Chapter Thirty Five: The Future.
Harry woke up early in the morning, feeling the warmth of the other body beside him. The both of them were still naked, and Harry could feel Snape's spine curled into his own back.
He could feel last night's stains still against his body, sticky but dried. He needed a shower. Severus had said he was welcome to take a look around the house, so he gathered a shower was under the list of things he could do.
Lightly, he turned over his shoulder, grabbing his glasses from the side-table and putting them on. It was cool outside, the warmth of the bed clinging to his bare skin. As quietly as possible, he slipped out from beneath the sheets, grabbed some fresh clothes and headed to the bathroom after softly closing the door. He didn't want to wake Snape—he looked so peaceful when he was asleep.
Severus had felt Harry move, but he was tired from last night. Believe it or not, he wasn't the most active man. Hunting for potions ingredients could be difficult sometimes, but being intimate was something else. He wasn't weak, his body just wasn't used to the odd movements and the tangling of bodies. Plus, when their magic connected it could be quite draining.
He heard the shower go on, and he knew Potter was just cleaning himself up. He needed to take a shower, too, and he realised he was still naked under here. Not a feeling he actually enjoyed at all. He was very introverted, and he wasn't used to sleeping nude. He always wore pyjamas, or at least pants. Sometimes when it got hot he could go without the shirt, but even that was rare. Last night had been an exception as the images came crawling back into his head. Did Harry really suck his…? He didn't even want to think about it.
The flow from the shower must have made him fall back to sleep, because when he woke up next, he could hear movement from down the stairs. And there was something else… a smell, like… fire. Oh Merlin, Potter was going to burn the bloody place down!
Instantly, Severus bolted upright and grabbed the nearest pair of pants, tossing them on before slamming the door open with a palm, heading down the stairs in a hurry.
To his surprise, Harry was standing over the stove, a pan filled with bacon and eggs cooking quite… Harry could cook? Snape instantly felt his body loosen, the blood in his body realising he'd stood up and making him a fair bit dizzy. He leant a hand onto the wall to steady himself.
"Don't worry, Sev, I'm not burning anything," Harry grinned, knowing that would be the only reason he'd be running down here. "Go and get yourself cleaned up, you look dreadful. Well… in a sexy, messy way."
Severus found himself looking awkwardly at Harry at the compliment. He looked down at himself and quickly exited the room to head back upstairs, get some clean clothes, quickly spell the sheets clean and take another shower.
The shower was quick, and when freshly cleaned, he headed back down the stairs, Harry having put everything onto a plate and set up the table. He had to admit, he was impressed by the Gryffindor's independence. He never would have thought Potter would make a meal for himself.
"Your aunt and uncle taught you how to prepare a meal?" he asked, walking over to the table, dressed in a black dress shirt and trousers now. When Harry told him to sit, he hesitantly did so. He felt awkward that Harry was making him breakfast. After all, Potter was the guest, if anything, he should be making him breakfast.
"Most of the time I took over when Dudley was getting ready for school," Harry stated, slipping the last of the bacon onto the plate and putting it in the middle of the table. "I can't cook much, just basics. I mean, how hard is bacon and eggs?" he laughed.
True. When Harry put a large amount of food onto his plate, Severus leant a hand beneath his chin. "You didn't have to do this." He honestly didn't eat much when he was at home, or at all really.
"You took me into your home, it's the least I could do to show you my appreciation," said Harry as he settled down into his own chair, taking a small amount of food. "Besides… I thought I should thank you for last night."
Snape, who was still getting the hang of this relationship, almost choked on his drink, putting the mug down (which had coffee in it from Harry). "Well, I can't say it was all me," he stated, putting his hands together. No, Harry was very intoxicating and enticing when he was beneath him like that. So needy for affection. Harry may not like a crowd as much as he thought he did, but he was still starved of attention where it mattered to the young wizard—intimacy and a true relationship. Not just physical, but mental as well. He needed to know he was cared about. Everyone who had cared about him as family was gone now.
