Disclaimer: Can be found in the first chapter.

~*~

Chapter 7: Hesitant Beginnings

~*~

The rest of the week went relatively easily. Harry had managed to keep up with his schoolwork, unbeknownst to Hermione.

When Harry was laying in his bed at night, his mind often drifted to the conversation he and Severus had on Monday night. A lot of the animosity between them had been resolved by simply looking into each other's mind.

The two men had a lot of things in common. Unfortunately, it was mostly negative. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, neglect, and other such things were generally not good common ground, but for those two, it seemed to lower Severus' hatred and raise Harry's respect.

~*~

Friday night, Harry had gone out to sit by the lake and watch the sunset. It was one of his favorite times of the day.

As he sat on the familiar rock, his thoughts strayed to his life.

"I've never been able to choose anything on my own," Harry thought, sighing slightly. "All my life has been decided for me. I had to kill Voldemort. I had to become a Vampire. Severus is my mate. All decided for me."

Harry lamented the fact that his life would never be his own.

~*~

Severus sat in his study, reading a book, but taking none of the words in. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was just about 7:30. If he was lucky, he could catch the sunset by the lake. He put the book down and made his way to the lake.

When he exited the school, there was only one other person on the grounds. He smiled a bit when he noticed that it was Harry. He made his way over to the rock next to the young man and sat next to him.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked, watching the array of colors in the sky.

"One of my favorite times of the day," Harry said, smiling to Severus. "I've always loved sunrises and sunsets."

"I have as well," Severus said, looking to Harry. He smiled back, noting the glint of happiness in the young man's eyes.

"I just wish I had someone to share them with," Harry said, looking back out over the lake. "It's one thing that will always be there, but no matter what, it's always beautiful."

"Well, hopefully, we can enjoy them together on a more regular basis, Harry," Severus said, looking over the lake. "It's one thing we have in common that's not negative."

"That would be really nice," Harry said, after sighing a bit. He toyed with the necklace he had taken to wearing lately.

"What's on your mind?" Severus asked, turning to face Harry.

"I'm just not completely comfortable with the fact that my mate is a male," Harry replied, looking into his lap. "I mean no offense, but I only just figured out that I'm gay. I feel that I'm not meant to have any control over my life. After I killed Voldemort, everyone wanted me to be their spokesman. Dumbledore did nothing to stop the constant hounding. I've been in the public eye since I was eleven, and when any of those damned reporters get a hold of my Vampire inheritance, it'll all start all over again."

"Harry, I understand that having things predetermined it difficult," Severus said, moving to kneel beside Harry. "My parents promised my loyalty to Voldemort when I was an infant. I became a spy because I never wanted to be a Death Eater. I still desperately wish that I had stood up to my family.

"In the end, it's the things that have happened to us that have made each of us who we are. I wouldn't change a thing about my life at this point."

Harry removed the necklace from his neck and laid the pendant on his hand.

"I bought this a few months ago, just after I found out I was a Vampire," Harry said, as Severus looked at the pendant. "It's an anhk. I believe it's from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. It's said to mean eternal life. I thought it was interesting, so I bought this."

"It is a nice looking pendant," Severus said, studying the golden anhk in Harry's hand.

"I'd like for you to have it, Sev," Harry said, offering it to the older man.

"I can't take that, Harry," Severus said, looking at the young man. "It's yours. You should keep it."

"I have a second," Harry said, pulling the other pendant from beneath his shirt. "I want you to have this one, as a token of the relationship I hope that we share."

"Harry, thank you," Severus said, taking the necklace and placing it around his neck. He was unsure what to do next. He decided to give the young man a hug, which was returned happily.

"To new beginnings," Harry said, hugging his mate and looking at the sunset.

"To new beginnings," Severus said, holding the young man to him gently as he watched the sunset.

~*~

Harry and Severus parted ways as they entered the Great Hall.

Harry made his way up to Gryffindor tower in a much better mood than he had left in. He had gotten a lot off of his chest, and opening up to Severus felt great. He smiled as he toyed with the anhk around his neck, happy that Severus had taken the second.

"Harry, where were you?" Hermione asked, as he sat in his favorite chair by the fire.

"I was at the lake," Harry said, smiling.

"Why did you do that? You probably have loads of homework to do," she admonished.

"I did it all over the course of the week," he answered, looking at her. "If you don't believe me, check my bag."

Hermione, being skeptical as usual, did check Harry's bag.

"I'm impressed, Harry," she said, sitting on the sofa near his chair. "Usually you put up a huge fight when I tell you to do your homework."

"I want to get it all done so I have time for other things," he answered, thinking about Severus for a moment.

"That's good," she said, smiling to her friend. "I'm happy you decided to do your work right away, unlike others."

The pair looked over to Ron, who was currently playing wizard chess against Seamus.

"He'll never get his act together," Harry said, chuckling.

"I know," Hermione answered, picking up her latest book.

~*~

Severus entered his rooms in a great mood. He and Harry were making genuine progress in the relationship, and he had never felt better about anything. Things were still somewhat tentative, but there was progress being made.

He carefully removed the necklace and took a moment to study it. The pendant was a small anhk, maybe two inches long. It looked to be good quality, other than an annoying set of scratches on the back. Upon closer examination, Severus saw that it was an engraving.

"Amongst the world, there will be you and I," Severus read, a smile creeping onto his face. He replaced the necklace around his neck and sat on his sofa.

"Things are definitely looking up in the life of Severus Snape," he muttered, deciding to hold off on grading until the next day.

~*~

A/N: So, here's the beginnings of the actual relationship between Sev and Harry. Seven chapters is a freaking record for me, lol.

I hope you guys aren't too miffed that there hasn't been much action. It's going to be a bit longer, but bare with me. I promise there will be smut eventually.

I'm hitting a bit of a writer's block, but fear not. I have four other unposted chapters. Hopefully I can get through the block before those four get posted.

Thanks for all the Reveiws, Faves, and Watches guys. They make me want to dance.

-KD