Making Love - The Snarry Story

Author: Nymphy
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Rating: NC-17/M+
Disclaimer: Not mine, J. K. Rowling’s and all others involved.
Beta: Sev1970 *kisses*
Summary: HP/SS - Post Hogwarts/Future Fic - As the war intensifies, drastic measures are taken, and the Order must live together, divided up between four houses, for preparations and training. Harry and Severus end up in the same house, and boy, are their housemates cooking up schemes to get them together! – Light-hearted funny fic, with an edge of seriousness.
Author\'s Notes: HBP? *blinks innocently* What HBP?


~*~
Making Love – The Snarry Story
Chapter One
A Serpent Thrown to the Lions
~*~


It was a cold January day, and the snow fell heavily on Hogwarts castle, painting a pure picture on a tainted canvas. In the wee hours of the morning, Voldemort had somehow managed to penetrate the wards surrounding the castle, turning a place of excitement, friendship, and learning, into a bloody battlefield. Many innocent, young lives had been lost, despite the valiant efforts of the professors and the Order, and to make matters worse, Voldemort and his followers had escaped, leaving the habitants of the castle and the families of those fallen to deal with the aftermath.

“Twenty students, lost,” Albus Dumbledore said gravely, looking around at all the sad faces gathered in the Great Hall. “A rude awakening to a cold reality many thought to be the past. However, it is now painfully clear; Lord Voldemort has undeniably returned.”

There were many sniffles and a few sobs that could be heard throughout the Hall, but other than that, an eerie silence hovered in the room, laden with the weight of grief and fear.

“Sorry is too weak a word to describe the deep anguish and guilt I feel, for I have failed my students; failed to keep you safe from harm. It is with my own, and the staff’s, deepest sympathies that we mourn the loss of our students, your schoolmates, your friends. It is my hope that you will all remember our fallen with respect, love, and pride, and that you will cling to the memories of them that you possess, instead of dwelling on the moment they departed from this world.”

One of the Headmaster’s age-withered hands came up to run quickly over his face, his expression one of great sadness. He took a deep breath before continuing.

“I have failed my duties as your Headmaster. I let my students fall prey to the epitome of all that is evil. It is apparent that the castle is no longer safe, and as I could not stop Voldemort from entering this time, there is a possibility that it may happen again, and the damage, I fear, could be even worse. I refuse to keep you here under my inadequate care. Therefore, you will all board the Hogwarts Express tomorrow morning, and return to your families until such time as Lord Voldemort is no longer a threat.”

At the sudden breaking of the stony silence, caused by protesting students, Albus raised his hands, and the noise ceased.

“I must do what is in your best interest. It is far too great a risk to keep you all gathered in one place; you are far safer with your families, where you belong. Now, I suggest you all go and pack your things. The train will leave at seven in the morning. Once again, I give you my most humble apology and deepest regrets, as insufficient and powerless as they are. I bid you all goodnight, and wish you a safe journey home, and look forward to the day when you shall return.”

As Albus sat down, all the students began filing out of the hall silently, each left to their own thoughts and fears. Of the staff, Minerva was the first to speak, turning to the Headmaster, and laying a hand atop his own.

“Really now, Albus, you must stop blaming yourself for this. It was out of your control, out of everyone’s control.”

Albus gave her a small smile, his sad eyes holding none of their usual sparkle. “It should have been in my control, Minerva.”

Rolanda Hooch cut in. “Do you really think Fudge will claim the Dark Lord’s return, Albus? I mean, after all, the monster has been back for over six years now, and no one has believed it, even when deaths have occurred.”

“But this is different, Rolanda; students have lost their lives, and we have the whole of Hogwarts as witnesses. They can no longer deny his return, and I will not let them. Minerva, notify the Order, we will have a meeting tomorrow night, once the students have gone home. There is much to discuss.”

~*~

Harry looked solemnly around the crowded office at all the weary faces.

Albus Dumbledore was sitting gravely behind his desk, looking around at all of them with unusually dull blue eyes. Arthur and Molly Weasley were seated together in the front row, Molly leaning heavily on her husband, his arms wrapped around her, worry lines marring his kind features. Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, and Ginny sat in the row behind them; their usually smiling faces tight with anxiety. Ron and Hermione were seated on either side of him in the front, looking troubled, as everyone else in the office did. Minerva McGonagall was perched uneasily on the edge of her chair, staring at Albus with anticipation and concern. The rest of the Order was present, all looking sombre, faces turned expectantly towards the headmaster that fully blamed himself for the recent horrific event.

But no one knew how much Harry blamed himself. He knew Voldemort was after him, and had he declined the Defence Against the Dark Arts position three years ago, then those innocent students would still be alive, and Hogwarts would still be open.

