"Alright!" Harry called out to the rest of the family. "I'm knackered. Headed to bed!"

There were various calls bidding Harry good night but he barely heard them. He headed upstairs towards the guest room Molly told them they'd be staying in.

Harry would be lying if he said it didn't hurt a bit that Severus had left to bed for the evening without him. His evenings spent with Severus were the favorite part of his days. The silent friendship between them, and the evolving relationship looming between them made Harry's mind and body tingle with the excitement of possibility. He was beginning to think it was a mutual feeling, but now Harry was forced to question if it was only something he had been imagining. Was he the silliest man on Earth to believe Severus Snape could ever want him?

Harry pushed the door open quietly, thinking Severus might be sleeping already.

Severus sat up against the headboard, his long legs stretched out before him. He was wearing black silk pyjama bottoms, but no top. Harry licked his lips. He wanted so badly to reach out and touch Severus's strong chest.

Severus looked over his book at Harry.

"I brought your robes up." Harry placed the robes over the back of the chair in the corner. "It's not like you to be forgetful."

"Hm. Thank you."

"You still sure you don't mind us sharing a bed?" Harry asked, stepping into the room finally and closing the door behind him. "I could figure out other arrangements if you wish."

"You could room with Charley." There was a hint of emotion there. Jealousy?

"He's rooming with Fred and George so their room is pretty well full, but I could sleep on the sofa, I wouldn't mind."

"Oh don't be melodramatic."

Harry pulled his boots off, then his shirt and trousers. He stood there in his boxers, but he didn't care about being so exposed to the older man. Emotion was rising up in him.

"Me being melodramatic? You're the one who just suggested I go shack up with Charley."

"Was just a simple suggestion. Looked as if you two were quite comfortable being close."

Harry glared at Severus. "He's like a brother to me."

"But he isn't your brother."

"Besides," Harry continued, ignoring Severus. "If I recall, you and I have been closer." Harry took a step forward and placed his hand on Severus's neck. It seemed to stun the older man. His body froze, but he tore his eyes away from his book and looked into Harry's. "When we woke up on the sofa the other day," Harry ran his fingers softly down Severus' chest a short distance. "You didn't seem very uncomfortable with how close you and I were." His hand continued its path downward, now nearly at the band of Severus's pyjama bottoms. In this moment Harry was not attempting to be seductive nor tempting, he was prodding at Snape to prove a point.

"Nor did you. Stroking my face, moaning my name." Severus still seemed angry, or frustrated.

"I did?" Harry didn't remember that part, just Severus's erection pressed against him.

"Mm, you did. Must have been having quite a dream about me."

Severus suddenly grabbed Harry's hand and pushed it down, to cup his cock from the outside of his pyjamas. Harry stilled, his mouth agape.

"Do you want to recount that morning's events or are you done toying with me?" Severus's words were bitter. Harry jerked his hand away. "Come to bed," Severus commanded.

Harry was exhausted in every way possible. He couldn't make sense of Severus's words or actions. Harry knew he wouldn't be able to figure it out without sleep. Still, only in his underwear, Harry pulled the blanket back and slid in beside Severus. Severus set his book to the side and pulled the blanket over himself as well.

"Nox."

Severus extinguished the lights but the moon was so bright outside the window that Harry could still see Severus's form in the bed next to him. Harry took a deep breath and folded his hands behind his head, knowing sleep likely wouldn't come easily tonight. Severus was impossible to read. Harry couldn't decipher what it was that Severus felt towards him. Harry was only just starting to realize how he felt towards Severus. Harry's inability to tear his eyes away from the beautiful man was clear- it was lust. But then there was the rest of it: Harry was terrified to be away from Severus more than a short while. The thought of Severus moving out pained Harry more than he could express in words. He respected Severus, clung to every word that came from his lips, cherished each time their skin touched. Harry's breath hitched. Was he in love?

Severus must have heard Harry's troubled breathing.

"Are you alright, Harry?"

Harry quickly turned towards Severus, being able to make out little more than the man's silhouette. He placed his hand on Severus's stomach. "Turn towards me," Harry requested. Severus acquiesced. The two men allowed their eyes to adjust to the dark and they searched one another's eyes. They were so close, Harry could feel Severus's breath, he could smell the sweet musk of Severus's natural scent.

