Written for the totally awesome, accioslash on the occasion of her birthday. accioslash you do so much to spread the Snarry love that you deserve much more than this little drabble I offer, but I do hope you like it.

Author: asnowyowl
Title: A Lesson in Proposals
Pairing: Snape/Harry
Rating: PG
Summary: When Harry asks for Severus's help, the situation runs amok.
Beta: bk7brokemybrain
Warnings: None
Word Count: 1037




A Lesson in Proposals

The cold, rainy weather wouldn't have been enough to dampen the mood at Severus's table inside the café. During other such visits, lively conversation had played out against a backdrop of much worse weather. The venue itself couldn’t be to blame either. They met here often, preferring it above all others, if the frequency of their visits was any indication. No, his normally upbeat companion had brought the cloudy mood with him to the table.

"Potter, either tell me what’s wrong, or I'll leave." Severus’s threat was unfounded, but he doubted Harry would see through the lie. It would be unprecedented to leave their Monday afternoon tea early, cutting off his nose to spite his face as it were. If anything, he normally attempted to stretch these meetings out well into dinnertime.

Harry shook his head, as if clearing the cobwebs would do him any good. "I'm sorry, Severus, I don't mean to be so preoccupied today."

Severus folded his napkin and set it down next to his plate. "You know you'll end up telling me the problem, you always do. So spare me the dramatics and admit what's bothering you.”

Harry gave him his lopsided grin. Severus had witnessed that same smile since Harry was eleven, but only in the past two years had he become the recipient.

"I don't know what I'd do without you," Harry said.

Severus grunted.

"Yeah, I know. Too corny as always." Harry's hand shook as he retrieved a small box from his pocket. "See, the thing is, I bought this a few weeks ago. I mean to ask Ginny to marry me, but I keep losing my nerve. Now her birthday’s coming up and I think she expects a ring."

Severus's stomach clenched at the thought of Harry with the Weasley girl, or anyone else for that matter. "If you bought it for her, then why the delay?"

Harry shrugged and took a gulp of tea.

Severus sighed. He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. "How long have we been having these weekly meetings?"

"More than two years. Ever since that Ministry ball when you had me laughing all night with your snarky comments about the other guests. We've been — well, I think we've been friends ever since."

Severus nodded. "And during all these Monday afternoons, over a hundred of them by my calculation, you have, perhaps, mentioned Miss Weasley six or seven times. But suddenly you tell me you are planning to marry her. That, Potter, I believe is the crux of your dilemma. Most young men, on finding the love of their lives, are wont to shout it from every corner of their world. Mind you, I’m grateful I've not been harassed by the soppy details. But tell me, are you truly in love with her?" Severus braced against the answer, willing himself not to appear crushed if it was the one he dreaded.

"Leave it to you to cut right to the bone." Harry smiled wanly. "Since when do my feelings matter?" He tried to laugh the comment off, but Severus could see the truth lying beneath. "But honestly, my real problem is that I don't know how to ask her. I know Muggles get down on bended knee, but do wizards have any rituals?"

“There’s the conjuring of a ribbon binding the hands and symbolically binding the engagement, but otherwise, a wizard proposal is much like a Muggle one, I believe.”

“A ribbon? So I have to learn a spell?” Harry's face paled. “Will you show me?”

It was like being asked to cast Avada Kedavra on oneself, but Severus nodded. He glanced around the café, noting the rather small crowd, and then cast several disillusionment and silencing charms. The charms themselves would be enough to garner gossip, but for the patrons to see Severus on bended knee in front of Harry Potter would be far more damning. He held out his hand and accepted the ring box, popping it open and snatching out the plain gold band.

“Now watch and learn.” Severus dropped to one knee, adjusted his robes so they draped elegantly, grasped Harry's left hand, and carefully enunciated, “Redimio Nos." A silver and green ribbon snaked from his wand tip and slid around their joined hands.

Potter gasped. “That’s really quite beautiful.”

Severus’s throat was dry, but he certainly wasn't going to kill the mood by reaching for his glass. Regardless of how false this moment was, it was the only one of its kind he was likely to ever get. With his unbound hand, he slipped the ring onto Harry's finger. It resized as it went, fitting snugly around the intended digit. He looked up into green eyes. “Potter — Harry — would you do me the great honor of becoming my husband? I promise to cherish, protect, and honor our bond beyond even my death.”

Harry’s gaze flicked from Severus’s eyes to the ring and back up again. “Severus,” he whispered. “Yes. I… I would be honored.”

The ribbon tightened around their hands and then disappeared into their skin, leaving a dim impression before fading completely. For a moment Severus was stunned. “It shouldn’t have worked unless….”

“Unless it’s what we both want,” Harry finished.

Severus nodded.

Harry slid out of his seat and knelt in front of Severus. He grinned as he pulled a second box from his pocket. “Here. This one's for you.” He slipped a matching gold band onto Severus's finger.

Severus tried to stand, but Harry was grasping both his hands, preventing him from rising. "What is this foolishness, Potter?"

“I’ve wanted to be with you for ages, but I wasn't sure how you felt about me.” He shrugged. “So….”

Severus’s mind reeled. He was engaged. To Harry Potter. He would have Harry in his life and his bed. But… “What will the Weasleys say when they find out? What will Miss Weasley do?” He remembered well enough how powerful and clever a witch she was.

Harry grinned. “The Weasleys will come around. They only want to see me happy.”

“But Miss Weasley will be more likely to castrate us than wish us well.”

Harry chuckled. “Not likely, since this was her plan.”




*Redimio Nos: Loosely means ‘bind us’ in Latin.