Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Harry Potter.
Note: Thanks so much for the reviews. I am still amazed and humbled by how many people like this story and respond so well to it. Anyway let's begin.
"Oi, Miss Hermes, if I ever see you doing something like that to the Christmas tree again, I will report you to the headmistress. Thirty points from Hufflepuff," Harry bellowed loudly. He shook his head to clear himself from the unwanted image of whatever that girl had been doing to that poor Christmas tree.
Harry moved closer to the big tree, seeing the swaying white and golden owl that had been used as a decoration. The owl hooted feebly and Harry extended his arm as the owl flew stiffly to the offered safety. The thick coating of gold dust made the owl heavier then he should be and Harry knew the owl had offered to be used as a decoration.
He stroked the thick feathers, his hand coming back with gold on it and the owl hooted again, seeing quite disturbed by whatever had happened at the tree. "What was that daft girl doing?" Harry softly muttered, stroking the owl as it settled down on his arm as he carried it to another tree and the owl flew back high up into the tree.
Snickering softly to himself, Harry turned back to the students in the Great Hall as he softly said, "Harry Potter, saviour of the wizarding world and the owl population used for decorating trees at Hogwarts."
'Surely you know, Potter, that speaking to one self is the first sign of madness," The soft velvet voice made Harry nearly shiver as the Boy Who Lived turned back to stare back at the older professor. Professor Snape was standing near him, dressed in his full teaching attire even before the feast was about to start.
Strangely enough, Harry felt a momentary wave of desire flash through him but it was gone so quick that he barely had time to address it as such. The dark eyes travelled down his body and Harry felt himself shivering for a moment as the thin lips curled upwards slightly and with a wave of his hand, Snape invited Harry to fall into step beside him.
Harry was glad he had not dressed in dress robes, it would have made him feel very uncomfortable and it would have inhibited his movements; instead he had settled on dark trousers and a dark blue jumper with a red tie to show his loyalty to Gryffindor. The nearly black cloak, settled easily around his shoulders and if it was to be too warm, then he could always remove it.
They made a lap around the Great Hall, transformed as it was for the Yule ball. The five tables were gone and instead smaller tables that could seat five people had been added together with one large table filled with all varieties of food. The dance floor in the middle was deserted but Harry shuddered when he remembered the disastrous ball in his fourth year.
"We are to patrol outside until the headmistress retires and then we are to keep an eye out on the students until midnight when they are supposed to retire to the dormitories," Snape looked at Harry.
The green eyed male looked back as he asked, "Do you expect problems with the students?"
"No, I think that the students might continue to party in their respective dorms. But I have drilled it well into my snakes that they are not allowed to do such a thing…."
"Yes, your fury is surely a sight to be behold, Professor," Harry grinned softly, earning himself a glare from the dark haired professor. Snape merely shook his head, not answering as he led the way outside, waiting at the bottom of the stairs for Harry to fall into step beside him.
"I said that if the Gryffindors even dared to make me think of coming up there and putting an end to whatever party they had planned, they would find themselves serving detention when they would return from their Christmas break." Harry glanced around at the grounds which had been transformed into a garden, filled with little hideaways, benches and some statues.
"For some reason this is going to make our job so much harder," he muttered softly, peering into one little hideaway to see it was actually a dead end.
"Of course, do you think that we will have it easy when the students drink enough alcohol and make rash decisions combined with hormones raging through the young bodies?" Snape had pulled out his wand and aimed a few hexes at the rose bushes, smirking as he could see Harry's confused expression.
"It is a simple spell that will alert us when somebody is trying to remove clothing or engage in other unwelcoming behaviour here at Hogwarts." Harry frowned to himself, thinking of the behaviour he had engaged in at Hogwarts.
The smirk that curled the thin lips grew broader as if Snape could guess the memories that surfaced to Harry's mind. Hastily, the younger wizard broke the eye contact when he remembered the necessary lessons in his fifth year.
"Potter, you are not the only one who engaged in such behaviour here at Hogwarts."
Snape's voice was soft and nearly private, but the smirk that still curled the thin lips could be called slightly naughty and wicked. Harry could feel his breath hitch in his throat as he saw some unknown emotions flashing across the harsh looking face, the dark eyes settling onto his face as the light from within the Great Hall illuminated the pale skin, making the dark eyes smoulder even more.
