Disclaimer - I wish.

Thank You Lord Voldemort

Chapter 14 - Almost Christmas

As the Christmas holidays drew closer, Alex was finding it extremely difficult to find a suitable gift for Severus. Little did he know Severus was having the same problems. When it was announced that there would be a Hogsmead weekend on the 17th of December they reluctantly agreed to spend the day apart to do their shopping.

That Saturday rolled around quickly and as Alex hadn't thought of anything yet, he decided that he would just have to see what he found.

After sharing a goodbye kiss, the two Slytherins parted to go their separate ways. They would meet at the three broomsticks for lunch in a couple of hours.

Alex walked along the street, glancing in windows, looking for the perfect gift. He wanted his gift to Severus to be special. Walking around by himself gave him plenty of time to think about what he wanted. He wanted Severus to be his. Even though he had only known this younger version of his potions professor for three and a half months, it felt as though they were meant to be with each other. Alex knew that whatever gift he bought would just be in addition to the main gift, himself. 'Yes, he nodded to himself, I want to give myself to Severus completely.'

It worked out well as most of the Slytherins were going home for Christmas. Some of them would join the dark lord's ranks; others just because it was a pureblood thing to do, go home. It proved how great they were to everyone who were too poor or didn't have a large family. All of the other seventh years were going home so they would have the whole room to themselves.

Alex's heart thumped in his chest as his nerves were getting to him. He pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind as he continued looking in the stores. A store near the end of the street caught his attention. It was very eclectic looking. 'Maybe they'll have something for Sev.'

He walked in and a chime sounded, alerting the owner that a customer had arrived. An elderly man wearing shabby robes stood at a counter and watched Alex as he walked around the store. As Alex walked along he got to a section that held various pieces of jewellry. A stunning pewter necklace with a snake pendent caught his eye. It had emeralds for eyes.

"Beautiful." He murmured. He was shocked when the snake answered him with a thank you. He then realized that the "beautiful" must have come out in parseltongue. He quickly put up a silencing spell before continuing his conversation.

~ Your Welcome. I was thinking you would make a good gift for my friend. ~

~ I was created to be a gift. My Lord created this to put my spirit in and gave it to his beloved for protection. ~

~ Can you explain further? ~

~ Yes. My master, Lord Slytherin, had ordered me to protect his mate. I did so. I never left her side. When I was near the end of my life my master created this new body for me. When I died he captured my spirit and put it into this body and his mate wore me until she died of old age. Lord Slytherin had passed on himself by that point and I was taken and put in a box for centuries. When my box was reopened it was to put me in this glass case. You are the first speaker I have met since my master. ~

Alex hissed to the snake that he would be right back and went to the counter where the owner was. "Sir, how much is the necklace with the snake on it?"

The elderly man snorted. "If you can remove him from the case he's all yours. Ever since I took him out of the box he came in he tries to bite anyone that comes near him. I think he's cursed."

Alex thought for a moment on what he should do. On one hand the snake would be perfect for Severus, on the other hand he didn't want anyone to know that he's a parselmouth.

Alex nodded to the elderly man and walked over to the case, putting up another silencing spell. He explained to the snake that he was going to remove him from the case. He quickly picked up the necklace and lowered the silencing spell.

"How did you do that kid? I couldn't hear what you said."

"It was just an old spell I know to subdue magical items."

"I see, well it's all yours." The old man smiled, obviously glad to be rid of the necklace.

Alex smiled at the man and placed a few galleons on the counter anyway.

Since it was too early to go to the three broomsticks, Alex proceeded to by some sweets at honeydukes and a new pair of robes that were black with a deep green lining and trim. He was thankful for the extra money the headmaster loaned him when he arrived in this time period. He had assured the headmaster that he would pay him back in the future.

When lunchtime arrived he was relieved to be able to spend some time with Severus. They got a table in the back so that they would hopefully not be disturbed. Alex sat down with his back to the wall. Severus swooped down and captured his lips in a searing kiss that showed that he clearly missed his emerald-eyed boyfriend.

