A/N: Hello, people!

I don't own Harry Potter.

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Severus Snape was a young man of eighteen years. Until his seventh school year started he'd never had what some called a 'healthy libido'. Even when he was in love with Lily he never thought of her that way. It had seemed too awkward an action to follow through with. And then his seventh year began and he met Harriet Morsmangone.

She was a Metamorphmagus. She was beautiful. She was powerful. She followed him around for two months non stop. Him! Not Crouch or Merlin forbid, Black of all people. She sought him out above all others and called him her friend. The only other person she was friends with was Lovegood.

And she had been the one to awaken said things inside him that he hadn't bothered contemplating before. He'd admit to giving up after losing Lily's friendship. But not just in romance, just relationships period. She was remarkably tolerant of him for years and if she couldn't stand him anymore, then who would?

And then Harriet told the Dark Lord, right in front of all of his followers, that she planned to have Severus as 'hers'.

He had thought that that was the most embarrassing moment in his life. Until she followed right up with a kiss to his cheek. And then repeated the action on his birthday and pretty much tricked him into sneaking from the castle to go celebrate.

She'd slowly managed to top her previous performance every time. Severus could only hope that each day wasn't the day she decided to best her last action.

Today was one of those days. It was also a day that his hopes were completely ignored by whatever omnipotent being that reigned over the universe.

Harry ran up to him after saying farewell to Lovegood. And the very first thing out of her mouth was, "Severus, what is a perineum?"

The morbidity of his embarrassment would haunt him for decades. He was sure.

"W-why are you asking me?" he sputtered, trying to get back into his aloof character and failing miserably.

"I was reading a book and Xeno came by and I asked him. He said that since I have my sights set on you, it would be best that you answer the question. So what is it?"

Lovegood was going to suffer. Severus couldn't begin to articulate the various ways he could torture the blonde. How dare he subject Severus to this embarrassment! And Harry was just standing there expectantly. She was waiting for him to answer her! How was he going to answer that?!

"It's a part of the body," he mumbled reluctantly.

"I've never heard of it. Is it that well known?"

Merlin don't ask things like that!

"Perhaps your aunt didn't expect you to have to learn about it."

"But where is it? Why are you blushing? Oh! Is it sexual?!"

Her voice had risen higher than her usual mumble and she had spoken with perfect clarity. Nearly everyone within a ten foot radius, heard what she said and they proceeded to stare openly. Severus flushed in horror at what was probably going through their heads.

"Keep it down!" he hissed lowly and tugged on her arm. Snickers followed their departure and he sighed. There would be rumors floating by dinner time. Merlin help him.

"It's not something you just talk about out in the open, Harry."

The young woman was grinning suddenly.

"What?!" he snapped, feeling annoyed.

"You've never actually called me by my name before. It sounds nice. Do it more often."

That was all she got out of it? Seriously?

He continued to drag her away as he attempted to think of how to convey to her that certain things were not meant to be expressed in public. She was so stunted that she most likely didn't understand why he was embarrassed. As to so casually speak of sex in the middle of a busy corridor!

"Listen, Harry," he began, heeding her request. "That isn't something to talk about around people. Quite frankly, I wish you hadn't asked at all, because there are just certain things that I do not want to think about right now."

"But it's okay to talk about when we're alone, right?"

He fought off the instinctive urge to yell 'no' in her face. Yelling would get him nowhere in this. He had to be calm and collected. She had to be made to understand.

He rubbed a reluctant hand over his face and sighed. "Harry, how would you feel if someone decided to discuss your monthly visitor and the length of its cycle, out in the middle of the Great Hall where anybody can hear?" he asked, hoping that he sounded as patient as he was trying to come across.

"I'd be a bit worried that they were taking such interest in my bodily functions."

That was not the answer he'd been expecting. In all honesty, he thought he was about to get pummeled. Of course Harry couldn't be normal in this one instance, could she?

He mentally cried tears. He didn't want to be the one to do this. He didn't want to have to think about any of this! At least not while in school.

"Harry, the perineum is an area of sensitive skin that could be erogenous if handled properly."

