I believe a lot of people have been waiting for this chapter. Probably everyone... so I hope I did not screw it up. I always worry. Because of this chapter, and because of the summary, yes the story is ending soon. But not now. There are a few chapters left yet. I just wanted to let everyone know.

I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Twenty One

The last remaining days before Christmas the near entirety of the country had been suffering through blizzard conditions. Even to the extent that Harry had decided it was less of a drain on his magic to create food, than to plow a way through the snow and ice for the car while worrying about the surroundings and secrecy. He had, however, spelled the generator to keep running even when most of the surrounding area was in blackout.

So the flat was kept cozy and lit.

Delivering gifts had been made challenging by the inclement weather as well. Hedwig had finally delivered her last parcel, the current hour being eleven at night on Christmas Eve. Now she was recuperating in her cage. Harry had been worried for her, for he could only imagine the flying conditions were not the best to be in, not to mention carrying something in. But she had flown her weight in gold over the past few days. And he would let her have her rest.

Dudley's gifts had been delivered to the postal office just before the storm had rolled in, for which he was very thankful. But if they were not received on time, he didn't care. At least they'd be postmarked before the date.

Now Dudley was passed out on the sofa from his Christmas Eve partying. And Harry was just finishing turning off the lights around the flat before heading to his bedroom.

"You did good, girl. Thank you." Harry whispered to Hedwig as he made his way over to the bed.

He received no response, but he didn't expect one. He was actually impressed that for as tired as she was, she was still sitting on her perch asleep; instead of on the bottom of her cage doing her best impression of a felled animal.

Crawling into bed, Harry buried himself under the covers and wearily sought out sleep in between hazy thoughts of Severus and a single word.

Christmas Day came to the continued snowfall, albeit it had lightened considerably over the night. And Harry opened his gifts from cousin and friends. The latter group of which had arrived before the snowstorms. Dudley opened his, and tried to see the humor in Harry's gift to him. But it was a long stretch, and it seemed that Harry was getting more of a laugh out of the expression on his face than anything.

"I don't get you." Dudley decided, and reached for another candy cane.

Harry grinned at him, "few people do."

Dudley wagged the candy cane at him, "and they're all as mental as you."

"I'm sure they'd be flattered to be likened to myself." Harry rolled his eyes. He could picture his friends believing Dudley was the mental one. And he could picture Severus either committing murder, or fainting from horror.

…and then committing murder.

He chuckled to himself, and then smiled faintly as he looked off to the sitting room window where he could see the light snowfall still coming down. He'd been thinking about Severus a lot in their distance from each other. And not the way he thought about his friends in such times. At night he was reminded of the times they'd been close to each other, touched, the ease of being in the man's company.

And when he had considered his answer as they spent two days locked in the flat… the thought of saying no left him feeling… unsettled.

Somewhere between the bantering, the slight touches that had grown in something of a more intimate nature… and then there had been those moments when Harry believed that had Severus tried to go farther, he wouldn't have shoved him away. He smiled as he recalled how he'd reacted after he got over his shock the first time Severus had made an intimate advance on him. And now? Their physical interactions were mutual, and felt to Harry as if they were filled with a deeper meaning than seduction. But somewhere in between all of that, he'd been shown a side of Severus he'd never seen. And he liked what he saw.

The one thing he knew for certain, was that being with Severus was easy. It clicked for him. And with other attempts at relationships, he'd never experienced the ease he had felt with Severus.

"I know you're worried about making a mistake."

And Severus had been right about that. He was worried.

"…don't be too scared to make a choice."

A choice… his choice.

"Harry."

Harry snapped out of his thoughts, shooting Dudley an innocent look. "What?"

"You were doing it again." Dudley said pointedly.

Flushing, Harry offered an apologetic smile. "I didn't even realize."

Dudley considered his cousin in silence for a moment, and then moved off the chair to sit by Harry. "You smile when you think about him you know."

Harry stared at his cousin, wanting to deny it, but knowing it was true.

"Do you want to say no to him?" Dudley asked, pinning Harry where the teen sat with a stern gaze.

"What?! I'm not discussing this!" Harry hissed, but did not retreat. He knew Dudley would only follow.

"Do you want to say yes?" Dudley continued as if he hadn't heard. And then within a second, he pointed a gleeful finger. "Aha! You smiled!"

Harry suddenly couldn't help it, he burst out laughing. Laughter not unlike someone who'd finally cracked. But he'd not gone insane. "I just can't believe…" he trailed off into more laughter.

