The Magic in a Snowglobe
Harry Potter, not very surprisingly, was not an avid fan of Christmas. Where the Weasleys had large family parties and knitted sweaters, and Hermione's family had their own special traditions, Harry was quite used to spending Christmas in a closet.
Which is what made spending Christmas with Snape so special, so important. He was not in a closet, or being locked up or punished. Instead, he was cuddling with his lover by the fire, watching the flames flicker and dancing, coloring the scotch that swirled in Snape's glass. He was happy to sigh contentedly with no worries or fears.
Snape's black eyes turned to him, studying Harry for a moment before digging into his pocket. "It's a little early..." he started quietly. He pulled out a small sphere of crystal and handed it to Harry.
Harry held the snowglobe in his hands, turning it over to inspect the tiny winter scene inside from all angles, flakes of fake snow turned up with each movement. He didn't understand, so with a confused expression, looked up at the dark eyes that glittered in the firelight. Pale lips quirked up at the corner. "What's this?"
"It's a gift. For Christmas."
Harry snorted. "I figured that. I mean, why a snowglobe?" he shook it when the snow settled, watching the flakes swirl and drift. Snape took a sip of his scotch.
"It grants wishes. See the three pine trees in the middle? They disappear when you make a wish. There used to be five, but I used two. You can make any three wishes you want." Snape waited silently for inevitable words, staring into his glass of scotch as Harry thought.
"Hmm." He looked around the room. There was nothing he wanted. He had everything he could possibly want. He noticed Hedwig in her cage, preening her snow white feathers. "I wish Hedwig had some nice juicy mice for her to eat." the snow inside the snowglobe whirled, and a pine tree disappeared.
Snape glanced at the owl who was happily gulping down the gift. There were plenty of other things Harry could have used that wish for. He watched Harry look around once more before his eyes landed on him.
"I wish I knew exactly what Snape wanted for Christmas." The snow inside the glass flew around, and a second pine tree disappeared. Harry's grin grew huge, green eyes watching him with new understanding. "And finally, for my last wish....." his grinned became a little more devious. "I wish Snape would kiss me." with little fuss, the last pine tree disappeared and Snape leant down to grant the wish.
"Why did you waste your wishes on such simple things?" Snape stared into green eyes, looking for reason. Harry smiled simply. "You could have wished for anything. Your parents, Sirius, anything." Harry shook his head.
"No. It's okay. I've got everything I need right here." he smiled up at him, resting his head on Snape's shoulder. His lover made a soft noise of happiness. Between his fingers, the snow drifted inside the glass, mirroring the snow outside.
Owari