Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters. I'll give them back to JK Rowling when I'm done. No money was made from this endeavor.
Feedback: Please read and review, flames are not welcome.
A/N: Thanks go, once more, to Sherdelune, my beta, for her patience and encouragement. Any errors still remaining would be mine.
Warning: Some OotP spoilers.
Thanks: Go to all my reviewers, I really appreciate your encouragement and feedback.
A/N#2: This is a bridging chapter and the relationship will begin in earnest in Chapter 12, I promise.

Anything between two *, denotes a thought.

...

Wanted: Single, Older Male for a Roommate
Chapter 11: Two Weeks, Then Graduation

The next two weeks went well for Harry. He spent each evening during NEWTs exam week studying and thinking over his career options. He decided that he would like being a snake breeder and handler and all that it entailed. It would mean no more studying, except perhaps about snakes, it would mean he'd be able to travel and last but not least would be the almost negligible stress involved.

The next week was almost anticlimactic after the exams. Harry, of course, now that he'd chosen his career, didn't need to know his exam scores, unlike Ron and Hermione. Those two were still thinking and poring over every detail about their exams trying to predetermine the scores.

Harry tried his best to be supportive of them both, in the hopes of heading off their obsession before it bordered on mania. It didn't quite work, so either Harry would escape to the Quidditch pitch to exercise and fly or to the dungeons to visit Severus on the days it got really out of hand.

Also during the last week, all seventh years were practising their apparation skills so they could obtain their license before graduating. Harry found apparating much easier and more enjoyable than portkeys. Even three years later, he was still paranoid and wary of them.

Professor McGonagall taught the Gryffindor's while the other Heads taught their own. In the evenings, however, Harry spent his time practising with Severus, as he found the other mans presence calming and he helped him to focus. Before the last week of school was over, the Heads took the students to the Ministry by portkey for them to get their license. Harry got his with nary a problem and once the others were done, they apparated back to Hogsmeade. They were happy to have the increased mobility apparating provided.

The last day of their Hogwarts schooling was an emotional one. It was Sunday and the Leaving Feast had been the evening before. The others were taking Hogwarts Express back to London that afternoon, while Harry would stay on one more night and then leave with Severus the next day to Stone Mason place. Everyone was promising they would keep in touch with the others all the while knowing that it would not come to pass as they got settled into their new lives. Tears were shed by almost every female present and even a few men as well and hugs were shared by all.

Though Harry had felt that Hogwarts had been his home over the last seven years, he was ready to move on. He knew he could visit the school often, especially to see Hagrid and Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, if he so choosed. He had a new place to call home now and he was looking forward to moving in tomorrow.

Harry had spent many an evening after visiting Severus in the dungeons, envisioning life in their new home. He imagined himself or Severus fixing a dinner for two in the comfortable kitchen, or just puttering around in the evenings each reading a book as they sat before a cosy fire.

At nights during the last two weeks, Harry dreamt of domesticated bliss, but not always. Many of those nights, he would wake up after having the most delicious, erotic dreams of Severus and himself in that lovely king-sized bed. Unfortunately, his imagination could only carry him so far, therefore he privately yearned for first hand experience with Severus being the one supplying the hands.

Harry was alone in his dormitory and was packing his things away when Dobby popped in before him, surprising Harry into lifting his wand into a defensive stance.

"Dobby, don't do that! I almost hexed you with a Stupefy spell," Harry exclaimed.

"I is sorry, Harry Potter, sir. Dobby means no harm. In fact, Dobby his here to present you with a business proposition, sir," Dobby said with his eyes all wide and excited.

"What kind of business proposition?" Harry asked the house elf warily.

"Dobby wants to come with the great Harry Potter, sir. Can I comes to work for you?" Dobby's head started to bob eagerly.

"I would need to consult with Professor Snape about that, Dobby. However, if he agrees to this, um, how much am I to pay you? What does Dumbledore pay you to work here?"

"Dumbledore pays Dobby 4 knuts a month, plus a pair of socks at Christmas, Harry Potter, sir."

"I guess that sounds reasonable, but you won't be taking care of a school full of students anymore, Dobby. It will just be the two of us, and I don't expect we'll keep you too terribly busy. You will have lots of free time if we do take you on." Harry thought for a moment. "Okay, how about this, if Professor Snape agrees, we will pay you 2 knuts and a new pair of socks each month, and a new tunic at Christmas?"

Dobby jumped up and down at this, "Dobby is extremely happy with that offer. I is hoping Professor Snape agrees. Will you tell Dobby later today, if I as being hired?"

"Yes, Dobby. I'll ask Professor Snape as soon as I am done packing. Then I'll be sure to let you know, alright?"

Dobby nodded and squeaked with joy and then popped away as suddenly as he had appeared.

Harry looked down at the robe he'd been holding throughout the entire conversation with the house elf and sighed. He continued to fold it and placed it inside his trunk. Within half an hour, he was done. Then he left the tower and headed down into the dungeons to discuss the hiring of Dobby with Severus.

***

For Severus, the last two weeks came and went almost as it had for the last decade or so. He administered exams, finished grading essays, potions and so on. The only exception to it all were Harry's visits and his packing up to leave once and for all. The few things he was packing and taking with him to his new home were his clothes, his precious potion books, and his personal cauldron.

