AN:This is a present for a wonderful friend for her helpful pushes and the use of her ear. Without her, then all of those who are enjoying Until the Time is Right and The Time is Right AKA -The Seaside House Universe, wouldn't be. So, thank you Pekeleke, you are one of the best. ^-^

Many, many thanks go out to the other two who are the best... Raya and Yengirl, both whom have helped to beta this.

Real fast last minute note. Verus was chosen as Severus' nickname instead of Sev because I actually went to look up what Sev meant. I fear I now am going to have issues reading that nickname. I just can't see our Potions Master as an Indian snack food that is a spicy fried noodle. Verus is Latin for "real, true, proper, right" , so I used it.

Bargains and Home

The pounding on the door was loud and sudden.

Severus' heart stopped for a second and then he ignored the urgent sound and flipped the page of his book. Whoever had found their way up to his front porch could wait until he had finished this section.

Eventually, the knocking got to him and he put the book down before stalking to the front door. With a glare to show his displeasure, he flung it open, his gaze landing on a short man who was scuttling off the porch. The man turned back, looking uncertain at best and scared at worst.

Severus let the full weight of his glare rest on the man, waiting to find out the reason for his insistent knocking.

"My Ma... she said to come here."

Severus watched as the man who was somewhere in his mid-twenties wrung his hands together. When no more information was forthcoming, he raised an eyebrow.

"Ma said to come here."

Harry crossed the front lawn, having felt the property wards' warning while he was deep in the woods. As he neared the house, he took in the scene before him. A brown haired nondescript man stood near the porch, wringing his hands and oblivious to the warning signs on Severus' face. Harry could tell that a hex would follow the moment Severus was sure their visitor was a wizard. The man's words floated over to where he was.

"She did. She said that what I needed would be here."

Holding a basket full of different sized twigs and plant parts in one hand, Harry stopped a couple of feet away from their visitor. "Hello."

The other man whipped about and stared at the dark haired bespectacled man. "Hi. I need your help."

Harry glanced at Severus to see what he knew about this. The raised eyebrow answered his question.

Taking in the twisting hands, Harry smiled slightly. "I fear you have me at a disadvantage since I am entering the conversation late. Can we go back to the introductions? I'm Harry Pope and I'm sure that you already know that this is," the look in Severus' eyes spoke volumes. He did not want his full name mentioned, "Verus Pope."

Distressed brown eyes widened for a moment. "Sorry... I forgot." He bit at his lower lip for a moment before continuing. "I am Donald Ferguson."

Harry nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ferguson. Now what did you Ma see fit to send you here for?"

Ferguson looked over at the taller man that had yet to step out of the door. He took in the pale skin and the long black robes that seemed to mirror the man's stony eyes. The shoulder-length hair went with the monochromatic scheme as it was black with liberal streaks of white through it. He waited a moment more for the man to add to Harry's welcome. When none came, he turned back to the younger man. "My Annetra, she is sick."

Harry forced himself not to raise an eyebrow at this - Ferguson was obviously not one for long explanations. He was still trying to decipher if their visitor was a Muggle or a Wizard. "What is the matter with her? Neither one of us are doctors."

"Took her to St. Mungo's and they sent her home with lots of potions. Nothing works. I need something to make her better. Ma said that if I needed something impossible to happen, I should come here."

Harry's eyes met Severus'. This was out of his area of expertise.

Severus narrowed his eyes and gave the barest head shake. He refused to go out to the village, not when there was a possibility that he might run into Death. He had somehow made Death mad last time they met, and he was not willing to take a chance today.

Holding back a sigh, Harry resigned himself to going with Ferguson and coming back to report his observations. He crossed over to Severus and handed over his basket. "Will you put that in my workroom?"

Once the basket was taken, he turned back towards their visitor. "Lead the way Mr. Ferguson, and I'll endeavor to find out what I can."

Ferguson beamed at the younger man. "This way, Master Pope."

Harry followed him. 'A master yes, but not a Potions Master as you seem to think.'

Severus watched as Harry crossed their front lawn towards the fence, his gaze lingering on the well-toned body until they disappeared from sight. His mind was pulled back to the first time he had met Death in person.

ハリーポッターmemory lane セブルススネイプ

The first thing Severus realized was that he could feel the gritty feel of dirty floorboards underneath his palms. He was then conscious of the cloying, undeniable scent of spilled blood. Finally, as the conversation that was occurring over his head came into focus, vision returned and he was able to see the dimly lit room. He must still have his eyes open. Potter must not have had the decency to close them before he left.

"He shouldn't die!" Potter was glaring at Death.

Yes… Death, exactly as illustrated in the Tale of the Three Brothers in Severus' tattered copy of Tales of Beedle the Bard- hooded robe and skeletal hand clutching the long handle of a scythe.

'Wait - Potter is arguing for my life?'

"He was bitten by a venomous snake and has bled excessively. Why shouldn't he pass on?" The one hollow eye socket that was visible to Severus seemed to focus on the agitated man.

"I was hit with a killing curse, but I am still standing."

Severus watched as Potter's hand clenched at his side. So, the boy really did walk to his death. As Severus contemplated how Potter could still be standing here, or if this was his own entry into the afterlife, he started to wonder if he really wanted to live or die.

