InsaneJournal

August 10th 2003

Severus sat in the blessedly quiet staff room on an firm yet comfortable armchair with a new potions book open. Minerva sat a few seats away answering letters from fretful parents about to send their children for the first time. Across from her sat Filius working on his lesson plans which almost made Severus roll his eyes as the man’s lessons had only changed marginally from when he was in school.

Alas, all quiet afternoons must come to an end and so ended his with the door being flung open with a bang. Severus looked over his reading glasses towards the disturbance already having an idea who it was.

“Severus!” Harry bloody Potter cried when he spotted him, not at all perturb by his glare. “I’ve been looking all over for you!”

“And you didn’t think to check the staff room as one of your first destinations?” He looked back down to his book sporting a disinterested look.

“I’m not a complete idiot, you know. Came here first. Must have missed each other.” The man walked forward as Severus glanced up again and was struck again by his beauty. He almost groaned at that thought but try as he might the boy had grown into a man and it was terribly unfair how beautiful he truly was. Though his hair was still a bird's nest and though he might tease him about it from time to time it only added to his attraction. Gave him a wild look that Severus had always found becoming in young men. Minerva caught his eye then smirked as if she knew what he was thinking. He responded by sending a gust of wind at her table, sending the papers flying.

“Oh gosh. Let me get those,” Harry told her before bending over and giving him a delicious view of his arse in those tight dark jeans. He rolled his eyes and let his head drop back to the top of the armchair in despair. Filius chuckled but he couldn’t even be bothered to reprimand him this time after the current predicament the last one had left him in.

He waited for Harry to right himself before daring to look back at him. “Well, you have found me now.”

“I need a favour from you,” he said in a conspiring whisper as he slid in the armchair across from him.

Severus rolled his eyes again but it was his only defence. He knew if the man pouted he’d probably grant him anything. “I’m not giving you the first Hogsmeade weekend off - you’re on the rota and that it.”

“Har har.” Harry puffed out a breath a little exasperated so Severus decided to stay quiet and let the man explain. “I want you to let me court you?”

Minerva, who up to that point had been failing quite spectacularly to pretend she wasn’t listening, choked on a gobful of her brew and Filius gave a little squeak, dropping his quill. Harry quickly jumped up to gather the dropped article, handed it back to the wizard without a second glance.

“Pardon?” he replied finally once Potter was safely seating with bottom out of view.

“Courting. Me courting you,” Harry replied without missing a beat.

“Why?” The other two teachers were openly staring now.

Harry gave a nervous laugh. “Oh, yes, sorry. Forgot that bit. It’s my mastery you see on Wizarding traditions - Master Reinhardt says I’ll never truly be able to write my final research project on traditional and modern Wizarding relationship customs unless I experienced a courtship.”

At the age of 21 and straight from Auror training Potter had come to teach Muggle Studies at Hogwarts after crashing out of the Ministry in a blaze of speculation and too many newspaper articles to count. A couple months into his post, he’d approach Severus with an idea. He wanted to start teaching Muggleborns about Wizarding traditions and make both classes compulsory for the first two years. After much thought Severus had agreed on the condition that he gained a mastery in Wizarding traditions first - Harry was certainly bright enough. In January he’d found a Master who was willing to work round his busy schedule as a teacher but he still had to finish within the year.

“A courtship takes around a year and your mastery finishes in just over five months,” he told the man matter of factly.

“I’ve worked out a schedule to complete it in four months. Here.” At that point Harry handed over a piece of paper which listed each act of a courtship and date next to it with the contract presentation pencilled in for Yule. “See - best Yule present ever. A chance to reject me and lay out all the reasons why.”

He heard Minerva gasp a little at Potter’s crassness. Though he himself had never been a big believer in the old ways he could understand people’s reluctance. “Can you not go to one of your sycophants for this?”

“Erm… really it needs to be someone who lives in the castle because my boss is a tight arse when it comes to approving my weekends off.” Harry gave him a cheeky smile and he heard a small ‘here here’ from Filius. “Also you don’t like me very much.”

