...
Harry scrubbed at a particularly stubborn stain on the corner of the bar until his elbow ached. He ignored the weight of Snape's stare on the back of his head with a small, satisfied smile.
The bar had been packed all night, and growing weary with trying to entertain overly flirtatious and drunken fools, Harry could appreciate the eventual thinning of the crowd.
With a sigh, he dropped down onto a chair and wiped his hands on the cloth. He glanced up at Snape, catching his eye as the man impatiently tolerated two teenage girls who had engaged him in a poorly constructed argument over their fake I.D.
Harry grinned as Snape lost his temper, and with Dean's help, ushered them out of the bar.
''I want you to be extra vigilant with underage customers tonight,'' Snape snapped at the three of them. ''I have no desire to confront a court order on my return.''
''Why, where are you going?'' Dean asked with a frown, as Snape disappeared into his office and returned wearing a clean shirt and his jacket.
''I have... business to attend to tonight,'' he replied shortly, casting a brief glance in Harry's direction. ''And you shall manage the bar.''
Dean nodded, watching cautiously as Snape flipped open the till and extracted a number of notes and rolling them into his pocket.
''Business of a... personal sort?'' Dean asked hesitantly.
Snape shot him a scathing look. ''Cheek,'' he reprimanded, without humour, and swept past them to the club downstairs.
Harry felt his whole body tense as he returned, not alone but with the same man Harry had seen him with the previous night. Harry narrowed his eyes and indulged the opportunity to examine him more closely.
He was probably the same age as Snape, and very good looking. He was well dressed, with a look of a man who had the wealth and power to look after himself.
''I intend to return before last orders,'' Snape said briefly as he passed. ''Behave yourselves.''
Seamus threw him his keys and smirked at Dean. ''And if you're not back, we'll know you had a good night then sir.''
Snape's eyes widened dangerously, but the man beside him was waiting patiently at the door, and without another word, he disappeared into the night with his companion.
The silence that followed his departure was not a comfortable one.
Dean opened his mouth sympathetically, but Harry waved him off, a sinking feeling in his gut. ''Don't say anything. Snape can see whoever he wants, what can I do about it?''
...
Harry's head snapped up each time the front door swung open that night, his mind growing chaotic with various scenarios of the activities Snape was possibly indulging in with his partner.
When the thought only made him feel rather sick, he resorted to pacing behind the bar, ignoring the efforts of his colleges to distract him. He was more than aware, that as a typical instinctive response, his behaviour towards male customers had turned rather more seductive.
When the clock above their heads informed them that they had moved into the early hours of the morning, Harry grimaced and fully acknowledged the fact that he was completely and utterly jealous. And he hated it.
The three of them closed the bar slowly, beginning to contemplate the idea that they would be forced to lock up without the company of their manager.
They all jumped when Snape swept back in through the door, not a minute before they closed. He casted a critical eye over the bar, relaxing slightly when he realised he still had a business to return to.
Harry grabbed his jacket and followed them to the front door as Snape switched the lights off, and set the alarms.
He could smell alcohol on the man's breath as he passed. The fact that he seemed in a strangely good mood only aggravated Harry further.
An long set of fingers curled around his forearm before he could leave.
''Harry,'' Snape said, en edge to his voice Harry had not heard before. ''Can I have a word?''
Unable to trust himself to even look up, Harry grimaced in false apology and squeezed past. ''Sorry, sir. I really have to get home. I have... stuff to do. Can wait til tomorrow, can't it?''
He pushed his hands into his pockets and jogged to catch up with the others, not giving Snape any chance for argument.
Harry did not sleep well that night. He knew he had to either live with the fact that Snape was not his, and it was perfectly acceptable for him to see other men. Or he needed to reel in some courage and do something slightly more constructive about his feelings, and earn the right to condone his possessiveness.
...
Harry knew he was being immature with his behaviour at work the following night, but he couldn't seem to help it. He was irritated with Snape and was finding it hard not to show it.
The fact that Snape had uncharacteristically taken an unexplained break from his office, and had sat himself at the end of the bar all night with a stack of papers, would normally have been very welcome, and kept Harry on edge. Now, he simply found it annoying.
His anger almost disintegrated when Snape attempted to make light conversation with him, as unusual as it was for him to make such an effort. It had not slipped Harry's attention that Dean and Seamus were, much to their amusement, being treated with much more familiar disdain.
Harry brushed off the sudden interest in his personal life with evasive responses, not daring himself to say too much, and willed away the hours until he could go home. He was so lost in thought that he jumped when a customer leaned over the bar and tugged on his sleeve.
''Hey, I know you, don't I?''
Harry blinked at the blonde haired stranger and recognition dawned slowly.
