Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Against His Nature	By : harriet Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 84787 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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CHAPTER 48 (Breathing Underwater)
The soft sound pierced the silence of the warm room drawing his attention from his book. He stood up abruptly from his seat by the fire and strode quickly over to the bed. The prone form amongst the beautiful silk white sheets lay silent for a second before letting out a sharp gasping intake of breath. The effort of the breath made the body snap up from the bed and he quickly knelt up beside the form to sooth the effort.

“Shhh, little one. Breathe.” He soothed his hand over the scared forehead of his younger charge, smiling as he watched the ragged breathing finally even out. “Harry?” Daring to hope he spoke softly to the brown haired boy in the bed and watched as the long lashes fluttered against his cheeks. “Slowly.” He whispered again as he removed his wand from inside the sleeve of his shirt and flicked it at the drapes of the window, closing them. In the darkened room he watched as the eyes finally flickered open and he smiled widely at the green gaze staring back at him.

“Severus?” Harry’s voice was hoarse from lack of use and Octavia chuckled softly above him.

“Alas no fledgling. Severus does not cope well with loss. You will have to content yourself with me as your nurse maid for a little while.” Octavia’s smile was warm and understanding as he helped Harry sit up, careful to prop the boy up with several fluffy pillows. Breathing hurt and Harry swallowed in pain as he adjusted to the new position in bed. “It will take you a little while to get used to it again.” Octavia slid off the bed and moved over to the armchair and table that had been set up by the fireplace. A pillow and blanket was draped over the back of the armchair and several empty plates and cups were stacked on the table, as if someone had been staying there for a considerable time. “Here. I had these brewed for you.” Harry watched as Octavia collected two vials of potion from an ornate apocathary box above the fireplace. “They will help with the pain.” Harry nodded as Octavia approached before dutifully swallowing each vial of potion, coughing with the effort of it.

“I’m really hot.” Harry whispered suddenly realizing that he was sweating and panting which was difficult considering his problems with breathing.

“I’m afraid there’s no potion to fix that but I can put you in a bath to sooth the fever until it passes.” Nodding, Harry allowed Octavia to gently lift him from the bed and carry him through the bedroom and into the bathroom. Harry gently wrapped his arms around Octavia’s neck comfortable in the strong embrace of the vampire.

“What’s with all the blood vials?” Harry whispered against Octavia’s neck as he took in the beautiful bedroom over Octavia’s shoulder, noting acutely the large collection of empty blood vials stacked in boxes by the door in the main bedroom.

“Snape.” Octavia muttered cryptically as he gently lowered Harry onto the step into the sunken marble bathtub. Harry allowed Octavia to gently pull the grey nightshirt off over his head leaving him naked before he carefully slid himself down into the gloriously cool water of the bath. Octavia sat himself down on the step Harry had vacated to carefully watch over his charge. Harry closed his eyes and let the soothing water calm the heat of his skin for a long moment before he finally opened his eyes to look up at Octavia.

“You’re a bit blurry.” Harry muttered as he scowled aware now that he didn’t have his glasses on. Octavia whispered the wandless charm and Harry found himself quickly re-acquainted with his glasses bringing the beautiful bathroom and Octavia back into focus. “Wow this is a beautiful bathroom.” Putting voice to his thoughts Harry smiled innocently as Octavia chuckled in amusement.

“Thank you. I like this room too. It gets the sun in the winter and has great light to read. It was Severus’ favourite place to come to when he stayed with me.” Octavia reached across and grabbed a soft cloth and a musky scented soap. “That was of course before the ministry confiscated all suspected vampire associated assets.” Harry dutifully moved forward and allowed Octavia space to begin gently washing his back with the cloth and soap.

“So we’re in your house?” Harry prompted relaxing completely at the gentle attention that Octavia was paying him.

“Yes.” Octavia whispered concentrating on his job of keeping Harry cool in the water but at the same time silently assessing the boy’s health. “It is my family estate in Wales. I grew up here before my father was suspected of being a vampire and we were forced to flee. You and Severus are my guests until such time as Severus’ property and assets are returned to him. I hear Dumbledore is advocating his innocence in regard to Voldemort’s Deatheaters.” Harry smiled silently, knowing well that the least Dumbledore could do was defend Snape’s role as spy during Voldemort’s reign.

“What’s happened since…well you know?” Harry glanced over his shoulder at Octavia. Octavia knew it was coming and had wondered why the boy had taken so long to get to the point.

“Lots.” Octavia answered cheekily, causing Harry to groan at the comment.

“I’m serious Octavia. I can’t remember anything after Draco killed…..” Harry trailed off his body stiffening in horror at the memories of what had happened in the dorm room.

