Disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter characters or locations. No money has been made in this endeavor. My job is painting. This is just for fun.

Warnings: Slash. Harry/Snape. Also, Spoilers for books 1-5. Not a lot, but I mention little back stories here and there. If you haven't read any of the books or seen any of the movies then you will be fine. Although I have to ask, "Why are you here?"

A/N: Aack! A week between chapters? Say it isn't so! Sadly, it is. I will probably only be able to update once a week now. My ability to update twice a week for my last story was because I had a long Christmas holiday from my job. Rest assured though, I will update every week. Probably on Thursdays. If I am able to I will try my very darndest to update more than once a week. But, those of you who remember OPDCYH know that I am a verbose writer. Possibly to the point of annoyance, but that's beside the point…or exactly the point. Anyways, you will always have a good amount of reading when I do update.

A/N part deux: I messed up on the story details. I am going to rate this story M like my other one just to be on the safe side and because I cuss like a sailor and there are sexual situations.

And now as I take a deep breath after that really long explanation…

On with the show!

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Chapter 1: Tomato Shoe

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Harry finally made it to his small, stone cottage outside of town and with as much strength as he could muster he slammed the front door on his way in. Why people always take their aggressions out on innocent doors is a mystery of the universe that may never be solved. All that is known is that we do and I am sure the doors don't like it one bit. The panels of wood shook terribly as if to threaten, "Do that again young man and I'm leaving!" but said young man couldn't be bothered by quaking doors at the moment. He was far too angry and when he was this angry only two things would help. His friends…and chocolate. Harry only had to think for a second before he decided which to employ.

Both.

So with a piece of chocolate in his hand he made his way over to the fireplace to call the Burrow. It was the weekend which meant that Hermione was more than likely over at the house that Weasley built so it was a safe bet that he would be able to find both of his friends and seek their aid. He didn't have to wait long before his fire call was picked up.

"Well, hello Harry dear!"

"Hello Mrs. Weasley!"

"Now how many times have I told you to call me Molly?"

Harry smiled, "Always once more."

"Do you need some food? Heavens knows you probably don't eat enough all by yourself. I should send you more cookies or—"

"I am fine! I promise. Besides I still have a pantry full of food that you've sent. I don't think I will be able to eat it all!"

"You had better mister! I don't want to see you not eating and getting sick."

"Yes ma'am."

"Well, if you don't need food—which I highly doubt—then you must be looking for the other two."

"Yes I am. Are they around?"

"Oh yes. Somewhere. I sent Ron out to de-gnome the garden and Hermione is probably reading somewhere."

Harry grinned outright. He imagined Ron was having second thoughts about spending the summer at the Burrow. The red head had planned to try out for the professional quidditch teams in late August. Even if he got on one of the minor teams it would still pay a little money and he could always take a second job until he moved up to the pros. Wanting to "devote all his time to training" he had decided stay at home until try outs and would not get a job until after. He thought it was brilliant. Hermione thought he was an idiot. Now, instead of focusing solely on training he was constantly ordered around by his mother who insisted that his chores list not diminish simply because of a game. Hermione constantly had a 'told you so' look on her face.

As soon as she had gotten her NEWTS—in which she received top marks in all but one (Harry was secretly pleased that he had gotten a higher score on DADA than Hermione. But he would never tell her so…he valued his life too much.)—she had immediately applied for a job in the ministry and was now an assistant in the department of magical creature relations. With all her work in S.P.E.W. during Hogwarts it was the perfect job for her. She had already helped with several bills to ensure better treatment of several magical creatures. Harry didn't have to wait terribly long before the driven, brown haired young lady was face to face with him.

"Hi Harry!"

"'Lo Hermione. Where's Ron?"

"Still outside I think. What's the matter? You look awful!"

"Thanks. You're sweet."

"You know what I mean. What happened?"

"Severus and I had a fight."

"Ah. Want some company for lunch?"

"Could you both?"

"Of course! I will just tell Ron to clean up when he gets in and we will be over shortly. No worries."

"Thanks Hermione. See you soon."

