Differences

Seating himself at the dining room table, the realisation that he did not know what to do with a Harry Potter-Black in his house finally set in. He did not know what had even possessed him to bring the boy here instead of St Mungo's in the first place, thinking about it further, he did not seem to know what made him do anything that night. He took a sip of his tea and leaned back in the chair. All he can remember was seeing the boy in pain and reacting. The promise he made to Lily did not cause that react mindlessly whenever he saw him hurt, if it did his position as a spy would have been jeopardised years ago. So why now? Why did he react that way at all? There didn't seem to be a reasonable explanation other than him not wanting to see another experiencing a childhood similar to his own. But even that seemed far fetched as students have come to him about abusive households before and he wasn't storming into their homes, attacking the abuser and taking them to stay in his house.

There was always the possibility of it being his vampire instincts, but that still seemed far-fetched. Severus had been turned during his time as a Death Eater, Voldemort had sent him and some others to seek their alliance. Unbeknownst to the Dark Lord and those who accompanied him to the vampires coven, he had been turned when an unruly vampire attacked without reason. Severus knew that being a vampire wasn't as bad as the wizarding community made it out to be yet he did what any potions master who would not like to lose their job would do, he created a potion that suppressed the instincts. Also, because Severus Snape was never one to do things half-assed, he created another potion that acted as a blood substitute. His main potion acted much like his wolfsbane potion does for werewolves, it leaves the creature almost human but with the traits that Severus found were impossible to suppress. For vampires it was the hunger for blood, hence the blood substitute. The blood substitute did not satiate the hunger of vampires not on his potion as only human blood could. The vampires he sold the potion to were all like him in the sense of not believing the benefits of vampirism to be worth losing their place in the wizarding world so Severus kept the knowledge of the potion under wraps so the ministry was unable to hold it over their heads as they did with the wolves. While the mutual distain of vampires and werewolves is forever prominent, he did feel for the creatures having been shunned if they did not take the potion, the wizarding world refusing to believe they are not human hunting, mindless beasts despite the mass of evidence that proves against it.

Vampires have mates, a sort-of soulmate that magic herself chooses for them. Like most creatures, they believe a mate to be the most sacred and most blessed thing to receive so the creatures who are fortunate to have mates also have many protective instincts that are tied to them. Severus had not tested if his potion stifled those instincts but believed since he still had yet to find his mate, that it did. The closest he ever got to the feeling he assumed was that of being close to your mate, was Lily. Her blood smelt better than most but still did not feel right. He found it strange because he thought of Lily as a sister so he wrote it off as his love for her as she was the closest person to him and one of the only people who attempted to actually know him for himself. Yet, that was before he had invented and started taking his potion, he hadn't had the chance to see if the feeling was still present as they had fallen out with one another and then she was killed before he was able to apologise. Asking his vampire customers was also out of the question as the process before you and your mate are completely bonded was an extremely private subject and to ask a fellow vampire about how it is going for them, if you do not have a close bond, is completely taboo.

Regardless, Potter-Black could not be his mate, the boy did not like him in the slightest as a person, let alone find him attractive. From the little he did know about mates he knew even if the other was not a creature, they would feel some semblance of affection towards the creature. Even if he did feel it, he surely would have been disgusted at himself as Severus knew his potion made a vampire less attractive as vampires have a similar allure to veelas but without the mesmerising affect it has. Vampires are simply more attractive as to lure prey rather hypnotise them. Severus knew how ghastly the potion made him look (trust him, many people took it upon themselves to make it known he was not attractive) and was glad as it removed suspicion of him being a vampire, the intimidation factor, however, was also an upside for his career. His vampire customers did not like this particular effect of the potion but did agree that it made it easier to blend in.

Hearing the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs, he broke his train of thought and looked up from the breakfast he had been slowly making his way through while musing to see Potter walking down the last through steps. Now the boy - he really should start referring to him as a man as he has long since grown up - had matured, the public having came to realise the boy-who-lived was actually very attractive. The public praised the Black genes that came through on his facial features that made him look androgenous paired with his short, black unruly hair that somehow looks intentional, perfectly framed his beautiful emerald eyes that were so different from his mother's. He had ended up not growing taller than 5"8 (which Severus now believed was due to possible malnutrition as both his parents were tall) but as he was lean from quidditch, he had the appearance of being taller. Only a blind person would deny that the man was attractive. So as he stood there, in only the shirt Severus had provided (a shirt he found to be his favourite one from his teenage years because of the small snake embroidered into the edge of the collar) and, he assumed, boxers, Snape was unable to look away.

Potter had obviously misunderstood the silence as meaning Severus was uncomfortable with his presence so he sought to ease the tension.

"Sorry I only wore the shirt, the bottoms didn't fit so they were a bit uncomfortable." He said shuffling his feet and rubbing the back of his neck. Severus's face turned to one of confusion before he schooled his feature back to being neutral. He had been in a trance and what Potter had said confused him before he realised he had been staring.

