At Your Doorstep

To fluffysmarts: I used to only post my stories in fanfiction.net only but recently I started posting here as well. If you find this story familiar it might be because you read it on fanfiction.net. I use the same penname there as I do here. :D

Chapter 4: Lavender, Roses, and Carnations

Severus dug into his pocket to retrieve his house keys. He was humming a soft tune as he opened the door, hoping Draco would be there to greet him. But the only thing that greeted Snape was a dark hallway. Severus hung his jacket on a clothes rack and toed off his shoes. He walked pass the living room; Draco wasn’t there. Severus frowned and walked deeper into the house. The florist turned into a hallway that led to their rooms and saw that the door to the room where Harry was staying was opened. Voices drifted out and into Severus’ ears. He walked quietly to the doorway and peeked in; Harry was sitting up on his bed, his face no longer pale and sickly looking. Draco was sitting in a chair by the bed and was chatting away, occasionally laughing softly and Harry smiled in return. Severus walked in and Harry was the first one that noticed the older wizard.

“Oh… Uh… Good evening Snape,” Harry said almost shyly; Draco stopped all his arm movements (he was telling Harry the time he saw a washing machine) and turned and smiled widely at Severus.

“Severus you’re home!” Draco said happily as he ran up to his lover and gave him a heated kiss; Harry sat there, stunned.

Severus looked at the man on the bed through his eyelids; he smirked when he saw Harry mouthed ‘Bloody Hell’. Snape gave the blond a chaste kiss on his cheek before untangling himself from Draco’s embrace.

“I see that you’re doing quite well Mr. Potter. You got some color back in your cheeks,” Severus sauntered over to the bed and sat down on the chair Draco sat a minute ago, “How do you feel?”

Harry had turned pink in the face when he saw Draco and Severus kissed. Never in his twenty years of life would Harry thought he would see Draco and Snape living together and be lovers no less.

And he thought the kiss was hot.

‘Ohh… impure thoughts! Impure thoughts Harry! What is wrong with you?! Thinking the kiss was hot…’ Harry tried his hardest to calm himself down; he felt the heat in his cheeks subsiding.

“Besides the slight twinge of pain in my chest and stomach, I’m feeling a lot better,” Harry informed the older man; Harry found Severus looking at him as if he was a specimen from another planet.

“If it weren’t for you and Draco… I don’t know what would’ve happened to me.” Harry looked away from Severus’ gaze and clenched his hands on his blankets.

“I can assure you Mr. Potter, if you had landed somewhere else your life would’ve been at its end.” Severus told Harry; the former Gryffindor squirmed under the blankets, “Did Draco tell you about how I want you to start a therapy treatment?”

“Erm… yes he told me,” Harry mumbled, “And don’t you think you can call me Harry instead of Mr. Potter?” Harry sighed and smoothed out the now wrinkled blanket, “I mean even Draco had called me Harry… Can’t you do it, too?”

“He’s right you know,” Draco commented; he sat down at the edge of the bed, “He’s going to stay with us…” Draco paused and looked at Severus; Snape arched an eyebrow at Draco. The blond eyed the older man with a calculating gaze, “Until he has healed properly.”

“And your point being? Stop stalling Draco and get to the point,” Severus said uncaringly.

“My point is,” Draco bit out, “You should call him Harry.”

Harry was sitting quietly as he watched the couple bickered. He looked back and forth between the blond and the raven-haired man. As they continued to argue about calling him by his first name, Harry hissed as a dull ache spread across his abdomen. Draco was in mid-sentence but stopped when he saw Harry’s face scrunched up in pain. Snape turned to face the bedridden man and a flash of concern crossed his face.

“Harry, are you alright?” Severus asked; he placed two fingers and pressed down on a spot right under Harry’s ribcage. Harry cried out and tried to move away from Severus’ touch.

“Don’t… it hurts…” Harry gritted; he took huge breaths to calm his breathing.

Draco looked at Harry worriedly; his hand was placed on top of Harry’s blanket covered leg.

“What’s wrong with him Severus?”

Snape pulled the comforters away from Harry’s body and then lifted the bottom of the green eyed man’s shirt up. Harry shivered when his stomach was exposed; he winced when Severus pressed down on his abdomen, but did not move away.

“It seems his internal injuries need attention right away,” Severus murmured, “I’m afraid you are bleeding internally Harry.”

Harry gasped and looked down at his stomach; Severus removed his hand and pulled down Harry’s shirt so that the younger man was covered again.

“It’s not too severe, all you need to do is drink a potion to stop the bleeding, then I would have to bring the blood to the surface. It would hurt but then it’s better than dying from the loss of blood.”