Harry was independent, yes, and sometimes more introverted than Snape realised, but he still needed that care. He'd never had a family, and the family he had had was gone. He had his friends from school, yes, but outside of that? Severus was now the person to give him that affection. It had been difficult for him at the beginning, and he wasn't the most affectionate person out there, but he was willing to let Harry know what he did care for him—even if he needed a slap in the face to do it.
"Uh… what you did last night… to me before we were intimate… Where did you learn that?" he asked curiously. He wasn't an idiot, he knew what it was, but he had been a virgin before Harry, and Harry had been one before him, too. Harry didn't exactly have the time to think about sex when he was being chased by Death Eaters. And he'd been forced into a relationship with the Weasley girl, which had taken even more of that time up.
Looking up, Harry's cheeks burned red. "Oh… I just sort of… thought I'd try it. I didn't… make you feel uncomfortable-,"
"No, it was…" Severus cleared his throat, "I enjoyed it. Thank you." He just thought it was a bit degrading to Harry. He didn't see Potter below him. If anything, the Gryffindor was his to protect. Making him a slave to his desires was wrong, even if he was a highly possessive character. He enjoyed it a lot, Harry's lips and tongue being against him, he just knew he'd never enjoy being put in that position. Harry seemed more than okay with it, though.
"You're quiet."
"Quiet?"
"When we… have sex," Harry said. "I thought maybe you didn't enjoy it."
Severus just looked at Harry. "Oh… I'm just…"
"Reserved? Yeah, I noticed," Harry grinned lightly, a warm flush flowing down his body as he put an egg and some bacon onto his toast. "I hope you don't mind I had a shower before."
"You are free to use the facilities as you wish," said Severus, eating a bite of the bacon on his fork and thankful the topic had changed. "I assume you'd like to go outside for the day?" he asked after swallowing.
"I don't mind," said the younger wizard. "I don't know anything around here…"
Snape gave a scoff. "There isn't anything here, if you hadn't noticed. It's run down. Like I said, I hardly stay here. I was surprised you even asked…"
There was a tap on the window that made both of them look up. Snape stood up and headed over, drawing the blinds open only a little to see who or what it was. Spells was sitting outside on the thin windowsill. He opened the window and let her in, the owl flapping inside and landing on the table.
"Spells, you made it," Harry beamed, Snape taking a bowl and filling it with water before putting it on the table. Spells immediately went to the fresh water and dipped her beak feverishly.
Fawkes, who was in the safety of the corner (so no one could see through the window) perked up from the other bird being in the room. He fluffed up his feathers and gave a greeting call before Spells flew over to the perch and settled herself in.
Severus sat back down, taking a sip of the warm coffee before putting his mug back down. "Potter, what are you going to do after school?" He'd thought about it previously during the week. Certainly he didn't want to live in this dump for the rest of his life, and he certainly didn't wish to provide this for Harry. It was horrible, boring, run down. This was no home.
Swallowing some of his food, Harry shrugged. "I haven't really thought about it. I just know I'd like to be an Auror."
Hadn't thought about it!? This was his bloody life! You didn't just roll with the punches, he should have a plan! He should have at least an idea of what he was going to do.
"You only have half a year of school left, and you have no idea what you wish to do when you finish? Harry, do you think things just come your way and you greet them with open arms?" Snape shook his head. "Life doesn't work that way, believe me."
"Why are you thinking about this?" asked Harry.
"Clearly, because you haven't been," Snape stated. "Being an Auror requires training and money. You haven't even spoken to The Ministry of it yet, and you just expect them to welcome you with open arms? Well, considering you are Harry Potter, I suppose life probably would bend on knee and give you whatever you pleased," he muttered, looking away.
Harry frowned. Okay, he knew because of what he'd done that things may come easier for him, but it wasn't like he wanted that! He hated being treated like he was the only hero on the planet. Everyone else who fought for him deserved the same treatment. People died in the war! Good people! It wasn't like he had a choice in killing Voldemort either. It was either Voldemort or him, and he cherished life more. He had real reasons to live for.
"I didn't ask for this…" he said bluntly. "And I'm sure I wouldn't get any kind of special treatment from anyone. It's not like I'd relish in the fact that they were doing that either, I'd want to be treated like everyone else."
"Yes, but you won't be."
