Snarry-a-Thon23: FIC: Island Charms Title: Island Charms Author:Goddess47 Other pairings: Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy Rating: PG Word count: 5500 Content/Warning(s): Implied mpreg Prompt: Severus must find and drag a hiding-in-the-muggle-world Harry back to the wizarding world before his 19th birthday due to? (Betrothment contract, inheritance clause on Potter/Black fortune, creature inheritance - your choice) Summary: The clear blue skies of the Pacific isles were initially a welcome sight but five days of clear blue skies and unrelenting heat were wearing. At least to him. Severus didn't plan to stay long enough to get used to it. A/N: While I didn't specifically say, I have Harry at about age 25 here. He needed time to be away from the wizarding world for a bit and 19 didn't let him have that. But thank you for a fun prompt!
Severus took a moment under the shade of a store awning to discreetly re-apply the sunscreen charm as he walked down the street. The clear blue skies of the Pacific isles were initially a welcome sight but five days of clear blue skies and unrelenting heat were wearing. At least to him. He didn't plan to stay long enough to get used to it.
The previous, and hopefully last, clue of this frustrating so-called treasure hunt led him to this street. He strolled down the lane, ignoring the light traffic. He stopped in front of multiple, identical cottages, to try to decide if his quarry was here.
He almost walked by it. The eye, circumscribed by a triangle, with a single vertical line through it. It was engraved above the door frame.
Severus walked up to the door and rapped on it.
"Professor!" Harry Potter was obviously startled to see Severus. Potter stared for a moment, sighed, and waved. "Come in."
Severus gratefully stepped out of the sun into the cool interior of the cottage. There had to be cooling charms working overtime to keep the room cool.
"What brings you here?" Potter narrowed his eyes at Severus.
"You do," Severus admitted baldly. No sense in pretending.
Potter held up a hand before Severus could say more. "Cuppa?"
Now that he had finally found Potter, Severus could relax. "Please," he said with a small nod.
"Come on to the back," Potter said. "It's nice back there."
The cottage was eclectic but comfortable looking. The furniture was likely locally created, bright fabrics made up the upholstery and the pillows strewn everywhere. A hand-sewn quilt lay over the back of the longest couch, rumpled from being used regularly.
The living room flowed into the kitchen, which had modern appliances and the crockery he could see was a jumble of colors and styles. It looked well lived in and loved.
Potter bustled about the kitchen for a moment. "I get proper English tea leaves shipped in regularly," he said. "I suspect you haven't had anything decent in a while."
"I have come to appreciate the coffee," Severus admitted. "I had given up on having a proper tea from the start of my trip."
Potter barked a laugh. "Smart move."
"Come on, the garden is a good place to sit," Potter said as he deftly balanced a tea pot, mugs, and a plate of biscuits on a tray.
The garden was gorgeous. Severus eyed the size of the space as he sat at the semi-cluttered table just outside the doors. The table was in the shade of the house and the cool air from the inside kept the space comfortable.
"Been buying up surrounding properties as I could," Potter admitted. "Having the property in back gave me the space for the garden, without having to do expansion charms."
"It is lovely," Severus admitted.
"Almost anything grows well here," Potter said. "The weather is better than a greenhouse, although I do have a small greenhouse at the back for anything that is sensitive."
"What do you grow?" Severus asked.
"A number of different things," Potter replied. He pointed. "That's mostly vegetables. The rest is either potions ingredients or, well, just because they're pretty."
Severus took a drink of the tea. It was perfectly made and a welcome taste of home.
"Potions?"
Potter colored. "Yeah. I can brew well enough to make things to trade for food or whatnot. Got a lot of things for the house that way."
"There there not a lot of wizards or witches around here?" Severus asked.
"Oh, there's a ton!" Potter replied cheerfully. "A few ex-pats but mostly what the Ministry would classify as Squibs and would ignore. But they've enough magic to do simple things. It's like they're good at one thing. Chazz next door raises the best chickens -- they never get loose, there are plenty of eggs, and they're good eating. Leehu on the next block works with fabrics -- most of the things I have are from him. They wear like iron, are practical as well as decorative. I could go on."
