SNARRY SWAP: Gift for: sirei, "Bring Me to Life" Title: Bring Me to Life Author:calanor Gift Recipientsirei Other pairings/threesome: Remus/Lucius Rating: NC17 Word count: 7,988 Warning(s): (highlight for spoilers) *Fluffy...and warm and fuzzy.* Summary: Harry has retreated from life and Severus decides that he's going to bring him back. A/N:Thanks to accio_kilt, accioslash, and Shadowrayven for the patience.
Bring Me to Life
Friday Night
"Gin!" Draco Malfoy said as he laid all his cards down. He grinned at the table's occupants. "I won!"
"This round, Dragon. Only this round." Lucius Malfoy said as he took a drag off of his vintage Cuban cigar. "Don't rub it in."
"When I win, I can."
"Which by the way," Severus drawled as he watched the cards reshuffle themselves, "is not very often."
"We should try to get Potter up here to play. Then I wouldn't be alone in losing."
"Slytherins never lose."
"Then the Gryffindors would really outnumber the Slytherins!" Neville Longbottom said as he picked up his cards. He traded smiles with Minerva and Albus. Remus grinned around his own cigar.
"Draco might have a idea." Neville said as he picked a card up from the deck. "for getting Harry out of his room, and it would do him a world of good."
"What does he do when he's not at University?" Draco asked.
"I imagine that he studies, Draco." Severus pulled a card from the deck before discarding one. "Mr. Potter likes his privacy. And his seclusion."
Remus cleared his throat, "Especially since that reporter from Witch Weekly showed up at his class last year and sat next to him, posing as another student, then proceeded to follow him all over the campus. Once he realized the woman wasn't a student, he was so angry and upset, it took a week for him to go back to classes. And that was only after Uni Security promised to adhere more closely to security protocols on campus."
"Remember when Potter tried out for the national team? When they asked him to come? And all those people came flying out of nowhere following him around the stadium? Harry was so angry that he landed and left. I don't think I've seen him on a broom since to think on it," Draco prattled on.
"And this past spring when he was walking down one of the other alleys in London, and that group of reporters suddenly swarmed him." Albus frowned. It still made him seethe every time he thought of that day. Harry's best friend, Ron Weasley had had to stun him and then bring him back to the castle. Harry hadn't gone off alone since. Only to classes and back to his apartments. He was rarely seen out of them anymore.
"Well someone needs to get the Git out of his rooms. How can he live a life if he's stuck one place all the time. Isn't he supposed to be the big bad warrior who killed Voldemort?"
"He also spent three weeks in the dungeons at Lestrange Castle, Draco," Lucius added quietly.
"Well, it's not as if he had much choice about offing Voldie," Neville offered. "If given the choice, he would rather have not had to deal with all of that."
"Considering, Mr. Longbottom, that it could have been you instead," Minerva spoke to her companion.
Neville shivered. "We would all be dead."
"Well, the Goddess was smiling then, as Harry dispatched Voldemort, and you, Mr. Longbottom, wielded the sword that eliminated that great awful snake!" Severus shuddered. "How I loathed that creature!"
"Yes, well we did save the damn thing so you could use it as potion ingredients," Lucius said wryly. "Couldn't let perfectly good and highly expensive ingredients go to waste."
"Or the mounted head in your office either. Right?" Remus said laughing.
"Damn ugly thing makes a perfect hat rack for when Albus visits," Severus deadpanned. "But Potter hates the damn thing. Glares at it all the time. So it's worth putting up with."
"Severus!" Minerva scolded.
Everyone laughed and the game continued, but Severus kept thinking back on Potter. Something needed to be done. Or the young man would waste away in the Castle, isolating himself from the world at large.
Monday Afternoon
Severus sat at his desk surrounded by paperwork and scrolls that needed his attention. He hated Mondays. Nothing but paperwork. He looked at the door that led to a private potions lab. He wanted to work on some research, but sadly, not today. He looked up when another owl came flying into his office and dropped yet another letter.
Draco had been right about Potter. He had become a recluse in the past few months. No one hardly saw him. The reporter incident had been the one thing to almost scare the younger man from ever returning to classes at all. But still, the result had been almost as bad when he'd dropped half of his class load, meaning he rarely came out of his rooms now. He used to eat his meals in the Great Hall with the professors and students, but now he ate alone in his rooms with only a house elf for company.
His musings were cut short when the wards around the school were triggered as a carriage passed though the gates. Who could be coming? Severus glanced at his calendar. Frowning, he noted he had no appointments scheduled and he really hated surprise interruptions.
Moments later a house elf came through his door followed by an older gentleman. Severus gave him a once over. He was tall and very distinguished looking, with short cropped graying brown hair, a nicely trimmed goatee, and vivid blue eyes that assessed everything around him.
"Headmaster Snape. A pleasure."
Severus stood up, "I'm at a loss, Sir, since I do not know your name."