There, he said it. Sort of.

She stared at him without blinking. He hated it when she didn't blink!

"So, men and women have this?"

"Yes."

"And it makes sex good?"

"I wouldn't… be the one to ask," he gritted out.

"We should try it."

He choked on his own saliva. And how could he not?

"We aren't married!" he sputtered. "Or even in a relationship!"

Harriet stared again, before an ungodly glint entered her gaze. "Was that a proposal?"

Dear Merlin, what was he going to do with this girl?

Wrong!

He wasn't a pervert.

No!

"Harry, why are you so so intent on having me?" he asked, uncomfortable with their current line of discussion

"I like you. You're attractive, smart, hilarious, awkward in a cute way, and you seem to make up for all the information and manners I lack. If you've noticed, no one else but you and Xeno have reached out to me in any way. I have two people I consider friends and forged a romantic attachment to the one who wasn't already affianced and whom I spend a majority of my time with. Of course I'd want you."

She said it nonchalantly, but he was sure he saw a glimmer of sadness. Perhaps she wanted more friends? It wouldn't surprise him since she wasn't used to having people around.

He sniffed, trying to will away the blush that was creeping up his cheeks.

"Would you have lunch with me tomorrow?"

It was a Hogsmeade weekend and everyone would be gone.

She grinned, "Sure. Where to?"

"I have a plan. You'll see tomorrow."

She said yes! He felt ill and happy all at once. If that was even possible.

"Secretive. I like it."

They continued to walk to the Common Room. Severus was under the impression that the subject was dropped. Until she asked, "So are we going to test that perineum thing any times soon?"

Severus had worked out a deal with the House Elves. Harriet had shown him the entrance to the Kitchens months prior and he had gone down to asked for their assistance. The Elves liked Harriet and readily agreed to aid him.

They requested that he remain respectful of her and then they'd help. He was already doing his best in that department, so the promise wasn't difficult to make.

They provided a nice blanket of a soft, green shade. They also planned out their lunch. Harriet had particular tastes, so there was a lot of treacle tart on the dessert list. Her preferences were very childish in a sense. She preferred pumpkin juice and tarts than normal food. Though she would eat fruit. So he made sure that all her favorites were in the large basket.

He thanked the Elves and left to meet Harriet in the Entrance Hall.

She was standing beside a suit of armor, nodding her head to an unheard beat. She did that a lot.

She smiled widely when she noticed him, making his stomach flutter.

"Where to, Sev? Is that a wicker basket? Are we having a picnic?!"

She sounded so delighted over the idea and her excitement was easy to see. She was practically jumping up and down. More of a bounce but the effect was the very same.

"Yes."

He offered his unoccupied arm and she took it quickly.

It was a relatively warm April afternoon. The grass on the grounds were perfectly trimmed, thanks to the Thestrals that barely anyone could see. The lake was like a large onix pool. Harriet skipped ahead and chose the spot she wanted by twirling a few times and smiling.

He retrieved the blanket and set it out quickly.

"Ooooh," she murmured when she laid eyes on the food he brought.

She plopped down - literally plopped - and folded her legs beneath her, fixing her skirt quickly.

"You thought of everything!"

She did not reach for the normal food. She went for dessert first, gladly grabbing a tart and taking a bite.

Severus stared for a few seconds, watching as her mouth just… He was becoming a pervert.

"So what bought this on?" Harriet asked after a bite of her tart.

"Just… didn't want to be watched by others. They seem to like staring at us whenever we go somewhere and this was nicer."

"Well, you couldn't have picked a better date, I approve."

He sputtered.

"Well, it is a date. It's the second you've asked me to. I'm usually the one taking charge, but it's nice for you to do it every now and then."

'Date'? Since when did he ask her for such an outing.

The Yule Ball at Malfoy Manor. That was what she was talking about. Bloody hell.

And she mentioned that she liked it when he 'took charge'. There was no way she knew the implications of her words. She was too naive to hear it. Or understand it for that matter.

She talked about sex like it was just something people did. Like it wasn't something sacred. She probably didn't know anything beyond the basics. And she obviously saw nothing wrong with just asking about sex in the middle of a busy corridor.

