Chapter Thirty Nine: Christmas Day.
Warning: Graphic sex scene.
In the early hours of Christmas morning, Severus was woken up by a very enthusiastic Harry, yelling something about Christmas presents. Merlin, how old was he again indeed!? Much to his annoyance, Fawkes was joining in as well.
Usually on Christmas morning, he was by himself, able to sleep until he wanted to. He didn't bother with presents. Of course, there was always the one from Dumbledore and McGonagall. Dumbledore always gave him sweets, while McGonagall's was more sarcastic. He frowned as he realised that this year there was no Albus. He did send off Minerva a pretty cat flea collar, though.
Opening his eyes, he saw the Gryffindor wearing a massive grin. It lifted his spirits, which was at least something. He knew today he wouldn't be sipping coffee by himself while the rest of the world was celebrating their own holidays.
"Come on, Sev!" said Harry on all fours on the bed. He was still dressed in his pyjamas. "Don't you want your presents!?"
Snape realised he was going to have to get used to this. It would take time. Usually his Christmas was filled with boredom, sarcasm, loneliness and loathing. He was such a scrooge, but to be honest, he never really celebrated it in the first place. Since he was a boy, Christmas was gloomy, and he learnt soon not to get excited, even when the other kids were having fun.
"Potter, do you even know what the time is?" he asked, pushing his hair from his eyes. It was, of course, still dark in the room. The bed just seemed much too nice to get out of right now. Christmas or not.
"It's seven," said Harry. "C'mon, some stuff has been delivered under the tree!" He pulled the sheets from Snape, making him grouse.
"Merlin," Snape muttered to himself, leaning up from the bed. Fawkes and Spells were on their perches. Not surprising. However, what was surprising was the amount of presents under the tree that he could see from the bed! He didn't usually have a tree or anything up to celebrate, so this was new, but presents were even newer. He was positive they were mostly for Harry, and he was fine with that. He didn't know how to accept gifts. It was just nice seeing that Potter could enjoy his Christmas here. With him.
Moving towards the tree and sitting on the floor, Harry waited. "Are you coming?"
"To the floor? You've got to be kidding me, Potter. I'm a grown wizard…" drawled the Potions master.
"Everyone can be a kid on Christmas," Harry said enthusiastically. He saw something tense in the other, and he realised that Severus was just like him when he was a child. He didn't celebrate it because his parents didn't bother about it, just like the Dursleys. Well, they did celebrate it amongst themselves, he just wasn't included. He didn't have a real Christmas until he spent his first year here at Hogwarts.
"I know how you feel," he said reassuringly. "I felt the same when I came here. When I gained my first real friends. I wasn't expecting anything at Christmas, but… " He didn't know how to explain it. Hell, it had been years ago now, but he still remembered that surprise and gratitude he'd felt.
"I can handle it, Harry," said Snape. He pushed himself up and moved down to the floor awkwardly onto his knees. "I'm warning you now, though… I am terrible at accepting gifts, so don't make this anymore awkward than it already is."
"I'll get the most awkward out of the way, then," said the Gryffindor, pulling out a familiar sized package that was from Mrs Weasley. "Here."
Looking down at the tag, Severus had no idea what to expect when he saw the name on it. After he'd just made a mess about the whole Ginerva thing? Well… Mrs Weasley was not her daughter.
He awkwardly unwrapped the packaging and pulled out what was inside the wrapping.
Harry just grinned. "She makes one every year. Looks like you're part of the family now, Sev." Of course, in Snape's hands was a homemade sweater with a giant S on it. Harry knew he had one coming as well, although his would be red, not green and silver, with a giant H on it.
"Hm," Severus said with a smirk as he lifted the sweater over himself and put it on. "I don't know, I think it looks rather dashing, don't you think?" He brushed his hair down and put on his best raised brow smirk.
Harry couldn't help it; he burst out laughing at the sight of a usually dressed up Snape in a daggy homemade sweater. "You look… ridiculously adorable," he grinned, seeing the amused look flicker on Severus' face.
"Wait there," he said, standing up and running to his trunk.
Severus arched a brow when Harry came back with a camera. "No…" He looked at the camera and gave an unwanted look of disgust.
"Come on!" Harry said, unwrapping the sweater that Mrs Weasley had made for him. "She'll love it." He slipped it on over his head and sat next to Severus on the floor, stretching his arm out.