"Well I can't help that, can I!?" Harry yelled, getting angry now. What couldn't Snape understand about him not wanting special treatment!? He didn't ask for Voldemort to kill his parents! He didn't ask to survive the attack or his mother to protect him with love. He didn't ask for anything! He was just a baby!
Severus leant his hands under his chin. "No, I suppose not…" he muttered, not touching the rest of his breakfast. He wasn't very hungry anymore.
Harry gave a rough sigh, running a hand through his head. "You know, it's not just me anymore. It's you, too. Do you think people are just going to cast you aside knowing that you're dating me? That you're my… magic-bond-partner-thing?"
"Bondmate," Snape corrected.
"Whatever! Why are you being such a jerk!?" After last night and having breakfast, this was really how they were going to spend their day? Arguing over his future?
"A bit of reality slaps you in the face and I'm being a 'jerk'?" Severus asked, his voice still calm. "Harry, I only asked because I was curious. It wasn't like I knew you hadn't planned anything."
"Yeah, but I reckon you suspected it, considering all Gryffindors aren't as smart and organised as you are."
Snape rolled his eyes. "I didn't assume anything, I merely asked a question. You are the one getting hostile over a question. I simply stated facts of life, Potter, if you are so worried about them, then why don't you do something about it?"
"I haven't even finished school yet! You're not my father, you know?"
Snape just looked at the younger wizard. Alright, he didn't want to have a fight with Harry, and he may have come off more hostile than he would have liked, he just didn't enjoy when people didn't organise what needed to be done. And maybe part of him was being fatherly to Harry. He worried about him, was that such a bad thing? He just didn't want him wasting his talents and life.
Harry just shook his head and stood up, walking out of the room. He needed some fresh air, so he stepped outside. May as well get to know the place, right? He didn't really think where he was going, he just headed away from the house. He ignored his last name being called after him from inside the house.
Severus ran a hand down his face. Damn Gryffindor. He knew he couldn't just let him walk out and about by himself. Did Potter have no sense in his head at all!? There were most likely people from the Prophet stalking the both of them, and the moment he stepped outside by himself they'd corner him. Not to mention he'd sworn to protect Harry. Even though the war was over, he still wanted to protect him. Harry was more to him than the younger wizard thought.
He stood up, tossed a coat over himself and grabbed the keys, locking the house. If Harry had his wand, he could easily use it to open the place up in case he came back and he hadn't found him yet. Harry wasn't too hard to find, though, and he soon saw the back of him. He hadn't gotten very far, but he was walking down the hill with a quickened pace. He tailed after him. "Potter, get back here, you don't even know where you're going."
Harry didn't turn around, he just continued walking.
Snape groaned mentally, grabbing Harry's arm and turning him around. "Potter, you have no idea what could be out here."
Harry grabbed his arm back. "Why do you care? All you care about is how others see me and how easy my life is going to be compared to yours. Well you know what? I went through Hell too, you know!" he yelled. Thankfully, the streets were quite empty and only a few people were starting to look at them.
"Harry, here is not the place-,"
"Why? Because you're afraid people might see us fighting? It's nothing new, Professor!"
He was seriously going there? Snape felt his knuckles whiten. "Damnit, Harry, stop being such a child! You're not at Hogwarts anymore! I cannot protect you from Muggle beliefs and laws. This has nothing to even do with fighting, you're just being idiotic over your future."
"Idiotic?" Harry asked. "It's my future! My whole life I've been doing things for other people, to protect others and kill Voldemort! I don't need you running my life just like everyone else has been! You're not meant to be that person!"
Severus knew this wasn't going to get them anywhere. He wasn't one to back away from any fight, but this wasn't just anyone. He cared for Harry and he'd clearly upset him. He didn't wish to be the cause of that at all. Hurting someone he hated was completely different, but hurting someone he'd come to care for? It just wasn't acceptable.
"Harry," he started, his voice going softer, "I don't mean to treat you like you cannot run your own life for yourself. I merely asked because I was curious and because, believe it or not, I do care for your future. I wouldn't have taken you back into my classes if I didn't."
"You only did that because McGonagall told you to."
