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Going On	By : Relevant_Peach Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 6814 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter universe or the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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As it turned out, the search proved to be more difficult than Draco imagined. Those who had no awe for the saviour made Harry suspicious that they were family members of Death Eaters who would murder him in his bed. One woman, a querulous old woman of about Minerva’s age, seemed a likely candidate, until she met Teddy, and frostily told them that she wouldn’t live with the offspring of a foul creature. Harry’s frustration grew, day after day, until Draco despaired of him. The tension between him and Lucius grew, and Draco felt rather like a rope being frayed at both ends.

It was late one evening, after reviewing the latest spate of application letters, that it came to him. The plan, at first glance, seemed mad, but if there were one person alive who wouldn’t pander to Harry, but would protect him with every fibre of his being…well. With a sigh, Draco picked up quill and parchment. Now all he needed to do was convince the man.

“Absolutely not” Severus Snape had not mellowed in the years since his Headmastership at Hogwarts. In truth, the time spent alone, moodily brewing in Spinner’s End for an owl order potions business had made him increasingly taciturn and immeasurably more bitter. “I won’t consider it. Leave me, Draco”

“I won’t, Severus. You’re the perfect person to help Harry” This argument had been raging on for over an hour, Draco doggedly insisting that Severus was the perfect choice, and Severus summarily refusing to consider it.

These latest words, however, seemed to spur a new reaction. Like an avenging angel, Severus was across the room, his face inches away from Draco, his wand at Draco’s throat. “How dare you speak to me of helping Harry Potter. I have helped Harry Potter. I have paid the price. My debt is paid”

“To Lily, perhaps, yes. Possibly to Harry himself” Draco admitted. “I do not ask for your help to pay the debts you owe them”

The silence stretched out, then. Severus withdrew his wand and retreated into his armchair, his face stonily absent of emotion. “You wish to invoke the life debt I owe you, Draco?” his voice was quiet, resigned. “Why? Why would you squander such a thing for Potter?”

Draco considered this. “Because he has sacrificed everything for our world. Because he would do the same for me without hesitation. Because he’s my friend” He shrugged.

“The Draco Malfoy I once knew would not have squandered a life debt for such sentimental reasons” Severus sneered.

“The Draco Malfoy you knew died in the Fiendfire in the Room of Requirement. If you won’t do this for your own reasons, then yes, I invoke the life debt you owe me, Severus Snape. You will be Harry’s caregiver. You will treat him, and his godson, with care. You will ease his suffering.”

“You’d like me to pander to him like all of the other nauseatingly brainless fanatics?”

“Of course not, Severus. I’m not asking you to pamper him. I’m asking you to help him to survive in a world that he deserves to live in”

“For the rest of my life?” Severus asked hollowly. “You’d have me taste freedom from two masters who made my existence a torment, only to enslave me to a new master?”

Draco stilled. Perhaps he was asking too much of the man. “Godfather. If I had any other option, I wouldn’t ask this of you. And I’m not cruel enough to tie you to a lifetime of servitude. One year, enough time for us to find someone else, or for Harry to make a decision to leave the magical world. After that time, I will release you of your debt to me.”

Severus sighed. “It seems I’m doomed to be tied to Harry Potter yet again”

Draco placed a tentative hand on Severus’ arm. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”

“Grateful enough to sacrifice something of value to me?” Severus’ smile was feral.

“What do you want?”

“The Scrying bowl” The artifact was ancient, and one of the most powerful relic that the Malfoys owned.

Draco sighed. “Fine. But only after the year is completed” Lucius was going to kill him.

If Draco had thought that it were difficult to convince Severus, convincing Harry was altogether another matter. He’d returned to the Manor to find Harry in his room, moodily reading Quidditch Through the Ages. “I have a plan” Draco announced, his tone belying none of his apprehension.

“Do you?” Harry asked mildly, not looking up for his book.

“I’ve found an adequate companion for you and Teddy. And my estate agent has found you a cottage in Godric’s Hollow.”

