alisanne: (Snarry Tender)
[personal profile] alisanne
Title: The Best Policy
Author: [personal profile] alisanne
Pairing/Characters: Severus Snape/Harry Potter, Ginny Weasley/OFC.
Word Count: 100 x 8
Rating: PG
Challenge: Written for [community profile] snarry100/[insanejournal.com profile] snarry100/[livejournal.com profile] snarry100's prompt# 588: Honest.
Summary: Planning progresses.
Part Twenty-Three of the Wisdom Series (LJ/IJ/DW).
Beta(s): [personal profile] emynn.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.


~

The Best Policy

~

“There are several pet shops in New York,” said Penelope when Harry asked. “But to be honest, the only place I’d go is Petropolis.” She smiled. “They cater to No-Maj’s and wizards, but they’ll easily recognise you as magical.”

Harry nodded. “Brilliant. We’ll check it out.”

Penelope smiled. “You and Snape are getting domestic.”

“I guess.” Harry raised an eyebrow. “Speaking of domestic—”

Penelope blushed, looking away. “If I had my way, Ginny’d have moved in with me by now.” She shrugged. “Maybe you can put in a good word for me?”

Harry laughed. “I’ll see what I can do.”

~

“It’s a big step, Harry.” Ginny bit her lip. “Did Penny say something to you?”

“She asked me to put in a good word for her.” Harry smiled. “Which I’ve now done, so I’m not going to say any more.”

Ginny sighed. “I know this is stupid, but it almost feels…too good to be true?” She shook her head. “Sorry, you must think I’m an idiot.”

“No. Honestly?” Harry clasped her hand. “I think you’re in love and it’s scrambling your brain.”

Ginny squeezed his hand, then released it. “Is your brain scrambled?”

“When it comes to Severus? Definitely.”

~

Arriving home, Harry found Severus Flooing with George. “…acceptable. Prepare the papers, I’ll peruse them. Goodbye.”

“Papers?” Harry asked after kissing Severus hello.

“Since we’re emigrating, George and I have been in negotiations about my apothecary.”

Harry nodded. “Makes sense. What’s your plan?”

Severus hummed. “He needs to expand his business, and I…I’d like to start a shop in New York. We plan to partner.”

“Honestly, that’s brilliant!” Harry enthused.

“I’d retain half ownership of the London shop, with the proceeds of the purchase going towards my place here.”

“My boyfriend, the entrepreneur.”

“Boyfriend?”

“Lover?” Harry grinned.

Severus sighed.

~

“You’ve something to tell me, Potter?” Robards’ face was expressionless.

Harry nodded. “I’m accepting MACUSA’s offer to join their department.”

Robards sighed. “I suspected. There’s nothing we can do to persuade you otherwise?”

“Sorry, sir. It’s just…this is a new start for us. One we both need.”

Robards raised an eyebrow. “You and your—?”

Harry felt his face flush. “Er—”

Robards held up a hand. “No details! Just be honest with yourself that this is what you want, and that you’re not doing it for…someone else’s benefit.”

“It’s definitely what I want, sir.”

“Fine. I’ll start the paperwork.”

~

“Head Auror Robards’ not pleased we’re poaching, as he put it, one of the DMLE’s most dedicated, hard-working, and honest Aurors.”

Harry cleared his throat. “Er—”

Marks raised his hand. “No need for false modesty, Potter. I’ve heard the same from my Aurors. No one has a bad word to say about you.”

“I…thanks, sir.”

“Here’s our proposed contract.” Marks pushed a parchment across his desk at Harry. “Look it over and see if you have any changes to suggest. We’re flexible up to a point.”

“Thank you, sir.” Harry stood

Marks rose, too. “And, Potter?”

“Sir?”

“Welcome aboard.”

~

Severus lowered his wand. “I detect no Dark magic.”

“I didn’t either.”

“Have a magical solicitor look it over, too, just in case,” Severus said. “Not that I suspect dishonesty, but—”

“I understand.” Harry clasped his hand. “Hidden clauses could come back to haunt me.”

“Literally.” Drawing Harry’s hand to his lips, Severus kissed his palm. “Speaking of contracts…George sent his purchase proposal.”

“And?” Harry searched Severus’ face. “Good?”

“Most generous.”

Harry exhaled. “You can start your shop!”

“Not only that, I can contribute half the downpayment for the house.”

Harry grinned. “We’re really doing this, aren’t we?”

“Evidently.”

~

Petropolis was heaving on the Saturday morning they visited. Severus lurked behind Harry as he perused playpens with everything from Crups and Kneazles to owls and bunnies.

Finally, Harry reached for Severus, dragging him forward. “I can’t make this decision on my own. You have to help. This is going to be our pet.”

“Child-rearing practice creature you mean,” muttered Severus.

Harry rolled his eyes. “I see you as more of a Kneazle person, am I right?”

Severus huffed. “To be honest, I have no idea. I’ve never had time for familiars.”

Harry grinned. “Well, no time like the present.”

~

Harry was exhausted by the time they’d looked through all the animals. Severus, predictably, found a reason to reject every single animal.

Finally, Harry asked the shopkeeper if there were any other pets available. She hesitated. “Well, one of our Kneazles had kittens, and one’s…sickly. I can’t honestly sell her to you since she’s not likely to survive.”

Severus appearing interested for the first time, raised an eyebrow. “May we see her?”

The kitten was tiny, with matted black fur, and the biggest black eyes Harry’d ever seen. Severus took one look and said, “We’ll take her.”

Harry smiled.

~

Continued The Summons (LJ/IJ/DW).

Date: 2017-08-10 11:19 pm (UTC)
lilyseyes: (Default)
From: [personal profile] lilyseyes
Severus has his own 'saving' things affliction! Poor little kitten! Hopefully, Severus will nurse her to health and Harry will observe good parenting-type traits!

♥!!

Date: 2017-08-11 03:07 pm (UTC)
eriador117: snarry, smiling, gof (Default)
From: [personal profile] eriador117
Oh, yes I knew they'd go for that one :) Severus is a softie, even if he doesn't admit it ;)

Date: 2017-08-11 05:40 pm (UTC)
lara_quinn: Naked Lily (Default)
From: [personal profile] lara_quinn
Poor kitty ... but if anyone can help her, Severus can. And she will help him in return.

Date: 2017-08-12 04:04 pm (UTC)
torino10154: Art by Tripperfunster of Severus and Harry (Snarry)
From: [personal profile] torino10154
Aw, sounds like Severus has more of a "maternal" streak than had been anticipated. :D Also sounds like everyone--save Robards--is quite happy at the moment! :D

Date: 2017-09-09 02:35 am (UTC)
wanted_a_pony: photo of several Asian small-clawed otters cuddling and playing (Asian small-clawed otters)
From: [personal profile] wanted_a_pony
Oh, dear. Perhaps I'm too much a pessimist, but having nursed ill kitties... they are so very small & fragile, & don't have huge reserves of energy when they're so new. OTOH Sev is very observant & skilled, & Harry is a mobile probability-warping zone, so the wee kneazle's best chance is with them. · · · :: worries about tiny Snape!kitten anyway ::

I love the image of Severus lurking around, hiding behind Harry & peering around him at all the animals (or "child-rearing practice creature" as he puts it ;-). How funny that he's indomitable in so many things but shy with helpless things....

Lovely part, thanks!

Date: 2017-09-11 06:23 pm (UTC)
teryarel: (Default)
From: [personal profile] teryarel
I'm sure Severus is only interested in the kitted out of professional interest. He might test some new experimental potions on her. That's the only reason, really. ^^

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