Fic for sevs_lil_secret Title: An Evening to Remember Author:irana Recipient:sevs_lil_secret Pairing: Remus/Harry/Severus, Draco/Neville Rating: R Word Count: 5084 Summary: The post-Voldemort world is vastly different with Muggle ideas gaining popularity with the Wizards. One such idea – a dating service – places three very difficult to match clients with their perfect matches; each other. Disclaimer: JKR I am not. Things would have been a lot different if I were, believe me. Highlight for Warnings: * AU, switching POV’s, * AN: So I scrapped four different fics before I finally got bitten by this bunny. I hope you enjoy reading it. I tried to keep it light on the magic and it's really more of an AR than an AU, but still… I do hope you enjoy it. If not, I'll write you something else, k? Um… I sort of killed the max count by nearly a hundred words. Sorry. It really wanted to be longer. Beta: The incomparable S
***
The war was over. Everything should have been easier, simpler, and in many ways, it was. Getting a job was easier. Finding a place to live was easier. It had even been easier for him to finally break everything off with Tonks, to tell her the truth. Of course, she still wasn’t speaking to him, but honestly, Remus didn’t mind that much. That meant no one was expecting things of him he couldn’t give.
Oddly enough, it had even been easier to tell everyone else he was gay; the Order, Harry and his friends, everyone that mattered. It had taken them a bit to get used to – although some had gotten over it much faster than he'd expected, Harry especially – and they were all back on normal terms. Even dating had gotten easier.
For everyone but him it seemed.
Remus sighed and looked around his living room. His home was spacious and comfortable, with a large basement that was perfect for those nights he didn't trust himself to be around other people. It had been owned by a man who didn't much like socializing, but had been unwilling to give up all his comforts. Situated twenty miles away from Argyll it came with a house elf named Pippy, a moderate garden he indulged himself in on occasion, and was surrounded by woodland with the nearest neighbor three miles away.
It had been everything he wanted and he'd jumped onto it before anyone else could snap it up. Now though… well, now he was lonely and wishing he had someone else to share it with. Four bedrooms one of which he'd converted into an office, a large dining room, spacious kitchen, a study, a living room and all that lovely land with only him to appreciate it. That had been fine for the first year after the war, but…
He shook himself from his thoughts and decided to head for bed. He was just setting down the paper when he caught sight of an ad he'd seen before but never really paid attention to.
Need a mate? Tired of bars and blind dates? Want someone to share your life with? Let us help, it read. It was an advert for that new dating service in London, Make A Match. He forgot where he'd heard about it first, but it seemed to be doing well as he'd heard people talking about it from time to time as he went about his business. He picked it up and frowned thoughtfully before he shrugged and set it back down.
Perhaps he'd try it. He had nothing to lose, and perhaps he might even find someone to spend time with. That thought in mind he took himself off to bed, a small smile as amusement on his lips.
*~*~*
Harry slammed the door to his flat behind him in frustration. Merlin, what had he been thinking? He should know better by now, really he should. It was just… he'd been so lonely…
He ran a hand through his hair as he slumped into the nearest chair. Gods what a disaster! He'd let Hermione talk him into going on a blind date with one of her coworkers thinking it would be better than another night alone. Merlin had that been a bad idea. The man had been obsequious to the point of being nauseating, seemed to have no opinions of his own, and basked in the fact that he was with Harry Potter in a way that made the girls that simpered at him cold in comparison.
Never again, he vowed. No more dates with Hermione's associates. He'd just be alone if he had to be, he could deal with it. He'd been alone before, it wasn't as though he had no experience with the feeling.
He sighed and settled back into the comfortable chair. But… he didn't want to be alone anymore. Everyone had someone but him. Ginny was with Dean, Neville was with Draco Malfoy of all people, Ron and Hermione had yet another baby on the way. Sometimes it seemed that out of all the people he knew only he and Remus were still unattached. Well, probably Severus too, he added mentally as his mouth stretched into a grin. It'd take a person with a strong mind and strong personality to survive with that one.
