Harry began to live for the little snippets of his summer life that slipped in to relieve the long trek toward winter. Despite his continual sexual frustration, he started to fall back into being the boy he'd been before the summer, worrying more about Voldemort and learning how to defeat him than he did about Snape or even Fred and George. Harry became slowly buried under a mountain of NEWT preparations, while Snape began to treat him more and more like any other errant student as time passed. Each etiquette lesson was a small island of adulthood in his student life, while the Occlumency lessons hit another frustrating impasse as Harry's progress ground to a halt. Potions lessons were much like they had always been, with slightly less points taken than in previous years and slightly more attention paid as well, though it was impossible to tell which preceded the other.

Eventually the seasons turned and Harry found himself looking at another Christmas stuck at Hogwarts, one he could look forward to because it would bring time with Snape as something other than student and teacher. He'd managed to find gifts for everyone in his life, with help from Fred and George, and unexpectedly from Percy for the twins' presents. Now he was once again hugging Ron and Hermione good-bye and sending them off to take the train back home, torn between excitement and worry.

Harry turned back toward Gryffindor tower, the students swirling around him as they, too, said their farewells and headed for the carriages, but somehow his feet took him downward instead of up. Harry found Snape sitting in his office, surrounded by papers, and he knocked tentatively on the door frame. "Um, S- Professor?" he asked, when Snape didn't bother to look up.

"You might as well come in," said Snape irritably, "Experience has shown you'll only hover until you do."

Harry flushed and grinned wryly, slouching into the room and taking the only available seat, a highly uncomfortable chair that he'd always thought Snape chose specifically to torment any student foolish enough to brave his office for any length of time. "I was wondering if you had any plans over the hols. For us, I mean," he asked, though of course now he'd thought of it he was just as curious about any plans Snape had that didn't involve him.

"Ah," said Snape, shuffling through the papers and drawing out a small leather-bound planner. He opened it and looked through Pages that seemed nothing but a jumble of symbols to Harry, which Harry supposed was the point. Snape had always been fanatic about his privacy, to Harry's chagrin. "I believe our dinner with Percy is on the 27th, and I had intended to give you the rest of the time off from your lessons."

"Oh," said Harry, trying not to sound disappointed, as two weeks without Occlumency did sound rather brilliant in its way. "What about, I mean... Could we perhaps have tea together on Christmas? I, er, got you a gift." Which didn't seem as obviously good an idea as it had up until now; somehow he'd been expecting that the cold, irritable Snape who scolded him in the corridors would melt away over the break, leaving behind the warmer man Harry had grown so very fond of over the summer.

Snape raised one eyebrow, pausing just long enough that Harry's heart fell and he was just opening his mouth to apologise and take his leave. Snape interrupted him mid-breath, saying, "I expect that could be arranged, though doubtlessly only with Austereus' supervision. I doubt that the Headmaster will allow any opportunity for further... indiscretions."

Harry suppressed the urge to giggle madly, swallowing down the humour and nodding instead. "I understand, sir, thank you," he said instead, Snape's training coming in handy in unexpected ways. "I will look forward to spending such an auspicious time in the company of yourself and your ancestor."

Snape snorted. "Yes, yes," he said, waving his hand as he etched in a few symbols and put the book away. "Now, if that is all?"

Harry let out the grin he'd been holding inside and stood, his backside expressing gratitude for the brevity of the visit, even if it left him at loose ends. "Thank you, sir, it is. Have a happy Christmas."

Harry was unsurprised when a doubtful grunt was all the response he got, and he left before Snape could think of some odious chore or extra homework to assign him during these short weeks of leisure.

---

Though a part of Harry was tempted to wear the green and gold hair ribbons from his Christmas cracker, he resisted, instead putting on a pleasantly form-fitting set of wizarding robes. He'd received another note with his porridge this morning requesting formal attire, and making offhand mention of the exchange of gifts in such a way as to give Snape deniability, should Harry dare to suggest that he was being comforted. Harry had taken comfort in it anyway, shooting Snape an impish grin that was met only with a raised eyebrow and a brief nod.

His gift for Snape had been wrapped in the store, his hair was as neat as it ever got, and his robes were straightened to within an inch of their lives. Harry paused to straighten them again anyway, then gave in and walked the last few feet down the corridor, having learned his lesson about unnecessary pacing. He knocked on Snape's office door precisely at five o'clock.

