Halloween Prompt - Attending a Halloween Party

School Of Prompt - Kiss Me, by Ed Sheeran. Used the title and some of the inspiration.

Kiss Me

Harry leant against the wall, drink in hand, boredom written all over his face. He could think of a hundred things he'd rather be doing, and a thousand places he'd rather be. A night at Hogwarts will be fun, Hermione had told him, an overly eager smile on her face, anticipation clear in her eyes. Harry knew she only wanted to go because Oliver Wood just happened to be the new Quidditch coach and she had the biggest crush on him.

Not that Harry had anything against being at Hogwarts. He didn't. In fact, he spent quite a bit of time here when school was in session, what with dating the Potions Master and all. In secret, obviously. He just didn't like being at Hogwarts when he had to pretend he still, if not hated, passionately disliked said Potions Master.

As far as Harry was concerned, he was quite happy for their relationship to be made public. He enjoyed spending time with the older man, they had much in common now that the rather absurd dislike had been swept away, and well, he just didn't see the need to hide it any longer. Severus on the other hand... Severus wasn't interested in being open about 'them' at all.

Harry was quite convinced that he'd be walking with a stick before Severus so much as shook his hand in public.

"I know Halloween is supposed to be scary, Harry, but could you stop glaring like you're about to kill somebody?" Minerva said as she walked up to him, kissing his cheek in greeting. He hugged her, smiling despite himself.

"How are you, Headmistress?"

"Apart from regretting the idea to have a Halloween Party you mean? I'm grand, Harry."

He laughed.

"Who's idea was it?"

"Filius', of course. I'm beginning to understand how Albus felt when I browbeat him into submission on occasion."

"Ah, I'm sure Albus loved it when you browbeat him."

She smiled sadly. "He did. He'd have loved this, too. I think that's the reason I agreed in the end. For him."

"I'm sure he's sitting on a cloud, watching with a smile on his face and a bag of lemon drops."

"I'm sure. So, why were you looking like the next person to talk to you was going to get a nasty hex?"

He rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't have hexed anybody. Probably."

"Is Severus still being an idiot?"

"Of course he is. He's a supreme idiot. What matter are you talking about though?"

She laughed. "About you being public in your adoration of each other, of course."

"Merlin, if he heard you say that, he'd be running off to Algeria, never mind going public. I respect his wish for privacy, I just wish we didn't have to hide everything we do, you know?"

"Perhaps he is scared that you will leave him, should the public respond negatively enough."

"Severus is a lot of things, Minerva, but I've never believed him to be a coward."

"He loves you. I'm not sure if he even realises that himself, but he does. It's natural to be fearful of the unknown."

Harry conceded with a nod. "It is." He saw the Minister walking in their direction and groaned. "If you distract the Minister, you'll find a bottle of your favourite whisky on your desk by Monday."

She laughed and waved him off, settling herself in a good position for interception while Harry wandered away as though he hadn't noticed the Minister.

Severus watched Harry from his darkened corner, a prime spot for hiding, not that he'd ever admit such a thing. His younger lover looked miserable and he knew it was all his fault. He should be there with Harry, making him laugh with sly whispered comments about the idiots they both knew. The only time he'd seen Harry look anything less than irritable was when he was talking to Minerva.

He watched Harry make his escape from the Minister and chuckled despite himself, only to sober when he saw the same desolate look come over Harry's face as he walked towards the bar.

Taking a deep breath, Severus knew what he had to do. Leaving his safe haven, he walked swiftly across the room, making eye contact with no one, to the bar.

"Potter."

"Snape."

"Harry, I... Dance with me?"

"What?"

"Don't make me repeat myself. Your hearing is just fine."

Harry took the offered hand, allowing himself to be led to the dancefloor. They could both feel the eyes of everyone in the hall on them, but Harry was used to it and ignored them. Severus just kept his eyes on Harry, leaving the others to his periphery, where they belonged.

"What brought this on?" Harry asked, when they settled at the edge of the makeshift dance floor.

"I realised I'm tired of hiding and you deserve better."

"Severus -"

"We both know I'm right, Harry. It's time to stop hiding. Tell me what you need."

Harry smiled. "Kiss me."

As Severus' lips descended on Harry's, he finally knew what it meant to fall in love.