Fic: The Spirit of Christmas
Dec. 8th, 2013 05:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alisanneTitle: The Spirit of Christmas
Author:alisanne
Rating: PG
Pairing: Severus Snape/Harry Potter
Word Count: 1100
Genre: Romance.
Warnings: None.
A/N: Written for![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
adventdrabbles/![[insanejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/ij-community.gif)
adventdrabbles' prompt #7: Spirit of Yule . This is the final part of this mini-series, I think. It was a fun ride. And of course, now that it's over I've decided to call it The Spirit of Christmas Series. :)
Follow up to Bedtime Reading, A Change of Pace, Candy Cane Connection, Warming Things Up, Good Advice, and Lighting the Way.
Betas:emynn and sevfan
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
~
The Spirit of Christmas
~
Standing out in front of the Burrow, Severus sighed. “I’m not sure this is the best idea--”
“It’ll be fine,” Harry reassured him. “They all know about us.”
Severus raised an eyebrow. “Know what about us, exactly?”
Turning towards him, Harry leaned in kissing him. “They know we’re together, that we have been since before the holidays, and that we’re even raising a puppy together.”
As if Trouble knew they were discussing him, he stuck his nose out of Harry’s pocket. He was wearing the same Santa hat he’d had on his head they first time Severus had seen him. Severus was surprised it hadn’t been chewed to bits and was beginning to suspect Harry has cast some sort of preservation charm on it.
Severus shook his head. “I don’t understand why you brought him to a party.”
“Because at least three of his brothers will be here,” said Harry, patting Trouble’s head. “I did tell you that George and Ginny adopted puppies from the same litter, too, right?”
Severus groaned. “So not only will there be screaming children here but puppies, too? Salazar help me.”
“You’ll be fine,” Harry predicted, reaching for the doorknob. “Hello, everyone!” he cried as he walked in.
The wind rustled through the trees and Severus turned, sensing a presence. While no one was visible, he couldn’t help but feel someone had been watching. Casting a wordless Homenum Revelio, he waited.
Nothing happened and, setting aside the troubling thoughts, Severus followed Harry inside, expecting at least one or two suspicious looks, but everyone was pleasant. Molly was especially exuberant in her greeting. “It’s so wonderful to see you, Severus!” she cried, throwing her arms around him. “It’s about time you came to see us during the holidays!”
After extricating himself from her hug, Severus coughed. “Indeed.”
Molly laughed, saying, “Well, go on, then, enjoy yourself,” and, patting him on the shoulder, wandered away.
Harry was already over with his friends and he’d released Trouble, who was scampering on the floor playing with his siblings. As everyone stood staring and cooing, Severus headed for the punch bowl, needing fortification.
He stopped to chat with several people including Kingsley, there with his wife, and Minerva, there with her wife. He even accosted Granger to see if he could get her to admit that she had been the one to send the picture of Harry. She seemed genuinely bewildered, however, so Severus discounted her involvement.
Lovegood, there with a young man who seemed equally as odd, rambled on about destiny and fate, then skipped off, beau in tow. No, I don’t believe it was her either, thought Severus, watching them go.
He shook his head, and, needing a bit of solitude, walked into the kitchen.
It was a hub of activity, with tarts floating out of ovens and onto trays to be circulated outside. Shaking his head at Molly’s organisation, Severus snagged a tart and wandered over to the window.
The pine trees looked beautiful covered with snow and the ivy hedge was quite seasonal. Severus was about to turn away when a movement in the hedge caught his attention. He narrowed his eyes. Is that a face?
In that moment, Severus tried to convince himself that there couldn’t possibly be someone was looking back at him. But the face slowly and unmistakably emerged. The being seemed to be made of ivy, his beard blending seamlessly into leaves and berries, and yet more leaves seemed to make up his eyebrows. What caught Severus’ attention, however, were his eyes. Old and young, wise and merry, the being seemed to laughing both at and with him. And their twinkle was disturbingly reminiscent of Albus.
For a moment their eyes locked, and the being slowly and unmistakably winked before his face faded back into the bush, which became wholly ivy once more.
Severus shivered, looking away as the spell was broken. Impossible. Mum used to tell me stories about the Spirit of Yule but there were just stories. They had to have been.
