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Black Roses	By : BlackDawnRose Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 16093 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters only this plot, no money is being made from this story

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
Hi all, thank you for the reviews :) I've stollen my brother's internet for the day to post this so be grateful LOL. I hope you enjoy the update xxoo

The next couple of weeks were busy ones for the entire group, but the holidays swiftly arrived and the entire school buzzed with excitement. Harry could easily understand this, it was the first Christmas in quite a while where the threat of Voldemort wasn’t hanging over everyone’s heads. Harry’s last class of the day prior to holidays was DADA and he headed there with his friends happily, as he knew, no matter what they were doing for the lesson, he’d be seeing Severus.

They reached the classroom to find Severus waiting outside with professor McGonagall and a small group of students who’d arrived at DADA class earlier than themselves. The two professors looked up as the group approached and it took everything in Harry not to grin at Severus as their gazes met.

“Is something the matter, Professors?” Hermione asked as they reached the group.

“No, nothing is the matter, Miss Granger,” McGonagall replied with a serious expression. “Professor Snape and I have been called to see Professor Dumbledore so your class for the afternoon had been cancelled. Would you be so good as to inform the rest of your class when they arrive?” she asked.

“Of course, professor,” Hermione agreed and Harry’s eyes flew to Severus while McGonagall’s attention was elsewhere. Severus raised his eyebrow almost imperceptibly in a gesture that Harry knew meant the man would inform him what the meeting was about later.

McGonagall thanked Hermione and the two professors headed off for Dumbledore’s office Severus’ hand lightly touching Harry’s as he passed. Harry couldn’t help but feel that something was wrong and from the look on the rest of the group’s faces he knew he wasn’t the only one.

“Am I the only one who thinks there’s something bad going on here?” Blaise asked.

“No,” Hermione replied.

“You don’t think this is about us going away do you?” Pansy asked.

“Maybe, either that or it’s about who we asked to chaperone,” Draco replied.

“Either way I’m going to go and wait outside Dumbledore’s office for professor Snape,” Harry decided. Draco opted to go with him and the pair made their way swiftly to the headmaster’s office, promising to fill the others in when they got back to the dorm.

XX

When Severus and Minerva arrived at Dumbledore’s office they were greeted by the site of the Ministry’s newly appointed Minister of Education as well as a wizard from the Hogwarts board of directors. The two ministers introduced themselves to Severus and Minerva who shook their hands cautiously before Albus offered for everyone to sit. Severus didn’t want to sit and he could tell Minerva didn’t want to either, but they did as they were bid and once everyone was settled the education minister began to speak.

“It has come to our attention that there are a small group of your students who have decided they wish to spend their Christmas holidays away from Hogwarts and are not staying with relatives, is this correct?” he asked

“It is, Minister, the young men and women have chosen to take a holiday together as they have no family to spend Christmas with and they didn’t want to remain here with the reminders of the war all around them,” Albus replied.

“I see,” the minister replied with a nod. “And Correct me if I’m wrong but these students are from both Gryffindor and Slytherin?” he asked.

“That is correct,” Albus replied.

“And Professor Snape will be accompanying them on this trip?” the man asked.

“He is indeed,” Albus replied.

“If I may ask, Minister, what is it you are here to address?” Minerva asked. “The young men and women involved are past the age of majority, they are fully within their rights to spend their holidays where they see fit.”

“That is not in question, Professor McGonagall,” the minister replied. “The children are more than capable of making these decisions for themselves and doing as they please. No, what concerns us is that a number of these children are either known Death Eaters or children of known Death Eaters.”

“They were all cleared of any charges,” Severus reminded the man, annoyed that Draco, Pansy, Theo and Blaise were being treated this way.

“That may be, but you can understand the concern it causes us to know that Harry Potter and two of his strongest supporters would be alone and unsupervised with several people that may wish them harm,” the minister argued.

Severus knew where this was leading.

“They won’t be alone, they will have Severus with them,” Albus explained, but Severus knew what the minister’s reply would be before he said it.

“Yes, Professor Snape, another Death Eater,” the man argued, exactly as Severus knew he would.

