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Hex-Crossed Lovers	By : HPRndRobin Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 14816 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- 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.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Hex-Crossed Lovers

Chapter 7

by Magdelena

A/N: As in previous chapters, Parseltongue is denoted in bold, and telepathy in italics.
~*~

Harry could feel himself filling with rage as he heard the identity of the imposter. The only thing that prevented him from attacking the bitch was Severus� voice in his head, calming him. To think that he had been agonizing for months, thinking Remus had blamed him for Sirius� death, when it had been Sirius� murderer who had been filling his head with lies! His anger quickly morphed into fear when it occurred to him to wonder where Remus had been for all those months. Harry�s thoughts were interrupted when he heard the hissed warning from Nagini that Bella was trying to draw her wand.

Before Harry could further react, Bellatrix slumped down in her chair holding her stomach. The corners of Severus� lips threatened to twist upward in a smile. When Harry questioned Severus telepathically he got a rather cryptic reply. �It seems the extra little potion I slipped in with the veritaserum has been quite effective.�

Severus confirmed his part in the onset of the �illness� that had felled the imposter to Albus with a sharp nod. Albus� eyes twinkled at Severus in acknowledgment for only a moment before he turned his attention back to the matter at hand. Casting wandless stunning and silencing charms on Bellatrix, he spoke loudly enough for the staff to hear. �It seems as if Professor Lupin has come down with something. Severus, if you would be so good as to help me get him to the infirmary.� As Severus moved to assist him, and Madam Pomfrey bustled ahead to ready the infirmary for their patient, Albus softly requested of Minerva and Filius that they and the other trusted teachers continue to carefully observe the students during the remainder of the meal for any sign that they knew of the ruse before joining him in the infirmary.

Harry, who had been watching the scene from Severus� shoulder snapped out of his reverie and asked Nagini to especially keep an eye on the Slytherin students, Theodore Nott in particular, to see if any of them seemed anxious over Lupin�s �illness�. Harry advised Nagini of the secret paths he had found to travel through the castle thus far. Nagini hissed her approval, and agreed to meet them later in Severus� quarters with any information she obtained.

Several surreptitious distracting charms were cast, and with Fawkes continuing to divert the students as well, the hasty exit of the Potions Master and Headmaster levitating out the DADA professor was barely noticed. As soon as they were safely inside the infirmary, Severus moved out of Bellatrix�s line of sight, and Harry transformed back from his animagus form. Madam Pomfrey was bustling around retrieving the potion she would need to counteract the mild poison Severus had given Bellatrix to cause the stomach cramps.

Albus walked over next to Severus and Harry. �Good work, Severus. I�m glad you thought to prepare something that would give us a reason to get the imposter out of the Great Hall.� Albus smirked rather uncharacteristically at Severus. �However, it might have actually been Remus. What if you had poisoned one of our own?�

Severus shrugged his shoulders noncommittally and returned Albus� smirk. �I would have apologized�much later.�

Harry snorted at the implication. �And you wonder why the castle would want me and not you to be Headmaster?� Ignoring Severus� narrowed gaze, Harry turned to Albus all traces of mirth quickly dissolving from his face. �So what now, sir?�

�I am going to contact Kingsley and Tonks so that they can be present when we question Bellatrix. I want the Ministry can have an official record of what is said here. In the mean time why don�t you both retreat to Severus� quarters for a spot of lunch.� Albus raised his hand to silence their protests before they could even open their mouths. �You both need to keep up your strength. I will, of course, retrieve you both before we begin questioning her. You can floo directly to my office from Severus� quarters.�

Severus and Harry both nodded their agreement, reluctantly. �You do realize, sir that I�m only agreeing because the castle will tell us when you begin to question her anyway.�

Severus squeezed Harry�s hand to reassure the young man. He knew that finding out that Bellatrix had been impersonating Remus would be a mixed blessing for Harry. Harry would feel relieved that Remus had not blamed him for Sirius� death, but Bella�s presence had quickly brought back Harry�s mixed feelings of rage and guilt surrounding his godfather�s murder. Harry offered Severus a smile of thanks for the affectionate gesture.