He was in for an interesting friendship.

A friendship that she wanted to evolve into something more. Marriage. Meaning love and children and all those things that proper couples were supposed to do.

But neither of them were what people considered proper.

A soft warmth on his cheek startled him back to the present. Harriet had just kissed his cheek again.

"You were floating off somewhere, Sev."

"Thank you," he cleared his throat.

"Wrackspurts make the brain go fuzzy, so I don't blame you." she commented lightly, taking another bite of her sweet.

The bloody hell were Wrackspurts? Was that one of Lovegood's made up creations?

Just then, Harriet's black locks bled blonde and she began to hum much like Lovegood did. Yes, it was his influence for certain.

"Hey Sev, look at what I can do!"

She plucked a nearby Butterwort from the grass and held it between her fingers. It began to glow. The purple petal turned red, then blue and finally gold.

"This is so much easier than hunting down different flowers. It's fun too."

His jaw dropped. That kind of Transfiguration, was rare to come by.

"You like it?"

"Yes," he answered quickly. "It's rather amazing, but I'm beginning to get used to the fact that you do amazing things on a near constant basis."

And she was the one flushing now.

It was rare that he received that sort of response from her. She was usually so stoic or innocent, but apparently, compliments on her magic were what really got her attention. Not her looks or her clothing. Simply saying he liked her magical ability was enough to make her happy.

"Thanks."

They sat in companionable silence for a while, just eating and observing nature at Hogwarts.

Severus was drawn to Harriet once again, as one of the roaming Thestrals - a small foal - wandered on over to her side and she began to pet it. She raised her hand to the right and called out, "Accio rabbit!"

He looked toward the Dark Forest, seeing a small white form flying through the air. It landed, clutched tightly in her palm. She mumbled something, the rabbit going limp a second later, and it's body was suddenly on fire.

She shook her hand once and tossed the mutilated carcass away, watching the Thestral dive for it.

It was disgusting and sweet all at once. He just killed a rabbit for a Thestral in order to feed it. She had pet the creature that was sometimes associated as a portent of death. And she killed an small, white rabbit without a glance.

She waved her hand again, making the blood and fur disappear, leaving bare, clean flesh behind.

"Sorry about that. He was hungry."

"How did you know that?" he couldn't help but ask.

"I've always understood animals on a small level," she admitted. "Insects too. Sometimes, they were all I had to talk to. They having a deep understanding that you don't see often in others."

She normally didn't like talking about her past. The rare moments where she would reveal something new, usually made him sad. He had a terrible home life but from what he knew of hers, she had it worse. To consider animals and insects as good conversation holders, was sad.

"People tend to overlook them because they are small, or 'insignificant'. They can't possibly be as smart as humans are, so it's okay to abuse and mistreat and ignore them," she continued, frowning.

She slowly began glaring at the lake and Severus grabbed the last item from the basket and placed it in her open hand. She jolted, looking down at it and smiling suddenly.

"Thanks, Sev."

He had left a Rosa Blanca - a magical breed of flower - in a long vial of Draught of the Living Death. Because it had its own magic, it was able to warp the effects of the draught, turning the petals black and poisonous if added to potions. The rate of the flower decaying was slower than with any other flora.

Harriet smiled at the flower and ran her fingers over the petals.

They sat in comfortable silence until the carriages began returning from Hogsmeade.

Both enjoyed the afternoon together.

Severus was more open in recent days. At least toward Harriet. He was coming to terms with the fact that Lily did not like him and that Harriet did. He was also beginning to admit to himself that he really liked her and that he was pleased that she returned his affections.

They were to meet in the library to discuss what to do for an upcoming assignment they'd been made partners for. Charms was just another subject that Harriet excelled at.

He rounded the nearest bookshelf and came to an abrupt halt. Harriet was sitting at a table in the far corner, surrounded by books and parchment. What was out of place in the scene, was the fact that Lily was talking to her.

Actually, from the way they were looking at each other, he'd say they were arguing. Harriet looked ready to kill and Lily had the look that Potter always wore around Slytherins, on her face. The two were leaned into each other, heatedly 'speaking'. Their voices weren't raised, but it was definitely not a pleasant discussion between them.

