Chapter Text
Harry had lost it. “Enough with the damn cups , Snape!” Snape shot him an incredibly agitated look over his shoulder as he lined yet another transfigured table with crystal glasses.
“They. Are. Crystal. Glasses. They are hardly cups. ” He spat out the word with a satisfied hiss before turning back and waving his wand at the glasses.
Rolling his eyes, Harry let out a loud sigh. “If I’d known you’d have been this picky, I’d have told them not to come.”
Snape snorted before straightening and fiddling with his elegant, dark green robes. The silver stitchwork had been Draco’s idea, the brilliant ivory under robes, Snape’s. A Slytherin snake pin, white gold, held the long black, velvet cape together. It swirled like a windy shadow as he spun to face Harry. The high collar of green against white buttons and ivory undershirt seemed to make Severus himself look like moonlight. His hair dusted across his collarbones and the obsidian eyes sparkled with mischief as he conjured another glass. As Harry took in the sight of Severus standing tall in his regal bonding garbs, he couldn’t help but smile.
Delicately setting the final glass down, Severus said, “I hardly think you could keep Hermione out.”
“She’s…” Harry trailed off, flashing palms up as he struggled to encapsulate Hermione in a word.
“Gryffindor.”
Harry laughed. It echoed across the small room and when he opened his eyes, he could see the gentle smile he had become used to decorating Snape’s features. The cold, unreadable face was relaxed, open to Harry and concealing nothing. Padding over barefoot towards him, Harry slinked his arms around Severus and lay his head against his chest, listening to the sure rhythm of thumps. Heat radiated off the man and even in his stiff formal robes, he seemed softer to Harry. The long arms slowly came up to return the hug.
"Besides, it cannot be a celebration without those who are...important."
"Why, Severus, are you telling me you think Hermione and Ron are important?"
Two long fingers pinched Harry in the side as squirmed and giggled. "I am merely stating that it is hardly a party without a few Gryffindor to entertain."
"Molly and Arthur will want to throw us another one, once word gets out that you're alive, I mean."
He felt Snape huff. "Yes, well, Molly is... Molly has a knack for parties."
"Not opposed."
"Not in the least if she is able to make some of those desserts of hers."
Harry pulled back slightly, clasping his hands together behind Snape's back as he took in the regal look. The dark emerald robes really did compliment the pale skin and dark eyes. The ivory fabric peeking out around Snape's neck hid his scar but contoured his shoulders and nape perfectly. Harry looked down at the cloth buttons absently thinking about how many there were to take off.
“You look gorgeous, Severus.”
Pulling out of the hug, Harry cautiously leaned up to give Snape a quick kiss. But before he could remove his lips, Severus wound one hand more tightly around Harry, crushing him to his chest as a strong hand gripped the back of his neck and urged him closer. Lips parted, Harry fell into the warm glory of the kiss, tasting the lingering trace of chocolate-covered cherries on the talented tongue curling around his own. He moaned lightly, melting further into Snape’s strong arms. Only when Snape closed off the kiss did Harry return to reality. The obsidian eyes, half-lidded and leaving no questions as to what he was thinking about, glittered down at Harry. The dark line of lashes stood out against the pale skin at such a close distance. Harry had no concept of how long he stood observing the slope of Snape’s nose, the dark, relaxed eyebrows, and the lips reddened by kissing but he supposed it must have been long enough because Severus had begun to smile again.
“You are staring.”
Harry smirked, remembering back to his days at Hogwarts. “I guess I am.”
“That was much more eloquent than the first time. Perhaps you have grown after all.”
“Oh gods, you remember that?”
“I remember you blathering.” Snape released Harry. “I rarely forget your blathering.”
“Lemme guess, I reveal secrets?”
Severus cocked his head, his fair falling off to one side to reveal a tucked away ear-tipped red. “Yes.” Laughing, Harry walked off to the kitchen. Calling after him Severus said, “Sylvas will not like you interfering.” After a pause where Harry waved him off, he said, “You look...exceptionally put-together.”