As it were, the innocent lost were forever gone, and Hogwarts was closed until Voldemort was destroyed, which may not be ever. Harry had been trying to kill the bastard for years, as it was. Everyone had so much faith in his power, in his abilities, but that faith was ill placed. Were it true, and if he was in fact the most powerful wizard alive, then Voldemort should have already been dead. No, the prophecy must have been wrong. Someone else was supposed to kill the Dark Lord, not him, not Harry Potter.

Oh how he wished that were true.

Then someone else could deal with all the pressure, all the guilt, all the sadness, and all the bloody unwanted and unwarranted fame. That’s the thing that really bothered him the most, the fame, and the admiration; how he was always treated special just because he was Harry Potter. His eyes came to rest on his one time Potions Master, and a smile threatened to appear for the first time since before the attack. There, dressed in black as always, scowl firmly in place, sat the proof that Harry was not always treated specially. Severus Snape had always made it a point to go out of his way to get him into trouble, or to get him expelled. Potions class had always been a nightmare, but a nightmare Harry had loved.

With Severus taunting him, and snarling every time he so much as looked in his direction, it had made Harry feel somehow normal. It had taken him a long time to be able to appreciate what all the man had done for him, and to even realise some of it, but since he had, he had borne a new respect for the stoic man. He had found Severus interesting once he accepted what the man had done and gone through for him, and wished that they could become friends. While they had assuredly made progress over the proceeding years, they were still by no means friends. But, Harry supposed, he was as close to being Severus’s friend as anyone had been, except perhaps his mother, who judging by the stories he had been told, had been the only true friend Severus had ever had, and that had been strained by her marrying James Potter. He’d been told by Remus that Severus was never what most would consider open, but wasn’t the shell that he was now, when Lilly was alive. He apparently closed off more when she married his archenemy, but closed off completely when she died.

Harry wished he could be the friend to Severus that his mother had been, but couldn’t see the man allowing it. However, he was Gryffindor, and wouldn’t give up easily. His own problems not forgotten, but dulled for the time being, he focussed on the headmaster, who was beginning to speak.

“Thank you all for your help and support through these past few weeks. They have not been easy. I know, like myself, you are all still mourning the loss of those fallen in Voldemort’s attack on the school, and will continue to do so. However, we must move on. We have to put an end to something that started more than fifty years ago, Lord Voldemort. This is the start of a new war, and those of you who fought in the first, know what to expect, how hard it will prove to be, and know it will possibly be even harder than the last. I will need your full dedication to this cause, a dedication so strong that should it come to it, you would give your life to defeat this monster. What will no doubt be asked of you will be rough; it will not be easy. You entered The Order of the Phoenix knowing these things, but now it is time to acknowledge them, for the time has come to put your oaths to the test. Should this be too much for you to handle, or should you not be willing to do absolutely anything for our cause, you are free to leave now, your only obligation remaining, to keep our secrets; the choice is yours.” He stared around at each of the occupants in the room, giving them time to leave, but everyone remained in their seats.

Allowing a small smile, Albus nodded to the room. “Your courage is honourable, and your help invaluable. Dark times await us, even darker than what we have been experiencing as of late. The war is starting, and we must do all we can to be ready for battle. I know we have all stayed in practise of our skills, but I think it wise that we train more, and prepare for anything and everything. Sacrifices must be made; are we willing to make them?”

Everyone in the room nodded, and there was a general murmur of affirmatives.

“The needs for this war are quite a bit greater than the last; there is more involved, there is more history, perhaps more power, more enemies. I feel we all need to be as together as possible, not spread out through the country. It is a hard thing to do, to leave your home, and a lot for me to ask; however, I feel it is necessary for us to succeed. Are you willing?”

Again, everyone in the room gave their approval of his statement.

“As Grimmauld Place is no longer safe, I have alternate locations. However, I do not feel it is safe for all of us to remain in one spot. We must divide into teams, and these teams will have their own headquarters. I have already divided you, and have tried my greatest to do so accordingly, judging by how well I feel you will compliment one another as a team, so that we may get the most accomplished. There are four houses, and eight to nine people will live in one house; the arrangements are as follows,” he said, looking down at his desk, to a piece of parchment lying there.

“In house number one, The House of Phoenix, will be: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Severus Snape, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Minerva McGonagall, and myself,” he said, eyes twinkling once more.

Harry smiled as he looked over to Ron and Hermione, relieved that they would get to be together, and then looked to Severus, who was currently giving his best glare to Dumbledore, who was looking at him with a small knowing smile. Harry bit back a chuckle. This was definitely going to be interesting.

“In house number two, The House of Merlin,” Albus continued, “Will be: Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, Rubeus Hagrid, Alastor Moody, Rolanda Hooch, Poppy Pomfrey, Emmeline Vance, and Dedalus Diggle.

“In house number three, The House of Sphinx, will be: Elphias Doge, Mundungus Fletcher, Hestia Jones, Arabella Figg, Sturgis Podmore, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Ernie MacMillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Susan Bones.

