CHAPTER 26
NOTES:
Hello dear reader!
Here we are, on chapter 26! We are nearing the end now.
Without further ado, ENJOY!
The morning brought a new, sunny and warm day to Hogwarts castle that Sunday in early June. Severus woke up from deep slumber, his eyes closing shut in the bright sunlight that came through the enchanted window. With his years of espionage and being on constant alert, he was awake in a matter of seconds. His brain wanted to open his eyes sharp, already alert to what was going on around him.
But this morning it was different. Before he even opened his eyes he stayed still and listened. He could hear the breathing of someone else in his bed and feel the warmth of another body close to his. He stretched his legs and his feet bumped against another man's legs, and he smirked.
He opened his eyes slowly, feeling the crust on his eyelids, and he blinked. While he stretched he felt something warm, a hand he deduced, perched onto his chest, the fingers caressing the nightshirt he'd slept on.
"Morning, sleepyhead," came a rough voice next to him.
His head turned to his side, only one eye open, and saw Harry already awake, smiling at him. During the night he'd been hot and had ditched his nightclothes. He was now lying on his side with his head propped on his hand for support, his elbow resting on the pillow and looking at Severus with a playful smile.
Severus felt his cheeks flush and he swallowed, darting his eyes away from the compelling sight he had in front of him. He felt something in his parts twitch and shook his head almost imperceptibly. Lowering his head he stole a glance at the naked and strong torso. He ran his tongue over his lower lip and repressed the urge to bite it, his eyes staring at the tiny bit of hair around the nipples, and the narrow bush at the base of his abdomen that got lost with the sheets.
He had seen Harry in his underwear often, they didn't feel the need to hide when changing clothes. So, why did Severus feel suddenly hot and light-headed?
"Good morning," he greeted, wishing his voice didn't sound as awe-struck as he felt.
Harry shifted closer and leaned down. Severus craned his neck, about to give him a morning kiss on his cheek, when Harry turned his face at the last minute, capturing his lips in his.
Neither of them had brushed their teeth, their morning breath was surely off-putting, and yet... and yet the moment their lips grazed, it felt electrifying.
He moaned as he felt Harry pressing down, wanting more contact with the warm body next to him, and his arm went around Harry's back. He pressed him closer to him, deepening the contact. When he felt Harry's tongue teasing him, darting out, Severus lost all sense of himself.
It felt like an eternity and only a split second when they broke the kiss, panting a bit.
"Tell me again, why did we wait so long for this?" Harry asked as he ran his tongue through his lips, surely tasting Severus's saliva on them. It was electrifying, and Severus's eyes were fixed on that tongue that darted out.
"This wasn't... supposed to happen," Severus said, and he slowly hung his head low, "I... I feel like I must apologise, Harry. You never ever offered me more than a friendship. It was my fault, I started to feel things that ran much deeper, and yesterday I..."
"Okay, why are you apologising now? You think... do you think I don't feel the same?" Harry asked, arching an eyebrow, "I didn't accept your kiss last night because I wanted to be a good friend. For Merlin's beard, Sev, you know me. It's been many months now that I've wanted much, much more than what we had."
"Did you? But, in bed, you've never... we haven't..."
Severus trailed off and shook his head, his eyebrows squishing together as he tried to explain it as best as he could. He fumbled with words and felt heat rising to his cheeks more and more. He saw Harry trying to suppress his laughter at seeing him so flustered.
"Yes, I know we have never had sex," Harry had mercy on the man, though his eyes still glistened in amusement. "I think we agree that you being Little is sacred and definitely not sexual for either of us."
Severus shook his head no. The way he regressed, he was mentally unprepared to do anything remotely sexual.
"But gods, have I wanted it in other instances..." Harry trailed off, biting his lower lip as if repressing a moan.
Severus stared, blinking. He had no idea what to say, the words died in his mouth, so he kept it shut. Harry carried on.
"We don't have to do anything we don't want, Severus. I admit I've had these feelings for a while, but I'm okay with it not developing further than a few kisses, I'm not that hormonal kid anymore..."
Severus scoffed, sometimes he believed he was the hormonal one.
"But what if... what if it does develop that way and we're both comfortable with it...?"
Harry moved his hips sinuously, his hand moving to Severus's bicep and touching the naked skin. He bit his lower lip again until Severus was sure he would draw blood, and he felt like melting. Harry's body was so hot to the touch, he felt his own body scream for the Gryffindor in his bed.
"You... truly want to do it? With me?"
He still couldn't wrap his head around it. He'd already accepted that Harry enjoyed his company as an adult, and he'd already said he loved his Little side of him. But this?
This was something totally different and unexpected. A shiver ran down Severus's spine, could this be...?
"Do you have any idea how you make me feel?" Harry asked. Severus's frown and narrowed eyes probably told him the answer, "Sev, you make me lose my mind. Have you seen your body, your face? How it makes me tremble?"
Severus scowled further.
"Don't mock me, Harry," he begged, but Harry shook his head.
He took Severus's hand and placed it atop his heart. His fingers could feel the warm skin, the drumming of his heartbeat.
"Can you hear it, beating like mad for you?" Harry asked, and Severus could feel it.
He focused on that drumming. He had spent so much time listening to Harry's heartbeat, to the pace of his heart rate, that he was intimately familiar with its intricacies. And he could tell it was beating faster.
He looked into his eyes. The emerald green he thought one day would make him lose his mind was barely seen, his pupils black with desire.
"I want you, Severus. In every possible way imaginable," Harry rasped, and Severus felt his parts twitch at the tone, he repressed a shudder, "I've dreamt about it and about a life with you for months..."
Then, Harry moved a bit closer, his other hand travelling to Severus's chest. The nightshirt was thin but Severus could feel his strong and warm hand on him, his heart racing with the contact, the warmth of the body coming off of him.
"And believe it or not, you're the most magnificent, sexiest man I've ever laid eyes on," Harry whispered. Severus snorted, but Harry didn't break eye contact, "I know you don't believe it yourself. But if you could see yourself as I see you, Severus... you'd see how marvellous you are."
"I'm nothing of the sort, Harry. Be sensible. I am neither attractive nor sexy, my body is scrawny and has too many scars, and..."
"And what if I have a thing for scrawny, pale-skinned bodies? What if I have a thing for scars?" Harry asked, his eyes darting down to the scar on Severus's neck.
In a slow movement, Harry leaned down and nuzzled the skin of his neck, smelling the slight musk scent. Severus was tense over him, his breath audible when he felt Harry's wet tongue darting out and licking the scar.
His eyes opened wide in surprise and his entire body shuddered, the warmth and wetness of the tongue sending tremors throughout his body. A moan he couldn't stifle escaped his throat, and he heard Harry's own muffled moan as his tongue felt it reverberating.
