Title: Long awaited help.

Characters: HP/SS. M/M Slash

Disclaimer: J.K Rowling owns all the characters, Hogwarts, everything. I make no money of my stories. I just enjoy playing with the characters.

*

The next morning Severus woke up and looked at what his arms were gripping so hard. Harry was spooned up to him, his hair an adorable mess and his mouth smiling lightly. Severus rolled his eyes and carefully unraveled his arms from around Harry's waist. He slid down under the blanket and kissed at his neck, down his shoulders, collar bones, chest, and abs. When he started kissing each rib he felt Harry wake up with a gasp.

Sev raised an eyebrow at the reaction and repeated the gesture. Sure he enough Harry gasped and then laughed, "Sev! Stop that!"

A devilish grin flitted onto Severus's lips and he attacked each rib separately with his tongue and lips. Harry jerked around laughing in between gasp's, finally Harry threw back the blankets covering him, pulled Severus up and then rolled him onto his back until he was straddling him.

Harry looked down at Sev with an amused scowl on his face, "Bad. Bad Severus." His fingers pinched and pulled at the dark pink nipples below him with each word.

Severus's hands climbed up Harry's sides sneakily and then tickled him abruptly. Harry jumped and took in a deep breath, "Severus Snape!"

Thoroughly enjoying having Harry straddle him, Severus's hands pinned his legs down. "Good morning Harry." His smile seemed to invite Harry in to kiss him because Harry leaned in and kissed him deeply.

When he finally pulled back he sat up and said softly, "Morning. Sleep well?"

"Yes. Did you? Sleep well?" Sev asked his hands stroking Harry's legs lightly, soothingly. "It wasn't too cold was it? It gets a bit drafty down here. I can get more blankets for next time, if you were cold."

Harry placed two fingers on Sev's lips, "I was fine. But I am quite pleased to hear that you want me to come back."

Severus's cheeks tinged pink for the first time, and he kind of jerked his head once in what Harry figured must be a nod. "If…y-you want t-to that is."

"Of course Sev." Harry grinned and looked around. "Where's your shower?"

Severus grinned, "Why don't I show you personally?"

The two showered until the hot water ran out. Severus took his time and attention drying Harry, going over his favorite spots repeatedly. He lent Harry another pair of clean robes and tapped them with his wand to make them fit.

Harry smelled the intoxicating scent on the robes before going out to the lab. He read over his notes and sighed, he'd had his fun happy time with Sev but he really did have to focus on his potion now.

He heard Severus moving around the lab and then leaving briefly, but he just focused on adding the right ingredients and stirring for the right amount of time. The potions fumes were delectable; it was like his favorite smells all mixed up, with Severus's intoxicating signature scent the strongest.

After working for four hours straight, Harry put his head on the table tiredly. Strong, thin hands massaged his shoulders and he sighed in satisfaction. "That feels good."

"Have you taken one break Harry?" Annoyance mingled with exasperation in Sev's voice.

"No I haven't. I just wanted to work, continuously." Harry winced when Sev's fingers pinched his shoulders for a second. "Are you mad?"

"You shouldn't overwork yourself Harry. It's not healthy."

"I know. I'm sorry, this is just really…"

"Important to you?" Sev said finishing his sentence.

"Yes."

"I know it is. But you can't hurry through this. If you want it perfect than you definitely have to take it slow."

"Were not taking it slow, does that mean were not perfect?"

"No relationship is perfect Harry."

Harry grinned at Sev saying they were in a relationship, but decided it was wiser not to say anything about it. "How were your classes?"

"Increasingly aggravating, apparently it snowed and the students were overly anxious to begin their Christmas holidays."

"It snowed? I love the snow."

Sev stored the bit of information away and asked, "That's odd. Why?"

Harry turned and bit his lip, "I was never attacked when it was snowing. Every time something bad happened it was during the better parts of the year. Do evil people have an aversion to snow?"He gazed inquisitively up at Sev his eyes curious.

Severus swallowed a laugh, "Yes. All evil people hate snow. You figured it out."

"Is that sarcasm? Sarcasm is the enemy of relationships Severus."

Sev just rolled his eyes, "Well why we don't get some lunch? Maybe that will clear your mind a bit."

"Alright, I guess I can leave the potion where it is."

Sev kissed Harry before leading the way to the door. They walked up the stairs together but didn't touch each other. Hogwarts was open to many things but it would make a lot of students uncomfortable to see their potions professor holding hands with another man let alone someone they all knew, someone extremely famous.

