Title: Verisimilitude
Author: GrapeSmshr
Rated: R
Coupling: HP/SS slashy goodness
Disclaimer: As much as I wish it were so, these charas don't belong to me.
Thanks to: Crazy Mary-J... You're my lifesaver with this, you know.
A/N: Wow, I actually finished this chapter! Short version of my hectic week from Hell: was screwed over at work so had to work all weekend, had a test on Monday, went home early from work Wednesday and stayed up all night studying for two tests yesterday, got to school in the morning and found out that both tests were rescheduled for Tuesday since my professor was out sick (she teaches both classes). Since I had another class yesterday and a good 3 1/2 hours to kill, I decided that it was a good time to finish this chapter. Lo and behold, I did! So yay! Of course, now all that stress I had this week will tumble over into next week, but oh well. So here's the newest chapter, out on time! Read on and enjoy!
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Chapter 10: Is It, or Isn't It?
The next day was similar much to two days previous, as Harry and Severus were enjoying a quiet lunch together. Harry was not expecting a lunch invitation but was nevertheless pleased by it. He could tell that the other man wanted to talk, but so far he hadn't said much. And Harry definitely knew better than to push. Besides, he didn't want to add to Severus's already nervous countenance.
Instead he launched into the tale of Hermione's and Fred's wedding, in which everything went perfectly until the reception. George had thought it would be funny to charm the figures on the cake to mock-fight, but the tiny plastic bride and groom ended up completely smashing the cake into a huge frosted mess. While Fred and most everyone else was amused, Hermione was less than so. She ended up dumping the remainders of the cake over George's head. He swore up and down that a week later, he was still finding icing in his ears.
Severus found the tale equally amusing and wished he had been present to witness that. Those Weasley twins caused enough chaos in their short lifetimes that it was only fair for a return of favors.
He also found himself quite captivated by Harry's storytelling skills. Harry spoke with such enthusiasm that it was fairly easy for Severus to imagine he was present at the wedding. Not only that, but he was much captured by the younger man's mellifluous voice. Severus would bet any amount of galleons that Harry could make even the most stale words sound sexy
After a few moments, he realized that Harry was no longer speaking but was looking at him intently. Severus must have been staring and hadn't realized it. Clearing his throat, he replied, "Sorry. I am somewhat fatigued today."
Harry gave him a sympathetic smile. "Did you not sleep well?" He could relate, what with years and years of nightmares tucked away deep inside a pensieve.
"No, sleep was fine. It must be stress-related."
"Ah. I know that only too well." Maybe that was why the man was so nervous and jumpy. Stress would definitely do that to a person. Although what he was stressed over was an interesting question... "I could definitely use a break from things. I think at the end of term, I'm going to take a trip. Just rent a car and drive. No destination."
"What fun would that be?" Severus wrinkled his nose. Driving around with nowhere to go? Who would pick Muggle transport anyway? That didn't sound like a good time to him.
"Plenty of fun," Harry declared. "The excitement is not knowing where you'll end up. I'll see new places, meet new people... Now that's truly living." He sat back in his chair, a satisfied grin on his face.
Well, when Harry put it that way... "It still sounds like a miserable trip to me."
"Oh yeah? Then what's your idea of the perfect vacation?" Harry challenged, staring the man in the eyes.
The perfect vacation, hmm? Harry just gave him an open opportunity. "Anywhere far away from here would be ideal," he started. "Somewhere secluded, away from hordes of people. Somewhere you could die, and nobody would know for at least a week, it's that secluded. Nothing too basic as far as dwellings go, but nothing too lavish, either. Just a place where you can be with someone else, without any interruptions, without any worries, where it is just the two of you. A nice, intimate place with that certain person..." He trailed off, imagining a secluded cabin in the mountains where he could be alone with a certain green-eyed man.
"A vacation like that does have its appeal," Harry murmured. Being in a place like that with no one else around... He had watched Severus's expression while he was talking, and it certainly seemed like the other man had given some thought to the question before. Deciding to be bold, he asked, "Was there a particular someone you had in mind to share this... secluded paradise?"
Severus looked surprised at the question, almost guilty. And then the expression changed to one of thoughtful contemplation. "That is the million galleon question, isn't it?" Then he met those intense eyes, staring, not breaking the gaze. "When I figure it out, I'll let you know." He didn't know why, but he suddenly felt this overwhelming urge to smile at Harry. He really wasn't one to indulge in such frivolous gestures. In this case, though, he'd make an exception.
Not expecting such an expression from the other man, Harry couldn't help but gape. That one half-smile lit up his face, knocking years off his stress-aged features. He looked so relaxed, so happy--Harry wanted to just grab the man and snog him senseless.
