Step 8: Bag Yourself A Slytherin.
Dec. 21st, 2014 05:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pekelekeTitle: Step 8: Bag Yourself A Slytherin.
Fandom: Harry potter (Snarry)
Characters: Harry Potter, Severus Snape.
Author: pekeleke.
Rating: G.
Word count: 1050
Disclaimer: Don't own these characters. No money is being made out of this work.
A/N: Unbetaed. Written for the adventdrabbles (DW,LJ, IJ) 2014 prompt 20: Christmas candles, prompt 21: Winter Solstice.
A/N2: This story is now officially complete.
Summary: The moment hung, unbearably fragile and incredibly strong at the same time: perfect beyond description, and Severus knew in his heart of hearts that his life had changed forever.
Entire work available for download in pdf format at rue16
Step 8: Bag Yourself A Slytherin.
Severus hadn't wanted to start whatever it was he'd agreed to start with Po—Harry in the middle of a Hogwarts' corridor. He hadn't wanted to become the subject of the castle's portraits latest gossip partly because he despised having his personal business so exposed, and partly because the idea of having to listen to Albus' likeness drone on and on in enraptured delight over his much awaited 'relationship' had terrified him enough to leave him weak at the knees.
He'd accepted a few invitations to tea in the brat's office and they'd enjoyed about a week of deepening friendship and relatively harmless banter before Po—Harry had tried to kiss him and he'd become so flustered with the shock of it that he'd ended up fleeing like an unmitigated coward.
Where the Gryffindor had found enough patience to wait two days before sending his elf down with the message that he planned to visit him that evening was a mystery Severus couldn't even begin to unravel. He'd turned around from lighting the small pair of Christmas candles he'd placed over his mantle to celebrate the Winter Solstice and looked at old Kreacher with disbelieving wide eyes, unable to process such bizarre and unexpected development.
He couldn't believe the brat was willing to overlook his unforgivable blunder. That he was so generously offering him a second chance at... everything... without making him either beg for it or demand some sort of painfully humiliating 'reparation'. The mere idea felt so alien to him that his first reaction was to clam up in self-defense and refuse to accept the plan. He'd even opened his mouth to inform the old elf of this when it looked at him sternly and spoke quietly, but with feeling:
“Kreacher shall whisper no lies in master Harry's ear. It's time the master's chosen stops hiding himself away from life.”
Severus had been so dumbfounded by such brazenly delivered lecture that he'd gaped in surprise, granting the creature the lack of instruction that allowed it to Apparate itself away before he recovered his wits. Now he paced in his chambers, growing more agitated by the second and wondering if it wouldn't be better for everyone involved if he were to leave the castle altogether and retreat to the Hogs' Head. Maybe he could go all the way and drink himself stupid while he was at it, starting the soul-destroying process of fierce self-blame and unending regret that he never seemed to tire of choosing, despite his best intentions to do the opposite.
“Maybe I should stay put and allow myself to take the second chance the brat is trying to give me. He did say he had no intention of breaking me. Maybe I should trust him long enough to see if he'll deliver that promise.”
The knock on his front door came a whole hour too early, catching him still in the process of deciding whether he should fight or flee. He took the brat's obvious trickery as a sign that he was understood well enough to be so successfully out-maneuvered and that fact reassured him like nothing else would have.
Po—Harry carried a Yule log into the room and walked directly to the fireplace, where he proceeded to place it with utter reverence.
“I've always wanted to bless your place for Yule and now I've finally found the courage to do it. May the light from this log bring you warmth and prosperity, Severus. May it shower you with a wealth of health and respect and... love.”
He'd proceed to light the fire with a small flick of his wand and the sight of those newborn flames, obtained neither through his own galleons nor labor, but as a loving gift of Yule, touched something that had always been cold and afraid inside Severus.
“I'm sorry for what happened the last time we spoke. I shouldn't have left the way I did. It was unforgivably rude of me and I apologize.”
Playful green eyes settled over him with baffling understanding, taking stock of his slightly tense shoulders and his reddening cheeks but failing to pounce on those weaknesses.
“Does that mean we get to try that kiss again or is that treat off the menu forever?”
“Please don't play with me, Potter.”
Shockingly, the brat didn't take offense. He walked closer instead, eyeing him with a solemnity that, although genuine, didn't suit his features at all.
“Let me hold you, Severus. Let me in. I have no intention of harming you.”
Callused fingertips reached out for his hand in the next second, intertwining with his own in a move that was simple, but telling. Po—Harry was trying to say something to him. Something big and unbelievable. Something life-changing. This would not be a holiday affair or a one night stand or even a medium-length fling. This would go as deep as possible, as far as it could, as committed as only relationships that go along with hand-holding can possible go.
Severus' heart swelled with emotion and he felt suddenly stronger than he'd ever been. He'd felt bold and courageous. Both able and willing to put his trust in a future that may not be picture-perfect yet, but had the potential to get there. His spine bent oh-so-slowly downwards, unfurling as laboriously as an old and rusted spring that no one had ever used, until it finally brought his pale face close enough to place a single, but heartfelt kiss on Harry's lips. A soft gasp blossomed against his mouth, warming it with acceptance, and his tongue dared to enter the moist cavern that welcomed him so earnestly, offering him everything he'd ever desired to find in a first kiss.
The moment hung, unbearably fragile and incredibly strong at the same time: perfect beyond description, and Severus knew in his heart of hearts that his life had changed forever. That he'd finally, finally, managed to make the one choice that would lead him to the future he'd always wanted: He'd have love, Harry's love. He'd never dwell on the sidelines again. He'd be the center of someone's world at long last and be encouraged to reach out for the stars whenever his weak wings faltered. He'd be safe and cared for and treasured. He'd... belong.
The End.
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(no subject)
Date: 2014-12-22 03:59 am (UTC)Also, smart Kreacher. :)
BTW, thanks for making it in an easily downloadable format on your site.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-12-24 02:39 am (UTC)Thanks, as always, for taking the time to both read and review another work of mine. Your lovely comment was greatly appreciated. :D
(no subject)
Date: 2014-12-22 11:11 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-12-24 02:42 am (UTC)Thanks, as always, for taking the time to both read and review another work of mine, my friend. Your kind comments never fail to make me smile. :D
(no subject)
Date: 2014-12-23 09:56 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2014-12-24 03:10 am (UTC)Thanks, as always, for taking the time to both read and review another work of mine. Your lovely comments mean the world to me. :D
(no subject)
Date: 2014-12-25 09:39 pm (UTC)Finally Severus has understood what Harry offers, and he at last accepted this offer.
Thank you, dear pekeleke, for another heartwarming story!
Merry Christmas to you (or Yule, or any other holiday you may be celebrating)!
(On a selfish side-note I wish you much inspiration for many, many more stories about our favourite couple.^^)
I wish you much happiness and warmth, much health and love, dear friend.
(no subject)
Date: 2014-12-27 12:01 am (UTC)Merry Christmas (or Yule or whatever you celebrate) and a happy New Year to you too, my friend. May 2015 bring you all those things you wish for, but don't yet have, while preserving the ones you do. ♥
Hugs, as always,
pekeleke
(no subject)
Date: 2014-12-30 05:53 am (UTC)Lovely and romantic! Nice job. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2014-12-31 04:43 pm (UTC)