Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Harry Potter.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. Lots of familiars to choose from and lots of different ideas, so thanks for that. From Basilisk to kneazles and other animals, so let's see what we have. This story will be winding down. I agree with my beta reader that this story has reached its potential and I will bring the story to an end without leaving you guys hanging. Let's begin.
Important notice: As I'm sure that you have all noticed purge of M rated stories. I want to let you guys know that I backed up my stories on another website. It is called the Archive of Our Own (AO3) and they are under the name Laurenke1. Should worst come to worst, you can find me there Need any help getting there or have any questions feel free to get in touch with me.
"And you really need to take us out that early?" Harry had always known that Severus was not a morning person so he merely smiled at Ron and shrugged. Severus crossed his arms over his chest and his eyes had narrowed into a glare at Ron.
His best friend stood his ground as he met the dark eyes before he said. "I promised George that I would work in the shop today starting noon, so we gotta leave now."
"It is only 8 AM. I do not know what you mistake me for but shopping for a familiar in London is not going to take four hours. I could still be in bed, ravaging your best friend."
"That was a mental image I didn't need, thank you very much." Ron shook his head and Harry's lips twitched into a smile.
Harry tried not to shake his head at the dark amusement coming from Severus. The man was cranky in the mornings, that much was clear but that didn't mean he had to stand there and let Severus tease Ron, especially with things from their private lives that he would prefer, really prefer, to keep private.
"I'm going to make some coffee that should put you into a good mood hopefully." Harry shook his head at his husband. Severus scowled before he said.
"I'm being nice. I like the perks it gets me when I'm being nice." The thin lips stretched into a smirk and Harry sighed.
"Fine, then stop being so nice! There is no reason to scar my best friend and chase him away." Waving his wand, Harry set the water to boil. There were some things that his best friends didn't need to know. They had a pact; it was a wordless one, one that Harry very much appreciated. He wasn't going to ask after Ron's experiences with Hermione and Ron wasn't going to ask anything Snape related.
"I still don't understand why you would Apparate into a bedroom of two very paranoid wizards, Ron? We could have hexed you."
"I have been scarred for life already; don't really need a hex on top of that." Harry wasn't the only one who heard Ron muttering but it was Severus who answered. The tall man turned to fully face Ron as he said.
"You should get a hex for even thinking of Apparating into a bedroom! Would you do the same to your siblings or Merlin forbid, your parents? I do not understand it! You could have Apparated anywhere but you decided upon Apparating into the bedroom, which is not accepted in any culture. Would you like it if I was to Apprated in the bedroom you keep with Miss Granger and spy on you?"
Ron coloured slightly as he ground out. "No, of course not!"
"Then tell me why you insist on doing it to us! I would have expected such a mistake from a muggle born but even then I would frown upon it. I do not expect it however from somebody who has been raised as a wizard, such as yourself." Even Harry winced at Severus' tone and Ron's ears were bright red.
"Sorry…" Ron finally mumbled, looking so much like a small first year that Harry nearly took pity upon him. He knew without a doubt that Ron wouldn't be repeating his mistake.
"I accept your apology, Mr Weasley but have more care in the future. I would appreciate it if you would use the floo or Apparate into the living room in the future, unless it is a case of an emergency and even then, the circumstances better be dire, do we understand one another, Mr Weasley?" Harry focussed on making the instant coffee and not on the conversation.
He finally pushed one mug in Severus' hand and the other in Ron's hand. "So, anybody up for breakfast? If we're going to shop in London then I think we need one."
Ron merely grinned at him and winked. "You really think I would be here this early if we were going shopping in London? Why don't you finish your coffee and follow me, we're going somewhere special."
And for some reason, Harry didn't know how quickly he had to drain half of Severus' cup.
Hp
Severus blinked into the strong sunlight as they Apparated to the spot Ronald had chosen. Out of instinct he tightened his hold on Harry's shoulder to steady him. He wondered how Harry could have been so graceful on a broom and so graceless and even clumsy sometimes on the ground.
He took the time to look around. They were in the countryside, that much was clear but he had no idea where. There were gentle hills all around and they were standing in front of a house with a wooden fence around it.
"Unless I'm mistaken, there is no abundance of magical familiars around, so where are we?"
Ronald merely grinned at him as Severus asked the question. He doubted he was getting an answer. Damn this, usually the moment he glared was the moment that students, any students, started sprouting secrets. Perhaps abstinence did have its perks, especially when it came to making Gryffindors talk. But then again, sex with Harry was very enjoyable and there were hardly any more secrets to keep, the war had been fought and he had come out a victor, in more ways then one.
