Snarry-a-Thon11: FIC: Picture Perfect Gryffindor Title: Picture Perfect Gryffindor Author:alisanne Rating: PG-13 Word count: ~5,000 Warning(s): None Prompt: #11: Closeted war hero, Harry Potter is being blackmailed. He hires detective and all around BAMF, Severus Snape to sort things out. Summary: Severus is a thorough investigator, even when he has to create events to investigate. A/N: Thank you to the mods for their patience and dedication to the Snarry ship, long may it sail!
Picture Perfect Gryffindor
Severus surveyed his accounts with a frown. Things were not going as well as he’d hoped. Oh, he got the occasional case, usually someone who couldn’t pursue the standard, official channels for investigations, but at the rate things were going, Severus knew he was going to have to come up with an alternate plan to support himself.
After the war, a war which Severus hadn’t honestly expected to survive, he had found himself at loose ends. Albus had left irrefutable evidence of Severus’ innocence, which, combined with Harry Potter’s testimony, had resulted in Severus’ exoneration.
In addition, a hidden will of Albus’ had been discovered, one in which he had left Severus three-quarters of his estate. Availing himself of the opportunity to leave Hogwarts, Severus had used the unexpected capital to start his own private investigation and curse-breaking business.
That had been ten months ago, and after the novelty had worn off, business had dried up to a trickle. I still get the pity stipend from the Ministry, but that’s not enough to keep this shop open. Perhaps I should have stayed at Hogwarts?
Biting back a curse, Severus set aside the parchment and stood. No, I was miserable there. Too many tragic memories. I’ll manage.
If he was desperate he could always take Lucius up on his offer. Although I would be bored out of my mind if I were his tame estate potions maker.
The clock chimed four and, with a sigh, Severus decided to close early. It’s not as if anyone’s coming in, he thought. Perhaps I’ll even take the next couple of days off as well. I could Floo Minerva, see how her search for a Transfiguration professor is going--
As Severus raised his wand to lock the office, there was a knock and the door opened. “Professor Snape?”
Severus blinked, lowering his wand. “Ms Granger?”
“Do you have a minute, sir?” she asked, stepping inside.
I’m hardly busy. “Indeed.” Gesturing towards a chair, Severus slid in behind his desk. “I believe I can spare a moment or two.”
“Thank you so much.” She sat, her purse clutched in clenched fists.
Nervous, Severus noted, watching her posture. I can’t say I’ve ever seen her like this before. Hermione Granger had always struck him as a very self-possessed young woman. “How may I assist you, Ms Granger?”
“It’s about Harry,” she said. “I...I’m worried about him.”
Potter. Of course. “Oh?” Severus raised an eyebrow. “Are the fame and adulation too much for him?”
“Oh, honestly! Harry’s never cared about any of that and you know it.” Her gaze locked with his, the challenge in her eyes unmistakable.
Severus was the first to look away. She was right, of course. He did know that. Years of observation had told him that Potter cared not one whit for fame and shunned it whenever possible.
Apparently satisfied she’d made her point, Granger heaved a sigh, then continued. “Ever since the trials and that awful Skeeter article, he’s locked himself up in Grimmauld Place and refuses to come out.”
Like virtually everyone, Severus had read Rita Skeeter’s innuendo-filled article about Harry Potter in which she’d intimated he was the boy who liked other boys. Not that the Wizarding world was as backward as the Muggle world in that aspect, but a revelation like that would still have been quite the bombshell. Although, gay wizards were hardly shunned. Thank Merlin. “Were Skeeter’s implications true?” he asked.
Granger sighed. “Yes. Is that a problem for you, Professor?”
Severus rolled his eyes. “I am many things, Ms Granger, but a hypocrite is not one of them.” Ignoring her look of surprise, he continued, “Have you tried to visit him?”
She nodded, recovering quickly. “He’ll let me and Ron visit, but only for a couple of hours and then he makes us leave. He always says he’s too tired and mutters about how it’s too dangerous for us to stay.”
“Dangerous?” Severus’ eyes narrowed. “Dangerous in what way?”
Granger shrugged. “I have no idea and when I ask he won’t tell me more. I just don’t know what’s going on. He seems almost...paranoid and yet so tired all the time.”
“Perhaps you need a Mind Healer,” Severus suggested.
“He won’t leave the house,” she reminded him. “And if I took someone over there he’d never trust me again.”