“In house number four, The House of Morgana, will be: Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Parvati Patil, Padma Patil, Lavender Brown, and Ginny Weasley.” He looked up from his paper and gazed around at them all.

“Memorise these house names, for you will need to know them in order to get in contact with them, via a private flooing system. You may visit house to house as you wish, but when travelling outside of our safety network, I advise you to not go alone, and not go at all unless it is absolutely necessary. Individually we are strong, but together, we are stronger. I ask while we are here that we put our pride aside and depend on one another as much as possible. We are friends, we are family, and I have no doubt that this time, we shall be victorious. Note that The House of The Phoenix will act as Main Headquarters. All future meetings will be held there. I suggest we pack as soon as we leave this meeting, and return to the Great Hall when finished to portkey to our new residences. Oh, and I almost forgot, none of the houses have house-elves, as I considered it a security threat, no matter how loyal the elf. Are there any questions?”

When he was met only with silence, Albus smiled. “Splendid! Let us be on our way then. The sooner we are settled, the better.”

Despite the recent events, the room was suddenly filled with a sort of excitement. Harry himself was very much looking forward to once again sharing living quarters with his two best friends, not to mention getting to be with his honorary godfather, Remus. Filled with a weird mix of emotions, ranging from grief, to fear, to joy, Harry exited the office to go to his rooms and pack, ready to leave Hogwarts and devote all of his time and efforts to defeating Lord Voldemort.

~*~

“Harry! Harry, over here!”

Harry looked around and grinned as he saw Hermione and Ron smiling at him, waving him over to join them on the other side of the Great Hall. He noted in a strange way, it felt almost like arriving at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters again. Walking over to the two, he could see the same nostalgia reflecting in their eyes. “Hey you two, looking forward to this as much as I am?” he said with a grin.

“Yes,” Hermione said, “I think we’ll get so much more work done. It truly makes me feel a lot better about everything knowing everyone will be so close and together. I’m quite looking forward to getting to spend so much time with everyone. I mean, I wish it were under different circumstances, but still.”

“I don’t know,” Ron said, glancing across the room, “What about Snape? I think he might put a damper on things. He doesn’t even like to visit with people, much less live with them, especially us. I mean, he barely tolerates Order meetings in our presence.”

Harry followed his friend’s gaze to the angry looking Potions Master. “I don’t know; he hasn’t been doing that poorly, Ron. You have to admit he’s become a lot friendlier, by Snape standards at least. I think he might, hopefully, loosen up a bit with all of us there… if we’re nice to him,” Harry added.

“I agree. Maybe if we go out of our way to be nice to him, he’ll come around. I think he just has a hard time trusting anyone enough to let his guard down, and for good reasons. I’m sure he has quite literally been through hell,” she said, a hint of sorrow in her voice.

Ron nodded his agreement. It still stunned Hermione and Harry how mature Ron had become since their school days. “I’m sure he has, Hermione, but Harry has as well, and you don’t see him behaving that way,” he gently pointed out.

“Yes,” Harry said, “But after coming to Hogwarts, I always had at least one person’s support, and usually more. I had you two, and your family Ron. Who has Severus had?”

Ron seemed to consider his words, before sighing. “I suppose you have a point.”

“He has a very valid point, Ron. If we were to be more supportive of Severus, and show that we care, I’m sure it would help.”

“If he’ll accept it.”

Hermione turned from looking at Severus to look at Ron. “It may take a while, but hopefully he will. It would be well worth our effort to see him the slightest bit happier. After all, he’s done so much for everyone by sacrificing himself to spy. We all owe him our lives, yet I bet no one has ever truly shown him their appreciation. In fact, everyone has always questioned his true intentions, simply because of the mark on his arm.”

Harry and Ron both nodded their agreement to Hermione’s words, and all three made a silent vow to try to make friends with the Potions Master. Harry, while the closest of the three in that regard, was still a long way from friendship with the man.

They all looked up as they heard Albus’s voice starting to give them instructions.

“All right, now that we are here, let us get to our new homes,” he said, positively beaming at them all. “Morgana House members, please come stand with me.”

Everyone who had been put in The House of Morgana, which was made up almost entirely of the Weasley clan, walked up to the headmaster, each carrying his or her luggage. They took the portkey the headmaster gave them, and with the whispered activation word, all disappeared from the Great Hall.

Next were Merlin House and then Sphinx House. Finally it was just the members of Phoenix House left standing in the deserted Hall. Albus gave them a wide smile, and held out the portkey. “Shall we?” he asked, his blue eyes twinkling more than they had in days.

Everyone silently touched the portkey, and heard Albus’s whispered ‘Phoenix House’ before feeling the familiar tug behind their navels, and disappearing in a rush.

