Chance
One month later, Severus finally got out of his cottage. It was the first time after the war he went outside without a disguise. The first time he went to a public event, where there’s people. And yes, he went willingly.
“Severus, I’m glad you could make it.” Draco rushed to his side and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
“I had certainly hoped I could just send you a gift.” Severus smirked, but he pat Draco on his head anyway.
“Severus.” Hermione walked to him, smiling brightly. She pulled him into a hug, which immediately made Severus dizzy. Her pheromones were a bit too strong for him, and it smelled somewhat spicy and invasive. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
Hermione immediately let him go and stepped back when she noticed how uncomfortable Severus was.
“I’m sorry. Does my scent make you uncomfortable.” She looked worried.
“Quite.” Severus raised an eyebrow. “But it is not an uncommon situation.”
“Is it?” Hermione tilted her head.
“Severus has a sensitive nose and scenting gland. Most of the time, people’s scents overwhelm him.” Draco added, helpfully.
Hermione nodded, “I see. But it’s alright. Draco has required every guest to wear a scent-block patch. The Elves also give them additional charms should they be comfortable with it.”
“That’s the only reason why I agree to come.” Severus hummed.
“Please, come in. Narcissa has been dying to talk to you.” Hermione smiled brightly and Severus noticed how Draco had already walked to the next guest.
Severus nodded and walked in. After a few years, he had only seen Hermione a few times, both on paper and on the day they had dinner at the Malfoy mansion for Draco to announce their marriage. He didn’t really have an opinion on it. Objectively, he knew Hermione was a perfect match for Draco, both by her pheromones and her fierce personality. She was the most brilliant witch of her age, and she would be a great person in the future.
Subjectively, Severus hated her the moment she stepped foot in his class. She was too eager, too bright, and she was an Alpha whose’ undeveloped scent made him uncomfortable.
Overall, Severus liked her, but he would not want to be in close proximity with her.
“Severus.” Narcissa walked to him and immediately hooked her arm to his.
“Hello, Narcissa. I see you are trying to make Lucius and me uncomfortable today.” Severus smiled as he leaned in and gave her a peck on her cheek.
Narcissa giggled and pulled him to Lucius, “Yes, I would like to remind him that it is you who is my favourite, and definitely not him.”
“Oh dear, did he do something to offend you again?” Severus asked quietly as they approached Lucius Malfoy.
“Yes. He ate the last chocolate mousse you sent me.” Narcissa huffed, and Severus chuckled, “And drank the last of my lavender tea. I was saving it.”
“I have made a fresh batch last week. I’ll send you.” Severus said, and Narcissa hummed in satisfaction.
“I heard that.” Lucius Malfoy finished his talk with Kingsley and turned to them, “I definitely asked you before I ate those. You said it was fine.”
“You ask me when I was half asleep, Lucius.” Narcissa narrowed her eyes.
“Alright, alright.” Lucius chuckled and walked closer to give Severus a little peck on his cheek, “Hello Severus.”
“Mn.” Severus hummed.
“Still without a partner, I see.” Lucius tilted his head.
“Still nosy, I see.” Severus glared.
“You see. That’s why you are my favourite.” Narcissa leaned closer and pulled Severus to her. That was when Severus caught her scent. It was like the rose he had in her garden, with the scent of the earth during the rain. Her scent kinda reminded him of Neville.
“Now, no fair, Cissy.” Lucius chuckled, “We both know that I found Severus first.”
“Yes, of course. You always said that, my love.” Narcissa rolled her eyes, “But he still likes me better, don’t you Severus?”
Severus chuckled, “I never knew you guys could fight over me like children fighting over cakes. Have peace made you two similar to those rotten aristocrats that only think about food and tea?”
Lucius and Narcissa gasped, “Oh my.” Narcissa looked at him, “That mouth.”
“Naughty.” Lucius clicked his tongue and teased, “Have peace made you forget how we…”
“Hello.” A voice interrupted Lucius, and all three of them turned to find Potter standing there.
Severus’ breathing stopped at that precise moment.
