Never Settle for Less

by Warviben

Snape has survived the war. A chance meeting in a bar with Harry Potter years later leads to an unexpected connection.

Never Settle for Less

by Warviben

Summary: A little oneshot to get me back in the game. Snape has survived the war. A chance meeting with Harry in a bar years later leads to an unexpected connection.

Warnings: M/M Slash, explicit. Rated M for a reason.

Harry sat in a darkened corner of the bar, sipping his mead and watching those around him, attempting to ascertain if anyone had noticed who he was or was paying any particular attention to him. Of course, he was a single man in a gay bar, and he suspected that he wouldn't be able to sit here unnoticed forever. He was wearing a very basic glamour, but anyone getting too close would be bound to recognize him, and his peaceful survey of the scene would come to an end. For now, he enjoyed his solitude and his mead. As time passed, more and more men came through the door, and the quietude gave way to increased conversation, shouts, and laughter. It was a busy Saturday night.

Harry became aware of eyes on him. He lifted his mug to his lips and sipped slowly as he surreptitiously glanced around him, wondering if the interest he felt was that of a hopeful man gathering his courage to approach or of someone who had realized that the Boy Who Lived was here. After surveying several of the nearby tables, he suddenly made eye contact with Severus Snape.

Harry started at the recognition, and it was obvious from how the other man's gaze never wavered that he knew full well just who Harry was. Harry hadn't seen Snape in years. He tried to remember the last time their paths had crossed – he guessed it was the second anniversary ball at the Ministry. Harry had stopped attending after that second ball, though he knew they'd continued to hold them every year. That had been ten years ago, but Snape looked just the same as he had back then: dark and dangerous and alluring. He also looked slightly tipsy. Harry raised his mug at the man in salute. Snape apparently took this as an invitation because he got unsteadily to his feet and weaved his way over to Harry's table.

"Mr. Potter," he said when he arrived, standing and hovering beside the table. Harry was thankful the man had kept his voice down.

"Snape," Harry nodded, setting his drink down, carefully placing it directly on top of the condensation ring he'd already made. "Would you care to sit?"

Without speaking, Snape slammed his glass onto the table and slid into the chair next to Harry's, sprawling back and spreading his legs.

"It's been a long time," Harry noted.

"It has," Snape agreed with a nod. "Are you well?"

"I am. You?

"I have been better," he announced solemnly.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Have you been here long?" Harry probed, guessing based on the other man's obvious level of intoxication that he'd been enjoying the spirits for some time.

"Not overly, no." He leaned in close, speaking conspiratorially. "I was at the Leaky for a while."

"Ah." Harry winced a bit at the alcoholic fumes that enveloped him. "Are you celebrating something?"

"Quite the opposite," Snape said, leaning back again. "I am drowning my sorrows. I have been dumped, Mr. Potter. Dumped by a man I thought I might have a future with."

"I'm very sorry to hear that, sir." And he was. Snape was obviously taking the breakup hard if his current state was anything to judge by.

"Thank you, Mr. Potter. Though I doubt that you yourself can understand my feelings. Surely no one would dare chuck aside the Savior for another."

"I've had my share of failed relationships," Harry assured him. "It's never easy, no matter who ends them."

"Truer words have never been spoken," Snape said, raising his glass to Harry and then downing the contents in one go. Snape gasped, then slammed his glass on the table again. "I need another."

"Are you sure, Professor? Perhaps you've had enough for one night."

Snape peered at him through nearly crossed eyes. "On the contrary, Mr. Potter. I've really only just begun."

"Was he worth it?" Harry asked, putting a hand on top of Snape's hand when the other man made as if to stand. "If he didn't realize just what he had in you, could he really be worth drinking yourself into oblivion for?"

Snape stilled under Harry's grip and peered down his nose at his former student. "Perhaps you could think of another way for me to spend my evening."

Harry smiled. Severus Snape was flirting with him! Albeit, a drunk Severus Snape, but still . . . "You must have had more than you thought, sir. I'm not sure you realize just who you're talking to."

