Who Knew?

Disclaimer: The characters and places of this story are the property of J.K. Rowling. I only created the situations they find themselves in during this story. I make no money from this writing – it is strictly for amusement!

WARNINGS: MENTIONS OF TEACHER/STUDENT, MENTIONS OF BLOOD, MENTIONS OF SLASH

Chapter 7: Bracing for Impact

August 31 brought a full scale reunion of friends on Platform Nine and Three Quarters. Hermione was tanned, while on Ron, only his freckles seemed to have tanned. Both sported hair that was heavily sun streaked; in all, both had developed a golden glow from their adventures with Charlie. There were hundreds of pictures and dozens of stories. The new level of relationship between the two was immediately clear to anyone who looked at them. They were a couple.

Once everyone had climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express, the “golden trio” set about finding a compartment. Toward the end of the train, they came across Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood, who had been saving the seats for their friends. As they settled into their seats, Harry could not help thinking how wrong it seemed to not have Ginny here with them. She really did complete the group. The longer he thought about it, though, he began to realize with the changes she surely underwent this summer, her presence would have been more disturbing than her absence. Harry had been looking out the window when the expectant silence jerked him back to the present. He was aware that Ron had just said something that brought immediate comments from the others.

“I’m sorry, Ron. What were you saying?”

“Are you all right, Harry”

“Yes, Harry. You have been a bit distracted,” Hermione added in a tone reminiscent of Molly Weasley.

Harry knew he would be in big trouble if he did not get himself pulled together. He might fool the Dursleys, but he would not be able to fool this group with his vague excuses, and he really did not want to go into what he had observed during the summer. He did not want to see his best friend sent to Azkaban for the murder of a Hogwarts Professor, nor did he want to have to lay out all of the details that Hermione would demand before she could set about wrecking the Library looking for the curse and counter course that would explain Ginny’s actions. Harry relaxed into his seat and smiled at apologetically.

“Fred and George are opening a second joke shop in Hogsmeade. They are moving there right now. Lee is going to run the one in Diagon Alley.” Ron was warming to this topic again as Harry nodded in excitement. “Their store is a two story building, and they are going to use the rooms upstairs as their home. They say it is a lot bigger than their flat in London, and there’s already a suitable area for a lab in the store room. They plan on increasing their product line as well as their mail order business.”

The conversation centered on the twins and their booming business. It was so easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm, and after an hour Harry was feeling very much the kid again. The witch came by with the trolley of snacks signaling for a break in the revelry as they all loaded their pockets with sweets. Even Hermione bought an unusually large amount of the confections.

There was a natural lull in the conversation as the ride stretched on, and the gentle rocking of the train began to have its soothing effect. A nap was starting to sound like a good idea to Harry; he had appeased Ron and Hermione’s concerns over his distractedness, and had truly relaxed into the company of his close friends. He only wished he had been asleep before Ron spoke up.

“Oy. Isn’t this about the time that the bouncing ferret would be making his grand appearance?”

‘Draco and Snape… Snape and Ginny… Harry and himself enjoying the show… Oh Shit!’

“Yeah,” said Neville grinning.

Luna looked up from her book, and pinned Ron with an almost suspicious look, “How did Ginny do with her training this summer?”

Hermione giggled and bit her lower lip, Neville looked on with obvious trepidation, and Harry chose to go back to watching the landscape pass by. Feigning a look of casual boredom, he focused on forcing his throat to work. ‘Swallow, breathe, blood still flowing to the brain, and again. Swallow…’

“Well, I guess it went okay,” Ron said around a Chocolate Frog. “She’s never said much, other than she was learning a lot. She seemed pretty excited about that, though she would not talk about it in any detail. I just can’t see why she wanted to spend her summer locked in a dungeon with that greasy git and his retarded pet ferret.”

Harry could see the scene from his window all over again. He felt his stomach tighten and a tale telling warmth spreading up his neck. He wondered about the reaction the Weasley brothers would have if they knew. How would they react to knowing that Harry had shamelessly watched? Not wanting to draw more attention to his own reaction he forced himself to join in.

“Well you know, Ron, she wasn’t really locked in the dungeons all summer. She came to see us during the first part of the holidays. I got a few owls from her while she was at The Burrow visiting with your parents. So, she got out on a fairly regular basis during the last part of the holidays, too.”

