Minerva grinned as she looked around the staff room. She glanced at Filius. This was his idea and she agreed with it. "Good morning, everyone. We are going to do something different this year for Samhain. The prize will be the same for staff and students. A free night in town with a guest of their choice." She ignored the groans of despair from the two youngest staff members. "We will be hosting a Scavenger Hunt. The students will have their version while we will have our version. Harry, as the youngest and newest staff member, you will arrange the staff version. Severus, you will be responsible for the student version. Each of you will do the other's list." She dismissed the staff before the two could recover and escaped.
Harry POV:
Harry looked at Severus before standing up. Severus looked ready to kill a certain witch. "Don't blame me. I had nothing to do with this lame idea." Harry stormed out of the room and headed to his office. He started to think of the possibilities when he passed the second-floor bathroom. He grinned. He had an idea.
His idea would solve a few problems including getting a certain snarky professor to stop insulting him or, hopefully, stop seeing him as James or Sirius. As he thought of Sirius, he remembered he might need to pick up a few special items from the Weasley twins for when he won.
Harry wore a smile as he entered his office. He needed to make a list of things around the school while making sure a few key items would mysteriously disappear but would be available for Severus to discover. He knew exactly where to place those key items. There were times when being a parslemouth was worth it.
He would also need to follow Severus to guarantee who won for the students. It would guarantee that Severus would pay attention to him instead of worrying about what some students might be doing in town. Yes, he picked up his pen and started to write in his notebook.
Harry's last thought was to make sure to write to Draco. Draco would need to do his part to get Severus to agree to go out with him.
Severus POV
Severus smirked as Harry left the staff room. He didn't think Filius would take his hint and pass it on to Minerva. Now, he just had to make sure when he headed to the RoR that Harry was following him. He slowly stood up as he began to plan on what items to hide in the room to make sure only certain students won and that Harry added the required items to the list. He certainly didn't need Harry wondering what some Slytherin or Gryffindor might be doing while on a date with him.
Severus wasn't worried about Harry not asking him. Draco had been very informative regarding Harry's fifth-year crush on the Half-Blood Prince. Draco didn't know his mother's name was Prince. He was sure Draco was providing ammunition against Harry. Severus planned on using the information. Minerva's idea moved up his attempt at getting Harry to see him as a potential boyfriend instead of his former snarky professor.
Severus headed to his office. He needed to write to Draco. Draco needed to do his part.
Draco POV:
Draco read the two letters and started laughing. His wife, Astoria, looked at him. "Dear?"
"Letters from Severus and Harry. They want me to make sure Severus wins the Scavenger Hunt that Minerva is hosting this year." Draco handed the letters to his wife. "Severus seems to be under the impression that I haven't figured out who the Half-Blood Prince is. I thought I was going to have to wait for Yule to see the man make his move. Minerva provided an earlier timeline for it."
"Interesting." Astoria read each letter before placing them on the table. "You might want to suggest to each of them what the other might favor for gifts."
"Already have that list written up. Luna, Neville, Ginny, and Hermione have been dropping typically Gryffindor hints about what Harry prefers. My father and mother have been hinting about Severus' preferences. Since we married, they have been trying to match Severus with a wizard."
Astoria smiled sweetly at her husband. "I am sure you will manage to accomplish their required desires. Perhaps they will be bonded by the next Samhain."
"It appears to be the common goal."
Samhain night:
Harry and Severus were ignoring whatever Minerva was telling the staff and students about the Scavanger. They wanted the contest to start. Harry couldn't do the hunt because he created the list but he was going to make sure that Severus won. He had a bet with a few different staff members on Severus winning. Many didn't believe Severus would participate in the contest. They didn't know that Harry had Draco on his side.
Severus had his route memorized. He had already noticed new items in his office, in the staff room, and the students' potion cabinet in his classroom. He was very aware of when Harry added the items. He glanced down at the list of items Minerva handed him. He wasn't surprised that new additions from Harry were on the list. He glanced at Harry who gave him a lop-sided grin. Severus realized that this contest wasn't needed. Harry was just as interested in him as he was in Harry. He set out to win it and he would.
Severus strode out of the Great Hall as students and staff members formed teams and worked out where items were located. Severus would start with the top floor and work downward.
Two hours later:
Severus entered the Great Hall. He could see some students placing their haul on tables and working on attempting to figure out where some of the rarer items were on the list. Items that Severus was sure only certain students would locate. He walked to the head table and pulled out his expandable pouch. He proceeded to place each item on the table. Minerva checked everything off of the list and declared Severus the winner as he had every item on the list and no one else had. Harry was sitting next to her with a grin on his face.
"Have a seat, Severus, we are waiting for the rest of the staff and students. No one from the students has won as of yet."
Severus took his normal seat and wondered why Harry wore a smug grin on his face. He was aware that Harry was doing the student list. He glanced at Harry. Minerva said none of the students had won. He knew he had Harry follow him so that certain items would be included on the list.
Severus was sure there had to be a few students who knew where the RoR was. He paled as he remembered one aspect of the RoR. The room wouldn't permit anyone to enter if it was in use. Harry had to have entered but as soon as he left, the room would have reset. So, why was he grinning? He reread the sheet. Only the student or team of students (wait, team?) who completed the list would win time in town. The team with the most items would win house points. When was this requirement added? He went down the list. Yes, there were his hidden items. So why was Harry grinning?
Severus didn't have much time to think the timer for the end of the hunt went off. Minerva and Filius checked each sheet and compared the items. Minerva sent firecrackers into the hall to get everyone's attention. "No student completed the student list. The team who won the house points is Gordon Peterson for Hufflepuff. The staff winners are Harry Potter and Severus. Each of them completed the full list they were given. Congratulations. Now, head to your common rooms."
Severus ignored the knowing grin from Harry as he walked closer to the man. He put up a privacy spell as everyone started to leave. "How did you do it? Why?"
"How is easy. I just had Winky stay in the room until the end of the contest. Why? So we can have two nights together without worrying about what some students might be doing in town."
Severus closed his eyes. He didn't even think of using a house-elf. "Saturday night?"
Harry grinned. "Yes, and do dress in muggle jeans or trousers. No need for robes." Harry couldn't wait to see what was under those robes.
Severus arched his brow at Harry. "Fine." He spun on his heels and left. He couldn't believe he had forgotten about house-elves.