Severus couldn't believe how Remus reacted, but supposed it was pretty accurate too. Remus saw Harry as a nephew and just been told that a man twice Harry's age had married him and obviously sex was involved for consummation. It was what Severus would expect, but from Remus was shocking. Harry had been so confident that Remus would be surprised, but ultimately okay with the news. Instead, Remus barged into Severus's house and threatened Severus, even trying to keep Harry locked in the fireplace so he couldn't interfere. That was a bit of a surprise too, Harry was able to break that barrier by punching it. Something Severus had never seen before. Well, that was a lie.
Severus had seen Harry's magic physically manifest two years ago when those in Gryffindor attacked Harry for being friends with Slytherins, and all that resulted in was the sorting hat changing Harry's house assignment. Severus knew Harry had to be feeling a little hurt from how Remus reacted, that's why Severus figured it was a husband move to try and offer comfort and then see about changing Harry's mood. Severus brilliantly asked Harry if he was okay, and then followed it up with a date suggestion to go to a movie and dinner together. Harry, surprised, definitely agreed. After all, it was only 5:00 pm and they both needed to eat supper.
As planned, Harry and Severus met in the sitting room and both were dressed casually for a night out. Well, Severus was ready first and then Harry came down the stairs as the potions master took in how the teenager looked, which was in fact, not like a teenager at all. Harry wore a pair of black pants, his black dress shoes, then a dark green button down shirt with a gray vest over it. Harry's hair was combed neatly and his bangs off to the side while covering the scar. Of course, Harry still wore his glasses and had his coat over his arm.
"You look…Mature." Severus complimented.
"I figured even in the muggle world, it might look very off and far more judging going on if we were seen together…" Harry shrugged. "I can't very well do magic to use a concealment or glamour charm, so I chose using natural methods."
"It looks very good." Severus told him. "I admit to having the same line of thinking and using a glamour to appear younger, but you're still able to see right through it." He remarked calmly.
Harry could see the glamour in place, but it didn't have an effect on him because he still saw Severus as he'd always seen him. Severus wore his black shoes and dark gray pants, but the shirt was just a simple white button down. Severus did have a large dark gray coat too, along with his own Slytherin scarf. "You look great, Severus…I like seeing you in something other than all black."
"Well, come along. The night awaits us." Severus stated, trying not to blush at what Harry said. "Would you like to eat dinner, or see a movie first?"
"I'm not all that hungry yet, so movie first sounds good." Harry stated.
"Movie it is then." Severus offered his arm to Harry. "We'll apparate to a point near the theater and walk to it."
"Alright," Harry nodded.
Severus led Harry outside into the alley next to his house and then offered his arm. Harry linked his, holding on, and they apparated away.
. . .
The two appeared in a dark alley and disconnected on landing. Harry wasn't fond of apparition, it always made his stomach uneasy. He took a few breaths and stood straight as Severus was looking at him.
"Are you alright?" Severus asked.
"Y-Yeah…Just don't like apparating." Harry admitted. "I do it so little that I'm not used to it and it makes me queasy for a minute or two."
"You're taking apparition this year, aren't you?" Severus asked.
"Planning on it, but still can't go for the license until I turn seventeen. Which means I can't get it until the start of seventh year, same goes for Draco." Harry reminded. "Maybe if I do it enough then it won't affect me so much."
"It gets everyone, Harry…" Severus chuckled. "Come on, we should be close to the theater."
Harry held Severus's hand as they walked out of the alley and onto the street. The walk was quiet, but they finally arrived at the theater and headed inside to see what movies were playing.
"What should we see?" Harry asked the man.
"Whatever you want to," Severus said. "I heard a few of these were good, but it depends on what you like."
"Well, I know the story of Romeo and Juliet…Good, but tragic. 101 Dalmatians, eh. Space Jam…That sounds interesting. Supposed to be comical." Harry remarked.
"Then that's what we'll see." Severus led Harry forward to the ticket desk and told the worker what they were going to see.
After getting their tickets, they headed to the snack counter to grab popcorn and drinks before moving onto the room where the movie was being played. Harry and Severus found a place to sit down and took their seats. Surprisingly, the room was empty aside from some others that sat rather spread out.
"I never asked, but how did you punch through the barrier earlier?" Severus inquired.
"I don't know…I was just mad that Remus acted the way he did. I understood the news was shocking and even that he assumed you suggested it, but not that he'd rush over ready to kill you and then try and keep me from getting into the house." Harry shrugged.
"You had a blue aura around your fist, Harry. Just like when your magic manifested back in fourth year to protect you." Severus mentioned.
"I don't control it, Sev. It just happens when I get worked up…" Harry told him. "Didn't someone say it was a rare talent?"
"Very," Severus nodded. "The magic showing on its own is rare, but for you to have somehow turned it into a weapon was also surprising."
"I didn't do it intentionally. Just like tonight, I was mad." Harry stated.
