As Reported in the Daily Prophet... for umbrus Title: As Reported in the Daily Prophet… Author:jadzia7667 Giftee:umbrus Word Count: ~2474 Rating: R Pairing: Snape/Harry Warnings: DH Spoilers, AU, ignoring the epilogue. Not a lot of smut, either. Disclaimer: JKR owns all. No infringement upon her playground is intended. No money is made from this work of entertainment. Summary: As reported in the Daily Prophet
As Reported in the Daily Prophet…
He Who Must Not Be Named Felled!!
Last night, as the sun set behind Hogwarts, the Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter, replayed history by banishing the Dark Lord from our midst. This time, all evidence points to the banishment being permanent. In a battle that had that night sky awash in spell light…
Harry turned and ran. He didn't spare even a minute to dwell on the dead. There was one, a very important one, that he might just be able to save.
He ran down the dusty path and through the gates, skidding around the sharp turn to the Shrieking Shack. The man had to be there still, had to be alive. After everything he'd done he couldn't die.
Not like this. Not alone and unrecognized for the hero he was.
"Besides," Harry panted as he stepped into the dilapidated building, "Mr. Weasley lived through one of Nagini's attacks. Snape will too, then. The git would never allow himself to be bested by a Weasley."
Harry squinted and looked through the dust and darkness. "Professor? Professor?" Stepping carefully, he hurried to the last place he'd seen Snape, right at the trap door. He was still there and even with Lumos Harry couldn't tell if he was breathing or not.
He tentatively reached out to search for a pulse. His fingers slid through the congealing blood until, heaving a sigh of relief, Harry found the faint thump, thump that promised Snape still had a chance at survival.
"Stop the blood, stop the blood," Harry repeated to himself.
Ripping the dirty t-shirt over his head, he cast a quick Scourgify and then torn the ragged shirt into strips. "Thank Merlin Dudley is so fat, huh, Professor. At least we know there will be more than enough here to bandage your wounds."
Harry kept talking, using the monologue to keep himself grounded, to make sure he didn't inadvertently hurt Snape even more. "Thanks for sharing those memories. If I didn't have them I wouldn't have known what to do. Just so you know," he inhaled sharply as Snape moaned, a pitiful sound coming from such a strong man, "the Dark Lord is dead."
He tied off the bandage around Snape's neck and started patting the man's robes down. Surely, as a Potions master, Snape carried some type of aid with him at all times. Feeling nothing but empty pockets, Harry sighed. "Don't tell me that you didn't have something hidden away, Snape. You're too damn paranoid to not have at least one potion in here; an antidote or a blood replenisher. Something! Honestly, can you wear robes that have more buttons on them?"
Harry's fingers shook as he worked the buttons open, delving into the depths of Snape's robe as enough of the tiny buttons popped open. His hand curled around a slender glass phial and Harry let out a cry of triumph. "I knew it!"
Twisting the small container towards the shimmering light, he said, "Analgesic."
Harry unstoppered the potion and coaxed Snape into swallowing it. "I suppose having a snake bite antidote on you would be asking too much, yeah?"
He sat beside Snape and waited a few minutes for the potion to take effect. As soon as Snape's body relaxed, Harry used his wand to float the body behind him. He used the hidden tunnel and then skirted the dark edges of the forest. Once inside, he hugged the walls and headed to the Headmas… Headmistress' office. Steeling himself for the fight, Harry whispered to the stone gargoyle and rode the twisting staircase up, Snape bobbing behind him with harsh rasping breaths.
Fortunately, McGonagall was the only one there. Slumped over the desk, scorched, singed and exhausted, but still as quick and sharp as ever. She listened quietly to Harry's explanation, then peered at Snape's unmoving form, her lips thinning into nonexistence. She sniffed once, an odd expression crossing her face for an instant, and said, "I'll get Madame Pomfrey. Put him in there."
She pointed towards an open doorway and Harry obediently floated Snape through it, then onto the bed he saw on the opposite wall. What now? He gazed at the slender form, covered in blood and dust. Snape's face was creased with lines of tension and worry even now. Harry looked around and spotted a doorway that he hoped was to a bathroom. He stepped through it and returned a moment later with a basin full of warm water and a flannel. Gently, he set about cleaning Snape up, fingers moving gently over the unconscious body.