"I could have treated you far worse, we both know that," Severus stated bluntly.
Harry looked down, knowing that that was true. Besides, that was even before the both of them had accepted they had some kind of feelings towards one another. Now they were a couple, he knew Snape cared about his future. He'd spent his life protecting him! He doubted he was going to stop now. He did chase after him, which made something in Harry's stomach flare with satisfaction. Snape did care.
"I'm sorry I went off at you," he mumbled embarrassedly. "I shouldn't have. And you're right; I should be thinking more about this. I'm not a kid anymore. And I can't stay at Hogwarts forever. I know I should be thinking about this more. I suppose the thought of being on my own is a bit frightening." He'd always had someone backing him up. Ron and Neville would be with him as well, though.
"Harry, you wouldn't be alone," said Snape. The small amount of people that had been watching had gone back to their daily duties now. "Come, I will show you around in case you ever wish to walk by yourself." Not that he trusted Harry to go walking by himself around here without getting into some kind of trouble.
As Snape begun to walk down the pathway, Harry followed him, taking in his surroundings. It was very industrial around here. All the houses were brick and lined up against one another. There were some small downtown shops, and places to eat, but it was nothing fancy. Harry had noticed a fish and chip shop and a café. His stomach seemed to remember that he had left his food back at Snape's house. He also realised just how cold it was. He wasn't wearing a jacket. Foolish of him, but he had been in a hurry to get away.
"I have Muggle money if you are hungry," Severus stated, having heard Harry's stomach growl needily.
"No, it's alright. I can wait. I don't want the food to go to waste back at the house." Harry's voice started to stutter in the cold.
Severus took his hands out of his pockets and removed his coat. "You are going to make yourself sick, Potter," he said, draping the coat over Harry's shoulders. "Bloody stubborn thing, you are."
Harry grinned lightly, his cheeks pink from the cold weather. As they continued walking, they reached the dirty river, and over it was a field. A familiar field. Harry had seen it in Snape's memories when he was a young boy.
"That's where you met her, wasn't it? My mother…" he said, wrapping the coat around himself.
Snape didn't feel the need to answer the question. Harry already knew it was.
"Can we go over there?" Harry turned to Snape, looking at the man. Without his school robes on, he looked less stern and younger, but he could still tell that there was a certain ache in the man's eyes. He gently placed his hand around Snape's, intertwining their fingers. "You don't have to say yes."
Looking down at their linked hands, Severus felt a comforting glow sooth over him. He was getting used to the affection Harry showed him, and he was beginning to enjoy it.
"I would rather the both of us go than you be by yourself in a place like this," he said softly. He moved forward and towards the rickety old bridge that went over the river. It was old and most of it was dead wood, but it held the both of them as they made their way over. They weren't exactly heavy people.
Leading Harry to the park, a thousand memories came back to Severus of his childhood and Lily. Especially the experience he had had when he thought he was going to die from Nagini. He'd watched Lily before he ever approached her here when a child. She'd been the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He was just a young boy, he didn't know what he was feeling.
"I remember seeing it… She was there, with Aunt Petunia," Harry murmured lightly as they walked across the grass. "Do you still miss her?"
Severus put his hands into his pockets. "I always will," he said honestly. There was no denying or hiding that he would always love Lily. But she was gone now. He never thought he'd move on. Part of him would always love Lily, but that didn't mean he would put Harry behind her. Harry was here now, and he cared for him just the way he'd cared for Lily. Of course, he was older now, and less likely to roll over for love. But that didn't mean he didn't care for Harry. They'd just had a rough and difficult past. They still needed to work through that.
"I wish I knew them—my parents. I wish I knew my mother. Everything everyone ever said about her was great. How nice she was. How understanding she was. That she saw the good in everyone. I wish I knew what she saw in me…"
"Your mother loved you dearly, Harry," said Snape. "You were her life once you were born."
"Lupin told me that she wanted you and my dad to make emends before they died…" confessed Harry. He'd never told anyone this, not even Ron and Hermione.
"And who informed him of that?" Snape asked sceptically.
