HP – SS – HP – SS
"Ron and Hermione will be coming for a visit in a few minutes."
"Indeed."
"Through this Floo."
"Really?" Snape replied.
"Into this room," Harry added nervously.
"Obviously," Snape drawled, casually poking his tongue out to lick a finger tip before turning a page of his book.
"Why ..." Harry's voice trailed off and Snape discreetly observed the boy through his curtain of clean hair. He was keeping it clean in part because Harry apparently liked it that way if the young man's habit of washing and brushing it when Severus was incapacitated was any indication. But also because he realized that cleaned and brushed, his hair provided a thicker curtain of hair behind which to hide than his formerly greasy locks ever had.
Harry's eyes followed Snape's tongue and finger tip almost enviously and Severus smirked. He licked his lips again and then once more for good measure, amused by the way that Harry's eyes glazed over with lust. Every since that incident in the library, he had refused to kiss Harry again. He ought to know better than to dare to play hard to get but frustrating Potter was far too ingrained in his psyche. And it was so much fun!
"What were you asking, Harry?" Snape purred. Ever since that kiss, his every gesture seemed to arouse the young man. It probably didn't hurt that Severus made every effort to play up his positive features such as his hair and voice. Harry blushed every time Snape added even the slightest suggestion of sex into his voice and Snape enjoyed it. It wasn't that he thought Harry looked cute when he blushed; of course not. Severus Snape had never used the adjective 'cute' in his life!
"Er, what? Oh, w-why are you here?" Harry stuttered.
"You need to be more specific, Harry. I should imagine that even you can deduce that I am reading," Snape said, gesturing to his book.
"But why here? Why now?" Harry could barely think with Snape around. Since their second kiss two days ago, the really, reallygood one, kissing Snape was all he could think about.
"If you will recall, you met me in here. If you and your friends are offended by my presence, it is you who ought to go elsewhere," Severus replied, bluffing. He was counting on Gryffindor stubbornness and bravado to keep the trio in the room. It would be a nuisance if his deliberate stake out of the room for the last hour had been in vain.
Ever since the night before when he'd overheard Harry and Lucius discussing today's visit, he'd made up his mind to invite himself. It was not that he didn't trust Harry but he did hope that his presence would make it difficult for Potter to tell his friends about their first kiss. Truth be told, he also wanted to see if Potter's friends knew of their budding relationship. They were as easy to read as Potter and with a few well placed snide remarks, he could probably provoke the youngest Mr Weasley into disclosing everything he knew on the topic.
Harry glanced around uncomfortably. "So, erm, okay, so you plan to stay?"
"Yes."
"Here?"
"Yes."
"While they visit?"
Snape glared.
HP – SS – HP – SS
"Harry!" Granger practically bounced out of the Floo and into his arms.
"Mate," Weasley greeted, slapping him a little too hard on the back and sounding less than friendly.
Snape snorted his amusement, alerting the newcomers to his presence.
"Professor Snape," Granger greeted him, blushing with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I hadn't seen you there."
Weasley nodded a greeting and looked around uncomfortably.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley," Snape returned their greetings.
"Harry, perhaps, um, well, we don't want to disturb the professor," Granger stammered.
"Oh no, no, Severus doesn't mind. I asked him and he was okay with us meeting in here. Y-you don't mind, do you?"
Weasley gaped like a human fly catcher and Granger blushed. She glanced nervously between the two, clearly worried about Snape's response to Harry's casual use of his name. Clearly they knew nothing of Potter's supposed infatuation. He wasn't sure what that meant – was Harry ashamed or was Lucius completely wrong about the young man's affection? Until two days ago the latter would have seemed more likely but now Severus wasn't so sure.
"No, no, of course not. We don't mind," Granger's lie was obvious.
After a few moments of silence, Snape summoned one of the house elves to bring tea. He was not trying to be hospitable; he didn't want them to leave. He knew that they would feel compelled to stay after his act of 'kindness'. It was he could do to hide his smirk of satisfaction at the discomfort and despair in Granger's eyes as she thanked him for her cuppa.
"Perhaps you should offer your friends a seat, Harry," Snape said silkily, adding just enough sensuality to his voice to suggest casual domesticity. His efforts were not wasted.
Weasley's mouth dropped open, his half chewed cucumber sandwich visible. Granger's eyes open wide enough to rival an owl's and she comically stared at Snape before gasping at the sight of the nearly drooling Harry then cringing at her boyfriend's open mouth. That last sight was enough to snap her from her reverie and she tapped Weasley under the chin to shut his mouth before turning to stare speculatively at her friend. Even Weasley, once again chewing, was staring at Harry but the randy young man seemed oblivious.
It was probably just as well that Snape was enjoying the scandalized reactions of Potter's friends because he was more than a little embarrassed by Harry's love-struck gaze.