The fire call ended and Harry returned to the kitchen taking a bite of chocolate along the way. He was feeling better already.

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It was over an hour later that Harry thought he heard the distinct popping sound of two apparations and soon his assumptions were proven correct as the door burst open revealing one Ron Weasley followed shortly by Hermione Granger. Ron all but ran into the house as if he had met his sun quota for the week and from the look of his sunburned face and neck Harry kind of figured maybe he had.

"You match your hair."

"That's what I said. You would think he would have remembered a sun blocking charm, but alas."

"Ha-ha. My friends are comedians. Man! I am so hungry I could eat a hippogriff!"

"I don't think Buckbeack would approve of that too much."

"And hello to you too Tink. Where's the food?" Ron said as he peered over his shorter friends head into the small kitchen. He couldn't smell anything. Harry couldn't have forgotten food could he?

"I made some sandwiched."

Never let it be said that Harry Potter was not a smart, smart little fairy.

"Ah, you're a gentleman, a scholar and…some other stuff…" Ron said distractedly as he made his way to the kitchen.

Harry and Hermione shared a look that quickly turned into a fantastically choreographed eye roll and head shake.

"So, Harry," Hermione asked as they followed the sun burnt red head into the kitchen, "are you still seeing auras?"

"Yep, you are still a fantastic shade of light blue."

"Is it going down even a little bit?"

"Well, it has gotten a little better. And if I really, really concentrate it goes away. But normally the colors are always there." Harry said as they entered the kitchen to find Ron already halfway done with his first sandwich.

"Can't you even wait for a minute?" Hermione said as she went to the pantry to pull out a bag of crisps. They had been over enough to know the whereabouts of Harry's house about as well as himself.

"Wha? 'M 'ungy." Ron said around the sandwich.

"Mmmm. Charming."

Hermione finally sat down and helped herself to a sandwich and Harry grabbed an orange. Even though he didn't eat it anymore he still kept a little sliced meat in the kitchen for company. Well, mostly for Ron.

"How's training?" Harry said with a grin as he popped an orange slice into his mouth. His earlier mood forgotten with the arrival of his friends.

Ron groaned. "Not funny Tink. I thought Mum would let me train and wouldn't bother me. Instead she says that while I don't have a 'real job'," At this point Ron went into a higher voice in an attempt to sound like his mother, "that I need to help out with the maintenance of the household."

"That doesn't sound too bad…"

"She has me cooking!"

"Oh."

"And cleaning!"

"Think of it this way, you will make an excellent wife one of these days." Harry said and then began to giggle at his own joke.

Hermione threw her head back and started laughing as well at Harry's remark as Ron tried to send a death glare at his green eyed pal. He would have thrown his sandwich but Ron could not bring himself to part with his nourishment. Hermione's breathing finally returned to normal before she took a small bite of her own sandwich and then turned back towards Harry.

"I hate to put a damper, but what made you so upset this morning when you called? You said that Professor Snape and you had gotten into an argument. What about?"

"'Mione, you don't have to call him Professor anymore. He isn't our teacher."

"He is still an instructor, Ron, and therefore merits our respect."

"Sure. Whatever. Anyways, what did the old bat say to get you so upset? 'Mione said you were eating chocolate and everything."

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his black and green tipped hair.

"It really wasn't over anything major. It just, you know, kinda got out of hand."

Boy, did it ever.

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Harry had been sitting at the small dining room table in Severus's private quarters. The rooms had a kitchenette area and a very small dining room table. Harry assessed that it was so small that it could only properly fit about one and a half people. He had pointed that out to his host the previous evening to which he received,

"Well, lucky for us your height qualifies you as half a person."

That earned him a seat cushion to the face and a giggling fairy. Severus grabbed the pillow with every intention of hurtling it back at the teen when Harry leaped forward and grabbed hold of it also, thus starting a kind of tug o war. Severus was not impressed, but after a few minutes of wrestling over the seat cushion all thought about revenge was abandoned for much more pleasurable activities.

Speaking—or rather thinking—of the tall, dark and sarcastic man, where was he? He had taken to the bathroom immediately after Harry had emerged from showering and dressing and had yet to make his entrance.

