There were moments when Harry wished things had worked out differently. Wished that he hadn't had to watch so many loved ones die, hadn't faced Voldemort multiple times, hadn't had to let his enemy kill him.

It was funny, actually. Harry had been able to defeat Voldemort, had avoided death countless times in his youth. Had even been able to assimilate into muggle culture after a few years. It was also funny that a semi with a sleepy driver is what killed him, just after his twentieth birthday in 2000. He'd woken up in what he eventually found out was a coffin.

That had been a bit of a shock. Well, maybe it wouldn't have been if Harry had paid better attention to his surroundings. The Hallow's were needy things, and never left him alone for long. Later on Harry reflected that, yes, he should've noticed that something was wrong. But the last few years had been... strange in terms of normalcy. Everyone had separate reactions to the war, and Harry found himself left out and seeking some solace, which led him to a muggle town, a muggle flat, a muggle car, and a muggle 'death.'

Harry was just thankful that the Hallow's were so attached to him, at this point. His holly wand had probably snapped or been left behind in the crash, but the Elder Wand flew to him whenever he wished. In fact, all the Hallows did. The stone and cloak remained safe in a bag he'd specially made for them, and the wand was kept in a slim holster on the inside of his sleeve at all times. It was with the wand's help that Harry was able to move to the states, give himself a name and all other things muggle that he needed. He studied basic schooling he had missed at Hogwarts, finding that information came so much easier now, and eventually enrolled himself into different colleges.

College had been wonderful, the first time around. He'd created a study group, had found a love for teaching, and had applied to be a substitute. Harry wasn't sure if he'd be able to really teach any classes except perhaps elementary, but it seemed that he had all the time in the world to explore, and he found a substitution license was likely a good direction to head in.

And he found himself correct. It really felt like not long at all before he was taking his exams for his baccalaureate, and then his masters, and then a real teaching license. Soon he was hired into an elementary school in Wyoming, then to a middle school in Pennsylvania, and a high school in Texas and many others in between. Sometimes he held the position for a few years, sometimes he substituted for a few months. Eventually he began to try out colleges, most didn't need a full-time teacher, but all needed substitutes eventually.

Apparition made it easy to travel, and the reputation behind him helped. It was also handy that he could change his physical appearance -that had been a wild night- to suit his needs. A mature adult in his forties looked good to those hiring him, and a younger appearance made his students comfortable. He found it worked out really well. Harry enjoyed his life so far. He thought he'd be somewhere in his fifties now, but he'd stopped counting awhile ago. He preferred looking somewhere in his mid-twenties anyways.

And he always loved how his classes reacted to him. Which is why, on August 25th, Harry found himself sitting on his desk -his feet didn't quite reach the floor, but that didn't bother him- and eating an apple, because he'd found that particular fruit had gotten him the most laughs.

There was also the fact that Harry enjoyed dressing nice, but he was nowhere near the level of fancy most of the other professors maintained. Harry had a pressed, dark green shirt and some black slacks. He didn't even have a tie, which he knew some of his colleagues would gasp at. But he was comfortable, and it was something different for his students.

"No way," he heard someone whisper. A smile twitched his lips around the apple. He watched them walk in, getting the same vibe as he usually did. Tired, excited, stressed, curious, underfed. They were college students, staring at him, likely wondering why he was so young and more casually dressed than the other professors they had met that week. But one in particular caught his eye, a tall, burly, broad student with a strong jaw and amber eyes. He was probably the most physically alluring of the bunch for Harry, who could admit he didn't mind being the smaller of the (potential) two.

He met eyes with the student. Harry thought he might've seen some shock pass over his face, but it was gone too quickly for him to know. And really, Harry didn't know enough about vampires to judge. A bell rang, disrupting his thoughts and startling a yawn out of him. His students when quiet in a moment; he had a feeling they were...expecting something from him.

"This is just too early to be trying to learn," Harry said to the class, looking at his watch, "I'll just be taking roll, and then we'll get started, yeah?" Harry noticed some shifting and surprised murmurs. His accent hadn't lessened, mostly because Harry didn't want it to, and it tended to surprise kids. Americans. He thought he saw the big one in particular shift, which would be hard to miss, but it was slight. He walked around his desk and grabbed his roster. "Just call out here, it shouldn't take too long. Your lot usually does better than the high school kids."

Attendance was done quickly, and though Harry only looked up from his roster for a moment, he was sure the booming voice that made him shiver belonged to the vampire, Mr. Emmett Cullen. That's a nice name. Once done -and he had made sure he didn't miss any names- Harry flopped the paper back on the desk and began to pace, clapping his hands.