When Harry didn't say anything, Severus chuckled lightly. "Thank you for the lunch invitation, Harry. I haven't enjoyed someone's company this much in a long while." He shifted in his seat, unconsciously leaning forward just slightly.
Harry returned the smile. "It's good to hear that. I feel the same way."
Severus watched as Harry leaned forward as well, inching slowly closer. His breath hitched in his throat as a lithe, bronzed hand slipped into his hair. And then he frowned in confusion when the hand retreated, and Harry sat back.
"You had a hair thing," Harry explained, wanting nothing more than to bury his hands back in the long, inky strands. But that would be crossing the 'just friends' line. If only he could get them to cross the 'more than just friends' line...
"Ah. Thank you," Severus muttered, cheeks heating up. For a split second, he thought that Harry was going to kiss him. He had wanted Harry to kiss him. Perhaps he only was just a friend in Harry's eyes?
Regarding the older man closely, Harry saw those carefully erected emotional walls start to go back up, and he definitely didn't want that. "Severus, would you like to have drinks with me at the Three Broomsticks tonight?"
Severus paused. Was this a date? Was Harry asking him out? No, he wasn't. He couldn't be... could he? Studying the other man, he finally answered, "Yes, Harry, I would. Thank you."
"Wonderful." Harry smiled, then began stacking up the lunch dishes.
Following suit, Severus wondered what the night would have in store for them.
OoOoOoO
It was only early afternoon, and Draco already had an enormous headache. The day had been nothing short of taxing, as students left and right were exasperating him with their inability to follow directions. He had just sent his fourth student to the infirmary with slight burns from playing around with a spell. Sometime he wondered why he took this job.
Oh, that's right. Most people were unwilling to hire an ex-Death Eater spy. When his godfather had become incapacitated, Draco stepped up and took his place as a spy for the Order. Even now, three years later and found innocent of all charges, some people still believed he was evil.
Not that Draco cared. He rather liked teaching. On most days, that was. Plus he was close to Harry and now his godfather, which was good when one of them had news that he wanted to share.
"I've got news!" Harry cried, bursting into the Defense classroom and startling Draco. He paused when Draco pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes closing. "Headache?" Harry surmised, standing behind the blonde's chair and rubbing his temples in slow, careful circles.
"Mmmnhlgh," Draco mumbled unintelligibly as the soothing movements began to make the throbbing of his headache subside.
"Better?" Harry teased, halting the circles and leaning back against the desk. He had always been amused by how neat Draco kept his desk. Everything had its little spot and had to stay there, no matter what. Harry used to move things just to anger Draco. It was quite fun.
"Yes. But then you stopped." He opened one eye to glare at Harry pointedly, then opened the other when he remembered that Harry came in there with news. "So?" he prompted.
"So... what?"
"News?"
"Oh, right!" Harry smacked his forehead as he remembered why he was visiting Draco on their free period. "I have a date tonight," he announced.
Groaning, Draco said, "Don't tell me you finally accepted Creevey's offer."
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with Colin. All right," he amended quickly at Draco's dubious skepticism, "so he's a bit... stalkeresque. He's relatively harmless."
"What about when you found him hiding in your armoire two years ago, camera pointed and ready in hopes of getting a shot of you in the nude? Or last Valentine's, when he sent you one carnation for every minute you've been alive? Or when--"
"Fine, I get it!" Harry cried. "The man needs help!"
Smirking, Draco said, "So now you've covered that it is not in fact Creevey. Who is your date, then?"
Grinning mischievously at the blonde, Harry answered, "Severus." When Draco gaped in obvious surprise at the news, Harry chuckled and took the opportunity to knock over a set of Draco's quills.
Smacking Harry's thigh hard, Draco began to meticulously arrange the quills back to their original position as Harry cackled beside him. "You have a date with Severus. My godfather, Severus." Just last night the man said that he was just going to talk to Harry, that was all. And now they're going out on a date?
"Yes, I do. Well, no. I don't know." Harry scratched his head thoughtfully.
"You don't know," Draco repeated, giving Harry his famous you-are-dumber-than-a-box-of-rocks eyebrow raise.
"Right. I didn't specify that it was a date, so I don't think it is. But I want it to be. I guess it's not?"
Holding up a hand to stop Harry's babbling, Draco said, "All right, I'll help you out here. Where are you going?"
"The Three Broomsticks for drinks."
"Did he seem happy to be asked?"
"Of course!" Harry was insulted. Then his scowl morphed into a frown. "At least, it seemed so."
