Hiding Under the Ninth Earth
Book 02 : A Bit Of All Right
by I Got Tired of Waiting

Part III : Conflict
Chapter Thirty One : Filling Fare

21 June 2003 (Continued)

Harry laid out the table for supper still seething about the gold merchant in Diagon Alley selling his amulet to someone else before he'd come back with the draught from Gringotts. While he was glad the merchant got the full price out of it, the almost smug, dancing light in his eyes as he cheerfully told him it was no longer available for sale was a bit much to swallow without argument.

Then he laughed, laying the forks down, 'Right or left of the plates? I can never remember. Right, I think. It doesn't matter. I got the rings and the snakes look the same. It would probably have looked too much like a bribe anyway.' He already had his birthday present for Severus. One Harry hoped he'd like.

Severus arrived back from Diagon Alley and immediately went to the school's library to look up the spells he could use to ward the glyph. Given that he'd not known what type of talisman he would finally purchase, he'd had no preconceived notion about which one of the hundreds of spells available he wanted to use, although he knew the general type he would need. The only clear goal in his mind was he wanted to avoid the recurrence of a sickening incident that had cost him the life of one of his dearest friends, and a former lover, at the hands of the Dark Lord many years before. While Voldemort was obviously not a problem today, Severus was certain there were still others--and Lucius came immediately to mind--bent on Harry's destruction--and his own, if truth be told.

He bee-lined for the shelf in the Restricted Section holding several books with spells that would protect them both with only one talisman. In the last volume he found three incantations of differing intensity he thought would work, but, given the blatant differences in his and Harry's magical styles, each of them could be 'unpleasant' for him to perform and might require sacrificing the glyph in the final binding--something he was loath to do now that he had it in his possession. His aversion to losing it wasn't due to the cost of the thing--he could well afford it and for what he'd got, he almost felt like he'd stolen it from the goldsmith. No, it was because he'd always hated to see anything of beauty destroyed, let alone something as old and unique; there were few remaining of its caliber.

Finding no other wards meeting his requirements, and certain there were none in his private library, he chose the one affording the greatest protection. After checking the book out (and he was, once again, favourably reminded of Madame Pince's discretion), he decided to wait until Harry's birthday to cast the spell; it would give him some time to prepare himself for the ordeal. 'However, no matter how painful it might become, it will be a small, temporary price to pay for the peace of mind it will bring to both of us once completed successfully. Now all I have to do is get around Harry's stubborn irritation when others want to protect him.'

He'd gone straight away to the Great Hall for dinner, the book shrunk in his pocket, but a quick glance at the Head Table from the staff room door had shown him no Harry. Disconcerted by Harry's continuing absence, Severus left without entering and decided to take a detour to their quarters with the hope that Harry was waiting for him so they could to go to dinner together. He arrived at their quarters at half past six, his stomach roiling with hunger. He'd no more stepped through the door when his nose was assailed by delectable smells coming from the other room. 'Harry has dinner here,' he thought, toeing off his shoes. A second, more urgent, hunger warred with the first, neither of which had been filled much lately.

Harry popped his head out of their dining nook. "Ah, you're here--finally. If you don't mind, I thought I'd surprise you with a little intimate dinner. Please tell me you haven't eaten."

"Not in quite a while, actually," he couldn't help muttering to himself and with a little more volume, continued, "No, I came here straight away when I didn't see you in the dining hall. It smells delicious."

"Excellent. I was worried when you were so late." Harry sauntered towards him, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm sorry I had to leave earlier this morning; I really did try to wake you, but you were so tired--" He stopped close to him, his hands running lightly down Severus' arms. "Happy birthday, love," he murmured, his hands sliding sensuously up his lover's chest. Harry buried his hands in Severus' hair, pulling his head down so he could feather his lips with soft kisses. Severus groaned and pulled him into his arms tightly, holding him arched against him. The deepening kiss they shared began to make up for his absence today. Severus lost all desire for food with the warm feel of a pliant Harry secure in his arms, his eager mouth and facile tongue a different sustenance, an imminently satisfying one upon which Severus wanted to feast.

Severus finally broke off the kiss, needing to catch his breath a moment. He was about to go back for seconds when Harry put his hand up to Severus' lips and then to his shoulder. "Come, Sev, let's eat our dinner while it's fresh and hot. The wait will make the dessert all the sweeter."

Severus growled deep in his throat and, raising a brow, replied almost playfully, "And what if the birthday boy wants his cake and ice cream first? Hmm?" Not waiting for an answer, he held Harry's head and went back to plundering his mouth. When Harry's fingers tightened almost painfully in his hair, his lips crushing, Severus dropped his hands to mold Harry's arse and pulled the lithe body taut against him, feeling Harry's answering response with relief. Given the way Harry was straining against him while making those soft mewling sounds that always drove him crazy, Severus' need grew most urgent; he could wait for the other dinner.

