Situational Ethics

Situational Ethics

By Mizzfreestyle

Disclaimer: I do not own anything HP related. It all belongs to JK Rowling, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Inc., Warner Bros., and any other entities involved.

“Alas, my love, you do me wrong
To cast me off discourteously
For I have lovéd you well and long
Delighting in your company.”
-Greensleeves

Chapter Five:

“Persistence”

“Come along, or you’ll miss your train!” Mr. Weasley hurried everyone along as he tried to load the trunks into his car and avoid slipping on the mud. Heavy showers were pouring down on the Burrow and floating umbrellas were doing little to keep the family dry.

“Ron, you can eat that in the car!” Mrs. Weasley yelled at her son who was still trying to devour what was left of a piece of a now soggy toast.

Harry was the first one in the car and was anxiously tapping his foot on the car floor while nervously fidgeting with his fingers. “Merlin, can’t they hurry up?” Harry looked over his shoulder and through the splattering drops of water he saw the lot of them coming towards the car, “Finally.”

Ron scooted in next to Harry, and Hermione followed. “Where’s Ginny?” asked Harry.

“She left with Fred and George yesterday,” said Mrs. Weasley.

“Oh,” Harry pulled over his seat belt and fastened it in.

Mr. Weasley started the car, and they were off.

HARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTER

At platform nine and three quarters, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley said goodbye to Ron, Hermione, and Harry as they saw them off. Harry had never been so happy to leave them behind as he boarded the train. He was just a few hours away from finally seeing Snape for the first time in nearly three months. Harry quickly found a compartment and eagerly waited for Hermione and Ron. Once they got in, he slid the door closed. “What’s with you Harry?” asked Ron as Harry began pacing around the compartment, “Sit down or you’ll hurt yourself.”

Just then the train moved, and Harry was thrown back. Luckily it was his arse that came into contact with the seat instead of his face. “I’m just excited that we’re finally going back to Hogwarts.”

“Yeah, but I’ve never seen you this happy. You’re just a bit too cheery for normal. What’s up?”

“I’m excited to see all my friends again,” Harry would say anything to cover up his real reason. If anyone knew the truth about Harry’s “secret” life, then he’d be ruined. Merlin knows what would happen to either him or Snape.

Hermione looked at from over the book she had pulled out, “I find it rather curious. You’ve never missed any of them this much before.”

“You think too much.”

Near moments later, Harry found himself walking through the gates into his sanctuary of forbidden secrets. He closed his eyes and tried to keep his great smile from showing too much. Hermione and Ron were right beside him. He didn’t need to give them more of a reason to question him. We’ve been able to keep it a secret for this long. Just one more year, and we’ll be free.

The doors to the Great Hall parted and Harry anxiously walked through. He even tried to push through a few Gryffindors to get to his seat. Hermione and Ron struggled for a bit while they tried to keep up with Harry’s pace. What was up with him? It wasn’t like the seats were going anywhere.

Once everyone had taken their seats, Harry looked over to the staff tables and his eyes frantically searched the area for Snape. It wasn’t that hard to spot the man. What was hard was trying to get him to turn and look Harry’s way. Harry bit his lips and tried to sit up a bit as if that would catch Snape’s eyes. But it didn’t.

Why wasn’t his lover looking his way?

Dumbledore didn’t miss the gentle look Harry cast at Snape. There was pure love in his eyes as well as pain.

Dumbledore then took front and center, “Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. First off, we will have the first years assorted into their houses.”

He motioned towards the doors and behind them stood frightened first years who were all bunched up together like sheep. They then followed Professor McGonagall down the aisle and occasionally would swamp glances between the tables. McGonagall then gave specific instructions to the first years and then began to read their names from a long piece of parchment.

Once each and every one of them were assorted into their houses, Dumbledore proceeded in introducing the students to their newest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher; Professor Jiffy. He stood up and waved nervously. He was a tall, skinny man with buck teeth and dirty blonde hair. He dressed in dark blue robes and was carrying a book in his left hand. “Odd sort of fellow,” said Ron.

“I wonder what his reason for leaving will be,” Hermione sighed.

“Give the poor man a chance,” said Seamus.

Dumbledore allowed a short applause for the brave soul, then he called back the attention of the staff and students. “Surprisingly, Professor Jiffy isn’t our only new member to the staff,” he extended his hand in the direction of a shy woman sitting next to Snape. Harry perked up his eye brown and titled his head. Who was she? Harry could’ve sworn she wasn’t there a second ago. But then again, he didn’t notice anyone other than Snape. “I would like everyone to give a very warm welcome to Professor Snape, Professor Snape’s new bride.”

Harry frowned and so did nearly everyone until the lady who was also dressed in black stood up. There were probably more gasps than anything before it settled in, then there was the disrupting sound of vomit. Harry was leaned over the floor vomiting whatever he had that morning. Once. Twice. Then a third discharge of whatever was left in his system. Hermione placed her hand on Harry’s shoulder, “Harry, are you OK?”

