Disclaimer: The characters and places and stuff belong to JKR. But for now, they are at my mercy. *evil grin* I'll return them as soon as I'm finished…maybe.

Author's Note: This chapter is dedicated to everyone who was even close to being right about my costume hints. Those people are Daxed, Bella, Mindel, chibi c-chan, SnitchSeeker, and the only ones who got it exactly right: Random Insanity and Potions Master Snape Potter. Now here is the answer:

Albus Dumbledore—Richard Harris—Had the role of King Arthur in "Camelot."

Minerva McGonagall—Maggie Smith—Had the role of Mother Superior in both "Sister Act" films.

Filius Flitwick—Warwick Davis—Had the role of Wicket the Ewok in "Return of the Jedi."

Ceres Sprout—Miriam Margolyes—Was the voice of the Matchmaker in "Mulan."

Good job, everybody!

Black Rose: I'm reading "Gold and Silver, Fire and Ice" right now! I loved that scene, it cracked me up hehe

Random Insanity: Thanks for the constructive criticism. I know, it was a bit odd for me to write in that Harry stood up after being so weak, but I think of it as an adrenaline type of thing. Even if someone's weak one moment, if they get a burst of adrenaline, they can do amazing things.

Thanks for the great reviews, everybody!

In this chapter: An announcement, sappiness with Harry and Poppy, a visit to Charlie, bracelets, and some snogging.

~~~

Chapter 23

"Harry, darling," a soft voice murmured the next morning, waking Harry up.

Harry moaned and reluctantly opened his eyes. He glared sleepily at Severus, who was sitting next to him and leaning over him.

"Don't give me that look," Severus said, firmly. "Black and I talked last night. If making you happy means we have to be nice to each other, we're both going to try our best."

"Good, but that's not why I was glaring," Harry muttered. "You just woke me up from a wonderful dream..." Severus smiled slightly.

"What kind of 'wonderful dream?'"

Harry reached up and wrapped his arms around Severus's neck. He pulled himself into a sitting position and cuddled up to Severus.

"Mmm... Just one of those 'wonderful dreams' involving honey." Harry blushed a bit. "I'm just glad there were no embarrassing results when I woke up." At this, Severus chuckled and kissed Harry's forehead.

"Indeed. Well, I just came to wake you up and bring you down for breakfast in the Great Hall. Then you're going to skip your morning classes and come back up here, and you'll be released around lunchtime, depending on how you feel." Severus wrapped a cloak around Harry, to hide his hospital pajamas and to keep him warm.

"Why in the Great Hall?" Harry wondered, climbing off of the bed and slipping his arm through Severus's.

"Albus requested for you to come," Severus replied, shrugging his shoulders as they left the infirmary. "The sooner we get down there, the sooner we find out why." As soon as he said that, Harry swayed a little and leaned closer to Severus.

"Sorry," he said, smiling sheepishly up at Severus. "I'm still kind of tired after that...outburst last night."

"If you need to stop, let me know," Severus requested.

Slowly, but surely, the two made it to the Great Hall. Nearly all the students were already gathered, so when Severus led Harry through the door near the High Table, everybody stared.

"Why are they staring at me?" Harry whispered to Severus, who was taking him up to the teachers' table. Most of the teachers were present at breakfast, which was quite unusual.

"Probably because you're so close to me," Severus replied, smirking. "I wonder if they would have heart attacks if I were to kiss you right in front of them?" Harry giggled, and Severus pulled out the chair between his own and Sirius's for Harry to sit in, then sat in his own seat.

"Why am I sitting up here instead of at my table?" Harry wondered.

"Because you're still tired and shaken after last night," Sirius responded, ruffling his godson's hair. "And if you were to suddenly pass out, we would rather have you pass out near us than in a crowd of children who would have no idea what to do."

At that moment, Albus stood up from his seat and called for everybody's attention. The students and teachers all turned to look at him.

"Last night, one of your peers was attacked by another student," Albus stated.

When he realized why Albus had requested for him to come down, Harry reached a shaking hand under the table and felt for Severus's. Severus took Harry's hand in his own and gently ran his thumb along Harry's, trying to calm him. Albus continued to speak.

"The student who was attacked is severely claustrophobic and was locked in a dark closet for nearly an hour. He was insulted, taunted, and hit, and then he was thrown into this closet, where he eventually had a seizure and passed out. He might have died, had the house elves not found him.

"We do not know who the attacker was, and we probably never will unless he confesses. We do know, however, that such attacks on another student--on anybody--will not be tolerated. If any of you feel the need to attack one of your classmates, I suggest that you think twice about it because when you are caught, you will be punished severely."

With that said, Albus left the hall, followed by several other teachers, while the students sat in a stunned silence. When Charlie walked past Harry, he stopped and knelt down.

"Hey, Harry," he said, softly. "How are you feeling?"

"All right, thanks."

"Good to hear. Listen, we haven't gotten much of a chance to talk this year. Why don't you stop down by the hut some time this week? I've been taking care of Fang, and I think he misses you." Harry nodded.

"I'd like that, Charlie." Charlie nodded and smiled.

"All right. See you then, kid." And he left, and Severus, Sirius, Remus, Harry, and Filius were the only ones left at the High Table.

"I don't know why he bothered to hide the fact that it was me," Harry muttered as he ate his breakfast. "It's not like they couldn't tell. I mean, why else would I be escorted in here by a teacher and have to sit at the teachers' table?"

"Because you're shagging said teacher, and he can do what he wants with you?"

The voice came from behind Harry so suddenly that it made him jump a little. He turned around and gave Draco a death glare. Harry and Severus were both blushing slightly, while Remus chuckled, and Sirius tried to get the mental image out of his mind.

"Damn it, Draco, don't do that!" Harry snapped. "And for your information, we are not shagging." As an afterthought, he added, "Yet." Sirius choked on his juice and sent a bit spraying over the table. "Sorry, Padfoot."

"Wow, Uncle Sev, I don't think I've ever seen you blush so badly!" Draco exclaimed. Severus glared at him.

"Was there a reason for coming up here, Draco?" he asked, coolly.

"There is a reason for everything I do," Draco replied, haughtily. "Is it all right for me to see if my best friend is okay and ask him if he needs anything?"

"Bull shite, Draco," Harry retorted, grinning. "You saw me last night. You know if I'm okay."

"Then is it all right for me to tell you that I love you and that if I ever find out who hurt you, I'm going to beat his arse?" Draco's expression was quite serious when he said this, and Harry felt his heart jump at the thought that people really cared about him.

"I suppose that's all right," Harry approved, nodding his head. "I love you, too." Draco smiled and lightly pressed a kiss to the fading bruise on Harry's face.

"Good. I'll see you later, love!"

Severus and Harry finished their breakfast and then headed back up to the infirmary. Harry shed his cloak and lay down under his blankets. Severus sat next to him and touched his cheek.

"If Poppy lets you out at lunchtime, you still don't have to go to your afternoon classes. We'd all prefer if you just tried to get some rest, but I doubt that will happen. Come to my rooms at four-thirty, all right?"

"Will do," Harry agreed. "Have fun teaching all the--what is it you call us?--dunderheads." He chuckled at Severus's groan.

"Don't joke about that. God, I don't even know why I decided to be a teacher..."

"Because you were lost in the hope that some day you would find a student who would just capture your heart?" Harry guessed, cheekily.

"Well, you definitely are one of the perks of this job," Severus agreed, smiling. He looked at his pocketwatch. "I have to go. Remember: four-thirty. And try to stay out of trouble and rest, all right?"

"I'll try," Harry sighed. He kissed Severus's cheek, and Severus kissed his. "See you later."