Harry allowed the smile to burst forth as it curled his own lips, remembering the thing about the mistletoe. "I am sure I will not be the last who ever did so."
Snape merely inclined his head, extending his arm for Harry to precede him inside as a sudden murmur of voices heralded the arrival of the students. Harry walked up the steps, pausing to whisper behind him before proceeding inside. "You have to protect me from stepping underneath the mistletoe; I don't want any wayward students to kiss me."
He heard a soft snort behind him as he stepped back into the Great Hall, smiling at all the students even as gentle fingers curled around his upper arm and he was yanked away from the doorway. Fighting the urge to pull himself away from the bruising grip, Harry snapped to his right. Snape sneered at him and then the dark eyes rolled upwards as Harry followed his gaze to see the small branch of mistletoe that was attached above the doorway.
"I thought you said that you were not concerned about wayward students," Snape murmured, releasing Harry's arm and stepping next to Headmistress McGonagall who gave the Potion Master a strange look before looking back at the students.
"Well, this is a celebration but this is still a school event and therefore the teachers here are allowed to punish you if you misbehave. I am sure that they will be more lenient then in normal circumstance…" This was accompanied by a very dark glance towards Professor Snape who merely matched it with one of his own before the headmistress turned back to the assembled crowd and continued. "…Professor Potter and Professor Snape will be patrolling outside. Do not give them any reason to make your Christmas not such a happy one. Professor Flickwit and Sprout will be patrolling inside. Let the feast begin."
With her wand, she signalled the welcome by fireworks that went off and the music started to play. Harry caught the sneer and the imitating look Snape shot down his nose at a fourth year student who scurried off immediately. Laughing lightly, Harry shook his head as he fell into step beside Snape as the older man still scowled at the students who began to celebrate by dancing.
"You do not care for dancing?" The dark eyes returned to his own as Harry saw the sure step falter and Snape then fixed him with a deadly glare.
"What are you implying, Potter?" The older professor growled low in his throat as they walked outside. The dark eyes were filled with such hostility that Harry unconsciously took a step back and flinched. The already pale face of the older wizard paled even more as Snape saw the movement that Harry was unable to hide and Snape looked away, his gaze fixed to the ground and Harry began to realize that the hostility hadn't been aimed at him but it had been a defence mechanism, just like he never showed anybody his tears.
"I am not implying anything, Professor. It was merely a question." Harry's voice was soft but the younger wizard forced himself to continue to walk beside the other dark haired wizard.
Slowly the dark head rose and Harry could see that the hostility was gone and some form of amusement was dancing in the black eyes as Snape reached out with one hand, purring softly, making the hairs of the back of Harry's head stand up, "You asked if I cared for dancing."
Breathlessly Harry nodded as Snape turned his extended hand with the palm up and continued, still sending shivers down Harry's spine. "I only care for dancing when my partner is an exceptional dancer. So tell me, Potter, do you dance?"
Recognizing the game his former professor was playing at, Harry glanced up into the dark eyes. Snape was closer then he had been before, the eyes glittering in the light that came from the Great Hall. They were standing far enough from the doors not to be immediately spotted by the students and the music was playing softly as it came off in waves from the castle.
"I dance, Professor, but I was never a very good dancer. I never had a good partner to show me how it is properly done." Lowering his gaze slightly for a moment, Harry looked up through his lashes and then the soft whisper came.
"Well then, Mister Potter, would you care to dance?"
Carefully stepping closer to the taller wizard, Harry grinned and nodded, placing his own hand in Snape's extended one. A slow smirk twisted the thin lips and immediately Harry could feel the other arm going around his back as he was pushed closer to the taller wizard and he had to steady himself by placing a hand on Snape's shoulder.
One black eyebrow was raised as Snape looked down at him and Harry could feel the build up of his magic when he was so close to another powerful wizard. He felt the gentle magic that surrounded Professor Snape as the older wizard started swaying in time with the music, and Harry felt the gentle push of Snape's hand on his back as he took a step to the side.
The dance was short and the music ended quickly but Harry couldn't deny the feeling that he got when he felt the firm body hidden underneath the heavy teaching attire and the brief flash of desire that once more ran through him.
