Chapter Four: Day of the Lover: Second Day Before the New Moon
Severus stirred, feeling at peace. Never in all his years had he felt this way. Being in a state of conflict was his first memory and had become a constant throughout his life, whether it was being physically abused by his father, bullied by the Marauders, or tortured, nearly murdered, by the Dark Lord.
His Occlumency had only ever created a pseudo-calmness. But now, for the first time, he felt real tranquillity. He also felt a pleasant warmth on his torso and legs. Languidly, he adjusted a knee, moving it higher, and thought he heard a gasp. Reflexively, as if in a dream, he followed the noise, rolling towards it.
A soft moan and the delicious hot, smooth friction against his morning wood roused him even further.
Don't move, Harry frantically thought. It wouldn't be right. Don't move…
Groaning, Severus nuzzled the soft head of hair beneath his nose: Why are you thinking so loudly?
Severus?
He suddenly froze, snapping completely awake. What am I— Where am I…
Glancing down, Severus quickly realised he'd partially pinned Harry with his body. He rolled onto his back, taking Harry in his arms, then eased his hold enough so that Harry could lift his head and look up.
"Have you been awake?" Severus asked in a low, rough voice. "What time is it?"
Merlin, he sounds so bloody sexy it should be outlawed, Harry's mind supplied before he rasped, "Not long," he rasped, "but if you want me to check the time, you'll have to let me go."
What if I don't want to, Severus thought before saying, "Of course." Reluctantly, he released him.
After they both sat up, Severus gradually increased the brightness in the room.
I can't believe I'm not dreaming, Harry thought. He glanced at Severus from the corner of his eye as he dug his watch out from his mokeskin pouch. Which is hard because I'm actually sharing a bed with Severus Snape. Speaking of hard, I'm still hard; I wonder if he's still hard…
Harry lightly tapped the watch's face, and the stars and numbers inside the round golden bezel began to shift.
When the time-zone spell was complete, his watch had fourteen hours instead of twelve, and instead of minute marks, there were four repeating symbols. The hour hand was on the two, and the minute hand was past the three over a tiny black circle. I have no idea how to read this, he thought, looking lost.
"Let me see it," Severus demanded, extending his arm.
Harry handed it to him.
Severus puzzled over the symbols for a second, then jerked in astonishment, the answer surfacing in his mind as if he'd already known it. I understand… Each symbol—a new moon, waxing crescent, full moon, and waning crescent—represents a multiple of thirty-six. One revolution of the timepiece's longer hand technically has 2,520 increments of time, but these symbols are used when space is a concern.
Why so many? Harry asked.
To you, the ticking of your watch may sound like the rapid fluttering of a hummingbird, but I hear every beat clearly. The implications of its use in conjunction with the fields of arithmancy and astronomy are—excitement bubbled inside him—staggering.
Cute, Harry thought.
"I beg your pardon?" Severus said.
Harry grinned and shrugged. "Your enthusiasm: I find I like it." And your pointy ears. They're cute, too.
Severus felt warmth burst from his chest to his face. He swallowed and concentrated on the timepiece. "Let me see if I can convert the time."
He waited until the watch ticked forward to the waxing crescent and began to count the seconds as he often had to for brewing.
Forty-eight seconds, he finished when the long hand snicked over the full moon. Multiply that by seventy. Divide that by sixty…
Fifty-six.
Each revolution takes about fifty-six minutes. So with twenty-eight of them each day, that converts to approximately…twenty-six Earth hours. So the time is about fifteen minutes past two.
Harry gazed at the still-dark view beyond the balcony. "I doubt the king would let us sleep an entire day away." He groaned, rubbing his tired eyes. "So that means we must have only slept for a few hours."
He turned to Severus. "Should we try to get some more rest?" he asked.
"Cégirmir said he'd return at Danu's dusk," Severus recalled. "If the actual time is around two in the afternoon, we likely have hours. But I don't believe I'd be able to fall back asleep."
