Title: Snape's Potion Shoppe

Author: Willidan

Rating: R/NC-17

Pairing: HP/SS

Disclaimer: Any similarity between the characters in my story and the characters in the Harry Potter world is strictly intentional. However, the characters aren't mine and I make no money from using their likeness.

Feedback: williad_2000@yahoo.com

Beta: Rowan Payne Archive: Part of the From Dusk till Dawn Severus Snape/Harry Potter Fuh-Q-Fest at http://www.kardasi.com/HPSS/storyindex.htm

Challenge: “Not here, not now. No magic?”

“Who the hell are you?”

“I'm, er, Harry Potter. Sir.”

Snape smirked. “Are you sure?” The little twit had the nerve to smile at him.

“Yes,” Harry answered. “I've come about the advert in the Prophet .” The boy fumbled in his cloak, retrieved a section of the paper and held it out to Snape. “About the shop clerk?”

Snape folded his arms over his chest. “I know what the advert says. I wrote it.” The boy flushed and shoved the paper back into his cloak. “What experience do you have with potions?”

Harry shrugged. “Not a great deal of practical experience. I took a NEWT in potions at Hogwarts. I've made a few on my own since leaving school, but nothing too difficult since seventh year.” Snape stared at him for several minutes, studying him carefully and even delving briefly into his subconscious. The boy wasn't as open as Snape would have expected someone so young to be, but Snape saw enough to make up his mind. Harry didn't squirm under the attention, but his flush did deepen. “I'm sure you can contact my--”

“That won't be necessary,” Snape interrupted smoothly. “You will be expected to run the shop while I brew potions. I do not enjoy interacting with people and find most annoying and well beneath my regard.” Snape watched a smile spread across Harry's face. “You will also assist me with certain potions, preparing ingredients and simple potions that are the base of more complex potions. You will open the shop each morning at eight o'clock, you will have a half hour for lunch at twelve thirty, another half hour for tea whenever you choose and you will close the shop at seven. We are open Monday through Saturday and I will not require your presence at all on Sunday. You may start tomorrow.”

Harry nodded and looked uncertain for a moment. “Yes, sir. There's just one more thing.”

“What is it?” Snape asked waspishly when Harry hesitated.

“I'll need two days off at the full moon. I have a friend who's, er, a werewolf and I don't like to leave him alone.”

“You expect two days off a month?” Snape asked softly.

“Yes, sir,” Harry answered, meeting Snape's eyes.

Snape just managed to stop himself from stepping back from the iron will reflected there. He knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that if he denied the boy those two days a month he would walk out and Snape would never see him again. And there was something about him….

“Very well. You may have your two days a month. But I expect you in on time each and every other day and I expect no complaints.”

Harry released a deep breath and grinned. “Of course. I don't mind hard work.”

Snape nodded. “I'll see you tomorrow morning.”

Harry nodded in return and walked out of the shop. Snape watched him. There was nothing remarkable about the boy. He wasn't tall, didn't appear strong enough to stand against a strong wind. Snape hadn't sensed anything spectacular about him and couldn't even gage how strong he was magically. He almost felt ridiculous hiring him so quickly, but he somehow knew he had made the right decision. He shook his head and returned to his research.

****

Harry settled into working for Snape quickly and easily, as if he had just been waiting for the position to open up for him. He interacted well with the dunderheads who came in to the shop looking for potions. He prepared ingredients and either ignored or laughed at Snape's insults, which should have made Snape angry but for some reason made him want to smile. He stayed late and always waited quietly until Snape told him he could go.

Then came the two days that Harry had requested off and Snape felt his absence keenly. He opened the shop for a short time, but closed it well before closing when he found he couldn't abide dealing with the irritating public who didn't have any idea what they really wanted. He wasted precious time preparing ingredients for simple potions. And he kept glancing at the stool where Harry often perched, listening for a laugh or looking for a smile that wasn't there. It seemed impossible that a scant month could have been enough time for Harry to become such an integral part of his life.

But then Harry came back, looking drawn and tired, though his smile was still bright and his laughter still filled the room. And Snape cringed when he felt his own lips twitch at the sound.

The second full moon came and went and Snape felt Harry's absence just as keenly as before. He didn't even try to open the shop those two days and Harry spent his first day back placating costumers who had had to wait to purchase their potions. Snape gladly left him to it. He was almost grateful for the opportunity to watch Harry from a distance and soon found himself watching Harry whenever he was certain that Harry wouldn't notice. He was smart and competent, but would never be a true potions master. He interacted well with the customers, listening to their life stories and recommending potions whenever they got to the point, but he also never offered any information about his own life. The boy was an enigma. And Snape had always enjoyed a good mystery.

***

Snape shoved a book in Harry's direction. “I assume you are familiar with that book?”

Harry frowned down at the title before opening the cover and flipping through a few pages. “No, I don't think I've ever seen it before.” He paused at one page and read down a list of ingredients before flipping through a few more pages.

Snape stared at him and waited until Harry looked up again. “You've never seen it before?” Snape asked silkily.

Harry grinned. “No. I haven't read every potion book on the planet, you know.”

Snape jerked the book from Harry's hands and closed the cover with a snap before turning it over. On the back was a stamp from the bookstore. ‘Hogwarts NEWT text' stood out in bold relief. Harry stared at the stamp; Snape stared at Harry. “I believe you said you took a NEWT in potions at Hogwarts,” Snape said softly.

Harry flushed and looked away. “Yes, I suppose I had said that.”

Snape crossed his arms over his chest. “Why did you lie to me, Mr. Potter?”

“I needed the job,” Harry answered shortly. “And you didn't ask for references.”

“Why did you feel the need to lie about your education?” Snape continued softly.

Harry shifted uneasily. “I received a good education. I did go to Hogwarts for a few years but I left before 4 th year.”

“Why?” Snape barked, fighting back a grin when Harry jumped.

“My guardian felt it best if I didn't return.”

