A/N Friday again, hope you are all safe and well x

Severus had had a long day and wanted nothing more than to go home and lounge on the sofa. His office had finally been cleared of all its mess and he had moved in after his classes the day before. Ashamedly he was reluctant to leave Nick's office and the photos on his desk, or rather he was sad to leave the ones of Harry. The Professor felt a strange connection to the young man and he was seldom far from his mind.

The ending however was different, he didn't simply walk away or allow Harry to be dragged back into the alleyway, and he had taken the boy, fed and clothed him, given him a safe place to sleep, looked after and protected him from the harshness and cruelty of the world outside. But as he woken that morning drenched in sweat breathing ragged, Severus had realised there was a fine line between how he wanted to shield him from all the horrors and that revelation want sitting well with him.

Reaching for his phone on his beside table, Severus tapped the screen and brought up the photo he'd brazenly taken of the photo of Harry that took pride of place on Nick's desk.

Staring at the screen, he drank in every detail of Harry that he could, his features now more defined, a healthy glow emitted from his face and his body was no longer dangerously thin, but well built. There had been some modicum of doubt that Harry was indeed the same now he had seen all those years ago, but after staring at this photo for the last two days, he was one hundred percent certain that they were the same person. Taking one last look he exited the gallery of pictures and sat his phone back on beside table, he was fast becoming more enamoured with the young man and Severus didn't quite know what to do with that fact.

Some of the students from his advanced chemistry class had been talking about a Pizza place that made some of the best Pizza in Sussex, and after the day he'd had it sounded like just the ticket to the quiet evening he had planned. Asking one of them casually about the place, he found it wasn't far from where he lived and was nestled amongst a strip of restaurants and cafes along a boardwalk.

Dinner sorted he closed the door to his office locked it and headed out to the car park, thinking he would order a pizza, and grab a few items from the supermarket while he was waiting. One of the students had helpfully emailed him the menu, so he could peruse before making his order, being a Thursday night, the students said it tended to be quite busy, so it was better to order early.

Harry flinched slightly as a blast of heat hit him in the face, shutting the door as quickly as he could he wiped his brow and went back over to the bench and picked up the next order. He had arrived back from the school camp yesterday afternoon, the trip had been a success and the kids had thoroughly enjoyed themselves, Harry had to, although Severus had played on his mind some, Harry reassured himself he had nothing to worry about.

Draco had contacted him that morning and asked if he could fill in at the shop for him, he'd decided to allow his Mother to take Amber out for dinner and wanted to be home when she got back. It wasn't the first time he had helped out and was only too happy to do it again, knowing how anxious Draco was about Amber being with Narcissa. Thursday nights were usually quite busy and he knew his mate would have been stuck till closing.

The blonde owned and ran Papa Drakes Pizzeria, he had bought it the year before he started going out with Luna and the pair had since then run it together, Drake more than Luna these days with her being pregnant. He had been there since 4pm and hadn't had a moment to himself since, it seemed pizza was on everyone's menu for that evening, no one in Sussex felt like cooking at home.

Three more people entered the shop as Harry prepared the next order, two were looking to sit down and eat in and the other came to the counter. Harry went back to his pizza and didn't see the tall thin man come in behind the others, dressed in a dark blue button down shirt and black slacks.

'How far away is that pizza in the oven?' one of the staff asked Harry

'About 5 or so?' he answered 'why?'

'People are here to pick it up' the young man replied

'Get them to take a seat, it shouldn't be long, and if you go and take the couples order who sat down it should be ready by then' Harry instructed

'Righto' the staffer said and went back to the counter.

From the corner of his eye Harry could see someone standing at the counter and no one around to serve them, so wiping his hands on his apron and adjusting his hat, he walked over to the wooden counter and smiled.

'Welcome to Papa Drakes what can I get for you?' Harry smiled, that smile froze when he saw who was standing on the other side. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up and his pulse raced at the sight of Severus Prince standing there waiting to be served.

Eyes darting from one side of the shop to the other desperately seeking someone anyone to come and save him from having to serve the man, only to find everyone was already busy with other customers, he took a deep breath and looked the man right in his coal black eyes.

'What would you like?' he asked clearing his throat

'I would like a medium Godfather please' Severus smiled noting Harry's nervousness

'Any drinks or sides to go with that?' Harry asked

'No drinks but I would like a cheesy garlic bread too please' Severus replied 'and a little extra cheese if I may?'

'On the garlic bread or the pizza Sir?' Harry asked suppressing a smirk

'The pizza please Harry' Severus told him

Harry blinked at the use of his name, his mouth suddenly an arid desert, he licked his lips to wet them or bide time, he wasn't sure which. 'Of course Mr. Prince that will be ready in about 20 minutes' Harry stammered, annoyed that he was losing his footing around this man.

