OceanDreams: Thank you for all the reviews. I just want everyone to know that they really do help inspire me! So hugs and internet cookies to all who did! So, so, so, sorry for the long update time. This chapter gave me a lot of trouble, and pressure from school really isn't helping, but I have my inspiration back, and promise the next update will not take anywhere near as long. A lot of things are going to be answered in this chapter, so be ready! Enjoy!
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Draco fingered the thick material gently the smooth folds sliding through his fingers like water. The deep burgundy red was almost black in the dim light of his study, the low fire flickering form the harsh winds that blew outside and in the trunk of the chimney. Yule was only a few weeks away and Draco thought the luxurious winter robe would be an appropriate gift for the young prince of Gryffindor. Made of warm velvet, Draco had had it designed after the style of robe he had seen Harry wear as a boy, with an extra layer of linen sewn in between the two layers of velvet for added warmth, along with white rabbit fur running along the edge of the hood and sleeves for a bit of extra richness. He placed the robe carefully in the lined traveling satchel, being sure to cover it with an extra layer of protective wrapping. The blizzard outside continued to rage, the mix of snow and sleet beating against the window. Draco hoped the storm passed quickly enough for travel to be partially safe in at least two days. A servant entered and placed a pitcher of warm apple cider on the side table as well as two goblets, and quickly left. He poured himself a glass letting the warmth banish the chill from his fingers, then reached out to stoke the fire, the flames leaping back to life. Draco almost didn't hear when Regulus entered the man was so quite.
"You asked for me, your majesty?"
"Yes, Regulus, sit down."
The man sat across from Draco and the young king took a moment to study Regulus. He was as tall as Draco just under six feet, his skin a creamy pale in complexion. His hair was long and thick, hanging to his back in a wave of blue-black. He was quite handsome, but his ice blue eyes held a pain that Draco knew few men would ever see in their lifetime.
"Has there been any word from our intelligence?" Draco asked Regulus as he poured the man a cup of warm apple cider and handed it over to him.
"Yes, but very little. Only that Voldermort plans to move on Gryffindor by early spring."
"No indication of plans of attack, numbers, anything?"
"No, majesty, nothing. I'm sorry." Regulus answered quietly, rubbing his knee as it gave another throb of protest to the winter cold. He quickly gulped down the cider, the drink warm in his throat.
"Regulus you have practically raised me since I was a child, you can call me Draco." Draco said as he watched the man with concern, seeing the way he held himself and the attention Regulus was paying to his knee.
"Why didn't you tell me your knee and back were acting up?" he asked, reaching to refill Regulus' glass.
"There's nothing you can really do, Draco," Regulus responded.
"I'm so sorry," Draco said reaching out to grasp the man's arm, "… for the pain my father caused you."
Regulus simply patted Draco's hand, "There's nothing for you to be sorry for, Draco."
Regulus stood from his chair, "Was there anything else you needed, majesty?"
"Yes, one last thing." Draco said with a smile, picking up the satchel and presented it to Regulus. His dove grey eyes held a hint of mischief in them as he looked at Regulus, before melting into a warm smile. "I need someone to deliver a Yule gift to Prince Harry. Would you mind a trip to Gryffindor, Regulus?"
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Harry carefully handed his mother the fresh holly, Lily precariously perched on a stool hanging it above the door to the great room. A tall spruce stood in the corner already decorated in various ornaments. Everyone had gathered to help decorate the beautiful tree, the fears and toils of the war fading away in favor of enjoying the season. While Harry hated the cold weather, Yule was his favorite time of year. He loved being with his family and friends, the royalty, nobles, and servants joining together in peace. Harry already had most of his gifts together, from a new pair of leather gardening gloves for Neville, to a new cauldron for Severus. Although the actual Yule feast was not for another week and a half, Harry and his family would be exchanging their personal gifts that evening, as was their tradition.
Harry was especially happy now that Pettigrew was gone. He had left just a few days ago, once more in search of those to align themselves with his father. While he knew he should be grateful to the man for the work he did for the kingdom, Harry couldn't find it in himself to like the man. He had never been unkind to Harry, it was just a feeling the man gave off. Harry had noticed though that Pettigrew had taken to watching Harry, almost leering at him at times. Harry caught him staring at him from one of the windows when he had been helping Neville in the winter flower garden. He had told Camron, and his brother must have said something to the man, because Harry hadn't seen caught him sense, but he was just as happy that the man was gone.
