Don't Own
Please R&R
This was a long ass chapter to read and edit so I hope you like it.
…
"Morning Sunshine" Harry said laughing as he threw a pillow at Ron's head.
"Harryyy" Ron grumbled, pushing Harry away and snuggling back into his pillows.
"Oh come on Ron, its Christmas morning and your mom wants us downstairs in ten minutes."
"Good I'll rest for five and I'll be down in five" Ron said closing his eyes again.
"Okay," Harry said "but don't say I didn't warn you." Harry left the room and went down the stairs to the living room where almost everyone was sitting already.
Snape was sitting on the couch, sipping his morning coffee.
Harry walked over to Remus and Tonks who were feeding Teddy some apple sauce and wished them a Merry Christmas. Teddy was laughing and had more apple sauce on him then in him.
Everyone was getting ready to open gifts; the only person they were waiting for was Ron. Harry looked over at Hermione and Ginny who were sitting in a corner talking quietly, he wondered if he should go over and wish them a Merry Christmas but after he saw the look on Hermione's face he decided that staying clear of her for the moment would probably be a good idea.
Instead Harry went and sat on the couch near Snape "Morning" he said cheerfully.
"Morning" Snape said.
Harry wondered if Snape would feel out of place since he was a last minute invite but decided that if anyone could handle the situation it would be him.
Finally footsteps were herd on the stairs and everyone looked up as Ron walked into the room "Uh morning everyone" he said sheepishly.
Mrs. Weasley shook her head but then said cheerfully "Good now that everyone is here we can open presents! Come on everyone gather round."
All the occupants in the house gathered into the living room and sat around the tree. "Fred, George" Mrs. Weasley called out "Why don't you hand out the gifts?"
"Alright mum" Fred and George said together, moving over to the tree. They handed out gifts to their mum and dad first. Then moved on to Tonks and Remus, with a little gift for Teddy. Then came their siblings and then they sent two over to Harry and Snape. Snape looked surprised as he caught the large package in his hand, he didn't know that anyone had gotten him anything. Harry smiled as he watched Snape slowly unwrap his gift.
Snape pulled the paper off and then opened the box, he pulled out a large green sweater with an 'S' on it. Harry felt like laughing at the look on Snape's face, he probably thought never in a million years would he receive a Weasley sweater.
"Go on Professor Snape, try it on!" Fred called from across the room.
Everyone looked up at Snape expectantly. Snape didn't look to happy but he didn't want to be rude so he pulled on the sweater which actually fit him quite perfectly. "It's very...warm" Snape said quietly "Thank you" he looked over at Mrs. Weasley.
"Oh your welcome Severus, it looks rather nice on you I must say." Mrs. Weasley said grinning.
Harry looked around the room and his eyes landed on Remus who looked like he was trying not to laugh.
"Oh" Ron said quietly and Harry looked over at his friend. Ron was looking down at a small broomstick kit for his Cleansweep Eleven. "Thank you Professor" he said quite amazed looking up at Snape.
'What?' Harry thought 'Snape got everyone gifts but he was invited to stay only at the last minute.'
"You're welcome Mr. Weasley." Snape said with a smirk.
Everyone seemed just as surprised as Harry and Ron but they all received gifts from Snape.
Harry frowned when he opened Snape's gift to him, it was a book about Quidditch, which was nice he just didn't think it was a type of gift someone would get from their significant other. He had gotten Snape some expensive potions ingredients and a protective amulet that he was going to give to him sometime when they could be alone.
Harry inwardly sighed maybe he just didn't mean as much to Snape as Snape meant to him. Snape was watching him, but Harry couldn't read the expression on his face. He decided he should at least look like he enjoyed Snape's gift. So he forced a smile and opened the book in his hand. As he did so a small piece of paper fell out of the book and landed in his lap. Harry picked it up and read it.
Harry,
My real gift for you is at Hogwarts, I wasn't able to bring it with me.
I hope you will be able to find some time to get away today so I can give it to you.
Merry Christmas,
Severus
After he had finished reading the note it vanished. Harry felt immensely guilty, how could he think so badly of Snape.
He lifted his head and smiled at the man, Snape smiled back.
…
"Ron can I see you for a moment" Harry asked his friend, motioning for the red head to come into the kitchen.
