After dinner, Severus apparated them back to Grimmauld Street, though this time he succeeded in warning Harry beforehand. They walked together, hand-in-hand, to Number 12, and Harry paused in the front hall hesitantly. He wasn't ready yet to say goodnight and go back to falsely cheery letters. Part of him still wanted to confront the man over what had caused his hurt. He relaxed as those comforting arms wrapped around his waist.
"Thank you, Severus, for this evening," Harry said, unsure how to put into words just how important it had been to him to witness such a large piece of the man's past.
Severus smirked. "I am glad you chose to join me," He murmured. "I am compelled to ask, however, as to why you did not inform me of your presence in London."
Harry looked away a little guiltily. "I didn't want to bother you. I know how important your summer experiments are."
"Harry," Severus said, lifting Harry's chin so their eyes met. "You are never a bother."
Harry frowned. "I was before I left," He pointed out bitterly, pulling away slightly.
Severus sighed and drew him close again. "I'm sorry. I was, admittedly, feeling vaguely passive aggressive." Harry resisted the urge to point out that an argument could be made for simply 'aggressive'. "I didn't want you to go, and I feared for your safe return. I was…unprepared for the depth of emotion I felt, and I took it out on you. Forgive me?"
Harry frowned in exasperation. He wouldn't say it, but everything was indeed forgiven; had to be, in the face of a home-cooked meal in the secretive man's childhood home.
"I was really hurt, Severus," He said instead. "I still am. If it is within my power, I will always come back to you. It doesn't just hurt, knowing that you can so easily cast me aside when things get too rough, it hurts knowing you don't trust me to take care of myself. I've done and seen a lot, same as you have, and I came out of it all relatively unscathed."
"I do trust you, Harry," The Potions Master insisted. "It is the rest of the world that I do not trust. As to casting you aside, it was not as easily done as you believe. It very nearly broke me, knowing that you left without my farewell."
"Then why weren't you there?" Harry demanded, feeling the knife's edge of anger.
"Because of what I said before you left my quarters," Severus admitted. Harry blinked in confusion. "I was dismissive and curt with you. It reminded me of the man I was before; before your persistence two years ago changed me for the better. I did not come to see you off because I feared that you would never want to see or speak to me again after the way I behaved. I waited in agony to hear from you, and was certain I waited in vain until your letter arrived."
Harry continued to frown, wrapping his arms snugly around the stiff neck. "Severus, I said it once before, and the rule stands. I'm not going anywhere. Your having a bad attitude doesn't change the way I feel about you. I'm allowed to be hurt, but that doesn't mean you aren't eventually forgiven."
Severus gave a hopeful half-smile. "Forgiven?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Forgiven," He agreed.
He was surprised when he was drawn into a claiming kiss that quickly developed into more. He groaned as he was pulled tight against the firm body, and leaned up on his toes in a desperate need to be closer. Until this moment, Harry hadn't really realized just how much he had missed the Potions Master, and he tangled his fingers in the black hair, drawing the man even closer. His body was quickly alight with a familiar need to feel and be felt.
Harry grunted a little painfully as he was pressed back into the wall of the corridor, and he gasped needily as fingers curled around his wrists and pressed his hands against the wall as well. Sharp teeth nipped at his lip before moving to the skin of his throat, marking him. Harry hissed wantonly as a thigh was pressed between his legs and his mouth was recaptured. He struggled to press against that darkly clothed thigh, craving the delicious friction it would offer, and Severus granted him his wish, grinding against him. Harry threw his head back against the garish, peeling wallpaper.
"Severus, I need you," He breathed before pressing forward again to capture those sensually thin lips.
It was Severus' turn to pull away. "The wolf is gone?" He queried breathlessly.
Harry hissed again as Severus ground forward a second time. "Merlin, yes, 'til morning." Harry was severely disappointed to find Severus pulling further away, releasing him and creating actual space between them. He was only slightly satisfied with the firm, needy kiss he received.
"Bedroom?" Severus whispered against his lips.
Harry nodded adamantly. He reached forward and pulled the man against him in a passionate kiss before pulling away and grabbing the long-fingered hand. He all-but dragged the Potions Master to the stairs. They made it about halfway before they were forced to a stop by a driving need for one another. Harry forced himself to pull away again and lead the rest of the way to his bedroom. What they were planning was not something to be done in a stairwell.