"You're serious?" Severus asked, moving out of the way of the camera. He hated photos! He didn't care what it was for.
Harry put on a pouty face. "Please?" he asked. "Don't worry, it won't get out, I swear. It's just for Mrs Weasley. She could use a laugh, you know?" She'd lost her son not long ago in the war.
Snape mentally sighed. "If this ever gets out…" he muttered to himself. Beside him, Harry smiled, teeth and everything, for the photo.
"I'll send it to her with the rest of the letters," said Harry when he was satisfied with the result from the polaroid. It didn't move yet, but he'd make sure to put it into the special potion it needed. Of course, Severus put on his most annoyed facial, but it worked all too well with the photo. Harry almost wished he could keep it. A copy would be nice.
Moving back to the presents, they spent the rest of the morning opening the others from the Weasleys and Grangers. Harry got a few cards from his friends, and felt a bit guilty that he hadn't sent his off yet—he was always behind. But they had only come the other day, and he didn't wish Spells to spend Christmas out doing work. He would get to them tomorrow as soon as possible. If they were still in Britain, he could have just sent an elf or something for quick-mail, but that wasn't the case.
Mostly they were filled with Christmas lollies, and Hermione had sent him a Boomerang from Australia. Apparently it had spiritual powers, and it actually came back when you threw it. Of course, there were many other little things, and then Harry gave Snape the book that he'd gotten him. But there was something else, too.
"I couldn't just get you that…" he said embarrassedly, his hands holding onto something. "I wanted to show you my appreciation and thanks for everything you've done for me… So, I thought, in return, I could give you something else that saved my life as well."
Severus, who had stood up (and gotten dressed in a black shirt and black jeans) to give the two birds a Christmas treat looked down to Harry, the Gryffindor pushing himself up to his feet. He took his hand and placed whatever it was inside it. When the hand moved, Snape uncurled his fingers to see the golden ball.
"Your… Snitch?" he asked, surprised.
"I know you're not into Quidditch and all that, but it's the symbolism that matters. I know they have flesh memories, and… well… I caught it with my mouth, so, after you've kissed me, it'll open."
What? Severus looked down at the sleeping Snitch in his palm. He didn't know how to respond. Harry had just given him something incredibly personal. And as far as Harry knew, he didn't actually mind Quidditch, he just couldn't play it for shit. Just another bitter jealousy of his.
"Harry… I don't know if I can accept this," he stated awkwardly. How could Harry even give this to him? It was only Christmas! Nothing special! And he was handing him something that could possibly be a family heirloom.
"I want you to have it," said Harry.
"Harry-,"
"I mean it."
Harry's eyes were stern. Looking back at the Snitch, Severus felt his fingers tighten softly over it. Instead of fighting it, he leant forward and tested the theory, claiming Harry's lips for his own. Harry's tongue slipped against his own as he got a good taste of the Gryffindor before slowly pulling away. He then brought the Snitch to his own lips, its thin wings spreading as it opened up.
"I told you," the Gryffindor beamed. "So… it should open to you forever. And only you." Well, and him, too. But it was no longer his possession.
Snape stiffened, looking at Harry. Bloody hell, he was eighteen and already set on them being together forever. It wasn't like he was against that, he held onto things for a very long time, but this early on in their relationship? Then again, his 'crush' for Potter had turned heavy within a few days. Even with fighting it, he knew it was something he'd give into in the end.
He gave a very soft smile, "You have big dreams, Potter. I am glad to be a part of them." He planted a kiss on the younger wizard's forehead.
"I hope it doesn't resemble anything too horrifying for you." He didn't want the Snitch constantly reminding him of his father or something.
"I've never caught a Snitch in my life, Harry. Seems I don't need to, considering I have a Seeker all to myself," smirked the Slytherin. Harry just gave a light chuckle. "I know how much you enjoy Quidditch, and with your career, you won't have much time. However… you will need the latest broom if you wish to catch dark witches and wizards. Or… maybe even former Death Eaters."
Harry beamed a little as Severus actually joked about his former status. He'd never done that before. In fact, he'd always been incredibly ashamed of it. To have him finally lighten up about the topic was progress in itself.
"Unfortunately, it doesn't roll off the market until the start of the next year, so… you will have to wait."
"Wait… what?" Harry asked, eyes going wide. "You… you got me a new broom?" Those things were expensive! Especially the latest model.