“Stop evading my questions. You know what I am asking,” Snape hissed.

Harry stared at him for several long moments. “I don't have to tell you anything. I'm sorry I lied about receiving a NEWT from Hogwarts. If you want to fire me, fine. But I'm a hard worker. I've done my job well and you've no cause to complain about my duties. And you have no right to invade my privacy in this way.”

Harry's voice shook slightly as he spoke the last sentence. A subtle power shifted through the room briefly and Snape resisted taking a step back. He nodded regally. “Of course, Mr. Potter. Your work here has been more than satisfactory.” He paused and tried not to flinch at Harry's obvious relief. What could he possibly think Snape would do to him? “You are the best assistant I've ever had.” He shoved the textbook back at Harry. “Draught of Living Death. You shouldn't have any difficulty with it.”

Harry nodded and took the book. He found the potion quickly and began gathering supplies. Snape watched him for several minutes before returning to his own potion. It was several minutes after that the he heard, softly spoken, “I'm sorry I lied to you.” Snape only nodded.

****

Snape continued to observe Harry and found himself watched in return. Their gazes skidded past each other more often than Snape found himself comfortable with. And yet there seemed to be an easing in the tension between them. Snape gave Harry more and more of the less difficult potions to brew and consequently Harry spent more and more time in the workroom with Snape. Harry laughed more often and felt comfortable enough to tease Snape occasionally. And Snape found himself smiling before he could help himself. They worked closely together in the workroom, sharing space and ingredients and Snape tried not to feel jealous when Harry answered the bell in the front. It was ridiculous to feel this way and when Harry was gone for his two days a month, Snape resolved to push distance between them. And it almost worked too, but Harry was more tenacious than Snape had given him credit for and still set his cauldron up near Snape's and still smiled and teased him, no matter how much Snape might inwardly smile and outwardly bristle and criticize.

Where Harry disappeared to each month occupied Snape's thoughts more than he liked. It rankled Snape that Harry was gone, even for the two days. He wanted to know where Harry was and who this ‘friend' was that he was so devoted to. And then it came to him. He didn't know why he hadn't noticed it before and wondered how it could have escaped his mind. No matter how much Harry might have prevaricated, it was clear to Snape now and he was determined to get the truth from Harry, no matter how resistant Harry was to telling him.

Snape slid a cutting board covered in leaves toward Harry. “Chop these finely.” He turned his attention back to his own bubbling cauldron, but watched Harry hesitate as he identified the leaves. “Is there a problem, Mr. Potter?”

Harry released a rattled breath. “No, sir.”

Snape turned the ladle through the potion. “Finely chopped then.”

“Severus….” Released in a breathy whisper.

Snape set the ladle aside and faced Harry. “How long?”

Harry shook his head. “How long have you known?”

Snape crossed his arms over his chest and stared across the workbench at Harry. Harry sighed and shoved the aconite back toward Snape.

“It was the end of my third year. Me and a couple of friends were in the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts. We were stupid.” Harry laughed brokenly. “It's forbidden for a reason, you know. We were following someone we thought we couldn't trust. Turns out he was secretive for a different reason than we thought.” Harry paused and clenched his fingers around the edge of the table. “He bit all of us. Ron almost died. He still has a limp. Hermione and I got off easy.”

“Is that why you left school?”

Harry nodded jerkily. “The Headmaster told us we could stay, that he could make arrangements. He didn't even know the other person was a werewolf. Didn't turn him in, and he made up a story for all of us. But then he left and we heard later he was killed.” Harry cleared his throat. “Hermione's muggleborn. She hasn't seen her parents since. She moved in with me and my guardian.”

“What about your parents?”

“They were killed when I was a baby.” Harry finally looked up at him. He took a deep breath. “Are you going to sack me?”

“Do you want me to sack you?” Snape asked softly.

Harry shook his head. “No, of course not.”

“Then stop asking me if I'm going to fire you!” Snape smirked at Harry's flinch.

Harry forced a grin. “Sorry. It hasn't been easy. Finding a job and keeping it. I mean I get hired, but they always get suspicious and nobody wants a werewolf to work for them and Hermione likes to keep house and stay near Ron and Ron can't work and I had an inheritance from my parents, but we bought the house with it and we need a supplemental income for the upkeep.”

Snape stared at Harry until he flushed and stopped babbling. He pulled the aconite toward him and shoved a jar of pickled slugs at Harry. “Quarter these.” Snape chopped the aconite and returned to his potion. But he caught Harry smiling at him several times. Snape tried not to smile back.

****

Snape never intended to research a cure for Harry's condition. It was clear that he and his friends were handling their affliction just fine. It was also clear a week into Snape's research that there was no cure. But there were several promising leads to an obscure medieval potion that might help. During the next full moon, Snape apparated to the continent and began combing through old wizarding libraries in Austria and Germany. The records were incomplete, but enough of the old manuscripts remained that Snape was able to construct adequate notes to begin his own research.

Snape began working on the potion as soon as Harry left each evening. It would be three more weeks before he could mention it to Harry and ask if he were willing to test it. But there were many preliminary steps that had to be taken before then. And he had to be sure that the potion wouldn't harm Harry. Everything he knew about potions went into this one potion. Each ingredient chosen with care, the properties muttered under his breath as he prepared to add it to the other ingredients. It would work. Snape knew it would. The half completed manuscripts and his own experience told him it would work.

But the first batch solidified completely in his cauldron, which had to be tossed out. The second batch melted through the cauldron bottom and destroyed the workbench before he could stop it from eating through the floor. He was running out of time. He spent four days going over his notes and re-transcribing the manuscripts. He only had a week left before Harry would have to take the first dose. He couldn't understand why it was so important to him to help Harry, but he knew he had to.

So he went back over his notes, and he tore through every herbology and potions tome he owned and even went and scoured the shelves at the bookstore down the street and in the local wizarding library for anything that could help him find a breakthrough. And finally, in a dusty old book donated from a private collection to the public library, he found exactly what he had been looking for.

