Chapter 31

"Alright," Severus said. "Are you ready?"

Harry smiled at him and agreed.

"We're going to a restaurant in muggle London. With any luck, we will be incognito enough to enjoy ourselves."

"Sounds perfect."

Harry pulled on his black coat and took Severus's hand. Severus activated the portkey and they were pulled through into a dark alley. It was a cloudy night, leaving the moon mostly covered.

They walked the short distance to the steakhouse. The air was crisp. The sidewalks were wet, reflecting the lights from the traffic signals and glowing store signs. Severus couldn't help but feel excitement each time Harry looked up at him and smiled as they walked in sync.

Despite everything Harry had been through, he still demonstrated innocent joy at the smallest of things. Harry stomped a bit too hard into a puddle and giggled when it splattered over Severus's trousers. Severus looked at him in mock annoyance but winked at Harry when the young man flicked his finger covertly to dry the water droplets on his clothing.

There was a short queue at the door. Women in dresses, men in casual suits. Severus navigated the two of them easily to the front of the line.

"My husband and I have a reservation," Severus told the host behind the wooden podium. "Robert Johnson."

The plump, ginger man smiled kindly and scanned his eyes over the list before him.

"Ah! Here we are. Right this way, Mr Johnson."

Harry slipped his hand into Severus's as they followed the host to the back of the restaurant. Severus pulled a chair out for Harry to take his seat.

"Thank you, dear husband," Harry teased.

Severus sat across from Harry. "We're nobodies in the muggle world, we can be whoever we want to be."

"You can be anyone here and yet you only choose to be my husband."

Severus thought about those words momentarily before responding with a simple, "Yes."

The restaurant was dark, only lit by dim overhead bulbs and candles flickering atop each table. Not a single person around them paid them any mind. It felt nice to be just a normal human, if only for the night.

The small flame between them reflected on the lenses of Harry's glasses.

Harry'd always been beautiful, but he was especially so right now as he sipped at his wine. His cheeks were tinted pink with the beginning of inebriation. He set his glass of wine down then flicked his tongue out over his lips.

Severus adjusted himself in his seat. Watching Harry enjoying himself silently was causing something deep in his gut to stir. His cock twitched.

The waiter took away their dinner plates and replaced them with two portions of creme brûlée.

Harry hummed happily as he sucked every morsel from the spoon. He stared deep into Severus's eyes as he swallowed back his first bite.

"Thank you for dinner." Harry licked his lips again and dug his spoon in for another bite. Severus was mesmerized by Harry's every movement. Time felt like it was moving slowly.

Severus's lips part, he wanted to speak but the only things he could think to say were things he wasn't ready to say quite yet.

All he knew was that his entire life was sat in the chair opposite him.

When they stepped out of the restaurant the air was noticeably colder. Wind whipped around them. Harry shivered. Severus pulled one side of his long coat away from his body. He tucked Harry in close to his side and wrapped his jacket around him. Harry smiled at him gratefully.

He stopped Severus and turned towards him. Severus wrapped both sides around Harry's back and held him close.

Harry stared up at him. "I'm not ready for tonight to end."

"Nor am I," Severus admitted easily. "Do you have anything in mind?"

Harry worried his lip. He looked away and scanned his eyes up and down the street. "I don't know."

The wind howled, blowing cool moist air into their faces. Severus pulled Harry to him tighter. Harry wrapped his arms around him and laid his head against Severus's shoulder.

"Let us head back to Grimmauld. I could use some coffee."

Severus pulled them into the alley and they portkeyed back to Sirius's home.

They both landed gracefully and walked up the steps and into number 12 Grimmauld.

Remus and Tonks were wrapped around one another on the sofa, kissing, giggling, and whispering. Remus looked up in surprise.

Harry grinned and nodded to him. "Hi, Tonks. Hi, Remus. We will, er, be out of your way." He took his hand and pulled him into the dark kitchen.

Harry pointed his finger to the overhead lights and they came to life.

"You're talented with wordless and wandless magic," Severus commented.

"Thanks. I, er, practice whenever Draco is away. He's not fond of it."

"Why wouldn't he like it? It's incredible to watch."

Harry shrugged. "My magic isn't always controllable. I suppose it scares him."