Dudley smirked, and shook his head. About to try and focus Harry, he was distracted by the sound of tapping on glass. Looking over his shoulder to see if it had started hailing, his eyes widened a bit. "Are you missing any presents from friends?"

"What?" Harry asked, the random nature of the question startling him into a semblance of composure. "No. Why?"

Dudley quickly got to his feet, and hurried over to the window. "Maybe you're in trouble again."

Harry suddenly spotted the owl, and shook his head. "No. But that's strange. I don't recognize it."

Dudley quickly fiddled the window lock open so he could let the poor bird in out of the weather. And once he had he shoved the window up long enough for the bird to fly in, before closing it again quickly.

Harry meanwhile had stood up quickly to catch the exhausted owl in his arms as it floated down wearily to look for a place to rest. "Easy." He murmured over the bird, and quickly detached its cargo. Not giving the item it had been carrying a good look, he carried the bird towards his room.

Dudley followed, "is it okay?"

"Must have flown through the storm." Harry said, and muttered a spell to raise the cage door of Hedwig's enclosure and widen it to fit the two birds. "Watch over him." He told the snowy owl as he placed the worn out bird inside.

"So, what is it?"

The question reminded Harry suddenly of what he was still holding, and he brought it up to see. As soon as his eyes landed on it, surprise filled his face. "Why did…" He wondered aloud, and slowly walked over to sit on his bed.

Dudley followed, confused by Harry's reaction.

"He's never given one of them back." Harry said quietly. But he didn't associate this potion with just any strange day, as it had surely been a strange day ever since Severus had seen it. He associated it with the night that according to Severus's little charm that he'd been taught, he'd seen the very thing it had taken him so long to actually understand.

"Is it a potion?" Dudley queried, still confused by the way Harry was acting.

Harry nodded wordlessly.

"From the scary Professor Snape who's something like your bodyguard? He teaches the potions class, right?"

"That's the one." Harry finally spoke, and set the vial aside onto the bed. "Don't let it spill if you open it." He said distractedly and he slit the wax seal on the parchment so he could unroll and read the missive.

Harry,

The latest proof that when something really matters to you, no matter what the reason, you don't fail. I would have waited to give you your harsh critique until school resumed, but travesties such as this do not occur every day. So now I give you your critique, and hope you pay attention to it for further improvement:

This was the poorest attempt at a failed potion I've ever seen. Out of 42 attempts at this potion by your peers, yours was the only one that was flawless. Congratulations.

I've never returned a student's potion before. Ever. Do not inform Lemonman. But I believe that you deserve a reminder of why you survived all these years. Yes, there was me... but there was also you.

Forever yours,

Severus

Harry held the note limply in his hand as he finished reading, and looked from the words to the vial Dudley was now shaking around. Flawless? But he'd thought he'd entirely screwed it up! According to what Hermione's had looked like… but it was clear from this that Hermione hadn't gotten full marks.

He would never tell her his grade.

He knew he should have been overjoyed that he'd done a potion correctly, for he knew Severus wouldn't be biased towards him. But he was still trying to let it sink in. "I can't believe it." He finally decided in what was verging on denial.

Dudley looked over at him, and suddenly snatched the note away. His eyes flashed back and forth as they read, and suddenly he grinned upon reaching the last few lines. "Seems pretty clear to me." Dudley looked up at Harry, and only grinned wider. "He's the one, isn't he."

Harry met his cousin's eyes calmly, and nodded. "He is."

Hogwarts

Severus had been avoiding all areas of high traffic the entire day. He was hopeful that if he wasn't bothered until this idiotic dance, he wouldn't have people in body bags by the end of the night. So he had barricaded himself in his private chambers for the entire day. He'd tried to spend some time with Sorai, but quickly thought better of it when that hood flared up the instant he entered the library. Sorai was a female, and he was not about to test his luck with a moody female. Especially if said female was a cobra.

He sat on his couch alone save for a glass of wine. Just one.

His eyes were for the dark reddish-purple vortex of the wine swilling slowly about the crystal glass, flecks of light dancing in it from the sparking flames. But he was far from focused on the here and now, his eyes and thoughts lost in that vortex as he swirled away the time.

He had been undecided on many a great thing as Harry had left his arms that day for the train. Physically, he'd been undecided on whether or not to stop him, kiss him, do something to have a memory to hold onto to carry him through their separation of a length that only Harry knew. Emotionally, say something more. Anything. Something to try and make Harry see that he cared. Mentally? Whether or not in Harry's absence, would this be his happiest Christmas, spent for the first time in hope? Or would it be the hardest yet to endure?

