In Light of a Prediction (A Halloween Ritual)

Fic title: A Halloween Ritual
Author: DBZ Vegeta
Summary: The night of the honored dead… Halloween.
Rating: M
Chapter #: 3 of ?
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Part 3 – The Punishment

Harry watched as Draco shooed the last of the children from the Hall, closing the great doors behind him. He could feel the weight of Severus’ eyes upon him before he turned to meet them.

“Well, looks like this next year with be interesting, won’t it?” he said, meeting the dark eyes, and smiling impishly up at Severus.

“Of course, Potter, you will have witches lined up in droves to help you to fulfill your prediction,” snapped Severus, as his hand closed tightly over the gold and platinum ring. He knew that though the prediction said that he would marry within the year, he had little hope in it coming to pass. Not many people considered him attractive nor conducive to a relationship.

“Well, you see that’s were the problem lies,” Harry started, picking up a napkin to begin cleaning the cake off the small figurine. He studied it closely as the features appeared from beneath the dark chocolate. “I’ll have you know that it’s near impossible that I will ever have children.”

“Why ever for, Mr. Potter? You are a young man, well capable of siring a slew of children,” Severus snarked, his eyes watching the delicate hands cleaning the figuring before moving up to meet the distress-filled eyes. He jolted slightly at the amount of pain and sadness that radiated from those beautiful emerald green eyes.

“Its not that I couldn’t sire children, it just that I won’t be able to do so with whom I care for. You see, Severus, I happen to not like women in that way.”

Severus stared in confusion at Harry’s words, until it dawned upon him what he had actually said. “You mean that you are only attracted to those of your own gender?” he said, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

“You’re right, Severus. I only like men and as such you can see that it would be impossible for my prediction to come true, since men cannot have children themselves,” Harry said sadly, his eyes glazing minutely with moisture. “I have resigned myself to the roll of doting godfather to Ron and Hermione’s children, never to have any of my own.” He closed his eyes against the pain that welled up within his chest as he pushed back his chair from the table. “If you will excuse me, I must be going.”

“Harry…” Severus started, but stopped at the pain that he saw in the other man’s eyes. He watched with concern as Harry hurried from the room. He clenched his fists tight, and felt the hardness from his one hand. He opened his fist to look down at the sparkling ring, a frown of his own blooming across his face.

~~*~*~~

The weeks following Halloween were filled with happily chattering children and several solemn Professors, namely Harry Potter and Severus Snape. The students learned quickly to step carefully around these two professors, as their tempers flared unexpectedly.

It was after one of these flares that Albus Dumbledore called the two erring Professors to his office to discuss the situation.

“Harry, Severus, please come in and sit down,” Albus said, his eyes twinkling with amusement as always. The two ignored each other and took their seats opposite of Albus’ desk.

“You do understand why I have called you here today, my boys,” he said, looking over at the pair. He held back a smile as the pair fought back the urge to squirm in their seats. “It seems that you both have been out of sorts since the Dumb Supper and Ritual on Halloween night,” he continued.

“Whatever our problems may be, Albus, is our own and does not need to be examined by you,” Severus snapped, sitting up straighter in his chair and glaring at the old wizard.

“Ah, but it becomes my problem when the students are involved and both of your attitudes recently have caused some concern with myself and your fellow professors. I have received several complaints from both the prefects and the professors,” Albus looked over the top of his half-moon glasses, his eyes twinkling madly.

“I see nothing wrong with my attitude,” Severus snarled, throwing a glare at the silent professor seated next to him. Potter had his arms crossed across his chest and was mutely staring out the window.

“Ah, my dear Severus, you wouldn’t, would you?” Albus chuckled at the furious glare his was treated to by the dark-haired wizard. “But nevertheless, something must be done to rectify this situation. So…since the Christmas holidays are only a week away, I have decided to release you both early from your duties.” His eyes twinkled even brighter as both turned stunned gazes in his directions.

“Albus…” Harry stuttered, fear clouding his eyes, but stopped talking as Albus raised on hand to forestall him.

“I am not firing either of you; on the contrary, I am sending you both on an early vacation. I think that maybe if you two have a bit of time alone together, you shall be able to work through your problems.”

“I object to this!” yelled Severus, bolting to his feet to loom over Albus’ desk. “I have no desire to take a vacation, let alone one with him.” His hands flew about wildly.

“Albus, as much as I know that you are trying to help, this isn’t the way. There is no way that Professor Snape nor myself could ever get along.” Harry ignored the sneer that was sent in his direction, his heart thumping madly in his chest at the thought of being alone with Severus.

“I am sorry, my boys, but you don’t have a choice in this matter.”

~TBC~