You Know You Are Loved When A Gryffindor Loves You

11

Very late that night, they came to again, kissing and cuddling and bloody starving. Harry whipped them up a midnight snack of cheese and tomato on toast with a dash of Lea and Perrin’s sauce. Sometime before dawn, they finished dressing the tree and the room and turned the tree lights on, sitting on the floor, arms around each other and admired their handiwork, giggling and passing blunts between them, then looking around at the gaudy streamers that had been fixed across the ceiling. Harry jumped up and switched off the room lights and they watched the multi-coloured tree lights catch on all the metal foil streamers that were festooned around the room and Harry laughed, “This feels like Christmas”, he declared, “A real, proper Christmas”, and kissed his lover hard. Severus looked into his lover’s eyes, “Whatever happens, Harry, I’ll never forget this. I’ll always remember today, all of it. Now, I’m an old geezer and I need my bed. Come and curl up with me”.

They switched off the tree lights and wended their way upstairs. Harry shrugged off the old shirt and they held each other naked in the large bed. Severus murmured, “I hope I’m not a disappointment to you, Harry”. Harry started, “What do you mean? Don’t be daft”. Severus smiled, “I really am a soppy old romantic, you know, under the bastard”. Harry growled, “Idiot!. It’s the soppy not-so-old romantic that I fell in love with, you berk. I knew it was there really, buried, hidden. Everyone perceives you as dangerous, as do I, but I’m dangerous too, and together we will be amazing. As for disappointment, quite the reverse, I’m really happy. I love finding out all this unexpected stuff about you, unpeeling your good side. I told you, be as soppy as you like with me, I’ll lap it up”.

Severus grinned and growled, finding his lover’s lips in the dark and kissing him energetically, then the kiss grew more intense and they pressed close together and they were making love lazily, Harry preparing his beloved and entering in a long smooth stroke, pumping slowly as his lover’s legs tightened around his back pulling him deeper in, then he raised up on his hands and really fucked his willing lover hard, and both came at the same time groaning incoherently, shared chuckles and kisses in the afterglow and slept in a pile of tangled sweaty limbs.

In the early hours of the morning, Harry awoke in pain again and swallowed the Potion left ready for him on the bedside table, then snuggled back into warm arms and drifted off as the pain receded.

****

The next day, they rose late, had a sexy shower then went back into town, this time in a taxi. They hadn’t managed to buy each other a present yet. Harry knew exactly what he wanted for Severus and they separated with a kiss arranging to meet back on Canal Street for an early dinner, Severus left Harry armed with an A-Z street map. He had spotted many things on their previous trip and went and found them all and bought them, hefting a large bag full as he sat in the pub and awaited the love of his life, quickly stashing a package as he looked up and saw Severus striding towards him through the pub, laden down with bags, looking for all the world as if he still wore his robes and they were snapping around him dramatically. Harry grinned, his lover would always be able to effect the grand entrance.

Severus dropped onto the bench beside his lover, his bags falling to the floor, and kissed him, “Missed you”, he murmured. Harry cupped his face with his hands, “Missed you too”, as they kissed. Joel came over, “Do you guys want to eat? Steve recommends the lamb”, they drew apart and Harry let his lover order for them both. The meal was wonderful, but when Severus tried to pay, once again he was rebuffed and the drinks were on the house even though Steve wasn’t even present. Joel commented as he brought them fresh drinks, “You must be really good friends. Steve never usually comps people, are you two Magicals?”. The lovers glanced at each other, grinned, and turned back to the young barman and nodded once. Joel’s eyes widened, “Wow”, was his only comment as he cleared their table.

They wandered out into the rainy afternoon, their arms around each other, then kissed as the rain poured down, laughing, then went to find a taxi. They held hands all the way home, Harry’s head lying on his lover’s shoulder. They dared a short, hot chaste kiss in the cab, then were dropped, simmering, at the house, their hands not breaking contact as Severus paid and unlocked the door, their bags dropped in the hall then they were riding each other’s thigh as tongues met in urgent want, Severus dragged Harry to bed.

That night there were no bad dreams, no nightmares, just two sated lovers sleeping the sleep of the dead, wearing each other like cloaks.