"You have the wonderful fortune of getting me in the morning, and if I don't move I'll fall asleep, so do try and get used to it," Harry paused until he saw some heads nod, "My name is Harry Evans, you will address me by whatever. Teacher, Teach, Mr. E, Mr. H, Mr. Evans, Harry, professor, I don't particularly care, as long as it gets my attention."

Class went smoothly, with the usual questions about the syllabus and homework and 'Mr. Evans how old are you' and the like. After the bell dismissed them, Harry erased the chalkboard of the supplies list he'd created. His next class had different requirements, and he didn't want them to get mixed up. Before he was done, he felt eyes burning into the back of his head. He looked over his shoulder, seeing the boy, who was indeed Emmett Cullen, watching him. Harry raised an eyebrow, and got a blinding smile back. Harry snorted, shaking his head and muttering to himself about over-enthusiastic vampires as he finished erasing the board.

~~~

Emmett was ready for school hours before it started. It wasn't often he traveled away from his family to go to a different school, but this one in particular was tantalizing in its English courses. He was excited, and the murmurs of a new teacher before he even entered the room excited him too.

For the first time in at least a decade, Emmett was surprised by the teacher sitting on the desk. It was a rather young man, short with dark hair, fair skin, and wire framed glasses. He was very attractive from what Emmett could see, and that thought was only confirmed when he made eye contact and got to see what a brilliant color green the man's eyes were.

Emmett felt a rather startling stir in his belly, before a quick mantra of matematematematemate rose to the surface and almost made him take a step back in shock. Well, today just got very interesting. Emmett smiled as he went to his seat, watching his teacher -his mate!- closely. He noticed more details, like his full lips and rough hands. Emmett decided he was very happy with this development quickly.

Emmett found himself crossing his legs -to avoid a rather pesky problem- at the sound of his voice, and looking forward to the class as he learned what to expect and how Harry acted and taught. Harry had a small fruit bowl next to his computer, and at random times he would grab a fruit and play with it. Tossing it in the air, throwing it from hand to hand, gesturing with it. Emmett found himself transfixed on Harry's hands. Oh the things he could do with those hands...

When class was dismissed, Emmett realized he didn't want to leave, and found himself staring at Harry's head as he erased their required materials for the school year. He must have felt Emmett looking at him, since he turned around and raised an eyebrow in his direction. Emmett gave what he thought was his best, most charismatic grin, and was only a little disappointed to hear Harry snort. He almost didn't hear Harry call him an 'over-enthusiastic vampire.' Emmett almost ran into a student walking in front of him in his surprise.

How had Harry known? What did he think of him? Was he a threat to his family? Was he with the Volturi? Emmett had no idea, but he knew he hated thinking that his mate was with some other vampire. Emmett was itching to talk to him, and likely would've skipped his boring 10 am class if Harry hadn't likely been teaching at the same time. Emmett just hoped he had a long lunch, or maybe an early one at least.

~~~

Harry was at his computer screen, scrolling the mouse with one hand and tapping a rhythm on his desk with the other. His eyes flickered up to Emmett when he walked in, a smile on his face as he pushed his wheely chair away from his computer. He cast non-verbal privacy charms as he moved. Didn't need anyone over hearing and making a scene.

"Our resident Veggie Vamp! Can't say I'm surprised you're here, I doubt the cafeteria and surrounding grounds has anything very appetizing for you." Harry said, rummaging through his drawers, not looking at Emmett who stood shock still near his desk. After a moment, Harry made a noise of triumph and pulled out a lollipop with a red wrapper, decorated with bears scratching their backs on trees. "Blood pop? You seem like a grizzly guy to me. It's also the only one I have, so sorry if you don't like it."

Emmett wasn't sure how to respond, and also wasn't sure if he could. Harry shrugged, pulling the wrapper of the lollipop. "These never did seem too appetizing when I was younger, but they continued to stay on the shelf in Honeydukes, and I sort of made it a mission of mine to try all the candy they offered. I went in alphabetical order, so it didn't take long to get to. Turns out, not actually that bad." Harry stuck it in his mouth, looking back in the drawer. "I need to order some more soon. What flavor would you recommend?" Harry looked back up at Emmett, who still hadn't moved.

Emmett couldn't tear his eyes away from Harry's mouth. He couldn't remember the last time someone had left him speechless, and something about Harry made his blood sing. Sing in annoying places, but sing nonetheless. He hadn't expected his mate to be so...bold. Harry watched silently, still waiting for an answer.

"You're perfect. Better than I could have ever imagined." Emmett said softly, approaching Harry's desk on autopilot.

