All That You Leave Behind | By : SickPuppy Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 35161 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
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. |
Silently, he led the stricken boy into his shower, holding him tightly as the hot water cascaded over them both, Harry's tears against his chest hotter yet.
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Harry looked into the mirror over the sink in his own bathroom, scrutinising his own reflection. He'd quickly showered again upon returning to his own room, scrubbing himself roughly with the soap he usually used, shampooing his hair with the shampoo Ginny bought for him, and brushing his teeth until his gums stung. He realised he was being a bit paranoid, but he couldn't take the chance that Ginny would see or smell any sign of Severus on him. Just to be sure, he cast a Scourgify charm over himself, and went out into the main bedroom.
He chose fresh clothing and slowly dressed, trying to ignore the recriminations his mind insisted on screaming at him, but it was no use. They demanded to be heard, even over the pangs of grief shooting through his heart at having to leave Severus, and his insides writhed painfully with the chaos of his conflicting feelings.
You deserve the pain! Look what you've done and you can't go back now! You can't change it! You cheated! You cheated on your wife and nothing, not your feelings for Severus, not your feelings for Ginny and James, not anything ever again can change that!
Harry groaned and gave up trying to button his shirt, bringing his shaky hands up to cover his face as he squeezed his eyes tightly shut.
How could you have let this happen?! Let it go this far?! And what the fuck are you going to do??
He rushed back into the bathroom, nausea rising, his stomach in a roil but nothing came up. He stood on shaky legs, gripping the vanity, willing himself to get a grip on himself.
"This can't go on," he whispered to his reflection. "You're cheating Ginny with Severus, you're cheating Severus with Ginny." He hung his head and willed away the tears that threatened.
After a moment he lifted his head, shaking it, refusing to look at his reflection, muttering, "I can't choose. I can't!", then turned away to prepare for his wife's return.
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Severus looked up from the book he was reading, and frowned upon hearing Harry's whisper once again. He saw the slight wince that shuddered through Harry, and his frown deepened. The younger man had cast "Scourgify" on himself so many times his skin must be stinging, Severus thought. Harry's nerves unsettled Severus, yet, he supposed, he would feel just as unsettled if Harry were able to be completely calm and collected in the face of his wife's return after the weekend they'd just spent.
Severus himself was feeling deeply guilty, but he was better at hiding his feelings, better at lying through his teeth, pretending things were anything but what they were, thanks to all his years as a spy. Briefly he wondered what that said about himself, that he could remain calm and collected, and lying, even to somebody he cared about. Because he did care about Ginny, more and more everyday, and he did not wish to hurt her, no matter how deep his feelings for her husband.
Harry paced, sat down, got up, paced again, trying vainly to get a grip on himself. Severus watched him, and sighed deeply as Harry once again muttered a "Scourgify" and winced.
"Harry," he said, and the younger man visibly startled. "Would you like me to go to my rooms?"
"No!," Harry yelped quickly. "No...I'm...I'm fine."
"If you cast "Scourgify" on yourself one more time you'll begin bleeding," Severus said drily.
"I'm sorry!," Harry said, "just...." He felt awful. Trapped. He didn't want to hurt Severus' feelings, and felt guilty that his lover had heard him cast the cleansing spells.
"Harry," Severus said carefully, "if this is going to cause you such...."
"No," Harry said sharply, "don't say it. I don't regret it. Not at all. Even if .....even if I feel guilty, I don't regret it."
"While I am glad to hear that, still...." Severus began, but was cut off by Harry.
"No." Harry said with finality. "Don't say it's over. I'm not giving you up, Severus. I love you. No matter what else....even if I feel guilty over......Ginny......I love you and.....I'm not giving you up." Harry surprised himself with the vehemence with which this popped out. He knew now that he could not give Severus up.
Before Severus could add anything to that, the floo flared up, and Ginny, James in her arms, stepped through.
"Oh!," she said with happiness and relief, "it's good to be home!" She tipped James into Harry's arms and leaned in for a kiss. Harry obliged, conscious of Severus' presence, and then kissed his son, cuddling him tightly until the boy squealed and tried squirming away.
"Severus," Ginny said, stepping over to peck his cheek. "So. How did my boys survive the weekend without me?" she asked with a smile.
"Erm.....we managed," Harry said, not daring to look at Severus.
"You must be exhausted," Severus said to Ginny, stepping in smoothly. "Why don't you settle James and your things in, and then come to the kitchen. I've taken the liberty of relieving you of dinner duty."
"Oh Severus," Ginny sighed happily, pecking his cheek again, "I love you! I am a bit worn and I'm starving. Mum wanted us to stay for dinner, but I wanted to get home to my boys. Thank you!"
She stepped back over to Harry, taking James back, and gave him a frankly suggestive look, and murmured, "Then after dinner, we'll get James sorted and then maybe we can relax. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too," Harry gulped, feeling his face flush. He ventured a quick peek at Severus out of the corner of his eye, and saw the man's jaw tighten slightly before he pulled his usual mask back on.
"Why don't you help Ginny unpack, Harry, and I'll get dinner," he said and disappeared into the kitchen.
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Dinner was an uncomfortable affair for Harry. Severus engaged Ginny in talk about the Quidditch matches she'd covered and the interviews she'd conducted and her writing, and all the while Ginny, though talking animatedly, was stroking her foot up and down Harry's leg, making it clear that she couldn't wait for dinner to be over. Admittedly, Harry couldn't wait to be alone with her, he had missed her and she did turn him on, but he also couldn't help worrying about whether he could stand another tumble in the sheets. Severus had so thoroughly wrung him out on that score, and Harry, although aroused, wasn't sure he'd be able to carry through. That, combined with the feeling that he was somehow cheating on Severus with his lustful thoughts of Ginny, left Harry without much appetite at all.
Oh my God, he thought frantically, you must be mad! How do you think you're ever going to survive this?! You don't want to give Severus up, but the truth is, you never should have got involved in the first place!
He continued to internally castigate himself until he was drawn out of his own thoughts by Ginny's warm hand on his arm. "Just leave the clearing up, Severus," she said, her warm brown eyes on Harry all the while, "I'll do it in the morning. There's more important things to tend to than the washing up."
Harry gulped, his throat dry, and was afraid to even glance at Severus. He squeezed Ginny's hand instead cast about frantically for something to say. He was rescued by Severus himself, who said lightly, "I'm sure you and Harry have plenty to talk about, Ginny, and I am rather tired myself. If you don't mind, I'll excuse myself and retire to my rooms. Good night then."
Harry ventured a look at him as he said good night, but Severus' face was as inscrutable as ever, and Harry felt a deep pang of guilt.
Stop it! he told himself harshly. He knew you were married. He knew what he was getting into. Both of you did! You can feel guilty about what you're doing to Ginny, but it's wrong to feel guilty over Severus! She's your wife! He's your secret male lover!
"Good night, Severus," Ginny said, and headed for the bedroom.
Without looking back, Harry followed.
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