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Draco pushed a hand through his fringe, a pout forming on his lips as he slumped in front of Severus.
Oh, dear.
Severus had really thought that for once he could have a simple year—now that he wasn’t playing a double- (or triple-) agent, but apparently that wasn’t to be so.
Then again, Severus thought to himself, his eyes darting to the picture frame on his desk showing a certain handsome Marauder who winked at him from the frame, maybe sometimes it was worth the fuss.
And so Severus prepared himself to give counsel to his godson, who continued pouting in front of him.
“Yes, Draco?” Severus’ voice was dry as he extended the invitation to the blond student in front of him.
Well, oops. But it wasn’t like Severus was the most, ah, welcoming and fluffy Head of house.
That would be Pomona, hands down.
Draco though, dropped his hand down and sat up straighter. He drew his chair even closer and looked cautiously at Severus. Severus caught how Draco’s gaze slipped to the picture of Remus Lupin on Severus’ desk, and Severus cleared his throat.
“We haven’t all day,” Severus intoned drily.
Draco flushed, hastily looking away.
He opened his mouth before closing it abruptly, and then said very quickly, “Iwananohowudidt.”
“Huh?” Severus leant forward over the desk to look at Draco in concern.
Draco let out a huge breath, before he looked up at Severus. “I want to know… how you did it,” Draco said slowly, his cheeks flaming.
“How I did… what?” Severus asked, frowning. “Ah, deceiving the Dark Lord is indeed a deep matter of Occlumency and will, Draco. One had best avoid it if possible, though. You wouldn’t believe—”
“Not! Not… that,” Draco said quickly. “I mean—not that it wasn’t impressive,” Severus’ favourite student conceded, looking at him in admiration. “But, actually how you—how you …”
But the boy’s words failed, and instead his eyes crept across the desk again, alighting on the photograph of the Gryffindor Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Severus’ own eyes darted across to his partner. Remus looked particularly gorgeous, and Severus couldn’t help his heart warming as he looked fondly at the photo.
Ah…
“You want to know… how myself and Remus reconciled and ended up together, is that it?” Severus asked gently.
Very gently.
Draco just nodded, his cheeks growing more red.
Severus sat back in his chair and folded his arms thoughtfully. “Well, Draco. I wouldn’t encourage you to follow my romantic footsteps there. There was a lot of miscommunication and dashed chances. You know, it was only fate itself that decreed that once our bodies had been found, that we happened to be placed next to each other. Remus had been hit by a Dark curse, and I had been attacked by the Dark Lord’s python…” Severus trailed off, allowing himself to swallow against his suddenly-dry throat. “Remus was very well-versed in protection and concealment charms. One of the charms that he had cast was a modified shield charm, one that diverted killing force from spells. Unfortunately, the cost of that power was his own body’s reserves. The charm that he had cast saved his life, however it rendered him unconscious, due to the power required of the spell. He had also protected Nymphadora Tonks and their son, Teddy Lupin; casting a spell to protect them in a similar manner. Nymphadora was meant to stay home with their son…” Severus broke off again, as this was where it became interesting. “Remus was furious when he was revived in the hospital wing. He told Nymphadora that he had begged her to look after their son. And that she had ignored his wishes. This proved how young she was. That she did not understand sacrifice or value his deepest, most-desired request. That… caused quite a row.”
Severus thought back to how the very walls of the hospital wing had seemed to shake, as he himself recovered. He had quite unashamedly eavesdropped on their row, given that he himself was stuck recovering from near-exsanguination. It wasn’t like he could have just walked out to leave the two of them to argue in peace.
“Nymphadora said that she had put up with a lot, being on the run during a war, a stressful pregnancy, and that she had loved him which is what led her to search for him. But that she loved him less and less by the minute. And that if he did not understand her, that perhaps they were better off not being together at all.”
Draco’s eyes were wide at that.
Severus allowed a slight grin. “And well, I may have spoken up after she had stormed out.”
That was an understatement.
“But in any case,” Severus continued, “we discovered that we had a lot in common. Dedication to a cause, for one. The curse of being the clever one out of our friends and house groups. And we agreed that respecting someone’s final wish should be of the utmost importance.”
Severus found his gaze drifting once more to Remus in the portrait. Remus’ smile grew, and Severus knew he was echoing it. Severus’ voice grew soft as he continued. “I had… never really allowed myself the luxury of choosing someone before. Of letting myself feel something. For so long, my dedication had been to the Order of the Phoenix. But now, with the war over, I was allowed to feel again. To take a chance, to do something that was not a dozen steps in a secret chess-game with an ultimate plan.”
After that, Severus had invited Remus to a picnic in the gardens. Cliché, perhaps, but the sight of Remus sitting next to him on the rug, the two of them sharing sandwiches, and the sun giving Remus’ skin a gorgeous shine is what gave him the courage to lean in for a kiss. And when Remus had kissed him back, Severus had been nearly unable to believe it.
And now, the two of them recovered after the Great Battle, they had decided to take up posts at Hogwarts, together. Something that was private and cosy, and so incredibly special. Something that reminded Severus of nights of passing Remus a goblet of Wolfsbane potion, their hands brushing in the clandestine corridor. Of confronting Remus over that disastrous Boggart, only to be taken aback by the coy smile on absolutely kissable lips.
No, it had not been easy.
But it had been so worth it.
Severus cleared his throat. “So… perhaps you should tell me who it is that you wish to get closer to… in order that we can formulate a plan?”
“You… you may think of me as incredibly foolish,” Draco said in a rush. He grew rapidly red.
