Many many thanks and brownies go to Yen for taking this one underwing. With her help it is slowly but surely reaching its full potential. Thanks to all of you who are waiting patiently. Never fear, it will be finished.

Ree

By Leaps and Bounds

Harry took a bit longer than he normally would at the store as the scene from the lab played over and over in his head. There had to be a way to prevent it from happening again. Some way that didn't include him never going into Severus' lab again- that was one big no in his book. He refused to be cut out of one part of Severus' life, especially such a large and important part.

It was the sign outside of the restroom that gave him the idea. The sign showed everyone that at that moment, the restroom was being cleaned and to enter with care or use a different one. All they needed to do was to make a sign to hang on the outside of Severus' lab door to warn that more care was needed when entering.

Grinning from ear to ear, Harry headed home with a lighter heart. He had a solution, one he was sure that Severus would accept.

-o-o-o-o-

Severus didn't know how long he stayed like that, bent over his worktable, trapped in bitter regret and misery. Eventually, he straightened up and ignored the twinge of protest his back gave. Looking at the cauldron, he sighed. He needed to start the potion over again, and he might as well start now as he had nothing better to do for the rest of the day... or the rest of the summer.

He was so immersed in the recreation of the potions that he didn't hear the front door open and close. He took the time to work his way through his notes and made the small tweaks he had considered along the way the first time. Lunchtime came and passed unnoticed. When mid-afternoon arrived and his stomach growled in hunger, he still didn't want to emerge from his lab. To do so was to face what he had done, what his temper had succeeded in doing.

'I am going to have to face the rest of the house sometime. It is my fault, and it isn't going to change.'

Heaving a large sigh, Severus opened the lab door and headed up the stairs. As he walked into living room, he automatically glanced over at the sitting area, expecting to see Harry curled up on the floor. He barely ever saw him on the sofa.

The living room was empty. Pain shot through Severus again, a sharp spear that stabbed him through the chest. Swallowing heavily, he shook his head to dislodge the image. This was his fault, what he had expected to happen the moment Harry learned enough about him. His temper, the part that Harry had faced more times than he could count, had ruined his life once again.

Turning away from the sitting area, Severus headed towards the kitchen, hoping there was something worth cooking in there. He froze once he reached the doorway.

There, sitting at the table with books scattered about and his notebook opened, was Harry.

Harry looked up and stared at the look of complete shock on Severus' face. Drawing a breath, he garnered his courage to get through the next several moments. He was sure everything would be easier after that.

"I'm sorry for ruining your potion this morning," he began and stopped at the upraised hand.

Severus' chest was a riot of emotions. He lowered his hand, distantly noting that it was trembling. He was amazed that Harry had come back and even more amazed that he was apologizing when he had done nothing wrong. "You've come through that door in the same manner more times than I can count right now. I shouldn't have lost my temper that quickly. It is I who should be sorry, and I am."

It was Harry's turn to look shocked. Then he snorted lightly and smiled. "You said I was to learn about you. I guess you were right, but you know your temper is one thing I am already familiar with. I never, ever expected you to apologize though."

There was a brief silence as they stared at each other before Harry gave a hopeful smile. "So... are we letting this go?"

When Severus nodded, Harry's smile widened and he waved him towards a seat. "I brought home take-out for lunch and put yours under a warming charm. It should still be good."

Severus sat down slowly and opened the box of steaming fish and chips. Cancelling the charm, he popped a chip in his mouth, he savoured the flavour that was only found from his favorite shop down the road. "We need to find a way to not have this repeated. Learn from our mistakes."

"Of course. I was thinking we needed a sign to put on the outside of the door so that I would know I have to be careful entering. Or maybe you could write it on your calendar that you are going to be working on complicated potions that day."

Severus nodded again, mentally kicking himself for not thinking of it earlier. Then again, he had never had someone stay with him after he started Hogwarts. Wormtail didn't count as someone. "That sounds like it would be a good idea, the sign one."

Harry smiled happily. "I'll make one up later."