"Of course I do. Harry Potter. Savior of the World. Boy Who Lived Again and Again and Again. Bain of my existence during his tenure at Hogwarts, etcetera etcetera. That silly little glamour you're wearing may work on everyone else, but it cannot conceal you from me. Believe me, I have always been very, very aware of just who and where you are."

"Well then, you've certainly had more than enough to drink. You've apparently lost your mind."

"You may be right," Snape said with a sigh. He laid his forehead on the table. "But I must confess that I have wanted to lose my mind in that way many times in the past."

Harry took a moment to work out what Snape had just said. Did he mean he'd wanted to be with Harry in the past? Harry was just about to ask for clarification when the door to the bar opened and two men came in, one of them talking loudly to the other. Snape's head snapped up and he stared at them in disbelief. "No," he whispered. "Andre."

"The ex?" Harry guessed.

"Just so," Snape said. "Apparently with new lover in tow already."

Harry studied the two new arrivals. "Which is Andre?" he asked.

"The dark-haired one," Snape said, returning his head to the table. "Oh, don't let him see me here, pathetically lamenting his departure!"

The man in question appeared older than Snape. He was well built and handsome, not quite as tall as Snape, with wavy dark hair. His companion was blonde, stocky, with a squared head.

"Well, the new bloke's got nothing on you, Professor," Harry assured him. "I'd say Andre has traded down."

Snape lifted his head enough to look at Harry, a pleased smile playing about his lips. "Do you really think so?"

"Oh, I do. Uh oh. He's coming this way."

"No! No, you must hide me! He cannot see me like this!"

"Can you trust me for a bit, Professor?" Harry asked urgently, his eyes on the men making their way through occupied tables, obviously intent on the empty table next to Harry and Snape.

"Will you hide me?" Snape moaned.

"Oh, no, Professor. We're going to make sure he and everyone else sees you." Before Snape could argue or veto his plan, Harry dropped his glamor, swung up out of his chair, pushed Snape back into his, and deposited himself in Snape's lap. "Work with me here," he breathed into Snape's ear. He nibbled Snape's ear lobe and then mouthed his way down the man's neck. He felt Snape's arms come up to encircle him and pull him closer.

Harry worked his way back up the other side of Snape's neck, trailed his lips down the man's prominent jaw, then lifted his head enough to kiss Snape. He felt someone pass behind him and guessed that Andre and his new man had made their way to the table. "Is he looking?" he murmured into Snape's mouth.

Snape's eyes were closed. "Who?" he asked, lost in pleasurable sensations, his former paramour all but forgotten.

"Your ex," Harry reminded him.

"My - ?" Snape's eyes popped open, and he looked past Harry's left ear. "No. Oblivious."

"Oh, Severus!" Harry groaned loudly.

That did the trick. Andre turned to look at them. Snape, seeing that, quickly closed his eyes again and kissed Harry, all sloppy and wet and with lots of tongue. He ran his hands over the young man's back, sliding them down to the firm buttocks and pulling Harry in even closer. Harry was making little gasping noises as they kissed, which was doing a lot to replace the alcoholic haze that had been surrounding Snape with one of arousal. His hands found their way into Harry's messy hair, weaving through the silky strands. Using his grip to tilt Harry's head to the side, he attacked the smooth column of Harry's neck, using teeth and tongue in equal measure.

"Do we have his attention?" Harry gasped out.

"Mmm," Snape confirmed. "He can't take his eyes off us." Snape bit down on the juncture between Harry's neck and shoulder, and Harry arched into him, driving what felt like a sizeable erection into his abdomen.

"Say my name," Harry moaned into his ear. "Say it loud enough for him to hear." Harry ground down onto the erection he could feel beneath his bum.

"Fuck!" Snape spat into Harry's neck. Then, louder, "Harry Potter," he said, nosing around Harry's ear, "is that your wand in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

Harry barked a laugh but stifled it in Snape's neck. "Is that the best you could do?"

