TITLE: The Voice Behind the Door

AUTHOR: shadow stalkingwolf

RATING: R, (I think... I wasn't sure)

PAIRING: Severus/Harry

DISCLAIMER: Not mine, never was mine, wish it was mine, but there you go.

FEEDBACK: shadow_stalkingwolf@yahoo.com

BETAS: Loren Wolfstar & Lina Inverse the Dramata Any mistakes left are all mine!

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?' It doesn't matter where or when Severus Snape and Harry Potter meet for the first time as long as it is NOT the way it happened in the books.

SUMMARY: How disturbing can it be to hear the voice behind the door? Harry finds out.

AN1: Words between * * are thoughts.

WARNINGS: Pre-Slash! PWP (kind of), No Sex, There is Masturbation, Chan (though there is no touching between adult and child), story spans many years, AU in more ways than one, not just because Sev and Harry meet in a different way. Sev's background is different from Canon. Severus is probably OOC. LOL, Ignore MOST of the books! Things are a bit different, though not horribly so. There might be changing view points or tenses... I tried to fix them up.

AN2: I am not in the least happy with this story. I used to think I could write a fair story, but this one proved I've lost touch with my writing abilities after last years illness, which, unfortunately caused some nasty memory loss. Please tell me if this thing even makes sense. Input and feedback would help me decide whether or not I can continue to write. This fic is a far cry from my first two fics, and I hope it can at least be enjoyed. Thx.

~~~~~

“Thank you, Sev. You don't know how much I appreciate this.”

Seven-year old Harry stopped near his Mother's home office and looked quizzically at the closed door. The door being shut was odd in itself, but who was his Mum talking to? Dad, perhaps? Wasn't he still at work?

A deep chuckle, very different from his Father's, caused Harry's scalp to tingle and the hair on his neck to rise. That was definitely NOT his Dad's laugh!

“You say that every time I come... Lily. I think I have an inkling of how you feel by now,” the dark, velvety tones of the man replied teasingly.

*Lily? Who's Lily!? My Mum's name is Laurie!* Harry wondered silently, creeping closer to the door so he could hear more of the conversation, all the while deeply pondering who this intruder was... ALONE... with his Mum! She wasn't...? She wouldn't...? Where was Dad? Did HE know about this... man..? Worry and fear tore into his heart as he tried to figure out what his Mother was doing with some unknown man in a secluded room. He wasn't sure what could go wrong, only that something might. And didn't want it ending with his parents leaving each other.

A loud sigh drew his attention back to the voices behind the door, “I know, Sev. I just wish we could...”

“You can't!” the man, Sev, responded quickly, interrupting his Mother and startling Harry. “They're still looking for you... or rather, HIM! If you return too soon, his life would be endangered, he might be killed.” The concern in the man's tone surprised the young boy who was listening.

“Damn,” Mum exclaimed, causing Harry's eyebrows to raise into his perpetually shaggy bangs. *Mum NEVER uses bad words!* Then, remembering what was said before, he scowled. Who could be ‘still looking' for his Father? Had his Daddy done something bad?

*NO WAY! Dad's the kindest, gentlest and nicest man I know!* he thought ferociously. Father wouldn't even so much as raise his voice to Harry, even when he'd been bad and needed to be punished. *Mum's always the one to punish me, never Dad! So why would someone want to hurt him... he never even argues with anyone, not even Sirius. Mum ALWAYS fights with Sirius, but Dad never does.*

“I'm sorry, Lily,” Sev soothed, “I know you hate hiding, and you want to come home. You'll just have to be patient.”

*WHO'S LILY!?* Harry thought in frustration. *Is there someone else in there with them? Or is he calling Mum by this name?*

A deep loud sigh, then, “It's alright, Sev. I'm just so tired of hiding. Harry's never even SEEN England, yet.. And there's no possibility of showing him in the near future. I - I just don't really consider Germany our home.”

“I understand. But it truly isn't safe. The remaining Death Eaters would truly be ecstatic if they could capture the one who destroyed their Dark Lord. You just can't,” Sev replied, concern making his voice husky.

“I know. I wish the whole LOT of them had been captured and thrown into Azkaban, is all! Then, we all wouldn't have to be here. I really wanted Harry to go to Hogwarts when he reached school age... not Durmstrang.” Mum said sadly.

“There's no choice... he needs a Wizarding education, and they'll definitely be able to teach him what he needs to know to survive,” Sev tried to sound... encouraging?

“Alright, fine.”

“Lily,” Sev laughed, “Don't pout! It's unbecoming for a mother.”

Harry's Mum chuckled at that, then there was a heavy, awkward silence for a short time before, “I have to leave.” Sev's deep, shiver-inducing voice rumbled low and warm, flowing over his skin like gentle fingers touching him.

“So soon?”

Harry stepped quietly away from the door and hurried down the hall away from his Mother office. No matter HOW much he wanted to know the identity of the stranger, if his Mum caught him listening to her conversation at the door he'd get grounded for sure. Going out back into the yard, he went to his tree swing. He didn't swing, he just sat and thought, it was one of his favorite spots to think in. His Mum called it ‘Harry's Brooding Spot'. She'd explained what ‘brooding' was when Harry asked, and he'd agreed with her on the name, because the thoughts he went over were usually not happy ones when he came out here. Like when he was first told that his Dad was a werewolf, and that he was getting weaker and weaker... that had taken many trips to his brooding spot to learn to deal with that information.

In the end, it didn't matter, he loved his Father, no matter what and he'd stand by him as much as he could. He'd started helping Mum around the house and yard more during the time before and after the full moon. Dad still taught at the Wizarding Primary School in town, but Mum took over his classes during the times he was... ill.

