A/N: Holy smokes it's been almost two years since I last updated! :o I'm so sorry you guys. There really isn't any kind of excuse I can give except: Life. Life is the excuse I will gladly give. Lots and lots of things have happened in the past 2 years but I won't bore you lot with the details. Just know that I am so so sorry for leaving it this long to write this chapter. I can't promise that the next chapter will be up in the next few hours, (I am sick) but I can promise that it will be up by the end of this week! I've been writing it out on paper and it's almost 20 pages long. This chapter in Word is 8 pages long, so I hope that you guys enjoy it! I'll shut up now, and hopefully I still have readers. I know it's been so long, but I'm finally coming out of hiatus! Enjoy and tell me what you think! Much love Rav3n Owl 3

PS: This chapter hasn't been edited or beta'd. I wrote it, started writing most of the 12th and then decided to publish this. Any mistakes or grammar or anything are all mine. And this is not for profit!


The morning came with sunshine and little clouds. There was a wind outside, howling around the castle, but in the dungeons two lovers slept peacefully until midday.

Harry woke when his bladder managed to disrupt the pleasant dreams he was having. He was surprised to find himself in bed, but he knew that it was thanks to the taller man who was sprawled on top of him. As much as Harry loved having Severus' arms wrapped around him, his bladder was insistent that he relieve it soon or it would do it for him.

Wriggling slightly, Harry tried to get out from under his lover without waking him but was thwarted in his plan when the arms around him tightened and dark lashes parted, allowing glimpses of the dark eyes to look up at him.

"Morning love," Harry said, again trying to move out of the embrace.

Severus merely grunted in return and Harry chuckled. Lips pressing against his chest in feather light kisses distracted him momentarily from his need, and he tilted his Professor's face to his own, capturing the lips with his and losing himself in the heat of the moment. Moans and pants were all that could be heard from the bed for a few moments until they finally deemed air to be an important choice if they wanted to keep doing this.

Harry opened his eyes and stared at his lover, seeing the same lust and desire reflected in those black orbs that was undoubtedly reflected in his own.

"Love, I need to get up." Harry murmured, wishing he could stay in this position for the rest of the day but knowing that he had things he had to do.

Severus reluctantly let his grip go and rolled onto the bed beside Harry, his cock jutting up in the air. Sometime during the previous night or that morning they had rid themselves of the blanket that was sorely needed now with the cold of the dungeon walls creeping into the room. But neither wizard thought to look for the blanket, too caught up in gazing at each other's bodies.

Harry sighed regretfully and left the bed, going into the bathroom and mentally cursing when his feet hit the cold floor. He could feel Severus' eyes on him as he walked and he purposely swayed his hips, hoping that he was teasing his lover.

"Brat." Severus called after him when Harry closed the door behind him without looking back and shutting out the delectable view of Harry's pert ass.

Severus groaned and rolled over, getting ready to leave his bed. He had no idea of the time, but since the sun wasn't in his window like it usually was, he could hazard a guess at it being fairly late. His stomach growled and he chuckled lightly, figuring that finding out the time could wait a little longer.

Harry came back into the room, led by a growling stomach. Severus smirked as his stomach grumbled again and he opened his arms to his younger lover, sighing when the Gryffindor took the silent invitation and snuggled into the embrace. Severus pressed a kiss to Harry's head, tightening his arms comfortably. Their legs entwined together and both of them smiled at the intimacy their actions portrayed.

After a few moments the blissful silence was interrupted by their stomachs rumbling in unison, and they parted somewhat to reach the blanket at the end of the bed. Harry pulled it up to his chest, leaving Severus half naked still. The blanket had a warming charm enchanted into the fabric and Harry grinned as the warmth seeped into his body, warming up the slight chill that had set in from the dungeon.

"Breakfast?" Harry asked through a yawn, the thought of bacon and eggs enticing his taste buds.

"Anything in particular?" Severus asked, scowling at the lithe body that wriggled into him seeking warmth. He didn't mind too much, but it was rather disconcerting for him to have another person in bed with him, and he couldn't quite believe his luck that it was this young Gryffindor that was making him so affectionate, if the way his arms were wrapped around the young man was anything to go by.

"Bacon and eggs." Harry decided without hesitation. "Dobby!" Harry called out, not needing to yell as some people did to get the house-elf's attention.

