Pyrotechnics
Part Ten
Home for Christmas

Author's Note:

THIS IS SLASH! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Disclaimer: Ah, I don't own Harry Potter, though I wish I did, and the Lugovaloses own themselves and use me for a medium to get what they want. They are all quite demanding about it too.

Eek! I got fifty reviews! I was so close that I made a pact with myself that when I got fifty, I would post another chapter! Not that I was going to withhold the chapter, but I usually only update once a week, so this is a special treat for you lot since there are now fifty reviews! Anyway, I love all my reivewers and I would have never gotten to fifty without all of you! As you can see, fifty makes me very happy. /Grins/

anon: Thanks for the review! I wasn't sure what the people in the UK called Jell-o, and I've gone back and changed it to jelly. I like to know cultural idiyoms because its makes the story more realistic and I thank you very much for the correction! Second, the 18-wheeler was necessary because of the way Phy's father died. I did not mean to slight any Truckers (Personally, I think a great deal of them a really nice people) but it was necessary because anything smaller would have worked (Since the car exploded). Still, please don't take offense. Also, thanks again for the language correction, but since it was Phyrrus that mentioned it, he would have used American slang. I assumed that Harry would know what it was, but correct me if I'm wrong. And as for the swearing. . . I really wish I could tell you! Lol. You asked about the twins, and mentioned that they have the knowledge of 13 year olds. They're geniuses and they sound like it because they do. I'm really glad you said something, though, because I thought I was writing them too stupid! It's been a while since I was thirteen, see. I haven't got a clue what I knew then. And it's been even longer since I was seven, and I really don't know what I knew then. And lastly, I didn't mean to imply that the British don't have trick-or-treating or parties. I meant that Hogwarts didn't. I guess I wasn't clear on that point. Sorry. I'll go back and fix that, I swear. I do make mention of it in their next adventure (Book Four of the HP series).

Wow, that was long. But still, I need the critiques and I thank you all for reviewing! I need the critcism to make a better story, so if you have questions, please let me know! Well, I suppose I've let you lot hanging long enough. So enjoy the next installment!
oOooOo

Harry yawned and stretched, eyes still closed. He was warm and confortable, and Phyrrus was right there. . . He reached over and snuggled against the other, resting his head on the other's chest, over his heart. Harry loved the physical contact, and had trouble sleeping when Phyrrus wasn't around. It was a week into the Chirstmas holidays, and Phyrrus rolled out of bed.

"Time to get up!" Phyrrus peppered Harry's face with kisses. "The Grandmas are coming, and so is Uncle Leon and Cye."

"When're they getting here?" Harry murmured, lazily cracking an eye open.

"In a few hours," Phyrrus laughed. "But I've got to go help Mom clean. You can sleep for a little longer, if you want."

"Nnn," Harry yawned, sitting up. "Too late now."

"Sorry," Phyrrus gave an unapologetic smile. "I'm just really excited."

"So I noticed," Harry muttered, grabbing his things to get a shower as Phyrrus made his way to the door. "I'll see you in a bit," Harry called, as Phyrrus headed home. Phyrrus nodded in agreement, and the two went their seprate ways. Phyrrus had this odd little spring in his step, and it was clear that he was excited for his family to get there.
oOooOo

It was lunch time when everyone arrived, and Chara grinned, pulling the door open and being swept up in a hug. "Cyrrus!" She exclaimed, as the boy lifted her off the ground. Harry felt his jaw drop. Cyrrus--yes, Chara and Cyrrus' mother had conspired on the names--looked exactly like Phyrrus (right down to the style and cut of his hair!) with auburn hair and indigo colored eyes. They were even the same height. "Holy crap," Harry managed, and Cyrrus grinned.

"Not expecting that, huh?" Cyrrus and Phyrrus asked as one, and Harry shook his head, still in shock as Phyrrus leaned over to close his mouth.

A man of about thirty was next, about six feet two inches tall, with his brown-black hair falling shaggily around his chin walked in next, hugging Chara and kissing her on the cheek, then getting an excited greeting from the little twins. "That's Uncle Leon," Phyrrus told Harry, waving the man over. Leon hugged Phyrrus, grinning, and looked at Harry.

"So this is the boyfriend we've been hearing so much about," Leon chuckled. Harry blushed, nodding. "It's nice to meet you, kid," Leon smiled, shaking Harry's hand.

