Rating: PG-13
Genres: Romance, Angst, Fluff
Warnings: OOC-ness
Spoilers: 1-6
Summary: Harry tries to tell Severus to ignore everyone's hurtful comments. But what happens when Harry doesn't follow his own advice?
Song: Zero
Artist: Darren Hayes
Thanks to EmeraldEyes121 for suggesting this song.
Author's Note: Originally a songfic, the lyrics have been removed from this fic to comply with FF rules. Sadly, I have been unable to locate the lyrics to this song. If anyone wants them, email me. I have the lyrics, but not a link.
For the original version of this fic, please check out my livejournal:
www (dot) livejournal (dot) com (slash) users (slash) Harry (underscore) sev (slash)
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Harry Potter had been in love with Severus Snape since before the war ended. After learning that Severus hadn't really wanted to kill Dumbledore, Harry began to respect the older man. His feelings of respect had somehow turned to love, and Harry had been terrified that Severus would discover Harry's feelings and no longer wish to be friends.
So to say that Harry was ecstatic to learn that Severus returned his feelings was an understatement. After recovering from the initial shock, Harry had been overwhelmed with happiness. The man he loved loved him back. What could go wrong?
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Harry quickly found that people weren't nearly as forgiving as he thought. He had thought that once the war was over and Harry had released evidence that Severus was really innocent, people would accept the erstwhile Death Eater. Clearly he was wrong. No one seemed to believe Harry when he told them that Severus was innocent. They thought that Harry was out of his mind, that Severus had somehow cursed Harry into loving him. Harry could see that this was affecting Severus, and he was determined to make it stop.
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Severus seemed more distant now that they had come out as a couple. Harry knew that it was because of the increased publicity, and he felt guilty for causing it. If Harry had been someone, anyone, else, the two could have run off together, somewhere that no one would know who they were. But since Harry was famous, no matter where they went, everyone knew who he was, and would probably know who they thought Severus was as well.
Sighing, Harry wrapped his arms around Severus. Severus tensed for a moment, then relaxed into Harry's embrace. Harry kissed the back of his neck and whispered, "You are the kindest, bravest, strongest person I have ever met. Don't listen to anything that those people say. Hold your head up high, and show them that you're better than they are."
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Severus did his best to do as Harry said. He never commented on anything that people said to him or about him. Instead, he tried to focus on the good things in life. He noticed the way everyone seemed much calmer now that the war was over. And while most people still distrusted him, some seemed to have moved on. Harry's friends trusted Harry, and since Harry trusted Severus, so did they. Their approval meant a lot to him, even if he would never admit it aloud.
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One day Harry and Severus went to Diagon Alley. Severus had to buy potions supplies, and they decided to spend the day shopping together. The apothecary was the one place in Diagon Alley where Severus could go and not feel looked-down on. The owner of the apothecary was a little old woman who had known Severus for many years, who knew that Severus was a good person.
Unfortunately, there was a bar right down the street, and since the war was over, people were always celebrating. A small group of men had been leaving the bar when they spotted Harry and Severus enter the apothecary. The leader of the group, a man whose daughter had been tortured by Death Eaters for almost an hour before the Aurors showed up, frowned and started to stagger toward the store. His buddies followed him.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" he sneered once inside the store. "Is old Snapey picking up potions ingredients? What's he making, I wonder. Some new poison to torture small children with, perhaps?"
Severus was about to respond when Harry leapt at the man. Harry started beating him repeatedly, his wand seemingly forgotten. Severus stood in shock for a moment before coming to his senses and pulling Harry off of the man. Harry fought against him but Severus held him tightly, preventing him from continuing. Severus gave his apologies to the owner and Apparated Harry back home.
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Severus didn't let go of Harry until they were safely back home. Harry was still shaking from anger, though he seemed to be calming down a lot. Severus looked at Harry with a mixture of pride and shock.
"Well?" he snapped when Harry didn't say anything.
"Well what?" returned Harry, sounding slightly upset with Severus.
"What the hell was that?" Severus asked.
"He was saying that you were going to torture children," Harry pointed out. "I'm sick to death of people saying shit like that about you. I couldn't take it anymore."
"What happened to holding your head up high and showing everyone that you're better than that?" Severus asked, using Harry's own words against him.
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Harry blushed a little, all anger seeming to evaporate, leaving Harry drained.
"I just couldn't take it anymore," Harry said quietly, his head bowed. "Everyone always says such terrible things about you. I couldn't stand hearing all of those people insult the man I love."
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Severus smiled and pulled Harry close. The two had never admitted their love for each other aloud before, and Severus could tell that Harry was bracing himself for rejection. Severus kissed the top of Harry's head as Harry leaned into him.
"The only thing that matters to me is that the man I love believes that I'm innocent," said Severus. "And you do believe me. I don't need anyone else's approval or support but yours."
Harry smiled and kissed Severus. When they pulled apart Harry said, "You're forgetting one thing, though."
"What's that?" asked Severus, glad to see a playful smirk back on Harry's face.
"I said that you were better than that. I never said that I was."
Severus pushed Harry back against the seat of the couch and kissed him again.
"No you didn't," agreed Severus. "I did."
THE END!
(finally)
A/n: Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed! I'm sorry if this last chapter wasn't the greatest. I'm just glad I found a Z song. (thanks again EmeraldEyes121!)