"Not the question I asked, but I am glad to hear my students like me. I hope my teaching skills continue to go beyond your expectations, Mr. Cullen." Harry quirked an eyebrow at him. Bit of an odd response...

"Emmett. And that isn't what I meant."

Harry leaned back in his chair, crossing his fingers over his lap. He considered the vampire for a moment before speaking. "Emmett, then. And what did you mean?"

Emmett gave Harry the most alluring smile he could muster, leaning forward so he was close to Harry's face and at his eye level. "That you are better than every vision I have ever created about my mate, and I would love to take you to dinner tonight."

Harry froze, the lollipop dangling out of his mouth. Emmett suspected he hadn't known about the mate part, and was willing to wait for an answer while Harry figured that one out. Not that Emmett wouldn't try again if he said no, but he really hoped he said yes. Besides, Harry looked cute when he was confused.

"Sorry?" Confusion fluttered across his face, but he leaned closer with his elbows on the desk, staring up at Emmett with what just had to be some sort of desire or attraction. Emmett refused to believe otherwise.

"Dinner tonight, with me, my treat. You name the time and place and I'll pick you up." Emmett sealed it with his smile -again- and a wink. Emmett expected Harry to fluster, maybe blush and stammer. But no, his mate would do no such thing. Harry had narrowed his eyes at Emmett, who did his best to look like that reaction didn't jar him. He was aiming for desirable and attractive. He hoped it was working.

"Mate, you say..." Harry paused, eyes turning towards the ceiling in thought. He looked back down at Emmett for a moment with those heart-stopping eyes. "why don't you just come to mine this weekend, I can make something we'll both enjoy," Harry offered.

"That sounds wonderful," Emmett leaned forward further, allowing his lips to get tantalizingly close to Harry's ear, "I can't wait to get to know you... intimately." With that, Emmett took the dangling lollipop out of Harry's mouth, stuck it in his own and walked out of the door. It was an incredible urge to look behind him, and an even stronger one not to leave at all. But Emmett always did have a flair for the dramatic, urges be damned.

Even after making himself close the door and walk out of the building entirely, Emmett couldn't keep himself away. He couldn't bring himself to go off campus, that was too far too soon. He ended up waiting outside Harry's door for when the man was going to leave. This weekend was way too far away. He needed something more from his mate before the date was over. Really, he'd accept a kiss. Just a tiny one, to hold him over. It was torture, waiting, but eventually he did hear Harry shut down his computer and pick up his keys. That was when Emmett walked into the classroom and shut the door behind him. Harry was halfway to the door, folders and water bottle under one arm and keys in one hand.

"I thought we decided on this weekend?"

"Yes, but I'm very anxious to get to know you sooner than that." Emmett said, walking towards him. Harry craned his neck to look up at him.

"Why so impatient? It's just dinner." Harry set his items back on his desk, leaning against it as Emmett drew closer.

"I hope it'll be far more than that... I just couldn't stand to see you go so soon." Emmett whispered, now close enough he could almost touch Harry. He stopped.

Harry gave him a challenging smile and Emmett could have drowned in. "See, I'm not that sorry about your feelings, given the state you left me in when I still had classes to teach."

Emmett almost took him then and there at the mention of his arousal.

"Oh, I am very sorry I did that to you. I would love to help you out with that problem, though, if you'd allow me." Emmett grabbed one of Harry's hands lightly, running his fingers across Harry's knuckles. A shock passed between them, and Harry let a light groan escape. "Please let me," Emmett whispered.

Harry gave him the hottest look Emmett had ever seen. But then Harry pulled away from him, and Emmett felt cold. "See, not impressed. You'll have to do more than that if you want to get your mate-"

Emmett could recognize a challenge when it was given to him, and Harry was nothing if not challenging. It made Emmett feel like he was on fire, loving the excitement of it and knowing that it was his mate and he would get to do this again and again.

Emmett grabbed Harry by the hips, easily lifting him up onto his desk. He distantly heard keys and papers fall to the floor, but he was too absorbed with Harry's lips that he couldn't find it in himself to care. In moments, Harry was moaning with him. Emmett had his hands in Harry's hair, and Harry had his legs wrapped around Emmett's waist. He felt Harry's erection brush across his own, his heart feeling like it skipped a beat.

Harry pulled away from him, pupils blown wide. He waved his hand, and Emmett heard the lock on the door click. "Hold onto me tight, okay? This isn't going to feel great." Emmett had a firm grip on Harry's ass, and replied by squeezing it. Harry gave him a mischievous smile before the pop of apparition filled the air.