The Master Plan

Epilogue

Harry could not leave the hospital wing for almost a month. It was deadly dull, especially since, though he spent a great deal of time with the man, he was never completely alone with Snape. Madam Pomfrey was always there, muttering about the strength of Harry's heart--which Severus pointed out had been tested and not found wanting--and getting the boy too excited, and how Harry needed to be careful not to overexert himself.

Snape was protective when it came to the boy now, which caused Harry no little amusement. He growled whenever Ron got too close, and fought with Lupin (whose own recovery was much shorter than Harry's, and who of course, didn't even remember what happened) over minor things such as Harry's diet and schoolwork, and whether Harry was getting enough sleep. Lupin was pleased that the man was taking an interest, but he had no idea why the man's demeanor had changed toward the boy.

Harry didn't mind. Between his injuries and the fact he was recovering his energy very slowly, he didn't feel ready for the sort of fight that outing his relationship with Snape was likely to bring. Sometimes he thought he'd never feel normal again.

By spring, however, he was finally allowed to walk the grounds, and had rejoined his friends in their classes. Few of them knew what had happened that night; apparently a rumor had overrun the school that Harry, mad with grief over being dumped by Blaise, had tried to kill himself. Blaise, of course, knew better. He'd spoken with Harry, and apologized for everything that had happened between them. Harry found he could look on the boy as a friend, but the hormonal attraction was gone. Blaise seemed too busy for love, in any case; he was quite occupied by his quest to mold Slytherin house into one worthy of the same acclaim Gryffindor received.

Harry toddled up the stairs one day to find a group of his friends waiting for him, and looked at them in confusion. "What's going on?" Ron just rolled his eyes and looked helpless; evidentially conveying that although they were doing something he didn't agree with, he couldn't really stop them.

"You'll see," Seamus told him with a wicked smile, and they proceeded to blindfold him and lead him down the stairs and outside. He was glad Seamus was happier--he and Jack had not spoken it more than a week, and it really looked like this time it was over for good. As far as Harry could tell, Jack had been spending time with Pansy Parkinson, and looked to be settling down. It wasn't right, but it was very Slytherin.

Chattering people surrounded him, and it seemed like they walked a very long ways before they went through a door and into an exuberantly noisy building.

Seamus whipped the blindfold off. "Ta-dahh!"

Harry was in the Three Broomsticks. There was a banner over the bar. "You see, we felt really bad that Blaise treated you like that," Seamus told him, making Harry have to fight the desire to smack his hand over his forehead. "We wanted to remind you there are lots of other gays in the sea...er...whatever--so we decided to throw you a 'We're happy you're single again!' party." The banner overhead proclaimed exactly that.

Harry laughed a little. "Ah. Um. I see...thanks, guys." They dragged him to a table and began filling him with butterbeer. Harry was actually happy to be there--he had missed having normal days, time with his friends, laughter and conversation. It was honestly wonderful--all that it lacked was Severus. He must have given a slightly disconsolate sigh at this thought, because Seamus immediately gave his arm a bracing squeeze.

"And now it's almost time for your gift!" Harry's eyebrows shot up. Seamus pointed to Dean, who had taken out a magical pocket watch, and was following the time closely. "Well, you see, we noticed that you had kind of a crush on Snape."

"What?" Harry squawked.

Dean rolled his eyes. "You only turn three shades of red whenever he looks at you, Harry."

"And every time he calls on you, or even says your name, you go and grin like a doofus," Seamus added. "So, we decided that if you can't have one Slytherin, we'd just have to get you another."

Harry was starting to feel panicky. What had they done to Severus? He'd finally come to an agreement with the man about being discrete--at least, for the rest of the year. He was going to kill Harry.

Now Dean was holding up the pocket watch, and counting down with evident delight. "Ten...nine...eight..."

"Mind you, it's a gift to me, too, really. And the rest of the house. It is rude to think you're the only one who can play a decent prank, you know. Three...two...one!" Seamus gestured to a group of Slytherins at a nearby table, whose robes were changing colors.

It looked as though they'd stepped in a puddle of something, and it was soaking their hems and bleeding upwards. As they noticed, everyone began pointing and laughing, and the Slytherins were looking down at their outfits with growing dismay. Soon, every single one of them was decadently arrayed in red and gold. Bold print began forming across their chests.

