"Oh, Harry," Severus rushed from the closet "don't forget, 20 clockwise stirs and 22 counter clockwise." Severus said as he noticed Harry put the last ingredient back on the table. Harry looked lost in his own world, so Severus stood behind him counting his stirs. He noticed that Harry was about to make a 21st clockwise stir which would partially negate some of the stronger ingredient properties. Severus rolled his eyes as he put his hands on the large oar-like spoon that Harry was stirring with. He felt a heat rise in his stomach as he realized that his hands were on top of Harry's. The young man was brought out of his daze as he realized that Severus' hands were on top of his, stirring the potion. Harry slowly moved his head and dared to look up as he noticed his professor's dark eyes staring back down at him. Their faces moved closer together.

"Severus…" Harry all but whispered before the older man brought their lips crushing together. Harry cast a mind-only stirring spell as the men brought their hands to tangle in each other's hair, silently begging to be closer.

After several moments the men broke apart. Harry's eyes fluttered open displaying the bliss he'd felt at kissing the older man. Severus looked at the man in front of him and realized what he'd done.

"Merlin, Harry I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me." Severus said trying to gather his thoughts. What was he thinking? This man as his student, yes he was an adult by society standards, but Severus still taught him. "Perhaps it would be best if you left." Severus said as he backed away.

"No." Harry said standing up.

"Excuse me?" Severus said

"I mean, can't we just talk about it?"

"What is there to talk about? I took advantage of you." Harry looked at Severus stunned, the older man was furious. "Do you want an apology? Is that it? Then you have it, I'm sorry." Severus said as he made his way to his personal chambers.

"Stop!" Harry shouted before Severus left him. "Is that really what you think, that you took advantage of me? Maybe you don't remember but I was kissing you back! I don't want an apology; I want you to evaluate your feelings. If you think that you can be in a relationship with me, then why not try?"

Severus was shocked "You have no idea what you are saying, you're young, and you don't know what you want."

"I know exactly what I'm saying and I know exactly what I want; I want you. I have wanted you for the last two and a half years."

"Harry, no. I'm old enough to be your father, I'm a spy for The Order, and I'm your teacher."

"Do you think I honestly care about any of that? Severus, I came to terms with my feelings about you a long time ago, and nothing you say can dissuade me. Nothing. You obviously have some feelings towards me, even if you don't know what they are completely, can't we explore those? Please, don't shut me out. Don't run away."

"Harry…" Severus spoke. What would he say? "Perhaps you are right, I'd like to be with you, but I can't rush into things. Neither can you. Let's think things over for a bit and then we can talk about them. Just give me a day or two." Severus said as he put his hand on the man's cheek.

"Thursday, then?" Harry asked as the older man nodded.

"Thursday, after dinner. I believe that the potion is your choosing again." Severus said as he smirked. "Now, it is nearing curfew and I believe that you have a potion to give to Mr. Longbottom." Severus was rewarded with the brightest smile he had ever seen on Harry's face.

"I suppose that's fair. I'll see you Thursday, Severus." Harry said as he called all the items he needed to his school bag which was flying across the room to land by his feet. Harry leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on the older man's cheek. Severus watched Harry walk out the portrait.

The man poured himself a glass of Firewhiskey from his cabinet. Severus sat in thought, he was older, but Harry obviously didn't care about that. Harry apparently didn't care bout any of that, he said that he had come to terms with that a long time ago and-wait…a long time ago… Severus remembered a conversation from several nights before.

"You could have any girl in the castle with your looks!" Hermione exclaimed

"You know I'm not interested in girls, you know who I like, and there is not a snowballs chance in hell. He always hated me, always will." Harry replied

Snape stopped in his thoughts as visions from the past several years flashed through his mind. His treatment of the young man, how he would take away points, yell at him, demean him in class. He was one of the only people who didn't fall over at the boy's feet, no. "He couldn't have been talking about me." Surely, Snape thought, that he doesn't think that I ever hated him, just his father. But I also had to act that way to keep him safe, keep him protected. Severus grumbled as he evaluated the thoughts swimming in his head.

The next two days passed painfully slow for Harry, but Thursday finally came. It was just before dinner and he was in his dorms getting dresses, or rather, Hermione was dressing him. She stood in front of his closet trying to decide what would look good on her best friend, as Ron sat on his bed flipping through a Quidditch magazine.

"Oh, Harry. I'm so excited for you! It's like a dream come true." Hermione said picking a few clothing items and handing them to him.

"Are we still talking about the dungeon bat?"

"It's not like he has said 'yes' yet 'Mione." Harry chuckled at her enthusiasm and Ron's comment.

"Oh, he won't be able to resist you by the time I'm though with you. Now, put these on."

Harry went to the bathroom and came out wearing an emerald green shirt and black trousers.

"This doesn't feel very flattering."

"It will, just give me a moment. Remove your glamour so that I can tailor the clothes." Harry removed the glamour as Hermione surveyed his appearance. She cast a few spells as he felt the clothes change and his hair shift.