If someone had asked him that morning if he would want to die knowing that he had done all he could, he would have said yes without hesitation. There was nothing left for him here once all this was over. But now that he was facing his imminent demise, and Potter was arguing so fiercely for his life, he was starting to change his mind. Life wasn't such a bad thing if he survived Nagini's venom. He could move into the Muggle world and brew to his heart's content while living off of the hazard pay he had wormed out of Albus when he had first became a spy and teacher. He had locked it into a contract that was still valid today even after the old wizard's death.

"The fragment of a soul that resided in you took your place. It died instead. And since it was a long overdue arrival, I allowed the exchange. That is not the case here."

His inner musings were distracted by Death's adamant words. He focused on Potter's too thin face. Passion looked good on it. A lot better than the exhausted, resigned expression that had been there not that long ago.

Severus felt the vibrations through the floor as Potter paced about before stopping to look down at him. "I owe him too many life debts to count. That should mean something."

'No! Do not make my effort a waste of time.'

Severus wished he could glare at the boy, but although he could see, he couldn't move a muscle. As much as life was starting to sound more and more appealing now, Potter had more to live for than he did.

"It doesn't work that way." Severus was sure that Death would be smirking right now if it could. "And I do not think the man would agree to that solution. He has spent a lot of effort keeping you alive."

Potter shook his head furiously. "I didn't mean exchanging my soul for his. I meant that my debt should be paid by us sharing the rest of my time here on earth. I have only lived this long because of him. So, since my life is his, I think that he should be able to live as long as I do."

Potter and Death stared at each other.

"It would satisfy my debt." Potter sounded desperate.

Severus rolled the wording over in his mind. There were so many loopholes in that request. He could feel Death sizing up the bargain.

"So, Snape will live as long as you do. And if he dies, you will die as well?"

Potter's eyes narrowed. "That is my idea."

Severus mentally tensed at that. He wasn't sure about the idea of tying their lives together. Death was planning something, and he knew Potter was going to miss it.

Death leaned forward a bit and Severus saw his eye sockets giving off an eerie yellow glow. "You must live together... share everything... call the same place home."

Severus was glad that the migraine headache he could tell was there remained in the background. He could still think. He had to; there was something off about Death insisting they live together. Death obviously wanted him and Potter dead so it made more sense to order them to never see the other or die. That way, Severus wouldn't be able to look out for Potter and given the boy's impulsiveness, he would likely do something stupid soon and his death would pull Severus along with him. Or he might, out of some Gryffindorish sense of rightness, insist on clearing his name, and they run into each other at the trial or press conference.

It took a moment of mulling for it to come into focus. Home... that was the key word. They had to call the same place home. Death was counting on their tempers, mutual dislike and volatile past to deliver them to him faster. The moment one of them lost their temper and stormed out of their home... the moment one of them renounced that place, they would both die.

'Potter needs to bargain better. He needs to build us in some breathing space. Death is going to set it up so that we are always right on top of each other. '

Potter looked uncertain for a moment and then he pressed his lips together and nodded. "Okay. I think we can do that."

Death regarded him for a moment and then his gaze fell on the still form that lay at their feet.

"Let us first see what Severus Snape has to say to this chance, Harry Potter."

"Wait! If you remove the stasis spell, he'll die!"

'That answers why I am alive enough for this conversation to happen.'

Death focused back on Harry. "I am Death. If I say he is alive and well, then he is. And since I need him to be cognizant during this conversation, he shall be. If he refuses, then..." Death left the end off as the outcome was understood. He then waved his scythe towards Severus.

The migraine vanished. So did the lightheadedness, heavy feeling of exhaustion, throbbing pain in his throat and the aches throughout his body. Blinking his eyes, Severus struggled to his feet. He refused to bargain with Death lying down. Facing the entity that he had seen only in storybook illustrations, Severus drew a breath and started right in, ignoring Potter's gasp of surprise.

"We shall have to call the same building home, but do not need to share everything, especially the same room or bed." Even though Death had basically healed him, his voice was still raspy.

Severus felt the shock radiate off of Potter, but refused to look at the expression the boy was wearing.

"You shall have to spend every night together." Death's sockets faced Severus.

Potter cut in. "No. If one of us is traveling and cannot get back, then that would not work. As long as we call the same place home and sleep the majority of the time there, it should count."

"You will spend all nights barring one week a month at your home together." Death didn't sound happy at that.

Severus shook his head. "Half of the time, as long as we call the same building home."

Potter jumped in before Death could answer. "And as long as we stay at the same place even if it is not home. If we are traveling or visiting, we can stay in a hotel or at a friend's place as long as we are together and still call the same place home. Even if we are gone from that building for longer than a year."

Death tapped a bony finger on the handle of his scythe for a long moment. "Agreed. The moment that one dies, so does the other. You must call the same place home and spend at least two and a half weeks in a month under the same roof." He paused, turned from Potter to Severus and nodded as if in satisfaction. "You realize that despite your stipulations, you have a snowball's chance in hell of accomplishing that. You will both be mine soon enough."

Severus narrowed his eyes for a moment. "Let me talk to Potter in private before we agree to this." When Death gestured mockingly towards the far side of the room, Severus almost dragged the boy there before looking down at him. "Are you sure you want to do this, Potter?"

Potter had the cheek to smirk up at him. "Sir, at this moment a snowball's chance is more than what we both had the last time we were together in this shack. I think if we are both willing to make this work, it will."