“Bring it to the surface? Why do you need to do that?” Harry asked, his arms were across his middle.

“When I bring the blood to the surface it would be easier for me to get rid of it with a spell.” Severus replied then he turned to Draco, “Watch Harry, I’m going to my lab to make the required potions. It would take around half an hour.” Severus stood up from the chair was gone with the fluttering of his robe.

Draco gave Harry’s leg a comforting pat. Harry looked up and smiled wanly at the blond.

“Don’t worry Harry, Severus is really good with healing spells and potions,” Draco said softly, “If he didn’t become a florist I’m sure he would’ve done extremely well as a Medi-Wizard.”

“Oh… I’m not worried about that,” Harry murmured, “I don’t doubt Sn—Severus’ abilities one bit.” Harry looked up at Draco, “Even back at Hogwarts, everything he did were so précised; he would not permit any errors. So I’m not worried at all nor am I worried about pain.” Harry turned his eyes away from the blond and stared out at a window beside his bed, “I’ve been through worse.”

Draco knew Harry was talking about the times he got all those injuries. He felt that this wasn’t the time to ask Harry who did all that to him. And so, Draco kept quiet about that.

“I know you have something in your mind Harry, I can tell by the look on your face.” Draco smirked.

Harry chuckled but then stopped when the pain in his stomach prevented him from laughing any harder.

“Can’t get anything passed you.”

“Of course not,” Draco said pompously, “Spill Potter.”

“I guess… I’m just confused about lots of things,” Harry said as he let his head fall back against the headboard, “I mean, I haven’t seen you or Severus for three years; then both of you are treating me so nicely… Heck, I thought it was all a dream! Then the next thing that shocked me and had me questioning my own sanity was when you guys kissed!” Harry shook his head, but his lips were curved upward, “Tell me Draco, how long have you guys been together?”

Draco blushed when Harry said he saw him kissing Severus. The blond had forgotten all about Harry being there when Severus came inside the room. He never told Harry about his relationship with Severus since Harry was in such a bad shape last night and this morning. If Draco had told the Gryffindor, it might’ve really sent Harry into a seizure.

“Almost three years…” Draco mumbled; Harry tilted his head to the side and looked at Draco.

“Did you guys get together right after Hogwarts or something?”

Draco smiled softly and shook his head; he slid off the bed and sat on the chair.

“No, it wasn’t like that…” Draco told the other man, “Would you like to hear what happened? I’m sure you would like to catch up on a few things…”

“Sure, if you don’t mind telling me.” Harry replied; Draco laughed and shook his head.

“I heard about Severus’ resignation after we graduated,” Draco started; Harry leaned closer to the blond to hear the story, “I saw him leave one night; Severus took nothing with him. I followed him until we were outside the gates of Hogwarts.”

“And then what? Did you call out to Snape?” Harry asked; again Draco shook his head.

“I didn’t call out to him. I watched him Apparated away right in front of my eyes and was gone,” Draco sighed, “I had a crush on him since our sixth year… but I knew that teacher and student relationships were strictly frowned upon and it was wrong to bother Severus with my feelings. As you know quite well Severus is a man that keeps emotions hidden from people.”

Harry snorted, “He hardly cracks a smile… I think today was the only time I saw him so soft spoken. But anyway, go on.” Harry urged.

“The first thing I did was going to Dumbledore’s office,” Draco held up his hand when he saw Harry opened his mouth to say something, “I know it’s weird that I got to Dumbledore’s office, but I had a feeling that the Headmaster would know Severus’ whereabouts.”

Harry closed his mouth and stayed silent.

“So I walked in; Dumbledore didn’t seem too surprised to see me. I swear that man knows everything,” Draco rolled his eyes; Harry chuckled and nodded.

“Well I got right to the point. I asked Dumbledore if he knew where Severus had gone, and with the damn twinkle in his eyes he told me Severus came here, to this small village.”

“So you followed the directions and came here?” Harry queried; Draco nodded affirmatively.

“But I waited two months till I actually followed Severus.”

“Why did you wait two months Draco?” Harry scratched the back of his head.

“I… had to settle some things with my parents, but anyway, I was surprised that he would choose such a small village to live in. But then I saw some witches and wizards walking around and I thought that this place wouldn’t be so bad.” Draco frowned a bit before a smile crept across his face, “At first, I didn’t know there were also Muggles living here as well.”

“There are Muggles here?” Harry exclaimed, “But don’t they think it’s weird to find people wearing robes?”

“This is a small town Harry, everybody knows everybody. And the Muggles that I am acquainted with don’t mind that there are magical folks living here.”

