Author Note: Why hello, hope you're all still enjoying. This chapter was one that I wrote years and years ago, and as such needed a MAJOR rewrite. I was not happy with it at all, in fact, it's a whole new chapter, nothing was kept from the original except the basic outline
This chapter has a lot of flicking between characters that I usually do try and avoid, but I liked how this turned out!
Thank you to all who have read/reviewed/favorited and followed, it really does mean the world to me and any reviews are much appreciated!
Enjoy!
S L x
Oliver Davies walked with purpose into the room, his black cloak billowing him behind him. He knew this would not have a good outcome, but he still held his head high and looked straight ahead, ignoring the Death Eater's stares, as he walked up to the man sitting in the chair. He had never officially been made a death eater, as he was high up in the ministry and they wanted to keep him as inconspicuous as possible, but he still knew a fair few of these people by name.
"My Lord," he bowed his head.
"Oliver," Voldemort practically hissed out. "I had such high hopes when you told me what had occurred last night, but yet you let me down."
"I'm sorry my lord, they had everything planned before I even got there-" He started speaking, stopping with a start when he saw Voldemort had raised one hand.
He sighed slowly and shook his head, closing his hand and letting it drop to his lap.
"And married," he moved his head around in a circle, like a snake before it eats its prey "married, to our dear Severus." He snarled, promoting a small laugh from some of the Death Eaters standing closest to him.
"Albus said they had been in a relationship for over a year" Oliver muttered, still looking at Voldemort directly. "There was nothing I could do" he stammered out.
"That old fool" Voldemort snarled back. "He lied to you, and you accepted without so much of a fight." Voldemort slowly rose from the chair and went close to Oliver. "I expected better from you."
"I won't let you down again my lord" Oliver stammered, bowing his head to his master, to avoid eye contact with the red eyes staring into him.
"No you won't," Voldemort said calmly. "Avada kedavra" he hissed out.
Lucius watched Oliver fall to the floor. His breathing hyped up just a little.
Voldemort was now circling the man on the floor. He stopped in his tracks and looked up at the Death Eaters in the room.
"I would like this to be a lesson to you all. If you make a promise, you shall deliver it to me, or you will face the consequences." He said glancing at the others in the room.
Lucius swallowed and bowed his head with the rest of the death eaters. A smirk painted on his face. He would not let the dark lord down like this pathetic man in front of him. He would do whatever it took for the dark lord to win this war.
Severus glared at the letter in his hand as he resisted the urge to tear it up immediately. Well, he wouldn't even call it a letter, just a sentence.
You told me you weren't one for marriage.
- F
He hadn't seen Fredrick in almost a year, and they hadn't been together for well over 4. He knew Fredrick had sent this to get a reaction out of him. He knew Fredrick wanted him to reply. He wanted him to confess, which surely he would as Snape was not known for doing things that he didn't want to do.
Snape knew how the Death Eater's worked. He knew the mind games they played.
He folded the letter up and placed it in a pile of papers on his bookshelf, that he had been meaning to sort out for months now.
He should have burnt it, thrown it away, but it was good to see that obviously, this meant that they were trying to get to him. No matter how small, there was a slight hint of worry from this letter.
Snape had previously planned to be preparing his classes today for the new year. He also desperately needed to go to Diagon Alley to get more supplies. Maybe he would ask Harry to come with him, would do the image good of a married couple going out together. The thought of dragging Harry round Diagon Alley to try and get potion ingredients and school supplies almost made Snape give up on the idea completely, but he knew they had to do something to prove this was real at some point, and that was properly the easiest option.
Iris was still sleeping peacefully on the sofa, and on any other day, to plan his lessons he would have brought out his papers and prepared it in his living room, but he did not want to risk Harry coming through the door unannounced and interrupting him.
He was sure Albus would take up a fair amount of his time, and then, of course, his insufferable friends were here now too so they would want to speak to him, and Lupin would not want to go without a word as well so he may be preoccupied the whole day.
He decided to do as he normally would and bring his work to his living room. It was his home after all, why should he be changing the way he lived because there was someone else living with him now.
He called his house-elf for a pot of coffee and got to planning his lessons, bringing back a little normality that had been missing from his life recently.
His thoughts were distracted with a knock at the door. He looked up from his work, huffed, and got up from the sofa to open the door.
"Albus?" He questioned at the sight of the old wizard at the door.
