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: I'm so sorry it's taken so long for this chapter. I won't go into the reasons why it's been a while because there are so many of them. I've just had a lot on my plate lately, and it's hard to deal with everything all at once.
I'm not going to reply to all the reviews this time, because I want to hurry up and get this chapter posted. However, there are a couple that I want to reply to. First:
CocoKate: I completely agree with you, it is impolite to generalize about people's decency. I don't like generalizations about nearly ANYTHING. However, just because I write something in fiction, that does not mean that that's what I believe. I'm sorry if you took that statement to be my own personal belief because it's not.
Vendela: I don't believe that Hermione's homophobia is necessarily out of character. Sure, she's forgiving and nice and all that, but so what? There are many people out there who don't approve of homosexual relationships, but who are still wonderful people. Know what I mean? Anyway, I think all of the characters in this story are pretty close to being OOC. I didn't really attempt to keep them in character because then it wouldn't really fit the story. Oh well. Thanks for the constructive criticism!
Xixum: What made Sev sick? Just a cold. Nothing out of the ordinary, except maybe for him. *grin*
Thanks for all the wonderful reviews, and now, for the long-awaited moment…the next chapter!
~~~
Chapter 25
One day near the end of November, Harry came down to the Potions classroom during a free period. Severus was sitting at his desk, watching his third-year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs complete a test. He looked up when Harry knocked on the door, as did the class.
"Professor, may I speak with you privately for a moment?" Harry asked, softly.
Severus, hearing the unusual tone in his partner's voice, nodded and led him into his office, closing the door. Harry stood in front of Severus, looking at the floor and fidgeting with his fingers. Severus took Harry's hands in his own, and Harry looked up at him, emerald orbs staring into obsidian.
"Is something wrong, darling?" Severus asked, gently. Harry slowly shook his head, a small smile forming on his face. He kept staring into Severus's eyes.
"Your eyes are beautiful," he murmured. He shook his head and broke himself out of his daze. "Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to tell you that I'm ready."
"Ready?" Severus repeated, not understanding. Harry nodded.
"Ready," he said again. "For the bonding ceremony."
Severus stared at Harry for a moment, his eyes widening. Finally, he pulled Harry into his arms and kissed him passionately. Harry laughed into Severus's mouth and pulled back.
"We can't stay in here too long, or else your class will make assumptions," he reminded Severus, whose eyes were sparkling with happiness. Harry smirked. "Though I daresay that when they see that happy look on your face, they'll go ahead and assume we had a quick shag."
Severus pulled Harry into another embrace, holding him tightly. They just stood there for a moment until Severus began to whisper into Harry's ear.
"I love you more than anything in the world," he murmured. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me," Harry protested, smiling. "I'm benefiting from this just as you are."
Severus pulled back and ran his hands down Harry's arms until they grasped at the younger man's hands.
"This is my last class today," he said, softly. "Meet me down here in an hour, and we'll go and talk to Albus about the arrangements."
"Will do. Until then..." Harry placed a chaste kiss on Severus's lip. "I love you."
With that, Harry left the office and found that a couple of students in the front row of desks had been trying to listen to the conversation without leaving their seats. Harry grinned at them, winked, and waved before leaving an extremely happy Severus to deal with them.
~~~
Shortly over an hour later, Severus and Harry entered Albus's office, hand in hand. Albus looked up from the letter he was writing and smiled at them.
"I'll be with you two in a moment," he told them. "Make yourselves comfortable. Have a lemon drop."
Harry took a lemon drop from the bowl on Albus's desk, then stepped over to visit Fawkes, while still holding Severus's hand. Severus smiled slightly, but he didn't release his partner's hand. He stepped up to Harry's side.
"Hello, Fawkes," Harry greeted the phoenix, stroking its beautiful red plumage. Fawkes leaned down to nuzzle Harry and Severus's joined hands. "You approve, then?" Fawkes let out a soft trill in what seemed to be affirmation.
"Finished," Albus announced. Severus and Harry sat in the chairs across from Albus's desk. "Now. What can I do for you?"
