eriador117 (![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} eriador117) wrote,@ 2009-03-13 08:26:00 |
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Apprenticed to Love 15/?
Title: Apprenticed to Love 15/?
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!
"A brothel? No, Master Snape isn't the sort of person who would go to a place like that," Harry said adamantly, but even as he spoke, he started to wonder. How did he know what sort of person went to a brothel? And did he really know Severus that well? They'd talked a bit by now, that was true, but it was mostly about Harry, not about Severus. Harry knew very little, only what he'd gleaned himself from that look into his pensieve and his inadvertent attempts at Legilimency. Severus never spoke of his childhood or what drove him to join the Death Eaters and turn traitor to their cause in the end. Harry wasn't sure he'd get an answer even if he did ask.
"You're thinking like a Muggle, Harry. There's no shame in going to a brothel; it's perfectly acceptable in the Wizarding world," said Fred.
"It is," said Neville, with a fierce blush. "My Gran got me a gift certificate for The Garden of Delights for my Coming of Age."
"Your Gran?" squawked Harry.
"You sly dog!" George laughed.
"I didn't go! I was already seeing Luna by then. But it's perfectly acceptable for people who aren't married or in a relationship to go there, Harry. Master Snape hasn't done anything wrong."
"We've been there a few times," Fred added, grinning.
"You have?" Harry really couldn't understand why people might want to go there; but then he wasn't feeling particularly interested in sex either, so perhaps there was something wrong with him, not the others.
"What was it like?" asked Neville.
Harry was glad his friend had asked, he would have been too embarrassed to ask for himself, even though he was almost dying of curiosity about it.
"Well, when you first go in; it's almost like you've gone to a very fancy restaurant. Madam Carus always greets each guest personally before showing you to a table. Then you're given a menu to choose from. Inside there are sections for whatever you want: man, woman, both, even twins if you want that as well as any kinks or fetishes you might like to pick as well."
Neville was blushing bright pink by now, but Harry didn't understand why. Harry knew he was a bit more naive than the others, for any time the talk in the common room or the dormitory had turned to sex, Harry had excused himself and hadn't listened. He was getting more curious now though. "What are kinks and fetishes?" he asked, only for the twins to burst out laughing.
"My, my, you are an innocent, aren't you, Harry?" George asked, smiling in his direction. "I'm not sure Snape would approve of us telling you though, corrupting his apprentice and all that."
"He was the one who went sneaking off to a brothel!" Harry retorted indignantly.
"Okay, okay, we'll tell you." Fred grinned as he started regaling Harry with a number of things that Harry would never have considered erotic in a million years. Some people liked to be tied up and hurt? Some liked to have their toes sucked? Harry didn't understand how any of that that might be anywhere near pleasurable.
"So, once you've decided on your menu what takes your fancy, men for me and George, for example, you tap the menu with your wand and then Madam Carus takes you into the front parlour where all the men are waiting for you to choose one."
"Oh, I see. But wouldn't the ones you don't pick feel disappointed?"
Fred and George exchanged glances with each other. "We've never really thought about that, to be honest. But you can see, can't you, Harry, that it's no big deal to go there."
Harry knew what his friends said made sense. So why was he feeling so out of sorts that Severus had sought out a brothel? Severus wasn't in a relationship as far as Harry knew and it wasn't as if there was something going on between the two of them, was it? Harry had no hold over the man.
The truth hit him then with the force of a runaway train. He wanted to sit down, then realised he was already sitting and so he sank further into the cushions. He was jealous!
No, he had no hold over Severus... but he wanted one.
***
Harry was sulking. Severus could think of no other word for the strange mood his apprentice seemed to be in lately. It was almost a week since he'd visited Hogwarts and Severus wondered if perhaps Longbottom had said something to upset him; or perhaps the memories had just been too much for him. But if that was indeed the case, why was he acting this way towards Severus?
The third time Harry slammed a saucepan down on the worktop Severus could bear it no longer. "Harry, what has got into you?"
Harry turned and glared at him; his eyes filled with an inner jade fire that almost made Severus take a step back from him.
"What's got into me?" Harry demanded, throwing potatoes into the saucepan with a loud clatter. "I'm not the one who went to that place!"
"What place?"
"The twins saw you coming out of that – of that brothel!!"
"Ah. I see."
"No you don't!" Harry ranted. "You don't see at all! How could you do that to me?"
Severus stared at Harry, astounded. He didn't think Harry would have had much feeling on the matter either way, but this anger seemed out of all proportion to what had actually happened at the brothel. Which was nothing, in fact. For as Severus had stared at the young men and women arranged artfully for his and the other patrons' pleasure on stools and couches in the public parlour, he'd realised he didn't want any of them. It had been an epiphany there in the front room of The Garden of Delights. Severus hadn't wanted any of them because none of them were Harry.
