Disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter locations or characters. I am a painter...not a genius.
Warnings: AU story. I ignore books 6 and 7. Why? Because I can. Also, Slash. M/M Harry/Snape
A/N: Thank you to those who reviewed. Some liked the last chapter, some loved the last chapter and others had some problems with it. I will try to do better. Here's hoping.
Merry Christmas!
On with the show!
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Chapter 7: Christmas Barnacle
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Christmastime descended upon Hogwarts the way Christmas does all over the world; during those warm months before it seems to drag on as if it will never arrive only to have time speed up after December first and before you can say, 'But I haven't done all of my Christmas shopping yet!' it's there with a vengeance.
Harry loved Christmas. At least he did now. Life with the Dursley's during Christmas saw even more chores, none of the good food, and no presents. Harry had, for the longest time, dreaded the holiday and was thankful when it was over. Not anymore. Christmas at Hogwarts had changed Harry's mind about the season all together.
Six years ago had seen Harry eat his first Christmas feast; he had seen them, made them, and cleaned up after them, but he always had to eat after he cleaned which was after the family ate. If one couldn't tell from their size let it be securely put into writing and indisputably clear that Vernon and Dudley Dursley can clear out a Christmas spread. Harry was usually just left with a little bit of mashed potatoes and enough roast or chicken to make a small sandwich. He had also received his first presents here at Hogwarts. He had been so surprised on Christmas morning that Harry was sure, at least a little bit, that Ron had suspected something was up. He never said anything though and Harry was thankful for it. How does one—at eleven—handle a conversation that starts out with, 'All of my life my relatives have only given me clothes hangers and old socks for Christmas.'? Answer: they don't. Far too awkward. Besides, it never happened again. Harry always found a pile of Christmas presents addressed to him and every year he was always filled with awe and appreciation of his friends and adopted family.
With all of this newness to Christmas Harry had retained a childlike wonderment over the holiday that had faded in his classmates. He would always stare wide-eyed at the giant Christmas trees as Flitwick and Hagrid set them up in the Great Hall. He would hum the carols that the ghosts would sing throughout the hallways. If he grew tired of that he would hum a contemporary wizard Christmas song that he had heard on the wireless in the common room. Ron always said that it was very annoying. Harry would only hum louder. This year was no exception. December came along with the decorations and songs and Harry was a bundle of excitement. Adding onto the fact that he was already a bundle of excitement and hyperactivity from his inheritance and you have yourself a young man who might as well be powering a small village with his energy. He had learned to control all of this energy though. He had to.
After that one dinner in which he had showed his wings—for the first time on purpose—to the school he knew he had to do something. People were staring and asking him out on dates. At first he thought it was a fluke but soon it soon became apparent that it wasn't just a one-time thing.
"Maybe he has an allure, like Ferret Boy?" Ron asked one evening in the common Room. They had just come back from the library after class and Harry had unfurled his wings to give them a bit of a stretch. On the way back he had received four more date invitations. Luckily, no one touched his wings this time.
Harry was not impressed with the thought of having an allure. Malfoy seemed right miserable with his hoard of females following him around and considering the fact that Harry had both girls and guys asking him out he could only imagine the group that would follow him about. "So that's it then. No more wings out. At least in large groups."
"I don't think that's all it." Hermione had said, "The book never said anything about an allure..."
"Hermione, it also said nothing about having a terrible sweet tooth and this," Harry said as he waved up and his multicolored locks, "I think it may be safe to assume that the book leaves some things out."
"Yes, but this seems to be a rather important detail. I am certain that the mate of a Diligarian would say whether or not there was a general allure that attracted people to them." Hermione said thoughtfully, "I want to do some tests."
"Of course you do. Can I say no?"
"What do you think?"
He didn't say no. The experiment began. For the next week and a half after that Hermione would give Harry specific instructions to follow and she would take notes. He would go around wings out and then drawn in. He would be allowed to go into Hyper Harry mode and let loose some of his energy and talk and laugh and skip and the next day have reign it all in. Harry did not know what they were proving. He was sick of the feeling of drawing his wings in all the time and he was getting date offers and looks even when his wings were gone. Now it was the morning of the last day before holiday break and as Hermione sat down to breakfast she placed a small vial of an apple red liquid right in front of Harry. He had stared at it.
"What's this?"
"Just drink it."
"Wasn't my question..."
"It's an allure suppressant. If you do have an allure this will prove it once and for all."
"How did you get this?" Ron asked.
"You didn't nip it from the potion's stores did you?" Harry said wide-eyed.
"No, don't be ridiculous. Our days of nicking potions are over. I went to Madame Pomfry and requested it."
"They have this up there?"
"Well, yes, obviously. With Malfoy being a Veela there has to be a supply of these kinds of potions around for individuals who cannot function because of the allure."
"So why am I suppose to take this? Sounds like it's for other people to not be affected."
"There are two types of suppressant. The first is for those affected, it's an olive color, and the second suppressant is for the one with the allure."
Harry continued to stare at the vial. "Why doesn't Malfoy take this one?"
"Can you imagine Ferret Boy actually doing all of the work to keep girls off of him?" Ron asked incredulously, "Besides I don't care what either of you say, he likes all of the attention."