"We wish to be bonded, Albus," Severus replied, squeezing Harry's hand. Albus's eyes lit up.
"That's wonderful!" he exclaimed. "I'll assume that you would like for me to arrange everything, yes?" Severus nodded.
"The last bonding ceremony you arranged and officiated was beautiful," he said, softly. He glanced at Harry and gave a small smile. "From what I recall, James and Lily were quite happy with everything." Harry's eyes widened, and Severus continued. "I know that Harry and I will be just as pleased."
"My parents were bonded?" Harry asked, quietly. Albus nodded.
"I arranged their ceremony myself, and I would be honored to do the same for their son," he replied, giving Harry a warm smile. There was a comfortable pause, and then Albus clapped his hands together. "All right. All I need you boys to do is figure out when and where you want to have the ceremony, who you wish to invite to witness it, and who you would like to stand by you."
"Stand by us?" Harry asked, curiously.
"Like in a wedding, when the father of the bride gives her away to her husband," Severus explained. "We will each have someone to stand by us and give us away to each other." Harry nodded in understanding. "Is that all, Albus?"
"Yes, that will be all. Tell me what you decide, and then leave the rest to me."
Severus and Harry stood, as did Albus. The older man came around his desk to the couple and embraced each of them.
"I am happy for you both, my children," he said, softly. "Thank you for giving me this honor."
"Thank you for agreeing, Professor," Harry replied, smiling. Albus waved his hand, shaking his head.
"Harry, you know half of the staff by their first names. You may call me 'Albus' when we're in private." Harry nodded.
"Thank you, Albus," he said again.
"Think nothing of it, my boy. Now go. You two have much to discuss."
Severus and Harry left the office, and once they reached the hallway, Harry gave Severus a quick kiss.
"I need to get a few things from my dorm," he told him. "I'll come down to your rooms in a few minutes."
"Our rooms," Severus corrected him, caressing his cheek. He kissed Harry's forehead. "I'll see you down there, then."
~~~
A little while later, Harry and Severus were lounging on the bed in the master bedroom. Severus had lit a fire, and he was scribbling on a piece of parchment with one hand, his other arm wrapped around Harry.
"The Great Hall?" Harry suggested for where to have the ceremony. Severus nodded to show his agreement.
"That's where your parents had theirs. When? I imagine many of your friends are returning home for the Christmas holidays, so how about the day before?" Harry shook his head.
"Yule Ball," he reminded Severus. "Speaking of which, I'll go and try to have fun if you'll be my date." Severus smirked and placed a kiss on Harry's temple.
"I suppose, though I cannot guarantee that I'll dance."
"That's fine. I can't guarantee that I'll dance, either. Anyway, I'm sure my friends won't mind staying an extra day for the ceremony. We can have it the night after the Ball."
"Sounds good," Severus agreed. "Who do you want to stand by you?"
Harry didn't even think before he replied, "Sirius." Severus raised an eyebrow, and Harry sighed. "I know, he still doesn't like you, but he's making an effort for my sake. I'll ask him, and if he agrees and does it...that will show that he really accepts us, and Sirius's acceptance of us would mean a lot to me."
"All right, then. I'll ask Draco to stand by me. Now you make a list of everyone you want to invite."
Harry took the quill and scribbled down names as they came to him. When he finished, the list had about eighteen names on it:
The Weasleys
Remus Lupin
Hermione Granger
Seamus Finnigan
Dean Thomas
Neville Longbottom
Blaise Zabini
Oliver Wood
All the Hogwarts staff
Colin & Dennis Creevey
Samantha Niles
David Sullivan
Angelina Johnson
Alicia Spinnet
Katie Bell
Arabella Figg
Madam Rosmerta
Lee Jordan
"Don't you want to put anyone else on there?" Harry asked Severus, softly, when the older man rolled up all the parchments and put them aside. Severus gave his partner a small smile.
"Who would I put down?" he murmured. "The only people I have to share our day with are you, Draco, and Albus." Harry frowned, but he said no more. "Are you staying here tonight?"