Turning away, Severus started for the door. He was shaken and needed to see and touch Harry. But as he neared the hallway he heard voices, and upon hearing his own name, long dormant spy instincts kicked in. He hid just as two people walked past.
“...Severus and Harry look so happy. Isn’t it wonderful?” Molly sounded smug. Severus’ eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“It is good,” agreed Arthur. “Although you didn’t seem surprised that day Harry came over to tell us about him and Severus.”
“Didn’t I?”
Oh yes, thought Severus. Very smug.
Arthur clearly thought so, too. “Mollywobbbles! What did you do?”
Molly chuckled. “You remember those pictures the boys took over the summer? The ones with them in skimpy pants and reindeer antlers?”
Arthur groaned.
“Well I managed to get a couple extra. So I sent one to Severus.”
“Molly! Why would you do that?”
“You know--” Molly sounded a bit hesitant. “I’m not sure what made me think of him. It just came to me one day when I was out trimming some ivy for holiday decorations.”
Severus shivered, glancing once again towards the kitchen window.
“I can’t believe you did that.”
“Why not?” She snorted. “Severus needed to see what he was missing. And clearly it worked because you saw them here tonight. They obviously adore each other.”
“One day your meddling’s going to get you in trouble,” predicted Arthur.
Molly laughed. “It hasn’t yet--”
As their voices faded, Severus shook his head. At least that’s one mystery solved, he thought. And possibly two. Although why would a spirit care about my personal life.
*Because you are owed a debt for your many sacrifices*
Severus winced. The voice had seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere. “What debt?” he whispered.
There was no answer and, deciding he didn’t actually want one, Severus hurried into the living room. There, Harry had picked up Trouble and was cuddling him. Stepping up behind, Harry, Severus slid his arms around him. Trouble squirmed out of Harry’s arms and onto Severus’ shoulder, where he proceeded to gently gnaw Severus’ ear.
“Happy Christmas,” whispered Harry under cover of conversation.
Severus smiled. Despite his expectations, it appeared Harry was correct. Happy Christmas indeed.
~
Fin
Author:
alisanneRating: PG
Pairing: Severus Snape/Harry Potter
Word Count: 1100
Genre: Romance.
Warnings: None.
A/N: Written for
adventdrabbles/adventdrabbles' prompt #7: Spirit of Yule . This is the final part of this mini-series, I think. It was a fun ride. And of course, now that it's over I've decided to call it The Spirit of Christmas Series. :)Follow up to Bedtime Reading, A Change of Pace, Candy Cane Connection, Warming Things Up, Good Advice, and Lighting the Way.
Betas:
emynn and sevfanDisclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.
~
The Spirit of Christmas
~
Standing out in front of the Burrow, Severus sighed. “I’m not sure this is the best idea--”
“It’ll be fine,” Harry reassured him. “They all know about us.”
Severus raised an eyebrow. “Know what about us, exactly?”
Turning towards him, Harry leaned in kissing him. “They know we’re together, that we have been since before the holidays, and that we’re even raising a puppy together.”
As if Trouble knew they were discussing him, he stuck his nose out of Harry’s pocket. He was wearing the same Santa hat he’d had on his head they first time Severus had seen him. Severus was surprised it hadn’t been chewed to bits and was beginning to suspect Harry has cast some sort of preservation charm on it.
Severus shook his head. “I don’t understand why you brought him to a party.”
“Because at least three of his brothers will be here,” said Harry, patting Trouble’s head. “I did tell you that George and Ginny adopted puppies from the same litter, too, right?”
Severus groaned. “So not only will there be screaming children here but puppies, too? Salazar help me.”
“You’ll be fine,” Harry predicted, reaching for the doorknob. “Hello, everyone!” he cried as he walked in.
The wind rustled through the trees and Severus turned, sensing a presence. While no one was visible, he couldn’t help but feel someone had been watching. Casting a wordless Homenum Revelio, he waited.
Nothing happened and, setting aside the troubling thoughts, Severus followed Harry inside, expecting at least one or two suspicious looks, but everyone was pleasant. Molly was especially exuberant in her greeting. “It’s so wonderful to see you, Severus!” she cried, throwing her arms around him. “It’s about time you came to see us during the holidays!”
After extricating himself from her hug, Severus coughed. “Indeed.”
