*~* Chapter Eight *~*

Falling out, falling out

Have you ever wondered

If this was ever more than a crazy idea?

Lyrics from “Wrong Impression” by Natalie Imbruglia

*~*~*~*~*

Snape didn’t immediately return to his chambers in Hogwarts after he finished retrieving the paperwork needed to seal his and Harry’s decision.  Instead he ventured to his little spot in Knockturn Alley, where Harry had gotten smashed and consequentially spent the night in his chambers.  As he sat at the bar, he scowled over his strong drink.  What had his already pathetic life come to?  He could not even sulk in his favorite bar without thinking of the boy, and it was driving him insane.

I should get used to it, I suppose, Snape told himself.  I shall be spending the rest of my life with him.

Severus almost laughed at the absurdity of what he’d just thought.  If someone had told him years ago that he was going to end up (practically) engaged, and making plans to have a family with Lily and James’ son, he would have laughed himself to death.

Now . . . now, he sat alone, in a very strange bar, drinking an even stranger concoction of several potent liquors with papers requesting a marriage license in the pocket of his robes. 

Severus downed his drink and was just about to order another when a rather noisy party of men Snape’s age entered the club, immediately moving to the bar for drinks.  They all seemed to be milling around one wizard in particular, a wizard who, Snape suddenly realized, he knew.  I wonder . . . can I slip away without him noticing . . .?

He had no such luck.  The man he recognized turned to him and let out a cry of surprise.  “Severus!  Severus Snape!  Who would’ve guessed that you’d be hanging around a dodgy place like this?”

Snape sighed internally.  “I could say the same for you, Jackson.  What are you doing here?”

Jackson waved his buddies away and sat next to Snape.  “Celebrating!  Finally hit it big, Severus!  I discovered something that could change the wizarding world big time!”

Severus winced slightly from mild envy.  Well, at least someone’s career wasn’t stagnant.  After years, and years, and years of relaying subtle hints to Albus, he had yet to secure the coveted position of DADA professor.  “Congratulations,” he muttered.

“Jeeze, Severus, how long has it been? Fifteen years?  Haven’t seen you at any of the good old Snape family reunions.”  Jackson snickered, giving Severus a knowing look.

Severus scowled at his younger cousin.  “I would not be caught at one of those . . . atrocities if the rest of the world suddenly disappeared and that was the only place left to be.”

Jackson found this hilarious, and showed it by laughing for an extended period of time.  “I’ve missed your quirky sense of humor, Severus!  Really, I have.  And so has Julia.”

“How has your family been?” asked Snape politely, for the sake of conversation.

The other man beamed with pride and pulled his wallet out of thin air.  He snapped it open and a long line of pictures of his family came tumbling out.  “There’s my wife Julia . . . and the first brat there, he’s really smart and’ll be coming to Hogwarts soon . . . there’s the baby girl who’s shown a true love for flying already . . . and that’s the dog Woofers . . .”

Snape stared at the family pictures as his cousin went on and on.  This . . . this was what he’d missed out on over the years.  He vaguely remembered having dreams of the ideal family in his youth, which had quickly vanished long ago . . . But, just as Dumbledore had said, Harry was allowing him to have a second chance at what he’d missed out on, what had been cruelly and unjustly taken away from him years and years before.

“Very nice,” commented Snape, truly meaning it although he knew it did not sound that way.

Jackson grinned, accustomed to his older cousin’s lack of enthusiasm.  “Thanks.  Say, what about you?  If I remember correctly, you were serious about some girl . . . what was her name?  You two finally hook up?”

Severus stared blankly at the counter below him and gritted his teeth. Was anyone in his family besides himself blessed with the gift of tact?  “No.  Nothing became of that,” he snapped. 

Jackson winced.  “Hey, sorry, I-”

“I must be getting back to Hogwarts,” said Snape, getting up from the barstool as if every part of his body ached.  Not meeting the other man’s eyes, he added, “Someone is waiting there for me,” before stalking off towards the fireplace.

