Chapter 3
IMPORTANT NOTE!!!!
QUEEN OF VEGETASEI ~ the only person that realized I'd screwed up my 'copy and paste' of chapter three, resulting in the butchered version you read. I promise I didn't write it all disjointed and gaping like that! I just can't cut and paste! I couldn't even do it in kindergarten. Everyone else got gold stars but me. I always felt bad about that.
Maybe it's why I'm writing gay man porn. Stupid gold stars.
But anyway! Big thanks to you, Queen of Vegetasei! I award you a Severus toothbrush and one of Master Roshi's porn magazines. Oh … and you can have a gold star. Maybe it will prevent you from becoming a twisted dumbass with self-esteem issues. Like me.
To "Yeah. Whatever." ~ I like your name. And yes, I got over my writer's block. I didn't just re-watch the movie and plug in names. I'm sorry if you feel this part lacks originality. That was a trap I was worried about. I'm not trying to scare you off, but this should be addressed if I really am going to get to the end of this thing.
This is a re-make of a movie using characters that are stolen from a book that's already been written. Any originality you find is probably accidental. Honestly, I just wanted to get Harry onto a street corner in mascara. I had no idea more than two people would read this. So just know that I know that you know that parts are unoriginal. It's bound to happen. Sorry.
So everyone re-read the beginning of this – the rest is the same.
(Original)
A/N: Okay, I'm getting over my writer's block. I'm sorry guys, but when it hits me, I'm down for the count. I haven't written hardly ANYTHING for almost a month now! Yeah, I got writer's block for my poetry a year or so ago, and I'm still stuck in a rut. Besides, it's the end of the school year and my grades have to come before fan fiction. Cry me a river.
Chapter Three (FIXED)
For some reason, having all that money in his pocket didn't comfort him like it usually did. Normally, the money reminded him that although he'd done something horrible, he'd done it to put food on his table, and somehow that made it okay. But last night he had taken just as much as he'd given.
It was probably better that he leave anyway. Harry knew all about Voldemort. He was feared, but largely respected. The wizards known to be working for Voldemort were given utmost respect wherever they went. There were only a few rebels left that put up a futile fight against Voldemort's reign. When he'd been at Hogwarts, Dumbledore had tried all kinds of ways to awaken his magic. He'd told him that Deatheaters had killed his parents, that Voldemort wanted to kill him, that he had to avenge their deaths.
But what the old man didn't realize was that Harry didn't really care. Sure, it was sad that he didn't have parents, but he'd been fed nothing but lies about them for years. The Dursleys said they died in a car crash, while Dumbledore said they were tortured to death by Deatheaters.
It didn't matter though. Dead was dead, and there was nothing he could do about it. He had lived eleven years of his life with only himself to live for. Why did everyone think that he was going to rush to defend his parents' honor when he had no proof that Voldemort really did kill them? Then, when you factored in that he hadn't even inherited his parent's magic, it all became a mute point. All he had wanted was to get away from that world.
He had noticed Severus' nervousness when he'd told him whom he worked for. He thought he had hid it, but Harry saw. To be honest, the only qualms Harry had about Voldemort were his tendencies to pick off his enemies. Not that he had any doubts that Dumbledore didn't have a few choice Deatheaters shot in the back, but it was still something he shouldn't get tangled up in. Magical government and all the conspiracies that came with it never had interested him.
He should just leave. Take his cash and go. Why was it so fucking difficult?
Severus shot a dark look at the closed bedroom door. He refused to say he was dependent on anything, or that anyone had any power over his decisions. However, it had been a long time since he had received such amazing…services. He never slept well, but last night he'd slept better than he had in years. It was like waking up to find ten years had been taken off his life. What would the harm be in keeping him for the rest of his stay? Lucius had said the whole deal could be closed in a few days anyway, and then he would leave with no regrets of what he should or shouldn't have done.
This was ridiculous. If he was having this much trouble over letting him leave, then he should just tell him to stay. It wasn't like he would reject the offer.
Feeling as though he couldn't put it off a moment longer than necessary, he entered the bedroom. Harry's scandalously assembled outfit was draped over the chair, and the door to the bathroom was cracked open. He pushed on it gently to reveal Harry sitting in the massive tub, a look of joy on his face as he tinkered with all the bubble bottles and faucets.
"Enjoying yourself?" Severus asked, raising a sardonic eyebrow and leaning against the sink. Harry flashed him a bright smile and sunk under the water and out of view.
'Pity all those bubbles are blocking the view…' Severus thought to himself, as Harry came up for air.