“Former Death Eater and a man who placed everything on the line to spy for our side,” Albus argued. “That sacrifice has been recognised by the Minister of Magic and defended by both Harry Potter and myself; you have no right questioning his loyalty.”

Go Albus.

“I am well aware of your belief in Professor Snape’s innocence, nevertheless, the department of education, while already having concerns about Professor Snape’s interaction with the students at Hogwarts during his daily classes, is more concerned about the possibility of him being alone and isolated from the rest of society with the boy who saved our world. If Mr Potter wishes to spend his Christmas away from the protection of the ministry that is his choice, however for his sake and the sake of Miss Granger and Miss Weasley we demand that another chaperone be assigned,” the Minister said coldly, glaring at Severus.

For a moment there was silence; then Albus spoke. “There was no chaperone assigned for this trip, Minister, as we have already discussed the young men and women attending his trip do not require one. Severus was their choice to accompany them not ours and who they have on holidays with them is their decision not anybody else’s.”

“You expect us to believe that those children asked Professor Snape to accompany them?” the wizard from the Hogwarts board of directors spoke for the first time since his introduction. “I have a son attending this school, Headmaster, I know exactly how the children feel about Professor Snape and it’s not at all warm and fuzzy.”

Well, yeah, fair cop there.

“Are you accusing me of deceit?” Albus asked with a calm that made both Severus and Minerva stiffen. They knew that tone and they were well aware of what was beneath it.

“We are not accusing you of anything, Headmaster, we are just having a little difficulty believing your words,” the minister replied.

Of course you are

“You may have all the difficulty you wish, Director, it doesn’t change the reality of the situation, and as I did not assign the young people a chaperone I will not be assigning another!” Albus subtly snapped.

“Very well, we will believe you even though we can see no legitimate reason for it to be so,” the Minister deferred, a mixture of fear and arrogance on his face. “In that case you do not need to assign another chaperone, just subtly suggest to the boy that there might be someone more suitable for the role. You are his Headmaster after all, I have been told he admires you greatly, he will listen to you if you make a persuasive enough argument and I know you are more than capable of that,” the Minister said with a scheming look in his eye. “Harry might be the saviour of the wizarding world but he is still a young man, Albus, he needs to be guided in the right direction by those who know what’s best for him.”

“Mr Potter knows what’s best for him,” Severus argued, annoyed that this man wanted to control Harry.

“That is not for you to say, Professor Snape,” the Director scolded.

“No, it is for me to say!”

Everyone present turned to find Harry and Draco standing just inside the door, looking far less than impressed. Magic sparked from Harry as he stalked forward and glared into the Minister’s now quite frightened eyes. Dumbledore must have been expecting their arrival and let them in to his office at just the right time. Was there anything that damned old man didn’t know?

“How dare you even think to try and control me?! Harry snarled. “I saved you, I saved everyone in this damn world as a matter of fact, a feat that was only possible because of Professor Snape and several people you seem quite eager to label as Death Eaters, and you dare to presume that you know what is best for me! I am a grown adult not some lost, frightened, cowering little boy that you can push around and control. I will decide where I go, what I do and who I do it with and you will have no say in the matter! More importantly you will not bad mouth my friends or Professor Snape! I don’t know what makes you think you have the right to stand up there on your high horse and talk down to people who put their lives on the line to save our world but it is going to stop. You weren’t here fighting, you have no idea what it was like to be in their shoes and you have no right to judge them for something you know nothing about, am I clear?! ”

Severus had to admit he’d never found Harry more attractive than he did at this moment, not because of the very impressive cloud of magic that was currently filling the room with angry sparks, but because in that moment, Severus saw nothing more than an exceptionally powerful, grown wizard, standing up for himself, and although the other men in the room didn’t realise it, his love. In that moment Harry wasn’t a student or even a teenager, he was an adult, and for the first time since their relationship started Severus didn’t feel like he was betraying his role of Professor by fraternising with a student.

Harry wasn’t a child anymore, Harry was a man and Severus had never been more aware of that fact.

The minister cleared his throat. “Of course, Mr Potter, we had no intention of trying to control you,” he said with more than a little quiver in his voice.

Sure you didn’t.

