The Potions Master's Touch

Things went on as normally as possible for Harry and Severus. The weeks flew by as they became friends and one night while walking to dinner Harry realized how much time had passed.

"Three weeks." he said. Severus nodded. Their hands were clasped together as that was all Severus would allow while walking down the halls.

When they entered the Great Hall a fluff of bushy haired Hermione ambushed them. "I found it!" she exclaimed thrusting an open book at them. Severus took it and making sure Harry could read over his shoulder began the passage below.

'When brewing the normally helpful Calming Draught one must be cautious. A 1823 study showed when the ingredients are added too quickly an adverse reaction can occur. This usually results in an explosion. Also if a brewer adds blood to the draught along with the increased speed of ingredient addition, when the draught does explode it will become catastrophic. If this modified draught explodes onto the skin (i.e. hands, etc.) of a single person who's blood did not enter it, the blood brewer and person who came in contact witht the potion with be encased in a painful taboo. The only way to revers the effects are for the members to willingly admit their true feelings for one another. If the potion explodes onto multiple people all effects are negated. the Modified Calming Draught is dangerous, use caution.'

"Shit!" Harry exclaimed. "I cut my finger, I know I did."

Severus smirked at him then turned back to Hermione. "Can I hang onto this, Miss Granger?" he asked.

"I got it from the library, so just return it for me when your done." Hermione said nodding. "Are you going to do it?"

"Not here." Harry answered. She nodded again and waved running back to where Ron was waiting.

"They going to do it?" he asked as soon as Hermione sat down.

"Later." she answered smiling.

Hermione was right. Later that night, Severus and Harry sat side by side rereading the text from before.

"So all we have to do is admit our true feelings." Severus stated. Harry looked at him.

"I... I don't really hate you. I like you quite a bit actually." Severus said turning towards Harry and crossing his legs. Harry mimicked the move so they sat facing each other. Severus continued. "I resent the fact that your mother had to die. She was my first friends and I blamed you. It wasnt until I realized you could be great. She made it so you could survive and I love her for that. For leaving me with you."

Severus talked fast refusing to meet Harry's gaze. Harry placed a finger under Severus' chin tilting his face up, Harry leaned in and kissed him. The kiss was soft at first. Harry's tongue ran across Severus' still closed lips and he opened them letting in the questing object. The soft muscle stroking his own in a passionate embrace. Moments later they broke apart. Harry looked into the black eyes before him and smiled.

"I love you!" he said softly.

"I dont think it's love yet, but it could be." Severus answered as honestly as he could.

A bright pink light enveleoped the two ridding them of the potion in a moment while the two men were left in an escalatingly heated state.

Severus Snape and Harry Potter were not seen by anyone for the rest of the weekend and when they did finally emerge for breakfast on Monday morning Harry was sitting with the Gryffindors once again. No one missed the way their potions professor and wizarding savoir watched one another. So focused as they were on Harry and Severus, no one saw the twinkling blue eyes of the meddlesome old headmaster wink at Neville Longbottom.