"My apologies then. I am Duncan MacFergus. I am one of Master Harry's trainers. Or was until four months ago."
Severus frowned. "Daisy! Please bring tea and other refreshments. And have Albus and Minerva come to my office please."
"Yes Headmaster." The elf popped away.
Severus waved toward the fireplace where more comfortable chairs were arranged and a tea tray appeared on the table between them. Shortly Albus and Minerva arrived and introductions were made.
"Now what can we do for you, Mr. MacFergus," Severus asked. "I wasn't even aware that Harry had a trainer... a trainer, for what, specifically?"
Albus was stroking his beard. "Duncan MacFergus? The name is familiar."
"I was an Auror during World War Two. I was one of the first wave that attacked the compound where Grindelwald was holed up."
Albus grimaced. "So sorry my dear man."
Severus looked back and forth between the men. "Am I missing something here?"
Albus, suddenly looking every bit of his age, sighed heavily. "The first wave of Aurors were hit with a combination of spells that left them either dead or almost drained of their magic. A Russian working with Gellert had found the obscure spells and set them loose as we attacked. We had no intelligence of such an attack, so we were unprepared."
"No one was prepared," Duncan said. "That war was a testing ground for new weapons and spells. Old and new."
"Still, we should have been more cautious in our plans. We knew he was doing things that were terrible. We lost so many good men and women that day."
"I survived because I'm too stubborn to die. And my Grandda taught us to live without magic. He taught us how to run farms and raise horses. We lived by the land and on the land. Magic is part of us but it shouldn't be the answer to all, he said."
"I'm glad you have lived a good life then, my dear man."
"All is forgiven, old man. I am happy with what I do now, and that's why I am here. How I came to be friends with young Master Potter. He has a good soul. When I first saw him, I knew who he was. Who wouldn't? He was at the stables on the campus for those students who own their own mounts." Duncan took a sip of his tea. "He came every day to watch while I was trying to train a particularly stubborn gelding."
"You train horses?" Minerva asked.
"Yes Madam. I train them for racing and for jumping. And dressage."
"Dressage?" Severus asked. "I've seen it done a few times. My grandmother in Italy took us to the Spanish Riding School to watch them train the White Horses."
"What is dressage, Severus?" Minerva asked.
Severus smiled. "Dancing horses. It's magnificent and beautiful. The Lipizzaner Stallions of the Spanish Riding School are known worldwide. They leap into the air as if the air is nothing to them. They glide. They dance."
"When did he start coming?" Albus asked.
"Eighteen months ago. It was two months after that I was almost ready to give up and even voiced it when Harry asked if he could try. I wasn't sure what he would do, but he climbed the fence and Ambrosius, as he was named by Harry, stopped fighting and walked over to the young man. A horse that, in the past, had refused a saddle for any reason, had accepted one in less than two hours.
The next day, Harry was riding him. And they were beautiful together. It was almost as if they were born to be together. Rider and horse." Duncan took out a picture from his pocket. "Here a photo of them together. I had acquired the gelding from a man in France. He was a three-year-old dappled gray."
"Something happened." Severus could feel it. A sense of doom.
"Four months ago, we were preparing for their first competition. Harry told me he was planning on inviting his friends and those he called his family to come watch. He was ready and had trained hard with Ambrosius. If they didn't win, I expected a second or third place finish at least."
"What happened," Minerva asked again.
"Harry was taking Ambrosius through the jumps. They were having difficulty with one obstacle so they were working very intensely on it. They were just trying again when out of nowhere a man jumped in front of Harry and Ambrosius and starting taking picture after picture, the flashes almost as fast as a small strobe light. Mid-jump, Harry was thrown and Ambrosius was hurt, quite severely. I called a healer for Harry but when he finally woke, there was nothing we could do for his horse. The veterinary healer had to put him down, Ambrosius was in so much pain and the injuries too severe for even magic to heal."
"The healer couldn't do anything? What were his injuries?"
"Both forelegs were shattered. Four ribs were cracked, and two were broken and had punctured his lungs. He couldn't do anything. Magical healing for creatures has just not come as far as it has for wizards and witches. We buried him that evening, and Harry never returned. I did summon the Aurors, and they arrested the photographer just from the name I had gotten from Harry. That particular photographer had stalked him in the past and Harry exhibited a particular dislike for him."
"Who was he?"
"His name was Creevey."
Minerva gasped and Severus looked murderous. Albus' eyes became very sad.
"No wonder Harry has shut himself off from the world. Every time some rabid fan or reporter gets near him, someone gets hurt!" Severus growled, barely containing his fury.
Albus reached over and put a hand on his arm. "While we share your concern, Severus, your anger will serve him no use. We need to determine how best to help him now."
Wednesday Evening
Severus had seen Harry returning from classes in the early afternoon. He looked pale, drawn and so very unhappy. The dark circles under his eyes stood out in stark contrast to his pallid complexion. Now they knew what was really wrong, the straw that broke the camel's back per-se. Damn that Creevey boy! They should have put a stop to his abusive tendencies during his schooling here.