Molly laughed, saying, “Well, go on, then, enjoy yourself,” and, patting him on the shoulder, wandered away.
Harry was already over with his friends and he’d released Trouble, who was scampering on the floor playing with his siblings. As everyone stood staring and cooing, Severus headed for the punch bowl, needing fortification.
He stopped to chat with several people including Kingsley, there with his wife, and Minerva, there with her wife. He even accosted Granger to see if he could get her to admit that she had been the one to send the picture of Harry. She seemed genuinely bewildered, however, so Severus discounted her involvement.
Lovegood, there with a young man who seemed equally as odd, rambled on about destiny and fate, then skipped off, beau in tow. No, I don’t believe it was her either, thought Severus, watching them go.
He shook his head, and, needing a bit of solitude, walked into the kitchen.
It was a hub of activity, with tarts floating out of ovens and onto trays to be circulated outside. Shaking his head at Molly’s organisation, Severus snagged a tart and wandered over to the window.
The pine trees looked beautiful covered with snow and the ivy hedge was quite seasonal. Severus was about to turn away when a movement in the hedge caught his attention. He narrowed his eyes. Is that a face?
In that moment, Severus tried to convince himself that there couldn’t possibly be someone was looking back at him. But the face slowly and unmistakably emerged. The being seemed to be made of ivy, his beard blending seamlessly into leaves and berries, and yet more leaves seemed to make up his eyebrows. What caught Severus’ attention, however, were his eyes. Old and young, wise and merry, the being seemed to laughing both at and with him. And their twinkle was disturbingly reminiscent of Albus.
For a moment their eyes locked, and the being slowly and unmistakably winked before his face faded back into the bush, which became wholly ivy once more.
Severus shivered, looking away as the spell was broken. Impossible. Mum used to tell me stories about the Spirit of Yule but there were just stories. They had to have been.
Turning away, Severus started for the door. He was shaken and needed to see and touch Harry. But as he neared the hallway he heard voices, and upon hearing his own name, long dormant spy instincts kicked in. He hid just as two people walked past.
“...Severus and Harry look so happy. Isn’t it wonderful?” Molly sounded smug. Severus’ eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“It is good,” agreed Arthur. “Although you didn’t seem surprised that day Harry came over to tell us about him and Severus.”
“Didn’t I?”
Oh yes, thought Severus. Very smug.
Arthur clearly thought so, too. “Mollywobbbles! What did you do?”
Molly chuckled. “You remember those pictures the boys took over the summer? The ones with them in skimpy pants and reindeer antlers?”
Arthur groaned.
“Well I managed to get a couple extra. So I sent one to Severus.”
“Molly! Why would you do that?”
“You know--” Molly sounded a bit hesitant. “I’m not sure what made me think of him. It just came to me one day when I was out trimming some ivy for holiday decorations.”
Severus shivered, glancing once again towards the kitchen window.
“I can’t believe you did that.”
“Why not?” She snorted. “Severus needed to see what he was missing. And clearly it worked because you saw them here tonight. They obviously adore each other.”
“One day your meddling’s going to get you in trouble,” predicted Arthur.
Molly laughed. “It hasn’t yet--”
As their voices faded, Severus shook his head. At least that’s one mystery solved, he thought. And possibly two. Although why would a spirit care about my personal life.
*Because you are owed a debt for your many sacrifices*
Severus winced. The voice had seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere. “What debt?” he whispered.
There was no answer and, deciding he didn’t actually want one, Severus hurried into the living room. There, Harry had picked up Trouble and was cuddling him. Stepping up behind, Harry, Severus slid his arms around him. Trouble squirmed out of Harry’s arms and onto Severus’ shoulder, where he proceeded to gently gnaw Severus’ ear.
“Happy Christmas,” whispered Harry under cover of conversation.
Severus smiled. Despite his expectations, it appeared Harry was correct. Happy Christmas indeed.
~
Fin
no subject
Date: 2013-12-09 04:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-12-12 04:32 pm (UTC)Thanks, hon!
no subject
Date: 2013-12-09 05:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-12-12 04:34 pm (UTC)Yeah, Trouble is too cute for his own good.
And yes, I think Severus and Harry (in canon) are owed a lot, bless them. About time they got some measure of happiness. *nods*