"I see I have finally managed to train some manners into you," said Snape, opening the door and letting his eyes roam over Harry's body and the beribboned box clutched tightly in Harry's hands.

"Er, yes, sir," said Harry, shifting nervously. He held out the package and said brightly, "Happy Christmas!"

Snape took it with a snort and stepped back. "Yes, yes, platitudes aside you'd best come in. Austereus will be ecstatic to have someone with whom to share his absurd cheer."

Harry flushed and stepped inside, stomach feeling leaden. This Snape was treating him nearly as coldly as everyone else, with only a tiny glimmer of the warmth that Harry had come to rely on to give him something to look forward to, when all was said and done. "Um, thank you," he said, moving on into Snape's living quarters.

"Happy Christmas, my boy," said Austereus cheerfully. He'd managed to find some pine boughs and candles with which to decorate his normally bare desk, and he had a cup of eggnog that Harry suspected was of the alcoholic sort, if the rosiness of his cheeks was anything to go by.

"Thank you, sir, a Happy Christmas to you, too," said Harry, glancing around the room to see that the portrait held the only trace of holiday spirit in the room, which was otherwise just the same as always.

"It'd be better if he wasn't such an old poop," said Austereus, gesturing toward Snape.

Harry flushed and looked at Snape properly for the first time, taking in the grey trousers that he remembered so vividly from their second tea together, and a white shirt very similar to the one hiding in the bottom of Harry's trunk that still carried just a tiny bit of Snape's scent. Harry's smile grew more genuine at the small evidence that it wasn't all in his imagination, and that his feelings were, if not returned in kind, at least not dismissed out of hand. "He's just reserved," said Harry fondly, watching as Snape shot the portrait a glare and brought both Harry's present and another, smaller package over to the table by the fire.

"A proper Christmas tea will arrive any minute now," said Snape coolly, taking his usual seat.

"I'm sure you ordered the good stuff," said Harry, thinking to all the other teas they'd had together. Snape really did have a gift for figuring out people's tastes and catering to them, and Harry was fortunate to be no exception. Though, come to think of it, Snape used the same talent in reverse when verbally flaying his less than perfect students, and Harry had been no exception there, either.

Snape gave Harry a look that suggested Harry had forgotten to bring his good brain for the day. "Indeed, that is precisely what I said to the house elves," he retorted. He began to reach for the present Harry had brought him, one long finger curling into a bit of ribbon.

"Stop," said Harry; something had snapped in him, watching this indifferent man try to open the gift he'd so lovingly chosen for Severus. "I mean, I would prefer to save the gifts until after we've eaten, sir."

Snape raised an eyebrow at him, but merely sent both packages to the mantle with a wave of his wand. "As you wish," he said, leaning back in his chair with fingers interlaced over his stomach, looking at Harry expectantly.

Harry swallowed and sat back as well, feeling suddenly at a loss. He fidgeted with the buttons on his robes, and then sighed and asked, "How are your classes going this term, Professor?"

Snape looked surprised, and then relaxed just a little, warmth trickling into his voice as he said, "You may continue to call me Severus, Harry."

Harry wriggled and nodded. "Yes, Severus," he said awkwardly, almost as though he hadn't spent a whole summer getting used to it.

Snape smirked. "Classes are going as usual, though one of my pupils has found the motivation to study for his NEWT at a level I did not previously think him capable, which is always rewarding," he said.

Harry laughed. "All right, what do you think we ought to talk about, then?" he asked, trying to find the playfulness that had existed between them during those few idyllic summer months.

Snape let the smirk soften into something more like a smile, nodding to acknowledge Harry's point. "What are your plans for next summer, once you've left school?" he asked, tilting his head just a bit as though the answer were of special interest, which Harry supposed -- hoped -- it might be.

The problem was, Harry had no idea. "I don't have any, I'm afraid," he said with a pathetic little shrug. "I'm not allowed contact with much of anyone outside school. I don't even know if Voldemort will be gone by then."

Snape's face softened further, and Harry relaxed with him, not realising until just that moment how tense he'd been, thinking he'd lost his Christmas with Severus. "Well," said Snape thoughtfully, "I expect you'll manage to take care of Voldemort when the time comes. Still, someone should have realised before now that we were setting your feet on a dead-end path, and thought beyond it to your future."

