CHAPTER 14 - A Breath of Fresh Air

Notes:

HELLO DEAR READER!
Here we go with another chapter!
As I said in the previous one, you will have to wait a few days in between updates now, as these new chapters need more editing work. However, I am already done with work and officially on summer holidays, so even if I'll be travelling, I hope I can update at least once a week. More, if I can!
Without further ado, let's go!

.

The following morning Harry didn't even bother to have breakfast first, he showered and went straight to the Hospital Wing. The first thing he saw was Severus out of the horrible hospital gown, finally. He was wearing a pair of dark grey cotton shorts and a dark grey T-shirt, and he was lying in bed with his leg outstretched and raised up. Pomfrey was gently holding his ankle in position.

"… eight, nine, ten, very good," she said as she let the leg come down and rest on the bed, "and now the other one, raise it and hold it for ten seconds."

"Good morning?" Harry asked as he walked closer to bed as Severus's head turned towards him, "is everything okay?"

"Poppy is just teaching me some exercises I must do a few times a day," Severus replied, and in his eyes, Harry could see the change from the day before.

He had a focused expression, his eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed in concentration as Pomfrey helped him raise his right leg and held it in place. His eyes, though, were clear, nothing like the huge amount of frustration, guilt and pain of the day before.

Today, he seemed like he was a new man, now that he had a goal in front of him.

Slowly, Severus raised his leg and kept it in position, aided by Pomfrey.

"One, two, three…" she began to count, and Severus's leg began to shake, it was hard to keep it steady, "six, seven…"

That's when it gave out as he puffed out, exhaling.

"You did really well, Severus," she said as she smiled and patted him on the leg, "I see your right leg needs a bit more work, but we'll take care of that. Do you need some rest?"

Severus didn't reply immediately, but while there were no beads of sweat on his forehead exactly, his breathing was a bit elaborate.

"Why don't we have breakfast, and we can continue later?" Harry interjected, wanting to save Severus from having to reply to Pomfrey.

Pomfrey cast a Tempus charm and realised it was, indeed, time for breakfast.

"Alright, I will leave you to it and be back in a while," she said. "Potter, I'll have to explain a few things to you as well, but when you're done with breakfast he can repeat the same exercise. You just need to help lift his leg and hold it in position."

"Understood, thank you, ma'am," Harry said as

"Thanks, Poppy," Severus said in a lower voice.

As Pomfrey looked back at him, she winked, and he nodded slightly. Harry smiled as Pomfrey left the room.

"She takes good care of you," he commented, sitting down on the chair.

"Always has," Severus said.

Harry called, and Kreacher came immediately.

"Breakfast for two, Kreacher please, along with the Daily Prophet," Harry requested. "Oh, and could you brew a big pot of that strong coffee you made last time, please?"

"Professor Snape's coffee? Yes, Master," Kreacher said as he nodded.

Harry then turned to Severus, who was taking pillows from behind him.

"How are you feeling? Pomfrey has you working first thing, I see," Harry said with a smile as he leaned forward.

Severus nodded.

"I asked her if he could show me some things I can start doing," Severus said. "I am aware that what happened yesterday was a setback, regardless of whether it was my fault or not. And I don't want that, I have but a month to recover before term resumes. I need to be ready."

Harry nodded, Severus's reasoning was sound.

"Okay. Just remember to not force yourself or you'll have another setback. Go at your own pace and listen to your body," Harry said.

Harry then watched as Severus got up from the bed and walked to the armchair beside the bed, all by himself. He then made sure he was comfortable, added a cushion behind his back, and an auxiliary table, and moved his chair so they could share.

Kreacher returned with breakfast and bowed to both of them, Harry patted him on the head gently before the elf disappeared.

As Kreacher vanished with a soft pop, Harry returned his attention to Severus, who was adjusting himself in the armchair. Then, he poured coffee for both of them, passing Severus his cup.

Severus, meanwhile, had busied himself buttering the toast and serving them on plates, adding some sausages and eggs.

"I'm watching you, Severus. Don't forget the kippers," Harry said in a nonchalant voice as he poured a splash of milk into his coffee.

Severus huffed, his brow furrowed slightly.

"Come on Harry, I've never tried fish this bad. I can eat plenty of other foods instead of this..."

"You know it's good for you and helps with inflammation, I don't have to tell you of its benefits. Just a couple and that's it."