'What's taking him so long? Usually he has had three cups of coffee by now.' Harry wondered as he took a sip from his own mug. He had always been extremely thankful that when his taste buds changed after his Diligarian inheritance that he still could drink coffee.

Finally a swirl of black robes came out of the hallway.

"Good morning."

"That remains to be seen." Severus said dryly. Severus made Harry look like Mr. Sunshine in the mornings and that is quite the accomplishment. Usually it took several cups of very strong black coffee before the man was his perky self. Harry wondered how many cups it would actually take to make Severus perky. Maybe five or six…thousand… but he didn't have time to finish this train of thought as his tall wizard quickly approached the young sprite and gave him a quick kiss. He pulled back and took his seat with a smile tugging at his mouth.

"What?" Harry asked.

"It just improved significantly."

Harry gave a small smile and tried not to blush. "Here is your coffee." He said as he handed another mug to the older man.

"Thank you, but I probably will not be able to finish it. I am due for a meeting with St. Mungo's for renewing a contract to brew their wolfsbane potion. They are due for a restock."

"Oh. Alright."

"We shall meet again this evening when I return?"

"Oh. Umm sure. Your place or mine."

"I will most likely need the use of my lab to begin brewing straight away for the hospital however I know that we agreed to alternate so I propose—"

"You know this will be a lot easier if we just had one place to live."

Severus's face seemed to pinch up slightly. "We have discussed this and it was agreed that—"

"No, you discussed it and you decided it was a perfect plan. I mean we are mates. This whole, 'your place or mine' seems kind of less formal that what our relationship is right?" That was Harry trying to voice something that had begun to really bother him. The constant back and forth with Severus had already grown tiring, especially since they saw each other every day if able. It made Harry feel like Severs was trying to treat this as a casual relationship and not that of two mates. How did mates act thought?

The potions master rose and left the dining area to the living room. Harry was hot on his heals though. He wasn't going to walk away from this one.

"It stands to logic that since we are still…quite affected…by the pull of being mates that having separate living arrangements until such a time that we are able to control it would provide us both with the ability to achieve tasks without getting distracted. Or at least, allow me to be able to accomplish tasks without distraction."

Oho! Harry didn't like how that was said one bit.

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"Have you given any thought to what you are going to be doing with your future?"

"I was told I should take some time and think about it!"

"Yes. Some time. Are you even thinking about it?"

"Yea!"

"Oh really? How so?"

"I have a few pamphlets on the mastery program in DADA and I still have all that information about the aurors."

"Fantastic. You have some sheets of paper. What good is that going to do?"

"I just received my NEWTS a week and a half ago!"

"And you are lazing about with no intention of working. You are going to end up as spoiled as Draco."

Oh. That hurt. Harry took a step back. He had been toe to toe with the taller wizard. The rise of adrenaline from the row and the always present giddy feeling that he had when around Severus was an interesting combination, but currently he didn't feel like being close to his mate. It was true he hadn't been too aggressive with his job search and had only really still considered the two options but…still…

"What brought this about?"

"Your future is very important and all you think about is our living arrangements."

"That's a part of my future too"

Severus merely arched an eyebrow. Truth be told he himself didn't know why he had all of a sudden decided to be hard on Harry about this. Or how he had managed to turn a discussion about living arrangements into an inquisition about the young man's future. He had a gift for turning awkward or uncomfortable conversations into arguments. Some could sing, others could dance. Severus could fight. He could tell he was upsetting the young man. Why in the hell was he doing this? Perhaps it was because the thought of moving in together scared the pants off of him. Or the idea of Harry out fighting again as an auror also scared the pants off of him. Enough of pants though. He wasn't turning back now. He couldn't.

"Your career is far more important. However if you would rather be lazy…"

"I have been putting a new house together..."

"Oh and that is terribly hard. I am sure you had your little Dobby do—"

"How dare you!" Harry all but yelled. He had taken another two steps back. He felt a burning at the corners of his eyes that meant only one thing. Tears. He did not want Severus to see him cry. At this point Harry only assumed it would only be more ammunition. "Dobby didn't do anything except give me about fifty multi colored tea cozies." Too bad he still didn't have a tea pot.