And in Harry's absence, and now in this strange sense of peace brought on by flickering wine, he knew the answers. And suddenly he could see the sense behind Harry giving them time apart. It not only gave Harry the time he needed, but it was giving Severus himself time as well to reflect and truly appreciate what he'd been given.

Physically, the touches they'd had, the holding hands, the hugs. Each one of them had held so much meaning, so much connection. He believed that those touches had said more than a desperate last minute attempt. He knew that letting Harry walk away had been the right thing to do.

Emotionally, he knew he'd already said the things most meaningful. From agreeing to take this at Harry's pace, to letting Harry know that whatever was decided, it was okay, he would always be there. Harry knew that he cared. He didn't need to make a show of it at the curtain call before intermission.

And because he knew this, knew the answers to those questions, he knew the answer to the last.

To date, this was the best Christmas he'd ever experienced. This Christmas he was filled with a hope he hadn't allowed himself in all his years. And nothing, no outcome, could tarnish the fact that it was the first Christmas he spent feeling happy as he sat here drinking wine, and not whiskey.

"Happy Christmas, Harry." Severus whispered, and his gaze moved smoothly towards the fire as he raised his wineglass to his lips and took a savoring sip.

Over the next hour he slowly sipped down the single glass of wine, his eyes either following the liquid's movement around the glass, or staring into the fire. Another twenty minutes passed before he finished his drink.

Strangely, he wasn't tempted to have more. So he stood, banishing the glass, and made his way to his bedroom and after a moment of pause, the bathroom. He had taken a shower this morning. But he realized that he wanted another. Purely for the relaxation of the hot water. He felt oddly at peace after his time of reflection. It was a peace he didn't want to leave him just yet. So he climbed under the hot spray with a sigh of contentment.

He was dressed and leaving his rooms on time that night, ready to report to his post. He made it most of the way unhindered, but he knew when trouble was coming. And knew it was fruitless to avoid it.

"Severus!" Albus greeted cheerily. "I was getting worried about you."

Severus did something in that moment that surprised them both, he was just better at hiding it. He smiled. "As you can see, I am fine. I brewed plenty of those potions that put me in such an amiable mood. Unfortunately I did not have the funds to brew a potion to make me want to participate in the Hall festivities this morning and see what atrocity you committed to the poor castle. Something about all the time you spent trying to dig information out of me preventing me from getting all the work done I could have in that timeframe. Hence, less money."

Albus took a moment to get past the shocked stage, followed by the near-spluttering stage, and then suddenly his eyes twinkled merrily. "What's the real reason?" He pried shamelessly.

Severus opened his mouth, then thought better on it as he gazed off into space, and finally looked back at his employer. "I realized that I need to thank Sorai. She gave me a very wonderful gift, and whatever happens, I'll treasure it. The few weeks I spent with him like that…" he trailed off wistfully and then focused again, "they were the best of my life."

Albus smiled at him, and before Severus could react, was hugging him before pulling away. "She gave you both a wonderful gift." And he looked at Severus thoughtfully, before his smile returned. "Happy Christmas, my child."

Severus didn't even get an opportunity to protest the 'child' remark as he typically did. One minute Albus was there, and the next the barmy man was practically skipping away like some elderly version of Lockhart. Shaking his head, he turned and continued on his way.

As he made his way outside he realized that the snow had stopped falling. There was a thick blanket over everything but the walkways which appeared to have been cleared of the powder for safety reasons. He had sensed there had been something of a blizzard going on, but it seemed to have moved past the area of the school for there were only the tail ends of clouds left in a mostly clear, black sky.

The outside perimeter of the castle nearest the Great Hall was void of student life. As he'd expected. Once they'd danced themselves silly he expected the students would start attempting to trickle out and around the castle in search of another type of dance. But until then, he was blissfully alone. Vaguely he wondered which teacher had been chosen worthy to take up his mantle of guarding the punch bowl from added ingredients, but it was only a flitting thought.

He was more interested in walking around. Realizing as he did so that he should probably thank that old relic for placing him out here to monitor student activity. He was a lot happier out here, than inside surrounded by those insufferable students. And less people might cry tonight. However that did not mean he did not want to deduct house points and give out detentions by the handfuls.

Because he most certainly did.

Slipping his wand from his robes he began to twirl it idly around his long fingers as he started walking his perimeter.