Severus finally rolled his eyes and served two kippers to his plate. Harry tried to hide his amusement at Severus trying to avoid eating fish, and he smiled at him, wanting him to see his approval. Severus puffed but started eating.

Harry enjoyed his sausages and eggs, they definitely felt tastier in his tongue. Or perhaps it was the way Severus would look at him as he ate, slowly chewing his food and taking sips of his coffee. He'd noticed he only drank little sips, leaving most of it to be enjoyed after eating.

Harry smirked, taking pleasure in the little quirks he noticed about Severus. Where he had once been indifferent, even downright cruel, he now found himself eagerly absorbing every new detail about the man. Before, he had hardly considered and treated him as a human being. Now, he greedily drank on every little thing he found out about him.

As Severus took small, measured bites of his breakfast, Harry found himself drawn to the subtle ways Severus now interacted with him. How much wasted time, all those years hating each other when it could've been like this. Always.

But of course, it would never have happened. Neither of them was ready for this to happen, for this friendship to flourish, until now. But Harry couldn't be happier that their shared moments, once strained, had transformed into something warm, something to cherish.

After they were done eating, Severus pushed the table to one side as he leaned back, sipping his coffee with a satisfied expression.

Harry then leaned to grab the paper from the bed and looked at the cover.

"Now that we're full, how about some crappy news?"

Severus smirked and scoffed as Harry grabbed the Daily Prophet and began reading some headlines out loud.

"Look at this, "Butterbeer shortage sparks riots in Hogsmeade - locals demand frothy justice," Harry read out loud, raising his eyebrows in surprise. "Hogsmeade is right there and we didn't know. Perhaps I shouldn't take my friends to Hogsmeade for my birthday, Ron will die if he can't taste Madam Rosmerta's Butterbeer!"

Severus snorted and hid his smirk with his cup of coffee, but Harry saw it, and he smiled too. It felt so good, being able to amuse and entertain Severus, to provoke such reactions in him.

"Witch claims divination skills - predicts Daily Prophet Headlines for the next decade," Harry read. "Hmmm we'd better keep an eye on Trelawney... two seers trying to outsmart each other might be dangerous."

"I'm quite confident that Sybil would rather stay here than try to outsmart an obvious fraud in the newspaper. She would consider it an insult to her guild," Severus said with a smirk.

Harry smiled as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Will your friends come for your birthday, then?"

"I haven't talked to them since Diagon Alley, but that was the plan, yes," Harry said. "And I should also talk to Andromeda soon, I'd like to see Teddy. I've only seen him once since the battle, but I think a visit is long overdue."

"Will you help raise him?" At that, Harry nodded vehemently.

"I know that staying one more year at Hogwarts means I can't do much. So, Andromeda takes care of him," Harry said, "but I know how hungry I was for a father figure. That's why I latched onto Remus when he was teaching here and later, Sirius. I was blind to lots of his shortcomings, and I wanted so badly to impress him, for him to want me. I want to be that for Teddy, and I never want him to feel he has to earn my love or approval."

Severus nodded.

"Unfortunately and due to your own experiences, you have knowledge beyond your years, Harry. I'm sure you will be an excellent godfather to him," Severus replied, "certainly better than Black was to you."

"Hey!" Harry said as he playfully hit Severus on his shoulder, though he wasn't annoyed. Harry knew he was right.

"I hope I can be a good godfather. Although I'm not used to treating young children, I want to be there for him," he finally replied.

"He'll be lucky to have you," Severus said as he tilted his head and Harry went back to the paper.

After reading the worst news the Daily Prophet had to offer, Harry went to wash and unwrap Severus's bandages. He was well aware Severus now had enough mobility to do it himself, but neither of them said anything. And so, Harry unwrapped it and opened the ointment jar as he'd done countless other times.

"This is almost done, Severus," he said with a wide grin, "I don't think it'll take long to heal completely."

Severus didn't reply, but he nodded. Harry applied the ointment and rewrapped the bandages around Severus's neck.

"Right, so now," Harry said, "why don't we try those exercises again?"

Severus pushed himself up from the armchair and, with slow steps, went back to bed, lying down comfortably.

"Poppy said there are two variations of this," he explained, "the easiest one is to raise the legs and hold them in position for ten seconds. The other one is to keep the muscles tense and raise the leg ten times each."