Ron grimaced and looked around. Dumbledore stood where he was awestruck and Professor Snape, meaning the mysterious woman who had suddenly come into play, had sat back down with her hands in her lap and her facing looking down. Harry reached for a napkin that someone had offered him and whipped his mouth. “Sorry,” he said.

With a mere wave of Dumbledore’s hand and the vomit was gone along with the stench. However, nearly all of Slytherin had busted into laughter. Harry turned around and hid his face in his folded arms. Dumbledore continued though he was rather concerned about Harry, “Professor Snape will be Professor Snape’s assistance in potions,” this was getting confusing, “Please make Professor Snape feel most welcomed,” then the feast begun.

Harry pushed away his plate as he looked up to the staff table. Snape was generously severing the woman next to him. Mrs. Snape. Harry clenched his hands and felt like punching the person next to him. He seriously needed to talk with Snape. When did he even get married? Was that the reason why he wouldn’t respond to any of this letters?


SEVERUSSNAPESEVERUSSNAPESEVERUSSNAPE

It wasn’t even six in the morning when Harry found himself hustling towards the dungeons. The sudden news kept him up all night crying and when dawn finally approached, Harry couldn’t keep himself from getting out of the Gryffindor common room and to Snape’s classroom.

At the door, Harry flung it opened and was so ready to find a waiting Snape on the other side, so naturally, he was a little stunned when he didn’t see the man there. Couldn’t Snape have anticipated that Harry would want to address Snape about this sudden… rupture in their relationship? “Snape?!” Harry was so tempted to call Snape by his given name, but what if some wondering ears, like Dumbledore or even Filch, were lurking around? “I know you’re here!” Harry moved over towards the door leading towards the storage room for potion ingredients, but when he opened it, Snape wasn’t there. Harry looked around the room just a bit longer in case the man was leaning against the wall; hiding in the shadows.

Frustrated, Harry wanted to kick over a table, but Snape would obviously know it was him and would deduct points. Instead, Harry kicked over a chair.

But that wasn’t good enough.

Harry picked up the chair, and was about to throw it towards Snape’s desk. A deep, irritated voice stopped him however, “Put that chair down, Mr. Potter.”

Harry turned around with the chair hovering over his head, “You…”

Snape perked up on of his brows and then said, “I didn’t think you would be paying an early visit to my dungeons, but I have been expecting you nonetheless.”

Harry used his own wand to shut and conceal the room. No doubt, someone will end up yelling, and Harry just knew he was going to come out of this hurt. “Who was she?”

“She, Mr. Potter, is my wife. She is of no concern to you.”

“Why did you suddenly marry her? How long have you two been seeing each other?”

“I will not give you the luxury of interrogating my life. What I choose to do and be with is of my choice alone.”

“You were my lover, Severus. I remained faithful to you! What happened?”

“Life,” Snape dismissed.

“Why are you really with her?”

“Mr. Potter, anyone could clearly see why. Save you for that matter. We are together simply because I need someone to produce my heir.”

Harry gaped. “What do you mean by that?! I…”

“No, Mr. Potter.”

Harry continued on anyways, “If that what this is all about, then I could’ve produced your heir! There are plenty of potions that could’ve done the job! There are loads of wizards out there having children!”

“You have an obligation as the “boy who lived” to carry out your own name. I’m sure there is no witch or wizard out there that wouldn’t want your name to live on. Plus,” Snape added on, “it is too risky.”

“What is? Word about us getting around?”

“That too but I’m referring to your pregnancy. Because your body is not fit to carry a child, anything could go wrong; resulting in some mutilation or miscarriage. I will not put a baby or you at those risks.”

Such soft and caressing words. Harry knew Snape couldn’t have forgotten about what they had. Harry wanted to figure that Snape still carried for him, but such an assumption was lacking the necessary evidence. “I was willing to…”

Snape rolled his eyes. “No one wants to see the Golden Boy pregnant.”

“No one would have to know. We could cover it up.”

“Why are we discussing this anyways?” Snape asked himself as he stepped towards his desk, “I am married with a woman that I want to spend the rest of my life with and she is with child.”

Harry wanted to again gape, but even more than that, he wanted to vomit. Yet, while the words processed in his disbelieving mind, he could only stand there looking empty headed. “Then it’s all over.”

“You are still young, Potter!” Snape pointed out, “I doubted that you were even going to stay with me ‘til the end of the year! It’s all hormones. Who knows; maybe you’ll find someone by next week.”

Harry was angry, “I gave you my heart! I committed myself to you! You’re the only person I’ve been waiting to see all through summer. I waited and waited for school to roll around and then… I learn that you are married….”

“Things can’t always go your way.”

The innocence in Harry’s eyes changed. Snape was ready to slap Harry across the face, “Don’t you dare meddle in my affairs.”

“I’m Harry Potter. It’s what I do best.”

Harry passed Snape one last look before he turned and left.

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