Harry stepped back and surveyed the room, smiling when he saw the finished product. Lily stepped down and stood next to Harry, brushing off her robes.
"It looks so beautiful mother," he said in awe. Lily hugged him and kissed the top of his head.
"Yes, it does, doesn't it."
The two walked together, Lily adjusting a few decorations as they moved into the hallway. They wandered toward the kitchens, the delicious smells of baking ham wafting in the air. The kitchen was busy as usual when they arrived, and he noticed that Ron seemed a little nervous. Harry was surprised to see Severus sitting at the center table a cup of tea in his hands. Harry's mentor rarely came to the kitchens unless his potions required an ingredient he didn't keep stocked in his personal lab. That immediately explained Ron's nervousness. His best friend had never been fond of Severus, Harry thought he might be a little scared of him also, even if Ron would never admit it. Lily gave the man a kiss on the check, causing the pale face to flush, and Harry quickly stole the teacup form the man's hands while he was distracted and took a sip of the warm tea.
Severus glared at him, and Harry grinned and returned the cup.
"Did you need something Severus?" Lily asked, getting her own cup from Molly and thanked the head cook, "You rarely come down to the kitchens?"
Severus took a final sip of tea and stood, "I was looking for Harry, actually."
"Am I needed in the healing wing?" Harry asked quickly growing concerned.
"No," Severus reassured hurriedly, "One of the Weasley twins has informed me that a Slytherin messenger has arrived. They bear a package for you, Harry. A Yule gift, I believe. I instructed the boy to tell the messenger to wait in the front hall until we arrive."
Harry blushed, his ears burning, the heat spreading down to his chest. Lily laughed with delight, "Draco sure is trying hard, isn't he?"
Severus began to lead Harry out of the kitchens his hand on Harry's shoulder, the boy still silent and flushed, Lily following behind them.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of Harry," she soothed even as more giggles left her mouth, "You should be flattered."
The three approached the font hall, Harry moving forward to greet the messenger who stood waiting by one of the windows that overlooked the grounds. He smiled at the messenger, the man almost as tall as Severus with hair as dark as Harry's own that flowed down his back.
The sound of only his footsteps echoing in the hall met his ears, and Harry turned to find Severus frozen in the doorway, face paling to a sickly grey, his stood mother beside him hand pressed against her chest.
"Severus!" Harry moved back toward his mentor, "What's wrong?"
Severus' breathes were coming in short gasps, and he swayed, Harry and Lily barely catching him in time and supporting Severus between them. Harry's magic instinctively searched for the cause for Severus pain, but he could find nothing, there was no trace of a wound or an illness.
"Breathe! Breathe for me Severus." Harry commanded firmly as the man's breathing became even more labored. Harry brushed the lank strands of dark hair away from Severus face, searching with frantic eyes for any clue to his sudden aliment.
"SEVERUS!" The Slytherin messenger cried, running forward and pulling Severus from Harry's arms. The boy growled lunging forward only to be stopped by his mother's hand on his arm.
"Wait Harry," she said softly as Harry sank to the floor besides the two men.
"I'm here now Severus," the messenger whispered, "I'm here, breathe my love. Slowly now, deep breathes."
Severus' breathing calmed, as the man continued to whisper soothing nonsense, a slow stream of tears running down Severus' face, "Regulus," he chocked out, hands reaching out to grasp the man's forearms, the stone floor digging into his knees.
Harry watched the interaction silently, wanting to reach out to his mentor, but to frozen in surprise, his mother's hand shifting from his arm to his back drew his attention, and she gently guided him up from the floor, knees popping as he stood. Lily led him from the room, "Let's give them some privacy."
Harry turned back once more to look at Severus as they left the hall, his mother's hand coming to run through his hair. Severus met his gaze, and smiled reassuringly, if a little shakily, back at him as Harry was led out of the hall.
