Friendship and Beyond 53/?
Rated: R contains mentions of rape and torture, although not actual scenes. Possible HP/SS in later chapters, also HG/RW.
Authors Notes: I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters, that would be JKR. Subject matter not for children, although nothing too graphic, but be careful when reading just to be on the safe side.
Author's Notes: This is the last chapter. There will most likely be a sequel, but my question to you guys is if you'd rather have the sequel right now or in a few months, but another Harry/Sev story to read. Both are currently in the works. Let me know.
And They Lived…
As Harry entered the pub he noticed that despite the worn down sign on the exterior, the inside was well kept up and had a homey atmosphere. There were maybe ten customers in total and there were many out of the way nooks and crannies to go for privacy.
Harry immediately went over towards those to look for Severus, while looking around the pub taking in the wood floors and tables, as well as the soft music playing in the air. This restaurant reminded him of an old postcard he had seen of an Irish pub a few years ago. While the bar he was currently in was more magical of course, the style was very similar. He had only entered less that a minute ago when a blonde waitress walked over to him.
"What can I do you for, Sir?" She asked in a bubbly voice winking at him boldly. Harry just got a kick out of being called sir by a girl that was a few years older then him.
"Hello, Ma'am." Harry greeted her putting just the slightest emphasis on the 'ma'am, while smiling innocently. The waitress grinned back at his cheek. "I am actually supposed to meet someone here for dinner."
"Does this someone have a name?"
"Severus Snape." Harry answered almost immediately, after all if the potions master suggested meeting here in public he obviously didn't mind being seen. With this thought firmly in mind Harry continued to describe his date. "He's a professor at Hogwarts. Dark hair, kind of tall."
"Yes, Sev comes in here quite often on the weekends, although this is the first time that I can recall he has had company." The blonde smirked at him before leading him over towards a shadowed corner near the bar. "He's right over there, dear."
Just as Harry was about to disengage himself from the friendly waitress and move over to sit with Severus, she tightened her grip on his shoulder slightly, causing him to look at her in surprise.
"My name is Beth by the way, hun. I must say it is good that Sev is finally allowing people to get close to him; it's been many years since I have seen him so relaxed. Do try not to hurt him." Beth ordered, still genial but with a hint of steel in her voice.
"I have no intentions of hurting him." Harry answered back just as seriously, gently disengaging from her. "Now if you'll excuse me I do have a potions master to see, and if his glare is anything to go by he is not in a good mood."
"Oh don't let the scowl fool you. He's been mentioning you for a few weeks now, anxiously awaiting your date, so don't screw this up."
"Thanks Beth. By the way I'm Harry. I will talk to you later, wish me luck." Harry called over his shoulder softly as he walked towards Severus' table.
"Hello Severus." Harry began hesitantly sitting down across from him, taking in his outfit as he did so. Severus was wearing a similar outfit to Harry's, except he was wearing all black rather than a colorful shirt and robes.
"Harry." Severus answered nodding his head in greeting. "To be honest I was not sure you would come."
"Of course I came, why would you think that?"
"You are young Potter. Every few weeks you change your mind about something you desperately want. Give me a bit of credit Mister Potter. You want me, but I sincerely doubt this will still be the case in the near future. Once you find your direction in life I doubt you will give me a second thought."
"Are you through?" Harry asked calmly waiting patiently as Severus continued his rant. "Good, because that is absolute shite!"
"Excuse me?" Severus asked incredulously.
"Everything you've just said is bullshit. I have never been a normal boy, I am legally an adult and I think I know my own mind. I already know which direction to take my future. I already agree to become the DADA teacher for next year. My decision had nothing to do with you, but I had hoped we could continue to feel our way into a relationship. I guess I was wrong, since you seem to consider me a child. If you'll excuse me I have to get back to Hogwarts. Don't worry I won't bother you again, Professor."
Harry barely kept his voice from breaking and by the end of his speech his voice was little more then a hoarse whisper. Just as Harry made to stand up, Severus grabbed his wrist trapping him in place. Harry refused to look at Severus, instead glaring at the restraining hand on his arm.
"P-Harry, that wasn't what I meant." Severus began explaining. "You have just been through a traumatic experience. It is only normal for you to latch onto the first person to give you kindness and help."