"What is it, Harry?"

Harry lifted his hand and placed his index finger on Severus's temple.

"Don't block me out," Harry said, meaning more ways than one.

Severus sighed and closed his eyes in acquiescence.

Harry closed his eyes and pushed an old memory into the other man's mind.

A younger Harry lie in bed, his hand moving slowly from his chest, down his abdomen, and under the blanket. He wrapped a firm hand around his erection. He began to caress himself, his breath and heart rate quickening. He grabbed himself more firmly now, pumping his cock in even rhythm.

"Severus," younger Harry moaned quietly. "Severus. Severus. Severussss." Harry came, sending hot strings of white cum over his stomach and hand.

Harry pulled away from Severus's mind and opened his eyes.

After what felt like an eternity, Severus opened his too. Harry immediately regretted his actions. Severus was going to think he was disgusting. He was going to hate him. He was going to leave.

Both men's breathing were quick and ragged.

"See? You're the only one. Always have been."

After years of being a double spy, Severus hoped that he still had it in him to train his emotions to not display on his face. Severus was careful to even his breathing and look as if he was wholly unaffected.

"Don't toy with me."

"I'm not. "

"I am not a dispensable plaything. "

"Nor am I."

"This is what you mean that night. That you'd been thinking of me in that memory that I saw those years ago."

"Yes."

"How... how long have you been... attracted to me?"

"I think that night you stood up for me and insisted I be allowed to stay in the meeting. Probably long before that. But it was the night I realized I didn't see you as my mean professor."

Harry grinned.

"I see."

"I couldn't keep it from you any longer. If you don't want to continue living with me, I understand. Still, I hope that you will. Even if you want nothing more than this, I'm happy with what we have now."

"I am more than happy to stay."

Harry placed his finger to Severus's temple once more.

"May I?"

Harry sat on the floor of one of the bedrooms of Grimmauld Place with Hermione, and Ginny across from him.

"They strengthened the seal on their meeting, Harry." Ginny pouted. "I couldn't hear anything."

"It's all right. Professor Snape promised he'd tell me everything that is said."

"So when are you going to tell him?" Hermione asked.

"Tell him what?"

"How mad you are about him!" Ginny squeaked.

"I'm what?!"

"Oh, come now, Harry. We're girls, not oafs. We are very astute. Honestly, I'm surprised not everyone has noticed you eyeing him and smiling each night at dinner."

"I do like him. But, he's a professor. And older. I'm sure he's got some handsome boyfriend his own age who comes round to shag him proper. He doesn't think of me unless he's forced to be in the same room as me. And trust me, he detests me."

"No, he doesn't, Harry. He cares for you. Can't you see that? He stands up to Dumbledore for you. He keeps you informed. He comes around to check on you when he has no other business here."

"Doesn't mean anything. He was friendly with my mum, nothing more."

"Harry, tell him. We are in the midst of a war. Now isn't the time to keep things to ourselves. Be honest."

Harry shook his head. "Maybe when I'm not a student anymore and this blasted war is over. Maybe then."

"Why'd you leave?" Severus asked.

"What?"

Severus hated himself for asking. He wanted to flee. He hated how weak he felt right now.

"After the war, you didn't tell me anything. You never told me how you felt. You left to travel."

"I'm telling you now you daft buffoon."

"I waited for you for over a year, Harry." There is something about the middle of the night that urges one to be honest. In the morning, Severus knew he would hate himself for his honesty now.

"What do you mean you waited for me?"

"I could have gone anywhere after my house burned down, Harry. I chose to come to you. You weren't there. I waited a while and after that, it was just convenient. But I was there for you."

"You said you didn't even know the house belonged to me after Sirius passed."

"I lied. To save face. Of course, I was there for you."

"Well, then I ask you the same question: why didn't you tell me?"

"I was terrified," Snape admitted quietly.

"Oy! Ever heard of a silencing charm?!" Ron called from across the hall. "These walls are thin!"

Harry fell into a fit of hysterics. Severus groaned and buried his face in Harry's shoulder.

He'd become so comfortable with Harry's physical presence, it felt only natural to fall asleep that way, with his face against Harry's neck, all of their limbs completely entwined.