"Let's start with the easy one then," Harry said as he walked to the foot of the bed.

Severus raised his left leg, Harry accompanying the movement. His eyes fell on Severus's face, whose brow was furrowed and he squinted his eyes. His lips tensed into a thin line as he raised the leg, his body stiff with the movement.

"Very well," Harry said, his eyes now falling onto Severus's legs. They were thin, and a bit hairy but not a lot, he could still see the pale skin underneath.

"One, two, three…" Harry began to count the seconds. At number ten Severus's leg gave in and fell right into Harry's hands, which were ready and waiting for it, "very well, you got it!"

"This one is more doable," Severus said as he puffed, "it's the right leg that's worse. Somehow it has less mobility than the right."

"Mmm isn't that the one Fluffy bit you?" at Severus's nod, Harry went on, "I mean, I have no clue, but I do know sometimes old wounds can affect recovery, even if they were healed, so maybe that's why. Ready?"

Severus again tensed up and raised his right leg, the movement slower and clumsier than it had been before. He took it to position, but it trembled unsteadily as he held it. His entire body was taut with effort, the vein on his forehead popping out, and he clutched the edge of the mattress until his knuckles were white.

At eight seconds, Severus exhaled as his energy gave way and his foot fell into Harry's waiting hand.

"Eight seconds, that's not bad," Harry said, "but I see it's harder to hold."

Severus nodded, and he sighed deeply, tired after the effort.

Harry moved from the foot of the bed towards Severus, leaning down and, with one finger, brushed Severus's hair out of his face. He could feel the skin slightly clammy and his cheeks flushed. Without a word, Harry took out his wand and conjured a small washbasin and a cloth. Severus was huffing, his chest up and down noticeably. Harry gave him time to recover as he put the cloth in the cold water, wrung it out, and used it to wash the beads of sweat on his forehead and face.

"You're doing very well," Harry whispered as he dabbed the cold cloth. Severus's mouth was open, breathing hard, and his eyes closed in relief, "I think we can do one more and rest for a bit."

Severus nodded but kept his eyes closed until Harry had washed away his sweat and his breathing had returned to normal. His fatigue was obvious as the second time it took six seconds for his right leg to give way.

"Let's rest for now," Harry said as he pushed the sheets up to cover his legs, "how are you feeling?"

"Tired. But it is to be expected," Severus replied, huffing, "I'm also supposed to try and walk around more often, not just to the bathroom. Poppy said I'll most probably be sore the next few days."

"Which is also to be expected after so long without moving," Harry said, "so far, though I'd say you're doing pretty well."

Severus smiled and shook his head, amused, as Harry sat down on the chair and conjured two cups of tea and a teapot.

"Stalling on your job again, Mr Potter?" Severus said as he arched an eyebrow, his voice teasing, "Didn't you have classrooms to attend to and clean before the start of term?"

"I did. I do," Harry said a bit sheepishly, "but… I think I will ask Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Charlie for help. That way, it'll be done in no time."

"Passing off your responsibilities to others—that's very unbecoming of the Boy-Who-Lived-Twice and Saviour of the World," Severus said.

And Harry looked at him and saw his smirk, his arched eyebrow and the playful glint in his eye.

"Well, Professor, isn't delegation a sign of efficient leadership? I'm just giving them a trial run for when I'm Minister of Magic," Harry said as he blew raspberries at him, "consider it a crash course."

Severus stared. And stared. And stared.

And then, as if it had come right out of his very soul, a laugh escaped his mouth. It started as a low rumble, building up strength before it erupted into a full-bodied sound. It resonated through his entire being, his shoulders shaking and his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Harry smiled and chuckled as Severus laughed, and for a split second, Harry realised he had never seen Severus laugh as hard as this.

And it was a sight he wanted to see more often. Much, much more often. And he wanted to be the cause of that laughter.

He washed the tears of mirth as he calmed down, little giggles erupting from his mouth.

"Only you could talk about being Minister of Magic, I don't think I know anyone less suitable for the job," Severus said as he beamed at him. "Your place is doing good, Harry, not politics."

Harry was about to retort, but Severus's words shut him up. He felt his cheeks burn and hid behind his teacup, taking a sip. It was probably one of the first times Severus had paid him a compliment as openly as this, and it had been so unexpected, so honest, it had completely disarmed Harry.