The potion took a week to brew and he got an odd ache in his chest when he realized he wouldn't be able to help Harry through the next full moon. But he made a silent promise to himself that Harry would never have to suffer through another full moon. Two weeks before the seventh full moon since Harry had come to work with him, Snape asked him to stay after work. Harry frowned and flushed slightly, but nodded and as he turned away to help the stuttering wizard at the counter, Snape saw a small smile spread across his face.

***

Harry perched on a stool and gave Snape a small smile. “You wanted to speak to me?”

Snape cleared his throat and sat on a stool across from Harry. “Yes. I have spent the last two months conducting a great deal of research into a potion which I hope will help to alleviate some of the more unpleasant side affects associated with the change at the full moon.”

Harry stared at him dumbly for a few minutes and seemed slightly deflated. “What?”

Snape cleared his throat again and began straightening the instruments laid out on the counter. “I have always enjoyed researching new potions. I believe I have one that will make the change easier for you. And for your friends, of course,” Snape added after a moment. “It will have to be tested, of course, but I have high hopes that the affects will be beneficial.”

“Why?” Harry asked softly.

“I came across a few notes in some older tomes at a library,” Snape answered vaguely. “That, combined with my own potions expertise, led me to believe that I could concoct a suitable potion.” Snape looked up at Harry who was staring back at him warily. “If you are amenable to being a test subject, of course.”

“I knew there was a good reason not to tell you I was a werewolf,” Harry joked weakly. “When would you want to begin?”

“I believe I have completed a potion that will give suitable results. I will have to monitor the change, however, to be certain.”

Harry was shaking his head. “No. Forget it. It's too dangerous if it doesn't work.”

Snape bristled. “Do you doubt my research, Mr. Potter?”

“On an untried potion? You better believe I do.”

“There is no other way to test the potion,” Snape returned quickly, just managing to keep his temper in check.

“I don't care about the potion. I've been transforming without any potion to aid me for the past eight years.”

“And if you could retain your humanity?” Snape interjected silkily. “If you could transform without the pain of broken bones and shifting muscles?”

Harry stared at him. “It would do that?”

Snape gave him a small, smug smile. “I believe it could. It is designed to dull the pain, to aid in the shifting of the muscles and bones. It will counter act the curse in such a way so as to sublimate the baser instincts of the beast and allow the human part of you to retain control.”

“But you're not sure,” Harry said softly. “It hasn't been tested.”

“No, it hasn't. But I am very skilled. As were many of the ancient potion masters.” Snape leaned forward and stared hard at Harry. “The curse would not have been developed without an antidote. The antidote has been lost, obviously, but some records remained. It will work. If you are willing.”

Harry sighed and shook his head before hiding his face behind his hand. “I don't know. You don't know what it's like.” He looked up at Snape. “I wake up the morning after and I hope that….” He shook his head and looked away. “It would be like a dream, if it worked.” He turned back to Snape. “But you can't be sure.”

“I am sure,” Snape returned quickly.

“But I'm not,” Harry returned just as quickly. “I have never hurt anyone, any human, while I was transformed. I'm certainly not going to start with you.”

“It is a risk I am willing to take.”

“But I'm not!”

Snape stared at him calmly, though his hands were clenched into fists beneath the table. “Where do you go when you transform?”

Harry growled deep in his throat before answering. “The basement.”

“So you just roam about the cellar?”

“There are cages.”

“The three of you share a cage.”

“No. We each have our own,” Harry answered shortly.

“And you are left alone down there. The three of you.”

“Yes. Remus stays upstairs.”

Snape unclenched his fists and rested his arms on the workbench, leaning forward slightly. “I see no reason why I could not maintain a similar distance while I observed you.”

“I don't--”

Snape interrupted quickly. “I will administer the potion and retire upstairs, but maintain a reasonable distance so that I can ascertain what is occurring downstairs. You say you are locked in cages so I may assume that you feel safe enough being caged that you do not attack anyone.” Snape waited for Harry's hesitant nod. “Then I see no reason why I could not be present. I can place monitoring charms about the cellar and remain upstairs to observe your behavior.”

“And what if it doesn't work?”

Snape arched a brow at him. “Then I will attempt a different formula.”

Harry nodded thoughtfully. “Can you….” He shook his head and began again. “Will you provide enough for all of us?”

Snape nodded his head. “You will need to begin taking the potion several days in advance of the full moon. I assume you will deliver the potion to your friends.”

Harry nodded and studied Snape for a moment. “Why are you doing this?”

Snape struggled for a moment for an answer he could give Harry. In the end, all he could say was, “Because I can.”

***

Harry stood quietly by, wiping his damp hands on his robes, and watched Snape decant the last batch of potion.

“We usually eat supper before the moon rises. Though I don't know if there's much point since the potion tastes so bad,” Harry joked weakly and Snape shot him a curious look. “You'll eat with us, won't you? I mean, it'll be simple fare, but you're welcome to join us, of course. I mean, you'll be there anyway and so of course you'll join us.”

Snape reached out and touched Harry's arm. “It'll be fine, Harry.” Harry looked startled and then smiled and Snape realized that it was the first time he'd ever called him by name.

Dinner with Harry and his housemates was an odd affair. Harry was clearly nervous, as were the other werewolves, and Harry's guardian, Remus Lupin, kept casting odd glances at Snape. But then they drank their last dose of the potion and retired to the cellar, though Harry didn't go down the stairs without a last, small smile at Snape. And then Snape was left alone with Remus.

“Come and have some tea, Severus,” Remus remarked with a smile. “The moon will rise soon, but they have a little ritual they like to go through.”

Snape reluctantly followed him back to the kitchen table. “Ritual?”

Remus laughed softly. “Yes, something like that. They talk and laugh, I can hear it from here sometimes. It's how they've learned to handle the change.” Remus placed a cup of tea in front of Snape. “What is the potion designed to do? Limit the change?”

