Title: Yuletide Cheer

Author: veritaserumMaster

Rating: T (Rating might go up in the future.)

Pairings: JPSS

Warnings: AU, Language.

Summary: Marauder Era. 7th year. Severus's life was a routine: wake up, eat, study, get bullied, study, eat, study, get bullied, study, eat, and sleep. Getting asked out by his Tormentor (with a capital letter T) though, was not on his itinerary.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Please don't sue me.

A/N: This story is slash, so if you don't like that, then why are you reading this in the first place?

This was supposed to be a one-shot, but I just couldn't help myself. It's Potter/Snape this time. Enjoy!

Feeling quite proud of his self for not joining the rampage inside the Castle about the upcoming Christmas Ball, Severus makes his way towards his favorite spot – a big, old oak tree beside the Black Lake – with his book – Potions and People – tucked in his hands. It is hidden away by several different kinds of trees around it.

He likes this spot because it is hidden away, granting him the reprieve that he needs, the hideout that he longs for, providing an escape from his tormentors whose most imaginative teasing material is calling him a "hook-nosed, greasy git." Really now, 5 years and that's all they have?

He prides in the fact that he does not rise to their bait; that he'd rather have a raptor's beak with sharp wit and tongue than be the dunderheads with the holier – than – thou act.

His hideout is similar to the one he shared with his best friend – with the shade providing the perfect protection from the heat of the sun, it also makes his pale skin look, well, less pale; the sunshine that managed to get through the thick leaves create patches of light that provide illumination conducive for his light reading – before you both went to Hogwarts. Unfortunately, she has also been deluded by those Gryffindors that the upcoming Ball was a once in a lifetime experience and that every girl must attend with a date.

Pitiful, really. All those rambunctious, hormonal teenagers running around like chickens with their heads cut off scrambling to find a date for the stupid Christmas Ball. What's the big deal, anyway? It's just another excuse to put prepubescent teenagers in a room and give them a chance to get drunk right under the professors noses and shag like bunnies in deserted corridors and hidden alcoves and broom closets.

The Ball is in 2 weeks and everyone is acting like they're going to die if they don't have a freaking date, stupid the lot of them. Severus doesn't need all of that, all he needs is his book on his spot and he's all set.

He takes his outer robes off, not caring if anyone can see his skinny form through his thin shirt. It is hot out here; sweat keeps trickling down his body and he welcomed the cool shade the tree provided.

He was halfway through his book when he heard a rustling of leaves behind him. Thinking it was nothing but air, he jumped out of his skin when a face appeared behind his book.

"Bloody hell!"

The idiot laughed at Severus' expression. "Watch your tongue, Snape."

Severus fixed him with a glare so strong it would make a grown man pee his pants in fear before passing out cold. "Do what you came here for then leave, Potter. I don't have time for you today."

Apparently, Potter is nowhere near grown because he just grinned before flopping down beside Severus. "What'cha doin'?"

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Potter, do you own a dictionary? Because 'Leave' doesn't actually mean 'Make yourself comfortable'." He sneered at him.

"Really? We must own different dictionaries then because in my book it means just that."

"What's the title of your book? 'How to Annoy Snivelllus'?" he tried really hard not to roll his eyes at him when the stupid git laughed.

"You're not even trying, Snape. What's gotten into you today?"

"I just want you to leave, Potter. Is that too much to ask?"

"Actually, yes." the cheeky grin did it and Snape stood up and gathered his robes.

"I have much better things to do than sit here listening to you."

Potter shot up and grabbed Severus' arm.

"Wait, no. I actually have something to ask you. And annoying you is not really the best way to do that," Potter explained hurriedly.

Snape raised an eyebrow but didn't make any move, opting to listen to Potter.

He got impatient when Potter said nothing after a few minutes just looking down at his and on Snape's arm as if it's the most fascinating thing in the world. "Well, Potter? I haven't got all day."

He looked hesitant and at Severus's scowl he blurted out, "You're body looks good like this."

Severus shot him a confused look. Well, this was a first. Is Potter high? Thinking he was joking Severus brushed the comment off. "Hilarious. Whoever put you up to this, is a genius that we've gotten that out of the way, I'm going." He attempted to shrug Potter's hand off but the other was still holding on to him. Considering the furrowed eyebrows, Severus deduced that he's thinking. "Potter, I don't really want to be here when your brain explodes from over-exertion. Let me go."

Apparently, that shook him up because he looked up quickly, and with a determined look on his face said, "Would you like to go to the ball with me?"

Silence met his question and he looked uncomfortable for a moment so he looked down, studying his now oh-so-interesting shoes. He quickly looked up when he heard a snort.

Severus was doing his best to hold back his laughter. But this was just so priceless. He burst out laughing. He was enjoying this so much that he didn't even notice that he was holding on to Potter's robes so that he won't fall down. Oh, dear Merlin! Potter is high!, he thought.

Gaining control of himself he looked up at Potter with tears in his eyes.

"I actually feel sorry for you, Potter. Have you run out of any good jokes? But seriously you actually thought I would fall for that?" he pushed away from him and put on his robes. "If you really wanted to humiliate me, Potter, you'd have to try harder." He turned around with a swish, still amused at Potter's attempt. Huh! Whatever Potter's on, it's ruining him.

He made his way towards the castle not bothering to look back. Just as well, for he didn't see the mischievous smirk on Potter's lips.

"Try harder, eh?"

A/N: So? What do you think? Is it worth continuing? R&R… :)