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Undercover Death Eater Severus and Unspeakable Percy first met in Headmaster Dumbledors' office after Percys' graduation ceremony. He had harnessed his magical core and magic control enough to be accepted among the rare five Unspeakable newbies where else the Potion Master received word from Lucius Malfoy regarding the Death Eaters plans to recover their master. With their positions set, Albus decided it was now or never.
He let the duo stare each other down before dry coughing to catch their attention and pathetically asked, "Lemon Drop?"
"No," both spat quickly before bring their respectively sharp glares at each other. "Why in Merlins fucking ass is he here?"
"Now, now, my boys,-" Albus began, only to stop when both younger adults lashed out with their strong magical cores.
"Albus," snarled Severus while crossing his arms across his chest. "You said we were going to talk about war! I told you to avoid bringing children into this mess!"
"I'm not a child anymore, Snape! I haven't been since you taught me the Dark Arts!" Severus flinched at the upstart and his eyes widen. Percy easily huffed in frustration while grunting, "He knows and I plan to join the war first thing this summer..."
"We-Percy, you can't be serious," spluttered the teacher, eyes wide in disbelief and concern. He didn't want one of his favourite students to go down in the war.
Severus Snape and Percy Weasley bonded after a significant moment of time spent with afternoon classes. It had started during Percy's OWLs when he approached the silent dungeon bat after his start of term class there. Severus was perplexed by the student's enthusiasm to study Defense Against the Dark Arts from his Potion Master. His reasoning alone was rather Slytherin that made him actually chuckle at the turn of events and agree.
The raven head admitted to himself frequently, he found the younger prat an amazing duelist. His brains and wit made their training even more fun and his determination to get better helped Severus through the long run. They did Muggle-like training to increase stamina, discussed nutrient meal plans together and often shared knowledge in spell crafting to crank things up a notch. He was Severus' favourite whether he admitted it or not and the thought of Percy going through hell in the Ministry worried him.
"Percy," he began softly, catching the redhead attention. "I know you want to help, I truly do, but you don't have to. This war is the remends of my generation not doing the best to ensure the Dark Lords uprising. As a child from this generation, you shouldn't have to-"
"Harry's stuck in this whether he likes it or not and you're just fine!" Percy retorted with a twitching brow, a nerve Severus knew he was about to blow a gasket.
Instead, Severus was also on his edge as he roared back, "I wished that brat didn't have to go through this! Do you know how much it kills me to know my old best friends son is forced to fight in this kind of war I could've prevented? I won't have you go through what I had to, Percy!"
"That's enough you two," Albus quickly interjected himself to avoid a rage rant war among these two stubborn kids. "You both are playing important roles in the upcoming war and I'll need you both to get along..."
Severus froze at his words and eyed his mentor silently before whispering softly, "He's the Ministry spy?"
Realisation his Percy and he eyes his own mentor and gaped, "And Prof is gonna be the Death Eater spy?"
"Unfortunately," was Albus' simple reply while his eyes sparkled behind his moon-shaped glasses. He leaned forward and crossed his fingers and he began stating, "So, this is what will happen..."
------
Severus was sitting by a lone table in the Leaky Cauldron, his eyes lowered while his senses were on the heightened peak. He cautiously listened for any subtle movement or conversation that indicated eavesdropping on him. His hand slowly lowered towards his wand when he heard footsteps approach him.
Fortunately, he didn't spring into action when the stranger sat down across from him. The raven head managed to take in the red curls of hair and exhausted deep eyebags on the freckled pale face of his underling.
"You look like shit," he pointed out while calmly returning his sweaty hand onto the mug in front of him and sipped down a bit of Firewiskey.
The Ministry officer chuckled warily and raised his own mug of rootbeer before replying, "And you look alive..."
"Baldy thinks I'm his precious brewer so he won't do anything to affect my Potions," shortly stated the Potion Master while leaning across his desk and giving a small smile to his pupil. "But it seems Dummy isn't giving you that kind of treatment..."
"Ministry officers task," Percy trailed off while lifting a hand to list them down his fingers. "Quill scratching, parchment folding, simple charms, and fucking..."
Severus froze at the last point and glared with rage bubbling in his gut. "What do you mean by that?" When he noted the disgusted look on Percys' expression he groaned out, "Oh, hell no... Fudge? Really?"
"Really really," replied the officer with a resigned sigh. "Anyone with a high position is his little toy..." He let the silence and words sink in before adding, "Albus thinks I should aim for his undersecretary..."
