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: I know, I know this chapter is late. Four days late, to be specific. But I was having some problems, and I didn't want to just finish it up and make it sound like total rubbish. So I took a few extra days to refine and finish it. I'm actually quite proud of myself with this. So, without further ado... Read on and enjoy!
OoOoOoO
Chapter 13: Outed
Stirring, Harry's sleep-addled brain was vaguely aware of a moist warmth on his bare shoulder. Then it moved across his chest and languidly roamed up his neck, finally settling onto his mouth. As an eager and very skillful tongue glided past his parted lips, he felt the last threads of sleep leave him. He recognized the sweet taste of Severus. Without opening his eyes, Harry happily responded with kisses of his own.
Letting out a moan, Harry shuddered as a cool finger buried itself in him, followed shortly by two more. Eyes still clenched shut tightly, he wrapped his legs around Severus's waist as the older man slipped inside of him in one slick, smooth movement.
Slowing their pace from the night before, they took the time to explore the other's body. Hands swept over sweat-slicked skin, caressed hips in loving strokes, traced jawlines with kisses.
When Severus's hand slowly began to stroke him, Harry's entire body quivered in pleasure. His touch was so confident, so gentle yet not, so skilled--the touch of a potions master.
Severus could feel the tension mounting in both their bodies, felt the need to drive them both over the edge. He increased their pace, hand stroking faster, the other burying itself in Harry's unruly black locks. He could feel it; they were almost there... almost there...
Groaning gutturally, Severus lost himself in his climax, panting as he savored the achingly strong shudders. A moment later Harry cried out as well, eyes flying open and staring up glassily at Severus, trembling with his release.
Harry reached up and pulled the man into a searing kiss, not relenting until breath was a necessity. "Good morning," he murmured huskily, to which Severus chuckled.
"Good morning, indeed," Severus agreed wholeheartedly. He could definitely get used to waking Harry up like that.
"We should probably get ready for class," Harry murmured, glancing at his watch. "It'll be time for breakfast soon."
Pressing his face into the side of Harry's neck, he mumbled, "Forget breakfast. Forget class." He smiled as the skin against his mouth vibrated with Harry's silent laughter.
"If only we could." Extricating himself from the strong arms around him, Harry stood and stretched his sore muscles. He looked down at his sticky body with a wry grin. "I'd say we're both in need a shower." As Severus reached for his abandoned wand on the bedside table, Harry said, "No, no. It's more fun the old-fashioned way." He sauntered into the bathroom. A minute laterthe sound of spraying water was heard.
Watching after him, Severus felt his body respond to Harry's seductive nakedness. His having to wear clothes was a right travesty. Shaking his head, he climbed off the bed and followed Harry into the bathroom.
OoOoOoO
Neither one of them attended breakfast. They were otherwise... preoccupied with other activities. In fact, they were almost late to class. When they walked in together, talking civilly to one another, the students thought that the world was ending. But they weren't going to question why two supposed enemies and members of their respective Houses were acting so uncharacteristically. No, they valued their lives too much for such bold a move.
As class started, Harry stood up and beamed at the seventh-year Gryffindors and Slytherins. "You all did exceptionally on your exams. And here I was worried that I made it too difficult. I guess I'll have to toughen up the next one considerably." As the class broke into loud protests, he laughed and said over the noise, "Calm down, calm down! I was only joking!"
"Haha, very funny," Ezra grumbled. "Can we have our exams back now, please?"
Severus was going to berate the loudmouthed teen for this cheekiness but was cut off by Harry's chuckles. "All right, all right." With a simple charm, he sent the exams to their rightful owners. Settling back into his seat, he leaned over and asked Severus quietly, "Want to have dinner tonight?"
"You are asking me on a date while we are conducting class?" Severus asked, raising an eyebrow in amusement.
"Oh, what does it matter? No one is paying attention," Harry said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Care to check again?"
With a tolerant sigh, Harry glanced at the class out of the corner of his eyes, then gaped. All eyes were on them, showing more than a little interest at the two professors' friendly interaction. Recovering nicely, he gave the class a broad smile before turning his attention back to Severus. "So about tonight."