'I shall come back then' Severus said, taking some money from his billfold as Harry rang up the till. He took the note from Severus' hand and their fingers brushed briefly, Harry jerked his hand away as if he'd been burnt and clumsily put the money in the till and gave the man his change.

'Thank you Harry' Severus gave him a small smile as he walked from the shop and out into the evening air.

'I am just ducking out the back for a minute Jed' he told the young teenager who worked with Harry making the pizzas, please make a start on this order' he handed the slip of paper to the boy and headed for the back door that led to a small staffroom and bathroom.

'No worries Harry' the boy smiled

Shutting the door behind him, Harry barely made it to the bathroom before he was on his knees retching over the toilet bowl, nothing was coming out, even though he felt so incredibly ill. Slumping back on his heels, Harry sucked in a ragged breath, he stomach clenching painfully, tears pricking at his eyes. He looked down at the hand that had ever so fleetingly touched Severus', and stared at it as if waiting for a mark of some description to form.

When it didn't he got up from the floor and rinsed his face and mouth out with some cool water, taking a minute to compose himself he left the bathroom and went back out to the main part of the shop and immediately went over to check on the orders, he noticed that Severus' pizza had gone into the oven and two new orders had been placed on the bench. Keeping an eye on the time, Harry reminded himself that the garlic bread Severus had ordered would need to go in about 8 or so minutes before the pizza was done.

Severus placed a few shopping bags into the backseat of his car and the locked the door, looking at his watch he saw that it had been about 15 minutes since he'd left the pizza shop and by the time he got back there his order should be ready.

Needing the fresh air, he walked back to the shop and pushed open the door. It seemed to have gotten busier in the time he'd been gone and Harry was nowhere in sight. A lanky teenager with sandy coloured hair fetched his order and wished him a good evening; one last glance around for Harry and Severus exited the pizzeria and went back to his car.

Harry had deliberately gone out to the cold room on the hunt for more mozzarella, when he'd spied Severus walking along the path towards the shop.

He knew it was a cowardly act and he only looked guiltier by running and hiding in a fridge, but he just didn't know what to do, there was no one he could talk to about this, because that would mean he would have to confess to his disgraceful past, he wasn't prepared to lose those he loved and cared for dearly, the price was too high and he surely would if they found out the extent of his life on the streets.

It was a month later that Harry's luck ran out as far as not encountering Severus again, Draco had come back to work although Harry had still helped out on occasion until a week ago when Luna had a scare with the baby and Draco had taken time off from again, leaving Harry to manage things at the shop. Severus hadn't been back in since and for that he was grateful, he certainly couldn't justify spending all his time in the fridge out back, whenever the man entered the shop.

Tonight though he had no choice it was Nicks birthday and Perry was making dinner at the house, Lorna, Ellie, Draco, Luna, Amber and Severus had been invited, Harry knew he couldn't get out of it, so he had to man up for the night and make the best of it, besides there were a lot of other people there he could talk to without having to make polite conversation with alluring chemistry professors. Harry shook his head and dismissed the errant thought as he locked his car and walked up the gravel path at the side of the house.

At the back door he schooled his features and went inside, hearing voices floating from the living room. Setting his keys on the bench as he went past, Harry entered the living room, to see eight friendly faces look in his direction, feeling a little hot under the collar as though he was being scrutinised, he kissed all the appropriate people and wished his foster Father a happy birthday. Harry had ordered Nick a special limited edition steam train for his collection, it was Scottish in origin and was a one time only offer this year.

The older mans face lit up when he opened the gift and saw the train nestled in a box, he picked it up as though it was a precious gem and held it in the palm of his hand. Harry could have sworn he saw a tear prick at his foster fathers eye, not that he'd ever admit to getting choked up over a train.

'Harry this is marvellous' Nick beamed, patting his leg from his place in the armchair, to which Harry sat opposite him on the sofa. 'It will take pride of place on the tracks'

'Glad you like it' Harry smiled 'it comes with a certificate of authenticity as well, should be in the box'

'I'll frame it' Nick exclaimed, sitting the train down carefully on the arm of the sofa and searching the box for the certificate.

'Can I have a look Poppa?' Amber asked eagerly from her place next to Luna, she had been clinging to her mum's side since Luna had the scare and was reluctant to leave her.

'Of course button, just be careful mind, it cost Uncle Harry a lot of money' Nick said gently, handing the little the train as though it were her newborn sibling and he was showing her how to cradle the baby's head.

'I will Poppa' Amber said sitting next to Harry and turning the train over in her hands. 'Does it make noises Uncle Harry?'

'It does bug, and real steam comes out of the top too' Harry told his goddaughter 'When Poppa Nick takes it to the basement maybe you can go with him and he'll show you what it does?'