Maybe he'd take Neville's advice and give that dating service thing a go. If nothing else at least he'd only have himself to blame if things went bad. He stood and headed for the bathroom. He needed a shower. The man had bathed himself in some sort of cologne and the scent of it was still burning Harry's nostrils.
*~*~*
Severus left Hogwarts with a small grin on his face. Not that there was anyone about to notice it as he'd been certain to choose a path he knew he alone was aware of. Tormenting Minerva McGonagall was his one source of pleasure these days, aside from his research work. He had the odd person come by to request an apprenticeship, but none of them had the wit, dedication or constitution necessary to become masters of the art of potion making.
He scowled as he thought back to their earlier conversation. The benighted woman had once more attempted to foist some female off on him, telling him he'd been alone too long. He'd never admit it, but he did crave companionship, only he was well aware of the disparity between how high his standards were and how few people who fit them would be interested in pursuing any sort of liaison with him.
His frown deepened as he considered her final words. A Muggle dating service indeed. Just because he was descended from Muggles did not mean he wished to depend on their ways to provide him companionship. Wizards were far easier to deal with, and it wasn't as though he would perish for lack of company and decent conversation. He had her didn't he? Not to mention the considerable minds of other masters he worked with. Who cared if it was run by other wizards? He didn't know them, they didn't know him; there was no possible way they could match him with someone suitable.
Rubbish, he thought as he finally reached a spot he could Apparate from. I'd sooner cut out my tongue and use it for potions ingredients than to lower myself to such a level, he decided with finality as he Apparated home.
*~*~*
Minerva McGonnagal sat in her office in silence for several minutes before she rose and tossed some floo powder into the fireplace.
"So, how did it go?"
"Abysmally," she admitted in displeasure.
Draco smirked at her. "Now do you see what I'm up against and why I do not wish to inform him of what I plan to do?"
"Mr. Malfoy, I'm not certain that is the wisest course for you…"
"Do you honestly expect him to do this himself?" Draco interrupted.
Minerva sighed.
"I thought not. I'll let you know how it goes then shall I?" Draco said before he disconnected.
Minerva shook her head and walked over to the portrait of Albus. The old wizard was smiling as she approached and opened his mouth before she could speak. "It's for the best my dear. That boy has been alone for far too long, and I have complete faith in Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Longbottom's ability to find him just the right match. After all, they did find each other and Mr. Malfoy has a gift for that sort of thing."
Minerva was forced to admit he was correct. Mr. Malfoy had indeed managed to pick out who would be best suited with whom, and thus far all of the former students matched by the Malfoy-Longbottom team had proven to be suited both magically and emotionally. In fact, several of those couples had since been bonded.
"I still have reservations about this Albus. You know Severus doesn't care to have his life trifled with."
"It will all work out my dear," Albus said, eyes twinkling. "You'll see."
Minerva sniffed. "I certainly hope so, for all their sakes," she answered. "Goodnight Albus," she added before she swept out of the room and headed for her bed.
*~*~*
Remus entered his home, lit the fire and sank gratefully into the nearest chair. He couldn't say he was sorry exactly that he'd tried the dating service, but he did have to admit he'd hoped for some sort of connection by now. It had been three months after all. He'd been on plenty of outings, met some interesting people, but no one he'd really connected with yet.
Maybe it was the way he'd filled out the form? He hadn't specifically said he'd wanted to meet someone he could spend the rest of his life with, just someone he could connect with and have interesting conversation with, and he'd certainly had those. He nodded as he made his decision. Tomorrow he would owl them with his changed specifications. Perhaps that would garner better results.
*~*~*
Harry smiled at his date and settled back in his seat. That dating service hadn't been a bad idea after all, he mused. It certainly kept him from being stuck home with no social life to speak of, and kept Hermione from pressing any more of her eligible co-workers on him. In the last three months he'd been on ten dates – a rather larger number for him in such a short period of time – and had enjoyed all of them immensely.