Once they both returned to the school they grinned at each other as they locked the others gift in their trunk.

Back in 1997

Professor Snape rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to relieve his headache especially with the seventh year Gryffindors and d Slytherins coming in. He couldn't stop thinking about Harry and what would happen when the boy returned. He stayed sitting in his office until time for class to begin and took a deep breath, replacing his mask of indifference before entering the classroom. As he entered the first thing he heard was a comment Draco Malfoy was hurling at the Gryffindors.

"Not so good in house points this year without your Potty eh? Best thing the Dark Lord ever did was get rid of that pain in the ..."

"Mister Malfoy." Severus raged, interrupting the Slytherin. "Class, instructions are on the board. Get to work. And if I hear anyone talking they will lose twenty points for their house no matter who they are." He looked strait at Malfoy for the last part. Hermione grinned knowingly.

The potions master stormed over to his desk like a bat and took his seat. He pulled a headache potion from his desk and downed it quickly. He couldn't afford to let Malfoy get to him like that. He glanced around the room, confused by the large grin on Miss Granger's face. 'She's up to something.'

"Miss Granger stay after class."

The Gryffindor nodded. When class was over she stayed behind. "Sir, you wanted to see me?"

The professor motioned for her to sit down. "What do you know Miss Granger?"

Hermione paused briefly trying to decide what he meant and what she should answer. She decided truth was best with the legilimens. "I know that you and Harry were more than friends. I'm okay with it really. I had pretty much figured out that he was gay. Bill told us the rest."

Snape glared. "Who is 'us'?"

"Me and Ron. We asked his brother Bill about Alex since he was there at the time."

"I see. I trust that you won't go telling the whole world as Harry may not want everyone to know."

Hermione nodded and took her leave. Severus put his head in his hands. "Harry, will you accept the old man I've become?"

Back in 1977

The following weekend saw most of the students leaving on the train to go home for Christmas. Alex found Severus reading a book in the common room. He quickly tried to sneak up on the onyx-eyed boy and thought his sneaking was successful when he captured Severus' lips as he tackled him on the sofa. As the kiss ended Severus had a smirk on his face.

"You think you snuck up on me don't you? I let you because I knew I'd enjoy the outcome."

Alex sent him a mock glare. "I see. Oh well." And he tackled Severus again and they fell to the floor with a thud. Alex pressed his lips hard against Severus'. Severus, who couldn't do much else at the moment anyway, ran his hands up and down Alex's back.

Alex broke the kiss to take a breath and went right back to Severus' now swollen lips, before trailing down his jawbone to his neck. Severus gasped as the sensation traveled throughout his body. Alex felt the immediate reaction of the Slytherin and started to undo Severus' robes. With each button Alex kissed a little lower. Severus almost forgot how to breathe with the sensations he was feeling.

Two more buttons and Alex was right where he had been heading. Having never actually done this before, he just started doing what he thought might feel good on himself and the moans he earned from Severus told him he was doing something right. It didn't take long before Severus was in a state of bliss and lay along Alex's side contentedly in front of the fire. Alex could feel his own need but decided he could wait till later as he pulled Severus to him and they both dozed off for a pleasant nap.

Later that evening Severus hissed in pain as his dark mark burned. Alex kissed him quickly before Severus used the portkey to go to the meeting.

Severus appeared in the usual place and went through the motions, kissing Voldemort's hem.

The meeting was just a standard one, if you could call any of them that. Older death eaters gave their reports and orders were given. Severus was pleased that he wasn't asked about Alex. The meeting seemed to drag on for a while and when he finally got back Alex was still waiting for him in the common room. Relief shone in the emerald eyes as Alex ran up to him and hugged him. They began kissing but both were too tired to do anything else.

When Severus went to his bed he was surprised to see Alex getting in the other side instead of his own bed. Alex just smiled and pulled Severus close. "I love you Sev."

"I love you too Alex."

Alex pulled Severus closed and for the first time they slept in the same bed in each other's arms.