Chasing Moonbeams. Ch35.

[pekeleke]

Title: Chasing Moonbeams.
Author: pekeleke
Pairing(s): Severus Snape/Harry Potter
Rating: NC-17, eventually.
Length: 82K+
Warnings: Extremely Slow burn. Pre-slash to slash. Enemies to friends to lovers. Pinning!Harry. Oblivious!Severus. Implied Bottom!Severus. EWE.
Disclaimer: Don't own these characters. I make no profit from writing fanfiction.
Summary: “Really?” Harry beams, green eyes wide and full of wonder. “You’re going to let me snog you to my heart’s content?”

“Of course not.” Severus replies contrarily, curling elegant digits around the brat’s neck and tugging him down low enough for a quick and dirty kiss before the Savior has a chance to protest. “I’m going to let you snog me to my heart’s content, Potter.”

 

 

Chapter 35.

 

Harry’s reaction to the news that the Ministry has been actively interfering in their affairs isn’t as outraged as Severus expects it to be. “I suppose that clears that up, then. I’ve been wondering about The Prophet’s sudden lack of interest in printing insinuating articles about my love-life. I assumed they were scared of running afoul of your temper since you’re the only person outside my usual circle of friends I’ve shown any interest in these last few months,” he shrugs.

“I doubt Shacklebolt will bother running interference the next time someone tells him that a draft of one of those suggestive stories is making the editorial rounds.”

“Want me to put a pin on it when that happens?” Harry asks quietly, and Severus can not tell whether the boy wants to go down that road or not.

“I know you’ve been toying with the idea of making some sort of announcement, boldly taking my hand and such whenever we’re out together, Harry, but flirting with scandal is not the same thing as facing it. Do you want our relationship to become public knowledge at this point?” Severus asks point-blank, trying to gauge the Gryffindor’s position on the matter. Harry is more famous than Severus will ever be. He is also aware of Severus’s concerns about how the general population will react to the news of their romantic relationship. Harry is fearless and stubbornly loyal, but it is undeniable that their coming out as a couple will impact his life, his future, far more than it’ll impact Severus’s.

“What happens if I say I do?” Harry asks with uncharacteristic caution.

Severus takes a deep breath and stares down at the delicate buds of the tropical vine he is attempting to prune with a thoughtful expression. “You’re starting an entire DMLE new division. Maybe you should make the conscious decision to concentrate all your energy on setting that up instead of muddying the waters with this. Besides, nobody even knows you’re gay,” he points out quietly, dropping his gardening shears on the patio table in favor of walking agitatedly around the brightly colored flowerpots that litter the cramped space.

“Of course they know.” Harry says quietly, walking towards him and grabbing hold of his wrist to establish a physical connection between them.

“The Weasley’s and that insufferable gaggle of Gryffindors you surround yourself with don’t count. They’d support you even if you were into cavorting with Thestrals, Dragons and Blast-Ended Skrewts at the same bloody time. That’s what family and friends do.”

“Ewww! I sincerely hope that’s your vivid imagination talking, moonbeam, because if you’re into that sort of thing for real, then you’re probably disappointed by my mostly vanilla moves.”

“I’m trying to have a serious conversation here.”

“Fine! First off, let’s leave the new division out of this, all right? Despite your obvious opinion to the contrary, I’m familiar with the concept of multitasking. And second, I may not be ‘officially’ out, but I’m not precisely closeted. I just never saw the point of advertising my sexual preferences when the object of my affections wasn’t giving me the time of day.”

“The object of your affections has been snogging you stupid for ages now, Potter. He has accompanied you to every nook and cranny of Diagon Alley and half of Hogsmeade’s too. He has drunk coffee and eaten lunch, dinner, and even fucking ice-cream with you all over the place to the delight of every journalist in the country. Moreover, he has fallen flat on his back and opened his legs for you with undeniable regularity in the last few weeks, so don’t you dare give me the excuse that you’ve had no inkling whatsoever that it may be the right time to come out in earnest.” Severus huffs.

