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Ch 8: Back in it






“This is weird. Isn’t this weird?” Harry questioned nervously as he tried to keep step with Snape.

“I’m famished and the Great Hall happens to be where one would go to find vittles.”

“I know but…” He wondered off in thought.

“Use your words Mr. Potter.”

“You’ll be at the staff table and I’ll be…with the students.”

“Oddly fitting isn’t it? What with me being part of the staff…and by god I do believe you are a student.”

“Git.”

“Run along Harry go…vandalize something.”

“Hey! I’m the savior of your world…show a little respect.” Harry teased. “I’ll see you in potions?”

“Delightful.”

“You know you’ll love it.” The younger man smiled and ran off.

“I’m almost certain I will.” Snape contemplated.

*** *** ***

“Can I still sit here?” Harry choked nervously.

“Of course.” Hermione made room.

“Isn’t there a seat by your husband?” Ron stabbed.

“He’s not my…”

“Stop it!” The girl commanded.

“I’m merely suggesting that if he’s too good to room with us the…”

“I said that we’re not doing this! Honestly Ron be a bit more petty would you?”

“Ron if you need…”

“What I need is for you to be a normal person Harry! Be my best mate! Don’t die and then come back shagging our greasy potions professor! I mean Christ it’s always something! You died!” The red-head exploded. “You…died.” He said in a small voice.

“Ron please…”

“I’m not hungry anymore.” He slammed himself out of his seat and quickly exited the hall.

Harry released a defeated sigh as he sat himself between Hermione and Neville. “He’ll come around mate.” Longbottom patted his friend on the back.

“I don’t know why he’s so upset.”

“You two are so dense…” Hermione pointed out crossly. “You’re his best friend Harry. He almost lost you. I know it doesn’t seem like a big deal to you because you knew that you weren’t dead but to us?...You were gone. Do you understand that? We felt what it would be like to lose you and I suspect that because it hurt so badly Ron got scared.”

“But I’m not…”

“The point is that you were.”

“Then why is he so fixed on Sev…Snape?”

“Something to lash out at?” The young witch threw out her best guess.

*** *** ***

“He’ll be alright.” Albus tried to sooth and obviously troubled Snape. The man had watched the tense exchange between Hogwart’s own three musketeers.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He defended. Truth be told he worried that the loss of his friends would prove catastrophic to his bonded.

“Those three…they need one another. They have, time and again, proved themselves to be each other’s greatest weapon. Something as small as death will not force them apart. I guarantee it.” The old man seemed oddly satisfied with himself.

“They should be grateful for him.” Severus sneered.

“As he them. Harry would not have made it this far without his most trusted confidants. You’d do well to remember it.” Dumbledore cautioned. “Give them time to except you.”

“I don’t care if they…”

“You do to my boy.” The headmaster chuckled. “I must be off. I fear that the ministry has been thrown through a loop with all of us returning from the great beyond and all. I’ll need Harry and yourself in my office this evening.” With that he departed.


Severus scooted his chair back in haste. He had classes to teach he shouldn’t be ogling a student at breakfast…even if that student was Harry.

*** *** ***

“If you’ll all do be the favor of shutting that hole in your face, I’d find it bearable to begin to teach this class.” Snape sneered while sweeping in to is 7th year potions class.

“I don’t know what Harry was thinking bringing that back.” Ginny groaned to the girl sitting next to her.

“I can’t believe you dated him! Who knew he liked to snog washed up middle-aged death-eaters.” She laughed back. Harry felt blood rushing to his face at ever increasing speeds. Snape had systematically buried his face in a book, exhibiting a fine imitation of preparing for class.

“You cannot blame that on me. Everyone knows he’s always been defective.”

“Ginny stop.” Ron shooshed his younger sister from his seat in front of her.

“Ron he…”

“I said enough.” He growled. Harry watched in amazement. “He’s saved your life. He’s my best mate. Show some gratitude.”

“Yes Ms. Weasley I think a weeks worth of detention, which Flich, cleaning the owlery might quell any remaining urges to voice your ill-informed opinions in my class.” Ginny shot him a defying glare. Harry’s eyes bore holes into the back of her head. She turned to him before stating to the class:

“Of course Sir I’d be glad to serve it with Filch. I wouldn’t want to cut into your time with Harry. It’s important to maintain intimacy in a new relationship and besides, you should do it before age takes its toll on you…”

“Get out!” Snape roared. “You’re done in potions Ms. Weasley. Leave my classroom!” Ginny gathered her things with a smug grin smeared across her face. As she exited the door Harry burst out of his seat and flew down the aisle.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” Harry bellowed.

“What are you talking about?”

“Why were you an absolute rag in Potions?”

“I don’t look kindly upon our Professor.”

“Cut the shit. You have a problem with Snape and I.”

“If that’s what you want who am I to stop you?”

“I understand that this is hard for you but, try something like that again and we’re going to have a problem.”

“Anything for the infamous Harry Potter.” She stung while walking off.

“I mean it Ginny!” The dark-haired man threatened after her.

“I’ll take care of it mate.” Ron squeezed his friend’s shoulder.

“Thank you for…I thought we…”

“I’m a bloody wanker.” Ron supplied.

“Well…yeah…”

“Get back in there so I don’t change my mind. Snape let class out. Go talk to him.” Harry nodded and walked back in to the emptying classroom.

“Are you alright?” Severus questioned, putting potions on a shelf.

“”I didn’t think that she would act like that.”

“You haven’t talked to her since we got back?” Snape was surprised.

“No…I…we broke up. I didn’t think that I needed to explain.”

“I apologize for allowing the situation to escalate to that.”

“It wasn’t you…”

“This is still my class.” Snape reluctantly hugged the other man. “I’m sorry all of this is so trying for you. Maybe you shouldn’t have…”

“Don’t say it.”

“Harry I just…”

“No. Don’t. This doesn’t mean anything. We have bigger things and I need you with me. I don’t care if…” Harry’s lips were crushed in a searing kiss.

“Bed. Now.” Snape moaned, pulling Harry to him.

“And this is why it’s worth it.” Harry’s words seemed to smile as they rushed down the corridor to their chambers.




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