"I'm your apprentice! How do you think it looks if my Master is seen going to a brothel? People will think I'm not good enough to satisfy you!"
"But, Harry, we don't have the traditional contract. We are not sexually involved at all."
"But people think we are!" Harry protested. "It doesn't matter whether we are or not, I don't want you going back there! I won't stand for it!"
"Very well," said Severus. "I won't go back. You have my word."
Harry opened his mouth as if to shout some more, but then shut it again when he realised Severus had agreed to his demand. And it was a demand; there was no doubt about that. Severus would have been well within his rights as Harry's Master to punish him for talking in such a way to him, but Severus was glad that Harry was comfortable enough to shout at him and not feel that he ought to be quiet and obedient all the time.
"Would it put your mind at rest to know that nothing actually happened while I was there?"
"So you were just delivering a potion or something?" Harry asked, sounding strangely hopeful.
"No, Harry. I had gone there with the intent of partaking of their services, but when I got there I realised I couldn't do it. It wouldn't have been fair on you."
"Oh, because I'm your apprentice, you mean?" Harry stared hard at him and then his eyes widened as he realised that was not what Severus meant at all. "You – you have feelings for me, like that?"
"I do, Harry, but you are still my apprentice, still under my care. I will never do anything to hurt you, I hope you know that."
"I know, Severus. I trust you."
"Good. And anyway, I still need to keep you a virgin for all my potions ingredients, don't I?"
Harry giggled at that and Severus was pleased to see that the sulk had finally lifted. "What's for dinner tonight?"
"Chicken Cordon Bleu with creamed potatoes, carrots and swede."
"Sounds delicious, do you need some help with that?"
"You could chop the carrots and swede," said Harry as he began to peel some potatoes. "Even you can't manage to mangle that."
Severus laughed again as he headed over to the worktop and ruffled Harry's hair as he passed. Harry tensed up and Severus regretted the familiar way he'd done it. "I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. I'm just not used to it, that's all." Harry turned back to his potatoes, his face pink. "Speaking of food, when I was at Hogwarts the other day, the elves served cucumber sandwiches. I don't like cucumber; don't they usually only serve what you like?"
"That's true, but the elves have different magic than us, they also have a few old wives' tales of their own as well. To them, cucumber is considered a very good contraceptive. I'm guessing they must know of your condition."
Harry's hand paused in its labours before he set the knife down altogether. "I've been meaning to ask you about that."
"Wouldn't Madam Pomfrey be better if you have a medical question? I'm not a Healer, Harry. I'm not even a mediwizard."
"But you are a Potions Master and I wanted to ask about contraceptive potions. I don't think I'd be able to brew one by myself and I'll need one soon. I don't really want to have periods and all that stuff."
"They are quite advanced," Severus agreed. "But we can start working on them next week. Harry, you do realise that now you are changed and have a womb, that stopping periods for any length of time is not healthy? It would put you more at risk of things like cancer and endometriosis. You should only ever take these potions temporarily; for three months at the most, then have a month off. Have you started menstruating yet?"
"No, not yet." Harry's face seemed to have taken on a permanent rosy hue and Severus knew how difficult these sorts of talks were for him.
"Hmm. How long ago was it that Malfoy gave you that potion?"
"Not long after he abducted me."
"So it's been over six months, then. I do think you need to see Madam Pomfrey for a proper medical check-up, Harry. It could be your low bodyweight that is stopping your menses, but there might be something else. We really ought to find out."
"But then she'll find out what I am!" Harry protested, as Severus knew he would. This secrecy wasn't good for him, but Severus understood the reasoning behind it. It didn't change the facts though.
"I know, Harry. But I still want you to see her. Your health is very important to me."
"Yes, Master Snape," Harry replied, his voice hollow. They continued to prepare their meal in silence, but once the food was put on to cook, Harry seemed to be back to his livelier self and suggested they play a game while waiting for the food.
"I'm not really one for Exploding Snap, Harry."
"Do you have any Muggle games, then? Scrabble, perhaps? I used to be quite good at that."
"Were you now?"
"But I'm probably not as good as you. You'll know more exotic words, I bet."
"We'll play Scrabble then, Harry; but on one condition."
"Oh? What's that?"
"Every word you put down has to be something that you find it uncomfortable to talk about and we will discuss your words after dinner."
"So it's going to be Scrabble therapy then?"
"It is. Do you still wish to play?"