The gesture was not lost on Albus, who smiled knowingly at his two boys, causing them both to roll their eyes and immediately drop their hold on each other. Severus hastened to change the subject. �And what of Potter�s vision last night. The Weasleys?�

�All are quite safe and sound. Apparently Molly, Arthur, Fred, Bill and Charlie were all home at the time. They were able to portkey out in time. The only one who worried us for a while was Charlie. He suffered through a bout of cruciatus and his magical strengths were depleted, but he should be fine after a bit of rest. Once he reached his destination he had to wait for Alastor to retrieve him as he didn�t have the strength to apparate. I�m afraid though, that the Burrow has been destroyed.�

Harry let out a shaky breath. �Wow. That�s a lot to take in. At least everyone made it out.� He looked up quickly to meet the Headmaster�s eyes. �They�ve all settled into Grimmauld Place, I hope?�

�Yes, at least temporarily.� Albus replied as he guided Harry and Severus towards the infirmary door.

�Not if I can help it.� Harry muttered loud enough for just Severus to hear as they reached the infirmary exit before changing back into Noir for the trip to the dungeons. He quickly wrapped himself around Severus� neck and the two left for their rooms.

Severus mentally snorted and spoke telepathically to Harry. �What great Gryffindor plan are you cooking up now?�

�None actually. It�s already done. I�ve been trying to convince them to move into Grimmauld Place for the last year. If I ever need a home outside of Hogwarts, which considering the castle�s plans for us I doubt, I�ll rebuild at Godric�s Hollow. I have no intentions of ever living at Grimmauld Place again, there are just too many painful associations with that place in my mind. I signed over the property to Arthur and Molly last Christmas.�

Severus looked at Noir through narrowed eyes. Harry continued. �What? They�re the only family I�ve ever known. And with the way they�ve stuck by me through the years, it was the least I could do. If they�d let me I�d give them the contents of one of my Gringott�s vaults.� Harry paused and sighed. �I meant it when I said that I never wanted any of the fame or money. All I�ve ever wanted was a family and someone to love me.�

Severus couldn�t help but understand the not-so-subtle double meaning in Harry�s words. He made a decision then and there that as soon as they reached his quarters the two of them were going to have an honest discussion about where their relationship was heading.

Once they had reached the confines of Severus� rooms, Harry quickly changed back into his human form. Severus called down to the kitchens for sandwiches and tea for both of them. He had barely finished speaking into the fire before an overflowing tray appeared on the table before him. The two settled down in comfortable silence to their meal.

While Severus was busily brooding over several ways to broach the subject in question, Harry began to speak. �Look, I just want to make one thing perfectly clear. I know you are intent on helping me out with the abuse I�ve suffered from my family, and I have no objections to that. I�I know it�s something I�ve put off for far too long.�

Harry�s emerald eyes were filled with tears when he met Severus� gaze. He swiped the tears away fiercely. �But I don�t want you to get any stupid ideas about me thinking of you as some sort of counselor or father-figure and being attracted to you because of it. Maybe that would have been the case if I hadn�t had�feelings for you before we started talking about it all. But as it is the only reason I feel comfortable talking to you is because�on some level�you�ve managed to become important to me in a way that no one else ever has.�

Severus pondered Harry�s words for a moment trying to formulate his answer, but before he could react, Harry had again started speaking. �I know you have problems with me being your student, and I can accept that nothing can happen between us until you are comfortable. I know that we�d always have to be wary of how others perceive us.� Harry snorted and rolled his eyes. �Hell, I�d have to do that with whoever I was with. My public image will always be a basis for concern and critique by the Wizarding world. I just wanted to make sure you knew that there was no one else that I�ve ever even considered exploring the possibility of a relationship with.�

Just as Severus thought Harry had finally finished his rant, Harry blurted out one final statement. �But at the very least, could you please call me Harry.�

Severus chuckled, and leaned back in his chair, dropping his napkin to his plate. �Are you quite through�Harry?�

�Yes, I believe I am.�

Severus nodded and a genuine smile spread slowly across his face. �Good, because I feel the need to clarify a few things as well. First, since before lunch when Albus decided that you should apprentice me�you haven�t been my student.� Harry�s sharp intake of breath made it quite clear to Severus that the subtle differences inherent in being Severus� apprentice versus his student had not occurred to Harry. �Although I still would prefer that we keep whatever occurs between us under wraps for a while, the necessity of our�closeness�due to the apprenticeship will allow us a better chance to interact without causing much base for gossip. Second, as we will now be Master and Apprentice, it would be entirely appropriate for us to call each other by our given names.�

�Does that mean that you��

Severus ignored Harry�s interruption and continued to speak. �Third, I think I might suggest to the Headmaster that as we will no longer have a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher that he consider allowing you to teach the course under my tutelage. We may have to reschedule a few classes, but I doubt that will be a problem for Albus. I could supervise your apprenticeship in that subject, which despite your recent display of a modicum of talent for Potions, I would assume might interest you more. That would also provide a way to appease the castle�s plan to have you continue on after graduation.�

�They may find Remus.� Harry added softly.

�I have no doubt they will.� Severus replied reassuringly. �They will have had to keep him alive to get the hair for the polyjuice. However, I doubt that after his ordeal he will want to immediately return to teaching.� Severus stood from his chair and moved to Harry�s side, hoisting the younger man from his seat by the lapels of his robe. �So that�s my plan if you�re serious about what you said earlier�Harry.�

�I�m very serious�Severus.�

�Then I believe every agreement is usually sealed with some sort of acknowledgement.� Severus slid his hands up Harry�s chest and cupping Harry�s face in his hands, he closed the remaining distance between them and sealed their lips together. As their lips met, Harry wrapped his arms around Severus� waist and pulled his former professor�s body flush against his own. As the slow, languid kiss continued and deepened, it was as if their minds, hearts, bodies, and magics fused. Time seemed to stand still as they sated themselves on the taste of one another. Slowly, they broke the depth of the kiss and as they came back to the present moment both heard a far away voice cheering.

After looking at each other quizzically for only a moment, they leaned their foreheads together and laughed heartis ths they both realized that the sounds of the excitement from the castle, who was cheering them on; a castle, who until now had been unusually quiet, allowing the young men some privacy for their discussion.

Harry turned his attention away from the castle and back to Severus. As he was drawn back into the memory of the kiss they had just shared, he couldn�t help the word that escaped his lips. �Wow.�
Severus snorted and pulled back slightly to smirk at theng mng man he held in his arms. �So eloquent, Harry.�
Mmmm, I�m very glad we clarified our perspectives on this matter.�
�As am I.�
�Of course, it�s lovely that we have the castle�s approval as well.�
�I�m thrilled.�
Harry and Severus both chuckled as they leaned in for another kiss. Before their lips could meet, however, there was a knock on Severus� door. Severus looked at Harry expectantly, and Harry nodded, preparing to sforsform again into Noir to hide his presence should their guest be anyone other than the few staff members who knew of their bond.
Before he could transform though, the castle spoke to both of them. �I doubt that will prove to be of much need. Your guests have been sent by Minerva at the current Headmaster�s insistence. However, they are quite confused as to your presence here, young Gryffindor. They have been trying to find your location since yesterday, but have been unable to locate the parchment which would show your whereabouts.�
Severus rolled his eyes in frustration. �Remind me to kill Albus when all of this is over with.�
�Don�t you dare! The quicker you kill him off�the quicker we have to take over. I don�t know about you, but I�m going to be a little busy finding a way to kill Tom to bother with Albus right now. And I�m no more ready for this confrontation than you. Why do you think I hid the Marauder�s Map from them? Do you think I like them following me around obsessing over how I am all the time?�
Severus nodded in reluctant agreement. Motioning for Harry to move so he would be concealed by the door when it opened in case anyone else was lurking in the hall, Severus schooled his face into his usual sneer and yanked open the door. �WHAT!� He bellowed.