“I haven’t done it out of respect for you, you git,” Harry huffs back, “The moment I announce I’m gay everyone and their mad uncle is going to zero in on you. We’ve been inseparable for months. It’ll be pretty obvious that I’m coming out now because I’ve found myself a bloke, and it’ll take about three seconds for anyone who paid close attention to my recent movements to arrive at the conclusion that the bloke in question is you. The paparazzi will have a lot more access to you this time around because the rule that forbids them from approaching my workplace while I’m on duty won’t apply to Sunlit Lane for much longer, and whoever they send to replace me won’t be able to legally deter them from setting camp outside your cottage.”

“So what?” Severus challenges, purposely obtuse.

“So I don’t want to put that sort of pressure on you until you tell me you’re ready to shoulder it. I’d rather be your dirty secret than your former lover, moonbeam.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake! I love you, you idiot. We wouldn’t be having this particular conversation otherwise. I’m not in the habit of walking away from the people I care about, Harry.”

“W-what did you just say?” Harry stutters gruffly, green eyes wide and bright and looking oh-so-elated.

“I said that I love you. And that I’m here to stay. So you may just as well go ahead and let the whole world know you’re a bloody poof.”

“R-really? You’ll let me out us as a couple?” Harry asks, looking positively delighted.

“Why not? We are a couple.”

“Oh, moonbeam-

Severus laughs, and kisses the brat firmly on the lips, shaking off the trembling hand still holding onto his wrist to curl both arms around his boyfriend’s waist. Harry sighs, “I love you too,” he whispers tenderly, pushing himself up on tiptoes to plant a soft, reverent kiss at the base of Severus’s neck. Severus closes his dark eyes to better enjoy the sweetness of the moment and feels himself breathe easily for the first time since their conversation started. Sighing contentedly, he tilts his head a bit sideways and plonks his bony chin on the crown of Harry’s head.

“We are going to be all right.” Harry predicts, confident as always, but Severus doesn’t feel the need to roll his eyes until he hears the even more naive statement that follows, “Most people adore you already. All we need to do is share a couple of pictures of us looking cute and madly in love, and no one will bother to argue that we don’t belong together. It’s going to be as easy as pie.”

“No, it won’t. It’s going to be an uphill battle that will either drag my name through the mud again and push me to the very edge of patience, or have me climbing up the walls at the adulation of the press and the absurd lengths your crazy fans will go to show their willingness to support you. Whichever it is, I’m going to hate about ninety-eight percent of the nonsense coming my way. But we’ll make it, and that’s all I care about.”

“You are such a pessimist. How can you possibly be damned if they hate you, and equally damned if they don’t?” Harry laughs, grabbing him gently by the hips and pulling him close enough that they end up chest to chest. “I’ll have you know that I plan to listen patiently to every complaint you care to voice about ‘all the nonsense,’ and make it up to you thrice over. I’m not giving you the chance to hate even an eighth of our getting together, moonbeam.”

“We are already together, you idiot.”

“Are we? I think I need to be one hundred percent sure. We’re dealing with the press here, it’s in our best interests to double and even triple-check our facts.” Harry teases him in that special tone of voice that makes Severus weak at the knees. Severus smiles and bends his neck low enough to muzzle against Harry’s cheek.

“I see. Are you’re trying to get into my pants again, Potter?”

“Always, my love.” Harry agrees cheekily, turning his head just enough to plant a petal-soft kiss at the very edge of his jaw. Severus closes his eyes once more, content enough, for now, to remain in his boyfriend’s arms as they start swaying dreamily to a tune Severus can’t hear, a tune that Harry’s body is silently dancing to and encouraging Severus’s own to follow. They remain there, entwined and half-dancing in Severus’s small patio, as the sun sets behind the hedge and the first stars of the evening begin to appear in the darkening sky. Severus can’t remember ever feeling so at peace or so beloved. He likes this feeling, this— happiness. He doesn’t want to lose it, so he won’t. He is going to stay right here, in the circle of Harry Potter’s arms, for the rest of his life. Come hell or high water.

