[Fic] Potent Rewards 6/6 (R) HP: HP/SS

[faynia]

Title:Complete: Potent Rewards (6/6)
Author: faynia and stormypup
Pairing: Snape/Harry
Rating: R
Categories: Romance, Drama, Angst, Humor
Warnings: Dubious consent
Summary: The final battle is over and Snape is ready to collect his reward, but is he ready for the consequences that come with it?
A/N: Beta'd by windout cause she's my roomie and loves me and loves to tease me about wife "beat"er blushes.

Zomg, it's done!!!!!!!

Previous Chapters:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five


Chapter Six

Harry knew that he had until that night to tell Snape his decision, but when he woke up, he found he didn't want to wait. Plus, he really wanted to check on Snape and make sure that he was okay--that he had been able to sleep through the night. Maybe they could have breakfast together. Lord knew the man needed a good meal in him, or at least one that didn't taste like the remains of the fire from the night before. Harry headed towards Snape's office and veered left into the secret passageway that led to Snape's rooms. He figured, considering the outcome from the night before, that he would actually knock on Snape's door, instead of just barging in.

He had even figured out what he was going to tell Snape when he answered the door. With a confidence that he was certain was going to wear off, he knocked on the door and waited.

Snape had only been awake long enough to use the loo and brush his teeth when there was a knocking at his door. He knew immediately who it was, and he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to answer the door. Actually, he desperately wanted to open the door, and his eagerness was the only thing that was stopping him.

"Sod it," he growled, and stalked to the door to pull it open.

"Good morning," Harry said, a nervous smile on his face. "I wanted to make sure you were all right, and was hoping we could maybe have breakfast together before classes. I kind of thought you might want to taste your food. Unless, well, you don't want to have breakfast," he finished, his confidence failing him as Snape stood in the doorway just staring at him.

After a long pause, Snape stepped back and Harry let out the breath he was holding. "I hope you didn't plan on us eating in the Great Hall," Snape said warily.

Harry blushed. "I thought maybe we could eat here."

"I'll have the House Elves send something down, but you'll have to wait, I need to shower," Snape said. Without another word, he walked from the room, and Harry heard a door close.

He meandered through Snape's sitting room, inspecting the bookshelves and mantel of the fireplace. Snape actually had pictures of people. Who knew? He picked one up and examined it carefully, running his thumb over the glass that protected it. He wondered who had taken this picture, as it appeared to be fairly recent. The Snape in the picture glared up from the book he was reading and Harry mouthed a hasty apology before putting the picture back on the mantel.

He settled himself down on the small sofa and curled his legs beneath him as he waited for Snape to get out of the shower.

When Snape finally emerged from the bathroom, his hair was still wet and he was only wearing his trousers and a white shirt. Even without his outer robes, his clothing was buttoned up tight and Harry wondered if perhaps his clothes were a suit of armor against the world more than anything else. He couldn't help but notice that without his robes, Snape had quite a striking physique.

He also couldn't help but notice that Snape was avoiding looking at him. "Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine," came the curt response and Harry winced.

"If you're sure..."

Snape sighed, rubbing his face with his hands before joining Harry on the sofa. "What would you like to eat?" Snape asked, forcing his voice to a more civil tone. The memories from the night before had him feeling vulnerable and embarrassed, and that in turn, made him defensive.

"Ah, anything would be fine."

"Grilled liver then?" Snape asked.

Harry cringed. "Maybe not anything."

"Thought not. What do you want to eat, Potter?" Snape asked, exaggerating each word.

"Eggs, toast, maybe some sausages?" Harry replied.

Snape rolled his eyes. "Is that a question or a statement?"

"Statement," Harry said, smiling. "Waffles too. I finally have an appetite again, might as well make use of it."

"Stay here," Snape ordered and Harry waited on the couch, picking at the fuzzy bits on his jumper.

Finally, Snape's voice echoed from the other room. "Potter, you may come in now."

Harry jumped to his feet, following the sound of Snape's voice. He was just up the hall in a small kitchen area, the table laden with food.

"That was fast," Harry said, unsure of the protocol now.

Snape smirked. "I believe the house elves were so thrilled to see that I actually ordered more than toast and tea this morning, that they didn't want me changing my mind. Sit."

Harry's stomach growled as he sat, causing a small frown to grace Snape's lips. "Good grief, boy, eat."

Grinning, Harry began filling his plate with food, feeling more relaxed that he ever thought he could by sitting in Snape's quarters eating food with him. Harry took that as a very good sign that he had made the right decision.