“Indeed.” Severus nodded. She’d clearly thought things through. “So how may I help you. I’m no Healer.”
“I know, but you are an investigator, and if there’s something going on, who better to discover it?”
“Something like what?”
“I don’t bloody know!” Closing her eyes, she exhaled. “Sorry. It’s just frustrating.”
“So I see.” Severus pursed his lips. “I know enough about you to know that you must have a theory, however.” He leaned back in his chair, watching her carefully. “Care to share it with me?”
After a moment, she nodded. “I believe he’s depressed,” she finally got out. “I’ve been trying to do some research about the manifestations and treatment of depression in wizards, but there’s not much--”
“It is unusual for wizards to suffer from depression, but not impossible. Potter wouldn’t be the first to suffer some mental illness.” Severus frowned. “I believe we should look for some alternate explanation, however, before ascribing it to that.” He stood. “You were correct to come to me. Our magic makes de novo mental illness less likely than exogenous causes.”
Granger smiled. “So you’ll help me?”
“Naturally.” Severus smirked. “I don’t do free consultations, though--”
“No, no, of course not!” She shook her head. “I’m also prepared to double your standard fee to ensure this remain confidential.”
Severus sneered. “All my client information is confidential, Ms Granger. And I definitely do not do press interviews.”
She flushed. “Right.” She stood up abruptly. “Um, well, I’ll let you get to it, then. And, sir?”
Severus raised an eyebrow.
“Thank you.”
Once she was gone, Severus locked up and walked up the stairs to his personal quarters. After making some tea and pulling out the last of the chocolate digestives, he sat at his kitchen table considering all he knew about Harry Potter. Getting him out of the house was his first challenge. As he chewed, Severus contemplated how to do that. When the idea came, he smiled a smile that would have frightened any of his old Hogwarts colleagues. Ah, Potter. You don’t stand a chance.
***
Severus’ prediction was that Potter would emerge in four days, but it only took three. Smirking, Severus watched him as he entered the seedy pub and navigated his way towards one of the corner tables. At least he’s aware enough to wear a Glamour.
Making sure his own magical disguise was in place, Severus made his way from the bar towards Potter, finally settling into the chair across from him. “Mister...Evans?” he murmured, using the alias agreed upon ahead of time. “You’re very punctual.” He sipped his drink.
Potter blinked at him. “You don’t look like a blackmailer.”
Severus shrugged. “What are blackmailers supposed to look like?”
“I’ve no idea.” Potter shook his head as if clearing it. “So those pictures you sent. You’re aware they’re fake?”
Severus was, in fact, aware of that, since he’d manufactured them himself. He’d enjoyed doing it, too. He inclined his head. “They’re real enough to me. And, more importantly, they’ll look real enough to the public if I publish them.” Go on, Potter. Attack me, prove you’re still alive in there.
To Severus’ surprise, he simply sat there. “So what do you want?” Potter eventually asked, sounding tired. “How much? Your note didn’t say.”
“I hadn’t decided how much they were worth,” Severus said. “Can’t let them go for too little, after all. How about one hundred Galleons to start?”
Even his display of greed didn’t elicit any response. “Fine.” Reaching into his robes, Potter pulled out a bag of money.
Severus almost groaned. Even he can’t be this naïve! “Put that away at once, you idiot,” he snapped.
Potter looked puzzled. “But don’t you want--?”
Something was definitely wrong. Palming his wand, Severus pointed it at Potter, muttering, “Finite Incantatem.”
Potter stiffened then blinked. “Where am I?” he asked, looking around. “And who are you?” He eyed Severus suspiciously.
Much better. Severus raised an eyebrow. “You don’t remember?” Some perverse instinct made him reach out and clasp Potter’s hand. “You agreed to have a drink with me,” he purred.
Potter’s eyes widened. “I...did?” His fingers tightened on Severus’.
“Oh yes.” Severus leaned closer, enjoying the flustered look on Potter’s face. “I sent you some...pictures. Remember?”
Pulling away, Potter stared at him. “You...you’re blackmailing me!” he exclaimed, trying to reclaim his hand. “I remember! What--?”
Memory problems. Interesting. Severus released Potter’s hand. “You seem flustered, Mr...Evans. Perhaps we should resume negotiations in a few days, once you’ve had a chance to go home and again look at those pictures I shared with you.”