"And what of your friends? Will they understand why you are living with me?" Severus searched those green eyes to make sure Potter had considered everything. Most likely not, but this was the last time he was going to try and get Potter to see what it was going to be like. He decided that he did want to live after all.

"They will eventually understand. And if they don't, then I guess I'll find a new set of friends…. although I doubt that will be necessary."

Potter sighed, obviously willing Severus to understand. "I can't let you die, Snape. Not when I can stop it." His young, haggard face hardened with determination. "They will understand that, especially if I bring up the number of times you saved me."

'Potter truly is not like his father. James was willing to give up everything to save his family and friends, but had far less compassion for one that he had considered an enemy. And I know that Harry has considered me an enemy. I made sure of it. But he is willing to give up his freedom to save me.'

Severus nodded slowly. Potter was right, his foolish Gryffindor friends would eventually accept a life debt as a reason for this bargain. Besides, he and Potter were only living together, nothing else. "A snowball's chance is better odds than I've had for more than a year, so I will accept."

Potter's smile was slow and genuine. "And so will I."

They walked back over to where Death was waiting.

"We accept this deal," Severus announced.

"You shall not be Potter and Snape since you shall be living together. Too confusing for the world." Death considered them for a very brief moment before continuing. "You need all the help you can get, so your last names shall be combined. From this point forward you shall be called Severus and Harry Pope. You must change all your assets to this name soon since in two weeks it will be the only legal one for you. But," he paused to look at each of them in turn, "it is a wasted effort. I am sure I will see you soon. Both of you."

Death then vanished, leaving them standing there in the grimy room.

Potter blinked at the spot for a few moments as though he couldn't believe the entire conversation had taken place. He took a deep breath and let it out, shoulders slumping before he turned to Snape. "He didn't give us a chance to debate that point."

Taking in Potter's shocked expression, Severus wondered why he wasn't just as stunned. It wasn't that common for him to talk to Death everyday. 'But then again, I have had Death as my shadow for so long. Maybe that is why it is a relief to finally be able to talk to him. Just like it was a relief to be called before Voldemort... I had a chance to know how they were thinking, and could influence the outcome.'

Severus smirked. "I think it was his way of getting back at us for bargaining successfully with him earlier."

He didn't mention that it was going to be an uphill struggle for the both of them. Potter would find that out soon enough.

Potter shook his head. "But how did he get 'Pope', and how is that supposed to help us?"

Severus raised an eyebrow. Potter must really be tired not to have figured that out. "The "Po" is from Potter and the "pe" is from the end of Snape. And I think he was referring to the odds he thinks we have."

He looked at the door of the shack and then back at Potter. "You said that you were hit with the killing curse, and lived again. Since you are here, I assume that Voldemort is dead?"

Potter nodded and swallowed.

Watching those green eyes cloud over with deep sorrow, Severus felt his heart clench. Victory over Voldemort would not have come without sacrifices. "I would like to hear what happened." He made sure that his tone was as respectful as he could make it.

Potter sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "That is fair. Can you tell me what happened here over the last year?"

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Will you fill me in on your last year, as well?"

When Potter nodded, Severus gestured towards the door that opened into Hogsmeade. "Then we'll take the long way back. We can note the damage to the Forbidden Forest as we go."

At Potter's tired look of acceptance, Severus smirked. "There will be less people to hound us, and I know several spots where we can stop to rest."

He would make sure to gather food out of his hidden cache, Potter looked in desperate need of it. And he needed a few potions as well. He knew that his headache would be coming back as soon as they stepped into Hogwarts.

ハリーポッターthe presentセブルススネイプ

Harry tread the familiar path to the Muggle and Wizard mixed village. 'I wish I had the grocery list, I could have completed the store run while I am here.'

He followed as Ferguson turned onto one of the smaller side roads that headed out into the outskirts that most of the Wizards lived in. Part of him wished Severus had come to see what was wrong with Annetra. He knew that the Potions Master would catch things that he was going to miss, but he also understood why Severus refused to go see a possibly dying patient. The events of that one week alone at Grimmauld Place still affected him.

ハリーポッターmemory lane セブルススネイプ

"Why are we here, Potter?" Snape took in the dusty stairwell and entry hall with barely disguised disdain. No. 12 Grimmauld Place didn't look as dirty as it had before, but it was still not a comfortable place.

Harry looked over at Snape, taking in the sneer. "It's my home right now. I thought it could be ours."

The sneer turned into a full out glare. "And what made you think I would ever want to call Black's old house 'home'?"

Harry folded his arms defensively across his chest and then he froze, feeling a spike of cold slide along his bones. It felt like Death was coming to claim him once again. 'We have to agree on a home, or we will both be dead. I need to make this quick.' "I don't have any other place to call home. Do you have somewhere else you would rather live? We can go there if you prefer."

Snape's hand griped his left arm as he shivered lightly. His face showed a moment of inner conflict. He was visibly torn between this house and someplace else. With a quick shake of his head, he turned to survey the hall once again. In a terse tone he snapped out his question. "May I have use of a room to be a potions lab?"

Harry drew in a settling breath. They had to live together, and he had known going into this that Snape was going to be temperamental. "It is your home as well, of course you can."

During dinner that night with a wary Kreacher in attendance, Snape explained how they were going to have to move all of their assets to their new names. "The most difficult part will be switching my Mastery paperwork."