"Yeah," Harry agreed. "Me neither." He suddenly straightened, a bright, hopeful expression on his face. "Do you reckon we could visit the cove Lady Provaora spoke about? I love spending time on the beach; I don't care whether it's night or day."
"I don't see why not," Severus said, an image of Harry in tight little swim briefs testing him. "Do you think you can transfigure some towels while I make our swimming trunks?"
"Sure," Harry chirped.
When he moved to get off the bed, Severus grabbed his wrist.
Harry glanced where Severus touched him, then at his face. "Yes?" he said breathlessly.
Severus wanted to yank Harry to him, wrap him in his arms, and ravish him.
Harry's lips slightly parted, his breathing speeding up.
They both moved an inch closer when Severus found his reason. "Your watch," he said, placing it in Harry's hand, his fingers lingering a second too long.
"Oh." Harry glanced down at his open palm. "Thanks," he said, giving a strained smile.
I want him, flitted through Harry's mind.
Severus averted his eyes, knowing what he would see when Harry climbed off the bed; he was suffering from the same predicament under the covers. Cursing the soulmate connection egging him on, he waited until Harry's attention was diverted before getting out of bed himself.
He would not succumb to the same brainless magic that led to his mum's union with Tobias Snape.
While Harry summoned leaves to transform, Severus fell into his new magic. He opted for snug swim shorts rather than skimpy swim briefs, dyeing the fabric black with gallnuts and green vitriol. Once done, Severus floated their finished swimwear onto the bed next to Harry's stack of folded green towels and a simple cloth bag he made to hold them.
Perhaps a couple of cloaks, Severus thought, tapping his lips with a finger.
"I'm going to explore the chambers a bit," Harry said.
Severus looked up. "Don't touch anything," he warned, worrying over him a habit at this point.
Harry's cheeks lifted in a closed-mouth grin. "I won't."
After he'd constructed the hooded cloaks, Severus stared at them as an idea began to form. He searched the room with his eyes and found Harry on the balcony, resting his arms on the balustrade and gazing out.
He took a moment to simply watch him.
Harry, he finally thought, not wanting to break the quietude with his voice, I want to try something new with my magic.
Smiling softly, Harry turned around.
What he doesn't know is I've never really minded his voice, Harry thought to himself. Sure, his words hurt, but his voice has always been rather…sexy.
"Harry," Severus said, causing Harry to shiver as he walked closer. "I'm going to channel magic that might affect your sight; don't be alarmed."
Harry sat on the edge of the bed. "Alright."
Severus inhaled a deep breath, then called Darkness to shield their eyes before he engulfed the cloaks in Light.
The result was the fabric's natural cream colour had lightened to a bright white, just as he'd hoped.
After he guided one cloak over an arm and the other beside the towels, he lifted one of the swim shorts.
Are we going to undress here? Together? Harry wondered. I hope so…
"You can change here; I'll change in the toilet," Severus said, thwarting Harry's unspoken desire to see him starkers.
Hearing Harry's disappointed sigh, Severus shook his head and repressed a chuckle.
He quickly dressed, returning to find Harry smiling and playing with his cloak's cape. Harry's bare chest rippled, and his strong legs randomly appeared and disappeared with his movements.
Harry sharply inhaled when he saw Severus. Fuck, he thought, swallowing hard.
Remembering how to speak, Harry said, "I feel like we're pretending to be ancient Romans, wearing this get-up to go swimming."
Severus chuckled. "Then you should know: the Romans and most others in antiquity swam naked."
"Oh…" Harry said weakly. So there's still a chance…
Severus smirked. Of me being caught bare-arsed? Unlikely.
After Harry stuffed the towels into the bag and they slipped on their boots, they exited into the hallway.
"Your Royal Brilliance," Sirs Enason and Dýod said simultaneously in accented English from behind.
Merlin's tits, Severus cursed while Harry asked, Don't they ever sleep?
They turned around to face their minders.
"Harry and I will be visiting the Beach of Óneireamh," Severus stated confidently in Danu'sa, wanting to emphasise that he was fae and not just some interloper. He also didn't like how Harry's presence kept being ignored.