Percy jumped slightly in his seat when Severus banged his mug on the wooden surface and roared, "NO WAY!" His blue eyes travelled around the bar in case it had drawn attention but Severus must've managed to cast a Muffliato for the surrounding wards because nobody even glanced at them. He returned his gaze upon his mentor and gaped at the blazing anger in his eyes.
"Pro-" Percy began, only to have his collar pulled up so their faces were very close. In such proximity, Percy could only gasp while his head when dizzy from the overwhelming scent of Potion fumes, nature whiffs and star grass salve.
"Listen closely Percy, cause I'm not gonna repeat myself," whispered the elder with his aura slowly breaking out of his control. "You will not accept that position... You will not be in the same room like that...thing. You will not do anything to be around him... You will play your part away from that kind of misery and-,"
"But then what use will I be?" Hissed Percy back with tears whelming up, knowing what he had brought himself upon. "I have to do this, sir. Only being in such a position will guarantee me enough valid information for the Order..."
"You will do no such thing! I can't allow it to happen! Especially to a kid like you!" Severus retorted.
"I'M NOT A-,"
The sound of a mini crack brought their attention upon the wards and they both widen at the magic thickness that was barely suppressed by the wards. Instead, Severus took a deep breath and built his Occlumency walls while Percy calmed himself while reinforcing the spells. They were thankful the wards hadn't fallen previously. So now, they both settled down in their seats and Severus groaned.
"I didn't mean it like that, Perce," Severus began softly, surprising the younger at the usage of his nickname. He only did this when he wanted to mean something important. "I just..."
"Just?" Percy slowly pushed, not wanting to force him but to listen to his opinion. He respected Severus and he knew the elder wanted the best for him.
Severus raised his eyes and stared at his pupil in pity. He didn't want his kid- 'Wow, possessive much...' -to be dragged into the world of spies and all those dark duties. But Percy was already in the world. His undercover Unspeakable missions made him see horrors of the world and he looked older than his age. Severus took a deep breath to settle the raging monster in his gut and lifted a hand to ruffle those soft locks. This brought a wave of calmness across both mentor and student and Percy smiled at the sensation.
"Please," Severus continued while looking at his beloved prat. "Please be safe for me, Percy..."
"I will, Severus..."
--------
Percy stood in front of the shabby house in Spinners End, ignoring the rain drenching his Ministry outfit. He simply stood there shivering while he felt disgusted with himself. Everything he had done for Albus seemed to be for nothing in his opinion. He couldn't weigh the information with what he had given in return. He lifted a hand to knock, but the door swung open with his teacher who was the pale and wide-eyed insight of his student.
"C-Can I stay for the night?" He whispered, managing to get his message of urgency across with that alone. No matter how much the rain tried to shut him down, Severus could understand his student even in moments of silence. "I... I can't be alone tonight..."
"Come on in, Perce," Severus said softly while opening his door wider, allowing the first person who wasn't a business partner to enter his personal premises. He wrapped his favourite warm blanket around his pale body after Percy stripped off his uniform and tried his best to ignore the swelling burnt marks on his wrists and ankles.
Severus gently led Percy to his favourite couch and let him snuggle in the warmth of his scent before turning around to get something warm to drink. But a pale trembling hand grabbed his wrist and prevented him from leaving the redhead. The elder slowly descended upon his student and gave a small rare genuine smile while cupping his pink cheeks.
"I'm not leaving you, Percy..."
---------
"Albus said breaking ties with them was for the Greater Good," Percy reasoned while his mentor paced his flat and his magic lashed out dangerously.
"FUCK HIM AND HIS GREATER GOOD!" Severus growled while slicing a hand across his magic to tame it from hurting Percy or destroying his home. "Your family is all you've got between you and the ministry! Now, you'll have to face them all alone! Nobody should have to go through that kind of shit!"
Before he could scream at Percy's misfortune, a smaller hand gently rubbed circles in Severus' broad back and calmed his magic. He leant into the touch and slowly steadied himself with an exhausted huff. His temper was everywhere whenever he thought of Percy being alone in the Ministry with Scrimgeour. That rats' ass might not be the same as that rapist Fuckey but he was bad enough to manipulate Percy into doing all the paperwork and force him to go over his limit. He wanted to kidnap his kid, smoulder him in hugs and drag him out of the country.
But if there was one thing Percival Ignatius Weasley was, it was bravery and determination to go through anyone's plans. He hated that one aspect of Percy but he wouldn't crush his own motivations for Severus' own protectiveness. He took another deep breath- those being the only thing that could bring him to calm himself nowadays -and sighed heavily.
