No Longer Loving In Silence

It was the Christmas holidays and Severus was in his room, banishing the dust that had settled onto mostly everything. He swore extensively and cursed his employer for making him return. After all, what was the point if he cleaned his house now and then to find it dusty again in the summer? Finally, about eleven in the evening, he relaxed in his bed, and as usual, he found himself thinking about Harry. The more he thought about the emerald-eyed wizard, the more he wanted to see the young man again.

Severus sighed morosely and placed his arm over his eyes. "Why can't he make the first move?" He sighed again. He had never felt so helpless and clueless in his life. "Damn it ... damn it."

Four nights before Christmas, Severus made a bold decision to visit Harry at home. When he reached Number Twelve, it was not Harry who greeted him but a consumer of his Wolfsbane Potion. Disappointment filled him and he gave up. Harry was probably Lupin's lover now.

"Severus, I'd rather be subjected to your contemptuous sneer rather than that look of resentment." Remus' voice stopped him from leaving. "Where in hell do you think you are going? Harry will be home in an hour."

Severus scowled but he was unable to think of a reply.

"It's just as well that you're here." Remus got up to his feet and dusted his knees. He had been arranging some odd-looking pebbles and stones around the base of the Christmas tree. "I have to go and meet Tonks in ten minutes. You stay here and make sure Harry's all right. In fact, it'd be better if you stay here tonight."

"What?" Severus just planned to say to Harry that he cared, but not to... He felt very nervous about the idea.

"Have you forgotten, Severus?" Remus said in a quite annoying manner, and it was probably done to irritate him. "Draco has been discharged earlier in the afternoon. So it's only wise if you stay the night and make sure no one surprises Harry. Be his guardian."

"Why me?"

"Why not you?" Remus countered. "Don't think I'm as dense as Ron, Severus, although I thank the heavens he did not accompany us when we searched for Harry that night. In addition, since I am close to Harry, I also happen to know just how restless he had been, because of you."

"What in the hell are you talking about?" Severus growled.

"Can't you think of a reply that's more creative than that? If I remember correctly, I think you have uttered this statement each time we crossed paths."

I want to strangle this werewolf very, very badly. His eye twitched violently. "What exactly are you trying to say, Remus?"

Remus snickered. "Wasn't it your feelings that moved you to save Harry that night?" Lupin asked quietly. "I knew – I knew how Harry felt about you. Do you know that he did not leave your side when you were still in a coma? I can tell you this, Severus, but Harry has loved you for a long time. It started when you resumed teaching him Occlumency."

Severus could only stare unblinkingly at the werewolf.

"When you realized that your Dark Mark was gone, what did Dumbledore tell you? Was it because that Voldemort was defeated by him?"

He nodded.

Remus gave an explosive sigh. "Well, I can tell you this, and Kingsley can confirm it. Of all the Death Eaters that have survived the War, only you, Severus, don't have a Dark Mark. You were freed, not because of Harry's victory, but because of his love."

"But it's..."

"Yes. I agree; it's too simple. However, it's because that he loves you that he was able to break the Mark. Love is also a kind of magic, Severus."

Severus sat down on the couch and gazed into the flames in the fireplace. Meanwhile, the other wizard was putting on his robe and scarf.

"I really don't understand why you have waited a long time to get together."

"Shut up, Remus!"

"I will after I finish what I wanted to say. Loving someone other than yourself is not a bad thing, Severus." The werewolf waved before leaving Number Twelve. Severus sat alone in the living room and his eyes flickered back and forth from the fireplace to the annoying, twinkling lights around the Christmas tree. Then he groaned and massaged his temples as he contemplated about what Remus had said.

He was freezing and almost Apparated into The Burrow instead of the street that led him to Number Twelve. Damn. Maybe I should connect the fireplace to the network. I'm too tired and cold to concentrate on Apparating. When he entered the house, he sighed, relieved to find his hall warm and not alone. But ... Remus could not have dyed his hair. On the other hand, maybe I'm imagining things. He pulled his dark maroon scarf absently from his neck. Then his guest turned his head slightly.