“I assure you,” Severus said, “I have nothing I could say against matters of the heart.”
“It turns out that…” Draco broke off, fiddling with the sleeve of his robes, “Having spent a lot of time together in Muggle Studies, I... I’ve gotten to know him—Ron—a whole lot better and… I think we could be a good match.” This last part was said in a rush.
“Weasley?” Severus asked with great interest. “My, my, Draco.”
Draco soldiered on. “I… I know Father would not be impressed, and my ancestors would roll over in their graves if they knew that I wished to end the feud between our families but… I’ve gotten to know him and, oh, I would love to see if there is something between us…” Draco rested his chin on his palm, elbow propped on the table, looking off into the distance.
Severus leaned back in his chair.
It had been Minerva McGonagall who, after the war, instituted a rule that all witches and wizards who had grown up in a magical household be mandated to take Muggle Studies. And apparently—according to Hogwarts teacher gossip—Draco and Weasley had ended up spending quite a lot of time together, the two purebloods at first sending each other looks of bafflement and confusion as new terminology was raised in the course, and then spending a lot of time doing homework together.
“And…” Severus asked delicately, “what have you done so far, in your efforts to court young Mr Weasley?”
Draco crossed his arms and looked down at the floor. “I… I don’t know if he is even interested. I’ve tried really hard, Severus! I made sure my coming-of-age watch was visible out of my robes sleeve—it’s from La Jacqueline Nacrée, you know, from Paris, top of the line—and I mentioned that my family has a box at the Cancan Carcolh theatre ahead of the weekend but he just stared at me, and then later I asked him if he needed help with his Astronomy homework, so we could spend time together looking at the stars in the evening, but he didn’t take me up on that either…”
Hmmm.
Severus sat up straighter and steepled his fingers together. “It seems to me, Draco, that you had best focus on something that is close to Mr Weasley’s own interests. Your father may have made his match by, ah, peacocking around and flaunting his wealth, but Mr Weasley is unlikely to be won over by similar measures.”
Draco nodded seriously. “I see. So I should find something to charm him with that is true to his desires and wishes, and personal enough to show my affections for him… and not reliant on the galleons in my vault. That…” Draco gave a quick self-deprecating but still endearing smile, “may be difficult.”
“At first, Draco,” Severus said softly. “You may wish to spoil him with gifts later, but first, show him what you have in common and reveal your feelings to him. And remember, Draco, Gryffindors need explicit signs of interest—none of this delicate manoeuvring and subtle flirting.”
“Understood, sir,” Draco replied. “So... any advice?”
Severus gave a slow nod. “We must find a way to charm young Weasley—and perhaps with something more directly suited to his tastes. So, what does Weasley enjoy? And—do not say opera or homework, because I can guarantee that he does not enjoy either.”
Draco let out a laugh. “Ah, I see your point,” he said, his eyebrows furrowed thoughtfully. “Hmmm, well he plays Quidditch, but he has often been quite nervous about it. And he is excellent at chess, but it might be too serious—it might not be a good way to try and flirt with him, since he does take it quite seriously. Although… he does always enjoy the Hogwarts feast…”
Severus stroked his chin. “Ah, and that is an excellent point.”
Draco’s eyes lit up. “I could cook for him! A special, romantic meal. That could charm and impress him! You used to help me with both cooking and Potions—I’m sure that together, we could come up with a stellar meal. That is… if you would help me.”
Draco finished, looking up at Severus hopefully.
“Very well; I will,” Severus said. “Making him a lovely dinner would be a very charming way of wooing Weasley. And you are an excellent cook.”
Draco sat back with a smile, no doubt thinking back to the brilliant minestrone, bouillabaisse, gazpacho and delicious bisques that he had made in the past. Severus remembered fondly how he had watched Draco carefully measure out the ingredients, and stir them together, delicious fragrances rising from the pot and how impressed he had been at the skill Draco brought to making such dishes. And Weasley famously had a big love affair with food.
Draco was guaranteed to make him fall head over heels with a dinner like that.
Weasley would not stand a chance.
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When Severus returned to his quarters that night (after promising to meet Draco the next night to plan), it was to find Remus already waiting for him, leaning back on the bed and reading a book. When Severus stepped into the doorway of the bedroom, Remus placed his book aside, a smile growing on his face, reminding Severus of the shy Prefect that he’d often stolen glances at all those years ago. Severus could not resist rushing over to him.
“Ah, you’ve finally returned to grace me with your presence after keeping me waiting,” Remus teased, pulling Severus in for a kiss.
“It was not my idea,” Severus informed him, unable to hold back a smile as he drew back.
Remus shifted aside. “Oh? Do tell,” he said, and Severus joined him on the bed.
They reached for each other, fingers twining and wrists crossed over one another, one stained with dark ink, the other rough and scarred—but feeling all the more whole being together again.
Severus took a deep breath, as Remus’ grip tightened reassuringly on his hand.
“Well,” Severus said, aiming for his usual silky tones, “it seems that there is more Gryffindor-Slytherin romance in the air.”
“Oh?” Remus arched an intrigued brow. “Who?”
“This is a secret,” Severus said in a hushed voice. “You cannot spill it to anyone.”
“I won’t,” Remus promised, looking ever so earnest and determined.
Severus allowed himself one kiss before he drew back.
“Draco,” he explained. “He wishes to court a Gryffindor.”
“Ah,” Remus said. “I see, and he was inspired by someone close to him, was he?”
“He ended up asking me for advice,” Severus said, smiling fondly.
“And the object of his affections?”
