Pretty Boy

Chapter 45

Bad days and Happy Birthday Harry!

Harry woke up once again from a horrendous night; the tingling in the mark had been the only indication. This time though Harry had just about ripped the skin around his forearm where five new recruits had been marked. Severus had held onto Harry as much as he could, stop him from injuring himself further.

"How are you?" asked Severus coming in with a wet cloth and applying it to Harry's sweaty forehead.

"Sore," croaked Harry, his body felt as if it had been used for target practice. It just showed how sore Harry was by the fact he was admitting it to Severus. Usually he would suffer in silence, Severus realized this and got the appropriate potions and gave them to his lover.

"Better?" asked Severus, knowing better than to overly fuss when Harry was concerned. Harry usually let him away with it but hell if he let Sirius or Remus fuss over him, it made him feel undeniably smug.

"Much," admitted Harry practically melting into the bed.

"I think I might have it perfected this time," said Severus barely able to contain his excitement ever part of him screamed that he had finally found it. Most of the ingredients in the potion had much to do with the mind and nerves in the body. He was positive it could bring someone back from insanity by the Cruciatus curse.

Harry reached over and stroked Severus' face a look of fondness on his face, he loved this man more than he thought possible. He had never loved so much before in his life, or at all come to that but that was besides his point. What he felt for Remus and Sirius were nothing on Severus.

"I've always knew you could do it." said Harry softly, before moving himself so he could burrow deeply into Severus' side. He felt exhausted and he just wanted to sleep after everything that had happened last night. He wasn't sure how much more of it he could take, the pain was excruciating. It was driving him insane.

Severus sighed sadly, running his hands through Harry's long hair. He wished he could stop it or take it for him but he couldn't. He was used to the spell but even he couldn't take that kind of torture, and come out intact. His nerves were completely shot; the pain was worse than before, Severus knew this because Harry wasn't even attempting to get up.

He wished he could give Harry the potion right away unfortunate it had to cool down first. Attempting to give him it now would result in Harry's mouth and throat being scalded.

Harry slept through most of the day anyway, with the amount of potions he took. He was however, awake and alert for dinner, and Severus was hoping he could eat. Another side affect to the blasted curse, the queasy, sick feeling that never faded. Harry had lost weight, it was only thanks to the nutritious potion he wasn't ending up malnutrition.

"Hungry?" asked Severus softly, running his hands down his lover in a soft caressing manner.

"Not really," grimaced Harry.

"Some lukewarm soup and a piece of bread. You need something substantial in your stomach to get better." said Severus, not accepting no for an answer.

Severus watched Harry eat it all; giving him a stomach soother once he'd eaten everything. It was an hour before the wards alerted him to the fact someone was sitting in the fire Floo calling.

Rolling his eyes as he left the bedroom.

"How is he?" asked Sirius.

"I don't know how much more he can take." admitted Severus throwing a silencing spell up, he knew it irritated Harry to hear people talking about him behind his back.

"What about the potion? Remus has been looking through all the books that have connection in the Black library. You have all the potion books from the Black library. You can keep them by the way. I never did like potions, might as well go to someone who would use them." said Sirius. So much had changed in a year. A year ago he had hated this man with a vengeance, and then tolerated him but now. Now he knew him and actually liked the dour man. He knew there was no one else in the world out there more suited for his godson, maybe if his parents had raised him it would be a different story. However, they hadn't Harry had been caught in the shit end of life until now, and Sirius didn't care what he had done or where he had been or who he was with, he was just glad to have his godson back.

That shocked Severus, the potions book in the Black library was priceless. Ancient tombs and books. He could end up with more money than the Potter's or Blacks if he sold them. He could never do that though, Potions was nearly everything to him, and it had been for such a long time. Even since he was a child, he had loved potions. Those books, the secrets they no doubt held would make sure Severus kept them for himself. Well him and Harry as it was, but Harry was no where near mastery level yet.

"I think I've got it this time, if it works on Harry I'm going to send some batches to St. Mungo's it might help cure the Longbottom's." admitted Severus.

"What is in the potion?" asked Remus curiously, his head now peeking though the flames as well.

"It's most with healing the mind and the nerves. It should regenerate the mind and nerves if it works properly." explained Severus.

"Well if you say it does, it probably does. You were always amazing with Potions." said Remus. The Wolfsbane had changed his life, and he'd always feel indebted to potions and the Masters of the crafts.

"We will find out tomorrow or whenever he decides to call his followers." said Severus his lip curling in distaste. He didn't get called during the year very often, Voldemort not wanting to risk his spy for a meeting. Now that the year was over, well it was anyone's guess.

"I hope it does work," admitted Sirius looking worried.

"You and me both," grunted Severus, he didn't like seeing Harry in such pain what's worse he couldn't do a damn thing about it but watch. He knew what it felt like for the victims of the Death Eater attacks more than ever.

"Can he walk?" asked Remus "Or is the nerve damage to bad?" his amber eyes full or worry.