"Fine, keep your secrets then. But if we wait for Harry to gather his wits, we will be waiting for quite a while. And I believe that you have somewhere you need to be on time." Severus ignored the glare Harry shot his way.
Annoyance was a quick flash through the bond. Severus merely smiled at Harry as they followed Ron up to the fence.
"You know, I'm not the one who woke you up so early this morning and then was hurried into dressing." Harry grumbled beside him.
"No, but since you didn't wake me up or made it up to me by sucking me off, I reserve the right to sulk. Unless you want to have a go at it behind the lovely shed over there." Severus pointed at the wooden shed that they passed.
"No, I prefer not. I have no desire to be ravished behind a shed. You can ravish me in a bed, or not at all."
"Are you setting demands now?" Severus frowned at his lover. He allowed his smirk to curl his lips before he leaned into Harry and whispered. "You really want to play this game with me, Harry? I was the Head of Slytherin for years; I have spied for years and let me tell you, I know of several ways to make you pay for your demands."
Severus enjoyed the flash of arousal that travelled through the bond as Harry caught his meaning. "You wouldn't be that cruel?"
Severus merely smiled sweetly. "Do you know what the function of a cock ring is? You should really know better than to tease the very man who is responsible for your orgasms."
"Perhaps I should take myself in hand again." Harry shook his head and before Severus could think he stopped and grasped Harry's wrist, pulling his lover to him.
"Be prepared to face the consequences of your actions, should you want to do so, brat! You do not touch yourself when I'm here to play with you. You will save yourself for my touch because should you do not, then you will face the consequences, do I make myself clear?"
Severus didn't need to see the way Harry licked his lips and swallowed to feel the flash of arousal that told him about Harry's current state.
"Yes, perfectly clear." Harry's breathing was faster and his eyes had dilated. Severus smirked and then released Harry. Ronald was waiting for them but Severus pretended not to notice how Harry shifted his stance a little bit.
"Can we get a move on now?"
"Where are we?" Severus glanced up at the house. There was no sign or anything that would give him any clue of their location.
"This is a breeder and seller of magical familiars. Instead of going to the shop in Diagon Alley I thought it would be better if we went directly to the source. This witch, Penny, made a living of breeding familiars. She breeds magical familiars but also other familiars such as ravens or dogs. Consider it a belated birthday present, Harry. I know how much you miss having a familiar."
"Are you required to cuddle with kittens?" Severus was sure his expression said it all and Ron grinned.
"Only if you want to, Professor, but don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I promise I won't tell anybody." Severus' eyes narrowed in a glare. He silently counted to ten. Really, there was only so much teasing he could stand. He may have relaxed a lot during the time he had been married to Harry but that didn't just give anybody the right to push his buttons, especially Gryffindors.
"Right…" Ronald turned away after sharing a look with Harry. Apparently realizing that it might not be best for his health if he kept pushing Severus, Ronald went up to the witch that had just appeared. The woman looked to be in her early thirties with brown hair and grey eyes. She had a friendly smile.
"Ah, you must be the young couple that Ronald told me so much about." Severus wasn't sure if his look said it all but he could feel Harry's amusement through the bond. Penny smiled faltered and she turned to Ronald, uncertain.
I know that people are usually more excited when they come to pick out a familiar. It might not be our idea but that doesn't mean that it wasn't meant well. Weasley obviously thought about this gift and instead of possibly hurting Harry by picking out a familiar, he leaves the choice up to us. He has matured, a lot since the war. He could have been nastier about this but he has not been. Perhaps I should give this a chance.
Before Harry or his sidekick could say something, Severus stepped in and said. "Hardly a young couple, by any stretch of the imagination. I do not know how much Ronald has told you about us, Miss…."
"Oh, Penny, just Penny. Well the truth is, I…I saw the picture in the Daily Prophet. Imagine my surprise when war heroes come to my humble farm…" She smiled at him and Severus allowed a brief smile. He was a spy, he could adapt, even to this friendliness.
Hp
Harry wasn't sure if he had to be perplexed or just go along with it. Severus was being friendly, that alone was enough to make him suspicious. Ron seemed to be a little bit taken aback, especially when Severus chatted away with Penny.
Ron took the time to step up to Harry to ask. "Should I be worried?" The blue eyes shot to Severus and Harry grinned.
"Nay, he's a spy. If he starts handing out compliments, then you really have to be worried."
Ron laughed a bit uneasy and Harry smiled. Penny took that moment to come over and said. "And this gorgeous young man must be Harry. Yes, I see what you see in him, Severus. He is delicious."
