A/N: Hey. Glad you all enjoyed the last chapter and I hope you enjoy this next one too. I know you all want to know what Harry wants to talk to Severus about. I've had a couple close guesses. So read and don't forget to review. Thanks. :]
Warnings: A bit of violence. Sex! Avoid ending of chapter if you don't want to read some relatively explicit sex between Harry and Severus! (By the way, I have no idea what is actually allowed in the way of sex and whatnot as I have read a variety of explicit sex scenes. Mine is quite tame compared to some that I have read. :P)
Harry sat at his desk, bent over paperwork and one hand in his hair. Lileen was sitting on the far corner of the desk so she had a view of the infirmary and could alert her master to patients or visitors.
She looked over at him when he groaned loudly and threw his quill down. "For being a hospital wing in a school, there should not be this much paperwork," he said, rubbing his eyes. "I'm pretty sure the number of first years has nearly tripled in the last five years."
Lileen meowed.
"I'm allowed to be dramatic and exaggerate," Harry said. "Why did we come back? We were doing perfectly fine in Iceland."
Lileen meowed again.
"Right. I couldn't resist seeing Severus again despite thinking he hated me again," Harry sighed.
"We have been through this many times, Mr. Potter," a familiar silky voice said and Harry looked up as Lileen mewled and leaped off the desk. Severus was leaning casually in the doorway and the man smiled as Lileen twined through his legs.
"What are you doing here?" Harry said, surprised. "Shouldn't you be at lunch?"
"Lunch is over halfway finished," Severus said. "I was heading back to my classroom when I came across a fight in the corridor."
"Are the students all right? What was it about? What house?" Harry asked quickly and Severus raised an eyebrow at the rapid questioning.
"You can ask them," Severus said and Harry followed him into the infirmary.
In five beds lay students, all glaring at each other despite their obvious pain. They all had cuts on their faces and arms along with dark bruises.
"It looks like they were in a Muggle fight," Harry said quietly to Severus.
"That's because that's how they were fighting after each sending a Cutting Hex or two," Severus said.
Harry walked over to the students. There were two girls and three boys. Two of the boys were sixth year Slytherins, the third was a fifth year Gryffindor, one girl was a seventh year Slytherin, and the other girl was a sixth year Gryffindor.
"What was this all about?" Harry asked and he watched their eyes snap to him.
The fifth year Gryffindor boy's face twisted. "Is there another Healer I could see?"
Harry frowned. "No, why would you ask?"
"Because I don't want you near me," the boy snapped hatefully. The Slytherins immediately started yelling at the boy and began to move towards him before Harry restrained all five students.
"What is going on?" Harry said. "What happened?"
"Those stupid Gryffindors were going off about what was in the Prophet this morning," one of the Slytherin boys said.
Harry sighed silently. And here comes a reason why I left and didn't want to come back. "What was being said?"
"They were going on about how Mr. Potter should have never been allowed to work here and that Professor Snape should've died," the other Slytherin boy said.
"And they said that both of you were unnatural and freaks and should be, as they said, 'disposed of'," the Slytherin girl added. "They said we would've been better off with You-Know-Who still alive."
"Fifty points from Gryffindor each!" Severus said angrily and the Gryffindors spluttered in outrage.
"We never said any of that!" the Gryffindor girl shouted.
"But I think you did, Miss Sanders," Severus growled and she glared at him.
"You can't prove it," Sanders said with a smirk.
"I think you'll find that I can," Severus said in a low voice.
"Emma, it doesn't matter if we said it or not. It's all true either way," the Gryffindor boy said and Harry raised an eyebrow while Severus rolled his eyes.
"Thank you, Mr. Mandelin," Severus said, "and congratulations. You have both earned two weeks of detention with Mr. Filch."
"But you don't know if we said it!" Mandelin gaped in anger.
"Your little comment to Miss Sanders was more than an adequate confession," Severus said and Mandelin growled.
"How did the fight start?" Harry asked as he started scanning the students.
"We were just talking when Jamison and Dale attacked us," Mandelin said.
"That's not true, you git!" Damon Guiller, one of the Slytherins, protested. "We were telling you to stop saying things about Potter and Snape! You and Sanders cast Cutting Hexes so we pounded you! Anya came by and tried to stop the fight!"
"Mr. Guiller, silence yourself," Severus ordered and Damon fell silent. "It is clear that Mr. Mandelin is lying. Another fifteen points from Gryffindor."
