"Where's your mind?" Draco asked as he fell in step with him.
"I was just thinking about how to organize the years to start making some ornaments for the tree." Harry said as he let them into his room.
"Making?" Draco rolled his pure-blood nose at the idea and Harry hit him.
"Yes, making. As in Transfigurations... I thought it would be a good way for them to practice and to make things a bit more special for the holidays." Harry settled various bits that he'd got for the kids to transfigure.
"Oh... well I hope you don't expect me to..." Draco left off and glared at Harry when the green eyed boy just smiled. "Oh bugger you and your damn ornaments."
"Well... hopefully me and not my ornaments."
Draco's ears caught the soft words they weren't meant to. "Eh? Don't tell me our newest Slytherin has a proposal for a Christmas shag?" When Harry blushed Draco knew he'd hit on something. "So, who is it? You can tell me." If it was truly his godfather he wouldn't have to worry about letting it slip and if it wasn't then he'd have to find a way to break them up without hurting Harry.
Harry blushed and shrugged. "I don't even know if it will happen. He tells me he wants to move slowly... but... in a war such as this... I can't. I don't know if I will be alive long enough to graduated let alone enough being with him."
"Oh..." Draco murmured and put an arm around Harry. "I think I could help... provided I know the name of the person you're wanting to be with."
"Severus."
Draco's heart lightened and he nodded. "I think I can help... Just give me a little time."
"Nothing illegal, Draco... please." Harry insisted.
"Of course! Can't allow the Boy-Who-Lived to get involved in something nefarious. No, I have a plan." Draco hurried out of the room.
"Godfather... I know what Harry wants for Christmas." Draco smirked when his godfather took an obvious interest.
"And what would that be and how much will I owe you for the information." Severus settled back against the couch in his quarters and gestured for Draco to join him.
"He doesn't want to die unloved... In the physical sense. As for the price... call it payment for some of the many things you've done for me in the past." Draco didn't take the seat and after nodding to his godfather hurried out.
Severus stared for a moment before cursing under his breath. Only Draco would know how such information would effect him. He was also certain that Harry knew nothing of Draco telling him such a thing. Sighing, Severus moved over to where he was preparing his own presents for the Slytherins. He had to smile with pride. His soul-mate had thought of something that he should have years ago for his unwanted Slytherins. With a wave of his wand he finished his wrapping and then sat down to think of some way he and Harry could have time to themselves with everyone here.
Harry smiled as he, Draco, and Blaise gathered all of the staying Slytherins together the first morning of the break. "First of all I want to say how happy I am that you all elected to stay here for the holiday. Secondly, I want to inform everyone that, just after lunch today we will be decorating our tree, which should be arriving any moment. So our job now is to make the ornaments to decorate the tree." Harry couldn't help but laugh as some of the children around him groaned good-naturedly before settling down, ready to do as their tutors asked of them.
Nodding to Draco and Blaise, the three began passing out either small balls of glass or bits of metal. "We will be transfiguring them, so everyone should have their wands..." Harry informed them before noting that everyone had their wand out and ready.
"Good, good! Now... I will allow the Transfigurations tutor take over." Harry bowed out and Blaise stepped up and began telling about some of the most basic of the changes before going on to some of the harder ones.
Harry stood back and watched as everyone began to try their hardest. The little first years were doing simple things like forming a bit of metal into a pretty star, or making a glass ball into a pretty color. While the sixth and seventh years were making miniature snow globes and singing ornaments. To Harry, they were all just as pretty as the next.
After watching for a while a thumping knock on the door had him going to allow Hagrid to bring the tree in. "Thank you, Hagrid." Harry told him after the half giant had set the tree up in a corner Harry and Draco had cleared for it.
"Not a problem, Harry!" Hagrid didn't know what had happened down here in the dungeons, but since he'd moved down here he'd smiled more than he had in a long time. After clapping Harry stoutly on the back he hurried out, amazed when he didn't hear anything bad said about him behind his back. Maybe Harry was as good for the Slytherins, as the Slytherins were for Harry.
After a break at lunch and everyone came back to the tree and they began to either finish their ornaments or went on to place them on the tree. Harry was the last to put his ornament onto the tree. He had been working on it since the idea of a tree for the common had popped into his head. It was a clear glass ball about the size of Hagrid's fist. Inside a snake, gryffon, raven and badger played on a field of flowers which were all of the house colors.
Moving up to the tree he found a spot just the right height and secured it there. Just as he was about to announce their tree perfect, Severus burst in and the room became quiet. Lifting his wand he murmured something and they watched in amazement as hundred of tiny fairy lights began to glow on the tree. All of the house cheered and they all settled back to admire their work.
Harry went over to where Severus was looking things over and leaned against the wall beside him. "That was a really nice thing you did."
"As the head of this house it is my job to contribute to any notable house activity. This is such an activity." Leaning close Severus whispered into his ear. "Thank you for this... You have saved a large number of these children from him with this celebration and with your lessons." Standing back upright he brushed a hand over Harry's hair before walking away to put his pile of presents for the children under the tree.