Ron for one was glad to get out of the living room, Ginny seemed to have taken Hermione's side of the argument and both girls were creating a rather tense atmosphere for Ron.
"What's up Harry?" Ron asked grabbing an apple from a bowl on the kitchen table and taking a bite.
"Is everyone still going to that Quidditch match today?" Harry asked.
"Of course, no one wants to miss it!" Ron said loudly "It's the first Christmas day Quidditch match that the wizarding world has had since before the rise of Voldemort. Even my mum is going and she doesn't even like Quidditch that much. Remus and Tonks have already left to bring Teddy to their parents and it's all Bill, Charlie and the twins have been able to talk about all day. I've already told you this. Everyone should be getting ready to go in about an hour or so. It starts at one o'clock."
"I don't wanna go" Harry said quietly.
Ron didn't say anything; he was too shocked to say anything he just stared at Harry. After a few tense seconds he shook his head "What? How could you not want to go? Harry its Quidditch and it's going to be epic! You have to be there!"
Harry just shook his head at Ron "I know its Quidditch but I have something I wanted to do today Ron, it's more important than Quidditch."
"What could be more important that Quidditch?" Ron asked.
Harry rolled his eyes "Did you just seriously ask what could be more important than Quidditch? You're starting to sound like Oliver Wood and even he knew when to draw the line."
Ron grinned sheepishly "Okay I guess that was a little too dramatic. But what are you going to do instead?"
"I rather not say" Harry said quietly "Couldn't you just cover for me?"
"How am I going to do that? Everyone will notice if you're missing what am I going to say?" Ron asked and Harry knew what he said was true.
"How about that I wasn't feeling well so I decided to stay home?" Harry suggested.
Ron shook his head and frowned "No that will never work. If I say that then my mum will want to stay home with you and she'll be checking in on you every hour. Believe me I have seventeen years' experience with her."
Harry looked at his shoes, he knew Ron was right so he just decided to be honest with Ron, well mostly honest. If Ron thought that Harry didn't want to go because he wanted to spend time with Snape, Ron would deem him mental. So Harry decided to tell him the reason he had been planning not to go in the first place.
"The truth is Ron that I want to go to Godric's Hollow to visit my parent's graves." Harry said quietly, he knew it was kind of weird because there was nothing there for him but for some reason he felt like he needed to visit the site.
Ron's face softened "I'm sure my family will understand that Harry" he said placing a hand on Harry shoulder. He shifted around for a second and then looked Harry in the eye "Do you...want me to come with you?"
Harry smiled at his friend's generosity "No Ron I'll be fine, you go and have fun at the Quidditch match. I don't want you to miss it, like you said it's going to be epic."
Ron looked relieved but then looked at his friend seriously "Are you sure Harry, I mean it's only a Quidditch match, I can live without seeing it."
"I'm positive. It's something I need to do...on my own." Harry said gently.
…
Harry watched as all of the Weasley's left the house. Ron had only told his mom and dad about Harry's reason for not going and even though Mrs. Weasley starting crying and pulled him into a hug she said that she understood. Mr. Weasley had patted him on the back and told him they would bring him back a souvenir.
All of the Weasleys and Hermione had questioned him about why he wouldn't be coming but after a few awkward moments Mrs. Weasley had come to his aid and told them all to stop pestering Harry and get ready to go instead. Charlie had been the last of the Weasleys to leave the house. He had stopped in the doorway and looked like he was going to say something but Snape, who hadn't left for the castle yet, appeared behind Harry and had roughly wished him a good day. Charlie had left, his face set in a frown.
Once he was gone Harry turned to him and smiled "Okay Professor I managed to get away...now what do you have planned?" he asked with a smirk.
"Indeed you have" Snape said "Though I don't have a clue how you managed it. Care to explain?"
Harry sauntered up to Snape stepping in-between the man's arms and laying a kiss on his lips "No" he said simply and then pulled away.
Snape's eyebrow rose at his little display but didn't say anything.
He turned and walked over to the fireplace "I thought we would floo to my chambers" he said grabbing some powder in his hand.
Harry nodded and walked over to Snape, who threw the powder into the fireplace and shouted "Dungeon chambers" they both stepped in one after the other and walked out into Snape's living room.
Harry groaned, floo was better than Apparating but he still didn't like the weird tingly feeling it left in the pit of his stomach. Snape took his hand and led him to the couch. "Here, sit there and close your eyes. No peeking!" he said sternly.
