alisanne

Title: Protection
Author:

alisanne
Rating: PG-13
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Severus Snape/Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy/Neville Longbottom, assorted others.
Word Count: 645
Warnings: voyeurism.
Summary: Harry sees more than he's prepared to.
A/N: Written for

adventdrabbles/

adventdrabbles' prompt # 4: Ugly Christmas jumper. This is part 4 of my How Harry Claimed Severus series (LJ/IJ/DW).
Beta(s):

torino10154.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.

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Protection

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“This looks hideous, Hermione.” Inspecting himself in the mirror, Harry tugs at the red jumper he’s wearing, wincing as the shrunken house-elf heads sewn to it jiggle. “I can’t possibly wear this!”

“Of course you can, and that’s the whole point.” Hermione, somehow looking pretty in her ‘ugly jumper’ with Christmas balls hanging off it, smiles. “I for one think it’s a fun idea for a holiday party theme.”

Ron shakes his head. “Give it up, mate. You know how she is once her mind’s made up.” He looks down at his own jumper, which features bells and sequins and vibrating red and green Snitches. “Once we arrive, I plan to stay in a corner and get quietly drunk.”

Harry laughs. “Now that sounds like a plan.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” scolds Hermione, picking up her purse. “Plus, do you really trust anything to drink at Luna’s?”

“Oh bloody hell,” mutters Ron just as they all step into the Floo.

Luna’s home, set on a hill, is lit up with lights. As they approach, Harry can tell the party is in full swing.

“Hello,” says Luna when she sees them. She’s clad in a bright yellow jumper with orange flowers on it. “Oh, your outfit is beautifully awful, Harry.”

“Er, thanks.” Harry coughs. “So what made you think of this as an idea for a party?”

Luna smiles. “Oh, I don’t know. It just felt right. And really, Nargles hate bright colours.”

“Ah. I see.”

“Ron!” They all turn to see George bearing down on them, Lee in tow. “Hey, Harry. I’m sorry, mate, but I need Ron and Hermione for a minute.” Turning towards Ron, he says, “You will not believe what Mum wants to do for the hols—”

As Hermione and Ron are whisked off for their family conference, Harry wanders, randomly chatting with people, making sure to avoid drinking anything too suspicious. Luna’s decorations were…interesting to say the least, and Harry’s chuckling as he inspects them.

Exiting the main room, he walks down a hallway, frowning when he hears soft voices. “…can continue this? Are you sure he won’t be upset?”

Turning the corner, Harry sees Neville, being pinned to the wall by, of all people, Draco Malfoy. “He’ll understand,” says Malfoy, his thigh sliding between Neville’s legs. “Trust me.” Then, leaning in, he kisses Neville, and it’s obvious this is not a first encounter for them. Neville’s hand comes up to the back of Malfoy’s neck as their mouths devour each other.

Mouth open, Harry stares at them, his mind swirling. His first instinct is to shout at Malfoy for this obvious betrayal of his wedding vows, of Snape, the next is to back away.

He follows the second impulse, spinning on his heel and walking away as quietly as he can. Head down, he’s not looking where he’s going when he collides with a solid figure. Arms surround him, preventing him from falling.

Drawing back, Harry looks up and straight into Snape’s face. “Potter?” Snape’s eyes search his. “You’re upset. What’s wrong?”

Opening his mouth, Harry hesitates.

“Kneazle got your tongue?” Snape’s voice is a low purr, and Harry inhales, getting a whiff of herbs and spices. His heart speeds up.

“I…would you care to go get a drink and talk?” Harry blurts out.

Snape smirks. “If you mean here in this house, no, I do not care to drink anything. If you mean elsewhere—”

“Yes! Somewhere else!” Harry clears his throat. “I just…I need to leave.”

Snape hums. “I would suggest a pub, but perhaps not in that jumper.”

Harry winces, looking down at his outfit. “Yeah, good call—”

“I know a place we can go,” says Snape. “If you’re willing?”

“Yes,” says Harry. “Very.”

Something on Harry’s face makes Snape’s eyes widen. “Hold on,” he murmurs, and in a moment they Apparate away.

~

Continued in Reciprocation (LJ/IJ/DW).