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Harry Potter and the Expert Potions Master	By : SickPuppy Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 21304 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter universe. I make no money from this story.

Chapter List
- 33
- 34
- 35
Chapter 33 - Secrets Shared

Minerva Mcgonagall made her way up from the main hall, a copy of the Daily Prophet in her hand. As much as she longed to be able to settle down to read it, at breakfast it was too crucial to keep an eye on the students to enjoy her brief moment of quiet. She had to admit that the head girl, Hermione Granger, did an excellent job of handling any smaller disputes, and her status as a war hero, and a close friend of Harry Potter's certainly helped the pupils see her as a positive role model.

Minerva swallowed her last mouthful of pumpkin juice, idly wishing for a nice strong cup of tea instead, and went to the head's study. Even now, after using it as the active head of a school full of hormonal magic users for almost an entire academic year, she couldn't quite bring herself to claim it as her own, despite the changes she had made to its interior. She stepped onto the griffin staircase, attention fixed on the banner headline in the newspaper, surprise widening her eyes.

It was the noise that alerted her to some problem. Snapping her head up she glanced around at the portraits, all of whom were staring fixedly towards Dumbledore. Her own gaze turned that way and she stilled, her breath stopping in her lungs. They weren't looking at Dumbledore.

She wondered if Harry knew.

At Spinner's End, Harry was lying on Snape's bed, a little sore and very sated. They had been enjoying almost a solid fortnight of no demands on their time and had consequently been fucking like bunnies. Clothing had become very much an optional extra, save for those few times when Severus had said he needed to get some fresh air and had vanished for an hour at a time. It was usually then that Harry would think about getting up and seeing to his duties as Godfather, but usually he would fall into a relaxed snooze and be awakened by Severus touching him. But now, Harry was feeling the delicious ache of having been thoroughly possessed. At his back, Severus was running one hand up and down the naked side, enjoying the shudders of pleasure Harry gave, despite his drowsy state.

Since Severus' 'celebratory' fuck, Harry had discovered just how much he could take from his lover (even if, at times, he was sure he couldn't take what he did), and just how much he liked being held down and possessed. It was a happy state to be in – mindless from being so completely claimed.

It was therefore a rude interruption to see a ghostly cat speaking in Mcgonagall's voice, “Severus Snape. I need you at Hogwarts. Immediately. I have sent a message to Harry Potter as well. Please hurry. It's urgent!”

The two men exchanged glances, Harry having to nearly twist his neck off to manage the feat.

“What the hell...?” the younger man asked.

Snape shrugged and pushed on Harry's back to get him moving. He felt a stab of satisfaction and guilt as he spotted the bruises on Harry's nipples and hips.

“Git,” the green-eyed wizard muttered as he awkwardly got out of bed, his legs not quite ready to work yet. He disappeared into the bathroom to have a quick shower while Severus waited for his turn.

They had quickly worked out that Harry's ablutions always took longer than Severus', so if they were trying to organise some clever use of time, it made sense for Harry to begin, and then dress while Snape washed. As Snape only ever usually had to throw on a shirt and trousers, his outside visits being few and far between, he could dress far more speedily.

Soon, though, both men were dressed and were apparating to the edge of the grounds. As usual, the two hogs on either side of the gates snorted at them, but they were ignored. The driveway was long, but quick steps soon made short work of it and they reached the main entrance and went inside.

Both had forgotten that the school was operational again and were not expecting to suddenly find themselves at the centre of a knot of students exclaiming Harry's name and nervously glancing at Snape. With something approaching patience, Harry smiled at the pupils and managed a few kindly words before he saw the familiar green pointed hat coming closer.

“That will do!” Mcgonagall said, clapping her hands.

At once the youngsters drifted away, some not going very far, but at least leaving the two men clear to approach the headmistress.

The two teachers hadn't met since their duel and there was a certain tenseness in the air as they looked one another square in the face. Harry could see both were recalling the same event.

“Minerva,” Severus said smoothly. Even though his nerves were jangling slightly, he still aimed for politeness. After all, she was the head of Hogwarts and had requested – ordered – their presence here urgently.

