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Ch 15 What I Don’t Know

Authors note: Ok so this is when the story goes way AU. It throws everything we know about Snape’s family out. (does not follow HBP at all) I hope you still like it. I wanted to bring some dimension to his family. Tell me how you think it works out.



“Sev, what happens when we marry?” The young man dropped his book on the floor and threw his head against the sofa, thoroughly tired of studying.
“What ever do you mean?” Snape grunted, irritated at the mistreatment of the book
“What’s the deal with the name thing? Do I keep mine? Do I take yours?” Harry began fumbling with an assortment of knick-knacks on the coffee table.
“Mine.” The man growled, his eyes never leaving the pages of the old potions manual he grasped tightly in his hands. “Harry its Saturday. Go find your friends. Leave me to my thoughts.” Harry could tell he’d done something wrong. From the stone-hard expression on his Professor’s face, he could tell that this was not the time to discuss it.
“You’re right I should go check on them.” Potter hurried out of their quarters, once again confused by something it seemed like he should already know.
*** *** ***
“Oy! That hurts like…fuck.” George lay haphazardly sprawled out of the frosted Quiditch pitch. The twin grasped the handle of a large blade and yanked roughly. His breath was heavy and, for the few moments, he curled into a fetal position.
“You alright, mate?” Fred mocked the concept of concern.
George slowly pulled himself into a stand, pain carved onto his face.
“Take note that I do not endorse gaping chest wounds. Invincible or no…it hurts a lot.”
“Merlin’s ghost! You’d have thought that the clink would have taken some of the bitch out of you.” Fred joked as he wiped down their blood soaked swords.
“No, you know what? That’s wrong!” George pointed his finger at his brother. “You got yours in the gut. You put mine through my sternum…and besides, I see that tear you were trying to hide. Now who’s the bitch, bro?” He laughed defiantly.
“Have you seen our young Mr. Potter out and about since we got back?” Fred choked, trying desperately to change the subject.
George shook his head, allowing the matter not pass. “Nor Lupin and Sirius”
“I simply don’t know how they’re doing it. I can barely bring myself to go inside since we returned.” Hermione interrupted the boys as she walked up from behind them.
“Have either of you seen Ron? He told me to meet him out here.” The girl visually scanned the field and tapped her foot impatiently.
“I’m…Here! I’m here!” The orange haired man rushed up to the three Gryffindor’s. “Guess…what…I…heard…” Ron sputtered as he gasped for air.
“What is it, mate?” Fred smacked his brother on the back, only serving to worsen his lack of oxygen.
“Lupin…Tonks…Not…to…gether…Sirius…” The boy’s face turned a deep scarlet before he fell hard to the ground.
“Oh, for heaven’s sakes.” Hermione rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.
“I have work to make up. I do not have time for this!”
“What was he going on about?” George questioned, putting their swords back in a case.
“Tonks and Lupin splitting and then something about Sirius.” The young woman’s face throbbed with confusion.
“What about Sirius?” Harry smiled at his friends as he joined the group.
“What happened to Ron?” He inquired casually.
“We were wondering about our savior.” Fred shoved the younger man slightly. “The loon just ran up here, started spouting off about Tonks, Lupin and Sirius and then…” He gestured to his still unconscious brother.
“Sirius and Lupin?” George suggested, sitting cross-legged on the ground next to Ron.
“They have known each other for ages.” Hermione pondered, following Harry and Fred to the ground. The four of them had arranged themselves in a circle around the younger Weasley.
“Nah, I don’t picture Sirius the type.” Fred dismissed the speculation.
“The type to what?” A mischievous grin crept on to Harry’s face.
Fred almost looked offended. “The type to be with anyone. Bullocks Harry, do you think I grew up muggle? None of those prejudices carry over here.”
“No it’s true.” Ron defended weakly as he sat upright. “I heard Moody telling Dumbledore in the kitchen. So, I went and asked Hagrid and he got all flustered and started blabbering about the breeding cycles of thestrals.”
“So Lupin left Tonks for Sirius?” Hermione’s voice dripped with contempt and resentment. “I have to go.” She jumped up quickly and gestured to the castle.
“Go where?” Harry shrugged.
“To go see her.” The woman grunted irritably and stomped briskly up the hill.
“Men!” She screamed as her parting outburst.
“Did you hear anything mate?” Ron questioned, dusting dirt and leaves off of his robes.
Harry was uneasy. He ran his hand through his mop of black hair. “Well, since Ron’s told you anyway, I don’t see the harm…Sirius and Lupin are together. A long time ago they were bonded and I guess they just found each other again.” Harry watched them closely for a reaction.
“Sweet, maybe I can catch Tonks on the rebound.” Fred puffed out his chest. Ron sighed embarrassingly at his brother.
