Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Run to Me	By : Cardinal Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 3070 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
Harry tried to act as though everything was normal as he packed his clothes and books away in his trunk and then ushered Hedwig into her cage. At least things will probably return to normal when I get back to Hogwarts, Harry figured.

It would be much easier to pretend that Snape was still the same loathsome creature that he'd always been and that Harry was simply preparing for another showdown with Voldemort at the end of the school year. That, for Harry, was normal.

They hadn't spoken much that morning, Harry and Severus. When they'd woken, in each other's arms, they had disentangled themselves and then each gone to take a shower in their separate rooms.

Maybe now that we're bonded we won't have to do that again, Harry reasoned in his mind. Merlin, what am I thinking? I enjoyed it! A blush crept across Harry's cheeks.

Without so much as a knock, Snape stepped into the room. "Ready Potter?"

Harry looked up to find his professor quirking an eyebrow at him. "Yeah, I think so. Isn't it a bit early to be leaving?"

"We won't be taking the Hogwarts Express. There is a portkey waiting on us." With that the Slytherin turned and left the room, his footsteps echoing softly as he walked down the stairs.

Lugging his trunk and Hedwig downstairs, Sterling took the two men's luggage, after being ordered by Snape to deliver it safely to Hogwarts, where the house elves there would unload it to its proper places.

Severus stood beside a table near the door, and on the table set a snake figurine that glittered ominously in the sunlight. "This is the portkey," saying this, Severus waited for Harry to touch it.

When the Gryffindor didn't, Severus speared him with his black eyes. "Potter, were you listening?"

Harry nodded, eyeing the portkey warily. "Yeah, I'm just not that fond of portkeys. They have a way of leading me to disaster." The young wizard began slowly reaching his hand toward the snake figurine but Snape stopped him.

Moving behind the younger wizard, Snape put his arms around Harry and took hold of the portkey. "Now, put your hands on it," he directed, his breath warming Harry's ear as the Gryffindor timidly touched the figurine.

This time, the transportation was much different. The pulling, whirling sensation was still there, but with this trip, there was a sense of safety as his body melded back against the firm and strong body of Severus Snape.

~-~

Arriving in the grand foyer at Hogwarts, Harry fought to make his breathing return to normal as Severus slowly moved out from around him and slipped the portkey into Harry's pocket.

"This is the only portkey that will work inside of Hogwarts. Use it if you need it. The password is Prodigal, it will activate and take you back to the manor." Severus dropped the snake into Harry's pocket and then proceeded to walk away. "Dumbledore wants to see you," he called over his shoulder before disappearing around a corner.

Harry stared at the retreating of his new bondmate. Reaching down into his pocket, his fingers met with the smoothly polished metal of the snake figurine. Rather than being cool to the touch, as Harry expected, the metal was warm.

Shaking his head to clear it from the uncharacteristic moment he’d just shared with Snape, Harry turned in the direction of Dumbledore's office, and after giving the password, moved rapidly up the revolving staircase.

"Harry," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled fondly, "have a seat. It's good to see you safely at Hogwarts once again. The wards and guards around the castle have been strengthened this year, and a few more added. As I'm sure Severus told you, the portkey that he made for you will take you safely back to his manor in case you ever find yourself in any trouble. Only you and he know the safe word that activates the portkey; tell no one," the Headmaster instructed gravely.

Harry, who still hadn't forgotten Dumbledore's manipulative role in pushing him and Snape together, was still a little wary of his Headmaster. "Is there anything else, sir?"

Dumbledore’s blue eyes shone with warmth. "Yes, there is." The old man seemed to hesitate for a moment. "How did everything go with Severus?"

"Fine," Harry said shortly, not wishing to discuss with Dumbledore a relationship that he himself was unsure of.

"Are you positive, Harry? I know that you think me some unfeeling creature who is ready to sacrifice you for the greater good, but that's not so. I'd do anything to protect you for as long as I can. It is inevitable for me to protect you from Voldemort forever, so all I can do is prepare you and ready you for the battle so that you may come out the victor. Not for me, not for the world, but for yourself and all those that love you."