Harry was wearing his red Auror uniform that hugged his broad shoulder and muscular arm perfectly. The fabric looked like it might rip if the young man made a sudden move. His expression was no longer naive and innocent, but rather, he was more calm and matured. His eyes no longer burned bright like fire, but had become darker and introspective.
He was eyeing the three of them, the smile on his lips didn’t even twitch, and his thoughts unknown as he returned his gaze to Severus, “Hello, Professor.”
“I’m no longer your professor, Potter.” Severus said idly, and he unconsciously tightened his arm.
Narcissa must be feeling it, because she immediately straightened herself a bit more, “Mister Potter, a pleasure.” She smiled.
Severus noticed how Harry quickly darted his eyes toward Narcissa’ hand, which was holding Severus’ arm tightly. Harry looked at Narcissa as he chuckled, his voice deep and might carry some unspoken intention, “All mine.” He said slowly.
“It’s our delight that so many people from the Ministry are here today. It’s nice that you guys are here to celebrate, for a change.” Lucius said, and Harry turned to him.
“Yes. Draco is our best Curse Breaker, and Hermione is the Head of the Unspeakable Department. But for the Malfoys, I believe this many guests would not trouble you?” Harry looked around. Probably one third of the Ministry was here, and more than half of them came on Hermione’s invitation.
“Of course.” Lucius said, “On the contrary, I believe this joyous event should have more participants. But well, Draco has turned so much more modest after seeing Hermione.”
“Well.” Harry hummed, “A person who looks at this venue would not say it’s modest. But as long as everyone’s happy, right?”
“Of course.” Lucius nodded.
There was a moment of silence when the conversation could not be dragged on any further. Lucius was good at this kind of thing, but before he could say anything, Harry took that chance.
“Well, actually, I saw Professor Snape standing here, so I would like to say hi.” Harry looked at Severus, “We didn’t really have a chance to chat after the war, and he is really hard to find. Do you guys mind if I borrow him for a moment?”
Severus frowned, “Have you…”
Narcissa suddenly let go of him, and Lucius suddenly had something stuck in his throat.
“Oh my.” Lucius coughed, “I think I saw some very important guests over there. I’m going to…”
Narcissa tugged him by the hand and dragged him away immediately. For someone who was walking very fast, they sure knew how to maintain their elegance.
Severus sighed, and when he looked back to Harry, the young man was still eyeing his arm, like there was something dirty there and he couldn’t wait to brush it away. Severus looked at his arm. There was nothing there, though?
He cleared his throat to attract Harry’s attention. The young man looked up and immediately, he smiled brightly, “I can’t believe you are here.”
“Have you ever wondered the reason you could not find me was because I don’t want to see you?” Severus finished his sentence earlier. His voice was ice cold, and he glared at Harry, who suddenly froze.
“Oh…” He chuckled nervously, “Well… well I…” He gripped his glasses tightly, “No, no I just…” He stopped to think, then he snapped his mouth shut.
Severus scoffed, suddenly saw in front of him not the mature Auror but the young boy who still sat in his classroom, “Now you know. So if you have no other reason, I suggest that you don’t approach me, because I do not appreciate your presence. Not everyone is eager to suck up to you, Potter. Don’t be so full of yourself. I do not have the responsibility to coddle your every wish just because you want something.”
Harry was looking at him with wide eyes, and Severus could technically feel his heart in his throat as he said the final syllable. People were starting to pay attention, Severus knew, but he had never been bothered by a little bit of attention, anyway.
“No… I just…” Harry bit his lips, looking like a dejected puppy.
“I certainly do not appreciate you interrupting my conversation, one you are clearly not welcomed.” Severus sighed, “I will not be here for a long time, so if you want to do me a favour, please kindly get as far away from me as possible.” Severus glared at Harry, and the young man cowered, looking down at his feet.
“Are you… with them, then?” Harry asked, out of the blue, and Severus blinked.
“I beg your pardon?” He gritted out every single word..
Harry inhaled, and he raised his head, looking into Severus’ eyes, “Are you… with them? You know, since they are both Alphas, and you are…”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence, Potter.” Severus hissed, his anger spiking over the top.
