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Measure of a Man	By : SailorSol Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 71274 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
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Disclaimer: I don�t own them, please don�t sue me.

MEASURE OF A MAN

Why do you ask him move to heaven and earth

To prove his love has worth?

Would he walk on water?

Would he run through fire?

Would he stand before you,

When it is down to the wire?

Would he gave his life up

To be all he can?

Is that, is that, is that how you measure a man?

Chapter 9

After dinner, Harry and Draco went down to their dorm room to find it empty of their personal possessions. A note on Draco�s bed cleared up the mystery.

�Since you are formally registered with the Ministry, the appropriate place for you is Severus� quarters. I gave orders for the house elves to move your belongings. Good luck, boys.�

They looked at one another, shrugged, and then left the dorm room to make their way to Snape�s quarters.

Once there, they found that Snape�s bedchamber had expanded to accommodate the additional necessary furniture. The bathroom had expanded, as well. The tub was even larger, and there was a shower that was half the size of the shower in the Quidditch locker room.

When they came to the sitting room, after exploring, they were met with another surprise.

There was another door in the wall.

Both of the young wizards tried the door, but it would not open for them. It also would not yield to any unlocking or opening spell that either of them knew.

Finally, they gave up. They decided that they would wait for Snape to tell them what was in the room.

In the meantime, they both chose a place to sit, one on either end of the leather couch that dominated the space near the fire escape. The relaxed, one at each end, with their legs overlapping in the middle. Before they knew it, they were asleep.

**** ****

They woke at the same time, stiff and cold. The fire had gone out, and no one had rebuilt it since house elves were not allowed in Snape�s quarters after dark. They disentangled their legs, massaging them to get the feeling back into them, and then went into the bathroom to perform their morning ablutions and prepare for another day of class.

When they reached the Great Hall, they were a bit surprised to find that only the early risers were at breakfast, both among the students and the teachers. Snape was at the main table, looking as though he hadn�t slept all night. He beckoned them to chairs on either side of him, and poured tea for them when they sat down.

�I am beginning to understand some of the benefits of our situation,� he told them. �I did not sleep all night, but I feel refreshed as though I had. You two look as though you slept very well.�

�Like the dead,� Draco said. �I don�t even remember dreaming. How is Father?�

�Better than expected,� Snape answered. �Dumbledore was understating his recovery as it was, but both he and Miss Granger are much better than they should be. There is only one explanation for it.�

�What�s that?� Harry asked, smearing lemon marmalade on his toast. He had noticed that he was trying new things, because he saw Snape or Draco try them.

�This is a bit of magical theory you ordinarily wouldn�t come across in school,� Snape said. �It�s only discussed and debated at the highest research and academic levels.�

�You mean, at University,� Harry said. �I hadn�t even decided whether I should go, or not.�

�Of course you should,� Snape said. �Some University training is required for the higher level positions in the Auror�s department. If you do not take it now, you will have to take it later.�

�Okay,� Harry said. �So what�s this magical theory?�

�Among the entire magical world, it is theorized that there is at least one perfet match for every witch or wizard,� Snape said. �They do not have to find that match to marry, reproduce, or to be powerful. When they do, however, they will do anything and everything to secure the attentions and affections of that magical match. Their magic will flow more easily, and stronger. They will start to share their match�s tastes, and alter their behavior to make themselves more attractive to this match, or more �worthy� as they perceive it.�

�That�s what�s happened to Father?� Draco asked. �His perfect match is Granger?�

�So it would seem,� Snape said. �There is no other reason that he would chase down her attacker when he was still weak from blood loss, fight to free her, and not let her away from him since. There is equally no other reason for her to cling to him like she does. He is certain enough that he sent me to Gringott�s to fetch his mother�s diamond ring. He never even thought about giving it to Narcissa.�

�Hermione and Lucius Malfoy?� Harry asked. �That�s a match I never would have seen coming. Isn�t that going to make life difficult?�

�If he were planning on living on the estate, yes,� Snape said. �However, he is confined to Hogwarts for the duration of the war. Once the war is over, they can be a guiding force to make sure that someone like the Dark Lord is never created again.�

�I�ve already got an idea,� Harry said. �Severus, do you really dislike children?�

�No,� Snape replied, guarded. �Why do you ask?�

�I know that the last war left a lot of orphans,� Harry said. �This one is likely to leave more. I don�t want any children growing up the way I did, and I don�t want them growing up like Tom. Between the three of us, we control enough money and property to ensure that it doesn�t happen.�

�Are you proposing a magical orphanage?� Draco asked. �That�s amazing! I wonder why no one ever thought of it before?�

�Not exactly an orphanage,� Harry said. �We get someone that loves children to run it, with as many mediwitches and house elves and lower powered witches and wizards as they need to take care of the children, say one person or house elf for every three children.�

�Who do you think should run it?� Draco asked.

�Molly Weasley,� Harry said. �Her children are all grown, or nearly. Ginny�s in fifth year. She�s going to end up raising her grandchildren if someone doesn�t give her something else to do.�

�Time enough for that, later,� Snape said. �In the meantime, when Lucius is released from Hospital Wing, the Headmaster wants him to share quarters with us, so that he is completely safe. If I am correct about his attachment to Miss Granger, then she will likely be spending a great deal of time down in the dungeons, as well, if she is not sorted into Slytherin.�

�It would be nice to keep one friend,� Harry mused softly.

�I have no doubt that she will remain your friend,� Snape said. �I also have no doubt that she will be a strong influence on the Ministry and the Wizarding World in general, in the years to come. I do believe firmly that the Dark Lord is finished.�

�That would be a relief,� Harry said. �I�d like to think that the three of us could finish him. With Hermione helping us � �

� � and the Malfoy library for her to use,� Draco interrupted. �There�s no way he can win.�

�Let�s get back to Hospital Wing,� Harry said. �I want to see how she is.�

�That�s entirely unnecessary, Mister Potter,� Lucius� voice interrupted the conversation.

Stunned, the three lifemates turned to see Lucius entering the Great Hall, impeccably groomed and dressed as always. What surprised them, and astounded everyone in the room, was Hermione, dressed for class. She had her left hand resting atop Lucius� right hand. Conspicuous on the third finger of her left hand was a platinum ring with a large central diamond, surrounded by smaller emeralds.

�I see that I was correct,� Snape said. He drew his wand and conjured two more chairs and enlarged the table enough to allow the two new arrivals to sit with them.

Hesitantly, Harry offered to get Hermione some farina, while Draco helped his father get helpings of eggs, bacon, and toast. Both Lucius and Hermione were solicitous of one another, and after a few moments, the trio just sat back and watched, along with the staff and about half of the students.

Eventually, they were each satisfied that the other had everything they could possibly want, and they settled down to eat. It amused Harry to see Hermione trying kippers, which she had never tried before to his knowledge. He saw Draco smirk as Lucius absentmindedly spread orange marmalade on his toast. Snape was wearing an identical smirk.

Finally, Draco leaned over to Harry and whispered to him that Lucius thought toast was too lowbrow, and so was orange marmalade. In response, Harry shared the information about Hermione�s vastly altered breakfast fare.

After several minutes, Dumbledore and McGonnagall came in, talking to Madam Pomfrey. They stopped together when they saw the pair at the main table, and all three of their faces suddenly wore the same expression: great affection mixed with an equal feeling of relief.

�Well, Mister Malfoy, �Dumbledore said. �It seems that you may have an announcement to make.�

Both Lucius and Hermione froze, mouths full of food, and goblets in hand, at Dumbledore�s words.

Hermione swallowed and turned pale, and then turned frightened eyes to Lucius.

�I was going to wait an announcement until she was of age, Headmaster,� he said. �Forgive me, Minerva, for not seeking your permission, but what exists between us is beyond the permission, or lack thereof, of any parent or guardian.�

�I think I understand, Lucius,� McGonnagall said, smiling fondly at both of them. �I remember you as a brilliant student, fiercely loyal, and quite gentle with those who held your affections. I have no objections whatsoever to the match, and I will make certain that the Ministry understands my position on the subject.

