AN: So, it is all roughed out now. We've two more chapters to go, and one is an epilogue. Many thanks to Yen, who lost time when I gained it but still succeeded in cleaning up this chapter.

Are We Capable?

Harry left the Burrow early with Ron seeing him off. 'I thought it would've been Mrs Weasley, but she was sleeping in according to Ron.'

Ron had said that so sheepishly that Harry wasn't positive what the parents were up to, but kind of doubted it was sleeping. He laughed quietly as he rode Dudley's bike through the hedgerow. The morning air was cool on his skin as he had opted to wear the one set of bike clothes he had, and the rest of his things were shrunk into his magical bag except the backpack which they had packed with food and extra water. Harry put the map in there too. The compact was tucked into a light jacket's pocket along with the magic bag. 'I need to find a better way to carry it. Surely, there is something that will work.'

The predawn light was just brushing the tops of the trees making the path in shadows, but Harry had walked them all this summer while thinking about what he wanted to do – either with the houses or his future.

The sun crested the horizon as he made it to a road that would take him to Taunton. It was a much smoother ride than his peril filled trip to the Burrow last year, and much drier. He made the trip in less time than he expected. Parking the bike, he went in wondering if he would have had time to get his traveller's cheques made today. 'Maybe, but it was fun to see Hermione. She walked both Ron and me through how to get them, and we spent the rest of the afternoon visiting her family. It was a good day.'

He stopped at the front desk and smiled when he spotted the same lady as before coming out of the kitchen area. Surprise filled him as recognition flashed across her face.

"You're safe!" She pulled her book over towards her, an expectant look now on her face.

Harry nodded, his smiling getting bigger, "Yeah, luckily the place I was heading was close. It took less time to get here this year."

"The weather's better, that's for certain," she said, "Are you stopping here overnight or just for a meal?"

"Overnight. I'm meeting up with a friend and we're heading towards Canterbury, but I'm not sure when he's going to make it in. So, can I have a room with two beds, baths, along with dinner and breakfast?"

She nodded, jotting the information in the book before telling him the price. Harry paid and was given the key to his room. "Park your bike alongside the building, and I'll see you later."

She turned to leave, but Harry stopped her, "I was wondering if the shop section is open? I wanted to purchase some more proper bike clothes and if you have any recommendations."

She turned and gestured for him to follow her, "This way."

"How did you decide to run a hostel?" he asked while she was handing him a selection of clothes, "Sorry, just trying to decide what to do now that I've finished secondary school, so I am asking everyone how they figured out what to do."

She laughed, "I liked the idea – my parents ran a pub, but I didn't want to do that with my brother, so I worked odd jobs here and there, then ended up here. The previous owner sold it to me a few years ago."

"Ah, I wonder if I will just fall into something," Harry didn't think Severus would appreciate that idea, but maybe he would have a suggestion. Nothing sounded like what he wanted, but surely something would come up.

He tried on the clothes she suggested and picked out some along with another water bottle. "These will be good. I guess I'll need to use the laundrette."

She gave him his change in change and small notes.

Severus made it not long before teatime. Harry considered calling out to him like Severus had done him at the first hostel he'd ever been to but decided to walk over instead.

"Severus, I'm glad to see you found the place," Harry said as a greeting. He tried to ignore the way his gut tightened as Severus turned to face him. The rich blue of Severus' shirt set off his hair and eyes nicely instead of how they blended with his normal black.

"Harry, the directions you supplied were adequate," Severus said with a slight smile. "We have a spot already?"

Harry nodded as he walked towards the door.

"I'll show you where to put your bike," he continued as Severus walked with him, "I got us a room instead of the bunks as I wasn't sure your preference. Also, dinner, breakfast, and a bath. There's a teahouse nearby if you want to get it there, or Ms Rice serves it here too."

Severus moved his bike to the side of the building, securing it near Harry's. "Tea here would be fine. Do you know where we are heading?"

Harry jerked his eyes away from Severus' bent back... and lower, "Yes, Canterbury – the south side of the city. We can look at the map over tea if you want. There are three different routes that I can see to get there and want your opinion on them."

To Harry's relief, Severus straightened up, though the biking clothes he was wearing weren't leaving much to the imagination. 'We're sharing a room. I need to get control of myself.'

