December 9

BOOKS

Harry Potter - Harry/Snape

Title: Gifts of the Yuletide-----Part 4
Author: Altaira
Date:
Fandom: Harry Potter / Books
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Rating: overall R
Summary: When the holiday seasons starts off just plain bad, Severus and Remus set out to fix up a bit of Yuletide cheer for Harry Potter.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world belong to JK Rowling. I just took them out to play for a bit.
Feedback address: ajmummy@yahoo.com
Advertisement: Part of the SAC-2004 at:
http://www.kardasi.com/Advent/2004/SAC-2004.htm
Note: This is the last of four parts which will all be up on the calendar. Also, Harry is 17 and of age in the Wizarding world and England, and is considered such for this story.
Beta: Thank you so much to Claudia and Penny for the wonderful work they did. All left over mistakes belong to me still.

Monday, Dec 29th

By the time Severus woke Harry up in the morning, he was already washed, dressed and ready for the day. The night hadn’t been the best, Harry had suffered two nightmares, and the morning had already been stressful. Dumbledore showed up at six to get Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Dean ready to be taken off to the Ministry. They hoped to get the whole deal over and done with without it turning into a huge affair. Dumbledore wanted to be back to the castle by noon. Harry hurried and got ready and met everyone downstairs, in the chaos. Harry, Draco and Blaise were ushered into the kitchen, fed a quick breakfast of a fruit turnover each, and escorted upstairs to brush their teeth. Draco speculated they were being kept from wandering into the same areas the prisoners were at.

The Ministry was just as busy and chaotic feeling. Harry, Draco and Blaise were not allowed into the courtroom area until after ten am, when Harry’s pensieves were to be viewed by the judge, and possibly the rest of the Wizengamot. The headmaster had been trying to prevent the latter; insisting due to the nature of the second assault it would amount to a violation of the youth in question’s privacy. However, due to who they were, they could not be left running about the Ministry. Severus found a small room off the hallway where they could wait and then he and Remus went in and watched the proceedings. The trial went smoothly and in Dumbledore’s favor. The case against the four was laid out by Madame Bones in a concise manner. The excuses and complaints put forth by the fellow who was defending the students were halted immediately if the judge thought they were ridiculous…such as the excuse that they couldn’t be charged with theft since they only took stuff from siblings…or listened to and easily defeated. Despite the insistence of Minister Fudge and Percy Weasley, Harry’s Pensieve Testimonies were seen only by the judge, although a brief outline of each was given verbally to the whole group. Harry, Draco and Blaise were brought in as the verbal outline was being given, and Harry admitted it wasn’t all that horrid that everyone in the room knew the amount of information presented. Although much of the rumor problem and use of pranks against another student was dismissed as not needing to be brought forth before the Wizengamot and more a school matter and a personal issue by the judge, it was what they had expected and indeed worked around. The judge found Ron, Hermione, Dean and Ginny guilty of the crimes they were brought forth on, and even agreed to the course of punishments suggested. He also brought forth charges on the others involved in Harry’s molestation and requested those students be brought to the Ministry as soon as they could be brought, although he recommended just the monitoring spells and not the wand taps, and for a shorter duration. Dumbledore invited him to help place the spells upon the four students present and their wands, and sent everybody home. It was a bit after the noon Dumbledore had been hoping for, but well before the end of the day.

Severus told the group from the day before to meet at Headquarters. He and Remus sent the boys off with Bill and his wife, who had agreed to join them. Bill’s wife fortunately seemed much improved after spending time away from Hermione. Tonks and George joined them as well. They had been at Headquarters for about forty minutes before Severus and Remus arrived with Charlie and Fred. After Robes were removed and Remus and Harry decided that everyone’s appearance was Muggle enough, they took a port-key Severus had managed to get made and went to the Mall.

“It is almost two. We will be home in time for dinner, however you all can eat lunch here if you can find anything you can stomach. I do advise we keep somewhat together, however the boys and Remus and I have a first stop to make.” Severus said.

The rest decided to come with them, and that stop ended up being a clothing store. Remus chose it, and it carried a mixture of clothing from jeans and t-shirts to suits and everything in between. Severus pulled a note and handed it to Harry.

Dear Harry,

On the ninth day of Yuletide, we got you just the thing.
Nine items of clothing.

Love, Severus and Remus

Harry burst out laughing. “Guys, that one just needs help.”

“Hey,” Remus said. “I worked hard on that!”

Severus gave Draco and Blaise notes as well, and they burst out laughing too.

“I think they must have used the same note.” Harry said.

“So, boys…off you go. Nine items. Harry, we actually have a list for you. Four pairs of trousers, three shirts, another jumper, and a jacket. Try to get at least two nice pairs of trousers. No t-shirts.”

Draco and Blaise found their items pretty quickly. Fred and George were helping Harry, and Charlie was helping keep the twins help from causing too much ruckus. Tonks was helping Bill and his wife find clothing for her. Soon, Harry had drifted that way and left the twins to the task of finding him stuff. After Severus and Remus had bought Draco and Blaise’s purchases, they went to fetch Harry and have him decide on his. Bill’s wife raised a bit of a fuss when they pulled him away, as Harry had been the best at choosing items that looked good on her and weren’t to flashy, but decided that she could let him get his decision making out of the way.

It quickly became a “dress up” Harry party. The twins would hold up items they and Charlie had thought might work against Harry, and Draco and Blaise would tell them yes or no. The yes outfits would then be sent off to the fitting room with Harry, who would put them on and come out show everyone. Bill’s wife ended up having excellent taste on guys clothing, and was soon helping Draco and Blaise. Tonks was adding to what the twins had pulled out. Everyone would decide if any part of what was tried on was really a keeper or not, and Harry would be given instructions and sent off with another set of clothes to try on. In the end, Harry ended up with two pairs of jeans, gray slacks and black slacks, two long sleeved plain colored t-shirts which they had managed to talk Severus into allowing after they had Severus go and try one on himself…in red and white, a light blue button down cotton oxford type shirt, a dark green jumper which Harry insisted on being oversized by about two sizes, and wool pea coat. Harry wore the coat out of the store. Severus ended up buying himself two long sleeved t-shirts as well before they left. After the clothing store the group decided on a meeting place, a large clock in the middle of the food court, and split up. Remus and Severus refused to allow the twins or Tonks to go off on their own though. Remus accompanied Tonks and Charlie headed off with them. Severus ended up with all the younger boys.

They went to a book store, where they lost Fred to the children’s section. Meanwhile, Draco barrowed a piece of paper from the front desk and then handed Severus a list of books he wanted as they left the store. Severus dragged them all out of the toy store less than ten minutes after they went in, swearing and cursing store owners who thought it a good idea to set out toys as samples to play with. Although, he had to admit, it had been rather cute watching Harry and Blaise sitting on the floor playing with a bunch of little boys at the train table. Watching Draco and George at the easel cross-dressing the felt dolls was a bit disturbing. Fred with the remote controlled dog was the last straw though. Severus only hoped the old lady he’d chased with the dog wouldn’t cause too many problems with the store owners. They did tolerably well in the music store, although Severus was again presented with a list of desired items as he dragged them out. George was entranced with the headphones, and wanted to see if they could figure away to put those and the Wizarding wireless together, and started discussing it with Fred inside the store. Severus was almost certain he’d need to call in someone to perform an obliviate when Harry stepped in and changed the direction of the conversation. The video store had another near miss with needing an obliviate performed, so their stay in that store was extremely short.

Severus had hoped he could avoid the candy store. He’d pulled them towards a store that sold all sorts of little trinkets on the other side of the hall, but Draco saw the candy store anyway. The twins made notes on how the store was set up, and how the candy was packaged and sold. They bought samples. They even asked to talk to the owners, who were delighted to talk with such promising young entrepreneurs. Severus let Draco, Harry and Blaise go off to a few more stores near by while he waited on the twins. Finally they finished and ended up with even more samples free of charge.

When they met up with the others, they switched groups for about an hour’s more worth of shopping. Tonks and Charlie took off with Draco, Blaise and the twins to show them a store which carried Goth and other clubbing type clothing, as well as other things. Harry joined Bill and his wife in one of the larger department stores, explaining several of the appliances they had found which had baffled even Bill. Sabina was extremely interested in the coffee maker and the bread machine. They actually bought sheets and several blankets, as well as several small throws in the same fleece material Harry had in his gloves from Remus. Sabina was also very excited about the baby clothing, which she kept telling Harry was much cuter and more practical than Wizarding baby clothes. Harry had to laugh at Bill’s expression the entire time they were in the baby section, he looked panicked. Harry was beginning to enjoy Sabina’s company more and more.

They had just finished looking at the Muggle women’s clothing, and picking out two skirts and two jumpers for Sabina, when they heard the chimes from the clock. They purchased the items and met the rest of the group back at the clock in the food court. They left the mall, and when they were far enough into a back alley Remus had found, they shrunk their packages and all grabbed hold of the port-key to take them back to Headquarters.

Dumbledore was waiting for them and informed Severus he could take the boys home whenever they were ready. Harry gave Bill and Sabina permission to use headquarters for a few nights, until they left on their honeymoon and could come back to their own place, which Bill said wouldn’t be ready until after the honeymoon.

“So, do you want to stay another night or not?” Severus asked.

“Let’s go home.” Harry replied. Severus beamed.

They made arrangements for the twins and Charlie to come visit in two days, to go clubbing for New Year’s Eve hopefully. Harry convinced the Weasley boys to come early enough in the day so Tessa could chat with the twins though. Severus had mentioned her to them and they were excited about it.

Severus helped Harry pack up everything in his room they had brought and bought. He shrank what he could and took it out while Harry sealed the door. Severus called Lossy, who insisted she be allowed to stay as long as Bill and his wife stay, to which Severus agreed. Joining Remus and the other boys in the foyer, they said good bye and walked out the door. The group made their way to the alley they’d arrived at and one port-key trip later, they found themselves back at Snape Manor.

Amy ran down the steps and jumped into Severus’ arms. Harry and Remus lost it at the look of surprise on his face.

“What?” she demanded. “I missed you! Although, I didn’t mind your choice of babysitters. Mr. Tonks is so nice and he knew how to play all those Muggle games everyone got for Christmas. Mrs. Tonks told the best stories and taught me all sorts of fun spells to use on my finger nails and such. They both told me lots of stories about Tonks when she was little. Max’s family got back today as well, and we spent lots of time playing games.”

She hugged Draco and Blaise and Harry as well, before finally letting them go in the door. Everyone went to their rooms to put their stuff away. Harry breathed a sigh of relief as he placed his art supplies into the box that Remus had given him when he first started doing artwork. He hadn’t realized how strange and empty he had felt without his art stuff. He tucked the three notes into a small box he’d been tucking the rest into and closed and reset the wards on his box. He left the new clothing out for the house elves to pick up and wash, and headed downstairs to find everyone else.

He located them in the kitchen, where dinner was being served. Draco warned him not to try to serve himself anything, not even try to pour his own drink. Apparently the house elves hadn’t liked them being gone as long as they had been after being promised a whole holiday season of people to care for. Draco had already had his hand swatted when he tried pouring his pumpkin juice. Harry giggled and sat back to let them get his food served. They had been at the dinner table for about a half hour when Harry’s scar sent him pitching forwards in pain. Severus swore then jumped up and ran out the door, his arm clasped in pain as well.

Everyone left the room and chased after him. He came out from a side room Harry hadn’t noticed near the door, dressed in his deatheater gear, his mask in his hands.

“I’m port-keying to the school, and then going from there acting as if I was leaving from the school so I must go immediately. Damn it, I knew things had been too quiet. Remus, if anything feels the least bit odd, or even if you just feel nervous about something, get everyone to Amy’s room and seal it. Do not leave the house for any reason, any of you.”

Severus hugged Draco, Blaise and Amy before he left. He turned to Harry, pressed a short hard kiss against his lips, and left out the door. At the bottom of the steps, he port-keyed away.

