It was the night before I was to take Harry to see Petuniya that it happened. The three of us, Harry, Albus and I, were listening to the radio.
"…The riot police were called out and the students began singing the national anthem, but they were beaten. The Prague University students are asking everyone to demonstrate…"
Albus sat up in his chair.
"It's happened, Severus! We should be there, come on!"
That's how I ended up in a mass of Czechs, flags waving and keys jangling, chanting,
"It finally happened!"
As I stood among the crowd, I saw the two officers that had interrogated me. They recognized me and smiled and waved. I guess I understood then why they'd been so upset that I'd granted a Russian woman citizenship by marrying her.
Harry was celebrating along with us, not caring that we were cheering the toppling of his own native country's power in our land. He looked up to me with a bright smile, and I couldn't help but smile back at him.
When we returned to Albus's and climbed into bed, Harry hugged me and said,
"I love you, Severus."
Much to my surprise, I replied readily with,
"I love you, too."
Harry gave me that curious look, his arms still around my shoulders, before closing the distance between us to peck me on the mouth. I looked at me curiously again as he pulled back, his expression asking whether he had done something wrong. I smiled softly at him and pulled him back to me, cupping his face with one hand and kissing him soundly. Harry kissed me back with alacrity, making up for his obvious lack of technique with his enthusiasm. When we finally came up for air, he smiled at me, saying,
"I've waited so long to do that."
"So have I," I replied.
"Will you… do more?"
"Are you asking me to make love to you?"
Harry blushed but nodded.
"Of course," I told him.
I loved Harry long into the night, waking up late the next morning to find Albus sitting at his place at the kitchen table looking smug. I sat down across from him, raising an eyebrow,
"I should be half as smug as you are."
Albus chuckled,
"What can I say but 'I told you so?'"
"Hmm," was my only reply.
I walked hand in hand with Harry to the terminal where his aunt would be arriving. We stood there watching for her as people exited the plane she'd been on. She finally appeared, looking flustered, and took notice of us. She approached us and looked to me. I thought this would be interesting.
"I have learn some Czech from my husband."
I smirked imperceptibly,
"How nice."
"May us sit down?"
"Certainly."
We moved to a small café inside the airport. Petuniya slid an envelope across the table to me. I looked inside: it was filled with money. I slid it back across the table, and she looked confused,
"For your trouble."
"It's not necessary. He was no trouble."
She scoffed, but shrugged and put the money back in her pocket,
"I understand my aunt pass away…?"
I nodded,
"Yes. I was able to afford a service for her, but nothing elaborate."
"That is alright. I am glad. I suppose we be going now?" She looked to Harry who grabbed my hand under the table. I squeezed reassuringly before speaking,
"Actually, I was hoping you might consider letting Harry stay here."
She looked nonplussed,
"I am not sure I am understanding. You want I leave Harry?"
I nodded,
"Yes."
She shook her head as if trying to clear it and looked at me with a furrowed brow,
"Why?"
I sighed,
"Because I'd rather have him stay here where I know he's being taken care of."
Petuniya seemed insulted,
"I take care of him; he is my
responsibility."
I frowned,
"I know that, but to me he is more than just a responsibility. I… care about him."
She didn't seem to know what to say to that. Finally, she responded,
"Well… If you are sure… Then I will leave him to you."
"I am very sure."
She nodded, standing up. She extended her hand to me and I shook it, then looked to Harry curiously. At length, she bent down to hug him slightly.
"Good bye, then, Harry, Mr. Snape."
Harry and I both said good bye, then turned to walk out of the airport, once again hand in hand.
I went on to be rehired in the Czech philharmonic and now play in it regularly. Harry still lives with me, and we love each other as much as a fifteen-year-old young man and an old male cellist can love each other.
~the end.
Much thanks again to all who reviewed and a sound apology to anyone who was hoping for smut: I just couldn't get up the nerve ^^U. I recently got my own copy of the film I based this on; apparently it won an academy award o.o Who knew? Oh, well, I hope you liked my version of it, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't see the original. It's very good. (See 'Kolya'!)
