Where Others Fear to Tread

Chapter 6

Harry was just finishing his last piece of toast from breakfast the next morning when he felt a shadow fall over him, as the conversation around the Gryfindor table fell silent.

“Potter.” Harry knew immediately who was now standing behind him and having swallowed his last mouthful of toast turned around to look up at Snape’s imposing figure. Harry had awoken late from sleep this morning and had hurriedly showered and dressed in his freshly pressed uniform, checking his appearance consciously twice in the mirror, as if the way he looked would affect the contract negotiations. Having stowed the two books from the library in his bag incase he needed to look up something they were discussing, Harry made sure he had his short list of demands in his pocket before heading for breakfast. Everyone was excited about the Quidditch match later that afternoon but Harry was strangely quiet his mind on more immediate worries.

“Sir?” Harry inquired already feeling intimidated by the professor.

“If you’ve finished breakfast you may follow me.” Harry nodded and having drained his glass of orange juice quickly, picked up his bag and followed Snape from the hall, barely keeping up with the professors’ long strides. Harry could hear the whispered comments about where he was going but he ignored them. He would need his wits about him for the next few hours if he was to understand a least a little of this ‘contract’ business.

Snape led Harry down an unused corridor that the boy had always assumed was a dead end. Coming to a stop in front of the stone wall at the end of the torch lit corridor, Harry barely avoided running into the back of the professor. Taking a conscious step back from Snape Harry listened and watched as the wizard ran his hand palm down across a central patch of stone on the wall. With a hiss and a creak a door appeared in the stone and with a confident hand Snape pushed open the door and walked inside. Harry hesitated on the threshold of the room having never been allowed into any professor’s private quarters.

“Mr. Potter you’re lingering.” Jumping at the sound of Snape’s voice Harry forced himself to move and stepped easily into the room the door sliding and clicking closed behind him. Harry stood completely still at the entrance to the room, his eyes wildly scanning the decor. The first thing Harry noticed about the room was that it was surprisingly warm even though it was situated in the drafty cold dungeons. Unlike what he’d expected Harry found the lounge almost homely, colored in rich blood reds and creams. The room was medium sized with a fireplace the main feature, and two armchairs sitting in front of it on a thick cream rug. In the corner was a small kitchenette and on the far wall were two more open entranceways that Harry assumed led into other rooms.

“Does my accommodation meet to your standards Mr. Potter?” Harry practically jumped out of his skin as he realized Snape had been standing watching him rudely peruse the man’s accommodation with a critical gaze for some time.

“Um, yeah it’s homely.” Harry knew he sounded nervous and inwardly cursed himself as he watched a familiar amused twitch at the corner of the man’s lips.

“Well what were you expecting? A dungeon full of chains, torture devises and jars of pickled creatures?” Harry swallowed guiltily and watched as Snape moved over to the fireplace. Like the crockery pot that Dumbledore kept his own floo powder in on his mantle, Snape kept his powder in an intricately crafted silver tin. Taking a small handful Snape threw the powder into the flame and called the headmasters name. A second later Dumbledore’s familiar face appeared in the flame his eyes twinkling warmly as he looked across from Snape to where Harry was still standing stoically in the doorway.

“Ah Severus, are you ready for us?” Harry watched as Snape nodded. “Good, good we will be down shortly then.” With a flickering burst of green flame Dumbledore’s image was gone the fire returning to its normal orange flicker. Dusting his hands free of floo powder on his robes Snape gestured to the armchair next to him, as he sat down in the other. Swallowing his nervousness Harry moved over to the chair and sat down cautiously on the edge of the seat, his hands folded in his lap and his satchel at his feet. For a moment there was silence between them and although Harry was staring at his hands in his lap, he knew Snape was staring at him. Not willing to talk out of turn Harry allowed Snape to speak first.

“The two ministry officials are here to oversee that tradition and law are adhered to. I have asked Professor McGonagall and Professor Lupin to witness our signatures on the contract. I hope that’s acceptable to you.” Harry looked up from his twisting hands and nodded silently at Snape who was reclined easily in his own armchair. “Because you have yet to reach your age of majority, your guardian must agree also to the terms in the marriage contract as well, thus Black’s presence for this meeting.” Snape didn’t seem awfully pleased about that fact and Harry knew why. His godfather was against this marriage 110% and neither Black nor Snape would ever agree on anything, no less a marriage contract. With a sigh Harry gestured to his bag where the books from the library sat.

