Deserving (Final Chapter)

Chapter 23


It was two days before Richard and Harry’s birthday and Harry was running around making sure everything was perfect. He had just confirmed with the muggle party hire company that the trampoline would be set up Saturday morning and would be picked up Monday morning. Those were one set of muggles he did not have to worry about. Harry kept on pacing through the house thinking out loud when he noticed that Snape was following him. He obviously needed to say something. Did Harry forget something?

“What is it? What did I forget?” asked Harry in a panic.

“You have forgotten nothing Husband. I was just wondering when you would be sitting down. You have not sat still for over a week. And… I-have-been-meaning-to-ask-you-something,-but-have-not-found-the-appropriate-time-to-do-so,” Snape blurted out in one breath.

“Does it have to do with Richard’s party?” asked a confused Harry. Severus never had to ask him any questions; he knew all the answers. Didn’t he?

“No, Sir, it does not have to do with Richard’s party.” And then after he answered thought about asking an obvious question. “Husband,” he asked tentively, “why are we calling it ‘Richard’s party’? Is it not your birthday also?”

Harry looked all around the room not really wanting to answer the question.

“Is that what you wanted to ask me?”

“No, Sir, it is not,” answered Severus uncomfortably.

“Well, then, what is your question?”

“I was hoping I would be able to ask when you were in your favorite chair by the fire and a bit more relaxed,” said Severus, trying to find Harry’s eyes which were still drifting.

Harry let a deep breath escape his body.

“Is this about you still fearing me?”

Snape could hear the hurt in Harry’s voice.

“No, Sir, it is not. It is a money matter,” explained the marked man.

Harry was relieved to hear that.

“So you want to buy something for yourself?”

“In a way, yes,” answered Severus, awakening Harry’s suspicions.

“What do you mean *in a way*?”


“Sir, I do not have money or any way to acquire it and the money I do earn, I am forbidden to use. I would like to buy something that will help me please you in the bedroom, but I do not know if I am allowed to use…” Severus searched for a less hurtful term. “… the money bag in the last drawer.”

“NO, I have told you not to use that money. So let me see if I get this straight, you want to buy something that will make you a better…” Harry also had to stop to find a less hurtful term. “… be a husband?”

Severus was grateful for the small gesture. Harry had been trying hard to not hurt him lately and in occasions he even found his husband trying to make him laugh.

“That is correct, Sir.”

“Snape, this can really wait, you know,” admonished the Guide.

Snape shook his head. “No, Sir, it really can not. I would like to have it for your birthday.”

Harry smiled. “You want to buy me a birthday gift?”

Severus looked uncomfortable. He straightened up and squared his shoulders as he often did when he was feeling uneasy.

Harry smiled again; he was really enjoying the fact that Snape felt comfortable enough to ask him for money and that it was for a gift for him was just the icing on the cake.

“So… how much do you need,” he said, as he pulled his money bag out of his belt.

He saw that Severus seemed to be calculating. Did he not expect to get the money? He pulled out three galleons. “Will this be enough?” Severus simply nodded, took the money and left. Harry smiled as he saw the proud man leave the sitting area.

***

Sunday morning and Kreacher had prepared a huge breakfast yet everyone was waiting for Harry who was still outside double checking that everything was in place. There was no getting him into the house and Milly, Severus and the children were getting hungry. They knew their problem was solved when Dennis walked in through the floo. He walked outside grabbed Harry by an arm and pulled him inside where he had him sit at the end of the table. Once Harry sat down and stopped worrying about the upcoming party he stopped and saw that he was surrounded by family. He smiled and lowered his head, not wanting to bring on unanswerable questions.

***

Soon the guests started arriving. Harry charmed the floo to sound like the front doorbell so the entertainers would think that they were arriving through the front door. Harry saw with glee that everyone was fascinated by all the party activities. It was great to see Minerva jumping on the trampoline and Harry had to think quickly to keep Hagrid from getting on to it. He led him over to the pony where Hagrid began to ask the muggle all sorts of questions. Harry gave the man a look and the man said: “Every family has one.”

Richard was running all over the place without any support. He seemed to find it easier to run than to walk. He loved the pony but kept on asking it to fly up. The muggle simply laughed at the child’s imagination.