“You… you talk with Muggles?” Harry gasped, “Oh my… The Draco Malfoy I knew back at school is gone huh?”

“Oh shut up,” Draco snapped; Harry just gave Draco a huge grin, “Anyhow, I was going to ask the people around if they’d seen a man that always wore black, has shoulder length black hair, and piercing black eyes when I saw Severus going into a shop.”

“The flower shop? Was he surprised that you followed him to the village?” Harry gave Draco a lopsided smile, “I have a feeling that Snape was mad at you for following huh?”

“You’re right, he was angry I followed him. He told me to leave but I insisted I can help him around the shop.” Draco looked to the doorway; Severus wasn’t back yet. “I followed him around, gave him advices; he told me he was actually surprised I know so much about flowers.”

“I don’t know shit about flowers…” Harry mumbled; Draco heard him and laughed.

“Severus finally let me stay and work as an assistant after a month of trailing him around.”

Draco thought back the day Severus told him that he would let him stay, only if he can really help around the shop. Draco was so ecstatic that he gave the older man a huge hug. Severus was shocked beyond words, but returned the hug nonetheless.

“And you both became lovers after that?” Harry asked cheekily, “Let me guess, it was because you saw Snape everyday and the knowledge you guys shared brought you guys together.”

“How’d you know?” Draco spluttered.

Harry shrugged, “I’m not that oblivious to the things happening around me, and I’ve seen you eyeing Snape during our Potions class. I’ve always thought you had a thing for him.” Harry struggled a bit before he was sitting with his legs crossed, “You love him don’t you Draco?”

“… Yes I love him.” Draco looked into Harry’s sincere green eyes, “I don’t know if I can live without Severus.”

Harry clasped his hand on Draco’s shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.

“I’m sure he loves you very much as well. Love does wonderful things to a human being; you softened him up over the years.” Harry dropped his hand and let it sit on the bed, “He hadn’t yelled at me for the past…” Harry pondered for a bit, “Twelve hours.”

“Heh… I guess,” Draco looked down at his lap and spoke no more.

“So… uhm where’s Sev--” Harry started but stopped when he started to cough violently. Draco looked up, alarmed.

“Harry? Oh Merlin… Harry?!” Draco grabbed Harry’s shoulder and helped the brunet to lie down on the bed.

Harry continued coughing; a trail of blood now flowed out from the corner of his mouth. Draco took out a handkerchief from his robe and dabbed Harry’s chin. Harry gasped and swallowed; he grimaced as the coppery taste of blood filled his mouth.

“I… My stomach really hurts,” Harry whimpered, “I’m not going to die am I…?”

“No… No you’re not Harry,” Draco whispered; he wiped Harry’s mouth one last time before he put the bloodied cloth to the side, “Severus will be back soon and you’ll feel much better afterwards.”

Harry closed his eyes and nodded weakly; a film of sweat covered Harry’s face. Draco looked down at the Gryffindor and bit his lips. Harry’s face was starting to pale.

“Maybe I should go check on Severus,” Draco said worriedly, “I’ll be right back Harry.”

Harry only groaned in reply; Draco walked briskly out the door when he collided to a solid chest. The blond looked up and found Severus looking down at him, holding a bottle of smoking, red liquid.

“Oh thank goodness you’re back Severus! Harry’s… he’s coughing up blood,” Draco looked back at Harry, “I was going to see if you were done with the potion.”

Severus side stepped and walked to the bed. Harry looked up at the former Potions Master through pain clouded eyes. Severus pulled the stopper out from the bottle and helped Harry into a sitting position.

“I need you to drink this Harry, it’s a bit foul to the taste but it would help the bleeding and the pain.” Severus told the younger man.

Harry eyed the bottle tiredly and opened his mouth. Severus pressed the rim of the bottle to Harry’s lips and tilted the brunette’s head back so that the red liquid could go down. Harry coughed out a bit of potion; a dribble went down his chin. Severus used his thumb and wiped the trail off before he set the now empty bottle on the bedside table. He laid Harry back down on the bed.

“It would take awhile before the potion starts working,” Severus said; he took off his outer robe and hanged it on the back of the chair, “Once it does, you will feel immense pain as the blood is brought near the surface. Then I will perform a spell that will drain out the bad blood.” Severus rolled up his sleeves, “After that, you should heal completely.”

“Thank you Severus…” Harry whispered hoarsely.

Both Severus and Draco were by Harry’s bedside, waiting for the potion to work. Harry smiled up at them weakly.

“Draco stop furrowing your eyebrows, you’ll get wrinkles that way,” Harry told the blond jokingly.

Draco stopped scowling, “I’m not going to get wrinkles Potter.”