Now, though, who was this strange man talking alone with his Mother, while his Father was at school? If today hadn't been the last day of school for Harry, he wouldn't have even been home in time to know something was happening. Had there been other such visits, while he and his Father were gone for the day? Harry hoped not. He liked their family as it was, and in no way wanted to see his parents separate like many of his friend's parents had. They only got to see one or the other of their parents on weekends, IF they were that lucky.

Harry wanted both of his parents at home... always. He never noticed them fighting or having bad disagreements, so they were fine, right? Harry sighed and bit his lip, worrying whether his Mother was going to leave them for another man. He kicked the dirt beneath his boot and scowled. He couldn't ask his Mum- or his Dad, for that matter. But, maybe he should watch them both closely... to see how they acted around each other. Then he could see for himself if they acted differently around each other... like they didn't like each other any more. He'd have to sneak around to check on them, though. They were certain to act normally around him, even if they were having problems. They wouldn't want to worry him. So he'd have to try and catch them when they thought he was gone, or asleep.

Decision made, Harry jumped off his swing and straightened his school robes. He ran around the house to the front door, quietly opened it and picked up his backpack that he'd tossed on the floor earlier. Then, he plastered a big grin on his face and noisily slammed the door so it would look like he'd just come home, and yelled, “MUM! I'm home!”

~*~*~

“Oh... Thank you SO much, Sev!” Harry's mum exclaimed brightly, gushing with excitement.

Harry stopped dead outside of his Mother's, once again, closed office door. He scowled at the offending opaque wood and wished he could see through it to the mysterious ‘Sev' who'd been visiting his Mum and Dad regularly since he was seven years old. There'd been five years of very frequent, secret, and for Harry, frustrating, meetings between this man and his mum. AND his Dad, as it turned out.

Harry'd had to spy on his parents for years to fully decide that yes, his Dad knew of the visits, and that he didn't mind. And, no, his Mum was NOT, thankfully, having an affair with this bloke. Harry was still curious as to why the man was kept a mystery from him, but try as he might, he couldn't figure out the true reasons behind all the meetings and secrecy. He'd finally just decided that his parents knew what they were doing, even if he, Harry, WAS dying, almost literally, from an overabundance of curiosity, about this friend of his parents. He'd thought once to ask his Godfather, Sirius, about Sev, but after his first six months of spying, and three more visits from Sev, he'd come to the conclusion that Sirius and Sev didn't like one another... at all.

Things that Sev and Mum mentioned helped him decide not to talk openly about the subject with Sirius.. So Harry had asked about Sirius' school days at Hogwarts, which seemed to mostly be about a LOT of pranks played on one “Snake of a Slytherin” as Sirius called some poor boy. He never would mention any names, which lead Harry to believe that he wouldn't get a good or true answer for his troubles, and his Godfather might start a fight with his Mum again if the subject was brought up too much, and Harry definitely didn't want that! The two of them seemed to be at odds about something, or several things, that happened during their school years together, and he wasn't THAT anxious to learn about the past... he wanted to live... and the way his Mum and Godfather would go at it you'd think a war was raging. He'd stay ignorant, thank you very much!

Sev was speaking, so Harry stopped his ruminations and listened to the now-familiar, and strangely comforting, voice, as it all but purred as Sev spoke to his mum. The man's voice always did funny things to him which Harry didn't understand. He shivered and drew a deep breath, determined to follow the conversation to glean what information he could. He sighed as he realized he'd missed something Sev had said.

“Unfortunately, Lily,” Sev spoke hesitantly.. “I'll have to impose myself on you and Remus' hospitality for the evening. I need to monitor his reaction to the new potion, to see if it's working as I want it to, and if he has any bad reactions to it.”

*Potion?* Harry thought frantically, wondering if this had ever been brought up in conversations he'd missed. *What potion? Is Dad sick? Other then the lycanthropy?* He bit his lip so he wouldn't open his mouth and give away that he was listening through the door, once again.

“Severus! It's NOT an imposition! I thoroughly enjoy your company and you KNOW that Remus loves talking with you whenever he gets the chance. I'm so glad the two of you worked out your... um... differences. He SO needs somebody... academic... other then me, to talk with. Heaven knows Sirius doesn't like to discuss theory and history of the Dark Arts spells, items or potions. The two of you challenge each other and you both enjoy the effort it takes to reach an educated conclusion to a problem one or the other of you brings forth.”

Sev snorted. “I suppose...”

Harry's Mum laughed sweetly. “Don't even TRY to deny it, Severus Snape!”

Harry's heart jumped and his eyes bugged. Finally, after five years, he had the man's last name! Not to mention he'd be staying the night... but...

His Mum continued, “You love the intellectual arguments as much as Remus does. He'd be happy to have you stay here, though he WILL be embarrassed.” A deep sigh came from his Mother, or so he thought.

“It's not his fault, Lily,” Sev replied gently. Harry had long ago figured out that his Mum's name was Lily, though he'd never quite found out why she went by Laurie, even on the legal documents he found. He really wanted to know which was her real name. Sev kept speaking, “Hopefully, this Wolfsbane Potion will give him some of his... dignity back.”

A short silence left Harry fidgeting, wondering if they were going to open the door and catch him eavesdropping. *Wolfsbane Potion? Does that mean it's a cure for Dad?* Harry hoped so. He'd watched throughout the years as his beloved Father became weaker and more sickly with each transformation. Not that HE ever saw the transformation, Sirius always came and he took Dad to a secure location to lock him up, and spent the evening with him. He knew through his spying that Sev was a Potions Master at Hogwarts, and his Mother only trusted HIM to brew the potions she needed for the family... but this meant he did research, too. Harry's hopes for his Father's health soared and he almost burst into the room whooping with uncontained joy, but snapped back to reality when he heard his name come from Sev's lips, and a shudder wracked his body as warmth pooled in his stomach. He crammed his fist into his mouth to stifle the gasp that threatened to escape.