Severus watched Harry work as he ate, trying to understand what was going through the young man's mind. As he finished the last of the fish, he caught curious green eyes peeping at him as if asking him what he wanted.

"Why did you stay?" The question was quieter than the turn of a page. Severus wasn't even sure if Harry heard him.

Harry closed the book and leaned forward. "Because you were mad, and mad people don't always mean what they say permanently. Also, you could have easily meant for me to get out of the lab and not the entire house."

Standing up, he came around the table and crouched down until he was eye level with Severus. "If either of those were true, I couldn't give up. I want to be here too much to let your temper run me off."

He leaned forward and rested his hand on the table next to Severus' arm as he looked deep into those dark eyes, hoping that they would turn to the molten chocolate he loved to see. "I don't want to lose you..." - seeing those dark eyes widen and warm, Harry gathered the last bit of his courage and leaned forward, his lips barely a fraction of an inch from Severus' - "... because I love you." His words fanned the soft lips that he kissed before Severus could respond.

Severus felt his world tilt sideways as if he was falling. That was the only way he could describe the feelings rushing through him at that moment. Harry loved him. Even with his temper and general nasty disposition, Harry still said he loved him.

Wrapping his arm around the warm body leaning into him, he pulled Harry up and onto his lap, deepening the kiss. Trailing hands, fingers digging into fabric, and thighs pressed against each other were the perfect accompaniment to the emotions churning inside him, giving him the courage to speak when their lips finally parted. "I don't want – I can't lose you either, Harry... I love you, too."

Harry swallowed hard as he heard those words, words he doubted would ever be said to him, at least this earnestly. He stared into Severus' dark eyes for a moment longer before he was dragged into another soul-searing kiss.

When they broke apart this time, panting, Harry leaned his forehead against Severus', his fingers flexing on the shoulders under them and his whole body throbbing with desire. "Please... I know what you told me when I first came here, but can we take this further? I want you - all of you. Please. Please want me – all of me, too."

A shudder of need raced through Severus. "Yes, I want all of you, too. We can take this as far as you want, but not here. We should actually make it to a bedroom this time."

Beaming, Harry hopped off of Severus' lap and pulled him to his feet. Pulling that dark head down, he enjoyed another long, deep kiss before pulling them both towards the stairs. It only took a moment to reach the top and then Severus pushed Harry towards the master bedroom, letting his hand trail down the sturdy back to rest on the curve of his bottom.

Harry flashed him a smile as he opened the door and peered about the room, taking in all the little details that were scattered about before his eyes locked onto the large, neatly made bed. Kicking his shoes off near the door, he caught sight of Severus doing the same.

Turning about, he reached up to the top button on Severus' shirt. His pulse rocketed even higher as he realized he was going to get to see more of Severus. Slowly each button came undone, revealing the pale skin beneath.

When Severus started undoing his buttons in turn, Harry saw those dark eyes turn into the melted chocolate he loved to see as each bit of his skin was revealed. Harry shrugged off his own shirt before gently pushing Severus' off his shoulders. His eyes roamed over the lightly scarred chest, taking in the smattering of black hair and the two brown nipples on either side.

"Beautiful," he breathed.

Severus didn't think that that word described his chest or indeed any part of him, but it certainly fitted Harry's broader one, especially the two pink nipples that had been hidden out of sight up until now. Leaning in, he kissed Harry deeply as he let his hands explore that wonderful expanse of skin and muscle. A shiver ran through him as Harry's hands returned the favour, hot palms coasting up his back and over his shoulder blades leaving behind cravings for more.

Walking backwards, Severus pulled Harry towards the bed and sat down. A groan left him when Harry pushed him back, his weight pressing Severus into the mattress.

Harry pushed up and looked down, his passion bright eyes raking over Severus. He leaned his weight on one hand, the other caressing the muscles on that pale, scarred neck and then lower to the dusky buds that were begging to be touched. Carefully running a fingertip over the hardening tips, Harry smiled when Severus' breath caught and he arched up into his touch. He slid down that long, lean body, wringing a groan from both of them as their bare chests and clothed erections suffered the delicious friction.

