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Bound by Blood (and Faith)	By : wlkellogg Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 20386 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 4
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Chapter List
- 28
- 29
- 30
Chapter 29

Snape stalked through the hallways, knowing full well that he was frightening students with his scowl. He didn't much care. Harry was alone in a confined space with a werewolf. Sure, it was daytime, and the werewolf had promised not to touch him, almost, anyway, but he didn't like it. Not when that werewolf was Fenrir Greyback. Snape reached the gargoyle statue that marked the entrance to Dumbledore's office in half the usual time and growled the password. The gargoyle scoffed at him, but stepped aside to let him in.

Dumbledore was standing beside his desk, fiddling with something when Snape walked in. Relief flooded the older wizard's face when he saw his guest. “Welcome back, Severus. You've had time, I trust, to discuss things with Harry?”

“Yes. Which is what I have come to talk to you about, in a way. It appears that I am not the only set of eyes Voldemort employs within these walls to keep abreast of current events. Someone let slip that Harry was not in classes this past week,” Snape reported, choosing not to press his luck by telling Dumbledore about Greyback's vigil on grounds. Besides, the life and usefulness of a spy who told everything he knew all at once was very short indeed.

Dumbledore frowned. This was not what he had wanted to talk about, but he knew that it was important. So he nodded and gestured to a chair. “Please, Severus, sit. Would you like some tea?”

Snape shook his head, knowing that he could probably use some tea, but not feeling anywhere near tranquil enough to hold the glass without betraying the furious tremor in his hands. Oh, how he hated being manipulated. One way or another, that furry bastard would pay for causing Harry pain, even if that pain had ensured that the boy would stay with him, Severus Snape, for the rest of his life.

“Severus? Is everything alright?” Dumbledore asked gently. Snape looked at him, confused. Dumbledore nodded toward his hands and Snape was surprised to find that they were clenched into fists.

“Everything is fine, Albus. I've been ordered to locate Harry and find out why you have him hidden away,” Snape explained, making himself comfortable in the offered chair. Dumbledore chuckled a little at that, mostly to mask his relief.

“So, they do not yet know that he is bonded to you?”

Snape shook his head. “Most of them are still in the dark about that. One knows, but he has agreed to remain silent.”

“Can he be trusted to keep his word on that?” Dumbledore asked, leaning forward in his own chair.

Damn it. I'm slipping. When did that old fool sit down? Snape thought to himself as he considered his answer to the last question. “I believe so. He is enjoying the 'leverage' he has over me, and if he expends it, there is nothing to keep me from eviscerating him.” Apart from his fangs, claws, and the full moon...

Dumbledore nodded and sat back to think for a moment. Snape let him, taking the time to try to calm himself. “Severus, may I inquire as to the decision you made about your future with Mr. Potter?”

“The bond was set by Fenrir Greyback. It is unbreakable, even were we inclined to attempt that,” Snape replied.

Dumbledore was only slightly relieved by this information. It was the first time that Snape had referenced the boy, even indirectly. Hopefully, that meant that the boy was still alive. The one holding the mark, especially if Snape was accurate in his assessment of who had preformed the ritual, would inevitably be killed if either partner decided that they did not want the bond. Harry was far too important to lose like that. “Where is he?”

Snape knew immediately who Dumbledore was talking about and chose not to play stupid. “He is safe.” I hope. “And we are in agreement on what is to be done about our future. You must be our advocate to the Ministry. I will not have his life put at risk because they insist on doing something ignorant like attempting to sever the bond.”

Silence hung in the air between the two wizards as they each waited for something from the other. Finally, Dumbledore spoke. “I would like to speak with Harry personally before I go to the Ministry with this.”

“By personally, you mean privately, don't you?” Snape accused quietly. Dumbledore nodded once. “Then just say that, Albus. You know how important it is that we are straight with each other.”

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, but didn't press that statement. He knew that there was something his Potions Master was keeping from him, if only because there was always something he held back. It was usually small and never worth pressing out of him. “Alright. I would like to speak to Mr. Potter privately before I make a decision on how I will present this to the Ministry.”

Snape was opening his mouth to respond when the door to Dumbledore's office swung open to admit a furious Lupin. “Albus! Where is he?”

“Who are you looking for, Remus?” Dumbledore asked calmly. The werewolf's nostrils flared and he turned to glare at Snape.

“Why do you smell like him? You son of a bitch...” Lupin snarled. That was the only warning Snape had before the still-human Lupin leaped at him and knocked him to the ground. Snape brought his hands up to protect his face as Lupin seemed intent on either punching his face into pudding, or clawing his eyes out. It wasn't immediately apparent which he was going for. Snape didn't have a whole lot of time to figure out what his intention was, and he couldn't reach his wand, not with Lupin straddling his chest. Dumbledore came around his desk to try to pull them apart and was rewarded with a right hook to the face.