“... about Harry? He shouldn't see me, it wouldn't be safe,” Sev sounded... concerned, which confused Harry even more. The man, obviously, knew he existed, and was worried. But why?

“He's going over to his friend's house to spend the night, tonight,” his Mum explained. “We thought it'd be easier that way. He's too curious and we couldn't guarantee he would stay in his room.” A tinge of worry in his Mum's tone made Harry feel somewhat guilty for all his past spying. He squirmed, uncomfortable amidst thoughts that his Mum might be ashamed of him if she ever found out.

At first, he was angry with his parents for shuffling him off to Gregor's house during something as important as what would happen tonight despite the fact that he'd been quite happy, only ten minutes ago, to be able to sleep over at a friend's in the middle of a school week. A moment later though, Harry sighed quietly, if they needed to maintain their secrets, he wouldn't try to stay or make an attempt to sneak back, even though he knew that he'd be going batty wanting to know what was going on over here tonight.

Harry left before he heard any more of the conversation and went to pack a bag for the night. His body was still humming with a warmth that he didn't quite understand, but... well, it felt good, that's for sure. He bit his lip and wondered if he could or should ask his Dad about the feeling. He'd always had an open relationship with his Father and could ask him anything... even embarrassing stuff, like about sex.

Harry blushed remembering one day when he had been ten and he'd been out playing all day and came home an hour earlier than his curfew and couldn't find his parents. He knew that he should knock on his parent's door first before entering their bedroom, but honestly, he didn't know they DID anything special alone in there. Harry chuckled nervously as he recalled seeing his parents, naked and making love, in the middle of the afternoon. Of course, he hadn't known they were ‘making love' until his Father explained it to him later. He'd stared, stunned, watching his parents for a few moments, then quietly backed out and shut the door, going to his bedroom to sit on his bed in shock. His Father had found him there an hour later, and asked him what was wrong. Harry hadn't lied and told his Father what he'd done, and seen.

His Father had turned an alarming shade of red, came into Harry's room and pulled a desk chair next to the bed. He sat down heavily on it, then proceeded to explain sex, love, relationships and privacy to his young son. They'd been late for dinner, and Harry'd ended up grounded for the intrusion, but all in all, it had been a fascinating and informative talk.

Harry now was beginning to wonder if he was going to start getting erections soon. His penis felt, tingly, but good. Just like dad said it would when the time came for Harry to start puberty. He rubbed his crotch gently and gasped at the sensation. He smiled, he'd wondered when he was going to start growing up... Sirius had once told Harry that he'd started having wet dreams at age eleven and Harry'd fretted for months, feeling like he was behind in his growth and might never become a real man like his Father. That is, until Dad had set Harry straight and told him there was no particular age that he should start having erections and night dreams. His Dad had then loudly berated Harry's Godfather for trying to give his son a complex. Harry snickered. It was the first time he'd ever heard his Dad yell at anyone, and it had shocked his Godfather so badly that he hadn't even yelled back, just stood there with his mouth hanging open.

Harry finished packing and shouldered his bag, which was now full of clothes and school books. He strode down the hall to his Mum's office, making sure he made a lot of noise, so as not to surprise her and Sev, and knocked on the door. Indistinct rusting reaching his ears just before his Mum cracked open the door and slipped out into the hall next to her son, pulling the door to, but not quite closing it.

Laurie Lupin turned to her son with a loving smile and asked, “Harry Luv, are you ready to go to Gregor's?”

Harry looked up into his Mum's brilliant green eyes, her face surrounded by flowing brownish auburn hair. “Yeah, Mum, I'm ready. Got my night clothes, toothbrush, hairbrush, tomorrow's clothes, and all my homework.” he recited grinning.

Laurie laughed and gave her only child a tight hug, “I love you, baby.”

“I love you, too, Mum,” Harry returned, hugging her back. “You want me back tomorrow night?”

“I don't know yet, Luv. Your Father is going to be trying a new medicine for his condition, and we're not sure if it'll help or not with his exhaustion. So you might need to stay at Gregor's for another night. His Mother already knows that your Father is... sick... and we don't want you around him. I'll let you know tomorrow night, I'll floo call you there.”

“Okay, Mum. Tell Dad I love him. I'll talk to you tomorrow night,” he separated from his Mother and headed out the door.

A few moments later a tall, slender man slipped out into the hall beside Lilyand put an arm around her shoulders and gave her an awkward squeeze, “He's a very loving child.” Sev murmured quietly.

“Yes, he is. Smart, too. As well as mischievous, he reminds me of James...” she glanced up at Sev as he frowned and stiffened. She quickly amended, “but without the vicious streak.”

Sev looked down at her, gaze piercing hers, and after a few tense moments relaxed and nodded. “At least James was starting to grow out of his childlike pettiness. I'm not sure the same can be said of ... Black.” he snapped the name, scowling.

“Yes, Sirius is still an arse. He seems to be perpetually stuck as an immature teenager and refuses to grow up,” Lily snorted indelicately and shook her head. “He does fine as an Auror, but personally there's times I just want to beat him til he stops acting like a wanker!” She crossed her arms, thinking of some the recent childish behaviour of Harry's Godfather.

Sev's eyebrows raised and he slowly grinned at Lily, watching her eyes flash green fire.

Lily finally noticed his intense, amused gaze and snarled, “What?!”

