AN: Well here's the next chapter! Hope you like it. Please review and let me know.

Jk Rowling is the lucky person who owns Harry Potter and all that it encompasses.

Chapter 8

Sept 1

With the Sorting completed and all the first years seated at their tables, the Headmistress stood and addressed the students.

"Welcome everyone to another year at Hogwarts! Before we dig into our delicious meal I'd like to introduce the new History of Magic Professor, Harry Potter." She turned to the young man and Harry stood up slightly and waved. The students cheers were deafening and Harry smiled back at them before sitting back down.

"Settle down now, settle down! There is a new list hanging outside Finch's office of the items not allowed in school this year. Please take heed of the list for if you're caught with said products they will be confiscated until the end of the year." She scanned the room, "Now, let's eat!" She clapped her hands together and a buffet appeared on the tables. The sounds of chatter and utensils taking up the mantle and Minerva sat down to her own meal.

"You're going to have a popular class this year young man." Poppy said over Minerva's plate. "I'd watch out for love potions and the like from day one Harry." She added with s laugh and Harry blanched at the thought.

"Oh Merlin. Don't say things like that! You'll jinx me for sure!" Harry said and the whole table giggled. Silence followed as all the teachers dug into their dinner and their own conversations.

Harry ate slowly wondering how much of what she said could be true. Looking at Severus, Harry hoped that's not something he has to deal with on a daily basis. It's sad to think this but he's not here for the kids, he's here to bring Severus home. Severus is his main priority, his only priority. He also knows it's too early to think what he's thinking, but he knows for certain, that he already has feelings for the man. It must be the bond at work, he's not sure if without it he would be feeling this way just yet. Hopefully the bond will settle down the more time they spend together.

"Penny for your thoughts." Severus interrupted.

"Oh, just pondering what Poppy said. God I hope that's not true. I just want…"

"You couldn't have expected to come back after five years and not have any fan fair. Seriously Harry, how daft can you be, you're their Hero, their Savior, the Golden Boy, the boy-who-lived-twice, their..."

"Stop." Harry saId through clenched teeth. He turned to the man next to him, "Don't say it. I just want to be Harry, not any other title. Why do I have to be something to everyone else but I can't be Harry to myself?" Throwing his napkin on his plate he shoved away from the table. "Excuse me Headmistress." He then looked to the faces of his colleagues, "I'm sorry. Please excuse me."

Harry left through the same door he came in and stormed down the hallway coming to a complete stop half way down. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. This is not how he wants to be, a tempered brat. He's worked too hard these past five years and he's throwing it all away! Ugh! He slammed his fists against the wall in frustration.

Temper, temper dude. What is wrong with you lately?

'I...I just really hate being here, okay. This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Coming back to this place that holds so many bad memories and struggles for me and it's too much. I'm struggling too much and I shouldn't be. I'm going to have to work extra hard on my emotions...on my temper. This place just brings out the worst in me.' He said under his breath but loud enough to make sure he heard his own promise.

The Headmistress will not be pleased.

'No, I suppose not.'

We still going to see our Other at 7? Please, I've been good today, patient even. I deserve to bask in his glory! You...not so much.

'Oh, do shut up! Yeah, I'm going tonight. It's all I've been thinking about. Now leave me alone and let me sulk in peace.' Leaving the wall and heading towards his rooms.

Shutting the door to his rooms he slipped out of his boots and headed for the kitchenette. He stopped short when Hercules' caw surprised him. "Hercules! Wow, you're back already! Have you got responses for me?"

The vulture cawed and extended his leg for Harry who gladly took the letters. "I'm impressed with your flying, Hercules. You did a good job. Real good. I'll leave the window open tonight for you, okay."

The vulture tilted his head to the side, expanded his wings to full length before cawing twice. He hopped back and out the open window soaring high in the sky and out of sight. Harry chuckled at the birds antics, really he knew he wouldn't stay inside while there's practically a buffet waiting out there for him.

Harry turned his attention to the two envelopes. Feeling very nervous all of a sudden. Hermione's scrawl on one and Mikkel's in the other. 'What if I am going crazy?'

You're not losing your mind...yet.

He put the letters on the table and grabbed the kettle. Tea is needed now and tonight he'll have whiskey. He's not going to open them now. He doesn't have time today to deal with what either of them have to say. Tonight is all about his Mate.

Oh yesss. All about our Mate!