It took them the entire two weeks that Death had granted to get the necessary changes finalized. Harry wasn't sure if Snape had used some illegal means, but it was done in time. During those two weeks, they learned that Dumbledore had set up a way to clear Snape's name from everything he had had to do as a spy. Harry hadn't understood it, but Severus had muttered something about archaic laws being useful for once.

The ministry demanded that Harry attend press meetings, and the press wanted what it could get out of Snape. Harry had been surprised that Snape agreed, but soon learned that the man hadn't been the Head of Slytherin on a whim. Harry started taking mental notes of the way the man played the press, getting them to clean up his old name.

Minerva had approached them separately at one of the many press conferences and requested that they help with the restoration of Hogwarts. The work on the castle ended the Ministry's demands on Snape's time; Minerva had seen to that.

They never arrived at the same time, and by a mutual unspoken agreement, they made sure that they worked on opposite sides of the castle, but returned to Grimmauld Place every night.

As the summer continued, the unspoken agreement had become a treaty. They avoided being around the other if they were tired or in a temper. If they were together, there were topics never broached. The Marauders and Lily were at the top of that list. If anything the other did pushed them almost too far, all they had to say was "snowball" and the other would walk away.

Near to his eighteenth birthday, Harry went to the Burrow for his annual summer visit. It had taken him several days of negotiations, but he managed to trim the visit down to just one week.

"Remember, this is home." Snape' eyes bored into Harry when he uttered those words and Harry knew why. The Burrow was a place that he had wanted to believe was his home every summer.

"I will. My home is with you. Wherever we reside," he replied solemnly.

Snape had watched him leave, his eyes as bleak as Harry had ever seen them.

Harry enjoyed his time away, but after just one day, a chill began to seep into his bones. It never let him forget that he had a promise to keep, but it wasn't until he arrived back home that he found out what had happened while he was away.

When he stepped through the floo back to Grimmauld Place, he was greeted with the sight of Snape reading in the front parlour. The man looked as poised as Harry had ever seen him, but he could see the relief shining in the dark eyes before it was masked.

The Potions Master gently put his book down and walked to the front door. Harry peered around him when he opened it and stared at Death sitting on the doorstep.

"He is home. You can leave now." Snape sounded as calm as he did when he lectured.

Both of them watched as the dark figure vanished and then Harry swung to Snape, worry on his face and his eyes huge. "How long has he been here?"

Snape headed back towards the kitchen. "Since the night you left. He only left long enough to perform his duties before returning here."

Harry shivered slightly and rubbed the goose bumps that popped up on his arms. While he was off having fun, Snape literally had Death waiting for them both on the doorstep. Now he was glad that he had convinced Mum Weasley that he had to head home before dinner. She had loaded him down with a basket of food that he was going to have to remember to get out of the parlour later.

Snape pulled the roast out of the oven. "I think he expected us to show up earlier and is making his displeasure known."

Harry gathered the plates and set the table. "Then he is going to have to be displeased for a long time to come."

Harry was glad he had nothing in his hands at that moment. He would have dropped everything at the honest smile that was flashed his way.

"I agree, he is."

ハリーポッターthe presentセブルススネイプ

Severus set the basket on the table in Harry's workroom. His fingers slid over the table top as he remembered Harry's final year at Hogwarts.

Harry had come home from his summer visit at the Weasleys' and talked about how Granger had been pressuring him to return to Hogwarts. He could tell that Harry wanted to, but wasn't going to make the decision without asking him. He remembered feeling amazed and grateful for the consideration.

Severus contacted Minerva and tried to get back his old job as Potions Master while she became Headmistress. But Slughorn didn't want to give up the post since Potter was coming back to the school and Minerva wanted to continue teaching Transfiguration.

In the end, Severus took up his previous mantle of Headmaster for Harry's last year. Consideration went both ways.

ハリーポッターmemory lane セブルススネイプ

Potter stormed into his office, his eyes bright and his face flushed. Severus locked up the response he felt at that look as well as the arousing images that came with it. 'I shall be living with him when he marries and starts his own family. I cannot start thinking of him as attractive.'

A letter ended up on his desk, and Potter was searching his face like he had come to do over the summer. He had to remind Potter that they were at Hogwarts. The deal with Death was a well kept secret. Neither of them wanted their vulnerability known to anyone. "What is the meaning of storming into my office without permission, Potter?"

Green eyes met his. When he saw the bewilderment hidden behind the anger, he knew more elaboration was needed.

"While I accept having an open door policy during school hours, I do insist that visitors knock and wait to be granted admittance outside of those hours. Please remember that in future. Now what is so urgent that you have forgotten common courtesy? A rampaging dragon in the Forest, perhaps? Or an accident on the Quidditch pitch?"

Potter took a deep breath as if forcing himself to calm down before gesturing towards the letter.

"I need your advice, Headmaster. They refuse to accept me."

Severus waited to see if any more information was forthcoming. When there was none, he raised an eyebrow. "Who refuses to accept the Savior of the Wizarding World, and how is that my problem?"

He could feel a shrewd gaze digging into his back, courtesy of a pair of painted blue eyes, but he ignored Albus. He had told Potter that he would never read someone else's mail unless it was a necessity. And since Potter could speak, it was not.

The boy, no man, crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the letter. "The Aurors. I was told that my Savior status was the reason why. I am too much of a liability. The criminals would try too hard to defeat me for bragging rights, and bystanders would get hurt."

