consumption. Finished with his task he turned back to Harry.
"I know this is a rather formal question Harry, but have you given any thought to what you are going to do with your future after Hogwarts?"
Harry slumped back in his chair and regretted giving his candy away. He felt like a sugar quill right now. "I don't really know sir. I thought I wanted to be an auror but..."
"But now you are not sure."
"Yea" Harry sighed as he picked up his tea again.
Dumbledore considered the smaller young man for a moment before he continued.
"I do not wish to add anymore to your confusion, but I have another offer to present to you."
When Albus Dumbledore sounded this official one needed to sit up and take notice. Harry put his tea down and gave the older man all of his attention.
"Yes sir?"
"Have you considered getting a Mastery?"
"Mastery?" Harry echoed. He sat blankly for a second until, "Oh! Like with Se—Professor Snape? Like a Master of Potions..." Harry finished rather lamely. He had not just messed up and nearly called Severus by his first name in front of the headmaster. Nope. Wasn't him. Must have been some other fairy named Harry. There are so many you know.
Harry was still mentally giving himself a swift kick in the pants as Dumbledore continued. He seemed unfazed by Harry's slip. Had he not noticed? Highly doubtful. The man was so tuned in to everything around him that if Mrs. Norris sneezed somewhere on the other side of the castle then Dumbledore would say "Bless you."
"Yes, but instead of a Mastery of potions you would get your Mastery in defense against the dark arts."
"How do I go about getting it?"
"You would go into an apprenticeship with someone who has already attained their Mastery and would study under them for two years or sometimes three depending on the program. Considering your already extensive background in the subject it could very well be knocked down to only a year for you."
Harry thought about it for a minute. It didn't sound too bad actually. There was only one problem.
"Sir, I just don't know if I want to fight anymore."
"Understandable, but I was not informing you of the Master program for fighting purposes."
"You weren't?"
"No. I was suggesting you receive your Master and come and teach."
Harry just sat there. Teach. Could he really teach?
"Could I really teach?" The green eyed sprite asked.
Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling again. "Harry, you have already become a teacher. What about the DA?"
Yes there was the DA. But that didn't seem like teaching. That was training. It was different right?
"What do you think teaching is my dear boy, but training?"
Harry blushed and took a sip of his tea. Whoops. He hadn't realized he had said that out loud.
Dumbledore smiled fondly and rose from his seat.
"I am afraid I must leave for now. I am meeting with the committee of magical education about the upcoming NEWTS. They are sending the representatives that will be administering the tests tomorrow and I must arrange accommodations. In the mean time I suggest that you do not fret too much about your future Harry. Things fall into place as they should. Start with what you know you want for your future and then work out from there." Dumbledore said with a wink.
Harry stood and said his goodbyes to the headmaster. He was nearly to the door when he remembered why he had agreed to have tea with the man in the first place.
"Sir?"
"Yes my boy?"
"Am I really a Muse?"
"Ah, now why would you ask me that?"
Harry just waited. Finally the headmaster gave a smile and answered the young man.
"We are all muses in our own way Harry. We each inspire someone at some point in time. The parchment that I found and sent to the Daily Prophet was simply Da Vinci's own proclamation that his muse was his mate, who just happened to be a Diligarian. Da Vinci was known for waxing poetic and he does make a claim that because of their personality he thought that everyone would be inspired by such creatures."
"So I am not a muse?"
"You have inspired people from the time that you were small. You gave them hope. During the second war you inspired people, some very young, to stand and fight for what was right. With your new inheritance you inspire laughter with your own and you have also inspired someone long thought cold and solitary to show affection and passion."
Harry's cheeks had begun to color during the older man's speech. Especially at the very end. No guesses needed to tell who he was talking about there. He knew. Had he got Severus in trouble? Dumbledore didn't seem mad. He seemed....
Relieved?
"So the paper was right? I am a muse?"
"No more or less so than any body else."
"So the paper got it wrong?"
"Quite possibly, but isn't it a nice change of pace for the Prophet to jump to a conclusion in your favor?"
Harry smiled, "Yes. Yes it very much is. Goodbye Professor."
"Harry?"
"Yes sir?"
"After next week you will no longer be a student. Please call me Albus."
"Oh. Okay. Goodbye Albus."
Albus beamed, "Goodbye Harry. Good luck with your tests"
Harry's face fell. He had almost forgotten about those blasted things. Almost. He nodded his head and turned toward the door.
"And good luck with the race tomorrow."
