Disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter Characters and Locations. I own a cat. Although most of the time she owns me.

Warnings: Slash. M/M. Harry/Snape. You have been warned. Also, this fic is an AU (if you can't already tell) however there are some minor spoilers for books 1 – 5. Basically though I just kept some things as foundation and the rest I had my wicked, wicked way with.

A/N: Yay!! Thank you so so so much for the reviews and the story alerts! It warms my heart. I always love hearing from you guys and appreciate it muchly! I do little dances in front of my laptop every time I get a new review.

A/N part deux: This was written in a hurry and may have a lot of mistakes. I have no beta so if you see anything glaringly wrong grammar or spelling wise just let me know.

Well, a lot of you wrote to tell me your opinion of my little Padfoot problem. I had some differing viewpoints but in the end I think I am going to go with…

On with the show!

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Chapter 2: This is Surreal

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"It's my birthday!"

"I am aware of that. You have been saying the same thing for the past hour."

"So you're going to come?"

"I do not believe that my presence would be welcome."

"How can it not? It's my birthday!"

"You are starting to sound like a broken record."

Harry sighed. They had been having this same circular argument now for….well, Severus was right, about an hour. The potions master had known for weeks about the party at the Burrow and at the beginning he had agreed to attend for Harry's sake. However, as the day drew closer the man who had faced Voldemort eye to eye and lied smoothly was losing his nerve. Apparently, a house full of Weasleys was even scarier than the dark lord. The party was in two days. Harry had arrived at Severus's private rooms for dinner and to also begin reading a few advanced books on DADA that the potion's professor owned in his private library. He hadn't heard if he had been accepted to the mastery program, but everyone told him it was only a matter of "when" not "if" so he was trying to take Severus's advice and prepare ahead. He had been sitting on the floor of the living room on a Persian rug that had snakes all over it. Harry had always thought it was a little ostentatious. Severus always thought Harry had no taste when it came to furniture.

The mentioning of the rug is important for one fact: Harry always had to be careful when he was in the room because he would accidently switch over to Parstletongue. When Severus had come in from his lab after tending to a potion to announce his "impending absence" as he called it, Harry had cussed in the sibilant tongue. Though not the least bit fluent Severus got the point.

That started the argument that led our two to this point.

"It's my birthday!"

"And how old are you turning? Ten?"

"Fine. You want another argument? How about the fact that the only people going to be there already know about us!"

The second the words left Harry's mouth he instantly wished they were snitches and he could catch them and put them back. Severus didn't want anyone to know of their relationship yet. The fact that Ron and Hermione knew made the potions master uneasy enough.

"Are you telling me that all of the Weasleys know?"

"If I said yes what would you do?"

The taller man pinched the bridge of his nose. The more people that found out about their relationship the better chance there was of it getting on the Daily Prophet. Harry didn't need to be tarnished by the ex-Death Eater… not if the ex-Death Eater could help it. Eventually their relationship would be public knowledge. Severus was not an idiot. He knew that it would not stay a secret and it could not stay a secret. Not if he and Harry were to actually make their relationship work and since they were mates that left little room for option now, didn't it?. Despite this he still wanted to wait as long as possible before letting people know. The reaction would be bad no matter when the news got out and he wanted to protect Harry for as long as possible. Tell Harry this and Severus will just deny it. Well, maybe not anymore.

"I understand that they are your family, but why did you tell them without consulting me?"

"I didn't."

"Then how—"

"Fred was coming over one day to drop off a report from the joke shop for me to read and he saw you apparating and going into my house. He and George then went to the Burrow and tortured it out of Ron."

"We are most fortunate that your hapless friend was never captured during the war. His ability to hold his tongue is deplorable. The Order would have lost all of its secrets."

"I wouldn't be so sure. I think the Weasley twins take such things as torturing siblings—or anyone for that matter—to a whole new art form."

"Be that as it may—"

"Severus. They've known for a while now. They haven't told anyone. They won't tell anyone they aren't suppose to."

"And how do you know for sure?"

"'Cause I know Mrs. Weasley."

"I still do not like the idea of everyone knowing so soon."

"Yes, because the entire world consists of the Weasleys and Hermione."

"It appears that way sometimes with as many of them as there are."

Harry just rolled his eyes.

"Look. They may give you a hard time…okay, they will give you a really hard time, but it will all be in fun and I am sure your quick wit can come up with some snappy retaliations. Besides it won't be the whole Weasley clam there. Bill, Charlie and Percy have work and can't make it. Please!?"

"Will the Weasleys and Ms. Granger be the only attendees to this little event?"