The break seemed to pass quickly and before anyone knew otherwise, it was Christmas. Harry had taken all of the presents and set them under the tree with a protective spell on them so that no one could peek.
Harry rose early and already had the house elves setting up the table for breakfast when the first person came down. The house elves out-did themselves making a special breakfast for Dobby's "Mr. Harry Potter's party". The Slytherins didn't seem to know how to act so they took a que from Harry and their head of house who had come to spend the day with them.
Harry and Severus chatted about different things and even good-naturedly argued at times. And for the first time, the Slytherins relaxed and allowed themselves to act their age.
A short tap on the door had Harry and Severus looking at each other in worry before they both went to see who was there. Opening it they found one person neither had expected.
"Charlie?" Harry looked at the Weasley brother in confusion but was even more confused when Draco stood slowly and walked over.
"Dragon-tamer?" Draco seemed breathless as he looked at the red head outside the common room door.
"Brightness... I've come to keep my promise." Charlie by-passed Harry to stand in front of Severus. "Professor Snape, I would ask the right to wed Draco upon his graduation of Hogwarts."
No one said a thing. No one had even known that Draco and Charlie knew one another. Finally Severus looked to Draco who was nodding, his eyes wide and hopeful. Then he spoke slowly. "If it is Draco's wish to marry you, then I have no objections... But I do have one question."
Charlie breathed a sigh of relief before nodding. "What's the question?"
"How did you two meet?"
Draco laughed as he threw himself into Charlie's arms. "That's easy. His brother Bill gave him an amulet that would bring his soul mate to him. And the next thing he knows, I'm landing on his lap... You remember when I first disappeared from Malfoy manor?"
Severus nodded. "You were unaccounted for at least three weeks. I always assumed you had a hide away and you wouldn't reveal it's location."
"I spent the time with him in Romany. At first I hated it, but then... it wasn't so bad... and he wasn't so bad..." Draco smiled up at Charlie, his grey eyes warm for the first time in Severus' memory.
"I thought you were a little pest, but then you grew on me..." Charlie leaned down to brush a kiss over Draco's lips before pulling back. "I have you bonding gift... if you want it now."
Draco all but pounced his pockets before drawing out a velvet bag with excitement.
"I know it isn't gold or jewels... and it will probably be a long time before I can get you such things, but this seemed... right." Charlie blushed a little as he reached into the bag and lifted out a dragon scale necklace. The scales were black, but as they moved in the light they shifted to green and silver.
"I don't want gold or jewels and if I ever here you insult my bonding gift again I'll have to give you a tail or something." Draco told him as he allowed Charlie to hook it around his neck.
"Kinky... can we try that any way?" Charlie murmured into Draco's ear as he gave the soft skin below a quick kiss.
Draco blushed and slapped him on the arm before dragging him over to where he'd been sitting. An extra place appeared and Charlie nodded to the Slytherins around him.
At first Severus was a little worried about the groups reaction to a person who was a complete Gryffindor, but his fears were eased as they went on as if nothing had happened and Charlie had always been there.
Severus and Harry settled back into their seats and actually relaxed as the meal went on.
"Everyone! Please give me your attention!" Harry called as he looked around the group and smiled when they all gave him their attention without a single peep sounding. "Now... it's time to open present!"
The younger ones cheered and the older ones all laughed at the happy visage they presented. Harry slowly began to hand out the presents with the help of Draco and Blaise. "I'm sure that the things you will receive are nothing like you would have at your homes... but I hope they are still well received."
"I'm certain they will be perfect." Draco said as he looked around, as if daring anyone to say the presents weren't.
All of the other nodded that it would be fine and they immediately set upon them with enthusiasm. Harry had ordered a fine cloak for each of them. He'd personally coated each cloak with as many protection spells as he'd been able to find. He knew the only thing they wouldn't be protected from while wearing those cloaks was the killing curse. The second thing he'd gotten for each of them was a wand harness to hold their wand on their forearm. Each of them were fine hand-crafted leather with their initials on them. Also he'd got each of them a pet, but those would come in a bit.
"Thank you, Harry!" Morgaine thanked him with a hug before she twirled in her dark green cloak.
"I'm glad you like them. Now... I have one last present. It's not something generally given as a pet... but I thought that each of you could use a friend." Harry turned and with a wave of his wand the door to his room came open and he began to call out in parselmouth. Come out little ones! They want to meet you!
All of Slytherin was watching as a mass of baby snakes came squirming out of the room and headed with determination to the person they had been picked for specifically.
Severus, who'd been watching with a small smile had to stare as the snakes crawled either into the hands of his students or up their legs to get to their shoulders where they rested.
"I picked them very specifically for each of you. I tried to match them to your personalities. Now if you want their names I'll be happy to tell you in a moment." Harry turned and walked to Severus with his hands holding something close "I have a present for you as well, Severus." Opening his hands he held out a baby runespoor. The three head looked at Severus and then Harry before crawling onto Severus' outstretched hand, where it curled up and went back to sleep. "He will grow up to give you as much venom you might need. And he will protect you when I can't... and my other present to you..."