“Nothing, nothing...” he paused as her ferocious glare locked with his. Severus took his arm from around her and held both hands up in front of him, as if to ward her off. “Alright! It's just you don't... curse often, it's rather startling to hear it when you do.”

Lily snorted again. “I try to set a good example for Harry. He gets enough bad influences from his Godfather and the boys at school, so someone in his life has to be reasonable and have manners. At least Remus turned out to be an excellent Father. He's been such a lifesaver for us.” She looked up at Sev, eyes sparkling with quiet happiness, “Just like you've been a lifesaver, Sev.” She stepped forward and hugged him tightly, embarrassing him with the sudden show of affection.

Severus sighed and wrapped his arms awkwardly around Lily's body holding her securely. “I am many things, Lily Lupin, but I am no one's savior. If I was, James would still be alive.” He sighed and reached a hand up to cradle her head.

Lily shuddered and burrowed into Sev's shoulder, “You did everything you could, Severus. Without you, both Harry and I would be dead, too. James would have been the first to thank you for that alone, and the fact you tried to save us all, him included. It wasn't your fault, it was... Vo... HIS fault, and no one else's. I hate dictators... overbearing, selfish, bastards!” she spit vehemently.

Severus chortled, “We should've prepped you better and YOU should have fought him. He wouldn't have stood a chance.” He petted her hair, giving comfort as best he could.

“I wish.” Lily returned. She remained quiet for a while, slowly releasing the memories of the day her first husband was killed. Neither heard the front door open.

“Do this often when I'm not home, dear,” Remus Lupin's quiet, tired voice broke the silence of the hall. Sev and Lily slowly broke apart, grinning at Remus' mock scowl.

“Of course,” Severus purred mockingly. “How else am supposed to get time alone with your wife to ravish her? If YOU were here it would put an awful crimp in my plans.”

Remus shuffled slowly up to his wife and gently kissed her hello before answering. “Right. The fact that you aren't the least bit interested in women wouldn't put anything resembling a crimp in your plans to ‘ravish her', now would it?” he mock-sneered at his friend.

Severus sniffed disdainfully, “Of course it wouldn't. It would just be a minor bump... in my plans to take your family from you.”

Remus and Severus glowered at one another for a moment, then both smiled and laughed as they shook hands in greeting. “Good to see you, Severus. Did you get the potion finished? Not that I need to really ask, I know you and your potions.”

“If you know me and my potions so well, then you don't need to ask. You look tired, did you get enough sleep last night?” Severus asked, looking Remus up and down critically.

Remus sighed and rolled his eyes, “Yes, I got plenty of sleep. It's just the day of the first transformation and I'm always exhausted as the full moon draws nearer. Worrywart.”

Severus sniffed again, in real disdain, this time. “Worry, me? About you? I think not. Come along, I want to examine you before it gets too late.” He turned and headed towards the office and his supplies, leaving husband and wife to talk privately if they wished.

“Examine, huh? More like have your wicked way with me, you old perv!” Remus teased, grinning.

Severus laughed, not even turning to acknowledge the slight. “You wish! I'm saving myself, so you'll just have to settle for your wife!”

“Standing right here!” Lily bellowed at the two men, who laughed even more. Severus disappeared into the office leaving the two alone..

“Harry gone?” Remus asked, giving Lily a gentle hug which she returned enthusiastically. .

“Yes, no problems, no questions. I gave him a brief explanation, nothing in depth. We can tell him more later... if the potion works out. I didn't want to raise his hopes.” Lily explained, running her hands up and down her husband's back..

“Good... Let's get this over with before he starts yelling at me for wasting his time,” Remus grinned and shifted his hug to wrap an arm around his wife's waist and walked beside her to the first test of what they hoped would be an easing of the pain and stress of being a werewolf.

~*~*~

Harry trudged through the knee-deep snow to the backdoor of his house. Stomping his feet on the back porch, he shivered, thoroughly soaked after a snowball fight with his friends. He couldn't wait to change and get a nice hot cup of cocoa and one of Mum's famous roast beef sandwiches. Once inside the mud room, he stripped off his boots, socks, jacket and pants, remaining only in his underwear and t-shirt. He grabbed a spare robe hung on a nearby hook for just this sort of occasion and shrugged into it. Slightly warmer, he wandered out into the kitchen to discover his Mum not there. Looking at the wall clock he realized he was a bit early for lunch and shrugged, heading for the bathroom and warm pair of pants and socks to put on.

After dressing and getting the excess snow and water from his hair, Harry headed to his Mum's office, thinking she was working on her newest book. He was starving and wanted to ask her to make lunch... he'd help, of course, but she did much better with the soup and sandwich making than he did. He'd set the table for her, and get things out of the cool box, and clean up, if she'd cook. Not that she wouldn't cook for him when he was hungry, but Dad told him that Mum was busy lately, and he shouldn't expect to have her at his beck and call constantly. After all, he was thirteen, and well capable of getting his own lunch while home for winter break from Durmstrang..

That aside, he really DID want to spend time with his Mum. School was getting tough, and though he really didn't have much trouble with his subjects, he wanted her opinion and input on a Charms project and paper he wanted to put together. She was great with Charms, the way Dad was with the Dark Arts. This way, he could spend some time with her alone before returning to school after the Christmas holidays.

He reached up to knock on the closed door when a burst of laughter stopped him. Hand posed near the wood he blinked, stunned, as he recognized just who was laughing along with his Mum. Sev. His breath caught and his heart started pounding. Sweat broke out on his forehead and palms, and he lowered his hand to wipe it on his pants. What was Sev doing here so soon? It wasn't the full moon yet, and Mum wasn't ready for her hair dye yet, either... and they were laughing, so it couldn't be an emergency. He breathed a little easier.