Severus. Harry stood still, shocked to find that it was the Potions Master. Maybe I have fainted in the hallway and I'm dreaming. However, whether he was dreaming or not, Severus Snape rose from the couch and strode forward. "What are you doing here?" Harry did not realize he had asked the question aloud.

"I'm here to repay you all the visits you dropped on me," Severus replied quietly.

"Oh." His stomach flipped and he flushed as he stared into Severus' eyes. Those black eyes were giving a trenchant gaze back at him.

Severus took a step forward and then another, until Harry could almost feel the heat that radiated from the Potions Master. Malachite green eyes widened when gentle fingers cupped his chin, and Harry tilted his head back to watch the expression on the other man's face. Severus looked relax and the harsh qualities of his face were gentled by the smile. It was a genuine smile and Severus' dark eyes were resplendent with happiness. Then Harry was lost.

He was lost in a sea of sensation. Soft gentle lips kissed him politely, and although it was relatively simple, it filled Harry with warmth. Intense desire blossomed in him and it made his knees weak. He swayed, but placed his hands quickly on Severus' chest to steady himself, and felt the man's heartbeat with his fingers.

Severus' fingers left his chin but clasped Harry's hands. Warm, Harry thought. And his lips ... they're warm and tender....

"Harry."

He could not breathe, not when he was caught by the passionate gaze. He felt Severus' fingers tightened around his trembling ones.

"Will it trouble you if I spend the night here?"

"But ... why?" Harry asked in a hushed tone.

"I," Severus paused and Harry could see the Potions Master's face redden that he knew it was not a trick of the firelight. "I want to be with you." Severus' voice was strained, as though he was fighting with something.

"Severus..."

Then Harry was pulled in the wizard's embrace. He relaxed, encircled Severus' waist with his arms and listened to the poundings of their hearts. He felt like he belonged there and could remain there forever.

"I have never disobeyed the Headmaster before, but when he ordered us to retreat, I could not abide his order," Severus said softly. "To know that you were facing him alone..."

"But you didn't really have to jump into the trap, Severus. You didn't have to use yourself as a shield to protect me from those creatures."

"I knew his plan. If he could not survive the battle, he would bring you down with him." Severus squeezed him gently and Harry shivered as the wizard kissed his ear. "I lost my head ... and my wits, but I couldn't bear to see you die in the hands of those ... things."

They parted, and Harry lifted his eyes to study Severus. He sensed that the other wizard had more to say.

"I think I developed some feelings for you while you were in your sixth year, when I had to see you for ten hours every week." Harry closed his eyes in bliss when Severus started to caress his face.

"I think this may sound corny," Harry began carefully, "but I keep thinking that your arms were meant to hold me."

"You are right; it is corny. You are right again, since I think that you belong here."

Harry was prevented from responding to the statement as Severus gave him an ardent kiss. "I love you," he said breathlessly when they parted for air.

"I think I love you, too." Severus' expression became sly suddenly. "Now, do you think the universe will be swallowed up by the sun?"

Harry gaped at him. The silence stretched from a second to five minutes. "You ... heard? You did not leave immediately?" he squeaked. "And still ... you waited?"

"Obviously."

He shook himself, let out an explosive sigh, and wormed back into Severus' embrace. "Well, I think I'm happy to announce that my gift to predict things is quite questionable. I'm not that stupid to lose this golden opportunity to love you."

"Wise decision," Severus murmured into his hair. "Now, do you think we can sit on your comfortable couch? I will probably have an easier time warming you up."

"What exactly do you mean? Warming me up?" Harry asked suspiciously.

Severus smiled crookedly and raised his hand. To his shock and disbelief, Severus sucked on his little finger. Hot.

"This is the problem. Where is your workplace? The Arctic?"

"Oh ... no wonder you felt exceptionally warm."

Severus continued to smile and they walked to the couch to rest.

Harry opened his eyes slowly. When his body stopped shaking and the pleasure of his climax receded, he let out a sigh of relief. However, not all his pleasure vanished. It was quite hard to do so, since his lover still surrounded him and still caressed him from the inside. Severus breathed heavily in his ear and Harry could feel him shaking. He reached out and clasped Severus' chin. His lover lifted his head slightly and claimed his lips. He happily wrapped his arms around the Potions Master's neck.

