CHAPTER 13: Declarations

-ISAIAH POV-

I was finishing the introduction to Spellman's Syllabary when I was interrupted by someone clearing their throat. I look up expectantly at the intruder who was leaning too far over, almost casting a shadow over my book.

"Can I help you?" I ask, my voice not betraying how annoyed I feel.

"Why yes, beautiful," stated the icy grey eyed teenager. "I was wondering if I could share your table?" I raise a perfectly sculpted brow at the request. The bloke answered the unspoken question. "The place is filling up, you see," he gestured to the room, "and you seemed the friendliest. So? Do you mind?"

I've gotten used to being chatted up by men and women so I can see it a mile away. I wasn't going to take up whatever this one was working himself up to ask, but that didn't mean I couldn't mess with him. "Of course, go right ahead," I reply with my best knicker-wetting smile. He grins like a shark. I know the type. Always gets their way. But I ignore him as soon as he sits with his drink and turn back to my book. I'm no longer reading, just letting his eyes slowly trace the words on the page I had just finished while waiting for the next interruption. I count the seconds. One Piccadilly. Two Piccadilly. Three Piccadilly. Four Picca...

"I haven't seen you around before."

The bloke made it three and a half seconds. No patience. What a pity. I reply, eyes still on the page. "You know the entire population of Britain?" I get a laugh in response. It was too loud. He liked to draw attention to himself.

"I'm very friendly. I like to get to know new people."

"I'm sure you are." Three seconds this time.

"You're interested in runes? I'm taking it at Hogwarts, NEWT level. I've been doing quite well. Need any help?"

"Thank you but that's not necessary. I already have assistance in the wings waiting should I require it." Two seconds.

"You can never have enough help."

"Very true." One second.

"Why are you studying runes?"

"New hobby."

"You need something more exciting. Like Quidditch or broom racing."

"I'll give this a try for a bit."

"Do you fly?" He's a bad listener.

"No."

"WHAT! It's the best. I can teach you. I am actually the seeker of the Slytherin team at Hogwarts. It'll be a piece of cake."

I spare a glance at the man. So this was the blond peacock Severus complained about.. "Do you enjoy playing?"

"Of course. The speed, death defying stunts, wind in my hair, what's not to love."

"So, what do you do? Besides picking academic hobbies?"

"I'm an accountant." One second.

"YOU'RE A SQUIB!" He shouts as if alerting the entire pub of an impending attack. What a tosser.

Every single eye turns in our direction. As if talking to a toddler, to him and the squib hating spectators, I reply slowly and calmly as I look up and glare at him. "No….but even if I was, it wouldn't be a problem. It's idiotic to be prejudice over something uncontrollable." The teenager reddens considerably. Very few look away but not in shame, more to regather his composure. I look back down at the book.

"My apologies for the outburst." I hum in response. "I don't hate Squibs, or Muggles." I don't believe him.

"Sure." Five seconds.

"Why are you an accountant if you're a wizard?"

"Why not? It's an honest job. They say numbers are universal. They're wrong, but the sentiment is nice."

"Right." He looks around, trying to come up with something else to say. "Umm, what year did you graduate?"

"Hogwarts? I didn't attend." And before he asks I offer a reason. "I," and this has me smirking thinking of what I had told Hermione earlier," was tutored in the ways of magic."

"Really!" There is a gleam in his eye. Greed. "Not many families can afford private tutors." He's a terrible listener. I hum again and take the last sip of my coffee. "Can I get you a refill?" He hasn't touched his own drink, a butterbeer, having been playing with the label during the entire conversation.

"No thank you."

"Come on."

"I appreciate the generosity but no."

"How about dinner then?" He's flirting. Badly.

I finally close the book and look up. This makes him happy - my undivided attention. I smother that smile. "No thank you." He's surprised; not used to rejection.

"Why not?"

"I don't know you."

"Oh," he thinks for a couple seconds. "I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." He offers his hand.

I take it and shake it. I have manners. "Isaiah, a pleasure, I'm sure." He ignores my sarcasm.

"So, dinner?"

"Still a no for me."

"But we made introductions."