Snape crossed his arms over his chest and tapped one finger restlessly against the opposite arm. “In a manner of speaking. They will change, that cannot be stopped. But the pain should be less and they should retain their human mind. A great deal of my research indicated that carriers of the disease lose themselves completely. It is the way that the disease attempts to spread itself.”

Remus nodded. “Yes, so they've said. Ron and Hermione have lived here with us since they were turned.” Remus smiled briefly. “Ron's family tried to get him to live with them at home, but Ron was afraid to. They didn't like it when I refused to leave them alone, but the house is in my name, no matter that Harry actually paid for it.”
Remus shook his head with a sight. “They were such bright children. They had bright futures ahead of them. This potion, if it works, could give their life back to them.”

“They will still be werewolves. They will still be shunned for that,” Snape cautioned.

“Yes,” Remus nodded, “but it's a start. They won't be afraid anymore.”

Snape looked at the clock across the room. The moon was going to rise soon. He knew his potion would work. His research was flawless. His skills were unparalleled. There might be a period of adjustment, but the potion would work just as Snape intended it to.

Snape jumped in his chair as screams came from the basement. His wand was in his hand and he was half out of his chair before he realized what it had to be. Remus looked across at him with a small smile, his hands clenched tight around his tea cup.

“It won't be any easier in the morning. It takes everything I have not to rush down to the cellar every month. Though they seem a bit quieter this month. Your potion must be having some affect.”

“Of course it is,” Snape answered stiffly.

Remus chuckled softly. “I expect you can set your observing charms now.” Snape nodded and waved his wand. Remus watched a few moments before standing. “I'll be in the drawing room if you need anything.” Snape finished casting the charms and didn't answer. An image appeared in front of him: three wolves in three cages, lying or sitting, but not snarling or howling. Snape allowed a smile to cross his face. The potion worked just as he knew it would. And he knew which was Harry, somehow knew that Harry was there on the right. He spent the rest of the night watching and waiting for the moon to set.

***

“You didn't have to leave, you know,” Harry remarked as he slid onto the stool across from Snape. “You could have stayed. You could have had b-breakfast with us.” Harry flushed at the stutter.

Snape stared at him and shook his head. “There was no need to come in today. You have two days, after all.”

Harry grinned and propped his chin in his hand. “That's alright. I feel great. And I thought you might want to question me about how the potion affected us.”

Snape almost returned Harry's grin, but turned to pull parchment and quill to him instead. He cleared his throat. “Perhaps you can begin by telling me what you remember.”

“Everything.” Harry chuckled softly. “I remember feeling the moon rise and feeling the prickle on my skin, just like before. But then I felt the change. I felt the animal inside try to take control, but it couldn't.” Harry reached across and touched Snape's hand with two fingers. “The human part of me wasn't in control either. We were side by side. It was…,” Harry gave a breathless laugh, “… like nothing I've ever experienced. I don't know how to describe it.”

Snape tried not to focus on the heat from Harry's fingers and nodded instead. “How did you feel? What emotions did you experience?”

One of Harry's fingers began rubbing along Snape's wrist. “Confusion. The wolf part wasn't angry, and it was confused about not being angry, I suppose. But then we were both calm.” He shrugged. “I don't know. It was interesting. Difficult to describe.”

Snape nodded again, though he did feel his cheeks heating a bit. “What about pain?”

Harry shot a blinding smile at Snape. “A little pain right after the transformation, but nothing lingering. The shifting skin and bones was… I usually don't have any memory of that. It wasn't as painful as I expected it would be. And this morning,” he gave Snape another smile. “Well, I'm here. And I feel good. Great, actually. Ron even commented that it was easier to walk. I was a bit, er stiff this morning, but nothing like it used to be. Nothing I couldn't handle.” Harry gave him a sly smile and Snape finally pulled his hand free. He straightened his parchment and looked aside.

Snape cleared his throat again. “That's good. Have you ever used an ointment to ease joint pain?”

Harry grinned and shook his head. “A good night's sleep usually fixes me right up. I didn't even need that after the last moon. Hermione was even humming in the kitchen this morning, so I know she feels fine too.”

“That's good,” Snape repeated stupidly. “I'm not sure there is much I can do about the duel personality, but I might try….” Snape whirled away and began searching through the shelves lining the back wall. He heard Harry chuckle again, but managed to ignore him. “I'll just open up the shop, then.” Snape heard him move away and took a deep breath, holding it and closing his eyes before he turned his attention back to his research.

****

Harry stared at the potion and swirled it around the goblet. Or tired to swirl it. It swished from side to side for a moment before coming to a stubborn halt on one side of the goblet. “You could have at least made it look like it tastes good.” He forced the potion down his throat and half glared at Snape

Snape smiled and watched as Hermione and Ron swallowed their own potions with difficulty. “The restructured formula, unfortunately, necessitated the addition of some, uh, rather unfavorable ingredients.”

Ron glared before turning and limping down the stairs. Hermione stared a moment and looked like she wanted to say something, but she simply shook her head and followed Ron. Harry grinned. Snape nodded in return and Harry walked away, closing the door to the cellar behind him. Remus cast him a quick grin and made his way into the parlor. Snape settled at the kitchen table and cast the observation charms.

Harry and the other two were standing close together outside their cages. Even as he watched, they leaned into each other, their heads tilting toward one another, their arms wrapping around the other two. He wanted to look away when they began to disrobe, but his eyes were drawn to Harry and he watched each piece of flesh exposed. There was nothing erotic about the action at all, but Snape had never seen such a beautiful spectacle. His face heated as he remembered all of the innocent touches that Harry had given him over the past month: a brush of a hand against his, a firm chest pressing against his back as Harry passed behind him. The shy smiles and the heat that shown from Harry's eyes and Snape wanted nothing more than to run down the stairs and hold Harry close until the gooseflesh Snape could see rising was swallowed in the wave of heat that Snape could feel rushing through him.

