Title: Just Friends?

Summary: During a visit to Hogwarts, Harry runs into Severus and they share a drink together. But when the two share a drunken kiss, things between them become even more complicated. Will they move past it or could they possibly have feelings for each other?

Rated: T

Genre(s): Romance, Drama, Humor

Pairing(s): Harry Potter/Severus Snape, Remus Lupin/Sirius Black, Ron Weasley/Hermione Granger

Warning(s): Some angst and drinking

After two months away from Hogwarts, Harry Potter stepped in the front doors of his home and grinned. Even though he was nervous for his interview with Dumbledore, he was also excited at an opportunity to be able to come back and work here. If he got the job, he could make even more memories here.

The halls were empty as Harry made his way to Dumbledore's office, the route familiar after seven years at Hogwarts. After the war, Harry came back to school to finish up his seventh year. Ron and Hermione had done the same, and the Golden Trio had graduated two months ago. Ron was in Auror training, Hermione was teaching Muggle Studies at Hogwarts, and Harry was still trying to figure out what he wanted to do. He'd applied for Auror training but hadn't heard back, hadn't yet sent a response to the Chudley Cannons' invitation for him to become their new Seeker (he had ten days left to respond), and was about to be interviewed to become a teacher.

There were a lot of options, and Harry was having a lot of trouble deciding.

"Harry, my boy," Dumbledore said, standing up from his desk when Harry entered and pulling Harry into a warm hug. "I trust you've been well."

Harry grinned. "Very well, sir, thanks."

"Oh, do call me Albus." Dumbledore's - Albus's - eyes twinkled, and he smiled knowingly at Harry's nervous look. "There's no need to be nervous, Harry. We know each other well."

"Yes, sir. I mean, Albus." Harry allowed himself a chuckle. "Going to take some getting used to that."

"Indeed. Now, let's begin with the interview," said Albus. "I know your grades were excellent in Defense Against the Dark Arts. That is the position I am offering you, as I know you are more than capable of teaching DADA. Would you object to this?"

"Not at all," Harry answered. "I would love to teach DADA. It was always my best subject and I want every student in Hogwarts to feel safe and that they are able to protect themselves."

"Wonderful," Albus said happily.

The interview was very brief. Albus asked him a few more questions before his eyes twinkled again and he said, "Congratulations, Harry. The job is yours, if you wish to accept."

"Thank you, Albus," said Harry, relieved. But he still hadn't made a decision. "Is it all right if I have another week to decide?"

"Yes, that is fine," Albus said. "Be sure to contact me when you have made a decision."

Harry nodded, and after saying goodbye to the Headmaster, began the walk back down the hallway. He rounded the corner and ran into Severus Snape - almost quite literally.

"Are you incapable of watching where you're-" the deep, baritone voice started angrily. Then he saw who he had run into, and his eyes widened. "Potter."

"Snape," Harry said coolly, about to move past him when a hand in front of his chest stopped him.

Harry met the Potions Master's suspicious, dark gaze. "What are you doing here?"

"I just came back from an interview with Albus," said Harry. Snape raised an eyebrow at the mention of Albus's name. "He offered me a job as the new DADA professor."

"Oh," said Snape.

"Good afternoon...Professor." Harry was unsure of how to address the man now that he was out of school, but he supposed it didn't matter.

He was about to continue down the hall when Snape said, "Wait." Harry turned and looked at Snape curiously. "Would you like to have a drink with me?"

"Oh...sure," Harry stammered awkwardly, surprised at the offer. Snape had never voluntarily asked to spend time with him before. He followed the Potions Master down to the dungeons. They passed his classroom and walked farther down the hall.

"L'antre du serpent," Snape said, and Harry looked at him in surprise. "What?"

"You speak French." Harry glanced down at the stone snake on the edge doorway, raising his eyebrows as it uncoiled and the door swung open. "What does it mean?"

"Serpent's lair."

"Oh." Harry followed Snape into the room. "Are these your personal quarters?" The man just kept surprising him. "It doesn't look like a serpent's lair. It's...actually quite cozy."

Snape smirked. "And I assume you were expecting stone walls and darkness?"

Harry chuckled at the drama in Snape's voice. "Knowing you, pretty much."

Snape went into the kitchen area and poured each of them a glass of Firewhiskey. "So, are you accepting the teaching posiition?"

"I haven't decided yet," said Harry as they went over to the couch. "I've been offered to be the new Seeker for the Chudley Cannons, and I applied for Auror training but haven't heard back yet."

"You should teach here."

Harry looked up in surprise. "What? I mean...you really want me to?"

"Whether I want you to is irrelevant," Snape said quickly, and Harry rolled his eyes. "You were good at DADA. You have had a lot of experience with it...more so than any other subject." Snape's gaze drifted down at the last part.

Harry blushed. "I'm sorry I didn't do well in Potions," he said, and the Slytherin raised his eyebrow again. "Could you maybe tutor me?"

"Tutor you," Snape repeated, taking a long drink of his Firewhiskey. Harry did the same. "Why?"

"Well, I do think Potions is important," said Harry.

"Let me ask you something." Snape's tone was icy, and Harry winced. "You didn't pay attention in your seven years of Potions classes, but now that you have graduated, you have decided that Potions is indeed important, and so you want me to waste my valuable time tutoring you."

"I..." Harry felt his face burning, and he took a sudden interest in the couch cushion. "I'm sorry, sir."

But Snape was staring at him, his onyx eyes gazing into Harry's in a way that made him shiver. "Your eyes..."

"My what?" Harry said dumbly.

This time, there was no eye roll or smirk from Snape. Their gazes were locked and Harry felt as though Snape was looking into his soul. "Your eyes," Snape repeated. "They're just like Lily's."

"Wha - mmph!" Harry's words were cut off by Snape's lips pressing against his own, and he gasped against Snape's mouth. The Potions Master's lips were soft against his own, and his kiss was sloppy yet gentle. It was his first time kissing a guy and Harry found it was quite different than kissing girls. He found himself reaching up to touch Snape's hair, finding that it wasn't greasy at all, but soft and silky. Snape tasted like the Firewhiskey they had been drinking, and his hand on Harry's knee made the younger man's heart skip a beat. Something stirred deep inside Harry, although he had yet to realize it. A moan escaped Harry's lips as Snape sucked on Harry's bottom lip and then released it, breaking the kiss.

Harry's mouth hung open as he stared at the man. "You kissed me."

"I am aware of what I did." Snape swallowed and wouldn't meet Harry's gaze. "Now, Potter, I have to ask you to leave."

"But-" Harry started, still dizzy from the kiss.

"Now," Snape snarled, and Harry gasped. He quickly stood from the couch and hurried out of the Potions Master' quarters, his fingers on his lips.

What in the world had just happened?

AN: I know, I probably shouldn't be starting yet another story because I already have so many going on. But I came up with this idea and thought it was great, so I decided to try writing it. Let me know what you think in a review :) Hope you liked it!