Sirs Enason and Dýod shared a look.
"That won't be a problem, will it?" he asked silkily, switching languages for Harry's benefit. "We are not prisoners, correct?"
Sir Dýod answered: "We cannot promise there will not be problems, sire; the Hollow's magic can be treacherous, but we will protect His Eternal Luminousness's guests as commanded."
"Then let's go," Harry said excitedly, already starting down the hallway to the right.
The other way, Severus thought, and Harry sheepishly made an about-turn, allowing Sir Enason to take the lead.
"How many hours until Danu's dusk?" Severus asked Sir Dýod as they followed.
Sir Dýod pulled a chained gold pocket watch from his dark robes. "The time is three during Aná's reign, so dusk will be in four wholes and 1,260 increments, sire."
Severus nodded in satisfaction. About four hours was more than enough time to enjoy the beach.
Hating being herded like sheep, he grabbed Harry by the arm, then rushed forwards to edge out Sir Enason for the first position. When Sir Enason attempted to reclaim his spot, a death stare from Severus with a showing of sharp teeth made him wisely choose to fall back.
Severus retraced their steps from the previous day without any trouble, so much so that he wished he could tell Sirs Enason and Dýod to bugger off. When the sound of their steps halted, he glanced over his shoulder and almost tripped.
Only a solid rock wall was behind him, Sirs Enason and Dýod nowhere to be seen.
"That's probably not a good thing," Harry said.
"Perhaps it's a blessing," Severus quipped, and Harry smiled, his shoulders relaxing. "We'll worry about it later when we need to return," he decided. "But keep your wits about you."
"Okay," Harry easily agreed, and they continued on their way.
A few minutes later, they carefully ascended the crystal steps Lady Provaora had pointed out, travelling over a hill and then a short way down the side of a mountain. At the mountain's base, the path led to the mouth of a faceted crystal tunnel. Passing through it felt like walking into the heart of a diamond.
After exiting and rounding a dune, the expanse of the cove greeted them.
Severus and Harry stared in awe as a gust of wind blew off their hoods.
Pearls of varying sizes and colours blanketed the landscape and gleamed in the sunlight. Dotting the ground, shells and flowering plants added bursts of colour. And in the distance, the bright sphere of Aná flirted with a fuchsia horizon.
Severus frowned. The angle of Aná seemed off. "What time is it?" he asked, prompting Harry to dig out his watch from his pouch.
"It's half past three," Harry answered a moment later.
"About half an hour ago, I asked Sir Dýod about dusk and determined it would be in about four hours," Severus explained. "But it looks like sunset will occur in no more than one."
"Is it a surprise?" Harry remarked. "With all the magic around us, time acting normally here would shock me more. Sometimes, I think this place is more magic than reality." He shrugged. "Whatever it is,"—he gazed at the lapping waves—"I say we enjoy it while we can."
Yes, Severus wistfully agreed. While we can.
They took off their boots before walking further. Then, after Harry removed the towels from the bag, Severus stored their footwear inside and kept the bag since Harry carried their towels.
As they sauntered towards the shoreline, the pearls felt pleasant underneath Severus' feet, nothing like the painful pebble beaches on Earth. Based on Harry's thoughts, he agreed.
Harry slowed his pace. This spot is nice, he thought. Not too close and not too far. He stopped walking. "How about setting up base here?" he asked, gesturing to where he stood.
Severus nodded. A good place as any.
He accepted the towel Harry gave him, and they spread them on the ground.
After checking for anyone watching, Harry removed his wand and cast temporary sticking charms on their towels to keep the wind from messing them. They then took their cloaks off and rolled them into pillows.
Severus sat down and allowed himself to freely admire Harry's body and bare skin. All that bare skin. He pressed his lips together. Not having any Burn-Block Balm readily available bothered him.
Don't worry about it, Harry thought as he lay down. I don't burn when I'm out in the sun, so I'm guessing it'll be the same here. And as an immortal fae, I doubt you need to worry about it, either.
