Interdependence

by Sheankelor

They must dance around each other, then learn how to be equals, how to accept each other and finally how to stay interdependent. Ranging from a St. Mungo's private room to Hogwarts through Muggle World back to the Wizarding world, this is a story about two men who work together to have the best relationship they possibly can. EWE, HP/SS

2. Baby Steps

Thanks - and plenty of them - goes out to Yen for taking this one under wing. If it wasn't for her, there would be meaningful and important bits of information still in my head and not here. Thanks once again, Ladio. AAlens also was nice enough to point out a thing or two, so my thanks goes to her as well. Ree

Baby Steps

Harry growled under his breath as he watched another student do exactly what he couldn't. If he had tried to do what that fifth year had done, dart close to the Potions Professor as he bolted into the Great Hall, Severus would have moved back and left at least a foot of space between them. It would tell everyone that was watching that Snape didn't want to take a chance of being touched by him.

Harry wasn't jealous of the other students, not really. No, he was frustrated because unlike them, he did want to touch Severus. He had started to crave those almost brushes ever since that day in the Forest when he had touched the skin on the back of Severus' neck. It had been invitingly warm and he was desperate to know if the rest of him was as well.

Straightening his shoulders, Harry walked towards where Severus was watching the students enter the Great Hall, obviously monitoring something. Looking closer at his face, Harry suspected that Severus was enjoying how the other students likely thought he was there just to terrify them. His suspicions were cemented when he saw those black eyes light up at the cringing student that just brushed the Potions Master's robes.

When his steps had him well within arms' reach, he noted the stiffening of Severus' shoulders. 'I should move on, I shouldn't get any closer. I shouldn't brush those dark robes as I pass through the door like that third year just did.' No matter how sound the advice he gave himself was, his steps continued on their intended course.

As he dodged through the door, mere inches from Severus, he felt fingertips ghost over his shoulder. His heart skipped a beat, but he didn't dare look back, just made a beeline for the Gryffindor table and sat down near Ron and Hermione.

"What is Snape watching for?" Harry glanced between his two friends, sure that one of them had heard something.

Ron leaned closer to him and Hermione cast a quick look about before she did as well. "One of the younger years took a sample of their practice potion out of the lab. I don't know what they were brewing, but Snape is being extra cautious, so I would check the food and watch the Hall."

The other two nodded and turned to keep a wary eye around them, focusing mainly on their house since they knew just how impetuous Gryffindors could be. When the other eighth year Gryffindors joined them, they passed on the warning. Not one of them wanted Snape to be mad at them, the year had been going too well so far and the Potions Professor had been treating their house fairly for the first time in memory.

Ron straightened up and made eye contact with the members of the DA and with Malfoy, who was still the leader of Slytherin. It didn't take much to call the eighth year leaders of all the houses to a quick meeting at the Gryffindor table.

"Snape is concerned about the potion made by the third years." Ron raised his eyebrows at Malfoy, hoping the blond could enlighten them to why. Despite being a git, the Slytherin did know his potions.

Malfoy nodded. "The Enlargement Potion - one of the third years was studying it last night. It contains a number of ingredients that if ingested or inhaled, can be toxic."

"The Enlargement Potion? What color is it and how will we know it is being used?" Hannah asked, frowning. "I can't remember it clearly." She turned to watch the next wave of students come through the door.

"It is a pale blue, and it smells like roses. Whoever has it will most likely try and use it as a perfume." Malfoy watched as the group nodded.

"We'll keep an eye out." Padma also scanned the room before looking back at the group. "We should head back to our tables and send out a quiet warning to those who can help."

The group dispersed and Harry watched as the warning discreetly travel the tables. He felt Severus' gaze on him and knew that the Professor had witnessed their meeting. 'He's probably wondering just what trouble we are getting into. I hope he doesn't think we put the guilty students up to it.'

It was halfway through lunch that a third year from each house table was discovered with a small atomizer bottle filled with a light blue potion. The leaders had them confiscated just before the guilty third years could spray the potion into the air.

As Severus watched the eighth years collected the atomizers, he tucked his wand back into his robes. 'That must have been what the meeting was about.' Pride for the eighth years warmed his heart. They had matured and knew when something was dangerous. He stood up and silence immediately fell, every face was turned to him. "Miss Diggly, Mr. Thompkins, Miss Quagmire, and Mr. Ulster you have each earned a week's worth of detention with Mr. Filch starting tonight. Mr. Potter, Miss Patil, Miss Abbot, and Mr. Malfoy, bring me the atomizers."

He walked to the edge of the dais as he watched the students brought him the potion. 'I shouldn't have called Potter... not after that stunt he pulled at the door. I really shouldn't reward him for getting so temptingly close. Now I am just making an excuse to be close to him, just as much as the one that he used so well earlier.'

Severus accepted the bottles carefully from each student and if his fingers slid over the back of Potter's hand as he took the one the Gryffindor held, no one batted an eye. Taking a moment to make sure that each bottle held the correct potion, he nodded to the four leaders of the houses. "Well done. Twenty points to each house for the attention and response of the eighth years."

It was to an absolutely silent Great Hall that he returned to the Head Table.

-o-o-o-o-

Now that NEWTs were over, Severus was ready to just relax in his lab and forget that the world, Morris, and emotions that ran riot existed. Unfortunately, there were still classes for the younger years and meals to get through.