“I would never betray his confidence,” Severus said, lowering his voice. “Although I think with his actions, it will become clear. But needless to say, someone that his father would not approve of.”
Remus looked at him tenderly. “Well, I wish him all the best. And that things turn out as well for him as they have for me. I mean—us.”
And well, Severus just couldn’t stop himself at that. He pulled Remus in for a kiss, and then they rolled over on the bed, arms wrapped around each other, Severus unable to keep back a delighted grin.
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The next day, Severus kept an eye out for Weasley. Of course, Weasley no longer took Potions—thank Salazar—but it was very obvious to spot him in the Great Hall, eating with great delight and obvious enthusiasm. It seemed that Draco’s idea to cook for him would certainly be an excellent one.
Weasley would be eating out of the palm of his hand.
Well, metaphorically.
Oh dear, Severus certainly hoped that would only be metaphorical.
Anyway!
As Severus made his way to the staff table, he looked over casually at the Gryffindors.
Weasley was not looking anywhere over at the Slytherin table.
However, as Severus picked up some toast and began to pour himself some tea, he noticed the red-head’s eyes dart across to the far end of the hall.
Aha!
But as Severus looked closer, he realised that Draco was not in his usual seat.
Hmmm.
A quick skirmish at the entrance to the Great Hall drew Severus’ attention, and he looked over to see Draco enter the Great Hall, walking quickly through, keeping his head down as he headed to the Slytherin table.
Draco settled himself at the bench, talking quietly to Zabini as he served himself, his white-blond hair radiant in the light.
And as Severus watched, Weasley looked back over at him, a curious expression on his face.
Draco didn’t so much as glance over at Weasley as he quickly ate his breakfast, only letting his eyes slip over to the Gryffindor table once, as he was getting up again.
But from the refined Slytherin, it was as if he’d looked over with his chin propped on his hand, gazing with affection and longing.
Severus couldn’t help a small smile at that.
“What’s so amusing?” Remus asked in a low voice, slipping into the seat beside Severus.
Remus tucked back a lock of Severus’ hair before he could bat him away, and Severus glared at him. Despite the blush already rising in Severus’ cheeks though, Remus just looked at him innocently. Severus let out a strangled sigh. But he couldn’t help his features softening into a smile as Remus smiled at him.
“Do you really have to do that?” Severus asked, to which Remus grinned.
“I don’t have to, but what if I want to?” Remus asked.
Urrgh. Gryffindors.
But secretly, Severus sort of liked it. The casual way that Remus showed him he adored him, the way he wasn’t shy about touching him in public, and the declaration that they were together.
“Well,” Severus said, ignoring Remus’ completely unacceptable ruining of his hair and picking up his teacup again, “I was just thinking about my secret project, with Draco. And no—” he said quickly, looking with renewed amusement as Remus’ brow raised in curiosity, “—I am not going to tell you who it is that has caught his eye.”
“Hmmm,” Remus said noncommittally, as he stirred sugar into his tea. “And someone that his father disapproves of, you said?… Well, I am still eager to see who it is. Although…” he broke off, a boyish grin breaking through on his face, “I can hardly imagine Lucius approving of anyone from Gryffindor.”
“You may be right about that,” Severus murmured, taking one last sip of tea. “But I will be meeting Draco later today to further plan how he will start his courting, and I am certain that he would not start these steps if he did not think at least that he could control his father.”
Remus nodded, and Severus picked out a croissant from the platter next to him, choosing the most perfect, flaky pastry to hand to his boyfriend. And as Remus accepted it with a smile, Severus found that he was very excited to see what Draco would come up with for his courting, wishing him all the best and to be as lucky as Severus himself.
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Unfortunately, Severus faced a very long day before he could meet Draco again.
Some inventive Second-years had gotten quite creative in their essays on the Fire Protection Potion, claiming that among its uses was an early prototype of floo powder (it was not). Apparently the fact that when properly brewed, the Fire Protection Potion should be blue, not green, had not occurred to the seemingly research-allergic students, who all appeared to have collaborated on the made-up essay together.
And now Severus had to set them more homework on the history of the Fire Protection Potion, so they would actually do some research and learn something, and he would have to mark it later.
Abominable.
In his afternoon class, a mischievous Fifth-year Hufflepuff witch had asked just what was the purpose of revising how to brew a Hair-raising Potion that they’d already covered in previous years (it was how to handle porcupine quills without stabbing themselves, not that she appreciated it). Severus almost said that she could very well go ahead right away brewing the much more complex Draught of Peace which required the same technique. But then he’d have to take responsibility if she ended up being too heavy-handed with the ingredients (as the students often were, when they became befuddled with the complex ingredients and steps of the potion) and he did not want to have to deal with groggy students who had inhaled much too potent vapours and end up completing all that paperwork.
Instead, he snapped, “Because I am the Potions Professor, not you, unless you’re going with Professor Sprout to the Forbidden Forest on Thursday night to pick hemlock.”
She had gulped appropriately, but he had still had to save her from preparing her porcupine quills incorrectly, even after all that.
And honestly, was it too much to ask for the Third-years not to melt their cauldrons? Surely they had enough practice at brewing by now. Severus had had to grit his teeth as he dodged a molten wave of formerly-pewter cauldron and cast a freezing charm to stop it. And then no one owned up to being the owner of the cauldron. (Well, it was sadly one of the Slytherins—as the groups they had split into for brewing their Wideye Potions had all been with their own house members. The Slytherin half of the room had one less cauldron than the Ravenclaws. And then Severus had to take points from his own house).
