Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
AN - For those of you who know me, and know my OTP, you'll know that it absolutely killed me to write this :( Either way, I hope you enjoy.
Written for - The Dinner Table Challenge - Harry Potter - His feet were already numb. He should have listened.
The Talent Show - Stronger by Britney Spears (Used as Inspiration)
Word Count - 481
Stronger
His feet were already numb. He should have listened. To his friends, to his family, even to bloody strangers if he was being honest with himself. He'd been stupid, and weak, but he'd also been tired and lonely. He'd been watching his friends pair off, and he wanted someone to look at him the way they looked at each other.
He couldn't really remember how it had started. A moment of insanity, perhaps? He'd been in the wrong place at the wrong time? Ron and Hermione had been besides themselves with anger and worry when he'd told them.
"Severus Snape!?" They'd said, their tones indicating their feelings on the man in question perfectly well.
Every time Harry appeared on their doorstep, his face wet with with tears, they'd ushered him inside, plying him with tea and sympathy, all the while telling him to leave the man who equally despised him and lusted after him.
Harry always went back.
When they were together, Severus constantly belittled him. He'd heard just about every insult in the book. He was stupid, he was an imbecile, he was shit in bed. Harry didn't know what he was doing wrong, but in the process of trying to improve himself, he'd changed just about everything that made him who he was.
He didn't even recognise his own reflection in the mirror any more.
Tonight had been the last straw. Walking in to find Severus pumping in and out of a willing young man, younger than Harry anyway, had broken any feelings Harry'd had left.
He watched, with a detached indifference, as Severus looked up to meet his eyes. The bastard smirked. Harry'd turned and left without a word, and now he was walking without a purpose, his feet numb, his mind whirring.
He deserved better than what he was getting. He deserved more than being used as a sex toy. He deserved someone who loved him, who treated him with respect. He deserved to be happy.
He was stronger than he'd ever been, and he knew he could make it on his own. He could be who he was, with or without a partner, and he was strong enough now to tell Severus that he didn't need him. He didn't want him.
Looking up at the crescent moon, Harry smiled. Checking around himself to make sure he was alone, he concentrated on his destination and apparated away.
Knocking on the door, he saw Hermione's face through the distorted glass for a second before she opened it. He was smiling, and he watched the concern on her face fade away as she took in his appearance.
"Harry?"
"You were right. But I'm stronger now. No going back this time, Hermione. It's time I do things my own way."