"Happy Birthday, young sir!" Tokey's smile was almost blinding as Harry stepped into the informal dining room. "Tokey be makings all young sir's favourites for breakfast!"
Harry paused for a moment, feeling a surge of affection towards the little creature who was the first to ever verbally acknowledge his birthday on the actual day. "Thank you so much, Tokey," he replied, his lips stretching into a grin.
The elf beamed again and gestured towards the table where Severus was already seated. "Tokey be having young sir's coffee ready! It be waiting for you on the table."
Harry thanked her again and continued his way to his seat, offering a welcoming smile to his teacher as he sat.
"Many happy returns, Harry," Snape said with a ghost of a smile. "Officially seventeen now. Any sign of grey hairs?"
"After the year I've had, I'm surprised my hair hasn't gone entirely white," Harry replied. "But I did grow my first chest hair—I'm officially a man."
Severus chuckled indulgently as he took a sip of his tea. "Felicitations," he said, and Harry grinned.
When Tokey arrived with a delicious array of all of Harry's favourite breakfast foods, he and Snape ate in companionable silence, broken occasionally by a comment about what Severus had read in the paper that morning.
"Oh, I took the liberty of acquiring the gifts your friends wished to give you," the Professor mentioned, gesturing to the far end of the table.
Harry turned, eyes widening at the sight of the pile of presents he had not noticed on his way in. Of course, it wasn't as if Harry normally expected presents considering his childhood, but even since making friends at Hogwarts it still took him by surprise whenever he received something at all.
"Oh," he sighed gently. "I—thank you."
Snape hummed noncommittedly. "I am sure you are practically vibrating in your seat to see what they are, but you are to finish your breakfast before you are allowed to touch them."
Harry turned back at his professor's solemnly uttered words, expecting to see a familiar scowl, and was pleasantly surprised to see a knowing smirk twisting the older man's lips. Harry was sorely tempted to throw out a "Yes, dad," but kept his mouth shut, reaching instead for his coffee with a gentle smile.
Harry had completely forgotten that Hermione had asked about Severus being amicable in retrieving their birthday gifts for him. And yet the older man had gone out of his way to do so, entirely without Harry's input whatsoever.
One breakfast and two mugs of coffee later, Severus flicked his wand and allowed the pile of presents to settle on the cleared table before Harry who continued to gaze at them in mild awe.
"I'm sure your friends did not purchase these gifts simply for you to stare at them, Harry," Severus nudged ever so gently from behind his tea.
Harry released a soft awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his head with his left hand before he reached for a massive haphazardly wrapped gift that was no doubt sent by Hagrid. A knobbly, multicoloured knitted-something tumbled onto the table alongside a handwritten note. Within the well wishes and many happy returns was an explanation of what the present was, which turned out to be a hand-knitted scarf Hagrid had made himself. Harry's heart thumped happily in his chest as he lifted the scarf for closer inspection—Hagrid had attempted what seemed to be Gryffindor colours, with multiple shades of red, a weird vermillion shade, a bright lemon yellow, and a dull honey. The scarf was also what appeared to be at least ten feet long.
Harry loved it.
He reached for another, pleasantly surprised at the Quidditch Tactics book Hermione had gifted him, partnered with a golden snitch clock that emitted soft puffs of smoke-numbers and fluttered its delicate wings when Harry poked it to display the time. From Ron, he received a box of his favourite Honeydukes chocolates and a small secretive note telling him the rest of his present was a combined gift from the family. Intrigued, Harry searched through the pile until he found a small box with a scroll attached, wrapped in the same paper that had covered Ron's gift to him. He carefully plucked the scroll from the present and unfurled it.
Dearest Harry,
Many happy returns on this special day! Although we are heartsick to be unable to see you, please know that we think of you every day. You are always in our thoughts, Harry, and we all love you very much.
In the Weasley family, we have a tradition that we bestow upon a member of the family on the day that they turn seventeen. It has been a tradition upheld for centuries, one that we ensure is passed along to each of our children.