“I’ve been reading about the law, I didn’t understand a lot.” Harry whispered wondering if he should have admitted to that. Unexpectantly Snape didn’t make a sarcastic reply to Harry’s admittance of truth, instead the wizard just nodded understandingly.

“You are not expected to understand everything Mr. Potter. Most of the contract has already been decided due to your age and such. You will naturally be informed of the most important aspects of the contract and should you need something explained you may ask the officials or myself.” Harry was surprised by the offer of help from Snape but remained silent as a soft melody played out around the room. “That would be the headmaster.” Snape rose from his chair and made his way over to the entrance that he and Harry had come in through. Harry rose quickly from his seat as well as he watched Snape repeat the gesture on the wall he had done before to open it.

Through the now open door stepped a small gathering of people, all dressed in rather formal robes. Severus greeted each with a slight inclination of his head. “If you please I have arrange a table and some seats in my lab for this discussion.” With a wave of his hand Harry watched as Severus directed the group through the lounge and into the left hand door on the other side of the room. Harry smiled warmly as Sirius and Lupin bid him a good morning on their way through the door. Harry remained where he was standing until the chattering group had gone through the door. Severus paused in the doorway and looked back over his shoulder at Harry, his brow furrowing a little. “Come along Potter, I do not wish to keep people waiting.” Harry nodded and grabbing his bag hastily went through the door into the new room, all the while very aware that Snape was staring at him with a strange look.

“Harry, how are you?” Entering the room Harry was surprised to see a large square workbench in the center of the room; the party who had just arrived were seating themselves on the comfortably padded stools around the bench. The ministers were already beginning to bring out their stacks of parchment and were spreading them out on the cleared table.

“Fine.” Harry whispered as he took up the stool next to his godfather who seemed in slightly better sprits than earlier in the week.

“Ready for this Harry?” Remus inquired having taken up position next to Sirius as well. Harry nodded and pulled the two restricted books from his bag and put them in front of him on the table, ready to look up any terms he didn’t understand. Glancing up from his books Harry saw McGonagall smiling at him warmly, as one of the ministers began handing out some neatly bound piles of parchment. She seemed proud Harry had sought out the books she’d suggested.

Snape was the last to sit down at the workbench in the space left between Albus and Harry. Harry felt a little uncomfortable sitting so close to Snape, even more so when the man leaned over him to grab his own copy of the bound parchment being handed out. The long billowing arms of Snape’s robes brushed lightly over Harry’s arms resting neatly on the table and the boy involuntarily shuddered as he remembered his dream the night before. The shudder did not go unmissed by either Sirius or Snape, both wizards stopping their movements momentarily to glance at the boy sat between them. Ignoring them though Harry acted as if nothing had happened and when they were all settled the negotiation began.

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Harry sat hunched over, his head resting on his hands atop the table as parchment was passed back and forth above his head. So far he’d understood very little except that yes indeed he would be marrying Snape. Terms, law and pre determined decisions had been thrown about the table in heated discussion but Harry had remained silent merely watching as the officials noted down decisions and disputed others. Snape, Dumbledore and Sirius seemed to have everything under control so far and while his godfather and prospective husband had not come to blows yet, there was clearly strained tension bubbling beneath the surface.

“Moving on to aspect 4.8. Residency of the parties.” The fat round minister Harry had found out was called ‘Jones’ announced the next section of the contract to be discussed and Harry picked his hearing up a little. He himself had not really bothered to think about this, so long as he could visit Sirius when he wanted.

“It has been noted that while residing at Hogwarts during the school term Harry has been in occupancy of one muggle residence 4 Privet Drive during holidays under the care of his aunt and uncle. It has been requested that until Harry is 18 that this arrangement still stand.” The second minister read the passage from his notebook and Harry didn’t miss the glance the minister threw in Dumbledore’s direction. Harry was hardly surprised Dumbledore had asked for this, he after all was determined to see Harry’s summers away from Hogwarts miserable. “Professor Snape do you wish to dispute this arrangement?” Harry looked quickly from the minister to Snape who was flipping through his pieces of parchment in front of him. Snape remained silent through his search before he removed a small piece of parchment from the pile and passed it carefully across the table to the minister.

”Yes.” The answer was calm and Harry’s eyes practically bulged out of their sockets as he looked from Snape, to Dumbledore, to Sirius and then back to Snape, all of whom were now glaring at one another.