He felt the blood pumping to a certain part of his anatomy, and though he didn't want to go there yet, it was so pleasurable. Harry was so pleasurable.
Harry Potter... The Boy Who Lived, the Vanquisher of the Dark Lord, the most powerful wizard of his time. The war hero everyone worshipped.
But that morning Harry was none of those things. To him, Harry was the man who'd bewitched his heart, his body and his very soul.
"There was never anyone like you," Harry whispered, his lips still close to his neck, kissing and nibbling at the skin. "You know I've had sex with plenty of men, muggle and wizard, but none of them made me feel what you make me feel. There's nobody else."
Severus swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbling with the movement.
"What if... what if I'm not ready yet?" Severus asked, his voice ashamed.
"We'll wait until you are. Like everything else we've done, you won't have to do anything you don't want," Harry said, "and if it never happens, then we will never do it."
"But Harry, you can't possibly be serious. You're young and have all your life ahead of you, you don't want to be tied to share your bed and your life with... with someone like me..." Severus trailed off, shaking his head.
It was just too good to be true.
At that, Harry moved away from Severus a bit, sitting down on the bed. He grabbed Severus's hands and pulled him into a sitting position too.
"Look me in the eyes, please," Harry said, and his voice sounded serious.
Severus did, locking eyes with him, Harry's stern and piercing gaze felt as if he was staring into his very soul.
"I love you."
The world stopped.
Severus's eyes opened wide, his heart making a triple jump in his chest, then began beating like mad. He blinked, astonishment probably written on his face. His entire body shook with Harry's declaration, his mouth open wide.
"Wh-what— "
"Did you honestly believe that I've been with you all this time because I love only your little side? I adore my little boy but it's not just that. It hasn't been for months now," Harry continued.
He grabbed his hand and brought it to his lips. Severus felt the warmth of those chapped lips, the tenderness of Harry's kiss, the love he was pouring into the contact. It made him shudder and he choked back a whimper of pure emotion.
"I love you, Severus. Absolutely all of you, "Harry whispered, his lips grazing his, "I love it when you wake up in the mornings, still groggy and grumpy, and you cuddle with me. I love your witty humour, your knowledge, your sarcasm, and your bravery. And how you try to hide how big your heart is, but you can't."
Severus felt heat rise to his cheeks and he lowered his eyes, trying to hide from Harry's piercing emerald gaze.
But Harry's hand went to his cheek, gently rising his head to meet his eyes.
"You are amazing, and I still can't believe you're here with me, after everything we've been through..." Harry trailed off.
He leaned down, and Severus could only stand there, speechless, as Harry pecked his lips in a sweet kiss.
"Can't you see? That cottage, the dream of that life in the countryside, would now be incomplete without you. I want to be with you, always. I want to grow old with you, celebrate every wrinkle and every grey hair we have, and wake up every single morning with you by my side."
Severus felt a lump in his throat and tears misting his eyes. He swallowed, trying to go past that lump, and rasped.
"What can I give you that you don't already possess?"
"A family," Harry stated, "you are the only one who understands me, who looks after me, who gets me. And I can look after you, be that someone for you too."
Severus forced himself to remain calm, and he swallowed, pursing his lips.
"And... will that be enough for you?"
Harry smiled and shifted even closer. He nuzzled his nose with Severus, their breaths mingling together in the minimal space.
And then, he reached forward. The moment their lips met was electrical and magical, like the first time that Severus used his wand to do magic. He felt something tightening in his stomach, his toes curling, and the most magnificent of sensations cursing through his body. The taste of Harry was soft and sweet, like morning in spring.
When they pulled away, Harry was beaming at him, his eyes sparkling with something he could only describe as joy. And he felt exhilarated in the knowledge that he was capable of making Harry feel that.
"This," Harry whispered as he nuzzled their noses, "will always be enough, Severus. You are always enough. You are extraordinary."
Severus said nothing, he didn't feel he couldn't but kissed Harry's lips again.
And again. And again. Their lips brushed, nibbled, kissed and bit every part they reached, and it lasted an eternity.
At one point the kisses became less hungry and less urgent. Harry's lips moved to his neck, and Severus turned his head around to give Harry space. He had to grab the sheets in his fingers tightly as Harry paid special attention to the underside of his earlobe and the huge scar the serpent had left.
He shuddered and writhed under Harry's lips, and for a second he wished he were naked too so he could feel Harry's torso against his. He thought he knew the direction they were going and he felt a slight twitch in his groin, fear and excitement mixing together. But then Harry slowed his kisses until they were no more than sweet brushes, and Severus felt he could finally breathe.
They spent an eternity like that, together, holding each other and sharing caresses and sweet kisses.
"Have you thought of what you want to do come to the end of the year?" Severus asked after a long while, his fingertips drawing imaginary circles on Harry's back that drew sighs from him.
Harry shook his head.
"I think I've had enough of Hogwarts, you can only learn so much. I have been looking at some positions I could apply to," Harry said, "I know I want to teach, but I'm not going to live in the castle if I have a cottage of my own. Perhaps I could go into teacher training..."
"Mmm, that isn't a bad idea. Maybe you can write to Mr Simmons, you did mention he was a good tutor when you were training," Severus commented.
"He was, I know he was retiring soon," Harry said as his lips drew a smile, his eyes glinting with excitement. "I think I should write to him today, and see if he can give me an appointment."
"Yes. And... what we should also start doing is start looking for that dream cottage you so desire," Severus said with a smirk, "though with your vivid imagination, I doubt it will be more than a shed..."
"Hey!" Harry said as he hit him on his chest, though his eyes were glistening with mirth, "I'll have you know my imagination is quite vivid, thank you very much."
"If you say so... until I don't see the cottage for myself, allow me the benefit of the doubt," Severus added as his smirk grew wider.
Harry simply laughed as Severus passed one of his arms behind his head while with the other he pulled Harry against him. The warm body fell half on the mattress and half on top of him, and he pressed him closer to him.
He closed his eyes, letting his nose smell the scent of parchment and ink, his lips drawing a soft smile without realizing it.
"I'd give anything for our mornings to be like this. Always..." he trailed off.
"They can be. They will be, if you want" Harry said, and Severus felt his lips kissing his chest over his nightshirt, "for now, you have plenty to think about. You now know what I want, but I will never make you rush into something if you aren't ready."
Severus said nothing, he didn't feel he couldn't but kissed Harry's lips again.
"Will you wait for me?"
"Of course, Sev..." Harry said as he smiled and kissed the top of his nose.
"But for now, we have work to do. And I'm starving. Come on, let's go!"
Harry jumped off the bed, and Severus groaned as he complained but got up as well, his eyes trailing after Harry walked to the bathroom. He shook his head, wanting to dispel the thousands of images in his head, as he sighed with a soft smirk.
Hogsmeade was packed that evening.