"The Ministry has always been short-sighted," Severus agreed. "I have heard the term hedge-witch used. That usually applies to someone closer to nature, but there are many people around the world who have abilities that the Ministry has decided they do not 'deserve' either a wand or training."
"That tracks," Potter replied.
"For all that your friend Ms Granger is considered Muggle-born by the Ministry, I would think there are untrained witches and wizards in her family," Severus said. "Her parents practice Muggle dentistry but some of their skill may have magical enhancement." A shrug. "Or a grandparent wasn't able to earn the N.E.W.T.s necessary for wand rights but they were a witch or wizard."
"I wouldn't be surprised," Potter nodded.
Severus had a second cup of tea and a biscuit before he broached his reason for being here.
"First of all, asking Narcissa Malfoy to be your Secret Keeper was unexpected," Severus said.
Potter grinned. "That's exactly why I did it. She was grateful for my assistance in keeping her and Draco out of prison."
"She was very smug when she finally told me where to start to look for you," Severus said. "And you were clever enough to make what she knew only the first stop in a search for you."
"I was just making sure whomever came looking for me really meant it," Potter replied, looking away and into his garden. "Why have you come?"
"Gringotts is actually looking for you," Severus said. "There are banking matters they want to discuss and, evidently, you have Lordships that will go into stasis if you do not claim them by your next birthday."
"That is in three weeks."
"It has taken me three months to find you. Although a month of that was spent figuring out that Narcissa was the starting place," Severus said without apology. "You did not make it easy."
A sigh. "You have papers for me to look at, I assume?"
"I do," Severus nodded.
More silence. Potter idly ate a biscuit as they sat.
Potter had finally filled out, no longer the thin, weedy child he had been at Hogwarts. Years away from England, in the sun, had turned Potter into an attractive young man. He had grown a few more inches, put on weight -- but was obviously still fit -- and had settled into his skin. With new glasses, longer hair tied back in a queue, and the t-shirt and shorts he wore, only the green eyes would make him immediately identifiable in a crowd.
"Give me your papers and I'll look at them," Potter decided. "Where are you staying?"
"I don't have a room anywhere," Severus admitted. "I didn't know for sure this was the end or if I'd have to travel somewhere else. I was going to get a room in town."
"Good luck with that," Potter laughed. "It's the Feast of St. Bonaventure this week and everyplace will be full up. I have an extra room, you can stay here."
"I wouldn't want to put you out..."
"Nah," Potter waved a hand. "Although I was going to the street fair tonight. You'd be welcome to come. Or you can just stay here."
"I have not taken the time to see much as I have traveled," Severus admitted. "If you do not mind my company, I would like to come with you."
"All right, give me whatever papers you have and you can unpack," Potter directed.
Severus reached into the extensible pocket in his slacks and brought out a pouch. "Everything is in here," he said as he handed the pouch over. "There is a letter of introduction on the top and that will provide an index of what else is inside."
"It's a lot, isn't it?" Potter asked.
"I have not seen it all," Severus replied. "But it sounds extensive."
"How did you get this job?" Potter asked as they went back into the cottage. "I would have thought Hermione or someone else would be here."
"Ms Granger is the one who convinced Narcissa to tell me where you were," Severus replied. "Draco finally convinced Ms Granger to marry him and they are about to have their first child. I do have to warn you that I have been threatened with godfather responsibilities for the child if you do not take up that mantle."
A surprised laugh.
Severus handed over a smaller packet. "A missive from Ms Granger, now Mrs. Malfoy."
"Does everyone know you were looking for me?" Potter complained.
"No one else," Severus hastened to assure him. "I understand your reasons for leaving Britain, so no one else outside of the Account Managers know I was searching for you."
"Account Managers." Potter had immediately picked up on the plural.
