Deserving (Final Chapter)

Chapter 25


On Tuesday morning, Kreacher made himself scarce until Harry left the house then he came to get Severus, Millicent and the children. It was a perfect day for the glade and Richard was chasing after a rabbit while Severus and Millicent rested on the blanket with Baby holding on to Severus’ hands. Baby was beginning to stand, supported, but none the less he was strong enough to stand straight.

“Do you really think he is going to be alright?” asked Millicent, looking at her child.

“There are few things I trust in life, and Madam Pomfrey is one of them, if she says he will be all right, he will be,” assured the Professor.

“Yes, I suppose you are right, Professor,” she said, averting her eyes.

“Child, is there something wrong?” Asked Severus, concerned for his Milly.

But Millicent was still not facing him.

“Millicent, you do know you have nothing to fear with me, right?” questioned the worried man.

Millicent bit her lips then decided to speak. “Professor, I have been meaning to talk to you since that night I offered myself to Harry…”

“Child, I assure you there is nothing else to be discussed. My husband told you that you are in no kind of dept to him.”

“Well, actually I am, that my body is not the price he has accepted is one thing but I assure you professor I will repay his kindness towards my child and me.”

Severus smiled appreciating her feelings.

“But that is not what I wanted to talk to you about. I didn’t want you to think I was less in your dept than I am with Harry. And I certainly don’t want you to think that I don’t find you attractive because I do. In fact I have always thought of you as a very elegant and attractive man. When I was in school I must have fantasized a million times…”

Severus paused. He’d expected this and tried to explain as calmly as possible, “child, believe me when I tell you I am flattered by your words, but again, you are in no kind of dept to me or to my husband.”


Millicent looked down at the pattern of the blanket and managed to tangle a finger in its mist. “I know Harry loves you, but I thought I should offer anyway.”
Severus closed his eyes and let out a sigh, with a faint smile and still shaking his head: “Child, you are so young and innocent. My husband is far from ever loving the likes of me. He is simply a good father that wants the best for Richard and is trying hard to give him a good home.”

“I know he is a good father, I have seen it in my dreams. Did you know you are going to have two more kids?”

Severus heard the news with a relieved heart. Did this mean that he was going to survive the birthing? She had been spot on when she described the attack, she clearly had the gift. He was brought back by her giggling.

“Wait until Harry meets his second born… talk about handfuls,” she said as if seeing a slideshow of Harry’s life.

“Does he love them as much as he loves Richard?”

She could hear the concern in his voice.

“He will love them and you very much.”

“That is impossible,” whispered Severus.

“Yes, I guess it does seem that way. You know, when I was in the Lang household I thought that I would never find peace and happiness, but look at me now. And do you want to know something else? He is coming.”

“He?”

“My prince charming. When I was a child he was my very first dream. I have since convinced myself that no man as wonderful as the one in my dreams can ever love me, but now that I have seen miracles happen, I do believe he is on his…” but her words were cut off by the sight in front of her, Baby was holding on to only one of Severus’ finger and it seemed that he was considering letting go.

Severus held his breath. Millicent held her breath. And Baby… fell to a sitting position.


***

As the days went by Sly and Harry worked on the best plan for getting the nine kids of Slytherin parents that had gotten their letter safely to the school. Sly recruited the other five Slytherins on the force. Harry had the funny feeling that this was not the first time they had joined forces. By what he could gather from pieces of information here and there he found that Single’s men were not only after the Marked Ones but also after any former Slytherin student. It seemed he was backed by the community that had suffered the inquisitions during the short reign of the Dark Lord. So many of them had begged and cried for their lives, assuring the court that they were purebloods. So many of them had the necessity to flee, leaving behind love ones. It was a community in search of revenge however wrong aimed it was.

This ill feeling contributed to giving Single and his men unleashed control over the fate of Marked Ones and former Slytherin students alike. Harry suspected that Sly and the other Slytherin Aurors were part of an organization aimed to keep their peers safe. They were the ones to assure Harry, on the one side, and the Weasley brothers, on the other side, that Single’s men would be expecting the broom rides to the castles. They had been taken by surprise once, it would not happen again. They also advised that the parents of these children will be very wary of whom they give their children to therefore they would have to have someone they could trust knock on their floo.