Harry finally picked up and drank the vial; he waited for instructions from the resident scientist herself. Hermione waited several minutes, Harry assumed to allow the potion to take affect, before she spoke,
"I want you to act normal."
"Hermione, Tink isn't normal."
"Thanks Ron."
"I just mean that you should act like yourself. Don't try to repress your playfulness or hyperactivity."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Harry giggled and talked his way into three requests to Hogsmeade by that afternoon. He was outside having a snowball fight with Ron when the last one had come. Harry dutifully, monotonously, and politely declined again and had to desperately fight the urge to throw a snowball at the retreating boys back.
"That stuff doesn't work!" Harry said as he plopped down on the snow beside the bench that Hermione was sitting. He left the seat next to her open for Ron.
"It does work. You just don't have an allure." Hermione said simply as she read one of her textbooks. By the size of it Harry guessed history. Wait, what did she mean he didn't have an allure?
"Wait, what do you mean I don't have an allure?" Harry said as he began to move the snow out of the way.
"Just that. You do not have an allure."
"Then why the attention? Why are people looking at me funny and asking me out?"
Hermione looked up from her book at him and smirked. "Leave it to me to be friends with the two most oblivious people in the world. Harry, people have been looking at you since last year."
"They have?"
"They have?" Ron echoed.
"Yes. You have just never noticed. I guess all this business with the Diligarian inheritance and your more playful personality have gotten people to finally stop watching and start asking."
"What about the fact that it is guys and girls?"
Hermione shrugged. "Aside from Cho you haven't really made any preferences known. You're fair game to everybody I guess."
Hermione made it sound like some kind of Harry hunting season.
"This made a lot more sense when I thought it was some kind of allure." Harry said as he began to press his finger to the ground and made daisies pop up through the cold earth. So far he had seven. "So how do I stop it?"
"My thoughts are that it will eventually die down just like everything else. Especially if you keep rejecting people. If anything you may want to back off on how animated you get."
"Think about it this way. You will practically be alone in the castle for several weeks. You could always do research about it."
"That's a great idea Ron!" Hermione exclaimed.
"You're evil Ronald Weasley."
"You know you love me Tink." Ron leaned forward and plucked every single one of the daisies Harry had magically produced and handed them to Hermione.
"Oh Ron, you're so sweet!" Hermione said as she took the bouquet.
"He's sweet? I grew the flowers!"
Hermione smiled and handed him back one of the daisies. "You're sweet too."
Harry returned the smile and tucked the white daisy behind his ear. He would miss his friends while they went off but he was looking forward to some time by himself and he suspected so did his other two friends...except with each other. He also had to make good on that bet. He didn't know exactly how, but he would worry about that one later. He looked out over the frozen lake and began humming Jingle Bells. He really did like Christmas now.
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If Severus heard 'Deck the Halls' one more time he would deck someone's halls.
Severus would go right holly jolly on someone and he guaranteed it would not be a pretty sight.
Severus was walking back to the dungeons after all the students had been seen off to the train with his usual manner complete with full billowing action. He was only slightly miffed that there were no students around to cower from the mere sight of him. No matter. He was in a fowl mood so the billowing of his robes made him feel slightly better.
He did not like Christmas. Overly commercialized waste of time if you asked him, but no one ever did. The dungeon was too cold during this time of year. Even with the strongest heating charm the cold still seeped through. People were overly cheery. Severus found it disturbing. No matter how sour he tried to look he was always merrily wished a happy Christmas. People lost their minds during this time of the year. The only good thing about the holiday was that the students went home for a few weeks or at least most of them did. He did not have to see the others that stayed in the castle during the break. Severus rarely ventured out of the dungeons during holidays, preferring to work in his potion's lab. He would take his meals in his own rooms and would only make his way into the castle if it was an emergency or to go and have tea with Albus on the rare occasion. The latter of these reasons was right out this year though. He was still highly unimpressed with the old man from their last tea.
Albus Dumbledore was a manipulator. Never maliciously. No, usually the old man's meddlings were very benign in nature, but annoying and idiotic—at least in Severus's opinion. He liked to plant ideas in peoples heads to try and direct them how he thought they should go. That had been what that last tea was all about. Albus had thought that he would start to plant the seed in Severus's brain about a relationship besides friendship with Harry. 'Well ha!' Severus thought in his head, 'The old coot is too late. I have already thought about it!....Wait a minute....' Regardless Severus knew that a relationship beyond that of friends was completely out of the question.
Harry might be of age, but that age was still too young. Twenty years was a big age difference, even in the magical world. Severus was also Harry's teacher. To date a student—even one of age—was out of the question. He graded Harry's work. There would be bias would there not? Of course there would. Severus thought about the fact that he and Harry had become friends and he still had not judged Harry's work differently. The boy had improved due to the tutoring but anything was an improvement from where he was. He was still only barely acceptable.
The resumed tutoring lessons had gone well. Severus had managed to keep his hands to himself and had managed to keep his thoughts straight when Harry was in the room. He would often find himself staring at the green eyed Gryffindor, but he was rarely caught in the act. Rarely. Yes, Severus was handling this whole situation quite well he thought. He could and would keep a strictly platonic relationship with Harry. They even managed to have a few friendly conversations. Granted they had returned to mere pleasantries and small talk, but Severus was not going to risk ending up in another situation. Harry did not seem to mind or notice, whichever the case may be.