"That wasn't the only reason."

"What other reason is there?" As if I need any.

"Why should I bother?" I challenge him. My question puzzles him.

"Well. You're good looking. I'm good looking. We'll have a great time. Dinner, drinks…"

I finish off his superficial offer. "Then back to your place?"

"It's an option."

"I'm sure it is to others, but I must decline." And before he can ask again why, I plow on. "I'm in a committed relationship."

"I'm better." He tells me obviously without thinking, at least I hope he's not.

I don't bother to reply to his brainless quip because I see Severus enter the dingy pub and call out to him. "There you are, sweetheart. I was wondering if you got strong armed into staying for tea." Severus takes a look at my companion and tenses slightly. He's only seen the back of his head but he recognizes one of his students immediately. I close the gap and just as Draco turns around to see who exactly I am talking to in such a warm and loving tone, I grab Severus' shirt and pull him into a kiss. In front of everyone. The room grows silent as the patrons notice us. I let the kiss linger a bit too long for propriety before stepping back and giving Severus a happy smile. A real smile. I take his hand and pull him towards the gaping platinum blond buffon. "Sweetheart, you know Draco Malfoy of course. He's been trying to convince me that flying is a better hobby than studying runes." I look at Draco, mischief gleaming in my eyes. "Mr Malfoy, I'm sure you're acquainted with my boyfriend, Severus, your Head of House."

"SNAPE! He can't be your boyfriend! You turned me down because of him? He's ancient?" He's being very loud, though it's not needed as every single person is silent watching us three like a daytime drama. I wonder which episode of Coronation Street this is.

Severus is furious and I can tell he's going to go off on the dim boy and deduct a thousand points, so I kiss him on his temple and pat his chest. He looks into my eyes, sees that I won't let insult lie, silently turns to Draco and watches me take him apart verbally.

I speak calmly yet firmly. "Mr Malfoy, I've known you for," I pause dramatically to check my watch, "fifteen minutes, and I must say that I am far from impressed. You're loud, rude, prejudiced, a horrible listener and extremely arrogant. No means no. Get that through your thick head. It doesn't mean you can continue harassing, hoping the other person acquiesces. Severus and I have been dating for almost a year. We are committed to each other. He, unlike you, is mature, well mannered, open minded, loving, nurturing, and absolutely the best person I've ever met. I will not have anyone speaking ill of such a wonderful man in my presence."

I leave him, all of them, stunned. I turn to Severus who is smiling at me. The gawkers cannot believe it. He raises our joined hands and kisses the back of mine.

"Thank you for defending me, love, though you shouldn't have." He turns to the kid. "Mr Malfoy, I expected better manners from you. I am extremely disappointed in your attitude to, not only a stranger, but to myself, as your professor and Head of House. Consider yourself lucky that the term has not started, for otherwise you would find yourself scrubbing cauldrons until graduation."

We make our way out, and because it's still silent as a tomb, and I like to dig in the knife further, I say to Severus in a whisper that clearly carries across the room, "Should I have mentioned how spectacular you are in bed?" Severus' hearty laughter and the responding scandalized indignant squawks behind us is music to my ears.

Back at Severus' house, cuddling on the couch once again, Severus broke the silence.

"I want you to stay."

"Sev…"

"I mean it. Stay here. You can pay rent if you must. But stay. You can get to classes easily enough with apparition."

"I don't want to be here without you."

"I'll come as often as I can."

"You'll still email me?"

"And call you. And send you owls."

"You can pass along my letters to Hermione."

"You're going to use me as your personal owl?"

"Yup."

"We'll purchase an owl. I rather not be the go between."

"You're no fun."

"I'll make it up to you."

"Really? How?"

Severus pushed him back against the couch, straddled him and while rubbing against him started to kiss him. "Come on Izzy, touch me. It's been so long."

Isaiah swallowed. "You sure," he whispered.

"I need you. I want you."

"Fuck," he hissed as Severus started sucking and kissing his neck. "You've never taken the lead. What brought this on."

"I've missed you. I couldn't wait any more."

"I was giving you time to adjust to everything you've learned about me."

"I can adjust while you're inside me."