alisanne

Title: Shopping Spree
Author:

alisanne
Rating: PG
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Severus Snape/Harry Potter.
Word Count: 890
Warnings: None.
Summary: Efficiency is the name of the game.
A/N: Written for

adventdrabbles/

adventdrabbles' prompt # 22: Christmas Proposal. This is part 21 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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Shopping Spree

~

“It wont be all that bad,” promises Harry, leading him into the shop. As the raucous noise of all the customers hits him, though, he sighs, eyeing Severus and expecting a negative reaction.

Oddly, Severus doesn’t react, his expression remaining serene. Nonplussed, Harry pulls him towards the counter where the sales assistants are doing brisk business.

Charity grins when she sees him. “Heya, Harry!” she cries over the din. “Here to pick up some stocking stuffers?”

Harry shakes his head. “I’m all set, but Severus here needs something for the Weasley secret Santa.”

“Oh, I can help with that in just a second.” Smiling at the customer standing before her, Charity takes their money and wraps up their purchase. Once she’s done, she signals to the other assistant she’s helping Harry, then comes around the counter.

“Right, I have the list of everything people have bought for that here,” she says, pulling a parchment from her robes.

Harry tries to look at it, but she tuts, hiding it from him. “Ah, ah! You know the rules. This is just so no one duplicates anyone else’s purchase for the party.”

Turning to Severus, Harry says, “All right. Have a look around and see what you’d like to purchase.”

Severus stares at him. “What?” he cries.

Harry raises an eyebrow. “Did you cast a Muffliato before we came in here?”

Eyes trained on Harry’s lips, Severus smirks. “Yes I did. My delicate ears can’t handle this noise.”

Rolling his eyes, Harry says exaggeratedly, “This is Charity. She has the list of things people have already bought for the party. She’ll go with you as you look around so you can be sure not to duplicate anything.”

Severus nods. “Clever.” He inclines his head at Charity. “Lead on.”

Harry eyes Severus’ backside as he walks away.

“You’ve got it bad, mate.”

Wincing, Harry turns to see George. “Oh, hey!”

“Hey yourself.” George gives him a knowing look. “I see things are proceeding with Snape.”

Harry coughs. “I—”

George holds up a hand. “Don’t worry. I only know because I saw you leave Luna’s party with him the other day. I was concerned, until Ron and Hermione filled me in.”

“Ah, right.” Scratching the back of his neck, Harry smiles tentatively. “Yeah, things are pretty good. They’re great, in fact.”

“Obviously, mate.” George nudges him. “Anyone with eyes can see you’re happier than you’ve been in a while.”

“Thanks.” Fighting his blushes, Harry says, “So, it’s looking like business is good.”

George laughs. “Nice change in topic. And yes, business is brilliant. I mean we’re usually up to our ears in customers, but this holiday season’s been even better than usual.”

“Brilliant.” Harry frowns, staring past George at a display surrounded by giggling girls. “Wait, I thought you were getting rid of the love potions?”

Following the direction of his gaze, George signs. “Yeah, we were going to, but it’s one of our most popular products. So I modified the formula a bit. Basically, I watered it down. It still works but it’s not as strong as when it affected Ron in school.”

“Well that’s something,” says Harry. “Because that was bloody frightening.”

George nods. “It was.” He exhales. “Anyway, back to you and Snape.” He grins at Harry’s expression. “Does this mean we can expect a Christmas proposal?”

Harry rolls his eyes. “We’ve been together a day! Give us a minute.” He pursed his lips. “I mean, yes, we’re hardly strangers, but our relationship is pretty complicated, especially with my kids and his son and—”

“Snape has a son?”

Harry sighs. “It’s…complicated.”

“Of that I have no doubt.” Shaking his head, George chuckles. “Only you, mate. Although I wish you the best of luck. Something tells me you’ll need it.”

Harry smiles. “I think we’ll be all right.”

“And…it looks like they found something.” George nods toward Severus, who’s walking towards them. Charity, carrying a box Harry can’t quite make out, makes a beeline for the counter.

“Success?” asks Harry once Severus is within earshot. When Severus doesn’t respond, he sighs. “Oh, right. Muffliato.” He waves his arms and when Severus closer and looking directly at him, he repeats the question more exaggeratedly.

“Indeed.” Severus looks at George. “Mr Weasley.”

George laughs. “Since you’ll coming to Christmas at Mum and Dad’s, you may as well start calling me George, sir. It’s going to get difficult to know who you’re talking to during the party if you use only surnames.”

“This is true.” Severus hums. “George, then.”

“Here you are.” Charity walks up to them carrying a wrapped package. “You made a brilliant choice, if I do say so myself.” Handing it to Severus, she smirks. “Have fun at the party.”

“I shall endeavour to do so. Thank you for your assistance.” Severus eyes Harry and inclines his head towards the exit. “Shall we?”

Harry nods. “See you later, George. Charity. And thanks.”

Once they’re outside, Harry sighs, rubbing his ears. “Ugh, I think I’m deaf. I should have followed your lead. At least the shopping’s all done.”

Severus smirks, taking Harry’s arm and leading him back towards the Apparation point. “Praise be. And yes, you should follow my lead. Although partial deafness shan’t get you out of speaking with Scorpius.”

Harry chuckles. “I never thought it would.”

~

Continued in Christmas Magic (LJ/IJ/DW).