"Master Harry Potter Sir is wanting something from Dobby?" The elf asked as he popped into the room. If he was surprised at the fact that Harry was being cuddled by Severus, he didn't let it show except for a slight widening of his eyes.

"Sev and I would like some... breakfast?" Harry said, his statement turning into a question as he realized he still didn't know what the time was. "I would like some bacon and eggs please Dobby, the yolk still runny if you don't mind. And a cup of tea or coffee wouldn't go unappreciated either."

Dobby nodded enthusiastically, his eyes shining as he fixed up the old shirt that he was wearing. Harry had given it to Dobby as an early Christmas present just before the holidays started and it seemed like the elf hadn't taken it off since. The house-elf turned towards the Potion's Master and looked at him questioningly.

"Would Master Professor Snappy like his usual?" Dobby said, taking the time to try and speak like the Potion's Master had told him to.

Severus inclined his head in a graceful nod, being careful to not look to condescendingly at the elf. He didn't like house-elves at the best of time, and to know that Harry had one that would do anything for him at a moments notice was a bit too much to take in at this hour of the morning.

"And a cup of Earl Grey if you've got it." Severus said just before the elf popped away to the kitchens.

Harry stared at the place where Dobby had disappeared, grateful he was facing away from his lover. He couldn't stop the smirk that was gracing his face, nor the laughter that made his body shudder against the older man. 'Master Professor Snappy? Oh wait until Hermione and Draco and Ro-... Oh right. Well, wait until I tell 'Mione and Draco.' He thought to himself, unable to keep his laughter silent any longer.

It was obvious from Severus' disapproving glare when Harry turned to face him that he knew exactly what the teen was laughing at.

"Shut. Up." He growled lowly, unintentionally making his young lover's cock jump as the sexy baritone washed over him.

"Yes... Snappy." Harry sniggered, mirth lighting his eyes and making them glint.

Severus growled again and pulled away from his lover, his face setting in it's customary snarl. Harry sobered up somewhat and tugged on Severus' arm, trying to get the Potion's Master to forgive him. He knew that Sev wasn't really angry at him, just slightly put out. No doubt the other house-elves also called him that name. He couldn't help the laughter that racked his small frame a second time, but eventually his tugging got through to the older man and he relented, opening his arms and accepting the young man's head on his chest and arms around him in a silent apology.

"Would I be able to make you forgive me if I crawled down between your thighs and began to stroke your hard shaft, before taking it into my mouth and wrapping my lips around it, my tongue flicking around the head as I bobbed my head up and down, taking it as deep as I can?" Harry murmured, hoping that his words would be a sufficient distraction.

Severus groaned at the mental image and felt his cock become half hard as he imagined Harry doing exactly what he described. "Why don't you find out?" He asked, smirking. His cool and collected drawl didn't come out exactly as planned, due to the breathlessness and huskiness it was said with.

Harry smirked and moved the blanket somewhat, making room for him to crawl down Severus' body, his lips attacking the older man's chest and he kissed down it, flicking his head to either side to capture the pebbled nipples in his mouth for a few seconds. Harry got down to Severus's stomach, trailing his tongue down the smooth skin when he was interrupted by an overly loud pop.

He buried his head in his lover's stomach, groaning quietly as he made his way back up the body in front of him and emerged from under the covers.

Dobby was looking at the ground, his ears waggling in what one could only assume was either embarrassment or silent laughter. "Masters' breakfast is served!" He squeaked out, indicating the tray that was behind him laden with food.

Harry stared at the tray, momentarily forgetting to take it from the elf. He could see his own breakfast -2 eggs sunny side up, and double the amount of bacon he usually had-, but his eyes were drawn to the plates that were beside his and taking up the majority of the tray. Severus' usual breakfast seemed to consist of beans, mushrooms and tomatoes on two slices of toast, a plate of four or five pancakes that were topped with banana, blueberries, raspberries and maple syrup and a large mug that was steaming. Harry glance at his Professor and shook his head. For someone so slim, it seemed impossible that he could eat that every morning and still look like he barely ate anything more than what Harry saw in the Great Hall.

