webmistresses (webmistresses) wrote in severus_sighs, @ 2013-02-18 08:35:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | event: anti-valentine's day 2013, ficlet, member: atypicalsnowman, pairing: severus/harry, rating: pg-13 |
Truly Incredible by atypicalsnowman
Title: Truly Incredible
Author: atypicalsnowman
Pairing: Snarry
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 900
Warnings: None. Bah!
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. The characters and their worlds belong to their original writers and no copyright infringement or offense is intended. No money was made from this story.
Summary: Lately Severus has been attracting more than his share of magical creatures.
A/N: Oh my God, I actually wrote something! Seriously, it’s been a while. Thanks to fellow mod and BFF roozetter for not giving up on me. Also, my fic is totally not going up on the last day of the fest because I just finished it. No way. That would be totally irresponsible.
“I beg your pardon?” Severus said, though he’d heard every word. As his mind struggled to comprehend exactly what was just said to him, his life—or at least the last few years—flashed before his eyes.
First there had been that vampire that had visited Hogwarts the year... The year before he’d become headmaster. Sanguini had been charming and a good conversationalist, and was quite disappointed when Severus felt he had to see to his duties as professor and not move their conversation elsewhere.
Then there had been the merpeople the year he had (reluctantly) returned to his post. Gathering potions ingredients in the Black Lake in November was hardly his idea of a good time in the first place, and was only made more uncomfortable when he found himself being followed around by a merman with an odd looking protrusion coming out of his tail.
Severus had given him a nod and swam right for the shore. He’d given leave from Hogsmeade duties to any professor willing to brave the Black Lake after that.
And he still had a hard time eating fish.
Then there had been Firenze.
Ah, he thought with a sigh. Firenze.
Kind, warm, generous, and handsome, Severus had had feelings for Firenze from the time he returned to Hogwarts to teach Divination. He’d thought it odd, but ultimately shrugged it off as an strange personality quirk he hadn’t known he’d had and that would hardly matter. Firenze would never return his feelings.
Except he had.
And that had been far, far worse than admiring him from afar ever had been. A few passionate kisses and touches—Merlin, that chest!—and Severus had been forced to say what they both knew. After all, a bird may love a fish, but where would they live? Better to end it before it truly began, though it left Severus feeling miserable and empty for the second time in his life.
And then Harry came along.
Harry, who was beautiful, strong, (surprisingly) intelligent, and—best of all—human. He’d come as a complete surprise, and though it had taken some time for Severus to warm to the idea of becoming involved with Lily’s son (and Potter’s), he was glad of it.
Until now.
“I said,” Harry said, clearing his throat and looking at the floor. “’I’m an elf.’”
Severus joined him in staring at the floor, adding some finger tapping along the arm of his chair for good measure. “Ah.” Of course he was. “Yes, that’s what I thought you’d said.”
“I just thought I should let you know now, before we go any further.” He waved his hand towards the bedroom, where they had yet to go. “In case...” he gulped and his voice wavered, “in case it was a problem.”
Mentally drudging up information on all the species of elves, Severus sat back as something occurred to him. “Now when you say elf—”
“High elf, yeah. Obviously,” Harry said, waving a hand over himself. “This is all me.”
Which meant Harry had few, if any, of the physical characteristics of the High Elves. In fact—
“James Potter came from a pureblood wizarding family. You can trace your paternal lineage back to the Dark Ages.”
Harry rubbed his eyes, pushing his glasses up into his hair. “Yeah, well, I’m only half.”
“Oh,” Severus said.
“Yeah, my mum’s mum, or so Hermione thinks. So no pointed ears, no superior height,” he rolled his eyes and muttered, “just my luck. I’m not sure about the longevity, but being an Auror will probably solve that either way.”
Severus frowned at that. “Not if I have anything to say about it.” Harry seemed to cheer slightly at this and gave a small smile. “So what traits did you inherit? Not the keen eyesight...”
Harry huffed.
“The ability to speak with animals,” Harry finally said. “Not just snakes. It didn’t really start until my eighteenth birthday, so I didn’t know until after I left Hogwarts.”
“The ability to speak with animals,” Severus repeated, relieved beyond measure. “That’s it?”
Harry smirked, perhaps noticing the way Severus’ shoulders relaxed and the tension poured out of him. “Well, that and one other thing.”
“Oh?” Harry slowly walked over and straddled Severus’ lap.
He leaned closer and whispered into Severus’ ear, “I have an incredible recovery time.”
Severus wrapped an arm around Harry’s middle, intrigued. “’Incredible’ is subjective, Mr. Potter. What does ‘incredible’ mean to you?”
“Would you like to find out?”
Severus smirked and led Harry to the bedroom, thanking whatever strange, slightly twisted god was listening for finally sending the right magical creature his way. His happiness was a long time coming.
Long and incredible.