"It's a date," Draco told him simply.
"It is? Are you sure?" Harry asked anxiously.
"Well, you two are meeting outside of your normal establishment at a time that is a dating hour, and you are both looking forward to it," Draco began ticking off his points on his fingers. "Plus you have a thing for him. So yes, it's a date."
"A date," Harry echoed, grinning. "I'm going on a date with Severus."
"I'm very happy for you two. But," he added sternly, "you had better treat him with respect. Otherwise I'll have to painfully hex your more... valued appendages off."
"Well, I wasn't planning on doing anything!" Harry shot out indignantly.
"I know you weren't, but it's my obligation as family to warn you. I'll be in best friend mode when I warn him of the same thing about you."
Harry chuckled, expression once again on amusement. "You're so funny, Draco. You never cease to keep me entertained."
"Just what I like to hear," Draco snorted, rolling his eyes. Then he swatted Harry away. "I have some work to finish up before the next class starts."
"So would you kindly go away, Harry?" Harry finished helpfully, taking the ever so blunt hint and pushing away from the desk. "I get it. I can tell when I'm not wanted."
"Good. Then I won't have to spell it out for you," Draco joked.
"Fine, fine, I'm on my way out," Harry grumbled, heading toward the door. He turned back briefly. "Take it easy, hey?"
"I will. Have fun on your date tonight."
"I plan on it." With a wave, Harry left.
OoOoOoO
That night, Harry sat at a booth at the back of the Three Broomsticks, sipping a glass of water. Severus was supposed to have met him ten minutes ago, but he wasn't worried. It just gave him extra time to get over his nerves, which had been flaring out of control. Even as he had extended the invitation, he hadn't really expected the other man to accept, especially since it did sound like a date. But he did! And Harry had long since surpassed the level of giddiness he had felt after his first kiss with Blaise Zabini three years ago. He hadn't realized this before, but apparently he had a thing for Slytherins. He would have to contemplate that thought in much detail...
"Sorry I'm late," Severus's low baritone interrupted Harry's musings as the potions master slid into the booth across from him. "I was detained by a student."
"Oh, it's no problem." Harry waved the apology away. "I was just thinking, anyway."
"A daring task for a Gryffindor," Severus quipped, to which Harry grinned.
"Yes, well, I always did like a challenge"
Their banter was interrupted as two butterbeers were plunked down on the table. They exchanged pleasantries with Madam Rosemerta, who quickly took her leave.
"I hope you don't mind that I ordered for you. I usually don't drink anything heavy on a school day, but if you wanted something else I could always--"
"This is fine, Harry," Severus interrupted, an amused smirk on his face as the younger man flushed.
"Ehh, sorry. I'm a bit nervous," he confessed, fidgeting with the bottle of butterbeer. Realizing what he was doing, he promptly stopped and gave Severus a sheepish grin.
One corner of his mouth lifting into a lopsided smile, Severus said, "Interesting. Did you think that I planned on hexing you or something equally as underhanded?"
"Of course not! Well, maybe. I know I rub you the wrong way sometimes--" Harry cut himself off at his choice of words, realizing just how horrible an analogy it was. Cheeks heating up, he tried again. "We have only been civil for a short time. I don't even know if we could be considered friends."
"We are." Severus had mulled long and hard over the same thing and had finally reached the conclusion that the two were indeed friends. In a twisted, never-should-have-happened, alternate reality kind of way, yes, but still friends nonetheless. Now all he had to do was establish a break for them to move their friendship up to the next level, assuming Harry was willing. But the man had asked him out, hadn't he? Even in a friendly manner, the gesture still counted for something. His thoughts floated back to Harry's previous words. Had he the chance, he would be more than willing to let Harry rub him the right way...
"Severus?" Harry tried to get the other man's attention. All of a sudden his eyes had unfocused, and his mouth had curved into the most delicious smirk. It took a great deal of Harry's willpower not to jump the man. "Severus, are you all right?" he asked.
"Fine, just fine," Severus answered smoothly, taking a swig of his butterbeer. "Just enjoying being out of the school for a while."
"Yes, it is nice to get away every now and then," Harry agreed. He loved the school dearly--it was his home, after all--but he really did need to broaden his horizons a bit more. Even Hogsmeade was better than nothing.
They lapsed into a comfortable silence for which Harry was mentally kicking himself. How was he supposed to get to the other man if they weren't even talking? Surely there was something the two could converse about that could keep them entertained. "How are you holding up with the classes?" he asked finally.