Please enjoy this gift.
All our love,
Molly, Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny.
He opened the box.
Tears filled Harry's eyes.
Nestled within a box of white satin was a stunning black and gold watch. Its large face was constructed with beautifully carved cogs and spirals, and long elegant black clock-hands pointed to the correct time. Gingerly, he lifted the watch to inspect it closer, turning it over in his hand, breath catching at the small inscription etched into the black back.
Harry James Potter
31.07.1980
Member of Clan Weasley since
01.09.1991
A cloth napkin discreetly landed before him, folded neatly and drawing his attention away from the watch. Harry took it with a watery smile, glancing up at his teacher gratefully before hiding his face within the white linen, allowing his tears to flow. Once calmed, Harry delicately positioned the watch back into the box and continued to unwrap the rest of his presents. He was absolutely overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of his friends, feeling loved and appreciated as he sat happily, surrounded by the wonderful gifts he had received.
It had been one of the best birthdays he'd ever had.
"If you follow me to your room, I have organised a surprise for you," Severus announced, getting to his feet.
Harry stared at him in amazement for a brief moment before doing the same, following the professor from the informal dining room and along the familiar path to his bedroom. As they entered, Harry couldn't help but scan the area, searching for anything out of the ordinary. He half expected an abundance of streamers, and was extremely relieved when the room remained the same as he had left it that morning.
Well, except for a large covered box-looking thing that now sat on his desk.
Harry frowned at it, turning to look at Severus who inclined his head, dark eyes glittering as he gestured towards the cloth covered shape. Feeling bemused, Harry crossed the room and paused by the desk, reaching out to pull the dark-coloured cloth off. It slipped easily from what it covered, and Harry felt his jaw drop at what it revealed.
"You—" his voiced faltered, his left-hand hovering over the terrarium as he stared with wide eyes. "You bought me a snake?"
A smirk curled at the Professor's lips.
"An appropriate gift for a should-have-been-Slytherin," the older man replied. "Not only will she frighten your fellow Gryffindors, but she will provide you with more… stimulating conversation."
Harry was unable to stop the smile that spread across his face despite the stab at his house and friends. He stared into the tank, eyes falling on the beautiful red, gold, and black snake. He turned his grin to his teacher.
"Gryffindor colours?" he enquired.
Snape snorted. "It felt necessary," he replied. "I saw no reason for your housemates to complain if your snake had the colours of your house."
The brunet laughed as he turned to look back at his newly acquired pet. "What species?"
"Atheris squamigera," Snape replied. "African Bush Viper," he continued after Harry's blank look. "That means you will need to establish rules with her should she bite someone. Although her venom is not severely potent, it can be dangerous if left untreated."
Harry nodded his understanding. Snape was pleased to note the excitement that crossed over the young man's face. He hadn't bothered to predict Harry's response to his gift—the boy would either like the snake or he wouldn't. Severus was happy to see the way the brunet responded however; for someone who could speak to snakes and thoroughly enjoyed their company, Snape wondered why Harry had not been gifted with a serpent earlier.
A gentle hissing tugged Severus from his thoughts. He watched carefully as Harry extended his left hand into to terrarium, hissed words falling from his lips.
"Hello there, little one," Harry murmured, stroking a finger over the snake's ridged scales. "You are beautiful. What are you named…?"
"I am called Impes," the snake replied, lifting her head off her heated rock in interest as her tongue tasted the air around the hand hovering near. "Are you my master…?"
"It appears so," Harry replied with a gentle smile.
"How did I come to be here?" Impes asked.
Harry glanced over to Snape, eyes warming. "My… warden… bought you for my birthday. I am seventeen today. He is a Slytherin—a snake himself in a way. I believe he thought you were a suitable gift."
"Are you a snake as well, master?"
Harry chuckled, stroking Impes's head affectionately. "No. Unfortunately I am a Gryffindor; a lion. I was close however—I was almost a snake."
"Is that due to your ability to speak with me?" Impes slithered her way up Harry's arm, her warm belly soothing on his skin.
