I Don't Love You - Chapter Two
Severus pulled his cloak tighter around his willowy frame, lowering his head against the wind and continuing down Diagon Alley. He clamped his teeth together to stop them from chattering, subconsciously thinking of it as a sign of weakness. The sunlight had almost completely faded away but a few golden rays shimmered against trampled snow. As Severus walked past The Leaky Cauldron, a familiar voice called out to him.
"Hello Professor." Severus turned to see Harry leaning against the doorframe, an amiable smile resting on his lips, as though they were old friends. The truth of the matter was that they had not seen one another since Harry had left Hogwarts-other than the occasional Order meeting-three years ago.
"Potter." Harry laughed, revealing white but slightly overcrowded teeth. He looked a lot older than the teenager Severus had bid an unfriendly farewell to, both physically- he wasn't as thin, although still stood a few inches shorter than Severus, there was faint stubble on his chin and a few laughter lines around his bright eyes- and in the way he carried himself. He had a confidence unlike the arrogant posture of a teenage boy and more like the self-assurance of an adult who has grown accustomed to their own flaws and is secure in the knowledge that they are well liked and independent.
"You haven't changed at all, have you?"
"I'll take that as a compliment." Severus found himself smiling and wondered why. He asked himself whether he had been fond of the boy, at some stage, and answered 'no' sharply before burying the question. Severus realised with a jolt that Harry had been looking him up and down as he pondered quietly and cleared his throat to remind Harry that it was impolite to stare.
"You still think about it, don't you?" Severus raised an eyebrow.
"About what?" Once again, Severus found himself trapped between Harry and a wall, with Harry's lips on his. This, too, was more grown-up than their last meeting, Harry's kiss less apprehensive and shy. This time Severus didn't push Harry away. Harry stepped back, resettling his glasses further up his nose by the leg rather than shoving the nosepiece higher.
"About that." Severus had thought of it a few times, each time pushing it away guiltily and with a feeling of self-disgust, but not on as regular a basis as Harry's question suggested. Severus favoured Harry with a stony glare, but he didn't seem to notice as he tipped his head towards the entrance of The Leaky Cauldron. "Buy you a drink?" Severus stood up slightly straighter and turned on his heel, continuing his journey home with his head held high until he was sure Potter couldn't see him anymore