Harry sighed and looked away, “Fine. I will not bother you anymore. I’m sorry for asking, and for interrupting.”
“Please do not pester me with your presence anymore.” Severus said as he walked away.
He soon found Narcissa and Lucius talking to their wines and as he walked to them, he managed to kick Lucius’ shin and gave Narcissa a glare that said ‘No more lavender tea for you’.
Narcissa chuckled and he looked over Severus’ shoulder, “Oh my, have you broken the Golden Boy’s heart?”
“He shattered it like it’s trash.” Lucius hummed pleasantly as he sipped his wines.
“Oh, Severus.” Narcissa smiled, “If you just give that boy a chance…”
“You only say that because of your bet, Narcissa dear.” Lucius smirked, “I’m going to win this one, I’m sure.”
“Why are all the Malfoys participating in gambling activity now?” Severus frowned, “And why am I the object of your bets?”
“It’s boring around here these days. Someone has got to have a hobby.” Lucius shrugged, and he leaned in to give Severus a kiss on his cheek while looking over his shoulder, “And not just us, I think everyone in this room is somewhat involved in that bet.”
“What?” Severus frowned, and that was when he noticed both Narcissa and Lucius were looking in the same direction.
“Oh my, he looks like he wants to eat me alive. How frightening.” Lucius lowered his voice and placed another kiss on Severus’ ears.
That was the moment Severus felt it, a buzz in the air that was no doubt Harry’s magic getting slightly out of control. He grunted and turned around, only to find the boy marching away.
“Scary.” Lucius straightened himself, “I’m winning this bet. I trust you, Severus.”
“Considering I have no idea what you people are betting on, I can not assure you anything.” Severus sighed and reached for a glass of red wine.
“Considering that I risked my life to save that boy’s life, please be more easy on him, Severus.” Narcissa murmured, and she took away the glass from Severus’ hand and gave him a plate with small finger food on it.
Severus took the plate and grumbled, “I don’t want to.”
“I’m so winning this.” Lucius laughed and walked away.
Narcissa shook her head, “How are you lately? Any symptoms?”
“Sometimes.” Severus said quietly, “But it’s nothing you should be worried about.”
“I worry constantly.” Narcissa stood closer to Severus, until their shoulders were touching, “Your pheromones haven't been stable since the day you got injured in Fifth year. During the war, you were constantly on suppressant, and now…”
“It has been 5 years. I managed to control my symptoms. It’s alright.” Severus said, smiling bitterly, “It’s the life I chose to live with. It’s fine.”
“You have been struggling your whole life, Severus. You should be able to have something better… someone…” Narcissa frowned.
“Who?” Severus turned to her, smiling softly, “Who would look at me and want me, Narcissa?” He asked in a low voice, “Who would look at an infertile, scarred, ugly omega and think ‘oh, I want this man’?” Severus scoffed at his own words, “I am damaged and broken, and I don’t even want to spare my time to accommodate someone else. I can’t. I’m happy with my cottage and my potions, and I will live like this.”
Narcissa sighed, and then she finally let the matter go, “If Lucius wins this bet, I’m going to come and bother you for a month.”
“A married Alpha coming to a single Omega’s house for a week? Mind, how scandalous.” Severus raised an eyebrow.
“Fine, fine. Stubborn man.” Narcissa sighed and gave him a soft peck before leaving to find Lucius.
Finally alone, Severus sighed and placed his plate on a different table so that the Elves could clean it, then he walked into a different corridor and started wandering.
It was certainly not his first time here, and he didn’t really have the intention of lingering in a room with multiple people. Despite the Elves’ charms and the pheromones patches, Severus was still dizzy and his nose still ached from all the scent. Normally, Narcissa would stand close to him to block out the foreign scents with her own. And with Lucius standing there, no one would flash their pheromones carelessly. In every single event, they were like Severus’ shields, helping him ease the burden of his sensitive olfaction.
Without them, Severus would rather find an empty room and wait until everyone is out of the mansion, then…
The ground underneath Severus’ feet suddenly wobbled, and he made a choked sound as his head throbbed and his lower abdomen cramped.