Harry waited until Snape was seated and eating before he spoke. "I know I told you that I'd give you my decision tonight, but since I already made it, I figured I might as well just come tell you."

Snape's hands stilled for a moment. "Oh?"

"I'd like to give it a shot," Harry said with more confidence than he felt, "though I don't know how it works, whether there is a rule or something against students and professors - "

"Of course there's a rule," Snape replied, as if he were an idiot for thinking otherwise.

Harry set his fork down on his plate. "Oh."

"Indeed," Snape replied, but he was still eating, so Harry figured he wasn't too worried about it. "You've never struck me as the type to bother with rules."

"I don't want you to get fired either!"

"Then we don't get caught," Snape said, shrugging.

Harry blinked. "Oh."

The two were silent for some time, both lost in their own thoughts.

Something inside Snape was relaxing, settling inside him like a warm blanket. He didn't know how much was due to the odd bond, and how much was his own feeling, but it was making him content. Settled. It was the feeling he had been searching for when he started this whole mess.

There were worse things than being fired, Snape knew, but if they were careful, that need not happen. He was a former spy, and Potter had been sneaking around the castle since he had arrived. Were Dumbledore still alive...well if Dumbledore were still alive, Snape would never have dared slipped the boy anything. The man always knew more than Snape was comfortable with.

Harry cleared his throat, setting his fork down and wiping his mouth with his napkin, before setting it down on his plate. "So, how are we...I mean what am I supposed to do?"

Snape looked at him over his cup of tea, then pushed back his chair. "Come with me."

He lead Harry through a door and into a side corridor that led to some stairs. "These stairs lead to an unused classroom in the Charms corridor. I don't want you seen in the dungeons, and if you use this passage, you never will be. I don't think any of the other staff even remember it exists, except for perhaps Filch, but he knows better than to use it."

"I wonder why it's not on the map," Harry murmured.

"Map?"

"Uh, I'll explain later," Harry said, hoping the man would forget he had mentioned it. He thought Snape was going to push him on it, but after a hard look, he let it go.

"You need to go now, I have things to do before class," Snape said, and Harry couldn't help feel like he was being dismissed.

"But I can come back?"

Snape rolled his eyes. "No, Potter, I showed you this passage so you can not use it."

Harry mock scowled, then smiled. "I'll see you later then." They stood there, and Harry was unsure if he was supposed to give him a hug, or kiss him goodbye, or if he should just go. He settled for giving Snape a quick hug, inhaling his freshly showered scent.

Snape was surprised by the hug, but found himself hugging the boy back. Harry pulled away, smiling brightly. "See ya."

Harry turned to go, but before he could get further than a step, Snape had snaked a hand around Harry's waist, pressing his palm against Harry's stomach and pulling him back against him. He began kissing the back of Harry's neck, his hand flexing against his stomach. "I will not treat you any differently in classes, do not expect any favors," he murmured against Harry's warm neck.

Harry gasped, Snape's tongue and teeth doing things to his neck that were causing his body to respond in ways that were going to making walking difficult. His hand covered Snape's as leaned back against him.

Snape's tongue flicked teasingly against Harry's earlobe before taking it between his lips and sucking gently. "You have work to make up from the days you've missed, and you will continue your remedial classes," Snape said, his words warm against Harry's ear. "And you will work, Potter," he warned, pressing very evident erection against Harry's arse.

"Yes sir," Harry said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Snape released him and slapped him stingingly on the arse. "Go."

Harry nearly fell on his bum as Snape stepped away, his body already feeling like gelatin. He rubbed his backside and glared at Snape. "Tease."

Snape merely smiled. "Good day, Potter," he replied, and returned to his rooms, leaving a very aroused and very irritated Harry Potter glaring after him.

***EPILOGUE***
Harry adjusted his tie and ran a hand through his hair as he waited in line with his other classmates just outside the Great Hall. The rainy, June weather did nothing to put a damper on anyone’s mood. Harry looked around at all his fellow students with a small smile. Tomorrow none of them would be here anymore, they'd all be off living their own lives and while everyone promised they'd owl one another everyday, soon those once a day missives would dwindle to once a week, then to once every other week, and some would barely speak to their friends once a month.

A warm hand broke into his train of thought. Hermione beamed up at him.

"What do you know that I don't?" he asked suspiciously.

"Nothing."

Harry sighed and turned to Ron who was also grinning. "Ron, what's Hermione not telling me?"

"Can't tell you that mate, it'll spoil the surprise."