Didn't the boy have enough brains in his head to realize that jumping in front of a horse could lead to drastic circumstances. Life changing injuries? Even death? Evidently not.
He had read about a rider some years ago who had been thrown, and subsequently paralyzed from the neck down when his neck was broken in the fall. Duncan had shown them the pensieve memory of the tragic event, because he'd happened to have been there that fateful day. The poor man spent the rest of his days in a wheelchair, on breathing support. Severus shuddered to think that that could have too easily happened to Harry.
Ambrosius had been a magnificent animal, both beautiful and graceful. Duncan was correct; with Harry astride him, they had indeed been poetry in motion.
The older man had shown them the Dressage routine that Harry and Ambrosius were to perform. Carefully choreographed to Kitaro's Winter Waltz; a beautiful tune that was light and flowing. The joy on Harry's face was the same as when he rode a broom. Only he wasn't flying at breakneck speeds or executing death-defying stunts. Here he was at peace and happy amidst easy graceful movements.
The dressage was so wonderful and well crafted that it brought a tear to Severus' eye. This was Harry's calling, and they had to somehow bring him back to this.
Somehow.
Despite what that Creevey boy did, or the rest of the paparazzi that had repeatedly harassed Harry!
He had to think, and plan. Part of his mind processed it all, while he listened with an ear to the others talking around him.
Wednesday Evening, Harry's apartments
Harry sat back, away from the easel. Ambrosius was galloping along the white fence at the stables in this painting, his mane and tail flowing freely. Not braided for competition. Ambrosius hated his mane being done up. The lump in his throat ached as the tears fell again. Losing Ambrosius was like losing Hedwig all over again. Life wasn't fair at all. Why did he keep loving and losing all the time.
Hedwig had never hurt anyone. Neither had Ambrosius. He had finally been happy for the first time in his life, and planned on telling his friends, who he knew had been worried about him. He wanted to tell them they needn't worry any more. He'd found something he loved and another familiar to ease the ache and pain of losing Hedwig. But, before he could, the accident happened and his beloved horse had been taken from him. He wiped the tears blurring his vision, pulling his glasses off and tossing them on the nearby table.
Damn the fates for playing games with his life over and over again.
Harry stood when he heard the alarm charm go off alerting him that someone was at his door. He didn't have many visitors of late. Everyone was giving him space they said.
He didn't like space, but sometimes being alone in his solitude was comforting even though it was very lonely. It helped when he was in such turmoil inside, giving him time to attempt to sort things out.
Harry pulled the door open and found Severus Snape standing before him looking quite concerned... and determined. He blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
"Prof-- Headmaster... what brings you to my door this late?"
Severus smiled slightly. "I am allowed to visit. And we are worried about you. You haven't been to the Great Hall for any meals for the past few weeks. Rocky says you eat in your rooms, but not nearly as much as you should be. The only reason the elf isn't punishing himself is because I've forbidden it."
Harry turned away from the doorway, "I've not been very hungry, Sir. Too much on my mind of late."
"Mid-terms?"
"Yeah... " He replied, turning away, leaving the door open for Severus to enter behind him and close it. "among other things..." He muttered, just barely loud enough for Severus to hear it.
"Well, Harry, Draco has decided that you are to attend the Friday night card game with the rest of us. He is sure that with you there, he won't lose all the time."
Harry turned and gave him an odd look before snorting in amusement. Shaking his head, he walked back to where his easel sat and began to clean his brushes.
"Draco should know by now that when playing against me, he always loses."
"In catching the snitch, Harry."
"Yes, well, he won't have to worry about that anymore. I have no desire to fly again. There's no joy in it. Just another thing that was taken away from me." Severus came to stand by Harry and looked over the painting on the easel.
"Magnificent animal. Beautiful."
Harry's hand came up to almost touch Ambrosius' image. "He was," he whispered, resisting the urge to touch the still-damp paint. Pulling his hand back, he went back to putting away his brushes and paints. He'd lost his desire to paint anymore tonight.
"Do you have more? I've not seen all of your work yet."
Harry hesitated for a moment, "This way. I have them in a larger room right now. I originally began to paint as a way to relieve stress and relax. I never really intended to share any of it. For me, it became a way to deal with... things. Narcissa thinks I should have a showing when I have more. I'm not sure."
"Narcissa has seen your paintings?"
"She heads up the orphanage with Molly. They are planning on doing a silent auction to raise funds. I'm donating two paintings, and they're signed, but not in an obvious manner. I will be revealed as the painter only after the bidding is set to begin on each painting. After they are purchased, the new owners will receive a certificate of ownership."
"Most Slytherin, Harry."