"You're not bothered by their gawking?" Severus asked incredulously. Having everyone stare at them with such intensity was a little annoying.
"Not in the least. Are you?" Then Harry's expression dropped into a frown. "You're not embarrassed, are you?" He found it somewhat difficult to believe that the potions master would really care what a class of teens thought about his actions.
He felt his heart swell as the older man answered, "Of course not. I just don't want the brats' attention on our personal relationship. They should spend more time studying and less on gossiping." He finished up with an icy scowl at the students, who immediately turned back to their exams.
Chuckling lightly, Harry replied, "I agree. But it is somewhat amusing, don't you think?"
"If amusing mean annoying, then yes, quite."
This elicited another chuckle from Harry. "So tonight?"
Severus sighed, knowing full well that Harry would not relent unless given the answer he wanted. "Dinner. Tonight."
Grinning, Harry stood and began the class lecture. "Now, if you have any questions about the exam, feel free to stick around after class. Time to move on, then. Today we will be learning about the Melandril potion. As you know from your readings, which I'm sure you all have finished, this potions is not as commonly used in many situations because there are other, easier blocking potions. The reason we are brewing this one compared to the others is because of its potency. The other potions are effective enough, but they have never been able to match the strength of the Melandril." Drawing his wand, he began spelling notes on the board behind him. "Now, who can tell me what ingredient accounts for the greater potency?" he asked over his shoulder. "Yes, Avalie?" he called on a Slytherin girl with her hand raised.
"It's not just one ingredient, like most potions need for potency, but it depends on the order in which you place the ingredients," Avalie answered confidently.
"Explanation?"
"In many potions using shrewberry thorns, the thorns are added near the end because of their highly combustive properties. They need a strong base to be grounded. In the Melandril potion, however, the shrewberry thorns are added in the early stages, followed immediately by applewood shavings."
"Excellent. Ten points to Slytherin." Harry beamed at the girl. The he turned back to Severus. "Would you like to continue, Professor Snape? I know how much you prefer to lead."
"Most of the time, yes, Professor Potter," Severus agreed. "I will take over while you... collect yourself." When he walked by Harry, his eyes widened a fraction of an inch as the younger man discretely pinched his backside. Continuing on as if nothing had happened but inwardly plotting a retaliation, he began his lecture. "While the practicality of this potion has lessened, it still remains important in that it provides strong protection in situations where one knows that danger is eminent and impending." Unsheathing his wand, he spelled ingredients under Harry's notes.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Harry asked from his seat.
Halting with his wand, Severus raised an eyebrow at the other professor. "Am I, now?" he challenged.
"Yes. Melandril is also one of the few potions that has been known to change into a milder blocking potion after a period of time and succumbed to the same conditions, gradually wearing down until no resistance to change is left."
"Well, Professor Potter, I would have informed the class as such had you not interrupted me. And while we are on the subject of corrections, might I add that you failed to inform the class of Melandril's heavily addictive properties, how two doses are more than effective but are still not enough to the person?"
"That one is new to my recollection, Professor Snape," Harry answered casually with a knowing smirk. "Perhaps I should go research it."
"You do that. In fact, I will help, so as to make certain you find what you need." To the much confused but highly intrigued students, Severus ordered, "Continue reading in your texts. Professor Potter and I will return momentarily."
He stalked into the sitting room, followed closely by Harry, who barely had time to close the door and throw out a haphazard silencing charm before Severus eagerly attacked Harry's lips with his own. Just as abruptly, he pulled away. "Enjoy your cheap feel, did you?" he murmured huskily. "If you had asked, you could have gotten an expensive one." He reached down deftly and began stroking Harry through the layers of clothing, feeling the fabric begin to constrict.
Eyes widening in surprise and glazing over in sheer pleasure, Harry made a small whimpering sound in the back of his throat. When Severus's hand ceased its movement and retracted, he almost felt his heart stop.
"We should return to class now, yes?" With a flourish, Severus gave a disbelieving Harry a quick kiss on his slack lips, then returned to the classroom.
