"Hermione!" Harry called up the stairs of Grimmauld. "I already told you, Remus doesn't mess with my books! It has to be in the library somewhere!"

"There's no harm in checking!" Hermione's muffled voice called back. "He might have mistaken it for his own research!"

Harry rolled his eyes and turned to go back to search the library again. He made it only a few feet down the front hall when a knock stopped him. He turned back irritably, somewhat wishing the house still had its Fidelius charm to hide it. This was the second caller he'd had besides Hermione since he'd gotten back to London yesterday. He mentally swore that if it was another pushy salesman, he would hex them, consequences be damned.

The Gryffindor swung the door open and stepped back in surprise. He felt himself torn as the man in Muggle clothing stepped into the front hall and closed the door soundly. He almost would have preferred the salesman.

"Severus, what're you-"

"You were right, Harry," Hermione called, drawing both men's attention to the stairs. "Maybe you left it at Hog-Oh! Erm, hello, Professor Snape."

Harry sighed uncomfortably and rubbed the back of his head with one hand while gesturing with the other. "Severus, you've met Hermione? Hermione, I believe you know Severus."

Hermione giggled irritatingly and Harry glowered at the knowing look in her eye. "Yes, Harry, I think we've met," She said, stepping further down the stairs. "How've you been, Professor?"

Harry looked at Severus with an entirely false smile. "Yes, how've you been, Professor?"

"Busy," Severus sniffed. Harry smirked. "I apologize, I did not realize you already had a caller. I can return later."

"That would-"

"Actually, I have to get back to my flat," Hermione interrupted helpfully. Harry shot her a dark look that went ignored. "Crookshanks hates being left alone so long, and I have loads of paperwork to do for Madame Bones. I'm sure you two have important…professor things to discuss." She skipped down the last of the stairs, skirting around Harry with a wink, and approached their former professor. "It was good to see you, Professor Snape."

Severus gave a stiff nod. "Miss Granger."

Harry followed her to the door as Severus moved further into the entryway. "Hermione," He whined pleadingly, his voice low.

"Well, at least now I know why you've been such a stick in the mud all day," Hermione whispered stepping out onto the front stoop.

Harry scowled. "There's nothing going on." He told her darkly. It wasn't exactly a lie. Severus had really hurt him, and he had nothing but letters to assume that things would go back to the way they were. For all he knew, things were over for them.

Hermione smirked. "You go ahead and keep your secrets, Harry. For all I know you really do have some work to discuss. Besides, I do actually have paperwork I'm supposed to be doing. Write soon, all right."

Harry frowned, realizing he'd lost the argument even before it had begun. "I will. Soon as we get where we're going." He stepped out onto the stoop as well and hugged his best friend. "I love you, Rabbit. We'll have to catch up for real the next time I'm in town. Hopefully we'll be back again before start of term."

"I love you, too, Harry," Hermione murmured against his cheek. "Secrets and all." She pinched his side before darting down the steps and taking off down the sidewalk.

Harry gaped after his friend. "You wait, 'Mione. I'll get you back for that."

Hermione laughed and waved as she turned into the dead-end alley a few houses down. Harry waited to hear the crack of apparition before he turned back to the house. With a deep breath, he walked back into 12 Grimmauld and closed the door. He had no idea of what to say to the man.

"Severus…Did Remus tell you I was in London?"

"He did not," Severus answered smoothly. He pulled his hands from behind his back and presented a black rose. "I came with the intention of asking you to join me for dinner."

Harry took the rose and frowned up into the earnest black gaze. There really was no point in being angry, even now. It had been his decision not to tell Severus he was back in the country, but he couldn't help a blossom of gratitude that the man had somehow appeared anyway. And if Severus wanted to pretend things were fine, then Harry could be okay with that. He smiled a little in exasperation.

"Alright, Severus…dinner with you sounds nice. Remus is gone until tomorrow morning," He said, setting the rose down on the small table beside the door. "So I'd sort of planned to settle for a pizza or something."

Harry was surprised when he turned back only to run into a thin, muscular chest. Long arms circled his waist, and he looked up as a gentle kiss was placed on his lips. In spite of the hurt that still felt fresh, he melted into the kiss. He could forgive the man anything, if he simply kissed him like this every day.

"I have noted your absence, lately," Severus murmured against his lips.

Harry knew that the Potions Master was trying to convey that he'd been missed, but he was harshly reminded that the last words he'd heard from the man had been 'get out' in his old, spiteful tone. He pulled away slightly, his hands pressing against the firm chest. Without his permission, his mind began mapping the muscles and scars that lay where his hands rested.

"I've missed you, too, Severus," He said honestly. There hadn't been a day that passed where he hadn't missed the stoic Potions Master, hurt or not. "So, where are we going? Seems a bit far to apparate, to get to our usual spot."

Severus smirked, cupping his cheek. "I had hoped you would not be discontent if I took you somewhere different…somewhere new."

Harry smiled genuinely and nodded. "I am not 'discontent' with that."

He gasped as he was drawn close again, and squeezed his eyes shut as he unexpectedly felt the sensation of being pulled through a straw. When they landed again, Harry pulled away a little dizzily. He'd forgotten that you could apparate in Grimmauld now, and had never done side-along apparition before. His stomach churned a little threateningly at the unexpected event.

Severus' arms steadied him. "I apologize," The man said sincerely.

Harry shook his head to clear it. "It's…fine. Just…a little warning next time, maybe."

Severus chuckled and Harry felt a shiver race up his spine. The Gryffindor looked around and realized he was in an overgrown backyard, the weeds illuminated in the setting sun. A little ways away was the back of squat, somewhat run-down house with faded blue paint. He frowned.

"Er, where are we?" He asked uncertainly, looking up at the Potions Master.

Severus smirked. "Spinner's End. This…is my home. Come."

Harry watched as the man moved towards the house, and he followed slowly. Every, every time. Whenever he began to have doubts about being with the stoic git of a Dungeon Bat, Severus did something revealing. Harry knew his most recent doubts had been nothing so small as wondering about Severus' commitment. The way they had left things, he'd wondered if there was even anything left to doubt. His doubts had been…mountainous, and this glimpse into the life and history of Severus Snape was just as big. Every, every time.