“You have been busy” Harry said with a smile. “Will I like the cottage?”

“It’s…quaint” Draco allowed. “You’ll love it”

“So you hate it then?”

“It’s foul”

“Perfect” Harry grinned. “When can I move in?”

“Your companion has some personal matters to attend to. He’ll be ready to move in by the weekend”

“Ooh,” Harry leered. “You’ve gotten me a male nurse. Draco, I didn’t know you cared”

Draco gave him a look. “He’s not a nurse. He has many other talents, but mostly, he’ll be there to keep you company, to help you with things, to act as a magical proxy for you”

“Is he cute?”

For a desperate moment, Draco thought he’d laugh, huge echoing brays that would never stop. This was surreal. “I don’t believe that anyone has ever referred to him that way”

“What’s his name? Do I know him?”

“You do”

“The fact that you’re being cagey about this makes me nervous, Draco. Something tells me I’m not going to like this caregiver.”

“No, I don’t suppose you will”

“Draco” Harry’s voice held a warning tone that Draco hadn’t heard since sixth year. At least he can’t hex me Draco thought gloomily.

“It’s Snape.”

“No it bloody well isn’t, Draco Malfoy”

“He meets all of your criteria. He won’t be too…” Draco waved his hand vaguely in Harry’s direction “star-fucker-y about you, he is magically powerful enough to protect you, he doesn’t have the obligations of a family or a job…”

“I didn’t realize that I had to specify not to be a miserable bastard who hates me” Harry was furious. Not for the first time, Draco wondered if being friends with an emotional Gryffindor was worth the trouble.

“Harry, what would you have me do? Finding someone who won’t fawn over you and doesn’t want to kill you isn’t easy! Most people fall into one of the two categories. And as much as I love having you here, you and Father are about to kill one another.” Uncharacteristically, Draco raked a hand through his perfectly coiffed hair. “I am doing my best to help you, but I’m running out of options”

Harry’s ire evaporated immediately. “I’m sorry Draco. I do appreciate what you’re doing, and I know that this situation can’t last any longer. I’m being a prat. Besides, if Severus agreed to it, he must be ready to let bygones be bygones, right?”

“Er…yes, I think so” Draco said uneasily.

Moving day dawned bright and sunny, and Harry fought growing waves of anxiety as Teddy excitedly ate his breakfast and discussed whether his room would be painted green or blue. Harry had spent the prior two weeks packing their necessities for the move to the new house. In truth, he hadn’t even bothered looking at the place…Draco had assured him it had everything he needed, and, exhausted by the turn his life had taken in the past weeks, Harry was more than happy to cede control. After all, he reasoned, he’d lived in Grimmauld Place…it wasn’t like he needed much out of a house.

Draco had shrunken the last of their possessions, and disappeared into the floo with an unbearably excited Teddy. As he returned for Harry, he found the man bent at the waist, his palms on his thighs, eyes squeezed tightly shut. “It’s going to be fine, Harry” he murmured, putting a hand on the shaking man’s back.

“You keep saying that, Draco. I hope you’re right.”

“Let’s go, Hermione and Ron and the kids are waiting for you.”

“Sure, just…can I ask you something?”

“Of course”

“If this doesn’t work, will you take Teddy?”

“Harry” Draco gave him his trademark you’re ridiculous and I’m judging you for it look. “None of that. You’re going to be fine, and you’re Teddy’s dad. Of course this is going to work” I hope, he thought.

“But if it doesn’t. Draco, I worry about Teddy all the time. I can’t sleep because I lie awake worrying that I’m going to let him get hurt. If anything else happens…I just promised Andy that I’d keep him safe”

“If it makes you feel better, yes, of course I’d never let anything happen to Teddy. But he’s going to be just fine, and you’re going to raise him so beautifully. You’re a fantastic father”

Harry’s eyes still lacked their trademark shine, and Draco lamented that he’d seen that spark less and less lately. Maybe being in the wizarding world was taking too great a toll on Harry. Shelving that thought as far too difficult to wrestle with, Draco bundled Harry through the floo to his new home.

