Freedom To Be

Title: Freedom to Be
Author: Participant #026 Pansy Plumm AKA Irana
Gift For: Participant #082 Mimosa Plume
Pairing: Harry/Remus/Severus
Rating: Adult dearie, very Adult and not at all for the younglings
Warnings: threesome, biting, licking, finger play, Remus as the meat in a very yummy sandwich, mild angst
Disclaimer: Not mine… but it doesn’t mean I don’t play with them..
Wordcount: 7,536
Summary: The war is over and Severus has his much wanted freedom at last. So why isn't he happy?
A/N: Written for the 2007 fic exchange. The request was: The war is over, Snape is a free man (you figure out the details), but he has no where to go. The only person who ever listened to him during the War was Lupin. How does he get over his big fat ego to go to Lupin in the first place? How does he gain Lupin's trust? And, of course, most importantly, how do they hook up? ;-) I enjoy a little bit of humour, wanking, wall sex, licking, mild bondage, and general awesomeness. This came out a little bit angstier than I had planned, but it all gets resolved, no worries. Thanks to Sal, Angel and the beautiful Fairy for the beta.

~*~ *~

Freedom, Severus reflected, was far more costly than he’d expected or remembered. Bizarrely he found himself thinking of perhaps speaking to Lupin as he lifted the glass of watered down whiskey. Dismissing the idea immediately, he swallowed the rest of what was supposed to pass for alcohol and exited the seedy pub.

As Severus made his way back to the dilapidated inn, which currently served as his lodging, he found to his horror that almost fond thoughts of his dungeons at Hogwarts crossed his mind with alarming frequency. True that was where he had spent the vast majority of his life; however, he’d never for one moment envisioned living out the entirety of his existence there.

He pushed the key into the lock on his room and stepped inside, immediately warding and sealing it for privacy. The people next door were abominably loud and he had no wish to be privy to the sounds of what he could only presume passed for their lovemaking. Severus cast a thorough cleaning charm around the room before he removed his robe and settled down on the rickety chair next to the window.

Once again he found himself damning Dumbledore for dying before he’d managed to protect what assets Severus had held before he took young Malfoy under his wing. Because Albus had neither the time or the opportunity, his little shack and the small house, which was all he’d had left of the Snape assets, had long been confiscated and disposed of by the Ministry before the war was over, leaving him with no place to lay his head.

Severus sighed and found he was wishing for Lupin’s company. The man had been Severus’ confidant during the war, the only one he’d ever truly spoken to and that had begun out of sheer desperation for his sanity. Lupin had been his contact to the Order while he and Malfoy had pretended undying loyalty to the Dark Lord and had been the only person he trusted to share his thoughts with after Albus died at his hand. It had been a gamble – induced by the desperate need to vent his ire – but it had been worth it.

He’d been surprised to find Lupin waiting at the place where he left his communiqués for the Order to find. 'Gobsmacked' hadn't been expressive enough to describe what he felt to know that Lupin had been the one Albus entrusted with the knowledge of what he’d asked Severus to do. Albus had left Remus the memory of Severus arguing with Albus about it before finally conceding to kill Albus in Malfoy’s place in order to preserve the soul only Albus – at first – had believed Malfoy to possess.

He’d sworn then – softly, fluently and inventively – about Albus’ dubious wisdom in telling the werewolf, of all people, what had been planned; giving voice to every frustration he’d had to suffer through since he’d done as asked and killed Albus to protect Malfoy. Lupin had sat in silence and listened to his virulent diatribe before offering him a glass of strong whiskey once he’d run out of steam.

Severus had looked at him in shocked disbelief before huffing and snatching the alcohol, performing several charms to test for hexes or curses before he’d swallowed the entire glass in one go. Lupin had quietly suggested he rest, then left him to his thoughts after receiving the information he’d brought.

Severus was unsurprised to see Lupin after that first encounter, and gradually, he found himself speaking to Lupin abut the inherent difficulties of training a willful boy to become a worthwhile spy while pretending to be loyal to madman. After a while, Lupin had begun to share thoughts of his own, discussing Potter’s progress on the Horcruxes, his worries about exactly what Harry was doing to prepare himself to fight the Dark Lord and sharing his regret that Albus was no longer available for consultation.

At one point, Lupin had even apologized for the incident at the Shack, and they’d finally realized that the majority of the blame rested squarely on the shoulders of Black, who’d acted solely from his own jealousy and insecurities. Black had apparently found himself with a confusing and unwanted attraction to Snape but had been certain Snape wanted Lupin. Sirius had been more than a little drunk that night when he’d sent Snape to the Shack, but his only intent had been to scare Snape and he’d never expected Moony to go after Severus at all.