“Tell your dad to get you a flying horse for your second birthday,” said the muggle laughing but none of the adults seem to get the joke.

Richard wanted to get on the trampoline but Harry and Severus were busy with their guest.

“I’ll take you,” said Dennis stretching out his hands so Richard could dive in.

“Go with Dennis,” said Harry.

“Izzy,” said Richard with a big smile.

Everyone laughed. “Yep, go with Izzy,” repeated Harry, liking the sound of the nickname. Harry was happy. ‘Izzy’ was the third name Richard had learned. Harry hoped he wouldn’t grow out of it and call him ‘Dennis.’ No one had ever assigned Dennis a pet name that Harry knew of. It was a family thing and even if Dennis didn’t know, for Richard to say it made Dennis part of Harry’s family.

To capture the warmth he felt Harry wanted to take a picture of them jumping but had no idea how the very old camera worked. Izzy leaned over the edge of the trampoline and gave Harry a quick tutorial centimeters from Harry’s face. His long blond hair flowed with the wind and his bright green eyes seem to smile on their own. “Wow! Dennis is beautiful,” he caught himself thinking, but quickly dismissed the idea. Harry took the picture and everyone laughed when they saw the state of his hair and the black powder that covered his face.

Soon everyone was sporting hats, swords, poodles, butterflies and even a bike made out of balloons. Mr. Weasley would not take his eyes off the clown and even tried to make a sword of his own, but when he failed he distracted the clown and used his wand to whip one up. The clown was impressed to see that Mr. Weasley’s sword had an elaborate handle and was thin and wide at the blade, but when the clown try to get to secret of his achievement he simply said: “Magic,” and smiled.

Soon the entertainment was dismissed and everyone sang to Richard who blew out the candle on his cho-cho train cake. After that people started saying their goodbyes and when Kings, Draco and Nicky were about to leave, Kings gave Harry a pat on the back.

“Cheer up, Harry, he hasn’t done twinkles yet, but you will see, soon… very soon.”

Harry gave him a smile and shook his hand in a thank you.

***

Once the guests were gone, except for Dennis who lingered, they went into the house and found a package next to the floo. Harry picked it up and saw that it was a gift from Hermione and Ron for Richard. He placed it on the table unopened. Severus and Milly took the children up to their nursery leaving Dennis and Harry in the sitting room.

“You’re not going to open it.”

“Nah, it’s for Richard, he can open it tomorrow when he is rested,” said Harry, looking into the flames.

After a period of silence, “I can’t believe it has been a year,” said Dennis.

Harry did not comment.

“A year ago he was a little itty-bitty thing that fit in the palm of our hands and he was so hungry. Do you remember how he cried at the top of his lungs? You could tell he was going to be a strong one,” said Dennis shaking his head in amusement. “Things have changed; haven’t they?” he continued as Harry was still staring at the embers. “Not one nasty word to the professor all day. I knew you would come around. I knew that deep down in you was the hero that I have always admired. Don’t every forget that Harry. There are so many of us that look up to you. We need you to be there. The shinning star we know you can be.”

He paused but there was still no response from Harry.

“He is a good man, a good father, and even you must admit he is a good husband. I have seen him come out in your defense more times than you deserved.”

Harry meditated on these words. Yet again he was the monster and Snape was the victim. When did everyone forget all the wrongs that Severus Snape committed? Why is it so easy for them to forget? Harry saw a glimpse of the answer. Was it because Snape was not as cruel as Voldemort? Was it because when he cared for someone he would do what ever it took to keep that person safe? He knew why Dennis cared about him. He even felt a bit grateful to Severus for helping out is little friend. He wanted Izzy to be safe. Mr. Creevy did not deserve to see another child go.

“Hello, anybody home?” came the taunting voice of Izzy. Harry snapped out of it.

“Sorry, I guess I am a bit tired.”

“Yeah, I’m beat too,” said Izzy approaching Harry and giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Happy Birthday, Harry,” he said and walked into the floo.

Severus walked in at the precise moment and Harry had the nagging feeling that he had been watching him. He had done nothing wrong so he just shook the feeling off.

“Are you going to open the gift?” asked Severus.

“Nah, it is a poor substitute for their presence. I would have rather have them come and not bring a gift than to send a gift and not come.”

Severus could see and hear the hurt in Harry’s words.

