Down On Your Knees

Tile: Down on Your Knees

Author: Exis* Exis_@hotmail.com

Pairing: Harry Potter/Severus Snape

Warnings: This fic will contain M/M sex....Gay sex. For thoes who don't like that, you should go away now. It will also highlight a love afair with a teacher so if that makes you unhappy, scram. I haven't finished writing it, but you should assume that it will have spoilers from ALL FOUR BOOKS.....if that displeases you, you can go away as well. My last warning is that this is my first slash fic, and my first Harry Potter fic. I haven't the slightest clue whether it's horrible, and I'd like to pretend it's not....

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, nor am I making any money off this. You know the drill, I won't elaborate.

Dedicated: To my Lovely Beta Tealish. Thanks for your patience, and your trust. And also to ALL THE RAVENCLAWS OUT THERE.......the greatest hero's go unnoticed...and also to the one person who put m the their favorites list.....this is for you.......

Archive: Anywhere you want to....just mail me to let me know


"Get down on your knees and thank god you're still on your feet"

Chapter 7 "Still on your feet"

Graduation came in a blur of excitement. Not even the weight on Harry’s mind could spoil the day. Ron woke him up screaming, “IT’S GRADUATION DAY!” and pulled him into a hug. Ron, Harry, and Hermione bounded down to breakfast, trying to take it all in. Even the Slytherins were making an attempt to enjoy themselves. The Gryffindor table was alive with happy energy. Everyone was smiling, and for a few minutes, Harry was lost within the positive memories and loving hugs that were being propelled. During breakfast he received an owl from Snape saying the truth potion would be ready within eight days. Life was good.

After breakfast, Harry, Ron, and Hermione went to check the NEWT postings. Ron had done surprisingly well. Harry smiled at himself and thought that perhaps Ron’s dream of being an Auror wasn’t too far off. Hermione, of course, had done the best in the class. She beamed with pride. Harry was also very pleased with his scores; he just couldn’t muster very much excitement about them. Harry really had no idea what he wanted to do, and good scores or bad, it didn’t really matter without a vision of where you wanted them to take you. Sometimes he envied the Slytherins.

The Golden Trio spent the rest of the morning walking around the grounds, talking excitedly about the things they had done the last seven years. They visited Hagrid who tried, to no avail, not to burst out in tears at the thought of their departure. They even went to see Moaning Myrtle one more time. She, too, began to sob, but at least they expected it from her.

After lunch, the Gryffindors all assembled on the Quidditch pitch to play a scrimmage. They made Harry play Chaser because they knew the opposing team didn’t have a prayer if he played Seeker. Colin Creevy took six rolls of film during the match, and promised Harry that he’d owl copies to him once they were developed. After breaking up a playful fight between Seamus and Ron about whether jumping on an opponent’s broomstick was considered a penalty, Harry took a long shower and waved goodbye to the Quidditch pitch. He took off for the Great Hall for the graduation ceremony.

After dinner, once the House Cup had been awarded (to Ravenclaw, much to McGonagall and Snape’s chagrin) and the parting words had been said to the other years, Dumbledore excused everyone but the seventh years. He, followed by the staff, led the seventh years into a room near the west wing of the castle. Harry walked in and found a room with a stage and a row of chairs. He, Ron, and Hermione seated themselves, and the staff took their places on the stage.

Dumbledore spoke to them first. “I can’t express how sad I am to see you all go. But no matter how sad I am at your departure, it can never match the excitement I have to see you make your place in the world. This is one of the most gifted and challenging groups of children to ever pass through these halls. I have little doubt wonderful things are in store for each and every one of you. I know these last seven years couldn’t have possibly gotten you ready for all the challenges you’ll face, but I hope they have given you a base on which to grow. I pray your time was well spent. You’ve already overcome so much. I am confident that any obstacles you may have will be met with energy and knowledge. May you always watch the world with wide eyes of wonder. You all carry a deeper understanding of the evil of this world, more than any books could have given you. But I ahopehope you carry an understanding for the joys that may be found as well. Remember, those who don’t believe in miracles will never find them.”

Once Dumbledore finished his speech, a cheer resounded through the hall. Every one of the students felt a twinge in their hearts, both fearing and welcoming the future. Once the cheers had finished, Dumbledore began calling out the names of those to receive their diploma. Each professor set up a silencing circle, so that as the children passed to say goodbye, their comments would remain private.

