Chapter 20

Severus's morning dawned with both curiosity and growing dread. He had already resigned himself to the inevitable. Lord Slytherin, it seemed, was not a man easily dissuaded once he set his mind on something. And today, his mind was set on spoiling Severus rotten.

Severus stood at the base of the grand staircase where the largest floo in the castle was lit. The floo was flanked by two permanent guards in case someone got the not-so-bright idea to try to invade.

Severus stood near the flames with his cane. The ache in his ankle was minimal today. He was waiting for Harry, just like the others who had gathered around him.

Several cloaked figures shifted restlessly. Former Death Eaters, though now Harry's personal retinue.

Mulciber broke the silence first, "Never thought I'd see the day Snape became Lord Slytherin's favorite."

A ripple of laughter came from the others, though it was tinged with bitterness and perhaps jealousy.

Nott spoke with a sneer. "You walk beside him, eat at his table, wear his gifts. Do you even realize how many of us would kill for that position?"

"Nott, keep it down," Avery warned. "I know you got it bad for people in power, but for Merlin's sake, shut your mouth. The last time you opened it got us all in trouble."

Before Nott could retort, footsteps approaching could be heard. Lord Slytherin descended the grand staircase wearing black robes with a silver trim along the edges. His hood was up, hiding his face even from his pawns, but he still commanded the room. Severus shivered as he felt Harry's magic.

"Good morning," Lord Slytherin said warmly, ignoring the guards entirely while taking Severus's hand and kissing the back of it. Severus tried to keep his blush down as Harry's hand snaked across his waist.

Severus said his good morning as well. Though he added a "You're late," which caused the guards to suck in a breath collectively. No one ever told Lord Slytherin he was late. No one. Everyone else was just early.

However, Lord Slytherin just chuckled and held out his arm for Snape to take while asking, "Fashionably?" Avery had to snap his mouth shut out of shock. Here, their ruthless, but-better-than-Voldemort-by-miles leader was actually giggling at something Snape said. Snape of all people.

"Ready?" Lord Slytherin asked. When everyone nodded, he ordered his guards to go through first to secure the room, as word spreads fast when Lord Slytherin leaves the castle.

When Harry and Severus stepped out of the floo, the familiar hustle and bustle of Diagon Alley greeted them, as did the stares. The guards immediately formed a protective ring, but the crowd still gasped. Wizards and Witches were whispering around them like wildfire.

Harry turned to Severus, his smile softening. "Well, is there anything you'd like to do today specifically?"

Severus blinked, caught off guard. "Do?"

Harry grinned, though no one could see it under his hood. "Yes. A shop you've always wanted to visit. Today is yours."

Severus's fingers tightened around his cane. He was not used to being asked what he wanted. He was accustomed to being ordered about and dismissed. The idea of someone wanting to treat him was still a foreign concept.

"I... don't require anything specifically," Severus said.

Harry tilted his head to look at the Potion master. Severus noticed the amused smirk on his lips. "That wasn't the question. I asked what you want."

Severus's lips pressed into a thin line. "Wanting is dangerous."

Harry chuckled, "Not when I'm the one indulging it."

The guards exchanged glances, some rolling their eyes. Nott sneered. "Snape doesn't even know how to want. He's too used to scraps."

Severus ignored them, though his ears burned. Lord Slytherin, however, was not amused, and his magic flared just enough to silence the retinue.

Harry turned back to Severus, his expression softening. "Come. Let's walk."

They walked slowly, with Harry pointing out shops with boyish enthusiasm, "Flourish and Blotts, Madam Malkin's, the apothecary... anything catch your eye?"

Severus shook his head, but then, as they passed a narrow storefront with a faded sign of a Horse and a Book, Severus's steps faltered for just a second. But a second was all Harry needed to catch.

"Severus," Harry asked. "Do you want something from there?"

Severus muttered. "No."

Harry tilted his head. "You paused."