Maybe now was the time to take the risk and see if perhaps they could find him someone of his own, someone he could spend his life with. They'd certainly done an excellent job of matching him up with people for casual company. Smiling as he made his way to bed, Harry contemplated what Neville would say when he told him about his decision.
*~*~*
As Severus tried the new variation to a potion he'd been working on he thought briefly about the person who had made the suggestion. Three months ago he'd begun getting calls of a social nature – after the first of which he'd stormed into Minerva's office to demand she remove his information from that damnable service at once only to be told she'd had nothing to do with it. He had finally relented a month and a half later when one of the few masters who met his criteria had owled requesting his presence for dinner.
He'd gone and had quite a remarkable evening – one of the most pleasant in memory for him – and had spent a good deal of time with Portia. It was she who had suggested this change to his potion and he found it worked rather well. He'd come to the conclusion that company other than Minerva's on a social level was not necessarily as bad as he'd thought it would be. He'd neither had to suffer through inane conversation, nor bumbling attempts at seduction. He even allowed – in his own mind of course – that consistent company aside from his own was rather appealing.
He frowned as he considered that while he enjoyed Portia's company, she really wasn't the sort he could spend what time he didn't devote to his research with, nor was she the sort of person he felt comfortable inviting into his home. He'd discuss the situation with Minerva despite the fact that he'd likely never hear the end of it.
*~*~*
Two weeks later Remus, Harry and Severus all received a note from Make A Match detailing the specifics of their next excursion.
Hello and greetings from the offices of Make A Match!
Your next outing has been arranged for two evenings from today and we are pleased to announce that we believe we have found the ideal match for you both magically and emotionally. This match is expected to have strengths opposite to your weaknesses as well as be able to provide you with the companionship and affection you desire.
Your match will be awaiting you in the private dining room of Clos Maggiore located at 33 King Street, London, WC2E 8JD. The reservation is set for 7pm under the last name Match.
As is usual in cases where we propose a match of this sort, a menu has been arranged for you. You will have a choice of:
As starters - Parmesan Risotto with Fricassee of Forest Mushrooms, Cep & Truffle Cappuccino, Slow Cooked Shoulder of Rabbit with Sweet & Sour Black Radish and Wholegrain Mustard Mousseline, or Rémoulade of Dorset Crab with Marjoram, Pickled Cauliflower & Brown Shrimp.
The main entrée choices are Roast Black Leg Chicken with Foie Gras Petits Pois à la Française & Smoked Bacon Cream, Seared Irish Rib-Eye of Beef and Garniture Grand-Mère Red wine Jus with Béarnaise Reduction, or Roast Rack of ‘Elwy Valley’ Lamb, Smoked Pomme Purée, Glazed Chantenay Carrots with Confit of Lemon.
For dessert your options are Classic “Opera” Cake with Gold Leaves, Chilled Salad of “Gariguette” Strawberries, Rum Baba and Vanilla Chantilly or Lemon & Raspberries “Île Flottante”.
A selection of sweet wine, Cognac and Armagnac will also be available.
We hope you enjoy your evening and to give you the best opportunity to get to know your match in a neutral location we have taken the liberty of booking the private dining room for the entire evening, from 7pm until 11pm. The door will seal after all parties have arrived to give you the utmost privacy to get to know each other.
Thank you once again for choosing to work with Make A Match.
*~*~*
Remus read the owl with a equal parts anticipation and trepidation. He could only hope that this would be someone he could both like and learn to love and that the evening wouldn't be a total waste. If nothing else, he would at the very least enjoy a good meal. Sighing, he set the parchment down to go and see what he had to wear.
*~*~*
Harry read the owl and whooped with excitement. So far he'd had nothing but pleasant experiences with this company, and he was looking forward to seeing who they had matched him with. Someone older he hoped, as he was now fairly certain he wanted someone with experience in all sorts of things, particularly as the evenings he'd enjoyed most were those with companions older than himself.