Students were in school, probably doing some late-night studying before the final exams, which were around the corner. So, it took Harry a while to remember that not only students visited Hogsmeade with regularity.
He walked briskly, noticing Severus taking shorter strides so he could keep up with him.
They walked amongst the strangers and the villagers of the town, waving their heads to those familiar faces. Harry felt it difficult to imagine he wouldn't be doing that in a few months' time.
"After classes tomorrow, I want to take you somewhere," Severus said to him in a whisper.
Harry turned his head to face him, a smile on his face before he could think about it.
"Where?"
"It's a surprise. Though a nice surprise, I hope," Severus said mysteriously.
"Oh, come on! You can't tell me anything?"
"It would spoil the surprise, and then I couldn't call it that," Severus answered with a smirk.
"You're a spoilsport," Harry complained.
"Brat," Severus replied as he tried to suppress his smirk becoming wider, "come on, let's get in. I'm sure they're waiting already."
Severus wasn't wrong.
When they got into The Three Broomsticks, the warmth hit him first before anything else. The room was packed with people, it was obvious it was a summer evening, as the noise was nearly deafening.
"Harry! Severus! Over here!" a voice shouted amongst the ruckus of the patrons.
Harry saw a hand waving at him, and he moved through the several dozens of tables, chairs and people to get to the table Ron and Hermione were occupying.
"You made it," Hermione said with a smile as they claimed their seats at their table.
"It wasn't easy. What's going on in here? I don't think I've ever seen the Three Broomsticks so full," Harry said.
"The final of the exploding snap tournament," Severus said as if it was obvious. All three sets of eyes fell onto him, Harry raised an eyebrow at him, "what? A man has to be up-to-date with the news."
"I never thought you'd be interested in that piece of news. You don't even like Quidditch besides when Slytherin wins," Harry said.
"Which is quite often since that blasted Potter left the Gryffindor team, so thank you for that," Severus said with a smirk, then he seemed to school his features.
Harry laughed and turned his face to his oldest friends, who seemed to be shocked at their banter.
"Don't mind him, he's on fire today," Harry said with a smile.
"How are you, Severus?" Ron asked looking him in the eyes.
Severus held his gaze, but his eyes were soft and grateful.
"Much better, thank you," he said, "not in a small amount thanks to you and your delightful Circe."
"She's yours, now," Ron reminded him as he smiled, "no need to thank me."
Severus nodded and took a sip of his glass of red wine, still staying away from firewhiskey.
"So, you wanted to see us, Severus?" Hermione asked.
She was sitting with her back straight, and she seemed to mean business. Harry took a sip of his butterbeer, smirking at her friend. She was always one of a kind, and ready to tackle anything Severus presented her with.
"I do," Severus said, "first of all, I wanted to thank you both for the other day. I didn't... I've never had anyone looking after me like I recently have. And I wanted to say I am grateful for your presence and kindness that night."
"Oh, Severus... that's what friends are for, isn't it?" Hermione replied with a small smile and her expression soft, "we just had to be there for you."
"And I thank you for that," he replied, "and now... for the more serious issue. I assume you are familiar with Harry's... let's say, special powers?"
"His nightmares and capacity for wandless magic?" Ron whispered as he leaned forward, looking around suspiciously, not wanting anyone to hear about that, "yes, we are."
"Well, I think I might be able to solve it," Severus said, "we tested his powers not long ago, and I believe it has to do with control."
"Just that?"
"I am going to need to do research on the topic, wandless magic is an understudied area, to begin with," Severus said.
"Not to mention how it's frowned upon," Hermione added, "what do you need me to do, Severus?"
"I think we should both tackle one aspect of the investigation, that way we can cover more..."
Harry didn't want to lose interest, it was his powers they were discussing after all. However, he had never been that adept at research and he got lost in the jargon they both used. Instead, he sat back on his chair and took a sip as he saw Hermione and Severus scheming a way to organize their research and share their findings.
He was so glad and relieved that his best friends, the people he considered family, were not only accepting his relationship with Severus but also of him as a person. He seemed to almost be conspiring with Hermione, it made him think that they would have been a menace if they had been the same age. The two smartest pupils of their year, no doubt.
He smiled wider, softly chuckling, and he glanced at Ron who was looking from Severus to Hermione trying to keep up, and failing dismally. That only made Harry chuckle harder.
"Well, I think we have it all for now," Hermione said as she put away the notebook and quill Harry hadn't realized she'd taken out of her purse. "We're going to need a few days and then we'll discuss our findings."
"That sounds agreeable," Severus replied.
"Thank Merlin, I thought you'd never finish," Ron said as he feigned a yawn, "' Mione, you must be happy. Now you have a friend who can actually understand what you talk about!"
Severus chuckled softly, as Harry and Hermione laughed out loud.
"That is true..." Hermione replied with honesty.
"What is it that you do at the Ministry exactly, Hermione?"
Severus seemed to be quite interested in what Hermione had to say about her job at the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. He listened, as enraptured, as Hermione talked about her different projects at the Ministry.
"I was wondering if the Hogwarts elves would be amenable to receiving a small sum of money for their troubles," Severus pondered aloud. "I know your friend Dobby received money from the Headmaster, and he served him because of loyalty, not servitude. It always felt wrong to treat them as slaves, though most of them would die of sadness if freed."
"I'm glad you think that, Severus," Hermione said, and she seemed to be excited at the fact that her former Professor approved of her ideas, "there may be a couple of things we can try, but the most important thing is..."
Harry tuned out of the conversation when Ron whispered to him.
"So? Have you made it official?"
He choked on his butterbeer.
"Have made what official?"
Ron smirked at him, signalling Severus with his head.
"You and him, you idiot," Ron answered, "I've seen the way you look at each other, it isn't guarded or shy anymore. He eats you with his eyes and he isn't even hiding it now..."
Harry hid his smile behind his glass, he would've never imagined his friend being so receptive. Perhaps his relationship with Hermione was teaching him too much.
He called Severus's attention by placing a hand on his knee under the table and squeezing. Severus turned his head and looked at him, a question in his eyes when he ran his tongue through his lower lip.
He could feel Severus's muscles tense under his hand, the smallest twitch of his lips as he set his jaw, he seemed to be restraining himself.
But they didn't need to.
With a smile he arched his eyebrows, tilting his head in a silent question. Severus only nodded once, but he got his answer.
"We did talk," Harry said with a smile so wide his lips hurt, "Severus and I are together."
"As in... a relationship?" Ron asked.
"Not that you weren't before, but..." Hermione added biting her lip.
"We're only starting," Harry clarified, "but we think it's worth a try."
There was silence for a couple of seconds after his words, Severus's knee was slightly bobbling under his hand, the only sign that he was anxious. Harry squeezed it again and pressed himself close to him, their arms bumping into each other.
"Well, 'Mione, it seems like I owe you," Ron said with defeat as he sat back on his chair and took a sip of his butterbeer.