"They've been working hard to keep magical children from abusive homes. Removing them when they can't find a happy medium for the parents and child. I'm just doing what I can to help. Don't want them suffering the way I did. And, I know Albus has been going down and reading to the smaller ones on Sunday evenings. They adore him."
"So that's where the old man has been hiding himself," Severus mused.
"Yes, I think he still feels bad, and it's his way of atoning."
Severus followed Harry into another room. He stopped and stared in awe as he took in all the artwork. Paintings everywhere. Covering every surface. He saw unicorns, Pegasi, and Dragons; castles of every type. "You've been busy."
"It's kept me sane, Sir."
"My name, Harry, is Severus. I gave you permission long ago to use my given name."
"Old habits die hard, Si...Severus."
Severus noticed a table with vases. "Pottery?"
"Well, the Potter name in the Muggle world was named for the men who did pottery in the Dark Ages and before. And I have a talent for it as well."
Severus ran his fingertips lightly down one, gazing at the colors and shapes. "Truly remarkable. You have found your calling, Harry. You should be very proud of yourself. Your parents would have."
"You think Dad would have? I mean...."
"Harry, James Potter was many things, but you were the center of his world. And the man grew up--eventually, thanks in part to your mother. We buried the past long ago. If you'd wanted to fly into space, he would have moved heaven and Earth to make it possible."
Harry nodded his head, "Thank you, Severus."
"Have you had dinner?"
"No. I wasn't really hungry when I came back from classes."
"Well it's not too late." Severus swept his arm out, "You need to keep up your strength." He let Harry proceed him into the small kitchen where they summoned a house elf. As always, Dobby appeared to attend his favorite wizard.
~!~
Harry didn't attend the card game that Friday night, but Severus visited his rooms on Saturday and once again they had dinner together.
Thus became the habit. Severus coming every other day when he could get away from his duties as Headmaster, dealings with the Board of Governors, and the constant problems of the miscreant students, to see Harry. He had to admit along the way, he was unearthing old feelings. Feelings from a time when he had realized he found the younger man appealing. But at the time they were at war; he was the spy and Harry was the Chosen One. So Severus shut the feelings out and buried them. Neither of them could have risked the distraction. But now, there was no reason to push them away, so they hovered in the back of his mind.
Two months had gone by and Severus and Harry were sitting together again having tea, when Narcissa knocked on Harry's door. She was in the process of organizing another auction. Since his paintings had brought so much money and she was hoping for attention from other high society patrons, she was hoping he would donate two more; and maybe even one of his vases, if possible.
Narcissa was looking through the paintings, rearranging them carefully, looking for just the right ones; ones that hopefully Harry would allow her to take. Severus watched through the open door, from his seat at the table. She walked to the other side of the room and moved two paintings in a corner. She stepped back, pulling a cloth from the last painting against the wall. His breath caught in his throat.
His own face looked back at him from the large canvas. His painted image was holding another protectively in his arms; a messy dark haired individual. Did Harry return his feelings? Were they dancing around each other? Was Harry afraid of disappointment?
Harry had turned to look behind him, at his gasp, following his gaze. Harry's voice was filled with embarrassment and sadness. "I'm sorry Severus. I'll destroy that one. I never should have painted it."
"I would appreciate it if you did not, Harry."
Frowning, "But?"
"Mr. Potter, would you care to dine with me in my quarters tonight?"
"But?" Harry asked again.
Severus reached up with is fingers and caressed Harry's cheek. "Please do not be embarrassed. As I am flattered, and do not frighten easily in matters of the heart, Brat."
Narcissa stepped into the room with her hands on her hips. "I can't choose! I've picked four, but I cannot seem to narrow it down to just two!"
Harry grinned and it felt good. "Take the four then, Narcissa. It's for a good cause."
"And two vases?" Her eyes danced and widened hopefully.
He nodded. "Yes. Two vases."
"And a possible showing for the orphanage this spring?"
"I'll think on it."
Her bright smile could have lit half of London. Severus barely suppressed a snort of amusement. She quickly cast spells to crate the items appropriately and was soon striding out of Harry's room, with the items floating along behind her like large bows on a white kite. But, that was only after she bestowed a hug and kisses to both of Harry's cheeks. She'd stopped in front of Severus, and only a raised eyebrow saved him from the same grateful treatment. They watched her go and made sure the door clicked behind her before they looked at each other again.
He smirked. "I haven't seen her that happy since the last time she bought out all of the seasonal fashion collections in Paris."
Harry had a wistful look on his face as a crooked smile tugged at his lips. "I like making people happy... for the right reasons."
"And money makes Narcissa very happy!" Reaching out for the other man, "Come along, Harry. Let's go for a walk around the grounds. The fresh air will do you good, and it will build up your appetite for dinner."
"Just don't start channeling Dobby, or I might have to hex you," Harry mumbled as he preceded Severus from his rooms. Severus feigned horror, and Harry laughed.
They walked around the edge of the Black Lake, both very quiet; but it was an easy silence.