London

Dudley had microwaved himself a bag of popcorn, and was now sitting on Harry's bed munching on it enthusiastically as he watched his cousin pace the room. He'd given up trying to converse with the younger man, and was now settling for watching and tossing out commentaries.

Harry did an about-face and began to quickly walk to the other side of the room so fast he looked ready to break into a run. "I don't think I can take this anymore."

"Sit down then." Dudley chuckled.

Harry shot him a glower, and Dudley held one hand up in a gesture of surrender. "But I said… I know what I want to do… but I said…" and he fell silent as he kept pacing.

Dudley had no clue how his cousin wasn't dizzy yet. "Like you always keep your word? From the stories you've told me it sounds like you tend to say one thing and then when something better makes itself known to you, you trash your earlier promise."

"I'm reckless." Harry muttered in response.

"Reckless and impulsive. And I've waited," Dudley tilted his head in thought as he counted, "three months and nearly two weeks to see it on a level where you weren't about to blow up the rest of our relatives." He stuffed another handful of popcorn into his mouth.

Harry suddenly realized something, and he rounded on his cousin. "You knew! You knew I'd do this!"

"Well I knew you'd figured it out for yourself when you stopped acting so melancholic and thoughtful, and switched to being happy and thoughtful." Dudley held out the bag of popcorn as if in a peace offering.

Harry shook his head, and Dudley drew the bag away.

"But I didn't know you'd actually get something that would set this reaction off." Dudley admitted, and suddenly grinned. "It's bloody brilliant though to watch when I don't have to be worried about my life."

"Just your tail free arse." Harry muttered, and suddenly sat down onto the bed. Hard. "I need your help." He finally admitted.

Dudley smiled, and laid the popcorn bag aside. "Sure."

Harry met his eyes, and suddenly smiled back. Then in a flash he was opening his trunk and digging through it to find the plastic bag he kept his and Hermione's shopping expedition finds in.

"Are you about to do something reckless?" Dudley grinned as he began to help his cousin.

"And impulsive." Harry added happily.

With that, the flurry of activity began.

Until not more than a half an hour later, Harry was out of his pajamas and into black slacks and a buttoned dark green dress shirt that he swore was a size too small-Hermione hadn't listened and nor had Dudley. But he had eventually given in when Dudley had attempted to hit him over the head. However they both did agree on not trying to do anything with Harry's mess of black hair, it wasn't worth it.

And soon Harry was pulling on his well worn boots that he'd broken in so well over the past few years of training for battles.

"You want your broom?" Dudley asked as he followed Harry out of his bedroom.

Harry shook his head. "I'm not flying through that mess."

Dudley smiled, and ruffled Harry's hair much to the other's indignation. "Good luck. Don't do anything I wouldn't."

"I know the things you'd do." Harry laughed and swatted Dudley away. "No thank you. I am much more restrained I'll have you know."

"Uh-huh." Dudley said disbelievingly, and took the liberty of unfastening the third button down on the shirt while ignoring Harry's glower. "That's why you're finally being impulsive and reckless."

Harry smirked at him, "I'll be back. Don't wait up for me." And with that, he disapparated with a sharp 'crack' leaving Dudley to go finish his popcorn.

Hogwarts

Harry had expected snow when he arrived at the gates of the school. And snow was what he found, but it was no longer falling. Thankfully the skies were mostly clear above. He'd not been looking forward to trekking through a minor blizzard to get up to the castle. Now that he stood here, he knew he should have been nervous. But he wasn't. He felt… at ease. As so much about being with Severus made him feel, even before all this had begun.

He leaned into the gates, and they opened at his touch to swing wide in admittance. The wards recognized him, as the wards recognized all the occupants of the castle. And as they shut behind him, he walked through the flawless snow towards the castle.

He wasn't sure just yet where Severus was, only that he knew he'd find the man somewhere. It took him a while to make it through the snow and up the steps to the castle. But he avoided the main doors, and most doors in general. He wasn't supposed to be here, and while he was certain that Dumbledore probably had sensed his magical signature by now, he didn't want to enter into any areas where he'd be sure to be unnecessarily spotted.

He was only here to see one person.

So he continued to walk around the school's outer walls, heading for the gardens and then the back door which would lead him inside on the best route to stay unnoticed until he wanted to reveal himself. But when he passed beyond the rose bushes and mounted the steps up to the walkway which he would find the door inside on, he stopped.

He could sense the man. Severus was out here… somewhere.

