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… Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed their work!