Warning: This story contains slash and spoilers, so if you haven't read Harry Potter or don't like slash, don't read it!
In this Fanfiction Snape survives.
Disclaimer: Nothing aside the plot belongs to me.
Pairing: HarryxSeverus
Chapter 1
The low beat filled the room, making Harry's chest vibrate with ever loud beat. The room was full of men, either dancing close to each other on the dance floor, or sitting at the bar, drinking and watching the others dance. It was an all men's place, and Harry loved it. He had known he was gay since the 6th year, and had found this little place soon after the war was over.
Now, 8 years later, he had grown into a man. Since he had chosen to be an Auror, he had trained his body, giving him define muscles, and strength. He didn't wear glasses anymore either, after they had broken the 5th time in a row in his training. Contact lenses did the job just as good as his old glasses did. His face had grown to be more masculine, with finer features. He had also grown some stubbles on his chin, making him look older and even more attractive. He had grown into a handsome, self confident young man. All in all, Harry was happy with his life.
He loved his job. It was dangerous, yes. But that was exactly what he loved about it. The kick. The adrenalin. And that he put evil witches and wizards behind bars. He had good friends, that stood by his side and were always there for him when he needed help. The Weaslys were like a family, and so he had everything he had ever wanted. There was no reason to complain.
Slowly he mad his way to the bar, and stopped in his tracks. His eyes had to be playing a trick on him, or he was absolutely drunk. He had expected to see this man again sometime in his life. Maybe in Hogwarts, where he visited regularly. Maybe in the Diagonal Alley. Maybe even in Hogsmead. But not here. Not ever here.
There he sat, staring at the dancing crowd, sipping on something that had to be Whiskey. Severus Snape.
Harry couldn't believe it. He had to be drunk. Slowly he made his way to Snape, careful to stay out of his direct sight. The man must have had a lot to drink or else he would have seen Harry coming. He didn't know why, but Snape had always had a thing about knowing where Harry was and if he was approaching. His assumption was soon proven right. As he got closer to the Potion Master, he could se several empty glasses next to him.
"I didn't expect to see you here Professor." he said quietly, leaning against the bar next to Snape. The wizard jumped, and stared at Harry in disbelieve. "Are you here to dance?"
"I do not dance, Potter." Snape snarled, trying to get up, but failing. Harry had to hold back a grin. He had never thought that he would see a drunk Snape. He watched as the older one struggled to get back on the chair without falling, and finally helped him by grabbing his arm gently and steadying him.
Severus shot him a hateful glance. Harry just smiled and let go of Snape as soon as he was sure he was sitting securely on the chair . He had learned to respect Snape after the war, and they got along... which frankly meant they didn't snap at each other whenever they met.
"If you are not here to dance, what are you here for Professor?" Harry thought about asking him if he was seeing a man, or was maybe looking for one. He then decided against it. Snape seemed pretty drunk, and when the man lost his temper, he was unstoppable. He would probably draw his wand out, and hex him into tomorrow. He didn't want that. Especially not in front of all these muggles.
"I'm here to observe, brat." Snape answered, watching two men disappear into the dark room. Harry raised an eyebrow and counted the glasses next to Snape. The man had to be absolutely hammered.
"And to drink, obviously." he stated, pulling a chair closer to Snape's so he could sit down as well. It was only now that he noticed he had grown to be taller then Snape. It made him grin. Now it would be he to look down at Snape, and Snape would have to look up to him. It would be a nice change, Harry knew.
"And even if it were so, you insolent child, what do you care?" Snape snapped, running a hand through his hair. "It's none of your business."
"Indeed it is not. It will become my business when you tumble out of here and right onto the street, Professor." Harry said, watching Snape. The normally pale cheeks had a reddish glow to them, the lips were a light pink. Harry also noticed that Snape's hair wasn't at all greasy anymore. They looked soft, and nice. If Snape hadn't been Snape, Harry would have just reached out and softly touched them. Knowing Snape though, he would probably hex him into the next millennium. Drunk or not, Snape was an excellent wizard and dangerous if he wanted to be.
"I will do no such thing." Snape snapped, and stared at Harry with angry eyes. Harry's grin widened. Snape was actually kind of cute like this. He liked it.
"That is right Professor. You will finish your last drink, and then I will take you home. You've clearly had enough alcohol for today." Harry said, watching a boy dance. The boy was clearly staring at him. He was cute too. If Snape hadn't been there, Harry would probably have danced with him. He didn't take it further with anyone he didn't love. But dancing was okay.
"No, Potter, you wont. You will leave me, go and dance or whatever it is you brat's do, and I shall leave soon by myself." Harry just gave a sigh. Snape was stubborn. Still. Harry had to get him home.
"I will Professor. Now relax." Harry said, watching as the boy that had stared at him walked his way. Harry gave a small smile. Snape took another sip of his drink.
"Hey. My name is Mike." the boy introduced himself. Harry gave another small smile.
"Hey Mike. I'm Harry." he then answered, and shot a look at Snape who emptied his drink.