Harry pondered the question. It was, in a way, most likely due to Voldemort's magic within him that caused the Sorting Hat to consider him for Slytherin. After all, Harry had never really considered himself as particularly cunning.
"Possibly," the brunet replied instead. "I'm going to put you down for a moment, Impes. I want to thank my warden properly," Harry hissed, lowering his arm back into the terrarium. Impes glided back down his skin, curling up on her heated rock. Harry then turned to Snape and, before the older man could even blink, Harry had stepped forwards, wrapping his left arm tightly around him in a warm hug.
"Thank you so much," Harry murmured. "She's perfect."
For a split second, Severus had frozen in place. He had not expected the hug, lest of all from Harry who could barely stand being touched himself. As the shock began to drain away, Severus allowed his arms to come around the young man in his embrace, returning the hug with a brief squeeze.
"You are welcome, Harry. I am glad you like her."
With his newly acquired gifts placed neatly in his room, Harry took Impes down to introduce her to Ladon, Nyoka, and Nagendra, while Severus worked on something in a far corner of the laboratory that Harry couldn't quite discern. The snakes utterly adored Impes, their tongues flickering madly as Harry lowered her into each of their terrariums in turn whilst he explained that it was his birthday today and that Severus had been the one to purchase Impes.
"I think he wants to make sure I'm not lonely when we return to Hogwarts," Harry mentioned, "because I won't get to see you as often."
"Master is very considerate," Nagendra said knowingly. "How do you like your new master, Impes?"
Impes curled possessively around Harry's wrist as she twisted to stare at Nagendra. "My Master is strong and kind. When I am fully grown, I will be proud to protect him."
Nagendra flickered her tongue and gazed at Impes in a very impressed manner. "You will be a fine guardian for him."
Impes positively preened from the compliment, twisting elegantly up Harry's arm as she hissed with pleasure. Harry smiled indulgently, echoing Nagendra's words. He continued to converse with the snakes until Severus called him over. The older man was standing before one of his workbenches, an odd looking black glove-thing lying on the surface behind him.
"Although I am somewhat pleased with the stability the potions have been giving you," Severus began, "I realised some time ago that it would not entirely be enough to assist you with regaining full use of your arm." He turned to gesture to the glove-like implement. "I have crafted this for you from dragon skin. Due to the magical complexity of the hide, along with some of my own adjustments, it should, hopefully, return full movement to your limb."
Harry stared. "Really?" he murmured hopefully.
"I am hoping so," the professor replied. "Again, I cannot be sure since we have yet to test my theory, but I could not resist having it completed by your birthday."
A jubilant grin light up Harry's face. "Well, what are we waiting for?"
Snape chuckled softly at the young man's eagerness and flicked his wand, conjuring a stool for Harry to perch. Another flick produced a warm rock for Impes to rest, safe from the removal of shirts, slings, and bandages. She watched, intrigued, as her master's warden carefully unravelled the thick white stripes that covered his right arm, all the way from his shoulder to his fingertips. Her tongue flickered warily at the sudden surge of wild magic now exuding from her young master—what had happened to him?
"I will require your assistance with putting the glove on, Harry," Snape said. "In order for it to be completely bonded to you and your magic, no one must touch it until it is settled and secured on you first."
Harry nodded his understanding. His right arm hummed, and he wasn't entirely sure that it was purely from wild magic; it was almost as if his limb knew that it would soon be functional once more. He watched as Snape flicked his wand, the black glove lifting up off the table and turning slowly until the opening faced the fingers on his right hand. Carefully, Harry reached out with his left and began to cautiously slide the glove up his right arm. The sensation sent tingles running up and down the humming limb, something that was not entirely unpleasant. Inch by careful inch, the glove glided up smoothly until it had reached the apex of his shoulder. Two straps were secured around Harry's torso to hold it in place and, with one final scan of his wand, Severus nodded with satisfaction.
