Severus,
If you don't want everyone to see this, meet me at the carriages tomorrow instead of going to supper.
We are going to have a nice dinner. You will not hex me, curse me (magically or verbally) and we will have a nice walk in the moonlight.
The evening will be magical. Or else.
Love, Harry
*
Chapter 15
Harry was nervous. As forward as he'd been about this whole relationship with Severus, he was nervous. He'd never been on a real date before. Cho doesn't count. I'm pretty sure dates aren't supposed to go like that… He sighed, trying to tame his hair. The other thing he was worried about was that he didn't know how two men dated. He'd never liked a guy before. Severus was his first male-crush. And, boy did he make it hard!
Harry had decided that he wasn't gay. He still liked girls as well. He'd learned from Hermione that this was called being "bisexual". He thought it was good for him. He didn't discriminate because of gender. Love knows no gender… but hopefully it knows sex! He chuckled to himself, giving up on his hair, moving to his teeth. He didn't know if he was expected to be so thorough, but it was better to be over-prepared.
Taking one last look at himself in the mirror, he nodded, hoping he looked ok. He wondered what Severus would wear on their date… I wonder if he'll wear his teaching robes? He snorted, doubting that.
*
Severus waited by the carriages, as instructed. The thestrals snorted and stamped their hooves, impatient to move. He thought they were rather beautiful, actually. But at what cost does such beauty come? He sighed, running a nervous hand through his hair. The brat better show up soon. I'm freezing!
Soon, Harry arrived. Severus looked up to scowl at the boy. He was five minutes late! He stopped, throat going a little dry. He'd never seen Harry look like this before. He looked quite dashing, Severus thought. He was dressed in nice, semi-casual clothes that looked much better on him than the school uniform or those horrid elephant skins he'd seen the boy wear sometimes. He had a nice dark, sapphire blue, long-sleeve, cotton, button-up shirt tucked into black slacks. He was wearing his school shoes, but they were polished for once. He even had a nice, black, un-buttoned formal vest on, to give him a cute prep-look.
Severus shook his head. Prep-look? How old am I? Seventeen? And female? He finally remembered to glare at the boy, when he was close enough to see his face in the ever-dimming light.
"Potter," he nodded, hiding the slight attraction he felt. How inconvenient… he could have slapped himself.
*
Harry was speechless. When he first lay eyes on Severus, his jaw dropped. He was glad it was darkening, making his face harder to see in the distance.
Severus was wearing something similar to what he wore under his robes, but it somehow looked a little nicer. He wore black slacks and shined shoes, like Harry, but his long-sleeve shirt was what Harry knew to be Acromantula silk. Very expensive. All but the top two buttons were fastened, leaving a tantalising glimpse of his chest. Everything was well-fitted, showing off his athletic build. Harry could feel a flush coming to his cheeks. I have a hot date! Grinning, he made his way to Severus as quickly as possible.
He looked up at Severus' tone, hoping the man wouldn't try to be difficult. He really just wanted a nice evening.
"Good evening, Severus. You look nice." He smiled warmly at the man's somewhat surprised expression.
"Thank you… Harry." The man seemed to be a little lost for words. Obviously, he wasn't used to receiving compliments.
"Shall we walk, or would you prefer a carriage ride?" He hoped they'd take a carriage. He'd just polished his shoes and didn't want to scuff them too badly on the rough path, in the dark.
*
Severus was a little speechless. He'd just been complimented by Harry. On how he looked. He wasn't expecting that. He was only wearing a pair of slacks and a shirt he'd bought on a whim. He didn't really make much effort. So, that was a surprise. He motioned for the boy to climb into the carriage before him.
When he closed the door, the carriage moved, taking them to their date. It suddenly occurred to Severus that he should compliment Harry, too. I'm terrible in social situations like this!
"Uh… you also look… nice," he sounded awkward, even to himself. This wasn't going very well, he didn't think.
Harry grinned, appreciating the comment. "Thanks!" Apparently, he didn't receive many compliments either.
"What will we be doing this evening?" Severus didn't like this. He felt awkward in the silence… but even more so when he opened his mouth. Brilliant idea, Potter… he wished he could be snarky. He knew how to do that. But the little shit had photos of him in a compromising position. He daren't push his luck.
"Well, I don't really know what to do on a date," Harry ran a hand through his hair. "I was thinking that we'd… get a butterbeer and some dinner… or something?" In the dim light, Severus thought he could make out a faint blush on the boy's cheeks. He smirked. So, you're not so smooth now, are you Potter?
**
Their evening was going quite smoothly. They were having a nice dinner at the Three Broomsticks with a glass of red for Severus and a butterbeer for Harry. Their conversations weren't political debates of the year (thanks to Harry's complete ignorance of the subject) but they were enjoyable for both parties, nonetheless. Severus was beginning to relax more as the evening wore on.
After their meal, Harry left enough coins on the table for both meals, silencing his date's protests with a look. He grabbed Severus' hand and hauled him out of the pub. Time for their moonlit walk.
