Who Knew?

Disclaimer: The characters and places of this story are the property of J.K. Rowling. I only created the situations they find themselves in during this story. I make no money from this writing – it is strictly for amusement.

A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this up. I hope you enjoy it. R.L. had to be beat back into its corner. I hope my readers are still out there... Is there anybody out there? Please review! The muse needs some TLC after this past month, she\'s still pouting over not getting to play.

ooopps forgot the warnings! Warnings: Anal, Oral, Teacher/student, Het, Slash, dubious non-con... All my usual stuff, just lightly for this chapter...
Chapter 11: Man to Man

Dinner with the Snapes in Hogsmeade started out somewhat tense but quickly relaxed as conversation drifted back to the game. A common ground had been found among these two unlikely pairs, as Quidditch was a safe topic that all could relate to. Draco had not made the Slytherin team this year and everyone knew it was due to his father’s influence, retaliation for canceling the arranged marriage with Pansy Parkinson, and disclosing his homosexual relation with his father’s friend. He had been, without question, the best flyer on the team.

When it was time to order the three men hesitantly admitted to being famished as if it were in poor form. Ginny could not repress her amusement over their discomfort at their own admissions. The fact that they were hungry could not have been hidden by the way they ordered large quantities of hearty foods. When the food arrived, they ate with equal gusto. Ginny, however, claimed that the events of the last 24 hours had been too busy and exciting, leaving her with very little appetite. When there were only momentary glances sent her way from each of her dinner companions, she breathed a small sigh of relief as they appeared to accept her explanation at face value. Gradually, she relaxed enough to join in the surprisingly light banter, not quite escaping from the knot if tension building between her shoulders.

Harry and Ginny returned to the Gryffindor common room late that night to find the festivities still in high gear. ‘…how high emotions can run after a game... The party atmosphere of the common room after a victory...’ the conversation with Remus came flooding back to Harry. They were greeted by a beaming Ron and a very excited Hermione.

“Congratulations,” she whispered in his ear as she hugged him. “She told me on the way out to the field. I’m so happy for you!”

Harry judged by the look between Ron and Ginny, that they were having a similar conversation.

“Come join the party, mates,” Ron said heartily.

“Oh no,” Ginny said, “I am absolutely exhausted! All I want is to sleep!”

“Okay, sure.”

“Of course.” Ron and Hermione glanced at each other as they answered, at the same time.

