Strange...; Chapter One: "The Beginning"

Summary: In a nutshell, this is a work-in-progress HP/SS that I have been working on with my editor, who has apparently lost interest in it. Harry gets into some strange situations with a certain Potions Master, and the result is...well, I don't know yet. I'll let you know when the bunny comes to me and gives me the answer.

Rating: This fic is rated M for some slight language and for future scenes. silence I think.

Disclaimer: I still do not own any of the Harry Potter characters; I just play with them for fun. The credit goes to J.K. Rowling.

Hello, once again! Yes, I am back! I know; it's been forever. I have moved, I have lost my computer, and many other things, so I haven't had a chance to upload anything. Well, I didn't lose my computer, but I lost everything on it, and during the move I lost the ability to submit anything, so... Well, I'll give you a little bit of info about this story. I got the idea from my editor, who is in a different state than me now and probably won't be helping me anymore. I will still give her credit when she has written anything for this story. Okay, an explanation: the events of HBP have NOT happened, obviously. Otherwise, Harry and Severus wouldn't be together. I would also like to point out that Harry is 20, and that Severus, for my purposes only, is 34. Harry is one month away from his 21st birthday when this starts. Before I start the story, I would also like to point out that in 1st and 2nd year, Harry was involved with Oliver Wood. From 3rd year through 6th year, he was involved with Fred and George. (I will NOT be explaining how that works, so don't ask.) Harry was then with Draco Malfoy for 3 years. Okay, enough explanation; on with the story!

Strange..., Chapter One: "The Beginning"

Harry muttered to himself as he carefully navigated around Grimmauld Place in the dark. He had taken to wandering around at night to clear his mind. He also found that nobody else dared to come downstairs at this time because they were afraid of angering him further.

"I don't see why that greasy git has to be here all of the time. I can't think of anything that would bring him here and cause him to stay," muttered Harry under his breath, shaking his head. He had reached his destination-the kitchen-and busied himself with fixing his midnight snack: a cup of hot chocolate with a shot of milk added and some marshmallows. He was so busy that he didn't feel the change in the atmosphere that meant that someone either very stupid or very brave had come downstairs. Harry did notice the person's presence, however, when he entered the kitchen. Harry stopped what he was doing and turned slowly to glare at the man standing in the doorway.

"Is there something I can get for you, Professor?" asked Harry sarcastically, putting an emphasis on the last word. The man in the doorway sneered, but did not answer. "Perhaps maybe a brain?" Harry muttered to himself, but Snape heard him.

"Maybe I could get you something, Potter. How about we start with your manners? Then we'll move on to try and correct your, um, interesting nighttime patterns." Harry growled, but didn't say anything. Instead, he picked up his mug and left the room. Snape rolled his eyes and started preparing what he had come downstairs for.

"Are you joking, Harry? The idiot actually went downstairs!"

"Ron, keep your voice down. You forget, we're in the same house as he is," whispered Hermione. "But really, Harry, what was he doing?"

"No idea. Probably getting something to eat. All I know is that if he continues to do it, I'll go insane."

"I thought you already were insane, mate. You are the only person that I know of that includes a midnight visit to the kitchen in his routine." Harry punched Ron in the arm. "Ouch! Geez, will you quit doing that?"

"Come on. Maybe if we're lucky, we can eat breakfast in peace for once." Ron and Hermione followed Harry downstairs. For once, there was nobody else in the kitchen, so the Trio enjoyed a quiet breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs.

Harry wandered around the library, not really searching for anything, just passing the time. Ron and Hermione had gone out to do some shopping, leaving Harry relatively alone. The only other person in the house at this point was Snape, who kept to himself most of the time. Today, however, was not one of those times. Harry was making his fourth round of the library when he felt someone staring at him. He whipped around and came face-to-face with Snape.

"Can't I be alone for once without you bothering me?" Harry asked indignantly.

"I thought I said that you needed to do something about your lack of manners, Potter."

"Just because you said something about my manners does not mean that I have to listen," replied Harry. "This is my house, not yours, and therefore, you are my guest, not my teacher, so I do not have to listen to you."

"Well, Potter, it seems that we have a problem, then."

"Yes, Snape, it seems that we do," snarled Harry. Snape sneered at Harry.

"It appears that you have picked up some of your godfather's habits."

"Do you have a problem with that?" challenged Harry.

"No, not at all." Snape muttered something else, but Harry didn't quite catch it. He thought he heard Snape say something about "very sexy," but that was absurd.

'I must be going mad,' thought Harry, shaking his head. 'Why in the world would Snape ever say that something was sexy? I must be losing my mind.' Snape interrupted his thoughts.

"Well then, Mister Potter, I suppose I have to ask for your permission to read in here, right?" Harry knew that Snape was doing it just to be an ass, because without another word, Snape sat down in a chair and opened his book.

"By all means, have a seat," whispered Harry. "I daresay you would anyway, no matter what I had said." Harry thought he heard Snape chuckle, but of course, that was also absurd. "I need to start drinking coffee in the mornings," muttered Harry as he exited the library, shaking his head.

"Harry, if it bothers you that much, why don't you ask him to leave? You're the only one who can," Ron pointed out later, when Harry had finished telling Ron and Hermione what had happened.

"Do we even know why he's here?" asked Harry. Ron and Hermione shook their heads.

"You could ask him why he's here. I doubt he'd tell you, though," added Hermione.

"I'm not sure I want to know why he's here. He's starting to creep me out," muttered Harry. He had left out the 'sexy' part just because he didn't want his friends to think that he had completely lost his mind. It was bad enough that he thought that he'd lost his mind; he didn't need them to think so too.

So, what do you think so far? I know that it's not the best intro to a story that I've done, but I like it. That's just me, though. So, tell me what you think of the story so far, okay? Thank you very much for taking the time to read this! Please R&R!