Harry shook his head as Severus argued with Ben Mandelin and continued healing the students. None of them had anything serious and were free to go within an hour, the Gryffindors leaving with far less points than when they had entered and the Slytherins with three days of detention.
Harry winced. Gryffindor house would not be happy with those two. He still remembered the time in first year when he, Ron, and Hermione lost one hundred and fifty points in one go. The Gryffindors had resented them, mostly Harry, for nearly two weeks.
"Mr. Potter?"
Harry was brought from his thoughts when the Slytherin girl, Anya Princeton called for him.
"Yes, Anya?"
"Is any of it true?"
"What do you mean?" he asked even though he knew.
"Everything that was in the Prophet. Is any of it true?" Anya said.
Harry sighed and breathed deeply. "Except for a few details, it is all true."
"So you and the professor are—?" she trailed off.
Harry looked at Severus, silently asking for his permission. "Yes, we are together and have been for almost two months."
He was shocked when the female Slytherin smiled. "Congratulations, especially you, Professor. I think you've been alone and unhappy for too long," she said also stunning Severus though he didn't show it.
"Very well, Miss Princeton. You are free to go," Severus said awkwardly. Anya smiled again and left the hospital wing.
Severus turned and found Harry silently rearranging the potions cabinet, putting out the nearly empty or empty ones. Severus noted the pain that was well-hidden, though unsuccessfully, in Harry's green eyes.
"Harry?" Severus said but Harry continued with his task. "Harry, are you all right?"
"I'm fine," the voice box said.
"Harry—"
"We'll talk tonight at dinner," Harry said. "The bell's going to ring and you have to get to your class."
Severus sighed. "Very well, but we will talk."
"I know," Harry nodded. "I'll see you in a few hours."
"Goodbye, love," Severus said and kissed the side of Harry's head, not missing Harry's small smile at the unconscious action.
Harry sighed in relief as the bell rang for dinner. He locked his office and left the infirmary. He walked through the corridors heading for his rooms, talking to Lileen who was walking close beside him. He turned a corner, talking to Lileen excitedly about what he was going to tell Severus over dinner when pain erupted in his left cheek and he fell to the floor.
Is Ron attacking me again? He wondered, blinking away the spots in his vision. Everything was still blurry but he began to make out the figure of someone standing above him.
"What the hell are you doing, whoever you are?" Harry groaned and became aware of Lileen's furious hissing.
"Snape of all people, Harry?" a familiar male voice said.
"Finn?" Harry guessed, squinting as his vision slowly cleared. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Leave the old git, Harry, he's not good for you. Come with me and we'll leave Britain, just like you want," Finn said and Harry frowned, his mind still dazed from the hit.
"Wait, what? What are you talking about?" Harry said.
"I saw the paper, Harry. What you did for Snape, while completely revolting, was admirable and he doesn't appreciate it," Finn said.
"You're mental," Harry said, struggling to his feet. "Get Severus," he whispered to Lileen in his own voice without the box. Lileen immediately took off.
"Why be with that bastard when you can be with me?" Finn said, stalking towards Harry who backed into a wall.
"I happen to love that bastard," Harry snapped.
"Poor Harry. Suffering from unrequited love," Finn said, trailing a fingertip down Harry's cheek and the Healer jerked away. "I can love you the way he never will or could."
"You're wrong. He does love me," Harry glared. "And I will never be with you or go anywhere with you."
Finn's face turned angry and Harry just managed to duck and avoid the punch Finn threw at him. He heard the crunch as Finn punched the stone wall instead and winced as the professor cried out in pain. Harry glanced back at Finn who was cradling his bloody hand and took off running. He ran faster as he heard the sound of Finn chasing him. Still running, Harry pulled his wand and spun around.
"Stupefy!" he cried, not noticing that he used his own voice and not the voice box. The red light hit Finn in the chest and the man crumpled to the floor unconscious. Harry was breathing heavily, his arm stiff and still rose in front of him. His cheek was throbbing but was hardly paying it any attention.
"Harry!" someone called and he found himself staring vacantly at Severus.
"Merlin," Severus breathed. "Harry?" the Potions master said, gently pushing Harry's arm down. Severus winced at the thick line of blood that was trailing down the Gryffindor's cheek along with the split lip. Severus pulled out a handkerchief and gently dabbed at Harry's lip.
Harry hissed quietly. "Sev'rus?" he said without the voice box.
"It's me, Harry," Severus said as he wiped away the blood as carefully as possible. "You're all right now, love."