Severus curled into himself, quickly leaning against the nearest wall.
Okay, Severus was going to blame this on Narcissa’s unlucky words.
He took a shaky breath and opened the nearest door, closing it behind his back and slid down, sitting on the floor, curling into himself. The pain in his body was what he was used to, and the dizziness and nausea would soon pass. Severus was used to this.
He sighed, hugging his legs and rested his head on his knees.
It had been years.
Despite what he told Narcissa, the symptoms of unbalanced pheromones that had been torturing him for two decades had not subsided, not even a bit, not when he didn’t have an Alpha with him to balance it back.
Severus took a shaky, deep breath.
Ever since Remus Lupin gave him three deep scars on his lower abdomen, Severus had been experiencing the symptoms of unbalanced pheromones. His wounds had damaged his internal organs, and he was told he could not bear children anymore. While he suffered from the pain and the loss of his bodily function, Sirius Black and James Potter were praised for protecting him from dangerous creature attack. Apparently, James Potter had managed to ‘save his life’.
Gryffindor had won the House Cup that year.
Severus didn’t really care about that.
What constantly bothered him was the fact that those wounds and the potions he had taken just to stay alive had had some permanent side effects on his body, and his pheromones had been unstable ever since. That, on top of his sensitive sense of smell was such a disaster.
Severus needed an Alpha to balance his pheromones, but he hated 90% of people’s scent, and those whose scent he could endure were either married or whom he couldn’t bear to even talk with.
Neville, Lucius, and Narcissa fell into the first category, while that fucking Lockhart brat fell into the second one. So yes, it was Severus’ life.
Damaged, miserable, and ugly.
Sometimes, Severus wondered why he was even saved from Death, just to go back and endure this kind of torture.
Severus whined as the scars on his lower abdomen cramps and his muscles locked up tightly.
It hurt.
Severus wanted to throw up.
He tried to slow his breathing, but it didn’t work.
Just as Severus wanted to stand up to find the nearest restroom, the door clicked open, and Harry fucking Potter walked in.
He froze as he saw Severus on the ground, and Severus’ mind raced and just as he was about to kill Potter with a Sectumsempra, the boy kneeled down and pulled him into an embrace.
“Wha-” Severus tensed, “What are you doing? Let go of me right this instant!” He hissed, pushing Harry away to no avail.
“Scent me.” Harry murmured, one of his hands found Severus’ waist while the other found his scent gland at the back of his neck.
Severus shook as his neck was touched, but what he focused on was…
“What are you saying?” Severus grunted, “Let go of me, Potter. Let me-”
He couldn’t finish his sentence, because apparently, Harry could cancel the House Elves’ charms. He brought his hand to his nape and peeled his pheromones patch off, “Scent me, Severus.”
Severus’ stomach buzzed and tingled all over as he heard Harry’s voice calling his name, but then…
A scent bursted in the air and invaded Severus’ lungs. Severus might have moaned, he didn’t know, because his strength was immediately gone, and the pain in his body vanished like it had never appeared.
Severus’ head fell on Harry’s broad shoulders, and when he came to, he was on a bed, straddling Harry’s thighs. His face was against Harry’ neck, and that scent…
Severus instinctively wanted to move closer, but then he was aware of the person he was with, and he wanted to recoil.
He parted his lips, but no words escaped him. He should push Harry away. He should say it is highly inappropriate. He should say…
Oh god…
Severus melted as another wave of Harry’s scent surrounded him.
His mouth watered and his body itched.
Just a bit…
“Are you alright?” Harry asked quietly, and Severus froze.
He tried and failed to straighten himself and push Harry away. He wanted to say something, but in his weakened state, he was too tired to even form words.
“I’m fine…” He said, finally, and Harry chuckled.
“Are you, though?”
Severus didn’t know what the young man wanted, and so he just closed his eyes.
“You bit me, earlier.” Harry murmured, and Severus’ eyes snapped open.
He sat up, pushed Harry away and hissed, “I what?”
“You bit me.” Harry smiled, tilting his head to show Severus a small, faint bite mark on the side of his neck.