*~*~*
Severus read the owl and scoffed. While the company had done well so far in introducing him to people worth taking the time to hold a conversation with, they had yet to introduce him to someone he could possibly conceive of spending what time was left to him with in an intimate capacity. The meals however had always been exceptional. He rather expected that a good meal and decent conversation would be the best possible outcome of the upcoming outing.
*~*~*
Severus was the first to arrive. He wasn't certain what that said of his match and he snorted in derision. Naturally his companion was late. What was it the note had said? Ah yes, strength where I have weaknesses. I suspect tardiness is a weakness of his. Or hers as the case may turn out to be. He was therefore surprised when the door opened three minutes after he been there – long enough to pour himself a glass of an old red – to reveal none other than Remus Lupin.
"Severus," Remus said quietly once he'd managed to get over his surprise. Of all people, Severus Snape was not one he'd expected to see. Not that he was complaining. He'd thought Severus attractive in school, but that had been a long time ago. Although perhaps not as long as I thought he acknowledged as he felt the stirrings of interest slide through his body. "It's good to see you," he added.
It was. Severus was without his usual severe robes – still dressed in black – but in a softer, more complimentary style. They rather reminded Remus of his dueling robes actually; tailored to allow freedom of movement and still accentuate his body. He looked rather fetching, Remus thought.
Severus took another sip of his wine and used the moment to mask his shock. Remus was one of the few people who he'd ever considered as a companion, especially once they'd managed to sort out the whole werewolf incident – at Albus insistence of course – and to see him here, as the match proposed for him both surprised and pleased him. Remus looked quite well; he was dressed in a pair of casual black slacks with a cream shirt and a jacket that matched the slacks. He looked both comfortable and attractive.
It also left him with a small amount of trepidation as he couldn't imagine Remus would find him attractive in that way. There were only two other males on his very short list of people who fit his requirements and he hadn't expected to see any of them this evening.
"Remus," he finally greeted. "It is… unexpected to see you."
Whatever Remus would have said in reply was cut short as the door opened once more and Harry Potter walked into the room. Harry stopped short, jaw dropping in surprise before he managed to stammer, "I… I'm sorry. I was expecting…" he cut himself off, took a breath and tried once more. "Um… you wouldn't by any chance be here with a reservation under the name of Match would you?"
He blinked when both men slowly nodded and murmured, "Ah. All right then," before he made his way completely into the room, the door shutting and sealing behind him. To say Harry was surprised to see them would have been an understatement. He'd been hoping for an older partner, and here he'd found himself matched with two; both of which had graced his masturbatory fantasies at various times during his life.
He'd been overjoyed to discover that Remus preferred men before he'd realized Remus would likely never see him that way, and not wanting to lose Remus in his life he hadn't pursued it. His relationship with Snape had changed for the better during the war, however, he'd never dared allow himself to hope that the man might be queer, much less that he might be interested in him. Harry smothered a sigh as he poured himself a bit of the armagnac. He suspected this evening would be rather different than he'd thought.
Remus was the first to recover and moved to give Harry a warm hug of welcome. "This is a surprise," he said softly.
Harry shot a look at Severus and sighed internally at the dark look on the other man's face. Really, he'd thought they were past that. "It is, yes," he replied to Remus. "It's good to see you," he added. "Both of you," he clarified as he turned his head once more in Severus' direction.
Severus simply nodded in response. He felt wrong-footed in a manner he was not accustomed to. Not only had he been matched with one of the men on his list, he'd apparently been matched with two. At the same time. Were the people in charge of the service saying it would take two people to give him what he required or were they implying it would take two people to put up with him?
He relaxed as it occurred to him that whatever they were attempting to imply went equally for all three of them, and his frame relaxed, the tension draining from him and finally allowing him to greet Harry properly.
"Potter," he said smoothly, as though he hadn't a care in the world, never mind the fact he suddenly found himself sealed in a room with two men he wanted as his only company for the next four hours. He finally allowed himself to take a good look at Harry and felt his cock twitch in interest. Harry was dressed in a black suit with an emerald silk shirt. Over that he wore open silk robes with small dragons embroidered along the edge. "Shall we begin our meal?" Severus asked. He needed to do something, some form of distraction, if only for a few moments.