"We'll decide over tea."

§§§§§

Severus felt Harry staring and decided it was because this had to be the first time he'd seen him without his robes or multiple layers on. Students were like that. He remembered the first time he saw Albus in his casual robes, or Pomona without her gardening robes on. 'At least I succeeded in controlling my reaction to Harry in biking clothes. There's hope that we can make this work. I need to just keep focused – and not on Harry's body.'

Following him back into the hostel, Severus promptly forgot his own words and glanced at the trim rear-end. Harry spoke to a lady who directed them to a nearby dining area.

Tea arrived as they sat down. Pouring them both a cup, Severus made Harry's the same way as last summer and set it next to him. "Do you have a map?"

Harry spread it on the table after moving the sandwiches closer to the edge of the table and pointed to where they were. "So, the three routes. One takes us by the shoreline, and two through London."

Severus watched as a blunt finger traced three paths. "Which do you prefer?"

"I'd like to avoid London – at least right now. I'm going to head up to Grimmauld Place after leaving the Dursley's," Harry sipped his tea as he studied the map, "but if you don't want to be near the shore …"

"The shore route is fine by me," Severus studied that map, "We can go into Salisbury and then take the A36 towards Southampton," he traced the route on the map as he spoke, "work our way to A27 and take that into Pevensey, pick up A259. Then we follow it to Folkestone and get onto A20. A20 will take us up to Dover and then we'll have to leave the shore and take the A2 into Canterbury." He left his finger resting on the map as he looked at Harry, waiting for his opinion.

"I like that," Harry leant closer to the map, "And there looks to be enough hostels along the way."

Severus pulled his hand back, "Once we are there, you can decide if you wish to continue travelling by the shore on the way into London."

"I'm not going to have a bike then," Harry said quietly.

"We'll find you one in Canterbury."

§§§§§

Harry chuckled as Ms Rice watched Severus closely, almost like she was judging if he was worthy of being near Harry. If he'd noticed, he was sure that Severus had, so he decided to speak to her at dinner time.

"What's the matter, Ms Rice?" He asked as she personally set their plates on the table. "This is Severus, the man I said I was waiting for."

Her sharp gaze mitigated a bit, "Why didn't he ride with you last year?"

Severus' frown smoothed out, "Concerned for the teen riding alone last year?"

She nodded, her expression still not quite friendly as she focused on Severus. "He arrived late, tired and not appropriately dressed for the trip, and left early, tired, in the rain, but at least adequately dressed. Said he couldn't stay to wait out the rain."

Severus nodded, "It was a trying time last year. Events kept me from travelling with Harry, but he needed to make the trip. It was put off for as long as possible, which would explain why he wouldn't wait out the rain." He looked back at Harry, the question plain on his expression.

Harry sighed, "It was right after the warning about the Weasleys and that I needed to get there." He tipped his head towards Ms Rice, "She was nice enough to supply me with tea, clothes, and made sure that I had to go before she let me out the door. Even offered me to call them to let them know I would be running late"

A considering look crossed Severus' face, but all he said was, "Thank you for watching out for him."

She searched his face and then finally smiled at him, "You're welcome. I'd do it for any child - they deserve someone watching out for them."

Harry huffed slightly, "I'm not a child. I've finished secondary school."

Ms Rice chuckled as she left the table.

Harry shook his head as he cut up his baked chicken, "So, are we going to use this trip to learn about each other, or are we just going to do that as it happens?"

"Let me think over it tonight and I will tell you tomorrow," Severus said as he applied himself to his potatoes.

Harry nodded, "Okay then, how was the school when you left it? Are you interviewing already?"

"I've filled Professor Burbage's position, but am still looking for someone to fill in the other slot," Severus sighed.

Even as the thought occurred to him, Severus shook his head sharply, "No, I will not accept you for that position - not yet at least."

Harry shrugged and applied himself to dinner, trying to keep the small talk to the school and about what he'd been doing so far over the summer.

§§§§§

Harry opened their room door. Now was the test, could he make it through a night as if there was no difference between Severus and Ron. 'Or at least not letting Severus know that there is a difference.' Stepping inside, he looked at the two beds, "Which do you prefer?"

Severus looked between the two and put his bag next to the one closest to the door, "We should turn in as we wish to have an early start in the morning."

