Title: Yuletide Cheer

Author: veritaserumMaster / PageNotFound404

Rating: T (Rating might go up in the future.)

Pairings: JPSS

Warnings: AU, Language.

Summary: Marauder Era. 7th year. Severus's life was a routine: wake up, eat, study, get bullied, study, eat, study, get bullied, study, eat, and sleep. Getting asked out by his Tormentor (with a capital letter T) though, was not on his itinerary.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Please don't sue me.

A/N: This story is slash, so if you don't like that, then why are you reading this in the first place?

I just want to say thank you again to everyone who reviewed and followed patiently! I love you guys so much!

JP*SS

It was Saturday and Severus can finally lie in. all of his homework is finished and there is absolutely nothing to do except sleep in. he hummed softly and stretched like a cat, rumpling his sheets. This week has been hectic, what with the preparations for the upcoming ball, schoolwork that has to be finished before the Christmas break, and Potter's incessant harassment.

Severus frowned, his initially good mood slowly vanishing. Potter was surely going all out just for a prank. Just the other day he asked Severus again to go to the ball with him. That would have been normal by now had it not been for the fact the he shouted it in the middle of a crowded corridor. Severus fled as fast as he can all the while avoiding the eyes of everyone in the immediate vicinity.

Even now, wherever Severus went, snickers and whispers would follow him. But nothing has been directly said to him. Even the Gryffindors seemed to be able to contain themselves. It might be because he was always flanked on either side by his best friends who would curse anyone who as so much as looked at him differently. Of course, it doesn't hurt that one of them is a feared Gryffindor and the other a Head Boy. But still, this is too much effort just for a ruse. Severus's frown turned into a scowl.

He quickly banished any and all thought about Potter and his Gryffindors and closed his eyes again, fully intending to go to sleep but it evaded him. He tossed and turned until he finally settled with having a pillow shoved in his face.

What if he really does like you and just wants to go to the ball with you? A voice in his mind reasoned.

He snorted at that.

'Well, he has a funny way of showing it,' he answered.

maybe he was just pulling your pigtails or he didn't have any chance to tell you.

'The day Potter genuinely develops feelings for me will be the day the devil enjoys snow in hell. And besides, he had 7 years to tell me , if there was anything to tell.'

He does have a rep—

'Enough. He's a prick and nothing will change that. Ever'

But isn't this what you wanted? For him to like you back?

'Fine. I admit. I had a crush on him once but-'

Severus suddenly sat up.

"Great. I'm arguing with myself. And that's not the worst part, I'm actually rationalizing and justifying Potter's actions for the past 7 years. I'm mad, is what I am. Absolutely completely mad," he muttered to himself.

He threw the covers off himself and opened his bed curtains only to find the dormitory empty.

'They must have gone to Hogsmeade to buy things for the ball.'

The same ball you could attend with the person you like if you just say yes.

"Ugh. Just shut up. No one asked for your opinion," he told himself and pulled at his hair.

"Talking to one's self is the first sign of insanity, Severus," a voice drawled form the doorway. Severus snapped his head to face the owner of the voice and pinned him with the nastiest glare he had.

"Bugger off, Malfoy."

"My, my. It's still early in the morning yet you're already using very foul language. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Or maybe, the wrong bed. Potter not putting out?" There was the trademark Malfoy smirk on Lucius's face as he leane against the doorjamb. Severus noted that Lucius was out of his regular school robes. Instead wearing tailor-fitted trousers paired with Slytherin green dress shirt. His long hair was tied into a loose ponytail by a silver clasp.

Severus ran his hands down his face. It's too early for this.

"What do you want, Lucius?"

"Well, it's not really about what I want, it's about what your Gryffindor friend wants."

"Gryffindor friend?" Severus swallowed nervously. It's too early for that.

"Yes, how many Gryffindor friend do you have?" he asked, exasperated before stopping and putting up a hand. "No, wait. Don't answer that." He raised an eyebrow, "You have quite an admirer after you, Severus, but we shall save that talk for later. For now, there is an irate redhead outside demanding we escort her to Hogsmeade."

"'We'?" He asked suspiciously.

"Well, you, actually. But when have I ever missed an opportunity of annoying a Gryffindor? I suggest you get dressed immediately before that volcano blows.

Severus climbed out of his bed and said, "And I suggest you stop pulling her pigtails and man up before that volcano blows.