Then they were in the cages and the cages were locked and Snape couldn't take his eyes off of Harry. He watched as Harry turned his face toward the rising moon, though there were no windows in the cellar. And then he was falling to the floor and his muscles clenched and his skin rippled and Snape wanted to run down the stairs and hold him in his arms, but he didn't. He sat and waited and watched Harry's jaw clench before it lengthened. He watched his skin ripple and darken and sprout fur. And before he knew it, a wolf was shaking itself and rising to its feet. He turned and Snape followed his attention to the other two wolves who were also rising to their feet. And then, as one, they seemed to sigh and settle back on their haunches. Snape almost laughed as he watched them.

He continued to watch them for nearly an hour before coming to a quick decision. Snape canceled the observation charms with a wave of his wand and opened the door to the cellar. He couldn't see the werewolves until he was nearly to the bottom of the stairs. The other two cast him quick glances before turning their attention toward each other with what Snape would almost call a laugh, though he wasn't sure what they were laughing at. Harry, on the other hand, stood, his teeth bared, and glared at Snape. He paused on the last stair and stared at Harry. Harry trotted up to the door of the cage and growled, once, low in his throat. Snape saw from the corner of his eye that the other two turned to glance at Harry before moving to the corner where their cages met and curled up as close as they could, their paws creeping over into each other's cages.

Snape shook his head and took a hesitant step toward Harry's cage. “I wanted to see how you react to a human presence.” He felt ridiculous talking to an animal, but then Harry cocked his head and stared at Snape, dipping his head briefly before glaring at Snape once more. Snape took another three steps toward the cage before Harry growled at him again. “Cease that at once,” Snape hissed. Harry's head jerked and Snape saw for a moment a true animal in his eyes. But it was only for a moment and then Harry's intelligence shown through again. “I know you recognize me. I know that you won't hurt me.” Harry lowered his head, bared his teeth and growled again. Snape paused. “I know that you won't hurt me,” he repeated and took another step forward. Harry huffed and tossed his head before sitting on his haunches. Snape almost smiled and knelt in front of the cage. The wizard and the werewolf stared at each other for several minutes. Harry shuffled closer and Snape tentatively held his hand out, fingers just brushing the bars of the cage. Harry snuffled at Snape's fingers and leapt back, sneezing violently for several minutes before turning a glare on Snape. Snape did smile at that and rested his fists on his knees. “Possibly there is a trace of Wolfsbane on my hands,” Snape smirked and Harry growled. “I told you that my potion would work.”

*****

Snape looked up with a scowl when the door slammed open the next morning. It slammed shut just as quickly and Harry stood there glaring, fists clenched in rage.

“You son of a bitch. I told you to stay away.”

Snape calmly set his knife aside. “I don't recall you saying anything of the sort.”

Harry growled and Snape was instantly transported to the night before when Harry in his wolf form had growled in much the same way. Snape stumbled against the worktable as Harry stood close to him, seeming to hover and cage Snape in, though Snape was several inches taller than Harry. “I told you the first time that you were to stay away. We couldn't be sure about the potion.”

“I was certain of its affects the first time I observed you. I watched you for an hour before I went downstairs.”

“That's not good enough,” Harry hissed.

“I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions--” Snape began but Harry quickly interrupted.

“That's not good enough,” he repeated. “Not when the danger comes from me.”

“You cannot--” Snape gasped as he was pushed back hard against the worktable.

Harry's fingers were curled in the collar of his robes. “You were in danger because of me.” Harry shoved him against the table again. “I told you to stay away because I was too dangerous.” Snape grimaced as the table dug deeper into his back. “I have never injured someone else and I'm not about to start with you.”

“It is my life--” Snape tried again but was quickly cut off.

“It's not just your life! You stupid, hateful....” Harry shook his head and pulled Snape away from the table.

Snape never knew how he did it. He was at least six inches taller than Harry, but somehow, Snape was bending beneath Harry, his mouth being firmly devoured. Snape supposed he should have struggled, at least a little, but he found himself eagerly responding, until he was shoved back against the table again. He looked up and found Harry across the room, staring almost sullenly at Snape, as if he had been the one accosted. Snape glared.

“I'm sorry, sir,” Harry began softly. “I didn't mean… it was uncalled for. There's no excuse. Except that you make me so angry! Don't you have any value for your own life? What if the potion hadn't worked? What if the affects hadn't lasted!? When I told you to stay away from me it was for your own good!” Harry was shouting by the end and had worked his way around the room to hover over Snape again.

“If you do not stop shouting at me, you will regret it,” Snape whispered.

Harry grinned. “What? What are you going to do?” Snape wanted to be angry, but found himself swallowing a laugh instead. Harry chuckled and leaned close. “I suppose I'll have to do everything myself.” Snape tried to recoil at the predatory gleam in Harry's eyes, but Harry had him trapped against the table. Before he could protest, Harry was kissing him again.

And just as before, Snape found himself responding before he could think not to. Harry held his face gently, his fingers tracing along his cheeks and jaw, curling around the nape of his neck. It was heavenly. And it was ridiculous. Snape was too old for adolescent fumblings in the back of a store. Except there wasn't any fumbling. Harry was holding him as if he were coaxing an owl to his hand. Snape felt cherished, valued. Worthy of the attention he was being given.

Harry leaned his head back and watched Snape. His smile nearly made Snape's knees buckle. “I've wanted to do that for a while.”

“Why?” Snape whispered.

Harry shrugged. “Don't know. I'm going to do it again. And I'm going to take your clothes off and I'm going to touch you. I'm going to kiss you and taste you.” Before Snape could make another sound, Harry was on him again. Biting and licking and Snape could do nothing but clutch at him and be led by what he had wanted since he had first seen Harry. He was barely aware of anything, simply awash in sensation. He had no memory of it, but he must have led the way to his flat above the shop. The next time Snape was aware of anything except Harry's hands and mouth on him, they were both naked and Harry was kneeling astride his thighs.

