The Engagement Kiss

On platform 9 ¾ there were copies of the daily prophet every where each one with the screaming headline “The Boy Who Lived Gay and Engaged to Severus Snape One Time Death Eater? Turn to page nine for the juicy details! By: Rita Skeeter.”

“Oh shit…” Harry commented paling and looking up at his mate worriedly. Severus’ black eyes held murder only one person could’ve leaked that information,

“Dumbledore.” He hissed.

Chapter 19:

Harry was furious. How dare Dumbledore let that cow Skeeter get a hold of his and Severus’ engagement? Hell the look in the potions professor’s eyes was enough to make Harry worry about the next headline stating that one Severus Snape murdered the headmaster. He muttered furiously pacing the car that Draco had managed to get his Slytherin friends to keep empty. They had gone to the end of the train to not hold up anyone yet there were still people clamoring at the doors, he almost felt bad for when Ron and Hermione tried to get down here. He sighed and flopped onto the seat beside Draco looking over at the blonde with a small smile.

“I never thought I would be grateful for the Slytherins when the shit hit the fan.” He commented. Draco merely gave him a fierce smile;

“We protect out own and while your not officially a snake your engaged to our house head and that’s enough for most of us.” He replied truthfully.

“Yeah after all he must see something in you.” Came a dry voice from the door, Blaise and Pansy waltzed in both with cautious smiles.

“Either that or I’m just that amazing in bed.” Harry countered with a dazzling smile. All four started laughing and the ice was broken.

“So what the hell did they say to make you hide down here? We only caught the end of Draco’s tirade.” Blaise asked sitting opposite them. Harry frowned his momentary good mood darkened.

-Flashback time! –does the hammer dance thingy- (I just got out of an exam not my fault)

Severus glowered severely but with a glace at Harry pushed it aside to fester until he could take Dumbledore apart piece by piece.

“Don’t worry Harry, I’m not mad at you.” He said, while Harry wasn’t so sensitive to Severus’ moods anymore he had withdrawn slightly at Severus’ blatant and sharp anger. “I don’t even mind people knowing it was simply safer for no one to know.” He continued with a sigh then smiled a little leaning down and kissing Harry’s forehead. The brunette blushed and smiled too.

“One good thing that came out of this I suppose.” Severus commented referring to being able to me more open with Harry, “I will see you at the feast love. Call me through the link if anything goes too wrong.” He said with a chaste kiss on Harry’s lips. With that he and Naji disapperated. Ron and Hermione gave half hearted waves and headed off the head boy/girl car leaving Draco and Harry to face the music. At first Harry hoped that everyone would be courteous to leave him alone but no such luck;

“Oh Merlin, Harry! It’s not true is it?” squealed Lavender when she spotted him entering the train causing everyone to notice their arrival.

“Yeah Harry why of all people Snape?” came another voice this time it was Seamus who looked slightly green at the prospect. It was if a dam broke and everyone was surging forward demanding a response. Even if Harry had one that didn’t involve disclosing what he was no one would’ve been able to hear him. A shrill shrieking whistle broke through the clamor of the noisy kids. Draco stood silver eyes blazing with his wand making that awful sound. Harry got the distinct feeling that Draco was going to stand up for him but Harry felt that for once he should stand up for himself.

“Hold on Ry you can bitch at them too.” Draco whispered with a knowing smile before turning to the crowd.

“You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Acting like a bunch of old biddies that only live for the next tidbit of juicy gossip! With whom Harry chooses to associate with is none of your business unless he whishes to tell you. And I sincerely doubt he would even spare whatever crass heathen dared ask ‘is he any good in bed’ the time of day let alone dignifying them with a response.” He sneered at them all with an aloof look that clearly said he thought all of them far below himself. During his little speech the Slytherins who were his ‘real’ friends had pushed through the crowd flanking him and Harry.

“Draco is right, while the fault doesn’t fall on you completely more on the Prophet, who I choose to love, is none of your concern. Even if it were is this anyway to conduct yourselves?” Harry stepped in making sure that he was heard. “Now Draco and I are going to the back of the train and procuring an empty car please have the decency to leave me be.” He finished nodding to Draco who gestured to his friends, Crabble, Goyle, Blaise, Pansy and Nott to keep the crowd at bay.

-Present Time! - (I like italics…I’ve no idea why…)

Blaise was sniggering helplessly by the time the two other boys had finished the short tale and Pansy shot the door several disgusted looks.