He backed up behind the shelf and retreated a ways, in order to go around the collection of shelves and get closer to the brewing chaos between the two women.

He came upon their location, slowly, leaning against a shelf in order to listen in without being caught.

Harriet had simply been waiting for Severus. She was doing her assignments, making sure everything was in order. And then who has to come up and bother her? Lily Evans.

This was becoming monotonous. It was the same thing. One of the Gryffindor idiots would corner her and then a major confrontation would take place and she'd leave feeling annoyed. She never did things like this when she was a Gryffindor. She didn't actively search out anyone in Slytherin, because she wanted nothing to do with them!

But it was like all they could think about was the same thing over and over. They repeated themselves and she had a feeling that they'd keep doing it until they were blue in the face. Redundancy was not appreciated at any time and Harry was sick of hearing about how 'evil' she and Severus were.

Lily stomped on over and began to 'reprimand' her for being so 'horrible' to James and his friends.

"Evans, they came and bothered me. Potter didn't tell you that the Headmaster came and even checked their wands to find them in the wrong, did he? He also received detention for lying to the Headmaster. The professor knows everything that goes on in this castle, because the portraits, knights, statues, and ghosts answer to him whenever something happens. He'll even know about this little confrontation thanks to Barnabas over there," she sneered, pointing to obviously observing portrait.

Evans looked over, flushing instantly. "James didn't mention anything about that."

"Of course not. He's a compulsive liar. You'd best get your account of happenings from Lupin. He's more trustworthy," Harriet scoffed.

"You're so rude to people!" Evans huffed, glaring.

"'Rude'? I consider it rude to stomp up to someone, unannounced or unwanted or both, and assault them and accuse them of nefarious means. Especially when you only have the word of a liar to back up your claims. Everyone is always going on about how kind you are, but I don't see it. For a Head Girl, you are spectacularly ignorant of the bullying happening all over this school. And who are at the top of this ladder? Your beloved Marauders."

Harriet was becoming tired of hearing the term. It was too much all the time. They were everywhere! When she was younger, she thought it was a marvelous idea, but after meeting them all, she could only wish for their friendships to wither away and die.

It may seem harsh that she was wishing such ill fortune on her parents and their friends, but they weren't her parents in this time period, they were bullies. The very people that Harriet hated with a passion. And Harriet was on the receiving end of a lot of their rubbish and insults.

Lily stepped back once, looking affronted.

"And another thing, why do you feel the need to bother me? I'm sitting here, doing my Charms assignment and you have to interrupt me just to repeat yourself. You are boring. You apparently cannot think for yourself. And you are wasting my time. Bugger off."

Harriet turned back to her parchment, grabbing the quill and dipping it in the ink. She proceeded to ignore the redheaded Gryffindor, in favor of doing her work.

Evans didn't appreciate this and in a completely childish gesture, she reached out and knocked the inkwell all over Harriet's parchment. The Slytherin sat there for a moment, before waving her hand and reversing the movement.

The ink that had been soaking her assignment, retreated into a circular blob before lifting itself and dispensing back into the once again upright inkwell, in a small funnel shape.

She glared up at Evans, who had blanched when she saw Harriet's actions.

"Professor Dumbledore will be hearing about that as well," she simply stated, before returning to her work.

Evans stomped her foot.

She was seventeen at least, right? How many seventeen year olds acted like that?

Harriet felt the brush of Severus' magic. He was nearby, but he wasn't coming out in the open. He was watching.

She showed no sign of noticing him, simply going back to her work.

"Stay away from the Gryffindors!" Evans finally said, practically hissing.

"I wish it were possible. Unfortunately, you all seem to seek me out, even when I'm ignoring you. And then you throw a right tanty when you don't get what you want. Like the whole knocking the ink all over my assignment. That was pathetic by the way.

If you can manage to stop bothering me, I wouldn't have to deal with Gryffindors."

"We don't bother you!"