"Would you care for a dance, Harry?" Mike then asked, giving Harry a smile.
Harry smiled at him and then said "I'm sorry Mike, I would love to, but I think I have to take my friend home. He's had enough."
"Oh go and dance with him, brat! I'm not going anywhere." Snape snarled, and gave Mike a hateful look, before ordering another drink.
"This is the last drink Professor." Harry said, before standing up slowly. What harm was there in one short dance? He would keep an eye on his professor, and everything would be fine.
He and Mike walked to the dance floor, and soon he felt lost in the rhythm. He loved dancing, and Mike was a good partner. Not pushing anything on him like some guys tried. Not being to active. Just right.
"So, the other dude is your professor?" Mike asked, and gave Severus a short glance. "How come you went here together?"
"Well, he used to be my professor. And we ran into each other today. Honestly, the last place in the world I thought he would be." Harry smiled, softly putting one hand on Mike's hip.
"He does seem... kind of out of place." Mike said, smiling at Harry. The next time Harry looked at the bar to check on Snape, he was gone. Panic rose in Harry. Had the man just left?
"I'm sorry, but I have to cut this short Mike. I think my companion has gotten into trouble." Harry said, not even giving Mike another glance before leaving. He checked the bathrooms first. Considering the amount of alcohol Severus had in his system, this seemed his best guess. But Snape wasn't there.
So Harry quickly walked outside, leaving his coat behind, not caring about it. He had to find the drunk Potion Master before he was hit by a car. Or, in Snape's state, walked against a tree.
He had taken two steps out of the door and found Snape, leaning against a wall, smoking a cigarette. There was no sign of the alcohol as he stood perfectly still and watched the few cars that passed by.
"Professor, you shouldn't just walk away like that. I was worried." Harry said, taking the place on the right of Snape, now also leaning against the wall. "You shouldn't smoke. It's not healthy."
"Mr. Potter, I am 43 years old, I think I am capable of making the decision if I wish to smoke or not." Severus said, giving Harry a death glare from the side. "Why are you here?"
"I said I would bring you home Professor. And that is what I will do." Harry said, watching Severus. In the pale light of the moon Severus looked... attractive. In an odd way.
"Stop staring Potter, or I will hex you blind." Snape said, turning away. "Why do you insist on taking me home?"
"I want to make sure you are okay. Though frankly, you don't seem drunk at all anymore." Harry said, quickly turning his gaze in another direction. Snape was in a bad mood, and Harry believed his threat.
"How noble." Severus said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Do you think I would go and get drunk without thinking? I have taken a potion that will stop the symptoms of the alcohol. I want to get home in one piece." Severus turned to look at him, and finally seemed to realize, that Harry was now taller then himself. He didn't look pleased.
"Of course. I should have thought of that." he answered and smiled slightly.
"Yes, you should have. Now, I propose you go back and finish your dance with the boy, and leave me alone. It is best for me to retire home now." Severus said, taking a deep drag.
"I am going to bring you home Professor." Harry said again, watching as Severus threw the cigarette away, obviously annoyed.
"Fine you annoying brat." he then said, and started walking in his normal fast pace. Even without the cloak the way Snape walked looked smooth, almost as if he was gliding over the street instead of walking on it. Harry quickly followed, and watched him.
"Mr Potter, it would be kind of you were to refrain yourself from staring at me, and start watching where you are going." Snape said, shooting him a quick glance.
"Are you scared I could get hurt?" Harry asked, grinning.
"I fear that you will run into a tree, and make me look like a fool when I bring you to a doctor." Snape answered.
After a while of walking, Harry looked at Snape. "Don't you live in Hogwarts, Professor?"
"I do." Severus said, giving him a weird look.
"Then... why aren't we apperating there?" Harry asked.
"Potter, do you consider yourself a good Auror?" Severus asked, still walking swiftly.
"I do Professor. But what-" Severus interrupted.
"I disagree." he snapped, throwing Harry a mocking glance. "I do not believe you are as good as you think."
"And why do you believe that, Professor?" Harry asked, slightly insulted. He knew he was a good Auror.
"Because you haven't noticed that we are being followed." Snape said, his voice mocking. "If we apperated now, we would surly call attention to ourselves, something I am very opposed to."
Harry blinked. They were being followed? He quickly scanned the area, checking to see if he could feel any magic except his own and Snape's. He didn't find any. So he quickly turned his head and looked over his shoulder. Snape was right. They were being followed. A young man was walking behind them, a few feet behind them.
"A muggle. Do you know him?" Harry asked.
"Yes, unfortunately I do. I met him on occasion in the club, and he has seemed to take a liking to me. As I told him that his feelings were one-sided he was very displeased. He started to follow me." Severus answered, staring straight ahead.
"A stalker?" Harry asked surprised. It seemed surreal that Snape would have a stalker. On the other hand, he was an interesting man, when he wasn't being a totally rude and sarcastic. He had seen a lot of things in his life.
"If you wish to calm him that, yes." Severus answered.