Actually, now Harry thought about it, he didn't seem to recall Severus ever eating breakfast in the Great Hall. The Potion's Master usually wasn't in the Hall when Harry arrived, and if he was he was just sipping what Harry had thought to be pumpkin juice. Weird, but true.

Harry slipped out of his musings and took the tray, thankful that only a few moments had seemed to pass as he was off in his own head. "Thank you Dobby, I'll call you back when we're finished." Harry said, smiling at the elf who still wouldn't look at him.

"Master Harry Potter Sir, Dobby is having a letter from Headmaster Dumbleys sir." Dobby said, looking up finally and holding out an envelope. Harry was puzzled but took the envelope nonetheless, thanking the elf once again before Dobby disappeared. Harry put the letter on the side of the tray, his stomach insisting that he read it after he filled it with food.

Harry and Severus ate in silence for a few minutes, each darting glances at the other. Severus was still hard from their earlier activities and it seemed like Harry had been affected as well, but they both knew that they wouldn't be able to do anything about it because they had prior engagements for the rest of that day. Severus needed to get started on restocking the potions in the infirmary, and it seemed like Harry would be having a meeting with Dumbledore after they ate.

As Harry and Severus finished eating, Harry picked up the letter addressed to him in Dumbledore's distinctive, flowery handwriting. Severus shifted next to Harry on the bed, trying to get a look at the letter.

"What does it say?" He asked, eyes narrowing as he couldn't make out the words.

"He wants to meet with me in his office at my earliest convenience." Harry replied, turning the letter towards his lover.

"It looks like gibberish to me." Severus said.

"Oh... Must be a spell he put on it in case it... Well, even that doesn't make sense." Harry mused, shaking his head and climbing out of the bed. "Best to go and get this over and done with, I suppose."

"Be quick about it," Severus said, "the sooner you get done, the sooner you can get back..." The older man trailed off teasingly, smirking when Harry blushed and cleared his throat.

"Right then, I'll be on my way." He said, gathering his clothes and dressing quickly.

Even after their being together earlier, Harry still got partially -okay, mostly- aroused at the thought of doing that again with Severus. Perhaps it was wrong of him to be aroused again so soon, and lusting after his Potions professor nonetheless, but Harry didn't care all that much. He knew what, and whom, he wanted and as far as he cared, that was enough for him.

Making his way out of the dungeons, Harry was lost deep in his thoughts. It was Christmas Eve and he still didn't really know what to give Severus. He had thought about dressing up a bit and treating the older man to a romantic dinner and then subtly seducing him, but he wanted to do something more and bigger for their first Christmas together.

Harry's feet took him to the Headmaster's office without the Gryffindor noticing. He also didn't pay any attention to the decorations surrounding him.

Harry worried his bottom lip between his teeth, unable to think of a good enough present for the snarky professor. His mind wandered back to the night before and he grinned. Severus had been thinking about their future together. It had been comforting to know that he wasn't the only one concerned. He still had some apprehensions, but nothing quite as severe as he had had before they had gotten together.

Harry was almost at Dumbledore's office when he wondered what Severus would be doing while he was away. He had mentioned something along the lines of potions for the infirmary during breakfast. Inspiration struck Harry like lightning. Perhaps that could be a gift for Severus! Some rare, and no doubt expensive, potions ingredients, and maybe a tome or two that Severus didn't have in his extensive library. Harry would need to write to Draco and find out what books Severus was missing and try to track them down, but for now he had finally made it to Dumbledore's office.

"Malteser's." Harry said, the password making him grin. No doubt most of the faculty had no idea what the muggle snack was. Dumbledore was always choosing quirky sweet names as his password.

Harry moved on to the moving staircase, a smile tugging at his lips. Although it was slightly nerve-wracking for Harry to be visiting Dumbledore on such short notice, he still wondered what the barmy, old coot was up to.

Harry almost lost himself in his thoughts once again when the moving staircase stopped, depositing him outside the intricately carved wooden doors. He moved off the staircase and walked to the door, knocking sharply.

"Come in Harry!" Dumbledore's voice called out and Harry entered the office.

It hadn't changed that much from the last time he had been in there, although there did seem to be more instruments that were humming. Harry swept his gaze around the office, trying to ignore the portraits of past Headmaster's and Headmistress'. He contained the shudder that went through him, courtesy of all the eyes that were upon him and he approached the desk, sitting in the chair that was placed in front of it.

