Chapter Text

– Epilogue –

Harry ducks in the shop to hide from the summer heat.

“Hello Martha,” he greets the clerk.

“Harry,” she smiles, shrewdly. “Another business meeting?”

“Something like that,” Harry says, quickly strolling through the shop.

“Are we to expect a new colour? Platinum and red still sells well enough, but black hasn’t been a favourite.”

“Well I like it well enough,” Harry murmurs under his breath trying to avoid the avid, knowing gaze. “We’ll discuss it with Seve – with Profe – with Snape.” He flashes a strained smile at the sharp woman, then nearly runs to the door leading to the lab in the back.

He hears laughter as he slips through, but then once the door is closed and he has eyes on Severus, Martha is long gone from his thoughts.

“Hullo,” he says as he walks closer.

Snape looks up from the parchment he’s been scribbling onto and places his quill down. “Is it already afternoon?” He asks, surprised.

He checks the coffee mug on the table, but it seems empty.

Harry walks closer, settles on the edge of the desk. “Have you eaten today?”

Snape leans back, cocks a smug eyebrow. His gaze shifts on Harry’s body, clearly appreciative of his new red Auror robes. “I could eat… What do you have in mind?”

That one line is enough for Harry’s cheeks to heat up. He smothers the feeling though. “Hannah came up with a new roast recipe at the Leaky. Hermione says it’s amazing,” he suggests.

Slowly Severus stands up and moves closer. Slim hips press Harry’s thighs wider apart as the man towers over him. “I’m slightly disappointed, but why not. One needs food, too, I’d imagine,” he grunts, then kisses Harry softly.

“I think Martha is onto us.” Harry whispers trying not to laugh.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Snape smirks, lips against Harry’s throat. “Just because she saw you half naked in here that one time…”

“My shirt was barely undone!” Harry gasps as hands skim on the outer side of his thighs.

“Oh, that’s not what you meant, is it?”

“No, and we did tell her that was for research.”

“Then perhaps the fact that you two meet nearly every afternoon when you arrive and every morning when you leave?”

“Surely not, she knows we work hard on all sorts of…” Harry’s breath catches in his throat when Severus presses closer. “Experiments,” he finishes off, stuttering.

Severus smiles, kisses him again. “Would that be such a nuisance though? If we were found out?”

“Absolutely,” Harry answers with pretended indignation. “If we’re found out, it means we’re not good at keeping secrets.”

Snape pulls away, looks Harry in the eyes.

“Sometimes secrets simply don’t want to be kept.”

“Yeah…” Harry drawls. “Sometimes though, you’re just dying to tell it to everyone.”

“What should we do then?”

“We could start dating.”

“Half a year enough of a courtship, then?”

“A bit too soon, I know.”

“What progressive times we live in...” Snape sighs, lips twitching. He kisses Harry once more, then steps back.

“Ron’s helping me pack up a few more boxes. I take it you’d like the books from Grimmauld.”

“Pack everything, I’ll sort them through later.”

“Dinner then? At the Leaky?”

“Sure, why not. My name’s been out of the paper for a whole week and they didn’t mention you today either. We’re old news. Maybe it’s time to give them something to chew on.”

“To choke on,” Harry grins, then slips off the table.

They walk back out to the front, which is empty right now. It’s nearly closing time. Martha is filling up the stock but she smiles when they emerge.

Snape walks Harry out, but they linger at the open door of the store.

“See you tonight then?” Harry asks quietly.

“At seven,” Snape nods as he folds his arms over his chest and leans against the frame.

“Brilliant,” Harry says cheerfully, then stands on tiptoes to press a kiss to the corner of Severus’ mouth. “Love you, bye,” he grins, then turns to the clerk. “Bye, Martha!”

“Bye, Harry!” she smiles, then returns to the empty shelves.

Harry narrows his eyes, then looks at Severus. “Whatever could have clued her in?” he deadpans.

“We’ll never know,” Snape smirks.