Harry stopped mid-stride to turn and look over his shoulder. The pale hands were gripping the hems of the long-sleeves and a crimson blush had covered his cheeks. If I weren’t liable to be murdered, I’d say he was cute. “Thank you, Severus.” Snape nodded briskly and bustled off quickly to attend to some other preparation. There still was much to be done for the reception of their friends.
Put together. That's a high compliment from you, Severus.
Looking down at the crimson formal robes decorated in elaborate gold, silken snowflakes he shrugged. The material was soft beneath his hands and he supposed that the matching red tux below would flatter him well enough. Draco had very clearly listed all the things Harry should and should not wear to the occasion in his last owl. He had also explained everything that was to occur, down to the throwing of that curse. Harry shivered, he wasn't ready to think of that yet. He loosened the silver tie. Draco will just choke me with it when he gets here. Might as well breathe while I can. His shoes tapped with a metallic clack as he stepped into the kitchen. It smelled warm, like roast and pie.
“Master Potter.”
“Sylvas, please . Just Harry.”
The blue eyes switched over to him as the little hands hovered over a salad. The house-elf huffed, much to Harry’s amusement. “Harry Potter. I am not surprised to be seeing you in here.”
“Oh, come on. You know I can’t help it.” Harry reached over to grab a rolling piece of carrot when a wooden spoon came down on his hand. With a quick yelp, he pulled his hand back.
“That is being for the dinner, Harry Potter. ” Harry stifled his laugh, worried that the spoon would be just as quick to smack him. Instead, Sylvas pointed over to a small little bowl on the countertop. “That is being for you.”
The bowl contained carrots, imperfect pieces of fruit, and even the spoon that had made the cake. Frosting clumped around its edges and Harry happily picked it up. “How did you know?”
“You is always coming in here to help .”
Harry laughed loudly and freely. “All right, all right. I get it. But, since I’m here, can I do-”
“No! Sylvas wants Harry Potter to be doing nothing in here to help.” She slammed the oven door and Harry could hear the thump of Severus coming down the stairs at the commotion.
“All right, you’re in charge. Thank you for the food.”
The little elf looked over her shoulder and shrugged, but her ears were down and he could see the hint of a smile beneath those wide blue eyes. As she fiddled with the roast and arranged the chopped vegetables around it, Severus slid into the doorframe. Harry pressed a finger to his lips and the dark eyes narrowed marginally. With her back still turned to Harry and the doorframe, which Snape now occupied, Sylvas pushed the roast back into the oven with a small nod to herself.
With her back still facing Harry and Severus, she regarded the cake quietly before saying, “Harry Potter is not so bad. Harry Potter is...slow, but kind.”
“Why, Sylvas, was that a compliment?” Snape drawled, a smile creeping into his voice.
“Master Snape!” The little elf spun around as Severus nodded politely in her direction.
Pushing away from the door frame, he started walking towards Harry. “He grows on you, doesn’t he?” Sylvas grabbed her ears and clenched her eyes shut as she jumped up and down, squeaking. Snape’s smirk grew into a large, lopsided grin. As he passed her, he gave her a little pat on the head and said, “We’ll leave you be, Sylvas. Thank you.”
“Must you torment her?” Harry giggled as he looked back at the house-elf doing a little jig, looking simultaneously more embarrassed than ever and happier than he’d seen. Severus glided closer, urging Harry forward with slight pressure on his lower back.
The hand guided him through the house and out the back into the forest. Casting one wayward glance backward, Snape said, “I have never seen Sylvas in such a state.” The grin spread again, lighting up Snape’s words. “You have a way with house-elves, Harry Potter, despite your utter lack of manners.”
Giggling, Harry bumped into Snape whose raised eyebrow told him he knew exactly what was about to unfold as they walked through the snow. “It’s probably because I’m-”
“Do not say it.”
“I’m the Chosen-”
“Harry, so help me Merlin I will hex you into silence.”
“Then I would never be able to finish the ceremony!”
“We will reschedule.”
