The Engagement Kiss

“What is it?” the man asked sitting beside Harry, his coal black eyes soft.

“I…Anders live for a really long time Sev…I…I don’t think I’d be able to go on if I had to watch you all grow old and leave me alone.” He whispered. Severus wrapped his arms around the smaller boy,

Chapter 15:

Harry sat back leaning against the headboard of his bed, his mother’s diary open in his lap. He wasn’t looking at it however he was inspecting her portrait.

“Mum, do you know if there’s a way to extend Severus’ life?” while he knew that he’d never be alone the thought of losing his mate lees that halfway through his own life was not a pleasant one. Harry hoped he wasn’t being too selfish by asking, Severus may not want to live longer, but he couldn’t help wondering.

“There have been cases of non-Ander mates living longer however I don’t know how that was accomplished. Your best chance to get an answer would be to ask one of the elders.” She replied carefully, “If there’s a way they’ll know. Even if its common place at the compound, you have to remember to Ander’s I was little more than a child when they sent me to live with the muggles. I had a lot left to learn.” She said a bit sadly. He nodded, and sighed. Looking at the diary, he decided to read about the prophecy.

“So the headmaster thinks that I’m supposed to bear the child to his silly prophecy. With James Potter! Like I would ever bed that incompetent, jerk! I’ve had to resort to caring my own drinks and food as Dumbledore is spiking everything with love potions, intent on getting me to mate with Potter. Damn that meddling fool. I hope he realizes what will happen if he succeeds, well once he succeeds. I know he will, I’ve seen it. Despite my own stunted sight showing me my children with Potter I know that it won’t be willingly, not in the beginning. Anyway, to my child I know you’re reading this now, never think I regret you. While the arrangement may not have been of my choosing I always wanted children and would never regret them.” He paused. Lily had a bit of sight then? Why hadn’t she just run away? Or maybe she couldn’t. He shook his head setting the diary down. This was too much. His inheritance, Ron’s inheritance, even Draco’s, it was crazy that they were all interlinked in some way. He had the strangest sinking feeling that this was only the beginning, and that frightened him.

He sighed and looked back at the diary, before all this he’d almost come to terms with the fact that he was most likely not going to survive this war but now… Now he had so much more to live for, and he’d barely even begun life. His mother had died barely out of childhood; did he want to die barely out of infanthood? Rubbing his forehead and tracing the scar he shook his head, he didn’t want to die…He wanted to live with Severus’ to see their children grow up, to be happy. That was it, he decided, this war would end so that he could be happy. Not for Dumbledore, not for the wizarding word, but for his own selfish need for happiness. Harry Potter, no Harry Blackfighter would accept this challenge and overcome it. Cheered up slightly he went in search of his friends; they’d each been enjoying the clam that had come once the excitement over Ron dissipated slightly. Ron and Draco had been spending time getting to know each other, and working out Ron’s powers, while Naji and Hermione disappeared into the library doing who knows what in there. With a mischievous smile Harry decided to drop into the library, hoping to catch his cousin and best friend unaware.

Peering around one of the bookshelves Harry spotted Naji’s tell-tale green hair, and Hermione’s bushy brown hair. They were situated comfortably in the same chair, reading. Harry rolled his eyes, and entire library to themselves and they were reading.

“What are you reading?” he asked casually dropping into a chair right in front of them, Hermione gave and undignified squeak.

“Harry!” she exclaimed turning pink, he had to smile. Naji was silently repressing a laugh.

“Mione, relax.” He said, she sat still and blushed harder as Naji wrapped his arms around her. Harry however smiled; they were such a cute couple.

“Are you official yet or do you need my permission?” He asked with a laugh as Hermione glared at him indignantly. Naji laughed, he couldn’t help it.

“Oh, well if you find this so amusing,” Hermione began starting to get up; He however tightened his arms shaking his head with a happy smile.

“Nope, I’ve got you know and I’m not letting go.” He said cheerily and she blushed again, yet resettled into his lap with a huff.

“What are you doing here anyway Harry?” She demanded, as always searching for information. He smiled, but before he could reply a tawny owl swept in landing next to her and Naji extending its leg. Naji accepted the letter hurriedly, looking at the Hogwarts crest with trepidation.

“Why would you be getting a letter from Hogwarts?” Hermione asked curiously trying to read it as he held it above her head.

“I applied, in the hopes that I could accompany you, Ron and Harry to school but it seems I was rejected.” He replied handing her the letter, which she read aloud;

“Dear Naji Tearcatcher,

We regret to inform you that your request (student application), was denied. The reason for your rejection is a lack of regular and uniform education as Hogwarts has no catch up programs we feel that too much allowances would have to be made to keep you within your learning parameters. We apologize for this inconvenience and deeply regret the need to reject you.

Sincerely Albus Dumbledore” she frowned at the letter.

