CHAPTER 27

A/N: An ouroboros is a snake or dragon biting its own tail, thus forming a circle. It symbolises, among other things, eternity. I got the idea from the X-Files episode "Never Again" (season 4), where Scully has an ouroboros tattooed on her lower back, so credit goes to that episode :-)

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It took Harry two hours' skilful arguing and more than arguing to convince Snape to hold hands and kiss him in public.

"I don't believe in reflected glory," Snape said snootily.

"But I do," Harry said, giving Snape a deep look.

"Flattery won't get you anywhere."

"Come on, Severus. Why should we hide our love?"

The word "hide" acted as an incentive; Snape drew himself up proudly.

"I don't hide."

"You do. You're always sticking around your dungeons in the most timid manner-"

"Are you trying to provoke me? Just because we're together doesn't mean that-"

"Severus, please don't be so…recalcitrant."

"If you play the piano naked for me, then I will kiss you in public."

Harry blinked.

"Huh?"

"I was joking, you silly teen."

"I think it's a good idea. Are you shy? You saw me naked during Christmas."

"It was rather dark in your room," Snape pointed out cuttingly.

"Well, I'm sure you won't mind getting a better look this time," Harry said, trying to sound blasé but blushing all over his face.

Snape shot him a scornful look.

"Spare me the torture of voicing your depraved fantasies," he ordered.

"Depraved? What about the piano idea?" Harry reminded him.

"I have got some essays to grade."

"I love you, too, Severus."

"Brat. Where are you going?"

"To play the piano naked."

It was on this occasion that the Music Master decided to abandon his portrait and go for a long walk when it became clear to him that the occupants of the room he guarded had become rather carried away by activities which were not piano-related. His decision was triggered by a sudden bellow from the room:

"HARRY POTTER! Are you trying to place your naked behind on my expensive dragon-leather stool?"

The roguish chuckle which followed this outburst made him hasten his step.

The students stared as Professors Potter and Snape walked into the Great Hall holding hands; and when they exchanged a deep look followed by a kiss initiated by the former, the chaos was complete. Excited whispers broke out; hundreds of glances turned to the couple sitting at the staff table. Hagrid was grinning from ear to ear. Flitwick's eyes were very wide. Professor McGonagall could not stop polishing her glasses; and when the couple happened to cross Trelawney, Harry said cheekily:

"I bet you didn't see that coming!"

"Disaster, disaster," the Divination teacher wailed. "What an inauspicious pairing…I sense the most horrible consequences…"

Snape silenced her with his notorious stare.

All in all, Dumbledore seemed to be the only person who was not in the least surprised. He was beaming continually. His delight received a dampener, however, when the Howlers started pouring in en masse. The Daily Prophet sported a snide and tasteless article on the two of them, suggesting solutions which involved pecuniary aspects or a powerful Love Potion gone terribly awry. The comments in the Howlers were cruel and shamefully homophobic. Snape maintained a cold expressionless stance, but Harry was rather upset. On the other hand, there was plenty of support from his friends. Ron was somewhat appalled that Harry had managed to get together with "that grumpy git" after all, but he took it in his stride and seemed rather amused in the end. After all, he had urged Harry to wear tight clothes, among other things. Lupin sent Harry and Snape a very kind note, and Mrs Weasley informed Harry that both he and Snape were considered family; Harry's happiness was the most important thing to her, besides good health, and, after getting over the initial shock, approved of his choice of partner. Hagrid laughed uproariously at the news.

"Bring yer boyfriend down to my cabin one of these days, Harry. Jus' not sure whether Fang will be pleased…"

Tonks sent them free tickets for all the upcoming concerts of the year in Enchantments and wondered cheekily in her note how Harry had not managed to end up as an ingredient for one of Snape's potions.

