Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

To Protect	By : VSBree Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 30534 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 7
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and characters. All rights are reserved to J.K. Rowling. This is a story of fiction, and I am making no profit from it.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
AN: A big thank you to KitElizaKing for her review and to others following and reading. I hope you enjoy this chapter :)
Warning: Contains mild sexual content between to male characters.
To Protect
Chapter Two
The small room was deafening in the silence that ensued shortly after Harry posed the question. It would seem his usually stoic mentor could be caught off guard, and Harry felt his pride give way to an arrogant smile despite himself. It was not his initial purpose, but it was certainly welcomed as Severus's eyes had gone slightly wide, and for once in what Harry was sure to be a very long time, he had been rendered speechless.
“On what authority made you privy to that information,” Severus finally hissed out.
“No authority, Severus. It was merely a hunch,” Harry replied smugly. “A hunch that seems to be correct. How the tables have turned...” Harry leaned backwards, resting his palms of the bed, and allowed his smile to broaden. “Stop stalling. What are you not telling me?”
“Trembling with frustration looks better on you Potter. Arrogant and prideful are characteristics of you late father. Very unbecoming characteristics,” Severus sneered.
“Someone has to put you in your place,” Harry replied nonchalantly but immediately regretted the words as soon as they left his lips. Severus was hovering over him causing the sudden stutter of his heart, and his confident smile to waver. He had almost forgotten just how intimidating the other man was when angered. A mistake he was sure to pay dearly for. Severus was burning holes into his confidence with the steady blaze in onyx eyes, and soon Harry was barely able to contain his previous resolve to get answers.
“I see that you have forgotten to just whom you converse with Potter,” Severus enunciated each word with a deep, menacing tone. “It would be my explicit pleasure to remind you. You do not demand anything of me. I may not be your professor Potter, but you became my charge as soon as you returned to Hogwarts. I will tell you that which is imperative for you to know but nothing further. Recently, you have been indolent to sensing danger, so I will only warn you in this singular instance; be assured, no warning will be given the next time you speak disrespectfully. Understood Potter?”
'Well there goes the relaxed air of earlier,' Harry thought bitterly. He was entirely at fault. He had forgotten himself and allowed his arrogance to get the better of him. He was, however, curious as to why Severus was keeping the true purpose for their staying together a secret.
“There is a pub down the road that serves food,” Severus cut through Harry's thoughts with the change of subject. “We will dine there before we continue our collection of ingredients.”
“And after?” Harry posed.
“We will await dawn in whatever fashion you see fit,” Severus sneered. “I am not to decide the entirety of your schedule Potter.”
“I was just checking as you've made it clear how very little you think me capable of,” Harry mumbled to himself. The scowl deepened on his mentor's brow, but nothing more was said as he followed his dark counterpart out of the inn and down the unpaved road.
The pub was bustling with life despite the country surroundings. It would be hard to believe that this little town would have so many individuals at a pub at one time, but many of the patrons were sitting in their seats ready to be there for the day. The local football team was playing on an aged television while the bartender chatted away with several older men drinking pints at the bar.
Their arrival was noticed as many stares greeted them when they entered. Harry was use to the attentions of others, but these folks all looked unaware to the world of magic. Severus led Harry to one of the booths hidden from the view of the many and sat as elegantly as you could when you had to 'scoot' to sit. Harry covered his mouth to hide the smile, and he slid opposite of the older wizard.
“This place is nice,” he commented lightly. Severus only grunted in response. He was already looking over the menu. Harry fidgeted with his shirt hem before deciding to look over the menu for himself. “I would have never believed you would intentionally choose a non-magic city.” He finally looked from the menu to point his gaze at Severus who ignored him and continued his assessment of various Irish dishes.
Before Severus could say anything in return, a petite lady with curling brown tresses drawn into a ponytail and sparkling emerald eyes bounced over to the table with a bubbly smile. “Well I don't believe I have see you two lads before. What will you be having?”
“I will have an English black tea and the beef stew,” Severus replied monotone.
“I'll have the same,” Harry finally said as she gazed over to him. Her eyes danced over his face with silent interest. Her smile widened as she gave him an approving wink. Severus sighed irritably, but Harry returned her smile with one of his own.
“Right,” she smiled. “They'll be out soon.”