Seamus was first through the line. You couldn’t hear what he was saying, but something about the blush on the teachers’ cheeks and the way he gestured his hands made them all think that they really didn’t want to. Hermione followed him, and this time it was her who blushed. Each teacher seemed to add just a little more to the pink tinge on her cheek. By the time she got down to Snape, the last professor, her cheeks were crimson in color. She looked rather pleased with herself. Neville even looked pleased, although being alone in a sound bubble with Snape made him a little apprehensive. However, the smirk on Snape’s face let them all know that he was playfully kind.

Malfoy was ahead of Harry in the line. As they both went to get their diplomas and walked through the line, Harry noticed the difference in which they were met. All the teachers regarded Malfoy with a cool demeanor. Not a disinterested one, but a respectful one. Once Harry got there though, he was regarded with warm, affectionate banter. Hagrid almost crushed him when he pulled him into a giant hug. 'The differences between Slytherin and Gryffindor,' he thought to himself.

Finally, Harry reached the end of the line, and the very last teacher. Harry and Snape stood in front of one another, arms at their sides, looking intensely at one another.

Snape finally spoke. “Well, you’ve managed to make it out of here without killing yourself. Congratulations, Potter. All I really have left to say to you is that I think that maybe, I might have been wrong. You’ve earned every bit of fame they’ve given you. You really are the ‘Boy Who Lived.’ Just make sure you remain a boy who lived for a reason.”

Harry was speechless. He just stood there, looking rather dumb. Finally, he outstretched his hand, and Snape took it cautiously. They must have both felt the electricity that flushed through them as they dropped their hands suddenly. No one else would have noticed from afar, but they most certainly did. Harry caught Snape’s eyes one more time before disappearing down the stage and back to where his friends sat. He glowed almost as brightly as Hermione did.

Finally, Snape said goodbye to the last student. Everyone was ready to go back to the Common Room for a party and some well-deserved sleep. Hermione and Ron ran off with the rest of the Gryffindors, but Harry lagged behind. He unwrapped his diploma and read it. He had really done it, and the world lay at his feet. But where did he want to go?

He was the last student left and was just about to leave when Dumbledore approached him. “Harry, I would like to speak with you.” Dumbledore said to him, looking at him with soft eyes. Harry nodded, and Dumbledore continued. “As you know, our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher fell during the war. We are again in need of someone to fill the position.”

“But Lupin is taking the job next year...” Harry started, but Dumbledore interrupted.

“Yes, he is, but once Sirius is cleared, they will want to settle down together. They have waited seventeen years to be together, and I think it’s unfair to make them wait any more. They need to be one.” Harry nodded, understanding what the Headmaster was saying. He wanted to convey his doubts about Sirius being cleared, but he knew that Dumbledore already knew that it was a lost cause.

“Which is why I am coming to you. Harry, you have done more at seventeen than most have done in a lifetime. I was wondering whether you would be interested in being an apprentice to Lupin for the next year, and then taking on the job yourself.”

Harry did a double take. Had Dumbledore just offered him the DADA position? He was just about to scream his acceptance at the top of his lungs, but a flash of guilt passed over him. He paused.

“Sir, I would love to, but I don’t know if I can...”

“Well, why ever not? I know of no one more qualified...” Dumbledore started.

“It’s not the qualifications, Sir. I just need to think this over. Could I stay here for a week and think about this? I need to be back here to pick up a potion from Snape anyway.” Harry asked this with the things on his mind obvious in his eyes.

“Of course, Harry. Just let me know as soon as possible. I need to have a replacement trained soon. I want to strengthen the department even more so, now that the war has been fought.” And with that, Dumbledore gave Harry a smile and walked away. Harry headed toward the Gryffindor Tower.

However, he didn’t make it that far. Just a few hallways away from the auditorium, a pale hand reached out and grabbed him.

“Wha...” Harry started, but was silenced as the same hand fell across his mouth. It was Malfoy.

“Shhh, Harry. I am not going to hurt you. I just thought you deserved to come with me tonight. You can go and celebrate with the Gryffindors if you want to, but something tells me you’d have more fun where I’m going,” Draco said, with his natural superior air around him once more.

“And where, exactly, are you going?’ Harry asked playfully. He didn’t stay alive for seventeen years by absently following Slytherins.

