A/N: Hi there! Thank you all for reviewing and following this story, you made my day. I am sorry I left such a big pause between the chapters, I noticed I lost a few followers/reviewers, but I'm determined to keep the rest of you hooked :).

Chapter 4

And in the light of morning for 21 days straight
There you are beside me -OK Go

Harry woke up on Friday morning with a sigh. It was the day of the benefit dinner and he was not looking forward to it. James and Lily were all ready up and preparing the house, Lily was trying out a new recipe, something with salmon and cream, but it smelled like Harry's disastrous chemistry practical from third grade. James was on the phone, undoubtedly ordering food. Harry made his breakfast quietly, trying to ignore his mothers enthusiastic mood.

"Harry, could you give us a hand this afternoon? It would be great if you could help your father with the audio system. And maybe help him with all the cutlery we ordered yesterday, we have to pick it up at five and the table needs to be set up at eight."

"Uh, sure. But I have remedial lessons this afternoon, So I'll be home late." He responded, slowly packing his bag and observing the decorated living room with obvious distaste.

"Remedial lessons? Are you having trouble keeping up?" Lily looked up from her spoiled dish and eyed her son with more than a little worry.

"Of course not, mum. I'm only a bit behind on chemistry, you know how bad my grades were last year. But our new chemistry professor offered to help me catch up."

"That's really nice, I would love to meet him. He seems really interested in his student´s welfare, since he's investing his free time to help you. Have you thanked him already? Is he coming over for the benefit dinner tonight?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know."

"Well, make sure to introduce us, it would be nice to have a chat with a few of your professors again."

"Uh, do I have to be here tonight? It's for the parents..." Harry tried to talk his way out.

"Of course, it will be fun! You can invite your two friends over if you want to, Dean's parents allowed their son to do the same last year, remember?" Lily gushed. "When will you be finished with your lessons? I'll tell James to pick you up from school this afternoon."

"About half past four I think" Harry said, not quite certain how long the lesson would take.

"He'll be there, and you can pick up the cutlery on your way back." Lily waved as Harry made his way out of the kitchen.

"I hate parties" Harry muttered, but he made sure Lily hadn't heard him. At least he had his remedial lessons to look forward to.

~~~SS/HP~~~

Severus woke up in a very bad mood. It was earlier then usual and he immediately left the warm silky drapes of his bed to make coffee, much to his bed companion's chagrin. He'd picked the man up in the pub last night, after he'd given in to the blonde's obvious advances. It had been a nice evening and a nice distraction from his everyday job, but he didn't wait for Norman to finish his shower and left early, trusting the young man to leave the place neat and untouched. His mood improved a bit as he drove through the rain, enjoying the morning quiet.

He found his mind wandering to his student Harry again. As much as he tried to focus on today's classes, he hadn't prepared them yet, he kept on musing about the fight that had happened two days ago. He'd seen Flint cleaning the hallway yesterday under the watchful eyes of Belfort's concierge, and Severus silently enjoyed seeing the gruff and though boy fulfilling his detentions. He hadn't seen Harry that day, but knew he'd see him this morning, during theory.

As predicted, he saw Harry and Susan huddled together in front of the classroom. They were laughing together, but stilled as they saw him approaching.

"Good morning" He greeted them.

"Morning professor" The chorused almost in unison, and Harry scrambled up from the granite floor so his professor could open the classroom.
He let them in early, something he normally wouldn't do, but there were no other students outside and he knew he could trust the two of them not to break down the entire classroom whilst he would get his books and today's homework from his office.
Bits of the two student's conversation flowed through the closed door as he quickly sketched a plan for today's lesson.

"-should see him Harry. Constantly showing off his new orange Fiat Panda, ordering the students to stay away from it. He even assigned Flint to polish it."

Harry giggled. "Really? That man is completely out of his mind. And a real bastard too, but that's nothing new."
Susan snickered. "I heard he broke up that huge fight between Cedric and Flint. There are rumors all over the school about it, varying from Flint trying to kiss Cedric to you knocking both of them out with one punch."

"Oh great." Harry sighed, just as Severus entered the room again, his books under his left arm.

His students looked up briefly, Susan smiled, and they continued talking, a bit more quiet, and Severus wrote today's instructions on the blackboard, listening to their chatter.

"How did you manage it not to get a detention? I mean, you had the right to push Marcus back, but Umbridge is always trying to blame at least something on you." Susan Bones said, lowering her voice even more.

"Uh, Cedric covered for me. He said I had nothing to do with it, which was really nice of him. I would have helped him fight Marcus though, if they hadn't stopped me." came Harry's response, just as Dean Thomas and Ron Weasley entered the classroom, followed by Malfoy and then Zabini.

"Potter!" Malfoy said, moving in front of the classroom, next to Harry's table, grinning broadly.

"What am I hearing? Trying to help Diggory? Marcus Flint told me something completely different."

"Sod off, Malfoy" Susan replied, seemingly completely forgetting her Professor was standing only a few feet in front of them. Draco Malfoy ignored her heated comment and leaned on the workbench next to them.

"He told me Diggory actually saved your arse yesterday and that you were utterly helpless" the blonde went on.

"Oh just shut the fuck up." Interrupted Harry.

Severus decided he'd heard enough cursing from the two pupils and cleared his throat, startling Harry and the Draco out of their argumentation.

"Mister Potter, do I have to remind you of the school's policy on cursing? Mister Malfoy, Sit. Down." He said, his voice quiet but stern.

Harry snapped his mouth shut and Draco Malfoy made his way over to the back of the classroom, taking a seat next to Ernie Macmillan. The rest of the students were already in their benches, their books in front of them.