He received a mumbled response.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said no. Remus will be there and Albus will be there after lunch."

"And does the wolf know about us as well?" Severus wasn't even going to ask if Albus knew or not. The man knew everything.

Right scary how much he knew.

"No. But I am going to tell him."

"I have already said—"

"He needs to know! He has known from the very beginning about my whole Diligarian inheritance and he just got back from an assignment in France and I want him there and I want you there. Please?!"

"And what about—"

Harry beat him to the punch. Crossing his arms he said, "Everyone else is away on assignment."

Though the Order of the Phoenix had officially disbanded they still stayed close and Harry considered all of them among his family. Hell, some of them were pretty much family. Most of the adults had gone back to their jobs as aurors and considering their experience they were all quickly raised in rank and were constantly on assignment. Harry was quite sad that many of the people he desperately wanted to be wouldn't, but it had been the same last year. He just hoped that in the coming years the work load of the auror department would diminish and he could see them more.

"Good"

Harry just sighed again and sat back down on the snake rug. He could really get mad at Severus right now. The fairy knew he was being whiney. Doing a spectacular job of it actually, but now he was just tired of it. This was a lot to ask of the reclusive man, but Harry really just wanted the man who was his mate to be there for his birthday.

"I will ask one last time. I want you there. It is my birthday. It would mean so much if you were to be there. Please? Will you go with me? For me? That can be my present."

Severus did not answer for the longest time. He moved to his favorite arm chair opposite the couch by the fire with a contemplative expression. He looked back at the young fairy who was hoping like no other that he had his puppy face on. 'Sad face,' the Diligarian thought, 'must have on the sad face. Sad face…sad face…'

He did.

It worked.

Severus mentally cursed himself for his obvious softening at the hands of one Harry Potter.

"Fine. I shall attend. But do not blame me when disaster presents itself."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Harry replied as he got up from the rug and came over to give the taller wizard a kiss.

"Thank you" he said in Parstletongue as he climbed into the older man's lap. Much to his delight the words had the desired effect. Severus shuddered.

"You will confuse Viridus if you keep that up." Severus said as he tucked his hands into Harry's oversized shirt to feel the smooth skin underneath.

The boa that Harry had given Severus as a Christmas present was now close to six feet long and when Harry was around Severus allowed the snake to roam his rooms freely.

Harry was gasping and giggling quietly at the t caresses and tickles he was receiving from his mate. "Nah. Ssssmssarra won't care." He said in between puffs of air.

"Hmmm, so you say."

"I do say." Harry said breathlessly as he leaned in for a kiss.

Viridus became aware that someone was talking in another part of the house. The fact that he could understand it meant that Green Eyes, the one who always talked so nicely to him and understood him, was possibly looking for him. The green snake made his way into the largest area to find Master and Green Eyes in the thing Green Eyes had one time called a chair. It did not take long for the snake to realize Green Eyes was most definitely not talking to him. This was the second time this had happened. The serpent turned and quickly went back to his original warm spot to leave the two nest mates in peace shaking his head at the two creatures he lived with.

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"Remus? Ya home?" Harry called as he entered the small flat in London.

The apartment was in a great location since it was in walking distance of not only the ministry, but Diagon Alley as well. It was from the later location that Harry apparated and made his way through the muggle city towards the three story apartment building. Remus had moved in shortly after re-entering the auror department and had yet to fully unpack.

He didn't know why Remus had decided to live so far out. Considering his lycanthropy he would think that the man would be more apt to staying closer to the magical community. The werewolf pointed out though that while the magical community knew about werewolves there was also a terrible prejudice that still existed in some people and muggles considered werewolves to be an urban legend. Here, he was just a guy to his neighbors. Besides, during the full moon Moony had another place to stay out in the country where he could roam. He had assured his honorary godson that he was fine. Now if the honorary godson could find the werewolf.

"Remus!"

"Back here!"

Aha! Eureka. What once was lost now is found. Harry made his way to the back of the apartment that was the second bedroom which Remus was turning into a library. Well, harry assumed he was turning it into a library. There certainly were enough books to make up a library. Possibly even two…three…just how many books did the man have?

"What are you doing?"

He had walked in to find the tawny haired man struggling desperately to hold a board level over his head on the back wall and hammer it in at the same time. The result looked like a wrestling match and a hammer flying across the room and towards the door. Luckily Harry's reflexes were sharp as ever and he was able to duck out of the way as the tool flew past.

"Are you allowed to put permanent shelves in this place?" Harry asked as he stood back up and retrieved the hammer. He walked over and handed it back to his former professor.

Remus looked a bit sheepish as he took the hammer back. "Sorry about that."