Damn Severus and his seductively skilled hands! Now this made the wait until their dinner plans that much more agonizing. Growling softly in frustration, he followed through the door.
OoOoOoO
It was a definitive first for Severus: he had willingly volunteered to eat lunch in the Great Hall. Which was actually good for him since Harry had some sort of errand to run or something equally vague, so he didn't have to be tempted by the man's mere presence. He knew that his actions in class earlier would undoubtedly elicit some form of retaliation, so he was on full alert. Waiting until that night would be hellish enough, but he didn't want to have another... episode in the afternoon classes, either. He was going to have to show immaculate self-control, but it was extremely difficult to do so when a certain someone was pinching his more delicate regions. Oh yes, retaliation would be swift and certain on Harry's part.
Since he had been sufficiently ignoring any of the other professors whom had tried to engage him in conversation, Severus took no notice as someone sat down beside him until that someone waved a hand right in his face. "What the hell--Draco!" His face turned to one of surprise at the sight of his godson.
"Severus," Draco greeted. "Well, aren't you the social butterfly."
Rolling his eyes, he replied, "That would be me, magnet to the nitwits and ignorami. Present company excluded, of course."
Draco chuckled. "Of course. And what about Harry?"
"What about him?"
"Is he excluded as well?"
Severus figured this was the blonde's subtle way of inquiring if he had indeed cleared the air between himself and Harry. He was about to reply but then paused, staring at Draco suspiciously. "What are you on about?"
"It was just a simple question. I was wondering because you two looked quite cozy this morning when I went searching for Harry. Imagine my surprise when I found you two cuddling. Very sweet," he said nonchalantly, pounding Severus on the back as the potions master choked on a mouthful of pumpkin juice.
"You--you saw--"
"Oh, relax. It's not like I caught a show or anything. You were both sleeping." Lowering his voice, Draco asked, "So it is safe to assume that things are well between you two?"
"Well is an understatement." Salazar, was it ever an understatement. He had long before accepted that he was attracted to Harry, but he never imagined that he would fall so hard, so fast. He didn't know where their relationship would end up, but he was quite content with the way things were heading.
"You don't know how happy I am to hear that." Draco paused, biting his lower lip as he internally debated whether or not to say his next words. Finally giving in, he asked, "Does anyone else know?"
"No. Why?" He regarded Draco curiously.
"It's just that... there are some rumors floating about." At the raised eyebrow, he elaborated. "Apparently your seventh-year Slytherin and Gryffindor class got a little suspicious of Harry's and your behavior toward one another this morning, for some reason. What did happen?" he asked curiously, smiling slyly when Severus flushed at the question. Deciding to take pity on him, Draco waved his previous question away. "It doesn't matter. I just thought you might like to know what the people were saying."
Well, that certainly explained some of the looks he had been receiving, from both the students and the professors. But rumors didn't bother him. They would die down when the next seemingly juicy bit of drabble presented itself. And since there was no fuel to the rumors, there was nothing for him to worry about.
He was about to express his thoughts to Draco, but his attention was captured by an untamed head of black hair attached to his sharer of the notorious rumors, who was currently purposefully striding toward the staff table with an apparent lilt in his step. Severus instantly felt a ball of apprehension form in his gut, as he knew--just knew--that something was going to happen. Something big.
Waving to the rest of the staff, Harry approached the end of the table where Severus and Draco were seated. "Hey, Draco," he greeted. "I finished up that potion for you." He gave the blonde three small stoppered vials filled with dark blue potion.
"Thanks, Harry. You, my friend, truly are a golden snitch among bludgers." Draco accepted the vials gratefully. "They're for my sleeping problems. Too much stress," he explained at Severus's questioning look.
Turning his attention away from the blonde, Harry asked, "So, Sev, hear any good rumors lately?"
Eye twitching at the nickname, he replied, "I may have heard some rather interesting... speculations."
"Ah. Then you wouldn't mind if I successfully squash the rumors."
Before he could reply, he found himself being thoroughly snogged by Harry. He was vaguely aware of the collective gasp that resounded through the entire Hall, but he paid it no heed as he once again lost himself in the heady sensation of those soft, demanding lips on his own.