So Severus was looking forward to a nice and quiet evening when he and Draco finally met up. But coming up with a dinner plan for a Weasley, Severus discovered, was not easy.
They sat down in Severus’ office, and Severus started looking over the Sixth-years’ Everlasting Elixir essays as Draco settled in with his quill and a scroll in the chair opposite.
Draco made exhaustive notes of what he thought Weasley liked.
Severus would have thought the answer was ‘everything’, but Draco, sitting at Severus’ desk, his gorgeous pheasant quill clutched between his fingers, face pinkening, hurriedly said that he wanted his meal to be perfect.
Severus had arched a brow as he scrawled a large ‘T’ on Eveline McMarrigan’s essay—surely Weasley would be happy with anything? But no, no, no, that was not good enough for Draco.
“It has to be a very romantic meal,” Draco said, his cheeks flushed pink. “So he doesn’t misunderstand my intentions.”
Severus paused, after begrudgingly writing an ‘E’ on Derek Hale’s scroll. The Weasley boy was known to be very oblivious; so perhaps Draco was on to something there.
“I suppose you’re right,” he conceded, giving a thoughtful nod. “So what do you have in mind?”
Draco consulted the notes that he had been taking, which fortunately did not have anything like ‘Mr Draco Weasley’ swirling in the margins.
Hmmm…
Ronald Malfoy by contrast? That actually sounded very powerful…
Severus shook his head to focus as Draco cleared his throat.
Draco followed the delicately-written lines on his parchment. “I thought that for a starter, I could make him a fig and goats cheese tart drizzled with honey. And for a main, rigatoni caprese.”
“Not the Minestra maritata?” Severus asked coyly.
Draco flushed. “The Italian marriage soup? That would be too soon, Severus.”
Severus allowed a wry grin. “I’m just joking with you, Draco. It is a misnomer, anyway.”
Draco smiled at that. “Merlin, it feels a bit like that, trying to court someone.”
Severus scratched an ‘A’ on Astoria Greengrass’ parchment.
“I think you’re doing very well. And to end the meal?” Severus asked as he finished the marking he had been working on and set it aside.
“I thought perhaps for dessert… an apple tarte tatin.”
“That all sounds delicious,” Severus said, and Salazar, it did.
Draco undoubtedly had learned very well about pairings and flavour combinations, and Severus nodded happily, feeling very proud of him. With the difficult part of the evening done, Severus reached for the Daily Prophet on his desk, scanning the pages for news. It seemed that the Ministry was still sorting out corruption (about time, though), and that France was doing quite well in their bid to host the Quidditch World Cup.
Severus looked up quickly again as he thumbed past the sports section, seeing Draco making some quick sketches of the meals he planned to make for Weasley.
Draco’s flint-grey eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Hmmm, he doesn’t have anything he can’t eat, right?”
Severus merely turned the page of his newspaper. “One wouldn’t know, the way he digs into Christmas feasts.”
Draco sat silently, pondering in thought. His fingers curved around his quill, and then Draco bent his head to make a quick mark on his parchment.
“I’m happy with the planned menu, Severus,” Draco said finally, a pleased smile lighting his lips. “But I need to check a few details. Maybe we can start preparing things for next weekend?”
Severus nodded as he browsed the travel section. (A special on Ravenna? Very nice). Draco shot him a small smile as he set down his quill.
Draco then meticulously put everything back in his bag, before shouldering the bag and walking to the exit. “Thanks, Professor. I’m really looking forward to it.”
And as Severus bid good-bye to his favourite student, his heart unexpectedly fond of the shy, hopeful look on Draco’s face, he found himself hoping that Weasley would return the same romantic feelings for Draco… something he never would have expected himself to think ever in the past!
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The next day, Severus gave his Second-years a surprise quiz, and he was very surprised (and pleased) that none of them managed to fail. He allowed himself a rare smile, and as the excited students left, he actually heard someone say, “Did you see that? Professor Snape was happy!”
Severus made sure to school his features into his usual frown when he heard that, but it did not detract from the pride he felt at seeing all of his students conquer the material. His lesson with the Seventh-years that afternoon was gruelling though; they were covering Golpalott's fifth law, and students kept forgetting the difference between poison and venom. If Severus had been bitten by Nagini in their presence, he doubted that he would ever have survived, and he had to hold in a shudder at the horrifying thought.
So when Severus was finally hurrying up to the Great Hall for dinner, he really needed it.
Luckily, that also meant that Severus managed to catch Draco proceeding with the next steps of his plan to date Gryffindor’s Redheaded One.
Severus had just joined Draco on the stairs leading up from the dungeons when they reached the Entrance Hall. A group of loud and unwieldy Gryffindors were descending the stairs at the far end.
Draco had immediately flushed when he saw Weasley approaching.
But the Malfoy heir took a deep breath and smoothed down his robes with a delicate signet-ring bearing hand, and strode forward.
“Weasley!” Draco called, causing the red-head to look quickly over in his direction.
Severus hid a smirk. Oh, he remembered when he had once addressed his suitor as ‘Lupin!’
Weasley approached, a good-natured smile on his face.
Ah, so far—so good.
Draco’s eyes darted upwards.
He looked like he really wanted to whip out his quill and parchment, but was resisting it.
“Weasley… are you allergic to anything?”
“Am I… what?” Weasley asked slowly.
Draco cleared his throat. “Are you… allergic to anything—are there any foods that are, uh, dangerous to you?”
While they were talking, a few curious students looked curiously at them, passing them in the Entrance Hall.