"Yes, he tastes divine." Harry grinned at Ron's look of horror. His best friend swallowed thickly and then softly said.
"Uhm, Penny, perhaps it is time to move it along…" Ron's hopeful smile wilted underneath Penny's look. Harry was taken aback by how much she resembled Hermione and Molly Weasley for a moment. Apparently female witches were a force to be reckoned with.
"It takes time to pick a familiar. It isn't a choice that can be made lightly. Familiars and especially magical ones do make a lasting bond with their chosen wizard or witch. I can understand that you want to share it with your friends but if this takes longer, then it takes longer. That is the only answer I have for you." Harry almost felt pity for Ron and he patted him on the shoulder.
"Now, I have to ask, is there any animal that you have a strong affinity for?" That question brought Harry up short. He had no idea actually. The only familiars he had been around were owls, toads, cats and a rat.
Definitely not a rat, Harry tried to suppress the shudder that ran through him. An owl would be nice, but why would Ron drag them all the way out here if there was a perfectly good owl shop in Diagon Alley? He knew that there were other magical creatures out there, he had learned about them.
"Well, I owned an owl until last year. She died in the war…I'm not sure what I want actually. I don't have a particular affinity for anything really…." Harry stammered, flushing slightly. He never liked to make other people aware that there were a lot of subjects that he didn't know about.
Harry turned back to Severus. The man was contemplating something; he knew that much from the look on Severus' face. "Severus?" He prompted.
His husband glanced up and then said. "Sorry, I was startled by the question. It was not one I expected. I have been thinking of my answer. But perhaps it would be wise if you showed us around, Penny. We can make up our mind then."
The woman smiled and then said. "It would be easier for me if I knew which animal you would be going for. The farm is very big and while I would love to show you everything it may take days."
"I have always had an affinity for birds. Albus owned a phoenix Fawkes and he was always buzzing around, asking to be petted when I was in Albus' office."
Harry smiled at the emotions that came through the bond. Severus remembered the late headmaster fondly. Harry pulled back from the bond, not wanting to get lost in it. It wouldn't do.
"Did you ever own an owl, Severus?" Penny continued to smile friendly at him and it must have put Severus at ease because Harry knew from experience that his husband was never this friendly with strangers.
The pain that flashed through the bond was intense but brief. Harry knew it echoed his own pain of the loss of Hedwig.
"Yes, I owned an owl for a number of years. I owned a barn owl. It died before the second war. It had lived a good life but she was old." Harry could hear what Severus wasn't saying. That the owl had been a constant companion when Severus didn't have any friends. Harry understood that better than most people. He remembered those endless summers at the Dursleys with Hedwig as his only friend.
"Well, I will show you some of the birds in our collection then. We have owls, ravens and even a couple of phoenix eggs. But it is rare for phoenix eggs to hatch. One of the eggs has been in the family for a generation and every visitor who has come to the farm has come to see if the egg will hatch for them. Phoenixes will only hatch for their chosen witch or wizard and they disappear or die when their chosen wizard or witch dies. Nobody knows where they go."
"Yeah, nobody has seen Fawkes when Professor Dumbledore died." The last time Harry had heard that haunting song had been the day Dumbledore had died.
"Fawkes was one of the better known phoenixes. To bond with a phoenix is rare and I cannot even imagine the bond between Professor Dumbledore and Fawkes. It must have been very powerful. But I will explain more on the off chance that a phoenix egg hatches for you. The chances are slim."
Penny smiled at them and Severus snorted, Harry in vain trying to hide his smile at the amusement he felt coming from the bond. "Then have you met my husband, Harry Potter? The only wizard in known history to survive the Killing Curse twice? The only known wizard to kill Voldemort? You really want to take that chance that a phoenix egg won't hatch for us?"
"And don't forget the man who survived snakebite and found the love of his life because of linked marriage? Oh and other things people thought we couldn't do. A phoenix egg hatching for us isn't that strange." Harry grinned as he added his thoughts and leaned against Severus.
Penny appeared slightly flustered before she said. "Yes, of course. I should have known that. So does that mean that we will be visiting the phoenixes first or would you prefer to see the owls or the ravens perhaps?"
"You have ravens?" Harry smiled at seeing the look of interest on Severus' face. Penny noticed it as well and nodded.
"Yes, I do. They were bred to be wizarding companions. I have several who are mature enough to be sent out. They are useful companions; they can carry letters like owls can. Ravens are highly intelligent and have been known to mimic human sounds such as parts of songs and with intense training they can partly mimic human speech. The ravens we breed here are partly magical and some are capable of mental speech with their chosen witch or wizard. Our ravens are picky and will choose their wizard or witch instead of the other way around."
