Odd Behavior

By BertaS

2008

Description: A short AU story on how Harry and Severus became a couple. Takes place one year after Harry's seventh year. Harry tries to figure out why Severus is acting odd.

Warnings: Light Slash - light D/s - Implied solo - male on male kissing - Fluff

Disclaimer: I don't own them. If you sue me, you will get a overweight cat, a lazy dog and two children that are constantly in 'need' of something that requires giving them large sums of money.

A/N: This is another one of those stories that sat as a half formed idea in long hand, before I decided to type it up and offer it for your entertainment.

Odd Behavior

Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, the Man-Who-Vanquished watched as the tall, dark haired man once again hung his head and apologized for some thing that they both knew was not his fault.

Since the destruction of the Dark Lord, Severus Snape had stayed with Harry, in fact he rarely left his side. Harry had protected the Potions Master from the Aurors, the Press and from the Headmaster who, when it became clear that Snape would be left free, seemed to think that Snape owed him his loyalty and tried to claim that Severus was only safe with him at Hogwarts.

Severus' behavior over the last year had been a bit erratic, one minute angry and belligerent, the next contrite to the point of subservience. The latter behavior was becoming more and more the norm as time went by.

This had prompted Harry to do a bit of research even going so far as to ask Hermione to help when he was unable to find anything useful.

Harry sighed, as he sank down in to a chair, "Sev, it's not your fault, come here please." He wasn't sure exactly how to help the older man but was determined to try.

Harry was a more than a little shocked when Severus did not sit in the chair opposite him, but gracefully dropped to his knees at Harry's feet.

When the man started to lean forward, Harry recognized the move as one that Voldemort had insisted on. "Stop!" Harry had not intended to shout but that is how it came out.

Severus froze then started to shake.

Harry sighed before whispering a bit harshly, "I'm not HIM, Sev. Please don't act like I am."

Severus whimpered softly and leaned a bit further forward, not to kiss Harry's hem or feet this time but in an unconscious attempt to protect himself from the blow or curse he apparently thought he deserved.

Harry leaned forward speaking softly, "What is going on Sev? You are not acting like yourself." He shook his head in confusion.

Harry watched as Severus seemed to struggle with his answer opening his mouth a couple of times only to shrug before whispering, "I'm sorry."

Harry reached out to lift Severus' head wanting the man to look at him. Severus flinched but this time Harry didn't stop, didn't pull away. Sliding his fingers along Severus' jaw and cupping his cheek, making him tilt his head back. Harry was surprised that Severus seemed to lean into the touch as he closed his eyes. Harry usually avoided touching Severus because the man flinched so at even the most innocent of touches.

"What's am I going to do with you Sev?" Harry whispered softly as Severus hand came up to hold Harry's hand against his cheek and he opened his eyes. He seemed a lot calmer than he had been earlier.

Harry thought Severus mumbled, "What ever you want," as he turned to nuzzle Harry's hand.

Harry frowned slightly thinking, 'Huh, what is that supposed to mean?' He was a bit distracted by the soft lips brushing against his wrist. He shook that thought away and brought his other hand up to push some of Severus' hair away from his face.

"Sev, look at me." When Severus' eyes finally met his, Harry continued, "Now, tell me what you want."

Severus blinked, "I…" he swallowed, "I…" he rather suddenly leaned forward laying his head in Harry's lap as he slid his arms around the young mans hips, "Please… please don't hate me. Please don't sent me back to Albus." He half sobbed, half moaned.

Harry was stunned but immediately began stroking the distraught man's hair and back while pulling him closer and murmuring soft reassurances. He let Severus calm a bit before trying to talk to him again.

Harry was amused to realize that some how Severus had moved and was now curled in his lap. Smiling Harry once again tilted Severus' head up.

Severus' eyes were lidded, his lips slightly parted and Harry couldn't resist leaning in to the man for a soft kiss. Severus surprised him again by seeming to melt in to the kiss, pressing against him and opening his mouth apparently inviting Harry to explore.

When Harry finally pulled away in need of oxygen, he found tears streaming from Severus' eyes. It only took him a few seconds to realize what had happened.

"Oh god, Sev, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." He once again pushed the hair from the older mans face. "I promised myself I would never take advantage of you like that."

Severus just stared at him with a very odd expression.

"I know you don't like being touched. I'll respect that. I won't do it again." He released all hold on the older man, even though all he really wanted was to hold him tighter and never let go. He didn't realize that Severus was reluctant to move or that he was trying to say something. Harry was even able to convince himself that Severus was just shocked and that he had forced his attentions on the Potions Master.

Disgusted with himself, Harry practically pushed Severus off of his lap. "It won't happen again." He said harshly as he tried to pull himself together.

Severus stood schooling his face into stony acceptance, he gave a sharp nod and stalked from the room.

Later that day Harry was in his study still brooding when Hermione came in with several large folders. She took one look at Harry and ask, "Alright, what happened?"

Harry sighed, "I… Sev… We…" He stood and began to pace, "I don't even know how to say it so you'd understand." He stopped by the table that held his pensive. Extracting a memory, he gestured for her to look for herself.