The dragon skin was surprisingly soft. The scales were smooth, nowhere near as ridged as he had envisioned with Snape first mentioned dragonhide. The black pearlescent nature of the skin shimmered beautifully in the firelight of the torches and, as he ran the tips of his fingers of his left-hand up his right forearm, he was surprised at how distinct the sensation was—it was almost as if the glove acted as a second-skin. Harry could feel every touch, every movement as if it were his own.
"Do not overexert yourself, Harry," Severus warned. "You will need to rebuild the strength in your arm gradually lest you cause more damage. This means that I would prefer you to hold off from doing any form of magic for the meantime, just until we are sure your arm has adjusted to the dragonhide."
The brunet nodded, staring down at his gloved arm as he flexed his fingers tentatively.
No pain.
With a breathless smile, Harry carefully extended his arm, gazing intently at the limb as he moved it cautiously, clenching his fingers into a fist and then releasing again, testing the boundaries of his movements.
"How does it feel?" Snape asked, watching every motion with wary black eyes.
"Fantastic." Harry beamed. He flexed his wrist, extending his arm to test the range of movement the glove now gave him.
It was unbelievable.
It was almost as it the injury had never occurred. His arm felt fantastic—there none of the nasty burning sensation that had plagued him for the past few weeks, none of the agonising pain on movement. Harry could scarcely believe it.
"Tokey."
The elf popped into the room with a bow. "Yes, Master?" she squeaked happily.
"Please fetch Harry's wand. It will be in his room on the bedside table," Severus instructed.
Tokey popped away, returning moments later clutching a familiar stick of holly in her hand. Snape took the wand in careful fingers, turning to face Harry who drew in a deep, affirming breath before reaching out with his gloved hand, his fingers tentatively brushing the end of his wand.
Nothing happened.
Another breathless smile broke out across Harry's face as he gripped the handle, staring down at his wand, barely believing his eyes.
"Perhaps a small, simple spell," Severus murmured, his dark eyes wandering carefully over Harry's wand and arm, searching for anything out of the ordinary.
The young man nodded and turned, searching for something small he could summon or levitate. He spied one of Severus's black steel stirring rods and, with a gentle flick on his wand, attempted to summon it. The stirring rod shot across the lab so fast Harry only had a second to step out of the way before he was impaled. As it was, the rod embedded itself deeply into the stone wall behind him, jutting out imperiously, leaving Harry and Snape to stare at it with wide eyes.
"Er—"
"I believe I said a small, simple spell," Snape stated, and when Harry turned to look at him, a small smirk was on his face. "Do not worry, Harry, it may take some time for your magic to settle. I suggest you avoid more complicated spells for the mean time. We will incorporate some training into your schedule over the holidays to ensure you become accustomed to using your right arm once more."
Harry nodded, eyes drifting back down to his newly gloved arm.
A gentle hissing brought his attention back to Impes, who was reared up on her stone, head tilted slightly to the side.
"I'm alright, Impes," Harry reassured with a gentle smile, crossing the distance between them. He pocketed his wand and held out his right hand, allowing Impes to scent the dragonhide before she happily slid up his arm. The sensation was uncanny—Harry could still not believe just how well his glove provided the impression of real skin. Just as she settled comfortably around Harry's neck, Tokey appeared once more in the laboratory with a small pop.
"Master Draco be arrivings, Master!" she squeaked. "Shall Tokey be telling Master Draco where Master and young sir are?"
"We are done in here for now, thank you, Tokey," Snape replied. "Tell Draco to meet us in the east parlour."
Tokey nodded briskly and disappeared. Snape lifted Harry's sling into his hands.
"I suggest you keep this in your possession for the meantime, Harry. Whilst I am happy to see that the glove has returned function to your arm, I believe it to be important that we do not rush the healing process. I would like for you to rest your arm for an hour or so a day until you rebuild your strength. I'll have Tokey place it in your room for now."
Harry nodded his understanding. "Thank you, Severus. This—this is… I had convinced myself I'd never be able to use my arm again." He flexed the fingers on his right hand again. "You've done so much for me… I don't know how to thank you."
