Chapter Seventeen:
Safe
A/N: Read, Review, Enjoy!!
.Lover - Haha yes, I admit I have poor editing - because I don't edit. Lol. But I'm going to edit this and fix all the mistakes - especially the ones you have pointed out! =) But not until the story is 100% complete, my apologies hun!
Morgan. - I love cliff hangers. When I'm a reader and they're there, I just get so excited for the next chapter! When I'm a writer, I love how excited it gets my reviewers for the next chapter! lol I hope this satisfies the cliffy!
allieb23 - I hope I didn't take *too* long on this update, I was away for a couple of days and I was so itching to write this chapter it was insane!! Enjoy it, enjoy it! =) I hope I've made you happy enough just like you're review did, lol...oh yes, I think we're equally amazing, hehe.
Obsesive Reader - Haha, Yes Snape getting some DOES make him less crabby ;). Oh and I'm glad you like the random side pairing, a lot of people seem to shy away from it sometimes. But I think it's cute! xD
thrnbrooke - You'll just have to read and see...xD
Safe - Natalie Grant
How did you know
That I'm all alone today
Oh I feel so scared,
And I want to go away
I bleed so deep underneath
My soul is screaming.
I'm not gonna hide
I'm not gonna runaway
I'll uncover the scars
And show you every mistake.
Your love has mended my blisters,
And my bruising shame.
Now I, I'm not ashamed.
Here with you,
I am safe.
*
Severus Snape hated mornings. Absolutely detested them - even if he had a fabulous previous evening with the love of his life. Quite literally, having loved the man his entire life ever since they set eyes upon one another at age Eleven. They were at such a fickle stage in life back in their Hogwarts days, but once they outgrew and regrew one another frequently they both came into realization that they were indeed meant to be together. Despite the war, they kept their relationship strong, despite their opposing attitudes and values (which just added spice to eveything) they kept things together...somehow. Severus still considered Remus rather irrational, all things considered.
At this point in time, however, the man in his life was remaining rather elusive. They stood in the Entrance corridor, just after breakfast. "Could you meet me in your office after first period today? You don't have any classes, correct?" he asked, he seemed strained more than usual as his brow furrowed.
"I attempt to use my free time effectively, Lupin. What exactly for?" Severus drawled, hardly paying attention as he eyed the younger students, bustling to class and sending him freightful glances.
"I-It's just something we need to talk to some students about," he stuttered, looking suddenly nervous and averting his eyes. Severus raised an eyebrow.
'What's the dog up to these days?' he grumbled to himself.
"I would actually like you to bring them from class. It's Mr Malfoy and Mr Potter,"
"They have classes afterwards, we're lucky enough to have a free period together," Snape sounded sarcastic, but Remus allowed a smile to fleet across his features as he knew it differently. "What do you want with those two anyway? Together?"
"It's quite imparative, Sev," Remus said softly, looking with disdain still. "Just bring them to your office, alright? I'll deal with their other Professors," and without hearing a response but knowing his secret boyfriend would do as he asked, Remus turned on his heel and walked off up the entrance hall staircase and towards his own classroom.
Severus stared after him with his hands stiffly at his sides until Remus was out of sight, and then he finally let a smile creep into place. Shaking his head, feeling rather like the Hufflepuff he wasn't for internal softness, he started off to his own classroom.
He didn't like being late, never did. But somehow, ever since Remus had begun teaching at Hogwarts once more, Severus was usually late for class and the students were beginning to expect it of him. Though, they still expected harsh reality inside the Potions room.
As he started his Sixth Year class instruction, they were to be brewing a complex Love Potion for the next seven lessons. "Now, as you might remember even the mere aroma of a love potion, especially one as potent as this, will captivate the most cold of hearts. Be sure to be aware of that and stay on target. Today you will be preparing the first half of your ingrediants with extreme deligance," he hissed, eyeing Neville Longbottom and Harry in particular, both who blushed and looked down at their desks. "You may have partners of your choosing, do so now and quietly proceed," Snape said, then took his seat at his desk to mark Second Year essays.
He did not notice the odd string of events, however. Snape paid no heed to Harry Potter being left partner-less by his friends once again, and how Neville Longbottom even choose to work with a Slytherin, Millicent Bulstrode, over Harry himself. The brunette sixteen year-old made his way nervously to none other than Draco Malfoy's desk, where the blonde barely greeted his arrival, aside from a curt nod.
