Step 7: Open Negotiations.

[pekeleke]

Title: Step 7: Open Negotiations.
Fandom: Harry potter (Snarry)
Characters: Harry Potter, Severus Snape.
Author: pekeleke.
Rating: G.
Word count: 822
Disclaimer: Don't own these characters. No money is being made out of this work.
A/N: Unbetaed. Written for the adventdrabbles (DW,LJ, IJ) 2014 prompt 17: Sleigh ride, prompt 18: Christmas crackers, prompt 19: Christmas card portrait.
A/N2: This is the next part of my In Love And War Series.
Summary: Severus' entire body turned to stone. He stared into those gorgeous green eyes, expecting to find signs of mirth there and found nothing except honesty.

Step 7: Open Negotiations.

 

Severus watched Minerva's sleigh ride disappear down the path, taking her to Hogsmeade, where she planned to rent an extra-large delivery owl to transport all the horrid Hogwarts' staff Christmas card portraits she insisted on sending out to the students' families every year. He felt remarkably guilt-free over his claim of being 'too busy brewing' to accompany her and the fact that Pomona had eagerly offered to take over the task, expressing a desire to purchase some Christmas crackers for her Hufflepuffs, made the new arrangement a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Stepping away from the seventh floor window with the satisfied smile of a snake who's latest plot had been successful he wondered what to do with his free afternoon. He'd have to start a few potions later on, just to cover his tracks with the headmistress, but throwing together half a dozen cauldrons of Fever-Reducer wouldn't take him all that long, so...

“Weren't you supposed to be so busy brewing that you couldn't afford to 'waste' your time 'feather-ball renting' with Minerva?”

Potter's cheerful voice startled him into whirling around and he spotted the little menace leaning against the dancing troll tapestry at the end of the corridor.
“Every sane man in this castle needs a rest from Minerva's particular brand of seasonal nonsense, Potter. The headmistress' list of Christmas-related chores raises every year, along with her tireless enthusiasm for the holidays. My enthusiasm, on the other hand, diminishes in direct proportion to the increase of hers.”

Potter's laughter twinkled down the corridor, reaching his ears like an airborne balm that soothed the rigidity of his posture and lightened his mood.
“She's getting worse, isn't she? She charmed the South Tower gargoyles to sing “Silver Bells” every time she's in her office. The singing is driving my Quidditch-obsessed students insane because they can't concentrate on their flying with all that racket.”

Severus chuckled under his breath, gleefully amused by the Gryffindor team's troubles.
“Anything that keeps your lions on the ground while my snakes are too busy having fun back home to practice for the first tournament of the season has my heartfelt approval. I may have to encourage my remaining students to record some of that singing. I'm sure nothing on the school regulations prohibits a team from requesting a particularly... inspiring... anthem to be played during their matches.”

Potter's green eyes danced with mischief.
“But now I know your evil plot and that means you can't use it, Severus.”

“I could always Obliviate you. Not that I need to, of course, because my team is going to squash yours just as badly as I shattered your unreasonable hope of getting your paws on the title of best snow-angel maker not two days ago.”

“I should demand a rematch on that one. The judges were on your side.” The brat whined, approaching him slowly but with an unsettling air of determination weighing his every step.

“I won't let you challenge me, Potter. I won that war fair and square.”

The little menace shot him the kind of teasing look that would have made anyone with a weaker heart than Severus start having palpitations and came to a halt beside him, eyeing him with breathtaking boldness:
“What happens if I say I'm tired of waging war? What would you do if I try to challenge you in the name of... love?”

Severus' entire body turned to stone. He stared into those gorgeous green eyes, expecting to find signs of mirth there and found such ardent honesty blazing forth instead that doubting the Savior's sincerity would have been an act of cowardice.
“Then I'd have to ask you to reconsider the foolishness of your desires. I'm not the cuddly type, Potter.”

A loud giggle-snort made it past the brat's lips before he could suppress it and that laughing gaze raked his features thoughtfully, studying him with the kind of understanding that had always been there, but he'd been far too blind to recognize.
“And I'd be forced to remind you that foolishness is a Gryffindor trait. I can do without the cuddling, as long as I have you.”

Severus' breath hitched and he closed his dark eyes with the instinctive need to hide his reaction from his colleague, tuck it away somewhere deep where it would remain safe forever.
“Don't do that, please. You have nothing to fear from me.” Potter pleaded, disarmingly in tune with his small tell, and Severus could do nothing but obey that quiet request and stare in startled indecision at this gorgeous dream he could have, if only he dared to grasp it.

“The kind of offer you're making could break a man like me, if it doesn't succeed, Potter.”

An intrepid hand landed on his left arm, rubbing it up and down in a gently soothing motion. It was a reverent and quiet touch. A promise turned caress.
“Then we'll make sure it succeeds. I have no intention of breaking you, Severus.”

TBC

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Comments

[felaine]

Sooo pleased Harry is making a bit of headway with that stubborn Snake of his.
Love how they are still competing through the kids.
Be brave, Sev, kiss your Potter.

[pekeleke]

I'm glad that you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks so much for your lovely comment. :D

[adafrog]

oooohhh...

[pekeleke]

Thanks so much, ada! :D

[alisanne]

Mm, determined Harry is crumbling those walls, I can feel it.
It's only a matter of time. ;)
Just lovely!

[pekeleke]

LOL. true. It's only a matter of time. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed this chapter, ali. Thanks, as always, for taking the time to keep up with this story. Your lovely comment was greatly appreciated. :D

[keyairreem]

Teehee I am glad Harry lost the contest-makes it all that much sweeter when he fully wins Severus. A lovely update-can't wait for more!

[pekeleke]

I'm thrilled that you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks, as always, for your lovely comment. :D

[agneskamilla]

LOL, I loved the Quidditch banter here and this:

Severus' breath hitched and he closed his dark eyes with the instinctive need to hide his reaction from his colleague, tuck it away somewhere deep where it would remain safe forever.

,this moment made my heart ache so very much. You know, the hurtfully-beautiful-moments-induced kind of good ache? Those you are a pro in.

Hugs
a.

[pekeleke]

Awww... you always say the nicest things to me, agnes. ♥

I'm glad that you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks, as always, for taking the time to both read and review it. Your lovely comment meant the world to me. :D

[teryarel]

Of course Harry would see and know Severus's tell. But I was really surprised that Severus would follow Harry's plea and that he did offer Harry the truth, baring and exposing himself. This must have been very hard for Severus. But it's good that he has faith in Harry.

Thank you!

[pekeleke]

I agree with you on the point that opening up to Harry, there at the end, and allowing him to see how truly terrified of ending up hurt he is was a very brave act on Severus' part, but he went through with it, and that is the first step on their road to happiness. They are almost there, all Sev has to do now is hold on tight at follow Harry's lead... :D

Thanks, as always, for taking the time to both read and review another chapter of this fic, teryarel. Your lovely comment was greatly appreciated.:D