A/N: So I was a little cruel last chapter. At least I got some entertainment out of it. =3 lol. Okay, so here it is, the long awaited chapter Nijuuhachi! (28). Also, a little p.s., I rewrote the summery, can you guys read it and let me know what you think? I'd greatly appreciate it. Much love!
LOVE?
He knew it! He had had his suspicions about what the translation was. And he was right but now what? If Harry really was in love with him then they were deep in something that they shouldn't be. With upcoming events so close on the horizon it was impossible to keep this going for much longer. How could he have let this happen? Their relationship was taboo enough as it is.
The next thing he knew Harry was pushing him away, fighting back tears. "I shouldn't have said anything." he mumbled in a voice full of anguish.
"No, Harry wait!" Severus reached out and grabbed the boy's arm, pulling him back. "Please, just give me a minute to think."
"If you have to think about what you're supposed to say next then I don't need to wait." Harry pulled his arm sharply and freed himself, taking a few steps away, keeping out of the man's reach. "I can't believe this…" He said, his voice cracking on the words. "It was just about the sex to you."
"No! Harry that's not it. I'm just worried, this isn't going to work for long. Not with everything we have to do."
"So you'll be too busy for me?" Harry shouted surprised.
"No! Damn Harry, do you even know what love is?" That was the wrong thing to say. He could see the pain and betrayal across his lover's face.
"I wouldn't have said anything if I wasn't sure." he said softly before turning and heading through the trees.
"Harry!" Severus chased after him. He wasn't going to loose him again. "Please wait, let me explain."
"You don't love me. It's that simple, you don't have to explain anything." Harry said with his back to the man as his pace slowed, almost hopefully.
"I didn't say that. Actually I didn't say anything. I'm just worried, because of the death eaters and Voldemort's return that…pretty soon we're going to have to fight him. Things can't stay like this forever. I wish they could. But…Harry, Dumbledore's asked me to be a spy for the order."
"A spy?" Harry turned around and looked up at the man with concern masking his pain.
"I'm to reinstate as a death eater and get as close to Voldemort as possible. I've already gotten in. and it's very possible that in the future I will have to do something that you'll hate me for." Severus tried to explain without telling too much.
"I'll understand, because of what you've just told me. It'll be okay."
Severus shook his head. "besides you'll be fighting from the other side. I'm going to need you to be focused on that. Promise me, that when the time comes, you'll forget about me."
"No." Harry said flatly. "I just want a straight answer. Do you love me?"
Severus looked down into the boy's emerald eyes, debating what to say.
"Don't factor in our situation, the future, or the past. Just answer the question. How do you feel right now?"
Severus did his best to follow Harry's instructions. And without everything shadowing his thoughts in doubt he could honestly say, "I love you." then it all came crashing back. "But I was trying to make it less painful. Because if we continue this, it's going to hurt a lot more in the future."
"I'm just glad you love me too." Harry let out a breath the man hadn't realized he was holding.
"Don't forget it. No matter what happens, no matter what I do, know that I love you. And everything can't be as good as it is now, but if we survive this, and it's all over, I'd like to be with you again."
"It's a date then." Harry breathed stepping closer. "I'm sorry, I got upset."
"I'm sorry it has to be so hard." Severus pulled his lover close his chest and rested his chin on his head. "I do love you. I can't believe how good it feels to say that."
Harry chuckled. "Yeah that's what I thought the first time I told you."
"That's really what you were saying? That's amazing it had such an effect on me."
"I rather enjoyed it."
Severus smiled and tilted the boy's head up. "Harry…" he leaned in close, lips almost touching. "…I love you."
Harry closed the distance and pressed his lips to his lover's, as his arms hooked around the man's neck. When they pulled away he smiled up at him. "I love you too."
"Let's get back to the castle before somebody misses you."
"Oh alright. If we have to." Harry dropped his arms to his sides.
"Hmm…" Severus said looking down at the boy. "We just had a pretty serious fight. Don't couples usually have 'make-up sex'?"
Harry burst into laughter. "Well yes." he said once he could breath again. "but we don't really have the time right now. Perhaps during our tutoring session this afternoon?"
"I like the sounds of that. Although…" Severus said as they began walking back to the castle. "I had told myself that I'd actually teach you this time, but I guess I'll wait to teach you until tomorrow's lesson."
~passing of time~
As they entered the great hall, now serving breakfast, Umbridge's voice echoed off the stone walls and drew every student's attention. "Pardon me Professor, but what exactly are you insinuating?" Severus walked with Harry out into the corridor and saw Umbridge and McGonagall on the stairs.
"I'm merely requesting that when it comes to my students you conform to the prescribed disciplinary practices." the older woman said, glaring fiercely at the other.
"It's so silly of me, but it sounds as if you're questioning my authority in my own classroom." she answered. "Minerva."
"Not at all, Dolores. Merely your medieval methods."
"I am sorry dear, but to question my practices is to question the ministry, and by extension, the minister himself. I'm a tolerant woman, but the one thing I will not stand for, is disloyalty."
"Disloyalty." Ms. McGonagall repeated, standing down.
"Things at Hogwarts are far worse then I feared." the pink clad woman said addressing the crowd that had formed. "Cornelius will want to take immediate action."
Harry looked up at Severus and they both exchanged looks.
A/N: I'm sorry this chapter was so short, but a lot did happen in it. Okay so next chapter I'm going to fast forward again, we're going to get through this year as quickly as possible without leaving anything really good out of the plot. Okay, so don't forget to read my new summery and review please! Next chapter will be Nijuukyuu. (29)