"This thing is like a mini pool! I would have used the shower, but I just couldn't resist." He admitted a bit guiltily. He stood, the water just barely covering his manhood and the bubbles beginning to pop away. He was saying something, but Severus' mind was on other things. Other things that were about to be visible when all the bubbles died down in a few scant seconds …
"Severus! Can you hand me that towel?" He finally managed to penetrate Severus' daydreaming. Severus forced his eyes to the towel and picked it up. He ran his tongue over dry lips. Had Harry been that gorgeous last night? How had he not noticed how beautiful the boy really was?
"Thanks." Harry said as he covered himself and stepped out, wrapping the towel around his waist as he brushed past him. Before they lost contact, Severus grabbed his towel, pulling him against his chest. Harry looked surprised and a bit curious.
"I … want you to stay the week, or however long I'm here for. You can name your price." He said stiffly. Harry looked at him for a few moments before he dropped his eyes, chewing on his bottom lip.
"Listen, Severus, it's not like I don't want to take you up on your offer … but I just don't want to get dragged into the magical world again. Please don't make me want something I can't have." And Harry realized then that it had nothing to do with the magical community. He just didn't want to make his parting with Severus any harder than it had to be.
The look on Severus' face was almost comical as Harry easily slipped by him. Finally he came back to his senses as Harry was pulling on his shirt.
"Maybe you didn't hear me. I said I'll pay you anything." Severus protested with obvious surprise in his voice. Harry wearily let his shirt drop over his arms; towel still loosely draped about his waist.
"Sev, don't make this any harder than it has to be." Harry began. Severus gently grasped Harry's shoulder, bringing their bodies closer together. When he spoke he was whispering in Harry's ear, causing goose bumps to run up and down Harry's spine.
"5,000 Harry. Just a simple job for no more than a week. There's nothing difficult about it." Severus purred, his other hand slipping under the hem of Harry's tank top to tease the skin there. Harry gulped.
"Five … thousand? As in dollars? Just to hang out in your penthouse and keep you warm at night?" Harry said with disbelief. Severus nodded against his shoulder, his tongue running over the shell of Harry's ear. "But … why me? You could have anyone you wanted … for free! Why pay so much?" He asked, finding himself unable to resist leaning into Severus' touch.
"I want a professional. Like yourself." He replied, his hands slipping to the knot in the towel.
"I … I … would be dumb to refuse. If you want to spend your money so bad, I can't pretend I don't need the cash." Harry said simply, something sad lacing his words.
And Severus felt horrible. He'd just manipulated a poor kid that was down on his luck into sleeping with him, something he didn't really want to do, by dangling desperately needed money in his face. No wonder he worked for Voldemort.
Forcing himself to let go, he put some distance between them.
"Listen, Harry, I don't want you to feel like you have to do this." He started, but Harry interrupted him.
"It's not that at all! I just don't want to run the risk of getting emotionally involved. I … would really like to stay." Harry said, something lighting up his bright green eyes. Severus smiled back, closing the gap between them to kiss his cheek quickly.
"I want you to be my date for a dinner tonight. I'll leave enough money on the table for you to get something … slightly more conservative … for tonight." A bright smile spread over Harry's face.
"I get to go shopping, too?!" Severus felt another smile come on at Harry's childish excitement.
"Isn't Rodeo Drive around here somewhere?" Severus asked, as though discussing the weather rather than the street that the world's biggest stars shopped on. Harry laughed.
"Yeah, I buy all my diamonds down there. I find though, that I prefer my pearls from Paris." He said jokingly. Severus gave him one last smile before he left the bedroom.
"Then I suppose you should stick with diamonds and emeralds for tonight then. I have to work for most of today, but I'll be back around eight to pick you up, okay?" Severus asked. Harry smiled as he wiggled into his jeans.
"Alright. I'll meet you in the lobby."
By the time Harry was dressed, Severus had left.
There was a small fortune waiting for him on the coffee table. Harry picked it up with glee, stuffing the bills in his pockets. He didn't know what he'd gotten himself into, but at this point, he'd be a fool to care.
Harry got some odd stares as he ambled down the ritzy street. Posh stores lined his vision, their shiny windows displaying dazzling outfits and accessories. People kept glancing at the dark jeans practically painted on his muscular thighs and the scant few inches of flesh visible at his midriff. His sneakers were dirty, the laces long gone. The crisp green bills were folded neatly in his nylon wallet; a familiar bulge in his back pant pocket that felt way heavier than it normally did.
The first store Harry decided to walk into displayed evening attire for men and women. Although some of the gowns were the most beautiful things Harry had ever laid eyes on, he didn't think cross-dressing was what Severus meant when he said "conservative". A smile lit Harry's face as he spied some loose black slacks paired with a dress shirt that he knew he'd look fabulous in. Before he could inspect the outfit closer, a rather snobby looking employee intercepted him.