Feeling bolder now, Harry started worrying one brown nipple between his fingers while he licked and sucked on the other, enjoying the taste. He felt Severus' fingers scrabbling across his back before falling onto the covers. Amazement shot through Harry, amazement at how much power he had over this strong man, but in the next moment, his breath whooshed out as he was tumbled onto his back.

Severus explored his chest in turn, lips and tongue tracing Harry's ribs while long fingers traced leisurely circles around his stiffened nipples. Harry's breath caught when one hand moved down and rested on the button of his trousers. Questioning dark eyes lifted to meet his, the hand waiting for permission.

"Remember, we are going only as far as you want to go, Harry."

Harry stared up at him, knowing his nervousness was written on his face.

'Do I want this to go further? Can I handle it... this is pretty intense as it is. I did tell him we were going as far as he wanted.' Swallowing hard, Harry lifted a hand and traced Severus' cheekbones. "As far as you want, that is as far as I want."

The button slipped out of its hole and the zipper slid down. Harry tensed with both excitement and trepidation. Every other thought fled his mind as those clever fingers ghosted over his exposed pants and then a heavy palm ran down his entire length through the fabric. In the time it took Harry to gasp his pleasure, his trousers and pants were removed and dark, appreciative eyes were taking in his eager, exposed flesh.

When Severus' hand moved to touch his thighs, Harry stopped him by shifting and resting his hand on Severus' belt. "May I?"

At the silent nod, Harry sat up and stripped him slowly of the rest of his clothes. He pulled Severus' pants off, letting his fingertips graze over the long, hard shaft that had caught his attention. It was like touching silk, the skin sleek and warm. Wrapping his fingers around it, he dragged them up firmly from root to tip, his gaze shooting up to Severus' face when a loud moan resounded. Before he could finish the second stroke, Severus had tumbled him onto his back again.

Severus wrapped his hand around Harry's substantial erection and stroked it in turn, smiling as Harry's hips bucked off the bed, a small cry escaping his lips. Sliding down until he was between those firm thighs, he looked up at Harry's face. "Can I mouth you?"

At Harry's gasping yes, Severus licked the tip of the weeping erection in his hand and discovered he enjoyed the flavour as much as any other he had tasted on Harry. Going slowly, he took more and more into his mouth, savouring Harry's gasps and moans along with the taste that was flooding his mouth, using his arms to keep the bucking hips in place.

Either he was good at this or Harry was closer to the edge than he realised, but the young man's sudden orgasm – signaled only by a sharp gasp and the sudden tensing of his body – caught Severus by surprise. Swallowing the hot fluid that spilled into his mouth, he lifted his head to watch Harry fall loose-limbed back onto the bed, chest heaving. He crawled back up and settled down next to the younger man. "Good?"

Half-hooded green eyes looked at him for a long moment before Harry answered. "Let me show you."

Before Severus could comprehend what those words meant, Harry had scrambled to sit up and Severus felt his shaft being surrounded by that same hot hand once more. Soft lips pressed against his leaking tip, causing fire to explode through his entire body before collecting in a tight spiral in his lower abdomen.

Severus shuddered, his mouth falling open as his throbbing length was submerged in moist heat. He stared down at that messy head in his lap as Harry pleasured him with his mouth, torn between wanting to voice a protest and praying that he wouldn't stop. When a warm palm gently massaged his sac, he hung grimly onto his control, breathing through his mouth and keeping his hips as still as he could… until curious fingers stroked the sensitive skin behind his sac and applied careful pressure. The sharp burst of pleasure that shot from there straight into the coiled spiral was too much and Severus came with a hoarse shout.

Harry choked and sputtered a bit when Severus exploded in his mouth, but it was worth swallowing every bitter drop when he looked up and saw the lax, blissful expression on the man's flushed face. He managed to lick him clean before trembling arms reached down to tug him upward.

"Was this going too far for you?" Severus asked, still breathing heavily.