“You must miss working with him as a partner,” came the voice from behind Harry.

Harry turned to the side but not really turning to look at Severus.

“We have never worked together,” said Harry, turning his head back to the hearth.

“I would have thought that Kingsley would keep the dynamic duo together.”

“That’s what we were hoping for but Kingsley would not hear it. You need a partner with experience and plus Ron and I were both Gryffindors,” explained Harry but not really explaining at all.

“I am sorry Sir but I do not understand what being Gryffindors has to do with anything.”


Harry turned towards Snape with a mischievous expression, like the cat that swallowed the canary.

“Yeah, you and the rest of the world, but once you understand the reasoning behind it: it is clear as water.”

Severus’ eyebrow was at attention. Harry smiled as one who is privy to knowledge that others do not posses.

“It is a little known fact that there is no better Auror combination than a Gryffindor and a Slytherin. It makes a lot of sense, if you look at their individual strengths you will agree that it is a partnership made in heaven.”

Severus seemed to be analyzing the information provided and at one point Harry could see by the man’s facial features that he had concluded that Harry argument was valid.

“So your partner is a Slytherin?”

“Mark Sly, the best duelist on the force. And I do mean the best, not even Neville could beat him. What is it with you Slytherins and dueling? Do you take some secret dueling classes at Hogwarts that only you know about?”

Severus did not respond.

“Mark is a great partner and I have learned a lot from him but he is no friend. He keeps to himself. Not like Ron’s partner Rick, he and Ron have a great relationship. The two couples get along fine even when there is a generation gap. Hermione just loves Peggy, who has written a couple of books on understanding Muggle Politics.”

“I can see how this can be appealing to Ms. Gran… Mrs. Weasley,” he corrected himself.

Harry looked to his hands again. “I am sure they have had no problems with their social life since the falling apart of our friendship,” said Harry, walking to the stairs.

“Sir, are you going up already?”

“Yeah, I am kind of tired. Why?”

Severus hesitated for a moment. “I was hoping you would give me some minutes to prepare your birthday gift.”

Harry’s eyes lid up. He remembered. Snape had a gift for him. He smiled at Snape.

“Yeah, alright, I will tell you what, I will go check my emails, that should give you enough time, right?”

Snape nodded and walked past his Guide to climb the stairs. Harry was excited. He apparated to the upstairs bathroom took what he needed and apparated away before Severus entered the room.

***

Half an hour later Harry walked into the bedroom to find Snape standing behind a little table where there was a small chocolate cake with all its candles lid up.

“Wow! A cake for me. Snape we already had cake.”

“Yes, Sir, but this one is just for you. See…” said Severus pointing to the writing on the cake that read “Happy Birthday Harry.”

Harry smiled up at Severus.

“Molly assures me it is your favorite. I do not have much experience baking but I found that following directions comes natural to me.”

“You baked it!” said a surprised Harry.

Severus simply nodded. Harry looked at Severus and notice for the first time that he was wearing a white tunic and it didn’t seem to be long enough.

“Snape… what are you wearing?” he asked spacing out his words as if talking and thinking at the same time.

Snape slowly walked out from behind the little table and Harry could see that he was wearing a short white tunic as those seen in the gladiator movies and Snape even had the sandals that crisscrossed his legs and tied up at the knees.

Harry was trying hard not to laugh. “Where on earth did you buy that?”

“I requested a catalogue,” said Snape, standing to his full height.

“A catalogue… and where did you find out about this catalogue?” asked Harry, sure that it had been a catalogue of exotic if not erotic merchandise.

“The book that Mr. Shacklebolt gave us on our wedding night has a listing of catalogues. Shall I assume that you do not like it and go change.”

“What? NO! don’t change… but… what made you chose this outfit?”

“You were kind enough to allow me my nightgown. I thought this would compensate for all the nights that you put up with it.”

Harry looked at Snape in disbelief. Snape had really thought this out. He was really trying to please Harry. The thought gave his heart a funny feeling. Something he could not define.

“I like it. It is a nice gift.”

Snape looked uncomfortable and Harry couldn’t figure out why. He had said that he liked the gift, what else was Snape expecting? Snape approached him and took his hand guiding him to his chair next to the fireplace. Harry sat and from that position he could see that the tunic was way too short for Snape. If Snape got an erection it would pop right out and into sight.