"Harry?"
"Yes?"
"How long have you known? When did you realize?"
Harry smirked. "Sixth year. The day you, Lucius, and Remus walked into the room dressed like pirates for sword training. The black boots, white shirt and whole ensemble. Hermione commented in my ear that it was like watching sex walk into the room. Lust in a pair of black boots. I know I couldn't take my eyes off of you."
Severus thought back to that day. He'd balked a bit at the idea put forth by Luc but went with it anyway. When he'd noticed how he'd been noticed, it had taken him a bit aback. His cheeks warmed at the memory. Glancing over, he noticed Harry smirking a bit, his own cheeks a bit pink.
"You?"
"Christmas of that year. You came back from a trip to London with Miss Granger and you'd had your eyes fixed. Those ever-present glasses were finally gone--no longer hiding your eyes. You were looking at everything with such awe. As if you were seeing it again for the first time."
"I was, actually. Those glasses were hand-me-downs my Aunt Petunia had gotten for me. My Uncle refused to allow her to have my eyes examined properly."
"Merlin's Bollocks! No wonder you did so poorly in Potions..."
Harry laughed. "Yeah, I'd had no idea things could be so much clearer. It wasn't long after that when I started drawing and painting on a regular basis."
Harry stopped and looked up at Severus, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Severus stopped and waited. "Harry?"
"Why now? Why not tell me then? I mean, I was your student, but it's not against the bylaws of Hogwarts as long as the student has reached their majority."
"The War. I was spying and you were... the Chosen One."
"There was too much going on?"
"Yes, Harry. And I don't think it would have worked then. We dared not chance the distraction it would have posed for both of us."
"And now?"
Severus reached out to stroke long fingers down Harry's cheek. "That's all done and in the past now. We only have the future ahead of us, and all the many possibilities." Taking Harry's hand, he pulled him forward and tucked him into his side. "Let's head in for dinner. I believe Dobby should have it ready for us."
Harry nodded, his gaze warm, and they headed toward the castle, neither aware of the twinkling blue eyes watching from one of the towers.
~!~
Severus was on his way towards Harry's rooms for tea, many things weighing heavily on his mind as he walked. He didn't want any secrets between them. The subject of Ambrosius seemed such a forbidden topic. Severus knew about the animal and what had happened to tragically end its life and its part in Harry's life. But Harry as far as anyone knew, thought no one knew except for those that had been there that day. Their relationship was fragile. He wanted something strong for the future, wanted to be there for Harry if he needed someone to lean on, needed someone to talk with about it.
How did he broach the subject?
When he whispered the password and entered, his musings were answered. Harry was working on another painting of Ambrosius. He stood at his shoulder and watched as the animal came to life on the canvas. Horse and rider were almost mid-jump. Ambrosius' muscles were bunched as his body was extended to fly over the obstacle, his rider stretched out almost parallel above him.
"Tell me about him."
Harry hesitated and his brush hovered for a moment before he returned to stroking color into the background. "His name is... was... Ambrosius. A dapple gray Arabian gelding. I watched a man named Duncan try to train him for two days. I had been going down to the stables on the campus and just watching. I've always loved horses. All that power and freedom flying across the landscape." He sighed. "Did you know it was Hermione who got me to experience my first ride?"
Harry smirked at Severus.
"The summer you disappeared? Right after fifth year?"
"Yes. The Dursleys weren't at the station. So I took a taxi to Diagon Alley and visited Gringotts. Spent the night at a local motel. Called Hermione the next day. I refused to stay with them--the Granger's, but in another motel nearby instead. Gringotts owned a share of the company. So I got a good rate to stay till school resumed. It was enough to keep Hermione and her parents from worrying. Of course, I was expected for dinner pretty much every night."
"Miss Granger lied?"
Harry only smiled.
"The little rebel."
"Her mother took her to riding lessons three times a week. I went along. I'd always thought riding a broom was heaven. Not until I slid onto the back of a black thoroughbred by the name of Caspian. All that power and speed racing across the grounds. My heart had been broken from... everything, but that summer riding and just thinking of nothing, I felt free for the first time in years."
"They can do that..."
"Ambrosius did not want to be trained. I could feel it. Almost hear it in my heart as he refused to take a saddle. I watched him--his eyes--as Duncan worked with him. Don't get me wrong, Duncan is incredible with the horses, and he was the only one who could even get close to Ambrosius, but..."
Severus waited, watching as Harry's brush continued to move over the canvas despite his silence.
"He--Duncan didn't understand him. He didn't see...he couldn't."
"But, you understood."
"Yes. I understood. I could just sense it when I watched Ambrosius' eyes. Then at one point, they came closer to where I was standing, and Ambrosius turned his head and looked at me. Really looked at me. And I knew... could see it in his eyes."
Severus held his breath in anticipation of Harry's next words, not even realizing he was doing so, until he released it at the next words.
