UPDATE:
Chapter 10 has been replaced with this updated/newer version. There are many changes that you will need to read, therefore I suggest you read this chapter again.
I have decided I will do Harry's birthday, don't really know why I decided not to in the first place.
So, as always, ENJOY.
It was a couple of days before the rest of Hogwarts would be returning and Harry was standing in front of Peter's house in London, hand poised to knock on his door. He didn't know if Peter was going to be there but it was a start. He looked behind him and Snape cocked his head to the side, regarding Harry. He sighed before turning and knocking on the door and didn't have to wait long for a tall, thin lady to open the door.
"Hello there, how can I help?" She said smiling and Harry smiled back.
"Hi, my name's Harry. Um, I was wondering if Peter was home?"
"Sure, he's just upstairs." She said and then yelled over her shoulder. "Peter, your friend is here." She turned back to Harry and smiled before turning away when she heard Peter coming down the stairs.
"Oh my god, Harry!" He said excitedly, walking over to him and giving him a hug. "What are you doing here? Are you back for good?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not. But I was able to escape my relatives a day early so I could come and see you." Harry said with a grin and Peter gave him another hug before starting to pull him inside.
Snape coughed to get Harry's attention and he turned to look at the man standing by the street. Harry nodded and the man went over to the fence and leaned against it. They had discussed before coming here that Snape would give him some privacy by waiting outside for him, but he wasn't to take all day with his friends. Harry understood this and was actually rather surprised he was allowed to come here and see his friends in the first place. He suspected however, that Snape had had a say in this to the Headmaster but he couldn't be sure.
"You're looking good, Harry. Love what you've done with your hair." Peter commented as he looked Harry up and down in the lounge.
"Thanks, they took me into town. Apparently my clothes weren't good enough for them." He lied, and slightly blushed at it too. It wasn't too far from the truth.
They sat there chatting for a bit and then Harry asked how Tony was. Peter said that he had actually been gearing up to go round to Maggie's flat as they were going to be having a few drinks and Harry said he'd love to go. Grinning, Peter led Harry up to his room and he sat on the bed whilst Peter got changed. It was weird, Harry thought as he sat on the bed trying not to watch Peter getting changed, he himself was never this forthcoming when it came to the boys dorms at Hogwarts and neither were his room mates. Peter laughed at him and put a hand on his shoulder as he looked at him and told him not to be awkward, that it was completely normal, so Harry had to laugh a little and he relaxed as well.
Harry and Peter walked out of the house and Harry panicked a little when he couldn't see Snape anywhere. He thought the man was supposed to be supervising him and now he couldn't see him. His attention was pulled away from this when a car pulled up and Peter was getting in.
"You coming?" He shouted and Harry nodded before looking about again.
"I'm right here, I will follow." Snape said quietly, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder, but when he looked around he couldn't see the man. Disillusionment Charm, he thought and he nodded his understanding before getting into the car.
Harry tuned out of everything as the car sped through the streets, he didn't know who the person driving was but apparently his name was Harvey and he was the same age as Peter and his friends. Harry was a little nervous, the last time he'd gone to a party he didn't have someone looking over him, even though it was Snape, now that he couldn't see him the man could be lurking anywhere. It was odd though; Snape was allowing him to go out with his friends, what happened to not taking long? And how did he know we were going out? It was too confusing so he refused to think about it.
They arrived outside the dump of a house that had people sitting on the front lawn soaking up what little sun there was outside and some scattered along the front porch. It was like a traditional American house rather than one found in England. Harry looked around again as he tried to spy Snape but couldn't see anything and was taken inside by Peter who had his arm around him. It felt oddly comforting, but at the same time he almost felt like he was cheating Snape by doing so. How ridiculous, he thought and shook his head.
"Here we go." Peter said handing Harry a drink.
Harry grinned, this was what he wanted, to feel the buzz, the feeling of forgetting and it was right in his hand. Still grinning like an idiot he went to chuck it back but after a gulp he realized what it was and he went to spit it out. Peter looked mildly offended and Harry looked at him suspiciously.
"What did you say was in it?" Harry said narrowing his eyes as he looked at the clear liquid.
"Uh, Malibu, Sprite and Lime Juice." He said confused and Harry rolled his eyes.
"Sorry, it's delicious just wasn't expecting it." Harry tried to cover up, yeah delicious water, he thought bitterly and Peter smiled and they walked over to a group of people.