~~~SS/HP~~~

Both Harry and Susan had calmed down by the end of the lesson, they were both working on their exercises in silence. Professor Snape had written a few problems on the blackboard he wanted them to solve, using the methods he'd explained in the first hour.

To his uttermost shame, Harry still didn't quiet understand them, and he was hesitant to ask Severus for more help. Instead, he whispered a quiet question to his Susan. A few other students were whispering too, Severus didn't mind as long as they weren't disturbing the other pupils.

"Have you heard from Theo?"

"No I haven't. Maybe he's sick... it's been really cold outside lately." Susan whispered, abandoning her work and chewing on her pencil in thought.

"Yes, probably, otherwise he would have stepped by during lunch." Theodore usually lounged around somewhere at the back of the building or next to the bicycle stall if he skipped classes, but he'd never been absent for four days in a row just because he didn't feel like school.

"We should visit him if he's not better by next week" He suggested, surprising Susan with his proposal.

"Sure" She beamed. They had never been at Nott's for a visit, they usually talked somewhere in the school building until closing time, something both Harry and Theo preferred, and Susan didn't really mind.

"Are you having trouble with your exercises Mr. Potter? Then I suggest asking me instead of distracting your neighbour." Professor Snape had silently crept up behind them, and was now standing directly behind Harry, laying one hand on the back of his chair.