Something warm started to spread from his stomach, and he hid his smile, avoiding Severus's eyes.

He was speechless.

.

Over the next few days, Harry practically spent his day with Severus, as the first sessions of physical therapy had been quite challenging. Severus's pain and fatigue were evident, and his temper had been shorter than usual because of it.

Despite these challenges, though, he was determined to progress. Harry had to step in a few times to prevent him from overexerting himself. Severus's improvement was gradual but quite apparent, as with every passing day he could take more and more steps. It only took him a few days to reach the bathroom without assistance, and was able to walk around the Hospital Wing almost with no help. This motivated him to push harder.

On the third day, Harry had an idea.

"Severus, how about some fresh air? I just realised you haven't been out in weeks," Harry said as Severus settled into the armchair after one of his exercises. "I was reading one of those books from the library by Elizabeth Frost, and it said that fresh air is essential for overall well-being."

When Harry wasn't with Severus, he delved into books about physical therapy, which among other things, highlighted the benefits of being outdoors. Fresh air could boost energy levels, improve mood and sleep, and strengthen the immune system. One book mentioned that it helps regulate cortisol, reducing stress and aiding muscle recovery. As he read, a wave of embarrassment washed over him. How could he have missed this?

He knew that, even if it didn't seem like it, Severus did enjoy the outdoors. A big number of the ingredients he used for Potions he harvested himself in the forest, and others he helped Sprout with. He was mildly horrified at how long it had taken for him to realise that Severus might need to get fresh air.

"I'm not sure, Harry. I'm not strong enough yet..." Severus replied, his voice tinged with doubt.

Harry's eyes softened with concern, and he placed a reassuring hand on Severus's shoulder. He could see the hesitation in Severus's eyes— the longing for more independence now that he wasn't bedridden, and his current limitations.

"I know you're tired, and I understand you would want to walk out of here on your own. But you don't have to wait that long," he said, his voice gentle, "I'll take care of everything. Just tell me where you'd like to go."

Severus hesitated, then said quietly, "Can we go to the grounds and sit by the lake? I find myself missing the calming sounds of the water in the dungeons..."

Severus's gaze dropped to his hands, his fingers twisting together in his lap. A faint flush coloured his cheeks as he shifted slightly in the armchair. Noticing the subtle signs, Harry leaned in closer, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Of course we can," Harry replied warmly. "In fact, we should have done this sooner..." As Severus lifted his gaze to meet his, Harry added, "There's no need to be embarrassed about it. The dungeons have been your home for years. It's only natural you miss the familiarity."

That evening, Harry stood in the middle of the Hospital Wing, his usual chair in front of him, as he focused on it intently.

His eyes fixed on the chair, and then he closed them, trying to imagine what he wanted it to look like. It had been a while since he had seen a wheelchair for the last time, but still, he felt it was something he could achieve.

Severus was observing from the armchair, expectant.

Harry felt the magic surge through him. He focused not only on the chair, on what he wanted it to look like but on the emotions behind it. He wanted the chair to give Severus the independence he hadn't had until now, the possibility to get out of the castle for the first time in months. He wanted him to enjoy the fresh air, to enjoy a bit of rest and quiet time, away from the pressures of recovery.

He'd seen how seriously Severus was taking this. And he wanted him to also take his rest seriously.

He held his wand in his hand, strong and steady, his mind visualising Severus and the chair. And then, as he opened his eyes and focused on the very muggle-looking chair in front of him, he whispered the charm.

And in front of his eyes, the chair began to transfigure into a black, comfortable-looking wheelchair, with padding on the seat and the back. Severus then walked up to him, and eyed the chair, inspecting it.

"This is a fine chair indeed..." he began.

Harry shrugged and smiled at him.

"It's never been my forte but I'm not that bad at Transfiguration either, McGonagall can vouch for me..."

"I can see that," Severus said as he smirked and sat on the chair.

And for the first time in over two months, Severus finally left the Hospital Wing.

The wheelchair rolled perfectly as Harry pushed him, even on the stone floor, and when they got to the marble staircase Harry took out his wand. He shouted a freezing charm and, remembering the spell Hermione once had told him, used it to turn the stairs into a ramp.

"You really have thought of everything," Severus commented in front of him, and Harry smiled as he reached and squeezed his shoulder.

After descending the stairs-turned-ramp they got to the Main Entrance, Harry pushed Severus through the Front Gate. And once they were through, he stopped.