Weasley didn’t look like he knew what to say. And honestly, it wasn’t that hard of a question.
Not that Severus had had a high opinion of Gryffindors and their cleverness to begin with.
“Uh… ” Weasley shifted as he looked at Draco.
Poor Draco wasn’t quite meeting Weasley’s gaze, his thin fingers fiddling with the clasp on his bag. Draco’s back was so still with tension, and Severus nearly felt his heart lurch with sympathy.
“Er…” Weasley said dumbly. “I—I… I have to go!”
“What?” Draco looked up quickly, his lips parting in surprise.
But by then Weasley had dashed off past the Great Hall, his book bag thumping against his hip as he ran, and he headed out the castle doors. Severus frowned, thinking to himself that he had seen Potter and Granger enter the Great Hall for dinner with all the other students.
But perhaps Weasley was going out to visit Hagrid to help with something—Severus nodded to himself as he thought that Weasley might need all the extra-credit he could get.
Before Severus could think more of it, he saw Remus coming down the stairs, smiling kindly as he spoke with his happy Fourth-year students about the lesson they’d just completed.
Severus hung back, until Remus had approached him in the Entrance Hall.
Then he pulled his boyfriend out of sight for a kiss, as the proper way to say hello.
They headed into the Great Hall together, unable to resist twining hands at the dinner table as they sat down together.
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Severus couldn’t help how his eyes kept drifting to Draco. His godson kept looking over at the Gryffindor table, only stopping when Granger raised curious eyes, causing Draco to blush and look down at his plate.
“Something wrong?” Remus asked in a low voice, noticing the direction of Severus’ attention.
“Hmmm, nothing so far,” Severus murmured back. “Just, something… curious.”
“And has it to do with Draco’s secret courting?”
“Perhaps,” Severus admitted. “But I wouldn’t tell you who he cares for unless circumstances were dreadfully dire.”
“I wonder,” Remus whispered, “if perhaps Miss Granger is the object of Mr Malfoy’s affections?”
Severus snorted.
Remus looked amused. “Am I that off base?”
Severus took a sip from his goblet. “In this case, yes.”
Remus muttered something low, sounding like “Damn Slytherins.”
Severus allowed his weight to shift, and he moved his chair closer under the guise of becoming more comfortable. He allowed his thigh to brush Remus’ under the table, earning himself a glorious smile.
Ah, there it was. Severus couldn’t help grinning back.
Slytherins knew what they wanted after all, and were determined to get it.
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After dinner, Severus went to his office to prepare his lesson plans for the next day. A knock sounded at Severus’ office door, and when he looked up, it was to see Draco looking hopefully at him.
“Yes, Draco?” Severus asked, putting down his quill.
“I wondered if we could discuss more about the menu?” Draco said from his spot by the door.
“The menu…?” Severus said questioningly, lifting a finger to stroke at his chin.
Severus eyed Draco carefully, barely restraining a smirk.
“The menu for… wooing Ron,” Draco said in a low voice, his face becoming pink.
He looked so much like a hopeful suitor that Severus couldn’t help his lips curving into a grin. “Yes, come in, Draco.”
Draco hurried into the room, a skip in his step.
After he had sat down, he withdrew his stack of parchments from his bag. “So, I tried to ask Ron about what foods he can eat. He… he was a bit weird…” Draco trailed off, and Severus’ brows narrowed. But then Draco shrugged and continued talking. “I think so long as I check the components of the meal are fine, then we won’t have any problems.”
“Excellent, Draco,” Severus said, to which Draco grinned.
“So, the most intricate meal is the dessert of tarte tatin. I would really like to check if he can eat apples. Most people can eat apples, right…?” Draco asked thoughtfully, tucking back a lock of silky hair.
“Most can, certainly. And he likely has no problems at all with the usual staple ingredients, having been a student here for the past few years without any issue,” Severus confirmed. “However, food that is a bit unusual or that you haven’t seen him eating—the apple, the fig, for example—I think is important to check.”
“Right, right, Professor,” Draco said, making a small note on his parchment. “Okay, excellent. I think I’ll ask him those things next, then plan a night of Romance.”
They bid each other good-bye, and Severus then swept up to his chambers for bed.
Unfortunately, Remus wasn’t there—probably snuck off to the kitchens for some chocolate desserts, Severus thought fondly—but just as Severus was drifting off to sleep, he felt warm arms encircle him and a kiss pressed to his cheek, and smiled as he settled back, comfortable at last.
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Severus woke surrounded by cosy warmth in the morning. He grinned and sat up in bed, Remus’ arm dropping from around him.
“Don’t you think we deserve some time off?” Remus murmured roughly, already reaching for Severus again.
“You would have to present that case to Minerva,” Severus said lightly, biting back a grin as he imagined it.
Remus groaned and sat up, his hair gorgeously mussed. Severus stroked back the disordered locks, and a small smile lit Remus’ face.
“Why is it alright when you do it?” Remus asked in a low voice.
“Because I do it properly,” Severus replied.
Remus’ smile grew, and Severus felt an absurd fluttering in his stomach.
Control yourself, Sev!
Severus cleared his throat, and Remus reached for his hand.
“I love you, you know,” Remus whispered, bringing Severus’ palm to his lips for a kiss.
Remus’ acts never failed to stun him. “I, too… love you,” Severus murmured. Salazar, he was so lucky—he must have done something right to deserve this man.
But the way Remus smiled at him, it was as if he believed that he’d had the windfall luck to wind up with Severus.