As Harry stumbled across the grate, reeling with the nausea of floo travel, he noted that Severus was sitting at the table, serenely drinking tea, and watching Harry’s clumsiness with his trademark sneer. “Potter” he remarked. “It seems that becoming a Squib hasn’t done anything to improve your gracefulness.

“Good morning Professor Snape” Harry said quietly. “Where are Hermione and Teddy?”

“Ms Granger-Weasley and Theodore have gone to investigate his bedroom” Snape said. “I thought it might be judicious to establish some procedures and ground rules before we all get carried away by the…excitement” His voice was icy, and Harry was once again a quivering first-year under his gaze.

“That’s a good idea, Severus” Draco said, placing a steadying arm on Harry’s and guiding him into a seat.

For a moment, none of the three men spoke, each awaiting another to begin negotiations. When it became obvious that Harry didn’t know where to begin, Draco once again smoothly filled the void. “Well, Severus, as you know, Harry is remarkably self-sufficient and inventive.”

“Indeed” Severus said with a frosty little incline of his head.

Honestly, it was like pulling dragon’s teeth, trying to get this man to be remotely pleasant, Draco thought, squaring his shoulders and continuing. “He and Teddy will largely be fine to continue as they have been. Harry mostly uses a Muggle van to get around places, and the house is set up to operate largely without magic. He has a cell phone to communicate to most of us, and most days, I suspect that he won’t need any assistance at all.” Draco smiled fondly at Harry. “Harry’s a marvel, Uncle Severus. You’ll be amazed at how well he does”

“Yes, I’m certain that his ability to perform basic adult tasks like the rest of us will astound and delight me.”

Harry’s eyes filled with hurt and he looked down at his hands, which were clenching one another atop the table. “Draco” he said mildly, but there was an undercurrent of warning in his tone. “The Professor doesn’t want to hear you go on about me. Let’s just get this over with”

“Ah, Mr. Potter, but there really is no ‘over with’, is there? I’m stuck here, and you’re stuck with me”

At Snape’s words, Harry stiffened. He’d been friends for Draco for years now, and somehow, he’d never learned to ask enough questions, or the right questions. Somehow, he’d always been unpleasantly surprised by his machinations. “Draco” Harry said in a very very calm voice, which caused Draco’s eyes to widen a little. “May I please speak to you in the other room for a moment?”

“You called in a bloody life debt?” Harry’s voice had increased in volume, and so instead of muffled whispers, Severus could hear the discussion, or at least Potter’s side of it, clearly now.

Whatever Draco said didn’t seem to soothe Harry, because his voice was booming, “…of all the cruel, underhanded things you can possibly have done! He’s a sodding war hero Draco, and his sacrifices for me can never be repaid. So of course to thank him for his incredible gift, you’ve tied him to me, unwillingly, to pay a fucking life debt? This is not on, Draco, this is not fucking on. If you think for one second that I’ll be party to enslaving that man again, then you haven’t got the faintest idea about who I am.”

Draco’s voice murmured a response, but Harry was still shouting. “You’ll undo this travesty right this fucking minute, Draco, or so help me-“

“You’ll what, Harry? You’ll hex me?” Draco had gotten frustrated too, and now Severus could hear his side of the conversation.

“No, I’ll fucking punch you, you prat! Undo this! Free him, right this minute!”

“Don’t be so fucking stupid, Potter, you can’t manage on your own, remember? Astoria won’t let you see Scorpius otherwise, and Hermione and Ron and Bill and Fleur won’t let you see theirs either. This is your only choice, you daft imbecile! Besides that, you can’t undo stuff like this. It’s a magical contract, and breaking it has serious implications”

Harry groaned in frustration, and Severus heard him stalk across the room. There was a thump, which he assumed meant that either Harry actually had punched Draco, or something else. Since Draco continued talking, Severus assumed it was something else.

