CHAPTER 40

A/N: Happy New Year and all the best!

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"Now close your eyes," Severus instructed his husband, "and don't open them until I tell you to do so."

Harry smiled and closed his eyes. He felt like a child which is about to be pleasantly surprised. It was a wonderful feeling. He could smell the forest – a fresh fragrance with a hint of wood. Pebbles crunched underneath his shoes, and a breeze ruffled his robes and hair. He followed Severus's guidance eagerly but patiently. Now he could hear something familiar – a tinkling of wind chimes.

"You may open your eyes," Severus's voice spoke.

Harry looked around and made a sound of mingled surprise and delight.

He was standing in front of a wooden cottage; it was small and homely, and a set of wind chimes was attached to the ceiling of the front porch. A sturdy brown door was invitingly ajar. Stately trees and lush grass grew around, thriving in the warm July sun, and he forgot that he would be confronting Voldemort at the end of the month.

"Do you like it?" Severus asked.

"Sev, it's beautiful! It's like a fairytale, I think I'm dreaming…"

"I assure you that you are wide awake. Most of the staff helped with the house. Is it to your taste?"

Harry's answer was to throw his arms around Severus's waist and kiss him on the mouth.

"A most enlightening answer," Severus commented, stepping up to the front door and pushing it fully open. The two wizards entered the cottage and removed their shoes. A small staircase led to the single floor above. Everything was spotless and neatly furnished with quaint furniture.

"I was thinking of spending our one-week-honeymoon in here, if this place meets with your approval," Severus said.

Harry gave him another kiss on the lips and smiled at him with shining eyes.

"Sev…I…" he laughed and shook his head. "I'm so happy!"

"I want to make this one of the happiest times for you before…" Severus fell silent; the thought of taking Harry to Voldemort on Harry's birthday pained him deeply.

"Before we go to Voldemort," Harry finished his sentence for him softly. Severus reached into his pocket.

"I took these with us." He held up the two bejewelled bottles containing their bonding blood. "They stand for our union and for Voldemort's downfall, Harry. You, I and the Order of the Phoenix will fight; and Voldemort shall never take you away from me!" His dark eyes flashed and he set the vials down on a shelf. Harry took Severus's hands in his.

"Sev, please promise me something," he said.

"Tell me, Harry," Severus said.

"Promise me that you will live and love again if I should not survive."

"Harry-"

"Sev, promise me that you will search for happiness, no matter what happens."

Severus gazed into the green eyes he had come to love so much.

"Only if you promise me the same thing if I should not survive," Severus said, and his smooth voice was touched with the roughness of sorrow.

"I do," Harry whispered.

"Then so do I," Severus confirmed, embracing his young husband and cursing Voldemort for targeting the person who had managed to bring so much happiness and sunshine into his dismal life.

"And now, lets enjoy our honeymoon-week," Harry suggested.

"Yes, lets do so. Our bedroom is this way," Severus said briskly.

Holding Harry's hand, he went up the stairs and opened the door to a pretty room with floorboards which creaked in a friendly manner. The door of the clothes cupboard was open, and Harry could see some of his and Severus's clothes already hanging neatly from hangers. Severus had truly thought of everything.

"Your friend Dobby has expressed the wish to attend to our needs while we're here," Severus said.

"Dobby's a jewel," Harry said, smiling.

"He certainly is," Severus agreed, remembering that it was thanks to Dobby that his hair was the sleek mane it was now.

The two wizards spent the day strolling about the cottage – naturally keeping within the boundaries of the secluded area. Birds chirped and butterflies fluttered around – it was idyllic. Severus's sarcastic core would have winced mightily at the scenery if Harry had not been with him, and if he hadn't happened to be very much in love. He played wizarding games with Harry in the parlour, and they talked a lot – including about Harry's escapades at Hogwarts.

"There are two things I would like to know," Severus said idly, pushing away a set of cards.

"Fire away," Harry replied, smiling.

"Firstly: what in Merlin's name did you want with Polyjuice Potion in your second year?" he asked sternly.

Harry could not suppress a chuckle; he explained the whole story to Severus.

"That was rather cunning," Severus said dryly, "worthy of a Slytherin."

"Of course. Apart from the fact that the Sorting Hat nearly put me in Slytherin, I am married to the Head of that House," Harry pointed out.

Severus stroked his mouth with his tapering index finger.

"Secondly: what about that Gillyweed in your fourth year?"

Harry answered the question a little hesitantly since it was Dobby who had taken the Gillyweed; but Severus merely smiled.

"A true friend indeed to venture near my private stores," he murmured, actually appreciating the humour of the situation – something which he would never have done even a few months ago.

"Are you, er, annoyed?" Harry asked cautiously.

"It is rather long ago, isn't it?" Severus reminded him.

"Well, yes, but you tend to remember past events which happened ages ago in minute detail," Harry observed delicately.

Severus shot him a keen glance.