"Oh really? So I only make it a point to be around two people, neither of which are Gryffindors. And you are the one who waltzed your annoying little arse over here to whine to me. And I certainly don't want to endure your presence at any time of any day. So tell me, who is the one doing the 'bothering' here, Evans?"

She received no answer. Not that she was expecting one. Gryffindors tended to be single minded. She was ashamed as a former member of that House.

She waited patiently, until Evans got so frustrated at being ignored, that she stomped away, the same as she had arrived.

A moment later, Severus slid into his usual seat, looking like a king as he did so. Harriet took a moment to admire it, before going back to her work.

"Does that happen often?" he finally asked.

"Well, she's only approached me once before. Potter and his lackeys are worse."

"And what did she say before?"

"Things that bear no repeating, Sev."

She did not like Lily Evans. Not at all. But she knew that Severus still wasn't over everything and she wasn't about to ruin the man's image of his long time ex-friend. She'd let Lily do that on her own. That way, Harriet wouldn't seem like a jealous bitch.

Mostly for her benefit, though she was thinking of Severus too.

"I'm sorry. She wasn't like this years ago."

"You should not apologize for her actions. Despite the attitude, she is a grown girl and can handle herself."

Severus did not answer. He simply began working on his own assignments.

A brief touch on her hand, had her looking up. Severus wasn't looking at her, but he didn't pull away either.

She smiled and went back to work, still holding his hand.

He was sweet when he felt like comforting someone.

April bled into May. The students began buckling down to do their studies. Now that their N.E.W.T.s and O.W.L.s were coming at the end of the month, they had to really make sure that they did their very best.

Severus put her through every sort of training ahead of time and she forced him to try the Patronus Charm.

"I don't have many good memories," he admitted quietly.

That was exactly how she felt when she was working on the charm. She had her days of 'Harry Hunting'. She had the neglect from the people who were supposed to be her family. She had the horrible things her aunt had told her about her parents.

And Severus hadn't had anything better, even though he had both parents. His father and mother killed each other over a domestic. But domestics were apparently normal things in the Snape household. Severus held no love for his father and resented his mother for ever marrying him and leaving the magical world.

"Well to be forthright, you could just use a thought. This is a powerful charm and it is powered by happiness. Joy. Either your most powerful memory or thinking of what would make you the happiest. When I started this, I had no good memories either, so I used a dream I had once. That my parents were alive and talking to me. It was strong enough for me to be able to produce a mist after several attempts against a Dementor Boggart."

He sent her a look and she shrugged, "I'm terrified of Dementors because I remember my mother begging for my life as she's being killed by the bright green, Avada. It isn't pleasant."

He winced, almost unnoticeable, but did nod.

He took a steadying breath and lifted his wand. There was a pause. And then...

"Expecto Patronum."

Harriet was left to gape as a silvery mist shot out from the tip of Severus' wand, pooling together to form a beautiful, silvery doe. Said creature cocked its head at her, carefully stepping toward her, head raised curiously. It was her exact height and stared her down with a seemingly soul searching gaze. It bumped noses with her and faded from view, leaving her standing there in amazement.

That had been Severus' first attempt. And he'd been so worried over not having happy memories too.

She gave him the largest smile she could manage, face nearly splitting in half at the effort.

She waved her own wand, allowing Prongs to charge out, full throttle. He looked around for the danger and when he saw none, he faced his summoner. The great stag bowed his head to her, before facing Severus. Harriet noticed in a moment of clarity, that he was as tall as Severus was. And Sev was a little over six feet.

Severus stared the protective guardian down, not looking away.

Prongs nodded once before fading away.

"Well that was interesting," Harriet finally said.

"Indeed," murmured Severus.

"What did you use to fuel your Patronus?" Harriet asked, truly curious.

Severus smirked, "Would you be willing to part with what you used, in return for the information?"

She returned the expression, "Sure. Dancing with you at the Yule Ball."

She had fully come to grips with her interest with him that night. And he was a great dancer. And he was sexy when he laughed and smiled and did pretty much anything.

So she was really into him and it sounded a little corny.

Severus took a measured step into her personal space, making her look up at him. His perfect fingers raised to cup her face…

He was leaning in.