“Don’t bother lying to me, I know better,” Harry snapped. “I am going on my holiday, my friends are coming with me and Professor Snape will be accompanying us. Whatever you might think of our plans can be thrown off a damn cliff for all I care and you’d best remember that!”

“So, um … it’s true that you invited Professor Snape to join you and the others on this holiday then?” the Director asked nervously. drawing Harry’s attention to him.

“Yes,” Harry replied.

“Why?” the Minister asked and Harry’s angry glare returned to him.

“I hardly think that’s any of your business, Minister,” Harry spat the man’s title. “My decisions are not yours to question.”

“You’ll forgive us for asking, Harry, but you must understand our concern,” the Minister argued.

“Don’t call me Harry,” the Gryffindor immediately corrected. “And no, I don’t. You have no business digging into my affairs and you can stay the hell out of them!” Harry turned to Dumbledore then, “Headmaster,” he swung his attention to Minerva and Severus, “Professors.” He gave them all a kurt nod, his gaze lingering on Severus for just a moment before he turned back to the Minister and the Director. “Is there anything else about me you want to discuss, or am I free to return to my room and pack without checking for knives in my back?” he snarled.

“No, um, that will be all, Mr Potter,” the Director replied hesitantly.

“Very well,” he turned to face Albus once more. “Is Professor Snape’s presence still required? If it’s not there are a few travel details I’d like to go through with him,” he asked.

“No, Professor Snape may go if there’s nothing he wishes to remain for,” Albus replied, looking at Severus questioningly.

“No, Headmaster, that’ll be all,” Severus replied moving to his feet.

“Thank you, Severus, enjoy your holiday,” Albus said with a smile.

Severus nodded to him and McGonagall before following Harry out of the office, fighting against the urge to hex the Minister and the Director as he passed them.

The group walked silently through the halls of Hogwarts, down to the dungeons and through to the common room. Here they parted, Draco heading down to his prefect room, Harry following Severus down the hidden hallway to Severus’ room. As soon as they were inside and the door was closed Harry exploded.

“How dare those bastards do that to you?! And trying to control me like that, who the hell do they think they are?! I want to go back in there and hex their heads from their shoulders, those smarmy, self-important-”

Severus cut him off with a thorough kiss, slipping his fingers into Harry’s short, spiky hair and pulling him close. He hadn’t meant to, he had been intending to allow Harry his rant before soothing him with words and maybe a hug, but when he’d stormed in like that, his magic sparking around him and his gorgeous green eyes blazing, Severus couldn’t help it. It heated his blood in such a wonderful way to see Harry like that.

Harry, his Harry, his gorgeous, powerful, beautiful, green-eyed man.

Harry had stiffened as soon as Severus’ lips had touched his, most likely in surprise, but he quickly recovered and kissed back slipping his hands up to grab the front of Severus’ robes in a vice grip, a soft moan escaping his throat. It was heated and desperate, full of desire and longing and it took every ounce of restraint Severus had to end it before they got too carried away. He pulled back just enough to create a gap between their lips and gazed into Harry’s wide, emerald eyes. The younger man’s grip loosened slightly on Severus’ robes but didn’t let go and for the longest time they just stared at each other, desire written all over Harry’s face which Severus was more than positive was mirrored on his own.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Harry spoke. “Can I stop being a student now?” he asked softly, his fingers gently stroking the fabric of Severus’ robes.

Severus moved his hands from Harry’s hair down to gently stroke his arms. “You have no idea how much I wish you could right now,” he replied softly.

Harry let out a disappointed groan and leant into him, burying his face in Severus’ neck. Severus slipped his arms around Harry’s back and held him tightly. They stood there like that for several minutes allowing their bodies to calm down before Severus spoke.

“I understand your anger, believe me, when those men were talking about you as if you were a pawn to be controlled and speaking of Draco as if he were the root of all evil, I wanted to hex their heads from their shoulders, and I would have too if I didn’t think Albus would have my head for covering his office in blood,” Severus told him, smiling lightly at the chuckle this provoked in the young man he loved. “You have every right to be angry, Harry, but don’t let it spoil your holidays. They might have tried to control you but they didn’t succeed, you stood up for yourself, proved you have the guts to do so and they won’t soon forget it.”

