Chapter Text
Harry sauntered into the dining room with a grin on his face. It was around six in the morning, and most of the others were asleep, except for one, Narcissa Malfoy. “Good morning! I have something to tell you!”
He sat next to her as she sipped her tea, a pleasant smile on her face, “Severus agreed to take me on a moonlit walk this evening! He agreed it would be a date!”
Narcissa set down her tea and gave him a questioning look, “And just how did you manage to get him to agree to that? You are far too young for him.”
Harry laughed, “He was nearly asleep when he agreed. As for being too young… well, I guess you've trusted me this long.” Harry waved his hand, casting strong silencing wards wandlessly. “If I'm going to tell you the truth, I need a vow.” All laughter and mischief drained from his face. “Will you vow to never share this information with anyone, through any means?”
“Harry, I will never willingly betray you. You've saved Draco from a terrible fate; of course, I will make a vow.” Narcissa pulled out her wand and made the vow.
“So, about Draco's fate, you don't even know the half of it.” Harry sighed.
Harry started from the beginning, the true beginning, and told Narcissa about Snape giving Voldemort half the prophecy. He explained how Dumbledore had manipulated not only him, but Draco as well, over and over again.
By the time he was done, Narcissa was in tears. Her carefully composed face was red and blotchy. “Harry. I'm so sorry.” She whispered.
“Don't be. I'm not sorry, I am excited about my second chance.” Harry put his hand on her arm, “And I'm excited about this date tonight, so would you please make sure Severus understands what he's agreed to?” Harry gave her a winning smile.
“Of course, Harry, and thank you for saving us, and for trusting me.” She smiled back, carefully blotting her eyes.
“Anytime, Cissa, anytime!” Harry waved his hand once more, dismantling the wards before he walked out.
**POV Snape**
Severus was exhausted; the night before, he'd stayed up entirely too late. Then, on his way to bed, he'd heard voices from the sitting room. Harry had apparently been craving some early morning violence. Somehow, he'd fallen asleep on the lounge, and now his back was killing him.
He'd just put the final ingredient into an experimental potion. He had the idea for it years ago, but never had access to a suitable lab to fulfill it until now. In theory, the potion would help with long-term chronic pain, relieving the side effects by 45%. Now he was just waiting for it to cool down so it could be flown to St. Mongos for further testing.
Severus looked up as the door opened and Narcissa walked in. “Severus,” she smiled. He'd known Narcissa for years, and that smile was never good news. She was a viper waiting to strike. She had always been the perfect pure-blood wife, quiet and composed in public, but behind the scenes, she could be sly and underhanded.
“Yes, Cissa, what can I do for you?” Severus asked, narrowing his eyes. He would not give her anything more than she already had.
“Darling boy, I had the most interesting conversation with Harry this morning.” She glided around his work table, tidying as she went. “The boy seems to think you and he have a date tonight.” She purred the words, her hand taking his shoulder in a vice-like grip. “Tell me, Severus, did you really set up a date with a boy half your age, the same age as your godson, must I remind you?” Her grip tightened further, and he could feel her nails threatening to pierce the flesh of his forearm through his layers of robes.
Severus felt the blood drain from his face; he tried to swallow back the lump forming in his throat. Narcissa had known him from his first year at Hogwarts. She was a formidable opponent when dueling, but no one could damage a reputation like Narcissa Black. Severus shivered; she could burn him alive, and it would be less painful than a social siege spearheaded by Narcissa.
“I… Cissa. I–” Severus was suddenly sweating profusely.
He genuinely didn't remember agreeing to any date. Had he been so exhausted the night before that he'd let his guard down?
Worst, Narcissa didn't know the truth behind Harry's past. She thought he was lusting for a 15-year-old and not the 24-year-old he was inside. He couldn't save his face without betraying Harry. Harry would never forgive him for that. But he had to say something and decided denial was the only safe course.
“I have no knowledge of this agreement. I would not have agreed to something of that nature.”
"Severus Tobias Snape, I have known you since 1971. You were not able to lie to me when you were 11, and you are not able to lie to me now.” She let go of his arm and smacked the back of his head for good measure. “You want that damn boy!”
Severus hung his head, shame creeping into his gut as he nodded his head. What a bloody pervert he was; even if Harry was twenty-four mentally, he was still fifteen legally. “Narcissa, it's not what it seems,” he mumbled pitifully.
“You don't think I haven't figured that out?” She smacked him again, “Severus, no 15-year-old boy would have the nerve to tell Lady Malfoy to leave her husband.” She rolled her eyes. “He told me everything this morning, and I believe him.”
Severus sighed, “Cissa, I'm sorry I kept this from you. It was not my story to tell, but I still regret that you came into this agreement blind.”
“Don't be sorry, old friend. From what I have heard, we are far better off here than we ever would be with the Dark Lord."
Severus was about to respond when his arm suddenly burned. “Fuck.” He hissed, throwing a stasis charm over his potion and meeting Narcissa's eye. He should have known this was coming. The Dark Lord hadn't called on him in a while
“Go. I will tell him. Be safe, darling, we will be waiting here for you.” She nodded as he summoned his robes and mask.