Strangers in the Night

Sorry it took me so long to get back to this story but here is another chapter for you. I find that I rather like this story arc and I may write a couple of more chapters.


When Harry stumbled out of his fireplace he was surprised to find Ron and Hermione sitting on his sofa with an apologetic expression on their faces.

“I am so sorry Harry...” Hermione sounded honestly upset.

Harry held out his hand stopping any more explanations from being uttered.

“What are you doing here?”

Ron waved a copy of the Daily Prophet in the air his face contorted into confusion.

“Since when are you dating Snape? And why did you not tell us?”

“This is a bit more complicated than that Ron. It was a misunderstanding of some kind and since when are you believing everything that stupid newspaper tells you?”

Ron had the decency to look crestfallen and he sighed.

“Sorry mate but after they did not find a match for you, we decided to see if maybe they would find a suitable wizard for you if the witches didn't work.”

Hermione placed a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder.

“Are you alright? We were worried when you did not return home last night.”

Smiling Harry nodded his head. “Yeah actually more than right.”

“But where were you?” Ron asked puzzled.

“At Severus' place, of course,” Harry said.

For a second Ron looked like his eyes would burst open with shock.

“What? You slept with Snape? I thought this article was a misunderstanding?”

“It was. I slept on Severus' couch and not with him.” Harry did not want to go into what had happened that afternoon- he needed time to think it through alone. “By the way, what did you expect would happen if you set me up with a wizard?”

Before Ron could say another word, Hermione chimed in obviously pleased.

“Exactly, we are glad you enjoyed your evening and both of us will leave everything to your discretion.” She smiled broadly. “Won't we Ron?”

At that Ron nodded mutely and his wife kissed Harry on his cheek. “We have to leave because I need to fetch Aurora from Molly but I am sure you manage alone from here, Harry?”

A second Harry thought he saw something in her eyes, a flicker of guilt and suddenly she reminded him of Albus Dumbledore at his meddling best.

Before he had time to reply she dragged Ron to the fireplace and threw in some floo powder.

“The Burrow.”

Waving one last time, Ron and Hermione disappeared in green flames leaving Harry to himself and shaking his head. In a way he was glad that they had to go and fetch their daughter as he did not have to explain his behaviour with Snape to his friends when he was not perfectly sure where this all would lead. Nevertheless he made a mental note to share his suspicion with older wizard. He was pretty sure that if Hermione had planed to set them up she had help from some old, meddling ex-headmaster.

For the time being he stepped into his bathroom and peeled his green dress robe away and stepped into his shower. The water was mildly tempered and as he let the water cascade down his back his thoughts drifted to one sexy potion master. His fingers began to apply the shower gel to his body and as they lightly touched his crotch, he was not surprised to find his shaft hardening. Remembering the way in which Snape had pumped his hardness and imitating it he felt his body spasm into orgasm and he had to lean against the cool tiles of the shower to get his breathing under control.

After cooling off a bit under the strain of water he finally stepped out of the shower and began to towel himself dry. In the mirror above the wash basin he found his hair plastered to his head and a foreign expression of content in his eyes. Chuckling to himself he brushed through his curls and then left the bathroom to walk through his living room into his bedroom.

Staring into his wardrobe he tried to decided what he would wear tonight. He did not feel comfortable to wear his jeans and a shirt as he had promised Severus to gussy up a bit but dress robes did seem a bit exaggerated for a dinner alone. So he finally dressed in one of his beige corduroy pants and a white shirt. Staring at himself in the mirror he had to admit that he had never been a vain person but for some reason he wanted to look his best tonight. His hair was almost dry and he applied some gel to smooth the mess a bit but as usual it had not much effect. Sighing he turned to the living room and casually strolled to his couch where he flopped down and accioed himself a coke out of the fridge.

He had to admit that his apartment did not look very inviting as he had never felt at home here in the end. He had been living alone here for the last eight years and tried desperately to run away from himself he whole time while trying to find a witch who could rectify that this place did not feel like a home. However in Snape's house he had felt a tugging in his heart as if the thought of leaving would make him sick. Did that mean that he loved Snape- no Severus, he reminded himself sternly- or did he just wanted to have a home and a family of himself that he had jumped eagerly into the whole being gay thing all too willingly?

He felt a headache approaching and got up to return the now empty can of coke to the kitchen. It was no use brooding now, he would have to make one step at a time and see where he ended up. Satisfied with himself he threw some green powder into the floo and tumbled out of the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron.

Brushing off some soot from his shirt, he walked through the at this time of the day still deserted inn and entered Diagon Alley. He wanted to buy something nice to bring to his date with Severus as he had promised but he was not sure if flowers would be a perfect choice. Maybe some candy would not imply too much but still prove that this evening was a proper date?