“That’s deplorable.” She sniffed pettily, “Asking about you and Prof. Snape like that.” This only caused Blaise to snort louder,

“Sorry, but Pansy you used to hang on Draco rather publically why the digression now?” he asked looking at the pug-faced girl. Harry inspected her closer than he had previously and found the years had been kind to her she wasn’t that hard on the eyes.

“Because Blaise you adorably naïve boy Draco needed a way to keep everyone off him due to his veela heritage and I provided that distraction.” She informed him speaking in a manor similar to one used on not so bright children. Harry snickered and glanced ad Draco who nodded to confirm her story. They were swapping embarrassing stories about Draco when Nott poked his head in,

“Hey you guys still cool with Granger and Weasley? Cause their out here ready to rip Crabble’s and Goyle’s heads off.” He asked looking mostly at Draco who nodded. In a few moments Harry’s best friends were let in looking slightly frazzled.

“I’m going to presume this is all your fault and let the issue drop.” Ron informed his mate sliding into the space Harry had vacated so they could sit next to each other. Ron apparently had other ideas and pulled the veela onto his lap and dared the other Slytherins to comment with a friendly glare. Harry snickered and sat down. Pansy was openly staring at Draco and Ron with interest.

“So he’s your mate Draco?” she inquired with a smirk, “I bet that was fun when you finally noticed.” They all laughed and enjoyed the rest of the ride. With the Slytherins guarding the door faithfully, and poking their heads in to chat once and a while it was reasonably uneventful. Harry waved solemnly to Draco and the others as they parted ways in the Great Hall annoyed that they couldn’t stay together at the same tables. They settled down and watched the sorting the first years looked a frightened as ever there were fewer of them this year; no doubt that good old Voldie was to blame for that. Harry couldn’t help sneaking glances up at the head table where Severus was glowering and putting off bad vibes all directed at the cheery headmaster.

“Well I’m sure you’re all eager to start your meals however we have a few new faces to introduce!” Dumbledore said twinkling happily, “First is Naji Tearcatcher he is professor Snape’s apprentice and will be taking over the first and second year classes and assisting with the seventh year classes, make him feel welcome. Secondly is our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Miss Fayruz Hartell.” The new teacher was well strange. She dipped her muggle type skirt in a curtsey. Harry however found himself drawn to her face there was something oddly familiar despite the overly pink-purple painted lips heavily eye shadowed green eyes and light blush there was something. Even her hair raven locks like his own tied back with an obnoxious pink ribbon with a bow that sat pleasantly atop her head. A shirt that was long sleeved with a tie shut diamond in the front that was scandalously loose exposing a red undershirt. Over the shirt she wore a waist cincher of sorts that’s only purpose seemed to narrow her almost boyish waist. Despite her muggle appearance she was wearing robes however they were like no robes he’d ever seen, cut off at the arm and wide open in the front almost more of a strange cape or cloak than robes. She seemed to catch him staring at her and gave him a hearty wink, there was a soft tickle in his link and Harry froze. For a minute it was all he could do to not burst into loud peals of laughter. Burring his head in his arms he dissolved into giggles.

“Ry?” asked Hermione looking down at him instead of talking to Naji with her eyes. Harry merely continued giggling, Ron managed to tear his look away from the new professor too and ignore the slightly jealous look from Draco.

-Its Az- Harry’s mirth filled voice said in their minds only serving to confuse them, -Miss whatever her name is she’s Az in drag- he managed to get out before dissolving into another fit of giggles. Ron looked back up incredulously and sniffed the air cautiously, there mixed with a heavy layer of perfume was indeed Az’s sent. The redhead cocked his head and watched the ‘new professor’ sit back down and appear to listen attentively to Dumblefuck. Harry managed to pull himself back together and sooth his irate mate through the link while applying himself to the food while not as good as Severus’ home cooked meals it was certainly still pleasant. The only damper on his mood was the knowledge that after the feast he would have to go and see the headmaster with Severus and it was not going to be pretty.


An: R&R You have no idea how long I wanted to write this chapter…after I thought of a legitimate reason to put Az in drag…and then it was a battle between Az and Naji. I like Az better, and eventually I will get off my lazy bum and scan the pictures I drew for that scene and a few others and post ‘em on my Deviant-Art. Anyway we are officially into the fun. I will try and be semi constant about updating again and the Ron/Draco bonus will probably be between the next two or three chapters. To those who aren’t fans just skip the chapter it will be purely bonus and not probative to the story line so don’t like don’t read. =) I’m also on spring break next week so I’ll have more time to write…as I have no life and that’s all I do. I think I wanted to say something else but I can’t remember. –shrugs- I expect lotsa reviews on this one! =D Not really…but reviews are the love!