Disclaimer: I only own the plot…

A/N: Severus accepted Harry's terms in the last chapter. I think it's time for the green eyed boy to start his mission don't you think? ;D As you can probably tell, Severus kind of feels the same way towards Harry, but he's not really sure of himself yet.

Yay! Thank you for the wonderful feedback :)

One… Two… Three! Let's Begin!

Changed stuff around a bit. It would be Christmas not Thanksgiving :P Thanks to one of the reviewers for telling me :D So… next chapter or so shall be Christmas time!

Chapter 9: One Step at a Time

"Harry! HARRY POTTER!" Severus pounded on Harry's bedroom door. "It's eleven in the morning brat! WAKE UP!" More pounding. "Damn heavy sleeper…"

Mumbling under his breath, Severus placed his hand on the doorknob and opened the mahogany door. Severus padded in to the back of the room where the bed was. He pulled the curtains that were draped over the four poster bed apart and then tied them onto the bedposts. Severus looked at the sleeping man with a small smile. Harry's usual messy dark tresses were even messier, if that's even possible. The younger man was sleeping on his side; his lips were parted slightly as Harry breathed small, shallow breaths. Every once in awhile, Severus noticed, Harry's eyes fluttered ever so slightly. The Potions Master sat down at the edge of the bed slowly; the mattress creaked under his added weight.

"Harry… Wake up." Severus whispered, nudging Harry on the shoulder.

All Severus received was a mumble and shifting from Harry. Harry turned and lay on his back, but was still snoring lightly. Severus rolled his eyes and shook the boy's shoulder.

"Harry Potter you wake up this instant!" Severus said next to Harry's ears.

"Hmm… lemme sleep…" Harry muttered and pulled his blankets higher.

Severus gave up being nice and finally, pinched Harry's arm. Hard.

That woke Harry up instantly.

"OWWW!!"

Harry snapped his eyes open and flailed his arms around. Severus moved away to prevent being hit by the madly waving arms. Harry sat up and looked around the room with unfocused eyes. Severus handed the boy his glasses. Harry fumbled with the frames and placed them on.

"Severus? What are you…" Harry looked down at his arm; a bruise was forming where Severus pinched him. "Did you have to pinch THAT hard?" Harry glared at the man.

Severus shrugged. "If you weren't snoring, people might have thought that you're dead."

Harry huffed. "That still didn't give you the right to pinch me." He rubbed the sore spot on his arm.

"Get up Harry. After you're done eating go to the living room. We have much to discuss." Severus glanced sideways at the boy and chuckled when he saw Harry poking at the bruise.

"Fine fine… Give me ten minutes and I'll be down." Harry said, throwing his blankets to the side.

Severus got up from the bed and started for the door. He turned around and looked at Harry before he headed out.

"I have a salve that gets rid of bruises; you can put some on later."

Harry smiled at the man. "Thanks. I'll be there shortly." Severus nodded and left, closing the door behind him.

After brushing his teeth, a shower, and his very late breakfast, Harry walked into the living room to find Severus sitting on the couch with one hand holding a cup of coffee and the other holding a book. On the coffee table Harry saw the salve that Severus was talking about. Severus had heard Harry walking in. He dropped the book to his side and placed the coffee cup on the table. Severus patted the seat next to him; Harry walked over and sat down with a smile.

"What were you reading?" Harry asked, peering at the book next to the Potions Master's thighs.

"It's a novel," Severus said, tracing a line on the cover of the book.

Harry's mouth slacked. The man actually read something that's not about Potions or the Dark Arts. Severus saw Harry's reaction and arched his eyebrow at the boy.

"Is it really that amusing that I read something else that has nothing to do with Potions?"

Harry snapped his mouth shut and turned to face his professor. Harry grinned at him.

"No…" Harry said slowly; Severus scoffed. "Okay… Yes. But hey, I learned something new about you today." Harry smiled, showing teeth. "You actually read novels!"

"I guess that's a start." Severus chuckled, grabbing the jar of salve from the table. "Give me your arm Harry. I apologize for pinching you earlier."