"G'morning, Harry! G'morning, Snape!" Ron said cheerfully as both couples emerged from their rooms the following morning.

"Severus," Hermione corrected.

Severus bowed his head to each of them in greeting. Harry knew he was still a bit embarrassed about the previous night.

"Sounds like you two had an enlightening evening, eh?" Ron winked at them.

Hermione rubbed her swollen abdomen and rolled her eyes.

"He didn't hear anything last night, you two. He's just speculating."

"Well I did hear their voices," Ron grumbled.

"They could have been talking about anything, Ronald. Leave them alone. I think she's ready for breakfast," Hermione indicated her baby bump. "Let's go eat."

"Oh sure, blame it on the baby. You love eating for two," Ron teased.

"And what is your excuse, Mr Weasley?" Snape mused in jest.

"Oy just because you're shagging my best mate doesn't mean you get to take the piss at my expense, alright?"

The other three laughed and moved downstairs to join the rest of the family for breakfast.

Breakfast was much the same as dinner had been. The same frenzy of grabbing at food and conversations being yelled over one another. It was exactly as Harry had remembered. This family meant everything to him. And really this was the only family he'd ever known- until this relationship with Severus had shifted. Severus felt like family. He grinned to himself as he thought about Severus as his family. He placed his hand on Severus's knee under the table.

"What's on that mind of yours, Potter?" Severus purred nonchalantly into his ear as Severus reached across him for the cream.

Harry beamed at him. "I love this family. But you are my family."

"And you're mine." Severus placed a long slender finger beneath Harry's chin. Harry got the feeling that if they hadn't been surrounded by an entire crowd of Weasleys, that Severus would have kissed him. Harry's heart skipped a beat at the thought of it.

"He's your what? Boyfriend? We already knew that!" Fred yelled around a mouth full of food.

"Yeah, when ya gonna put a ring on it and make our Harry an honest man, huh?" George added in.

"Hey, I still am an honest man!" Harry couldn't help but shout, laughing. He threw a boiled egg at George's head, but missed, hitting Fleur in the neck.

"Oh, 'Arry! You got me!" Fleur bemoaned.

"Don't hit my woman with an egg!" Bill threw a crêpe, Harry dodged and the crêpe hit Severus square in the jaw. Every single person erupted into an uproar, except for Severus.

"Oh shit, now Severus is after me!" Bill screeched in mock fear, laughing.

Severus very calmly, without taking his eyes off of Bill, grabbed a handful of butter and threw it at Bill, hitting him properly in the face. After that, it was an all-out war of children, young adults and Molly and Arthur throwing food at one another, laughing, screaming, and threatening one another. Severus ducked beneath the table.

Harry thought that was a brilliant idea and joined him. There, beneath the table, surrounded by the fringe of a table cloth and the hyperactive feet and knees of the Weasley clan engaged in war, Severus looked more handsome than Harry had ever seen him.

In his muggle clothes, his black hair tied back with a piece of leather, and a smile that beamed at Harry, going as far as to spread to his eyes. Severus dodged a rogue foot that kicked out and fell from his knees to his arse. Harry giggled, making Severus turn towards him, a wide smile still there on his face. Harry reached his hand behind Severus's neck and pulled the older man to him.

Without hesitation, Harry kissed Severus. The two instantly melted together, becoming one. The sound of the raucous family overhead faded away and it was just the two of them. Severus tasted like his morning tea. His lips were soft but those soft lips split apart for Severus to nipple Harry's lower lip, sending Harry instantly into a moan. Severus took that as an invitation and slipped his tongue into Harry's mouth, who accepted it eagerly and swiped his own tongue over Severus's. Soon both men were exploring the other with their hands, kissing one another's neck, biting gently on collar bones.

"Merlin, look at this!" One of the twins called out. By the time the men broke apart, most of the Weasley clan had popped their heads under the table to see.

"I told you they'd be fine sharing a room, Molly," Arthur said in a sing-song.

"Bill, you owe me 20 galleons," Ginny gloated.

Harry felt a warm blush spread across his cheeks. Still, he only saw Severus.

"Does this mean," George began, pointing a knife at Severus. "That I get to call you Severus now?"