Severus found himself greatly cheered when he slipped out of bed to get ready for the day. And if he happened to catch a glimpse of Remus shirtless before he pulled on his robes—well, Severus deserved it, didn’t he?
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After breakfast, Severus took his Sixth-years through brewing the Wound-Cleaning Potion (and no, it wasn’t just because Severus still hadn’t cracked a superior version of Wolfsbane and had to dab it on Remus’ wounds every full moon—was it really like him to use an entire class of OWL students just to brew potions for the love of his life? ... Well, he was a Slytherin after all, actually... so maybe, yes it was.)
The Sixth-years followed his instructions, and Severus ended up with a dozen bottles of actually usable potion, which was as much of a surprise to him as anyone.
Then again, he was bound to have taught them something after all those years.
Severus couldn’t help smiling to himself, very pleased.
Unfortunately, Severus entered the Potions room in the afternoon to find the First-year Gryffindors trying to come up with appropriate collective nouns for potions ingredients. He ignored them when he strode into the room earning a respectful hush, and started teaching the lesson on how to brew Herbicide.
But the students started up again when a shy Slytherin quietly asked for help with how finely he needed to grind his mixture into powder. Severus went over to the student’s desk to watch him work, and kept quiet when he heard the other students behind him talking about a ‘prowl of lionfish spines’. He managed to nod when the Slytherin First-year achieved the rough consistency required for Herbicide, and dedicatedly ignored the students laughing about ‘a bramble of Horklumps’.
But he put his foot down at ‘a glug of Flobberworm Mucous’.
“That would only be if you were so idiotic as to drink the Herbicide potion that we are brewing, which is toxic,” Severus had said in a dangerous murmur.
That earned him a strangled gasp, and Severus had to turn his back sharply and stalk back to the front of the room to hide a grin. Fortunately he had composed himself by the time he got back to his desk.
“If anyone even suggests drinking another potions ingredient,” Severus said slowly, aware of the way every eye in the room was on him, “do not ever return to the classroom.”
The students all sat up straighter (almost in unison) and Severus gave a slight nod.
And then Severus took five points from Gryffindor, which he thought would make the lesson sit quite nicely.
The students had just finished bottling their potions when Professor Sprout appeared by the door. Remembering his promise to her about collecting the hemlock, Severus nodded and dismissed the class, before gathering his potions supply kit and heading out the door with her, chatting as they headed to the Entrance Hall.
As they walked through, Severus caught a glimpse of Remus and Weasley speaking quietly on the upper floor. They looked very serious, and Severus found his curiosity piqued as he pondered what they were talking about. He raised a brow thoughtfully as he strode through the Hall, wondering if Remus would tell him about it after. Then he and Pomona strolled out the Great doors and into the school grounds, wands aloft and ready to enter the Forest.
Fortunately, they managed to make it to the clearing unscathed, and take their cuttings without being disturbed. On the way back, they did run into a pack of unicorns, who ran past them, manes glittering, feet dashing past on the rocky ground. Severus was just joking to Pomona that he might have to come to the Forbidden Forest more often when they ran into a cavern of Thornback spiders, causing them to immediately run off at full pelt back to the castle.
Maybe the Potions classroom was safest after all.
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“So…” Remus said, when Severus had finally made it back to his chambers after saying good-bye to Pomona, his cheeks pink from cold and robes wet with dew.
“What?” Severus said wearily, untying his cloak. He hung the fabric on the peg from the wall, then turned back to the bed.
“I had a bit of an… interesting conversation today,” Remus started saying, until his eyes widened, catching sight of Severus. “Are you… are you wearing your special potions gloves? … the sexy ones?”
Severus glared at him. “I would think all my gloves are sexy, the way your eyes glaze over when you see them.” Then he added in a fonder voice, “a real leather kink you have, love.”
“I just can’t help it,” Remus said, actually slipping out of the bed. “You just… look so fit.”
Severus allowed himself a smile. “I do, do I?”
Remus nodded, stalking closer. “Oh, undeniably.”
The kiss he then bestowed on Severus made him feel warm all over. Severus grinned and let his arms slide around his boyfriend, who then tugged him over to the bed.
It wasn’t until they were lying happily in each others’ arms, no leather—or any other clothing—to be seen, that Severus remembered what Remus had been saying.
“What was that earlier, love?” Severus asked, idly running the tips of his fingers up and down Remus’ scarred forearm.
“Ah…” Remus’ eyebrows narrowed. “I was just thinking back to a conversation I had with one of the students.”
“Such a responsible teacher,” Severus teased.
“Hey, I am!” Remus laughed back.
“Yes, so responsible,” Severus said drily, “that you get distracted with sex so very easily.”
“Again,” Remus said, speaking louder, “that was your fault.”
“What, for looking so seductive?” Severus grinned.
“Yes, absolutely,” Remus said, a gorgeous flush lighting his cheeks. “Anyway,” Remus cleared his throat. “Actually… it was a very odd conversation. I was taking some of the Hufflepuff and Gryffindors for a lesson today. And after the lesson, Ron asked if he could speak with me in private.”
“Oh?” Severus tried to keep his voice just the right amount of curious.
“He… well. He wanted help with something,” Remus said in a low voice. “I think he might be in trouble. He said that he was worried he might be in danger.”
Severus’ brows narrowed. “In danger?”
“Yes. He…” Remus trailed off, lowering his voice. “He says that one of the students was… asking him questions that sounded… very suspicious. That he thought that the two of them had started getting on, even—but that now Ron thought they were acting very suspicious, and he was quite worried.”
Severus frowned. “He thought someone was after him?”