When Hermione straightened from the pensive she stared hard at Harry, then shook her head, "What an idiot."

Harry hung his head, "I know. Will you talk to him? Make sure I didn't hurt him? Please Hermione?"

Hermione jammed her hands against her hips, "Of course you hurt him." She angrily snatched up the folders she had brought with her and threw them on to his desk. "Honestly, Harry. You rejected him, quite harshly, I might add."

Harry just looked at her in complete confusion, "Huh?"

"If I offered myself that totally to anyone and they said the things you did?" She paused her lips pressed together and shaking her head, "I'd have hexed you to the moon and back." She huffed, "Frankly I'm surprised you are still alive."

"But I thought…" Harry began in complete confusion.

"No Harry, you didn't think."

He let out long breath before almost whispering, "He was crying."

She snorted. "You read that research you ask me for, then you review that." She disgustedly jabbed her finger at the pensive before leaving in a huff.

The next morning when Severus entered the kitchen Harry looked up form the folder he was rereading. Harry watched as Severus paused in the doorway, his face hardening after a brief flash of something Harry couldn't identify. Severus straightened his spine before moving to poor his morning tea.

Harry drained the last of his tea and rose, "I need you to come to my office when you've finished your breakfast."

Severus' jaw clenched briefly as he stared at the floor, "I have potions to work on, Mr. Potter." He said stiffly.

Harry dropped the folders back on to the table. "Fine. I need to talk to you about what happened yesterday. It would appear that I misunderstood what was happening." His voice rose a little, "And I would appreciate it if you would look at me while I am talking to you."

Severus' head shot up, eyes wide to stare at Harry. "You don't own me." He was breathing harder than normal and was starting to shake.

Harry sighed, "No, I don't." He spoke softly shaking his head, "Because I was to stupid to realize what I was being offered." He sighed again, "I can't…" He took a deep breath and continued in a firmer tone, "I can't give you what you want, if you don't tell me what that is."

Harry stepped around the table, "I thought I was forcing you to do something you didn't want." He smiled slightly. "I wasn't saying I don't want you." He raised his head looking at the ceiling, "I do. It's just," he sighed, "I promised to protect you." Harry shrugged, "That means from all threats," he smiled weakly again, "Including me."

Severus turned slightly, pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, "Merlin, save me from foolish Gryffindors."

Harry chuckled a little and Severus went on shaking his head, "I fail to see how you could have misinterpret my actions." He sighed again, "When someone kneels and kisses your feet…" He shrugged, shaking his head yet again.

Harry cleared his throat, "Hermione brought these," he tapped the folders, "yesterday afternoon. It explains a lot, but not really in a way that I understand."

"You…" Severus shuddered, "You discussed me with Miss Granger?" He looked shocked and horrified.

It was Harry's turn to look at the floor intently as he shrugged, "I was worried about you, you were acting so oddly." He started to touch Severus' arm only to hesitate. "And every time I tried to touch you, you jumped like… I don't know." he shook his head and looked up into the older man's face as his hand came to rest lightly on Severus upper arm.

Severus looked at Harry's hand and shrugged, "I am sorry." He looked away, "I do not mean to."

"I know." His hand slid down to clasp Severus' hand, "Lets go sit somewhere comfortable." He picked up the folders with his other hand and led Severus to the den. As he dropped the folders on the low table and sat pulling Severus down beside him on the sofa, a photo fell from one of the folders.

Severus bent to pick up the photo absently looking at it as he lay it on the table. His eyes went wide and he started shaking his head and almost hyperventilating, "Harry, please, no, please, please." He continued shaking his head and begging as Harry pulled him close.

"No, Sweetheart, I won't ever do anything you don't want. Shhh."

Harry flicked his fingers at the photo causing it to flip itself over hiding the disturbing image of a naked man tied to a bed while another man cut designs in his chest with a dagger.

Eventually Severus calmed and Harry leaned forward and picked up one of the folders. Severus frowned as it was the one that the photo had fallen from.

"Hermione included quite a lot of pictures." Harry smiled, "Would you like to see some of the ones I like." He pulled Severus a little closer, "You can tell me which ones appeal to you."

Severus shuddered, "I don't know Harry." He looked fearfully at the face down picture on the table.

Harry chuckled, "Sev, they're not all like that." He dug through the folder, "Here, what do you think of this one?"

Severus apprehensively looked at the picture Harry was holding. It showed two people in bed holding each other as they kissed. Two spots of light pink appeared on his cheeks, and he nodded as a tiny smile appeared on his face, "I think that would be acceptable."

They went through all of the photos and wound up with four stacks. The ones in the first stack were all face down and they had both agreed, they would absolutely not be doing any of those things, they were mostly things that had great potential to cause permanent damage. Next to that was the 'fifty/fifty' pile, the things that one of them was of the opinion that they belonged facedown and the other thought it looked like something they might like to try. There were however surprisingly few of these. The 'maybe' pile was the largest and the 'yes' pile was only slightly larger than the 'no' pile.