Well, that wasn’t entirely true, but he was glad that his days as a spy weren’t for naught. “Surely that’s a reason for me not to do it.”

“Not necessarily. The reason for the courtships was originally in arranged marriages when as adults either one or both parties didn’t like each other very much. Gave them a years’ practice and sometimes their families even let them step away from the marriage if they truly weren’t compatible.”

Minerva stood then coming to stand at the back of Harry’s chair. “I think it’s a sound suggestion, Harry.” Snape gave her his most withering glare. “Severus, help Harry out. This mastery was your suggestion, it’s the least you could do.”

Severus sighed in a resigned sort of way. “Fine; but there’s no need for the contract presentation. If we don’t complete the Courtship will simply end.”

Harry’s eyes were slightly wide. “Really? That was easier than I expected.”

Filius jumped up from his seat then. “Better do the declaration before he changes his mind, Harry.”

The brunette nodded dumbly looking between Filius, Minerva, and Severus. “Alright. You’ll do the spell?” Flitwick, the traitor, nodded, pulling out his wand. “Severus Snape, will you do me the honour of entering into a formal courtship with me?”

A hand was presented to Severus and he looked at it balefully before clasping it. “I accept your intentions and agree to follow out all traditions in the courtship.” Flitwick waved his wand over the pair of clasped hands enveloping then in golden light for a moment.

Severus Snape had a terrible feeling of woe about the whole thing. This was going to be a mistake. He knew it.

*

August 17th 2003

He’d not actually seen much of Harry since the courtship was declared. He’d heard from Minerva that he’d gone away for a couple of days to stop with his Wizarding Traditions master. She had laughed then, obviously finding something funny, but she refused to elaborate when he asked.

Potter made his return during dinner which the remaining teachers ate in a small staff dining area at the back of the Great Hall during the holidays and for staff get-togethers.

He walk through the door with his usual gusto as Hagrid boomed, “Welcome back, Harry.”

Madam Hooch was sat to Severus’ left but she jumped up when she noticed him. “Take my seat, Potter, I’ve finished.”

“You sure?” the man asked pulling off the light weight jacket he was wearing.

“Yes, yes.” She moved towards the door and Harry took her seat.

“Hi,” the man then directed to Severus. “How was your week?”

“Middling.” Severus gave him a side glance. “I hear you’ve been with your master.”

“Yes. Going through the final bits of work with him before school kicks back in. I’ll go and see him over Christmas to present my final pieces of work and all being done I’ll be awarded my mastery in January.”

Severus nodded. “Good.”

Harry reached into his robes then pulling out a small wrapped parcel. “The first gift.”

Severus nodded, dearly wishing he’d not been handed it here at the table with all the other teaching staff watching them and making it blatantly obvious that they were.

“Let us see then, Severus,” Minerva encouraged him excitedly. He rolled his eyes but opened the small package. Inside the box was a small bottle with five pure gold flies inside.

“Egyptian Golden River Flies,” Severus stated examining the bottle carefully.

“That’s a very expensive present, Potter,” Minerva added and she was right. They were rare and hard to catch in the UK. They cost at least a hundred galleons each.

Harry coughed a little awkwardly. “Actually I caught them myself. That’s why I’m a little late back from my trip. I spent a day in Egypt catching those flies.” Severus eyed him, taking in his appearance; actually the man was a little more tanned than he had been last week.

“Thank you. This is a very thoughtful gift,” Severus told him sincerely.

“You’re welcome,” Harry added without hesitation and a bright smile.

*

24th August 2003

Harry jogged up to him in the corridor mid morning. The man hadn’t been at breakfast but Severus had long suspected he wasn’t an early riser during the school holidays. He also knew he often left the school in the evening to see his friends.

“Hi!” Severus just nodded in reply. “I know we don’t have to complete the next part of the courtship until the 10th September but with school starting I was wondering if you’d like to do it sooner. I was thinking you could come to mine tonight or any day this week really.”

