A/N: Okay so this idea just came to me and i really hope you like it! Dont forget to let me know! x
Beta: Onyx Thanatos Theodore Lerins
Review Please :-)
Minerva McGonagall was a patient woman but there was only so much she could actually tolerate before she burst and right now, she was ready to burst.
Minerva made her way to the gargoyle guarding the headmasters office, gave the password and marched up the stairs ready to give a piece of her mind to Severus. She burst through the doors not waiting to be called in after knocking, "Severus! I demand you go to him right now and offer him the position. I will not stand for another day of running back and forth between classes only because you have given up on finding a defense professor!"
Severus looked up at Minerva upon her intrusion and calmly replied, "If you could kindly lower your voice Minerva and listen to what I have to say. I haven't given up as you put it but I have simply just taken a break from being either rejected or how should I put it," Severus faked thoughtfulness, "Yes, or having to sit through interviews with mindless dunderheads who take up my precious time. I assure you Minerva that-"
He was cut off by Minerva scoffing and almost shouting, "No Severus! I am done listening to your excuses! You have put off speaking to Mr Potter for months now and since no one here except you and I are experienced enough to teach in the position, I don't think you have a choice in the matter."
"I rather seem to think that Minerva has a point my dear boy."
Severus turned around and levelled a glare to the portrait of a twinkled eyed Dumbledore, "Stay out of this, you meddling old coot! And as for you Minerva, if you would kindly excuse me, I have a meeting with the minister to prepare for."
Minerva could have hexed Severus on the spot for his attitude, "Fine, lets see how you get on with teaching it yourself then and Severus, don't you ever forget your manners when you are speaking to me!"
Minerva marched out of the office and Severus was left staring at the spot she previously occupied, "How is it that she still makes me feel like an ill-disciplined first year?" he said to no one in particular.
xxx
Severus could have kicked himself; if it wasn't enough that Minerva had earlier berated him on hiring Potter, the minister himself made sure to get it through to Severus that this was indeed the correct course for action. And how bloody wonderful this was going to be for him; he couldn't imagine what seeing the boy after 6 years will be like for him especially after the amazingly warm farewell Potter had given him before walking away after his trial. The thought still caused shivers to travel down Severus' spine but of course he would never attribute it to the fact that Potter had made him feel good, no to him it was his revulsion at what could have happened. His revulsion at the way Potter stared at him across the court room once he had been proven innocent, the revulsion of him actually being drawn to Potter where he had stepped forward to initiate a handshake and the revulsion of the way Potter instead stepped even closer to wrap his arms around him instead and hold their bodies together in one of the most passionate hugs he had ever experienced. Severus snorted at that thought, hugs were not passionate, least of all with Harry Potter; the same Harry Potter whose breath stills ghosts over his skin in his dreams.
Severus shook himself out of his thoughts, how could he even have such a revolting train of thought right now when he was currently walking towards Potters home to meet him with a job offer. He needed to get himself back in line before he did or said anything that could jeopardise this whole thing, then surely Minerva and Kingsley will have his head on a platter.
xxx
Harry had just finished with his paperwork from his earlier mission; after two years of a supposed wild goose chase, he and Ron had finally captured the mafia of dark wizards threatening muggle families. He all but threw himself onto the couch and was ready to relax while sipping his favourite choice of wine when there was a hesitant knock on the door. He glanced at the wall clock, 8.30pm, whoever could this be thought Harry.
xxx
Severus could have laughed if he wasn't all of a sudden tense about this meeting with Potter; he was sure that he would never ever have suspected Harry Potter of all people to be living in a little muggle town with an all too clichéd white picket fence around his home. But Severus merely brushed the amusement away when he realised that he is actually going to have to knock at some point, so he squared his shoulders, straightened himself to his full height and approached the door before knocking a bit more hesitantly than he would have like with a bit more clammy hands than he would have liked too, when did he even start sweating?
Severus stood there patiently wondering if maybe one of Potters flings would answer the door instead, it was expected for a man of his age and appearance to have a new partner every so often wasn't it.
Severus' thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. He looked up and time stood still, there in front of him was the owner of the set of green eyes which tormented him for many years, those eyes which held innocence and the owner who was the embodiment of mischief, the ruffled hair and soft features, the slim and toned body and the confused voice which was currently speaking to him. Wait, what?
"Uhm… Professor?"
Severus immediately caught himself, "Mr Potter," he inclined his head, "I am sorry for calling unannounced and at this hour but I have to discuss something with you which could not wait I'm afraid."
Harry in all honestly looked more confused now than when he had opened the door but he righted himself and spoke, "Of course Professor Snape, please come in."
xxx
Harry had to admit that Severus Snape was the last man he had expected to see on his doorstep at this hour but when has anything normal ever happened to him; especially not now when the man he hasn't seen in 6 years seemed to be… checking him out? No, he dismissed the idea, Severus Snape doesn't check people out, people check Severus Snape out; kind of like he had been doing for his last few years at Hogwarts and of course at that horrid trial. Horrid because at that time he expected to be walking out of the mans life forever but it seemed like faith had other plans then.
xxx
Severus followed Harry into his living room, which was contrary to Severus' expectations, as neat as his own office except for the few files and pieces of parchment lying on the table but he probably was busy working on a case, and sat down on a very comfortable looking armchair while Potter sat adjacent to him on the couch.