�That being said,� she continued, growing as stern as her students had ever seen her. �If you do anything to bring so much as one moment of unhappiness to this young lady, you will see that the wrath of the Dark Lord is nothing compared to what you will face with me.�

�I understand you, Minerva,� Lucius said. �I hope you will understand that I will do everything in my power to see to it that Hermione does not experience even one moment of distress or discomfort, from this moment on.�

�Just as long as we understand one another, Lucius Malfoy,� McGonnagall said, relaxing a bit. She inclined her head to Dumbledore and then walked ahead of him to her seat at the main table.

Dumbledore didn�t say anything, but he raised his eyebrows and smiled sympathetically at Lucius as he went to his own seat and prepared to begin his own morning meal.

***** *****

Classes never seemed to go more slowly than they did that day. Dumbledore had announced that Hermione would be resorted at dinner, and Harry was dying to find out what house she was going to end up in. Draco had bet him that it would be Ravenclaw, while Harry was betting that she would become a Slytherin.

Finally, the last class of the day was over, and Harry and Draco ran, full speed, through the halls and down into the dungeons.

They practically fell through the door to their and Snape�s quarters, to find him relaxing in front of the fire. Lucius was nearby, on the couch. It was apparent that he and Hermione had settled down to simply relax, and had fallen asleep. Lucius was leaned back into one of the wing backs of the couch. His arms were loosely embracing Hermione. She had an open book in her lap, her hands barely clasping it. Her sleeping face was completely relaxed, and she looked like she was at peace.

�I think it�s time to go get Slytherin�s sword,� Harry said, sotto voce, to Snape. �Do you want to go with me?�

�You�re not trying to leave me out again, are you Harry?� Hermione�s voice, slurred by sleep, made all three wizards jump.

When Harry looked over at her, she hadn�t moved except to tighten her grip on the book in her lap. Her brown eyes, though, were focused completely on him.

�I thought you�d rather stay with Mister Malfoy,� Harry said. �Besides, I wasn�t beaten up a few days ago.�

�I�m going with you, Harry,� she said. �What if you need some cool reasoning?�

�I don�t know that you�d qualify now, Granger,� Draco said. �Are you sure you can keep your head?�

�Of course I can,� Hermione said, sitting up away from Lucius with visible reluctance. �I�m not some hothouse flower.�

�You don�t understand,� Draco said. �Slytherin�s sword is in the Chamber of Secrets.�

�Who do you think helped Harry figure it out, second year?� Hermione snapped. �I know you love him, but he�s not the brightest wick in the candle, is he?�

�You�ve got a point,� Draco said. �I don�t know what my father�s going to say, though.�

�I wouldn�t miss it for the world,� Lucius said sleepily. �Did you really think I�d pass up a chance to see Slytherin�s lair for myself?�

�No, I suppose I was just hoping,� Draco said. �I nearly lost you on Halloween. I don�t want to come that close again.�

�I understand, Draco,� Lucius said. �I also appreciate the sentiment. However, if I remember correctly, Mister Potter dealt with the monster four years ago. Surely, there would be no harm in me seeing the Chamber now.� He sat up so that he was next to Hermione again.

�Perhaps not,� Draco said. �What do you think, Harry?�

�I don�t believe Fawkes would have taken us out of there if the threat wasn�t gone,� Harry said. �I�m sure Severus can use parts of the basilisk that are still there.�

�You have learnt something in Potions, after all,� Snape said, but his tone was affectionate, and there was a smile on his face. He rose from his chair and left the room.

Minutes later, he returned with a leather satchel containing many bottles and jars, as well as implements he might need for extracting parts of an animal, even a basilisk.

�Lead the way,� Lucius said, rising from the couch and taking Hermione�s hand. She put aside the book with one hand and got to her feet to follow him.

