Harry stumbled outside, tears streaming down his face. He'd forgotten his invisibility cloak back in his room in his haste. It was dark - well after curfew - and he knew he'd be in for detention if anyone caught him. But he couldn't bring himself to care. Harry had just been dumped rather brutally by Jake. Jake had been his first lover, and the first boy Harry had ever gone out with. Jake was the reason Harry had come out to his friends.
They had spent a blissful 3 months togeher. Full of youthful passion, heavy make out sessions and (on Harry's part) utter devotion and adoration. But tonight it had come crashing down around him. Jake had asked to meet up after supper was over, and Harry had happily joined him in the Slytherin common room. But Jake had been distant. "So Harry," Jake said calmy. "It hasn't been working lately. I'm sure you feel the same way. To be honest, I...haven't been fair to you. I've been seeing someone else for about 2 weeks now. I really like him Harry. So it's over between us. I'm sorry." Without saying anything, Harry had turned and run. He had stopped in his room for awhile. He hadn't wanted anyone to try to talk to him. Not when he was feeling like this. How could anyone stand getting their heart broken like this? How did anyone ever move on from this?
Now, Harry was sitting curled up in a ball against Hagrid's hut, gasping for air in between his sobs. He knew Hagrid was a deep sleeper and would never hear him from inside. Harry carried on crying for 10 more minutes when he heard a sound. A twig crunched in the darkness in the direction of the castle. Harry sat up quickly.
"Potter," came a familiar voice from the darkness.
"Snape...Ugh. I mean Professor. .." murmured Harry.
"What are you doing here Potter? Not only is it after curfew, but you are outside in the grounds. And close to the Forbidden Forest at that," growled Snape. Harry shrank down closer to the wall of the hut behind him. His tears hadn't stopped the whole time they had been talking.
"I'm (breath) sorry sir. (Breath) Iwasjustclearingmyhead. (Sob) I'll go back now. I'm sorry sir," Harry mumbled quickly. As he went to stand, Snape grabbed him by the shoulder and cast light on his face with his wand. Harry had shining trails down his face, his eyes were bloodshot and his face puffy and red. Snape's eyes softened.
"What Potter?" he demanded, wondering what could have upset the boy so terribly. Harry considered the likelihood of escaping back to the castle without having to explain himself, and decided that he may as well get it over with. Harry explained his predicament amidst his crying. When he stopped talking, Snape couldn't help himself. He pulled the boy towards him into a tight hug.
"You mustn't let the stupidity of others affect you so much Potter."
"But he was my first Professor!" wailed Harry before clapping a hand over his mouth. Snape's eyes widened slightly. Harry saw the compassion in the eyes of the man who had made his life so miserable, and something clicked. Before Snape could say another word, Harry's lips were on his. Harry was terrified the second his lips connected with Snape's. He would be expelled for sure. Or hexed. Or...or..or nothing. Snape deepened the kiss! Slowly, Harry felt himself being backed into the wall. Snape moved his lips down to Harry's neck, sucking hungrily. Harry moaned loudly. Noone other than Jake had ever done anything like this with him before. Harry grabbed Snape around the waist and pulled their lower bodies into contact. Each could feel the arousal of the other against their thighs. When Snape moved his mouth back to up, Harry tensed. All of the pain that had temporarily vanished came flooding back. He pushed gently at Snape, making their lips disconnect. Snape stopped and looked at Harry, panting lightly.
"I can't!" moaned Harry, tears streaming once again. "I'm so sorry Professor. It just hurts. I want to. But...I...Please..."
"Potter. Shh," crooned Snape, pulling Harry into another hug. "Believe it or not, I too have felt the sting of rejection. I understand. To say that...this" he gestured between them awkwardly "was unexpected is an understatement. It really should not have happened. But it did," he continued, seeing the pained reaction from Harry at his words. "and i do not regret it. Nor am I a hormonal teenager like yourself. I can wait. Should you decide that you wish to engage in a highly frowned upon relationship with your professor, I would be pleased. If not, it will not be held against you. And if you simply need a shoulder...I am around. Despite out past...I...apologize for that. Tonight has changed my perception of you. So if you need me..." Snape trailed off, shrugging slightly. Harry had his face buried in his potions professor's chest, and clung tighter on hearing his words.
"Thank you," he whispered into the robes. With a gentle caress of Harry's head, Snape released the boy and led him back to the castle.