FicWad

Harry was late for dinner in the great hall and Hermione kept giving him odd looks and sniffing. Once they got back to the common room she cornered him, "All right what is it? I know you're up to something."

Harry grinned, "Why Hermione you sound like S-nape." He hoped that she didn't detect that he had almost called him Sev.

Her eyes narrowed, "Where did you disappear to after potions class?" she demanded then sniffed at him, "And why do you smell like sandalwood."

Ron looked at her a little odd before he grinned at Harry, "Sure was a mess, he didn't do anything to you did he?"

Harry swallowed, "No he didn't do anything, but, uh, that reminds me. Uh, Ron you kinda have detention, he wants you to bring your toothbrush. He didn't say when though."

"My tooth brush?" Ron whined. The look on his face was priceless.

Hermione snorted, "Oh, honestly Ron, it's not like you can't transfigure a new one. Not that you use it that often anyway and you should probably replace it. How long have you had it? Never mind. I'll write Mum and have her send you one. Harry do you need a new one too?"

Harry tried to look interested as he nodded, "Oh, yeah, sure if she has an extra, by all means send it along. You can borrow Hedwig."

Harry was just getting ready to congratulate himself on distracting her when she nodded, "Okay. Now that that is settled, Harry, what happened after potions class?"

"Hermione I," he shook his head and in a low voice said, "Lets just say 'Cousin IT was de-haired before he had to report for a couple rounds of torture." He then whispered, "And we discovered that that nasty little tattoo doesn't like me hissing at it."

Hermione gasp, "Is he alright?"

Harry nodded, "Should be sleeping. He refused to let Madam. Pomfrey any where near him." He let out a slight chuckle, "I think he hates the hospital wing worse than I do." He paused, "Oh and that little depletion charm of yours, hurts like hell when you put enough power behind it."

Ron's didn't comment as he was still trying to figure a way out of using his own toothbrush.



Harry was a little surprised but pleased to see Severus at breakfast the next morning.

Before Ron had finished half of what he had piled on his plate, Severus stalked up, "Mr. Weasley, your detention will be today, as soon as..." he sneered at the still nearly full plate, "Make that in fifteen minutes in my class room," he smirked, "Bring your tooth brush." He then turned to survey the room; "Those of you who left your things in my class room yesterday may pick them up this afternoon."

Harry held up his hand and flicked his wand, "Accio Ron's tooth brush." As the summoned item whizzed past the professor's head he turned snarling, "Mr. Potter, would you like to join Mr. Weasley in cleaning my class room?"

Harry shrugged, "No, not particularly."

Snape's eyes narrowed and he heard a couple of gasps and a snigger. "Follow me Potter, now."

Harry picked up a piece of toast and sauntered out after the Potions Master.

When they got to the classroom, Sev whirled, "Must you be so insolent in front of everyone?"

Harry chuckled, "They all think I have detention. Although I noticed that you didn't actually assign one."

Sev blinked, and smirked, "So I didn't." he actually chuckled, "Now that I have you at my mercy, which of course I have none." he slid his hands around Harry's waist, "Just what, exactly am I supposed to do with you?"

Harry groaned as he pressed himself against the older man, "Unfortunately we don't have enough time for that. Ron's not that far behind us." He pulled Sev's head down for a heated kiss. Just as they pulled apart there was a knock on the door. They each took two steps back and Sev bellowed, "ENTER."

Ron had eaten as fast as he could and was now feeling about half sick. He was shocked to see both Harry and Snape were red in the face and Harry looked like he was having a hard time keeping a straight face. He didn't know what was going on between them but he was sure he was not going to like it. Harry just looked altogether too pleased with himself.

Severus waved his wand levitating Harry's cauldron to the tabletop. A second wave cleaned it. He then pulled a rather beat up book out of his pocket, "We will need to brew a neutralizer before you can safely clean this mess. Mr. Weasley you may levitate the dirty cauldrons to the sink. Mr. Potter," he held out the book, pointing, "I will need these ingredients,"

After about twenty minutes of brewing, Ron, who had finished moving the cauldrons leaned over to Harry and whispered this isn't so bad."

