A/N: The next chapter is now up. I am so sorry for the delay. My new laptop decided to rebel against me and it won't turn on properly. And, apparently, the best time to start working again is when summer break's almost over and I have no time to spare anymore. I'm going to university in 2 weeks but I will try to finish this before then. I already written down most of the rest of this story and I just have to type it up. Hopefully, my laptop would last for long. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. So this note is getting a bit long and I know you're hoping for the story. So here it is. I do hope you enjoy this. And please read the A/N at the end.

#SS#JP#

Severus was sitting quietly on the top of a rock near the Black Lake, his bare feet slightly dangling over the edge, touching the water on the lake ever so lightly. He was scribbling on his worn out potions book, finally being able to enjoy the serenity and the quiet. Potter kept appearing at the most inopportune moments, doing stupid things and spouting nonsense. He blushed when he remembered what had transpired between them in the empty potions classroom. Stupid potter and his stupidity! Can't he take a hint? I don't want to go to the ball with him or with anyone else! He welcomed the peace that Hogsmeade weekend provides. Almost all the castle occupants were gone for the day, except for those younger ones and the ones who chose to stay behind, which is not many, really.

It wasn't that he didn't like Potter. Actually, he has a bit of crush on him since the moment they met. And loathe as he was to admit it, Potter was one of the constants in his life that he did not want to change. He's comfortable with his sexuality but he just couldn't wrap his head around the idea of him being comfortable with his sexuality with Potter. He admires the boy, man really, but he just can't handle that.

During the start of this year, Potter had been somewhat nice. He welcomed the freedom from the constant bullying but he was also bewildered at the 180-degree turn. He sighed. He couldn't understand what was going through Potter's head at the moment. He wished that he would stop with nattering on about going to the ball with him and just go back to bullying Severus, but a part of him also wants Potter to continue with pursuing him.

Severus was still writing when he heard the shuffle of footsteps with the green grass behind him. He didn't look up. He didn't do anything, really, not even when a familiar figure sat himself beside Severus. The slight rustle of clothes told him that his unexpected and unwelcomed companion was looking for a comfortable position.

He could only see the person's legs swinging irritably back and forth, every now and then bumping over Severus's leg. The movement caused Severus's potions book to be jostled slightly and his hand would slightly swerve. Not wanting to give in to the bait, he just scrunched up his nose and continued writing.

However, Potter isn't the kind of person that takes well to being ignored. So, being the slightly immature boy that he is, he moved his leg faster and harder. One particularly hard move shoved the book and quill off of Severus's lap.

Everything was in slow motion for Severus as he watched his things fall over the edge. He reached out to grab his book before it was too late. He wasn't fast enough and, truth be told, he had short arms. He felt a hand hold on to his hip in a vice like grip that stopped him from falling over and he saw another hand shot out in front of him and caught his book. Everything was saved, Severus, the book-

Plop!

The pair looked down and saw the ripple that the Fallen Quill made as it made contact with the water.

Severus looked up to glare at him, "I hope you're happy, Potter," he spat at him.

To his irritation, the bastard had the audacity to grin at him, "Oh, definitely," he said as he tightened his hold on Severus's hip. He blushed when he realized their position, adding fuel to Potter's grin. Their faces were mere inches apart and his side was pressed against Potter's firm, toned and warm body.

He hastily wriggled to get free of Potter's grasp. Surprisingly he let him go easily. Severus straightened out his robes and made a move to take his book back. But Potter quickly raised his hand over his head so that Severus can't reach it and wiggled his point finger in front of his face.

"You should know by now that nothing is that easy." Severus wanted to wipe that smile off his face with a well placed punch.

"Potter, can't you see that I want you to leave me alone?"

"You want me to leave? Alright then," he moved as to get off the rock.

Severus sighed, exasperated, annoyed, and turned back to look at Potter's slowly retreating back.

"My book, Potter!" he yelled.

Potter turned back and shouted, "Come and get it!"

Severus stepped off of the rock and approached the smirking Gryffindor. He stopped a few feet away from him, far enough so he won't get a chance to touch Severus, but near enough to be heard. He wanted to cross his arms over his chest and pout and throw a tantrum but he knows that it will only worsen the situation, so he doesn't. It's killing him but he doesn't.

"What exactly do you expect, Potter? That all this pestering will annoy me enough to make me go with you to the ball?"

"Yes, but-"

"Well, you're out of luck then, because there is not a snowball's chance in hell that I will be going anywhere near the Great Hall during that date. Even if I have to starve," at this he really did cross his arms over his chest, not caring if anyone seeing him at this particular moment thinks that he's a spoiled brat, because he doesn't care anymore.

Potter sighed like he is carrying the whole world. "Let me finish, yes? I am hoping more than expecting, really. I know it won't be that easy convincing you, considering, well, considering everything, but I do hope that you would come. I promise you that my intentions are pure— maybe not entirely but I—I just want to be with you on Christmas," he ran his hand through his already messy hair and looked at the ground, fingers idly playing with Severus's book.

There's an odd feeling in Severus's heart as he watched Potter in front of him and he slowly lowered his hands to adapt a more defeated, helpless stance.