"Perhaps anger activates it," Severus suggested. "In such case I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that you'll need to control your anger better, Harry. If you want an upper hand against the dark lord…Don't give away the hidden ability you have."
"I know. I'm trying…It's just hard when everything tests my sanity, Severus." Harry mumbled. "Oh, movie is starting." He smiled.
The two got comfortable in their seats and kept their attention on the screen while each enjoying the popcorn. Finally, the lights came down in the room and the movie started.
. . .
The movie had been interesting, but definitely funny. Severus and Harry were both laughing during some parts and of course, they ended up holding hands and Harry's head fell on Severus's shoulder during calmer scenes. Harry and Severus exited the theater and continued walking along the streets to find a restaurant to eat dinner at. The two finally picked a place and went in, then got seated with menus.
"You know, I've never had Chinese food before." Harry stated once they were settled at their table.
"Really?" Severus inquired. "What about Italian?"
"Like spaghetti and meatballs? Raviolis?" Harry questioned as Severus nodded. "Not from a restaurant, but I've made it at the Dursley's before. I was their personal chef."
"No Mexican or anything from a restaurant?" Severus wondered.
"As far as the Dursley's were concerned, I was just the help in their house. I didn't get to enjoy going out with the family to a restaurant, or eat if they ordered out. I didn't get to sit with them for meals. I just got to cook, clean, and do other chores for them. That was my pay for living in their house." Harry stated gently.
"Well, it would seem I have to take you on another adventure of culinary experience." Severus mentioned. "Perhaps we can work on it over the summer."
"I'd like that." Harry replied. "So, help me here…What is good for Chinese food?"
"I would suggest things you can't go wrong with. Rice, dumplings, beef or chicken teriyaki, even chicken fingers. Maybe beef or chicken and broccoli." Severus told him lightly.
From there, the two decided on what they wanted and told the waitress when she brought their drinks. Now the two were sitting quietly. "It's hard to believe things can be so peaceful knowing the dark lord is around…I haven't been this relaxed in years."
"Don't get too comfortable with it. There's still a war to fight…" Severus reminded.
"I know…But moments like this are what make the fight more meaningful. Give you the drive to want to fight. Something to look forward to." Harry revealed calmly. "This is what we get when we win."
"If." Severus corrected.
"No. When. We're winning, Severus…I have faith in that." Harry smiled.
"I have faith in you," Severus said. "If nothing else given all the let downs over the years…I have full faith in you."
"I won't let you down, Sev. I promise I'll take the dark lord down." Harry vowed. "Sirius told me before he went all crazy that Voldemort was after something he didn't have last time, and thanks to the visions the dark lord sent to me…I realize that was the prophecy. And he still doesn't have it…" Harry remarked. "It smashed. The only copy of the entire thing resides within my brain, and the ones of the people present for the fight. Hermione, Ron, Neville, Ginny, and Luna."
"If you haven't learned to shield your mind entirely, Harry, the dark lord can get in and find the information." Severus sighed. "I should have taught you properly instead of taking my anger out on you."
"You still could, if you wanted. I promise I'll be a better student and try harder…You make it impossible to learn and retain because of your hatred towards my father and the other marauders." Harry told him. "That's not to pick on you, but I'm not the only student of yours that struggles in your lessons. There's being firm for safety, then there's being an ass with a grudge." He smiled.
"You have to understand, Harry…I was raised by an abusive father, got bullied throughout school and that treatment along with losing your mother's friendship led me down a dark path as a death eater. My skills in dark magic, along with being a master in potions and ability to occlude so well made me a welcomed and appreciated member to the dark lord's inner circle. But in all that, I made bad choices, turned cold, hateful, spiteful towards everything. More so to you because of how much you resemble James, but you've also got traits of Lily." Severus told him. "It was hard to be around you with the constant back and forth battle of seeing my bully, but also my best friend. I was always conflicted, so my go-to was being an ass to push you away and at the same time, protect you from the background."
"Severus, I understand why you were the way you were with me. You don't have to explain it…All was forgiven the last time we talked things out." Harry informed. "I'm not upset with you for the past…But you know, it got us where we are now…Our past gave us our present and will take us into the future."
"Regardless…My past with my father and yours was no excuse for me to hinder one of my student's learning. I've seen your grades for potions, Harry…You're doing exceptionally well in potions this year with me not as your teacher." Severus mentioned. "Slughorn teaches you properly because he wasn't held back by a reminder of your father."
"Well no…Not through dad, but he always talks about mum. Reminding me how good she was in potions. It's honestly kind of annoying because I feel like he's trying to compare me to her. Exactly the same thing everyone else does…" Harry admitted. "Also…His instructions cause disaster."
"How so?" Severus asked.
"Okay…You know how good Hermione, and even Draco are in potions when you taught?" Harry asked as Severus nodded. "Somehow, both of them botched Draught of the Living Death while I was the only one to brew it perfectly." He informed.
