Severus sighed as he tapped his fingers on the table top. God, could he take any bloody longer? Probably.
Cherry glared from the spot where she was sitting. It was that guy again, he'd been sitting there for the past half hour; ignoring all others and quietly sipping his drink in the corner. She stood and walked over to his table, pulling out a chair and plopping down on it. She glared at him, he returned the favor.
"May I help you?" Severus sneered.
"Leave him alone." Cherry ordered.
Severus blinked. What exactly did this woman want? Curiosity cause him to want to find out. "What?"
"Leave, go away. Don't talk to Severus anymore." Cherry growled. "He doesn't like you."
"Really?" Severus smirked. Pathetic, this woman was, just pathetic. "'Severus', never 'liked' me. Never has. What makes you assume that it matters to me?"
Cherry glared at him. "I'd think that someone who sent gifts and things would care what the boy thought."
This made Severus laugh, even though, yeah...probably true. "Your little escapade amuses me, but, who said I sent anything to him?"
Cherry sneered back at him. "Severus did. He said it was from you when I asked."
The man of the hour, Harry stumbled into the bar. He grinned sheepishly at his two friends. "Hey."
"You're late, by half an hour. Don't plan something if you don't intend to keep your word on it, Po-you incompetent idiot." Severus nearly slipped up there. Whew, quick fix. He glared at Cherry again, quickly, then stood. "Ready to go?"
Harry looked curious. "Where we going?"
"Away from here." Glare at the woman.
"To Dia-er...to the alley?" Harry asked, glancing at Cherry.
Severus nodded. He leaned over to pick up the bag he'd brought, filled with the remaining books he'd bought, he thrust it at Harry. "Here."
Harry looked at the bag, but didn't take it. "It doesn't have any bobby traps on it, idiot, take it!"
Cherry glared at Severus as Harry took the bag. He opened it and looked in. "Oh, hey, thanks. I haven't seen a Quidditch book in ages!"
"Your welcome, now, can we go?" Severus asked impatiently.
"Sure, one sec. I'm gonna put these in my room." Harry smiled.
"I'll help!" Cherry smiled. Severus rolled his eyes. God, how incompetent does she think he is?
As soon as Harry was in his room, Cherry started. "Severus, what do you think you're doing?"
"Going out on my day off." Harry said absently as he tucked away the new books.
"The 'Alley'? What's that? You're not giving hi-" Cherry started.
Harry cut her off quickly. "No, it's a place to buy things...." His wand... should he bring it? Harry grabbed it, tucking it gently into his pocket, hoping Cherry didn't notice it.
She didn't, or at least she didn't show that she did. "He insults you! What type of guy insults the one he's going out with?"
"The kind that finds it really hard to break an old habit." Harry said as he turned back to the door. "Bye, Cherry. See ya later."
"What do you mean 'Old habit'?" Cherry roared. "Severus! Don't walk away from me!" Too late, he was gone.
"She give you much trouble?" Severus smirked as Harry returned.
"No, not much."
"Well, should we be off? I want to get some things then, have lunch...and have a few questions answered." Severus said as he lead the way to the door, holding it open for Harry.
Harry sighed. More questions, now they'd be tougher. Severus had had plenty of time to think about it. "Sure, I wolfed down something to eat earlier."
"You need to get some robes." Severus commented.
"Why? You're not wearing robes." Harry frowned, he never really noticed it before, but...The guy was really...Sexy in tight black jeans and shirt....
"It doesn't seem that way, to you, but I am." Severus sneered.
"Oh, glamour?" Harry asked.
"Exactly. Speaking of which... We need to think of nicknames or something." Severus' expression hardened slightly, remembering the time he'd had to obliviate one of his friends. "It had come to my attention that calling each other by our given names, would confuse many people."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, I never thought of it that way." Severus snorted. "We need names we can use and still know who it is, but, not so obvious as to who it is."
"Indeed."
"So, real names then?" Harry asked.
Severus nodded. "That would suffice, though, most names we would use, would be real."
Harry blushed. "Whatever." Silence ensued as both thought on good candidates.