'Yeah right.' Severus mentally smirked. It was funny to see Harry flailing his arms everywhere, but he had to admit… the pinch was kind of hard.

Harry rolled up his sleeves to reveal a now very black and purple bruise. Harry winced when he saw it, then he glared at the man; his eyes were glowing with amusement.

"You should kiss it so it won't hurt anymore." Harry joked. Severus was opening the lid of the jar but stopped when he heard what Harry said.

Harry noticed the stillness and mentally kicked himself.

"No no… That's not what I… I was only joking Severus." Harry placed his hand on top of Severus', the one opening the jar.

Severus looked at the worried green eyes, and then looked down where their hands were touching, then back at Harry's face. Harry was still perturbed, but was caught by surprise when the sound of a deep chortle reached his ears.

"What… What happened?" Harry asked, furrowing his brows in bafflement. He did not expect Severus to be… laughing.

"The look on your face Harry," Severus chuckled.

"I thought… I thought you were…" Harry spluttered. Severus was actually LAUGHING at him. Maybe someone fell on his head this morning, Harry had thought.

"Harry… You said last night that we should be more open with each other." Severus took a deep breath to calm himself. "You're the only one that I feel comfortable with. Contrary to the belief that I am as cold as a statue, I do laugh."

"Oh…" Was all Harry said.

Severus' lips curved up, his eyes swimming in laughter.

"But I can only do this in front of you… I don't think I'm ready for others to think I'm some sort of a nutcase." Severus glared at Harry when the younger man let out a muffled laugh. "They don't understand like you do Harry."

"They'll learn, just like I did. Then they will see you're not the snarky bastard everyone thinks you are." Harry said, finally letting go of Severus' hand. He held it the whole time the older man was laughing.

"Hmm yes… Snarky bastard indeed." Severus was slightly disappointed when Harry took his hand away. The boy's hand was so warm and comforting.

"So are you going to give me the salve or not?" Harry asked cheekily.

Severus took off the lid and tossed it on the coffee table. He placed his index finger inside the jar and scooped out a fair amount of the pinkish ointment. He pressed his finger on the bruise and began rubbing in small circles.

"I'll do it for you, there's a technique on how to apply it if you want the bruise to disappear quickly." Severus said, gently spreading the ointment into Harry's arms.

Harry was left speechless. There he was sitting on a sofa next to Severus, having his bruise massaged by those long fingers. The man was pressing ever so gently into the bruise, not too hard to cause unnecessary pain. As Severus spread the salve, Harry can feel a cooling sensation to relieve him of the dull pain, and then it got warmer where Severus was chafing his skin. Harry's heart was beating rapidly inside his chest; he could feel himself turning red. Good thing Severus was paying attention to his arm and not his face.

'Merlin, it feels nice.' Harry thought as the said fingers continued with its ministrations.

All too soon, Severus stopped and reached for the lid. Harry looked down at his arm and the contusion was nowhere to be seen. All that was left was a patch of pink where Severus had massaged him. Harry rubbed his arm gently before unrolling his sleeve.

"Thank you…" Harry said quietly.

Severus nodded and stood up. "Come to the lab later, I want you to learn how to make a potion. It won't be too difficult." He bent down to retrieve the book that was left on the couch and walked over to a bookshelf to put it back to its proper place.

"I'll see you later in the lab Harry. Be there by three." Severus actually gave Harry a smile before leaving the room.

Harry sat there, and then slowly smiled to himself.

'One step at a time Harry… Things are going well.'

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Severus put the bottle of salve back into the medicine cabinet in his bathroom. He turned on the faucet and let the water run. Severus looked down and watched water swirled down the drain before placing both of his hands under the cold water and washed. Severus saw how Harry reacted when he took care of the bruise. Severus noticed every single expression, from the surprised face when he told Harry he would apply the salve, to when Harry started blushing. Severus knew the boy harbored feelings for him, Harry had said so himself. A couple weeks back Severus would sneer at the very idea of Harry liking him. But now, Severus realized, he also felt something toward the boy. It wasn't much, but enough to let him know he was starting to care about the young man.

Maybe enough to let himself love Harry back as well.

