Salt and Pepper Fest: A Reminder of Age

[hpgoldenage_mod]

Title: A Reminder of Age
Author: Goddess47
Characters/Pairings: Harry Potter/Severus Snape
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 1300
Content/Warning(s): Reference to character that died in canon
Summary/Prompt: "Professor Snape! I've wanted to meet you for so long!" the young lady said cheerfully.
A/N: Many thanks for patient mods who made allowances for forgetful writers!

Read on AO3 or below:



Severus was running late for dinner. Not seriously late, but he preferred to be early and he was annoyed with himself.

The potion he had been working on had taken a bad turn at an unexpected moment and had boiled over. Not only had it ruined the potion but it had splattered all over the workbench.

He had automatically thrown up a shield to protect himself, otherwise he might have burns on his hands and arms.

In spite of being later than he liked, Severus did take a shower. Hot water felt always better than a Scourgify, so he did take the time for a quick shower before donning clean clothes. He wore a Muggle suit, navy blue with a cream colored shirt, but no tie. He used a hair-clasp to hold his hair in place.

Presentable, Severus traveled to the Apparition point in Muggle London that would be nearest the restaurant where his meeting was. As he walked inside, he was greeted by the hostess.

"Your party is already here, sir," she said cheerfully. "This way."

Severus followed the woman down the stairs to the lower level of the restaurant and to the rear of the area.

"Oh, were you expecting someone else?" she asked. A young woman, mayhaps recently graduated from Hogwarts but definitely young, with what might be referred to as mousy brown hair was seated at the table.

"No..." Severus drawled.

As they approached, the young woman looked up and looked delighted as she readily identified him.

"Professor Snape! I've wanted to meet you for so long!" the young lady said cheerfully.

Severus did not argue about the honorific since he had not been a 'Professor' for over thirty years. But that's what that damned chocolate frog card called him and he would never escape it.

"I was chatting with Lord Potter, who was kind enough to allow me to join him until his date arrived..." She looked at Severus and then at Harry, frowning for just a moment before her face lit up with a huge smile. "Really? The two of you are together? How absolutely marvelous!"

"And you are..." Severus asked.

"Oh, where are my manners?" the young woman said, hastily standing up, almost tipping over the heavy chair as she attempted to move it. "Oh, bother!" she sighed, holding on to the chair and stepping out into the aisle. She held out a hand to Severus. "Esmerelda Applegate. Not that you would recognize the name, but my grandfather is Dennis Creevey."

Severus nodded and shook her hand. Ah! Muggleborn and knew how to give a decent handshake. "Pleased to meet you, Miss Applegate," Severus said.

"I am so pleased to meet you!" Esmerelda said. "Grandfather will be chuffed to know I met up with you both."

"How is your grandfather?" Severus asked.

"Doing very well," she replied. "He and Grandmother are vacationing in Italy right now."

Harry interrupted what was likely to be a long story, "I am sorry but we do have other plans for the evening that we do need to get to."

She blushed and giggled. "It's been a pleasure and I won't keep you from your dinner. Have a good night!"

"And you also," Severus replied.

She giggled some more as she scurried off to the other end of the restaurant.

Severus pushed the chair back into its proper place and sat in it.

"I ordered you a drink," Harry admitted. "I didn't realize how much you might need it."

The bar maid arrived with two drinks, setting tumblers in front of each of them. "Are you ready to order, or would you like a minute?"

"There are lamb shanks on special," Harry prompted.

"I'll take those," Severus nodded.

"I'll have the filet, medium rare, and a baked potato," Harry added.

"Excellent!" she nodded. "Today's soup is a beef barley."

"That sounds good," Harry nodded.

"For me, also," Severus agreed.

The bar maid left and Harry put up a Muffliato around them.

Harry picked up his drink and held it out for a small toast. "Merlin save us from fans."

Severus tapped his glass against Harry's. "Agreed." He took a sip of the bourbon and let the flavour swirl about before swallowing. "Nice."

"I thought you might enjoy it," Harry smiled. He leaned in for a small kiss. "Esmerelda ambushed me and sat down before I knew what was happening. She was polite but, well, she's a fan in a way only a Creevey can be a fan."

"Sorry to be late but the potion went to hell and the clean-up was tedious, since I had to do most of it by hand and couldn't simply vanish it," Severus said. "I hope she didn't hold you captive too long."

"No, not really," Harry admitted. "But long enough to tell me about her entire family, including the aunties and uncles and how her parents met, although her father is evidently a Squib while her mum went to Hogwarts, a Ravenclaw, if you must know. But Esmerelda was a 'Puff, and is now working in one of the elementary schools that teach both Muggles and Wizards together."

"That is a good thing," Severus replied. "She seems to have the temperament for elementary children."

"That she does!" Harry laughed, taking another drink. "Although knowing Dennis Creevy is old enough to have an adult granddaughter is unnerving." A wry smile. "Makes me realize how old I am."

"You know perfectly well that Ron and Hermione's grandson is a teen going into sixth year," Severus reminded him. "It's not like everyone has frozen in time."

"Watching Artie grow up wasn't quite as painful as seeing that young lady," Harry grinned. "I'm two years older than Dennis, so I should be allowed some surprise."

"If you must," Severus grinned.

Dinner was excellent, as always. As they were leaving, the hostess stopped them. "I am sorry about the young lady. We do try to be discreet when we have guests like yourselves in the restaurant."

Severus had thought they had been recognized, since they patronized the pub every month or so.

"She went away easily," Harry admitted. "No harm done."

"Good to know," she replied with a relieved smile. "Have a good evening."

"We will," Severus replied.

Harry took Severus' hand as they walked through the streets toward an Apparition point. Harry led the way toward one point that was a few extra blocks away.

"What happened with your potion?" Harry asked, bumping his shoulder gently against Severus'.

"If I knew that, I would not have done it," Severus replied. "Although, now that I've been away from it for a bit, I'm wondering if one of the ingredients was a bit off."

"That's a place to start," Harry grinned.

They had reached the Apparition point and Harry let Severus take them home.

"It's early but I think we could take advantage of that to unwind," Severus said, still holding Harry's hand.

"Unwind? Is that what the kids are calling it these days," Harry laughed.

"Brat!" Severus said as he lowered his mouth to Harry's. Severus took them upstairs to their bedroom.

"Your brat!" Harry smiled. Then he Vanished their clothes and tumbled them both on the bed.

"I thought you were feeling old," Severus teased as Harry brought their cocks together.

"Never that old!" Harry laughed as he kissed Severus.

Years together had given them the chance to learn how to share pleasure and they spent time both giving and receiving that pleasure. A quick Scourgify was sufficient for clean-up when they were finally sated.

Harry snuggled into Severus and they wrapped their arms around each other.

"Not so old," Harry said, poking Severus gently.

"I will grant you that," Severus agreed sleepily.

"I will let you sleep," Harry replied, dropping a soft kiss on Severus' hands that were in front of him.

Severus tightened his hold briefly and Harry closed his eyes to sleep.