Strangers in the Night

IMPORTANT: The ideas about finding out your sexual preference here are only my own and I do not wish to insult anybody. I guess it is different for everybody and if you instantly knew what sex you preferred, you are of course entitled to your opinion. Let´s not fight about one of the sweetest aspects of life, alright? ;)


********

As soon as he stepped out of the apartment, he was ambushed by cameras. Suddenly there were reporters everywhere and they began to push so hard that it became difficult to maintain his balance and not tumble to the ground.

„Mr Potter, is it true that you are gay?“ one blonde reporter pushed a microphone in front of Harry´s face. Not giving him any time to answer she continued. „I heard a rumour that you and Severus Snape had a stormy affair in Hogwarts when you were still a student.“

„No, we did not...“

Another microphone was in front of his face and a different reporter pushed the blonde one to the side. „What about the rumour that you and Severus Snape want to marry? What will you wear? Will the wedding take place in Hogwarts?“

„Where have you...“

Once again a camera clicked into his face and he began to panic. The press had been quite persistent in covering his life but never to such an extent.

„Were you always into boys and is it true that you have dated other men before?“

Harry no longer attempted to answer their questions but set his face in a firm line. He just needed to get out of here and everything would be fine.

„LET GO OF HIM OR I WILL HAVE NO HESITATIONS TO CAST AN UNFORGIBVABLE ON YOU!“ Snape had obviously magnified his voice and he looked close to lose his temper.

The reporters backed off and Severus gripped Harry at his arm and pulled him inside but not without yelling that he would throw an itching potion on them if they were not gone in five minutes.

Harry leaned against the wall and tried to get his laboured breathing under control.

„That... is.... crazy,“ he grunted.

Severus turned to him and to Harry´s surprise his expression was one of concern.

„Are you alright?“ he asked softly

Harry nodded but felt his body trembling as the anxiety left him.

„Just give me a few moments and I will be better.“

Gently Severus steered him into the direction of the living room and pushed him into the sofa. Not that Harry was in any mood to object and he was grateful when the potion master pressed a vial into his hands.

„Drink this, it will help you.“

Harry did that and sure enough he felt much better. Leaning back he pressed his face into the cushions.

„Fuck,“ he whispered. „I thought after so long that stupid image of the boy-who-lived had been erased but here I am.“

„I apologize.“

Turning to Severus Harry shook his head.

„There is absolutely no reason to be, you did not do anything wrong. I was the one who could not shut his damn mouth and had to pretend that you were my boyfriend when we both know I have always been a nuisance for you.“

„That is not true,“ Severus said.

Harry snorted. „Was that not what you always told me?“

„For a while that was true but later it was a convenient excuse.“

„Excuse for what?“ Harry asked. „For insulting me?“

Severus just shook his head but did not elaborate. „The thing is you are not homosexual.“

Harry watched a fly that was buzzing over the table.

„What´s it like?“ he asked softly

„What is what like?“ Severus sounded irritated again but it felt so familiar that Harry enjoyed it.

„How do you realize that you are gay?“ Harry held his gaze. „Do you just know?“

„It is a process I guess more than a sudden realization.“ Severus sighed. „For example I was never attracted to women. I never found the body of a girl appealing when I was a teenager.“

„I am not sure if I ever did?“ Harry muttered.

„Did what?“

„I am just wondering if I ever went out with a woman because I wanted it or if I simply did what was expected from me.“ He nervously tugged on his shirt.

Severus watched him intently and wondered where he wanted to go with this.

„Maybe it would help you if you consider the first time you were attracted to a person and why you were.“

Harry stared at him. „Then I am definitely gay!“ Suddenly he was more nervous than ever before in his life. Inhaling deeply he said: „I had a crush on you. Back in school, in fifth year.“

„I know,“ said Severus and smiled when Harry gasped at him. „You told me yesterday but I guess I have always known to some extent. But as your Professor I could never acknowledge it.“

„And now?“

„Now, the reasons that governed my decision back then no longer apply but I would never take advantage of your insecurities.“ The potion master leaned back and sighed. „Harry, you are not gay just because relationships with women never worked for you. There could be a multitude of reasons responsible for that.“

„But how will I know if I never try it?“ Harry said angrily. „I can not walk over town and ask random people to... you know.“

„I guess not,“ Severus said. „I am willing to help you to find out if your crush was more than just hormones but you have to initiate matters. I will not seduce you.“

Harry swallowed heavily. „So what do you want me to do?“

„Do not force yourself to do anything, just do what you feel like doing.“ He still watched him but otherwise remained inactive.