Harry felt his resolve to be wary towards Dumbledore wavering, after all, the man had been his hero ever since he was eleven. "Thank you, Professor. It really wasn't bad, er, with Snape. I think that things will work out, at least now that that part is over."

"Over?" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Harry, you have to keep the connection strong, which means that an intimate relationship must be kept to keep the bond satisfied."

The Gryffindor slumped low in his chair with a groan. "You’ve got to be kidding me. I mean, it's not that it was bad or anything, but... It's Snape. He hates me and my family, and the sentiment is returned."

Dumbledore shook his head, marveling over the pain that Harry and Severus put themselves through for no reason. "He doesn't hate you Harry, but he is caught up in hating the past, and sometimes it's hard for a person to put the past behind them. Perhaps you can help him with that, seeing as you have quite a past yourself."

Harry snorted. "I doubt that he'd want my help, but since I have to be around him I'll see what I can do."

"Oh, and one more thing, you'll be moving into his quarters. I've added onto his rooms so that you'll have your own room." Dumbledore spoke placidly, knowing that Harry wouldn't like his relocation, but feeling it necessary to ensure the safety of his student.

"But… but why?!" Harry said in exasperation. "Do I have to give my whole life to him? The only normalcy left in my life was Hogwarts and now I must give that up as well?" At the look on the Headmaster's face and the answering silence, Harry sighed in frustration.

"I'm sorry, Harry, but with the special classes and training that you will be taking to harness the powers presented by the bond, I feel that this is best," Dumbledore spoke firmly but sympathetically. "Forgive me for being cliché and using a quote, but as Gandalf said 'All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.’"

Harry’s lips twisted a little as he stood. "Yes, but don't forget Professor Dumbledore, 'Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.'"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with amusement. "I'll remember this and promise to try and keep my meddling between you and Severus to a minimum."

Harry waved a hand. "See you at the opening feast, Professor."

~-~

"It seems that you can't get rid of me," Harry said as he entered Snape's chambers.

"Hm, yes, I was given the nice surprise of watching the house elves bring your things in," Snape said with a sneer, a small glass of scotch in his hand.

Harry looked around the room and found that it was decorated just as nicely as Snape Manor. The furnishings were rich and green, but a soothing forest green that made Harry feel instantly relaxed. "So is the green a result of your Slytherin-ness?" he questioned conversationally, although he had a feeling that Snape wasn't much for small talk.

"No," Snape said, surprising Harry. "The color green inspires thought and when I'm here working with inapt teenage wizards," he shot Harry a pointed look, "or working on my next spying project, I need clear, strong thoughts."

Harry nodded his head slowly. "It's a very soothing color." He shuffled his feet, unsure of what to do next.

Severus looked at Harry, standing in the middle of his common room, and once again couldn't believe that the Gryffindor was becoming a part of his life. "Well, have a seat since you're going to be here for a while."

Harry, who'd been waiting for the invitation to sit down, flopped onto a large, overstuffed couch that was soft and fuzzy and immediately made his eyes droop. "I'm tired," he said without thinking, the emotions and stress of the previous weeks catching up to him.

"Sleep then, the feast doesn't start for a few hours yet," Severus commented as he finished off his glass of scotch and set the empty cup down on a table, the china making a soft 'clink'.

When Harry looked up at Snape they locked eyes. It was as if something passed between them, both would later blame it on the mating bond, as Severus removed his outer robes and moved onto the couch with Harry, his arms wrapping around the seeker's lithe body.

"I am tired as well,” the Potions Master said.

Harry didn't say anything but snuggled into the front of Snape's chest, his fingers burrowing into the man's sweater as he closed his eyes, allowing the sound of Snape's heartbeat to lull him into a warm sleep.

~-~

"Potter! Get up, we're going to be late!" Snape snapped as he rolled from the couch and hastily jerked his robes back on.

Harry rolled over in a sleepy daze and somehow managed to drag himself off the couch, knowing how badly his robes looked in their wrinkled condition. "Ugh, wrinkled, of course."

With a long-suffering roll of his eyes, Snape muttered a spell that had Harry's robes pressed free of wrinkles.

Severus led the way out of the portal, black robes billowing around him as he and Harry hurried in the direction of the Great Hall.