"All done," she said looking rather proud of herself "go look in the mirror."

Harry snapped as a full length mirror appeared in front of him. He noticed how the shirt was made of a softer material and was more tailored, fitting to his muscles and showing off his fit figure, though he was hesitant about leaving the first few buttons undone as Hermione had insisted. The black pants were now the perfect length and fit rather snug around his thighs and rear. His sneakers were transfigured into a pair of black leather dress shoes with a sophisticated square toe. Harry noticed how his hair was pulled back into a casual low ponytail and tied with a silk ribbon that matched the green of his shirt.

"'Mione! I look great." He ran over and picked up the witch in a hug twirling her around. "Thank you. You know what this means right?"

"That Professor Snape won't be able to keep his hands off you?" Harry giggled as Ron make gagging noises in the background.

"I hope, but no. that if this look goes over well, I'll be dragging you along to Diagon Alley this weekend to pick up a new wardrobe for me." Hermione looked shocked at Harry, both boys noticed that look.

"Great one, mate. You just signed your own death certificate." Hermione hugged Harry as he heard Ron mumble something along the lines of "asking a woman to take you shopping? Gone barmy, he has."

Roughly thirty minutes later the three headed out of the dorms for dinner after Garry replaced the glamour. Snape's eyes settled on Harry as he walked into the Great Hall, noticing the obvious smile on his face that he didn't believe was just from the story Ron was telling. The three sat down next to Neville, who had just started putting food on his plate.

"Hey, Harry, Hermione, Ron. How are you three doing?"

"Great Neville" Ron and Hermione said as Harry nodded in agreement.

"How are you feeling?" Harry whispered so that only the four of them could hear it.

"Perfectly healed, thanks to you."

"No need to thank me, I'm just glad you're all better." Harry said with a smile as Neville began talking about a newly discovered plant in Brazil.

"Hey, Harry?" Neville asked after nearly all four of them had finished with dinner. "Why does Professor Snape keep staring at you? He's been looking at you all dinner." Harry thought he heard Ron and Hermione holding in a giggle, and Harry wasn't sure how to handle this. He had never told anyone but Ron and Hermione about his feelings for the older man. Neville would probably have a hard time accepting it, especially considering the Boggart ordeal in third year.

"I have detention with him after dinner and he is probably just deciding what chores to torture me with tonight. I personally hope that it is scrubbing cauldrons, I've done that enough times to where it is actually easy."

"You need to stop getting detentions, Harry." Hermione chimed in trying to defend Harry's story

"Yea, mate. What if he decides that next time it should be on a Quidditch practice day or something?" Ron said smirking at Harry.

"Point taken, I'm sorry. I'll work on it." Harry said as he looked up to the staff table and met eyes with Severus, who turned away to hide a blush as Harry winked at him.

After finishing his apple pie, Harry made his way to the dungeons. He went through all the possibilities in his mind of what might happen, what would most likely happen, he figured. He knocked on the potions classroom door.

"Enter."

Harry closed the door behind him as he removed his glamour. "Hello, Severus."He noticed something as he tuned around after hanging up his cloak.

Severus stared at Harry, how could he not? He took in the fit, slim body before him. The muscles under the soft green fabric, the slight pull of the almost-to-tight pants on the younger man's ass, the classy way that the entire outfit alluded to his slim body, but did not cling to it. Yes, Severus was going to have a hard time keeping his hands off the body in front of him. Severus was brought out of his trance when Harry stepped closer to the desk he sat at.

"Good evening, Harry." Severus placed his papers aside as he stood. "What potion do you plan on brewing tonight?"

"Actually, I was hoping we could get the talking done first. That way I may actually have a chance of focusing on the potion." Harry chuckled as he sat at the chair in front of the desk. Severus sat back down.

"Alright. I have a few questions before we decide anything." Severus said as his nervousness grew, slightly relaxing when he saw Harry roll his eyes.

"You always have questions, Severus." Harry said in mock accusatory tone as Severus glared at him.

"It does seem that way, doesn't it? Now, many nights ago, you talked to Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley about who you liked, and commented that there wasn't a chance with them. Was this perhaps the same person whom you talked to me about several nights ago?"

"Yes, and you can wipe the worried look off your face, it's you. It's always been you." Harry blushed realizing what he said. "I just don't want you to think that I'm perhaps using you because I cannot attain someone else. I really like you."

"I like you too, Harry." Severus said as he walked around to his desk and leaned against it so that he would be closer to Harry. "But we still have several things to discuss before we can think of beginning a relationship. Now, relationships between teachers and of-age students are allowed if they are discreet. While it is not required, I believe that we should tell Albus, so that if something does happen to where word gets out, he can help deal with the rumors."

"I agree." Harry said as he saw Severus smile at him.

"Now, can I ask you personal questions?" Severus said

"I think that is only fair if I may ask the same of you." Harry said

"Of course. How-" Severus was interrupted as a raven flew in through the window. He pulled the parchment from the bird's leg as it flew over to Harry's outstretched left hand.

