Chasing Cars

Chasing Cars


Harry cleared his throat quietly as he made his way up to the stage, nervous butterflies in his stomach fluttering like there was no tomorrow. He nervously twisted his hands as he waited for his turn on the stage, as the guy already up there was finishing up. Harry closed his eyes and hesitantly stepped on stage, the other guy patting him on the back as he went back to his table, the sound of applause following him as he sat down.

The place was small and cozy, full of wizards and witches, all with a variety of significant others sitting next to them. The applause died down as Harry opened his eyes as he stood behind the microphone. He took a deep breath and looked out into the crowd, the one spot light on the stage was not very bright and allowed him to see everyone in front of him, and saw the one person he was looking for. Hermione and Ron were sitting at one table, on one side of the dimly lit room, looking at him in encouragement and confusion.

Harry told them earlier when they came out to have some down time that he'd enjoy the music, but that he wouldn't be getting up and singing in front of everyone. He changed his mind when he saw that one person and he made his decision to take a risk and find out what would happen.

Harry took a deep breath and closed his eyes, his foot tapping out the counts of music and he started to sing.

“We'll do it all.
Everything.
On our own.

We don't need.
Anything.
Or anyone.”

He dared to open his eyes and stare into the eyes that stared at him from the back of the room as he sang. The mans hand was frozen in the air, glass in hand in front of his lips as he casually sat back in his chair.

“If I lay here.
If I just lay here.
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

I don't quite know
How to say
How I feel

Those three words
Are said too much
They're not enough.”

Those eyes burned softly in longing, his hand dropping to the table slowly, setting his glass down. He folded his hands in his lap, his legs crossed. Hermione cocked her head to the side, starting at Harry as he started at someone else. She followed his eyes and smiled softly, excusing herself from the table, telling Ron she'd be right back. He nodded and watched her go, seeing where she was headed. He smiled softly, too, and went back to watching Harry on stage, singing.

“If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life.”

Hermione slid into the empty seat next to him at his table, leaning back she looked at him. His eyes flickered to hers, acknowledging her presence, but not speaking.

“You know... he loves you.” he looked down, breaking eye contact with Harry. Harry didn't see Hermione sitting at the table with him.

“I know.” she reached out, taking one of his hands in hers.

“And you love him.” his eyes looked into hers, the truth shinning in them.

“I do.” she smiled softly, bringing his hand to her lips and pressing a soft kiss to the back of it.

“We support the two of you fully. We want Harry to be happy... and we want you to be happy, too.” he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, his hand gripping hers tightly.

“Let's waste time
Chasing cars
Around our heads

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own.”

“I don't know if I...” she covered the top of his hand with her other one, cocooning his hand in hers.

“He won't reject you. He's been wanting to talk to you for the longest time now. He just didn't know how. But... I think he found a way to do that tonight.” she looked to the stage and smiled softly. “He only ever wanted you to be happy. If that meant never seeing him again, then he would leave you alone. If it meant letting you be taken by someone else, he wouldn't have said a thing. But it would have torn him up inside if you would never be able to be happy with him.”

He looked up at the stage, looking into Harry's eyes once more.

“I only want to be with him.”

“Then go to him. Before the song ends. Otherwise, he'll think that you're rejecting him.” his grip tightened further.

“Will you...?” she smiled and nodded.

“I'd love to.”

“If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life.”

Hermione stood slowly, pulling him up with her. He stood shakily, his eyes never leaving Harry's. Harry's own eyes widened slightly, in fear and in hope.

“All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see

I don't know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all.”

They walked slowly to the stage, some of the other people in the place looking at them curiously, some of them knowingly and happily. Hermione stayed a step behind him, keeping him in front of her. He kept his eyes on Harry's and Harry kept his eyes on his.

“If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?”

The song ended and everyone held their breath, staring at the two of them. Hermione took a step back and let go of his hand, squeezing it once more in encouragement before letting go. He restrained himself from looking behind him at Hermione, focusing on Harry instead.

Harry looked at him hopefully, still a little fearfully. He swallowed heavily, hesitantly stepping up onto the stage next to Harry, and into the spotlight, everyone watching them silently. He took a deep breath and reached out for Harry. Harry stood still, not quiet believing this was real.

He stepped forward and cautiously slipped an arm around Harry's waist, leaning in slowly, giving Harry a chance to back out. Harry looked into his eyes, hope brimming over with happiness as he leaned forward, his eyes closing as their lips met in the middle. Everyone still held their breath, sensing but not knowing that something else was still to come.

He pulled back and opened his eyes, one of his hands coming up to cup Harry's cheek.

“I love you, Harry Potter.” Harry's breath hitched slightly and he stared into his eyes, his own eyes misting over slightly. Hermione smiled softly, wiping a tear from her eye as she watched the two men on stage.

“I love you, too, Severus Snape.” Harry might have whispered it, but the microphone amplified it so everyone heard it. Severus smiled and cupped the back of Harry's head, pulling him back for a bruising kiss, Harry's arms winding around Severus' waist as he kissed him back.

Everyone erupted into applause, standing and whistling at the two of them. Harry pulled back, blushing softly and pulled Severus from the stage and taking him back to his table. Hermione smiled at the two of them and went back to Ron, the two of them watching as Harry sat on Severus' lap, the two of the cuddling together and enjoying the others touch as the show on stage continued, more people going up and singing.