When they reached the large double-door entrance, the Head of Slytherin opened the doors and went through first, causing hundreds of eyes to turn in their direction as Harry trailed behind him and then branched off and went to his customary seat with Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor Table.

Murmurs ran rampant throughout the Great Hall as they wondered what Harry Potter had been doing with Severus Snape before school had even begun. Most of the Gryffindors groaned, certain that Harry had already been losing points from Gryffindor.

From where he'd been talking, Dumbledore couldn't stop the twinkling of his eyes as he watched the pair enter together. When Snape had seated himself, Dumbledore continued with his speech, which had been interrupted by their arrival.

"I'd like to leave you with a few words to begin your year at Hogwarts: chronicle, bat, orange, and guppy. Let the feasting commence!"

With that, the golden plates filled with food and a roar of conversation rose up from the four long tables in the Great Hall.

"Where were you, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Er, I fell asleep with Snape on his couch," Harry murmured quietly to her, surprising himself at how odd it sounded to hear himself say that.

Ron, his eyes bulging at the words, began choking on a large bite of fish pie that he'd shoved into his mouth. Hermione, rolling her eyes, promptly popped Ron on the back with her hand and turned her attention back to Harry as Ron coughed and gulped down some pumpkin juice.

"So, I take it that things are going well between you two?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"Yeah, I guess so. It's really pretty much the same except for that," Harry muttered, not really wanting to discuss it with Hermione and Ron, even though they were his two closest friends.

From the staff table, Severus allowed his eyes to move along the Gryffindor table until he spotted his young bondmate and the other two Gryffindor brats. In the past when Severus had looked down at the Gryffindor table, all he had seen was the smug faces of James Potter and Sirius Black as they leered at him, but now when he looked, he only saw one person. Harry.

~-~

When the feast was over, Dumbledore gave a few more words and then the students made a rush to the doors, their house prefects leading them up the stairs to give them the password that would allow them into their house common rooms.

Harry stopped at the foot of the staircase and Ron and Hermione turned to face him. "Are you coming, Harry?"

The Boy Who Lived shook his head. "I have to stay with Snape."

This time, Harry was sure that Ron would pass out on the steps and he probably would have if Hermione hadn't cuffed him in the back of the head. "Okay then, we'll see you tomorrow morning at breakfast." With that the girl practically dragged Ron up the stairs, her scolding voice reaching Harry's ears as they disappeared with the rest of the students.

"Lost, Potter?" a familiar voice asked.

Turning, Harry found Snape, tall and formidable in his black robes. "No, just staying goodbye."

With that the student and Potions Master walked towards the dungeons together, both wondering what excuse they would have to supply so that the rest of the student body didn't go crazy when they heard that Harry Potter was staying in Severus Snape's rooms.

~-~

Harry had started out in his own bed, he really had. The dream had begun with his return to Hogwarts and then somehow he found himself in the Chamber of Secrets. Quirrell-Voldemort was baring down on him and Sirius was screaming in agony in the corner.

Only, when Harry turned back to look at Quirrel-Voldemort, there was a wand pointed at his chest and a familiar man on the other end.

Looking up into Snape's cold, black eyes, Harry gasped as two words rang in his ears.

"Advada Kedavra."

When his body convulsed, bringing him wide awake, Harry found his sheets clinging to his sweat-soaked body and his chest heaved at the effort it took to draw air into his lungs.

His eyes searched around his dark room and then his feet hit the carpeted floor, leading him straight to Snape’s room.

Knocking on the door, Harry stood, his ears pounding in the silence as he waited to be let in.

At the light knock, Severus twitched awake. The Death Eater had hoped that once they were settled in at Hogwarts Harry's nerves would calm down and his dreams would stop. His hopes were sadly dashed as he called for Harry to come in and his eyes beheld the shaken state that the boy was in.

He's never looked this bad, Severus thought. Holding the blankets open, he invited Harry into the embrace of his arms and the Gryffindor readily went.

Climbing into the bed, Harry buried his face in Snape's nightshirt and cried, surprising the Potions Master because Harry had never cried in the past. He'd gotten teary-eyed a few times, and his voice had gotten wobbly, but never had Harry broken down in front of him except for when he had found out about Dursley.