 

The End.

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Comments

[teryarel]

*sighs contentedly*

So, here we are - at the end. And it is quite satisfying (even though my questions haven't been answered!), you found a charming mixture of grumpy, down-to-earth, flirty, pessimistically optimistic Severus.

I'm happy to see them reach their happy end. (Although there is a nice quote from one of my favourite movies I watched when I was younger: "there never is a happy ending because nothing ever ends.") And at the same time I'm sad to see your story, which has accompanied me through the best days of summer, come to an end.


And here's my take on all those questions that there's no answer for:
Severus takes Harry to meet the 'bloke down in Cornwall' who gives Harry some kind of shovel-talk before trying to drink him under the table with some poteen that makes him see stars dancing before his eyes. Later Severus tells him that he uses this kind of firewhiskey to etch off tenacious encrustation from the bottom of his cauldrons. (Harry's not sure if Severus is joking or not - he still vows never to touch a drink when they visit the man again.)

Lucius is released from Azkaban on a sunny morning. He's brought to the ministry where he receives all his personal belongings, Narcissa and Draco wait for him anxiously. They just look at each other and apparate back to Malfoy Manor. Only then do they fall into each others arms. There's laughter and carefree happiness. Then Lucius gently pushes Narcissa back, clasps Draco's shoulder and says: "Excuse me, my dears. I'll be right back." And with a pop he dis-apparates. Narcissa huffs and taps her foot, Draco rolls his eyes and counts the seconds. He gets to 14 before Lucius appears again, shaking his bright red hand out, and gathers his wife back into his arms.

Harry greets Lucius as he arrives in the cottage and calls for Severus. Once Lucius has lefft, he puts a cooling charm on Severus's cheek and accios the anti-swelling balm.

Draco starts working with Potter. As Severus continues his tea-and-talk-meetings with Daphne and Pansy, it's just a matter of time before Draco and Pansy somehow get closer and one day end up together. They marry even before Harry and Severus do. Daphne and Blaise are the godmother and -father of their children, of course.

Blaise doesn't want to settle down. His motto is: don't kiss and tell. He'll take longest of all of them to settle down. Ginny and Theodore get married, Daphne finds herself a Ravenclaw (Terry Boot, maybe?).

Nathaniel naturally sorts into Slytherin. Minerva's the first to congratulate Severus on this feat (via Patronus - they had actually bet on the outcome. Minerva says she only accepted the bet to humour Severus, as the result was clear to anyone with eyes in their head). She also puts her nose into every little thing that doesn't concern her (Severus). Once, when Harry's fed up with Severus's constant whining (I do not whine! - Of course not, dear.) he suggest hooking her up with Severus's friend from Cornwall. The two take to each other like fish to water. (It's frightening to see them together. They have emptied the second bottle, Severus! And they still keep on going for more. - Hush. It was your idea, Potter!)

What do you think of my answers? Is this anywhere close to what you'd have done.


Thank you for this wonderful story, dear pekeleke! ^^

[pekeleke]

LOL. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the end of the story, even though it didn't answer all your questions, teryarel, but, to be honest, I think your imagination is perfectly capable of filling in the gaps. :) :D :D

I love how you saddle poor Minerva with 'the bloke from Cornwall' and how you make them both as bad as each other, so there is little doubt that they're going to be deliriously happy together. :D

I must say that I like your vision for Lucius's release from Azkaban and yes, I, too, envisioned his encounter with Severus to end with a punch that Severus allowed Lucius to deliver. Severus takes his friendships very seriously, and he wouldn't have wanted Harry or anybody else to interfere with the payment of this particular debt. :)

I can see Ginny and Theo getting married, but Draco and Pansy are a no-go. Both Severus and Minerva let it slip that Draco is gay in this story, so Pansy will have to find another bloke to marry. I originally was going to play matchmaker with Draco and Neville but decided to let that subplot go even though I have a soft spot for that particular pairing. ^,~