The fight had only been going a few seconds, though Snape would personally disagree, when Harry ran in through the open door and plowed into Lupin, knocking him off of Snape's chest. Lupin continued swinging for a few more seconds before he caught a whiff of Harry's scent. He relaxed and took a step backwards, putting distance between himself and a slightly bloodied Snape. Harry went back to Snape and helped him to his feet. “Are you alright, Sev'rus?”

“Yes, pet. I'm fine. What are you doing here?” Snape asked in a markedly softer voice than the other two occupants of the office were accustomed to hearing from him. He let one hand drift to Harry's shoulder and squeezed it quickly before dropping it away just as quickly. Harry smiled up at him with a twinkle in his eye. Lupin looked at Dumbledore, surprise obvious on his face. His expression very clearly asked if this was now normal. Dumbledore shook his head slightly, returning his attention to Harry as quickly as possible.

“You were getting pummeled. Why wouldn't I come?” he answered simply. Dumbledore cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the two mates. Harry stayed at Snape's side, but he did turn to face him. “Yes, Professor?”

“Welcome back to school, Harry,” he said, opting for the safer conversation starter. Harry smiled and looked at Lupin.

“Hello, Remus. Who called you here?” Harry asked easily, like he hadn't just tackled him off of his lover. Lupin's nostrils flared again and his eyes shifted between Harry and Snape and back again.

“Hermione did. She was worried about you. You disappeared for a week, Harry,” he explained. Harry thought about that for a moment before nodding.

“Well, I'm fine.”

“If you don't mind, I'd like to talk to you privately before I can accept that at face value. Can you understand?” Lupin asked. Harry tensed a little.

“What did she tell you?” he asked.

“Not much. She insisted that it was yours to tell, but she did mention that she was concerned about your absences, and that you had a very serious boyfriend. I take it that the boyfriend is Professor Snape?” Lupin replied, trying to keep his distaste at that idea in check. Harry nodded his confirmation. “How serious is it?”

“You had it when you said very.”

“I don't believe I've ever known Snape to just stand by and let someone speak for him. Talk to me, Harry. What's going on?”

Harry looked up at Snape briefly, then looked down at his chest. “Sev'rus, do you have a reason not to just show him?”

“Other than the fact that he may show his brutish side again? I can think of a few, but I doubt you'll be persuaded by any of them. You haven't been yet,” Snape answered. Harry nodded.

“More Ministry crap?” When Snape nodded, Harry sighed. “We can trust him.”

Snape didn't argue, so Harry stepped forward a little so that he was standing directly between his lover and Lupin. Slowly and deliberately, Harry pulled off his shirt, holding it in a ball against his hip to make sure it was out of the way for Lupin to see. Lupin's eyes widened perceptibly when he saw the deep purple mark splayed out on the flesh over Harry's heart. He took a step forward, but stopped when Snape raised his wand and pointed it at him. “Harry... who did that to you?”

“It's alright, Severus, he's not going to do anything that would hurt me. You can put that away,” Harry kept his voice calm, and the mark pulsed slightly. Snape dropped his wand arm and settled for laying a hand on Harry's bare shoulder. Harry smiled and looked at Lupin. “This is not his fault. I chose this for myself to protect him. I didn't cast it, but I did accept it.”

“Why is it purple, Harry?” Dumbledore cut in.

Harry shrugged. “I don't know. I've never seen it this color before.”

“What are you feeling, son?” he asked. Harry thought for a moment.

“I'm feeling... really... protective at the moment.”

Dumbledore looked at Lupin, then Snape. “Remus, please step back. I want to test something.”

Lupin obeyed, taking several steps backward. Harry's breathing came a little easier and some of the purple faded from his mark. Lupin's eyes widened again. Harry glanced down and then up to Dumbledore. “What does that mean?”

“It means, Harry, that you are the dominant partner in this bond. Your bond is insisting that you protect Severus. You see Remus as a threat. Remus, you may want to do something about that,” Dumbledore suggested calmly. Lupin nodded slowly.

“How can I be the dominant partner? I-” Harry's question was cut off by a squeeze of Snape's hand on his shoulder. He blushed a little, but didn't continue his thought.

Lupin looked away for a moment, having pieced together Harry's confusion. He sat down in an available chair and Harry relaxed visibly. Most of the purple faded from the mark and he was able to step to one side of Snape, who sat down in the nearest chair. Harry sat down on the arm of Snape's chair. “Harry, I think we really need to talk.”

Harry pulled his shirt back over his head and nodded. “Well, let's talk then.”
- 28
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- 30
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Bound by Blood (and Faith)