No Longer Loving In Silence

Harry looked at the crowd made of cheerful students, and wished that he had been able to enjoy being a pupil in Hogwarts. However, when he got to know of his heritage and the responsibilities that came with it, gaining knowledge had been more of a race to defeat Voldemort rather than a way of self-improvement.

"Harry, please take a seat," Madam Rosmerta said brightly. "You had better. This place is going to be very crowded soon."

"No, it's all right. I intend to go to Hogwarts first," he replied and gave the tavern keeper an apologetic smile.

"Even so, have a drink before you go."

However, Harry shook his head and apologized before he stepped out of the tavern. He pulled the hood of his cloak over his head and started to walk slowly. As he did, an inner voice began to nag.

"Harry James Potter. You are so bloody close acting like an obsessed man." After he walked past the Black Lake, it was: "Sooner or later, Severus is going to kill you when you start to stalk him."

He stopped. "Bloody hell. I'm not mad enough to try, even with the use of an Invisibility Cloak. He's too smart to fall for it, and he's a bloody spy to boot." He started to walk again, and muttered unintelligibly. Harry sighed and wished he did not feel so restless that it threatened to break his concentration while at work. It had taken a lot of persuasion to get two days off from work. Truth was, he really missed the greasy-haired, pale-looking, and sarcasm-dripping Potions Master. It also did not help that his dreams worsened his already unsettled self. Each morning he awakened to the feeling as though someone held him close.

A loud cry interrupted his musings and he looked up, and found Dumbledore's phoenix soaring above his head. Fawkes' circled once before it landed on a jagged rock.

"Hello Fawkes," Harry greeted, and the phoenix gave a soft trill in response. He moved closer to the rock, and could not help but wonder why the mythical creature chose such a precarious perch. Harry stared into Fawkes' dark crimson eyes and saw a brief flicker of light in them. He concentrated, and was greatly astonished.

It was only for an instant, but he thought he saw Severus in his classroom. He was certain that the professor was teaching – it was the Potions Master's stance that convinced him. He also saw Professor Dumbledore and two other wizards who stood at the back of the room.

"Harry?"

He blinked, then turned around to meet the wizard who had greeted him. "Good morning, sir. Making your way to Hogsmeade?" Harry inquired politely.

"Good morning. I'll be on my way once I can get your friend Hagrid out of his hut," Dumbledore said cheerfully. "Care to join me?"

Harry considered his words carefully before he spoke. "Sir, is Severus in the castle? I am hoping I can invite him out to lunch."

"What a splendid idea. Actually, I have just came out of the dungeons. I feel that our Professor Snape is being too attached to those gloomy corridors, but I have no luck in trying to get him to go out. Perhaps, you will be able to change his mind, Harry. Good luck!" Then Dumbledore smiled innocently and sauntered off in the direction of Hagrid's hut. Fawkes cried again and disappeared.

Harry's heart thumped noisily in his chest and felt his breaths shortening with each step he took. He descended the narrow staircase that would lead him down to the dungeons. He was turning into a corner when he found himself staring at the sharp, pointed tip of a ghostly sword. Harry froze immediately.

"Well, well, well. Isn't it the Gryffindor Brat? Harry Potter," the Bloody Baron drawled.

"No, you're wrong, Baron. I'm one of those students who knows how to brew a Polyjuice Potion," Harry said sardonically. "Is Severus in his office?"

"Severus?"

"Is he there or is he in his classroom?"

"He is in his office. Why do you seek him?" The Slytherin ghost lowered his sword before he sheathed it.

"I'm afraid that is my business, Baron. Now, if you'll excuse me..." Harry walked straight into the ghost and approached Severus' office door with a slight amount of nervousness. He paused before it and raised his hand. He stopped himself before he could knock on the surface.

Damn it ... just do it! He rapped on the door twice and waited for Severus to respond.

"Go away."