Severus did not seem unfazed. "Regardless, Setting up residence should not require all of your attention. Unless your mental capacities are…"

The insult hung heavy in the air. Severus hadn't insulted Harry since before they were together. Harry was hurt. Really hurt. So hurt he was angry. Really angry.

"You insensitive jerk! You don't want to move in together? Fine! I don't want to now either! Mission freakin' accomplished. You…you…jerk face!"

"Jerk face? Really? How immature of you."

"You want immature?! Fine!"

Harry took another step back and whipped out his wand and gave it a quick swish. His emotions were so high that he didn't even need to speak the spell. Hell, if he got any madder he could probably do wandless magic easily. The spell happened and in an instant he had a reaction.

"Shit!! What in the hell did you do to my shoe!"

There on Severus's right foot, instead of his normal dragon hide boot, was a—

"A giant tomato?! Why you little—"

"There! That's what you wanted!" Harry said as he swished his wand again and accioed his small bag into his hand. He turned to leave but stopped and turned back to the tall man when he heard the squishing sound of Severus approaching him.

"You will fix my shoe! I have to go—"

"No! You wanted immature? You got it! But hey, if that's not immature enough then here—how about this."

Harry gave another flick of his wand and a pop later found Severus's robe sash transformed into a duck shaped inner tube float.

"Enjoy!" Harry said as he opened and then slammed the door.

On his way out he distinctly heard the squeaking of an inner tube being massacred.

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He finished his retelling the story—really just the part when the actual fighting took place—and waited patiently for his friends responses. For a while it was silent until…

"A tomato…" Hermione finally said.

"…Yea…"

"…A tomato…" She repeated.

"Seemed like a good idea at the time!" Harry said as he got up to get a glass of water. Hermione turned and followed him. Ron was still seated at the table with a strange look on his face.

"When is that a good idea at any time?" the brown eyed witch asked.

Harry looked down at his glass of water. "Well…I was angry."

Finally, Ron decided to speak. Well, he didn't really speak actually. More of a bark of laughter that almost shook the windows.

"A tomato!? That's wicked. And what the heck is a duck innertude anyways?"

"Inner tube Ron," his girlfriend corrected, "and it is a small device muggle children wear to stay afloat in water. Some are in the shape of animals in order to put the child at ease."

"And this one was in the shape of—"

"A duck." Harry finished as he continued to look at his water glass. Now that he thought about it—

"That's brilliant!"

"Ronald. Your comments are unhelpful and unwarranted at the moment. Harry, I know that you were and are upset. Understandable. Professor Snape said some pretty hurtful things, but I don't think you handled it quite right and besides, the professor had a reason for saying the things that he did."

Harry looked up from his glass for the first time. "What? Are you saying he was right?"

"No!" Hermione defended. "Not in the least. I was just telling you that Professor Snape had a reason."

"And that reason is?"

"I believe we have already had this discussion before Harry, Professor Snape was a spy. On top of that he is a very private and extremely self conscious man. He had to guard his true self like a hawk. He is not going to give up that closely guarded privacy without a fight."

"Yea…but doesn't that seem a little silly?" Ron interjected from the table, "I mean they are…ya know…" Ron started to turn red. Well even more red than the sunburn. Didn't know that was possible.

Hermione stopped and gave a small smirk. "No Ron, I don't know. What are they doing?"

Harry started to turn red too.

Ron just stuttered, "Well, uh…I mean…ya know…um yea…"

Hermione continued to smirk, but let Ron off easy this time. "Yes, well, He still is able to maintain a sense of appearance with both he and Harry living in different quarters."

"Appearance? Around me?"

"Well, yes. I wouldn't be surprised if Professor Snape believes that you will leave him. With him being able to dictate when you two see each other he feels like he has a better control of the situation and can project what he feels is a good image."

"What? That's crazy. He is my mate!"

"Still, he is insecure."

"Well what about the whole thing about the job?"

Hermione considered this for a moment before responding, "Are you still considering auror academy?"