Harry looked around, and frowned slightly. He couldn't see him anywhere though. But at least he knew the man wasn't inside the castle. And if Severus were to go back inside, he'd have to pass by Harry to get there. So deciding not to try and track Severus down, he went over to one of the benches somewhat surrounded on two sides by the rose bushes which sported no blossoms and only snow. He sat down, and took a deep breath to settle himself.

He didn't even try to form an idea of what he was going to say. He just waited, a shadow of a smile playing across his lips. It felt good to be doing something reckless.

Severus was still pacing along the wall, listening for students as he did so. But his eyes were more for the clear sky that sparkled with stars. It was one of those simple things that others took for granted, as had he, until his life had taken the turn where such simple pleasures were a hazard to one's health. Yes, he was enjoying being outside considerably more than he would have enjoyed being inside. Even if it was a bit chilly. But warming charms never went awry.

The thought that he was no longer as alone as he believed never crossed his mind.

Not until the moment he realized he wasn't, and he quickly turned before he'd even had time to process who it was he felt.

And found himself wondering as he froze, how potent that one glass of wine he'd drunk had been. Surely… this was impossible. Yet his heart beat faster as green eyes locked with his.

Neither of them said a word. One being too stunned by the vision in front of him. The other working up that reckless courage.

And then Harry smiled, and Severus unfroze.

"Harry." Severus finally managed to choke out in a voice taught with emotion and confusion. "What… why…?" Oh he was on a role now, master of the one word sentences.

Harry slowly stood from where he'd been sitting, and he walked towards Severus with a thoughtful light in his eyes. "Several reasons."

Severus frowned slightly even as he dared to let hope alight in his heart. He felt… surreal. And right now the only thing he could make sense of was the fact that Harry was here, in front of him, far earlier than they'd agreed upon. "Wh-"

Harry quickly stepped forward the last step and placed his fingers over Severus's lips. "Shh…" he whispered, and gazed up into the dark eyes. For one of the few times he could remember, they were unguarded. Severus was letting him in, and he felt a shiver run through him as he saw the emotions there in those eyes. "I came here to thank you for my Christmas gift."

Severus's frown returned, and as the fingers were removed, replied, "but that was a grade and a souvenir, not a gift."

Harry smiled, his eyes gazing at the other man softly. "Not that." And he raised his hand again to brush his fingers against one of Severus's cheeks lightly, as if afraid the man were precious glass he might break. "It was a gift you gave to me a long time ago. And I've finally realized it's a gift I want to return." He barely saw Severus's eyes widen in shocked understanding before he leaned in to catch Severus's lips against his.

And then Severus forgot all about his shock as he slowly pulled Harry flush up against him, felt the arms go around his neck, and hands tangle in his hair for balance. He gave only the briefest jealous thought to those who with Harry had learned to kiss, but such thoughts were soon driven from his mind by the kiss itself. A kiss that was more tenderly passionate than demanding. For both their parts, in a strange way, the kiss felt like coming home.

Harry was only partially out of breath when he finally pulled away, the taste of the man still on his lips, the sensation of the kiss still darting through him. "Happy Christmas, Severus." He grinned up at the man as his eyes danced with happiness.

"Happy Christmas, Harry." Severus whispered back, as he smiled down at the young man he still held close. And he brushed a kiss to the corner of Harry's mouth. "Did you plan this?" He breathed against Harry's skin.

Harry closed his eyes, and moved so he could rest his head against Severus's shoulder. "Last minute reckless idea." He admitted, "something told me that like the others, it was the right thing to do."

Severus smiled at that, and hugged Harry to him while resting his cheek down against the mop of unruly hair. "I couldn't have wished for a more perfect gift." He said softly into the black head of hair.

"Thank you for waiting for me." One of Harry's hands began to card through the silky hair at his fingertips. "Letting me do this on my own. Letting me in."

Severus smiled, and hugged Harry tighter for the briefest of moments in answer. "May I ask what brought about this sudden appearance, besides your recklessness?"

At that, Harry drew away only enough to be able to look up into the dark eyes, and the hand not playing with Severus's hair cupped a cheek gently. "Out of all the reasons… this feels natural. Being here with you, like this." He brushed fingers against Severus's lips, looking down at them before darting his gaze back up. "Trying not to kiss you senseless right now is making me crazy. And when you sent me that potion back, and that note… I couldn't stay away any longer. My heart took over any previous promises I may have made. And so I am here… and I'm asking you, Severus, if you'll still do me the honor of trying a relationship."

