Fall into Madness

“Harry, blue or black?” Ron asked, holding up two shirts.



“Really Ron, you’re worse than a girl sometimes.” He remarked, earning a smack on the back of the head from Hermione.



“I like the blue one Ron.” She told him, easing into Harry’s lap.



“Yes, but this is Snape.” Harry put in.



Ron traded a look with Hermione. “What do you mean?”



“He likes black, remember.” Ron looked Harry.



“But his eyes look great with the blue, he may like that?” Ron looked to Hermione.



“But wearing a color that his date likes is something that never goes unnoticed.” Ron looked back to Harry.



“But making himself look his best is something that never goes unnoticed either.”



“Enough, enough.” Ron shook his head. “You two are impossible sometimes.” He chuckled as he walked back to his room. Harry and Hermione followed jumping on Ron’s bed as he moved to his closet.



“You aren’t nervous are you?” She asked.



“A bit.” He admitted, running a brush through his hair. “I don’t know why I agreed or why he asked for that matter.”



“He must have seen something he likes, besides this could be a good opportunity for you.” Harry told him. “Dating someone mature will be a change of pace.”



“I think he’s right. This is Snape we are talking about, hardly someone you have to worry about.” Hermione rose on her knees and brushed a lock away from his brow. “Think about how comfortable you said you were with him.”



“I know, I know.” He was in black jeans and a t shirt. He added a splash of cologne, with a woodsy aroma. He detested watery smells and citrus scents.



“Which one is it going to be Ron, blue or black?” Harry asked, laying flat on his stomach, with Hermione leaning on his back.



“Green. Gingers look good in green, and it‘s his house color so that will make him happy.” He pulled a dark emerald shirt from the closet and slipped it on, tucking and buttoning quickly. He checked his image in the mirror, then turned to his friends. “How do I look?”



“Fabulous,” Harry told him, “if I wasn’t with Hermione, I’d fuck you.” Ron let out gales of laughter as Hermione began beating her boyfriend with Ron’s pillow. The tension he was feeling long gone, Harry always knew how to lift his spirits.











Severus had two prepared plates charmed to stay warm. The wine was chilling nearby and a table his dining area set and waiting. He was wearing black twill trousers and a grey sweater. His hair was left down but freshly washed. He left off cologne, letting the soap and shampoo he used to accent him.



He took another glance around his dining area and front room. Both were clean and free of clutter. His fireplace was already alive and blazing, warming the room. He had shifted the couch before the fire, letting the armchairs rest on either end. It was a shady move, but he didn’t care.



A knock on the door sounded.



He opened the door and smiled at Ron. “Come in.” He took his cloak and hung it up, taking a moment to look at what he wore. “You look wonderful. Gingers pull off any shade of green the best.”



Ron grinned, and suppressed a blush. “Thank you. I’m glad to see you wore something other than black.” He teased.



“You object to black?” He lifted an eyebrow but it was just as teasing as Ron’s had been.



“No, but all I’ve seen you in is black. It’s a novelty, even if it is merely a shade difference.” He gave another teasing smile.



Ron let it slide. “I hope you like chicken.” He led him to the dining table and pulled out a chair.



“I love chicken.” He settled in his chair and shook out his napkin, laying it in his lap.



As they ate, they spoke about Ron’s ideas and who he thought about asking to pose. They spoke of Severus’s color tastes again, teasingly, although Ron admitted he would like to see him in green or blue. Severus refused however to consider any shade of red. They spoke of Severus’s apothecary supply and his decision to leave the school. He also mentioned his leisure time had increased giving him chances to have a more relaxed life. He shared an interest in quidditch and while he wasn’t a fan of the Cannons, he enjoyed a good match.



“What about your past?” Ron asked, as they took their wine and moved the sit on the couch and relax. “How many serious relationships have you been in?”



Severus sat beside him, shifting sideways, as Ron did, to face him. “I suppose you could say there were three serious relationships, but like yourself a few casual encounters. A few one night stands. A few why-on-earth-did-I-do-that nights.” Ron chuckled.



“When did the first happen?” Ron smiled, wondering what type of man he dated.



“At Hogwart’s. A fine young man in Ravenclaw. It was when I came out. My parents had been somewhat supportive, I suppose as much as any set of parents could be.” Ron nodded. “He came to me immediately and admitted to a secret crush. As a Ravenclaw he admired intelligence and as bookish as I was, he liked that. Surprisingly, it lasted for most of the year, until graduation and we took separate paths.”