Harry frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"We had a wager on how long it would take you two to get together at last," Hermione said with a triumphant smile, her eyes glistening. "I said, seeing as you were so taken with each other, you'd be together by the end of the year. Ron disagreed."
"I thought it would take Harry months to convince you, Severus! You failed me, my man!"
Severus looked from Ron to Hermione to Harry, his expression was entirely blank.
Until his face began to crumble, his eyes closed as his eyebrows rose, and he dissolved into a peal of laughter. Deep and hard, coming from his belly, Severus laughed. Harry, seeing the ridiculousness of the situation, couldn't help but chuckle too, while Hermione and Ron sat there as if stunned, seeing their former Professor laugh as carefree as a bird.
"I'm glad you had so much confidence in us, guys," Harry said, wiping the tears of mirth away from his eyes.
"Oh, no worries. It only took you like, what? Five years?" Ron joked as he laughed, "you definitely took your time, you could've waited a bit more!"
"I apologise about your wager, Ron, but I believe we took long enough," Severus replied, a smirk still decorating his face.
"Oi! We agreed on taking things slow, don't blame it on me now," Harry complained, but Severus only smiled and winked at him.
After they calmed down, the conversation seemed to flow naturally. The noise and ruckus of the pub began to dissipate after the first hour, the patrons slowly returned to their houses, but they sat at the same table.
Until, at one point, another redhead came through the door.
Severus was the first to notice, and Harry followed his eyes until he spotted a mop of red hair walking towards them.
"Charlie, over here!" Ron waved at him as he'd previously done when Severus and Harry had entered.
"Hi, guys. Fancy you here, Professor!" Charlie smiled as he claimed a seat between his brother and Severus, "how are you doing?"
"Fine. What brings you here, Charlie?" Harry asked, he didn't remember telling him about his meeting with his friends.
"Oh, just popping by. I'm heading tomorrow morning for Romania," he said.
"Tomorrow?"
Harry noticed immediately the change in Severus. His eyes were no longer glistening, they were set on Charlie, his back straight and his shoulders square.
"Yes, they need me there for a couple of little dragon hatchlings that are bringing too much trouble to themselves," Charlie replied in a soft voice.
They all seemed to notice Severus's change, and they kept silent as Harry's hand travelled to his back, rubbing gently up and down.
"It will be just for a couple of weeks, I'll be back before you all notice I've been gone," Charlie said with fake cheerfulness. Then he spoke directly to Severus, "besides, I've brought you something."
From the pocket of his light jacket, he fished for a wrapped package that he unshrank, placing it on Severus's hands.
"Open it," he whispered.
Severus did, his fingers trembling as he delicately pulled from the thread that was keeping the wrappings of the package together. He unwrapped it and saw that he had the most beautiful children's book he'd ever held in his hands.
It was a pop-up book, the details intricate, the colours vivid. It was obvious it had been hand-made. Harry looked at the book utterly astonished and saw Severus's long fingers holding it almost reverently, opening a page painfully slowly.
The wizard appeared in the book, and Harry was suddenly staring at the drawn and painted face of none other than Severus Snape.
He stared, wide-eyed at the book as he turned it around and looked at the cover.
The Heroes of Today, the Heroes of Tomorrow.
"It's a book about you, all of you. I thought it was beautifully made," Charlie explained, "I hope you like it, you can read it when you play."
Severus lifted his gaze, Harry kept rubbing his back, knowing he was so moved he was close to tears. He nodded repeatedly and gulped.
"Thank you," he managed to croak as he looked him in the eyes.
"You are welcome, my friend," Charlie answered as he placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed, "well, I'm afraid I must go."
"Can't you stay, Charlie? Just for a butterbeer?" Harry asked, suddenly not wanting the older Weasley to leave.
"No, sorry Harry, I'm leaving in eight hours and I haven't packed a thing!" he exclaimed, "how about we meet when I come back for a round of explosive snap, hey?"
"That's done!"
"I don't even know why you insist on playing, Charlie," Hermione said as she shook her head, "you know Harry will destroy your game in one minute!"
"That's the beauty, Hermione!" Charlie said as he winked, "well, time to go, lads. Goodbye, see you soon!"
"Thank you, Charlie. See you soon," Severus said, his voice still unsteady.
"You can bet on it," Charlie said as he winked, flashing Severus a wide grin. Harry felt his lips curling upwards as he saw Severus snorting, but still, his expression was soft.
As Charlie waved them goodbye and left the pub, the air had somehow shifted. Harry assumed it had been too much, Charlie's sudden departure and his present.
"It's a very beautiful gift, Severus," Hermione commented with a soft smile, "I'm sure you will love it."
"Oh, I'm sure of it," Harry replied as he looked at him, "we'll read it together, yeah?"
Then, he leaned forward and placed a light-feather kiss on his temple. Severus sucked in a breath, and in a second, his hands were grabbing the lapels of his shirt, keeping him in place. Harry understood and shifted a bit closer to him, wrapping an arm around his back as he kept him close.
Severus didn't ask to go back to the castle, and after a while, he got back to engaging in conversation with his friends. Harry kept his arm around his back, nonetheless, sensing that Severus needed him close.
And he knew he'd been right when, at bedtime, Severus took even less time to wrap himself in his arms, curling up against him.
"I understand you don't want him to leave, Severus, but Charlie will be back in just a few weeks," Harry whispered to his hair, in the darkness of the bedroom.
"I know," Severus croaked, "it's just that... it's so sudden."
"He won't be leaving to Romania forever, remember what Molly said? He's settling in England and looking for a place for himself instead of living at the Burrow. Don't worry, he'll be back soon..." he whispered.
Harry tried to remind Severus of that, and of Charlie's fondness for him, but deep down he understood.
There was one silver lining, though. Severus's demons were once again knocking at his door, but this time, he was allowing himself the time and grace to process them. And he'd come out of this battle, perhaps not unscathed, but stronger than before. Harry was sure of it.
For now, holding him tighter against him, he pressed a kiss to his temple, and then more kisses around his face. They were loud and sticky, and it didn't take long for him to hear Severus's rumble of laughter reverberating in his chest. And that's how they fell asleep, tangled in each other's arms.
"Are you sure you don't need me there?" Harry asked, his concern obvious in his furrowed brow.
"It will be boring, and it surely will mean several law procedures before they read the actual testament," Severus said, "do not worry, I'll be fine."
They were in the dungeons, Harry was dressed in sports gear and had his latest model Firebolt in his hands.
That day, Rosie's testament was going to be read. Severus had been called to the Ministry as an interested party, which meant that Rosie had left something to Severus.
They'd discussed this at length since Severus had assumed everything would go to Thomas Ward, Rosie's son.
"I know, I know. I just don't like the idea of you going off alone."