That morning before Potter arrived for his usual visit, Severus had placed a scrap of parchment scribbled with his Spinner's End address on the table with the tea. He wasn't sure when he would have a chance to give it to Potter after graduation, at least one that wouldn't be noticed. The crowds that would be around the boy would be thick and close.

Since Potter didn't have anything left to study, he had talked instead, babbling about future plans and whatever else crossed his mind with one obvious exception. Severus could tell by the surreptitious glances from those bright green eyes that the boy wanted to ask about the house behind that bit of parchment tucked into his pocket. The hard part was that Severus found himself wanting the conversation. He wanted to talk about the kitchen and how the faucet dripped no matter what he did, and the plants he planned to grow in the tiny garden out front and the stairs behind the bookshelf. 'It's not that I want to tell him all about the house, but that I want to talk to him as he does me. As equals.'

Sipping his tea in the Great Hall, Severus watched as Potter chatted with the other Gryffindors. Harry's eyes met his just as Morris leaned in close to Severus for the fourth time that morning. The jealousy that flashed through those green eyes made what Severus was about to do worth it. He would tell Harry all about it when they met up at Spinner's End.

Ignoring the fact that he had used 'when' instead of 'if', Severus leaned towards Morris, keeping his face a mask of politeness no matter how repulsive the man was. The idiot wasn't interested in him sexually, he just had no clue about personal space. That was what Minerva assured Severus as she told him point blank that hexing another professor was not allowed. He refrained from telling her his other option.

Seemingly paying close attention to whatever Morris was babbling about, something about how toasters were such a wonderful invention, he carefully laced the man's drink. He then leaned back in his seat and watched in satisfaction as the man finished his glass. Morris would not have any problem with keeping his distance from anyone today, considering just how paranoid he was about to be.

Dismissing him, Severus focused on his Slytherins as they headed out for their first class. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Harry walking out with Miss Weasley just a touch too close for comfort. It seemed as if Miss Granger was pushing her that way.

A bolt of jealousy shot through Severus, and for just a moment, a completely fleshed out plan for the removal of both young ladies, one worthy of his previously assumed allegiance, appeared in his mind. Dismissing it just as fast as it popped up, he headed off to class. He had nothing to be jealous of, not until Harry showed up after graduation.

-o-o-o-o-

Harry refrained from glaring at Morris as the man once again leaned into Severus' personal space. He had been doing his best not to watch the head table, but he felt even more possessive of Severus this morning after having received the address that was even now burning a hole in his pocket, begging him to go find that place. That feeling had him watching the head table once again. He did try to be subtle about it, but he had caught Morris in Severus' space, the space he wanted to be in, twice now. Twice more than he was permitted. He knew that Morris had no reason and no encouragement to stray so close. If anything, Severus discouraged Morris more than he did Harry.

When Harry's gaze met Severus', the gleam in those dark eyes had him paying closer attention to what was happening. He saw Severus' hand pass over the other professor's glass and immediately remembered the threat the man had given him in his fourth year. Despite that less than pleasant memory, he grinned, wondering just what Severus had given Morris.

"Harry, let's go out near the lake." Hermione stood up, for once with no books in her arms. "I want to enjoy the fresh air. Once the school year ends, I'm going to have very few days of leisure."

"Okay." Harry cast one last curious look at the head table, hoping to see what Severus did to Morris. The man looked normal. "Let's go."

As the seventh and eighth year Gryffindors headed out the doors, Harry felt a glare bite into his back the very moment Ginny's shoulder brushed his. Giving her an apologetic look, he widened the space between them, hoping that Severus wouldn't poison her and treasuring the bit of warmth that curled in his abdomen. Severus was as jealous of Ginny as Harry himself was of Morris!

By the time they settled outside on the grass, Harry decided it was way past time to straighten things up between him and Ginny. It was a good time to let Hermione know as well, though he was a tad worried on how Ron would take the news.

"Ginny? I know that we were dating, and that you expect us to get back together, but..."

Ginny seemed to sag a bit as she stared at him. "But you don't think we will actually work?"

Harry shook his head with a regretful smile, aware that Ron and Hermione's eyes had widened. He continued, hoping to stave off Ron's undoubtedly furious response. "I'm sorry."

Ginny frowned at she digested Harry's news. "So, I am not obliged to be with you, and you are not obliged to get back with me?"

"You're not?" Hermione asked, looking from Ginny to Harry and sounding confused. "I thought you both wanted to be together still."

Ron searched Ginny's face before looking at Harry's. He decided to see what was about to happen instead of losing his temper and rushing in without knowing all the facts. He had learned that the hard way after running out on his two best friends last year, just when they needed him most.

Harry patted Hermione on the shoulder as he nodded at Ginny who gave a big sigh and then a smile.

"Good! That means I am free to date Terry now," she said and grinned at Harry.

"Terry Boot?" Ron asked, also looking from his younger sister to Harry and sounding just as confused as Hermione.

Patting Ron's shoulder now, Harry grinned back at Ginny, feeling a huge weight fall from him. "Yeah... so you want to go out with Terry?"

Ginny's eyes gleamed. "To start with."

-o-o-o-o-

Harry walked down the hall, watching the students make their way cautiously out of the corridor that led to the Muggle Studies classroom. Sliding into the nearest alcove, he hoped to get a clue as to what Severus had done to the Muggle Studies Professor.