''Oh... Hello,'' Harry forced a smile. He had to admit, he hadn't realised the other week, in his intoxicated state, just what a catch he had made. The man was really quite attractive.
''We danced together. You remember?'' he asked pleasantly.
Harry nodded, hiding a grimace as he recalled how he'd been rather rude and disappeared without an explanation. ''Of course. How have you been? I'm sorry if I didn't... give you my full attention the other night.''
Harry was aware that Snape had raised his head and was listening to their conversation, but he ignored him. If anything, it made him more keen on talking to the man.
The man shrugged carelessly, ''It's not a problem. You're a very good dancer, so I'll let you off. My name's Collin by the way.''
They shook hands, and Harry glanced in Snape's direction, feeling almost irrationally guilty.
He took a deep breath and turned his back. ''You fancy a drink?'' he asked bravely.
''Well I'm in a bar, aren't I?'' Collin grinned, leaning against the surface and eyeing Harry with appraisal.
Harry rolled his eyes. ''With me, I meant? I'm gonna take my break,'' he called to Dean and Seamus, and led his new friend to one of the booths, careful to keep them in Snape's direct line of sight, and earshot.
''You're a student, aren't you?'' Collin asked conversationally as they sat down.
''How did you know?''
''Bags under your eyes... underweight... depressed. You're projecting all the symptoms,'' he grinned.
Harry felt himself flush.
''I didn't mean it in a bad way,'' Collin apologised quickly as Harry made to stand up. ''I just meant to say, I know how you feel. That was me a couple of years ago.''
Harry eyed the man's firm, muscular upper body and very much doubted it.
''What's your name? I didn't quite catch it the other night?''
Harry heard Snape snort under his breath and ignored it.
''Harry Potter... You want to swap numbers?''
Harry was grinning widely by the time he finally returned to the bar. Collin was going to meet him after work, and in his current mood, nothing could have been more welcome.
He whistled to himself as he cleaned glasses, suddenly far more tolerant of impatient customers. Ignoring the rigidness that had come over Snape's posture, he kept his abrupt change in mood clearly visible.
He didn't bother looking round as he heard Snape stand up and return to his office, the door snapping sharply behind him.
Harry raised his eyebrows and shrugged at Seamus and Dean, feeling selfishly pleased with himself.
He hadn't been with anyone for so long, even if it wasn't Snape, the prospect still excited him. He had needs, just as any other young man. And if Snape was dating, then why shouldn't he?
...
Collin was leaning against the bonnet of his car as they left the bar in the early hours.
Harry grinned nervously at Seamus and Dean, zipping his jacket tighter around his neck and waving briefly as they wandered up the road. He turned back and watched Snape lock the door, and felt a lump rise to his throat as he saw the scowl on the man's face deepen. He was in a foul mood.
Did he not realise that all he had to do was ask him to, and Harry would never so much as think about Collin again?
When Snape's fingers caught on the lock for the third time, Harry leaned forwards and attempted to help.
Snape tutted at him and brushed his hand away. ''Have you not got plans to be getting on with, Potter?'' he muttered, without looking up.
Harry frowned, wishing for a moment that he had the Snape back that had been so keen on being near him earlier. As much as he wanted to make the man jealous, he missed the way Snape looked at him much more.
''You wanted to tell me something last night,'' Harry said, suddenly remembering. More to keep in Snape's company, than any real curiosity, he waited patiently on the pavement. ''What was it?''
Snape snorted softly and shot a dark glance in Collin's direction.
''Nothing that would not waste your time. Goodnight, Potter.'' He swept off with a fast pace before Harry had the chance to say anything else.
''An ex of yours?'' Collin asked slowly, walking up to meet him.
Harry shook his head. ''Why do you say that?''
''I'm not blind. That looked... rather intense. And earlier at the bar, when we were talking, he looked like he wanted to kill me.''
Harry shrugged, almost wanting to change his mind and run after Snape and tell him how he felt. But Collin was already waving a hand in his face and growing impatient.
''Sorry,'' Harry muttered, tearing his eyes away from the path Snape had disappeared down and collecting the majority of his confidence. ''Lets go.''
...
Harry appreciated the space Ron and Hermione had left him for the first time as he watched Collin wander curiously around his kitchen. They never did approve of him bringing men home before a first date with such irresponsible intentions.
''Nice place,'' Collin smiled politely, eyeing a picture of the three of them stuck to the fridge. ''You're here on your own tonight then?''
Harry nodded. He had no desire to discuss such a burdensome subject with his current visitor, and watched with approval as Collin took a confident step towards him without questioning the matter any further.