“I really think you've outdone yourself this time,” Sev's deep voice rumbled like smooth silk along his spine. Harry shuddered, as he stuffed his fist into his mouth to stop the gasp that exploded from him as his cock hardened the instant he'd heard Sea's voice. His breathing caught in his throat making it difficult to breathe.

“You think so? I know this is more of an adult venue then I usually work with, but I decided to branch out a bit.” Lily replied, happiness evident in her tone. Harry could easily picture her smiling face and sparkling green eyes watching Sev for his reaction.

“I definitely think so, or I wouldn't say it. And, since you already know that about me, I can only guess that you are fishing for compliments.” he teased back, tone like velvet... soft and warm.

Harry stealthily leaned up against the wall next to the door and pressed his right hand against his erection, trying to will it to calm down. Closing his eyes, the sultry voice of this faceless man flowed over him and set the pulse pounding in his ear, as well as causing his mouth to start watering.. *Damn, I feel like I'm about to burst out of my skin... or my pants.* He squeezed his cock, but rather than soothing it, he only managed to excite it more, as it started throbbing insistently. He really should leave before...

“Please, Sev,” Lily wheedled. “I need your honest opinion. I've only ever written Charms texts and Children's books. This is new to me, and you're the best critic I can think of, even if it isn't the type of thing you would normally read.”

“Of course it's not the sort of thing I would normally read. If I wanted a book to... stimulate my libido... as it were, it'd be a book with two males going hot and heavy with each other, not a man and woman! Now if you could see fit to have two strapping men writhing together on the sheets... perhaps one more experienced than the other, and showing the younger the ropes... within a caring, loving relationship, THAT I would definitely be interested in....”

Any more than that Harry didn't hear, he was too busy coming in his pants, hard and fast. His whole body stiffened and jerked and he'd kept his hand stuffed in his mouth to keep from screaming. He leaned against the wall until his eyesight came back into focus, then staggered down the hall as quickly as he could, nearly in a panic at the thought that they might have heard him. Stumbling into his bedroom, he quickly closed and locked the door before sliding down the wall to revel in the sensations still thrumming through his satiated body.

“Bloody hell,” he whispered weakly. Damn, if that was what sex was all about, he couldn't wait to do that WITH someone. Damn! His breath was coming in sharp gasps, and he closed his eyes and tried to relax, letting the feeling of contentment and satisfaction flow over him.

Some time later, Harry woke on the floor of his room, next to his door. He blinked his eyes and looked around as he sat up and rubbed his face. “Wha...? How'd I get here?” He thought back to what he'd been doing and remembered hearing Sev's voice... and his erection... and ... God, that was the best orgasm he'd ever had in his short life.

Sure, he'd been having some interesting dreams of late, and a few embarrassing erections during the day, but nothing compared to what just happened. Did that mean he was gay? Harry bit his lip, worried a little about that revelation. Should he talk to Dad about it? What if Dad hated him for liking guys? He sat and worried for quite awhile until there was a soft knock on his door.

“Harry?” His Mum inquired quietly.

Harry scrambled up and opened the door, “Yes, Mum?” He remained partially behind the door to hide the evidence of his release.

“Lunch is almost ready, darling. Why don't you clean up and set the table,” Lily smiled at her son, eyes shining with her love for him.

Harry grinned, “Sure thing, Mum. I'll be right there.”

His Mum left and Harry hurriedly grabbed new underwear and jeans and headed to the bathroom for a quick clean up.

~*~*~

“Mum...?” Harry asked hesitantly, looking down at his summer homework.

“Yes, Luv,” his Mum replied from the kitchen.

After a few minutes of silence Laurie Lupin came out of the kitchen and looked inquisitively at her fourteen year old son, who was sitting at the kitchen table doing his school papers. He'd been out of school for two weeks and she'd decided that enough playtime had gone by and he needed to finish up his homework to get it out of the way. Harry wasn't looking up from his papers, but his quill wasn't moving, either... he also seemed to have a scowl on his face.

“Harry, what's wrong?” she asked, concerned that it might actually be something important he needed to talk about.

Harry sighed and finally dragged his gaze from the parchment in front of him. It was now or never... he had to broach the subject. He heaved a bigger sigh and tried to look into his Mother's eyes, and couldn't quite manage it.

Laurie now knew Harry had a very important issue to deal with and sat down in the chair next to her child. She turned the chair to face his and encouraged him to do the same. After they were able to look at one another she took both of his hands in hers, and smiled gently at him. “Now, luv. What do you wish to talk about? I'm here to listen, and not criticize, just say what you want and we'll deal with it as best we can.” she squeezed his hands encouragingly and waited.

Harry took a deep, calming breath and looked at him Mum as he slowly released it. “Mum...” he stopped.

Laurie smiled, “Yes, Luv, still here.” She teased him gently.

“I... I'm gay,” Harry blurted out, blushing furiously, but keeping eye contact with his Mum.

Laurie blinked, surprised at this revelation, but not too concerned. “Oh. Alright, Luv. Do you have a boyfriend?”

Matching green eyes blinked back at her in confusion. “You... you're not mad, or disappointed?”

“No, Harry. I'm definitely not mad or disappointed. Your sexuality is your choice and whatever you chose I'll respect. As long as you're happy, I don't care who your partner is,” his Mum replied honestly, keeping their gazes locked to show him she truly meant what she was telling him.. She knew she'd succeeded when she felt his hands relax in hers.