Hermione gulped and jutted her chin out steeling herself to answer her professor. �Professor McGonagall sent us, sir. She said that Professor Dumbledore wanted you to fill us in on the details about what happened to Harry. We went to look for him in the infirmary first thinking he might still be quarantined.�
�Please, sir.� Ron stepped forward obviously emboldened by his fear over his friend�s whereabouts. �May we come in? I�d never forgive myself if something happened to Harry because of a misfired spell from my wand.�
Severus stepped back from the door with an aggrieved sigh, and ushered the two teens into his rooms. Hermione and Ron�s surprise at being so readily admitted into the formidable Potions Master�s domain was even more pronounced when they heard him close the door behind them, and their observations of his chambers was interrupted by the sound of Harry�s voice. �Looking for me, were you?�

�Harry?� Ron gasped, immediately taking in his best friend�s proximity to the Potions Master asl asl as the way the Professor�s scowl had disappeared as soon as the door to his rooms had been closed.
�Yeah, it�s me.� Harry shrugged his shoulders and sighed. �You both had better sit down. This is going to take a while.�
If Hermione and Ron had been shocked by Harry�s presence in Professor Snape�s chambers, they were mortified by the familiar way he directed them both to chairs, and then moved with the professor to sit on the couch facing them. By the time they were all seated, Hermione�s impulsiveness could no longer be contained. �Harry, what�s really going on here? I mean, the last time I checked you and the professor weren�t exactly close, and now you�re acting like you are old friends. Does this have anything to do with the hex you two were caught by? So many strange things are going on. There was a disturbance earlier today with Professor Lupin��
Harry interrupted his friend. �Hermione, if you give me a chance, I�ll explain it all to you.�
�Before you do that, Mister Potter, I would like a minute of your time.� Severus stood and gestured for Harry to follow him into the bedroom. Once they were concealed inside, Severus turned on his heel to face Harry. �All? Are you sure you�re ready for that?� Severus asked cryptically.
�The Headmaster wouldn�t have sent them without giving us instructions if he didn�t expect me to update them fully on what�s going on. Besides if any of this is going to work, I�m going to need their help to pull it off. I�m tired of all the lying, Severus.�
�I was not trying to imply that you should keep anything from them. I have always thought that Albus kept far too much from your ears. I will support you in whatever you decide to explain to your friends, but I want to know from you before we go back in there if you intend to tell them about�� Severus� eyes diverted from Harry�s face to the floor.
Almost instantaneously he felt a calloused hand cupping his chin, and instinctively he raised his eyes to meet Harry�s concerned gaze. �About our rather strange relationship�attraction�who knows what?�
�Precisely.�
Harry caressed Severus� cheek lovingly for a moment before he answered. �Not yet. I plan to make sure they realize that I trust you, that I think we are becoming friends, and that I�m unsure where we are going from here, beyond that I can�t tell them what I don�t know.�
Severus� hand covered Harry�s as he replied. �Agreed.�
Harry drew his lower lip between his teeth, and then slowly an evil grin spread across his face. �Besides, I doubt Ron would believe me if I told him that I had just shared the best kiss of my life with the Potions Master.�
�Brat.� Severus rolled his eyes, and playfully swatted Harry�s hand away from his face. His face grew somber as he asked his next question. �And about your relatives��
Harry�s smile disappeared. �I�ll tell them�but later. Too much has happened, I just can�t do it all at once.�
�Fine. Let�s go."