When Severus looked up from his papers, he was rather surprised to see the Gryffindor and Slytherin sitting beside each other, working quietly. His Gryffindork friends would shyly check on him every few moments, making sure he was alright. Raising an eyebrow, the Potions master watched as the two started off their work.
Then by accident, Harry's hand grazed Draco's wrist and both jumped suddenly away from one another. A strange tinge of pink was visible on the boys faces as they mumbled apologies and seemed to edge as far away from each other as possible. But what was that? A smile on Draco Malfoy's face? 'He's attempting to hide it...but he can't. Not from me,' Snape thought icily to himself.
'I know that look. I would, considering how often I gave it to Remus...'
"Watch where you are chopping, Potter," Draco hissed beneath his breath, making it loud enough for those around them to hear. But his sneer didn't quite meet his eyes.
"Watch where you're..." Harry blushed deeply and didn't finish his sentence, feeling a tight squeeze on his knee. It was good that Draco interupted him anyway, because he hadn't had an intelligent enough comeback.
And then, Draco stopped crushing his ingrediants and took out a piece of blank parchment. He quickly scribbled something onto it and thrust it in Harry's direction. 'You look so adorable today,' was all it said. When Harry read it, and the crimson climbed up his throat, Draco pretended to be too caught up in his work to notice.
Harry shakily took out his own quill and jotted back, 'You too. But you're making it difficult to concentrate with your hand on my knee again...'
'And why would that be, Potter?'
When Harry read this, he could almost hear Draco's sexy slur seducing him. If he wasn't noticably red yet, by now he definitely was. 'Gods Draco, I think I really want you...'
'You think? Well then, I guess I will just have to wait until you know.'
'Bastard. You know I want you,'
'Do I?'
'Don't you?'
'Prove it,'
'Right here, right now?'
'Why not? Is something...stopping you?'
At this point, Draco's hand was sliding up Harry's leg making the brunette squirm uncomfortably in his seat. The blonde was staring straight at Harry, who avoided his gaze like the plague. "Mr Potter, Mr Malfoy. It would do you both good to not pass notes in my classroom," Snape's cold, sneer interupted them.
Harry jumped nearly out of his seat, he mumbled an apology and looked back down at his ingrediants he had been working on whereas Draco seemed to be sharing a silent conversation with the Professor. "I need to speak with the both of you after class," and with that Snape left them to sweep across the classroom and observe the other students.
"What the hell does he need to speak to both of us about?" Harry grumbled, never enjoying any kind of conversations that involved Professor Snape.
"Who knows. But I have a feeling it is something to do with what the werewolf wants to talk to us about..."
Harry punched Draco in the lower leg lightly, the blonde winced and turned to him about to protest. "Don't call him that!" Harry angrily whispered, but it quickly melted as he looked at Draco and he smiled sheepishly. "Well, why would the both of them want to talk to us about something?"
"Dunno...guess we will just have to wait and see now won't we...Harry," Draco purred, making Harry blush and attempt to pay attention to what he was doing.
This did not work whatsoever. The rest of their Potions lesson was filled with Draco coaxing Harry into further embarassment, making him writhe in his seat and edge away from his partner constantly. Ron and Hermione were watching this, wondering what it was that Malfoy could be saying to their best friend that made him merely lean away instead of angrily retort. This was a very unusual scene.
Finally, class ended and both of them stayed after. Harry sent his best friends a reassuring look before they were out the door towards Transfiguration. Professor Snape approached their desk, where the two boths were packing their bags slowly and sending each other furitive glances.
"I want you in my office as soon as your finished," he sniped and then disappeared through his office doors.
"I wonder what the he-" Harry began, but was quickly cut off by Draco's hot mouth against his own. Harry groaned and wrapped his arms around him, Draco's hands were in tousled brown hair by the time Harry's tongue was lapping inside of his lovers mouth.
"Urgh, Draco we shouldn't..not..."
"Shh," Draco whispered against Harry's teeth, and the Gryffindor couldn't help himself but indulge further into the kiss. He found himself roaming Draco's back curiously, through the safety of the blonde's school robes, and then Draco's hands gently held the sides of Harry's face as he pulled away from him with a sweet smile.
"I love you, Harry," Draco spoke with confidence, their eyes locking and so much emotion flowed in between them.