"He'd been waiting... waiting for the right person. The right rider. He'd been waiting for me..."
"And?"
Harry told him of riding him for the first time. All his worries seemed to float away. That nothing would or could hurt him again. That he had finally found that connection with something. The lost feeling in his soul was gone.
Duncan taking him on as a student. Training for months on Ambrosius. His first competition.
Then, "I was practicing an obstacle. A rather difficult one for us. A wooden gate over water about five feet. I don't know why it was giving us problems, but Ambrosius hated it." Harry turned away from the painting and looked at Severus. "We had just left the ground and we were above the hurdle when someone jumped out from the side and started taking pictures. Rapidly.
Ambrosius twisted in the air, startled, and after that, I don't know. I woke a few hours later, and Duncan told me they had to put him down. There was nothing they could do, and he was in so much pain."
The tears were streaming down Harry's face now, unnoticed, as he spoke.
"Is that why you've closed yourself off here in your rooms?"
"Yes." His voice barely above a whisper.
Severus' heart went out to him. He pulled the clean, pressed handkerchief from his pocket and held it out. "I know you've gone through a lot in your life. The Fates have been bitches."
"Yes they have."
"But locking yourself away in here will only let them win."
Harry nodded, but didn't say anything. He cleaned his brush, setting it down and picking up another with a different tip, loading it and beginning to detail a tree in the background of the painting.
Severus reached out with his hand touching Harry's face. He turned him to face him. "Please, Harry."
Harry sighed, and smiled crookedly. "I can't promise anything."
Severus stepped closer to the younger man, mindful of the painting. "I can." He leaned down and brushed his lips against Harry's.
Harry stood frozen, surprised by the unexpected gesture; his breath caught as Severus' warmth moved away and he looked up to see dark eyes watching him.
"S-Severus?"
He leaned forward again slowly. When Harry remained, he nuzzled his face.
Dropping a kiss on his cheek and another across his lips. "Are you afraid?" Of me? was the unasked question.
Harry closed his eyes, inhaling the other man's scent: cloves, cedar, and sandalwood. All them to him meant home. "Never."
"Lets have something to eat, Harry."
Harry studied him for a moment. When he replied, his voice was low, with a bit of a husky edge to it, "Not really hungry--for food, Severus." He wiped his brush clean and set it aside, turning back to face him. Harry reached out and took Severus' hand, guiding him to the couch in the living area of his rooms. He pushed him down and Harry straddled him, facing him.
Harry pulled his tee shirt off over his head, revealing a toned chest and dusky nipples. "I've wanted to do this for a very long time."
Severus' hands traveled up Harry's sides, up his back feeling the muscles ripple and move under his fingers. He found he was amazed that this was actually occurring. Harry's skin was warm and smooth under his fingers. He could feel the strong muscles, toned from Quidditch, from fighting in the war, and from riding.
Nimble fingers worked on the buttons of his own robes. "You could use magic, Harry."
"Where's the fun in that? Half the enjoyment is in the reveal... like unwrapping a gift."
"Come here, Brat, and just kiss me."
"My pleasure."
Harry leaned in and dipped his head, capturing Severus' mouth in a tentative brush of lips. Hesitating for a moment, he moved in again, with a firmer press of lips, taking his time. Severus slid a hand up the firm back, over toned muscles and smooth skin, to bury his fingers in the hair at the back of Harry's head. Holding him there, he deepened the kiss, nibbling at the plump lower lip before stroking the tip of his tongue along the seam of Harry's lips, asking for entrance.
As they tasted each other for the first time, Harry moaned, and pressed his body closer against Severus', who hummed in appreciation of the sensations it sparked for him.
As the kiss continued, Severus' hands roamed over Harry's body as nimble fingers unbuttoned his shirt, pushed it away from his chest and off of his shoulders, trapping it between his body and the couch. Breaking the kiss, Harry dove down to nibble and suck on the side of Severus' throat, savoring the taste of him. Dropping his head back against the couch, Severus sank both hands into Harry's hair and gently held his head there as he enjoyed the attention, his cock twitching, hard and trapped between their bodies.
"Harry..."
"Mmmm." Was the reply, Harry still attached to his throat.
"Bed."
Harry sat up and gazed at him with eyes blown dark with arousal. Harry gave him a crooked smile and moved to climb off of his lap, waiting for him to get to his feet, so he could pull the shirt the rest of the way off of his arms, laying it over the arm of the couch. Harry then took his hand and let him across the room through another door into a darkened room. There was a low fire in the hearth which brightened as they entered, as well as the lamps on the bedside table that flared to life, giving the room a warm glow and just enough light to see by comfortably. Turning when they reached the side of the bed, Harry reached up and wrapped his arms around his neck, pulling him down into another kiss.
