Chapter Thirty Six: Ophidiophobia

After having gone to the Ministry, Severus figured the both of them could stay in London for the day. Seeing as it was crowded with people (as it was nearing Christmas), he figured that no one from the Prophet would hound them in the views of Muggles.
Of course, having gone to the Ministry, the both of them had already been swarmed with journalists trying to get things out of them. Severus had instantly gone into what Harry had called 'Protective Mode' when they'd started getting cornered. He had no fuss in pushing people out of the way and leading Harry to the head of the Ministry—Kingsley Shacklebolt. Kingsley had taken the both of them in (with an expression Severus didn't all like as he looked like he was enjoying their presence way too much) happily, without further issue.
Nonetheless, they'd gotten out eventually, and Harry now knew what he had to do to register to become an Auror. He would need training of course, physical and mental exams, and then he'd be in the academy for a few months until he'd graduate as an Auror. Severus had no doubt he'd pass the tests needed. He was already a powerful wizard at the age of eighteen, and by the time he graduated, he'd be nineteen.
The both of them were seated at one of the crowded cafés and Harry had an envelope that was filled with things he'd be reading over tonight when they got back to the house. Harry had also visited Gringotts to get some money exchanged. Something about feeling bad because he was supporting him. He had a job. He was a professor. It wasn't the best paying job, but he couldn't complain considering he got all the holidays the kids did. Dealing with kids wasn't exactly his idea of a perfect career, but he took what he could get, and he enjoyed making potions. He supposed now that Voldemort was gone, he didn't really have to stay, but Hogwarts was still his true home.
Taking a sip of his tea, he leant a hand against his temple as he was beginning to get a headache. Being in such a crowded area was not something he did on a regular basis—besides students. People were nasty, gave one another dirty looks and couldn't give a rat's arse about one another. And of course, he felt the same way towards each and every one of them.

"Sev," said Harry, a hot chocolate in his hands, "I was thinking… I don't mean to say anything bad or anything, but-,"

"You desire to return to Hogwarts?" Snape finished, putting his mug down. Harry's eyes lowered guiltily, but Snape just smirked. "Harry, I told you already you wouldn't enjoy it there, I'm not surprised by this outcome. Why do you think I packed so lightly?"

Harry still felt awful. "I'm sorry. It's not that I don't like it there, it's just I'd like to visit Hagrid and see some snow again. Plus, I'm afraid with everything we do, we're going to be watched. I don't want our Christmas ruined by that. I want it to just be us, alone."

"You think Hogwarts is going to leave you in solitude?"

"More so than here in the public eye," Harry stated. "I'd love to stay at your place for Christmas. Hell, I even had plans on decorating the house up a bit—with your permission," he added in.

"Harry, you don't need permission for surprises. That's the point of a surprise, is it not?"

"Yeah, but I know you, and I know you don't like surprises." Harry wasn't completely daft. This was Snape. He probably hadn't had a surprise given to him in a long, long time. He'd love to surprise him, but this was his house. He wasn't going there.

Well, the Potions master couldn't exactly deny that. "If you want to return to Hogwarts, I will be more than willing to let you go back. Plus, I'd have to return early through the holidays anyway. I have duties to tend to, and meetings. Professors don't get each and every one of your holidays. I still have work to discuss with the Headmistress and I have classes to prepare for."

"I still feel bad."

"Then stop feeling bad," Severus stated as if it were as simple as that. "I took you in because you asked. I knew you'd want to return, and I am not offended by that. Hogwarts is the place I spend most of my time, Harry. The only reason I return to Spinner's End is because I have belongings there, the house is already paid for and it's free storage. I was going to sell it before Voldemort insisted I stay and house Wormtail. Do you think you can get potion ingredients from Spinner's End?" He scoffed as if it were obvious.

Harry gave a faint smile. "You said Voldemort."

"I must be the bravest person in the world," Snape said with sarcastic pride.

Harry just chuckled. "You promise you're not mad with me?"

"Do you think I enjoy knowing journalists are stalking me?" Snape asked with a small laugh. Harry just looked at him. He raised a brow in question.