"Well, yea. Of course. I mean I still don't like the idea of fighting for the rest of my life but…well…I can do it…" Harry said as he made his way back to his chair and sat next to Ron.

"Hmmm. I don't think Professor Snape likes the idea of you becoming an auror but he does not feel right to tell you what he thinks you should do." Hermione said as she leaned against a counter.

"Why doesn't he want Tink to be an auror?"

"What would Harry be doing as an auror?"

"Well, he'd take down the bad guys and kick some—"

"And be in danger daily. I remember anytime during the war when Harry would rush off into a dangerous situation Professor Snape was always highly agitated. He would never admit it but he did not want to see you hurt or worse Harry."

"Oh." Harry said quietly. Dang. Hermione was making sense. And if Hermione was making sense that means, "I should maybe apologize for the way I acted?"

Hermione patted his shoulder, "Probably for the best. Also, you may discussed with him about your future career and ask what he thinks. After all, as you said you two are mates. If he has advice or concerns then you should talk about them. However I would wait a few days."

"Why?"

"Because while we are able to explain why Professor Snape said those things he did say some pretty nasty things. I say wait till he comes to apologize."

"And if he doesn't? What do I do then? He didn't seem too particularly thrilled by the ducky inner tube."

"Even if he is stubborn he isn't a fool. He knows that you two not seeing each other cause the both of you discomfort. But if anything else just wait until you absolutely can't stand it anymore and then go to him. Nobody insults our Harry."

"You know," Ron said as he tapped his chin, "We could just skip all of this 'psycho' mumbo jumbo and hex him."

"I think me turning the man's shoe into a tomato and the whole kiddie float thing established that tactic doesn't work." Harry sad as he finished his orange.

"Yea, but those were hilariously harmless. No, we could use some real good ones. I am sure Ginny could help us with some and I sure as hell know Hermione knows some right nasty ones."

"Ron, language."

The tall red head stuck out his tongue, "She could always nag him to death."

"Adorable." Hermione responded dryly as she stood back up from her leaning position and walked out of the room. The boys figured she went to find the restroom and Harry brought up his wand and with a quiet accio he carefully summoned a class of water for his sun burned friend.

"Thanks Tink."

"Don't mention it."

There was a small pause.

"Hey, Tink."

"Yea?"

"I have a question."

"I have an answer."

"Who's the girl?"

"Okay, I don't have an answer. What?"

"You know. With you and Snape. Who's the girl?"

"Ummm. We're both guys so I don't see—"

"No, I mean when you two…um…you know…who does…who is…who's the girl?"

Oh. Oh!...Oh. Recognition finally dawned on Harry as to what exactly the red head was asking and he instantly turned beet red. The two friends stared at one another for a moment until the awkwardness became too much and they both became very interested in and reached for their respective glasses of water.

There was another pause after they both finished drinking.

"So who is the—"

"I am."

"Oh."

"Oh."

"Yea."

"Yea."

"I can't believe I asked that."

"I can't believe you did either."

"Let's never speak of this."

"It shall forever go down in the record books as 'That Thing We Don't Speak Of'."

"What are you two talking about?" Hermione said off handedly as she walked back into the room.

"Nothing!" Both boys said concurrently. Probably a little too quickly and a little too eagerly. Hermione was a little suspicious but decided to just let it go. Boys will be boys. She just rolled her eyes and returned to the table.

The rest of lunch passed with the three friends just catching up on each other's lives. They kept in touch daily but with Hermione's work and Ron's constantly complaining about chores and his mother there was always something to talk about. Soon enough it was mid afternoon and his two companions needed to leave.

"I am hoping to actually get some practice in now that all my chores are done." Ron said as they made their way to the front door.

"That is if your mother hasn't found something else for you to do." Hermione retorted.

Ron groaned, "She wouldn't be that evil would she?"

"She did raise Fred and George." Harry giggled. He was every thankful to have the twin Weasleys living a half a kilometer away. He visited their shop regularly. They didn't stare like some of the villagers were still guilty of, although they did take great joy in teasing him about his fairy nature. Great, great joy.