Jackson stared after his cousin.  Did Severus just imply what I think he did?  Has he finally found someone?

*~*

Harry was worried.  Hours ago, he’d ordered food from the kitchen to be brought to the dungeons, so that he and Snape could talk more about their decision over a nice dinner. Now the food was cold- Severus had not returned to his chambers, had not sent a word to Dumbledore or Harry as to his whereabouts, nothing.

Harry paced back and forth in the living room, wringing his hands over and over.  “Where is he . . . where is he?” 

Could something have happened to him?  Did the Death Eaters have him right now?  Harry began pulling at his hair with worry and fear.  Should he go to Dumbledore? Should he stay, in case Snape came back?

Suddenly the wall peeled back, allowing one Severus Snape entrance into his chambers.  His face showed no emotion, as usual, cluing Harry into the fact that he was unaware that he had done anything wrong.  However, when Harry, looking very, very upset, launched himself into Snape’s ‘personal space’ in a way that would have made Mrs. Weasely (the older one) very proud, the other man became quite certain that he’d slipped up somewhere.

Harry shook a finger in Snape’s face.  “Where have you been?!  You went to get some papers hours ago and you’re just now coming home?!  Are you insane?  Do you know how worried I was?  With all that’s been going on, I thought that you were lying dead in a ditch somewhere, or bleeding to death, crying out for someone to come and-”

Severus’ lips twitched, forming something that resembled a smile.  “Calm down, boy.  You’re over-reacting.  In case you haven’t noticed, I’m perfectly fine.”  He walked past Harry and over to his wet bar.  After placing the marriage papers down on the cold glass table, he reached for a decanter without a second thought.

Harry loudly cleared his throat.  “I don’t think so.  If my nose is correct, you just came from a bar.  You don’t need anymore.”

“Then quit with your excessive, needless bantering,” Snape demanded.

Harry made a face at his back.  “Well, sorry for being concerned!” They stood in silence for a few minutes before Harry replied easily, “Hey, does this constitute as our first fight?”

Snape snorted and put the liquor back in its place.  “Hardly.  We’re not married yet. And I do think the time you told me to shut up a few years ago would be a better example of a . . . disagreement.”

Harry blushed.  “Yeah, well, you were being pretty rotten, saying those things . . .”

Snape just grunted.

Harry sighed, relaxing the muscles in his body that had been very tight.  No use arguing with Severus Snape . . . “I know you’re probably not thirsty,” he commented wryly, giving the older man a look.  “But maybe you’re hungry.  I had some food brought up earlier . . .”

“Good.  Then we can get these papers filled out over a meal.”

“ . . . Actually, just leave them there,” Harry replied hastily as Snape moved to pick up the papers.  “Let’s wait a while, okay? Get to know each other first.”

Severus raised an eyebrow.  What was this?  Was Harry having second thoughts?  Before Snape could voice his concern, Harry continued talking as he levitated several silver trays into the room.

“And I’ve been thinking about something you said to me, about what I want to do with my life,” mused Harry, carefully placing the trays on the coffee table.  “I don’t want you to have to earn all of the money for the baby.”

“I’m more than financially capable of supporting you and a child.”

“Oh.  Is your family rich?” Harry asked easily, taking a seat on the couch.

The older man moved to sit across from Harry.  “Quite.  We rival the Malfoy family,” Snape said proudly.

“Really?  Wow.”

“Of course, I’m wealthy in my own right . . .”

Harry snickered.  “That’s all good and well, Severus, but I really don’t like the idea of sitting around the dungeons all day, doing nothing while you make a living terrorizing students and brewing potions.”

Snape uncovered one of the trays and picked up a sandwich and opened it to view its contents before eating it.  “In all actuality, I do not think that taking care of a baby is doing nothing.  Caring for one is hard work and-”

“I know that.  So I was thinking of something that I could easily complete at home.  How about this?” Harry grinned eagerly.  “I could design broomsticks!”

Severus didn’t say anything.

“I’ve been doing some research into broom making and-”

Snape emitted a barking laugh that shocked Harry.  “It’s too bad you couldn’t have done some research for my class.  Maybe then you would’ve made better marks.”