It was not a full moon, so Severus wasn't too worried. However, he was starting to get cold. He didn't think it was an option to complain, though. He hadn't forgotten the reason he'd actually arrived for the date – as much as he'd actually enjoyed himself. So, he walked in silence, freezing his arse off.
*
The night was beautiful, Harry thought. He could see so many stars that he didn't even need a Lumos to light his way. He smiled, enjoying the comfortable silence of the romantic walk.
After a few minutes, Harry built up enough courage to slip his hand into Severus'.
*
Harry was holding his hand! He looked down at their entwined fingers, musing at the size difference. Or, lack thereof. He's growing up. He's almost as tall as me… and his hands are the same size as mine. When did this happen? He gave a small smile as he focused back on the road ahead. It wasn't that he liked holding hands with Potter. No, it was that his hand was warm. And Severus was freezing.
Suddenly, the boy took his hand away. Severus' chest clenched a little. He didn't think he'd be too horrible to hold hands with. The small smile from earlier left his face as he tried to focus more on the walk ahead.
Just when he was about to say he thought they should get back, he felt a warm cloak being swung around his shoulders. What the…
*
Harry had taken his hand away from Severus to retrieve the shrunken cloak from his pocket. He'd noticed the slight shaking in Severus' hand. He'd looked over to see the silly man's lips were pale and chapped. Rolling his eyes, he'd taken action. The idiot is going to let himself freeze to death! He charmed it before draping it over his teacher's shoulders.
Severus snapped his head to look at Harry. It was like he expected something nasty to happen. But Harry just smiled and slipped his hand back in his teacher's, determined to enjoy the walk. No matter what.
**
The walk was a long one. Harry hadn't realised that. But, he definitely wasn't complaining! He sidled closer to Severus, seeing where the limits were tonight.
He loved how the man didn't fight his kisses and whatever other physical intimacies he initiated. He didn't reciprocate any of them, but he didn't push Harry away. That in itself was enough of a signal for Harry. It meant, to him, that Severus wanted this. He wanted it, but was afraid to do anything himself. He was adorable, Harry thought. I wonder if I could get a kiss from him tonight? A real kiss this time, too…
*
Blissfully unaware of Harry's schemes, Severus was strolling along, all of his attention on the boy's soft hand curling around his. The feel of those long, slender fingers entwined with his. He frequently stole glances at their joined hands to make sure it was real and he wasn't just imagining the soft warmth of someone else's hand in his. It was the first time in a long time that he'd had this simple intimacy bestowed upon him. Not since Lily had he held hands with anyone. He rather liked the feel of Harry's hand in his.
Soon, it was time to return to the castle, neither really wanting the peaceful night to end.
They slowly wandered back to the castle, hands still clasped, walking as close as possible without falling over.
"I had a great time tonight, Severus. Thank you," Harry smiled warmly at his teacher, hoping Severus' night had been pleasant as well.
"As did I, Harry," he gave a small, Severus Smile. A brief upturn of the lips. Not a smirk, but not a grin. A Severus Smile.
*
"One thing," Harry had worked up the courage to end this night perfectly. He leant in close, leaving barely a breath of space between them. "I want a kiss."
"You've already kissed me--"
"No. I want you to kiss me. I've kissed you, but you've never kissed me."
"Must I?" He looked clearly uncomfortable.
"Yes," Harry whispered, bringing his whole body closer, placing his hands on Severus' hips.
Before he knew what was happening, Harry's lips were covered in the familiar soft, thin lips of his Potions professor. They applied gentle pressure before Severus' tongue slipped in, tasting Harry's briefly, before pulling away. Harry had never had such a perfect kiss in his life. He wanted more. And more he got.
He pulled Severus in again, continuing the kiss, drawing the man's tongue back into his mouth to suck on it, play with it. He moaned when he felt it flit around his mouth in a tentative exploration. He felt Severus' breath hitch in a soft moan when he caught it with his teeth, gently running them along the slippery muscle. He slowly pulled away, only to latch onto the pale throat before him. He bit down lightly on the pulse, sucking it into his mouth, tempted to leave a mark, but knew he couldn't.
Suddenly, he was pushed away, though not roughly. Severus held him at arm's length, seemingly out of breath.
"The photos?" He asked breathlessly. Confused, Harry stepped closed, running his hands through the man's hair, soothing the obvious worry.
"Photos?"
"Don't play coy. The photos of me. Dancing," he hissed the last word out in a whisper, narrowing his eyes.
"Severus… I only took one photo."
**
AN: Yes, that's it for Chapter 15. I was going to make it longer, but I thought it would be moving it a little too fast for the current status of their relationship. But don't worry, I know what I'm doing! XD
Thank you to all my reviewers! I do so love hearing from you all. :)
Also, I want to shamelessly plug my new oneshot. Lol, I wrote it for my friend's birthday. It's an HP/Criminal Minds crossover, with a Remus Lupin/Spencer Reid pairing. XD I'd love to hear what you guys think!