Playing with a strand of Severus's hair, Harry was silently hoping with all of his being that Severus wouldn't be angry that they were outed, so to speak. He didn't really think that he would be, but one could never be absolutely sure about anything when the potions master was involved, unless it was of reference to how Severus could make Harry's body hum like a musical instrument with the slightest touch. And Harry had zero intentions of ever letting anyone else feel those hands in such an intimate way. No, Severus was all his.
As he responded in kind, Severus could feel Harry's lips curl into a smile, which only made Severus want him all the more. How could he ever have doubted something that felt so right? He must have been out of his mind... as would he be currently if they didn't pull apart soon.
Peppering Harry's temple with a few light kisses, Severus glanced up discretely and was met by a completely silent, gawking crowd. He smirked as Harry noticed this and gave them all a brilliant smile before taking Draco's offered seat and thanking the blonde, who sat down on the opposite side of him.
Draco was positively beaming. "Guess that settles it, then."
"Very much so," Harry agreed. To Severus he said, "Still on for dinner tonight?"
"Yes. Tonight and every other night."
Harry's smile widened as he received one in return. Severus really did have a lovely smile. "Good. I'll hold you to that."
As they resumed with their lunch, ignoring the loud buzz of people no doubt brimming with gossip, Severus mused that he was quite right earlier. Something big did happen. If someone had told him previously that Harry and he would make an explosive couple, he would have immediately called St. Mungo's for a consult. But now he realized that he was the crazy one, and that Harry was crazy with him. Parallel to this, he knew that he had barely been coasting along, in both his relationships and his career, before being poisoned. It was only after Harry had pointed this out did he realize this.
He owed Harry so much, starting with those two galleons. Smirking wickedly, he wondered if Harry would try to retrieve them the way he did before...
OoOoOoO
OoOoOoO
Gah! And here I said this was the last one! Well, it technically is... I decided to write a short (very short) epilogue just to tie up a couple of loose ends... so I'll keep this short so you can continue on to the last part!
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: I know, I know this chapter is late. Four days late, to be specific. But I was having some problems, and I didn't want to just finish it up and make it sound like total rubbish. So I took a few extra days to refine and finish it. I'm actually quite proud of myself with this. So, without further ado... Read on and enjoy!
OoOoOoO
Chapter 13: Outed
Stirring, Harry's sleep-addled brain was vaguely aware of a moist warmth on his bare shoulder. Then it moved across his chest and languidly roamed up his neck, finally settling onto his mouth. As an eager and very skillful tongue glided past his parted lips, he felt the last threads of sleep leave him. He recognized the sweet taste of Severus. Without opening his eyes, Harry happily responded with kisses of his own.
Letting out a moan, Harry shuddered as a cool finger buried itself in him, followed shortly by two more. Eyes still clenched shut tightly, he wrapped his legs around Severus's waist as the older man slipped inside of him in one slick, smooth movement.
Slowing their pace from the night before, they took the time to explore the other's body. Hands swept over sweat-slicked skin, caressed hips in loving strokes, traced jawlines with kisses.
When Severus's hand slowly began to stroke him, Harry's entire body quivered in pleasure. His touch was so confident, so gentle yet not, so skilled--the touch of a potions master.
Severus could feel the tension mounting in both their bodies, felt the need to drive them both over the edge. He increased their pace, hand stroking faster, the other burying itself in Harry's unruly black locks. He could feel it; they were almost there... almost there...
Groaning gutturally, Severus lost himself in his climax, panting as he savored the achingly strong shudders. A moment later Harry cried out as well, eyes flying open and staring up glassily at Severus, trembling with his release.
Harry reached up and pulled the man into a searing kiss, not relenting until breath was a necessity. "Good morning," he murmured huskily, to which Severus chuckled.
"Good morning, indeed," Severus agreed wholeheartedly. He could definitely get used to waking Harry up like that.
"We should probably get ready for class," Harry murmured, glancing at his watch. "It'll be time for breakfast soon."