Or so he thought. He was about to carry Harry, forcibly if necessary, to their bed chamber, when Severus' empty belly broke the moment by complaining loudly, rumbling and gurgling insistently between them. Harry pulled away, somewhat dazed but grinning, his eyes glittering with amusement. After he'd gathered some sense, he laughingly said, "Seems the birthday stomach has some other ideas."

Taking Harry's lips again in mute argument, Severus was determined to ignore his other hunger, but then his native common sense, not to mention his still grumbling belly, sonorously made the choice for him. He reluctantly loosened his arms, the mood totally broken. He ruefully smiled, saying, "Seems you may have a point. All right, I concede--dinner first, but I still want my afters."

"Oh, absolutely. Dessert is always the best part of any complete and balanced diet." Grinning, Harry let him go with a light kiss to his cheek and, taking his hand, brought him to the table where Severus stole a 'seared' appetiser before resigning himself to the delay.

Seating himself across from Harry, he thought, 'However, I have been without for more than two weeks. I think I can restrain my impulses for a few more minutes, hours, whatever.' Finally taking in his surroundings, he was pleasantly surprised to see how much care Harry had taken to set the table. From the formal damask cloth and heavy, heirloom silver he usually had stored away in a forgotten cabinet, to the red wine served in long-stemmed crystal sparkling in the soft candlelight, he appreciated the time Harry had obviously taken to make it special.

As they began to eat, quietly talking about nothing of particular import, he chuckled when Harry's feet joined his under the table, settling lightly on top, rubbing gently. As Severus sipped the rich, fruity wine, Harry's roguish half-smile, seen over the rim of the goblet, did much to ease his previous concerns and, setting the glass back down with a smile of his own, he tucked into his food with a lighter heart.

The simple meal was excellent and Severus had to admit, but certainly not out loud, that the real food before his much anticipated 'dessert' had probably been one of Harry's better ideas; he'd not eaten since his late breakfast. He was about to ask what was on the menu for the last course of the evening when his plate popped out of sight to be replaced by a fancy bow on the table. He was pleased and smiled over at Harry, saying, "Ah, a present. I'd almost forgot it's my birthday today."

Harry laughed and said with a mischievous grin, "Not likely. Well, go on now, open it."

Severus picked up the huge bow, looking it over, and was soon a bit mystified. There was nothing attached to it. It was just a bright red bow with two open ends sticking out. He raised quizzical eyes to Harry who chuckled wickedly, saying, "No, there's another bow, for me, in the bedroom, and I'll let you place it anywhere you like. Later. This one, however, you just need to open."

"Open? How?" Severus had never opened just a bow before.

"You know, pull the ends--like a cracker." Harry explained, his eyes alight with what Severus took to be keen anticipation.

'It's something special then,' he thought, saying, "Ah, I see." He pulled the ends and he sat back in surprise as the thing exploded with a loud bang, filling the area with coloured smoke and small bits of confetti raining down on him. Where the bow had been was a fairly large package in gayly patterned paper with a bright blue ribbon wrapped all around it. "Now this is familiar."

He tugged and worked the ribbon off the present and started to carefully peel the paper back off of the heavy gift, which he was sure were books, when a fragment from birthdays past came to him and, losing his restraint and feeling a bit foolish, he ripped the paper off with apparent careless abandon, throwing it to the floor. Noting the satisfied, silly grin on Harry's face, he lost some of his embarrassment at the excessive display--it now seemed such a small thing to please Harry. And as he had thought, he had two fine, matching books in front of him and a thickish envelope on top with Harry's distinctive scrawl on it. It said:

Sev--Open this packet before you pick them up.

Running his fingers over the covers, he decided to humour Harry even though it was his birthday and his fingers itched to pick up the two volumes; he loved fine books. Sliding his finger in the flap, he opened it and removed a note and another, smaller, envelope from inside. He laid the second envelope aside and opened the first note which read:

21 June 2003
My dearest Severus,

Maybe, I should not have given you these for your birthday.
Maybe, I should have given them to you 'just because'.
Maybe, I should never know.

This is an apology, from me to you, for a potions paper I should not have dismissed.
This is for all the subsequent papers you kept quiet about to spare my feelings.
This is for all the times I didn't tell you just how proud I was of you.

I am, you know.

Love,
Harry

He raised questioning eyes to Harry and was surprised to see the green ones brimming. Looking away, Harry was unable to meet his gaze. "Go on," Harry said hoarsely. "Please, open the other envelope."

He picked up the second envelope and looked at the front. He snorted when he read:

"No, you may not look at them yet! Please read this first."