"I am sorry. For what it is worth," Severus admitted.
"What do you get out of this?"
"I will admit to negotiating a significant fee, otherwise the Horde would be suspicious of my intentions and choose someone else," Severus replied. "The fee was simply for attempting to find you and I am due more for finding you. But I wanted to... apologize for what went on between us while you were at Hogwarts. I was too ill to say anything when you left and then... there was no way to say anything. Time has given me a perspective that I did not have before."
"You've been to a Mind Healer, haven't you?" Potter asked with a crinkle about his eyes. There was both amusement and understanding in that look.
"That, also," Severus admitted.
"I recognize the 'make amends' portion of all that," Potter replied. "We can compare notes some time."
"If we must," Severus bit back the groan he wanted to give.
"That's the Professor Snape I remember," Potter laughed.
The guest room wasn't overly large but the bed was comfortable. There was a wardrobe for clothes and, interestingly, an en suite.
"This one is pretty normal, except for the unlimited hot water," Potter explained. "I have an extended bathroom with a tub that is almost big enough to swim in."
"How is the local water supply?" Severus had learned along the way to respect water limits. Using Scourgify for cleaning was acceptable but he strongly preferred actual water showers.
"Ah, well, I help that along," Potter admitted. "There is a natural spring under the town and I've done some rune work to make sure it keeps flowing."
"Good to know," Severus nodded. Runes? An interesting subject for Potter to know anything about.
"Dinner in about two hours and then we'll go to the festival," Potter said. "You have time for a nap if you need one."
Severus snorted. "I am neither young enough nor old enough to require a nap in the afternoon," he said. "However, I will appreciate some quiet reading time."
Potter just laughed as he walked away. He took a step back and leaned in. "I hope you like chicken!"
Dinner was a spicy stir-fry using the promised chicken and what Severus assumed were locally-grown vegetables.
The street festival was interesting. Potter had obviously made many friends in the time he had been living here and was greeted cheerfully. Some he introduced Severus to as an old friend passing through and others he waved to as they kept moving. It was well past midnight before they returned to the cottage. Drinks had been regularly pressed into their hands and Severus was feeling slightly tipsy.
"Feel free to sleep in," Potter said. "Do you need anything? A sober-up?"
"I have a supply of potions in my bag," Severus said. "But thank you."
"Good night," Potter said as Severus went to his room.
As he drank the sober-up potion, Severus reflected that it was interesting to see Potter comfortable with crowds and other people. The time between Hogwarts and now had been good for Potter. He fell asleep to the image of a happy Harry Potter dancing through his head.
Morning found a note on the table. Sorry. Had to run out. Eggs and veg in the fridge. Coffee and tea in the canisters on the counter. Help yourself.
Severus found three dozen eggs under a stasis charm in the fridge. Harry must be a regular recipient of the bounty next door and didn't know how to say 'no' to a neighbor. There was some fresh goat cheese in a pot, from another neighbor Severus assumed. He made himself an omelet with the bounty and a pot of tea to go with it.
"Oh, good, you ate some of the eggs," Potter said as he came in.
"Would you like something?" Severus offered.
"No, thank you," Potter replied. "Leehu's granddaughter's baby came early and I've learned some pain-relief charms that are useful. And, well, new baby, so there was a small party already starting."
"You are quite involved in the local community," Severus commented.
"I am," Potter admitted. "It's... it's nice. Being wanted for something other than being Harry Potter." A small blush. "It's nice being just Harry."
An impulse that Severus did not resist made him ask. "May I call you Harry?"
Another one of those stares. "Merlin! You've been calling me Mr. Potter in your head, haven't you?"
Severus nodded.
"Oh, please, do call me Harry. I probably wouldn't even answer to Mr. Potter at this point," he said.
"I am Severus," Severus had to reply.
"Oh! Such fun!" Po-- Harry laughed. "Harry and Severus!"
"I take it back!" Severus protested.
"Too late!" Another laugh. "Harry and Severus," he sang.