"Shut up," Snape bit back. "It's hard to think."

"It's certainly hard," Harry agreed, wriggling his bum on Snape's hardness again.

Snape grabbed hold of Harry's chin and redirected his lips into another kiss. It was hot and all-consuming, threatening to devour them both. While he had the young man so occupied, Snape dropped his hand to Harry's lap and mapped the length of the erection he found there through the cloth. Holy shite! There had to be at least ten inches there!

"Potter!" he gasped out, their lips still connected. "You are magnificent!"

"Professor!" Harry drew in a sharp breath as Snape continued to knead his hardened flesh. "Would you like to . . . I've rooms upstairs."

Snape stood so quickly he would have dumped Harry to the floor if he hadn't still had the younger man wrapped in his arms. They stood for a moment, steadying each other, pressed against one another. Harry shifted them a bit so he could look over at Andre, peering at the other man from beneath his lashes.

"He looks flummoxed," Harry noted, turning back to Snape.

"Yes, doesn't he?" Snape sounded pleased. He pulled away from Harry long enough to invite the younger man to lead the way, and Harry took his arm and pulled him toward the stairs.

{scene break}

The walk up the stairs and down the hall to his room had cooled Harry's blood enough so that he could think. When the door closed behind them, he turned to Snape. "I think that worked."

"Excuse me? Oh. Yes. Andre. Yes, he looked as though he'd swallowed a particularly sour lemon. I thank you for your quick action."

"It was my pleasure, sir." Harry felt himself blush. "I was glad to be of service."

"And now I should like to return the favor," Snape said, taking hold of Harry's hand and pulling him close, "and service you."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked. "You've had quite a lot to drink."

"I drank a sobering potion on the way up here. My head is clear," Snape assured him, then kissed him soundly again. Despite his increasing reservations, Harry couldn't help but kiss back. "Have you changed your mind?"

"Well, I just want to be sure we're doing this for the right reason. You've had your revenge of sorts on Andre. If you wanted to just leave it at that, I would understand."

Snape had worked a leg between Harry's, and he could tell the younger man was still hard, though maybe not as hard as he'd been downstairs. "But I do not. I do not want that at all. You have assisted me in my hour of need, and now I would like to repay that debt."

"I don't look at it like that," Harry said, trying to remain stoic in the face of the firm thigh pressing against his growing need. "I'm just glad I was able to help."

"Now let me help you." And he pushed Harry gently but firmly to the bed.

Snape undressed Harry slowly, but with purpose. He simply had to see what Harry was packing beneath those jeans which seemed somewhat tighter now than before. He pulled Harry's shirt off over his head and dropped it to the floor. He longed to run his hands over the well-formed chest, to tweak those little nipples or perhaps suck them into his mouth, but he kept on task. There would be time for all of that later.

He unbuttoned Harry's jeans and pushed them down over the hips, taking the boxers the younger man wore with them. At the sight of Harry's cock, he dropped to his knees in awe. It was a monster, twelve inches in length and easily the largest he'd ever seen, and he felt his own member rising as he imagined how this would feel penetrating him.

"Potter," he said, but Harry stopped him.

"You're on your knees and I'm naked. Call me Harry."

"Harry. You are magnificent. May I touch?"

Harry nodded.

Severus reached out a hand slowly. Harry wasn't completely hard, but he was close. Severus wrapped a hand around that gorgeous prick and sighed appreciatively when his fingertips only just touched his thumb. He moved his hand up and down over that glorious flesh, bringing Harry's erection to full mast. "I never expected this," he confessed.

Harry shifted uncomfortably. He'd heard this before. "I . . . um . . . if you think it's too much . . ."

"No," Severus stopped him completely. "I have a confession to make, Harry." Snape had closed his eyes, the better to feel what filled his hand. "I have a fetish. A size fetish. Well-endowed men are my Achilles heel. I have searched my entire life for something as majestic as this." He hefted the weight and girth, then rubbed his thumb over the tip, delighting in the amount of pre-come he smeared over the head and the shiver that went through the other man's frame as a result. "Imagine my shock to discover it's been under my nose all these years."