"What happened?" Severus wanted to know, perhaps if he knew he could make a sleep potion against the dreams.

"I dreamt that I'd arrived back at Hogwarts, but only to find myself in the Chamber of Secrets. Voldemort was there, but not like he is now, he was still in the back of Quirrell's head. Sirius was lying in a corner, screaming in pain, and then .. you were there," he took a shuddering breath, "when I looked into your eyes… you killed me."

Severus' eyebrows shot up. “That’s what has you so upset?"

"Yes. I am not worried about Voldemort, fate will decide that outcome, and Sirius is dead, so I have no reason to worry there… But you… you are still a mystery to me." Harry's tears had stopped, although his face was still wet.

With a sigh, Severus took up one of the sheets and wiped Harry's face free of the moisture. "Potter, I'm not saying that this situation is ideal, or something that I wanted, but we're in it anyway and you're going to have to trust me because I promise, I will not hurt you. You are my bondmate and I will give my life protecting you. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, I don't mean to doubt you but, my dreams always seem to foreshadow the future, especially where Voldemort is concerned."

"Well, Potter, if you'd just learned occlumency...."

The Gryffindor rolled his eyes. "Right, you enjoyed every minute of that torture that you put me through."

Snape couldn't hide his smirk. "Well, I must admit that it did have its fun moments."

"Will you teach me, again? This time I will listen, and I will learn occlumency," Harry vowed.

Severus sighed, he hated teaching occlumency because it meant delving into his own painful memories. "Yes, I'll teach you." Although I hope that doesn't stop you from visiting my bed every night. "Now shut your mouth and sleep, Potter, we've got loads to do tomorrow."

Harry couldn't resist the large yawn that made his eyes water. "My name is Harry, you git."

"It's an ugly name." Snape retorted.

"So is Severus."

"Humph."

~-~

"Potter, get dressed and go down to breakfast. I'll see you afterward. Your first class is Advanced Potions." With that Severus was gone, leaving behind his ruggedly refreshing scent that made Harry snuggle the Potions Master's pillow close.

He smells good. Harry rolled out of the large bed and walked stiffly back to his own bedroom where he stripped, showered, and then dressed in his school robes. Loosening his tie, Harry checked his hair (it was going everywhere as usual) and then left the dungeons.

Walking up the staircase with some Slytherins, a weird feeling in itself, Harry entered the Great Hall and by the whispers that he heard while walking to the Gryffindor Table, the entire school seemed to know that he was living in the dungeons with a certain professor.

"Good morning, Harry!" Hermione said in a forcefully chipper mood, determined not to let the school's murmuring bring Harry down.

"G'morning," Harry grumbled in his 'I'm-not-a-morning-person' way.

"What's your schedule?" Ron asked around a mouthful of toast.

Harry opened up his folded schedule. "Advanced Potions first, Auror lessons with Professor Dumbledore, Advanced Transfigurations, Advanced Charms, and then back to Snape for Occlumency."

It almost made Harry grin to see the class they'd talked about the night before already on his class schedule. He works fast, Harry thought.

Ron shook his head, "That's the most awful schedule I've ever heard."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I have Advanced Potions first, too, and at least we all have Advanced Charms together right?" She tried lightening the situation as her schedule was completely different from Harry's except for Charms and Potions.

A tinkling bell rang throughout the Great Hall and with a rush, the student body was up and cramming out of the double doors to get to their first class of the new year.

"We'll see you at lunch Ron," Harry said with a wave to his redheaded friend.

Harry and Hermione walked down to the dungeons, both aware that this was the beginning of their last year at Hogwarts, and before they knew it, it would be gone.

"How do you think Professor Snape's going to treat you?"

The Gryffindor shrugged. "The same most likely," Harry smirked, "or probably worse. Now he'll probably expect me to actually try."

The two walked in and took their traditional seats near the back as a couple more Gryffindors straggled in, followed by a handful of Ravenclaws and Slytherins, and then one Hufflepuff.

