Author Notes: This is my first story for Harry Potter, which will contain multiple chapters, instead of turning into a series.^^

Also, the story is compliant with book 6, but I took the liberty to change certain events, which happened in book 7. I`m sure you`ll notice the changes I made and just to make sure that you aren`t confused, the story takes place after the war.

Appreciation: Thank you, Yen, for taking the time to beta read this story, although you are very busy at the moment.*hugs* I`m very happy that you are helping me, dear.=)

The Vow

"If you continue like this, Mr. Potter, you might even get a passable grade in your NEWTs."

A couple of years ago, such a comment from their Potions Master would have shocked the entire classroom into silence and possibly even cause some students to faint from shock. It had been an unspoken rule that the Head of Slytherin would never compliment a Gryffindor, least of all Harry Potter, but that rule was null and void now. Only a few of the mixed group of Slytherin and Gryffindor students reacted to those words, a couple of Lions grinning proudly at Harry while a few Slytherins sneered at him. Harry didn't pay them any mind. His whole attention was focused on Snape's back as the Potions Master walked back to the front of the class.

Harry had been a little scared of the Potions Master during his earlier years at Hogwarts and thought he looked dark and menacing, but now he found those aspects rather... thrilling. Snape reminded him of a panther, moving majestically among the students of Hogwarts as if looking for his next prey. A shudder ran down Harry's spine at this thought. If only Snape would stalk him again like he had done a few years back, he thought with a sigh. He had never thought he would one day wish for such a strange thing, but so much had changed after the war it wasn't so surprising that he viewed Snape in a different light now.

After all, the Potions Master had fought alongside them.

Harry still felt awe when he thought about how Snape had managed to run Hogwarts during the war without raising Voldemort's suspicions and at the same time, kept the students as safe as possible. He knew that he himself would have never been able to pull that off... none of them would have been able to fool so many people, including themselves, like Snape had.

For Merlin's sake, he, Hermione and Ron wouldn't have been able to even find all the Horcruxes if the Potions Master hadn't helped them. It was Snape who had destroyed the diadem of Ravenclaw and gotten the the Hufflepuff cup for them from Bellatrix's vault.

A small grin appeared on Harry's face when he remembered how aghast he had been when Fawkes had brought them the Pensive and the memories of the late Headmaster of conversations between Snape and Dumbledore, which proved that the Potions Master was still on the Headmaster's side. He had been even more appalled when Snape had appeared at their side while they were on the run and started ordering them around. He, Ron and Hermione had known they could trust him then, but that hadn't changed how they viewed him.

Harry didn't know when his two friends had finally come around and accepted their Potions Master, at least, as an ally, but he knew the exact moment when his own opinion about Snape had changed irrevocably.

"Do you have a death wish, Potter?!"

Harry cringed under the furious look the Potions Master sent his way. Only a year ago, he would have argued with Snape and told him that he should leave him alone, but not anymore. He knew how stupid he had been and that it was only thanks to the Potions Master that he was still alive.

After they had learned of Snape's true alliance and his first appearance at Grimmauld Place before the debacle with the locket at the Ministry, they still hadn't wanted his help. Harry could almost laughed at their arrogance now. They had been so stupid back then, even Hermione hadn't wanted Snape to get involved in their plans It was a good thing the Potions Master hadn't listened to them at all. He had somehow found time to check up on them as often as possible to make sure they were still alive and hadn't managed to kill themselves.

His words, not Harry's.

The young Gryffindor had growled at those words the first time they were uttered, but now... he couldn't say anything anymore, because he had almost managed exactly that - killing himself!

Harry groaned inwardly. Snape had already said he would bring them something to destroy Slytherin's locket with, something he had used to destroy a diadem which had also been turned into a Horcrux. Harry was adamant in wanting to destroy the locket before Snape came back since he had found out about Fiendfire. At least he now knew why Hermione hadn't told them about it before. He had lost control of the flames almost immediately.

"Using Fiendfire and not being able to control it is stupid, but... using it on a frozen lake while standing on said lake is suicidal. If you keep on with such brainless acts, the Dark Lord won't have to worry about killing you anymore since you are sure to manage it all by yourself, Potter!"

Harry could only nod. What else was there for him to do after his stupid act?

The Fiendfire had not only destroyed the Horcrux, but also the layer of ice on which he had been standing. The freezing water was all around him an instant later, his mind was blank from the sudden icy shock and magical flames were leaping above him, ready to burn him the instant he surfaced. He had only two options then - dying from lack of oxygen or being burned alive.

That was, until the flames suddenly disappeared and a black figure appeared in front of his vision. Snape had dived into the freezing water to pull him out after extinguishing the Fiendfire.

