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CHANCE FOR HAPPINESS

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Synopsis

Harry's 22 and a single parent to a little boy. He goes on his 1st date since the birth of his son and bumps into someone he hasn't seen since Hogwarts. SLASH, HPSS, SSHP, Harry/Severus, Severus/Harry, MPREG, OOC, AU.

Notes

Disregard events from OOTP onwards.

Story contains SLASH, HPSS, SSHP, Harry/Severus, Severus/Harry, MPREG, OOC, AU. Please no flames regarding any of these warnings as you have been forewarned.

Disclaimer

I do not own Harry Potter etc.

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Chapter 2: Dinner

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Hermione entered her living room with a tray of tea and biscuits. She placed them on the coffee table and then sat on the couch next to her husband, Ron. Harry was sitting in the armchair. He helped himself to a biscuit.

"So? What was so important that you had to tell us in person?" Hermione asked Harry.

"Well…" Harry began.

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"So… what do you think?" Harry asked after explaining his encounter with their old Professor. Ron looked at Harry with complete disgust. Hermione elbowed him in the side, receiving an "ow," from Ron, but she ignored it and looked at Harry.

"But Snape? Are you sure that's a good idea? Just because he's suddenly had a personality transplant it doesn-."

"He's changed. He's a completely different person."

"Even so, can a person really change?" Ron said. Harry sighed. He knew it sounded completely ridiculous. If somebody had said to him this time yesterday that he would bump into Snape and not only fancy him but also want to see him again, he would have shipped them off to St Mungos to share a ward with Gilderoy Lockhart.

"I know it sounds bizarre guys, but… well you really need to see for yourself. He"s… is it any use trying to convince you?"

"Harry, you know we love you. We just don't want you to get hurt. How do you know Snape wasn't just stringing you along for a joke? Maybe he does still hate-"

"Hermione, if he was playing a joke on me, why did he kiss me?"

"Urgh," Ron said without thinking and then added a quiet "sorry." Hermione looked sympathetically at Harry. He knew it would be hard telling them but he didn't realise he'd be fighting a losing battle. He almost wished he hadn't bothered coming.

"Harry you need to watch yourself, that's all. You know we're always here whenever you need us, we just don't want you getting hurt ok?" Hermione said.

"He may just want you as a notch on his bedpost," Ron added. "Especially given that bars reputation. That's probably why he goes there, just to get laid."

"Thanks guys, you've been a great help," Harry said sarcastically.

"Harry if you do decide to pursue this, please be careful. You don't know for sure that he has been completely genuine. And you have Matthew to think about as well," Hermione told her friend.

"I know," Harry said thoughtfully. "I've got a lot to think about."

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Harry was sat in his living room with a pen in one hand, a glass of wine in the other and a piece of blank paper on the coffee table in front of him. He took a sip of wine and put the glass down. "Here goes," he said quietly to himself.

Dear Severus,

Firstly, I want to say that I had a great time the other night. You've no idea how lonely times have been for me since Matthew came along and you really brightened up my night!

I've been thinking long and hard about everything and I don't think it would be a good idea for us to see each other again and will have to decline the dinner you mentioned.

I've got Matthew to think about as well as myself and I don't think dating would fit it with our lives at the moment.

All the best,

Harry

Harry put the letter into an envelope and put it back on the coffee table. He looked over to Matthew who was sitting on the carpet watching Pingu and laughing. Harry couldn't help smiling despite what he had just written.

"Matty come here," Harry said spreading his arms wide. Matthew stood up and ran over to Harry whilst clutching his favourite cuddly toy Mr Penguin. Harry lifted Matthew into his lap, sat back and wrapped his arms around him.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah?"

"Is Pingu Mr Penguin's daddy?"

Harry started laughing and ruffled Matthews hair before saying "no… erm… they're cousins."

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The following evening, Harry was preparing his and Matthew's dinner when an owl flew into the window and landed on the kitchen table. Harry turned around to see the owl had a letter for him. He guessed who it must be from and quickly opened it to read what Severus had to say.

Harry,

I will not accept your excuses for not having dinner with me, what harm can one dinner do?

I would advise you to stop letting meddling friends talk you out of things you really want to do.

I will meet you outside the restaurant at 20:00 tomorrow night.

