A/N Hello everyone, hope you are all well. Here is a fic to kick things off again. I am considering making this a series, if you would like to see where this goes, leave me a comment.
'I really don't know why dad has his wand in a knot' Albus whispered to Teddy, from their place outside Harry's room. 'Its only coffee and cake'
'I don't think that's what he's worried about Al' Teddy said sombrely ruffling the 10 year olds head
'You know I can hear you right?' a voice called from the bedroom
'Yeah we know' Albus replied, abandoning his spot on the floor, walking into his fathers room and flopping himself down on the bed.
Harry shook his head at his son's forthrightness and continued getting dressed, he was up to shirt number 5 and as far as pants went, he had just donned pair number 3. It had been far too long since he had been out on a date let alone a blind one that he'd let his soon to be former friend talk him into. Single parents didn't go out on blind dates; single parents didn't do much of anything-social wise, well not this single parent anyway. After the turmoil of years gone by Harry had preferred the safety of his home, going out into the world seemed like too monumental a task and more often then not shied away from invitations.
His friends, the ones he had left that was, decided it was time for Harry to get back to the land of the living and start living life again. Ginny had left him in an emotional and financial mess a few years earlier, which had only now climbed out of through sheer hard work and determination to provide of his son and godson. Those who hadn't sided with Ginny and by extension the rest of the Weasley family, did whatever they could for Harry to get him back on his feet.
'Can't believe I let that Irish prat talk me into this' Harry muttered as he threw another shirt onto the pile and rummaged through his closet in search of a replacement.
'You'll be fine Uncle Harry' Teddy assured him 'now let's get you dressed or you'll be late' he went into his godfathers closet and pulled out a blue button down shirt and a pair of stonewashed jeans, handing them to Harry he joined Albus on the bed and watched as his godfather put them on. 'Very handsome Uncle Harry' Teddy exclaimed when he had finished dressing.
'It's a blue shirt and jeans Ted' Harry said 'hardly witch weekly's wizard of the year
'The shirt is Azure blue, thank you dear godfather and witch weekly wouldn't know the difference between a handsome wizard and a hag'
'Merlin above' Harry murmured, grabbing a jacket from the back of a chair and slipping it on over his shirt
'Heaven help us' Teddy cringed 'No wonder you've never heard from Witch Weekly going out dressed like that'
'You dressed me' Harry protested
'I didn't tell you to wear that moth eaten rag' Teddy shot back, getting off the bed and stalking into his godfathers closet for a second time, returning moments later with a lightweight black jacket. 'Put this on and then we might just be ready'
'What would I do without you Ted?' Harry smirked, slipping the jacket on and giving himself the once-over
'I shudder to think Uncle Harry' the teenager sighed 'not make it into witch weekly that's for sure'
'You and witch weekly' Harry laughed 'come on you're Uncle Seamus will be here in a minute'
'I can look after Albus, Uncle Harry' Teddy complained 'I am 13'
'That might be the case Ted' Harry answered 'I need someone to look after your Uncle Seamus, keep him out of mischief'
'Isn't that what Uncle Deans for?' Albus weighed in
'Yes, but on occasion he needs help' Harry replied
Seamus walked Harry to the door, the boys were happily watching a TV programme on the sofa. 'Enjoy yourself today' he said 'there's no need to rush home; the boys are in safe hands. Now have you got your wand?'
'Yes dad' Harry rolled his eyes
'Good remember to use it if things get going' Seamus winked
'Why do you need to use your wand Dad?' Albus called out
'Never mind' Harry said 'be good for your Uncle Seamus and I'll see you in awhile'
'Bye Dad, Bye Uncle Harry, don't forget to bring us cake' Albus added in
'Bye' Harry waved them off and headed to the edge of the wards surrounding his property and apparated away.
Diagon Alley was a hive of activity when Harry came through the wall. He stepped on to the cobblestone street and walked towards the cafe located at the far end.
The Perfect Blend sat nestled between a second hand bookshop and a wizard supply shop. It had been a fairly recent edition to Diagon Alley, opening two years previously, and business had been booming since. Harry was slightly ashamed to admit it wasn't a place he frequented only having gone in once or twice to grab a quick bite to eat.
