NOTE for those of you the link for the lemon has finally been fixed: www dot geocities dot com / lepomplemous / chapter21 dot htm

AN: Sorry for the long delay. I lacked inspiration. I found inspiration, and you can find the complete, lemon filled version (as promised) www dot geocities dot com / lepomplemous / chapter21 dot htm

Thank you everyone who reviewed. I'm amazed by how many people actually read this. It's an inspiration, (just not the kind needed to write a lemon . ) I'm curious to see if we can make it to 1100 reviews after this chapter.

On last thing, someone commented that I was holding the story hostage. Not so, because I never said I wouldn't update. I was offering a lemon as reward. I'm just sorry it took so long to get out.

Chapter XXI

With the new term came more work and more problems. The entire school was still tense about the prospect of further attacks by the Neo-Death Eaters. Fortunately, once again my fellow professor's seemed to think I was okay, though whether it was on account of Albus' insistence or the subtle change in Snape's attitude towards me, I'll never know.

I did know, however, that I was enjoying myself much more than I had the previous term. I hadn't seen much of my Muggle friends, and though it saddened me a little, I was able to visit more with Remus and my godfather, and I had Severus to keep me entertained at night.

My relationship with Severus did have me more than a little confused, however. While there was no dating, the whole thing was more than just physical gratification. I was the one who would go down to his chambers at night, and on more than one occasion he was waiting for me with tea, or even wine, and we'd talk for a good portion of the night. Other times, he would be working, and without having to say a word he would put down his work and come join me.

Even after the act, he didn't send me away. I was free to fall asleep beside him, and wake up when he did at dawn. It was only then that I'd return to my own chambers to get ready for the rest of the day.

But then, he never acknowledged me outside of his chamber. We were civil to one another in staff meetings and with the duelling club, but there were never any conversations, or even the secret smiles between two people who were having a very satisfying affair.

So it went beyond the physical, but I don't think either of us knew how far beyond the physical.

The entire line of thought had me so disturbed by the end of the second week that I didn't bother seeking out the Potions Master's company. I stayed in my room that evening to contemplate my navel, and practice on my drums.

To my great surprise, around eleven o'clock Severus' came to my chambers to seek out my company. I hadn't bothered to lock my chamber door, so he invited himself in, a wry grin on his face.

"So this is why it was always so noisy up here," he said settling himself down on the leather couch. "Filch was so convinced Peeves was throwing a tantrum."

I couldn't help but grin at the thought, even though I was annoyed that he'd invaded my privacy. Still, I joked back, "I honestly didn't think I was that bad."

"It must depend on one's tastes," came the silky reply. "I found your performance rather entertaining."

We lapsed into silence; he tried to meet my eyes, I contently stared at his hands clasped in his lap. It was he who broke the awkward spell.

"I must admit I found myself surprised when you didn't come down this evening. I've become used to your nocturnal visits."

I waited for him to continue, because it was starting to sound as though he was disappointed that I hadn't shown, though there was no way he would admit it to himself. He didn't continue, and I started to wonder if my assessment was correct.

"I needed some time to myself to think. You of all people can appreciate the lack of personal time. I needed a night to myself to sort through my thoughts. A lot has happened in the last little while."

I met his eyes, and found myself caught in his calculating stare. This wasn't Professor Snape, resident bastard of Hogwarts and bane of every student's existence. This wasn't even Severus, the man I'd been sleeping with for the past two weeks. No, this was Sev, the man who'd acted as my mentor during my last year at school, who'd helped me keep myself grounded during all of the war. This was the man I was starting to fall in love with, and it had me terrified. Despite my new name and outward appearance, I was still Harry Potter and good things, like falling in love, weren't supposed to happen to me.

Severus must have spotted something change in my face because his own expression hardened. "What did you expect from me, Ethan? I told you I didn't date, and I wasn't looking for a relationship. You agreed to this, with no strings attached. Are you trying to tell me now that you've changed your mind?"

I couldn't help but smiled sardonically at this turn of events. I come to the realization that I might have romantic feelings for my old mentor and the man disappears, replaced by Snape, the man who hates all things beautiful. The smile is quickly replaced by a snarl, though.

"I'm trying to tell you that I need a chance to think!" I growled. "You're an intelligent man, Snape. Can you honestly tell me the dynamics of our arrangement are the same as what we both agreed to? Monogamous sex with no strings attached?"

The expression on his face softened slightly. "I see why there might be some confusion as to the rules here…"

"Beyond sex, but not a relationship."

"So what do you plan on doing about this, Mr. James?"

I resisted the urge to point out that I was planning to spend the night thinking about it, and instead settled for saying what was on my mind. Not always the best practice, as evidenced by my argument with Kestor, but then, I never was that in control when it came to my emotions.

"I don't like the confusion. I can appreciate the fact that not all situations are black and white, but I think this one can't withstand the ambiguity. I was hoping to settle for one or the other, but since you're here, perhaps we could reach a decision together."

Severus frowned, his eyes filled with a calculating glint. "I've become rather accustomed to finding you in my bed when I wake, but do not date, especially not fellow faculty members. It shows bad precedent for two professors to carry on the way we are."