"Aaron." Harry smiled.
"Aaron....hmmm..." Severus considered. "It will do for you."
"And you?" Harry asked, they were nearly at the Leaky Caldron.
"Kale." Severus said indifferently. Harry looked at him.
"Kale?" Harry asked, testing the name out.
"Yes, Kale. I like it." Severus said coldly. "Only use it when you're in front of YOUR friends."
"Jeeze." Harry laughed. On second thought. "Won't people recognize me. You did, what makes you think others won't?"
"Good point." Severus stated, pulling Harry into a near by alley. "Imagine yourself in a different way."
Harry was slightly confused, but complied.
"Forma Novo."
Harry felt like his skin was moving around. The feeling was weird, but not painful and only lasted for a moment. "What happened?"
"Exactly like you imagined it." Severus said bluntly.
Harry blinked. "Oh." He'd imagined a person, who was taller, by four inches, then he was, with the same hair style but a more defined face, not scar, a light tan and slightly built body.
"Come on." Severus said, directing Harry back out onto the street. Harry quickened his pace to match Severus, he panted after only a few moments of doing so. His effort, fortunately, paid off as they reached the bar rather quickly. Severus held the door open. "After you, Aaron."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Prat."
"Insolent brat." Severus muttered as he walked into the dim bar. Tom smiled at Severus, looking at the boy and raising an eyebrow in silent questions. Severus glared, pulling Harry along. "Walk faster." He whispered.
"Bite me." Harry whispered back.
Severus raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, only pushing Harry along quicker.
They reached the dividing wall, Severus heaved a sigh as he took out his wand and began to count. "Well, this is it." He tapped the brick, the entrance way began to appear.
Harry watched, trying not to look to awed by the flourishing market beyond. He smiled reminiscently as they walked through the place. Severus lead the way to Madam Malkin's. The saleslady smiled at the two as they walked in. Suddenly, Harry was shy, he hid slightly behind Severus.
"I'd like some robes for, Aaron." Severus said, steeping off to the side so the lady could see Harry. Harry stepped with Severus. "Aaron, move."
The cold bitterness in the order forced Harry forward. He looked at Severus with a slightly frightened look. The lady cooed over him all the while. "Oh, such a handsome boy! Absolutely adorable! Here, follow me, we've another one waiting to be fitted, too." She lowered her voice. "Though, he's not as cute as you are." Harry blushed.
"Aaron, I'll be back in a moment, don't leave here." Severus said as Harry was pulled away. To another sales lady he said. "I'd like a bottle green dress robe, six plain black robes..." His voice faded as Harry was pulled farther away.
"Here we are, dear." The lady smiled as she pulled a green robe over is head, and began to adjust it to Harry.
The boy next to him looked at him, indifferently. It was Ron. "Hello,"
"Hi." Harry smiled.
"You're with Snape, I see." Ron noted, though, not bitterly.
"Yeah, he insists I get new robes." Harry exaggerated. Okay, so he'd forced it, who wanted to know. Ron nodded listlessly. "You okay? You're kinda pale..."
"My best friend's missing...he's probably dead...." Ron said sadly, a tear running down his cheek.
"I'm sorry." Harry said, knowing exactly who he was talking about. "Well, don't give up hope, you never know."
Ron nodded. "Your friend's back."
Harry looked up, Severus was, indeed, back. He looked grimly at Ron. "Hello, Mr. Weasley."
Ron nodded a greeting but said nothing. He looked like he was fighting back tears, and angry words. "Hello, Severus." Harry eyed Severus. "What'd you get?"
Severus rolled his eyes. "Nosy one aren't we, Aaron?" Harry smiled. "Nothing that you need to know of. I'll be waiting outside, tell them to charge everything to the Snape account." Severus turned to leave, but stopped and looked back at Harry. "See if you can't find the time to put one of robes on before you leave."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Git."
Ron smiled a little. "So, how do you know him?" He seemed to have gotten his emotions under control.
"All done, Deary." The seamstress doing Ron's robes smiled as she stood up.
Harry smiled wickedly. "I'm his boyfriend."