"How much have you had to drink at this hour of the morning?" Severus tried to be grumpy.
"Only one," Harry admitted. "It really is too early in the day to start drinking."
"I suspect you should have some food." Severus observed. "You seem to have plenty of eggs."
"Would you?" Harry gave in. "I'll make dinner, although we'll be invited to some party or another I would suspect. Everyone is dead curious about you, so we'll be invited everywhere."
"I will look forward to it," Severus replied dryly. "We do have a time limit we are working under."
"Actually, you don't!" Harry protested. "You've done your job and now it is up to me."
"True," Severus had to admit.
"Are you making breakfast or not?" Harry asked with a grin.
"Brat," Severus replied as he got up to make another omelet.
Harry recounted the birth, how this was Leehu's first great-grandchild, and that Harry was glad to not be a woman, since going through childbirth was not for the faint of heart.
Severus listened amusedly to the babbling, Harry only quieting to inhale the huge omelet he had prepared.
"Nice not to cook for myself," Harry admitted as he ate. "At least without going out."
Breakfast was barely finished when the parade of curious friends and neighbors started. The first was Chazz from next door, with another dozen eggs. Harry grinned as he took them and Severus was able to voice appreciation for their breakfast.
"I can give you more!" Chazz offered.
"We will certainly let you know if we need more," Severus promised gravely.
That seemed to be an acceptable answer, since she dimpled but sat to chat and ask questions about how Harry and Severus had met.
Harry adhered to the 'old friend passing through' line, so Severus followed that lead. His travels to locate Harry let him imply that he was simply wandering the world and had stumbled across Harry, who had been glad to see him.
Everyone brought something, mostly food, so Severus kept busy plating the food brought by one visitor to offer to the next visitor. It wasn't until almost dinner time that the last visitor left, offering an invitation to dinner another evening or for drinks after tonight's street festival.
"Sorry about all of that," Harry tried to apologize as the last visitor left.
"Nonsense," Severus said. "It's nice to see how many friends you have made here."
"Well, I promised dinner," Harry said as he stood. "Do you have any preferences?"
"I have nibbled all day," Severus admitted. "A sandwich will be fine. Especially if we are to go back out to the street festival."
"We can stay in," Harry started.
"As long as you'll have time to deal with those papers soon," Severus felt obligated to remind Harry why he was even here.
"I will, I will," Harry nodded.
Now that several of the locals had met Severus, he was welcomed with open arms at the street festival, which led to more introductions. And more drinking.
Severus was laughing about something inane as they stumbled their way back to Harry's cottage. The thought brought him up short. He did not laugh about inane things. Oh. He was drunk. But... drinking to excess was a weakness. He could not show weakness. But... he was free of obligations and there were no monsters to take advantage of that weakness.
"What's going on in that big brain of yours?" Harry asked as Severus stood still in the middle of the street.
"I..." Severus shook his head for a minute. Oh. That was a mistake. Now everything was spinning.
"Let's get you inside," Harry coaxed. "We can take sober-up potions and everything will be better."
"But... it is better this way," Severus mumbled as he allowed Harry to guide him inside.
"You'll be thanking me in the morning," Harry promised.
"I think I'm having fun!" Severus protested. "I am not a fun person!"
Harry stopped for a moment and looked at Severus. "Oh, Severus."
"You have every reason to hate me," Severus went on. "But... You're... nice! And kind... and... handsome... and..."
"Okay, off to bed with you," Harry was firm. He guided Severus to the bathroom and then stripped him to his underwear before setting him on the bed. "Drink this," Harry ordered.
Severus downed the potion without protest.
"Tomorrow..." Harry whispered as he left the room.
It was full daylight when Severus woke. He wondered if he could simply die of embarrassment. It would be easier. It would be easier to face Voldemort than Harry this morning.
"Breakfast will be ready shortly," Harry called into his room.
Severus took a deep breath. "Thank you. Coming shortly."