Severus was even free of that little bit of temptation for a while. Perhaps the holidays were not so bad.
He stepped on a bauble that had fallen on the floor.
Scratch that.
The holidays were awful.
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Harry had the whole Gryffindor tower to himself. During the war last year many kids had stayed for the protection the castle offered. In fact, several whole families came to stay at the castle during the unsteady time. Now that all the fighting was done people felt safe enough to go home and travel. There were only five other kids staying at Hogwarts during the hols. Himself, two younger Hufflepuffs, a Ravenclaw girl and fellow seventh year in Slytherin named Browning. The latter two were dating however and causing the teachers quite a bit of grief with trying to keep up with their whereabouts which meant that no one really noticed or cared what Harry was up to.
Harry was rarely in the castle though. The few days before Christmas saw Harry anywhere but the fortress of solitude known as his dorm room. In fact, three times already he had fallen asleep on the overstuffed couch by the fire in the common room. He wandered around the castle for hours and had spent an awful lot of time outside and up in the trees of the Forbidden Forest. Just the other day he had gotten to go with McGonagall to Hogsmeade to get some last minute gifts.
It was the most relaxing Christmas holidays Harry could ever remember. There were no great expectations or dreads that had been present in previous years. No threats. Life was good. The kind of good where one becomes overly confident in their good luck.
Harry had had his wings out nearly the whole time. No one had bothered him, his back pain had gone away, and he had been eating sugar since breakfast. In short, he was prime and ready to do something stupid.
We find our hero now standing at the end of a very long corridor with his wings out and flexed. He had wanted to do this for some time now and he was just sugared up enough to consider it a good idea. The room of requirement provided plenty of space in which to fly but when a person with wings lived in a place that had what felt like millions of kilometers of twisting hallways and curving corridors thrust me—there is great temptation. Harry couldn't believe he was about to do this. Or maybe he could. He just hoped he didn't get caught.
Harry began to flutter his wings at top speed and he was off like a shot. Flying as fast as he dared down and up several long passageways. He passed by Peeves who blew a very loud raspberry and tried to give chase to the young fairy. Harry out ran him though and laughed as he turned down another hallway. He weaved and winded through many more areas and up and down staircases all throughout the castle. He even managed to fly through several of the gardens and outdoor commons areas. He was in hog heaven. Or fairy heaven. Whichever. He had already been airborne for over an hour and he did not see himself stopping anytime soon. The thrill of flying was something he loved dearly. He could do this all day.
Too bad it had to stop.
Harry was on his third pass down a particularly long hallway on the forth floor when he rounded a corner and saw—dark piercing eyes! The sudden presents of another human being in front of him caused Harry to yelp and desperately throw his weight back down and twisted so that he would land. He did not want to hurt anyone. He was a fraction too late and when he landed on the ground and slid he contacted the other individual's legs sending them sprawling as well. Papers were flying everywhere. For a few moments both just laid there on the stone ground completely disoriented.
Harry knew he was toast. One look at the paper that was now covering his face told him it was a teacher. By the way the paper was covered in red ink marks he had a pretty good idea which teacher he had wiped out.
"There had better be a very good reason I am on the floor." Severus said as he continued to lie on his back. He didn't feel like he had hurt anything but this was the second time he had been knocked to a very undignified position by a certain green eyed man. He knew it was Harry. He had seen those green eyes wide in shock just moments before the collision.
"And I really wish I had a good reason to tell you." Harry said as he sat up and removed the paper from his face. He looked over to see Severus still lying on his back covered in graded papers. Harry began to giggle at the sight of the intimidating man looking so scattered. He covered his mouth to try and hide his laughter but to no avail.
"Are you laughing at me?" Severus said as he began to sit up. He locked onto Harry with a gaze and if looks could kill then Harry would have been fricasseed.
"I am sorry. I was not laughing at you, I was laughing at the situation."
"I should deduct points."
"Are you hurt?"
"Are you changing the subject?"
"Very well I might add, now are you hurt?"
Severus paused. Rarely did anyone inquire as to his health and safety. "I seem to be none the worse. Did you come by any maladies from the collision?"
Harry assumed that was Severus talk for 'Are you okay as well?'
"I am okay. I think I just banged my knee on the ground."
Severus scooted on the floor—an act Harry instantly committed to memory as he was sure he would never see it again—and brought out his wand and touched to Harry's knee. He murmured a spell and the pain he was feeling died away.
"Thanks," Harry mumbled as he continued to look at his knee, "You won't."
"Won't what?"
"Deduct points."
"Oh? And why not?"
"Because it's Christmas."
Severus looked over at the young man. Harry's hair, if it was even possible, was even more windblown and disheveled from his flight. His cheeks were flushed from effort, the cold air, and probably a little bit of embarrassment of ramming into another person. He had a slight smile on his face. Severus was having a hard time remembering why he had wanted to keep things platonic with the shorter man. He needed to act if he wanted to keep control of the circumstances.
