Chapter 6

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Westin Convention Center...

Ivan Grigorovich, Dean of Potions at Pittsburgh University, of Pennsylvania entered the moderately-sized ballroom. The walls were covered in a dark rich wood, and dotted with elegant stained glass windows. Large crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling; their light sparkling overhead. He could smell the freshly brewed tea and different coffee's; the rich varied scents mingling in the air with the dishes and puddings that had been prepared for the evening.

Ivan gazed around the room, noting the different witches and wizards that had traveled from around the world to attend this convention. He was overjoyed at the response to his invitations to attend. Some of the foremost Masters and Mistresses in the world were gathered here. And from this crop of fellows, he would choose his successor. He'd already made his choice, but he had told no one. It would hinge on the individual accepting the position, but in the meantime, he would enjoy the theatrics of those desiring the position. As far as anyone knew, he would not make his choice until after this evening.

The University would back any decision as to his replacement. And he had already agreed to oversee the transition, during the following year; the first year for his successor.

Von Knobelsdorff had outdone himself planning this event. But Ivan also knew that the other man was aware of his pending retirement, and was maneuvering to take his place.

Severus Snape, the premier Potions Master in both Great Britain and Europe, was his choice for the job. He was exceptional in the field and was the foremost expert in experimental potions. The man alone could lead the next generations of Potions Mastery into a new era.

Now all he had to do was convince the man he could do the job...

Across the room...

"So, Severus, what do you do at these shindigs?" Harry asked as he came to stand beside Severus.

Severus raised an eyebrow as he looked at his companion. "I would hardly refer to this gathering as a 'shindig', as you call it. But, to answer your question, the latest accomplishments and new discoveries in the field of potion mastery are shared and discussed. New mastery's are acknowledged, and awards are presented."

"That means a very bored Emmett. I do hope I don't embarrass you tonight."

"You are not Longbottom, so there is hope." Severus watched Harry from the corner of his eye. "Though discussion of the number of cauldrons you have melted or exploded would not be recommended fare tonight."

Harry clasped a hand to his chest and appeared to swoon dramatically. "Ah, Severus, you wound me. My explosions were not as legendary as Neville's, I only tried to blow up my area. Now Neville, he was working on destroying the entirety of the Dungeons. Looking back, I suspect he subconsciously hoped to take your scary arse with it."

Severus couldn't help himself, and found himself chuckling at Harry's antics. "Funny, Harry. Very funny."

Harry took a deep breath. Severus' deep chuckle did things to his person that it was best to not think of in this crowded room. He turned as one of the waiters passed, and grabbed two glasses of wine. Handing one to Severus, he took advantage of the opportunity to get a better look at his date for the evening. He smirked to himself. Even in Muggle clothing, Severus seemed to prefer black.

But, Harry couldn't complain. The suit Severus wore was very flattering on him, though the European knee-length coat was somewhat reminiscent of his potions robes. But, that's where the similarities ended. Stylishly cut, the suit flattered his tall slender frame very well, as did the black linen shirt he wore beneath it. Both were set off by a tie in various shades of light blues, with a matching ascot in the coat pocket. Silver cuff-links, tie bar, and black boots completed the look. And a very delectable look it was too. Harry's mouth was dry and he licked his lips.

He tapped his glass against Severus', "Cheers, Severus. If I recall this particular wine is from Canada; the Niagara Peninsula if I'm not mistaken. A very fine vintage of Ice Wine."

"Yes, it is. I've enjoyed it myself only one other time. From what I understand, it is somewhat difficult to acquire and very expensive."

"Oh it is. But I much prefer a good Bourbon, myself. Tennessee is the best. Aged in oak. I'll pick up a bottle while you're here, so you can try it."

"Acceptable." Severus lip quirked slightly. "Though, should I be concerned that you may attempt to get me intoxicated and take advantage of my person?"

Harry licked the moisture from his bottom lip. "I wouldn't need Bourbon for that. Given the opportunity, I would just drag you to my bed and have my wicked way with you."

Severus' eyebrows rose as he stared at Harry. Well. Well. It seemed Harry had grown up and had gained confidence in social situations. The lion had finally grown teeth. This was an interesting revelation, indeed! Looking just over Harry's shoulder, he noticed the attendees being motioned to be seated.