Severus washed up roughly in the bathroom, promising himself a shower later, dressed and went into the main part of the house.
"Feeling better?" Harry asked.
"Feeling more than slightly foolish," Severus admitted.
"Some coffee might help," Harry grinned.
"I... I would like to apologize for my behaviour last night," Severus said formally. "I had over imbibed and was forward and rude."
Harry placed a plate with something that looked like quiche. "Sorry. I guess I eat a lot of eggs."
Severus snorted. "What do you do with all those eggs? You certainly have more than one person can use."
"Sometimes I bake," Harry said. "Cookies and cakes are always welcome." He grinned. "And some I just dump into the garden. They're good for growing some of the plants."
"Ah!" Severus grinned back for a moment before sobering. He looked down at the plate. "It will not happen again."
"That's too bad," Harry said.
Severus had to look up. "Pardon me?"
"You were having fun," Harry said. "Nothing atrocious happened. What's wrong with that?"
Severus took a forkful of the quiche and chewed it for a moment. He put the fork down.
"I don't know how to have fun," Severus said. "It is not something I was allowed. I do not even know if I was doing it properly."
Harry gave a startled laugh. "There's no wrong way to have fun. If you were happy and no one else was offended or harmed, then... that's is all right."
"I..."
"Eat up," Harry said. "There's bread and pastries left from what everyone brought yesterday. I need to do some work in the gardens and we'll have a quiet day in. I'll be in the back if you need anything."
Helpless in the face of calm, Severus went back to his breakfast. Harry had evidently already eaten but had left the quiche on the table if he wanted more. Severus indulged in a second slice and more coffee. It let him think.
He tidied up the kitchen and took a cup of coffee out to the table that overlooked the garden. He sat and watched Harry putter about.
"So. What did you decide?" Harry asked as he dropped into a chair across the table from Severus.
"It is too soon for a final decision," Severus replied. "I have only been here for three days. I have brewed potions that take longer than that."
"Good point," Harry nodded.
Severus took a breath. "I do not want to impose but I would like to stay here longer. I can move somewhere else..."
"You can stay right here," Harry said firmly. "The room is yours, for as long as you like."
"I am not an easy person to be around," Severus protested.
"I'm not an angel myself," Harry admitted. "I have wards around my bed for the nights I wake screaming from the nightmares. While the past few days have been fun--" He pointed a finger at Severus. "--yes, they have. I have my own bad moments when the memories are overwhelming." He spread his hands. "We are human. We can only try our best every day."
"You sound like the Mind Healer I worked with," Severus replied.
"You don't think I got smart all on my own?" Harry grinned. "There's a married couple that are Mind Healers together. They work on different things and both have been helpful to me. I'll introduce you to them."
"Why do you have the Death symbol above your front door?" Severus asked.
"Merlin. That requires more coffee," Harry said. "Be right back." He went inside and in a few minutes brought out a pot with more coffee and a plate of biscuits. "What do you know of the Tales of Beetle the Bard. Mostly the Deathly Hallows?"
"Three brothers were given items from Death. A wand, a cloak, and a stone. Death came for two of the brothers but the third escaped," Severus recounted.
"And owning all three would make a person the Master of Death," Harry added.
"Dumbledore reportedly had the Elder Wand," Severus said.
"Dumbledore had possession of the Elder Wand, the Cloak of Invisibility, and the Resurrection Stone at different times in his life. But never all simultaneously. Also, there is an underlying need to not want to be the Master of Death. Like the Mirror of Erised in that foolish maze. You have to not want to be the Master of Death to become the Master of Death."
"And you..."
Harry grimaced and nodded. "One of the Lordships in that packet is for Lord Peverell. It was three Peverell brothers that made the original deal with Death and a Peverell ancestor married a Potter ancestor a number of generations back. As the last Potter, I not only inherit that but also the Peverell lordship."
"You knew." Severus said, trying not to sound accusing.
