The Headmaster

Chapter 18 The Headmaster

At four o’clock on Tuesday afternoon Harry was waking up in St. Mungo’s Hospital. Adam explained the first curse to be removed was a mild depression curse. It was so mild he doubted that he would feel any difference once he got back to Hogwarts but initially he would be in a state of euphoria. He was to remain at the hospital until the exhilaration subsided and he was once again himself. He was told not to be surprised that when he woke there would be magical monitors attached to him.

It took only a moment to remember where he was and that he had not fallen from his broom during a Quidditch match. He shook his head to clear the cobwebs away but grimaced when his head started to pound. He decided laying still was a much better idea. He slowly eyed the room and wondered where everyone was. Adam was supposed to be there as well as his healer. The only person in the room was that of a sleeping body in the bed next to him. Harry cleared his throat trying to wake his room partner. He cleared his throat louder with the only affect was the man rolled over onto his back. A huge hooked nose peaked over the covers that were pulled high over the sleeping man’s body.

“Snape.” The vitriol that was usually there, was gone when Harry spoke Severus’ name. Instead it was said with a great deal of affection. Throwing his blanket off Harry swung his legs over the edge of the bed and after steadying himself, quietly walked over to the Snape’s bed.

Harry stared at Snape. He looked so peaceful, so relaxed. With all the tension gone from his face, Severus looked so young. As if his fingers had a mind of their own they reached up and started to stroke Snape’s raven black hair. He yelled at himself to stop, that this was his enemy but he couldn’t help himself. The hair felt like silk between his fingers. So wonderfully soft to the touch, Harry had a flash of memory of another time he stroked this man’s hair.

Severus’ long body was sprawled across the couch. In one hand was a book of poetry, tucked under his other arm was the prone body of Harry, listening intently to the warm deep voice of the man he loved.

Harry gasped, he ‘was’ in love with Snape, he could remember the feeling. Taking a long, hard breathe he swallowed the bile that had risen in his throat. He kept rolling a small lock of hair between his fingers as if it would pull more memories from his mind.

The words may have been written by Keats but they were about the love the two of them shared. Harry propped himself up on one arm and stroked his long silky soft hair. It was so soft to the touch.

“Harry? Harry?” A firm hand placed on his shoulder brought him back to reality. “Are you alright Harry?” It was Adam. Concern showed on his face. He led Harry back to his own bed.

“Yeah, I am fine… in fact never better. I feel like I could conquer the world.”

“That’s from the removal of the curse.”

“Will I feel like this after every removal?” Harry climbed back into bed and pulled the covers up. Adam tucked the side it.

“I wish I could say yes but you would know I was lying. Harry, what were you doing when I walked in?”

“What did it look like I was doing?” Harry wasn’t going to admit to anything he didn’t have to.

“It looked as if you were stroking Snape’s hair.”

“Then you would be wrong. I was ‘not’ stroking his hair.” He was done stroking it and had gone onto rolling it between his fingers.

“Harry, did you have a flashback?”

“I may have.” He snuggled deeper into the bed.

“You want to tell me about it?”

“You’re not going to leave me alone until I tell you, are you?”

“Got it in one.”

“He was reading poetry to me while I played with his hair. That’s all I can remember.” He thought it was best not to mention that they were prone on the couch at the time.

“Do you know that you shift your eyes to the left when you are telling an untruth?”

Harry looked at his friend suspiciously. “I don’t believe you.”

Adam shrugged as he smiled at Harry. “You will from now on.” Adam giggled.

“Crap.” Harry plopped down on his pillow. Harry, from this moment on, would never be able to tell a lie without shifting his eyes. Luckily, the only person who knew that was Adam.

“Harry there was something else that you remembered, wasn’t there?”

Harry nodded slowly. “Yes, I remembered… no, felt, the deep love I had for him.”

“How did that make you feel?”

“I wanted to throw up. Yes, I once was in love with Snape, it’s over. I still can’t stand the sight of him.”

“But you liked the feel of his hair?”

“Merlin yes! It felt like the finest spun silk. If I didn’t have to look at him I could spend my days touching his hair.” Harry closed his eyes and savored the memory of the softness between his fingers.

“This desire to touch his hair may just be a result of removing the curse from you. I’ll be curious if you will feel the same way tomorrow.”

“To tell you the truth Adam,” Harry eyes didn’t shift, “I will be too.”

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Minerva gazed into her untouched cup of tea. She was fatigued. The last few months of trying to get Severus released was finally taking its toil. Now, she waited for Severus to wake from his day long surgery. All reports said he had pulled through with flying colors but she couldn’t relax until he was awake. She sipped the cold cup of tea and scowled. There was nothing worse than a cold cup of tea.

A gentle but firm grip was placed on her shoulder. She looked up to see Alvin smiling down at her.

