alisanne

Title: Achieving Independence
Author:

alisanne
Pairing: Severus Snape/Harry Potter, Ron Weasley/Hermione Granger.
Word Count: 100 x 9
Rating: PG
Challenge: Written for

snarry100/

snarry100's prompt #378: Independence
Warning(s): None
A/N: I tried to make it porny but it wouldn't happen. *sigh*
Beta:

sevfan and

emynn.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.

~

Achieving Independence

~

“Right, that was...fun,” Ron deadpanned, surveyed Hogwarts in ruins. “What now?”

Harry sighed. “Tea? Maybe a nap?”

“Rather more than a nap I think,” Hermione yawned. “We haven’t slept in days.”

“Reckon anyone’ll mind if we sleep in the rubble?” Ron muttered.

Snape, neck bandaged, approached. “While I understand you’re accustomed to camping,” he said dryly, “we do have proper beds available.”

Harry chuckled tiredly. Snape’s amusing when he’s not pretending to hate me. “Brilliant.”

“Then we shall talk,” Snape continued.

Harry frowned. “About?”

“Your future. As an...independent man, you need a plan.”

Harry nodded. “After sleep.”

“Indeed.”

~

Snape sat back in his chair, hands steepled in front of him. “So, what are your post-war plans, Mr Potter?”

Harry sighed. “Hermione thinks I should finish school.”

“And what do you think?” Snape asked, eyes intent. “Ms Granger will always choose more school when offered the opportunity.”

Harry smiled. “True.”

Snape’s mouth tilted slightly upward. “Let’s simplify. What do you want right now?”

“To live my life,” Harry said. “And be an ordinary person.”

“You’ll never be allowed to be ordinary, Potter.” Snape pursed his lips. “But perhaps you can be independent.”

Harry sighed. He feared Snape was right.

~

“Rise and shine!”

With a shout, Harry sat straight up in bed. “Wha--”

Hermione, arms crossed, stood over him.

“Why are you in my room?” Harry cried.

“Actually, you’re in mine.” Hermione’s expression softened. “Sleepwalking again?”

Heart slowing, Harry sagged. At first it’d been because the boys’ dorms hadn’t been fit for habitation. But now I’m just afraid to be alone. “Yeah. Sorry.”

Hermione sighed. “You should be independent, Harry.”

Harry nodded ruefully. “I know.”

“So I’m changing the wards.”

Harry gaped at her.

She blushed. “Ron returns tonight.”

Harry blinked. “Right. Okay.” Time to find someplace else to sleep.

~

Harry wandered the castle, concealed beneath his Cloak. Having gone home for two weeks, Ron had returned that evening, so after a brief hug, Harry had left his best friends alone. Clearly they had plans.

Carefully not looking at the Map (Harry knew his eyes would immediately seek Ron and Hermione and he didn’t want that image seared into his brain), he took the stairs to the Astronomy Tower, exhaling when he got to the top. The evening was clear, the stars bright.

I’ll just sleep here, he thought, settling in a corner. Hermione’s right. It’s time to be independent.

~

“Foolish boy.”

Waking slowly, Harry felt warm, safe. Independence is overrated. “Mmm?” he hummed, curling towards the warmth.

“You almost developed hypothermia. Why in Salazar’s name were you sleeping on the Astronomy Tower?”

Eyes blinking open, Harry had a moment of disorientation. “Headmaster?”

Snape released Harry, moving away. “I found you asleep while patrolling. I only knew you were there was because you snore.”

Harry blushed. “I do?”

Snape smirked. “Softly.”

“Sorry.”

Snape sighed. “It allowed me to find you. Why were you sleeping there?”

Harry looked away. “My friends need...privacy.”

Snape frowned. “From now on you’ll stay here.”

~

“Oh, Harry!” Hermione sighed. “Snape? If you’re that desperate, you can stay with us.”

“Desperate?” Raising an eyebrow, Harry glanced at Ron, who clearly wasn’t on board with that plan. “You wanted privacy,” he said. Plus, I like living with Snape. A lot.

As Hermione argued, Harry tuned her out. He wasn’t sure what was going on between him and Snape, but whatever it was, he wanted to see it through. “...not even listening to me!”

Harry flushed. “Sorry. Look, I’m fine. You wanted me to be independent and I am.”

Hermione shook her head. “Just...be careful.”

“I will.”

~

Upon expressing interest in learning all he’d missed in his seventh year, Snape became Harry’s rigorous personal tutor. Harry’d never worked so hard, nor had so much fun.

Defence sessions were especially intense, and he even managed to land a hex or two on Snape. The first time Snape simply stared at him, and Harry, nervous, held his breath.

Snape nodded. “You’re finally on your way to independence. Now...again!”

Their evenings became times of healing. Harry discussed his childhood with the Dursleys, Snape told Harry of his mother.

For the first time, Harry was content. But can it last?

~

One day before the students officially returned, Harry wasn’t sure what to do. Hermione, having studied all summer, excelled at NEWTs. Ron was in business with George. Hogwarts had been restored.

Everyone knows what they’re doing but me.

Harry, living with Snape, thought they had...something, but Snape never spoke of it.

“Pondering options?”

Harry smiled. Snape somehow always knew where he was and what he was thinking. He’d have suspected a Tracing Charm but knew better. Snape wanted him independent. “Yes.”

“Any...decisions? You achieved excellent NEWTs.”

Harry exhaled. “I’m staying here.” With you.

Sighing, Snape embraced him. “Good.”

~

“Are you happy, Harry?” Hermione peered into his eyes.

Harry laughed. “Legilimency? Really? Have you forgotten who I live with?”

She sighed. “Not for a moment.”

Harry sobered. “I’m deliriously happy, Hermione. I honestly adore--” His eyes darted to Severus across the room. “...my life.”

Hermione hummed. “You look happy, so I’ll have to take your word for it. I’d always thought you’d be more...independent, though. You’ve not seen the world, you’ve just...stayed at Hogwarts.”

Harry shrugged. “It’s home.”

“And Snape?”

Harry smiled. Eyes locking with Severus’, he melted under the sizzling look they shared. “He’s home, too.”

~