“You’ll have to pledge your good faith, and follow me if you want to find out.” And with that, Draco turned around and took off down a hallway. Harry thought for a moment, and decided that whatever Malfoy had planned must be good, and walked quickly after him.

They walked silently down several strange passages that Harry had never seen before. Harry knew they must be quite far under the castle. Finally, after several minu the they reached a large oak door. Draco knocked carefully. A moment of silence passed before the door opened. Severus Snape stood in front of the two.

“Draco, I see you brought a friend,” Severus drawled, his interest showing in his words.

“I thought he deserved to be here just as much as I did,” Draco explained. Severus just nodded, and looked at Harry with a peculiar statement.

“I would have to agree. Please, come in.” He motioned them into the room. The two of them found themselves in a large sitting room. Harry suddenly realized where he was. These were Severus Snape’s private quarters.

Snape walked behind them and they all walked over to where a couch and chair sat. A blazing fire burst forth from the fireplace, and gave the place a comfortable and masculine feeling. Severus sat in a comfortable leather chair and Draco and Harry both took an end of the couch. Severus sat for a moment, and then a flash came across his face.

“I do believe I have something to share with you both this evening,” Snape said, getting up and walking over to a dry bar that sat at the end of the room. He opened the bottom cupboard and searched through it until he came out with a very dusty bottle. He wiped the dust off the label and walked back toward Harry and Draco with three glasses in his hand.

“Draco, your father gave this to me when he first suspected I was a spy. He said that he owned two twin bottles of br, an, and by giving this to me, at least someone on the winning side of the war would get a proper drink once everything was said and done. For the longest time I thought it would be him, but even I am wrong every once in a while,” Severus said. “How ironic it’s with his son that I drink it.” He then poured three glasses, and the three men each took one. They all looked at the amber brandy in their glasses and relished the moment.

“Well,” said Snape finally. “What shall we drink to?”

“Harmony?” Harry offered, but the two Slytherins rolled their eyes. It was Draco who finally spoke.

“Fuck harmony, we’ll drink to death. To the death of the Dark Lord, the death of my father, and the death of all those who didn’t deserve it. But most importantly, we drink to the absence of the death that surrounds those we sit amongst. We’ll drink to death,” Draco finished, lifting his glass high. And then, after a momentary pause, the Boy Who Lived raised his glass and touched it to Draco’s.

“To death,” he replied. They both looked to Snape. A strange smile crawled across his face, and he lifted his glass as well.

“To death,” he confirmed. A clink rang through the room as they cheered one another, and then the three of them knocked back the brandy. Severus quickly poured them more.

Then, they all talked. The conversation was deep, yet interesting. For once in his life, the two other men treated Harry as an equal. And even though he was missing the party with his friends, he didn’t care. He had finally won the respect of a Slytherin, and that was really something to celebrate. They spoke until the early morning hours.
It wasn’t until two-thirds of the bottle was gone that Draco stood up and stretched. He reached inside his thick black robes and pulled out an engraved pocket watch.

“Well, I fear I must leave you now. I have to return to the Manor and help sort out my father’s affairs tomorrow. I can feel the hangover already. It’s been a pleasure, and an honor, to spend the evening with you gentlemen.” And with that, the young Malfoy showed himself to the door.

Harry watched him leave and wondered how that could have been the same person who had tormented him for most of his life at Hogwarts. Harry glanced at the clock. It was 2:30AM, yet he wasn’t tired in the slightest. It was then that it dawned on him. His eyes traveled to Snape, who sat adjacent to him with a far off look in his eyes. He was sitting with Severus Snape, in his private quarters, in the middle of the night... and they were alone.


******Authors Note********
Muahahahaha, I know I am evil, but what do you expect. Now you can all really look forward to the next chapter. I hope you are all still into this. Some of your questions may be answered sooner than you think. I know I say this every chapter, but I am so in love with all my reviewers it's sickening. The response I've gotten from this fic has made me more confident, and much happier. I am so pleased that so many of you enjoy this. Please keep telling me what you think, and asking questions, and giving me ideas. I am more than happy to listen to anything you have to say...

I thought of hiring mutant space aliens to over take your brains and force you to review, but I'll leave it up to you instead. Maybe, just maybe, you'll hit that glorious button and say something to me.......pretty please with sugar on top?????