CHAPTER 39
"I'll open it later," Harry said, stuffing the letter away in his jeans pocket.
"What happened to that Gryffindor bravery?" Severus asked, his voice a smug purr.
"I will not rise to your bait," Harry said, one corner of his mouth lifting in a half-grin.
Severus folded his hands on the table.
"I challenge you to open the letter hic et nunc, Potter," he said.
"What happened to 'Harry'?"
"I waxed appallingly sentimental over your gift."
Harry grinned fully.
"I see," he said, pulling out the letter and opening it. He took a deep breath and extracted his sheet of marks. His green eyes scanned his marks anxiously. All the marks were E's – 'Exceeds Expectations' – with one exception; Defense Against the Dark Arts, sported an O for 'Outstanding'. The marks were very good, but Harry looked ruefully at Severus.
"Looks like you'll have to stick with addressing me as 'Potter'," he said, "I did tell you that I am not blessed with Hermione's skill and brains, though. You were warned."
"Indeed," Severus said. Harry looked at his diploma again. It was beautiful, the heavyweight parchment embossed with the colourful crest and name of Hogwarts; the subjects and marks were written in a flowing cursive script. Dumbledore's flourishing signature was at the bottom of the parchment. It seemed to twinkle up at him like its owner's blue eyes.
"I'm happy with my marks just the same," Harry said, and it was true. He was very pleased and carefully tucked the sheet back into its envelope. McGonagall gave him an approving nod.
"Well done, Mr Potter," she said.
"Thank you, Professor," he answered. Dumbledore turned his head and winked at him. Dinner ended with the teachers congratulating Harry by raising their goblets to him, much to the youth's simultaneous embarrassment and pleasure.
After dinner, Harry headed towards his quarters, eager to spill the news to Ron and Hermione via his mirror. They, too, had done well on their exams – Hermione, of course, had done more than well. She had managed, as Ron told Harry proudly, to get an 'Outstanding' in every subject, something she was rather embarrassed about.
--
It was three o'clock in the morning. Harry stepped out of the bathroom, towelling his hair. A rather interesting and interactive dream of Severus had woken him up at this unearthly hour. Harry changed his underwear and pulled on his pyjama pants and t-shirt again. He tossed and turned in bed for the rest of the night, thinking of Severus all the time.
The next day, Harry received a note from Dumbledore; Harry was to Floo to Grimmauld Place that same evening via Severus's office, and he would be spending the night over there. He was to be inducted into the Order. At last. Harry assumed that Severus's Floo had been specially prepared for this trip and was shielded with spells, which was why he could not use his own Floo fireplace, except for inter-office visits. He had not dared exploit this frankly enticing feature to pay Severus an unannounced visit. He also suspected that Severus had wards placed on his Floo facilities. Nasty wards. He grinned ruefully at his reflection in the bathroom mirror when he discovered himself applying a little wax to the tips of his hair. Both Ron and Hermione had told him that a spiky hairstyle suited him very well.
"Gorgeous, dear," his mirror said.
"Thanks," Harry said, flipping his fringe out of his eyes. He turned towards the door, throwing a wizard's cloak over one arm. He was quite sure he heard his mirror say something about a "succulent behind" as he walked back into his bedroom to slide a belt into the loops of his new jeans. He made it down to the dungeons on time after locking Peeves into a suit of armour with a useful spell Remus had taught him. He felt a pang when he thought of his quarrel with Remus. If Remus and Marius were sexually interested in each other, well, then it was none of his business.
Severus was waiting for him, reading a book on some obscure topic or the other, his long legs crossed at the ankles.
"Ah, see who has come to grace me with his presence," was the usual sarcastic greeting.
"Ah, see whom I am gracing with my presence," Harry rejoined. Severus rose.
"Well, then, Potter-"
"And I was so hoping that you would drop 'Potter'…"
"You hope in vain. Let us proceed."
The men drew on their cloaks, and Severus flung some glittering Floo powder into the fireplace.
"After you," Severus said. Harry, who hated travelling by Floo, stepped forward, making sure to enunciate his words clearly. On stumbling out on the other end, he was greeted by none other than Hermione and Ron. They hugged, congratulating each other on passing the exams.
"The three of us are going to be inducted into the Order together!" Hermione announced.
"Isn't it cool, mate?" Ron said in an awed voice.
"Is there going to be some kind of ceremony or something?"
"No, it's very straightforward. We'll all have to sign a magical contract in the witness of Professor Dumbledore and the six other leading Order members. Remus will tell you more."
"Harry," a familiar voice spoke.
"Remus!" Harry moved towards the tired-looking wizard. "Listen, I'm sorry about-"
"It's okay, Harry," Remus said kindly, patting Harry's shoulder. The fireplace disgorged Severus, who, unlike Harry, accomplished the feat of entering the room with majestic grace.
"Your cheek is smudged, Potter," Severus said, ignoring the presence of the other three.
"Right one or left one?" Harry asked.
"Left one."
Harry wiped at it with the back of his hand and removed his cloak.
"We will have dinner first, then we'll proceed to the induction."
