Title: Heartstrings
Pairings: Harry/Severus - Male/Male
Warnings: If you do not like Male/Male relationships. I suggest you don't read this. AU, as well.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, any of the characters from Harry Potter, and so forth. I just provide the setting and romance.
Authors Note: Hello everyone. Sloan here. This is not a one-shot, but It wont be very long either. Just something that came into my mind the other day and I just had to get it out. Still writing Lonely Spider so never fear. I just needed to write something else and take my mind off it for a few days. Ill try and write a chapter for one, than another for the other story and sort of go back and forth if possible. No promises. Anyways, I hope you like this AU I am making.

Please Read and Review.
Reviews are what I have to go off of. I cannot know if you like what I write, if you do not review. If you have time to add this story to your favorites, or add an alert, you have time to write a small message. Thank you for your time.

Love is like a violin. The music may stop now and then, but the strings remain forever.
June Masters Bacher

The town of Scarlet was a peaceful place. It was a town rich in history and academics. The town was one of the few places in the world where the wizarding world and Muggles. It's university catered to both worlds. It's professor's only the best in their fields and students only the brightest. Scarlet was located inside a bay and it's ports one of the best. Where sailors and merchants filled themselves on quality spirits and liquors and traded equally quality merchandise. To the north, in the center of the town was a massive clock tower that was the oldest, still standing buildings of the town.

A young man named Harry Potter worked near the docks at the local bookstore and archives. It was fitting, considering he lived right above the store; in a small flat. Harry would wake up in the mornings and look out his window to the bay. From his bed he could see the tops of sails and the beautiful blue of the water. Even in the cold winter months, it was a sight to see. It was summer though, and it was at its peak of beauty. Harry shoved the shutter's to his window open; causing the piegons to fly off. He shook his head, and looked down to his window pots of flowers. They were still just sprouts, but soon they would be beautiful stargazer lilies. Harry smiled, and grabbed the water can from the paint-chipped chair to his right. When he finished watering, he quietly turned to finally get dressed. He would have to open the store soon, and Mr. Briggs would not stand it if they opened late.

Harry, with a flick of his wand, turned on the radio as he passed it. A tune floated out of the room as he turned on the shower inside his door-less bathroom. Harry's room would make decor magazines weep with how rustic it looked. He never intended it to be that way, but he liked it. The only real modern touches in there was a computer, the radio and posters. A quick shower later, Harry was dressed and ready to go. He gave himself a quick look in the mirror. Emerald eyes, scruffy black hair, and a skinny figure. Harry was pretty feminine looking since he stopped playing Quidditch two years ago. He still had the muscle, but it wasn't as defined as before. He had stopped when they got a coach that just ran them into the ground.

Harry sighed, he needed to get another sport. He couldn't stand how feminine he was starting to look. Even his best friend, Hermione, had noticed. He sighed, Hermione was teasing him constantly. He shook his head, and headed down stairs to the shop. He did his usual routine, turned on the lights, unlocked the front door,and put the money from the back office into the register. He sat down on the little stool behind the register, opening up a copy of the newest of Wizard and Witches Quarterly. He was into a big cover article about the dangers of improperly made potions with children when the phone rang. He picked it up without looking. "Brigg's Books and Town Archives. Harry speaking."

"Harry! Blasted, I know the name of my damn store!" Mr. Briggs snapped. "Harry, I got an important package that needs to be taken to the university. I wont be in today. Go ahead and close the shop till you get back." Mr. Briggs continued. "Anyways, the package is in the office. Actually its three packages. Anyways, name is on the packages. Some professor in the music department." Mr. Briggs hung up. Harry didn't even bother speaking during the phone call. That would have just 'waisted his time' as he so kindly pointed out before. Harry rolled his eyes. Mr. Briggs could be nice if he wanted too. The only problem was, he never wanted to be. Harry locked the till and went into the office. He tilted his head, where the hell were these packages? He found them under Mr. Brigg's desk. He read the labels. They all went to the same person. S. Snape. Harry had never heard of him. He walked out and went outside. He locked the front door.

Harry piled the packages into the basket of his bike. His bike was a faded green, Harry figured it used to be the same color as his eyes. But with how retro and old it was, he couldn't be sure. He sat down, and kicked off, speeding down the road. Harry had moved from the big city to Scarlet. He had grown up in an orphanage run by a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley. It was misserable to say the least. But one of the local teacher's that volunteered and came often, told him about where she grew up. She had come from Scarlet. Harry had dreamed of this far away town by the bay. He moved there as soon as he was seventeen. He kept in touch with the teacher often. Minerva McGonagall was his first friend in life.

