Secret Snarry Swap: FIC: Silver Linings Title: Silver Linings Author:myfirstisthefourth Other pairings/threesome: Severus Snape/Harry Potter Rating: M Word count: 4000 Content/Warning(s): Developing Relationship, Blow Job, May-December Relationship, Getting Together, First Times, Harry is Eighteen Prompter/Prompt: No. 4 from Ladyofsilverdawn: To work at Hogwarts, all professors must take a magical vow of celibacy. After the war and his official retirement, Severus' libido returns with a vengeance. Harry's teenage hormones are happy to help. Summary: See prompt. A/N: This is a meager offering but I couldn’t miss the last Swap; not after all the enjoyment it has brought for so many years. My thanks to Ireland Spades for helping me brush off my skills after too many years of inactivity. I hope it is acceptable at least. :)
Birdsong slowly trickled into his awareness, alerting him to the impending dawn and another day of suffering. Severus determined he would ignore it all and have a lie in. He opened his eyes the barest of slits only to confirm the merest shade of grey creeping across his room to indicate the early hour; then promptly closed them again and rolled over, pulling the covers more securely around his shoulders. His intentions were derailed by the swelling of sound outside his window, punctuated by the call of one rather raucous blackbird. Severus allowed the low growl of disappointment to build in his throat until another particularly loud call caused it to erupt.
Bolting from the bed Severus shoved his window open, leaning on the sill to shout. “Sod off you feathered beasts! Can’t a wounded man sleep when he wants?” Now fully awake, Severus’ eyes narrowed as he was met with another sharp call in response as the morning birdsong continued undeterred.
Blasted birds are an absolute menace!
Severus considered if the use of an Unforgivable on a bird was worth it but in the end he reasoned that his fractious temperment wasn’t actually due to the birds nor being woken up early. Flopping back onto his pillows, he lay in contemplation of another day with the true cause.
Bloody Potter.
“You have got to start calling me Harry sooner or later.”
Severus had been admonished several times, yet he still struggled to drop the years old habitual name. Much to his chagrin, he now owed Potter a great deal. While it was surprising to wake up at all after Nagini’s attack, he didn’t think he would have remained free or alive for long were it not for Potter. Severus had been forced to reassess his opinions of the boy several times in a relatively short period of time, though he should probably think of him as a young man at this point.
First Potter had spoken in his defence, then he apparently protected Severus from the wrath of the Ministry and the population in general. Minerva herself had softened somewhat due to whatever Potter had told her and she now cautiously remained a friend. She had informed him that Potter had outright threatened anyone who made a move against Severus. That an attack on Severus was to be considered a direct attack on Potter and he would respond in kind. Odd to think that James and Lily Potter’s son now held the power to back up those statements. Severus didn’t understand it at all but he was resolved to be grateful for once.
Which led him to his current predicament, more or less. Once Severus had recovered enough to move around, Potter had insisted on taking over his care and moving them somewhere safe from the public. They had made only one stop for Severus, to Hogwarts and the Headmaster’s office to officially hand over the school to Minerva. Having a mind of its own, Hogwarts had been rather stubborn and refused to allow Minerva access to the headmaster's office after Severus’ necessary departure owing to Voldemort.
Severus now resided with Potter in a quiet cottage somewhere in rural England and under the strongest Fidelius Charm Severus had ever seen or felt; even he did not know who the Secret Keeper was for the location. No one came or went here except Potter. Not that Severus was a prisoner, he was simply still limited in his movements as his healing slowly progressed. Nagini was a nasty beast on her own but, infused with Voldemort’s magic as well, her bite packed an extra punch. Despite his best preparations, Severus found recovery daunting. The wounds of his flesh were slower to heal and he had to be cautious using any magic as his own core was seriously depleted. Still, he was alive and getting better. Thanks in no small part to his nursemaid.
Potter was most attentive to his care, seeing to his potions and bandage changes, prompting and pushing him to exercise more and take in the fresh air by way of the gardens, cooking meals that were not only filling and healthy in order to compliment Severus’ potion regime but quite appetising as well. However, all of that only exacerbated Severus’ situation. He was desperately ashamed and loath to admit it even to himself, but he should have known.
Over the years of acting as a double agent for Dumbledore, Severus had practically forgotten about the oath of celibacy all teachers at Hogwarts were required to take prior to their employment. Honestly, he had a lot more important things on his mind like surviving with his life and sanity intact to even think about such carnal pursuits. The oath was meant to reassure parents that no untoward behaviours would occur with their children whilst they were far from home. Severus always sneered at the idea, considering there was little time in a teacher’s daily life to even allow for such things but it served its purpose. Sadly, his selective memory left him woefully unprepared for the fallout.
