Chapter 5

Over the next month Severus got to know the real Harry Potter very well. He fell even more in love with the young man and was anxious to meet him face to face. He had tried to subtlety improve his appearance. He had grown his hair so it now reached his shoulders although during the day he kept it tied with a cord at the base of his neck so that it did not get in the way. He had noticed that Harry often looked at him. He wasn't glaring either, just watching. He looked curious. Severus wondered if he knew. He didn't know how he possibly could know but couldn't help wondering.

During their late night conversations Severus had discovered that Harry's sense of humour was very similar to his own. He had also been shocked to discover that that the rumours about Harry's relatives were actually true and that the reality was far worse. He remembered what Harry had told him. It was after they had been talking for three weeks. Severus had asked him why he had always worn clothes that were far too big for him and worn out before he reacted his majority. Harry's answer had left Severus gaping like a fish.

H- They were my cousin's, Dudley's, cast offs. He is the size of a small whale.

A- Why? Are your relatives' poor?

H- Not at all. They simply did not want to spend any money on me. I was only a burden and an extremely unwelcome one at that. I had to work for everything.

A- What sort of work? Severus had asked curiously, remembering small bits of memories he had seen during their Occlumency training in Harry's fifth year.

H- I did all the chores from the age of three and by the age of five I was cooking most of the meals. I had to stand on a stool to reach the oven for years I was so short. If I made a mistake, burnt the food or didn't manage to finish my chores then my Uncle Vernon would 'punish' me.

A- He beat you?

H- Yes. The first rule of living with the Dursleys is 'never ask questions'. I learnt that lesson quick enough.

A- I've heard rumours of a cupboard…are any of them true?

H- The Cupboard Under The Stairs. It was my room for the first eleven years of my life. That was where my Hogwarts letter was addressed.

A- That is disgusting! My own childhood was similar but my father was Death Eater and it was not nearly as bad. I didn't do any chores. We had house elves for that. I was allowed to do what I wanted for the most part. My father would beat me and often practiced the Dark Arts on me. He beat my mother as well, although from an early age I always tried to deflect his anger onto myself. He killed her when I was fifteen.

H- I'm sorry.

A- It was never proved that he killed her but I know he did it.

H- Is he still alive?

A- No. Severus neglected to mention just how he had died killed by Voldemort for blundering a raid.

They often talked for hours, normally at weekend when they had more time. It was two weeks before the Easter Ball when Harry wrote in the journal that he wanted to meet him.

A- Are you sure Harry?

H- Yes, I can't take it any longer. I can't wait. When can we meet?

A- How about the Easter Ball? That way we wouldn't be on our own but we could still talk.

H- That's fine. The Easter Ball it is. I can't wait.

Severus couldn't wait either. He just hoped that Harry wouldn't be disgusted and run off before he could explain. Albus Dumbledore, in his infinite wisdom, had declared that the ball was to be formal muggle dress so Severus went to Muggle London the following weekend. Contrary to popular belief Severus Snape did not hate muggles and often wore muggle clothing, he found it more comfortable than robes, but wanted to get something new. He finally settled on a pair of snug black pants and a midnight-blue silk shirt.

The morning of the Ball Severus sent Hedwig with a rose and a letter to Harry. It was brief.

Harry,

Good morning. I will await you in the Entrance Hall at seven. I will be holding a red rose. I count down the minutes till we meet.

Forever Yours

S.S.S.

He had signed it with his initials instead of 'Anon' this time to give Harry a little clue as to his identity. During breakfast he could not look at Harry. He kept his eyes on his plate or looking over to his little snakes. Draco caught his eye and smirked. H raised his goblet to his godfather, wishing him good luck and Severus inclined his head, acknowledging the gesture.

At five minutes to seven Severus walked up to the Entrance Hall with a rose in his hand. Taking deep breaths he waited as the minutes counted down.

"Hello Anon."

Severus turned around quickly. He hadn't heard Harry approach he had been so engrossed in his thoughts. He stared at him, scanning his face.

"You aren't disgusted that it is your greasy old Potions Professor courting you?" He asked keeping his face expressionless.

Harry shook his head, "No. You're not old at all and definitely not greasy. I actually hoped it was you. What is your middle name?" He asked curiously.

Severus felt his lips twitch, the way Harry changed subject so flawlessly was very funny. "I did that to try and give you a clue so that you could back out if you wished and Sebastian."

"I don't want to back out…Sebastian, I like it." Harry murmured.

"Thank you. Do you wish to go in?" Severus asked nodding his head towards the Great Hall.

"Ok" Harry replied and they walked in together.

Not many people noticed them enter Severus noted but it seemed that their entrance did not go unnoticed by the omnipotent headmaster as he sent them a blinding smile and winked.

"Would you do me the honour of a dance?" Severus asked Harry quietly.

Harry nodded and Severus held out his hand to lead Harry onto the dance floor. He was beyond caring what other people thought so, throwing caution to the wind, he put his arms around Harry who then put his arms up around his neck. They began to shift from one foot to the other.

When the rest of the school finally noticed them, Gryffindor's Golden Boy and the Head of Slytherin, the Bane of Gryffindors, dancing they stared. After a minute Ron and Hermione started dancing again, Ron still looked over occasionally but Hermione just smiled at them. Draco and his date Blaise Zabini also started dancing almost straight away. Draco had been expecting it and Blaise saw that Draco did not care that his godfather was dancing with Harry Potter so he simply carried on dancing. Eventually the rest of the school, seeing that nothing was happening, turned away from the dancing couple who were engrossed in each other, oblivious to what was happening around them.

Severus spotted Draco and was hard pressed not to burst out laughing. His godson had informed him that he would be attending the Ball in drag but he was wearing a pale blue dress and had grown his hair so that it reached the middle of his back. He looked taller as well so Severus shot a look at his feet. He was wearing high-heeled shoes. Amazingly the Slytherin managed to pull it off and look good. Severus just shook his head fondly and concentrated on Harry instead.

"So…why do you want to court me? I though you hated me." Harry asked his dance partner.

Severus had known that he would have to answer that question soon. "I never hated you Harry. I'm sorry for everything that I put you through. I had to pretend to hate you so that Voldemort didn't suspect me of being a spy. Now that he has I don't have to pretend anymore. But I thought you hated me so I wanted you to know the real me." He admitted softly.

"I never hated you either. Disliked you greatly until I realised why you were like that yes but never hate. I respect you. I am very glad that I know the real you." Harry told him. He rested his head on Severus's chest and holding him closer they carried on dancing.