"I-I, Uh.. yes, Professor" Harry tried to think of something else to say, but his mind was completely blank. He lifted his eyes and met Severus' inquiring gaze shyly, smiling a bit nervously. Snape returned his smile with a smile of his own and Harry felt his heart jump. The Professor grabbed a chair and sat down next to his student. He started to explain the methods again briefly, and Harry's breathing evened out a bit. Every time he was close to the man, he felt nervous tremors raking his body and found it hard to meet the man's gaze without blushing, and he knew it was because he liked his professor, very much.

~~~SS/HP~~~

Severus stretched in his seat, watching Harry doing the same from the corner of his eyes. The boy's shirt rode up a bit, showing nothing but a bit of soft white striped fabric, but it was enough of a suggestion to incite the professor.

"Shall we call it a day?" He asked his student, they'd been working for two hours straight now, immediately starting after Harry's last classes. Harry nodded and stood from his chair. They'd sat together at his desk in front of the classroom, Severus found it more comfortable then working on the lower student tables.

"Thank you for your help. I think I can solve the last one on my own." Harry smiled and started to pack his bag."Do you know what time it is, Sir?"

"About half past four" Severus replied. Harry quickened his movements.

"Thanks again. I have to run, I need to help my father with dinner preparations."

"Goodbye." Severus responded, watching the boy leave. He groaned as he felt a headache rising at the mere thought of attending something like a benefit dinner.

A few hours later, he stood in front of the Potter Maison, and everything was just as bothersome as he'd expected. It was almost dark outside and the front and backyard were artificially lighted by a few lampions, there was soft music playing and professors and parents clustered everywhere, sitting together on small tables or having taken a seat at the main table, which consisted of a row of tables of the same height and occupied the whole front yard and seemed to continue on the inside of the living room, as the Potters had opened up both the veranda doors, and there was just enough room for the tables to stand there, together with two benches and still allow one person at the time to enter the living room through the doors. The headmaster was the first to spot him, the man wore a purple suit and greeted his new staff member jovially. He was pulled inside the garden, where the headmaster had been conversing with the maths professor, Vector if he remembered it correctly, and an unknown elderly woman, who turned out to be the former English professor.

"Have you met James and Lily yet? They should be inside the living room, the dishes will be served up in a moment."

Severus excused himself and went inside to search for the host and hostess. The couple stood indeed in the living room, next to the collection box, he only recognized them because a man with handsome grey eyes and a rather loud voice had called out towards James, a tall man with square glasses and messy black hair, but as he was shaking hands he saw the similarities between him and Harry.

"Severus Snape, the chemistry professor." He introduced himself. Lily Potter immediately perked up as she heard his name.

"You are Harry's chemistry professor? He told me about the remedial lessons. We really appreciate it." She smiled, shaking his hand.

Severus inclined his head a bit.

"It's no trouble." He answered.

A very loud booming voice interrupted their conversation and Severus looked up to see a man of his age, the one who'd called James previously, bouncing through the living room, hugging Harry, who'd been about to slip into the garden, with one arm, forcing him back inside.

"Harry! What did I hear from James Wednesday morning? Is it true?" The man shook his curly hair out of his eyes grinned widely, not even noticing the occupants in the room were all staring in his direction because of the commotion he'd caused.

"Shut up Sirius" Harry tried to push the man away, but Sirius laughed and poked him in the side.

"Not so fast Harrybear, you are not leaving until you've told me everything."

Harry's face went a dark shade of red as Sirius mentioned the nickname.

"Sirius, behave, otherwise you'll be scaring our guests away." Lily chastised, whilst James snickered behind her back and highfived the long haired man, who seemed to be a family friend. Harry met Severus' gaze and moved into his direction, seemingly surprised to see the man standing in his living room.

"Hello Harry" Severus used the boy's first name for the first time in public, and the boy smiled and moved to stand beside him.

"Who is this?" Sirius appeared behind Harry again and eyed the Chemistry professor with polite interest.

"Uhm, professor Snape." introduced Harry a bit clumsily.

"Professor Snape is Harry's chemistry teacher and helps him a bit on Friday afternoons" supplied Lily enthusiastically, who was still standing on Severus' left.

"Chemistry? Since when are you voluntarily working on your chemistry? You used to hate it, just like me and James in our young days." Sirius threw Severus an almost accusing look, as if it was his fault Harry was suddenly trying to improve his grades.

"I am Sirius Black, Master Physicist." The man introduced himself, his hands on Harry's shoulders, still eyeing Severus with obvious distaste, and Severus returned the sentiment. The man looked like a never grown up child, with his biker jeans and scruffy leather jacket.

Severus snorted, but tried to hide it by coughing into his gloves, which he'd took of to shake the various hands from other guests.

"Ah, physics." He replied, "And what are you currently doing? Are you a professor in this particular area?"

Sirius' ears went red and his frown deepend

"Not at the moment." He replied.

"Oh, but then you must be working in a laboratory, surely?" Severus raised one eyebrow, trying to hide a triumphant sneer.

"Nothing of that sort. I am working on a project."

"Ah, a project." He repeated. "That surely sounds interesting." With those words, he excused himself, his fists clenched in his pockets. Outside, he calmed a bit and took a few swigs from the champagne Albus had offered him. At that moment, the dishes were finally ready and Severus picked a spot in a dark corner. To his chagrin, Lupin discovered him and joined his table, followed by Minerva McGonagall and a few parents.

~~~SS/HP~~~

Sirius kept stalking him that evening, constantly trying to corner him and ask him about the girl, "or is it more than just one, ah Harry, you're taking after your father", not believing Harry when he told him he didn't fancy anyone, and there wasn't any girl.

During dinner, he'd managed to escape by choosing a seat inside, next to the stove, almost invisible behind the broad back of Ernie Macmillan's stepfather. Afterwards, it had been tricky, but he'd managed to slip outside by hiding after Remus, he'd ran into the librarian during dessert and was now walking beside him towards an empty spot in the backyard. There were fewer guests here, one or two parents who wanted to take a good look at the pond, otherwise it was empty. After a few minutes of talking, headmaster Albus Dumbledore called for Remus to assist him explaining the new catalogue system to a few interested parents. The shaggy haired man excused himself and went inside.

