When Worlds Collide: Hangin' on the Telephone

"You are through to Severus Snape, Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House.  I am unavailable just now, leave a message.  Unless you're an elf, in which case you can..."  *Beep*  This was the third time that Haldir had got Severus' answering machine.  The first time he'd left a message, the second time he'd left a message.  He didn't bother the third time.  Haldir flipped his 'phone shut, flopped back on his bed and sighed. 

It had been three days since the latest disastrous date.  His brothers had invited themselves on the date along with Haldir's former lover, Erestor.  Erestor had all but humiliated Haldir with anecdotes about their relationship and Severus had walked out in disgust.  Erestor had then invited himself to Haldir's home, and - he hoped - Haldir's bed.  For his part, Haldir had let Erestor kiss and caress him and this filled Haldir with guilt.  He not only had allowed Erestor to lick and fondle him all the way home, but he had returned those licks and fondles, heedless of his brothers sharing the taxi.  Only once the taxi had stopped and the foursome got out did sense kick in.

"Haldir, I have missed you - missed this so much."  Erestor curled his tongue around the tip of Haldir's ear.  "I can't wait to get you upstairs."  Erestor took Haldir's hand and pulled him up the flight of stairs.  About halfway up, Haldir realized what exactly he was doing and pushed Erestor away.  "I can't do it.  I can't do this.  He gasped.  "Come now dear heart, no sense in getting cold feet now."  "It's not cold feet, Erestor.  I don't want you - I want Severus."  Haldir legged it up the remaining few steps, flew into the flat and barricaded himself in his bedroom.

He had remained in his bedroom until well into the early hours of the following morning, not knowing whether Erestor had stayed or had gone to his own home.  He found he didn't much care either way.  All he cared about was how Severus had reacted the previous evening.  Consumed by guilt, he could face neither talking to his brothers nor telephoning Severus.  Until the third day of his self-imposed solitary confinement. 

He woke up from a sleep that had been disturbed by nightmares and self-recriminations.  He had repeatedly berated himself for not stopping Erestor - both from telling the stories and from kissing him.  Once his initial anger at Severus had abated he realised that the man's reaction had been entirely understandable.  Severus was clearly inexperienced with Elves and didn't understand that after six thousand or so years, Elves had amassed a fair number of ex-lovers.  Haldir had had a few flings in his younger days, including his few brief centuries with Erestor, but had been single now for the best part of the last millennium.  Not only that, in his lifetime, Haldir had only fallen for one other human.  That relationship had ended sadly, with the man's passing.  Never before that had Haldir lost a lover through death, and the experience had taught him to avoid relationships with mortals.  Until he had met Severus.

Haldir dialled the number.  The line rang twice and Severus' answering machine kicked in.  "Severus?  It's Haldir.  I was calling to explain.  And to apologise.  I didn't know that my brothers had arranged to meet Erestor.  Please call me back; I need to explain a few things."  He hung up.  Looking at the time, he realised that Severus would likely be in class.  Haldir, desperate to find something to occupy his troubled mind began rearranging his bedroom.  That took all of twenty minutes, so he tried to sleep.

Having received no return call from Severus, Haldir tried 'phoning again and again got the answering machine.  He left another message.  "Severus, it's me.  I really need to talk to you about this.  I understand why you're upset and I'd like the chance to set the record straight.  Call me."  Haldir walked out of his bedroom, checking to see if his brothers were around.  There was no sign of them.  He went into the kitchen, filled the kettle and switched it on.  He sat at the table and flicked through the newspaper.  The news reflected his mood - gloomy.  The kettle had boiled so he made his tea.  He heard the front door open and his brothers' voices in the hall.  They walked into the kitchen.  "So, you finally came out of your room?"  Rumil commented as he dumped the shopping bags he was carrying on the floor.  Haldir merely grunted and finished his tea.  "We are sorry, aren't we Rumil?"  Orophin elbowed his brother.  "Have you spoken to him yet?"  Haldir shook his head.  "I've left him messages, but he's not returned my calls."  Rumil started to unwrap a giant bar of Dairy Milk.  "Give it time, brother.  He'll come around."  Haldir grunted again and got up to leave the room.  On his way out the door, he grabbed Rumil's chocolate.  "Hey!  That's mine!"  Orophin silenced his brother with another elbow to the ribs.

After his third attempt to call Severus - and the changed answering machine greeting - Haldir resigned himself to defeat.  Clearly Severus had made up his mind that there would be no further contact.  Haldir had fallen into a dreamless sleep but was awoken by the persistent prodding from Orophin.  "What?"  "I tried knocking...you have a visitor, brother."  Haldir looked up at him.  "I don't want to see anyone."  Orophin sighed.  "You'll want to see this one."  He said and left the room.  Haldir pulled himself out of bed and wiped the chocolate from around his mouth.  He walked into the living room.  The lights were off and it was dark.  His brothers had disappeared into their own room.  He watched as the figure on the sofa rose and turned to face him.  He gasped, "Severus..."  Severus looked at him.  "You wanted to explain.  Explain then."

To be continued...