As he finished, Hermione was casting her speculative glances between Ron and Harry. Harry was trying to ignore the nagging thoughts trying to force their way into his consciousness. Before he knew it, he had drifted back into his summer memories of beautiful red curls, exquisite swollen red lips, and bright red blood.

“…said he would be working on the Shrieking Shack this year,” Hermione was saying as Harry’s thoughts rejoined his body.

“Sorry ‘Mione, musta’ dozed.”

“I was saying that Remus stopped by The Burrow yesterday. While he was there he said that Professor Dumbledore had asked him to fix up the Shrieking Shack. He said that he really did not know why but he really seemed excited. Mr. Weasley mentioned that it was a “commissioned” job. From what I gathered it was a fairly large commission.”

“Yeah Harry,” Ron stopped to swallow his mouthful of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. “That means that he’ll be close and we can go see him every weekend!”

And so the talk continued, covering every imaginable topic; nothing was taboo.

***

After refusing the Headmaster’s offer of muggle sweets, ‘Atomic Fire Balls? I think not!’, Snape settled himself in front of the fire place in the deep leather wing chair. While the fire burning was suitable for December there was an absence of heat. As Dumbledore seated himself opposite Snape, a tea service appeared, already heated and steeped. He allowed the Potions Master a few seconds to compose his thoughts before addressing him.

“Have Miss Weasley and Mr. Malfoy progressed as you anticipated?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, they were more advanced in both areas of concentration than I had expected. However, taking that into account, they still progressed at a more rapid rate than I had planned for. I must admit that the challenge of staying ahead of them proved to be quite refreshing.” Snape drank deeply from his tea suspecting the conversation would not remain benign.

“Ah, very good, yes. If I might pry, what is the status of your relationship with Mr. Malfoy?”

“It is progressing, somewhat normally, I suppose. It is a mutual and consensual relationship. Most of the required memories have been created. If his thoughts are scanned there are no contradicting events or emotions.”

“It is most unfortunate that such drastic measures must be taken. What of Harry? Your willingness to stand guard has been noted, and if I may say, has created quite a stir.” The Headmaster gazed at Snape with less than the usual twinkle in his eyes.

“I believe that much of the… animosity… that existed between us has dissipated. I know that Draco and Harry spent a relatively relaxed afternoon together. Both came away uninjured, and there was no property damage.” Snape could feel the ice cracking beneath his feet, and knew that it was simply a matter of a few words before the fall would happen. There was no way to avoid it, and no path to absolution after the fall.

“Well done, well done. Do you feel that enough of the rivalry has calmed as to allow Mr. Malfoy’s incorporation into this tightly knit group?”

There was a long, heavy silence, during which Snape sought the answer to the Headmaster’s question from the cup in his hands. When that failed, he sat the cup aside, rose and stalked to the opposite side of the office. Keeping his back to the old wizard he spoke slowly, his voice betraying the turmoil he felt.

“Miss Weasley and I… a relationship has developed which is far removed from the mentor/tyro relationship. It is, was, consensual and purely physical. Draco is aware of this and she is aware of the relationship I have formed with Draco. I believe that she would be useful to the incorporation you spoke of.” With a heavy sigh he continued on, “Potter also is aware of this relationship with Miss Weasley.”

Snape returned to his chair even though he felt his face flame instantly, and for Dumbledore this blush said more than Snape’s words could ever say. Taking a deep breath, blush still raging, he looked the Head Master directly in the eyes and allowed the old man the chance to enter his mind.

“I tell you this, Sir, because you would have found out thought other means.”

“Thank you for your honesty, once again, Severus,” Dumbledore said, relaxing back into his chair. “I already knew. Miss Weasley and Mr. Malfoy are not as skilled in Occlumency as is their Hierophant. Young Harry is a different matter completely, however.” He waited patiently for Snape to calm the nerves which had suddenly caused the younger man’s hands to shake.

“Yes. I have, over the summer, discovered his occluding abilities have developed in a most haphazard manner,” Snape said guiltily. It had been his responsibility over the previous few years to teach Harry Occlumency. At the time the results had seemed nothing short of disastrous. In hind sight though, it seemed to have actually turned out rather well. He had, after all, been able to teach others. But, it still had been Snape’s fault that the lessons had been stopped. As Snape reconsidered his words, he silently cursed himself, withdrew the unspoken invitation which would have allowed Dumbledore free access to his memories, and actually reinforced his mental defenses. At the momentary dampening of the twinkle in the older man’s eyes, Snape knew his actions had not gone unnoticed.