The rest went in and finished dinner. The mood was subdued and tense. Amy was especially upset, as she didn’t fully understand how Severus could go off when he’d just got home. Harry couldn’t believe she hadn’t recognized the robes Severus had been wearing and that she didn’t seem to know where he’d been off to. After they headed off to the library for the rest of the evening he said as much to Draco.

“Her parents are not Voldemort supporters. Her brothers were both gone from the country before he started recruiting fully again. She’s probably just never seen them. Would you have known what they looked like your first year?” Draco asked Harry.

“No,” Harry admitted. “When I ran into Voldemort that year he was stuck in Quirrell’s head, and Quirrell didn’t wear deatheater robes. I guess I just figure since the war is going on she’d know.”

Draco nodded. “I used to wonder how he looked. I was so jealous of you for getting to see the dark lord like that. Then I got dragged before him the summer after fifth year, by my mother. He was ranting and even frothing at the mouth. He went on and on about killing you, that was all he talked about. His plans were silly, many insane…they could never happen. Then he went off on what he’d do to you when he got you, and even as full of hate as I’d been with you to that point in time, I knew the man was mad. No one deserved any of what he’d been saying, even the boy who’d been responsible for my father’s incarceration. Then he started making sexual advances on my mother, even though Bellatrix was already draped over him, and talking about the grand times they were going to have now that father wasn’t there to stop them anymore. She made no requests to get father free, did nothing towards it at all. Then they asked if I wanted to join them, and my own mother started fawning over me like I was a bought boy from Knockturn alley. She was dragging me towards the others the whole time and people were laughing and I was struggling to get away. I asked to go home, and they laughed at me even more. Voldemort sent us away, and when we got home mother cast cruciatus on me and I thought I was going to end up mad. “No one tells our Lord No, Draco.” She was screeching. “You cost me a night’s worth of fun, Draco.” “You’re an embarrassment Draco, a disgrace to the Malfoy name.” I worried she was right for all of one day, but then I couldn’t reconcile everything else beaten into me while growing up with that display.”

“I started talking to the portraits and they reaffirmed my thoughts. Malfoys don’t bow down to anyone. Malfoys would be working to get the head of the family out of jail if he’d been wrongly jailed. Malfoys don’t treat their children like mother treated me while we were at that meeting. When she was called to go to Voldemort’s side again, I refused to go, and sealed myself in a tower room in the manor. She called Severus, and I was so afraid. He just told her to go and he’d take care of me. All he did was tell me to come out, he’d be down having dinner. Said nothing about the whole deal, except to tell me I’d have to decide for myself what being a Malfoy meant. I was dragged to one more meeting by my mother, where I watched Severus get beaten for being five minutes late. It took me until last Christmas time to decide to trust him and tell him I was not going to be a deatheater. I have never regretted it.”

Harry looked at Draco and wrapped his arms around him in a hug. “For what it’s worth, I think you make a great Malfoy. And I am awfully glad you chose not to join Voldemort. Even if you hadn’t chosen to fight with Dumbledore, I would have been glad you weren’t following him.”

“Let’s go do something. I’m getting too antsy sitting here. I hate when Severus has to go off.” Draco said.

Soon Draco had joined Amy at a board game. Harry couldn’t concentrate long enough to play anything. He couldn’t read, his family trees didn’t even interest him. Remus finally told him to sit down with parchment and a quill and draw some quick sketches. He sketched Amy and the boys playing the game. He drew Remus sitting by the fire reading. He drew the Christmas tree and the decorations along the walls. He even drew several of the instruments. The clock struck 9 pm and then 10 and Severus wasn’t home yet. Remus sent the children up to their rooms, and had one of the house elves get a room in the wing with theirs ready to be slept in. Harry settled in his room, but left the door open. He could hear Remus in the room across from Amy’s, and he could hear Draco and Blaise in one of their rooms. The clock struck 11. Remus came to Harry’s door and told him to stop pacing. Harry sat by his window and gazed out at the dark night. Draco and Blaise weren’t making much noise, so must have gone to sleep. Remus was still up and moving sometimes, so Harry didn’t feel too alone. Remus came in and sat beside him just after midnight passed.

“Harry, you need to go to sleep.” Remus told him.

“I can’t Remus. My scar still hurts and if I go to sleep I might see what he is doing. I’m afraid of that.” Harry said.

“He’ll be OK, Harry. You have to believe he’ll be fine.”

“Remus, we’ve been all over the place together. We didn’t hide it, we didn’t cover our tracks. What if Voldemort gets mad at Severus for not bringing me to him?”

“Severus already told Voldemort he had been placed in charge of your care over some of the School break. Dumbledore had Severus divulge that and the re-warding of the school the last time Severus was called. Voldemort realized Severus would not be able to bring you in, so he cannot be mad about that. It also gave Severus a good excuse not to be privy to much of the warding information on the castle.” Remus informed him.

“Does that mean they know we are here at the Manor?” Harry asked. “Was that why Severus was so worried?”

“They shouldn’t. No one should suspect we are at Snape Manor. The deatheaters don’t think Severus ever comes here. Even most of the order doesn’t know where we are. That is why if anything felt odd we were to hide. No one should be coming here.”

“Why wouldn’t they think of Snape Manor? It’s Severus’ home.” Harry said.

“It is, but Severus hated it here for a long time. He would come here only for Solstice night, and the gathering that the Snapes had never missed. He would pop back, alone, on Boxing Day if needed but often he even left that to Max. He started spending more time here after Voldemort’s first fall actually. He once told me in a letter he was going to reclaim it for goodness. This is also unfortunately where he’d run to when he was very depressed. He has had few happy memories here, so people don’t expect him to come here. He has made a special effort to have Voldemort think he hates this place. It is easy for Voldemort to fall for it. I think, but am not sure, that Voldemort might also actually believe it belongs to someone else.”

“Someone else?” Harry asked.

“Yes, Severus’ step mother.”

Harry opened his mouth to ask a question.

“No Harry. You will have to ask Severus about her if you ever decide it’s that important to know.”

Harry nodded.

“I can understand why he didn’t like it here actually. I would never want to go back to the Dursleys house.”

“Did you have any good memories there though?” Remus asked.

“Ummm, not really.”

“Severus had some good memories of living here. Those are what he has decided to honor by not shutting it down and letting it be destroyed.”

“Do you think he would tell me some of them someday?” Harry asked.

Remus looked out Harry’s window, over the snow covered gardens. He could see the roof of the stables from Harry’s window. “He might Harry. I think if he were to confide in anyone, it would be you. Be patient.”

Harry looked out the window as well, and nodded. Just as he was turning his head to Remus a person popped into view a ways down the main walk, almost out of view from Harry’s window.

“Remus!” Harry hissed. They both looked, and then the figure lifted its face towards Harry’s window.

“It’s Severus! Remus, it’s Severus!” Harry took off towards the door, Remus following close behind him.

Harry was the first to reach Severus. Severus hadn’t come out of the night unscathed. He was limping and his face was discolored where he’d been hit. Harry heard his breathing hitching and suspected broken ribs.

Remus caught up with Harry and they helped Severus to his room. Remus undressed him, as Harry fetched the potions Severus started listing. Harry helped him quaff each one and then helped him sit down as Remus started a bath. Severus sent Harry to his room to see if he had any of the cream Poppy had had him using left. Severus was in the tub when Harry came back.

“I am grateful, both of you, but really, you should be in bed. Off with you now.” Severus insisted.

Remus asked him if he would be alright, and getting an affirmative he headed off to bed. Harry refused to go.

“Not until you are safely in bed Severus.” Harry insisted. Severus sighed and let him stay, although he made Harry turn around as he got out of the bathtub.

“Come on then, Brat. Walk me to bed.” Severus relented.

Harry helped Severus into his bed, and asked where he needed the cream. Harry smoothed the cream over the bruised ribs…Severus insisted they were not broken…and the large bruise on Severus cheek.

“Why did you get in trouble tonight?” Harry asked Severus.

“I didn’t really. He was pissed about the hearing this morning. He heard rumors about a third set of pensieve memories that were supposed to be taken and when they didn’t show up at the hearings, and none of his lackeys could find them, he decided to call a meeting to take his fury out on all of his miserable excuses for servants. Then he wanted me to spend some time training the idiot he wants to be my potions apprentice. The lad is more useless at potions that Longbottom. When the cauldron melted, he blamed me and thus the lovely bruise across my face.”

“I’ll get rid of him. That part of the expectations for Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, I will fulfill. I promise, Severus.”

“I know you will Harry, and we will be right there with you. That I promise. Now, go to bed. And thank you. I don’t know if I would have made it to the door without you and Remus’ help. However, do consider yourself yelled at for leaving the house after I ordered you not to.”

Harry smiled. “I will, Sir. Sleep well, Severus.”

“I can now, I’m home.” Severus yawned.

Harry kissed Severus on the forehead and tucked the cover over him tighter. Then he left and went to bed. He fell asleep thinking that he liked taking care of Severus almost as much as he liked Severus taking care of him.


Tuesday, Dec 30th


Severus was gone when Harry woke up in the morning. Remus informed him when he sat down at the kitchen table that Severus had gone to Hogwarts to report to Dumbledore. Harry nodded. From what Severus had mentioned the night before, they seemed to have a leak somewhere in the order, to Fudge’s office, and then from Fudge’s office to Voldemort.

The day was a wonderful lazy day for the youth. Harry snuck into Severus’ lab and found the hotplate Severus had fixed to run without electricity, and Draco had talked Remus into going and finding them some hot cocoa mixes. They lay about in the library reading and playing games. They ate lunch in the library as well. By mid afternoon, they were getting antsy. Severus wasn’t back yet, and even Draco and Blaise had started to get worried. Remus sent the boys up to their rooms and firecalled down to Max to see if Amy could go down to the gatehouse to play. Max had agreed very quickly and had her floo down, with her winter gear. Apparently his children were feeling antsy as well. Remus then settled himself down for a nice quiet afternoon reading.

The boys decided not to go to their own rooms, and Harry’s room ended up being the gathering spot. Draco reminded them that Harry hadn’t tried on his clubbing outfit yet and so Blaise decided to get him all dressed-up for clubbing. They tried Harry’s clothing on him first. Harry decided he really liked how it looked after all, and he loved how the pants felt on him. However, even changing Harry’s outfit by adding and removing pieces didn’t keep them occupied long enough, and they were still slightly bored. Then Draco decided they would make a game out of dressing up Harry. One of them would come up with a type of club, and the other would dress Harry to that club’s specifications. They gathered up all the gear they had with them and brought it to Harry’s room. Then they got started.

Harry began to get a bit apprehensive about agreeing to the game when Blaise painted his fingernails black, and painted his lips black. Draco had decided the theme was a Gothic club, and Blaise was the one to do the dressing. He let his guard down again as the clothing came out though. He liked it. Blaise dressed him in laced up black suede pants and a forest green laced up shirt, open at chest. He should have known better. He was still with Draco and Blaise, after all. Blaise finished dressing him up, Harry paraded in front of Draco, and then it was Blaise’s turn to choose what to dress Harry as.

Blaise’s original choice Harry outright refused. He was not going to allow himself to be dolled up like a girl. He won his argument when he asked if either of them actually owned a dress to dress him in anyway. Later, Harry began to suspect that they’d said that just to get him to agree with Blaise’s next suggestion, but at the time Harry was just too relived not to be dressed as a girl to think about it.

“Well, how about we dress Harry like we would be going out to a D and S club.”

“D and S?” Harry asked, but he was ignored.

“Sub?” Draco asked.

“Of course.” Blaise answered.

So, Harry found himself dressed in tiny little black patent leather shorts, with suspenders and little black ankle boots. The only other thing on him was a collar around his neck and a leash attached to it. He was feeling pretty humiliated. Blaise told Draco that Harry looked almost as delectable as Draco in the costume and Harry’s started to feel a little less horrified. Until they heard the front door, and Severus’ foot steps up the stairs. Harry looked up to find the door to his bathroom blocked by Blaise, who was wearing a truly wicked smile as Draco called out to Severus.