'Good, less time awake with you in a bedroom.' Harry just nodded as he turned to leave the room. "I'm heading to the loo, so I'll change there too."

Severus met him outside the loo door in a robe and slippers. "If you wish to turn off the lights, that's fine."

Harry shook his head, "I'll leave them on for you. I want to check my bag anyway, to make sure it's sorted."

Severus just nodded as he walked into the loo. Harry drew a settling breath and headed back to the room. He could do this.

It wasn't much later when Severus returned. Harry had just enough time to double-check his bag - making sure the map was accessible and his spare water bottle was near it. He tried not to stare as Severus draped his robe over the foot of the bed, and he thought he succeeded as he slipped under his own covers. 'Simple dark blue pyjamas … they look as comfortable as my grey pair.' As the light clicked off, he couldn't help but say, "Good night, Severus."

He could feel the pause, almost hear an indrawn breath.

"Good night, Harry."

§§§§§

The next day went better than Harry could have hoped for. As they made their way towards Salisbury, Harry couldn't help but feel relieved as Severus took the outside position and a touch ahead of him. 'Nerves of steel - I always flinch and swerve as the cars fly past, but he just glares at the drivers who get too close.'

The stop for lunch was the first real conversation since they started riding. Harry was as glad for the conversation then as he was for the silence on the road. 'It was a fun kind of getting to know you lunch. What type of music do you like, favourite book, that sort of thing. Things friends should know about each other, unlike what we know - how to make the other mad, how fast we are with wands, and that we'd die for our cause.'

As they neared Bapton, Harry noticed that Severus was slowing down as if looking for a place to stop. 'Did he notice I was getting tired? But how? He's in front of me - has been this entire time.' As they pulled off into a small hostel, Harry decided it was Severus' professor skills showing.

"Shall we stop here for the night?" Severus asked as he parked his bike making the question more a given than anything else.

Grateful, Harry nodded, "Sure, we're almost to Salisbury."

"And the traffic is getting worse," Severus added, but he studied Harry's face while saying it.

'Definitely, because I am tired. Maybe a bit about the traffic, but he's been guarding me from traffic this whole way.' Harry just nodded again and headed for the door. "Bunks, tent, or a room?"

"Bunks will be fine," Severus said as he followed him, "Though if that is the tent you used last summer, it would be acceptable too."

Harry shook his head, "No, Mr Weasley returned it to its owner. I did get one like it though."

"The tent then, as it will afford us a bit more privacy," Severus decided.

Harry refused to think what he wanted to do with that bit more privacy. The ride had been good - tiring, but good - and he didn't want to spoil it at the end. "Okay, let's check in."

He succeeded in getting a fairly secluded spot so the tent popping up magically from its folded state wasn't noted. Going in, he shrugged, "It's not grand, but it has room for the two of us, a loo, bath, and a kitchen area."

"I'll cook," Severus used his wand to send his bag to a cot on the far side of the tent after pulling out a small pack from inside.

Grabbing a pot, Harry went to get some potable water. In less than an hour of his return with it, Severus was serving them a thick beef stew with rolls on the side.

"Where did you learn to cook?" Harry asked as he tasted the stew, slightly afraid it was going to more resemble a potion than dinner, and then relieved to find it tasty.

"I've been taking care of myself for years, Harry. Cooking is part of that." Severus flashed a small but true smile. "Do you know how to? I'm not trusting the Durselys to have taught you that skill."

Harry tightened his grip on the roll, ripping it in two. His voice remained neutral sounding, thankfully, "Aunt Petunia had me in the kitchen since I was able to pull a chair up to the stove."

He thought that that wouldn't give too much away, but Severus' expression said otherwise. Luckily, he didn't broach the topic.

"At least there was some good that came out of that place," was all Severus said.

"That and Dudley - though that's relatively new." Harry almost bit his tongue for giving away more information about his horrible childhood. He didn't want Severus' pity.

Once again, Severus let it go. They finished eating dinner while talking about the sights they'd seen on the drive. Afterwards, Harry laid out the map as was his habit from last year, checking their route. Looking at it, he noticed how close they were to West Amesbury. He glanced at Severus, who was reading a journal, and then back at the map and using his finger he traced the route from where they were to the Black Manor and then down to Salisbury. "Do you mind if we stop by Black Manor? It's close by, but to go there will add another day to the trip. It's about an hour or two ride, but then I figured we'd stay there until the next morning."

