hkpadfoot (hkpadfoot) wrote in snape_potter, @ 2012-08-01 00:18:00 |
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Harry sat with his knees to his chest, staring at the clock avidly. His breathing slowed as he got closer to sixty seconds.
The clock’s numbers all switched. It was midnight. Harry took in a sharp breath.
“Happy birthday Harry,” he mumbled to the dark room.
He was twenty-three. Twenty-three years old.
It was a horrible number really. What happened at twenty –three? There were no letters, no special rights or privileges granted. There was no fives or zeros to be celebrated. Age twenty-three was the cusp. The cusp of a life that Harry was unsure he was prepared for.
It was melodramatic. Harry recognized that. He also realized that he probably should’ve stopped the tradition of waiting until midnight the night before his birthday years ago.
He grasped the blanket that was wrapped around his shoulders tightly and sighed as the last zero on the clock turned to a one. He fell back on his bed.
Today would be a day spent feeding all the owls that flooded his flat with Happy Birthday greetings. Ron and Hermione would undoubtedly show up in the early afternoon and after a stroll through Diagon Alley they would head to the Burrow. Molly would have a large cake and tons of food. Everyone would be there.
Everyone except Severus. Harry sighed and pulled a pillow over his head.
No, Severus Snape would be out of the country still, talking potions, in Hawaii, with people from around the world. It was a trip Harry was supposed to have accompanied Severus on. After the conference they were going to enjoy a quiet resort and each other.
But that was before Harry messed everything up and they fought a few hours before departure. Severus left in a flurry of robes while Harry stayed behind, only later realizing his mistake.
Clenching his teeth, Harry took a deep breath through his nose. Relaxing as he exhaled.
That had been a week ago. It would be at least another three days before Severus returned home and Harry would be able to fix things.
For now he’d just have to cope.
~*~
The day went as expected. Harry went through the motions. He smiled with his family, told them all how much he loved them. He endured Hermione’s knowing glances. He graciously tolerated Molly attempting to play matchmaker.
His relationship with Severus was still new to his family. They had no idea how hard Harry had fought to get the man to accept him as an equal partner in an equal relationship. As soon as the man came home, Harry would be at his feet begging for forgiveness.
As it was, Severus was not at his home. Harry entered his own flat and sighed, flipping on a light, he tossed his keys on the side table next to the couch and moved to the kitchen. He grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it with water from the tap. He drank the water quickly while surveying his empty flat.
Hermione was right—he needed a pet.
Rolling his eyes at the thought of Hermione’s lecturing, Harry set his glass down. Unbuttoning his shirt as he moved towards his room, he left a trail of clothing behind.
Harry had finally settled into bed, surrounded by pillows, when the pounding at the door started. His hand tightened around his wand as he looked up at the clock.
It was ten to midnight.
Harry swung his legs off the bed and carefully crept out of his room and to the front door. He stood next to the door listening to the frantic pounding, for a brief moment, before peering through the peephole.
Pale skin, long nose, dark hair.
Harry pulled away from the door and opened it.
Severus Snape pushed his way into the flat and glanced at his wristwatch.
“Eleven fifty-five. Had you taken any more time dawdling at the door, you would’ve made me late,” he said.
Harry arched an eyebrow. “What are you doing here?” he asked, shutting the door.
Severus turned to him. “It is your birthday, is it not?”
“For another four minutes,” Harry said, crossing his arms over his chest. He was suddenly incredibly aware of how thin his boxers were and how cold the room was.
“I’m afraid I had to give a lecture this morning and was not able to procure an emergency portkey home until after. As it is currently twelve fifty-six in the afternoon in Honolulu, I got here as soon as I could,” Severus explained. Harry smiled slightly.
“Did you come all the way from Hawaii with an emergency portkey just to say happy birthday?” he asked. Severus stepped towards Harry. He reached up and cupped Harry’s face gently.
“And to apologize. I should not have left you behind,” Severus said. Harry shrugged lightly.
“I shouldn’t have said the things I did,” he said. “I’m sorry too.”
Severus leaned forward as Harry tilted his head up. Their lips met and Harry grinned brightly, he pulled away from Severus.
“Really you just left a conference early for this?” he asked.
“Not quite. The portkey will return me safely to the conference hotel in precisely six hours. I’m hoping you’ll go back with me. There are only two days left to the conference, and I have not cancelled the reservations for our vacation,” Severus said. Harry’s eyes widened.
“You mean it?” he asked.
“If you’re agreeable, I would like to spend the rest of our vacation together,” Severus said. Harry grinned and wrapped his arms around Severus’ neck, pulling him in for a kiss.
“I’d love to,” he breathed as they parted. “You’re going to have to help me pack.”
~*~
The sun streamed through the thin curtains and onto the bed. Harry sighed happily as he stretched out. As he relaxed he brought one of his hands to trace down his naked torso and rest on his hip. He stared out towards the window.
“Good morning,” Severus greeted as the bed dipped. Harry turned his head and smiled.
“Hey you,” he replied with a tired voice. Severus traced Harry’s face with a single finger.
“There’s breakfast,” Severus said. Harry smiled lightly reaching up for Severus’ face.
“Maybe later,” he replied, pulling Severus down for a kiss as the sun’s rays warmed their skin.