"Point taken. She could be that evil. Oh well, I will just have to sneak out."

"Ron Weasley—you will do no such thing!" Hermione demanded.

Ron turned to Harry with a 'watch me' look on his face. "Sure you can't come over?"

Harry was about to respond before Hermione beat him to the punch. "He needs to be here in case Professor Snape comes to apologize."

"Wouldn't it add to the evil plan to have him wait even longer while Harry's at the burrow?"

Harry just shook his head with a smile on his face. "I need to work on that garden I'm putting in back and besides, I have some thinking to do."

Ron shrugged, "Alright, but you are coming to dinner tomorrow."

"Deal."

"You'll be there?"

"Promise"

"You swear?"

"Every damn day." Harry said with a grin. It was one of Ron's new favorite lines.

"That's my Tink!"

"You two are just terrible." Hermione said in a huff as she walked past the two best friends and out into the yard.

With that the friends said their goodbyes and Harry waved as the other two apparated back to the burrow. The messy haired teen turned back inside his small house and wondered how long he would have to wait on the surly potions professor.

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The surly potions professor showed up on his doorstep on Monday morning.

A day and a half.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Harry was secretly happy that the man had decided to come, even if it was to simply continue their argument. Yesterday he had a terrible headache. Like a person who is addicted to caffeine experiences when deprived of it. Harry had been washing his breakfast dishes when he heard the pop of apparation followed by a succinct tapping that was synonymous with his mate and he shook his head. He wondered how many times he had to tell him that he could come in without knocking. Hermione's assessment of their fight played through his head again and he realized that this was just Severus still trying to maintain a sense of control. 'I just hope he realizes that his need to keep control is making me lose my ever loving mind.' Harry thought as he dried his hands and walked to the front of the cottage. Severus always waited to be let in. Harry thought he might not have done this if Harry had neighbors but since the cottage was secluded he kept up with this sense of propriety. Well, apparently not always. Harry got to about the middle of the living room when the door flew open and Severus all but marched into the room.

"You took too long." Severus grounded out as he made his way into the room and straight to the younger, shorter man.

"And hello to you—Mmhhp!"

Harry's retort was cut short as the taller man took his face in his hands and brought their lips together in a ferocious kiss. Harry was shocked for only a moment but he soon caught up and melted into the kiss. They stayed there for a minute until Harry finally remembered, 'Oh Yea' He reluctantly—and with quite a bit of difficulty as Severus did not seem to want to stop his current activity—pushed the potions master away far enough to whisper,

"We need to talk."

Severus growled, "Later…" and he began to lean in again. Harry was able to keep him at bay, but he didn't know how long he could keep it up. A whole day and a half of not seeing the other man and needless to say Harry was all aboard the giddy train. In fact he may even be the conductor.

"Now."

Severus growled yet again, "Fine!"

He pulled back even more but still kept Harry's face in his hands. Green met dark, dark brown as the two looked at each other for several long seconds.

"I am sorry I insulted you."

"I'm sorry I reacted so poorly. How is your boot?"

"I was unable to wear it to the meeting and while I was able to transfigure it back it still smells of tomato. Terribly."

"What about the ducky inner tube?"

"What do you think happened to it?"

"Ripped to thousands of little pieces?"

"You would be correct."

"I'm sorry."

"You had every right to get upset at what I said. I should not have attacked you like that. I was…"

"Scared?"

Severus arched a brow, "I would say still apprehensive. All of my previous relationships did not last long and my partners always sighted my…less than amiable mannerisms and personality."

"I'm different."

"I know."

"You trust me?"

Severus paused, but only for a moment. His reply was quiet but sure, "I do."

"Do you think I will leave you?"

The pause was more pronounced this time. In fact the dark eyed wizard wasn't answering at all.

"Bzzzzzzzt! I'm sorry you took too long to answer that last question."

That earned him an eye roll.

Harry stood up on his tip toes and whispered, "The answer is no." With that he leaned in again for a chaste kiss.

That stayed chaste for about…oh….three fourths of a second.