Severus opened the door to Harry’s room and came in. “So what have you guys been up to all da…” His voice trailed off as he caught sight of Harry.

“We’re dressing up Harry!” Draco pronounced proudly. ‘Do you like?”

Harry raised his very red face to glance at Severus, whose mouth was hanging open and eyes were glazing over. Harry’s blush moved even father down his body.

“I think he likes it.” Blaise told Draco.

Remus came into the room just as Blaise said that. “I thought I heard Severus come home. That’s a good look on you Harry.” Remus said.

Harry eeped, and dove to his bed and hid his head under the covers. Draco and Blaise burst into laughter, as did Remus.

“Harry, that didn’t work. Now your little leather clad rear is simply presented for us to see all the better. Do sit up so Severus might just gain his ability to use language back.” Remus said.

Harry responded by pulling the cover completely over his head.

“We’ll just gather our stuff and put it away.” Draco said, taking a pile of clothing out the door.

“Yeah, tell Harry to return the outfit to Draco when he’s done with it and we’ll see you downstairs in a few minutes, or at least for dinner.” Blaise said, gathering his pile of items.

Harry still didn’t come out.

“Harry?” Remus called out. “I’m sorry for teasing you. Will you come out yet?”

“No.”

“Fine, we’ll just go and Severus can tell us what was up at Hogwarts when we have dinner. At least come down for that.”

“Is this episode of utter humiliation going to be mentioned?”

“Will you come out if I promise it won’t be mentioned tonight at dinner?” Remus asked.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Ok. No one will mention this at dinner, or for the rest of the night.”

“Ok, I’ll come out and even go downstairs, when you leave.”

“Bye, Harry.”

Harry removed the blanket from over his head as soon as he heard the door shut. Severus was still standing there.

“Harry, you do realize you were just manipulated don’t you? And he only agreed to keep quiet about it for tonight.”

Harry groaned and went to cover himself again. Severus stepped closer and pulled the blanket down.

“Come on now, don’t be too upset.” Severus said, as he ran his hand along the collar. “You are scrumptious in this outfit. I’d be proud to be seen with you.”

Harry beamed at Severus and Severus couldn’t control himself. He gathered Harry onto his lap.

“We’d walk in to the club. I’d lead you by the leash, and we’d find a booth off to the side but where we could watch everyone else. And even though all the other pets would have to kneel first, I wouldn’t let you. Your knees are too precious to touch a common club floor.” Severus whispered in Harry’s ear, as he stroked his hands all over Harry’s skin. “I’d pull you up onto my lap, like this, except your legs would be resting on soft suede, and it would feel as soft as a caress. Every time someone would look at you with longing, I’d lean over and lick your ear, or nibble at your neck, letting them know you are mine, just like this.”

Harry moaned and arched into Severus touches.

“Would you kiss me?” Harry whispered back.

“You had better believe it.” Severus said, as he leaned Harry onto the bed. They kissed and rubbed against each other. Harry unbuttoned Severus’ robes and shirt so he could feel Severus’ skin against his. They’d been kissing and touching each other for about an hour when Severus pulled back. Kissing Harry on the nose, he pulled him up into a sitting position.

“As much as I’d like to continue my little brat,” Severus said. “It is dinner time, and we do need to go over what I was up to at Hogwarts today.”

Harry nodded, and stood. Severus ran his hands down over Harry’s sides and slid them around to squeeze Harry’s rear.

“I really do like you in this little costume, but I’d never take you out in it.” Severus told him.

Harry giggled.

“I think you’ll like the outfit Blaise and Draco bought me for Clubbing. I liked it a lot. Sweet Merlin! My nails are still painted!”

Severus laughed and swatted Harry’s arse as Harry went into his bathroom, after grabbing boxers, jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt. Once changed, Harry came out and they went to dinner.

Dinner was carefree, and they headed to the Library afterwards to have their discussion.

“Most of what was done today at Hogwarts involved moving Harry’s room. He’s been moved to an old head boy’s room which hadn’t been used since even before Albus’ time. Anyway, Albus decided to move the furniture Harry had been using to the room. One of the house elves touched the curtains and started itching right away. They had been powdered with another of the glass shards samples, as had his sheets. The wood of the bed itself had been coated with another of the stolen products, which strips the user of their voice. Fortunately the curtains were touched first, because the other stuff doesn’t have an antidote that would have worked on a house elf. Albus cleared it all away, but decided to let Harry use the furniture that came with the room they moved him into after all. This means only one of the stolen prototypes are still unaccounted for, and one sample of glass shards still might be out there as well. The Council hasn’t been very insistent on getting the location of the stolen prototypes from Ron and company, but of course they believe they are just prank products that weren’t finished and don’t seem to want to understand the magnitude of what is left out there. Other than that, I spent most the day moving boxes from the store rooms because the Goblins insist that the store rooms are empty when they cast the wards in that area. Oh, and I spent about four hours in Muggle supermarkets trying to find the exact brand of butterscotch ice cream topping Albus had before. He was a little perturbed with me when, after I found it, I brought an entire crate of the stuff back to Hogwarts.”

Harry asked about his room, wanting to know things like where it was and what area of the castle it was in. He found out it wasn’t really near any of the houses, but was closer to the Defense Against the Dark arts classroom they had when Lockheart had been teaching. It had an attached bathroom and common room, but wasn’t attached to a set of Head Girl rooms like the other set of rooms for Head Boy and Girl. Harry was all excited about having his own rooms, and Draco told Harry about the Slytherin rooms and Ravenclaw rooms.

“Should have let that damned hat put me somewhere good.” Harry said.

“So, shall we give you your 10th day gifts?” Remus asked.

Draco and Blaise of course jumped at them, but Harry held out his hand for his note first.

Severus laughed, and handed Harry his note.

Dear Harry,

On the tenth day of Yuletide, our gift to thee
Is not the gift we planned originally.

And so we’ve assembled a rather odd little set,
Of 10 miscellaneous and random objects.

Love,
Severus and Remus

Harry opened his gift, which was in a large box. The first things he pulled out were new glasses and some contacts. He raised his eyes at Remus.

“They are wizard’s glasses. Put them on and focus on the items on list inside the case, the glasses will adjust themselves until they are the correct prescription. These even have a little card that fills itself out and pops itself to the store, so it will be on file. The contacts are colored, so we can use them when going out. I used the prescription on your glasses to get them. They can be worn for a whole month, and then the place that made them will mail your new pair to the Headmaster’s Muggle post office box.”

Harry nodded, and decided to calibrate the glasses later. He pulled out the next item, which was a personal Muggle CD player, and four CDs. Then he pulled out a new watch, which was obviously a wizard watch, but had a smaller clock face inset in it that told real time as well. Harry giggled at some of the comments on the watch.

“When am I ever going to need to know when to wake the children? I think I’ve found who my heart and soul speaks to, and it’s not a she.” Severus overheard Harry muttering under his breath. He’d have to have Remus set the boy down for a little chat about being a Wizard and the family lines laws.

“There is a card in the watch box which will tell you how rename some of those spaces, and even make room for more spaces.” Remus told him, although he was watching Blaise, who’d stripped down so he could put on all the riding gear that was included in his 10th day gift.

“Remus, close your mouth. It’s not polite to drool.” Harry said, laughing.

The last thing he pulled out was a camera and a box of film. Severus helped him load the film. Harry snapped photos of Remus still drooling over Blaise, who did look quite nice dressed as he was for the hunt. He got pictures of Draco who was playing with the archery set he’d received. Remus presented Severus was a gift as well, a set of darts. Severus was a bit embarrassed, but Remus told him it was his gift for being such a great host the last 11 days. Remus set the board up on the wall across from the door, although Blaise and Draco both argued that the darts be set up near the door, just for the humor factor. Severus helped Harry calibrate his glasses. When they finally got them to the correct prescription, sure enough a little card popped out of the case, the prescription appeared on the card and the card popped away in a poof.

“Did you ever read Alice through the Looking Glass?” Harry asked Severus.

Severus nodded.

“Some days…I feel like Alice. That was just too bizarre.” Severus laughed and they went over to watch the darts game. They played a few rounds and Draco showed Harry how to work the disc player while Severus was playing darts against Remus. Draco and Blaise had received CD players for one of the earlier days and had become quite talented at using them. Blaise taught Harry the charm they’d found to make the music play out loud instead of just through the headphones. Amy came bounding into the room just before ten pm, and Remus talked Max, who’d walked her up to the manor, into a game of darts. Severus, Remus and Max pulled out the firewhisky, even allowing the boys a small glass. Midnight came, they could hear one of the clocks chiming the hour, when Tessa firecalled and demanded her husband come home. Severus looked around the room and found Draco and Blaise both asleep in front of the fire. Amy was also asleep, curled up in a chair with a book on her lap. Max flooed home, and Remus woke up the two boys before the fire enough so he could help them walk to their room, heading off to bed as well. Severus picked Amy up and carried her to bed. He realized when he passed Harry’s room that he hadn’t noticed Harry in there, so he went back to the library. It took a few minutes for him to find Harry. He found him behind a curtain on one of the window seats, his family trees on his lap. Severus saw the dried tear tracks on his face, and knew he’d been crying. He picked up the charts, and placed them on the table where they’d been working with them, beside the large books they were slowly filling with sheets which held the more detailed information on each family. Then he went and scooped Harry into his arms.

“I’m sleeping, wanna go back to sleep.” Harry muttered against Severus chest.

“I’m taking you to your room, to your bed.” Severus said.

“Wish it was really my room. Wish I had a room.” Harry whispered into Severus chest, but Severus heard. He looked back to the table with the charts on it, and then down to the tear streaked cheeks.
He held the boy a little closer to his chest, feeling when Harry fell back into a sound sleep even before reaching his room. He laid the boy on his bed, and kissed Harry’s cheek. With one look back at the sleeping youth, Severus went off to bed.


Wednesday, Dec 31st

Harry woke up in his bed in the morning. He couldn’t remember getting there. He thought he remembered Severus waking him up, maybe. On the bed by his side was a package, and Harry looked for the note. He couldn’t find it on the outside, so opened the package. Inside were two thick empty books, and a long thin box, which opened to reveal two quills, black and white. There was no top or bottom to the thin box really, when it was open each half was the same depth and looked exactly the same. The insides were lined and each half also had a three inch pocket area for the quill’s tips to be tucked into. There was another box, also rather long and thin but a little bit deeper. Harry opened it to find sealing wax, in red and green, and three seals. The first seal he picked up was blank, and the next he picked up had a scripted H with a lightning bolt running through the middle on it. The final seal was the best though. It was the official Potter crest. Harry set it back into the second small box, and found his note. It was attached to one of two bottles of Ink.

Dear Harry,

On the 11th day of Yuletide thy true love gives to thee
Replacement of things lost and yet another link to thy history.

Love, Severus

Harry opened the quill box again and pulled out the white quill, and knew as he held it that the feather was from Hedwig. He would have to remember to thank her when he got back to the school. As he picked up the second quill he could tell it was from Severus’ personal bird. Just picking up the quill filled him with a warm feeling, he could feel Severus’ respect and how much he cared. Harry opened up the top blank book and wrote for a while.

He got up and got dressed for the day and then went back to writing. Day by day, event by event, words flowed over the pages of book. Remus peeked in once and saw Harry writing with tears flowing over his face, and left. He came back an hour later to find Harry chuckling as he wrote, and once again left. When he came back the third time he found Harry sitting on his bed, journal in his lap, just staring at it.

“Stuck somewhere?” Remus asked, coming into the room and sitting on the bed beside Harry.