“Yeah, if you guys don’t mind, that sounds like a good idea to me, too,” Harry said quickly, figuring he had less than three hours sleep in the past 48 hours – a very physical 48 hours! ‘…Oliver Wood making plans… ‘Somebody’s coming’ signals… Cho and Cedric…’ It was then he realized what the look that had passed between Ron and Hermione had meant, a look he had assumed was disappointment that their friends did not want to join in on the fun. “...Spending time with their girlfriends… Nobody ever really tried to include them in the festivities.’ Harry understood! Ginny must have had the same thought, she was blushing as hotly as Harry felt he was. As they started up the stairs to the dorms he caught sight of Seamus and Dean at the refreshment table, broad knowing grins on their faces as they winked and nodded to Harry. Harry felt his face grow hotter.

~~~~~~~~

A week into October found Harry still uncomfortable with Ron and Hermione over the awkward avoidance of any discussion regarding his relationship with Ginny; a point which he questioned them about one evening in the Library over their transfiguration homework.

“Really Harry, it’s not like anyone was surprised to see the two of you as a couple. The surprise was actually seeing the two of you in bed… Together, naked,” Hermione said swallowing hard and looking across the table to Ron for support.

“Yeah, mate,” whispered Ron, who seemed relieved to be able to talk about it. “Fred and George vowed not to be the ones to tell Mum and Dad. They don’t want to be hounded for information all the time. They didn’t catch on to what Dobby was saying, they don’t know about the engagement. But we’ve all been expecting something like this. Bill and Charlie both said it was obvious from the first time they saw you and Ginny around each other. Even Percy said it might be an ‘acceptable arrangement’. It was just a bit of a surprise though. A-and the marks…”

“Yeah, there was that.” Hermione was as reluctant as Ron when treading into this new territory. The three friends had been through much together and there had been many conversations which would surely be deemed ‘inappropriate for mixed company of their age’, but nothing such as this, nothing that involved one of them. Harry looked at his friends through the tears that were burning his eyes.

“Ron, I would have given anything for you, her brothers, not to have seen her that way. I thought you and George were going to kill me. I was afraid I had ruined our friendship.” Harry found himself wishing that he was sitting where Hermione was so that he wasn’t turning his neck so much to watch both of his friends. Ron was sitting beside him while Hermione was sitting in the middle of the table on the opposite side.

“Nah, nothing like that. Fred and George said the marks meant experience,” whispered Ron, clearly uncomfortable again. “They figure you two have been going on for quite a while. They were wondering how you managed it without them catching on. They decided you were using your cloak and map. They were a little jazzed when they wondered if you two had been snoggin’ around them during the summers and they were too thick to realize it,” explained Ron, beginning to warm to the subject. “They asked me about it when you were at dinner with Snape and his pet ferret. I told them it was none of their bloody business, but you would not have risked that kind of problem with Mum and Dad.”

“Harry,” Hermione inquired tentatively. “I have learned from you two thick heads that guys and girls think about things differently.”

“Oh, come off it, Hermione! Don’t start trying to analyze this or criticize that,” sighed an exasperated Ron, as he rolled his eyes.

“I’m not! But there is something that I don’t think Harry has given much thought to, but I know Ginny has.”

“What’s that,” laughed Harry at Ron’s ‘here-we-go-again’ look.

“Well, now that you’re engaged, what about a ring. All girls dream for years about their engagement rings,” she said in defense of Ron’s additional eye rolling.

“They’ve got almost a whole year before they’re planning to do the deed.” hissed Ron as it was Hermione’s turn to roll her eyes.

“You know Ron, Hermione may be right. I haven’t thought about a ring… At all! How would I go about doing something like that? Picking out the ring, and all?”

“You had to get her started! The ‘insufferable know it all’! You just had to go there didn’t you?! Go on Hermione; please tell us what we would have known if we had read whatever book it’s in.”

As Ron was heaving a large exasperated sigh, throwing his quill down, slamming his book closed, shuffling his things back into his pack and repositioning his chair, Hermione had leaned toward Harry, beckoning him to do the same.

“In a few years, when he gets engaged, remind him of this so I won’t have to,” she whispered. Laughing, she and Harry waited for Ron to get settled.

“Well since Ginny is very practical, and doesn’t like a lot of show about things, just take her with you when you plan to buy the ring. Let her pick it out, since she’s the one who will be showing it to everybody.”

“Doesn’t like a lot of show? I guess then you would want one that would choke a hippogriff,” huffed a beet red Ron.

Harry had been watching his friends’ faces as if it were a ping-pong match; he knew that the situation was primed for a proverbial firework display. Still, he was surprised at the shin bruising kick delivered by the normally tightly controlled young woman.

“Hermione, you missed! That was my shin,” Harry hissed between clenched teeth, trying his best to quietly deal with the blinding pain radiating from his shin.

“Oh, Harry, I am so sorry,” squealed an apologetic Hermione. Ron, being a bit slow on the realization, got kicked under the table by both of his friends.

“What the bloody hell was that all about!”

“Don’t be thick, Ron,” they both growled. Harry made a mental note to refresh Ron on the facts of life. It seemed that he had missed a few major points in the “How do I know…” category; at least where Hermione was concerned.