Harry reached out to cuff Ron on the head, but he dodged out of the way too fast. "It's not bad!"

"I hate surprises," Harry growled, straightening his tie for what felt like the hundredth time. "What?" he asked in response to Hermione's smile.

"You talk like him now," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Shut it," Harry said, though he was grinning like mad.

The doors to the Great Hall opened, and, after giving Harry's hand a final squeeze, Hermione released him so that they could join the rest of the seventh years filing into the Hall.

Harry didn't even have to look up to know that Severus was watching him; he could feel the familiar black eyes on him, and it only increased his grin.

Graduation this year had been much anticipated and Harry felt himself being drawn into the excitement with each passing moment. It didn't hurt that he didn't have to speak at it either. Hermione and Justin had that pleasure this year as Head Boy and Head Girl and all he had to do was sit back and listen, because if he didn't, he was certain Hermione would beat him over the head with a book.

It was over sooner then Harry wanted it to be. He was looking forward to life after Hogwarts, life with Severus, but there was that small part of him that wanted to hold on to his past just a moment longer. But now the words were said, the ceremony over, and all that was left was one last gathering with his friends, the most many of them would ever see of each other again.

He found Ron and Hermione in the throng of people, and he couldn't help but grin. At least he knew these two, his best of friends, would always be in his life one way or another.

"You are going to the party tonight, right Harry?"

Harry turned and shrugged at Lavender. "Yeah, I suppose I am."

"Good."

Harry watched her walk off to join Parvati and Padma. He wondered what those three were going to do with themselves now that they were leaving school. Lavender would be very good at reception. She would make a wonderful secretary to someone, not that he'd tell her that.

"So, you're coming then?"

"I did just promise Lavender, Hermione."

Hermione grinned. "Your word to Lavender means nothing to me, Harry."

"I’m coming!" Harry laughed. "Don't worry about it."

"Good, you need to unwind a little."

"I'm unwound!"

"Sure you are, mate," Ron agreed, slinging an arm over his shoulder and steering him through the crowd.

"I am!" he protested.

"Of course you are," Hermione said in a patronizing tone. "That's why you never go out anymore."

Harry spluttered and turned a violent shade of red. "That was low, Hermione."

"The truth hurts, doesn't it Harry?"

Harry went to punch Hermione in the arm when Ron did it to him first. "No touchy the girlfriend."

By the time the lot of them had gathered at the Three Broomsticks--Gryffindors, Slytherins and a spattering of people from the other houses--Harry was quite looking forward to getting pleasantly buzzed. And even more importantly, he was looking forward to seeing Severus without having to sneak around.

Seamus appeared beside him and handed him a glass of amber liquid. "Drink up, Harry! We're free!" he said, clinking his glass against Harry's. Seamus was already looking a bit inebriated; grinning, Harry tossed back his drink in an effort to keep up.

"Harry, slow down!" Hermione laughed, leaning heavily on Ron, as he polished off his third drink. "The party doesn't end until 2."

"Oh leave him alone, Hermione," Ron said taking a deep sip of whatever it was Seamus had been passing around. Harry hadn't asked and neither had Ron. "He can do whatever he wants to."

"Yeah, what he said!"

Hermione giggled and nosed Ron's neck. "I want to dance."

Harry laughed and set the empty glass on the table with a loud clink. He looked out onto the dance floor where approximately half the class had been congregating. He watched as friends bounced wildly about to the songs and couples swayed closer together than was school appropriate.

His eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw one of the couples through his fuzzed vision. "Is that Malfoy with Seamus?!"

Ron snickered and set his now finished glass next to Harry's. "That it is. You weren't in the dormitory when he told us. We had a bit of a row over it."

"A row?!" Hermione managed to snap through her giggles. "You punched him in the mouth and he gave you a black eye."

Ron and Harry met eyes and grinned. "Bit of a row," they said in unison.

Hermione rolled her eyes and took a deep sip of the amber liquid. "This stuff is really quite nice you know."

Harry snorted. "We know."

"Come on," Ron said, standing up and helping Hermione out of the booth. "You wanted to dance, so we're gonna dance."

Harry slid further into the booth and the action didn't go unnoticed by his best friends. "Just what do you think you're doing, mister?"

Harry gave Hermione a pleading look, but she ignored it. Instead, she grabbed his wrist and tugged on it.

"I can't dance," he reminded her.

"Oh please," Hermione huffed, not releasing her death grip. "Neither can any of these idiots."