“Not really, I’ve got everything since my last journal was destroyed down now, up to today. But I wrote mostly just the facts, you know. I was working on writing about how I feel about it all, like the counselor said to do. It wasn’t that hard writing about how I have felt about getting to know Draco and Blaise and Amy, or about how wonderful and amazing this whole Yuletide holiday has been. I even managed to write about how much the older Weasley brothers acceptance of me has meant, and what it meant to know that not all of that family which I had needed and cared for so much was lost to me. But I’m having trouble writing about Snape Manor, and my room here, and Severus.”

Remus looked at Harry and smiled as he saw how much of the book was filled. Harry was open to a page about a fourth the way through it. “I’m sure the words will come. How about setting it aside for a while, and coming downstairs? You should probably eat something before the Weasley’s show up. Bill is even coming over. His wife decided she liked many Muggle products better than Wizarding ones, and so wanted to go shopping again. Tonks talked her mom into taking them shopping at one of the large department stores. Bill decided to just let them have a day out together, so is coming here for half the afternoon. He will leave early though, says he has something special planned for her for tonight.”

Harry smiled. “I’m glad. Maybe he’ll be able to repair the damage that Hermione’s interference caused between them, and this way she’ll get to know a larger base of people and be introduced to more ideas and a better idea of Wizarding Britain. Let me tuck this stuff away. Did Severus show you what was in today’s gift before giving it to me? ”

“No.” Remus replied.

“Look.” Harry pulled open the box with the wax and seals in it, and pulled out the Potter Seal.

“Wow! I think that is the one from your vault. If not it is just like it. I wonder how he got hold of the Potter crest.”

“Easily, it sits on the wall of the Great Hall.” Harry said, shaking his head at Remus and tucking the seal back in the box. He placed all the 11th day items in his box from Remus. “I noticed it was one of the banners along the wall in the Great Hall. Remember, a while back a Snape married a Potter? I bet back a while back a Potter married into the Snape Family as well.”

Remus shook his head; he’d noticed the banners in the Great Hall but never paid that much attention to them. He was glad Harry did though.

“Come on; let’s get you some food before we go down to meet the Weasleys.”

Harry ate some toast quickly, and was ready by the time everyone assembled in the Hall. They dressed in their winter gear and walked down to the Gatehouse. Tessa and the Twins got along extremely well, and Max’s kids were ecstatic about meeting the creators of Weasleys’ Wizarding Wheezes. Max was just as excited when talking to Charlie about his work with the dragons and soon the young gamekeeper was up to talk to Charlie as well. Max and Bill also discussed the curse breaker field, and Harry and Draco were able to ask many of the questions they’d been dying to ask, but never had the chance. Severus noted their interest in the field, as well.

“I thought you wanted to be an Auror, Harry.” He said, sitting next to Harry. Remus was over with the twins and Tessa talking about how best to set up shops and advertise.

“Not anymore. I haven’t really wanted to be one since the Ministry episode in fifth year. However everyone expected me to want to be one, so…” Harry trailed off.

“What changed?”

“Hmm, I couldn’t face having to be constantly going after people, some of whom might not even be guilty. Fudge just sends people out and they have to do it, you know. I don’t know if I could be an auror under Fudge anyway. I figured that I ought to continue striving towards it though, because the skills might come in handy and I didn’t know what else to look at. I don’t even really know what types of jobs are available.” Harry sighed.

Severus nodded. “Remus and I’ll help you figure out something. I’ll have him find you some books about career choices. I know Minerva rarely puts all the pamphlets she is supposed to out. I’ll dig out the ones I’ve tucked away. Poppy might have some as well.”

Harry titled his head up and beamed at Severus. “Thank you, you don’t have to, you know.”

Severus smiled back, and pushed a strand of Harry’s hair out of his face and behind his ear. “I know.”

They left the gatehouse to go up to the Manor for lunch not long after that, so that Bill had some time to see the house before he had to head back to London. The talk turned to that night’s planned activities. Charlie had found two clubs and purchased tickets for both. One was a completely Muggle club, and was only open to clientele who an alternative persuasion, so the proprietor informed Charlie. Charlie had gone the night before and confirmed it was a gay club. The other was a mixed club. It was near the Leaky Cauldron and one of the co-owners was a wizard. Due to its location, the club ended up with a small Wizarding base of customers, as well as the larger amount of frequent Muggle customers. It was at times a sex club, but was often open just as a dance club. Charlie said that the night before was Dom night, and he’d never been so turned on in his life. That night it would be primarily a dance club though, and to enter the back area Muggles would be carded to make sure they were of age. There was a permanent age spell that was in effect for wizards on the entrance to the back. The age it was set for was seventeen though, so all in the group would be free to go. The twins were teasing Amy, because she was pouting about not being able to go clubbing at all. At least they teased Amy until she caught one of them with one of their own prank candies. She’d disguised it with some cookie crumbs. As Fred was squawking about as a canary, George was offering Amy tutoring in the ways of prank playing and a job when her folks deemed her old enough to earn spending money.

They showed the Weasley boys through the house. Harry was surprised to see the Great Hall had been put to use more than once while they were away, and Severus explained that his house elves hosted a few family parties of their own, because not all of each of their families worked for Severus and not all could make it to one Severus always threw. The holiday wasn’t just about family for the masters. The Yule log was almost gone, and Severus explained again that they’d been burning cuts from it in the Library every night they were gathered there, although the main log stayed in the Great hall hearth and burned there. Bill and Charlie were both entranced with the Library, and the twins were captivated with the Christmas tree, which was still up. Harry proudly showed them his family trees. As he showed off how they worked, Bill came over to Severus.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Harry as happy as he is here, Severus.” he said.

“I know. He just seems to belong here. Harry breathes a life into these walls which has not graced this house for almost 25 years. The house responds to him. The lights have stayed with the Christmas tree this year since we put it up. Many of the portraits have decided to be animated again, just to watch him. I don’t know if any have spoken to him yet, but I’ve had a few speak to me. Even the armor in the Great Hall seems to stand straighter.”

“Are you going to do something about it?” Bill asked. He watched as Harry laughed with the twins while they played with one of the Muggle jigsaw puzzles that was still out and not finished.

Severus nodded and Bill smiled. They were called for lunch by Severus’ house elves, and they ate in the dining room. They finished showing the house to Bill after lunch. Many of the questions Bill asked about the different rooms made Severus and Remus wonder what type of place Bill had bought. Harry caught on as well, and asked how one went about buying old Wizarding Manor houses. Bill just smirked and ignored the question, but Remus answered. Harry and Draco both listened to Remus explain how Wizarding estate sales were done. After the tour of the house, they went back to the library and played games until Bill had to leave. They walked Bill down to the gatehouse, and left Amy there as well, as she would be spending the night there.

Charlie and the twins started a Dart Tournament and Fred ended up the winner. Harry introduced them to Clue, and the twins and Draco managed to finally complete one of the jigsaw puzzles. Then it was time to go get dressed for the night out. The twins and Charlie were loaned the use of rooms for the night, and everybody came out in very different clothing than they’d gone into their rooms wearing.

Harry would have had to say, if asked, that the person who surprised him most was Remus, although he wouldn’t have said so at the time. The Weasley boys were stunning. Dressed in exactly the same outfit, almost, they looked more like triplets. Harry had never noticed how similar in build Charlie was to the twins, and was surprised when he called Charlie Fred at first. Tight dark chocolate colored leather pants hugged each set of strong muscular legs, and each equally strong and muscular chest was covered with an open shirt of Gold, Bronze or Copper silk. Harry heard Draco’s audible gasp as he saw them. Harry knew that the Weasley boys were rather breathtaking when they wanted to be though. He hadn’t ever really thought of Remus that way until he’d settled a bit from seeing the Weasleys. Remus was in brown as well, but it was a light shade, which matched almost perfectly Remus’ hair. He wore a leather bomber Jacket open over a black mesh tank top. Matching leather trousers emphasized Remus’ perfectly squeezable arse. They weren’t skin tight, but they weren’t loose either, and Remus’ masculine build had Blaise drooling. Draco and Blaise were also dressed quite a bit alike, as was Harry. Draco had forgone black, and was dressing in dark gray painted on leather pants. He wore a silver mesh top. Blaise had gone for the black though, and his outfit was identical to Harry’s except he only had a black mesh top on. Harry hadn’t felt comfortable in just the mesh shirt, so was wearing the black silk tank under it. Harry had changed a bit of the outfit though. Instead of the black spiked cuffs he’d received for Christmas from Blaise and Draco, Harry had added the Golden Egyptian cuff from Bill. He did wear the ear cuff and he’d put the thin leather collar they had him in while playing dress-up Harry on instead of the gift. Draco and Blaise were the only others with any accessories on, each was wearing a charmed to exist nipple ring.

Harry’s breath caught in his throat when Severus came down the stairs. Severus’ hair was tied at the base of his neck into a ponytail. Harry could tell by the wisps that curled around his ears and framed his face, that Severus hadn’t put any gel in his hair either. He wore a forest green mesh shirt and his pale skin was exquisite underneath it. His long legs were encased in black leather pants, and Harry knew he was going to have a hard time keeping his hands off Severus’ strong thighs.

Harry was disguised before they left. Severus covered his scar with Muggle make-up, which he then spelled to stay until the spell was removed, and Remus performed an eyesight correction spell that while temporary would last about twelve hours. Harry was almost ready to use one of the twins’ eye gumballs, but Severus stopped him. In a whisper, Severus told him he’d hoped to be able to spend some of the night gazing into his beautiful green eyes. Harry blushed.

“Robes and eat at the Leaky Cauldron for dinner, or as we are and find some sort of Muggle restaurant?” Severus asked after teasing Harry.

They opted for robes, and enjoyed a relatively quiet dinner at the Leaky Cauldron. Severus managed to get Tom to allow him to place their robes into one of his kitchen cupboards until they returned for them.

Charlie convinced them to head to the purely Muggle club first. It was housed in what seemed to have been at one time a warehouse. Charlie mentioned his name and their tickets were produced, punched and given to them. The man dealing with the tickets told them to keep track of them, since it was New Years Eve they could pick up a New Years goodie bag, and their ticket had the numbers on it that might be called for prizes. They also had their hands marked with florescent paints, which the Weasley twins were entranced with. They stepped through into the somewhat dimly lit area. Much of the steady lighting seemed to be from black lights, and Draco especially seemed to glow. Bright colored lights swept over the dance floor, flashing patterns and dancing over the wooden floor. The dance floor was in the center of the large space. There were two levels of tables set on wide steps before the dance floor. Booths lined two walls, and the DJ and music system was housed at the far end from the door. Just off to the side of the entrance was the bar, which spread across one of the short walls. At the corner of the wall with the bar, opposite the entrance was another set of doors. There were two rows of tables by the bar, and a single row of tables in front of the booths, before a step down to the next level of tables. Then a step down and one found themselves on the dance floor. Men were everywhere and the music pulsated through them as they looked around. Severus and Remus visibly relaxed as they noticed many men near their own ages, and even a few older who seemed several years older. Not many looked younger than the youngest of their party though.

They found an empty table large enough for them all to sit at right off the dance floor. As Remus and Charlie went to get drinks, Draco, Blaise and the twins took off to the dance floor. Severus slid his chair out from the table and angled it so it was facing the dance floor. He slid down in it, stretched his long legs in front of him, crossed them at the ankles and leaned back with his hands behind his head. He watched the dancers, mainly, but he also was secretly watching Harry.

Harry was enthralled. The music, the people, the lights, the dancing, he just couldn’t decide where to look first. He watched Draco entwined with one of the Weasleys, he couldn’t tell which from where he was, on the dance floor. The lights playing off their metallic colored shirts drew others attention to them. Blaise had found himself with a dark haired boy who couldn’t be much older than him. He was dressed in light colored leather, and glowed under the black lights. Harry thought they looked almost as good together as Draco and Blaise. The other Weasley brother out dancing was with someone who reminded Harry of Lee Jordan. Harry watched the dancing a little longer, wishing he could look as good out there, however he was certain he wouldn’t. He already knew he couldn’t dance. Then he turned in his seat and watched the people up by the bar. Men holding hands as they moved through the crowds, touching as they spoke to each other, a mix of ages and body types, all out together and acting freely around each other. He watched an older man walk up to Remus, and engage him in a conversation as he walked back to the table with the drinks. They seemed to have lost Charlie to a young man with golden curls who looked even younger than Harry and very much like those angels in old paintings.