Harry didn't mind though because once or twice he thought he felt Severus's hand brush against his as they avoided the students milling around the hall. And as Sev was to graceful to actually ever bump into anyone he knew that he was expressing his desire to be touching Harry.

They walked into the Great hall and Harry was glad to notice that most of the students appeared to be done eating, and only a couple teachers were seated at their table. Hermione winked at him when she saw them and he grimaced when Severus looked down at him sharply.

They sat on the opposite end of the table from her and Harry frowned when Sev tugged him lightly to make him sit down. "Why can't we sit by Hermione?"

"I…want you to myself." Sev avoided Harry's eyes and began picking at the food on his plate.

Harry grinned, "Aw that's kind of sweet Severus."

Severus glared at him and then back at his plate. "Can we just eat?"

"Yeah but you know if you don't let me tell you when you're being sweet, no one will."

"Maybe that's the way I like it."

"Bullshit." Harry grinned and took a drink of his Butter beer.

Severus clenched his fists but looked away because he knew that if he looked into Harry's eyes, than Harry would see that he was lying.

"So Harry…"

Harry turned and looked to his left, Professor McGonagall was leaning over an empty chair, "I hear you have been working pretty hard on something in the potions lab. How is your project coming along?"

"It's difficult but it's coming along quite well."

"Professor Snape have you surveyed the project?"

Severus looked over at her, "Yes, Potter's right, it's a very difficult potion that he's brewing."

"Have you offered your help?"

"I'll help him any time he asks."

McGonagall looked a bit surprised but pleased, "Good. But you must remember that our Mr. Potter never asks for help when he needs it."

Harry blushed, but Severus just nodded, "Yes I remember. "

"Good." She nodded at them and turned to talk to Professor Trelawney who sat next to her.

Harry slid a look at Severus and saw that Severus was staring back. He smiled lightly and whispered, "I ask for help don't I?"

"Not unless you absolutely have too."

"I'll work on it."

"Good."

Harry looked at his empty plate and said, "Done eating?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Why don't we go?"

Severus stood at the same time as Harry and they walked out of the Great Hall. The halls were mostly empty, but a few older students were hanging around as they didn't have a full schedule. Harry pushed open the front door and pulled Severus out.

Severus winced at the cold and scowled down at Harry, "Why…?"

Harry laughed, "Come on Sev, its beautiful out here!"

"Yeah it is beautiful." Severus knew Harry was talking about the snow, but he wasn't sure he was talking about the snow.

With a grin Harry raised an eyebrow at him, like he knew what he meant. He bent down and scooped up some snow, he grinned angelically up at Sev who narrowed his eyes at him threateningly. "Don't you dare!"

Harry grimaced apologetically ahead of time and threw the snowball, it hit Sev in the chest, and he cursed and charged toward him. Harry laughed and ran as best he could through the snow.

Severus ran after Harry and tackled him, hard. He heard Harry laughing and couldn't help but grin. "You insolent little ass!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Harry yelled as Sev straddled him and began throwing light, dusty snow on him.

"You should be!" Severus rubbed snow into Harry's hair and then leaned in slowly. He whispered, "You should be…" before leaning in more to kiss him.

Harry groaned and wrapped his arms around Sev's neck. He nipped the older man's lip and sucked the tip of his tongue lightly. Severus made a needing noise and moved his mouth to Harry's neck. He sucked above his shoulder and licked the spot when he was done. He pulled back and grinned at the bright red spot he'd just made. One of his long, thin fingers rubbed it.

Harry frowned, "Did you seriously just give me a hickey?"

"Yes. Consider it part of your punishment for throwing a snowball at me!"

"Part of my punishment?"

"Oh yes. You don't think that's all the punishment your getting do you?"

"At first I did…Is this going to be a good, fun kind of punishment or… bad, fun kind of punishment?"

"A little of both."

"Mm, nice." Harry grinned and sneakily rubbed a handful of cold snow into Sev's hair.

With a growl Severus began tickling Harry until they were both breathless.

The two played in the snow for awhile before Sev had to go teach a class and Harry had to go back to his potions. They parted after a long passionate kiss and a moment of staring at each other wistfully.

Over the next week it became routine for Harry to sleep in the same bed as Severus, every night. Harry was relieved that Hermione didn't seem to mind, she did wear a sneaky smile whenever she saw him and Sev together though. And after a few talks with her, Harry came to comprehend that she knew he was falling in love with Severus.