How did the man always know!?
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Ron wasn't lying.
It looked like the whole school had showed up either to participate or watch this fools race.
Harry was the fool.
"Ron! Every single quidditch team is here to compete. I can't out fly all of these people!"
"Sure you can." Ron said a little uneasily as he surveyed the large crowd that was gathering on the grounds. When he had conceived this plan he had been cocky and had boasted this large of numbers but he had never in a million years believed that all of these people would show up.
"I'm a fairy Ron. Not a jet."
"What's a jet?"
Harry pinched the bridge of his nose. He should be studying. "Never mind. I wonder why the teachers are allowing this."
"Cause most of them have bets riding on this as well. Everyone needed the distraction I guess."
"Forget joining a circus. I'm in the three ring show already."
"Look, just race Tink. It is no big deal if you loose."
"How much money would you loose if I didn't come in first?"
The red head's ears went pink. "Not a lot. But if you could win that would be awfully helpful."
Harry looked around the crowd himself. He saw several people taking bets and more than a couple cheering for him to win. It was a far cry from a month ago when everyone was backing away terrified. 'Everyone is a muse to someone' played through his head.
What the hell.
Time to inspire some fun.
Harry walked up to the makeshift starting and finish line. Several people on brooms were already waiting there.
"Think you stand a chance Pix?" Malfoy said as he strolled up with his broom on his shoulder. He looked down at the green and black haired man with a smirk. "I have a Thunderbolt 2.0. You can't possibly beat that."
"I can try. Your fan club is back."
"Very funny."
"No, I'm serious!"
There came a giggle from behind the tall Veela.
"Damn." Malfoy muttered under his breathe. Harry giggled, "Shut it Pixie, have you gotten anymore date offers pretty boy?
"Pretty boy my left shoe. And yes, but they don't follow me around and they take no for an answer."
Malfoy snorted, though Malfoy himself would proclaim it a quickened laugh. Malfoys do not snort. "Aren't you the lucky fairy?"
"You know it."
Malfoy mounted his broom, "Lucky fairy or not, you will not win this race. Those wings are just for show."
Harry let his wings unfurl and took a running stance position. "We will see."
Ron walked in front of the starting line and began to speak. "Can every one hear me?" he said but the crowd kept talking. He decided to raise his voice the same time Hermione decided her well meaning but slightly forgetful boyfriend needed a sonorus charm.
"I SAID—Oh, that's much better. Okay, can everyone hear me? Good. The track is as follows: all the way around the entire castle, then through the quidditch pitch bleacher, around the lake and then finish right back here. Everyone got it?"
The racers nodded.
"Alright," Ron said as he moved out of the way, "On my mark...get set..."
'Never normal,' Harry thought as he got ready.
Normal is overrated.
"GO!"
Harry took of with the rest of the racers amongst the yells and cheers from the spectators. There had to be at least fifty other people racing alongside him but soon those with lesser broom models began to fall behind so by the second turn around the castle it was down to about thirty quidditch players and Harry. Harry didn't push as fast as he could since, unlike his competitors with brooms, his mode of flying required his back muscles to do quite a bit of work. He didn't want to tire out or pull a muscle so early in the race. He stayed towards the middle. Malfoy was ahead of the pack but didn't break away either. Harry knew what was going on in the Veela's mind. Malfoy anticipated that it would come down to him and the fairy and Malfoy wanted to make it a good show.
'Ever the show off' Harry thought as he dodged around a tower and headed towards the quidditch pitch. He began to speed up and passed a few more people. He thanked his lucky star that he had flown so much in the room of requirement. He may actually be able to win this thing. One of the Hufflepuff chasers hollered something and Harry turned his head to try and see what was going on. He didn't see them and when he turned back he was met with a surprise.
Quidditch Goal post!
So that was what they were yelling about.
Harry threw his feet down and stood in the air as he went into full reverse and came a hairsbreadth away from the post. In fact his nose was just barely touching the painted wood.
Close call.
"So you've decided to make out with the goal post Pixie instead of finishing the race? Smart move fairy boy! Just don't get a splinter!" Malfoy yelled as he turned a corner and vanished. The rest of the lead racers close behind.
'Oh, now he's done it.' Harry turned back to the goal post, "Wish me luck!" And he took off again to catch up with the pack.
Forget taking it easy. Forget pulling a muscle. Hermione could yell at him later. He had to get back up there with Malfoy. Harry began to get his wings up to top speed and by the time the rest of the group was to the lake he was back in the middle and still gaining momentum.
