Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

End of Obsession	By : Juwel Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 50501 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 9
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter fandom. The characters in this fiction are the property of J.K. Rowling. No money is being made from this and no trademark infringement is intended. This is purely for your reading pleasure.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
Note: Sorry for the delay. My personal life just blew up in a very ugly way, and I've been stressed out. Thanks for your feedback! Also, thanks for noticing my faux pas--apparently I wrote 'blue eyes' somewhere and missed it in the editing. I'll have to figure out where, now.

**
It was far too long an afternoon. Once Harry had the idea of the date, he started working to prepare for it, which included owling the best restaurant in Diagon Alley he could find to get reservations, and then the hunt for something nice to wear. The one thing he had at the moment was a black suit, which he'd worn to far too many funerals. Still, he had to admit it looked good, with a black silk shirt and silver cufflinks. Harry debated whether to wear the tie, looking at himself in the mirror with the first few buttons of the shirt undone, showing a bit of skin. Did he look sexy? He really had no clue, but he'd attempted to cajole his hair into some sort of order. It had been a while since he'd had his last haircut, so of course it wasn't behaving. It did remind him a little of Cedric Diggory's, and the girls had all liked him. So that at least was hopeful.
He also spent some time trying to find something for Snape to wear. It didn't seem appropriate for Snape to wear his professor's robes while out on a date with a former student, and Harry didn't know if he actually possessed anything else. He'd never seen Snape in something different, with the one exception of the pyjamas. Certainly, that wouldn't do.
On the matter of slacks, he wasn't able to find anything. Sirius had been shorter, even though they'd both been thin. Anything from Regulus was either moth-eaten or too dated-looking. Harry did manage to find a nice dark burgundy turtleneck, which he hoped he could convince Snape to wear. At least it would be something different.
He was still at the mirror debating the tie when he heard the front door open, heard the soft footsteps coming up the stairs. A thrill of excitement went through him, but also a shiver of doubt. What had Snape been doing all day? Would he actually go through with this? Or had last night been a fluke, and were they going to be going back to the same old animosity towards each other?
All too soon, Harry caught sight of a dark figure standing in the doorway behind him. Harry turned around, holding his breath. At first he thought Severus looked angry, but as their eyes met, Harry realised it wasn't anger, but hot lust he was seeing, spreading heat instantly down his spine, through his veins. He sucked in a breath, feeling himself go instantly hard.
"Hi," he managed, and instantly felt like an idiot. He deserved to know answers! "What happened this morning?"
Severus's eyes roamed from Harry's face to his exposed throat, arching one eyebrow at his formal attire. "I had previous engagements I was committed to complete. I'm tutoring Draco for his N.E.W.T.s; apparently the young man has no desire to stretch out his neck and try his luck at Hogwarts next year." The man shrugged. "I can't say I blame him."
He took a few steps forward, reaching out to touch Harry's collar. Rather than straightening it, he pulled it back even further, exposing more skin. Harry felt naked, even though he was fully clothed. It was an exciting sensation. Severus tilted his head, regarding him. "Going somewhere this evening? Hopefully not to another of those dreadful memorials."
Harry's lip twitched; he couldn't help it. It was the way Severus said the word 'dreadful', insinuating that he could find a much better use of that time. It was a shock to realise that Snape was actually flirting with him.
But Harry wasn't quite ready to talk about the date yet. "Hermione came over today. And I got about a hundred Owls or so. We talked about, you know, what to do about it all. The headlines." And there it was again, the hurt of betrayal from last night, the fear that he was trying to mask, trying to over come. Harry frowned. "You said you were staying." He couldn't help the hurt in his voice, even though he knew it was impossible that somebody should stay with him all the time.
Severus sighed, looking down. "I apologize for that. Believe me, I would have preferred staying here." That look of ire came into his eyes, and Harry wondered at it, what it could mean. "I did tell Draco that I would help him. I will still hold to that agreement, for his sake." He cocked his head, looking again at Harry's collar, and reached out to move the other side back a bit as well. "I was planning, however, to stay the night. If that is agreeable." A little smile touched the corner of his mouth.
Well it was now or never, Harry figured. "Yeah. I'd like that." He glanced over at the turtleneck hanging from the drawer of his dresser. "So anyways . . . Hermione and I were discussing how I should react to that whole article. She thought I should try to do something unexpected. And I remember that you said I should try to turn my weakness into strength. So, I came up with an idea." He bit his lip, looking at Severus hopefully. "Will you go on a date with me? Like, a highly public one?" He could feel Severus staring at him, weighing things. "I mean because I thought that would really shove it in Rita's face, that I don't give a rat's arse about what she thinks. Plus, you know, you do have to come forward some time about you still being around, right? I would think it could be to your advantage to do it with me."