He was looking right at Snape’s groin when Severus took the hem of the tunic and lifted it up…

Harry jumped out of his seat, propelling himself so close to Severus that he could feel the hot air flare from his Guide’s nostrils.

“Snape! What have you done?” Harry screamed, horrified at what was between Severus’ legs. Instead of a penis and testicles Severus was formless like a doll with a dark triangle of pubic hair.

Harry was now holding Snape by the arms and shaking him.

“No, Sir, you have misunderstood. I have done nothing permanent. It is magical floss used by wizards that like dressing as witches. It is merely holding my organs back between my legs,” explained Severus, not understanding how things had gone so wrong in such a short amount of time.

Harry stopped and looked at him. “What?”

“It is a magical string that ties everything back and keeps me from getting an erection or ejaculating,” further explained the marked man.

“So it comes off?” asked Harry still unsure.

“Yes, Sir, it comes off with no physical damage.”


Harry processed all the information that was given to him. He guided Severus to stand next to the bed, then he sat and lifted Severus’ tunic and surveyed his groin. It was a small, flat triangle covered with black pubic hair. On closer inspection, Harry felt comfortable enough, Severus noticed, to part his marked one’s pubic hair with his fingers, the slight outline of a woman’s vulva was there but without the slit. Harry continued to process the information. He looked up a Snape, not really knowing how to feel about all of this.

“I see that it was a bad idea. I will go and dispose of it,” said Snape, trying to turn but being held in place by Harry’s hold on the tunic.

Harry bowed his head in thought. “I don’t get it. Why did you do this?” asked Harry, still confused.

“It was just a bad idea. If you will let me go I will go to the loo and dispose of this blunter,” said Severus, wishing to run from his utter failure.

Harry lifted his head and looked Snape straight to the eyes. “Why?”

Severus closed his eyes and bowed his head. “To please you.”

Harry stood up face to face with his husband.

“I like my gifts, all five of them.”

Severus looked at him with a quizzical look.

“My cake, the tunic, which by the way is a big improvement on the purple and lavender horror, the floss and the asking of the money for all this. I really liked it when you came to me for your needs and wants. You are doing everything right and I know we can do this,” he said with a shy smile.

“That is only four Sir,” corrected the professor.

Now it was Harry’s turn to feel uncomfortable. “I guess I never did thank you for the greatest gift I have gotten: Richard.”

Things were getting uncomfortable for Severus who was not used to so much intimacy.

“Would you like me to caress your body with my fingertips like the other night?”

Harry’s face lit up with a huge smile and before Severus knew what had happen, Harry had cast away his clothes and was lying down on his belly.

Severus took a deep relaxing breath. He had accomplished his goal: Harry was happy on his birthday. Severus sat on the edge of the bed and began to slowly sweep his fingertips ever so lightly over Harry’s back. Harry shuddered in delight. Severus smiled. He continued his giving Harry his treat when all of a sudden Harry turned his upper body to look at Snape.

“You are going to do the other thing too; right?”

Severus thought it was amusing how Harry was so uncomfortable with anything that had to do with sex.

“Other thing, Sir?”

Harry’s cheeks were turning red. “You know… remember… last time you did this… you… um. I don’t remember the words you used.”

Severus decided he had played Harry long enough. “…Stimulated your prostate,” he offered.

Harry nodded, “Yeah, that.”

“If this is what you want.”

Harry didn’t know where to look. “It felt nice and as you said it helped me relax and release some tension,” he justified.

“I see. I will go get the lube.”

“No, don’t leave, I’ll accio it,” he said as he grabbed his wand.

Severus grabbed the lube from mid air and coated his finger and spread Harry’s cheeks that were way too tense and clamped. Did he not want this? questioned Severus to himself.

“You will have to relax. I need to get the lube inside of you so it will not hurt you.”

Harry realized what he was doing with his butt cheeks and relaxed allowing Severus to get to his entrance without smudging the lube in the outside where it would do no good.

Once the finger entered Harry tried to lift himself on all fours so he could gain control like last time. Severus lowered his lips to about an inch away from Harry’s ear and whispered: “Relax, let me do the work.”