Harry’s shoulders shook as he chuckled. The dark eyes found his as Severus slowed his steps. Quickly, Harry fell quiet as Snape whipped his wand out in typical dramatic fashion. The tip of the wand pointed between Harry’s eyes before dropping to the robes and casting a protective barrier around them both. In the late light of evening, Harry thought that Severus looked like a ghost. Something squeezed his heart as he watched the bright moon reflect off the pale skin and the silver accents. Looks like he belongs here, in a kingdom of snow. Bloody gorgeous. Wish I could just keep him here, like this. He looks happy. Harry pulled out his wand and cast a quick warming spell on both of them. Before putting his wand away, he held it between Harry's eyes again. Severus tucked his wand back up his sleeve and blinked.
"Think I'll panic?"
"You were sorted into Gryffindor." Snape paused, a small crease forming between his eyebrows. "It is...a startling ceremony. The bonding of soulmates is different than is with regular wizards. Even more different than your friends, Hermione and the Weasely, who have only been married. It is not uncommon for the submissive to be too overwhelmed with fear to complete the ceremony."
"Yeah," Harry said glumly. "I've seen that happen. Also seen the spells work."
"Mm, as have I." Harry looked up at Severus. "Though, I hardly think that will be our problem."
"No?"
"No. I will protect you."
Severus said it with such confidence, Harry could do nothing else but believe him. Course I bloody trust the git. Merlin, I never thought I’d be here. Standing in the snow with Severus on Christmas Eve, ready to be bonded to him officially. In front of my friends. With Draco as witness and Minerva as our officiator.
“Come, we have a fair walk ahead of us before we reach the apparition point.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “They couldn’t just pop back like last time?”
“No,” Severus sighed, clearly annoyed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Harry, the two of us would bring every dark wizard known to existence to our place with one misstep. They will apparate into a very known forest and we will all walk back to the home. The Ministry-”
“I know, I know. The ministry won’t suspect anything that way. They’ll just see people apparating into a forest, not into the road of a small town where there happens to be a cottage. And with Draco doing the wards, no Death Eaters will figure anything else out either.”
Snape sniffed, seemingly upset at being cut off, and began the walk to the grove of ghost orchids. It wasn’t a terribly long walk and Harry absently thought about the first time he had walked through this forest. Since those days, he had mapped every inch of it, knew every tree like an old friend. He never told Severus, but in the years after he had held the dying man, Harry had journeyed through the forest searching, desperately searching for the doe, dreaming of the day he would find her. Proof that Severus had lived and loved.
Harry shuddered as he neared the clearing, suppressing a sob as he recalled those raw emotions. The pain that had gripped him for over a decade. The flash of a memory, Harry digging at the dirt and screaming out to Severus, jumped through his mind and he shivered again, unaware that he had stopped. Looking down at his wand, at his scarred hands, he shook his head to himself. I was too weak to protect him. I should have protected him. He deserved that much. I left him there and he’s still willing to...to… Harry squeezed his eyes shut. Still willing to be put in danger because of me. After all I’ve done. Fuck, after France he should… He won’t leave. He hasn’t even looked at those memories, just bloody trusted me. I’m no good. I’m just a freak, he’d be better off-
Two warm hands surrounded his shoulders. Emerald eyes snapped up as his thoughts cleared. “Harry.” The voice was just as warm, cooled only by worry.
“I was thinking.”
“You shouldn’t do too much of that. I’ve come to believe your brain does not care for it.” Harry huffed, his eyes jumping off to the side. The hands on his arms tightened before letting go. “This forest carries memories for me as well, Harry.”
“Yeah?”
Severus ran a thumb over the scar on Harry's jaw. "I scarred you." Shaking his head slightly, Snape stood abruptly and walked several steps away. H is back was to Harry whose eyes settled on the perfect posture. The presence of a confession pressed down on Harry. “Ghost orchids bloom in the presence of soul mates.”
“You knew?”
“I...I believed it to be a different phenomenon.”
“Love.”