“How serious was it?” Ron couldn’t imagine being too intimate at that young an age, but he knew others who were sexually active.



“No, I didn’t have sex with him.” He said, smiling. Ron blushed, unable to deny what he had been thinking. “I can understand. I would be curious as well.”



“Ok, you’ve proven me nosy.” He chuckled, and sipped his wine. “So who was next.”



“A young man I met a few years later. Alexander was someone I met during my first years as a teacher. He was of course upset with the time we could spent together. But as a teacher it couldn’t be avoided. Weekends and summers were all I had to spare but for him it wasn’t enough. When I became Head of Slytherin I had even less time to spare and soon enough all we did was fight.”



“I can understand why.” Ron said, thinking somehow that Dorian must have felt the same way, but then again he wasn’t sequestered in a school for most of the time.



“I’m sure you could, a lot of people would. I was very sorry to see it end, he was a good catch. But in the end, my career at the time was rising and I couldn’t risk anything that would jeopardize it.”



“Did he take it well?” Ron set aside his wine glass.



“Not as first, but when he began seeing someone else, he owled me and apologized, saying he let the stress and time alone get to him. He is one of the ones I occasionally see. He ended up with a nice man who works at the Ministry of Magic.” Severus had put his own glass away and was now facing Ron completely, with one leg bent and tucked under his other.



“It sounds like you are glad.” Ron said with a smile.



“I am. It doesn’t feel good when you can’t give your partner something they need.” He said.



“I know.” Ron fell silent, thinking about Dorian. H couldn’t give Dorian what he needed, but he didn’t feel the sadness Severus had felt. Dorian demanded something unreasonable. To Ron, it was not worth giving up that much of himself. He forced his thoughts aside. “And the third?”



“That one ended not too long ago actually, about to years ago. It was very long term, we were together for several years.” His face had a touch of sadness.



“Did I go someplace I shouldn’t have?” He asked.



“No. It’s just a sad thought, that’s all.” He said. “I didn’t want it to end the way it did, but I had no choice. Like your own relationship, what was his name, Dorian,” Ron nodded, “he demanded too much, without being willing to compromise. When you have to force something to end and you don’t want to, it can take it’s toll.”



“I understand that all too well.” He admitted, with a chuckle. “It came into play when Harry made his list.”



“List?” Ron cringed.



“I shouldn’t have mentioned that.” He said, averting his eyes for a moment. “It happened when Dorian showed up at my studio and he had to enter Auror status. When we talked afterwards he complied a list of what my perfect man would be.”



“I see, and what traits made the list?” He leaned forward curious.



“It was just talk to cheer me up after Dorian upset me, that’s all.” He tried to make it sound meaningless, but Severus was still watching him intently.



“So it won’t matter, will it? Come on.” He slid closer.



“Well, tall, dark hair and eyes, but then again, I’ve always been partial to Italians and they have that coloring.” Severus nodded. “Someone older, established in his career and who respects mine and the devotion I have to my art.”



“That’s reasonable.” He said, smiling.



“Someone confident, and without arrogance, who doesn’t lose his tempter, who can have an important discussion without bringing up the past. Someone forgiving, who can let mistakes go without demanding retribution.”



“Again, reasonable.” He said.



“Someone who has his own interests and hobbies, but who would enjoy mine as well, or at least give them a chance. Someone who is giving and respectful of my wishes.” He said.



“Giving and respectful?” Severus lifted an eyebrow. “That sounds like a sexual trait to me.”



Ron let out a laugh. “Well there was a joke Harry make about a manufactured fist.”



“Manufactured fist?” His eyes widened. “Do I want to know how this conversation ended?”



Ron continued with his huge smile. “I was thinking that same thought then too.”



Severus fell silent, continuing to look at him. Ron didn’t know what to do so he just met his eyes and held them. Severus moved closer, reaching out to take his hand. He had smooth, soft hands, and he could easily picture them painting and creating a masterpiece. Giving a tug, he pulled Ron closer and leaned in.



Ron let himself be eased into his lap. He relaxed as Severus cradled his back, reaching up and running a finger along his jaw. He moved closer and traced his eyebrow. Ron remained still under his spell, waiting patiently for his next move.