"Trust me, it's fine. Although I must say the Prophet would have a field day with it. I can just see it now: Boy-Who-Lived-to-Be-Taken-out-by-Hammer. Man, I hate hyphens."

Remus laughed, "In answer to your question: you're right, I can't put permanent shelves in here."

"Then why—"

"Well, what good is magic if you can't hide the fact that you have broken a few housing rules."

"Can't the neighbors—ah, a silencing spell."

Remus winked, "Exactly."

Harry was instantly reminded that the man was a Marauder. But…

"Why don't you put the shelves up by magic?"

"Where is the fun in that? I wanted to take a swing at doing things the muggle way."

"How's it going?"

"As you can see the only thing I am apparently taking a swing at is your head."

"Want help?"

"I would be lying if I said no. But first..."

Remus walked over and embraced Harry in a hug. He had been away for over a year and he had missed his honorary godson terribly. Harry returned the hug in full force. When they pulled back the lycanthrope took hold of Harry's arms and turned him a little.

"So where are these wings you wrote about?"

"Ah," Harry said and he stepped back a half step more and took his coat off. All of his shirts now had been altered with a whole in the back. He let his wings unfurl.

"My goodness. Look at that wing pattern. I have never seen one quite like it in any of my studies. Then again you said Diligarians are rare."

Remus circled around the young fairy studying the wings. Harry started to feel like a science project like he had last year with Hermione, but he let the man alone. He was willing to indulge the intellectual man since he hadn't seen him in so long.

"That's not all. I see auras too."

Remus walked back around to face Harry. "Really?"

"Yep. You are an amber color."

"Fascinating. Is it all the time?"

"Yea, but if I concentrate really hard it goes away."

"Well, I must say, it is a big change, but something that you could certainly use to your advantage."

"How so?"

Remus picked up a board and grinned.

"We won't need a ladder to hang the higher shelves."

"Fantastic." Harry said as he took the board from the older man.

This led to over an hour of hanging shelves all around the room. During this task Remus related all he could about his previous mission. He had been sent with a small group to deal with a band of renegade vampires in the south of France. Remus, ever the teacher, began to quiz Harry about all of the different ways to spot a vampire and the many defenses one could take if ever attacked by one. Harry just rolled his eyes and as he hammered he tried his best to answer the man. He had had a few scrapes with vampires and loads of other creatures during the war so he really didn't have to think too hard about how to defend himself. He wondered if this was how the mastery program would be.

"Hey, I have a question."

"Fire away." The werewolf answered as he placed some of the books on the new shelves.

"Are you a master of DADA?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Because I applied to the mastery program and I wanted to know what it was like."

Remus stopped placing books. "Harry, this is wonderful! I am very happy you have decided to continue your education. What are you going to do with your degree?"

"I think I may teach."

When he didn't get a vocal response right away Harry turned to see Remus with an odd gleam in his eye. Much like the gleam Ron got when he finally won a bet. Harry got the sneaking suspicion that he was once again out of the loop on something, but just shook it off. For now. Harry had become a little paranoid about such things. Though just because you are paranoid does not mean they aren't out to get you.

"I think you would make an excellent teacher Harry."

This brought the fairy out of his musings. "I hope so. Luckily I have a year or more to figure it out."

"Hmmm. Well, we shall have to see. You have had a lot of experience in defense and with the mastery program they start you out at a level equal to your skills."

"What else do you know?"

"Not much besides you will take a placement test and be assigned a mentor. Aside from that it is much like DADA at Hogwarts. Book work and practical. Only now it is far more in-depth and intense."

"Is there ever a time when I won't have to write?"

"You want to be a teacher?"

Harry paused, "Yea…"

"Then yes."

"Really?! When?"

"When you retire."

"Can I retire now?"

"Would you want to do nothing all day?"

Harry went back to the argument he and Severus had a few weeks ago. "Not really."

Harry finished putting up the last of the shelves and turned back to the amber eyed man.

Now or never.

"Remus I need to talk to you."

His switch to a more formal tone was not lost on the older man.

"What's up Harry?"

"Ummm…maybe we should go sit down." Or maybe Remus should sit down and harry should hide behind a chair or something. He knew Remus was very level headed but he was still weary of the reaction his news would receive.

Remus was instantly worried. "Alright, lead the way."

The two made their way into the small sitting area that held a cream colored couch and matching chair and about ten more boxes. Remus took a seat in the chair while Harry pulled in his wings and sank into the couch.

"So what is this about?"

"Well…" How was the best way to handle this? Was there a best way to handle this? It seemed like a pissed off hippogriff. No matter what you did, you were in trouble.