"I should also give you a detention. Especially since you so erroneously perceive that I would be affected by such a stupid and impractical sentiment." He said coldly.
Harry faltered a little. "How is your holiday so far Severus?"
"You are changing the subject again." Came another cold reply.
"I do that a lot. How is it?" Harry asked again as he began to pick up the papers that were strewn about around them.
"Peaceful until a few minutes ago." Severus said acidly as he stood up and snatched the papers back from Harry. Harry gave a small laugh. It sounded more nervous than anything else.
"Forty points from Gryffindor for flying in the halls." Severus bit out.
"But—!"
"Do you want to make it more? The only reason you are not receiving a more severe punishment is that there were no other students in the halls. You could have seriously hurt someone Potter. I did not think even you could be that stupid of a child. But apparently I was wrong. You really are that brainless"
Harry's eyes filled with confusion and a small amount of pain. "I...I'm sorry..."
"How convenient. However that solves nothing. Your apology was in vain." Severus said as he dusted off his robes.
Harry opened his mouth to say something. Why was Severus saying these things? He was acting like Snape and they were all alone. Where had his friend gone? He wanted to ask. Wanted to get angry. Hell, he wanted to take all those papers he just helped gather and throw them about again, but he didn't. He realized his mouth was still open and Snape was looking at him. Waiting for a retort. Waiting for an argument. That's what Snape was after. Another fight. Like what had happened between then before sixth year. Snape wouldn't get that from him. Not today. Harry closed his mouth and shook his head a little.
"Yes, sir." He said quietly. He then walked off in the opposite direction of the other man.
Severus stood rooted in the same spot for several moments after watching the dejected fairy walk away. Harry's wings lay flat against his back and the melancholy expression he had worn added to the despairing image. He was so engrossed in watching the retreating teen that his right hand fell by his side and the papers fell again to the floor. Why had he just done that? Obviously Harry needed to be punished for breaking school rules and flying in the castle. He paused for a moment and realized that the rule only stated brooms. Regardless if it was another, younger student there could have been serious injury. Discipline was necessary. How Severus had handled it was completely uncalled for. Severus had attacked the boy not because he had run into him, but because he had found himself drifting back into the land of inappropriate thoughts. He had even insulted him. For what? So that he didn't have to think about how nice Harry looked with that tinge of red in his cheeks?
"Blast!" Severus exclaimed under his breath. He had messed up. The past few months had seen him be able to keep his duties as teacher and friend separated. He could take house points or direct Harry's education and then switch over to asking the young man about his day. These new feelings were messing everything up. He had hurt Harry's feelings. He had been cruel. There was only one thing to do.
The bitterest thing a person can swallow is their own pride.
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He found Harry in a tree. In all technicalities Harry had been the one to find him but after searching for three hours Severus was going to take the credit. He had been walking around the lake near the forbidden forest when he came face to face with familiar green eyes. Harry was hanging upside down from a branch.
"What do you want?" Harry knew he was pushing his luck. Snape was not the type of person that took kindly to sass, but Harry could have cared less. He had left to give the man his space. He wouldn't fight with him, but here he was searching him out. Did he really need to yell at someone that badly?
"I am sorry."
Whatever Harry was expected, it wasn't that. The startled jump resulted in a loss of grip by his legs.
WHUMP!
"Graceful as always Harry." Severus said with a light grin. It was teasing again. What was going on?
Harry scrambled up from his stomach and faced Snape...Severus?....who was he right now?
"What did you say?"
"I said I was sorry. I should not have reacted the way I did. While you shouldn't have been flying around in the halls I know that you would have never have done it if you thought you would hurt someone. I insulted you unnecessarily."
Severus Snape was not a man who apologized very often. His stubborn nature meant that even if he knew the error lie with himself he still would not admit it. He would be the type that if he accidentally released the hounds of hell he would remark that, 'The restraining devices were insufficient.' This was very hard for him to do, but he knew he had to. He owed it to Harry.
He stared at the green and black haired teen waiting for the reaction. He still had that pink to his cheeks from the cold and Severus felt a familiar warmth in his chest. He would not get angry this time though.
"What if I said your apology was in vain?" Harry said, echoing Severus's harsh words from earlier.
Severus sighed, "Then I would say that I deserved that."
Harry looked up at Severus. He was sincere. Harry had never had the other man apologize to him like this. Admit that he had done something wrong. Harry could have so easily told him right then and there that they were mates and that was the reason he had been so hurt by Severus's outburst. He continued to stare into the dark eyes and felt his knees begin to go weak again. He felt a flash of inspiration and quickly stooped in the snow.
Severus watched as Harry knelt in the snow and moved the frozen precipitation out of the way. He then witnessed—to his utter amazement—Harry placing his hand on the ground and a patch of wild clover growing where it had been laid. Harry plucked the clover flowers and set to task with the potions master watching avidly all the while. Finally when he was done he stood back up and looked at his tall dark companion. In his hand was a clover chain necklace.
"May I inquire how you just did that?"
"Oh, it's really easy. First you take one flower and take your hand—"
"Not the necklace. The part where you made the clover grow."
"I have a connection with nature to hear Hermione tell it." Harry said as he held out the necklace, "Would you wear it?"
