Pretty Boy

Chapter 21

A Little Holiday

Harry and Severus landed on the beach, wrapped around each other, Severus keeping Harry securely in his arms, stopping him from getting sick or falling over. This was Harry's first time using this particular means of magical transport. Actually, the first time he'd used magical transport, if you didn't include the Hogwarts express. Which one could argue wasn't exactly magical; it was like any other train ride. Severus looked at the endless sea in front of him. It was the most beautiful and peaceful sight he'd ever seen. There was something soothing about the heat thrumming around them, and the lapping and crashing of the bluest crisp clear water they'd ever seen. How anyone could bring themselves to leave here baffled Severus. Two cabins were the only two buildings standing as far as the eye could see. The one in front of them had to be the Black cabin, the other one, had to be the Potter cabin.

Harry gasped, his wide green eyes looking around in fascination, he'd never been on holiday. He hadn't been sure what to expect exactly, but this…was beyond his imagination. It was so tranquil and serene, not something Harry had much of in his turbulent life. Realizing he was gaping like an idiot, he closed any expression from his face.

"Do not hide here Harry, there's nobody here but you and I. It's not good to keep your masks up all the time, you'll eventually burn. Trust me, I know what I am talking about." said Severus honestly. He'd had a break down around five months after the Dark Lord was defeated. He'd dealt with it himself, Severus trusted nobody, especially Dumbledore.

"I don't know how," admitted Harry, he'd been wearing them so long, it was instinct to him.

"Just let go, have fun and allow yourself to be and feel happy." said Severus.

"Hmm, it sounds like a good idea." said Harry, his smirk went unnoticed, as he began removing his clothes, and it was anything but innocent. He did so in a very provocative manner, hearing Severus' sharp intake of breath behind him. Severus had denied him too long, he'd be damned if he continued. If there was one thing Harry did know, it would be that his body was nothing to be ashamed of. It had been in his favour, who would have slept with him if it hadn't been? Not many anyway. It was also a curse, in many ways; with his…job others decided it was perfectly fine to force themselves upon him. Taking what they wanted with complete disregard to Harry's thoughts and feelings.

Severus rolled his eyes, Harry was nothing if not adamant, and he'd been constantly on the prowl. Looking for any signs of weakness on his part, ready to pounce on him, but Severus was just too good at controlling himself. At least he liked to think so, but right now that control was nowhere to be seen. As Harry teased him, slowly baring each and every single patch of his creamy pale flesh. Biting his tongue, nearly overcome with the urge to take him right here and now, like Harry wanted. Or so he thought, he had to be wrong, since Harry was currently making his way to water. He wished he could see Harry's face, since he was radiating childish abandon as he made his way over there.

Sneaky, Slytherin bugger, thought Severus, but nevertheless, he spelled his clothes off and folded on the beech before making his way into the water. It was warm, as it lapped up around him. He was glad to have given Harry a break, he deserved some time to himself.

Grabbing a hold of Harry's leg he pulled him under before dragging him forward. Harry came up spluttering and giggling through the water, which was escaping his mouth. His green eyes twinkling, he threw himself forward, causing both of them to fly back into the water. Severus submerging underneath, coming back up, hair drenched and lying flat against his head.

"That's more like it," said Severus, it made him feel lighter at heart seeing Harry as a normal nineteen year old. He doubted Harry had many opportunities to act as such, even now though it was slightly reserved. Unfortunately he wasn't expecting miracles, this was enough for now. He doubted Harry would ever change completely, he was too old, to set in his ways and too damaged so to speak by the world. Manipulated, hurt, abused, used and magically violated.

"It's so warm," said Harry staring up at the sun, he'd felt nothing like it before. He was used to cold; he would have stood here forever if it was possible. Yet it wasn't, he had magic to learn, revenge to take and maybe if he was lucky, live his life.

"Indeed," said Severus, wrapping his arms around Harry, feeling oddly peaceful. It was strange; he'd told Harry he didn't need masks here. Yet he felt his own being taken down, he had no reason to fear someone finding them. He could show Harry how much he cared here.

"Severus…do you think I can do it?" asked Harry, his chin resting on Severus' shoulder. As he stared across the water, beech and of course the cabin. He made a vow one day, should he survive to return here. Have a proper holiday and maybe, just maybe, have the future he'd always day-dreamed about. He'd had to ask the question, he had been wondering about it for weeks. Ever since he got magic back. "He has fifty years of magic on me, he must know so much."

"The Dark Lord is arrogant, yes he knows magic, but for the past forty years he concentrated on the Dark Arts and rituals. He was so busy making himself as immortal as possible, practising dark ritual after ritual. His magic is very limited; he prefers using only three spells, the Unforgivables. Which I told you about and their affects." said Severus sounding preoccupied. "He has no respect for all aspects of magic, so yes; yes I do believe you can do it. We can do it, together."

"One can only hope," said Harry, honestly.

"Together we are more powerful than them both." said Severus confidently, in fact with Harry's power alone he was equal to them. Added with his own, it made them have the upper hand magically speaking. With his knowledge they were more than matched for either one. Harry however, did need to learn more before they attempted it. Which he would, within the halls of Hogwarts where he was safe.

"I never did learn how to swim." said Harry, wryly changing the subject. He didn't want to think too much on whether he could do it or not. He just wanted to see Hogwarts again, he could worry later.

"Why don't we try now?" suggested Severus, there was no rush, nothing but them in the Caribbean Sea.

"Why bother?" snorted Harry.

"You know the old saying Harry," said Severus wryly, "It's never too late to learn."

Three hours later, they finally left the water, drying magically before making their way to the cabin. The sun was beginning to descend, but despite that it was as warm as ever. Harry didn't want to admit it, but he'd really enjoyed himself. He could now swim in various different ways. Butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke the whole nine yards.