"Severus," Albus replied, "May I come in?"
Albus was not one to come to the teachers' quarters for a conversation, if he ever needed to speak to someone he would always ask them to come up to his office.
"Well even if I say no will you go ahead and do exactly what I said no to?" Snape bit back.
"Severus, I know you are angry, but I do not appreciate these childish remarks," Albus said peacefully.
He knew Severus was a proud man, and he knew the decision taken yesterday would have made Severus undeniably angry at him, just looking for someone to place the blame on.
Snape moved aside to let Albus into his home. The second person in a matter of hours to come trudging through his own private space.
"I just thought I should let you know that I have of course spoken to Harry this morning about why we are in this current situation," Albus said, now standing in the middle of the living room. He did not plan to stay long, so he saw no need to take a seat.
"What did he do? Kill someone?" Snape said. He could not think of any other thing Harry could have done to deserve a disownment then kill someone or seriously maim. He was sure the boy probably hadn't meant to have done it, but his magic was extraordinarily powerful, and he was sure he could have lost control if provoked.
"Merlin, no Severus, nothing like that of the sort," Albus said, looking quite taken back that Snape had even suggested such a thing. "I think you and I both know if Harry had killed someone, accident or not he would be inconsolable right now." Albus paused, while Snape just stood to wait for his answer. "No, I'm afraid all this happened over a pretty minor situation, his uncle lost his job and blamed him."
Snape let this process for just a second. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply.
"All this has happened because of that. My whole life has changed because of that?"
"Now Severus don't be so melodramatic, your whole life hasn't changed, just this year, and I'm sure you can think of pretty worse ways to spend your year instead of getting married to someone who will undoubtedly give you your space and be as polite to you as he possibly can." Albus paused raising one eyebrow. "I'm sure your many years being tortured at the hands of Lord Voldemort are worse than this" Albus said matter-of-factly.
"Albus I will forever be known as the man who married Harry Potter" Snape protested back. He knew Albus was right this did not compare in any way to the torture he had endured night after night for days on end, but he could not help wallowing in his own self-pity at least for a bit.
"I can think of a lot worse things to be known for," Albus said sternly.
As Snape made no effort to reply Albus continued.
"I have also spoken to Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger and both of them have been given rooms here for the remainder of the summer holidays" Albus smiled, back to his normal calm self again.
"Can I ask why?" Snape questioned.
"I'm trying to make up for the 17 years I have done him wrong. I did not realize what that family did to him. I did not realize there was abuse, emotionally and physically, and I deeply regret sending them there. I want him to be surrounded by loved ones, that's the least we can do." Albus said, a look of far off sadness was held in his eyes, and Snape knew instantly that something more had happened at the Dursleys that he nor any other teacher were aware of.
"So you surround him with me?"
"You're not a bad man Severus, in fact, I'd say you're one of the better ones. He is a wonderful young man, and I truly think if you get to know him you two will form a wonderful friendship." He paused. "You two are more similar than you think," Albus said, walking towards the door.
"I highly doubt that," Snape said, opening the door for Albus to depart.
"Life has a funny way of doing things we least expect, but normally I find it's for the best," Albus said, walking through the doorway and heading away from Snape's quarters. Albus paused and turned back around, "and if I was you, I would at least make an effort to get to know him, it will be a very long year if you don't. Goodbye Severus." Albus said, turning on his heel and walking away from Snape's quarters.
Snape shut the door behind him and walked back to survey his lesson plans. How he wished he was at his own home right now instead of these small rooms in Hogwarts. He knew Albus was right. There was no point being hostile throughout the whole year; it would just make matters worse. He definitely didn't want to start a friendship with Harry, but a little conversation here and there would be better than a year of awkward silence.
He sat down again and tried to forget about anything that had happened in the past 24 hours and instead just concentrate on doing his lessons, but his mind was never far from the black-haired young man.
Hermione was walking with a brisk pace down the corridor towards her new room for the summer. When Dumbledore had suggested she and Ron stay for the remainder of the summer holiday to keep Harry company, she had felt very fortunate. Moving in early to her favorite place, with her own room, with her two best friends and she could even see Remus again, which made her feel a little giddy inside, an emotion she quickly pushed away.
"Hermione!" A voice called out to her from behind, and the giddiness Hermione was trying hard to push back was suddenly at the forefront of her stomach again.
"I would say can I help you but you seem to have got it all figured out" Remus laughed, looking up at her floating trunk above her head.