Harry made a face.  “Well, har, har!  Come on, I’m serious here!  What do you think?”

Severus sat back in his chair and set aside his sandwich.  “It depends if you’re any good at it.”

“Of course.”

“And even if you’re not, I suppose people would buy anything endorsed by Harry Potter . . .”

“Hey!”

“If that’s what you want to do, then fine,” Snape said nonchalantly.  “And I suppose you’ll need some financial backing . . .”

Harry blushed slightly and looked away.  “Well . . . I’ve still got a little money left from my parents . . . but, I mean . . . That wasn’t why I brought it up!  I’m not going to be one of those people who constantly bother their spouse about money- I promise.”

Severus shrugged.  “The men in my family have always established an allowance for their . . . wives . . .” he replied with an evil grin.

“Hey, wait!  Who said that I was going to be the woman here?!”

*~*

Mrs. and Mr. Ronald Weasely,

You are hereby invited to celebrate the forthcoming success of Dr. Jackson Edwards on Saturday, December 20th, at eight o’clock pm in the East Ballroom of The Golden Inn.  Formal wear required.  Please R.S.V.P. before December 1st,” read Hermione aloud with a confused look on her face.  She lay in bed before a roaring fireplace, shifting through the day’s mail.  This was, by far, the most interesting of them all, surpassing copies of strange accounts sent by Ron’s boss from totally random people about even more random things that her husband had to report on at work the next day.  Crookshanks, still alive and annoying the hell out of Ron, leapt into her lap and eyed the invitation warily.  “Ron, what is this?”

Ron came into the room with a rather large container of ice cream and two oversized spoons.  He joined her in the bed and began devouring the ice cream. “Wha’ you talkin’ ‘bout?” he muttered around the spoon.

Hermione gave him a look and yanked the ice cream away from him.  I’m the one craving pumpkin juice flavored ice cream!  Give me that!  And I’m talking about this invitation.  Is this guy someone from your work?”

Ron chose to ignore the fact that he’d been the one who had to go all the way out to Diagon Alley to get the treat and scanned the piece of paper.  “Who the hell is this Jackson Edwards?”

“Ron, dear, I was hoping you could tell me that,” she said sweetly.  “That’s why I asked.”

“Er . . . right.  Well, I dunno.  Never heard his name before in my life.”

Before Hermione could comment, the phone rang.  She reached over the cat to get the phone.  “Hello?”

“Hello Hermione,” came a pleasant voice from the other end.  “How are you this evening?”

“Just fine Percy.”

“That’s good.  Say, did you happen to receive an invitation in your owl post today?” Percy asked casually.

“Actually, yes?  Did you get one too? What is it about?”

“My fiancée, Karen, she works with Dr. Jackson Edwards, and they’re having a big bash to celebrate a huge event in a few months, and I asked if you guys could be invited.”

“Oh!  Well, thanks.  What’s being celebrated?”

“I wish I could tell you guys.  Evidentially, it’s top secret, very hush hush, if you know what I mean. It’s really big, though.”

“Hmmm.  Sounds interesting in the least.  If it’s a big enough story, maybe I could write a book on it, turn it into a best seller . . .” Hermione drifted off.

“Sounds good.  I hope you guys can make it.  It’ll mean a lot to Karen to have her future family there.”

“We’ll do our best to show up.  Bye Percy.”  She hung up and turned to Ron to tell him what was going on, but when she caught sight of Ron sleeping like a baby with Crookshanks snoozing on his belly, she settled on finishing off the ice cream Ron had gone out of his way to get. 

After one spoon of the ice cream, she wrinkled her nose.  “Yuck!  What was I thinking?”

*~*

By the time the Quidditch store in Diagon Alley was finally clearing out, it was very late, and Oliver’s hands were stiff and sore.  Autograph sessions were not his favorite thing to do- they always left him with aching fingers, a headache and a growling stomach, and this time was no different.  His team mates began to pack their things and make their goodbyes, but he just rested his throbbing head in his hands and sighed heavily. 

