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Noble Gryffindors

Warning: HP/SS slash! Post Hogwarts.

Rating: R

Chapter 2: Something Blue

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April 1st continued:

As he was making his way to the garden, where the ceremony was about to commence, Harry's thoughts were focused on none other than Severus.

At Hermione's insistence, they'd invited all of their former Hogwarts professors, but he was hoping his former lover had found an excuse to keep from attending.

Harry didn't quite trust himself around the man, what with the intense emotions he was still harboring for him. The young wizard highly doubted such deep emotions would ever dissipate. So as he scoured the garden curiously, registering in his mind the guests who had show up, he couldn't help but feel a pang of relief mixed with a surprising amount of disappointment at the absence of one Severus Snape.

It's better this way, Harry convinced himself. It would have just made this day even more difficult than it already is, for both of us.

Harry took his place in front, by Albus Dumbledore, who was officiating over the service, as he waited for his blushing bride to arrive.

When he saw Hermione being led down the aisle by her father, he was overwhelmed with emotion. She looked so beautiful, so hopeful. His best friend's eyes welled up with tears as she took her place by Harry's side.

I wonder how many of those tears are for Ron…

Harry didn't kid himself into believing Hermione was madly in love with him. No, this was not a marriage of unbridled love. It was a union of convenience. Two friends seeking solace in one another's arms.

If he really stopped to think about it, it was more like one of the friends relying on the other to shield her from further pain and sorrow. Hermione had unknowingly entangled him in her web of dreams, wishing and hoping the comfort they could offer one another would be enough to override the void created by the lack of love and passion in their lives.

If only she knew what he was giving up for her…

But Hermione didn't know. No one knew, except maybe Albus Dumbledore.

Harry and Severus had gone to great lengths to hide their relationship. At first it was a necessary secret so that the Dark Lord would not be able to play them against one another. Then, after Harry had killed him, there really was no reason for sneaking around. Quite frankly, Harry had wanted to go public as soon as the Dark Lord and his followers had ceased from posing a threat to the couple, but he wasn't sure Severus would agree. After all, being romantically linked to the Boy-Who-Kept-Living would have had a significant effect on the potions master's life.

So Harry didn't push. He didn't even mention it. He settled on taking whatever Severus was capable of giving, without adding extra demands on the man.

For Harry was a noble Gryffindor.

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And then Hermione fell apart.

She and Ron had been engaged for several months when he died. They planned on getting married once the war was over, but that was not to be.

The studious, intelligent, organized, strong-willed young woman suffered a mental breakdown and found herself spiraling downward at a speedy pace. So naturally, she grabbed on to her closest friend and appointed him her lifesaver.

Harry assumed the position willingly, at first. He wanted to help his friend regain her optimism and cheerfulness. He wanted to show her that all hope was not lost. He attempted to do this by spending hours upon hours talking to her, taking her out to dinner, movies, the theater – anything that would take her mind off her grief for a few hours.

Within a month or so it was clear that Hermione's mental state had vastly improved. The only problem was, she had developed a strong attachment to Harry. In fact, she'd convinced herself that the sisterly love she felt for him had transformed to romantic love.

That's when everything started going downhill…

(back to the present)

The ceremony was simple and tasteful. Albus bestowed his blessings on the happy couple. Harry and Hermione exchanged their vows and shared an awkward kiss binding their union.

Simple, tasteful, and cold.

After leading Hermione in their first dance as husband and wife Harry sauntered off to the sidelines. He felt nauseous, suffocated, miserable. He had just pledged his unwavering fidelity and commitment to a woman he was not in love with. A woman who could never make him happy, nor he her. The young wizard drifted off to the edge of the green moor which lay at the edge of the Burrow and leaned on the trunk of the great oak tree, whispering to himself: "What have I done???"

Harry jumped in surprise as he heard a silky voice reply:

"I believe you've just made the biggest mistake of your life. One you will regret for many years to come."

Turning to face the owner of said voice, Harry blinked several times in an attempt to ensure the man in front of him was not a mere figment of his overactive imagination.

"Sev?" He asked timidly.

"You didn't think I'd stay away, did you?" Severus drawled.

The green-eyed wizard lowered his gaze to the ground and began shuffling his feet with great agitation.

"I looked for you before the ceremony but couldn't find you."

"You just keep losing me, don't you?" the silky voice teased mercilessly.

Severus' question proved to be Harry's undoing. Before he knew what hit him, the young man fell to the ground, head in hands, sobbing uncontrollably. Severus knelt down beside him, not quite knowing what to say or do. He knew it wouldn't be appropriate to do what he really wanted to. It wouldn't be appropriate for him to throw his arms around the young man and rock him back and forth while kissing his tears away, murmuring sweet words of love into his ear. Walking away wasn't an option either though he had a feeling that would have been the wiser choice, for both men.

So Severus sat by Harry under the large oak tree, waiting for the young wizard to calm down.

Touch me, Sev. Please! Hold me in your arms and make it all better! Harry's insides were screaming, but he dared not utter these wishes out loud.

Minutes later, as he regained composure, Harry turned to face Severus, drying his tears with a quick spell.

"Why did you come?" he asked in an accusatory tone.

"Curiosity got the better of me, I presume. I felt I had to see it for myself."

Harry nodded.

"I'm sorry, Severus."

Pause.

"So am I, Harry."

At that awkward moment the younger wizard stood up and made to return to the party. He had taken only a few steps before turning around to face his lover one last time. He gazed deeply into Severus' shining eyes, and muttered:

"I wish I'd allowed the hat to put my in Slytherin."

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TBC???

Ok, this is where you guys come in. Should I leave it there or should I continue? My original plot was quite a bit longer and spanned over many more years, but having completed this chapter, I'm not sure if there's a need to continue.

Should I keep it short and sad or keep going to appease the happy-ending fans out there?

It's your call!