Harry looked at him and smiled slightly. "I guess I ruined dinner."
"Not at all. I had hardly been in your rooms for ten minutes when Lileen arrived. We can still have dinner."
Harry smiled.
"Let's get you fixed up first," Severus said and Harry chuckled. Severus summoned his Patronus. "Tell Minerva that Finn is unconscious by the infirmary. We are in need of a Defence professor once again," he told the lion. He then took Harry's hand and they headed back to Harry's rooms with Lileen following them.
"Harry!" Connor exclaimed upon the sight of Harry.
"He'll be fine, Connor. He just needs a few potions and some rest," Severus told the little boy as Harry leaned heavily on him. Connor nodded, still uncertain, but swung open and admitted them at the password. Severus pushed Harry onto the sofa.
"Severus," the voice box said. "I'm fine. Calm down," he said as Severus rushed around the rooms.
Severus returned and sat on the coffee table in front of Harry. He placed a bowl of water with a cloth beside him.
"You are not fine," Severus said, drenching the cloth and wringing it out.
Harry sighed, wincing and pulling back when Severus touched his cheek with the cloth. "Ow," he muttered. Severus reached out and gently held Harry's chin, continuing to wash away the blood.
"What happened?" Severus asked, washing the wound.
"Finn attacked me. Something about how I should be with him and you don't love me and crap like that," Harry shrugged.
"I do love you, Harry, don't listen to Finn," Severus said, caressing the uninjured cheek.
"I know, Sev'rus," Harry smiled warmly and Severus kissed his forehead lightly.
Severus then picked up the Healing Salve he had retrieved and opened it. He took some of the salve out and spread it on Harry's cheek.
"I'll put more on before we go to sleep and it should be gone by morning, or nearly at least," Severus said and Harry nodded. "Very good. Can we have our dinner now?"
Harry smiled. "Definitely," the voice box said.
Severus smirked and took Harry's hand, leading the way to the kitchen. They sat across from each other at the table and watched as the surface was covered in food.
"Kreacher," Harry grinned. The old house elf was much like Dobby had been in the way of taking care of Harry. Before he had left England, he had stopped at Grimmauld Place. He asked Kreacher if he really wanted to stay in the Black house and had been slightly surprised when Kreacher said no. Harry had then suggested he work at Hogwarts but as a personal elf. The house elf agreed and went to Hogwarts where he helped when called by a professor but did not work in the kitchens.
Until now apparently.
"Ah, yes. Your house elf. He has been immense help over the years," Severus said.
"Does he seem happy?" Harry asked, piling food onto his plate.
"More than he ever did at Grimmauld Place," Severus told him. "You did a good thing by sending him here. Many would have freed him."
"I had thought about freeing him but I knew I couldn't. It was only Sirius that had made things so horrible for Kreacher. He didn't want to be freed in the literal sense but I kind of knew that he wanted to leave Grimmauld Place," Harry said.
Severus gave him a small smile, taking a bite of his potatoes. "So you said you wished to ask me something."
"Yes, I did," Harry nodded. "I know we've only been together for about a month, but it seems like it's been longer. I know we haven't had sex yet but that doesn't really say anything."
"Harry." Severus reached across the table and put a hand on Harry's. "Calm down. I agree. We are further in this relationship despite the short time we've been together. What is it you wish to ask?"
"Well, seeing as we are never, or very rarely, in our own rooms, I was thinking that we could perhaps live together," Harry said nervously. "I know it's probably too fast but I just thought that things were going so well and we know how we feel and—"
"Harry, stop," Severus said and Harry's rambling came to a halt. "Now, it may certainly seem too fast but when we nearly live together already, what does it matter? I assume we will mostly be in your rooms. We can use mine for more privacy and in the warm months."
Harry blinked. "Are you saying yes?"
Severus raised an amused eyebrow. "I thought I had made that clear."
Harry grinned and ran around the table, throwing his arms around Severus' neck. "Thank you," he muttered as Severus' arms encircled his waist.
"I am benefitting from this as much as you are. There is no need to thank me," Severus told him.
Harry laughed as he pulled back only to kiss Severus deeply. "I love you."
"And I you, brat," Severus said and Harry grinned again. "Is that all you wished to discuss?"
"No, I have one more thing to tell you," Harry said, playing with the collar of Severus' shirt.
"What is it?"
Harry took a deep breath and pulled out his wand. He tapped his voice box and it turned off. Replacing his wand, he saw Severus' confused expression.