"He was totally weird."

"I wonder what happened. I've never seen him so jumpy."

"Yeah, normally he goes on and on about some silly Muggle contraption. He did start talking about something called a toaster, but the moment Grace shifted a bit in her chair, he jumped a foot in the air and almost pulled his wand on her."

"I know! That was scary! Do you think we should tell another Professor?"

The negative reply was barely heard as the third years wandered around the corner, heading to the Great Hall.

Harry moved further into the niche when he spotted Professor Morris come down the hall. The man's eyes were darting back and forth, looking exactly as Harry was positive he, Hermione and Ron had looked like as they sneaked about last year.

Making sure to trail behind the man carefully, Harry spotted Severus watching from the dungeon stairs. He caught the Potions Master's attention and raised an inquiring eyebrow. All he received was a smirk. 'So, that is what he did. I wonder where Morris will sit at lunch?'

With a large smile, he spun about and headed for the Great Hall, feeling another weight fall from his shoulders. This was going to be an interesting show, for he was positive that Severus wasn't going to leave the man in peace this time.

By the end of lunch, Harry was proved right. He watched a panicky looking Morris jumping up and leaving the table before Severus, his heart glowing with happiness.

-o-o-o-o-

Graduation for the seventh and eighth years came and went with about as much fanfare as Mrs. Weasley could fit into it. The Wizarding world seemed to be doing its best to accommodate her desire for a large celebration to mark the graduation of her last two children, and even the Minister of Magic decided to attend the ceremony at Hogwarts together with the press.

There hadn't been a moment for either Harry or Severus to get near each other. The press didn't think they had anything to talk to each other about, much less have their faces in the same picture. The Ministry officials also had them separated because they had locked each one into different boxes, different images that needed to be presented separately.

All in all, it had led to a frustrating day. Harry was happy to escape to Grimmauld Place the moment he was able to slip off by himself so that he could make it to an Apparation zone.

Two days later, he was still wandering about Grimmauld Place, looking for something to do. He was bored. It wasn't the first summer he had been bored, but he had thought that he would have something productive to do this year. Last year he had visited Severus at St. Mungo's and helped to rebuild Hogwarts, the ones before that he didn't want to think of too hard. He couldn't call on Hermione and Ron to come alleviate his boredom either. Hermione was off studying about plants and their native habitats, which he had thought would be Neville's field. Ron was working with George at the shop to make a bit of money to help pay for the flat Harry and Ron were planning on renting once they started their Auror training.

Harry found himself rattling about the dark, depressing rooms, wondering just what he should do now that he had received his acceptance letter for the Auror Training Program. There was no way he was going to be heading out into the Wizarding world just yet; he wanted the furor about his graduation to die down before doing that.

"I need something to do, something that I can do here until I can go to Severus'. Why does he have to be trapped at Hogwarts doing end year reports and checking on potion ingredients stock? Why does he have to be there longer than we do? I want to see him now!" He looked about the too dark room and sighed, wondering how to occupy his time while waiting. 'Dark... I can study up on the Dark Arts. I know that the library upstairs would have a lot of advanced information on that.'

He strode off to the library and pulled down a collection of books, attempting to find the most basic ones there to start with. He knew that those would be just about where they had left off in the DA, at least he hoped so. Since he was going to face who knew what once he started training, he decided to be as well prepared as possible, and that meant knowing was how to counter every dark curse he could.

The rest of the week passed slowly. Too slowly in Harry's opinion. He marked the days off on his calendar, waiting impatiently for the date that Severus had written on the slip of parchment with the address to arrive. Some days he was content to study, though the books he had discovered were definitely above the level they had stopped at in the DA. Other days he moped about, getting under Kreacher's feet as he wandered about listlessly.

The night before Severus was due to start his summer vacation, Harry picked out his best outfit, wondering if he needed Muggle or Wizarding clothes. Deciding that Muggle would work in both instances, he found his best pair of jeans and a good looking sage green shirt. He had to track down his trainers, which had somehow ended up in the front hall near the troll leg.

Settling under the covers, Harry wondered what to talk about once he met Severus. He wanted to talk about the books he was reading, get Severus' input on what he should focus on and possibly see if he wouldn't mind explaining some of the more archaic references. One thing he was positive he was going to tell Severus was that although he was no longer having nightmares, he missed him sorely and still wanted to see him on a daily basis.

-o-o-o-o-

Early the next morning found Severus already up and puttering about in his kitchen. He watched the sun crest the horizon as he filled his kettle, ignoring the dripping faucet in favour of casting Aguamenti. Putting the kettle on, he looked over his calendar and saw that he was brewing this morning and revising lesson plans in the afternoon. He did hope his plans would be changed by Potter, but he didn't want to get his hopes up. It was only the first morning that he said he would be home.

The knock on his front door caught him off guard and he set down the teapot harder than he meant to.

'Potter… it has to be him.'

Taking a few moments to calm himself, Severus filled the teapot before going to answer the knock.

The sight of Potter standing on his front stoop in a nice green shirt and jeans set his heart pounding again, happiness and hope spreading through him in equal measure. He kept his tone pleasant and inviting, hiding his excitement the best he could. "Potter."