Lupin had offered no excuses, simply gone on to elucidate him about things he’d not known; Black’s fear of his family discovering he was bent on top of being a Gryffindor, his worry at what they might do to whomever he was attracted to as a means of revenge for the betrayal they’d seen his House as. In short, his hatred of Snape had been affected in an effort to protect him from the wrath of the Black elders. Severus had kept his mouth shut but had privately thought Black had always been appalling at protecting those he claimed to care for. He’d rather suspected that Lupin had known what he was thinking despite that.

Snape snorted, the sound bringing him once more to the present. Loathe though he was to admit it, Lupin had become the closest thing to a friend he had in the last three years. As he stood to undress for bed, Severus decided he would find some way to contact Lupin if only to inquire about whether or not the werewolf still had an adequate supply of Wolfsbane.

~*~*~

Roughly forty miles northeast of Hogsmeade, Harry watched his housemate pretend to read. Pretend, because Remus hadn’t turned a single page in the last fifteen minutes. Remus had been silent since that morning when he'd finished reading the Prophet and had left the house for work without his usual cheery goodbye. It had been the same when he'd returned home this evening, and so far it didn't look to change in the near future.

Unless of course, Harry did something to change it.

Harry allowed the silence to pass for five additional minutes before he said anything. "Remus?" he asked.

"Hmmm," Remus answered distractedly.

"Alright there, Remus?" Harry clarified. He had a suspicion about what might be bothering Remus. He had taken a look at the Prophet after Remus left, and he had to admit that he was a little concerned himself.

"Um, what?" Remus replied before what he'd been asked caught up with him and he finally looked away from his book. "I'm fine, Harry. Just a bit preoccupied."

Harry raised a brow in an uncannily accurate imitation of Severus at his most disbelieving.

"You look a great deal like Severus when you do that," Remus chuckled.

"Do I?" Harry responded, smothering a smirk. He knew full well he did… Hermione had told him often enough while they'd been out hunting Horcruxes. "Is that who's been on your mind all day?" he asked softly.

Remus had told Harry about the Severus he'd got to know during all those months of searching. He'd also told him what Albus had done, although Harry had admitted he'd figured that bit out on his own after they'd found the first missing bit of Voldemort's soul. He'd found the true locket in Grimmauld and it was during the time they'd taken to plan and rest that it had occurred to him that Severus had actually done Albus a mercy. Albus had been dying then, and thinking about his own questionable actions inside that cave, he'd remembered Albus' last words to Severus before the potions master had finally put Albus out of his misery.

He'd also remembered Albus' words to him inside the cave. They'd needed someone on the inside, someone trusted, and who would be more trusted than the man who'd killed Dumbledore. His suspicions had been confirmed when a few months later an unsigned note had found them with information they'd needed, and the Order had contacted him with new information that could only have come from inside Voldemort's ranks.

When Remus remained silent, Harry prompted, "I saw the Prophet, Remus. I saw what they said about the money the Ministry gave him. I doubt it's enough to keep him for the rest of the year. I have to admit, I'm a bit concerned as well. How is he surviving?"

"I don't know," Remus admitted. "But someone mentioned seeing him in Hogsmeade. Perhaps he's renting a room there."

Harry's mouth curved into a small smile. "How would you feel about him being here? I doubt he'd care for Grimmauld, and I refuse to allow him to fester in that place even if he wanted to stay there."

Remus raised his brows and Harry snorted.

"Don't give me that look, Remus," he said. "We both know you like the man and I've grown to like him somewhat myself. I respect him if nothing else and I appreciate all he did. The least we can do is make certain he has a place to stay."

"If he will allow it. Severus isn't the sort to accept charity easily."

Harry smirked. "Who said anything about charity? He needs work and a place to live; you need Wolfsbane of a decent quality and I need a good nights sleep." Not to mention a way of making up for making his last task for Albus so bloody difficult when I played a part in it as well, Harry thought.

Remus laughed. "Sometimes Harry, I forget you how Slytherin your mind can be."

Smug, Harry returned to his book, a small smile of satisfaction playing about his face. Now all that was left to do was convince Snape.