He took another deep breath and said, "I can talk again."
Severus stared at him for a long while, making Harry grow slightly uncomfortable.
"Severus?"
Severus raised a hand and ghosted a fingertip over the red lips that had definitely moved as they spoke whatever words were said. "Your voice," he whispered.
Harry smiled. "Because of you, I have my voice back. I can speak."
Severus said nothing but instead pulled Harry into a bruising kiss. Harry smiled into the kiss and murmured in happiness. Severus eventually broke the kiss but just moved to Harry's neck, making the young Healer groan and tilt his head.
"Severus," Harry gasped out as the man began to slowly open his shirt. "We have to work tomorrow."
"We'll manage," Severus muttered and got to his feet, continuing to kiss the younger man. He slowly pushed Harry out the kitchen and into the bedroom, pushing him down onto the bed. Severus followed, draping himself over Harry.
"Ironic," Harry breathed as Severus moved down his now bare chest, "that I mentioned earlier that we hadn't had sex yet."
"Shut up," Severus muttered and Harry chuckled.
"I don't think it's fair that I'm nearly naked and you're still dressed," Harry said, looking pointedly at himself as his pants had now been removed, leaving him in his boxers. Severus raised an eyebrow and Harry quickly rolled them over so he was on top. "I mean it. You require less clothing."
Severus smirked and brought their lips back together as Harry (who was insanely glad the Potions master had shed his robes) unbuttoned his shirt. Just after Harry removed his pants, Severus flipped them back over. Letting their tongues entwine, Severus' hands slowly slid down Harry's chest until they reached the waistband of the boxers. Here he stopped and pulled from the kiss.
Harry looked up at him in confusion. "What's wrong?"
"Are you sure about this?" Severus asked.
Harry sighed. "I've had sex in the last five years, Severus. I had two relationships though neither reached six months. I'm fine and I'm sure."
"Harry, I—"
"Severus, I swear, if you don't do something, I will," Harry growled.
Severus nodded and quickly attacked Harry's neck while pulling off both their boxers. They both moaned as their bodies aligned and touched and brushed. Severus reached down and grasped Harry's erection, making the younger man gasp and buck.
Silently summoning a jar of lubrication, Severus coated his fingers and proceeded to prepare his soon-to-be lover.
"Hurry up already!" Harry exclaimed as he tried to push himself further onto the fingers inside him. The fingers disappeared and Severus pushed into Harry, making them both moan loudly. Severus held still for a few moments to let Harry adjust, kissing him as he did. "Move," Harry gasped and Severus obeyed.
It didn't take long for them to settle into a smooth rhythm, meeting each other for each thrust. They breathed hard and their bodies shined as they continued moving together, both feeling their climaxes building. Harry wrapped his arms around Severus' neck tightly, gasping as his lover hit his prostate repeatedly. He kissed the man before Severus once again moved to his neck, still thrusting into him steadily. Harry held Severus tightly and his breathing became shallower. Severus moved one hand up one of Harry's legs, slowly trailing it over the thigh and hip and coming to a halt at Harry's base.
Harry groaned in frustration and moved more, trying to get Severus to touch him but mostly succeeding in making the man sink deeper within him (not that he was complaining). Severus eventually gave in and moved his hand to Harry's length. He had only lightly touched the erection when Harry's orgasm hit him.
Gripping Severus, Harry rode out his climax with a shout and it wasn't long before Severus joined him. Soon they collapsed onto the bed, hot and sated. After regaining his breath and mobility, Severus muttered a Cleaning Charm and dragged himself off Harry, gently pulling out. Severus fell beside Harry and looked at him.
"That was bloody amazing," Harry gasped out and Severus chuckled. He threw an arm across Harry's waist and pulled him close, kissing the Healer's temple.
"Time to sleep. We work in the morning," Severus said, laying his head close to Harry's.
"Fantastic," Harry grumbled and Severus laughed again.
"Sleep," Severus said, pulling the blanket over them.
"All right, all right," Harry said and closed his eyes, lacing his left hand with Severus' on his waist. They were both quickly asleep.
A/N: For those who read the sex scene, congratulations. Lol. You read my first posted sex scene. I've written a couple but this is the first one that has been posted. It's not as hard as I thought it would be to write a gay sex scene or just a sex scene in general. Hope it was decent. Like I said, it's quite mild and tame compared to a lot of others that I have read. So, hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please review. I love them so much. :P Thanks so much. :]