Chapter 25

"Happily Ever After"

"I had it all planned out, honestly I did."

"You're not making any sense, Sirius. What did you have all planned out?" Remus waited patiently for his frustrated mate to catch the right words.

"Well, when we were in Methos,"

"And your Godfather got me drunk…"

"Yes, well, I didn't just pick up the key."

"What do you mean?" Remus sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, after brushing the snow off. Sirius watched the snowflakes fall for a moment, seemingly lost in anxious thoughts.

"I haven't really told you much about my past."

"Well, no, you haven't but I'm getting a bit lost…"

"I don't know where to even start," Sirius said, frustration clear in his voice. Gently, Remus patted the spot beside him, offering a warm smile.

"How about at the beginning?"

Sirius smiled shakily and sat down. It was a good thing, because he didn't look as though his legs would have held him up much longer.

"I ran away when I was ten. My family was really tangled up in bad stuff. Bellatrix was one of my nice cousins, if you can believe it, and look how she turned out. I was much better off on my own…or so I thought. Turns out it's hard for a runaway to make ends meet. My whole family was made up of murderers and thieves. I didn't want to steal, but it was either that or starve. I struggled for a year or two on my own before I made my way to Methos and Rassa took me in. He taught me how to be a better thief. I only took from people who had enough to spare. I never killed anyone unless they were going to kill me. It wasn't what I had wanted, but it was what I had. I wondered if I'd wasted my time by running away, you know? I didn't make anything honest of myself. I was just drifting. Well, anyway, then I met you. I don't know how to explain it. Things just changed. I feel good around you. Like I'm really worth something. So I got a ring I thought you'd like, but then I had to give it to Severus to give to that giant, so I've already mucked this up before I even started. What I'm trying to say is, Remus, I want you to marry me."

Remus blinked in pure astonishment.

"Sirius…I don't know what to say," Remus replied bewildered. Sirius looked surprised.

"What do you mean you don't know what to say! You say yes! One word! It's not that difficult." Sirius had begun to pace in front of the bench, his hands on his hips petulantly. "I mean, I know I don't have a ring or anything, but I didn't think you'd care that much…"

"Sirius, of course I say yes! I just…I never thought I'd ever get married. It's like this has all been some kind of wonderful dream. I'm almost afraid to believe it's real."

Instantly, the anxiety melted away from Sirius. Happily, he slid to his knees in front of Remus. Both of their smiles were so bright they quite nearly melted the snow.

"I suppose I'll just have to convince you that it's very, very real," with a lecherous grin, Sirius scooped him off the bench and kissed him passionately. They tumbled into the snow, Sirius struggling to get past thick cloaks and sweaters. Remus yelped when his frozen hands burrowed up under his tunic.

"SIRIUS!" Remus squealed, trying to wiggle away.

"Where are you going? Nobody's going to find us out here. Let's make love in the snow."

"You're crazy!"

"Crazy for you, my love," Sirius replied cheekily, pouncing on his prey yet again.

"No, Sirius. I want…to wait until after the wedding now. We'll have to wait until spring, of course. Wouldn't that be romantic? Our first time together would be on our wedding night."

Sirius stared at Remus dumbly.

"You've got to be kidding me. Spring? I've always thought winter weddings were especially lovely. Can't we have one of those?"

"But Siri…I always wanted my wedding to be in spring," Remus pouted expertly. Sirius caved like a house of cards.

"Okay, baby, we'll have a spring wedding. Whatever you want. Just…just stop looking at me like that."

Suddenly, Remus was all smiles. Yes, he thought, this marriage thing might work out quite nicely.

-

Severus shifted uncomfortably when Harry's emerald green eyes turned to him. It was hard finding a few moments to spend alone with him, what with running the castle and sorting out the affairs of an entire country. Not to mention, Harry's parents and friends from Gryffindor were still staying with them. Understandably, they wanted to wait until warmer weather to make the return trip home, but it meant the castle was always filled with noisy chatter and it seemed his privacy was a thing of the past.

Now that he'd finally found an afternoon to spend with his...whatever Harry was exactly, he couldn't think of anything to say. To be honest, he wanted to kiss him again, but since their first kiss several weeks prior, there hadn't been another like it. Harry would kiss his cheek if they happened to pass each other in one of the numerous hallways, and when they sat beside each other at meals, occasionally their hands would meet under the table. But that had been all. Severus wondered if they would ever move past the bumbling awkwardness of it all. He hated this intricate courting.

All the time he'd been thinking, Harry had been observing him silently, a small smile on his handsome face.

"I'm glad I finally got you all to myself for a little while. I know Albus has been keeping you busy. If you ever need any help, you know I'm available. I've been trained to run a country since I was born, after all. I'm sure I could find something helpful to do."

Severus nodded sharply, wondering how they were ever going to get to know each other if he couldn't quit getting lost in Harry's eyes long enough to listen to what the boy said to him.

"Err…that would be fine," Severus replied, hoping he hadn't agreed to something ridiculous…like redecorating the castle in pink or some such nonsense. "Thank you," he added, hoping it was an appropriate response to whatever Harry had offered. Harry, seemingly satisfied, shyly took his hand as they continued their walk towards the library. Harry had suggested they do some reading by fireside.

"You know," Harry began in a teasing tone, "for someone who traveled half way around the world and saw all sorts of marvelous things, your incredibly tight lipped about your journey."

That was perfect! He could talk about the journey! Why hadn't he thought of that? He was so stupid!

"Of course, the journey. It was…long. Err…really long. I'm sorry it took so long, by the way." Harry smiled forgivingly, but Severus could tell he was beginning to get bored with their conversation…or lack thereof. Gods, he hated this awkward dating! For the first time in his life, Severus envied Sirius Black and his effortless charm.

