Severus always sat in the seat closest to the staff entrance to the Great Hall. It made for hasty comings and goings, particularly when he was eager to avoid conversation with another staff member, usually Albus or Minerva. Occasionally Hagrid. Remus and Harry stayed to themselves, as did most of the others.

Tonight, however, Harry had sat in the seat next to Severus's before he'd even arrived. He gritted his teeth and sat next to him. He knew this was a rebellion against Remus. It was his way of telling the werewolf, 'You've upset me so badly, I'd rather sit by my least favourite person here than you.'

Severus was sure Remus received the message loud and clear.

But if Remus were to look at Harry now, he wouldn't see a brooding, upset man. He'd see a smiling one. Smiling at Severus Snape.

He struck up a conversation with Severus easily. At first talking about lesson plans, then moving on to talk about the difficulties his students had been having. Harry's impressions of a few of the students made Severus chuckle.

Harry was charming. Oh, he was charming. And Severus hated it. Hating anyone with the surname of Potter had been the one constant in his life. And now that was gone without any notice.

Actually, he began to think, perhaps those feelings had been gone for some time. When, exactly, had he stopped hating this charming brunette next to him?

Harry placed his hand atop Severus's and squeezed gently.

"Thank you," he said with a small smile. "I needed a friend this evening."

Severus looked at Harry, feeling dumbfounded.

"We aren't friends." His words held no anger or hatred. They were simply a fact.

Harry let out a small sigh, but didn't move his hand away. "Fine. I suppose I just needed you. Whatever you are to me."

Harry stood slowly and looked down at him, waiting.

Severus couldn't say what had compelled him to do so, but he stood as well and followed Harry from the room.

"I'm not too keen on being alone tonight," Harry said once they were in the dim corridor.

Severus understood the suggestion but refused to acknowledge it.

They walked a bit further, closer to where their paths should part. Harry looked at him again. Severus could see him in his peripheral, looking very much as though there were something more he'd like to say. It drove Severus insane. Spit it out or go away!

But he said nothing.

Finally, they approached the staircase, where Severus should descend, and Harry should say goodnight. Instead, they both stepped down into the dungeons stairwell.

Severus stopped and looked at the shorter man quizzically

"I said I didn't want to be alone tonight," he said insistently.

"You intend to disrupt my sleep two consecutive nights?"

"You don't sleep."

"Contrary to popular belief-"

"-shut up. My rooms or yours?"

Severus clenched his jaw. "Yours. I feel it would be easier to leave when I desire to do so."

Harry shrugged and grinned. "Fair enough."

They both turned around, towards where Harry's rooms should be, though Severus wasn't sure of the exact location. He'd had no reason to go there before.

Harry's rooms were burgundy, nearly the colour found on the Gryffindor crest. Though the accompanying gold was absent, replaced with accents of black leather, marble, and soft tan blankets thrown haphazardly over the back of the chairs in front of the fireplace.

Harry had the money to afford these fine things. Severus often forgot how wealthy the man was. He didn't carry himself with the same entitlement that the Malfoys or other wealthy families did.

He wanted to ask why the hell Harry even spent his time teaching when he could easily afford to travel the world, or relax in a private castle somewhere, with no responsibilities. But he didn't.

He tucked that question away for another time.

He wanted to go to bed.

He wanted to be far away from Harry Potter.

"I have a new bottle of bourbon," the young man offered.

"No, thank you."

"Suit yourself."

"Oh, I'm capable of drinking. You, however, are not."

Harry furrowed his brow but moved towards his bar cart anyways. "A nightcap won't hurt me."

"I'm sure it won't. I only fear you might hug me again."

Harry chuckled. "You hugged me."

"I hardly had a choice." Severus chose the black leather wingback and sat slowly.

"You always have a choice."

"Been reading philosophy texts?"

"Huh? Oh, er, no. You taught me that."

"I doubt I taught you anything."

"We're alone. You can drop the act. Hell, you were nicer to me at dinner with an audience."

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean."

Harry took a seat, drink in hand. He rubbed his eyes tiredly.

"We don't have to do this," Severus said.

"Do what?"

"Sit here together as if we are friends simply because you panicked and came to me in a moment of weakness. It will not offend me for you to admit that was all it was."