"My whole life has been traumatic, Severus. This is nothing new. If I just wanted to shag you that would be one thing, but give me the benefit of the doubt. If what you said were true then I really would have latched onto Ron and Hermione because they've been there for me just as much as you. This isn't an infatuation, Severus. If we decided right this minute that nothing would ever come of this I would be okay, I would survive and I would move on. Just because I love you doesn't mean that you are all I can think about. I have never been as flighty as others my age, maybe because of all the trials I have gone through. I don't know, but I do know that I don't want an affair that will last a few months. I want it all. I loved waking up in the morning with you; I loved eating and playing chess in your quarters. You made me feel both safe and sexy at the same time. When you touched me I didn't want to vomit or run away, I wanted to move closer, to take you in my arms and love you. So don't tell me what I feel because I am more aware of my feelings than you are."
"What would you have me say to such a declaration?" Severus asked softly, though with much emotion.
"That you love me too, that you want me to live with you, that we'll try this and hope it works, that you feel safe in my arms too." Harry would have gone on had not Severus interrupted him mid-babble.
"Yes."
"Yes what?" Harry asked slightly confused.
"To all of it, you insufferable brat." Severus answered matter-of-factly ignoring Harry's shocked expression, which quickly turned into one of joy. "Don't expect me to suddenly be agreeable, and heaven forbid… nice."
"Wouldn't dream of it Sev." Harry smirked, intertwining his fingers with Severus' across the table. "But I will want to change some of your furniture and add a bit of light."
"Just do not go over board, imp. I reserve the right to transfigure it all back and throw you out on your arse if I so much as see red and gold colors in my rooms." Severus snarked nastily, with a tell tale twinkle in his eyes.
"I'm a Slytherin now remember?" Harry asked sarcastically.
"Once a Gryffindor, always a Gryffindor." Severus told him. "But just remember what I said about my furniture."
"Well, your bed is comfy at least."
"Quite."
"Let's get out of here, Sev."
"As you wish. Let me just pay the tab."
With little ado Severus paid Beth for their drinks and before they knew it they were walking among the masses in Hogsmeade. They didn't notice the many stares in their direction, as they were so wrapped up in each other. Every few blocks they would stop to kiss lovingly and then move on as if in a pleasant daze, ignoring the gossiping that followed them. They both watched Hogwarts get larger as they traversed the hill between Hogsmeade and the school. They stopped to stare at their home when they reached the top. Severus wrapped his arms around Harry and pulled him around front so he was leaning against the taller man's chest with his head pillowed on the darker wizard's shoulder. Harry sighed peacefully as they watched the sun glint off the highest tower of Hogwarts. He was finally home.
Rated: R contains mentions of rape and torture, although not actual scenes. Possible HP/SS in later chapters, also HG/RW.
Authors Notes: I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters, that would be JKR. Subject matter not for children, although nothing too graphic, but be careful when reading just to be on the safe side.
Author's Notes: This is the last chapter. There will most likely be a sequel, but my question to you guys is if you'd rather have the sequel right now or in a few months, but another Harry/Sev story to read. Both are currently in the works. Let me know.
And They Lived…
As Harry entered the pub he noticed that despite the worn down sign on the exterior, the inside was well kept up and had a homey atmosphere. There were maybe ten customers in total and there were many out of the way nooks and crannies to go for privacy.
Harry immediately went over towards those to look for Severus, while looking around the pub taking in the wood floors and tables, as well as the soft music playing in the air. This restaurant reminded him of an old postcard he had seen of an Irish pub a few years ago. While the bar he was currently in was more magical of course, the style was very similar. He had only entered less that a minute ago when a blonde waitress walked over to him.
"What can I do you for, Sir?" She asked in a bubbly voice winking at him boldly. Harry just got a kick out of being called sir by a girl that was a few years older then him.
"Hello, Ma'am." Harry greeted her putting just the slightest emphasis on the 'ma'am, while smiling innocently. The waitress grinned back at his cheek. "I am actually supposed to meet someone here for dinner."
"Does this someone have a name?"
"Severus Snape." Harry answered almost immediately, after all if the potions master suggested meeting here in public he obviously didn't mind being seen. With this thought firmly in mind Harry continued to describe his date. "He's a professor at Hogwarts. Dark hair, kind of tall."
"Yes, Sev comes in here quite often on the weekends, although this is the first time that I can recall he has had company." The blonde smirked at him before leading him over towards a shadowed corner near the bar. "He's right over there, dear."
Just as Harry was about to disengage himself from the friendly waitress and move over to sit with Severus, she tightened her grip on his shoulder slightly, causing him to look at her in surprise.
"My name is Beth by the way, hun. I must say it is good that Sev is finally allowing people to get close to him; it's been many years since I have seen him so relaxed. Do try not to hurt him." Beth ordered, still genial but with a hint of steel in her voice.
