The Elvin Consequence

Chapter four

"I believe the best course of action is to find a way to hide what you are from the other students." Severus said as he moved the books off of the dinning table so that they could sit down and eat.

"I may not know who or what I am right now but I'm not ashamed, I don't want to hide away."

"I don't suggest that because I think that you are ashamed Harry, I suggest this course of action to keep you safe. There will be those who wish to hurt you." Severus tried to explain rationally. By this point Severus had cleared the table and was preparing to summon a House Elf.

"I think that maybe by this point I can look after myself, you have taught me yourself, how can you doubt me?" Harry asked getting upset that Severus had very little faith in his ability to protect himself from possible threats.

"I do not underestimate you or your ability to keep on fighting no matter what because when it comes to that then I have every faith in you but when it comes to something like this there is no way that we can predict how the wizarding world will react. They could lash out at you or they could support you even more, all I want is to protect you from that as long as possible." Severus said more than he had meant to and revealed something that he hadn't even thought was there.

"Why are you so bothered about protecting me, from something like Voldemort I could understand but from something so trivial as meaningless words, I don't get it."

"You should know better than anyone that not all words are meaningless."

"I can stand a few insults Severus."

"A few insults I am not bothered about Harry, I have witnessed your strength and your will power, I know that you can stand alone but you shouldn't have to."

"I appreciate that and I am grateful that you want to support me but this will put everyone's loyalty to the test, I want to see if they stay by me like you have done or if they walk away."

"I can see your point and I wouldn't advise it but when it comes to it, it is your choice."

"I need to know if they will stand by me or not, if they won't then I don't want them fighting by my side!" Harry said with determination and Severus knew that he meant it, Harry took loyalty very seriously it seemed.

Severus nodded his understanding, he looked at Harry and saw that he meant everything that he was saying; he had to take a moment to admire the boy for his strength and his courage.

"I think that you are making the right choices for your life, you have the strength to go through that and I will stick by you throughout."

"Why, I really don't get why." Severus was silent, contemplating his answer. "If its because you've been told to then you can stick your loyalty where the sun don't shine!" Harry said.

Harry's anger was rising and Severus knew that it was his fault for hesitating when he shouldn't have done. Taking a chance Severus brought Harry close to him and looked him directly in the eyes. The electric green was almost crackling there was so much emotion clouded in them.

"I do not fake loyalty and I only give it to those that deserve it," Harry looked back at Severus, their eyes locked, Harry again went to kiss the older man and this time their lips met ever so briefly before Severus pulled away and let go.

Harry looked both hurt and confused at what had happened, he had kissed Severus and it had felt great but it seemed that the older man hadn't felt the same. He was no longer angry but sorrowful, maybe he was getting in over his head by trying to coax the very private man out of his shell.

"I'm going to skip lunch, might go for a fly. Harry said trying to conceal his emotions but doing an extremely bad job of it.

"You said that you were hungry Harry, you should eat." Severus insisted.

"I've suddenly lost my appetite, I'll see you later."

Without another word spoken Harry left and he wasn't the only one who seemed confused about the situation.

While Harry was out flying Severus received a letter from Albus through Fawkes informing him that another student would be joining them for the remaining days of the summer holiday.

Voldemort had apparently been extremely displeased with Lucius Malfoy and had not only killed him but Narcissa as well and it seemed that Voldemort was now after Draco's blood as well. So Dumbledore had agreed to house him at Hogwarts to keep him safe.

The letter had said that he would be arriving that evening and knowing of the rivalry between the two boys Severus thought that he should go and tell Harry of Draco's impending arrival at the castle.

He walked all the way over to the Quidditch stadium where Harry was flying. He stood and watched the young elf fly, he seemed completely at ease with the world, his hair swept back by the wind.

He soon spotted that Severus was watching him and landed neatly and gracefully beside him. Neither wizard said anything for a moment, the memory of their shared kiss still lingered. Severus did note however that the infamous scar was gone from Harry's forehead.

"I thought that I should inform you of Draco's arrival this evening." Severus said searching Harry's face for emotion.

"Oh, that's great." Harry said expressionless.

"I realise the two of you have had your differences in the past but …"

"We don't fight, we had an understanding and it developed into something more, it should be good seeing him again."

"Do you have feelings for him Harry?" Severus asked and Harry could tell that there was a spark of jealousy and instantly Harry knew exactly how to get exactly what he wanted when it came to Severus.

"Not particularly but he's a good friend if not something more on occasion."

"Then you two will be fine, he'll arrive this evening, we'll have dinner in the Great Hall together."

"Wouldn't it be nicer to just have a more personal dinner together in your chambers?"

"My chambers are meant for one, it is cramped for two and it isn't even conceivable for three people to fit in there even for a meal only. Now if you're not too stubborn would you please join me for lunch?" Severus said.

"Only if you kiss me again," Harry said.

"I wasn't aware that I had kissed you once let alone again. You were the one who initiated the first kiss." Severus' voice was unreadable, it was the drawl that he used when teaching, unemotional and uncaring.

"Then kiss me" Harry said nervously, he needed to test Severus, needed to push him.

"You are a student at this school Harry and I am a teacher here, there are rules against these sorts of things."

"Screw the rules Severus!" Harry said heatedly before taking a breath to calm himself and continuing. "If all you care about is following rules then we'll wait until I graduate until we do anything serious."

"I am old enough to be your father Harry, the idea you want something, anything with an old man like me is ludicrous."

"Stop making excuses, you either like me in that way or you don't"

"I don't" Severus after a significant pause, it was all too obvious he was trying to convince himself more than Harry.

"Fine, you keep lying to yourself, you know where to find me when you come to your sense." Harry said and stormed off towards the castle, broom still in hand.

Severus watched him go, knowing that he had probably just blown his only chance at happiness but he knew that he'd done the right thing. He couldn't allow Harry to become emotionally attached to him; he deserved something more from life than an old man holding him back.

Once more he had been selfless and put his happiness to the back of his mind. He knew that Harry cared for him but he was young and didn't need someone like him slowing him down. He wasn't one hundred percent sure but he hoped that he had done the right thing in pushing the young elf away.

Slowly he began to make his way back up to the castle confused as to whether he'd done the right thing or not.