"Hmm." Severus continued to stare at him, and Harry fought the urge to look down or back away. He knew Snape didn't like press, and didn't like being paraded in front of anyone. This wasn't an easy request to make of him. "Tell me your reasoning," he simply said, his face betraying no emotion.
It wasn't an entirely unexpected reaction, Harry told himself. Snape was still Snape, and he was still a very cautious man. "Well, I figured I've always been running from the press, and they've taken advantage of that, throughout my life. So I was thinking maybe if I try to face them head on--maybe even try to woo them a little, it might be better. I mean it certainly works for the Malfoys, right?"
He didn't wait for Snape to cut him with a negative comment, so Harry went on. "So anyways, surprise the press; give them something that I can control. As far as you, well, you know that at some point your secret is going to come out. I thought it might be better if we controlled that too, you know--I mean I can't think of a stronger way of showing that you're on the right side than being seen having dinner with me. I know I've got influence--I used it to grant some pardons, including the Malfoys. I can use that to protect you, give you the credit you deserve as a hero of the war. Hermione said the press wants to take away some of my power, damage my fame." Harry shrugged. "I hate being famous. Always have. But maybe it's time that I used it for something." He held his breath, waiting for Severus to respond.
For a moment, Snape said nothing, and Harry swore he could feel the weight of the man's thoughts going over things. "Interesting," he finally said in a low voice. He looked Harry up and down. "I can see the merit of such a plan. It's not a horrible idea, although I am sure there are facets you have not yet considered." He was silent for a moment more, looking down at his robes, which showed signs of dust from unknown potions ingredients. "It also may work to my advantage." Severus gave a smirk. "It would be nice to have my assets unfrozen. Not to mention finding out if I still have a home." It was unspoken, and barely noticeable, but Harry had a feeling this was a great concern to him.
Harry tried not to let his hope show in his expression, but he knew he was failing miserably. "Is that a yes, then?"
Severus gave a noncommittal shrug. "Why not. I already drew my cards. I might as well throw in the entire deck. At least it will be interesting."
"Yes!" Harry didn't care that it wasn't the most enthusiastic of responses from the man. But it was still a yes. For some reason, the idea made him giddy. Him and what had at one time been a nemesis. Standing together in front of the cameras. Rita Skeeter was going to keel over with shock.
Severus let out a slow breath, which was nerves, Harry realised. It suddenly made the man more human in his eyes. Severus's black eyes met his own. "You realise, I presume, that I don't precisely match your upscale . . . attire. And I think that shopping beforehand will ruin the surprise." His tone was wry.
Well, here went the other part, Harry thought, nodding and trying not to grin. "Yeah, I know. I'm afraid I looked, but I didn't find much here. But maybe . . ." He walked over and held up the turtleneck. "This should fit you. At least it's different, right?"
Severus gave him a deadpan stare. "It's burgundy." Somehow in that one word he managed to instil all his issues with the Gryffindor house and in particular the former owner of the shirt. Harry grimaced and shrugged.
"It's not black. I thought a little colour would be good. Plus . . ." Here Harry smiled wickedly. "I think it will look good on you."
That earned Harry a long-suffering sigh from Severus, but the man did walk over to take a closer look at the garment, and Harry could tell he was considering it. Harry had to add, "It might be good for you to look like, you know. My house. Kind of show that you're not the bad guy and help them believe you were working for Dumbledore all the time."
"I get it, Potter. You don't need to explain it," Severus snapped, black eyes glittering with ire. Harry wisely took a step back. Severus sighed again. "Burgundy," he repeated, shaking his head. "Very well. Leave the room so that I may change."
Harry blushed, nibbling his lip a little, but didn't budge. "Severus?" He was pushing things a lot today, he knew. But then again, these were things he wanted. A lot.
Severus raised an eyebrow at him. "What crazy request do you have for me now?"
It was difficult, but Harry tried to smile. His stomach was feeling all . . . fluttery. "Can I watch you change shirts?" It wasn't as if Severus hadn't already seen him stark naked, after all. Surely a little tit for tat was possible. He hoped, at least.
Rarely had he ever seen his former potions master look more surprised. Then the look became guarded and wary. "To be honest, I'd rather not." Severus didn't elaborate further.
But Harry was not deterred that easily. "Why? You saw me. I'd . . . really like to see you too." It was possible that Severus was embarrassed because of their difference in age, Harry figured, or that he was pale and thin. He hurried to reassure the man, "I'm not looking for the next cover of 'Muscle Weekly', you know. I just want to see you." He wanted to touch as well, but he knew that might have to wait.
"Hmm," Severus said, which didn't really tell Harry anything about what he was thinking. But his next words did. "There are . . . scars."
Harry walked over, pulling back his sleeve enough to show a word carved in white lines of old scar tissue; the word 'lies.' He wondered if Severus had seen similar scars on students during Umbridge's time at the school. Or the Carrows, for that matter. "I have scars."