He raced past the farmer's market; the police station; the hobby store; the tackle and bait shop. Then came the big hill, Harry loved this hill. He rounded the corner from Baker Street and onto Hudson. It was at about the Hudson Bar that the hill came. Harry didn't even bother to hold on, as he lifted his legs and raced down the steep hill. A few people glanced back as he rushed by. It was normal, for a town this size. Harry was out of breath by the time that he got to the end. But he peddled on. Down Hashburry, and up Rudy Lane, and then finally University Springs. University Springs branched off to Tenor Drive. Pythagorean Lane, Quantum Ave. and other pun-related roads dedicated to the part of the University they led too.

Harry slowed down and he took a right down Tenor. Harry looked up to the massive auditorium before him. But Harry wouldn't be going there. Lifting himself, he peddled over to the building off to the side. Though smaller, it was still impressive. Just like everything else about the university. Harry had thought about enrolling, but he had no idea what he wanted to do. He figured he would sit on it for a while. That was two years ago though. He shook his head, and stopped, propping the bike against the wall near the double doors. Picking up the packages, he walked inside slowly. He looked around, a little intimidated by the marble everywhere. Off to the left was the admin, the right the hall to the classrooms. Before him, a reception desk.

"Excuse me, I have some packages for a..." Harry glanced down to the top package. 'Snape?" The blond boy just pointed to the right.

"Practice room fourteen." Harry nodded, and went to the right. Eight, ten, Harry counted. Thirteen, ah here we are four- Harry stopped before the door. All he heard was a beautiful music playing. He realized then, that music was only coming from this room. It was still pretty early, Harry glanced around. He figured classes started later. He looked back up to the door. The music was beautiful, but muffled. He softly knocked, no one answered and the music kept going. He slowly opened the door and walked inside. Trying to stay as quite as possible.

The music was the most beautiful thing Harry had ever heard. By the windows, stood a dark and very tall man. He was pale,and it was a stark contrast to his long black hair and dark clothing. He was playing the violin. Harry gulped, watching the man play. His eyes were closed, and he was playing slowly. Harry was mesmerized. The man wasn't the most handsome, he had ever seen but he had a sort of dark charm about him that Harry instantly liked. He dared not disturb the man, not in the middle of his song. So Harry stood quietly by the door. After about three minutes, he finally cleared his throat softly. The man slowed to a stop. His eyes opened and darted over to Harry. They were dark, and that's all Harry could tell from that distance.

Harry immediately felt his face grow hot. The man lowered his arms, holding the violin and bow in hand. "What do you want?" He asked, his tone harsh, but quite. Harry stumbled foreward briefly.

"I'm from Briggs Books & Archives. I have your packages." Harry said, walking forward to the nearest desk. Harry realized was the only desk. Just chairs and music stands were pushed off to the side. "I just need you to sign for them and pay. Mr. Briggs would have arranged for you to pay by-"

"I am aware." Snape walked back to the desk. He shuffled through the desk, briefly. He grabbed a pen and a notebook. He flipped the notebook open. "Here." he held out a check. Harry took it, checked the price, then put it in his back pocket.

"Here, if you could just sign this." He held out a pad of precepts. Snape took it, and he scribbled his signature down.

"Thank you, sir." He said, taking it back. The man just took his packages, starting to open them. Harry just kind of stood there, watching him. The man stopped as he pulled out a book, glancing to Harry.

"What are you still doing here? Or is there something else you need?" The man glared at Harry. Harry just jumped and turned, quickly rushing out the room.

Harry called back before he left the room. "Sorry sir! Thank you for your business! Have a wonderful day!"

x

Harry made it back to the store in record time. Eyes wide, and face flushed. His chest felt tight. He wanted to blame the feeling because of the quick climb up the hill; but he knew better. He shook his head, and went back into the store. Like Mr. Briggs had said, he wasn't in that day. Harry, for the rest of the day, spent the time as he usually did. Bored. Only, unlike every other day, he spent the entire day trying to get the image of the music professor out of his head.

x

Hermione came over later that day, after her shift at the university. She plopped down onto the bed as Harry changed into a comfier pair of jeans. "Harry, how was your day?" She called, grabbing his near by copy of Wizard and Witches Quarterly. "Oh, iv been meaning to pick this one up." She said, as she flipped through the pages.

"Same old stuff." Harry called from the bathroom, walking out in just jeans as he dried his hair from his shower. He stopped and ran his fingers through his hair, setting his towel on the back of his chair and took a seat next to Hermione. Hermione was reading an snippet of an article as she twirled her wand around. "Hermione, you know all the professors in the university, right?"