“No, I don't have a boyfriend... yet. I just know I like men,” Harry told her, smiling. He was thinking of Sev and his dark-honeyed voice that could set him off just by thinking of it. Squirming, he cut that thought off before his cock could get more than semi-hard and embarrass the hell out of him in front of his Mother. “I'm waiting for the right man to come along.” He hesitated for a moment, then added, “That's okay isn't it. I mean... I don't want to date around. I want to find the right one...”

Laurie laughed and leaned forward to wrap her arms around her son, “Of course, that's alright, darling. It's just unusual for young men to wait. They usually get all caught up in their hormones and don't even think about waiting.” She leaned back and brought one hand up to cup his cheek. “There's no hurry. You can take as much time as you wish. Just make sure he's not... Make sure he cares about you. There are so many bad people out there, I just don't want you disappointed.”

“Don't worry, Mum. I plan to wait a while. I just wanted you to know... and, I wasn't sure if you or Dad would be angry or unhappy with my choice.” Harry replied apprehensively, eyes pleading for something he wouldn't say aloud.

“Honey,” Laurie soothed. “Your Father won't mind... we actually discussed this a long time ago. We don't care one way or the other. So, stop your worrying. We can tell your Father tonight... together, if you wish.”

“Yes, please, I... I don't know if I can do it alone,” He whispered, still concerned. “I wonder if Sirius will mind.”

“If he does mind, he can stick it in his furry ear! Don't let one person's opinion bother you... if you're happy, the rest of us can learn to live with it.” His Mum stood up and pulled him into a hug. “Come on, let's get dinner on the table...”

~*~*~

“Can I enter... please?” Harry asked, hope and excitement radiating from every pore. Eyes a brilliant, sparkling green, leaving all emotions bared for others to see.

Laurie and Remus Lupin sat in their living room looking at the parchments their son had brought home for the summer and tried desperately NOT to bellow out a resounding ‘NO'! They knew that sooner or later something would come up that they would have to deal with, but THIS hadn't crossed either of their minds. Oh, they knew of the game coming up, Severus had told them about it, but they hadn't expected Harry to wish to participate.

“Triwizard Tournament? But Harry... this is a very dangerous, rigorous game... people hae died in the past competing in this..” Laurie stopped as she saw the stubbornly determined look on his child's face. She sighed and knew it'd be useless to argue or try to protect him. He was intelligent and confident in his abilities... like both of his Father's.

“Mum. You and Dad have taught me more than I could have ever learned at school, and Sirius has taught me things, too. If I study real hard over the summer, than I will be as prepared as I could ever be to compete. It's something I want to do. I don't care if I win, I just want to be part of it. For the challenge to my skills and abilities. Please....” Harry pleaded with his Mum, not sure yet how his Dad felt about this yet. “I might not even get chosen, but I could see Hogwarts, where you all went to school.”

Laurie looked at Remus, who's face was neutral, showing nothing of his thoughts on the matter. He nodded and asked, “Harry... do you remember what we spoke of last year?”

“Yes, sir. I remember. The Dark Lord's minions are still free and probably still looking for me. But, Dad, I can't hide from the world. I... WON'T... hide from those monsters forever! I know everything you taught me, and will learn anything you wish to teach me this summer to stay safe. However, I will NOT allow those bloody bastards to run my life! They killed my first Father, and I don't ever want anything to ever happen to the two of you, but I can't live in fear for the rest of my life. I'll do whatever you say to stay safe, but please, let me do this.” Harry poured his heart out to his parents, knowing they'd never just allow him to walk blindly into danger, but hoping that they'd would give him this chance to do something new and exhilarating..

He desperately wanted to see what would happen if he went to Hogwarts for this tournament. It wasn't just for the competition, money or fame. He knew that Severus taught at Hogwarts and this would finally be his chance to meet the man. He couldn't wait any longer! Nor could he pass up this chance to find out more about his family's past and this damn Dark Lord that was ruining so many people's lives. Not that he was all that anxious to get face to face with the man, if was even alive, but he wanted to see how others reacted to the man's name, as well as what they thought of him, or could tell Harry about him. His parents really didn't care to speak of him much, so Harry had little information beyond the basics.

Meanwhile, as Harry'd been thinking, his parents had been doing the ‘silent communication' thing that all parents seemed to know how to do and came up with a unanimous decision. “Alright, Harry. You can go on several conditions,” His Father stated gravely.

“Anything, Father. I really don't want anybody worrying unduly about me,” Harry responded quickly, eager to reassure.

“First,” her Mother started out. “You with take extra Defense against the Dark Arts lessons from your Father all summer... advanced spells, especially defensive one, plus hexes and curses. Second, I will be teaching you advanced, as well as, obscure Charms and Transfiguring Spells. Damn, I wish McGonagall were here to help,” This last bit was muttered, but still easy to hear and Harry wondered who this ‘McGonagall' was, but remained silent.

Laurie forced her thoughts back on track and continued, “We'll be getting Sirius' help as well, so, third, you'll learn what defensive and offensive spells HE can teach you. He's a good Auror, the best actually, and you can learn a lot form him.”

Well, that was an unexpected concession on his Mother's part, complimenting Harry's Godfather like that! He knew they were serious, but this took it to a new level. The young man wiggled in his chair, knowing it wasn't over yet.

“Fourth,” his Father picked up the thread of the conversation. “You WILL NOT under ANY circumstances leave Hogwarts grounds! Do you understand me!?” His Father emphasized this with clipped words and a disturbingly piercing glare and Harry nodded meekly, swallowing with difficulty.

His Dad searched for the truth within his son's eyes and believed him. “Good. You cannot imagine what I will do to you if you disobey me on this point...” A great sigh left the man's body and he sat back, slightly more relaxed before going on. Harry didn't particularly WANT to know what his Father would do... it seemed that he WOULD punish him if worried enough.