Severus

Harry smiled. Ever since he'd sent the letter off with Hedwig he'd been experiencing regret but thought it was probably too late and didn't want to muck Severus about. He felt so happy that Severus thought enough of him to not back down and insist they have dinner. It made Harry want to see Severus even more. And really, what was so wrong about one dinner? It didn't have to go further than that did it? If he decided for himself that Severus was only interested in one thing, he just wouldn't see him again. Harry hurried to his bedroom to try on clothes for tomorrow.

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As Harry approached the restaurant, he saw Severus already waiting for him outside. The butterflies in his stomach went into overdrive. They smiled at each other and Severus kissed Harry on the lips before leading him inside to take their seats. Once they placed their orders Harry started to feel a bit nervous.

"How did you know I would come?" Harry asked.

"Simple. You'd have sent me an owl. I didn't think it would be your style to jilt someone without letting them know. But I do want to thank you for changing your mind. Why did you?"

"You were right. I let Hermione and Ron's opinions rule my head and I should have listened to my own gut instincts. And there's no real harm in having dinner is there?"

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Throughout their starter and whilst waiting for their main course they engaged in small talk. Mainly about Hogwarts, and fellow Gryffindors.

"Longbottom and Lovegood?" Severus repeated, not believing what he was hearing.

"Yeah. They got married a year ago and she's expecting their first baby."

"Well I never. You hear something new every day… I know I was far too harsh on him at Hogwarts… especially after what happened to his parents. I deeply regret a lot of things I've done." Harry didn't know what to say. He wanted to talk to Severus about Voldermort and being a spy but felt this wasn"t the time or the place.

"So are you a big softie at Hogwarts now?" Severus smirked and Harry laughed at him.

"Hardly Mr Potter. I am still the most feared Professor, but these days it's due to my insistence of good marks rather than my bullying tactics."

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Harry was beginning to feel full and sleepy but he couldn't resist a big bowl of strawberry ice cream. Severus settled with coffee and seemed to find it highly amusing that Harry wanted ice cream.

"Do you mind me asking about… Matthew?" Severus asked cautiously once Harry had demolished his whole bowl.

"Course not. Go ahead."

"What was it like… being pregnant?"

"As strange as it may sound, I really enjoyed being pregnant. Every time Matthew kicked or moved it instantly lifted my mood. I spent the whole time utterly amazed and fascinated that a tiny human was growing inside of me. Obviously when I first found out I was shocked and absolutely petrified but the guys at St Mungos were great."

"How far along were you when you found out?"

"I was four and a half months. I'd noticed I'd put a little weight on but never thought much of it. But I kept having fainting spells and eventually went to St Mungos and they ran some tests. Apparently it's quite common in pregnancy."

"It must have been hard."

"It's been tough, I don't mind admitting it. I remember the day after we came home from St Mungos and it was just the two of us. Those first few days were really hard. But I wouldn"t have it any other way."

"Well I admire you Harry, I really do," Severus said genuinely.

"Anyway, enough about me. Have you been dating much since the end of Voldermort?"

"I haven't been making up for lost time if that's what you're suggesting Mr Potter. I only gained enough confidence about eighteen months ago to start actively dating, going to bars etc. I've had numerous dates and I did have a relationship for about five months but he was a muggle and it became increasingly difficult to explain all my absences. He frequently accused me of having an affair."

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"Am I going to get the privilege of your company again?" Severus asked once they'd exited the restaurant and into the cool night air.

"Yeah," Harry replied smiling. "How about this Saturday? We could go and watch a film."

"A muggle cinema?"

"Yeah."

"I'd love to… now, may I escort you home?" Severus asked and Harry smiled. They both apparated to the bottom of Harry's road. They walked in silence before Harry stopped.

"Well, this is me," Harry said as they got to the door of his building.

"May I kiss you?" Severus asked looking into Harry's eyes. Harry tried to answer but physically couldn't get anything out. Severus took his silence as yes and leaned in to kiss him. They wrapped their arms around each other and Harry ran one of his hands through Severus' silky hair. Harry's lips parted allowing Severus entrance. He explored Harry's mouth with his tongue, receiving an excited moan in return. Passion and lust were filling both their bodies and eventually Harry pulled away when he felt Severus' erection through his jeans.

"I… really want to. But I'm not… it's too soon."

"I'll wait, no pressure," Severus whispered into Harry's ear. Harry felt his whole body tingle. As Severus stepped back Harry had to fight every urge in his body to stop himself grabbing the man's clothing and dragging him inside. "Night Harry."

"Night Severus." Harry watched as Severus walked down the road. He blinked and he'd vanished.

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