Harry had never been shy. He'd been with his fair share of men, but they'd usually been people he'd had an attachment to. Collin was a new one for him. He wished thoughts of Snape were not so insistently at the front of his mind.
He tensed as a hand was placed on his hip and he was jolted forwards.
''You have beautiful eyes, you know,'' Colin murmured, lifting a hand and running it through the way-ward strands of Harry's hair. ''I've never seen eyes that green before.''
Harry flushed, wondering how he would have felt had Snape said those words to him. The thought made him shiver, and assuming wrongly that it was a reaction to him, Collin's smile widened.
A confident hand slipped between Harry's thighs, and after a moment's hesitation, he opened them. A warm mouth settled on his neck and Harry felt himself massaged through his jeans.
''That keen?'' Harry tried to shift himself into a more comfortable position, but Collin's free palm on his chest had him pressed tightly against the wall behind him.
''I don't think you realise how attractive you are, Harry,'' Collin raised his head to Harry's, frowning slightly. ''And the fact that you're so unaware, doesn't make it any less sexy.''
He grinned as he increased the friction he was applying to Harry's clothed erection.
It did not take long for his cock to harden. It had been far too long since he'd done this. And if Snape was doing it with someone else, it only made Harry feel far more reckless and impulsive. There was no Ron or Hermione to restrain him. And hadn't he been told enough times to stand on his own two feet? That included making his own mistakes, intentionally or otherwise.
He winced in discomfort as the pressure on his neck grew slightly painful, and he felt his flies being undone.
Collin threw him a wink, and before Harry had grasped at what he was about to do, the older boy had sunk down onto his knees and tugged Harry's jeans down to his ankles. His boxers pooled below his waist, and Harry was fully aware that his arousal was evident.
He swallowed thickly and braced a hand on Collin's shoulder to steady himself, hardly believing he was going to be sucked off in his own kitchen by a man he barely knew.
He hissed loudly as Collin manipulated his arousal with obvious expertise, and instinctively felt his hips jerking forwards rhythmically of their own accord, into the hot, wetness of his mouth.
He knew it would not take much for him to come, and with a glance down at the bobbing head between his legs, Harry allowed the fantasy of Snape's head in the exact same position to push him over the edge.
Screwing his eyes shut and squeezing at Collin's broad shoulders, Harry came.
...
Harry eyed the purple bruising on his neck the next morning with distaste. He could wear something to cover it during his classes, but work was not going to be much fun.
He walked to the bar slowly that night, glad that there had been no trace of Collin at his flat when he'd returned home to get changed.
Dean's eyes widened as Harry wandered in, shrugged out of his jacket and picked up a cloth with a face full of shame. The coil of anxiety in his gut was enough to alert Harry to the fact that he may have taken things a little too far.
''The blonde last night?'' Dean asked simply, and Harry nodded, feeling his face reddening.
Dean screwed his face up in sympathy, fighting back a smile. ''Well there's no hiding that.''
Harry rubbed his hand over his face and groaned. He couldn't forget that, above everything, Snape was his boss and he would hardly appreciate poor personal presentation.
He had hoped for at least a few hours before he would have to face the man, but he was not in luck.
''He asked to see you when you got in...'' Dean informed him apologetically, ''your employment documents have come through.''
Harry swallowed nervously, cursing under his breath. Reluctantly knocking on Snape's office door, he waited for a reply and stepped inside.
''You wanted to see me?''
''I need you to sign a few insurance papers, Potter,'' Snape said blandly, without looking up. ''Now that you are a regular employee.''
Harry edged forwards warily and took the pen from him, blushing as their eyes met and keeping his face downward. He scribbled in the appropriate places, passed Snape the paper back and straightened up.
''That's all.'' Snape leaned back in his chair, eyes wandering lazily over Harry's face.
Harry held his breath as Snape's gaze moved to his neck, and watched the man wince. A flicker of distaste was the only other outward display of emotion visible to Harry, before his impassive mark was replaced.
They looked at each other for a long moment, before Harry cleared his throat uncomfortably. ''I can go now then?''
When Snape failed to answer, Harry chose his own response and attempted to escape the situation. His hand was on the door handle when Snape's voice, soft and calculating, caused him to hesitate.
''Do you think it is professional arriving to work looking like a tart, Potter?''
Harry's eyes widened and he opened his mouth, affronted. He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned as he turned back.
''It was an accident, sir.''
''Got... lost in the moment, did we?'' Snape asked coldly.
''Something like that,'' Harry shrugged, wondering how far he could push him. He had not forgotten Snape's date from the previous night and the way the man had not considered Harry's preferences towards the idea. He didn't see why he should have any sympathy either.
Snape returned to his work, dismissing Harry with a wave of his hand. ''Do not let it happen again.''