Severus considered the request for a moment. “I’ll come this evening.”

“Oh, well, yeah, perfect.” Harry cleared his throat nervously. “I’m going to cook so come at 7pm.”

“I’ll be there.” With that Snape left Harry standing a little awkwardly in the corridor.

*

Harry had had to run into Hogsmeade for ingredients but he had settled on Italian. It was safe enough. There was a knock on his door at five to seven and there was Snape. ‘Hi.’

“Harry, thank you for the invite,” The man said formally but politely.

“Sorry.” He laughed a little nervous and even more unsure as to why he had apologised. “Come in. Shall I pour you a glass of wine?”

Severus followed him in, taking a seat on the sofa after Harry directed him to do so. “I’ll have a drink, yes.”

“Great.” There was silence while Harry poured the wine and re-grounded himself. “Done anything spectacular today?”

“Small talk isn’t your forte.” Harry laughed at that as he passed him a glass of wine. He wasn’t the best at small talk and actually in the two and a bit years he’d been here he’d never attempted it with Severus so why would he start now?

“No,” Harry agreed. “Alright. What would you like to talk about?”

Severus took a sip of his wine. “Tell me about your lesson plans for Wizarding traditions should you pass your masters.”

Harry frowned slightly. “Erm. Ok.”

“It’s not a test, I’m genuinely curious,” Severus told him and, to be honest, Harry believed him as the man had never lied to him.

Harry stood up and walked over to his desk. “I’ve actually been writing them down. We could go through them together.”

And so they passed the next hour or so on the plans, even eating their dinner while arguing what was more important to tell Muggleborns when they first arrived - about the magical creatures in daily wizarding life or about the Minstry of Magic.

“Well, the evening hasn’t been half as bad as I expected,” Harry told the Headmaster as he stood to leave.

Severus raised an eyebrow at him. “You expected it to be awful?”

“No, but I know you’re not much for small talk - and apparently neither am I - so was worried about what we would talk about,” Harry told him honestly.

“I’ll see you soon Potter,” was the only reply he got before Snape left.

*

17th October 2003

They had been meeting up every week to satisfy the schedule - sometimes twice a week. While Severus had been to Harry’s quarters a couple more times, they had also been to the Hogs Head for a beer and they’d also sometimes just taken a walk in the grounds together. Though what they did find the easiest solution was for Harry to do his marking in Severus’ office on a semi-regular basis. As Headmaster he had to be available to students and other teachers much more.

They had actually found quite a bit of common ground and conversation was easy between the two of them now. Harry seemed to enjoy making Severus laugh which was unexpected to the headmaster though he did enjoy making the other man smile.

It had been a long time since he’d felt so comfortable with another and actually looked forward to their meetings. This evening he sat by the fire in the staff rooms; the weather had started to turn so he’d been lighting the fire at night to keep the room warm. The other teachers obviously approved as they had moved their chairs closer to the warmth.

The door opened admitting Harry. The other teachers greeted him jovially as he approached Severus. He placed a box on the arm of his chair without much ceremony and declared; “Severus Snape, this gift represents my family. As head of my family I pledge to accept you and should you honour me with a marriage, I offer you the use of the names Potter, Peverell, and Black as well as all associated titles that would befit you as my husband.”

Severus nodded quickly in acceptance knowing what was expected of him - Harry seemed to take a breath, relaxing a bit and stepping back slightly. The headmaster took the box carefully to open it though he did move it closer to himself in an attempt to shield the prize from the other staff members in the room. Inside was a white gold broach set with small diamonds. It was in the shape of the Deathly Hallows. He looked back at Potter quickly.

“Found it in the Potter vaults a few years back. I can see you wearing it and I suppose it means a lot, not just about my family, but… well others,” Harry explained which indicated to Severus that he understood the significance of the broach he’d gifted to him as part of a make believe Courtship.