*~*~*
Comfortably ensconced on his favorite sofa and wrapped in Draco's arms, Neville glanced at the clock and sighed. "They should all be together now. Do you really think this will work?"
Draco smirked. "Of course it will. They're perfect for each other and they've all reached the point where they're ready for something more than just a few good dates. Aside from which, I know my godfather, and I know perfectly well how he feels for both of them, even if he hasn't realized it himself."
Neville smiled at that. "I don't think Harry even knows how much he talks about them. Do you know that every time we talk he's compared his dates to one or the other?"
Draco shifted and pulled Neville up off his shoulder, turning so he could plant a kiss on his lips. "Enough of that. They'll have to talk as the seal won't release until the end of the evening unless they all agree to leave together and if nothing else is accomplished at least now they'll be open to what's right in front of them."
Neville sighed happily and leaned back in for another kiss. "As if any match you've put together hasn't worked," he teased. "Don't tell me you have doubts."
Draco snorted. "Of course not. Now, can we stop talking about them and focus on us for a bit?" he requested as he leaned to the side to nibble on Neville's neck.
Neville's reply was lost in a soft moan and Draco smiled in satisfaction.
*~*~*
The first part of the meal had passed with what Severus usually found to be mundane conversation, only this time he found himself rather more interested. He'd known Potter – Harry as he'd been asked to call him – had gone into a field no one had expected of him, but he hadn't realized he'd gone into the department of Mysteries Experimental Charms Division. He had known about Remus working on his biography and ghost writing Albus' along with Minerva however. He found himself relaxing and enjoying the evening more than he'd expected to once Harry had arrived.
Remus for his part found himself reacting to Harry in a way he'd never even considered before. The green of his shirt brought out the brilliance of his eyes, and Harry was vastly entertaining as he shared what anecdotes he could about the work he did and the people he worked with. That Wimple sounded a character. He'd noticed the looks Severus cast at Harry when he was focused on Remus, had noticed some of those same furtive looks in his direction as well. He was beginning to think the service had made a good choice for this evening. Choices, as it turned out.
Harry was enjoying himself immensely now that the dark look was gone from Severus' face. He'd even managed to get the man to crack what could pass for a smile. He decided he was pleased with the choices made for him and found himself desperately hoping it would work out. Harry knew he could get used to having these men in his life on a daily basis; this dinner felt far more natural than he'd expected it to. It felt like something they did all the time.
The main course brought deeper conversation; how they had all ended up using the service, what they had expected to get out of it and what they'd actually gotten. They stayed away from the topic of how all three of them managed to end up placed together until after pudding as they sat back and enjoyed an after dinner drink. It was Harry who first broached the subject at a lull in the conversation.
"So… I wasn't expecting two people. The note said they'd found me a match, it didn't say anything about it being more than one person, let alone who it was," he ventured.
Severus refilled his glass and tamped down on his growing discomfort. It had been a pleasant evening thus far and he'd been given no reason to feel as though he wasn't welcome. If he didn't know better, he would even say that Harry had made a point of drawing him into the conversation.
"Nor did I," Severus agreed. They already knew he hadn't enrolled himself in the service and why he'd continued to use it. No point in attempting to hide anything now.
"I admit I was surprised not only to see two people, but two people I thought I knew so well," Remus commented. "I must say that I've enjoyed this evening more than any other so far, and am not so certain they weren't correct when they placed the three of us together."
Harry fairly beamed at that. "So we're going to give this a go then?" he asked, looking from Remus to Severus and back.
"I'm certainly willing if you both are," Remus replied, turning to face Severus. "Severus, what do you think?"
Having fully expected despite everything that both men would wish to either have a go at a relationship without him or not be interested in forming that sort of attachment with either of the other two men in the room, it took Severus a moment to answer.