Remus sighed, "Harry, I have known you since you were a baby. Your father was like a brother to me. You can tell me. Just say it. Really quick if it makes it easier."

He wanted quick?

"Ok….well, you know that I am a Diligarian and as a Diligarian I am suppose to have a mate and Diligarians tell who their mate is because when they are seventeen the begin their transformation when they are around them and they feel this pull towards the person that I can tell you feels a lot like someone letting loose bees in your stomach and you feel all lightheaded and I started feeling this way towards someone last year."

'Well, that certainly was quick,' Remus thought, 'wait a minute…'

"Wait a minute. You're telling me that you found your mate?"

"Yes." Harry's right leg had begun to shake with nerves

"Well, that's great!"

"Really?"

"Yes. While I admit you are young you are now a magical creature and the fact that you have found your mate is a wonderful thing. Who is the girl?"

Harry turned beet red and looked at his hands, "Not a girl…"

"Ohhh…then who is the fellow?"

"Ssvrs snp"

"You can't mumble Harry. Go on. Goodness knows it isn't like the gender is that big of a deal to the magical world. Your mate is your mate, now who is it?"

He asked for it.

"Severus Snape."

He got no answer.

He waited a few more moments.

He still got no answer.

Finally, when he couldn't take it anymore he looked up from his hands to find the brown haired auror staring into space with a glazed expression on his face. Harry watched him for around a minute and realized the man wasn't blinking.

'I've killed him.'

"Um…Remus?"

"Yes." Came a very far off reply.

"Um…are you okay?"

"Fine."

"Oh…okay."

"I just want to confirm…you said…Severus Snape was your mate."

"Uh huh."

"I see."

Harry couldn't decide if the man was taking the news well or taking it terribly. He had expected screaming. Heck, any kind of a reaction was expected. This…this was creepy. Then again Remus Lupin was always the more level headed of the marauders. Maybe he was just thinking of a level headed way of saying that Harry was out of his mind.

"You're sure of this."

"Oh. Yea, pretty darn sure."

Finally, Remus moved. Not a lot. But at least it put Harry's mind at ease that he had not put the man in some kind of paralysis from shock. The auror put his face in his hands and began to rub, much like if he were very exhausted all of a sudden.

"This is surreal."

Harry snorted, "Tell me about it."

The werewolf put his hands down and turned his head to the green eyed teen.

"Well…" Remus began.

Harry was nervous. He really didn't want to tell anybody about his relationship with the potions master either. Not that he told Severus this. The older man had said he didn't want word to get out because he did not want it splashed and smeared across the papers. Harry agreed but he had his own agenda. He knew it would take his friends and family a while to accept their relationship. Hermione had been great and even though Ron was still skittish to talk about it he was supportive. The rest of the Weasleys had received a stern lecture from Mrs. Weasley and while they still teased Harry when he visited they too accepted the news. However he knew that not everyone would be the same. Severus was not the most likeable of people at times and he had quite a bit of history to contend with. Harry was happy with Severus. It wasn't always easy, but he was happy nonetheless. Add in people who were against their relationship and Harry didn't know how the older wizard would handle it. Heck, Harry didn't know how he would handle it. With so little family and friends in his younger days he couldn't stand for a feud to break out over this. Because happy or not, Harry knew that some people just would not be able to accept this. Harry was afraid Remus would be one of these people. His worry was evident in his face and in the fact that his leg was shaking so fervently now that the whole couch was practically vibrating.

Remus looked at the young man who had fulfilled a destiny that no child should have to do. He was the epitome of a Gryffindor yet here he was scared to death that he and his mate wouldn't be accepted. Harry may be brave, but he was still as insecure about himself—as visibly evident, Remus noted, by his retention of the horrible hand me downs from his whale of a cousin that swallowed and covered Harry completely. He was still that same scared little boy who wanted people to accept him that Remus had meant five years earlier.

'Has it been that long?' The werewolf thought. 'He certainly has grown up. Not a little kid anymore.'

"Are you happy?"

"Listen I know he isn't always that likeable, but—" Wait a minute. What? Harry had been so ready to defend Severus that he had begun to formulate his rebuttal. But…

"Huh?"

Remus chuckled and repeated his question, "Are you happy?"

Harry hesitated. Was this some sort of trick question like on a test? Harry hadn't studied.

"Yes. Very much so." Harry hoped the other man believed him. It was the truth.

"Then I am happy."

"Really!?"

"Yes, really. Again, it is another big change. And while I admit that it will be…quite odd, it is you so odd is always just around the bend."

"So…you are okay? With me being with Severus?"

"Yes. He is your mate after all and if you are sure then I have no place saying otherwise nor would I want to."