Severus watched as Harry rolled his sleeve up and put his palm over the dark mark. Before Severus could stop him Harry began chanting. A hot burn ran through his arm and the pain of it drove Severus a step back before Harry shouted something in parseltongue. A light flashed before Harry staggered but still held on his hand. The rest of Slytherin drew close, wondering what he'd done. Harry was looking up into Severus' eyes as he drew his hand away. Draco's mouth dropped open and gasps were heard from all of around the room. The dark mark was gone.
"How?" Severus asked as he looked down at the bare skin.
"It was a simple matter of knowing figuring out the charm in parseltongue and then coming up with a counter charm. You're free now. As Voldie sees it you just died and with a clever rumor planted by the whole of Slytherin that you are not really you, but rather some unknown person under the guise with the polyjuice potion." Harry said as he looked around with everyone nodding, understanding what he meant.
Severus could only stare at his bare arm before he wrapped his arms around Harry. An angry hiss made them draw apart to smile at the runespoor who was obviously not happy. Harry apologized while petting the creature.
Harry smiled and then turned to the others. "Now... why don't you go play with your snakes and get your stockings from the fireplace." Harry lead Severus to sit down so they could watch the others with their things.
It didn't take long before Severus snapped out of it and looked around at the children, who were too busy acting their age. With a smile he called out to them. "Children... one last thing. I have a small present for you as well." With a wave of his wand he sent all of the presents into their respective owners.
"Thank you sir." they called as they opened it unsurprised to find a set of the best crystal vials. Under that was jewelry bag with a snake shaped bracelet.
"They are charmed to always take you to a safe place if you say the key words, 'I am safe'." Severus told them as he relaxed back into the love seat he and Harry were sitting on. The counter charm that Harry had used felt like it had sucked most of his energy out of him. But he had one more surprise. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a separate box and handed it to Harry.
Harry smiled brightly as he accepted the box. "You shouldn't have given me anything."
"It doesn't seem like much after what you've done... but it should help you." Severus told him with a light touch to the empty spot on his forearm.
Opening the box Harry found a simple emerald pendant suspended from a silver chain. "It's very pretty... But I can't accept this. It must be a family heirloom."
"It is... but you should have it. It will protect you... as it's protected Snape spouses for more generations than we can remember." Severus couldn't believe he said that out in front of everyone, but he couldn't seem to stop his mouth, no matter how out of character it was being.
Harry's eyes went wide as he started at the necklace before he held it out to Severus. "Please... put it on me."
Severus took it and with a smile hooked it around his neck before giving kissing Harry softly on the neck.
A round of clapping had them looking around at the Slytherins who were all smiling.
"That's enough. Go back to your candy and presents." Severus took Harry into his arm before settling back to watch everyone with their things.
Charlie shared a chair with Draco who laughed at something one of the younger children was saying. They were obviously happy with one another and if the noise coming from the showers early that morning was any sign, they were going to be together for a long time.
Harry was relaxing, laying on his stomach in the Slytherin library reading a new DADA book. It was his favorite position to read or do his homework in. There were various other Slytherins sitting around on the pillows working on their own work, some were waiting for Blaise to come in and do their Transfigurations tutoring. Even though it was the holidays he insisted that they still work on their Transfigurations work. It still amazed Harry how well Blaise was at Transfigurations. He was even better then Hermione, though McGonagall would never admit that someone other than a Gryffindor was the best at Transfigurations. There wasn't a single thing in any of the seventh years' book that he couldn't do and Blaise took ever opportunity to buy new books on the subject. Harry was certain that if Blaise was put head to head with McGonagall, Blaise would come out on top. Harry didn't know of any Trans. book that Blaise hadn't read and memorized. It was very obvious that being rich and having a perfect photographic memory was a large asset. Blaise had the money to buy the books and with his photographic memory he could always recall everything he'd read.
"Harry..."
Harry looked up at the person calling to him. Charlie stood there smiling down at him, obviously at ease with the large group of Slytherins. "Hey Charlie. Can I do something for you?"
"I was just wanting to chat, if you're not busy." Charlie settled beside him on the floor.
"Sure. I was just finished my Charms work." Harry sat up and smiled at the other former Gryffindor.
"So... what do you think of me and Draco?"
"I think you're very suited for one another. He needed someone to show him how to live without the massive amounts money. I think he's happier this way." Harry told him after thinking about it for a moment. "And I think you're the perfect one to show him the world outside of the pureblooded nonsense."
"You should have seen the first time I made him help me clean out the dragon huts..." Charlie grinned and then laughed. "I don't think he'd ever even seen a shovel let alone used one."
Harry couldn't contain his laughter at the thought of Draco shoveling dragon manure. This drew some of the other children closer, wanting to hear what their teacher was laughing about. It wasn't often that they were able to hear their elders laughing about something, especially since the holidays had come without their returning as their parents would have them do.
"Mr. Weasley, would you tell us about the time Draco spent with you in Romania?" one of the younger girls asked as they moved to sit around Charlie and Harry.
"Call me Charlie, and I'd be happy to tell you all about it." Charlie smiled as he pulled the smallest girl onto his knee and began to speak about the first time he meet Draco.