"Why do you think I made it so hard to find me?" Harry asked with a shrug. "The expectations will be enormous. Lord Potter. Lord Black. Lord Peverell..." A pause. "Lord Gryffindor. Lord Emrys."
"Harry!"
"What can I say?" Harry shrugged. He stuffed a biscuit into his mouth.
"What can I do to help?" Severus asked.
"You would help me?"
"Of course!"
"Help me to turn it all down?" Harry asked softly.
"Even that." Severus was firm. "You have done your duty to Wizarding Britain. Asking anything more is too much."
"Thank you for that," Harry replied. "Fortunately, all of those Account Managers are busy working on options I sent to them."
"You knew."
"Again, I have gotten to know a lot of smart people," Harry grinned. "One doesn't need to be a Wizard to be a financial genius. Or a barrister. While I have not been officially in contact with Gringotts, my representatives have been. I've been waiting for the official notice, which you brought, thank you, to act. That there are now less than three weeks to my birthday means no one will have the time to stop what has been set in motion."
Severus had to laugh. "The Ministry is not prepared for you to walk away from everything."
"They will be even less happy with what I have set in motion," Harry grinned.
"May I ask?"
"The best is that before I left England, I performed a blood adoptions of Hermione into the House of Emrys," Harry said. "With my abdication, she becomes Regent for the House of Emrys. Her son will become Lord Emrys on his majority."
"Does Narcissa know?"
"No, but Draco does," Harry replied. "They were not eager for the burden but were willing to take it on. Hermione's crusading spirit is what Britain needs."
"The others?"
"I made Teddy Lupin the next Lord Black, that was easy because of Tonks," Harry shrugged. "I strong-armed Neville into taking the Gryffindor lordship. Turns out that since we are magical god-brothers, I can transfer the Gryffindor lordship to him without too much fuss."
Severus nodded. "Mr. Longbottom is a good choice."
"I'll keep the Potter and Peverell lordships," Harry shrugged. "Death herself will not let me escape those, since they are intertwined. I'll have to provide heirs for those at some point but I have appointed proxies for those roles for the immediate future." A small laugh. "An advantage to being the Master of Death is knowing I will not pass until I have those heirs. Even then, it will likely be on my own terms."
"When will you do that?" Severus asked. "Take on those Lordships, that is?"
"Next week, which will be a week before my birthday," Harry replied. "Again, if I do anything too soon, there are those that will think they have a say in what I do."
"Too true," Severus agreed.
"There is one specific thing you can help me with," Harry offered.
"Anything."
"Merlin! You need to be a bit more cautious than that!" Harry laughed.
"You are giving away the throne of England," Severus said. "There's not much you can ask that surpasses that."
"I don't know..." Harry blushed. "Once I take on the Potter and Peverell lordships I anticipate a swarm of marriage contracts, which is abhorrent all on its own. I would like to forestall that by being able to announce that I am already in a formal courting arrangement."
"That is an excellent idea," Severus nodded.
"With you."
Severus' mind went blank. "Pardon me?"
Harry blushed. Severus shouldn't find it charming, but it was. "I would like to enter a formal courting arrangement with you."
"I..." Severus closed his mouth and looked away. "I am not an appropriate choice."
"That is the least of my worries," Harry replied firmly. "Some of this is practical, and some of it is very personal."
"A courting period is very old-fashioned," Severus said thoughtfully.
"It will be romantic enough, and formal enough, to satisfy some of those who think they can interfere in my life. The time element will give us a chance to see if we are suitable," Harry said. "We can set up a contract for a year-and-a-day to give us each a chance to see if we can make anything work. Since I will be courting you, you can opt out at any point."
"I would not do that to you," Severus said without thought.
Harry nodded. "You are honorable and understand what I am asking of you," Harry said gently. "The practical part is that by courting you, it gives everyone time to realize I will not be bought by pretty people or any money they might have." A small grimace. "I have more money than most of them put together."
"I did not even think of the monetary issues," Severus admitted.
