Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

A/N: This is moderately OOC fluff. I know it's out of character, so you don't need to rant and rave about it in your reviews. Anyway, it's fundamentally OOC for Snape to be in a romantic relationship with anyone, so far as canon goes. If you want a sequel, leave a review. This was intended to be a one-shot, but enough reviews persuaded me to continue the story. May I recommend that you read and review 'Praised', 'Afterwards' and 'Little Things'? They're angsty character study drabbles of Percy Weasley, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. I want to know what people think of them.

A/N2: This has been slightly rewritten to change two things I really didn't like. Item One was "...drew him closer, enjoying the closeness." Not only is that not what I've got in the rough draft, it sounds like shit. Item Two was the fact that one of Snape's lines was so incredibly sappy it was disgusting. That has been altered. Even an OOC Snape would never use the word 'boyfriend'. Also, the year Harry was in has been changed.

Severus Snape was a patient man. He'd been watching Harry Potter since his first year, but only at the beginning of his fifth year did he realize how beautiful the boy had become. And he was beautiful, not handsome, not sexy, but beautiful in a fragile, nearly effeminate way. Then was not the right time, however. Neither was during his occlumency lessons, no matter how erotic the sight of Harry biting his lip in concentration was. So Severus waited. Now it was a month into sixth year, and the time was finally right. Harry had begun looking at him furtively at meals and in class, and stuttered when Severus spoke to him directly, confirming Severus' hope that Harry might be amenable. So Severus upped the ante. He began brushing against Harry in class, and leaning down to murmur his comments directly in the boy's ear. Harry turned scarlet and stammered and ran out of class the moment it ended almost every day now. But he never made a move. Severus waited; three weeks went by; Halloween was approaching. Severus Snape was a patient man, but his patience had nearly reached its limits.

He began to grade Harry's work harshly, so harshly that his average in potions fell to a 74 percent. He let Harry fret over it for a few days, then asked him to stay after class.

"Mr. Potter, your slipping grades have begun to worry me. One or two poor essays might be excused by worry or romantic problems, but five barely passing essays are cause for real concern." He paused to relish the blush that the mention of romantic problems had caused then continued, "Because your average has been surprisingly good so far this year, I will give you the opportunity to repair your grade with a bit of extra credit." Harry looked at him suspiciously, and with cause; Severus never offered extra credit. "I have some potions I need to make for Madam Pomfrey, and an extra pair of hands would be useful. I will also allow you to redo the Honesty Elixir you failed."

"When should I be here, Professor?" Harry tried and mostly succeeded in sounding calm.

"Tonight at eight. Bring the things you need for the Honesty Elixir. Any other questions?" Harry shook his head and left hastily.

Severus spent the rest of the afternoon getting ready. He washed his hair and put on a pair of Muggle blue jeans, which Xiomara Hooch had given him for his birthday a few years past; she claimed that they his arse look sinful. As he dressed, he thought of his luck that the potion Harry had failed was the Honesty Elixir. Once Harry took a swallow to test it, his inhibitions would be lowered and he would say whatever was on his mind. It could be fought, but he wouldn't want to fight it; it would seem natural to do as he pleased. All he had to do was make sure that HE was the foremost subject in Harry's mind. It would be perfect. He'd have Harry agreeing to a date within the hour.

He went to his office and waited; there was a knock on the door at eight o'clock precisely. He let Harry in and set him to work. As Harry made the potion, Severus hovered over him, leaning on his shoulder and correcting his technique. At one point he even took Harry's hands in his own and helped him shred the heart's ease properly. Harry was a blushing, stammering wreck by the time the potion was finished. Severus handed him a spoon and informed him that the necessary dose for testing would last two minutes. Harry swallowed, grimacing at the taste, and almost immediately a dreamy look passed over his face.

"Professor, you look so sexy in those jeans... I wonder how much better you'd look without them... I watch you in class, you know, and think about you... Do you think about me?" Harry was nearly purring, and giving him a predatory look.

Severus nodded, rather surprised at the exact nature of Harry's thoughts. He'd somehow expected him to be more innocent and less seductive. He sat down and waited for Harry's next words.

"I suppose that if you think of me, then you won't mind if I do... this." He draped himself across Severus' lap and flung his arms around his neck.

Severus adjusted Harry on his lap and said, "No, I don't mind." He wrapped an arm around Harry' waist and drew him closer, enjoying the contact.

Harry grinned. "Then you probably won't mind if I do this, either." He gave Severus a long, lingering kiss, and then stiffened and pulled away.

Severus looked at him closely. The dreamy, relaxed expression was gone, replaced with one of fear and humiliation. Severus pretended not to notice, and moaned, "Oh, Harry..." He pulled Harry close to him again and kissed him again. Harry, realizing that no rejection was imminent, relaxed again and began to kiss back.

When at last Harry pulled away for breath, Severus smiled at him, a genuine, open smile. It was the first time Harry had seen Severus look truly contented, and he gave an answering smile.

"I've wanted you for over a year, Harry, and I want more than this." Severus took a deep breath. "Harry, would you be my lover?"

Harry hugged him so hard he thought his ribs would crack. "You're not worried about dating a student? A much younger student?"

"Of course not. You've been of age for over three months. It's all perfectly legal. It's not all that much of an age gap. Albus has seventy years on Minerva and they're perfectly happy."

Harry twitched. "They're together? That way?"

"Didn't you know? I thought everyone did. Never mind, it doesn't matter. What does matter is whether your answer is yes or no."

"It's yes, of course." Harry leaned against him and smiled up at him. "Now kiss me again."

Severus gladly complied, but stopped after a few minutes. "It's getting late, Harry. You should get back to the dorms."

Harry pouted. "When will I see you again? I mean, like this?"

Severus considered. "Tomorrow's a Hogmeade day. Can you pry yourself away from your friends long enough to have lunch with me at the Three Broomsticks?"

"Just pick a time. And wear these blue jeans again. I want everybody to realize how handsome you are and be absolutely sick with envy." Harry gave him an impish grin.

"One o'clock? Is that good?"

"Certainly."

"Good. Now go before Minerva realizes you're missing. I'll see you tomorrow." Severus gave him a last embrace and reluctantly evicted Harry from his lap.

Harry went, and Severus was left alone. He had to plan for the next day, but the mere idea of a date made him grin madly. His patience was finally rewarded. Oh, this was going to be wonderful...