October slipped by much as September had. Between Quidditch, classes and Ginny’s additional duties as Teacher’s Assistant for Snape, she and Harry had little time together and less time alone. Actually, they were never alone as Peeves floated in, Mrs. Norris sauntered in, or they kept encountering other couples with the same ideas. During lunch on the Wednesday before the first Hogsmeade weekend and the All Hallowed Eves Feast, they decided to skip their afternoon classes and enjoy the prefect’s decadent bath tub. Harry never considered the classes he would be missing – double Potions and Transfiguration, or those which Ginny would be missing, double Transfiguration and Potions.

Between Harry’s silencing charm and Ginny’s impenetrable charm, their privacy was ensured and the hot, fragrant water had the desired effect. Ginny would patiently guide and encourage Harry as he explored her body, first with his hands and then with his mouth. She would expertly shift or adjust the position if he was off, but it was always with the utmost expression of pleasure and joy. Whenever Harry would falter, uncertainty showing in his eyes, Ginny would remind him to trust her, and ease him back into the flow of their lovemaking. And for two hours they were the only two people in the world. Unfortunately, as they clung to each other, trying to catch their breath and wait out the aftershocks that bounced between them, the weight of their relationship came back to Harry.

What they shared was so right and perfect in its completeness. It was the healing salve for his soul. But Ginny was still only 16. He found his thoughts drifting to the “What if” questions… What if he died in the next battle? What if she did? What if Snape did? How would she feel about her summer relationship then? What if they were not allowed to marry this summer? Would she change her mind when she returned to school without Harry? Of course Snape would still be there…

“…it? Harry?”

“What? Oh, sorry ‘bout that? What is it Ginny?”

“I was asking you what was wrong. It’s not your scar is it?”

“No, baby, it’s not. It’s just… We need to get going, before we have to come up with acceptable explanations.” At her mischievous sparkle he chuckled and added, “The truth is not always acceptable and I absolutely do not want to have the “Birds and Bees” talk with Pomfrey, McGonagall, or worse yet, Dumbledore. So, let’s get going!”

As they dried off and dressed, Harry remembered the discussion he had with Remus early in the summer. There was no way he wanted to have that same talk with the Headmaster. The thought of having to sit while the old wizard talked about the actions of young witches and wizards and the unique challenges Harry faced, was enough to cause nightmares. Further, Harry suspected that somehow the topic of Snape would come up, and he knew that he was not ready to go toe to toe with Dumbledore over that little bombshell.

Ginny and Harry had become accustomed to encountering Draco anytime they tried to steal some time together; always afterwards. Therefore, they were not greatly surprised to step out of the bathroom and find him leaning against the wall, feigning a bored disinterest. However, being as they were skipping classes, this time his presence could not be dismissed as a coincidence. As unconvincing as his disinterest was, Harry was more alarmed at the lack of surprise or amusement the blond displayed. ‘Perhaps Snape is not my only competition’, Harry thought with a gut wrenching realization. With a surge of possessive fury Harry never knew he had, he had crossed the hall and grabbed Draco by the edges of his cloak and shoved his tightened fists against the Slytherin’s solid chest.

“Why, Malfoy? What happened between the three of you this summer,” Harry whispered in Draco’s face.

A startled gasp escaped when Ginny realized that she already knew the answer which Harry sought. With a choked and humiliated sob she pushed her way between the two young men and pleaded with Harry to hear her out. Concerned for Ginny’s safety, Harry released his hold on Draco and eased away, allowing her to lead him back into the bathroom. Ginny told him about the summer day when Snape demanded the oath from Draco and he swore to Snape that he would protect her. The fierce protective jealousy overwhelmed Harry again as he listened to every pained word his love uttered. Before he could reassure Ginny though, he received a mental summons to Snape’s Office. ‘Yes, there is something I want to discuss with you, too’, Harry replied, as he spun and headed to meet with Snape. Harry’s long, fast strides caused his robes to billow behind him. The affect caused the normally chatty Collin Creevey to think better of calling out to Harry as he stormed through the halls.

Harry was shocked at what greeted him as he entered Snape’s dungeon office. Instead of the cold, dark cave he had been in during the previous years, the fire was blazing and a lamp was burning on the desk. Instead of the furious Potions master restlessly pacing the office, Harry found a brooding and subdued man sitting behind the desk, with two glasses and a bottle of Ogden’s Firewhiskey set out before him. Snape refilled his own half empty glass, and offered the bottle to Harry. Dumbstruck by what was going on, Harry refused.

“Before you leave you may change your mind,” Snape drawled heavily, pouring a glass for him anyway. This side of Snape brought more fear to Harry than the Potions master ever had.

Harry felt someone brush against his thoughts, ‘McGonagall informed him of Ginny’s absence, the professors saw the two of you in secluded conversation during lunch. When he saw that you were also absent he dismissed our class and has been here for the last couple of hours. I’ve never seen him drink like this. He’s always been a very modest drinker, just enough not to cause questions socially and only in celebration privately.’ The drawl lacked the trademark coldness but was filled with concern bordering on fear, instead.