"I do believe it is time we found our table. Shall we?" He motioned Harry toward their table, his hand lightly at the small of Harry's back as they walked between the tables. In the center of the table was a large platter of cheeses and meats. Breads of all sorts.

"Ah, they got their breads from Madam Kraus."

"How can you tell?"

"Use your nose my dear Potions Master. Only Madam Kraus uses that much garlic in her Italian Loaf. Her breads are quite savory, what with all the herbs and all. She supplies a good portion of the restaurants here in Pittsburgh. Look at the flatbread and Focaccia. To die for, my friend. To. Die. For."

"When did you become such a connoisseur?"

Harry blushed, "Well, having friends like Brian and working in the Gallery, with Lindsay, has...brought me into a whole new world. Its a wonder I haven't gotten fat!"

Severus smirked. "Indeed. Rotund you are definitely not."

"My. My. You look familiar." A gray-haired gentleman sat down across from Severus and Harry. "I believe I own one of your paintings. The Bearded White Dragon."

"Bearded White Dragon," Severus eyed his young companion. "Do you really think Albus is a bearded white dragon??"

"How do you know it's Albus?" Harry looked surprised.

One eyebrow raised in question.

"Okay, it's Albus, but the one I have at home has the dragon holding out a bag of lemon drops."

Severus just rolled his eyes.

"Its for his birthday."

"When did you begin drawing?" asked the gray haired man. "Oh, how rude of me. My name is Frederick Reinhardt Reese."

"Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts."

Mr. Reese shook Severus' outstretched hand. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Professor! I've heard much about your work with the Wolfsbane Potion."

"Your work on the Potions more directed towards healing the mind is quite astounding itself. The Wizarding version of Alzheimer's is becoming more common now amongst the older generations."

"Ah, yes. A variant strain of the Muggle disease. We have had much positive progress in our research though. I find my Muggle medical training has been invaluable. There are several parallels between the two illnesses."

"It's a sad illness. Watching people you know one moment, then the next you can't remember. Not understanding what stand up means. Or what a drink of water is, or what food is as well. It takes away everything and leaves nothing," Harry whispered.

"What was his name, Mr..."

"Potter. Harry Potter." He ignored the gasp of surprise from Frederick. "His name was Copper Hartman. Used to come down to the Liberty Diner and eat all his meals there. Didn't have any family locally, so he became a permanent fixture at the Diner. We knew something was wrong the day he stood in the middle of the Diner and asked where he was. They found him wandering down by the riverfront before he was placed in a home. Finally his daughter came and took him away. But it was too late. He had forgotten who she was."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Even the Muggle medical community has medications to manage the symptoms of the illness." Mr. Reese looked genuinely saddened as he spoke.

"He's gone, isn't he Harry?" Severus asked in a low voice.

"Yes. About a year ago. She brought his ashes back to be buried next to his wife. I can't imagine waking up and not knowing where I was. Lost in a world that is unknown to you." Harry cleared his throat. "My apologies."

Mr. Reese clapped his hands lightly. "Enough somber discussion! I do believe we are about to be served."

"It seems we are." Severus replied, as a waiter appeared to take their drink orders.

Three trays were set in the middle of the table. One was laden with the pastries from Oliver's. Another was filled with chocolates. The third was filled with meats and cheeses. A basket of warm breads, wrapped in a heavy linen towel sat in the center of the platter of savories.

"Pardon me. Are these seats available?"

The melodic voice drew Harry's attention to the people standing at his shoulder. A young slender Asian woman, dressed in dress robes with an Asian flair. She had long black hair that flowed down her back and ended at her knees. Accompanying her was a small Asian gentleman, very aged in appearance, but the glimmer in his eyes spoke of a keen mind. He was also dressed in Asian style robes. Both wore the emblem of the Guild.

"Yes! Please, sit and join us." Harry replied with a smile. There was something about the man that intrigued him.

"Thank you for your graciousness." The young lady replied as she helped her elderly companion to sit next to Mr. Reese, before taking the seat next to Harry.

"Please allow me to introduce us. This is my teacher, Potion Master Zhaohui Shirong." He nodded toward each of the other men at the table, before the young lady continued. "And, I am Shen Jia Ning, Potions Apprentice."

"Frederick Reinhardt Reese. Potions Master, Cedar-Sinai Medical Research, Wizarding Facilities."