"I have no intentions of hurting him." Harry answered back just as seriously, gently disengaging from her. "Now if you'll excuse me I do have a potions master to see, and if his glare is anything to go by he is not in a good mood."
"Oh don't let the scowl fool you. He's been mentioning you for a few weeks now, anxiously awaiting your date, so don't screw this up."
"Thanks Beth. By the way I'm Harry. I will talk to you later, wish me luck." Harry called over his shoulder softly as he walked towards Severus' table.
"Hello Severus." Harry began hesitantly sitting down across from him, taking in his outfit as he did so. Severus was wearing a similar outfit to Harry's, except he was wearing all black rather than a colorful shirt and robes.
"Harry." Severus answered nodding his head in greeting. "To be honest I was not sure you would come."
"Of course I came, why would you think that?"
"You are young Potter. Every few weeks you change your mind about something you desperately want. Give me a bit of credit Mister Potter. You want me, but I sincerely doubt this will still be the case in the near future. Once you find your direction in life I doubt you will give me a second thought."
"Are you through?" Harry asked calmly waiting patiently as Severus continued his rant. "Good, because that is absolute shite!"
"Excuse me?" Severus asked incredulously.
"Everything you've just said is bullshit. I have never been a normal boy, I am legally an adult and I think I know my own mind. I already know which direction to take my future. I already agree to become the DADA teacher for next year. My decision had nothing to do with you, but I had hoped we could continue to feel our way into a relationship. I guess I was wrong, since you seem to consider me a child. If you'll excuse me I have to get back to Hogwarts. Don't worry I won't bother you again, Professor."
Harry barely kept his voice from breaking and by the end of his speech his voice was little more then a hoarse whisper. Just as Harry made to stand up, Severus grabbed his wrist trapping him in place. Harry refused to look at Severus, instead glaring at the restraining hand on his arm.
"P-Harry, that wasn't what I meant." Severus began explaining. "You have just been through a traumatic experience. It is only normal for you to latch onto the first person to give you kindness and help."
"My whole life has been traumatic, Severus. This is nothing new. If I just wanted to shag you that would be one thing, but give me the benefit of the doubt. If what you said were true then I really would have latched onto Ron and Hermione because they've been there for me just as much as you. This isn't an infatuation, Severus. If we decided right this minute that nothing would ever come of this I would be okay, I would survive and I would move on. Just because I love you doesn't mean that you are all I can think about. I have never been as flighty as others my age, maybe because of all the trials I have gone through. I don't know, but I do know that I don't want an affair that will last a few months. I want it all. I loved waking up in the morning with you; I loved eating and playing chess in your quarters. You made me feel both safe and sexy at the same time. When you touched me I didn't want to vomit or run away, I wanted to move closer, to take you in my arms and love you. So don't tell me what I feel because I am more aware of my feelings than you are."
"What would you have me say to such a declaration?" Severus asked softly, though with much emotion.
"That you love me too, that you want me to live with you, that we'll try this and hope it works, that you feel safe in my arms too." Harry would have gone on had not Severus interrupted him mid-babble.
"Yes."
"Yes what?" Harry asked slightly confused.
"To all of it, you insufferable brat." Severus answered matter-of-factly ignoring Harry's shocked expression, which quickly turned into one of joy. "Don't expect me to suddenly be agreeable, and heaven forbid… nice."
"Wouldn't dream of it Sev." Harry smirked, intertwining his fingers with Severus' across the table. "But I will want to change some of your furniture and add a bit of light."
"Just do not go over board, imp. I reserve the right to transfigure it all back and throw you out on your arse if I so much as see red and gold colors in my rooms." Severus snarked nastily, with a tell tale twinkle in his eyes.
"I'm a Slytherin now remember?" Harry asked sarcastically.
"Once a Gryffindor, always a Gryffindor." Severus told him. "But just remember what I said about my furniture."
"Well, your bed is comfy at least."
"Quite."
"Let's get out of here, Sev."
"As you wish. Let me just pay the tab."
With little ado Severus paid Beth for their drinks and before they knew it they were walking among the masses in Hogsmeade. They didn't notice the many stares in their direction, as they were so wrapped up in each other. Every few blocks they would stop to kiss lovingly and then move on as if in a pleasant daze, ignoring the gossiping that followed them. They both watched Hogwarts get larger as they traversed the hill between Hogsmeade and the school. They stopped to stare at their home when they reached the top. Severus wrapped his arms around Harry and pulled him around front so he was leaning against the taller man's chest with his head pillowed on the darker wizard's shoulder. Harry sighed peacefully as they watched the sun glint off the highest tower of Hogwarts. He was finally home.