She nodded to him and smiled warmly at Harry. Snape didn't resent the difference in their greetings, he had the feeling that wherever they went, for the rest of their lives, people would want to talk to Harry and would be wary of the Potions Master. He didn't mind, he knew that, however they reacted to Harry, it was nothing to how Harry reacted to him.

“Have you seen the Prophet this morning?” she asked as she guided them to the griffin staircase.

They shook their heads and she smiled inwardly. They were about to get quite a surprise.

She opened the door to the office and waved them through. Harry saw it first and gasped. He ran forward and started laughing and dancing on the spot. His antics of course drew Severus' eyes and he too saw what Harry and Minerva had seen – a new portrait showing a sallow faced man with lank black hair, glittering eyes, and a sneering lip standing by a bubbling cauldron. Himself.

Harry hugged himself. “I can't believe it!” he smiled, “Finally!”

Severus went close to the picture and Harry grabbed him for a tight hug. Their eyes held and Severus saw Harry's face close, lips beginning to reach for his. Suddenly aware of where they were, Snape dodged the lips and pressed his head into Harry's shoulder. “Not here,” he whispered before pulling free of the other man's embrace as though it annoyed him.

Harry gasped and flushed, ashamed that he had nearly spilled their secret so carelessly. To cover his embarrassment he faced the witch. “Do you know why it's suddenly appeared? I've been asking for ages and now it's just here?!”

Minerva held out the newspaper and the two men crowded round it reading.

SEVERUS SNAPE: EXPERT POTIONS MASTER???

The Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, today confirmed that he had recommended to the Potion Masters Guild that Severus Snape receive the title of Expert Potions Master following some highly confidential work that Snape has undertaken.

No reports have yet been released regarding the nature of this work, but it must be of massive import to the wizarding world for the title to even be considered. However, before the rank can be conferred, Snape's new potion (whatever it is) will need to be subjected to thorough testing, and the man himself closely questioned to explore his thinking behind the work he has done.

Much speculation had arisen regarding the purpose of a new potion and what it could possibly do that is going to change wizarding society. Since Snape's true role in the War became known, people have queried what such a brilliant man is doing with his time. Clearly, it seems, he has been working on altering our society. One hopes for the better.

Unkind commentators have remarked upon the strange friendship that has developed between Severus Snape and our Hero, Harry Potter. Nothing improper or Unnatural is implied, however many have wondered that Potter chooses the company of such an older man over that of his contemporaries, but perhaps Potter has been assisting Snape. After all, rumour has it that the Potion Masters Guild has received a letter from Snape as well, requesting that Potter be considered for inclusion in their ranks.

We can only hope that the potion, whatever it may be, if it proves useful, is vetted and found safe, and Severus Snape granted the title he has long wanted.

Harry stared at the report. “What have you been working on?” he demanded, annoyed that he had known nothing at all about the potion.

Glancing at Minerva, who was clearly as curious as Harry, Severus spoke quietly, “I do not wish to discuss the matter here. But, given this report, it suggests that I need to visit two people urgently.” He saw all the portraits looking at him, including his own, and felt the weight of their collective expectations. He made an offer he almost instantly regretted.“You may accompany me if you wish.”

Nodding, Harry stared at the man who shared his bed, who he allowed to do things to him he'd never have thought he could enjoy, shocked that so many secrets were kept so easily from him. Still, he thought, looking with satisfaction at the picture, at least he's finally got what he deserves.

Mcgonagall smiled at Harry. “I am sure it isn't just this report that has placed this picture here. I know you have been badgering Kingsley to ensure that Severus' portrait is placed here where it truly belongs. And, clearly, the school itself agrees with you.”

“You?!” Snape gasped, looking at Harry, “You did this?!” Harry had never kept a secret from him before, but somehow the younger man had managed to hide that he had been campaigning for this?

“Well,” Harry began, a little defensively, “it wasn't right that you were denied a portrait because of how you had to leave the school at the end of the war. And I thought, what with nearly dying and all, you deserved to have your contribution recognised.”