Harry's fingers tingled every time he touched Snape's bare skin. Finally, Snape was as clean as Harry could make him without using magic. Carefully, he finished removing as much of Snape's clothing as he could without waking the man, then he settled the sheet and duvet over him, tucking it around his shoulders. A lock of the lank, greasy hair had fallen across Snape's closed eyes and Harry reached out to brush it back. His fingertips lingered on the soft skin near Snape's temple and he whispered, "It will be all right, Sir. I won't let them harm you."
Snape sighed softly and seemed to lean into Harry's touch. Mesmerized by the thought of Snape accepting comfort from him, of all people, Harry continued to stroke his hair and whisper reassurances to the man.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry Potter Defends Dumbledore's Murderer
Harry Potter stood in front of the Wizengamot today to ardently defend of one of the wizarding world's most notorious: Severus Snape. According to Mr. Potter, Severus Snape's actions over the past twenty years, including the use of an Unforgivable against Headmaster Dumbledore, were all sanctioned by the late Headmaster himself. Dumbledore was also the Head of the Order of the Phoenix, and the person largely responsible for the planning and execution of the strategy that became the ultimate downfall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Pensieve evidence is scheduled…
Harry slammed the door shut and sighed. "Bloody vultures, that's what they are."
Severus looked up from his place at the dining room table. "There are understandably curious, Potter."
Harry snorted and rolled his eyes. "They're a gaggle of nosy, flesh eating, life stealing vultures."
Severus' lips twitched at Harry's description. "Your creativity has vastly improved, Potter." Folding the paper and setting it to the side, Severus turned serious. "Perhaps, if I myself understood your actions, I would understand your vehement dislike of their interest."
"You weren't guilty."
Now it was Severus who snorted. "Trust me, Potter. I was there. I most assuredly was guilty of the charges."
Harry glared at Snape. "Must you work against my every action?"
"If you explained these misguided attempts to save me, perhaps I would be more inclined to assist you."
"And that's another thing, do you have to sound like a dictionary all the time? Merlin, Snape, would it be so hard just to say, 'Why are you doing this, Potter?'"
Severus' lips actually curled upward at that. "Very well. Why are you doing this, Potter?"
Harry flushed and refused to meet Severus' eyes. Quietly, he replied, "You were Dumbledore's man, through and through. You took more risks than anyone else, did more to defeat Voldemort than anyone should've had to do. I won't allow them to toss you in Azkaban for it."
The delightful pink still coloured his cheeks and Severus once again had to firmly remind himself that his attentions would not be welcomed. The boy was simply doing the right thing. The honourable thing. Potter was only doing this because he thought Dumbledore would've wanted him to. Not because he enjoyed Severus' company. Although the two of them seemed to have reached a sort of wary truce these days.
It was difficult for Severus to continue to control his growing attraction to the boy. But he had to. He knew Harry would never return it. Even if he blushed and stammered more often than not when they were in the same room for any appreciable length of time. The brat was probably embarrassed to think about Severus and Lily together. Severus didn't quite know how to explain that Lily had been his best friend, first and foremost. He'd gotten over his crush on her as soon as he'd seen Regulus Black bend over to pick up a quill one day during his fourth year. In any event, Harry probably didn't want to know anything at all about his former Professor's sexual orientation.
Severus could feel those green eyes on him again. He wondered if Harry realized how often he stared at Severus. It was rather disconcerting. If he didn't know better…
~*~*~*~*~*~center>
Shacklebolt Steps Down, People to Elect New Minister of Magic
In a bold move, Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped down from his post as Minister of Magic late yesterday afternoon. He cited the need for the people to choose their own leader as the main motivating factor. "For the past year, I have done my best to live up to the duties of this office. However, it is time for the voice of each witch and wizard to be heard." There was no…
"Have you gone barmy, Severus?" Harry stared at Severus as if the man had just announced Voldemort returned from the beyond. Wearing a tea towel and offering to bring dinner for the two men. "I can't work my own life out properly. What makes you think I could handle something like being Minister?"
Severus stood and grasped Harry by the shoulders, stopping the boy's incessant pacing. "Your life seems to be going quite well, Harry. You have completed your education and passed your NEWTs with far higher marks than anyone thought you could achieve." A brief, not unpleasant smirk crossed Snape's face. "You have rebuilt your family home and been accepted into the Auror training program."
"That's not all there is to life, you know," Harry growled.
"What do you want that you don't have?"