“I have been most impressed with what I have observed in the young man this summer.”

Snape paused this time to consider Dumbledore’s choice of wording. Was it sincere or a sly play on words? Convinced he would find out soon enough, Snape forced the knot in his chest to relax.

“When Mr. Potter is intensely focused on a task which has strong emotional connections to the young man, he telegraphs his thoughts over short distances. To my knowledge I was the only one to receive the images. There were Muggles, witches, and wizards alike within his vicinity, but they gave no indication of having received the images.”

“Do you believe Harry intended for you to receive these images?” The suspicious tone was not lost on Snape.

“No. On one occasion he was concerned with his life expectancy and what would happen to it if I were to gain insight to his thoughts.”

“He was afraid you would kill him if you found out what he was thinking?” While Dumbledore had tried to sound neutral, the chuckle was also not lost on Snape.

“That would be a close rendition of his exact wording.” Snape knew that the conversation was going to delve deeper than he had expected it to and was biting hard on his frustration over Dumbledore’s ironic sense of humor.

“So he was focused on you?”

“Not entirely,” Snape said hedging on the truth.

“I do not believe this is a time for delicacy, Severus. Say whatever needs to be said. And please do try not to blush. It really is unbecoming on you. We have had far more intimate discussions concerning your Death Eater activities, than will be needed here.”

“When Miss Weasley and I began the sexual aspect of our relationship… Mr. Potter was a witness, all be it unwittingly. His focus was on Gin – Miss Weasley.” Snape watched with trepidation as storm clouds of anger swept through his mentor’s eyes.

“You were aware of this and yet you proceeded with the debauchery of the young lady?” The anger had made its way to his voice and the harsh, strained, incredulous whisper implied that the next few words would not only impact his career, and freedom, but in fact his very life. However, Snape was not Slytherin without reason.

“Headmaster, Albus, regardless of how my actions involving three of my students may reflect on my ethical values, I was, and am, greatly concerned with their well being. As Mr. Potter is alternately afraid of me and suspicious of me, and had already expressed his concerns regarding his thoughts, I deemed the most prudent course of action to be simply continuing what had began before he invaded my bed chamber.”

“What of Miss Weasley’s privacy? Did you even consider that she might not have wished for Harry to have this intimate knowledge of her?” The water had not settled yet but judging from the calmness of his voice, perhaps his life had been spared.

As Snape faced Dumbledore, his face burning, he felt the tears of shame and humiliation stinging his eyes; tears which would never fall. He felt the gentle invasion into his mind, thankful that he would be relieved from giving some details. He relived the subtle passes she had made at him using words alone, the crawl across his class room floor, a naked Ginny brandishing a whip, and the way Snape had worshiped her body; then he felt his mentor withdraw from his mind. Again Snape felt relief, relief that Dumbledore had not felt the need to see the specific acts or the point in time that he became aware of Potter’s presence.

“Severus, what of her privacy?” he implored.

“Albus, the scene you saw… the last one… it was her first time. I – I did not want it to be marred or imperfect in any way. Had I suddenly stopped… her perception could have had far reaching effects on her sexuality. I am not justifying my actions now. I am only explaining why I made the decisions that were made at the time.” Snape rested his head in his hands and for the first time in a good number of years, he felt he would become ill.

“Ah. I believe I see your quandary. You took precautions as well as caution with Miss Weasley, I trust?”

“Yes, Headmaster, the preventative potion was a relatively short term but highly potent potion to avoid complications with her hormones. As well, I taught her to brew both the female and male variations. As far as caution, I waited until I was certain she felt ready, other wise… I was as gentle as humanly possible.” The last came out in a whisper as Snape studied his hands. He could still imagine her blood streaking his fingers as he prepared her for her first penetration. He had made certain she was physically ready for him as well as mentally ready, but sitting before a man he almost worshipped, it seemed pale and trivial when weighed against the taking of a student’s virginity.

“Severus, I know it may be of little comfort to you, but I will take no action. She was not here as a student, rather as an aide. Miss Weasley is also above the age of consent for sexual relations, even with a professor of your age. Now what are your intentions?”

