Chapter 8
Alex had been in the past for almost three months. He was enjoying his time immensely. He got to meet his parents. Well his mother at least. He had made friends with Severus Snape and even fallen in love with him. In the past he could be himself and not have to worry about being 'They Boy Who Lived'. Although he did miss Ron and Hermione terribly. At least Malfoy had left him alone since the incident in Hogsmeade, even going as far as to leave the room if Alex entered it. It was a fortnight before Christmas and he still had no idea what to get Severus.
The entire school was covered in festive decorations. There were wreaths on all the classroom doors and a gigantic Christmas tree in the Great Hall. It was decorated using colours from all the Houses and as usual Professor Flitwick had charmed fairy lights around the corridors. Everyone was filled with Christmas cheer so there had been fewer incidents between Slytherin and Gryffindor.
Saturday came and Severus and Alex were going shopping for Christmas presents in Diagon Alley. They split up to get the others present. Alex searched without success for two hours before he came upon a small junk shop at the end of a deserted alley. It was filled with all sorts of odds and ends. Walking through one isle Alex found himself drawn towards a small velvet box. Opening it curiously he gasped. Inside was a pair of rings. They were beautiful, masculine but elegant and made out of gold. One was encrusted with rubies and the other garnets. Alex picked up the one with rubies and saw that there was an engraving on the inside. It read 'A love to last all eternity.' He hurriedly looked at the other. It too had an inscription, 'Apart but never alone.' Alex's mouth gaped. These were bonding rings. There would have been many protection spells and enchantments on them to keep the couple safe.
Quickly making up his mind Alex went to the counter to buy the rings. They were probably very expensive but Alex knew that he would have enough. The man at the counter looked at Alex piercingly. He was eerily reminded of Mr Olivander. It felt like the man's gaze penetrated his very soul and saw him for who is truly was. Then the man suddenly smiled, "I had begun to think that these rings would never find their next owners. They were last owned by Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin you know. I could not have parted with them to anybody else. There is no charge. I wish you and your partner happiness and joy," he told him kindly.
Alex tried to argue with the man but he insisted that he would take no payment, that the rings had chosen Alex and his mate as their owners and to take money for them would be disrespectful. Alex saw no other option, "Thank you, sir." He replied bemusedly.
When he left the shop he shook his head, trying to shake the feeling that the man had known exactly who he was. 'It's impossible. He couldn't know.' The boy turned around to take another look at the store and find out its name. It was gone. Shrugging his shoulders at the now quite common strangeness of the wizarding world Alex went to meet Severus at the Leaky Cauldron.
When they got back to the castle each boy hid the other's present in his trunk to wrap later.
A week later Severus was summoned and, as usual, Alex went with him. They apparated into an abandoned farm house and took their places within the circle. Alex always stood beside Severus. He had been teaching the teen Occlumency for a while now. Severus had proved to be quite proficient but if Voldemort deliberately invaded Severus' mind the boy would not last long. Alex knew that due to their bond he could strengthen his love's mind should that happen. Alex, however, 'listened' to all of Voldemort's thoughts during the meetings. He had been able to prevent several attacks on both the wizarding world and the muggle one by either changing Voldemort's mind subtly or anonymously writing to Dumbledore to tell him about the planned raid.
The monster once known as Tom Riddle still planned to make Alex his consort once he left Hogwarts and treated his as such. Alex was disgusted by the man's attention and Severus was worried that his master would take his love from him.
A raid on a well-known wizarding family was planned for the later that night. Voldemort planned to get rid of a powerful family who had opposed him for far too long. The Potters. Alex fought not to show his shock when Voldemort revealed his plan. The Death Eaters who were still in school were not going to be allowed on the raid, as it was more likely they would be discovered out of bed. Voldemort did not want to loose his next army to rashness.
As soon as Alex and Severus apparated back to Hogwarts Alex rushed to the desk and began writing.
Severus knew what his mate was doing. He had watched as Alex wrote to Dumbledore after almost every meeting and told the Leader of the Light what Voldemort's plans were. He was glad that his love was doing what was right. Severus had been tempted to do it himself.
Alex called Fawkes to him, as he had done for all the letters, and gave the magnificent bird the message for his human companion.