I also would have gone for something lovely and unexpected for Daphne. I can see her waking up one fine day and deciding that she's waited for the idiot to notice her long enough. She needs to take matters into her own hands if she wants to catch her man before someone else snares him away. She puts the moves on a poor and unsuspecting Blaise, who is so shocked and so delighted that he doesn't even notice he's falling for her gentle seduction hook, line, and sinker. One moment they're sharing 'gossip and tea' in his office and the next time he blinks they're standing at the altar with a huge grin on their faces. :D

I think Pansy is so lovely and so fierce in this story that she deserves an equally lovely and fierce hunk of a wizard. Someone brave and protective. Someone determined, adventurous, and so ferociously kind, so heart-meltingly romantic, that he'd turn her world upside down with a single, charming, smile. I want Pansy to fall madly in love at first sight with someone as wonderful as her, someone like Charlie Weasley, maybe. :)

Oh, yes, Pansy and Daphne will never willingly give up their gossip tea sessions with Severus. I don't think Severus will give them up either. Can you imagine the scene, if Hermione, Ginny, and Luna somehow decided to join them? :D :D :D
I'm not sure the hat would agree with you on Nathaniel's sorting, even though I know Severus would be delighted if his latest protege became a snake. I imagine that'd be the only reason why Nathaniel would try his best to argue with the hat, but I think Minerva is right in her initial assessment, Nathaniel would make a brilliant Hufflepuff, wouldn't you agree? I'd love to hear your opinion about that since you're an expert on the badgers. :D :D :D

Anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to both read and review this story all the way to the very end, my dear friend, and yes, I will miss posting it too. It gave us the excuse we needed to spend most of the summer chatting, didn't it?

Take care of yourself until we meet again, teryarel.

Hugs, as always,

pekeleke.

PS: Yes, yes. I was very impressed indeed with your PATIENCE when you waited an extra day to read the final chapter. And there was no cheating by reading more than one update, either. You've definitely proven that you can be patient. And Stubborn. Or maybe only just stubborn. Severus approves, you know? But Harry is rolling his eyes. :)

In any case, I am mightily impressed, teryarel, so 500 points to Hufflepuff!!!! :) There, I think that should earn you the House Cup this year. :)

[teryarel]

Both Severus and Minerva let it slip that Draco is gay in this story, so Pansy will have to find another bloke to marry.
Oh no, I mixed him up with Blaise! I thought Blaise was the gay one and "pining" after Draco who was as straight... Ooops. :D

I originally was going to play matchmaker with Draco and Neville but decided to let that subplot go even though I have a soft spot for that particular pairing. ^,~
Aww, I do understand you there...

She puts the moves on a poor and unsuspecting Blaise, who is so shocked and so delighted that he doesn't even notice he's falling for her gentle seduction hook, line, and sinker.
Yes, go Daphne! Woohoo! ^^

I want Pansy to fall madly in love at first sight with someone as wonderful as her, someone like Charlie Weasley, maybe. :)
Ah, clever girl - so she got herself her own chivalrous Gryffindor. He, he, he.

Can you imagine the scene, if Hermione, Ginny, and Luna somehow decided to join them? :D :D :D
OMG, I can't even... Whoa, wow! Poor everyone else... The world would tilt a bit on its axis, I think... What an awesome group they would be. Unbeatable.

Nathaniel would make a brilliant Hufflepuff, wouldn't you agree?
Hm, yeah you're right. I guess he'd be a better Hufflepuff - and would like it more there. But he'd be a vrey cunning little badger! ;)

I really enjoyed this so much! ^^ Have a good time, dear pekeleke, and talk to you soon again. Take care.

[adafrog]

Yay!

[pekeleke]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, ada. Thanks, as usual, for taking the time to both read and review another work of mine. Your kind and lovely comment was greatly appreciated. :)