Apprenticed to Love 14/?
Title: Apprenticed to Love 14/?
Author: Eriador117
Pairing: Snape/Harry
Rating: Adult
Warnings: not sure yet, but AU and angst for starters, hermaphroditism, mpreg, abuse.
Summary: Six months after the end of the war, Harry Potter turns up at Snape's apothecary to beg for a job. They both get more than they bargained for.
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns the Potterverse, I just like playing in it from time to time.
Beta'd by Rakina, thanks so much!



Earlier Parts

Part Fourteen

Harry stared up at the boars on top of the stone pillars on each side of the gate and felt his heart lurch uncomfortably in his chest. It was early Wednesday afternoon, but already the light was fading fast and the lanterns were already lit, their light leading the eye up the path and towards the heavy front door. He never thought he'd be here again so soon, but Severus had some business to attend to in London and since it was Harry's half day off, he'd suggested that Harry might like to take the opportunity to spend some time with Neville while he was away.

The world must surely be ending for Severus to suggest that Harry have more contact with Neville Longbottom than was absolutely necessary! Severus had walked Harry to the gate, not even trusting Harry's wellbeing in the short walk from the village to the castle. Harry quite liked the fact that Severus seemed so protective of him; for too long Harry had no one he could rely on. But now that Severus had Apparated away, Harry was in two minds. Part of him wanted to run back down the hill and home, while the other part was looking forward to seeing his friend again. Unfortunately, seeing Neville would probably mean seeing Madam Pomfrey again and Harry was still embarrassed after what had happened last time.

Steeling himself, he pushed open the gate and made his way up the path. Classes hadn't finished yet so the corridors were mostly deserted as he made his way to the hospital wing. Neville and Madam Pomfrey both knew Harry was visiting today as Severus had already sent a Floo message ahead, but Harry was still nervous as he knocked on the infirmary door; his knuckles leaving a damp handprint on the wood.

The door was opened by Madam Pomfrey who smiled warmly at him and didn't seem to bear him any ill-will over his outburst the other day. "Hello, Harry. Come on in, Neville's expecting you."

Madam Pomfrey led the way down the infirmary to a door at the far end of it. Her soft shoes barely made a sound along the floor. All of the infirmary beds were empty today; Harry was glad he wouldn't have to stop and make conversation with some of the students. It felt so different to be back here now he was no longer a pupil.

"Um, I'm sorry about the other day."

"Think nothing of it, dear. Therapy is tough and I completely understand. I do think you need to talk to someone, Harry. I'd be quite happy to refer you to someone at St. Mungo's if you'd prefer that."

"I don't want to do that either," Harry said softly. "I don't feel comfortable talking to strangers. I've been talking to Master Snape. It has helped."

"Oh, I see. Well, as long as you are talking. Professional help might be better for you though, Harry. It will be tough on Master Snape to be your Apprentice Master and try to be your therapist at the same time."

"Oh. I hadn't thought of that. I don't want to make it more difficult for him."

"Well, if you do change your mind, I'd be happy to treat you."

"Thanks."

Madam Pomfrey opened the door and ushered Harry into the rooms beyond, which appeared to be some sort of living quarters. Harry had never really thought about where Madam Pomfrey had lived while he'd been a student and frequent visitor to the infirmary; but it made sense that the matron's rooms were so close to the infirmary as to be almost part of it.

Neville was standing by the door, he smiled shyly at Harry when Madam Pomfrey ushered him in and closed the door after her. "Harry, it's so good to see you."

"You too, Neville. You look really well." It was true; Neville had gained a few inches in height since the last time Harry had seen him and the extra height meant that he now looked filled-out rather than slightly overweight. His face was a bit thinner too, he'd lost the roundness of his youth and now he had more of a square jaw and high cheekbones.

"Have a seat," Neville waved his hands around the room at the sofa and chairs. Harry took one of the armchairs next to the fireplace; he was still feeling the cold a lot these past few months and he shivered as he warmed his hands and took a good look at the room around him. The room was circular, making Harry think they must be in the base of one of the towers. Instead of flagstones, the floor was covered in dark parquet flooring with a lighter pattern of diamonds etched onto it and it shone as if it had just been polished that morning. Wood panelling adorned the walls and above the fireplace there was a tapestry depicting a forest dotted with unicorns. There was only one set of bookshelves and most of the shelves only held a few books; Harry guessed Neville's desk and study area must be in his bedroom, much like Harry's own. The sofa was opposite the fireplace, as was a glass-topped coffee table. The armchairs were either side of the fireplace, making a square with it and the sofa.

"So how are you enjoying your apprenticeship with Master Snape, Harry? I never thought he'd ever take on an apprentice; he seemed to hate teaching."

"It's been good, he's teaching me really well. I think he hated teaching so many people who weren't interested in what he had to say. He's much better one on one. So you like your training with Madam Pomfrey, too?"

"Oh, yes! It's brilliant. There's so much more to mediwizardry than just mending broken bones. It's all so fascinating; it was Madam Sprout who suggested I try it. Herbology and Healing are quite closely linked. Potions too, but I must admit I'm glad it's not Professor Snape teaching me those!"