The finish line was in site and the crowd was cheering like crazy.
'Come on wings don't fail me now!' Harry pushed until he was neck and neck with the blond Slytherin who was in first place. Malfoy glanced over. "Finished kissing on that post already Pixie?"
"You're just jealous." Harry said as he huffed and puffed. Just a little farther to go.
"Of the post? Hardly. People may fawn over you but—"
"Not of the post." Harry said with a grin. He looked over at Malfoy. "Jealous of me. At least the post wouldn't follow you around."
Malfoy smirked, "Just race Pixie."
So race they did. Only fifty more yards were left and the Veela and the Diligarian pushed forward with everything they had. The crowd was cheering like crazy and as they crossed the finish line it was clear who had one.
It was a tie.
Harry threw back his feet again to come to a stop but was going too fast and ended up sitting on the soft ground. Well, not so much sitting as—
WHUMP!
Malfoy stopped and dismounted from his broom with the poise and grace that would make one watching just a tad queasy. The blond walked over to Harry who was currently lying on the ground panting. The short, messy haired teen had a huge grin on his face. The rush from flying leaving him with a wonderful adrenaline buzz.
Then something happened that should have been logged and recorded in the second edition of Hogwarts; A History. Draco Malfoy offered his hand to Harry Potter. Harry went cross eyed as he stared at the offered appendage. Finally he reached up and allowed the taller boy to help him off of the ground.
"So those things aren't for show. Nice race Pixie."
Harry began to shake Malfoy's hand which was still in his. "Same to you Mr. Veela."
And with that the crowd and the other racers clambered around to congratulate the two winners.
Ron finally made his way over to Harry. "You couldn't go a little faster? It would have been great to see you beat the Ferret."
"I am right here Weasel."
Ron pressed on as though he hadn't heard anything. "I mean how can anyone win when you tie."
"Maybe this will teach you to bet on your friend."
"Hermione, now is not the time for wisdom." Ron said back to his girlfriend.
"No of course not. How silly of me. Can we please go study now?"
Oh yea. They should be studying.
Harry looked around at the crowd as it was breaking up and heading back into the castle. He caught sight of Severus standing back beside a tree with Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. Their eyes locked again and held for a few seconds. Harry couldn't help it—he smiled. What shocked him was that Severus returned the gesture. Not a sneer, not a smirk, not that weird half smile thing that only Severus could do, but a full out smile.
Harry had never seen such a thing before. He had a sneaking suspicion that the abominable snowman had been spotted more times than a true smile from the potion master had. Soon though the crowd walking into the castle blocked his view and by the time it had cleared the tall, dark professor was gone.
'Start with what you know you want for your future and then work out from there'
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Severus was done. At least for another school year. All that was left was final exams and he did not even have to worry about the seventh years. They would be receiving their NEWTS tests from outside representatives. He just had to get through one more week of cauldrons blowing up and first years not knowing a beaker from a vial if one stood up and introduced itself. One more week until Harry was done with school.
What then?
Severus had not dated any one in years. Hell, decades. Wait, should just say years. Decades made him sound far too old and Severus was not old. No. Of course not.
The point though was that He did not know what to do after the year was up. He was Harry's mate. Quite different from just a lover or a boyfriend; both of which Severus had experience with. Would it be the same with Harry? Did he even remember how to act around such a person? It seemed he certainly remember the physical aspect of it—as was apparent anytime he and Harry got close—but the emotional part gave the potion's professor worry.
A quiet knock at his door brought him out of said worry. "Come in!"
"Hi Severus," Harry said as he opened and shut the door.
"Shouldn't you be studying?" Severus asked. He was not going to let the young fairy see how happy he was by the visit. 'Speak of the devil' he thought, "though Harry certainly doesn't look like a devil. Just acts like one sometimes.'
Harry half-heartedly lifted his messenger bag that carried all of his books. "I thought I might study here."
"Oh, and where, may I ask, are your two coconspirators in crime?"
"Ron got all of the questions right on a practice test for charms and he and Hermione are...celebrating."
"Ah I see. That does not explain why you sought out my personal office instead of the library. I do not think I should remind you that we tend to get...distracted when in each others company."
"I'm already distracted enough with these tests. I have been getting more and more anxious and candy use to calm my nerves but it made me too hyper and Albus said I should lay off the sweets so now I am anxious and the only thing that makes me feel better than candy is being around you and I know that we usually get distracted but—"
"Stop," Severus said with a smirk as he got up from his desk. It always surprised him how fast Harry was able to talk. "You can stay."
