Light the candle

~Seven~

"I'm there for you." He kisses his forehead. The professor's cheeks are slightly pink. He turns his face away.

"Since when?" Severus asks, still not looking at the young man.

"Since when what? Falling in love with you?"

"Hmm." Severus turned his head towards him and saw him put a hand to his chin. He rolls his eyes.

"Ever since the end of my third year." Potter looked at him fondly. The Potion Master gulps.

"I want to take my time with you so don't be pressured." The Gryffondor kisses his cheek again.

"Stop it, Potter! I'm your professor." Severus feels overwhelmed.

"And, so? There are no rules prohibiting students and teachers from seeing each other. In fact, there's nothing written about it." His student declared with a sneaky smirk. The Head of the Slytherin House scoffs but he rested his head on the Griffindor's chest. What have I got myself into?

▬♣▬

Valentine's Day, a muggle celebration that was grotesque. In every corner of the castle he could see couples declaring their love, snogging or even making out. It made him want to puke.

It's another idea from that crazy old man who wants to make the most of Muggle-borns. He doesn't want them to feel out of place. But doing that is like denigrating wizarding traditions. It's as if he wants to abolish them and make us forget our traditions.

Severus glares at every couple they pass. The pupils flee at the sight of him. He enters the great hall, the atmosphere in the room oozing love. He has the immediate urge to turn back.

The Potion teacher takes a seat at the teaching staff table.

"Oh, Severus, you honour us with your presence." The transfiguration teacher says in a teasing tone. The grumpy professor glares at her and takes a seat between Filius and the new professor of defence against evil. He has never paid any attention to the new professor and doesn't even know his name. It's not as if he gives a damn about his existence.

The Charms professor is the only person on the teaching staff with whom he can have an interesting conversation. But today he's not in the mood for conversation. He's clutching his diner.

Severus glances at the Gryffindor table. He frowns as he notices Potter playing with his food. This isn't like him. Oh, now Severus, you know Potter so well, you know when he's not acting like himself, eh? Oh, shut up. He goes back to his food.

Speaking of Potter, the brat continues to call him by that affectionate, yet inelegant nickname. The young man has now got into the habit of making him sit on his lap when he returns to his quarters in the evening and asks him how his day went. He also has a new passion for stroking his hair all the time.

"Asshole!" Ginevra Wesley yells, throwing his glass of juice in Harry's face before running out of the great hall.

"You! You fucking bastard what did you say to my sister?" Ronald Weasley grabs Potter by his wizard dress collar. The Potion Master had raised his head when he heard the altercation at the Gryffindor table. The Great Hall had fallen silent when he heard them, their attention riveted on them.

He saw Minerva frowning but not ready to act. And Albus seemed to have lost the twinkle in his eyes.

"Couldn't you just tell her yes? No, it took the great Harry Potter to confront the unwanted. You really think you're going to find someone who will love you." Severus raises an eyebrow.