Severus stared at the necklace and the young man offering it. His eyebrow quirked upward. He had just admitted he was wrong. There is no way he was going to wear clover flowers around his neck. Harry still had his arm stretched out undaunted.
"When I was very young in Surry I would watch on the playground as kids made these necklaces and headdresses for their friends. It was a badge of honor. The more one got the more friends it showed they had. I never had any friends back then to make one for." Harry said evenly.
Severus finally understood. This was Harry's idiosyncratic way of saying that he forgave him. It was touching in an offbeat sort of way. The metaphoric ball was in Severus's court.
He reached out his hand and took the offered necklace. Harry let his arm drop and watched Severus study the piece of clover jewelry.
Severus tentatively brought the necklace up to his head hand let it drop around his shoulders. He moved his shoulder length hair from under it and straightened it out around his neck. He looked up from his task to see Harry giving him an angelic smile. The fact that the young man's wings were out and fluttering happily only added to the imagery.
"Thank you." Harry said gently but the tone relayed utter delight in Severus's acceptance of the necklace.
"There is no need for thanks. You are the one who accepted my apology," Severus said around the lump in his throat.
A silence grew between the two figures standing amongst the snowy backdrop.
"We should get back." Severus said finally.
"Yea..."
Neither moved.
"What did it feel like when you grew that clover?"
Harry shrugged. He was thankful Severus had said something. He was beginning to feel lightheaded so close to the other man and talk was the best distraction.
"It feels warm. I always feel warm now, but when I grow things my arm gets even warmer."
They talked for a bit more about all the things Harry had grown. Severus seemed fascinated by the ability and even requested that Harry grow some more plants and made a tree bud. By the time they finally made it back to the castle the sun was setting and dinner had begun.
As they walk through the hallway towards the hallway before parting ways Severus stepped on another bauble. Did they get under his feet on purpose?
Harry had never heard that particular word said so colorfully. Not even by Ron.
"I think you could put Peeves to shame with that one."
"I will hear none of that from you. Now, if you have any sense you will go and change out of those wet clothes."
"And what did that poor bauble ever do to you?"
"Goodbye Harry." Severus said drolly.
"Goodbye Severus." Harry said happily. He turned to head up to the dorms before supper and started to hum 'Magical Mistletoe' by the Weird Sisters. His wings fluttered to the beat.
Severus stared after the young man. Harry was certainly uncommon.
Normal was overrated.
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Harry had a plan.
Usually, right after this it would be stated that Hermione had a better plan.
She is not here, so we go with Harry's plan.
It was Christmas day and today was the day he was going to tell Severus that they were mates. He had it all worked out.
He had a speech.
He had been practicing it in his head and around the room non stop since he came up with this plan. So much so that the mirror beside Neville's bed had begun to yell at him to shut up. He said the speech louder after that.
His reasoning behind telling him now was that he had bought Severus a gift and was going to give it to him today. This may seem like a totally unrelated reason, but don't you take shocking news better if you get a present too? Softens the emotional blow. Harry's own experience had taught him that. He could have very well gone crazy when Hagrid told him he was a wizard if the half giant hadn't given him a birthday cake first. The cake had saved his emotional well-being. Maybe. Either way Harry thought it was a good idea to tell Severus after giving him his present. Hopefully. Just to be safe Harry practiced his speech one more time. Or twelve.
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Severus's rooms held no decorations. Dumbledore usually sent each teacher a small Christmas tree with which to 'brighten up your rooms.' Severus in all his sarcastic glory had used the tree for firewood the first few years he taught. Now he would just send it back to the headmaster with a not so polite note.
Severus was sitting by the fireplace of his sitting room reading now. His Christmas had been spent in his potions lab all day and he couldn't think of a better gift for himself. Albus always gave him hats. Or socks. Both in quite unnatural colors and Severus had never worn any of the gifts. Why? He did not feel that the students would be as intimidated by him if he showed up to class wearing a bright yellow hat and matching socks. Why did he keep all of them? Because they were gifts.
He heard the wards go off. Someone was coming up to his door. 'It could only be Albus.' Who else would visit him at Christmas? Though he was still a little vexed at having the old coot try to pry into his personal life he could never stay mad at the old man for long. He was a little perplexed as the two of them had already exchanged Christmas pleasantries. Albus had given him a lavender hat this year and Severus had commented on how much he hated the holiday. Pleasantries accomplished. 'Is something the matter?' Severus got up and made his way from his sitting room to the front of his apartments, his personal office. He had made it to the door just as the first knock began and promptly threw the door open.
There in the doorway stood a certain short stature, green eyed young man.
"Harry," Severus said with mild surprise, "What are you doing here?"
"I came to visit you on Christmas. Friends do that you see."
"Friends also tend to call ahead."
"Not the really good ones." Harry replied as he walked past the taller man and into the office.
"Oh yes, please come in and make yourself at home."
"Thank you, I will."
"That was sarcasm."
Harry mad a little humming noise. He wasn't too sure himself if it was an affirmative sound or what. He finally guessed the 'or what'. Harry was nervous. He began picking at the sleeve of the new pullover Mrs. Weasley had given him. It looked fairly basic from the front. It was green with a small gold 'H' over his heart. Yes, a typical Weasley sweater. This made turning around all the more hilarious in Harry's opinion.
