Harry was headed into London another weekend. He was accompanied by Remus and Teddy this time. Teddy would be spending the weekend with his grandmother. Andromeda had been happy they took the jobs but insisted on still being hands on with her grandson. Though she worked, with Ted and Tonks gone, she was a bit lonely. Harry and Remus had dinner with her on Friday night. Remus reminded his son he did have some friends in London and he had plans on Saturday for himself. Harry had laughed as it seemed he was the only one who didn't have.

It seemed to change on Saturday morning when he received a floo call. He had been about to head to see Alicia and Angie. He was heading for lunch with the girls but it seems he was going to have dinner plans after all. And they were definitely surprising ones.

Harry left the girls and went to meet Lucius. "I was a bit surprised."

Lucius turned. "You offered."

"And you didn't look to keen."

Lucius shrugged. "Never know when it may be needed."

Harry reminded him. "You have an army of house elves."

"Someone may decide to run off with them."

Harry laughed. "Last I looked, you freed Dobby on purpose."

Lucius conceded that. "He wasn't much of a cook."

"I thought all elves could cook."

"Like humans, elves have different skills."

"And what was his? Sending mad bludgers after people?"

"He was a nanny elf. He took care of Draco when he was born."

"Maybe he just didn't like you."

"Elves serve their masters."

Harry shrugged. "Kreacher's cooking sure has improved since he started to like me."

Lucius shook his head. "Well the only thing that elf could cook was chocolate chip cookies my son loved."

Dobby had been killed protecting Draco. The summer before their seventh year, Draco and his father had been revealed to be spies. Narcissa had managed to keep her cover, why she had been able to help Harry in the woods. Unfortunately Bella had attacked Lucius and Draco when she had learned. Thanks to Narcissa, aid arrived, but Draco would have been killed but for Dobby. Dobby had been happy to go to school and keep an eye on Harry for Lucius, but he had always loved Draco, who he helped raise. And in the end had died for his former little master. There had been many murders that summer but few that touched Harry as bad. Moody and Hedwig though had been included in that list. After the death, the Malfoys had remained at school. Severus had already been outed when he refused to kill Albus, and someone else had to be sent.

Harry was surprised but he had agreed to the cooking lesson. It had been fun enough with lunch before. He was still a bit worried the man may cut off one of his fingers. He knew there were spells, but like Molly, he tended to cook the muggle way. Molly used a few spells, he didn't.

Lucius purchased the groceries. "Your house or mine?"

"Do you know where the kitchen is?"

"In the town house."

Harry laughed. "We will see about that."

Lucius led him to his townhouse. "It isn't hard to find."

Harry knew the townhouse. It was smaller than Grimmauld. "May have to find the one in the manor one day."

"My elves may die from shock."

Harry laughed. "Not worried here?"

"The townhouse doesn't have an elf. I have to summon one."

Harry walked into the kitchen. "Well I guess they get the night off."

Lucius agreed. "I have a gift for you."

Harry turned to him. "Gift?"

Lucius produced an apron. "Need to be prepared."

Harry smirked. "If I recall, you need one more."

Lucius produced a second. "Prepared."

"If this works, you could cook for your clients."

Lucius highly doubted he would get to that skill any day. He wined and dined his clients when he took them out. But he was happy to have a lesson with Harry. Harry had decided on a simple pasta dish with some salad and garlic bread for them to make. He had heard Lucius mention he enjoyed Italian cooking. And he thought it was something simple enough that even Lucius would not mess up too badly even with him.

Lucius was grateful Harry used a spell to protect him from the knives, or he would have lost a finger or close. But they both were laughing, and the food at least smelled good and looked pretty good as well when they put it on the table when done.

Lucius eyed Harry. "Not going to try."

Harry smiled. "I thought you deserved the first bite."

"Guests first."

Harry smirked. "I believe it is polite for the hos to start."

Lucius smirked. "Don't trust your teaching skills?"

Harry shrugged. "More the student."

Lucius took a bite. "Some of the best I have tasted."

Harry tried some. "I doubt it since you have been to Italy, but not bad."

Lucius poured him some wine. "Maybe you can compare it one day."

"I don't see a trip to Italy in my near future."

Lucius sipped his wine. "Maybe you just need the right travel companion."

Harry eyed him. "Perhaps."

Lucius called an elf to do the dishes. "Dessert?"

Harry reminded him. "We didn't make any."

Lucius motioned. "I have an idea."