Harry hoped that this was just a social visit and that Dumbledore didn't want to talk about –

"Harry, my boy. I'd like to speak to you about your relationship with Professor Snape." Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling as madly as the pink stars on his bright yellow robes.

Harry cringed slightly, feeling his face and ears heat up. He could still remember how Dumbledore had found out Harry was staying with Severus. It was highly embarrassing, however he had thought it would save them from having this conversation. Obviously not.

"Yes sir?" Harry asked meekly, refusing to meet the old wizard's eyes.

"Have you gotten Severus a Christmas present yet?" Dumbledore asked, throwing Harry completely off guard.

"I... That is to say... Um... Er, what?" Harry stuttered out.

Out of everything he had been expecting, that was not it at all. He had expected Dumbledore performing spells to counter any confundus charm or detect a love potion; yelling or being reprimanded; told he couldn't see Severus any more or something other than this. He couldn't quite wrap his brain around the question he'd been asked.

"Er, no I haven't sir. I've been meaning too, however I can't seem to think of the best present to give Severus." Harry said, his face still showing signs of his puzzlement.

The young man had been contemplating what to give his lover for Christmas, but he still hadn't come to any definite conclusions other than a dinner, potions ingredients, a potion textbook or two and mind-blowing sex. Hmm, come to think of it, why didn't Harry just do all four? The ingredients would be fairly easy, provided Dumbledore let him off school grounds. The textbooks would be harder, but the dinner and sex? They would be the easiest ones. Harry didn't know if Severus would get him anything, but he'd feel bad if he didn't get the snarky man anything.

"Professor? Would I be able to leave Hogwarts for a few hours?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore's twinkling magnified in intensity, and he looked over Harry critically. "I believe I could arrange that. Assuming you don't want Severus to know, I would suggest that you be quick about gathering the things you would like to take with you. Would you mind if I accompanied you, my boy?" He finally said after a few minutes of silence.

"Not at all Professor. Would half an hour be acceptable?" Harry asked, mentally preparing a list in his head for the things he would need, and the gifts he could buy.

"That would be most acceptable, my dear boy. I shall meet you at the entrance hall then." Dumbledore said.

Harry grinned and got up, making his way to the door.

"Oh, Harry?"

Dumbledore's voice stopped him from leaving like he wanted to.

"Yes sir?" Harry asked, turning around.

"I'm happy for you and Professor Snape. Just be careful that your relationship doesn't negatively impact your school work." Dumbledore said, popping a lemon drop into his mouth.

"Yes sir." Harry said, his face red but a wide smile spread across it nonetheless. He waiting a few moments to see if Dumbledore would say anything else, but when there was no reply forthcoming, he fled the office to the dungeons as quick as he could, wanting to be gone and back before Severus realized he was missing.

Severus stretched after he bottled the last vial of Pepper-Up Portion for Poppy. His mind started to slowly work itself out of the trance state that overtook him when he worked on his brewing. For him, brewing potions was better than meditating.

Severus looked around his lab, satisfied with the work he had managed to do in the time Harry had gone to see Dumbledore. Thinking of his lover, Severus frowned and cast a tempus charm. His eyes widened when he realized that it had been over four hours since Harry left.

Severus clamped down on his worry over the younger man and summoned a house-elf to take the last of the potions to the Hospital Wing. When the vials were gone, Severus started cleaning his lab, using spells to clean the cauldrons but putting the ingredients back by hand. When he was younger he had tried to put them back with magic and found that he had contaminated them when he went to use them again. Since then, he had never done it.

If anyone had looked at Severus in that moment, they would see him calmly packing away a days brewing. In his mind, Severus was thinking about all the reasons why Harry wouldn't be back yet and slowly getting into a rage with Dumbledore. If the meddling old coot had forbidden Harry to be with him … Severus had a feeling that Harry and himself wouldn't allow that to happen and they would find a way to be together.

Severus stilled at the way his thoughts were going. He was unaware that his feelings for the other man were quite so deep. It was a nice revelation any way. In fact, it filled him with warmth.

Dismissing his erratic thoughts, the Potion's Master left his lab and entered into his living room. A cursory glance around showed that Harry wasn't in here. A sense of panic was trying to settle over him, but he ignored it, choosing to search his rooms more thoroughly before dashing up to the Headmaster's office and demanding to know where Harry was.