~*~*~

It wasn't difficult locating the Slytherin. Harry simply followed the trail of disgruntled merchants – Severus having unleashed his ire on those he passed - until he ended up at a small inn on the edge of Diagon bordering Knockturn Alley. He frowned at the state of the building and decided if he had to duel Snape to exhaustion in order to get the man into his new home, he would.
He knocked firmly on the door of room number six and waited. Harry couldn't help the smile that curved his lips at the sound of Snape's annoyed voice barking, "Who is it?"

"Open the door Severus," Harry replied. His voice was soft, but loud enough to carry through the door and for Severus to recognize it.

Severus snatched the door open with a wrench, quickly masking his surprise. "What do you want?"

Harry didn't answer; he simply pushed past the other man into the room and looked around before nodding his head decisively. "Gather your things," he said. "We're leaving."

Severus blinked. "Repeat that Mr. Potter," he said silkily. "I don't believe I heard you correctly."

Harry grinned. "Of course you did. Of course, if there's nothing here you want we can simply leave now." He fished into his pocket and pulled out a small bag of coins. "I've gathered the remainder of your bill. Since you won't be staying, the innkeeper felt it fair to return the amount you had already paid in advance."

Severus snatched the bag with every intention of returning it to cover his board. He gasped as he found himself suddenly stuck in place.

"Sorry Severus, but I can't allow you to continue staying in a place like this. Remus is worried and we both know Albus wouldn't have wanted to see you here."

It took Severus several moments to master his shock at the audacity of the Gryffindor, and once he did he made his displeasure known. "You may now be the most powerful wizard in existence Potter, but I am still more than capable of making you wish you were never born."

Harry only smiled. "Wouldn't that be more enjoyable in the place where you were comfortable?" he shot back. "It is difficult to plan suitable revenge when you're distracted by the unpleasant sounds and scents of your environment."

Harry had long since lost his fear of the other man, especially once he'd figured out that Snape was Dumbledore's man right down to the ground.

Severus looked long and hard at Potter, cataloguing the changes time and experience had made in the boy – man now. Potter was clearly a man grown into his skin, at ease with himself in a way that had been previously lacking. Determination shone in those green eyes and Severus acknowledged that he would be leaving this place with Potter one way or the other.

"I do not need your charity, Mr. Potter," he finally said.

Harry raised his brow and Severus couldn't help but be secretly amused at seeing his own expression on Potter's face. "You need a place to stay, Remus needs quality Wolfsbane and I require a proper night's rest," Harry said. "Nightmares you know. Consider it a mutually beneficial arrangement. There's plenty of room at the house and there is one I believe would suit your needs for a lab. The pittance the Ministry gave you to make up for selling your home won't last forever and this will allow you the chance to save some money for a place of your own."

Now it was Severus with the raised brow. That sounded almost… logical. Much as he abhorred the idea, Potter was right. The paltry sum he'd been given wouldn't last long, particularly if he had to continue wasting it on this ridiculous inn.

"Logic from a Gryffindor," Severus said softly, the only sign he planned to give of his acquiescence. "Lodging for long enough to procure what I require in exchange for potions for yourself and Lupin," he agreed before he began to gather what little actually belonged to him. Once he was done, he turned to Potter and said, "Are we leaving or not?"

Harry grinned, placed a hand on Severus' shoulder and nodded. "Hold tight," was all the warning Severus got and he had just enough time to grab at Potter's arm before the world dissolved with the dislocation that always accompanied Apparation.

~*~*~

Remus stopped in surprise when he got home that evening and found Severus comfortably ensconced in an armchair in front of the fire, nose buried in a potions journal.

"Do close the door Lupin," Severus remonstrated. "You're letting in the draft."

Bemused, Remus did just that and slowly walked toward the couch, pulling his outer robes away as he did so. "How long are you staying?" he asked.

"Until I've enough to procure my own lodging," Severus answered.

Remus smiled. "I wasn't sure Harry could convince you."

Severus finally looked up from his journal with a tiny smile on his lips. "I was rather surprised myself," he admitted. "Mr. Potter can be quite persuasive when he chooses to be."

Remus laughed out loud at that. "Harry must not be here for you to praise him like that."

Severus smirked. "Of course not. He's off to acquire foodstuffs for the evening meal. He has some ridiculous notion about celebrating. I'm not certain why."

Remus grinned. He would want to celebrate too if he had been in Harry's place. Getting Severus Snape to agree to accept their help was a task worth celebrating.

~*~*~

It had been five months since he moved into Potter's house, and Severus was surprised to find himself reluctant to leave. He'd been discomfited at how at home he'd felt the minute he'd walked through the door that first day, and that feeling of comfort and safety and home had only grown over the time he'd been there.