Severus could hear the masked pain in Potter's voice, but refused to react to it. The last thing the teen needed was someone to pat him on the shoulder and tell him it was fine. "And how is this my problem? Surely, your Head of House can help with this."

Potter paced a few steps before he stopped and turned back to Severus. "I thought you would know what to do when you can't do what you want."

Severus was truly thankful that not one of the portraits could see his face right now. Resting his hands on the desk, he looked up into the aggravated face, letting his own expression show as much heartfelt honesty as he could bear to show. "Then you do what you have to do."

Understanding flooded Potter's face. The teen knew just how much Severus did not want to be the Headmaster. He was there so that they could both call Hogwarts home.

"Of course. Thank you, sir."

Potter picked up the letter and left a lot calmer than he had arrived.

ハリーポッターthe presentセブルススネイプ

Harry stepped into a small bedroom, and could smell the scents that he associated with illness: antiseptics, potions, and the underlying scent of illness. A quick look about the room showed that the windows were closed, and the lights were down low. After peering into the shadows, he felt a small weight fall off his shoulders.

Death was not there.

It had been a shock to see the entity on their doorstep that afternoon after his birthday visit, but it had been even more shocking to see Death when Harry had visited St. Mungo's a month later. Those glowing yellow sockets had pinned him to the floor, and he could feel the aggravation pouring off the entity.

Severus had refused to hand deliver potions to St. Mungo's after the seventh time. Death had followed him from room to room practically pinned to his shoulder.

"Master Pope, this is my Annetra." Ferguson gestured towards the bed.

Harry took in the pile of blankets and the sweaty dark blonde head resting on a lumpy pillow. He looked over at Ferguson when he pulled out his wand. "If I may?"

The man nodded quickly and then withdrew to stand near the door.

Harry didn't spare a thought of who Ferguson was looking for. He pulled the covers off Annetra a little bit at a time, watching to make sure she didn't get too cold. If Severus were there, they wouldn't have had to remove any of the layers. But even after all this time, Harry knew that his diagnostic charms were not as precise as Severus'.

Once he had enough layers removed, he could tell that she was about the same age as Ferguson. Casting the man an accessing look, Harry tried to determine how he was related to the young lady. The worry and anxiousness let him know that Ferguson cared about her, but their appearances belied any familial relationship. 'Unless they are a couple.'

Focusing back on Annetra, Harry cast his diagnostic spell and recorded the result. After he was done, he carefully replaced enough blankets so that she looked comfortable and heard a commotion at the door.

"Who is that? Donald, why are you bring strangers into the house!?"

Harry took in the gray hair and stooped shoulders of the old lady who had pushed passed Ferguson while she was scolding him. She had the same rounded face and pointed nose that Annetra had.

"He's Master Pope from up at Snowball. I asked him to look at Annetra. He might can help." Ferguson moved between Harry and the old lady.

Faded blue eyes met bright green. "The healers at St. Mungo's said that it was only a matter of time. That there's not a thing to be done." She shifted her gaze to Ferguson and back again. "But if it helps him accept it then do what you will. If you can make the passing easier, I'll thank you for it."

Keeping his face impassive, Harry forced himself not to look in any of the shadowy corners of the room again. The old lady seemed positive Death was hovering at the door. "I'll do what I can, but I need to consult with Verus. So, if you will excuse me?"

The old lady gave him a knowing look, and kept Ferguson from badgering him for a diagnosis.

Harry didn't want to tell them both that he had no idea what was the matter. Severus was much better at figuring out mysterious illnesses. Harry was positive it came from having to create specialty potions for some of the strangest illnesses. Severus had to learn about those illnesses to succeed.

Harry quickly left the house, but he made sure to check all corners once again for the Grim Reaper. He was nowhere to be seen which meant that the girl still had a chance.

He made his way through the fields until he came to the path that lead home. As he climbed a hill, he examined the woods that were filling in the left side of the path. He spotted the trees that he had harvested for the last couple of seasons. They were growing back fine. He would be sure to work in a different section of the forest for the next couple of years to let the first one finish recouping. He eventually passed the edge of the woods, his eyes automatically zeroing in on the sign that hung on the post. It brought a smile to his face.

This was their home. A place that they had picked together and they had named it aptly.

His gaze traced out the words 'Snowball's Chance' as his mind was pulled back to when they were still having home issues.

ハリーポッターmemory lane セブルススネイプ

The cold was settling close to his bones. Harry shifted on the bench and peered up at the head table. He needed to know if Snape was feeling the warning because Death didn't like the liberty they were taking with the definition of home. When the black eyes met his, Harry knew that Snape had a solution. Being as subtle as possible, he watched the Headmaster throughout the rest of dinner.

The only hint he received was when dinner was over. Snape walked next to the Gryffindor table, pinned Harry with a pointed look, and swished his cloak before walking out the door.

Dean leaned over before softly commenting to Neville. "Snape must be having problems with his billow effect."

Neville nodded. "I've never seen him actually make his cloak move with his hands before."

Harry paused in the middle of getting up. 'Cloak! He wants me to use my cloak to meet up with him... but where?'

Seamus put a hand on Harry's shoulder and pushed him back into his seat. "Wait, Harry. Snape went out the main doors. There might be something that we are not supposed to deal with out there."

Ron cast Seamus an 'are you crazy look' as Hermione quickly grabbed Harry's other arm. Harry barely registered either of the actions. 'Hall duty. That was the rest of the clue. Thanks guys! Not that I can tell you that out loud.'