Harry blushed and then jumped away from him as the door to the Potions classroom suddenly opened. Harry grabbed his bag and turned to face Remus, who was looking oddly at the boys. "C'mon then, lets get Severus to make us some tea," he merely said, leading the boys into the Potions Master's office.
Harry and Draco flashed a look at both of their Professors who were seat in two armchairs beside an unlit mantle place, Professor Snape had already set out a tray of tea and biscuits and was sipping a cup to himself, glancing eerily at Draco and glaring at Harry who shifted uneasily as he took his seat on the green leather couch. Draco sat on the other side, both of the boys school bags in between them unnaturally.
"What is it you wanted to see us about, Professors?" Draco was the one who asked, understanding that Harry was too boggled with nerves to question.
"I would like to know this as well. Though I do indeed have my suspicions," Snape drawled, sending a glance at Remus who smirked back at him before turning seriously towards the boys, Harry in specific.
"Harry, I am going to ask you to explain to me what happened that gave you all those bruises and broken bones. No, you needn't answer me if you don't want to but I insist you do. I may be able to help you...I want to help you. Also, I want you to explain what the hell I saw this morning," Remus finished darkly, glaring over at Draco.
"Isn't it obvious, Remus?" Snape whispered monotonely, Draco was staring at the Potions Master and his Godfather curiously. 'What did he know?'
"No, it isn't. Because for all I knew..."
"Yes, but for all James and Lily knew..."
"What about my parents?" Harry hurriedly cut off.
Remus frowned and looked over at his best friends son, "Nothing, just old school stuff,"
"Like the Marauder's?" Draco asked before he could stop himself, or Harry could stop him rather.
"The Marauder's? How do you know of that meddlesome, foolish crowd?" Snape growled.
"Harry told me," Draco shrugged, might as well come out with all of it. This was obviously going to be an inquiry that he and Harry weren't going to get out of until the truth was blatantly told, which he had no problem with although Harry was looking more uncomfortable and scared by the moment.
"Harry?" Remus said softly, leaning forward in his seat with a saucer of tea in his hand, stretching it out to the boy who took it slowly.
"Thanks," he mumbled and gulped it down before handing it back. Remus raised an eyebrow and filled it again, Harry took it but merely held it in his hands this time. Once Draco also had a cup, sipping it delicately, Remus began.
"You need to tell me what happened this summer Harry," his voice was so tender, soft.
"Do I? Remus I love you...but I don't think...I c-can't...I just, it's too personal," he muttered, looking down at the tea cup the entire time he spoke as his eyes never wavered.
"Harry, c'mon. You can tell me everything,"
"What about him?" Harry snapped, pointing accusingly at Severus who sat back watching the interaction calmly. "I certainly can't tell you when he's here! He'll bloody laugh, he'll..he'll, fuck Snape can't be here!" he whined.
Draco was smiling at this, even though the love of his life was feeling such turmoil he was still so damned cute! "You can tell him too because no matter what, he'll find out anyway," Remus admitted.
"What do you mean by that?" Harry whispered, looking between his two Professors.
Draco too was curious now, but he already had his many guesses. "Harry, there's a lot I've been keeping secret from you and if you'd like I could tell you first what I should have years ago. And then you can tell me," Remus offered.
Harry thought this over for a second before slowly nodding his accent. But when he looked up, he saw something that quite honestly blew his mind.
Remus had stood up from his chair and walked over to Severus whose tea cup was lowered to the table in front of them. Remus leaned downward and was smiling brightly at the Potions Master. "Ready, love?" he asked as Severus rolled his eyes before the two men's lips met in a short, but sweet kiss.
Draco was smirking mischeviously, but Harry's world went suddenly black. He dropped the tea cup onto himself as his head lolled back and he fainted...thank Merlin he was already sitting on a couch. Draco shoved the school bags hurriedly off in between him and his lover and scooted over close to Harry.
"This is the same boy that murdered the Dark Lord? And you'd think he'd have more balls than that," Severus drawled, making Draco gape whilst bringing Harry gently into his arms cooing him back.
"Sev! Language, please!" Remus snapped, glaring at his boyfriend before grabbing a bar of chocolate off of the tea tray and kneeling down in front of Harry who was seated in Draco's lap, coming to slowly.
Harry's eyes fluttered open. 'Did I just see...no, it couldn'tve been...Gods...SNAPE AND REMUS?!?!' his mind screamed at him but then he felt warm, comfortable arms around him. "Draco?" he croaked, looking up at the angelic face hovering over him.