"I'll be fine, Severus," Percy managed to choke out while his voice cracked and tears welled up at the memory of his family kicking him out. "I... I still have you..."
"It's only temporary," sighed Severus while wrapping his arms around the kids trembling figure and feeling him break down. "But yes... I will still be around to help you..."
-------
Percy sobbed into his knees, his body hunched on his bed while his sin felt dirty. He had killed someone on today's mission as his undercover role as the Unspeakable. He didn't know but Rowle had managed to sneak in the Dark Lords orders to kill off Muggleborns and Percy was all for following any paperwork. Only afterwards, when cleaning up the apartment the so-called 'convict' lived in, did he realise his mistake and couldn't bring back the innocent.
He had nearly cracked in front of Rowle but his Occlumency shield managed to keep him straight and cool in front of his colleagues. But when he got home, he couldn't hold back his misery and let his emotions unravel. At times like these, he wished he could talk to his mentor. Severus always knew what to do in any situation. He could surely help navigate Percy through this hellish challenge.
But they had broken contact after the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord began their rampage across the Magical World and Percy couldn't meet up with his mentor anymore. Severus was busy working around the clock for gaining information for Albus, brewing potions for both sides and keeping his hind safe from any suspicions. Percy couldn't force Severus to come to his side, just because he couldn't go through such a simple thing as killing.
So, with another deep breath, Percy slowly let his Occluemncy shield protect him from his raging emotions of dread, pain and misery... and he locked himself behind his emotionless mask...
-----
"Percy?" Severus questioned when his prat entered Albus' office silently. His eyes widen in fear at the emotionless mask and he could only gape while Percy gave his usual report without a single moment of hesitation. He talked about the deaths, the blood, the tortures like it wasn't something horrible... like it was a part of his life now. Albus also noticed the change in his spy and could only watch sadly as Percy protected himself behind the dull mask.
"And that's my report for today, sir," Percy concluded calmly before taking a single step back and bowed. Once he left calmly, Severus glared at Albus with his magic spiralling out of control and the elder only nodded solemnly...
"Go to him, Severus..." He stated simply. "Only you can save him now..."
-------
Percy smiled warily across his flat when Severus entered. The elder looked exhausted, his hair a mess, his clothes drenched in the foul stench of blood and his eyes were dull. Percy knew that look, he had seen it on his own face after he had killed an innocent with his own hands. He slowly invited him in with a wry grin and watched his teacher collapse on his bed before turning to him. Percy fell beside him and chuckled at the way they both bounced slightly at the impact.
"So, what's going to happen?" Severus wondered out loud, breaking the silence. He had heard from the Ministry after Rowle ran off for some 'duty' and didn't need Severus to talk about that hell he went through. "There's no headmaster to report to..."
"Yeah, there is..." Severus denied shortly while giving Percy a shit-eating grin. "Apparently, it's Yours Truly..."
"Oh man," Percy joked slightly with a dry smile. "So, sir... The Ministry still believes you're in fact, a Death Eater..."
"Well shit," chuckled Severus. "Perhaps I can bribe them with Lemon Drops?"
"You wish!" Cackled the younger while they both went into hysterical laughter. They felt tears slip down at the fact their biggest hope and leader is gone. Soon, they settled back down and stared at the dull ceiling with exhausted smiles that didn't reach their eyes. Both mentor and protege let out several sighs of their misery before Severus broke the silence.
"Betting you my entire fortune that they won't believe us to be working with the Order," he muttered while lifted an arm over his eyes. "God... Only Albus could convince them and only he knew our positions... It's my word against them..."
"Our word, sir," Percy chirped sadly before both turning to eye the other. "Our... Us both against the world... Shitty life but I'm sure we can handle it..."
"Hogwarts Dungeon Bat and Perfect Prefect Headboy?" Questioned Severus with a dumb grin which soon became contagious.
And if they laughed with their fingers wrapped together, well, that was nobodys' business...
------
Severus stood in front of the Unspeakable across him, their wands flung off to the side while rage and war erupted around them. His Death Eater robes were ruffled and his skull mask was cracked. His obsidian eyes stared into the bone-white cracked mask hole that revealed the blue periwinkle eyes of his protege. Wandlessly, both cast strong privacy wards and hurried to each other to talk things through.