“You...I...Yeah, okay.” Jumping to his feet, Potter’s mouth worked and then he hurried out of the pub. Severus took the opportunity to check out his arse, then looked away.
“Another drink?” the barman asked as he walked by.
Severus shook his head then began contemplating Potter’s reactions. Very interesting, he thought, sitting back to finish his drink. Something or someone is clearly affecting him. I need to find a way to get into his house. And not just because he has a fine arse.
***
As it turned out, that wasn’t a problem. The very next morning, Potter walked into his office. For a moment, Severus thought his ruse had been discovered. “Potter? What are you doing here?”
“Professor Snape.” Potter’s unGlamoured face looked terrible. There were bags under his eyes, and he looked as if he hadn’t been sleeping or eating very much. “I’d like to hire you.”
Severus raised an eyebrow, gesturing towards a chair. “Oh?”
Taking a seat, Potter sighed. “I wasn’t going to come here, but Hermione said I should hire you since you’re the best at what you do.”
Clever girl. And I get paid twice to do the same job. Severus kept his face blank. “Indeed.” Taking a seat, he leaned his elbows on his desk, steepling his fingers as he stared at Potter. “So, how can I help you?”
“I’m, um--” Potter hesitated, rubbing at his eyes as if he’d just woken up, and it was all Severus could do not to reach across the desk and shake him. “I’m being blackmailed,” he finally managed.
Severus pursed his lips. Finally. “Ah.” He attempted to look surprised. “What could anyone possibly find to blackmail a paragon like you about?”
For a moment, Severus thought he’d gone too far, that Potter was going to bolt, but then, heaving a sigh and reaching into his robes, Potter produced an envelope containing the very pictures Severus had manufactured. Gingerly, he slid them across the desk towards Severus, his hand trembling.
Making a show of extracting them from the envelope and examining them, Severus finally looked up. “Dear me, Potter. I didn’t know you had it in you,” he murmured. “You really should try to be more discreet.” He pursed his lips. “Is that a pole?”
Potter blushed. “They’re not real!” At Severus’ arch look he blushed deeper. “Really, they’re not. I’ve never done even half that stuff.” He groaned, putting his head in his hands.
Pity. “They look quite realistic,” Severus said. “Do you know who created them? Or who’s blackmailing you?” Holding his breath, he waited for Potter’s response.
“No idea.” Potter yawned. “Sorry, I’m...tired. Anyway, obviously, it’s someone who’s talented with...wizarding film. And they somehow managed to slip them through my wards. I found them on a table in the front hallway.”
“Indeed.” Severus tucked the pictures into his robes. “Perhaps I’ll just keep these for further...evaluation.”
“Does that mean you’ll take my case?” Potter asked, his head popping up.
Severus smirked. “I believe I can spare the time. And you can certainly afford me.” Standing up, he gestured towards his Floo. “Shall we?”
Potter blinked, clearly confused. “Shall we what?”
“Go to your home,” Severus said.
“Why?” Potter’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What will that tell you?”
“How did your blackmailer penetrate your wards to leave the pictures?” Severus asked.
“I...I don’t know!” Potter’s eyes widened. “Are you saying it’s someone familiar with Grimmauld Place?”
Severus didn’t reply, he simply held his Floo powder receptacle toward Potter. “Is your Floo open to strangers or will you have to go ahead to allow me access?”
Potter’s eyes met his and for a long, exquisitely intimate moment they stared into each other’s eyes before Potter finally looked away, appearing flustered. “I’ll, um, go ahead. Give me a minute before you come through, all right?”
Unaccountably shaken by the intensity of their look, Severus nodded, watching as Potter threw in his powder. “Twelve Grimmauld Place!” he cried, stepping into the fireplace. In a second he was gone.
Exhaling, Severus counted one minute on his pocket watch before following. I cannot seduce a client, he reminded himself. No matter how easy it would be. But his libido didn’t appear to be listening.
***
Grimmauld Place was as dank and dreary as Severus recalled. He stepped through into the living room, his eyes taking a moment to adjust.
“I’ve been redoing the place,” Potter said. “But it’s slow going. Come on through and I’ll show you where the pictures appeared.”
Despite knowing exactly where the pictures appeared - he had been the one to place them there, after all - Severus schooled his features into some semblance of interest and followed slowly. His senses on high alert, he carefully scanned with his mind, prepared to shield the moment he encountered anything untoward.