Pressing his face into the side of Harry's neck, he mumbled, "Forget breakfast. Forget class." He smiled as the skin against his mouth vibrated with Harry's silent laughter.
"If only we could." Extricating himself from the strong arms around him, Harry stood and stretched his sore muscles. He looked down at his sticky body with a wry grin. "I'd say we're both in need a shower." As Severus reached for his abandoned wand on the bedside table, Harry said, "No, no. It's more fun the old-fashioned way." He sauntered into the bathroom. A minute laterthe sound of spraying water was heard.
Watching after him, Severus felt his body respond to Harry's seductive nakedness. His having to wear clothes was a right travesty. Shaking his head, he climbed off the bed and followed Harry into the bathroom.
OoOoOoO
Neither one of them attended breakfast. They were otherwise... preoccupied with other activities. In fact, they were almost late to class. When they walked in together, talking civilly to one another, the students thought that the world was ending. But they weren't going to question why two supposed enemies and members of their respective Houses were acting so uncharacteristically. No, they valued their lives too much for such bold a move.
As class started, Harry stood up and beamed at the seventh-year Gryffindors and Slytherins. "You all did exceptionally on your exams. And here I was worried that I made it too difficult. I guess I'll have to toughen up the next one considerably." As the class broke into loud protests, he laughed and said over the noise, "Calm down, calm down! I was only joking!"
"Haha, very funny," Ezra grumbled. "Can we have our exams back now, please?"
Severus was going to berate the loudmouthed teen for this cheekiness but was cut off by Harry's chuckles. "All right, all right." With a simple charm, he sent the exams to their rightful owners. Settling back into his seat, he leaned over and asked Severus quietly, "Want to have dinner tonight?"
"You are asking me on a date while we are conducting class?" Severus asked, raising an eyebrow in amusement.
"Oh, what does it matter? No one is paying attention," Harry said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Care to check again?"
With a tolerant sigh, Harry glanced at the class out of the corner of his eyes, then gaped. All eyes were on them, showing more than a little interest at the two professors' friendly interaction. Recovering nicely, he gave the class a broad smile before turning his attention back to Severus. "So about tonight."
"You're not bothered by their gawking?" Severus asked incredulously. Having everyone stare at them with such intensity was a little annoying.
"Not in the least. Are you?" Then Harry's expression dropped into a frown. "You're not embarrassed, are you?" He found it somewhat difficult to believe that the potions master would really care what a class of teens thought about his actions.
He felt his heart swell as the older man answered, "Of course not. I just don't want the brats' attention on our personal relationship. They should spend more time studying and less on gossiping." He finished up with an icy scowl at the students, who immediately turned back to their exams.
Chuckling lightly, Harry replied, "I agree. But it is somewhat amusing, don't you think?"
"If amusing mean annoying, then yes, quite."
This elicited another chuckle from Harry. "So tonight?"
Severus sighed, knowing full well that Harry would not relent unless given the answer he wanted. "Dinner. Tonight."
Grinning, Harry stood and began the class lecture. "Now, if you have any questions about the exam, feel free to stick around after class. Time to move on, then. Today we will be learning about the Melandril potion. As you know from your readings, which I'm sure you all have finished, this potions is not as commonly used in many situations because there are other, easier blocking potions. The reason we are brewing this one compared to the others is because of its potency. The other potions are effective enough, but they have never been able to match the strength of the Melandril." Drawing his wand, he began spelling notes on the board behind him. "Now, who can tell me what ingredient accounts for the greater potency?" he asked over his shoulder. "Yes, Avalie?" he called on a Slytherin girl with her hand raised.
"It's not just one ingredient, like most potions need for potency, but it depends on the order in which you place the ingredients," Avalie answered confidently.
"Explanation?"
"In many potions using shrewberry thorns, the thorns are added near the end because of their highly combustive properties. They need a strong base to be grounded. In the Melandril potion, however, the shrewberry thorns are added in the early stages, followed immediately by applewood shavings."
"Excellent. Ten points to Slytherin." Harry beamed at the girl. The he turned back to Severus. "Would you like to continue, Professor Snape? I know how much you prefer to lead."