"I'm not "going off " as you put it. It's just a simple procedure. Besides, I doubt anyone will be allowed in except the interested parties."
Harry sighed audibly and shook his head.
"Okay. Well, I'm going to practise some flying. If you need me, you know how to find me," Harry said, gesturing his chest.
Severus's fingers automatically went to his neck, where the ampulla Harry had gifted him for Christmas was resting against his skin. It still felt cold to the touch, and he brushed his fingers over the fabric of his coat, knowing the ampulla was still there.
"I know. Thank you, Harry. But don't concern yourself over me, I will be fine," Severus said in a soft voice, "I'll see you later."
"What, no kiss?" Harry said with a pout, feigning a sad expression.
Severus smirked and he soon was pulled to Harry's side, the younger man pulling him for a kiss.
It was still a novelty to Severus, to share kisses as natural as this. When leaving, when arriving, when being at home, calm in each other's arms... their first shared kiss was still fresh in his mind, the way Harry's lips felt against his, the way he smelled, the way he tasted. And a part of Severus still marvelled at this new discovery.
"God, you are so beautiful like this," Harry moaned against him, one of his hands cupping his cheeks.
His face was now bare, having taken to pull his hair into a low ponytail at the base of his neck. The few rebel strands still fell down his face, elongating it without hiding it.
Severus snorted, embarrassed at such a display of honesty.
"Off you go, come on. Otherwise, you'll never leave," Severus said as he gently pushed Harry away from him.
"Okay, okay... but please..."
"Yes, if I need you I'll let you know. But I believe I can do this alone," Severus reassured him.
"Okay. See you later then," with one last peck Harry turned around and left the dungeons, presumably headed to the Quidditch pitch.
Severus then took a deep breath and walked to his bedroom. His mind was riling, not wanting to get his hopes up, but he had an inkling of what Rosie had left him in her testament.
After a while of pacing up and down the quarters, he got tired of waiting and decided to go to London. He was initially going to apparate at the nearest apparating point to the Ministry, but instead, he decided to walk. So, he made for the fireplace and grabbed a handful of floo powder.
"The Leaky Cauldron, London!" he shouted at the fireplace, and a surge of green flames engulfed him.
When he got out, brushing the inexisting soot out of his robes, he walked through the back door. He didn't want to be seen for now, so he crossed the door making sure not to make any noise and alert Tom of his presence. He'd have time to greet him later.
It was a warm summer afternoon when Severus stepped into muggle London. For a second he'd thanked his thoughtfulness for only wearing a light coat over his black shirt and having tied his hair in a ponytail. Otherwise, he'd feel it sticking to his neck.
He walked along Charing Cross Road. He wasn't particularly keen on bumping into crowds of tourists left and right, but he had no other option if he wanted to make it in time. And he enjoyed the walk, the views so different from the Hogwarts grounds.
Finally, he arrived at Trafalgar Square. His eyes moved through all the tourists visiting the city, the buskers playing their music and singing. He avoided hordes of people like the plague, preferring the solitude of his dungeons, but he'd always enjoyed seeing the musicians play.
While he was walking, a young girl caught his attention. She was a few years older than his students now, but still young and had pale white skin and red curly hair. He was instantly reminded of Lily's red hair blowing in the wind in the summer evenings in Cokeworth, and he stopped to watch.
The sun highlighted the colour, and she sang in the most beautiful eerie voice he'd ever heard. He couldn't help thinking about those old mermaid songs he'd heard being spoken about long ago, that enchanting voice luring him.
Pulling out his pouch with muggle money from his pocket, he dropped a few coins onto the girl's guitar case. The girl winked at him, bowing slightly with her head in a gesture of gratitude. Severus returned the bow and watched until the song finished before he continued his walk along Whitehall Road. He finally located the telephone box, drawing from his memory to remember where it was located exactly.
When he turned a corner, there it was. Red, as it always was, and quite old-looking. Severus, as any wizard in Wizarding England knew, it looked that way to seem as unappealing as possible to muggles.
He got in, put in his muggle coins, and dialled the number 62442. Immediately the voice said what he was already waiting to hear, and down he went into the entrance of the Ministry.
He had avoided going to the Ministry as much as he had been able to, especially after the war. He didn't have good memories of the times he'd been down there. Gulping and putting on his mask, occluding heavily to keep the bad memories at bay, he stepped outside the red phone box.
"Good afternoon," he said as he approached an employee close to the Atrium, "I'm here for a testament reading. Can you tell me where I should go?"
"Ah yes, here. Take this badge, Mr...?"
"Snape," he answered. His name was added magically and the badge got placed on the lapels of his jacket.
"Right, Mr Snape. Go to the lifts, level nine, Department of Mysteries. Then to your right a flight of steps, you'll get down to the courtrooms."
Severus's breathing stopped for a second, and his heart jumped in his chest.
The courtrooms.
He'd never imagined the reading of the testament would be done in the courtrooms of the Ministry. He didn't have intimate knowledge of the Ministry departments, but the courtrooms? Who would've thought of having the probate court by the courtrooms?
He nodded to the man and walked towards the lifts, trying very hard to keep his composure. His eyes focused hard and his expression locked and fixed into a mask of indifference.
Let nobody see, he thought.
He entered the lift and kept going down level by level, people coming in and coming out. All the while, he felt his heart pumping faster, his hands sweating behind his back.
"Severus! What are you doing here?" an affable voice said.
Severus looked up to lock eyes with Arthur Weasley. His eyebrows rose, he hadn't expected to see him, yet another miscalculation. Arthur worked in the Ministry.
"Good afternoon, Arthur," he greeted him with a nod, "I'm going to the courtrooms, I have a testament reading to attend."
"Ah, right..." Arthur said, and he didn't seem to know how to continue. But then, he seemed to take him in, and he smiled a bit softer, "would you like me to go with you down there? You know, it's always easier to find your way with someone from inside."
He knew that Arthur had guessed right away what he was thinking. However, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
"Your company would be... most welcome," Severus admitted in a low voice.
Arthur nodded and squared his shoulders, standing next to him. Severus watched the older man, ten years his senior, as he placed his feet slightly separated from each other. One of his hands was inside his pocket, pretending to have a relaxed pose, but he knew he was grabbing his wand. His stance was not of defence, one would say, but he was mere inches in front of him, ready to lead him and, most importantly, stop someone if he needed to do so.
He felt a wave of gratitude towards the older Weasley. This man, this family had lost so much and yet, they had been one of the few who'd open their house for him. True, much of it had been Harry's own doing, but he had attended Order meetings with them, he knew they were good people, loyal to a fault. And apparently, he was now on the receiving end of this loyalty as well.
"Let's go," Arthur whispered when they reached level nine.
Together, walking side by side, Arthur led Severus towards the flight of stairs. Severus's eyes fell hard on the iron door, memories of his trial all those years ago coming through.