Severus came over and peered at the map, "It would be interesting to see the building."

Harry knew that was a yes since Severus started plotting out the route to Salisbury from West Amesbury. He pulled out the directions to Black Manor given to him by Mr Richards, the estate manager, glad they included the Muggle roads.

§§§§§

Harry didn't say anything as they passed the signage on the road, but as he was unlocking the large iron gates that hung between an even larger tower-like gatehouse he couldn't hold it in anymore. "I didn't realize that this place was that close to Stonehenge and some of the Barrows."

"Within easy biking distance," Severus said as he walked through the opened gates, studying the gatehouse. "You were saying you wanted this place to make money somehow."

Harry nodded as he closed the gate behind them, "Yeah, so I can afford to make the repairs."

"You might consider a Bed and Breakfast for tourists."

Harry wrinkled his nose at that idea, "Maybe, but I don't know if I'd really want people up at the main house. At least not sleeping there. This place was owned by the same people who thought cursed items sprinkled about Grimmauld Place was a good idea."

"It would take some cleaning up," Severus started.

Harry cut in, "Which might require paperwork depending on what we are cleaning - or where."

Severus frowned, "Anything is going to require paperwork."

Harry just huffed a sigh and mounted his bike, "Let's get through the park and I'll show you around the place."

They rode down a tree-lined gravel - or what was once gravel - drive. The trees were thicker than they had once been, it was obvious by their ages, but Harry like them. You could see flowers peeking through the underbrush, and hints of small clearings. Soon they left the wooded area and were in an overgrown meadow that was most likely supposed to be the lawn. There were obvious garden areas and water features - ponds, streams, and fountains - dotted throughout the area. The house stood behind it all, tall as if it was stubbornly refusing to give in to age and neglect.

"It has a Georgian brick facade on the front, but there are sections that date back to the Normans," Harry said as they pulled to a stop near the front door. "Possibly further, but the Estate Management firm wasn't sure."

"That explains the gatehouse - it's far more in keeping with that style." Severus peered around, "You could rent out the grounds for garden parties or other events."

Harry nodded, "Hermione mentioned that. Ron - I've got to show you the greenhouses - but Ron suggested possibly growing potion ingredients."

Harry propped his bike on the wall and said as he opened the door, "One of the elves will put them away for us."

Severus placed his bike next to Harry's, "You have more than one here?"

"Yeah - Kreacher and Dobby are both here, and they found three others that needed a new home. All five of them work here and at Grimmauld Place. Dobby tends to stay here as he has more experience working in large manors and Kreacher at Grimmauld place. The other three go where they are needed," Harry just finished speaking as Dobby popped into the entry hall.

"Mister Harry Potter!" his ears were straight up and his eyes wide, "Dobby wasn't expecting you, sir." He glanced at Severus, "And you brought a guest - Master Snape."

Harry rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah, sorry for the short notice, Dobby, but I thought we could stay here today and leave in the morning. Our bikes are outside."

Dobby's eyes brightened and his ears quivered with excitement, "Stay here? Of course, Harry Potter and Master Snape will stay here. Lunch, tea, dinner, and breakfast will be served, and two rooms will be prepared for you. Leave your things here or with your bikes and we will handle it. Show Master Snape around. Dobby will find you to let you know which rooms."

Harry set his bag in one of the hall chairs, "Thanks, Dobby."

Severus placed his beside Harry's, "You mentioned greenhouses?"

Harry beamed, "We'll start there and then I'll show you around the rest of the place. All of the manor is safe to travel through, but some of its condition is … well it needs work."

Leading Severus through the house, Harry opened doors and showed lots of rooms until they were outside the back door. "There is an old stable but Dobby says he wouldn't keep a horse in it."

Severus smirked, "The Malfoys were known for their stables."

"Ah!" Harry shrugged, "Maybe I could breed dogs? Krups or something and they could stay in there."

"You'd have to see what the market is like for them," said Severus, "or you could renovate the stables as well."

"I'll look into it." Harry walked past the old stone building and gestured to several large glass buildings, "The greenhouses. They are protected - the structures are - but I can grow whatever in them."