“I want to have you,” Harry panted. “I want to fuck you. I want to feel you beneath me.” There was something in Harry's eyes, not quite feral, but so very similar to the look in the wolf's eyes last night when Snape had first approached the cage. Harry leaned down toward Snape, his lips just brushing against Snape's. “I've wanted you for so long. I've waited for you.” He smiled suddenly and Snape smiled in return. “You're so damn stubborn. Will you let me?”

“Harry...” Snape whimpered.

Harry stretched out above him, bracing himself on his elbows. “Shh. I'll take care of you. Just tell me--”

“Anything,” Snape gasped. “Anything you want.”

Harry grinned, his mouth twisting almost into a grimace before he swooped down and began kissing Snape again. Snape was consumed by the sensations coursing though him. Harry's mouth, hot and sure, mapping his mouth, moving down his throat to his chest. Harry's body, warm and hard over his. Harry's hands, coaxing moan after moan from Snape's lungs. And then finally, Snape couldn't stand it anymore and grabbed Harry, rolling on the bed until Harry was beneath him. He began his own exploration of Harry's body, learning how Harry gasped when Snape nibbled on his neck and moaned low in his throat when Snape licked and plucked at his nipples, how he held his breath and quivered beneath his tongue when Snape licked a path to his cock. The smell and taste of Harry was heady, causing Snape's head to reel so that it was a simple thing for Harry to gain control and flip them over in bed again.

Harry didn't smile when he leaned over Snape again. They didn't speak, but there wasn't a need to. Harry coaxed Snape's body open and Snape wondered why he wasn't more uncomfortable, with his knees pushed up to his chest and Harry's weight bearing down on him and then Harry pushed inside him. It had been so long and it had never felt like this. He would have remembered if it had. He wanted to remember this: the way Harry's hair fell into his eyes and the way Harry's body moved over, inside his, the feel of his and Harry's hand on his cock. He wanted to feel embarrassed that he was so overwhelmed by Harry, but there was no time before he was keening and coming and pulling Harry down on top of him.

Snape felt Harry's heart pounding against his and he flushed when Harry slipped out of his body with a squishy sound. Harry pushed his knees down and stayed stretched out on top of him, though his weight was on his elbows. He couldn't meet Harry's eyes, and his flush deepened when Harry chuckled.

“Severus. Look at me.”

Snape closed his eyes and kept his face turned away. Harry pressed more tightly to him, nuzzling against his neck.

“Severus. I….” Harry shifted to the side, keeping one leg and arm tight around Snape. “I wish you would look at me. I didn't….” Harry's breath caught. “Did I hurt you?”

Snape's gaze shot to Harry's. He half expected to find Harry smirking at him, but Harry's expression was cautious, uncertain, and Snape couldn't help himself. “No, you didn't hurt me.” He sighed and wrapped his arms around Harry, tucking Harry's face beneath his chin. “You didn't hurt me,” he repeated, pressing his face against Harry's hair.

“I didn't force you? I thought you….” Harry's voice tore at Snape's heart, so hesitant and full of fear.

“I did. You didn't make me do anything I didn't want to. I just….” Snape couldn't say it.

Harry titled his face up to Snape's. “What?”

“It's been a long time.”

Harry smiled. “Some things you can't forget.”

Snape smiled down at him. “It's not even mid-morning yet.”

Harry hummed and tucked his head beneath Snape's chin again. “Could use a nap anyway.”

Snape rubbed Harry's back, unconsciously cuddling him closer, before reaching down for the blankets at the bottom of the bed. Harry snuggled closer. “You won't leave, will you?”

Snape closed his eyes and rested a cheek against Harry's hair. “I'll be here when you wake up.”

***

Snape woke alone and he wondered for a moment why that felt wrong. Memory returned with a fierce blush and Snape looked around, somewhat relieved when he saw Harry's clothes folded and stacked on top of his dresser. His other senses kicked in and he swept from the bed, cursing when he realized his best dressing gown was missing. He wrapped his second best around himself as he strode down the short hall to the kitchen.

“What is going on in here?”

Harry cut a smiling glance at him from his position by the stove. “Hungry? There wasn't much in your pantry, but eggs and sausages are easy enough.” Harry turned and carried two plates to the table, a pot of tea and two cups followed along behind him.

Snape glared at him and tried to be angry. “It's nice to see you feel you can make yourself at home.”

Harry chuckled and dug into his eggs. “I suppose that's your fault, you know. Easy to feel at home in your flat when I've felt so at home inside you.” Snape's glare faltered when a blush lit his cheeks again. “Sit down, Severus. I promise it's not as bad as you think.”

Snape pulled the dressing gown closer around him and settled primly in front of the second plate of eggs and sausages. “You've no idea what I'm thinking.”

Harry grinned and speared a sausage with his fork. “I can imagine what you're thinking.” He straightened his spine and tried to scowl, though the affect was limited by the light shining in his eyes. “Arrogant little bastard,” Harry began, attempting and failing to mimic Snape's deep voice. “Who does he think he is? Does he truly presume to make himself at home in my own kitchen?” Harry arched a brow at Snape and bit into his sausage.

Snape tried not to smirk. “And what have you to say for yourself, Mr. Potter?”

Harry stared at Snape and continued eating his sausage. Snape grumbled under his breath and turned his attention to the plate in front of him. Harry finished quickly and sat back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest, and watched Snape eat. Snape refused to squirm under the attention. As soon as he had finished his own eggs, Harry stood, pushed Snape's chair away from the table, and straddled his lap, the dressing gown gapping alarmingly. Snape crossed his arms over his chest and glared.

“I don't think we should open the store today,” Harry began. Snape arched a brow and hid a grimace when Harry shifted on his knees. “It's almost noon already and you haven't been opening when I've not been here for the past few months anyway so it doesn't matter.” Harry smiled brightly at him, though it didn't quite dispatch the uncertainty in his eyes.