Looking at the students that had entered the room, Harry was interested in who had made it into Advanced Potions: Draco Malfoy, of course, was there along with Pansy, Blaise Zambini, Cho Chang, Terry Boot, Padma Patil, and then lastly, from Hufflepuff, Ernie Macmillan. It was clear that Harry had only made it into the class because it was a prerequisite for Auror training.

When Harry looked up, the door behind Snape's desk opened and the man himself walked in, robes swirling around his legs, his dark eyes locking onto Harry's face first before roving over the other students.

"Welcome, once again, to the exciting world of Potions," Snape sneered at them, but they were used to that by their seventh year. "You already know the power of the delicate liquids that creep into human veins, you know how to bewitch the mind, ensnare the senses, bottle fame, brew glory, and stopper death. Apparently, you weren't the typical dunderheads that I usually teach, so, welcome to Advanced Potions. In this class you will learn everything from healing potions that can save you even when you’re a breath from death; to poisons and powerful concoctions that once ignited can burn almost any magical being to its very soul."

Looking around at the class of students, Severus felt an unusual pang in his chest. He realized that when this particular group of students graduated he would … miss them. All of the excitement, worry, and frustration around Hogwarts had begun when this group of students arrived, and when they left, things would return to their boring state of normalcy.

"Well! What are you all staring at?" he snapped. "Your assignment is on the board as usual! You think after seven years you’d be better trained!"

The students all lurched into motion as they each held their own little grin because Snape's grouchy, snappy tone was no longer scary but actually very familiar and almost comforting.

Now that's a scary thought. Snape's voice .. comforting...HA! Harry thought as he set up his cauldron and began bringing out ingredients.

Harry hurriedly sliced the beetle root that was in the potion's recipe, and jumped when Snape barked out, "Potter! Do you call that slicing? You've mutilated these roots!"

An embarrassed flush rose into Harry's cheeks as everyone stopped what the were doing to look at him. "They’re not that bad."

"This is why all of your potions turn out looking like a hippogriff vomited in them!" Snape spat.

As was typical for Harry in Potions class, he easily became irritated with Snape's insults, and the laughter coming from the Slytherin table.

Anger and embarrassment burned in his chest, and he could barely hear over the pounding in his own ears, "Look, I get it, you hooked-nose git! I’ll slice them again! he said, slamming his hand down on his table.

"Fifty points from Gryffindor," Snape said in a deadly hiss, his eyes narrowed as he stared at Harry and then walked away.

Harry sighed and returned to his potions making. Day one.

~-~

Harry was actually looking forward to his Defense lesson with Dumbledore because he was ready to learn the more advanced spells that the textbooks left out.

"Good morning Harry, please, have a seat," Dumbledore said as Harry walked into the classroom that reeked of Dumbledore's presence with its lit fireplace, lush carpet, and winged-back chairs.

"Good morning, Professor," Harry said, sitting down in one of the chairs, hoping that it would be an easy first class as he was still feeling overwhelmed by Advanced Potions.

"How did potions go?" Dumbledore seemed to be reading his mind.

"Er, well, fifty points were taken from Gryffindor," Harry said a bit sheepishly.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Well, that's to be expected, isn't it? No matter how Severus may feel inwardly towards you, he would never give Minerva the satisfaction of actually _awarding_ points to Gryffindor."

Harry shrugged. "Yeah, well, I got the points taken away because I, er, insulted him... Called him a hooked-nose git."

Albus, bless the old man, choked on his lemon drop before beating it down, laughter shaking his body. "My goodness, Harry, there's no wonder why he was angry."

This made Harry smile a bit. "I'm worried that I might have .. hurt his feelings though. It came out before I had time to catch myself."

"Well, I'm sure you'll be able to see if his angry or not tonight when you get back to your rooms. Unfortunately, you're not in this class to talk about your bonding with Severus, but to learn and develop new defense spells and shields to help you against Voldemort."

Harry nodded, his mood turning serious as he listened carefully to his most trusted advisor.

"I've been looking through this book on ancient spells. They're spells that were written for the highest level of wizards, some of the spells even I can barely comprehend, but I believe that if you can master them, you will be unstoppable when it comes time to face Voldemort."