"You know I can't," he said, barely a whisper and one would have missed it had they not listened carefully.

Potter looked up at him with sad eyes and even heartbreaking smile. "You can, actually," he started slowly, "but you just won't. Not yet, anyway," Severus opened his mouth to protest but was stopped when Potter spoke again, "Lucky for us, I'll wait. I'll wait for you no matter how long."

"Idiot," Severus grumbled under his breath. "You don't have to," he said, looking up at him. He was silently thanking every deity he knew for his straight and unwavering voice as he spoke. He tried to hide the insecurity in his voice, because no Slytherin shows any sign of weakness. Trying to act tough, he continued, "I'll understand."

Potter chuckled and raised the book he is still holding to rest it on his shoulder. "It would be a greater loss for me," he started as he walked towards Severus, "If I let someone as precious as you," he was invading Severus's personal space by now, "Slip from my fingers," he bent his head to the shorter boy's level, "Just because I'm not patient enough." He licked the shorter boy's earlobe and blew on it, smirking at the shiver he got, "I'd be more of an idiot if I do that."

The blush that adorned Severus's face was worth it and the half-hearted glare sent his way juts made it that much more adorable. He leaned back a bit to enjoy the view before an earsplitting grin covered his face. "So, you want to get your book back?"

"If you don't know the answer to that, then obviously the school failed to teach you anything."

"Ah! Now, you're back! I was worried I'd lost you back there."

"Shut up and give me my book back, Potter," he made a quick move to grab the book from Potter, one thing he forgot was that Potter had better reflexes and reaction time, benefits of being a seeker, and pulled the book away just in the nick of time.

"Not so fast. Since I'm not that cruel as to threaten you with your book to go to the ball with me, and I'd rather have you go willingly, maybe I could ask for some sort of - compensation, so to speak," his smile was positively wicked.

Severus's eyes narrowed in suspicion as Potter's eyebrows rose and fell suggestively. "Cease thinking about whatever it is your pitiful little brain has managed to come up with, because I will never do it," was Severus's reply.

"Even if it means you won't get your book back, anymore?" Potter asked with a mock pout. It would have persuaded Severus to do what he wanted but the slight tug at the edge of Potter's mouth gave it all away.

Severus's eyebrows knitted together, his nose scrunched up and his lower lip stuck out slightly.

"Are you pouting?" Potter asked, mischief and amusement dancing in his eyes.

Severus let out a huff and crossed his arms over his chest again.

"No, Potter, you fool. I am most definitely not pouting."

Potter just laughed at him.

"What about this, a kiss for your notebook. Sounds fair don't you think so?"

"No, Potter. It definitely does not sound like fair to me considering the fact that you already stole a kiss from me. Or have you forgotten?"

Potter's smile turned into a wicked grin and he blatantly stared at Severus's lips as he licked his own.

"Pervert."

"What's wrong with that? It just means I have a healthy sexual appetite. I am a teenage boy, you know."

"Too much information, Potter."

"Oh, I'll give you any information I deem necessary for you to know."

"Shut up and give me my book back."

"Well, as far as I can tell, you haven't kissed me yet so…" he cocked an eyebrow.

Different emotions passed through Severus's face until he nodded and said, "Alright, come closer then."

"Alright? That's it?" surprise was written all over his face.

"You don't want to?"

Potter quickly took the necessary steps towards Severus. He raised his hand holding the book and kept it above his head just so Severus could not reach it.

Severus stared up at him and James was completely lost into his eyes. He bent down slowly while Severus looked up. Their faces were centimeters apart and just as their lips were about to touch, Severus moved his head to the side and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, he took advantage of Potter's shock to hop up a little and snatch his book from his hands and quickly made his escape.

He got far enough when he stopped walking and turned around. Potter was standing at the spot he left him and laughing watching Severus walk back to the castle. The corner of his mouth twitched up and he cocked his head to the side and went his way.

James was still smiling brightly even when Severus was already gone.

"Sneaky Slytherin."

A/N: Today's my birthday! And this is my gift for you all. Thank you for the support and the confidence in me. And I hope that this would make up for the overdue update. I'm now typing the next part but I keep getting distracted. I have recently discovered the brilliances that are Torchwood, House, MD, and Star Trek. :D

I would also like to ask you if you want to see the marauders in the next chapter. What would you like them to do or say? ;)

I don't know much about fashion so I have to ask this, what would Severus wear on a rainy day?

Oh and if you notice indecision and different patterns in any of the characters behavior, blame the hormones, I know I do. XD Thank you for reading. See you in to review corner. Maybe?

If you're interested to know how I picture the characters in my head the link is below. This is basically something I found while randomly clicking pictures and it's the one responsible for this little baby of mine. If you can't find it here, I'll post it on my profile if you're interested. :)

http:/ media . photobucket . com / image / lily % 20evans % 20severus % 20snape % 20james % 20potter % 20sirius % 20black % 20remus % 20lupin % 20peter % 20pettigrew % 20lucius % 20malfoy / RukiTemaFan22 / 2009 – 12 – 13 – 223760 . jpg