They had celebrated that night, and he still didn't know what that was about, as neither Harry nor Remus would tell him. Severus shifted in the chair and gazed out the window. That was another thing. Somehow, Potter had become Harry, had become as welcomed and appreciated a presence as Remus. He had admitted to himself that he felt affection – more if he was honest – for them both. Somehow, they had become the closest thing Severus had to family, the only people save Albus he trusted enough to let close and they were dearer to him even than Albus had been.

It was something he hadn't expected and wasn't quite certain how to deal with.

Remus had suggested he get to know Harry after the first month went by with Severus and Harry speaking only in an effort to be polite, usually when Remus was around. Other than that, they didn't speak. Severus had to admit Harry had tried – several times in fact – but Severus had always cut him down before he could properly begin. After the seventh time in one week, Harry had simply stopped. As he remembered the conversation he'd had with Remus a few weeks after that, Severus frowned.

~ Flashback ~

"Severus? Are you busy?" Remus asked as he stepped into the study.

Severus set down his book and responded, "Do I appear to be busy, Remus?" He curled the corners of his mouth to take the sting from his words. By now he was certain Remus knew him well enough to know he was being facetious and not unkind. He frowned as he got a good look at Remus' face. Something was wrong. He wondered for a moment if it was time for him to leave already, if he had worn out his welcome with the only friend he had. "What is it?" he asked quietly.

Remus was silent for long moments while he tried to word what he was thinking. "Why do you dislike Harry so much?" he finally asked.

Severus blinked. "I do not dislike Potter," Severus said, not sure how to phrase his reply. While he enjoyed being close to Remus – the friendship he shared with the werewolf – he felt no need to form a friendship of that sort with Potter. "I am… I suspect I am more apathetic than anything else. I'm not certain what it is exactly except that I feel no need to…"

Severus caught the frown of Remus' face, closed his mouth and tried again. "Remus, I have upheld my end of the bargain, have I not? I have made the requested potions without complaint and have done my best to stay out of Potter's way. I am grateful for the opportunity to collect myself in order to make my way; however, I do not see the need to foster a friendship with a man who has me in his home purely to assuage the worry of my only friend."

As Severus spoke, Remus' frown only deepened. "Is that what you think? That Harry is only allowing you to stay here because I was worried?" At the look on Severus' face, Remus shook his head and sighed. "This is why you should spend more time with Harry. I think you'd be rather surprised by the man he has become."

Remus locked eyes with the potions master and continued. "It was Harry who suggested moving you here, Harry who concocted the plan to get you here, Harry who spent his free time looking for you. Yes, I was worried, but so was he." He saw the faint look of disbelief on Severus' face. "Did you know he was the first among the Order to believe you were only doing as Albus wished when you killed him? Even though no one knew the truth save myself, he convinced everyone else that had to be the case. He became one of your staunchest supporters."

Remus stood then and gave Severus a soft, sad look. "You've no notion what you're missing out on Severus. I do believe Albus would have been as proud of the man Harry has become as he had been of the man you were. Albus trusted you above all; trusted you to do what was required to protect Harry and help him to do what was predicted of him. I find it sad that the two men Albus trusted most can't find their way clear to being friends."

Remus left the room just as Severus opened his mouth to respond

~ End Flashback ~

Severus looked at the Prophet sitting on the desk in the room he'd been given – his room as both Remus and Harry had called it – and sighed softly to himself. He was supposed to be looking for a flat. He had quite a bit of gold in his Gringotts account now and really shouldn't be vacillating this way about leaving.

Harry had been as good as his word, Severus reflected. He'd provided Severus with a room that was perfect as a lab, not to mention procured countless potions ingredients aside from the ones that were needed for the Wolfsbane and Harry's sleeping potions. Severus had used them to make all manner of potions that he'd sold to the Ministry for a far greater price than he should have but it gave him a perverse satisfaction to gouge the organization that had robbed him of his assets. He'd also taken private owl orders that were lucrative in their own right.

Despite what people may think of his past actions – or even of Snape personally – the fact that he was a Master of his art was unquestioned.

Severus finally flipped the paper open towards the back, eyes scanning for the list of vacancies. They darted over an ad for Dreamless Sleep and Severus snorted. The rot the apothecary in Hogsmeade called potions was made with imperfect materials and so became an imperfect brew. He snorted as he remembered Harry had been taking that swill and finding little success with it.