"I can't let the Potters be killed, Sev. I just can't!" Alex cried.
Severus didn't understand why this family meant so much to Alex but didn't comment. He knew one day he would understand and, although curious, was content to wait. "Dumbledore will get them out, love. Don't worry." He reassured Alex.
A few hours later Alex felt a searing pain emanating from his scar. Voldemort was angry. The Potters had not been at their manor. Joy filled Alex's heart. His hope that his connection to Voldemort had been cut off due to the fact that he was not born in this time had been proved wrong. He rarely dreamt of the Dark Lord but could still feel any strong emotions from the madman. It seemed that the bond was only one-way though. Alex could feel him but Voldemort had not idea of their connection and Alex hoped to keep it that way.
Morning dawned on December 25th and Alex was woken by a soft kiss. Opening his eyes he muttered, "Morning, Sev," and pulled his lover in for another kiss.
Leaning back slightly Severus replied, "Merry Christmas, Come on let's go down to the Common Room and open our presents."
Alex got up and retrieved Severus's present, now wrapped, from his trunk and followed his lover down to the Common Room. They were the only Slytherins left for the holidays as all the others had gone home, so they had the room to themselves.
Severus nodded to a small pile of presents under the tree, "They're yours, Alex."
"Mine? But I don't know anyone in this time." Alex said in confusion. He walked over and looked at the name tags. They were his. One was from Lily, one from Severus and the other was from Dumbledore.
Alex opened Dumbledore's first. It was a bag of lemon drops. He chuckled softly. It was typical of the old man to send someone a present just so they would have something to open on Christmas Day. He opened Lily's next. It felt heavy. 'No wonder,' Alex thought. She had gotten him books, 'Charms for Self-Defence' and 'A variety of Magical Creatures' encyclopaedia. 'My mother would definitely have gotten on well with 'Mione.' He thought fondly.
Feeling eyes on him the emerald-eyed boy looked up to see his mate looking at him with a smile. Severus had yet to open Alex's present. "You first." The onyx-eyed teenager said.
Alex opened the box. Severus had gotten him a Pensieve. "Thank you."
"There's a memory in it already. One of mine." His lover informed him.
Alex lifted an eyebrow questioningly and touched the tip of his wand to the swirling silver liquid. He felt the room spin and melt away. He opened his eyes. He was back in the Common Room but it was a scene from two weeks ago. He could see himself lying on the couch in front of the fire asleep while Severus was reading a book. He watched as Severus looked over at him and smiled fondly. Then the boy gently moved Alex's head so that it was resting on Severus' lap. Alex felt his eyes prickle with unshed tears as Severus bent down to kiss his forehead affectionately. The other boy then returned to his book but one hand was absently running its fingers through Alex's hair. Alex remembered that night. It had been the first night of the Christmas holidays. Alex and Severus had utilised the space and read for a while. Alex remembered that he had succumbed to sleep after a few hours and had woken up the next morning in his bed with no knowledge of how he got there.
All of a sudden the room went black and Alex was back in the Common Room again. He looked at Severus and the other boy could see tears in his eyes.
"Did you like it?" He asked carefully, not knowing why he could see tears.
"I love it, Sev. Thank you so much." He cried and launched himself at Severus.
When they parted Alex blushed a brilliant crimson and said, "Open yours, Severus."
Severus sent him a mock glare but ripped of the wrapping paper and opened the velvet box. His eyes went as wide as saucers.
Alex reached over and took the garnet encrusted ring out of the box. "It's a soulmate ring. It has very strong protection charms on it. I also added an invisibility charm to it so only we can see it." Alex explained to his silently staring soulmate. "It's a symbol of our love. It means that I will still love you when I return to my time. Doubt everything, Severus. But never doubt my love for you."
Severus was deeply touched. He wanted to say something but found that he couldn't speak so he kissed his lover gently, letting his love flow through, and then let Alex slide the ring onto his right hand finger. It was tradition to put a soulmate or bonding on the right hand until they were married if the couple ever did.
Alex put on the other and watched as both rings glowed on their fingers. "Well the charms are working and it must recognise that we are soulmates but that doesn't explain the flash of heat I felt." Severus stated.