"I certainly would not be opposed to furthering our acquaintance," he said carefully. He was a little unsure of his reaction to seeing Harry and Remus in any sort of intimate activity given the frisson of jealousy he'd had on Harry's arrival and Remus' subsequent greeting, but he hadn't quite figured out just what or whom he'd been jealous of.
Harry grinned. That was as good a yes as they were likely to get. This was even better than he'd hoped. "Shall we decide when to get together next then?" he asked, hoping his eagerness didn't shine through as much as he thought it did. He refrained from calling it a date only because he didn't want to scare Severus off.
Remus looked from one to the other and said, "There's something I'd like to try first." When both men looked at him in confusion he smiled slightly. "Well, the purpose of this evening was to give us a chance to know the person – people – we're expected to fit with for the rest of our days. There would hardly be any point to continuing this only to discover later that there was no… spark."
Severus' eyes narrowed. "What – precisely – are you suggesting?"
Remus laughed. "Nothing so heinous Severus, just a kiss. I'd like to see how well I respond to both of you, and if either of you can respond to me."
Harry blinked. Remus wanted to kiss him? Kiss them?
Severus just managed to keep his jaw from dropping. That was the sort of suggestion he'd have expected from Harry, not Remus. "Harry first," he said. He needed to know what his reaction would be. Remus was right about knowing how they responded to each other before they got too involved.
Harry looked at Severus in surprise. He'd thought Severus would want to stake his claim. It was clear to him that the potions master was attracted to Remus. Why would he want Harry to be first?
Remus gave Severus a piercing look and nodded. He stood and moved over to Harry, waited for Harry to stand, then took him in his arms. "I promise not to bite too hard," he teased.
"What if I want you to?" Harry shot back.
Brow raised, Remus leaned forward and closed his lips over Harry's. Harry's mouth was intoxicating and Remus felt himself begin to harden in his trousers. Harry tasted of the lemons and raspberries he'd chosen for his pudding, mixed with the smooth flavour of the armagnac he'd had while they talked after dinner. There was an unidentifiable sweet taste to him as well that Remus discovered he rather liked the taste of, and he virtually devoured Harry's mouth.
Severus watched, the first flash of jealousy dissolving under arousal as he saw the way Harry virtually melded his body to Remus, saw the moment Harry surrendered himself to that greedy kiss, saw the effect that surrender had on Remus and realized he wanted to feel that himself. Both what Remus was feeling from Harry as well as what Harry was feeling from Remus. He had a vivid flash of the three of them naked and entwined in his bed, hands and mouths and bodies filled with warm, willing flesh and moaned softly before he could smother the sound.
The sound drew Remus' attention and he pulled away from Harry, ignoring the soft sound of protest Harry made and smiling as he took in Severus' dilated eyes. "Shush pet," he murmured. "I rather think Severus would like to kiss you now."
Severus stood wordlessly and crossed the room, stepping in front of Harry as Remus stepped away. He claimed Harry's mouth with a hunger born of watching the two men kiss as well as all the desire he'd suppressed for the younger man during the war and quickly discovered that kissing Harry could be quite habit forming. There was something about the way Harry just opened to him that had him harder than he remembered being in quite some time and he found his hands curving around Harry's arse to pull him closer.
"My turn," Remus growled as they broke apart and he spun Severus around to claim his mouth in much the same way he'd claimed Harry's. Severus was all spice and fight and Remus groaned in his throat as he felt Severus' length against him, pulling the other man closer and trailing his lips along his jaw.
When they pulled apart it was to turn to find Harry leaning against his chair, one palm flattened against his groin, eyes glassy and breath laboured. "I think this will work out just fine," Harry managed. "So… tomorrow then?"
Remus laughed even as he nodded, and Severus voiced his agreement. As they prepared to leave, each one looking forward to the next evening and not quite willing to end this one but not wanting to rush things either, Severus thought to himself that it had definitely been an evening to remember. He rather suspected he would soon be having many more such nights.