Thinking Harry had a point, Severus also reclined, adjusting his makeshift pillow into a more comfortable position.
For a few minutes, they simply enjoyed feeling the refreshing breeze and listening to the relaxing sound of the surf.
"Do you want to go for a swim?" Harry asked, turning his gaze on him.
Severus looked at Harry and cocked a brow. "A swim? I think not. A stroll along the shoreline would probably be fine, but it's best we don't risk you swallowing any of the water."
"But…it's seawater!" Harry said in exasperation.
"And people have been known to die from drinking it on Earth, let alone on a foreign world."
"Alright, then." Harry jumped to his feet. "Let's go for a walk." He offered him a hand.
Severus glanced at Harry's proffered hand, then at the distant setting star. A walk on the beach…how…romantic, he thought scornfully. But his palpitating heart told another story.
Hesitating for a second more, Severus accepted Harry's help.
However, Harry didn't release Severus' hand once he was on his feet. Instead, he adjusted his grip so that their fingers were laced together.
Severus chose not to say a word—or let go.
Hand in hand, they strolled up and down the length of the beach, letting the waves tickle their feet. Occasionally, Harry would stop to pick up items that caught his eye: an emerald-coloured tulip shell, a large black pearl, the blue scale of some unknown sea creature. He would show them to Severus like they were priceless artefacts before storing them in his mokeskin pouch.
As they neared their improvised base, Harry asked, "If not for me, I mean, the soulmate thing, would you be returning to Earth?"
Severus sighed and sat down, Harry doing the same.
"That is a difficult question," he answered, staring at the fiery horizon. Aná had sunk below Danu's watery edge, and a large bright moon now glowed in its stead. "Earth, the wizarding world, are familiar, comfortable. But…I am no longer a wizard." He turned to look at Harry. "No matter how much I might wish it so." He sighed. "The chance to start anew is tempting. But would it actually be better? Who knows?"
Severus stared into Harry's eyes. "I know soulmates don't equal happiness." He grinned wryly. "But the young boy who heard his mother's fantastical tales of them is still in me, begging me to at least try." He lightly caressed Harry's cheek: "So I'm willing to try. And if it doesn't work out, I've come to terms with my fate."
Harry shut his eyes and turned his head so that Severus' fingers brushed his lips. He smiled softly: I'm falling for him.
Severus gasped softly, pulling his hand away as if scalded. "We should return before it gets too dark," he said, trying his hardest to think in images rather than words: Him tilting up Harry's face. No guilt or regrets between them. Gently kissing the lips of his soul's desire.
Harry gave the view a cursory glance, then nodded. "Yeah. We should find our way back before the king sends a battalion to get us."
Glad to move on to more practical issues, Severus gave a curt nod. "Agreed."
He called half a dozen fist-sized spheres to float around them until they reached the scone-lit paths of the main thoroughfares.
When they arrived at the blocked-off corridor, Severus attempted to use his magic to remove the stone, but it remained unyielding. Harry also tried transfiguration, sheer magical force, and with Severus' instruction, he properly performed a couple of more advanced spells, which left him grinning and Severus impressed.
However, even after large amounts of magic had pummelled the barrier, only shallow depressions marred its surface. They were forced to backtrack and find another route.
For hours, they wandered. As they did, Severus and Harry came across several curiosities, such as a fountain that bubbled with what looked like unicorn blood; a nest of creatures with fox-like heads, the thin, long orange legs of stilts, and the colourful wings and flowing tail of a quetzal; and while passing through a loggia with a black marble colonnade, they viewed a snowy vastness on their left, which reminded Severus of Scotland in winter.
They made another turn and passed underneath a carved archway. On the other side, a tunnel lit with purple light curved ahead.
This…this looks familiar, Harry thought with excited relief.
Severus cautiously slowed, and Harry frowned.
Wait, Harry thought. Are we…are we near the Hollow's main entrance?
Suddenly, the hairs on Severus' body stood up. As he instinctively reached for Harry, Darkness swooped on them and extinguished every light.
Fuck! What's going on? Harry thought, grasping for Severus with one hand and unsheathing his wand with the other.