He was smirking while walking towards the showers and just when he thought he had won that round he heard Lucius shout, "Don't take too long fantasizing about Potter, Severus. Red will be terribly displeased if you're late just because of a boy."

"Shove it, Bastard!"

Lucius's answering laugh was the only answer he got before he heard the distinctive sound of the dormitory door closing.

This is all Potter's fault. Oh how Severus wanted to kick Potter off his high horse and make him kneel on the ground and make him eat grass. He could just imagine it: Potter with his hair more messy than usual and his brown eyes clearer than usual because it's not hidden behind those atrocious glasses, face smeared with dirt kneeling on the ground but still with that annoying smile on his face. Stupid Potter!

Unconsciously, his hand had wandered lower and he was stroking himself. By the time he realized what he was doing, he was already half-hard.

Damn it! This is all Potter's fault!

JP*SS

"Well, so nice of you to join the world of the living," was the greeting he received when he finally went down the common room 30 minutes later wearing black muggle jeans and plain black long sleeved shirt.

"How did you get in here?" he asked the redhead sitting on a chair by the fireplace, facing a very amused blond.

Lily stood up, she was wearing a blue shirt with a black raven sitting on a branch paired with her worn out muggle jeans.

Ravenclaw shirt? Must be her new beau. He looked over to Lucius and raised an eyebrow in silent question. The blonde just shrugged a shoulder.

"I have my ways. You, on the other hand, have some explaining to do. You didn't tell me you were dating Potter now," she smirked.

Severus groaned. "Can we not talk about this now? It's really getting on my nerves because I am not dating Potter."

"Oh, you haven't given in yet? You should know that he is persistent. You should just give in now and shorten your agony. You have a crush on him, right?"

Severus glared at her but kept his mouth shut.

"As much as I love watching Severus get tortured, we best be on our way if you're to buy your dress for the ball, Red."

"Who said you were invited, Blondie?"

"Oh, my dear," Lucius laughed airily as he walked towards the portrait. "I don't need to be invited to know I'm wanted."

It must be his imagination but Severus thinks he saw Lily blush a bit at that. He decided he did not want to know what's going on between those two. It might screw with his mind.

They were walking towards The Three Broomsticks to get a drink after a day of shopping with Evans. Lucius seemed to enjoy himself making snide remarks about the dresses Lily was trying on. But Severus saw him blush as he stammered out a half-compliment when Lily finally found "the perfect dress." Both boys didn't buy anything except for sweets and school supplies. Lucius already has his dress robes (Shocking!) and Severus already decided on not going.

When they arrived, Lucius went to order drinks and Severus and Lily went to find seats. They found one directly by the window.

When they were seated, Severus asked, "Ravenclaw, huh?"

Lily sighed and said, "Yeah."

"You don't seem happy about that."

"Not really but you don't always get what you want," she said and her eyes immediately sought the blond by the bar.

"Hmm."

Lily shook her head slightly and said, "So what about you and James?"

"There's nothing about me and Potter," he answered turning his head towards the window, observing the passers-by.

"Keeping tight-lipped about it, are you? Well, if you must know, James is driving himself up the wall back in the common room trying to find a way to make you to say yes. He and Sirius have thought up really idiotic plans and Remus is going mad. He's really trying hard."

Severus, thankfully, didn't have to answer because Lucius chose that moment to come back with butterbeers and peanuts.

Conversation filled the table but it was mostly just Lucius and Lily bickering. Severus's mind was somewhere else.

"He's really trying hard," Lily had said and Severus wanted to give in, just tell Potter that he would go to the ball with him but he's afraid. He's afraid that all of these things are lies and he doesn't want to go back to a place where there's nothing but misery. He trusted Potter once, he thought his offer of friendship was real but it was just another ploy to have a one up on the Slytherins. Severus doesn't think he can take going through that again. He already has trust issues, he can't add broken-hearted to the pile of things-wrong-with-Severus.

"-everus! Severus!"

"Huh?" he asked.

"Were you even listening?" asked and amused Lucius.

"Uh-Y-Yes, of course."

"Yes, very convincing, Severus."

"Don't patronize me."

Lily just rolled her eyes and said, "Let's go back, I'm tired."

"You two go on ahead, I'll stay for a bit."

"Did you plan on meeting Potter in secret?" Lucius asked as he stood up.

Severus threw a peanut that landed squarely on Lucius's forehead and Lily just laughed at them.

"Take your time, Sev," Lily said as he dragged Lucius along.

