Chapter 4

Once again Severus woke up early and went to the Owlery to give Hedwig the parcel for Harry. He had decided to attend breakfast that day and see Harry's reaction. Besides if he was absent every time Harry got a letter from his mysterious courter then it couldn't take a Seer to realise that it was him. He had moved onto the second stage of the ritual. The personal gift. With the two-way journal Severus had sent to Harry they could get to know each other.

He sat down at the staff table and grabbed a slice of toast to with his coffee. Thankfully none of the other teachers attempted to engage him in conversation, his anxiousness would cause him to be more snarky than usual and he respected most of his colleges. The reply to his letter would determine everything. If Harry agreed then he wouldn't be nervous anymore. He would just get to know the one his heart desired above all others. On the hand, if Harry said no then, whilst he would be heartbroken, he would not pursue him anymore and resign himself to a life alone.

The owls flew in and Severus's breath caught in his throat as Harry opened his letter before the package. Severus considered what he had written. He had gone through it several times in his head before he was confident that it was acceptable. It was personal yet did not give away his identity. It read:

Dear Harry,

By now you must have realised that I am attempting to court you using the traditional method. I feel that the first thing I must tell you is that I am a male. Is this a problem? There are rumours about your sexuality going around but one can never trust what the Daily Prophet writes. Are you currently single and open to being courted? As it says in the book I sent you yesterday the courting process takes six weeks but the couple can meet at any time before that time is up. Perhaps the Easter Ball could be our first date? I am going to keep my identity a secret for the moment as I wish for you to get to know the real me. I have the other journal so anything you write in yours will appear in mine and vice versa. You can contact me at any time with it. It's pages have been dipped in Veritaserum and it has a Peeping Tom spell on it so that no one but us can read it. Your owl will be able to find me with your response.

Forever Yours

Anon

He saw Harry get out some parchment, a quill and ink and begin writing. Deciding quickly he got up and left unnoticed by all. He did not want to receive his reply in the Great Hall now did he?

Severus went straight to his office to await Hedwig with Harry's reply. She arrived quickly. Severus opened the window to let her in and read it before his first class was due to arrive. It read:

Dear Anon,

I have read the chapter, in the book, on courting and am intrigued. It is a good job that you are male as I am gay. 'Oh thank Merlin!' Yes, I am single and open to being courted. The Easter Ball would be an ideal location as it is just under six weeks away. You say that you wish to remain anonymous for the time being, why? Do I already know you? You do not have to answer. I am merely thinking aloud. I will allow you to remain 'Anon' for now but I wish to know soon. Are you free to talk through the journals at 8:30 tonight? I wish to got to know the real you as soon as possible. I hate not knowing something. 'And things tend to happen when you don't' Severus thought humorously. Send back your reply with Hedwig. She likes you so I feel like I can trust you already. 'Took long enough to get the bloody bird to trust me!'

Harry

The bell rang as he was thinking about the letter. His class filled in and sat down.

"Today you are going to write about the properties and method of brewing Dreamless Sleep. You will not be attempting this potion until your NEWT's but it will be good revision. You may begin."

As the class scratched away with their quills Severus could feel Harry's letter burning a hole in his pocket. He knew his timetable because he was one of the teachers training him. 'He's in History of Magic now, most likely bored out of his mind. I'll send a reply now so he knows beforehand.'

Sitting down at his desk he started writing.

Dear Harry,

I am very glad that you are accepting my courtship. I am also very glad that you are gay. In answer of your 'thoughts', yes you do know me but few know the real me. I wish for you to be among the few that I class as friends and more. I am truly sorry for how I have acted towards you in the past and hope to make it up to you. Yes, I am free to talk at 8:30. I look forward to talking to you.

Until then,

Anon

He went back into his office where Hedwig was still sat on his desk, waiting for him apparently. It seems that she had known that she would be needed again. The owl once again held out her leg to the potions master and once the letter was secure she flew out of the still-open window.

'8:30 can't come quick enough.'

The minutes dragged by but eventually 8:30 came. Severus was sat at his desk in his quarters with his journal in front of him. At 8:30 he opened it and saw Harry's writing appear in front of him.

H- Hi Anon. Are you there?

Dipping his quill in the ink he quickly wrote.

A- Yes Harry, I'm here. How are you?

H- I'm fine. And you?

A- Fine.

H- Can I ask you a question?

A- You can. I may not answer it though.

H- Why do you want to court me? I have an evil megalomaniac after me.

A- You will know why soon. I also have confidence that you will defeat the Dark Lord.

H- Ok then. Thank you for the gifts. You have amazing taste. Did you know what I would like or did you guess?

A- I tried to pick something that was useful as well as symbolic or personal. The roses because they show my affection, the book because the tradition method for courting is not known by all and only purebloods normally and the journal because I wish to be able to talk to you even if it is not face to face.

H- Well they were very useful.

A- I'm glad.

H- You seem to know more about me than I do of you (I don't know who you are) so tell me. What are your interests?

A- I enjoy reading, music, flying and duelling. What are yours?

H- I love flying, duelling, shopping strangely enough and despite popular belief Potions.

A- You like Potions? But I thought you were terrible at them?

H- I'm not as bad as Professor Snape thinks. The Slytherins are fond of sneaking in unnecessary ingredients. Anyway why try your best when you are given no incentive? Professor Snape hates me no matter what so I don't even try.

A- To stop the Slytherins put up a containment shield. You don't write as though you hate Prof. Snape. Don't you?

H- No. I actually don't. When he looks at me all he sees is my father. 'If only he knew.' But he's saved my life you know. Many times. ''He knows about that?' I respect him even if I don't really like him. I don't know him so I can't judge him. Since Voldemort found him out he has been a bit fairer to Gryffindors so it might have been to prevent Voldemort from suspecting him. 'Yes it was. I had no choice but to act like that.'

A- Wow are you sure you're a Gryffindor? That sounded suspiciously like a Hufflepuff.

H- Ha. No I am definitely a Gryffindor. Bu I was almost sorted into Slytherin. 'WHAT?'

A- Harry Potter the Gryffindor Golden Boy a Slytherin? Never!

H- That person doesn't exist. In some ways I am similar to Prof. Snape. We both have masks that we show the world.

A- I hope to see beyond that mask and see Harry.

H- Maybe one day. I have to go now. I read my Potions textbook the night before the lesson. This year I am trying slightly. After all I do want a good NEWT result.

A- Goodnight.

H- Goodnight. I look forward to talking to you again. When?

A- Tomorrow night?

H- Sure. 'See' you then.

A- Bye.

H- Bye.

"He doesn't hate me, Albus! He actually said that that he respects me! I can't believe it. Did you know this?" An astonished Severus Snape asked Dumbledore the following day. He had been invited to the headmaster's office for afternoon tea. After tea and lemon drops Albus had enquired how the courtship was going.

Dumbledore smiled, "Did you know Severus that when the other Gryffindors insult you Harry always defends you? He has trusted you ever since his fourth year."

"I had no idea," Severus replied quietly.

"I know," Dumbledore said twinkling, "Harry knows that I know who his mysterious courter is but he is still in the dark as to his identity. Good luck my boy. You deserve some happiness after all you have gone through.

As always all comments, criticisms and ramdoms thoughts are welcomed.