Silence followed her departure, and Harry was strangely nervous because of it. Severus was watching him with another one of his unreadable expressions, but the gaze was igniting a heat deep in his belly. There was something in the older wizard's stare that struck him to the core. Readjusting in his seat as the warmth continued to spread throughout his body, Harry looked away.
“An open book as always,” Severus said. Harry stiffened at the underlining joke. Severus was reading his mind again. He closed his eyes and internally cursed Severus's ability to make light of his feelings.
“I preferred it when you ignored my existence,” Harry bit out.
“There was not a time when your existence could be ignored,” Severus replied coolly. “I was often reminded of it anytime I would attempt to ignore it.”
A jolt ran the length of his spine. 'Don't read into it. He's baiting you again.' Instead of a reply, he merely turned to give the room a look about. Laughter and voices filled the air while men hovered near the television to root for their team. Harry could feel his envy surfacing. He would like nothing more than a quiet, normal existence. Despite defeating Voldemort, his life has continued to not be his own. The only choice he was able to officially make for himself was to teach at Hogwarts. Since his school days, he had not a single relationship of an intimate manner. Though Severus had teased him on the world of pleasure, Harry had yet to taste any of it. He had fantasized to a degree, but nothing more than a virgin's perspective of love and sex.
Harry was paused in his thoughts as the perky waitress brought their tea and stews. The rising steam was delectable. He could feel the responding growl and dug in, ignoring the arrogant snort from his mentor.
They arrived at noon to a series of falling waterfalls in Donegal. The beautiful atmosphere around the water was magical, and Harry stopped several times to gaze at the splendor. Though he was unlikely to admit it, this was the closest he had gotten to a holiday. Of all individuals to be accompanying him, he would have never conceived Severus as a possible candidate.
“The clovers grow along these banks,” Severus said evenly. “Put what you find in these vials.”
“Am I to gather them?” Harry asked as he took the vials.
“Again, your observations are astounding,” Severus replied sarcastically. “When you have collected a few vials worth, we will return to the inn.” Severus pulled out a weathered book from his pocket and proceeded to read, sitting upon a large boulder.
'Right,' Harry thought angrily to himself. 'Guess I'm the help and this is my purpose.' Despite his grumbling thoughts, he set to work finding the elusive four-leafed clovers.
By late afternoon, he had collected enough, and they reached the inn without further incident. Harry had been lost in thought, so he hadn't noticed that Severus had settled upon the bed and was continuing his reading there.
“I'll just head down to the pub,” he finally announced as he once more put on his coat.
“You will remain here,” Severus said without looking from his book. Anger once more surfaced at the commanding tone.
“I thought it was left to me to decide my own schedule from here,” Harry argued angrily.
“In terms of what you do in this room, Mister Potter,” Severus said as he set a firm gaze on Harry. “You will not leave my sight.”
“For what reason? We have finished our business for the day, Severus. I am free to leave if I so wish it.” Harry knew that arguing with Severus would likely get him little to no where, but his temper was getting the better of him. He wanted put some distance between them. His thoughts were fuzzy, and his body already overly sensitized to the other man's presence. Harry wanted to get a control on himself; in order to do that, he needed to get away from Severus, even for just a moment.
“Must you challenge me at every opportunity, Potter.” Severus was pinching the bridge of nose in frustration.
It felt like they would have this very same argument indefinitely if Harry was to argue, but he was not a child. He was tired of his life being decided for him. So, he straightened his back and strode purposefully to the side of the bed Severus now occupied. Taking a deep breath, he gathered his courage.
“It is my life to dictate, Severus. I have spent long enough giving it over to others. I want to do with it without the interference of another person telling me what I should or should not being doing. Unless you explain it clearly, I will only pull when you push and push when you pull. If you would like to end this argument before it once more circles, I suggest you enlighten me as to why I must not be out of your sight.” He breathed and conjured up the words he never thought he would say to the man. “Please Severus.”
Severus stood from the bed, his body inches from Harry's. The heat radiated between them and the friction was like hot wires in the air. He began to step back but a hand came around his waist and stopped his progression backwards. Harry was pulled quickly forward, and he was instantly flush against Severus's torso which was surprisingly firm with muscle. Lips hovered over his ear as words flooded through, and like chocolate, melted.