Cyrrus nodded, throwing an arm around Phyrrus, who repeated the gesture, then stiffen. "Cye, why can I feel all your ribs?"

The other shook his head. "Dad."

"Again? Cye, we told you to get way from him!" Phyrrus whirled to face his cousin. "He's killing you, Cye!"

"He needs me!" Cyrrus snapped, and Phyrrus sighed.

"We'll finish this later," Phyrrus told him, turning back to greet one of the small, old women that stepped through the doorway. "Grandma!"

Harry looked her over. She was the perfect picture of a plump old grandmother, from her shock of snow colored hair to her bright smile and glasses. "This is Mom's mom," Phyrrus told Harry. "But call her Grandma. Everyone does."

"Oh." Harry smiled as the hug she gave him. She smelled like chocolate chip cookies and flowers. Like a grandmother.

The second woman to step through the door was a hand shorter than the first, with the same white hair, but rather than warm brown eyes, this one's were steely blue, but glittering in good humor. She was thin and boney, with shaking hands, but her hug was warm. She smelled lik a farm--which stood to reason since she lived on one, and reminded Harry of a summer morning. The boy rested his head on her shoulder, relaxing.

"Everyone calls her Grandma too," Phyrrus told him cheerfully, and Harry offered him a strange look.

"How do you tell them apart?" Harry asked, smiling. Phyrrus shrugged.

"They both answer. If it's the wrong one, just give a last name. Grandma Carlise, and Grandma Lugovalos. No sweat."

"No sweat, he says," Sirius muttered, and Leon looked at the two, raising an eyebrow. "Who're you?"

"Oops," Chara blushed. "The tall one is innocent ex-convict Sirius Black and the other one is Remus Lupin, wild werewolf on the full moon and mild mannered teacher the rest of the month."

"Chara!" Remus blushed. "Don't say that!"

"Really?" Leon waggled his eyebrows. "Wild, huh?" Remus looked ready to spontainiously combust, and Chara smacked him. "Be nice, Leon. European weres are not looked kindly on, remember?"

"No," Leon grinned. "Sirius your mate?"

"Y-yes," Remus back into Sirius as Leon laughed.

"I'm not going to molest you," Leon laughed. "You've got a mate. Besides, you're not my type."

"Don't ask his type," Chara warned, grinning. "You don't want to know. Actually, you might. Try. . . Severus Snape."

"Seriously?" Sirius blinked, considering. "A relationship would do the man good."

Chara laughed and turned to Phyrrus' grandmothers. "You'll sleep in Phyrrus' room. Phyrrus and Cyrrus will be sleeping in Harry's room at Remus', and Leon gets their guest room. You'll have to share with Severus later this week, but it should be all right."

"All right," Leon shrugged. "If he's my type, I don't mind."

"Don't hurt him, Leon. The man's had it bad enough." Chara told him gently.

"Uncle Leon!" Trust River and Rayne to break the tension. "We wanna go play in the snow! Uncle Remus and Uncle Sirius have to come too!"

Phyrrus turned to Cyrrus, then glanced at his mother. Chara nodded, shooing the girls and the men out, then looked at Phyrrus, glancing to Harry. Phyrrus nodded and Chara turned to face her nephew. "Cyrrus, why was I feeling all your ribs?"

Cyrrus chewed his lip. "It's dad again."

"He's spending all the money on booze and drugs?" Chara raised an eyebrow as Cyrrus nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me?" The woman demanded, crossing her arms.

"I didn't want you to worry," Cyrrus dropped his eyes.

"He's neglecting you! Has he been hitting you again? Has your step-mother?"

"Not yet."

"Cyrrus," Chara gathered him into her arms. "You're practically my son. When your mother died, she pratically willed you to me! You're my son now, Cyrrus, and if something is wrong, I want you to tell me!"

"Should I leave?" Harry whispered to Phyrrus, who shook his head.

"You need to kick some sense into my brother, there," Phyrrus told Harry with a slight smile. "You and him might understand each other. I mean, since your pasts. . ."

"I know," Harry smiled, tucking himself into Phyrrus' side.

Cyrrus was hugging Chara furiously, and the woman frowned. "I'm getting you away from that bastard and his bitch," Chara announced. "I don't care what it takes."

