Summary: Harry and Severus hide out in Muggle London on Dumbledore's orders. They run into Harry's not-exactly-ex-boyfriend, who wants to propose to Harry. How will Harry get out of this mess? What does Severus have to say about all this?

A/N: Just an idea I had. This story is slightly inspired by a movie I saw awhile ago, but I can't remember the name to give it the proper credit. Oh well, the "inspired" part won't come till the end. Hope you like. Feedback is always appreciated.

Marriage

Chapter 1:

"Stupid….sodding…Voldemort…" Harry grumbled to himself as he stuffed his clothes haphazardly into his trunk. Honestly, the man was half dead with no followers; couldn't he give it up already? Okay, so he did have some followers, and yeah they were dangerous, but come on? Wasn't quitting school and hiding out in Muggle London a bit extreme?

"It's all for the best, Harry," Dumbledore had said rather superiorly. Of course, if you called twiddling your thumbs while clattering your teeth together because you just ate six Ice Mice superiorly, then yes, that was definitely a smug tone, Harry thought furiously, shoving his old sneakoscope in between his piled under shorts.

"Don't you think your overreacting, Potter? I would have thought the idea of not having to exercise your sorry excuse for a brain and lounging in a Muggle flat would be heaven to you."

Ah yes, forgot to mention that Snape was to be his baby-sitter. Well, Dumbledore had said 'guardian' but Harry wasn't stupid.

"No," said Harry.

"Little snot," said Snape.

*          *          *

            Snape couldn't help but smirk over the situation. Potter was being an absolute brat about the whole thing, huffing and grumbling, and generally creating a symphony of brat-ish sounds. In fact, if there was a Concerto a la Brat, Potter would be the composer and the instrument.

            "Oh, I'm glad someone's getting some fun out of this," Potter said rudely, finally shutting his trunk.

            "Yes, I derive much amusement from your little hissy fits. I plan on laughing at you throughout this entire ordeal," said Snape, raising a mocking eyebrow.

            "Ha, ha. Don't you realize what's going on? We're going to be living together! And all you can do is laugh?"

            Snape waved a dismissing hand at the boy's scandalized face. "Don't be ridiculous, Potter, we may be sharing a flat but there will be no cohabitation."

            Potter stared, his eyes going wide then narrow behind his glasses. "Er…doesn't sharing a flat mean cohabitation?"

            "No. I don't plan on socializing with you. I most likely won't see you throughout the day, what with you scampering about."

            Potter glared. "I thought you were supposed to tutor me in Occlumency."

            Snape stopped in mid-smirk.

            "Hah. See?"

            "……Damn."

*          *          *

            "It's not so bad," Harry commented lightly, looking around the spacious flat. Snape had been right in thinking that it was almost like two flats with a joining kitchen and living room. It was modestly furnished with comfy looking chairs and warm colors.

            "Is it?" said Snape sardonically before striding down the hall to what Harry supposed was a bedroom. "This will be my half."

            Harry rolled his eyes at his professor's imperious tone but otherwise raised no further argument. Sighing, he heaved his trunk to the other bedroom. 'Just like Snape, not to help,' Harry grumbled to himself. He pushed open the door to reveal a cozy looking room, done up in dark emerald green and gold colors, with dark oak furniture. "Not bad." Harry sat his trunk down, cast a quick unpacking spell, then walked into the adjoining bathroom.

            It was small, but practical, with a nice supply of fluffy towels waiting to be used next to the shower. Harry gave it a nod of approval before turning on his heel and going back to the living room.

            "Snape?" he called. The sound of irritated footsteps graced Harry's ears.

            "What?"

            Harry scowled at the older man's snap, but said nothing of it. "I'm going to the grocery store. Is there anything you wanted?"

            Snape raised an eyebrow at him. "You know where one is?"

            "Of course," said Harry, tossing his head back. "I walked about London a lot during the summer last year. I remember where one is, close to here."

            Snape nodded, but he looked uncomfortable about something.

            "What?" said Harry impatiently.

            "Should you be going alone?"

            "Do you want to come with me?"

            "No."

            "Well, there you are then." Harry turned to the door.

            "Wait, Potter."

            Harry heaved a sigh.

            "I'm going with you."

*          *          *

              "Idiotic contraption!"

            Harry had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. Snape's long coat had gotten caught in the automatic sliding door. It had taken him a couple minutes to figure out that he had to walk toward the door to get it to open.

            "Stop smirking, you insolent child!" Snape snarled as he stalked past him, wrapping his now free coat protectively around his body.

            "Or what? You'll give me a detention?" Harry laughed, an inevitable grin overcoming his features.

            "Shut it, boy."

*          *          *

            "Don't even think about it, Potter."

            "What?" Harry asked, feigning innocence as tried to sneak up on Snape with his shopping cart. Snape's long coat had once again proven to be a hazard; it kept getting caught under the wheels of the cart.

            "Just get what you came here for so we can leave this hell."

            "Alright, alright." Harry steered the cart over to the lettuce and began to examine the heads carefully. Snape tapped his foot a little too loudly; Harry ignored him.

            "Harry?"

            Harry turned. And gaped. Standing there, looking at him uncertainly was Malcolm. Dudley's-old-school-mate, Malcolm. Harry's not-exactly-ex-boyfriend, Malcolm.

            "Malcolm?" Harry said weakly.

            "It is you!" Malcolm exclaimed.

            Harry forced a shaky smile.

            "Where have you been? I've was so worried about you! I woke up one morning and you were just gone! Oh, I'm so glad you're all right!" And with that said, Malcolm threw himself at Harry and wrapped him into a bone-snapping hug.

            "Nice – to see – you too!"

            "Potter!"

*          *          *

            "It was so nice running into you! Don't forget, 7 o'clock tomorrow! Don't be late!"

            Harry groaned in trepidation, watching Malcolm saunter to his car.

            "So."

            "Don't you say a word," Harry snapped, turning away from the Cheshire cat smile on Snape's face.

            "Come Potter, do tell me about this little scandalous affair you had over the summer. What was that charming young lad's name? Malcolm, was it?"

            "Oh, shove off and ruin someone else's life!"

            "Well, well, well. I never knew what a drama queen you could be, Potter."

            Harry shot an obscene gesture with one hand at Snape. The older man laughed.

            "Look here, Snape. Malcolm and I were together for one summer. One! But for some reason, he seems to think that he's in love with me, and was a clingy bastard. So I left for Hogwarts without telling him I was leaving, and haven't thought of him until five minutes ago."

            "And you have just been cajoled into going on a lovely reunion date tomorrow. How romantic." Snape was smiling evilly and obviously getting a kick out of this. Harry smirked. He knew just the thing to get that look of his professor's face.

            "Which you will be attending, being my guardian and all."

            "….I hate you."

            Harry grinned.

TBC