"Well these rings used to belong to Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin, they were the last soulmate couple," Alex said, "I know why my ring glowed but yours? I don't have a clue."
"How do you know about yours?" The other boy asked curiously. He had a theory why his glowed.
"It recognised me as the Heir of Gryffindor," He confessed, "I'm also the Heir of Ravenclaw."
"Really? I'm the Heir of Slytherin and Hufflepuff." Sev replied astonished.
Alex began to laugh hysterically. The thought of the feared Potions Master actually being the Heir of Hufflepuff was too much for him to take.
Severus guessed why he was laughing and gave him a death glare but his errant mate took no notice and continued to laugh. "You dare tell anyone, Frost." He threatened.
"Ok fine. Relax! I just never pictured you as a Hufflepuff." Alex said between fits of laughter. Then something occurred to him. "I thought Voldemort was Slytherin's Heir."
"No. He 's actually descended from Slytherin's eldest sister. The Snape's are Slytherin's true descendants but we keep it a secret as do all the Heir families." Sev explained.
Alex nodded and looked around the room. This was his first Christmas without Ron and Hermione in seven years. He suddenly felt very alone.
Severus watched as Alex's face fell. He gently felt for Harry's mind and was hit by a sense of being isolated. 'You have me and Lily here, love. Remember that' He sent down their bond.
Alex felt the love sent with the message and smiled slightly.
"So, what side is Gryffindor on?" Severus asked to distract the teen.
"My father's. Ravenclaw is my mother's. And you?" Harry replied.
"Slytherin-father. Hufflepuff-mother."
The pair continued to talk. Alex showed Sev the inscriptions on the rings and they kissed until it was time for the Christmas feast.
As there was only ten students: two Slytherins, four Ravenclaws, two Hufflepuffs and two Gryffindors, staying at Hogwarts over the holidays Dumbledore had exchanged the usual House tables for one. Alex and Severus took their seats at one end of the table. The teachers were sat in the middle and the rest of the students filled in the remaining places. Luckily, none of the pupils were seventh years. There was a first year from both Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff while the rest were either third of fourth years. Neither Alex nor Severus knew them so they only spoke to each other. Unlike in Alex's time most of the teachers had also gone home for Christmas only Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, Slughorn and Dumbledore along with the Divination professor who Alex didn't know the name of.
Alex looked down at the table and saw that it was empty apart from a blank plate. He grinned as he saw Severus frown at it in confusion. Normally the house elves sent up the feast like they did during the term but it appeared that tonight was different. Alex knew from past experience that all you had to do was clearly state what you wanted to eat and it would appear before you so he called out, "Roast chicken."
His food appeared instantly and he saw the whole table gape at him in shock. Even Dumbledore was surprised. He hadn't told anyone how to order. He had planned it that way. The old man quickly got over his shock and ordered his own dinner. Alex's stunt had broken the ice and the rest of the table followed suit. They all pulled crackers and swapped the gifts they received inside, laughing and joking.
Once they were all eating Severus turned to Alex and asked, "How did you know that you had to say what you wanted?"
"I've seen it before." Alex said cryptically. The teachers were also listening to his answer. Everyone was curious about the time traveller. Was he from the past or the future? He was so powerful. What would happen if Voldemort recruited him? Which side was he on?
Albus Dumbledore observed the time traveller and Severus Snape. He could tell from the way they acted around each other that they were more than friends and hoped that Severus would be all right when 'Alexander' went back to his own time.
Later that night Alex and Severus were in their room when Harry told Sev that he wanted to give him the other half of his present.
"Other half?" The teen asked in confusion.
"I want to give you my virginity." Alex stated.
Severus snorted, "It would seem that we have gotten each other the same gift as that is the other half of mine as well." He went over to his trunk and pulled out the jar of lubricant he had made especially for them. Putting it on the table beside his bed he pulled Harry down and kissed him soundly.
As their arousal grew Alex decided that they were wearing far too many clothes and began top remove his lover's. Severus quickly caught on and undressed Alex too. When they were completely naked Severus gave Alex a lingering kiss and grasped his mate's erection. Alex gasped into his mouth and arched his back. 'He's so beautiful. So innocent. Perfect.' The onyx eyed boy thought as he gazed at his lover lying on the bed beneath him. Severus started kissing Alex's neck, leaving faint love bites and worked his way down.
