Foreplay

Special Thanks to my wonderful beta Pam.

It was a well known fact that Severus and Harry were extremely possessive of each other. All who knew the couple knew that.

Harry’s genial yet slightly reserved nature let itself well to his public status. He was a bit reserved but kind when he was approached. When he was with Severus most kept a wide berth.

Ever so often there was a person with more hubris than good sense.

At first the bartender refused to indulge the young man but reconsidered when a sizable amount of galleons were dropped on the table.

What could happen? Harry was alone at the moment.

Harry had been in a private booth for about a half an hour reading the paper. The waitress presented Harry with a glass of wine. After a few moments the waitress returned to the bar with the glass still on her tray.

The bartender sighed and hoped that was the end of it. The gleam that appeared in the customer’s eye as the waitress returned with the glass was not very reassuring.

Fifty minutes later the Potions Master arrived. Harry barely nodded a hello before he signaled the waitress to take their order. It was clear he was very upset. The two argued quietly as they waited for their dinner to arrive.

The waitress approached the table again. The hesitancy in her approach became clear when she quickly placed a wine glass, a bottle chilling in a bucket, and a note beside Harry. She left as fast as her feet could take her.

Before Harry could read the note Severus Accio’d the note. Both the bartender and waitress unconsciously seemed to step back as they felt rather than saw the power of Potion Master’s reaction.

After some very fast talking and soothing words Harry was able to calm the man. Everyone in the tavern breathed a sigh a relief.

Harry and Severus ate dinner although it was unclear whether either of them was enjoying it.

On their way out the bartender apologized to Harry with his eyes and dared to look at the Potion’s Master. That was a mistake. He was handing Harry change when the brash young man who had caused much of the couples’ immediate aggravation approached.

This time the bartender stepped back.

“You could do so much better than that.” The haughty but quiet tone insinuated.

At that moment both Harry and Severus turned as one and hexed the man with enough force to go through the wall.

Each man silently regarded the other. Suddenly the Potions Master threw enough galleons on the bar to cover the damage, while Harry walked stiffly toward the fireplace. The Potions Master was not far behind; robes accentuating his departure.

The bartender picked up the money. Then ran a hand through his hair and grumbled. “Those two need to find a better form of foreplay.”