Harry blushed a brilliant red and mumbled unheard words under his breath. Breaking free of Severus' hold, he raised his voice, if not his eyes, and said, "Just let it be, Severus. We both know I'm not cut out for politics. As far as the other…" Harry stopped a few paces away and looked back longingly at Severus. "Well, that one isn't up to me alone. It will work itself out or not."
Severus blinked. Surely the boy hadn't meant that look for him? Surely he wasn't suggesting…? But what if he was? A long slender hand reached out again, grasping Harry's forearm. His eyes locked on Harry's. Severus caught his breath at the expression of pure need he saw in Harry's eyes. Gently, he pulled, bringing Harry close enough to touch properly. He slid his other arm around Harry's waist and was encouraged by the breathy sigh the act elicited.
Severus leaned close, and closer still, until his lips were a hairsbreadth from Harry's ear. He whispered, "Potter if this is some kind of prank…"
Harry turned his head abruptly, his lips colliding with Severus' mouth. His lips parted as he drew in a shocked breath, and then it was all heat and dampness between them, lips clinging to lips, tongues searching and finding one another, breath mixing with breath, and all the blood in Severus' body was moving southward to pool in his groin.
Harry pulled back just enough to murmur into Severus' mouth, "No jokes, Severus. I want you. I think maybe you want me too."
Severus looked into the darkened green eyes and nodded once, then dove back into Harry's mouth, taking control of the kiss. He plundered that sweet cavern mercilessly, pouring everything he'd come to feel for the boy into the movements of his lips and tongue and hands. One possessive limb curved itself around Harry's nape, dexterous fingers stroking the soft skin there. The other arm hauled Harry even closer, until the two men were flush against each other from collarbones to knees. He stroked along Harry's spine with clever fingers. Gratified by the approving moan this elicited, his hand moved lower, caressing the curve of Harry's arse. He squeezed, enjoying the play of firm muscle as Harry threw back his head, disconnecting their lips long enough to groan deeply.
Severus locked his mouth on Harry's again, loving the feel of the boy melting against him as he continued his sensual onslaught. A moment later, he concentrated briefly and Apparated them upstairs to Severus' bedroom.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Minister Potter Promises Reform to Begin Immediately
Moments after Harry Potter was sworn in as the new Minister of Magic he spoke of proposed changes to the status quo. With his partner, former Death Eater Severus Snape, at his side, Minister Potter addressed the issues of Dark creature legislation, use of Muggle artifacts, and…
Harry tossed the special edition to the floor and turned in his lover's embrace. "We really did it, huh?"
Severus smirked in satisfaction as he tightened his arms around Harry. "You did it, brat. No one would elect a former Death Eater, however well redeemed, as Minister. You, however, are quite respectable enough to have won by a landslide."
Harry sighed contentedly and reached up on tiptoe to brush a kiss across Severus' mouth while his fingers worked on the row of tiny buttons. Mouthing along Severus' jaw, Harry whispered, "Now, we can rebuild the Wizarding world just the way we want it."
"Indeed." Severus slid his hands down to cup Harry's arse, separated only by the traditional inaugural robe, and reflected that there were worse things – much worse – than being bonded to the most powerful Wizard of his age. "Perhaps, though, we should attend to other matters," and Severus pressed his hardened length against Harry, his hips undulating in a slow lazy rhythm, "first."
"Right here in the Minister's office?" Images of Severus taking him across the large mahogany desk filled his mind and his prick jumped in agreement.
"It is your office, is it not?"
Harry groaned and twisted, his arm sweeping out and knocking rolls of parchment, bottles of ink, and the shiny new nameplate to the floor. He tugged his robe high, rucking it into wrinkled folds over his back, and leaned over the lacquered wood, presenting himself to his lover.
Severus chuckled deep in his throat as he opened his robes wide. "Quick and dirty, then?"
"No better way to…" Harry's voice hitched on a moan as spit-covered fingers pushed into him. "Oh, Gods."
Replacing his fingers with a barely damp erection, Severus pushed slowly, continuously into the tight heat until the two were merged together arse to groin. He stilled, biting the inside of his cheek to ground him, as Harry's channel clenched and rippled around him.
"Damn it," Harry growled, "Move, Severus."
With a smirk, Severus pulled back and then quickly thrust forward. Over Harry's appreciative groan, Severus murmured, "As you wish, Minister."