"All right," Harry said. "But if we're going to do this, it would be helpful if you shucked your kit as well."

Severus was happy to comply with this request. Harry offered a hand to assist Snape to his feet, then removed Snape's clothing as Snape had done for him. When they were both stripped bare, Harry took a moment to enjoy Snape's spare form. He had very little chest hair, but the lush patch at his groin more than made up for that. Harry traced a finger around one nipple, causing Snape to shiver. Harry smiled. "You're very responsive."

"I am quite aroused," Snape said, poking his erection into Harry in demonstration. Harry reached down and gripped it, then reached further down to fondle Snape's full sac. "Mmm. You certainly are."

"Perhaps we should take this to the bed."

"Excellent idea, Professor."

Snape sealed their agreement with a kiss, pushing Harry backward toward the bed. Harry went willingly, pulling Snape down on top of him as they continued to kiss.

"Do you have lube?" Harry asked. He hadn't expected to be in this position tonight, and he wasn't prepared.

"Never go anywhere without it," Snape assured him, summoning it wandlessly and wordlessly from the pocket of his robe. He placed the tube in Harry's hand. "Would you like to do the honors?"

"I would, Professor. How do you like it?"

"Hands and knees," Severus said immediately.

Harry slapped Snape gently on the buttocks. "Up then."

Severus complied immediately, positioning himself as requested. Harry took a moment to admire the view. Snape's butt cheeks were as narrow as the rest of him. He ran an appreciative hand over them both, then wedged a hand between Snape's legs to widen his stance.

"Mmmm, nice."

"You may begin at any time."

Harry uncapped the lubricant and squirted a generous amount onto Snape's back. He dragged a finger through the gel and then down over Snape's puckered arsehole. Snape groaned in appreciation. "In," he demanded.

Harry slid a single finger in as far as it would go, all in one smooth steady push. "Remember what I said earlier about calling me Harry?"

"Yes."

"Forget it. I want you to call me Potter. I want you to remember back to how we were when I was in school, when you detested me and treated me like shite. Can you do that?"

"Why?" Snape gasped as Harry crooked his finger, scraping along Snape's prostate.

"Just do it," Harry said. "Call it my fetish. Please."

"Fine. Potter, get busy!" he barked.

Harry smiled and slid a second finger in.

"Better," Snape purred. "Can we speed this along?"

"I'll not rush," Harry said firmly. He'd injured impatient partners before. He wasn't going to do that to Snape. "We're not going to do this until I say it's time. We've got to get you nice and loose."

Harry was thorough and methodical in his preparations, slowly stretching Snape until he was able to accommodate four fingers. "I think that should do it. Are you ready?" he asked.

"YES!" Snape nearly shouted.

"Shhh," Harry soothed, rubbing a hand on Snape's lower back. "Here I go." He took hold of his aching flesh and pressed the tip against Snape's stretched entrance. Even with all the finger play they'd engaged in, there was still plenty of resistance when Harry prodded, and he stopped. "You're not ready."

"Fuck that," Snape growled, and he pushed backward until the head of Harry's monster cock pierced him. "Ohhhhh!" he moaned, mostly in pleasure but also with a little bit of pain. Just the way he liked it. "More, Potter!" he ordered.

"Are you sure?" Harry asked, unsure how long he could hold back. "You're so tight!"

"NOW, Potter!"

There was the Snape of old. Harry pressed in a bit more, then withdrew, then pushed forward again. They'd do this, but they'd do it slowly to allow Snape to become accustomed to his girth. When Harry had been able to feed a third of himself into Snape's hungry arse, he pulled out completely and re-lubed. Pushing back in, now that the tunnel was loosening up, was easier, and Harry had half his length inside his partner in record time.