“So it would seem,” Remus continued seriously. “I tried to get more out of him, and he started pacing up and down. He started talking about how this was just like last time, and then he ended up bursting out, ‘Professor Lupin, he is trying to KILL ME, I swear!’” Remus broke off, his face solemn and pensive.
Severus himself started to try to piece together everything that was happening—a skill he had had to develop, in his role as a spy—while trying to think if anyone had been menacing towards Weasley.
“… and he said that he knows not all Death Eaters are bad, but that Draco Malfoy had been behaving very oddly around him, and he wouldn’t take any chances –”
Severus couldn’t help letting out a giggle.
Remus abruptly stopped talking, looking incredulous. “Sev?”
Severus cleared his throat, managing to adopt a more serious expression. “I, er, may know why Weasley has this impression…”
Remus merely blinked at him while Severus tried to bite back a grin, remembering Draco nervously asking Weasley, ‘Are you… allergic to anything—are there any foods that are, uh, dangerous to you?’
“And??” Remus stressed, his eyebrows crinkling adorably.
Severus let out a sigh. “Draco is trying to woo him. Don’t speak of it,” he warned, narrowing his eyebrows. “He has planned a lovely dinner and wants to make sure it is something that Weasley will enjoy. But,” Severus broke off, rising to look Remus in the eye, “if you spoil the surprise, or interfere negatively in any way, I will be seeking to exact revenge,” he promised, as menacingly as one could while naked in their lover’s arms.
Remus grinned at that. “Oh, intriguing. Well, I am ever so relieved that there isn’t a reason for Ron to be worried about his safety, but…” he said, his arm sliding around Severus and rolling them over in bed so that he pushed Severus flat against the mattress, “you could have told me that sooner…”
Severus huffed out a laugh. “Oh? And what would you have done?”
Remus grinned. “Well, I know what I’m about to do now…”
Remus leaned down to kiss him, and Severus kissed him back eagerly, arms wrapping around each other and legs tangling as they lost themselves in bliss.
♟️ 🐍 ♟️ 🐍 ♟️ 🐍
Sadly, Remus wasn’t there when Severus woke in the morning.
Severus remembered Remus had talked about arranging an extra lesson for some students who were struggling with the Verdimillius charm to reveal cursed objects. Damn. Why did his boyfriend have to be such a good teacher?!
Severus slipped out of bed and readied himself, thinking ahead to his own day. It was alright—he would see Remus later.
Severus made his way to the Great Hall to grab some quick breakfast—nodding to Professor Sprout as he did—before leaving to find Draco.
Fortunately, the Malfoy heir was just arriving at the Entrance Hall, flanked by Pansy Parkinson and Gregory Goyle, when he looked up and saw Severus, pausing in his steps.
“Go on,” he said to his friends, who looked at him questioningly. “I’ll just speak quickly with the Professor.”
Severus nodded and waited for the other Eighth-years to leave.
Once they had left, Severus motioned for Draco to come closer. “Draco, I heard something about Weasley that perhaps you should hear…”
At that, Draco’s eyes brightened immediately. “Ron? Oh, yes, what did you hear, Professor?”
Severus cleared his throat. “It’s about your plan to cook dinner for him.”
Draco’s cheeks grew pink. “Er… yes?”
“It seems there has been a bit of… miscommunication…” Severus continued.
“Whatever do you mean, Professor?”
Severus looked closely at his godson. “Weasley is not always as… attuned to romance,” Severus said, raising a brow. Salazar, it was so odd that Severus’ most treasured pupil was attracted to a Weasley. Not that he didn’t have plenty of good points; but it was just so intriguing. “You do know that the Gryffindor boy thinks you're trying to kill him?”
“What?!”
“Yes, apparently he thought you were trying to think of a way to poison him,” Severus said thoughtfully. “Remus says that he was worried you had become very quiet when the two of you were together, and then you were asking him about food that was dangerous and—as can happen with buffoons; er, I mean, Gryffindors, he leapt to the completely wrong conclusion.”
Draco’s mouth was hanging open. He gulped, then swallowed, before murmuring, “I… oh, Salazar, I think that I was trying not to scare him off by talking too much.”
“Most interesting,” Severus said drily, “given he is scared out of his mind now instead.”
Draco flushed.
“Not that this is in any way your fault, Draco,” Severus said. “The boy has never been romanced. He had to get all his tips from a book when he was trying to woo Granger.”
“That’s certainly true,” Draco said thoughtfully, and the two Slytherins stood still, no doubt remembering Granger gently telling Weasley that romance shouldn’t have to feel forced, and that he should do what felt right.
“And I hardly think that you could ever talk too much around him,” Severus noted, remembering back to when gossip had first reached his ears about the pair. They’d apparently been quite cosy in the library, murmuring to each other and sitting close together looking over a book.
Draco didn’t say anything to that, but the hint of pink in his cheeks was telling enough.
“I have faith in you,” Severus said. “We have an excellent plan, and I know you can pull it off.”
“Thank you, Professor,” Draco said, a small smile starting.
“I will speak to Minerva,” Severus said slowly. “She will surely know if there are any allergies that we need to be aware of about food Weasley cannot eat. And then we can host the evening and get you two together already.”
“Perfect,” Draco said. He drew closer to Severus and spoke in a quieter voice. “Tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow,” Severus agreed.
Severus watched as Draco re-joined his friends, talking intensely.
And then he left to search for the Headmistress.