“Fifth,” his Father counted off. “ We don't know who is and who isn't a Death Eater or a follower of Vol... er, the Dark Lord, so you must be wary of the company you keep. We're not saying don't make friends, just be cautious and aware that more is happening then you are used to dealing with.”

“I'll be there with you, Harry, the whole time,” Laurie told her son, expecting a blow-up for them being overly paranoid, but her child merely raised his eyebrows in surprise and nodded acceptance. She chuckled. “I'm not going to hang onto you like a mother hen, or spy on you wherever you go, so don't worry about that. I'll just be there in case you need me. I will talk with Headmaster Dumbledore and become part of the group that's setting up for the three tasks, he'll probably agree since he'll want you safe. However,” she grinned. “Don't expect any clues from me because I'm your Mum, that'd be cheating.” She laughed and winked at him. Harry, as well as his Dad, burst out laughing, too.

Harry knew his Mum wouldn't cheat and give him inside information, but this didn't bother him. He would play fair and do his best... if he was chosen. After all, he knew of at LEAST a dozen other people in Durmstrang that wanted to go and one of them could easily be chosen over him. One way or the other mattered naught to him, though. What he most desired was to come face to face with His Sev... Gods, he would finally meet the man! He couldn't wait! The moment he'd been told of the Tournament in General Assembly this morning Harry'd instantly gotten a painful hard-on that just wouldn't go away. He KNEW this was his chance... Hogwarts. Sev was still their Potions Master. He'd get to see him, meet him, touch him... even if it was just a handshake! Harry shivered slightly remembering the very satisfying wank in the boy's bathroom right after the meeting. He'd literally seen stars and almost fallen to the floor from the wonderful sense of completion he'd felt as he leaned on the stall door catching his breath, afterwards.

Harry had to cross his legs now or his parents might notice his erection, which had returned with a vengeance. Forcibly keeping his breathing steady, he looked back at his Mum and Dad and whispered, “Alright. Anything else?”

“There are a few people you can go to for help if you need. I don't trust your Headmaster, myself, so I really don't want you going to him if you feel like you're in danger,” Laurie explained, taking Harry's hand and squeezing it.

“I know, Mum. I remember... he used to be a Death Eater, and we don't know where his allegiances lay anymore,” Harry was quick to reassure her.

Laurie sighed deeply,.released her son's hand, sat back and went on, “You can go to Headmaster Dumbledore, of course. He's extremely nice and trustworthy, as well as the most powerful Wizard you'll ever meet in your life! You can also trust Professor McGonagall, she's Head of House for Gryffindor as well as Transfiguration Professor. Professor Flitwick is Head of Ravenclaw as well as Charms Professor. You can trust these two to protect you and keep you safe. And,” she smiled. “Rubeus Hagrid. He's grounds keeper, you can't miss him... he'll be the largest man you've ever seen.” His Mum and Dad laughed, actual happiness in their eyes as they remembered their school days. “He will defend you with his life, but be careful about telling him things you don't want others to know. He tends to let things slip. Not on purpose, he's just a very trusting man and his tongue gets away from him at times.” She hesitated and looked at her husband.

Remus broke his gaze away from his wife and looked at his son, “There's one other person you can go to. He's not going to seem very friendly, and he might even appear brusk or thoroughly unreasonable at times. You must understand that we trust this will go no further...” He locked eyes with Harry, who nodded, stunned. “He's an old friend of ours and we trust him implicitly. Next to Dumbledore, he's the most powerful, cunning and intelligent Wizard we know. He'll do anything, and I do mean ANYTHING to keep you safe. But you can't let others know he's your friend. If you wish to speak with him, do so in private, he's been wanting to meet you for years, but we needed to keep him a secret. His name is Severus Snape.”

Harry heart leapt into his mouth and his eyes bugged out. He couldn't take a breath without choking and his pulse banged painfully in his chest and throat. They mentioned him! God, they're even allowing him to meet the man! He attempted to calm down a bit, so it wasn't so obvious that he wasn't surprised to hear this last name. He listened carefully to what his Dad was saying, clamping his legs together tightly and pressing his hands down over his crotch to keep his cock from exploding. He REALLY couldn't wait to get in his bedroom...

“Severus is Hogwarts Potions Master and the Head of Slytherin. He's also a better man to go to for knowledge of the Dark Arts... I believe he knows more than I do. Dueling is his specialty, and he's agreed to give you private lessons. I know you've had dueling in Durmstrang, but HE can teach you more. He knows more curses, hexes and obscure spells than anyone other than Dumbledore, I think. But, Severus isn't afraid to use the dark ones if it will save lives. You know those Potions lessons your Mum's been giving you on holidays for the past 3 years? Severus set those up. He thought you needed more information on useful potions then your current school is giving.”

Harry's jaw dropped, *So that's why Mum was teaching me all those extra potions! Not that I minded, after all, it's Sev's profession and it made me feel closer to him. And I get to be privately tutored by him! God, I don't know how I'll survive!* Knowing that Sev had gotten his Mum to teach him potions made a warm flush to race from head to toe, causing Harry to look down and concentrate on backing off his immanent orgasm. *Please end this soon!* He mentally whimpered.

“So, if you can agree to all those stipulations, we don't see why you can't go,” Mum concluded, watching her son carefully and wondering what was wrong with him. He was flushed and nearly hyperventilating, though he was doing his best to hide it. She decided not to draw attention to the matter, she didn't want to embarrass him.

“Yes, Mum, I agree to everything,” Harry replied breathlessly, grinning at his parents, joy glowing from his emerald eyes.

“Alright then,” His Dad said, rubbing his hands together and standing. “Why don't you run off and have a bit of a wash before dinner. Don't worry about setting the table, I'll help your Mum do that. Off with you,” and he reached down and grabbed his wife's hand and pulled her off the couch, heading for the kitchen.