"It's fine, just grab your breakfast from the counter and sit down." He coughed and began returning to his own meal as Potter did as he was told and sat on the seat across from him. He let him get more comfortable before beginning to speak again, "did Dumbledore know about it?" The 'it' didn't need to be specified as his companion froze with a forkful of egg halfway to his awaiting mouth. Potter lowered his fork and closed his mouth, staying still for a few beats.

"Yes." Silence followed as he appeared to not want to indulge further, not that Severus needed him to. Both men had looked up to the ex-headmaster at some point in their lives and both had been equally let down by him.

---

Harry found he didn't mind the silence. He had always found some comfort in the mans company despite them not liking each other. The man had a look in his eyes that Harry knew all to well, having seen it in his own more often than not. The look of loneliness, the hardened look of someone who has been let down too many times, the look of someone who just wants happiness but doesn't know whether they will ever be able to find it. He did believe the man to be irrational when it came to his bias against Harry due to his father but at the same time, from what he had seen and heard about what James Potter did to him, Harry couldn't find it in himself to blame him too harshly as he underwent similar treatment from Dudley. The more he thought about what he knew about Severus Snape, the more he believed he understood him, though he's sure the man himself would fervently disagree.

"Not that I'm not grateful you rescued me, but what are we going to do now? I know the Order still patrol my street to 'protect me' but I am unsure if they check I'm actually there. I mean I know I've been loud at least once before yet they've never appeared to have heard me but you did? Speaking of which, I didn't expect you of all people to join the Order again, especially with the state of them now." His blatant attitude towards the current Order made Snape chuckle.

"That's because I am not. They are but a bunch of delusional fools now, I was only there today as some apparently agreed with me about the pointlessness of them still being around and the Order found themselves all busy last night and needed someone to do the shift. I only agreed on the terms that they would never bother me again." This had Harry chuckling this time as he was enjoying how familiar Snape's 'I do not tolerate foolishness' attitude was. He also looked to be as if he was more comfortable despite the peculiar situation they found themselves in, Harry Potter and Severus Snape laughing over a mutual agreement of other's stupidity, over breakfast while wearing pajamas. "Assuming this was not a one-time occurrence, they probably elected to ignore you as it would ruin their imagine of the-boy-who-lived. They couldn't have people knowing their precious savior was not living a perfect, happy life even when a dark lord is after him." Harry always liked this about Severus, he doesn't sweeten his words to soften the blow because he believes the truth to be more important than saving someone's feelings. It made Snape trustful in Harry's eyes and probably was one of the factors that made him a successful spy. "Speaking of your life, you have a choice. You could go back or you can stay here until the beginning of the school year? I'd say you could stay in an Inn, however due to everyone in wizarding Britain knowing your face, I could bet you would be sent back to the muggles immediately if found." He furrowed his brows and tilted his head at the older man, not being used to having a choice on what he was going to do.

"Would you really not mind if I stayed here? I feel as if I'm intruding, especially because I know I'm not your first choice of company."

"Potter, I have taught you for seven years, you know I would not offer something I would not do."

"But nevertheless-"

"Potter. Would you like to go back to the muggles or stay here?" Snape cut him off, growing tired of the back and forth.

"If you are sure..."

"I am." Snape rolled his eyes.

"Then yes, I would prefer to stay here. But what about my wand and belongings, and the Order? I'm assuming someone was going to take over your shift once you'd finished?"

"Wow I'm impressed. Mr Potter actually thought ahead." The sarcasm was evident but Harry found it lacked the usual bite. He could get used to bantering with his professor.

Harry smiled before replying, "yes Professor Snape, you'll find that Lord Potter-Black is smarter than he appears to be." His smile grew wider as he spotted the corner's of his professor's mouth tugging slightly. Yes, he could really get used to this.

"I will return alone to get your belongings but you will have to tell me exactly where they are as I will have to evade the Order and the muggles to get to them. As for the Order knowing you are gone, if what you said about not thinking they actually checked if you were present in the house, I do not believe they'd notice your absence. If, in the unlikely case, they do, I doubt they will think I have you as they most don't believe we can stay in a room together without hexing one another, but if I do get questioned it will not matter, I would not have been a good spy if I couldn't spin and evade the truth." The younger man made an audible sigh of relief. "Did you still believe after my reassurances that I would send you back?" He said, raising an eyebrow.

"No I just didn't want to face the order either and, well, I guess it's nice to have someone on my side." All humor left Snape at that comment. Rumors had spread that the golden trio had split up after the war due to reasons people did not know, but Snape always only believed things that had solid proof, so he didn't give much thought to them. Nevertheless, that comment seemed to suggest the rumors were true.