“Calm yourself little one.” Octavia sensing the change in Harry, soothed his hand across Harry’s back before helping the boy to sink lower into the cool water, his head resting on a towel so that he could look up at the elder vampire. “He is gone Harry, that much has not changed. As for everything else… well let us just say, the world is a little different now.” Harry frowned but didn’t speak as he waited for Octavia to continue. “You have been gone from us for six weeks. Suspended in the world between the living and the dead.”

“I was dead?” Harry whispered, Octavia’s previous comment about Snape now seeming to make sense.

“Not exactly.” Octavia shook his head in thought before continuing. “Vampires are notoriously hard to kill, that is why we are referred to as immortal. From what little information I’ve managed to gather these last few weeks, when you used vampire talent to fight Riddle your magic took back from Riddle what he took from you all those years ago. The vampire in you sought out the power he stole and simply took it back, leaving him powerless and vulnerable. However when our dear Draco Malfoy ran the little bastard through with Godric's sword he inadvertently killed you as well, through the magical link you shared with Voldemort.” Octavia paused and let Harry absorb the information for a moment before going on. “Of course you would have died had you not been made a vampires mate. Severus’ blood has kept you on the precipice for weeks and we have all been waiting to see if you had enough fight left in you to return to us.”

“So those blood vials are Severus’ blood and I’ve been drinking it?” Harry shuddered in abhorrence his gag reflex causing him to dry heave in the tub. Octavia rolled his eyes and reached into the tub gently lifting Harry’s arm out of the water to show him the purple bruises at the crook of his elbow.

“Transfusions actually.” Octavia corrected mildly irritated that Harry still had not gotten over his clear aversion to blood. “That and your Gryffindor fighting spirit pulled you through. I had faith you had something to fight for.”

“You mean Severus?” Harry blushed coyly and Octavia smiled crookedly at the brown haired boy.

“Him too.” Octavia supplied cryptically not giving Harry time to question the strange comment before he continued. “Suffice to say you have impressed me Harry Potter with your tenacity to reclaim your life. Most fully matured vampires would not have weathered such an ordeal and survived as well as you seem to have done.” Harry beamed proudly as Octavia gently soothed his hand across Harry’s cheek in pride.

“So what else has changed?” Harry whispered once the moment between them had come to an end.

“This and that.” Octavia shrugged as he stood up slowly from the step to the bathtub, having checked to make sure that Harry’s fever had finally settled. “With the influx of Severus’ blood over the past six weeks and with the mix of Riddles magic your body has been forced into early maturity, thus the fever. As your magic settles into its new equilibrium the fevers will lessen in intensity.” Harry nodded as Octavia gestured for him to stand up and step into the soft fluffy towel he was holding open for him. Gingerly Harry stepped into the towel still unsteady on his feet after his lengthy stay in bed.

“So am I a vampire now?” Harry unconsciously ran his tongue over his upper teeth to check for points. Octavia rolled his eyes and shook his head as he moved Harry over in front of the sink and mirror.

“You are a vampire’s mate Harry. By default you are one of us as you have vampire blood running through your veins and thus have inherited some of our magic and traits.” Octavia paused and adjusted Harry’s glasses on his face and brushed the unruly mop of hair out of his face. “You must be a pureblood vampire to inherit blood lust so you will never have that particular trait. However a little of Severus’ blood every once in a while keeps you safe Harry, so suck it up.” Harry nodded in understanding as he looked up at Octavia who stared down at him pointedly.

“So nothing bad has happened from me having all that blood from Severus?” Harry queried watching carefully as Octavia grimaced slightly.

“Not exactly but you are one of a kind Harry. This sort of thing can’t really be predicted.” Harry’s fear rose as Octavia moved to the side, finally allowing Harry to see his reflection in the mirror.

“Shit.” Harry muttered as he stared at his reflection. Gone was the emerald green gaze he’d inherited from his mother and in its place was a violet gaze with little flecks of gold. “Will it go away?” Harry leaned in closer to inspect his newly coloured eyes knowing that his eyes had always changed back to green after the vampire in him had settled.

“I don’t think so.” Octavia mused intently cautious of Harry’s reaction to the news. “It was unexpected but I’m guessing it has something to do with Tom. In his absence I believe a little bit of Severus has replaced him. A good thing I think in my opinion. Severus really is an exceptionally powerful vampire.” Octavia concluded as he allowed Harry one last look at himself in the mirror before guiding him back out into the warmth of the bedroom.

“I guess there’s no hiding I’m a vampire now.” Harry muttered as he sat down on the edge of the bed still a little tired. Octavia huffed an amused chuckle as he began selecting clothes for Harry to wear out of the closet.