"I at least know of them. I certainly don't know everyone." Hermione looked up. "Why? Are you thinking of enrolling, finally?" She asked. She set the magazine aside. Using her wand to summon two butter beers from the fridge. Harry snatched his out of the air. Harry just sadly shook his head.

"I don't know if I can yet, even after two years of saving, I don't have enough for just tuition alone. I thought about trying to get some scholarships based off the fact I was an orphan, but most all of them require that I apply and join while I was still at the orphanage. So the fact I moved here negates me for most scholarships I could apply too." Harry explained after he took a swig of butter beer. "I wish I could though." Hermione nodded slowly.

"I'll help you out. I'm sure I could dig up a few grants or scholarships you're still eligible for." She said, absentmindedly twirling her wand again. "Do you even know what you want to do yet?" She tilted her head. "That would help."

Harry shook his head yet again. "No, that's the problem. I just have not found anything I really want to do. I thought maybe I could do sports, just until I knew. But even that would be to much." He frowned

"So, why did you want to know about the professors? Someone in particular?" Harry chuckled, Hermione never forgot anything. He knew he couldn't avoid it, when he suddenly wished he hadn't asked.

Harry just shrugged and took a long drink of butter beer. "Ah, it's nothing." Hermione just gave him that look. The look that let Harry know that he was not getting away that easily. Hermione jabbed his leg playfully with her wand. "Hey!" He poked her back with his own. "Honest, it's nothing. Just a professor I had to deliver some packages too."

Hermione jabbed him again. "Who?" Harry shook his head, and Hermione kept poking him with his wand. Harry shot a glare and quickly sent her wand flying across the room with a flick of his own. Hermione gasped and glared back, standing and walking to her wand. Harry grinned, levitating her wand and making her try and reach for it. "Harry! Oh you are such a brat!" She pouted, jumping to try and catch her wand. Harry leaned back on his elbows, wand still in hand. Hermione finally gave up after about three minutes. "Fine!" She threw her arms up in defeat. "Now tell me who the professor is!"

"Some guy named Snape- music teacher, I'm guessing."

"Oh! Professor Snape. Yes, he is relatively new to the University. Only been here about two years now. He is a brilliant man, though frankly he scares most people." Hermione said. "He teaches level one and two of musical theory and a specialty class on writing and composing." Hermione said in her mater-of-fact tone. "I've heard that he really hates it. Not the teaching. But the fact he has to teach the lower levels. Professors arn't allowed to teach the upper- levels until at least their fourth year. They rarely make exceptions. Though rumor also has it, they may do it for him."

Harry just slowly nodded, mindlessly making Hermione's wand dance in the air. Hermione watched. "How do you even know so much? I mean, I know you're a student teacher, but still."

"Grapevine, mostly. Professors always love to gossip, even if its not in their department. I'm in the English department, but they pair up with the art's projects a lot here." Harry just nodded again. He finally let the wand land in Hermione's lap.

x

"Harry!" Hermione jogged into through the front door. She skidded to a stop when she nearly ran into Mr. Briggs. "Oh! Good morning Mr. Briggs, sorry, didn't see you there!" Mr. Briggs just rolled his eyes and moved past Hermione, before calling over his shoulder.

"Back room." Hermione happily jogged past the bookshelves to the back archive room where Harry was carefully cataolging older books.

"Hey Harry!" Hermione looked up to Harry who was balancing on a ladder. He shook slightly in surprise, grasping the ladder tightly.

"Hermione!" Harry shook his head, sliding down the ladder with ease. "What's up, 'Mione?"

The curly-haired brunette just gave a big smile. "I think I found something that could be of use to you!" She held out a flyer and shoved it into his hands. Harry blinked, unwrinkling the paper in his hands.

Student Teacher Assistant Wanted
Music Department
Students & non-students allowed for position
Contact Music & Fine Arts Department Head

The rest of the flier rambled on with the rest of the details. Harry's eyes went wide with excitement. "Hermione! I could maybe go to school now!" Hermione's brown curls bobbed up and down as she nodded vigorously.

"Exactly! I think it would be great Harry! I think you would do wonderfully. I don't think Mr. Briggs would mind either!" Harry quickly scrambled out of the back room and to Mr. Briggs who was checking out a young woman.

"Mr Brooks!" Harry called, skidding to a halt.

"Dang-it Harry! We have a guest!" Mr. Briggs angrily swiped at the boy's head. Harry managed to duck in time. The old man turned and gave the woman her receipt and bid her good day. "Now what the bloody hell do you want!" Harry quickly explained about the possible part time job. Mr. Briggs thought about it for a moment. "Fine. But you have to work part time on the weekends now to make up for it. If you even get it." Harry and Hermione both let out quick cheers, and hugged each other. Rushing to the back room once more.