Remus sat a large tray down at the table, and introduced the man who’d been chatting with him, inviting him to sit down. The man, a book store owner by the name of Carmichael, and Remus were discussing mystery novels. Severus joined in the discussion, asking about different types of mystery novels, using the excuse he’d been weary of branching off those types of novels he knew he’d enjoy. Harry heard Remus mention one of the books Harry had given him for Christmas and was glad his gift had been so useful. As the conversation about the books came to an end, with Remus finding a pencil and writing titles and authors on a napkin, as well as Carmichael’s name and store address, Remus turned to Harry.

“Harry, why in the world are you still sitting here?” Remus asked him.

Harry just gave Remus a look. “I can’t dance, Remus. Have Severus tell you about that time at the Yule ball.” Harry said.

Carmichael looked at Harry, and then back to Remus.

“I’m Harry’s guardian, except he is of age and really doesn’t need a guardian anymore.” Remus started to explain. Severus snorted when he said that, and Harry laughed. “Harry’s situation is just, well…hard to explain.”

Harry looked at the other guy at the table for a few minutes, as if taking a measure of his character and how much to say. He didn’t want to make difficulties for Remus, which he was worried would happen if the guy thought things were that way between Remus and him.

“My parents died when I was a baby, and I was sent to live with my mother’s sister. It was an abusive home, but no one did anything about it. When I was eleven, I found out I had a paid full ride to the same boarding school my folks had gone to, and so I went there. I still had to go back to my aunt’s every summer though. Two summers ago, things went from the abusive but could be ignored to abusive, throw them in jail and toss away the key type. I was removed from the situation in an extremely bad way, and the Headmaster of my school decided he didn’t want me to become a ward of the state. He located Remus and Remus got saddled with me, due to the fact he was the last of my father’s best friends when my father was at school. Too late in the game to be a father type figure really, he became my confidante and friend. However, I know I can call on him if I ever need to, so in that way he is my guardian.”

Carmichael nodded. “It is wonderful to have people like that in your life. I’d say you are a very lucky young man.”

Harry looked at Remus and Severus, the back to the bar where Charlie was still chatting with the blond angel boy. Harry closed his eyes for moment and the opened them and looked Carmichael in the eyes as he answered, a small smile on his face. “I am. I have some absolutely terrific older men in my life that I can depend on. Add to those some incredible friends who’ll stick by me through thick and thin. I am an extremely lucky guy.”

Harry looked out at his friends on the dance floor, who were now dancing in a large circle of people. “I think I’ll go and try to dance after all. Thanks.”

The three older men watched Harry timidly join the group. Remus beamed as he braved the dance floor, but Severus and Carmichael both noticed how heads turned towards him, even with his timid approach. They watched Draco and Blaise take him by the hand, literally, and show him how to move to the music.

“He is a very remarkable young man, isn’t he?” Carmichael said.

“He is, you have no idea just how remarkable he is.” Severus answered.

Charlie and the youth with him came over to sit and drink. The youth was going to University and studying zoology, with hopes to be a zoo keeper. Those at the table were soon discussing breeding and care of animals, especially wild or exotic creatures. Severus talked of the stables his overseer ran at one of his properties, and it turned out the youth had visited a few years before and knew of his horses. Charlie and he discussed different methods to enter enclosures of wild beasts, comparing methods. Granted Charlie didn’t mention where he’d learn the calming techniques he was talking about. Looking up a bit later, they saw Harry dancing, moving to the music like he was born to it. Severus couldn’t decide if he moved more like a flame, flickering and radiant, lighting everything around him in a soft sweet glow, or some sort of liquid, like a thick warm caramel sauce covering everything in pure sweet goodness. His eyes didn’t leave Harry as he joined the conversation at the table again.

The youth chatting up Charlie, watched Severus watching Harry. “Not that I blame him, look at him dance.”

Carmichael and Remus laughed. “Just a half hour ago the boy left this table like he was walking to his death, insisting he couldn’t dance.” Carmichael said.

Harry excused himself from the group on the dance floor and headed back to the table, plopping down next to Severus, and across from Charlie and his friend. “Hi, I’m Harry.” he said, holding out his hand.

The blond took it. “I’m Gabriel.”

“Really?” Harry asked.

Gabriel blushed a bit. “Really. I haven’t ever figured out if it was the name or genetics I ought to blame for the looks.”

Harry laughed. Charlie just looked at them both oddly. Harry looked at Charlie. “His name. Gabriel is the name of an angel, and he looks very much like angels that were painted in the renaissance”
Charlie still looked a little confused to Harry. “I’ll show you what I mean later.” he told Charlie.

“I don’t know how they can do it. I wasn’t out there long at all and I’m parched.”

“You get used to it, Harry. The next time we take you out clubbing you’ll be able to last hours I bet.” Charlie told him.

“I wish I could get a better look at the music system, and the lights. This is all so intriguing.” Harry said, finishing he drink off.

“Maybe you can.” Gabriel said. “See that guy with the light blue hair at the bar?”

Harry nodded.

“He is one of the DJ’s. He likes to come down and dance, I saw him watching you. You might be able to ask him for a tour of the light box and sound area.”

Harry nodded, however Charlie noticed he seemed a little nervous about it as well. He looked down to his hand and remembered he had on the ring from Severus, he hadn’t taken it off since Christmas and had just gotten so used to it’s presence he tended to forget he was wearing it. He looked at Severus hand and noticed he was wearing his ring as well.

Harry went off towards the bar, and the guy with the blue hair.

“Will he be alright with that guy?” Severus asked, startling Gabriel. “That guy won’t try anything funny will he?”

“I don’t think so. I’ve only heard of him asking to dance with people before.” Gabriel said.

“Don’t mind Severus. He is a little protective of Harry.” said Charlie.

Gabriel smiled knowingly. “Oh, I’m sorry; he didn’t act like he was anybody’s boy.”

Severus growled and Charlie snickered. “Harry isn’t anyone’s boy. Sometimes I think Severus would like him to be though.”

“I’m just worried. He’s been through a lot lately.” Severus insisted.

“Harry was attacked by some school mates after a sports practice just a few weeks ago, sexually. Another school mate came in before it had gone as far as rape, but he was very shaken up.” Charlie explained.

“I see why Severus is worried. Would you like me to go find him?” Gabriel asked.

“No,” Severus said. “He needs to learn to talk to others better anyway. I’m sure he’ll be fine or find someway to take care of himself if he isn’t.”

The blue haired man was older than Harry had first guessed. He was closer to Charlie’s age, and his name was Drew. They spoke at the bar for a bit, as Harry asked him about music and how he’d decided to be a DJ. He found out Drew also worked at a department store during the days and Harry asked about that. Drew admitted to watching Harry dance, and agreed to show Harry the sound and light systems if Harry would dance with him. Harry agreed. The DJ system was fascinating. They had a newer system, which played off CD’s primarily, instead of records and tapes. They had only upgraded to it two years before. They mixed a lot of music on their older system or more recently on their computers. Harry asked about how they got their music and how they chose the music. Drew and Toby, the other DJ, answered Harry and even let Harry cue up the next song. Then Drew took over the music while Toby showed Harry the lights. He talked about different effects the lights could produce, and how different lights reacted differently to the music. He showed Harry the strobe light, which Harry said gave the place a fright show feeling. Then he signaled for Drew to cue up a slower song, one people could get close to each other with, and showed Harry one of the other lights, which gave a wavy feeling to the floor. They switched filters on it, to amber, which Harry informed them made the dance floor seem like it was next to walls of fire. Then Toby switched to a blue, which Harry informed him was almost enough to make him feel as if he couldn’t breathe due to being underwater. Toby nodded. Harry watched the dancers from where they were, and found out that due to the view, this was one of the places bouncers for the club stood and watched for trouble. The song ended and a light set of multi colored circles swam over the floor as the techno beat picked up in the music that had just started. Toby took Harry back down to where Drew was waiting.

Drew led Harry onto the dance floor and pulled Harry near to him. Harry, who’d been comfortable and enjoying Drew’s company before, started feeling nervous. Drew was pressing too close to him, and he didn’t know him well enough for that level of nearness. As the motions to the dance Drew was drawing him into became more sexual, and Drew’s hands started to touch along Harry’s sides. Harry stepped back. Drew eased up a little, and danced the step away from Harry, for a bit. Then he started coming closer and trying to draw Harry against him again. Harry tried to go along with it for a few moments, but found, as Drew’s pelvis ground against his, that he couldn’t. He started backing up again, but Drew’s hands were on his back, holding him near. Harry felt himself starting to panic, but didn’t want to cause a scene, and ruin the night for his friends.

Severus felt his ring pulse against finger. He looked up to find Draco and Blaise entwined in each others arms and near to needing to go get a room someplace. It obviously wasn’t those two in trouble. He looked around trying to find Harry. He saw him off to the edge of the dance floor, pressed tight against the blue haired man he’d gone to talk to. At first glance he didn’t notice anything wrong and almost looked away, thinking he’d imagined the pulsing of the ring. Then he saw Harry trying to push away, but unable to move due to the guy’s hands on his back. Severus was up and out of his seat before Charlie could ask what was up.

Harry closed his eyes, pushing backwards again. He needed to be let go of. He could feel his breathing becoming more erratic. Then strong hands touched his shoulder. Hands he knew. He calmed enough to control his breathing. He moved just a wee bit back, so Drew wasn’t grinding against him anymore, but not enough to make Drew think he was trying to break free. He was just getting ready to ask to be released when the song ended.

“Excuse me.” Severus broke in, using the break between the songs to speak without raising his voice. “May I cut in? I’d like to dance with the boy.”

Drew pouted a bit, but left. Severus took Harry’s hand and led him deeper into the center of the dance floor. As they moved closer to the center Harry’s breathing eased even more. Severus started dancing by him, and Harry moved again with the music. Harry soon became absorbed with watching Severus dance; he moved with the same grace he showed while brewing potions and yet carried an authority that was unmistakable. Harry moved nearer and nearer to Severus, till he was pressing against him, moving with him to the beat, against him like a snake.

The music stopped and there was clapping around them. Looking up, they realized it was for them. Harry blushed scarlet, and Severus took his hand and led him off the dance floor. The twins and Draco and Blaise had joined the group at the table. Although Charlie and Gabriel were out on the dance floor, all but one of the seats was taken. Severus pulled Harry onto his lap, and Harry settled into what had become his favorite spot.

“I don’t understand, Severus.” Harry said quietly enough so only Severus would hear him.

“Don’t understand what, little brat?” Severus asked just as softly.

“Why didn’t I panic when pressed against you? I was still on the dance floor. It was still that full body contact.”

“Which reason do you want first Harry? You chose that with me, if you’d pushed back, I’d have let you go. We were in the middle of the floor, not off in an area where things could have been covered up. I’m sure you could come up with some others.”

Harry nodded. “I guess that makes sense, it’s just I thought I was over that.” He said, with a dejected sigh.

They sat there for about 15 more minutes, and Severus could feel Harry’s mood getting more and more heavy as each minute went by. He remembered they had tickets at the other club as well, and thought maybe a change of scenery would do Harry good.

“Charlie, I think Harry and I at least are going to head over to the other club. Are the tickets at the door like they were for this one?” Severus inquired.

“Let’s check and see who wants to go. I think I’ll join you if Gabriel will come.”