Stepping into a nice little shop where they sold Swiss pralines, he was surprised to find Minerva McGonogal obviously browsing a range of chocolate truffles. He had not seen her so long as he had avoided Hogwarts for most of the last four years that he was pleased to meet her.

Her face contorted into a big smile. “Harry, my that is a surprise my boy.”

Harry walked over and after a moment's hesitation hugged her tightly. That hug was returned and she shook her head still beaming.

“I did not expect to meet you here as I never considered you a candy person,” she said.

“Not really but I am looking for a present,” Harry said suddenly a bit shy. “I have a-” he hesitated shortly trying to find a suitable word, “private appointment of sorts tonight and wanted to bring some pralines.”

Minerva nodded and a hidden smile played on her features. “I would say that is an excellent idea. Maybe some truffles would be a suitable present to bring to such an occasion. Albus absolutely loves these and if I am not mistaken he is always a bit out of them whenever Severus leaves us.”

“So, Severus likes these too?” Harry asked softly. Even if he did not want to go into details with her without consulting the potion master beforehand, he needed to know what kind of sweets Severus preferred and this seemed a perfect opportunity.

Minerva nodded eagerly. “Oh yes, he always has them after our Saturday dinner in Hogwars.”

An old lady appeared and Harry pointed to the sweets. “I would like to have an assortment of those please.”

Minerva walked to the door and smiled one last time into Harry's direction.

“I hope your private appointment will be everything you expect it to be.”

With that she was gone and Harry went to pay his sweets. It was slowly getting dark outside and he did want to be late for dinner.


Severus Snape had one last look at his lamb chops and then went into his living room where he had started a fire with a wave of his wand. He had changed into black plants and a white shirt and tried to still his nerves. It would do no good to lose his composure just because what he had always dreamed about was now in hands reach. When he watched Harry grew up in Hogwarts his position as a teacher had made it impossible to act on the way his own body had reacted to Harry's changing physique. The last year when they had been forced to spend a lot of time together to train Harry in every way possible to put an end to Riddle, it had been torture to have to keep quiet about his dark thoughts.

But Harry needed to grow up and Severus had resigned to watch the boy-who-lived make his first steps into life. He had read his letters but every time he had felt the urge to sit down and reply, he had reminded himself that he had been forced to be present in the boy's life for so long that both of them needed air so to speak. The Daily Prophet had provided extensive coverage of Harry's life and so he had been fine.

When it rang at the door, he casually strode over and opened it to reveal one flustered Harry Potter. Appreciatively he took in the boy's appearance and stepped aside to allow him entrance.

“Hey.” Harry smiled hopefully but did not say anything else.

Severus rolled his eyes and ushered him into the living room.

“Very eloquent indeed,” he said evenly and was surprised when Harry pushed a package into his hand.

“Here, I brought you a gift.”

Severus smiled broadly when he recognized the goods. “Well, I have to say I rather like those. How did you know?”

Harry looked at his hands sheepishly. “I met Minerva in that little shop where they sell Swiss chocolates. She told me.”

Cocking one brow Severus placed the chocolates on a side table and poured Harry a glass of white wine.

“I was suspecting as much,” he said.

Taking the glass Harry nodded. “Me too. It might sound stupid but I have the suspicion Hermione and Dumbledore set us up.”

Sinking down in his arm chair Severus pondered that. “Maybe, I have to inquire into that next Saturday. Until then let us drop the topic, alright?”

Obviously content Harry nodded and tried the wine. “That is good.”

“It sure was expensive enough,” Severus stated with as smirk. “Now I hope you like lamb?”

“Sure. You really cook?” Harry asked curiously.

“Actually I do. It is surprisingly similar to brewing a potion so I quite enjoy it.”

“Cool.” Harry placed the glass on the table and took in his surroundings. “Have I mentioned how much I like your furniture style?”

Severus smiled and shook his head. “No but thank you for the compliment.”

After that the evening passed easily with both of them enjoying the company and dinner and when they retired to the couch again with some fire whiskey Harry easily sat down next to Severus on the couch. He sat so close that once again their hips almost touched and his cheeks started to turn red.

“Can I ask you a question?” When Severus nodded Harry continued. “Where do you think this will lead from here?”

“Everywhere and nowhere,” Severus replied. “I guess that depends on choices we both make.”

Harry pondered that for a while. “You mean my choices, don't you?”

“Mostly yes.”

Harry nodded still contemplating that. “Renee was your boyfriend?”

Once again wondering where Harry wanted to go with this talk Severus nodded. “Yes, for a couple of weeks we dated. But it did not work.”

“I don't like that guy,” Harry said emphatically.

Cocking his head Severus looked puzzled. “I know, you told me before. Even so I have no idea why.”

“Because...” Harry fell silent and shrugged. “Just because.”