Ron looked shocked as he was lead away, leaving Harry alone.
"What did you say to Mr. Weasley?" Severus demanded as Harry walked out of the shop.
"What makes you think I said anything to him?" Harry asked innocently.
Severus scowled. "Don't play games with me, you brat." He put more force into his words, lowering his voice dangerously. "What did you tell Mr. Weasley?"
Harry gulped. "I just told him to chin up about his friend....and...."
"And?" Severus crossed his arms.
"And that I was your boyfriend...?" Harry squeaked, instantly regretting his words.
Severus' scowl deepened about seven levels and turned dark as he looked at Harry. "YOU SAID WHAT?!?!?!"
Harry felt very small right now, with Severus glaring at him and all the people looking at them. "I just...said... that...you...were...my...boyfriend....that's all..."
"That's all?" Severus laughed hysterically, drawing many weird looks from the crowd. Severus glared at them, and they turned away. "THAT'S BLOODY ALL?"
Harry nodded. "It's not that big of a deal. I can just tell him later, that it was a joke."
Severus didn't seem to hear Harry. "That's all? You want to know who he's going to tell? Hmm? his family! And his family are going to tell their friends, their friends are going to ask me! ME! And where's THAT going to get us?"
Harry shrugged. "I donno."
"Just, please, shut up, unless I tell you other wise." Severus said, holding up a hand.
Harry nodded. I defiantly crossed the line there....heck, I'm not even sure if he's gay!
He followed Severus in silence the rest of the way, up until they reached the entrance to Knockturn Alley. "Sir?"
"I have to get some supplies." Severus sneered. "I don't remember giving you permission to speak."
"Yes, sir." Harry mumbled meekly. Jeeze, SOMEONE woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
They walked down the street, dark, sinister people stared at Harry. Harry pulled his robe closer, self-consciously, and walked closer to Severus.
Severus seemed to notice this and began to glare protectively at all who lingered longer than they should have on Harry, or anyone who got in their way.
"Aaron, stay close." Severus whispered as they walked into a dimly lit shop.
It looked like an antique shop, or a pawn shop. Malfoy was there, both Senior and Junior. They booth sneered at Severus and Harry. "Hello, Severus."
"Lucius. Draco." Severus sneered back, his tone for 'Draco' was a bit...softer? Harry wasn't sure.
Lucius turned his attention to Harry, forcing Harry's head up with his hand. Harry shivered. "Who is this?"
Severus stiffened. "He's..." Severus faltered slightly. "He's my boyfriend." Harry tried not to look surprised.
Lucius and Draco looked VERY surprised by this. "Interesting..." Lucius smirked, turning it into an insult. "And where'd you pick him up? The streets? Do you pay him much?"
Severus' eyes and expression darkened. "How dare you assume...that Aaron....You..." Severus clamped his mouth shut, turning and walking out of the store, Harry following quickly on his heels.
"Si-Severus?" Harry asked cautiously as they left Knockturn Alley, their former quest forgotten. The man ignored Harry. "Are you alright?"
Severus stayed silent, marching back towards The Leaky Caldron, a distresses Harry in tow. They passed no one else they knew, until they reached the bar, where Tom smiled at them. Severus ignored the man, walking up to his room.
He opened the door, and walked in. "Get in, or stay out." Harry jolted forwards, not wanting to leave the man alone.
"Severus...are you okay?" Harry asked again.
Severus ignored him, pouring a smoking glass of liquid from a bottle he'd pulled out of the wardrobe. He downed the cup quickly. Fire Whiskey. That's what it was, he'd learned from Ron that it was a powerful liquor and was to be used sparingly, (Ron's brothers had found out the hard way) unless one wanted to get really drunk, really quickly. Harry raced forwards and pulled both the bottle and the glass out of Severus' reach.
Harry put them back in the wardrobe and pushed Severus down into a chair. "I'm such an idiot."
"Sir?" Harry asked, moving so that he could give Severus a massage.
"I told him, a loyal death eater, that you were my boyfriend. You're in danger now." Severus stated. "I'm an idiot. I've destroyed another life."