Stunned, Severus just gaped at the man who shared his bed, shocked that this secret had been kept so easily from him. Around him, the portraits were applauding, approving Harry's words and congratulating Snape on finally having his significance recognised. Albus was wiping tears from his eyes and beaming at the two men.

Knowing that Severus would be feeling uncomfortable at the high emotions, Harry thanked Minerva for showing them both, and managed to exit the office without too many more delays. He did nod coolly at Elizabeth Burke before he left, and she gifted him with a small smile and a nod in return.

“I should kick your ass,” Severus growled once they were outside and unobserved.

“I'm sore enough, and this obsession you have with my nipples may kill me,” Harry admitted, “though if you want to take it out of my arse another way, I won't stop you.”

“Idiot!” Snape growled as he hurried down the drive to the edge of the wards, “You should have said something last night.”

“When?” Harry asked innocently, “while you were fucking me so hard I couldn't even scream your name or while I was sucking your dick?”

Snape stopped, eyes full of his desire for Harry. It was true, he had fucked Harry so hard that the younger man had been incoherent by the end. “Don't say that. Not here. Not where we might be overheard.”

Annoyed, not at Severus, but at the society in which he lived that refused to allow him to be open about whom it was who made him happy, Harry nodded. “Where are we going?”

“St Mungo's. I'm assuming that Kingsley was waiting until something particular happened before making that astonishing announcement.”

“What?”

“Yolanda Wight and Beth Draconis have probably given birth. One or both of them.”

Dumbfounded, Harry followed Snape. He didn't have the least notion what Severus had had to do with the two witches having children, but he was hopeful that if he accompanied Snape, he would find out something useful.

“At least something has gone right!” he muttered as they hurried to the wards, “I worked out that a personal shield charm just can't happen. No matter what I try, you can't get round the problem of it being impossible to then remove the shield. Ever.”

Harry stared at him, “Finite Incantatem wouldn't work?”
“Oh, I didn't think of that!” Severus answered sarcastically, rolling his eyes. “No, you idiot, it doesn't work. The spell bounces off the shield. Like spells are supposed to! For some reason, the shield doesn't recognise the original caster so can never be removed. The only way to end it is to die, as that will end the casting. But that isn't really a solution!”

A little disappointed, Harry tried not to show it. “Oh. Well, you did try. And you've done other things. This, whatever-it-is, that's got you nominated for the Expert title.” His voice was vaguely questioning, but his partner pretended not to notice.

Apparating directly into St Mungo's, Severus ignored the welcome wizard and went straight to a small ward that held the two women. Harry had the distinct impression that Severus had made this trip many times.

At the door, Snape stopped, seeing two cots placed beside two beds. The two witches looked up and smiled welcomingly at him. He stepped over the threshold and Harry followed. Yolanda's and Beth's eyes widened as they saw Harry, both realising at once that this was the man Snape wanted to help have children.

Harry stayed back, not knowing the situation nor Severus' place in it. He just observed as Snape went first to the dark skinned woman and spoke quietly to her. “You are well?”

She nodded.

“And your child?”

She shifted the cot blanket and Harry spied a toffee coloured baby with piercing blue eyes. “A girl,” she said softly, her smile dazzling at the sight of her daughter.

“And I've got a boy,” Beth said, her eyes holding the same deep love for her child that Yolanda's held.

Harry looked at the boy. It had the same coloured skin as the girl, but as his eyes were closed, he had no way of telling what colour the eyes were. The two children looked very similar, almost like siblings.

“We had them on the same day,” Beth said, smiling, “Yesterday, Yolanda had Harmony in the morning, and I had Jamie that afternoon.” She paused before adding, “He's Jamie Severus.”

Harry felt a stab of agony go through him. Had Severus betrayed him? No, he wouldn't have, he was happy with Harry. He certainly seemed to enjoy fucking Harry enough. But … there was always that but, that voice in his head that whispered at him that for eighteen years Severus had been heterosexual. And, he did fuck Harry, never the other way around. Also, the sex had been getting almost violent at times. Was Snape hiding a loathing for Harry by hurting him? Had Severus been using him as a whipping boy to replace his own mother? He felt sick and clutched at the door frame, his knees weak with shock.