His official release from Hogwarts also meant his release from the oath’s binding. Now Severus not only had to deal with his shocking survival and subsequent healing but also a cruelly awakened libido. Which led him back to the source of his problems.
Potter.
It wasn’t necessarily the young man himself. Rather, that said man was extremely fit and relatively attractive, as well as the only one in Severus’ proximity on a daily basis that made the prospect so untenable. It was one thing to awaken with a woody the likes of which he had not seen since his teens, but it was completely unsettling when said woody was in reaction to his housemate. A housemate he had spent years belittling and tormenting as a student only to be faced with him as a man now.
“Well, I suppose my current situation is appropriate at that,” Severus thought ruefully to himself. He was stuck lusting after Harry Bloody Potter, the literal saviour of the entire wizarding world; a young man who would never have him.
“I believe they call it just desserts. Serves me right.”
The first time it became a problem, he was sitting shirtless while Potter tended to his wounds and dressings. Such activities were commonplace and hardly sensual but he failed to convince his body of that when it insisted on responding to the touch of someone else’s fingers upon his skin. He was so alarmed by the sudden and most certainly unplanned erection that he had fallen back onto old habits and yelled at Potter like a madman until he left him alone. Severus had attempted some mangled type of bandage himself before throwing his shirt on as though it were armour. He then proceeded to stare out the window in a deep sulk with his arms crossed firmly across his chest.
Severus had expected to be left alone all day but Potter had returned within the hour. He didn’t appear phased at all by the previous outburst when he spoke.
“Are you going to let me fix that now?” Harry had gestured pointedly at the mess Severus had made of his bandage with the merest hint of a smirk on his face.
His erection had thankfully evaporated in the fire of his own anger at himself so Severus felt safe allowing Potter to complete his task. He did apologise for his behaviour to which Potter only smiled.
“It’s alright, sir. I’m sure it’s hard being stuck with me along with everything else you’re having to deal with. I don’t take it to heart.”
Severus had fought not to roll his eyes at the unintended pun, but they made it through his care without further intrusions from his libido that day. Since then Severus had put his famed control to the test on a daily basis. Not aided in the least by Potter taking up tending to their garden shirtless or going running for exercise, purportedly in preparation for Auror training, only to return all sweaty with his t-shirt clinging to a surprisingly muscled torso. Each new day became an unending source of torment, but Severus had no idea what to do other than suffer. Severus wasn’t exactly in a position to go out and find a random hook up and Potter would never look at him in that way either, not with their history. All of that was beside the fact that Potter liked women as well. He was practically engaged to the Weasley girl to hear The Prophet tell it.
No. There was nothing to be done for it but get up and face another new day. Severus already heard movement downstairs and smelled the pungent aroma of freshly brewing coffee, indicating Potter was up and starting on breakfast. If he attempted to stay in his room, Potter would only come to drag him out eventually. Severus had already tried avoidance numerous times without success. And the thought of Potter in his room or anywhere near his bed did not do good things to his mental defences at all. So he resolved to face the day and pushed himself up out of bed for his morning ablutions.
* * *
This was a mistake.
Severus was rethinking his decision as soon as he reached the doorway to the kitchen and saw Potter. He was standing in front of the stove barefoot, wearing worn jeans he could have been poured into for the way they clung to every curve along with a shirt that hung loose across his shoulders and did little to disguise the figure beneath. Severus had already taken half a step backwards and towards the stairs but he was caught before he could escape further.
“Good morning, sir. I hope you're hungry. I might have gotten a bit carried away today.” Harry smiled brightly as he set a platter containing what looked to be a full fry up on the small kitchen table between their two place settings. He turned back to retrieve their coffees and placed them on the table as well before motioning Severus to take his seat. “Dig in.”
Severus hadn’t been in the habit of taking heavy breakfasts previously but his stomach rumbled loudly at the sight and smell of Potter’s cooking. He justified it as his body needing extra fuel for healing and not the skill of the cook that had him seated and helping himself to a generous plate of food without another thought.
“Glad to see you have a hearty appetite today. That’s an improvement.” Potter smiled as though he was a proud parent and for some reason that irked Severus. He was woefully unaccustomed to being taken care of with such indulgence.
“Any improvement over my usual is to be welcomed, you mean?” His old snarl crept out with far too much ease. “Anything to make tolerating my presence more bearable, right?” Severus was appalled at himself; speaking to Potter in such a way in the face of his generosity and assistance. He was even more aggrieved when he saw the bright smile across from him dimming in response.
“I don’t think of it that way, sir. I am simply glad I can be of help to you and that you are improving. Your presence has been quite soothing for me actually and hardly unbearable.”
Potter’s smile had quirked slightly as he glanced at Severus; his expression somehow inscrutable. That alone was odd for Severus but before he could ponder it further the expression was gone and Potter had bent his head intent on breakfast.
