At nine o'clock, Harry stood with Roger right outside the Portrait Hole to his quarters.
"He has not left his bedroom since Thursday evening, and I am hoping you can do something for him. He will need support if he is ever to cope with this. I will be back sometime later, but stay as late as you need; the Headmaster has given his permission," Harry said. "Firebolt."
The cheery neck-ruffed man swung open on his hinges and admitted Roger. "I'll do my best, sir."
x
Harry walked unhappily into The Phoenix Nest behind Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Luna. Hermione had fitted him into the tightest-fitting, lowest-rising pair of dark jeans he owned as the other three laughed at his sounds of protest from the next room. He considered himself lucky that he'd gotten away with a navy cotton shirt that he would only describe as 'snug'.
His band mates left him for the middle of the crowded dance floor, and he wandered morosely over to the bar. All unhappiness left him when he saw Snape standing there (wearing a collared shirt the same indigo as Matthew's bedroom and the tight black pants that drove Harry crazy) looking bored. He walked up to the man, a rash and wonderful idea suddenly appearing in his brain.
"Escape from Granger then, did you?" Snape drawled when he saw Harry approaching him. Unfortunately, he noticed the diabolical smirk on Harry's face too late, and was pulled along behind him through the dancing crowd.
"What the hell are you doing?" he called over the music.
Harry turned around abruptly, almost causing Snape to crash into him.
"I'm going to teach you something, sir." His green eyes glittered intriguingly.
"And what is that?"
"How to dance, of course. Though you'll probably be a natural once you try it," Harry said. He made to continue pulling Snape through the crowd, but Snape was making every effort to stop him.
"I will not—"
He paused at the genuinely supplicating look Harry was giving him. "Trust me."
Snape gulped, and that was all the consent Harry needed to continue his quest through the crowd until he found a decent spot where they were surrounded on all sides. Just Dance by Lady Gaga (A/N: NOT the one with Akon, but the faster version) began as the previous music faded.
Red One
Gaga
I've had a little bit too much (much)
All of the people start to rush (start to rush, babe)
How does he twist the dance?
Can't find my drink or man
Where are my keys, I lost my phone (phone)
What's going on on the floor?
I love this record baby, but I can't see straight anymore
Keep it cool what's the name of this club?
I can't remember but it's alright, alright
Just dance, gonna be okay
Da-doo-doo
Just dance, spin that record babe
Da-doo-doo
Just dance, gonna be okay
Duh-duh-duh
Dance, dance, dance, just dance
Harry did a move with his hips, indicating that Snape should do it too. He looked at Harry as if to say, 'Over my dead body.'
"If you won't take instruction, then just let yourself go," Harry said.
Wish I could shut my playboy mouth
Oh, oh, oh, oh
How'd I turn my shirt inside out? (Inside out babe)
Control your poison babe
Roses with thorns they say
And we're all gettin' hosed tonight
Oh, oh, oh, oh
What's going on on the floor?
I love this record baby, but I can't see straight anymore
Keep it cool what's the name of this club?
I can't remember but it's alright, alright
Just dance, gonna be okay
Da-doo-doo
Just dance, spin that record babe
Da-doo-doo
Just dance, gonna be okay
Duh-duh-duh
Dance, dance, dance, ju-just dance
It seemed Snape had to adjust to 'letting himself go'. It did not come immediately, but Harry could tell he would eventually; and when he did, it would be hard for Harry to keep his hands to himself.
Red One
Gaga
Dance, gonna be okay
Da-doo-doo
Just dance, spin that record babe
Da-doo-doo
Just dance, gonna be okay
Duh-doo-doo
Just dance, spin that record babe
Da-doo-doo
Just dance, gonna be okay
Duh-duh-duh
Dance
Just dance, gonna be okay
Da-doo-doo
Just dance, spin that record babe
Duh-doo-doo
Just dance, gonna be okay
Duh-duh-duh
Dance, dance, dance, ju-just
Dance.
x
It had been made apparent over the next two hours that Snape was, as Harry had predicted, a natural at dancing. And, also as he had predicted, his hands had begun itching to touch many places that Snape would probably rather keep to himself.
When Harry entered his quarters for the night, a sight met his eyes that made him stop in his tracks, jaw dropped in pleasant surprise.
On a couch by the fire were Matthew and Roger, stretched out the length of it and asleep. Matthew had his face in Roger's neck and a hand resting on Roger's chest, looking like he had finally found some sort of solace. Roger's arm was around Matthew's waist in a protective gesture and their legs were hopelessly tangled. On the low table in front of them was the open laptop, and upon moving closer Harry saw that the end credits of a movie were playing. Harry grinned; they must have found his DVDs.
He shut off the laptop and went to grab a blanket, draping it over their sleeping forms. He stepped back and just watched them for a moment.
They were the oddest yet most perfect couple he had ever come across. Roger, with his dark hair, dark eyes, and generally athletic stature; and Matthew, with his sandy, almost blonde hair, pale eyes, and slight figure. The couple of inches that separated their heights was not visible while they were laid out as they were, and their positions actually made Matthew look smaller and more vulnerable than he physically was. Roger's protective arm around him made the entire scene almost serenely perfect.
Harry fell asleep with a smile that night.