"How are you doing?" he grunted at Snape.

"I am close to complete bliss," Snape reported. "Keep going. I want it all. Tell me I don't have it all yet."

"No. Only half."

Snape groaned. "Sweet Merlin. Half!" His voice held a tone of wonder.

"Are you sure?" Harry asked again. He was used to men not being able to take him all the way. Sex for him always carried an aspect of holding back, unable to completely let himself go for fear of injuring his partner.

"Potter, I have been waiting for you my entire life. If you did not give me all that you have, I should regret it for the remainder of my life. Get on with it before I hex you!"

Harry smiled and then slapped Snape sharply on the right butt cheek, causing the man below him to simultaneously jump and constrict his anus around Harry's cock. "Careful," Harry warned. "Do that again and we'll have a premature end to things."

"Spank me again and I may have a premature end to things," Snape said.

Oooh. Snape was a little kinky. "Like a little spanky panky, do you?" Harry teased. He rubbed the red spot he'd left on Snape's bum, then slapped it again. "Jesus!" he moaned when he felt that vise-like constriction again. "Enough of that!" he growled and set to working more of himself further inside Snape's very willing body.

By the time he was fully seated, Harry and Snape were both sweating profusely. Harry took a moment to admire the sight – his large cock finally buried to the hilt. He'd thought never to see that, frankly, and he believed that if he'd had more to offer, Snape would have taken that, too. "You are incredible," he moaned.

For his part, Snape had never been so full, and he was reveling in the sensations – the obvious ache in his arse, the pleasant discomfort in his low back, the feel of Harry's large balls hanging low and brushing against the back of his thighs.

"I'm in," Harry announced before dropping down onto Snape's back, pressing his chest against the other man and reaching beneath to capture Snape's weeping prick. He thrust gently, shallowly a couple of times, then stopped, sure he'd come immediately. He took a few moments to fondle Snape's cock and balls, stroking and pulling.

"Can we try something?" Harry requested. "Something I've always wanted to do?"

"As long as your cock stays inside me, you can do whatever you like."

"All right. Up then," Harry said, tightening his arms around Snape's chest and pulling him up. "I think you're just tall enough for me to do this." Once they were both upright on their knees, Harry thrust gently upwards. "How's that?"

"Divine," Snape purred. "Do it again."

And Harry did, over and over, striking Snape's prostate each time. With one hand, he gripped Snape's left nipple, rolling it and pinching it, and with the other, he groped between Snape's legs, where he discovered that the other man's balls were so high and tight they'd practically crawled back up inside.

"Oh, you're ready, aren't you, Professor?" he moaned, grabbing hold of his partner's cock. "You're ready for me to fuck you hard. Bet you'd like it if I fucked you over a student desk in the potions classroom. You fantasized about that back when I was in school, didn't you? Or maybe your fantasies involved taking me over your desk. Is that right? Did you touch yourself while imagining me in my school robes bent over your desk, arse bare and gasping for you?" Harry's pace and the force of his thrusts were increasing as he spoke until finally, he felt Snape spill over his hand. He held on, massaging Snape's spunk into his prick as the other man let loose with a fearsome climax. Harry held himself still inside Snape, pressing on his prostate, until the body in his arms went slack with release. When he couldn't hold out any longer, he pushed Snape's upper body to the bed, hoisted his arse up further, and pounded into Snape with abandon. Gone were fears of harming the man – catching his release was all that mattered now. It didn't take long, and Harry was losing himself so deep inside the man he wondered if his come would ever work its way back out.

When at last he'd drained himself dry, Harry collapsed onto Snape, and they both lay there panting for a time.

"Am I heavy?" Harry finally asked.

"No. You are perfect."

"Shall I pull out now or wait until I go soft?"

"Leave it," Snape requested, snuggling himself into the pillow. "Leave it forever."

Harry chuckled and kissed Snape's shoulder, arranging himself as comfortably as he could over the man's sparse form. "Are you sore?"

