Chapter 3

Harry's POV

"Hang on…" Harry interrupted loudly, looking apprehensive. "Why me? Last year it was you who went to the international medical expo."

"I'm not getting any younger, Dr. Potter," said Minerva calmly from her seat behind the desk in her office and put the tips of her fingers together. "Trips to France would take their toll on my body. Besides, it's you - the new generation of doctors who need to learn about the latest medical updates."

Harry frowned, perplexed, and tried to argue, "But I—."

"You won't turn my plea down just because you aren't in the best relationship with Dr. Snape," chided Minerva sternly, peering over her glasses at him.

Harry looked at her wide-eyed, his face paling considerably as he registered what she had said. "How – how did you know?" he said slowly.

"I might be old but I'm not deaf yet, Dr. Potter. I've been overhearing the nurses gossiping about it." Minerva frowned and then said, "I thought you and Dr. Snape have been getting along nicely these past three years."

Harry breathed out a sigh of relief. So Minerva didn't know that he used to go out with Snape. The last thing he wanted to happen now was for the gossip about their past relationship to spread out.

"You won't be going alone with Dr. Snape, Dr. Filius will be coming along with you too," Minerva reassured him.

That got his attention at once. "Filius Flitwick? From Internal Medicine?" he asked her, making sure.

"Yes, that would be correct," said Minerva. "I remember you've always wanted to have a good talk with him. You should have plenty of chances to talk to him during the trip."

Harry bit his lips as he thought deeply about it. It was a very tempting offer. Just like Minerva had said, it would be a long awaited chance. Flitwick's medical toxicology research was well-known, ground-breaking and it truly fascinated him. Even though they belonged to the same hospital, both of them were usually too busy to have a lengthy discussion about research. But there was also Snape to consider, his ex-lover would still be coming no matter what, because he was the director of this hospital. The mere thought of the possibility of having to look after the hospital booth together was making him cringe.

He gritted his teeth. To hell with Snape! I'm not going to let him continue ruining my life even now!

"Fine… I'll do it," he finally replied, hoping that he wouldn't come to regret his decision soon.

XxXxX

Severus's POV

Damn that woman! She ought to keep her nose out of my business! Severus grumbled darkly. Of course, Potter wouldn't be able to refuse the bait when it was dangling right in front of him!

The whole trip was turning into his own personal inferno on earth. Potter had only spared him one cold glance, after which the green eyed man approached Flitwick and since then they have both been engaged in a lively conversation. When the expo finally opened in the morning, the situation became even worse. He and Potter got the first shift to keep an eye on the booth while Flitwick was holding a presentation in the hall. There was uncomfortable and undeniably awkward tension between them as they provided free public examinations to the visitors in order to promote the hospital service.

And it wasn't helping that one of the visitors at their booth, an old woman, kept complaining about the medicine that her current doctor had prescribed for her. Nothing was more annoying than a person who acted like they knew everything about medicine despite not being a physician themselves. He was so close to strangling the woman when she stormed off, muttering on about how unhelpful whelp he was.

If there was anything that Severus hated more than the current medical expo, it was his grandfather. As fate would have it, the old dictator died from a heart attack – most probably because of the unbearable shame – when Lily dumped him at the altar. Actually, it was kind of ironic. It made him lose the love of his life but he was finally free to pursue the career of a surgeon and not have to succeed his family business.

XxXxX

"Well, well, well… Look who's here – Severus Snape," drawled a man with sleek blond hair and a pointed, pale face, coming closer to their booth.

Severus nodded slightly to acknowledge the newest visitor, "Lucius."

He silently made an observation that Lucius Malfoy hasn't really changed much over the years, with his trademark long, blond – almost silver hair and the ever present smug expression on his face. He had first met him when they were medicine students at Stanford. Though Lucius never graduated from that medical school, they always kept a good relationship – well, mostly it was Lucius who was keeping in contact with him – even when he was working as a surgeon in U.S. and Lucius was doing his business in the U.K. In a sense, Lucius was one of the very few friends that he had.

Lucius said coolly, "I haven't heard from you in so long. Narcissa and Draco have been insisting I contact you and invite you to visit us again.

"I'll try to next time," said Severus flatly.

"What? And hide yourself in your cave again? Non, non! Narcissa will be displeased if you don't come when you're here! She'll think I'm a cold man who won't offer an invitation an old friend," protested Lucius, showing the French blood that he inherited from his mother's line. "You must promise me, you'll spare some of your time for us tonight."