"I travel light" she laughed back, "but thank you for the offer anyway" Hermione smiled at him. "You can walk with me to my room if you like though" she looked at him.
"Of course" Remus smiled back. "It was very good of Albus to say you could stay here for the remainder of the summer. It will be good for Harry to have his friends with him for this."
"And you? You're staying aren't you?" Hermione said and hoped that he could not hear the hope in her voice.
"Well actually, I was going to tell you three together but since I've got you here now, I've been offered a job by Albus." Hermione's eyebrows raised significantly. "New Librarian. Madam Pince finally has retired, so a position was open." Hermione's mouth was agape so Remus quickly continued. "I know what you're thinking, oh the parents aren't going to be happy about this, but I'm not teaching this time so hopefully they won't mind as much" Remus laughed, but Hermione could see the worry behind his eyes.
"I wasn't thinking that at all" Hermione said kindly, "Actually I was thinking what a fantastic position for you." She smiled up at him once more "you'll be perfect for it. I mean you were a perfect teacher as well but…" Hermione trailed off, turning her head so she wasn't looking at him any longer. She could feel her cheeks go a little red. Mentally cursing herself for being so obvious.
"You may have thought that but parents definitely didn't," Remus chuckled.
"But they weren't the ones being taught, I'm yet to find one student who didn't think you were great, literally everyone always says the best defense against the dark arts teacher was you. There will be a lot of people who are happy you're back." Hermione said. She needed to stop talking, why was she acting like this, it's like the compliments wouldn't stop coming from her mouth.
"You flatter me" Remus joked once more. "Anyway, it's something good and I get to stay here and make up to Harry for not being here for a while," Remus half-smiled at Hermione.
Not only had Hermione grown physically during the last year but Remus also noticed what a fun person she was now to talk to. She had always been easy to have a conversation with, granted she was phenomenally smart and she and himself had a lot in common, but now she had a sense of charm about her, and a jokey side to her that Remus had never experienced before. He remembered her for being almost too serious and would always criticize Ron for his constant jokes, but before Remus now stood someone undeniably different.
"We all want you here Remus," she said smiling once more and slowing down outside the little brown door to her rooms for the month. "So this is where I'm living for the month" she paused. "Looks nice" she laughed quietly.
Remus snickered in return.
"Ron's next door as well which is nice," she said happily. Remus looked at her puzzlingly.
"What?" Hermione asked. She thought it was rather nice that her best friend was living next door for the month.
"Sorry I assumed you two were sharing" Remus queried.
"Why would I share a room with Ron when I could have my own?" Hermione questioned back, but as soon as she had said that sentence she realized what Remus was asking her. "Oh, I see, no we were not sharing. Ron and I aren't a couple. I love him, but I love him like I love Harry. He's sort of an older brother to me, granted he's younger, but that how he acts, I think any sort of relationship between us would be the weirdest thing" she laughed.
"Sorry for assuming," Remus said back, his smile now firmly reaching his eyes.
"Don't be silly" Hermione replied.
"Well I'll let you unpack, and I'm sure I'll see you tomorrow some time" He smiled again, waving a little as he walked away, not taking his eyes off her until he spun around and headed in the opposite direction. "Goodbye, Hermione." Hermione waved in response and turned back to her door, hoping that Remus could not see the faint tint of pink that now highlighted her cheeks.
Hermione sighed happily and went to open the door.
"What's this then?" She heard Ron say from around the corner of his door.
"Nothing" she replied defensively. Maybe a little too defensively.
"Didn't sound like nothing," Ron said, now stepping completely out of his room and leaning against the door. Ron stopped when he noticed the flush of color on her cheeks. "Doesn't look like nothing either."
"I haven't seen Remus in such a long time you know that, we were just catching up," Hermione said, unsure if she was trying to convince Ron or herself.
"Is that what you call it?" Ron teased back. "Merlin, first Harry married off to a teacher and now you're flirting with one" Ron chuckled.
"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione shouted "It was nothing so drop it" she concluded.
Ron laughed a little, before putting his hands up.
"Look 'Mione, I haven't got Ginny to tease this summer, and she usually has 6 of us. So looks like it's going to be you" Ron joked. He really did think of Hermione as a sister, he loved her in a family way and quite frankly didn't care if she liked Remus or not. "So get used to the teasing" he grinned at her.
