Authors Note

It has been some time since I updated any of my stories. In fact I thought that no one was still interested in reading them but I spotted a couple of reviews recently, which made me think that I should update after all. I should warn you however, that I haven't finished the next chapter after this one – so you will have to bear with me.

Reviews are always welcome, as is constructive criticism.

I hope you enjoy

Artema

The Secret Meetings

When at last they stopped kissing, both James and Severus were wild eyed and panting. They stood and looked at each other for a few moments, neither was able to think of anything to say.  Finally Snape managed to regain enough of his composure to speak.

"Wow!" It was not the most illuminating of speeches but it made James grin momentarily before his expression changed to one of horror, clapping a hand to his mouth and without a backward glance he tore off in the direction of the Great Hall leaving Snape standing startled and feeling not a little hurt outside the door to the Transfiguration classroom.

James skidded to a halt outside the Great Hall and paused for a moment to gather himself and smooth down his mussed up robes before entering.

"Jamie, where have you been? You've been ages." Sirius asked as James sat down and started to serve himself quiche and salad.

"You know where. I was speaking to Professor McGonagall about my Transfiguration project."

"Yeah but I didn't think it would take this long, lunch is half over." Sirius replied pointing at the clock on the wall. James looked at it and saw that Sirius was right; he and Snape had been kissing for about 20 minutes, practically non-stop before they had finally broken apart and he had run off. He felt quite ashamed about his actions, he should really have stayed and talked to Snape, his behaviour had not been very Gryffindor-like, Gryffindor's were supposed to be brave and noble but running off just now had been neither.

He glanced over at the entrance to the Great Hall and saw Snape entering; his shoulders slouched and his face wearing an extremely sullen expression.  He did not look in James' direction and instead headed straight for the Slytherin table, choosing a seat next to Lucius Malfoy, who looked him over briefly before returning to his previous activity, watching Sirius Black.

James finished his lunch quickly, choosing not to get involved in the heated discussion Sirius was having with Frank Longbottom about the Wimborne Wasps chance of winning the Quidditch league, in fact Sirius was so engrossed in the conversation that he failed to notice James quietly leave the table and make his way out into the entrance hall. Nor did he notice Severus Snape get up from the Slytherin table and follow James.

James walked quickly through the corridors, making his way to a disused classroom on the second floor.  He knew that Snape had seen him leave and he had hoped that he would follow. This would be as good a place as any to have a chat.  He sat down on one of the desks by the window and waited, sure enough moments later Severus Snape entered the room, unaccompanied.

"I am glad you came." James said quietly as Severus approached him. Severus did not smile and he stopped a few steps short of James as if determined not to let his desire consume him fully.  "I'm not sure why I did after what you just did." He replied, scowling.

"Yes, I'm sorry about that, it wasn't very nice of me." James coloured, not meeting Severus' eyes.

"Yes, well now that you have apologised I think I'll be on my way, I don't want to be late for my next class." Severus started towards the door.

"Wait. Please!" James called after him, Severus turned.

"Yes?" He raised a questioning eyebrow and James' colour deepened.

"Did you enjoy what happened earlier?" He asked. Severus shrugged. //I refuse to boost his ego further//

"Come on Sev, I did." James grinned awkwardly.

"So why did you run off then?" Severus snapped.

"I. I was afraid, embarrassed – I don't know. I wasn't expecting it. I didn't know how to react, so I ran, I needed time to think." James turned away, shielding his face.

"And now?" Severus stepped closer to James, his voice silky and seductive.

"Now it doesn't seem quite so frightening." James said boldly, getting to his feet and moving towards Severus, closing the gap between them once more.

"Are you sure about this because I'm not coming back again, if you run away this time?" James didn't say anything for a moment but then he reached forward and took hold of Severus shoulders grasping them firmly.

"Sev, shut up and let me kiss you." Severus did as he was told.

The kiss did not last as long as the first one they had shared because they were both only too aware of the imminence of the bell to signal the beginning of afternoon lessons. When they broke apart, breathless and panting. Severus' eyes were wild, his hair unkempt where James' fingers had tangled in it.

"What are we going to do now?" He asked, combing his fingers through his hair.

"I don't know. I don't think our friends are going to be very pleased about this do you?" James raised an eyebrow and Severus shook his head.

"We don't have to tell them, at least not yet." He replied.

"I don't like keeping secrets from my friends Sev, besides I'm not a very good liar. We probably ought to be open about it, they'll get used to it in time."

"And here's me thinking you were quite smart." Severus said exasperatedly. "Our friends hate each other and until recently we did too in fact the only thing that has changed is that we are doing something more constructive with our mouths than insulting each other." James grinned in response.

"I know, it's just…well I don't see how anything more can happen unless we tell at least one person, if only so they can be our alibi's if other people get suspicious." Severus was quiet for a few minutes as if mulling the situation over.

"All right Potter, you might have a point there. Who were you thinking of telling? Not Black, he'll pound my face and Lupin won't want to lie to his own boyfriend will he?"

"You seem to know my friends better than I thought."

"It's always a good idea to know your enemy, both strengths and weaknesses. Lupin and Black's weaknesses are clearly identifiable to anyone who takes the time to notice them."

"What about my weaknesses?" James asked softly, pulling Severus closer to him.

"I would have thought that was fairly obvious too." Severus replied kissing him again.

"Tsk James, falling for the enemy, your leaving yourself open to all sorts of attack. Surely you know the first rule of combat is never let your defences down?"

"I can't see that many defences around you right now." James retorted.

"Well that's just it, isn't it? my defences are invisible."

"Oh I see, what makes you think mine aren't?"

"Gryffindor's just aren't devious enough."

"So who are you going to tell?" James asked.

"Evan Rosier probably, I'd tell Lucius but he'd only make me do something for him in return."

"What sort of thing?" James questioned.

"Promise you won't tell a soul, if I tell you?" James nodded seriously.

"Well… I'm not the only Slytherin with a thing for Gryffindor's." Severus smirked. "Although I must say I think my taste is better, his leaves a lot to be desired."

"You're not saying that Lucius Malfoy fancies one of my friends are you?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying. In fact it must be true what they say about rich people liking a bit of rough because the object of Lucius' 'ahem' affection is none other than your dear mudblood friend Remus Lupin."

"Don't talk about Remus like that Severus. I know you don't like him but he is my one of my best friends and he is not a mudblood."

"Mudblood, halfblood what's the difference, it's all the same to me. At least I had the taste to choose a pureblood."  James took a step back, remembering once more why he and his friends didn't like Severus Snape or any of his Slytherin friends.

"Come on James. Look I'm sorry I offended your little friend Lupin I won't say anything else about him. I promise." Severus moved closer to James and James' expression softened.

"Okay but no more insulting my friends."

"Agreed, after all we have better things to do than talk about them." Severus' lips met James' again just as the bell rang signalling the beginning of afternoon lessons.

"Who are you going to tell?" Severus asked, as they picked up their bags and smoothed down their robes.

"Peter Pettigrew probably, he owes me a few favours. How do you think he managed to pass the last test in potions?"

"Pettigrew eh? Are you sure he won't tell Black and Lupin?"

"Pretty sure, if I ask him not to, he won't."

"So when do you want to meet again?"

"How about tomorrow night. I can tell Sirius that I was helping Peter with some homework or something, besides he and Remus will probably be too busy to notice."

"Do you mind sparing me the gory details, I just ate."

"See you later Sev. I'll send you an owl – One of the school ones I promise."