Harry hesitated, and decided to push his luck. ''What... seeing somebody else or getting the hickey?''
Snape's eyes snapped up and narrowed. It was the first time Harry had ever put a voice to the assumption that Snape had personal preferences over him emotionally.
The man did not, however, appear in a particularly indulgent mood. He looked very much like he wanted to say something, but his lips sealed into a tight line and a familiar scowl settled onto his face.
''Do you not have work to do?''
Harry opened his mouth to retaliate but Snape shot him a warning glance. He picked up the phone on his desk and begun contacting his supplier. Harry rolled his eyes and felt the energy to argue seep out of him, and considered himself formally dismissed.
He nearly bumped into the man waiting outside Snape's office door.
''Sorry,'' the man said, stepping back and allowing Harry to pass.
Harry paused as he looked up, and realised who it was.
''You?'' he said, with slightly more accusation than he intended.
''Me?'' the man raised his eyebrows.
''You're Snape's boyfriend?''
''You mean Severus?''
Harry frowned.
The man shook his head with a condescending smirk. ''Severus Snape. And you must be... let me guess. Harry?''
Harry crossed his arms over his chest, his dislike for the man escalating rapidly. ''How would you know that?''
''Oh, I hear enough about you, young man...'' he murmured, eyes curious as they looked Harry up and down. ''I have been fascinated as to which one of you it was Severus had left me for.''
Harry blinked back his surprise. ''He's left you?''
''Don't act like you don't know... '' The man rolled his eyes. ''He couldn't wait to get back here afterwards. I think he broke about a hundred speed limits to return before you shut. All he's done for the past few weeks is rant on about you... Head in the clouds... I knew it was coming.''
Harry gaped like a fish, and then, feeling foolish, clamped his mouth shut and scanned the man's face for any hint of a lie. He could find none.
Dean and Seamus watched from the bar with growing interest, and shrugged cluelessly at him.
''I thought he just took you out for a date,'' Harry said, confused.
The man snorted. ''No... He took me out to fob me off.''
''He never said anything...'' Harry breathed, his heart-rate escalating rapidly as he absorbed all of this new information. If this was true, his behaviour over the last few days would have jeopardized everything.
''You mean he tried to and you weren't paying attention?'' The man shook his head in exasperation. ''Severus does not... pursue people, boy. He is shallow and he is cruel. If you're to stupid to realise that he was choosing to...'' He trailed off as Harry shook his head miserably, throwing light onto his exposed neck.
''Hang on. Hasn't happened yet, eh? Then what's that on your neck?''
Harry swore under his breath. ''That wasn't him,'' he cringed, wishing as soon as he'd admitted it, that he'd kept the information private.
The man's eyes widened, and then he gave a short laugh. ''Oh dear,'' he smirked. ''Well that's amusing.''
Harry opened his mouth furiously, having had enough of being mocked, but jumped backwards as the door to Snape's office opened without warning.
''Potter, what are you doing loitering... '' Snape begun, faltering as he noticed that he was not alone. His face paled and his gaze grew warning as he and the man looked at each other.
''What are you doing here?''
''Just having a chat with Harry...'' the man answered, motioning vaguely. ''He was telling me all about his neck... decorations.''
Snape tensed visibly.
Harry closed his eyes and grimaced, hating himself for the position he'd unwittingly put Snape in.
The grin the man wore was far too self-satisfied for Harry's liking.
''You could have told me he was a tart,'' he said, eyeing Harry unappreciatively. He looked far less handsome when he face was full of envy. ''I might have been more sympathetic-''
Snape's fist had collided with the side of the man's face before Harry even saw him move. He opened his mouth in shock and felt a strong arm jolt him to the side.
The man hissed in pain and threw Snape a filthy look. Harry regained his bearings, and without really thinking, planted himself defiantly in front of Snape before the man could retaliate.
The man's answering snort was undeniable. ''Cute... How old are you boy?'' He wiped at his bleeding lip. ''Really Severus? This is what you wanted to be free for? So you could chase an impulsive student?'' He shook his head and dug into his pocket. He snatched a pen from the bar, scribbled down his phone number and pushed it into Snape's top pocket.
''You'll want this back.''
He pivoted on his heel and left the bar without any further commotion.
Harry met Seamus and Dean's shocked expressions across the room and gaped at them helplessly. He winced as he heard Snape click his tongue in irritation behind him. He pulled Harry firmly a step backwards, his face a picture of fury, and slammed his office door behind them.
AN: Thanks to anyone who has read this far. I don't think there's too much interest in this story other than me, so I'll see how this chapter goes, and take the hint if it's badly and try writing something different;)