"In other words: I tend to keep grudges," he confirmed.

"No longer that much – not since you discovered that married life benefits you," Harry said cheekily.

Severus raised a sardonic eyebrow; Harry laughed.

At night, after an excellent supper prepared by an enthusiastic Dobby, Harry decided to try out seduction tactics on Severus, who was reading in bed, dressed only in a pair of pyjama bottoms – the summer nights were hot. He strolled out of the adjoining bathroom in a pair of black cotton briefs. He joined Severus in bed, making sure to nudge Severus's thigh with his own. Severus did not react; instead, he turned the page and continued reading. Harry casually brushed a patch of skin just above the seam of Severus's pants with his knuckles – a particularly sensitive spot. Severus ignored him, but Harry saw the hairs stand up on his arms – a sign of Severus's distraction. Harry boldly drew circles around Severus's navel with his finger. Seeing Severus's eyes spark with passion and abandon the fine print, he bent over Severus's stomach and blew a stream of cool air into his navel. Severus finally tossed the book aside and imprisoned Harry in his arms, trying to kiss him; but Harry avoided the kiss, averting his face mischievously. Severus changed his position, attempting to steal a kiss from him; Harry laughed softly and ducked his head. Severus gently rolled Harry over onto his back and slid on top of him, determined to claim Harry's evasive lips. Harry cupped Severus's face in his hands, and when their lips were almost locked in a kiss, he turned his head to the side.

"Harry Potter," Severus growled, "first you tease me and then you play the prude!"

Harry merely smirked. Severus lunged in for another attack, and this time, he was successful. Their kiss was burning and hungry. Harry's tongue collided with Severus's. When they drew back, the young man observed breathlessly:

"That was a slip of the tongue."

"You were definitely trying to give me the slip," Severus answered languidly, tasting Harry's mouth again. He felt two hands tug at his pyjama pants. He broke their oral tryst in order to peel them down his legs, Harry helping him assiduously as he did so. They were naked and making sweet love within ten minutes, moaning, sweating and writhing on the bed.

"What a honeymoan," Harry panted afterwards.

Severus snorted derisively at the pun but smiled into Harry's sweaty hair.

Harry woke up in the morning feeling relaxed, happy and warm. The sun was poking in through the shutters and curtains, and he saw Severus's profile in the soft glow. He carefully extricated himself from Severus's arms and slipped out of bed. Severus shifted and changed his position. Harry pulled on his underwear and went to the bathroom. He padded his way silently into the bedroom after twenty minutes, running his hand through his moist hair. Severus was sleeping soundly, an arm thrown above his head, the sheets reaching till just below his navel. A blush rose to Harry's cheeks as he recalled their passionate lovemaking. He summoned a piece of charcoal and a sheet of drawing paper, settled down on a chair and began to sketch, his right hand moving deftly. Severus's arm resting near his head, the long black hair, the striking strong-willed face with its ever arrogant cheekbones, the slope of his neck and chest, the dusky nipples, his stomach, the lean torso, the enticing trail of body hair, the wedding band on his finger…Harry narrowed his eyes and began to fine-tune the shading. A shadow travelling along Severus's arm…emphasising the sleek texture of his hair…and the sheets needed more wrinkles as they lapped around his abdomen…defining the navel more clearly…Harry smiled. Drawing Severus was like making love to him in a different way, caressing the lines of his body tenderly with a pencil. Harry was pleased with the sketch of his sleeping husband. He looks so sensual even when he's not awake, he mused. He wrote the date and his initials in a corner of the sketch and abandoned his chair. He snuggled up to Severus in bed and dozed happily until Severus stirred, waking up, revealing an enjoyable view of his back to Harry as he leant out of the bed to drink some water. Then he put his arms around Harry, kissing his hair. Harry turned a little and looked into his husband's black eyes.

They enjoyed their honeymoon thoroughly and were rather downhearted when it was time to leave the cottage and return to the castle. To the harshness of the real world. To the fact that Voldemort was waiting for Harry. Harry turned his head to look at the cottage one last time before it was razed to the ground by magic. Severus saw the sad expression on his face.

"Come, Harry," he said gently. He himself was feeling cynical. It was so typical of life to threaten happiness with obstacles of the worst kind. The final confrontation was due in only three weeks. Harry slipped his fingers into Severus's hand. It was a gesture full of faith and reassurance. Severus held Harry's hand firmly, and the couple walked back to the castle.

"It was a fantastic honeymoon, Sev," Harry said softly after a while.

"It was…quite passable," Severus commented, using one of his favourite expressions. He had started using it more often ever since he had noticed that it made Harry laugh. And sure enough, Harry started to laugh. They had reached the castle by now. Three weeks of hard training and rehearsals of plans with the Order of the Phoenix awaited them. Harry brushed the pocket of his robes with his free hand. The sketch of Severus lying in bed was safely tucked away in it, anchoring a beautiful honeymoon memory.

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