"Touché," Severus said, with an odd look on his face. Harry wasn't sure if that was pity or anger. Or perhaps something else entirely. At any rate, he began unbuttoning his robe, not saying anything further.
It seemed weird just to watch without talking, so naturally Harry had to ask questions. "So if you get your house back, are you going to live there once more?" The idea both relieved him, but also made him sad. Good, that Snape would leave the Malfoy Manor, and any plots Lucius had for him there. Sad, because who was to say that he would continue to see Snape once he had a place where he was comfortable?
"That would be preferable, yes," Severus said, and held out his robe. "Hang that somewhere." Harry took it, and hung it off a hat stand in the corner of the room, trying not to drop it as he craned his neck to see where Severus was in the disrobing process. He seemed to have an awful lot of buttons. Harry wanted to ask why he dressed so conservatively--wasn't he uncomfortable? But that seemed a little bit much to say.
As he was trying to think of something else to say, Harry couldn't help but stare, watching as Severus worked on the waistcoat, revealing a slightly dingy-looking shirt beneath. It was getting back down to how he had looked last night in bed, in just that silk, and Harry couldn't seem to help himself. He felt himself hardening again, which was kind of silly, really. He hadn't even seen skin yet!
"And that," Severus added, pulling off the waistcoat and handing that to Harry, keeping his eyes down as he began working on the shirt buttons. This time Harry didn't even bother, but held the garment, watching with rapt attention as skin started to be revealed.
Severus was half turned towards Harry, half away, as if unsure which side was better to present. At the last second before pulling off his shirt, he turned his front towards Harry, and the eyes came up, almost daring Harry to make any kind of comment. There were definitely scars, Harry saw at once--older ones, newer ones, and ones he couldn't tell what they had been caused by. The most livid and newest of course was the one at the side of his throat, made by Nagini.
That only caught Harry's gaze for a second or two, however. What caught his eye instead was a number of small brown circular scars running up the inside of his wrist, on the arm without the Dark Mark. Harry sucked in a breath, looking at Severus in alarm. "Are those--"
Severus put down his arm, hiding the marks. "Yes," he said with a touch of ire, frowning. "Gift from my father. Cigarettes."
Harry knew that he wouldn't want pity, but he couldn't help the wave of horror that swept over him. He'd known, from the memories that Severus's life had been harsh even before Hogwarts. He hadn't known, however, just how harsh. "I'm--"
"Don't you dare say it," Severus warned him, his eyes narrowing.
Instantly Harry shut his mouth. Instead, Harry said. "I guess the cupboard wasn't so bad." He shrugged as Severus raised an eyebrow at him. "Where the Dursleys made me live--under the stairs," Harry finished. Apparently Dumbledore had never shared that little titbit with Snape.
A gruff sort of respect showed on Severus's face, and he gave a sigh. "I'll turn around. You might as well see the rest of it." He turned, and before Harry could even ask what he was talking about, he could see it. He'd thought the cigarette burns were bad. Yet that was nothing; what he saw sickened him, but he fought to control his features. All over Severus's back were old scars, long thin lines made by something--a whip perhaps, or a switch. The scars were messy, showing they'd probably had little care when initially made, even though they were all old and white now. No wonder the potions master had always covered himself.
Harry didn't know if it would anger Severus, but he didn't care; he put a hand on Severus's back. He felt Severus flinch but kept it firmly there until the man relaxed somewhat. Then he started to rub a little, exploring Severus's back with his hand. He'd been so hungry just to give back, just to touch. Severus and learn more about him. It felt good, the skin warm under his fingers. Even the rough sensation of scar tissue was something of a delicacy to him. And it was making him positively throb with need.
"If you keep doing that, it is unlikely we will be stepping foot out of this place tonight," Severus's wry words stopped Harry short. He blushed, and slowly removed his hand.
"Sorry. I just really want . . ." Harry took a deep breath. As much as he wanted to continue things, it would have to wait until later. "Right," he finally said, retrieving the turtleneck to hand to Severus. "Guess we'd better get moving, then. We have reservations."
Severus turned and took the garment, quickly pulling it over his head. He straightened the garment to his liking, and there was an oddly pleased look on his face, as he looked at Harry. Somehow, Harry didn't think it was from the clothing choice. "Well?"
Harry looked him over. In some ways, he was surprised, and yet somehow at the same time, he wasn't surprised. Severus was fit, even if he was a bit thin. The soft cotton showed probably more than the man was comfortable with, while at the same time covering the scars and other marks on him. It looked really good, actually. "We need to get you one of these. Maybe in green." He couldn't help but grin.
Severus walked over to the mirror where Harry had been standing when he'd come in, studying the image there, scrutinizing it. "I suppose," he finally said, and this time his look of pleasure was more pronounced. Harry could almost call it a smile. "Let's do this, then," he finally said.
Harry made him comb his hair first, and then the two of them were off to Diagon Alley.
- 16
- 17
- 18
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End of Obsession