"Hello again, Annabelle Lee. You have a beautiful name; it reminds me of a poem by one of my favorite authors. Have you ever heard the poem that you were named after?" Severus looked up to hear his raven make a soft noise as Harry smiled, stroking the birds back with his right hand. Harry wondered if Severus had named the bird because of the poem, after all it did seem an awful coincidence, or if it was just a coincidence after all.

Severus pretended to keep reading the note from Dumbledore, asking for his attendance at his earliest convenience concerning the substitute Defense teacher, but his eyes watched Harry. He rarely saw Harry so carefree, maybe he simply likes my bird, Severus thought.

"You know, Severus," Harry said "we are alone. If you wish to look at me, you may do so." Harry smirked

"And here I was hoping that I would not have to deal with your cheek anymore, pity."

"Quite. So would you have named the raven Edgar were it male?" Harry asked.

"I see you are familiar with Mr. Poe's work then?"

"Very, he is one of my favorite authors. I'm quite surprised that you are so fond of muggle books." Harry said

"My father was a muggle; I read Poe's works many times over the summer. He is one of the few muggle authors that I enjoy. You are actually the first person to have connected the dots."

"It's not really that hard, once you think about it. But you picked a good name.

"Yes, well, I didn't believe that 'Nevermore' really suited her."

Harry laughed wondering when exactly he started to understand Severus' dry sense of humor. He pet the silky feathers then lifted his hand as the bird flew to her perch in the other room.

"As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted by my bird, have you ever been in a gay relationship before? I prefer to know the history of someone before I get involved."

"I have dated several men, but it's hard to be in a relationship with someone when you were the only person I really wanted. As far as sexual experience, I have fooled around, but I have never gone all the way with anyone before. I hope this does not cause a problem."

"Put all your worries aside. As I said before, I like to know what I'm getting into before pursuing a relationship."

"Completely understandable. Now, you know that I like you. How do you feel about me?" Harry asked standing up and leaning on the desk next to Severus

"I like you; I like you a lot actually. I'm drawn to you in a way that I have never felt with anyone before. I don't know if that means this will be permanent, but I would certainly like to be with you for a long time to come. I feel like I'm only just getting to know you, however, so I would prefer if we started off slow."

"I can agree to that. I'm rather surprised to be honest, I didn't think you would ever allow yourself to be with a student, much less, me."

"So, I guess now all I have to do is get up the courage to ask an amazingly handsome man to dinner on Saturday." Severus looked at Harry blushing.

"Why, Severus, are you flirting with me?" Harry asked in mock astonishment

"Indeed, is it working?"

"Perhaps." Harry replied smiling

"So, will you allow me to take you out for a date this Saturday?" Severs asked

"Yes." Harry smiled brighter

"Would you like to meet me here around six, we could have a nice dinner?"

"Yes." Harry said feeling slightly breathless as he locked his green eyes with the onyx ones in front of him. Severus brought a hand to cup Harry's cheek.

"Can I kiss you?" Severus asked, not wanting to overstep any boundaries in this fragile new relationship.

"Merlin, yes." Was all Harry could speak as he leaned into the man in front of him, lips touching, as a feeling like warmth spread through his body.

Remus sat in a chair in the Headmaster's office, having just finished talking about the classes he was going to cover in the other Professor's absence.

"Your rooms are ready for you, should you wish to move in tonight and get an early start, since you will be chaperoning the Hogsmeade trip this weekend."

"That sounds great! Do you think it would be possible for me to see Harry? I want to surprise him since he doesn't think I'm coming until Sunday."

"Of course, I believe that he is in the potions classroom right now, Severus told me that he was helping Harry with his 'horrid potion skills'" Both men laughed before Remus got up to leave.

"That sounds like Harry. Good evening, Albus. Thank you again."

"Of course, my boy." Dumbledore said as he went back to his paperwork.

Remus bounded down to the dungeons excited to see the surprise on Harry's face when he not only found out that he had come early, but when he would be chaperoning the Hogsmeade trip this weekend. Remus knocked on the door several times. 'Strange, maybe they didn't hear me' Remus thought as he opened the door to walk in. However, the sight that greeted him, was one he never thought he would be subjected to.

Harry had both his hands tangled in Severus' hair as he pressed their lips closer together. Severus' tongue mapped the roof of Harry's mouth as one hand held on to the younger man's hip, the other spread out on the small of Harry's back pulling his whole body closer to him. Harry moaned and leaned in closer to Severus' embrace as both men pulled apart suddenly at the sound of a door slamming shut and a loud voice that sounded like it was struggling to keep anger in check.

"What the HELL is going on?!" Remus asked slamming the door shut and casting a silencing spell. He noticed how fast both men jumped apart at the sound of his voice. Harry broke from Severus, but Severus held Harry's hand in his.

-Thats the chapter for now. Hoped you like it. I'm sorry for making it another cliffie, but it was that or wait a few more days, and I hate having to make people wait if they can at least have a taste fo what is going to happen. The next one will be posted soon, hopefully.

Please Read and Review- your comments keep me going!