Rating: PG-13

Genres: Romance, Angst, Fluff

Warnings: n/a

Spoilers: all 6 books

Song: As Long As You Love Me

Artist: Backstreet Boys

Author's Note: Originally a songfic, the lyrics have been removed from this fic to comply with FF rules. Song lyrics can be found here: www (dot) azlyrics (dot) com (slash) lyrics (slash) backstreetboys (slash) aslongasyouloveme (dot) html

For the original version of this fic, please check out my livejournal:

www (dot) livejournal (dot) com (slash) users (slash) Harry (underscore) sev (slash)

"xxx" signifies where the song lyrics would be located had they not had to be removed.

Never in all his life had Harry regretted anything more than he regretted telling everyone that Severus Snape had killed Albus Dumbledore. He had been so sure that the man was a traitor, so sure that he had killed the old man out of hatred. After reviewing the pensieve that Dumbledore left him, however, Harry realized how much Severus had sacrificed. From that moment on, Harry made a vow to himself to do anything he could in order to protect Severus Snape.

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One of the first things Harry did when Aurors captured Severus was to spread the word that the erstwhile Death Eater was innocent. No one believed him. They all said that he was insane. Some thought that Harry had turned dark. Others thought that Severus had put Harry under the Imperious Curse despite the fact that Harry had been able to throw off that curse since he was fourteen.


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Rufus Scrimgeour was in charge of the case against Severus and wouldn't allow Dumbledore's pensieve to be viewed. He also refused to let Harry testify in Severus's favor, claiming that tests showed that Harry was suffering from a potion he ingested, and therefore his testimony wouldn't be accurate. Fuming, Harry tried everything in his power to get Severus let off. Nothing worked. Finally, Harry was left with no other option. He would have to sneak Severus out of Azkaban.

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After a few hours of planning, Harry was able to break into the prison and get Severus out. It wasn't hard to do considering that the dementors were no longer there. And considering how Harry had managed to fight Voldemort and his Death Eaters numerous times, this wasn't much of a challenge. Harry Apparated Severus to his small cabin in America that he had bought the year before. No one knew about it, so Harry felt they would be safe.

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Over the next few months, Harry and Severus got to know each other better. Harry apologized profusely for not believing Severus, while Severus was grateful that Harry had finally realized his mistake. They formed a tentative friendship that neither one of them wanted to break. Severus had been attracted to Harry since before the Dumbledore incident, but had never said anything. He knew that such a beautiful creature wasn't meant to be with him.


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Harry, on the other hand, found himself falling deeply in love with Severus. He would find himself gazing longingly at Severus for hours at a time. He was sure that Severus noticed something, but the older man hadn't said anything yet, so Harry decided to keep on staring.

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After a month or so, Harry began to notice that Severus gave him wistful looks as well. Harry paid close attention, and he was almost positive that Severus felt something for him as well. Deciding to risk it, Harry leant forward one night and brushed his lips against Severus's. He felt the older man stiffen, and Harry immediately started to lean backward, afraid that he had misread Severus's glances.

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A moment later, though, Harry felt soft lips brush against his own. He opened his mouth for Severus and allowed the more skilled tongue to take over. Harry moaned as Severus's hands traced over every curve of his body. Upon breaking apart, Harry rested his head against Severus's and looked straight into the man's eyes. In them Harry saw love, lust, and a slight tint of uncertainty. Smiling, Harry gently kissed Severus's nose. Then he whispered against the older man's mouth, "Make love to me, Sev."


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Later that night, Harry and Severus were curled up in Harry's bed. Severus had his arm draped protectively over Harry, pulling him close. Harry snuggled back into Severus and sighed happily. He felt safer than he had ever felt before. Lacing his fingers through Severus's, Harry brought the hand up to his lips and kissed it.

"I love you," Harry whispered.

Severus was silent for a moment, but then he pressed a kiss to the top of Harry's head and said, "I love you, too, Harry."

The two slept more peacefully than they had ever slept before.

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