Staring into those black pools Harry tried to find out what he wanted to do. What did he want to have in life that all those witches could not give him?

„I would like to kiss you,“ he said softly.

Severus arched a brow but did not react otherwise. Scouting closer to him on the sofa Harry tentatively touched his arm. It felt soft but still strong and he found he liked that. He searched inside himself if he liked to be in the other wizard´s company and to his surprise he did. Not only because it was familiar- he had basically known Severus for the last fifteen years- but also because he would always be Harry to him. Not the boy-who-lived or the saviour of the wizarding world. And he realized he really liked that.

Shyly he peered at Severus´ face and was not surprised to see him watching him. But the expression in his face was different. Harry knew he was a very skilled Legillimens but there was something that went deeper. He wants to understand you, to figure you out.

Harry was now so close that he almost touched Severus with his hips and he leaned back imitating the other man´s position. Closing his eyes he let his thoughts drift. He did not say anything for several minutes.

„You tell me when I do something you don´t want me to do?“ Harry asked and Severus nodded.

Harry turned his head to the side and nestled his face against Severus´ chest. Inhaling deeply he noticed that this time it felt right. With those women it had always felt strained as if his heart was not in there. All the tension finally left his body and he sighed softly. Several minutes later Severus lifted his arm and pulled him a little closer.

Smiling Harry nuzzled his throat where the skin was exposed and then pressed his lips against it. He tasted as if he had showered in summer rain, a scent Harry found intoxicating. He felt a stirring in his groin and carefully brushed over the skin he had just kissed.

„I think I like that,“ Harry said.

„Do you?“ Severus sounded amused once again but there was something else present. Could it be arousal as well? Experimentally Harry used his finger to explore Severus´ lips and found them raw but also soft. He lifted his head and moved his lips so that they brushed over them. The touch sent a jolt through his body and his penis began to harden.

His breathing got laboured and he knew that he needed more. Harry once again pressed his lips against Severus´ mouth and this time he lingered. It was sweet and when his tongue moved over those lips they opened. Delving in Harry felt a thrill he had never felt in his whole life. Suddenly his whole body was on fire and he moaned softly into Severus´ mouth.

Then he felt the other wizard´s arms tighten around his shoulders and Severus tilted Harry´s head slightly. His tongue began to explore the young man´s mouth and Harry could only hold onto his shoulders because he felt as if his passion would sweep him away if he did not. The tightening in his groin felt almost painful now and Harry wanted to come so badly that he had to muster all his control over his body to keep still.

Delicate fingers brushed his erection and Harry threw his head back.

„Oh my god,“ he shouted as he felt all blood rush to his groin. Severus opened his jeans and when his fingers curled around Harry´s shaft, he felt as if finally he was coming alive.

Still kissing Harry, Severus began to pump Harry´s erection and Harry came in his fingers spurting his semen over those skilled fingers. Breathing heavily he clang to those shoulders as if they were his life line in a stormy ocean.

Gently Severus stroke his back.

„Breathe Harry,“ he muttered into his neck and slowly Harry felt his heartbeat return to normal. „That´s better.“

After several minutes Harry raised his head and exhaled forcefully.

„It had never felt like this before.“

Severus just nodded and cupped Harry´s cheek.

„Well, then you definitely missed out on something.“

Harry blushed but held Severus´ gaze.

„It felt like coming alive.“ He nestled his head against the other man´s chest again and revelled in the feeling of safety. He had wasted so much time and all the while what he had wanted, had always been so near. „I think I have found my answer,“ Harry said.

„And what is your answer?“

Harry chuckled softly. „That it is not about whether I am gay or not. I do not feel attracted to you because you are a man but just because you are you.“

„I see. You sound awfully sentimental right now.“

Harry curled up against Severus´ body. „Do you think we can go on a real date?“

„We had a real date last night,“ Severus said.

„You know what I mean.“

„I do,“ Severus admitted. „Where would you like to go?“

„I dunno,“ Harry replied. „A fancy restaurant would be good.“

Severus frowned. „We were at a fancy restaurant last night.“ When he saw Harry´s face he relented. „Would you like me to cook something for you? It would be nothing special but we could avoid those nasty reporters out there.“

Harry nodded. „That sounds great. But I want it to be a proper date. I go home, gussy up and bring you some flowers.“

„Fine.“

Harry was silent for a moment enjoying the proximity.

„Can I stay another night?“

Severus nodded and Harry pecked him.

„That sounds bloody perfect.“

**********


AN: Do not worry, there will be at least another chapter. Tell me what you think about this one. I love to hear from you.