****

Christmas Eve saw Harry in front of the mirror in the bedroom desperately trying to do something with his hair, his suit trousers on, his best shirt still unbuttoned at the collar, a smart burgundy tie lying on the bed, the neatly pressed jacket on a hanger. Severus fussed, “Surely we aren’t going? Joyce asks me every year, and I make excuses”. Harry grinned at his lover, “The Dursleys never let me go with them to a Christmas Eve service. This is the first one I’ve ever been invited to and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m not religious or anything, if that’s what you’re worried about”. Severus shook his head, “No, but it’s the nearest thing Muggles have to Magic, and history shows that religious folk have always persecuted the Magical believing it to be from their devils”, and sank down on the bed. Harry saw his despondency and sat beside him, taking him into his arms, “Severus, religion is the opium of the masses, it was an invented device to control the populace, keep ‘em in line if you like. It provided the rules and moral laws by which to live. It’s a bit out of fashion now. Somewhere along the way, we invented science and technology and can play God now, but the songs are great, particularly carols at Christmas and I never get to sing at Hogwarts. At primary school we used to sing every day in assembly. Please, Severus. Well, if you’re really freaked, I’ll go on my own”.

That decided it and Severus was persuaded to change into his suit and tie for the occasion. He winced, “I must have put a bit of weight on since I last wore this suit, the waistband of these pants is a bit tight”, he breathed in slightly to fasten his trousers.

Spruced up, they knocked on Joyce’s door, she greeted them with a squeal of joy, “So, yi comin’ this year, Sev’rus?”, she leaned into Harry as she let them both in, “Y’a religious man then, Harry, ‘cos ‘e never comes?”. Harry shook his head, “I’m impartial when it comes to religion, but I like to sing carols and I’ve never been to a Christmas service before. I’m looking forward to it”.

The service was high Anglican with many beautiful carols that Harry loved in the order of service and Severus was delighted to hear Harry’s lovely light tenor note perfect beside him. The sermon was mercifully short and joyful and Severus got to hear his lover’s voice once again, keeping quiet and just listening with his eyes closed. Tony leaned in and with a whisper declared, “Ye bwai friend got a beautiful singin’ voice. He should be in a choir”. Severus turned a wide smile on his neighbour and just nodded. Harry was lost in the song.

There was a supper after the service. Harry and Severus, as the only two white people, stood out rather, but Harry was complimented on his singing by many who had been in his vicinity and accepted the accolades with grace, shaking hands and letting trussed up and corseted matrons kiss his cheek and hug him to their starched bosoms.

They finally got away somewhere after two walking home slowly, trying to stop arms from snaking around each other, just Severus’ hand on Harry’s shoulder, “Harry, I never realised you had such a beautiful singing voice”. Harry grinned into the face of his lover, “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Severus”. The older man sighed, “Do you play, I mean, an instrument?. You are obviously quite musical. I have regretted that this is something that Hogwarts never encouraged in pupils”. Harry nodded, “I miss my guitar. I started on a reject of Dudley’s, but I bought a half decent one last year. I still have it shrunk in my trunk at your house”. Severus was astonished, “You have it with you and you haven’t practised?”. Harry laughed, “Well, we have been busy”.

Severus dug out cold cans and rolled blunts as Harry tuned his guitar, “Being shrunk always completely buggers the tuning”, he shrugged and laid the instrument gently aside, “She’ll have to be left for 24 hours to readjust”, he stroked the strings. He turned to his beloved and saw wet eyes, “What is it? What’s up, love?””, he thumbed away the wetness on his lover’s face, “Of all the things I’ve ever wished I could have been, being musical is right up there, one of the biggest wishes I ever had, and I have a tin ear, I’m tone deaf”.

Harry smiled, “Does music sound like an over loud bunch of dissonant sounds?”. Severus shook his head, “No, I love music, from classical to the tunes that my neighbours play in summer”. “Then you’re not tone deaf. You may not be able to make music but you can still appreciate it, love it”, he grabbed his guitar, slinging it across his lap murmuring a spell then tuned it, he played a series of arpeggios up and down the fretboard then smiled taking a deep breath. “This is a song about the duplicity and hypocrisy of Mundane religion”. He started to sing in a low voice,

“The village square stands quiet, with the curfew still in force, the streets are even clear of dogs and whores,
Like some evil bird of prey, the scaffold spreads it’s wings, the people build their fires and bolt their doors.

The mayor is giving dinner to the officers and wives, his eldest son is learning how to fawn.
The barrack block is hushed and tense, the soldiers drawing lots: Who will be the Hangman in the dawn?


The lot falls on a young man who has served for but a year, his home is in the village close nearby,
He shivers at the thought of what he’s forced to do next day, he wonders who it is that has to die.

The full moon casts a cold light on the gloomy prison walls, the papist walks his cell he cannot sleep,
He hears the waiting gallows creaking just beyond the door, he prays for he has no more tears to weep.


Day begins to break, the muffled drums begin to sound, a crowd begins to gather in the square.
The presence of the hangman in his terrifying mask, weighs heavy on the minds of all those there.

The colonel reads the sentence which the papist knows by heart: he has failed to show allegiance to the king.
His crime is not with God himself, in his name he must hang, the papist, head held high, says not a thing.