Severus cursed as he found his rooms devoid of any other person besides himself. He gathered up his cloak and fastened it around him, leaving his quarters with a scowl plastered on his face. Any students that would have seen him then would decide that the top of the castle was the best place to be.

It was quite a walk from the dungeon's to the Headmaster's office, made all the longer since the stairs had decided to move around on him every time he was almost close to a hallway that would take him up.

Grumbling about a dunderheaded sentient castle, Severus finally made it off the stairs and started walking. He couldn't be too sure, but he thought he was on the second-floor, close to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

The professor rounded a corner, only to stop short as he saw Harry emerge from a girl's bathroom, followed by the Headmaster.

"Severus my dear boy! How good it is to see you." Dumbledore said cheerfully.

Harry snuck a glance at the Headmaster before turning to Severus and walking forwards, embracing him in a quick hug.

Severus was still for a moment and then his hands rose, securing his young lover against his body.

"Headmaster." Severus said. "Dare I enquire as to why yourself and Harry were in that particular bathroom?"

"Just visiting Ms Myrtle, Severus. Nothing to worry about at all." Dumbledore replied, a grin forming on his features. "According to Mr Filch, Ms Myrtle and Peeves have been spending time together and our dear caretaker feels that they are up to no good. Harry offered to come with me."

Severus looked down at Harry, who was looking sheepish. A smile made its way onto Severus' face and he squeezed Harry before letting him go, taking one of the younger man's hands in his instead.

"Very well. I wish you a good day Headmaster." Severus said, nodding. He was still curious about the exact reason for the bathroom adventure, but decided to leave it at that. It was the Headmaster after all. Best to leave him to the plotting and Severus concern himself with his brewing and Harry.

"Thank you for today Professor Dumbledore. Severus and I will see you tonight at dinner." Harry said, giving a smirk to the elderly wizard.

"I look forward to it my dear boys. Do try to be on time." Dumbledore said.

With that, the Headmaster turned and left, humming a Christmas carol to himself. Severus waited until he had turned a corner before turning to Harry and catching his lips in a heady kiss.

It seemed like up until then, Severus had still harboured doubts about Harry being back with him. Having Harry in his arms and pressing their lips together got rid of all the doubt and worry that had been filling him.

After a few minutes they parted, both panting softly. Harry's cheeks were flushed pink, his lips swollen and his eyes were glassy, making Severus feel a snake of desire coil in his abdomen.

"Shall we go back to my rooms? We do have an hour or so before dinner." Severus said.

Harry nodded, still panting from the kiss. Severus smirked and took his hand again. Both men were content to go back to the dungeons hand in hand, not speaking.

Fortunately for them, they didn't come across any of the students who were staying at the castle for Christmas on their walk. It was oddly peaceful to be walking throughout the deserted corridors and not hear teenagers yelling to one another or spells being fired between people.

Severus was quite happy when they reached his rooms and ushered Harry inside. The crackling of the fire was the only thing that broke the silence as they both sat on the couch, Harry leaning against him.

Severus had a vision of Harry and himself living in a home, sitting in front of the fire as they were now, with some dark haired children quietly playing in front of them. He smiled at the vision. It was a nice fantasy and he honestly wouldn't mind if it were possible to come true.

That thought led him down a path and he almost exclaimed out loud but stifled the impulse just in time. He now knew what he was going to do for Harry's Christmas present.

"How was your talk with Dumbledore?" Severus asked quietly.

"It was good. Really good." Harry said, turning to face his lover.

"Oh?" Severus asked.

"Yeah. He approves. So long as it doesn't affect my school work." Harry added, grinning mischievously. "He even invited me out to lunch. That's why I was gone for so long."

Severus nodded, a pleased smile on his face. Having Dumbledore's approval got rid of the rest of the doubts that he had and he kissed Harry again, exulting at the fact that Harry was here with him and wouldn't be going anywhere.

Harry kissed him back thoroughly, and soon both men were lost in the process of snogging each other completely. It was only when a house-elf appeared and told them that it was time for dinner that they broke apart. Both were flushed and panting, smirking at the other's rumpled appearances. A few waves of their wands and they were ready to go to dinner.