Harry shrugged again, glad when the tea appeared to give them something to do with their hands now that the topic had become strangely painful. "You have now, and to be honest I'd considered it before, there just isn't much to be done."

"I suppose there isn't, at that," said Snape, handing Harry a cup of tea. His tone seemed to imply otherwise, but Harry had been doing such a crap job up until now of interpreting Snape's thoughts that he decided to take the statement at face value and change the subject.

"Do you think the twins would let me live with them? If you don't want me, I mean," said Harry, wishing he could take the words back as soon as he saw the thundercloud forming on Snape's brow.

"Why not strike out on your own, my boy?" said Austereus in a jolly tone.

Harry started; he'd completely forgotten the portrait was still watching them. "I don't think that would be a good idea," he said to the painting politely. "I haven't any idea of how to live on my own as a wizard."

"Ah, well, I'm sure you'll find someone appropriate to take a hand in your education," said Austereus stuffily, giving Snape a distinctly suspicious look, which Harry might have protested if he didn't have high hopes that Snape would do exactly the sorts of things to him that Austereus would most disapprove of.

"I am sure it will be worked out, one way or another," said Snape, his voice sharp but heatedly so, not the cold bite of earlier.

Harry couldn't help but feel smug about that.

---

The rest of the meal was passed in idle conversation about nothing in particular, both of them steering away whenever things became too tense, which Harry appreciated to no end. By the time the dishes were Banished and only their teacups and gifts remained, Severus was nearly smiling, Harry was almost happy, and Austereus was snoring softly in his frame.

"Now may I see what mysterious object you've acquired for me?" asked Snape, floating the packages from mantle to table.

Harry grinned and gestured for Severus to proceed. Snape's long fingers untangled the curled ribbons and undid the knot, drawing the moment out rather than simply slipping the ribbon off of the elaborately wrapped package. Harry began to fidget in his chair, a dozen worries cascading through his mind about whether Snape would like it, want it, or even already have it.

The paper finally fell away to reveal an image Harry had memorised by now, a woodcut that cycled through two men first touching fingers, and then moving in for a passionate kiss before stepping back and letting their hands fall away. There was a blank space for a book title, but this was just a proof of the artwork in its heavy wooden frame, and the letters hadn't yet been blocked in. Snape looked up at Harry, then down at the print and back up again. "This cannot have been easy to acquire," he said, long fingers dipping into the preservation spell that shielded the image from harm.

"It wasn't so bad as all that," said Harry; in truth he'd come across it quite by accident in the back of Flourish and Blotts, and they'd been all too happy to sell it to him. "I didn't know if you had one, or collected art that's not in a book, or anything."

"Most of the books from this edition were destroyed," said Snape, setting the painting aside. "Thank you, Harry, this will make an excellent and very appropriate addition to my collection."

Harry grinned and neglected to mention the other gift he'd found in that back room, this one a rather more explicit image that Harry was saving for Snape's birthday. "So, my turn?" he asked, looking at the box still waiting in its satiny green paper.

"Yes, yes," said Snape, something like a laugh hiding in his voice as he handed the small box to Harry.

Harry immediately unwrapped it, laughing delightedly once he figured out what it was. "It's for my watch, right?" he asked, digging the thing out of his pocket and fastening the chain to it. "Show me how it goes?"

"Your robe should have small pockets for it in front, just run the watch fob over the cloth until one appears," said Snape, smiling.

Harry caressed the little golden snake lightly once and then managed to slip it into a pocket on one side of his waist; another slightly larger one appeared opposite it, and Harry deposited the watch there with a satisfied little smile. "I'm very dashing now, I expect," he said with a grin, toying with the chain.

"You are, and you are also prepared to speak Parseltongue whenever the occasion should arise," said Snape, nodding to the snake charm now hidden in its cloth burrow. "Since you seem to require a focus."

Harry grinned and pulled the snake back out, admiring the realistic coils and sparkling green eyes. "You're probably ridiculously expensive, aren't you?" he said to it. A flash of heat went across Snape's eyes and Harry felt an answering tug in his own groin, so he continued just to test his theory, "I think he likes the sound of that, little snake."