~~~

"Now, Potter, I don't want to see you in here ever again," Poppy warned Harry after he ate his lunch in the infirmary. He changed into normal clothes and grinned at her.

"Oh, you know you love fussing over me," he replied.

"Fussing over you, yes," Poppy said. "But I don't particularly enjoy bringing you back from near-death numerous times." Harry look turned serious.

"But you've done a damn good job of it," he said, softly. He stepped over to the matron and hugged her. "And I appreciate everything you've ever done for me, more than you will ever know, Madam." She squeezed him gently, then pulled back and looked up at him, smiling.

"Harry, dear, I think that after nearly seven years, we've gotten over the formalities. You can call me 'Poppy.' You've earned that after spending over three hundred days under my care. Why, I think you've even broken your father's record!" Harry just smiled. "All right, then. Try to stay out for at least a week this time, hmm? Maybe you could spend some time with Severus while you're awake. Do you know, he came in here to watch you sleep nearly every night for the past few weeks?"

"No, I didn't know," Harry responded, surprised. "Wow."

"He really loves you," Poppy commented.

"And I really love him..." Harry murmured. Before he could fall into a daze, he gave Poppy a bright smile. "Well, I'll try not to come back too soon, but I can't make any promises, of course."

Poppy just laughed and waved him away. Harry left and headed outside for Hagrid's Hut--now Charlie's Hut. Charlie had no afternoon classes that day, and he'd asked Harry to visit him earlier. Once he entered the cabin, he found Charlie stretched out on the bed, his hand hanging over the side to pet Fang, who lay on the floor. Charlie glanced over at Harry when he heard the door open.

"Hey, released already?" he greeted Harry, who was glancing around the cabin.

"You've kept everything the same," Harry noticed. It was true; Charlie hadn't moved anything that had been Hagrid's.

"Yeah, well... This place will always be Hagrid's," Charlie replied, softly. "I can't move his stuff." He laughed when Fang sauntered up to Harry and slobbered on his hand. "Told you he missed you."

Harry knelt down in front of the dog and scratched behind his ears.

"Oh, Fang, I'm sorry I didn't keep my promise to visit every day," he murmured. "But at least Charlie's been here, so you haven't been alone. I'll try and visit you more."

Fang pressed his wet nose against Harry's cheek in reply. Harry chuckled and petted Fang's head, then sat at the table with Charlie.

"I didn't interrupt a nap, did I?" Charlie shook his head as he poured some tea for the both of them.

"No, I was just resting for a bit," he replied. "It's quite relaxing after a morning of classes."