Harry licked his lips and smiled before shaking his head. They had both lost control again in a way, but Severus hadn't run away this time.

"No, but this is further than I've ever gone before," he admitted quietly. "What about you, was this going too far?"

Severus shook his head.

"No, but this is also further than I have ever gone before," he replied before he could change his mind. He found himself holding his breath when those green eyes widened in surprise and released it in relief only when Harry gave a pleased smile and nod.

The kiss that followed was a quick peck on the lips and then Severus was tucking both of them under the covers. Deciding that a well deserved nap was in order, Harry yawned and snuggled down next to Severus, his eyes already drifting shut.

-o-o-o-o-

Since that afternoon, Harry moved out of the guest room and the rest of the way into the house.

The days passed into weeks with a quiet rhythm established between them. Waking up beside each other and having breakfast together before starting their morning activity; Harry running and Severus brewing. They would break for lunch together before doing their afternoon activity; Severus lesson planning or writing articles while Harry studied. After dinner, the rest of the evening was spent enjoying each other's company.

The level of physical intimacy between them increased as the days passed and soon, the blowjobs were later enhanced by tentative fingerings. That eventually gave way, with mutual consent, to mind blowing penetrations and coming deep inside each other.

This comfortable pattern was periodically disrupted by meetings. Severus sometimes had to head into Hogwarts to meet with Minerva while Harry went to see his friends. These meetings were penciled in on their respective calendars.

They were three quarters of the way through the summer when Harry headed out the door to meet up with Ron after dinner. A lingering kiss before he left was his apology for breaking the routine, and a promise to make it up later.

Severus watched as Harry walked off. Tonight might just be a long one; the last time he had met up with Weasley, Harry hadn't made it home until the wee hours of the morning.

Knowing he wouldn't change what happened, nor what was to come, Severus headed into the kitchen to wash up after dinner. He then walked back to the sitting room, found a good book on the shelf and settled down with it in his chair near the fireplace.

He was so lost in the book that he barely noted Harry coming into the room. He marked his spot when Harry leaned against his chair and looked up. "How was Mr. Weasley?"

Severus focused on Harry's face, looking for any signs of discontent. 'Sometimes meeting his friends doesn't end well. The night that started Harry's stay at our house was a prime example.' He stared up into the rich green eyes as he realized what he had just thought. Spinner's End wasn't just his anymore, it was theirs, whether Harry knew it or not.

Harry reveled in the attention focused completely on him. It was an attention that he was quickly becoming addicted to, unlike that of the Wizarding public. "He is fine - enjoying his independence."

Severus noted the slightly off tone Harry used. A quick glance at the clock on the mantelpiece showed that Harry was home far earlier than he thought he would be. Just what happened at this meeting? Was Harry regretting moving in and wished to have more time to become his own person? "You are not enjoying yours?"

Running a finger down a pale cheek, Harry grinned at him. "I'm not independent."

'Not independent? Of course he is. He is of age, able to make his own decisions. Surely he doesn't think that I am his guardian. That would put an end to our relationship faster than anything, even him turning into Voldemort. I refuse to be a substitute parent.' He narrowed his eyes, hoping that Harry would get the message loud and clear that this was a non-negotiable. "I am not your guardian, Harry. You are not my dependent."

Harry took in Severus' expression before dropping a kiss onto the upturned face. He needed to reassure his lover that he most certainly did not perceive him that way. "No, I'm interdependent. At least I think we are."

'Interdependent?' Severus turned the word over in his mind, looking at their relationship from the beginning till now. Yes, he had come to depend on Harry's visits while trapped in St. Mungo's. He was far more regular a visitor than Minerva and the other teachers as well as more entertaining. He was hands down more welcome than the ministry workers who came to talk to him, especially the aurors. When Severus went back to Hogwarts to prepare for the next term, he had pushed away the empty feeling. He always felt like something was missing while he was there, so it wasn't unusual. When Harry came that first morning though, it disappeared. He knew that was the reason he didn't send the Gryffindor away, he treasured that feeling of being complete. That feeling had magnified since Harry moved in this summer. He also could tell that Harry depended on his presence and enjoyed his company every day.

