occasusvenustas (occasusvenustas) wrote in snape_potter, @ 2008-01-13 14:59:00 |
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Entry tags: | fic, occasusvenustas, rating: r |
Title: Always The Hero
Chapter: 2/3
Pairing: Harry/Severus, Remus/Sirius with past mentions of Severus/OC
Rating: R (over all)
Summary: Harry Potter is always trying to play the hero. How will Snape react to Harry mucking about in his business again?
Warnings: Mentions of Snape/female, Babies (but no mpreg), canon compliant with only a handful of characters.
Disclaimer: I don't own any Harry Potter
A/N:: This is going to have two or three chapters, and I'm going to update as quickly as I can, but I make no major promises :p Oh and x-posted.
Chapter One
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Weighing out all of his options, Harry decided to rely on, what he described as, his second-best talent; reconnaissance. He knew Snape well enough to know Snape was not about to go spilling all the juicy details about this Amy woman, nor was Snape liable to get that drunk in the presence of Harry Potter again.
So, that left Harry with his current plan. He had been stalking Snape for about a week before he was able to track a pattern. Snape, who wasn't living in London, but just outside of it, went to a nearby pub every Saturday night for dinner and drinks alone. Harry calculated that he would have exactly one and one quarter hours to get inside Snape's home and find what he needed.
Arming himself with his invisibility cloak and his wand, Harry hunkered down in the shrubs beside Snape's cottage until the older man left. A skilled Auror, and very skilled in the art of curse-breaking, Harry was able to enter Snape's house without being detected.
It was dark and a bit smelly; very Snape, if truth be told. There was a small smattering of furniture; a few chairs, tables and some shelves piled with books. There were only three rooms in the house, the bedroom, the laboratory and Snape's office.
Harry opted for the first, and most obvious place; Snape's office. He immediately began to tear apart the writing desk, using care, of course, so Snape wouldn't notice anything had been touched. After twenty minutes, Harry came away with nothing.
Not giving up, Harry searched the rest of the office but came away empty handed. The room next to the office was the lab, so Harry took a quick look around but discovered nothing useful. The only other place left was Snape's bedroom, and Harry felt strange about going in there. It was almost like violating the man, going though his most personal items.
Of course, that made it all the more tempting and exciting, as Harry had been madly in love with Snape for years now. Taking a step back from the closed door, Harry raised his wand and cast a charm to detect any curses or spells warding the door. There were none, so Harry reached for the handle.
Just as his fingers touched the knob, there was a loud crack, signalling someone had just apparated in. Harry jumped ten feet in the air and scrambled for his cloak and wand.
"Tell me you weren't going into his bedroom," came the hiss of Sirius Black.
"Oh for fuck's sake, Sirius," Harry nearly shouted, "you almost gave me a bloody heart attack!"
"Well you almost gave me one, seeing you go into Snape's bedroom. You don't know what you could catch, going in there!"
"Oh grow up, Sirius, you aren't fifteen anymore. Don't you think it's about time you got over this nonsense?"
"No," Sirius said as he edged up to Harry. "No, I don't."
Harry rolled his eyes. "What are you doing here anyway? I thought you wanted no part in this mission of mine."
"If you care to remember," Sirius said, "it was Remus who wanted no part. You told me you didn't want my help."
"Sirius," Harry said with a sigh, "I'm on a timed mission here. Snape's due to be back within the hour."
"So I reckon we'd better get to it," Sirius said and pushed Snape's bedroom door open. Sirius made a big production of holding his nose and tiptoeing through the bedroom as though he would catch something from Snape's things.
Still, Harry realised, it was nice to have a little bit of help. While Sirius was searching the cupboard in the corner of the room, Harry began a thorough search of the tall wardrobe near the bed. It was there, in a small drawer, that Harry found what he was looking for.
It was a letter, sent via Muggle post, addressed to Snape. Harry carefully extracted the letter from the envelope and read it aloud.