"Are those...wings...knitted into that sweater?"
"Yep." He didn't know whose idea it was or how they convinced Mrs. Weasley to actually do it, but she had knitted the design of silver fairy wings on the back of the vestment. She had even worked it to where there was a purposeful hole in the back for when his wings were out, which they weren't at the moment. He had wanted to show off his gift.
Severus continued to look at the boy. 'He seems nervous.' "Follow me." He said as he led them back to where he was a moment ago. In the living room he sat back down in his chair and offered the other the couch.
"And how were your gifts this year?"
Harry grinned, "Really good. I got this sweater, a hat, some boxes of candy, a book, and another practice snitch. What about you?"
"I got a lavender hat."
"I'm sorry, a what?"
"A lavender hat." Severus said through gritted teeth.
"Dumbledore?"
"How did you know?"
Harry reached in his back pocket and pulled out something hideously lime green.
"He gave me this one!" Harry said happily as he put the hat on his head. The beanie had two short points on it giving the illusion that Harry was a cat. His messy green and black locks stuck out in the front of the hat.
"You look ridiculous."
"You are just jealous that the hat looks good on me."
"Yes that must be it."
Their conversation continued and Harry couldn't have been happier. All was going according to plan. Now he just had to fight to keep down the warm, bubbly feeling that he now associated with Severus. The giddiness and butterflies had begun almost instantly, but Harry was a strong, tough fairy. He could win in the battle of....battle of something. After a while he decided to put the next phase of his plan into action.
"I have a present for you as well." Harry said as he looked over at his companion.
Both of Severus's eyebrows rose slightly. "You did not have to get me a gift Harry."
"I know," Harry said as he fished around in his pockets for the shrunken parcel. "But it is Christmas."
Harry finally found the tiny gift and cast the spell that turned it to its original size. He handed it to Severus.
The man took the gift and looked at it a moment. As if deciding what to do. He finally began to open the present slowly. Harry could see why Ron got annoyed now; the anticipation was killing him. Finally, Severus had all of the wrapping out of the way and opened the box. The older man made a surprised sound.
There in the box was a small green snake.
"You had said in passing a long time ago that if you ever had a pet it would be a snake and I have all the stuff for a habitat for him and I talked with all the snakes at the store and he seemed the nicest and he is just a baby, but he is a boa so he will get pretty big" Harry said in a rush of air, "And if you don't like him I am sure the store will take him back or—"
"Thank you Harry," Severus said before the Gryffindor could finish. He was still looking in the box admiring the snake. "It is the perfect gift." He looked up to find the young man with a smile on his face and looking relieved. Severus had meant it. No one had every given him a gift like this. That was thought out. He did not believe anyone would pay that close attention to conversations to figure out such things. He also had not received a gift in many many years that was not from Albus and was not a color that should not see the light of day.
Harry smiled in relief and began to search for the snake's things that he had shrunk in his pockets.
After getting the snake situated in his new terrarium Severus turned back to Harry.
"I have a gift for you as well." He said as he got up and went to a cabinet drawer. Harry followed just a few steps behind. Severus turned and handed the small package to shorter man.
Harry tried not to take too long in unwrapping the gift. He actually wasn't expecting Severus to get him anything. This wasn't too far a deviation from his plan so it didn't worry him too much. Harry finally opened the box and his breathing stopped.
Inside was a necklace. A simple silver chain with a charm on the end of it. Closer inspection saw that the charm was a small clover flower. Severus had made him a clover chain necklace. He looked up with wide eyes at the man. His mouth had settled into a slight 'O' shape.
"After our encounter a few days ago I thought this appropriate."
Harry clasped the necklace around his neck and placed his hand on the charm. He looked back up at Severus and felt the air rush out of the room.
Harry should say something. He wanted to ask how in the world Severus had found a charm of a clover flower, but that seemed too frivolous at the moment. He needed his mouth to work. He needed to say thank you. Say Thank You! Finally, his mouth began to work again. Too bad no one told his brain.
"You're my mate."
As soon as the words left Harry's mouth his eyes widened in shock. That wasn't a thank you! Furthest thing from a thank you! What had happened to his plan? His speech?
Severus's eyes were also wide from the news. "What did you say?"
The plan was shot. "I said you are my mate." Harry said quietly, "Diligarians have mates and you're it for me."
Severus looked like he had just been smacked with a fish. He had a combination of shock and confusion, like 'I have just been smacked—and by a fish no less.' He seemed to have forgotten how to talk until,
"You are mistaken. There is no way I am your mate."
"Wish I could tell you different," Harry said a little sad. Severus seemed set and ready to reject him at least that is how Harry interpreted the look on the other man's face. Harry was trying to mentally prepare himself.
"How do you know?"
Harry shrugged, "Several reasons. First there is the electric jolt that I feel whenever we touch. Second is all of my major changes in my inheritance have happened because of contact or something to do with you. Another is that I get this pleasant, warm, lightheaded feeling whenever I am near you..." he trailed off.
