Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Take Me To Your Arms	By : nekofreakz Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 6661 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
Chapter 13

Harry sat down on the same chair that he always sat when he visited the Headmaster's office. He looked around the room curiously, as Severus briefed him about Ministry's works. The circular office looked just as it always did: the delicate silver instruments stood on spindle-legged tables, puffing smoke and whirring; and portraits of previous headmasters and headmistresses dozed in their frames.

In fact, there was hardly any change in the office, aside from Dumbledore's missing phoenix, Fawkes; and the empty portrait of Dumbledore himself behind the Headmaster's chair. Sure, there was also a new stack of parchments on the desk before him, which was probably Severus' day-to-day work as Headmaster of Hogwarts, but other than that, there was nothing, that indicated the office belonged to the dark haired man right now.

Harry frowned at the oddity, feeling uneasy. It was as if Severus didn't want to leave his presence in here.

Actually, Severus hadn't jumped at the first chance of becoming the Headmaster of Hogwarts. The man had politely refused the position. Only after, a lot of prodding from Minerva McGonagall, had Severus finally accepted the position.

But, he argued with himself to get rid of his anxiety. It wasn't like Severus really liked to teach a bunch of students that the man called brats.

"Potter!" snapped the other man.

"Yes?" Harry said, apparently startled.

He was so deep in thought that he forgot Severus was still giving a series of instruction to him.

"Tell me, Potter," Severus said in his cold, sneering voice. "Is it really such a strenuous task for you to pay attention?"

"Err…," stammered Harry, not knowing how to appease Severus’ anger. "Sorry…"

Severus’ lip curled and the man was wearing the expression that Harry dubbed as 'Merlin is testing me!' which was probably a good sign since he recognized it as Severus’ version of 'I-Know-You-Are-Such-A-Dunderhead'.

It meant that no heads, especially his own, would roll today.

"Pay attention!" hissed Severus threateningly as the man repeated his instructions.

This time Harry devoted his full attention, commit every word to memory. Severus asked him to repeat it after the man finished giving his instructions. When he accomplished it rightly, Severus’ lips curved into a satisfied half-smile that made his heart flutter.

"Don't mess it up, Potter," Severus said, his dark eyes glinting. "And…"

"…I have to let you know before I make any decisions," Harry continued Severus’ words.

Severus sneered, "Glad to know you're not a complete imbecile, Potter."

Harry had to bit his lip to stop himself from smiling. It was in Severus’ personality to be insulting when the man got annoyed. He found it to be profoundly endearing.

"You are free to go, Potter," said Severus, reaching for a parchment on his desk, clearly dismissing him.

Harry stared with hopeful eyes at Severus for a moment then silently sighed. It looked like he wasn't going to get a goodbye kiss.

Oh, well… Not that I expect Severus to do it. Still, he couldn't help but feeling a bit disappointed.

Harry walked dejectedly to the fireplace. He checked his gold watch, the same watch Ron's parents had given him for his seventeenth birthday. It was still early. If he did it quickly, he could firstly stop by the Diagon Alley and go to the Ministry afterwards without being late.

The black suit that he was wearing was the only working attire that he owned, he had brought it for a social gathering when he was still a member of Special Force in the Exchange Program. Even though he was no fashion expert, he did know it wouldn't do to wear the same attire every day. Madam Malkin's shop in Diagon Alley was the only shop he knew of that sold clothing. Therefore, he could only hope that she also makes muggle suits as well as robes.

He was about to grab a handful of the glittery, silver Floo Powder from the vase near the fireplace when Severus called out his name, stopping him.

"You're wearing that to the Ministry," said Severus, frowning at him or more exactly at his clothes.

"Er…" said Harry dubiously.

Harry looked down to his suit and couldn't find out what was really wrong with it. Yes, it was a bit old, but he thought that it was still good enough to wear and there was no tear on his clothes.

Severus most likely caught his confused look because the older man said, "Not that, Potter! Where is your robe?"

"My robe?" Harry repeated slowly in a puzzled tone.

"Yes, you fool!" said Severus impatiently. "You can't go the Ministry, looking like a muggle, can you?"

"I don't understand," Harry frowned and quickly voiced his disagreement. "I've seen Ministry workers wearing only Muggle suit."

"Of course, you can, Potter," said Severus snidely. "That's if you want to be branded as Muggle-lover."

Harry wrinkled his brow and said heatedly, "Why should I hide it? I'm proud of it!"

"Potter, will you kindly keep your preference to yourself," said Severus, sneering. "I don't care whatever you do if your free time, but when you go to the Ministry; you're the Head of Defence! And you should remember that it means you reflected the whole department's political view!"

"Stating yourself as Muggle-lover is definitely not wise!" ranted Severus. "You might not notice it, but Defence Department is the power in the Ministry, therefore to stay neutral is the best decision when the situation is barely stable, unless you wish to wage another war!"

"You think why Voldemort can gain so many followers in the first place?" continued Severus, his voice dropping a notch. "It's because the notion of Muggle-hater and Muggle-lover! The old belief against the new belief!"

Harry stood astonished, never had he thought it that way. Even though, Severus was right about it, a part of him wanted to say, For Merlin's sake! It's just a robe! Who would have thought it was such a life-changing decision?

Harry cringed and prepared himself for another lecture from Severus because no matter how it make sense or not, the problem was still there.

Harry sighed then mumbled, "I don't have any robes."

"I beg your pardon?" said Severus, narrowing his eyes.

Harry cleared his throat and repeated it more clearly, "I don't have any robes besides my old school robes."