"Snape." Harry searched that familiar face, his heart thudding in his chest as he looked for permission to be here as well as an invitation in. Severus had implied that he would be. He smiled as the man stepped back and waved his arm in a gesture of welcome.

As soon as he closed the front door, Severus gave a small smile. "It is Severus, now."

Harry's smile widened. "I'm Harry, then."

Severus nodded once before heading back to the kitchen, calling over his shoulder. "Are you coming, Harry?"

Looking at everything he could, Harry followed him. "This is a two up two down, isn't it?"

Severus set the teapot and breakfast on the table. He smiled as they fell into their usual pattern of conversation. "It is. It has been remodeled over the years - the cellar finished into a potions lab, the attic is now a storage room, the back built up to add space to the master bedroom, and the bathroom remodeled out of the small third bedroom that was in the middle on the second level - it has more space than the average terrace house."

Harry sat down and reached for the teapot, amazed at how welcoming the house felt, more than Grimmauld Place and far more than Privet Drive. "Did you do all the work yourself?"

Severus smiled. "Magic, applied judicially, can do wonders. Most of the changes were interior, and the exterior ones were done in a manner that the Muggles didn't notice."

Leaning back in his chair, Severus supposed it was a good thing he had had a week to think of how he wanted to further his relationship with Harry if given the chance. Without the constant low feeling of jealousy and irritation provided by Miss Weasley, he had been able to think clearly.

What both he and Harry needed now was time. Time for him to strip off his layers of masks and walls, and time for Harry to see and learn the real Severus Snape and decide if that was who he wanted to be with.

Now was the time to begin.

First, Severus had to make sure Harry understood this. There was no longer any need to leave the boy in the dark, and lots of reasons not too. Catching and holding Harry's attention, he started in. "I don't think we need to rush into this. I know that you said that you were ready to pursue this relationship, and that you coming here confirms this, but I think we need to take it slow."

"Severus, I don't..." Harry stopped when Severus held up a hand.

"Let me finish, and then you can have your say, okay?" When Harry nodded, Severus continued. "You know me as an unequal. We've had a Professor/Student relationship for many years, most of them were spent with dislike colouring our emotions. Last summer was one of the few times that we had a relationship approaching equality, but even then I kept the line between us. I would like the chance for us to get to know each other better. For me to learn how to accept your opinion and your actions, and for you to learn how I am when I am not your Professor, to see what I am without the masks I have worn for years. Once we have achieved both, we can move this relationship forward."

He stopped and nodded towards Harry.

Leaning forward until his elbows rested on the table, Harry studied the face that was watching him. It was then that he noticed that it wasn't blank. There was a soft smile quirking up the edges of those thin lips, and the corners of those dark eyes were slightly crinkled. Yes, he did have many things to learn about Severus. "Okay, I'll go along with this. We take the time to treat each other as equals, as partners."

He let a smile out at the warming of Severus' eyes at the 'Partners' idea.

'Partners, that's right. That is what we need to learn to be if this is going to work.' He gestured to the bowls. "Thank you. After breakfast, I'll give you a tour of the house."

Harry applied himself to his porridge and fruit and decided that he would ask for Severus' help with the counter curses later. Learning about the man himself was far more interesting than musty books, and that would be exactly what walking about the house would allow him to do.

-o-o-o-o-

That visit had started their usual meetings once again.

Severus was glad that Harry came in the mornings since that was when he had some free time, and there was no real temptation to move their physical relationship any further than the 'getting to know you' stage. They were both comfortable with this stage and it was working for Severus. He knew it was crucial for Harry to view him as an equal before they took this even one step further. He didn't think he would be able to handle a break up once he knew just how delectable Harry tasted; it was bad enough knowing just how the young man felt in his arms.

It was late in the evening a week later that Severus was startled by a quiet knock, one that was barely audible. If he hadn't been in the living room out front, he would never have heard it. Opening the door, he was surprised to see Harry on his doorstep, the street lamp behind him making it hard to pick out his features. The only one that stood out were his eyes, wide and anxious.

Severus wondered if the nightmares had returned even though they had been meeting daily now. He barely refrained from pulling the boy through the door. Instead, he stepped back and waved Harry in. "Harry, welcome."

Harry stepped through the door, glad that Severus hadn't been busy, or was already in bed. Slumping down onto the sofa, he basked in the presence of his love. He just needed to be around him for a moment before heading home. It would keep the nightmares away.

Severus lowered himself onto the sofa next to Harry and carefully slipped an arm about his shoulders. Chaste touches like this were all he had allowed them this past week. "What happened?"

Harry shook his head before sighing. "A bunch of us met at Neville's house. Everyone was there that could be. Reminiscing, stories, and mutterings of blame happened."

He looked up into the thoughtful dark eyes watching him. "I know that it isn't my fault. I did listen to what you said last summer, but it brought up all the old fears and memories, and polished their edges."

Severus ran his free hand down Harry's arm and took note of the worried green eyes. There was no way he could leave Harry to deal with those demons alone. "You shall stay in the guest room tonight. I'll find you something to wear to bed and tomorrow at least, until you can make it home to change."

Harry blinked and a small smile slipped onto his face. "I didn't expect that. I'll go home, I just needed to see you for a moment first."

Severus shook his head as he pulled Harry more firmly into his arms. "I would be more comfortable if you stayed here tonight."