He could not believe the news.  Harry . . . and Snape?  It was too weird.  Not to mention insulting!  What did an old man like Snape have that he didn’t?  I could give Harry what he wants . . . if only he’d give me the chance!  I know it!  But it looked as if he wouldn’t ever get one. 

Harry and Snape?!

The world was obviously a cruel, cruel place.

“Don’t tell me I missed the signing,” replied a silky voice before him.

Oliver’s head snapped up.  “Oh, it’s just you, Malfoy.”

The blond smirked at the dismal looking man before him.  Yes, dismal looking . . . but in a sexy way.  “Moping over Potter, I see.”

“Oh yeah?  Well, where’s Snape?”

“Touché,” Draco replied easily.  He slapped a photo down on the table in front of them and whipped out a fancy, frilly quill.  “Go on, sign it.”

For a while, Oliver was amused and forgot his problems with Harry.  “Why, Malfoy, I didn’t know you were a fan of mine.  Do you go around collecting photos of me?  I’m flattered, really,” he said sarcastically as he took the gaudy quill and spun it in his fingers carelessly, giving the younger man a once over.

“Don’t do that!  That thing’s bloody expensive,” snapped Draco.  “And besides, I’m not a fan of yours,” he added airily.  “I snatched it out of some girl’s magazine today while she wasn’t looking.”

Oliver glared, trying to imagine why Malfoy wanted with a signed photo of him.  “If I sign this, will you leave me alone?”

“. . . maybe . . .”

Oliver quickly scribbled his signature at the bottom of the photo.  “There.  Now get lost.”

Draco gave an evil grin and stuffed the photo into a hidden space in his robes.  Then he took his quill back and said, “Thanks!  Now that you’ve signed your name with this quill, I can send Potter a mushy, gushy love letter in your handwriting!  Won’t this be fun?”

Oliver was up and around the table in a second.  “You wouldn’t!”

“Wouldn’t I?” Draco commented, raising a slim, manicured eyebrow.  “You know I would.”

The older man made a wild grab for Malfoy’s quill, but Draco was able to raise it above his head before Oliver could get a grip on it using the quick reflexes he’d acquired as a Seeker.  When Oliver reached up, he quickly moved the quill behind his back.  Oliver’s hand followed, resting over Draco’s tight fist and his eyes flared with triumph.  However, the quill was soon forgotten when Draco stepped closer to him, pressing his body against the older man’s. Oliver gasped slightly, shocked by his body’s response to Draco’s close proximity.

With a devilish grin, the blond let his hand slip from underneath Oliver’s, letting the other man’s hand rest on his rear end. Draco, looping the arm with the hand that held the offending object around Oliver’s neck, began tickling the back of Oliver’s neck with the quill’s soft feather, he whispered, “I’ll think about giving it to you . . . if you let me take you out to dinner tonight.”

Oliver couldn’t breathe.  The blond was so close . . . too close . . . And his hand was still on his ass . . . but, Merlin help him, he was starting to like it.  Oliver’s hand slowly drifted back to his waist as a river of emotions began to engulf him. 

Draco smelled so good . . . like warm vanilla.  And those liquid silver eyes . . . those eyes possessed a beauty that rivaled Harry’s . . . 

Harry . . . what about Harry . . .

What about Harry?  Harry’s got Snape.  What the hell does he need me for?

Here was a warm and inviting body, one who was not denying him or pushing him away.  He wasn’t going to be stupid and deny the handsome young man’s proposal.

“Sure.  Why the hell not?”

*~*

The rest of the evening passed quickly for Harry and Snape, and soon it was time for bed.  Harry, with no night clothes, began to rummage through a chest of drawers in Severus’ bedroom while the other man showered.  It soon became very clear that Severus Snape only owned black silk pajama sets, so Harry pulled a random one out and began rubbing the fabric in between his fingers.  It was cold to the touch, but he was sure that Snape’s body would warm it up in no time.

