
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/10032083.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Harry_Potter_-_J._K._Rowling
  Relationship:
      Harry_Potter/Severus_Snape
  Character:
      Harry_Potter, Severus_Snape
  Additional Tags:
      Out_of_Character, Sexual_Content, Alternate_Universe, Humor, Parody,
      Romance
  Collections:
      HPFandom
  Stats:
      Published: 2007-02-03 Words: 2333
****** There's only so much I can take of my right hand ******
by ciceronian [archived by HPFandom_archivist]
Summary
     For the What if Challenge, Wave XII of the Harry/Snape Dusk to Dawn
     Fest. Challenge: What if some event in the books went differently.
     [Mine: What if Severus hadn't joined the DeathEaters?]
Notes
     Note from SeparatriX, the archivist: this story was originally
     archived at HP_Fandom, which was closed for health and financial
     reasons. To preserve the archive, I began manually importing its
     works to the AO3 as an Open Doors-approved project in August 2016. I
     e-mailed all creators about the move and posted announcements, but
     may not have reached everyone. If you are (or know) this creator,
     please contact me using the e-mail address on HP_Fandom_collection
     profile.
DISCLAIMER:I do not own Harry Potter or the world that he occupies, that
belongs to J.K. Rowling and those she has entrusted her world to. I am not one
of these people. I write this piece of fiction purely out of love for her
characters and the world she has enchanted us with. I make no money with this,
in fact it costs me money what with the paper and pens I use as well as the
cost of running my computer and connecting to the internet. That’s all, because
in Willow’s words, a vague disclaimer is nobody’s friend.
 
Severus Snape returned to England in a foul mood. Most of his students at Salem
Institute would have asked how that differed from his regular mood, not to his
face mind you but they would have asked. Severus did not want to be back in
England, he had left there when he was barely eighteen and he hadn't thought of
anywhere but Salem as home in almost twenty years. But when Albus Dumbledore
requests your presence, you come and you come running. He was thirty-seven
years old and still at the beck and call of a man whom he hadn't called
Headmaster in twenty years but Severus doubted if any of the students that had
ever called Hogwarts home could ever refuse Dumbeldore.
Severus had agreed to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, which if not his
first passion came a close second. He may not have fallen as far as some of his
housemates but he had found an aptitude for the Dark Arts in his time away from
Hogwarts. The Potion's Mistress he had studied with had also held the same
fascination and thus his mastery was in potions with a special emphasis on the
Dark Arts. A year away from the Institute was all that he would give and if
rumors about the DADA position were true it wouldn't be a problem.
The first thing Severus did when he arrived was secure a room in Muggle London.
He knew that the Leaky Cauldron would make for easier access but hotels in the
Muggle World were much nicer and better maintained than that old bar. He'd been
away too long...in Salem they interacted with the Muggle World on a daily
basis. After all, the Institute was located in the middle of a Muggle city.
He was uncertain how he was going to survive without his daily mocha from
Starbucks once school began. Perhaps he could bring a sample back to the
Hogwarts' elves to see if they could replicate the formula. He doubted they
could considering he was a Potion's Master and as of yet had been unable to
replicate it exactly.
The suite he was in was the reason he was in the Muggle World versus the
Wizarding World. Here, he had a sitting room, separate bedroom with a full
bath. The price he was paying would have bought a room in the Leaky Cauldron
with a communal bathroom. He was not entirely sure he wanted to stay in the
Wizarding World anyway from what he'd been hearing of the current situation.
Lying back against the crisp sheets Severus closed his eyes. It had been a long
flight from Boston and he was exhausted, he would just rest for a few minutes
and within seconds Severus was sound asleep.
-------------------------
When Severus awoke it was dark outside, he knew most of the stores in Diagon
Alley would be closed or closing so he decided to put off that trip until
tomorrow. Tonight, however, there would much that could be had in Muggle London
and considering he was going to be stuck at Hogwarts for the next year he was
going to have all he could get. Severus quickly showered enjoying the cleansing
after the long day of travel. In thirty minutes he was leaving the hotel room
in pressed gray slacks and a black cashmere sweater that Andrea had gifted him
with last Christmas.
