Harry blushed brightly as he looked himself over in the mirror. Why the hell as he doing this, again? Okay, sure he had lost that stupid bet, but why did he have to do THIS? He swore that Ron was determined to make him the laughing stock of the school. Well, he sure would succeed with this costume! He had to wear a gothic Lolita dress and drank a potion that made his hair long and curly for the Halloween party for the staff at Hogwarts. His legs were even shaved and his face was lightly made up! Great. Just what he needed to do to make people stop talking about him. Wasn't he getting too old for this crap? He sighed again before leaving the bathroom and heading towards the party, dread making his steps heavy and slow. The ridiculous dress making noise as he moved. He just hoped that the night would be over quickly. At that moment, Snape spied him from across the Great Hall, and nonchalantly walked over to him.
"So, Potter. How... lovely you look this evening" Snape said with a smirk. "Though I must admit, you do not make an unattractive lady."
Harry blushed to his toes. "Um... thank you, sir?" He said, not sure if the other man was giving him a compliment or insulting him.
Snape couldn't help but looking at Harry like he had never before. Seeing him in this dress was unnerving and yet... very nice.
Harry swallowed nervously, wondering why Snape was looking at him like... that. He smiled a little, "Are you going to the staff party?" He asked, having to remind himself that they are both teachers, so he could call him by his last name. Well, he could call him by his first, but he doubted that would get a good reception.
"I don't know. I wasn't really planning on it," he said.
Harry sighed and nodded, "I have to make an appearance or the consequences won't be with keeping this hidden."
Snape walked over to get some punch to relieve the obvious tension between them. As he served up Harry's goblet, he quickly put a single drop of veritaserum in the punch glass noted for Harry. He wanted to know what was on his mind. Snape walked back and handed Harry his goblet.
Harry smiled at him, "Thank you." He said simply before taking a cautious sip. He didn't know if it was spiked with alcohol or anything. It didn't taste off, so maybe it wasn't touched yet. "How does being Headmaster treat you?" He asked, taking another sip.
"All it means is I don't have to deal with obnoxious little vermin," Snape said as he drank from his cup.
Harry chuckled, "You mean as much as you used to. Or are you talking about actual rats?" He asked, trying to keep the mood light and friendly.
Severus smiled at him. "Ah, no. Those I put in the hallway for old Mrs. Norris to stare at." He circled the little bit of punch left in his glass around and around, waiting for the truth potion to take effect.
Harry finished his drink before getting another. He was feeling slightly hazy, like he was intoxicated. He sniffed the drink, finding it fine. Maybe he was just feeling a little sick?
'One drop should have been enough' he thought to himself. 'Any time now...' Severus waited patiently, appearing interested in the commotion around them.
Harry frowned, "What are you doing?" He asked, watching the other man. "If you want to talk to someone, then just go talk to them. You aren't my date; you don't have to stick near me. Not that I don't enjoy you being close. It's just-" He frowned, looking at his drink. He sighed, knowing that there was only one way he would admit something like that. Great.
Severus couldn't help but grin. "It's just what?" he asked with a coy smile.
Harry scowled at him, "You're a right bastard, Severus Snape." he said, trying to not say anything. It failed, of course. "It's just that I'm pretty sure you still hate me, so I won't bother pretending that you would want to stay close to me." He ground out.
Snape was still smiling. "Oh, I'm pretty sure I don't hate you. Otherwise why would still be here? What do you have to say to that, Harry?" adding emphasis on his name.
Harry blushed, "I'd stay that you are just screwing with me." He said stiffly. "Like you've never done anything that's annoying just to get some sick kick." He said before sighing. "You really are mean. Trying to play with me like this."
"Oh, I don't think I'm playing with you. Just... wanting some truth," he said with a huge, cheeky grin. By now Harry knew about the truth potion, and the only thing that would come out of his mouth would be truth. "What do you think about me, Harry?" he asked quietly.
Harry growled at him. "I think that you are a right bastard." He said, trying to hold back anything else. He kept his mouth closed, jaw clenched. He stiffened, knowing that the man was going to taunt him if he said any more. "And also incredibly sexy and amazing and intelligent and-" He put both hands over his mouth, trying to muffle everything else that was spilling out of it. He glared at the other man, torn between feeling relieved and hating the man for drugging him.
The smile did not falter. "I do believe there's more that you would like to say? Why don't we go find a classroom and discuss this more? I think you've made your appearance here," he said looking around. Snape grabbed Harry's hand and dragged him to a classroom, slowly shutting the door and locking it.