alisanne

Title: Making Things Official
Author:

alisanne
Rating: PG
Pairing: Severus Snape/Harry Potter, Charlie Weasley/Draco Malfoy (implied).
Summary:
Word Count: 1325
Genre: Romance
Warnings: None
A/N: Written for

snape_potter/

snape_potter's Pride Challenge.
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.

~

Making Things Official

~

Apparating into the fields behind the Burrow, Severus took a deep breath before starting towards the house. He hadn’t planned on attending the party, despite Molly’s repeated invitations. No, it had been Draco’s request that he make an appearance that had finally made Severus reconsider. That and the fact that Harry would probably be in attendance as well.

Severus sighed, his steps slowing as he heard people talking and laughing. A moment of panic almost overwhelmed him but just then, Molly, Arthur beside her, spotted him and waved in welcome.

With no graceful way to retreat, Severus moved forward. “Molly. Arthur,” he greeted his hosts.

“We’re so glad you could attend,” Molly gushed. “Draco will be pleased to have you here.”

“Indeed.” Severus looked around, spotting several other Slytherins in addition to the ubiquitous Weasleys. “I can’t imagine why.”

Molly smiled. “Well, it’s supposed to be a surprise, but he and Charlie decided to make it official today.”

Severus frowned. “Make what official?”

“Their relationship, of course.” Molly shook her head. “Not that anyone’s surprised. All those trips Draco’s been taking to the Reserve fooled no one.” She smiled fondly. “But I suppose they felt the need to be discreet at first, at least until they could be open and honest. The Muggles call it showing their pride or some such. And I can’t say I blame them, they should be proud of themselves and their relationship.” She fixed him with a challenging look. “The time for hiding such things is in the past, don’t you think?”

Severus blinked, not sure how to respond.

Her expression softened. “Although everyone needs to do things in their own time. Now, can I get you something to drink?”

After assuring her and Arthur that he was fully capable of getting his own refreshment, Severus wandered around. Everywhere there were people chatting, laughing, and no one seemed to be shooting angry or suspicious looks at the couple of the evening, who were holding hands by the punch bowl.

Severus pursed his lips. When his father had discovered his predilections, he’d beaten Severus so hard his mother had had to take him to hospital casualty. While there, she’d told him that such things just weren’t ever openly acknowledged. “Never tell anyone, Severus,” she’d said. “No matter how much you may trust them. No one must know.” And so Severus had never mentioned it to either of his parents again. And he’d made sure to never bring anyone home, friend or lover.

Draco caught his eyes and smiled. Severus inclined his head in return.

Finally spotting Harry inside the house, Severus made a beeline for him. He opened the kitchen door. Unfortunately, Harry wasn’t alone. “...thought we could get a drink later, just you and me.” Oliver Wood, the infernally handsome and popular Quidditch player, was leaning quite close to Harry. Too close for Severus’ liking.

Severus cleared his throat.

Harry’s face brightened the moment he saw him. “Severus!”

Wood’s eyes narrowed and he sent a speculative look between Harry and Severus. Then, shaking his head, he backed away. “Guess I have my answer. See you, Harry.”

“Sure,” Harry said, not even looking at Wood as he exited the kitchen. “I’m glad you came, Severus!”

Severus crossed his arms. “As am I. Looks as though you may have forgotten to whom you belong.”

Harry smiled. “As if.” Moving closer, he reached for Severus, who evaded him. His smile faded. “Don’t tell me you’re upset about Oliver? I didn’t do anything--”

“I’m not upset about him,” Severus said. “If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t be in a relationship with you. There’s no room for mistrust in my life.”

Harry nodded, expression serious. “Then why can’t I greet you properly?”

Severus sighed. “This is Charlie and Draco’s celebration. We shouldn’t...distract from that.”

Harry bit his lip. “Why is it that whenever I try to show you any affection in public you shy away? Are you...ashamed of me?”

Severus’ reaction was automatic. “Never.” Clasping Harry’s hands, he drew him into a close embrace. “I just don’t feel the need to allow everyone access to my private affairs.”

Harry sagged against him, his arms surrounding Severus’ waist. “Our family isn’t everyone,” he murmured into Severus’ shirt.

“They are your family,” Severus corrected.

“They could be yours, too, if you’d let them.” Drawing back, Harry looked Severus fully in the face. “You know Molly would welcome you in a heartbeat.”

Severus sighed. “Perhaps, but the rest of her brood may not be so welcoming. Can you honestly say that Ronald would welcome me? Or Ginevra?”

Reaching up, Harry cupped Severus’ face in his palm. “I don’t know how they’ll react,” he admitted. “They could throw a fit, or maybe they already know about us. All I know is that keeping you...keeping us a secret isn’t good for our relationship.”

Severus nodded. That was probably true. And while he had no desire to ‘celebrate pride’ as Molly had said, he couldn’t lose Harry. He just couldn’t. It would kill me.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Harry said softly, seemingly knowing what Severus was thinking. “This isn’t a threat. I just think we need to do this. For us.”

Severus closed his eyes. “Perhaps so,” he said. Opening his eyes he leaned close. “Now what was that about a proper greeting?”

Their lips met and, as always, Severus felt the contact to his toes. Harry had been consuming something containing oranges, and as Severus explored his mouth, once again committing Harry’s taste to memory, he moved past the citrus to the essence of Harry beneath, a far more seductive flavour.

The kiss deepened, became sensual, and Severus could feel his body’s almost instantaneous reaction. Not that I’m ever not aroused around Harry.

“Looks like Charlie and Draco aren’t the only ones celebrating,” came an amused voice.

Severus drew back, trying to step away from Harry, but Harry wouldn’t let him go, clinging to him. Giving up the struggle, Severus looked up to see George Weasley smirking at them. Fortunately, he saw no censure in that gaze, just warm approval. He relaxed.

Harry shook his head. “Don’t you have someplace else to be?”

George grinned. “Nope.” And pushing away from the counter, he wandered over to the table, where he snagged a berry tart, munching on it. “Don’t mind me,” he said, waving a hand. “Continue.”

Harry rolled his eyes. “George--”

“Fine, fine.” George sauntered towards the door. “I’ll go. Should I tell everyone the kitchen’s off limits?” When Harry sent a hex after him, he chuckled, easily evading it.

“I suppose the cat’s out of the bag now,” Severus murmured, feeling almost relieved.

“Looks like it,” Harry agreed. He searched Severus’ face. “If you’d like we can try to make it not look like we’re together--”

“No.” Determined, Severus drew Harry close once more. “No more hiding. I’m proud of you and I’m proud to be with you.”

“Harry, are you all righ--?” Over Harry’s shoulder, Severus saw Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley walk in, take one look at them, and stop. “Oh.”

Harry, arms still around Severus, glanced over his shoulder at them. “I’m brilliant, thanks. Could you give us a second?”

“Of course.” Beaming, Hermione backed out, pulling Ronald with her.

To Severus’ shock, Ronald sent an approving smile his way before he disappeared. “Salazar,” he whispered. “Ronald just smiled at me.”

Harry laughed. “It must be a sign. Come on, let’s join the others before anyone else comes in and we don’t have to tell them. Plus, why should we let Charlie and Draco have all the attention?”

“Indeed,” murmured Severus, nodding. Although something told him Molly knew already. Hand in hand, they walked outside to greet their family and demonstrate their pride.

~