“What would be my reward if I were to reveal my purpose?”
'Well bloody hell!' Harry's mind was screaming as the honeyed words sent his body well over the edge. He was breathing erratically as he tried to focus his thoughts. There was absolutely no reason Severus would be doing this. It had to be some sort of dream or...Harry was quaking in silence and was only aroused from his daze by a deep, reverberating chuckle.
“Such an innocent reaction,” Severus teased. “It would seem you are not, in fact, acquainted with worldly pleasures.”
“Merlin,” Harry breathed as a wet tongue slid over the shell of his ear. He curled his hands into the fabric of Severus's dress shirt. His heart was pounding so hard that he feared it would break right out of his chest and his cheeks were impossibly hot. The assault continued down the column of his neck before Severus nipped at an exposed patch of flesh where shoulder met neck. He was losing almost all ability to coherently think, but his brain fought valiantly against his lower region currently pressing painfully against the zip of his trousers. Finally, he pushed the older wizard away with every bit of strength he could muster.
“S-stop,” he breathed heavily. His entire being wanted nothing more than to allow his older mentor to continue the delicious assault on his flesh, but his stubborn heart would accept nothing less than love. He knew he would later regret it, but he refused to be an outlet or side show to the sadistic Potion's professor.
Severus was gazing at him in a manner that seemed almost amused. Harry's heart was about to burst and tears were burning his eyes as he did his best to control them. Severus thought this all a game. His feelings were of little consequence to the older man. He knew that the older wizard was incapable of harboring any affection for Harry, but the reality of it all being used as a way of teasing him sent sharp pains directly into his heart.
However, Severus removed himself and conjured a desk in order to settle down onto. They regarded each other for what seemed like hours before the older man spoke. “There is word that there is to be an assassination from a very reliable source to the ministry. There is a traitor in Hogwarts, it would seem, but as to their identity, we are not entirely sure. It was disclosed that the method in which the assassin would use is poison. A very potent and quick-acting poison. It bears no fragrance and can be hidden within any substance and give way to no evidence of its presence.”
“I am the target then?” Harry asked fully knowing the answer.
“Indeed,” Severus replied nonchalantly. “It would seem you will be the first among many, but their overall purpose is to assassinate you before the others without fail. I found a reaction in a glass of water resting on your place at the head table and thus it it was deemed imperative we remove you from the school in the meantime.”
“I am confused,” Harry said as he sat down atop the bed. “Why all the secrecy? Why could you not tell me this? I have been a target before, so I am not sure why you would choose to keep me in the dark.”
“We suspect the assassin is in close relation to you,” Severus replied as his eyes bore into Harry's with a darkness that was sure to engulf him entirely. “I did not think it a good idea to discuss the details where they might be overheard by others.”
“Someone close to me,” Harry was muttering to himself. Severus sighed while pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
“This was the reason we chose not to disclose this information to you Potter.”
“Why?” Harry felt the bubble of his temper.
“You are incapable of believing those close to you are capable of deceit,” Severus answered bluntly.
“I know they are capable!” Harry all but shouted in reply. “I have been deceived most often by those closest to me!”
“Not to this degree, Potter.”
“Tell me who,” Harry demanded.
“I will not, Mister Potter.” Severus's face rejected Harry with all of its intensity.
He would not be shaken. Harry stood and threw on his overcoat before leaving the room. He needed to cool off and get a hold of his now overflowing emotions. It was someone close to him; it was someone they feared to tell him of. Who could possibly be the traitor?
“Potter,” a voice growled behind him as he stalked down the hallway of the inn.
“I need some time to calm down, Severus.” Harry responded with a voice trembling with anger. “I just need a moment.” Harry was grabbed by his upper arm and yanked backwards. He lost his footing and went straight into the taller wizard's defined torso, his body quaking with the impact. Barely recovered, he was dragged back into the room, the door closed behind them, and then nearly slammed against the wood of it as a very angry Potion's professor leered over him.
“You are acting like an emotional adolescent, Potter.” Severus hissed. “Do you comprehend just the danger you are under?”
“Who cares?!” Harry shouted in return. “I served my purpose. I defeated Voldemort. I am no longer responsible for saving anyone.”