“And your alternative proposal sir, bearing in mind that Harry is as stated still not of legal age?” The minister inquired cautiously having looked up from the parchment Snape had handed him.

“Sighting Harry’s woeful treatment at the hands of his muggle relatives and my desire for him to reside with me, in an environment where his status of wizard is acceptable and encouraged. I propose Mr. Potter reside with me during his school holidays, with the intention of having us find more suitable accommodation of our own when Mr. Potter has finished his schooling.” Harry stared at Snape in disbelief, not merely for the reason that Snape wanted him to live with him, but that he knew about the Dursley’s treatment of him at home and was attempting to stop it. Harry opened and closed his mouth in disbelief several times as he stared at Snape, the man who had goaded Harry ruthlessly in the past about his spoilt and perfect home life. It was obvious Snape knew Harry was staring at him but the wizard remained completely collected his gaze not wavering from the ministry officials who were discussing the proposition.

“We believe that is a reasonable request and will be happy to include it in the contract if Mr. Potter here agrees to it?” Harry had hardly noticed the conversation turn to him until there was a silence at the table and Sirius elbowed him hard in the side. Snapping himself to attention Harry blushed a little when he realized everyone was waiting for his reply.

“Em yeah sure, I don’t care as long as I don’t have to do back to the Dursley’s place.” The two ministers nodded and Harry watched as something was scribed down on the already large selection of parchment in front of them at the table. Still in shock at knowing Snape knew about his life at the Dursely’s Harry laid his head back down on his hands on the tabletop as more trivial legal decisions were tossed back and forth around him. Harry wasn’t sure how long they’d been sitting here discussing the contract but now all he knew was that he wanted it to be over so he could ask Snape how the hell he knew about Privet Drive.

Harry was still mulling over that fact when the final and last section of the contract was announced, its name alone chasing all other thoughts from Harry’s mind as he sat up quickly, the colour beginning to drain from his face.

“Section 5 of the wizarding marriage contract is that of ‘sexual marital arrangements and any resulting offspring.” Harry swallowed difficultly around a sudden lump in his throat as the plump minister looked up at Harry and Snape from above his half moon glasses. “If you wish to discuss this section in private you may ask the others in the room to leave?” The question was posed to them both but Harry instinctively looked up at Snape who as usual was expressionless until he turned to look at his younger charge, his eyebrow raised in question.

“Potter. Your choice it doesn’t bother me.” Harry stared into Snape’s dark eyes trying and failing to read an expression of emotion behind them that might lead him to the right answer. In truth Harry didn’t want to discuss this at all, most of all in front of his friends and family but he also didn’t want to appear weak or shy by asking for them to leave. When it was clear Snape wasn’t going to make the decision for them, Harry sighed and turned back to the Minister slowly shaking his head in refusal of the offer.

“No it’s fine.” Harry muttered his eyes dropping to his books that up until now had not been used for anything other than pillows for his head.

“Very well I shall continue.” The tall thin wizard began his spiel on the section in question again, just as he’d done for the past how ever many sections there had been, Harry having lost count after the first five. “As stated in wizarding law, this marriage must be consummated at least once within the first week of the ceremony for it to be valid. Any sexual relations there after are bound by the minimal requirements to be decided in this contract. While the decisions made here determine the minimal level of interaction between the parties, anything above and beyond this minimum level, so long as they do not breech the contract details are entirely the parties’ own private business.” Harry hadn’t really caught anything of what the minister had said and bit his lip in worry, as he tightened his fingers on the edge of his books.

“Alright with that established, the first order of this section is the establishment of ‘dominance’ in this marriage.” Harry nearly fell off the stool as he heard the word dominance. Almost instantly the caption Harry had read last night flashed in his mind.

‘The dominant male in a wizarding marriage is entitled to dictate all sexual encounters unless otherwise stated in the marriage contract.’

Harry had little time to comprehend this as the minister continued.

“Taking into account previous sections and Mr. Potters age it is assumed that Professor Snape will assume the dominant position within the marriage.” No sooner had the words slipped out of the minister’s mouth than Harry was on his feet his stool falling back with a clatter to the floor.

“Hey there is no fucking way am I being his bitch. I read about this shit. It’s bad enough I have to have sex with him but being ordered about by him too, think again.” Harry pointed angrily to his books ignoring the stunned looks from the people around him. The one person who didn’t seem surprised however was Snape who sat back from the bench and little and folded his arms across his chest the ghost of a smug smile twitching at the corners of his lips.