Snuggling into the warm chest, Harry inhaled deeply and nodded. "Then I'll stay."

Severus felt his breath catch as Harry's hair brushed against his neck. 'One week, Severus. It has only been a week. You should give this a bit longer before acting. No matter what he thinks, he doesn't know enough to decide.' Taking a moment longer to savour the feeling of Harry in his arms, Severus finally let him go. "I'll show you up."

Harry followed Severus up the stairs, wondering just what it was going to feel like sleeping in the man's night clothes and wearing his clothes in the morning. 'Think of it later, when you are in bed. I agreed to wait on anything else, but I'm not sure just how much more time I can take to get to know him any better.'

He waited at the door of the master bedroom and took the night shirt, jeans and shirt offered to him by Severus. They wished each other goodnight before Harry slipped into the guest room, which he recognized from their Occlumency lessons back in his fifth year. Dropping the stuff on the bed, he headed off to the restroom and found a new toothbrush on the shelf, still in its plastic casing.

He finished his nightly clean up and headed back to guest room change clothes. Taking off his clothes, he pulled on the nightshirt and immediately found himself surrounded by Severus' scent, so familiar now after being held against that solid chest by those long arms. Groaning softly, he fell into bed. 'How am I supposed to sleep like this? I won't have any nightmares simply because the morning won't come fast enough.'

Even as those thoughts passed through his mind, Harry curled up and rested his head on one arm while the other hugged the pillow close. He turned his face into the arm sleeve and let the scent of Severus fill him. Eyes drifting shut, the world faded away as he fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

-o-o-o-o-

Severus rolled out of bed and tried to think of what was different this morning. As he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, he realized what it was. Harry was here – sleeping in his clothes – in his old bed. Groaning, Severus ran a hand down his chest and over his hip to rest on his thigh as thoughts of what Harry could have been doing in that nightshirt hardened him. He headed to the shower to handle his new issue.

A bit later, he headed downstairs, wondering if Harry was up yet and what he would like for breakfast. He was sure that Harry didn't like porridge as much as he did. 'Maybe some bacon and eggs this morning.' He stopped short when he walked into the kitchen and spotted the object of his thoughts starting a pot of tea.

The jeans fitted better than he had hoped, better than the shirt, at least. Both were too long on Harry, the jeans legs were cuffed up and the shirt's shoulder seams were hanging just below the shoulders, but the shirt was tucked in and showed how well the jeans clung to those trim hips and neat bottom. The issue that Severus had just dealt with in the shower tried to make its presence known again.

Crossing the room, he pulled Harry back against him. "Good morning, Harry."

Harry pushed back into Severus before turning about and grinning up at him. "Good morning, Severus. Will you teach me how ..."

Threading his fingers through the messy black hair, Severus gave into his desires, pressing his lips to those smiling ones and cutting off whatever Harry was saying. He watched those green eyes widen and then drift close, but fought to keep his own eyes open, wanting to see every change of expression on Harry's face.

Working his fingers deeper into the mop of shower wet hair, he felt the silky strands caress his fingertips. Tingles raced from his fingers to his arms, bringing naughty images of how that hair would feel brushing his inner thighs and other, more delicate places of his anatomy. The lips he was kissing were softer than the hair, and even more electrifying.

Crowding Harry backwards until he was pressed against the counter, Severus ran his tongue over those lips, gently asking for more. The moment they parted, he slipped his tongue in and groaned as the taste of Harry mixed with minty toothpaste washed over his tastebuds. His eyes finally closed.

The kiss ended when both of them were out of breath. As he lifted his head, Severus knew that they would not be going back over that line. Tracing a finger down Harry's flushed cheek, he smiled down into the shining green eyes. "Will you stay here? You can have the room as your own."

The words had slipped out without his permission. He froze, his heart skipping a beat as he waited for Harry's reaction.

Harry's eyes had widened the instant he heard the question he had been hoping for since the first morning he walked into the house, but had not expected to hear for months. That it came after such a mind blowing wonderful kiss made it extra special. Wrapping his arms around Severus' chest, he smiled up at him. "Yes, I'll stay. I'll get my things right after breakfast."

Severus exhaled in relief and rested his forehead against Harry's. "And what do you want for breakfast? Pancakes, bacon, eggs?"

'Pancakes, but I get to help make them."

Harry was still smiling when Severus released him. Learning to make porridge would have to wait for another morning.

-o-o-o-o-

Harry looked over the fridge for a free magnet, the calendar he had purchased while he was out running, jogging more like, dangling from his hand. He finally spotted one holding a page of expired coupons on the side. Knowing that Severus would not mind, he tossed the coupons into the rubbish bin and used the magnet to hang his calendar next to Severus.

Stepping back, he admired their schedules side by side. Over the past four days he had learned to appreciate Severus' calendar. It always let him know where he could find the Potions Master. That was why he had made his own, that way Severus would know where he was. It had been a concern when he headed out this morning.

Over the last several days, Harry had adjusted to living at Spinner's End, enjoying the quiet, cleaning up what he could and cooking. Most of all, he had enjoyed knowing that he was not alone. Today, he had reached his limit of finding something to do, all the cleaning was starting to remind him too much of the summers at the Dursleys'. He decided that he needed to prepare for his Auror training that was to begin in the autumn, so he elected to exercise in the mornings and renew his studies of the Dark Arts and their counters in the afternoons. 'At least I packed those books from Grimmauld Place.'