Snape shifted and crossed his legs, and Harry tucked the charm away smugly. "That's a brilliant idea, Severus, I'll have to be sure I always have it on me just in case."

"Just in case," said Snape, downing the last swig of his cold tea.

He looked like he might have said something more, but Austereus chose that moment to snort himself awake, looking from Snape to Harry blearily. "If you've got a watch," he said after a long moment, "then you know it's past time." He snorted and shifted, and then dropped back to sleep.

Harry laughed and Snape along with him. "Sadly, I expect he's right," said Harry, standing. He held his hand out to Snape, not knowing what to expect, really, but feeling as though there ought to be something more at the end of such a lovely evening.

Snape took Harry's hand and stood, looking down at him speculatively. "Happy Christmas, Harry," he said softly, one long finger caressing Harry's palm sensuously before pulling away.

Harry smiled a little wanly, trying to take heart from the warmth he'd coaxed into Snape's voice, and the heat he'd seen in Snape's eyes there at the end. "Happy Christmas, Severus. You'll owl me about dinner on the 27th?"

Snape smiled and nodded, looking pleased that Harry hadn't pushed the issue. "I'll owl you. Good evening," he said, taking a step back before bowing slightly and gesturing toward the door in a manner he'd shown Harry before, a polite refusal of further companionship for the night.

Harry sighed; no Christmas kiss for him, it seemed. "Good evening," was all he said, and he took his leave, wishing more than usual that there was someone waiting back in his cold and lonely bed, to soothe his yearning heart.

---

Harry was growing used to his formal robes by now, and he had his watch tucked in and everything co-ordinated from boots on up, though Snape had warned him against wearing a token out in public. So far they had miraculously managed to keep Harry's orientation out of the press, and everyone involved was happy to keep it that way for as long as possible.

Harry's polish lasted only as long as it took to go through the Floo; he stumbled out the other end looking his usual dishevelled self, though Snape was kind enough to help set him to rights with a few quick spells and some patting. "Good thing I wore a dark colour," said Harry, looking down at his soot-smudged boots with chagrin.

Snape smirked. "I promise to tell him that your hair was neat when we left," he said, which was only mostly untrue.

Harry had managed to get it less messy, if not as neat as Snape's, which was somewhat clean and combed to frame his face in a way that Harry had grown to think of as attractive. He wasn't sure if that was maturity or emotional bias, but either way he was enjoying the view as they made their way to the small private room where Percy was waiting. "I trust you weren't waiting long?" asked Snape, taking one of five remaining seats at the round table and leaving a space for Harry between himself and Percy.

"Who's coming besides us?" asked Harry dubiously, biting his lip when he realised he was being rude. "Er, sorry."

Percy smiled and relaxed, and Harry wasn't sure if he ought to be glad that his fumbling reassured Percy, or annoyed at the way everyone seemed to count on him to bollix things up these days, one way or another. "I've only just arrived," said Percy, toying with his water glass. "I believe both Bartholomew and Artemis are going to attempt to join us, with a, a friend. A potential mentor, for me, I mean."

"It may be difficult for them both to get away from the kitchen," explained Snape to Harry, spreading his napkin over his lap.

Harry did the same, and both of their glasses filled with cool, clear water. "Do you know who this friend is, Severus?" asked Harry a bit nervously; though he'd grown used to the two genial chefs and his other friends knowing about him, he wasn't sure how he felt about some stranger. Even if the whole point of meeting here was to introduce Percy into the wider society of gay wizards, thus leaving Snape for Harry, or so he hoped.

"They hadn't informed me they were inviting anyone, no," said Snape with a shrug. "You are wearing no token, and placed between your known acquaintances, so you should have no problem with claiming ignorance and heterosexuality both, if you like."

Harry flushed and shrugged. "We'll see," he said, leaving the rest unspoken as it seemed impolite to him to cast doubts on the character of a man he'd never even met.

Snape snorted as if he'd read Harry's mind, but took a sip of his water rather than commenting further. Percy shifted in his seat and then said shyly, "I really do appreciate this, you know. That you both came, I mean."

"You are quite welcome, it is the least I could do, since I cannot provide for your education myself for any number of reasons," said Snape, real concern underlying the politeness of his words.