Severus grumbled something about absurd niceties and boring customs as he swept up the staircase. Harry smiled.
"How are you?" he asked Remus while Hermione and Ron went inside to lay the table.
"I am fine." There was a small pause. "I think you should know that I am seeing Marius Rivers."
Harry shrugged.
"Sure. I mean…it's none of my concern, as you told me before. I…I hope everything works out. I really do. I hope you'll be happy."
"Thank you, Harry."
Harry went to join Hermione and Ron in the kitchen.
"What's wrong, Harry" Ron asked immediately when he saw Harry's face.
"Remus is dating that asshole Rivers," Harry spat, banging a pan into the sink, "but it's none of my business, so if Remus ends up getting hurt, then it's his call. Remus said so himself."
Hermione was silent for a few moments.
"You know, he may be thinking the same thing about you and Snape, even if he seemed encouraging and didn't say anything negative," she said finally.
"Snape and I are not dating," Harry said. Ron made a retching sound into one of the pans.
"Knowing Rivers, he and Remus are probably already fucking each other," Harry muttered.
"Harry, do calm down, will you?" Hermione said bossily. The door opened, and Severus, divested of his cloak, swept inside. There was a clang as Harry dropped a fork. Ignoring the teenagers, Severus rummaged around in a cupboard and took out a glass. He filled it with water and left the trio. Harry bent and picked up the fork. Ron looked down at him, shaking his head mournfully.
"You've got it bad for him, mate. Really bad."
"Shut up," Harry growled. Hermione brushed her knuckles across lips, trying to hide a smile.
--
"We are Order members…Order members…Order members…" Ron was singing like a stuck record, looking at his framed Order contract. The ceremony had been very brief and rather formal with the seven heads of the Order, including Severus Snape, Remus Lupin and Minerva McGonagall. Hermione had carefully put hers away in her bag. Harry was sitting at the foot of Ron's bed.
"And you, mate, you're so lucky, you get to share a room with Sna-a-a-a-ape…"
"I am sure Dumbledore did that on purpose," Hermione said knowingly.
"You don't think he knows that I…er…like him?" Harry said.
"Of course he does," Hermione answered briskly.
"Careful, mate, you might end up sharing a bed with him tonight," Ron said.
"I wish," Harry said sombrely. They all burst out into roaring laughter.
"Right, Harry, out with you," Hermione said.
"Good night, guys."
"Good night, and good fuck," Ron added.
"Oy!" Harry exclaimed, hands on his hips.
"Ron! You are so crude sometimes!" Hermione stated frostily, bending over to take out her pyjamas. Ron hastily stuffed something into Harry's hand.
"Just in case," he whispered earnestly. He pushed Harry out of the room. Puzzled, Harry stared at his palm, then snorted. It was a small square packet containing a-
"As if I'm ever going to need this," he commented, shoving the condom into his pocket. He tried not to think whether Hermione and Ron had already-
"No, no, no, don't ever think of your friends in that way!" he told himself. The room he was supposed to share with Severus was empty; only the cloak neatly folded in the wardrobe indicated that he had a roommate. Harry chucked the condom carelessly onto one of the beds. The door opened, and Severus stepped inside.
"Ah yes, I have the inordinate pleasure of actually sleeping with you tonight," he said dryly. Harry went so red at the shameful way his mind decided to interpret Severus's words that he was forced to bend over and pretend to rummage around in his bag.
"Erm, ah, yes, hope you don't mind, Professor."
"I hope you don't snore."
"I don't!" Harry said indignantly.
"If you do, I will use a Banishing Charm on you. And what is this on my bed?"
Harry swivelled around.
"Oh, that's your bed? I mean you've already decided-"
"I always sleep in this room and in this bed whenever I am forced to stay overnight," Severus said coldly, his black eyes studying the small square packet. Harry wanted to die. Preferably by means of a swift and painless Avada Kedavra.
"Ro- I mean, a friend gave me that for a joke. I've got no use for it at all," Harry said.
"I suppose Mr Weasley interpreted our sleeping arrangements in a manner characteristic to his level of thinking."
"Please don't insult my friend," Harry said stiffly.
"Don't worry…Harry…" Severus came very close to the young man, his nose nearly touching Harry's, "I have not the slightest intention or desire to…fuck…you."
Harry had never thought such a vulgar word could sound so seductive coming from Severus. Or that it could hurt him so much in combination with the other words which had just left those mocking lips.
"That's fine, then," Harry said tersely. "Want to play Sudoku?"
"No."
"Right, I'll go for a shower." He grabbed his pyjamas; then, on second thought, he let the top fall back into his bag, together with his wand and spectacles.
Half an hour later, he returned, his hair moist and mussed. He was topless. He hoped Severus had not left their room. He was fortunate. Severus looked up from his book when Harry opened the door. His eyes wandered over Harry's figure.
"Interesting outfit, Potter," he commented.
"Forgot my top."
Harry fought down his nervousness as he added:
"Are you really sure you don't want to fuck me?"
There was a thud as Severus's book went sliding onto the ground. Severus was on his feet, breathing heavily. Harry remained where he was. His palms were sweaty.
--