Harry barely made it to the Leaky Cauldron in time to meet his friends the next day. After the charming scene at the manor the day before Harry had headed back to Little Whinging, from there it wasn't too hard to find a party. After a night Harry couldn't really remember he had woken up in an unknown bed, in an unknown house, with an unknown girl beside him, with aches and pains in all sorts of interesting places- all signs that he had probably had a very good evening, night, morning… whenever.
Still, now it was time to play the perfect little hero, with his Harry Potter façade firmly in place, Harry didn't let the pounding he felt in his head, or the ace in his body, show as he greeted Hermione and Ron at a little table in the back of the pub. They had been friends with Harry far to long to fall for it though, and they knew something was wrong, but a quick look from Harry made it clear that now was not the time for questions.
Shopping went quickly and before they knew it they had everything they could possibly need for the new school year. The stares, whispers and giggles had been successfully ignored, random meet and greets with friends and acquaintances from Hogwarts had been handled like troopers and they were ready to head away from the Wizarding World until September 1st was upon them.
Heading out into Muggle London Harry knew he couldn't put it off for much longer. Hermione never was very good at waiting for the information, always had to have it now. They headed toward a park and after settling under a tree Harry began his story.
The whole tale came pouring out; the 'family' comments, the opening of his Hogwarts letter, the O in potions, and then Severus' stupid comments. Hermione and Ron couldn't believe their Potions Master had been so stupid.
"And I know I was already on edge, that all this talk of Hogwarts had me thinking too much but really, it was still bloody foolish of him. The arsehole! It just brought it all back, I mean, I hadn't ever really forgotten, but at the same time I had, I don't know… been having fun. It was kinda nice, ya know? Or maybe not. It was different, I didn't hate it when Cassi would bring me a snack in the middle of the afternoon when I was in my room 'just in case I was hungry', or when Tai would bug me for stories about Hedwig, or, gods all damn me, but I liked it when he would tell me stories about my mum. I was almost getting comfortable, and then this just reminded me I guess, of why I don't. Of why I never let myself get comfortable."
Ron & Hermione always found it sad when faced with a reminder of just how closed off their friend was. Not just because it meant that he had obviously had a past which lead to this moment, to this problem, but also because it mean that even after all this time his life still hadn't really gotten any better, and he couldn't really foresee a time when it might. Basically, life not only sucked then, but sucks now and will probably still suck tomorrow.
The Trio hung around the park for a while longer, but the conversation had taken a much lighter turn. Joking and laughing the threesome relaxed, knowing that it could be awhile before they were all truly free to relax again. As they prepared to leave, deciding to head to a nearby Thai restaurant for dinner Hermione returned the conversation to Harry's current family problems once more.
"Harry, don't give up just yet. Yes, he screwed up, so maybe just take a step back from whatever relationship you had brewing, but don't let his error effect what you were building with your brother or, though I know you hate the term, your stepmother. Give them a chance. And maybe, Snape will learn from this, maybe that will still work out, for all that I know you aren't sure you even want a father."
"Thanks Mi, I know you just want what's best for me."
Ron always could be relied upon to lighten a serious moment just when it needed to be lightened. "Hey, I was thinking! Why don't we make a little bit of a night of it! I have really been wanting to go see a movie on the big screen again even since you guys took me before. Lets call Charlie, I bet he could take tomorrow off, and the 4 of us can go see a movie!"
It was quickly agreed upon and the threesome headed back to the Leaky Cauldron to borrow a floo connection to contact Charlie, and the parents of Ron and Mi. As luck would have it, Charlie was able to arrange someone to cover for him tomorrow; he had covered for them a few weeks ago so they were happy to return the favor. Charlie was ready quickly and headed off to meet the others where they were waiting at the Thai restaurant that had been selected by the Hogwart's students earlier that day. They had agreed to meet so Harry could change into his Alex persona before dinner, for he couldn't do it at the pub when they had already seen the famous Trio enter.
After dinner they decided to see the latest action flick, Harry always did have a thing for fake violence, it always seemed more like a comedy to him. The movie was great, and if Harry and Charlie lifted the divider between their chairs and watched the movie snuggled up, well… Charlie would never tell and Harry would deny it till he was blue in the face.