He could remember the smell of the iron bars, the humidity of the place they held him until Dumbledore managed to testify in his favour and got him free. The crowds jeering and shouting, the angry snarls, the —
"Don't worry, the probate court is not that way," Arthur said as they descended the flight of stairs.
Severus was going to his right, but Arthur led him towards a corridor on the left.
"It's through there, third door on the right. It'll probably be open anyway, it's only closed when a testament reading is in session."
They halted in front of the dark corridor, so long that Severus couldn't see the end of it.
"Thank you, Arthur," Severus said as he extended his hand.
Arthur smiled as he saw the extended hand and he shook it firmly.
"I hope I have managed to keep the bad memories at bay," Arthur whispered, leaning a bit closer as he spoke. Then he smiled and took a step back, "see you soon, Severus. Tell Harry that you should come home any time you want. Maybe when Charlie's back we can have dinner together."
"Thank you. I'll let Harry know," Severus said as he nodded and Arthur turned around and left.
Severus took a deep breath, looking at the narrow corridor he was facing. It was dark and not inviting in the slightest, but at least it was nothing similar to the courtrooms and the dungeon he'd been held in.
He walked through the corridor with silent steps, until he reached the third door on the right. It was open.
"Ah, Mr Snape," a woman with dark curly hair and glasses greeted him as he saw him at the door, "please come in. Procedures are about to begin."
"Thank you, Ma'am," he said as he took a seat to her left. She had a portion of the table already filled with different paperwork, but Severus noticed there was no one else there.
"Is... Is Mrs Buchanan's son not attending?"
"Yes, he should be," she replied, not looking up from her papers, "the moment he arrives, we can begin."
Right then Severus heard steps echoing from the corridor, and knew that it was Thomas.
When the man arrived, dressed in a black suit and blue tie, he narrowed his eyes when his eyes fell on Severus.
"Mr Ward, thank you for coming," the Ministry official said as she got up and offered her hand, the same as she'd done with Severus.
"Pleasure's mine," Thomas answered, still eyeing Severus through the corner of his eye.
"Please, do take a seat. Let's begin."
The Ministry official grabbed her wand and with a flick, the door closed, leaving the three of them inside.
Severus could feel Thomas's watchful eyes on him. He obviously thought this was a mere formality and everything would go to him, but he'd been wrong. He didn't like the way Thomas stared at him, almost making a hole in the side of his head of how intensely he was watching him.
He sat down on the Ministry official's right seat, clearing his throat.
"Well, let's begin, shall we?" she said, "my name is Candance Goldine, I am the Ministry official in charge of reading the last will and testament of Rosie Emma Buchanan."
Out of its own accord, an old-looking piece of parchment unscrolled itself and floated in front of the three adults seated at the table.
"This is the last will and testament of me, Rosie Emma Buchanan, of Diagon Alley 8."
Severus listened intently to the full will and testament. Thomas's smirk was growing wider and wider when it named him heir of the Gringotts vault and the flat close to Diagon Alley. Even in its dingy state, with renovations, Thomas could get top dollar for that flat.
"To Severus Tobias Snape," Candance continued reading, and she looked at him briefly through her glasses. At her words, Severus straightened his back. "I leave him, my apothecary, in its current condition, along with a Gringotts vault where he will find several valuable Potion ingredients he will surely appreciate. I bequeath him both in the hopes that he restores the apothecary to its former glory, and it serves as a reminder of what the future can bring."
She then produced two keys: a brass old-looking key and a golden key. Severus gulped. He knew what they were. The brass key was probably the one for the Gringotts' vault, but the golden one he recognized. It was the key to the apothecary, the shop he'd visited for years and years to see his friend.
Opening his palm he accepted the keys in his hand, so reverently he almost bowed to the Ministry employee.
"Now, is that really fair?" Thomas exclaimed, "Rosie was my mother, and mister Snape has no blood relation to her, why would he..."
"The law is clear, Mr Ward," Candance answered in a flat tone, surely tired of dealing with the same complaints. "Had your mother not left a will and testament, everything would have gone to you as her sole heir. However, it was not the case, and therefore Mr Snape has as many rights to the apothecary as you of the flat and the Gringotts vault 244."
"And what about that Gringotts vault? Shouldn't that be mine too?" Thomas insisted.
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, close to losing his patience. Rosie was dead, and here was her son trying to bargain on money that Severus was sure was not there.
"Same answer, Mr Ward. Mrs Buchanan's testament is clear," she insisted, "Mr Snape is the sole owner of the apothecary and the Gringotts vault 245."
"That vault should be mine, if it contains any money it should be on the vault I have acquired, not his!" Thomas hissed.
At that, Severus had to speak up.
Using his most controlled voice, but making sure he was spitting venom, he stared at Thomas, his eyes hard.
"I have no interest in the money Rosie might have left you, Mr Ward, you can keep it all. You seem to forget she didn't care for money, and neither do I," he spat. "I do, however, seem to care more about the apothecary, which was Rosie's passion and which you never showed any interest in."
"What are you saying, Snape?" Thomas asked, his body upright, he seemed to almost want to jump from his seat. "I will let you know I cared very much about my mother, I don't need a fucking Death Eater like you to tell me - "
"Mr Ward, manners, please! That will be enough," Candance interrupted her voice firm. She set her eyes on Thomas, eyeing him up and down, her strict stare reminded Severus of Minerva, "I do not tolerate disrespect to any of my clients in this room. Death Eater or not, your mother bequeathed the apothecary and the Gringotts' vault to Mr Snape, and you have no claim on those. Now, let us continue with the proceedings so we can all leave as soon as possible."
Thomas grunted and bit his lower lip, his eyes glowing with uncontrolled anger, his jaw set tight, but he said nothing else.
Severus arched an eyebrow, puzzled. The Ministry official had no business defending him, and yet, he had told Thomas off as if he was a child, effectively taking his side. It might have been only his lack of manners and decorum, but Severus had the inkling it was more than that. He felt touched.
The procedure took a bit longer than Severus would have wanted, and he felt Thomas's stare the entire time they signed all the papers. He noticed him grabbing the quill with a bit more force than necessary, Severus even thought he was going to break it.
When everything was signed, Thomas stormed off the room without even saying goodbye. Candance, the Ministry official, looked at the open door through which he'd left with a raised eyebrow.
"Pay no attention to him. He always was too materialistic and greedy for his mother's taste," Severus explained as a way to apologise for Thomas's appalling behaviour.
"Yes, I see plenty of those in my line of work, unfortunately," she replied, "if that is all, Mister Snape."
"Thank you, Miss Goldine, and apologies for any inconvenience caused," Severus said as he gathered the copies of the paperwork he'd signed.