For some obscure reason, Harry was emboldened upon hearing the sharp note of irritation in Severus' voice. With a slightly mischievous smile in place and his wand at the ready, he called out seriously. "I'm coming in – invited or not!" A jet of silver light shot from the tip of his wand and hit the center of the door. Harry watched the light spread out, mesmerized by the root-like shapes it took. Soon, it encompassed the entire door and it swung open suddenly. Harry peered into the dimly lit office, and found Severus staring at him in amazement. "Hello, Severus. Put down your quill – let's go to Hogsmeade."

I must be dreaming. Severus Snape glared furiously at his civilian-clothed students as he walked down the street with the very famous Harry Potter by his side. Why in Merlin's name did I agree to this? He cursed silently and let his black eyes scan the crowd on his left and right. He was dismayed when he found a group of Hufflepuffs stare at him and the young wizard on his right. What made it worse was, they were trying to hide their grins. Severus wondered uneasily what sort of rumors would circle Hogwarts for the next four weeks. Do we look like a couple?

Severus sighed and gave Harry a sidelong glance. The Gryffindor had been strangely un-talkative during their meal in The Three Broomsticks. Perhaps he is debating whether his course of actions is worth the attention he is getting now. He snorted.

"What amuses you, Professor?" Harry's quiet voice penetrated through his preoccupation and he looked at his companion. Harry's hair appeared to have grey highlights as sunlight reflected on it, and one lock fell over a glass-covered eye as a stiff breeze blew around them. Harry was also smiling and his eyes were sparkling. Severus held his breath at the sight – the ex-Gryffindor student looked happy. "Were you laughing at me in secret?"

"Hmmm."

Harry chuckled softly and oddly, Severus was thrilled to hear it.

"Let's go in," Harry said suddenly. Severus watched as Harry disappeared into the interior of the store selling wizard robes. Hesitantly, he entered the shop, feeling strange and awkward. It made him even more unsettled when he saw Harry holding up a black robe that looked as though it belonged to his collection of robes. Then Harry turned around with a grin on his face.

"Do you think I will look good if I wear this?"

Severus knew he should just ignore the wizard and save himself from embarrassment, but to his own surprise and dismay, he actually found time to imagine Harry in the robes. "You won't unless you discipline yourself not to be sloppy about the way you dress," he heard himself say and watched Harry smile triumphantly. "Obnoxious Gryffindor."

Severus gathered his students' essays and rolled them before he secured the bundle with a piece of string. Then he leaned back in his chair, and watched Harry arrange the dishes he had brought up from the kitchen on the table. The Potions Master wondered why he had let Harry to remain in his office, since the wizard's presence was somewhat distracting.

About half an hour earlier, while he rested from marking papers, he studied an inquisitive Harry, who was browsing a bookshelf. The young wizard had not taken off his robes – the robes that Harry had bought during the trip to Hogsmeade a month ago – and as he witnessed the way the fabric molded around Harry, it made him think that he had lost his mind. He also envisioned himself sneaking up on Harry and embracing the younger wizard. Severus nearly attempted to split his forehead open by slamming his head against his desk.

"Severus?"

He shook his head slightly and focused on Harry, who was looking at him invitingly.

"Are you done? If you are, then let's eat."

He rose to his feet and winced when they tingled. "You sound as though this is your house," Severus grumbled and seated himself on a chair.

"Whatever." Harry shrugged.

Severus helped himself to the food, and as usual, they ate in silence. Words were unnecessary; Severus was more than content to study the wizard eating quietly across him. Harry's presence filled the silence inside him, although what went on inside could barely be called peaceful. His heart raced noisily in his chest, and occasionally, he was lulled by a strange feeling that made him breathless and dizzy. Their meal was concluded with a serving of apple pie, and they continued to stare into each other's eyes. Their empty plates and cups vanished without a sound and they did not notice that the table had been cleared.

"I think I'd better leave," Harry said, rising slowly to his feet. Then he smiled at Severus. "Thank you for not sending me away."

Severus really wanted to ask about the reason behind the visit but his lips would not work. He looked expectantly at Harry, who seemed as though he was going to say something. He did not however, and Severus felt slightly disappointed. He walked out with Harry, stood by the front steps of the castle and watched as Harry's coach blended into the dark night.