Afterward they headed back toward the Leaky Cauldron, Ron and Mi had to be getting home. They split up about a block before they pub, saying goodbye, knowing the Trio most likely wouldn't see each other again before school started, and that there was no telling when Charlie would have convenient free-time. Harry walked Mi to a taxi point so she could head home, and Charlie walked Ron to the pub so he could floo home. Then it was just the boys. Charlie was finished with his task first and managed to meet Harry just a short distance from the taxi point. Together, with their arms wrapped around each others waists, the boys headed to a nearby gay nightclub, where they could spend a while dancing freely and drinking.
It was the early hours of the morning before the boys were ready to call it a night, and they had both had a bit too much to drink. Perhaps that is what made Harry reckless enough to think his next idea was a good one, and made Charlie agree. When Charlie suggested they find a motel to crash at, knowing only a fleabag joint would be open, Harry decided why bother. He had a perfectly good bed, in a perfectly good room, at Snape manor. Severus could just live with it if Harry wanted to bring over company. Besides it's not like they don't know about Charlie.
At first Charlie tried to argue, but alcohol and that thing Harry was doing to his neck helped to convince him talking was by far over-rated and the sooner they found a bed, oh gods- how many hands did Harry have anyway, the better.
A quickly hissed word and the boys were appearing at the manor. They managed to keep their feet upon arrival, but Charlie's back soon found the wall beside the first step. Slamming into it with a force he knew he would regret tomorrow, Harry followed, never allowing his mouth to lose contact with Charlie- his mouth, his face, his neck. Charlie knew he should wait, or at the very least stop moaning like a whore, but he just couldn't seem to make it happen. Harry dragged himself away from Charlie and pulled him up the steps. They managed to make it all the way to the top before they lost their balance. Stumbling on the last step the boys hit the floor of the second story with a muffled thump. Harry took the opportunity to divest Charlie of his shirt, then pulled his own off as he and Charlie regained their footing. They shirts forgotten, the boys finally made it to Harry's room, slamming the door behind them.
At the Manor
After Harry had left yesterday things had been tense. Severus had slipped into a depression; his son was never going to forgive him for the early years of their relationship. Cassi hadn't known what to do, she had come to genuinely care for her stepson and she knew this was going to damage the relationship they had been slowing forming together, she was torn between wanting to comfort her husband, and being outraged at his stupid question, as well as his behavior toward a young Harry. The day had passed slowly while the two valiantly tried to pretend nothing was wrong in front of Tainen while hoping and praying to any power that would listen that Harry would come home, that he hadn't left for good.
Draco had arrived after dinner, hoping to spend the last few days of the holidays with the closet thing to a little brother he had, and also with the guy he was hoping would also take the title of brother. He really liked Alex. It was clear upon his arrival that something was very wrong in Snape manor. When he asked where Alex was Severus had attempted to keep his face blank but it was clear that underneath he was terrified and heartbroken. Cassi had said softly that he had gone out. When he asked when he would be home, Cassi could only say that they weren't sure.
Draco realized that questions were inappropriate at the moment and left the subject until after Tainen had gone to bed. But once he had Draco returned to the topic. His Godparents would only say that Sev and Alex had gotten into a huge fight and Alex had left when Severus had said something quite possibly unforgivable. Now they didn't know if Alex was going to return this summer, or ever again. Knowing there was nothing he could do, Draco bid them goodnight, adding his prayers to theirs that his brother would return soon.
For Severus and Cassi sleep refused to come that night, yet when morning arrived they were not really surprised that they hadn't heard Harry's return in the night. They went about their day as best they could, pretending all was well. Draco wasn't fooled, and although he didn't understand even Tainen knew something was wrong.
Another sleepless night meant that both Sev and Cassi were awake to hear the thud of a drunken portkey arrival downstairs in the early hours of the morning. Rushing out of bed and reaching for dressing gowns they were preparing to go and see Harry, at the very least to ensure he was all right when they realized they could hear very loud moans and the occasional quieter ones, two different moans. Two different sets of footsteps headed up the stairs. Their son had not returned alone. Freezing in place they could do nothing but listen to the thud of two bodies hitting the floor at the top of the stairs, and eventually to the slamming of a door.
