alisanne

Title: Taking Care
Author:

alisanne
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Severus Snape/Harry Potter
Challenge: Written for

harry100's prompt #222: Careless
Rating: PG
Length: 100 x 11
Warnings: None
Summary: Severus takes care since Harry doesn't.
Beta:

sevfan and

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

~

Taking Care

~

Severus watched Potter surreptitiously, cataloguing how close he stood to Longbottom. They’d always been friends, but recently they’d been spending more time together than usual. Though it’s not my concern.

Potter and Longbottom moved away, Severus following. It’s on the way to my office, after all.

Making sure he stayed well behind them, Severus exhaled as Longbottom clapped Potter on the shoulder before trotting off towards the greenhouses. Potter turned, and as he did so, a small book fell from his robes. Potter never noticed.

Severus shook his head. “Careless wretch.” And collecting the book, he walked to his rooms.

~

The book sat on Severus desk, taunting him. Severus knew he shouldn’t read it. It plainly said ‘Journal’ on the cover and was private. It’s probably cursed, he thought. No wizard would be careless enough to carry around a personal journal and not take precautions.

And yet, Severus was tempted to take a swift peek. I could do with a bit of insight into Potter’s thought processes.

Exhaling, Severus drew his wand, checking for curses. When it appeared the book wasn’t keyed to anyone, he reached for it, and holding his breath, opened it.

Leaning forward, he started to read.

~

Severus read Potter’s journal late into the night. While it provided insight into Potter’s character, Potter seemed to write in some sort of code. Who, for example, was ‘MP’?

Whoever they are, they’re important, Severus thought. I should have assumed Potter would have his eye on someone.

Whoever MP was, however, it didn’t seem he’d reciprocated Potter’s advances. At least not yet.

Sitting back in his chair, Severus pursed his lips. Well, if this MP is so careless as to not be interested in Potter, he doesn’t deserve to have him.

Slowly, Severus smiled. I’ll just have to show him.

~

Having expected to find Potter frantically searching for his missing journal, Severus instead discovered him sitting calmly at breakfast. Eyes narrowed, Severus approached. Careless fool. He probably hasn’t even noticed it’s gone. “Potter.”

Potter smiled. “Headmaster.”

Severus poured his tea. “How are you this morning?”

Potter inclined his head. “Well rested.” His gaze sharpened. “You look like you were up late, however. Interesting reading, perhaps?”

Severus’ eyes widened. He knows. “Interesting enough,” he finally said. “Incoherent at times, but then, few modern writers are erudite.”

Potter’s smile deepened. “Maybe you need translation assistance.”

Severus smirked. “I’m sure I can manage.”

~

Severus couldn’t seem to identify ‘MP’ as one of Potter’s acquaintances. Frustrated, he even tried to inquire of Minerva, but she refused to help. “Any questions about Harry should be directed to him, Severus.”

Finally, Severus decided on the straightforward approach. Walking to Potter’s quarters after dinner one evening, he knocked.

Potter opened the door, blinking when he saw Severus. Without a word, he stepped aside, gesturing him inside.

Severus sighed. “I know the war’s over, but you shouldn’t be so careless. I could be anyone.”

Potter smiled. “Still trying to protect me?”

Severus snorted. “Someone should.”

“Come in, then.”

~

Closing the door, Potter faced Severus. “Would you like a drink?”

Severus inclined his head. “Brandy will do.”

Potter poured two snifters, then directed Severus towards the sitting room. “To what do I owe this visit?” he asked once they were seated.

Reaching into his robes, Severus pulled out the journal. “You very carelessly lost this the other day. I...retrieved it.”

“And read it,” Potter said, not moving to take it.

Severus froze. “I--”

Potter smiled. “I meant for you to read it.”

Severus frowned. “Why?”

“How else was I going to get you interested in my personal life?”

~

Severus’ eyes narrowed. “You tricked me.”

Potter coughed. “No. Neville just reminded me that you were a spy and that I’d have to make myself...intriguing to capture your interest.”

Consider it captured. Severus set down his drink. “The journal was a lie?”

“No, it’s really my journal.” Blushing, Potter looked away. “Everything I wrote there was true.”

“Then who is MP?” Severus snapped. “And shouldn’t you be having this conversation with him?”

Potter’s blush deepened. “I am.”

Severus growled. “Don’t lie to me! Even you aren’t that careless. My initials aren’t MP.”

Harry smiled. “Actually, they are, my Prince.”

~

“You cannot be serious.” Carefully, Severus scanned Potter’s face. “Why would you be interested in me?”

“Other than because you’re probably the bravest man I’ve ever known?” Potter shot back. “Not only that, but you’ve saved my life more times than I can count.”

Severus snorted. “That makes you grateful, not interested.”

“True.” Potter leaned close. “All that wouldn’t have mattered, if you didn’t have that voice and those hands. And if I hadn’t fallen in love with the Half-Blood Prince when I was sixteen.”

“I’m not him, not any more.”

“Actually, you are.” And, leaning in, Potter kissed him.

~

Severus had never been reckless. Ever since childhood, when he’d carelessly allowed the bullies on his street to see his hiding place, he’d known that being vulnerable led to pain. But somehow that all went away as Potter kissed him.

Potter moaned, crawling into Severus’ lap and Severus welcomed him, wrapping his arms around him and cradling him close. This can’t last. I must enjoy it while I can.

Drawing back, Potter smiled into Severus’ eyes. “You’re thinking too much. Just relax.”

Severus raised an eyebrow. “I don’t relax, Potter.”

Laughing, Potter leaned in again. “I can help with that.”

~

“Are you relaxed yet?”

Severus, sprawled across Potter’s bed, sighed. “Evidently.”

“Good.” Shifting, Potter straddled him, his hands flat against Severus’ naked chest. “I intend to keep you relaxed as long as possible, you realise?”

“Indeed?” Severus murmured. “And if I object?”

“Do you?” Slowly, Potter rotated his hips, smiling at Severus’ gasp. “Doesn’t feel like you mind at all.”

“Well, I’m no fool,” Severus purred. “And no wizard would be so careless to leave himself no escape.”

Potter laughed softly. “Are you planning to escape?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Severus said, dragging him closer. “As I said, I’m no fool.”

~

“Have your questions concerning Harry been answered?” Minerva asked over breakfast the next morning.

Severus poured tea. “Indeed.”

Minerva smiled. “Excellent. You’ve seemed preoccupied recently.”

Severus glared at her. Surely he hadn’t been so careless as to reveal himself? “Have I?”

“Yes.” She squinted at him. “But now everything seems...resolved.”

Before Severus could reply, a hand caressed his shoulder and Potter slid into the seat next to him. “Good morning.”

“Potter.” Severus discreetly rested his hand on Potter’s thigh.

Potter smiled at Minerva. “Does something need resolving?”

Looking back and forth between them, Minerva smiled. “Not any more, evidently.”

~