Harry was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice Severus leave the bathroom, enter the bedroom, and didn’t realize that the man was standing right next to him, watching him, until the silk was rudely yanked from his fingers.  “Hey!”

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t commit blatantly lewd acts with my clothing,” grumbled Snape smoothly.  “I had Madam Pomfrey send down a set of pajamas from the infirmary and used magic so that they would fit you.  They’re right there.”  He pointed to the end of the massive bed.

Harry blushed.  Like he hadn’t noticed the hideous things.  He just didn’t feel like wearing them. “Aw, come on!  I got enough of wearing those while I actually studied here.”

“That was certainly no fault of mine.  So put those on and leave my things alone.”

Harry stuck his tongue out and snatched up the clothing, then moved into the bathroom.

Severus sighed and replaced the clothes, then climbed into the bed.  He took out a pair of reading glasses and put them on, then took a stack of fourth year essays from the table beside his bed and a blood red quill and began reviewing them.  He was in the middle of reading an obviously last minute, half-assed Gryffindor essay when he heard something that caused him to look up from his work.

Harry’s soft voice floated from the bathroom, barely audible over the sound of falling water.  He was singing a song that was unfamiliar to Severus, and singing it beautifully, much to his surprise.  He cocked his head to the side and strained to listen.

“I’d give you all the things that I’d never get,

Give you all I have and have no regrets,

Take you to the places I’ve never been

Forgive you all the things that you can’t forget,

Take away the pain with my healing hand,

Wash away your sins and set your spirit free . . .”

Severus sat back in the bed and mused to himself.  Potter just seemed full of surprises today.  Who knew that the Boy Who Lived could sing?

“You can run from me,

And you can hide from me,

But I am right beside you

In this life . . .”

*~*

Draco Malfoy found himself under an assault of kisses the second he stepped into Oliver Wood’s flat in London.  The former Slytherin was shocked- he hadn’t expected such brazen behavior from the seemingly innocent Oliver, and was even more surprise when he felt himself being steered towards a room- a bedroom, to be exact.

Draco used one hand to steady himself against the wall outside the bedroom and the other to gently push the other man away.  He stared deeply into Oliver’s eyes.  “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked breathlessly.

“Yes,” he muttered, and then slammed his lips back over the blonde’s.

Draco could only moan helplessly under Oliver’s onslaught, feeling as if things were getting slightly out of control.  This was strange . . . he’d always been the one in command when it came to matters of the . . . bedroom . . . but letting Oliver take over felt surprisingly good.  He let himself be pushed onto Oliver’s bed, amused and turned on by the other man’s eagerness and aggressive behavior.

When Oliver skillfully undid the buttons on Malfoy’s slacks and slid his hand inside his pants, working his magic with several knowledgeable fingers, Draco knew that it was going to be a long, pleasurable night.

*~*

Remus Lupin hated Sirius Black.

Or at least, he desperately wanted to.  This was all very stupid!  They were both fully-grown men, and yet the man he loved was lying in the guest room across the hall, instead of in his arms.  At the moment, they were lonely, miserable, hurting, angry and stubborn. The only way that the torture would end was if one of them relented, and Remus knew that Sirius would never- it just wouldn’t be him.

Was Sirius right?  Would he have to put away his desire for more aside to salvage their relationship?

Bur it wasn’t fair!  Why was he making all of the compromises here?

I should leave him, thought Remus angrily, clutching a pillow to his chest like a child.  That’ll make him see . . . see that I’m very serious about this, and that he can’t always push me around and have his way!

Remus got off the bed, turned on the light and began removing his clothes from the dresser, throwing them onto the bed in a huff.  He’d removed most of his belongings when he heard Sirius ask, “What are you doing?”

He turned around and gave his lover a look.  “I’m leaving.  If you aren’t willing to compromise, then I really don’t see how this is going to work between us, Sirius.  You can’t always have your way.”

“Don’t do this Remus.  This is stupid . . .”

“I know!  But year after year, I give in to you for some reason or other about something, and I’m tired of it! Once in a while, you have to give in.”

Sirius just watched impassively as Remus continued to pack.  “. . . Where will you go?”