Knowing there was nothing they could do tonight, not without further alienating Harry, Sev and Cassi returned to bed once again, hoping sleep would claim them, but not being at all surprised when it didn't.
It was the second night since he had returned to the manor and Draco was becoming increasingly concerned that whatever Sev and Alex had fought about would cause permanent damage to what he knew was an already shaky relationship. All during the day he had tried to discover the cause of the fight Sev and Alex had had but had been unable to do so. The night before his slumber had been turbulent, tossing and turning in concern for his family, and tonight's sleep wasn't proving any better.
He had finally found a restless sleep when the thud from downstairs woke him. He was relieved that Alex was home, now maybe he could get some answers. But before he was even out of bed he realized Alex wasn't alone. Slightly shocked and very amused by the potential for future fun at his brother's expense, Draco couldn't help but listening, wondering what was happening. Though he tried to stop his teenaged mind from doing it, his mind seemed to be trying to figure out what exactly caused each moan, oh but for he vivid imagination of a teenager. The slamming of the door brought him back to reality and he realized he was hard from listening to one of the closest things he had to a brother and somebody else. His face burning with embarrassment, he tried to find sleep, much more at ease now that Alex was home, and hoping he wouldn't blush if he had to meet the mystery guest over breakfast the next day.
The Morning After
The first thing Charlie was aware of was the pounding in his head, the second was the stabbing pain the sun made through his eyelids, the third was the carpet he had formally referred to as a tongue. Opening his eyes he couldn't identify the room but he did recognize the pants thrown over a nearby chair. If he was with Harry A) all was well in his world, and B) it really wasn't that unusual not to know where he was when waking with Harry.
Lying in bed trying to recall the night before Charlie really wished he could call out for Harry but something in him told him that maybe he shouldn't. Maybe he was Alex today? Or maybe he was Harry? Oh for the simple days when the guy only had one name and more baggage then one thought humanly possible… now things were complicated…
Harry came back into the room, he lad obviously made a toilet run but really wished he was still asleep. He was Alex today. "Alex?" Charlie groaned "Where are we?"
"Snape Manor" 'Sometimes I really hate the throw away manor in which Harry lets slip important information', Charlie thought as he went from lying on the bed to the attempting to pull on his pants on the other side of the room in about .03 seconds.
"WHAT!" Charlie damn near shrieked for all that he was attempting to keep his voice down.
"Yes, I'm not really sure why we decided to come here, but here we are. We should shower, and then I guess head down to breakfast. Charlie, quit panicking. Just be calm and act like everything is fine and everything will be, show weakness and life will go for your throat… in this case life being another term for my dear family."
Charlie wasn't comfortable with this plan but he knew better then to argue, Harry was generally right about these things. Attempting to take a calming breath, Charlie followed Harry into the bathroom. A far to quick shower later, and Charlie was trying to draw out the chore of getting dressed… all the better to avoid the family.
"Gee Charlie, I eat with your family all the time and I don't panic." Harry commented mockingly. A glare was the only response Charlie offered that stupid comparison.
"Umm, Alex, where's my shirt?"
"Yea, I couldn't find my shirt from last night either, knowing us, there's a chance they never made it to the bedroom. Wanna borrow one?"
Charlie had paled spectacularly when he realized the shirt could very well have been left anywhere, his only hope was that he was shirtless before they made it to the house, and today didn't seem like a lucky kinda day to him. He was screwed.
Harry grabbed a simple black muscle shirt, that was a little lose on him, helping Charlie put it on he tried to calm him down. "Relax, we'll be fine. We have done nothing wrong; everything will be okay. Just Breathe." The shirt was tight but wasn't 'obviously not his' kinda tight. Knowing there was nothing for it, Charlie took a breath and, grabbing Harry's hand, headed downstairs with him.
I know you will all hate me at this point but… CLIFFHANGER!
Reviews coveted!