He hadn't actually intended to take Remus' advice that night. Well, eventually perhaps, but not that same night. Circumstances however, had conspired against him. It had been a full moon and Remus was sequestered in his room under numerous charms for the night. Severus had been unable to sleep and had been on his way to the kitchen for a drink or a snack and had heard the sounds coming from Harry's rooms. He had been shocked into stillness by the animalistic quality of those sounds; the sounds of a cornered creature, in pain and desperate. Instincts born from years of protecting the Boy Who Lived had taken over and Severus had found himself inside the room before he'd even realized he was moving.

~ Flashback ~

Severus opened Harry's door and closed it silently behind him as he cautiously made his way to the bed. He wasn't worried that anyone else was in the house – the additional wards he had placed would have alerted him to that fact before now – but more concerned about the state he found Harry in. Harry writhed on the bed; sheets twisted about his body in a way that made him look like nothing so much as a butterfly struggling from its cocoon. He was covered in sweat and the room reeked of fear and adrenaline.

He called to Harry softly, as gently as he knew how. Severus didn't want to take the chance of Harry using accidental magic, and he had no way of knowing just what was happening inside Harry's head without being in it, and he couldn't do that without Harry's eyes being open. Or without the other letting him in. According to Remus, Harry had managed to master occulmency while hunting the Horcruxes, though Remus didn't know how.

Having finally made his way to Harry's bed, Severus reached out tentatively to brush the matted hair on Harry's forehead away with his fingertips, voice as low and comforting as he could make it when he addressed Harry once more.

"Harry. Wake up. You're dreaming. Wake up, Harry."

Harry whimpered in his sleep and gravitated to the sound of Severus' voice, forehead pressing against the soothing fingers.

Severus sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out to pull Harry closer hoping the warmth of his body would have some sort of benefit. Potter was cool to the touch, despite the sweat and Severus was beginning to get worried. "Pot – Harry, wake up," he said firmly, hoping that if nothing else the tone of his voice would get through to the other man.

~ End Flashback ~

It had taken some time, Severus remembered, but eventually Harry had come out of it. They'd spent the next hour or so talking until Harry fell asleep, and then Severus had left feeling more than a little off balance. It had been easier after that, to talk to Potter, and before long Severus had taken to calling him Harry never even realizing when he'd begun the habit.

Now there was nothing unusual for them all to take dinner together and sit in the study after doing whatever it was they felt like. Sometimes he and Harry played chess – Harry was horrible – although not as bad as Severus had expected – but getting better. Remus was a more worthy opponent in many ways as his style of play was more like Severus' own. Severus felt more comfortable, more like he belonged, than he ever had anywhere else, even his childhood home. Sighing, he set down the paper.

He really didn't want to leave.

He decided that nothing suited him in the adverts and stood up, stretching to accommodate the muscles that had begun to cramp from remaining in one position so long. He'd go down for dinner and let his housemates know he hadn't found anything, and leave off worrying over it until the end of the week.

Severus made his way down the stairs. He could smell the scents of roast and vegetables and he nearly salivated. That was another good thing about being here; he ate very well. He was almost to the study on the hall with the dining room when he heard the sounds of voices and instinctively he fell silent and still, applied a light eavesdropping charm and waited against the wall.

"… don't want him to leave."

"I know, Harry. But we can hardly keep the man here against his will."

"Why not? I brought him here against his will," Harry shot back at Remus. There was a small moment of silence before a heavy sigh was heard. "I know, Remus. Don't look at me like that. I'd never make him stay here if he truly didn't want to be here. He wouldn't be here now if he hadn't wanted to see you and if he stayed it would be for you," Harry pointed out.

There was the sound of cloth brushing heavily against cloth, and Severus assumed that Harry had slumped into the nearest chair.
"What makes you say that?" Remus asked, curiosity plain in his voice.

There was a snort before Harry replied. "All you have to do is look at the man." Severus flushed; had he been that obvious? He hadn't thought so. "I've been watching Severus Snape since I was eleven years old, and I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. His entire face softens, his body relaxes and he very nearly smiles. Even his eyes warm," Harry finished.

Not obvious then, Severus thought. Harry had simply proved to be more observant than Severus had thought. However… there was a trace of some unidentifiable emotion in Harry's voice, and Severus bent a corner of his mind to puzzling it out while the rest of him listened.

"Harry," Remus began gently, "do you…"

"Don't, Remus," Harry interrupted, making Severus nearly curse in frustration. He wanted to know what Remus had been about to ask. "It doesn't matter. He came for you, and he'll stay for you if you ask. That's been clear to me from the very beginning. And it's not as if I don't see the way you look at him."