“Do not worry yourself Harry things have changed in that regard too.” Harry finished drying himself as Octavia came over to help him dress in the robes he’d selected. “Fudge’s council turned against him after you and your band of fool hardy students took off to fight Riddle. The aurors took direction under Dumbledore, myself and Severus to come to your aid, while we left Arthur to sort out the Ministry.” Harry stood as Octavia helped him into the soft grey trousers and white shirt. “That wizard has a natural gift for diplomacy and as such he is the forerunner for next fortnight’s elections as Minister for Magic. He is proposing mandatory integration programs to ensure understanding between wizards, creatures, vampires and muggles.” Harry smiled glad that Arthur Weasley was sorting out the old prejudices that had longed plagued the wizarding world. “While he is caretaking the position, he has also seen fit to return the vampire assets and has included vampire and dark creature history in the curriculum for Hogwarts students once it is rebuilt.” Octavia buttoned Harry into his shirt and waistcoat before draping a beautiful emerald green robe around his body. Harry admired the robe and fingered the beautiful silver crest embroidered on the point of the collar. “Snape’s family crest.” Octavia explained as he smoothed out the creases in the material before kneeling so that he could slip Harry’s feet into a pair of dragon hide boots.

“Is he okay?” Harry queried as Octavia stood up and took a step back to assess Harry’s appearance. Octavia met Harry’s nervous violet gaze with a sympathetic one of his own.

“He is distant, cold and moody.” Octavia spoke matter of factly as he reached out and took Harry’s hand in his own.

“No change from usual then.” Harry chuckled weakly causing Octavia to smile at the joke.

“Indeed.” Octavia paused and tightened his hold on Harry’s hand. “Severus has seen a lot of death. He has lost loved ones before and knows pain. He closes himself off when things get too much for him. He has not handled your absence well. On top of his new responsibilities within the council he has struggled and I was wondering if he hadn’t lost hope.” Harry nodded as Octavia squeezed his hand in comfort. “But he will be well once he sees you.” Octavia brightened and let Harry’s hand go to move towards the door leading from the bedroom.

“Unfortunately the house elves will have informed your friends and family that you have awoken, so I expect quite a crowd downstairs.” Octavia opened the door to the hallway and Harry took a shallow breath in testing his lungs to ensure he wasn’t still in pain. “Lupin has not left the house since you were brought here. His presence has done nothing for Severus’ mood.”

“Sorry.” Harry whispered guiltily knowing well that Octavia had probably had little choice but to accept Remus’ presence in his house while ever he was here.

“No trouble, I understand that your family situation is complicated.” Harry blushed as Octavia closed the door to the bedroom behind them and offered Harry his arm for support. Feeling suddenly very unsure of himself Harry took Octavia’s offered arm surprising himself by how he needed the help. “I will attempt to move the group on as soon as I am able but you must tell me if you are feeling not well and I will have them removed immediately.” Harry nodded as they followed the grand, candle lit hallway before descending the large wooden staircase into an impressive receiving hall.

Harry could already hear the excitedly loud chatter of his friends and family as Octavia led him towards the closed doors of the library. Like always Harry was an open book and Octavia smiled to himself as he read the boys mind easily. Despite the vampire blood running through his veins Harry really was a truly terrible occlument. A house elf popped in front of Harry and Octavia as they approached the wooden door and Harry smiled his thanks to the little creature who dutifully opened the door for them.

“Calm, shallow breathing until your lungs have regained their strength.” Octavia warned as he and Harry stepped into library. No sooner had Harry stepped into the library than his eyes flickered around the room seeking out his mate. They found the tall, austere figure standing by the window his arms locked behind him and his gaze lost out into the sunshine of a garden beyond. Harry felt his heart swell as the closing of the door behind him had Snape spinning around to face him. Their gaze met across the room and Harry felt the prickle of tears in his eyes as a feeling of relief rose in his chest. Snape looked just as perfect as he had done the night they’d been at the Ministry. The vampire was stood up in cream coloured slacks, a white collared shirt rolled to his elbows and brown dragon hide boots with silver buckles. His hair was neatly pulled back at the nape of his neck and tied with a simple white ribbon. He looked a little tired and drawn but was no less gorgeous. ‘Sin wrapped in chinos.’ Harry thought to himself unable to stop the smirk from reaching his lips even as tears fell down his cheeks. It seemed for a second as though Snape would move towards him but before he could Harry was swept up in an excited talking crowd of friends and family. Harry lost sight of Snape in the crush and so he resigned himself to dealing with the others questions and hugs one by one. Snape would have to wait.

A/N Yeah couldn't kill Harry.....or else I wouldn't have a story would I.... Anyway we're inching our way towards the finishing line now stay with me peeps we're nearly there.
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Against His Nature