"Yes. That's been allowed for quite some time now."

George nodded his head, satisfied, and turned his knife back to the wood he'd been carving all afternoon.

The entire group sat around the sitting area, eating sweets, playing games and catching up with one another. It was much calmer than breakfast had been. Harry sat next to Severus, his feet pulled up on the sofa, tucked beneath Severus's thigh.

"So we are rather like brothers in law," Ron mused.

"I think that's a bit early, Ron." Harry rolled his eyes.

"Well, I know you aren't married yet."

"Ron, we aren't even dating."

"What do you mean you aren't dating. We just all saw you snogging under the table!"

"That was the first time." Harry smiled, allowing the scene to replay in his mind.

"You mean to tell me you've been living with Snape- Erm, Severus, and enjoying it but not even getting laid?!" Fred squealed.

Harry laughed heartily, Severus grinned.

"That's exactly what I'm saying. Didn't even know he liked me until last night."

Several of the members of the group began laughing.

"What's so humorous?" Snape asked, nearly sounding defensive.

"Severus, we've all known this was developing for about 3 years now," Hermione said kindly.

Harry watched as Severus snapped his head around to a few of the people in the room, silently asking if it was true. Arthur, Molly, Ginny, Hermione and Ron all nodded in affirmation.

"Well, why didn't one of you tell me? I wouldn't have gone gallivanting around the world wasting so much time and money!" Harry protested.

"The heart works in its own time, Harry," Molly advised.

"It's true," Arthur said around a bite of apple. "Even Albus would make little jokes about how the two of you were always staring after one another like puppy dogs."

"Oh, I bet Black didn't like that," Severus pondered.

"Maybe not, but he respected you in the end, you know. He probably just didn't like the age difference." The crowd became a bit quieter.

"No, Harry. Wizards live so long that we don't see age the way muggles do," Severus stated. "He might have grown to like me a bit, but he wouldn't have liked us together."

"He would have gotten over it," Harry shrugged, unaffected.

"There, all done!" George held up the plank of wood he'd been carving. In crude handwriting, he'd written "Severus + Harry = True Love 4Ever"

"We're hanging that up in the shop!" Fred pronounced.

"Oh please no. You're going to start rumors and it'll be all over the newspapers," Harry begged.

"Have it your way," Fred shrugged. He handed the plank of wood over to Harry. "Hang it over the mantle in your marital bedroom then."

"Oh shit!" Ron jumped up.

"Mind your language around the little ones, Ronald!" Molly chastised.

"Sorry, Mum But... Harry, what are you going to tell the public? Sooner or later, Skeeter is going to get her slimy hands on this."

"He's right, you should probably break this to everyone before a tabloid does an article filled wit false information," Hermione agreed.

Harry couldn't help but worry. He didn't give a damn what the rest of the world thought about his relationship but, what if Severus later decided he didn't want him? Surely Severus would come to his senses eventually and realize that Harry was really still just a scared boy, with a life not yet begun, no real talents, and still hadn't decided what he wants to do with his life.

Severus nodded thoughtfully in agreement with Ron and Hermione.

"But how?" Harry asked.

"Well, Dad knows how to perform a wedding since Bill's nuptials last year. We should put on a wedding here, tonight, and then send the photos out to the press ourselves." Ron laughed maniacally, but no one else did.

"That's a great idea, Ron," Harry finally said.

"Wait what?" Ron choked out. "No. Harry, it was a joke! That's a horrible idea!"

"What do you say, Severus? We go ahead, tell everyone we are married. They'll be shocked for a few months and then they will get over it. We can go ahead and get it out of the way and go about our lives. We do live together. Someone is bound to notice eventually. Besides," Harry lowered his voice to a more somber tone. "There are still those, unfortunately, who think you were a Death Eater until the end. But if the Saviour married you... that's proof that you weren't. They all listen to me and, for once, that can come in handy. Get everyone off of our backs in one swift go of it."

"I think the two of you deserve that more than anyone," Arthur agreed. "Harry's right. Give them what they want, get them off your backs and move on with your lives."

"What do you say, Severus?" Harry asked apprehensively.

Severus grinned and placed a light kiss to Harry's forehead.

It was agreed. Within a few short hours, Harry and Severus would be "married."