The Engagement Kiss

I don’t own Harry Potter nor am I making money off of this venture.
(p.s. Goto my site. =D http://myfanfictioncentral -dot- webs -dot- com)

“Who is it Mate? Is it really that bad?” Ron asked looking at his face.

“Harry tell us we won’t care.” Hermione said trying to reassure him. He mumbled again but their annoyed glares told him that wasn’t good enough.

“Professor Severus Snape” Harry whispered barely audible, awaiting the judgment of his best friends.

Chapter 5:

His two best friends stared at him in a blatant shock before Ron responded,
“Really?” he asked, disbelief openly displayed on his face. When Harry managed a miserable nod, the hot-tempered red-head did the last thing anyone expected, he laughed and clapped Harry on the back.

“Well done Mate.” He said cheerily, oblivious to Harry’s confused look and Hermione’s slightly venomous glare.

“Y…You’re alright with this?” Harry asked clearly disbelieving.

“Well yah, Mione said that it was an instinct thing right?” Ron said, and continued after the nod of confirmation from Harry, “So I figure Snape, bastard he may be, isn’t exactly on the weak scale in terms of magical power. So you’ve done well, even if his personality is far from desirable.” Hs finished, Harry didn’t know why these moments with Ron continued to surprise him anyone who could play chess with his sense of strategy could not be considered an idiot. Merely school intolerant. They both looked over at Hermione expectantly, she looked angry.

“Mione?” Harry asked quietly, and she seemed to come out of her daze,

“Oh, don’t worry Harry. I’m not angry with you; there isn’t a reasonable explanation as to why this situation arose. If it was known that you had Ander blood then it’s required by wizarding law that you be notified so that this doesn’t happen.” She said looking at him expectantly. With a sigh Harry launched into a quick summary of all the events that had happened in the short amount of time between now and his birthday.

“So Dumbledore knew all along? Everything? Bloody hell Mate. No wonder Snape wants to get you away from here, maybe he will be good for you.” Ron said his face dark and angry, Hermione sat in shock.

“There isn’t even a reason for him to have done this…” she whispered, “Not a reason at all! Even with the prophesy forcing it to come true that’s just stupid!” she yelled, fists balled at her side. Azar chose that moment to come in, the loud voices and Harry’s projected feelings or worry, confusion, and despair making him worried.

“Hey Ry, you okay?” He asked, unconsciously using a loving diminutive. Just the nickname calmed Harry down slightly, it was a reminder that there were those who loved him and would protect him. Not that Ron and Hermione wouldn’t do anything for him and he for them, but they were all limited in their influence. His new family could change what they could not.

“Yeah I’m alright Az.” He replied with a shy smile, “I was just telling them what Dumbledore had done.” Az’s face darkened at the headmaster’s name but he quickly dismissed it and smiled at the trio.

“Azar Blackfighter pleased to meet you Harry’s friends.” He said with a smile and exaggerated bow, making all three smile.

“Hermione Granger, it seems that you’ve already become close with Harry.” She said giving the Ander an appraising look; he was defiantly more masculine than Harry. Ron glanced at the girl while rolling his eyes and extending a hand.

“Ron Weasley pleased to meet you. You’d better do right by Harry.” The red-head said, the thinly veiled threat was on he truly meant. The Ander smiled, he was well aware that Harry’s friends would fight for him just as he was aware that in their current states he would best all three.

“Point taken Ron, but perhaps we should continue this somewhere else; meaning no disrespect, but I no longer wish to be near your respectfully detestable Headmaster.” Azar said with a cheery smile. “Severus says that the manor’s ready and should either of your friends accompany us they may floo back to the ah Burrow? Should they need more personal belongings.” He continued, Harry looked around slightly confused,

“Did he go ahead?” He asked trying to hide a small sense of loss. Azar shook his head with a slight smile.

“Aviva hijacked him in order to get the location so we can flash there at a later date, and she informed me of the location and instructs me to bring you there now through the Ander link.” He explained while summoning the location images that Aviva had sent him. Hermione looked interested,

“Flash?” she inquired; obviously he had meant something other than the typical meaning. He smiled and gestured for them to come over,

“Stay near to me, we don’t have to be touching like your apparition but I don’t have enough power to move everything near me, I can only produce at most a three foot pad.” He said and closed his eyes. The floor underneath them began to glow, and when it got too bright for them to keep their eyes open there was a soft sensation of movement almost like a boat and then it was gone. Blinking his brilliant eyes Harry struggled to re-affirm his location.

“Just hold still for a second guys, I probably should’ve warned you to close your eyes.” Said Az’s amused voice. The spots faded and they were standing in an elegant living room. The room was surprisingly tasteful, muted colors and attractive but comfortable furniture. Snape and Aviva sat on one long couch, Snape looking very uncomfortable with Aviva’s close proximity.

