Summary: Harry went into hiding after he failed to defeat Voldemort. Then he suddenly comes back to teach at Hogwarts, after the DADA Teacher is injured. What does he hide from his friends, what does he hide from his love? And where is Voldemort?

A/N: Hello! This is my first male Slash ever! Don't be too cruel with me! This simply started as an "Harry-involved-with-Severus-but-no-one-knows-so-far" but got its own way very early. I knew this would lead to an final showdown with Voldy-Moldie but not quite that way! The rating will go up in the latter chapter. Let's have a look how soon this will be!
Enjoy yourself and leave a little review for me to know you read.

Disclaimer: No, unfortunaley none of the boys is mine andeven moreunfortunately none of the ever will be. Everything belongs to that blond genius, JKR, and to those she sold the rights of the story to.

Implies SLASH! Don't like, don't read. Don't come to me afterwards and cry because you weren't supposed to read such things. I warned you.

xXx

Casting Shadows

xXx

Prologue: The Youngling and the Snake

Our actions - whatever we do and despite the fact how noble our actions and intentions might be – are casting shadows and will leave someone in darkness.

In a bright apartment in London a young man – he was 22 years old (and exactly 14 weeks but who'd care about that anyway?) – was lying on his stomach on a couch and was dozing. His long black hair was bound to a ponytail in his neck and his lips curled in a hopeful smile.

His name was Harry Potter and he was waiting for something - or rather somebody.

Harry stirred when he felt that someone tried to remove his glasses.

"Hello love, already back?" he asked tiredly.

"Hmm" came a rough reply.

"Why are you so grumpy? Problems with students, I suppose."

Harry turned over on his back and lolled tiredly without opening his eyes.

"Hungry? I already fixed dinner. I'll go and heat it up for you!"

Harry tried to sit up but a firm hand tried to push him back. He opened his eyes surprised.

"I think I can do this by my own."

Harry smiled gratefully at his lover but stood up nevertheless. "I don't mind."

Harry stood up from the sofa and walked over to the kitchen. "Sit down, darling, dinner is ready in no time."

"I missed you. I think I will ignore 'darling' therefore."

Harry smiled wryly while he fixed dinner for his partner.

"I really did miss you!"

"Don't let your students hear that, they might think you do have a heart?"

"You could come and visit me during term and prove it to them?"

"What? You want to introduce your gay lover to your students?"

"You could live there under cover as my… 'research' partner or my laboratory assistant?"

"Remember, we weren't on good terms when I was there. What would happen if you introduced me as your 'research' partner or laboratory assistant? I think Minerva – and some of the others - would die of the shock."

"Not to mention Professors Weasley."

Harry chuckled. "Not to mention Professors Weasley. Ron would try to skin me alive in order to find out who I really am, after Hermione found out about… us."

"Nevertheless I would appreciate that very much!"

Harry raised one eyebrow. "Are you serious, Severus?"

Harry heard his lover approaching.

"I'm not talking about being uncovered."

Harry was turned around and held between the kitchen counter and his lover.

"I'm talking about being near to you for longer than just some days between terms."

A soft kiss sealed Harry's lips for some time.

"I want to be a real partner. Now I'm rather like a lover dropping in at some weekends or holidays when he can get away from his wife or whatsoever."

"Your dinner…" pointed Harry out. He never had heard his lover speaking of his feelings so freely. Only one and a half year ago it seemed to Harry – and various other people – that the man did not hold any feelings for himself nor anyone else.

"Are you hungry?" asked the wizard.

Harry smiled. >He's playing games. Not bad, not bad!

"I'm already starving. But not for simple food."

He placed soft kisses along his lovers jaw line.

"If you go on like this there will be no dinner. I thought you demanded that I eat proper meals."

"Oh, forget about proper meals. I want the desert and I want it now!"

So... this is the prologue... you might go on reading chapter 1 immediately but you also can write a review before that! grin Please no flames, alright? Won't answer any of them unless - of course - this could be fun.