Harry broke the silence, "Would you- uhm… Would you like something to drink Professor?"
Severus merely shook his head, "No thank you," he managed the manners, "I am not here on a social call Mr Potter so I believe that I should get straight down to business."
He paused and waited for Harry to nod before continuing, "The reason for my visit is that I am here to offer you a job."
He waited for realisation to dawn on the boys- no young mans face before he continued, "Now before you say it, let me just say that yes, I do know you already have a job but this visit was necessary on the grounds that more than one person suggested you for the position."
Harry stared at Severus for a while trying to wrap his mind around everything, "What job is it, sir?"
The boy had more respect now than when at school, "The position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. We haven't been able to break the curse as none of the previous employees have been able to remain for more than a year and might I say that you do indeed have a fair amount of fans out there who believe that their hero has the ability to do so," he looked upon the young face which he thought would probably display less worry now that Voldemort was gone and spoke again, "But I, unlike the others, see that you are currently in a profession which if I am correct serves as your ideal career choice and I do not wish to impose this offer on you and guilt you into accepting which is why as I have currently adhered to my end of the deal and informed you, I will take my leave."
Severus got up to leave; he couldn't see anything good coming off this. Yes maybe they would finally have a DADA professor but he couldn't find it in himself to want to guilt the boy into accepting. On a good day, he would have used all of his Slytherin traits to convince the boy that being an auror wasn't what he needed in life but right now he wasn't sure whether it was the fact that he couldn't face being around Potter more than he needed to or the fact that the boy just looked troubled without career problems but he just couldn't have the boy thinking that just like when Voldemort was alive, he expected sacrifices and favours now too.
xxx
Harry couldn't believe this, did Snape just walk in here with a job offer, one he had never in a million years thought he would get and then dismiss it as a task completed? No! Harry was not going to stand for something he felt that could make him happy to be dragged away from him; he wasn't going to let go of happiness again.
Harry stood up just as Severus did and caught the mans arm before he headed for the door, "How can you just dangle something like that in front of me and then take it away all at once?"
Severus tried focussing on Harry's question and not the pleasant pressure on his forearm, "Potter, you already have a job and I just came by to fulfil a duty to my colleagues. There is no way that you would leave the auror forces to be a mere teacher," upon seeing the expression on Harry's face he added, "is there?"
Harry let go of Severus' arm and sat down again, "It's really fun going around and trying to stop people who have aspirations to be the next Voldemort you know, having unforgivables thrown at you every day, it's the life," said Harry dryly.
"Potter, what are you saying?" asked Severus whose attention was now piqued with curiosity.
"I'm saying that if have come all the way here then you'll at least give me the opportunity to think about it."
Severus sat back down and stared at Harry, "Well well, who would have thought that the boy who lived would be stuck in a career he hates."
"I did it because I thought it's what I wanted and because well everyone expected it of me. I also couldn't let Ron down; he'd been dreaming of us as partners for years and just had to do it. But this right here, this offer, it's like the one thing I can do for myself you know."
And he did know, Severus did understand what Harry was saying and it almost made him want to console the boy and tell him that yes, he did deserve something for himself.
"Well Mr Potter, if you are indeed interested then I will most definitely give you time to think however that time is limited as the school year has already begun so if you would kindly inform me by owl in no more than 2 days, I will appreciate it."
With that, Severus got up, nodded to Harry and was about to head for the door when he was almost knocked to the floor by some little pest.
"Cedric! What are you doing out of bed young man?" came Harry's voice, holding little anger but more fondness.
Severus turned around to see Potter gently cradling a little boy of about 5 years in his arms while whispering soothing words in his ear.
"Daddy, it was horrible! The monster was going to get me!" sobbed the little boy.
Severus' eyes widened at the title Potter was addressed by, Harry noticed this and stood up placing his Cedric on the floor next to him, "Uhm… this is my son, Cedric," said Harry, now looking as nervous as Severus felt earlier.
"Come on Cedric, let's not be rude, say hello to the professor."
Cedric looked up from where he had his eyes fixed on the floor and Severus noticed that his eyes were every bit as striking in green as his fathers.
"Who are you?" exclaimed the boy before Harry could even realise his question.
Severus merely inclined his head and replied, "Severus Snape, Potions Master."
The boy seemed to think this through for a moment before he stepped forward and held out a hand obviously expecting Severus to shake it.
Severus found that he could not deny the little boy so he crouched down to the boys height and accepted the hand. Cedric seemed to shy away and ran back to bury his face in his fathers robes, "Daddy I'm sleepy."
Severus took that as his cue to leave, "See that you get your answer to me in the allocated time Mr Potter, I shall take your leave now."
"Yeah thanks again Professor."
Just as Severus shut the door behind him, he heard Potter say, "How about you sleep with daddy tonight champ! You know I'll never let anything hurt you."
And Severus couldn't explain why that brought such a natural smile to his face.