“That was a flash by the way Hermione.” Az said with a smile, and she nodded still a little disoriented.

“That was much better than apparition or portkey.” Harry commented and Aviva smiled and gave a soft laugh. Harry frowned, being laughed at was not a pleasant experience in his mind. Az hurried to explain,

“Ander’s have a natural dislike for being brought somewhere they can’t see. When we flash even if the destination is provided by someone else’s memory we always know where we’ll end up. Thus portkeys and side-along apparition are naturally uncomfortable. Floos as well, Aviva still can’t remain standing when flooing.” He said, giving Harry a reason to laugh at his Aunt as well. Hermione looked fascinated, again.

“Is there a reason behind the fear of being unable to see?” She asked, Harry and Ron sat on the second couch and Azar smiled at Hermione.

“We’re sending Harry some books, I’ll be sure to dig up a few History ones for you Hermione, I’m sure you’ll find them interesting.” He said sitting beside Harry, “I actually had a question for Severus. Despite your own anti-social tendencies would you object if you had one other long-term visitor?” The potions master looked annoyed but seemed to consider it,

“Who and why” he asked, his silky voice tinged with annoyance.

‘Az what are you planning?’ Aviva asked through the link, her anger strong enough to make him flinch.

“A friend of mine, Naji, he just reached maturity too but has known his heritage. I thought it would be good for Harry to have a friend among the Ander’s as well. One who isn’t related to him, after all some topics are hard to discuss with a family member.” He said giving Harry a wink and ignoring his silently seething aunt.

‘He also doesn’t trust Aviva much like you Severus. And if he were here it would be easier for Harry to learn to speak through the link, keeping him safer.’ Azar’s voice whispered in Severus’ mind, which surprised the potions master. This boy had gotten through all of his mental shields!

“You can’t speak back yet Severus, don’t worry though. I’m only through your shields via Harry and your tentative link. He doesn’t sense it yet, nor will he until either He learns to use the link or you bond completely.’ Azar reassured the potions master,

‘With Naji here Aviva won’t be able to get Harry alone even if she tried. Naji will notify me and you immediately. Plus Harry will have someone who knows what he’s feeling to talk with.’ He continued. Severus looked over at the older boy, reappraising him. The initial presumption that he obeyed Aviva without question was proven wrong; Azar was proving that he was concerned only with Harry’s well being.

“I suppose it would be beneficial to have someone who knows the situation around. Please notify us before your friend shows up though.” Snape said aloud and both Azar and Harry smiled.

“Well I think that we’ll take our leave now.” Aviva said with a forced smile, “We’ll come visit, no worries hirm.” She continued giving him a hug and waving a hand at Azar. He rolled his eyes in response, and leaned over to give Harry a hug. Pressing something into his hand,

“Touch the gem if you need me.” He whispered into his brother’s ear, straitening with a smile. With a wave he stepped into Aviva’s flash pad, and left. Harry uncurled his hand looking at the ring in his palm. The simple sterling silver band with a teardrop cut light blue stone set in the center, placing it gingerly on his left pinky he smiled slightly when it readjusted to fit snugly. Harry yawned largely and glanced at Severus who took notice and gave a little half smile.

“The manor is big enough that you all have separate rooms. I’ll show you them.” He said standing and indicating that they should follow. Ascending a large ornate winding staircase they headed down the hall of the second floor, it was clearly a residential wing with rooms down the length of the hall.

“If you would like you can pick any room but I opened up three, these ones to be exact.” He said pausing about halfway down, pointing to the three rooms, “They all have conjoining doors, with locks, and locks on the front doors should you require privacy.” He said, ignoring the three disbelieving stares. Looking away he added,

“The library is the opposite way from the stairs.” With that he walked away, robes sweeping around him dramatically.

“Was it just me Mate or was Snape actually trying to be nice?” Ron commented in amazement, causing them all to laugh. Harry opened the door in front of him and promptly fell in love with the room; it was a decent size, much larger than his room at the Dursley’s. The walls were painted a deep red with rosewood paneling, a full sized four poster bed with red and gold sheets. The room had obviously been decorated for a Gryffindor, and Harry loved it, he ran his hands over the ornate rosewood wardrobe and admiring the sturdy vanity. Not that he needed a vanity but it was beautiful.

“Dibbs.” He said with a smile and flopped on the bed, curling up in the mass of pillows and soft blankets. Both his friends laughed and went to look at the other rooms while Harry drifted off to sleep.

RAWR!
This chapter is as boring if not more so than the last! XD and My muse bug left by this point so I stopped for now. =D
The next chapter will get more interesting, I hope. =P
And it took me a few tries to like Ron and Hermione’s reactions. I tried making them reject it but I like them to much in this story.