The sound when the music stopped made Snape step away. The scraping of chairs and the clapping of hands but Harry only had eyes for the man whose smouldering eyes were locked with his own. With great effort he managed to look away, not seeing the gentle smirk that curled the thin lips.
Having composed himself enough, he lifted his eyes again. The pale harsh looking face was an impassive mask again but the sneer came to the thin lips. Snape crossed his arms over his chest as some students began to slip outside, holding hands and talking loudly to each other, some calling out greetings to Harry and even to Professor Snape who merely sneered in response.
With a quick turn on his heels, Snape walked away, Harry hurrying to fall into step beside the older wizard who was silent. They walked on, starting their first of many rounds around the grounds, punishing students who didn't wish to follow the rules and the hours blended together, the silence between them deepening, making Harry feel at ease.
He glanced at his left now and then to see Snape lost in thought, dark eyes glancing back and forth in the darkness in search of students. Harry wondered why the stillness between him and the other professor made him feel alright. It was not awkward like some silences were, but it made him feel at ease. Apparently he was doing all right because once more when he glanced to his left, he found Snape watching him, the approval in his eyes quickly dying away as the older wizard said,
"It seems that you are not some chattering fool, Potter. Come, the feast is nearly at an end and we should get inside to chaperone the students who stayed behind and guide them back to their dormitories." Snape proceeded inside, holding the door open for Harry who quickly sidestepped the mistletoe, much to the amusement of the older wizard.
The music was playing softly, several students still sitting at the tables, chatting softly and two or three couples on the dance floor. The clock showed twelve thirty and Harry could see that all the other professors had retired for the evening. He accepted the glass of firewiskey that Snape pressed into his hands as the Potion Master snarled,
"It will give you the courage needed to throw the students out of the Great Hall." Drowning the drink, grimacing when it burned its way down to his stomach Harry frowned. This was the part he had not been looking forward to.
"Listen up! You will be given thirty minutes to clear out. When those thirty minutes are up, I wish to see everybody back at the dormitories. Failure to do so will result in detention and loss of house points." Snape pulled two chairs back and sat down, crossing his long legs at the ankle and staring at the students, dark eyes passing over their heads as some yawned behind their hand and got up, casting suspicious glances towards the Head of Slytherin House.
Harry sat down as well, shifting the glass in his hands and waiting for the thirty minutes to tick by. More and more students got up and left until at barely ten more minutes to go, there were a few couples dancing to the music that had slowed down remarkably.
Harry surveyed the Great Hall, asking, "Are we supposed to clean this up or do the house elves do that?"
The face hidden by the long black hair snapped up and Snape glanced around at the Great Hall. "No, the house elves will do it. It is mad enough that we actually have to stay to the end while all the others staff members are in their beds safe and sound…."
The dark eyes were fixed upon the clock and Harry could hear Snape counting the minutes away underneath his breath. When the clock struck one, Snape clapped his hands, getting to his feet and snarled. "Whoever is not in their common rooms now will serve detention! You get them out on the grounds, Potter; I will take the Great Hall and the Entrance Hall."
Harry snorted as he got to his feet, the chilled air outside making him think clearly again. He had time to sort out of his feelings. It was strange that he felt so at peace with Snape when he was in the company of the older wizard. Snape seemed to have gotten over his loathing pretty well and Harry was quite sure that Snape was flirting with him on occasion, testing him on another.
He walked back inside, pausing in the doorway to survey the Great Hall. The hall showed all the wreckage after a great party. Many empty bottles and plates were on the empty tables as well as the chairs which were not even close to the tables anymore but all over the Great Hall. The owls in the Christmas trees hooted tiredly and Harry smiled tiredly as Snape entered.
The older wizard had shaken off his cloak and stretched his body for a moment and Harry heard the distinctive pop of the spine as Snape bent over the table to pour himself another drink, savouring it as he turned to look at the fire.
"Finally silence," Harry offered as conversation piece as Snape turned back to look at him. The sharp features of the pale face were not twisted in loathing or anger but strangely curious and a pleased expression twitched the pale lips upwards in what could pass for a smile and Harry felt his heart doing a little flip.
"You should go to bed, Potter. The silence will continue for two blessed weeks before term starts again." Snape turned back to the fire and the drink in the glass was swirled around before Snape drowned it and put the glass away on the table as Harry walked further inside.