Severus turned off the tap and dried his hands on a white towel that hung next to the sink. He walked out of the bathroom and made his way down to the lab.

Anything was possible.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"Severus?" Harry called as the door to the lab creaked opened. Severus looked up from his book and saw Harry's head peeking in.

"Come in, I was just reading about the potion you will be making." Severus snapped the book shut and placed it on the work table. "It shouldn't be too hard for you. Last thing I want is you blowing up my house."

Harry pretended to look offended, but he knew Severus was only kidding, he heard the banter in his tone.

"Well I wouldn't want to blow up your house either; it would mean I have no place to stay." Harry replied.

Severus let out a soft chuckle. "Brat."

Harry gave the man a huge smile. Severus shook his head slightly and went over to sit on a chair close to the table. He gestured to the table and Harry took the hint and walked over.

"Once again, you'll find all the ingredients and tools you will need to make this potion, instructions are in the book. I will not offer any help unless I see that you need my help. Any questions?" Severus said evenly.

Harry shook his head in the negative. "Can I start now?" Severus nodded his consent.

Harry rolled up his sleeves and began to work. First he opened the container filled with the Daruka leaves and took six pieces out. He placed the leaves on a small plate and left those for chopping later. Harry then skimmed through the instructions; next was to crush the Kokono seeds into a fine powder.

"Kokono seeds? I thought they were very rare." Harry asked, turning his head back to look at Severus.

"You're right, they are very rare. But I have my ways on getting my hands on them." Severus crossed his arms and smiled at the teen.

Harry shrugged and turned back to the ingredients. He brought the mortar close to him and dropped the seeds inside. He crushed them until they turned into a fine brown powder. After scraping the mortar clean of the crushed seeds and putting the powder into a bowl, Harry reached for a bottle containing a red liquid.

"Python blood?" Harry shook the bottle. "That's disgusting."

"Harry I'm not making you drink the blood, but try not to spill it. It can give you a bad rash if it touches your skin." Severus warned. Harry stopped shaking the bottle and gingerly held it between his thumb and index finger, he held it far away from his body.

Severus laughed quietly; Harry can be so childish sometimes.

"I'm sure the book says you will need five drops of the blood and mix it with the seed powder, am I correct?"

Harry nodded and pulled out the stopper. He tilted the bottle and tapped the mouth gently until he got his five drops into the powder. Harry set the bottle aside and took a glass mixing stick, it kind of looks like a thin baton, and mixed the blood into brown powder. Slowly, but surely, the brown dust turned into a green paste. Harry arched his eyebrows as the paste thickened before his eyes.

"How come it turned green? I didn't do anything wrong did I?" Harry stopped stirring and picked up the stick; a glop of green goo dripped back into the bowl.

"Nothing's wrong with it. Kokono seed powder reacts to any types of blood and thus it would turn green." Severus explained. "You're doing fine Harry. You need to have confidence in yourself."

Harry sighed. "I-I'm just worried that I'm going to mess this all up… Then you'll get disappointed because I can't even make a simple potion."

Severus got up from his chair and strode over to where Harry was standing with his head tilted down. He stood next to the green eyed teen and patted his shoulder reassuringly.

"You worry too much Harry, I'm sure you can make this potion without any problems."

Harry was taken aback. It wasn't everyday that Severus would compliment someone.

"Thanks…" Harry looked up and turned his head to give the man a smile. "Well, guess I should chop up the leaves now."

Severus nodded and stayed by Harry's side. Harry took the plate with the leaves and brought it closer to him. He picked out one dark green leaf and put it on the cutting board; the leaf was almost as big as his own hand and it was quite thick, too. Harry began cutting the leaf into smaller pieces; clear liquid oozed out as the knife went through.

"Collect the clear gel Harry, it can be used for other potions." Severus said, as Harry continued to slice through the thick leaf.

Harry nodded to show that he understood. He took a small plate and scraped the clear jelly into the plate with the blunt side of the knife he was using. Harry could distinctly smell the sweet scent the gel was giving.

"Is that enough?" Harry asked, showing Severus the now filled plate. Severus cracked a smile and took the plate from Harry's hand.