As to the rest of the time, he spent the weeks trying to avoid the other staff members as much as possible in the hopes of avoiding their sentimental goodbyes. However, he had found this nigh on impossible. They had cornered him just before the Leaving Feast last night and had thrown him a going away party.

The staff had chipped in together and had gotten him a top of the line cauldron, which had left him entirely speechless for once, causing the others to chuckle. They had also given him a collection of rare potions ingredients that he positively drooled over. So he thanked them all without his usual sneer and cynical mask and told them he just 'might' miss them. He went on to say that of course, he'd have to wait and see if this did come to pass.

The others smiled and accepted what they knew was Severus' way of saying he would indeed miss them, especially in their joined battle against the ongoing deluge of students that attended Hogwarts.

At nights, during those two weeks, Severus would sit in front of his fire and day dream about Harry. Severus had no real concept of domesticity, so his dreams centered on Harry helping him make potions or Harry and himself travelling to far off places searching for the right snake. When he slept, he found his dreams to be filled with heated, passionate kisses and of a naked Harry laying supine in that wonderfully large bed. He would dream of running his hands up smooth, supple, muscular thighs and along a taut abdomen before his hands would settle by clasping at straining hips.

Unfortunately for Severus, he would always wake up just when the dream turned truly promising. He always assumed it was a way for his morally steeped conscience to keep him from taking advantage of his student and friend, even if it was in a dream.

He found it was almost becoming increasingly difficult to maintain his air of friendship and calm indifference as each dream came to him. For each time that Harry visited with him in his office, he wanted to sift his fingers through that mop of silky, black hair or to lean in closely and smell the unique scent that was Harry.

At other times, his mind would wander periously close to the edge and he would envision himself trailing his lips along the slender column of Harry's neck and leaving visible marks of his possession behind. He wanted to claim Harry as his and for the world to know about it.

This need for Harry was bordering into the realm of the unknown for him, as it was all consuming. It had in fact ecclipsed the intensity of his previous desire in bringing the Dark Lord's reign of terror to an end.

Severus had finished packing and was sitting in his chambers on this last day waiting patiently for tomorrow to come. His thoughts were once more of Harry when they were interrupted by a knock on his door. He called out to his visitor to enter, and her turned away from the slow burning fire to face the entrance.

The object of his ever present thoughts was standing before him and he was looking quite serious.

"Is something wrong, Harry?" asked a concerned Severus.

"No, nothing is wrong. I, uh, came down because a certain house elf stopped by a while ago to offer me a business proposition."

"Oh? What did your little friend, Dobby, want?" Severus questioned curiously.

"He wants to come work for me, well us to be exact. He wants to be our house elf. I told him before I said yes, that you would also have to be in agreement," Harry said with a question in his eyes.

"That's fine. In fact, that would be best. Especially once we both get going in our new careers. I doubt either of us will have much time to take care of the running of the house when that happens. How much are you or are we going to pay him?"

"I told him 2 knuts and a pair of socks per month, and a new tunic at Christmas, plus lots of free time. He seemed quite happy with those terms. Do they sound okay to you? I've never really given much thought to money and how much people get paid." Harry looked somewhat embarrassed at his ignorance to the working world.

Severus thought Harry looked quite yummy, being all bashful and contrary like and then he shook his head to get his thoughts back on track. He found he did that too frequently of late and he was finding it somewhat annoying.

He chuckled then at both himself and at Harry as he recalled the topic under discussion.

"I was the same way at your age. Most young wizards and witchs that just get into the working wizarding world don't have a true concept of cost and finances. Personally, I am surprised we don't offer a basic course for seventh years on just that, or perhaps they could incorporate it into the Muggles Studies class.

In fact, before we leave we should mention it to Albus. He might find the idea just insane enough to actually try to get the class started. That last new course of study had been Muggle Studies, which he himself initiated about 15 years ago."

Harry smiled as he imagined the pleased look the Headmaster would get at having another off-the-wall class being put before the Board of Governors, and then having it pass because his will, cunning and insanity were greater than theirs.

He truly would miss the older wizard and those lemon drops he was forever offering.

"You know, as soon as we're settled, we should have a house warming party and invite Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, the other professors, except maybe Trelawney. Of course, the Weasleys, Hermione, Remus and some of the other Order members." Harry suggested to Severus.

Severus shuddered slightly at being subjected to the presense of others, but when he saw the eager look on Harry's face, he didn't have the heart to say no.

"Fine, but we limit them to a luncheon, that way people won't be inclined to stay for too terribly long. I enjoy my evenings and I prefer them to be quiet and relatively people free."

Harry knew that Severus' stipulations were final and he grinned his agreement to them.

"Great, how about we invite them for this coming Saturday, then?" asked an ecstatic Harry.

Severus sighed as if in great pain and nodded his head in agreement. With that Harry was almost tempted to throw his arms around the long-suffering older wizard to show his appreciation and to comfort him. He held himself in check once more. Harry's need to be physically close to Severus was approaching pain, but he would suffer it gladly as long as the other man gave him his friendship. He would be happy with just that, at least he hoped he could be happy with that. Only time would tell.

"Well I better go and let Dobby know that he will be joining up tomorrow when we move in. Have a good night, Severus and I will meet you in the Great Hall for breakfast." Harry waved to the other man before exiting.

"Good night, Harry. Sleep well," Severus said to Harry before the door closed, "and sweet dreams."

~tbc~