The jailer binds his hands and puts the blindfold to his eyes, he leads him through the door before the crowd.
The hangman sees his victim and the blood drains from his face, he sees his younger brother standing proud.

The hangman tries to protest and but is ordered to proceed, his trembling hands begin to take the strain,
His eyes are blind with streaming tears, he cries for all to hear, “Forgive me God, we hang him in thy name”.

“Forgive me God we hang him in thy name”.

“Forgive me God we hang him in thy name”, and faded and folded over his guitar amidst a last flurry of chords.

Severus grinned and clapped, “Bloody hell, Harry, did you write that? It’s brilliant”. Harry shook his head, “Nah, it’s someone else’s, but it’s a top tune. It’s really dark. Dursley senior had it in his record collection and I love it. It’s by a band called the Strawbs, late sixties, early Seventies, great story, folk songs can be like that....”, Harry’s voice tailed off as he laid his guitar aside, “It’s still not fit to play really”, he sighed, stroking the strings. Severus was stunned, seeing another complex layer to his lover. He smiled broadly and took Harry into his arms, “Thus is another of your many secrets revealed, Mr Potter”. Harry grinned against his lover’s chest, “So it’s back to Mr Potter now? Whassup, love of my life, can’t cope with a talented lover?”. Severus lifted that beautiful face to his and kissed his lover, “I didn’t realise you were possessed of quite so many talents, Harry, I learn more about you every day and love everything I learn”.

****

One of the joys of living with another was noting habits. Severus slid out of bed and wrapped himself in his gown. Now that Harry had turned onto his front, Severus knew that his beloved would wake in approximately half an hour and scurried off to make breakfast arriving back carrying a loaded tray just as Harry rolled over and opened his eyes. He dropped the tray onto the bedside table and gathered Harry to him, lying beside him and kissed him all the way awake, “Mmm”, he murmured, drawing away, “I nearly missed that”. Harry smiled and swatted his arm as he sat up, he knew how much his lover liked to watch him wake, “Softie! What’s for brekkie then?”. Severus hefted the tray across both of their laps and they tucked into a full cooked breakfast.

He took the plate from his young love and laid the tray aside then took Harry into his arms but Harry wriggled free, “No way! Now it’s time for prezzies!”, he exclaimed, leaping out of bed. Severus made to complain, but sighed instead and went downstairs with an eager Harry scampering before him and they both knelt before the tree shyly handing over items with an “I hope you like it” or an “I thought this might suit your colouring”, or, “I’ve still got the receipt if; it doesn’t fit/work/you hate this author”, and in no time had a large pile of goodies beside them.

Severus had quite a pile of books plus a beautiful deep crimson cashmere v-necked jumper and the very latest mobile phone, his ‘big’ present from Harry, plus the latest edition of Doom for the computer and a bottle of his favourite single malt.

Harry had brought a number of parcels from school with him, mainly from the Weasleys and a few from his dorm-mates, there was his usual sweater from Molly, “She sees me several times a year and she still thinks Ron and I are the same size, even though Ron is over eight inches taller than me and at least two stone heavier and half again my width. I think the one she knitted me for Christmas in fourth year is still the best fit. I think she supposes if she makes the things bigger each year, it’ll charm me into growing more”, Harry sighed, “But I’m destined to be a shrimp all my life”.

Severus held him, “Hush, my Harry, they don’t make diamonds as big as house bricks”, and Harry melted into the hug, “So you don’t mind me being a bit of a short-arse?”, he looked up into Severus’ face. “How could I possibly mind, Harry, you are perfect in every way. You are very beautiful to me”, he kissed Harry’s forehead, “Now carry on with your presents”, and he watched as Harry unwrapped his own gifts to him, a sweater in very fine lambswool that was the exact shade of green as his eyes, the silly socks that made Harry laugh, the deep blue silk shirt that made his skin look creamy, the two books of erotica that made Harry bite his lips as he flicked through them then the top-of-the-line PDA as the coup de grace, the shining eyes and the almost shy, “Oh, Severus”, worth more than a thousand thank-yous.

Harry launched himself at his beloved and they kissed passionately, Severus purred, “I have one more little gift, I picked it up in Chorlton yesterday when I went to pick up the meat order”, he pressed a small wrapped box about four inches long, one wide and a half-inch deep into Harry’s palm, the metallic ribbon bow almost engulfed it. Inside was a set of two keys on a plain ring. Harry looked up, puzzled. Severus smiled as he lifted the ring from the box, “The Yale-type key is for the front door, the Mortice key is for the back door. They are the keys to this house, Harry, and they’re yours”.