There was silence then.

How does Remus look at me? Severus frowned in thought as he tried to recall a softening in Remus' features when the other man looked at him. Several instances came to mind, but so did several instances where he'd caught Remus watching Harry with that same sort of fond affection one reserves for lovers and family. He'd thought at first that the two men were together, but he'd never seen anything to confirm that belief. Severus was so lost in his thoughts he nearly missed it when the conversation began again.

"Harry, I admit to having feelings for Severus," Remus began, his voice softer and somewhat sheepish, "but… well, are you so certain Severus feels nothing for you?" There was no answer and Remus continued. "You told me he held you. Remember… that night not so long after he first came? You told me about your nightmare, and that he held you, and talked to you until you fell asleep. And I know he's been with you on those occasions you've not taken the potion. I can't imagine Severus doing that for someone he cares nothing for."

"He's spent most of his life looking out for me," Harry replied. "I doubt it's anything more than that." There was another gusty sigh. "Look. Neither of us wants him to leave. Just ask him to stay. I've already put the deed to this place in your name and begun looking for something else. When it becomes necessary, I'll leave. No point in making either of you leave a place that suits you both so well."

Severus just managed to stifle his gasp and entirely missed Remus' soft sound of shock. Did Harry really think… perhaps he was not as observant as Severus had thought him to be after all.

"Harry I really think… "

"I don't want to talk about this any more, Remus. Just leave it be," Harry snapped. Severus hurriedly backed away at the sound of footsteps. "I'm going to finish dinner. You can call Severus when it's done."

Severus waited from his position around the corner as he heard Harry's footsteps recede. He waited just long enough to be certain Remus wasn't following before he hurried up the stairs and into his room. He had some thinking to do.

~*~*~

Remus knocked quietly on Severus' door when dinner was ready. "Severus. Dinner's on the table."

"Coming Remus," Severus called from behind the door. What he was planning had a small amount of risk behind it, but… it would be better to have everything in the open. They would all have a say in how things went from here. He waited until he heard Remus begin the return trip downstairs before he opened the door to his room and stepped out.

Severus had never actually set out to seduce anyone. In fact, his experiences were limited at best, and frankly, he was unsure as to the probability of his success, despite the overheard bits of conversation. He'd dressed rather more carefully than he was wont; black slacks that highlighted his frame and just cupped his arse when he moved, and a black silk shirt. He was just as covered as he normally was, only without the robes tonight, yet he still felt slightly naked. Taking another fortifying breath and reminding himself that he had faced down his family as well as Voldemort, he headed downstairs to begin his seduction. He only hoped he didn't make too much of an arse out of himself.

He was rather pleased with his choice of wardrobe when he settled into his place at the table. Harry's breath hitched and Remus' mouth fell slightly open before he caught himself. There was silence for a minute or two while Severus collected his cutlery as though nothing were out of the ordinary before Harry finally broke the silence.

"Um, Severus. If I'd known you had plans to go out, I would have made dinner earlier," he started. He wondered where Severus was going, who he was seeing that he'd dressed so… Harry didn't have a word for it, but this was the best he'd ever seen Severus look.

"I have no plans for the evening," Severus lied. He had no plans to go out for the evening at any rate.

"You're … well you're very well dressed for an evening at home, Severus," Remus added, eyes raking appreciatively over what he could see of the other man. He knew Harry was doing the same, yet Severus seemed to be completely unaware of the attention he was garnering.

"Am I?" Severus asked mildly, smirking inwardly as he saw Harry's eyes narrow. Oh yes Mr. Potter, he thought. I most definitely am planning something. He steered the conversation toward more mundane topics and kept them there throughout the meal, gaining an indecent amount of enjoyment from the obvious frustrated curiosity of his housemates. It was a revelation; throughout the meal he caught glances from both men – some curious, some heated – and simply pretended he was unaware of the tension building between the three of them[.] It wasn't until they settled in the study for after dinner drinks that he broached the subject on his mind.

"I thought perhaps a celebration was in order," he announced as he fetched the whiskey and three glasses. He sat the lot of it on the small table where they normally played chess and poured three generous shots, handing Remus and Harry a glass before he took his own. Severus looked up just in time to catch the flash of a frown on Harry's face before it was masked as he settled back into his chair.

"What are we celebrating then?" Harry asked. He had a feeling he knew and he was certain celebrating would be the last thing he felt like doing.