"Mmm," Snape affirmed happily. He appeared close to sleep.

"I have an ointment that I can apply that will help." He'd had more than one partner take advantage of that offer.

"Don't you dare," Snape murmured. "I want to feel this three days from now."

Harry chuckled again and the motion this time caused his softening snake to slip from its comfy hole.

"Damn, Potter!" Snape griped.

"Sorry, sir." Harry moved away long enough to retrieve a warm flannel. When he returned to the bed, he used it to clean Snape and then himself. Snape was almost completely asleep when Harry returned again. "Will you stay?"

"Just try and make me leave," Snape mumbled without opening his eyes. When Harry slipped in between the sheets, Snape pulled him close, spooning up against his back. They were both asleep within moments.

{scene break}

When Harry awoke in the wee hours of the morning, a very warm and persistent sucking surrounded his already hardening prick. Still half asleep, he moaned into the exquisite pressure and threaded his hands through Snape's hair to direct him further down. As he came to be fully awake, he realized what was happening, and he pulled back just a little, not wanting to cause any injury to his once-again eager partner.

Unwilling to relent, Snape followed him, pushing the head of Harry's cock impossibly far down his throat.

"Arrgh!" Harry gasped. "Be careful!"

"This is another of my fantasies, Potter," Snape said after pulling off the heated column of flesh. "Let me try. I want to deep-throat you."

Harry lay back against the pillow, unable to resist. No one had ever been able to take him all the way down their throat. Most men he'd been with had gagged on half.

Slowly and patiently, Snape worked Harry farther and farther in until amazingly his lips touched Harry's pubic hair. He couldn't leave the cock there long, because breathing was impossible, but he'd done it – he'd gotten it all the way in.

"That's amazing!" Harry breathed, petting his hair, remaining perfectly still, knowing that one ill-timed thrust could do serious damage to the man. "You're the first to ever do that."

Snape pulled off, slowly, his lips stretched thin. "You are a mouthful, to say the least, Potter. I should not like to have you fuck my mouth with abandon, but swallowing you down was a pleasure. Now lay back and let me bring you to completion."

Harry wasn't sure he'd be able to come again. He wasn't that young anymore, and he'd come powerfully not that long ago, but he let Snape have his way, and despite his doubts, sooner than he'd expected he was erupting into the man's mouth as Snape's tongue caressed the underside of his prick. When he was finished, Snape slid off and joined him at the head of the bed again.

"Delicious," Snape said with a smack of his lips. "Would you like a taste?" Without waiting for an answer, Snape was kissing him again, sharing Harry's essence, probing his mouth with a wet and insistent tongue.

"Would you like me to return the favor?" Harry asked when they broke apart.

"There is no need," Snape assured him. "I would not be able to climax again so soon. Knowing one's limitations is important. I would like to save myself for another go with you at a more reasonable time of the morning." Snape settled in next to him again. "Assuming you have no plans for the morning?"

"No," Harry assured him. "I have no plans."

"That is settled then," Snape said, and he closed his eyes and within moments was breathing deeply in sleep. Somewhat troubled, Harry lay awake for a time staring at the man beside him until he, too, was pulled back into sleep.

{scene break}

When Snape awoke the following morning, he was alone in the bed. Disappointed, he found his clothes, which Potter had placed neatly on a chair, and went in search of his host. He found him in the flat's little kitchen, standing over the cooker, breakfast smells pervading the air. He approached the younger man and encircled his waist with both arms, dropping his nose into the bird's nest of hair that Potter still wore, inhaling the heady aroma of a well-used male lover.

He must have imagined that he felt Potter stiffen in his embrace. Right?

"Breakfast is almost ready," Harry said, moving out of Snape's arms to retrieve plates from the cupboard. "Would you like coffee?"

Snape would, and he moved to the coffee pot and helped himself. He gestured at Harry with the pot, inquiring.

"I have a cup already, thanks," Harry said as he slid eggs onto plates, adding bacon and toast. He placed both plates on the table and dropped into a chair, inviting Snape to sit as well.