"Well, if you wish to be an efficient Auror, it would be best to have the latest broom. Plus, it's my way of knowing you will be protected if in flight. Technically, it's just a deposit, but yes."
Harry gave an excited grin. He couldn't wait until he got to try it out first hand! He was about to hug the professor but was stopped when Snape put his hand up.
"There is something else… Something that you should have always had," he said. This time, his voice was much more poignant than before. He took something out of his pocket. "Before I give you this… don't be upset with me."
Harry looked at him curiously. Severus, who was usually great at hiding his feelings, actually showed the slightest flicker of nervousness. "I promise."
"It's not exactly a gift. I'm just returning something that I should never have taken. I believe it belongs with you, and I no longer have a need for it."
As Severus handed over the folded up piece of paper, Harry looked down, unfolding it. "It's… You had it?"
Severus's hands went together. "I found it originally and… I should have never kept it, but back then I was…" How to say that he was infatuated with Lily still and not make it awkward? Hell, there wasn't really a way of making it sound good now…
"I know, I get it," Harry said, a small smile creasing the corner of his lips. Severus was adorable when nervous. He was trying to hide it his best, but Harry could feel through their magic that he was nervous over the whole thing.
"Thank you… it means a lot to me," he said, seeing the rest of the letter his mother had written to Sirius years ago. He still had the other half, and had wondered where it had gone, but now he had the whole thing. He tried not to let the fact that Severus had kept the part that said 'Lots of love, Lily' on it.
Folding the letter, he put it into his pyjama pocket.
"Breakfast will be served soon, do you wish to go to the Great Hall?" Despite it being Christmas, everyone still had to eat here.
"I was hoping I could spend the day with just you." Harry moved forward and slipped his hands beneath Snape's arms, leaning against his chest and looking up. "You know… together?"
Severus smirked a little, thankful that Harry didn't bring anything up about the letter that he'd taken. Merlin, it looked horrible and possessive, and rather creepy on his behalf. But he'd kept it as a reminder of Lily and the hopes and desperation that maybe those words could be directed towards him one day. But he didn't need it anymore. He hadn't thought about it for a while. Harry was all he needed.
He moved his arms around the shorter wizard and ran his fingers through his hair. "I think I can handle that," he murmured soothingly. "How about I get an elf in here to deliver some breakfast?"
"Mmm, that sounds wonderful. Can I stay in my pyjamas?"
"Well, I wouldn't say no to that, but I was hoping you'd remove them."
Harry bit his lip with a wide smile as his cheeks went rosy. "That can be arranged," he almost purred as his fingers traced Severus' arm, pulling the sleeve back. He lifted the bare skin and touched his lips to it. "Think I could take a former Death Eater?" he asked.
Severus scoffed at the joke. "I'm glad that I know the rumours of your Hungarian Horntail tattoo is false," he hissed sensually, Harry's eyes going wide.
"Even the professors heard about that?" That was years ago! Harry couldn't help but blush a little.
"Potter, we hear everything," Severus informed. "I don't think I'd mind it, if you're interested in my opinion. But I must admit, a dragon is very cliché."
Harry couldn't keep his laugh back. "Well, what would you recommend?" he asked, feeling Snape's hands lower around his body.
"What about 'Property of Professor Snape?' on your left buttock?"
Harry's mouth dropped as he felt a hand grab his rump. "Oh… I think I like that, Professor," he teased. He moved forward, their lips meeting, kissing one another. He felt Severus' hands slide beneath his pyjama pants and against his warm skin. Instantly, he felt hot blood throb down his stomach and towards a growing erection.
"Nn, Sev…"
"Mm?" answered the Slytherin through their kiss. He felt Harry grind against his crotch. Oh, Merlin, it was nice.
"How about we skip breakfast and go straight to desert?" Harry's breath was short now, his fingers fumbling the belt strapped around Severus' waist. He undid the fly of his pants and slipped a hand into the warm material covering his thick member.
Severus groaned as he was massaged. For someone who thought he could live without sex, he was very excited when Harry was against him. Even more so when the Gryffindor was so needy. Then again, those thoughts had been solid when he was a virgin. Now that that was gone, well, now he knew what it really felt like.
"I don't think it's called desert after breakfast, but I think that's a good idea," he breathed through their kiss. He put his hands to Harry's chest and nudged him towards the bed, unbuttoning his pyjama shirt. Harry aided in slithering it off and tossing it to the floor.