Draco smiled gently down, his hand came up and brushed the side of his face gently. "Harry, love, really?" he grinned, "It is just two grown men kissing. You think you of all people would be able to cope with that," Draco snided softly, Harry groaned and rolled his eyes before sitting back up on his own, but not denying Draco from holding him close beside him.
Remus was smiling brightly at the two of them, holding out a piece of chocolate. "Here, take this it'll..."
"Help," Harry interupted, grabbing the chocolate and thrusting it into his mouth as he and Remus looked at each other and smiled crookedly. "You'd think you carry around a bar of chocolate just for me,"
"Who says I don't?" Remus returned before the two chortled. Draco observed this and could almost immediately sense the love between them, he envied it and was thankful for it all at once. Harry needed an adult like Remus in his life, to help him through things like the summer because Draco agreed that it wasn't good that he was the only one to know about it.
"Now I'd like an explanation of why in the nine levels of Hell were you kissing Snape?" Harry questioned, his hand on his own wetted lap. "Damn, d'you know any drying charms?" he asked Draco quickly afterwards.
Draco rolled his eyes and nodded, taking out his wand and quickly doing one before their attentions turned to the two men, sipping tea once again in their seats. Harry was nibbling on his chocolate, glaring at Snape as Remus began talking as Draco held his lover closely.
"It started back in our First Year here at Hogwarts. We had met and sparks immediately flew, but I knew I couldn't befriend Severus and he couldn't befriend me. We were from different backgrounds and James and I were already so close, not to begin mentioning Sirius," Remus mentioned the late person carefully, watching Harry clench at the name. "So we began meeting in private, but in public we kept pushing each other around,"
"Yes, your Father always had the best of fun tormenting me," Snape growled, eyeing Harry back as the two were heatedly staring at each other, their glares unwavered by the conversation.
"I bet he did, I would too," Harry responded strongly.
"Now, now. Let me continue," Remus was saying this with a smile, which Draco found odd. It was an awkward, and somewhat depressing of a situation; talking about dead friends, dried memories, and eventually what had occurred over the summer...and this werewolf was smiling like it were Christmas?
"At first we were just friends, but as we grew older...well, y'know...horomones kick in. Sirius always thought I'd gone bonkers, never wanting to take a girl to the Ball. So Sev and I took our relationship to new levels, up until Seventh Year. That's when...well, Severus," Remus offered gently.
"You are doing such a fun job...dear, why don't you continue?" Severus hissed, not keen on the idea of their relationship coming into the open. He had no faith in Potter to keep this a secret.
"Well, Sev took the Dark Mark. He was expected to by his family. And then, we were forced to see less and less of one another but the feelings never faded. In fact, I can say with confidence that they only grew stronger. Over the years, we met when we could until Voldemort's second coming. And then we knew, due to Severus' duty as a spy, that there was no way of continuing our relationship. Ever since that night of the Final Battle, we've finally been allowed to have the relationship we never could. All thanks to you, Harry, and we've both never been happier," Remus chimed smirking.
Harry looked at the remainder of his adult 'family', with a disbelieving expression. "A-are you kidding me? Snape...happy?" he choked out.
"Yes, it does seem rather unfitting," Snape agreed coldly, still glaring daggers at Harry who was finished his staring contest had turned on Remus now. Draco was watching this all with a bemused smile, holding his lover and absently tracing circles on his shoulder which seemed to relax them both.
"Now, love, it's not so bad is it?" he whispered, trying to ease the tension.
Harry sighed, slunking his shoulders, "No, I guess it isn't. Whatever makes you happy, Remus, makes me happy I guess," he mumbled. "Though I do think my Dad and Padfoot are turning over in their graves," Harry sighed again, a sad smile on his face.
"Oh, they'd be happy too, believe me," Remus grinned. Harry even mentioning his dead Godfather was a great improvement from the last time he had spoken to him about Sirius Black. "Now Harry, is there something you wish to tell us?" he asked gently, reaching over and grasping Snape's hand who entwined their fingers quickly and without second thought, holding it back.
"I don't know-" he began uneasily.
"Harry," Draco said softly, reaching up to the brunette's face and turning it to his own. He looked softly into his eyes. "Would you like me to tell them about my summer first? Then maybe you could tell them about yours? Would that make it easier?" he asked gently, Harry nodded.