Severus stared at the young fairy for a while not hardly believing the news he had just heard. Can this really be true? Was he Harry's mate? He had felt the jolts at their touch and the awkwardly warm feelings, but he had assumed they were all on his end. But Harry was feeling the same thing too. The beautiful Gryffindor looked about ready to crumble. 'Is he expecting me to say no to him?' Severus thought. He met Harry's bright eyes and as had happened before he began to get lost looking at the ethereal creature in front of him. He took a step forward and watched with a small trace of amusement as Harry's eyes widened even more. He drew even closer to Harry and stared into those massive green eyes. He reached his hand up and plucked the silly lime-green hat off of Harry's head and tossed it aside towards a chair. He leaned forward and lightly kissed the young man on the forehead. That was all he wanted to do. Harry was still a student and he could not let things escalate. There was decorum. As soon as his lips made contact with that soft skin however all thoughts went right out the window. Bye thoughts. We will miss you.
If both men had thought there was electricity in their previous touches it was nothing compared to the ignition that shot through them from that kiss. Severus pulled back slightly to gaze into clouded green eyes. Before he knew what do he had leaned in for another kiss to feel that heat again. His lips made contact with the forehead and again that same jolt ran through him from head to toe. He pulled away for the second time and found Harry's breathing coming out in small pants through his nose. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes still cloudy. To hell with decorum. Severus leaned in again and Harry was fully expecting another kiss on the top of his head. Which is why he nearly jumped out of his skin when Severus brought his lips to Harry's.
The kiss was chaste but still the same fire that raced through them seemed to only intensify. If that was even possible. Harry had only ever had the one kiss in his life and it had been somewhat lacking. Now he found himself completely out of his element. He pulled away and said the first thing that popped to his mouth.
"Teach me how to kiss?"
Severus had to fight tooth and nail to not moan at that innocent request. "You saying such things should be illegal. Just follow my lead." He said quietly as he leaned in to capture Harry's lips once more.
Their kiss was again chaste until Harry felt something pushing against his lower lip. Severus's tongue. Harry finally got the message and parted his lips slightly. Instantly the other man's tongue invaded his mouth and Harry had to try with all of his might not to fall as it did. This was amazing. He had heard the other boys talking about this sort of thing but holy moly he had no idea. Severus's tongue was tracing little circles on the roof of his mouth when Harry tentatively brought his own tongue up to meet Severus's. The other man made an approving noise that surprised Harry and now there tongues were dancing. That is the only way Harry could describe the seemingly choreographed movements. Finally air became a necessity and they pulled away from each other, but only by a few centimeters.
"Wings out." Severus commanded softly.
"Kay." And with that the wings were out. As soon as they unfurled Severus had his hands around Harry's back and was caressing them; the sensation really did make Harry's knees begin to buckle. Severus tried to hold him up but with his wings out there was no good angle around Harry's waist. The Diligarian, in a clouded state of mind, came up with the only logical solution of keeping the kisses going. With a small hop and a flutter of his wings he landed in Severus's arms. He snaked his hands around the older man's neck.
"Do you mind?" He asked breathlessly
"Do you have to ask?" Severus said in a rush and his mouth found Harry's again.
The kiss continued for several more minutes with Harry's hands around Severus's neck playing with his hair. One of Severus's hands still continued to stroke up and down Harry's wings while the other—in order to keep the young man up mind you—was on Harry's bottom.
Finally those thoughts that were missed so much came rushing back to Severus and he realized that this needed to end. Wonderful though it was. He pulled back slightly.
"Harry we must stop."
Harry looked lost in the clouds, "Why?" he said airily. He then shook himself a bit and came to his senses himself.
"I am not your mate."
"What?"
"There is no way." Severus said as he let his arm fall away to let Harry get down. The young man did not move. "Get down. You're as clingy as a barnacle." He said firmly.
"I'm the bloody Christmas Barnacle. Now tell me why we can't be mates." Harry said defiantly. "Cause that right there was not nothing."
"Christmas Barnacle?" Snape questioned. He shook his head. It didn't matter. He looked at the Gryffindor that was still latched around his neck. "You have no way of knowing that I am your mate. You are merely making assumptions." As he said this though he noticed something. A mark on Harry's neck. It was black. Looked more like a smudge. The small smudge began to move though; outward in both directions making a line that continued to move and elongate. Severus stared wide eyed and gently pushed on Harry's legs until the young man was finally standing again. Harry stared at Severus in bewilderment.
"What? What is the matter?"
"You have a black line on your neck." Severus said as he continued to watch the line curving its way around the side of Harry's neck and behind his ear.
Harry automatically brought his hand up and whipped over his neck. "Did I get it?"
Severus shook his head, "No." He then summoned a mirror from his washroom and held it in front of Harry.
Harry looked and gave a soft "Oh!" at his reflection. It was the black markings that Hermione had mentioned from McTorning's book all those months ago. The black line had become a swirling pattern on the side of his neck, behind his right ear and it looked like it disappeared underneath the collar of his shirt. Harry could only guess that the pattern was all over him now. He looked back into Severus's dark eyes.
Severus may have been able to deny it until the hippogriffs came home before, but this was different. This was not normal. Their interaction had obviously caused this to happen to Harry's appearance. Could it really be though? This was Harry. If something as weird as being mates with a standoffish, surly older man was going to happen—it would happen to Harry.