The sun was shining, it was a beautiful summer day out, and there was a gentle breeze. Severus's long hair moved with the wind, and Harry saw from behind him how his shoulders heaved as if he was breathing deeply.

Without a word, Harry pushed the chair, also feeling the sun on his face and skin. He realised he'd been neglecting spending time outside too, so this was good for the both of them. He took the same route he'd taken hundreds of times towards the Quidditch pitch, remembering all the times he'd walked out there to play a match.

But at one point he abandoned the trodden path and turned left towards the lake.

As they neared the water, Harry brought the chair to a halt, engaging the brakes. Severus glanced around, his head following the movements of birds singing and bees buzzing nearby. Seeing Severus's elation, Harry couldn't help but smirk.

"Come on, Severus, up," Harry said.

With a grunt of effort, Severus levered himself up from the chair. His muscles tensed with the effort, and Harry's firm grip guided him down to the ground. Once settled, he let out a breath, a small smirk tugging at his lips. It was easier to sit down on a chair or the bed, but much harder to sit on the ground without falling.

But Severus did, and he was on the grass with his legs sprawled. Harry sat down beside him, and with one slap, he removed Severus's slippers.

"Touch the grass with your feet. Feel it," he whispered.

Harry did the same, kicking his sneakers and socks, and letting his feet touch the slightly wet grass. He had forgotten the sensation, the cool, soft blades tickling his toes and the damp earth grounding him in a way that was both comforting and invigorating. The simple act of feeling the grass seemed to reconnect him with a sense of calm and presence that had been missing for weeks.

He glanced at Severus, who appeared to be absorbing the experience as well. His usually tense expression had softened and his eyes were half-closed in rare tranquillity. The gentle sounds of nature around them—rustling leaves, distant water ripples, and chirping birds—everything was soothing and inviting.

Severus had said he missed the sound of the lake, and Harry focused on the sounds of the water, gently rippling on the surface. He could image how unnerving it must've been to not hear this soothing, comforting rumble for so long.

"Can you hear it, Severus? The water?" he asked, turning his face to Severus, who had his eyes closed beside him.

He said nothing. Only nodded, and his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.

They lay down on their backs, looking at the sky. The clouds moved above them, and they said nothing, but Harry felt there was no need for words.

After a while, he felt cold, bony fingers crawling and making their sinuous way towards his hand. He could feel the tremble, almost trepidation of those fingers as they travelled, caressing his skin. They stopped at the scars on the back of his hand, the faint but still visible mark of punishment of his hand.

I must not tell lies

Those fingers traced the letters, one by one, as if they wanted to have the power to cure. As if they wanted to do so much more. And then, they clutched at his fingers with strength and didn't let go.

He looked to his right, where Severus was lying beside him, and he was looking up at the sky. His cheeks, though, were tainted with an adorable pinkish colour.

Severus said nothing, it didn't seem he was even able to or had the words. But as they were watching the sun setting behind the Highland mountains and splashing the entire sky with the most stunning colours, Severus never let go of Harry's hand.

And Harry wondered, as he returned the squeeze and shifted ever closer to Severus; if he also felt that warm, tingling sensation in his fingers, and the impetuous desire to stop time. For life to be exactly like this, always.

.

On the morning of July 31st, Harry woke up early. His last birthday had been exciting, marked by the watch from Molly Weasley that he still wore. Turning 17 was a significant milestone in the Wizarding world, granting him the ability to travel undetected by the Ministry.

Now, he was turning 18.

In the Muggle world, this was a significant milestone, but it felt less important now that he lived in the Wizarding world.

He opened his eyes, hearing the hoot of an owl nearby. When he turned around in bed, he noticed a wrapped package and an owl patiently waiting for him to unwrap it from its legs

Harry jumped from the bed, freed the package from the owl, and placed it on the bedside table.

"I don't have anything for you," Harry said as he petted the owl on the head, "but if you go to the owlery you'll find food and water, and a place to rest."

Harry left the owl, who left through the open window soon after and went to open the gift. It was a rounded and golden charm. His eyes misted as he saw a stag beautifully carved, leaping over a stream with its head held high. The details were intricately etched, capturing the grace and strength of the stag in mid-leap. It had delicate touches too, tiny silver stars that seemed to twinkle in the background, creating an almost ethereal quality to the charm. The golden surface gleaned with the sun of the early morning, and as Harry held it in his hand he could feel the smoothness of the metal, with how much precision it had been made.