Phyrrus smiled. "I'll be glad when you're back with us, bro. It's been lonely."

"Thanks, Phy," Cyrrus grinned. "It's just. . . Dad needs me."

"He needs help," Phyrrus told Cyrrus, frowning. "And you can't. He won't. . ."

"I know," Cyrrus sighed. "I'd just hoped. . ."

Phyrrus wrapped his arms around the cousin he considered a brother, and Chara smiled. She had a few calls to make. Phyrrus grinned at Harry. "So, this is my cousin turned brother. What do you think?"

"You look alike," Harry admitted. Phyrrus was bigger than Cyrrus, but Harry suspected it wouldn't take much to remedy that. Some good meals and probably Cyrrus and Phyrrus sparing. Harry grinned. "We're far more alike than you'd think," He added, smiling at Phyrrus. Phyrrus smiled back. Maybe Cyrrus would finally admit his father had a problem.

Harry smiled up at Cyrrus who shrugged and glanced to Chara. "Hey, Mom, what're we doing today?"

"You three," Chara gestured to Harry, Phyrrus, and Cyrrus, "are going to go out and have some fun. But be back for supper, all right?"

"Sure, Mom," Phyrrus agreed. Harry tilted his head.

"Why do you call Mum Chara Mum instead of Aunt?" Harry asked, and Cyrrus shrugged.

"I lived with them for awhile, not too long ago. And. . . well, I always have. Phyrrus called my mom Mom too, instead of Aunt. But never Dad."

"I see." Harry nodded, frowning. It made sense, but that didn't mean he had to like it. He did let the matter drop, though, and Cyrrus leaned against the counter.

"Where're we going?"

Phyrrus chewed his lip, making Harry smile fondly, and then shrugged. "There's a shopping center not to far from here, we can go there. Some of the other kids our age should be hanging around there, you know, the muggle ones. And not just the shits from this neighborhood either."

"Sounds like fun," Cyrrus agreed. "Mom, were we getting a day trip to Diagon Alley?"

"Of course," Chara laughed. "But not until after Chirstmas. Probably the twenty-seventh. Is that okay?"

"Suits," Cyrrus and Phyrrus choursed. Harry wrinkled his nose.

"Sorry," Phyrrus laughed. "Me and Cye were inseperable when we were togther. We're as much like twins as River and Rayne are! We even have our own birthday!"

Harry raised an eyebrow, so Chara explained, "Phyrrus was born May 13th and Cyrrus was born May 31st. Halfway between their real birthdays they celebrate their birthday. May 22nd."

"Cool." Harry nodded. "I wished I had that. My birthday is July 31st."

"Niftyness," Cyrrus laughed. "Come on! Let's leave the women to their yakking." He dodged a playful smack to the head from Chara, and giggled, running for the door and sweeping up his coat on the way out, Harry and Phyrrus quickly following.
oOooOo

Harry led them to the mall, smiling and throwing a few snowballs at Cyrrus and Phyrrus. "What's it like living on a farm?"

"Smelly," Phyrrus laughed, swinging Harry around and throwing him to Cyrrus. Cyrrus repeated the guesture, sending him back to Phyrrus, who caught him, swung him again, then kissed him deeply.

"Be serious," Harry cried, smacking the much taller boy. "What's it like?"

"Not bad. You'd find it smelly, everyone does until they get used to it. I like the smell." Cyrrus shrugged. "What's Hogwarts like? Phy was having fun, but he's Phy and he has fun everywhere."

"Shut up, Cye," Phyrrus huffed, and Harry ginned.

"I love Hogwarts. It was my home for a long time. I lived with my relatives before Sirius was freed and they hated me. Broke my arm over the summer. I lived with Mum Chara after that."

"Broke your arm?" Cyrrus breathed. "Why didn't you live with Remus?"

"Not allowed." Harry frowned. "Because he's a werewolf."

"But. . ." Cyrrus frowned. "Boy, you've got weird rules for weres. How do you ever get anything done?"

"They're not weird!" Harry bristled at the slur at his country, no matter if it was unintentional. "They're just different."

"Bit daft," Cyrrus added, rolling his eyes.

"Well. . . yes, perhaps, but that doesn't make them weird. Just stupid." Harry crossed his arms. "I'll thank you not to insult my country."

"Fine, fine, whatever." Cyrrus waved a hand, and Phyrrus wrapped an arm around his boyfriend.