"So Madam Pomfrey teaches you Potions then too?"

"No, Professor Slughorn tutors me in the evenings twice a week as it's more advanced stuff than the NEWTs, but I'll not be attempting a Mastery in it. I just need to know mostly about the medicinal potions and poisons, antidotes, that sort of thing. You look a bit thin, Harry. Have you been eating enough?"

Harry couldn't help the small chuckle. "Now I know you really want to be a Healer; you're channelling Madam Pomfrey."

They spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about their studies and catching up. Gradually Harry started to feel a bit more relaxed about being back at Hogwarts. He'd thought the bad memories would be overwhelming, especially of that night when Professor Dumbledore had jumped from the Astronomy Tower. But there were good memories of Hogwarts too and Harry smiled and laughed with Neville as they caught up on all the gossip. Or at least Harry listened to the gossip, for he'd not heard much being at the apothecary.

"And then Filch threw the bucket at Foster's head!" Neville was laughing so hard he had tears rolling down his cheeks. "It took ages for me and Madam Pomfrey to get it off! That's what he gets for sneaking off to Filch's broom cupboard instead of going to lessons."

"What was he doing in there anyway? Why didn't he go back to his dorm or something if he wanted to skip class?"

"He wasn't in there alone, his girlfriend was with him. Filch caught the two of them being intimately acquainted!"

"No! You don't mean they were actually doing it in the cupboard?"

"Yep! Madam Pomfrey gave them both a lecture on safe sex. God, I know it shouldn't be funny, but I could hardly stop from laughing the whole time. I didn't, of course. Madam Pomfrey wouldn't have been pleased at that. A Healer is supposed to be above that sort of thing."

Harry giggled again. "Yes, but you're not a Healer yet, are you?"

"No!" Neville laughed again, holding his sides. They both calmed down a little as the clock on the mantelpiece struck four.

"Teatime. Did you want to go the Great Hall, or we can order something in?"

"Can we stay here? I don't really want to have to face everyone today."

"Sure," said Neville as he summoned a house-elf and ordered them both afternoon tea. A few moments later; the elf reappeared with a selection of trays hovering in the air in front of him which he set down on the coffee table before disappearing with a loud 'crack'. "Tuck in," said Neville. "There's plenty here."

Indeed there was; from dainty sandwiches with the crusts cut off to sweet looking cakes and pastries. Harry poured himself a cup of tea and lifted one of the fondant fancies; he'd never tried those before. His Aunt Petunia had always served shop-bought ones to her visitors from the Women's Institute, but of course Harry had never been allowed to taste those. It was delicious; he bit into the fondant and the cake beneath melted in his mouth as if it was lighter than air.

"Oh, those are gorgeous! I must get a recipe and try them out for Master Snape."

"He makes you cook?" Neville asked, raising his eyebrow, which for some reason reminded Harry so much of Severus that he blushed.

"No, we take turns. He says I am not his house-elf."

"Good," said Neville. "A Master shouldn't make you do stuff like that. You're there to learn Potions, not how to do housework."

Harry didn't bother pointing out that he had already learned all he ever want to know about housework and more than he would have preferred. He lifted up a cucumber sandwich then put it back down again; he hated cucumber. That was unusual; normally the elves never served anything you didn't like, but perhaps that only applied to the more permanent residents of Hogwarts. Harry ate another few slices of cake and a chocolate biscuit, washing it down with his tea and wondering if he would be too full now for dinner. That wouldn't please his Master.

After they'd finished but before the trays had been cleared, there was a knock on the living room door. Madam Pomfrey popped her head in. "My, you are popular today, Neville. Fred and George Weasley are here to see you too."

"Oh, send them in. The more the merrier. It's like a reunion!"

Fred and George exchanged surprised glances when they saw Harry with Neville. "Sorry, Neville. Didn't know you already had company. Perhaps we should come back another time?"

"Don't be silly!" exclaimed Neville. "Come in, have some food. You don't need to be so formal."

"If you put it like that..." said Fred.

"...then who are we to refuse?" added George as he sat down cross-legged on the floor in front of the coffee table and selected a slice of chocolate gateau. His large hands looked incongruous against the delicate pastry fork, as if he was using a child's toy cutlery set.

"So, Harry, how's life been treating you?" asked Fred. "Have you tried your Daydream yet?"

"No, not yet," Harry replied, his blush returning full force.

"So Snape let you off the leash today, eh?"

"Wednesday's my half day. Master Snape went to London."

"We know," said George. "We've just come back from there; we had some stock to deliver to Verity in Diagon Alley. Snape's a dark horse, isn't he?"

"What?" Harry had no idea what they were talking about.

"We saw him coming out of The Garden of Delights," said Fred with a broad grin and a wink.

"Madam Carus' house?" queried Neville. "No! He was probably just delivering them a potion or something."

"Oh, the innocence of youth," said George, ruffling Neville's hair.

"What are you talking about?" asked Harry, bewildered. "What's The Garden of Delights?"

Fred and George both looked at Harry. "You really don't know? The Garden of Delights is only the most famous brothel in the Wizarding world, Harry; that's all."

TBC