After a quick discussion, it was decided that everyone at the table would head over to the other club. Gabriel made sure they all picked up their New Year’s goodie bags before heading out. They took two taxis and met outside the other club. It turned out Gabriel and Carmichael both were familiar with the place. Inside was just as crowded as the other club, and it became clear quite soon that it was a mix of both Muggles and Wizards. Mostly when people started talking to the Weasley twins by name and mentioning their store, not by name. Although dancing did take place here, it wasn’t really its main purpose, so the dance floor wasn’t as central. The music was also different. The music seemed to be more the sort to get couples close together on the dance floor, rather than encouraging the wild mashing of bodies. Much more of the area was set up as booths, including a few large enough for their whole group to sit at, with extra space incase more wanted to join. Sitting down at the booth, Severus watched Harry, who was acting very nervous, darting his eyes around the place constantly. He tried distracting Harry by suggesting they see what was in the goodie bags. Hats and noise makers, several coupons for different stores in the London area, and strands of beads poured out of the bags. It worked for just a few seconds, and then Harry was back to scanning the room and twitching. Severus was worried the episode at the other club had upset him even more than he’d suspected.

Severus was about to speak to Harry about it when Harry spoke first.

“Severus, come up to the bar with me to get drinks.” Harry said. Severus nodded and they took everyone orders. As soon as the drinks had been ordered, Fred and George took off to roam and Remus and Carmichael took off to the dance floor, as had Draco and Blaise.

“Severus, there are a lot of Wizards here, I can feel it. What if someone recognizes me?” Harry whispered to him on the way to the bar.

“Well, come here and we’ll make sure your scar isn’t showing.” Severus said, taking Harry by the hand.

He dragged Harry through a door way off to the side, and into the back room. Harry stopped short. The room was filled with small booths, although nothing was enclosed. Most of them contained couples, a few threesomes, in various acts of sexual behavior. Harry watched as one youth had his mouth wrapped around an older gentleman’s cock, while stroking over the man’s leather clad legs with his hands.
Harry gulped. They walked father and Harry saw a man with two young men resting on his lap, the young men locked in a kiss that Harry would swear was producing steam. Severus spotted the restroom and pulled Harry into it.

Severus turned Harry to the mirror and pointed.

“No scar, no glasses. You have grown up enough that without those features, people won’t see Harry Potter. We might have to call you something else while here though, because a few might see Harry Potter even without those feature if we call you Harry.” Severus said.

“How are we going to explain that one to Carmichael and Gabriel?”

“We’ll leave Remus to explain to Carmichael. I’ll think of something” Severus said, and led Harry by the hand back out of the restroom. Harry was glad Severus had his hand because the threesome he’d spotted going in had moved beyond just kissing. The man had each of the youths’ cocks out and was stroking them both. Harry closed his eyes and allowed Severus to drag him wherever. Filling the drink order was swift, and they made it back to the table quickly. Severus was about to talk to Remus when Harry was grabbed by a set of strong arms and cried out. Severus swirled to find a very apologetic Lee Jordan, standing with the twins, profusely begging Harry to forgive him. Which Harry didn’t even seem to need to hear since he wrapped his arms around the older boy as soon as he’d recognized him.

“Lee! I’m glad to see you. Sorry about that.”

“Not a problem. I should not have grabbed you without warning. It was rude and probably scared you half to death.”

Harry giggled. “It did, but probably not for the reasons you’re thinking. There goes not being recognized though.”

“I doubt anyone who didn’t know you pretty well would have known it was you. I only knew for sure because you were out with Fred and George. Is that Professor Lupin out there on the dance floor?”

“Well the plan for the rest of the night is to simply hope you are right, that no one will really recognize me, and to avoid calling me Harry. And yes, that is Professor Lupin.”

“Remus is a professor?” Gabriel asked.

“Was, when we were all still in school together. He taught us what? Four years ago?” Fred said.

“Yeah, about that long ago.” Harry replied. “He taught a defense class.”

Gabriel smiled. “Oh, that isn’t really too surprising. He looks quite strong and like he could kick some serious butt if he needed to.”

Charlie laughed. “Oh, he could.”

They heard the crowd getting louder, and Harry looked over to see that Carmichael and Remus had joined them. Draco and Blaise were heading over as well.

“They will be starting the count down in about 20 seconds, do you want to get the drinks?” Gabriel said, then looked at the table where 11 glasses of champagne were now sitting. “Odd, I didn’t see anyone bring them here.” He said, shaking his head.

They each grasped the glasses and joined in the count down.

“10” the crowd shouted. Severus moved so he was standing next to Harry.

“9” Severus slid his hand around Harry’s waist, sliding him just out of direct sight of Lee.

“8” Harry tilted his head up at Severus and beamed.

“7” They lifted their glasses towards their mouths.

“6” The twins picked up their noise markers and practiced at each other.

“5” Draco and Blaise linked hands, and Charlie slid closer to Gabriel.

“4” Remus and Carmichael scooted over closer to Harry and Severus, further blocking them from view.

“3” Lee barrowed one of the noise makers off the table and used it at the twins.

“2” Glasses hit the lips of all in the group.

“1” The champagne slid down his throat as Harry took a sip. Popping noises came from above and confetti rained down upon everyone. The melody of Auld Lang Syne filled the air. The glass was removed from Harry’s hand and lips descended upon his. Harry licked his lips and tasted Severus against him. Severus’ mouth opened and Harry opened his as well, Severus’ tongue slid into Harry’s mouth. Harry allowed Severus control of the kiss, melting against him. It wasn’t long, but was deep and passionate and left Harry panting. Then he found himself being kissed on the cheek by Remus and Carmichael, and Gabriel and Charlie. He kissed each back. He watched, wide eyed, at the heated kiss happening between the twins and Lee, who laughed and kissed his cheeks when they broke apart and caught him staring. Fred and George dragged Draco apart from Blaise, and they shared in the cheek kisses as well. They all sat back down at the table, and finished the glasses of champagne, toasts to old friends and new, well wishes for the new year, blessings for peace and harmony being offered up to what ever forces could grant them. Harry leaned back, and looked around the table, realizing that he was truly blessed with his company.

“To the joys of good company, and to the luck of having such good friends. May you all be as blessed as I am by the existence of those gathered here.” Harry lifted his glass.

“Here. Here.” was echoed around the table.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thursday, Jan. 1st

The group split up again after they finished their drinks. Most everyone left for the dance floor, except Harry and Severus. The twins came over and told them that they were going to go home, to their apartment, instead of back to the manor and to tell Charlie, who they couldn’t find. Severus handed them goodie bags and told them he’d make sure to get their stuff back to them. Then they left with Lee. Charlie was the next to come over and tell them he was heading out, except he was going back to Gabriel’s place. Severus got an address, just in case, and waved him off after telling him that the twins had already left. They watched the dancers a while longer, until Remus and Carmichael came to sit at the table. Harry whispered to Severus that he needed to use the restroom, but didn’t want to wander back there on his own and Severus agreed to walk with him.

Before the entered the back room, Harry took a deep breath and steeled himself. They walked through the door and found Blaise and Draco, pants half down, stroking each other off in one of the most visible booths. Severus told them to be dressed and at the table with Remus and Carmichael before they got back, and walked Harry to the bathroom. Harry’s mind was on Blaise’s arse, and Draco’s thighs, and what Severus would look like with his pants half down like that, or even just open like the man earlier with the young man sucking his cock. Harry was quite certain he would no longer be able to use the restroom, after all.

“Severus, I don’t think I can go.” Harry whispered as Severus waited for him.

“Would it help if I waited outside the door?”

Harry sighed, but nodded. He didn’t want to have to explain to Severus exactly why he couldn’t go after all, and Severus’s assumed reason would at least give him a few moments to try. Severus left and Harry managed to finally free himself from his pants. He thought of Lavender with her shirt unbuttoned and her chest exposed, as she had been a few weeks before in the common room, jiggling. Not enough of an effect. He tried thinking of Ginny and Dean together kissing as passionately as he’d seen so many doing out at the clubs, but that still didn’t give him enough of an effect. He briefly thought of Ron, but that made him too mad to even finish pairing him with anyone, so he tossed that try out. Finally he resorted to what his Aunt Petunia might look like in knickers. That worked and he finally was able to use the restroom. He was about to tuck back in when Severus came in asking if he were alright. Harry, hands still holding his cock, gasped. Severus let his eyes trail down and Harry saw desire filling them. He felt himself hardening. Severus swept forward, and brought his lips to Harry’s. The kiss was passionate, deep and fast. Severus drew back and whispered in Harry’s ear, licking it as he did so.

“You’d best put that away dear, so we can go home and maybe discuss this a bit.”

Harry, panting, nodded and tucked his hard flesh back into his pants. Severus stopped his hands from fastening the pants up though, taking on that task himself. He let his hand brush against Harry as he did so. Harry’s heart raced and he leaned against Severus. Severus chuckled and softly kissed the young man’s head.

“Come along, now. Back to the table to tell Remus I’m taking you boys home.” Severus whispered.

“Home.” whispered Harry.

“Yes, Harry.” said Severus, straightening Harry up and tilting his face to look up at Severus’. “We are going home.”

Severus took Harry’s hand, and led him out the door of the restroom and quickly through the backroom. It briefly crossed Harry’s mind that maybe Severus didn’t think he could handle all the writhing bodies being pleasured without grabbing Harry and deciding they couldn’t wait till the got home either. Draco and Blaise were at the table when they got back, Blaise was in the process of coaxing Draco out of a pout with a full body kiss.

“Remus,” Severus said, still glaring at the two boys. “I’m going to take these boys back to the Manor. Especially those two, who seem to have misplaced their generally over bearing sense of decorum and seem to be trying out the roles of common gutter rats.”

Harry laughed, and Remus and Carmichael laughed. Draco and Blaise didn’t even notice.

“Do you think you can get them all back safely on your own?” Remus asked. Severus nodded.

“I think I will stay here a bit longer. Carmichael was telling me of some other places, and maybe I’ll go with him and check a few out.”

“Have fun.” Severus said, and watched Remus raise an eyebrow in amusement. “Seriously Remus, you deserve to have fun as much as anyone else. It has been a long holiday and the school break isn’t even over yet.”

“Yule will be after tonight.” Remus said. “I think I’ll be sad when it is over this year.”

“Why don’t you invite Carmichael up to the Manor for that Traditional Twelfth Night Feast that Tessa finally talked me into hosting for the artsy people she caters to in her business? It only lasts till 10 and we can get him a room in one of the Inns in the village.”

Remus leaned over to where Carmichael was chatting with Harry and invited him to the Manor or the feast that night. He agreed and so they parted with “see you later” instead of goodbye, which pleased Harry.

Severus unattached Draco and Blaise form each other and marched them out the door. Harry grabbed up the rest of the goodie bags from the table and followed, a little ways behind at first, but Severus noticed and took his hand. The Leaky Cauldron was nearly empty again, although from the looks of the mess Tom was sweeping up there had been a grand party there as well. Severus fetched all the robes from the cupboard he’d stashed them in, and they took the floo network back to the manor. Severus sent Draco and Blaise straight to one of their rooms, he didn’t care which. They were well on their way there before he’d finished telling them. Then he looked around. He took two steps to the left and swept Harry into his arms.

The kiss was chaste and soft and sweet. Severus summoned the berry off the mistletoe above their heads as he led Harry out into the hall. At the door Severus stopped them again, placing his lips again onto Harry’s, a little longer this time, a little firmer, the slightest taste as Severus darted his tongue over Harry’s mouth.

“We are home now, Harry.” Severus’ voice flowed over Harry, and Severus delighted in the tremors which ran through Harry’s body, pressed as it was against his. He reached up and grabbed the berry from above them.

Harry moaned as Severus’ body slid against his when Severus reached up.

“And now I have you here, all to myself, what shall I do with you?” Severus kissed along Harry’s ear, as he walked him down the hall to the front stairs.