“My relationship with Draco will continue. Its formation has been witnessed by two highly respected Gryffindors, under what will be perceived as accidental on one front and as Draco’s training in humiliation on the other front. With regards to Miss Weasley, as of today she is my student again, I will be nothing less than professional concerning her.” Severus helped himself to another cup of tea and eased back into his chair, unprepared for the next comment.

“Are you such a fool, Severus, to believe that a young woman would so easily turn away from her first love?” Dumbledore sounded absolutely flabbergasted.

Caught off guard, a sarcastic snort of laughter escaped Snape before he could check his attitude.

“Are you such a fool, Albus, to believe that this young woman has turned away from her first love? It was never about love, not love between the two of us at any rate. She loves Potter. She was never my red haired Gryffindor. Our relationship this summer, in Miss Weasley’s mind, was never about anything more than gaining experience.” Snape recognized the bitterness in his voice as it left his lips, though he had never realized that he had been harboring it.

“She told you this, Son?”

“You really do believe me to be a fool, don’t you, old man.” Dumbledore merely shrugged and waited patiently.

“No! I used Legilimens on her, of course. Since confession is supposed to be good for the soul, allow me to add to my list of sins, oh venerable father.”

“Sarcasm aside, my son, please continue.” The twinkle was back in full force, as Dumbledore fought back a hearty laugh at his former tyro’s irreverence for the situation.

“She wanted to gain experience from me in the lab, and the classroom, so to better assist Potter with the war. The experience in the bedroom was… also to assist… the bane of my existence.”

“The son of the bane of your existence, perhaps,” Dumbledore delicately chided.

“What I actually mean to say is the son that should have been mine. As I said, I will step back into the role of professor and out of the role of older, more experienced…” Snape could not finish. He than made the decision to either make friends with his conscience or beat it back into submission. At the moment he really did not care which so long as he could regain his powers of speech and stop sounding as ignorant as his students.

“Severus, you know of course, the story of Pandora’s box?” With a questioning nod, Dumbledore continued. “Once her box was opened, to simply close it was not the solution. But enough of this topic, I have yet to address the reason for my invitation to tea. I believe that young Mr. Malfoy will need different housing accommodations for this year.”

Snape’s gaze had narrowed to something quite calculating, as he developed another knot in his chest.

“With the number of Death Eaters and sympathizers represented through their sons and daughters in your house, Mr. Malfoy will no longer be safe in Slytherin. I therefore propose that he be moved into quarters outside of Slytherin House, perhaps even close to your own.”

“Perhaps move into my own. Would that be close enough?” Severus was confident he was on safe ground again; it was his own personal discomfort that was being violated this time.

“Has the relationship progressed to the point where such accommodations would be comfortable or appropriate?” Snape found himself wondering if the old man across from him had began to take leave of his mental faculties, or if he had some form of blackout during the past hour and missed most of Snape’s disclosure.

“You mean if this were outside the teacher/student relationship? For safety, my quarters would be best. However, yes, it would also be appropriate at this time. We have sincerely declared our emotional attachment to each other. He currently spends more nights in my quarters than his own. However, as he has his own quarters at the present time, would it not be more convenient to simply leave him there? It could be easily explained as he has accepted a role as a teacher’s assistant for two courses.”

“Should Miss Weasley be allowed to maintain her private quarters?”

“Hmmm… as a professor, Mr. Malfoy is a seventh year student, and Head Boy, whereas Miss Weasley is only a sixth year and a Prefect. It is customary to provide the Head Boy and Girl with their own rooms. The only thing abnormal about this would be its location. Which, may I point out, is inaccessible to other students during curfew.” Snape had begun to feel that he might come out of this tea party with his hide intact, until the Headmaster spoke again.

“Does the boy’s father know of the declarations?”

“Draco is sending an owl to the Malfoy Manor tonight. He will be using my own owl as opposed to his or one of the school’s. I will attach my seal for Lucius’ verification of my consent and role in this relationship. I expect tomorrow to be quite busy for you.”

“To say the least, it will be an interesting and exciting year.”

The time piece on the mantel chimed, but instead of telling the time it indicated “Hogwarts Express Arriving”. Snape and Dumbledore departed the office together and separated in the Great Hall. Snape had much to tell Draco. Dumbledore had much to tell the staff. Fawkes sat on his perch and seemed to smile, he had much to tell the world but no body would listen, yet. He had, after all, been the most magically powerful being in the room. Soon, the time would come to remind the people surrounding him of that very fact.