Dear Severus,
I realise our meeting was by chance and our night together wasn't supposed to happen at all. However, there is a matter regarding that night I must speak to you about. If you would care to meet me at the pub where we met next Tuesday night, at six, I can explain everything. You don't have to respond to me, and I'm not sure if you have my telephone number, but I'll be there.
In Regards,
Amy Richards
Harry put the letter back in the envelope and let out a big breath. "Well, we have her home address now," he said and quickly copied it down on a piece of parchment and shoved it in his pocket. He was just replacing Snape's things when he heard the loud squeak of Snape's front gate.
"Bugger!" Harry hissed. "He's early!"
He and Sirius worked furiously to put everything right. Harry quickly threw his cloak over them both and they crept out of the bedroom and towards the lounge.
"Should we run for it?" Sirius breathed in Harry's ear.
"Don't be daft," Harry hissed back. "Follow my lead, I do this for a living." Harry led Sirius close to the front door and quickly managed to slip out as Snape walked in.
They kept under the cloak until they lost sight of Snape's cottage, a ways down the road. Finally, Harry threw the cloak off and let out a big sigh of relief. "So now I guess we go see this Amy."
Sirius' eyes widened. "You're serious about this, aren't you?"
"Of course!" Harry said. "I care about Snape!"
Sirius gagged. "You do realise he's going to kill you for mucking about in his life, don't you?"
"I think he'll appreciate it, in the end," Harry defended.
"Then you and I clearly know two different Snapes," Sirius replied.
Harry shook his head. "We know the same Snape, just different sides."
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Later that evening, Harry found himself having drinks at Grimmauld Place with his godfather and Remus. Remus, of course, spent the evening shooting dirty looks at Harry and Sirius for meddling.
"This is not going to end well," Remus warned. "This is Snape. You both seem to have forgotten that."
"Oh I haven't," Sirius said. "I was in his disgusting bedroom, I couldn't ever forget that."
"You have no faith in him," Harry bit out.
Remus rubbed his eyes. "I'm concerned," he said earnestly.
"About?" Harry pressed when Remus fell silent.
"Harry, I was supportive of your feelings for Snape. I'll even go so far as to say I was impressed that you fancied him knowing that he's Snape and you knew him just about as well as any of us. But I find myself wondering if you fancy Snape for what you think he is deep down, or what you think he can become. I find myself afraid that it isn't Snape you fancy at all, and perhaps your feelings are misplaced."
Harry pinked. "I'm insulted," he bit out. "There is more to him than anger and snark."
"I know there is," Remus said calmly. "We all know this. We all know he is capable of feeling, and love. But he's capable of those things in his own way, Harry, and his own way doesn't allow for people who aren't invited, into his personal affairs. You can't pretend you don't know about that. The little incident in your fifth year with his pensive should have made things quite clear."
Harry licked his lips and looked into the fire that was roaring in the corner of the room. "My feelings are not misplaced, Remus. I'm not a child."
"You've certainly been acting like one lately," Remus confessed honestly. "I don't mean to insult or anger you, Harry, but your behaviour has been rather ridiculous."
Harry was about to answer when a black owl flew into the room, dropped a bit of parchment onto Harry's lap and flew off. Harry recognised the spiky letters immediately.
The note read simply;
I know it was you. Consider yourself fortunate this letter does not contain a curse. Next time you go through my things you will not be so lucky.
Remus snatched the letter from Harry and read it. "I don't know what else I can say in hopes of getting through to you."
Harry rubbed his hand over his face angrily. "Do you think he ever gets tired of doing it all alone?"
Remus smiled softly. "Yes, I do, and I won't let go of hope that someday he won't have to. But forcing yourself on him is going to work against you, not for you."
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It was rather late. Harry found himself standing outside of Snape's cottage in the pouring rain. He didn't seem to notice that he was being soaked to the bone while he was watching the flicker of dim light through Snape's front window.
He wasn't sure how long he had been standing there when the front door opened and Severus Snape poked his head out. "I don't personally care if you're trying to freeze to death outside in this rain, but I have whiskey, if that is a more preferable option for you."