The charm felt heavy in his hand, and it had a subtle magical pulse. Harry immediately recognised it as a protective charm held inside, a subtle shield that made him feel safe and secure.

He smiled as he grabbed the little note, and he recognized Luna Lovegood's handwriting.

Dear Harry,

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays. I know turning 18 doesn't seem like much, but for someone like us, like you, it is a big deal.

This charm is a reflection of the strength and grace I see in you. You were always a light on the path for all of us, always giving us the strength we needed, and accepting others exactly for who they were. No expectations.

I wanted to give something back for everything you've done for me, and so the charm, as you probably have noticed, has a protective spell on it. It's not because I think you need protection, but because I'd like you to remember you're surrounded by friends who care about you. When you feel its warmth, remember that you are not alone in this world.

I hope to see you soon, I'll be back at Hogwarts too this year.

Hugs,

Luna.

Harry smiled and slipped the charm's chain around his neck, letting it rest comfortably on his chest. He felt the subtle warmth of the magical charm and his smile widened, looking at his naked chest with the gleaming jewel on it. He touched it, a longing to hug Luna welling up inside him, and his smile grew wider at the memory of his dear friend. So different she was from the others, and so low she'd thought of her sometimes. But she was truly one of a kind.

He got dressed and headed for the Hospital Wing, thinking that Pomfrey would soon allow Severus to return to his rooms.

Harry then realised that having been Headmaster for a year, he'd likely abandoned his old office and rooms in the dungeons. But now that McGonagall had taken the post, he'd likely return to his old rooms. He smirked, Severus probably couldn't wait to return to his old rooms, where he'd lived for over a decade.

"Good morning!" he greeted as he walked inside the Hospital Wing.

The room was bathed in sunlight from the large windows. Harry smiled when he saw the empty bed and heard the shower running; another sign of Severus's progress. He walked to the bathroom door, unable to contain his admiration.

Seeing his progress and seeing him go from bed-ridden all day, to now being able to stand long enough to have a shower, was incredible. Harry felt something warm in his chest, a sort of warmth bubbling, and he was so glad that Severus was alive, right here, right now.

"Severus?" Harry asked, his voice a bit loud, "it's me, Harry. Shall I order breakfast?"

"Yes, please do, I'll be out shortly!" Severus called from behind the door.

Harry called Kreacher and ordered breakfast for two with their usual coffee, then sat down to wait for Severus.

When the door opened, Severus appeared, his hair still wet, and he was dressed in a simple pair of black joggers and a navy blue T-shirt.

In that split second, as Severus leaned against the door frame and dried his hair with a towel, couldn't help but marvel at Severus's resilience. He remembered the days when Severus could barely move; when he used his hands to communicate because he was unable to utter a word. And now witnessing him stand, almost unassisted.

Such strength and resilience. Such bravery.

Harry couldn't help but admire such a man, who humbled him when he showed that he could do things others could only hope to imagine.

Harry beamed at him, and Severus raised an eyebrow.

"What's that face for?"

"Nothing, it's a beautiful morning! Enjoyed the shower?" Harry said, his smile turning into a snigger as he winked at him.

Severus's eyebrow arched even higher but said nothing. He held onto the threshold for support, and Harry noticed the subtle fatigue in his breath.

"Hey, do you need help? You were standing for quite some time," Harry offered.

Severus seemed to be thinking about it for a minute. Harry could almost see cogs spinning in his head, and he waited. Finally, Severus looked down and nodded, his hair coming to cover his face as he breathed out.

Harry approached him with slow steps and wrapped one arm around Severus's back to support him. Before they started walking, though, he pulled him in, and Severus let his head fall to his side, resting against Harry's. He let out a huff, and Harry could see just how much effort he'd been making.

"It's alright, I got you. Ready?" he said in a whisper.

At Severus's nod, they started walking and headed for the armchair instead of the bed.

Severus smelled clean, and the scent of the cedarwood shampoo hit Harry straight in his senses. He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a second, letting the smell ground him. It definitely smelled like him.

When they got closer to the armchair, Severus stopped.

"Everything okay?" Harry asked as he stopped too, following Severus's pace.

Severus pulled at Harry's arm, making him turn to his side to face him.