A slow, warm smile curved Severus' lips. "We are."

He pulled Harry into his lap and proceeded to kiss him soundly, showing just how much he needed him there.

-o-o-o-o-

Severus was already waking up, which was why the owl wasn't hexed as it landed on the headboard. Removing its letter, he shooed the bird away. He would track it down at Hogwarts later and give it a treat.

A rustle from the other side of the bed made him look down at Harry. The pre-dawn light picked out the ends of that untidy black hair and highlighted those sculpted cheekbones, and Severus admired how the light showed off the slender form next to him. Sitting up carefully so as not to disturb Harry, he opened the letter and angled it into a weak ray of sunlight so he could read it.

'Minerva had to send this out late last night.' Sighing lightly, he looked down just in time to catch green eyes fluttering open.

"Morning, Severus." Harry rolled over and slid his leg over Severus as he snuggled his head into his lover's chest. The parchment caught his attention. "Who is writing this early?"

Running his fingers through the sleep tangled hair, Severus dropped the note onto the covers. "Minerva has called a meeting, a whole day of meetings, and they are to start at breakfast."

"So, you are having breakfast there?" Harry picked up the note and scanned it. "Do you often have unscheduled meetings?" Since it hadn't happened this summer, Harry figured it might be an exception instead of a rule.

"No, not normally." Severus plucked the parchment out of unresisting fingers. "What are your plans for the day?"

"Same old thing. You don't have to be there till breakfast time, right?" As Severus nodded, Harry pulled him into a kiss. Giving as much as he was given, Severus was happy not to have to change their morning routine.

-o-o-o-o-

Severus strode across the grounds, heading for Hogwarts as the sun finished cresting over the castle. It was as he walked that familiar path thinking of the morning he had just spent with Harry that he realized that summer was coming to an end, and with it his time with Harry. 'I'm coming back here and he is going to be in Auror training. We are going to be apart just as we have gotten together. How are we going to handle this?'

Unease curled around his heart and a stone settled in his gut. He didn't want to be apart from Harry; he was used to their routine now and had adjusted very quickly to someone sleeping next to him. He needed Harry to be with him. His brain ran in circles trying to figure out how to continue this relationship while he was teaching. No matter how he looked at it he couldn't see a way to mesh his schedule with Harry's.

Stopping for a moment, he breathed deeply and tried to quell the panicked feeling that was trying to take over him. He had to think of this logically. They might be interdependent, but they both could handle being independent for a while.

'Maybe a year apart wouldn't be a bad idea. It would give Harry a chance to get out and experience the world, to cement that he truly wants to be with me. That no one else will catch his eye. I can wait.' Severus knew that he was rationalizing this to himself, but it had worked before, it would hopefully work again. Ignoring the fact that Hogwarts was much smaller than the world and Harry had still seen him every day during his final year, Severus squared his shoulders and continued on towards the castle. 'If this doesn't end us, then I am asking Minerva to let Harry move in. I know that it hasn't happened in Hogwarts' history, but it isn't against the rules, either. I have to talk to Harry about this.'

Pushing the outer doors open, he headed for the Great Hall, mentally switching gears to prepare for the upcoming meetings.

-o-o-o-o-

Harry stopped at the kitchen door, watching Severus for a moment. He could see the tension in the broad shoulders and the frown that marred the brow that had been missing most of the summer. 'What were the meetings about that put Severus out of sorts?'

When Severus looked up and met his eyes, Harry walked on in. Instead of asking the question on his mind, he decided to bring up his own quandary to see if by chance there was a way they could still see each other after the summer.

"Severus, I was talking to Ron this morning. You know we were planning on sharing a flat during training..." Harry moved to set the table as he talked, mentally fussing at himself for not tackling this straight on.