The aroma of roasting coffee drifted out into the street as Harry approached and his stomach gave a plaintive growl. He'd been busy that morning with chores and other things and forgotten to grab something to eat. Inside he went over to the counter and waited in line to be served. Harry glanced around at the interior, all done in deep rich browns and creams.
A glass cabinet to his right was filled with a plethora of baked goods; he scanned the shelves picking out cakes he would take home for the boys. If the date turned out to be a complete failure then he could always drown his sorrows in sugar.
'Can I help you Sir?' the friendly witch asked
'Yes I have a reservation in the name of Potter' Harry told her Seamus had made the booking in Harry's name a week ago when he'd agreed to this farce.
'Of course Mr. Potter' the witch smiled 'your table is towards the back and to the left'
'Thank you' Harry returned the smile and walked towards the back of the cafe, a small table in the corner held a note card with his name written in black ink. Sitting down he pulled a menu towards him and looked over the beverages they had on offer, he was tossing up between coffee and tea, when a waiter appeared at his table and cleared his throat.
'Mr. Potter?' he asked
'Yes' Harry replied carefully
'If you would follow me Sir' the waiter asked cheerfully
'Where are we going?' Harry demanded, feeling the hairs standing up on then back of his neck
'Just through here Sir, no need to worry' the waiter assured him, walking ahead of Harry. They went up a short flight of stairs Harry hadn't even noticed were there and along a narrow hallway. At the end was a wooden door, the waiter pushed through it and entered a lavishly decorated room.
'Why am I here?' Harry asked
'The gentleman you are meeting has requested you to take tea with him in here Sir' the waiter smiled 'he'll be along promptly' he made sure Harry was seated before leaving him in the room and going back through the door.
The room was decorated much the same as the downstairs, chocolate browns and creams. The fabric of the sofas and the chair Harry was seated on, were plush and soft. This was going to be some date he thought idly, resting his hands on the table in front of him. The sound of a door being opened had Harry looking left and right around the room. Behind a long wooden counter another wooden door swung open and a tall slim man came into the room. Seamus had told Harry he was older and very refined. These qualities didn't bother him; he had always preferred older men as opposed to those his own age.
He must have looked as though he'd seen a ghost, by the smirk on the man's face when he came into view and Harry got a good look at him. 'Profes… I mean Sna.. Severus?' Harry gaped
'Severus will do fine Harry'
'What are you doing here? 'Harry's mind was going 100 mile a second
'I believe we had a standing appointment to meet for Coffee?' Severus replied
'No, the bloke I am supposed to meet his names Alex, something' Harry stammered, trying desperately to remember the man's surname.
'Alex Panes?' Severus offered
'Yeah that's it' Harry said, then paused 'Wait you're him?'
'I am'
'Why the phoney name? 'Harry asked feeling the hairs on his neck rise again
'I like a little mystery' Severus said simply 'are you disappointed?'
'No, no, just shocked' Harry murmured 'When Seamus set this up he only told me you were older and had travelled a lot'
'Right on both counts'
Harry scrubbed his hands over his face, closing his eyes tightly then opening them again as if caught in the midst of a very surreal dream.
Snape stood there stoic and reserved as ever, so definitely not a dream. He had changed quite a bit since the last time Harry had seen him, which was shortly after the final battle of Hogwarts. He had testified on his and the Malfoys behalf and as such they were exonerated and cleared of all charges.
After that Snape had disappeared into thin air, Harry got on with his life and became a father 3 years later. His face was no longer sallow and pale, it had healthiness to it now, his hair was shiny and had life in it, rather than the limp black tresses of his teaching days. He wasn't thin anymore, but had filled out nicely, his pants and shirt fitting nicely.
'Would you like to order?' Severus asked breaking Harry from his reverie
'Yes, please' Harry said picking up the menu 'Have you been here often?'
'You could day that' Severus smiled 'I own this establishment'
'Wow, the surprises just keep on coming' Harry breathed
'Might I suggest you try number 16?' Severus posed 'I think you will rather like it'
Harry scanned the menu until his eyes found number 16, it was a Brazilian blend with a hint of Irish nut crème 'sounds interesting' Harry said 'I'll give it a go'
Severus waved his wand and then turned back to Harry, who still appeared to be sheer shocked at his presence. The years had been kind to him, regardless of the trials he had endured regarding the Weasley chit.