XxxX

Harry is dressed casually in jeans and a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. He brought a bottle of his favorite whiskey and he's currently standing in front of the man's door gathering the courage to knock.

Why are you nervous, dude. We were invited. Knock. On. The. Door.

Taking a deep breath he knocked twice on the door.

It takes a few minutes, long enough for Harry to doubt the man is coming, before the door opens. Severus is standing there wearing black slacks, black shoes and a grey jumper with the school logo over the heart. He smiles warmly at Harry and invites him in. "I wasn't sure if you were still coming. I'm glad that what happened at dinner didn't dissuade you, it wasn't my intention to upset you in any way." The man said.

"It's not your fault, Severus. That's a touchy subject with me and I guess I still have problems dealing with it. I hope that that doesn't set us back on this…" he waves his hand between them, "...journey between us. I would very much like to continue." Harry told him.

"And it shan't. I will endeavor to steer clear of that subject in the future. Please, let's sit in front of the fire."

Harry entered the room and took in his surroundings. It's a quaint room with warm colors on the walls and comfortable looking furniture in a room with a warm fire blazing in the hearth. Of course there's bookcases lining most of the walls, all fully packed with books of all kinds. It looks homey and safe and immediately Harry feels comfortable.

"This is nice, Severus. Here," he hands the potion master the whiskey, "I brought the whiskey. I hope you'll like it, it's one of my favorites."

"Thank you. Have a seat while I get the glasses." Severus put the liquor on the small table and headed for the kitchenette for two small glasses.

Oh, this is nice. Our Mate has taste.

"Oh god." Harry said out loud and startled when Severus came back into the room.

"You say something?" He asks as he poured out the whiskey. Handing one to Harry before he takes the chair opposite and sipping his own.

Hmm, feel his energy? It's so strong. He's going to be a great Mate. Can you sit closer? His essence is driving me insane.

"Uh..no. Just thinking how surreal this all is. You...me...sitting in your living quarters have a drink and talking civilly. Honestly, I never thought we would get on but you've shattered that theory. I wonder though what's in it for you?" Harry squirmed a little but kept eye contact. Knowing that the other man is a powerful ligillimens he made sure his mind was closed tight.

Snape put down his drink, "Harry, there's nothing 'in it for me'. I acted the way I did during your school years because I had to. I was playing both sides, you do realize that don't you?, and there were plenty of Death Eater wannabes in this school. I needed them to think I loathed you with every fiber of my being to keep you, and me, safe from the Dark Lord and his cronies. Draco Malfoy in particular. His father was very influential with the Dark Lord." He took a deep breath ready to continue but Harry cut him off.

"I think it was more than just keeping me safe though. From day one you despised me, made me feel belittled and stupid. I know that it had to do with my dad and his circle of friends. I saw that proof myself, but surely you didn't believe me to be like them? Did I ever give you the impression I was a bully like that?" Harry questions.

Severus just sat there watching the young professor trying to figure out the best way to answer him. "In the beginning I truly did not like you solely because you were the son of my most hated enemy. I figured I could exact my revenge on the man by treating you severely. But I soon realized that you were nothing like him. It made me feel like a coward for even thinking I could punish you for a dead man's actions. And since I had already set up the illusion of hate toward you, I just let that be. But I haven't hated you since your first year. If anything I was very impressed with how you handled yourself with your peers."

"Wow, really? Thanks I guess. You sure can act then because I really felt you hated me and so I returned the feeling as much as I could. I always wondered why you did that to me in my first potions class. But how come you beat me up in those occlumency lessons? I would have thought that would have been the best opportunity to talk to me."

Severus finished his glass and motioned to Harry asking if he wants a refill. Harry stretched out his glass for more. "I thought about coming clean at that time. Albus was so sure the Dark Lord was pilfering your mind that I decided at the last minute not to. If he was seeing your memories or thoughts then I had to stay true to my persona. I'm sorry about that too. I was extremely harsh on you during those events. However, I can see that you eventually did master the art. How did you manage that?" Severus lifts and eyebrow in question.

Harry's eyes widened before he acquiesced. "That's a long story. You sure you want to hear it now? I'm sure you have other questions you want to ask me." Harry answered back raising both eyebrows in anticipation. He looked into lovely black eyes, trying desperately not to get lost in them. He felt his Vampire sigh like a love sick puppy.