"Really!?"
"Yes really. You may use the couch over there, but so help me though you had better not distract me from my work."
"Same goes for you. I need to study." Harry said in a rush as he all but ran to the couch and began to pull his notes and books out. Soon there was a right mess around his space and Severus merely sighed and went back to his desk to continue writing out the fourth year's exam.
Silence consumed the room for several hours as the professor and student worked. Harry couldn't be bothered by lightheaded bubbly feelings right now so he pushed it aside. Had to concentrate.
After a while the urge to talk to one another became too great.
"How is Ssssmssarra?"
"Viridus is doing quite well. Do you wish to speak with him?"
"Maybe later." Harry said as he looked back at his notes.
He hadn't gotten to speak with the snake he had bought Severus for Christmas in ages. He wondered if he still remembered him. It wasn't like he could ask Severus if the Ssssmssarra, or Viridus, asked about him. He couldn't get distracted right now though.
He had to study.
He had to pass.
He was getting so sick of studying though. He had been studying non stop before the race and after and all day today and NEWTS started tomorrow and he was sure he would die of brain overload by then. He stuck his quill in his mouth to chew on the tip.
Blast it all to the bottom of the lake with the giant squid!
The quill had a draw of ink!
Harry gagged and dropped the quill.
"What is the matter?" Severus asked as he looked up from his answer keys. He was met with the sight of a young fairy with yellow wings and his tongue sticking out and a despondent look of his face. Harry's usually small, pink tongue was black from ink.
Severus Snape couldn't help it.
Severus Snape had to laugh.
"'Snot fummy!" Harry pouted with his tongue still sticking out.
"It most certainly is. If you are going to do something as careless and—quite frankly—disgusting as chewing on your quills then you must deal with being laughed at when something like this happens." Severus said as he conjured a glass of water and brought it over to the frazzled fairy. Harry accepted the glass and began drinking immediately to get the taste of ink out of his mouth. Severus smirked and sat in a chair across from the green eyed young man.
"What has gotten you so worked up?"
"I guess I am just worried about NEWTS...and about what I am going to do with the rest of my life."
"I thought you wanted to be an auror."
"That's what I thought too." Harry said with a sigh as he leaned his head back to rest on the couch. Severus noted that Harry had a small stain on his full lower lip. It was oddly endearing in a way that only Harry could accomplish. He should tell the young man about the smudge. Maybe later. "I am just so sick of fighting."
"Are you thinking about becoming a professional racer?"
Harry smiled but kept his eyes closed, "That was fun. I doubt I could make a living at that."
"You were a terrible show off and you could have been seriously hurt."
"Aww were you worried about me?" Harry teased. He was met with silence.
Oh. He had been worried about him.
Harry opened his eyes and gazed at the potion's professor. His mate.
"Albus offered me a chance to teach. Said I could get my Masters in Defense and could be the DADA teacher."
Severus was not excited about this. He wasn't. "We still have not been able to keep a blasted defense teacher who knows their stuff for more than a year. Is that what you want to do though?"
Harry shrugged, "I don't know anymore. It is just all so...so scary." Harry said as he closed his eyes again.
"You have faced the dark lord himself countless times and not only survived but vanquished with a power that has not been seen in hundreds of years and you are afraid of a few tests?"
"Darn straight."
Severus rolled his eyes and continued to look at the young fairy that seemed to be lost in a sea of doubt. A stroke of brilliance struck him.
He began to clap. Not a fast clap like one does for applause, but still a steady rhythm of claps.
Harry started at the noise and when he finally realized what it was he jerked his head up and gave the man in front of him a glare would send a dozen full sized trolls screaming for the hills like prepubescent girls. Or at least that was the intention.
"You are making fun of me! I will admit that I am being a bit melodramatic but given the current situation I feel a flare for the—"
"You misunderstand."
"Oh I understand perfectly. Did you know what you were going to do at the age of seventeen?"
"I was already a Death Eater." Severus said somewhat hollowly.
"Oh...yea."
"How does your foot taste?"
"Terrible."
"Good. As I was saying I was not 'making fun' of you. I was merely trying to make you see that I believe in you." Severus said. His smirk had returned and he was looking quite pleased with himself. Almost like he had said something very witty. Harry was lost.
"Oh....Huh?"
"Oh for the—Good humor is wasted on you. Do you not read?"
"Apparently not."
