Author: Rose
Pairing: Harry/Severus eventually
Rating: Um R maybe?
Word Count: 1,330 (yes I know, sorry but the next couple will be a bit short)
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The crappy attempt at 'plot' within belongs to me.
Warnings: Slash, Attempted Suicide. Introducing Character Death for a later Chapter. Ignores HBP
Notes: For jadzia7667 and sev0109 and everyone else who's reading. If you want to guess as to whom will die, leave it in a comment at the end... The slash starts here (sort of)
Summary: What do you do when everything you have been living for is taken away?
Chapter 10: A Problem
Severus Snape woke up feeling contented for the first time in months. There was a warm body lying next to him, partially on top of him even, and the feeling way very gratifying. He restrained the urge to snuggle up to the person, as Severus Snape did not ‘cuddle’ in bed, no matter how long it had been. The lack of hangover was a little worrying though, as he had no recollection of whomever it was next to him. It was a very nice body though, firm and lightly muscled with slightly golden skin. A little on the thin side; but altogether a very appealing person. He was also very young looking and Severus wondered how he’d lucked into this one. Severus looked over him, clearly aroused, and wondered whether to wake his partner for another go.
It then occurred to him who was actually sleeping next to him.
Severus almost sighed out loud in relief when he realised that they were only sharing the bed because Harry was in his quarters whilst he healed. He hadn’t slept with a student.
It then further occurred to him that said student was wrapped around him and he had gotten aroused from looking at him.
The desire to leap out of the bed in horror and disgust with himself was near overwhelming.
The boy looked more peaceful than Severus had ever seen him though, soaking up the warmth of his own body, taking comfort in his presence. No, his bedmate’s presence. Harry did not know with whom he was curled up, or he would have moved away instantly, even in sleep, Severus was sure. It was a natural desire to seek comfort after such an experience. That was all. That was all it could be.
Severus slowly disentangled himself from the man in his bed. No, his student. The Boy-Who-Lived. James Potter’s son. He refused to be aroused by the continued presence of this young man in his bed and informed himself as much several times. Unfortunately his body treacherously refused to believe him. He was not going to be reduced to wanking in the shower thinking about one of his students.
Yet, he had to anyway.
Severus had just finished buttoning up his outer robe when Albus’ head appeared in the fire, and as pleasant as that image was of the Headmaster’s head burning, a call at this time could only mean bad news.
‘I hope you are decent Severus, and that I haven’t caught you at a bad time.’
Of course not Albus, Severus thought, but you knew that before you called you ridiculous quasi-omniscient withered old coot.
‘If you could step up to my office at your earliest convenience, I have something to discuss with you.’
This did not bode well at all.
‘Of course.’
Severus sighed, downed some coffee, which had appeared on his side cupboard and prepared himself for the mental torture that was a ‘discussion’ with Albus.
Feeling somewhat strengthened, he flooed up the Headmaster’s office, and found Albus there, already pouring tea.
This definitely did not bode well. If he was not even being given the chance to attempt to decline the tea… well, it wasn’t good.
Severus sniffed the drink handed to him subtly and found it contained calming potion. The somewhat inane thought that Voldemort was in fact still alive was beginning to dance through Severus’ brain. What could possibly require all this? The boy had not tried to kill himself again, and had been left with an enthusiastic House elf to watch over him until Severus returned. What could it be?
‘Lucius Malfoy has escaped the Aurors’ custody and his whereabouts are currently unknown.’
Yes, that was definitely enough to warrant all this. Severus took a large slug of his tea before answering.
‘I see.’
Wonderfully eloquent. Bravo, Severus.
‘When did he escape? Do we know what his next move is likely to be?’
‘We suspect he will come for Harry. It would probably be best if you returned to him now, you will need to keep a close eye on his, Severus, as Lucius has very little to lose. I thought you should know, though, Severus.’
‘Thank you, Albus. I will see you later, I suppose.’
Severus barely acknowledged the flow of the floo around him as he returned to his quarters. Lucius was free. His best friend for so long, and his greatest foe. Perhaps even something more. He would not examine that know. The temptation to go towards the liquor cabinet and get ridiculously drunk was nigh overwhelming. He could not though. He had to protect the boy, with his soft green eyes so full of pain and lost youth.
Whatever it was throwing in those comments would drive him insane one day. STUDENT you fool! Understand that!
This was far too much to have to deal with in one day.
He returned to find Harry thankfully still asleep and the House Elf hovering around the bed, like some sort of deranged mother hen. Severus vaguely recalled being informed that Harry had freed one of the House Elves from Lucius.
Lucius. Couldn’t he get away from him even for a moment? Everything he thought about him hurt. They had been close once, before they had fallen from grace, into Voldemort’s ranks. Lucius had become the perfect Death Eater and he had become a spy. Things were never the same after that, but something between then could not be broken. Severus had never confirmed any accusations against Lucius and he had done the same.
The temptation to go to his liquor cabinet just increased tenfold.
Harry was finally stirring, moving jerkily under the covers and sitting up with a jerk.
‘Good Morning.’
The boy blinked at him, and Severus vowed to do something about his damnable eyesight.
‘We will not be starting work today.’
Thankfully Harry did not demand explanations as to why he had changed the plans, but then Severus had hardly expected him to. He received a quick nod of acknowledgement and he slid out of the bed and into the bathroom, leaving the door open. Severus heaved a mental sigh of relief over that. He did not have the strength to deal with any attempts today.
Lunch was ordered and they ate in silence, both picking at the food. Severus barely even noticed that Harry had spent the meal pushing bits of food round his plate. He was lost in thought of what would happen. Lucius was free. He was after Harry.
Both of them spent the afternoon in different chairs, reading something or another idly. Severus had an advanced potions book in front of him, full of delicate, beautifully designed potions and only obtainable by a master. It could not interest him today.
Neither of then spoke for the rest of the day.
As the clock informed Severus it was time to get some sleep, if he wanted to be focused enough to start on Pomfrey’s healing potions, and a brief frisson of fear fluttered through him. In all his brooding about Lucius he had forgotten he would have to share a bed with the boy again that night.
Harry did not speak; he simply rose from the chair and waited for Severus to follow behind him, with a tired, resigned air about him. It saddened Severus that he was seen as an unwanted caretaker, someone to make the boy’s life even harder. It hurt him that he could only be that to him.
Severus undressed facing carefully away from Harry, he did not want to see the body that tormented him, made him into something yet more deplorable that his Death Eater roots. He would not feel this way about a student, especially one whom he was entrusted to protect, from the world and from his own pain.
Severus drifted off into uneasy sleep after Harry breathing had even again. He dreaded the morning and what it would bring.
TBC
A/N: Yes, It’s late again. No. I’m not sorry. I have had the worse fortnight ever and it’s not getting any better. The next chapter will probably be short also, as these are sort of filler before the main plot gets started (yes, I admit it) Thank you to all my reviwers.
Rose