"Got it" Harry said, he could feel the excitement rising in his stomach, he always loved getting gifts. Harry could hear Snape moving around and had to resist the urge to open his eyes.
Then he felt a presence in front of him and wished Snape would tell him to open his eyes soon.
"Okay Harry" Snape said gently placing a hand on his knee "You can open your eyes now."
Harry looked at Snape who was crouching before him and his eyes traveled down to a small bundle of fur resting against Snape's chest.
Harry brought his hands up to his face and gasped in surprise; he looked at the small puppy in Snape's arms. He was covered in golden fur, and was adorably round and chubby. "Oh Sev..." Harry said bringing his hands down "Can I hold her?"
"Of course Harry, she is yours after all," Snape said transferring the small puppy, who gave a whimper form being moved, from his arms to Harry. Harry cuddled her gently and ran his hands though her ultra-soft puppy fur, he had to blink away the tears that came to his eyes.
Snape stood up relieved; he wasn't sure what Harry would think about the gift, some people would have had an opposite reaction after having a traumatizing incident such as Harry had when he was younger with his cousin's puppy. He moved and sat beside Harry on the couch.
Harry was murmuring softly to the puppy his eyes never leaving the tiny form so Snape decided he would break the silence. "See I was at Diagon Alley last week looking for Christmas gifts when I ran into one of my old classmates from school. He seemed like he was in a hurry so I asked him where he was going. He then brought up a small carrier he was carrying and said that he had found a puppy underneath his porch and he was bringing it to the pound because his wife didn't like dogs. I having had a bad time trying to find you something for Christmas and remembering your fondness for dogs asked him if I could take the puppy off his hands. I then brought her to the vet who said that she was only six weeks old and something must have happened to her mother. He told me that the puppy would need round the clock care and feedings, which I have been doing the past week. The last two days I had a house elf taking care of her."
Harry looked up at Snape "You went through all that trouble for me?" he asked.
Snape didn't know what to say, at the time it didn't seem like any trouble at all, even with the night time feedings he rather enjoyed taking care of the puppy and he kept reminding himself that it would be a plus just to see the look on Harry's face.
"Thank you Severus" Harry said taking the man's hand "This is...the best gift I have ever received."
Snape couldn't help but smile "Your welcome" he said squeezing Harry's hand.
"She's a Golden Retriever right?" Harry asked
"Yes, the vet confirmed that," Snape said trying to remember what else the vet had told him "he said that it would grow to be a large sized dog, though not too big and that they are known to be great with children. I was thinking it could live here until the end of the year since they don't allow dogs in dorms."
"That sounds good," Harry said "as long as you don't mind having her here."
"I don't mind at all, I quite like the little one" Snape said reaching over and scratching the pup behind the ears.
"Aw who knew the mean old potions master had a soft spot for puppies?" Harry said with a smirk.
Snape let out a huff "I'm not old!" he grumbled.
Harry laughed; he stood up holding the puppy close and then moved to straddle Snape's hips. He leaned down and captured his lips in a kiss that said how much the puppy truly meant to him. Snape's hands came to grip Harry's hips to keep him in place. Before the kiss could get really heated the puppy let out a small bark and then whined.
Harry laughed "It seems someone doesn't want to be left out."
"I'm sorry Potter, I don't care how cute she is, I just don't swing that way" Snape said with a quirk of his eyebrow.
Harry laughed and smacked Snape on the arm lightly "Um eww."
Snape laughed "So what are you going to call her?"
'Of course!' Harry thought with a shake of his head 'he had to give the pup a name.' He looked down at the puppy who was looking back at him intensely and thought for a few minutes.
Snape watched him and absentmindedly stroked Harry's hips with his fingers.
"Hmm that's a tough one, it has to be perfect, what about Sandy?" he asked
"I'm not sure it fits her," Snape said without having to give it much thought.
Harry nodded, he liked the name but looking at her, he didn't think it fit well. Instead he listed off a few more "Piper, Lady…Pebbles."
Severus would insert his opinion every few names. "No, definitely not Pebbles, sounds too juvenile."
Harry had laughed at that, only Snape would think a dog name sounded juvenile.
"Millie, Harley, Mocha, Cleo," Harry continued, none of them fit her "Peanut."
Snape snorted at that one.