“Somehow, I don’t think she’s going to feel like dating right about now.” Ron shook his head.
“Think they’ve carried it on the whole time he was at Grimwald place?” Fred accused, pushing himself off of the cold grass.
“Rubbish.” Harry stifled.
“Sirius would never do that. Tonks is his cousin and he loves her. He would have never purposely taken her husband.” Harry stood with a shiver. He hadn’t noticed the harsh December chill in the air.
“So they were married?” Ron’s teeth chattered.
“Yeah, for three years. We should start heading in.” Harry answered, rubbing his arms vigorously.
“It’s bloody freezing.” Fred looked around as if some unforeseen crowd would agree with him.
“They never tell us anything. You ever notice that? The Order wants us to fight this war, but every week they hand us another deep dark secret.” Ron complained, tightening his custom Weasley jumper around his chest.
“They have their reasons.” George assured them. “Imagine what we won’t tell our children.”
Ron’s eyes widened. “Valid point.” He nervously wrung his hands together.
“Harry, how is Snape?” There was sympathy in Fred’s voice as they all started up towards the castle.
The resolve faltered in Harry’s eyes. “Tired mostly.” He grinned sadly. The frigidness of the air seemed to penetrate even his teeth. “Dumbledore says he’ll regain his strength in a week or two.”
“Bugger, the fallout from that spell lasts weeks?” Ron said, tripping over his own feet.
“It should. Grindelwald created that spell to detect Muggle parentage in his followers. It traces the magic on your soul.” Fred smiled at the fact that he had possessed useful knowledge.
“One thing can be said for our very own Adolph. He was nothing if not thorough.” Fred joked, patting his friend’s back.
“Our Professor will be back, spreading his own brand of contempt for all things student in no time, you’ll see.”
“I know.” Harry opened the large double doors into the side of the large building. “It’s just that this war has taken his youth and his life. I hate to see him still suffering.
“Shouldn’t he bounce back quickly? We’re invincible.” Ron wondered.
Both twins stopped abruptly.
“We need to add a disclaimer to that mate.” Fred urged.
“Immortal, yes. Invincible…well we sure as hell can still feel severe pain.”
“Trust us.” George emphasized.
“Porcine Root.” He grinned at the fat lady. She didn’t acknowledge the boys as she swung open, revealing the Gryffindor Common room. There were only a few students loitering. Harry threw himself into a large red chair.
“Dumbledore said it would take someone who wasn’t mystically inclined months to return to their full self, if they came back at all. Of course, they failed to mention all of this when they gave me the description of the spell.”
“Who’s teaching Potion’s while he’s out?” Ron shoved a chocolate frog in his mouth.
“Wait who’s teaching any of our classes?” He looked at Harry bewildered.
“Sirius got the DADA post. Tonks is taking the Charms post and Lupin is covering Potions until Severus is well.” Harry seemed like the mention of those particular names made him nervous. He picked at a stray thread in his robes.
“Won’t he recover faster in his natural habitat? You know, dungeons and darkness?”
“Very funny, Ron,” Harry kicked him playfully in the shin,
“No Snape for weeks!” Ron allowed the smile to spread foolishly over his face until he took notice of the pained expression Harry was exhibiting.
“Sorry mate.” His gaze fell to the ground. “I forgot…I’m a wanker.”
“No, don’t worry about it.” Harry threw a pillow at the redhead. “I know what Professor Snape is like. I don’t think that I even like him but, he’s not Severus Snape…well…they are a lot alike but…it’s different. He’s sweet.” Harry finished shyly.
“Yeah, for sure, in that dark magic, instant death sort of way.” Fred tried to lighten the mood. “So what’s the plan for you two crazy kids?”
Harry stood lazily. “Well the terms of our bond are pretty clear, eternity. So…we’re pretty much going to do that.” Potter smiled broadly.
“I still cannot believe that you’re bonded to Snape…” Ron shuddered. “I can’t even start to comprehend how you’re in love with him…not that I don’t fully support it.” He ended hastily.
“Oh, it gets better.” Harry shuffled his feet nervously as he paced in front of the large fire place. “We’ve decided…that is to say…I asked him…to marry me.” The twins jaws dropped in unison and Ron blinked rapidly.
“But that’s so…so…voluntary.” George protested, his eyes still budging out of his sockets.
“Yeah, and you’re choosing to do it.” Three sets of ashamed eyes fell upon Ron. “What? This is Snape we’re talking about. Our friend is marrying Severus Snape…remember the Potions Master?” Ron sat as close to the edge of the couch as possible.
“I want to do it. C’mon you guys. You must have known. I know I didn’t hide it that well.” Harry bit a chocolate from in half.
“If you mean that you didn’t hide your blinding hatred then yeah, you’re right we noticed it.” George shrugged.
