Rating: PG-13

Genres: Romance, Angst, Fluff

Warnings: OOC-ness

Spoilers: n/a

Summary: Harry helps Severus open up.

Song: Naked

Artist: Avril Lavigne

Author's Note: Originally a songfic, the lyrics have been removed from this fic to comply with FF rules. Song lyrics can be found here: www (dot) allavril (dot) com (slash) Naked (dot) shtml

For the original version of this fic, please check out my livejournal:

www (dot) livejournal (dot) com (slash) users (slash) Harry (underscore) sev (slash)

xxx

Severus woke up in a bad mood as usual. Minerva was always telling him to loosen up a bit, that he was always in a bad mood. Severus wanted to tell her that she would be in a bad mood as well if the man she loved hated her, but he wisely kept his mouth shut. No, no one could know that he was in love with the Boy Who Lived. No one. He wasn't allowed to fall in love with Harry. Harry hated him. He was the evil Potions Master, the one who made Harry's life a living hell. There was no way that Harry would love him.

xxx

Harry was very good at reading people. It was a habit he had picked up when he was younger that had stuck with him. Since he was so good at reading people, he was sure that Severus was romantically interested in him. Why else would the man keep giving him wistful looks? Severus was definitely interested, but he was also insecure. Harry knew that about Severus, and that's why he had to do something to be with the man. He knew Severus would never be the one to start it.

xxx

Harry stayed after Potions one day. After making sure that everyone was gone, he locked the door and put up a silencing charm. Then he made his way to the front of the room where Severus stood, looking at him in shock.

"Mr. Potter, what exactly do you think you're—"

The rest of his sentence was cut short by Harry's lips' covering Severus's. The older man tensed and pushed Harry away.

"What are you doing?" he demanded angrily, but Harry could see the fear in his eyes.

"I was kissing you," Harry told him, stepping close again. Severus backed away. "I like you, and I know that you like me, too."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," lied Snape.

Harry stepped close again, and this time Severus walked into a wall. Harry leaned his body against Severus's. He heard the older man's breath hitch. Harry leaned up and kissed Severus again, gentler this time.

"I like you a lot," he said again. "I wanted to know if you wanted to accompany me to dinner on Saturday. I mean, I graduate in a few days, so you won't have to worry about getting in trouble. Please?"

Severus stared down at Harry in shock.

"If this is some prank to get me to—"

"This isn't a prank!" Harry insisted. "Use Legilimency on me if you don't believe me, since you know I can't lie to you."

Severus considered his words. That was true; Harry couldn't lie to him. Severus stared Harry in the eyes and was shocked to find that the young man was telling the truth. He honestly wanted to go on a date with Severus.

xxx

Eight months later Severus contemplated his relationship with Harry. He realized that he had never been in such a loving relationship before. Harry was sweet and kind and loving. He never let Severus put himself down, and he always found a way to make Severus feel better.

One night they were cuddled up on the sofa in front of the fire when Severus turned around so he could look Harry in the eye.

"I love you," he said.

Harry smiled bigger than Severus had ever seen him smile before. He hugged Severus tightly and whispered, "I love you, too."

xxx

After dating for a little more than a year, Severus knew that there was no way he was ever going to be able to let Harry go. He loved Harry more than he ever thought he could love anyone.

He lit candles all around the room and charmed some soft music to play in the background. He cooked Harry's favorite dish and waited for his love to come home.

Harry was surprised when he stepped into the room and saw what Severus had set up. Everything looked so romantic. Smiling, Harry kissed Severus and asked what the special occasion was. Instead of answering, Severus got down on one knee and pulled out a velvet box. Harry's breath hitched.

"Harry Potter, will you marry me?" Severus asked.

Harry was speechless. He stared down at Severus in shock for a moment before launching himself at the older man, knocking them both to the floor.

"Yes!" Harry cried, pressed kisses all over Severus's face. "Yes, yes, of course I'll marry you!"

Severus smiled at Harry's enthusiasm. To be honest, he had been afraid that Harry would say no. He was thrilled that Harry was so happy to marry him. As Severus looked down at the smiling face of his fiancé, Severus knew that he would do anything he possibly could to keep Harry as happy as he was right now.

a/n: This story was a lot better in my head than it turned out to be. Sorry.