“How melodramatic of you,” Severus goaded. “Do you believe that you are no longer a symbol of freedom? The Golden Boy tired of all his fame?”
“Why you then?” Harry returned. “Why are you the one protecting me, or rather, babysitting me for the Ministry? What are you getting from it?”
Severus seemed to lose a bit of the anger swirling in his obsidian depths. Conflicting emotions surfaced giving Harry's heart a start. It was the first he had see more than just anger and annoyance in the other man's face. Severus looked almost at a loss for how to respond, but finally seemed to settle on an answer.
“I was merely the best choice,” Severus responded simply.
“Bollocks.”
“Pardon?”
“That's bollocks,” Harry repeated. “I cannot fathom why they would feel you were the best choice.”
“Who do you believe protected your danger-attracting person all your years of Hogwarts, Potter?” Severus posed with a hiss.
“Me,” Harry said evenly. “I protected myself.”
“Oh, and pray tell, how could one as incapable of simple magic and potion-making possibly protect themselves?”
“I am no longer that boy,” Harry said for what he feared not to be the last time.
“Must we repeat this argument,” Severus seethed as he closed the distance between them. Harry was now pressed impossibly against the door, heat radiating from the tall wizard before him, and very much at a loss for how to escape the renewed arousal that the proximity was creating. How was it that every argument seemed to lead here? Was it a defense mechanism to quiet him; to stop further prying? Harry gazed up at the dark eyes that had, ever since he was young, attracted his interest. What was the emotionally-inept man before him really thinking?
Raising a hand, he hesitantly cupped the man's cheek and continued to hold the intense stare. “Why are you here really, Severus?”
The skin beneath his touch was surprisingly soft and warm. He held back the urge to run the pads of his fingers over the soft flesh and then along the line of the older wizard's strong jaw. It was moments before Severus pulled away from the touch. Harry was not sure what had possessed him to touch Severus so intimately, but the moment was lost as Severus spelled the room to expand and conjured another bed at the far end. At least Harry would not be subjected to sharing a bed. With a sigh, he sat on the bed and faced the window overlooking the expanse of green fields now cloaked in darkness as the sun dipped beneath the hills.
It was not the first time that his questions were evaded with silence -a quiet rejection- but it was the first time he felt the hot sting of tears running down the length of his face. Silent rejection – Harry was accustomed to being unloved but why did it feel like he was drowning and his heart clenching impossibly?
HPSSHPSS
“Potter,” a voice called beyond his dream haze. He grunted and curled into the warmth of his blanket. Suddenly, the icy morning was engulfing him, and his eyes shot open in shock.
“Severus,” he greeted as the tall wizard hovered above him, cleanly dressed down in a smart emerald vest and button-down. Was the man always this fashionable? It was something he would expect of the late Lucius Malfoy (he had been declared dead shortly after he was sentenced to Azkaban); did he do it merely to mock Harry's lack there of?
“Do not dawdle Potter,” the older man sneered. “We still have yet to find the Leprechaun gold and dawn is wasting away while you drool in your unbelievably immature nightwear.” Harry gazed down at his flannel pajamas that had been gifted to him by Hermione for Christmas a year before. They were hardly childish. He glared up at the man before throwing his legs over the side of the bed and pushing passed Severus. He ignored the amused gaze as he went by. After quickly dressing and tackling the impossible task of his unmanageable locks (he no longer wore glasses after the war to help with the late night gradings), he met a very impatient Potion's professor by the door of their room.
“Could you have managed to take longer, Potter? No need to hesitate on my account. Please finish your pampering until it is well into the afternoon.”
“Shut it,” Harry responded angrily as he left their room and took off down the hallway. He would not be bested today. Deceit and assassination aside, he had a task to accomplish; Harry was never one to leave something unfinished—both in his personal and professional life.
They spent the better half of the morning searching several areas that Severus had described, but again, they were unable to find the gold. Harry was exhausted by frustration. He did not want to battle a Leprechaun as it was but worse still was trying to find the gold and Leprechaun in order to fight. Severus had stayed temporarily civil throughout the morning aside from the occasional quip about Harry's ineptness. They returned to the inn and spent lunch in their room. Harry had taken to a book he had packed just in case. Deciding it best to say as little as possible to the other man, he kept to his reading well into the evening.