"Both of you let it go. Cye, stop being an ass," Phyrrus huffed. "Its not like we got anything to prove."

"Ah, fine." Cyrrus sighed. "I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to sound like an obnoxious idiot."

"Obnoxious ass," Harry corrected.

"Huh?"

"You didn't mean to sound like an obnoxious ass." Harry grinned.

Cyrrus rolled his eyes. "Sorry. You didn't mean to sound like an obnoxious ass," He dutifully repeated, making Harry groan and slap his arm.

"That's not what I meant!" Harry laughed. "Tell him, arudo!"

"You're on your own, baby," Phyrrus waved his free hand, his other was twined with Harry's. "I'm staying out of this one."

"Aw, fine." Harry pouted, grinning. The rest of the walk was spent playing and in good humor, all in happy, holiday cheer.
oOooOo

Severus was not pleased to find himself forced from the castle for Christmas, and he was not pleased to find himself at Chara's doorstep from the portkey Dumbledore handed him, and he was not pleased when Chara answered the door to greet him with a warm hug. Of course he wasn't pleased. It was two days before Christmas, and he was not pleased to have a place to go for Christmas. Of course not. Severus crossed his arms and scowled, but Chara smiled at him anyway.

"Stop being a sour puss," Chara scolded, kissing his cheek. "You're no fun." Severus finally gave in, hugging her tightly. "Besides, you'll like my family."

"You didn't say. . . " Severus began nervously. He didn't want to intrude on a family event.

"Don't be silly, Severus. My mother and mother-in-law are here, as is my brother-in-law, and a nephew-turned-son, and my children, and Harry, and Remus, and Sirius. Nothing huge, and you are most welcome to be here. I invited you, didn't I?" She laughed and led the man into the room. "Come on."

Sirius and Remus both smiled and waved from the door, then turned back to their poker game with Phyrrus--only Phyrrus had the wrong coloring. The Phyrrus with the right coloring was sitting on the couch with Harry and talking to two elderly women. "What?" Severus blinked and did a double take.

"Oh. . . sorry. The kid that looks like Phyrrus with auburn hair is Cyrrus. My nephew-turned-son. The names his mother and I conspired on. The looks? Well. . . that wasn't our thing." Chara laughed. Cyrrus wrinkled his nose and returned to his game, smiling.

"The grandmas are over there, River and Rayne are playing dolls over behind the kitchen cupboard, which is why you can't see them yet, and Leon--Leonardo, but no one calls him that but his mother, occasionally--should be here soon. He was putting something away. . . there he is."

Leon stepped through the door way, and his breath caught in his throat. The potions master that Chara had told him about was a beautiful creature. Long black hair fell loose around his shoulders and fathomless black eyes met Leon's own startled blue-green. "Wow. . ." Leon breathed, approaching Severus and reaching out to catch the man's chin in one hand. "Who are you?"

"Severus Snape," Severus jerked his chin from the man's hand. "And you are?"

"Leon Lugovalos." Leon smiled. "And you are absolutly beautiful."

Severus blinked. "I'm. . . what?"

"Beautiful." Leon breathed. "Perfectly beautiful."

Severus looked taken aback, and Chara sighed. "Leon, we told you not too--"

"No one has ever called be beautiful." Severus admitted, looking up at Leon shyly through heavy black lashes. Chara watched the byplay, interested.

"They should," Leon smiled, reaching out to catch Severus' chin again and turn his face slightly, first left, then right. "You are." A soft blush traced Severus' cheeks, and Leon released the smaller man's chin. Severus stepped back, obviously uncomfortable, and looked at Leon with a slightly frightened but mostly cold expression.

"They shouldn't," Severus replied tightly. "I'm not beautiful. Not inside, and certainly not out."

Leon watched him step away, but didn't say anything, just allowed Severus to continue into the other room to say hello to the twins. Cyrrus conned him into playing poker with Sirius, Remus, and himself. Cyrrus won several games, and spent the rest of the night smirking at Sirius. "He's good," Sirius told Chara with a frown.

"It's a long story," Chara sighed. "It's late. We should go to bed. Phyrrus, Harry, don't do anything. . . stupid. Cyrrus. . . don't you do anything stupid either. After Christmas I'll place your mother's will into effect with your father and lawyer. With any luck, I'll have you in my custody by summer and your father in a rehab center. And Serpa can just deal with the stick shoved up her ass."

