KayCee (ex_kaycee154) wrote in phoenix_flies, @ 2007-10-02 12:46:00 |
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Entry tags: | fic: nc-17, fic: suemonroe, hp/ss, prompt 55 |
Fest fic: Truths
Title: Truths
Author: suemonroe
Beta: rakina
Word Count: 6042 (yes, yes, I know. I am far too wordy.)
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Prompt: #55 Teacher/Student scenario. Some sexual flirtation and teasing in class, clandestine of course, UST till end.
Warnings: DH spoilers
Disclaimer: Characters belong to J.K. Rowling and not me.
The Dark Lord was dead, fallen at the hands of the child he’d tried to murder sixteen years before. Even though it had been only a few months since their 'Chosen One' had fulfilled his destiny, most of the Wizarding world had already forgotten the war. Or if not forgotten, then buried deeply. They happily went back to their little lives and little concerns, neglecting the one who’d freed them.
Oh, Potter had had parades in his honor, an Order of Merlin for his mantle, and on the occasions the boy went out, hearty slaps on the back and free drinks. But they didn’t notice what the war had cost the boy. They never saw past the charming mask Potter wore, the mask that grew stronger and yet more brittle each day. They didn’t want to see, were happier pretending that darkness hadn’t nearly consumed their world. And but for the strength and determination of a seventeen-year-old boy, it would have.
They didn’t see Potter’s slow, quiet withdrawal. They didn’t see him distancing himself from his friends; didn’t notice his sudden studious bent, or the calm maturity he’d developed. But Severus did.
He’d watched the boy for seven long years now. He knew Potter’s habits, his mannerisms. From the way the boy bit his bottom lip when he was unsure, to the hand run though untidy hair when he was nervous. The quirky one-sided smile when something amused him, to the full out belly laugh when he was delighted with something.
Severus had made something of a habit of watching Potter. It had started as a necessity. To keep the boy safe. Though Potter didn’t know it, Severus had even watched him on his Horcrux hunt. But over the last year or so, it had become something more. Something Severus hadn’t dared label or analyze while the Dark Lord lived. But the Dark Lord was dead, and still Severus watched Potter.
Albus was dead as well. As were Moody, Lupin, Tonks, and too many others to name. And while Severus had hardened himself to death long ago, each victim of the Dark Lord’s madness seemed to weigh heavily on Potter. Severus had the feeling Potter would have even mourned Severus’ own death, had Severus not survived thanks to his skill with potions.
Granger and Weasley still followed wherever Potter led, but they were too wrapped up in each other to notice the rift growing between Potter and the world. The youngest Weasley had noticed, but instead of trying to discover the cause, or help, she simply drifted away, into Longbottom’s arms.
And because he’d watched, because he knew Potter, Severus understood what the boy needed. What he didn’t know was if he could offer it. Severus hadn’t opened himself to another person since the boy’s mother, and the friendship he’d had with Lily Evans wasn’t what her son needed. Potter needed far more than that: unconditional acceptance, understanding, and affection where what he needed. He needed someone to be there for him, someone who wouldn’t give up when things got rough. The boy was too old and independent to need a parental figure; no, Potter needed a companion, a partner… a lover.
Looking over the blind, uncomplicated children before him, Severus wondered where Potter would find what he needed. Not among these brats. His eyes landed on Potter only to see the boy once again lost in his own thoughts, the verdant eyes far from the Potions text open in front of him. Potter bit down on his lush lower lip, and Severus was suddenly glad he didn't have a parental bone in his body.