Dancing in the Dark

Albus Dumbledore knelt down next to his potion master his blue eyes sparkling.


“Do not think I will let you die now my dear boy.” Producing another vial from his robe, he gently lifted his head and poured the potion into Snape's mouth. “There, all better.”


Harry saw his body convulsing with spasms and turned to the headmaster with rage in his voice.


“What have you done to him?”


Dumbledore flashed Harry a merry smile and winked. “That is just his body getting rid of the dark mark. He will be alright in no time at all.”


Suddenly Harry felt his body convulsing as well and he sank into blackness.



When he awoke he found himself in a bed in the infirmary dressed in one of his pyjamas the world a hazy mist above him. His throat was dry like a desert but he felt much better. Trying to find his glasses he was surprised when they were pushed into his hands.


The world came back into focus and Severus Snape hovered over his face his eyes filled with worry.


“How are you Harry?”


“I...”


Severus held his head tenderly and put a glass of water to his lips. Drinking greedily Harry's eyes never left the charcoal ones of his lover. A relieved smile tugged on the corners of his mouth as he helped the boy drink. When the glass was empty he let Harry's head rest on the pillow.


“I'll kill you if you ever do something like that again,” Harry muttered.


Dumbledore's face appeared next to the potion master's smiling.


“We had to keep up the charade Harry or the Death Eaters and Tom Riddle would have never believed us. Our plan depended on their trust. If you want to be mad at someone, chose me. Severus just followed my orders.”


Grumbling to himself Harry flopped back into the cushions.


“Was the kicking really necessary?”


Severus smiled dryly. “I am sorry but I had to be as convincing as possible or he would have never taken that potion.”


“It was a glamour, wasn't it?” Harry asked curiously.


“Yes but it also reversed your magic. In a way you were only able to kill Riddle with his own magic.” A soft hand brushed over Harry's cheek. “I am sorry you had to endure this but it worked in the end?”


Yawning Harry nodded. “It did but you gave me the creeps for a while.”


“Sleep some more Harry and we talk later.”


Blowing a soft kiss over Harry's forehead he smiled warmly and sat down at a chair next to the bed.


“I'll be here when you wake up.”



Several days later Harry was eventually released from the infirmary and trailing the path down to the dungeons he relished in the silence of the castle. Most students were home on a special vacation to celebrate the victory over Tom Riddle only Harry had no plans to leave. Where would he go? He had no need to ever return to Pivet Drive now that Riddle was dead and Sirius was dead. Of course he could have visited the Weasleys but he had other plans.


True to his promise Severus had been present most of the time watching Harry while he slept and filling him in on what had happened. But every time Harry had tried to talk about their relationship he had found excuses why now was not the right time. He bestowed kisses onto Harry's forehead and hair but never anything more intimate.


And Harry was burning with a desire so strong that it scared him because he knew he would risk anything to have one more night with Severus. Intend on finding out why the potion master was so reluctant to acknowledge what had happened between them he stood in front of the painting guarding Snape's personal quarters.


The witch looked at him with disgust on her face but did not say a word.


“You are a Snape?” Harry asked suddenly noticing the resemblance.


“You are a filthy traitor who killed the greatest wizard who ever walked-”


“He was a halfblood,” Harry said with a smirk. “A filthy little halfblood, and see where he is now.”


“Lord Voldemort was of the purest of blood...” she started but Harry rolled his eyes.


“Oh come on, Hermione is one of the brightest witches I know and she is muggleborn. You are a relict of a time long gone and if you do not want me to destroy you together with this ugly painting, you better open the door now.”


Without another word the door sprang open and Harry brushed past her painting. The living room was full of boxes and trunks and Severus Snape dressed in grey slacks and a shirt stepped out of the bedroom deeply immersed in a letter.


“You are leaving?” Harry asked shaken to the core.


Looking up from the letter Severus smiled and nodded and held out the parchment to Harry.


“They have given me my estate back and cleared me of all charges.”


Harry grimaced not really in the mood to pretend happiness where there was none. Frowning Severus walked over and embraced Harry in warm hug.


“What is wrong love?” he asked with a concerned expression.


Not wanting to ruin his celebration Harry just buried his face into the white cotton of his shirt the odour once again reminding him how much he loved this man.


“Nothing, I am glad you have your life back.” Peaking up at him Harry tried to appear happy but failed miserably. “So you are no longer teaching then?”


“You think I leave you now?” Severus asked with a sad smile.


Nodding Harry said nothing but the potion master bent down and took his mouth in a searing kiss. Drawing back he smiled.

“It is true, I will no longer teach here but nothing has changed Harry. Actually I wanted to invite you to my country cottage in Wales to spend the remaining days of your holidays there.”


Harry's face lightened up considerably when he heard that.

“
Really? But after that...?”

Gently brushing the dark curls off Harry's forehead that no longer bore the scar he had carried for so long Severus hugged him tighter.


“After that you will have to finish your education here of course and if you still feel like you want to live your life with me after that, I have a very nice cottage near the sea where I am sure we can spend many passionate nights.”


Tears threatened to fall as Harry felt relief taking over, glad Severus would not just leave him. He nuzzled the older wizard's chest and for the first time in his life he felt complete and no longer scared of the future.


“I love you,” Harry said softly.


Propping up Harry's chin Severus gazed at him with a seriousness like never before.


“I love you too.”


“Wow, that was a big moment,” Harry joked.


“What do you say about having our last dinner here tonight in the great hall with all the other order members?”


“But, we would have to pretend-”


“Harry,” Severus interrupted him. “I am no longer a teacher here and therefore there is no law or rule in this world that could keep me from ravishing your young body in the main hall.”


Dashing him a radiant smile Harry stole a brief kiss.

“I wouldn't mind.”


*sighs* So that was the last chapter and I find I rather liked this story. Alright, it was fluffy in the end but I cannot bring myself to keep those two unhappy for too long- however I have no problem whatsoever to drag them through almost anything before allowing them to have hot make-up sex! Hope you do not mind and in case of interest, I have already started another story called Control so click on my profile to find it.


Feel free to leave me a review if you like ( I won't beg ) and be safe!