Oil and Water

Chapter 9

A hush fell over the Great Hall the next morning and all eyes were on Harry as he walked into the hall for breakfast. The first thing he noticed was that Severus wasn't in his usual spot at the staff table. Draco was on his feet and coming towards Harry before he had even gotten to their table a look of abject horror on his face.

'Harry come with me' he said quietly grabbing his hand and walking from the hall. The others had risen from the table and came out after the pair.

He pulled him into a disused classroom and when the others filed in he locked and warded the door. Draco took something out of his robes and handed it to Harry sitting down at a desk.

Harry's eyes widened and his face drained of all colour as he took in the article on the front page of the Daily Prophet. The article outed him as being gay and the fact he was in a relationship with former Death Eater Severus Snape.

That wasn't the worst of it further down it went on to explain that a reliable source had informed the reporter Severus Snape had only taken up with the worlds Hero to better his own damaged reputation as a result of the war. The Hogwarts Professor cared nothing for the young wizard only what benefits he could bring the man who fell from grace.

The source went on to say that the Professor had bedded the young man seeing it as an opportunity to indulge in a little pleasure a simple itch that needed to be scratched once in a while.

Harry thought he was going to be sick, the room was spinning people were talking but he couldn't hear what they were saying the blood pounding in his ears drowning everything else out.

A wave of rage surged through him and before anyone could stop him he had fled from the room running like a madman towards the dungeons. Draco quickly ran after him calling for him to stop. Harry heard nothing.

All this time he was just using me, I was a means to an end he never loved me it was all a lie a great big lie. He wanted make himself look good by associating with the Chosen One. Fucking him because he could then no doubt laughing at the fact the Hero had been a virgin.

Tears stung Harry's face as he rounded the corner and all but kicked in the Potions Room door, Severus was sitting as his desk with a cup of tea surrounded by parchment when Harry burst into the room eyes alight even though they were red and swollen panting heavily.

'How could you' Harry roared slamming the paper down in front of the Professor 'is that all I was to you a means to an end a way for you to get back the respect you lost before the war, a way to look good for the world by pretending to care about the worlds hero?

Severus picked up the paper and read the front page his blood stilling in his veins his heart leaping into his throat.

'Harry I had nothing to do with this I swear' Severus implored 'I would never use you to improve my standing in the magical world never, I love you Harry' he made to move closer to the irate young man but noticed his fists were clenched and thought better of it.

'It all makes sense now' Harry said dryly 'You begging me to forgive you when the war ended showering me with affection it was all so you could lull me into a false sense of security make me believe you were genuine that you actually cared'

'Harry I do care, I love you please you have to believe me I had nothing to do with this' Severus pleaded

'That's where you went last night wasn't it to talk to the Prophet?' Harry spat

'What no Kingsley wanted to see me at the Ministry you can ask him Harry he will tell you I was there' Severus explained

Draco came through the door then panting from running. 'Harry please listen there is something you have to know'