Stay close, Severus ordered, pulling Harry to his side. Light!
A glowing orb appeared above his open palm, revealing, for a split second, a group of figures who looked like sword-wielding avenging angels before another wave of Darkness extinguished it.
Back to back! Get back to back! Harry thought.
Without question, Severus moved so that they could guard each other's rear while he also desperately called his magic again: Light!
He gritted his teeth. Although he could feel Light's warmth, Severus could still see nothing. He expanded his senses and noticed an unnatural chill around his eyes. He reached up.
They've magically blindfolded me with Darkness, he thought to Harry as he attempted to cancel the magic.
"Incendio!" Harry shouted.
Severus felt the heat of the spell to his right.
Shit! Harry thought. I can't see anything, either.
Suddenly, someone grabbed Severus by the nape of his neck and covered his mouth.
Somebody has me, Severus thought, struggling to get away, managing to land a hard punch.
Duck! Harry ordered.
Severus immediately went limp, causing his would-be kidnapper or killer to lose their balance.
"Bombarda!" Harry yelled, and his spell flew over Severus' head.
When the charm hit the opposite wall, the ground violently shook. Severus blindly scrambled away on his hands and knees. Although his sense of sight continued to be hampered, whatever magic that had kept their attackers silent fell, and he heard their nearby soft curses and groans.
A moment later, the stomp of many boots arrived.
"Your Royal Brilliance! Please! We must get you to safety!" someone shouted before the clash of swords rang around them.
Severus carefully waved an arm and shuffled, searching for Harry. After another tentative step, his hand landed on a fit bare chest.
Harry?
A sweaty palm covered the back of his hand. Yeah. It's me.
All at once, the sound of striking metal stopped. Severus blinked. When his eyelids opened, his eyesight preternaturally sharpened straight away, the single lantern held by one of Cégirmir's party providing enough light for him to watch their attackers flee out of sight, one of them clutching at their middle.
"Severus!" Cégirmir shouted, resplendent in white attire as he strode through his parting black-robed guards.
Once Cégirmir reached him, to Severus' utter shock, he was pulled into a hug.
At first, Severus didn't reciprocate. Not knowing what to do, he glanced at Harry for help. All Harry did was give him a soppy smile and an encouraging nod. After another moment, Severus hesitantly raised his arms and returned the embrace. His eyes stung. The hug felt natural, familial. Having a father who wanted to protect rather than harm him made his insides ache.
Parting, Cégirmir squeezed Severus' shoulder and, with a slight smile similar to Severus' own, said, "I have never known worry such as this." He glanced past Severus' head towards the Hollow's exit. "It seems your departure will have to be delayed. To return to Earth, we must be outside the boundaries of the Hollow. We will have to wait until the likelihood of another attack has passed.
"Fortuitous for you: tonight, a ball will be held in honour of the Day of the…Lover." He grinned down at Harry, who blushed. "I shall send Lady Provaora later to help ready you. In the meantime, I bid you to stay in your bedchamber where you will be safe."
As Cégirmir took a step to leave, Harry moved in his way. "King Cégirmir."
His guards threateningly advanced, but Cégirmir waved them off. "Yes, Mr Potter."
"Do you know who attacked us?" he asked. "They seemed to want Severus. Why?"
Cégirmir sighed. "Although we on Danu are Gealgar Leaidiá, Children of the Moons, there has not been peace between the Óirysos and Folaíma courts for aeons. To put it plainly, I believe Severus was most assuredly almost stolen away at the command of their king"—he looked at Severus—"who is also my brother."
Brilliant, Severus thought dryly, I have a wicked uncle.
"But enough of this depressing talk. Let's get you back to your chamber." Cégirmir gave them each a weighty look. "I trust you will not go wandering off all alone again."
Why do I feel like I was just given detention? Harry thought.
Severus gave him a conspiratorial smirk.
With the pack of guards around them, they were led back to their room.