“Sometimes I am led to believe that those many curses that were fired at you in the last battle somehow affected your brain.”

“Very funny,” Harry muttered. “Can we change the topic please?”

“Sure. What would you like to talk about?” Severus leaned back and watched Harry intently. “Quidditch?”

“No I am no longer interested in that.”

“How come? I was convinced you would start a career as a seeker after you left Hogwarts.”

Pinching the bridge of his nose Harry closed his eyes. “After the fight against Voldemort quidditch turned out to be rather pointless, you know. And I have cast so many unforgivables that the thought of auror training somehow made me sick.”

“So you decided to run a shop?” At Harry's incredulous look Severus rolled his eyes. “I have my own potion labatory here, I actually stumble over one of the Weasley twins several times a week.”

“Well I am technically not running it, I am just a silent co-owner. I get my pay check a month and I am happy.”

Severus charcoal eyes still rested on Harry's face. “Have you considered to chose a profession that has to do with Dark Arts? There are many interesting areas where you can specialise in.”

“I though most of what had to do with Dark Arts was illegal in the wizarding world?” Harry opened his eyes and met Severus' gaze. “Or is it not?”

“Indeed it has a sort of negative ring to it but even if the ministry does not admit it openly, they actually need people who know their way around the darker arts of magic.”

“So you are saying I should work in that area of magic?”

Gently Severus placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. “No, but you might want to consider it for a time and see if that would be an area of expertise you would be interested in. You are aware you could have talked with Albus or Minerva about your difficulties in finding the right job? They were your teachers after all. And your friends.”

Staring at the other man's hand where it touched his shirt Harry blushed. “Yeah, I think about it.” Tentatively he inched a bit closer to the other man and looked up into those charcoal eyes. “Kiss me?”

Chuckling Severus pulled Harry onto his lap and steadied his face with a firm hand to his chin. “So that is what has you so distracted the whole time?”

Feeling like a deer transfixed in headlights Harry unconsciously licked his lips. “Kind of.”

Tenderly the potion master pulled Harry closer and placed his lips over his. Instantly Harry melted to his frame, eagerly opened his mouth and moaned when Severus' tongue dived into his cavern. A feeling of being hit with arousal made his groin tighten and he had to cling to Severus' body like a drowning man in deep water.

Breathing became more difficult but Harry did not care as he met the probing tongue of the other wizard with fervour. He had kissed a couple of witches but never had it felt like this, as if he was ambushed by a roaring fire of passion.

Pulling away Severus' eyes positively smouldered with arousal. “Do you remember when we talked about choices? Now, you have to make a choice Harry. What do you want me to do?”

Still out of breath Harry grunted, “Everything.”

A long delicate finger brushed over the erection in Harry corduroy pant which made him throw back his head and moan.

“I see.” Once again soft lips brushed over Harry's and with a swift move Severus lifted him from the couch and carried him into his bedroom. In the centre of the room was a huge four poster bed covered with grey silken sheets that felt tantalizing as Harry was placed on it.

Severus slowly undid his shirt and revealed a slightly muscular chest underneath. Laying down over Harry's shorter frame his fingers swiftly opened the buttons of Harry's shirt and then a deft tongue circled his nipple. Closing his eyes Harry settled into the soft cushions and breathed heavily.

With a wave of his wand both men were completely naked and Severus raised one brow staring at the wand in Harry's hand.

“Nice idea,” he purred into Harry's ear and the sound of that made Harry shiver with pleasure.

Dropping his wand to the floor he pulled the other wizard closer to his body and began to nibble and suck on Severus' neck. The feeling of the whole of his body being covered by one potion master and the way their skins moved against each other made him rock hard.

Chuckling Severus moved his hand over Harry's abdomen and down to his eagerly waiting cock. He wanted to move his hand to pump it again but Harry stopped him.

“I am ready for the next step,” Harry said locking his eyes with Severus dark ones.

Nodding the older wizard pushed him back onto the bed and then took his hardness into his mouth. Applying a little pressure and sucking Harry's length into a hot moist cavern, he relaxed his jaw and swallowed him completely. Feeling his body spinning out of control Harry gripped the silken sheets tightly and his body went rigid before his cock erupted into orgasmic bliss.

When he had calmed down enough to notice his surroundings again he found himself snuggled up in Severus' strong arms with his head resting on his chest. A gentle hand caressed his unruly hair and a soft chuckle rippled through Severus' chest.

“You are awfully easy to please, Harry.” His breath brushed over Harry's cheek and the young man closed his eyes. The last thing Harry heard was a softly whispered, “Now sleep tightly.”

So tell me what you think! We will see Renee and Rita the journalist from hell again and we will finally meet Aurora, the cute daughter of Ron and Hermione. And I promised you some more lemon. Tell me if you are still with me.