The Headmaster

The Headmaster Final Chapter


“May I see the paper?” Dumbledore floated down in his wheelchair, barely making a sound as he touched the ground.

He glided over to the group that had gathered around and asked again for the newspaper. With a heavy sigh, Remus handed the offensive item to Albus. The older man read the article and heavy lines creased his brow.

“Oh dear, I now understand what was stressing Harry,” Albus said as he reread the newspaper.

He read aloud the front-page headline, “The Hero of the Wizarding World had Severus Snape, Spy for the Light, tortured and left to die in Azkaban.”

“I thought the warden had given you all the copies of the letters?” Remus asked Draco.

“As did I,” Draco said dejectedly. “It seems I was wrong. I had him under surveillance until a few days ago when it seemed everything was all right between Harry and Severus and he could no longer cause any trouble. I guess I was wrong.”

“He probably had copies made and had them hidden for the right moment to destroy Harry. I think he may have accomplished that,” Hermione let out a frustrated sigh. “Just when everything was going so well between the two of them. This article is going to destroy everything that they have accomplished over the last few months.”

“Hermione don’t give up hope yet. I may have a plan,” Dumbledore stroked his long beard while he thought about the situation.

“Of course you do,” Minerva interrupted. “You always have a plan.”

“Minerva, have you ever known one of my plans to fail?” Albus feigned indignation.

Minerva’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief, and she crossed her arms over her chest.

Sniggering, Albus continued, “I may have, over the years, made a few mistakes, but they were meaningless. When it comes to something as important as this, I seldom make an error.”

“No offense, sir,” Draco spoke up, “but some of your harebrained schemes have backfired.”

Dumbledore chuckled deeply, “I am the first one to admit that I am not infallible, but since the two of them have already admitted their love for one another, I think a gentle push may get them over this bump in the road. Draco, is there anyway you could have Luna meet me in Harry’s office in an hour?”

“She’s been ordered complete bed rest until the baby is born,” Draco replied.

“Is it that important?” asked Healer Montague.

“I believe that she may be the answer to keeping my two boys together, and it needs to be done before the Prophet is delivered this evening.” he informed the small group.

“If Draco and Luna agree to it, I’ll bring her and monitor her while she is here,” Alvin looked at Draco for an answer.

“It doesn’t really matter what I think,” Draco shrugged. “Luna has a mind and a will all her own. She’s going to do what she wants no matter what others may say.”

“I’ll go and speak to her,” Alvin said as he leaned over and gave Minerva a small peck on the cheek.

He turned to Draco and asked, “Would you like to come along?”

“It would be a waste of time,” Draco said in a put upon voice, but a grin on his face. “I’ll just have to apparate back here when she insists on coming with you. Damn stubborn woman.”

“If she agrees, I’ll be back in an hour,” Alvin said as he apparated out of the Quidditch field.

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Harry placed a lightly snoring Severus on their bed and covered him with a light blanket. He brushed back Severus’s hair off his forehead as he looked lovingly down at the Potions Master. The thought of losing Severus a second time brought tears to his eyes that he wiped away with the sleeve of his shirt. He had been such a fool…even if it wasn’t his fault, at least not totally. He should have at least been honest and explained what he had done to Severus before they had gotten so involved. Now, it was too late. Once Severus read that rag of a paper and found out Harry’s part in his suffering, the older wizard would never forgive him, and Harry wouldn’t blame him. It was his fault that Severus was raped and left for dead and there was nothing he could do to change that.

A sob caught in Harry’s throat as he climbed next to his lover and pulled him closer. He was going to enjoy every moment the two of them had left. As he drifted to sleep, Harry wondered what, if anything, he could do to make it up to Severus.

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“Harry,” a soft voice said as a firm hand shook him gently.

“What?” Harry mumbled, irritated at being awakened from a sound sleep.

“Shhhh,” Remus whispered. “Get up and wash your face. The Headmaster wants to speak to you before Severus wakes.”

“What’s going on?” Harry asked as he placed his feet on the floor.

“I don’t know. You know how Albus is. Now hurry,” Remus nudged Harry towards the bathroom door. “He’s waiting for you in his…yours…um, the Headmaster’s office.”

“Go on,” Harry told Remus. “I’ll be there momentarily.”

Harry washed himself and became presentable before he walked into his office. Albus, though much weaker and thinner than he was a year before was still a menacing figure sitting behind his desk.