"I came to you for a potion."

"Yes. So, may I leave or am I obligated to stay a bit longer because of societal ideas of manners?"

Harry looked him over from the corner of his eye, humour playing on his lips and reddened cheeks.

"I like you."

Severus scoffed and rolled his eyes. "You've never."

Harry shrugged. "I do now."

"Don't expect me to say it in return."

"I won't."

Harry closed his eyes and leaned his head back against his chair, exposing a delectable Adam's apple.

Severus swallowed hard and licked his lips.

"How did he break your heart? I wasn't aware you were even seeing anyone."

"We weren't seeing one another," he responded, eyes still closed. "I've cared for him for a very long time. I was beginning to think he might feel the same way. Obviously, he doesn't."

"Did he explain why?"

Harry's left eye cracked open only enough for him to glance at Severus momentarily.

"He did, but it was all excuses. I could see that he didn't mean a word. Which, honestly, doesn't help."

Severus turned his glass over in his hand looking over the melting ice. Nearly time for another drink.

"Not knowing why makes it more difficult," he finally said.

Harry nodded his head in agreement. "I feel like I've done something wrong. He and I have always been close."

"I want to ask more, but I'm not sure that I should."

"I trust you to not get involved."

Severus snorted. "Then you know me well." He sighed. "I suppose I'd like to know what drew you to the werewolf in the first place."

"I don't know."

"Well. I can see why he'd turn you down."

Harry's eyes snapped open and his head turned in his direction immediately. The hurt in his eyes was clear.

"Because I'm a spoiled brat just like my father who basks in his celebrity?"

"No. Because he's known you since you were a boy."

"As have you yet you're still here having a drink with me."

"Not to mention his relationship with your father."

"Over twenty-five years ago."

"And he's terrified to hurt someone. He keeps everyone at arm's length."

"I don't have to be around him in the form, and even so-"

He knew Harry wanted to point out how hard it would be to hurt him, given how powerful he was. But he stopped short, afraid it would seem as if he were boasting.

"I've just given you three perfectly reasonable explanations to why he wouldn't want to be in a relationship with you."

"The more likely is that he just doesn't see himself with me. I'm not attractive enough, or his type at least, perhaps he'd like someone more well-read, someone funnier."

"Perhaps someone with higher self-regard."

Harry grinned and leaned over enough to swat at his arm.

The ease at which they shared their space and sat for hours drinking and talking was almost disturbing to Severus. If Remus knew Harry the way the young man was now, his unintentionally flirtatious touches, his humour, the reflection of the fire flickering within those emerald irises- well, then, he was a fool for turning him away.

He wanted to blame the alcohol for how gently he found himself assessing the man by him. But he knew the alcohol was not the culprit, nor was holding him in his arms the night before.

No, he'd begun to see Harry differently quite a long time ago. Perhaps even before Harry had started teaching at Hogwarts.

Harry accio'd the bottle and poured Severus and himself each another glass.

"Last night you said he was a fool to turn me down."

"Mm."

"And now?"

"I still think him a fool."

Harry grinned. "Thank you."

"I don't believe he's ever had a romantic partner. I think it could be good for him. And," Severus took a long drink, thinking over his words carefully. "And, despite understanding his reluctancy, I think he'd be lucky to have you. I also think he knows that."

"Really?"

Severus shrugged. He was hesitant to tell Harry the truth, but he found himself saying it anyways. "There is a way he looks at you..."

Harry smiled, his eyebrows rose high into the strands of dark hair that fell into his face. "Do you think I have a chance?"

"That I cannot tell you."

Harry leaned forward and squeezed Severus's thigh just above his knee appreciatively. "Thank you."

He felt his pulse quicken at the innocent touch. "To be clear, Potter. I am not encouraging you to pursue him. I feel that would be unwise." He pushed himself out of the comfortable chair and walked to the door. "Goodnight, Professor Potter."

"Goodnight, Professor Snape."

Severus took one last look at Harry before leaving. He looked as if the warmth of the room, large chair, and alcohol was finally bringing him peace. His eyes were closed, spreading his dark lashes out along his tanned cheeks. His chest expanded and contracted in an even rhythm.

Gods, he was beautiful.

Lupin didn't deserve him.