"They remind me of somebody." Harry muttered softly. He grinned when he got a glare. Apparently his words hadn't been soft enough. He followed Penny and Severus. He glanced at her before he asked. "Do you have any hippogriffs or reptiles?"
"We have some newts and snakes. Hippogriffs as well but they are kept in a separate pen. I would prefer if you didn't go in there alone. We have crups, kneazles, cats, unicorns, owls and other animals." Penny counted on her fingers as he listed the animals. Ron had followed them silently and he finally said.
"Why don't I leave you guys too it and I will Apparate to the shop? Perhaps if you guys come by later we can have lunch or dinner later when you are done." Harry nodded. It would be nice to be out of the house. They tended to spend as much time away from Grimauld place as possible.
Ron waved and then walked away, choosing to Apparate away from the property, which Harry supposed was considered good manners. He glanced back to where Penny and Severus stood near what appeared to be a small shed with an outdoor area attached to it. The wooden structure was wired with mesh and Harry could hear sounds coming from it, especially when Penny stopped in front of it.
He reached them just as Penny said, gesturing behind her. "This is the raven pen. We normally allow them to fly free at least once a day but I have confined them to their enclosure for now. It is easier if I wish to handle them like this. Are you interested in ravens?"
The young woman glanced from Harry to Severus. Harry shrugged as he glanced up as Severus. "I wouldn't mind. I mean, we plan to travel and it is easy to have a companion who can bring letters. I will leave this one up to Severus."
Harry watched as his husband uncharistarically licked his lips and then nodded once. Realizing that even when the bond was silent, that somehow Severus was nervous or eager or whatever he was thinking, Harry nudged Severus and he grinned when he was nudged back just a little bit harder.
Hp
It had been years since Severus had owned a familiar. Thoth had died years ago and Severus couldn't bring himself to bring another familiar into his life. Not with the lifestyle he had. He had comforted himself with the fact that someday he could own a familiar again and had made due with the school owls and spoiling Fawkes whenever he visited Albus.
Contrary to popular believe he had always liked animals and not just because of their uses for potions ingredients. They were one of the few things on this earth that didn't judge him because of his past. Animals never recoiled from his touch or scowled as his name was mentioned.
He glared at Harry as the little brat nudged him. He shook his head. He was not a person to be nudged. Though he supposed it had been done because Harry had picked up on his apprehension. He had been so careful with hiding his emotions from the bond.
It wasn't that he was fearful but it had been so long since he had a familiar. In recent years he had used the school owls for letters that needed to be sent out. It wouldn't do to get attached to something only to have it die or be snatched away from him. The Dark Lord in particular liked to make his followers miserable by killing their familiars and pets. For a bleak moment, Severus wondered if that extended to puppies and kneazles as well.
He was pulled from his thoughts as the door opened with a croak from the ravens inside. Penny smiled before stepping inside. Severus turned around to back in the sunlight for one glorious moment when suddenly Penny said something and Harry made a sound of alarm. There was a weight on his shoulder the next instance that was not unlike the weight of an owl and Severus found himself staring into black eyes.
`There was a raven perched on his shoulder, quite comfortably in fact. It didn't budge when Severus shrugged. It merely looked at him and then back over its shoulder when Penny came closer and said. "I'm so sorry, Severus, she escaped me. She can be…"
"An impertinent brat?" Severus lowered his shoulder slightly when Penny held out her hand. Instead of going towards her master, the raven instead settled closer to Severus' shoulder.
Penny flushed, clearly uncomfortable before she said. "She is a handful to be sure. She never listens well when I ask her to come. She is very stubborn and has a will of her own. She is young but she won't bond with any witch or wizard. I have had her here for months but you are the first person that she has taken a liking to. The others all were pecked on the fingers."
The raven made a sound in the back of her throat and eyed Severus. Harry approached wearily, not sure if the raven would be friendly.
"She is friendly, very much so with people she likes but there are just not a lot of people that she has taken a liking to." Penny tried to coax the raven with a piece of fruit but the bird refused to budge, content as it was to perch on Severus' shoulder.
The weight was oddly reassuring and comforting. The raven stared at Severus, meeting his eyes before reached out to preen his hair. The tug on his hair was expected when the sharp beak moved to the strands of dark hair but the tug on his heart had been less so.
Penny sucked in a deep breath as she said. "I have never seen her do that. She doesn't even do it with me or with the ravens main caretaker my grandmother. She will willingly come to my grandmother but she refuses to do anything like that. I think that you have just been claimed by a raven, Severus."