‘Dra-’, Harry’s question was cut short.

“Have you selected a ring for Ginny, yet?” Snape appeared to be totally unaware of the communication Harry had just received from Draco.

“N-no, sir!”

“All right then. First I want you to listen. Sit.” With a deep shuddering breath, Snape began.

“In my seventh year here I fell deeply in love with a very beautiful young woman; a Gryffindor no less! With her I felt complete. She was sensitive, and intelligent. Ginny reminds me much of her. She was the only woman I have ever loved.” He fairly hissed the word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. “For a long time, in fact, she was the only person I had ever loved.” Snape took a large swallow, draining his glass at once, and refilled it. “As with you and Ginny, she was the first woman I was… intimate with.”

Harry did not realize he had taken a drink from his glass until he felt the whiskey burn its way into his stomach. He was glad he didn’t seem to be expected to speak right now.

“I had planned to ask for her hand in marriage during the Hogsmeade weekend. I had this made for her.” Snape removed a ring from around his wand. Harry had noticed this detail of the wand previously, having frequently found Snape’s wand aimed at his face. It appeared to be a decorative feature of the wind, not recognizable as a separate item.


“The ring was very symbolic in its design. The Rubies, she had extremely beautiful, bright red hair, and as I’ve said, she was a Gryffindor, so red was a suitable color for her. The Emeralds represented Slytherin, as well as being the exact shade of green as her eyes. The same color of yours. You really do have your mother’s eyes.”

Harry felt the burning liquid slide all the way down again.

“Notice the engravings on the sides,” Snape instructed handing the ring across the desk to Harry.

“Lilies!”

“Yes,” Snape whispered. “She broke up with me on the Friday night before the visit to Hogsmeade. Someone else had already proposed to her. I wished her the best; I loved her still and could not stand the thought of any pain or darkness touching her soul. When Voldemort marked your parents, I left his service and came to Headmaster Dumbledore.” Tears were flowing freely from Snape by this time. He leaned over the desk, laying his head on his arms as gut wrenching sobs racked his body.

“I-I was too… I couldn’t save my only love, my only joy in life.” Draco Stepped out of the shadows and laid his hand on Snape’s shoulder in silent comfort.

“For so long I’ve hated James Potter for taking her from me and I’ve blamed him for taking her life from this earth. I’ve… I’ve never forgiven myself for not being able to protect her.”

Harry realized he had finished his drink when he heard his empty glass being set down on the desk. Draco reached across and refilled Harry’s glass, not certain what his role between these two men should be. Harry had begun to fit the pieces together in his mind.

“To protect her… That’s why you made Draco promise to protect Ginny.”

Snape nodded wearily.

“I knew what Ginny wanted for you, how she wanted to give herself to you. I wanted Lily’s son to have the best of, of experiences. It was easy to loath you. You do look alarmingly like your father, but you have your mother’s emerald green eyes, and that is where any resemblance to James ends.” Pain and grief were etched deeply in his face as he turned his eyes toward Harry, “Please forgive me for not being able to protect her!”

“I was the cause of her death. Had I not been born-”

“NO! She still would have fought and died. She could have killed to protect those she loved. She and James were ever the true Gryffindors.” In the silence both men mourned the loss of Lily Evens Potter as neither had before. It was the first time either had been able to free himself of the guilt and simply feel the loss.

“I think it appropriate,” Snape said after several minutes, “that Lily’s son should have her ring for his own red haired Gryffindor; if you will accept it.” Snape nodded at the ring Harry held in his palm, he had regained some of his detached Professor persona.

Harry sat in stunned silence for several minutes, just studying the ring, unaware of the tears still coursing down his cheeks. Finally he looked at the man across the desk from him, the questions vying to be asked were numerous, but they could wait.

“Thank you, Sir. I‘ve lived with her sister all of my life, and yet I‘ve never had anything of hers.”

‘Only the memory of her screaming as she was being murdered’, thought Snape sadly.

“It is truly beautiful. I think Ginny will love it. May I tell her of its history,” Harry asked, sounding somewhat formal even to his own ears.

“Of course.”

“I-I… Thank you,” Harry stammered as he sat his empty glass down again.

“You may go,” Snape instructed softly.

As Harry rose and turned to leave he caught a glimpse of Snape taking Draco’s hands and burying his face in his mate’s palms. Harry returned to the common room, where he was faced with questions from Ron and Hermione, which he parried easily enough. Ginny had duties which required her attention, but when he did see her in passing he grinned and gave her a ‘thumbs up’ to let her know that things were still good. He knew that he would get to spend more time with her over the weekend.

***

Saturday at the Weasley joke shop was filled with the normal Weasley chaos. Mr. And Mrs. Weasley were down to see Fred and George, and Bill arrived around mid-morning. Remus had walked with Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione from the Shrieking Shack, having previously been invited to spend the day with the family. Everyone was in high spirits and the day turned into a house warming party for the quarters above the shop, with other friends popping in and out during the day.