He heard Harry sigh and the young man pulled back to look at him. “I know they didn’t and honestly it’s not like I expected anything different; the Ministry are run by politicians after all.” Severus nodded in agreement. “I know the good publicity they’d pull if they had the “boy who lived and triumphed again” on their side, and honestly, I’m surprised they didn’t try something sooner; I’m angry about it but I also expected it.” Harry paused and an angry scowl crossed his face. “But hearing them call you a Death Eater, after everything you did to save us all during the war, I just … I’m so angry I could explode. They have no idea about anything and they’re the ones presiding over the school and what goes on here; it makes me angry and worries me at the same time,” Harry admitted angrily.

“Why does it worry you, Harry?” Severus asked softly concerned and curious about what the young man meant.

Harry sighed and leant forward to snuggle into Severus again. “I’m worried about you,” he confessed softly. “I know Dumbledore’s here and he’s a plenty resourceful and sneaky old man who seems to know everything about everything and would do anything to keep you safe but … he’s still bound by the rules the governors set, and even if he weren’t he won’t be here forever. I’m worried that they’ll try to hurt you. I mean I know you’re plenty capable of defending yourself but … there are a lot of different ways to harm a person, as you well know. People like that are the reason good men like you end up hurt and ruined and I don’t want anyone to ever harm you. Men like that shouldn’t be in the positions they’re in and it makes me so angry that they are, I just …” Harry trailed off with a sigh and pulled away from Severus, placing some distance between them. He raked a hand through his hair before pulling it back and studying it closely, a puzzled expression momentarily crossing his beautiful features.

Severus cocked his head to the side and watched the young man curiously until realisation dawned on his lovely face.

“That’s right, Draco put gel in it this morning,” he said to himself as if he’d just solved a huge mystery and it took everything in Severus not to laugh at how truly adorable the young man looked. Harry sighed again and dropped down onto the couch resting his head in his hands. “I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t be letting my temper get the better of me, I’m not a child anymore,” he said softly and Severus moved to sit beside him on the couch.

“There are some moments where we simply cannot control how we react to someone or something no matter how much we try,” Severus assured the Gryffindor reaching across to stroke his back soothingly. “Your anger in this instance is understandable, Harry, you shouldn’t be upset with yourself because of it.”

Harry didn’t say anything in reply and that gave Severus a moment to think back to Harry’s earlier words. The Gryffindor was worried about him. He was more angry on Severus’ behalf and afraid for Severus’ wellbeing than he was concerned about himself and what the ministry wanted to do to him. It filled Severus with warmth to know Harry cared for him so much, even if he thought the young man should be more concerned about himself.

Knowing he shouldn’t, but not concerned enough to care right at that moment Severus reached out with his free hand and turned Harry’s face to look at him. Harry had a second to look at him curiously before Severus covered Harry’s lips with his own in a gentle kiss. Harry sighed contentedly and slipped his hands up around Severus’ neck pulling himself gently closer. It was only a short kiss but Severus could feel the tension drain out of Harry with each second that passed.

They’d just parted when a knock on Severus’ door had them springing apart and the DADA professor took a deep breath before calling out to ask who was there.

“It’s Albus, Severus, may I come in?” the Headmaster’s voice called through the door and the pair exchanged a quick peck on the lips before Harry disappeared into the spare room and through the door to the Slytherin dorm.

Severus took a moment to ensure his robes and hair were tidy before moving to open the door and greet the Headmaster. “Albus, to what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked politely, moving aside to allow the man entry.

Albus entered the room and Severus closed the door behind him before offering him a seat and a cup of tea. Albus agreed to the tea and once it was delivered and they both had their cups Albus spoke. “I was concerned about you, my boy,” he said, a concerned glint in his bright, blue eyes. “That was not the most pleasant of meetings.”

“Indeed it was not. However, not expecting such treatment from the ministry after the war was over would only have been naïve. We both know I did a great many things I am not proud of during the first war and more that were unpleasant but necessary during the second. I’ve made more than my share of enemies over the years and they were bound to come back to cause me issues eventually,” Severus replied calmly.