Harry almost jumped when an arm snaked around his waist and pulled him into the owner's chest.

"I see. That is where you were this morning." Severus glanced at the activities that Harry had put on his calendar. "Where did you go for your exercise?"

Harry turned his head and reached up so that he could place a soft kiss on the nearest bit of exposed skin he could reach, Severus' jawline. "Not that far. I'm not in as good a shape as I need to be."

Severus ran his hand down the front of Harry's sweat dampened t-shirt until it reached his hips and then turned him about to face him. Harry's shape felt fine to him. "Since I finished early, why don't you show me where you've been and I'll show you the other safe places to go."

Searching the dark eyes for a moment, Harry grinned. "And where not to go?"

Letting Harry go, Severus laughed softly as he shrugged off his robes and dropped them over the back of a chair. "You will find them well enough on your own. Just make sure to carry your wand with you when you head out."

Harry blinked and did his best not to stare. He had never heard Severus laugh before, but it was a wonderful sound, rich and warm like thick velvet. Add to that the way Severus looked in that pale blue shirt and fitted dark trousers, and he was stunned for a moment.

Severus looked back over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow. "Are you coming?"

Pulling himself together and pushing away the thought of doing just that, but in a different manner, Harry followed him out the door. "I went to the right."

Turning in that direction, Severus waited for Harry to fall into step with him. He wanted to introduce his neighborhood to the young man.

Harry noticed the people staring at them as they walked down the street, their faces showing interest as well as caution. By time they walked the first block, he was ready to bet that Severus was as unapproachable here as he was at Hogwarts. It didn't take too long for them to reach the corner he had turned around at. "I stopped here."

Severus nodded and continued on. "You missed seeing the park."

Harry's eyes widened when he realized what park Severus was talking about. It had to be the one that his mum and Severus played at when they were younger. In less than five minutes, they were there. Harry could see the repainted swing set as well as an old merry-go-round and an equally old sand box. He started when he felt a hand on his elbow, directing him through the running children.

A few moments later, they were walking down a wooded path to a rushing river. Severus didn't speak until they were walking on a small sandy strip next to the bank. "Always make sure you are able to defend yourself if you come down here."

"The river had to be nice to play in when you were young." Images of Severus splashing in the water rushed through Harry's mind, but they were dispelled with a head shake from his companion.

"The water... you could smell it all the way up to the house, and it wasn't a good smell. The environmentalists finally succeeded in getting it cleaned up."

Turning slightly, he directed Harry up another small path.

Harry looked about the neighborhood that Severus had brought them to. It was obviously more influential than the one that Severus lived in and one step down from Privet Drive. Unlike Severus' terraced house, these houses, though close together, had tiny strips of grass between them. Severus' home only had a small patch of lawn in front and just enough room for a compact and well organized garden in the back.

"That house there on the right, the second one from the end of the street. That was your Mother's house growing up."

Harry immediately sought out the house in question and stared at it. He tried to imagine his Mum and Aunt Petunia living there as children, playing on these streets and smelling the river.

Severus waited patiently for Harry to take in all he could before heading down the street towards Spinner's End. Harry fell in step with him, his eyes bright with questions, but he remained quiet until they were nearer to home. "Why was she at that park? Surely there were better ones in that area of town?"

Severus looked at Harry for a moment before answering. "Petunia was interested in one of the boys there. Primary school girl crush. He went to school with her, and they would meet at the park on occasions. That is what Lily told me."

He nodded to a restaurant just before they passed it. "Let's get some lunch here."

Harry stared at it, and then looked at Severus. "I didn't bring my wallet."

When Severus pushed him in the door with a quiet "I'm paying", a slow smile curled Harry's lips. It was a date.

They were sat at a small table for two near the back of the restaurant, and the waiter left a basket of bread on the table after he took their drink orders.

Severus nibbled on a piece of bread that he had dipped it into the garlic infused olive oil next to the bread basket. "What are you planning on studying in the afternoon?"

Harry watched as Severus dipped another torn part of his bread into the oil before taking a piece of bread and trying it himself. "Um-m. That is good."

At Severus' raised eyebrow, he grinned and leaned forward, focusing completely on his date. "I'm trying to make sure I have all the basics and a touch more before I start Uni. Especially since the class that would have helped the most kept changing teachers." He knew that Severus would understand what he was referring to.

Severus nodded slowly. He could understand why Harry wanted to study up on Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry might have defeated Voldemort, but that didn't make him invincible and he knew it. Instead, it had made him realize he needed to be prepared to face whatever was coming in his chosen career. "The bookshelf in the front corner, near the window, is completely filled with books on the subject. The least complex are on the lower shelves. The higher you go up, the more complicated they become. You can use any of them."

"Thanks, I'll check them out then." Harry hoped that they were filled with margin notes written by Severus. If it was anything like the potions book, then he knew they would be helpful.

Their food arrived shortly afterwards, and the conversation turned to the neighborhood, Severus filling Harry in on the history along with which places to avoid when wandering the area. Harry inquired about the must see locations and laughed when Severus told him he had already seen them all.

In the past, Severus would have said that the best thing to see here was the way out, but to his surprise, he didn't feel as if that was true anymore. A smile slipped out as he took in the happy face across the table from him. 'It must be because Harry is here now.'