"Harry," Severus said, his gaze looking down, a light tinge of pink on his cheeks, "I didn't buy anything for you, but… I wanted to say… happy birthday."

Harry beamed at him and wrapped his arms around him a bit tighter in response. He leaned forward, nuzzling Severus's temple with his nose.

"Thank you. But spending the day with my friends and you is a gift enough," he said, "so, you don't have to get me anything."

He tightened his hold on Severus, and he felt him lean more against him, breathing deeply. Harry felt that tingling sensation, spreading from his stomach, and he smiled.

"I'm thankful for you, Severus. To have you in my life," Harry said, his voice throaty, "that, more than anything and especially after what happened two months ago… is the best gift."

Severus nodded, his cheeks blushing furiously now, and Harry chuckled as they continued their walk towards the armchair. Once next to it, Severus sat on it, his back sagging against the cushions behind him in relief.

"You did a great job standing long enough to shower!" Harry beamed, "you should be proud of your progress."

Right then, Kreacher popped back with his breakfast. And there was another badly wrapped gift on the tray.

"Present for Master Harry," Kreacher said as he bowed, "Happy birthday, Master."

"Oh Kreacher, you didn't have to," Harry said as he beamed at him, "but thank you so much."

When Harry opened the small and thin package, he discovered a photo. It was old and battered, but he immediately recognized the face of Sirius Black when he was young. His hair was cleaner and longer than it had been when Harry had met him, the curls falling around his face. He was leaning back against his motorbike, which looked brand new, and was wearing a black leather jacket over a rock band T-shirt. A pair of tight black jeans and boots completed the look.

The photo moved, showing Sirius grinning with crossed arms as he proudly displayed his motorbike. It might have been the day he bought it.

He must've been around 18 or 19, about Harry's age now, and his eyes crinkled as he laughed at something happening behind the camera. The old and battered photo carried the marks of time, its corners slightly worn and edges softened. Yet, Sirius's youthful exuberance leapt from the image, frozen in a moment of laughter.

"Kreacher… this is beautiful," Harry said as he knelt on the floor in front of the elf. Kreacher was looking down, grasping at his snowy-white towel and crinkling it in his fingers, "thank you so much. Did you go to Grimmauld Place for this?"

Kreacher nodded.

"Kreacher wasn't sure if he were allowed, but... he wanted to get something for Master Harry," Kreacher explained.

"You are not in trouble, Kreacher, I promise. You have my permission to go to Grimmauld as often as you want. Just let me know when you do, okay? And thank you so much for this, I'll cherish it."

Kreacher seemed satisfied when Harry petted his head, and with misty eyes and a wet smile, he disappeared back into the kitchens. Harry turned to Severus, who had a soft expression in his eyes, perhaps a flicker of understanding passing through.

Harry sat down on the chair and showed him the crinkled old picture of Sirius.

"It's probably one of the few pictures I have of him," Harry said, "he must've been my age now. I don't even know how this picture ended up at Grimmauld Place, by that time Sirius had already left the family. Merlin, he looked like a rockstar!"

"Yes, that band was popular at the time. If you liked mainstream music, that is," Severus said with sarcasm.

Harry raised his eyebrow.

"Do you mean to tell me you're a rock and roll connoisseur, now?" Harry said with incredulity.

"I grew up in Muggle England in the '60s and '70s, Harry, of course, I am," he replied. "Sex Pistols were my favourite, though I spent a big amount of time listening to Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath as well."

Harry gaped at him, taken aback.

"So, you liked rock and roll and screams?"

"It can hardly be considered 'screams', but yes," Severus said, "I was an angry teenager who'd grown up in deep poverty. Those songs resonated with me to a deep level."

Harry smirked and shook his head.

"You always manage to surprise me," he said as he poured coffee onto the two cups that were already waiting, "have you been listening to much music lately?"

Severus shook his head.

"You can't bring muggle devices to Hogwarts, as you know, the magic makes them malfunction," he said. "And last year Wormtail was staying in my house at Spinner's End, so unfortunately I couldn't be heard listening to muggle music. But I did for a long time."

Harry laid back on the chair as he sipped his coffee and spread the butter on the toast, still in disbelief at the new thing he'd found out about Severus.

"You are truly full of surprises," he said with a smile as he looked at him through his long hair, which was now covering almost his eyes.