Severus knew that he would be wearing muggle clothing under the teaching robes.
He couldn't fathom going around in just robes. He had as a child of course but
things were very different in the states and he hadn't even taught in robes at
the Institute. His muggle clothing was much easier to move in and safer than
robes in the classroom. Perhaps Dumbledore would allow him to continue in his
usual teaching attire.
At the concierge desk he asked directions to the nearest Starbucks. The
concierge directed him to one that was two blocks over. Severus thanked him
before leaving the hotel. The weather was nice outside and Severus began
walking in the direction of the Starbucks.
When he arrived at the Starbucks Severus spotted a young man entering the
crowded café. The man was gorgeous with black hair that fell just short of his
collar and strong shoulders that flowed into a slim waist. He was tall but
would probably still stand a few inches below Severus' own height of six foot
two. Severus followed the young man into the Starbucks, eyes following the man
as he entered the line at the counter.
Severus moved into line behind the young man and when someone moved into the
space behind him Severus shifted closer to the man in front of him slightly
brushing against the form of the younger man. After he placed his order Severus
glanced to his left to find the young man staring at him. When their eyes met
Severus was shocked as a spark went through his body as he stared into the blue
eyes. A slight smile pulled at the young man's mouth, “I'm Harry.”
Taking Harry's offered hand he responded in kind, “Severus."
Before he could ask Harry if he wanted to grab a table Harry spoke first. “It's
really busy in here. Would you like to share our table?”
Severus nodded and soon found himself following Harry through the crowd with
his hand tightly clasped within Harry's. In the back of the building was a
large table that Harry seemed to be heading towards. Just a glance at that
table made him feel old. He doubted if one of the people seated there was a day
over twenty. Three men and one woman were talking animatedly until they noticed
Harry. Severus was beginning to think he may have made a mistake but he was
unsure what action to take. He couldn't get out of Harry's handhold without
causing somewhat of a scene and there was nothing he deplored more than making
a scene. So he found himself being introduced to the group, “Everyone this is
Severus. Severus, Hermione, Ron, Neville, and Dean.”
Severus nodded to them before he found himself being pulled down to sit beside
Harry. It wasn't long before Severus found himself drawn into a discussion with
the young woman named Hermione. It seemed that they had both been following
research that had been published recently in a scientific journal. She seemed
well-informed on the subject and Severus suspected that they all might be
University students. A tap on Hermione's shoulder by the redhead seated beside
her interrupted their discussion. Severus turned to Harry feeling bad for
ignoring the young man but it wasn't often he could find a person that could
intelligently discuss the subject without allowing their emotions to come into
it.
Severus apologized for getting caught up in that discussion. Harry shook his
head, “I don't mind, it's interesting listening to the two of you even if most
of what you're discussing is over my head.”
“I assume that all of you attend University. Hermione seems very interested in
her subject. What do you study at the University?”
“I study defense.” A weird look passed over Harry's face before he continued.
“I'm studying to be a Solicitor.”
Before he could remark on Harry's uneasiness the other people at the table
began discussing a club that they wanted to go to. The redhead was shaking his
head but no one else at the table was paying him any attention as they were all
getting up. Harry looked to him, “You're coming, right?”
Severus looked down into Harry's blue eyes and found himself nodding despite
his brain telling him that this probably wasn't a good idea. Before long
Severus found himself seated at a different table in a club that was blaring
loud music. A new song began playing and Hermione's eyes lit up. “Ron, come
dance with me.”
Ron shook his head, “No. You know I don't dance Hermione.”
Severus saw the sad look on the young woman's face, a young woman who had
brought up such interesting points and felt the need to step in. Squeezing
Harry's hand slightly Severus stood and turned to Hermione gathering her hand
in his. “Hermione?”