He nodded once quickly to show he understood what Potter meant. “Thank you. I’ll reply within the week.”

He would have to give a formal response and his own gift to represent his family and the continuation of the courtship with both family blessings. “Great!” Potter declared and then sat down like nothing had occurred between them. “You have time for a game of chess? I’m trying to brush up on my skills before I next see Ron.”

*

23rd October 2003

He still had a day to reply but there wasn’t any point putting it off much longer. He spotted a certain messy haired professor walking towards the lake from the Headmaster’s tower and with a final check of his pocket he started the journey down to the lake himself.

When he got there he found Potter sitting on a fallen log on the shore line. When he noticed Severus, he smiled as though he really was pleased to see him. “Hey.”

“I wanted to give you a gift,” he told Harry without preamble.

Harry turned all the way to face him with a surprised look on his face. “Oh. Now.”

Severus nodded once before handing him a package wrapped in plain white paper. “Tradition dictates that while I am a half-blood I should gift you something that represents my Wizarding parent’s family. My mother was disinherit from the Princes so I cannot offer you any claim on the house but I can gift you this from my mother as a sign of acceptance from her.”

Harry took the package. “Your mother’s still alive?”

“I’m not that old, Potter.” Severus scoffed. “My mother is 68. As a witch, she may have another 60 years ahead of her yet.”

Harry laughed. “Yes, of course, sorry. It’s just you’ve never mentioned her, not visiting her, not writing to her, and well, I’ve never seen her and you’re almost as high profile as me.”

Severus was thoughtful for a moment. “She’s a bit of a recluse from our world now; I suppose she always was. Also I did not see her for a number of years during the war for her protection.”

“I’m sorry,” Harry told him honestly. “I didn’t mean to force you to tell me anything you didn’t want to.”

“Potter.” He sighed. “Open the gift.”

He did pulling out a Hufflepuff scarf and a small neat note which read, “Dear Mr Potter, the intention of this gift is so that you know our family is varied and not everyone is a as much of a Slytherin as my son is.”

Harry stared at the scarf in his hands before asking. “Is this her actual one?”

“I believe so,” he replied knowing his mother kept very little from her youth.

“I can’t take it, surely it’s got sentimental value.” Harry tried to hand it back looking aggrieved.

“Tradition dictates that you must take it or forfeit the courtship. You can always return it to her in January.” He knew Harry well by now and understood the man’s reaction well enough. He always thought of others before himself; it was one of those qualities that made this man who he was.

“That’s true.” Harry frowned again. “Does she know why we are taking part?”

“Yes. I do not lie or keep things from people,” he told him truthfully, knowing Harry probably already knew that and that was one of the reasons why he’d chosen him to do this courtship.

“Well, apart from the whole spy for us thing.” Harry laughed but Severus knew it was just to break the tension.

“Yes. Apart from that.”

*

3rd December 2003

“Have you ever been close to marrying before?” Harry asked during a snowy walk a few weeks before Christmas.

Severus glance sideways at him as if to ascertain whether he was genuine. “No. I haven’t seriously thought about marriage for many years.”

“Sorry, it’s personal, I know.” Harry was sporting a slight blush to his cheeks that made him want to reach out and stroke them. “I’ve never had a relationship last more than a few weeks. I’m completely hopeless.”

“You are speaking to the wrong person; I don’t exactly have suitors lining the streets,” Severus told him without bitterness. “You could have a very successful relationship if you wanted to.”

Harry scoffed. “Nah. I’ve tried. No one’s interested in me for me.”

Severus nodded. He did understand the man’s predicament; he’d explained it too him before - what it had been like for him before he came to teach at Hogwarts. “You know some people don’t care about all of the fame and fortune.”

“Yeah but those people are pretty much like family to me - well, apart from you.” Harry sighed. “I know you know this, Severus, but our there in the Wizarding world I felt like a walking charade. Here I’m just me.”