On a cold February night, after feeding the fire with a large stack of smoking Howlers, Harry realised that Snape's patience with the rude mail was wearing thin. They were in Harry's rooms, and Snape was sitting on the sofa, arms crossed upon his chest. At nine o'clock, Hermione's cuckoo clock leapt into activity. Snape, too, leapt up and strode into the kitchen. A few seconds later, there was a loud crash. Frowning, Harry went into kitchen and stared. The clock was on the floor in a splintered heap. Snape was glowering at it.

"Severus! Did you just destroy my clock?"

"I don't know why you keep such rubbish around," Snape snapped.

"Look, this is my clock, and Hermione gave it to me, as you know. And you just go and destroy it? Reparo!"

The clock flew back onto the wall, good as new.

Harry placed his hands on Snape's shoulders.

"I know the hate mail is a nuisance, but it was what we were expecting, weren't we? And we do have friends who are supporting us…"

Snape looked tired.

"I know that," he said irritably, shaking off Harry's hands and leaning against the kitchen counter, staring daggers at the clock.

Harry had noticed that although Snape and he were now in an established relationship, Snape seemed to be reluctant to become physical or intimate with him. It surprised him, especially after Snape's seductive overtures towards him and their time together at Grimmauld Place.

"Are you angry with me, Severus?" he asked softly.

"No, no," the Potions Master answered testily.

"I'm sorry about all the media attention, I really hate it," Harry said.

Snape didn't say anything.

"Severus, what is wrong?" Harry chewed at his lip for a moment and continued softly, not sure if he wanted to hear the answer: "Are you having second thoughts about our relationship?"

"I received upsetting news, Harry. Albus has informed me that Bellatrix and two followers were sighted in London in Knockturn Alley. Since our liaison has been highly publicized, I think it is safe to assume that you are in danger."

Harry had gone a bit pale.

"And why wasn't I told this? Why am I never told anything except when it's nearly too late? For heaven's sake, I am an adult man!"

"Well, I told you now."

"When did you hear of this?"

"A few days after we got together."

"I get to know of this only now?" Harry said angrily.

"Albus expected me to tell you. He didn't want to tell you, you were so happy. And I didn't know how to tell you. You see, Harry, that is what happens when feelings get in the way."

"And you think that being together with me is putting your life in danger?"

Snape rounded on him.

"No, you fool! Being together with me is putting you in danger! Bellatrix will want more revenge on me than on you! I was in…Voldemort's…inner circle at the same time as I was here at Hogwarts working as a spy. And the best way to hurt me is…to hurt you."

Harry took Snape's hands in his and looked into his eyes.

"Were you thinking of separation, of breaking up with me in order to protect me?"

Snape didn't meet his eyes.

"Severus. We will go through this together. I have chosen to be with you, and I shall be with you. You say feelings get in the way; I say that they'll keep us together. I love you."

Snape sighed and embraced Harry.

"I can't stand the thought of something happening to you, of you getting hurt, Harry."

"I don't want you to get hurt either."

They stood like that for a few minutes in the kitchen until Harry said:

"Speaking of hurt…Uhm…You remember that I once told you I'd be interested in getting a tattoo?"

Snape gazed into his eyes.

"I recall the incident and your interest in self-mutilation."

Harry gave him an exasperated look.

"I was thinking of getting an ouroboros in silver and green with your initials in the middle," he said, blushing a little.

Snape pulled him closer.

"Then my ouroboros will be red and gold with your initials in the middle," he breathed into his ear.

Harry looked up, delighted.

"Really? I mean…You would also get a tattoo?"

"Of course. Why an ouroboros, Harry?"

The news about Bellatrix and her thirst for revenge were temporarily forgotten as they discussed the tattoos.

Three days later, the two wizards went down to Hogsmeade and entered Skin Deep. Mr Slasher was introduced to Snape and expressed his delight at seeing Harry again. He was joined by another wizard.

"I am Mr Slicer," he said with a bow. Snape raised his eyebrows.

"It's only a nickname," Harry explained hastily. The two wizards nodded, beaming.