Dumbledore paused for a moment. "There's only one thing I must ask you to promise me, Harry."

"Anything sir."

"Promise me, that as you gain this power and learn to harness it, that you will always remember why you are destroying Voldemort. I'm afraid that if you focus on thoughts of revenge, this power will corrupt you the same way it corrupted Tom Riddle." Dumbledore's eyes were a somber blue as he looked into Harry's eyes.

At the mention of revenge, Harry's mind went to his mother screaming, his father standing in their path, Cedric lying on the ground, and Sirius being blasted into the Veil.

"I can't promise you that, sir. I'm going to destroy Voldemort, for them, and for the innocent people that lay in Voldemort's path. Nothing could ever make me use my power in a way that would hurt the rest of the wizarding world. As you told me in my second year, who you are, and how you use your powers is a decision that you make in here," Harry tapped a finger to his temple. "Just as I chose to be in Gryffindor, I choose to use my magic for the right reason."

Dumbledore, after a few minutes of silence, smiled. "Good, Harry, you responded exactly as I had hoped, but one thing Harry, the decision needs to come from here." The old man tapped a finger to his chest above his heart. "That's it for today. Tomorrow we will begin the serious stuff."

Harry smiled. "Thank you, Professor."

"My pleasure, Harry, and one more thing. I believe that a special room has been set up for you and the DA to work in." Dumbledore winked and Harry left the room, his mind full of information and thoughts.

He wants me to pass on what I learn to the DA. Harry laughed. Dumbledore had gotten special permission from the Ministry to instruct Harry in advanced spells, but they'd never specifically said that Harry couldn't share this information with other students.

~-~

Harry's first day was winding down and the last class he faced was … Occlumency. I dread this. I dread this. I dread this. He's probably still angry with me over the whole nose thing, and now he'll have no mercy on me.

Walking into the classroom, which was normally empty, Harry found that Severus was already waiting for him.

"Late as usual," Snape said simply, leaning against the hearth of the fireplace and watching Harry with those smoldering onyx eyes.

"Sorry, professor, it's been a long day," Harry said, although he knew that it wasn't a good excuse and that Snape wouldn't care.

Snape gazed for a long time at Harry and then left the hearth. "Let's go to our room."

Harry's brow furrowed, while his mind got hung up on the words ‘our room.’

"But what about the occlumency lesson?"

"You're too tired to begin the lessons tonight. We won't get anywhere, and that will only frustrate us both," Severus said this as he walked towards Harry. "But don't expect me to go this easy on you every time you're tired," he murmured in Harry's ear as he opened the door and motioned for Harry to precede him out the door.

Harry, feeling a shudder race down his spine at the way Snape had spoken to him, left the room first and made for the dungeons, Snape's long strides echoing softly by his side as they walked down the stairs together and entered through the portrait.

"I have a feeling that Dumbledore's class is going to be harder than I had previously expected," Harry said, breaking the silence as he shrugged off his black robe and removed his tie.

"It most likely will. Everyone looks at him and thinks that he'd be an easy professor to have but he's actually quite difficult and frustrating," Snape said as he too cast his robes aside and joined Harry on the couch, his arm automatically going around Harry's shoulders as the Gryffindor leaned into his side.

The position came so naturally to them both that they ended up sitting in silence and embarrassment for a few minutes before Harry cleared his throat. "So, I'm sorry about what I said in Potions today."

Snape shrugged as if the incident had been of little importance to him. "You were mutilating those beetle roots."

Harry looked pointedly at Snape. "They weren't that bad."

The Potions Master merely grunted and Harry smiled a bit, feeling that he'd won that little argument.

The Golden Boy rested his head against Snape's shoulder and fell asleep watching the fire lick upwards through the logs that crackled and popped as they slowly turned to ash.

"Potter, get up and go to bed, you're drooling on me," Snape said, pushing Harry up from his shoulder.

Harry sleepily wiped the side of his mouth, which was sticky from drool, and nodded as he stumbled from the room and trudged to his bedroom.

Severus watched as the door closed and he sighed. This was turning out to be harder than any spying mission that he'd ever been on, and what was worse…. it had just begun.
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