"Sir, the restrooms are only for paying customers." He said with a condescending smile on his face. Harry, oblivious to his insinuation, smiled at the man.
"Oh, no, I was interested in that outfit. How much is it?" He asked the man as he pointed to the ensemble, reaching his hand out to touch the shirt. Before it got there, the man had lodged himself between the mannequin and Harry.
"We don't have it in your size, but have a nice day." He said with an oily smile, his slightly yellowed teeth grinning rudely. Harry could not miss his intent then. A blush came to his cheeks and he self-consciously brought a hand up to cover his stomach.
"I … I … just want to try it on." Harry stuttered, not sure what he should do or say (aside from run out of the store in complete humiliation).
"Young man, let's not get security involved in this." The man threatened. Harry fiercely bit back against the urge to cry and walked quickly out the door.
As he wove through the streets on the way back to the hotel, he indulged himself. A silent stream of tears trickled down both cheeks.
His face was a mess when he finally made it back to the hotel, and he still had no idea what he was going to do about the dinner party. The manager of the expensive hotel, having never seen Harry before, immediately blocked his path. The more "well-to-do" visitors in the lobby were staring at Harry like some kind of insect. Harry felt tears threatening to spill again as the manager led him into some office behind the front desk.
"Listen to me, I'm staying with Severus. Severus Snape. He's up in one of the penthouses, I swear it! Ask the bellhop! He saw me up there last night …" Harry protested weakly. The manager remained silent. When they were in his office, Harry felt his composure slipping. He angrily pulled out the cheap wallet and dumped its contents on the desk. Bills for ridiculously large amounts fanned out over the table. "All I wanted to do was buy a stupid outfit for a dinner party, but apparently, stores don't want customers that look like I do." Harry ranted, letting the wallet drop on top of the bills as he collapsed in the nearby chair.
The manager stared at him for a moment, a cool and level gaze that Harry couldn't interpret. Then he reached for the phone. Harry shook his head angrily.
"Are you going to call security too? Because I can escort myself out on my own. You can be the one to tell the bazillionair why the hotel kicked out his…" Harry was interrupted as the hotel manager began to speak on the phone.
"Yes, Loraine? I have a young man here…a nephew of a very important guest. He needs some formal wear for a dinner party tonight. … Yes, that would be excellent. I'll send him straight over. You have my utmost thanks." He said primly, hanging up the phone and rising an eyebrow at Harry's disheveled clothing, ruined makeup, and abashed expression. "Well, Loraine certainly has her work cut out for her. Come along, Mr …?" he prompted.
"Harry, and thanks. I'm sorry I yelled." he replied, standing and wiping at his cheeks. He extended a hand to the hotel manager who briefly shook it.
"Let's get you down there, we wouldn't want to keep Mr. Snape waiting." he said. Harry nodded and they left the office.
Harry had never been so pampered before. Loraine, a busty blonde that had obviously undergone several face-lifts, was nothing but kindness. She bustled him into the back of a glamorous looking shop pulling things off racks as she went, and snapping her fingers at sales clerks. Soon, Harry was modeling outfit after outfit, the slutty scraps he'd previously worn shed into a corner like a discarded skin.
Several hours later, with the perfect outfit in tow, Harry went back up to the penthouse and changed. And this time, when he walked down into the lobby, people were looking at him for an entirely different reason.
Severus made his way into the hotel at a quick speed, as he was already a good half-hour behind schedule. One was never fashionably late when Voldemort was concerned. You were either there on time or you had better not come at all. The only excuse for tardiness was the severe loss of limbs or other vital organs.
Speaking of "other" vital organs, one in particular was making his presence known. He had never seen such a beautiful male. Harry, clad in loose black slacks and a button up emerald shirt (though the buttons didn't serve much of a purpose, they were undone to reveal ample amounts of bronzed chest), looked divine. His hair was mused, and seemed to have a bit more curl to it. Immaculately shined shoes, manicured hands, and the faintest trace of gloss on his lower lip sent shivers up and down Severus' spine. Aside from the smudge of gloss, he wore no other make up, his naturally thick lashes accentuating smoky green eyes. And then he was shyly smiling, stuffing his hands into his pockets and batting those baby soft lashes. Severus felt his breathing slightly quicken. No one had gotten such a reaction out of him ever before. His palms were sweaty, and his tongue felt like lead in his mouth. What words could he possibly say to such a vision?
"You look … nice. Let's go." The words came out before he could check them, something that had NEVER happened before. Where had his bloody self-control gone? And why in the hell had he said that? Sure enough, Harry's shy smile lost its enthusiasm completely, his eyes turning to the ground in that all powerful kicked puppy look. Severus gritted his teeth in an amazing effort to keep from sweeping Harry into his arms and taking him right there in the middle of the lobby. That would have been far more sufficient than "you look nice." What kind of idiot was he?!