Snape was quiet for a moment. After several minutes had passed, Harry began to grow worried that he had upset Severus. But then, the low voice rumbled out. “It is not quite love, it is…” The words seemed to catch on Snape’s tongue. Harry reached out and gingerly touched the back which jumped under his touch. “Unrequited love.”
When the dark eyes turned to him, Harry saw them narrow in pain. “Oh.”
The rest of Snape’s body turned as he moved towards Harry. “You would not have felt what you had that night if your unrequited love was for someone else.” Snape’s chest rose and fell more quickly. “I cherished that moment, Harry.” The dark eyes kept their fierce gaze pinned on Harry who looked back, easily holding his gaze. I understand. You felt loved. You had proof you mattered to someone. You were given happiness and love for just a minute like me because we loved each other. We were soulmates. But you would never take advantage of that love, never force me into anything. You thought you were going to die. Why risk hurting me?
“There is sadness in this forest me as well.” A thumb traced over the scar lining Harry’s jaw where hair now refused to grow. Though everyone had pestered him about it, the only person he had told was Draco who looked as though he’d vomit. Draco felt terrible for Snape. Kept going on about how unfair it was to him that he’d hurt me.
Severus continued, saying, “I injured you from a careless mistake. I was too afraid of Albus to protect you.” Snape dropped his hand to Harry’s shoulder and leaned in, pressing his lips lightly against the scar. “I will not fail you twice.”
“Severus…”
“No.” He pulled back suddenly, the absence of his hand on Harry ringing through him with emptiness. “I nearly lost you then to careless mistakes. I will not be as foolish twice.” He turned away taking two steps before realizing Harry had not followed. Walking back and grabbing Harry’s forearm, he began dragging him through the forest.
“Hey!”
“ I will not be as foolish. It seems that means keeping you within my sight. Honestly, must you cause such trouble?”
“It’s in the name.”
“That it is, brat.”
“Look who’s talking, git.”
Snape huffed but continued dragging Harry the rest of the way. Harry for his part, didn’t protest. The contact was sweet in a Snape sort of way. It reminded him of those early occlumency lessons where Severus had seemed completely gruff, closed off, and cold but still was predictable and kind in the strangest way. After one particularly grueling session, Snape had stormed off but not before leaving out chocolate and a glass of water. He’d stormed out of his own office too quickly for Harry to even thank him. The hand currently wrapped around his arm gave his heart a flutter. This man loved him. Loved him.
Harry’s brain let go of the last of its worries. Enjoying the scenery, he relaxed into Snape’s grip and enjoyed the ride until he was thrust into the middle of the clearing.
Draco had, of course, already arrived. Harry glanced down at his muggle watch. Merlin, we’re thirty minutes early and he’s acting like we’ve kept him waiting too long. Harry shuffled a step closer, making enough noise now that Draco turned to face him, blonde hair reflecting the moonlight. Harry knew this expression, the open and fearful one that lasted a beat too long to be imagined. I’m scared too. But he’s alive, Draco, and he doesn’t seem intent on breaking. Draco had not had the luxury of being able to be in the wizarding world unguarded or not on the run in the past few weeks since Snape’s escape. Until very recently, he had been unable to swing a quick visit to Severus and Harry instead having to run and hide within various safe spots scattered around the country. As such, his last memory of Snape was rushed, shoved aside as he fought to occlude his memories from anyone trying to pry.
Harry could tell the moment Snape stepped into the forest by the opening expression spreading across Draco’s face. Moments later, the featherlight touch of Snape’s cloak clinging to Harry’s tugged on Harry’s cloak.
The gray eyes landed on Harry suddenly as Draco rushed over, nearly running through the snow in his all-black tux. The long slender arms wrapped around Harry tightly, pulling him away from Snape. His cologne surrounded Harry in a fog of familiarity and friendship.
“You fucking idiot , Harry.” Draco squeezed more tightly. “Gods, you fucking moron. You idiotic, pompous, fucking…” Harry hesitantly wrapped his arms back around Draco who seemed to currently be in the process of strangling him. “In eleven years, you never told me you thought he was your soulmate. You...I saw you. When you were sick, I saw you.” Harry stilled.
