Standing Against the Tides

Last time I looked at my driver’s license, it did not say J. K. Rowling. Yep, it’s just me, an unpaid and unknown aspiring writer. The characters of the Potterverse do not belong to me and I am making no money from this endeavor.

A/N: Spoilers through OotP. As I am still in denial, I refuse to acknowledge the events of HBP or DH at this point.

Unbeta’d as BabyGurl is busy with her own life.


Chapter 15 First Comes Denial

Minerva McGonagall, Deputy-Headmistress of Hogwarts, looked on at the young man the castle had chosen to succeed her former employer and friend. Harry Potter was visibly struggling to come to grips with the situation they now found themselves in. And truly, the witch could not blame the young man. It was not everyday that one found that one was destined to be the next Headmaster of one of the greatest schools of witchcraft and wizardry in the world. And it most certainly wasn’t everyday that a Phoenix bonded to that same wizard. Deciding quickly, Minerva beckoned a finger at her colleague. “Severus, I do believe that Mr. Potter needs some time to process all that has happened,” the stern witch firmly stated.

Quirking an eyebrow at his friend, Severus waited for the other shoe to drop. He had a feeling he wouldn’t like what she would be saying next. And he was right…

“Mr. Potter will be staying with you tonight in your chambers, Severus.” At the incredulous look which met that statement, she smiled sweetly. “Severus, even you must see that Mr. Potter can hardly return to Gryffindor Tower with Fawkes in tow. No, it would be best for you to help Mr. Potter deal with these latest developments.” Not giving her reticent friend any chance to rebut her decision, Minerva turned on her heal and left the two men and the Phoenix to their devices.


Realizing that once again he had been manipulated, Severus began making plans to lace his friend’s tea with catnip. Sighing, he turned to the still stunned young man and preceded the Gryffindor and Phoenix through the Floo network to his rooms.

Upon reaching their destination, Severus strode over to his liquor cabinet. If he was going to have his soul mate so close to him, he was damned well going to be mellow for the ordeal.

Harry stumbled out of the fireplace and reached up to pet Fawkes when the Phoenix objected to the rough entrance. Seeing that his professor was busy pouring himself a drink, Harry sank into the large sofa. Fawkes seemed to understand his new human’s need for comfort and began softly trilling a soothing melody.

As Harry relaxed under the influence of the calming song, he glanced over and saw that the Potions master’s shoulders also seemed to sag in relief as the brilliantly colored bird sang its healing tune.


Severus felt the tension leave his body as the bloody bird trilled its happy song. Damn, but how was he supposed to hang onto his righteous anger at the entire situation if the blasted creature was going to do that?

His nerves thusly, though reluctantly, soothed, Severus took an appreciative sip of his scotch rather than the hasty shot he had been planning on downing. As the fiery liquid flowed through his system he reassessed the situation.

Whether he liked it or not, Minerva had effectively handed Harry Bloody Potter to him on a silver platter. His long-time friend knew what his feelings were and she had still forced him in to close quarters with his soul mate. Despite the fact that the young man still was his student. Despite the fact that he wanted nothing more than to take said young man into his arms and ravish his love. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Severus took a deep breath in an attempt to rein in his wayward thoughts. He needed to be strong to handle this rather unexpected situation.


Harry nervously watched his professor. Suddenly everything seemed just a little bit too real and the young man wasn’t sure what to do right now. The only thought that truly registered in Harry’s befuddled mind was that he did not want to be alone right now. But how was he going to ask the surly Potions master if he could sleep with him tonight? And even more importantly, how was he supposed to survive asking such a question?

Sensing the intense gaze being directed his way, Severus sighed into his drink. “Just spit it out, Potter,” he irritably said.

“Uh, sir?” Harry began quietly before faltering. Gulping, he took some comfort from the presence of his new familiar. The young Gryffindor gathered up his courage. Green eyes held the older man’s dark ones as Harry began again. “Sir, I don’t want to be alone tonight. I promise to stay on my side of the bed and not bother you.”

Severus stared in disbelief at his student’s audacity. Internally cringing, the Potions master wondered just what deity he had offended to deserve this sort of torture. Honestly, the Cruciatus curse sounded better than having to lie all night next to the young man he now knew he loved. Swallowing against the sudden desire that flooded his system, Severus slowly answered, “Mr. Potter, it would not be proper for us to sleep in the same bed.”

“Sir, I think that we both know that Professor McGonagall sent me down here for a reason,” Harry slyly retorted. Truthfully he didn’t know why it was so important that he sleep with his professor. He only knew that he felt an almost overwhelming compulsion to do so.

Trying to ignore the fact that he desperately wanted his soul mate in bed with him, Severus struggled to come up with a viable, and innocent, reason why they should not do so. After quick but considerable thought, the older man realized that he could not find it within himself to object.

“Very well, Mr. Potter,” Severus acquiesced as gracefully as he could manage while his heart was beating erratically.

Shyly smiling, Harry rose and went into the bathroom to ready himself for bed. It was early still, but too much had happened and he felt the weight of the situation on his shoulders.


Fawkes contented himself with preening his feathers while sitting on the perch the older wizard had conjured for him. The dark man spent much of his time trying to convince others that he was the big bad, but Fawkes knew better. Beneath the gruff and prickly exterior was a good man and Fawkes was pleased that the professor was destined for his new human. Softly trilling a few notes, the Phoenix was rewarded when the dark man relaxed slightly. His work done for now, Fawkes settled down for the night.


Severus was busy calling himself all manner of fools. Why he had agreed to allow the young man share his bed was beyond him. Scratch that. Severus knew why he had been unable to say no. When it came down to it, he wanted Harry in his bed. He wanted to be able to hold the young man and so much more. Accepting that he now had to live with the consequences of his rash decision, Severus tried to put the matter out of his mind for the moment. Picking up his latest potions journal, the older man attempted to focus on the abysmally dry and uninspired writings from one of his colleagues.


Inevitably, the time arrived for Severus to retire to his bed. His bed where even now Harry lay. He could do this. He was, after all, a much-feared professor and a former Death Eater. He would have to do this. Harry needed him and he had promised the young man that he would comfort him. Only his sense of honor kept the Potions master from seeking out the safety of his sofa for the night.

Quietly moving about in his bedroom, Severus gathered his nightclothes and escaped into the bathroom. Firmly admonishing himself for his nerves, Severus finally slipped into the warmth of his bed, only to be immediately pulled into the embrace of a slight young man. Sighing, Severus gathered Harry into his arms and felt the tension leave the Gryffindor’s body as they both eased into sleep.