Despite all the time they had spent together, Severus seldom if ever considered how Potter was dealing with recent events. Potter certainly never spoke of it and Severus was apparently too selfish and self absorbed to consider Potter in the same way he considered Severus. The thought had come unbidden and Severus found himself embarrassed by it. It was true he was unaccustomed to thinking of others or their feelings but Potter had done so much for him already. He resolved to at least try and be more considerate.
In the meantime, Severus had no response to give to Potter’s comments, so he too focused on his food while silently berating himself. It wasn’t bad enough that Potter was quite out of his league; he had to go and purposely sabotage any good feelings the boy seemed to have for him.
They finished breakfast in relative silence and Severus was quick to excuse himself to the small sitting room with a fresh cup of coffee leaving Potter to clear up. He settled down in a particularly cosy chair near the fireplace that he had come to consider his own and reached for the latest edition of The Prophet. Severus had never been one to pay attention to most of their drivel but he felt he needed to keep abreast of things these days; the new tides that continued to ripple out from the end of the war. There were the unending articles and commentary on the main players, updates on the hunt for remaining Deatheaters as well as repairs to Hogwarts; the entire paper seemed to be filled with nothing but the aftermath of the war. Severus had been shocked to learn that Potter had spoken up for the Malfoy’s before the Wizengamot from the paper. Potter never breathed a word of it; not at all like the brash glory seeker Severus had once accused him of being. The fact that Narcissa had protected Potter and lied to the Dark Lord was no small feat and earned her a reprieve from Azkaban as Draco’s efforts to help Potter end the Battle of Hogwarts and the war itself did for him also. Lucius’ was not as fortunate, facing sentencing for his own actions; that was not so surprising. Severus shuddered slightly at the thought of what punishment he might have faced were it not for Potter.
Severus continued to update himself, sipping his coffee in peace. Potter came in and began to stoke up the fire. Something Severus found he appreciated more and more these days as he seemed to feel a constant chill in his bones; one more thing he attributed to Nagini and the toxins spread by her venom. He was momentarily distracted from the paper by the sight of Potter bending over to tend the fire. Rather the sight of his particularly rounded bum cupped so snuggly by his jeans that the crease of his buttocks was noticeable. Severus quickly crossed his legs to hide the tightening of his own pants and forcibly returned his gaze to the paper. Turning to the socials, he gasped at the article that topped the page.
SAVIOUR OF THE WIZARDING WORLD IN SECRET RELATIONSHIP
It wasn’t the title that caused Severus to gasp, The Prophet had articles like this on a daily basis. No, he was shaken by the picture below; a picture of Potter with Severus himself on his arm as he helped him leave St. Mungo’s the day they came to the cottage. He rushed to read the article itself:
“Unnamed sources have confirmed that the presumed Golden Boy, Harry Potter, is indeed in a relationship with former Hogwarts Professor and Deatheater, Severus Snape. While the two have not been seen in public since the above photo was taken, they are reported to be hidden away in a most secret love nest. I can only imagine what you, my reading public, must think but it is my duty to report the facts. This news can only be a cruel disappointment to Miss Ginerva Weasley who, I dare say, previously considered herself to be the future Mrs. Potter.”
He must have made some noise of distress, drawing Potter’s attention.
“What is it?” Harry reached for the paper himself at Severus’ stunned silence and quickly read the page only to laugh. “That Rita Skeeter. Where does she get her information I wonder?” Harry handed the paper back to Severus and turned to continue placing fresh logs onto the newly roused fire. He appeared completely unphased by the article and Severus was flabbergasted.
“You’re not upset?”
“Should I be? The Prophet has been saying things about me for years now; I’ve learned to ignore it.” He glanced at Severus, an unusual gleam in his eyes as he quickly skimmed the lean figure before him. “Besides, it isn’t as though it’s impossible.”
Severus felt as though he had been robbed of breath. When he tried to respond, his voice came out almost as a croak, “It…it isn’t impossible?” His voice had risen to an unflattering squeak as he spoke. “Have you gone mad after all? Or are you blind? I am far too old and unpleasant to be seen as anyone’s love interest.”
Potter knelt quickly beside the chair, placing his hand on Severus’ knee. “Don’t sell yourself short, sir. You are hardly old and far from unpleasant. I know a defence mechanism when I see one.” Severus could only gape as Potter continued. “And it isn't as though you’re not interested.” Potter glanced up, piercing green eyes peering out from beneath a messy fringe of black hair. “Surely you didn’t think I hadn’t noticed, Severus?”
The sound of his name from Potter’s lips was straight out of one of the wet dreams Severus would never admit to, but it was Potter’s hand upon Severus’ knee sliding incrementally up his inner thigh that caused an ever more alarming tightness in his groin. One which Harry was quick to notice, a knowing smile spreading across his face.