“It will pass,” Severus told him seriously but he wasn’t completely sure it would. He was also a man that had hidden himself behind Hogwarts wards since his early 20s. “One day the whole Wizarding world with have moved on and you’ll just be Professor Potter to them.”

Maybe Harry would. Maybe that would have happened for Severus if Voldemort hadn’t returned. He’d have been able to retire in peace without the whole Wizarding world wanting to know what he was doing.

“Maybe I’m sick of waiting. Plus I expect the nightmares and the bad days might never fade.” Severus stopped then to study Harry closely.

He took a step closer placing a hand on his shoulder. “If the nightmares are bad, you must come to me. If you’re having a bad day then seek me out. This is something we share and we can share that pain together.”

Harry looked up, studying him for a long time. “You mean that don’t you?”

“Of course.”

*

Severus knew it wasn’t strictly policy but he did it anyway. He had warded Potter’s door early in the week to let him know when he entered or left. It was 2am a few days later that he felt the wards shimmer. Potter had left his room and Severus suspected that a nightmare had triggered this late night escapade.

He found him ten minutes later in the astronomy tower looking up at the night sky. “Venus is particularly bright tonight and Mars a little dimmer than usual.”

Harry turned to him slightly but seemed unsurprised to see him. “Were you very good at this class in school?”

“Terrible,” Severus told him, making Harry let out a surprised laugh. “It’s true. While I could identify the stars easily enough I struggled to apply the formations in a Magical strength.”

“No. Not our type of magic at all is it?” Harry speculated but Severus knew it too be true. Their type of magic was strong, bold, and fierce. Astronomy magic floated lightly around them.

Severus plucked out a vial of dreamless sleep and pressed it into Harry's hand. “For the bad nights.”

“The good stuff, eh?” Harry laughed. “The Weasleys cut me off from this before, you know.”

“You can’t take it everyday. It’s not an answer to all your problems but it is an option while things are bad.”

“How is it that you know me so well?” Harry asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

“I believe that we are more alike than either of us thought.” Severus then placed a hand on his back. “Now to bed.”

Harry allowed himself to be pushed towards the exit but glanced behind him with a cheeky grin. “Now that is quite forward. Is it part of the courtship?”

Severus scoffed. “Hush or I might flirt back and neither of us are prepared for that.”

Harry laughed, looking like he was considering continuing which Severus hadn’t expected at all. Harry Potter, of all people, considering flirting with him, the horrible unattractive headmaster.

*

17th December 2003

Harry was sat in the headmaster’s office marking the last of his end of term exams, the Hogwarts express was due to leave in the morning, and Harry was looking forward to a break himself. Severus had coached him to complete his marking before the students left and then he would have two whole weeks to himself.

“I’m going to the Burrow for Christmas. I know you said to get away so I accepted Molly's invitation. It will be good to see everyone. I’ve been so busy that I’ve pretty much forgot what most of the Weasleys look like.” Harry continued marking while he talked but from the way Severus had shifted, he could tell he was listening. “Then I’ll spend a few days with my master presenting my final pieces on Wizarding tradition.”

“I’m glad you decided to go, it will do you some good to have a break.”

“You need a break too.” Harry told him finally looking up but meaning it. The more he got to know Severus the more he got to know the work load. “Which brings me on to the final courtship gift.”

Severus looked up from the article he was reading then, firstly with a frown and then with a look of surprise. “The final courtship gift, already?”

Harry stood, bringing over an envelope. “I’m going to take that as a compliment and assume you were having so much fun that you forgot to add the meets up. I assure you though I kept a strict diary and we have met as part of the courtship 24 times which means I can give you the final gift prior to our final meet.”

Severus took the envelope, opening it with ease then sliding out the card inside. On the front there was a picture of a beautiful little cottage with a thatched roof covered in snow, and a chimney chugging out smoke. He turned the card over where Harry had written a date and apparition instructions. “You’ve booked me a holiday.”