Focusing, he shook his head at his two friends. "I'm not going to be running after Death again. I'll wait to see if he can find me."

He grinned at the chorus of disbelieving snorts that came from his year mates.

ハリーポッター

Later that evening found him under his cloak, waiting in the hallway that he knew Snape frequented. When the Headmaster passed him, Harry made sure to brush a hand against him. Snape gave the barest pause and then continued on his way.

Harry followed in his wake and was surprised when they came to the gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's Office. There were too many ears and eyes in that room for the conversation that they needed to have.

"Tincture."

Harry waited as the gargoyle moved out of the way. He was even more surprised when Snape didn't move up the stairs but instead faced the blank exposed wall that was under the arch of the stair.

"Lemon drops."

Doing his best not to let his eyes bug out, Harry followed Snape through the door that materialized in the wall, into a sitting room and through another door set on the far side of the quarters. He made sure to brush Snape's hand when he passed him so that the Headmaster would know that he was in the room.

Snape closed the door behind him and gestured for Harry to remove the cloak.

"Death seems to think we need to be a little less vague with our definition of home. I cannot move into the dormitories with you, so you shall have to move into the Headmaster Family Quarters with me. You may have this room or the one to the left of it. The bedrooms and bathroom are the only places without portraits. You need to -"

Harry cut in. "Wear my cloak when passing through, and I have to enter when you do. I always thought that the Headmaster's room was in the office… behind the desk." He surveyed the room. It was bigger than the one back at Privet Drive, and cleaner than the one at Grimmauld Place. There was a comfortable looking bed, a nightstand and a wardrobe.

The corner of Snape's mouth quirked up. "There is a set of rooms there, but I opened the Family Quarters so that we could share the space. My room is to the right of this one. All are accessible by the sitting room. That door," Snape gestured towards the narrow door in the far wall,"leads directly to the restroom. If the door does not open, then it is in use."

Snape glanced about the sparsely furnished room. "I can ask the elves to bring in anything you require."

Harry shook his head. "Then they would be suspicious. They are already going to be when they clean up the place."

He wondered at the smirk that suddenly appeared on Snape's face.

"As the elves do not clean my quarters, Potter, they will have nothing to be suspicious of."

"Then we certainly cannot ask them to bring anything up. That will make them curious." Harry focused back on Snape. "When and where shall I meet you?"

Snape leaned against the door. "You know my time to walk the halls and my last stop?"

Harry nodded. Most of Snape's route was erratic, but he always stopped last at the room where Harry had met him earlier.

"I'll be there."

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Harry was grateful that he was known to roam about the school at night, and was also known not to end back up in the dorm room until it was time to head to breakfast. It made his stays at Snape's quarters unnoticeable. The only issue he had were his clothes. If the quarters were truly his home, then his clothes and personal effects would need to be in there.

After a few days, Snape sat a trunk down at the foot of Harry's bed. It wasn't a new trunk, but it was still in good shape. "Take the uniforms out of there and transfer them to your trunk in the dorm. And then bring yours in here. If you do it carefully enough, then it won't be noticeable. It is going to be a continuous thing since the elves will continue to deliver your clean laundry to the dorm."

Harry nodded as he took in the slightly worn uniforms in the trunk. Only the patches and the ties looked almost new. "If I had a bag to carry them back and forth in like Hermione's..."

Snape passed him a small bag. "Charm it yourself."

It was after that day that the cold receded.

Harry got used to Snape just entering his room on occasion. The man could not knock because it would stand out to the portraits that populated the sitting room. They had decided to say that Snape was using the room as a personal library to give him a reason to be spending time in a supposedly empty room.

Several weeks later Harry was stretched out on the floor working on his homework when the door opened and closed behind him. He felt the dark eyes resting on him for a moment before Snape crossed the room and sat in the chair that Harry left for him. Next to it was a trunk full of shrunken books that was the library that Snape had moved into the room.

Rolling onto his side, Harry let his eyes flow up Snape's body before stopping at his face with an inquiring look. The Headmaster only came in if there was something that he wanted to talk about.

"I can find and move a desk in here for you."

Harry shook his head. "Too much chance that someone will find out. The elves especially. They are already upset that you don't let them clean in here. They will notice a missing desk and begin an all out search."

It was a side effect of having Snape as the Headmaster. The elves refused to lose a thing since they didn't want to face his well-known temper. They were positive that Snape would know if anything disappeared. His uncanny ability to know when something was missing from his potions storage closets had convinced them of that.

Snape sighed and settled back into his seat. "Then you can go into my room and use mine. I will make sure that any sensitive papers are put away."

Harry felt his eyes widen. He couldn't believe that Snape was offering him free access to his room. "Why? I mean... it is your room."

He was even more amazed when the man ran a hand through his hair and then leaned forward with an earnest expression on his face.

"This is supposed to be your home as well as mine. You cannot feel at home being regulated to, and basically locked into, one room. Normally, you would have free run of every room but mine. But that can't happen. So, you need to have free run of all the places you can. As well as have access to all the things you need to use. In these special circumstances, that means you have access to my room and my desk since, as you pointed out, the elves will notice if I move one in here."

Harry stared into the intense dark eyes and felt a stir of the attraction that he was trying to ignore. Looking down at the carpet, he considered the offer. He was quite used to being locked into a single room, but it obviously bothered Snape. Looking back up, he smiled. "I'll make sure to wear the cloak through the sitting room. Are you going to leave the door open?"