He attempted to make it up to him in the limousine. Not that he would have been able to keep his hands off Harry anyway. The instant they were both in, he reached forward and blocked off the driver completely, turning in the seat to claim Harry's lips. Harry soon softened against him, twining his arms tentatively around Severus' waist. When they had to part for air, Harry said meekly, "I'm sorry if you don't like it. I've never shopped for clothes like these before …" Severus groaned and pulled Harry against his erection, speaking into the shell of his ear.
"I love it. I've never seen someone look so amazing. If this meeting weren't so important, I'd have dragged you upstairs and given these clothes a much more thorough inspection. As it is, we'll just have to make do here." He purred against Harry's skin, gently massaging Harry's sides. He nipped Harry's earlobe lightly. "Yes, this shirt is most definitely unsuitable. It will have to come off." Severus teased in a knowing tone, trying to unfasten the remaining buttons. Harry giggled and pulled back.
"You honestly want to do this in the back of a limousine?" A disbelieving look on his boyish face. Severus remained silent, a wicked grin saying all that needed to be said. Harry rolled his eyes and moved to the other side of the limousine. "Well, not now. On the way home. It took me forever to look just the way I wanted to. I don't want to get all sweaty and mess it up."
Severus looked surprised for a moment that Harry had denied him before he opened his mouth to protest. Harry cut him off, a look on his face that said he was enjoying playing the little tease. "I'll sit by you on one condition." Severus sat back and crossed his arms.
"And what would that be?" He drawled in his deepest, sexiest register. Harry visibly shivered.
"If you dance with me tonight. Just one dance." Harry said pleadingly. Severus snorted, completely ruining the mood.
"Well then I hope you like where you're sitting. I haven't in the past, won't tonight, and never will dance. You're out of luck." Severus said with finality, pouring himself a drink and inwardly laughing at the ridiculous notion of himself -dancing-. Ha. Not bloody likely.
~
"You're doing fine, just move with the music." Harry instructed as he gently swayed with Severus in a dark corned of the club dance floor.
"I hate this. Can we stop yet?" He half whined, though he gripped Harry a bit closer and caught the scent of his cologne. Harry smiled against his chest, grinning like a well-fed cat as the song went through the chorus again. And so they danced.
~
Okay! Review reply time! I got some lovely reviews, some ones that made me laugh, and my longest review ever.
Me3gogi ~ Thank you, maybe your wish that I would get some inspiration did the trick
Nadia ~ Wow, girl! I thought you had the title of my longest reviewer ever in the bag but then Amaya beat you by like six inches. Thanks for the encouraging (if not repetitive) support!
Amaya ~ I think only five other reviews fit on the page with yours. Congratulations, Amaya, you gave me my longest review EVER! * gives Amaya a noise maker and throws some confetti into the air * I dedicate this chapter to you, with a complimentary bar of Sev Soap. Enjoy, and thanks!
To Tiger Lily and Kat ~ You guys are wonderful, thank you!
JustandalwaysMo ~ Step away from the Shakespeare. That's it. Easy does it.
Kate – aw, I love compliments! But I'm sure you can write just fine, you just need to practice, practice, practice! I've improved so much since coming to fanfiction. Gods, if you guys could see the first thing I posted, you would have laughed your asses off.
Dhiana – Sure, spread the Pretty Boy goodness around J
Shirley – Yes. I did get a lot of inspiration from the movie "Pretty Woman" In fact, that's what the whole story is an adaptation of. I thought it was pretty obvious, but hey! If you think it's original, you'll make my day.
Helen – I'm sorry. I updated now!
Coro – Well. I'm certain I'm not like your ex-boyfriend. Namely because I lack male anatomy and I write fiction that borders on gay porn. But hey, if the guy really is like that than maybe going separate ways was a good idea. Oh yeah. About the butt kicking thing? Thanks. Threats really get me motivated.
Mei – No! I didn't write the Runaway Groom, but I loved that fic and I can't find it!!!! I guess we're both hopelessly addicted to sappy chick flicks that have rolls that can be filled by Severus and Harry. I think we're a truly rare breed.
Tigerblak ~ Daily updates? Well, if the newspaper at my school hires a robot to be editor, and if I suspend reality for a moment or two I just might be able … naw. Sorry, but the updates will be slow until I clear this writer's block and find more free time.
ThursdaySeptember – Your review made me laugh. I'd love to hear what Harry would say to someone calling the Voldie situation as "the whole Voldemort taking over the world bit"