Hermione smiled at him and stood up. Severus placed his hand on the small of
her back and led her to the dancing crowd. After a minute of dancing Severus
brought Ron's jealous face to Hermione's attention. It took Ron thirty seconds
more before he interrupted. Severus was pleased that Harry had also come on to
the floor and Severus readily took control of the younger man's hips bringing
him flush against Severus who nearly groaned at the torturous movements that
Harry began inflicting upon his body. They danced two songs before Harry leaned
back against his chest, head thrown back to whisper in Severus' ear. “Please
tell me you're close by. I don't think I'll last long.”
Severus whispered back into Harry's ear, “Tell your friends goodbye and meet me
outside. I have a room at a hotel.”
Severus pushed Harry gently in the direction of his friends before making his
way outside to hail a taxi and when Harry exited the club Severus had a car
waiting. Before they had even pulled away from the curb Severus found himself
with a lap full of Harry, not that he minded as roughened hands slipped under
his shirt tracing muscles and occasionally reaching up to tweak Severus'
nipple. Harry's mouth, Sweet Merlin, that mouth, moved over his expertly,
Harry's tongue tangling with Severus. And the erratic grinding of Harry's
erection into his was going to quickly shorten all plans if they didn't arrive
at the hotel soon.
As if reading his mind the driver pulled up to the hotel and Severus quickly
handed the man a bundle of notes not caring that he was giving him a horrendous
amount of money. Grabbing Harry's hand he led the young man into the hotel and
to the elevator which of course took forever. Finally there were in his room,
shutting the door behind them with a ‘Do Not Disturb' sign in place.
----------------
Severus woke pleasantly relaxed and reached for Harry only to find the young
man gone. Opening his eyes he looked around the hotel room and saw no sign of
Harry. After walking through the suite Severus concluded that Harry had left.
He supposed it was for the best as he was leaving for Hogwarts tomorrow but he
would have liked to at least have a number he could contact him at so he could
have come down during Harry's winter break.
Deciding that he really couldn't put the trip off Severus quickly showered and
dressed before heading to Diagon Alley with a quick stop at the Starbucks
first.
----------------------
Harry Potter quietly snuck into Grimmauld Place, careful not to disturb Mrs.
Black so that she wouldn't alert the house that he was sneaking in. He needn't
have bothered; Sirius and Remus were sitting on his bed waiting for him.
“Sirius, I needed a break, being locked in this house was killing me. You know
how that feels.”
Reminding Sirius of his year spent in Grimmauld Place was sure to garner
sympathy from his godfather and he wasn't surprised to see the angry glint in
Sirius' eyes dissipate. Remus' eyes hardened. “You may be able to get Sirius
with that but not me Harry Potter. Everyone in the Order is going crazy trying
to protect you and then you sneak out for a night in Muggle London. What do you
have to say for yourself?”
Harry smiled, “Almost worthy of the Marauders, wouldn't you say? Sneaking out
when all the Headmaster is trying to do is protect me.” Harry gave Remus a
pointed look and almost laughed at the chagrined look on Remus' face. Sirius
laughed outright only stopping when his lover sent him a look.
Harry sat down between the two of them. “Look, I needed one night away. No one
knew who I was. Hermione put muggle makeup on to cover my scar and I wore
colored contacts. Harry Potter has green eyes but right now I have blue, Harry
Potter wears glasses and right now I am wearing contacts. I won't do it again
but I needed one night…there's only so much I can take of my right hand, you
know?”
Sirius let out another bark of laughter at that and Remus even broke a smile.
Harry was glad that they were so open about sex, if Ron were to say something
like that to Mr. or Mrs. Weasley he'd be getting howlers for days. Remus stood
as did Sirius who reached out a hand to tousle Harry's hair. “Come on pronglet.
Have some breakfast before you go to bed.”
Harry nodded, “Just let me wash this stuff off and get these annoying contacts
out. I'll be right down.”
At breakfast Harry tore ravenously through the food Mrs. Weasley had prepared,
joking around with Remus and Sirius before he headed back upstairs to collapse
on his bed. He needed to get some sleep as they'd be traveling to Hogwarts
tomorrow. Not to mention that he would be meeting his new Defense Professor
that Dumbledore was very optimistic about, a man who attended school with
Remus, Sirius, and Harry's Father. His last year at Hogwarts was going to be
interesting…
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