“Well, it’s only two nights but I cleared it with Minerva and she’ll make sure things are running here. It’s Yule Eve and Yule… but of course you’ll know that.” He felt a little nervous suddenly placing his hands in his pocket.

Severus turned the card over again. “This will be our final meeting before the contract exchange.”

Harry’s eyebrows raised. “Oh, you want me to come with you!?”

“Wasn’t that the point of this?” The headmaster asked, clearly thinking Harry had booked the cottage as their final meeting.

It did sort of make sense now Harry thought about it. “Well, actually I sort of presumed you’d want to go alone.”

Severus looked at him. “Unfortunately, I’ve got quite used to your presence so I think it’s best if you come with me. I’d also planned to test your knowledge on Yule traditions this year to ensure you’re ready for the class next year.”

Well, how could he ever say no to that. “Ok.”

*

Yule Eve

They apparated together in the morning to the cottage, which was just as picturesque in real life as it was in the pictures. The snow on the ground was fairly deep. There was a woodland to the back with a quiet road in front of the house which was separate from the cottage by a large front garden, meaning that it remained quite private.

Harry unlocked the front door which led straight into a cosy living room with the fire already lit and a sofa and armchair in front of it. At the back of the room there was a decent-sized round wooden dining table with four chairs. The pictures all depicted country scenes which he assumed were of the local area. To the left, there was a staircase and past that, a small snug area with another two armchairs and some books.

At the end of the room there was a doorway which Harry could just see led to the kitchen.

“Well, Potter, your taste certainly isn’t all that bad.” Severus told him moving past him to look more closely at the items in the room.

“Ha ha. I’m sure if I ever did get around to choosing my own home it would be marvellous,” Harry replied, walking into the kitchen to unpack the food supplies he’d collected from the kitchens before they’d left. It was a decent-sized kitchen with wooden surfaces and white cabinets. The cooker was an Aga which luckily Harry had learnt to use at Grimmauld place. He spelled the supplies away with a handy spell Mrs Weasley had taught him and stopped back in the living area. “I’m going to check upstairs out.”

The upstairs was equally as nice. Stained beams and white walls. Both bedrooms had large beds with tartan sheets and fur throws. Separating the bedrooms was a simple bathroom with a stand alone white bath. He chose a bedroom placing his clothes in the drawers provided.

Carefully he gathered the items he’d brought as part of the Yule tide traditions and brought them downstairs.

“So.” He cleared his throat and Severus turned to him from the chair he was sat in. “Yule traditions. I know some pure-blood families still take part in a ceremonial hunt but seeing as neither of us are pure-blood and I really don’t fancy hunting for our dinner I brought an offering from Hogwarts that Hagrid provided. So, I mean, technically someone hunted it. I do intended for us to prepare it together though if that’s acceptable?”

“What is it?” Severus asked.

“Grouse. I’ve been sent a recipe for the meat by Mrs Wesley and I know you’ve tried her cooking so I’m sure it will be great.” Harry smiled.

“Acceptable.” Severus looked at him expectantly. “And what are we to do until we prepare this meal?”

Harry grabbed his outer robe from the hook at the door. “Well, I thought we’d go and pick the Yule log.”

As it turned out, Severus was extremely fussy about which tree would do as their Yule log but after an hour Harry had lopped the chosen tree down, and dragged (with the help of magic) the tree back to the cottage. They took a break then and had hot chocolate in front of the fire and then Harry went back to work. He’d found a Yule axe in his vaults a few years ago though he’d never used it. It made quick work of the tree. He separated the twigs and sticks from the logs placing them in ornate sacks which he’d purchased specially for the day.

Severus had watched him from the window but came to help him carry the sacks back inside as was tradition. Harry smiled at him again; this felt special somehow, more so than he thought it would be.

He was about to place the axe in its traditional place above the hearth but the other man stopped him. “These are powerful runes. Where did you find it?”

“My vaults. I guess it’s a family heirloom,” Harry told him then carefully placed it in pride of place. “It feels as though it’s full of hundreds of years worth of magic.”