"What is already growing?" Severus asked as he walked towards the nearest one. It wasn't shaped like any greenhouse he'd ever seen. It looked more like a large pavilion or something similar. A large tree seemed to rise from the middle of it.

"I can only recognize a few things - maybe you'd know?"

"I'll see."

§§§§§

Later that night, after dinner, Harry watched as Severus drew out the four greenhouses and then proceeded to write down what was there.

"There are several I don't know the exact species of, but there are many rare species and not just ones used in potions," Severus said as he marked the paper, "There are a number of flowers as well."

"Maybe I can sell the blooms from them?" Harry pulled out the notepad he had started writing on earlier as both of them came up with ideas and jotted that one down.

Severus stopped and tipped his head towards Harry, "What are your plans for the house in Godric's Hollow?"

Harry heaved a huge sigh, "It's a Grade I house - I can't touch my old bedroom, not even to repair the side of the house. Luckily, it is spelt to keep the weather and such out. I was wondering if it could be a kind of museum. A place to talk about the Voldemort War. Maybe have a timeline displayed in the parlour - not just of what happened there in the house, but the entire thing. And have a room dedicated to the Order, maybe another to the Death Eaters."

Severus stiffened at that, "Would I be put in both?"

Harry shook his head, "No, you were with the Order for most of the War, so that is where you'd be. I was thinking we could have another spot for the victims - let people who want to have their family members remembered, named on something."

"Maybe another area for Dumbeldore and Voldemort?"

Harry shook his head, "I don't think there'd be enough rooms. So I figured they'd be in with their groups."

"If the kitchen is functioning, you can sell snacks and meals, too," Severus added.

"I just don't know how to get that started."

"You have some research to be doing, I see."

Harry laughed at Severus' grin.

§§§§§

They left the next morning, well-rested and fed. The rest of the way to Canterbury was filled with conversations about what to do with both houses and Severus' plans for Hogwarts during the next school year. It was a good distraction from Harry's worry about how Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were going to react to him showing up on their doorstep.

They found a hostel near to where the Dursley's new place was.

"I'll get us a spot, and then check out the bike shops," Severus continued after Harry nodded. "You head on to the Dursleys, and I'll let you know where to find me when you're done."

Harry tightened his fingers around the handlebars, "Thanks, I'll check the compact for your message. Yours is a touring bike, right?"

"It is," Severus watched him carefully, "Will you be okay going there alone?"

Harry nodded, "I need to do this, but thanks for checking. I hope Dudley is there." And that was a shock to say. Shaking his head slightly, he smiled at Severus, "A touring bike would be nice. The saddle looks bigger and the suspension not as finicky."

"It's also a bit heavier, so you won't be blown around by cars quite as much."

He was grateful that Severus accepted the change in topic, "That'd be nice. I'm going to head on and I'll see you in a bit."

Severus lifted a hand off his handlebars and waved him on his way before turning into the hostel.

Harry waved back and then began searching for the road that was in Dudley's directions. Fifteen minutes later, he pulled into the drive of a house set in a neatly groomed garden. 'I wonder who's taking care of the flowerbeds for Aunt Petunia?' Propping the bike against the house, he found a secluded corner and transfigured his bike clothes into something a bit more formal. He ran a smoothing hand over his white button-down and then over the black trousers. A quick glance showed that his shoes weren't dust covered. One settling breath later and he knocked on the door then took a step back and waited.

To his dismay, Aunt Petunia opened the door and her eyes narrowed on him, "I thought you were gone for good, Boy."

Harry's shoulders stiffened. That 'boy' was filled with derision, not the affection that came through when Mum Weasley used it sometimes. "Hi, Aunt Petunia, I wanted to see Dudley for a moment, please."

She drew the door close to her side, making it impossible to see in. "You ran away and now you wish to come back? Bring your dirty …" her lips curled back, "unnatural, freakishness into this house? We won't take you in. You're old enough now - go back to those who want you, if there is any."

The barbs stung even though he'd expected them. Pain lanced through his heart and he pushed it away. He had never been wanted here. It had always been said loudly through their actions if not words.

"Well, get away from my door," she made a shooing motion.