Yolanda saw him and said coolly to Snape, “You might want to fill Harry in, he doesn't seem too pleased.”

Severus threw the younger man a look and saw the truth of the witch's words. Quickly he tugged Harry into the room and closed the door behind him. “I am not the father of either of these children,” he said without preamble, seeing the hurt and some other emotion piercing him from bright green eyes, “the potion I have developed allows same gender couples to have offspring that are made up of their essences. So, both of the children are the offspring of these two women.”

Harry's eyes went wide. He didn't know how he felt about their relationship, about how his body craved Severus and the sometimes degrading things they did. But he gazed up as the words began to sink in. “You mean... we could...?” His face burned. “How could we?”

Yolanda spoke; even grateful to Severus, she still enjoyed needling him, “When he proposed we test his potion, he asked if we'd be willing to carry children for him and/or an unspecified male partner. He's kept it quiet who it was, and, truly, I understand why. Harry Potter. The Prophet would love that bit of news.”

Snape felt his stomach curl in fear. Even now, even knowing these women well and knowing they wouldn't betray him and Harry, he felt afraid at their secret being known. From the way Harry was looking at him, he hadn't fully taken in what had been said. He needed to check the women and their children were healthy, that there were no side effects, but he needed to make Harry okay with what had been going on.

“You've …. You've been doing this for nine months and never said? Never hinted that you had done this? We've been together almost that entire time and you never once mentioned 'Oh by the way, I'm working on a way for us to have children'?! How many times have I let you inside me when you never told me something this important?! I've let you do those things to me and you kept this quiet?! How many times did I say I wanted children? How many times could you have reassured me but you didn't?!” The hurt spilled from Harry's eyes now and coated his cheeks as he stared in horror at this man he thought he knew and realised he was looking at a stranger.

Severus spoke quietly, “Please, Harry, I understand your anger. I'll let you rail at me all you want when we get home, but now, I have to check these four are healthy. I have to. Please, trust me. I'll explain everything when I get home.”

Without saying anything, but throwing a look of mingled hurt and venom at the older wizard, Harry turned on his heel and left. Snape hoped the other man had gone to one of their houses so that he would be able to find him when the time came for their confrontation (and wasn't that going to be pleasant?!) but right now he had other responsibilities.

“You should go after him,” Beth observed.

Snape shook his head, bending his head over the cot so that his curtain of hair hid his face from view. “No, he needs time to work through what he's been told.”

Yolanda hesitantly touched Snape's back and said, her voice for once kind, “He loves you. He'll come around.”

Severus stayed looking at the child. His chest was heaving rather suspiciously, but when he at last straightened up his face was flushed but clear of tears. “Actually, I am not sure he does feel any such emotion. He has certainly never said so.”

“Have you told him you love him?” Yolanda challenged, already sure of the answer.

Snape looked shocked at the very idea.

“No, I thought not. You're not the easiest man to get to know, and if he's stuck with you so long already, he does love you.”

Severus shook his head, not denying her words, but not wanting to deal with them. He and Harry were very comfortable in their relationship, and they certainly didn't need to bring the word love into it. After the rocky start when Harry had questioned why Snape's affection had suddenly shifted from Lily to her son, they had accepted one another and not demanded declarations. Severus would never have requested any such things, and Harry no doubt knew better than to ask. That gave him pause – Harry knew better than to ask. Was their relationship so dysfunctional, so fragile?

His examination of the women and their children showed all four to be completely healthy and normal, with no trace of anything that hinted at the babies' unusual conception.

Finally, Beth sighed grumpily and told him to go and talk to Harry. Knowing he was delaying the inevitable argument, he nodded and left the ward. On his walk to reception he considered where Harry would most likely have gone. He thought – he hoped – that the younger wizard would go to his own house and sulk there. What he would do if Harry wasn't to be found he didn't want to think about.

His guess proved right. He unlocked the door to Twelve, Grimmauld Place and stepped through. They had long ago undone the charm Moody had set up to stop Snape getting back into the house and now he walked warily up to the living room, a little concerned at how Harry was feeling about the rather large secret his partner had kept hidden.

