"Harry, are you sure you've packed everything for this convocation? Some of the world's brightest minds are going to be there. You can't go looking like you've just stumbled out of bed," Hermione said, having been lecturing Harry on how to behave for quite some time. She had been begging him to let her pack his trunk for him, but he had told her off, making sure he could plan for the week's true events.

"Yes, Hermione, I've packed dress robes and I am even bringing the new suit I bought in case Professor Snape and I go out for dinner." Harry had no clue what the week would hold, so he had packed for a multitude of events. He'd minded the weather of Durmstrang, though.

She nodded in approval. "Good." She paused for a moment. "I really can't believe how comfortable you are with the idea of going alone with Snape."

"I know he can seem to be a bit unapproachable, Hermione, but really, he isn't that bad."

"I don't know, he's creepy. He always walks around like he thinks he's better than everyone." She started to laugh a bit, getting more enthusiastic with her remarks. "I bet his quarters are dingy and gross, don't you?"

"I don't think h-"

"And for a man his age, you'd think he could cut his hair, I mean it's not the same as Hagrid or Dumbledore who have grown their looks with a reputation. He's getting much older and he should know he's outgrown the long hair."

"Hermione," Harry tried to start again before he got cut off once more.

"And I know that no one really believed it when Rebecca said so, but I wouldn't be surprised to find out that he was preying on students. He just kind of has that feeling to him, doesn't h-"

"Shut up!" Harry yelled, standing up quickly and looking at her angrily. She stopped, mid-word, and seemed confused. Harry knew she was only messing about, but he couldn't bear to listen to it anymore. He was desperately trying to think of a good excuse as to why he had gotten so upset that wouldn't tip her off, but he was still so livid that he couldn't think.

"Wh…" She couldn't seem to figure out the question she wanted to ask. Another moment passed. She just watched him as he still racked his brain.

"I'm sorry for yelling," he stated. "But Professor Snape has been helping me a lot lately. I can't listen to you say those things about him."

"Helping you how?" She asked, much quieter.

Harry considered telling her everything. He knew she wouldn't tell anyone, but he also knew that he couldn't bear the judgment she would give him. He wanted his friends to know; to be there for him through this. He also knew it wasn't fair to put them in such a difficult position. They wouldn't understand, either. Severus and Harry had been through such unique and difficult lives that they felt they could only share with each other. Like he had done for Ron, Harry decided to tell her some truth, hoping it would both alleviate some stress for her, and cover some more for him.

"Believe it or not, Professor Snape and I have had some similarly difficult experiences in our lives. Plus, he grew up with my mother. We have been spending a lot of time together and he is helping me work through some things. He is teaching me what he knew about my parents." He looked up at her to gauge her reaction. "All those times I've told you that I've been seeing a girl, I've been having meetings with Professor Snape. He is helping me figure things out."

"Oh Harry," Hermione started. "I had no idea how hard things were going for you. If I had known how much he was helping you, I never would have said those things…"

"Don't worry about it. I'm just sorry I've been lying to you."

"It's okay, really. If I'm being honest with you, I knew some of it wasn't true. Ron's told me you're gay."

"Bloody hell, Ron, of course he did," Harry responded with a laugh. That wasn't something he thought he would do, but he could tell she hadn't taken it poorly.

They chatted a bit more before Hermione set the tone seriously once again. "Okay, but Harry, I'm just going to ask this once. Is that it?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, is that all that there is? You going and talking with Snape?" Hermione looked at Harry seriously. "You know what I am asking."

Harry ground his teeth and looked straight into her eyes. "I don't have the slightest idea as to what you are referring," he said. He stood up abruptly and patted himself to make sure he had everything he would need. "I have to get going." He headed towards the door before turning back just long enough to say, "thanks for helping me get ready." He closed the door loudly behind him.

Not much later, Harry and Severus were in a carriage together on their way to the train station. It was a rainy day, but the weather had never bothered them less. They were talking quietly to one another. It was not out of fear of anyone hearing them, as they were alone. It was simply out of habit. They had never been able to talk normally with one another. Harry decided not to tell Severus of Hermione's interrogation yet, knowing it might upset him at the start of their trip.

"Where are we staying at night?" Harry asked. "You've told me so little about what we are doing."

"I have a few things planned; a couple surprises. Mostly, though, I am excited to be able to spend more than an hour at a time with you." Snape smiled at Harry. They were sitting across from one another, but Harry shifted across to sit on the same side as the other man. He took Snape's arm and wrapped it around his shoulders and leaned close to him. He looked down at Harry and smiled at him. "Maybe we should make a stop at our hotel before we go anywhere else tonight. What do you think?"

Harry smiled and looked up at him. "That sounds perfect."

The ride to the train station took a while, but once they were there, everything went so smoothly. No one stopped them or questioned them. Hardly anyone even looked at them. They simply made their way through, found an empty cabin, and promptly shut the door and drew the curtains. They stowed their luggage and sat down with a bit of a huff. Harry knew the ride would be long, and Severus wasn't fond of trains. They made him anxious. So, about ten minutes after they had taken off, Harry decided to distract him.

Severus was reading a book. They shared a mutual love for reading, and often recommended books to one another. Many nights that Harry would come to visit his quarters, the two would just lay next to one another, reading.

Harry gently grabbed the book from the other man's hands and set it on the storage shelf above. He knelt on the seat beside him and gently rubbed his thumb down Severus' cheek, who leaned in softly for a kiss. Harry kissed him back, sweetly, leaning into him until Snape leaned back far enough that he was laying on the bench. Harry repositioned himself so that he could lay mostly atop the other man, still kissing him.

He couldn't help but think about all the times he had witnessed Snape rip open carriage doors, toss open closets, and stop lock spells that students used to have a quick snog. He was not one to just let others be. He was a rule follower to most extents, stopping students from their wrongdoings and such. He knew Snape might be thinking it too.

By the time their stop came, it was closing in on evening time. Severus led the two of them out of the station. Their hotel wasn't far from the station, so they decided to walk. Snape did something that was a first for their relationship. He reached out his hand and took Harry's. The two walked hand-in-hand the whole way, excitement pulsing in their veins.