"Nonsense," He said, shaking his head firmly and trying to dislodge the bird from his shoulder. The blasted thing stayed on as if it was glued in place. "Birds do not claim me." He shook his shoulder but the bird flapped its wings to balance itself before settling down again.
Harry was watching the proceedings with barely concealed interest but he didn't dare move closer. Severus spared a glare for his husband and then said. "Well, aren't you supposed to be the dashing hero that comes to my rescue?"
Harry hesitated. "Yeah but what if that thing attacks. Then my dashing good looks will be ruined."
Severus' glare promised instant death and he was sure that the bond pulsated with a whips of his anger. Harry came closer with careful steps and movements as he held out a hand. "Well, shoo, go make friends with Harry. He's the one who actually likes animals."
Yet a part of Severus couldn't help but be a little bit proud that the bird didn't immediately fly to his husband. It stayed perched on his shoulder, watching Harry from a distance. He finally reached up a hand to gently stroke the soft head. The raven closed its eyes and pushed its head further into Severus' hand, seeking affection.
Aware that Harry had come to stand by his side; Severus slowly stopped scratching the raven and waited for it to pay attention. "If you mean to go home with us, and you are trying to do that, you have to get along with my husband."
Severus wasn't sure the raven understood him but it held still as Harry held out his hand. The raven shuffled closer and then suddenly hopped onto Harry's outstretched arm. The bird's talons were gripping Harry's arm tightly for balance but not to hurt him. The raven and Harry stared at each other.
It seemed to take a lifetime but finally Harry smiled and the raven cocked its head to the side. It made a soft sound and then reached out to nip at Harry's finger. Harry glanced up at Severus and he didn't need the bond to know what his husband was feeling.
"I think, Penny that we found our new familiar." He said instead.
Hp
Harry glanced up at the raven as they waved goodbye to Penny. The raven refused to move from her perch on Severus' shoulder. She had reclaimed the spot after they had gone over to the house. Penny offered them another tour but Harry figured that at this moment they had seen enough.
He was carrying the cage to keep the raven in but the bird refused to go in it. She appeared to be content to sit on Severus' shoulder. "Why don't you send the cage on ahead? It makes it easier instead of carrying it around."
"I'm not sure if I can get it past the wards. Wouldn't do to damage it." Harry turned back to look at Severus. It was a strange sight to see the stern man with a raven perched on his shoulder.
"Then shrink it. I doubt that she will be spending much time in the cage anyway." Severus glanced back at the raven. Harry opened the gate as he waited for Severus to pass through.
"It seems that we have company." Severus finally said as Harry turned around. The sight that greeted him made him smile.
"Hermione." Hermione smiled at Harry and then he caught her in a hug. He twirled her around, grinning at the sounds of her shrieks. He could feel the annoyance coming from the bond but he didn't care. He set her back down on her own feet. She smiled at him and then turned to face Severus.
"Hello, Professor." Severus raised an eyebrow.
"I believe that I have told you to call me Severus, Miss Granger."
"If you call me Hermione, Severus."
His husband inclined his head, the raven watching the proceedings with interest. Hermione stared at it for a moment before she said. "So I see that you have found a new familiar?"
"Yeah, or the raven found us. I think that would have been a fairer description." Harry shared a grin with Severus. The older wizard merely raised an eyebrow.
"And did you give it a name?" Harry was glad that Hermione didn't approach Severus and the raven. He wasn't sure if she was friendly with other people. This was not something that he wanted to find out the hard way.
"Nope, but I'm sure that we will get to that. I'm sure the moment that we get home, Severus is going to escape to the library and find some dusty old book that will hold names I can't pronounce and declare that is what we're naming her. I doubt I will have a say in this." Harry shrugged with his shoulders as he said it.
There was a flash of heat through the bond before Severus said. "There are ways to tip the odds in your favour and I'm quite sure that an intelligent healthy young man like yourself can figure out what those are."
The flash of heat suddenly made sense and Harry shook his head. "First pick out the name you like. I will make sure to change your mind later."
"And you are going home now? Because I would like to invite you to lunch with Luna and Neville and of course Ron and I."
Harry stopped short. He had no idea what he was going to answer. Out of habit he glanced back at Severus, knowing that he would have to discuss it. The man's eyes bore into his own and a black eyebrow rose.
"I do not think it would be a wise idea to bring our new familiar to a pub on the first day. I will return home with her so you can take Harry out for lunch with his friends. "
"Yeah, it took him two months before he took me to one." The stinging hex hit Harry a moment later and he grinned as he rubbed at his arse.