“Are they all okay?” Harry asked, facing him across the living room.

Surprised at the question, Severus had to shift his thoughts to work out what Harry was talking about. “Oh, oh yes, all fine.”

The younger wizard was holding himself still, his emotions rigidly in check. Severus, past master at getting under Harry's skin and at repressing his own feelings, saw that it wouldn't take much to force Harry's true reaction out. But for the moment he was glad that he wasn't being yelled at.

“So, that's the potion that might earn you the title of Expert Potions Master? I guess it means the same sex law needs re-writing?”

Snape padded closer to Harry, still wary of this reasonableness. “Yes. Kingsley and I have discussed the alterations that would be needed if same sex couples truly could have children.”

“And you didn't think to mention, or even hint, anything about this to me?” There it was. There was the anger beginning to leak out. “I dream sometimes, you know, about being found out and going to Azkaban. About being on trial and facing the whole world's disdain, and worse, watching you decide I've been a dirty pleasure but not anything serious and walking away, leaving me to face prison alone.” Harry spoke quietly, but the fear and distress in his voice were all too obvious.

Severus felt awful. He had been awoken some nights by Harry crying out, tears falling down his cheeks, sobbing Snape's name with such pain and loss in his voice that Severus had thought Harry was dreaming of Snape's death. He hadn't understood that Harry was fearing a different leave-taking.

“I'm – I'm sorry,” it was difficult to get the words out past the thickness in his throat. Why had Harry never trusted him with those nightmares? Exhausted, Severus slumped into a chair and said, “I think, perhaps, we need to talk.”

Gasping in shock, Harry sat down, eyes wide with fear. “Don't leave!”

“I'm not leaving,” Snape began, “not unless you want me to. But I think we need to clear the air. I know I'm not easy to get to know, nor easy to feel comfortable with, but I do have your best interests at heart. Had I known how much the fear of Azkaban was affecting you, I would have told you sooner. However, I have kept the potion quiet as I was afraid of getting your hopes up and having them dashed. I suppose,” he added, musingly, “I was too fearful of causing you yet further disappointment, when I know I'm such a one already.”

Harry drew in his breath sharply. “A disappointment? How are you a disappointment?”

Snape looked down at his hands. “If I was the kind of man you deserved, you wouldn't be scared that I might walk away. If I was the kind of man you should be with, you would know how loved you are, not be thinking I'd cheated on you, lied to you, and betrayed you. If I was the kind of man you should have you wouldn't come away from sex bruised. If I was what you really needed, we would have been honest with one another. How can I be anything other than a disappointment? I'm not half the man you deserve.”

Harry dropped to his knees. His expression was forbidding but he took Snape's hands warmly. “I don't see you as a disappointment. A closed-off repressed git at times, but you never disappoint me. Even before we had sex and I was pushing you, you didn't disappoint me, you showed how strongly you felt by considering my needs, rather than my wants.” Harry rubbed one thumb over a dry palm and said softly, “I wish we were more able to be open with one another. And I wish, sometimes, you didn't enjoy making me hurt when we fuck, but while it's happening it's good and I should have told you no before now. So that's my fault as much as yours. I kept the portrait a secret because I thought it would be a nice surprise. It never occurred to me to tell you. Nor to admit what I was having nightmares about. I didn't want to burden you with my insecurities.”

He sighed and finally finished, “I guess I'm disappointed we can't be better together.”

Swallowing hard, Severus broke the silence that had stretched out after Harry had stopped talking. “It's something we can work at.” He paused, “I'd … hoped … that one day you would want me to father your children. But maybe ...”

Harry leaned in and kissed him, effectively shutting off whatever doubt the older wizard had been about to express. He put his hands on either side of the pallid cheeks and held on as he slid his tongue in and claimed this man he had chosen. Severus kissed him so gently Harry knew the older wizard had been shaken by Harry's admission that sometimes sex was painful.