The music was just in the background, nothing too loud and Harry muttered about Snape interfering but no one heard it, he doubted Snape would either but he still said it for his own benefit. Harry was taken over to a group of people in the lounge sitting on couches, some Harry recognized from the nights he'd spent with Peter and Tony. Speaking of which, he couldn't see Tony anywhere and if he was honest, he wanted to see him the most because of what they had experienced between themselves. Pushing that thought aside, Harry was pulled onto Peter's lap as they sat on the couch and they engaged in conversation with the others, Harry only feeling slightly out of place because his drink had been turned into water and he didn't have alcohol to make him bolder.
Snape wasn't impressed when they arrived at the house and he was slightly disappointed in Harry for the type of people he had chosen as friends. They made him wary because they were a couple of years older than Harry, even though this isn't the biggest issue, they were a lot more mature than he was and Snape felt like they were pushing him in the wrong direction. He had to smirk when he saw Harry's face drop when he changed his alcoholic drink into water and despite what Harry may have thought, he heard him muttering. Now though, Harry was sitting on that boy's lap and for some reason this didn't sit well with him and it made him a little anxious. He couldn't understand why.
He was trying to work out his emotions whilst keeping an eye on Harry when he saw the two boy's stand up and a girl came over to them and hugged Harry. It was interesting to see because Harry genuinely smiled and didn't even flinch when she went to give him a peck on the lips. Perhaps he isn't gay, he thought and this made him feel a little upset. Putting these thoughts aside, he heard her say to Harry that his other friend was upstairs and guided Harry over to the staircase. His other friend, Peter staying where he was. Harry ascended the stairs and Snape stood close to the girl that had spoken to Harry and she looked rather pleased with herself. It didn't feel right, but he stayed where he was and watched Harry disappear into one of the upstairs rooms.
A minute later, Harry walked out of the room backwards very slowly as if he couldn't understand what was happening and he looked shocked. Snape frowned, this definitely didn't look right and when he regarded the girl he was standing next to, she looked just as confused as he was. A second later, Harry was sprinting down the stairs, tears threatening to burst and Snape ran after him along with Peter when he realized Harry had run out.
"Harry, come back!" Peter yelled from the front yard as Harry ran down the street.
"HARRY!" He tried again, but Harry didn't stop and all of a sudden disappeared.
Hugging Harry tightly, Snape apparated them back to Hogwarts. As soon as Harry felt his feet touch the ground he broke away from Snape and ran towards the castle. Snape knew that wherever he ended up he would be safe, so he wasn't going to run after him. Although it was more like he couldn't run after him as he was puffed from running after him in London. His mind was working over time as well to work out what had Harry so worked up. He sighed, this obviously wasn't the best idea.
Snape was walking briskly towards the castle, and in the entrance way bumped into McGonagall and he asked if she had seen Harry running past. She nodded and pointed in the direction of the dungeons but not without pursing her lips and folding her arms over her chest, asking what had happened to her lion but he refused to answer her and stalked down the stairs towards his quarters. When he arrived, Harry's door was shut and he could hear the boy crying loudly though the door, so he went over and knocked on the door.
"Go away!" Harry shouted and Snape raised an eyebrow at the door.
He ignored Harry's request and walked in anyway to find the boy laying face first on top of his bed, sobbing his heart out. He came to sit on the edge of the bed and put a hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry looked up at him and the crying stopping a little.
"What happened?" Snape asked, and Harry hiccupped before answering.
"I walked in on Tony doing another guy is what happened." Harry replied angrily and Snape frowned.
"But I thought – "
"I didn't expect to be used like that! I mean, he said he was going to miss me and wanted me to come back and visit. So I do, and I see what?" It wasn't a question but Snape got what he was trying to say.
"Oh, Harry." He said quietly and Harry sat up and swung his legs over the side of he bed so he was sitting next to Snape.
"I feel betrayed."
"I know." Snape said calmly, although he knew the boy was being quite naïve and found Harry's head resting on his shoulder.
Snape brought a hand round and gave him a tight side hug and put his other hand on the side of Harry's head pulling closer in order to comfort him. They stayed like this for a while and Harry's breathing started to even out and soon he'd stopped crying. Harry lifted his head but stayed close to Snape and they locked eyes for a second. It broke Snape's heart to see Harry so upset and he caught himself thinking that he would never let that happen to Harry. There was a moment when Snape felt himself leaning forward and the intention of kissing Harry but then they heard the booming voice of the Headmaster and Harry shoved himself away from the man before standing and looking at the door like a deer caught in head lights.
Harry's heart was beating fast. He'd nearly caught himself kissing Snape again and he felt disgusted that after their chat he still gave in to his feelings. He was sure he had imagined it when he saw Snape leaning forward, yeah just your hormonal imagination, he wouldn't kiss someone like you, he thought and then saw the Headmaster coming to stand in his bedroom doorway.