Severus scoffed and hid behind his cup of coffee, but Harry could see colour rising to his cheeks as he smiled.

They ate the food and drank their coffee, talking about this and that, the Daily Prophet forgotten on the breakfast tray. Harry relished listening to Severus's voice. His words, his knowledge was far more interesting than any piece of crappy news he could read in the newspaper.

"So, when are the valiant Gryffindors coming to see you?" Severus asked a while after. Harry smiled wide.

"They'll be here in a bit," he answered, "we're going to Hogsmeade first to walk around and have lunch together. Then we'll come back and maybe hang out in the common room."

Harry then broached the subject that he'd been dancing around for so long.

"Severus, do you want Charlie to visit you today? I've been giving you time to think about it. Have you decided?"

Severus seemed to ruminate about it, but Harry was sure he had been thinking about it for some time. There was nothing Severus did that wasn't thought about for some time.

"I think I can allow him to see me, if he desires so," he replied, "just the older Mr Weasley, though."

Harry nodded.

"Yeah, I'll keep the others away from you. But remember that it means I won't be seeing you until the evening when they're gone," Harry said. Then he paused, "This time, though, I'll come. Regardless of the time."

"That is enough," Severus replied.

Harry then stood up, trying to erase the wrinkles of his jeans and black shirt. Severus snorted as he looked at him, up and down, and for a split second, Harry felt self-aware.

"Did you decide to wear some more formal clothes for your birthday?" Severus asked as an eyebrow rose elegantly.

Harry shrugged, feeling a bit idiotic.

"It is my birthday after all, and I am 18," he said, "it's time I start dressing more like a grownup"

Harry then leaned forward, smiling.

"You, on the other hand, with your endless layers and buttons, are the epitome of formal dressing," Harry said. "Maybe I can learn from the master?"

Severus scoffed and pushed Harry away, his cheeks blushing slightly as he turned his gaze away, Harry chuckled.

"Don't be ridiculous," he said, "although I agree you could ditch the jeans and T-shirt for once."

"Well then, that's settled. You'll teach me," Harry said, his smile widening, "how do I look for now?"

He twirled and turned around, showing off how his jeans and shirt fit on his back. He craned his neck and looked back at Severus while he had his back turned to him.

His face wanted to be that of neutrality. But Harry realised now that, even when Severus tried for a neutral face, he could now read him. He could see his lips, his mouth slightly open as he breathed in, and his eyes slightly wider than normal.

In that split second Harry realised what he looked like, twirling and turning around in front of Severus to show off his clothes. He cleared his throat and stood in front of him, his stomach dropping with a sudden dread, his ears and neck feeling impossibly hot.

"Well?" he asked, his arms akimbo on his waist.

Severus smiled mischievously and nodded once.

"You look acceptable for a newbie," he said, "you'll learn soon. For now, it'll be enough."

Harry chuckled again, feeling his racing heart begin to slow.

"Thank you, Professor," Harry said with a mock bow as Severus shook his head.

Looking at him through a softer face, though, Harry walked back to Severus's armchair and leaned down. Even if he'd done this a few times, he was always slow, always cautious. His hand slowly travelled to his face, taking one strand of hair and pushing it behind Severus's ear, their faces incredibly close. Harry smiled and nuzzled Severus's nose with his.

"I'll be back this evening, okay? If for any reason you need Charlie to go, call Pomfrey, and she'll let me know," Harry said.

"I will be fine, I won't need you rescuing me from one of your friends," Severus said, "enjoy your day."

"Thank you," he said as he smiled, "I'll see you this evening then."

And with that, Harry pulled back and began to walk away. He closed the door behind him and began his walk around the Hogwarts grounds towards the apparition wards, where his friends would arrive. As he was walking, he regretted for a moment having invited them. He wanted to see them and spend time with them, but he also felt bad to leave Severus alone all day until the evening. For a moment, he wished he could spend the entire day with Severus.

.

Notes:

AND THAT'S IT FOR TODAY!
What did you think, did you like this chapter?
Thanks to Ikri_bun_gelat for the suggestion of a bit of fresh air, I think they both needed it.
Next chapter HOGSMEADE! And we'll see Ron, Hermione and Ginny too!
Some of you were worried about Harry's relationship with Ginny... who knows what will happen! Any predictions? Anything you would like me to add? Let me know in the comments!