Harry processed a rather large amount of information at once before quickly shutting door in Snape's face.

First was that Snape was standing outside his front door. Second that he had rather rudely just shut the door in the man's face. Realizing this Harry pulled the door back opened. Snape was standing there still, but he

had his arms crossed and looked rather annoyed.

"Sorry, sir," Harry said nervously. "Won't you please come in?"

Harry stepped aside as Snape entered. The man was glancing around noting the changes in the house. Harry meanwhile was trying desperately to get his bearings. Snape looked amazing. His hair was at last not

greasy in the slightest, it had been cut recently and the layers there now added so much. It was an indescribable thing but it was there. His skin was no longer sallow and had the lightest tinge of tan. Snape's eyes

seem to hold more light, they were shinning with something akin to mischief. He was still wearing his signature robes but they were open revealing a form fitting black button up shirt and fitted black jeans. Harry

eyes swept over this entirely new but familiar person standing in his front hall. Somewhere in the back of Harry even noticed that Snape was wearing motorcycle boots. This person however was assuredly not Snape,

this was Severus, and Harry was glad to see him at last.

"I like what you've done with the place," Snape spoke, with the tiniest hint of sarcasm as he ran his fingers through a Gryffindor banner by the door.

"Thanks, I think," Harry said suddenly unable to keep the smile from rising. "Would you like a cup of tea?"

"Please," Snape said quirking a small smile of his own at Harry's look of surprise.

Harry lead him into the kitchen and puttered around making tea. Harry said nothing as he made tea, he did take the occasional glance at Snape until he noticed Snape kept watching him. Harry sat and poured their

tea. Snape took his black and Harry had lemon.

"So what have you been doing with yourself Potter?" Snape asked before sipping his tea.

"I've been working on my Potion's Mastery," Harry replied.

Snape spat his tea. "You're what?"

"Do you want to see my lab?" Harry asked whipping a small amount of tea from his face.

"Your what?" Snape asked again looking completely dumbfounded.

"Come on," Harry said standing up and pulled Snape to his feet and towards the basement.

"Is this some ploy to get me down in your basement so you can enact some kind of revenge upon my person?" Snape asked.

Harry laughed. "Of course not. You'll think this is worse any way."

Harry led Snape down the stairs with the man's hand in his. Harry let go when they reached the bottom. He watched fascinated as Snape looked around his lab. He nodded with approval. Snape studied the labels of

the potions that Harry had bottled on a shelf. Snape picked up the Felix Felcius and turned toward Harry.

"Was this for your thesis?" He asked sounded shocked.

Harry nodded. Snape placed the bottle back gently and turned towards the table. It was strew with measure spoons and cups, empty vials, quills, ink bottles and various notes.

Snape picked up Advanced Potions. Harry's stomach sank with fear. Would Snape be upset that he still had the book? Snape had causally flipped the book open at random. He stared at the page, for what felt like an

eternity before he glanced up at Harry.

"Hermione found it," Harry said as though defending the books presence in his home. "In the Room of Requirement."

"Where you, yourself had hidden it after you cursed Malfoy," Snape stated.

Harry cringed.

"You hid it and brought me Weasley's copy I assume?" Snape asked studying Harry's face.

Harry nodded mutely, his heart sinking further. Snape was angry, he had to be.

"Are you mad?" Harry had to ask, he needed to clear the air.

Snape sighed and put the book down. "No, Potter. I'm not mad. I suppose it's the reason you've been so inspired in your desire for a Potion's Mastery?"

"Yes," Harry said quietly. "And it's Harry, Sir."

Harry met Snape's eyes as if daring him to call Harry by his first name in Harry's own house.

Snape nodded. "Call me Severus, Harry."

Harry felt his jaw drop. He gathered himself quickly however. He held out his hand to Snape.

"It's nice to finally meet you Severus," Harry said with a smile.

Snape lip's quirked into a small smile. "Thank you Harry."

"So," Harry said rocking back and forth on his feet. "Can I offer you some dinner?"

Snape looked equally awkward. "That would be lovely."

It was both odd and thrilling for Harry to be bustling about his kitchen with Snape watching him. Harry was trying for both simple and amazing food. After starring like an idiot for a good five minutes at his pantry

Harry had decided on chicken parmesan with penne, Caesar salad and garlic bread.

"Would you like some help?" Snape asked from his perch at the kitchen table.

Harry smiled. "Sure Severus, would you mind setting the table?"

Snape nodded and Harry showed him where the dishes and silver ware were located. He set the table while Harry made their meal. The house smelled of tomato sauce and garlic, it was a warm and comforting

feeling. Snape helped Harry make the salad while the chicken browned. As Harry was plating their food Snape opened a bottle of Merlot. Together they served themselves and sat down. The whole event was so

choreographed it seemed as though they had been doing it for years. They chatted lightly over various topics. Snape had spent most of the two years of his absence in America under a glamour. He had been working

at a small potion's shop in New York City.

"What made you come back?" Harry asked taking a sip of wine.

Snape finished chewing his chicken, whipped his mouth with a sigh and took a sip of wine for himself.

"This is where I belong, Harry. Hogwarts has been a home to me for more years than I truly care to count."

Harry nodded in complete understanding. "That's been true for me as well."

"I suppose I just finally needed to return here to live the life I have always wished to. To teach and actually be free to do it. No more death and destruction hanging over my head."

Harry held his glass aloft. "To freedom."

Snape and Harry clinked glasses and drank deeply. They finished eating and cleared the table. They did the dishes side by side with magic, retiring to the front parlor with a glass of wine each and a fresh bottle left

opened to breath on the coffee table. They sat on opposite ends of a plush velvet couch in front of the fire, each turned slightly to face the other.

"So what do you plan on doing with your Potions Mastery?" Snape asked lightly.

"I'm not quite sure, really," Harry said. "I thought vaguely about teaching, but I haven't thought to much about it. I guess the next step depends on Teddy."

"Teddy?" Snape asked confused.

"Teddy Lupin. My godson," Harry informed him sadly.

"Ah," Snape said awkwardly.

"He lives with his grandmother, I try to see him every week, or he comes here for a few days. I'd like to be closer to him, geographically I mean."

Snape nodded. "Hogwarts is closer."

Harry's head snapped in Snape's direction. "Severus?"

Snape to a deep breath before he started talking. "Would you considering co-teaching Potions with me? Since it would be your first time teaching it you could take first through third year classes and I would teach

fourth years through seventh years. We could both teach the advanced class."

Snape finished this proposal in a bit of a rush and took a rather large gulp of wine before looking back at Harry.

Harry's mouth was hanging open. He was utterly gob smacked. Severus Snape had just offered him the absolute perfect solution to all his current problems. He'd be closer to Teddy, He'd be back at Hogwarts and he

would finally be able to get to know Severus better. Harry put his wine down before hugging a very surprised Snape, who patted him awkwardly on the arm.

"I would love to, thank you." Harry released him. "When should I come up?"

Snape cleared his throat "Well term starts in a month, so in about two weeks. I have checked all this with Minerva, so you do have a room that has been prepared for you."

"Thank you for this Severus. I cannot tell you how much this means to me."

"Of course Harry. I should be going, I have to give Minerva your answer." Snape stood and put his glass down. "Thank you for an amazing meal."

"Perhaps we could do it again sometime?" Harry asked as he walked Snape to the door.

"I'd like that," the man answered with a smile and he was gone.

Harry closed the door and slumped against it. His face feeling as though it had gone numb under the power of the smile plastered on it.

Sorry this took me so long guys! I hope you like and I am sorry for the lack of length. More will be coming soon! Please and Thank You for Reviews!