When it came to the amount of fabric covering Severus and Harry, their current attire wasn't much different from what they wore the previous day to the beach. They were bare-chested and decked in more traditional dress: a form-fitting, knee-length skirt-like garment called a pálasim that exposed more of their left thigh with a ruched slit. Harry's wand was out of sight in its modified holster on his right thigh. Kohl and powdered red stone circled their eyes, giving Severus a fierce appearance and emphasising the green sparkle of Harry's irises.
Sirs Enason and Dýod were guiding them to the ball, wearing similar clothing but in darker hues. As Severus walked, he felt his cloak brush his legs, the material heavier now after Lady Provaora polished it up and added embroidery and jewels.
Interrupting their steady shuffle, Severus' stomach growled loudly. He grimaced and glanced at Harry, who offered him a commiserating look.
They had spent most of the ten hours in their room catching up on sleep. The rest of the time, they had tried not to dwell on how parched they were.
You should drink something when we get to the ball, Harry coaxed again.
Severus narrowed his eyes at him. As I said before, I can wait until we return to Earth.
Sighing, Harry shook his head and smiled. So stubborn.
Severus knew: if not for Harry's innate magic, the effects of his dehydration would be much more pronounced by now. He needed to find Cégirmir and speak to him about their return.
The further they travelled, the more worried Severus became. They were heading in the direction of the Hollow's exit once more. But then, strangely, Sirs Enason and Dýod stopped in the middle of the tunnel with the multicoloured rows of trees that formed a canopy of branches overhead. The smooth stream that made the floor didn't wet him but did make Severus contemplate kneeling to see if water could be drunk.
Sirs Enason and Dýod stood to either side of a pair of matching trees: their trunks, limbs, leaves, and flowers all a rich red.
"After you, sire," Sir Dýod said, gesturing to the space in between that, after a second glance, was made of deep shadows rather than simply dark stone.
Severus pondered whether he should link arms with Harry, as was proper when entering a ball. But he didn't want to hamper his dominant hand. So instead, he lightly placed a palm on Harry's lower back.
Harry shivered.
Be prepared to defend yourself with your wand if need be, Severus thought, erring on the side of caution.
Nodding, Harry thought back, I'll be prepared to defend you, too.
Harry's devil-may-care attitude once again vexed Severus but also caused his heart to stir. He sighed, then fondly gazed at Harry's lovely face. Such a Gryffindor.
Inhaling deeply, Severus focused on his magic until it whirred beneath his skin.
Ready? he asked.
Ready, Harry confirmed.
They passed through.
Instead of a grand ballroom like at Malfoy Manor or a large hall like in Hogwarts, they entered a glade surrounded by tall ancient trees. The clearing was lit by a nearly full moon that appeared to be about to impale itself on the sharp treetops in the distance; floating sources of light, be it of Light, Fire, or small glowing fae; and multiple bonfires. Music played, and creatures of all kinds danced, drank, and sang.
Severus and Harry stood out like bright coins with their white cloaks; everyone else was barefoot, nearly naked, or already there.
They shared a look, and Severus had to refrain from pulling his cloak around him tighter. He still wasn't used to his brawnier form.
"Severus!" Cégirmir greeted him, carrying a goblet. "I bid you merry tidings this Day of the Lover." He eyed Harry, then chuckled. "But not too merry, lest you are unable to leave."
"Your Eternal Luminousness," Severus said, giving a perfunctory bow. Harry hurriedly did the same.
"Speaking of leaving," he segued, "when do you think you'll be able to return us to Earth?"
Cégirmir looked thoughtful: "So far, my scouts have not observed any worrisome activities. However, I want to be rested enough since this day's festivities will go well into the light hours. Let me see."
Raising his left hand, he opened his palm, and a ball of molten metal appeared above it. Materials swirled and coalesced. Then, to Severus' shock, Cégirmir held a gorgeous, fully functioning pocket watch.
Severus was in awe of Cégirmir's magic. It hadn't been instantaneous, but it had been incredibly intricate and fast. Spellwork can fix a broken clock effortlessly. But create one with all its complex mechanics? No. It would go against one of the Principal Exceptions to Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration.
