Warning: Spanking ;)

-CHAPTER FOUR: Mrs. Tinkleburn-

"Fucking hell…" Harry exclaimed and looked around at the cottage before him. It was homey – but overly so. Long, twisting vines were crawling up the outside walls, attached to latticework. A bed of roses stood on either side of the front door, which was a deep purple colour and had little glass panels in a semicircle at the top. The grass of the front lawn was lush and green and a budding willow tree was newly planted near the letterbox. In short it was the ultimate old lady home.

"Now that's not very nice language for a young man to be using," Harry gasped and spun around when the croaky, high-pitched voice startled him. An elderly lady stood not three feet away, her dress dirtied with soil and large gardening gloves covering her hands. Harry floundered for words and stuttered out an apology.

The lady smiled a toothless grin, "not to worry, dear. I'll have you polite and proper in no time." She cooed and brushed passed him, Harry watched her amble up the pavestone garden path to the purple door. "Well, lad, are you coming or do you plan to stand there all day watching the grass grow?" Harry straightened up and rushed behind her.

If the outside of the house had been overly homey the inside was ultra-homey. Harry could smell the thick, sweet scent of strawberry pie and he had trouble following the lady into the kitchen because of all the ornaments and rugs.

"I hope you like pie, lad. I've been baking a few today." Harry smiled even though she couldn't see him; dodging a large, knee-high lion statue the boy entered the kitchen. It was brightly lit and smelt delicious. "I normally bake pie in winter, tastes all the better when it's hot and the weathers cold. Keeps you warm too." She added with a rakish wink, Harry smiled broader. He wasn't normally a fan of little old ladies, but this one seemed alright – probably because she was offering freshly baked pie.

The lady spent some time riffling through her kitchen cupboards before jumping and exclaiming loudly. Harry jerked in surprise. "I forgot," she muttered and rushed forward, holding out her hand, "introductions," she elaborated and Harry shook her hand gently, "I'm Mrs. Tinkleburn."

Quelling the childish part of him that wanted to laugh at such a name Harry instead nodded and introduced himself.

It was late afternoon by the time Harry had had his fill of pie and tea and he had spent the hours talking with Mrs. Tinkleburn and hearing all about her late-husband, Orwald – or something similar. Harry had listened patiently, commenting in all the right spots. Mrs. Tinkleburn was quite pleasant company but a part of him wondered why Severus was taking so long at the shop. What could he possibly be buying?

-SSHP-

Another sharp, quick rap at the door, "we know you're home, now open the door…"

Severus worked over his small notepad, scribbling down his words hastily. He had been sitting at the small improvised park, that consisted of a homemade see-saw and a rickety slide that was sun-bleached and rusting, for the past hour. After stopping at a near by shop he had taken his newly brought pen and pad someplace quiet. He had been writing ever since and was lost in thought.

"Need to have a conflict in the story, something for the characters to bond over…maybe a fight of some sort – already had a hold-up, what else…" the man tapped the end of the pen against his lips, thinking about what conflict could be useful. Harry had unknowingly brought Severus' muse to the forefront of his mind with his little quip about gay-crisis and making their eventful few days into a book. He had already been doing that, however he had been having trouble with his character, the one based on Harry, he couldn't quite figure out how to get the character interested in men – or in the very least, realize he was interested in men. A gay-crisis was a brilliant opening for him to explain more and continue the story.

A breeze picked up the pages of his pad and ruffled them lightly, it was getting on in the day and Severus knew he must have been out for quite sometime. Deciding to come back to his chapter the man stood up, stretching the kinks out of his back and yawning. A day of bus travel and café food really took it out of him.

Tucking his pad and pen close to his chest he made for the address, hoping the old lady he had spoken with before had become a little less annoying.

His hopes were quickly dashed when he arrived at the cottage.

"Ah, Severus – isn't it? Good to see you, I was just telling young Harry about my late-husbands talents with an axe. He could chop the sturdiest of wood." Severus flicked his eyes over the pair, both were sitting near a small willow tree. Harry was holding a watering can in his hands and tipping it gently to let a flow of water sprinkle the soil. "Are you hungry?" Mrs. Tinkleburn asked and got to her feet slowly, grunting as she did so.

"No, I've not long ate." It was a lie of course, he hadn't had anything since early afternoon, but he really wasn't in the mood to deal with the old lady. The few minutes he had to spend with her back at the café were enough to last a lifetime, plus he wanted some time with Harry. He watched Harry stand elegantly to his feet, his slender body stretching.