'Can we take it now Poppa?' Amber asked hopefully

'Not right now button, we will have supper that Grammy Perry made, then we might go after that' Nick replied

Seemingly happy with the answer she'd been given, Amber handed the train back to Nick and retook her spot next to Luna on the other sofa. 'Do you like trains Mr. Prince?' she asked politely

'I don't mind them' Severus answered 'I used to like riding on them when I was your age'

'Was that a long time ago?' Amber asked her face a mask of childlike innocence, while the adults choked back laughs and gasps of horror

'Amber!' Draco admonished 'it isn't polite to ask people their age sweetheart'

'Oh sorry Mr. Prince' Amber said quietly looking at her knees

'Nothing to be sorry about' Severus waved the comment away 'You are quite correct it was a long time ago, perhaps I should try harder to hide my wrinkles, then I won't look so old'

Amber broke out into a fit of giggles and Harry couldn't help the smile that pulled at his lips, he even chanced a glance at Severus, who gave him a small smile in return. Those eyes really pull you in he thought as a blush threatened to creep over his cheeks. Perry had gotten up to go and check on dinner and Harry took the opportunity to excuse himself from the living room and go and give her a hand. His foster Mother was fussing near the oven when he walked into the kitchen, the delicious smells of dinner hitting him instantly.

'Mmm it smells divine in here' Harry inhaled deeply 'What are you cooking?'

Perry straightened from the oven fixed Harry with a questioning look 'I would have thought it being Nicks birthday you would know exactly what was cooking in here Harry James'

Harry sniffed the air again, letting the aromas dance over his senses 'Creamy tomato chicken in a skillet' he said gleefully 'really should have known that, must be slipping'

'Must be' Perry said with a chuckle 'it was lovely of Severus to amuse Amber like that wasn't it? Such a lovely young man'

'Yeah, Drake looked like he was going to have a heart attack' Harry smirked 'out of the mouths of babes as they say'

'How it should be' Perry said waving a spoon in the air 'none of this wishy washy beating around the bush, you have something to say you say it'

'Couldn't agree more' Harry concurred feeling the ever constant coil of guilt clench in his gut. 'Anything I can help you with?'

'No love, you can go and check the table is set right, I have everything under control in here' she smiled 'I'll be in directly, just give this a stir'

'Alright' he said kissing her cheek and wandering from the room

'What was that for?' she asked

'Just coz' Harry shrugged and went into the dining room.

Ellie roared with laughter as Nick regaled the table with stories about Harry and Draco when they were teenagers. 'Absolute gold' she laughed clapping her hands together 'Keep em coming Nick, they'll be perfect for Harry's 30th'

'Don't you dare' Harry snipped 'It wasn't all me' he added shooting a withering look in Draco's direction

'I was under the influence of peer pressure 16 was a very vulnerable age' Draco defended 'I didn't want to smoke them'

Harry let out a bark of laughter 'No not at all, that's why you paid Phillip Bates £20 to buy you a packet of smokes from the corner shop, then hid them in your bag until school was out?'

'I told you peer pressure' Draco repeated 'besides I only had one'

'Would've been more if you hadn't been puking your guts up in Perry's Azalea bush because the taste made you sick' Harry reminded his friend

'That would have been right next to where you puked your guts up after swigging a bottle of my brew?' Nick helpfully added

'Trust you to remember that' Harry huffed 'Can't believe we got caught'

'Never try to mask the scent of cigarette smoke and alcohol with chewing gum and body spray, doesn't work, apart from that I was the one who washed your clothes' Perry snickered 'but that wasn't what tipped Nick and I off that you'd been smoking'

Harry and Draco's heads whipped round simultaneously and stared at Perry 'How?' they asked in unison

'The next day you were both sitting out on the back deck, sipping your drinks, what you didn't realise is you were both pretending to smoke your straws' Perry said with a glint in her eyes.

'Damn' the two young men muttered under their breath.

Severus had been trying to engage Harry in conversation for most of the evening and thus far was having little success. The man kept his answers short and sweet, never seeming to stay on the topic, but rather blending back into the other conversations around him.

As such Severus was now standing in the kitchen giving it one last try, before he gave up for the night. Harry had offered to come and prepare the coffee tray, Perry had done enough for the evening, seizing an opportunity the older man quickly got up on the pretence of visiting the bathroom and made his way into the kitchen to help him with the coffee.

'Your school trip to the city was a success?' he asked, having just handed Harry some mugs, the young man had quietly asked for as they were on the side of the room Severus was standing on.

'Yeah it was, the kids had a good time' he said

'Is it the only one they go on?' Severus asked

'No they will go on another one just before winter break' Harry replied

He wanted nothing more than to take the tray of mugs he was currently pouring scorching hot water into and run, just turn tail and run outside, down to the basement, anywhere. He felt as though Severus' eyes were boring a hold into his skull, like the man was a waiting for just the right moment to pounce, he couldn't stand it.