"I bet it is," Harry agreed, nodding. He sipped at his tea.

"So how have you been doing?" Charlie wondered. "You and Severus seem to be quite happy." Harry's face lit up as he smiled.

"I am happy with him, happier than I've ever been."

"I'm glad," Charlie told him, sincerely. He chuckled suddenly. "I remember the summer before your...fourth year, was it? Yeah, that's right. I knew right after we met that you fancied boys."

Harry's eyes widened, and Charlie explained.

"You were staring at Bill like that would be the only time you'd ever see him. Since then, I've seen you looking at him, Fred, George...hell, even me!" Harry blushed. "And from the moment that I knew, I wished that you would find someone who would make you happy. I knew that you would have a difficult time when you came out, because of who you are, and I've wanted nothing more for you than to find someone who would love you and make you happy. And you've found him."

"Yes, I have," Harry agreed, a dreamy smile on his face. "I love him more than I thought I could ever love anyone."

"Then I'm happy for you," Charlie said, softly. He and Harry stood, and Charlie pulled him into a hug. "Harry, you've grown to be like a brother to me. I love you like a brother. If you ever need anything, I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

~~~

When Severus arrived in his chambers shortly before four o'clock, he shed his outer robes until he was wearing just pants and a button-down shirt. He went into his bedroom and gave a soft smile when he found Harry asleep on Severus's large bed.

Severus hung his robes up in his closet, then sat next to Harry on the bed. He slowly removed Harry's shoes and put them on the floor. Then he lay down and spooned Harry from behind, wrapping an arm around his waist and pulling Harry closer to him. Harry let out a content sigh, but he didn't wake up.

Severus placed a kiss on Harry's temple, then yawned and closed his eyes, resting his chin on top of Harry's head. After a moment, Harry turned over and snuggled up to Severus's chest, moaning quietly. Severus opened his eyes again and found Harry to be awake and looking up at him.

"You're early," Severus teased him. Harry gave a groggy smile.

"Your bed's comfortable," he said through a yawn. He cuddled closer to Severus. "Though it's even more comfortable with you here."

"I quite agree," Severus murmured. "Well, if you're awake, come out to the living room. I have something for you."

He took Harry by the hand and led him to the living room, telling him to sit on the sofa. Severus then left the room for a moment and returned with a small golden chest encrusted with jewels. He sat down next to Harry and wrapped an arm around him.

"How much do you know about our bond?" Severus asked, smiling when Harry leaned close to him, wrapping his arms around Severus's waist.

"Only what Professor Dumbledore told me, so not much."

"Well, we're not completely bonded yet," Severus explained. "The Soul Bond has brought us together, but if we want to be completely bonded, there's one more thing that needs to be done." Harry looked at him, curiously. "A bonding ceremony. It's kind of like a marriage ceremony."

Severus placed the jeweled chest in Harry's lap and opened it. Inside lay a small cushion, and resting on the cushion were two gold wristbands. Harry, his eyes wide, reached a hand out to touch the bracelets. Severus took Harry's hand in his and brought it to his lips, gazing into Harry's eyes.

"I know you might not be ready for this kind of commitment yet," Severus said, softly. "I just wanted to tell you that I love you, and I'm ready when you are." He gestured towards the wristbands. "When it's time, those will be like wedding rings: a symbol of our love for and commitment to each other."

Harry stared at the bracelets for a moment, then at Severus. He didn't know what to say as tears stung at his eyes. Finally, he just settled for hugging Severus tightly and burying his face in the older man's chest. He soon felt Severus's arms slip around him, a hand running up and down his back.

"I don't know how this happened to us," Severus whispered, his lips close to Harry's ear. "But God, I'm glad it did..."

"So am I..." Harry whispered back.

Severus placed the chest on the coffee table, then replaced his arms around Harry. The two sat in silence for a short while, until Severus spoke again.

"I remember one day before school started... Draco locked the door to your room and told me that I couldn't come in because it was a surprise. I still haven't found out what that surprise was."

Harry blushed slightly, but he grinned mischievously up at Severus.

"Are you sure you want it?" Severus just raised an eyebrow. "Well...you asked for it..."

Harry crawled into Severus's lap, facing him. He reached a hand up to the back of Severus's head and slowly lifted his own head before attaching his lips to Severus's. Severus let out a quiet moan as Harry urged his mouth open and slipped his tongue in, intertwining it with Severus's tongue.

The kiss lasted just long enough, as Draco had taught Harry. When Harry pulled away, he was still blushing a little. Severus looked slightly shocked, but pleased. Harry, still seated in Severus's lap, leaned over to lay his head on Severus's shoulder, nestling his face in his neck.

"Well..." Severus said, slightly out of breath. "That was certainly a surprise." Harry giggled.

"Draco taught me that," he murmured. "He wanted to teach me how to kiss you so you'd never be able to refuse me, or some bull shite like that..."

"Then he must be a damn good teacher," Severus whispered, tickling Harry's ear with his breath. "Because I definitely wouldn't have been able to refuse you after that, even if I wanted to."

And with that, he brought Harry's mouth back up to his own.