The air was stale, but he couldn’t sense anything Dark, and cautiously, Severus extended his mind further.
“--came downstairs one morning and there they were.” Potter pointed at a small table that Severus remembered from Order meetings.
Taking out his wand, Severus performed some diagnostics on the wards. “Adequate,” he pronounced. “Now I need to evaluate the rest of the house.”
“Okay.”
Slanting a sharp look at Potter, Severus noted he looked...duller, almost sleepy. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” Potter yawned. “Why?”
“You look tired.” Severus frowned, immediately slamming his mental shields shut. “You should rest. I am familiar with the house. I can show myself around.”
“Are you sure?” Potter’s eyes were already drooping closed and Severus took his elbow, ignoring the spark of awareness that ran up his arm, and escorted him towards a sofa.
“Remain here. I’ll return once I’ve examined the rest of the house,” Severus instructed. By the time he got to the door, Potter was already horizontal on the sofa. Shaking his head, Severus began to explore. It was clear that there was something suspicious going on in the house. There was no chance that Potter, with his history, would simply drift off to sleep, in the middle of the day, in the presence of his former, most hated professor. He simply must be bewitched, but by whom?
The kitchen was free of any Dark taint, as was the pantry, the library and the formal dining room. The drawing room had been improved by taking down the mouldy curtains and painting the walls a cream colour, but that was the only change there.
“Nothing,” he murmured, moving his wand in sweeping arcs through the room. “Damn.” He’d been sure he would find something.
Walking out into the hallway, he eyed the stairs. When they’d had Order meetings he had never ventured into the private areas of the house. Not that I ever had any desire to see Black’s private quarters.
The clock in the hallway rang six and Severus blinked, unaware that it had taken him so long to search. This may take longer than I thought.
Potter had minimal supplies, but enough for Severus to prepare a modest dinner of omelettes and toast, along with tea. He managed to rouse Potter and drag him to the kitchen.
“You cooked?” Potter smiled tiredly. “That’s brilliant, thanks. I dunno why I’m so sleepy--”
“Eat,” Severus advised, watching the way Potter’s eyelids drooped. “Then go to bed. I can return tomorrow and--”
“I thought--” Potter flushed. “Never mind.”
“You thought what?” Severus asked.
“That you could, you know, stay while you investigate. In case that blackmailer drops something else off.” Potter yawned. “Sorry, I’m a bit tired and I’m not thinking clearly--”
Severus pursed his lips. “No, that’s actually a reasonable idea. Very well, is there a room you’d prefer I use?”
Potter waved vaguely in the direction of the stairs. “Take your pick. You could even stay in mine if you like.”
Was he flirting? Severus raised an eyebrow. “Distractions would not be advisable.”
“You mean I’d be a distraction for you?” Potter smiled. “Cool.”
Severus cleared his throat. “Indeed.” Uncomfortable, he rose, clearing the dishes, and by the time he returned to the table, Potter was asleep, his cheek resting on his folded arms.
“Typical,” Severus muttered, shaking his head. For a moment he contemplated levitating Potter to his bed then sighed. When else will you have an opportunity to touch him like this, unguarded and at peace?
Slipping his arms around Potter, Severus carried him up the stairs, finally locating what looked like the master bedroom on the third floor.
The room was dark and Severus didn’t bother to light the lamps, he simply laid Potter on the bed, removed his glasses to place them on the side table, arranged his limbs in what looked like a comfortable position and, finally, unable to resist, brushed Potter’s hair out of his face.
He chose the next room to sleep in and, after finding a bathroom, washed up and returned to bed. As he passed Potter, Severus heard soft snoring and he smirked. Well, not so perfect after all.
Lying in the dark, Severus was keyed up. Something was...off, he could sense it. I’ll continue my search in the morning, he thought, extending his senses. Unable to sense any Dark magic, he finally gave up, but sleep was slow to come.
Turning onto his side, he heard something rustle in his pocket and recalled the pictures he’d confiscated from Potter earlier in his office. He sighed. He’d manufactured the images using a bit of complicated magic he’d invented while in school, but even as he’d been creating the pictures, he’d been envisioning Potter, imagining his fit body sliding next to his own.
Finally succumbing to temptation, Severus undid his trousers and reached for his prick, which had been half-hard all day. Because of Potter, of course.