As usual Hermione ignored Harry's comment and instead turned to Severus as she said. "We would like to take you out to lunch as well, Severus. Consider it a belated wedding present or an early going away dinner." Hermione's smile was a bit wobbly and Harry really hoped she wasn't about to start crying. By Severus' carefully concealed look of horror he wasn't the only one.
"I am not such good company, Hermione, I thought by now that you realized that."
"Nonsense, Severus! You just have to give other people the chance to get to know you and not shut yourself away. Now either way you can come willingly or I will hex you, don't think I'm beyond it." Sometimes Hermione was downright scary and this was one of those days.
"I will act in self-defence and I do know more spells than you do, Miss Granger." The sneer was back on Severus' face as the tall man crossed his arms over his chest. His dark eyes were sparkling with something as he regarded Hermione.
The raven, sensing danger perhaps, flew off to land on Harry's shoulder. The weight was unfamiliar but not unwelcome and Harry then said. "If you break out into a duel you do realize I will have to take extreme measures to break you apart."
Severus turned to regard him, smirking slightly. "Not even you would be so foolish to step in between a duel between two people."
"No, probably wouldn't but I would hex Hermione with a spell that would make her unable to touch a book for a month without breaking out into a rash and I would withhold sex from you." Harry regarded Severus thoughtfully. The impossible man smirked right at him and then said.
"I don't need the bond to know that you won't be able to, Mr Potter. Tell me again who is it that initiates half of the touches between us?"
Harry met Severus smirk for smirk as he lowered his voice and beckoned his husband closer. Eyes narrowing, Severus leaned in and Harry whispered. "Don't think that I will have a problem with touching myself. It is just you I'm denying touch."
The dark eyes became slits and then Severus hissed. "You would not dare to wank in front of me while you deny me touch. There will be consequences that you will not like."
"Perhaps I should try that, just to see what you come up with. Because in hindsight, you are hot when you're in detention mode." A cleared throat made Harry remember that they weren't alone. He wasn't the only one that blinked in Hermione's direction. He was the only one who blushed slightly again.
"So lunch?" She asked brightly.
Stepping closer to Severus, Harry whispered. "I can make it worth your while."
Severus pulled away to stare at him, licking his lips slightly. The sight of that wicked tongue made him think wicked things and he didn't need them right now. Severus wasn't playing nice and Harry knew it.
"I suppose I can suffer Longbottom's company for one hour." Severus finally declared. He straightened with a smirk that shot straight to Harry's cock, hardening it instantly. Harry's sigh lifted his shoulders; this was going to be a long hour.
Hp
Severus had never been one to actively seek out company. Especially the company of five former Gryffindor students.
Though technically Lovegood was in Ravenclaw but still, they tended to adapt to the present company, which brought him back to eating with a bunch of Gryffindors. He remembered again why he had always clashed with Minerva.
They had just ordered their lunch and here he was already plotting on how to kill Weasley, find a way to make Granger shut up, do something that made Longbottom shake in his shoes and to not show his husband what he was doing to Severus by keeping his hand on Severus' thigh. He was still making up his mind about Lovegood.
As a student she had been average. She could have been brilliant if only she was focussed on the here and now. But Severus had learned early enough not to use his usual teaching methods on her. She couldn't be bullied into fearing making a mistake in Potions class to save lives. He ignored her in class, keeping an eye on her as she worked. She hadn't seemed well liked by her year mates but that didn't mean anything.
Longbottom had matured. Severus had to give him that. He wasn't a frightened first year anymore. He was now a young man, much like Harry only quieter. He only spoke when needed to be spoken to and unlike Ronald, chewed with his mouth shut and didn't talk and eat at the same time.
Lips curling into the familiar sneer, Severus opened his mouth to say something when suddenly Harry's fingers brushed his cock through his pants. His gaze snapped instead to his husband who was playing with his glass as Ron devoured the nuts that had appeared with the butter beers they had ordered.
Severus' hand tightened around his glass of fire whiskey as Harry's fingers drifted up higher towards his zipper. Severus shifted in his seat, trying not to draw attention to himself.
"So how have you been, Professor? I know that with everything that has been going on since you have been exonerated and with the house fire at Spinner's End. I cannot believe that they have not caught anybody for that yet."
Severus closed his eyes as Harry's fingers tightened in what could only be described as either way a warning to be nice or perhaps something else. Severus took a sip of his whiskey as he said; hoping to find out what Harry was up to.
"I have not been too bad, Mr. Longbottom. It has been a trying time and I find that I do not recover as quickly as I had hoped from the snake bite. How have you found your newfound…" Another squeeze. "…glory after his war?"