“Potter, you scared me.” The “p” of Potter popped sharply in his ear. Past the bravado, Harry could feel the tremble in Draco’s shoulders, the fear in his voice. And he remembered that strangled-looking expression of worry on Draco’s face moments earlier.
“I’m sorry, Draco.”
“I think you think you mean that.”
“I do.” Harry sighed, despite the arms constricting his breathing. “You couldn’t have done anything if you were at my side.”
“Don’t you think I knew that?”
“Would you have wanted to watch me die?” Harry spat out the words on the hunch that Draco would not want something so miserable and pointless but the sudden stretch of silence between them halted Harry's assumptions. “Draco, you...you did want to be there for me. Gods, you didn’t want me to die alone, without a friend. Isn’t that it?”
Draco’s arms squeezed impossibly tighter in a rare show of affection. “No one should be alone when…” Draco couldn’t finish his sentence. Instead, he only gripped Harry, as if begging him to never hide something so big again.
“Draco,” Severus cut in, “would you mind keeping Harry alive with his head firmly on his shoulders?”
Pulling back, Draco smoothed his hands down his suit, his neatly styled blonde hair flopping forward slightly. Harry stumbled back into Snape whose long arm had looped around him. Exchanging a quick glance with Snape, Harry stepped back, giving the two time to speak. Bugger looks stressed. I’m sure the past few weeks haven’t been easy on him with Lucius and his Death Eaters searching for him. And I nearly died. I...bollocks. This has been terrible for him and I’ve just gone around acting like a right arse. The world isn’t better yet, especially not for Draco.
A terribly Gryffindor idea shot through his head. Harry shook any lingering doubts from his mind with a mischievous smile. “Draco!” Both heads turned towards him as he tromped through the snow. “I want you to be the secret keeper of this house.”
Snape’s eyebrows raised practically into his hairline as he looked at Harry but by the time he had schooled his features into obedience and turned his attention towards Draco, all he saw were pale eyebrows lifted in shock and a small pink mouth opened in an “o”. The obsidian eyes caught Harry’s and he willed himself to think loudly and clearly, He needs this, Severus. He needs to be family.
“I uh, thought maybe-”
“Harry’s thoughts often lead him to fits of blathering.”
Draco’s mouth shut as he smirked. “Finally! Someone who gets it.”
“Though I happen to agree with him on this particularly strange thought. You would be an ideal secret keeper for us. You are…” Snape paused to look at Harry before flicking his eyes back at Draco “...family. It is wisest to trust a member of the family to this task.”
The proud wizard straightened up taller, smiling momentarily before nodding. “I’d be honored, Severus. Harry.”
“I will see you during the reception, the spell should only take a moment.”
“Well, then I will see you then.” His eyes danced towards the slight cloud cover gathering. “I see I still have some decorations to tend to.”
Draco walked off to the far corner, continuing to chant as he erected various wards and created a light snowfall without obscuring the stars peeking through beside a nearly full moon.
“Bleeding heart.”
“You know it makes him happy.”
Snape snorted crossing his arms over his chest. “It makes you happy.”
Color rose to Harry’s cheeks as he began spluttering an answer. Severus opened his mouth and laughed, the rich chocolate sound of it rolling through the clearing and turning Draco’s head. The blonde’s eyes roamed over Severus as he tilted his head back and continued chuckling before looking at Harry and smiling with a soft nod.
But before Harry could feel too self-conscious of his non-answer, Severus looked down at him and said without a trace of the laughter in his voice, “If you weren’t so softhearted Harry, I hardly think you would have landed yourself with me. I...appreciate...that softness.”
Harry mumbled a quiet thanks, blushing into his ears at the compliment. The two stood side by side, knuckles brushing occasionally as they realized why they were gathered in the ghost orchid clearing.
