Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Universe belongs to JKR and anyone she legally lets use them. Not me.
A/N: MIDTERMS ARE OVER! xD And what does that mean? Regular chapters again! hehe :) I'm not sure how the chapter veered off of what I wanted it to do, but oh well, I hope you guys like it! Thank you everyone for the wonderful reviews. and the alerts and fave adds!
Oh and I made up some medical statistics here. You'll see.
Enjoy!
Chapter 10
Severus jerked out of his stupor and quickly ascended the stairs after Potter. He was a master spy and a master persuader. He would get Potter to Stay. In. This. House.
Pausing in the doorway, Severus observed Potter for a moment. Jerky movements, random bouts of slowed movements, a slight twitch of the fingers and at the corner of an eye. Either the idiot was still suffering from whatever curse he'd been under, or the dunderheads that had made his potions were incapable of brewing.
"Potter."
When Potter's clenched the shirt in his hands tightly, Severus was momentarily surprised. Potter was strangely adamant in his refusal to stay at Grimmauld Place. His actions gave no evidence as to why, but it was more resistance that Severus had expected. Was being in their presence that distasteful for Potter?
Hmm.
"Potter. You and I both know that you ought to remain here for the next week."
Potter spun around and glared at Severus. "And why is that Snape? Explain to me why I should stay, alone, here, in this empty house for the next week."
Severus raised an eyebrow, "Draco and I will be here. You will hardly be alone Potter."
Turning back to his trunk, Potter resumed packing, muttering under his breath, "Won't I?"
Severus twitched in confusion. Potter's puzzlesome comments were infuriating.
"Tell me, who are you going to stay with?"
Potter spoke through clenched teeth. "Ron and Hermione"
"Hmm, and they are employed by the Ministry?"
Potter voice remained tight, "Yes."
"I see. Do they take days off often?"
"No. What is this about Snape?"
"Indulge me. When do they normally return home after work?"
"Seven. Later for Ron if he's on field duty."
"So, when either of them takes the day off to be with you, or they begin returning home earlier to take care of you, an occurrence coinciding with you week off, no one will be suspicious?"
Potter looked like he was grinding his teeth together. "They're not going to do any of that."
Severus raised an eyebrow, "Are they not? Otherwise, what is the point of staying with them? Is that not just like staying with here?"
Potter rolled his eyes, "They actually like me."
Severus blinked, "Well, we certainly do not hate you."
Potter let out a bark of harsh laughter, "Snape, I thought you were supposed to be good at lying? I mean, you being a spy and all."
Restraining himself from strangling Potter, Severus continued, "Regardless, you know I am correct in my assessment. And, I have already seemed…remiss in my duties as your spouse by being absent at the hospital. In order to cultivate a picture of matrimonial bliss, I must show that I am taking care of my injured spouse in his time of need."
Potter released his shirts and released a deep sigh. "Fine Snape, whatever. I'm tired of fighting with you. Go away now okay? I'm staying here like you want."
Severus smirked, "Good." Crossing the room, Severus gathered up all of Potter's potions vials. "Your potions are obviously of substandard quality. I shall be rebrewing them all."
Harry looked up at Snape in surprise. When he'd agreed to stay he didn't think that Snape was actually going to take an active role in his recovery. "Uh…if you're sure. I mean, it'll probably take up a lot of your time right? You probably have other potions to brew, I'm fine with these ones."
Snape frowned, "Substandard potions mean an increased recovery time Potter. In addition, they may not always provide you with the relief that you need. My potions are much better."
He should've known. Snape just wanted him to get better faster. He didn't really care obviously. Stupid Gryffindor, you know better.
Harry shrugged, "Okay, whatever."
Snape frowned at him before turning around and walking out the door. "Your next potion is in three hours. I will be in my lab rebrewing it."
Harry raised an eyebrow at Snape's retreating back. Was that supposed to be an invitation to come and get him if Harry needed something?
Harry shrugged, scribbled a note to Ron and Hermione, and climbed into his bed. He wasn't going to go down to Snape's lab, regardless if that's what the man meant or not.
Draco glared at Severus as the other man walked into their bedroom three hours later.
"Where were you?"
Severus raised an eyebrow at his lover as he removed his robes, "I was brewing Potter's potions."
Draco frowned, "He's staying here?"
Severus paused and looked at Draco, "Yes. I convinced him to."
Draco's eyebrows shot up, "You mean he wasn't going to?"
Severus nodded. "He was going to leave."
"Why didn't you let him? Then we'd have the house to ourselves!" Draco burst out, a little petulantly, folding his arms over his chest.
Severus stopped undressing and folded his arms. "Draco. The man is injured. We are indebted to him. As much as I dislike that fact, it is the truth. And, I was not present when he was in the hospital for four days. It does have to seem like we're a loving couple."
"WHY? WHY DOES POTTER ALWAYS GET EVERYTHING?"
Severus expression turned dark, "What is your problem Draco?"
Draco narrowed his eyes, "What is my problem? My problem is that MY father just lectured me on the importance of being kind to my lover's fake husband. The same fake husband my lover just spent three hours brewing potions for instead of spending time with me. My lover goes on dates with this fake husband, my lover—"
"Enough Draco."
Draco glared at Severus.
Striding over to the nightstand where Potter's file lay, Severus picked it up and threw it onto the bed in front of Draco. "Did you read it? I did. In the past year Potter has been in the hospital 29 times. He's suffered 12 broken legs, 7 broken arms, 5 nasty curses, and been in a coma for three days. Not including his current predicament. The day you got mad at him because we went to the opera? He had just recovered from the Flagellum Mortis. The time that you and I forgot silencing charms and probably kept him awake? He ended up in the hospital for an extra day because he tried to Apparate when he was supposed to be resting from his most recent hospital visit."
Draco clenched his fists.
"The only reason we were not aware is because he made Weasley and Granger his medical proxies. And stated that I'm not to be contacted. Ever. And under no circumstance are you to be his healer."
Draco's expression darkened, "So what? He doesn't trust us?"
Severus raised an eyebrow, "Would you if you were in his place?"
Draco scowled.
Pursing his lips, Severus continued, "When I attempted to be…less abrasive towards him, Potter was quick to deduce that someone had come and informed us of what he had done for us."
Draco rolled his eyes, "And what? You fell for the, I'm great and you owe me act? Didn't think you would stoop that low Severus. Going to kiss his robes next? The ground he walks on?"
Severus stiffened and he slowly buttoned up his robes. "No. In fact, he was angry that someone had told us and then proceeded to inform me that we did not owe him anything. Frankly, I've spent far too many years of my life making sure that that brat didn't die, so really, I do not owe him anything. But, I am bound by this marriage and I don't particularly want to risk losing everything. And, now, if you'll excuse me, I shall be sleeping in the other room tonight. It seems even after seven years you do not understand me."
Draco's eyes flew to his lover, hand grasping the older man's arm. "What? Severus…you know that I didn't mean it…"
Severus snatched his arm out of his lover's hand. "Maybe you should start thinking before you speak Draco."
Draco's eyes widened as he realized the implications of what he had said. "Severus! I didn't mean…this isn't about him.."
Severus stepped away, "Maybe a night apart will clear your mind." And, with that, Severus walked out of the room.
Draco slammed his fist down on the nightstand, anger coursing through his veins.
This was all goddamn Potter's fault.
So? I was so afraid to post this chapter. x.x Review please? (Was Draco's response understandable or too exaggerated?)