As they ate, Harry was unnaturally quiet. Snape ate his tasty breakfast and became slowly aware that something was wrong. Harry was tense. Did he regret what they'd done last night?

In his typical blunt manner, he asked. "Do you regret what we did last night?"

Harry looked up at him. "Not at all," he said honestly. "I have wanted to shag you since sixth year. When I was presented with the opportunity, I couldn't make myself pass it up. Even though I knew that I should."

Snape wasn't sure how to take that. He decided honesty was the way to go, especially if he was going to get what he wanted. "I enjoyed last night thoroughly. In fact, I was hoping for a repeat performance this morning."

"Not going to happen," Harry said firmly.

"I beg your pardon. I was under the impression that you were enjoying yourself as well. I certainly heard no complaints last night."

"No, it was wonderful. That's not it. I just don't do one-offs. Not anymore. Last night was an exception, because it was you."

"But why does it have to be a one-off? After having sampled your impressive attributes, I don't see how I can possibly live without them. I would be more than willing to enter into what I am sure would be a fulfilling relationship for both of us."

"Based on what?"

"Based on - wasn't last night enough for you?"

"No, Severus, it wasn't."

"I'm not sure I understand."

Harry sighed. He really hadn't wanted to get into this. He'd frankly thought that Snape would wake up this morning, feel horrified by what he'd done with his former student while under the influence, and beat feet out of here as quickly as possible. "This is hard to explain without sounding like a complete berk. I'm gifted, Severus, in the area of male anatomy. I've known that for a while now, almost as long as I've known that I'm gay. The way other men react to me - they take one look, and it's either horror or worship. The ones who are horrified are easy. They run as fast as they can while trying not to look like they're running. The others, though, the ones who look at me and see what I can do for them - they're the ones that want to stay. That didn't bother me when I was younger. It was all about sexual gratification, as much and as often as I could get it. But it became apparent after a while that it was only about the sex. None of them wanted to get to know me anywhere other than the bedroom. We never sat and talked, we never went any place interesting, other than an occasional dinner as some kind of prelude to the sex. I want more than that. I want a real relationship with a real person. And I'm not willing to settle for less. And if I can't have it, I'd rather have no relationship at all."

"And you feel that we could not engage in a real relationship?"

"Not now. Not now that you've seen. And probably even if you hadn't. Your opinion of me has never been a secret, Professor. Answer me honestly: if you hadn't discovered I have a twelve-inch cock, is there any way you'd be here now?"

Of course he wouldn't. Potter was right: his opinion of the boy's intellect couldn't get much lower. By now, it was ingrained in him to think of Potter as more than a little on the dull side. In his defense, the student Harry Potter had never done anything to disprove that thesis. Well, except defeat a Dark Lord, but Snape was still convinced that had been as much luck and Granger's input as anything Harry had done.

Snape's silence was all the answer Harry needed and confirmed his belief that he was doing the right thing for himself.

"I concede," Snape finally said, "that I formed an opinion of you at a very young age that was based on my own prejudice and past experiences. I would like an opportunity to make amends in that regard."

"Why?"

"Because it is possible that I have severely misjudged you."

"And it's not about sex? At all?"

Snape shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Well, I wouldn't say that. Relationships between two mature individuals are made up of all sorts of facets, sex being one of them."

"That's what I thought," Harry said, standing up. He'd heard enough. "Last night was amazing, sir, but that's the end of it. Please, enjoy the rest of your breakfast. Stay as long as you like, but I've got to go."

And Potter actually got up and left without a look back. Snape sat at the table for a time, sipping coffee and reviewing their conversation. Then he stood up and approached the sink, and while he washed up the dishes, he came to a conclusion – he was going to win Potter over. He didn't know how, but his resolve was firm, and he found himself looking forward to the challenge. Before he left, he returned to Potter's bedroom and placed his timepiece under the bed. It would give him an excuse to return.

THE END