“Harry I don’t think you understand.” McGonagall attempted to calm her young Gryfindor student but Harry ignored her and continued to shake his head in defiance. There was no way he was going to sign any contract knowing the ‘Snape’ would be dictating everything they did in and out of the bedroom.

“I don’t need to understand, I’m not gay and I’m not having him push me into stuff that’s just sick.” Harry continued to protest completely missing the way Dumbledore, Sirius and Lupin lowered their heads a little in embarrassment.

“Mr. Potter, you’re making a scene.” Harry spun around hastily as he heard Snape’s angry growl. Still Harry wasn’t backing down, it was humiliating enough that he had to marry and have sex with Snape without having everyone know he was being told what to do in the bedroom by Snape.

“I don’t care.” Harry ground out determinedly from between his gritted teeth, not backing down under Snape’s cold glare. Snape’s eyes narrowed somewhat Harry practically froze in fear as Snape leaned in to him so that they were barely inches apart.

“Potter.” Snape spat his name out like venom into Harry’s face and the boy flinched as he stared into the dark inky depths of Snape’s eyes, feeling the soft expulsion of air as Snape breathed out. “Dominance is a term used to describe the partner in the relationship that is taking responsibility for the others welfare, both in their needs, wants and desires not as you have presumed it to mean in it’s sexual connotations.” Harry paled visibly at hearing Snape’s words suddenly finding himself utterly mortified at making a fool of himself. “If perhaps you had read a little more of your books instead of looking at the pretty pictures, you might have understood that it is only through an agreed contract clause that the dominant in a marriage can dictate all sexual encounters.” Snape slowly pulled back from Harry who felt suddenly dizzy and sick to the stomach. “Now sit down and listen.” Snape growled low in his throat and with a flick of his hand had Harry’s stool back upright again so that the boy could sit down.

“Sorry.” Harry whispered as he sat back down on his stool, completely humiliated at his outburst knowing how foolish he’d been. He’d been so caught up in the pictures last night he hadn’t bothered to read the passages explaining the law. There was silence for a moment as Harry sat staring at the hands clasped together in his lap. Clearing his throat the Minister continued.

“Well I think that point has been decided. The second in question is the minimal frequency of intercourse, to reproduce. If indeed you both wish to have children that is?” The minister was obviously being cautious with his phrases but he needn’t have been Harry remained silent merely listening to the conversation around him. “Professor Snape I believe you have a proposal to put forward?” Harry watched out of the corner of his eyes as Snape shuffled his papers again and handed the minister one of them. In a way Harry felt completely foolish with his seven-line list in his pocket, especially knowing Snape was so prepared.

“Indeed, I wish for sex once a month for both my own satisfaction and if at some later stage, the procurement of a child. I am perfectly amiable to Mr. Potter having lovers knowing his own sexual preferences differ from my own. The only restrictions I propose on this is that he does not date within the first year of our marriage, his partners will be only female and should he become pregnant at some stage with our child that the relationships stop for the duration of the pregnancy and six months directly proceeding it.” Harry had gone beyond shock now, and had moved swiftly on to reluctant acceptance. There was nothing he really could do to stop this marriage and at some stage he was going to have to have sex with Snape, so what did it really matter if he wanted to do it once a month. It didn’t really matter either that Snape was assuming Harry was going to carry the child, it was all just a hopeless case.

“Mr. Potter? Do you agree to these suggestions? Perhaps you have something to add regarding your partners sexual relations?” For a while Harry thought about what he had just been asked but he could come up with nothing he wanted to demand from Snape. With a small sigh Harry shook his head quietly his eyes still cast down into his lap.

“No, it’s fine. I agree.” The Minister nodded at Harry’s affirmative reply and with a flick of his quill the agreement had been penned in. Harry blocked out the rest of the meeting merely nodding his head with prompted by Sirius. Whatever Sirius and Dumbledore had argued for him was probably for his best interests and so Harry sat quietly until finally the two ministers stood up from the lab bench a collection of parchments in their hands.