PROPERTY OF GRYFFINDOR

Harry almost choked on his butterbeer. Jack came tearing in, fury written across his face. "D'you think this is funny?" he demanded of Seamus. The words seemed very proud on his robes, contrasting glaringly with his embarrassed visage. Since his face was so red, Harry had to wonder if he'd ever been on the receiving end of a prank before. It probably took a lot to take in a Slytherin like Jack.

"Actually, I rather do," Seamus told him coolly. He took hold of the front of Jack's robes and pulled him close. "Plus, there is a certain element of property marking involved."

Jack slowly surrendered up a wry grin, though his face was no less flushed. "Stupid Gryffindor," he grumbled. "I can't believe you put one over on me. And I told you; there's nothing going on between me and Pansy! Idiot! In case you hadn't noticed, I'm gay. I'm one of only two actually gay Slytherins, and I'm yours. All right?" Seamus gave a funny smile and buried his face in Jack's shoulder.

The front door flew inward, and Severus stood framed there, wearing Gryffindor colors and a very incensed look on his face. "And it was just wrong to put Severus Snape in Gryffindor red!" Harry heard Jack complain. "He doesn't have the right complexion for it!"

Snape stomped into the room, making the students around him fall silent as he passed. His hands were clenched, and he came to a halt in front of Harry. "I can only assume this was your idea?" he hissed. He was absolutely blazing with magical energy. "I expect this is your way of expressing that you are dissatisfied with our arrangement?" he growled, his eyes flashing. His chest read,

PROPERTY OF HARRY POTTER

Harry gaped as he tried to form the words that this was Seamus's fault, and he'd had nothing to do with it.

"Very well, then," the man spat. He grabbed hold of Harry's arm, yanking him out of his seat, and Harry found himself crushed against the man, lips caught in a sizzling, simmering kiss. If he hadn't been somewhat weak before, he found himself that way now, and flung his arms around the man's neck, holding on for dear life. That heated, talented tongue was rolling around his own, and all his attention was taken by Severus feeding his hungry mouth. He barely heard the gasps, groans, and catcalls around him.

Severus finally pulled back, and Harry collapsed into the crook of his arm, gulping for air. "I thought you said you didn't want anyone to know yet...and that Lupin would be upset," he panted. "What are you going to do if he confronts us?"

"Hex him, perhaps," the Potions Master responded. "Refuse to make his potion until he agrees to behave...Harry..." He leaned down to the boy's ear, breathing, "I've decided I don't care what they think. Besides, I'm not the one making graphic, hyper-dramatic statements about how proprietary I'm feeling."

"That wasn't me!" Harry protested. "That was Seamus! He thinks he's funny!"

Severus looked surprised and stepped back, finally taking in the whole scene. "Oh. Well then. I advise you to change that sign," he told Seamus in a dangerous voice.

"Sure thing. Doesn't seem quite as appropriate as I thought it would," Seamus said, waving his wand. WE'RE HAPPY YOU'RE SINGLE AGAIN instantly became WE'RE HAPPY YOU'RE SCREWING PROFESSOR SNAPE, and Harry buried his face in his hands. "And did you want me to change what it says on the back of your robes, too?" Seamus cheerfully asked the Potions Master, whose face had lost all expression.

"What does it say on the back of my robes?" He asked, developing a slight tic under one eye.

"'Screw you, Blaise: more for the rest of us,'" the student promptly revealed.

"Seamus! That's! That's really bad!" Hermione choked at him. Ron was singing again, a pained look on his face. "How did you even do that--to all the Slytherins?"

"Did a deal with the house elves. You're leaving them alone next year, by the way."

Hermione began berating him severely, and Harry looked up. "Can we please leave?" he asked in a small voice.

The man glanced down at him, considering. "Don't tell me; you want to be carried," he said flatly.

Harry pouted. "My legs aren't completely up and running yet. The muscles get tired."

"Ah. Mustn't let that happen...so early," the man responded, raising his brow. Harry grinned incredulously, and the man sighed. "In for a penny, in for a pound," he ceded, lifting the boy carefully.

"In for anything at all, and I'm happy," Harry replied.

"Yes, I thought you'd say that," the dry voice intoned.

"I love you," he muttered in the man's ear.

"I love you, too, you thoroughly troublesome brat," Severus smiled, and carried Harry home.

FIN