Can it be Real?

The trio entered the great hall together. They were laughing about what happened in Transfigurations. McGonagall hadn\'t been able to get the class back in order so she let them go early. She smiled gently as she watched a happy Harry skip out of class with his best friends.

Tears pricked at her eyes as she watched the class leave.

Finally the last student left and she was able to breath.

\"Minerva? What is wrong, dear?\" Albus asked coming out of her office where he usually waited for her to finish class.

\"Did you see them, Albus?! They were laughing like children! And did you see Harry?! He was the loudest one! Do you know what those sounds were?!\" She asked as her eyes glowed brightly from behind her prim glasses.

Albus pulled her into his arms and held her tightly against his body. \"Tell me,\" he said softly against her hair.

\"Happiness! Love! And hope... no, not hope... joy for the future!\"

\"Yes.\"

\"And I think Harry is in love! Oh, this is wonderful! He was daydreaming in class today about him! Don\'t you think its wonderful?!\" she asked tilting her flushed face up.

Albus met her lips with his. \"Yes... simply wonderful, love.\"

Harry began to eat with a relish that he hadn\'t had in a long time.

Ron and Hermione watched their friend, both smiling when he choked a little on a piece of meat. \"Yo, mate! Slow down on that! Its not going anywhere, I promise!\" Ron said pounding his back and laughing at his red faced friend. \"You know, red suits you!\"

In retaliation, Harry grabbed a chicken leg from Ron\'s plate and bit into it. But instead of ripping the meat, he kept it intact and put it back on his plate.

\"Ewww Harry! I don\'t want now!\" Ron said pulling a face at him. He then lunged forward and grabbed the roll off Harry\'s plate and put the whole thing in his mouth!

\"Hey, I wanted that!\" Harry said hitting him.

\"Oh, you did?\" he said innocently with his mouth full. He pulled the roll out of his mouth and attempted to give it back to Harry. \"Here!\"

Harry grabbed his plate and danced out of reach from Ron. \"I don\'t think so!\"

\"Boys!\" Hermione admonished sternly. But the affect was ruined when she smiled at the display.

Harry sat down again. \"Sorry Mione!\" they said at the same time.

She shook her head and giggled.

\"Hey Harry!\" Seamus yelled to get his attention.

Harry leaned forward on the table so the he could see his Irish friend that was a few chairs down. \"Wassup?\"

\"Who were you daydreaming about?\"

The whole table fell silent as the grave as they waited for Harry to tell Seamus to fuck off... in kinder words, of course!

Harry just smiled at him. \"Severus Snape!\" and took a bite of his pumpkin pie.

The Gryffindor table screamed together in one accord. Including Ron and Hermione!

Seamus grabbed at his heart. \"Please, tell me he didn\'t say that!\" he told Dean who was right next to him choking on his drink. The colored man shook his head in denial.

\"Oh Gawd!\" Neville exclaimed.

Ginny giggled. \"About time you figured it out!

Ron was struggling to breath as he leaned against Hermione and she was busy fanning her head with her hand.

Harry snorted as he took in the scene he caused. He was struggling to keep from laughing. It was hard!

\"What is going on here? Do you think this is a Gryffindor party?\" growled the deep, snarry voice.

Ron began to hyperventilate when he found the Snape right behind him. \"Oh Gawd!\" his face was turning an interesting shade of red.

\"Really... and he had the nerve to tease me about my face!\" Harry said out loud.

\"I repeat... what is going on here?\" he growled at them.

Harry turned around to look up at his hopefully, soon to be love and forgot what he was going to say.

Starting at his feet, Harry examined him. Snape was wearing black, leather boots that laced upwards. Slim black slacks that flared slightly at the ankles, a black belt with a silver buckle, and a black slim fitting sweater that molded his chest and torso like a second skin and what an impressive figure! The sleeves were rolled up until they rested on his upper biceps and what impressive biceps they were! He wore a silver chain and his long ratty hair was for once, washed and conditioned, and was held back by a back tie.

Harry also forgot to close his mouth because he drooled as he stared up at the specimen in front of him.

Snape allowed the luxury of a smirk as he reached down, and with a finger under Harry\'s chin closed his mouth for him. \"What\'s the matter, Potter? Cat got your tongue?\"

\"Oh Gawd!\" he repeated Neville and Ron\'s phrase as he thought who he wanted to have his tongue.

Ginny guffawed.

By this time the whole hall was quiet and was listening. Draco smirked as he watched his Godfather interact with Potter. \"Good, he\'s speechless! It seems my work is definately appreciated!\"

Albus twinkled and McGonagall tried to accept the evidence that was in front of her. \"Him?\"

\"Yes him,\" Albus said.

\"Good! I can\'t think of another person better suited for the job of taking care of Mr. Potter and vice versa!\"

Albus beamed down at his love. There was a time when she would have never given her blessing like that. \"Glad to hear it my love! Glad to here it!\"

\"Well...?\" Snape said tapping his foot as he waited for Harry\'s answer to his question. It didn\'t seem like he was going to answer any time soon. \"Mr. Potter!\" he snapped.

Harry jumped. \"Sorry sir! What was the question again?\"

Snape rolled his eyes in look to be frustration at his dimwittled student but on the inside he was cheering. \'Yes! Time to move in for the kill,\' he thought. \"Mr. Potter! Detention tonight at eight!\" he barked out loud. He left the hall in his usual dramatic fashion.

Harry blinked owlishly at the doors where Snape had exited. \"Oh Gawd!\" he said again as he put his head down on the table.