"You just laughed…" Harry pointed out, a grin from ear to ear on his face. He couldn't believe it, Severus Snape just chuckled. It was an odd sound. Not horrible, but just new to his ears and eyes. With his soft voice, it was actually a very nice sound.

Severus just shrugged, as if it were nothing. "It's been known to happen," he said, quickly putting his mug in front of his face.

"Not with me, it hasn't," Harry laughed.

"Are you going to make an anniversary date out of it?" the Slytherin said sarcastically. Honestly, it was just a small laugh.

"Maybe!" Harry just snickered as Severus rolled his eyes. The fact of the matter was that Snape was becoming more comfortable with him. A smirk you could do with anyone, but a laugh or a genuine smile was something so much more. For some reason, Harry's heart was saying this was so much more than just a normal thing. It was another step forward.
"I like it," he murmured, Snape's mug lowering. "You should do it more often."

Severus just fell silent. He wasn't always like this. In fact, when he was a child he'd laugh and smile all the time. But things changed. Things changed when Lily left, when he joined the Death Eaters. Life became a dreary ongoing downward spiral. He turned bitter, he turned cruel.
Having survived Nagini's attack had changed something in him, though. He wished he'd died so he could stay with Lily, but even those thoughts had changed since Potter had become… more important to him. His life wasn't as painful as it had been before now. He had something to look forward to. He had someone to look after. He had Harry in his heart.
"We should head back soon," he informed. They'd be taking the train like they took to get here, and he'd rather head back while it wasn't peak hour. "If you wish to return to Hogwarts, I'll have to inform the Headmistress, and you will have to pack again, considering you made a mess this morning." Harry's clothes were all over the floor when he'd been trying to find something presentable to wear into the Ministry. Honestly, Harry needed more suitable clothes and ones that fitted properly.

"Can we look around the shops for a bit?" he asked. Now that he had some money, he wanted to see if he could get anything for Severus for Christmas.

Shopping? Severus arched a brow. "You enjoy Muggle things?"

Well, he had a point there. He figured Snape might like something a bit more wizarding world. "Well, can we go to one of the villages near Hogwarts, then?"

"If you must, but if you wish to go, we best get moving," urged the Potions master, putting his mug down. He needed to go looking around for some things anyway for when school started. They'd already paid for their drinks, so the both of them headed back to the train station through the crowded, cold streets of London.

*****
Minerva was sitting in her office when she heard a knock on the door. She figured it would be one of the students who had stayed here needing something or another professor. She was surprised to see Severus in the threshold.
"Severus, what are you doing back here? I would have thought you and Potter would be spending the holidays away from Hogwarts. Especially after what I saw in the Daily Prophet…" She knew he'd come back early anyway, as all the professors had to, but this early? The holidays had only just started!

Taking a step inside, Snape put his hands together and tried not to let that last comment affect him. "Yes, well, it seems the public is too much for me at the moment," he said, trying to make this his problem and not Harry's. "If it's all the same to you, I much prefer the safety and silence of Hogwarts over the holidays rather than the public eye."

"Are you asking to return?" asked the witch. "What of Potter?"

"Potter has nowhere else to stay, but we've come to an agreement. Something about wishing to visit Hagrid," he stated absently. "I assume adding the both of us to the remaining members won't be an issue?"

Minerva gave a small chuckle. "Hogwarts is always open," she said gently. "I'm assuming Potter will be staying with you?"

Severus went a little stiff, he was still getting used to others knowing of their relationship. It would take time for him to get used to others saying things, or answering in a more natural manner.
"Unless that is unwise?" he stated, watching the Headmistress.

"Thankfully, most of the students are away at this time of year, even though the papers would have reached them. By the time they return to school, hopefully it won't be on their minds. I will give you this opportunity to spend your time together over Christmas, but once class starts, I'm afraid Potter will have to return to his House dormitory such as before."

Yes, he could understand that. Severus just gave a courteous nod. "Will you need me for patrol during the holidays?"

"Now that you're here, an extra wand wouldn't be a bad thing," Minerva stated. "I will give you time to settle back in with Potter, and then I will send you a schedule. For now, you can get ready."