"Lucius?" called the black haired newcomer. "So you're here – ah, I see you're with your… friend."

"Dr. Riddle, let me introduce you to my best friend, Dr. Severus Snape, the renowned Cardiac Surgeon and the Director of St. Mungo's in London," said Lucius smoothly. "Severus, this is Dr. Riddle, he is one of the co-owners of Gaunt Hospital."

He had read about it in the newspaper before. It was the name of a private hospital in London that was acquired by Lucius last January. His friend was originally a rich young man, but he had tripled the wealth that his ancestor had left him by starting his own business, not long after he graduated from Stanford. Now the silver haired man was the owner of many companies in Britain.

Dr. Riddle smiled and shook his hand, "It's an honor to meet you, Dr. Snape. Please call me Tom. And this is…?" The black haired man trailed his words.

Severus was quick to realize that Riddle was eyeing the green eyed young man who was standing beside him with an unhealthy amount of interest. He gritted his teeth in annoyance and clenched his fists as he suddenly felt the urge to do physical harm to the newcomer.

His companion gave a polite reply, "Harry Potter. Pleased to meet you, Dr. Riddle and Mr.—?"

"Malfoy, though please call me Lucius," said Lucius warmly. His friend furrowed his brow as he looked at Potter. "Hmm… why is that your name feels familiar?"

"The Chosen One," Dr. Riddle answered so readily that it made him suspicious that the other doctor had known about Potter even before they had been introduced. He saw Potter flinched at the nickname but Lucius and Riddle were both oblivious to it.

"Ah, you're that A & E doctor!" Lucius brightened at once, taking Potter's hand and shaking it vigorously. "It is a pleasure to meet you. My son, Draco, said you inspire him to become a doctor like you."

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," said Potter, smiling stiffly. "Although, I still have much to learn myself."

"So modest too!" said Lucius, turning to face him. "I do envy you, Severus. You had such promising youngster in your hospital."

Severus snorted, "Flattery won't get you anywhere."

Lucius chuckled, "Very true." He turned to Potter. "Dr. Potter, I extend the invitation to you, please come and have a dinner with us tonight." Then he glanced back at him and reminded him again. "You too, Severus. I don't want to hear any excuses."

XxXxX

After dinner at Malfoy's residence

Severus sat on the chair near the patio, swirling wine around in his glass. He occasionally uttered a polite remark to Narcissa as he watched Potter from the corner of his eyes. The young man was sitting close to Draco and Riddle on the white sofa across the room. The three of them could pass off as a beautiful Rembrandt painting if not for how animatedly Lucius's son was talking to his new acquaintances.

Even though he knew Potter wasn't his anymore, the feeling in his chest – since he found out that Riddle was also invited – was unmistakably jealously. The already very volatile animosity he felt towards Riddle since he first met the black haired doctor this afternoon was getting worse as time went by. He hated how easy it was for Riddle to make Potter smile and laugh, while he could only make him frown. If given time, it wouldn't be hard for Potter to fall for Riddle. It didn't help knowing that Riddle was younger and more attractive than him. And that fact left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Severus, you look distracted tonight, my friend," Lucius said to him.

"I have… something on my mind," he replied softly, not wanting to explain it.

"Hmm, not work again?" asked Lucius good-naturedly. "You really have to take a rest some time." His silver grey eyes went dreamy and said poetically, "A vacation to some island, enjoying the white sand and the blue sea."

Severus snorted loudly, "It sounds like your own wish."

"My husband is too relaxed," said Narcissa dryly, sipping on her tea.

"You hurt me deeply, my lady wife," said Lucius, sending meaningful look at his wife. "You know I have worked myself to the bone for you."

Narcissa let out a very unladylike snort into her teacup at that.

Severus watched the passing friendly banter with something akin to envy. Once he had wished to have this kind relationship with Lily. An everlasting love. A family to go home to. But he was too clumsy, too awkward, too much of a coward to reach out to anyone. Potter was the only one who was persistent enough to deal with him. He regretted pushing Potter away from him. A chance to be happy had been given to him and he had foolishly thrown it away.

Look at him, isn't he happier now, than when he was with you? Even though his happiness is your pain, will you not grant it? He asked himself. The answer was perfectly clear: Yes, he would give everything to make Potter happy. If a new love was what Potter needed, so be it.

End of Chapter 3

XxXxX

I experimented with new characters that I've never written before, and it ran so smoothly all thanks to my lovely Beta, YumeNoTsuzuki. And to all readers, thanks for reading this far, I hope you'll still interested enough to read the next one ^_^