Severus had no plans for an all out seduction. All he wanted right now was a small taste. A little sample of what could be between them. Lowering his lips he kissed Ron with an tenderness he had perfected over the years. Ron was less experienced than he was and deserving of such tenderness.



Ron titled his head, letting the lips that covered his press closer. This was how he wanted to be appreciated and treated. Dorian was always so aggressive and while it was passionate, Ron would have liked to receive this kind of slow touch.



The moment he parted his lips, Severus took advantage, and plunged his tongue deep. Together they explored and tasted, each soaking up what the other was offering. The only sounds heard were the fire and a occasional groan.



While they kissed, Severus let his hands wander along a cotton covered chest. The firmness of the body in his lap was exciting and he wondered how Ron would feel chest to chest. He wondered how Ron would feel chest to back as well, but there was time for that. There was plenty of time for every fantasy that was developing.



Ron’s mouth fit perfectly with his, his tongue matched him, thrust for thrust. He slid his arms around his back and pulled him closer, letting Ron wrap his own around his shoulders. He was warm, and Severus held him securely, not willing to let go until he had to.



Ron was thinking along the same lines, squeezing him closer. Dorian had never made him feel like this. Dorian made him feel sexy, wanted, and lustful which was fine, a man wanted to be desired, but Severus was different. Severus was kissing him as if he was satisfied enough with merely having a snog. He wasn’t pushing for anything at the moment, he was merely taking his time and Ron liked it. He liked not being rushed and taking things slow. Sometimes he wished Dorian would have been more gentle, more soothing and mellow, but Dorian was gone, and Severus was here.



Ron felt a hand run through his hair. Severus cradled his head, holding him close, feeling the smooth locks in his fingers. Ron groaned loudly. He loved hands in his hair, and he loved deep kisses. Severus was a real man, and that list of Harry’s may have been a joke, but there was some truth to it.



All too soon the kiss broke off and for several moments they just looked at each other, neither wishing to speak, but Ron knew he had to. “I should get home.” He whispered.



“I know.” He gave a squeeze and reluctantly let him go. He fetched his cloak and prepared the floo.



“I’m glad you came over tonight.” Severus told him.



“I’m glad too. I had a fabulous time.” He stepped into the floo.



“Fabulous enough to join me again, this weekend perhaps?” He ventured.



“I would love to.” He leaned in and gave him a kiss goodbye.



“I’ll owl you with the details when I make them.” He said, stepping back.



“Alright.” He said with a smile, and called out his floo address. In a flash he was home. He stepped out and into his home to find Harry and Hermione sitting in their dressing gowns on the couch, a bottle of wine on the table.



“Hey Ron! How did he go?” Hermione excited look drew laughter from both men as Ron took a seat.



“Way to mention it causally there love,” Harry said, “but now that the subject has been brought up, how did it go?”



“Dinner was great. He really is a good cook. He……”



“Ron, we are more concerned about desert.” Hermione interrupted.



Harry laughed out at Ron’s grin. “I hate to agree, but I do.”



“Well, I hate to disappoint you, but nothing really happened.” He laughed at Hermione’s fallen face.



“Wait,” Harry said sitting up, “you said ‘nothing really’, does that mean that while you didn’t get a shagging for your efforts, you did get something?”



“I suppose. If you count a good old fashioned snog on the couch.” He said.



Hermione let out a giggle. “Of course it counts.”



Harry rolled his eyes. “Of course.”



“I did get asked for another dinner.” He told them.



“That’s great.” Hermione was more excited than he was, and he was damned excited.



“What do you think he going to make next time?” Harry asked, shifting in his seat.



“He said he would get back to me with details. I think he plans to go out.” Ron grinned. Being taken out was always nice. Dorian had taken him out but he always had the restaurant on his mind and most of the time was taking in what he considered ‘the competition’. Eventually going out to eat was more about checking the place out then spending time with him.



“You know maybe he will take you to that new place in ……” Hermione stopped speaking when an owl tapped on the window.



“Who would be sending an owl at this time of night?” Harry rose, wand out and ready. He let the owl in and looked at the parchment it carried. “It’s for you Ron.” He waved his wand and searched for charms and curses, but found none. “It appears to be safe.” He handed the letter over and shut the window when the owl flew off.



Ron’s face paled when read the letter. Without a word he handed the letter over to Harry.



‘Ron, do not think this is over. You may try all you want but you cant get away from me. You are mine and you always will be.’