Severus reached up to take Harry's wandering hand in his gently while he lost himself in the green eyes. He knew he'd dropped his mental shields, and he didn't care that Harry could have dove into his mind at will. He had nothing to hide from the young man. Not at a moment like this. "I've always said your heart was in the right place, emotional Gryffindor." He teased affectionately. "My answer to you is the same as yours was to me… yes." And then he smirked. "Though feel free to kiss me senseless, I daresay I'd enjoy your efforts."

"Severus!" Harry laughed, and used his other hand to swat the man's shoulder.

Severus flashed him a smile, which Harry committed to memory. "You know… the dance is going on."

Harry arched an eyebrow, and cocked his head to one side as he tried to catch the faint sounds of the music he was sure must be playing. "Is it, and you're lurking out here why?"

"I found a student out of bounds." Severus informed him rather blandly, but the sparkle of mischief in his eyes didn't go unnoticed.

"Oh?" Harry smirked up at him. "And what was the punishment this time? Points? Detentions? Laps around the school?"

"Dancing."

"Dancing?"

Severus nodded, and moved his hands down to rest on Harry's hips. "With the teacher who caught him."

Harry suddenly grinned, and his hands slid up Severus's shoulders. "You're a flirt. And no one would ever believe me, would they."

"Absolutely not. They'd admit you to the psych ward." Severus agreed as they began to dance to a tune only they were hearing.

"Fortunately Dumbledore won't get mad at you for having to miss the party to make sure I receive my dancing punishment." Harry grinned up at him cheekily.

"Brat." Severus chuckled. "Don't you dare tell him. And he actually posted me out here."

Harry smiled, and drew in closer. "I wouldn't dare make it easier for him to pester us."

They could both agree to that.

Unfortunately their dance was forced to end abruptly as the door nearby began to open. With a groan Harry pulled away, but Severus turned to hex whatever student dared interrupt them while muttering several not too nice words under his breath.

"Severus." Harry chided laughingly.

Severus paid no attention to him, and as a fifth year crept out the door, he swooped in for the kill. Metaphorically speaking. …damn it. "Think again Mister Soans. Students stay inside, that's one hundred and thirty-six points from Ravenclaw."

The teen gaped at him, before fleeing back inside the castle with a terrified squeak.

Harry practically doubled over in laughter. "Congratulations, Severus, you made a friend."

"Don't make me take points from Gryffindor too." Severus reprimanded without a trace of conviction in his voice.

"How'd you calculate that amount of points?" Harry asked with an amused grin as he walked up to stand with the man.

"I enjoy making a mess of the points system. Random numbers help." Severus informed him, and turned back to the teen with a smile. "This better not be a dream."

"I'd pinch you, but you'd hex me." Harry pointed out, and then turned to face Severus. But made no move to touch him. "But for me… to know this isn't a dream, that I actually did this, will you do one thing for me?"

"Yes, anything." Severus replied, and did not regret the unconditional nature of his words. He would do anything for Harry. He'd proved that time and time again by risking his own life just to save this young man he'd fallen in love with.

The young man who'd kissed him so lovingly not even ten minutes ago.

Harry did not speak right away, merely gazed at Severus while he gathered his courage. Mentally berating himself that it shouldn't be so difficult. He'd kissed the man already for goodness sake! But this was no simple question he wanted to ask. When he did find his courage though, there was very little hint of his nervousness in his voice. "I've known since Sorai told me, and you've said similar things… but not the thing. I think you were worried it would be too much… but please… I need to hear it. From you."

Severus's gaze softened in understanding. Harry was right, he had been worried it would be too much to say when Harry was trying to get to know him. He'd almost been afraid it would scare him off. But if Harry wanted to hear it… who was he to deny speaking the truth to his Harry? Stepping forward to close the distance between them, he cupped one of Harry's cheeks while leaning around to whisper into an ear. "I love you, Harry."

Harry felt something inside him catch at those words, and it wasn't just his breath. And he turned his head as Severus began to draw away, their lips practically touching. "Severus…" he whispered, and leaned in just enough to press their lips together in a searing kiss.

It was like that that Dumbledore found them, although at the point in time he arrived it was clear that Harry was winning in dominating their kiss. With a smile, he shook his head. It gave him immense joy to see that two of his favorite people were finally happy with each other. However, had he not been on his way to offer to relieve Severus for a time so the man could go get something to eat, the pair would have been found by two students on their way towards the door, instead of himself.