"Then maybe dating is the wrong word, as were sharing each other's company. They weren't specific enough. Would you be satisfied with 'pursuing our relationship?'"

I could tell Severus was considering my words, but he was wavering. He wasn't joking when he'd said he didn't agree with two professors getting involved. I could almost agree with him on that respect. If the relationship were to go downhill it would put a lot of strain on the students. I felt justified in my case, however. The working relationship between Severus and I could hardly become any worse than it had been in September.

So, in an effort to remove all ambiguity in the situation, I took two steps forward, moved beside Severus on the couch, grabbed his head and crushed my lips against his. I've found this is a good way to silence a person's arguments. I used it on Kestor often enough while we were together.

Things progressed quickly from there, and I am able to say honestly we didn't even make it off the couch. We must have dozed, because I awoke with Severus all but lying on top of me. Because I wasn't uncomfortable, I didn't bother moving. He came to a little after that, however, and to my surprise, he smiled at me.

"I've never seen your bedroom," he said, smiling in a way I'd never seen before. "As much as I loath getting up, I'd be a lot happier lying next to you in a bed."

Seeing his point, we both stood up and moved, still naked, to my bedroom. It was only once we'd settled in under the covers that I decided, spur of the moment, to ask him something.

"Will you let me take you out for dinner?"

My taller lover gave me a look that definitely said, 'Are you crazy?' The look was followed by, "I thought we'd still agreed not to date."

"It wouldn't be a date. It would be us spending time together outside of Hogwarts. I know a nice little restaurant in Muggle London. No one will ever know Hogwarts resident vampire went out for dinner with the thorn in his side."

"Resident vampire?" The question was accompanied by rich laughter.

"Its what all the kids are saying," I answered with a cheeky grin. I was rewarded by a firm kiss to silence me. I can say with much contentment that we didn't get a lot of sleep that night.

Of course, with my luck, the following weekend was a Hogsmead weekend. Given the previous attack, all available teachers were to accompany the students and make their presence known. I settled on taking Severus out the following weekend, and grabbed my wallet to head out.

On my way out of the room I spotted the still full dish of food and wondered what had happened to Chie. I hadn't seen him for a while. I shrugged, slipped my coat on, and went out to meet my fellow professors. Cats were known to be independent.

I browsed the shops in Hogsmead, talking to students and professors both. The professors flipped and flopped on their opinions about me nearly as much as a fish out of water. Hermione has started talking to me again, and even Ron wasn't giving me the evil eye.

I was corned in the Three Broomsticks by Laurence and Kyron, two of the students who were helping me out with my marking. They convinced me to join them and have a drink, while they discussed their ideas on where the duelling club and the classes should go. They wanted more advanced training, and thought that since there were two professors one should take the more skilled students and the other should continue teach the rest the basics. I agreed that this was fair enough.

"And we want to start learning wandless magic," Kyron piped up.

I nodded once to indicate I'd heard him. "I've agreed to teach you all Accio, and I will before the year is through, but using wandless magic requires vast amounts of energy, and I'm not sure everyone, even in the seven year classes, could do it."

"You could make it an optional tutorial," Laurence put it, his voice cool and collected. "Only those students interested could sign up for it after class, and you could weed out those without the skill. We might need abilities like that soon."

I was going to ask what he meant by that when I heard a scream from outside, followed quickly by another, this time more shrill. I was up and out the door, wand at the ready before most other patrons could even move.

What I saw nearly left me paralyzed. It wasn't a student who'd been screaming, but Hermione. Someone with the nerve to dress up in the old Death Eater's uniform held her under the cruciatus curse. There were others moving about the town as people scrambled to find shelter, but I didn't pay them any mind. Forgetting about my wand, I cast my own variation on expelliarmus, taking the wizards wand, and sending him flying backwards with a nasty shock, quite literally.

I paused briefly to make sure Hermione was okay, but I was in true battle mode, engrained into me from my training while I was still at Hogwarts. I rushed towards the fallen Death Eater and ripped off his mask as he struggled to get up, only to find it wasn't a he at all. Staring me in the eye was none other than Pansy Parkinson.

"Parkinson!" I gasped in shock. I recovered quickly though. "Who sent you here? What are you planning?"

She replied with a feral grin. "Our master is going to take back everything his family lost, and there's nothing you or the rest of those idiots up at the castle can do. After all, you don't have your Golden Boy to save you any more."

Enraged, I took a page from Severus book and backhanded the girl knocking her out. We'd have someone to question for later.

I stood up to take on my next opponent, but the rest had left, leaving Pansy to fend for herself. It wasn't surprising, considering how loyal your typical Slytherin was.

I doubled back to Hermione, helping her from the ground. I tried to act as though I was concerned, but the wheels in my head were spinning. I had a strong suspicion as to who the leader of the attack was.

AN: I'm pleased to say this story is coming to a close. Probably two or three more chapters, though I can't guarantee it.

If you're happy it's going to end, or you're happy about anything else, press the go button in the corner and tell me.