Her mind stopped when their lips connected, because it was just that mind blowing.

She leaned into him when her legs went numb, leaving him to hold her upright, which was accomplished by one hand trailing down her neck and arm in order to wrap around her waist. Goose-flesh spread instantly.

She responded in kind, wrapping her arms around his high shoulders and pulling him closer.

It tingled and was so much better than that sloppy kiss she had shared with Cho. Severus' tongue was doing amazing things, unlike Cho's which felt like an invasion of privacy.

Harriet could only wonder where this amazing technique was gathered from, because people didn't just kiss this great without practice… right?

They clutched each other for several moments, trying to ignore the need to breath even as they pulled apart only to plaster themselves against the other once more.

And on this day of May, Harriet had worn a skirt because of the heat and the desire to not waste magic on cooling charms. Her laziness earlier in the day had done her a great service because she was very much enjoying the warmth Severus radiated. Also, wrapping a leg around his trim hip was just perfection.

He pulled back slightly, making her groan in frustration.

"We need to be careful," he said haggardly.

Careful was boring.

"I like you, Harriet. But I also respect you. And I'm not doing this in an abandoned classroom with a woman I'm not married to."

Her brain decided to catch up in that moment and she couldn't help but sigh softly at how sweet he was. Her Sev was such a gentleman.

She slowly disentangled herself from him, feeling strangely cold now that his body heat was gone.

"I understand."

He smiled suddenly and her heart skipped about ten beats. Too bloody attractive for his own good!

"Thank you," he murmured, gently taking her right had and flipping it over in order to place a kiss on her pulse point.

She knew what that was. She'd studied up on it.

It was a request for courtship.

Avada eyes went wide in delight.

"So then, was that your proposal?"

Sev's head fell into his hands.

Harriet and Severus shared a look at the large ship waiting for them. Them and the other seventh years.

As the graduating class of 1978, they were finally finished with Hogwarts.

With a giggle, she jumped on his back and wrapped herself around him. He sighed, but steadily boarded the vessel.

And to her surprise, the boat was being pulled… by the giant squid. Literally, its head was poking out of the water and there was a large strap around it.

The boat pushed off from the magical doc and the recently graduated teenagers all shared a look, before whipping out their wands and shooting various colored sparks into the air above the lake, filling the sky with explosive colors and loud, thunderous booms.

The Hogwarts Express was as big and red as ever, welcoming them back for one last ride. Like a fond farewell.

Harriet obviously shared a compartment with Severus, taking turns on a large bottle of Fire-whiskey that was given to them courtesy of the trolley witch. The 'last ride' was free, compliments of Hogwarts' staff who wished them well off and onto good futures.

Harriet and Severus were going away for a year. Severus planned to study up on his Potions knowledge and when they returned, he was going for his Mastery Exam. Since he already created many potions of his own, all he needed was more experience.

Harriet was in search of spells and dueling techniques. So they were pooling their money together in order to travel together and they'd offer their skills along the way if they needed more to spend.

That evening, before they were to leave, Severus would join his fellows at Malfoy Manor and receive the Dark Mark. Harriet was not attending. She didn't want to know what they did. Or if they did anything to anyone. She was going to pretend that everything was hunky-dory and leave it as is.

She'd already foiled Bellatrix's chance of having children and she couldn't do anything to the Dark Side yet. It would look suspicious if she was connected to every bad thing that happened to a Death Eater.

So while Severus would go to his 'meeting' she be meeting Dumbledore to explain her and Sev's plans for the next year and what she should consider.

The two occupants of the compartment smiled at each other once more.

There was war coming. Death. Heartache. Sadness. But they could make the best of the time they had and nothing more. Because wars weren't planned. The sides didn't just agree to start a battle on a specific date. This war was going on for decades and the physical conflict was about to begin.

And they simply had to sit and bear it until it reached its zenith.

A/N: Another is done!

-Lily is redundant, yes.

-They finally were macking!

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See ya! :D

CHECK ME OUT ON TUMBLR. THE LINK IS ON MY PROFILE. I FOLLOW BACK.