“Harry, my dear boy, please take a seat,” Albus instructed.

The Savior of the Wizarding World felt like an eleven year-old being called into the Headmaster’s office after doing something naughty.

“Remus said you needed to talk to me,” Harry said as he took a seat.

“Yes, I think it’s time to come clean,” Albus gave Harry his all knowing smile, which at the moment was rather irritating.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Harry was tired and confused and not in the mood to play guessing games.

“I think it’s time for the truth to be told from your point of view and I’m the one who plans to tell the world about it,” another voice stated.

Harry turned to see Luna lying on a chase lounge, quill and parchment in hand. Alvin sat in a nearby chair his wand out and pointed at Luna as he monitored her.

“I know I can be dense at times but I’m not really following you, and I would really rather be with Severus right now,” Harry stood to leave.

“Harry, this is your chance to let the world know what you’ve gone through since the war and how you rediscovered the love of your life. The public, as well as Severus, has the right to know everything that has happened. From the curses you were under, to the changes you implemented at Hogwarts that were Severus’s ideas, to your letters to the warden, and the fact you resigned as Headmaster,” Luna smiled reassuringly at Harry.

“How…how did you find out I resigned?” Harry was gobsmacked.

“I have my sources,” she answered. “Come on Harry. If Severus is going to leave you, at least let him hear how you feel with your own words. Let him know all the facts so he can make an informed decision.”

“I think that it’s a waste of time but,” he shrugged, “I have nothing to lose if it fails.”

Harry gave Luna a crooked smile.

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“Severus,” the Potions Master became aware of a voice calling him and a gentle hand shaking him awake. “Time to wake up, sleepy head. We need to have a talk.”

“Unless Hogwarts is on fire, I would suggest you let go of my arm and let me get back to sleep,” he rolled over, pulling a pillow over his head.

“Severus, you have been asleep for most of the day, and I really need for you to listen to what I have to say,” Harry persisted.

Peeking from beneath his pillow, Severus noticed the concerned look on Harry’s face, “Am I dying? No, fate wouldn’t be so unkind as to take me now that I have you back in my life. Then again…”

Harry interrupted, “No Severus, you are not dying, but you may want to kill me once you hear what I have to tell you.”

Severus tucked the pillow back under his head as he sat against the headboard. He was beyond shocked to see all of his and Harry’s friends strewn about the room.

“Merlin, what have you done that I may never forgive you?” Severus suspiciously eyed the small gathering.

“We’re only here to support you and Potty…I mean Potter,” Draco corrected himself when he felt Luna’s sharp elbow hit his rib cage.

“Not that I’m saying I did anything wrong, but what makes you think I did?” Harry nervously brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen over his forehead.

“You called in reinforcements. Since I have done nothing wrong, at least in the recent past, I must conclude that you have. Spit it out Potter. I lo…” Severus looked about the room.
He wasn’t ready to publicize his feelings for the boy wonder. He had no doubt that everyone knew how deeply he felt, but he always had been and would be a very private man.

“I care a great deal for you and am willing to look over some of you exploits,” he corrected.

Harry plopped the evening edition of the Prophet into Severus’s lap and gave Severus a loving kiss before stepping back, “All I ask is that you read the whole article before you make a comment.”

Severus’s heart was racing as his apprehension grew. He gingerly lifted the newspaper and started to read the article. The frown on his face grew deeper and deeper as he continued to read. The room was deathly silent; not even the sound of breathing could be heard. It was almost like everyone in the small room was holding their breath in anticipation, waiting to see what Severus’s reaction would be. Once Severus had finished the article, he looked at Harry and scowled, then reread the article. When he finally finished reading, he folded the paper neatly and sat it down on his lap.

“I would like a word with Mr. Potter alone,” Severus spoke quietly.

“Godfather?” Draco didn’t move.

“I understand all of your concerns and I do really appreciate them, but this matter is between Harry and myself. I promise that, even though there maybe quite a bit of yelling, I will not hex or curse the boy.”

“Boy?” Harry said offended.

“You shall remain quiet,” Severus told Harry, sounding much like he did the first day Harry attended his class. “Now the rest of you out.”

Reluctantly, the small crowd dispersed. Once the door was shut, locked, and warded, Severus turned his attention to his lover.

“I…I don’t know what to say,” Severus shook his head in disappointment. “Yes I do…I forgive you.”

“What?” Harry’s mouth hung opened. He had expected a lot of things, but not this.

