Part 7

Part Seven – Harry

All day I've thought about the conversation that Snape and I had the night before. He seemed so shocked about Scorpius and Al. I'm glad that he isn't close minded like some people might be, but still, what bothers me is that he didn't think it possible for a Potter and a Malfoy to be together. Does that mean that a Snape and a Potter can't truly be friends?

That's very disappointing to me. For the past week since he first came to visit, I've felt like there's something to look forward to. And I know I have the kids, and that truly makes me happy, but it's been so long since I've truly confided in anyone. Ron's always busy with George and their business when he's not with Hermione and their kids, so things aren't exactly the same between us and has been even more strained since Ginny's accident. It's like neither of us knows what to say outside of a polite conversation about Quidditch, the kids, business, or the weather.

Hermione, well, she always looks at me as if she's feeling sorry for me, and I hate it. I'm a widower, I'm not dying, thanks! She was so excited that the kids and I were going on holiday. I guess she saw it as a positive step forward. It's just not easy talking to someone who's trying too hard to help. And Molly, she acts as though I don't know the first thing about fathering children, never mind that I've been doing just fine all their lives.

A long time ago I never would have dreamed that Snape and I could amicably sit together for a couple of hours talking about mundane things. He's told me many things about my mother that I never knew, and grudgingly, he's even talked about my dad and Sirius. He doesn't mind letting me know what right pricks they were to him, and I find that I'm not exactly proud of them either. I hope that as a man, my father would have changed. Sirius never did, but I think being locked in Azkaban all those years had something to do with it. Hermione had been right about him all along.

And she was right about Snape all along. He did deserve our respect, even when he was being an arsehole to us. We didn't know it back then, but he'd had a shitty life. He was there nearly every time I needed someone. I just never saw it for what it was. I never wanted to see it. I hated him. I thought him to be an ugly, biased git who...

It strikes me just now that I don't think he's ugly any longer. He looks mostly the same, though healthier, but I actually find him attractive. How did this happen? "Good grief," I mutter aloud. "How pathetic. Someone pays attention to me, and I'm so starved for it, I eat it up and get all muddled in the brain."

"What's wrong, Dad?" Al says from behind me. "You've been talking to yourself a lot recently."

I smile and say, "I was just thinking about Snape. Glad he's becoming such a good mate lately. After I found out what he and mum shared, I regretted not knowing this side of him."

"Aren't you supposed to be going over to his place? It's about that time now."

"Oh, right. My thoughts ran away with me."

"Have fun, Dad. We'll be fine. All right?"

"Right then." I hug my son briefly and then run my fingers through his hair, making it messier.

"Watch it!" he says, laughing.

"I shouldn't be too late."

"And if you are, that's okay, too."

I gaze at him a moment and take in his lopsided grin. "Are you trying to say that..."

"Just that you need to get out and do something besides work for a change. This holiday is the best thing that's happened to you, and I'm glad we have this chance to do this." He shrugged. "And, Dad, I'm glad you've found someone...a friend...to hang out with."

"Al, I can see what you're thinking, and it isn't like that. Really."

"Well, why not?"

"Because he and I, we've only just met again after all this time. We used to be enemies. It's not like that at all."

"Uh-huh."

"Besides, we both like women."

"Why can't you like both? There's nothing wrong with being bi you know."

I smile and ruffle his hair again. "I know you mean well, son. I'll see you tonight."

"Or in the morning," he calls after me.

Though I have a good chuckle over his words, I mull over them the entire walk to Snape's shop. Would I ever find someone that made me feel the way I've been feeling lately? It's been so nice to simply not be alone any longer that I hadn't really examined what's going on deep down in my mind. Am I developing real feelings for Snape? Even I admitted to myself that I find him attractive. But then, that doesn't necessarily mean anything. I've thought men to be attractive before.

However, I never had the impulse to act on that attraction before. Not that I have that impulse now, but it's something to think about, isn't it? As I near the shop, my pulse quickens in anticipation. And then I hear it: his silky voice.

"Potter."

"Snape," I say, turning to see him leaning against a lamppost.

"I just closed up."

"Perfect timing."

He nods. "This way."

We stroll down to the next crosswalk and wait for the light to walk. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

I keep quiet and walk beside him along the pavement, my hand brushing his now and again when we meet up with others, causing me to get closer to him. I am very aware of the heated spark I feel and wonder if he is as well.

"Not so hot today," I comment.

He snorts. "It must be some sort of record for July."

"Probably."

"This lot is going to get rowdy over the next few days...it being a holiday in two days."

"Oh, right. Independence Day. I saw someone with red, white, and blue face paint earlier with a sign that said something about it. His shirt looked like a flag."

He shakes his head. "Berk. I saw him, too."

After a trolley car passes, we cross over the tracks and climb a small set of stone steps that lead to a large cement walkway on top of the levee that lines the city. The river is before us. "Wow," I say. "It's big. Look at all those ships. You'd think they'd wreck being so close like that."

"Of course not. They know what they're doing, the riverboat pilots. See how the ferry waits to return until just the right time? Sometimes I sit on one of those rocks down there...if the bloody mosquitoes don't carry me off."

I watch his face and realize he's completely at peace. His entire form is relaxed, and his expression softens his face. As I watch, the wind lifts several locks of his hair and blows them about, and now I become conscious of something else. I want to reach out and run my fingers through his hair to see if it feels as silky as it looks.

Swallowing thickly, I look away and hope he doesn't notice how tense I've become. Maybe Albus Severus noticed something after all. Merlin help me, but the first person to draw my attention since my wife is Severus Snape. The question now is: What do I do about it? My family will only be here for a few more weeks. It's likely best that I just let it go, fight the feelings developing.

"What are you thinking?" he asks.

I turn to find him watching me intently. "Just that it's nice here. You look like... This place does you good, Snape."

"My favorite refuge," he admits. "No matter how busy the city is, I can come here to relax. There's always someone about, but just the peace of the waves flowing, the breeze... I feel so free."

"Look at that," I say, pointing off in the distance where the sky is changing to shades of pinks and oranges as the sun begins to descend below the tall buildings. We lean against the railing for a long time and simply observe...birds flying about, people commuting on the trolley cars, and even a few jets flying overhead as they leave from the New Orleans airport.

Nearby, a scruffy looking fellow plays a tune on a harmonica, and the melody seems to fit what I feel at this moment. I look over at Snape and his eyes meet mine. We both smile and enjoy the moment. Once the man's done, Snape throws a dollar into a hat next to him, and we walk on.

"How would you like to go for a flight, Potter? In our Animagus forms?"

I grin and say, "That would be great. Do this often?"

"Not often enough."

In this one instant, Snape looks years younger, and I feel the way I did when I flew for the first time...stomach tingling excitement and all.

AN: Thanks go to beaweasley2 and rdholmantx for giving this a read.