"He hasn't tried if that's any indication on how he feels," said Severus sighing tiredly.

"Great," sighed Sirius agitated, it must be bad he knew how proud and relentless Harry was. He had been on the receiving end of it too many times to count after all, especially when asking how he felt.

"We will leave you to it. Keep in touch Severus," said Remus pulling himself and Sirius out of the fire.

"Go," rasped Harry, when Severus started helping him instead of leaving. He knew Severus had been called, he'd hissed clutching his forearm at the same time.

"I'm not leaving you." said Severus through gritted teeth.

"He won't stop! There's no point in both of us being in pain." said Harry before screaming in agony, writhing in pain.

"I'm staying." snapped Severus. He ignored the pain on his arm. Knowing it was nothing compared to what Harry was going through.

He draped himself across Harry, holding him down and trying to sooth him as best he could. Until Harry got a reprieve from the curses. Rasping breath was all that could be heard as he tried to get his breath back. The worst of it was Harry didn't seem to be there. He just stared straight ahead at nothing.

It continued for two hours, stopping and starting each time the Dark Lord did. His mark had stopped hurting ten minutes into it.

Once it was over two hours later he gave Harry a pain reliever, a calming potion and a sleeping potion that didn't have the same addictive qualities as Dreamless sleeping potion. No one should sleep without dreams it wasn't supposed to happen. It's why it was addictive and dangerous.

It was a long time before Severus could sleep that night unfortunately. Tomorrow was Harry's birthday, and he had plans for his lover.

Harry woke up the other side of the bed was cold; Severus must have been up for a while. Yawning and stretching lazily, he opened his eyes. It was ten o'clock he had, he'd despite his night, and he felt very refreshed. He could smell breakfast wafting around their quarters, he was about to get up when Severus walked through, a tray floating behind him. He was getting breakfast in bed. It was obvious Severus wanted his birthday to be special and Harry was speechless. No one had ever celebrated his birthday as long as he lived; the only acknowledgement he allowed himself of his birthday was a quiet 'Happy birthday at midnight'. He had something he had never had before, a lover, a proper home, a job and it was the best birthday ever.

Harry gave Severus a smile, as the food was deposited on the bed.

"Happy birthday love," said Severus, kissing Harry passionately, before joining him on the bed.

"Thank you Sev." said Harry feeling very blessed right now; it was moments like this Harry truly appreciated. He loved Severus with all his heart, and it showed in his eyes. As both of them dug in to the breakfast Severus had brought them, Harry after drinking the stomach soother.

"I have something I want to give you," said Severus steeling himself. He never thought he would do this or have anyone in his life to ask this either. Seeing Harry in so much pain and unable to help had continued to move deeply. He had realized there and then he loved Harry more than anything in the world.

He handed over the packages his onyx eyes regarding Harry closely. Harry eagerly opened the presents, gleefully his usual masks abandoned in the simple pleasure of opening a present. He found a bundle of chocolates and an assortment of sweets from Honeydukes. He gleefully looked at the toffee tray; he couldn't wait to sink his teeth into that. There was also an assortment of truffles, Harry had never had truffles. It didn't take long before he pushed them to the side, and opened the others. Books, magical and Muggle books Severus knew Harry loved to read. Being denied any decent education he was making up for lost time now. Lastly he found a beautiful gold bracelet, the design was exquisite.

"It has magic embedded in it, it will protect you from simple spells and curses." said Severus as he placed the bracelet on Harry.

"Thank you Severus," said Harry staring at the bracelet, it was probably the most expensive thing he owned. He threw his arms around him, drawing him close and hugging him. Closing his eyes, feeling truly blessed as he inhaled the various potion ingredient smells that always hung around Severus.

"I have something else I want to give you," admitted Severus. Inwardly steeling himself, for any possible outcome.

"That was too much Severus!" said Harry honestly.

"This isn't technically for your birthday," said Severus smoothly.

The box was placed in his sight, open a gold band sitting in a velvet setting.

"Is that?" gasped Harry; he was in no way prepared for this.

"Yes," said Severus, giving Harry the box, so he could see the rings. They were gold bands, similar to the bracelet, he had just received. Harry could barely breathe, and Severus couldn't believe he was actually doing it. The gold bands were brand new; Severus had spent a lot of money on them.

"You going to put it on?" teased Harry, his heart pounding.

"Go figure you'd make this harder," grumbled Severus. Harry had accepted him, without having him say the damnable, detested, romantic words. He wasn't a romantic man, Harry knew that.

The ring was placed on his finger, and it shrunk down to fit him perfectly. Harry took the other ring and put it on his fiancé. Feeling insufferable smug, he and Severus were engaged. Nothing could part them, he could feel the magic mingling with his and Severus' combining them together. Engagements weren't like normal ones, magical ones were permanent. If they did part ways and marry someone else there would always be a part of each other in one other.

"Thank you," whispered Severus softly, wondering if Harry had any idea what he meant to him.

