Post by kcsficmas on Dec 22, 2011 10:53:31 GMT -8
Title: Christmas at #12 Grimmauld Place
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Slash, minor sexual implications
Summary: Harry wants to spend Christmas with Severus, but Snape is conflicted between his romantic feelings and his duty as a double agent.
A/N: This was way out of my normal style, so I hope it’s good! I had so much fun writing for you, Rachael!! ♥ Merry Christmas!! ♥
Terms of the request:
Three things included:
1) Severus Snape/Harry Potter's romantic relationship on Christmas Day
2) Some Ginny bashing.
3) Remus, Tonks and Fred alive.
Three things NOT included:
1) Dramione
2) Mentions of previous Harry/Ginny or Harry/Cho or Severus/Lily
3) Angst/Fear/Tragedy (this was so hard!! I had to keep re-writing.)
-
Surely he was out of his mind. In his office during the late hours of the night was one thing. The seclusion of the dungeons provided him with the necessary sense of acceptability. And Potter’s map was a priceless resource that could guarantee their privacy within the school grounds.
There was an unspoken agreement between them; there were limits. They were not to express anything other than their subtle love-hate relationship that was evident to Potter’s classmates. The exception being, of course, the carefully selected locations and pre-arranged times that were always agreed upon with vigilance. Always late in the night. Always on school grounds.
Yet Severus found himself inexplicably drawn to 12 Grimmauld Place on this day. Well, if he was honest with himself, his desire to be here was explicable, he supposed. As he gazed upon Black’s front door with apprehension, the very thought of turning away made him ill. Sleep would never find him tonight if he did not enter through that door. When he closed his eyes, Potter’s face would relentlessly sear through his mind.
“I don’t understand why you can’t just drop by,” Potter’s voice was quiet and steady. But Severus did not miss the flash of anger in those familiar green eyes.
“We’ve been through this.” Several times, although the specifics now escaped him. Ever since Potter informed him that he would be spending the holidays at the Burrow, the boy never missed an opportunity to bring it up. The topic had surpassed tedious; it could now only be described as trying. The closer the holidays approached, the more desperate Potter became.
“It’s Christmas.” Potter said it through clenched teeth. He really was no good at hiding emotion. Severus said nothing. This would end the way it always did.
“For four years, we’ve been together at Christmas!”
“You do not have to go.” That was an unfair statement, he knew. The boy had so little opportunity to experience family, he should not be asking him to turn it down.
“You could just stop by.”
Severus could feel his face pulling into a sneer. “At the Weasleys’ house? What a welcoming treat that would be.”
He had gone over some sort of line; he knew it immediately. Potter’s expression changed from frustration to one of disappointment. Hurt had replaced the anger in his eyes.
“I’ll just be going, then, Professor.” Potter avoided his gaze as he turned to leave the office.
“Professor?” Had Potter ever called him that before? Five years ago, maybe.
“Good night, Sir.” Still avoiding eye-contact, Potter quickly walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
Severus shook the recent memory from his mind as he let himself inside 12 Grimmauld Place. The house was so crowded that nobody would notice another set of footsteps treading the halls. And he’d heard that Potter had been keeping to himself since the incident with Arthur Weasley and Nagini. Despite the unpleasant circumstances, the situation was rather convenient.
He quickened his pace as he walked by the kitchen and made his way to the stairs.
“Are they in there alone?” Fred whispered.
George adjusted the extendable ear before shaking his head. “I can’t hear anything.” He pulled the ear back under the door and inspected the connection carefully. “I don’t get it.”
“Maybe Snape’s put a ward up,” Fred suggested doubtfully. “But we got it physically in there, I’m sure of it.”
“No wards,” George agreed. He pressed his own ear against the door, but he could only make out a faint murmuring. “What is going on?” he hissed, frustrated.
“Shhhh!!” Fred motioned for him to keep his voice down. “I’m surprised Harry’s talking to him at all…”
“What are you doing in front of Harry’s door?” Ginny asked, startling the twins. She was standing over the two kneeling boys, watching them with interest.
Fred put a finger to his lips but George was already glaring as he pulled away from the door; the murmuring inside had stopped. “Ginny!” they groaned in unison.
Remus appeared in the stairwell with a stern look on his face. “Mind your manners, boys,” he shoed the three of them down the hall, carefully concealing his own curiosity.
As they hustled away from Remus, George elbowed Ginny in the side. “Are you mental? Couldn’t you tell we were trying to be quiet?”
“It’s because we were getting information on Harry Potter,” Fred rolled his eyes.
“I consider us lucky,” George replied with false thoughtfulness. “Imagine if she still fan-girl worshipped him. The whole house would have known where we were.”
The two boys snickered as Ginny blushed in silence.
As the hallway fell back into silence, Severus struggled to hide his annoyance. He had really been hoping that his presence would go unnoticed tonight. He let his gaze wander around the room, holding his tongue until he was sure the wearwolf had temporarily relieved him of eavesdroppers.