He hissed as his cool hand grasped his warm cock and began stroking. Potter has a fine arse, he thought, recalling his perusal of the anatomy in question as his hand sped up.
The bed was squeaky so Severus tried to keep his movements as economical as possible, but the thought of Potter in the next room made his wanking session even more erotic. He bit his lip as he finally came, gasping Potter’s name, then held his breath in case Potter had somehow heard. There wasn’t a sound from Potter’s room, however; he’d even stopped snoring.
Sated and oddly comfortable, Severus slept.
The next morning, Severus was up at dawn. By the time he had washed up, Scourgified his clothes, and wandered down the stairs, it was seven. He’d not heard a peep out of Potter all night despite waking up several times to listen.
He made tea and toast, enough for two, then put Potter’s share under a Stasis Charm before resuming his search.
At the top of the stairs on the second floor he paused, scanning the shadows. “Lumos.”
In the light of day the landing was dusty, the rugs threadbare, but there was nothing sinister that Severus could detect. He poked his head in all the rooms but found nothing.
On the third he hesitated outside the master bedroom before deciding he needed to check it, even if Potter was still sleeping.
Stepping inside, he almost chuckled. Potter had clearly renovated it in an attempt to claim it as his own. Unless Walburga and Orion were secret Gryffindors, he thought, looking around at the red and gold decor.
Avoiding looking at Potter, who was still sprawled on the bed, he searched the room carefully but came up empty-handed, then moved on to the other rooms, followed by the fourth floor.
Regulus’ room, which had not yet been redone, made Severus sigh. They hadn’t been friends, but at least they’d been polite to each other. Unlike my relationship with his brother, he thought sourly.
That floor clear, he then checked the attic, which looked as if it hadn’t been touched in decades. There was an inch of undisturbed dust on the floor, boxes stacked in the corner and a broom-- Severus squinted. There was something odd about the broom. “Homenum revelio.
When nothing happened, he moved closer. What he was sensing wasn’t Dark but it was powerful. “Finite Incantatem! Reveal your secrets!”
The air in front of the broom seemed to waver for a moment before it was replaced by the crouched figure of a decrepit house-elf. The elf squeaked, then slowly stood up.
“Who are you?” Severus asked. “Why are you hiding?”
“I is Krawler,” the elf replied, sullen.
The Blacks had two house-elves? “Hello, Krawler. Do you belong to the house?” Severus asked. “Why are you hiding up here?”
The elf hung its head. “I is Master Orion’s elf.”
“He’s dead,” Severus said. “Who do you serve now?”
The elf began to tremble. “I don’t want to go! Don’t make me go!”
“I shan’t make you do anything,” Severus replied, wand still raised. “Just tell me, who is your master?”
“Harry Potter,” Krawler whispered as if afraid of Severus’ reaction.
“Why are you hiding up here? Does he know you’re here?”
Krawler began to pound his head on the wall behind him. “I is bad! Bad elf! I hides from new master! I makes him sleep!”
The elf obeyed. “Harry Potter likes to free elves. We all knows this. When I finds out he is my new master, I hides.”
“I doubt Potter would--”
“He sends Kreacher away!” A slow tear fell down Krawler’s face. “So I hides, thinks very hard about Harry Potter sleeping. And so he sleeps and does not set me free.”
“So you’re the one that’s bewitched him.” Severus lowered his wand.
“He did what?”
Krawler moaned, resuming the pounding of his head against the wall. Turning his head, Severus spotted Potter standing at the door, his mouth open. “I take it you were not aware of this?” he asked, tone dry.
“Merlin, no!” Potter stumbled into the attic, rubbing his eyes. “You’re why I’ve been so sleepy?” he directed towards Krawler. “And stop hurting yourself.”
Nodding, Krawler hunched against the wall. “Do not send Krawler away!”
“This place is a mess, Potter,” Severus said, putting his wand away. “You could do worse than have a house-elf clean up, despite Ms Granger’s egalitarian ideas about them.”
Potter shook his head. “She’ll kill me.” He glanced at Severus, eyes dancing. “I should make you tell her.”
“I can if you like.” Severus studied his nails. “That will be an extra fee of course.”
Potter laughed. “Of course.” Looking back at Krawler, he said gently, “You can stay. Just...let me sleep on my own, all right? No extra help.”