Mrs. Weasley kept everyone filled with her outstanding cooking, while practical jokes ran amuck, and no one was safe. Ginny and Hermione laughed harder than they had all year. Harry and Ron were able to completely forget about the mountains of homework piled by their beds. The nineteen year old twins, owners of the most talked about businesses in the wizarding realm, put away their inventory lists and order forms, sliding back into their roles within the family. Twenty-three year old Bill Weasley was, by occupation, a curse breaker for the goblins and had faced dangers that were only whispered about, but today he was the leader of the family circus. They were just family, and this family was made up of young adults finally being able to feel like kids again. The pressures of the war, relationships, school, and simple daily survival were pushed aside and forgotten for the time being.

As evening approached, things naturally began to wind down. The Gryffindors headed back to the castle accompanied by Remus, discussing the Shack and the work that had been started. Once at the shack, they were given a tour. They knew from the morning pass through the house, it had undergone a remarkable change, but they were amazed at just how much really had changed.

“It was a grand house, back before my time here. It has been a joy to restore it and relive so many memories at the same time,” Remus said wistfully, as the walls shifted slowly from side to side. Upon returning to the tunnel they found two golf carts.

“Ah, yes, a muggle contraption which Dumbledore is quite taken with,” he explained. “Shall we?”

They found that the tunnel had been extended beyond the Whomping Willow, and deep into the castle grounds.

“Actually, it was here all along,” said Remus.

“Yeah, it was one of the collapsed passages,” Harry said, beaming at the remaining Marauder.

As they arrived under the castle, Remus leaned in and asked softly, so that only Harry could hear, “Could I have a moment?”

“Sure! You guys go on. I’ll catch up!” When Harry was certain they were safely out of hearing range he turned back to Remus.

“What’s up?”

“How are things between you and Ginny?”

“You know?”

“Yes, Snape came to me for advice regarding Lily’s ring. He told me everything; about his and Ginny’s relationship, you, Draco… Lily I already knew about.” Harry gazed at the older wizard in frozen silence, prompting Remus to fill in the gap.

“Her engagement to James and subsequent brake up with Snape created quite a grumbling between the Gryffindor and Slytherin houses. So much so in fact, Dumbledore had to put a ban on the two houses even passing in the same hall at the same time. Classes were rearranged. It was most fortunate that the Quidditch teams had already competed. That would have been ugly. So, again, how are things between you and Ginny?”

“I’m scared. I’m going to give her the ring tonight, after the feast,” Harry blurted out.

“That could be unnerving, indeed.”

“She seems distant and tense. She’s been really busy though.” Harry wondered if he sounded a nervous as he felt. He certainly hoped not.

“The situation may undoubtedly be awkward for her too. Are you being careful,” Remus asked pinning Harry with a scrutinizing gaze.

“Yeah-No-Sort of… Not really.” Right then Harry decided that the walls in this particular part of the tunnel were the most interesting he had ever seen.

“I’ll take that as a no,” Remus said sharply. “Why?”

“I’ve not really given it any thought. I mean, it’s not really a planned thing.”

“At seventeen it rarely is.”

“How old were you, when you…”

“Seventeen, also, and she was a sixth year Hufflepuff. Sirius teased me about it forever. He had walked in on us. That really kills the mood.”

“Yeah it does!”

“Need to talk about it?”

Harry was blushing hotly but went ahead, “We had fallen asleep in my bed; Fred, George, Ron and Hermione walked in thinking I was having a lay-in.”

“Ah, yes. It’s a very good thing the dorm walls can’t talk. Most of the students would stay in trouble. Be the appearances today, it seems that all has been worked out?”

Harry gave a slight nod as he began fidgeting. Remus decided to let him off the hook; he had, after all, been fairly open and honest so far. At least it seemed that while Harry may not initiate a deeply personal conversation if one was needed, but at least he would participate in one.

“Well the feast won’t wait, Harry, good luck. I am here, very close to you, if you need me.”

*****

As Draco’s skin began cooling in the damp dungeon air, he cradled Severus’ head against his chest. He felt Severus wince as his now flaccid cock slipped from Draco’s body. The musky scent that hung in the air after they made love always had a centering and focusing effect on Draco. Right now, though, it just wrapped around him like a warm fuzzy quilt... Comfortable, and safe.

Sitting in the leather chair had not been the most comfortable or easiest access position, but it had been effective in temporarily easing the storm raging behind the obsidian like eyes. While he had not been exactly agreeable, Severus had also not exactly balked at Draco’s ministrations… Well, at least he stopped the refusals as he grew hard in Draco’s mouth… After what had seemed like hours… And a carefully applied spell to keep Severus’ hands on the arm rests of the chair, instead of trying to still Draco’s own wandering hands… At least he had been well prepared when Severus had finally gotten hard. He had spent so much time kneeling on the desk, teasing his own quivering entrance at eye level with his husband that Draco suspected there would be bruises on his knees. He had been greatly disappointed when, after hearing Severus’ breath catch several times before becoming somewhat labored, he turned to face the man, only to find the normally impressive cock still lying between his thighs. The conversation with Harry had left him more disturbed than Draco had ever seen the stoic man.

“Severus, you’ve always been here when I have needed you… Now I’m here for you when you need me, but you have to be willing to let me in. I can only do so much when you lock me out.”