Harry picked up the 'no' pile and placed it in one of the folders with the other research. He then placed all the others in the empty folder saying, "We can always revisit these later, alright?"

Severus nodded, "Alright." He then looked at Harry curiously before sliding off the couch to kneel between Harry's feet.

Harry shook his head smiling slightly, "What are you doing?"

Severus looked stricken, "I thought…" He swallowed, "I'm sorry." He looked down, "I…" He lifted his hand to hide his face as he took several deep breaths. "I need…" his hand fell away and he lowered his head to lean his cheek against Harry's knee. "Please tell me what to do." Harry could feel him shuddering slightly with an odd little hitch in his breathing. "Tell me what honorific you want me to use." He actually let out a small sob, and turned his face into Harry's thigh, "Tell me how you want me to be."

Harry was stunned, "Oh, sweetheart," he held out his arms, "come up here."

Severus swarmed into Harry's lap, burying his face in the crook of Harry's neck as he sobbed, "I'm sorry."

Harry pulled the man close, "I'd like you to stop doing that."

Severus went very still unsure of what he had done. He started to whisper, "I…" He took a deep breath and risk a quick glance at Harry's face, "I'm sorry."

Harry brushed Severus' hair back, "Look at me Sweetheart." He caressed the man's cheek and when Severus looked up, said, "I want you to stop apologizing. You do not have anything to be sorry for."

Severus just blinked, in his experience everything that went wrong or was disturbing in anyway was automatically his fault and even if it wasn't, he would be punished for it anyway. So it was best to express regret immediately.

Harry leaned forward to briefly brush his lips over Severus'. He pulled back before Severus could fully respond, "I'd better address some of your other requests." He ran his thumb over the other man's bottom lip, "Before we get into too much of that. Don't you think?" He smiled.

Severus shrugged as he watched Harry carefully for clues as to what might be required of him.

"I'm not sure I'm comfortable with directing your every move. I think I can manage to give clear directions in the bedroom," Harry smiled, "but in everyday things," he shook his head slightly, "I'd like you to be a happy, healthy, independent individual. Okay?"

Harry was surprised that Severus actually bit his lip and looked unsure as he nodded.

"As far as what you can call me," Harry frowned in thought a moment. "You are free to choose as long as it's not master or my lord." He then smiled.

Severus shivered but the corner of his mouth curved up, "Thank you, Harry, I will give it some thought." He then looked down somewhat shyly.

Harry chuckled, "You may also want to avoid the really cutesy names. I'd hate to have your reputation suffer because someone overheard you calling me, 'snuggle bear' or something." He grinned.

Harry was surprised when Severus actually let out a little laugh he then bit his lip before saying, "I'm sorry," and looking down.

"Don't be. I like your laugh and your smile." Harry kissed the man sitting on his lap softly but it soon became an all out snog-fest as their tongues danced around each other. Harry quickly had Severus jacket and shirt unbuttoned, his hand exploring the soft skin of his chest. They had also moved, almost laying on the sofa Severus was mostly on his back, Harry's legs still partially under him but his upper body curled around so that he was partially on top of Severus to allow them to kiss.

They both jumped when the chime sounded twice to indicate that two people had apparated onto the property. Severus was startled enough that he actually fell off the narrow sofa. Harry leaned over looking at Severus with concern. "Alright there, Sev?"

Severus glared, "Oh, of course," he sneered sarcastically, "I enjoy being thrown to the floor."

Harry laughed before leaning toward him and leering, "I'll have to remember that." His eyebrows raised suggestively.

Severus eyes went wide, "I…" Harry's finger on his lips stopped whatever he was going to say.

Smiling Harry said, "There's my Sev." He caressed his cheek, "They're almost to the door. Would you fetch the tea tray? I'm sure Dobby has it almost ready."

Severus was pouring the tea into the large china serving pot when Dobby returned to the kitchen. The little elf looked at him with his head tilted to one side and ask sorrowfully, "Why is Master Severus doing Dobby's job?"

"I'm not Dobby." Severus said evenly, "Harry knew that you would be showing his guests in, and ask me to bring the tray." He smiled slightly at the small elf.

Dobby sighed as he nodded solemnly, "Dobby is thinking that Master Harry Potter Sir should be getting hims a second elf."

Severus nodded, "I am sure he would consider it, if he were asked."

"Dobby is liking," the small being wrung his hands worrying because he was aware of the preferences of the two men he worked for, "a girl elf."

Severus raised his eyebrow and Dobby pushed on, "Bitsy, is being a pretty and hard working free elf at Hogwarts."

Severus tried to hide his smirk, "Ah, I seem to remember her wearing," he paused thinking a second, "pink, ribbons on her ears?"

Dobby sighed with a huge smile and nodded eagerly, his ears flapping, "Yes, Dobby is hopping she is being liking me." He sighed again, "Dobby is being getting tired of hims hand."

Severus didn't think the elf's eyes could get any bigger as the small being slapped both hands over his mouth.

Severus chuckled as he picked up the tray. He certainly and agreed with the sentiment, saying softly, "So my little friend, am I."

The End

A/N: I hope you all liked this little one shot, please review and let me know.

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