"Most of the time, yes, Professor Potter," Severus agreed. "I will take over while you... collect yourself." When he walked by Harry, his eyes widened a fraction of an inch as the younger man discretely pinched his backside. Continuing on as if nothing had happened but inwardly plotting a retaliation, he began his lecture. "While the practicality of this potion has lessened, it still remains important in that it provides strong protection in situations where one knows that danger is eminent and impending." Unsheathing his wand, he spelled ingredients under Harry's notes.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Harry asked from his seat.
Halting with his wand, Severus raised an eyebrow at the other professor. "Am I, now?" he challenged.
"Yes. Melandril is also one of the few potions that has been known to change into a milder blocking potion after a period of time and succumbed to the same conditions, gradually wearing down until no resistance to change is left."
"Well, Professor Potter, I would have informed the class as such had you not interrupted me. And while we are on the subject of corrections, might I add that you failed to inform the class of Melandril's heavily addictive properties, how two doses are more than effective but are still not enough to the person?"
"That one is new to my recollection, Professor Snape," Harry answered casually with a knowing smirk. "Perhaps I should go research it."
"You do that. In fact, I will help, so as to make certain you find what you need." To the much confused but highly intrigued students, Severus ordered, "Continue reading in your texts. Professor Potter and I will return momentarily."
He stalked into the sitting room, followed closely by Harry, who barely had time to close the door and throw out a haphazard silencing charm before Severus eagerly attacked Harry's lips with his own. Just as abruptly, he pulled away. "Enjoy your cheap feel, did you?" he murmured huskily. "If you had asked, you could have gotten an expensive one." He reached down deftly and began stroking Harry through the layers of clothing, feeling the fabric begin to constrict.
Eyes widening in surprise and glazing over in sheer pleasure, Harry made a small whimpering sound in the back of his throat. When Severus's hand ceased its movement and retracted, he almost felt his heart stop.
"We should return to class now, yes?" With a flourish, Severus gave a disbelieving Harry a quick kiss on his slack lips, then returned to the classroom.
Damn Severus and his seductively skilled hands! Now this made the wait until their dinner plans that much more agonizing. Growling softly in frustration, he followed through the door.
OoOoOoO
It was a definitive first for Severus: he had willingly volunteered to eat lunch in the Great Hall. Which was actually good for him since Harry had some sort of errand to run or something equally vague, so he didn't have to be tempted by the man's mere presence. He knew that his actions in class earlier would undoubtedly elicit some form of retaliation, so he was on full alert. Waiting until that night would be hellish enough, but he didn't want to have another... episode in the afternoon classes, either. He was going to have to show immaculate self-control, but it was extremely difficult to do so when a certain someone was pinching his more delicate regions. Oh yes, retaliation would be swift and certain on Harry's part.
Since he had been sufficiently ignoring any of the other professors whom had tried to engage him in conversation, Severus took no notice as someone sat down beside him until that someone waved a hand right in his face. "What the hell--Draco!" His face turned to one of surprise at the sight of his godson.
"Severus," Draco greeted. "Well, aren't you the social butterfly."
Rolling his eyes, he replied, "That would be me, magnet to the nitwits and ignorami. Present company excluded, of course."
Draco chuckled. "Of course. And what about Harry?"
"What about him?"
"Is he excluded as well?"
Severus figured this was the blonde's subtle way of inquiring if he had indeed cleared the air between himself and Harry. He was about to reply but then paused, staring at Draco suspiciously. "What are you on about?"
"It was just a simple question. I was wondering because you two looked quite cozy this morning when I went searching for Harry. Imagine my surprise when I found you two cuddling. Very sweet," he said nonchalantly, pounding Severus on the back as the potions master choked on a mouthful of pumpkin juice.
"You--you saw--"
"Oh, relax. It's not like I caught a show or anything. You were both sleeping." Lowering his voice, Draco asked, "So it is safe to assume that things are well between you two?"
"Well is an understatement." Salazar, was it ever an understatement. He had long before accepted that he was attracted to Harry, but he never imagined that he would fall so hard, so fast. He didn't know where their relationship would end up, but he was quite content with the way things were heading.