"Why, my finding a home that suits me," Severus replied. Immense satisfaction filled him at the play of emotions in both sets of eyes before Remus responded.

"Congratulations," Remus said softly. "I hope it's somewhere close by."

Harry shot Remus a heated glance that clearly said 'Ask him to stay you idiot!' which Remus calmly ignored. If Severus wanted to leave, he had no intention of attempting to make the man stay.

Severus allowed the edges of his mouth to twitch into a small smile. "It is. Very close by in fact."

Harry frowned. "I wasn't aware there was anywhere particularly close that had an opening." He should know - he'd been looking after all.

Severus' nerves returned for a bit and he steeled himself slightly as he said, "I'd rather thought I'd stay here. Provided of course, you have no objections," he added.

Harry blinked.

Remus smiled.

Severus allowed himself to relax. "I would however, expect a few small changes." At the blank look at crossed Harry's face and the wary one on Remus' Severus soldiered on. "I should like to suggest that perhaps we could begin by sharing the master suite." At the look of shock that filled both faces he swallowed half his drink, lowered his head and added, "Perhaps not."

He had been wrong after all it seemed.

Harry recovered his voice first. "All of us?"

Severus nodded, eyes still firmly planted on his glass.

"Not just you and Remus?" Harry persisted.

"All three of us," Severus confirmed, slowly raising his head. It didn't sound as though Harry was objecting.

Remus could only watch… he hadn't any words really to describe what he was feeling. Severus wanted to stay… with the both of them… in a capacity that was clearly more than friends. He knew he wanted Severus, knew also that he was attracted to Harry, but had no idea how Harry felt about the idea of having to share Severus – and perhaps himself if he was understanding Severus correctly – with him.

Harry looked from Severus to Remus, then back to Severus. "All of us together," he mused, his surprise dulling now that he thought about it. He did want Severus, and he already cared for Remus. He'd always thought the both of them attractive, but would Remus be interested if Harry played a part?

"Remus," he began, looking over at his silent friend and now it appeared potential lover. "What do you think?"

Severus swung his gaze to Remus. He couldn't choose. If he had to choose he'd choose to leave and be alone. He wanted – needed – them both. They were both too important to him to lose either in any way. He kept his face carefully blank in order not to influence either of them.

Remus looked from Harry's hopeful face to Severus' clearly blank one and made his decision. "I like what we have," he said carefully. "I like knowing that when I leave the shop I'll be coming home to both of you. I believe I'd only enjoy it more if I were coming home to lovers as well as friends."

Harry's face broke out into a wide smile and Severus relaxed completely into his seat, the blank look being replaced by one of cautious joy. They sat in contented silence for a few minutes before the tension began to creep in again, each man clearly aware of the other.

Finally, Harry stood and made his way over to Severus, dropped into a squat and placed his hands on Severus cheeks. He leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss, a mere brushing of lips at first, then a longer, deeper more thorough one. He then made his way to Remus, pulling Severus along with him, and gave Remus a kiss that was much the same.

"I've been wanting to do that for ages," he confessed softly, a contented smile playing about his lips.

"What? Kiss Severus?" Remus teased. His amber eyes were dancing as they glanced at Severus' flushed cheeks.

"Kiss either of you," Harry clarified before he pulled back slightly. "Almost as much as I've wanted to know what the two of you would look like when you kissed."

Severus blinked in surprise and looked at Remus.

"Let's not disappoint him," Remus murmured before he leaned forward and claimed Severus lips in a searing kiss. There was nothing at all gentle about it. Remus had wanted this since school and now that he had the opportunity, he wasn't about to waste it.

Harry licked his lips as he watched. It had to be the most erotic thing he'd ever seen. Remus was damn near devouring Severus' mouth, and it made Harry ache to taste him again, taste them both on Severus' mouth.

Severus moaned, eyes closing as one hand clutched at Harry and the other slid into Remus' hair. He felt soft lips against his neck and thought briefly how unlike any other experience he'd had this was likely to be. None of his other partners had cared for him, and the gentleness in Harry's lips against his skin told him this would be an encounter unlike any he'd ever imagined.

When Remus pulled away, Harry took the chance to take Severus' mouth once more. "I think we should move this somewhere else," he murmured, glad for once that he'd not had nightmares the night before, and very glad he'd chosen a large bed. It would feel much less lonely with two other people in it.