They divested each other of the rest of their clothing, kissing, tasting, and touching as they went. It was all done in a slow leisurely manner, as if they both wanted to savor this initial experience. Severus walked Harry against the edge of the bed, keeping one arm around his waist and the other hand cupping the back of his head as he continued to kiss him, and laid him back gently onto the bed, as if he were dipping him at the end of a dance. He broke the kiss and dropped a little kiss on the end of Harry's nose before silently urging him to move to the center of the bed, where he laid down next to him. Severus pulled Harry flush against him, running his hands up and down the smaller body. Harry tipped his face up for another kiss as he touched and stroked as much of Severus as he could reach. Severus smiled and kissed him, nibbling at his lips teasingly. Harry's breaths were coming in little pants as his body trembled. Feeling this, Severus pulled back and looked down at Harry, studying him. His eyes were dark, and his cheeks flushed. His breathing was elevated a bit more than Severus thought it should be for the situation.
"Would you like me to stop, Harry?" He asked softly, as he stroked the back of his fingers down Harry's cheek.
Harry shook his head adamantly. "N-No! Please-- I--"
"Shhhh... it's alright. Just breathe, Harry." He brushed his lips against Harry's. "We have all night. We'll go as slowly as you'd like."
"S-Sorry. Just so excited--have you here--finally." The blush deepened and spread down Harry's throat to his chest.
Severus smiled at that, his heart warmed. "As I am excited to be here with you." He hugged him close. "Just breathe, Harry, and we will take our time enjoying being with each other."
A relieved smile appeared on Harry's face and he pulled back to look up at Severus as he rolled to his back, pulling the older man with him over him.
"Kiss me?"
Laying his body lightly down against Harry's, his own hips fitting down comfortably between his spread thighs, Severus kissed him deeply, feeling Harry's arms and legs wind around him, holding him close. Rocking his hips, his own hard arousal stroked slowly alongside Harry's, causing them both to moan. Fingers drifted into Severus hair, grasping and pulling gently. He growled and kissed Harry more firmly, thrusting his hips harder against his body. Harry broke the kiss and gasped, groaning and thrusting up with his lower body.
"Want you inside me...please." He gasped, pressing his fingers into Severus' back.
Severus whispered in Latin. Harry gasped a little as he felt a tingle all through his lower abdomen, and a cool slickness in his arse.
Pulling back a little, Severus met his gaze as he helped him pull his legs up to drape over his shoulders. "I'm going to go slowly. Relax, and let me know if it causes you discomfort."
"M'kay. Just go ahead. B'fine." Harry stared into his eyes as his hands grasped his forearms firmly.
Severus took a deep breath as he began to slowly press into Harry's body, stopping periodically to maintain control of himself. It felt so good, the press of Harry's body around him. Green eyes stared warmly up at him, arousal, trust, and something deeper that he couldn't quite name at that moment. When he'd finally sunk fully into Harry, their bodies flush, he leaned down and kissed Harry, hungrily plundering his mouth. When he felt Harry relax and shift beneath him, he pulled out and pushed back in.
"Oh, yesss!" Harry hissed. "Feels so good. You feel so good. "
"Mmmm. You feel absolutely splendid around me as well." He pulled out and thrust in a bit harder, Harry bucking up to meet him.
"More." Harry bucked his hips up trying to impale himself.
Severus pulled out and thrust in, faster and deeper, his body slapping against Harry's. Every second or third thrust, he would roll his hips and Harry would groan aloud, his fingers gripping his forearms harder, as he lifted himself to meet each thrust. After several minutes, Severus tilted his hips a bit, changing the angle of his thrusts. Harry bucked and groaned as his eyes rolled back.
"Ngghh! R-Right th-there! D'it 'gain!"
Harry's eyes were glassy as he stared up at him, the curtain of his own now-damp hair hanging down around Harry's face like a curtain. He could feel the sweat collecting in the middle of his back, and Harry's skin gleamed below him in the lamp light. He sat up on his heels and pulled Harry's arse into his lap. Wrapping his hands around the front of Harry's thighs, he proceeded to pound into him, stroking across his prostate with every thrust, causing his erection to slap against the puddle of precome on his stomach.
Harry fisted one hand in the sheets and reached for his erection with the other hand, gripping and stroking it firmly, swiping at the head with every pass. He did his best to match the strokes in his arse. There would be bruises on his thighs tomorrow, but he didn't care. Severus' eyes were black as they stared down at him intently, as if he could see to his soul. His body, already feeling coiled as tightly as a wound spring, was inflamed more by that penetrating gaze. His body arched and he was spilling over his fingers, as he cried out.
"Ah-ah-ah-ahhhhhh! Sev-er-us!"
His body continued to convulse, clamping down on Severus, as his cock pulsed out stream after white stream across his chest. Severus' rhythm stuttered, his hands clamping down vise-like on his thighs as he slammed into his arse and held him flush as he cried out his own climax.
"Harry! Ahhhhnnnggghhh!"
