Nothing In This World (BEING EDITED)

XX.

Chapter XX: Arguments and Lies
Warning: Strong Language

One of the best things about the aftermath of the second task was that everybody was very keen to hear details of what had happened down in the lake, which meant that Seamus, Hermione and his family was getting to share Harry's limelight for once. Harry noticed that Seamus' version of events changed subtly with every retelling. At first, he gave what seemed to be the truth; it tallied with Hermione's story, anyway - Dumbledore had put all the hostages into a bewitched sleep in Professor McGonagall's office, first assuring them that they would be quite safe, and would awake when they were back above the water. One week later, however, Ron was telling a thrilling tale of kidnap in which he struggled single-handedly against fifty heavily armed merpeople who had to beat him into submission before tying him up.

When Harry had finished taking a bath and had gotten checked over by Madam Pomfrey the next day, he headed down to the dungeons to see Snape. When he exited the hospital wing, he saw that Snape was waiting for him dressed in his usual robes, but underneath his cloak, he noticed that Severus was wearing the sweater that his aunt Molly had made for him for Christmas. “All set?” Snape asked gently squeezing the boy’s hand. He had wanted to hold the boy’s hand, but he and Harry had agreed that while they were at Hogwarts, it was best if they kept things professional.

“Yes, Poppy said that I just need to stay warm for the rest of the day.” When Harry had ascended the water, he was nearly blue and even though he had taken enough gilly weed to knock out mer-person, he had felt like he was drowning. Neville had told him that even though the gilly weed would help him for the duration he was in the water, he had almost run out of air. He remembered people gathering around him, voices shouting here and there for someone to get him a towel. His parents had been there, and he remembered Hermione running up to him kissing him and hugging him to tightly. He remembered that Snape had been there when he landed on the ground by Dumbledore’s feet. The man stood off to the side and in the blur of everything and all the voices that were talking to him, he noticed that the man had a small smile on his face.

As they walked towards the dungeons, Harry grabbed Snape’s hand and pulled him into an empty classroom; before the professor could register what was happening, Harry’s lips were on his. At the show of affection, Snape felt his shoulders go lax, he relaxed into the kiss and grabbed the boy by the waist pulling him closer. Snape leant into the soft lips of The Boy Who Lived, feeling Harry nip on his bottom lip before pulling out. “Sometimes you go to far with that, Harrison,” he whined feeling his body betray him.

“I’m sorry Sev,” said Harry softly

Severus smirked before pulling the boy out of the classroom. They walked down to the dungeons in silence. Snape whispered the password to his private chamber and walked in. When the door closed, Snape immediately walks over to the fireplace and gathered a handful of Floo power in his hands, his other hand reaching out for Harry. Harry seized the bag on Snape’s table and stepped into the fireplace with his professor.

Today was the first time since they started dating that Severus would be spending the day with his family. It was still awkward between them and the family, but Harry knew that Snape was probably uncomfortable at the thought of spending the day with his family, but the man was doing the best that he could.

At hearing the floo sound, Arthur Weasley-Malfoy put down the spoon he had been holding. “Good afternoon, Severus, Harry.

The inside of the manor was as big on the outside, a grand staircase in the foyer, hardwood floors and a massive grand piano. From the hall, Severus could see a row of moving portraits in the living area lined up from oldest to youngest, At the end of the row, Snape saw Harry, who looked t be no more than sixteen months old his face framed with thick black glasses. The portrait of Harry is giggling and smiling a big toothless grin.