"Great" Hermione said sarcastically, and slammed the door behind her, but not before she heard the loud laugh off of Ron coming from the door next to her.
Harry had talked to Dumbledore, left Ron and Hermione to go and retrieve their things from their houses and bring them here, and he had spoken to Remus. Now he was stuck with nothing to do, which was quite an odd feeling for him.
Summer at the Dursleys left him feeling tired and weak on any normal occasion, from the constant work they made him do around the house, the constant shouting and the occasional abuse, he always came back to Hogwarts happy and looking for a break. Then when he was here he had homework to do, friends to see and quidditch to play, but now he found himself in the unusual position of being at his school with nothing to do of the sort for a month.
He didn't want to go back to Snape's quarters, which he supposed were now his as well, but he also didn't have anywhere else to go. He had left Remus and was now just wandering around aimlessly somewhere. He supposed he better go back and face whatever he had to face there. Another awkward conversation or silence. He really wasn't sure which one was worse.
"Dante," he said to the painting and the door swung open to his new home.
"Hello," Harry said to the man sitting on the sofa. He was surprised to see papers scattered on the coffee table, a quill in Snape's hand. He looked rather relaxed, in black trousers and a plain white shirt. Harry was a little surprised to see him in anything except his potions robes. But then he supposed this was his home, so if he couldn't relax here, where could he?
"Hello," Snape said. He would have said nothing else, but his conversation with Albus earlier made him carry on speaking."I trust your meeting with Professor Dumbledore went well?" Snape asked.
"Yes it did thank you" Harry replied.
"He tells me Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley are moving in for the month?" Snape asked again.
Harry was a little shocked he was still speaking to him. He wondered if he was trying to make conversation to be polite, or if he needed to find something out from him.
"Yes, they are" he replied bluntly.
"That's good of them," Snape replied seriously.
"They're good people," Harry said, a little taken back that he would admit anything Ron and Hermione would do would be 'good'.
"Quite."
Neither of them made to say anything more, and the silence that followed it quickly became strained and awkward again. Harry, still realizing he was standing by the door, moved slightly towards the bedroom door determined to go get his book and sit there for the remainder of the evening. But something stopped him.
"What are you doing?" He asked curiously, nodding his head at the papers on the coffee table in front of Snape. Who had now gone back to writing with his quill.
"Lesson planning" he answered, without so much as a lift of his head.
"Can you give me any hints on what we're learning this year so I can be better in class?" Queried Harry. He knew Snape would never give him any answers to what they were doing in class next year, but there was quite literally nothing else to lose, the worst thing that would happen was he would say no and Harry would continue to the bedroom, and wouldn't come out for hours.
"Concentrate more maybe," Snape said, raising his head to look straight at Harry.
"I do concentrate, I'm just no good" Harry snapped back instantly. Of course, Snape would come back with some sarcastic remark.
On any other occasion, Snape would have taken this opportunity to prove to Harry that anybody could be good at potions, granted it was extremely difficult to become his sort of level, but anybody who could read and follow basic instruction could learn how to brew a potion, except maybe Longbottom. Normally that's what he would have said, but instead, he chose to take the higher ground and control his temper when talking to Harry for once in his life.
"Well lucky for you you have a whole potions room to practice in now, so that will make you…" Snape paused as if thinking of a word to use next. "Good, or adequate at least."
"Think I'd rather spend my spare time playing quidditch" Harry mumbled, although knowing Snape would be able to hear.
"Well if you're going to pass your newts this year I suggest you start practicing instead" Snape suggested calmly.
"I'm not going to fail my potions exam for my newts, I'm not horrific at potions" Harry replied, with a bit more venom then probably should have. He prepared himself mentally for an outburst from the man, but nothing came, and by his calm demeanor, Harry guessed no shouting would come from the man opposite him either.
"There is not a chance you're failing potions this year," Snape said matter of factly. He paused just a second. He did not want Harry to think he wouldn't let him fail potions because he wanted to see him do well. The amount of ridicule Snape would receive for letting his husband fail his specialist subject would be horrifying. "Could you imagine the headlines?"
"Exactly" Harry replied, glad they had agreed on something for the first time ever.
"So you'll need practice," Snape said once more.
"Fine" Harry sighed.
Snape could not say what possessed him to say what he did next, but still, he thought if he was going to at least make some sort of an effort, the best way to do it would be the only way he knew how, and that was to be a teacher.