"Professor Severus Snape. Potions Master and Potions Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Severus motioned toward Harry. "This is a longtime acquaintance and former student of mine, Mr. Harry Potter."

"Pleased to meet both of you, Sir. Miss?" Harry suddenly looked a bit flustered.

Miss Shen smiled. "It's Miss, Mr. Potter, but you may call me Jia Ning. It is a pleasure to meet all of you."

Master Zhaohui smiled and nodded, the corners of his eyes crinkling as his eyes twinkled in a most familiar way. "Yes. Yes. Very pleased to meet all of you. Yes, indeed." He gave Harry an intense gaze before his attention was drawn to Severus.

"If I recall, Master Zhaohui, you wrote a thesis on the use of the rarer magical herbs from Ancient times to create more stable and long lasting potions for the treatment of Cruciatus in War victims."

"Ah yes! I've also read that one. Very unique train of thought and theory, but very innovative. How are your current round of testings faring?" Mr. Reese leaned forward a bit as he spoke.

Miss Shen answered. "Master Z. has been working with a notable Herbologist in Britain, who kindly agreed to assist in the cultivation of the magical herbs. His assistance has made the latest round look promising. Perhaps you have heard of him? Herbology Master Longbottom?"

Severus barely resisted rolling his eyes. Harry grinned. "Neville Longbottom. Yes. We were dorm mates and fellow students at Hogwarts. Nev is a very good man."

"Harry Potter?"

"Yes."

"Harry Potter who killed the Darkest Lord of the age?" Miss Shen asked, a bit surprised.

"Yes."

Master Zhaohui leaned toward his apprentice and spoke to her quietly in Chinese. A look of humble dismay appeared on her face. She looked at Harry as her Master sat back and sipped at the Oolong tea he had been served.

"Please accept my sincerest apologies, Mr. Potter. It was not my place to ask you such a question. Master has reminded me that you cherish your privacy and loath undue attentions."

"No. No. Miss Shen. You have not asked a question that offends me. Yes, I am that man. But, only a man who happened to do something that was my fate. I am only Harry, an artist and a part-time pastry chef." He smiled his warmest smile at her. He didn't want her to feel bad. She hadn't done anything wrong in his eyes after all.

"Yes. Harry does avoid the spotlight at all costs. Quite refreshing, actually, considering some in the Wizarding World." Severus smiled.

The others nodded in agreement, as Harry looked at Severus in surprise.

"Lockhart." Was all Severus said.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah. Most definitely!"

"Ah. Gilderoy Lockhart. I've heard of him. He's in St. Mungo's Spell Damage Ward, isn't he?"

Severus' eyes shown a mischievous glint. "Yes. Permanently from what I understand, due to his own hand... fool."

Harry blushed and said nothing. Suddenly, filling his plate seemed an urgent endeavor. "You must try the olives. Mr. Geneso, stuffs them and then marinates them in extra virgin olive oil and garlic. He makes his own mozzarella at the shop. It's the round white slices on the platter there, next to the Fontina."

Severus gave Harry an odd look as he began to fill his own plate. He'd have to ask Harry what was bothering him as soon as they were alone. Lifting the bottle of wine he'd ordered, he filled Harry's glass, then his own, before asking the others if they would like to sample it.

Across the room...

"How do you think our little Harry is faring, Oliver?" Emmett asked, keeping one eye on the pastries he was serving and the other on his friend across the room.

The older man with a greying goatee, sliced another piece of cake, "So far so good, it seems. How are we doing on the cookies? Scones?"

"Everything is fine. Plenty set aside still. So, do you think our Harry will spend the night with Mr. Tall Dark and Mysterious?"

Oliver turned to look at his younger companion, "Do you ever think of anything other than sex, Em?"

Bursting into amused laughter, Emmett set down the serving knife he'd been using and turned to his boss, setting fists on his slim hips. "Ollie. Of course I do. But I haven't seen Harry like this since he's been here. There's something about this professor friend of his, that unbalances our little Brit."

"I don't know. He seems fairly confidant to me."

Blue eyes rolled in exasperation. "Honestly, Ollie. Don't straight men notice anything!?"

The little man rolled his eyes. "Em. Tell the straight man what he doesn't see then."

