Rating: R

Genres: Romance, Angst, Fluff

Warnings: sexual content

Spoilers: n/a

Summary: Harry's playing Quidditch prevents him from spending time with Severus. Severus gets fed up and leaves. Which will be more important to Harry, his job or his love?

Song: Mad Season

Artist: Matchbox 20

Author's Note: Originally a songfic, the lyrics have been removed from this fic to comply with FF rules. Song lyrics can be found here: www (dot) lyricsfreak (dot) com (slash) m (slash) matchbox-twenty (slash) 90661 (dot) html

For the original version of this fic, please check out my livejournal:

www (dot) livejournal (dot) com (slash) users (slash) Harry (underscore) sev (slash)

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Harry and Severus had been in a relationship for a few years. Every year was the same. They would spend months with each other, showering each other with love. Then Quidditch season would come along, and Harry would be forced to leave and spend practically all of his time with the team. Severus had never complained. Before now.


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This season, Harry noticed that Severus seemed more impatient than normal. Harry wondered if it was because he was always so busy, but he didn't see how it could be since it was like this every year, and Severus had never complained before now.


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The thing Harry hated most about Quidditch was the girls that loved to follow him around whenever he played. He told them time and time again that he had a boyfriend, but either they didn't listen or they didn't care. Harry wasn't sure which was it. All he was sure of was that he wished he was with Severus instead.


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Harry went home to Severus after the game. Severus seemed angry, though Harry couldn't figure out why. The sex was a lot rougher than usual that night. Harry wouldn't have minded except it was almost to the point of painful. When it was over Severus turned his back to Harry and fell asleep. He had never done that before. He usually curled up with Harry afterward. Harry wondered what he did wrong.


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When Harry got back from the next game Severus was gone. There was a note on the table from Severus saying that he couldn't take this relationship anymore. He couldn't take barely seeing Harry for months. He wanted a lover that was with him, not away from him.


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Severus left. That was all Harry got out of that message the first time he read it. Severus had left him. The tears started falling before Harry could stop them. He collapsed onto the bed and sobbed.

Over the next few weeks Harry tried to go on with Quidditch, but it wasn't the same knowing that Severus wasn't home waiting for him. Harry's mind was always on Severus instead of the game, which threw off his flying. Harry's flying was so bad during practice that the coach threatened to kick him off the team. That gave Harry an idea, and it was so obvious he couldn't believe he hadn't thought of it before.


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Severus sat in the kitchen of Snape Manor drinking his coffee and reading his paper. Today was the final game of the Quidditch World Cup. Harry was sure to win, of course. The young man was an excellent flyer.

Seeing the picture of Harry on the front page caused Severus's chest to tighten. Damn but he missed that boy. But it had been so hard. Severus hadn't said anything for the longest time, but eventually it all became too much. He couldn't live with having Harry drop by whenever he had time off. He wanted someone who cared about his more than he cared about a game.

Severus heard a pounding on his door and went to answer it. He was shocked to see Harry standing there, in his Quidditch robes, gasping for breath.

"Harry," said Severus, still in shock. "What are you doing here? You have a game to play."

Harry shook his head. "I quit. I don't need to play some stupid game, Sev. I need you. I've been miserable since you've been gone. Quidditch isn't even fun anymore. Please, give me another chance. I'll find a job that lets me be home more. Please?"

Severus stared down at Harry in absolute shock. Harry really cared about him enough to quit playing Quidditch? No one had ever given up anything for Severus before. Severus felt his chest tighten again, but this time it was a good feeling. He reached out and pulled Harry to him, smiling when he felt Harry's arms immediately wind around him in return.

"I love you," Severus whispered against Harry's ear. Harry pulled back enough to look Severus in the eyes.

"I love you, too," he said.