"The Ministry has fallen... Only wayward Aurors have come to help. Many Unspekables left are Death Eaters," Percy ranted while taking off his mask and running his pale trembling hand through his red messy locks. "I don't know how much longer before they send in their own Death Eaters from the MInistry. I've placed multiple wards to keep them contained until this war is over. No Port-Keys, Apparation or Floo can get them through. I worry if they'll send in Imperiused Ministry officers to attack and if they're forced to kill their own family, I don't think-"
"Percy! Calm down!" Severus hissed while gently held Percy's freckled cheeks into his calloused hands. He thumbed away the single tear and gave him a smile behind his cracked mask. "We'll get through this together... You'll be fine... You did good..."
"N-No," Percy denied while gently pulling off the skull mask and dropping it to eye his favourite teacher. "No, I didn't... I screwed up... I should've stayed behind and protect them... I should've sided with my family earlier... I should've-"
Whatever he wanted to claim was forced to be locked behind the pale lips that pressed itself against Percys' chapped lips. The Unspeakable froze for a moment before his own gut felt those butterflies he felt during all those training days and he wrapped his trembling hands around Severus' tiny waist. Severus had to lean upwards, having stayed shorter than the Weasley after his latest growth sprout and he wrapped his arms around his neck.
They eventually pulled away for air and Severus lowered his eyes while Percy stared back at him in disbelief. Very slowly, Percy asked mentally through his eyes, 'Why me? Why did you do it? When have you started planning to do so? Do you...' Instead, he was met with teary eyes and could only gape as Severus took three steps back and un-warded their surroundings.
"You'll be fine, Percy... You did good," he began softly while blood-churning screams echoed into the evening sky. "Now, it's my turn to finish this..."
And with that, Severus turned away, running down the hills with his mask in hand while Percy registered his words and pain filled his heart...
'Please be safe, Severus...'
------
"YOU'RE GROUNDED FOR A MONTH, SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE!" Hissed a familiar voice from an empty hallway, surprising the exhausted Golden Trio. Many eyes turned in that direction as the voice added, "You scared the shit out of me!"
"Apologies, Head Boy," snarled another familiar voice that brought hope into Harrys' chest. "I never thought fulfilling my task would cause you much grief..."
"Well, it wouldn't have if you didn't fucking kiss me, Seve-," they both turned the corner and many gasped at the sight in front of them.
A bloody-stained robed Severus Snape limped beside the black sheep of the Weasley family, both very close and both very angry. Many eyed Percy's uniform used for Unspeakables while some noted the snake bite marks on Severus' pale neck. Harry had stood up at the mentioning of the name and gasped as his professor's onyx eyes narrowed at them all.
"Well, fuck," was all he said before Ron Weasley shrieked...
"WHAT DID HE MEAN BY KISSING YOU, PERCE?"
Many jaws dropped at his exclamation and many questioned mentally, 'That's what he wants to know?' While the Weasley family hurdled themselves at their wayward son.
------
"You are all dismissed," Severus drawled out while watching his students cheer in the joy of the end of term. "Make sure you dunderheads study for your following year's assignments! Your NEWTS will determine your future life and- ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING?"
"See ya next year, Professor!" Ginny Weasley chirped while rushing out hand-in-hand with Luna Lovegood.
Severus huffed in frustration while turning around to clean up his desk. Ever since he and Percy (reluctantly) announced their secret roles planned by Albus to the public, they were viewed as heroes. Much to his dismay, it reduced the fear he inflicted in his students, especially a certain redhead student. Rubbing his sore temple, he took salvage in the resignation form in his drawers. He couldn't wait to leave the dredged position as a teacher. Teaching just wasn't his forte.
"Excuse me, Professor," a voice called quietly. "I think I left something here..."
Severus wanted to snap at this nuisance and turned swiftly to give the brat a piece of his mind. Instead, he came face to face with a knowing smirk from his protege and the wind left his lungs as he realised he had managed to sneak upon him. He stared into those blue eyes and lost all words in his mind.
"You see," trailed off Severus while gently caressing a stray lock of black silky hair. "I believe you've stolen my heart and I would like it back..."
They both stood in silence, staring at each other souls through their eyes alone. But eventually, Severus snapped out of it while groaning, "Really? That must've been your worse corny pick-up line you've ever tried..."
"Oh come on," whined the redhead while placing his chin upon Severus' head. "I was sure you would like that..."
"No," Severus muttered while playing with the buttons in front of him. "That was horrible and sappy. I would hex you if I didn't like you..."
Percy grinned at this and stepped back to eye his mentor before excitement ran through his gut and he cast a spell on him. Severus froze as he lost all sight and gaped. Before he could say a word, Percy kneeled down and undid the charm before meeting Severus' eyes. His mentor only narrowed his eyes and raised a thin brow in a questioning manner. Percy rolled his eyes before beginning his speech...