Harry closed his eyes briefly, before pasting a falsely bright smile on his face, "Mrs Dursley," he was surprised at her hurt expression, "I need to speak with your son for just a moment, please. He sent me a letter telling me how to find your current residence and asked that I meet him here."

"Mum, let Harry through," Dudley's voice came from the other side of the wood. "I was getting worried he wouldn't make it before I left for uni."

Petunia opened the door, hurt and shock warring for dominance on her face.

"Come on, Harry, let's go upstairs," Dudley waited until he came in to walk towards the stairs.

Harry nodded towards Petunia, "Thank you, Mrs Dursley. I will be as brief as possible."

Her eyes rounded as the hurt won out on her face. Harry rushed after Dudley, escaping whatever she was about to say.

"I'm sorry about Mum, Harry, but you handled that just right," Dudley said as he shut a door behind them.

Harry couldn't help to blurt out now that they were alone, "You're going to uni?"

Dudley beamed, "Yeah, I want to become a councillor to work with children like us." He turned to face Harry with an earnest expression, "We could have been friends a long time ago if someone had taken us in hand. If someone had recognized what was happening. We lucked out, and I'm glad we did. I want to be someone who can help those who don't, or help others to figure it out like I did."

"And your parents agree to this? That's a lot of schooling."

"I know, and they are okay with it. Dad was glad I found some ambition and Mum will go along with just about anything I suggested."

Harry studied Dudley's face, seeing more resolve than he'd ever had, "If you need funds, just ask. I'll help as much as I can."

"You're just getting out too, Harry. You're going to need whatever money you have to help yourself."

Harry chuckles, "My godfather left me a fortune that I can now access, not to mention what my parents left me. Really - I have two houses already that are liveable and land and such. Sure, I am figuring out how to make them pay for themselves, but I don't truly have to. Not for a while - I just want to make sure my Death Taxes are covered without having to sell them."

Dudley returned his studying look before grinning, "If I need to, I'll take you up on it. How can I reach you?"

"I'll send you an owl when I get settled and let you know the address so you can post me or visit." He grinned back, "I brought back your bike so you can ride to them if you want."

Dudley blinked, "Ride? You want me to ride a bike to your house? And where'd you leave the bike?"

"Yeah, you can - to either of them actually - but I personally would pick a different bike than that one. Racing bikes aren't all that comfortable for that type of biking, at least not as comfortable as touring ones." Harry gestured towards the front of the house, "I propped it against the house near the car. Severus made sure it was in good shape last night, so it should be good for you to ride periodically."

"Severus?" Dudley asked, "The Headmaster of the school?"

Harry beamed and nodded, "Yes, we're friends now and he agreed to ride with me to bring back your bike."

"What are you going to ride now?" Dudley asked.

"Severus is looking for me a new bike while I'm here." Harry pulled out his expanded bag, "I left the backpack on the bike, but here is your money back. Thanks for the loan." He set several notes into Dudley's hand.

Dudley looked at it and then shoved them into a pocket, "Your trunk is over here, and the money you gave me is in it. Do you need help getting it out?"

Harry spotted the trunk hiding near Dudley's wardrobe, "Not if you don't mind me using magic."

Dudley paused and then waved him towards the trunk, "Go ahead. If I'm going to visit I have to get used to it anyway. And, who knows, it might be helpful in my chosen career to know it exists and be comfortable around it."

They both felt the shadow of their past brush over them and they pushed it away. Harry walked over to the trunk and pulled his wand. After a quick glance to make sure Dudley was still all right with it, he cast a shrinking spell and then put the trunk into his bag.

"Thanks for looking out for it."

"No problem," Dudley said. "I guess you need to leave?"

Harry nodded, "I don't want your Mum to be even more upset and Severus is waiting on me to make the final decision on a new bike."

"Then let's go," Dudley opened the door and they both walked back to the front door. He held out his hand after he'd opened the front door. "You be in touch and then I'll come to visit when I can."

Harry shook his hand, and then while still holding it, pulled Dudley close enough for a slight hug, "I will."

Harry could see Dudley still smiling as the door closed between them.

He waited until he was out of the garden before opening the compact.

Severus was in front of a sign, and he tilted his head towards it. Reading it quickly, Harry grinned as the image went black. It took longer to walk back to the hostel, but there he was able to get directions to the shop. Hoping that Severus hadn't waited too long, he rushed off to meet him.

