Looking up from his book, Harry nodded. "Of course, sir. In your office?"
"No... Just follow me, and bring all of your teaching supplies with you." Severus marched off in the direction of a new door everyone had noted right beside the one that lead to Harry's room. Showing Harry a large brass key, Severus then used it to open the door before handing it to him. Inside was a large room, set up about like the common room. A large fireplace dominated the farthest wall and there were numerous large cushions facing the front. In front of the fireplace was a large desk and chair made of dark wood. Along all of the walls were book shelves some of which were filled with books, some were about Defense others about Dark magics and all of the other subjects that were covered in Hogwarts. Mostly the books were Defense against the dark arts and Harry realized what this was.
"You've built a class room?"
"No... I've built a library... Should you happen to teach here is your business. Good day, Mr. Potter." Severus turned to walk away but when a small hand caught his he stopped.
Harry kept a grip on his head of house's hand as he spoke. "Thank you, Professor." Leaning up on his tip toes he brushed a quick kiss over Severus' cheek before he raced out of the library to gather the piles of books from his room.
Severus touched his cheek and wondered at the slight charge of magic the brief kiss had held. Shaking it off he stormed out of the room and back to his office to grade papers.
Draco watched in interest as over the months until Christmas break his godfather and Harry almost flirted with one another. When he finally confronted Severus about it the potions master sat him down and spoke with him.
"Draco what I'm about to tell you is... something that can not get out. If it should it would bring about my death." Severus told him as they settled into Severus' private quarters.
"Whom would I tell? You know I've broke all ties with my father." Draco shrugged, but had a serious look on his face.
"Even if it should reach the Light Side's ears it could cause me harm... Do you remember my Aunt Claudie?" At Draco's nod he went on. "You know she had skill for seeing things that would come to pass. Before she died she gave me a little insight into my own future. She told me that I would bond to 'a scared one, full of pain, who's only thought will be to save the children'. She also told me that his touch would spark as our magics reached for one another..." Severus left off allowing Draco to think.
Draco's mind raced. A scared one? Full of pain? Save the children? That was Harry alright. "I don't remember any sparks when you two touch."
"That was my first thought until I recalled exactly how Aunt Claudie worded the fortune. 'His touch would spark...'. Mr. Potter has only ever touched me once of his own free will since he gave up his senseless hate of me. And it did spark..." Severus rubbed his eyes and wondered what he'd ever done to warrant such a future.
"I understand why that can't be allowed to get out. Both sides would kill you for such a thing. Though... I think you are made for each other." Draco told him before giving him a quick hug and rushing out of the room, his curiosity satisfied.
Harry looked up from his teaching as the door to the 'library' was opened. Severus stepped in and nodded, to which Harry nodded back. The class all said their hellos as Severus transfigured a chair and sat silently watching the class.
Not in the least nervous Harry went on, as he was teaching the fifth year portion of the lecture. The rest of his own grade were listening to the review of the material they'd gone over before and waited for Harry to get to their portion. Most of the kids had stopped even trying to pay attention to the Pro. Jigglywart but they always had the answers for the tests so he didn't care. The seventh years were often seen sitting in on the class as a review for the NEWTs because everything that Harry taught went beyond what was taught at Hogwarts.
Severus had to force himself to not smile as Harry went on as if he wasn't there. He could feel the pride welling in his chest, and knew that when the war was over and Harry had graduated he would be back at Hogwarts teaching. He also knew that his Aunt's predictions would come true, so he wasn't fighting the attraction too hard. In his mind he was more just waiting for his bond-mate-to-be to get out of Hogwarts before Severus perused him.
Severus sat as Harry finished up his lessons and collected all of the work before addressing his class. "I know that the Christmas holiday is coming up... and many of you will be returning to homes that might not be very safe... But I want to remind you that you do not have to go home and for all of those who do stay I am planning on having a private feast and celebration here in the classroom and common room. With that said, goodnight rest well and should you have any questions you can come to my room any time."
The class echoed his goodnight before murmuring the same to Severus who had stood and moved to the front of the classroom. He was happy to note that all of the shelves were full of titles that would be useful.
"Come to evaluate my teaching method?" Harry asked carefully as he packed away the class room things.
"I was just making certain that you aren't teaching them anything they shouldn't know... But I can see that you're doing very well and I must commend you on the raise in the Slytherin's DADA marks." Severus told him as he propped a hip on Harry's desk.