"Bloody hell," Weasley gasped. Apparently the boy was cleverer than Snape thought. Perhaps dating Miss Granger was rubbing off on him. That she only seemed to have caught on a second after her boyfriend was a tad worrying; it seemed her intelligence might literally be rubbing off on Weasley because she seemed to have less left for her own use.
"Harry?" Granger asked, clamping her hand on the red head's knee in an unspoken plea to behave. It was too subtle.
"Bloody hell, Harry! Snape? You left my sister for Snape? You could have had Ginny and you chose this git?"
"Ron! I'm sorry Professor. He's just upset and not thinking," Granger apologized frantically.
"Oh I'm thinking, alright! Harry hasn't been taking care of Snape, he's been shagging him! No wonder you haven't wanted to leave this place. I told you, Hermione, he's under the Imperius or something. I don't know what Malfoy's done to him but we have to get him out of here."
That last threat was enough to finally stir Potter into alertness.
"No, Ron! Hermione checked, remember? No Imperius, no Confundus, no potions. Nothing!"
No shagging, Snape added mentally, more than a little perturbed that Potter hadn't corrected them on such an important matter.
"So you're shagging him willingly?" Ron shouted.
No shagging, Snape repeated in his head, willing Potter to clarify matters.
"What happens between Severus and me is none of your business!"
"Oh Harry!" Hermione cried before turning to glance apologetically at Snape. "I don't mean..."
Snape waved her apology away. "No need to apologize, Miss Granger. I can understand how shocking this revelation must be." Not the least of all to me since I don't know anything about the shagging Potter won't deny. At least he doesn't seem interested in sharing the details of that first, unsatisfactory kiss.
Perhaps unreasonably, in light of Potter's misleading contributions to the argument, Snape was surprised when the young man grabbed his hand in a show of unity. And if anyone were to ask, he would insist that it was the shock that caused him to interlock their fingers in the familiarly intimate way that they used to when Snape lay in bed recovering.
HP – SS – HP – SS
"You didn't tell them the truth, Potter," Snape scolded as they sat in the Red Drawing Room after Granger and Weasley finally ended their disastrous visit.
"Harry," Potter deadpanned. "And I didn't lie."
"You didn't tell them the entire truth. You let them think that we have been intimate."
"You don't call kissing intimate?"
"We've only kissed twice and the first time hardly counts! We certainly haven't 'shagged' as Mr. Weasley so crudely put it."
"Yeah, well, I didn't hear you correcting them either."
"They're your friends."
"I can't control what they think."
Snape frowned in frustration. Potter was being deliberately obtuse.
"So," Harry whispered, moving closer to Snape on the chaise lounge.
"So?" Snape replied, backing away.
"When are we going to kiss again?"
"Merlin save me from Gryffindors," Snape groused. "No tact, no finesse..."
"Why play games, Severus?" Harry whispered, lingering on the sibilant in the older man's name. "I believe in getting to the point. I want to kiss you again. The last time was bloody fantastic."
Bloody fantastic. Snape sighed. He supposed that he couldn't really expect more if he was going to be romantically involved with a teenager and one who had never shown much intellect to begin with.
Still, he wasn't over playing hard to get.
"What games, Harry?" he asked, standing up. "Perhaps I simply don't care to kiss you again. Maybe it's you who kisses like a dead fish," he lied.
Harry rolled his eyes and sighed audibly. "I've said that I'm sorry and you have to admit that first time wasn't your best."
"What do you know about my best?"
"That second kiss," Harry said with a smug grin, "was absolutely amazing."
"Ah, I see. And you think that's my best, do you, Harry?"
Harry swallowed and shifted on the seat. "N-no?"
Snape quirked his eyebrow in the equivalent of a suggestive and dismissive shrug.
"Oh, wow," Harry gasped. "I can't wait!"
Snape stood abruptly to avoid Harry's attempt at kissing him.
"Wha- Severus?" Harry exclaimed as his face slammed into the black robes.
"Perhaps you should keep your eyes open, Harry." Snape smirked at the pouting young man before him. His eyes lingered on the plump lips. Those lips were a temptation. He supposed that he nothing to lose by offering Harry another teaser, just one little kiss.
Leaning in, this time as gentle as the last time had been aggressive, Snape ghosted his lips over Harry's before deepening his kiss. He did not have anywhere near as much experience as some people thought but he was not only a fast learner but also capable of learning through observation. The beauty of spying was that he had observed many sensual kisses and had picked up quite a few techniques. It also probably didn't hurt that Potter was a practically inexperienced and horny male teen and hardly the most informed critic.
HP – SS – HP – SS
"Severus," Lucius scolded with a drawl. "Why are you teasing Harry so?"
Harry's hand stilled as he reached to disclose his hiding place. He tucked his body further into the window seat behind the heavy drapes. For two weeks now Severus had been teasing him almost mercilessly. The occasional kiss and grope session were always cruelly and abruptly terminated leaving Harry hard and aching for more. Still, he much preferred that to the days when their interactions were limited to Harry panting at Snape's seductive purring and light 'accidental' touches. In the seven years he'd known the man, Snape had never been so clumsy so Harry knew the so-called accidents were all deliberate. He probably should alert them to his presence but he wanted to know the answer to Lucius' question.