He had lost all evidence of boyhood in his face; light stubble and a firm chin replaced it. The skinny bony child of Hogwarts was gone and now sat a very attractive young man. 'That is a rather striking shade of blue you're wearing' he remarked
Harry grinned 'it isn't just any blue Severus, it's Azure Blue'
'I do beg your pardon' Severus feigned
'Teddy informed me of such before I left the house' he countered
'I was sorry to hear about Andromeda's passing' he said sincerely
'Thanks' Harry said quietly 'she wasn't the same after Ted and Tonks died, she seemed to age 10 years in 6 months, anyway onto more pleasant topics of conversation'
'Before we do I want to say how sorry I am about your troubles a few years back' Severus put in
'Is that what this is about?' Harry irked 'a pity date?'
'Not at all' Severus said calmly 'I simply wanted to convey my apologies on what you endured'
'God I'm sorry' Harry countered seeing his foolishness 'making a right balls up of this aren't I, can tell I don't get out much'
'No you aren't and it's fine, I understand'
'I've worked so hard to get out of the mess she left me in and put it behind me, I sometimes forget there are genuine people out there'
Severus mercifully changed the subject after that waving away any attempts by Harry to apologise for his abrupt demeanor. He spoke of his travels after his name had been cleared, of the need to leave Britain behind for time and reconnect with the man he had always aspired to be. Harry couldn't say he blamed him, he himself had often thought of packing up and moving to some far away country, where no one knew his name. His favorite destination had been Brazil, where he had worked in a local village coffee shop, he found he enjoyed it immensely and so when he returned to England 2 years previous, opened the cafe they were now sitting in.
'Why the change of name?' Harry interrupted
'A chance to be viewed in a different light I suppose' Severus countered 'with a few subtle changes I became a whole new person one who was tainted by his past and his actions'
Harry looked closely and noticed that there were indeed small things that made him look different, his nose wasn't the same size it had been years ago, his eyes while still dark and foreboding, had hints of amber flecks around the iris. He sipped his coffee, which was divine while he studied the man across from him.
'I named my son after you' he blurted out, unsure of where the statement had risen from 'well middle name'
'I am honoured' Severus said quietly 'what is his christian name?'
'Albus'
'I see'
'Where did you run into Seamus?' Harry asked Merlin had his coffee been laced with truth serum or did he have a case of verbal diarrhoea?'
'At the Phoenix School of Magical Arts' Severus replied
'Are you taking a class there?' Harry inquired
'I am the founder and owner of the school'
Blimey, it really has been a day of revelations' Harry mused
'Indeed' Severus smirked 'I am taking a class as it happens, that is how I ran into Mr. Finnegan'
'And conspired in roping me into coming on a blind date?' Harry teased
'Something like that' Severus said slyly 'I asked after you and Mr. Finnegan informed me you needed to get out of the house more and live again'
'You volunteered for the job, inviting me for coffee and cake at your cafe?'
'That is correct'
'Interesting' Harry mused 'What class are you taking?'
'That Mr. Potter is something you'll have to wait and find out' Severus said lightly
'Might have to be another date then, more coffee and cake' Harry said
'That can be arranged'
The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly, with easy conversation and good company. Harry found himself opening up to Severus and told him about working at the school with Seamus, teaching art, sketching, painting and the like. He also helped out the dance instructor on occasion. This had Severus roaring with laughter at the mere thought of Harry dancing, reminding the indignant wizard of the debacle that was the 4th year Triwizard Yule Ball.
'I was 14!' Harry argued 'who knows how to dance when they are bloody 14?'
'Not you obviously' Severus quipped 'but I imagine a great many other people would be skilled in doing so'
'Mean old git' Harry huffed
'Dunderhead' Severus shot back
'Ha! There's something I haven't heard in a 100 years' Harry gwaffed
'It seems your mathematical skills match those of your dancing skills'
'Bite me'
When he left the cafe, having arranged to meet Severus the following week for coffee and cake, Harry felt lighter than he had in years. He walked to the apparition point and came to a stop outside his front gate. Inside the boys descended on him, a barrage of questions coming at him from all directions. Seamus stood back.
'How was it Dad?' Albus asked excitedly 'did you have a good time, who was your date'
'It was just as you said Al' Harry said vaguely 'Coffee and Cake, nothing to get my wand in a knot over'