"Where did you end up? You said you'd be a couple of hours and it's been almost three." Severus smiled at Harry's hands-on-hips stance and the I'm-angry-at-you expression that was on his delicate features. "You missed out on pie." The boy added as if this would gravely hurt Severus and leave him feeling guilty. It did neither.

"I got busy writing is all, Harry. Shame about the pie." He said with a smirk, Mrs. Tinkleburn was muttering something and then stood up tall – which really wasn't very high, she reached barely to Severus' elbow. Even Harry, in all his shortness, was taller then her.

"I must tend to something, lads, make yourself at home, Severus." She supplied and dashed off inside. When Severus looked back to Harry the kid was twisting his lips in thought, his green eyes bright in the sunlight.

"She's been doing that all afternoon." He muttered and Severus frowned.

"Doing what?"

Harry placed the watering can down into the ground, "tending to something…"

Severus shrugged then caught himself and dropped his shoulders; he really was picking up Harry's bad habit. "She probably grows plants or feeds the birds. She's old, let her have her foibles." Harry was shaking his head and staring at Severus. Those emerald eyes made his stomach drop and then spin giddily. He resisted the urge to ask why he was being studied like a sheet of Math's homework.

"Why are you always so mocking?"

Severus tapped the soft, smooth jaw in front of him, Harry didn't flinch away – apparently the boy was getting use to his touch, "why are you always so exasperating?"

Harry gave him a big grin, "because it's fun, and that way I can make you get all brooding and –" Severus' lips quirked when Harry stopped suddenly midsentence.

"And what…?" he prompted and Harry shut his mouth, blushing pink. "Sexy – perhaps?" supplied Severus calmly, the corners of his mouth twitched in a faint smile. Harry's face simultaneously paled and flushed and Severus couldn't help the laugh that left his throat. It had been a jest, but obviously he was closer to the point then he had thought.

"No! I was going to say quiet." Indignantly Harry lifted his chin and studied Severus through his lashes, as if daring the man to contradict him. Severus stoically watched the kid for a moment then turned on his heel, heading for inside.

"I'm sure." He said silkily earning a squeak from an embarrassed Harry. Teasing the boy was just too much fun.

-SSHP-

"You smell that?" Harry asked as the pair ascended the creaky staircase leading to the top level of the cottage. Severus ran his palm over the smooth, varnish handrail.

"The smell of pie?" Harry turned and stopped on the stair above Severus, at such a close distance the boy's eyes were gorgeous and the emerald was flecked with golden specks, it served to make Severus' tummy squirm with attraction. Something he frowned at and pushed away.

Harry huffed and shot the man a feeble glare, "no, not the smell of pie – I don't know what it is."

Quirking a smirk onto his lips Severus prodded Harry into moving, "it's a sweet, savory desert –" Harry spun around and whacked lightly at the older man's shoulder, once again stopping. Severus stared at him.

"I meant the smell I can smell, it's…odd." Severus was about to make another witty comeback when the scent hit his senses. It was old and stale, like aged meat, mangy and thick in the air. Resisting the urge to gag he steered Harry up the remaining stairs by his slim shoulders. Harry for the most part allowed the bodily action.

"It's probably nothing."

"Oh sure, what if there's something dead up here, like a squirrel?" Harry said and made for the very end door Mrs. Tinkleburn had directed them to. "Or what if it's asbestos? We could get seriously sick!"

Resisting the temptation to cuff the kid's head Severus sighed, pushing open the bedroom door. "You have an overactive imagination, Harry." He commented. Harry rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out. Harry really was juvenile, Severus denounced, but something about his naivety was charming – almost endearing.

"I'm only pointing out possible scenarios…oh."

"What's oh? – oh."

Severus stopped in the middle of the small room, the thick yellow carpet and white walls making it seem strangely bright in the evening sun. The room itself was fine. Clean and warm with soft coloured furnishings. The only problem –

"Only one bed." Harry said and nibbled on his bottom lip. The solitary bed that was positioned under a large window glared at the two men. It was of course thinkable that Mrs. Tinkleburn didn't have thoughts of taking in two strangers that were in need of a bed, so she hadn't thought to adorn her spare bedroom with two beds.

"Yes, I can see that." Snapped Severus huffily.

Harry turned to him, his hands on his hips, "no need to get snippy with me. It's not a problem; I don't mind sharing with you."

"Yes, well, I mind sharing with you."

"Oh, ouch, way to make a guy hurt." Harry said and crossed his arms defensively over his chest. Severus' hard frown lessened and he shook his head.