It was a few moments before Harry replied. "Yes. I still want to play."
TBC
Title: Apprenticed to Love 15/?
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!
"A brothel? No, Master Snape isn't the sort of person who would go to a place like that," Harry said adamantly, but even as he spoke, he started to wonder. How did he know what sort of person went to a brothel? And did he really know Severus that well? They'd talked a bit by now, that was true, but it was mostly about Harry, not about Severus. Harry knew very little, only what he'd gleaned himself from that look into his pensieve and his inadvertent attempts at Legilimency. Severus never spoke of his childhood or what drove him to join the Death Eaters and turn traitor to their cause in the end. Harry wasn't sure he'd get an answer even if he did ask.
"You're thinking like a Muggle, Harry. There's no shame in going to a brothel; it's perfectly acceptable in the Wizarding world," said Fred.
"It is," said Neville, with a fierce blush. "My Gran got me a gift certificate for The Garden of Delights for my Coming of Age."
"Your Gran?" squawked Harry.
"You sly dog!" George laughed.
"I didn't go! I was already seeing Luna by then. But it's perfectly acceptable for people who aren't married or in a relationship to go there, Harry. Master Snape hasn't done anything wrong."
"We've been there a few times," Fred added, grinning.
"You have?" Harry really couldn't understand why people might want to go there; but then he wasn't feeling particularly interested in sex either, so perhaps there was something wrong with him, not the others.
"What was it like?" asked Neville.
Harry was glad his friend had asked, he would have been too embarrassed to ask for himself, even though he was almost dying of curiosity about it.
"Well, when you first go in; it's almost like you've gone to a very fancy restaurant. Madam Carus always greets each guest personally before showing you to a table. Then you're given a menu to choose from. Inside there are sections for whatever you want: man, woman, both, even twins if you want that as well as any kinks or fetishes you might like to pick as well."
Neville was blushing bright pink by now, but Harry didn't understand why. Harry knew he was a bit more naive than the others, for any time the talk in the common room or the dormitory had turned to sex, Harry had excused himself and hadn't listened. He was getting more curious now though. "What are kinks and fetishes?" he asked, only for the twins to burst out laughing.
"My, my, you are an innocent, aren't you, Harry?" George asked, smiling in his direction. "I'm not sure Snape would approve of us telling you though, corrupting his apprentice and all that."
"He was the one who went sneaking off to a brothel!" Harry retorted indignantly.
"Okay, okay, we'll tell you." Fred grinned as he started regaling Harry with a number of things that Harry would never have considered erotic in a million years. Some people liked to be tied up and hurt? Some liked to have their toes sucked? Harry didn't understand how any of that that might be anywhere near pleasurable.
"So, once you've decided on your menu what takes your fancy, men for me and George, for example, you tap the menu with your wand and then Madam Carus takes you into the front parlour where all the men are waiting for you to choose one."
"Oh, I see. But wouldn't the ones you don't pick feel disappointed?"
Fred and George exchanged glances with each other. "We've never really thought about that, to be honest. But you can see, can't you, Harry, that it's no big deal to go there."
Harry knew what his friends said made sense. So why was he feeling so out of sorts that Severus had sought out a brothel? Severus wasn't in a relationship as far as Harry knew and it wasn't as if there was something going on between the two of them, was it? Harry had no hold over the man.
The truth hit him then with the force of a runaway train. He wanted to sit down, then realised he was already sitting and so he sank further into the cushions. He was jealous!
No, he had no hold over Severus... but he wanted one.
***
Harry was sulking. Severus could think of no other word for the strange mood his apprentice seemed to be in lately. It was almost a week since he'd visited Hogwarts and Severus wondered if perhaps Longbottom had said something to upset him; or perhaps the memories had just been too much for him. But if that was indeed the case, why was he acting this way towards Severus?
The third time Harry slammed a saucepan down on the worktop Severus could bear it no longer. "Harry, what has got into you?"
Harry turned and glared at him; his eyes filled with an inner jade fire that almost made Severus take a step back from him.
"What's got into me?" Harry demanded, throwing potatoes into the saucepan with a loud clatter. "I'm not the one who went to that place!"
"What place?"
"The twins saw you coming out of that – of that brothel!!"
"Ah. I see."
"No you don't!" Harry ranted. "You don't see at all! How could you do that to me?"
Severus stared at Harry, astounded. He didn't think Harry would have had much feeling on the matter either way, but this anger seemed out of all proportion to what had actually happened at the brothel. Which was nothing, in fact. For as Severus had stared at the young men and women arranged artfully for his and the other patrons' pleasure on stools and couches in the public parlour, he'd realised he didn't want any of them. It had been an epiphany there in the front room of The Garden of Delights. Severus hadn't wanted any of them because none of them were Harry.