As if on cue the kitchen door swung open. "I've seen you about blow yourself up enough times to dislike you practicing with that wild magic." Draco folded his arms over his chest.

"Do you two discuss me the entire time you're on your little dates? How sad."

"Don't flatter yourself," Severus heard himself say before he could stop himself.

"Excuse my intrusion, Uncle. I have matters to discuss with my fiance." The blond turned to Harry. "We have to place our order with the florist in the morning. I came to get your opinion for centrepieces."

"We both know what you're doing."

Draco grinned innocently. "I don't know what you mean, love."

"You don't care about my opinion. Hell, you even planned our engagement party without me. You're just here to be a brat."

"A brat," Draco repeated, still grinning.

"It's alright," Severus told Harry quietly. "I can go."

Harry grabbed Severus's hand. "No. Please stay. Our date isn't over."

Draco's jaw dropped and his eyes widened as his gaze fell to Harry's hand on Severus's.

He snapped his mouth closed, his eyes narrowed angrily. "I'm not a fool. I can admit a losing fight. Harry, tell me now. Do you plan to marry me?"

Severus's heart pounded. He, too, was eager to hear Harry's answer, although they still had three dates and two weeks left of the courtship.

"I can't answer that yet."

"I'll leave you two to it, then." Draco turned on his heel dramatically.

Once he was gone, Harry collapsed into a kitchen chair and rubbed his hands over his face. He lifted his hand and two coffee cups floated from the cupboard and landed in front of him. He snapped his fingers and the cups filled with tea.

Severus stood still. Harry's demonstrations of his command over this wild magic never ceased to impress him.

"I'm sorry, Severus."

"You have nothing to apologize for." Severus pulled out the chair next to Harry's and sat.

"Dinner was fantastic." Harry looked at Severus and smiled sadly. "You look so handsome tonight."

"I was just thinking the same of you."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"

"I always think of how handsome you are when I look at you." And Severus wasn't lying. Harry was the most beautiful thing he'd ever laid his eyes on.

Harry lifted his hand to cup Severus's face. He leaned forward. Severus's breath and heartbeat both quickened. Harry's warm breath grazed Severus's lips as he inched closer. Severus dug his fingertips into Harry's thighs to steady himself.

"Tell me what you're thinking," Harry requested gently.

Severus couldn't stop the words from tumbling from his mouth. "I love you."

Harry's lips clashed against Severus's own with fervor. Harry's lips part and Severus took the opportunity to flick his tongue against the other man's. The kiss deepened effortlessly. Without thinking, Severus moved his hands to Harry's arse and pulled the younger man from his chair and into his lap.

Harry pulled away just far enough to catch his breath. "Tell me again."

"I love you, Harry." Severus said it as if it were the only thing in his life he'd ever been sure of.

Harry's breath came in ragged huffs.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Always have been."

Harry attacked his mouth again. He kissed Severus as if his lips were Harry's only source of oxygen.

The room around them melted away. He had Harry in his arms. It was all that he had desired for years. Now that he had it, he swore to himself he wouldn't lose it.

He pulled Harry closer, held him tighter.

Harry placed his forehead against Severus's.

They both struggled to catch their breaths.

"Do you remember," Severus began, his breathing still unsteady. "Your dreams when you were unconscious?"

Harry nodded. "Yes."

"You told me to find you."

"Mm."

"I've finally found you."

Harry wrapped his arms around his neck. "Don't let me go."

He placed another gentle kiss to his lips.

"You look chipper this morning," Hermione teased as Severus took his seat by her at the staff table the next morning. She pushed Severus's tea towards him. Severus inclined his head in thanks.

"I'm feeling optimistic this morning."

Minerva's shoes clicked as she approached the table, the sound reverberated against the tall ceilings of the still student-less room. She tossed the daily newspaper in front of Severus and Hermione.

She clucked her tongue. "This is exactly what I was expressing concern about!"

Severus lifted the paper to eye-level. Hermione gasped.

Former Student Says Severus Snape Seduced Harry Potter While Still at Hogwarts!

"An 'anonymous source'," Hermione quoted aloud.

"Draco," Severus growled beneath his breath.

"Fix this!" Minerva demanded. "Now!"