Harry couldn’t stop staring at them, then he could feel tears choking him, he looked up, “You want me to live here? With you?” Severus smiled and nodded, “Yes. We are bonded, Harry. I love you in ways I never imagined, and, for the record, I have never brought another soul back here. Steve has visited and a few other friends, but there has never been anyone else but me, and now you, in that bed upstairs. I want you to live with me, Harry, full-time, especially when I leave school...”, he got no further when Harry squeaked, “Leave Hogwarts!?”. Severus held him, “Yes, of course, Harry, you cannot imagine that I would want to be away from you for roughly nine months of the year? I want to be with you, sharing our lives, although I haven’t the first idea what we’ll do with ourselves. I suppose we have to concentrate on killing him first, then we can get on with our lives, and I want that life to be with you, Harry, even if we have to do Muggle jobs or something, but I want us to be together”.

Harry felt the tears and tried to blink them away, failing dismally. He looked at his lover, a smile around his lips even though his eyes streamed tears, in a soft voice, he murmured, “A real home, with the man I love. Severus, it’s the best Christmas present I’ve ever had. Thank you”, and they moved towards each other and kissed, slowly, languidly, tongues exploring familiar and much-loved terrain, then Severus hoisted them both up onto the sofa and made love to the love of his life. As they came down kissing and nuzzling, Harry realised with a laugh, that he still had the keys in one hand.

****

Severus murmured as Harry climbed off the sofa, “Come on, Severus, if we are to have Christmas dinner sometime before midnight, then I need to actually start cooking”. He looked down at his lover sprawled on the settee dozing, noted the long lashes, the way the blue-black hair spilled over the arm of the seat, the scatterings of black hair exactly where he’d imagined them all those months ago, the thatch around his beloved’s quiescent cock, the long elegant feet, the dark brown nipples, so different from his own pinky brown, the line of black hair from belly to pubes, “Fuck me, but you are gorgeous, Severus Snape”, he whispered. He tore his gaze from his sleeping lover, wrapped himself in the new silk dressing gown that had been one of Severus’ presents to him, pulled a throw over the sleeping man and went into the kitchen.

Several times as he cooked, he patted the keys in his gown pocket. The duck was roasting nicely as were the potatoes in the duck fat, the parsnips and carrots were ready to go in the oven with a sprig of coriander and several squeezes of lime juice, the base of the gravy was made, when Harry heard the customary groan that meant his lover was surfacing and was beside him in a heartbeat, perching on the edge of the sofa and taking the sleepy man in his arms, “God, how long have I been asleep? It’s not like me to drop off in the middle of the day”. Harry kissed him, “Ssshhh, we’re on holiday and if we want to drop off at random times of the day, then we need the sleep. Dinner’s about three-quarters of an hour away. I need to put the root veg in the oven, then what do you say to a shower?”

Severus licked a delicate ear shell and murmured, “Sounds perfect. Lead on”. Harry made all the necessary adjustments to flame and gas and they had a lovely post-nap shower, Severus being turned to the wall, lasciviously spread and fucked to oblivion again, that lovely feeling of being filled and loved, the sweet heat as Harry came inside him as he anointed his bathroom wall with his own seed. As breath calmed, “I’ve never had this much sex in my life”, came the astonished comment of the normally dour man, grinning fit to burst. Harry laughed, “Neither have I, Severus, neither have I. But right now, I need to turn the spuds”, to a laugh from the love of his life.

The meal was wonderful, the skin of the duck was crispy as were the roast potatoes. Harry had roasted butternut squash along with the root veg cooked in lime juice and the gravy was divine. Harry laughed as he dished up, Severus asked why. Harry laughed even louder, “I have never eaten Christmas dinner naked before”, as he slipped off his new robe. Severus joined him, “Neither have I, but there’s a first time for everything. Maybe we should make this our new custom”, as trays were settled over laps and they had their sumptuous meal, sitting cross-legged on the mat, leaning against the sofa, naked as the day they were born watching an old James Bond movie on the TV, sipping beer or wine according to preference, toasting each other and kissing between courses. Pudding was quite a giggly affair, Harry heated some of his favourite cream liqueur in a bain-marie, added extra cream and poured the confection over their Christmas pud. Severus declared it delicious and ate his portion with gusto.

They collapsed back against the sofa and Severus hoisted himself and Harry onto it, full bellies and all, and held his love close, “That was the best Christmas dinner I ever had, Harry, thank you”, then thanked him properly, deep kisses where each could taste the sweetness of the pudding and Bailey’s sauce on each other. They had enough energy to taste each other, Harry turned about, until another cream replaced the taste of the meal in each other’s mouths, the mutual shouts and they both passed out in each other’s arms, replete and tasting of each other as they kissed before letting sleep take them, the TV flickering forgotten in the background and the lights from the tree bathing them in many colours.

Hermione’s e-mail remained unread.