Hey there summer ppl!

I'm so grateful for ure reviews, thanks a lot! Once again sorry for the late update, bet ure used to it now, right? I hope this part is to your satisfactory, I'm especially content with the second half of it… please give me your opinions of it..!

Thanks a lot, xxx

A tall man in his mid-thirties smiled at them as they arrived at Duke's.

"Severus!" The man walked up to Severus and they hugged each other quickly. "Long time no see. I almost thought you'd forgotten about me."

"David, I could never... I have just been busy." Severus smiled widely.

It was then Harry realized that he didn't know Severus at all. His professor was not nearly as comfortable around him as he was around this man.

"David, this is Harry Potter, a…close friend of mine. Harry, this is my friend David Holmes."

Harry smiled internally at the referring of himself.

"Nice to meet you." Harry and David said in chorus, while shaking hands.

"David, I think it would be best if we got our room now and then we could have some tea tomorrow if you are not working?" Severus asked.

"Of course. What kind of room would you like? We don't have that many guests these days so you can choose between all kinds of rooms." David offered.

"I think my normal suite would be fine." The professor replied.

"Very well. Would you like one or two bedrooms?"

"I think…" Severus began.

"One will do." Harry interrupted.

Severus glanced at the boy for any sign of insecurity but he found none.

"I'll give you your usual suite, Severus. Would you like me to show the way?"

"Thank you, David. I am sorry we awoke you at this late hour. If you give me the key, I am sure I can find the way." Severus said nicely.

"Good night then, Severus, Harry." David handed over the key.

"Good night and thank you."

-----

Harry was stunned at the room he entered. He had never seen anything like this before, as this was his first time at a hotel.

"I take it you like the room." Severus said.

"It's amazing." Harry said honestly. He sank down on the cream coloured sofa and exhaled.

Severus walked gracefully through the room, put his cloak on a hanger and then sat down in a big deep green chair.

"What did the headmaster say? It's obvious he said something that upset you." The boy asked carefully. He was not sure the man wouldn't snap at him for asking that.

The Slytherin thought a minute before answering. "He wants me to quit spying."
"What's so bad about that? Then you don't have to be put under the Cruciatus curse anymore, you won't have to…"

"That's not what it is about, Harry." Severus interrupted. "The headmaster told me the reason he wants me to quit is because he cares too much for me, which is rubbish. The real reason is that he wants to keep me safe so I can protect you. He practically told me I was worth nothing until now." He muttered.

Harry remained quiet for some time, thinking.

"And no, it is not your fault. This is something between Albus and me. It has been going on for years, but now I have had enough of it. He knows I owe him my life and therefore he thinks he has the right to use me as his own butler."

"I get it." He was quiet for some time. "You've known David for some time, haven't you?"

"Yes, why?" Severus replied defensively.

"You're a couple, aren't you?" Harry blurted out.

"Harry, why are you asking this?" He said slowly.

"Because I fancy you." The boy blushed fiercely.

"Harry, David and I are not a couple. We were, many years ago, but it did not last long. The reason we broke up is that David was unfaithful many times. However, he told me and apologized. We are still good friends though." Severus explained patiently.

Harry opened his mouth to say something but Severus put up a hand to stop him.

"No, Harry. That is not why I rejected you when you came down to my quarters that late night some time ago. The reason is that I was not ready. I may seem entirely composed, but I sure as hell am not." His lips curled into a small smile.

"I understand. May I ask if you have had many relationships?"

"I have had quite a few relationships, though none of them has lasted for more than a year. And before you ask, yes, they have all been with men."

"Uh-huh."

"Really, Harry, I believed you capable of speaking words." Severus said sarcastically. He looked at his watch. "It's late; you ought to be in bed."

"Don't treat me like the child you know I'm not." Harry's voice was serious.

"We should go to bed, both of us. I will sleep on the couch and you will sleep in the bedroom." The professor said tonelessly.

"Really, why did you think I told David we only needed one bedroom? Because I wanted you to sleep on the couch? Hell no! I want to sleep next to you, and I don't take no as an answer."

Harry looked extremely determined and sure of himself.

"Very well." Severus tried to mask the insecurity he felt. "The bathroom is over there," He gestured towards a door on the other side of the room. "And the bedroom is there."

-----

Half an hour later, Severus was lying in the double bed feeling rather comfortable. This was not his first time in this bed; he always had this room. It was his favourite suite; therefore he had arranged that he would have the suite ready for him at all times. In return he paid a large fine each year. Despite the large amount of time he had spent in the room, he had never shared the bed with anyone. When he came to think of it, he hadn't shared a bed with someone for many years.

Severus heard the sound of an opening door and turned his head to the door.

A very shy Harry Potter entered the bedroom, wearing nothing but a pair of tight boxers. The boy looked at the teacher hesitantly and then walked towards the bed.

"Don't be pathetic, Potter! Surely you must have slept in the same bed as someone before?" Severus drawled, trying to ease his own discomfort.

"As a matter of fact, no." Harry admitted as he entered the bed.

The professor switched the lights off with a flick of his wand. He knew he wouldn't get a lot of sleep but at least he would be able to get some rest. The insomnia he had suffered from during the last decennium had grown worse during the last year. He turned to the side, so that his face faced Harry.

Suddenly he felt something warm touch his wrist. The boy then held Severus' hand in a loose grip. Severus was astonished that it felt so good. It felt strange that Harry's hand infused feelings of safeness in him.

"You don't mind, do you?" Harry whispered confidently.

"No." The man murmured.

Severus then realized he wanted more. He let go of Harry's hand and then pulled the boy towards himself. His arms encircled the boy and he pulled the boy's back closer to his own torso. Now Harry's back of the neck was only a few inches from his face. A couple of seconds later, he felt the boy relax into his arms. He caressed the boy's chest gently, knowing he sent shivers along the Gryffindor's back.

"Like it?"

"Very much." Harry confessed.

The professor placed a soft kiss on Harry's back of the neck. "Goodnight."

"Sleep well." The boy replied silently.