The elf, its eyes gleaming with unshed tears, nodded vigorously and rushed over to Potter, wrapping its arms around one of Potter’s legs. “Oh thank you, Harry Potter! Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.” Potter sighed. “Um, could you go and make us some tea? And then maybe get started on cleaning?”
“Right away, Harry Potter!”
Krawler popped away and Potter, shaking his head, turned to face Severus. “How did you know?”
“That he was up here?” Severus started for the attic door. “I didn’t. I just knew that something was affecting you, so I searched for what it could be.”
“Didn’t take you long,” Potter said, trailing behind him. “I guess Hermione was right when she said you’d get to the bottom of things. There’s still one problem, though.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Someone’s blackmailing me, remember?”
“Indeed.” Severus smiled, knowing Potter couldn’t see his face. “I suspect you shall not be bothered with that from now on.”
***
Krawler made tea and somehow produced scones and biscuits, which both Severus and Potter devoured. “I don’t think I’ve been eating much,” Potter said as he reached for yet another scone.
“I suspect you’re right,” Severus said, slanting a look towards Krawler.
The elf squeaked. “I goes to clean,” it said, popping away.
Potter shook his head. “I can’t even find it in me to be angry with him,” he said around a mouthful of pastry. “It feels as if I’ve just woken up after a long nap.”
“As you should since it appears that’s exactly what you’ve done.” Severus drained his teacup and dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. “Well, I believe my work here is done, so I’ll be on my way. You shall get my bill by owl--”
“What about the blackmail?” Potter said. “You keep forgetting that.”
“Ah.” Severus pursed his lips. “Yes. Well, I’ll need to go back to my office and do some more research--”
“It’s you, isn’t it?” Potter was staring at Severus, his eyes unnervingly clear.
Of course he would choose this moment to become perceptive. Lovely. Severus kept his expression blank. “Pardon me?”
“You’re my blackmailer.” Potter shook his head. “I can’t believe I didn’t guess sooner! It has to be you. You’ve been here before, so you know the layout of the house, and you even mentioned that spell in your book, the one to create fake wizarding photos. I memorised that book.” His eyes widened. “And it was even your handwriting on that envelope.”
“You must be mistaken--”
“I’m not, I know it was you.” To Severus’ shock, Potter smiled. “I heard you last night, you know.”
“You what?”
“When you were, um, wanking last night.” Potter’s face was flaming but he didn’t look away. “I thought I was dreaming but I know now that I wasn’t.” He leaned in. “Did you use the pictures?”
“I believe you should get yourself checked by a Mind Healer, Potter,” Severus blustered. “You’re beginning to hallucinate--ummph!”
Severus froze for a moment before closing his eyes and melting into the unexpected kiss. Potter’s lips were soft, his mouth tasted of tea and jam, but with underlying sweetness that was undeniably Potter’s own. During the kiss, Potter’s hand had somehow come up to cup Severus’ neck and draw him closer. Severus didn’t resist.
When they drew apart, they were panting and Potter was sprawled halfway across the kitchen table. “Do you want to do all those things with me?” he whispered.
“Things?” Severus repeated, confused.
Potter grinned. “Those pictures you made. You had me doing...things.” He blushed. “Some of them looked...interesting.”
“I would, yes,” Severus admitted, licking his lips in an attempt to taste what was left of Potter.
“Brilliant!” Potter had just pressed his mouth to Severus’ again when there was a pop and a squeal.
They both turned to see Krawler gaping at them. “I starts cleaning in another room,” he said, eyes bulging before he disappeared.
Potter giggled. “I hope he’s done with my bedroom,” he said, standing up while clinging to Severus’ hand. “Because something tells me if he hasn’t already he won’t be able to for a while.”
***
Sex with Potter...Harry Severus amended as Harry rode him for the third time that day, proved to be as exciting and inspirational as Severus had hoped. And I definitely didn’t do him justice in the pictures.
Later, as Harry curled up next to him, snoring, Severus smugly contemplated the state of his life. Harry had made it clear that he wanted Severus to stay. “For as long as you like,” he’d whispered before nodding off.
Severus smiled, his arms tightening around Harry. All in all, he could hardly have hoped for a better outcome. Maybe I’ll even refund his fee. Then, snorting, he closed his eyes. Let’s not be ridiculous. I’m no Gryffindor.