"There is a book by J.M. Barrie entitles The Adventures of Peter Pan—"
"That was a book?"
Severus's brow rose, "It was anything else?"
"Hermione said it was a children's movie."
"Well, it was a popular children's story so I can assume it would be made into a film. I remember it from my own childhood—"
"You were a child?"
"I am not opposed to kicking your winged person out of my rooms."
"Sorry, please continue."
"As I was saying before I was so delightfully interrupted," Harry smiled at the sardonic statement, "That in the story the fairy whose name I can't—"
"Tinkerbelle"
"Am I going to be able to finish my explanation? It is nearly curfew and—"
"Sorry! Sorry."
"To continue, the fairy is dying and in order to save her Peter Pan tells everyone that they must show that they believe in fairies by clapping their hands." Severus had gotten up during his explanation and hand made his way until he was in front of Harry on the couch. He leaned over so that he and the green and black haired teen were eye to eye.
"So...you're saying that...
"That I believe in fairies. Well, in one particular fairy at the least." Severus said as he leaned in for a quick, chaste kiss. He pulled away to find Harry with a far off look in his eye.
"You don't play fair." The teen answered with a voice to match his expression.
"I try."
Harry shook himself out of his daze. "That was also really...sweet...what you said."
"Yes...tell anyone and I shall be forced to hex you."
"Gotcha."
Harry stood and began to gather all of his books and parchments. Without the frantic rush of studying taking up all of his attention he was left to focus on other things. Like how nice Severus's hands were. A train of thought that did not help him prepare for his NEWTS.
He was stopped mid clean up by a hand on his shoulder. He turned his face upwards to the taller man.
'Start with what you know you want for your future and then work out from there'
Harry knew his future. He didn't need to know his career path right now.
He stood up on tip toes and gave the man another quick kiss, "Don't clap just yet." He said quietly just centimeters away from the older man's mouth
"Oh? When shall I clap?"
The clock on the wall chimed.
"When that blasted clock chime doesn't mean I have to go." Harry said as he lowered himself down, placed his bag over his shoulder and began to walk towards the door.
"Ah, yes. That should truly be a time for applause."
"Wish me luck?"
"Luck is irrelevant. If you have studied then you will do well."
Harry shrugged. "Just the same. Goodnight Severus."
"Goodnight. Harry?"
"Yes?"
"Do you still wear the necklace I bought for you?"
Harry gave a small smile. "Everyday." And he turned and walked out the door.
Severus nodded his head. Maybe they would be okay after all.
"Good luck" he said quietly to the door.
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NEWTS hadn't been bad. No
They had been terrible.
If Harry wrote one more line on a parchment he swore his hand would fall off. Ron stated that his eyes had quit working from staring at the plants during the herbology practical and Hermione...well, Hermione was in a sad state indeed. After every test she would work herself into a tizzy about what she should have put on the written part of the exam or how she could have done a spell just a tad different during the practical. During such a state nothing could calm her down. Not even Ron. Actually the red head had backed away from his girlfriend during the course of the week. Something about keeping certain parts of his anatomy intact.
Thank goodness there was only one more test: transfiguration.
Harry had been surprised. While the tests themselves had been grueling and if given a choice between this and shaving Fluffy the three headed dog he would have asked for the razor it was actually not that bad. Harry found himself knowing more than he thought he did and while he knew he did not do outstanding on anything besides DADA his best efforts had been put forth.
He now just had to get through lunch and this one final test.
"What if they ask about the reversal of inanimate objects back to live creatures? I knew I should have studied that more. Or—"
"Hermione," Ron said cautiously. She was scary. Best not to make her mad. "You will be fine. Won't she be fine Tink?"
"Without a doubt."
"See? Tink says it, so shall it be! He is a muse after all."
"How about I muse your freckled—"
"Oho! Scary Fairy alert!"
Ron caught a piece of orange right on the forehead.
"And this Scary Fairy fights with citrus too!" Harry said as he pealed off another slice to pummel his friend with. Honestly. If you can't throw food at your best friend—who can you throw food at?
Finally their antics accomplished their goal. Hermione began to laugh. Thank goodness.
"Aha! There is that wonderful smile!" Ron said triumphantly with a little bit of orange juice on his forehead. He hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.
"Hmmmm. Well, we should go. wipe the juice of your forehead and Harry—you have a black smudge on your lip."
"You just now noticed?" Ron asked, "It's been there the whole time."