Can you hear it? His heart beats for us. I love that. Harry tries not to roll his eyes but he does mentally agree and the bond is singing on his skin again.

Severus doesn't look away, he swallows trying to keep his heart from exploding. "Does this have anything to do with where you've been the last five years?" Severus asks. "Because I'm very curious where the boy went and the man came from." Still glued to Harry's green eyes.

Finally, Harry breaks the connection with a slight chuckle. "Yeah, you can say that. I've been in Australia for the last five years." Harry said as he got up and went to the kitchenette for a glass of cold water.

Severus stared after him, soaking in his long legs and perky arse. "Australia? What could possibly be there that you didn't have here?" He said a little louder to reach Harry in the kitchenette.

Harry saunters back and sat back down. "Long lost family." He finally says as he watches severus' face. Maybe the man knows about his creature gene from his friendship with his mum. Maybe this won't be a surprise after all? But the man is just staring at him with a solid face devoid of any sign of emotion; okay maybe not.

Did you break our Mate? He seems to be at a loss for words. I don't like it. It's kind of creepy. Fix him.

Sighing, Harry decided to ask the next question.

"Severus? Can you tell me about my mum?"

Taken aback by the abrupt topic change, Severus stares confused at Harry. "What?"

"Are you okay? I was asking about my mum. Can you tell me anything about her?"

"Oh...yes, your mum...wait, what did you mean by lost family?" Piercing the younger man with his dark eyes.

Okay here we go.

"A couple days after the final battle I received a visitor at Grimmauld Place. He claimed to be a relative on my father's side. He knew quite a bit about the Potter family line and history so I allowed him to stay. Since I don't really know much about my parents or their lines, I soaked up any information he could give me. I learned that there were still family members alive and they all live in Australia. So, without thinking about anything else, I packed my bags and followed Batausch to Australia. Just the thought of having a family was so overwhelming. I had to go and see for myself." Harry leaned back in the chair and crossed one leg over the other. "Ron and Hermione hadn't been around much since the battle, contending to their own family and griefs. We really hadn't been that close for awhile by then. We seemed to be drifting apart as close friends and becoming more of acquaintances." Harry shrugged his shoulders and stares at his knee. Lost in the past, he said, "It hurt. That they could just push me aside after what we had been through together, but they fell for each other and in the end I was just the third wheel. So it was easy for me to follow Batausch." Not looking up from his knees.

"Did it ever occur to you that there were other people who cared about you? That would be hurt if anything happened to you? I don't understand how you could go off with a perfect stranger, especially days after the battle not knowing who is friend and who is foe. It could have been a trap - someone wanting to get revenge!" Severus said angrily. "The least you could have done was send an owl. Poor Minerva went out of her mind when you disappeared and so did your so called 'friends'." Severus continued.

Harry blinked at the man across from him. "You're right. I should have sent some kind of word that I was fine and I'm sorry I worried you, Severus." He said with a slight smirk.

Severus just stared at him; the person he put his life on the line to protect so many times. "I never said I was worried about you, Potter."

Harry chuckled, "Of course you did, Severus. In your demeanor and lack of mentioning yourself." He sat forward, "I truly am sorry. There's no excuse for how I behaved. But, I want to say in my defense that meeting any part of my family overwhelmed my senses and all proprietary went out the window."

"Are you really such a moron that you didn't think this person could have been dangerous! He could have taken you to kill you and no one would have been the wiser!"

You're not explaining it right and he's getting angrier. The scent is delicious but it will not help our cause, dude. Calm him down. Don't play with him and just speak the truth.

Harry watched as the man went from mild to hot in a matter of seconds. Shite. This is not going right. Okay okay. Locking eyes so the man could see he was telling the truth, "Severus. Please…calm down. Before you wig out completely on me there's more I haven't told you."

Severus lifted an eyebrow and waited.

"The night after the final battle I came into my inheritance." This news had the older man's attention. "The scar that everyone was so enthralled with was actually a Horcrux." Severus gasped and closed his eyes. "I don't know how I survived all those years with that darkness in my scar but on the battlefield Voldemort actually killed me in the first hour of fighting. We were alone in the back of the school by the forest and he hit me with the killing curse. I went down but didn't die." Severus is breathing heavy now and watching Harry with wide eyes. Harry kept eye contact, "I let him believe I was dead and he left my body there for the animals to get. When he was gone I got up and under my cloak fast and followed him. The rest you know. I think I defeated him because he was too shocked at seeing me alive." He paused. "His killing curse killed the Horcrux in my scar and my soul was left to live on."