"Yes," Harry replied, snuggling up to Severus and placing feather light kisses on his neck. "I seem to have less nightmares when I sleep down here. But I'd like to go and talk to Siri sometime today."
"Why don't you go and do that now, and I'll talk to Draco?" Severus suggested. "Then we can send an owl up to Albus with everything he needs."
"All right, then," Harry agreed, kissing Severus's cheek.
~~~
"Hi, Moony, where's Siri?" Harry asked when he found Remus sitting alone on the sofa, grading papers. He looked tired, as the full moon had just passed, and he pointed his quill towards the bedroom.
"Taking a nap," Remus replied, yawning. "And while I could use one myself...I need to get these done." He glanced up at Harry. "Something you need, kiddo?" Harry looked towards the bedroom, then back at Remus, fidgeting with the bottom of his shirt.
"I need to ask him something, and I don't want you to be offended because I'm not asking you," Harry sighed. Remus raised an eyebrow; a signal for Harry to go on. "Sev and I are doing the ceremony, and I wanted to ask Sirius to stand by me. I thought, if he'd do this for me, then I'd know he really accepts it. Do you know what I mean?"
"Of course I do, and don't worry about offending me," Remus assured him. "Go on in and ask him. He's probably not asleep yet. When you're finished, tell him I'll be in there in a little while."
Harry nodded and slowly entered the bedroom. The curtains had been closed over the window, so Sirius's nightlight was on. Sirius lay in bed, shivering under the blanket and facing away from Harry. Harry grabbed another blanket and threw it over Sirius, then crawled under the covers with him. Sirius yawned and opened his eyes, smiling when he saw his godson.
"Hey, love," he murmured, sleepily. "What's up?" Harry decided to jump right into the explanation.
"Professor Dumbledore is arranging the bonding ceremony for Severus and me," he said, softly, and Sirius's eyes widened. "And I wanted to know if you'll...if you'll stand by me."
Sirius stared at him for a moment, now wide-awake. Tears seemed to be welling up in his eyes, and he pulled Harry into a hug.
"Lily and James should be the ones standing by you," he whispered, sadly.
"But they aren't," Harry said, firmly, as he pulled back. He looked straight into Sirius's eyes. "And I'm asking you. Please, Siri. Will you do this for me? I know you still don't like Severus, but... It would mean the world to me if you would do this." Sirius slowly nodded his head as a tear streamed from his eye.
"I would be honored, Harry," he told his godson. "Your happiness and well-being are my number one priority, and I know that he makes you happy and takes care of you. I will stand by you and give you away to...Severus." Harry's eyes widened, and he grinned.
"You said his name!" Harry laughed, and he hugged Sirius tightly. "Thank you, Siri. I love you."
"I love you, too, Harry," Sirius murmured, kissing Harry's forehead.
"I'm staying with Severus tonight," Harry told him after a moment. "Today's been such a good day. I don't fancy spoiling it by having nightmares tonight, and I sleep better down there, when I'm with someone."
"All right. Hey, when is the ceremony?"
"The night after the Yule Ball," Harry replied. He gave Sirius another hug and a kiss, then climbed out of the bed. "I have to go. Moony's coming in shortly, he said. Maybe I'll see you at supper."
"I love you, sweetheart," Sirius told him again. "Thank you." Harry just smiled and left.
~~~
"He said 'yes!'" Harry exclaimed as he went back to Severus's quarters.
Severus lay on the sofa, and Harry lay down on top of him, placing a kiss on the tip of his nose. Harry laid his head down on Severus's chest, and Severus rubbed his hand over Harry's back in gentle circles.
"He really accepts us, Sev," Harry murmured.
"I'm glad, darling," Severus said, softly. "Draco agreed, as well. I knew Sirius would agree, so I already sent everything up to Albus." Harry leaned his head up and kissed Severus's neck, gently sucking at the pale flesh and causing Severus to moan quietly. "Damn, Harry..."
Harry picked his head up to give Severus a small kiss on the lips, then laid his head on the older man's shoulder.
"Love you," Harry whispered, tiredly, as he closed his eyes.
"Love you, too," Severus whispered back, and he didn't move as Harry fell asleep on him.