Sev smirked and without taking his eyes off of the potion he was stirring said, "Yet."

Ron swallowed hard and stared at Snape with huge eyes.

Ten minutes later the neutralizer was finished and Snape instructed the boys to fill the spray bottles and to thoroughly wet down any of the spilt potion before touching it. They were lucky in that all of the potions used the same active ingredient.

Ron had started on the cauldrons and Severus was at his desk sorting through the homework scrolls that still needed to be graded.

Harry was spraying the floor, "You should do demonstrations more often, Professor." He commented conversationally.

Sev snorted, "And have a whole class of dunderheads doing nothing?"

Harry sniggered, "Do you realize that you were lecturing the whole time you were brewing?"

Severus looked up, "Was I?"

Harry grinned and nodded, "Very informative, I shouldn't have too much trouble with my report."

Sev just grunted and went back to grading.

Ron couldn't believe this exchange and determined to talk to Harry this evening.

Harry put some things from one of the tables into the backpack hanging on a chair. The things from the other side of that table went in to the backpack that was on the floor Harry sniggered at the now hairy leather that protected the bottom he sprayed it to stop the growth and hissed a cleansing charm at it before setting it on one of the clean tables. He hoped that nothing was ruined and that he got everything in the right packs.

When lunchtime rolled around Severus sent them to the great hall to eat and told Ron that he would be expected back to finish the cleaning directly after the lunch period.



During lunch Harry took out his DA Galleon and tapped it changing the date and time to directly after lunch. Ron looks at him hurt. "Don't look at me that way I just need to let everyone know not to interfere or freak out this evening." He grinned evilly and Ron groaned. Hermione just looked at them suspiciously.

Harry spent several hours speaking with various people about what their parts would be for what he was privately calling 'Operation Detention' but everyone thought it was revenge on Snape for detention this morning.

As Severus made his way toward the great hall for dinner he had a feeling of dread. He just knew that he would not be happy with whatever Harry was planning.

He almost tripped over the small first year that stepped in front of him. He started to snarl and take points when the child with wide eyes held up a package and said, "HarryPottersaidtogiveyouthis Professor." As soon as his hand was on the package the firsty was pelting away down the hall.

Sev shouted after him, "Stop running in the halls. Ten points from Gryffindor."

He looked at the package, pulled out his wand and stepped into a deserted classroom. After ten minutes of detection charms he decided that it should be safe enough to open it. He wondered if the boy had lost his mind when he discovered a small box of chocolates.

Putting it in his pocket to think about later he continued on his way.

As he sat down several flowers appeared in front of him. He drew back and scanned the hall. No one seemed to have noticed until Pomona Sprout walked behind him on her way to her seat just as he was reaching forward tentatively to move them. "Oh, look Severus has a secrete admirer." He turned to glare at her, "Well dear, at least they know to give you something useful as well as beautiful." she patted him on the shoulder.

Minerva grumbled some thing that sounded like, "Thank goodness it isn't roses, he'd a blasted half the table."

They all jumped as a single rosebud of an uncommonly dark color, almost black, appeared.

Sev picked up the new flower with a shaking hand and an odd expression. He scanned the hall again. Harry was standing between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables talking to several people as though nothing was happening. Although something about his posture let Sev know that he was quite aware of what was going on. Several others it seemed had become aware that some thing odd was happening and where starring.

With one more look at the small rose in his hand he jumped up and headed toward the main doors, unconsciously heading straight toward Harry in the process.

As Sev approached, Harry said politely, "Evening Professor, not eating tonight?"

Sev snarled, "Get out of my way, Potter."

As Harry stepped to the side making a rather mocking bow he said, "Pretty flower, is it from any one I know?"

Sev who had taken three steps, whirled glaring, "Detention Potter." He sneered, as he whirled again. Just before he made his escape he heard Harry whine, "What? How long?"

Severus growled, "Forever." over his shoulder as he passed through the doors and out of sight.