"My mother…" Harry stated, looking at Snape. He moved away a little, continuing to walk across the park before he sat down in the sun, wrapping Snape's coat around him. "Did you know she was pregnant when she died? I could have had a little brother, or sister."
Snape swallowed hard. No, he'd managed to miss that. "I assume Lupin told you this, too?" This information didn't make him feel any better about anything.
Harry nodded gently. "She and Lupin seemed to talk a lot, or at least that's what I'm starting to think with what he told me. She really cared for him. She cared for everyone. And you, too."
Clearly not enough. Snape kept his mouth shut, though. He didn't wish to make anything worse. They'd already had an argument this morning, they didn't need another one.
The thought of Lily having another one of James' spawn was a blow to the chest. It shouldn't be anymore, but it was. Not to mention Voldemort had killed an innocent child as well that she had been carrying. They were all innocent. And he had put them all in danger.
He ran his hand over his chest. Despite having healed, the colder weather was making the ache play up. The nostalgia didn't help, either, nor did this new information. It would probably be an active wound for the rest of his life, unfortunately. Good thing he wasn't a Quidditch player or something. He just had to deal with silly students.
"I'm sorry," Harry said, looking up. "I shouldn't be putting this stress on you." He extended his arm. "Sit down with me. You should rest."
"I'm fine, Potter."
"Good, but I'd still like for you to sit with me."
Snape mentally groaned, but he moved down into the grass, sitting oddly. "It's wet…"
Harry grinned. "Just means I'll be able to see your arse when we walk back."
Severus grimaced, looking through his hair at Harry. "Your mother used to enjoy tormenting me. You are much too alike."
Harry leaned over, his eyes softening. "Yeah, but my mum never got to do this," he murmured, leaning in and kissing Severus gingerly on the lips. He ran his fingers through the thick hair, tasting the Slytherin against his tongue.
Severus felt his eyes close as he took in every sense of the Gryffindor before him, his hand trailing up his arm and shoulder, gently resting against the side of his neck.
There was a click from behind them and Snape broke the kiss, seeing a short wizard with a camera in his hands. Damnit, he knew they wouldn't be able to go anywhere without the Prophet stalking them for their every move!
Harry felt his cheeks blush lightly, knowing this would be posted all over the Prophet by tomorrow morning. But there was nothing they could do. He was Harry Potter, the hero of the wizarding world. No matter what he did for the next few years, he'd be the top celebrity—even if he didn't want to be, and that meant Snape, too. Only when someone else came along to take the spotlight off him would he be free. And he would never truly be free from the media.
"Sorry…" he mumbled as the photographer quickly Apparated with a pop. He looked back at Snape, who held his cheek gently into the palm of his hand. Obviously they'd gotten what they came for. Getting news in the Muggle world was probably quite difficult for witches and wizards with their large cameras and Muggles in the vicinity.
"Harry, if I'm going to date you, then I'm going to have to get used to attention from the public. I won't even be able to use the lavatory without someone harassing me for a photograph."
Harry eyes widened apologetically, though unable to keep his laugh in.
"It's something I am willing to tolerate for the sake of you."
This time Harry's cheeks flushed because of the compliment and not at the fact that some guy had taken shots of them in a private moment. "I still feel terrible. I know you're not used to this."
"I've tolerated far worse," Snape smirked coolly. His hand moved to the back of Harry's head and pulled him in for another kiss.
*****
Harry had been right. The following morning, the Daily Prophet was sitting on the table when he'd gone down for breakfast. On the front, was a clear shot of the both of them sharing a very intimate (more intimate than he thought) kiss.
Of course, he read through all of it. Their 'steamy' relationship was being spread across the whole wizarding world. He gathered it clarified what Skeeter had written in her own article weeks back now. Still… the thought of everyone seeing such a thing on the front cover? Everyone in school would have seen it, not to mention the other professors! Every witch and wizard who looked up to him as some kind of saviour would know that he and Snape were now in a relationship.
He ran a hand through his messy morning hair as he put the paper down. Even if being with another man wasn't anything new in the wizarding world, there were mentions of his 'fangirls' being upset, and the fact that the famous Harry Potter wouldn't have an heir or a 'mother' to a child. Who would have thought this was how people saw him!? He was just a boy a few years ago, and now he was like some kind of king to the wizarding world who needed to make a family and please his fans. Why couldn't he just be himself?