Severus swallowed back a groan.
Approval was traveling through the bond, almost as quick as Harry's fingers on his zipper. Luckily at that moment the food arrived noisily as the table was cleared and the plates were banged around so nobody noticed when Harry lowered his zipper. Severus was too caught up in the feeling of desire and wants that sneaked through the bond.
He was startled out of his heated thoughts and the bond as Neville laughed. It wasn't a bitter laugh or anything but then Neville said. "No better than when I was pitied because of my parents but still, I'm not a hero. I just did what everybody else would have done."
"Mr. Longbottom…" Another squeeze, this time fingers slipping into his jeans and Severus had to close his eyes for a second. His fingers tightened on the cutlery he held and swallowed thickly before he continued. "Not everybody else would have done what you did. There are not a lot of brave people out there, not a lot of people who would be willing to stand up against somebody stronger than them and likely to kill them. You are a hero and you should be proud of that."
It was a bomb had gone off. Ron stopped eating, pausing with his food halfway between his mouth and his plate, Neville looked at him and blinked, not sure what to say and Harry's fingers stilled against his cock. Severus glanced around the table. He sighed. Harry had wanted him to be nice.
"Thank you, Professor, I guess…" Neville laughed uneasily as he took a sip of his ale. He shared a look with Ron and Severus fought the urge to growl and snap that somebody tell him what in the bloody hell was going on.
He took a sip of his fire whiskey before he snarled. "It may have escaped your knowledge that the world has changed and that I'm married to one of your best friends. Now unless I do something nice on occasion, Harry will not be happy and for some reason when Harry is not happy, I suffer for it. I can go back to calling you idiots if you prefer."
Ron was the first to laugh as he said. "Nope, it is just a change, Severus. Just give us a few minutes. I think Neville is terrified that this is just part of a new plan of yours."
Severus huffed and went back to his food. He rocked his hips slightly, hoping for more squeezing from the hand that lay heavily on his lap. Harry's fingers began moving again, applying pressure as Harry shot him a look.
I deserve some rewards for this show of good behaviour. Harry just said I needed to be nice, not complement the little brats.
"I'm master spy, I deceived two of the greatest wizards of our time, if you think that marriage will soften me up, then you are more of an idiot than I thought, Mr. Weasley."
Ron grinned at him. "And there we go, he's back. You had me worried there for a moment, Severus." Ron grinned at him and winked at Hermione. Harry's fingers withdrew but Severus clamped his hand down as he pretended to drop his napkin.
He raised an eyebrow at Harry before he glanced over at Ron and said. "Well, I try not to worry you too much. I know how much Gryffindors need time to adjust and I would not want to burden you too much at once. Too much stress is only going to freak you out."
And I don't like it when Gryffindors freak out. When that happens it means that a Slytherin has got to clean up the mess and I am done with cleaning up messes.
He shot Harry a look that said finish. His husband ignored him to instead focus on Longbottom as he asked. "So what do you have planned now, Neville?"
Neville flushed briefly before he said. "Well, I actually want to get into uni. Been trying to anyway. But the course I want to get into actually means that I need to sit my NEWTS so I will probably sit the ones that the Ministry offers but even then the chances are slim of me gaining entrance. I need two recommendation letters from Hogwarts, one from Sprout and one…well one from my Potions Professor if I want to get accepted into the Herbology course."
"Why do you need a letter of recommendations from your Potions' professor when it is a Herbology course?" Ron frowned.
"Well, potions teaches us how to deal with the ingredients and that is basic knowledge that is required for this course." Neville shrugged.
Intrigued in a way that had nothing to do with Harry's hand down his pants, Severus leaned forward and said. "And this letter, does it have to come from your current Professor or will an old one do?"
For the second time the table fell silent and Severus was annoyed and startled enough to actually snap a "what".
"That would be great, Professor." Neville's face relaxed into a smile and Severus nodded.
"It is the least I can do when you have killed the snake that tried to kill me." He leaned back in his seat and lifted up his glass. He glared pointingly at Harry. His husband seemed to catch the hint
Because he drew the conversation back around to himself, fingers mapping out the familiar path on Severus' rapidly hardening cock.
"So where are you going, Harry?" Hermione seemed to realize that Severus had said all he was going to say in this conversation as she drew Harry's attention to them. Well, part of Harry's attention anyway; the other part was still firmly on another piece of Severus' anatomy.
Harry applied the right kind of pressure and Severus had to be careful not to give too much away as he bit back a groan. Harry had freed his cock and if Severus had known that Harry had been this useful and skilled with his fingers, he would have found something for Harry to do a long time ago.
