Title: I'll Wait For You

Summary: After a complicated past, Harry tries to convince a very stubborn Severus Snape to go out with him. The Potions Master struggles with his growing feelings for the young man that has unexpectedly become his friend.

Rated: T

Genre(s): Romance, Friendship, Drama

Pairing(s): Harry Potter/Severus Snape (main), Ron Weasley/Hermione Granger

Warning(s): None for now

AN: Hi everyone, I know I dropped off the face of the earth for a few weeks and I am so sorry, I promise I'm working on my other stories. I had a really good idea in the meantime for a more lighthearted, fluffy, cute Snarry story. I will have my other stories updated soon - I promise - but for now I hope you enjoy the first chapter of my new story!

On the second day of the new school term, Harry Potter stood nervously in front of his former Professor's door. It was the end of the day and a group of students hurried out of the classroom, most likely eager to be out of the dungeons. Harry took a deep breath and felt in his robes pocket to make sure the single red rose was still there. It was.

Harry took another deep breath and knocked before he changed his mind about what he was about to do. "Enter," called the deep baritone voice.

Harry pushed open the door and lingered in the doorway. "Hello Severus," he said.

Severus Snape looked up from his desk. "Potter," he said. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Oh please, Severus, we're friends and you know it. You called me Harry last year, remember?"

Last year, Severus had helped Harry, Ron, and Hermione find the Horcruxes. He and Harry had formed a connection, and it scared Severus. After an almost-kiss, the Potions Master had returned to Voldemort late one night, leaving the Golden Trio to hunt the rest of the Horcruxes by themselves. Harry had been shocked, and furious with Severus, and a while later, he found Severus on his deathbed in the Shreiking Shack. Harry had cried and taken Severus to the hospital wing, but not before Severus kissed him. It was a deep, passionate kiss that had caused something deep inside Harry to awaken. Then he'd passed out and Harry stayed with him at the hospital wing for as long as he could before he had to fight.

He hadn't seen Severus again before the war ended and he went home with the Weasleys and Hermione for the summer. Three months without seeing Severus or hearing from him at all. Harry knew he wasn't among the casualties of the war, to his relief, but at the same time he couldn't help but feel hurt that the Potions Master hadn't bothered to reach out to him.

Severus sighed. "Harry," he said, avoiding the younger man's gaze. "What do you want?"

Despite his racing heart, Harry pulled out the rose and asked, "Will you go out with me?"

Severus's eyes widened in surprise. He stared at Harry for a moment before saying, "I don't think that is a good idea."

"Why?" Severus turned back to his papers, but Harry went up to his desk. "Please, Severus."

"No, Potter, and that is final."

Infuriating man. "You kissed me, Severus, do you remember?" The Potions Master stiffened at that and glanced at the doorway, probably making sure no one had overheard. "I liked it."

"It was one kiss," Severus said. "I got emotional. I thought I was going to die. I never would have kissed you in any other circumstance."

That stung at first, but Harry remembered the moment they had shared while hunting the Horcruxes. "That's not what you said in the tent last year," Harry pointed out. He placed the rose on top of Severus's papers, forcing the older man to look up at him. "You can try to shut me out, Severus, but it's not going to work. I'm in love with you."

"Don't be ridiculous, Potter. No one loves me."

"No one has gotten to know the real Severus. The one you keep locked inside you, for whatever reason." Severus just stared at him. "But I've gotten to know the real you. And I love you."

Severus's breath hitched as Harry leaned over the desk, and the younger man smiled to himself. "Think about it," was all he said before leaving the room, leaving the rose on Severus's desk.

That evening at dinner, Severus sat next to Albus. "Harry seems quite happy being a teacher here, don't you think?" the Headmaster commented, smiling as he watched Harry talking with Hermione down the staff table. "Have you had a chance to talk to him, Severus?"

Albus was the only one who knew about Severus's feelings for Harry, and he had never judged Severus. "Harry came to see me today," he said. "He asked me out, and...and he said he loves me."

The Headmaster smiled. "I'm happy for you, Severus," he said.

"I turned him down," Severus added.

Albus looked taken aback. "But why?"

"Harry deserves better than me," Severus said. "We had a beautiful friendship but he needs to move on. I'm more than twice his age, I was his professor for seven years. It would be highly inappropriate for us to be in a romantic relationship."

"It is not illegal for you and Harry to be in a relationship, Severus," Albus pointed out. "Harry is of age and he is crazy about you."

Severus sighed. "Albus, if...if I go out with him, everything will change. People will know I'm not who I led them to believe I am. I'll be vulnerable."

"Oh Severus, not everyone in life wants to hurt you," Albus said, patting his arm. "Especially not Harry."

Severus considered Albus's words as they ate dinner. He had never given his heart to anyone except Lily, and look how that had ended. He had never even been in a relationship before - what if it ended badly? He could lose Harry. Severus didn't know if he wanted to risk getting hurt again.

But if he didn't even try, he would never know. Maybe it could work out between him and Harry. And besides, Severus didn't want to be alone for the rest of his life, no matter what he had led other people to believe.

After dinner, Harry approached him as everyone was leaving the dining hall. "Have you thought about that date?" Harry asked him.

To his horror, Severus felt himself blush. He lowered his head so no one would hear and said, "When pigs fly, Potter."

"A simple 'Wingardium Leviosa' would do," Harry pointed out, "and then you'd have to go on a date with me." The corner of Severus's mouth twitched in amusement. Harry did have a sense of humor that he had to appreciate, but he wasn't about to tell the young man so.

"We can be friends," Severus said, "and that is it. I will not suddenly form a romantic attachment with someone I have not seen in three months."

Harry bit his lip, and Severus could tell he was holding back a retort. Wise choice, he thought. "Friends, for now," Harry agreed. "I still want that date eventually, but I'll wait for you, Severus Snape," he whispered in the Potions Master's ear as he passed him. Severus shivered and ignored the sudden, overwhelming longing that filled every cell in his body.

"We'll see," Severus said, and smirked. Harry rolled his eyes at him as he left the Great Hall, and a warm feeling filled the Potions Master.

This was going to be an interesting year.