"It's not you, Harry. I'm just not use to sleeping with another person." Harry was giving him a disbelieving look, the boy raised his eyebrows.

"I find that hard to believe. You write gay erotica for goodness sake, you must have slept in the same bed as another guy before. Are you even gay?" The last question threw Severus off guard and he laughed, mainly at Harry's suspicious face that reminded him of his own sardonic stare.

"Yes, I am very much gay. I enjoy fucking boys and hearing them moan for me." Harry's cheeks flushed brightly with a blush and he shifted slightly, shuffling his feet on the carpet, "and I've never been one for sharing a bed, I'll fuck in bed with another person, but I'm not a fan of sharing a bed to sleep."

"I'm not sleeping with you."

"No, you're standing in front of me – wonderful observation skills, Harry. Bravo." Harry flicked his hair out of his face, his expression was completely staid despite the little, barely-there smile that danced about his eyes.

"You know what I mean. I'm not going to – ah – fuck with you."

"I don't want to sleep with you, either. Good to know we're on the same page." It was a complete and utter lie; Severus knew it and his body definitely did. He would jump at the chance to touch Harry's tight, slim body. It was a startling thought for the older man to comprehend. He had never been with a barely legal boy before, let alone a virgin – which Harry would have to be, at least concerning fucking men that is. The kid was attractive enough to have had girlfriends.

"Anything the problem, dears?" Severus turned at the soft voice to see Mrs. Tinkleburn in the doorway, her hands smoothing out creases in her apron. Her graying hair was curling into her face but she didn't seem to mind.

"Actually, I was curious if I could have a separate room?" Harry's annoyed exhale caught Severus' attention but he paid no mind to the kid. If Harry had any self-preservation he would allow Severus to change rooms. Severus wasn't a randy teenager, he could control his lust, but damn it was hard when Harry did little things like biting his lip, or messing his silky hair.

Mrs. Tinkleburn adjusted the straps of the pink apron, "is it a bother to share a bed with young Harry?" she asked innocently. Severus opened his mouth to reply, Harry interrupted however.

"It's no problem at all, Mrs. Tinkleburn. We don't mind at all, do we, Sev?" Severus' eyes narrowed at the nickname, Harry took a step closer and ran his hand down the older man's forearm, to Mrs. Tinkleburn it probably looked like a friendly caress, it wasn't, Harry squeezed just a bit too firmly, the heat of his hand warming Severus' skin. "Right, Sevvie?" Severus forced a thin smile.

"Absolutely. Would you excuse us for a few minutes, Mrs. Tinkleburn?" Severus said through a clenched jaw, if the little old lady noticed anything off about his behaviour she didn't say a word and left the room with a sweet smile on her lips.

Waiting until he couldn't hear the woman's footsteps on the stairs Severus slapped Harry's hand away before making a move to close the door. Harry bristled and Severus could practically hear the kid's heartbeat race. Severus knew he was an imposing man when angered or annoyed – sometimes he scared himself, which was a worthy feat.

"Um – what are you doing?" questioned Harry quietly and Severus whirled around to face the adolescent, his dark hair falling into his face. He made no move to brush it aside, instead he stared at Harry.

Taking a step toward Harry the author was pleased to see the boy take one backward, "want to remind me what I said I'd do to you if you called me 'Sev' again?" he inquired, his voice was low and menacing. Harry's lips twitched and then he smiled.

"You're not serious?"

"Oh, I'm dead serious, Harry."

"You can't!"

"I can and believe me I will."

Harry shook his head and bumped back into the bed, he sat heavily and stared up at Severus. Their height difference even larger now. "It's considered abuse if you spank someone against their will you know?" he said matter-of-factly.

"It's not abuse if you like it." Retorted Severus with a smirk, Harry's skin flushed delectably and his eyes widened. "If you apologize I'll forget all about it." Severus added. Harry stared at him and then snorted; pushing himself to his feet he made to brush passed Severus.

"I'm not apologizing for something so small, Severus." He stated. Severus growled and snatched Harry's wrist, pulling the boy closer before he could reach the door. Harry gave a startled shout and fought to get away. Severus would have none of that and slapped the smooth cheek in admonishment, none too lightly.

"Let me go –" Harry said in a strangled voice, Severus couldn't help but enjoy the warm, small body twisting and writhing against his own. Harry was warm and firm and far too arousing. Deciding if he was going to keep his composure he would have to finish this quickly, Severus whirled Harry around in his arms, pressing the boy's back flush against his chest and stomach; Harry's wayward hair tickled his chin.