“I suspect that family members have been adding their own runes for years. It was obviously a very important part of your family’s year.” Severus’ gaze never left the axe.

“Did your family take part in Yule traditions?” Harry asked.

Severs looked at out the window then. “This a my first.”

There was a short silence while Harry digested that news. “Well, I’m honestly touched that you’ve entrusted your first Yule to me.”

The other man’s lips twitched while his obsidian eyes caught his with their usual intensity. “Don’t mess it up.”

“Would you like to place the first log?” Harry asked.

Severus laughed then. “Seeing as you did all the hard work laying the first log should most certainly be your reward.”

“I’d never have guessed you were so considerate,” Harry told him but carefully chose a log from the bag placing it on the embers of the dying fire. “I hope it catches.”

“It will,” Severus assured him watching the log on the fire.

Later that afternoon it was time to start preparing the meal. Together they plucked and washed the bird then Severus drained the blood without asking, obviously sensing Harry’s reluctance. They then sliced the meat, putting it in a boiling pot with the rest of the ingredients.

“I’m not keen on boiled meat but that’s how it’s supposed to be cooked.” Harry starred into the pot before placing the lid back on.

“It’s been a tradition for a long time. I’m sure it will taste fine,” Severus reassured him again.

Harry smirked at him, crossing his arms. “You’re being awfully nice.”

Severus raised an eyebrow, pausing from where he set the table. “Would you like me to be grumpy and mean?”

“No. I like you like this,” Harry told him truthfully. “Right. Bring that blood you caught earlier.”

They went outside before Harry emptied the bag full of sticks and twigs outside the door then Severus poured the grouse blood over them chanting in Latin.

It felt almost overwhelming - the magic that surrounded the was strong and unexpected.

Later, after the stew was enjoyed and they’d polished off a bottle of wine, Harry stood, presenting his hand to Severus. “I know the tradition is singing but how about we dance instead?” Harry nodded and the record player in the corner switched to a much slower song.

Severus took the offered hand, standing and placing his other hand on Harry’s waist pulling him close. “I’ll lead.”

And he did. After a while Harry lay his head on the nook of Severus shoulder and the man allowed his arms to tighten around him.

Not long after they both went up to bed to prepare for the next day.

*

Yule

In the morning, they placed more logs on the hearth to warm the room up. Harry disappeared again upstairs but returned quickly.

“For you.” It was a thin black box that was embossed with the golden Potter seal. Severus looked a little nevous when he noticed that but opened it carefully.

It was a magical contract of marriage. “You understand you didn’t have to present a marriage contract at the end?”

“I know. I’m presenting the marriage contract because I actually want you to consider it.”

“I’m sorry?” Severus scoffed. “You’re proposing?”

Harry gave a small, albeit nervous laugh. “Technically I did that months ago as the idea of a courtship is to end in a marriage.”

“Months ago you proposed the courtship in order to fully explore the concept as part of your research.” Severus narrowed his eyes at Harry not entirely sure how he felt about this. Shocked, surprised, on guard maybe. “You can’t be seriously considering me as a spouse.”

“Well, I am. I mean the contract negotiations can go on for months but when I entered into this I did so because you see me, you treat me like a normal wizard, then I got to know you more and found that as well as being wicked clever you actually have a sense of humour, you’re loyal, you’re considerate, and actually I think we would work,” Harry told him seriously.

“Potter… Harry… I…” Severus was at a loss for words.

“Don’t feel you need to give me an answer now. I want you to really consider it. Look at the contract make amendments really consider this,” Harry told him.

Severus looked again at the contract then at Harry. “Fine.”

Harry laughed again. “Good. I think this could be something great if you let it. I know deep down you must like me a little or you wouldn’t even tolerate me at all and you certainly wouldn’t have allowed the courtship.”

“You’re here, aren’t you?” Severus told him. “You’re serious about this.”

“I am.”