"No, you haven't. My life was in shambles the second I left Hogwarts." Harry said, moving so that he was in front of Severus. "You didn't ruin my life. And from what I know, you, Severus, are a bright, intelligent man. The brightest I know!"
Severus looked at Harry, the man looked stressed beyond belief. "Thanks."
Harry nodded, straightening and turning to sit in the chair across from Severus. "The questions you wanted answered...and lunch."
"What? Oh, yes." Severus pointed to the flames with his wand. A large, roaring fire burst into life. "Snap your fingers twice and ask for two lunch specials, and two pumpkin juices...oh and a hang over cure."
Harry stood, and walked over to the flames. He awkwardly snapped his fingers. A house elf appeared in the flames. "You is calling me?" Harry nodded.
"I'd like two lunch specials, two pumpkin juices, and a hang over cure, if you have one."
The elf nodded eagerly. "We's having lots of those! Emmy is bringing these things to you soon!" With a small 'pop' the elf disappeared.
Harry stood. "That was weird."
Severus was looking at Harry, a weird glint in his eyes. "Why didn't you come back?"
"What?" Harry asked as he sat down again.
"You lived with in walking distance of Diagon Alley, not to mention that you could have found it easily enough, but.... you never came back. Plenty of people would have helped you..."
Harry rubbed the back of his neck, he'd been right. This was a tough question. "I don't really know. Something told me that if I went to Dumbledore...he'd send me back to the Dursleys, and I couldn't got back there. My uncle threatened me with something close to death if I ever returned or told anyone about this." Harry shivered. "I guess, after a while, I just didn't need to go back...and I couldn't."
Severus raised an eyebrow. "I don't understand, you couldn't come back?"
"I signed a contract...Greg made me. I got room, board, ten percent of my daily wage, and a day off. In return, I'm basically a slave, I have to do whatever he tells me, the only way to break the contract is basically if I'm sold to someone who is willing to rip up the contract." Harry sighed, he'd been really stupid back then. Even if he wanted out, he never could, Greg was a gentle person, unless you disobeyed. Fear caused Harry to shiver again.
"Hmm." Severus looked at him. "You could have left, gone to Hogwarts and Greg would be none the wiser."
"He has a friend who is a wizard, and got him to place a binding charm on the contracts. I couldn't, I'm magically entitled to stay." Harry sighed.
Severus' mind was working full capacity. He went through all the facts, new and old, searching for a glitch.
A loud 'pop' announced the food. "Emmy is bringing the things you is ordering!"
Harry smiled, as he looked around the room. "Hey, Severus, you don't have a table."
"Transfigure the chess set." Severus said blankly.
Harry nodded, but stopped as he pulled out his wand. "I don't know how."
"I is knowing, sirs! Emmy will do it for yous!" The elf smiled as the chess set changed into a table. "Now you is having a place to eats!"
"Thank you, Emmy." Harry smiled. "Couldn't have done that without you."
The elf placed the tray on the table, blushing. "Oh, you is too kind, sir. I is only doing what you is asking mes to." And with another 'pop', Emmy disappeared.
"Well, let's eat!" Harry said as he pulled one of sandwiches towards him. He hadn't noticed before, but he was really hungry.
Severus absently picked at the food placed in front of him, he sighed. This wasn't going to get any easier. He pushed the problem to the back of his mind and turned his attention back to Harry, who was staring at him. "Yes? May I help you?"
"Why did you tell him I was your boyfriend? You could have said something else, like I was a servant or something." Harry asked.
"I don't totally understand myself, really, but when I do, you will be the first I tell." Severus sighed, rubbing his temples.
"I think, I'd like to come back into the world, face them. Give back the hope." Harry said softly. "If-when the contract can be broken."
Severus nodded. "I'm sure your friends would be extremely happy, it's just not the same, the golden trio, being a duo."
Harry nodded, finishing off the last of his sandwich. He turned his attention to the juice, sipping it occasionally. The two lapsed into a comfortable silence, both deep in thought; one planning a way out, the other, arranging emotions, both searching for a conclusion.