Once again the Marvellous Yen gave up her not so spare time to run a critical eye over this. Be thankful, Hagrid talks like Hagrid now. I can't do his speech pattern worth a darn so I don't even try. Enjoy! Ree
Hearing Things
The breakfast dishes were clean and put away, the presents unwrapped – Harry receiving a book on popular recipes from around the world, and Severus receiving several uniquely shaped bottles for his collection of empty bottles that lined his lab window – and they had spent the last half hour sitting on the sofa and soaking in the peace and quiet of Christmas morning.
It was now time to head out to Hogwarts.
After they had pulled on their outer cloaks, Severus pulled Harry in close as he spoke, "I'll side-along you so that we end up in the same place and can walk in together."
Harry snuggled closer, holding tightly to Severus. "All right."
With a slight twist, they were gone only to reappear just inside the Forbidden Forest. Grasping Harry's hand in his, Severus walked the familiar path towards the castle in the distance.
It wasn't far into the walk that Severus tilted his head slightly, his dark eyes scanning the area around them. Not seeing anything, he continued for a few more steps, only to hear the soft whispers once again. A quick glance at Harry showed that he was the only one hearing voices in the wind. Deciding to ignore them for the time being, he continued on until they passed the new wards. It was at that moment the voices became louder.
Stopping completely, Severus once again scanned the area around them.
"What is it, Severus?" Harry was also looking about, taking in the pristine snow covered ground marred only by their footsteps and the drooping snow-laden branches of the surrounding trees.
Deciding that it was more important that Harry be warned than to concern himself at how silly it might make him appear, Severus answered, "I am hearing voices. When we were outside the ward line they were soft whispers that sounded periodically, but now that we've crossed into Hogwarts, they are louder – still indistinct – but the volume has increased to the point that I feel as if I should understand every word."
Harry's wand was in his hand as he spun around in a circle, green eyes narrowed. The last time he had heard voices no one else could didn't turn out perfect. Fighting a basilisk during his second year had not been on his to-do list that year. "Do you hear them more in your head, or through your ears?"
Severus' heart warmed, Harry believed him. "It is a combination of both."
Deciding there was no immediate danger, Harry nodded as he gently pulled his lover's arm to make him walk. "They got louder when we crossed over the ward lines? Do you think it has something to do with the snow? But if it did, why don't I hear them?"
Severus allowed Harry to start them moving again, but took the lead as he knew where he was heading. "I don't know. You hear nothing?"
Harry shook his head. "Just the wind through the trees," he replied, but held onto his wand until they were out of the Forest.
They were halfway to the castle doors when both of them heard a familiar voice calling to them. Glancing back to the Forest, they spotted the huge form of Hagrid hurrying up towards them.
"Harry! Sev'rus! Welcome!" Rubeus grinned at both of them as he fell in step with them.
"Thanks, Hagrid! Merry Christmas!" Harry beamed happily up at his first true friend in the Wizarding world and received a hearty clap on the shoulder that sank him a couple of inches into the powdery snow.
"Rubeus, how was your morning?" Severus refrained from wishing him a Merry Christmas. After their shopping trip together, he had come to the conclusion that Rubeus most likely followed the Old Ways and celebrated the Yule instead of Christmas. It would explain the ornaments he purchased each year. They were more in line with the Yule tradition, all were made of natural material. The hidden section of the shop was another clue. If you were decorating a Yule tree versus a Christmas tree, the requirements would be slightly different and they would be a touch harder to find. So, an entire section of the store that was only accessible to a select group of patrons made sense.
"I missed yer this morning, but many thanks fer sendin' the potion las' night." Rubeus passed over a bottle. "Yer share. If yer wish to let Harry have some, it is your decision. Maybe the two of yer can come next year as well?"
Severus accepted the bottle of wine that had no label on it. It was Rubeus' special brew. The man may have chancy cooking skills, but he could brew. This particular drink tasted innocuous enough that you didn't think you were tipsy until you were actually unable-to-walk-straight drunk. After the first time he had spent Christmas morning at Rubeus' in which he partook of the wine, Severus had remembered to bring a sobering potion with him for both of them. "Harry and I will have to see what our schedule is then. So, maybe."
The wind blew by and Severus did his best to ignore the almost understood voices. He watched Rubeus' face to see if he heard them, but there was no reaction at all.
Harry looked at the bottle and then at Severus. "Do you have a tradition of drinking the morning away on Christmas?"
Hagrid laughed heartily at that, the cheerful sound echoing across the grounds. "Not the entire mornin', but we do drink a little bit. Been doin' it since Sev'rus' firs' year teachin'."
Severus raised an eyebrow and shook his head. "A little bit of this goes a very long way. Harry and I are working out how to merge our traditions together, and this one might not be kept."
Rubeus nodded. "That is a good thing, workin' things out between yer. If yer can't come, I'll deliver your bottle."
As they walked into the castle, the voices silenced. Holding in a sigh of relief, Severus pulled Harry towards the Great Hall.
Minerva was the first to look up and smile at them. "Severus, Mr. Potter, welcome."
"Harry, Headmistress." Harry looked at the other teachers to let them know that they were included in that permission.
"Very well, Harry. Both of you, come have a seat and join us." Minerva gestured towards the two empty seats.
As Severus sat down, he noticed that his favourite ornament was once again on the Christmas tree nearest to him and in full view from his angle. He wondered how Hagrid knew where he was going to sit this year.