"Yet another reason for me to court you," Harry nodded. "You were happy eating bartered eggs and drinking on the local streets. You're not here for my Vaults."
Severus shook his head. "I... I need a chance to think about this."
"Certainly!" Harry nodded. "We're invited to Leehu's tonight for dinner to meet the great-granddaughter. But there is nothing this afternoon and I can leave you alone."
"Is he the barrister or the financial advisor?" Severus had to ask.
"The barrister," Harry laughed. "He does work with fabrics in his spare time."
"That will be fine," Severus said.
As promised, Harry left Severus alone for the afternoon. Severus took a short walk down the street and found that he was greeted by multiple people. It was something that never would happen on Spinner's End.
After dinner, Severus was not surprised to be eased away from the crowd by Leehu.
"You are here to threaten me that if I do not do right by Harry that I will suffer unimaginable consequences," Severus said, shaking his head. "Do your best."
Leehu laughed. "Not quite. Mostly to let you know that Harry had made me available to you to answer questions you may not want to ask him. There may be things I cannot tell you, but I will tell you what I can."
"He is sincere in this courtship?" Severus asked. "It is a mad plan."
A nod. "He has been looking forward to you coming here for a long time," Leehu replied.
"I did not know I was coming until recently," Severus was startled.
A shrug. "Nonetheless. He had hoped it would be you that found him."
"Why is that?"
"You will have to ask him that yourself," Leehu said. "But I can promise you it is sincere."
"I... thank you," Severus said.
"While you do not have to decide tonight, for the larger plan to work, you will have to decide in another two days," Leehu said. "That is when the papers will be filed with your British Ministry. While the forms are supposed to be confidential, we both know that Harry's decisions will be all over the Ministry in an hour and all over Britain the next day."
"Too true," Severus nodded.
"Come! There is a party! I am a great-grandfather and want to celebrate!" Leehu guided Severus back to the party.
Severus resisted drinking too much that night. He wanted time to think but he also knew he was running out of time.
Harry was yawning the next morning as Severus got up for breakfast.
"Sit. I can make eggs and coffee," Severus said.
"The partying is catching up with me. The street festival is really an occasional thing," Harry admitted. "And I had a bad night. I hope I didn't disturb you."
"Did not hear a thing," Severus replied. "Your wards must be robust."
Harry nodded. "Had Chazz in here four times the first week I was here," he replied. "Scared her, even from next door."
"Are you better?" Severus asked.
"Mostly," Harry replied. "It never really goes away. I just deal with it better."
"That is true."
Severus dished up breakfast and they ate in companionable silence.
"I have decided to accept your offer of courtship," Severus announced over their second cup of coffee.
Harry's face lit up with a wide smile.
"I am hoping that time will let you decide whether this is foolishness or something we can build a future on," Severus said. "I find myself in the interesting position to hope we can have our own happy ending."
"That is my hope," Harry admitted softly.
"You are unexpected in my life," Severus said as he held out a hand. "You are something I never would have considered."
Harry smiled softly as he took Severus' hand. "I look forward to the next year."
-----
They had a -- relatively -- small wedding the next year, on Harry's next birthday. Harry and Severus promised honor and love in front of Luna Lovegood who had simply appeared in town three days before the wedding. Hermione and Draco stood as witnesses for them, baby Richard babbling in Leehu's arms.
"When you are ready for your children, I will come back and help you with the ritual," Luna said cheerfully.
Severus blinked. Of course Luna would know of the ritual that would allow for a male to carry a baby. Harry wanted to carry their first, although Severus thought he'd like to carry their second child. After that, they could flip a coin.
The wedding ceremony may have been small but the street festival lasted for a week.
At the end of the week, Harry and Severus left the island to travel. Harry wanted to see Rome and Severus was more than willing to indulge him.
They checked into their hotel and went out on the balcony that overlooked the Parthenon.
"I think we got our happily ever after," Harry said.
"I know we did," Severus said as he leaned in for a kiss.