“What a load of crock! We’ve had several students transfer in that have, had sporadic education plans and they’ve done fine.” She said angrily, Harry also felt a spike of anger directed at the headmaster. He knew that Naji was being denied because Dumbledore wanted Harry alone as possible at Hogwarts, and that infuriated him.

“I’m sure another way will present itself, if I have to follow you to school invisibly I will.” Naji said with a resigned sigh. While initially Az had assigned him to protect Harry he now cared for his cousin and friends to mush to leave them alone within Dumbledore’s domain. Harry silently steamed then looked up,

“We’ll ask Severus at dinner, he must know a way.” He decided, and if the potions master couldn’t come up with a way then they’d figure something out. No one was keeping Harry from his family, biological or not. Naji nodded, and glanced at Hermione’s face; she was angry but controlled it well.

“One of these days Dumbledore is going to end up answering to all this manipulating and I’m sure it won’t be pretty.” She whispered, the two boys nodding in agreement. Ron and Draco chose that moment to come in, looking at all the somber faces Ron frowned.

“What’d we miss?” he asked, sitting down on one of the couches Draco sitting next to him but not with the intimate closeness that he’d displayed after Ron’s inheritance. It appeared that the young Malfoy was having his own issues adapting.

“Just Dumbledore meddling again, Hey if we can find any spare brooms do you want to have a quidditch game?” Harry replied, they’d spent enough time brooding. They all needed something fun, and some time out of the manor or they’d all become like Severus’ he thought with a smile. All the boys nodded enthusiastically; while Hermione just smiled and inclined her head she’d watch the fun. They all went outside and checked the shed, which to their surprise and delight held several spare brooms and a few extendible quidditch goals. They set up the pitch and practice flying and their own positions, summoning various balls and obstacles. Naji turned out to be a decent beater and catcher while Ron took the keeper position. Harry and Draco switched off between seeker and catcher. Hermione sat on a blanket with her book occasionally looking up to watch them play with a smile on her face.

They had all needed this, fun with no consequence. Even Severus came out to watch for a little while, spotting them from inside. Harry was in a state of bliss, air maybe his second element but it was so freeing to be flying high above the cares of the world. He watched his friends play from high up for a moment; even Draco had a happy smile on his face. Here they were all alike, no matter what. That was how it should be everywhere he thought, looking around spotting Severus. The dark eyes of the potions master were locked onto him with such intensity that Harry nearly fell of his broom. He blushed and returned to the game, unsure of what to think. He was still so jittery with Severus; even the slightest touch could make him crazy. Harry hope that he would eventually gain some control over himself around his professor, otherwise potions class was going to get very interesting.

Naji swooped down next to Hermione talking animatedly with her, she looked at him shaking her head when he scooped her up and pulled her onto the broom. Harry and Ron laughed as she turned pink and shrieked at her boyfriend. Naji took gentle movements and turns, not going above a few feet and whispered in Hermione’s ear calming her down. Harry smiled, happy for his friends and amused at Hermione. Turning to glance at Ron and Draco he laughed again, they were engaged in challenging each other, Draco firing shots at Ron, and Ron defending the hoops. Harry snickered when Draco yelled at Ron for cheating when he deflected a quaffle with his tail. He flew higher up in the air and, much to the dismay of his friends, released the boom. Using the air currents and his own powers to stay aloft, and one to direct the broom gracefully to the ground, he glided around the pitch. Landing on his feet beside Severus, the potions master looked torn between awe and furry.

“Fair warning would’ve been appreciated.” He commented at last, both admonishing Harry and admitting that it had been somewhat impressive. Harry smiled up at him, looking around.

“This peace is nice, yet I can’t help but think that it’s not meant to last.” He replied a small tinge of sadness creeping into his voice. Then he looked back over at him,

“Severus do you know a way to get Naji into Hogwarts without being a student? Dumbledore rejected him and he was going to sneak in, but I don’t want to take the chance of him getting into trouble.” He asked, watching Severus’ face.

“I could take him on as an apprentice, as a master in my field the headmaster has no right to challenge my choice.” He suggested. Harry smiled, that was perfect.

“After lunch I’ll have to test his skills, and Harry would you like to practice potions? Here there will be no one to throw wrong ingredients into your cauldron.” Severus continued, much to Harry’s surprise.

“I would like that very much Severus.” He replied honestly with a cheery smile. Severus gave him a small smile in return, a real honest smile. He couldn’t help thinking that if Severus smiled even a little more he would be the most gorgeous person on earth. Yes he decided, this peace needed to last.

A.N oki, a little down time after all that excitement, I think they needed it don’t you? XD
They next I don’t know twoish chapters are a little more slow paced, initially I hadn’t intended everything to come out at once but that’s how the chapters formed. –Shrugs- I have realized that I am so anti-productive over the weekends. So enjoy this chappie I’d say expect sixteen sometime between today and Wednesday I think. =P REVIEW! =D