That was scarily impressive, Harry thought.
Yes, Severus agreed, feeling…feeling proud that Cégirmir was his father.
Seeing Severus' expression, Cégirmir grinned.
He tossed the pocket watch into the air, and as it fell, it broke apart into sparkling dust. He took an elegant swallow of his drink, then said, "Half past ten during Aná's rest should do."
If 'Aná's reign' is for a time during the day, Severus thought, remembering Sir Dýod's words from yesterday, then 'Aná's rest' must refer to times after nightfall… He frowned. That means half past ten isn't for another twenty-one hours.
Twenty-one hours, Harry mentally groaned.
"Is there no way to leave sooner?" Severus asked.
Cégirmir shook his head no. "I would prefer to wait even longer because the possibility of another ambush is still so high, but I do understand Mr Potter's plight." He snapped his fingers. "Mikbeag!"
Mikbeag, a slight brownie with wispy white hair and red eyes, came forward and bowed. "Sire," he said to Cégirmir, then turned to Severus. "Your Royal Brilliance."
Cégirmir waved his hand, and a tall hedge encircled them, hiding them from view.
Severus noticed Harry's increased breathing and the sudden sweat on his brow.
Harry, what's wrong?
Sorry, Harry answered. The hedges… He slowly inhaled a deep breath. They reminded me of the maze during the tournament and…what happened afterwards.
With his soul tugging him to comfort Harry, Severus wrapped an arm around Harry's trim waist and pulled him close to his side.
Harry looked up at him and smiled shyly. Thanks. I'm feeling better already.
He's mine to protect.
Severus blinked at his possessive thought.
"Severus," Cégirmir said, regaining his attention, "Ómaifa, my mother, your grandmother, who has long since passed from this world, earned this boon many millennia ago." He displayed the ceramic bottle Mikbeag had given him. "Enki, a wizard from ancient Sumer, charmed this to repel the effects of Danu's magic. It holds water from the Tigris that Harry may use to quench his thirst."
As Cégirmir handed the palm-sized container to Harry, he said, "Only wizarding magic will open it."
Ancient water? Harry thought. Don't care. So thirsty. Which spell should I use?
How about the most obvious, Severus offered.
I'll try it without my wand first.
Severus nodded in approval.
Pressing his lips together with concentration, Harry thought the incantation to the Unlocking Charm, and after a brief pause, the bottle's beeswax seal vanished in a puff of smoke.
Harry stared into the bottle, then at Cégirmir. "It's safe to drink, right?"
Cégirmir's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Yes, it is safe."
Knowing Cégirmir couldn't lie, Harry took a sip.
He sighed. "Merlin's beard, does that hit the spot."
When Cégirmir stepped away, the hedges transformed into pale green luna moths and flew away.
Mikbeag bowed. "Sires," he said, then excitedly rushed off to rejoin the festivities.
The return of all the jollity hit Severus' senses like a Knockback Jinx to the gut. But Harry offering to share some water with him somehow hit him harder. His insides felt warm and happy.
Harry made him feel this way.
Cégirmir smiled indulgently at them. "Severus, Mr Potter, I bid you to thoroughly enjoy yourselves."
Seeing their reddening expressions, he boisterously laughed. "Until the morrow." He raised his goblet and said, "Brightness find you," before imbibing more of his drink and striding away.
First, Severus and Harry decided to scope out the glade. When they started walking the perimeter, Severus began to absentmindedly rub circles on the hollow of Harry's back. Harry thinking, oh, Merlin, his touch feels so good, brought it to Severus' attention. But knowing Harry liked it, he didn't stop. They also enjoyed a few performers on the fringes, one being an eight-armed fae playing chimes on a metal frame that dangled around her body like the branches of a weeping willow.
When they reached one of the mammoth tables covered in food and drink, Harry insisted Severus drink something.
"Alright. Alright, I will," Severus begrudgingly agreed. "Now stop making a fuss."
