By Christmas time Severus decided it was time to try and make some head way with his husband. They were to have Christmas Eve at the Burrow but a quiet Christmas here with the Malfoys joining them. Severus had asked his brother for some help coming up with a special gift for his husband but he wanted more then that, and he had planned a special day for him and Harry as well. He hoped Harry would agree to what Severus knew was basically asking his husband on a date, but was reminded that Remus had told him Harry was interested but just a bit scared about his feelings right now.
Christmas Eve he would have been excused from going to the Burrow with the others but Severus had gone. He knew the family meant a lot to Harry, and it was the first one since the family had lost Ron. He had never thought that he would have been looking forward to a day spent there or that he would even survive one but he could not deny it had been perhaps bearable. He was happy though that Christmas morning would just be them and the Malfoys.
Harry and Draco had been friends during the last year of school, and Remus and Lucius had been going for dinner, or a show once a week at least. Since Teddy was too young to really know the holiday they had not had to get up early, and waited until Ted and Andromeda had arrived for they had been invited as well.
Severus handed his husband his gift when it was the last one. "I wanted something special for you on our first Christmas together."
Harry handed him his own package. "I was kind of thinking the same thing. I hope you like."
The gift he had received from Harry was far more traditional, a potions book, but it was an extremely rare one which he wondered where Harry had found it. Harry admitted that he had been into the dozen or more vaults he had inherited from Sirius and his parents and had found more then money in them. In the Black vaults he had found a king's ransom in books, jewels and other items and when he had seen this book was from Salazar Slytherin himself, he knew his husband would love it. Though most o his gifts were on the same theme, rare potions ingredients as always from Lucius, the book meant a lot to him.
Harry's gift from his husband was a bit more surprising and it took a bit of explanation. He had known Harry would get a lot of quidditch and defence type items, some gift certificates for shops as well. He had instead decided to link the date he had arranged and the gift together. Harry found a beautiful scarf done in a mix of Gryffindor and Slytherin colors, and a small charm size pair of skates.
Severus explained. "I had hoped maybe the day after tomorrow you would agree to come on a date with me. I'd really like a chance to get closer to you."
Harry put the scarf around his neck and reached to gently brush his husband with a kiss. "I like the sounds of that, though I never pictured you on skates."
Shrugging he admitted that it had been a suggestion from Lucius really who had thought that they could look to the muggle world. Severus was never one for flying really and he thought that the two husbands could find something interesting to try in the muggle world. Lucius had been reminded of taking Draco skating when he was little and had told his brother of a beautiful outdoor skating plaza in London that would be a great place to take his husband.
Harry was laughing a bit. "I must say it seems a pretty funny first date, though I guess we're doing it backwards. But you might need a padding spell."
Severus had been thinking the same thing. "I know just the right spell and I don't know, spending a cold day with my husband might be quite romantic."
Lucius had been the one who had suggested that skating and being out doors might give Severus more reason to be hands on with his husband, wrapping his arms around him to keep him warm. And then maybe curling in front of a fire with a mug of hot chocolate. Severus still thought making a fool of himself on skates might not be the best idea of a date but was reminded by his brother Harry didn't know how to skate either and was just another excuse for contact as well.
Draco snickered when he heard his Uncle. "Pansy and I have enjoyed the benefits of that date more then once in the past."
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Harry had been a bit surprised by his gift and the date suggestion but he was going. Remus had reminded him he had said he wanted to give his husband a chance. Harry had been thinking about the child talk since that day. He and his husband had rarely even had a kiss since then. He was married to the man for life but that was no longer his excuse, he could not deny he wanted to have more with him. And if nothing more seeing Severus skate would be a good laugh.
They came to this beautiful outdoor skating rink in London and once they were both on skates and has a cushioning spell on them they went onto the ice. Harry could see why Lucius had likely recommended it for he clung to his husband. Neither had great balance but in the hour or so it took them to make a lap and a half of the rink at their pace, Harry had to admit he had not laughed that much in far too long and was having an amazing time with his husband.
Severus finally noticed he was growing cold. "There is a beautiful coffee shop I am told near by where we could have some hot chocolate and warm by the fire."
Harry liked the sounds of that. "I wouldn't mind curling up with you by a fire as long as we have some marshmallows."
Laughing Severus could not deny he was relieved to come off the skates before he did a face plant though he would have done it again, and saw Lucius' idea definitely had merit as the two of them headed to the shop where they had hot chocolate by a fire and talked. They were more at ease then they had ever been and seeing their date had run longer then expected Severus even managed to sneak his husband away for a late dinner as well.
Severus turned to him when they got home and Harry was about to head for a shower. "I thought maybe since today went well, or I thought it did, maybe we would..."
Harry cut him off with a kiss, a longer but still tender kiss then they had before. "I would like to continue to do this. I want to know the man that I have married."
As Harry slipped away they both had the day on their mind and were both thinking the same thing. Dating after they were married and had consummated their marriage might be a bit backwards but they both wanted it. Severus could not deny he wanted to share a bed with Harry and make love to him but it was more then just wanting to jump his bones. And Harry seemed to be having the same mix of emotions on it.