"There has been talk about you, Miss Granger and Mr Weasley not being as close as you used to be, is it true?" His face somehow got more sombre at the thought of strangers talking about his personal life. He hugged his legs to he chest and rested his head on his knees.

"I guess there's no reason not to tell you...we fell out when I broke up with Ginny after the war. I spare you the nitty-gritty information but I finally decided I wanted to live for myself and not how others wanted me to, so I came out as gay to them as I believed I at least owed it to Ginny to be honest about my reasons. They believed I lead her on and that I was lying and me and Ginny were meant to be. Overall, not a pretty day but I still am on good terms with the older Weasley brothers, they were more understanding. Mr and Mrs Weasley only saw that I'd hurt their only daughter despite her already being in a new relationship." He took a shaky breath, apparently trying to stop himself from getting emotional. "Sorry you probably didn't want to know that much," he let out a wet laugh, wiping his now watery eyes with the cuff of Snape's shirt."

"Listen Mr Potter-"

"Harry. Please call me Harry if you don't mind." Somehow managing a kind smile despite his evident sadness.

"Ok Harry, out of school you may call me Severus." That received a smirk from his companion. " Why do I have a feeling I will regret that?" He sighed shaking his head as the smirk only grew wider. "Anyways, I do apologise that that was your first experience of people's reactions to homosexuality in the wizarding world. I can promise you that the majority of magical folk have no problem with it as those with creature blood cannot choose their mate and wizards or witches who are exceptionally powerful have been known to somehow been gifted the ability to get pregnant or get a partner pregnant despite their gender. Magical children are typically seen as a gift so to shun one for simply liking the same gender would go against the views of wanting to cherish them." Harry still looked unsure so he continued, "Lucius's brother Gregory is happily married to his partner William with their adopted daughter to give an example." This seemed to do the trick as Harry let his legs fall back onto the chair as he doubled over in laughter.

"I knew someone in a family with hair that primped had to be gay." Severus couldn't help but let out a snort.

"I cannot say you are wrong but I hope this helps you understand that you don't have to worry about people you may be close with minding, of course there will always be some who don't agree but they aren't worth the time of day." The green eyes held a glint Severus could not decipher as they looked back up at him.

---

The day had ended up uneventful for the most part. Harry had ended up borrowing more clothes from Snape hosting the same embarrassed blush as he had the previous night and Snape finding he gained strange possessive satisfaction in dressing the other man in his clothes. They had ended up parting ways as Harry headed to the library to pass the time reading, whereas Severus had potions to return to brewing.

Severus had ended up forgoing lunch as he fell into his day-to-day brewing routines so by dinner time, he was ravenous. As he packed away his ingredients he tried thinking up what to make. Contrary to popular belief, being a master at potions did not make you a good cook, so dinner would have to be simple. Though, to the potion master's surprise, he opened his laboratory door to be greeted with the smell of food already cooking. He went to go investigate but stopped to lean against the doorway to the kitchen.

Harry was there dancing round the kitchen with his eyes closed as the food cooked. The music coming from a radio that Snape had long forgotten that he owned as it usually just sat silently on the windowsill. It was playing some muggle pop song that he did not know but apparently neither did Harry. He was humming along mumbling and slurring the words but enjoying himself nonetheless. He looked free.

Just as Severus was about to open his mouth to say a sarcastic 'make yourself at home', Harry cut his finger. While this was not a big deal, the smell of the blood coming from the wound was. The scent had Snape stood up as straight as a board. It was the first time since before he created the potion that he reacted to blood, though this time was different. It was the most delectable smelling blood he had ever smelt. It was as if the red liquid was amortentia, the man was barely constraining himself.

Harry, in the meanwhile, had let out a curse and put his finger to his mouth to attempt to stop the bleeding as he walked the the sink to wash his hands. It wasn't until he turned to grab the towel that he noticed the other presence in the room.

"Merlin Severus, I nearly jumped out of my skin!" He exclaimed, one hand over his heart and the other reaching to turn the radio off. "Sorry for cooking without permission but I wanted to thank you but didn't really know how." His hand went to rubbing the back of his neck as the blush returned with and nervous smile. Only now seeing that the older man hadn't move, his expression dropped as he turned down the hobs and made his was over to Severus.

"What's wrong?" Harry was trying his hardest to meet the taller mans eyes but he continued turning away before finally giving up and closing his eyes, trying to concentrate on his breathing in an attempt to calm down. "Severus?" Receiving no answer again he once again misunderstood the situation, "I am very sorry that I cooked without your permission, I shouldn't have believed I could act so comfortable in someone else's home and I-"

"No it's fine, it smells really good!" He let out the strained reply and he did not want Harry's thoughts to spiral. "I think I just might be a little light-headed from missing lunch, I will go wait at the dining table if you don't mind?" Without waiting for an answer he rushed from the room.

Harry Potter-Black was his mate.