Harry sank down on to his seat and mumbled, "Well, that was a bit harsh." He was disappointed that he hadn't even started on The Plan. He forced himself to eat a little then excused himself leaving his friends still eating. He was worried and trying to think what could have caused Severus to react the way he had.

He soon found himself in front of the portrait of Salazar Slytherin, "Hey Sal." He said with a slight bow, "I need to find Professor Snape, with out any one seeing me. Can you tell me where he is?"

Sal hissed at the wall behind him and then appeared to be listening. Harry tried not to listen since he found it a little weird to hear someone call a wall 'My Love.' He very much wanted to have time to sit and talk with Sal at some point. He just hadn't had time what with the war and schoolwork and trying to acquire a love life of his own and now he had to deal with Sev.

Harry's train of thought was broken by Sal saying, "He is in his quarters. However," he grimaced, "you may not wish to go there right now. He's, well... I hate to say he's in a snit, but... he's in a snit. If you know what I mean?"

Harry smiled slightly, "Yeah, I know. And it's my fault. I have to apologize and maybe find out what I did."

Sal gave Harry a scandalized look while clutching his heart, "Oh, Sweet Cerci, my own flesh. Son, don't you know, you never admit fault when you don't know what you have done? You would never have survived in my house."

Harry grimaced, "I know what I did. I just don't know why he reacted the way he did. My actions caused him pain, I'm just not sure why." Harry made a pained face. "Can you get me into his quarters? I care about him. I have to fix this." Tears where gathering in his eyes, ready to fall.

Harry smiled rather sickly, as the door appeared, "Thanks Sal." He sniffled.

Sal shook his head; "I can't open it with out his permission. You will need to knock."

Harry rapped sharply and waited he heard a crash and knocked again. From inside he heard Sev's voice, "Damn-it Albus, I said I didn't..." he cut off as he flung open the door and stared at Harry. He straightened and his face became a blank mask. "What do you want?"

Harry didn't move, "To come in and apologize properly. To get on my knees and beg you to forgive me." He sobbed tears sliding unheeded down his face. "I'm not sure why you got so upset, but I'm really sorry."

Severus closed his eyes as he stepped back allowing the boy access to his rooms.

Harry moved to the hearthrug turned to face Sev and sank to his knees. After several deep breaths, he was able to speak in a slightly less hysterical tone, "Severus, I humbly beg your forgiveness. I did not mean to upset you. I know it is my fault you were upset, even if I don't know why."

Sev shook his head, "It is not entirely your fault, you could not have known." He collapsed on the sofa glairing at the fire as the past tried to consume him. He could almost feel the rose switch that Grandfather had always used to punish him.

Harry crawled toward him and laid his head on Sev's knee, "I'm sorry, please tell me that I didn't ruin every thing."

Severus snapped back to the present at Harry's touch. "Oh, Harry," he touched his hair, "Of course you haven't. Why don't you come up here?"

Harry surprised Sev by scrambling on to his lap straddling him. As Sev tentatively wrapped his arms around him, Harry buried his face in the crook of Sev's neck. They stayed that way for a long while, just holding each other.

Severus was usually uncomfortable with physical contact, but this felt good. He didn't feel as though any thing was being taken from him. Eventually Harry pulled back beautiful green eyes shining with a hopeful look, "Am I forgiven, then?"

Sev smirked, "I believe I said it was not your fault." Harry stuck out his lip and looked at Sev soulfully.

Sev chuckled and caressed Harry's cheek, "Alright Mr. Potter, you are forgiven. But..." he held up one long finger shaking it gently under Harry's nose, "No more roses and stop with the puppy eyes."

Harry blinked a couple of times and smiled, "Okay Sev. I really thought you would like it they're all silvery on the inside." Sev's eyes went wide, "It's called a Night Ro..."

The Potions Master exploded, "WHAT?" he bodily lifted Harry off his lap dumping him on the sofa in his effort to kneel at the hearth. When he finally found the charred remains of the rose Harry had to restrain him or he would have burned his hands trying to retrieve what was left of the flower.

"Severus, stop it." Harry ordered sharply.

Severus sat back stricken, "It's gone. Harry? I didn't realize. I..."