“Minerva McGonagall you’re quite a woman.”

“I have always been aware of that fact.” Her reply was nonchalant. “However, I am curious at what brought you to that conclusion.” She offered him the seat across from her.

“Your boundless energy, deep devotion, amazing intellect, and the fact that you can drink the hospital gruel that they call tea.” He took his seat. “Severus will be sleeping for at least a couple of more hours. Let me take you away from here and buy you a decent meal and a decadent glass of sherry.”

“How in the word did you know that Sherry was my downfall?” She drank very little but when she did it was the best sherry that she could afford.

“I have found through my travels that refined women, such as you, have the taste for sherry.”

“Am I mistaken, or are you flirting with me?” She was not impressed. “If you are, you’ll have to work harder. If a student of mine gave me such a dismal attempt at transfiguration I would surly make him do the assignment over.”

“Since my first attempt was so ‘dismal’ would the professor please give me a second chance?”

“You may but do remember there will not be a third chance.”

“From the moment I laid my eyes on you I found you fascinating. Your passion moves me. I find myself drawn to your strength and beauty. I would like to know this woman… you, better.”

“Better, but not by much.” She stood and pulled her robe over her shoulder. She looked down at Alvin. “Well? You did promise me dinner and an exquisite sherry.”

Scurrying to his feet Alvin helped her with her robe. “This was much too easy. I expected some resistance. A discussion about our age difference… something.”

“And why would I argue? You are an intelligent enough young man and I ‘do’ have a fondness for youthful men.”

“Amazing.”

“Yes I am. I’m famished. Will you apparate us?”

“Even though I would love a reason to put my arms around you, we can walk to the restaurant. It’s only a few blocks away.”

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By sunset Harry was back at Hogwarts but instead of retreating to his chambers he found himself sitting cross legged in the middle of Severus’ old rooms. The room was empty of everything that remotely reminded Harry of his ex-Professor but the scent of Severus seemed to be lingering in the room. With only the light from the fire that Harry had started, he studied the room, trying to retrieve some long, forgotten memory.

Finally, giving up any hope that he could remember anything about the two of them, he decided that he should get some rest, as was ordered by Adam. Pressing his palms to the floor he felt as a bolt of lightning went through him, landing him on his fanny.

He saw, in his mind’s eye, the two of them lying, fully clothed, in front of a roaring fire. He was on top, holding Snape’s hands over his head. He could feel the hardness of their cocks rubbing together. It was him, Harry Potter, that had put the look of wanton desire on Snape’s face.

Harry’s eyes widened as he recalled how the two of them came in their pants. Though it was far less than the two really wanted, they lay stated in each others arms.

Rushing to the loo, Harry tossed everything he had in his stomach up. This can’t be happening. He couldn’t deny that the two of them had been together but neither could he ignore that he still loathed Snape. Wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his robe, he left the room and its memories.

A mild sleeping draught was in order for the evening. It was that, or the memory of Snape haunting him throughout the night.

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Alvin ran his foot up and down the back of Minerva’s calf.

“Have I given you any reason to believe I am a loose woman?”

“None at all.” Alvin smiled.

“Then please remove your foot from the back of my leg.” She lifted her sherry to her lips and relished the flavor.

“I thought…?”

“You thought I found you irresistible? Hardly. I do find you attractive but I am not one to jump into bed the first evening. There has to be at least two outings before that.”

“Then I have a chance?”

“A very good one.” She smiled wickedly. Her mood shifted. “You are much younger that I.”

“About the same as Severus and Harry…”

“Please do not interrupt. As I was saying you are much younger than I and if we find some enjoyment in one another I will not expect any commitment from you. You may leave anytime you wish and there will not be any hurt feelings.”

“And if I want a commitment?”

“It’s much too soon to be talking about that. Let us enjoy the time we have together.”

“As you wish.” Alvin swallowed the last of his drink and set the glass down on the table. “We should be getting back. Severus should be waking soon and I want to be there when he does. Madame?”

“Yes?”

“Would it be two forward of me to give you a kiss goodnight?”

“When our evening has ended and you escort me back to Remus’ home, you may give me a kiss to end the evening.”

As the two of them walked back to St. Mungo’s, Alvin tucked Minerva under his arm and pulled his cloak about her to keep the chill of the night air off or her. He didn’t wait till the end of the evening to steal a kiss from Minerva. On the stairs of the hospital he turned her towards him. Tilting her head back he kissed her waiting lips.

“Wow…” Alvin muttered at the end of the kiss.

“Indeed,” was Minerva’s reply. They walked hand in hand up the steps and into the hospital.

A/N Surprise…I surprised myself. I should have another chapter tomorrow but then I will be gone for a couple of weeks. I’ll try to write when I’m gone so I’ll have twice as many chapters to post when I get back…


Would anyone be interested in being my beta for my next story?