Once more, Severus nodded before he left the office and headed back down to the dungeons where he'd Flooed in. Harry was still back in Spinner's End, and he entered the fireplace once more before Flooing back.
Brushing himself down, he found Harry sitting in the lounge, looking back at him eagerly. "You may go and get your things," he said, seeing the excitement in those green eyes. He watched as Harry ran up the stairs to get his trunk.

Once he was packed, Harry headed back down the stairs with his full trunk. "Are we still going to go to one of the villages?" he asked.

Having his own small trunk already ready, Severus had informed one of the House Elves from Hogwarts to come and pick their belongings up. Fawkes had already Apparated, but Spells was still here. The poor bird had another long journey ahead of her.
"I'm afraid there won't be time with the travelling we've done today. They will be closing soon. I also will warn you that I must return to work at the school," he informed, Harry giving him a questioning look. "I will have to do rounds at night, to check there are no students out of bed after hours. A simply duty, nothing too tedious."

"Not right away though, right?"

"No, I have today off." Not that there was too much of the day left with their travelling to the Ministry and back. They could have used the Floo network into the Ministry, but Severus was running low. Plus, he figured Harry might want to get out and travel a bit more in the Muggle way and see more. Soon the shops in the villages down at Hogsmeade would be closing for the night. They could have just gone to Diagon Alley, but at this time of year it would be packed as well. Pretty much everywhere would be…
He looked at Harry as he seemed a little disappointed. "We can go tomorrow," he said gently. "Is there something in particular you are searching for? I have been around many different places; perhaps I can be of assistance of finding certain items."

Harry watched as his trunk disappeared from one of the House Elves. "I… thought I could look around for something for you. You know, for Christmas?" he confessed.

"Potter, you don't have to get me anything," said Snape, feeling highly awkward over the whole thing. "I don't particularly celebrate it."

"I want to, though," insisted the Gryffindor. "I'd like to get you something, especially with everything you've done for me in the last few months… not to mention years of protecting me."

But he didn't want anything. He never really wanted anything. Severus didn't even know how to accept gifts! He wasn't known for celebrating much of anything. Oh Merlin, this didn't mean he was going to get something for his birthday too, did it? Or every other holiday!
"There is nothing I want…" he said with a shrug, as if the problem would go away.

"That's why I wanted to go looking around. I might not know what you'd like, but if we go together, you might see something you want. I could get it for you."

"But what if I wanted it immediately?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Please work with me, Sev. I want to get you something. I don't want to surprise you because I'd feel awful if I got something you didn't even like. Do you have any idea how difficult you are to buy things for?"

Severus' shoulders lowered as he sighed. Potter wasn't going to give up. "Fine, we will look around, but if I don't want or need anything, then don't get upset over it."

Harry grinned. "I'm sure you'll like something," he said happily.

"Go on, then," Severus ordered, nudging towards the last of the Floo powder now that everything was ready. He'd already ordered a House Elf to pick up the mail from here if he got any and redirect it to his quarters in Hogwarts until the holidays ended—just in case Harry's friends sent him anything.
He allowed Harry to Floo first, but only because he needed to do some last minute checking that they had everything they needed. He mentally frowned to himself. What the hell was he going to get Harry for Christmas? He had no idea what he liked! Or wanted or… "Bloody hell…" he murmured to himself, letting Spells out the window before closing everything up.

*****
The following morning, Severus woke up to an elbow in his side, nudging him. He groused, looking through his hair. "Potter!" he hissed, Harry already up and clearly eager to head out to one of the villages. Now that he was back at Hogwarts, he seemed a lot more lively. Severus couldn't blame him, however, it was like looking after a bloody dog!

"Get up, Sev, you said we can go to Hogsmeade today!" said Harry enthusiastically as he put his glasses on and laid down on his stomach to face the sleepy professor. Everything was delivered now, his trunk on the floor. Severus had put all of his belongings away last night. Spells hadn't arrived yet, but he had a feeling she'd stop off at the Owlery before she headed down here for some food and water. And maybe a nap.