'I don't want to be here. I don't want to do this. Remus is going to think I'm dirty. Used. Disgusting. Unwrothy of being James' son. Snape is just going to laugh...I don't want to do this...Thank Merlin and Heaven for Draco,' Harry thought shakingly to himself, taking another large bite of chocolate to calm his nerves. It didn't seem to help at all, not like Draco's arm around him did.
Draco sighed heavily before turning his attention to Severus. He was the one he had to worry about, his reaction. He told them about what happened on the night of the Final Battle, how he had seen his Father murder his Mother right before his eyes. How he didn't want to join the Dark side, get the Dark Mark, or any of that. How he rather enjoyed Muggle literature and music thoroughly, how he had worn a heavy mask most of his life. Harry was stroking his leg most of the time, understanding that all of this was extremely hard for Draco to put into words despite his cool exterior.
What he didn't mention, however, was that he himself had murdered Lucius. All he said was that he had disappeared. He talked about how when he came back to school he saw Harry in a whole new light, how he decided unexpectedly one day that he liked him. He even told him about the dare, and the illegal body switch they had done.
"That is extremely dangerous, Draco," Severus chided seriously.
"You both could have gotten yourselves killed! Harry, what were you thinking?" Remus asked with concern, he was on his two feet now, looking down at the brunette who almost seemed to be shaking with nerves.
"I wasn't," he muttered, Draco pulling him closer to him and glaring up at the hot tempered werewolf who smiled apologetically and sat back down in his seat.
"And that's that. From there on in, I guess things just sort of developed the way they did," Draco finished simply.
"And what are things? Harry?" Remus asked gently again.
Harry shrugged looking down at the last bit of chocolate in his hands as he fiddled with it, "I dunno. I guess we're...I dunno...Draco?" he looked up hoping from help to come from the blonde who smiled brightly down at him.
"I would like to be his boyfriend, if he would let me. He knows I love him very deeply," Draco pronounced, almost making Snape faint and Harry die of embarassment.
"I-I would like that," Harry responded gently, and then Draco reached down and captured the brunette's lips in a short, soft peck before pulling back and turning to the men before him with a grand smile on his face. Harry was smiling brightly, although blushing and looked down at his lap still.
"That's wonderful, Harry. I'm glad for you," Remus said seriously from his seat, Harry looked up at him with hopeful eyes. "I mean it. And you can come to me whenever you need help...I above all know what it's like to date a Slytherin," he smirked over at Severus who unexpectedly stuck out his tongue at his boyfriend, Remus chuckled as Harry stared with amazement. He had never seen his Potions Master act so...childish.
"Thanks, Moony. But that's not all. Draco, I'm not telling them everything unless you tell them everything too," Harry turned to his new boyfriend seriously, looking strangely into his eyes.
"Harry...you know there are certain things I cannot tell people. I will get into trouble...Azkaban," Draco reminded him in a whisper.
"But Draco. Remus won't tell anybody, and I doubt Snape would send one of his own to that place!" Harry growled, "I won't tell them ANYTHING unless you tell them everything," he demanded suddenly.
Draco looked down at him, Harry had never sounded so assertive. He raised an eyebrow and turned back to the men staring expectantly at him. "Alright then. You see, after my Mother was killed I refused to follow my Father into hiding. He also refused to leave without me,"
"Yes, that does sound like Lucius. He spent quite the amount of time...teaching you, as you grew up,"
"You knew?!" Harry suddenly jumped up, his fists balled at his sides as he glared angrily at Snape who sat there indifferently. "You knew and you let that twisted bastard do all those things to Draco! He was a child, for godsake! What the hell is wrong with you, you evil bastard!!" he screamed, and Draco was at his side, his arms wrapped around him and Harry visibly cooled into the touch, leaning his head exhaustingly against Draco's shoulder.
There was magic radiating off of Harry from his outburst of anger, Remus and Severus were watching the scene and feeling the magical energy in the room slowly subside with amazement. Never had the seen the boy be so quickly calmed, with his famous temper they were astounded how just being merely touched by Draco did this.
"Potter, it wasn't within my rights to stop it...Lucius was considered highest amongst Voldemort's ranks and if I stepped out of line around him or accused him of anything then I would have been reprimended by the Dark Lord himself," Severus explained calmly.