"Well, we're starting out in Paris and after that maybe Rome. I don't know, we haven't really planned any of it out. We're just going to go wherever the mood takes us. And before you open your mouth and going to tell us that we need to plan this out, I think it is nice to be spontaneous for a while. I think we deserve that."
It is remarkable how much Harry could focus on two things at once. It was something that Severus would never have expected in Harry. He bit back another moan, instead deciding to take a bite and hopefully not make any sound. The food here was good, but not that good.
"Spontaneity is good in a young couple. It keeps them sexually healthy though if I'm honest I doubt that the Professor here has much problem with that. Because it is his voice that is the reason that so many people don't pay attention in Potions Class and not the Nargel's fault." It was actually the first time that Lovegood had spoken up. Severus choked on his meat, and this time it had nothing to do with Harry's hand on his cock.
He swallowed with difficultly before he purred, dropping his voice slightly. "Excuse me, Miss Lovegood?"
She smiled at him and said. "You really expect me to believe that you don't know that your students rather fantasize about your voice during class than pay attention?"
Chuckling darkly, Severus leaned back in his seat. "Oh I doubt that, Miss Lovegood. I think most were fantasizing about the time after Potions class or what would happen should a cauldron explode and burn me alive. But I do know what my voice does to some of you." He eyes caught Harry's as his husband flushed and looked away.
The fingers withdrew as in punishment but Severus raised an eyebrow in challenge before he took a sip of his drink and continued. "I suppose all of us have our strengths. I will admit that I have honed my voice as a weapon, as you can all testify to. For example, take Harry, one of his strengths is that he never gives up. Even other, lesser smarter people, would have backed down a long time ago."
His eyes held the narrowed green eyes as Harry inclined his head. Severus may have had fast reflexes but he was no match for Harry as seeker quick fingers curled with surprising strength around his cock, fisting it and pumping in a rhythm that left Severus breathless. He pretended to choke on his drink, because they was no other way to explain it.
"Yeah and like Hermione, who despite freaking out that she wants to know everything, is the smartest witch I have ever known and loved." Severus had too much trouble focussing upon Harry's fingers on his cock and trying not to give himself away.
Harry's hand picked up the pace and Severus closed his eyes and clenched at the underside of the table to stop himself from groaning.
Harry is too good at this…I…
His higher brain functions finally crashed to a halt as Harry's thumb slid across his slit. His eyes opened and he glared hard at Harry, daring him to finish as Harry's hand slowed.
Satisfaction curled around Severus through the bond and he knew what Harry was doing. But two could play that game.
His own hand crept up Harry's thigh and he bit back a smirk when he noticed how Harry choked on his drink when. He did the same thing that Harry had done, stroking the outline of his cock through his jeans. Harry barely swallowed the butterbeer he had been drinking now before he suddenly pushed his chair back and excused himself, saying something of the toilet.
"Is Harry alright, Severus?" Hermione looked confused but Lovegood's smile was too knowing.
"I will go and make sure." He excused himself. Following Harry to the restrooms, he found his young husband leaning heavily on the sink. He stared at Severus through the mirror as he said.
"You're a real bastard you know that right?"
"I have been told that. But you started it, Mr. Potter; perhaps you would care to finish it." He gestured down to himself. He barely had the peace of mind to righted himself when he left the table. It wouldn't do to go about the pub with his fly undone.
"In here?" Harry's eyes widened behind his glasses.
"Well, I did promise to take you out more." Severus smirked and Harry turned to face him. He beckoned his husband and Harry moved closer. Pulling Harry to him Severus softly said.
"Just imagine, me sucking you off in the Louvre, having you against the wall in an alley in Rome, making sweet love to you on a beach in Thailand…" He nipped at Harry's lips.
"All of those places sounds lovely, Severus, perhaps it is time to finalize our plans and get out of here." And while Severus knew what Harry was talking about he did agree, yes perhaps it was time to finalize their plans and get out of here but first, he had to survive the lunch with Harry's friends.
Well this is it for now. I not really leaving you guys hanging but my muse decided to leave me hanging dry. So I will save the rest for the later chapter. So I hope that you guys liked the new familiar. So should Harry have a familiar of his own or pick one up on a travel somewhere? Now I need ideas for names of course and travel destinations. Review please. There will be two more chapters are this
In the next chapter: Harry and Severus return to the lunch but will Severus expect Harry to continue with what he had started or will somebody notice what they are up to? And Severus and Harry finally start planning their trip and their future together in: the Future.