Harry tried to stay coherent as the professor's tongue slid into his mouth. Still…had…more…to talk…about. He felt a hand slide down one of his wings and the resulting shiver that went up his side. Oh….still…have…more…to…

"Wait."

Severus was starting to sound like a dog he was growling so much. Harry kept that thought to himself. To stay with the metaphor Harry bet that this dog's bite may just be as bad as his bark.

Harry reluctantly pulled away and took a few steps back. He motioned for them to have a seat on the couch. The dark wizard looked as if he wanted to set the couch a blaze and tried really hard with his eyes. Despite his temporary hatred for the piece of furniture he had a seat.

"What do we possibly have to talk about now?"

Harry pulled in his wings so that he could sit on the other end of the sofa comfortably. He didn't want to put too much space between them but he most definitely knew that a little space was needed if they were finally going to hash this out.

"I have been thinking about my career."

Severus stayed silent. The only sign that he had heard what Harry had said was that he arched one of his eyebrows. The young fairy continued.

"I think I have made my decision, but I wanted to ask you something first."

He expected a silent response again but he got, "Proceed."

"Do you not want me to be an auror?"

Severus wasn't expecting that. What could he say? No, I don't want you to be an auror. It scares me to think of you constantly putting your life in danger and for what? For a misplaced sense of loyalty to the wizarding world that told you from the time you were eleven that you were its savior? You owe them nothing. You have saved everyone's life, now it is time to have your own. Yes, that is what he should have said.

"I do not have any place dictating your future."

Harry snorted, "Of course you do. Am I really that scary that you can't even give me your opinion?"

"Terrifying."

"Thank you. Anyways, I believe I have reached a decision."

Nothing.

Silence.

"And?"

"And I sent in my application yesterday by owl. They should have it already."

Severus's heart sank. "So you have decided to be an auror."

"No."

"Then—"

"I sent in my application to the mastery program." Harry said with a small smile. Severus may have not said anything, but his reaction when he thought Harry was going to be an auror spoke volumes. Screamed even.

Harry thought the other man would have been happy. Hermione was right, he hadn't wanted Harry to go into the auror program and he didn't. He should be smiling. Okay, that was a little excessive for Severus, but he should at least be smirking or something.

"You made your decision because of me?" the man said in an irritated voice.

It was time for Harry to roll his eyes.

"I told you during school that I didn't know for sure if I wanted to be an auror anymore. I am tired of fighting. I have gotten a taste of what life is like when I don't have to wake up every morning thinking, 'Gee, I wonder if I am going to be killed today by a psychotic magical villain,' and I gotta tell you, it feels pretty darn good. So even though I can fight and it's one of the only things I am really good at I am done with it. Yes, you were part of my reason—as you should be—but you were by no means my only reason for not choosing to become an auror."

Severus seemed to relax a little bit. "And what will you do with your mastery of DADA?"

Harry shrugged, "Take Albus up on his offer: teach. Although I don't think I will be a very good teacher I have a whole year or more to get use to the idea."

"Is that what you really want to do?"

"As long as I don't become as crotchety and cynical as you then yes, most definitely."

"You are hilarious."

"Yes, I can tell by your laughter."

"Is that all we have to talk about?"

"Hmmmmm…let me think…"

He didn't get a chance to think of anything else however, because Severus had reached over and pulled Harry toward him on the couch. Apparently, the man was tired of talking.

Soon Harry found himself lying on his back on the couch with the taller man looming over him and his shirt miraculously missing. As Severus ran his hand down his chest tracing one of the black lined swirling there and leaned in for a kiss Harry realized two things. One was that older man's aversion to the sofa had apparently vanished and that he was tired of talking too.

And that the couch was kind of scratchy on bare skin. He didn't know if that would ever come up in decent conversation. But they weren't conversing—at least not verbally—so it really didn't matter.

Talk is cheap right?

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Harry lay there on the couch with the comforting weight of the other man on top of him. He almost thought that Severus was asleep until the dark eyed wizard spoke,

"We should probably talk more." He said somewhat muffled by the cushion.

"I thought you were done with talking."

"When individuals fight there must be proper means of reconciliation before anything else. We have reconciled. Therefore, we can talk now."

