Halloween Prompt - #30 Foggy.
Stay
Harry accepted the warm drink, his eyes on the students strewn around the grounds. Samhain, one of the most important days of the year for most of the wizarding world, was being celebrated at Hogwarts. A new tradition, born of the desire to celebrate the dead, and more importantly, help the students to move on from the war that was still fresh in mind.
Severus sat down beside Harry, wrapping a blanket loosely around both of their shoulders.
"Are you okay?"
Harry smiled. "I'm good. This is... We have to do this every year, Severus. It's perfect."
Severus nodded with a small smile. Harry, recently named Defence Master of Hogwarts, was Severus' greatest weakness but also his greatest strength, and he would only admit it in his own mind that he'd thought about this celebration more for Harry than anyone else.
He hoped it would be a good way for Harry to remember his parents without all the commercialised rubbish of Halloween.
Severus followed Harry's gaze to the bonfire that was currently being supervised by Minerva, and smiled. "Come on."
They walked, hand in hand through the students to where the fire flickered happily in the slight breeze. "Do you know the ritual of the fire?" Severus asked quietly, happy when Harry nodded. They each took a pre-prepared slip of parchment from their pockets and threw them into the flames. "Walk with me, Harry?"
With a nod, Harry walked side by side with Severus, clockwise around the fire. They walked in silence, each deep in thought, and when they'd circled the entire fire, they walked back to where Minerva stood watching them with a small smile on her face.
"We should get the students inside for hot chocolate soon, Severus. It's getting quite foggy out."
Severus nodded, catching her eye. "I'll go and start herding them up."
Harry glanced up at Severus as he squeezed his hand before letting go, and watched him walk away.
"Care to share what was on that parchment, Harry?" Minerva asked, raising her eyebrow.
Harry blushed slightly. "I.. ah.. I asked for guidance in being the best Professor I could be. I don't want to let him down," Harry replied quietly, nodding at Severus' figure across the lawn.
Minerva smiled, nudging him slightly. "My Gryffindors already love your classes, Harry. I don't think you have anything to worry about."
When he returned her smile, she pushed him in Severus' direction. "Go to him, Harry. He needs you as much as you need him this eve."
Hours later, the students warm in their beds, Harry and Severus walked slowly up the stairs to the Headmaster's private quarters.
Harry pressed a kiss to Severus' cheek when they reached the door. "I'll see you in the morning?"
"Stay?"
"Really?"
"Stay. It's time for us to move forward. All of us. Stay, Harry."
Harry smiled. "For as long as you'll let me."