"I take great offense to that."

Hermione smiled blindingly up at Ron. "That's nice, Ronald." She redirected her gaze to Harry and pinned him with a glare. "You're getting you bum on that dance floor, Harry James Potter, whether you like it or not."

"Fine!" Harry laughed, holding his one free hand up in surrender. "I'll come dance with you guys. Sheesh."

The alcohol had done its job in releasing some inhibitions, and Harry found himself enjoying himself out on the dance floor. At one point, it was if the whole great group of them were dancing together, laughing and shouting at each other above the music.

He wasn't even surprised to feel firm hands come around his waist and pull him backwards as the song changed to a slower one. Harry leaned back and closed his eyes and let himself be swayed gently. He inhaled deeply, dropping his head backwards against Snape's chest. His eyes flew open and he abruptly stopped moving, forcing Snape to stop as well.

Hermione was stifling her giggles behind her hand and Ron looked like he was about to burst out in laughter as well. Curiously, he tilted his head backwards to see the amused expression on the older man's face.

"About time you noticed, Potter."

Harry flushed deep scarlet. "Shut it, you."

"As much as I enjoy pressing against your backside, perhaps you would care to turn and do this properly," Snape said, his voice low enough that only Harry could hear.

Harry turned, interlocking his hands behind Snape's neck, oblivious to gawking going on all around him.

"You're intoxicated," Snape remarked, taking in the hooded eyes, and dopey smile, unable to hide his amusement.

Harry giggled; if he had been in a better state of mind, he probably would have been horrified that he had done so and in a very public setting at that. "Yup, right pissed off my arse, actually. Seamus was handing out...this drink--you following me?--it was amber and tickled my throat."

"It's a shame I can't take points; I had other plans for you tonight," Snape said as Harry buried his face in his neck, nuzzling him and making a noise that sounded a lot like purring.

Snape took a moment to look around the room to find everyone staring at the two of them. He'd expected it of course, and found he didn't give a rat's arse about it. He merely leveled his glare on them until they turned away. Only Hermione and Ron were ignoring them, caught up in dancing together.

"You smell nice. Did you know that?" Harry murmured distractedly.

Snape snorted and resisted the urge to cup Harry's bum, just to give the gawkers more of shock. He did, however, slide his hands lower on Harry's hips, his fingers resting just below the waist of Harry's jeans.

Snape scanned the room until he found the face he was looking for. "Finnegan! What are you drinking?" he asked, curious as to what Harry had imbibed.

Finnegan was definitely pissed as he raised his glass up in salute. "Fire whiskey o' course! You two gonna snog?" he asked, and Draco slugged him in the arm.

Harry grinned at the sandy-haired Irishman. His earlier shock at seeing Seamus and Malfoy together was now non-existent. Now he just thought it was hysterically funny. "Dunno, probably, maybe, are we?"

He blinked as Snape actually smiled at him. Well...smirked. Yeah, it was definitely a smirk. Or was it a trick of the light? No, it was a smirk; he was being smirked at most definitely, and without a doubt.

"Would you be upset if we did? Right here. In front of all your friends?" he asked, his smirk becoming more devilish by the second.

Harry chewed on his lip in thought all the while being distracted by the way Malfoy was practically molesting Seamus's neck. "Uhhhh...no?"

"Tsk, it's a shame you don't sound more certain," Snape said with a regretful sigh. "And here I was, going to...well, never mind then."

"Going to what?" Harry prompted. "Come on, Sevvie, what were you gonna do?"

"Sevvie? I do hope you're drunk, because if you called me that sober, I'd have to hex you," Snape growled into Harry's ear. "And as for the rest, it's too late, you weren't interested," he said haughtily, though he was fighting a smile.

Harry pouted, burrowing his head under Snape's chin. The alcohol he had chugged earlier was finally affecting his speech. "M'not drunk. Only had three pints of that fire whisky. S'good stuff."

Snape rolled his eyes, "You don't have enough body weight for one, idiot child," Snape said affectionately, resting his head on top of Harry's. It was his graduation night, so he couldn't blame Harry for wanting to get a bit drunk. In fact, he rather figured he would, and when Hermione asked Snape if wanted to come to the party, he waited a suitable amount to allow Harry to enjoy himself. And apparently, he had done so if the way Harry clinging against him were any indication.

"I can so have more 'n one," Harry protested. He tilted his head back and grinned drunkenly. "Did I tell you how nice you smell yet?"

"Yes, twice now in fact."