Pushing himself up to the head of the bed, Harry didn't let go of Snape's lips. He slipped his pants off and felt his erection go against his belly, pulsing hard as he watched Severus undo his shirt and let it fall from his shoulders.
Soon, a warm hand was against the back of his neck, and he leant back as Snape's lips trailed down his jawline, neck and shoulder. Soon, his back was pressed against the head of the bed, and a very eager and hot erection prodded at his backside.
"Hn… do you have anything to help?" he murmured through the dark hair that was starting to stick to his skin now that things had gotten rather heated.
He was going to ask that now? Severus leant out of Harry's neck and eyed the bottom drawer. "Bottom drawer." He wasn't getting up and walking into the next room to take a potion or something this time, so a regular condom and lubricant would have to do. He'd rather not wear the condom, but Harry had mentioned it, and he very well wasn't going to reject that request.
Harry moved out from underneath Snape—even though he didn't wish to. They hadn't personally bought condoms because he knew if either of them did, it would be spread all over the Prophet that they were being intimate. It was normal for a couple, but it was something neither of them really wished to be faced with in the morning by the paper. So an elf had easily delivered some.
Taking the box out of the bottom drawer, he ripped one of them off before situating himself back beneath the pale wizard—a tube of lubricant in his other hand. "I want to put it on you," he said eagerly, leaning back in for another steamy kiss.
Looking at those needy green eyes, Severus nodded, lifting his hand and taking Harry's jaw. "But hurry it up, I want to fuck you."
Harry's cheeks went red as Severus swore, but it only fuelled his desire for the Potions master to take him. He quickly unwrapped the condom and ran his fingers over the sticky head of Snape's member.
Severus tensed as the sudden attention, feeling those nimble fingers tease him. He took Harry's wrist and kissed into his neck once more, feeling the latex slip over his dampened prick. Harry moved away for a moment, but only to grab the tube of lubricant. He lathered it against the hard erection before moving back into a comfortable position—making sure to coat his own backside for more ease.
"You were about to start testing my patience," the professor murmured, taking in Harry's plump lips. He kissed him once more, and this time, he eased himself into the Gryffindor's backside, a palm hitting against the head of the bed to keep him up.
Harry tensed at the sudden expanding as his backside, swallowed the professor hungrily but painfully. His hands clutched against Snape's back, feeling his shoulder-blades grow as he arched into him. "Uh…!" he cried, breathing hard. "Oh, yes… Oh, yes, right there…!"
He felt the bed beginning to rock back and forth as the pace between them soon accelerated. His hands tightened against Snape's back as he felt his body being pounded into. Severus had both hands planted against the wall now, hips moving hard and fast into him.
Soon enough, he was forced to come, feeling hot semen spurt against his chest and chin. Severus panted over him, hair draping his face. Harry could feel his heart pounding beneath his ribcage, sweat beaded across his body now.
"Oh… bloody hell," he groaned to himself, feeling his thighs shudder as they loosened, his hand letting go of his now soft member.
Leaning down, Snape tenderly kissed the Gryffindor through the tangle of his hair, making very sure to miss the younger wizard's fluids. "Go and get yourself washed up," he said, leaning himself up and dropping his arms. His pants were around his ankles and he easily slipped them back up, taking the condom off. He discarded of it.
"You're not coming?" Harry asked, pushing himself up onto his backside so he was seated—he tried to ignore the hot sensation that was still burning his backside. He didn't really feel the need to cover up with Severus anymore, he was pretty content with being nude around the professor. Severus clearly still didn't enjoy being naked for long, but he understood he just didn't like himself without clothes on. Some people did, some people didn't.
Severus grabbed a clean shirt and waved it at Harry. "Don't fret, I'm just getting a clean change of clothes," he smirked.
"You know, you didn't have to put on pants to get that. I would have enjoyed watching your arse walk around nude," the Gryffindor teased. He hopped off the bed and got his own change of clothes. It looked like he wouldn't be staying in his pyjamas all day, but he didn't mind that.
Severus just halved his eyes and told him to get in the shower. Harry did so almost obediently, adjusting the taps before Snape headed inside and closed the door. He stripped of his dirty pants and joined him in the shower.
*****
The rest of the day was spent in the dungeons before Harry asked if he could go and see Hagrid. Severus didn't even know why he asked, he was allowed to do whatever he liked, it wasn't like he was his puppet. So now, he was alone in his quarters, clean and dressed after having met with McGonagall.