Nodding, Harry finished putting away the books and things he'd been using. "Thank you, sir... for the compliment... And I'd also like to thank you for having me in Slytherin... Coming here has made me realize what it is I should be fighting for in this war." Harry walked to the door and pointed out to the young children happily milling around. "That is what I am fighting for. Not for good or evil. Not for Dumbledore or Voldemort. It's so that those children can smile and live happy free lives. Not having to be afraid to go home on break for fear of having something done to them against their will. Or to be forced to be pawns in a war they shouldn't have to worry about. I want to make sure that no other child has to fear for their health their life or the lives of those precious to them... Did you know I had an 11 year old girl come to me the other night and tell me she didn't want to go home for the holidays... Do you know why? Because her parents were going to give her the dark mark and allow Voldemort to 'make her a true deatheater'. It didn't take a genius to figure out what that meant. I almost cried at that, but then I realized Voldemort's evil isn't worth my tears. I will make sure that I kill him... so that no other child can be touched by this war."
"You talk about them as if you weren't one of them." Severus murmured as he reached out and pulled Harry away from the door and closed it.
"I'm not... I was never a child. My childhood ended the day Voldemort killed my mother and father. But it doesn't matter. I would rather that I never have a childhood then see those children have to fight in a war that I must end." Harry settled onto his chair behind his desk and gestured for Severus to pull up the one he'd used earlier.
Sitting Severus nodded in understanding. "But it isn't fair to you. You have every much a right to a normal childhood as they do."
"Ah, but there's the thing... I don't. I haven't since Voldemort 'marked me his equal'. When I was younger I used to question my fate... But now I see this is my destiny and I will not shirk it." Harry smiled a little, liking that he was able to talk to someone. Sure he could have spoken to any of the professors, but with Severus he knew that he wasn't just placating him.
"Maybe after it's all over you will be able to have a nice quiet life." Severus suggested before he summoned a house elf for tea.
"I don't plan on living any longer than it takes to kill Voldemort. Truthfully, I think when ever I kill him, this scar that links me to him will take me into Hell with him." Harry touched his scar and accepted the tea a house elf had brought at Severus' request.
"How can you say that? Don't you realize that if you die Voldemort will have won at least one victory." Severus kept his voice calm but inside he was raging at the thought of his Harry dying.
"It will be a small victory, but the war will be over and everyone will have what they want." Harry told him softly giving him a smile with eyes far older than should be showing from the face of a 17 year old.
"I wouldn't have what I want..." Severus told him, knowing that he couldn't help but tell Harry the truth, just so that he might have a chance at Harry not going off on a suicide mission.
"What you want? What do you want?"
"I want a chance to get to know you... maybe court you, should you be willing." Severus studied his tea, wondering if he'd been right to say such a thing to a student of his.
Harry stared at him, his mouth gapping in amazement. "You would want to be with me?"
"I might... That goes along with the getting to know you. I was told that I would bond with a person who very much meets your description and I find... that I don't loath the idea." Severus told him softly as he reached out and touched Harry's chin gently.
Harry stared at him for a moment before smiling and nodding. "I would like to get to know you..." Standing, Harry moved closer and brushed a chaste closed mouth kiss over Severus' lips. The of magic was actually visible this time, though neither noticed.
Pulling back a moment later Severus brushed his fingers over Harry's face. "We should not do anything until you've graduated. It would be against school policy."
Harry grinned. "I've never followed the rules so why should I start now? And it isn't like we're going to start off with shagging. We'll be taking it nice and slow. Maybe next year we'll do the shagging thing, but for now... I kind of like kisses and talking."
Grumbling good naturedly Severus drew Harry onto his lap and held him as close as he could. "Now about this Christmas celebration and feast you're holding here... What exactly will this entail?"
Shifting until he found a comfortable spot Harry settled with his head under Severus chin before speaking. "Well, after I found out that none of the younger years wanted to go home mostly because of their deatheater parents, I realized that they would need something to cheer them up when ever the rebuttals from their families came. So I thought about how a nice little party would cheer them up and when I was sitting down to plan it, suddenly it became a big event. I've already arranged the feast with the house elves and I talked Hagrid into getting a separate tree as well as getting the decorations for it. I've also bought everyone a couple of presents, so I think everything ready for the break."
"You've thought of everything." Severus couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle. Only Harry would think of such things during a war when everything else seemed to take precedence.
"I tried to think of things that all children want at the holidays. A good meal, a present or two and a stocking with goodies, but most of all a family to share it with." Harry explained as he relaxed even farther into Severus' support.
Severus didn't know what to say to that so he simple held Harry and planned his own little additions to Harry's celebration.