After they left the restaurant, they stopped to pick up Harry a notebook so that he could fill it with his questions and thoughts as he studied.

On the way home, Harry watched Severus out of the corner of his eye, his heart light and contented, and his body starting to simmer with a familiar longing. This entire afternoon had all the hallmarks of a date. They had gone walking together, ate in a restaurant, and then gone shopping. Sure, they were all mundane things – the first was a walk around the neighborhood, the second was lunch out, and the third was a notebook to help him with his studies – but they were doing them together and Severus had initiated each step of their date.

The only thing they hadn't done was hold hands as they walked, and that wasn't really needed since they were walking close enough that their shoulders and hands brushed on occasion. Over the last school year Harry had learned to treasure any contact that Severus allowed.

Still, his Gryffindor impulse and the way he felt right now had him turning about and kissing Severus as soon as the front door was closed. What type of date didn't end with a kiss? The bag containing the book hit the floor as Harry slid one hand through Severus' hair and the other one ran down the pale blue shirt to rest on the well displayed hips that he had been discreetly eyeing the entire walk.

Severus felt his breath catch when the kiss started and the warmth of the hand on his hip soaked through the fabric of his trousers to catch his skin on fire. Leaning back against the front door, he pulled Harry to him and felt his control slip when their bodies fitted oh so neatly together. He wanted... no, he needed this. He had waited for a year and he was tired of waiting!

He wrapped his arms around Harry, one hand curling about the boy's hip while the other stroked slowly up and down his back. Thrusting his hips forward, he felt more than heard the moan vibrating against his lips. Pulling back out of the kiss, Severus kissed his way to Harry's ear and then down his neck, relishing the faint salty tang on the warm skin. He was rewarded by the feel of slim hips rocking into him. Using his knee to part those toned thighs, he bent his legs a little and pressed his rapidly forming erection to Harry's. He was rewarded with a gasp before Harry used his grip on Severus' hips to pull them as close together as possible.

Severus took those opened lips in another, deeper kiss, thrusting his tongue into Harry's mouth and twining around the one he found there, muffling the moans and gasps that were trying to escape both of them. His hands slipped around Harry's waist and dipped lower, clamping onto those taut buttocks.

Mouths fused together, they started rocking their hips. It was a bit awkward at first until they found their rhythm and then they were panting into the kiss, urging each other on without words as the heat between them flared and built, fingers gripping tight enough to cause bruises.

Their orgasms were as sudden as Harry's decision to end their date with a kiss, crashing over them almost before they knew how close they were. Their frantic kisses finally ended when they cried out, clinging onto each other as they rode out the delicious convulsions, so much more satisfying for having come together.

Several long and blissful moments passed in each other's arms before reality intruded. Severus' eyes snapped open to find himself leaning against the door, hands still clamped on Harry's behind and the boy slumped on him.

Mortification started to set in. This was not the way to introduce Harry to the pleasures that they could bring each other. He didn't care if it was his own introduction to it; he was the older of the two and didn't expect all the romance and fluff that should accompany a first, but Harry was still young and sure to be more idealistic on how such things should happen.

Flushed red with embarrassment especially when he felt the sticky mess inside his trousers, Severus jerked his hands off of that tempting bottom and straightened up, pushing Harry upright as well. He didn't dare look at Harry as he brushed past him and headed for the stairwell. "I'm going to clean up and then I will be in my lab," he muttered, fleeing as fast as he could without seeming to.

Harry watched as Severus headed up the stairs towards the rooms before he sank to the floor, his legs still trembling a bit. He couldn't believe that his simple 'end of date' kiss had led to this! No wonder Severus had fled. It was farther than he was willing to go. Harry tipped his head back to look up at the ceiling, listening to Severus move about. 'Maybe it wasn't that he didn't want to, maybe it is because of the way it happened. Severus has always been in control, but he wasn't here. Neither was I. Maybe he is just embarrassed about how desire and want took over and rushed us.'

Leaning back against the wall, he pulled his legs up, ignoring the mess cooling inside his trackpants.'A mess... oh what a wonderful mess.' A goofy smile filled his face, and for a moment he relieved the feeling of soft lips, gripping warm fingers, and the hot hardness pressed against him. It wasn't perfect, they were up against the front door and fumbling a bit, but it was even better for that. Perfect would mean that Severus had control, that everything was thought through and planned. No, this was definitely better than perfect because he had made Severus Snape lose control in a good way.

Listening closely, he heard Severus leave the restroom and close the door of the master bedroom. Knowing that he wouldn't cross paths with the embarrassed, for surely that was what it was, man, Harry headed up the stairs to get cleaned up as well. There was nothing he could do at that moment but let Severus have the space he wanted.

Not much later, he was settled at the coffee table, his books from Grimmauld Place and some from Severus' shelf stacked near him. His new notebook was flipped open to the first sheet and his pen was in his hand. He had some studying to do.

-o-o-o-o-

Severus sliced the mandrake root carefully into small cubes and then dropped them gently into the boiling cauldron.

'How can I face Harry after that? I ran. I lost control and then I ran, like a -' He didn't want to finish that thought. He watched as the potion turned from a soft velvety green to an angry red. This particular change always made him think that the mandrakes didn't appreciate the dicing and boiling. Shaking that thought out of his head, he returned to his previous ones. 'Maybe... maybe Harry will understand. He knows just how much I hate losing control, he should after all this time. But to run away instead of apologising...'