“Be quiet!” Severus ordered. “I forgive you, but that doesn’t mean that things between us will continue as they were. I’m angry. No, I am not angry,” Severus shook his head as he tried to find the right word he wanted. “Livid. That’s what I am. Livid, and hurt.”

Harry tried to speak, but Severus raised his hand to stop him. “I understand that you were not yourself and had not been since the war, but that changes nothing. I refuse to discount my feelings again in deference of yours. I have every right to feel betrayed and abused. What you did caused me a great deal of mental anguish and physical pain. Even months of rehabilitation have only just restored my ability to walk, and I still have trouble.”

“Severus, I’m sorry…” Harry began.

“What apart of ‘be quiet’ do you not understand?” Severus waited to see if Harry was going to reply.

When he was satisfied that the young man was going to remain silent he continued, “That doesn’t mean that I am willing to give up on you and I.”

“What do you have in mind?” Harry asked quietly, afraid to speak.

“We start over.”

“Huh?”

“We start courting one another as if we just met. Dinner, theater, picnics and the like,” Severus informed Harry.

“If that is what it takes to regain your trust, I’ll do it. Does that mean we have to forgo our snogging sessions?’

Severus wrinkled his face in deep thought, “Since prohibiting kissing would punish me as much as you, I think that we can kiss on our dates, but nothing more. Not until I can honestly say that I’m ready.”

“Will you be staying here?” questioned Harry.

“I think it would be wise if I return to Draco’s, at least for the time being,” Severus answered.

Harry looked back and forth from Severus to the door, “They’re probably standing on the other side waiting to find out what you verdict is.”

“They most likely already know. Salazar Slytherin has been popping in and out of his picture since we started our conversation. I want you to know, Harry, that it won’t be easy regaining my trust.”

“As long as you give me a chance, I’m happy,” Harry smiled.


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It was two weeks after their conversation before Alvin gave Severus permission to go out for the evening with implicit instructions to keep warm and retire early. Severus still was weak and needed his rest.

Harry had planned a special evening for the two of them. He had wanted to apparate Severus and him to Paris and walk along the Seine, but Healer Montague told him that there was no apparating in Severus’s near future. Instead, he decided upon a moonlight dinner by the lake at Hogwarts.

Severus would rather be anywhere else than at Draco’s. With one mischievous child who seemed to be everywhere at once and a howling newborn, Severus was at his wits end and craved peace and quiet. He wasn’t surprised that the new baby cried so much—all Malfoy males were drama queens.

He had spent most of the day preparing for his evening with Harry. Since Healer Montague had ordered him on bed rest, it was Draco who had found new robes for Severus. The Malfoy’s private hair stylist redid Severus’s lanky black hair, and the manicurist removed the stains from his hands and nails. Luna had always refused to use what she considered frivolities, but Draco liked looking his best, and a day of pampering was always welcome.


Severus stood before the mirror and ran his hand over the fine royal blue robe that Draco had chosen for him. It had a high collar that allowed just a peek of his light blue shirt. The fit was simple and clung tightly to his thin body. He turned his face from side to side, trying to figure out if he liked his hair styled.

“Styled,” Severus huffed as he combed his fingers through his hair. “Hell must have frozen over.”

As he admired his appearance, a small smile crept onto his face. He did look good, but he didn’t want to be caught grinning at himself so he put his mask back into place.

“You look marvelous,” a voice startled Severus, and he was immediately on his guard.

“Sorry,” Harry beamed. “That’s the last time I ever give you a compliment.”

“I…I wasn’t expecting you,” Severus smoothed the front of his robe as he tried to hide his embarrassment.

“Draco told me to come up,” Harry took a few steps forward. “You do, you know,”

Harry placed his fingers on Severus’s clean-shaven face.

“What?” Severus could feel his face turn red.

“Look marvelous,” Harry leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on Severus slightly opened mouth. “Shall we go? Alvin instructed me to have you in bed no later than 10.”

“We mustn’t make the good man upset. Minerva would have our heads if we did,” Severus returned the kiss with his own chaste kiss.

“Can you believe it’s been a week already since Minerva and Alvin got married?” Harry placed his hands on Severus’s narrow hips and pulled him closer until their cocks rubbed against each other.

“I thought we agreed to take this slowly?” Severus slipped his arms around Harry’s neck and tilted his head slightly.