"So definitely not Peanut" Harry said a little grin on his face. He ruffled the still nameless puppy's hair, she was starting to get restless just sitting there squished between Harry and Snape but she leaned up and licked Harry's chin which made him laugh.
"What about Annie?" he asked, scratching her under the chin.
Snape nodded slowly "I like it, I think it suits her."
The puppy began to wiggle, so Harry placed her down on the ground, he watched as the furry thing waddled over to her water dish and lapped away.
Harry grinned then he remembered about the amulet he had gotten for Snape. He reached his hand into the pocket of his robes and pulled out a small box wrapped in green wrapping paper.
"What's this?" Snape asked as Harry handed him the box.
"The other part of your Christmas gift I didn't get to give you yet." Harry said shyly.
"You didn't have to Harry" Snape said "the potions ingredients must have cost a fortune on their own."
"Oh shush" Harry said "just open it."
Snape pulled off the wrapping paper and found a small rectangular box also colored green inside it, he carefully opened the top and pulled out a round amulet on a silver chain, it had a green stone in the middle with the word 'protect' carved into the back of it.
Snape ran his thumb over the green stone.
"It has protective charms on it so you'll know if danger is around" Harry explained "If you don't like it you don't have to wear it. I mean in the muggle world a lot of men would be offended because it's like a necklace so they wouldn't want to wear it but I don't know what the customs are in the wizarding world." Harry knew he was rambling but for some reason he couldn't seem to stop himself, it made him nervous that Snape still hadn't said anything. "It's just when I saw it, it made me think of you because it's simple but yet it has a hidden brilliance about it..."
Harry was cut off when Snape pulled him down and kissed him hard "I love it" he said when he pulled back "and I'll cherish it always. Thank you."
Harry didn't reply, instead he snuggled into Snape's chest and they enjoyed their time alone.
…
Harry and Snape had spent all afternoon cuddling by the fire. They had had a light lunch and had sipped tea by the fire afterwards. Harry had played with Annie for hours until the pup fell asleep by the hearth.
However it was getting pretty late and Harry thought he should get to Grodric's Hollow before it got to dark.
"I should go" he said standing from the couch and grabbing his outer robe from a handle by the door.
"Already?" Snape asked disappointed "I doubt the Weasleys will be back yet."
"Probably not" Harry agreed "But I have something I need to do before it gets too late."
"Oh" Snape said "Well at least let me take you back to the Wealsey's house."
"No" Harry said quickly and when he saw Snape's face fall he realized it had been rather harsh. "I'm sorry Sev, it's just that I'm not going back to the Weasley's place."
Snape's face hardened "Where are you going then?" he asked forcefully.
"It doesn't matter" Harry said brushing Snape off, he thought Snape would think he was stupid to go and visit two people who weren't even alive. Plus he might think badly of Harry because he had always hated his father.
Snape looked angry but didn't say anything. After glaring at Harry he said "Fine" and turned to walk in the direction of his potions lab.
Harry felt bad, after such a wonderful day he didn't want Snape to be angry with him.
He quickly hurried over to the man and made Snape face him "Wait. I'll tell you it's just...you're going to think it's stupid."
Snape softened his gaze but let Harry talk "I'm going to go to Godric's Hollow to visit my parent's graves." He said quietly, not looking Severus in the eye.
"Why would I think that was stupid?" Severus asked Harry.
Harry looked at him in the eyes "I...I don't know" he said realizing that is earlier reasoning had been stupid. Of course Snape wouldn't think his going to his parent's gravesite was a bad thing.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Snape said caressing Harry's cheek.
Harry thought about saying no but for some reason when Snape offered he felt different then when Ron had offered. He felt like it would be nice to have Snape with him. "Would you?" Harry asked.
"I wouldn't have offered otherwise." Snape said "Just give me a sec."
Snape made sure that Annie had water in her water bowl and made sure a house elf would come and check on her in about an hour, then he and Harry left from the castle and Apparated to Godric's Hollow.
…
Harry stood in front of his parent's graves, letting a tear roll down his cheek. He had placed a bundle of red roses on both of the graves and put a protective charm on both of them.
Snape who had been giving him his privacy came and stood behind Harry; he wrapped his arms around Harry's waist and pulled him tightly against him.
Harry stood there in silence, gaining strength from Snape's presence.