Pressing his lips together, he poured three ounces of coconut oil into the potion, watching it as the angry red settled into a rich calm red, his thoughts taking a similar turn.

'Maybe there is nothing to apologize for. Maybe he will like knowing that he is one of the very few that can cause me to lose control, to cause me to run.' Setting aside the feelings of embarrassment, he decided to play it by ear when he saw Harry next.

-o-o-o-o-

Harry looked up when he felt gentle fingers running through his hair, pulling him out of his book. Glancing over his shoulder, he noticed that Severus was reading his notebook over his shoulder while he continued playing with his hair. "I have some questions, if you are willing to help me."

Severus looked into the earnest green eyes and felt his embarrassment, his uncertainty over earlier, melt away. He could tell that Harry had already moved past the awkwardness, and he refused to hold onto his. Sliding his hand down to cup the back of Harry's head, he tilted it to just the right angle and dropped a soft kiss on the slightly parted lips. "Come into the kitchen and ask them to me as I prepare dinner. I'll either tell you the answer, or where to find it."

'Oh. He is definitely over his embarrassment by now.' Grinning, Harry gathered his notebook and made it to the kitchen before Severus.

As he rattled off his questions, he was pleased to find that Severus didn't hide behind his sarcastic mask like he had been half afraid the man would. Instead, Severus had allowed his uncertainty to show on his face. That, more than anything else, showed Harry just how vested he was in this relationship.

Jotting down the answers that came his way, he was not surprised that most of them were in the form of book titles. After filling a page, he took a break from his questions and set the table while Severus brought the spaghetti and salad over. Food was served and the conversation moved back to his studies, but they also discussed the potions that Severus was brewing.

Reaching across the table, Harry lightly rested his hand on Severus' free one just as he had wanted to do during lunch. Severus shot him a surprised look before turning his hand palm up and lacing his fingers through Harry's. With a shared smile, they continued eating, but their hands stayed like that through the rest of the meal.

That evening marked the beginning of a new routine where Harry exercised in the mornings and studied the Defense books in the afternoons. He would ask Severus any questions he had and jot down the answers while helping to preparing dinner. Other far more pleasant additions included good morning and goodnight kisses and hugs, and occasional hand holding while having dinner and sitting on the sofa afterward.

-o-o-o-o-

Harry looked through the cupboards and pantry before checking the fridge. His shopping list was soon made, and all he needed to know was if Severus needed anything special from the store before he headed out. Taking the stairs two at a time, he jumped the last several and landed with a thump right in front of Severus' lab door. A quick series of raps was the only warning he gave before opening the door and poking his head around it. "Hey Severus..."

A plopping sound followed quickly by a muffled curse and followed even more quickly by a vanishing spell were all the warnings Harry got that he had done something very, very wrong.

"Potter! How dare you barge into my lab like this?! Ruined!" Severus glared at Harry, teeth bared and fingers curling into fists at his sides. "I was working on that all morning! It. Is. Ruined!"

Harry felt his jaw loosen as he looked over at the now sparkling clean cauldron. His attention was jerked back towards Severus who stalked menacingly across the room. Backing out into the hall, Harry wondered if he should draw his wand just in case, but Severus stopped at the doorway, his hands clenching the side of the lab door.

"Get. Out!" he snarled before the lab door slammed shut, the sound reverberating through the entire house.

Stunned, Harry stood there and stared at the door, fear warring with anger inside him. Yes, he was at fault for not waiting for Severus' permission to enter, but he had done that same thing three times already this week and that wasn't counting the rest of the time he had been here.

"Out? He wants me to get out, does he?"

Spinning on his heel, he stormed up the stairs and into the living room. He turned sharply and headed for his room to pack up and give Severus just what he wanted, but stopped when he reached the foot of the stairs. Sighing heavily, he leaned back against the wall and stared at the other one blankly. 'He was in a temper. He will regret what he said later. Or did he just mean to get out of his lab, but not the house? There is always that possibility.'

Biting his bottom lip for a moment, Harry nodded to himself. He would not let this drive him away. Severus wanted him to learn about him. Well, he already knew the man had a temper. Now he was going to learn how to stand up to it and not flee. Then he was going to learn how Severus reacted to that.

With that decided, Harry walked back to the dining room and picked up his list. He was going shopping. Smirking a bit as he walked out the front door, he hoped that Severus would accept this as him obeying the direct order to get out.

He was, but he was also coming back.

-o-o-o-o-

Severus braced his hands on the top of his prep table, his glare digging into the wood while he listened with all his might. Under his anger, fear was building fast, as fast as his heart was thumping now. He had told – no, shouted at Harry to get out.

Would the boy listen for the first time since Severus had known him?

Straining his ears, Severus heard an angry tread cross the floor only to stop. Did Harry go up the stairs? He hadn't heard the fourth one from the top protest a heavy tread as it usually did. You never heard it if you walked normal, but if you stormed up the stairs, it would squeak. He finally heard the shushing of a gentle, soft tread crossing the floor to the dining room and then it went to the door. The sound of the outer door almost didn't reach his straining ears.

Severus slumped over until his forehead touched the table. His eyes were burning and he was shaking all over, his heart pounding with dread.

Harry had left.