"Are you mad?"

Remus chuckled. "No, Harry, I am not mad at all. I never really had a problem with Severus in school. That was more your Dad's and Sirius's department. Speaking of which…"

Uh Oh.

"I haven't told him."

"Oh….Does he know anything about what's going on?"

"Define 'anything'."

His ex-professor pinched the bridge of his nose.

"As in does he know that you are now a fairy and have a mate who just happens to be a man from our year of school?"

"Ah that 'anything'. No. He doesn't know anything."

Remus got up and began to pace. Harry just followed him with his eyes from the couch.

"When were you planning on telling him?"

"I was waiting for the best time?"

"And when exactly is the best time?"

"Ummm…a year from now?"

"Harry James!"

Damn. His middle name. This was getting worse than he thought.

"Well, it is not like he can get mail that good where he is at anyways!"

"Your Godfather isn't dead you know! He's just in Australia!"

Harry winced, "I know…"

After the war Sirius Black's name had been cleared when a sniveling Peter Pettigrew was found huddling under a bush. Really as far as rats go it was quite fitting. Fudge and the rest of the ministry went into an absolute tizzy over the whole ordeal. The wrongful imprisonment in Azkaban of a distinguished member of the Order and an auror was not exactly good P.R.. Sirius had taken it in stride. He demanded monetary compensation—which he turned straight around and donated to charity anonymously—and also asked only that he be allowed to return to his job as an auror and be sent someplace warm. He got his wish. No sooner had he reenlisted then Kingsley Shacklebolt assigned him to a top secret mission in Australia for two years. The animagus, in true Sirius fashion, had instantly accepted thinking only of the beaches and surf. It was only when he made it home later that night that he realized that he would be away from everyone for two years. He had intended to go back to Shacklebolt and try and get a new assignment, but it had been Harry and Remus who convinced him that after being locked up in Grimmauld place for two years as a fugitive that he deserved to get away.

"We were told that we could only write him if it was really important or an emergency."

"And the fact that you have received a magical creature inheritance wasn't important?"

"I just couldn't think of a good way to tell him."

This was an absolute lie. Well, not completely. Harry really couldn't think of a good way to tell Sirius everything that was going on. He knew Remus would understand because of his lycanthropy, but Sirius is a different story. Truth be told Harry was scared of the reaction his godfather would have over this whole ordeal.

Remus sighed, "What's the real reason you haven't told him?"

Harry could never lie. He could face Dark Lords, basilisks, and all assorted manner of creepy whatnot, but he just could never lie. The black and green haired young fairy slumped back into the couch.

"Sirius isn't exactly known for taking change too well."

Remus had to chuckle at that. No. Sirius was most definitely not known for taking change well. For a man who exalted and thrived on chaos he could not deal with any distortion that was not caused by himself was immediately taken with hostility. Sirius had been the only one who had been less than thrilled about James and Lily's wedding. He had eventually accepted it and been very happy for the couple, but he had at first been quite pouty about the fact that the marauders were, as he put it, "being broken up". The most recent bout of this was of course his assignment to Australia. He argued that leaving everyone would mess everything up and that they would all be lost without him. He was actually a worse liar than Harry. Remus knew that Sirius realized how big of an adjustment living on another continent would be. The enigmatic animagus may have been forty, but he acted four.

"I won't argue with you on that point, but Harry, he needs to know. You can't ignore this or keep pretending that because he is not here you don't have to think about him. This isn't an 'out of site – out of mind situation. He can't come home and be surprised by this. It wouldn't be fair."

"I know that. I was planning on telling him a few months before he is due to come back. That way he will have a little time to get adjusted to the idea but not too much time to—"

"Brood over it enough to overreact?"

"Yea…"

"How did you get away with not telling him this long? Surely Hermione would have tried to persuade—heavens, force—you to tell Sirius this."

"She asked one time if I told you and him about it."

"What did you say?"

"I said, 'Yes.'"

"You were actually able to lie to Hermione?"

"It wasn't lying. I had told you. I just didn't mention that to her."

"You do realize that if she ever finds out she will kill you."

"Oh yes and it would be quite gruesome I have no doubt. That's another reason I am going to tell Sirius before he returns. Hermione will never know."

"You hope."

"Like crazy I do."

"Well, I don't like the fact that you have kept Sirius completely out of the loop, but I can't say that I blame you. He was the last person I told my 'fury problem' to and he didn't take it too well at first either."

"What did he do?"

"Oh, pouted for a few days and threw a tantrum or two. After that he started thinking up ways to use it to the Marauder's advantage."

"That doesn't sound too bad. I can handle that."

