Thanks for all the wonderful reviews guys! I promise I am writing as quickly as I can! Sorry this is so short, I am working on Chapter 11 which will be up soon! Enjoy


The embrace continued, far longer than Harry had expected. Not that he particularly wanted it to end. He had put his face gently on Severus shoulder and inhaled deeply, in what he hoped was subtle manner. Harry felt Severus do the same to the top of his head. Reluctantly and slowly they parted, each looking away from the other.

"I need a bit of time to processes this," Severus spoke with a sigh.

Harry nodded but said nothing, his fist awkwardly bouncing off the side of his leg.

"Do you want to go get some lunch?" Severus asked.

Harry looked up, smile blossoming on his face. "Sure!"

"I feel like getting out of the castle for a bit. Hogshead do you reckon"

"There's food at the Hogshead?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Ah, right. I said lunch." Severus seemed a bit distracted.

"How about we go back to my place and I'll make us something?" Harry asked, reaching out to take Severus's hand in his.

Severus gaze snapped to their entwined hands.

"Come on," Harry said with a gentle pull towards the fireplace.

They flooed hand in hand, which turned out to clearly be a mistake. Harry tumbled out of the fire place with Severus landing on top of him. Harry looked up sheepishly expecting a scowl, what he found was something completely different. The look in Severus's eyes had returned. Harry carefully reached up to push the hair was hanging in Severus's face behind his ears to get a better look. Severus was looking at him softy and with a look of what seemed to be amazement. The indefinable look Harry now was able to give a name. Reverence, as though Harry were the most important thing in the world. There really was nothing else for it. Harry leaned up slightly and pulled Severus's mouth to his. The moment the warms lips connected with his own Severus pulled Harry closer, his arms coming up around Harry's back. As Severus's tongue parted Harry's lips, the younger wizard moan in appreciation. Harry bent one leg up to allow Severus' thigh more contact. His fingers wound themselves in Severus's hair pulling him closer. Lungs close to bursting Severus pulled back and rested his forehead on Harry's. Saying nothing they continued to gaze at each other, Severus's eyes bright and soft. With a final soft kiss Severus pulled himself off Harry and pulled the younger man to his feet.

"Let's have some lunch and then we'll talk about this," Severus spoke before turning and walking into the kitchen.

Harry stood there taking it all in before following. Together they made the most simple lunch they could think of. Peanut Butter and Jelly (raspberry jam, smooth peanut butter on pumpernickel bread) and a glass of milk each. They sat together on the couch, each chewing a sandwich and lost in their own thoughts. Harry downed his milk quickly before turning fully on the couch cushion to face Severus. He pulled his legs up and sat Indian-style, a hand on each knee.

"So what was that all about?" Harry asked sheepishly.

Severus turned on the couch, putting one leg up close to Harry's knee.

"That was something I have wanted to do for nearly a year," Severus said simply. "I'm sure you've had similar thoughts?"

Harry blushed at the quirked eyebrow but didn't deny it.

"I suppose you're looking for a more descriptive reasoning?" Severus asked, and continued with Harry's nod. " There is in fact a simple and yet highly complex convoluted reason that to a sane person really should make no sense at all and yet it makes perfect sense at the same time. I myself was blind to for years until I allowed myself to actually think about it and all it's consequence."

Severus paused and took a breath. Harry took this time to attempt to process what had just been said.

"I have thought long and hard about this. The conclusion I have come to has brought me relief and hope, more than I thought possible or that I deserve." Severus took a deep breath. "I love you." he said looking Harry dead in the eye, making sure the sincerity of the words sunk in.

Harry's eyes widened in surprise. He had imagined this moment a thousand different ways having never thought it would ever happen. It was never Severus saying it first. Every version had Harry hinting at it for months, getting closer to the man, learning everything he could as simply friends before eventually he would be forced to tell Severus. Then Severus would tell him that the age difference was too great, there would be a laundry list of reason why it wasn't possible or appropriate to be together before finally Harry would get him to see sense and hours worth of snogging would ensue. This flew in the face of everything Harry had expected or even hoped for.

"You what?" Harry asked his mouth suddenly dry.

Severus shifted, soon kneeling on the couch cushion and leaning over Harry.

"I love you," Severus whispered, and pulled Harry into a searing kiss.

Harry's legs uncrossed only to re-cross behind Severus's back as the older man pushed Harry back into the plush couch. Severus's hands worked their way underneath Harry to pull him closer. Again Harry's hand wound themselves into Severus long hair, keeping that hot mouth attached to his own. Too soon Severus ripped his mouth away from Harry's to catch his breath. Gently resting his forehead on Harry's, they took a moment to gather themselves. Harry pulled back marginally to look Severus in the eye.

"I love you too," Harry said with a smile before pulling Severus back down for another kiss.

Severus moaned into Harry's mouth, which sent shivers spiraling down Harry's spine. Severus moved the kisses to Harry's throat, finding a very sensitive spot behind his ear. Somewhere in the back of his mind Harry thought he heard a faint knocking sound, deciding it was just the sound of his heart pounding against his ribs he went back to concentrate on what Severus was doing.

"Is there someone at the door?" Severus asked, rather breathlessly.

"No," Harry whispered, pulling Severus face up to plunder his mouth yet again.

"Hey Harry? Are you home?" came a voice from the front hall.

Severus leaned up to look, Harry brought the top of his head down to look upside down at the unwelcome guest. Neville Longbottom stood in the doorway, color draining from his face by the second.

"Longbottom," Severus said in greeting.

Neville quickly lost conciseness and fell to the floor.

Harry groaned and covered his face with a hand. "I really need to start locking the door."

"How long do we have until he wakes up?" Severus asked with a wagging eyebrow.

"Long enough," Harry answered pulling Severus back down for more.