"I just like you," said Harry with a little grin, though it hadn't been true before Percy had given them both a chance to see what he was like when he wasn't being such a prat.

Percy blushed charmingly, and that was the moment when the doors opened and Artemis came bustling in, smiling and chatting with a striking older man whose elegant clothing made even Percy seem a bit scruffy around the edges. "Good, good, you're all here!" said Artemis cheerfully, pulling out the seat next to Percy. "This is Charles Crawford, an old friend of ours. Severus, you might have met him at one of the clubs, perhaps?"

Snape shook his head. "My time in the clubs was tragically brief," he said, nodding to the man. "It is good to make your acquaintance now, I am Severus Snape. This is my student, Harry Potter, and my former student and current friend, Percy Weasley."

"Mr. Weasley, so good to meet you. Artemis has been telling me how kind you were to help them get their Ministry license paperwork in before the end of the year," said Crawford, much to Harry's pleased surprise. Apparently, he knew which of them he was supposed to be charming and wasn't going to waste his flattery on the supposedly straight Boy Who Lived when he had a perfectly willing Weasley to woo.

Percy's cheeks grew a bit pinker and he shook Crawford's hand gingerly. "Percy, please, we're among friends here," he said, letting his gaze linger over Crawford's admittedly fascinating face. The man wasn't handsome precisely, but his brown eyes were bright with intelligence, his salt-and-pepper hair immaculately groomed, and though his cheeks were pocked with the scars of some long-ago illness it only served to highlight the sharpness of his features.

Harry swallowed and took a sip of water, then looked over at Snape. Somehow, Snape's nose had gone from enormous to striking, his eyes from beady to piercing, his mouth from thin to mobile and seductively kissable, and the whole package from ugly to intriguing. Harry smiled into his water and turned back just in time to watch Percy retrieve his hand with apparent reluctance.

"It's good to meet you as well, Mr. Potter, Professor Snape. Your reputations precede you, as you can imagine," he said smoothly, nodding from one to the other.

"Thank you," said Snape, pausing just long enough to make Harry wonder before adding, "you may of course call me Severus, as there is no need for formality among friends."

"And you can call me Harry," he piped up, completely dreading the thought of a whole meal of hearing his last name bandied about the table. "What do you do for a living, Mr. Crawford?"

"Oh, you must all call me Charles," said Crawford, though it seemed a bit false, as though he resented sharing that intimacy with someone with whom he wouldn't sharing anything more. "I create artefacts for use in Astronomy and Arithmancy. Crawford's Creations, you may have seen them, Hogwarts orders quite regularly." he added, looking smug, as though he couldn't imagine a more impressive line of work.

"How do you get into that sort of thing?" asked Harry curiously. He'd never really understood what happened when witches and wizards grew up and left Hogwarts, how they made that transition from child to adult with things like jobs, skills and homes, though he appeared to be muddling through relationships all right.

There was a flash of annoyance in Crawford's eyes, but he suppressed it, presumably to impress Percy. "In my case, I was apprenticed through family connections," he said dismissively, turning back to Percy. "How are things going for you at the Ministry? I heard it was rocky for a bit there, but you seem to have come out on top if the rumours are correct."

Percy began filling Crawford in on an expurgated version of his Ministry career, and Harry's attention wandered. "Will we be trading the two of you all night, or will I get to see you both in one place?" he asked Artemis teasingly, taking a sip of his water.

Artemis grinned and shrugged. "It might be one, it might be the other," he said philosophically.

Bartholomew slipped into the room, looking harried. "Sorry, we're training a new chef so the two of us can have more time together outside of the kitchen, and tonight is her first night on her own."

"I'm sure Eos will be fine," said Artemis, patting Bartholomew on the arm. He turned to the group, and Percy trailed off to pay attention to their host. "I can see you two are already getting along, which is good for everyone. If you'll kindly all say your names over your plates, dinner can begin."

Everyone did, some more self-consciously than others, and then a drink and an appetizer appeared at each place. Harry's glass held some sort of layered, fizzy concoction, bright colours alternating with creamy white and bubbles rising all the way through the thing effortlessly, while his plate held three of the very same toast triangles he'd had the first time he came here. "Brilliant," he said with a grin, pausing with his hand poised over his plate to make sure he wasn't making a faux pas.

