Magical Mistletoe

TITLE: Magical Mistletoe
AUTHOR: Taran
PAIRING: SS/HP
RATING: PG
FEEDBACK: Yes Please!!! taran_swann@yahoo.ca
DISCLAIMER: *sigh* Not mine. Some nasty, ugly, brilliant woman by the name of J.K. Rowling owns the whole Harry Potter universe. I'm just borrowing for a while, and then I'll send it all back the way I found it.
SUMMARY: Harry and Severus are caught under the enchanted mistletoe at the Yule Ball.
NOTES: This takes place a few years after Harry’s graduation. Sorry, no sex in this one!
WARNINGS: This is AU and characters are somewhat OOC.
ARCHIVING: The Dusk Till Dawn Fuh-Q Fest Archive until the end of the fest, then anywhere asked.

Magical Mistletoe by Taran


He hated dances. He hated being a chaperone. He really hated Christmas. Put them all together, and you had one very upset Potions Master. Severus stood with his arms crossed over his chest by the punch bowl, scowling, daring any student to try to spike it.

He growled every time someone wished him a Happy Christmas. The only thing that would make it happy, would be to spend it alone in his chambers in front of several bubbling cauldrons, which Albus would never let him get away with.

He barked at a couple of suspicious looking sixth year Gryffindors and ignored Albus when he came to refill his glass.

"Severus," Albus said, attempting to pry him out of his mood. "You needn't stand guard over the punch bowl all night. Why don't you ask someone to dance?"

Albus' eyes twinkled, watching Severus stare at Harry across the room, as he spoke. He wasn't sure Severus had even heard him, so enthralled with the sight of his not-so-secret lover. At least, it wasn't a secret to him. Albus knew the two young men had been seeing each other for a couple of months.

They had become friends in Harry's final year. It had only developed into a romantic relationship after Harry had returned two years later, at the beginning of the year, to take over for Madame Hooch, teaching broom flying and coaching Quidditch.

Albus also knew, the only reason they were keeping their relationship quiet was because Severus was afraid of how Harry's friends would react to them being together. They had a hard enough time accepting the friendship that had blossomed between them.

Albus was thrilled to see how happy Severus was with Harry. He had known for a long time that they belonged together. They balanced each other. He smiled as he saw the corners of Severus' mouth pull up against his will.

Severus sighed and turned back to Albus. "I am NOT going to dance, you old goat!" he said irritably, but his eyes showed it to be a lie. He was amused at the idea of himself dancing with anyone in front of the students. Albus just chuckled and shook his head as he wandered off.

Severus looked back to where Harry had been standing on the far side of the room, but he was no longer there. He felt a momentary stab of regret. He was about to go looking for Harry, when a huge shadow fell over him.

"'Ello, Professor," Hagrid said cheerfully.

"Hello, Hagrid." Severus was trapped between the half giant and the table with no way out. He sighed as he waited for the groundskeeper to fill his glass and move on. He tried not to growl or sneer as Hagrid remained where he was making small talk. He sighed with relief when Hagrid finally moved off to bother Minerva.

He looked around the room, trying to find Harry. Severus finally spotted him near the dance floor talking with Lupin. He decided Albus was right about one thing, he didn't need to stand guard over the punch all night. He moved towards Harry, slowly, trying not to draw attention to himself as he crossed the dance floor filled with happy young couples. He was about half way through, as Harry noticed him and was walking towards him, when Hagrid called his name. He stopped and looked irritably at the large man.

"Lovely punch, sir," Hagrid said with a huge grin. Severus gave him a curt nod before turning back towards Harry. He suppressed as smile as Harry stepped up to him.

"Good evening, sir," Harry said warmly.

"Evening, Mr. Potter." Severus looked deeply into Harry's emerald eyes and felt a sudden pull at his insides, a desperate need to kiss his young lover. As he leaned forward, Harry's eyes flashed and Severus could tell he had felt the same thing.

Their lips met and parted immediately, allowing their tongues to dance with the music playing behind them. Severus' arms wrapped around the slightly shorter man, while Harry's hands tangled in Severus' hair. After kissing for several moments, a stray thought popped into Severus' head. Keeping his lips locked on Harry's, he opened his eyes and looked toward the ceiling above them. He sighed into Harry's mouth and began taking small steps backwards, Harry following easily.

As they eased off the dance floor and ended their kiss, Severus could hear the excited chatter coming from all around them. He could feel his face flushed from excitement and embarrassment. Harry was just as red as he dropped his hands to his sides.

"What was that?"

"THAT was enchanted mistletoe," Severus said with just a trace of anger.

"Enchanted mistletoe?" Harry looked at him sceptically.

"Yes," Severus said, pointing up at the large sprig of the winter plant that hung high over the dance floor with a spot light behind it, casting a huge shadow over the centre of the floor.

"Whenever two lovers come together under its shadow, they are filled with an overwhelming need to kiss," Severus explained.

"Oh." Harry thought about that as he ignored the stares from the staff and students they had shocked. "Lovers? So... we can't even blame the mistletoe..."

"No."

"So, everyone knows..."

"Yes."

"... Well, in that case..." Harry grinned wickedly and reached up to tangle his fingers again in Severus' hair and pulled him into another deep kiss, this time unaided by enchantment. He smiled into the kiss as he felt Severus pull him close and moan at the contact.

Harry touched Severus' cheek softly as they broke apart for air and stared into his obsidian eyes. His heart soared when Severus gave in and smiled at him. Harry loved the way Severus' eyes twinkled when he smiled. It was bright enough to give Albus' own twinkling eyes a run for their money.

"I don't mind so much being found out," Severus said softly. "I would have preferred it to be on our own terms, however. I think we shall have to make Albus pay for this."

Harry giggled and nodded in agreement. He turned as Albus, Minerva, and Hagrid approached them with wide grins. He attempted to glare at Albus, but found it difficult to do with Severus' arms still warmly holding his waist.

Severus easily managed a sneer at his oldest friend. He ignored the other two as he focused what little anger he could muster, at Albus' smiling face.

"My, what a lovely couple," Albus said sweetly. Minerva agreed and Hagrid beamed at them, as though he had just won first prize at a Muggle fair. "Lovely job of hanging the mistletoe, Hagrid. Very lovely."

"Thank you, sir." Hagrid looked up to admire his handiwork as Severus' jaw dropped. "It seems to be at a good height. Gives off a good shadow from there."

"YOU hung the mistletoe?" Severus asked incredulously.

"Aye," he responded with a big smile and wink at Harry.

As the three laughing teachers wandered off, Severus looked back at Harry with shock written all over his face.

"Hagrid has spent entirely too much time with Albus," he whispered with a shake of his head. Harry just laughed and smiled happily in his arms.

"Since everyone knows now anyhow, let's just enjoy our evening, okay lover?"

Severus moaned happily as he was pulled into another passionate kiss. He melted into Harry's embrace as the rest of the world melted away. One stray thought crossed his mind regarding revenge on the half giant, but he pushed it away for later, after he had made love to his dream-mate.

~*~