Severus watched as the two left the pub. He drank his butterbeer slowly, relishing the taste. He sat there for a while thinking about things: What would he do after school? Probably study to be a MediWizard or become a Potions Master. Where would he live after graduating? Lily and him already have a plan to rent a flat together. What kind of life would he live? Preferably, a peaceful one. Will he go to the dance with Potter?

That question remained unanswered.

Severus drank his butterbeer in one go and left. He stepped out and saw that the skies had gone dark.

"It'll rain soon," he thought, but he walked away from the castle. He walked and walked without a destination in mind. When he finally looked up, he saw he was some distance away from the Shrieking Shack. Lightning struck followed by rumbling thunder but he paid it no heed. He just stood there and stared at the haunted shack. He snapped out of his thoughts when he felt the first drop of rain fall on his face. He reached for his wand to cast a charm but the rain suddenly stopped hitting him.

"It's raining," a familiar voice called from behind. Severus turned around and brown met black and Severus noticed that Potter was getting soaked.

"Cast the charm on yourself or you'll get sick."

"Why don't you do it for me?"

Severus wordlessly took his wand and cast the spell and the rain immediately stopped drenching Potter. He also cast a drying spell and a warming charm for good measure.

Potter smiled that boyish grin of his and they stood there under the rain.

"What're you doing here?" Potter asked.

"Thinking. And you? Not stalking me, I hope."

Potter just tilts his head to the side and Severus continues talking, "I've got a bone to pick with you, by the way."

Potter still doesn't say a word, just raises his eyebrows and Severus talks, "In the corridor, really? Have you any semblance of shame left in you, Potter?"

Potter just shrugged and said, "Well, Sirius said-"

"You accepted a suggestion from Black? And you think this is wise because?"

"This isn't a joke, you know. Not to me. I'd really like you to come to the ball with me and I was hoping that now that everyone knows I'm asking you out, you'll say yes."

"What makes you think I'll say yes?"

"I was thinking maybe you'll go out with me out of the goodness of your heart?"

"A pity-date, Potter, that's what you want?"

"Well, I'm pretty certain that I can change the pity-date into a real date given the chance."

"There's a flaw in your plan, Potter."

"What's that?"

"There's no goodness in my heart."

Potter smiled gently at Severus taking a step forward so that they're almost chest to chest.

"I really don't believe that, Severus."

"It doesn't really matter what you believe, that doesn't change anything."

Potter whipped out his wand and from nowhere out came a familiar green and silver scarf.

"That's mine," Severus said.

Potter wrapped the scarf around his own neck and whipped his wand again. This time a Gryffindor scarf appeared. Severus waited for Potter's next moved, anticipating anything. He gripped his own wand tightly ready for anything. Potter only wrapped the Gryffindor scarf around Severus's neck.

"These aren't mine," he stated dryly.

"You're the Prince of the Obvious today, Severus. Something wrong?" Potter asked teasingly.

Severus only scrunched up his nose and glared at Potter.

"I'm not wearing this," he said, brushing off Potter's question.

"You say that now, but you're not really taking it off are you?"

Severus clenched his jaw and lifted a hand to remove the scarf but Potter trapped his hand with his own.

"That doesn't count," he said.

"Tomorrow's the last Quidditch match," he continued not waiting for Severus's reply, "Will you wear this for me tomorrow? Will you cheer for me?"

Severus's hand that was trapped in Potter's hand twitched and he looked down. He sighed loudly. Don't look up, he told himself. He knew that if he looked at Potter now he would lose every resolve he has. He would crumble and say yes. He shouldn't look up. He tried to pull away but Potter only held tighter.

He closed his eyes tightly and took another deep breath. He looked up and prepared himself to see Potter's pathetic attempt at doe eyes. But that wasn't there at all, instead what he saw made his heart skip a beat. Potter's brows were furrowed, his shoulders set and his eyes were determined. He was standing his ground, he won't back down no matter what, he won't take no for an answer and it made Severus shiver to think that Potter was that intense about him.

He swallowed. With his free hand he lifted his wand and placed the tip on the middle of Potter's chest. To his benefit, Potter didn't even flinch. He murmured the incantation to renew the charms he cast a while ago on Potter and said, "It would be treacherous of me to cheer for another team."

He was rewarded by a blinding smile from Potter. He didn't move his head as he saw Potter lean impossibly closer.

"You'll live," he said before he pressed his lips on Severus's.