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Having confirmed from Minerva that there was only one thing Weasley was allergic to—juniper berries, it turned out; although Severus had thought that it would be learning—he and Draco met up again the next morning to start their meal preparation.
They worked tirelessly, Draco with a small smile, and Severus unable to keep from humming to himself, as they carefully prepared pastry, sliced figs, stewed tomato and basil sauce, and made caramel; with sweet scents rising in the potions lab which had now been converted into a gourmet kitchen.
Severus loved the way Draco so delicately prepared all the food; his fingers wrapping carefully around the paring knife, and the way he would gently add seasoning, imagining Draco cooking for Weasley in future, the two of them laughing together with soft smiles and warmth. And when Draco finally gave a happy sigh, the oven now full of delicious dishes, they grinned at each other, two Slytherins united in their quest to charm a Gryffindor.
“I had best let you take over,” Severus said, nodding with approval. “Best of luck, Draco. Though I am sure you will not need it.”
“Thank you, Professor,” Draco answered, a glorious smile lighting his face. “I just hope that he likes it.”
Severus paused, as he heard the rough patter of footsteps approaching the dungeon. “Oh, I am sure he will.” And he smiled reassuringly, before sweeping out of the room.
Severus passed Weasley in the potions corridor, giving a brief nod in acknowledgement. Then he quickly strode down the rest of the corridor, turning around the corner and whirling around to peek out behind the rough stone wall.
Weasley had stopped in front of the potions lab, where Draco was waiting in the doorway.
“Hello,” Draco said softly, and then his face lit up with a smile.
“Hi,” Weasley breathed back, a small smile growing on his face. He stared there just drinking Draco in, evidently liking what he saw.
Then Draco reached out to take Weasley’s hand.
Weasley let himself be pulled inside the room, and Severus heard murmurs as the two boys started talking together. The door closed softly behind them, and Severus smirked before he turned away from the dungeon, leaving the two of them to their date.
Was it too soon, he wondered, to start planning the meal for the wedding?
Perhaps, Severus acknowledged to himself.
Besides; Severus didn’t want to give Lucius a heart attack.
Though he could always plan the engagement dinner…
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Severus let himself have a lie-in the next day.
After all, he’d accomplished a lot. Not only had he kept up with his teaching and coursework, but he’d also done more for Inter-House Unity than anyone else ever had, and helped create a—if he did say so himself—Michelin-star worthy menu.
Severus and Remus stayed curled together, relaxing and enjoying the closeness between them, Remus’ arm draped loosely over Severus. It was only when they were at risk of missing breakfast, that they finally rose, sharing a smile.
“Now, that’s the sort of day I look forward to,” Remus said, his eyes twinkling with happiness.
Severus couldn’t help stroking Remus’ hair back and leaning into a kiss.
Oh, it made everything worth it.
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After breakfast, Severus decided to check on Draco. He hummed as he headed down the familiar corridor to the dungeons and to the Slytherin common-room.
He hadn’t seen Draco at breakfast—something that was quite odd, given Draco had the biggest sweet-tooth of anyone he’d ever seen. Things had been looking very promising the night before… surely Weasley hadn’t done anything to mess it all up?
Severus paused, hearing voices murmuring around the corridor.
But when he looked, it was to see one figure with bright flaxen hair, and another with flaming auburn, saying a very private good-bye in front of the exit of the Slytherin common room.
Or, at least, Severus thought that Draco would hope it was private. He was being pinned against the wall, Weasley kissing him desperately, though Draco gave back as good as he got, returning Weasley’s kiss passionately with his hair all mussed.
Severus noted to his amusement that when they finally separated, Weasley leaned in one more time for a final kiss, before they drew back, smiling at one another.
And then Weasley—who must have possessed a drop of romantic blood in his whole body after all—lifted Draco’s hand for a kiss, in a gesture that surely would please Lucius, proper Slytherin that he was.
Severus was sure Draco’s father was going to have to get used to that sight a lot.
When Weasley turned and left the corridor, Severus hung back to let him pass. Then, he strode forward, heading for his favourite student.
“A successful evening, I take it?” Severus asked breezily, watching with a smirk as Draco flushed.
But then a grin broke across Draco’s face and he said, “Oh, yes, Professor. Better than I had ever thought.”
Severus cleared his throat. “Clearly.” His eyes dropped to a love-bite visible on Draco’s neck.
Draco flushed and pulled the neck of his robe higher.
“I—he was like an animal,” Draco said quickly. “We had a very lovely meal eating the fig and cheese tart, and then the rigatoni. It was going so well, Severus! And then I served the tarte tatin and—”
“Circe, I can imagine,” Severus said quickly, cutting him off.
Draco nibbling on the caramel and apple sweet must have just been too much for Weasley.
Gryffindors tended to go for what they wanted, Severus had found. Not that he had a problem with it, where Remus was concerned.
“Now I just, er,” Draco was saying, “have to figure out a way to tell my father…”
Severus let out a low laugh. “Oh, you are on your own with that.”
Draco winced, but he laughed too. “Ah, well… that’s always a project for another day. Although,” he added, “Ron is a pureblood, so technically, I am dating someone who is pureblooded just like he—”
“I am quite sure,” Severus said wryly, “that is not what he meant.”
Draco actually giggled at that. “Oh Salazar, I’m going to have to be very careful.”
“No matter,” Severus grinned. “You have a Gryffindor to protect you now.”
“Salazar, I do, don’t I?”
And that was the most amazing thing, Severus thought as they grinned at each other. Never would he ever have thought that they would end up here.
The two solitary Slytherin Princes... each now with their own King ❤️👑❤️👑