Severus cleared his throat, inclining his head in a familiar action Harry recognised. With a soft smile, Harry didn't push his gratitude further but instead offered to take his sling to his room himself, allowing Severus time to compose himself in privacy. He left the lab with one final goodbye to Ladon, Nyoka, and Nagendra and strolled contentedly to the large sweeping staircase in the foyer.
"There you are."
Harry turned. Malfoy was strolling towards him, a bottle of amber liquid in one hand and his other brushing some leftover soot from his black and grey waistcoat. Harry couldn't help but notice how nicely the article of clothing seemed to shape Malfoy's torso—
"Happy Birthday, Potter."
Harry blinked in surprise, taking the bottle of Ogden's finest firewhiskey that was presented to him. "Thanks, Malfoy," he said, glancing up at the Slytherin. "Er—you didn't have to…"
"Nonsense," Draco replied haughtily. "Besides, I fully intend on drinking half of that with you. I can't in good faith allow you to get sloshed alone on your birthday after all."
Harry snorted but grinned all the same. "Fair enough."
Malfoy's eyes dropped down to the small snake draped around Harry's neck, his sleek eyebrows lifting in slightly surprise.
"New snake?" he questioned.
"Yeah, she was a birthday gift," Harry replied. "Her name is Impes." At the sound of her name, Impes lifted her head, uncurling enough from around her master's neck to stretch out towards the new person standing in front of them.
"Your friend?" she hissed, tasting the air with her tongue.
"Of sorts," Harry replied with a gentle smile.
"He's rather shiny, isn't he? And he smells very nice."
Harry laughed before he could stop himself.
Draco's eyes narrowed. "What did she say, Potter?"
Harry grinned. "She said you're shiny," he replied, biting his lip to stop himself from laughing. "And—" a chuckle slipped past his lips, "apparently you smell nice."
The blond snorted. "Don't laugh at my grooming habits, Potter, it would appear that your snake has very good taste. I may forgive her for being so horridly coloured."
"Courtesy of your godfather."
"Severus would never!"
Impes flickered her tongue, her head quirking to the side inquisitively before she slithered down Harry's newly gloved arm towards the Slytherin. Draco eyed her scrutinisingly.
"Does the shiny one not like me, Master?" she asked, turning sad dark eyes towards her owner.
"Of course he does, Impes," he replied, before giving Malfoy a glare. "You're making Impes think that you don't like her, you git."
"Goodness, we can't have that," Malfoy sneered, but he extended his hand all the same, taking Impes's weight and stroking soothing fingers along her ridged scales. "A sook just like your owner, aren't you?" he murmured. She curled happily around his forearm, tongue flicking in and out rapidly as she took in his scent.
"What do you know, you look good in a bit of red and gold."
"Shut up, Potter."
Harry chuckled, brushing some wayward curls off of his forehead. The simple pleasure of being about to do so with his right arm was so uplifting he couldn't help the satisfied smile as it stretched across his lips.
"I need to run this upstairs," Harry said, lifting the sling in question. "Sev's still in the lab if you wanted to say hi."
Malfoy's eyes darted to the corridor behind Potter. "And miss annoying you for an extra five minutes? Don't be so cruel." He fell into step beside the brunet with a smirk. "Missed me?"
"Like a hole in the head."
"Mmm, perfect." Draco tilted his head, glancing down at the glove now covering Potter's right arm. He had to admit Severus had done a spectacular job, the dragonhide had been crafted beautifully and, as currently demonstrated by the free range of movement Potter now possessed, it was clear that it was working efficiently.
"I suppose I should ask how your birthday has been then," Draco continued, lifting Impes before his eyes to gaze at her properly.
"Careful, Malfoy, you don't want to use up all of your niceness so soon."
"I can be charitable, it is your special day after all."
"Okay now you're making me feel weird."
"Is that all? I need to step up my game."