Everyone was digging in, however, and Harry popped one into his mouth with an enthusiastic grin. The flavours exploded on his tongue and he savoured them all, making an ecstatic face as he swallowed the delicacy. When he opened his eyes he found everyone looking at him, and his cheeks flushed as he took a sip of water, not wanting to spoil either treat by mixing them. "These are my favourites of yours, thank you for remembering," he said to the two chefs, not sure who had arranged what for tonight.

"You're quite welcome," said Artemis cheerfully, toasting them all with his own drink, a wine that seemed like an average red something until Harry noticed that it seemed to swirl in the glass independent of Artemis' motions.

Harry toasted back with his own drink, which made a little vortex in the centre when he sucked on the straw, delivering him not just the bottom flavour but a whole mouthful of things one after another. They were all fruity and sweet, with the milk in between just enough to splash away the previous before coating his tongue with the next, and Harry was hard-pressed not to giggle as some of the bubbles tried to go up his nose. When he set the glass down he found Snape and Crawford glaring at one another from across the table, for reasons he couldn't fathom, so instead he turned back to Percy. "What've you got?"

"Crab and cheese dumplings," said Percy, showing Harry the inside of one of the crispy pouches of dough. "And wine, you're the only one of us stuck with fizzy drinks," he said with a wink, taking a sip and then demonstrating his own knowledge by identifying the vintage, type and maker, which Harry promptly forgot.

"You do seem to enjoy your food, Harry," said Crawford, with a glint in his eye that Harry didn't understand, but didn't think he liked much, either.

Harry took another sip and shrugged, trying to think of how to answer the oblique statement. "I didn't get a lot of variety as a kid, so it's always really interesting to eat here," he said, turning to the two chefs. "Artemis and Bartholomew spoil me rotten, because they know I like everything."

Snape coughed, and Harry turned, concerned that he'd choked on something. Instead his eyes were sparkling with mischief, and Harry replayed his last statement in his head. And blushed. "Harry has been slowly educating his palate," said Snape, taking a sip of his wine, a shimmery white that seemed to have glitter in it until Harry realised it was bubbles that floated lazily down from the surface only to pop when they reached the bottom.

Crawford got a sly look and slid his gaze from Snape to Harry and finally Percy, then drawled, "It's always best to learn what one wants at a tender age, so one can experience the pleasures of life while one is still young enough to enjoy them." He popped one of his own savouries into his mouth, and Harry had to resist the urge to scoot closer to Severus, and pull Percy with him.

Aside from that one moment of uncomfortable scrutiny, Crawford chose to lavish his attention and not inconsiderable charm on Percy, much to Harry's relief. Harry spent most of his time talking to the chefs about the food, to Snape about school, and to Percy whenever it seemed he needed rescuing from whatever conversational mire he'd found himself in -- mostly by bumbling in and saying something gauche, not that Percy seemed to mind. By the time pudding arrived, everyone had relaxed and even Percy was comfortable complimenting the chefs, a slight flush to his cheeks from the wine or possibly the attention.

"So," said Crawford, dipping his fork into the cream on top of his lavishly layered sweet, "when will we be seeing you in the clubs, Harry?"

Harry swallowed his own mouthful with a panicked gulp, but he remembered what Snape said and smiled sheepishly. "Never, I hope," he said with all sincerity; after all, if things went well with Snape, then he wouldn't ever have to go to one of the clubs looking for a mentor. "Do you frequent them yourself?"

Crawford gave him a shrewd look and then shrugged nonchalantly. "Occasionally, though I find it far preferable to take an apprentice in these matters periodically. It saves a great deal of fruitless searching, at least until it's time to move on."

Harry felt this was a bit too obvious of a warning for Percy, and resisted the urge to squeeze Percy's hand. "You're not looking for a love match like our hosts?" asked Harry, nodding to where the two chefs were sharing a heart-shaped cake that appeared to be filled with strawberries and cream, oblivious to anything but one another.

A flash of something unpleasant went across Crawford's face before he schooled it away, and Harry gave in to his instincts and slid his foot over to touch Percy's, the only comfort he could offer without giving them away. "I prefer the occasional bit of variety in my lovers, just as you like it in your dinners," he said.

Harry felt free to make a face right back, as his reputation wasn't exactly one of elegance and refinement anyway. "That sounds awfully cold. I bet Percy wants to fall in love someday, don't you?"

