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CHAPTER NINETY THREE:

Harry woke first the next day. That was an unusual occurrence, as despite Severus's dislike for mornings the man had an extremely precise internal clock. The Potions Master always set an alarm in the off chance that he should oversleep, but Harry had yet to witness it going off.

This morning, however, Severus was still fast asleep when Harry awoke, and the younger man took the chance to watch his lover as he slept.

Severus looked peaceful in sleep, less guarded, and Harry could see just how tired his lover was and knew it was because of Harry's nightmares that the older man wasn't getting enough rest. He felt guilty for it, but Severus wouldn't hear of him spending his nights somewhere else, and for that he was thankful. He continued to share one good and bad memory with Severus each night – either before going to sleep or after a nightmare, depending on whether or not they had sex that night – and he felt lighter each time they went through the little ritual. Sharing the burden was helping him, but he couldn't help but worry that it was burdening Severus. It was true that there was no one else who would understand so completely, but it didn't seem fair to burden Severus with atrocities that he hadn't been forced to live through.

Even so, Harry couldn't be anything but thankful that Severus was such a possessive person. For he was: Most people would consider his help selfless, for giving up his rest, putting up with Harry's obligations without complaint, accepting Harry's friends into his home and his life… but Harry knew better. Severus was an intrinsically possessive person. A realist, also, which was why he accepted Harry's obligations and Harry's friends – though alright, the latter was surely also partly because he was also a rather lonely person…

Harry smiled at that. Severus was complicated, that was all. And that suited him perfectly.

Possessive enough that he wouldn't ever let Harry go, enough of a realist to know there were things Harry needed to do, mature enough to accept that there were other people Harry might like to spend his time with, and caring enough to help Harry any way he could… How did I get so lucky, Harry wondered, taking in the features that had seemed deeply unattractive to him as a child but now seemed nothing less than distinguished. I just hope I can be what he needs, too.

He wanted to reach out and touch Severus's face, but he knew nothing would wake Severus quicker than that, and the man needed his rest. So, with a pensive yet happy sigh, Harry sank further into Severus's embrace and considered how he could do right by his lover while Severus slumbered on.

Harry didn't realize that later, after he had fallen asleep again, Severus woke and watched his sleeping lover for a time, wondering how he could possibly pay him back for all the light he had brought into his life. For the first time he had a loving relationship, friendship and respect from Harry's friends, his own students, and wizarding Britain at large, and a very bright future ahead. Reaching out to touch Harry's face – a touch that did not wake the younger man – Severus wondered how he had been so fortunate.

OoOoO

Sunday was, in Harry's opinion, a perfect day. He lazed around in bed with Severus for hours, dozing, cuddling and talking, then made them a quick lunch in Severus's little kitchen. They ate in front of the fireplace, Harry sprawled on the rug while Severus relaxed in an armchair. When Harry decided to join Severus in the armchair they got a bit… distracted, returning to eat their cold food some time later. They both settled on the couch at that point.

Leaning back into Severus's arms, feeling more content and relaxed than he had in a while, Harry called Zipky and talked with the little elf about how the Black Home was coming along. There were quite a few children at the manor, and Zipky said they all seemed happy to be there – she certainly was! She did assure him that no other elves but herself, Reggy and Lurch were taking care of the children (he wanted the children to grow up with proper caretakers, not an endless rotation of people they'd never remember the names of), and reluctantly told him when prompted that Mistress Narcissa was indeed trying to upstage Master Peter, but that the three house elves would come to Harry if there were any problems. Harry told her he trusted her judgement, which elated the house elf, and she left with them all in high spirits.

Well, Severus was more reserved than that, but he seemed pleased.

Harry decided he might as well call Winky as well and find out how Sirius was doing, and though Winky didn't seem to consider it entirely appropriate to report to Harry concerning her main master (as she was bonded to Sirius, not Harry), it seemed Harry asked only appropriate questions, because she answered them without reservation. And so Harry found out that Sirius had grasped at the chance to live somewhere other than Grimmauld Place, which Winky seemed to think helped him stay grounded in the present since the townhouse had so many unpleasant memories, and continued to see the mind healer daily. He was also seeing Amelia, but Winky was very tight-lipped on that topic so Harry decided if he really wanted to know how the two of them were getting along he'd ask Amelia.

He did, however, ask her how she was doing, whether she was happy and had or needed any company, and when she hesitated he told her that she was welcome to ask any of the Black elves to join her, and by her reservedly happy look Harry figured she was a bit lonely. It didn't sound like Sirius called on her often, so she'd most likely appreciate the company.

Abruptly she bowed and popped away, and both wizards realized that she had most likely been called away by Sirius. Harry laughed and leaned back further into Severus's warmth, tipping back his head to accept an upside-down kiss from his lover.

"That's all my business for the day dealt with," he said teasingly. "I'm all yours…"

"Ah? I suffered from the impression that you were all mine regardless of whether you were occupied otherwise or not," Severus drawled, running a long finger along Harry's jaw. Harry just smiled and caught his lover's lips in his again, the two of them locked in a kiss of sweet contentment. It spoke of promise for the future, contentment in the moment, and emotions more meaningful than lust.

Yes, it was a perfect day.