"You don't know how happy I am to hear that." Draco paused, biting his lower lip as he internally debated whether or not to say his next words. Finally giving in, he asked, "Does anyone else know?"
"No. Why?" He regarded Draco curiously.
"It's just that... there are some rumors floating about." At the raised eyebrow, he elaborated. "Apparently your seventh-year Slytherin and Gryffindor class got a little suspicious of Harry's and your behavior toward one another this morning, for some reason. What did happen?" he asked curiously, smiling slyly when Severus flushed at the question. Deciding to take pity on him, Draco waved his previous question away. "It doesn't matter. I just thought you might like to know what the people were saying."
Well, that certainly explained some of the looks he had been receiving, from both the students and the professors. But rumors didn't bother him. They would die down when the next seemingly juicy bit of drabble presented itself. And since there was no fuel to the rumors, there was nothing for him to worry about.
He was about to express his thoughts to Draco, but his attention was captured by an untamed head of black hair attached to his sharer of the notorious rumors, who was currently purposefully striding toward the staff table with an apparent lilt in his step. Severus instantly felt a ball of apprehension form in his gut, as he knew--just knew--that something was going to happen. Something big.
Waving to the rest of the staff, Harry approached the end of the table where Severus and Draco were seated. "Hey, Draco," he greeted. "I finished up that potion for you." He gave the blonde three small stoppered vials filled with dark blue potion.
"Thanks, Harry. You, my friend, truly are a golden snitch among bludgers." Draco accepted the vials gratefully. "They're for my sleeping problems. Too much stress," he explained at Severus's questioning look.
Turning his attention away from the blonde, Harry asked, "So, Sev, hear any good rumors lately?"
Eye twitching at the nickname, he replied, "I may have heard some rather interesting... speculations."
"Ah. Then you wouldn't mind if I successfully squash the rumors."
Before he could reply, he found himself being thoroughly snogged by Harry. He was vaguely aware of the collective gasp that resounded through the entire Hall, but he paid it no heed as he once again lost himself in the heady sensation of those soft, demanding lips on his own.
Playing with a strand of Severus's hair, Harry was silently hoping with all of his being that Severus wouldn't be angry that they were outed, so to speak. He didn't really think that he would be, but one could never be absolutely sure about anything when the potions master was involved, unless it was of reference to how Severus could make Harry's body hum like a musical instrument with the slightest touch. And Harry had zero intentions of ever letting anyone else feel those hands in such an intimate way. No, Severus was all his.
As he responded in kind, Severus could feel Harry's lips curl into a smile, which only made Severus want him all the more. How could he ever have doubted something that felt so right? He must have been out of his mind... as would he be currently if they didn't pull apart soon.
Peppering Harry's temple with a few light kisses, Severus glanced up discretely and was met by a completely silent, gawking crowd. He smirked as Harry noticed this and gave them all a brilliant smile before taking Draco's offered seat and thanking the blonde, who sat down on the opposite side of him.
Draco was positively beaming. "Guess that settles it, then."
"Very much so," Harry agreed. To Severus he said, "Still on for dinner tonight?"
"Yes. Tonight and every other night."
Harry's smile widened as he received one in return. Severus really did have a lovely smile. "Good. I'll hold you to that."
As they resumed with their lunch, ignoring the loud buzz of people no doubt brimming with gossip, Severus mused that he was quite right earlier. Something big did happen. If someone had told him previously that Harry and he would make an explosive couple, he would have immediately called St. Mungo's for a consult. But now he realized that he was the crazy one, and that Harry was crazy with him. Parallel to this, he knew that he had barely been coasting along, in both his relationships and his career, before being poisoned. It was only after Harry had pointed this out did he realize this.
He owed Harry so much, starting with those two galleons. Smirking wickedly, he wondered if Harry would try to retrieve them the way he did before...
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Gah! And here I said this was the last one! Well, it technically is... I decided to write a short (very short) epilogue just to tie up a couple of loose ends... so I'll keep this short so you can continue on to the last part!