“Why would you walk up to a person clearly not sane and offer your fucking neck?” Severus grabbed Harry’s collar, “Have all your years of training in the Auror Corp gone down the toilet?”
“Oh, ouch.” Harry chuckled, “No, actually not.”
“Wh-why.” Severus pushed Harry’s head aside to look at his neck, ignoring Harry’s groan of pain, “Why would you… Oh Merlin, you are a dumb fuck who still don’t know how to spell selfconservation. Why the hell do I think I could be in the same room as you. You are…”
“Alright, I get it.” Harry said, pressing his fingers against Severus’ rambling mouth, “I get it.”
Severus huffed, and he wanted to slap Harry across the face, really hard!
“I get it. It’s not wise. But I don’t care if it’s to help you.” He said.
“You and your fucking hero complex.” Severus snarled.
“Now, now.” Harry hummed, “But you are feeling better, yes?”
Severus paused, and as the anger drained, he found himself utterly exhausted once more. But yes, there was no pain. Harry looked like he could read the answer from Severus’ expression, so he chuckled, “I can smell your distress from a mile away. If you had already bitten me, you could scent me. If it helps, then you might go along with it.”
Severus bit his lips, glaring at Potter like a trash piece under his shoes. But then again…
Severus couldn’t help but lean closer. As he inhaled, he could smell something deep, like a forest in the spring. Like grass after the rain. It was mint and sandalwood. It was fresh and calming, and it was…
Severus felt himself tingling all over, and his self-control finally snapped.
No use crying over spilled milk. Might as well take the chance.
If Potter was not objecting, why would he whine like a maiden?
Severus shook as he pressed his nose against Harry’s scent gland and inhaled. The very first whiff of him made Severus’ body tremble.
Harry hummed, one of his hands found Severus’ scent gland once more, pressing there tightly.
Severus almost sobbed at the intimate gesture. It felt good, and no one had ever touched him in such a way. It was supposed to be for his Alpha, for his Fated Mate, but since Severus had given hope in finding his Fated pair, he had never let anyone touch him, ever.
To be touched by an Alpha was soothing.
And to be touched by Harry Potter was…
Severus’ stomach tingled, and he found himself slowly getting wet.
Severus melted completely, and Harry murmured tenderly in his ears, “You can have more, if you want.”
Severus’ mouth watered once more, and he didn’t even stop to wonder if he was allowed or not. His head was dizzy, but not from an unbalanced pheromone, but on the contrary…
He pressed his body against Harry and sucked on his scent gland.
Harry made a choked sound in his throat and shuddered, but he only tightened his hold on Severus. It was like an encouragement, and Severus grabbed Harry’s shirt tightly as he purred and rubbed his head against Harry’s neck.
Harry gasped, his whole body tense and rigid like a block of brick, but Severus couldn’t give even half a fuck. He felt like a person who had been living in hunger his whole life having his very first meal. He dived in, not caring for a single blasted thing.
His whole body was buzzing, his head was in bliss, and he was oozing with slick.
Severus rubbed his head against Harry’ scent gland, inhaled, and in a moment of overflowing desire and excitement, he growled and opened his mouth, with full intention to sink his teeth into the softness of Harry’s neck.
Harry seemed to understand his urge, and after a moment of quiet, he grabbed Severus’ waist with both hands. His hands had become so much larger in the past few years, enough to circle Severus’ waist.
As his hand touched Severus’ lower abdomen, the faint mark embedded into his skin for his entire life, the mark that had given him false hope that he had a Fated Mate, suddenly came back to life.
It flared, and heat bursted inside Severus’ stomach, spreading all over him like fire.
The flower tattoo came to life, and it fluttered as Harry’s fingers pressed down on his skin.
Severus screamed, and when Harry tightened his hands on instinct, Severus’ whole body quivered and he couldn’t help it when his pussy pulsed and he came inside his pants, squirting all over himself untouched.
The young man’s scent was all over him, and Severus sobbed as he pressed even closer, trying to get more. When Severus passed out, he felt somebody’s tender embrace, and he used his final string of consciousness to clutch on the person tightly.