“Why have you decided to perch yourself on me?” Snape asked as snidely as he could, which wasn't near as snidely as he wanted to sound.

Harry smiled and the uncertainty in his eyes faded slightly. “I like being near you.”

“Being across the table from me wasn't enough?”

Harry shook his head. “Not near enough.” Harry's hands slipped beneath Snape's gown and Harry settled closer to Snape. “I don't want to presume anything,” Harry grinned at Snape's snort. “But I kind of get the feeling that you aren't used to relationships.” The smile fell off Harry's face. “And that's what I want. I feel like I know you, but I want to know more. I want to be with you. I want…,” Harry took a deep shuddering breath, “…to know everything about you. I want to sit with you at night and read. I want to sleep beside you and cook breakfast for you in the morning. I want to be there to smile at you and tease you when you get an order for some obscure potion that the patron refuses to pay a reasonable price for.” Harry's hands over Snape's shoulders and Harry pulled himself closer still to Snape's chest. “I want everything with you.”

Snape's fingers clenched around his arms. “And if I can't give you want you want?”

Harry's eyes closed. “Then I'll go.” He opened his eyes and glanced away before meeting Snape's eyes again. “I can't be near you if I can't be with you.”

“I would be foolish to lose my best assistant,” Snape said after several minutes.

Harry's hands tightened on his shoulders. “I'm serious. Don't joke about this. Not this,” Harry finished breathlessly. Snape frowned and linked his hands around Harry's waist. Harry sighed and lowered his head to Snape's chest. “I'm sorry. It's ridiculous, I know.” Harry's breath ghosted over Snape's chest and he shivered. Harry sat up and pulled Snape's dressing gown closed before lowering his head to Snape's chest again. “I shouldn't feel this attached to you. But I do. I have almost since I started. I tried to talk to Hermione and Ron about it but they just laughed at me. And Remus wouldn't say anything at all.” Harry sat back and looked at Snape. “I don't want to force you to do anything. I've waited so long and I'm so tired.” He closed his eyes and shifted against Snape. Snape gasped as his body responded to Harry's growing arousal. “I'm tired of being alone and waiting. Ron and Hermione have had each other for years and Remus has Lorena and I'm tired of being alone.”

Harry continued to move against him, the dressing gowns swept to the side, Snape's hands supporting his arse, though not forcing his movements against him. The arousal built slowly between them. Harry kept his head on Snape's shoulder and it was an easy thing for Snape to rest his cheek against Harry's neck so he almost felt completely surrounded by Harry. Harry adjusted his movements until they were moving against each other firmly, their cocks pressed between their bellies, the friction almost not enough, but then Harry was groaning and coming and the wet heat helped Snape find his own pleasure. He gathered Harry tightly to him, his arms shaking from the tight hold he had on Harry.

“I don't know if I can be what you want, Harry.” He felt Harry shift in his arms, but Snape held him tight and Harry settled tensely against him. “I'm not like you. I haven't had friends to depend on or talk to. I've been alone all of my life.”

Harry pressed his cheek to Snape's shoulder. “I don't want you to be Prince Charming. I just want you to let me stay with you.”

Snape ran his hands soothingly up and down Harry's back. “I… cannot imagine not having you in my life. I cannot understand it, but I would sooner cut off my own arm then see you gone.” Harry leaned back slightly and smiled at him. Snape couldn't understand it. He didn't know why Harry was important to him and he did not understand why Harry wanted him. And…“who is this ‘Prince Charming'?”

Harry laughed. “Doesn't matter. I want nothing to do with him.” He pressed a brief kiss to Snape's mouth and nuzzled Snape's nose with his own. “Take me back to bed, Severus.”

It was an easy request and Snape was happy to comply. They spent most of the day there, alternately dozing and making hesitant explorations on each other's likes and dislikes. It was late afternoon and Harry was dozing on Snape's chest after some rather heated explorations when Snape began to speak about his feelings again. “I'm not like you, Harry. I've never had friends to count on. My mother sent me away to school when I was very young to keep me away from my father. I didn't return until they were both dead. I couldn't make friends at school. I wasn't handsome or talented at anything they thought was important. I don't know how to do this.”

Harry's arm tightened around his waist. “Don't know either.” He leaned up and gave Snape a sleepy smile. “Guess we'll have to figure this out together.”

Snape traced a line along Harry's jaw. “I don't want to hurt you.”

Harry laid his head back on Snape's chest. “Then don't send me away.”

***

The month passed more quickly than Snape had imagined possible. Harry stayed with him most nights and they quickly fell into a routine. Snape realized that he should have felt uncomfortable feeling so comfortable around someone he'd known less than a year, but he truly could not imagine his life without Harry in it and even found it hard to remember what his life had been like before Harry entered his shop the first time.

Each evening, Harry would deal with the last of the customers, close up the till, turn the sign on the shop door and set the security wards before passing through Snape's workroom, always throwing Snape a heated smile on his way up to the flat. Snape would clean and organize his tools and set out the list of potions to be made the next day. Harry would cook dinner. They would settle on the sofa, sometimes listening to the wireless, at times reading silently and other times Snape would read aloud while Harry rested his head in Snape's lap.

The nights were indescribable. Snape had never felt so important to one person and had never needed anyone as he needed Harry. Even the nights when their passion didn't erupt, as it so often did, just feeling Harry beside him filled Snape with more contentment than he had ever known.

And now the full moon was approaching and Snape could feel the tension rising around Harry. He delivered the potion each evening to his friends and returned each evening to the flat, but instead of sitting quietly with Snape he would pace or clean or disappear to perform some odd errand that he insisted simply couldn't wait. Snape understood what was happening to Harry. It was impossible not to understand. But the distance that Harry was deliberately putting between them was still painful.