Finally meeting Potter’s eyes with his own, he relaxed. He would never forget the look on the boy’s face when he had slipped into the room. And suddenly, he couldn’t think of a place he’d rather be at this moment, despite the unwanted attention.
He reached into his cloak and pulled out his Christmas offering for Potter. “It’s a two-way mirror,” he said. “I have the other one.”
Potter reached out and took the proffered gift. He rotated it around in his hands; the surface was currently black, reflecting the inside of Severus’s pocket.
Potter’s expression was impossible to read, although he seemed to be aware of the mirror’s concept. But an explanation was necessary; he needed Potter to really understand. Understand, without knowing what he himself, knew was coming, eventually.
He cleared his throat and clasped his hands together in his lap, hesitating. After taking a deep breath, he slid closer to Potter on the bed until their knees were touching. “There will be times when you aren’t sure if you can trust me,” he said quietly. “Know always, that you can talk to me. No matter what… appears to be happening.” He could say no more.
He kept his eyes focused on his hands, still folded in his lap. He knew they couldn’t express more than a few quiet words and some quick stolen kisses; it was too risky here. No doubt the Weasleys would be back outside the door at any moment. But he still did not regret his decision to come this evening. A warm feeling rose in his chest as Potter’s hand sneaked into his view, fingers intertwining with his own.
“Thank you,” Potter whispered; he was sitting so close now, that he could feel the boy’s warm breath when he spoke. “I’ll remember.”
He gently squeezed Potter’s hand as he looked up to see over-bright green eyes studying him. The heat in his chest began to spread through his body, and dismayed, he realized that he might be in love.
How long they sat like that, he really couldn’t recall. Time drifted as fingers tickled palms, and soft kisses were occasionally exchanged. Faint echoes of Christmas music could be heard coming up through the floorboards. No words were exchanged; they both let their hands speak for them.
Their trance was interrupted by a distant thump, followed by the piercing shrieks from Mrs. Black’s portrait.
“Tonks,” Potter muttered.
Severus stood, regaining composure. “It’s time I take my leave.”
Potter stood, predictably reaching out. “Will you not stay for dinner?”
“There is no Order work that needs to be discussed now – ”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Seeing Potter’s disappointment, Severus smiled, reaching up to brush the unruly black hair away from the boy’s face. So his feelings were reciprocated. This night was just full of pleasant epiphanies.
He leaned in, brushing his lips against the lighting-shaped scar before him. “I must go,” he whispered. “Merry Christmas, Harry.”
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Slash, minor sexual implications
Summary: Harry wants to spend Christmas with Severus, but Snape is conflicted between his romantic feelings and his duty as a double agent.
A/N: This was way out of my normal style, so I hope it’s good! I had so much fun writing for you, Rachael!! ♥ Merry Christmas!! ♥
Terms of the request:
Three things included:
1) Severus Snape/Harry Potter's romantic relationship on Christmas Day
2) Some Ginny bashing.
3) Remus, Tonks and Fred alive.
Three things NOT included:
1) Dramione
2) Mentions of previous Harry/Ginny or Harry/Cho or Severus/Lily
3) Angst/Fear/Tragedy (this was so hard!! I had to keep re-writing.)
-
Surely he was out of his mind. In his office during the late hours of the night was one thing. The seclusion of the dungeons provided him with the necessary sense of acceptability. And Potter’s map was a priceless resource that could guarantee their privacy within the school grounds.
There was an unspoken agreement between them; there were limits. They were not to express anything other than their subtle love-hate relationship that was evident to Potter’s classmates. The exception being, of course, the carefully selected locations and pre-arranged times that were always agreed upon with vigilance. Always late in the night. Always on school grounds.
Yet Severus found himself inexplicably drawn to 12 Grimmauld Place on this day. Well, if he was honest with himself, his desire to be here was explicable, he supposed. As he gazed upon Black’s front door with apprehension, the very thought of turning away made him ill. Sleep would never find him tonight if he did not enter through that door. When he closed his eyes, Potter’s face would relentlessly sear through his mind.
“I don’t understand why you can’t just drop by,” Potter’s voice was quiet and steady. But Severus did not miss the flash of anger in those familiar green eyes.
“We’ve been through this.” Several times, although the specifics now escaped him. Ever since Potter informed him that he would be spending the holidays at the Burrow, the boy never missed an opportunity to bring it up. The topic had surpassed tedious; it could now only be described as trying. The closer the holidays approached, the more desperate Potter became.
“It’s Christmas.” Potter said it through clenched teeth. He really was no good at hiding emotion. Severus said nothing. This would end the way it always did.
“For four years, we’ve been together at Christmas!”
“You do not have to go.” That was an unfair statement, he knew. The boy had so little opportunity to experience family, he should not be asking him to turn it down.
“You could just stop by.”
Severus could feel his face pulling into a sneer. “At the Weasleys’ house? What a welcoming treat that would be.”
