Chapter 38

Harry pulled Severus sleepily into his room that he still maintained at Grimmauld.

Harry pulled back the blanket and they both slid beneath it for warmth. The bed was narrow, forcing their proximity, but Severus would have held Harry close regardless. Severus gingerly placed his hand against Harry's bearded jaw and stroked his cheek with his thumb.

The sun was beginning to rise, casting a lavender light into the room.

Harry nestled into his pillow and grinned at Severus sleepily.

"Thank you," Harry whispered.

"It's I who should be grateful." Harry's lips were still plump and red. They were irresistible. Severus kissed those lips gently. The two held one another close, Severus's hand at Harry's cheek, Harry's resting atop Severus's hip.

To be Harry's first lover was an unimaginable and unexpected honour. It made him emotional but he attempted to repress those feelings, at least for now. This was about Harry, not him.

Harry adjusted his head once more atop the flat pillow, their noses now nearly touching.

Harry's eyes fluttered closed, his thick eyelashes laying beautifully against his sun kissed skin. He yawned.

"I'm afraid we don't have much time for sleep."

Harry nodded very slightly. "I know. Just... hold me a bit longer."

"I would hold you for the rest of my life if you'd allow it."

Harry's lips turned up in just the smallest of smiles, and soon he was asleep.

Severus felt his chest expand against Harry's with each inhale. Felt Harry's breath across his lips with each exhale.

Harry looked at peace. How long had Severus's only desire been to see Harry happy? And now his desire was reality.

He'd done that.

He'd been the one to bring this beautiful man peace at last.

Oh how he'd love to travel back in time to slap himself and correct the mistake of ever letting him go. He couldn't, of course. But at least they'd found their ways back.

Soon the room was brightened by the sun outside hanging high over head.

He hated to do so, but he shook Harry very gently.

"Time to start the day."

"A little longer," Harry requested without opening his eyes.

"We don't have longer." Severus kissed him softly.

"Mmm," Harry hummed happily. "Do that again."

And Severus acquiesced. Harry wrapped his arm around Severus's waist and pulled him closer. "I don't want to face the world today. I want to lie here with you. Maybe have a repeat of last night." Harry giggled.

"Again so soon?"

Harry nodded emphatically. He finally opened his eyes.

Just as Severus's cock felt the first wave of arousal, the sounds of Remus and Sirius coming down the stairs interrupted them.

Harry groaned and chuckled. He rolled onto his back and rubbed his eyes.

"The real world calls," he bemoaned.

The two stood and smoothed out their clothing and pulled on their boots.

Harry stepped first into the kitchen, with Severus right behind.

Neither of the gentleman already at the table seemed surprised to see him. They both hung their heads sleepily over cups of coffee, grunting with sideways glances at the two men entering the room.

"What's got you both so sour?" Harry asked with a wide smile as he poured himself and Severus cups of coffee.

"Likely the same reason you're so chipper," Sirius stated plainly. Harry looked at him questioningly. It was Remus who answered.

"We could hear your... er... your..."

"The fucking," Sirius interrupted. "We heard you fucking all damn morning."

"Sirius!" Remus squealed.

"It's true! Be blunt about it! The two of ya had every cabinet in here rattling about. It was lunacy!"

Severus would have blushed if he were capable. He and Sirius were no longer enemies, but he'd hate to disrespect the man by waking him with the sounds of his godson being deflowered on his kitchen counter. Severus looked into his lap. Harry broke out into a fit of hysterical laughter.

"Why... didn't you..." Harry couldn't speak through the laughter. He laughed a moment longer then sighed and regained his composure, though a giddy grin still overtook his face. "Why didn't you set just put some silencing charms around your rooms?"

Remus sighed, "First off, Harry, the silencing charms are your responsibility. Secondly, after the first of the rumbling, I did set a charm around my room. Dunno about Sirius," Sirius hummed in agreement that he had. "But every light and candle in the house flickered off and on through the duration."

Harry's smile fell. "That wasn't me. I didn't do that."

Remus shook his head. "Might have been unintentional, but it was you."

Harry chewed his lip. He looked utterly deflated. Severus reached across the table for Harry's hand but Harry pulled away. "I'm going to fix this. I promise. I'm so sorry." Harry snapped his fingers and he was gone.

"Where'd he go?" Sirius asked, startled.

"My guess would be he went to see Hermione," Severus told them honestly.

Severus's instinct was correct. When he knocked on her door at Hogwarts, it was Harry who answered. He rubbed at his neck sheepishly. "I'm sorry."

Severus pulled Harry into a bone crushing embrace.

"Don't ever be sorry." He kissed his forehead then released him slowly. Harry stepped away from the door, inviting him in.

Hermione sat at the settee, leaned over her coffee table with a massive tome splayed open before her.

"Harry told me you had an idea as to the cause?"

Severus sighed and took a seat by her. He glanced around and saw that she'd tidied a bit since his last visit.

"It's my theory that he needs to better harness this power. It breaks free when he's overwhelmed because, frankly, he isn't using it."

"They told me it was my addiction to unforgivables."

"I believe it to just be an overflow of magic. But, like an addiction to unforgiveables, a relief is felt when the magic is used rather than suppressed."

"So, I could sort of... tire out my wild magic by using it. Exercising it."

Hermione looked up finally. "It's worth trying. Simple solutions first."

"Room of requirement?" He offered.

Severus helped his students through their OWLs and NEWTs. He bid them goodbye as they left the castle. The last few weeks had ended peacefully. His students performed well in their tests, and Basil Jarvis matriculated without another word to Severus. He and Harry spent their nights in his rooms at Hogwarts though he was usually long asleep before Harry crawled into his bed, and pressed his chilled skin into his for warmth.