Percy looked as though he devoutly wished he didn't have to answer, but then Artemis gave him an encouraging little smile, and he straightened up that last iota. "Oh, yes, Harry. I can't imagine hopping from bed to bed until I'm old enough to make them hop to me," he said pointedly.

Harry cheered inwardly, even if it meant that Percy would have to look a bit longer for a mentor. He would rather see Percy find the right mentor than go with a man like Crawford, and Harry had a feeling Percy was starting to agree despite Crawford's charm.

Snape chose that moment to speak up, saying, "A man like me can only hope some foolish youth will fall in love before he realises what he's getting himself into." He pointedly didn't look at Harry, holding Crawford's gaze challengingly instead.

Crawford sniffed. "To each their own, I suppose," he said, though it was clear from his tone he preferred his way as much as they preferred theirs.

They didn't linger over afters as they might have if Percy and Crawford had properly hit it off, and it was still relatively early when they said their farewells to Bartholomew and Artemis, who expressed their regrets that Percy and Crawford hadn't hit it off as they'd hoped. "Can we walk you home?" Snape offered to Percy, much to Harry's delight.

Percy grinned like a child who'd been given a sweet after the dentist, and said, "I'd be honoured to have such a wonderful escort."

Harry snorted, but took one of Snape's arms when Snape offered Percy the other. "I take it you didn't really like him after all?" he asked, figuring he could get away with it now that they were out of earshot and walking the streets of wizarding London, toward the residential area that held Percy's flat.

"He was charming enough," Percy hedged, leading them back out to the main thoroughfare, "but you were right, Harry, he wasn't looking for the same things I am."

Harry flushed; he'd been hoping he wasn't quite that obvious. "Sorry about that, I just... I guess I want everyone I, um, care about to find love."

Percy looked surprised at that idea, but not unpleasantly so. "Thank you, Harry," he said warmly. "That means a lot to me."

They came to another of the hidden offshoots of Diagon Alley, which the crooked sign declared to be Periffer Alley. "My flat's just down this way," said Percy, nodding.

They'd just stepped through and onto the cosy little street when a commotion started up behind them. Snape quickly cast a Disillusionment Charm on them all, and then backed them into the shadows. "Don't be a fool," he said sharply, probably for Harry's benefit.

Harry could see why -- first a green cloud rose into the sky, forming itself into a fearsome Dark Mark, and then a whole crowd of black-robed figures went scampering past, hexing and vandalising as they went. Harry's heart leapt into his throat and commenced an attempt to choke him, and he shrank back, knowing without a doubt that he'd be dead the moment he was spotted. Fortunately for them, the mouth of the alley was concealed by both of the leaning buildings on either side, not to mention the magic that gently discouraged those with no business there to stay out on Diagon and leave the resident wizards and witches alone.

Harry's nervous fingers found the chain and pulled out his watch, flipping it open to see a whole new set of symbols marching across the blackened face. He tried to memorise them, knowing he'd want to get Hermione's advice later, wishing for a quill and ink as they slowly slunk out of sight. The face cleared up and he could see the usual configuration, one hand coming to rest on the 6 while the other crept away from the black toward a neutral grey. He hit a button, and the whole thing changed, the background a dismal sort of green with coloured pools floating above the face, including one that was shimmery and strange right in the middle. "That almost looks like a Disillusionment Charm feels," Harry muttered, poking his finger at the pool of colour. It sent a shivery feeling up his finger when he did, so he tried it with the others, finding several of them had quite the sharp bite.

"This is really odd," said Harry, shaking his head and hitting the switch again, only to get another series of dials. One had with two hands, the longer pointing to wispy clouds, while the shorter hand wavered between heavier clouds and rain. A second, smaller dial went from red to green, and was firmly fixed in the yellow zone between them, and there was a little round window that irised open to show a frowning moon, half-dark just like the real one.

"Odd or not," said Snape grimly, "we'd best get you to Percy's Floo and back to school. We're lucky they were only up for a bit of mayhem, and not looking for you specifically."

"Yes, sir," said Harry, pocketing the watch with a shrug; he'd figure it out someday, but today wasn't that day, obviously. "Is your Floo open, Percy?"