"Harry" he whispered. "That's...?" He played through Harry's speech in his mind again and slumped back into his chair. "Merlin...I take it that the Horcrux stopped you from receiving your inheritance on your seventeenth birthday? So with it gone…"

"It came. Full force and unexpected. Not only did I receive my magical increase but also my creature inheritance." He held his breath and watched as Severus took in what he just said.

"Creature? Merlin Harry." Severus leaned forward putting his elbows on his thighs and rubbing his face. "Now it makes sense. Your getting a visitor and your leaving. Can you tell me what your inheritance is?" He asked looking up to into Harry's shining green eyes.

"I'd rather wait if I can. I'm just not ready to let people know about that part of my life yet."

"I understand. Just know that I wouldn't betray your trust if you told me. I would be honored to be trusted enough with such delicate information." He said sincerely and Harry knew he spoke the truth. He could feel the honesty in those spoken words and it made him feel warm inside.

Merlin. I just want to taste him right now!

Harry chuckled to himself and thought 'me too'. "I learned a lot about the Potter family while I was there so I was wondering if you could tell me about my mum? If possible?"

"Lily, Yes..." The older man shifted in his chair, "Lily and I became friends long before Hogwarts. We lived close enough to each other that we shared a park and that's where I first encountered her. She was doing magic but didn't know she was a witch. We became friends over discussing magic, the magical world and even Hogwarts." A smile lightens his face, "She was so excited about going to Hogwarts, about the adventure of a new place. It made me excited to go just for that reason too. However, I wanted to go to get away from my home more than anything."

Severus turned his attention to the fire and was silent for a few minutes. Harry just watched and waited. He knew this must be a difficult subject to remember much less talk about. "We rode the train together, that's where I met James and Sirius for the first time. Right from the start they picked on me and Lily would have nothing of it. She was a spit fire when it came to bully's and the like. We were sorted into different houses but still managed to remain friends for years."

Looking back to Harry then to his glass. "It was not easy being a half blood in Slytherin. I tried my best to keep my nose clean, to stay away from those who were following Voldemort but eventually I couldn't anymore. I was smart and received top marks. I even helped tutor the younger kids and the other Slytherins started to take notice of my abilities. They began to make me feel like part of the family, like I mattered to them. With Lily I had a sister but she was only one girl, with Slytherin I had a huge family with many brothers, sisters and mentors." Severus paused here and Harry's stomach fell.

"Go on. I won't judge I promise." Harry whispered.

Severus looked up startled that Harry spoke, he actually forgot for a second that the boy was there. "I'm sorry, I get lost in these memories sometimes. This is the first time I've actually said this out loud to someone."

"I'm sorry. You don't have to continue if you don't want to." Harry said.

Man, let him finish. I want to hear it!

"No I want to tell you. She didn't like the crowd I was hanging out with and we had a falling out. Then the incident with James and me calling her that name. That was the last straw for her. I was so lost after that and the Slytherins took me under their wing and helped me to forget about losing her. That's when I met the Dark Lord. He said all the right things and before I knew it, I was being marked."

He became silent for a long time and they both just sipped their drinks and watched the fire. Harry thinking about what his Mate just told him and Severus wondering if what he's about to say will impact their so called truce. "Harry?"

"Hmm"

"You know I'm the one that overheard that stupid prophecy and relayed it toThe Dark Lord?" He kept his gaze on his glass. He couldn't bare to look into those green eyes and see disappointment.

"Yes I know. I've known since my fifth year." Severus looked up then, shocked. With no malice or hint of disappointment in his voice Harry continued, "I hated you for it back then but then I realized you just told him what you heard. What he did with it is on him. I did blame you briefly for the deaths of my parents but only briefly. Voldemort chose to interpret the prophecy the way he did and he made the choice to come after me. Not you. And yes, I know that that's when you went to Albus for help."

Harry sat forward in his chair, green eyes meeting black, "Severus, this changes nothing between us now, okay?"

Ugh. Why are you driving me mad? I want to hold him, feel him and maybe taste him a little. Is that so much! Can you scoot closer maybe?

Severus smiled, the look of relief evident on his face before it's gone. "Okay." He said finishing off his glass. "This is really good whiskey by the way."

XxxxX

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