"You were planning on getting one in Muggle London so Mr. Weasley could have something to talk to Arthur about over the holidays, if I remember right." Severus brought the salad he had just finished to the table. Harry in a flat in London was something he did not want to picture. Not when he was trapped hundreds of miles away inside castle walls. 'We are going to try independence for a while. I need to trust him.'

Harry nodded while adjusting the plates, trying to not look at Severus just yet - trying not to sound needy, demanding. "Well, he just doesn't think he is going to be able to help make ends meet, so he is planning to continue working at George's shop and renting the room above it while we are training."

Setting the pork chops and mashed potatoes on the table, Severus took his seat. Now seemed like the perfect time to talk about the topic that had been eating at him since that morning walk. "Are you planning to get the flat still? You can afford it on your own."

Harry fiddled with his fork as he looked at his empty plate. "I don't want to live in Muggle London alone. I don't want to live anywhere in London alone. That is why I was getting a flat with Ron, since he didn't want to stay at Grimmauld Place. I know that you have to go back to Hogwarts and that you are going to be living there, but..." A sigh escaped him as he finally worked around to voicing his desires. "But I wish there was some way we could still be together."

Harry cautiously peeked up to see Severus' reaction. This was the first time the conversation of 'where to go from here' had been broached.

Relief flooded through Severus and he didn't care if it showed on his face. Knowing that Harry wanted to find a way to stay with him made him realise just how nervous he had been about the idea of Harry staying in London with Weasley and having the opportunity to find someone new, young and wonderful. 'Never mind, I don't want independence. I want to keep us the way we are.'

Looking at Harry for a long moment, he knew they would have to find a way to be together. 'Harry doesn't want to go to London alone, and this house is our home already. Maybe he wouldn't mind-'

"With your Auror training, there just isn't a way. I thought about it all day." And he had, he could barely focus on the meetings. He got the gist of them, but the details were washed away. "If you wish, you can stay here. We can connect the fireplace to the floo network, or you can Apparate into the Ministry if you wanted."

He watched Harry, hoping that his idea would be accepted. It would be a relief to know that his lover was here.

Harry frowned while serving himself, his thoughts racing through his mind. Once his plate was done, he looked back at Severus. "You pay the bills here. You have all summer. If I were to keep the house open, then you would still be paying them."

"You'll be in training, and I already have the accounts set up, it isn't a big deal." Taking a sip of his drink, Severus realized by the look on Harry's face that is was a big deal.

"We are supposed to be interdependent. During the summer I cooked and cleaned, and bought groceries for both of us to balance out what you spent to keep the house running. But if you are not here, then I would only be doing that for myself, what would you be getting out of it? I do not want to be your dependent."

Severus nodded and took a moment to gather his thoughts before answering. "I will know where you are and how to reach you easily. If you are worried about paying your way, then get a job in the neighborhood and pay me back for the utilities. Or just pay me for them, I doubt you need the job, Gringotts will change your currency. I'll send a copy of the bill to you at the end of the month, and you can send me the money. Or you can put it into my desk drawer, and we'll splurge on something at the beginning of next summer." The last part was said with almost bated breath. It implied they would still be together then.

Harry nodded slowly. Both were reasonable suggestions. "I'll let you know what I decide. When are you going to have to report back to work full time?"

Severus sighed and fought a frown. "Next Monday."

Harry drew in a fortifying breath and nodded. "Any big plans for your final week of freedom?"

With this morning's worries off his mind, Seveurs leered at all the parts of Harry he could see. "I can think of a few things."

Returning the leer, Harry answered back, "So can I. We are going to the beach tomorrow. Then you can look your fill and so can I."

"We'll pack right after dinner."

It was the fastest meal they had ever shared.

-o-o-o-o-

Harry watched the toddler playing next to the water edge. He still hadn't spotted the boy's parents, and the little one had been there for the last ten minutes. Risking a quick glance away, he looked for Severus. The quick run to get them a drink had taken about twenty minutes so far.

"Hey, your son is too close to the water. You might want to get him!"

The shrill tone cut through his musing of what could have distracted his partner so much. Glancing back at the boy, he noticed that he was threatened by the waves. Harry turned his attention to the beach in hopes of catching sight of who the parents were.