So he cleared his throat, and choked down a laugh as he got twin glares from both parties involved. Neither of which had jumped, but merely had broken their kiss and glared his way. He quickly held up his hands in surrender. "By all means, continue. Merlin knows I've been waiting to see you two doing this. But I thought you might like something to eat." And he quickly amended, "besides each other."

Harry's eyes widened, and Severus scowled. "Would you help me dispose of a body, Harry?"

Harry laughed, and smiled up at him. "Now, now. I am hungry. We can always leave him out here to take over for you until the dance is over. Just sit in there and have dinner by ourselves and glare at anyone who tries to approach us?"

"And after dinner and the dance?" Severus queried, ignoring Dumbledore who looked torn between laughing and trying to keep a straight face.

Harry's smile took on a mischievous light. "Kissing only tonight, unless you want another letter. I did tell Dudley not to wait up for me… so I'm not planning to leave soon."

"Perfect, I'll do my hardest to earn-not earn," he corrected his purposeful mistake while smirking as Harry laughed, "a letter." And as he took Harry by the hand he smirked at Dumbledore as he led them past the aged wizard. "Enjoy the night!"

"Be discreet you two!" Was all Dumbledore said as they entered the castle. And as the door closed behind them, he began his patrolling whistling a happy tune and sporting a delighted smile to go along with the twinkling in his eyes.

But as soon as they were inside, it was not the Hall Severus was leading them to, and Harry went willingly.

"Food, yes. But not surrounded by those insufferable brats and my esteemed colleagues who will want to poke their nose in our business." Severus muttered darkly.

Harry shot him a pouting look. "I thought I was the only insufferable brat."

Severus chuckled, "oh you are. You're just more insufferable than the rest. It's what endears you to me so much."

Harry laughed, and followed Severus the rest of the way down to his private rooms. For the most part the rest of the walk had been silent, but it was a comfortable silence. And once they reached the man's chambers Harry went to go grab the bottle of wine Severus hadn't yet finished while the man summoned a house elf to bring them dinner.

They talked about their time apart as they ate and sipped wine. Harry spent a lot of the time explaining what certain muggle activities were. And Severus decided he didn't much like the idea of Dudley's boat driving skills either. Once they'd finished their dinner, Severus was about to reach for a spoon in the dessert they'd been brought to share- some kind of chocolate cake with a chocolate sauce inside topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup- when Harry suddenly grabbed the entire plate and stood up quickly.

"Harry!" Severus protested, but any glowering he might have done faded as the teen gave him a wink and walked away. "Harry?"

Harry settled down onto the couch with a contented exhale of breath. He smiled as he heard Severus coming towards him, and finished licking off the spoon they wouldn't need. In other words, the second one. He tossed it over his shoulder where it soon vanished as one of Severus's banishing spells hit it.

"Harry? What are you doing?" Severus asked, his eyes dark with more than one type of interest as he came to stand before the young man taking up space on his couch.

Harry smiled up at him, "this may not be a date… but we didn't eat dessert separately there."

Severus felt a flicker of warmth at the mention, and settled down onto the couch next to Harry. "I get first bite then this time."

Harry stuck his tongue out, but the first section he scooped off did go to Severus - who gave in to being fed without a fuss. But Harry was caught off guard when Severus disarmed him of the spoon. "That was smooth." He remarked before accepting the dessert with a happy light in his eyes.

"Of course it was." Severus scoffed as if gravely offended. "Only you could make me break my rule about not eating on the couch not only once, but twice."

With a cheeky grin, Harry watched as Severus took another bite of their dessert. "What other rules can I make you break?"

"Careful, brat. I can still give you nasty detentions." Severus warned, and scooped off another bite of the cake to feed it to said brat.

"Mmmm." Harry answered as he chewed, a bit of a laugh making itself known. Oh yes, he was sure Severus could. And most likely would. Now that he'd made a decision to try this relationship they'd have to be extra careful. Even in front of the people Harry planned to tell, and at that thought, spoke up once he swallowed. "About us, I'm going to tell my friends. You know they'll keep secrets, but I would rather tell them myself now, than wait or let them find out on their own. You'll trust me on this, right?"

Severus sighed, and offered a small smile. "I may not like it, but I'd never presume to control you. I'm a smarter man than to think we could keep it a secret forever. Especially considering that I don't plan to be discreet when you've graduated."

"Oh?" Harry was definitely intrigued by that. "Will you kiss me in front of everyone?"

