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Gryffindor Auction Prompt: Day 31, Auction 3: Last Dance
Word Count: 398
One Last Dance
Harry wasn't sure what was happening. He was dancing, though he wasn't sure how or why. The arms that held him were strong and warm, and Harry felt a strange feeling of safety that he'd only felt with one person in his long life, and he hadn't felt it for a while now.
He lifted his head from the shoulder it was resting on, and his eyes widened when he saw who was leading him around the dance floor.
"You're dead," he whispered, barely audible over the sound of the music playing.
"I know," Severus agreed. "You're getting there."
Harry nodded, because he knew that. He'd felt himself weakening over the last few weeks, and he knew he was coming to the end.
He'd been quite glad for it. He'd lived for many years, and a lot of them had been happy, but he was exhausted.
"Are you here to collect me, Sev?" Harry asked, taking in his dead husband's features with a soft smile.
"Not yet," Severus said, his lips brushing Harry's temple. "But I thought you deserved one last dance, while you still have the mobility."
"How are you—"
"Magic is a wonderful thing," Severus interrupted. "And you gave me so many beautiful dances over the years, Harry. I don't think I ever thanked you for that. This is my thanks."
"You'll be waiting for me, right?" Harry asked, leaning into the strong torso in front of him. "When it happens? You'll be there?"
"Wild hippogriffs couldn't keep me away," Severus promised softly.
With gentle, careful hands, he spun Harry out and then pulled him back in, lifting him to spin them in a circle. When he lowered Harry to his feet, they fell into steps they'd done a hundred times before, and despite the time since they'd last danced, the muscle memory helped Harry keep up.
"I've missed you, Sev," Harry breathed out, as the music began to taper off. "I can't wait to see you again."
"Soon, love," Severus promised, as he stepped back from Harry. He lifted Harry's hand to press a gentle kiss to the back of it. "And then we'll dance for an eternity."
Harry smiled, closing his eyes.
When he opened them, he was back in his bedroom. He glanced at the picture of Severus he kept on the bedside table and smiled.
"Thank you for one last dance, Sev."