It had changed since Harry’s last visit here so many years ago but the magic remained like electricity in the air, static in his heart. Swallowing around a knot of nerves lodged in his throat, he followed the dormant vines of the ghost orchids winding up the trunks of snow-covered trees. Thick layers of diamond snow clung to the naked branches and dressed up the ever-resilient pines. Harry smiled at the garland draped loosely around the natural arch of the trees behind where he and Severus stood. The gold lights flickered beside the silver ornaments and all around the area was snow gently tumbling, dissipating as it hit the protective barriers. It was perfect.
As he fingered one of the ornaments on the garland, he smiled to himself. Never thought I’d be here. Never thought I’d get married at all. I just...planned on dying in the war I guess. At best, hoped I’d get shagged. He huffed as he worked to stifle his libido as images of that night with Severus came to him. Never thought it’d be with Severus. But I’m here. Merlin, I’m here. Severus is here. Alive, the both of us. Fuck. Bloody wild.
Harry and Severus continued standing beside one another, casually enjoying the wintery scenery in the presence of one another. It was a new feeling still, and Harry wondered if he would ever grow used to the Potions Master presence wrapping all around him or if it would always feel larger than life, special. Breathing deeply, Harry inhaled the familiar scent of Snape and decided that no, he would never get used to Severus and his powerful presence.
Over the course of the following half-hour, Minerva popped in early and Hermione and Ron arrived just as Draco figured out the spell to mask the clouds. After much fuss, and after Severus intervened in the start of an argument between Ron and Draco, Minerva had taken her place at the entrance of the orchid beneath the glowing decorations and candles that now floated all around and above where Harry and Severus would soon be standing. The Headmistress nodded, motioning them forward.
Harry then Severus walked into the warm bubble of candles, the former amazed at how warm and comfortable it was.
“Your cloaks, boys.”
Both Harry and Severus looked at one another at her use of the term “boys” but Harry couldn’t help but smiled. Minerva was a special woman, a stand-in mother for both men, and to have her here filled Harry with such a warm emotion he could only call it love. Judging from the relaxed look on Snape’s face, he assumed he felt similarly. Both men undid their cloaks as Draco stepped in behind them, blocking the view from Ron and Hermione and sealing up the last gap in the barrier that allowed cool air to trickle in. Minerva’s blue eyes passed over both of the men standing in elegant dress robes before she whispered a spell on both of the jackets and sent them up and flying to cover the candles. The crimson red and black cloaks settled around the candles creating a shelter for the two men within. Minerva took one step forward as did Draco and the room was sealed. Hidden from all eyes except those within.
Harry’s heart thudded in his chest as he glanced over towards Severus. The shadows of the candles danced on the inside of the cloaks and licked across the pale skin. He repressed a shudder as he turned his attention back to Minerva.
“Wands out, if you please, and face one another.”
Stumbling slightly as he turned, Harry found Draco’s hand steadying his elbow. The gray eyes were reassuring, comforting to Harry who knew exactly how terrifying the next bit of the ceremony was. Draco gave a small nod and softly squeezed Harry’s arm before letting go and clasping his hands in front of him.
When Harry finally turned to face Severus, his face melted. Candlelight flickered in the dark eyes. Set against the backdrop of Harry’s crimson cloak, the Slytherin green formal robes that hugged tightly against his figure stood out. A flutter in his chest and he realized the same look of awe and love was reflected in Severus. Minerva allowed them a minute to take in the stark silhouette of it all. Harry’s crimson robe and silver snowflakes glittering even in the dim light of the room, his hair messed up despite his best efforts. When the obsidian eyes combed over his hair, he caught the hint of a smile.
“Wands raised.”
It’s just Severus. It’s just Severus, Harry. You trust him. Harry cleared his throat as he lifted his wand to point directly at Severus’s face. The emotions were schooled, the features tighter than they had been in a long while. Harry breathed through the panic as Snape’s dark wand tip pointed between his eyes. It’s safe. Minerva won’t allow a real curse to fly, neither will Draco, that’s the point. The green eyes focused on Severus as he was supposed to but from his peripheral vision, he could see Draco’s wand raised and ready to intervene. The ceremony says we have to.