Harry snarled at him but Draco softly planted a kiss on his cheek, at this the brunette blushed and all anger slipped away to Remus' utter confused amazement. "Harry, love. It's alright. It is all done and over with," he said softly, forcing him to sit down once again. "Now as I was saying, there was no way I could have stayed at the Manor for the remainder of the summer whilst my Father was alive. He would have preferred me dead than him without me. I knew that he would have been at the top ranks of the Death Eater Alliance, but I stopped that from happening and I also stopped him from taking me by...by killing him after he had murdered my Mother," he stated firmly, Remus gasped and turned to the blonde but it was Snape who first responded.
"Mr Malfoy, that is a crime unpardonable. Although, I must agree with you upon your actions. Your secret is safe with Remus and I. But how is it you avoided admitting that under the inquiry of Veritaserum?" Severus asked, only feeling the smallest bit of remorse in consideration to his ex-colleague and old 'friend'.
"Well, you see sir I forced the House Elves to burn his body and do what they would with the ashes. Making sure to keep it a secret from me. So when they questioned where Lucius was, I honestly did not know the whereabouts of the remains of his body," Draco said with ease, which rather freightened Remus but if he knew the childhood events of Draco's life it probably wouldn't have phased him either.
Harry was, at this point in time, absolutely clinging to Draco. His arm was tightly around the blonde's waist, his head leaning on his shoulder as he nibbled on his lower lip having finished off the chocolate already - it didn't seem to calm his nerves whatsoever. "Now that we're all out in the open, Harry, why don't you give it a shot," Remus said softly, leaning forward and putting his elbows on his lap.
Harry looked wildly between Severus and Remus, 'I don't want to. I don't want to. I can't. I can't. I can't...Oh Gods, I think I'm going to bloody die...' "Harry," Draco whispered gently, pulling all of the brunette's attention to him. "I love you, you can do this,"
"No, Draco. I honestly can't. I've never...erm...said it out loud. I don't know what to say...bloody fuck," he swore, he felt tears prickling the corners of his eyes. He refused to cry in front of Severus. Absolutely refused it, but as Draco held him closer, it made it harder to hold it in.
"Would you like me to tell them?"
"Yes, I would," Harry answered quickly, knowing that it would make it much easier for himself.
"If you ever want to bud in, just do so," Draco said softly, rubbing Harry's back now comfortingly.
"Okay and erm...Draco..." Harry was looking back at him now with sadness in his emerald eyes that stared upwards adoringly through his fringe. "I-I love you," he whispered, feeling absolute thanks for the boy holding him. Without Draco, Harry would have broken down into so many different emotions at this point in time.
Draco's mouth dropped but he quickly close it and smiled beatifully, "Thank you, Harry. I have wanted to hear that for so many years," he whispered and they pecked once more lovingly on each others lips and even Draco felt tears threatning to fall. When they both heard Snape clear his throat, they were brought back to attention.
"Alright then...yes," Draco began firmly, holding onto Harry who stared down at the floor in front of them with a blank, unreadable expression. "Well, you both must know that the Dursley's were never kind to Harry here. Locking him in a cupboard, starving him for weeks, what-have-you. But it seemed as though this summer those bastards decided to take things to new levels, shall we say?" Harry began trembling in Draco's arms, he didn't want to hear this out loud. He didn't know if he could, but Draco only held him closer. "In short; they severly beat him and Vernon and that fatboy of his sexually abused Harry the entire summer," he hissed angrily, Harry whimpered but grimaced to hold the tears in his eyes. He was now violently shaking against Draco who was rapidly petting him and kissing him ontop of his head.
"Do not worry love, it is all for the better that they know,"
Remus had growled and jumped out of his seat, but what was surprising was to see pure rage on Severus' face as well. "What. Did. They. Do?" Remus demanded of Draco, staring at him with a purple-face.
"They...raped me," Harry whispered, and with his words the tears flooded. He sobbed against Draco's shoulder as the blonde felt his heart breaking, he felt the tears coming silently from his own eyes. He remembered the many nightmares he experienced, the pain he felt just living inside of Harry's body.
"Harry love. It is alright, I have you now. I promise I will never let you go back to those bastards again, and I promise they will pay," Draco spoke softly between kisses before turning a hateful glare to Remus. "Why in the hell did you make him stay there all summer?"
"I didn't! It was Dumbledore, he said it was the only safe place! All our hide-outs were being watched by bleeding Death Eaters wanting nothing more than to kill him!"
"Well anything would have been better than what he went through!" Draco hissed in response, not wanting to yell as he knew it would scare Harry even more than he was at this moment. He was probably reliving all of those horrifying nights and all Draco wanted to do was goto the Room of Requirments and make all of his pain disappear.
