The Engagement Kiss

-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.

Chapter 20:

“Harry please do come in and have a seat,” Dumbledore said with a cheery smile his blue eyes twinkling like mad. Severus was already there standing stiffly, emanating waves of hate and anger.

“Now Harry my boy I have a few things to discuss with you and Severus, due to this unfortunate leak of information to the press we need to play this right to keep Hogwarts reputation from falling,” the aged headmaster began while the other two had to reign in their tempers did the old coot honestly think they didn’t know he was the snitch?

“First of all Severus was trying to petition for you to live with him in his private rooms and I apologize but I can simply not allow that. You maybe engaged but not married yet and it would be highly improper.” He said and Severus growled angrily looking furious. Harry shared his mate’s sentiment,

“You can’t just keep us apart like that!” he shouted angrily standing up. Dumbledore fixed Harry with cold blue eyes all trace of that maddening twinkle gone.

“Yes I can Harry. You should be glad that I’m being accommodating; it would be much easier to fire Severus. Assistant Naji will also take over your potions instruction Harry. We wouldn’t want Severus to be tempted to favor anyone would we?” the old man said with an uncharacteristic sneer. It seemed that the headmaster had more masks than they were aware of.

“Fine if you’re going to play hard Dumbledore I demand to be resorted.” Harry snapped enjoying the look of surprise that entered the headmaster’s eyes. Severus was also surprised, looking at his mate in confusion.

“I think it’s high time that I honored where the sorting hat originally wanted me to be placed, with the Slytherins.” Harry continued with a triumphant smirk.

“Unfortunately the only reason to call a resorting is if a whole house finds their members lacking in the qualities that they represent. I’m sure that your classmates feel that you fit quite well where you are.” Dumbledore replied his eyes twinkling again, “That is all Harry I suggest you return to your common room and get some rest.” He continued glaring pointedly at the boy. Harry frowned furious with the meddling old coot. Before leaving he strode over to his fiancé and gave him a lingering kiss and whispering goodnight to him. He raged the entire way back to the common room, strong winds following him disrupting portraits and tapestries while his hands burned hotter than humanly possible.

“Harry, what happened? I thought you were going to be staying with Snape.” Hermione said running over to greet him at the entrance. He glowered not caring that the most of the rest of the Gryffindors were present.

“Dumblefuck won’t let us have private rooms!” he raged still furious, “It would be ‘improper and we need to keep Hogwarts reputation up’ if he cared about Hogwarts maybe he shouldn’t have told the prophet about my personal business.” He all but shouted. Neville spoke up first,

“Dumbledore is the one who told the prophet?” he asked disbelievingly.

“He was the only other one who knew, and we were in a protected place since my birthday there’s no way a reporter got in there.” He hissed angrily sitting heavily on the couch. He was trying to keep his powers in check but it was hard when he was so angry. He was having a hard enough time keeping the glamour hiding his new appearance up with his surging temper let alone with his Ander powers.

“Seriously? Why would he do that?” Dean said looking at the despondent boy-who-lived. Harry merely made an unintelligible noise and glowered at the fire.

“But um…Is Snape your mate or something Harry? I mean that’s the most reasonable explanation for both of your sudden changes of heart…” Ginny piped up looking over at her brother, “So isn’t it illegal for Dumbledore to keep you apart?” she finished. Harry sighed and sat up,

“Yes and Yes but he’s not keeping us apart just not letting us be together all the time either. I’m not even allowed to have class with him. Naji’s be assigned as a private tutor.” He said slumping back down with a scoff, “As if Severus would favor me. We both know I’m utterly hopeless at potions anyway.” He muttered softly. A few people smiled at the reference to many a spectacular failure in potions. Harry stood again feeling worn and empty also a bit ashamed he was acting like a spoiled brat.

“Sorry everyone I’m sure you don’t want to hear about my petty anger. I’m just going to go lie down now.” He said with a wave and headed up to the dorms.

“Poor Harry.” He heard Lavender whisper before entering the room and throwing up a silencing spell.

-Az? - He called through the link miserably. Within seconds he received a mental hug and a soft flow of reassurance and love.

-Dumbledore? – He asked knowingly and Harry sent him a flow of anger and despair to affirm.

-I’m spoiled. I’d gotten used to seeing Severus every day and having him nearby and now I’m throwing a fit because I can’t sleep in the same room with him. – Harry whispered sadly.

-Your not spoiled Harry and I think you’re angrier because someone else is denying you your mate and that’s understandable. Though from what I’ve heard since when do you obey the rules? – Az replied with a chuckle brightening Harry’s mood a little. –However on a more important note how’d you like my entrance? – He asked determined to make Harry laugh and he succeeded.

- It was spectacular. How did you ever get Dumbledore to hire you? – He replied mirthfully.

-Easy my dear brother, I already had the persona Fayruz Hartell created and I happened to know that there was an open vacancy at Hogwarts so I modified her credentials a bit and viola instant defense against the dark arts teacher. – Az said sounding expressively pleased with himself. Harry snorted good-naturedly.


-Any particular reason that you choose a female form? – He asked cheerfully.

-But of course, I possess no metamorphic prowess and glamours always have the danger of falling but as a female I am quite well disguised and merely need to avoid being seen naked. – He replied just as cheerily. Harry smiled but the day was catching up with him and he was completely exhausted.

-Sleep well little brother. – Az whispered and sighed. How could the headmaster be so stupid? He was alienating he followers one by one and he would find in the end more people would stand by Harry than the manipulative old coot. With a mutter he set about organizing his first class, oh revenge was going to be sweet.

AN Okay so this chapters a little bit shorter than typical and I should’ve had it up on Wednesday night but I had the most unfortunate luck to end up in the hospital with a second degree burn on my left hand plus the added stress of midterms I wasn’t able to finish this up til now. I’m not sure when the next update will be but I have break next week so hopefully they will be less time in between updates. =D