Later after they'd calmed down, they lay twined around each other, bodies damp and cooling, as they kissed languidly. The sun set, evening slipping in without their notice.
~!~
Severus was waiting at the entrance of the Great Hall. Harry had just returned from classes and finals for the spring semester. They had come a very long way in seven months to get Harry back into the swing of living a real life. The older man had enjoyed it every step of the way. It had taken a bit but it was happening. Harry even came out occasionally to their weekly card games, much to Draco's chagrin.
Harry had written a letter to the Prophet and Quibbler stating he was a man who wanted his privacy. A man who desired to live his life the way he wanted. Not be dictated to by the Wizarding World on how he should do that. He wrote of being accosted by people and attacked as he shopped with friends. He also spoke of being stalked while he was pursuing a new interest and the price that was paid was the death of his beloved friend, Ambrosius.
He didn't go into detail on what happened or how it happened. Keeping Creevey's name and his involvement in the disaster from coming to light, though he didn't have to. Any further attempts to interfere in his life would be met with serious legal consequences. The allusions to magical consequences went unsaid. He'd done what was expected of him, and now he expected respect and distance in return.
The outpouring was tremendous. Harry had been able to walk down Diagon Alley for the first time since he was a First Year student of Hogwarts. Even when the streets were crowded, more than acceptable space was given him as he passed, a look of gratitude in his eyes. It seemed, for once, to be enough for them.
But today, he had a surprise. They all felt Harry was ready. But, Severus reminded them, the ultimate decision in that would be Harry's.
"Hurry up, Brat."
Harry ran down the staircase, sliding to a halt next to Severus. His cheeks were rosy, and his green eyes bright. "Where are we going?"
"I have a surprise."
"Really?" Harry was all smiles and breathless.
He was so glad to finally see Harry this way. Severus took Harry's hands in his own. "I want you to have an open mind about this."
Harry frowned. "What did you do?"
Severus smiled. "Giving you back something you love."
"I have what I love."
Severus felt that soul deep feeling again when Harry looked at him like that.
"Aye, Brat. Now close your eyes." Severus led Harry down the steps, across the grass towards Hagrid's hut.
They came to stop, Severus took a deep breath. "Alright, open your eyes."
Harry was looking down when he first opened his eyes, when he raised them, before him stood a buckskin stallion, cream colored coat and black stockings.
Fierce dark eyes stared back at him. His breath caught in his throat. He let go of Severus' hand and stepped forward with his hand stretched out in a inviting manner. "Hello, beautiful. What's your name?"
The horse's head shook and reached its muzzle out to smell the hand coming near him. He snuffled the hand. Good smell. He could feel nothing but good, calm feelings from this human.
"I know he can't replace Ambrosius, but he's a start. He comes from good stock and he's ready to be trained. By your hand and Duncan. Here, if you're ready."
Harry's hand threaded through the coarse black mane, as he stepped close to the huge warm body. He missed this. The long coarse mane, the smooth coat and warm twitching muscles beneath, the familiar equine scent, the snuffling sounds... and riding, and feeling the power underneath him as they soared over the jumps and obstacles.
"He needs a good strong name, Lad," Duncan said.
Harry smiled. "Aslan. That's his name. Aslan."
The newly dubbed Aslan nodded his head in agreement.
Harry reached out a hand to Severus and clasping his, drew him near. "Thank you." Harry kissed the man who had brought life back in his dreary, dark life.
"You've brought me back to life."
"We both brought it back. We were both just walking without a purpose. Now we have one."
"Yes, we do."
Harry kissed Severus, pouring all of his heart into the one soul searing moment.
Eighteen Months Later....
Severus along with a few others of Harry's friends and family were sitting in the stands of the Highlands Dressage Competition. The atmosphere here was quiet and soothing. Harry had drawn last to compete today. All the others before him were very good, but there hadn't been a perfect routine yet. Each one was different in the choice of music. Rock and pop to hard rock. Harry had chosen the instrumental version of Stairway to Heaven by Apocalyptica for his routine.
Duncan had chosen wisely when he'd found Aslan. The stallion was as stubborn as they came and loved to give Harry fits on some days, and on others, had Harry threatening to ship him off to Severus to use as Potion ingredients. Aslan would just walk away from Harry, tossing his head, as if laughing at the younger man. They were a perfect match.
Just as he and Harry were. Oh they fought. Harry became so passionate when they argued.
"Harry Potter, riding Aslan," the announcer finally spoke.
Lucius and Remus sat up straighter beside Severus, as did Albus and Minerva, as Harry and Aslan calmly walked into the arena. Stopping in the middle, Harry bowed his head and the dance began.
Perfect formation and gentle steps to the music. From one side to the other they walked, cantered and galloped.
When horse and rider came to a stop at the end of the song, the crowd was silent for the moment it took to breathe. That was when the clapping began.
Harry smirked. He was back in the game. He had Severus Snape to thank, and he would enjoy spending the rest of his life doing so.