"Severitus Tobias Snape-Prince," he began softly, filling the cold dungeon with his warm compassionate aura. Said teacher blinked in surprise, having not heard his full name in decades. "You have been my professor for seven years, companion for five and beloved for four. I've seen sides of you nobody had ever seen behind those Occlumency walls you've built over a lifetime of hell and misery."
"Are you sure you know all my sides cause I'm sure I've locked about twenty-seven emotions behind them..." Severus drawled, hiding his impressed emotions from showing.
"Oh, hush, details, details," Percy jabbed, earning a quick curve of his lips. "Where was I?"
"You were quoting poetry crap from Hagrids' drunken scribbles on the Daily Prophet," he replied snarkily back, but his eyes were full of interest and curiosity. Those emotions were there but deeply hidden behind his cold and stoic mask. "Carry on..."
"Well, since I forgot where I dropped off, I guess I'll just get to the gist," he grunted, truly annoyed that Severus had managed to get his short term memory loss to unlock at such an important moment. Well, he wouldn't have loved him if he couldn't do that in the first place. "So, I was hoping you would play a new role in my newly-formed life?"
"Besides being a pain in your ass?" Questioned the Dungeon Bat while crossing his arms and looking at the clock he placed in his classroom dungeons. Since he had adverted his gaze, he didn't notice Percy pull out a small miniature box. "Get this over with, Weasle... I have reports to send-"
Severus had lowered his eyes back to his pupil to rant in frustration, but by doing so, he came eye-to-eye with the beautiful small ring. It was the perfect blend of onyx and periwinkle blue on the sapphire at the centre and its frame was a lovely silver carved with initials at the edges. For the first time in so long, the Youngest Potion Master in Britain found himself at a loss of words by the sight of pure passion and love in his pupils' eyes. He could only stare into those warmth-filled orbs as Percy finally asked,
"Will you be my one and only, Severus?"
Severus stared back, his lungs froze and he felt his own legs go weak. His knees buckled and he held himself with his desk while his eyes wavered slightly.
"W-Wha-," he slowly began, trying to comprehend the entire situation. "W-Why me? What the hell? Is this a joke? Y-You could've chosen anyone, P-Perce... I-I-I don't..."
"Why not? What's wrong?" Percy frowned at this outcome. "I was sure you would accept without problem..." He slowly stood up and lowered his head at his mentor. "Are you okay, Severus?"
"T-That's my question, Perce!" Severus exclaimed with fear in his eyes. "I'm not... I'm ugly, I'm a guy... I have a temper... I'm weak... I'm..." Before he could trail off, a gentle hand cupped his cheek and lifted him to eye his own. Severus gulped at this and could only stare.
"Firstly, you aren't ugly, Severus," pointed out the redhead with a frown. "In fact, you're beautiful. You're a gem... Whoever called you otherwise is missing something... Secondly, did you really think I ain't a shirt lifter? Many have tried to get me to join them for a drink or a night but I could only think of you... And finally, you aren't weak. Hell, you're one of the strongest wizards in this world. I think you might even be stronger than Harry himself and that's saying something..."
"You could choose anyone, Percy... Why me?" Severus whispered, not wanting to destroy his protege's life. "You could have someone younger... Someone cuter... Someone better..."
"You're the best for me, Sev..." Percy whispered while lifting the ring. "And you aren't refusing..."
"I..." Severus began tearing up at his loyalty and compassion. Lowering his head, he gave a shaky nod while lifting his trembling hand. Percy smiled gently as his curtain hair bobbed slightly and pressed a gentle kiss on his forehead and knuckles before sliding the ring in...
Only for it to get stuck at his first knuckle.
Percy and Severus stared at it blankly in dismay before Severus began giggling at the turn of events while Percy flushed a bright pink. As he spluttered apologies, Severus gently leaned upwards and pressed a kiss to his cheek, surprising him. While Percy tried to process his actions, Severus took the ring and conjured a string before tying it around his neck.
"Honestly, Perce... Make sure our wedding rings are self-fitting charmed ones, please," he chuckled while skipping off towards his personal quarters.
Percy gawked at the happy figure before grinning and running after him. Little did they know, outside the classroom door, the entire school was listening on with an enlarged earpiece made from the Weasley Twins and everyone silently grinned. They were happy their two spies managed to get their final happy ending. McGonagall got them to disperse before they found out and eyed her escaping colleagues.
"So, how much do you guys owe me?" She grinned while they all groaned.