“Then I, Severus Snape, agree to enter into contract negotiations with Harry Potter.” He touched his wand to the contract and his seal appeared at the top next to Harry’s.

Harry stood up then and held his hand out for Severus. “Come on then, you know the next part.”

The man accepted the hand, standing up and coming almost toe to toe with Harry. He raised an eyebrow as though challenging the man which clearly didn’t have the desired effect as a pair of arms were flung around his neck and lips fastened to his. He couldn’t help but put his own arms around the younger man’s waist. It wasn’t a long kiss but was long enough to reassure Severus that they were most certainly compatible in that sense.

“Do we have to stop?” Harry asked as Severus moved back.

“Absolutely.”

“You sure?” Harry ground his hips forwards.

Severus growled. “Don’t play with fire,” he told him before stealing a last bruising kiss then pushing Harry away.

“Are kisses allowed while we negotiate?” the man asked almost innocently.

“Certainly not.”

*

After they returned to Hogwarts, Harry locked himself away for two days to work on his project. He needed to complete the final parts to his essay before he saw Master Reinhardt after Christmas at the Burrow. This meant he didn’t have any time to spend with Severus at all after the returned to the castle.

On Christmas Eve morning, he left the castle for the Weasleys, visiting the breakfast hall on his way to bid everyone a merry Christmas. He paused behind Severus’ chair, squeezing his shoulder, smiling when the man lay his own hand briefly on top of his. Harry did not missed the look that passed between Minerva and Filius.

After a joyful and relaxing Christmas at the Burrow and an intense few days with his Master he returned to the school on New Years Eve. He had told his friends about the courtship via letters but it was certainly different to discuss it with them at length. While Ron didn’t understand, he accepted Harry’s intentions and Hermione – well, she’d probably figured the whole thing out months ago.

In his room there was a note on his desk which read, “My quarters 8pm, SS.” Harry laughed at the assumption in the note, not even noting to reply as he knew Severus would know he’d be there.

He showered and put on some nice yet fairly casual robes arriving at door to Severus’ quarters a little before 8pm.

The man let him in with a raised eyebrow which could have indicated his appearance or the fact he was early for once. “I trust your Christmas was enjoyable.”

“It was. How was yours?” Harry could have laughed; he felt the nervous energy between the two of them.

“Tolerable.” He gestured for Harry to take a seat on the sofa before bringing him a glass of wine from the small kitchenette.

Before Severus sat down, he walked over to his fireplace, taking a wrapped box and handing it to Harry. “Merry Christmas.”

Harry unwrapped it carefully finding inside the contract with Severus’ edits. “Your negotiated contract.”

“Yes. I haven’t changed much, just some wording to make sure neither of us meet an untimely death if we argue - which I’m positive we would do. The fidelity clause remains and I’ve added to the clause about children. I noticed that you left that rather open ended but I’ve firmed that up with at least two heirs.” Severus sat himself down in his armchair.

“I wasn’t sure you’d want children,” Harry told him seriously it was something they had never talked about.

Severus sighed. “I’m not a paternal man but I do believe that children are an important part of marriage. I do believe that they are important to you and that you should not put allowances in the contract for fear of me rejecting it. If a marriage is to work between us, we must have an understanding.”

Harry nodded. “I understand. I accept them.”

Severus sat back a little. “Sorry?”

“The contract,” Harry said slowly. “I accept it.”

“You aren’t going to look if over more?” The headmaster asked.

“Nope. I accept.” Harry placed it carefully next to him. “Also I passed my masters.”

“Congratulations.” Severus raised a glass to him but instead of raising a glass in a return salute, Harry stood up.

“You know what I think I deserve for passing… and accepting your negotiated contract.” Harry moved closer placing his hands on Severus arm chair.

“I think I can guess,” Severus replied, wisely placing his wine down on the table just in time to catch Harry who straddled him, beginning to kiss him hungrily.

Harry wondered why more wizards didn’t do courtships but after his experience, he was most certainly going to write a book in favour of them. This was glorious.