Somehow they managed to untangle themselves long enough to make it to Harry's room and Remus had barely got the door closed before Harry was on him, kissing him like he couldn't get enough. Severus planted himself behind Remus, his hardening cock pressing against Remus' arse, and Remus groaned low in his throat at the sensation of being sandwiched between them. He wasn't partial to any position really save for the days surrounding the full moon when his instincts refused to allow him to do anything but top, and it had been so damned long since he'd been touched this way, he wasn't sure how long he could take it.

Severus looked up from his tasting of Remus' neck to lock gazes with Harry. "I want him naked," he demanded. "I want you naked."

Harry grinned. "That's good, because I want you both naked as well," he smirked before the spoke a quiet word and their clothing disappeared. "I'll peel the clothing from you both another time," he promised, pressing his naked flesh up against Remus' body, moaning with the feel of it. "Too impatient now."

Severus couldn't have given a response if he wanted to. Not with the way his heated flesh slid into the crease of Remus' arse and went from half hard to fully aroused in seconds. He groaned as Remus pushed back into him, rolling his hips to better feel Severus against him and Severus ducked his head and bit at the pulse point in Remus' neck.

Remus was overwhelmed. He hadn't expected to be the focus of this first joining, had been expecting to have Severus in the place he currently occupied, but the attention from both men was quickly short circuiting his brain.

He growled when Harry bit at his nipples before sucking them into hard little points and damn near screamed when he felt Severus' fingers slide between their bodies to play with his opening.

Harry for his part wanted Remus' cock in his mouth so badly he could taste it, so he dropped to his knees to do just that. As he licked at the swollen head he caught a flash of Severus fingers between Remus' legs and pulled away.

"Severus, give me your fingers," he husked, body tightening in anticipation of having those long, elegant digits in his mouth. He leaned to the side when Severus complied and sucked two into his mouth, carefully wetting them with his tongue. He backed off and nodded, and watched eagerly as Severus slipped his hand between Remus' cheeks once more and pressed one long finger slowly into the heat of Remus' body. Groaning, he fastened his lips around the leaking prick in front of him and swallowed Remus whole.

Remus thought he was going to die. Hot wet suction on his cock and gentle, teasing thrusting in his arse and he knew it wouldn't be long. His knees felt like they were made of jelly and he was certain the only thing holding him up were the hands on his hips holding him steady and Severus' chest supporting his back. "Please," he begged, uncaring of how he sounded. It was too much, too unexpected, too good and he wanted to come with Severus inside him.

Harry reached forward and added two of his own fingers, lifting his head long enough to whisper a wandless lubrication charm. Together he and Severus stretched Remus open, and he held Remus' hips while Severus aligned his cock and slowly pushed his way into Remus' body. He closed his mouth around Remus once more – not sucking, merely licking slowly – as he waited for Severus to begin moving.

Severus took his time, wanting to enjoy every second of being buried inside Remus' arse. Remus was hot, and tight, and the fact that Harry had helped prepare him for Severus only added to the eroticism of the moment. Slowly, excruciatingly slowly, he began to move, pulling back until just the head of him rested inside the tight sheath of Remus' body before pushing his way just as slowly back inside. Over and over he did this until he felt a hand that could only be Harry's fluttering along his hip and he pushed inside harder and faster than he'd meant to.

Remus whimpered. He moaned, he begged, he pleaded for Severus to move faster, for Harry to suck him, for more, for friction to be fucked. He wanted to come down Harry's throat he wanted to feel Severus shoving into him, wanted to come damn it and the slow pace they'd set was torture.

He cried out his pleasure when Severus finally obliged him, his breath stuck in his throat as he slid into Harry's throat from the force of it. He was barely aware of the world around him, his only focus on the two places from which pleasure spiralled through his body. He didn't even know he was going to come until he came, the orgasm slamming into him, blinding him as he froze, a silent cry stretching his lips.

Behind him Severus fought to remember how to breathe as that already tight sheath clamped down around him, sucking at him, milking his orgasm from him and leaving him leaning weakly against the wall.

In front on them both Harry worked his own cock furiously as he swallowed Remus down, the taste of him sending Harry over the edge. He stroked himself slowly through his orgasm, licking Remus clean before finally leaning against Remus' thighs. Slowly he stood and held out a hand to his two lovers, smirking as Severus slipped from Remus' arse.

"I think for the next round we should use the bed."

Remus gave him an incredulous look and said wryly, "I hope you don't mind if I just watch. I'd really like to see you push into Severus."

Severus blinked, then allowed a rare, true smile to cross his face as he followed them to the bed. Perhaps freedom was better than he'd remembered after all.

~ Fin ~