Snape grumbled to himself. He supposed if they were to beat the crowd (and possible journalists) then they should head their early. Personally, he felt more comfortable being back at Hogwarts himself. He had the privacy of his quarters if he wanted to be alone, but he had his lab as well. And, of course, the silence of the grounds when hardly any students were here.
He didn't look like he was a person to enjoy the scenery, but Hogwarts was at its best for him when it was winter. The snow, the cold against his skin. He enjoyed it. But, he couldn't live here forever. He and Harry would have to talk about some kind of arrangement when the time came. For now… he had a Gryffindor to deal with.
Leaning up, he watched as Harry tossed some clothes on. A sight he rather enjoyed coming undone before him. He smirked a little, watching as those toned muscles soon were present before a shirt was slipped back over them.
"Who says I want you to leave?" he asked, Harry having stripped his pants off with ease now. Clearly the Gryffindor was getting more comfortable with undressing in front of him. However, it did make him quite flustered to watch.

Turning around, Harry was holding onto a pair of denim jeans. He grinned cheekily as he pushed himself onto the bed, straddling the Slytherin on top of the sheets in his red pair of underwear, trimmed in white.
"Well, we could stay a little longer…" he whispered, leaning his palms down beside Snape who was still in the bed. He leant down, his hair draping over his face and kissed the older wizard.

Snape bit the lip of the Gryffindor tenderly, giving him a dark look through the swamp of hair. He grabbed Harry on the shoulders and pushed him back down to the bed. "You need a haircut," he said bluntly.

Harry, who was now laying on his back beside Snape (who was half way over him), blew his hair from his eyes. "You're telling me, I need a haircut? Do you know how much your hair covers your face?" he asked with a huff.

"I've always had long hair," Snape mused, flicking his head so it would get away from his eyes. "Plus, yours is messy. If you're going to be an Auror, then you have to look your best. Do you have any self-respect? Looking like a sloth…"

A sloth!? Harry laughed. "Well, what if I cut your hair!? Make it short."

"No," Snape said bluntly and almost dangerously.

"That's unfair!" protested the younger wizard as Severus was still halfway leaning over him.

"I'm a Slytherin, I don't play fair," the Potions master smirked before leaning up.

Harry watched as Snape walked over to his dresser. He was expecting him to get changed, too, but instead, he pulled something out of the drawer. Curiously, he watched from the bed, still in just a shirt, undies and socks. However, he raised a brow when Severus turned around with a very old pair of barber scissors in his hands.
"You can't be serious!" he laughed, leaning himself up. "No way, I'm not letting you anywhere near my hair with those things. Have you ever even cut hair before?"

"Potter, I'm a Potions master, you have no idea how delicate I can be with my hands," Severus stated.

"Or how deadly," Harry added, eyeing the scissors.

Snape scoffed, bringing the office chair inside with his wand. "Potter, I had neglectful parents, how do you think my hair was cut when I was a boy?" he asked.

Harry suddenly felt an awful feeling hit him in the chest at Severus being neglected. "Why do you keep your hair long now, then? I mean, if you can cut it?" He sat up and crossed his legs. "Isn't there some kind of potion you could use to get it short? Or a spell?"

"There are potions for many things. Unfortunately, only baldness would come from shortening your hair with a potion. I don't assume you'd like to go bald, Potter?"

"Uh… no thanks…" Harry grinned. He moved from the bed and sat on the seat provided, still in his underwear. "I'm only doing this if you take your shirt off, though. You know… gives me something to look at when I'm sitting here…"

Severus grimaced, but Harry just looked at him hopefully. "What makes you think I'm going to do that for you?" he asked.

"Because I asked?" Harry answered, his eyes widening in an innocent manner.

Snape merely rolled his. "Fine," he muttered. He had to get changed anyway, so he'd still have to take his clothes off. He put the scissors down and unbuttoned his pyjama shirt, tossing it onto the end of the bed. "Better?"

Harry grinned once more, taking in the pale skin of the Slytherin. "Much better." Though pasty white, he did enjoy the soft look of Snape's skin.

Snape just gave an unsatisfied expression as he moved back behind Harry. He lifted the scissors and began cutting the long, brown and messy hair. He should have let Harry have a shower first, but he was sure he'd want to take one to get all the hair away anyway.