He felt so happy that it was as though his heart would burst anytime. In his gladness, he smiled even as Severus kissed him. His lover pulled away suddenly and Harry stared at the gleaming black eyes questioningly.

"Harry, it is quite disconcerting and rather alarming to feel you smile, especially when we are..."

The current Defense against the Dark Arts teacher smiled in amusement as Severus' pale cheeks colored. "Making love?" Harry supplied meekly.

"Yes." Severus' expression was grave. "Is there something wrong with my way of ... making love to you?"

Harry chuckled but it ended abruptly when his lover did something that made him gasp loudly. "Severus!" His vision blurred slightly. "For your information, I was not smiling out of amusement. I was feeling happy, you git." He pursed his lips and scowled. "Have you taken an aphrodisiac or something?"

Severus gave him a wicked look. "Why do you ask?"

"Because it is quite impossible for you to – ah! – to do it again –" Harry arched his back. Lust pounded in his veins again. He gripped Severus' shoulders tightly and forced himself to concentrate. His lover was smirking at him. "Severus..."

The Potions Master leaned forward and kissed him again. "No, I did not take any potions. There is no need to, when there's a natural one available."

"Stop joking, Severus."

Severus chuckled lightly. "I just feel hungry tonight."

"Have mercy on me then. I have an early class tomorrow," Harry said hoarsely. His vision was really about to fail him now.

"So do I," Severus whispered seductively.

"Maybe ... it's better if I have my own room."

"No."

"Severus..."

"Harry ... I love you. I love you...."

Severus was warm, fuzzy, and still insatiable. Harry was asleep, with Severus still inside him. Just one more time then? He lifted himself slightly and glanced at the clock. It was half past five in the morning.

Harry's arms and legs wrapped about him suddenly, and Severus gasped as he accidentally thrust into his lover. Harry, it seemed, had moved unconsciously in his sleep. Severus, who was breathing heavily on his lover's collarbone, remembered the night Harry refused to let him go.

He smiled, closed his eyes, and rocked his body gently into the younger man. Then he grinned suddenly, and wrapped his fingers around Harry.

"Harry, it's nearly time for breakfast. So wake up and enjoy this." Will he?

The DADA professor mumbled sleepily and his hold on Severus slackened slightly. "What time is it?"

"Five-forty," Severus answered breathlessly. He yelped and uttered a curse when Harry rolled them over without warning. What he saw in Harry's eyes nearly made him reach his climax. The emerald-eyed wizard gave him a feral smile and started to ride him. "We still have an hour, Severus. Don't come too soon."

"Harry, I can't..."

"Excites you when I'm in this position, right?"

Severus nodded and stilled his body. He heard Harry moan softly.

"I don't think I can hold it off too, Severus. Whoever comes first..."

"I know."

Severus hung on to Harry and tried to catch his breath.

"Where shall we do it tonight? Or whichever night you can?" Harry panted.

"In the office. On your desk."

"Merlin..."

"And you top."

"Severus ... I don't want to wait."

"Neither do I."

"Damnation ... Now you've made me horny."

"Wait until tonight then. And no sneaking to the bathroom."

"But –"

"I want you to..." Severus whispered his wish into Harry's ear.

"Kinky Slytherin."

"Horny Gryffindor stud."

"We still have twenty minutes, Severus."

"Be patient..."

"But – It's going to drive me mad."

"Which is exactly what I want."

"Severus!"

He laughed heartily and carried his indignant lover into the bathroom. "Pull the chain. We both need it." Harry sighed and did as he asked. They both yelped as icy, cold water splashed on them.

Two hours later, Severus watched as Harry left the Great Hall with a trail of third year students. He rose from his seat and walked slowly to his classroom. I'm lucky that I have only practical to deal with today. Severus smiled. Time was going to pass quickly for him. The Potions Master entered his classroom and glided toward the blackboard. He tapped his wand on it, and instructions appeared. His black, glittering eyes scanned the classroom leisurely. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get started."