“Harry. You’re my best friend. I would do anything in the world for you. I knew that you’d never agree to this, but I can’t lose you. You can’t leave us, Harry. Don’t you see that we’re so much better because you’re in our life? Harry, you’re family. We love you. Please just try”

Severus was stunned, both at Potter’s defence of him, as well as Draco’s uncharacteristic outburst of emotion. Malfoys didn’t beg, and Malfoys didn’t tell people that they loved them. He’d been surprised when the two former enemies had become friends, but it had clearly been good, at least as far as Draco was concerned. His Godson had finally grown up, and was now putting others before himself. Unexpected pride bubbled in Severus’ chest. Draco had become a fine man. And Potter. Severus had been under the impression that he’d somehow manipulated Draco into enforcing the life debt, but clearly that was not the case. And he’d not objected to Snape’s presence because of Severus himself, but because it was unfair to ask it of him. Severus sniffed. Sentimental, bleeding heart… Gryffindor.

The two men returned to the table. Harry’s eyes were suspiciously red, as though Draco’s words had made him emotional, which, they likely had, Severus admitted.

“Sir” Potter said miserably “I had no idea the circumstances of your being here. I’m terribly sorry to inconvenience you so, and Teddy and I will try to make things as painless as possible for you.”

“Indeed” Severus said, his tone lacking its usual bite. “If we endeavour to stay out of one another’s way, it’s possible that we can make this work without killing one another. I prefer to brew in the early morning. I must not be disturbed.”

“Of course, sir. Teddy and I have a pretty established routine to get him up and dressed and off to school. I can’t imagine that we'll need anything from you”

“And in the afternoon, I prefer to do research. I’ll ward the door to my laboratory for privacy and quiet.”

“That’s fine. I lead a support group for those who have lost their magic, so I’m out most afternoons anyway. Teddy and I usually get home around 4”

“That will be acceptable”

“Of course, while you’re here, you’re my guest, so you’re welcome to join us for meals, or, if you prefer, you can take them in private, in the library or your room. If you need anything, just put it on the list” Harry gestured to a brightly coloured notepad that sat on the counter. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am, sir”

Severus inclined his head again. He felt a little wrong-footed, as, try as he might, he couldn’t find anything to be annoyed with. Potter’s attitude had been respectful and agreeable. If only he’d been like this as a student, he thought. “See that the little whelp you call a godson keeps his noise to an acceptable level.” he said. “I’m not accustomed to living with a child.”

“I know that sir. We’ll do our best. Teddy is a wonderful young man. However, this is his home, and I won’t insist that he tiptoe around. He needs space to be a child, and that sometimes comes with a bit of noise”

“No doubt the cub is as spoiled and overindulged as you were as a child” Severus wasn’t sure why he was provoking Potter, but it seemed that he was unable to resist.

Sure enough, Potter’s famous temper started to show itself. “Teddy is neither spoiled nor overindulged.“ he stopped abruptly, and took a breath. “We’ll do our best not to disturb you, sir” he finished, casting a somewhat desperate look at Draco.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll sort out the smaller details over time” Draco said. “I should get back home. You’ll call if you need anything?”

Harry nodded, standing to embrace his friend. “Draco, I…thank you. All that stuff you said before? Thanks, and…well, you know I-“

“Yes, yes Potter, I know you love me too. Good luck, gentlemen” With a saucy wink, Draco disappeared into the floo.

Harry was gathering up the tea things, and Severus awkwardly stood. He thought that he should offer to help, but would that set a precedent of Severus being Harry’s domestic slave? Harry didn’t seem to be paying him much attention, stacking cups and teaspoons onto the tray and balancing it on his hip. As he disappeared to the sink, he cast a glance back at Severus. “I’m going to spend most of the morning unpacking, but I thought we’d have lunch around one?”

Severus nodded, and without another word disappeared into his lab.
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