"No Sev, Thank you." said Harry kissing him passionately, it was just getting heated when the Floo activated.

"Yoo-hoo! Anyone awake yet?" asked Sirius from the living room.

Harry groaned before reluctantly getting up, and dressed for company. Which he most certainly wasn't right now, Severus smirked in amusement and followed Harry's lead. . Severus banished the paper that littered there room, feeling very proud of himself that Harry liked his gifts. The engagement band he had on felt weird he wasn't accustomed to wearing much jewellery. His fingers were too long and dexterous for jewellery to look right on him. However the gold band looked perfect. Severus noticed that Harry wouldn't stop looking at it, grinning like a proud peacock.

Despite the fact that he hadn't bought them, he couldn't deny it gave him more satisfaction in the world to know Severus was his. That he wore a band that let everyone else know he was taken.

"Happy birthday Harry!" grinned Remus hugging him in a quickly.

"Thank you," grinned Harry extra happy today. Too happy to scowl at the contact, or hyperness.

"Here," said Remus simply, knowing better than to make a fuss, he had been forced to give Sirius a calming potion. He'd had to do the very same on Christmas morning.

When Harry unwrapped it, he found a very nice trunk with his initials on it H-J-P. The trunk itself was state of the art, compartment ten of them, and there was enough room for him to sit in each of the compartments.

"Open mine," grinned Sirius a lot calmer than he had been half an hour ago.

Harry shook his head, and took the packages and begun opening them, Sirius had bought him more clothes. Shoes, wand holsters, boots, everything Harry could ever imagine. They were from Gladrags Wizardwear. On top of the clothes there were lots of different books; Harry's favourite by far had to be ancient runes. And also paid the fee to go to the Ministry and sit his O.W.L's and N.E.W.T's.

"If you don't want to tell them so the money can be put back into the bank. They won't give it back if it's less than a week's warning before the test." explained Sirius.

"I think I will do it." said Harry.

"You're engaged?" asked Remus.

Harry grinned at that, it was probably the first grin they had ever seen on Harry yet. He proudly displayed the ring for them to see before beginning to unwrap more presents. Surprise, surprise it seemed Sirius Black couldn't resist buying Harry the state of the art broomstick. Funnily enough it was called the lightening bolt.

"Thank you for the gifts," said Harry.

"You're welcome," smiled Remus. Harry had liked his gifts and that's all that mattered.

"Oh yeah, this is from Bill," said Sirius handing over a smaller package, the cards were on the table unopened still.

When Harry opened it he found it was a dragon tooth. It was beautiful and Harry loved it. The tooth it fit in the palm of it comfortably, it had been shrunk.

"So how have you been? Has the potion worked?" asked Sirius leaning forward.

"It has, Voldemort called his followers twice. I've remained unaffected." smirked Harry, his green eyes glinting with pride for Severus' awesome abilities.

"That's brilliant," said Remus.

"Within the next week, I'm going after Voldemort. When he dies, Dumbledore will know who it was. Then I will take him down too." smirked Harry.

"Err, Harry…are you sure you want to do that?" asked Sirius wide eyed.

"Yes." said Harry sharply.

"We will be with you every step of the way; will I try and find other trusted Order members to come with us? Just in case there are too many Death Eaters?" asked Remus calmly.

"How can we know who to trust?" asked Harry doubtfully.

"I'll know." said Remus firmly.

"As long as none of them try and stop me, and aren't full of themselves, risking everything I've worked for." said Harry a cold edge to his voice, he hadn't gone through all this to die at the hands of the bastard. He would kill him and show Voldemort pain he had inflicted on him.

"When will you tell us what's to be done with Dumbledore?" asked Severus in dark fury.

"Just one more week, and you will know." said Harry; actually Severus would know before then. When he started to brew the potion. Severus wasn't stupid he would know what the potion did. He couldn't brew it anywhere else it had to be here, in the privacy of his own rooms. The potion wasn't exactly legal but he had managed to get all the ingredients using his alias Hadrian Williams, which had spread over the wizarding community. Severus didn't take on apprentices; if he had taken on Hadrian everyone knew he had to be very good.

"Well I just hope I'm there!" said Sirius a wistful look on his face.

"You will be." said Harry grimly.

"So, what are you doing for the rest of your birthday?" asked Remus changing the subject.

"Severus is taking me to a restaurant," said Harry softly.

"That's nice something normal for you both to do." mused Sirius, remembering how many times he and Remus had gone out.

"Yeah I can't wait," said Harry. It would probably be the most normal thing he and Severus had done. He couldn't wait until the day where he could go as himself. Show the world that he loved Severus, and he was loved in turn. The ring upon his finger proved that, he wasn't about to be abandoned. Not even when he defeated Voldemort and Dumbledore. Severus was here to stay, and he would have him forever.

His future was looking good, now he just had to deal with two problems and he'd be free.

a little choppy i know but we'd never get to the good part if we didnt ;) R&R