"I am your mate?"
"That is what I am saying." Harry said. He was still in shock over the new markings. He wondered if he could hide them. Probably not.
Severus just stood there holding the mirror for a minute without moving. Harry almost thought that the potion's master wasn't even breathing and was about to get concerned. He was finally going to speak up when—
"We cannot be in a relationship during school."
"Huh?"
"I said that in English didn't I?"
"I'm not sure."
"You are my student. I grade your papers. Having such a relationship would give me a bias.
"We have been friends since the start of the school year. Doesn't that make you biased?"
"How have your grades been? Have they improved?"
"Yea but that's only because I have been working my—oh"
"Yes. Oh. While you are right there is probably already a bias on my part, but I have successfully been impartial when it comes to your school work. The absence of a serious relationship would lessen the temptation to not be fair."
Harry's brain had geared into two words: serious relationship. Severus had accepted this? It should have been obvious with the snog session the two had just participated in but when it came to Severus Snape one could never be too cautious.
"But...you...want to...yes?"
Severus smirked. "Yes. I do. But I think it would be best to abstain from this until June. After that you are no longer my student."
Harry thought about it. He could wait till June. He had known, or at least suspected, that Severus was his mate for months. He could wait a little longer. Especially if there was more kissing involved in the future. Yes,...more nice kissing. Harry really liked kissing Severus. Much better than trees by a long shot. And Harry liked trees.
"Okay. We will wait." It was only what? Five and a half months till the end of school right? Harry could do that. How hard could it be? "Can we still be friends?"
Severus pondered the question for a moment. "Of course we can, but I do not wish to continue your remedial potions lessons."
"Why?"
There was that eyebrow again. "Don't be dense. It appears that there is quite a pull between us when we are around one another. Let's try to lessen that shall we?"
Harry reddened, "Yea, you have a point."
The clock chimed. Harry finally made up his mind; he hated that clock. If he ever found which clock it was he hoped Severus wasn't too attached to it because it was going to get hexed.
"Time to go Harry." Severus said with a small smile to the corners of his mouth. Harry's annoyance with the timepiece must have been evident. "It is late."
Harry stepped back and grabbed his hat. He brought his hand up to the silver clover flower charm that was around his neck.
"Thank you again Severus. Merry Christmas."
Severus inclined his head. His dark eyes looking into Harry's. The shorter man knew he should go while he still had the chance. If he stayed any longer, he might never want to leave. He walked to the door but was stopped only for a moment by Severus's voice. It sounded deeper than normal.
"Merry Christmas Harry." Severus said.
Harry looked back from the doorway and back into Severus's face. He smiled and inclined his head to echo the older man's gesture. With that Harry finally made his feet go one in front of the other and he was able to leave the potion master's room.
Yes, how hard could it be to wait till June?
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Soon the winter break was over and the other students were filing back into the castle. Ron and Hermione were hurrying to get back up to the Gryffindor common room to talk to Harry. He had written them just a few days ago and had said that he had made good on the bet. He had told Severus. He had not given any details though and they were anxious to hear. They finally made it past the portrait door and saw their friend sitting in an overstuffed chair reading. They rushed up to him.
"Hi Harry! So how did it go when...what is that of your neck?" Hermione said as they got closer.
Harry had not been able to find a way to hide the new markings. He had taken to wearing higher collared shirts but it did not cover the lines that went higher behind his ear. The markings were nearly everywhere. They started at his neck and went all across his chest stomach and back. The lines and swirls finally stopped at his calves. Ron and Hermione were some of the first people back to the common room. Most were at dinner so Harry hadn't had to worry just yet. Harry wondered what people would think. Or if they would even noticed. He could just say he got a tattoo. 'Wonder how that would go over in the Daily Prophet...'
Ron looked at his neck, "Blimey Tink! I don't even want to know what you guys did to cause that to happen."
Harry reddened immensely on his face and neck. The coloring causing the markings to stand out even more.
"Is it just on your neck?"
"No, it's everywhere."
"Everywhere?" Hermione asked interestedly.
Harry reddened even more. "No, not everywhere."
Ron laughed. "Alright spill Tink, but please spare me any information that would make me sick."
Harry told his friends in whisper how Severus had taken the news. He left out the whole part about kissing the older man. He didn't feel like picking a lifeless Ron from up off the floor. He did tell them about the last part that they had talked about. At the end of his spiel Hermione nodded her head.
"Professor Snape is right. Okay Harry, we will help keep you two apart until June."
"Awww Hermione," Ron exclaimed, "Did you have to put it like that? I haven't eaten yet!"
Harry let out a giggle. He owed his friends so much.
Yes, how hard could it be to wait for June?
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Merry Christmas to All and to all a Good Night!
Call for help: Can someone help me with the rating system? I am worried that I have underrated my story and I don't want to get into trouble. I have heard stories of people getting kicked off because of it. Could someone let me know? My story wont get any worse that this chapter.
I apologize for the shaky Harry/Severus scene. I am such a newbie that I verily messed it all up. Mea Culpa. I will probably rewrite it if I can.
Reviews! I like reviews. A lot better than trees. And I really like trees.