"Yes, but I think being mates with a man who Sirius still considers to be an enemy might just be a tad different."

Harry slumped again, "Touché"

"Well, for yours and mine's sake I hope this all turns out okay."

"Why yours too?"

"Because I will no doubt be hearing an earful from Sirius over this."

Harry went back to staring at his hands. "I'm sorry about all this. I know I should have told him but—"

"Harry," Remus began as he went over and sat on the couch next to the fairy. He put his arm around his shoulder, "Like I said it is okay. You should tell Sirius soon, but that is your decision. And you don't need to apologize. It's not like you asked for any of this."

"Thanks Remy."

Remus brought his hand up and ruffled the already messy hair atop the teen's head. The result was that it was now all but sticking straight up. Remus would tell him and let him fix it…eventually.

"Don't mention it kid. Now, let's see if we can't wrestle us up some food for lunch!"

Harry's eyebrows shot straight up into his hairline, "You have food in your kitchen."

"Actually, I think I only have a jar of mustard and a box of baking soda."

"Ah, we can eat like kings." Harry said as he got up and made his way to the kitchen. He was caught by the arm by a werewolf with a dry smirk on his face.

"Alright, smart-aleck, let's go get some take away."

"The great wolf is a mighty hunter."

"Keep that up and you'll be paying for dinner."

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"And here's our little birthday boy now!" Fred said with bravado as he opened the kitchen door of the Burrow to let Harry in.

"Ah, but where is his lover boy?"George said with a smile at his brother's side.

Harry just rolled his eyes and walked into the house he had come to regard as home. The twins didn't relent.

"Your dark haired Casanova?"

"Your Knight in Shining Armor?"

"He doesn't wear armor George."

"Billowing black robes then."

"Yea, where is the old bat? We must give him a proper welcome after all."

"He should be here soon."

He better! When Harry had left his cottage he had called Severus to see if they wanted to go together. The taller wizard replied that he was still in the process of getting ready and would see him at the Weasley's. Harry had tried to stay behind and wait on him, but the potions master had been quite adamant and in the end had won the battle. Harry couldn't think what would take the man so long. He had said it was just casual dress and that most of the younger people would be in muggle clothing. Harry himself had decided to dress up a little considering it was his birthday.

Remus had convinced him during his visit yesterday to go shopping for a new wardrobe. Harry had been stubborn, stating that he had clothes. This was another battle that the black and green haired fairy was not destined to win because before he could say, 'Remus, where are we going?' he found himself standing in a muggle shop with a very enthusiastic sales girl handing him things to try on. The first time he put on his new jeans and did not need a belt he thought something was wrong. Everything seemed so tight. This couldn't possibly be his size. He had called to Remus on the other side of the dressing room stating that only a very, very small person could ever fit in these clothes properly.

"You are a very small person Harry." Came his reply, "Trust me, that is your size. After living practically all your life in clothes five sizes bigger than you it is going to feel a little strange at first."

So now instead of wearing an overgrown t-shirt with a hole or two and a pair of jeans with a belt cinched up all the way Harry was now in a red button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a new pair of jeans and trainers.

"Ah, but look at our little fairy friend George." Fred started again.

"Why he forgot something when he came here he did."

Harry just arched one brow and waited for the no doubt hilarious comment about to come forth.

"Why yes, he left his circus tent behind with him. Careful Harry, you can actually see how small your waist is."

"Yes, we must keep a sense of propriety in this household."

See? Absolutely hilarious.

"You guys are a riot." Harry said as he looked around the small, yet cozy kitchen. Pots and pans were working frantically to prepare the meal as knives and spoons were preparing other ingredients. "I hope your mum isn't going to too much trouble over this."

"Are you kidding? Even if she was we wouldn't say anything."

"Yea, mum always cooks better when you're around. We don't eat—"

"—half as good when you're gone. Ow!"

George exclaimed as he was rapped on the head with a wooden spoon.

"Fred! George! Make yourselves useful and go set up the table outside."

The twins gave a salute and went out the door. Mrs. Weasley paused for a moment and then called out again.

"And don't BREAK the table either!!"

She turned back to Harry. "Harry sweetheart! Happy birthday! You look absolutely wonderful!" She said as she pulled him in for a hug. "Are you eating enough?"

"Yes I am. And thank you Mrs. Weasley, for all of this."

"Think nothing of it my dear," She said as she turned back to a pot, "and how many times have I told you to call me Molly?"

Harry smiled, "Always once more." He said as he picked up a mixing bowl, intent on helping out. Mrs. Weasley turned and caught him.