Harry couldn't help the chuckle that fell from his lips and before he knew it, he was sending a grin Malfoy's way. It was just so… so effortless bantering with the Slytherin. The tension between them was definitely still there but it had morphed now, becoming something that drew Harry towards Draco, to get a rise out of him in such a way that had him craving more.
And Malfoy met him head to head in the most delightful way.
On his wrist, Impes tilted her head as she flickered her tongue towards Malfoy's nose. She seemed pleased by something.
"Why are you tickling Draco's nose, Impes?" Harry asked in amusement.
"The shiny one finds you attractive, Master," she replied, "I can smell it on him."
Harry didn't respond, but his gaze became much more focused as he eyed Malfoy. He couldn't deny that he himself found Malfoy rather good to look at, or that he'd imagined certain actions happening, but he'd never considered that Draco would actually return the desire.
"Is she discussing my grooming habits again, Potter?" Draco asked haughtily. "I'll have you know I am well-disciplined with my hygiene!"
Harry snorted. "Among other things," he teased.
"Oh, shut up."
"Pass over the bottle, Potter."
"Excuse me, Malfoy, but this was my gift."
"That I so considerately bought for you, so hand it over, you birthday hog."
Snickering, Harry passed over the bottle of Ogden's. He and Malfoy had long since retired to Harry's bedroom, mostly in order to give Severus a rest from their constant bantering, made worse of course by the addition of alcohol. The two boys were currently sitting on the floor at the foot of Harry's bed, passing the bottle of firewhiskey back and forth between the two of them and splashing smoking amber liquid into tumblers amidst teasing conversation, bickering, and excessive jibes.
Malfoy placed the bottle in between them, lifting his tumbler to his lips to take a sip. Although the blond's profile was swimming back and forth slightly, Harry found himself unable to shift his gaze away. It wasn't a surprise that Harry found Malfoy attractive—the bloody tosser was gorgeous after all, you'd have to be blind not to see it.
"Hey, Potter."
"Yeah?"
Draco turned slightly unsteady eyes towards him. "You ever notice Severus smells odd? Almost like bitterness… and old shoes."
There was a beat of silence before Harry erupted into gales of laughter, stomach muscles clenching as he almost doubled over with amusement.
"Holy fuck, Malfoy, that might just be the funniest thing you've ever said."
Draco preened, his lips twisting into a devilish smirk. "What can I say? I'm bloody brilliant."
"You know, they say brilliance and insanity walk hand in hand…"
Draco scoffed. "Oh, shut up, Potter."
"Make me, Malfoy."
Defiance shone brightly in emerald eyes, matched equally by intense glimmer of promise in silver. For a moment, there was no movement aside from the flicker of sparsely spread candles, the only sound their breathing.
"Well?" Harry murmured, his voice low. He noticed absently as Malfoy shivered slightly. "I'm waiting, Draco."
With a surge Malfoy flew forwards, his gaze locked on Harry's lips for the briefest of moments before their mouths came together in a rough embrace, causing a great rush of air to expel from Harry's lungs. As the surprise faded, Harry realised his hands had already acted on their own accord, coming to rest on Malfoy's waist, fingers curling tightly into the other male's clothing.
The kiss was sloppy, drunkenly driven, with fumbling hands and muffled moans.
And Harry didn't even give a flying fuck.
His thoughts, jumbled as they were from the amount of firewhiskey he had consumed, were focused on the burning warmth of Malfoy's mouth, his thrusting tongue, and his clumsy, wandering hands. Harry firmed his grip on the blond's hips, tugging the male into his lap until Malfoy was straddling his thighs, long pale fingers delving into Harry's dark curls and tugging playfully.
Harry dug his fingers into Malfoy's hips hard enough to bruise. The blond uttered a throaty moan, his gasp lost in Harry's mouth as he shifted impossibly closer, a hard thickness pressed against Harry's own responding erection. With a growl, Harry thrust upwards as he pulled Malfoy's hips down, grinding roughly and causing Draco to choke on his moan, eyelids fluttering against the onslaught of sensations.
And it was utter bliss.