"Yes, of course," said Percy, his voice tight with fear, face pale in the gloom. "My flat's just this way, come along," he said, grabbing Snape's arm in a tight grip and practically dragging them a few doors down to a tall, crooked building with a grey kneazle guarding the door, or possibly just sleeping on the welcome mat.

Percy put his hand on the door and nothing happened. "Damn. Can you remove the Charm, Severus?" he asked, looking unhappy about the whole affair. Snape obliged and Percy touched the door again, making it swing inward. "Don't mind Sherbert, he sleeps through everything," said Percy, stepping carefully over the cat, who opened one baleful eye and watched while the rest of them followed, then closed it again as the door swung shut.

Harry chuckled. "I'm sure he makes a brilliant attack cat," he said, following as Percy led them through the pokey little lobby and up the stairs.

One of the plants tried to snap at them as they passed, but Snape quelled it with a look.

They trooped upstairs and Percy let them into his flat, which was just as scrupulously neat as Harry had always imagined, if more bare. "I'm going to give you a whole stack of tacky knickknacks next Christmas," said Harry, looking around. He'd owled some chocolates to Percy, a whole tower, but next chance he had he'd be sure to send him something more lasting to commemorate the friendship they were building together.

Percy laughed, going straight to the fireplace to check on the stash of Floo powder he kept in a used biscuit tin, then lit the fire with a casual wave of his wand. "Others have tried, but I just keep it all in a drawer," he replied, returning the tease with a nervous air, though he was starting to relax now that he was safely inside his flat and cradled in his own and the building's wards.

Snape laughed, then stepped forward and laid a hand on Percy's shoulder. "Someday you'll have mementos you'll want to see every day," he said, and Harry had to swallow down a bit of jealousy at the way Percy leaned into Snape's warmth.

He stepped up to Percy and laid a hand on Percy's arm, looking up into the earnest brown eyes. "You'll make lots of memories you want reminding of," said Harry. He shot Snape a glance, then went up on tiptoe and brushed his lips over Percy's cheek in a chaste kiss.

Percy's eyes went wide and his cheeks regained some of their colour, and Harry smiled a secret smile as he got both the things he'd wanted -- Percy's mind onto a better track, and a small boost for his ego. Percy's smile was more fragile than Harry's, but he seemed to be relaxing under the warmth of their regard as he said, "I'm sure I will."

Snape took the tin from his hands and put the lid back on, setting it back on the mantle. "I have my own, there's no need to empty your own supply," he said, pulling a snuffbox from his pocket and flipping it open to reveal a compartment that didn't seem all that large until he poured out a handful and made barely a dent. "Listen carefully, Harry, I don't want to have to come back for you," he said, handing Harry the tin before throwing the powder onto the fire and reciting, "Severus Snape's Quarters!"

He disappeared in a whoosh of green flame, and Harry turned his attention back to Percy for a moment. "You'll find someone, I promise," he said recklessly, giving Percy an awkward hug. Percy stiffened at first, then relaxed and began to put his arms around just as Harry was pulling back, so he tried to drop them just as Harry moved in again. They laughed and hugged properly for a long moment, then Harry said, "I'd better go."

"Thank you," said Percy, brushing a shy kiss over Harry's fringe before stepping back completely, neatly avoiding their earlier dance.

Harry grinned and poured out his own handful of powder, capping the box and pocketing it. "Anything for a mate," he said casually, going to the fire.

"You make a better friend than I deserve," said Percy.

"You deserve a lot more than me," scoffed Harry. "But you can't get rid of me now." He winked and threw the powder, figuring he wouldn't get a better exit line.

The fire whooshed and he stumbled out at the other end and right into Snape's arms. "Fancy meeting you here," said Harry with a silly grin, dusting himself off before Austereus could protest impropriety. He handed back the snuffbox and said, "Handy thing, that."

"Very much so," said Snape grimly. "I would love to end our evening on a better note, but we must see the headmaster."

Harry sighed, but he knew Snape was right. "After you, Professor," he said, gesturing toward the door.

Snape snorted and performed a dusting charm on Harry, resulting in a cloud of soot and a spate of sneezing. "Er, thanks," said Harry, following him to the door. He supposed it wouldn't do to get Dumbledore's office all over soot.

At least there was bound to be tea.

A Question of Etiquette XXI: Creature Comforts