He was a bit concerned about Harry, who was still not making eye contact with him, but he had a feeling those eyes would once again turn his way once he left them alone to read the contents of the envelope in his hands. He opened the heavy, creamy stock; the paper was a joy to touch as he rubbed it between his fingers. He pulled out a single page written in an elegant hand with navy blue ink; he recognised the writing immediately as Hermione Weasley's, with whom he worked on occasion when he published papers in the various journals she represented. The letter was on Academia House's letterhead--the flag representing their company was waving in the top right corner of the paper.

20 June 2003

Re: Galley Proofs

Dear Professor Snape:

It is with the greatest of pleasures I present to you this two volume set of Galley Proofs of your collected works and papers written throughout your long and distinguished career as a Potions Master. The set was initially assembled at the request of Mr. Harry Potter, who charged us to find "everything" and pull it all together into one place.

I assure you, the task was more difficult than it first appeared; however, we believe we have managed to find "everything," including four very promising early pieces written in your Sixth and Seventh Years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry which were published in the now defunct "Potions Monthly". If, after perusal, you find we have missed any you wish included, please send it to me at the address above and I will ensure it is edited properly and included prior to any publication.

Which brings me to the other issue of this communication. When Mr. Potter first approached us to commission the search, we frankly assumed it would amount to a vanity publishing, as it is called, a single printing of a few volumes for a private collection(s). However, after reviewing and editing the work, Academia House has concluded these assembled papers represent an important, vital, scholarly work which can only enhance and advance the Potions profession as a whole.

As such, we humbly request the honour of publishing this body of work and sincerely hope you will consider our House should the notion of publication interest you. I am prepared, at any time, to discuss with you the terms of publication and personal remuneration, as well as any editing you may wish to have done or undo. I look forward to hearing your response at your earliest convenience.

Your obedient,

Hermione Granger Weasley
Academia House Publishers
Editor-in-Chief, Potions

Severus looked up from the letter, stunned. Harry was not in his chair; he was standing near the window looking out. He always did that when he was either upset or needed time alone to think. Severus looked back at the handsome volumes and with shaking hands he picked up the first one, his fingers reverently smoothing the fine leather, his nose inhaling the rich smell. The cover was blank and he turned the book to look at the spine:

The
Collected Works
of a Potions Master
1976 to 2003

Volume I
Light Magic

Prof.
Severus
Snape,
M.P., SCL

He touched the gold clasp on the front and the book opened to the front page. He slowly flipped through the volume, stopping now and again to read small random sections, never dreaming the rolls of parchments on his credenza could have ever amounted to this many pages. The redolence of fresh printer's ink, mingled with the husky smell of the leather, and the clean scent of fresh cotton rag paper filled his senses. Overwhelmed, he put the book down and looked through the second one in much the same manner as he had the first. It had the almost the same title as the other one, only it read, Volume II: Dark Arts.

He set it down carefully on top of the other book and sat there for some long minutes lost in thought and memory. Coming back to the present with some resolve, he stood from the table and quietly walked over to where Harry was still standing at the window. He came behind him, sliding his arms around Harry's waist. Placing a soft kiss on his nape, he rested his cheek on his shoulder. Harry's hands came up and covered his, the fingers lightly stroking. They stood quietly like this for an interminable time.

"When I was young," he began softly, raising his head, "I wanted nothing more than to make a name for myself. I wanted to show the rest of the world that Severus Snape had value. That I was not the worthless human being my parents had told me I was, nor was I the object of ridicule my peers showed me I was." He snorted lightly. "You have seen some of my memories and know how successful I was in that endeavor."

He lightly kissed Harry's neck, pulling him closer, gathering his thoughts and his composure. "When I was older and finished with school I wanted the regard of my peers and an honest recognition of my efforts." He sighed, "And once again I failed, for all I bore was a skull on my arm and the misunderstanding and suspicion of my colleagues."

"And now--" he hesitated and continued softly, "--yes, now." He kissed the soft spot under Harry's ear, his arm coming up to wrap around Harry's chest and shoulder. "I have never felt more valued in my life than when I am with you. And I have no idea what I did right this time."

He gently turned Harry until he was facing him, the eyes still suspiciously bright, making them points of green light in the glow of the candles behind him. He pulled him close, their arms tight around each other. "Gods, Harry. What a magnificent gift you have given me. The culmination of a lifetime of wanting and wishing. All come true. Thank you."

He loosed him enough to kiss him. A deep, healing kiss, Severus tried to convey, with feather touches and warm loving lips, all the love he felt for Harry, knowing he should say it aloud, but something, some unfinished part of him, always held him back. Eventually, they found themselves curled together on the couch in the sitting room, Harry nestled securely into Severus' side, both dipping every so often to taste the other, but mostly content to just be together, to feel the other's presence, taking strength and comfort from it.

Dessert, it seemed, was momentarily forgotten in their pursuit of other, more filling fare.

TBC