"You're not going to let that rubbish bother you, are you?" said Snape from across the room. He had a mug in his hand and a Muggle newspaper that had been delivered this morning. Of course, he'd already read the Prophet before Harry had. He tried not to let that garbage get to his head. It was all overblown and only stupid people would believe the bile that was spewed into the papers.
"Do you think we should go back to Hogwarts? At least we have privacy there. And… no one will be spying on us."
"Potter, you've got to face the media sometime about this. We both will. Hogwarts cannot protect you forever. What that Skeeter woman did was just the beginning."
"I know, but… maybe it can for a little while longer?" he shrugged. "I don't know if I'm ready for this. I mean, I knew that our relationship would hit the papers, but… are we going to get any privacy?"
"Highly unlikely," muttered Severus in an irritated tone. "However, we can put wards up, and that can protect us from spies. I doubt you'd like to be cooped up in here all holidays, though. If you truly wish to return to Hogwarts, I am true to my word."
Looking back at the paper, Harry put his hands onto the table, giving a sigh. He knew that he'd have to face the media even if he didn't want to. It wasn't just him, though, it was Severus, too. He hardly even seemed to care about all of this.
"What about you? What do you want to do? It's not just me they're after now, it's you, too," he said, turning back to Snape.
"I honestly couldn't care less about what the Prophet is going to say about me, Potter," he said flatly. No, he didn't like the attention, but he was used to ignoring what people said and thought about him. Whatever they put in the Prophet was most likely going to be bullshit anyway.
He'd read the article already, he knew what it said. Some crap about them being a mushy couple that was destined to be and blah, blah, blah. The whole thing was rubbish! Only fools would believe it were true. They shared a kiss in the bloody park, it wasn't like one of them had gotten down on bended knee and proposed or something. It was just-a-kiss.
"What about your… friends?" asked Harry. At least his would be alright with it, but what about the people who knew Snape? Who thought that this was probably wrong and disgusting? He saw the letter this morning on the counter, and he'd seen the name on it. Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy. No doubt it was filled with horrible things. How could Severus even be friends with that man!?
Snape put the paper down. "I was wondering when that would arise," he drawled, standing up and walking over to the letter Lucius had written him.
"We are in a relationship, Harry, no matter what anyone else thinks of it, I don't care. It will not alter my feelings towards you," he stated, handing the envelope over. "Though it is none of your business what an acquaintance of mine writes to me, I have no issue with sharing my belongings with you."
Harry hesitantly put his hand up to take the letter, but he dropped it. "No, it's wrong to read someone else's mail. I trust you that if it said anything bad about me that you'd tell me."
"Not such a shocked reaction when he put the pieces together of my loyalties," Severus stated, putting the letter onto the table. "Still, Lucius is… rather weak these days. I think he's willing to allow anyone to walk all over him as long as they don't toss him aside."
"You're still friends with him, even though he tried to kill me?"
"You're still friends with Weasley after all he's said about me?" Snape fired back in an amused tone, a brow raised. Harry fell silent, despite the fact that Ronald Weasley had never tried to kill him like Lucius. "Potter, I don't think we'll ever associate ourselves with each other's personal preferences when it comes to people, but I don't really care for that. Besides, I wouldn't call myself 'friends' with Lucius Malfoy. What we had as children is far different from what we share now." Now, he merely tolerated the coward Lucius had turned into. They had a past, which was bad and good in parts. Snape couldn't say he enjoyed the person Lucius had become, though. He'd already written back a letter which had a very big piece of his mind covering it.
"Well… Ron doesn't say anything bad about you anymore, if that stands for anything?" Harry replied, looking up. He knew he and Snape wouldn't be friends with the same people. The only person they had in common was Dumbledore, and now he was gone. Not to mention the age gap between them.
Severus just gave a simple nod. "We are different people, Harry, and we will have many differences to come. But that doesn't mean I don't care for you. You are allowed to be friends with whoever you please. I would not hold you back from your happiness."