"Those fucking Muggle bastards," Severus finally spoke, and Harry's head snapped up to look at his Professor with an open mouth. "Who the fuck do they think they are? Harry, I swear to it to that they will fucking pay," he growled angrily, staring directly into Harry's tear-stained face who stared back.
'Did Snape just use my first name...and is he honestly wanting to...get payback, for me? Since when did the whole entire world flip upside down?'
"T-Thank you," Harry croaked out, but his words only made him cry more.
"Harry, if I'd had known they were doing anything I promise I would have gotten you out of there. Why didn't you tell us anything?" Remus asked softly now, kneeling down in front of the damaged boy.
"Because he felt dirty, used and thought you would dispise him," Draco explained shortly, pulling Harry closer to him. Harry felt safe in those arms, but it didn't stop the pain of the past from coming up.
"Harry, you know that could never happen. I love you so much. You're like the son I never could or would have," Remus said, and he suddenly found he had tears of hatred and sadness in his eyes as Harry looked up at him. All Remus saw were Lily's eyes and it only made the tears come harder, and suddenly Harry was hugging him in understanding and Remus was hugging him tightly back.
On the floor the two of them wept together, Draco watching sadly as Severus looked terrifying angry at his cup of tea.
It took quite awhile for Draco to explain that this was where all the bruises and broken bones were from, and an hour and a half later Harry was calming down after much tea, chocolate and kisses from his new boyfriend. What a sad occasion to begin a relationship.
Severus hadn't spoken much, but he was continuously glaring with anger. "Alright, I think it's time we let you go. Sev and I still have classes this afternoon and I bet you two are rather pecky for lunch. Go down to the kitchens and you both have the afternoons off, I owled all your teachers with an excuse. You can go out to the Lake, your common rooms, that special room on the Fifth Floor. Just take your time, and if you need anything come to one of us straight away, alright Harry?" Remus asked softly, the brunette nodded numbly.
"If-if it's alright, I was wondering if...we could...erm...stay here...for now...I don't want to...let go, yet," Harry whispered brokenly, grasping onto Draco like he was about to float away into nothingness.
"Of course, Mr Potter. Stay as long as you need to and I will send for lunch to be brought to you. But I do implore the two of you do not come out during one of my classes, unless you are up for public explanations," Severus warned gently.
"Definitely not," Harry shook his head rapidly, Draco grinned down at him just thinking about how cute he was.
"Alright then, I'm sorry that we must leave you but we'll talk later, okay Harry?" Remus assured softly again, Harry only nodded.
"Love you, Moony,"
"Love you too Little Prongster," Remus winked over at him as he blushed and smiled sadly before leaning into Draco once more.
Remus left, after quickly kissing Severus on the lips and glancing over at the boys sadly once more. Oh how much he wished he didn't have any duties to attend to at that moment.
Before Snape went into his own classroom to teach the students that had already arrived for the period before lunch, he did something wholly unexpected. But then again, this was a rather unexpected day in general.
He walked over to the couch, went down on one knee, and pulled Harry into his arms. Harry gasped at first, still not used to physical touching and especially by somebody who used to mentally torture him everyday in class. But then he sighed and found himself hugging Severus back. Draco was grinning uncontrollably at the ridiculousness of the situation.
'Imagine that. Severus Snape embracing Harry Potter. I think every Slytherin would have a heart attack,'
"Stay strong Harry, just like your Mother," Severus said softly before standing up and walking towards the door to his office. He turned and smiled at Draco, "We'll speak later," he said, and with that the two boys were left alone.
In silence they held each other for awhile, untile Draco turned to face downwards at his boyfriend. "Harry...did you mean what you said?" he asked nervously.
Harry took this time to pull away from Draco and quickly kiss him before smiling his first un-sad smile since their interaction with the two Professors. "Every word of it. I love you Draco Malfoy," he said and they kissed once again.
Draco was smiling largely against Harry's lips as he hugged him tightly.
They both thought to themselves as they kissed, 'I do not think I have been or ever will be this happy ever again,'
*
Drowning the tears
Won't make it go away
It's robbing my soul
I'm taking this mask off my face
To discover love
And uncover all
It means to live and breathe.
You've uncovered and I've discovered
I am not afraid.
But when we're hiding we're only fighting
To be sane.