He walked up the flight of stairs to level nine at a brisk pace and then queued, waiting to get into one of the lifts. He didn't walk past Arthur's office, but he saw him almost running; his glasses on top of his head and trying to balance a pile of paperwork that seemed to be about to collapse. Severus snatched his wand and with a flicker of his wrist and a murmured incantation, the papers stacked themselves up in two neat piles of paper.
Arthur narrowed his eyes and then looked left and right, trying to locate the caster of the spell. His eyes fell on him, and bowing his head slightly he smiled, following his manager afterwards. Severus replied with a small nod in acknowledgement before he continued to the lifts, and outside of the Ministry.
When he got outside and the sun nearly blinded him, but it didn't bother him.
The Apothecary.
Rosie had given him the apothecary, along with a Gringotts vault he was dying to know what it contained.
The apothecary was his.
He had been thinking about it for weeks, the conversation with Harry playing back in his head.
Right there and then, Severus knew what he was going to do after the summer. He would not be returning to Hogwarts to teach, now a new future opened in front of his eyes.
You can open your own apothecary, perhaps Dumbledore firing you is a blessing, not a curse, Harry had said once.
And now, he knew what path to take.
He felt the corners of his lips pulling upwards, and he didn't fight against it. The muscles of his face tightened as his lips drew a wide smile, probably one of the widest he'd ever done. He found he didn't care if someone recognized him and saw him smile.
Rosie had done more than he'd imagined for him.
He was already eager to visit the apothecary and see what renovations it needed, not only in terms of potion ingredients but also in terms of reparations.
But first, he had something to show Harry.
Harry.
Harry, who was right now practising with his Firebolt.
Harry, who'd kissed him right before leaving, who'd kissed him every day multiple times for the last few days.
Harry, who had said he loved him, all of him.
Severus felt beside himself with joy. Utter and unadulterated joy. He, who'd seen and felt so much pain and anguish in his life, was feeling for the first time not only happy but also excited about the prospect of a new life.
He wanted to start living it, now.
"Okay, can I open my eyes now?"
"Not yet, you impatient boy," Severus answered after the fifth time Harry had asked the same question.
Harry continued walking as he bit his lip to hide his smirk. Severus was aware he was doing it on purpose, Harry knew it. But it wouldn't be as much fun if he made it so blatantly obvious, so he shut his mouth, deciding to play along.
Severus had picked Harry up from Hogwarts, right by the anti-apparition wards. He'd come back from the reading of Rosie's will but hadn't wanted to share a thing yet, telling him he'd tell him later. Seeing as Severus didn't seem to be in a bad mood or affected by the news, he decided not to push.
"Ouch, you could at least warn me!" Harry exclaimed when what seemed to be a particularly thin and sharp branch hit his face, almost making him lose his glasses. He was tempted to open his eyes, but he managed to keep them close. Only just.
"Apologies," Severus said really close to him, the voice came from in front of him, "we're near. Duck your head now, there's a huge tree branch ahead."
Harry ducked his head as he walked, guided only by Severus's voice and his hand, which had engulfed Harry's completely.
The hand felt cold to the touch, as it always did, even as close to summer as they were. His fingers were wrapped around his, his thumb making small caresses to the back of his hand, he didn't even know if Severus noticed what he was doing.
But Harry did, and it felt wonderful.
Even more wonderful was to be guided by him, having no idea what part of the country they were. Severus had apparated them together in what seemed to be a forest and then had told him to close his eyes.
They got to a halt and Harry stopped his steps when he noticed Severus stopping. He then felt him walking closer to him, his other hand on his shoulder as he walked behind him.
He then felt his breathing on his neck. The loose strands of his hair touched his cheek as Severus bent forward, his chin almost touching his shoulder.
"You can open your eyes now," he said in a velvety, rich voice.
Harry did, and he had to blink in a stupor when he saw what he had in front of him.
His eyes were set on what seemed to be a four-bedroom cottage and a semi-detached smaller shed. The quaint house had stone façades with large windows and gabled roof lines that traced the thatched roofs. There were two oversized chimneys coming from the roof, plus another smaller one coming from the shed.
The property was surrounded by a wooden fence coming up to the wooden gate, next to which they were standing. In front of them and leading the path toward the house there was a beautiful garden full of colourful flowers.
Branches of ivy were hanging from the stone wall, and Harry knew it needed cleaning, but it added more charm to the already charming house.
It was utterly magnificent.
Harry felt warmth from his hand that was still in Severus's grip, spreading through all corners of his body. He stood, agape and wide-eyed, not believing what he was seeing.
"Do you like it?" Severus asked, and Harry was so attuned to him now that he could distinguish the slight insecurity in his voice, the way it slightly trembled.
"Sev, this is... I have no words for this..." Harry said as he turned around, turning his back to the cottage for a moment, "how did you find it?"
"I've got my means..." Severus said with a small smirk, then the smile became wider and softer. "I have an acquaintance that works in real estate, he owed me a favour after an incident he had with a badly brewed potion that I helped with."
"Is this a favour? You know I hate using my name for —"
"No, no discounts or special offers. I simply reached out to him and asked what he had available that fit the description of what you wanted," Severus replied, "I promise it was all clean."
Harry nodded and turned around to watch the house again. It was so beautiful, quaint and full of personality.
It was everything he had ever imagined.
He felt his lips tugging at the corners as he could envisage himself in the living room of this same house, clad in some worn-out joggers and an apron, the smell of roasted pork wafting the room. Severus, with silver hair and more wrinkles than he had now, reading the Daily Prophet out loud. Harry would giggle uncontrollably as Severus read the trashy news of the day, adding his commentary afterwards.
Yes, this could be it. What he'd been looking for, forever.
"You never answered my question," Severus said, his voice slightly alarmed now, "if you don't like it we can go back, see if we can find－"
"Sev," Harry interrupted, his voice soft, "this is... perfect."
He then blindly reached and grabbed Severus's hands in his, Severus turned to his side so he could watch him.
"This is... everything I've ever dreamt of. It really is," Harry said, "I... I just don't know what to say. Are... are you sure you want this?"
Severus nodded and he took a deep breath, he seemed to gather his thoughts.
Then, he began talking.
"I've had more than one revelation this past week," Severus admitted, "the first one is that I have to leave the past where it belongs, where it can't hurt me anymore. And it can't. I'm not the same person I was a year ago, Harry, you've been the instigator of that change. I cannot thank you enough."
"You know it wasn't me alone. You had to work through some pretty tough issues, I only helped in guiding you," Harry replied.
"I know, but I wouldn't have done it if it hadn't been for you. Which brings me to the other revelation," Severus said, looking at the cottage in front of them.
His eyes seemed to be looking far away from the house. Further than the mountains Harry could distinguish in the distance, even further than the eyes could see.
"Rosie has left me the apothecary," Severus said simply.
Harry gasped, and a huge smile broke on his lips.
"Sev, that's great! Rosie gave you a great gift," he said as he wrapped his arms around his back.