“Still, having one of my staff attacked is not something I will ever stand for and I will be having words with the minister of magic about your treatment,” Albus assured him with an angry edge to his voice.

“Very well,” Severus replied. He knew it was pointless but Albus rarely listened to anyone when they told him that, he may as well just agree..

Albus nodded in return and took another sip of his tea. “I wanted to tell you how pleased I am that you and Harry seem to have sorted out your differences,” he praised, the happy twinkle returning to his bright eyes. “I always knew you had it in you and I am very proud of you both.”

Severus simply nodded in reply, proud of his ability to control his facial expressions. Had he not possessed such control the dark red blush that would likely have covered his face, as the man’s comment reminded him of what he and Harry were doing when Albus knocked, would have given away that there was something going on between them for sure.

“There’s something else I must discuss with you as,” Albus said, becoming serious again. “There was another reason the ministers came to visit the school today.”

“Oh?” Severus asked curiously.

“Yes, it appears they wish Hogwarts to house a group of students from another school for the remainder of the year,” Albus explained.

“Which school?” Severus asked.

“Torchwood Academy, have you heard of it?” Albus asked.

“Of course,” Severus replied. The entire teaching staff were aware of the controversial new school that had been created, not long before the second war started, by muggle-born and half-blood witches and wizards. It had been designed specifically to cater to the muggle-born community and allowed only half blood and muggle-born students to attend. It provided the students with lessons in both magical and muggle courses of study so its students could easily continue their education or pursue a career in either world.

Many in the wizarding world had been in outrage over it, as many wizarding schools had been forced by the ministry to allow students from all blood codes to attend while Torchwood had not been similarly pressured. Most of the pure blooded wizards and witches demanded that if Torchwood was to be allowed to discriminate and not allow pure blooded children admittance then the muggle born children should be kicked out of other schools and forced to go there. Severus couldn’t blame them for being upset, but it wasn’t as if any of them would send their children to the school even if it were allowed so it was a moot point. Still it was unfair and a huge case of the ministry being hypocritical.

“It seems their school was very badly damaged during the war,” Albus continued.

So was Hogwarts, and the staff had repaired it themselves along with the students. Severus didn’t understand why the Torchwood staff couldn’t do the same. Their school was a lot smaller and it hadn’t been the site of the final battle.

“And for some reason the reconstruction has been delayed until next year meaning the children, who so far had been attending muggle institutions to at least be able to continue that end of their education, need to attend a magical institution for the remainder of the year to satisfy that end of their required study,” Albus explained.

“And we’re the only school who will take them,” Severus stated, knowing where this was leading. Damn Albus, why couldn’t he have just said no for once!

“Precisely,” Albus confirmed. “They’ve angered many among the wizarding world with their refusal to accept pure blooded children, which means Durmstrang and Beaubaxtons are refusing the students admittance as are many other schools. I could just as easily follow the same path these schools have chosen, but I feel someone needs to be above the prejudice or it will never end,” he stated with purpose. “It will earn me a good deal of scorn from many of the Hogwarts parents, but I will simply have to cross that bridge when I come to it.”

“Are the other teachers aware?” Severus asked, doing his best not to rub his temples in order to ease the headache he could feel brewing at the thought of how stressful the next semester would be. This was not a good idea, not at all; the Hogwarts students had been through enough upset the previous year, they didn’t need to have another wrench thrown into their lives when they were finally getting back on track.

“Minerva is, I was planning on informing the rest of the staff at the final faculty meeting of the semester which you will unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, be away for,” Albus replied.

Severus agreed with the fortunately.

“When will they be arriving?” Severus asked.

“The day before school resumes for the semester,” Albus replied. “I am working on a dormitory for them as we speak; I thought it best to house them in a separate area to the rest of the students.”

“I agree that would be best,” Severus agreed. “Are you going to inform the students before they leave for the holidays?” he asked.

“I was considering it, but the ministry has ordered that I do not as they do not want the Pure-blood children’s parents causing an issue before the Torchwood students have had a chance to settle in a little,” Albus replied and Severus wanted to strangle him. Not telling the students that their school was going to be a lot more crowded was just plain rude and the parents had a right to know what was going on and complain if they wished, it was their children’s school after all. Severus knew there was no point arguing with the headmaster however, so he simply remained silent, mulling over what he should do about this latest development. Should he tell his snakes before they left for holidays?