"Oh, no you don't! You are the guest of honor! No work for you. You can go and find Ron and Hermione and keep them company. I sent them to the garden to decorate and degnome."

Harry was about to protest but then he remembered that the sweet, motherly woman still had that wooden spoon in her hands and he thought better of it. He set down the bowl and with a smile and a wave made his way to the backyard and down into the garden where he found his two best friends.

Hermione was sitting in a swing reading a book with Ginny sitting beside her on the ground gossiping. Ron meanwhile was not far away and taking great joy in catching and tossing gnomes out of the area. Harry watched as he walked as the tall red head took three at a time and swung them around his head in a circle and then let them fly into the field. He turned slightly and caught sight of his shorter friend walking towards them on the path.

"Well hello! Who are you and what have you done with our fashion disaster friend named Tink? You know him? About your height and—Ooomph!" Hermione had hit him in the stomach with her book. Why couldn't Hermione read softer books? Those things hurt.

"Don't be a prat Ron. Harry! You look great! Happy Birthday!" She said as he came up and gave him a hug.

"Yea, Harry. One could hardly recognize you without all those oversized layers. Now you can actually show off that body." Ginny said with a grin as she too got a hug from the Diligarian, "and Happy Birthday!"

Harry was starting to get more than a little embarrassed about all the attention his new clothes were getting. Were his old ones really that bad?

"Yea Tink, Happy birthday! Hows about helping me get these nasty buggars outa here?"

"Ron, it is Harry's Birthday and he is in new clothes and he doesn't—"

"Yea! Where are they at?" Harry said as he rushed beside his friend. To look for the little potato creatures with feet.

"That's the spirit. And let your wings out. May bring the little devils out of their holes. Bet they've never seen a fairy as big as you."

Harry let his wings unfurl. Remus had helped him fix all of his new shirts to accommodate the recent fluttering additions. The wings were a bright green right now. He was in a great mood. "Alright, but how are we going to get them to notice in the first place?"

The two best friends began to strategize as Hermione and Ginny both huffed and returned their spots at the swing. The brown haired young woman who had known them since they were eleven merely sighed as she opened her book. "Men."

The four were quiet for some time. Well, Hermione and Ginny would occasionally swap gossip here and there and Ron and Harry were talking amicably while they sent gnomes sailing, but all in all it was quite peaceful.

"Where's Mr. Grins and Sunshine?"

"Are you referring to Severus?"

"The one and only."

"He should be here soon." Harry said as he flung a gnome a little farther than he intended.

Harry really hoped he would be here soon. If Severus had skipped…well, it wouldn't be pretty. He had said that morning that he would be there. Ron noticed the unease in the young fairy's face.

"Hey, no worries Tink. He will be here. Did he give you his word?"

His younger friend nodded.

"That has to count for something yea?"

Harry felt a little better. "Yea."

A short time later they were joined by the twins who also began to take turns hurtling gnomes across the yard. When Remus showed up the boys were having a contest to see who could throw the farthest. The ex-professor decided to merely be a spectator and stand with the girls. Ginny would occasionally call out a ranking number for the throws.

"Lunch will be ready shortly; you all come to the house and clean up." Mrs. Weasley's voice floating in the air around them. It must have been some type of spell to allow her voice to carry like that and she not have to shout. The twins through the two gnomes that they already had in their hands and the group made their way back to the house.

Harry really wasn't happy now and he tried to not let it show. It had been over an hour and even if Severus had just woken up when Harry called at ten—highly unlikely considering the man woke up at six in the morning…every morning—the man only took a half hour every morning to get ready.

He had promised…

Harry's mood was sinking faster and faster into the land of melancholy as he made his way into the kitchen and turned to see—

Severus.

Sitting at the kitchen table.

He had showed up.

"Why if it isn't the dark Casanova himself!"

"Tamer of the mighty pixie!"

"Heartthrob of all with wings."

"He is a romantic he is—Oww!"

"Yeouch! Mum!"

The wielder of the wooden spoon had come to the rescue again!

"Fred! George! You two go clean up for lunch. Leave Mr. Snape alone."

Severus hadn't really heard anything the two red heads were blabbering anyways. All he was looking at right now was Harry. The younger man had told him yesterday that Remus had taken him shopping but he did not disclose anything that he had purchased.

He looked good.

Really good.

Especially the jeans.

Harry was beginning to get self conscious under the intense stare of the older man. He was reminded how tight his shirt felt and how snug his jeans were. 'This is ridiculous. He has seen me naked! I have seen him naked. I—Oh. Best not think about such things in tight pants.'

"You made it."

"I told you I would."