Harry and Severus returned to the room to find Hermione and Ron conversing softly. Harry chuckled at the sight of the overprotective pair likely conspiring on some crazy plan of how to help him. �You don�t have to worry. He doesn�t have me under any sort of spell you know. Well, I am under a spell of sorts, a hex actually, but it wasn�t the Professor�s fault that it happened.�
�Oh, Harry. I�m so sorry.� Ron groaned.
�No, Ron, actually it wasn�t your fault, or Malfoy�s either. A third party homogenized the spells to create an emoticon bond between the Professor and me. To sum it up, basically we are forced to be civil to one another or the bond draws us physically closer. However, even when we�re acting considerately towards one another it still won�t let us any further than twenty feet apart.�
�Is it permanent?� Hermione inquired with wide eyes.
�Yes and No.� Severus interjected leveling a narrowed glare at Harry.
�The hex itself will last for thirty days, but there were�complications.� Harry blew out a breath. �It was the castle that formed the bond between us. Apparently Professor Snape and I have been chosen by our somewhat sentient castle to be the next Headmaster and Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts.�
�I resent the implication that I am only �somewhat� sentient.� The castle huffed.
Severus and Harry both snorted almost simultaneously, causing Hermione and Ron to regard them both nervously. Harry chuckled. �Sorry. We can actually hear the castle talking in our heads. It wasn�t very pleased that I referred to it as �somewhat� sentient. Apparently, it feels that I was being rude.�
�Harry this is a lot to take in.� Ron stated.
Harry cringed. �Actually, that�s only the beginning of the story. There have been several things that I�ve been keeping from you in my attempt to keep you both as far away from trouble as possible. Someone made me realize that I�ve been stupidly shortsighted in doing so, and I apologize. I never meant to lie to you, but�anyway�let me just try to get through all of this. Since then, the Professor was called to a meeting with Riddle and I went along with him�in my animagus form.�
Hermione�s eyes grew wide in realization. �You�re the snake the Professor had with him today?�
�Yes. Over the summer I studied how to do the transformation, and �Noir�, the snake you saw today was the result. Anyway, Riddle tried to take me from the Professor. He decided he liked the idea of having me as a pet I suppose, so my animal instincts kicked in and I bonded myself to the Professor in my animagus form.�
Hermione nodded. �I understand the intent. You would be able to ground out any magical attacks against him, right?�
�That was the idea. Riddle was torturing him at the time, and��
Hermione waved a hand dismissively. �An understandable reaction, but how has it affected the emoticon bond?�
�What do you mean?� Severus inquired, sharing a worried glance with Harry before turning back to the brainy Gryffindor.
�I can�t say with any certainty yet, of course, but bonds are tricky things, and combining several different bonds can have a cumulative effect. I�ll have to do some research, but if I had to venture a guess, sir, I�d say that it won�t be just a month you two will be together for.�
�This is why I don�t have friends. They always bring bad news.� Severus deadpanned.
�Or perhaps it�s just that we both befriended brainy Gryffindors.� Harry replied sarcastically. At Severus� raised eyebrow, Harry rolled his eyes and continued. �It doesn�t take a genius to figure out from our conversation last night that my mother was the friend in question.�
Severus was about to reply, but Ron�s response cut him off. �Um, I hate to interrupt, but you said there were several things you needed to tell us, and I can already see that �Mione is itching to get to the library to look up everything she can on this �bond� of yours, which means that like it or not, I�ll be doing the research with her.�

Harry narrowed his gaze at his best friend. �Wait a minute. You mean you�re not at all upset about the Headmaster thing or the bond?�
Ron shrugged his shoulders. �You seem all right with it. And as long as you�re not having a fit about it, I figured it was more prudent to wait until I heard everything before making a judgment call.�
Harry nodded in agreement. �Understandable. Regardless of what Hermione finds out, it still leaves us in a very precarious situation. So, Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall decided that it would be better if I wase ane an apprentice to Professor Snape. We�re going to talk with them again later, but Professor Snape suggested that we might co-teach Potions and DADA with the intentions of me taking over DADA after I�m finished my apprenticeship.�
�So something bad must have happened to Professor Lupin if you know he�s not returning�� Hermione prodded.
�Actually�that was some of the more disturbing news of the day�that wasn�t Professor Lupin. It seems that Bellatrix Lestrange has been posing as Remus, probably since the beginning of our sixth year. We�re not sure yet. Professor Dumbledore is going to call us when they�re ready to question her.�
Ron sat up straight in his chair, realization dawning on his face. �Wait a minute, if Professor Snape didn�t know about��
Severus smirked in reply. �Good assessment, Mister Weasley. The Dark Lord knows of my true allegiance and planned to kill me at our next gathering.�
�Draco Malfoy tried to kill Professor Snape earlier today, right after your class left out in fact, Hermione.� Harry added.
Severus continued. �If Har-�er�Potter, hadn�t been in his animagus form at the time and struck out at Malfoy, I�d likely be dead right now. The positive thing is that the snake�s venom temporarily robbed Malfoy of his magical abilities, so at least he is no longer a threat.�
Harry quickly glanced at his friends to see if they had noticed Severus almost call him by his given name. Noticing no reaction, he decided to press on. �Hopefully, we�ll be able to find out where Remus is. Bellatrix had me believing that he hated me for what happened to Sirius. I��
Severus placed a hand supportively over Harry�s and gave it a gentle squeeze, encouraging Harry to continue, and causing Hermione to raise an eyebrow at the exchange between the two. Harry, not noticing that Hermione had reacted to the exchange, pressed on with his story before she could comment. �Anyway, there�s even more. Last night, I had another vision. The Burrow was attacked by Voldemort himself and a team of ten Death Eaters, and before you start to worry, everyone made it out okay. Charlie was slightly hurt, but they�ve all settled into Grimmauld e. Ue. Unfortunately, the Burrow was destroyed. I�m so sorry, Ron.� Harry looked to his friend worriedly.
Ron�s eyes went wide with shock at the knowledge that his family home was gone. He buried his face in his hands, but after only a moment looked up. His eyes were ringed with red as he fought back the urge to cry. Hermione drew gentle circles on his back with her hands to calm him. Finally, Ron let out a shaky breath and replied. �Don�t be Harry. Don�t give that bastard any more power than he already has. You said it yourself�my family�our family is still okay.� Harry smiled at Ron�s inclusion of him into the family. �That�s what counts. And because of you, we still have a home. You have nothing to be sorry about. The only one responsible for all of this misery is You-Know-Who.�
�Thanks Ron.�
They sat in silence for a minute each brooding over the news they had heard thus far. Suddenly they heard a squeal from Hermione, as Nagini slithered by her feet. �What the bloody hell is that?�
The three wizards were startled for a moment by the uncharacteristic curse being uttered from the usually reserved Gryffindor. Harry was the first to recover. He chuckled, immediately dissipating the tension that had grown in the room during their long conversation. �Language, �Mione!� He scolded kiddingly.
Hermione narrowed her eyes. �Shut up Harry Potter. And answer the damned question.�
�Ah, yes. And for our last bit of news for today, I would like to introduce you to Nagini. She has been Riddle�s familiar, and as she has become displeased with how readily he was willing to thrust her aside for another, she has now sworn her allegiance to me.� Harry wryly noted.
Ron looked on in awe. �But, Harry. That solves so many problems. We may lose Professor Snape as a spy, but who more perfect to spy on You-Know-Who than his own snake!�
Severus raised an eyebrow in response. �Will wonders never cease. That�s the second time today that I�ve heard you come up with a rather good assessment of the situation, Weasley.�
Ron shrugged. �People assume that Harry�s the hero, Hermione�s the brain, and I�m the brawn. It used to bother me, but as long as these two know my worth, what do I care what others think? I like to consider my strengths as our secret weapon.� Ron teased.
Severus shook his head in amazement. �Very astute observation, Mister Weasley.�
�Thisss is all quite interessssting, Massster, but I come with newssss for you.� Nagini interjected.
�Forgive usss, Nagini. What have you found out?�
�Young Nott hasss left ssschool to be with my former Massster. The othersss I obssserved in SSSSlytherin Houssse ssseem quite relieved that he hasss gone. And with young Malfoy gone asss well I believe the other ssstudentssss might be amenable to the knowledge that your bonded wasss a ssspy.�
�Thank you, friend. I sssshall tell the othersss. Pleasssee return to SSSlytherin Housse and continue your obssservationsss.�
Nagini bowed slightly to Harry and then quickly slithered from the room. Harry translated all that he and Nagini had spoken about to his three interested listeners. When he was finished, Severus nodded his head in agreement. �I feel quite odd saying that I agree with a snake�s judgment, but I believe in this case, Nagini is right. If we could have most of my house behind us as well��
��Then it will be vindication for all the years you have spent forced to favor your house, Severus.� The four startled as they turned there attention to the source of the sound, only to observe Albus� floating head in the fire. �And although I hate to break up this meeting, I believe we are ready to question Madam Lestrange.�
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Hex-Crossed Lovers