The plan was decided. They would hover a little north of Hogsmead and take turns using Harry’s invisibility cloak to land the students safely at the boat dock. There was no way they could land in Hogwarts with all the wards that have guarded the castle for centuries. Meanwhile another team would have to distract Single’s men. It was decided that this crew would have decoys and found that the elves wrapped in cloaks would do the trick. If things got too dangerous they could simply snap their fingers and disappear.

Sly had to serve as the middle person between Harry and the others. This was getting a bit ridiculous but he had more serious problems then trying to mend feuds between old friends. Luckily September 1st was here and everything was in place.

Harry had gotten up before daybreak and Severus was following his every move, complementing his actions. When Harry panicked for a second because he had misplaced his Auror belt Severus was standing right next to him with belt in hand and when he panicked yet again because he had no idea where he had placed his invisibility cloak Severus handed the parcel to him.

Harry could see that Snape looked worried.

“Look, I promised you that the kid would be at Hogwarts today and I am keeping my promise. I won’t fail.”

Severus took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “That is not what troubles me, Sir, I fear for your safety. We both know that Single’s men are ruthless.”

Harry could not believe what he was hearing. He blinked as if that would rewind the scene and give him one he would expect and know how to deal with. Was Snape worried about him? Did he really care? This was unknown territory for Harry, but he could tell that something inside felt good at the idea of someone worrying about his safety. This was what family did; wasn’t it?

“I’ll be fine. It’s what I do,” he said as he gathered the last of his equipment and stood by the floo. He stopped and looked at Snape. “Maybe we should get used to hello and good-bye kisses. We wouldn’t want Richard to feel that we only kiss when he prompts us to do so,” said Harry. He waited with bated breath for Snape’s reaction. The Potions Master simply nodded and leaned over to give his husband a good-bye kiss in the cheek. Harry returned the kiss in the same manner.

“May Merlin bring you back to the safety of our home,” were Severus’ parting words. Harry hid a glowing smile.


***

The mission went off without any problems. Nine kids were delivered to Hogwarts via broom rides and invisibility cloak. Minerva insisted on having to Riders stay for the great feast. The staff table was magically extended to accommodate the visitors. Harry could see from the platform that the Slytherin table consisted of twelve students. The three from the year before and the nine that they had delivered. He could not understand how the house had been decimated. All houses were always more or less equally distributed but now you could not help but notice the practically empty table. He thought of Richard and how he had a fifty-fifty chance of being a Slytherin and he found that the idea did not disturb him. Snape was, after all, a great duelist and a Potions Master to boot. His son should be able to feel proud of his heritage, but if the Ministry continued to give Single and his men so much authority, his son would be ridiculed and chastised for being the child of a damn great wizard.

Harry’s thoughts were interrupted by the sudden entry of Single and his men.

“What is the meaning of this?” squealed Minerva.

The riders and teachers stood with wands in hand.

“Good evening, Headmistress, I have been informed that some of your students have chosen to shun one of this great school’s tradition,” said Single, looking at the Slytherin table.

“Really, I have no knowledge of such a thing. Maybe if you were to be more specific,” said the Headmistress, through gritted teeth.

“Oh, surely we all remember our first ride on the Hogwarts Express, but apparently some students think they are too good to ride with the rest,” said Single, still not taking his eyes away from the Slytherin table and making the students crouch together in fear.

Ron walked to the table and sat with the trembling students. He was followed by George, Charlie, and Bill. Then Sly and his five co-workers. Harry began walking to the table when Single blocked his path.

“Tisk, tisk, what a great disappointment to find you here, Mr. Potter,” snarled the man in Harry’s face.

“Yeah, so now you can stop going after my elf. He has nothing to do with this,” retorted the Chosen One.

“And since when do you fraternize with the enemy?”

Harry looked around the room. “I don’t see any enemy, only children,” he said, digging his eyes into Single’s eyes.

“The children of Death Eaters…”

“NO! the children of ex-Slytherins. You seem to have a problem making the distinction.”

“Maybe because in my eyes, and the eyes of law abiding citizens, there is no difference.”

He stopped and looked around the hall, stopping at where Sly and the other Slytherin Aurors were standing. Then he turned on his heals and left followed by his posse.


***

It was the middle of the night when Harry arrived back home. He did not want to disturb his family so he did not cast lumos and took his boots of with a swish of his wand. He was walking towards the stairs when he stomped his toe on a piece of furniture.