"I'm starving, how about you?" asked Harry, as he looked around, it looked like something out of an old fashioned book. Sort of like Jane Austin or Charlotte Bronte, an old log fireplace. The couches were an old faded blood red colour, with no sign of any cushion.

"Famished." said Severus.

"How long has it been since anyone was here?" said Harry as he moved to the kitchen, which thankfully had a few modern appliances. There was even an old wooden pizza oven; it still used logs to burn.

"Judging by the design and furniture I'd say around 1775," said Severus, "But it's been upgraded several times, the cabin itself looks newer. Evidently they only changed a few characteristics but kept the interior design the same."

Harry blinked as he looked around, wondering if Hogwarts had even existed when this place was built. It didn't surprise him magic had been around then, it had probably been around since the dawn on man. It had probably been openly practise, but with human population expanding…people began to fear what they didn't understand. Forcing magic to hide itself just to keep it safe. "Someone must have done some shopping, unless pasta was invented in those days with a sell by date."

Severus smirked wryly, he did love Harry's sense of humour, and it closely resembled his own without the harsher bite.

"Pasta it is then," said Harry, scooping six handfuls and placing it into a pot. Using water from his wand, instead of water from the tap, if it was even drinkable. He didn't fancy getting ill on holiday, from what he knew, you weren't supposed to drink water not your own. The body didn't do well with it, but what did he know? This was his first time abroad. To top it off he'd travelled around the world within a few minutes.

Harry raked the cupboards, looking for some vegetables and herbs to make a nice sauce with. Tomatoes, basil, some salsa to spice it up a bit, slicing, chopping and squeezing he sighed in satisfaction. That would do nicely; putting everything into the pot he began stirring it.

"Do you think they will manage keep a low profile?" asked Harry as he continued to cook. The Cabin was open plan, since it was so small, there was no point to making if feel claustrophobic by adding walls.

"I have no doubt, they are smart when they need to be." said Severus coming through, eyeing the kitchen. He was surprised to see a wine rack filled with dirty old bottles. Crouching down, he wiped the dust that had accumulated over the years. A nice vintage wine, he doubted Harry would be able to drink much. So he made a note to himself to allow Harry only one glass. He would love to see Harry drunk, but he wasn't irresponsible.

"What do you think they are up to?" asked Harry, as he drained the now cooked pasta. The beauty about pasta, it was so easy to cook and quick. Putting the sauce in quickly he began stirring it until the pasta had turned red and heated further.

"No doubt trying to figure out a way around the oath," smirked Severus chuckling wryly, as he looked in the cupboards for wine glasses. "It will probably be in the form of extreme humiliation, public humiliation at that."

"Like they did to you." said Harry facing Severus, he'd heard the tone of voice, it's the same way he sounded when thought or spoke about the Dursley's. "Your voice, it changed. Don't look at me like that, I understand, my cousin did the same to me. The only difference was I couldn't fight back, otherwise my Uncle would have killed me."

Severus gaze softened, the fact Harry didn't even have an ounce of pity on his face helped soothe him. He hated discussing his past, the humiliation of what happened to him over the years. He was just grateful Harry hadn't asked about his parents, because truth be told he couldn't discuss them. Talking about Lily would kill him; he'd suppressed all emotion about her and memories deep within his mind. James on the other hand, if it had only been too easy to do the same.

"It's ready," said Harry two plates of pasta in his hands; he sat down at the small round table that sat only two people.

"So what are we doing after we leave here?" asked Harry.

"So eager to leave already?" said Severus wryly.

"Oh yes, I can hardly wait, I so want to get close to Dumbledore." said Harry back sarcasm lacing his voice.

"I am thinking of you being introduced to Lupin and Black in public. Since Dumbledore keeps a close eye on Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, I suggest there. Thus it will ensure Dumbledore enquires first, he'd immediately ask them. He wouldn't dig for information when he has a simpler way." said Severus, "Once the potion has been ingested and I've informed him I'm taking on an apprentice."

"Why would he care about someone that knows Black and Lupin?" asked Harry, seeing a flaw in Severus' logic.

"He will when he overhears you have a Mastery in Defence, Runes and charms." said Severus.

"Only one problem, I don't." said Harry, "There's no way I could fake that either." he didn't know enough magic to claim he was a Master.

"Do not worry about that, he will never know." said Severus in amusement. "It's not as if he'd even think of testing you."

"Alright, you know him better than I do." said Harry.

"That I do." said Severus in agreement, placing the fork on the empty plate. Harry was a fantastic cook; he hated knowing where it came from. Those Dursley's his need for revenge hadn't diminished the slightest.

"Don't need to sound so smug," said Harry aiming to pick up the plates but Severus just flicked his wand, with a muttered incantation they cleaned themselves before returning to the cupboards.

"I have to remember that one," said Harry.

"You will," said Severus confidently, "Here." passing a glass of wine to Harry, as he relaxed back. He certainly wasn't going to sit on the couches, although he wouldn't mind christening the bed with Harry.

Green eyes met his, a sly grin crossing his face, almost as if he was reading his mind.

"Perhaps we should take these and retire for the evening." stated Severus calmly.

"I have a headache." said Harry smirking.

"Indeed? You'll need a better excuse than that Harry, we have headache cures." said Severus smugly.

"It's a good job I wasn't serious." sniggered Harry, but ended up grimacing the pun was really out of place.

"Come on." said Severus standing up taking both their glasses with them. As always, Harry followed him. They would enjoy their little holiday the fullest, who knows when they'd get another chance, if they'd get another chance.

There we go :) next chapter they will be back just remember it was only a two day holiday...and the first day is already gone :D R&R PLEASE!