"I know, one I won't waste," Severus said, "I'm going to take it. I'm going to restore the shop to what it once was, and I'm going to resume my research on experimental Potions."
"So, you've finally decided? You're leaving Hogwarts for good, then?" Harry asked.
Severus nodded once, and then his eyes focused on him.
The emotion and fire held in there were all-consuming. Harry gulped and had to repress the urge to whimper at the intensity of Severus's gaze, the flames seemed to want to consume everything. His own beast beat in his chest, and he fought to keep it under control.
"Rosie didn't want me to waste my life away, just breathing in and out until one day I'd cease to exist, consumed by the memories of a past that cannot be changed. Your mother..." Severus swallowed, but continued, he seemed to need to say it out loud, "your mother wouldn't have wanted me to give up on life just as I could finally live it again."
Then, Severus wrapped his arms around Harry's waist, pulling him in. Harry let him, feeling his own heart beating faster and faster, the heat rising to his cheeks at Severus's proximity.
"I want to start living my life," Severus said, "and I cannot conceive my life anymore without you in it."
Harry's eyes welled at Severus's words.
"If you want me, Harry Potter. Every single day of my life, I'll choose you."
Harry felt the words clog up in his throat. Unable to say anything, he did the only thing he felt he could do to convey everything he was feeling.
He grabbed Severus by the lapels of his light jacket, and reaching up, he captured his lips in his. He pressed their lips together, moaning as he tried to feel more, to kiss more of Severus. His arms wrapped around the man, pulling him closer while one of his hands tried to tangle in his hair.
Feeling the ponytail at the base of his neck, Harry pulled the hairband. Severus's hair cascaded on their faces, and Harry moaned as he felt the softness of the strands as his fingers tangled in it.
When they finally pulled away, Severus leaned lower and pressed a kiss on Harry's cheek, as he sighed and pressed their foreheads together.
"Merlin, I love you so much..." Harry whispered.
Severus didn't reply, but the way his eyes fluttered, and the tender way he leaned as he kissed his lips, it felt as if he was pouring his whole heart into it. Harry saw his eyelashes moist, and one of his hands went to Severus's face, wiping away the tears that had welled in his eyes.
He pressed his lips against his, with as much tenderness as he could muster, and he felt Severus melting against him.
When they came for air, Severus pressed his forehead against Harry's, their breaths mingling in the minimal space.
"Shall I let my acquaintance know, then?" Severus asked in a murmur, his voice still breathy.
It seemed innocuous, the way Severus had phrased it. But Harry knew it wasn't.
And with a wide grin, and tears still in his eyes, he nodded.
"Yes. Yes, thousand times yes," he said, kissing Severus's lips as if he were addicted to them. He was beginning to think that it was.
"Can we explore the house?" he asked.
At that, Severus smiled mischievously as wriggled his fingers and held a silver key next to his face.
"Fantastic, let's go!" Harry said as he grabbed his hand and ran towards the front door of the house.
When Severus opened the door, a smell of warm hearth and wood hit Harry's nostrils immediately. Someone had been living here until quite recently, judging from the state of the house.
They walked in directly into a huge living room, decorated in warm colours. Two dark brown sofas were placed in front of each other next to the fireplace, where two armchairs were, waiting to be sat on. All the decoration was quite rustic, with dark and wooden colours, but the curtains were of a beige colour that allowed light to pass through.
They went in, room by room, Harry feeling like his heart would explode with happiness. He rambled on and on about what he would change in each of the rooms, or the things they needed to add.
"And this," Harry said as he smiled, locating a mahogany door at the far end of a corridor, "will be your private lab. Only for you."
Harry opened the door and his smile turned into a gobsmacked expression when he saw the huge space. Three workbenches were already in place, and rows and rows of empty shelves sat there full of dust, but ready to use.
The place inside was the size of three Potions classrooms, though Harry knew on the outside it looked like nothing more than an added shed to the house.
"It's bigger on the inside!" Harry exclaimed as he walked inside.
Severus smiled as his eyes seemed to be taking it all in, probably his mind already working on how he'd arranged his ingredients or his cauldrons. Harry's smile was so wide his face hurt, but he couldn't stop.
"Tergeo," said Severus's voice in front of him.
In a second, all dust was removed, and with a flick of his wrist, the windows were cleaned and let the light come into the room.
Severus walked to one of the workbenches and rested his body against it, stretching his arm.
Harry took his hand and let himself be pulled to Severus's body. He opened his legs slightly so that Harry could accommodate himself better, and one of his hands travelled to his face.
The young professor looked at Severus, feeling lost in the whirlwind of emotions running through those black eyes. He felt fingers cupping his cheek, gently caressing the bearded skin.
"I saw your mother, that day after Rosie's funeral," Severus said simply.
Harry blinked, his brow furrowing.
"My... mum?"
"Yes. I'm still unsure of what kind of magic it was, if it was indeed magic," Severus said. "She said she was a figment of my subconscious, everything I knew but had never wanted to admit to myself."
Harry had a thousand questions running through his mind, but his mouth couldn't voice a single one.
"She told me to leave my past and look towards the future with you," Severus said.
He leaned down, pressing a kiss on Harry's forehead, right where his scar was. The lips lingered there, and Harry felt everything Severus was feeling pouring in like a waterfall.
He hadn't used his wand, hadn't even cast Legilimancy. But he knew that none of the emotions was his. The gratitude, the trepidation, the slight fear and the utter eagerness at finally being able to look at the future with hope. All were Severus's.
Harry blinked as he nodded, and he reached to kiss Severus's lips. He didn't know what kind of magic Severus had seen, but Harry would take it as his mother giving them her blessing for their new step in their relationship.
"Did she say anything else?"
Severus stood there in silence, caressing Harry's cheek as if entranced until he leaned down and pecked his lips.
"To take a leap of faith."
Harry smiled and pressed himself closer to Severus, reaching to kiss him long and languid, with no rush.
In the outside world, life continued.
But in the cottage, the world stopped spinning as their lips met and their arms wrapped around each other, never letting go.
This is it! The apothecary, Charlie's pop-up book, AND THE COTTAGE!
I hope you liked it!
Also kudos to everyone who got the two muggle references! The girl busking in Trafalgar Square is Malinda, a fantastic singer with the most beautiful voice. Here's her Instagram: www. Instagram missmalindakat and you can follow her on TikTok, Spotify and Youtube!
And finally, the line "It's bigger on the inside" is of course, from DOCTOR WHO!
We're nearing the end, only the epilogue to finish now and that will be it. It's already written, so I hope I can edit and post it in the next few weeks.
As always A BIG THANK YOU to each and every one of you who comes back to read this story, leaves kudos and second kudos if they were possible, and who comments on each chapter.
I see and appreciate ALL of you, thank you.
See you in the LAST CHAPTER of this story!