Harry stumbled inelegantly when they landed, right into Severus who had been standing beside him. He felt Severus steady him, and looked up into the glaring face with a smile of thanks, causing Severus to sneer.

“As graceful as ever, Potter,” he drawled in his most sardonic tone.

Harry grinned. “I know;” he said with a fake, haughty sigh, “Aren’t you jealous?” While Severus didn’t come anywhere near smiling at his playfulness, Harry could see a hint of amusement in the normally emotionless eyes.

“No, I am not. However,” he said with a smirk, “You might ask Longbottom, I’m sure he envies your elegance greatly.”

Everyone standing around them chuckled at their banter, including Harry himself. Shaking his head, he grabbed his bags, and turned to Albus. “So, how about a tour, Albus?”

“Wonderful idea, Harry,” he said with a smile, “I’ll show you the bedrooms first. They’re all upstairs.”

Everyone followed the aging man up the stairs. All of their bedrooms basically looked the same, with a large, comfy looking bed, a small closet, and a nightstand. They each put their luggage in their rooms to be unpacked later, and followed Albus back downstairs.

Despite the nine bedrooms, the house was fairly small, having only two bathrooms, one upstairs, and one downstairs. There was a medium sized kitchen, with a table that looked as though it could seat up to 12, but had only eight chairs around it. There was a large sitting room, and an even larger conference room, where Order meetings would be held. There was also a large patio outside, complete with lounge chairs. The design of the entire place was the same, and very basic, decorated in creams and beiges, with white walls. It had a very homey, cosy feel.

After the tour had concluded, and everyone had unpacked, the members of the house all gathered in the sitting room.

“Albus?”

“Yes, Hermione?”

“Who will be joining us? There are nine bedrooms upstairs, and only eight of us.”

“Ah, perceptive as always, I see,” he said with a fond twinkle. “A young witch by the name of Violette Aureola. She went to school in Salem, in America. She should arrive within a few days. She is one of the best strategists of her time, and has graciously agreed to aid in our cause.”

Harry looked at Albus with a somewhat puzzled expression. “But I thought Ron was our strategist?”

“And a mighty good one, yes. I have no doubt that our Ron and Violette will make a most amazing team,” he said with a knowing smile. “Now, I suggest we get a start on supper; who will volunteer tonight?”

“I will,” Harry said. He really quite enjoyed cooking. Surprising really, seeing as how his relatives had made him do it much too often.

“I’ll help,” Hermione said.

They worked quietly together in the kitchen for a while, until Hermione turned suddenly to Harry, a small smile playing on her lips, and said, “You like him, don’t you?”

Harry, shocked at the sudden question, dropped the empty pot he had previously been holding. Bending down to pick it up quickly, he turned to Hermione. “What are you on about, Mione? Like whom?” he tried to ask nonchalantly.

“Severus Snape, of course,” she said with a smirk.

Harry turned and busied himself with the cooking. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Hermione.”

The young witch smiled triumphantly. “You do like him! I knew it!”

“Shhh!” Harry said, “I don’t want the whole bloody world to know…yet,” he added with a small smile. Turning to face the beaming witch, he asked her quietly, “How did you know? It isn’t obvious, is it?” he asked, mild panic in his voice.

“No, no, it’s not obvious,” she lied easily, “I just know you well, that’s all.”

Harry gave a relieved sigh, and then looked at Hermione curiously. “And it doesn’t bother you?”

“That you like him? Merlin no, Harry! Anyone with sense could see you two would make a perfect couple! What DOES bother me, however, is you haven’t done anything about it.”

“What is to be done? Severus could never return my feelings.”

Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but just then Ron came into the kitchen. “Good gods it smells good in here. You two almost finished? I’m starved!”

“Yes, go tell the others to wash up,” Harry said, “It will be done in about five minutes.”

Hermione and Harry talked no more on the subject as occupants of the house started coming into the kitchen and seating themselves at the table.

Dinner was a fairly quiet event, everyone tired from the day’s moving and getting adjusted to their living arrangements, not to mention thinking about the coming war. Severus was the first to leave the table, not saying a word, but nodding in the direction of the table, which they all took as ‘goodnight’ and nodded in return. Not long after, Harry found himself incredibly full and incredibly sleepy. Standing from the table he wished them all goodnight, and headed up to his room.

Hermione smiled as she watched Harry’s retreating form, and once she was sure he was out of earshot, she turned to the other inhabitants of the house. She had a plan to get those two clueless, lovesick fools together, but it would take help from everyone in the house. And if her guess proved to be true, they had all figured out what she had, and would want to help the two men find happiness as much as she herself did. “Before we go,” she said quietly, yet loud enough for all of them to hear, “I have something to discuss with you all….”

Author\'s Note: Well, there it is! Hope you liked it! I can\'t wait to write all this fun scheming! Please review, it helps with writer\'s block ;)