“Harry.”

“Harry will be busy . . . trying to get his baby-” Sirius winced. “His baby from Snape.”

“Then I’ll go somewhere else.”

“. . . Wait!  Remus . . . don’t.  I . . . I’ll talk.”

*~*

When Harry finally emerged from the bathroom with a billow of steam following him, Severus looked up again from another student essay and raised an eyebrow at the younger man.  “Ahem.  I do believe that Poppy included a top with those pants.”

Harry, shirtless and grinning, just nodded.  “I don’t sleep with tops on.”  He gave Snape a sly look.  “Why?  Am I making you uncomfortable?”

Severus snorted.  “No.”

“If you say so.”  Harry slithered into the bed, diving underneath the covers with a heavenly sigh.  He cuddled up next to Snape’s hip and smiled pleasantly.  “I swear . . . where on earth did you find this bed?  Every time I get in it, I don’t want to get out!”

Severus suddenly scoffed loudly, making Harry jump.  “The audacity of this Hufflepuff!  Does this child really expect me to be able to read such tiny handwriting? I should deduct twenty points for-”

“Don’t do that!  After all, it only means that this student wrote more than the others,” reasoned Harry.

Severus didn’t say anything, but scribbled ‘minus five’ across the top of the essay.

Harry grinned.  “Pretty soon, all the students will start thanking me for getting better grades in your class.”

“Hmm . . .”

Yawn.  “ . . . Put the work away, Severus.  Let’s go to bed.”

“Mmm . . .”

“Severus!”

“ . . .”

With an exasperated sigh, Harry sat up, took Snape’s face in his hands, and leaned over to place a seductive, lingering kiss on his lips.  When Harry pulled back, their eyes locked, and he couldn’t help but notice the shock and a hint of . . . desire? . . . in Severus’ obsidian eyes.

“Bed. Now.” Harry ordered before lying back down and rolling over onto his side with his back to his future husband.  Hiding a smile and stifling a giggle, Harry felt a wave of an unidentifiable emotion swell up within his chest as he heard Severus put away the papers and extinguish the lights.

“Infernal brat . . .”

*~*

Oliver woke slowly the next morning, his head reeling as images from the night before flashed through his mind.  He’d had one incredible night with Draco Malfoy, of all people, and for some crazy, oddball reason, he was not regretting it in the least.  It wasn’t just what they’d shared in the bed.  Dinner . . . had been amusing, to say the least.  Once you got past the blonde’s arrogance, he was actually a pretty decent person.  After all, he had abandoned his family, wealth and title for the Order . . .

Staring at the wall, Oliver wondered if Draco would be willing to go out with him again.

He rolled over to face the bed’s other occupant, only to find that he wasn’t there.  Oliver quickly got out of bed and shoved on a pair of pants, vaguely noticing that Draco’s clothes were nowhere to be found.  After sweeping through his flat, he found that the man in question was also missing. 

Oliver swore loudly and stalked back into his bedroom.  He’d left no note- Draco had just . . . left.  What the hell was that all about?  Had he been wrong about Draco?  Had he just been after a night of mindless sex?

Out of anger, Oliver went over to the bed and roughly yanked off the thin sheet that he and Draco had slept under the night before.  His eyes widened when he saw what lay underneath it.

There lay Draco’s fancy, expensive quill . . . snapped in two.

*~*

Severus Snape stared down at the sinful creature lying carelessly in his bed, totally oblivious to the fact that the rest of Hogwarts was alive and buzzing.  Harry was sprawled out across the bed, one side of his face completely devoured by the pillow on which his head rested, legs and arms draped all over the place.  This would not do.  Hadn’t he informed the boy that they would be quite busy the next day?  Severus was already washed and dressed, ready to go.  With an exasperated sigh, he leaned over the bed and shook Harry’s shoulder a little too roughly.

“Wake up,” he snapped.

Harry mumbled something incoherent, but kept on sleeping.

“Wake up damn it!”

“. . . G’way . . .”