Severus hated being read so easily. "I... once wanted a volume they keep. An old tome of potions from the time of the Norman conquest. But I was not welcomed." His voice was clipped, "The clerk chased me out. Called me every name in the book. 'Death Eater,' 'traitor,' 'filth.' I was practically thrown into the street."

"They dared?!"

"It doesn't matter. I am used to it." Severus said quickly.

Before Severus could protest, Harry turned sharply toward the shop. He pushed open the door. The clerk looked up as the bell chimed. A pleasant "Good Morning" had already left her lips.

"L... Lord Slytherin," she stammered upon realizing who entered. "Welcome to Baxter's Antiquarian Books,"

"You have a tome on potions from the time of the Norman conquest, do you not?" When she nodded, Harry continued, gesturing towards Severus. "He'll have it. Wrap it carefully."

The clerk sputtered, her eyes darted to Severus. "But... he... he's,"

"Do not mistake my patience for tolerance," Harry stated. Severus wanted to protest at first, but when the clerk scrambled to fetch the tome, he felt vindicated. It was such an unfamiliar feeling.

The tome was handed over with trembling fingers. Harry took it, then placed it firmly into Severus's hands. "There," Harry said, "You wanted. And you received."

Severus stared down at the tome in his hands. "Thank you," Harry didn't know how much this book would help with his research. No other vendor in the UK even had a copy. Lord Slytherin leaned closer and murmured, "I intend to spoil you until you forget what scraps ever felt like."

The tome from Baxter's Antiquarian Books was tucked firmly under Severus's arm when Harry guided him towards the next shop. Which was Madam Malkin's. 'Merlin help him,' Severus thought as he remembered that woman poking him with pins.

The day's spoiling spree ended in a restaurant Harry had rented out entirely for the occasion. The guards remained stationed outside, forming a perimeter, while their purchases had been sent to the castle via owl delivery. The restaurant was quiet and intimate. The host guided them to a private table near the back, and Lord Slytherin insisted on pulling out Severus's chair for him.

A waiter approached nervously, bowing deeply. "Lord Slytherin, what may I bring you and your guest this evening?"

"Severus, what would you like?" Harry asked.

"Uhm," Severus glanced at the menu again. There was one dish that had caught his eye initially. He decided to choose that one. "The roasted pheasant looks interesting."

"Great choice, sir. The roasted pheasant glazed with honey and thyme, and buttered root vegetables in a red wine reduction is magnifique."

"I will take the same," Harry stated as the waiter scribbled down the order. "What wines do you have that would pair well with this dish?"

"We have both Muggle and Wizarding wines in stock." The waiter stated. "With this dish, I would recommend either a Shiraz or a Cabernet Franc. If you prefer Wizarding wines, then we have Goblin-Pressed Red and Elf-Made White from the 1782 vintage."

"I would like a Cabernet Franc," Severus ordered while Harry ordered a Shiraz. "Would any of you gentlemen like an appetizer?"

"None for me," Lord Slytherin stated. "I already have my appetizer right in front of me."

Severus actually choked on air. He coughed while the waiter tried to hide his widening eyes. "None for me either," Severus managed to say. When the waiter left, the Potion master gave Harry a pointed look.

The main course arrived very fast as they were the only ones in the restaurant. The aroma of the roasted pheasant filled the air, and it tasted absolutely sublime. Severus gave a hum of satisfaction when they dug in.

Harry reached into his robes and withdrew a small velvet black box. He opened it slowly, standing up and sinking to one knee, revealing a ring made from black obsidian. Severus stopped eating and stared. His breath caught. The stone that was inlaid in the black ring was a deep blue.

"Severus Snape," Harry said, "Do not think of yourself as a pawn. You are not a shadow nor a tool. I wish for you to be my equal, my partner, ruling at my side, and my conscience if I should ever stray. Will you do me the honor of being my consort, my lover, my partner?"

Before Severus could respond, the windows of the restaurant exploded inward. Shards of glass rained down, and Harry instinctively covered Severus as chaos descended.