“I knew it.” Fred offered. He had sprawled out in a large chair and was staring at the ceiling. His brother’s expressions adamantly conveyed their doubt.
“I did. No one hates someone that much for no good reason. I thought you probably fancied him and were embarrassed about it. Snape isn’t known for being a looker…though I can see where you would find him attractive. It’s that voice.” Fred had wondered into a dream world.
“What?” He shot at his twin. “The man has a sexy voice.”
“I know, right?” Harry eagerly agreed.
“So when will you…” Ron’s face seemed to turn green. “I can’t even say it. You’ll be Harry Snape and that sounds dirty…this is all bad.”
Potter plopped down next to his schoolmate. “We were going to do it soon, but we’ve decided to wait until after I graduate and yes it does sound dirty. That’s why I want it to be Harry Potter-Snape.” Confusion slipped into Harry’s eyes. “Can one of you explain the whole name thing to me? I got the impression that he really didn’t want to talk about it”
“He probably forgets that you were raised Muggle.” George explained. Harry could tell that he had gone into business mode.
“It’s a money thing and a title thing.” George made himself comfortable as he began to explain. “In a marriage between a man and a woman our customs are the same but when the partners are of the same gender it gets a wee bit trickier. Who ever has more money or a higher title gives their last name to the other, like a gift. The Snape line is prominent and very well off and our Sevi is the heir, let alone the fact that he’s a potions master. You never had a chance.” George smirked.
“I’d imagine that he got a bit testy about it when you spoke to him because it is customary for you to know all of this. In simpler words, you should be appreciative that he would even except you.”
Harry shook his head in bewilderment. “We really do live in the middle-ages.”
“Yeah, but with way cooler perks…we can do magic.” Fred countered “Not that any of that matter’s anyway. He doesn’t claim his parentage. At least when he’s not being a Death Eater, he doesn’t.”
“Huh?” Harry felt as if his brain was going to implode.
“His family is rife with Death Eaters. His two younger brother’s follow Voldemort and his Father has been with him since their school days. He has an older sister. As the oldest son he has access to their fortune, but Mum says he refuses it.” Fred sighed as if his explanation had been heavy labor.
“His sister is older?” Harry chose this as a place to start with his endless questions.
“Atheena. She went to school with our dad. He said she was nothing like the rest. She doesn’t even live in the wizarding world. She’s a muggle artist in America, left right after graduation.” Ron enjoyed being able to contribute to the conversation.
“Are is brothers…” Harry stopped.
“Exactly like him? Much worse.”
Harry gulped loudly. “Do I ever have to meet them?”
Fred, George and Ron exchanged glances.
“What?” Harry was alarmed. “What?”
“Before you’re allowed to wed someone of a lower station you have to get a signature from a senior member of your line. If there aren’t any, someone at the ministry can do it but in this case…”
“He wouldn’t. Would he? I mean if they are all Death Eaters then…” Harry was in a panic.
“Ever been to America?” Fred and George grinned. Ron lowered his head into his hands.
*** *** ***
“How do you feel?” Harry whispered as he gently seated himself on the pillow-top bed.
“Delightful.” Snape growled, his black eyes burned at the question. “Cant you see that this room is just fool of joyful experiences?” He gestured around the only scenery he had taken in for days. “Though, now that you’re here…it could be.”
Harry noted the velvet tone in his lover’s voice. “Sev.” He protested as Snape pulled him into a kiss. Those lips. Harry could live forever in those lips. He could loose himself in the need he felt whenever he tasted those lips. His sharp intake of breath brought him back to his senses just in time to feel Severus’s hand travel up the inside of his thigh.
“You need to be resting.” Harry barley removed his mouth from the darker man’s.
“Do shut up.” Snape purred. To Harry’s surprise Sev flipped him onto his back and was towering over him. “I’m not as weak as the officious old man thinks me to be.”
His mouth crushed Harry’s once more. Harry couldn’t comprehend how his clothes were disappearing. He had long since lost control of his body and had instead decided to give in to in completely. Harry allowed his fingers to trail down the muscled frame of the man on top of him. He mused he had never felt anything softer than the milky flesh at his disposal. The student caressed his kneecap against his partner’s groin. A loud groan resonated in Harry’s ears, as he pressed harder into stiff flesh. His hands were held above his head and Snape was dropping hungry kisses on his face and chest. “Inside.” The professor commanded.
Harry’s hips bucked without provocation. “Now.” He answered.
“Madesco.” Snape hushed the common lubrication spell.
The pain of the intrusion lasted only seconds, turning to great pleasure. “I’ve waited for this…for what’s mine.” Snape’s voice slid over Harry’s skin like silk. He lost all thought as he committed himself to their rhythmic lovemaking.