"If you will, the names."
Severus nodded saying, "Harry James Potter."
Harry replied, "Severus Tobias Snape."
“I will give you a count, when I say cast you may cast.”
I don’t mean it. I don’t mean it. I don’t. Harry looked deep into Snape’s eyes as he listened to Minerva countdown from three. As she said “cast” he watched the words form from Snape’s mouth, could feel them slipping from his own. A brilliant green flash exploded across the room, surely leaking out to Ron and Hermione but as Harry was hit with the spell, as he saw his own spell smack Snape directly in the head, he could feel the warmth of something else flood him. It was as though the ghost orchids had come back and given him that gift of untouched love once again. It lasted only for a moment, long enough to knock the breath from Harry and to leave Snape blinking back tears from being overwhelmed but when it ended, both pairs of eyes turned to Draco who was smiling broadly as though he’d been told a secret.
With a little laugh, he said, “I’d say it’s official, then.”
Minerva laughed. “Well, our witness agrees. There isn’t a touch of malice between you. Wands together now. Hands below. Yes, yes. Perfect.”
Harry’s hand slipped into Severus’s as the tips of their wands touched. The same buzzing current of magic he could feel at Snape’s quarters nipped at his fingers and jumped through his arm, blanketing him in a strange combination of peace and wild lust.
“Draco, are you ready?”
“Yes, Headmistress.”
“Boys?”
Harry nodded dumbly and Severus responded with a curt “yes”.
Minerva raised her wand and yelled, “Concordia!”
Golden rays of magic shot from her wand with enough force to blow off her hat. The light on the candles extinguished immediately as Severus and Harry were hit with the blinding spell and the powerful force of old magic. It wound around their wands first, delicately connecting the magic before jumping through the connected hands with such force that Harry heard himself yelp. He desperately focused on Severus, on the dark eyes pinning him to the spot with their molten intensity as the spell pulsed through his body, connected him to Severus forever. The world spun as darkness began to encroach on his vision, the spell fading at last. Before it did, Harry felt his knees buckle just as Snape’s did and together they collapsed into a heap, leaning on one another and relying on the strong arms of both Draco and Minerva to keep them from smacking into the ground.
Harry had no idea how long he was slumped against Severus, only that at some point, someone was tucking Snape’s cloak around Harry. With the magical warmth of the cloak, Harry slowly came back to reality. A long lock of dark hair was tickling his nose as fingers combed through his hair. Bits and pieces of information came back to him as he remembered that the connection of magic was oftentimes too powerful for the submissive to withstand at first. Harry kept breathing in Severus, trembling slightly at the new feeling of wholeness within him.
“Shh, I’ve got you, Harry,” Severus whispered, his voice puffing across Harry’s cheek. “You did well.”
Harry was numb, his body tingling from the electricity of Severus’s magic still buzzing in his center. His body was heavy as he struggled to gather his limbs behind him. Mumbling and slurring against Snape’s strong chest, he said, “I love you.”
The arms wrapped around him pulled him into a deeper hug as the voice dropped impossibly lower. “I love you, Harry.”
Harry let his eyes slip closed, let Severus pick him up and begin to carry him towards the cabin. From behind him, he could hear Hermione cooing and even Ron sounded bashful and happy. The scent of Draco's cologne followed him as Severus and Draco both whispered words of encouragement. Suddenly then, Severus leaned low and kissed Harry on his forehead, directly on the scar. Instead of fear and shame, it brought a tingle of joy and hope.
"Harry," Snape said, whispering to him again. "I am proud of you."
The words sent Harry into nirvana as he slipped into a quick nap, soon to be woken by butterbeer and an energy potion. As Harry drifted off, content, cared for, and loved in Snape's arms, he heard the man say, "I love you, Harry" loud enough to be heard by everyone nearby and Harry realized, he had found his paradise. And it was in the arms of his old Potions Professor.