"How will we leave without him noticing?" Harry asked. He was sure Snape wouldn't let him talk to the boy. The boy would probably remind Snape of himself. Chasing an unrequited love...
"I usually walk to the train station, and loose him in the crowd. Then I go out through the back entrance and apperate from there." Severus informed him.
"Don't you want to confront him?" Harry asked. He would probably feel insecure when somebody would follow him.
"No. I only see him on the weekend, and he doesn't do anything but follow me. I am not in danger." Severus answered. Harry could see the train station, only a few more minutes and they would be 'safe'.
"Stalkers tend to start out like that, and then get worse." Harry said. "No big difference between muggles and wizards in things like this. Love is the same wherever you go." he added, as Snape raised an eyebrow.
"I very much doubt that he is in love with me." Severus said, snarling a bit as Harry opened the door to the train station for him. "I am very well capable of opening a door myself Potter."
"I'm just being polite, Professor. I know you can open a door." Harry smiled. A few years ago, he would have probably lost his temper thanks to the rude professor, but in Aurortraining he had learned to hold his feelings at bay. Snape way trying to provoke him, so that he would leave, Harry knew. But he was not going to leave. He wanted to find out why his professor had been in a muggle disco, and a gay one at that.
They both walked through a crowd of people, and then hurried to leave the building. Snape had been right. They had lost the boy.
"Sir, what about the apperating shields in Hogwarts?" Harry asked. "Have they been removed?"
"They have not." Severus answered. "But as you should know, apperating to the edge of the Forbidden Forest is possible."
Harry nodded. Had he really forgotten all these things?
"Potter, when you are done staring into space, would you be so kind as to hold my arm?" Snape said, clearly annoyed. Harry looked at him questioning. "You do want to end up at the same place as I will, or am I making a mistake with my assumption?"
"Yes I do Professor." Harry said, laying his hand on Severus arm. This way Snape would apperate them together.
After a loud 'pop', Harry opened his eyes again, and took his hand of Snape's arm. He knew the former Death Eater would probably not appreciate him touching him for longer then necessary.
They walked to the castle in silence, and Harry followed Snape down into the dungeons, until Snape stopped in front of the door to the Potions classroom.
"I am save now, Mr Potter. You can leave." he said, giving a sarcastic tone to the word save.
"I would like to talk to you Professor." Harry said, not moving.
"Then you are the only one who wants to do so, Potter." Snape sneered. "I feel no need to talk to you on any level."
"I know Professor. But you will. I want an explanation for what I saw tonight." Harry said.
"And what makes you think you will receive one, Potter?" Snape said, opening the door.
"Because if you don't tell me by yourself, I will just find out." Harry said, giving Snape a cheeky smile. "You know I can. And I will."
Snape threw im a hateful look. "For merlin's sake, then come in Potter. I don't want to waste time on this."
Harry grinned, and followed Snape into the classroom. He had expected their conversation to take place here, but he soon found he was wrong. Snape walked across the room, Harry following him, and opened a door at the other side of the classroom.
He walked inside, and Harry found himself in Snape's private rooms. In his living room to be precise. It was different from what he expected it to be. It wasn't cold, or empty. The room was full of bookshelves that plastered every piece of wall. There was a fireplace, with two chairs situated in front of it, slightly turned so the person who was sitting in it was able to look at the other without straining his neck.
Snape sat done in one of them, and lit the fire with a lazy wave of his wand. "Sit Potter, or do you prefer standing while talking to me?"
Harry quickly sat down next to Severus. Even now, 8 years later, Snape could still make him feel like a young boy. Somehow it made Harry smile.
"Now, ask what you are here to ask, and then leave." Snape said, watching the fire.
"Why where you at the club professor? Why do you go there? You don't seem to be a person who enjoys big crowds and loud music." Harry said, and then quickly added "Which I don't mean as an insult."
"As unlikely as it might seem I do enjoy company once in a while Potter. And while this is almost impossible in the Wizard world, I search it in a world that doesn't see me as a Death Eater and murderer." was all Snape said.
"I understand." Harry answered. He did understand. He sometimes hated to be who he was. Especially when he wanted to be invisible. The people still hadn't gotten enough from him. Weekly, he got call's about Interviews and stuff like that. But for Snape it had to be worse. He was treated as a murderer, even after he had been cleared.
"If you have gotten your answer, you can leave then." Snape said, still watching the fire.
"Are you going there next weekend?" Harry asked, slowly standing up.
"I very much doubt it." Snape said. "I prefer not to run into former students."
"I would enjoy to see you again, professor." Harry simply said. "I will be waiting for you there."
Snape slowly turned his head to look at him. He didn't answer.
"Have a good night professor." Harry said, turning and leaving. He didn't know why, but he desperately wanted to see Snape again, not in Hogwarts where there were eyes and ears everywhere. He wanted to be alone with Snape, wanted to talk to him. Connect to him.
He was surprised at how urgent this feeling was, how his stomach ached when he thought about that Snape would probably not show up. Not that Harry would let that happen. Still. It was weird he felt this way.
And, to be completely honest, it scared him.
Tbc...?