Harry spent every free moment after business and school hours with Hermione in the room of requirement practicing his wordless and wandless magic. Though he was busy with students, when he did see Harry he seemed happier, like a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. When he tried to ask him about specifics of his time with Hermione, he'd smile cryptically and tell him all was well.

This would have driven Severus to insanity before, to not know exactly what his partner was doing. But he trusted Harry, and knew he'd talk to him when he was ready.

And so when one Saturday he woke to find Harry already gone, he didn't panic. He went about his day. Which was difficult. It was difficult to be without him for even a moment. When he stood before his class, when he walked through the corridors. He valued his time alone before Harry and was surprised to find how he never quite tired of the young man. His fiancé. He never grew weary of their time together and always desired more of it. He felt more himself with Harry than he ever had when he was alone.

His heart skipped whenever he remembered that one day, he'd be the one lucky enough to marry him.

Not because he was The Boy Who Lived.

Not because he was wealthy.

Not because he was The Saviour.

But because he was Harry.

And Harry loved him.

He closed the book in his lap and he ran his fingers over the engraved leather bound book absentmindedly as he let his mind wander.

He was going to leave Hogwarts. He'd quit teaching and allow his full attention to go towards his business. He would buy a decently sized home and move away with Harry. Somewhere in the mountains, or close to the sea. Harry could have a proper library of his own. Severus would have a potions lab. Harry's loved ones would come visit and he'd enjoy the sounds of Harry laughing over tea as they chatted. Severus would finish whatever potion filled his cauldron so that he could join them. The sun would set and he and Harry would watch it together after waving goodbye to his friends. Then he'd fall asleep holding Harry after telling him he loved him.

His mind was set. That was what the future would hold for them.

He looked at the clock ticking on the mantle. He'd missed supper in the great hall. And he'd still not seen Harry all day.

He pulled on his outer robe and shoes and made his way to find him.

The room of requirement came first in distance but it was empty.

Next to check would be Hermione's rooms. She answered quickly. She told him he'd find Harry in the great hall.

"Dinner ended some time ago."

Hermione shrugged and smiled. "That's where he is."

Severus sighed and turned around to backtrack his path towards the great hall.

The heavy doors were closed. He pushed one open slowly with a loud creak. "Harry?"

He stepped inside the darkened room, which was odd. The candles overhead generally remained burning.

The door groaned as it closed behind him. One by one the candles floating overhead began to burn once more, though they barely illuminated the room. The lighting by any person's standards could be called romantic.

An orb of light sparked at the front of the room, on the first stair of the dais. Severus could now see all of the tables had been moved against the walls as they were during the Yule ball. The orb moved away and up to the staff table to float peacefully atop it. He could now see Harry had been holding the bright orb. He smiled at Severus and stepped off the dais.

"This is what I've been working on," he said as he stepped forward. His voice echoed off of the walls of the empty room. Harry spread his arms and lifted them. A full band of instruments appeared by the Ravenclaw table. Harry circled his hands in the air and they began to play themselves. It was a classical piece Severus couldn't quite name. It was slow and beautiful. Severus walked to Harry and they met towards the center of the room.

"There are so many things I've not been able to experience with you," Harry told him. "You made me fall in love with you years ago. Then you courted me. You've shown me acceptance, support, and love in ways I've never known. I wanted to do something for you in return. I want to make a new memory."

The charm making the instruments play never faltered even as Harry's arms fell to his side, even as he spoke. Severus was in awe.

Harry stepped between Severus's feet, placing them chest to chest.

"May I...?" He asked. He placed one hand in Severus and the other at his hip. Severus, understanding, placed his hand at the small of Harry's back and they began to dance.

Severus didn't know what to say except,"I love you, too, Harry."

He tucked his head of wild hair into the crook of Severus's neck.

"How are you maintaining all of these charms?"

"Control," he responded simply. The music swelled, the standing bass and violin taking lead of the other instruments. Severus had never experienced anything so beautiful and magical. He could literally feel Harry's magic tingling along his skin. This incredible man in his arms was somehow simultaneously powerful to a level of incredulity but also the most gentle human he'd ever known.

Severus kissed his head and continued swaying in rhythm. He knew his heart must be pounding loudly and wondered if Harry could hear it.

"I want to quit teaching," he said before he could stop the words.

"If that is what you want. If it will make you happy. Where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere that will bring you peace."

Harry squeezed his fingers tighter against his waist. "I'm happy wherever you are."

Severus was certain he'd never been anyone's peace before. He'd never brought joy or comfort.

Perhaps he and Harry truly were prophesied to be together, even long after the fall of Voldemort. He couldn't see any other way that two people, so different, so set apart in every other way could ever find themselves together and in love.

"Are you positive you want to marry me?" Harry asked suddenly.

Severus stopped. The music stopped. Harry pulled away slightly and looked up. His green eyes exuded so much worry at what his answer might be.

He answered honestly.

"I'd marry you tonight."

Harry stood up on his toes and kissed him.

Severus's heart began to beat impossibly harder.

"Harry, I must know that you are sure as well. My entire heart resides inside your chest. If I ever lose you again it will surely be the death of me. So if you have any reservations, tell me. Tell me now with no hesitation so that I can part with at least some life left in me."

"Severus Snape." Harry chided. His eyes were misty. He looked away briefly then back again. "Can you not see? Can you not see how completely I belong to you?" Harry's eyes suddenly went wide as if remembering something. "I just... you... you'd marry me tonight?"

Severus nodded slowly, confused.

Harry released him then sprinted towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

"To Dumbledore! Wait! You wait there!"

And Harry was gone.

The candles burned dimmer. The silence was deafening. He stood alone in the great hall. But Harry told him to wait, and so he did. The minutes stretched on but he remained still. Without Harry's warm body pressed against him, he acutely felt the chill of the room. He wrapped his robe around him tighter.