§§§§§

The serious set of Harry's shoulders as Severus walked into breakfast gave him a mental pause. 'What could happen? Did something go wrong yesterday that I don't remember?' Casting his mind back, he thought about bike shopping.

After Harry had left for the Durselys, he had found the location of three different bike shops and was glad he found what he was looking for at one near the hostel. After a quick talk with the shop owner, he had been given permission to wait there for Harry to arrive. 'Which was a good thing as the man was sending away loiters.' He had told Harry where he was, and then pulled out a book to read while waiting. The shopkeeper's forbearance had been rewarded when Harry arrived and bought one of the nicer touring bikes with a front rack, back rack, saddlebags, and panniers. Severus had bought a tool kit for Harry to put into his saddlebags.

Once the saddle was adjusted for Harry's height, they'd returned to the hostel, locked Harry's bike up, then Harry had shuffled his gear into the different bags before storing the rest into his expanded bag - which Severus thought was very ingenious. The rest of the afternoon had been spent gadding about Canterbury - doing all the touristy things they could fit in. 'Maybe it had been too much like a date and that is scaring him off? Did I cross a line I didn't notice?'

Sitting down at the table, Severus poured himself a cup of tea. They ate breakfast in silence. At the end, he gave up on Harry speaking without being prompted and raised an eyebrow in question. He felt his stomach sink when Harry set the compact on the table between them. His heart followed when his muffling spell surrounded them. 'Wait for him to speak - don't overreact.'

Harry rolled his lips between his teeth and rubbed his palms down his thighs before he spoke, "I feel as if we are friends, and friends don't keep … things like this a secret from the other. At least, I don't think I should as it can come back to haunt me given my luck."

The last part was mumbled but Severus caught it anyhow. His interest was now caught - just what did Harry need to tell him?

"You see ... " Harry paused but then obviously forced himself to continue, "I'm attracted to you."

Severus was stunned, but forced himself to focus as Harry's hesitation went away and his words flowed like a river bursting from a dam.

"I won't let it interfere with what we are building here, but I needed you to know that I like the way you look, most of your personality - the cutting part I can deal with though it isn't my favourite - and I find myself watching you, thinking about you, and … fantasizing about you. I tried to stop. During the school year. That's why I tried to give you back the compact then - I was ogling you. It's also why I started messaging you less, but you asked for me to do so more often, so I did …"

Severus was glad when he paused and looked down. 'He … he's been looking at me, fantasizing about me, as long as I have been him. He … he was the good one to attempt to give it up.'

"Any rate, I just thought you should know because if it came out after we'd been friends for a while, you would get mad." Harry gestured towards the compact. "If you want to end our budding friendship here, then take the compact and I'll go back to Grimmauld Place by myself. You don't have to ride with me." He dropped his head, staring at the compact, "Thanks for bike shopping with me yesterday, it was fun."

Severus set his compact on the table next to Harry's and then cast an even stronger privacy spell around them. Harry's head jerked up, and the younger man stared at him. 'In for a knut, in for a galleon.'

"You're right, that type of knowledge can be dangerous to hide." Severus stared into Harry's eyes and did not think of Lily at all, "I find myself attracted to you. At first, I was unwilling and tried to deny it, but as last term passed, I couldn't. I didn't want you to return the compact, nor did I want you to slow down our communications not only because I needed the information, but because I didn't wish to give up … you." He paused, wondering just how far out on a limb he should go. 'We'll … time for the pound.' "You were not the only one ogling."

He waited, his chest tight, but his face blank.

Harry's eyes widened and his jaw went slack, "You … you're attracted to me? You've been looking at me too, through the mirror? Have you fantasized?" He shook his head quickly, face turning hot, "You don't have to answer that."

Severus stopped his fingers from tightening and decided to put his trust in Harry. "Towards the end of the Term, yes." He couldn't bring himself to admit the unwilling ones at the beginning.

Harry leant forwards onto the table, "Do you think there is a chance to be more than friends? Are you willing to try?"

Severus stood, smiling, and picked up his compact, "Yes, I am. Come on, Harry we have to get moving."

Turning, he walked to the door, refusing to look back to see how Harry reacted, but the scrapping of the chair legs and the rush of feet told him all he needed to know.