The Engagement Kiss

I seem to be failing in my title ideas...XD I should just do chapter 1, 2, 3 etc... =P


“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.


Chapter 5:

Harry woke the next morning from the single best night of sleep in his entire life, no bad dreams, no visions, nothing but uninterrupted sleep. Yawning and stretching he luxuriously stood up and surveyed his image in the mirror, it was the first time he was seeing himself since the glamour was removed. He face still held resemblance to James Potter but it was more Harry’s own now than a copy, high sculpted cheekbones and narrow chin were a courtesy of his mother. His eyes were slightly wider and held a slightly more feminine look, yet the green was the darkest color he had ever seen. His scrawny build remained it was simply more pleasantly arranged, well toned chest, narrow waist and slightly flaring hips. Harry decided that he liked the whole new look despite the androgynous feeling and went over to knock on the adjoining door.

“Good morning Harry.” Hermione said opening up the door with a smile, Ron waved good-naturedly from behind her. “Want to go to the library?” she asked with a smile as both boys rolled their eyes. However they were spared from answering because a house elf chose that moment to pop in, her little uniform neat and trim with the Snape crest plastered on the front in delicate embroidery.

“Awake young Masters and Mistress, good! Hope has been sent to sees if you’re awake and wanting breakfast?” the little elf spewed, looking at them expectantly.

“We would love breakfast Hope…” Harry said and the little elf smiled and with a snap of the fingers she apparated them all into the dining hall where a breakfast to rival Hogwarts sat laid out on the table. Snape stood at one end, setting the last plate out all three pairs of eyes stared at him doing something so…domestic.

“Well don’t just stand there mouth’s agape, come and take a seat. The plates are enchanted just speak what you want and the plate will get it for you.” He said, sneer in place and snarky tone, but it seemed more pleasant than anything he’d ever said in the classroom. They all complied and soon there was a comfortable silence as they ate.

“This is delicious Severus; did the house elves cook it all?” Harry asked politely when they had all filled their stomachs, except for Ron whose famous endless hunger seemed to continue full throttle. Severus gave a very small crooked smile,

“My elves helped me cook Harry.” He replied, once again surprising the three teens, the greasy-bat potions master cooked? It took them a while to recover while Ron looked at the food as if trying to decide to continue eating, he did.

“You’re a wonderful cook then.” Harry said with a dazzling smile, and Snape gave a softer sneer. ‘If only the man would smile…’ Harry thought absently. While Hermione fidgeted before finally bursting out with her question;

“Professor Snape may we look in the library for information on Anders?” she asked, Harry almost rolled his eyes, hadn’t Severus basically given them permission when he pointed out the library?

“Yes though, I doubt you’ll find much. I’ve read every book in that library and I knew next to nothing about them.” The potions master replied with a stern gaze. While Ron sat back with a sigh, he hated it when Harry and Hermione went into research mode, with luck there’d something for him to read too. The trio continued eating said their thanks and went to the library.

“There’s no way he read all of these books…” Harry said stunned when they entered, the library was at least twice the size of Hogwarts’ library and the book shelves seemed to go unimaginably high. Hermione practically passed out from excitement; surely they could find something here!

“Locator spells?” Harry suggested when they were trying to decide how to go about starting their search. Hermione nodded and they each cast it, though Ron was focused on finding something for him to do not the research. He was much slower at reading and not an asset but he would hang out to give moral support. Harry respected that, even though this bored Ron he was staying anyway. Hermione’s spell would focus on books that dealt more with facts and history than his; he would focus on anything to do with Anders even myths and legends. They split up and gathered their books, meeting back up in the center of the library. There was a large round table and several comfortable chairs, within minutes they were pouring over the books.

“Listen to this Harry, Anders are unique among most magical creatures because of their near human appearance. The only difference isn’t even an obvious one, if you disregard their tendency towards natural beauty, just their ability to both bear children and to sire them. But their magic is why the Anders were qualified by the ministry to be dangerous, their magic responds to thoughts and feelings. In essence they con never fully control their powers and thus can never live in a civilized setting…” Hermione read aloud, looking over at her friend. Harry shifted uncomfortably, so he could accidentally hurt his friends? Ron snorted his opinion,

“I don’t care what the books say, Harry would never hurt us. Intentionally or otherwise.” He said Gryffindor loyalty shining once again. Hermione gave Harry a smile and continued reading, sporadically taking notes. Harry was leafing through a large tome of history when a particular passage seemed to jump out at him,

“Anders are known as the historians of myth; rumored to have long lives and a longer list of powers they seem ever present through time. Yet their actual effect and influence in the development of life as we know today is unknown. Some say that it was the Anders who pushed human’s to evolve and showed us the way others say they have simply stayed in their realm and watched us with amusement. Either way very little information is forth coming from any source save the one fact of their gender ambiguity, it seems a bit odd that the only information that we are sure of is that one fact…” He read aloud, personally agreeing with the author, why did that one fact keep popping up. He wasn’t quite ready to face that particular part of his new identity; it was both disturbing and intriguing that he could bear children…his and Severus’ children? Shaking off the thought he looked over at Hermione who looked pensive.