“Shall we have supper?” Severus offered as he stood from the conjured desk.
“I'll skip it,” Harry said without looking away from his book.
“You will not,” Severus immediately stole the book from Harry's hands and tossed it aside. “You have not been eating, and do not think that I will be brushed aside as easily as your friend Mrs Weasley.”
“Why bother caring Severus?” Harry argued as he glared upwards at the man, moving not an inch from his spot despite his stolen novel. “I am of no consequence to you.”
“You are, and you will do as you are told.” Harry was jerked upwards by his upper arm and half-dragged from the room until he finally grumbled into a walk behind the other wizard. So much for civility. He felt like a child in the presence of the other man. What did Severus care if he went hungry? Why would anyone? He had served his purpose in the war. He meant little anymore. He was merely a professor now and no one of any special interest.
“Must you think so loudly Potter? Your thoughts are practically shouting and quite difficult to ignore. After all these years, you are still no Occlumence.”
“Well not all of us could hold such a perfection as you, sir.” He quipped using formality to taunt the other.
Severus turned on his heels. Harry went straight walking into the man's frozen form, knocking his nose into hard muscle. Pain burned his eyes with tears from the impact. He gingerly rubbed his nose as he looked up. Severus was glaring at him. If looks could kill, Harry was sure to be six-feet under by now.
“You may be an adult Potter but do not think yourself too old for a good paddling,” Severus's voice was low but his voice carried a challenge despite volume.
Challenge accepted. “I never expected you to be into that kind of kink, professor, but then again, I should have. You know, considering how you enjoy punishing bad children.” Harry kept the smug smile from erupting, but inside, it was shining. The obsidian orbs of his mentor momentarily widened before slitting in his rage. It was worth it, Harry thought as he was smacked over the backside of his head.
“Ouch,” he groaned as he rubbed his injury.
“Mouthing off, Potter. Challenge me again and a smack to the head will not satisfy my urge to punish you,” Severus sneered before stalking off down the corridor. Harry could not help the smile on his lips. Yes, very worth it, he thought as he followed after the raven-haired Potion's master.
HPSSHPSS
Dinner was uneventful aside from the many winks and smile from the ginger waitress. Harry had noticed when she came by with their food, Severus gave her a particularly nasty glare before she departed.
When they arrived back in the room, Severus was in a foul mood. Harry could usually sense when the man was at his worst. He sat down, quietly eying the man.
“Stop your infuriating staring Potter,” Severus growled.
Harry was not put off and merely rested backward on his hands. “Why the foul mood, Severus? I ate as I was told.”
“Oh do shut up Potter,” the man articulated in frustration. Harry was slightly taken aback by the man's response. He expected either silence or redirection. In his interest, he stood up and walked the short distance. Severus's eyes did not leave his own as he traveled over to where Severus sat and took a seat beside him. The air felt tense as they sat side by side.
“Why are you really here Severus?” Harry once more asked the question he had been longing to know. It was clear that Severus was aware of his affections. It was clear that the older man was not completely put off by them as he had made advances even if in play. Harry was perplexed by every contradicting statement and movement the older wizard made. What was really going on in that older wizard's mind?
Severus was looking at Harry with his usual stoic expression but there was an emotion that was dancing in the man's eyes like building flames. The stark raven locks hid away a good portion of the pale flesh but those eyes were all the more intensified by the flesh they contrasted. Harry was mesmerized and almost missed the spark before lips covered his own and a tongue dominated his unsuspecting mouth. He gasped as the heat filling him went straight to his groin. What in the bloody heavens was happening?! Harry's eyes were wide with shock as his lips were tasted by the man of his desires.
He must be dreaming, he thought quickly as he sat there frozen. He did not move for fear that he would wake from this dream. He did not remember falling asleep at any point. Did he fall asleep as soon as they got back to the rooms? Was he that exhausted? 'I did spend all morning looking for Leprechaun gold' Harry thought quietly as teeth nipped at his lower lip. He closed his eyes as the sensation overwhelmed his virgin sensitivity. Finally, Severus pulled away. Harry was left wide eyed and confused as the older wizard stood and disappeared into the lavatory.
TBC...
- 1
- 2
- 3
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

To Protect