A/N: There will be a minor rewrite of this story. Since finishing the prequel, I've gotten a better handle on what I wanted this story to do. There will be a handful of chapters that will be rewritten, or possibly cut.

I own nothing but the plot. The characters belong to JK Rowling.

This is cannon until chapter 32 in Deathly Hallows. Snape's not dead.

It is rated M for future chapters, and there will be one chapter with M/M sex. If that's not your thing, don't read this story.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I've got an hour until he gets here."

That's all Harry could think when it got to be about 6, Friday night. Severus Snape was coming to see him, after to two of them hadn't spoken to one another in about four years.

The only room that Harry was worried about, other than the kitchen (which was spotless), was the living room. Since he had quit writing his advice column on defense against the dark arts, he had spent countless hours reading through old books he found in Snape's room three and a half years ago. He attempted to fit them onto the three bookshelves in the living room, leaving one random book on the couch.

There were pamphlets and papers strewn about as well as the books, and Harry attempted to put them back into their boxes as he went. He had actually learned quite a bit about the things that Snape enjoyed, and was somewhat excited to have a conversation with the other man.

Suddenly, Harry straightened up with a large collection of papers in his hand. He thought he had heard someone apparate into the kitchen, so he hastily shoved the papers into the first box he found. He hurried to the kitchen, and saw the man he had lost four years ago standing before him.

"Hello, Severus," he said, walking to the stove to start making some tea. "Would you like some tea?"

"Hello, Harry. Tea would be nice, thank you," Severus said, feeling overly out of place. Not four and a half years ago, Harry and himself had shared a number of pleasant meals in this room. He looked around, noticing that things were still in about the same place. His mind drifted to the letter he had received a week ago, but he shook his head clear of the thoughts.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked, eyeing Severus intently.

"I have never heard you call me Severus before. It came as a shock both in your letter and when you greeted me," Severus said, looking to the younger man.

"Well, after the things that we had shared, it seems only appropriate. You called me Harry," Harry replied, placing the teapot and two mugs on the table. "Does it bother you that I'm calling you that?"

"Not really," Severus said, taking a mug and pouring some tea into it. "Has it ever bothered you that I began calling you Harry?"

"No, Severus," Harry said, taking his own mug and pouring himself tea. "I was surprised at first, but I liked the way it sounded."

"Well, Harry, I think there are a few things that we're going to need to discuss," Snape said, trying his best to slow his heart rate. "Some rather important things."

"Like what, Severus?" Harry asked, his own heart rate accelerating. He knew what Severus was going to bring up.

"Like the fact that it's been four years, and we still only love one another," Severus said, dropping his gaze from Harry's face. "I haven't been able to so much as look at another man without feeling guilty, even after four years."

"I tried dating, and if it got to the second date, I'd end up seeing you in my mind, even though I was with some other guy," Harry said, looking at Snape. "That night I wrote you about, I had probably had between fifteen and twenty drinks, and I had no idea which way was up."

"I know that guy will never bother you again," Severus said, his voice impassioned. "I saw that guy leave the pub with you, and I followed you to his house. I snuck in, and saw him get off of you. I lost all control, and hexed that guy to oblivion."

"There's something I wanted to show you," Harry said, getting up. "Come with me?"

"Sure, Harry," Severus replied, getting up to follow him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N 2: I hope the story makes more sense with the rewrites, because going back to read it, the original plot was horribly confusing.

Anyway, reviews are appreciated!

--kd