“I’d be more than happy to help you with that…Severus.”
Severus was frozen in place, fighting the duel urges to flee or stay as Potter insinuated himself between Severus’ knees. The pressure of Potter’s warm hand over his burgeoning erection prompted his urgent speech. “You can’t…can’t possibly be serious, Potter.” The hand continued to move steadily, rubbing with maddening slowness despite Severus’s words, causing him to fight the strong urge to press his hips forward against that pressure.
Harry replied with a slow smile. “I have told you to call me Harry. And I’m absolutely serious.” His voice dropped to a low purr. “Or did you think I always do the gardening shirtless?” One eyebrow raised suggestively with the question and Harry only nodded at Severus’ stunned expression. “Did you never notice that the grounds seemed to be very well tended outside the windows where you happened to be sitting…and watching? For such a skilled spy, you have been extremely oblivious, Severus.” The expression of incredulity on Severus’ face grew more pronounced with each new statement Potter made as did his arousal.
Harry continued stroking, thoroughly enjoying the effect he was having. “Attraction is a maddening thing, isn’t it? I took up running just to work off some of that pent up energy but I really think we could both deal with it in a far more pleasing manner. Don’t you?”
As though an Imperius had been cast, Severus could only stare as Potter spoke. He could hardly believe the words he was hearing nor the second hand coming to work open his trousers while the first continued its torment. He watched as Potter slowly unzipped his fly and pulled his trousers open. “Y-you should stop.”
“Do you really want me to stop, sir?” Harry eyed Severus’ face intently while he continued his ministrations; pulling down the front of Severus’ pants, freeing a sizable erection. Harry smiled at the noticeable precum already glossing the head of Severus’ cock. He massaged it firmly over the reddened head with his thumb, answering his own question. “I didn’t think so.”
Severus had never had another person’s hand on his most private parts and he could only hiss softly as Potter’s hand wrapped around his length and began to stroke firmly. He closed his eyes, trying to convince himself that there was no way this was happening. Maybe a fever dream of some kind. Or inferior potion ingredients gone off by the less than stellar brewers at Mungos. Something to cause this vivid hallucination. There was no way Potter, Harry Potter himself was on his knees between Severus’ legs with Severus’ prick in his hand. Severus’ eyes flew open again as he felt warmth enclosing his cock and found himself sheathed in Potter’s mouth. He could only moan as Potter began to suck softly, moving his head up and down as he slowly took more. Severus clawed at the arms of the chair, his knuckles turning white as he struggled to hold on even as his hips stuttered forward of their own accord forcing his cock deeper into Potter’s mouth and throat. Potter pulled off and Severus thought he had ruined…whatever this was only to be surprised yet again.
“It’s okay, sir. You can let go; I can take it.” Harry winked before returning to his task.
Severus didn’t know what to think anymore but in moments he found himself giving into the urges he had fought so hard to deny. He continued to grip the arm of the chair with his left hand but his right hand found its way into that thick mop of black hair, gripping firmly as he thrust into the heat of Potter’s mouth. Apparently, Potter liked it, groaning loudly around the intrusion and sucking harder. There was no way Severus could last; even thinking of trying to tease it out was laughably absurd. Not after decades of denial and such an enthusiastic response. It was only a matter of seconds before he was pouring himself down Potter’s throat with a hoarse cry, spasms wracking his body until he fell against the back of his chair, utterly spent and trying to catch his breath. He watched as Potter swallowed down his spunk and carefully cleaned him before refastening his pants and smiling once again.
“Most satisfactory I would say.” His voice was raspy and low after the workout his throat had received but he seemed happy regardless. Using Severus’s knees as a prop to push himself up, Harry was turning to go but Severus noticed a decided firmness tenting Harry’s jeans as well.
Severus gestured, uncertain but determined. “Should I…” His voice was far too low and uncertain so he cleared his throat pointedly and tried again. “Should I help with that?”
“Not this time,” Harry replied, quickly amending when he saw Severus’ expression darken. “Not that I don’t want you to but I’m not planning on this being the last time we do something like this. Or more even.” Harry gave him a rakish wink then made his way to the doorway before turning back, a cheeky grin upon his face. “Besides, haven’t you ever heard of always leaving them wanting more?”
Potter had disappeared beyond the door then, only to reappear once more. “I have heard that keeping oneself on edge makes the payoff later unbelievable.” He had the audacity to wiggle his eyebrows suggestively at Severus following that frankly devastating remark before he followed it with another one. “When you’re ready to find out…come and find me.” The smirk on Potter’s face was now positively devilish, causing Severus to sharply suck in a deep breath unable to formulate any sane reply at the moment while his cock twitched in renewed interest.
After those parting words, Potter left Severus contemplating all that had just happened. And all that might still happen. He glanced down at the forgotten newspaper and the offending article.