'Um could you please bring in the sugar and the cream please?' Harry asked gesturing to the bench where the items sat

'Of course Harry' Severus smiled

'Thank you' he said moving past the man and back into the living room

Everyone was settled with their coffee and he was chatting with Ellie and Lorna when he heard Severus ask Nick quietly if he could have a private word with him, Nick nodded and the pair excused themselves from the living room and went out onto the back deck.

The chemistry Professors eyes locked briefly with Harry's as he walked from the room and his blood ran cold, a thick lump formed in his throat and his chest constricted. This is it, this is where he tells Nick all he knows of my life on the streets, of the encounter he had shared with 14 year old Harry enlightening his foster father that he wasn't all he appeared to be, his past was far murkier than either he or Perry could have imagined.

The coffee left a bitter taste in his mouth and he could drink no more of it, setting it down on the coffee table, he headed for the bathroom taking a few moments to regain his composure, lest anyone ask what was wrong, they would know soon enough. When he came back out, Perry and Lorna were absent from the living room, but Nick and Severus were back, sitting chatting with Ellie, Draco and Luna having left a while before to take Amber home. He walked into the kitchen and saw Perry and Lorna standing near the benches.

'The French portion of the evening has begun' Harry said wryly 'it is time I bowed out'

'Mans a show off' Perry huffed good naturedly 'Thinks he's clever'

'Ellie is no better' Lorna chimed in 'she has even got some of the kids doing it now, I asked a math's question the other day and one of them answered me in French!'

Harry moved over to the two ladies and kissed them each on their cheeks 'I will bid my favorite ladies farewell and see you both tomorrow'

'Thanks for coming love' Perry smiled patting his cheek

'No problems' Harry replied

'Don't be late in the morning young man' Lorna grinned

'No ma'am' Harry smirked 'wouldn't dream of it, teacher can be a bit of a tyrant'

'Go on with you' Lorna snipped 'cheeky sod'

Waving goodbye he ducked back into the living room and said a quick goodbye to Nick and to Severus, not staying long enough to catch the mans eye. In the safety of his car, Harry let out the breath he didn't know he'd been holding, although he shouldn't have been surprised that he was.

Looking out the front windscreen and seeing there was still some daylight left in the sky, he turned the car on and headed to the one place that always made him feel better.

Harry was thankful he'd had the presence of mind to throw provisions into his car before coming to dinner.

Severus sat in his car, twirling the piece of paper in his hand and looking out at the ocean and the waves that rolled in to shore. In the distance he could see a figure on a surfboard, riding each wave as it presented itself, a picture of elegance against the setting sun.

He had made his escape from the Flamel's about 20 minutes after Harry had left, making the excuse he had an early class to teach, which wasn't altogether untrue, the more pressing matter at hand was he hoped he might run into Harry on the way home.

On his way past the beach, he saw the familiar car parked in the small car park at the edge of the steps leading down to the sand.

When he'd left Nick had opened the front door and waved his foster son off, Severus had stood up to take his cup to the kitchen and noticed Harry's car pull away from the curb. Flicking his indicator on Severus drove into the small car park and turned and put the car in park.

For the last few minutes he'd been having an internal argument with himself about whether he should leave the slip of paper in his hand on Harry's windshield or simply go home.

The more rational part of his brain was demanding he forget about Harry and move on with his life. He had seen the look in Harry's eyes when he had Nick left the living room; it was pure fear, no doubt terrified that he would reveal to his foster father all he knew about Harry.

Hence what had led him to scribble this note, in an attempt to appease Harry's fear and give him some assurance that he would never tell his secret, it was perfectly safe with him, nothing would be said until such time as Harry decided it was time.

Ignoring his rational thoughts, Severus stepped out of his car and hurriedly walked to Harry's and in a few seconds had secured the note under his windscreen wiper. He got back into his own car and left the beach car park and drove to his home.

Coming out of the water, feeling as though some of the cobwebs had been blown away, Harry opted to get out of his wetsuit and drive home in the shorts he was wearing underneath, and hop in the shower there.

Stowing his board in the back, Harry climbed into the drivers seat and was about to start the engine, when he saw a slip of paper had been stuck under one of his wipers. Getting out he freed the paper from the wiper and opened it up.

Your Secret is safe with me it read. Harry's eyes darted around the car park searching for any sign that someone had been there, was still there watching from a distance to see if he got the note.

His heart hammered painfully in his chest and a jab of pain shot straight through him, the last thing he remembered as he collapsed and the darkness was taking hold, was the note being swept from his hand by the evening breeze up into the air and was carried away.