"Yes it's enough. I'll go put this in a vial, you continue with the potion Harry." Severus walked to the back of the room where the empty vials and bottles were.

Harry watched Severus walked to the back of the room, while cutting a new leaf at the same time.

'Severus got a nice backside… NO Harry… Concentrate on potion…'

Harry conflicted with himself; he wasn't paying any attention at how he was cutting until… the knife made a cut on his middle finger. Harry let out a gasp and dropped the knife; it landed on the table with a clatter. Harry clutched at his finger and saw that the cut was actually kind of deep; blood was starting to dribble from the wound. He whimpered lightly in pain and clutched his finger.

Severus heard the clatter and whipped his head around immediately, placing the plate of the Daruka leaf jelly on a shelf. He saw Harry holding his finger and a pained expression was sketched across his face. Severus briskly walked over to the younger man, by then he can hear Harry whimpering in pain, and saw the droplets of blood on the cutting board. Severus gently took Harry's hand with the injured finger and inspected it carefully.

"Harry weren't you paying attention to where you were cutting?" Severus questioned, taking out a handkerchief from his pocket. He dabbed at the blood droplets and the wound.

Harry hissed in pain and Severus wiped the cut more gently.

"I… My hand slipped." Harry lied. He wasn't going to tell Severus that he was watching him and thought that he got a nice back.

"You should be more careful brat." Severus murmured, putting the now blood stained handkerchief on the table. He took out his wand, muttered a spell, and waved it across Harry's hand.

The cut instantaneously healed itself, all that was left was a faint white line where the cut once was. Harry looked down at his finger, he could feel a slight throb, but it didn't hurt anymore. Then he noticed that Severus was still holding his hand. Not that he minded of course.

"Severus… It's alright now." Harry whispered and wriggled his hand inside Snape's hold.

Severus looked down at their entwined fingers and let go abruptly. He cleared his throat before putting his wand back into his robe.

"We can make the potion another day Harry." Severus said, glancing at the work table. "Your finger should feel a bit tender, the cut was pretty deep."

Harry tilted his head to the side and gave Severus a lopsided smile.

"This time you should really kiss my finger." Harry grinned. "If I wasn't making a potion, this wouldn't happen." Harry knew Severus wouldn't take him seriously, but it doesn't hurt to joke around.

What happened next shocked Harry to next month.

Severus reached over and took Harry's hand and brought the finger close to his lips. Harry's breath hitched and he held it in. Severus bent his head down slightly and brushed his lips at the fingertips ever so softly. He looked at Harry through half lidded eyes and saw that the teen had turned to a dark shade of pink, and his mouth was opened slightly in shock. Severus smirked and lowered his hand and Harry's. It was nice to see Harry speechless for once.

'He's not the only that can play this game. Let's see what happens now...' Severus thought. 'He's adorable when he's flustered... Did I just think he was... Oh sweet mother of...'

There was a mischievous glint in Severus' eyes. Severus pivoted towards the door. "I'll be at the library, you can join me if you want Harry." With that said, Severus opened the door and left, with a small smile on his face, which Harry didn't noticed.

Harry Potter didn't even hear what Severus had just said; he never got past the point when Severus kissed his finger. Harry stood still as a rock in the center of the potions lab. He brought his hand up to his face and peered at the just kissed finger. It still felt kind of warm where Severus had brushed his lips across.

'He… He actually kissed… Oh sweet Merlin.'Harry mused. 'His lips are so soft… WAIT! He actually kissed my finger!!' Harry broke into a huge smile, so bright that it could've brighten up the whole room.

"He said he was going to… to… the library!" Harry had heard some words.

With that, Harry ran out the door and went straight to the library to be with Severus. There was much to talk about.

Very much.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

A/N: Hehe chapter 9 done:D Severus kissed Harry! Even though it's only the finger, it's still lip to skin contact! Haha! Anyways, next chapter Harry is going to ask Severus if Hermione and Ron can come to Snape Manor for Christmas. Wonder if Sev will let? ;D

Next chapter: Please? Pretty Please?