“FFFuuuu... Shi… ARRRRRRRRRRRRRR…”

“Are you hurt, Sir?” came the voice from the middle of the dark sitting room.

“Lumos.”

Severus was walking towards him with concern displayed on his face.

“What the bloody hell are you doing up so late?”

Severus stopped in his tracked and averted his eyes from Harry’s direct glare.

“Where you waiting up for me?”

“That was my intention, but I am afraid I fell asleep during my attempt.”

“Snape, I didn’t know you cared.”

“My intent was to find out if all had gone well,” was Severus’ defensive reply.

“Yeah, everything went well. Let’s get to bed. I am tired.”

Without thinking he wrapped Severus in his arms and they appareted to the bedroom. Once in the bedroom, Harry was still holding onto Snape. Snape always smelled sweet, comfortable, and homey. Severus enjoyed the seconds in Harry’s arms but not wanting to be dismissed he acted first.

“Shall I prepare your shower?” he whispered into Harry’s hair with that voice that seemed to come out of nowhere and enchant Harry.

“Nah, too tired. I will just cast a cleansing spell,” and with that he moved his wand and made his clothes disappear. Then he waved his wand again, casting the cleansing spell.

Severus had to stop and admire his husband. The Auror training had done a good job at toning Harry’s body. His short messy hair contrasted with his perfectly formed and colored eyes. And those lips, you would think that Harry used some kind of magic enhancer because they always looked moist and kissable. Severus had to shake these thoughts away. He was here, in his Guide’s room, for a reason: punishment.

“Shall I prepare, Sir?” asked Severus with his head bowed and his hair draping his emotions.

“Nah, too tired for that also. Let’s just get some shut eye. Take your clothes off and let go to sleep.”

Severus undressed and noticed that his Guide was not taking his eyes of him while he did so.

“Are you certain, Sir? We could have a quickie, so you can relieve some stress.”

“I told you, no. Now get in bed,” said Harry, holding up the blanket so Snape could climb in.

Once in bed, Harry snuggled up to his husband.

“Did all the children make it?” asked Snape, facing away from his husband and feeling Harry’s breath beating against his neck.

“Yeah, all nine of them, that make a whopping dozen in the house of Slytherin,” said a sarcastic Harry.

“Minerva should dismantle the house all together. It is not safe for these children to be classified as such.”

“You’re not serious, right? I thought you cared about your little snakes.”

“Because I do care, I do not want to see them chastised for something they have no control over. It is the sorting hat who decides. Why then should the children be persecuted for it?”


“Look, I know things look grim right now, but people are going to have to wake up sooner or later and realize that what Single and his men are doing is wrong.”

“You underestimate Single. He is not after the lime light. All he wants and cares for is revenge and he will not stop until he is satisfied.”

“Well, he will not hurt the children. That is certainly something the public will not allow or tolerate. The little snakes are safe. Hogwarts is watching over them. Now let’s get some sleep.”


***

The following morning as they were getting ready to go down to breakfast Harry took Snape in his arms yet again and placing their foreheads together said: “Tonight you will be ready for me right?” Severus simply nodded his willingness.


***

Harry had not left for work more than fifteen minutes ago when he was racing back into the sitting room thought the floo. Severus was about to sit and read the paper when he was surprised by his husband’s return.

“Did you forget …”

“Kracher!”

Kreacher popped into the room and Harry crouched down to his level.

“Take Millicent and Baby to safety at once!”

Kreacher snapped his fingers and disappeared, not stopping to question his master.

Harry turned to Snape. “Sit on the floor. You always get hurt when the chain pulls you down.”

Snape looked his husband in the eyes. “They’re coming?” stated Severus, knowing the answer.

“There is nothing I can do.”

Snape moved his eyes from side to side, thinking of his options. “Please, Sir, cast Morpheos on Richard. I would not want him to wake and see me restrained again.”

Harry apparated out of the room and was back in a couple of seconds. Severus was already sitting on the floor next to Harry’s chair. They both turned to see Single’s face in the fire.

“Permission requested,” said Single with a menacing tone.

“I am enjoying some time alone with my…”

“Permission requested,” came the order.

Harry knew Single would enter with or without his permission so he shook his head and Single and his two top ranking men entered the room. At once Single turn to sneer at Snape and at the same time put his wand to the floor, sending Severus’ head down to the floor.

