alisanne

Title: A Bonding Experience
Author:

alisanne
Pairing: Severus Snape/Harry Potter
Word Count: 100 x 6
Rating: PG
Challenge: Written for

snarry100's prompt #281: Experience
Warning(s): None
A/N: Harry is outside Severus' usual experience.
Beta:

sevfan
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.

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A Bonding Experience

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Entering the Great Hall after the battle, Harry felt as if he’d lived a thousand lifetimes. So many had died. At least I saved one.

Madam Pomfrey was hovering over Snape; Harry could see his chest rising and falling. It was a miracle that he was even alive. Harry was glad he’d insisted on returning for him.

The mediwitch looked up, gesturing towards him. “Ah, Harry. Good. I could use an extra pair of hands here.”

Harry blinked. “But I’ve no experience--”

“Just sit here, give him this water if he wakes up.” Pomfrey bustled away.

Sighing, Harry settled in.

~

Severus woke to agony. Hell, he decided. Heaven wouldn’t involve such pain.

He groaned and someone pressed a glass to his lips. Swallowing automatically, Severus tasted Pain-Relieving potion and anti-venom.

“Madam Pomfrey!”

Potter? Severus’ eyes opened to find Potter hovering above him.

“Severus.” Poppy appeared, and as her experienced hands examined him, Severus drifted in and out of consciousness, all the while wondering where he was. Potter wouldn’t have gone to Hell. Would he?

The next time he opened his eyes, Severus didn’t hurt. He exhaled. “Heaven?” he croaked.

“No. Hogwarts.” Potter leaned over him. “I’m fond of it, too.”

~

Harry beamed as he watched Kingsley acquit Severus.

He hadn’t been sure his efforts on Severus’ behalf would bear fruit, but seeing him be not only exonerated but hailed a hero gave Harry a feeling of satisfaction far outside his usual experience. Not to mention other feelings which Harry wasn’t prepared to examine. Everyone thinks I’m mad for expending all this effort on him. If I tell them I think I’m in love with him they’ll lock me up.

At that moment, Severus turned, staring at Harry, the intent look on his face making Harry’s breath catch. Merlin. I’m sunk.

~

What is he doing? Severus wondered, not for the first time, watching Harry. Kindness from anyone was so outside Severus’ experience that he kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, for Harry to demand some sort of...payment.

That wasn’t him, however. At least, Severus didn’t think it was. What he knew of Harry suggested he was a principled man with a generous spirit. Who has no idea what he’s promising with those eyes when he looks at me.

Severus resolutely turned away. He best thing he could do was disappear, leaving Harry to move on with his life.

~

“What are you doing?” Harry asked, standing in the doorway of Severus’ office.

Severus raised an eyebrow. “Vacating my office. Obviously.”

“But--” Harry swallowed back panic. “Where are you going?”

“To...experience life.” Severus waved his wand and the last of his trunks snapped shut.

“Don’t go,” Harry blurted.

Severus hesitated. “There’s nothing to keep me here,” he finally said.

“There’s me.” As Severus’ eyes met his, Harry poured everything he was feeling into that gaze. “Won’t you stay with me?”

“Why?”

“Because I’m asking.”

Severus’ eyes narrowed. “And if I asked you to come with me?”

Harry exhaled. “Yes.”

~

Severus wanted to pinch himself. Monaco was beautiful, but his attention was on the man sunning beside him.

Harry looked more peaceful than Severus had ever seen him, and he’d come to know Harry very well. It was a constant source of wonder that Harry wanted him, came to him every night seeking his body, his...companionship.

“You’re worrying again,” Harry said, eyes closed.

“One of us should,” Severus retorted. “Experience suggests something will ruin this.”

Harry smiled. “So until then, we enjoy this.” He clasped Severus’ hand. “And if we get five or fifty years, brilliant.”

Severus couldn’t argue.

~