"Now, Mr Potter and Mr Snape, how can we help you?" Mr Slasher asked courteously.

"We are interested in getting tattoos on our lower backs," Harry said.

"Ah! Bonding tattoos?"

"Tattoos which symbolise a deep connection between two people," Mr Slicer piped up, seeing Harry's questioning glance, "Muggles have them as well, but I don't think they have a proper term for them."

"We are indeed interested in bonding tattoos," Snape said somewhat impatiently, "We have made sketches of what we imagine the tattoos to look like. We also prefer normal ink."

"Yes, some customers prefer normal ink. They say magical ink makes their tattoos too distracting," Mr Slicer sighed while Mr Slasher looked keenly and appreciatively at the sketches.

"So the tattoos become animated?"

"Oh no, the ink simply gives that impression. The pigments change all the time, so the tattoo seems to be constantly in motion."

The four men talked extensively about the tattoos, hygiene, tools, location, pattern, ink and expense; and, at Harry's and Snape's request, the two lovers would be tattooed together in the same room.

Once inside the room, they had to take off their tops. Snape removed his shirt. Harry couldn't stop admiring his lithe athletic figure. Here and there, he could see scars. He had caressed them during that night in Grimmauld's Place, and Snape had told him that they had resulted from his past as a Death Eater. He was wearing a black leather band around his forearm to hide the Dark Mark. Harry undressed as well and sat down opposite Snape.

"We can't give you a potion or apply anything to your skin to ease the pain," Mr Slicer said apologetically, "it may damage the tattoo or slow the healing process."

"That's fine," Harry said cheerfully.

Mr Slasher stepped behind him while Mr Slicer sat down behind Snape. With quick spells and flicks of their wands, they shaved whatever downy hair there was on Harry's and Snape's backs and disinfected the area. With another neat spell, the modified sketches of the tattoos were transferred from paper to skin to serve as stencils along which they would draw the tattoos with the needle.

Wizarding tools and needles were much faster and even more precise than Muggle ones; the pain was therefore proportionally higher. Snape showed no sign of discomfort when the needle grazed his skin; his self-control was too well trained by years of suffering and pain; except that this pain was of a positive kind. Harry, on the other hand, had to suppress a groan because of the stinging; the effort made him frown a little for a moment. Snape raised an eyebrow at his facial expression, and Harry smiled. They didn't move their eyes from each other's faces. There was something infinitely deep in their gaze, and the fact that they were sitting around without their shirts added a subtle sensuality to it. There was something nearly arousing about the experience and the thin line between pleasure and pain for both men.

The tattooing process was over in only half an hour. Back at Hogwarts, Harry was eager to admire his tattoo again after studying it in the shop.

"I need a mirror to see it or a charm to rotate my head by 360 degrees," Harry remarked.

"No, you need me to see it," Snape said.

He pulled Harry closer and unbuttoned his shirt slowly, brushing his lips against Harry's in those almost-kisses which he knew Harry enjoyed immensely. He removed the shirt and stepped around him to look at his lower back. With his long fingers, he carefully peeled off the piece of gauze covering the skin and looked at the tattoo. The area was still a little red, but the tattoo was magnificent; the green and silver ink was brilliantly clear, and his initials in silver seemed protected by the circle of the snake's coiled body.

He breathed a kiss upon it, and Harry arched his body.

"It looks very nice. It was bound to do so from the very start, with my House colours…"

Harry turned around, raising his eyebrows.

"Let me admire my House colours on you," he said, undoing Snape's robes and trying to steal a kiss from him. Snape, however, averted his face a little with a smile as Harry tried to catch his lips with his eager mouth.

Harry rolled his eyes and inspected Snape's tattoo.

"Wow. Lovely. It looks so sexy on you."

Snape laughed.

"Sexy?"

"Yeah."

This time, Snape gave in to Harry's renewed efforts to kiss him.

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