Severus roughly yanked the blankets from the bed, not realizing that Harry’s legs were tangled up in them.  So when he dumped the sheets on the floor, Harry went with them, a loud THUD sounding as his body hit the floor.

“Well, now I’m awake!” barked Harry, eyes flaring with annoyance.  Jeeze . . . you didn’t have to nearly kill me to get me up!”

Severus snorted.  “Just get dressed.  There are some clothes for you on the dresser.  We’ll eat a quick breakfast and then start our day.  We should begin by going to your apartment and what the hell are you doing?!”

Harry, in the middle of undressing, stood in nothing but his boxers as he looked up at Snape innocently.  “I’m going to put on some clothes, like you told me to.  Is there a problem?”

Severus’ right eyebrow began to twitch.  “Don’t make me regret yesterday’s decision,” he growled and stalked out of the room.

Harry just rolled his eyes and put on the clothes that had been provided for him.  He quickly brushed his teeth (with Severus’ toothbrush) and made a pathetic attempt to tame his hair.  Then he waltzed of the chambers and met up with Snape in the hall.  “All set!”

They started walking towards the Great Hall, aware that several students were staring at them as they walked past.  Severus scared them off instantly with his patented death glare.

“Here’s what will happen,” Snape said underneath his breath to Harry, “you will NOT, under any circumstances, mention our . . . arrangement with any members of the staff.  They’re all nosy little busy bodies, and will just end up pestering the hell out of me.  We will tell them that you are living in my chambers due to the increased threat on our well-being.  Is that understood?”

Harry made a face.  “Well, if you’re that paranoid, just grab a couple of muffins off the table while I wait in the hall and let’s get going.  If we’re still hungry, we can eat at my place.”

Severus nodded and, when they were at the Great Hall, went inside through the teacher’s entrance.  Harry stood outside, greeting students as they walked past.  It took Snape longer than Harry anticipated to come back with the food, but when he did, Harry was almost blown away as the older man stormed past, his face as red as Ron’s hair. 

Harry gaped and quickly followed after him.  “Whoa!  What happened?”

“Here!” He shoved three blueberry muffins into Harry’s arms.  Damn that man!”

“Who?”

“ALBUS!”

“ . . . Do I even want to know what happened?”

Meddling old coot . . .”

Harry just shook his head and munched on his breakfast, reminding himself to ask Severus just what Dumbledore had said later on.

*~*

This is where the Great Harry Potter lives?” demanded Snape, taking in Harry’s very humble abode with mild disgust.  Did the boy have no sense of style?

“Hey!  This is a bachelor pad, and this is what they’re supposed to look like,” Harry said in his defense with a grin.  “Hey, you didn’t eat anything earlier.  Are you hungry?”

Severus wasn’t in the mood to test any of the boy’s cooking, knowing how awful he was at potions.  “Some toast and tea should suffice,” said Severus easily.

“Ok! Er . . . I guess you can look around, if your want.”  Harry disappeared into the kitchen as Severus retreated into the back of the apartment.  Harry had just begun boiling the water for tea when someone knocked on the door.  He went up to answer it, but paused to glance out the peephole.  It was Oliver.

Harry quickly opened the door and let him in.  “Hey Oliver!  What’s up?”

He looked nervous and slightly embarrassed.  “Um, can we talk?”

“Sure.  Let’s go into the kitchen.”

The two sat at the kitchen table, and Harry noted Oliver’s flushed face and his reluctance to meet his eyes.  “What’s going on?”

“Harry . . . I’m sorry!  I . . . Last night . . . Last night, I slept with Draco Malfoy.”

*~*~*~*~*

Author’s Note:  Hahahahaha!  I’m evil!  What will be Harry’s reaction?  I’d love to hear your suggestions, so please review!

The song used in this chapter is “In This Life” by Chantal Kreviazuk. 

Next chapter: Well, some of this was supposed to happen in this chapter, but this chapter kinda ran away with me.  Sooo . . . in chapter nine, people find out, a confrontation between Oliver and Draco (!), Draco gets pissed and more . . .