"I know…"

"Did you think I would not come?" Severus asked with a smirk. They were both unaware that they had been left by themselves in the compact kitchen.

"I was getting worried."

Severus got up from the table. And made his way to his little fairy mate. The taller man had thought about wearing muggle clothes, but considering the fact that the Weasley twins were already going to give him hell anyway he felt it prudent to not give them any more ammo. He had already strayed from his usual public dress by wearing a green robe instead of his customary black. He got up to Harry and put his hand on the younger man's hip.

"You look very—"

"Well, look at the two lovebirds." came the sing song interruption as Fred and George walked back into the room.

"They are so cute!"

"I can feel the palpitations!"

"Well, you know what they say about men with big noses!"

Severus dropped his hand and began to growl softly. Harry noticed a slight tinge of pink on the man's face.

Severus

Snape

Was

Blushing!

Harry brought a hand up to his mouth and tried to rub his grin away. It was barely even a hint of a blush. Hardly detectable, but it was there. Harry knew that part of the color was from embarrassment and the other part was from annoyance at the two identical red heads. The fact that Harry found this somewhat amusing…okay, really amusing would only irritate the dark eyed wizard even more.

Severus looked Harry in the eyes as the twins continued their cooing.

"May I kill them?"

"Wait till later when their mother isn't around." Harry said as he brought his hand down. The grin was still there.

As if on cue the matronly Weasley followed by the rest of the party made their way back into the kitchen.

"Alright you two, outside! It is time for lunch."

You never come between a Weasley and food. The twins were out the door like twin bolts of lightning. Ron was hot on their tale.

"They better not eat everything!"

"You three better not eat at all until we are all there!" Mrs. Weasley hollered as she, Hermione, and Ginny made their way out the door. Harry fell in step behind Remus but a hand on his shoulder stopped him before he could exit. He felt a pair of lips right beside his ear.

"You shall be receiving your birthday present from me tonight."

Severus's words sent a shiver down Harry's spine.

"I thought you coming here was my present?" Harry replied in a whisper.

Severus gave a low chuckle and Harry was really wishing he had on baggie pants right about now.

"Not by a long shot." The man said as he straightened back up.

'Happy Birthday to me.' Harry thought as he finally walked out the door.

He squeaked when the older man give him a light swat on his behind.

Severus really did like those new jeans

The motley crew all finally made it to the garden area at the bottom of the hill that had a table set up for them that would fit all of them. Stacked on top of the table were several dishes and bowls of fruit. Mrs. Weasley was always very careful now to have foods that Harry would eat. Salads, vegetables—

"Mom, this is all rabbit food!" Ron said in a slightly whiney manner.

"Ronald Weasley! As it is Harry's birthday the lunch is in his honor and there for consists of his favorites.

"Yes, but…where's the meat?"

"Oh, for the—there are some roast beef sandwiches over there!"

"That's what I'm talking about!"

"Go on everyone. Ronald certainly isn't taking any preamble and Arthur said he would be along shortly and to start without him. We will have the cake when he and Albus get here."

With that everyone moved to take a seat, even Severus. Harry hung back if only for a moment to take it in. Birthdays were still new to him. Much like Christmases. He smiled and let out a giggle when Ron beckoned him to join and have some 'rabbit food'. The tall red head's mouth still full of sandwich. Much, much better than staying up till midnight by himself in a cupboard or small bedroom in Surrey.

Harry took his seat and began to talk and giggle with everyone at the table. Well, no one else really giggled except for Ginny on occasions, but Harry was feeling too happy and hyper to really care. Seeing the young fairy in his current state put the rest of the group in an even higher spirit. Severus even began to smile at the young man sitting beside him who was currently giggling over something Fred—or was it George—Severus could never keep them straight—had said. The others noticed this and shared a few looks. Only a person like Harry could actually make a perpetually sour man such as Severus Snape smile.

Not long into lunch the group heard a popping noise over the hill near the house.

"That must be Arthur back from work." Mrs. Weasley said. She pointed her want at her throat and said, "We are down in the garden having lunch."

Harry figured this was the same charm she had used earlier to call them all in to wash up. The group returned to their food but when they heard the distinct footsteps of someone coming down the path they gazed up the hill expecting to see the thinning red headed husband and father of the Weasley brood.

It wasn't Arthur Weasley.

"Harry, what in the hell happened to you?!"

******************************************************************************

Dun dun Dah!! A cliffhanger! Not really much of one though. I am sure you know what is going to happen next.

This is my rodeo; I will be as AU as I wanna be. ^.*

Every review this story gets makes Harry giggle. A giggling Harry makes me giggle. I like to giggle.

Even saying it is awesome.

Giggle.