Secret Snarry: FIC: A Chance Encounter, A Lasting Bond Title: A Chance Encounter, A Lasting Bond Author:torino10154 Gift Recipient:alafaye Rating: PG-13 Word count: 1,275 Warning(s): (highlight for spoilers) *None.* Summary/Prompt: Cider/apples, "The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes" (Frank Lloyd Wright), green. A/N: Thank you to D for the beta ♥ and to google for the title. ;) To my giftee, I hope you enjoy this little Snarry tale.
A Chance Encounter, A Lasting Bond
Perusing the bottles of cider in the shop, Harry really wasn't sure which one to take to Ron's. Hermione had said 'cider' and that was it. While Harry had consumed his fair share, he wasn't exactly a connoisseur.
"If I might recommend something other than the Strongbow," a deep voice, a familiar voice, said to his left. "It's adequate but rather commercial."
Harry turned and found himself face to face with Severus Snape. Who looked quite surprised to see Harry standing there.
"My apologies, Potter," he muttered. "I'm sure you don't require my assistance."
Heart beating rapidly, for anytime Harry ran into Snape his pulse shot through the roof and his palms began to sweat, Harry reached for his wrist and said, "Actually, I do, Professor." Harry watched as Snape looked down at the point where Harry's hand was wrapped around his wrist and then back up at Harry, who slowly relaxed his grip.
"Was there another brand I should buy, then?" Harry said hopefully, picking up a bottle from one of the lower shelves.
"Put that back." Harry did and watched as Snape narrowed his eyes and looked closely at the bottles at eye level to them both.
"Rough Old Wife? I think Hermione would kill me if I brought that." Harry grinned when he heard what sounded like a barely suppressed chuckle coming from Snape.
"Undoubtedly." Snape picked up another bottle and seemed to weigh it in his hand. "Thatchers still use traditional methods." He handed Harry the bottle.
"Gold Cider, huh?"
"Surely even the most Gryffindor amongst you would approve." Harry laughed out loud and saw Snape's lips twitch with mirth.
"Thank you, I appreciate the advice. I'd have been here all day."
"Of that, I have no doubt." Harry looked back at the shelf and another bottle caught his eye. Snape had slowly moved away from him, apparently pondering the various whiskies. Harry grabbed the other bottle from the shelf and walked in the opposite direction to make his purchases.
Harry was pleased to note, as he headed out the door, that Snape was still in the shop, dark hair hanging down and obscuring his face from view.
Harry waited a full ten minutes before Snape finally walked out, bag in hand.
"Lose your way?" Snape asked, eyes wide, as Harry approached him.
"Actually, no." Harry reached into his bag and pulled out the second bottle of cider. "I thought maybe you'd like to share this with me."
Snape looked at the bottle, brows furrowing. "The Green Goblin?"
"Well, you said the Gold was for Gryffindors." Harry rubbed his forehead absentmindedly before continuing. "I thought perhaps the Green was for Slytherins."
Snape looked from him to the bottle and back again, lips curling at the corner. Definitely a smile. "I cannot fault your logic."
"Brilliant." An awkward pause followed. "So, er, would you like to come back to my flat? We could have a drink, see if it's any good." When Snape didn't reply right away, Harry backpedaled, face flushed with embarrassment. "You must be busy, no idea what I was thinking really."
"Stop babbling, Potter," Snape said sharply but without venom.
Harry's mouth snapped shut. "Harry, please, call me Harry."
Snape studied him closely and Harry refused to wither like the recalcitrant first year he'd been ten years before. Surely the fact that Snape hadn't refused him flat out meant something.
"Is this some sort of joke, Harry?" Snape asked, voice soft and low.
Harry smiled. "No joke. I've been hoping we might get to know each other better and it seems the Fates agree with me."
"'Get to know each other better'," Snape repeated frowning. "You do know what this sound like, yes?"
"Of course, I do…." Harry trailed off, felt his hands beginning to sweat. "Um, all right, maybe I didn't realise quite how forward that sounded. But I still mean it."
"Indeed." Snape still stood there, waiting perhaps for Harry to make a bigger fool of himself.
"Look, Snape, I really would like to have a drink." Harry raked a hand through his hair, a nervous habit he couldn't seem to shake. "You can come with me and maybe something wonderful will happen between us. Or I can take my bottle and drown my sorrows alone. I know which I'd prefer."
Snape said nothing and Harry couldn't take it anymore.
"Right. Well, it was nice seeing you, Professor." As he turned, Harry felt a warm hand on his wrist.
"Application of alcohol surely cannot ruin our already tempestuous relationship." Snape sounded resigned but also a little intrigued.
"No, probably not." Harry bit his lower lip, noticing immediately how Snape's eyes darted to the action. "Might even help smooth things out."
Harry began walking and soon Snape was walking along side him. "We can Apparate from the alley around the corner." Snape nodded but otherwise didn't say anything. A quiet Snape was a plotting Snape from what Harry remembered. He hoped it was something good rather than a plan to murder him and dump the body.
As soon as they stepped into the darkened alley, Harry felt himself pushed up against the wall, Snape's body leaning against his.
"I'd rather wait until we get back to mine, but if you want to do this now that's fine," Harry joked nervously but Snape didn't pull away. In fact…
His lips were moving over Harry's. Harry parted his lips as he sighed into the kiss and Snape slipped the tip of his tongue into Harry's mouth. Harry's hands reached for Snape's robes, pulling him closer. Harry moaned when he felt Snape's thigh insinuate itself between his legs.
When they finally broke apart, Harry panting rapidly, he could only murmur, "Wow."
"From what I understand you are, as they say, interested," Snape said, then continued pressing kisses to Harry's neck and jaw. "If this is not what you had in mind, tell me now."
Harry knew he wanted this and more. However, before his cock took over his brain completely, pushing all rational thought away, he chose to speak up.
"Severus?" Snape stilled, likely in shock at Harry's use of his given name, but didn't object. "As much as I want to go back to my flat and fall into bed with you, and at this moment there is very little I want more, maybe we should take it a bit more slowly."
Snape pulled back and searched his eyes. "This is more than a one-off for you?"
"I don't go around picking up my former professors in liquor stores, as a general rule." Snape only stared at him and Harry sighed. He should have taken the shag and run with it. He was clearly thinking too much and he did so much better flying by the seat of his pants.
"It's whatever you want it to be, Snape."
"And if I want a quick shag and nothing more?"
Harry winced. Damn it, he had really got his hopes up.
"I'll take it, if that's what's on offer."
"What if I want a proper courtship for all the wizarding world to see?"
"Well, I have no idea what a courtship entails but I think I'd like that," Harry said, the tightness in his chest loosening.
Snape took one of Harry's hands and pressed a kiss to the back of it.
"The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes," Snape murmured so softly Harry wasn't even sure he hadn't imagined it.
"What?"
"Nothing," Snape said, clearing his throat. He then took Harry's arm. "Shall we?"
Harry nodded, grinning ear to ear, and held Snape fast, Disapparating them both with a crack.