"Odd indeed." Severus thought about it.
"The whole first month of potions this year when school started was reviewed. Slughorn would pick two or three potions from the last five years to have us brew, and they were ones you scolded me for messing up. But I did them fine, while say…Hermione, messed them up." Harry stated. "He has us use the books, but…You never did. You always had the instructions on the blackboard. Of course…I'm now realizing the connection to why I'm doing so good."
"Enlighten me?" Severus smiled.
"It's really quite simple, Severus…Or maybe I should call you the Half-Blood Prince?" Harry giggled. Severus's eyes widened some. "I have your old text book."
"How did you…Oh, Merlin…I never took it out of the cabinet when I stopped being the potions teacher." Severus realized.
"That's where I found it. An old, beat up copy of Advanced Potion Making. Property of the Half-Blood Prince. All the correct fixes to the potions written everywhere, even some spells I've never seen before." Harry enlightened.
"Harry, tell me you've never tried any of the spells…" Severus asked.
"No, of course not. I'd never use something I didn't know what it did…" Harry promised. "I've seen the whole book, and only used the written instructions on potions. I've never used any spells, Severus. I swear."
"Good…" Severus took a breath and let it out, relieved.
"Can you tell me about them? The curiosity is killing me. I planned on asking you before we went back to school anyway, it's been bugging me why one copy of the book would have different ingredients and instructions. I figured if anyone knew, it would be you."
"Well, spot on with that assessment, Harry. I am curious how you figured it out, that the book was mine?" Severus questioned.
"As we were talking about the differences between you and Slughorn, I understood I already had the answer as to why his don't work, but yours did," Harry paused. "Slughorn makes us use our books, he doesn't write anything on the board other than the potion we're brewing and where to find the instructions in the book. However…The book I have is yours, all your modifications for successful brewing. And the instructions you put on the board were your own from your book. The ways you found to brew it perfectly. As we talked about it, I realized where I recognized that handwriting from. The notes in the book were your handwriting on the board." He explained.
"Excellent deduction, Harry," Severus nodded. "You did well in potions during fourth year though, and some in fifth. Why did it change? From bad, to good, then bad again?"
"Because, Severus, years one through four…I was sitting with Hermione and Ron. Hermione did well, and Ron is a scatterbrain who can't focus. He was always talking and distracting me, and then there was the factor of me not being able to see the board. My eyesight is terrible." Harry informed calmly. "But…I thought you hated me and we always bumped heads, so I didn't bother trying to ask if I could sit elsewhere to see better. Then you were always yelling in class, which is distracting too. When you're constantly worried about messing up and failing, you inadvertently make mistakes and mess up." He told the man. "I did well in part of fourth year because I transferred to your house, sat with Draco as my partner, and closer to the board."
"Alright, makes sense…But why did you start doing bad again if none of that changed during fifth year?"" Severus wondered.
"Things went bad again when you and I started Occlumency lessons and I ended up rebounding your spell back on you…When I saw in your mind. You started to hate me again, so despite sitting with Dray and near the board…You made me nervous. Then there was Umbridge making my life hell too." Harry informed. "But when I started this year, I wasn't even going to be in potions. I had been told I needed an O on my OWL to take sixth year potions. McGonagall told me that was when you were teaching it, but Slughorn took students with Exceeds Expectations. So I ended up being put in his class and when Slughorn said to grab a spare book from the cabinet, I found the one belonging to the Half-Blood Prince. I've been using the notes and modifications in the book all year to study and brew properly. So really…Despite Slughorn being the teacher, I've been learning directly from you." He smiled a bit.
"I see. I'm sorry for how I treated you, Harry…But the scene you saw was the worst day of my life. Your father humiliated me, and I lost your mother in my anger. I reacted badly when I threw you out of the classroom. I know what happened was not intentional and I scolded you for blocking me when it's what I'd wanted you to do. Not in the same way, but my instructions were block me from getting in your mind and you did, even if it rebounded back on me. I am truly sorry about all that." Severus stated.
"Hey, it's fine. Water under the bridge, Severus." Harry assured. "But seriously, can you tell me about some of those spells in the book?"
"I will tell you, but I want your word you will never use them lightly. Never to show off to friends, never in a duel with students…One of them, as written, is very dangerous and for enemies. It's got the potential to be fatal and considered unforgivable," Severus said firmly.
"You have my word, Severus. I'll never use any of those spells to hurt anyone…Except my enemies and only as a last resort, ace up the sleeve." Harry avowed to his husband.
"Thank you. I'll tell you tonight, this isn't the place for it." Severus nodded.
"Alright." Harry replied. "So, how did your brewing go today?"
"Well actually." Severus replied.
And from there, the two just kept on talking about little things until the waitress returned with their food. It was nice to have peaceful moments like this, and they were getting along. There was still a war with Voldemort to be had, but slowly and surely, Harry and Severus were believing that everything might be alright for them and the future.