Harry snorted "If that is what we must do to properly reconcile then we may have to fight more often."

The man on top of him gave an echoing snort. "Indeed."

Harry simply sighed and they returned to a comforting silence.

"Am I becoming too heavy?"

"No I like it."

Despite his answer Severus began to move to sit up and collect his things.

"Where did you put my pants?"

"Check behind the couch….Are you in a hurry to go somewhere?" Harry did not just sound like someone was about to kick his puppy. Nope. Not a bit. He was a tough guy…tough fairy. He was tough dang it!

Severus looked back from his quest to find his pants to look down at the younger man. Harry still had a pink flush to his face and chest from their recent exertions and his black and green hair was stinking up in all sorts of directions. Visible on the right side of his neck where the black swirls and lines came up to behind his ear he could also see a new marking. One Severus had made himself. Severus had never been proud of leaving such marks behind but he found himself compelled to leave them on the green eyed teen. Harry began to blush under the scrutiny of the dark eyes staring down at him.

The normally serious man gave one of his rare smiles. One that was quickly returned by his smaller mate.

"Actually, I was thinking about food and I always follow one very important rule."

"Which is?"

"Never concoct a potion or cook without trousers."

Harry let out a burst of giggles and Severus did not think that he looked positively adorable.

Honest.

"Alright, alright. Are they behind the couch?"

"No. They are not."

"Are they under the couch?"

Severus's brow shot up. "Just what exactly did you do with my slacks Mr. Potter?"

"You know, I am starting to wonder that myself." Harry replied as he began to sit up and help with the search.

Finally both his and Severus's shorts and pants were found and they both wandered into the kitchen. Harry began to make his way to the stove to prepare lunch but was stopped by his companion and with a point from an elegantly long finger he was made to sit down in one of the dining room chairs as Severus began lunch preparations.

"Are you still upset about our living arrangements?" Severus asked in a guarded voice as he pulled things out of the cooling cabinet and stayed at the work counter.

"Not anymore. I overreacted. Moving in together is a big step and even if we are mates we are both still new to this whole serious relationship thing. I should probably try to live on my own for a while."

"That's very mature of you." Severus said as he returned with a salad for Harry and himself.

"Hmmm. And just a few days ago I turned your shoe into a fruit…or vegetable. Whichever a tomato is. Whatever is the world coming to? I am getting older. Maturity is inevitable."

"Age does not dictate maturity level. I have met several wizards and witches in my day who although they possessed many years of life they did not possess a lick of sense."

"Who would want to lick sense?"

"Yes, that is just what I expect from a man who is about to turn eighteen."

"Hey, I still have about two weeks of seventeen. I have to get all of my childish thoughts out of the way now."

"How long will that take?"

"About two years."

"Of course."

Harry was excited about his birthday. Ron had already told him that they were all set for a cookout at the Burrow and that a whole crowd had been invited. Even more than when he turned seventeen. Last year had been wonderful with all of the Weasleys and Hermione there. It was the first birthday party he had ever had. That birthday had however, unbeknownst to Harry at the time, sparked off his transformation into his Diligarian inheritance and he had been downright sloth like during the entire day and then for weeks after.

This year he had Severus and also he was comforted by the thought that he didn't have any strange, unknown transformations or anything else to surprise him.

At least he hoped so.

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Next chapter: Birthday!

But before that happens: Poll time!

Okay. All of this time I have been saying that my books are AU but have spoilers for books 1 – 5. Well, I had a review in my last story that asked to see Remus and Sirius's reactions to Fairy Harry. I mentioned Remus in OPDCYH, but I made no mention of Sirius for a reason. I didn't know if he should be alive or not. If I stay true to canon through book five then Sirius is still in the veil. But since I am AU I didn't know if I should take the cheap plot device and just say, "Uho! He didn't die at all!" I cannot bring myself to do the whole, he was dead but oho, what's this? He is alive? Amazing! He is either alive from the beginning or sadly no Sirius.

So I leave it to you Reader: Is Sirius alive?

Reviews? Please sir, I'd like some more.