True Allegiances

By: Jessarie

A/N: This is once again in regards to Harry cross- dressing. I know for a fact I explained some of why he does in the last chapters AN and within the story, Harry gave his own reasons. So to anyone who is upset by the CD or needs more information re-read the story and all AN's... Thank You! (I was really trying to be polite!) Luckily my internet has not been turned off yet, so you get another chapter and I get another day worth of internet connection *big grin*

Chapter 9: Marry Me?

Christmas Day dawned clear, cold, and snow covered. Harry once more awoke to a strong hand stroking it's way through his hair. "Why are you so fascinated with my hair?" he question slurring slightly with sleep. Tom chuckled quietly. "It's so soft." Reaching up, Harry grabbed Tom's hand and pulled it in front of his face. He rubbed a finger over a long scar running from the second knuckle of Tom's middle finger to the middle of his hand. "What are you doing?" the Dark Lord asked his partner. Harry grinned. "Just looking." he answered. Turning the hand he ran a finger along the palm. Tom shivered his breath coming out in a puff. Harry's grin grew unbelievably bigger.

He slowly brought the hand to his lips and kissed each finger. Tom groaned as the very tip of Harry's tongue became visible. His breathing sped up when Harry began laving and sucking on his first finger. "That is not helping me." he informed Harry his teeth clenching. With one last kiss to the finger Harry released him and sat up. He was almost off the bed completely when a pale long fingered hand reached out and grabbed his wrist.

"You are forgetting something." Tom informed him. Harry turned a puzzled look upon his face. "What?" he asked. Tom sat on his knees, one hand reached out and pulled Harry's head to his own, the other hand keeping a firm, but gentle grip on his wrist. Harry moaned aloud a the sensation. He wondered if he would ever get enough. How much pure sinful sweetness could someone take before it became too much, if ever?

Harry pulled away first and grinning asked. "Harry or Ryder?" Tom was no help in the matter. He just shook his head and stood making it almost to the door before turning back. "Whichever. Everyone who will be here knows who you really are, but there is no telling who could show up." and then he was gone.

When Ryder opened his bedroom door fifteen minutes later, Tom was standing across the hall leaning on the wall. Harry's eyes acted of their own accord and ran up the length of his body. Black dress shoes graced the Dark Lord's feet. He wore form fitting trousers in a dark green paired with a button down in white and a black vest buttoned with three buttons. His shoulder length hair was dark and styled in a rough sort of way. His eyes were the same red as always and he was smirking when Harry finally met his gaze. "See something interesting?" he asked.

Ryder blushed and nodded not trusting himself to speak. What he failed to realize as they took one another's hand and began walking downstairs was that Tom had been making a similar inspection. Ryder had gone a vastly different direction. Red heals graced slim feet and black stockings encased toned legs. A silver skirt stopped just in time to still be appropriate held by a matching red belt. A black tank top tucked into the skirt covered by a red shrug style sweater. The long hair was twisted up and held in the back messily, probably using some spell or charm. Light makeup graced the features and brought out the cat slit green eyes. Tom couldn't believe how someone could so easily be a handsome man one minute and a beautiful woman the next.

Severus gasped when his Lord and Ryder entered the dinning room holding hands. A seat had been left open for him from the time Harry had begun staying there. It wasn't that which made him gasp, it was the fact that his son was so beautiful. "You look great Ryder." he stated assuming that he wanted the female name used. The boy in question grinned. "Thank you."

The Malfoy's entered a few minutes after Ry and Tom had taken their seats. Hermione and Sirius had already been sitting there. Breakfast was a happy affair filled with lots of chatter. Hermione and Draco seemed to be getting along great and even the elder Malfoy was making conversation.

So far it was the best Christmas Harry could ever remember having until he looked up at Severus. The man was sitting as far away from Sirius as he could, almost leaning over in his chair. Harry looked up to meet black eyes staring at him. Severus looked away quickly going back to his food. Harry was puzzled by the reaction. "Sev?" he questioned attracting everyone's attention to his father. The man looked up and groaned aloud. "Yes." he responded. "What is the matter with you?" Harry asked.

Severus looked even more uncomfortable. "Noth..." he began. Harry's eyes widened. "Don't give me that shit. What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked angry at not getting a proper answer. Severus huffed again and reached into his left pants pocket. He drew out a small black jewelry box. Turning to his right he sat it in front of Sirius. "If you think I am going to get down on one knee after all these years you must be crazier than I thought. Marry me, Siri?" he asked meeting bright blue eyes.

The room was so silent the clock in the living room could be heard lightly dinging. Sirius' eyes were wide in shock and Hermione was crying silently. The Malfoy's looked impressed. Harry was grinning bigger than he could ever remember. Sirius reached forward with a shaking hand and opened the box. Inside was a gold band with a jet black stone embedded in the front shaped like a star. He gasped and turned taking a deep breath. "Yes." was all he whispered.

Severus looked to be in shock. He reached forward and took out the ring placing it on the proper finger of his mate's left hand. Their lips met for a short kiss before they looked up. Severus Snape was actually blushing if the light pink spots upon his cheeks were anything to go by. Harry was out of his seat a moment later hugging them both tightly. "Sorry, I wouldn't have put you on the spot like that had I known." he whispered in Severus' ear on his way back to his seat.

Tom chuckled. "Now that's how you start a Christmas right." he said smiling to his guests. "Shall we go open the other gifts?" he asked rising from his seat at the head of the table. Harry stood again and Tom put his arm around the slight shoulders leading his family to the living room.

Harry had raked in a good set of gifts that year. Sirius and Severus had gotten him two things, one was a new photo album with tons of pictures from when they were in school and dating. It wasn't until the last one that he burst into tears. The timer must have been set on the camera because it started out as just Sirius holding a dark haired blue eyed baby boy and the they were joined by Severus coming up and stroking the baby's cheek. It looked to be in the hospital wing of Hogwarts. His other gift was a book entitled 'Potions & Quidditch: An Idiots Guide to Surviving Both By Martin Dunglhavenseth' which Harry had promptly laughed aloud at.

From Hermione, he received not a book as would have once been expected from her, but a wizarding camera. She said it was about time he made new memories. The most unexpected gift came from the Malfoy's, who had taken it upon themselves to obtain the latest model racing broom a Hoverall 100, which Harry was informed wasn't even on the market yet. From Tom, Harry received a book entitled 'Wizarding Customs and Traditions, Revised Edition By Jeremiah Corbelle' and a note stating his other present was not appropriate for mixed company and would be waiting on his bed later. This had caused a blush to cover his face to a cherry red...

A/N: LOL... can this be considered a cliffhanger?