"I will help you if needed," he declared.
Harry looked at him a little in shock. Granted, he could do with the extra help no doubt, but to do extra lessons sounded like the worst idea in the world to him. But, he appreciated what he was offering.
"Thank you, that's generous of you" Harry paused. The conversation was over. "I think I'm going to read for a while, would you mind if I sat here while you planned?" If Snape could make an effort, at least he would too.
"Be my guest" Snape replied, automatically picking up his quill again and starting his work.
"Thank you," Harry said, moving quickly to the bedroom to collect his book which he hoped Dobby had packed, as it was the only thing he had actually wanted from the Dursleys. He looked down at the old clothes he possessed, maybe now was the time to go and buy some new ones, he had to stay here all summer but that didn't mean he couldn't venture out to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley with Ron or Hermione. He made a mental note to ask Dumbledore if that would be allowed and carried on looking for his book. When he found it, Harry thought about staying here instead or going outside for a walk to sit in the warm sun, but he had just asked to sit in the living room, so any attempt to do anything different would be strange.
To have a whole conversation without the other shouting at each other had been a success Snape thought. He was sure it wouldn't last but at least he proved it was possible, and at least when this all went wrong Snape could tell Albus he tried. Although Snape had thought Harry would have chosen to sit anywhere in Hogwarts except in a room with him, so that did leave Snape a little confused. Gryffindors loved to be out in the sun, so why was he spending it locked away in this little room? The less he thought about this the better, he did not want to spend the rest of the summer holiday wondering why Harry chose to do what Harry did.
Harry plodded back into the room, took his position on the opposite chair, and silence fell between them. If held at wand point Snape would have been forced to say it was actually a very comfortable silence that fell.
"What are you reading?" Snape asked, snapping Harry out of his thoughts.
"Oh, um, just a book about defense spells. Hermione said this would be good to study because well, well you know. Just in case" Harry shrugged.
"Wise idea," Snape replied, inclined his head.
"Thanks," Harry said, and went back to reading his book, but something was on his mind.
"Why was it that only you, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Madam Pomfrey are here in summer? Do the other teachers have houses or something?" Harry asked curiously. He had to know why there had been no other options for him.
"All of us have houses which we live in over summer, Professor Dumbledore usually stays here to keep an eye on the castle, and Professor McGonagall often stays just to keep him company and to help with her bit too, and Madam Pomfrey stays to top up any equipment she may need or to order any supplies that may have diminished throughout the year" Snape explained, once again lifting his head from his papers to talk to the young man sitting across from him.
"And you?" Harry asked.
"I'm not usually here, I have a home, which I go to every summer, but due to...Situations I was here." Regretfully, Snape thought.
"What situations?" Harry looked questioningly up at Snape.
"Well, in case you haven't guessed, I'm no longer a spy, or this definitely wouldn't have happened" Snape replied, making a small gesture between the two of them.
"Oh, yes I hadn't even thought about that" Harry considered, looking a little bashful.
This time Snape didn't even hesitate to roll his eyes. How on earth could the boy think that Snape could still be a spy even after marrying him? It baffled him.
"I removed myself from the dark lord's ranks, Professor Dumbledore thought it was becoming far too dangerous for me to be there now," Snape explained.
Seeing Harry was confused, Snape continued.
"You don't remove yourself from the Death Eaters. It doesn't happen" he said plainly. Hoping Harry would understand what he was implying.
"Oh" was all Harry said in return. He had no idea what to say. Truth was, he wished anyone else had been here last night, so it wouldn't have had to have been Snape. But no one else was there, it had been only him, and he guessed, no matter how much he loathed to admit it, this was better than being tortured by Death Eaters and eventually killed at the hands of Lord Voldemort.
"So for extra protection, Dumbledore thought it best that I stay here for the summer and indefinitely," Snape said regretfully.
"Oh" sensing the regret in Snape's voice. "Sorry" Harry mumbled quietly.
"And pray tell, why are you sorry?" Snape stared at Harry. This was absolutely nothing to do with him. It had not been because of Harry that Snape removed himself from the dark lord's clutches.
"Don't know, just sorry really. You must miss your home" Harry shrugged. He didn't know why he was sorry. Just seemed the right thing to say at the time he thought.
"Well it's definitely larger than these rooms, but these will do" Snape concluded, looking around his little home.
Harry half-smiled at him.
"Yeah, they're not bad," he decided.