"And you're just now saying something? Thanks a lot." Harry said as he rubbed his mouth. It wasn't coming off. Dang. When had he stuck his quill in his mouth? For that matter, was he now used to the taste of ink? Could one die from ink poisoning?
"It looks funny Tink"
"Oh I'm sure it's hilarious. Hermione please help."
Hermione pointed her wand and a swish and a mutter later and his lower lip was back to its original color.
"Now come on Incus and Dincus, we need to go." Hermione said as she gathered her things and began to walk to the exit. Ron and Harry followed soon after.
"Incus?"
"Dincus?"
"That's right."
"Who is Incus and who is Dincus?" Ron asked as they walked to the transfiguration room.
"If you have to ask then I won't tell you." Hermione said with a grin.
Ron turned towards Harry who only shrugged.
"She's your girlfriend. Lead the way Dincus."
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It was done.
Such a statement should have been followed by a trumpet fanfare and the resounding rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus. As it was the last of their NEWTS was brought to a close by,
"If I ever....ever...write another thing again I think a will die, become a ghost, and haunt the department of magical education."
"Bit extreme wouldn't you say?" Harry said as they exited the classroom. The practical part hadn't been too bad, but the writing section had taken up three and a half rolls of parchment. Harry didn't think he even knew enough words to be able to fill that much parchment. But it was done. Over. Finished.
Finally.
He wasn't a student anymore.
He could be with Severus.
"We're done!" Ron finally whooped. His previous dramatic exclamation all but forgotten. He turned to Hermione who was walking a few steps behind.
"I should have related section two with part A of the second question and—"
"Hermione, stop. It's done. You aced it! You will get the highest score on everything and—"
"No...No...I am sure I got something wrong."
Ron just shook his head. "This calls for a celebration. I am sure that there is a party going on at the common rooms."
"And now we have to wait three weeks until the results! What are we going to do until then?!" Hermione wailed.
"Ummm...Have fun?" Ron supplied.
"But what about our future?"
"Hermione, we have the rest of our lives to think about our future! Let's go have some fun at the common room before the opening feast."
If there was one thing Hogwarts was known for it was really really good food. Ron liked food.
Hermione was still muttering answers to herself. She would be a lost cause for at least another half hour. Ron hoped that she would at least come around soon for a little celebratory kiss or two.
The red head turned to Harry in hopes of sharing his excitement with his best friend. Harry was always excited. He found his green eyed friend with a far away look in his eyes and a small smile on his lips.
Oh.
Even Ron in all his glorious lack of perception was able to spot what was going on here. Ron did have moments of insight from time to time he will have you know.
"You know, the fastest way to get there is to fly but if you run you would still get there pretty quick."
"Huh?" Harry finally came out of his trance, "Get where?"
Ron gave a sly grin, "To the dungeons of course."
"What? No I—" He received a very pointed look from the red head, "You don't mind? What about Hermione?"
"She will be fine once she gets this out of her system."
They both looked at their muttering friend. She was now berating herself over only taking only two thirds of a parchment roll to answer one of the questions.
"You know, I hope so."
"Yea me too."
"Go."
"You're sure?"
"Positive Tink. I got Ms. Obsessive over here. She will snap out of it when we get back to the commons room. Again, go!"
Harry's smile was almost blinding, "Thanks Dincus!" And with that the short stature, green eyed teen took off in a dead sprint down the hallway.
"That better not become my nickname!"
Harry hardly heard his friend. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Wings would have been faster but the halls were too crowded. He dodged and weaved throughout the students yelling out "Pardon me" and "Excuse me" when he could. Sure, he looked a little strange, but hey,
Harry was a little strange.
Finally he reached his destination. Without thinking he flew open the door without knocking and didn't even notice that the wards allowed him in. He was on a mission.
"Harry? What in the—Oomph!" Was all Severus could say as he found himself being tackled to the ground by the over enthusiastic fairy. He wrapped his arms around the smaller man as they both fell to the ground.
"Was that necessary?"
"You can clap your hands now!" Harry said quietly but happily as he looked down his former professor. His mate.
"I would, but my hands are full."
"Oh...Good excuse." Harry said as he leaned in for a kiss.
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Just the Epilogue to go! Should be up sometime tomorrow Hopefully...maybe....we shall see. It won't be that long.
If this seems a little open ended still there is a reason. I have already received one or two reviews requesting I continue this story in a sequel. I must admit that I am very reluctant to let go of this little world I created. So what do you guys think?
Should I do a sequel?