Harry remained where he was, observing the dark bushes that surrounded the Potter´s garden, separating their backyard from their neighbours. When he was a child, Harry had often wondered what would lay behind those bushes, there, where the weed grew thicker and the lawn wasn't that neatly mown. Now he knew what was hidden behind layers of taxus, birch and horehound: A simple shed, another lawn filled with a tableset and an electric grill, maybe the German Shepherd would be around, hunting and prodding in the dirt for mouses, maybe not.
A presence behind him tore him from his musings and he turned his head a bit, half expecting it to be James, scolding him for not actively participating in the festivities. Severus Snape stood a few feet away, watching him. He was almost invincible in between the dark silhouettes of the trees, his coat the same color as the ink black sky.

"Hi Professor" Harry said quietly.

Professor Snape moved to stand beside him and bended over, so his head was next to Harry's.

"What are you seeing that entrances you so much?" He asked, gazing into the same direction Harry had been staring in for the past minutes. It wasn't so much a curious question as a casual remark. Harry wasn't sure what to reply. He could have said bushes or weed, or even the neighbours shed, which was what he'd seen in his minds-eye. Instead, he answered:

"Memories, professor."

There was a long silence, in which Severus Snape did not move from his close position next to Harry, he merely stretched his back a bit. After a few minutes, Harry felt a hand touch his elbow.

"Do you want to take a short walk?" Severus released his arm almost as soon as he'd grabbed it. Harry felt his heart pound faster and he nodded.
"Get your coat, I'll be waiting for you."

Harry moved towards the living room as if in trance. He did not know what to think, his heart fluttered but he wasn't sure if it was a nervous flutter or a happy one. Probably a mixture of both. He didn't know how he managed to get to his room unseen, pull on his winter coat, the one with the grey fastenings and voluminous pockets, and back into the backyard again, but he was happy he'd succeeded. Severus was waiting, as promised, and lead Harry through the almost empty front yard towards the street outside. No one seemed to notice them, most of the guest were either listening to the speech Albus Dumbledore was currently reciting, or sipping from the whiskey Draco's father had brought along. They only met Remus Lupin on their way, who was just exiting the living room and nodded into their direction.
Once out of view, Harry felt like letting out a deep breath. They walked quietly until the row of identical houses which occupied Harry's home address slowly disappeared behind a corner. Professor Snape suddenly came to a halt, just behind a street lantern. He observed his surroundings and pointed into the direction of a small tree next to a low brick wall that stood almost hidden behind a large taxus hedge. They sat down on the cold bricks and Harry eyed Severus from the corner of his eyes, who stared straight ahead. He felt like breaking the tension and asked the first question that came in mind:

"How do you like teaching, Sir?"

Severus turned his head a bit and smiled, he didn't answer immediately though.

"I like writing better" He finally replied. Harry felt a sudden rush of excitement.

"You are a writer?" He squeaked. A smile enlightened his face and he couldn't help but stare up at the professor next to him with admiration.
Severus chuckled. There was another silence and Harry stretched himself contently, planning on asking his professor a dozen questions at once, but the words died on his lips as Severus finally met his eyes. The man's onyx orbs were smoldering and Harry had to close his own eyes at the sheer intensity of the burning gaze. He sighed a little sigh and felt Severus' arm around his waist, pulling him close. He leaned his head on the man's tall shoulder and opened his eyes again to reassure himself he wasn't dreaming. It all felt surreal, and when Severus turned his head and looked him in the eyes one more time, Harry suddenly knew that his professor liked him too. Before he could make another nervous move, Severus´ lips descended onto his and he felt his heart thump in his ears, his throat going dry.
A tongue invaded his mouth, and Harry almost bit on it by accident. It felt good, it felt warm. Severus tasted nice, dark. He felt the grip around his waist grow tighter, he tried to think of something to do with his hands, but then Severus pressed him even closer and he could think no more.

After another long kiss, Severus leaned back and released his tight hold on his student. Harry blinked, almost shuddering at the loss of contact.

"We should head back." Professor Snape stood from their rather intimate position and helped Harry up, grabbing his smaller hand into his own. Harry was still dazzled and stumbled along, his heart refusing to calm down, his stomach making somersaults and his mind screaming at him to hold Severus closer. Again, they didn't talk. Severus hand stroked Harry's waist a few times, and he released his students hand only when Harry's home came into view.

A/N: I don't know if Physicists and Chemists hate each other, probably not, but let's pretend they do, being concurrents and all (A).

A/N2: YAY! I've been writing this chapter on my way to college in a crowded train, it's really a bad habit because typing and sitting inside a moving vehicle always makes me queasy. And, even worse, the person sitting next to you always tries to read along, just when you've reached a very 'interesting' scene...Anyways, any Dark Harbour fans out there?


Thanks for reading, I love you all :) Please leave a review and tell me what you think!