Harry wasn't sure what to do, but his body seemed to know because he found himself walking inside Snape's home; this time invited.
"A drying charm works wonders, I hear," Snape said dryly.
Realising he was dripping all over Snape's floors, Harry quickly pulled out his wand and cast the charm on himself. He shivered for a second and realised that he nearly was completely frozen.
Saying nothing more, Snape led the way into the lounge which was now lit with a pleasant fire. Harry sat himself in one of the chairs while Snape poured a glass of whiskey for each of them. Handing one glass to Harry, Snape sat down and watched the younger man for several moments.
"Why were you standing outside my home?" he eventually asked. "If you say you came to apologise-"
Harry laughed. "No. I mean, I'd like to say I'm sorry for snooping, but I'm not."
"Fair enough," Snape said. "So why are you here?"
"When you were drunk," Harry began and Snape groaned loudly.
"You're not the first random person I've kissed whilst inebriated," Snape said a little meanly. "You're not special."
"You said you'd always fancied me," Harry countered.
Snape looked away from Harry for a moment. "That is neither here nor there."
Harry swallowed a long drink of the alcohol, hoping it might give him a little more nerve than he seemed to have right then. "You said it for a reason, though."
"Did you come to mock me, or tell me how offended you are?"
"Have I ever done such a thing in all the years you've known me?" Harry asked. "Besides typical student behaviour, have I ever held such a thing against you?"
Snape didn't answer, but his face made it clear he knew Harry was right.
"I wanted to know if you knew," Harry said finally.
"Knew what?"
"About me, about how I've felt about you."
Snape now looked genuinely confused. "What, exactly, are you on about, Potter?"
Harry took a deep breath. "I've been in-" Harry stopped to reword, "I've had feelings for you for quite some time now. A few people know," he said and then paused again, letting out a nervous laugh. "More than a few people know. I wasn’t sure if anyone let slip my secret."
Severus stared at Harry for a long moment before daring an answer. "No one let it slip," he said carefully.
"I was always discouraged from telling you because of how everyone thought you’d react. Then, when you made that comment whilst drunk, I thought maybe-"
"You came here looking for a chance to bugger me?" Snape asked. There was no emotion in his face or voice, and Harry wasn’t sure the motive behind the question.
"No," Harry said. "I mean, not that a shag wouldn’t be nice, but it’s never really been about that."
Snape licked his lips and took in a couple of breaths. "Do you have more to say on this topic?"
Harry, a little concerned by Snape’s attitude towards him, decided to just get it all out. "Yes," he said. "Remus said something to me last night that frightened me a little. He said that the way I talk about you makes it seem that I’m only interested in you to change you into this non-Snape. I didn’t think I wanted that, but now I’m starting to doubt myself and I’ve decided that before I go on with this fancy, I’d, you know, come out."
Snape sat back and sipped on his whiskey, saying nothing for the longest time. When all of the liquid in his glass was gone, he refilled and sat back down, staring at Harry with an unreadable expression. Harry shifted in his seat in the uncomfortable silence, hoping Snape would speak soon.
"What are you hoping to find out here, Mr Potter? That I’ve been pining for you all this time? If so, I can assure you I have not been."
Harry shook his head, grateful Snape finally said something. "No. I dunno, maybe a date, or something?"
"A date," Snape repeated softly. "What does any of this have to do with you going through my things?"
Harry laughed nervously again and rubbed his face. "Well, you see, I er... that night you were drunk and you told Remus and myself about Amy-"
"Bugger," Snape breathed.
"I sort of... kind of... had it in my head that maybe you wanted to be a father but you didn’t want to do it alone."
Snape frowned and the corner of his eye twitched. "I see."
Harry shrugged helplessly. "It was just a thought."
"A stupid thought," Snape countered. He sighed and then said, "And what did you find out, rifling through my possessions?"
"Her address," Harry said. "You clean up rather well."