“Yes you--Oh… hurts…” Harry clutched his stomach then he howled in pain as a second wave hit him twice as hard.

“I think the potion’s working,” Severus took out his wand, “Draco can you hold the bottle right under Harry’s ribs?”

“Why?” Draco asked but complied with Severus request, “Wait… Are you going to drain the blood into the bottle?!”

“Yes Draco because I seriously don’t want a blood stained carpet. Now hold it steady while I do the spell.” Severus pointed the tip of his wand at Harry’s side, “Now Harry, I’m going to numb you first then I’ll drain the blood out by making a small incision under your ribcage. You will feel slightly uncomfortable but I promise it won’t hurt when I cut you.”

“I believe you… Just do it,” Harry grounded out.

Draco and Severus looked at each other. Harry had just said he trusted Severus. This was a huge difference from what had happened last night when they found the Gryffindor half dead on their doorstep. Maybe with time, they will uncover the things that happened to their guest. But for now, Severus and Draco had more important matters at hand.

“Alright I’m going to numb you now,” Severus informed; he waved his wand at the area where he’s going to make the incision and said a spell. A white mist flowed out from the tip of the wand and settled on Harry’s skin.

“Oh… that’s cold!” Harry yelped; he craned his head and tried to peer down at his ribs, “What… what’s that white mist?”

“That will be there as long as Severus needs to drain all the blood out,” Draco answered instead; Severus was already making a slit on Harry’s tanned skin, “You won’t feel a thing Harry.”

“I… I’m not going to watch,” Harry’s eyes were shut tight just as Severus had made the cut wide enough for blood to slowly spill out.

Draco’s hand trembled as dark, almost black, blood dripped into the glass bottle. Severus’ mouth was pressed into a thin line as he pressed down on Harry’s abdomen; Harry screamed in pain as Snape forced all the bad blood to be expelled from his body.

“Just a bit more Harry, you’ll be alright,” Severus soothed.

Beads of sweat formed on Harry’s brows; he answered the older man with a quick nod. Draco bit his lips to stop himself from whimpering; the glass bottle was almost fully filled with Harry’s blood.

“Alright,” Severus finally said as the blood slowly stopped, “It’s done. Harry it’s over.”

Harry opened his eyes and saw the bottle Draco was holding; he made a face and looked away.

“All that came from the inside?” Harry squeaked.

“What are we going to do with this?!” Draco asked; he shoved the bottle at Severus.

“Hold that, I’m going to close the wound,” Severus told the blond; with a wave of his wand, the incision weaved itself back together and all that’s left was a faint white line. Severus looked at Draco and snatched the bottle away, “As for this… we simply make it disappear.”

Severus tapped his wand at the glass bottle and then it was gone, blood and all.

“Are you in any pain Harry?” Snape asked the bedridden man, “If there is pain tell me now.”

Harry took his hand and pressed down on his stomach. He prodded at his ribs, his chest, then his sides and found no pain. Harry looked at Severus and shook his head, smiling.

“No, no more pain,” Harry grinned, “But I’m a bit tired though.”

“You should be after losing all that blood,” Draco scoffed; he bent down and helped Harry pull his blankets back up, “I say you should rest. I’ll bring you some chicken broth later in the night.”

“Yes, Harry shouldn’t be eating solid foods yet,” Severus nodded, “I had planned to begin the first session to your treatment tonight, but seeing how you just went though the blood loss, I think it’s best if I do it tomorrow.”

“What’s my first session?” Harry asked the older wizard; he sank into his pillow and had closed his eyes.

“Well Mr. Potter, your first session would be,” Severus paused; Draco covered his mouth to muffle his laugh, “Your first session would be… bathing in Lavender, Rose, and Carnation petals.”

Harry’s green eyes snapped open, “WHAT?! I’m taking a bath with flowers?!”

Draco couldn’t help but laughed out loud at Harry’s exclamation; Snape rolled his eyes.

“They help calm your mind and nerves. They help you relax Harry,” Severus explained, “Your body needs much relaxing.”

“Oh… Er… Yea I do feel tensed,” Harry muttered, “Are you… Are you going to help me bathe?”

“Only if you let us help you Harry.” Severus replied.

Harry gulped. He wasn’t quite ready for other people to touch him. But Severus and Draco had helped him so much… And they did not hurt him in any way. Harry felt it was alright to trust these two. Not totally trusting, not yet, but enough to let them help him with this... flowery bath Severus talked about. It is, after all, his first time doing Aromatherapy and there's no need to make himself look like a fool.

“I… Yes, I... I guess I’m ready to let you help me.”

HPDMSS