His insides were fluttering nervously and he could feel his magic responding. Stop it! This is not the first time that you are alone with Snape. He reminded himself firmly as he slowly walked to the entrance, taking a detour.
"Potter!" Harry turned back when Snape growled his name. The older wizard was looking at something above Harry's head and the Boy Who Lived looked up in surprise before flushing bright red. Above his head a branch of mistletoe was floating.
He tried to make it disappear but persistent as the branch was, it kept on floating above his head. "What is the meaning of this?" Snape hissed softly, stepping closer and eyeing the branch warily.
Harry could have smacked himself. He remembered the letter that he had gotten from Ron that afternoon and the strange spell that had been written at the bottom. Foolishly enough, he had read the spell out loud and this must be the new product from the Weasley's Wizarding Shop that George and Ron had been working on.
"This is a joke from Ron, sir. The only way to make it go away is to kiss somebody," Harry flushed another bright red as his embarrassment peaked. It was just like Ron to punish him for not telling him who the wizard was he was attracted to. Harry could just imagine that Snape would allow him to walk back to his quarters with the mistletoe still floating above his head.
But to his surprise and amazement Snape ran a quick hand through his hair before rolling his eyes and beckoning Harry closer. "Let's get this over with then."
Harry leaned in closer, knowing what was going to happen and he caught the sneer before Snape pressed his lips against Harry's. Within moments they broke apart and both glanced upwards to see the mistletoe still hanging merrily in the air.
Harry brought a hand up to his forehead, cursing softly as he said, "It seems that we have to mean it…. Damn Ron."
"Damn Weasley indeed. You do realize that this magic only came into being when we were the only ones in the room?"
"Curse him. It must mean that the only way to ensure that this actually works if for me to find the wizard I am interested in and kiss him….Ron would find that very funny then…" Stammering Harry broke off, blushing as he realized what he was saying.
He glanced back at Snape to find a true smile etching over the thin lips as the older wizard whispered, one hand quickly grasping Harry's arm and pulling the Boy Who Lived to his side as Harry yelped, startled, "You are interested in me then, Potter?"
Breathless, Harry lowered his eyes as an arm snuck around his waist and Harry was suddenly startled by a hand at the back of his head that pushed him forward to meet the smiling lips. They opened over his own and Harry opened his mouth when a coy tongue licked his lips, moaning as the tongue snuck in and stifled any responds.
His magic was rising quickly, melting together with Snape's and Harry could hear the soft plop as the mistletoe disappeared. He yielded to the older wizard, feeling a sense of peace filling him as the kiss was deepened and Harry slowly responded, tasting Snape's mouth before the need for breathing forced him away.
"Merry Christmas," He murmured softly, lowering his eyes and feeling the heat in his cheeks. He stayed close to Snape for a moment, feeling the body heat of the older wizard.
"Merry Christmas, indeed," Snape answered with a lift of his eyebrows, releasing Harry as he stepped away. Yet they were still close, barely an arm's length apart. Snape looked at him, the lips curling as the older wizard waited for something until Harry looked back up and answered.
"Are you interested?"
Harryhated the fact that he nearly sounded like a small child but it was easier to ask this now and deal with it when rejection came then when he was involved and in over his head.
He lowered his gaze slightly but then the long and surprising gentle fingers curled underneath his chin and it was lifted as Snape softly replied, "Haven't I made it clear enough, Harry?"
"I merely assumed that you had been given a warning by Professor McGonagall…."
"Strangely enough, no. I decided to take a chance and see if you would respond to the flirting, apparently you did…."
"You were doing it deliberately then, going out of your way to include me…."
"Of course. You know me well enough that I am not a nice man and I know your past well enough to understand you. You responded in the way I had hoped," Snape's voice was soft and private and Harry glanced up, beaming.
"So we are giving this a try? I don't want to rush into things when this can be something powerful."
"Good, me neither. We can give it a try, Harry, there is time. It is essential that you understand that there is time. There is no need to rush into anything." Snape crossed his arms over his chest, smirking ever so faintly.
"We will talk about this after the Christmas break…." All he received was a nod of the dark head and a gentle nudge towards the door as a smiling Harry Potter went to collect his bags in order to leave for the Burrows to celebrate his Christmas with those he called family and much to his regret, Ginny as well.
So what should happen at the Burrows? Review of course.