I can't remember the last time I was fussed over to such an extent, he thought to himself. Poppy washed her hands of me after I killed Dumbledore, and Dumbledore had his own issues to deal with, let alone mine. Oh. And I needn't even mention Mum for obvious reasons.
Severus decided against any libations. After speaking to a nearby fae about the different drink options, he selected a vibrant green juice that tasted like lychee fruit, mint, with the slight flavour and heat of ginger.
It's a shame Harry can't have a taste, he thought.
Harry playfully bumped into his side. You don't need to worry, he thought, lifting his bottle of water, I still have a few swallows left that I'm saving for later. His face turned thoughtful: I wonder if tasting him while kissing would count…
Severus shut his eyes for a moment and inhaled a deep breath.
Besides mundane thoughts about their random observations, lustful musing about the other continually cropped up between them. This odd state of knowing the other desired them, knowing the fear and guilt that feeling caused and pretending such desirous thoughts didn't exist, was gradually fraying at the edges of their control.
There were many reasons for him and Harry not to pursue this newfound nebulous attraction. But the more they spent time together, the less important those reasons seemed.
They eventually found themselves at the centre of the field, which held the biggest bonfire. Fae moved around the tall flames in a choreographed circle dance.
A short, exuberant fae with long green curls that reminded Severus of seaweed snatched his hand and pulled him into the rotating ring of dancers. With wide eyes, Severus looked over his shoulder at a grinning Harry. He stumbled along for a few seconds when something clicked, and the chain of future dance moves lined up in his head. He gracefully swept out his right leg, slightly bowed, then spun in place anticlockwise, perfectly matching those around him.
The longer he continued, the more magic he felt until all seven branches sang in and around him.
When the circle returned to where Harry stood, Severus grabbed him to join.
Nooo, Harry thought in a mild panic. I'm pants at dancing…
Severus chuckled. Just do as I say. Step to your left.
Harry stepped to his left.
Good, Severus praised. Now to your right…
To his surprise, the impatience he usually felt while teaching didn't come to pass. Being able to touch Harry and feel the thrumming connection between them likely had something to do with it.
Harry's instruction continued until he was performing the moves by heart.
Wow, Harry thought, closing his eyes. This feels…with the magic. I feel so alive. He smiled at Severus and laughed joyfully.
Beautiful, Severus thought.
Harry blushed, shaking his head in denial: He's the beautiful one.
They eventually part from the circle, needing a rest from the frenetic beat. Harry finished his remaining water, and Severus poured himself a glass of the same from one of the drink tables.
The barest hint of light now coloured the sky, and with each passing minute, more and more fae were leaving the glade to frolic in the woods.
Severus and Harry wandered until they happened upon a single fiddler playing a slow tune.
Wanting to hold Harry again, Severus pulled him close into another dance.
They both had an awkwardness about them as they swayed, Severus' movements being a tad too precise and Harry's too energetic. And yet, their bodies flowed together.
The tension Severus felt made his mouth dry. His heart repeatedly slammed against his ribcage like it wanted to escape and jump into Harry's arms. Maybe it was his soul.
When he first came across Lily, he had thought she was his fated heart's desire. And just like his mum, he'd clung to the idea for too long. He loved Lily and loathed James Potter. But they were the past. It was time to put them behind him.
But could he?
Harry gazed into his eyes. You can, he thought, hope and warmth on his expressive face. You can have me.
Harry looked…he looked so…
Severus acted on impulse and crashed his lips against Harry's.
Harry inhaled sharply through his nostrils, then melted against him, moaning. Yes, he thought and opened for him.
Severus immediately deepened the kiss. He pulled Harry tighter against him. Their tongues swirled; their hands followed the firm lines of the other's back. They both craved to spark more thoughts of pleasure in the other.
Breaking for air, Severus trailed kisses down Harry's throat. He nibbled with his sharp teeth, eliciting delicious whimpers. His thoughts and touches became more possessive, while Harry's grew more willing.
Severus helped him onto the soft ground and lay next to him.
The sky brightened; the crowd grew sparser. And Severus' and Harry's mouths found each other again and again.
Mine.