Snape nodded. "The desk is at an angle that no one can see it from the sitting room. If I shut the door, remain there and quiet. There is a visitor either expected or here already."

Harry nodded.

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Harry slammed the book down on the bed in the Gryffindor dorm.

Ron looked over at him and took in the frustration that was written on his best mate's face. "What is it?"

Harry glared at the book as he felt the bed dip under Ron's weight. "I cannot find a single career that will allow me to stay at home while I train."

He looked up in time to catch the puzzled look on Ron's face.

"Why do you want to stay home?" The question came from Neville.

Harry frowned slightly while he tried to figure out how to answer Neville without telling them the reason. He shot a look over at Ron who waited to hear what he had to say.

"I've never had a place to really call home. Even my Aunt's place was just that: her place. I want to move out of Grimmauld Place, that was Sirius' house. I need to both find a new place and make it feel like home." A sigh escaped. "But I also want to get a mastery in some skill. I just thought it would be easier to live at the house while I got my mastery. It would gain the 'home' feel I want faster that way."

He didn't see Neville, Ron, Seamus, or Dean's eyes meet since he was tracing patterns in the thick red fleece blanket that covered the foot of his bed.

"Do you already have a house you want to look at? Or at least a set of requirements?" Neville leaned forward slightly waiting for his answer.

"I'm looking, but I haven't had much luck. I don't want everyone to know it is me who is looking. I want a home that is near a town that at least has some Wizards. It has to have enough space to grow in. A work room and a place to store stuff. A garden." Harry watched his fingers as they moved the nap in the fleece, making it change from a lighter red to a darker red to light again. "Kind of like the Burrow."

"What do you want to learn?" It was Dean that took up the questioning now.

Harry swiped the pattern away, like an eraser cleans the chalk off a board, and flung himself back onto the bed. "I want to be an auror. But it isn't happening." He stared up at the canopy for a long moment before he continued. "Something creative. I want to make something. That is why I want a workshop."

He wasn't going to mention that it was going to be Severus' workshop. He would make do with whatever space he could find until he figured out what it was he wanted to do.

It was after that conversation that Harry realized just how much the boys in his dorm stuck together. Sure, they kept his nightly wandering quiet. All they did was stop him periodically and look him over in the morning to make sure that he was resting somewhere. Ron had asked him one time if he was staying somewhere safe. Now though, there were articles, newspaper clippings, and even names of realtors being left on his bed.

Two weeks later, they made sure the door was locked after Harry had come into the room. Ron smiled at him and handed him a list. "I asked George, Bill, Charlie, and Percy for ideas for you. Percy and George had the best ones."

Neville rocked on his heels. "I asked Gran. She is even looking into houses that might be available."

Seamus and Dean leaned against the bed posts. "We've scoured every book we could think of and asked all the Heads of Houses. Even Slughorn. Sorry, but we weren't approaching Snape."

Harry grinned at that before looking at the list. Name after name of notable Wizarding masters filled the page. Right next to the names was the mastery that they would train you in. Looking back up, he met each of their eyes. "Thank you."

Ron smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "You can thank us by telling us which one you are going to pick. Dean and Seamus want to borrow the list afterwards."

Harry shot a look over at the two.

"You aren't the only one who wants to stay home and learn. And we have the best list in the school..."

Harry couldn't help but laugh.

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He had all the property choices scattered across the desk in Snape's room when the man came through the door. Harry watched as he paused and almost turned about before thinking better of it. Closing the door, he nodded to Harry before crossing the room to the far side. Harry pulled his eyes away from Snape as he stripped out of the Headmaster robes and put on a more comfortable set.

"Snape, can we go off during Christmas break?"

Snape raised an eyebrow as he took in the listings on the desk. "You wish to go house hunting?"

Harry nodded. "We need to find somewhere we both can call home."

As Snape nodded in agreement, Harry continued. "I've decided to become a wandcrafter. There is a master that will let me come home every night."

"Is this what you want to do?" The dark eyes searched his face.

Consciously mimicking Snape, Harry rested both hands on the desk. "It is not a matter of want, it is the best option available. I might enjoy it."

He could feel the consideration in Snape's gaze before the man nodded again. "Are you are taking all the NEWTs classes that you will need?"

Harry nodded. "I do need to pick up an OWL in Runes but Hermione is helping me with that. I'm considering asking Professor McGonagall to let me take DADA as a study hall but still take that NEWT. I can use that class time to study the Runes."

He watched as a frown creased Snape's brow for a moment. "I'll give Minerva permission for the change. Do not forget to get a waiver application for both tests. Since you are not sitting in the classes, you will need one." He stopped a moment before continuing. "If you need any help with the Runes while Miss Granger is away for the holiday, I am willing to aid."

Harry blinked for a moment and fought off the memories of his special classes with Snape back in fifth year. This time it would be different, he hoped. "Thanks. If I need help, I'll ask."

Snape looked down at the parchments on the desk. "What are our options?"

Harry took the rest of the evening to explain what his dorm mates had found for him.

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They had started house hunting two days after Christmas.

Harry remembered his surprise on Christmas morning. He hadn't expected a present from Snape, even though he had one for the Headmaster. He had watched anxiously as Snape had opened the box of journals and quills. It wasn't much, but it was all he could think of that wasn't too cliché for a Potions Master. A soft 'thank you' calmed his nerves.