“That is a valid point, the only information we’re sure of is the single physical difference and a vague reference to different powers, but why? If the ministry classified them as dangerous then there should be information. It’s required by law to at least state how the species is dangerous and make it available to the public. The reference I found certainly doesn’t make those requirements.” She said looking at the massive stacks of books, almost with annoyance.

“Well… They are magical creatures, maybe we could ask Hagrid? Or because their qualified as dangerous Prof. Lupin would know?” Harry suggested with a shrug. She seemed to think about it for a moment then shrugged as well with a smile,

“Send them a letter? However I think we should keep looking…” she said interrupted by a loud bell. Glancing at the clock Harry blanched, it was almost six at night, and they’d gone through around a third of the books and still had nothing to show for it. The door to the library opened and a few seconds later Severus found them, buried in books. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of both Harry’s and Hermione’s done piles both of them had gone through at least twenty books.

“Did you find anything probative?” He asked, trying to keep the ‘I told you so’ tone out of his voice. Both shook their heads dejectedly.

“No, but do you know why there isn’t at least the statement made by the Ministry available Professor?” Hermione replied, while Harry rearranged his piles of books to be able to get out of the seat. Severus glared but no at either of them,

“The ministry statement isn’t available because any book that printed it was spelled to go blank after three months you wouldn’t even be able to find it in the old Daily Prophet issues. They did that to follow the law and then hide any reminder to the Anders’ existence.” He said with a touch of malice, Hermione looked scandalized.

“That’s horrible.” She muttered angrily, and she hated being denied information. Sometimes Harry thought she had to be part something the way she hungered for information. Once he was free of the piles of the books he went to shake Ron, who to all appearances had fallen asleep a book clutched in his hand.

“Ron, hey get up. Ron?” he said moving to shake his friend, but at the same time Severus moved quickly catching his wrist, those black eyes glued to the book in the red-heads hand.

“Don’t touch him… That books not one of mine, but I recognize it.” He hissed, and Harry couldn’t help the heat that rushed through his body, both with his Fiancé’s nearness and the protective tone in his rich voice. Severus gently pushed Harry away before releasing him and plucking the book from Ron’s hand, and reaching into his pocket brining out a small vial. Opening it and waving it under Ron’s nose, the redhead sat upright with a shout.

“Merlin’s Balls! What is that?” He demanded as Snape corked and pocketed the vial again.

“Language Mr. Weasley, that’s a personal concoction of fouls smelling flowers and roots intended for waking someone up without the influence of magic.” Severus replied smoothly and then held up the book, “Now pray tell where did you get this book?” Ron looked at the book with a confused expression.

“I…I can’t remember. I don’t remember picking it up, why?” He responded, Severus let out a frustrated sigh, and pocketed the book.

“It’s a magical artifact disguised as a harmless book, it can only be picked up by those with creature blood. Then it proceeds to absorb their life unless dropped, it’s a dark artifact and should not be here.” He said with a glance at Harry, as if to confirm that he was all right. Harry shuddered, what would have happened if he picked up that book?

“Who had it last?” Hermione asked, looking suspicious, Severus glared then sighed indicating to all of them that it wasn’t going to be good.

“The Dark Lord.” He replied looking away, “Excuse me but I must go dispose of this book.” He said but Harry spoke up;

“Dispose of it or return it to Him?” He asked, the feeling of betrayal rising, he could feel his blood rush with his increasing heart beat. Severus looked surprised and almost hurt,

“Harry I had no notion of this book being here and there is no reason it should be, He doesn’t even know of the existence of Snape manor.” He answered softly and the younger teen’s anger abated briefly.

“I’m sorry Severus, I think I just need to lie down…” he said before collapsing, Severus dropped the book and caught his fiancé. Looking bewildered at the two other teens then back at the unconscious Harry.

A/n: Hi! –waves- Next chappie! YAY I likes this one…dunno why. =D ANYWHO! I started classes again so my updates may become even more sporadic. My apologies. =P