Harry was wandering the grounds of Hogwarts. Technically, just because he was present where students had gathered, he was meant to be keeping an eye out for trouble or trouble-making. The students, however, seemed too jolly to engage in much trouble, enjoying the frosty air that promised coming snow. So, instead, Harry was simply meandering, lost in thought over his commitment to Severus. Namely, he was wondering if it was really worth the effort it had been thus far.
Severus continued to hold his hand at meals, and they still enjoyed their morning walks and occasional silent evenings in the Restricted Section, but outside of these small examples the man had been frustratingly distant. They'd had a second "date" just the night before, and again Severus had left Harry on the steps of Hogwarts. Harry hadn't even had a chance to try again to ask the Potions Master up to his rooms. He'd still been working up the courage after being blown off the last time when Severus had planted a farewell kiss on his lips and disappeared to his dungeons. Harry, who was still a teenager for all intents and purposes, didn't know how much more of it he could take. He wanted to take that next step in the relationship, but no longer knew how to ask after being rejected twice now. Not to mention Severus' general dismissive air whenever they passed in the corridors for any reason. It was hard to know if he should stay with someone when he wasn't even entirely sure the other man was as committed as he was.
Harry started when he was grabbed suddenly by the wrist and dragged through a waist-high stand of bushes that had somehow survived the frost with their foliage intact. He grunted a little painfully as he was pressed up against a tree, and frowned at the smirking Potions Master who was leaning over him a little predatorily. He looked around to make sure they weren't being watched, and was grateful to see they were out of view of most of the students.
"What're you-?"
He was cut off by a slow kiss.
"I did try to get your attention," Severus said, pulling away slightly. "I thought I might share this spot with you."
Harry glanced around the area they were in. If they knelt down, they would be nearly invisible under the bare branches of the tree, as the trunk was surrounded entirely by a circle of bushes that stood just far enough away to allow a person or two to hide in their shade against the tree. Aside from this, though, the place looked unremarkable. The grass was white with frost, as were the branches above them, but so was everything else on the grounds. Giving up, Harry looked at his companion curiously.
"I forfeit, what's so special about this particular tree?"
"It is mine," Severus answered simply.
Harry knew the Potions Master was intentionally playing off his curiosity, and he smirked. "Oh, really?"
"Indeed," Severus said. "This was my favorite spot as a student. I would sit under this tree for hours on the weekend, reading and listening as the other students frolicked and fooled. In spite of his best efforts, James rarely found me here. I've never shared this spot with anyone before now, not even with your mother."
Harry smiled a little gratefully. He was still struggling internally with his devotion to the Potions Master, but it seemed like every time his insecurities started to get the best of him, the man did something remarkably revealing about himself and his past. After their first date, he'd told Harry about his history with the Gryffindor's mother; later, he'd spoken briefly of his first boyfriend, and the heartache it had wrought. Now he was showing Harry his own private escape, a secret no one else knew of. The Gryffindor melted a little as Severus kissed him passionately, but pushed him away slightly when an echoing, childish laugh reminded him they were nowhere near alone.
"Severus, the students-"
"Cannot see us," The Potions Master assured him. "As I said, your father often couldn't find me here. I am rather adept at notice-me-not spells. I can, however, stop if you are uncomfortable."
Harry smirked as the man pretended to pull away. He could see the challenge in the twinkling black eyes, and drew the taller body back against him roughly.
"Don't you dare, you git." He murmured against thin, pale lips.
Severus smirked as well and drew him into another overwhelming kiss. Harry sighed and wrapped his arms more firmly around the pale neck. Okay, so they had their problems, but Harry was starting to think he could put up with much more if Severus kept kissing him like this. Why did they have to take that next step so quickly, anyway? It wasn't like there was some invisible deadline that said 'if you don't, you're not really together'. And Harry could wait a little longer.