His present from Snape had brought a smile. It was a portable lap desk. He had barely used the offered desk in Snape's room, and more often than not, he could be found stretched out on the floor. Over the break, as the castle had become colder, Snape would glare at him for it.

The gift that had him rolling on the floor laughing was the one Snape had bought and labeled from both of them to Death. Snape had explained that it was scythe polish and that he was sure that Death would stop by to pick it up later.

They then spent the last couple of days looking over dozens of places. Their wizard realtor was about ready to pull his hair out if Harry was reading him right. Whatever Harry liked, Snape didn't and vice versa.

Pulling his thoughts to the present and the house they were currently looking at, Harry peered about. It was a comfortable place with all the requirements that he had stipulated. When he caught Snape's expression though, he knew they weren't going to get this house either.

He walked back out into the snow covered front yard and peered down the little track that headed towards the road. The neighbors were about as close as the ones on Privet Drive. He realized that was the problem as he felt Snape step out behind him. He looked over at the waiting realtor. "Sorry, not this one either. We need a bit more space around us."

The mousy looking man frowned for a moment before his eyes brightened. "I have just the place." He pulled a key out of his pocket and held it out to them.

Harry watched as Snape touched the portkey before he did. He still didn't like traveling by them.

The house they appeared at was set back from the road in the middle of what was an obviously well kept lawn even under the snow. The houses were visible on both sides but were not so close that the neighbors could be as nosy as Aunt Petunia loved to be. Harry could feel the tension leak out of Snape. Things were already more positive than the last house. The realtor introduced them to the owner who showed them about. The house was just what Harry had envisioned, with one problem. There was no workroom anywhere to be seen.

Harry interrupted the realtor's conversation with the owner. "Is there a workroom here?"

The owner smiled at him. "It is a separate building. Let me show you."

She headed out the kitchen door and they followed her as they trekked to the far back corner of the property. They could fit an entire Quidditch pitch between the house and the workroom.

Harry hoped it would be a brilliant workroom to make up for the distance. His hopes were again dashed when he saw the space. It was barely as big as Snape's makeshift lab at Grimmauld Place and in worse shape. "Thanks."

Turning away, he felt Snape's hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

"If you will give us a moment, please."

Snape guided him just out of earshot before he continued. "This is a good spot. The workroom will do."

Harry glared up at the man. "No. It is to be your home, too. You have to have a space that fits your needs. Not a makeshift afterthought." He caught the quickly masked surprise.

Snape shook his head. "I can always build a workroom. Or modify an existing one."

Harry glared at the tiny building crammed in the corner of the property. "Then it has to be closer to the house. It is unacceptable that you would have to run through the rain or cold to get there."

Snape smirked a bit. That was an acceptable condition to him.

As they walked back to the realtor and the owner, they could hear their conversation. "It doesn't matter what they pick. Those brothers are not going to stay together. Their tastes are so different that one is going to move out within a week."

The owner nodded in agreement with the realtor. "They don't have a chance, do they? I think the younger likes this place, but the elder doesn't."

"Except the workshop. The younger is more picky about that space than the elder. I'm curious what his profession is."

"You don't know?"

"They haven't mentioned what either of them do for a profession. The Popes are a very tight-lipped set of brothers."

The conversation halted when they spotted Harry and Snape approaching.

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Harry walked past the signpost with a smile curling his lips. People were always doubting that they could make it, but Ron and Hermione hadn't doubted when they learned of it and neither had any of the Weasleys.

The rest just didn't understand the willpower that had pushed him and Severus through things darker and uglier than just living with someone they could kind of tolerate and respect. But then again, the Weasleys and Hermione knew about the Dursleys and had some idea of what Snape had put up with as a spy.

Snowball's Chance had finally been discovered by Ron, George and Percy sometime in the middle of the following spring. Not one of them would say who had actually found the place.

The property had been abandoned for at least a century before Harry and Severus purchased it, and most people thought it was haunted by the worst types of spooks. They were right, it had been. But those spooks had learned that an ex-Death Eater Spy and the Savior of the Wizarding World were not the right ones to go against. Especially when they had found a place they could both agree on.

Ron, Hermione, George and Percy had taken it upon themselves to visit occasionally, and decided that Harry needed help with the clean up. They called in the one person who could scour away hundreds of years of filth clean while making it look easy. And she could command a large army of forced volunteered laborers.

Molly Weasley ordered the entire Weasley clan over, and they cleaned the place until it sparkled. Those who had helped clean Grimmauld Place agreed that this place was easier. At least there weren't any miscellaneous unlabeled dark objects just sitting around.

It was during the Weasley invasion, which they had since named the 'Great Cleaning', that the Weasleys and Hermione discovered that he was living with Severus. Molly had commandeered the kitchen to make supper and to talk to Harry, and Arthur had cornered Severus in one of the labs.

It was over dinner, after an oath of secrecy, that Harry had explained the deal with Death. He could still clearly remember Severus shaking his head after the Weasleys had left, proclaiming them all hopeless Gryffindors for not raising a bit of Cain. They had just accepted it as one of those things that happened to Harry, and Ron's eyes had filled with understanding. Ginny had looked from him to Severus before glancing about the house.

She had later told Harry that she was attempting to figure out how they were all going to live there and not break the deal.