“That is not necessary. This is my house. I demand…”

“Look for him,” ordered Single. “Do not leave any bed or piece of furniture unturned. He has to be here somewhere,” Single said, cutting Harry off.

Severus could not understand. Why was Single saying ‘he’? Was he not looking for Millicent? Who then could he be looking for?

“Single! I repeat: this is my house; you will not barge in here and disturb our peace. Who are you looking for?”

Single turned to look at Harry with a sour face. “You know very well who I am looking for: your esteemed Slytherin partner, Mr. Sly.”

“And how would I know where he is? He should be at work,” retorted Harry, trying to seem as clueless as possible.

“Mr. Potter…” but he was interrupted by a loud stomp that came from upstairs.

Harry tried not to panic. Did Kreacher disobey an order and stay in the house? Harry saw Single gave the silent order to his men to go check out the source of the noise.

“Single, my son is sleeping. I will not take kindly to your men disturbing his sleep,” warned Harry.

“Ah, yes, the son of the Marked One. That is the son you are referring to, am I not correct?”

The two men began a staring match when a second noise was heard from upstairs. Single’s men came down shortly after, empty-handed and shaking their heads.

“Where is he Potter? Where is Sly?” asked the Ministry’s Official through gritted teeth.

“I told you before, he must be at work. I do not have any outside contact with my partner other than what is work related.”

“And sneaking Slytherins into Hogwarts,” added the cross man.

So this was Single’s revenge. He could not get to the Weasleys or to Harry. The citizens would not take well to ‘good wizards’ being treated harshly, but ex-Slytherins were free game.

“Where is your elf, Mr. Potter?”

“It is Monday; Kreacher always goes grocery shopping on Mondays. Tomorrow is his day off and he wants to make sure he leaves us well stocked,” Harry lied at a whim.

Single had no other choice to accept the lie. He had no way of proving the deception. He motioned to his men and they quickly disappeared through the floo.

No sooner had they left, Harry noticed two trainers walking towards him. Someone was using his invisibility cloak and was doing a poor job at it. It could only be one person.

“Ron, when are you going to realize that you are no longer eleven? You need to put it on the long way.”

Ron disrobed his head and looked down at his running shoes.

“Well, I don’t think they caught on; did they? And you are one to talk. You get rid of Millicent but leave all her things hanging around the house. I had to scurry all over the place making them disappear so Single’s men wouldn’t find them,” said Ron, removing the cloak.

“When did you get in?”

“’Mione asked me to follow you and help. You have so many to take care of now. And since it seems you never bothered to change your wards; I helped myself in.”

“Why would I change the wards?” said Harry, turning his attention to his bound husband. “Hold on, the chains will fall soon. Try not to struggle so you don’t hurt your neck,” said Harry, placing a cushion under Snape’s head.

“I’ll be right back,” said Ron, disappearing though the floo and appearing a couple of minutes later with Gaby in his arms. He crouched down and allowed the elf to do her magic.

Soon Severus was on his feet but Harry made him sit down in order to tend to his very reddened neck. Meanwhile Ron placed Gaby on the mantle and went into the kitchen to try to find some of Kreacher’s leftovers. He came back with a pie and a fork in hand.

“Explain to me, how is it that Hermione has an elf?” Harry said, smiling at the creature sitting on the mantle and smiling back down at him.

Ron explained between mouthfuls of pie how Gaby had been one of the first elves to help the Marked Ones. His master grew suspicious and gave him clothing at once. The elf was distraught and sat at the Ministry’s doorsteps crying bloody murder. Next thing Ron knew, his wife had come home with an elf.

“Does she get paid?” asked Harry, tending to Severus’ neck with a cooling balm. It had kicked into effect a good five seconds into Ron and Gaby’s story but Severus was sure that if he opened his mouth to tell Harry that he’d only be able to moan. So, the safe bet was to just let Harry’s caresses go on for as long as possible until Harry got bored.

The elf squealed, offended at the question.

“Guess not,” said Harry, answering his own question.

“So are you going to continue to show your husband how much you hate him or are you actually going to stop and let Sly know that he is in the clear for now.”

Harry put the damp cloth down and gave Ron a glare.

“He already knows it.”

“What? When did you let him know?” asked Ron, gulping down the last piece of pie.

Harry put his hand in his pocket and took out a tiny little Sly that stood in the middle of his palm.