“Well I do believe that these negotiations have come to a close. We will return to the ministry to complete and file the contract. Expect to receive your copies of the contract and requests for your signatures tomorrow morning. Once that is done you may begin to organize the ceremony.” Harry listened to the scraping of the stools as everyone stood up from the bench. Harry however remained seated where he was as slowly everyone left the room. Dumbledore and McGonagall escorted the two ministers to the apparition point. Sirius having pressed a warm sympathetic kiss to Harry’s forehead had been invited to Lupin’s rooms for a stiff drink and a chat which left Harry now sitting alone in Snape’s lab his unopened books in front of him. Harry stared at the empty stools around him and for the first time he felt his situation was truly hopeless as the full weight of the situation fell onto his shoulders. Pulling his tattered crushed list of things he had wanted from his robe Harry laid it out on the empty table and stared at it. He didn’t know if he’d gotten any of the things he wanted or if they’d even been discussed. Closing his eyes Harry felt the tears well up in his eyes and with a heart-rending sob broke down into shuddering tears.

Snape having seen his guests out poured himself a stiff brandy before returning to his lab where he knew Harry was still sitting. The sight that greeted him was unexpected. Harry was curled up on his stool, his head buried in his hands and his shoulders shaking as he cried. Snape could see the tears as they fell like rain drops onto the surface of the bench. Snape knew Harry had been upset, he could feel the hopelessness practically radiating off the boy next to him, especially during the last part of the meeting. Taking a generous swig of his brandy to calm himself Snape stepped into the lab and sat himself down on the chair he’d previously occupied next to Harry. Harry paid him not attention and only seemed to sob harder at his presence. Lifting his hand Snape went to put his hand comfortingly upon Harry’s shoulder but the man hesitated silently berating himself for being weak. Lowering his hand back to his side without having touched Harry, Snape took another swig of his brandy before speaking.

“I’m not doing this to make your life hell. Given the choice…” Snape didn’t get the chance to finish what he was saying as Harry sat up his eyes puffy and red with tears.

“Given the choice you could have had anyone!” Harry screamed at him unable to hold back the frustrations and anger he’d been bottling up inside him all week. “Lupin, Sirius, Draco, Seamus, Dean even friggin’ Longbottom for all I care! Why did you do this to me!” Harry continued to scream at Snape but the man’s expression remained unmoved, the same blank canvass he always wore around school. Snape bit his tongue at Harry’s irrational comment, forcing himself not to remind Harry it was with him, whom he’d had the wizarding debt, not the other people Harry had named. The boy was upset and despite how much willpower it took not to backhand the insolent brat, he had to let Harry get it all out or there would be no moving on from here. “You’re a selfish, selfish prick, you know that! I hate you! You’ve done nothing but make my life hell since I started at school, just because you hated my dad. Well guess what fuck wit he’s DEAD!” Harry spat the last word out into Snape’s face and despite how angry he was he couldn’t disguise the pain that swept into his eyes at admitting that fact. “The idea of having any part of you near me makes my skin crawl, and to think I’m going to have to let you touch me makes me want to be sick! I HATE YOU!” This time Harry over stepped the mark, his last biting comment hurting Snape far deeper than the potions professor would ever let on. Snape couldn’t stop the involuntary reaction as he drew his hand back and slapped Harry hard across the face, sending the unsuspecting boy sprawling to the floor with a sickening thud.

“I suggest you be very careful what you say Mr. Potter.” Snape was shaking with rage as he watched Harry sit up on the floor clutching his hand to his stinging cheek. Harry’s eyes met Snape’s dark ones and once again the boy was fearful as Snape rose from stool. “I don’t want this marriage any more than you do but I have to do it or my life is going to get even more miserable than it is already. I’m a tolerant man Mr. Potter and I’m prepared to give you a hell of a lot of things I would never dream of giving anyone else, so you better fucking pull yourself together and accept this marriage or you’re going to make life much worse for yourself. Now get out!” Harry whimpered as Snape picked him up by the collar of his robes and dragged him through the lounge room before throwing him out of the door onto the cold, hard stone floor of the corridor. Not a second later Harry’s books came flying out after him narrowly missing his head before the door to the room slammed shut and the stones of the wall fell back into place, sealing themselves shut.

Harry stared at the wall tears still streaming down his face. If it was possible that he could feel any worse than he did now, then there really was a hell and he was sitting smack bang in the center of it. Harry couldn’t be sure but in the mayhem of being bodily thrown out of the chamber and Snape’s angry speech, he was sure he’d heard a touch of hurt in the man’s voice and it made the confusion in Harry’s mind so much more complicated. Crawling up onto his knees Harry stood to his feet gingerly aware of how much he hurt after Snape’s slap. With his eyes full of tears he gathered his things and with a final sad glance at the blank stonewall he staggered off to find solace and lick his wounds……….

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>