Once in the kitchen, Laurie turned to her husband and chuckled, “What was THAT all about?”

“Oh nothing. Just saving his dignity. If he didn't get out of there soon, he'd probably burst,” Remus laughed, eyes sparkling.

“Burst?” Laurie was confused for a moment, then her eyebrows shot up as realization dawned. “You don't mean he...?”

“Yes, I do. So we'll just give him some privacy to get over his.... um, excitement, won't we,” he grinned at her and hugged her tightly.

Laurie chuckled, “Of course, I knew something was up, but I didn't quite suspect what!” Both turned away to start preparations for dinner, leaving their son to his private activities.

*****

Once his parents were out of the room, Harry leaped up and all but ran down the hall, tearing open his pants as he hurried into the. room. Shutting the door quickly, he pulled his pain-ridden cock out of his boxers and gripped it firmly, as his other hand snaked into his pants and squeezed his balls. He gasped loudly, and didn't care that he might be heard... God, this felt GREAT! His brain fogged over with pleasure and he groaned as he jerked his cock twice before his orgasm hit him and he cried out, shooting come across his carpet as he collapsed to his knees, sliding down the door.

“Bloody Hell-!!” he murmured weakly, panting harshly, hand still wrapped securely around his softening cock. “That was bloody marvelous...” he gasped out as his breathing started to slow down and he relaxed on the floor, propping himself up with the door behind him. He reached up over his head and locked the door, as an afterthought, and hoped he hadn't been too noisy. At this point, he didn't really care. That was the best wank of his life and he'd barely made it to privacy first. Damn, he'd have to be more careful!

*Maybe if I wank all summer, thinking of Sev, I'll be used to the fact that I'll be seeing him and have myself under control by the time we go to Hogwarts.* He thought of masturbating all summer long to thoughts of Sev and his long dark hair and finally seeing his face and his cock renewed it's interest and started to harden again. Harry chuckled. Ever since last Christmas when he'd come home too early from spending time with his friends, he'd been having more and extremely vivid dreams about Sev and himself together. He'd gotten home as Sev was leaving Mum's office and actually SAW part of the man. Not much, but DAMN, what little he DID see was enough to fuel his imagination continuously.

He'd seen Sev's shoulder-length, silky hair bouncing gently as he stalked out the front door... as well as a tall, slender, trim body in dark pants and a form-fitting jumper. The man's arse was to DIE for!! Taut and muscular. And the man's legs!! Well-toned didn't cover it! He'd started drooling from the arse and legs alone! Harry'd instantly had to leave and jerked off for over an hour from that short glimpse of the man! Not to mention, storing that delicious sight away for later use in his nightly masturbation sessions, as well as his wet dreams. Now, soon, he'd be able to see the man's face and look his fill... he didn't know how he'd survive the summer.

Harry slowly staggered up to his feet and pulled his wand out, casting a cleaning charm on the carpet in front of him as he shuffled over to the bed. He shed his jeans and boxers, after wrestling his shoes off, and stretched out on the bedspread. Sighing, he grasping his hard cock again and slowly, gently glided his hand from base to tip, drawing a sharp breath as he pulled up the vision of Sev's backside as he walked away from Harry. Grinning, he spent the better part of ten minutes bringing himself to a leisurely, mind-numbing orgasm that all but knocked him unconscious. If it was this bad now, he was almost afraid to think how bad it would become once he was staying under the same roof as the man...

He'd have to be discrete, that was a given. He couldn't walk around the school with a perpetual hard-on. Well... he COULD... and probably WOULD, but he didn't look forward to that. He just hoped he wouldn't come in his trousers the minute he met the man! How mortifying would THAT be-!? *Maybe if I wank off... a few times... before meeting him... that should help. Right?* He chuckled. “Probably only encourage it to beat all former records in sudden embarrassing erections. But there's nothing else I can do,” he spoke quietly, caressing his, hopefully, satiated penis. “You'll do what you damn well want. Just hope I can convince Sev to listen to me... and be interested in me. God, I want to touch his hair, just once...” Harry gasped as blood rushed to fill his cock, once again. “DAMN! Three times in twenty minutes? Overexcited, much-?!” A breathless laugh followed as he started stroking himself once more... might as well enjoy it. The more he practiced, the better he'd be at helping Sev with this same sort of problem... oh... OH...! That was a lovely thought!! His hand... on Sev's... cock!

*Need to find a book... a good... descriptive book... with... pictures... don't want to be... oh yeah, there... ignorant. Don't want him to... think I'm stupid. Inexperienced is okay... but want to know more... *

“Oh, Yeah! Sev!! Touch me...!” Harry groaned and shot off again, semen covering his hand, stomach and legs. Laughing and waiting til he stopped gasping for air, he finally got up and cleaned himself and the bedding. “Damn, no more. There's a lot of stuff I gotta do before I even meet him... you can wait til tonight...” he spoke to his unrepentant anatomy and chuckled. “Might as well go help Mum and Dad with dinner.”

Whistling, Harry dressed and brushed his own shoulder-length, wavy hair so it didn't look like he'd been rolling in bed having sex, and strode out the door to spend time with his family. Just a little over four months... then, at last, he'd meet the man who'd been turning his life upside down for the past ten years. He'd no longer be just the voice behind the door.

End, for now

AN3: Sorry to leave it here. YES, I know I didn't get them together... yet. But I needed to finish this and sent it off. There, hopefully, will be a sequel... I plan to get my two betas to help me with it. The last couple of sections weren't beta'd properly. I didn't have time to get it done, so I went over it myself.