Harry looked closely at the man standing in their tent now, lecturing him about his stupidity, after sending Ron and Hermione outside to keep watch. Snape had never been attractive on a good day, but Harry had never seem him look as bad as he did now. Even after drying and warming charms, Snape's pale face was more gray than the last time he had seen him. There were dark circles under his tired eyes and he looked thinner than ever after taking off his heavy cloak upon entering the warmth of their tent.

Harry gulped.

Snape had told them what he did, but until now the young Gryffindor hadn't truly understood what being the Headmaster of Hogwarts in times of war meant, pretending to be on Voldemort's side while covertly helping the Light all the time. And Harry had only made life more complicated for the beleaguered Potions Master.

He never felt so ashamed of himself as he did right now.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'll never do such a stupid thing again. I will listen to you from now on, I promise."

When Snape stared in disbelief at him, Harry braced himself for a scathing remark, but the Potions Master only nodded.

"See that you do," he ordered before striding out of the tent.

Ever since that day, Harry's respect for the Potions Master had grown with each passing day until it finally turned into physical attraction...

Harry blinked when a sharp elbow connected with his side.

"What?" he hissed at Hermione who sat next to him.

"Class is already over, Harry."

Harry blinked at her before looking around to see the other students busy packing their bags and leaving the classroom. He hadn't paid any attention to anything else after Snape had complimented him on his potion.

His potion!

Harry turned back to his cauldron and felt his jaw drop in shock.

It was empty!

But he hadn't given a sample to Snape! That meant that he wouldn't get a mark and therefore-

"When I noticed you were busy daydreaming, I filled a vial with your potion and passed it to Professor Snape along with mine. I've also written down our assignment for the next class, so come on!"

Harry let out a sigh of relief. "You're the best, Hermione!"

Beaming widely, he followed her out of the classroom and stole a final glance at Snape who was gathering up the vials from his desk. He didn't notice the exasperated look Hermione sent his way as they went back to Gryffindor Tower.

OOO

Transfiguration was much less complicated now that he had the time to study.

Harry smiled down at his half finished essay. It was still difficult, but much easier without having to worry about Dark Lords and prophecies and Horcruxes. Many of his peers had decided to retake their final year at Hogwarts. So far, it was the best school year Harry had ever experienced. Never had he thought he would enjoy studying this much, but he did and he was sure that he would do well in his NEWTs. Not as well as Hermione, but...

"Harry, I have to talk with you."

Speak of the devil!

Harry rolled his eyes as he looked up at the brilliant witch who had taken the seat next to him on the couch. He loved Hermione like a sister, but sometimes she got on his nerves, especially since she wouldn't leave him alone with a certain topic. Hopeful green eyes darted around the common room only to spot Ron in a far corner, playing chess with Seamus.

Harry sighed inwardly. If Ron wasn't going to join them, it could only mean Hermione wanted to discuss Snape with him. Again. The tingle of a Privacy charm cast a second later proved he was right.

"Hermione, I know what you want to say and..."

"If you know that then why don't you finally do something about it?" Hermione cut in, her heated glare reminding Harry of that stunning moment when she had taken down Fenrir Greyback all by herself during the Final Battle at Hogwarts.

Harry gave an explosive sigh, throwing his essay down on the nearest table. He felt as frustrated as Hermione looked.

"What do you think I should do then? Go to Snape and tell him that I've been fancying him since last summer? That his voice sends shudders down my spine and that I dream about what lie beneath his robes every night?!"

Hermione didn't even blink at his outburst. Her hand shot out to grip his arm, preventing him from getting up.

"I didn't say you should confess anything to him, but you could try to get closer to him. I mean, the two of you get along fine now after you cleared his name at the trials. Besides, remember how he cried over your seemingly dead body?"

A softer sigh escaped past Harry's lips. Of course Hermione was right, he and Snape did get along much better than they ever did before the war took place.

During the Final Battle, the Potions Master had blown his cover and fought alongside the Order members and students of Hogwarts. At that time, he hadn't known what Dumbledore's portrait had told Harry about having to let Voldemort kill him in order to destroy the Horcrux in his scar, but Harry still remembered what Snape had done when his apparently lifeless body was thrown at his feet.

If Neville hadn't chosen that moment to kill Nagini, Voldemort would certainly have killed Snape when the man had dropped to his knees next to Harry. The young Gryffindor wasn't able to see the expression on Snape's face since he had to keep his eyes closed and pretend he was dead, but he couldn't have imagined the hoarse, anguished cry which left the Potions Master's throat.

Of course, that didn't have to mean anything.

"Hermione, I told you time and time again, he was probably just shocked I was dead, because... well, they all had so much hope in me. It doesn't mean-"

"But you don't know that for sure!"