Knowing that there was no stopping her if Lucius wasn�t going to object, Harry led all four of them to the bathroom that hid the entrance to the Chamber.

***** *****

Inside, Harry was surprised to find several Gryffindors clustered around the sinks, all hissing in what they probably hoped was Parseltongue. Their hissing didn�t quite drown out the hollow tones of a ghost sobbing.

Hermione took charge of the situation, pushing Harry back into Draco and the two of them out of the door.

�There they are, Professor,� she said loudly. �I told you that I saw boys going into a girls lavatory! They�re probably here just to torment Moaning Myrtle!�

�Well, well,� Snape said. �We do have bad little boys and girls here. Ten points each from Gryffindor, and I will be speaking to Professor McGonnagall about why girls from her house did not stop boys from the same house from going where they did not belong.�

�That won�t be necessary, Severus,� Minerva�s voice interrupted him, and she stepped around him and into the lavatory. �Sir Nicholas informed me that someone was upsetting Myrtle more than she already was, so I came to investigate. Each one of you will serve detention, to be assigned by me. You will also each give me two feet of parchment on the importance of kindness, or at least civility, to ghosts. After that, the Headmaster will want to have words with you, I am sure, about your attempts to get into the Chamber of Secrets.�

�It�s not fair that Potter can get in,� one of them objected. �Why is he so special?�

�Because he can speak Parseltongue,� she replied. �It is a rare gift, and not one that can be faked. Now all of you, out and we are going straight to the Headmaster�s office this instant!� She stepped aside while the students filed out, and then followed the last one, on their way to what would surely be the lecture of their lives.

If they were lucky, all they would get was an evening of manual labor under the caretaker. The more unfortunate ones would probably be turned over to Snape to pickle rat�s kidneys, and other unpleasant things.

After they had gone, Harry and Draco came back in. Hermione walked over to Myrtle�s stall, and opened the door.

�Myrtle, can I do anything?� she asked. The sobs quieted, and the ghost looked up at Hermione.

�Can you lock the door, so they can never come in again?� she asked. �Those beastly boys said that it was a good thing I was a ghost, because no boy would ever want to go out with me!�

�That�s not true!� Draco said, coming up behind Hermione. �There�s lots of girls here right now who can�t hold a candle to you in looks, and even they get asked out. They were just trying to make you cry.�

�Well,� Myrtle said sadly. �They succeeded.�

�You haven�t changed a bit, have you Myrtle?� Lucius asked, walking up behind his son and putting a hand on his shoulder. �You�re still the only female I�ve ever met that was immune to the Malfoy charm.�

�Oh, I�m not immune to it,� Myrtle said coyly, her face brightening. �I just didn�t want you to know. If you�d known that I liked you, you would have stopped coming. As it was, we had four years where I was the only girl you spent time with. I had you all to myself.�

�Why you conniving � � Lucius said appreciatively. �I�m still surprised that you weren�t in Slytherin.�

�I wasn�t sly enough, then,� Myrtle said, smiling at him. �I got more clever after I died.�

�I will come back and chat with you again, Myrtle,� Lucius said. �Perhaps we can pick up on Shakespeare�s sonnets where we left off.�

�I still have the book,� she said. �It�s hidden away. I�ll get it out for you.�

�Thank you,� Lucius said. �For now, we have some business.� He turned to where Harry and Snape stood by the sinks. Harry had opened the entrance, and they were waiting next to it.

�Well,� Harry said nervously. �Shall we? I want to go forward first. If I yell, everyone close your eyes and get out as fast as you can. You can�t slow down a serpent. I can.�

�There is an alternative, Harry,� Snape said. �Basilisks are not immune to the Killing Curse. Lucius and I have both cast it in a battle. We know how to cast it quickly.�

�Very well,� Harry said after a moment. �I�m still going first.�

He stepped off of the edge and slid down into the darkness that shrouded the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.

TBC

Author's Note: Hee Hee! Evil cliffie, I know! I've had complaints about it. Too bad, I'm really into suspense.
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Measure of a Man