"Cause you do, you know." Harry sniffed Snape's shirt and sighed. "Lemon-y."

Snape chuckled, the vibration in his chest made Harry smile. "I love it when you laugh," Harry said, his voice sounding dreamy.

"Potter, are you falling asleep?"

"Probably," Harry admitted, his tight hold on Snape's back loosening slightly. He watched Hermione and Ron sway gently beside them. They both had identical looks of adoration on their faces that Harry only envied a smidge.

"Did you know...did you know them. They're together...like together?" Harry asked, meshing his fingers together trying to prove the point. "And why didn't you tell me."

"Because I didn't need Draco barging in my office at all hours of the night whining at me about what a ignorant prat you were."

Harry frowned. "How long do you reckon they've been like that?"

"Since December. Christmas I believe, Draco told me. When that boy is happy he lets everyone know about it whether you cared to hear all the sordid details or not."

"THAT LONG!" Harry shouted, causing everyone's head to swivel in his and Snape's direction once again. He flushed beet red. "Oops. Did I just scream that?"

"It can only help my reputation, I'm sure," Snape said, leering at Harry. He was far more amused than he should be, but tonight, he could have Potter out in the open, and that in itself was quite liberating. For Snape, it could be considered downright giddy, which was to say, he allowed himself to smile.

"You're smiling. Is that allowed?" Harry asked, returning the smile with his own dopey one nevertheless. He looked over at Hermione and repeated the question to her. "Is Snape allowed to smile, Hermione? Be honest."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Of course he's allowed to smile. You're acting like an ign-ing...you're acting stupid is what you're doing."

"So then why don't you do that more often?" Harry asked Snape abruptly. "The smile thing. It's nice."

"Because that could harm my reputation," Snape said, his lip forming his normal smirk. "Are you ready to go, or did you wish to remain with your friends for awhile longer?" he asked, looking around at his now, former, students. Good riddance to the lot of them.

"Hermione might make me stay," Harry said, earning a glare from the girl in question. "But I do want to go."

"Then we're going," Snape said, releasing Harry abruptly. "Say your goodbyes, I'll wait for you by the door."

Harry nodded and waited until Snape swept out of the room before staggering over to Ron and Hermione. He slapped Ron on the back weakly earning an equally pathetic punch on the shoulder in return.

"Good luck, mate. Don't do anything I wouldn't."

Hermione sighed and clicked her tongue, before enveloping Harry in her arms. "Be good."

"Yes, mother."

Hermione pinched his cheeks and made cooing sounds causing Harry to laugh. "I'll write. You do have my parent's telephone number, right?"

"Yes, Hermione."

"Good and don't listen to Ron. If you did, you'd never get laid."

"Hermione!" Ron cried. Harry laughed as Ron flushed crimson in embarrassment.

Harry pecked Hermione on the cheek and ungracefully made his way towards the entrance, leaving Ron to fight his own battle. He waved goodbye to Seamus who raised his glass in acknowledgment and, after being unceremoniously hugged by every Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw girl in the room, he stumbled out into the night.

Luckily for him, Snape was waiting just outside and caught him before he ended up face first in the dirt. "My Prince Charming," Harry said, grinning stupidly up at him.

Snape stood him upright, and when he swayed, wrapped an arm around his waist. "Remind me to never give you anything other than Butterbeer," Snape growled, tossing Harry's other arm around his shoulder. "You become delusional."

"I thought you said you liked me no matter what state of mind I'm in," Harry sulked, wrapping his other arm around Snape's stomach. His chin just barely touched Snape's shoulder, which really was a pity because he wanted nothing more than to rest his chin there at the moment.

"I won't carry you like a toddler," Snape warned as Harry rested more weight on him. "I may love you no matter what, but that doesn't mean I have to like you," Snape said haughtily.

Harry giggled. "You said you love me. Don't remember you saying that before, but it's all good cause I love you too, Sevvie."

"Calling me 'Sevvie' would be an instance in which I don't like you," Snape said, scowling at Harry. "And if you call me that again, particularly in public, I shall tie you to to my bed using your blasted Gryffindor tie and torture you until you remember."

Harry's eyes glittered mischievously, seemingly sober. "Was that a promise or a threat?"

"A threat of a promise," Snape said, his eyes darkening as he looked at Harry, feeling the familiar desire pooling in his stomach. Of course the idiot boy had to go and get himself drunk, which put a damper on some of Snape's plans for the night. But there was always tomorrow.

Pulling him closer, Snape smiled against the top of Harry's head. A real and genuine smile.