Harry felt guilty about that. Did Snape enjoy being so lonely? Surely he had to have some people he considered actual friends. If not many, then at least one or two.
"Well I wouldn't stand in the way of your happiness either, but… I don't even know if you do have any friends. I mean, you have me, and I'm not going anywhere, but we don't exactly like all of the same things."
Well that was obvious. Snape wasn't exactly an expert on relationship, but he knew very well it didn't matter what either one of them liked as long as they liked each other.
"There are few people I trust, Harry. Lucius Malfoy certainly is not one of them, however, I do trust his wife and son."
Ah, yes. Her. "She saved my life, you know? I should thank her for it…"
"Narcissa has made it clear that she asks for no gratitude for her actions. She already knows you are thankful, and she is even greater so," reassured Snape. "With what happened between the Malfoy family, I don't think it wise for you to appear just yet."
An uneasy look spread across Harry's face. "I still don't know how you can be friends with that man. He tried to kill me! I would have thought with you protecting me that you'd hate it…"
"I never said I liked him," Severus stated bluntly. "Harry, before the influence of The Dark Lord, Lucius Malfoy was actually quite an intelligent wizard. We were good friends throughout our younger years. It wasn't until Lucius began fearing the Dark-,"
"You're doing it again," Harry interrupted. Snape just looked at him oddly. "Saying 'Dark Lord' instead of Voldemort."
Severus rolled his eyes in an irritated manner. "I assure you, it's merely habit, Potter. Stop acting like it's some kind of betrayal to you. You know I detest Voldemort more than anyone for what he made me suffer. As well as your family."
"What was it like for you having Peter Pettigrew here stay with you?" Harry asked. He couldn't even imagine it. He'd rather kill Wormtail than ever have to live with him, knowing that he betrayed his parents so easily.
Severus was surprised by the new question. Harry was so curious all the time. And so random at times. If there was one thing people knew about Snape, though, it was that he enjoyed watching the people who made him suffer, suffer in return for their actions.
"Having him here was a nightmare," he answered coldly. "A true test of my loyalty, to house the man who betrayed your mother so easily."
Harry actually felt himself getting a little angry at the thought of that rat being here. "I'm glad he's dead."
So was Severus. "You needn't be thinking about things like that. Don't concern yourself with it; I didn't exactly give great hospitality whilst he stayed. He knew his place, even if I had to let him survive," he drawled.
Still, Harry wished he'd died more painfully. He supposed he got what he deserved in the end. He was just glad he was gone now after what he did to his parents.
Leaning down behind Harry, Severus placed his hands onto Harry's shoulders and leant down against the back of his head. "When do you wish to go to the Ministry?" he asked gently.
Harry lifted a hand and placed it over the Potion master's, enjoying the subtle show of affection as he'd gotten angry. "I'd like to get it done as soon as possible so I can start planning," he said, looking over his shoulder.
Snape gave an even more surprised look. "You are learning, Potter," he smirked.
"I have a good teacher," Harry grinned.
"Not very good with your humour, though. Needs a bit of work."
Harry laughed. "Oh, c'mon. You've never even laughed or smiled at me yet. I love your smirk, but laugh for me. I want to see a genuine smile from you."
When Harry stood up, Snape folded his arms. "Amuse me, then."
Walking up to Severus, Harry looked him in the eyes, seeing those small slithers of brown. He gently placed his hands against Snape's arms and undid them, taking his hands into his own. He was pleased when Severus didn't tense up from the attention. "I can think of a few ways, sir."
That devious look was very enticing. He lifted his hand up as Harry's went around his waist. "Well you best get started, because I'm still not laughing," he stated smoothly, pushing Harry away with a smirk.
Harry pouted as he was pushed away. "Tease," he said.
"Get yourself presentable, Potter, and then…" Severus flicked a piece of Harry's hair away from his eyes, "and then I may think about giving you a reward."
Harry, like an eager puppy to please, grinned enthusiastically before running up the stairs to get changed.
Severus shook his head. Gryffindors…
Author's Comment
My birthday is on Sunday, so I don't know when I'll post the following chapter! Big old 23...