Severus considered the question for a moment before replying, "Do you remember asking me if my life was in need of a change?" When Harry nodded, he continued, "Well, apparently it was. I haven't enjoyed teaching this much in a long time."
"Well, I'm extremely happy to hear that."
"I am amazed that the students really seem to know what they are doing."
"Why Severus, was that a compliment about my teaching skills?" Harry asked slyly with a broad grin.
"Take it as you will. I'm still impressed, though."
Grinning melting into a tiny smile, Harry said, "Thank you. That really does mean a lot to me."
Severus watched the other man closely, knowing full well that Harry was speaking the truth. It was then that he came to a realization. "You really do enjoy teaching, don't you?" Ever since he had found out that Harry was teaching Potions, Severus had just assumed that he had taken the position to irk the living hell out of Severus. But he was obviously quite wrong.
"Yes, I really do." Then Harry smirked. "I bet you a galleon that you thought I took that position just to see the horror cross your face when you saw me teaching Potions."
Severus's eye twitched. "It wouldn't even do to lie. You know I would be." He fished around in the pocket of his robes and tossed a galleon to Harry. "I'll bet you two galleons that that was the main reason you took the position to start out."
"You're actually quite wrong." Harry's smirk widened as Severus's outstretched hand fell to the table. "While the thought did cross my mind later, I initially took the teaching position because Potions really fascinated me."
"And you couldn't have discovered this fascination when you were in my class?"
"Well, Severus, it is a bit difficult to be fascinated when you were so busy breathing down my neck, waiting for me to make a mistake," Harry commented dryly, watching in satisfaction at Severus's decency to look briefly apologetic. "But yes, I have grown to both enjoy and appreciate my job. I understand now why you wanted to become a potions master."
There was no doubting the sincerity of the spoken words. Just like that, Harry had reached a new level of respect in Severus's eyes.
OoOoOoO
Two hours later found them in the sitting room behind the Potions classroom, lounging at opposite ends of the sofa. After another round of butterbeers, they had decided to go someplace less populated so they could converse without raising their voices. It was almost midnight, but they were reluctant to call the evening to an end.
Stealing a glance at the other man, Harry couldn't help but smile. The evening had turned out even better than he had anticipated, and he was hoping they could repeat it in the near future.
Stifling a yawn, Severus murmured, "We have class in the morning. I should probably go."
The only reason that Harry didn't object was because of the obvious reluctance in the other man's voice. He stood, languidly stretching his arms above his head. "I suppose so..." He followed Severus to the door.
"Thank you for the invitation, Harry. It was... enjoyable.
"Indeed it was." Harry stared up at the slightly taller man, a soft smile on his face.
Severus returned the smile. If he was looking for clarification for his own feelings, he certainly received it. He was smitten by Harry, plain and simple. He just wished he knew what Harry thought, if he felt the same way. Severus suspected, but he wasn't sure.
And there Harry was, looking quite delectable, eyes slightly narrowed, the slightest upturn of those full, pouty lips... Things would be so much simpler if he knew how Harry felt, if he knew that the man had similar thoughts. Severus never really was one to make the first move. He prided himself on his caution and methodical thought processes that kicked in before any action was taken. It was smart, practical, boring...
Oh, what the hell.
Before he could stop himself, Severus leaned in and brushed his mouth gently over Harry's. He was quite startled when Harry responded almost immediately, pressing their lips together more fully as the younger man tangled his hands in Severus's hair.
Moaning softly, Severus felt himself falling into a state of bliss. He couldn't believe he was kissing Harry. The two fit so well together. His redeemed darkness to Harry's fallen light, his angular frame to Harry's wiry form, his years of experiencing life to Harry's eagerness to-- And then it hit him like a bludger. He was kissing Harry Potter. He was kissing Harry Potter! What was he thinking?!?
Wrenching away, he stared in horror at Harry's confused frown. As Harry made to step forward, Severus backed away and said, "I'm sorry. I can't--I just--can't." And then he turned on his heel and bolted out of the room, leaving a much hurt Harry behind.
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The comment about the hair thing was taken from Roswell, one of the best series ever. ::drools over pic of Jason Behr::
Aren't I such a tease? I can hear the uproar now... Well, sorry, it had to be done. I think there will only be 2 more chapters left. I'd better start wrapping things up, hey? No worries, it's all planned out.
Please review! As I stated previously, the stress is really getting to me, so it's difficult to find time to write. And your reviews definitely do make me feel that much better. Plus it's like a swift kick to the backside and gets me moving faster with my trusty favorite mechanical pencil. I love you guys. You're the best. I'll try my best to get the next chapter posted on time as well. Until next chapter, then. Peace out!