“We can stop right now if you wish. There’s a fine bottle of Beaujolais, soft music, and a scrumptious dinner waiting for us,” Harry nibbled Severus’s neck right below his ear, smiling as Severus let out a moan.

“I seem to have lost my appetite…at least for food,” Severus hummed as Harry marked him as his.

“I don’t want you ever to say I maneuvered you into bed,” Harry cupped both of Severus’s ass cheeks with his large hands and squeezed them tightly as he pulled Severus into him.

“You do realize this,” Severus thrust his hip forward so Harry could feel how much he was wanted, “doesn’t change a thing. I am still perturbed with you and shall remain so until you have made up for everything you have done to me.”

“That may take a lifetime,” Harry replied as he caught Severus’s lips in a fierce kiss.

Severus legs weakened from the kiss, and he had to lean into his young lover’s body to keep from melting to the floor.

Harry, feeling Severus’s weight in his arms, lifted him and anxiously asked, “Do I need to call Healer Montague? Am I going too fast?”

“The answer to both of your questions is emphatically no,” coyly Severus leaned his head onto the young man’s collarbone. “What you need to do is to take me to bed and show me just how much you want me.”

As in a movie, Harry hefted Severus higher in his arms and carried him from the dressing room into his bedroom where he laid Severus on the bed. Harry licked his lips as he took in the sight of his beloved.

“Shouldn’t I perhaps take off my clothes?” Severus asked as he reached for the top button of his robe.

“Don’t!” Harry ordered in that commanding voice that Severus found arousing. “You are mine, and tonight I plan to savor every moment. That includes peeling off all those layers that hide your delicious body.”

“You certainly are cocky tonight. Since I am the injured party, I believe I should be the one who decides what we will or will not do this evening,” Severus informed Harry.

Harry leered hungrily down at his lover and smiled wickedly, “The only decision you have the right to make is if you want to have sex with me or not. Everything else that is done in this room is my choice.”

Severus so wanted to be angry and yell at the youth that he had no right to tell Severus what to do, but the tone of voice Harry used only made him want the younger man more. Besides, it had been years since he had sex and he wasn’t about to turn down the chance of a raunchy night with the man he loved.

Harry climbed over his lover to straddle Severus’s chest and started to undo his buttons slowly.

Severus rolled his eyes and grumped at Harry, “By the time you get done undressing me, I will be too old and senile to remember what we were doing.”

“Then I’ll just have to keep reminding you,” Harry slipped farther down until his arse was rubbing against Severus’s engorged cock.

Severus thrust upward, trying to make more contact as his eyes rolled to the back of his head.

“You’re killing me, boy,” Severus groaned.

Harry captured Severus’s lips and gave it a nasty nip, drawing a drop of blood that Harry quickly licked away.

“Don’t call me boy,” Harry instructed his lover. “I’m neither your student nor am I a child.”

Severus looked into Harry’s emerald eyes and had to admit that he had, up to this moment, thought of his lover as a boy. The passion and love in Harry’s eyes, however, were the feelings of a man. A man, Severus thought, with whom he planned to spend the rest of his life.

Severus was brought back to reality when Harry clamped down rather painfully on one of his nipples.

“Ouch!” Severus shoved Harry back slightly.

“I expect you to pay attention when I’m making love to you,” Harry grinned as he lavished attention to Severus’s abused nub.

“Harry…” Severus had something to say but Harry’s ministrations were rather distracting. “Harry please, I have something that needs to be said before we go any further.”

Harry immediately stopped and rolled off his lover. He leaned on an elbow and turned toward Severus, waiting for the older man to continue.

“I’m weak when it comes to you Mr. Potter,” Severus admitted.

Harry’s brows rose to his forehead.

“I told you not to long ago that I would not have sex with you until I was ready to forgive everything that had happened between us. I have found that not only can I forgive you but also that I want to be with you for the rest of my days. Will you bond with me Mr. Potter?” asked Severus.

A few tears left a trail of Harry’s cheek as he listened to Severus speak. “Just a few weeks ago, I thought I had lost you…again. Yes, Professor Snape, I would love to bond with you.”

They took their time and made love throughout the night, memorizing each other’s body with their touches. And when they were through physically showing each other how much love they shared, they held tight, clinging to each other throughout the night, and speaking words of love and comfort. For the first time in either of their lives, they felt that life was worth living, and living together was what the two of them planned to do.


There will be an epilogue...I hope you enjoyed my story.