Cyrrus nodded, chewing his lip. "I won't do anything stupid, Mom."

"All right. Sirius, Remus, breakfast is at nine tomorrow, and don't any of you be late or I will personally rip off your ears. Leon, you and Severus will be sharing the guest room. Leon, don't upset Severus. Severus, don't mind Leon. He won't hurt you, I already threatened him. Mom, you and other Mom will be in Phyrrus' room. He cleaned it--I made him--so it shouldn't be a mess. I'm going to bed. River, Rayne, you are too. Come on."

The twins hugged everyone, whining slightly, but Grandma Lugovalos and Grandma Carlise scolded the two and sent them to bed. Chara smiled at the grandmas and kissed them goodnight, then followed the twins to tuck them in and go to bed herself. Sirius and Remus made their way home, but Cyrrus, Phyrrus, and Harry said they'd be along in a bit. They wanted to talk for a while and Harry mentioned going to the park. It was only nine, so Sirius made them promise to be home in two hours and sent them on their way.

The grandmas followed River, Rayne, and Chara, obviously exhausted. That left Serverus and Leon in the kitchen. Severus chewed his lip uncomfortably, wringing his hands. "You don't have to be afraid," Leon told them man absently, not looking towards him.

Severus jumped. Most people had difficulty reading him at all, and Leon did it with ease. "I'm not." Severus told him, ensuring his voice was steady and calm.

"I seem to have upset you earlier." Leon continued, not commenting on Severus' lie. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to. I just. . . do that on occasion."

"It's all right. I was just surprised that anyone called me beautiful. I've got ugly, stringy black hair and a beak for a nose, and I'm. . . stained."

"No worse than I, I imagine," Leon reached out to touch Severus' hand. "Would you like to talk over some hot chocolate?"

Severus considered that for a moment, and nodded slowly. "I guess I'll go first," Leon chuckled. "I'm excellent at reading people. My element allience is mind. I'm good at reading people, legimins, occulomns, and control. I can cast the strongest Imperious curse in the states. I worked for a long time as an interrogator in the Magical Regiment of the Marines. Most of my former work is classified. That's why I stay by the farm. People hear about me and are terrified of me. Except around home."

Severus nodded, but hesitated for a moment. "I knew you," Severus' voice was horse. "You wore a mask during interrogations, didn't you."

Leon swallowed hard. "Yes." He whispered.

"It was in the appearence of fox, wasn't it. Made from white procelain. With that toothy smile." Severus shivered.

Leon's face fell. "How did you know me?"

"The marines were sent to raid a gathering of Voldemort's. You caputred seven of us. Interrogated all seven." Severus turned away. "There was one, especially small compared to the other, maybe eighteen years old, skinny. For an example, the smallest was chained to a pole outside the building a brutally beaten and raped, then left outside without food for two days before they let him go."

Leon placed the hot chocolate on the table and took Serverus' hand, squeezing it. "I protested." He told the man. "I can't believe you saw."

"You brought me food, and set my broken bones, kept the worst of my injuries from becoming infected. You're the only reason I can still walk without aid." Severus replied, hiding his face.

Leon went white. "You were that little guy?"

"I know, I look a lot different," Severus shrugged. "I didn't know who you were until you mentioned what you did."

"I'm the one that hurt you?" Leon clutched Severus' hand. "I was the one that broke into your mind? Shattered it? I remember you screaming. I tried to block it out, but you were so small. They brought you to me. I tried to be gentle, but you screamed so loudly. You were broken before they even touched you. . ." Tears dripped down Leon's face. "I hurt you so terribly."

Severus pressed a kiss to the back of Leon's hand. "I remember that," Severus admited. "I remember you breaking though my walls. It did hurt. I remember screaming. But I remember you touching my face, and trying to take the pain. Trying to sooth me. I remember you holding me. My walls were shattered, but not my mind. The pain was so great, but you held me."

"They hurt you," Leon pressed his forehead to Severus' hand. "They beat you, raped you. Tied you outside, naked. They hurt you, Severus. I hurt you. Is that why you're not beautiful?"

"No." Severus breathed. "I deserved all that. I'm so ugly because I murdered and tortured. I deserved what they did. I deserved the pain--"

"Shut up!" Leon cried. "You didn't! No one does! I mind raped you! What I did was worse than anything that could have been done physically because it won't ever heal!"