Severus chuckled but did not answer.
"Do you think it's wise to play hard to get?" he persisted.
Severus sneered. "I am aware that I am not a handsome or wealthy man, Lucius," he began.
"I don't mean that," Lucius lied. "Gryffindors are not creatures of subtlety. What if Harry misconstrues your intentions and thinks you are not interested?"
Severus knew Lucius was lying but he was appeased. "In spite of what I usually say, Lucius, Harry is not a complete dunderhead. I am sure he knows that I am interested."
"Have you told him so?"
Severus sneered.
"Even Narcissa demands that I tell her that I love her."
"She's a woman. Harry, I assure you, is not."
"No but he's just as emotionally fragile."
Harry bristled and clenched his jaw. It was quite a struggle to remain hidden when he really wanted to defend himself or shout. He could never be a career spy.
"The entire Wizarding world bows at his feet," Snape insisted.
"Even I know that Harry is not interested in the fame or popularity, Severus. You know that's not what he wants or needs."
"But at least he has choice! People don't appreciate the intellectual." The words 'men like me' were unspoken but understood by both listeners. "Do you think that once we leave here that he would still want me?" Snape hissed angrily. "He has to need me, to crave me!"
"Severus," Lucius pleaded. Harry wondered at the note of desperation in Malfoy's voice.
"Thank you for your concern, Lucius, but I assure you that I am in control and I intend to keep it that way. Harry Potter is wrapped around my little finger and obeys my every command. If only I had this much control years ago," he smirked wistfully.
"Very well, Severus, my friend. I trust you to know what's best. However Potter has moments of amazing clarity and intuition; be warned, this is a dangerous game that you play."
"I know what I am doing; Potter hasn't a clue. He craves me and he doesn't know why. Pretty soon he'll be begging me to be with him; he's almost there."
Lucius sighed irritably. "If we're going to harvest those plants we should leave now."
Harry listened as the two men left. So Severus wasn't just flirting with him, he was trying to manipulate him. Surprisingly Harry wasn't as angry as he should perhaps be. These past two months living with Slytherins had desensitised him to their chronic scheming. He was still upset but his inner Slytherin was shouting 'don't get mad, get even!' and Harry was listening.
HP – SS – HP – SS
"Potter?" Severus asked, unnerved.
"Hmm?"
"Potter!" Severus snapped, resisting the urge to fidget. "What is going on in that hollow skull of yours?"
Harry ignored the insult and frown in deeper concentration, leaning so close to Snape that their noses touched.
Severus Snape growled; an honest to goodness growl which arose from the depths of his diaphragm. And still Potter ignored him.
"Harry!" he cried in desperation.
"Ah, so you do know my name," Harry chuckled. He grasped Snape's chin and tilted his head a little. "Do you know," Harry began but then paused with a frown. "Hmm..."
Severus had examined many things in his life, both living and dead, human and dunderhead. But he had never been the subject of such an intense examination by anyone other than Albus and the Dark Lord and he didn't like it. Not one bit.
"I know many things, Potter," he drawled, trying to pull his head away but found that he had already pressed himself against the wall and now had nowhere else to go. He tried to turn his head away but he simply could not look away. Not only was it a matter of pride – Severus Snape never looked away first – but he was also hypnotically bound.
"Potter, Harry, please," he heard himself beg. He never begged; he demanded and commanded but never begged. But he was truly terrified. They had been, well, not truly arguing, not really; it was more like an extremely animated debate, when Harry suddenly started staring into his eyes. Intensely. The young wizard's skin was practically buzzing with energy and warmth leaving Snape feeling both safely cocooned and claustrophobic.
"You know," Harry whispered, licking his lips, "I think your eyes may be brown, not black. Or maybe they're black with flecks of brown... If I look just so," he speculated, turning his head on an angle, still staring into the dark depths.
The colour of his eyes? This was about the colour of his eyes? Not even Severus Snape could contain his incredulity. Potter was certifiably insane. Snape's jaw dropped open in shock and he had less than a second to see the look of triumph in the emerald eyes and the smirk on the ruby red lips before he felt Harry's tongue inside of his mouth.
It seemed Harry knew the game and played it well after all. Snape was surprised to realize that his arms were wrapped around the athletic young body that was pressed against him and his hips were thrusting against the firm body. Potter had won this round. Damn the boy!
A/N - No one has complained but I know that the last chapter was the worst for constantly switching POVs so I tried to limit it in this chapter. Most of it is Severus except one section which is from Harry's POV. I've drafted the outline for the rest of the fic and for now it will be 10 chapters. Chapter 8 is from Lucius' POV; 9 - is Harry's POV and 10 is Snape's POV. Reviews and alerts have stopped coming in - hello readers, are you still there? :)