"Hey! You! Green Eyes! Your son!"

This time, Harry noticed the blonde woman looking right at him with her hands on her hips. Sighing he shoved himself off his seat and mumbled under his breath. "He's not mine. Don't know whose he is, but he certainly isn't mine."

Striding across the sand, he reached the child just as a wave crashed into his back, and the boy tumbled over. Righting the child, he looked down into the wet and now scared face. He kept his tone soft and friendly as he asked, "Who is here with you?"

Brown eyes widened and then looked all about. Tears seemed imminent. "Papa."

Forcing back another sigh, Harry decided that this was early practice in the simple side of being an auror. Much easier than tracking and taking down criminal wizards. "Is your Mummy here, too?"

When the boy nodded yes, Harry led him away from the water and walked over to the blonde. "I don't suppose you know who this one belongs with?"

"He isn't yours?" The blonde stared at Harry in surprise.

Shaking his head, Harry scanned the beach looking for frantic parents and his errant partner. Dune grass couldn't be used in that many potions and it wasn't that interesting, he was sure. That was the only thing here he could think of that would distract Severus, potion ingredients. Once again, he squashed down the annoying thought that maybe someone had found his partner attractive and was trying to chat him up.

"My name is Ellen Johnson, and no I don't know who he is with. I thought he was yours since you were watching him so closely."

Harry shook the outstretched hand. "Harry Potter, and I was trying to see when his parents would show up."

Ellen's face brightened in understanding and started looking around as well. "I haven't seen anyone watching him but you, that is why I thought he was yours."

Harry sank down next to the little one. "So, what is your name? I'm Harry and this is Ellen."

A soft trembling voice answered him. "Lee."

"Lee, do you know your last name?" Harry decided that the boy must be close to three instead of the two he had thought earlier.

Lee shook his head no.

"Your Papa or Mummy's name?" Harry knew he was hoping for a lot, but he knew Petunia and Vernon's names by time he was three. Dudley didn't though.

As Lee shook his head again, Harry heard the familiar, rich voice behind him.

"Harry, I can't leave you alone for a moment without you rescuing someone, can I?"

Harry looked about quickly, spotting a smirking Severus standing just a foot or two away. "Severus!" He shot to his feet, looking his fill for just a moment at the bare chest. "Where have you been? Did you have to dig a well to get the drinks?"

Severus returned the long look before holding out a bottle of iced water. "Long line."

"And an interesting plant or two?" The expression that flashed over Severus' face told Harry that he was right. "We'll go back together and look if you want, but first we have to get this little one some place safe."

"We can take him up to the pagoda on the pier. They should have a lost child place." Severus gestured the way he came.

"Lee's parents will flip out and panic." As Severus and Ellen nodded, Harry chuckled. "Maybe they will learn."

Ellen looked over the beach, catching sight of her two teens and signaled them to come over. "The girls and I will walk Lee up there so you and your..." her eyes darted between them, obviously trying to figure out their relationship. "... and Severus can go look at the plants that interested him. They wanted some ice cream anyway."

Lee looked from one adult to the next before accepting Ellen's outstretched hand. She turned to watch the two men walk away, the sight of Severus taking hold of Harry's hand and receiving a brilliant smile, confirming her guess.

"Just what can you make out of dune grass?" Harry walked closer to Severus to hear him over the ocean breeze.

Severus answered while his eyes were scanning the ground. "That list would bore you, and we aren't looking at dune grass. I've already collected what I want of it. No, we are checking out the clams."

Harry laughed happily and searched the ground for the telltale signs. Maybe they would find enough clams for dinner later.

-o-o-o-o-

Both Harry and Severus were surprised when Ellen stopped by their table in the hotel restaurant later that night.

"I just wanted to let you know that Lee's parents showed up. Their panicked faces were all we could hope for. Harry, thanks for helping him." Ellen caught sight of their clasped hands and smiled. "I'll leave you two alone now. Have fun the rest of your trip." With a wave, she walked back to her table.