Harry slumped on to the bed and relaxed. Snape knew what he was doing; Snape always knew what he was doing. Oh, yes, Snape knew what he was doing… it felt so good. Oh like that. Don’t stop. He was enjoying every stroke that wonderful finger was giving him. And again the lips were inches away from his ear.

“I wish to insert a second finger, if you will allow it,” he said in that relaxing voice that soothed Harry’s soul.

“Won’t that hurt?” half questioned Harry really to relax to care.

“Not if I use the appropriate amount of lube, but you have just to say it and I will withdraw my fingers.”

“No… don’t take them out. In… in… always in,” whispered Harry, high on pleasure.

Snape inserted the promised finger and began to scissor his fingers. OH OOOOOOOO! He enjoyed the sensation. Severus was caressing that nerve over and over again. Again Harry tried to lift himself in an attempt to impale himself against the wonderful digits. And again Severus got him to relax and allow him to do the job. Soon Snape had him begging for more till Harry’s orgasm hit him out of nowhere.

Severus could feel his heart fall to his stomach. He would not even get to feel Harry in him. It was all over.

Harry turned on his back with his arm covering his eyes and panting loud.

“That was good. That was very good,” said Harry trying to catch his breath. He finally sat up and faced Snape. “I think you should get a special reward,” he announced.

“A reward, Sir?”

“Yes, a reward, you can ask for anything you want, except for two…” Harry stopped to think. His initial thought was to exclude wand and potion making but then decided that he was too content and that if he was honest with himself, he would have to recognize that Severus had a lot to do with his present state. “There is only one thing you cannot ask for and that is your wand, so think carefully at what you are going to ask for,” admonished Harry.

Severus thought for a moment then said: “Get Patrick Johnson to Hogwarts on September first,” was Severus’ request.

“What? What are you talking about? Who is Patrick Johnson? And why can he take the Hogwarts Express; Lupin did it,” protested Harry.

“Sir, Patrick Johnson is not a professor, he is a student. His mother was one of my most accelerated students.”

“And why can’t he ride the train like everyone else?”

“Because is mother and father were both Slytherins,” explained Snape.

“Snape, you are making no sense whatsoever.”

Snape took a deep breath. “Sir you were not there when Minerva, Kingsley, Mr. Weasley and the others where devising ways to get the children of former Slytherins to the school. Minerva is very upset about the matter. It seems that last year only three children of former Slytherins made it to the school. Charley, William and Ronald Weasley took it upon themselves to get the children to the school by broom.”

“Snape you are still not making any sense… Why can’t they take the train?”

“It seems that Mr. Single has his men going to the houses of the children who have received their letters and telling them that it was a mistake and that they are not to report to Hogwarts. Then he has his men guarding the platform to make sure no ‘unwanted’ student makes it through.”

“But that is insane. Why doesn’t the Ministry do something?”

“Sir, you have to understand, Mr. Single isn’t alone in his endeavor. He has people like Mrs. Lang who are supporting this acts. The Ministry does not want to lose favor with the elite members of our society. Members that can also play the pity card if need be.”

“What is Minerva doing about it?”

“Well after she saw how successful the Weasley Brothers were last year she is trying to gather up a crew that will fly most of the students to the school. You must understand that some parents are fearful and will not risk sending their child.”

“Why didn’t Minerva ask me?”

Severus was uncomfortable with the question but decided to answer it anyway.

“Sir, you have not pledge your allegiance to the cause.”

“I TOLD THEM I WOULD ALWAYS HELP THE CHILDREN!”

Severus simply bowed his head. He had crossed Harry. He had come so close to giving Harry a nice and peaceful birthday and he had ruined it with his request.

“I am not upset at you. You haven’t done anything wrong. It is just that their attitude irritates me, and no, that is not a reward for you. Your reward has to be for you and only for you.”

“But helping one of my little snakes is something that I…”

“Yes, Snape I know that you try to do everything you can for your snakes. But now is not the time. Besides I already told you he will be there on September first. So what will it be?”

Snape thought about it and felt his face burn with shame at his thought.

Harry pointed to the spot between Snape’s eyes. “That’s the request I want to hear,” he said certain that Snape was thinking of something for himself.

Severus did not want to cross Harry, so he blurted out his thought: “a …iss,” hi said so fast and slow that Harry could not make out what he had said and made him repeat it.

“A kiss.”