The day of the full moon, Harry was more distracted than he had ever been. He was still polite to the customers and he stilled helped Snape in the workroom, but he was clumsy, dropping almost everything he picked up and knocking against the tables and shelves until Snape finally dragged him up to their flat for an extended lunch. Harry was more assertive and passionate than Snape had expected, but he certainly wasn't going to complain. He didn't know how he would be able to sleep the night through without Harry there beside him.

Harry grimaced as he swallowed the last of his potion. His friends' potions were bottled and ready to be taken with him when he left for the evening. He turned to Snape and smiled. “I'll try and get back early.”

Snape nodded. “Of course. He turned aside and straightened a cloth lying on the bench. “You could return. After you deliver the potion to your friends.”

Harry was staring at him. He didn't turn to look, but he felt Harry's gaze on him.

“You mean you want me to come back before I transform?”

Snape nodded and still didn't turn. But then Harry's hands were on him, turning him to face Harry anyway.

“I can't, Severus,” Harry whispered. “I know you trust your potion. And so do I. But I can't take that risk. What if it doesn't work? I don't want to hurt you and I could. It could happen.”

“You know it won't,” Snape returned softly.

Harry smiled sadly. “I do know.” He took a deep breath. “But I don't want….”

“You don't want to be here,” Severus continued when Harry wouldn't.

Harry shook his head. “No. Well, yes.” He sighed. “I don't want you to see me like that.”

Snape wrapped his arms around Harry's waist. “Harry, I have seen you like that.”

“I was in a cage. I was locked up safe and you didn't see me transform. Even if the potion had failed you would have been safe from me.” Harry tugged him closer, pressing his face to Snape's neck. “Please don't ask this of me.”

Snape buried his nose in Harry's hair, closing his eyes as Harry's sent, slightly altered with the approaching moon, washed over his senses. “I won't. Not again. I don't want you to go. But I understand why you will.”

Harry stepped back and smiled again and the relief he felt was obvious in every line of him. “I'll be back tomorrow. I promise.” He pressed a kiss to Snape's mouth and then he was gone.

Snape closed the shop, making sure the sign was turned, the till was locked and the security charms were set in place. He spent more than enough time straightening his work room. And finally there was nothing keeping him from his flat. He was struck by the silence that filled the flat. Harry always hummed while he prepared dinner. There was no humming and no smile casually thrown his way as he walked in the door. Snape briefly considered making himself dinner, but he had no appetite and so settled onto the sofa instead, prepared to read the entire night but the first book to catch his eye was the one he had been reading aloud to Harry.

Then door opened and Harry was there, grinning sheepishly before closing the door behind him. “Ron and Hermione called me an idiot. And Remus sent me packing.” Harry chuckled. “Literally. He made me pack up my clothes and most of my things and said he'd have them delivered tomorrow.” Snape stood but didn't approach and Harry maintained his position by the door. “They all said it was obvious where I wanted to be. Called me a coward and told me that I could trust the potion but was just afraid to admit it.” Harry took a deep breath. “So if you still --”

Snape was across the room in a heartbeat, pulling Harry into his arms and kissing him deeply, almost desperately. “You are an idiot.”

Harry grinned and pulled Snape's head down for another kiss, but broke away all too soon. “No time for that,” Harry panted against Snape's mouth. “Nothing I want more than to throw you down on the floor and fuck you so hard you can't walk for a week.” Snape shivered at Harry's growling voice. “I suppose I can't ask you to wait in the next room while I transform.” Snape shook his head. “I thought not. But if you have to stay away from me and let me approach you after.”

“I will.”

Harry nodded. “Good.” Harry's breath was short. “That's good.” Then Harry pushed him away and started tearing his clothes off as he walked across the room. “I can't transform in clothes. They get ripped to shreds and --” Harry gave a low, hoarse cry and fell to his knees. He shook his head and quickly shucked the rest of his clothes. “Promise me--” Harry began but couldn't finish and Snape couldn't look away as he collapsed to the floor, his entire body clenching and twisting around itself. Snape had watched the transformation before. He had heard the cries and seen Harry's bones and muscles shift and twist unnaturally. But he hadn't been able to hear the bones grind, hadn't been able to see how Harry grit his teeth or the pain bloom in his eyes. And then almost too quickly to be believed, a wolf lay there panting where Harry had been only moments before. It was then that Snape realized that his wand was clutched in one had while his other hand was wrapped around the door knob. He forced himself to relax and took a step forward, cursing when a floorboard creaked beneath his foot and the wolf sprang to his feet and turned toward Snape. The wolf approached slowly, lowering his head, but keeping his eyes on Snape. He wiped his damp palm on his robes and held his hand out, cursing when he noticed a fine trembling in his fingers. The wolf sniffed at his hand before stepping closer and staring up at Snape. Something different entered the wolf's eyes and Snape had no warning before the wolf buried his snout in Snape's crotch. For a moment, Snape found himself unable to move as the wolf continued to sniff and began to whine and Snape realized what he had seen in the wolf's eyes a moment before.

“That's enough of that!” Snape sprang away and put the chair between Harry and himself. “I know what you're up to, Harry Potter!”

The wolf licked its snout and approached Snape again. Snape lifted his wand.

“Don't even think about it.”

The wolf huffed and settled down on the hearth rug. Snape stared at him, at a loss as to what to do now. He perched on the edge of the sofa and made himself as comfortable as possible with a werewolf watching his every move from three feet away. Harry huffed again and walked toward Snape, pausing a moment to nudge the book Snape had been reading toward him. Snape nodded and settled back into the cushions, his anxiety rising slightly when the wolf climbed onto the sofa beside him, resting his snout distressingly near Snape's crotch again. Snape glared for a moment before cautioning, “don't think to become more familiar again.” The wolf snuffled once but made no effort to burrow closer to Snape. Snape cleared his throat and opened the book to their spot before something else occurred to him. “I won't have to take you for a walk, will I?”