At the base of the stairs Severus pulled Harry into another kiss. His tongue sought entrance to Harry’s mouth, this time, exploring and coaxing Harry to return the exploration. He broke the kiss and summoned a berry from the mistletoe sprig above them. Taking Harry’s hand, Severus led him up the stairs. At the top of the stairs, he once again kissed Harry, this time leaving Harry weak against him. Another berry was captured before Severus set the still wobbly Harry away from him enough to talk to him.

“Harry, come with me tonight. Sleep in my room with me. Please.” Severus asked Harry, looking into Harry’s eyes.

Harry beamed at Severus, and took Severus’ face between his hands. “Yes.”

Severus swept Harry into his arms. They walked swiftly down the hall to Severus’ rooms. Severus stopped only once, before his doorway.

“Are you certain?” he said.

He felt Harry’s deep sigh, and for a moment was worried he’d pushed Harry too far. Then he looked into Harry’s face and the love and wonder that was radiating from it put him at ease.

“You asking made me even more certain, Severus.”

Severus brought his lips down to Harry’s for a final time before the entered the room. It was a slow kiss, an exploratory but soft kiss, a languid kiss. It left Harry panting and squirming in Severus’ arms, trying to wrap himself more thoroughly around the other man. Severus reached up and grabbed a mistletoe berry, and swept into the room.

His lay Harry gently on the bed and climbed up to lay at Harry’s side. He removed the boots from Harry’s feet, and then his own, and their socks. Harry reached up and started to caress what ever patches of skin he could reach through the mesh of Severus’ shirt.

“You have no idea how much that skin has been calling for me to touch it, Severus.” Harry told him, his voice deeper and husky. Severus groaned and lowered himself till he was lying on top of Harry, kissing him. Somewhere along the line the shirts Severus and Harry had been wearing ended up tossed off the side of the bed to the floor. Harry ran his hands over Severus’ back and sides, smooth skin every so often marred by old scars which made it all the better. Severus mapped Harry’s flesh with kisses and nips, and Harry felt as if his body was being worshiped, scars and all. Harry handed out small kisses and nips of his own to whatever bit of Severus’ body his mouth could reach. Severus slid up against Harry again, rubbing his chest against Harry’s delighting in the pleasurable shivers racing through the youth, and brought them together for another devouring kiss. Then Severus slid his hand down to the bulge pressing against Harry’s pants and cupped it. And felt Harry’s shivers of pleasure morph immediately into shudders of fear.

Severus pulled back a little and watched the emotions parade across Harry’s face as he tried to repress the shudders of fear that had overcome him. When Harry had managed to stop shuddering, Severus’ hand still resting loosely upon Harry’s still hard cock, Harry turned his head to the side, shame in his jade eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Harry whispered and Severus could hear the tears in his soft voice.

“No! Harry! Look at me!” Severus commanded, and Harry looked. “No! It’s just too soon for that, and in no way will your reactions ever displease me.” Severus finished in a soft and gentle voice.

“But it isn’t,” Harry said. “I want you to touch me so badly. I want you to stroke my cock and make me come. I want it so, I dream about it every night, and then my body goes and reacts like that at the slightest touch.”

“Slightest touch?” Severus whispered to Harry, kissing his cheek. “I think you might need to notice something, little one.”

Harry tilted his head at Severus, and then relaxed and let his body feel where Severus hands were. One was running through his hair and the other…the other was resting on his still extremely interested cock. Softly Severus’ fingers started to trace the outlines of Harry’s erection, and Harry looked down at Severus’ hands, watching.

Severus started kissing Harry’s face with the softest and most gentle kisses, his fingers on Harry’s cock slowly exerting more pressure. Harry moaned. He pulled Severus’ mouth down and started to kiss him, darting his tongue into Severus’ mouth and exploring, discovering the tastes of Severus which Harry knew were his alone.

“Please, Severus.” Harry moaned arching up.

“Please what, my little imp?”

“Please open my pants and touch me, I need to feel your hand on my skin.”

Severus opened Harry’s pants and slid them all the way off the youth. He stroked Harry’s legs and rear end, before he slid his hand forward again. He nibbled and nipped at Harry’s chest and shoulders, until Harry was writhing under his caresses, his head thrown back in ecstasy.

“Open you eyes and watch, Harry. Open your eyes and watch yourself come for me.” Harry opened his eyes, his breath hitching in the sweetest little mewling sounds Severus had ever heard. Severus stroked Harry’s cock faster and more firmly, pulling his thumb over the head of Harry’s cock on each up stroke. Harry cried out and arched completely off the bed, still watching Severus’ hand bring him to completion, spurt after spurt covering Severus’ hands and his own stomach. Then Severus brought the cum covered hand to his mouth, licking it clean. Harry thought he’d gone to heaven when Severus leaned forward and licked his stomach lean. Severus gathered Harry into his arms, caressing him softly until he calmed back down enough to talk.

“Now,” Severus purred into Harry’s ear. “No more bad talking this gorgeous and delicious body of yours.”

Harry giggled. “My turn now.” Harry said.

“Your turn?” Severus asked, as Harry wriggled out of his arms and slowly started to kiss his way down Severus’ chest.

“Yes, my turn. There was this man in the last club, and this boy had the man’s cock in his mouth. And all I could think of half the night afterwards was how much I wanted to do that to you.”

Harry undid Severus’ pants and opened them enough to pull out Severus’ hard cock.

“I know I probably won’t be as good at it as that boy seemed, he had the whole length in his mouth and I just don’t know how to fit the length of your glorious cock all the way in mine.” Harry continued, stroking Severus long thick and hard cock in his hands and kissing it softly along the shaft between his words.

“But I figure I can improvise.” Harry finished with a lick up the underside, from base to tip, which had Severus crying out in pleasure. Then Harry kissed the tip, licking up the pre-cum which was dripping from the slit and engulfed the head of Severus’ cock in his mouth. Harry slid his mouth up and down over Severus’ cock, taking it a little father each time, till Severus was pushing against the back of Harry’s throat. Harry covered the part of the cock which he couldn’t fit into his mouth with his hands and started to stroke. Severus twisted and moaned and Harry sucked faster, sliding his tongue around Severus. Harry could tell by Severus’ breathing that Severus was getting close and sucked harder. Severus tried to push Harry back; afraid he’d choke as he came, but Harry wouldn’t move and surprised Severus by swallowing almost all of it.

Harry lapped up the semen that had escaped his mouth from Severus’ cock and the leather pants that were still almost all the way up. He then rested his head against Severus’ crotch and nuzzled his nose into Severus’ pubic hair before sliding his way up Severus’ body and kissing him deeply. Severus marveled at the wonderful way the taste of him combined with the taste that was Harry.

“You smell good.” Harry told him, as Harry buried his head into Severus’ side. Severus chuckled.

He looked down to see Harry stifling a yawn.

“Want to stay here with me for the whole night, or go back and sleep in your bed?” Severus asked.

“Stay here.” Harry murmured as he drifted off. Severus let himself slide into sleep as well; thinking that right here really was the perfect place for Harry.

******************************

They wouldn’t have got up nearly as early as they did if Tessa hadn’t come racing to the Manor house and begged a house elf to wake Severus. It was past ten in the morning, so it really wasn’t all that early. Severus got dressed and asked the house elf to fetch Harry some clothing fro his room. They showered, separately, and got dressed. Tessa was in a state of panic.

“Severus, do you realize what today is?” Tessa demanded.

“Yes, twelfth night.”

“And, what is the traditional Snape Household deal on twelfth night?”

“Nothing that I can figure that would get you into this type of a frenzy.” answered Severus.

“The house elves get the day off!”

Harry laughed.

“It’s not funny. This is a huge thing; I’ve been advertising it all year. The proceeds from this could pay rent on the shop for half the year.” Tessa said in a pout.

“Is the food prepared?” Harry asked.

“All but the last minute touches and some of the breads but the house elves told me they’d do that if I let them make whatever type of breads they wanted. They’ve some wonderful rye and sourdough loaves already, but they won’t let me in to see what they are cooking today.”

“Well then, if I were you, I’d just not stress about the food. House elves have remarkably good taste when they know their reputation is at stake, and a big party like this would be one of those times.”

“But who will set out the tables and chairs? Who will serve the dishes? Who will bring out the wines and other drinks? Who will…”

“Tessa! Stop.” Severus snapped.

“Well, I’m very talented at serving meals. Goodness, even if we’d had no food done, I could have managed to get us through it with some help. Now, I’ve heard about twelfth night. That’s the night when the roles are switched and the Lord of the Manor becomes the servant. We won’t ask the Professor to do that, but you have three able young men, all of whom would look delightful dressed as pages. I would be willing to bet Amy and your oldest girl could serve as well, with ease. Goodness, I was dishing out food and acting as a server by the time I was the age of your youngest, but I wouldn’t recommend it. I was only good at it because being bad at it had very bad consequences.”

“I’ll help as well, as Tessa and Max are acting as lord and lady of the manor tonight, dressed the part much to Max’s discomfort. Do you think Harry, Draco, Blaise, Amy and your oldest will be enough?”

“Hmm, add my next oldest to the count as well. I wish we had a few more. You are still looking at over 10 people per person.”

“How about Charlie and Tonks as well, if the youngest stick to the food, the three of us boys could do food and drink, and they could cover the drinks alone. I think we’d do fine with that.”

“Tonks?” Severus moaned. “In my home?”

“In the Great Hall Severus, everything is pretty much stone there. Not a whole lot she could break. Maybe we can charm the containers we allow her to carry so they can’t spill?”

Tessa smiled. “I think that would be perfect. I liked that Charlie boy and Mr. and Mrs. Tonks were delightful and took such good care of Amy.”

They got a hold of Tonks and Charlie, who both agreed to come, although Charlie insisted he had to be able to bring Gabriel as well. They had him contact Remus and Remus and Carmichael agreed to drive Gabriel up with them.

Draco had what turned out to be incredible talent for decoration details. He made Severus find and pull into the Great Hall a picture of a 13th century twelfth night celebration. Harry and Severus spelled the tables into the correct positions with the correct linens covering them. They covered the center of the tables with greenery and candles and all sorts of center pieces that Draco said would add to the night. The house elves, hearing what Draco was doing, brought boxes of items which had been tucked into storages rooms by generations of Snapes. Even Severus hadn’t seen some of the items in the boxes. From one box Draco pulled out a Noah’s Ark set, which Harry thought highly funny.

“I remember that.” Severus said. Picking up a tiny cheetah, which roared at him, he ran his finger down the small wooden animal. “It was my great grandmothers. They pulled it out the year I turned four, the last year she was alive. She sat me down and told me about going to a huge gala in London when she was just small herself. The carriage got stuck and because they were in Muggle London at the time, they had to free the carriage by Muggle means. Her father lifted her mother, her and her baby brother out of the carriage, and they went walking a little ways down the street to look at the shop windows which were lit up. One was a toy shop, and in the window was a Noah’s ark set. My great grandmother loved it, and spent the whole time staring at it through the window. Her father tried to tell her that it was not a good toy for wizards, after all it was a toy based on a story from the Muggle Bible, and reminded her what had been done in the name of that book. She told her father that it didn’t matter, the toy was simply too wonderful for it to matter. Her father pulled her away from the store, and put her in the Carriage and they drove off. He must have seen something in her eyes though, because she received the Ark toy, with many more animals than the original set had had to it, for Yuletide that year. The whole Yuletide gift to her consisted of ark pieces each day, all different non magical creatures. Her father had charmed all the pieces, and they set it out for every Yuletide season until she was married and left home. It was tucked away until after her children were too old to enjoy it much, but she brought it out for my father’s generation to play with, and for us. Father hated it because pure blood children should not play with Muggle toys, but I know all his cousins had loved it. ”

Harry picked up an Elephant, and stroked down its trunk. It trumpeted in return. Draco picked up all the pieces and placed them on the table in quiet awe. The Ark created a center piece that covered half of one of the tables. Other treasures emerged as well, to be set upon tables or the mantle. There was even a replica of the keep part of Snape Manor, and each of the rooms were filled with replicas of the furniture from the fourteenth century.