"So…the library. It should be just down this hall," Harry commented pointlessly as they turned towards it. Severus cursed his hand for sweating so much. Harry was probably disgusted.

"Yes. Unless it has recently moved," Severus replied dully. He wondered miserably if Harry would mind letting them stop so that he could bang his head against the wall. Taking Severus by surprise, Harry giggled, then laughed. Severus immediately felt self conscious.

"What's so funny?" he asked sourly, expecting Harry to make fun of him. Harry, however, merely leaned against the wall, pulling Severus towards him.

"I've never had such an awkward conversation in my life. I just want you to kiss me again. Kissing is so much easier," Harry confessed, loving the way Severus was standing so close to him. It made his entire body tingle with excitement. Severus smirked, his confidence seemingly restored. Without further comment, he leaned in further and captured Harry's lips. They moved slowly and sensuously, having a much better feel of it the second time around. Without eyes staring at him, Severus was much less restrained, loosing himself in the feel of the slender body in his arms. When they pulled apart, the nervousness that had gripped both of them had dissipated. This time, Severus took Harry's hand as they walked the rest of the way to the library, walking much closer to him so that their sides brushed in an intimate sort of way.

"My mother says you used to be a potions master in Hogsmede. I wish I had seen you before. Of course, father probably would have forbidden it. I suppose it's better this way," Harry said. Severus pulled open the library door, revealing the magnificent room beyond. It truly was a stunning library. Across the enormous room was a roaring fire, and a thick inviting rug.

"Knowing potions as well as I do was very handy on the trip. It saved my life on several occasions. There were these fire crabs on the Isle of the Veela…" Severus launched into the retelling, perhaps not as skillfully as Sirius would have, but in a voice that made Harry want to melt. They made their way to the fire, but they didn't read any books. Instead, Harry coaxed Severus into stretching out, his head in Harry's lap. While Severus talked about potions, Harry lovingly caressed his brow and played with his long hair. Minutes became hours, until Severus realized with a start that they'd been talking all afternoon and had missed dinner completely. The fire was dying down, and the room was becoming chilly. His anxiety about having nothing to talk with Harry about were gone. Harry talked about ruling, about his life back in Gryffindor, about his dreams for a big family. Severus could have listened to him speak for the rest of the night. He was so pure, so honest and forthright. It was with much regret that Severus escorted him out of the library, their hands entwined tightly once again. Without thinking, Severus twirled the cape off his shoulders and draped it over Harry's shoulders.

"Thank you," Harry responded softly, almost speaking in a whisper.

"May I walk you to your room? It's late. I shouldn't have kept you up so long."

"I would like that…and you didn't keep me up too late. I had a wonderful time. You're very easy to talk to," Harry praised, snuggling closer to Severus as they walked. Eventually, Severus grew bold and wrapped a long arm around Harry's back. Because the castle had grown dark, Severus took down a lit torch off the wall and used it to guide Harry back to his quarters. At his door, Severus returned the torch to the wall.

This time, Severus initiated the kiss. Harry responded eagerly, entwining his arms around Severus's neck and pressing their bodies together. When Harry parted his mouth slightly, Severus took a risk and ran his tongue along Harry's bottom lip. Harry froze, obviously unsure of what to make of Severus using his tongue. Severus began to pull back, but Harry didn't let him go, pushing their lips back together and this time using his tongue to explore Severus's lips. It wasn't long before their tongues were moving against one another's hotly, Severus's hands slipping down to cup Harry's arse. Harry had just moaned, unable to hold it back any longer, when a throat cleared and both of them shot apart guiltily.

James stood in the hallway, looking quite irate. Automatically, Harry stepped in front of Severus as if to protect him should James fly into a rage.

"Judging by what I've just seen, you better be planning to marry my son properly and very soon, Snape. I won't stand for him being treated like some common wench! If you want to grope him in a dark hallway, you may do so after you're properly wed, and certainly not again until then. Am I perfectly clear, Snape?"

Despite his hostility, Severus figured that was the closest thing to approval they were going to get from James Potter.

"Crystal, your majesty," Severus inclined his head respectfully, first to James and then to Harry. "Goodnight, Harry. Sleep well." Severus smiled when, despite his father's glare, Harry leaned forward quickly and pecked him on the cheek.

"Sweet dreams, Severus," he whispered quickly into his ear, before he retreated into his rooms looking disheveled and well kissed. James glared at Severus, but didn't say anything as the new king retreated down the hall.

Severus's fingers rose to gently brush against his lips, where Harry's passionate kiss still lingered pleasantly. All in all, Severus thought, it felt like the start of another wonderful journey.

A/N: This only leaves the epilogue. When I post it, I'll be posting my new story (which is different than the one I was originally going to post) shortly after. I'm going to give you all a teaser, just because you've been such wonderful readers.

Teaser for my new fic Colt:

"The cool night wind rushed against his bare chest and slipped through his mane and tail. Harry curled his arms around his torso, wondering why he hadn't stayed in the warmth of the cave. Acting purely out of habit, Harry tilted his face skyward, reading the position of the stars instinctively. They spoke of a departure – the first steps of a magnificent journey. Harry's lips twisted into a bitter frown. There would be no departure for him. The other colts were preparing to leave as a bachelor herd, finally ready to strike out on their own as stallions and leave childhood behind. Harry, however, would be staying right where he was. He was old enough to be a stallion, but he wasn't big and strong enough to run with a bachelor herd. The journey would be too strenuous on a sickly, small centaur such as himself."