He didn't need her approval but found himself extremely thankful to have it. She was like his family and he wanted her to like who he found himself with.

As for himself, Harry had never been happier. He got to see Severus every day, they got to talk, make love and kiss each other. He was relieved that he didn't have to go through making the Memoratium potion on his own. He had the most gifted potions master he knew guiding him through it. And after a long day of nonstop brewing, it nice having Sev there ready to massage the tension out of him, hold him as he slept and whisper words of encouragement into his ear.

Their love making was never boring either, he grew to know that Sev like a little bit of pain with his sex, but that he could also be incredibly gentle. He knew that Severus liked to be kissed deep and long after coming. And that despite all the complaining about being called Sev, he was growing to like it.

And as for Severus he felt like his day couldn't be good until Harry kissed him in the morning or laughed at one of his snide comments. Harry was the only person Sev couldn't seem to hurt anymore. Anytime Sev said something mean, snippy, or snide to him Harry just smiled or laughed and then he would kiss him and tell him to stop being grumpy.

Severus had never known anyone like Harry, trying to figure him out was intriguing and hair-pulling annoying at times. He loved Harry, he knew that now and he knew that Harry was fond of him. But he didn't want to rush into telling him just to get turned down.

Severus was sitting in his office when he heard Harry curse loudly in the lab; he stood and hurried into the room. He saw Harry with his head in his arms and his body was shaking. Sev walked over to his lover and tentatively rubbed his shoulders. "What's wrong Harry?"

"I've been trying to figure this book out for the last four hours. And I can't do it! Severus I can't do it!" Harry turned in his seat and the dark circles stood out brightly as frustrated tears filled his eyes.

Severus's heart panged and he put his hands on Harry's face, "Oh Harry, of course you can. You have been working nonstop for days, it's no wonder you frustrated and tired. I know you want to get this done as fast as you can but Harry working yourself until you're exhausted isn't going to help love."

Harry sniffled and whispered, "You think I can do it?"

"I know you can. You're infuriatingly brilliant."

"This was sort of a compliment, so thank you." Harry ran his hand across Sev's cheek and said quietly, "You are so wonderful and sweet."

"Well don't go telling people. You'll ruin my reputation." Sev winked and used his thumbs to wipe away the tears still lingering in his eyes.

Harry, "You know Severus you might make me fall for you."

Sev looked down, "Might?"

"Sev…You know I love you, don't you?"

With wide eyes Severus looked up and into Harry's eyes. He didn't say anything for a few long moments and fear and doubt flitted into Harry's eyes, "This might be a good time to say um…something."

Sev blinked, "Oh um…I've never said…" He looked away and fidgeted, "I love you Harry."

He heard Harry sigh happily, "That sounds so lovely. Say it again!" He moved around on his seat to scoot close to Severus. "But this time…You have to look at me."

It took all of Severus's effort to look into Harry's eyes, but once he did look into those incredible green eyes he found it completely easy to whisper, "I love you."

Harry squeezed himself into Sev's arms and looked up into the black eyes that gazed at him cautiously and lovingly. "And I love you Severus Snape."

Harry pulled Severus's head down and kissed him openly. "Take me to bed, Sev?"

Within minutes Severus had Harry on his back, his legs over his shoulders and he was deep inside him. Despite all the pleasure he was feeling, he didn't want to close his eyes and miss out on seeing Harry's eyes open and staring up at him so trusting and loving.

Feeling Severus sliding in and out of him, Harry asked a question he was burning to ask, "When…oh that's nice…do I get to be in you?"

Severus stopped, and felt Harry wriggle his hips around and whimper. Harry inside him, his beautiful erection inside his body? Sev bit his lip he'd never had that happen before, he was a little curious though.

He knew Harry had been a top before and he didn't doubt that Harry was amazing once he was charge. He had to give him his chance to love him, "How about the night the potion is done?"

Harry how was still trying to create friction between their bodies, stopped, "Really?"

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it." He shoved into Harry's body again with a groan.

Harry whimpered, "Oh! Sev…I promise you won't regret it."

"You have to finish that potion first love."He stopped moving again and said firmly, "But that does not mean that you go and rush into finishing that potion Harry. Because, if I see you working yourself to exhaustion again I'm going to take back my promise."

Harry pouted but nodded, "Okay I promise not to work myself to exhaustion, but the night that I finish. I get to be inside you. As long and as many times as I want."

"Deal." And then he listened to Harry's gasping and moaning when he thrust into him again.

"Oh Sev…I love you."