Harry went and fixed lunch, enough for the house elves as well. It was nothing big, but Tessa later told Severus that the simple fact that Harry remembered it was the house elves’ day off and that they were in the Great hall with everyone had endeared the boy to them even more. As they finished decorating, and the house elves took everything they hadn’t used back to the storage rooms and went back to cooking. Severus dragged out the page outfits from somewhere, which had to be enlarged since they were a bit too old to be real pages. Charlie and Tonks came at about four in the afternoon, and Tessa sent up her older two girls and Amy. Severus brought out costumes for them as well, and Draco put his odd talents to use again, making them fit and match outfits in the picture they’d found.

They all set the tables with modern place settings. Draco and Severus had argued about that issue, but Tessa had then reminded them they were dealing with Muggles who were mainly coming for a good time, not to be inconvenienced, no mater how authentic it may be. She and Max were dressed and ready to act the part of Lord and Lady of the Manor, except they’d forgotten they had no babysitters at home and didn’t know what to do with their youngest two children. Severus’ house elves surprised him again by insisting they would love the company of the little ones.

Guests started arriving at about half past five, and soon the Great Hall was filled with laughter and chattering voices. Remus came in with Gabriel and Carmichael, who were both very impressed with the Great Hall. Harry sat them near the front table so Charlie would end up being the one serving them. He figured Gabriel would at least be happy, as Charlie really did look quite good in tights.

Tessa had hired several entertainers to come, however Severus convinced her to wait on them until they had served the main course, as that would be entertainment in and of itself. Soups were served, along with vegetables, breads and cheeses. Drinks were poured skillfully by Severus and Charlie and even Tonks. Bells were rung and Harry opened the door. Draco and Blaise marched in with one platter holding a roasted boar, then Severus and Charlie entered with a roasted calf. Amy walked in with a large Goose. Max’s girls brought in other main dishes as well. The guests cheered, and Harry thought for sure he saw Tessa’s eyes tear up. Severus carved the beef, and Charlie the pork and the rest of them ran to and fro with plates filled with meats which the quests then got to choose from. Halfway through serving, Harry noticed that a large number of the dishes served had cabbage in them half was through serving. The jugglers, musicians and acrobats Tessa had hired entered and performed during the meal. Harry was entranced with the jugglers and more than once Draco had to poke him in the side to get him moving again. Desserts were brought out and the Lord of Misrule was chosen by whoever found the bean in the twelfth day cake. Tessa and Max turned the control over to the man, an artist who often sold works in one of the galleries in the village where Tessa had her shop. He organized games of charades and tongue twisters. Severus even brought out a bowl of raisins in brandy for a game of snap dragon. Amy surprised them all by getting the most raisins from the flaming dish, although Gabriel came in a close second. The entertainers sang and dancing was quickly organized. The party ended not at midnight, but at 10pm, so everyone could make it to their night lodgings on time. Tessa and Max waved everyone off. Remus stayed a little later with Carmichael and Gabriel, waiting for Charlie and Tonks. They had all decided to go out to the pubs in the village where their lodging was.

Charlie and Tonks had just come down when Max and Tessa arrived in the front hall with all their children. Carmichael and Gabriel were chatting with Harry and Severus still as Tessa swept in, hugging Severus, thanking him for allowing her the use of his house. Severus told her it was the least he could do for the hard work she and Max put into keeping it up while he wasn’t there, and pulled out small gifts for each of the children from the cloak hanging on the coat rack, wishing them all a lovely end to a very blessed Yule. Amy was with them, having talked Severus into letting her stay the night again. Severus handed her a gift as well, the new gloves she’d needed. Harry, Draco and Blaise waved to them as they left.

“What were those children wearing?” Carmichael asked, as they turned back to the interrupted conversation. Harry looked at Draco and Blaise, who were both stifling laughs. Charlie clapped his hand quickly over Tonks’ mouth.

“I’m not sure, they looked sort of like robes, you know, kind a like the ones you see on statues of Wizards, except less flashy than most statues I’ve seen.” Gabriel answered. Draco and Blaise said goodnight quickly and took off up the stairs towards their rooms. Severus yelled for them not to be too long, as they still had things to do. Harry heard their laughter burst forth before one of the doors slammed shut. It didn’t matter much, because as soon as Charlie removed his hand from Tonks’ mouth she spoke.

“I think they base all those things off Headmaster Dumbledore.”

Harry couldn’t help it, and started to laugh, as did Charlie.

“We just know someone who dresses with that type of flare” Charlie said to Gabriel.

After a few more minutes of chatting Remus and the others took off to the village, and Severus called up to Draco and Blaise.

“We still have some matters to take care of, come along young men!”

They entered the great hall again, and it seemed the party was still going on. Only the quests had changed. The room was full of house elves. There were elves who were very small and elves who walked a bit hunched over, and Harry suspected might be older. Draco and Blaise entered the hall and they all set about serving dinner to the house elves. Many of the dishes were different than they had served earlier but again Harry noticed cabbage in several of the dishes. He asked Draco who laughed and just insisted it was tradition, something about prosperity for the next year. The house elves sang and danced and played games that Harry had never seen or heard of, but were all apparently house elf favorites. The original Yule Log was back on the hearth and burning away, getting very small after having been burned for so many days. Harry was pouring cider into mugs when one of the house elves he recognized from the first gathering they’d been at earlier in the season talked him into joining in a game which was starting, which seemed to primarily involve who could do the most intricate leaps. Draco and Blaise were chatting again with the seamstress sisters. At about a half hour before midnight, Severus pulled out a bag of coins. Harry realized what Severus was doing.

“Severus let me help as well? Or add to it?” Harry asked.

“”Harry do you realize how many elves are here? Each will get a galleon from me tonight.”

“Please, I know I have enough Sickles in my money bag in my cloak. Please Severus? I owe them so much.. They dealt with the glass shards and they made sure the lights didn’t leave when we were away and they’ve kept us fed so well, and let us use the kitchen a few times without fussing at us.”

Severus relented and Harry ran out to get the money bag from his cloak. He was right, he might not have many galleons left in it but he hadn’t used any sickles since he pulled money out last, and there’d been sickles left in from before that.

Harry came running to Severus and as Severus walked about the room making sure each elf there got a galleon, Harry followed giving his sickles out. With each sickle was a heart felt thank you. Draco and Blaise at first though Harry had lost it, but then they watched the joy on Harry’s face as he handed the sickles around.

The clock struck twelve and a female house elf, taller than the rest stood up on one of the tables.

“This season we have been doubly blessed by the Master and the young Master. May they be blessed in the coming year and remember that they are always welcome home.”

Severus stood beside her and gave her a hug. He motioned for Harry to join him, and the elf hugged Harry as well. Harry smiled, waiting for Draco to join them, but Draco didn’t. Instead he and Blaise clapped and cheered with the rest of the room. The house elf and Severus walked together to the fireplace and removed the remnants of the Yule Log, just enough to be able to start the fire for the next years Yule log with. Severus gave them to the elf, and she popped out with them, and then popped back telling him they’d been safely hidden away.

Severus stood beside the house elf when she returned and offered up a toast.

“May our year be full of good tidings and may joy abound. My thanks for all the work and effort you give to me each year and have given for so long.”

Harry, Draco and Blaise raised cups as well. Rounds of house elves brought their mugs together in salute. Harry looked at Severus for permission to add his own.

“My thanks for making it feel like a holiday at home should feel. I know it could not have been so without your aide. May all your families be as blessed.”

The house elf standing by Severus brought her cup up first, and nodded first at Harry and then at Severus. “Blessed be.” rang through out the room as the occupants lifted their cups and saluted the words in a toast.

Severus leaned down to the house elf and she whispered something to him. His head came up and he looked at Harry, then he nodded to the elf. He said goodnight, and told the elves to put another log on the fire. Just because the previous nights entertainment was catching up to the humans didn’t mean they should cut short their celebrations. Cheers went up around the room and Draco and Blaise waved as they headed out. Harry saw two house elves struggling with a good sized log, and went over to help them carry it to the fire, where they tossed it in. Then Harry watched as the log caught fire. He didn’t see the beam on Severus face, or the smile on the house elf who’d spoke earlier as he waved to the elves.

Severus caught up with him right outside the great hall doors.

“I’ve been told you haven’t even been to your room yet today, Harry.” Severus said, taking his hand.

Harry nodded. “Just never seemed to make it there.” He gave a slight sigh.

“A problem?”

“No, it’s just…well, I really like my room and I’m afraid I’m getting too attached to it.” Harry said, hanging his head down as he did.

He missed the twinkling in Severus’ eyes.

“Yes, your Twelfth gift is there as well. Remus suggested I sit with you when you open it. Shall we?” Severus asked.

Harry allowed himself to be led upstairs to his room, he didn’t look up though. It suited Severus’ plans fine. Severus left the door open when he got to Harry’s room, and dragged Harry inside. Severus pulled Harry to the bed, and sat on the bed with him. He moved till Harry was sitting between his legs, his back resting up against Severus’ front. Severus pulled out his wand and summoned the package which had been sitting on the dresser. The package was wrapped in yellow, red, blue and green and it struck Harry that every house from Hogwarts was represented in the wrapping. Harry pulled the wrappings off the gift, and found inside 12 scrolls. There was a scroll which told about Lily rocking Harry all day sometimes and telling James off when he complained. There was a scroll which contained the story Sirius had mentioned in the note with the rings. There was a story about his grandfather Potter and stories about other Potters as well. There was even a story about how Lily’s grandmother celebrated yuletide and the time Remus was with them. The final two weren’t about Lily or James, or even the Potter or Evans sides of the family. The first of the final two was about Severus and his sister. The second was the story about his step mother.

Harry tilted his head towards Severus, who he could feel slightly shaking behind him. Severus handed Harry the final note.

Dearest Harry,

O the Twelfth day of Yuletide thy true loves give to thee
Stories of those in thy family.

And a Home Harry. I am not overstating that first line, at least on my behalf. However, if it doesn’t ever work how I know deep in my heart it ought to, there is one thing you must realize. You will always have a HOME here, with me, at Snape Manor. Even if we just end up the best of friends and not legally family. You have brought this house alive, you have made every single being dwelling within feel a better person. Thank You, Harry, for the most wonderful and joyous Yuletide I have ever had. I do love you.

With all my heart,
Severus

Severus held the youth in his arms, kissing his the top of his head. With a sob, Harry turned to him, kneeling in front of him.

“Really Severus? Really?”

“Yes Harry, turn around again.”

Harry turned around again, sitting how he was before. Severus took his wand and summoned a candle.

“Look at your door Harry.”

The candle floated till it lit the whole door in its soft glow. Harry noticed something new, an engraving upon the door that wasn’t there before. As the candle grew closer Harry could see what was engraved in the door. The same scripted H with the lighting bolt that was his wax seal. Severus moved the candle around the room. That same H was pressed into the corner details on the shelves and in the drawer pulls on the dresser. It showed up in the detail work on the molding on the walls. It was even centered on the headboard of the bed.

“My room?” whispered Harry.

“Your room.”

“My home?”

“Your home.”

Harry turned so he sat sideways on Severus lap, and looped his arms around Severus. Looking him in the face Harry knew he’d found his home.

“With You.” Harry said.

“As long as you’ll have me.” Severus replied. “Home…with you.”

Harry looked around the room, tears in his eyes, his arms around Severus. He brought his lips to Severus lips. “Home. Yes, Home.” Harry whispered, grasping Severus’ hand within his. They sat that way until Harry started to doze. Severus slid himself out from behind Harry, and lay him comfortably down on the bed. He put out all the lights and removed his and Harry’s shoes. Severus plucked the glasses off Harry’s face and put them on the bedside table. Then he kissed Harry’s nose and spooned behind him, wrapping his body around the one thing that made the Manor Home. Summoning an extra blanket, he covered them and drifted off to sleep, looking forward to another day of Home with Harry.


END