Harry placed his fingers on Sev's lips. "It's just a flower. Are you telling me you want roses now?" he grinned.

Severus flopped on the floor sprawling on his back in front of the fire one hand on his forehead the other pinching the bridge of his nose. "Just a flower? Sweet Circe, what am I going to do with him?" He was mumbling, "How can he not know what it is worth, what it can be used for?"

Harry gently slid his hands under Sev's and began massaging his forehead and temples. When Sev let his hands drop to the floor with a groan Harry leaned over and kissed the tip of his nose.

Grinning Harry moved so that his body covered Sev's still stroking his cheek, "If Circe doesn't have any good ideas," he brushed his lips against Sev's, "I have plenty." He took possession of Sev's lips.

When he pulled back he whispered, "I'll get you a new flower."

Sev shook his head, "They are much too expensive Harry. You shouldn't waste your money on me, I'm not worth it."

Harry sat up straddling the older mans hips. "Don't be so sure of that, Luv. I think you are worth a lot more than any flower. And while I don't know as much as I would like about potions or ingredients, I do know about beauty and how that particular flower looks blooming in the moon light." He stood still straddling the Potions Master but leaning over, "and I know that if you want one, you have to get your arse off the floor and come with me."

Severus sat up slowly eying Harry warily, blushing as he realized that if he didn't scoot back his face would make contact with the bulge in Harry's pants. He was afraid of what Harry might demand as payment for the flower but couldn't say he didn't want one.

Harry watched Sev maneuver away and rise to his feet. He almost wished Sev would take the initiative but some how knew he wouldn't. Harry was aware that if he wanted this relationship to work he had to take the dominate role and that they would need to discuss staging some scenes that Sev could show Voldemort.



Severus followed Harry through the darkness of the garden. He could smell roses, lavender and night blooming jasmine as well as other more rare plants. They came to a small bench and Harry indicated that he should sit, and then moved away for a few minutes.

Sev sat looking around at the shadows. It was odd but he felt perfectly safe in the unknown garden. Harry had led him through the fire to a small house and directly out into the garden without even lighting his wand.

Harry came back and set something on the ground before straddling the bench and wrapping his arms around him, pulling him close. They sat in silence for a while.

Sev eventually began to fidget, he wasn't used to sitting doing nothing nor was he used to being held. It wasn't unpleasant just unaccustomed. He finally whispered, "Harry, what are we doing?"

Harry pointed to where the moon was inching above the treetops, "The moon will be shining bright and full in a few minutes, and then something special will happen to the roses." He pointed to a shadow that was slowly resolving into a rose bush.

Sev sat wide eyed, transfixed as first the individual buds became visible then as each one opened, they reveal the silver inside, each flower glowing. The bush soon looked like a many-eyed creature staring back at them in the semi-darkness.

They were startled by an orange and gold glowing blur moving incredibly fast around the glowing flowers. Eventually it stopped moving allowing them to identify a tiny bird, about the size of a hummingbird, which neither had ever seen before.

The bird darted between the flowers stopping briefly at each, presumably to feed. Soon it was joined by another bird of the same size, shape and speed, only this one was a pure glowing gold and shown like a miniature sun kissing the flowery moons and dancing with the orange bird.

As they watched they noticed the two birds seemed to be gathering things, small twigs and grasses and carrying them in to the interior of the bush. The gold one found Harry, landed on his head and began to pull at his hair.

Sev chuckled as he absently undid his braid and raked his hand through his hair to dislodge any loose strands. When he held out his hand there were several long hairs hanging from his fingers. The little bird settled briefly and gathered the hairs in her tiny talons. As she took flight again she left four tiny golden feathers in his palm.

Sev was so stunned that he couldn't move. Harry smiled brightly as he pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and gently wrapped the precious feathers in side and sealed it with his wand.

Harry picked up what Sev now saw was a box and stood holding his hand out to Sev.

Sev only hesitated a moment before taking Harry's hand and standing as well. He had decided that whatever the price he would pay gladly. As far as Sev knew there were only three such bushes in the world and a Golden Snitch had not been seen for at least a two centuries.



tbc