"Oh, very well. Let me put this into words you can understand then... vanilla style. When you were younger, did you ever feel off-balance around a girl and not know why? Act all weird. Forget what you were saying. Forget your thoughts. Embarrass easy. Then, realize later that you actually had a 'thing' for this girl? Well, that's our Harry--only, he hasn't quite figured it out yet. This Severus makes him all haywire, like using your cordless phone too close to the radio when you call in to request a song."

"Okay. So Debbie is right when she says that Gay men should give straight men lessons?"

"Deb's a smart woman. Why do you think straight woman say gay men make the best girlfriends?" Emmett grinned and went back to placing pastries on plates. "Our Harry's got a thing for his friend and he's got it bad. But, I suspect the feeling is mutual. We will just have to watch the show from the wings."

"You my friend, are having way too much fun watching the action."

Emmett grinned evilly. "Someone has to tell the others how Harry handles himself. And it's so much fun to watch. Who am I to turn down a free show?"

"Sex-crazed voyeur."

"Clueless straight old man."

Both men broke into subdued laughter and turned their full attention back to their job.

Returning to the TABLE...

Harry picked up the plate of truffles. "Jean-Marc makes all of his truffles by hand. On Saturday, during the Markets, he puts on a show for the locals and tourists that come to stroll along the Strip. Uses all the finest ingredients. When our current Governor of Pennsylvania was holding his Inaugural Ball, he asked for these. For a Muggle, he works magic with chocolate and other confections!"

Severus for his part, knew he was in trouble. He wanted to take the whole plate and set in front of himself; cherish each piece, savor and enjoy. His nose told him that there were White Chocolate Champagne, Dark Chocolate Raspberry, Espresso Mocha, and an odd flavor he had yet to taste. "Which one is this, Harry?" He asked as he pointed to a group of truffles in the center of the serving plate.

Harry looked at the truffle, "Ah, Blackberry and Creme Brulee."

Severus sighed, as his mouth began to water. Selecting three of the confections, he placed them on his dessert plate and waited, while the others made their selections before Harry placed the plate back in the center of the table.

Harry smiled at the anticipatory expression on Severus' face. The man really loved his chocolate. But a mental image of himself licking some off of the tall dour man came to mind, causing him to take a deep breath. Blowing it out slowly, he kept his eyes on his plate until he had himself calmed again. Looking up, he smiled at Severus.

"Don't worry, Severus. I'll take you to Jean-Marc's before you leave."

"Am I that transparent?"

"You and fine chocolate in the same vicinity. Oh Yeah."

Sitting up straighter, he schooled his features. "Well, I cannot have the general population discover my weakness."

Stifling a laugh, Harry's eyes danced with humor. "No we can't." Snorting, he lowered his voice to a whisper as he leaned closer to Severus. "Its funny. You know, if Voldemort had offered you chocolate, you might have served me up as a sex slave on a platter."

Elegant fingers delicately holding a White Chocolate Champagne Truffle suddenly stopped halfway to Severus' mouth, as the man's eyes widened and he stared at Harry.

One dark eyebrow rose in question.

"I wouldn't have turned you over to the Dark Lord dressed up as a sex slave."

"Really?"

"My tastes are much more refined. You'd look far more appealing covered in almond oil and a breech-cloth."

"I could arrange that..." Harry began, just as he felt a light tap on his shoulder, and turned to see Emmett crouched just to the left of him.

"Harry, do you know..." Emmett noticed the slightly flushed cheeks and dilated pupils of both Harry and his companion. Smirking, he eyed them both. "My, my... I don't believe the wine usually has that effect. What 'have' you gentlemen been discussing?"

"Erm..." Harry's eyes darted to Severus and back to Emmett, as he cleared his throat. "Did you, er... need something, Em?"

"Looking for the sausage rolls and the shrimp puffs, Luv. Can't remember if we packed them or not."

"I packed them. Look on the bottom of the cart. That's where I put them."

"O.K., I'll check there." He started to rise, but dropped back down, giving Harry and Severus a mischievous grin. "I suggest you table the conversation for the time being, gentlemen, until you can escape to somewhere more appropriate--and conducive to continue such a 'heated' discussion." He winked at them both and was gone.

Harry sputtered as his cheeks flamed. Looking at Severus, he didn't know what to say. Severus, on the other hand, though his expression was blank, his eyes showed amusement. But Harry looked deeper, and saw a heat, arousal.

Oh, tonight could very well be the beginning of something.

TBC...