He had gone over some sort of line; he knew it immediately. Potter’s expression changed from frustration to one of disappointment. Hurt had replaced the anger in his eyes.
“I’ll just be going, then, Professor.” Potter avoided his gaze as he turned to leave the office.
“Professor?” Had Potter ever called him that before? Five years ago, maybe.
“Good night, Sir.” Still avoiding eye-contact, Potter quickly walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
Severus shook the recent memory from his mind as he let himself inside 12 Grimmauld Place. The house was so crowded that nobody would notice another set of footsteps treading the halls. And he’d heard that Potter had been keeping to himself since the incident with Arthur Weasley and Nagini. Despite the unpleasant circumstances, the situation was rather convenient.
He quickened his pace as he walked by the kitchen and made his way to the stairs.
* * * * *
“Are they in there alone?” Fred whispered.
George adjusted the extendable ear before shaking his head. “I can’t hear anything.” He pulled the ear back under the door and inspected the connection carefully. “I don’t get it.”
“Maybe Snape’s put a ward up,” Fred suggested doubtfully. “But we got it physically in there, I’m sure of it.”
“No wards,” George agreed. He pressed his own ear against the door, but he could only make out a faint murmuring. “What is going on?” he hissed, frustrated.
“Shhhh!!” Fred motioned for him to keep his voice down. “I’m surprised Harry’s talking to him at all…”
“What are you doing in front of Harry’s door?” Ginny asked, startling the twins. She was standing over the two kneeling boys, watching them with interest.
Fred put a finger to his lips but George was already glaring as he pulled away from the door; the murmuring inside had stopped. “Ginny!” they groaned in unison.
Remus appeared in the stairwell with a stern look on his face. “Mind your manners, boys,” he shoed the three of them down the hall, carefully concealing his own curiosity.
As they hustled away from Remus, George elbowed Ginny in the side. “Are you mental? Couldn’t you tell we were trying to be quiet?”
“It’s because we were getting information on Harry Potter,” Fred rolled his eyes.
“I consider us lucky,” George replied with false thoughtfulness. “Imagine if she still fan-girl worshipped him. The whole house would have known where we were.”
The two boys snickered as Ginny blushed in silence.
* * * * *
As the hallway fell back into silence, Severus struggled to hide his annoyance. He had really been hoping that his presence would go unnoticed tonight. He let his gaze wander around the room, holding his tongue until he was sure the wearwolf had temporarily relieved him of eavesdroppers.
Finally meeting Potter’s eyes with his own, he relaxed. He would never forget the look on the boy’s face when he had slipped into the room. And suddenly, he couldn’t think of a place he’d rather be at this moment, despite the unwanted attention.
He reached into his cloak and pulled out his Christmas offering for Potter. “It’s a two-way mirror,” he said. “I have the other one.”
Potter reached out and took the proffered gift. He rotated it around in his hands; the surface was currently black, reflecting the inside of Severus’s pocket.
Potter’s expression was impossible to read, although he seemed to be aware of the mirror’s concept. But an explanation was necessary; he needed Potter to really understand. Understand, without knowing what he himself, knew was coming, eventually.
He cleared his throat and clasped his hands together in his lap, hesitating. After taking a deep breath, he slid closer to Potter on the bed until their knees were touching. “There will be times when you aren’t sure if you can trust me,” he said quietly. “Know always, that you can talk to me. No matter what… appears to be happening.” He could say no more.
He kept his eyes focused on his hands, still folded in his lap. He knew they couldn’t express more than a few quiet words and some quick stolen kisses; it was too risky here. No doubt the Weasleys would be back outside the door at any moment. But he still did not regret his decision to come this evening. A warm feeling rose in his chest as Potter’s hand sneaked into his view, fingers intertwining with his own.
“Thank you,” Potter whispered; he was sitting so close now, that he could feel the boy’s warm breath when he spoke. “I’ll remember.”
He gently squeezed Potter’s hand as he looked up to see over-bright green eyes studying him. The heat in his chest began to spread through his body, and dismayed, he realized that he might be in love.
How long they sat like that, he really couldn’t recall. Time drifted as fingers tickled palms, and soft kisses were occasionally exchanged. Faint echoes of Christmas music could be heard coming up through the floorboards. No words were exchanged; they both let their hands speak for them.
Their trance was interrupted by a distant thump, followed by the piercing shrieks from Mrs. Black’s portrait.
“Tonks,” Potter muttered.
Severus stood, regaining composure. “It’s time I take my leave.”
Potter stood, predictably reaching out. “Will you not stay for dinner?”
“There is no Order work that needs to be discussed now – ”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Seeing Potter’s disappointment, Severus smiled, reaching up to brush the unruly black hair away from the boy’s face. So his feelings were reciprocated. This night was just full of pleasant epiphanies.
He leaned in, brushing his lips against the lighting-shaped scar before him. “I must go,” he whispered. “Merry Christmas, Harry.”