"Three, that's all." Promised Severus and then strictly pushed Harry forward, bending the boy over the mattress so that he was kneeling on the ground, his tummy and chest resting on the bed. Harry squirmed and made a keening noise in his throat that had Severus' groin reacting sinfully. Stilling Harry's movements with a palm to the kid's back he braced himself. Harry keened again and then Severus let loose. Swinging his arm back he dropped it heavily, smacking the jean-covered backside firmly.

"Ow, you bastard!" Harry hissed and doubled his attempts at escaping. Severus bunched a handful of the shirt under his hand and pressed down, holding Harry stuck in place. Another hard smack had Harry's small body jerking forward, the sound of muffled clapping satisfying to Severus.

With surprising tenderness the author stroked Harry's back, running his fingertips over the boy's spine, "one more, love." He said.

THWHACK!

-SSHP-

Harry's backside tingled and he wriggled under the covers, careful not to bump into Severus, who was right on the edge of the mattress. "Bloody drama queen." Harry whispered to the dark room. It had been an awkward evening, and that was an understatement. Severus had practically ignored Harry after spanking him in a little old lady's spare bedroom. The two of them had gone down stairs after a few minutes of silence. Dinner had been quiet for the most part. Mrs. Tinkleburn chatted avidly about her late-husband and Harry wondered if that was all she talked about. After they had eaten their share of roast lamb Harry had left the adults alone and went up to the room. Severus had come in not five minutes later.

Lying in the squashy, comfy bed with a man he had just met three days previous was a surreal experience, not to mention said man had spanked him earlier. Harry squeezed his eyes shut and a blush touched his cheeks and nose. Severus had been so – commanding and rough. It was a far cry from the usually stoic, composed author Harry had come to know. It scared Harry slightly and yet a bigger part of him, a part he tried his best to ignore, liked how Severus had manhandled him and forced his submission.

"Fuck, I'm so messed up." Finding a forced spanking hot was definitely not something Harry thought would ever happen to him. Finding a goddamn man attractive was something he'd never thought he'd do. And yet here he was, painfully hard from the sensations in his arse and wishing Severus would roll over just a bit closer so he could feel the man's body against his. And oh dear god he had to stop that trail of thought.

Slowly sitting up the boy slipped from under the warm covers, carefully standing up and trying not to jostle the mattress too much, when Severus' deep breathing didn't change Harry let out a breath of relief and tiptoed from the room. He needed some fresh air.

Thankful the bedroom door wasn't squeaky Harry left the room, sparing one last glance back at the man sleeping peacefully. Severus' dark eyebrows were relaxed and his lips gaped open just slightly. He looked so calm and serene. Harry wasn't sure why he enjoyed the sight of Severus in such a vulnerable state.

The sound of a door clicking shut made Harry jump and just about shout in surprise, consciously tugging at his shirt he tried to hide his still half-hard erection. Peering into the dark, dimly lit hallway Harry crept forward. Had it been Mrs. Tinkleburn using the bathroom perhaps? No, her bedroom was downstairs. Why would she need to come up to the second floor? Another noise sharpened in Harry's ears and he squinted, as if such an action would help him hear better.

"– you're always so sleepy, my dear." It was unmistakably the croaky, high-pitched voice of Mrs. Tinkleburn and Harry's curiosity was spiked. Who could she possibly be talking to? Unless she was housing more strangers in her tiny home there was no one to be talking to at such a time at night. Swallowing thickly and wincing at the loud noise of the action Harry snuck towards the voice, his bare feet patting softly at the carpet.

Again Mrs. Tinkleburn spoke but Harry couldn't catch onto the words, she was whispering so quietly. The only other bedroom on the second level had been locked before but now the door stood ajar, a pale band of light stretched from the room. Frowning Harry crept closer and stopped just by the doorframe. He gagged when the stench of decaying meat assaulted his nose and just stifled a dry retch. It would do no good to be vomiting all over the floor right now.

"Such a pretty man you are, I have another pretty one here also. He's a treat for the eyes, so small and lively. You'll have to meet him sometime, Orwald."

Harry's eyes widened when a warm, callous palm covered his lips and he was tugged into a firm chest. The smell of leather and oak made his beating heart calm somewhat when he realized it was Severus. When Harry had stilled the hand was removed and he twisted in the strong arms to face the older man.