Gradually loosening the kiss, they shifted into short kisses across each other's faces. Harry settled against Snape's chest, head resting, as it often did, on a collar bone. He ran a nail over the other man's thigh again and again, sighing with contentment. After the crazy surge of emotions he had felt, it was great to at last feel that he and Severus were sharing more than just their lives and their bodies; they were starting to share their souls.

“How would we go about having a child together?” Harry asked, heart leaping at the very thought of their shared offspring.

Severus captured Harry's hand as the touch was very arousing and distracting, and he didn't want to allow himself to keep doing things to Harry that caused him discomfort, even if Harry wanted that possession. Especially if Harry wanted that possession. He explained everything he should have told the younger wizard. “You prompted the potion, you know. One of your letters talked about how you'd like to have children, but couldn't, and it made me want to gift you with them. Even if, at that point, I didn't know I would be providing the other half of the essence to create them, I wanted you to have the ability to have children when you found a worthy life-mate.”

Harry shifted, kissed Severus lightly again, then re-settled himself.

“So, I developed the potion, and the charm that goes along with it. Two people who have made a commitment to have a child merely have to put a hair each into the potion I created.”

“A hair?” Harry sounded disappointed. “Don't we have to fuck lots and lots?”

Severus felt his cock harden. Even after six months with Harry, even knowing Harry was sore from their activities, he still reacted strongly to the other man's desire for him. “We will fuck lots and lots, I assure you,” he said, voice gravelly, “but for the creation of our young, we merely need a part of ourselves that contains us and some of our magic. For two witches, once that is done, I merely need to embed the created fetus into their womb.”

“You've skipped a big chunk there,” Harry pointed out. “How do you go from putting our hairs into a potion to creating a fetus?”

Severus shifted uncomfortably. “It's … er … loosely based on the recreation potion that the Dark Lord used to come back to a body.”

Harry leapt up, nearly cracking his head on Snape's jaw. “What?!”

“Loosely, very loosely based on. It doesn't require blood sacrifices, or enemies, or unknowing gifts of bones, just freely presented and willingly giving a small part of oneself. If successful, it melds the two parts and creates a tiny fetus. Then it needs placing into a womb to grow as any other baby would. The only difference is that the potion must be drunk throughout the pregnancy to sustain the life, and the charm re-cast on a weekly basis to strengthen the magic that is allowing the child to develop.”

“And then,” Harry said, voice still not entirely happy at the thought of the potion that had brought Voldemort back, “after nine months the woman gives birth?”

“Yes. And then there is no more potion or magic needed. The child is no different to any other child. He or she will be made up of both of its parents. It can grow up completely normal.”

“Hardly,” Harry sounded bitter, “we'd always have to lie about who its mother was. Remember wizarding society thinks we're performing Unnatural deeds.”

“True, but that is what Kingsley and I have been exploring. As you know, the same sex ruling came about because of dwindling numbers. If two witches like Yolanda and Beth, or two wizards, like us, can have children, there is no need to penalise us for the things we get up to in the privacy of our bedrooms. It won't be swift or easy, but give it a decade or so, and attitudes will change. Perhaps our children will suffer somewhat because of having two fathers, but we don't have to have children if you'd rather spare them that.”

Knowing that Harry did want children, Snape said his final sentence sure that it would provoke a strong response. He was right.

“We're having children,” Harry decided. “As soon as Yolanda and Beth feel capable of carrying them for us.”

Snape clenched his fists, his emotions for once leaking out. “You are sure? It means a lifetime commitment for us.”

Harry glared at him. “Are you unwilling? Or do you think I'll change my mind and get fed up of being fucked by you?”

Severus looked into angry green eyes. “I want you to be clear about what we are taking on. And what will have to change. You need to tell me when I go too far and I need to stop trying to claim you physically when I should already know I have you. We cannot afford to be secretive any more, not if we will be bringing up new lives. We will have to agree on how to discipline and reward them, what rules we will have in place, even what each of us will be called by our children.”

“Right,” Harry said, “no more secrets. And, in the interest of full disclosure,” he paused, took a deep breath and rushed out, “Iloveyou.”

Snape blinked, swallowed and croaked, “In the interest of full disclosure, I – I feel the same way.”
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Harry Potter and the Expert Potions Master