"We'll see." Severus rolled his eyes, but his smile grew more successful.

But the mention of graduation brought another thing to mind that Harry felt the need to discuss sooner rather than later. "Lemonman offered me a job come next year… I'd been waiting until I made my decision about us to make one in regard to the job. Just because a job is a job to me, here or otherwise, and I wouldn't have wanted to cause a problem by being here."

"I've given up." Severus groaned, and shook his head. "I will never understand the way you think ninety percent of the time. Defense?"

Harry laughed, and swiped the spoon from the man's slack grip to stuff another bite of cake into Severus's mouth. "I'd be the dueling instructor. The majority of my defense knowledge is dueling after all. Though," he added as an afterthought, "I'll be sure to leave out most of the nastier spells you taught me."

"Most of those spells weren't exactly legal in their own right." Severus muttered, but smirked. He'd been a very inventive youth. And he swiped the spoon back to work on getting the last of the cake on it so he could give it to Harry.

"Your mind shouldn't be legal for thinking up that stuff." Harry pointed out, and accepted the bite of cake, chewing as he watched Severus banish the plate and spoon back to the kitchens. And once he'd swallowed he met Severus's look with an almost shy smile. "I feel a bit silly, you know." He admitted, and adjusted himself on the couch so that he could hug his knees to his chest.

Severus arched an eyebrow at the young man and his actions, trying not to think of it as cute. He knew Harry wasn't trying to be so, and would probably whack him if he made mention of it. "You are a silly Gryffindor. They're all silly."

That earned a laugh, though Harry gave him a mock glare. "I'm being serious, Sev'rus."

Severus rolled his eyes at Harry's playing with words. "Why do you feel silly?"

"Well," Harry took a deep breath, "I've spent all this time keeping you away besides holding hands and the few hugs. And then I kissed you more than once tonight."

Severus burst out laughing, which was around the lines of what Harry expected would happen. Once Severus got himself under control for the most part he met Harry's purely curious eyes. "Harry, you've never kissed anyone but me more than once. You told me so yourself a long time ago, so unless there was someone else between that person and me…"

"No!" Harry quickly reassured him. "But it's just-"

"I understand." Severus interrupted him. "But I'm not confused by the change. We've spent all that time getting to the point where you'd want to kiss me, where you'd allow me to kiss you. Evidently you like it-" he smirked at Harry's blush, "- it's just a different place to start, Harry. There's nothing silly about it."

Remaining silent for nearly a minute, Harry watched Severus through a fading blush and quiet thoughtfulness while a gentle smile played on his lips. "Do you like it?" He finally asked, a teasing gleam in his eyes.

"Have I not told you to be more specific when asking questions, Harry?" Severus teased right back, knowing what the teen was up to, and not about to fall for it so easily.

Harry unwrapped his arms from around his legs. "This", he said quietly, and leaned forward to place a chaste kiss on Severus's cheek. He drew away just as fast though, resuming his position.

Severus brushed long fingers over his cheek which still tingled from the touch. "Very much." His voice was almost hoarse, but only from emotion. It was just starting to hit him that this was actually real. Harry was here. Harry had kissed him more than once tonight. And those kisses had only further grounded the feelings he had, he'd never felt with anyone as he did with Harry from touches as simple as the brush of a hand, to the brush of lips.

"It's not just me then." Harry whispered quietly, still gazing into Severus's unguarded eyes.

A bit surprised, Severus realized that he could feel Harry in his mind. "How did you…"

Harry smiled, and eased out. "Sorry. It's easy to sink in… you're normally guarded."

"I don't mind." Severus consoled him, knowing that although he and Harry had worked past any trust issues, the teen still placed high value on Severus's privacy should he want it. "I'm just surprised I didn't feel you before now."

"We're both relaxed then, I imagine." Harry surmised, "but I'm glad… that it's not just me feeling teenage hormones. That you feel there's something different too from anyone else."

Stretching out on the couch, Severus held up his hand to which the unfinished bottle of wine zoomed. He conjured a wineglass with the other.

"Showoff."

He smirked at the muttered word, and poured some wine into the glass. "Seeing as how your esteemed cousin is not to expect you home at a decent hour,-" he passed Harry the glass, "-we have as long as you wish to ourselves."

Harry toasted him to that. "Sounds perfect."

And it was, neither had felt so relaxed in their lives, nor at ease with another person. And they slowly worked on finishing the wine as they continued to talk and laugh together.

For their own parts, it was the happiest Christmas either of them had ever known.