Severus shook his head. "But it did. You might have ripped into my mind, but you held me! No one ever wanted to touch me before, and you held me. Let me cry into your chest. You're the reason I turned into a spy."

Leon crossed the table, reaching out to touch Serverus' face. Severus allowed Leon to lift his chin, staring intently into Severus' eyes. "I'm so sorry. I never wanted to work as an interrogator, but I didn't know what to do." Leon murmured, crossing the kitchen to sit next to Severus. Severus shook his head, pressing his face into Leon's shoulder. Automatically Leon wrapped his arms around Severus' waist, holding him tightly.

Severus' shoulders began to shake as, for the first time in nearly thirteen years, he began to cry.
oOooOo

Christmas Eve day dawned bright and early, and Chara peeked into Leon's and Severus' room, surprised to find them clutching each other tightly, sleep making them seem years younger than they really were. Chara frowned. "How do you know each other?" She murmured, brushing Leon's hair from his face. She knew that they wouldn't have been holding each other unless they'd known each other before. She just didn't know how. It was possible Leon had been with Severus for a time, but highly unlikely since Leon had visited England only with the Marines and only on duty, and Severus had never been to the United States.

Sighing the woman left the room, walking silently to the kitchen to fix breakfast. Grandma Lugovalos and Grandma Carlisle were already awake, taking softly over cups of strong coffee. Chara welcomed the smell, she didn't drink it herself but she loved the scent of coffee, and smiled at the women. "Good morning, Mom. Mom Lugovalos."

"Morning sweetheart," Grandma Lugovalos smiled. "It's a plesant day. How are you doing? Sleep well?"

"Yeah," Chara smiled. "Very much so."

"I expect some of the others to wake soon," Grandma Carlisle smiled. "Are you starting breakfast?"

"Yeah, I was going to fix some eggs and bacon, and I thought I'd leave the waffles and pancakes for tomorrow." Chara grinned. "They're all black holes and they'll eat whatever I feed them. Who cares beyond that?"

"Not me, that's certain," Grandma Carlisle chuckled. "Now, we'd better get started, right? Do you have anything we can do?"

"The girls will be up soon, and they set the table, but it you want to put out the jam and jelly, I suppose that would be alright. Mom Lugovalos, would you grab the bacon? And Mom, if you want to grab the orange juice and make some more coffee? Leon'll want that, and some tea for the rest of us, please."

"No problem, sweetheart," The two grandmas set to work, smiling. Chara turned on the radio she kept in the kitchen and the trio sang along with the christmas carols on the radio. Soon the house smelt of bacon and coffee, rousing the twins, who set the table. Leon and Severus didn't appear until much later, and the group sleeping at Sirius' were on their way.
oOooOo

Leon sighed, drawing the small figure in his arms closer, nuzzling the person's hair and smiling. Crisp winter sunlight filtered through the drawn blinds, and blue-green eyes flickered open. "Severus?" Leon wondered out loud, blinking. "Good morning, beautiful."

The smaller man yawned, then jerked away, eyes wide and terrified. "I'm sorry!" Severus cried, shaking. "I didn't mean to. . . be in your personal space!"

Leon frowned, drawing the smaller man into his embrace again. "That night, when you were interrogated, it wasn't the first or last time you were beaten or raped, was it."

Severus' eyes filled with tears as he turned away. "No," The man whispered, voice small. "It kept happening until he fell."

"Severus," Leon sighed, holding the man more tightly. "It wasn't your fault. You're not dirty."

"Logic says that," Severus agreed, "but it's hard to remember when someone is holding you down and you're begging them to stop."

Leon pressed a kiss to Severus' forehead. "You are still beautiful, no matter what anyone says, do you know that?"

Severus shook his head. "Easy for you to say."

"It is easy. Because you are." Leon's voice was firm, and he stroked Severus' gently. "I know you are beautiful, all right? Don't ever think otherwise."

"All right," Severus agree softly. "But only for you."

"Thanks." Leon kissed his forehead again and slowly rose to his feet, stretching. "You'd better shower. I'll claim it after you."

Silently the two got ready for the day, and headed downstairs. Severus glanced toward Leon. Someone thought he was beautiful.
oOooOo