"Harry, my boy, are you okay? Professor McGonagall came and found me."
"He is fine, Headmaster. Just a misunderstanding with his friends. Nothing major." Snape replied for him coolly and Harry had to stop himself gaping at the man as he lied.
"You sure you're okay, Harry?"
"Yes, sir. I am now." He said looking up at the man and giving him a tight smile before looking down at the floor.
"Was there a valid reason why you are currently standing in my quarters, Albus?" Snape huffed and the Headmaster nodded.
"There was, it isn't major but I was requiring more of your brewing skills, Severus." Dumbledore said and walked out into the living area.
Snape looked at Harry before walking out into the living area and shutting Harry's door behind him. Harry fell to the floor when he heard the door click shut and he started shaking, he couldn't believe what was happening. Apparently what had happened earlier in the holidays meant nothing and was just an alcohol fueled evening that resulted in Harry questioning his sexuality. He felt incredibly stupid, and it had happened all in front of Snape. Sure the man had changed but that didn't still mean the man didn't think he was pathetic for what happened. He sighed and moved across the floor to his bed, leaning on it as he sat on the floor.
Snape carefully opened the door a few minutes later after having placated the Headmaster and Harry looked up at him, his eyes still a little red from the crying but he'd stopped that and now sat on the floor feeling numb. He now felt like he really had nothing. No home, no family and now, no friends. Hermione and Ron didn't count.
Harry was surprised when Snape came and sat next to him on the floor, he didn't say anything, just sat with him and they both looked at the wall in front of them. It was nice, just sitting and not talking. Snape had definitely made an impact on his life and he smiled a little at the care and compassion the man was displaying, even at this current point in time. Little did he know, but the reason why Snape wasn't saying anything was because he didn't really know what to say. Snape felt he had to say something though, anything to try and make Harry feel better, so he said the first thing that he could think of.
"It's not the end of the world, Harry."
"No, it just adds to the pile." Harry said wistfully and looked down at his lap.
Snape reached round and put an arm around Harry's shoulders, giving it a tight squeeze before moving to stand up.
"If you need anything, I will be in the living room." Snape said carefully and went to shut the door.
"No, leave it open. Please." Harry said quickly and Snape nodded, leaving it half way.
By the time dinner approached, Harry had still yet to venture from his room even though he'd left the door open. Harry just felt a little safer knowing that Snape was only a few meters away and it calmed him a little. After dinner, Snape had retired to his favourite armchair with a drink and book in hand, and Harry had chosen to pick out a book from Snape's collection and place himself on the floor in front of the man. He just wanted to be close to him physically.
He was leaning on the front side of the armchair just by Snape's left leg and was leaning against the chair with his knees brought up and balancing the book. A couple of times when he was turning the page his arm would gently brush against Snape's leg but the man didn't mind at all. As Harry sat there, he felt a little drowsy from reading so rested his head against the arm of the chair, it was at this moment that Snape subconsciously reached out and started to rake his fingers softly over Harry's hair and they both found it oddly comforting. Soon enough though, Harry gave in to the sleepiness and his head rolled to the side, coming to rest on Snape's thigh.
Snape out his book down and looked at the situation, he actually smiled at this and he felt the pull of something deep within his stomach as he thought of Harry in this moment. He looked over at the time and saw it was quite late, but now he had the issue of trying to rouse Harry so he could get into bed. He didn't really fancy carrying the boy again, especially if he woke up and saw what was going on so he gave Harry a bit of a shove to try and wake him. He didn't wake and Snape rolled his eyes.
"Harry, come on you should go to bed." Snape said, but Harry only moaned a little and his head shifted slightly.
Snape took both of their books and placed it on the side table before he shifted his legs and Harry went to fall straight onto his side, but woke up with enough time to stop himself and he turned back to Snape and peered up at him.
"Sorry." He muttered and went to stand up, as did Snape.
"What for?" Snape countered playfully.
"Uh, I guess falling asleep on you?" Harry said embarrassed and he blushed a little.
"I wasn't complaining." Was all Snape said and walked past him and towards his room.
Harry's mind was reeling, and after bidding the man goodnight, slowly made his way to his own room where he stripped and jumped into bed. For the life of him, he couldn't work out why he was so aroused, he'd just woken up like that and Snape's words hadn't helped. He groaned and jutted his hips into the mattress. Just this one time won't hurt, he thought as a hand snaked down the bed and found his erection.