Severus lips thinned in displeasure. The man was wearing a torn expression as if he couldn’t decide either to lash out at him or to simply Hex him here and now. But instead of doing any of that, Severus stood up from his chair and strode to the cabinet, then pulled out a long black fabric that turned out to be a robe as the man handed it over to him.

Harry looked at Severus questioningly.

"It's mine," said Severus curtly.

When he hesitated to take it from him, Severus added irritably, "You don't have to worry, Potter. It's clean! The house-elf has just washed it!"

Harry turned pink as he took it from Severus. He mumbled his thanks and hurriedly went to the fireplace, almost running actually. He grabbed the Floo Powder and threw it into the fireplace.

Harry quickly stepped into it, yelling, "Diagon Alley!"

XxXxX

Harry stumbled out from a fireplace, coughing. He had accidentally inhaled the smoke. The Floo was never his favourite way to travel. However, this time, he welcomed the mild problem. It was still better than to stay in Severus' office and let the man knew he was such a pervert that he preferred the used robe than a clean one.

He patted the dust harshly from his pants as if the action could also send his dirty mind packing away. Get a grip on yourself, stupid! Severus was already kind enough to lend you his robe. He doesn't need you to defile him further!

He took a deep breath to calm himself then scanned his surroundings. Apparently, he had Flooed into Quality Quidditch Supplies shop. It was one of his favourite shops, but he had no time to visit it right now and quickly got out from the shop.

Despite of the early hour, the Diagon Alley was already bustling with wizards and witches, who fortunately didn't pay any attention to him. He strode along the path as fast as he could until he reached Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

The bell made a tinkling sound as he pushed open the door and walked into it. He found himself being greeted by Madam Malkin herself who still remembered him. It wasn't a strange thing since he had brought his school robe for years at this shop.

"Harry Potter! What a nice surprise, what can I do for you, dear?" said the witch with a very friendly smile.

Harry explained briskly to her that he would need enough office suits and robes enough for a week. After some thought, he also added a formal robe to his list, just in case if someday he would need it. When Madam Malkin asked his preferences on the fabric, he gave a shudder as he remembered Lockhart, his former D.A.D.A. Professor.

"Nothing too colourful or bright," he said firmly.

Madam Malkin's eyes sparkled with interest and she said brightly, "I think there is a perfect match to your need."

The old witch waved her wand and some fabric came flying from the back of the shop. She promptly introduced it as a 'temperature-adjusting' fabric. It was charmed to be cool to the skin when the weather was hot and to be hot when the weather was cold.

"I assure you that these are the best material that we had, but it isn't very popular due to the colour," said Madam Malkin.

Harry looked at that fabrics, each of it had different colour but all fabrics had one similarity that the colours were quite dark and might be categorized as gloomy.

It suits my need, thought Harry with appreciation.

The old witch continued, "And it's quite a fortune each but I can guarantee…"

"I'll take it," said Harry quickly.

"Brilliant choice, Mr. Potter," Madam Malkin gushed.

Harry was a bit flushed, embarrassed. Madam Malkin was a natural born sales-person. He got a feeling that he would spend more than he ought to if he stayed here for a longer time.

"Oh –then please follow me, Mr. Potter," said Madam Malkin cheerfully.

They went to the back of the store where the fitting room was. Madam Malkin waved her wand and measuring tape came from the tip of her wand. It didn't take a long time to finish measuring him. But after that she presented him an amazing number of neckties with different colours and patterns. She asked him to choose which he would want to go with the suits.

Harry blinked dizzily at that and said, "I trust in your taste, Madam."

She chuckled merrily and said in a teasing tone, "Is that mean that there won't be any Mrs. Potter soon?"

Harry blushed and kept his reply to himself. There won't be any Mrs. Potter if his wooing plan is successful.

"I have to go now," said Harry, avoiding the question. "I trust it won't take too long to finish it?"

"Of course, Mr. Potter," said the witch readily. "It'll be finished this evening. Do you want it to be delivered?"

Harry thought about it for a moment. He couldn't ask it to be delivered to Sirius's house since it was still hidden under Fidelius charm.

"No, I'll pick it up myself," answered Harry.

Madam Malkin confirmed that she would send him an owl when the suits were ready for the pick-up. The cost of the suits was quite a fortune, not enough to make him bankrupt but high enough to buy a Firebolt when the broom first came out, and that was definitely saying something.

It was more than he could cover by the Galleons in his pockets. So he promised her that he would immediately write a note to Gringotts to send the rest of the payment from his vault. Madam Malkin assured him that it was alright and he was welcomed any time in her shop. Then again, who wouldn't when he had just provided a high income for her?

Harry put on Severus’ black robe, smiling fondly at the thought of the owner of the oversized robe then walked to the door. However, as he passed the window, he spotted a crowd that had gathered in front of the shop. A strong feeling that could only described as dread washed over him. He might be a vain man to assume that they had gathered because of him. However, it was safer to be vain than to be mobbed to test that.

He chose the cowardly way and took a step back then asked Madam Malkin whether he could Apparate inside of her shop, because it wasn't polite not to ask her and she might have put up the Anti-Disapparition Jinx.

"Oh, my," said the witch, peering amusedly to the outside of her window's shop. "Yes, of course, you can, Mr. Potter."

Harry felt a bit embarrassed when she delivered a knowing look, proving that his initial assumption was right. He hastily said his thanks to her then Disapparated with a loud crack.

XxXxX

A huge thanks to my Beta, Cazzylove. To all the reader, thank you for still following this story ^_^
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Take Me To Your Arms