"Severus, I want you in me now." Alex panted.
"Are you sure?" He asked seriously looking into his eyes. If they carried on then he wasn't sure that he would be able to stop.
"I'm sure. I love you." Alex replied confidently.
He nodded and reached for the jar. He coated his fingers into the viscous liquid and then moved his hand to Alex's bottom. Staring into his mate's eyes he carefully inserted the first finger. Alex gasped and tried to get away from the intruding finger but Severus pulled him close so that his back was against Severus's chest and kissed him. Curling his finger inside of the other boy he found that small nub and ran his finger over it. Alex saw stars and moaned. Severus took the opportunity to add another finger and moved them in a scissoring motion making sure to hit his love's prostrate every time. He stretched Alex with a further two fingers to make sure that he wouldn't hurt his mate.
Deciding that he was prepared enough he removed his fingers and coated his straining erection liberally. He positioned himself at Alex's entrance. Keeping his hands on his lover's hips he slowly pushed into the hot, tight cavern. Once he was completely sheathed he paused to give Alex time to adjust.
Alex breathed deeply, trying to ignore the sharp pain. Even though his lover had prepared him thoroughly it still hurt. When he was used to the intrusion he pushed back to tell Severus to move. It still hurt but when Severus managed to angle his thrust to hit his prostrate he forgot about the pain. Severus continued to move closer, thrusting in and out with Alex moving to meet him halfway. Alex no longer knew where he ended and Severus began.
Severus was thinking the same thing and bent down to whisper in Alex's ear, "You are mine, love. No one else will ever see you like this. You're mine forever."
Alex moaned at the possessiveness in Sev's tone. He managed to gasp, "Yours. Always. Forever." Just before he came, everything went black and he could see stars.
Severus felt Alex's channel contract around him, gripping him tightly and came with a shout. After a minute he withdrew gently. Alex winced, he was sure that he would be sore tomorrow.
They lay there panting for a while until Alex rolled over and began to imitate Severus's earlier actions, kissing and stroking his mate. The teen was soon hard again and begging to feel Alex inside him so he reached for the jar and covered his fingers in the lubricant. The green-eyed teen kissed his lover, hard, as he pushed the first finger past the rings of muscle guarding his mate's entrance. Severus gasped, in pain this time, and Alex let him adjust to the intrusion before mimicking his mate's actions to find his sweet spot. He did and Severus moaned loudly. Alex systematically added more fingers, stretching his lover. He didn't want to hurt him any more than he had to.
"Enough, Alex. I want you now." His soulmate panted impatiently.
Alex smothered a snigger at his mate's tone and reached for the jar again. He coated his engorged member with lubricant then he positioned himself at Severus's entrance and slowly pushed into the tight cavern.
When he was buried completely in his mate he stopped as Sev had done. Looking at his lover he saw that his eyes were tightly shut against the piercing pain. Reaching up he kissed him on the mouth. Severus focused on the kiss and he soon forgot about the pain. Alex couldn't keep still any longer and began to rock his hips, Severus quickly picked up the rhythm, his arms around Alex, keeping him close. It felt amazing to be inside his love like this. He had never felt so connected with anyone in his whole life. Alex brought one had between them to stroke Severus's neglected cock as he angled his thrusts to hit the other's prostate every time.
"I love you, Sev." Alex whispered.
"I love you too, Alex." Severus replied breathless from the feelings his lover was invoking within him. He had never felt so complete before. They were truly made for each other. They soon came, calling each other's names.
"That was…wow." Alex breathed as they just lay on the bed side by side limbs entwined.
Severus chuckled, "How eloquent, Alex."
"I'm glad that I waited until I found you, Sev. It was definitely worth the wait," Alex said honestly, "I love you."
"I love you too, Alex."
Alex spared a thought for the future Severus 'Do you still love me or do you hate me now you know who I truly am?' before he fell asleep. Severus followed soon after, once he had cast a cleaning charm to vanish the evidence of their lovemaking.