Harry stubbornly shook his head, but Hermione was just as if not more stubborn than him.

"You should at least try to find out what he feels for you and even more importantly, what you feel for him!"

Harry glared at her, his lips pressed in a thin line.

Hermione and Ron had taken his confession that he was gay and felt attracted to their Potions Master very well. Alright, Ron still refused to discuss guys with him and never gave any advice how to get closer to Snape, but at least he didn't treat him any differently than before. Hermione on the other hand, was eager to discuss about his feelings for their Potions Master as often as she could and Harry got the feeling that she wanted to play matchmaker, but now...

"I know very well what I feel! I'm gay! I'm attracted to men and-"

A finger on his lips stopped him mid sentence.

"I don't doubt that, Harry, but it seems to me you only have a crush on Professor Snape. It would be best if you found out whether or not you want more... like a serious relationship or if it's just a passing fancy."

Harry opened his mouth to tell Hermione he knew exactly what he wanted from Snape, only to close his mouth again.

What did he want from Snape?

Yes, he fancied him and he dreamed about removing his clothes and learning how he looked like naked and he also imagined how it would be to go on a date with Snape. Nothing spectacular, just an outing to the cinema or some nice restaurant. After all, he knew he could hold a conversation with the Potions Master now without it turning into an argument. They had done so many times after the war.

But... what else did he want?

Harry had never dared to dream about more, since he didn't think that Snape would ever return his feelings. He didn't have an answer for Hermione. He didn't know Snape well enough to imagine a future with him.

Hermione seemed to take his silence as an answer in itself and continued.

"You have to get to know Professor Snape better. Maybe you could ask him to talk with you about the war or ask him for help with potions. I'm sure he won't turn you down."

With Hermione smiling at him like it was her greatest idea ever, Harry admitted it sounded good, but...

"When should I do that? With the upcoming NEWTs I don't have time for…"

"Don't give me that! You have time to play Quidditch almost every day even though you're not on the team anymore! Don't tell me you don't have time to talk with the man you fancy!"

The no nonsense look on her face reminded Harry of Mrs. Weasley. He grinned inwardly when he imagined what his best mate was up against, but a quick glance at Ron showed he was still busy beating Seamus. The redhead probably knew what Hermione was capable of after all their fighting and the years they had spent in denial before they finally got together.

Harry looked back at Hermione who was staring at him intently as if her glare alone could force him to do as she said. He didn't doubt one moment she would be able to do that, if she knew how Legilimency worked.

And even without any magical force, he had to admit she was right. He had exchanged a few words with the Potions Master during the school year and they had been polite towards each other, but he hadn't once gone out of his way to speak with Snape. He wasn't sure how to behave around the Potions Master now, even though the man treated him much better than in the past.

It wasn't the history between them that was keeping Harry away from Snape, but... fear. Fear he would accidentally let Snape know how he felt if he spent too much time with the Potions Master and ruin everything with his impulsiveness. He had thought that a friendship with the Potions Master would be worth more than risk letting him know, but Hermione's words now made him realize he didn't even have that much.

Over the past few months, he had spent all his free time playing Quidditch instead of facing Snape. That meant he wouldn't have any connection with him once he finished school. In fact - Harry felt his heart sinking - there were only two months left before he would leave Hogwarts forever and probably never see Snape again!

The young Gryffindor took a shaky breath. If he had to choose, then finding out what he truly felt for the Potions Master was more important than Quidditch. He looked at Hermione who was still staring at him. She probably wouldn't believe him now if he told her she was right. He needed something to convince her of his new resolve. He owed her that much.

With a nod, Harry turned to face her fully and put his hand right above his heart even though it probably looked a bit ridiculous to anyone watching. The knowledge that they wouldn't be able to hear what he was about to say made an imp of mischief rise in him.

"I, Harry James Potter, swear that I won't play Quidditch anymore until I have kissed Severus Snape. Otherwise I will, er... lose my ability to fly on a broom!"

Harry added the last few words to take away some of the seriousness of the vow since Hermione's brown eyes had widened in something like panic the moment he started to speak. It looked like he would have to explain to her he just meant he was serious in getting to know Snape.

Opening his mouth, Harry let out a gasp instead. His magic was rising fast inside him, swirling around him like a maelstrom and his head was spinning. He leaned back against the couch and closed his eyes tightly to prevent himself from blacking out from the sensation. He had never felt anything like this and was just wondering if it was some long lasting after effect from his fight against Voldemort when the sensation vanished as suddenly as it had appeared, his magic settling down again.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Harry opened his eyes to grin at Hermione. To his surprise, she was still staring at him, her eyes wide with fear.

"Harry! Did you - you just made a magical, binding vow!"

The grin slipped from Harry's face.