*** *** ***
Comfortable silence had taken over the air as Harry snuggled into the other man. Sweat had given way to cool skin and day had turned to night. Harry listened intently to the beating of Snape’s heart and the pattern of his slowing breath. His hands lazily skated trough midnight locks of hair.
“I need to ask you something.” Harry hummed with contentment.
“Yes, Mr. Potter, you will still have work to do in potions. Though, I’m sure you could work out some kind of extra credit.” Severus smiled at his bonded.
“No.” Harry laughed. “Today I heard something about marriage traditions…and your family.” He felt the man tense. “Is it true that we’ll have to go see your sister?”
“Go to sleep.” Snape tried.
“Severus.” Harry would have none of it.
Snape sat up abruptly. “Yes, we’ll have to go see Atheena before I’ll be allowed to participate in a marriage. Its ancient blood magic put forth by frustrating old men.”
Harry thought he could just make out the grinding of teeth. He placed his hand on the small of Snape’s back.
“So, it can be her. It doesn’t have to be…”
“I don’t have anything else.” Snape snapped. “I haven’t for a long time.” His expression was cold.
“The twins said that they were all Death Eaters.”
It was a few moments before Severus responded. “They are…and now that I’m not…well, I don’t think that we’ll be having tea anytime soon.” Snape was unhappy. It was coming off of him in waves.
“And if they knew that you were marrying me of all people…” Harry was pleasantly surprised to hear hardy laughter from his mate.
“They know we bonded.” His face turned quickly back to resolve. “You needn’t worry about them Harry…not while I’m around.” He squeezed Potter’s hand. “My father and brothers are dark wizards. Only one of them has enough wits about him to be a real threat but, I’ll not expose you to that.”
Harry positioned himself so that he was sitting in Severus’s lap, facing him. “What are their names?”
Snape wrapped his arms around his bonded waist and drew in a deep breath. “My father’s name in Theolonus and my brothers are Corvus and Marius.”
“What of your mother?” Harry cooed, running his hands through Snape’s hair.
Severus closed his eyes and stretched his neck. “She died giving birth to Marius…should have known it was a sign of things to come.” He rested his forehead on Harry’s shoulder.
“How old were you?”
“12. I was in my second year. My father had always followed the Dark Lord but, my mother did not abide by his politics. With her gone, he was free to devote all of his time to the war.” Snape was still bitter.
“What was her name?” The young man asked softly, not wanting to overstep his bounds.
“Hydra.” A weak grin crept onto Snape’s face.
“The snake.” Harry declared.
Severus smiled fondly.
“What? I pay attention in some classes.”
“Surely. Who was Corvus?” Snape loved that just talking to Potter erased all of his tension.
“Wait…um it…bugger…the crow! It’s perched almost on top of Hydra…why did they name her after a snake? Is it some weird Slytherin thing?” Harry tipped his head to the side in a very childlike manner.
Snape mentally cursed his family. “It was a Slytherin thing. Her family has always been sorted into that house.” He braced himself for the question he knew was coming.
“Who was her family?” Snape knew that this innocence would end as soon as he heard the answer.”
“Mfrry.” The man mumbled quickly.
“What? What did you say?” It was Harry’s turn to tense.
“Malfoy. My mother’s brother is Lucius’s father.” Severus readied himself.
“What!” The man mused that the yell was surely heard throughout the castle. “So, when I marry you Draco will be my…my…we’ll be sort of related! He’ll be my something!”
“Lower your voice.” Snape ordered, pulling them both into a lying position. “He’ll be your second cousin by marriage. It doesn’t mean a thing.” He ended further argument with a heavy kiss.
Harry pulled back in a few moments. “When will we go? I mean do you want me to…”
“Harry.” Severus embraced Potter tightly. “Of course I want you to go with me. I’ve already sent her an owl to expect us. I was going to tell you when it was sooner to the time that we have to leave.”
“Will she like me? What is she like? Tell me about her?” Harry’s words flew quickly out of his mouth. Snape rolled his eyes.
“Atheena is a gentle soul, like our mother. She lives in San Francisco where she teaches at a Muggle school.”
“Does she still use magic?”
Snape buried his face in his lover’s hair. “In her own home; She never comes into our world.”
“When will we go? When did you last see her? And again will she like me?”
“Git, everyone adores you. I haven’t seen her in ten years and we must go soon. Because she denies the magical world my father could have her stripped of our lineage. She’ll still have her power, but she would no longer be able to approve this marriage. He doesn’t know about the marriage yet, but I must file the papers before I go to get her signature. Once I do that he’ll know in a matter of hours.” Snape finished.
“When will you feel up to it?” Harry asked.
Snape snarled seductively. “Why don’t you help me build up my strength tonight and we’ll Apparate first thing in the morning.” His lips pounded Harry’s as his hand trailed below Potter’s waistband.
“If you insist.” Harry grinned.