Albus finished his tea. “Well I’d best leave you to pack,” he said moving to his feet. “I do hope you will enjoy your holiday, Severus, it’s been far too long since you’ve had one.”

Severus could only agree with that statement and he knew he’d be doubly thankful that he’d had it when he returned the following semester. He showed the old wizard to the door and Albus wished him a happy Christmas, which Severus returned, before leaving the room.

“Oh, Severus, do tell Harry the roses are lovely,” Albus called, causing Severus to halt in his closing of the door and peer out of the doorway at the headmaster, who’d paused on is way down the corridor and turned to grin at him.

“I have no idea what you are talking about, Albus,” he replied nonchalantly, although inside his heart was racing.

Dumbledore simply smiled wider and turned to resume his walk down the corridor, humming what Severus thought sounded like ‘Endless Love’ as he went.

Severus slipped back into the room and closed the door behind him. Did Albus know the roses were from Harry or was he trying to prod Severus into admitting something? He cursed himself mentally for not leaving the vase containing the remaining live, black roses Harry had given him in his room so others couldn’t see them. He had thought about doing so, but he didn’t often have visitors and he liked having the roses in the living area, they cheered him up when he walked through the door after a hard days teaching.

He pushed that particular worry away for now. He had other things to think about and top of his list was ensuring he had everything packed and finding time to sit all of the students in his house down to inform them of the new children they’d be sharing their school with next semester. He didn’t want to cause Albus issues earlier than were necessary, but most of his house were pure blooded witches and wizards and he wanted to give them due warning of what was coming. Many of them were not overly accepting of muggleborn students it was true, but most of them had managed to rise above their prejudice during or after the war, Draco included, and just wanted to graduate school with good marks, they didn’t care who was around them while they did it. The Torchwood students, if word around the wizarding world was to be believed, had a hatred for pure-bloods which had only grown during the war and could cause a lot of trouble for many of his snakes.

He knew the children would tell their parents and many of those would complain and protest to Albus and the ministry about the decision, which would make Albus’ job difficult, but it was their right to know what was happening at the school their children were attending. In all honestly Severus thought Albus may not have given this particular decision enough thought before he made it. Their school had been moving toward peace between the houses, something that could only be viewed as a positive thing; didn’t he see that this was only going to cause fighting?

The Hogwarts students had been through a lot together during the final battle; that was what made a lot of this peace possible. No students outside of their school could ever quite understand what took place and how it had changed them all. Yes the Torchwood students had lost their school and very likely a large number of their students, but Severus knew it was more likely to have made them angrier at pure-blooded wizards than more accepting as the war had done for the Hogwarts students. The final battle had happened on the Hogwarts grounds, being a part of that changed a person and he was sure Hogwarts had lost a good deal more than most other schools. It was only through all of the students pulling together that the school was left standing at all, had that not happened he doubted the students would be taking to the idea of interhouse friendship, even if Albus and the other professors were pushing for it.

He was sad for the Torchwood students, he honestly was, and he knew Albus was just trying to do the right thing; but he had to look out for the best interests of the students currently attending Hogwarts and if that meant telling his snakes so their parents could be told ahead of schedule he’d do it. Of course there were many at Hogwarts who no longer had parents to fight for them, but at least if he told them they’d be prepared for what was coming and he swore to himself he’d protect those who had no one else to do so, regardless of the cost.

Decided he made his way to Pansy and Draco’s rooms and asked them to gather all of the Slytherins in the common room before returning to his room to get his packing done. Once again he would do what was right, even if it earned him more enemies.

XX

So what did we think? A bit of kissing and cuddling for Harry and Sev :). Dumbledore is bring his sneaky self, what does he know? Also we know there will be new students along soon and I've called it Torchwood Academy, not because I'm going to turn this into a cross over, don't worry, but because of why Torchwood was created in that universe (If you don't know it's easy to look up) Next chapter will be the holiday, I'll get it out as soon as I get internet on. Let me know what you think, I do love reviews :)
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Black Roses