Sitting still, Harry remembered the last time he got a haircut. From Hermione. It seemed like ages ago that that all had happened. Them being on the run. Searching for Horcruxes. And yet, it also seemed just like yesterday. It was something he'd never forget…
Keeping his glasses on, he looked around the room, noticing that the painting from the first time he'd spent a night here was still down against the wall. "Sev?" he asked.

"Yes?" Snape said absently as he continued cutting the hair. Fawkes was sitting on his perch watching quietly.

"Why did you take that painting from the wall down? I've been meaning to ask… if you don't mind?" he added, turning his head to stop Snape from cutting anymore.

Looking over at the painting, Snape had almost forgotten about it. Of course, not completely, but he had had a lot on his mind with Harry coming into his life.
"I must have taken it down to clean it and forgotten to put it back up," he lied casually, putting Harry's head back straight.

Harry wouldn't have it, though. He turned on the chair, looking up at an irritated Snape. "It's a snake…"

"Your point?"

"After you got bitten by Nagini… Your House emblem is a snake. You're constantly being reminded of it…" said the Gryffindor. "I wouldn't blame you for being afraid of snakes."

"I'm not afraid of snakes, don't be so preposterous," snapped Severus. Harry just looked at him. "Fine, I was nervous around them for a while, but I had almost died because of that stupid creature." Not that Nagini was stupid, she was actually quite intelligent.

"You're not scared of them now? I mean… when we were in the Forest on Halloween? You pushed me out of the way. You put yourself in danger—again—to protect me, even though you were afraid." Back then, he thought Snape still hated him.

Snape folded his arms against his bare chest, wishing he had his shirt on now. "Potter, your life was always more important than mine, even when I didn't like you. Of course I was going to put myself in front of that snake."

Harry looked down for a moment. "Are you still afraid of them?"

"No."

"Are you sure? The painting is still down."

"I told you, I forgot about it," Snape said irritably.

Harry could tell the professor was getting defensive. He always did when he showed any sign of weakness. "You don't have to pretend, Severus. After what you've gone through, I'd be terrified, too."

"I'm not terrified! Merlin, if you want the stupid thing back up, then have at it," snapped the Potions master. He dropped the scissors, slipped a shirt on and walked over to the painting, picking it up and ready to put it back on the hanger.
The snake in the photo looked at him and he took a step back, feeling a tight pain in his chest, the bite wounds from Nagini spiking with subconscious heat as it looked him dead in the eye.
He dropped it onto the floor, taking a step back as he put a hand to his neck. Merlin, this was stupid! He wasn't afraid of snakes! He had a moment of horror from one! Just one! He was a bloody Slytherin! The whole room and common room was filled with the silver serpent, but when faced with a real one, he felt a horrible dread inside the pit of his chest, gripping at his heart and strangling it.
"Fine…" he muttered, looking back at Harry. He grabbed a pair of pants and changed into them before grabbing his winter robes and walking out of the room without another word.

Harry stayed silent as he watched Snape disappear. He looked at the picture that was now broken from the fall, the frame snapped. Snape had had many terrible things happen to him. Lupin (werewolf), Buckbeak (Hippogriff), and now snakes? Snape was no coward—he knew that—but he was human. He still had fears, just like everyone. Trauma like that didn't just disappear. He knew that from personal experience.
He stepped off the chair, knowing that his hair was only part-way cut. Walking over to the broken frame, the snake in the photo was in the corner, curled up (most likely from the fall). "Hello?" he said to it. By now, feeling stupid for talking to a snake or a photo didn't really cross Harry's mind. He was used to this stuff. However, the snake didn't respond.
He tried again. It sounded like English to him, but even when he spoke Parseltongue it always sounded like English to him. But this time the snake didn't respond. After Voldemort, he'd only spoken to one serpent in a frame, but it had been slow in understanding. He figured it was just slow from recovering from the battle. Hogwarts had been highly wounded. But maybe not. Maybe after all this time the gift—Voldemort's gift—had dwindled away with Voldemort's death.
He dropped the frame and quickly ran to his trunk, getting some pants on. He needed to go and find Severus.