Harry was surprised when they went to Florian's for ice cream. Somehow he didn't imagine it was something Lucius would have done often. It was the closest thing to gelato that they would get in the wizard world though, Lucius pointed out. Harry had always loved the ice cream there and didn't mind finishing off the night with a bowl of his favorite flavor. Lucius was surprised Harry stuck with a very muggle simple flavor.

Lucius laughed when Harry said it was not his style. "Seems I have many sides you don't know."

Harry headed back early on Sunday. He didn't want to miss his team's practice. He had told Angie he was willing to coach Hufflepuff as well. Angelina taught flying lessons to each year once a week, and supervised evening practices during the week. Though not much of a time commitment, she worked full time for the prophet as a quidditch writer. The quidditch season ran most of the school year. With Harry coaching, Angie teaching and writing, and Oliver and Katie on the United, only Alicia and George left quidditch behind. Alicia was working as a nurse.

Harry was still in the stands when Gryffindor had headed to the showers after practice. Hufflepuff had a practice after lunch and he planned to sit in. It felt a bit odd thinking to coach another team but he knew the badgers could use some help with their game as well.

He was lost in his thoughts when he heard. "Over already?"

Harry didn't look up. "The team had been up since dawn."

Severus sat down. "You drive them hard."

"Their coach's decision."

"You could swap them for afternoon."

Harry smirked. "I have Hufflepuff after lunch. Besides, morning practices are longer."

"I recall someone not being one for mornings."

Harry refused to look at him. "I have no idea…."

"You were never too keen to leave bed early."

Harry blushed. "I did for years for quidditch."

Severus whispered into his ear. "I do remember, for the right inspiration."

Harry was even redder. "I don't recall."

Severus' tongue flicked Harry's earlobe. "Yes you do."

Harry reminded him. "We are on the pitch."

"Are you inviting me to take you some where private?"

Harry pulled back. "No."

Severus' elf appeared. "Lunch masters."

Harry was confused. "What?"

"As you reminded me, you have another practice."

Harry was not impressed with the man to say the least. Severus had obviously known before the talk that he decided to coach. The elf had come without being summoned. Harry knew the elf well enough. Harry had inherited him when Severus died, or when he thought the man had died. He wondered who let on to the man that he would be coaching Hufflepuff. He remembered talking about it at the game but he had not confirmed it. He had only told Angelina a few days ago that he would. And that he would start right away and not wait until next term.

Severus ignored the look from Harry and took the basket from his elf. He began unpacking the food. He could see Harry eying him and it seemed he was not leaving though he protested about the meal. He had ensured that some of Harry's favorite foods were brought.

"How?"

"You know Wonky always knew your….."

"That I was staying for the next practice."

"You mentioned at the game."

"I hadn't made a decision."

Severus picked up a sandwich. "Sandwich?"

"How?"

"Neville may have mentioned at breakfast."

Harry grunted. "Traitor."

"In fairness, he spoke to his wife."

Harry went to leave. "Practice is not for an hour."

"You wouldn't want the food to go to waste."

"You should have thought of that."

"Wonky made some of your favorite dessert."

Harry eyed him. "Those tarts?"

Severus nodded. "Only makes them for you."

Harry slumped down. "Fine."

Severus had always marveled how all elves seemed to adore Harry. Harry had won the love of Wonky long ago. The elf knew Harry liked strawberries. He had often made Harry strawberry cream tarts. Harry had a small smile at the memory of them. He hadn't seen the elf or called him since the war. It seemed Wonky had been visiting his master in the hospital when the muggles had not been around to see him.

Severus smiled as they ate. "See it isn't so bad?"

"Don't make me change my mind."

"Dinner wasn't so bad."

"Because it was in silence."

"I could think of other ways to enjoy without talking."

Harry went red. "No."

"I was thinking a movie."

"A movie? You?"

"I did promise a real date after the war."

"Little late don't you think?"

"Never too late."

"I am busy."

"We will go out next Friday."

Harry grunted. "I didn't say yes."

Severus handed him a tart. "You didn't say no."

Harry ate his tart and watched as the Hufflepuff team arrived and headed for the showers. He motioned to Severus that he needed to work. Severus packed up the basket but he repeated he would be taking Harry to a movie on Friday. Harry found the man as infuriating as ever. At least the man wasn't trying to get him into bed as he had before. But he didn't find this side any more endearing right now.

Severus turned to leave but said. "Slytherins never give up until they get what they want."

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