Harry had caught the knowing smile on Ellen's face. "It didn't take her long to figure out our relationship." Turning back to look at Severus, he continued. "So, why do people at home seem to think you are my uncle?"

Severus felt his eyes widen. He hadn't known that Harry had heard that particular rumor. "Who said that I was?"

"Mr. Patterson at the fish and chip shop." Harry let Severus' hand go to move the annoying decorative display that was blocking his view of the man across the table from him. The right side of Severus' face was not an umbrella or a bunch of leaves. "I didn't confirm or deny what he said. I wasn't sure how you wanted the people in the area to view us."

Uncertainty tried to take hold of Severus, but it had to fight his mirth at how the conversation must have taken place. Patterson didn't care for not being answered. "I could care less what they think. How do you wish our relationship to be perceived?"

Harry grinned at him. "I don't care either, as long as we are we, then what they know don't really matter."

With Harry's answer defeating the uncertainty, the mirth won out and Severus smiled. "I know that Patterson wouldn't have let the matter rest at that."

Harry shook his head. "No, he asked how I was related to you. I told him that our connection started with my Mum." A grin slipped out. "You should have seen his eyes go wide. Did he know about you and my Mum being friends? Does he think that I am really your son or something silly like that?"

Severus chuckled softly and patted Harry's hand a couple of times before wrapping his fingers around it again. "No, it means that he believes that my Father was indiscreet one evening and had a daughter from it."

He chuckled again, knowing that his Mother would have known and Father would had suffered greatly. No, other men might have found comfort in someone else's arms after a night at the pub, but never Tobias. He knew better.

"So, basically he thinks that you found out I was around and took me in?" Harry picked up his fork and speared a clam while he waited for Severus to answer.

"That is what I was asked when I went to pick up some of the necessities before we left town." Taking a bite of his shrimp linguine, he gave a moment for Harry to process what he has said. "It wasn't Patterson either. Mrs. Miller stopped me and wanted to let me know how wonderful it was that I took in my nephew. She wanted to know how I found you."

Harry set his fork down and bit his lower lip lightly. "What are we going to tell them?"

Severus ran a soothing finger over the back of Harry's hand, brushing over the written scar. "We shall tell the truth as far as the Statute of Secrecy will allow. I have nothing to hide except that I am a wizard, and neither do you."

Resting his other hand on top of Severus, Harry nodded. "The truth when asked, but we don't really need to tell them a thing."

Severus smiled and nodded towards the plates. "The food is getting cold and I do wish to retire sometime tonight."

Smiling back, Harry applied himself to his dinner. Retiring to their room was just what he wanted to do.

-o-o-o-o-

"Severus, if I am going to be paying the bills, or working, shouldn't I have a muggle account?"

Harry laid on the bed, watching Severus pack his trunk and marveling at how few clothes went in compared to books and rolls of parchment. "You had better be wearing something this year. I refuse for the others to see more than I did while I was a student there."

Severus paused while tucking in the last roll of lesson plans and raised his head to stare at Harry, somewhat pleased at the latter's possessive tone. "I leave most of my robes at the school, Harry. I will be dressed from neck to heel as usual."

The slow smile and the warm gaze that traveled over him made Severus glad that Harry was no longer his student.

"I'd love to undo those buttons." Sitting up on the bed, Harry reached for the ones that were holding Severus' shirt closed only to have his hands caught and pulled into a searing kiss.

"We'll go open a bank account for you this afternoon, right after lunch." Severus nuzzled the suntanned neck and listened to Harry gasp with pleasure.

"We... we can write one another, right?" Harry's hands found the buttons again and started to undo them, his fingers bushing over the warm skin under them.

"Write as often as you want. I will answer." His breath caught as Harry's fingers tucked into his waistband and then pulled him onto the bed. "Harry, I have to finish packing."

He bit back a groan when Harry straddled him and ran his fingers down his chest, ending back at his waistband. He could feel Harry's eager length pressing against his and knew without a doubt that he would be finishing his packing later.