Having let both birds out, Spells was now snoozing and Fawkes was sitting in his office. He walked back into the bedroom and looked at the now clean floor (that Harry had covered in Christmas wrapping before). The tree was still enchanted, lights flickering on it. However, what got his real attention was the stack of letters waiting to be sent off from Harry.
Something in his gut tightened as he looked at the envelopes. He couldn't betray Harry like that. He couldn't look at them. They weren't his! But… damnit, he'd always been so good at getting away with things and spying. It was just something he was good at in nature, but that didn't mean he should actually do it.
His possessive side was kicking at him, though—even more so when he saw that 'Ginny' was written on one of them. Bloody hell, it was idiotic! It wasn't like there would be anything bad in there about him, and it wasn't like Harry would be blabbering love towards her either! He trusted Harry… He was just incredibly insecure about himself, and jealous and…
"Damnit," he muttered to himself, walking away from the desk. Okay, he knew relationships had 'rules' or guidelines or whatever, but honestly? Snooping through Potter's letters? Like hell he'd be caught doing that—not that he'd be caught.
Slumping himself into the lounge that was in the other room, he ran his fingers against his forehead, knuckles whitening. He was so used to Harry being here that the solitude was actually annoying him. But doing something as extreme as reading what Harry could possibly write to Ginny? Probably teenager babble, nothing more. For Merlin's sake, she poisoned him with potions. Harry hadn't even liked her romantically.
He heard wings fly past him, and he turned his head as Fawkes glided into the bedroom. He must have been hungry. Well, he thought that until Fawkes came flying back out and landed on the arm of the lounge. He waddled his way over and dropped something into his lap.
Looking down, Severus saw the golden ball placidly sitting against the crotch of his pants. The Golden Snitch Harry had given him. He took it into his hand, lifting it to eye level to inspect it. Harry's story had been told over and over again, he knew all about it. The Resurrection Stone had been inside it, and then lost in the Forbidden Forest. People would be, of course, looking for it, but the Centaurs guarded the Forest, and he doubted it would be found any time soon—that was if the Centaurs weren't already holding onto it for safe keeping.
That night, Harry had seen his parents. He'd seen Lily… Severus' hand went tight around the Snitch as he thought about that. He didn't need to think about that, but old habits die hard, right? Lily would always be in his heart, but Harry was the one that he…
Unclenching his hand, he looked down at the Snitch. Harry had given him this as a symbol of their relationship lasting forever. Forever… How could Harry possibly be that involved with him? They'd hated each other, and then all of a sudden their feelings had changed. He knew it possible for things to change; he'd changed the night Lily had been murdered, but…
A call from Fawkes broke his train of thought as he looked to the bird. The phoenix planted himself comfortably in his lap and made him groan as he sat on him heavily. "I can't say my Christmas is as enjoyable as Albus'," he murmured, "but it's been the best I've ever had."
Fawkes purred gently at the crest scratch he received, and Severus gave a rare smile. His hand curled tenderly over the Snitch once more, and his thoughts drifted from Ginny, Lily, and everything else.
*****
Severus must have fallen asleep, because the next thing he knew, the door was being opened and it was dark inside. Fawkes stirred from within his lap, his feathers dim from sleep. Harry, who had signs of snow on his clothes, walked inside.
Softly, he heard his name being called. He lifted a hand so Harry could see him from behind the lounge, and the Gryffindor came into full view. "I fell asleep…" he muttered tiredly. Truth be told, his Christmas days were never this eventful.
Harry was wearing a very satisfied grin. "Hagrid made extra, so I brought you some hot chocolate. I know you like that wizard coffee, so he made it into a mocha for you," he said, holding up a thermal mug. Severus took it into his one hand, Fawkes clearly not in the mood to move.
"You look comfy," he snickered.
Snape took a sip of the warm drink, feeling it sooth down his chest. Something Hagrid could make well. He mentally snorted to himself. "It has certainly been a change of events for me."
Leaning onto the arm of the lounge, Harry gave a toothy and proud smile. "Merry Christmas, Severus," he whispered, kissing the older wizard on the cheek.
Looking at Harry, Severus rolled his eyes at the incredibly goofy Gryffindor grin on his face. "And you," he spoke softly. Putting the mug down, he lifted his fingers to Harry's red and gold scarf and pulled him down into his lap. Fawkes flapped and squawked as he was forced to move, but chirped gleefully when the both of them settled comfortably on the lounge for the night.