Truly Madly Deeply

Chapter Eleven - The Boy Who Lived To Shock

~ Slytherin Boys Bathroom ~

Draco laughed at the startled expression on Snape's face. Harry smiled politely at Snape and the growing crowd of Slytherin students - both male and female.

"Now if you don't mind, I'm a bit busy here." Harry turned back to Draco. "Now where was I? Ah, that's right. I believe your hands were in my hair and my lips were on your delectable neck."

He smiled cheekily at Draco as he moved towards him. He was about to kiss his blond lover when Snape exploded, unfortunately not literally.

"THAT'S IT! BOTH OF YOU OUT HERE NOW!" Snape screamed, a vain throbbing on his forehead.

Harry and Draco exchanged worried glances. This was more than they had bargained for. Harry passed Draco a towel and then wrapped one around his waist. They both stepped out of the shower cubicle amid catcalls and appreciative whistling. Snape silenced them with a look.

"All of you out. Back to your dorms. Get ready for breakfast. Potter, Malfoy. Follow me." With that Snape turned on his heel and strode out of the bathroom.

Harry and Draco followed after him, clutching at their towels. Unfortunately many students from all four houses were making their way to breakfast and pointed and giggled as the two of them hurried after Snape.

"Professor Snape, what is going on here?" Professor McGonagall snapped, eyeing the practically naked boys suspiciously.

"I'm going to see Professor Dumbledore about this matter right now as a matter of fact. You may join us if you wish," Snape said coldly as he continued walking.

Professor McGonagall fell in with the odd group and they soon found themselves in front of the stone Gargoyle.

~ Professor Dumbledore's Office ~

Professor Dumbledore looked up in surprise to see a furious Severus, a confused Minerva and two slightly annoyed and apprehensive students.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" Dumbledore asked evenly, looking at each of them.

"I woke, this morning, to the sounds of a girl screaming in the boys dorms. Naturally I went to investigate. It was actually Goyle screaming but that is neither here nor there. The point is, these two," Snape said grimly, pointing his bony finger at Harry and Draco, "were in the boys bathroom naked and kissing. Apparently Potter spent the night in the Slytherin dorms. In Malfoy's bed!" Snape sounded outraged that a Gryffindor had been in the Slytherin dungeon.

"There is no rule against students going into other houses, Severus," Dumbledore started to say.

"They were corrupting the other students," Snape insisted angrily. McGonagall, Harry and Draco were watching the exchange as if they were at a tennis match, their heads moving from one to the other like they were following the progress of the ball.

"They are breaking down the barriers of this ridiculous house rivalry. Voldemort may be gone but many of his followers remain. Their children should not be isolated," Dumbledore replied with a pointed look. "Severus, let it go. So many years have passed, put it behind you."

Snape shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"Now as for you two," Dumbledore said, turning to Harry and Draco. "Flaunting your relationship in the halls fully clothed is one thing, taking a shower together in a common area is another. As I said, you have done a lot to break down barriers in this school but this is not the way to go about it. You need to lead by example. Not all the Slytherins and Gryffindors will fall in love like you two but they can become friends. If you really want to sleep together, and I mean actually sleep, might I suggest the Gryffindor dorm? At least until the Slytherins become more open minded."

The two shivering boys nodded.

"You may go now, and Harry - go straight back to Gryffindor. I'm sure Draco will be more than happy to return your things to you later," Dumbledore said with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.

Harry and Draco, still clutching their towels, smiled back and quickly left the office. They were amazed that they had gotten off so lightly.

Snape looked at Dumbledore with barely veiled anger.

"You're going to let them get away with it? They should be expelled!" he spat out.

"Now, Severus, I would think after yesterday's seventh year potions lesson, you would know better than to demand that anyone be forced to leave the school. Do you know how many Howlers I received this morning? Eleven. My ears are still ringing. I have my reasons for keeping all three of you at this school. I suggest you return to your house and ensure that your students have not been corrupted."

Snape left the room, his dissatisfaction at this recent turn of events obvious to all.

"I have to say I partially agree with him, Albus. Oh, I don't think they should be expelled, but to let them get away with such behaviour and to actually encourage them to sleep together. I don't think it's right," McGonagall finally said.

"There is a reason for everything that happens, Minerva. We might not see it at first but eventually it becomes clear," Dumbledore said enigmatically. "Come, let's go to breakfast. I've been looking forward to some marmalade on toast all morning."

~ Gryffindor Common Room ~

An extremely cold and shivering Harry entered through the portrait hole to find a worried Ron and Hermione pacing around the room.

"Oh, thank god you're okay, Harry!" she cried as she threw her arms around him. Hermione suddenly became aware of Harry's near nakedness as she stepped back blushing wildly.

"What happened? Did someone steal your clothes?" Ron asked curiously. Harry looked embarrassed.

"No. I spent the night in the Slytherin Dorm with Draco and this morning when we were taking a shower together Snape walked in on us and dragged us up to Dumbledore's office looking like this. Dumbledore told me to come straight back here to change for breakfast. I'll be back in a minute," Harry turned and hurried up the stairs to the boys' dorm.

"Oh. My. God." Hermione said, stunned. "Did he just say what I think he just said?"

Ron nodded in shock. Harry was going to be expelled for sure, he thought, although wouldn't Dumbledore have done it when Harry and Draco were in his office this morning? Harry didn't seem upset, so maybe they just had a lot of detention.

Harry bounded down the stairs again to find his friends still pacing worriedly.

"What did Dumbledore say? Did he expel you?" Ron and Hermione asked immediately.

"No he didn't. He didn't punish us at all, just said that next time we should sleep in my dorm," Harry said thankfully.

"That's weird," said Ron pensively.

"Well, he said it's not a against the rules to go into other house common rooms. I guess most people don't know that," Harry replied.

"But why bother with the passwords and portraits then if everyone is allowed in?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know," replied Harry exasperatedly. He was starving and wanted to go down to breakfast but these two insisted on picking on the details. "I guess you're not allowed in unless you're invited. Let's go to breakfast."

Harry turned and left the common room with the other two close behind him, still discussing the strangeness of a school headmaster condoning such conduct of his students.

Chapter Eleven - The Boy Who Lived To Shock