"I'm your apprentice! How do you think it looks if my Master is seen going to a brothel? People will think I'm not good enough to satisfy you!"
"But, Harry, we don't have the traditional contract. We are not sexually involved at all."
"But people think we are!" Harry protested. "It doesn't matter whether we are or not, I don't want you going back there! I won't stand for it!"
"Very well," said Severus. "I won't go back. You have my word."
Harry opened his mouth as if to shout some more, but then shut it again when he realised Severus had agreed to his demand. And it was a demand; there was no doubt about that. Severus would have been well within his rights as Harry's Master to punish him for talking in such a way to him, but Severus was glad that Harry was comfortable enough to shout at him and not feel that he ought to be quiet and obedient all the time.
"Would it put your mind at rest to know that nothing actually happened while I was there?"
"So you were just delivering a potion or something?" Harry asked, sounding strangely hopeful.
"No, Harry. I had gone there with the intent of partaking of their services, but when I got there I realised I couldn't do it. It wouldn't have been fair on you."
"Oh, because I'm your apprentice, you mean?" Harry stared hard at him and then his eyes widened as he realised that was not what Severus meant at all. "You – you have feelings for me, like that?"
"I do, Harry, but you are still my apprentice, still under my care. I will never do anything to hurt you, I hope you know that."
"I know, Severus. I trust you."
"Good. And anyway, I still need to keep you a virgin for all my potions ingredients, don't I?"
Harry giggled at that and Severus was pleased to see that the sulk had finally lifted. "What's for dinner tonight?"
"Chicken Cordon Bleu with creamed potatoes, carrots and swede."
"Sounds delicious, do you need some help with that?"
"You could chop the carrots and swede," said Harry as he began to peel some potatoes. "Even you can't manage to mangle that."
Severus laughed again as he headed over to the worktop and ruffled Harry's hair as he passed. Harry tensed up and Severus regretted the familiar way he'd done it. "I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. I'm just not used to it, that's all." Harry turned back to his potatoes, his face pink. "Speaking of food, when I was at Hogwarts the other day, the elves served cucumber sandwiches. I don't like cucumber; don't they usually only serve what you like?"
"That's true, but the elves have different magic than us, they also have a few old wives' tales of their own as well. To them, cucumber is considered a very good contraceptive. I'm guessing they must know of your condition."
Harry's hand paused in its labours before he set the knife down altogether. "I've been meaning to ask you about that."
"Wouldn't Madam Pomfrey be better if you have a medical question? I'm not a Healer, Harry. I'm not even a mediwizard."
"But you are a Potions Master and I wanted to ask about contraceptive potions. I don't think I'd be able to brew one by myself and I'll need one soon. I don't really want to have periods and all that stuff."
"They are quite advanced," Severus agreed. "But we can start working on them next week. Harry, you do realise that now you are changed and have a womb, that stopping periods for any length of time is not healthy? It would put you more at risk of things like cancer and endometriosis. You should only ever take these potions temporarily; for three months at the most, then have a month off. Have you started menstruating yet?"
"No, not yet." Harry's face seemed to have taken on a permanent rosy hue and Severus knew how difficult these sorts of talks were for him.
"Hmm. How long ago was it that Malfoy gave you that potion?"
"Not long after he abducted me."
"So it's been over six months, then. I do think you need to see Madam Pomfrey for a proper medical check-up, Harry. It could be your low bodyweight that is stopping your menses, but there might be something else. We really ought to find out."
"But then she'll find out what I am!" Harry protested, as Severus knew he would. This secrecy wasn't good for him, but Severus understood the reasoning behind it. It didn't change the facts though.
"I know, Harry. But I still want you to see her. Your health is very important to me."
"Yes, Master Snape," Harry replied, his voice hollow. They continued to prepare their meal in silence, but once the food was put on to cook, Harry seemed to be back to his livelier self and suggested they play a game while waiting for the food.
"I'm not really one for Exploding Snap, Harry."
"Do you have any Muggle games, then? Scrabble, perhaps? I used to be quite good at that."
"Were you now?"
"But I'm probably not as good as you. You'll know more exotic words, I bet."
"We'll play Scrabble then, Harry; but on one condition."
"Oh? What's that?"
"Every word you put down has to be something that you find it uncomfortable to talk about and we will discuss your words after dinner."
"So it's going to be Scrabble therapy then?"
"It is. Do you still wish to play?"
It was a few moments before Harry replied. "Yes. I still want to play."
TBC