"To avoid such problems as this," Snape said. He finished off his second glass of whiskey and set it aside. "One night I went into a Muggle pub and found the atmosphere and alcohol to my liking. I began to frequent said pub and got to know the Muggle serving girl. One night, she ended up having to help me home and during that walk she confessed her feelings for me. She knew I did not fancy women, however, we ended up having sex. I stopped going to that pub and she never came to look for me. Two weeks ago tonight she sent me a letter. I met with her and she explained that she is six months pregnant with my child."
"Oh," Harry said with wide eyes. "Why’re you telling me this?"
Snape shrugged. "You obviously wanted to know, or you would not have violated my home in such a sneaky manner."
Harry flushed. "Right. So would it be out of line to ask you what you’re going to do about it?"
"Not more than she’s asking," Snape said. He pointed to a small mobile on the end table that Harry had overlooked earlier. "She gave me that thing. She said that when the time comes for her to have the baby, it will omit a shrill, ringing noise. I then will open it and press the little green button, which will allow me to hear where to go and what to bring."
Harry snickered. "I know how a mobile works."
"Indeed," Snape said. "That’s all I know at this moment. It’s a delicate situation, Potter, and one I’ve not yet had to deal with in all my years." Snape paused and then said, "Did you ever think you could just ask me?"
"Er," Harry said, "not really."
"Of course not," Snape said. There was a moment of silence before Snape asked, "So would you accompany me on an official date?"
Harry spat out his mouthful of whiskey back into his glass. "What?"
Snape frowned. "Or perhaps not."
"No, wait!" Harry said desperately. "I was just surprised you even want to... I mean... I would most definitely accompany you on a date." He felt ridiculous saying it so formally but he would pretty much say anything to have a chance with Severus Snape.
Snape nodded. "I will be free this Saturday night, if that suits you."
"Anytime will be great," Harry said. He would rearrange his entire schedule, he would rearrange the schedule of the entire Auror Department to go on this date, if he had to.
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Harry had just finished telling Remus and Sirius about his little visit at Snape’s. "So now we have a date Saturday night. He’s going to owl me with better details about when and where to meet."
Sirius made gagging noises but Remus grinned. "It’s better than I could have hoped for you, Harry."
"I just never thought using straightforward honesty with Snape would have gotten me this far," Harry admitted. "He was always so unfair to me as a student and used every bit of truth against me."
"Which is probably what he’s planning on doing to you Saturday," Sirius insisted.
"Sirius," Remus said in warning tones, "they, unlike some, have managed to move on from the past."
Sirius rolled his eyes and walked out of the room grumbling to himself.
"How do you feel now?" Remus asked Harry.
"Great!"
"And you’re certain this is what you want?" Remus asked.
"Positive," Harry said. "Of course, I do worry about the timing and everything. If he really is going to be a father-"
"And if that is the case, and he continues to date you, you will have to adjust," Remus cautioned.
"I’m practically Teddy’s third father," Harry countered. "I think I can handle it."
Remus couldn’t argue there. From the moment Tonks died and Remus brought Teddy home, and even from the moment Sirius returned from the Veil, Harry had been there.
"I just hope you aren’t getting in over your head," Remus said.
"Me too," Harry said with a laugh, and he meant it.
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Two months had gone by, and although the relationship was strange and troubled at times, Harry and Snape seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces. Harry found a comfortable niche in Snape’s life to sit in and in the beginning, the baby wasn’t even mentioned.
One night, when Snape was staying over at Harry’s flat, he suddenly mentioned it. "I think you ought to meet Amy."
Harry, who had been chopping vegetables for their dinner, paused and looked over at his lover. "Meet Amy? Why?"
"I had a thought," Snape said slowly, "and I would like it for you to be there at the birth along with me."
This surprised Harry a little. "Oh."
"Unless you are opposed," Snape said, a little irritation colouring his tone.
"Not at all," Harry said quickly. "I was just taken aback at the request. I’d love to meet her and I’d love to be there with you."
Snape nodded. "Good, because I’ve already arranged for us to meet her tomorrow morning for breakfast."
TBC