Severus returned his attention to Regulus, breathing in the man's familiar scent of fresh rain. He studied the beloved face, tracing the features gently with his fingertips. Regulus was as he remembered, still so beautiful, but years of heartache had aged him, lines adorning his face that had once been absent. He infolded Regulus in his arms, Regulus nuzzling his face in the slope of Severus' neck and shoulder.
"How?" Severus asked his voice breaking, "How are you here?"
"Draco has sent me as a sort of ambassador. I'm to stay here until he arrives in the spring." Regulus answered wiping away the tears from Severus cheeks. Regulus rested against Severus, soaking in his lover's warmth, slowly banishing the cold that taken over his soul. He sighed as Severus peppered kisses against the top of his head, the man's sure fingers running along the length of his hair.
"I thought I would never feel your arms around me again," Regulus said as he pressed a soft kiss to the clad shoulder beneath his head.
"I'm so sorry, my darling," Severus breathed, rubbing his cheek against the dark hair. "I never should have left you there alone. I should have come back for you. I should never have gotten you involved in the first place."
"Then we would both be dead. I have no regrets, Severus. We are together now, and that is what counts," Regulus said lifting his head from Severus' shoulder and gently pressing his lips against Severus'. The other man's hands came up to cup his face, gently taking control of the kiss. Regulus opened himself to Severus, savoring the feel of the thin lips against his own. One of Regulus' hands tangled in Severus' hair, the other wrapping the around the older man's neck and pulling him closer. They broke away, both gasping in air sharing two more quick kisses, and Severus pulled them both from the floor his hands never leaving Regulus' body. They simply stood in each other's presence for a few moments, basking in their reunited love, before Severus led Regulus from the hall, the man's hand intertwined with his own.
"I'm sure your brother will be wanting to see you. If I know her majesty, Lily will have already told Sirius of your arrival."
Regulus stopped mid-stride, his face paling as he pulled his hand form Severus'. Regulus hadn't seen his brother in nearly a decade, not since he was a young teenager, and Sirius had run away from his duties as head as the Black house. Regulus had never resented Sirius for leaving, he had loved his brother dearly, and had helped Sirius flee Slytherin as he had helped Severus flee years later, but Regulus knew better than most how time changed people, and Regulus couldn't help but fear his brother would have changed his feelings for him.
Almost as if reading his thoughts, Severus lifted Regulus' chin, forcing the younger man's blue eyes to meet his, "Your brother loves you Regulus," he soothed. "As much as I hate to admit it, the only reason I am alive and here now is because you vouched for me to Sirius. It was he who pleaded to the king to grant me protection from my half-brother. All for your sake, Regulus."
"Are you certain, Severus?" Regulus asked as Severus once again took his hand.
"Positive, my darling," Severus replied as he brought Regulus hand to his lips and placed a chaste kiss to his knuckles. "Now come."
As they walked Severus noticed that the hallways were unusually empty of servants, while most had been given a small holiday to spend time with families by the king, those that lived in the castle itself should have been seen somewhere. As they rounded the final corner to the study, the reason became apparent. What Severus thought was the entirety of the castle servants where grouped around the closed doors of the king's private study, the shouting from within plainly clear to the eavesdroppers.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY, JAMES!"
A softer voice was muffled by the doors, the thick wood, rattling on its hinges, as it was almost opened then slammed shut again.
"NO REMUS, I WON'T CALM DOWN!"
The doors swung open, rebounding off the stone wall with a loud smack. Sirius' face was burning red, fists clenched as he tried to pull away from Remus who had a gentle, but firm hand on his lover's shoulder.
"HE'S MY BROTHER! I HAVE JUST AS MUCH RIGHT TO SEE HIM AS SNAPE!"
Sirius glared at the servants, the small crowd fleeing the area, Remus' hand dropping from the man's shoulder. Remus' gaze turned to Regulus, his thin lips turning up into a soft smile, "Turn around, Sirius."
Regulus tensed as his brother turned, Severus hand now a warm support on the small of his back, "Hello, brother."
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OceanDreams: YAY! Another chapter. Sorry if it's a little shorter that past chapters. I know some of you guessed who Severus' lover was. Next chapter is major important, Draco is reintroduced to Harry, and we see Harry's reaction to Regulus. Hope everyone enjoyed.