A Motherly Intervention.

Title: Practically Perfect Boyfriend Material.
Author: pekeleke
Rating: T
Pairing(s): Severus Snape/Harry Potter.
Challenge: Prompt 2(Picked from an online seasonal prompt list): Butterbeer.
Word Count: 1085
Content:Chapter 2 of my Christmas Series: A Motherly Intervention.
Warnings: Getting Together. Enemies to friends to lovers. Mild Angst. Romance.
Disclaimer: The characters, setting, and the HP franchise are owned by JKR and not me. I make no profit from writing this piece of fanfiction.
A/N: Unbeated. Posting one chapter a day from December 1st to the 25th.

Practically Perfect Boyfriend Material.

Molly is basking in the weak winter sunshine, enjoying a cup of tea at her favorite Diagon Alley bakery, when an abandoned morning edition of the Prophet catches her eye from a neighboring table. Her sharp gaze catches a glimpse of Harry's sheepish expression grazing the front cover, and it's all she can do to avoid rolling her eyes in public. Her close personal connection to the much-lauded 'Golden Trio' means there is always an eagle-eyed reporter nearby whenever Molly is out and about.

Molly Accios the paper with wary resignation, almost certain already that she knows the exact type of story she's about to read. Harry is nothing if not predictable in his behavior and unashamed of it too. As expected, the distasteful headline promises 'A Blow By Blow Of My Night With The Boy Who Lived To Shag Like A Sex God,' underneath the tiresome claim, there's a picture of a smug-looking brat who seems young enough to still be drinking butterbeer, instead of the pint he holds in his right hand. His name is Jules, apparently. He's studying Ancient Runes at the London University For The Magical Arts. Has the sort of haircut that only looks stylish when every lock is held in place by half a bottle of Sleekeazy and wears clothes so tight it's a miracle he hasn't ended up at St. Mungos with circulatory issues.

The tell-all is tediously repetitive. The boy met Harry at one of Knockturn's dive bars. They exchanged drinks and a little flirtation. Harry claimed to like his muggle leather jacket, which means that every idiot hoping to bed Harry tonight is currently roaming around muggle London trying to buy an identical one. They danced a bit, snogged in some back alley, and Apparated to this Jules's apartment where Harry proceeded to shag the boy rather masterfully.

Molly shakes her head, disheartened at all the sexual-related gushing that's all Harry manages to inspire in his conquests. On paper, at least, Harry is a pretty good catch. He's a famous war hero, the Savior Of The Wizarding World, to be precise. He is also the undisputed heir to two ancient magical noble houses, a renowned curse breaker, and witch weekly's Bachelor Of The Year for the seventh year in a row. Despite her misgivings about the quality of their match, Molly can't understand why this Jules isn't properly heartbroken that Harry thanked him for the 'pleasant' shag and walked out on him the morning after their hookup.

It's not until one steps closer to Harry that the cracks around him as a partner start showing, and this Jules couldn't have seen any of that. Harry wouldn't have mentioned his terrible nightmares to a one-night-stand. Or disclosed how guilty he still feels about a million of his wartime decisions.

Practically nobody seems to understand that Harry's fame makes his life ridiculous. Harry can't drink a cup of tea in peace in a public setting or shop like a regular person. He can't even grimace at merchandise he doesn't like or engage in a spot of gossip with his friends for fear of ruining someone's business, or their careers, if Rita Skeeter catches him disparaging them. Harry's fans have invaded every aspect of his life, destroying his chances at making genuine connections in their desperate need to grab a piece of him to the point that he's no longer willing to risk the disappointment of looking for something more meaningful than a tiresome fanboy.

Molly sighs and looks down at Jules's picture, seeing the charming smile that has never known strife, the evident naivete in his bright blue eyes, the cocky triumph he clearly feels about his nighttime conquest. She knows, deep in her heart, that this pretty boy has never fought a war. Jules is a student with no interest in settling down yet. He is looking for adventure and fun. There is nothing in the world he can possibly offer to a haunted war veteran like Harry.

Molly discards the paper, finishes her cup of tea, and stares pensively across the street. She is here to confirm something to herself before she embarks on a course of action that is bound to shake the very foundations of her boy's shallow existence. Molly has a hunch regarding Harry's dismally unsuccessful love life. It's a nagging suspicion she hasn't been able to shake for about two years now, and she's here to ensure that nothing has changed too dramatically in that regard while she wasn't looking.

Molly casts a quick Tempus, confirming that Harry's usual lunch break started about five minutes ago and, just as she hoped, there he is. Despite his ridiculous tomcat lifestyle, Harry's loving nature shines through in the things he holds onto. Harry often wears a powerful glamour around town when he's short on time. Still, Molly instantly recognizes his distinctive slouch as he turns the corner, ambling down the road towards his favorite sandwich shop. She watches him stop along the way to peer into precisely three shop windows: Wheezes's, Quality Quidditch's, and The Simmering Cauldron's. Molly smiles smugly. She understands precisely what draws Harry to the first two stores. They represent old loves of his. The third one, though, sets her worried heart at ease. Harry neither likes nor regularly needs potions. He's not on particularly friendly terms with the shop owner either, or, more accurately, Snape doesn't give Harry the time of day. Despite their strained relationship, Harry is clearly drawn towards Snape's shop window. Molly doesn't know yet whether his interest is fueled by curiosity or admiration, or something else entirely.

What she knows is that Severus Snape fought in both wars. Molly is convinced that Snape has the right background to understand Harry's ghosts instinctively. The man may be a confirmed bachelor and antisocial to boot, but, according to Harry, he was tragically in love with Lily Evans, so he's a romantic at heart. Furthermore, Snape is loyal. Independent. Has a protective streak a mile long. Is an openly devoted friend to his former colleagues and students. And, best of all, he is refreshingly unimpressed by Harry's fame, money, social standing, and current lifestyle.

Severus Snape is practically perfect boyfriend material for Harry in every possible way, and Molly can not wait to have the pleasure of hanging his stocking on her mantle. To do that, though, she must pull off the Christmas Miracle of the century. Good thing she's a fantastic wing woman.

TBC