Severus' eyes were even darker in the night, shadowy and unreadable. His lips were a thin line and his hair mussed from sleep. "What do you think you are doing?" he hissed out and Harry shushed him with a flap of his hands. Severus gripped Harry's thin wrists and placed them by the boy's sides.

"I'm listening and you're hurting me." Harry stated and nodded to his wrist that were still in the man's hold. Severus grunted and dropped his arms. "She's insane, Sev."

"Don't call me that."

Harry glared up at the handsome face, watching the shadows play across the pronounced nose and cheek bones, "I'm serious – she was –" A shuffling sound from within the room made Harry and Severus freeze, their eyes wide like deer's caught in headlights. Mrs. Tinkleburn cleared her throat with a small 'ahem' and the two men shared a look before bolting back toward their bedroom, arms flailing and gripping at the other in haste to be the first hidden behind their door.

Stumbling behind Severus Harry pushed at the man's back, sending Severus tripping over to the bed. Harry shut the door as quietly as possible and then dived for the bed. "Quick, act asleep!" he whispered fanatically and scuttled under the covers, after sparing the boy an unbelieving glance Severus got under the covers just as the door opened.

"Is everything alright, dears? I thought I heard some noise."

Harry's breath caught in his throat and he tried to keep his eyes from fluttering. Severus made a fake snore and shifted closer to Harry, flinging his arm over Harry's chest, it was heavy and comforting. Harry's body jerked somewhat in surprise but he managed to disguise the flinch as him turning over to cuddle Severus back. He could hear Mrs. Tinkleburn titter and then the door closed with a snap.

Both men let out huffs of relief in unison. Severus opened his eyes and stared down at Harry. He didn't remove his arm. "Care to explain why you were spying on an old lady?" Harry shifted and sat up a little.

"I wasn't spying. I was listening with out her knowing. And I found out something disturbing."

"More disturbing then you enjoying a spanking?" Severus asked innocently and lifted his body up so that he looked down at Harry. Harry opened his mouth and attempted to smother the blush that was heating his nose and cheeks. "It's nothing to be ashamed of." Severus added.

"I didn't like it." Harry refuted scathingly, his reply was a raised eyebrow and disbelieving expression from Severus. "I didn't!" he insisted petulantly.

"If you hadn't enjoyed it you would have cursed me and called me a perverted old man. Instead you sent me coy little looks all night."

"You're not perverted and I'm not coy." Harry said and then sighed, groaning as he did so. "And anyway, my gay-crisis isn't the point, I heard her talking." Said Harry with a serious press of his lips, he watched as Severus feigned an astounded gasp.

"No?" the author said and leaned closer, "you heard her talking? Oh dear lord, call in the authorities!" Harry poked Severus in his chest with his finger.

"Would you keep your voice down?" he hissed and glared, Severus returned the glower but was quiet. "She was talking to her husband." Harry announced and was somewhat disappointed when all Severus did was snort laughter and roll his eyes. "I'm serious, Severus." Harry deadpanned.

The man above him shook with silent laughter, "you need a goodnight's rest, Harry. I think my spanking knocked something out of place up here." He said and tapped his fingers against Harry's temple. Harry turned his head away in annoyance. "Her husband is deceased, and unless she has another lover hiding in the room I would say you misheard her."

Harry sat up in aggravation, narrowly missing hitting his forehead against Severus', "I'm totally serious, Severus. I know what I heard. She was telling her husband he would have to meet someone. I'm not making this up, she's a nutcase!" Harry was startled when Severus' eyes softened and his lips curved into a weary smile. A rough, warm palm cupped Harry's cheek and Severus leant closer, his breath brushing over Harry's skin.

"Go to sleep, Harry. I'm sorry for making you confused with the spanking; I shouldn't have been so forceful." Harry stared blankly at the author as Severus pulled away and then turned over, curling up to go to sleep. Severus thought he was a mess of confused emotions after being spanked – which was true, but he hadn't made up or misheard what Mrs. Tinkleburn had said.

"I'm not lying." Harry said quietly.

"Go to sleep, love."

There was that word again. Love. Severus had used it when spanking him and Harry's body had gone to mush upon hearing it. Severus' deep, thick voice rumbling with the word was just too arousing. Why did the man call him that? Was it an endearment or did Severus call everybody it? Harry hadn't heard the man speak to anyone like that. It perplexed him. Severus perplexed him. This whole situation perplexed him. Cursing softly Harry shut his eyes. He'd talk to Severus in the morning; he'd make him see sense.

Mrs. Tinkleburn wasn't everything she made out to be. Harry was positive of that.