The next day, Draco took it upon himself to plan a little picnic for Severus, Harry and himself. The Manor had a beautiful little lake and large trees perfect for shading them from the sun. The three put their swimming trunks on underneath their robes, so that they could take a dip in the lake.
The three had spent all morning in the Potions lab, and Draco didn't have to convince either of them that a much-needed break was in order. Draco ran ahead to the kitchens and told the elves to bring out some hampers of food for the three of them, while Severus and Harry drug picnic blankets out of the downstairs closet. Draco came out of the kitchens and joined them, carrying a pitcher of ice-cold lemonade, Severus' favorite drink, and some glasses. The three went down to the lake and got comfortable. They talked about the upcoming school year, and about the new players that had to be picked for the Quidditch teams.
"So, what do you think Gryffindor's chances are this year?" Draco asked. Gryffindor had lost its two beaters, two chasers, and keeper. "You're the captain this year, aren't you?"
Harry nodded. "I won't really know until I see the new players. It's hard, losing five players in one year. Slytherin lost some players too, didn't they?"
Severus took a long drink of his lemonade and nodded. "Yes, we lost our beaters as well, and a chaser. Draco's going to have fun picking his new teammates."
Draco looked at his uncle. "What are you talking about?"
Severus looked innocent. "Oh did I forget to tell you? You're the new captain for the Slytherin team. You were picked just before you left Hogwarts. Only the Gryffindor captain had been announced by the time school let out. It must have slipped my mind."
Harry grinned as Draco launched himself at his uncle, wrapping him in a tight hug. "Oh, thank you, Uncle Severus! I wanted to be captain so bad."
"You earned that position, Draco. You were the best player in Slytherin, and one of the best in the school," Severus said, eyeing Harry over his nephew's shoulder. Harry blew him a playful kiss.
Before anything else could be said, the house elves arrived with their lunch. The elves quickly set out the food: chicken, potato salad, a fruit salad, strawberries, pickles, tuna salad, rolls, butter, and apple fritters for dessert. After everything was laid out, the elves disappeared.
Harry's favorite food of choice was pickles. He loved dill pickles, and Sirius had sent huge jars of delicatessen pickles to the Manor the day before, after finding out Harry's obsession with them. Harry reached for a pickle the first thing, and slowly slid the entire thing in his mouth and back out, sucking off the brine. He then bit the tip off the pickle and sucked the juice out of the thing. Juice dripped out of his mouth and dripped down his chin.
Draco watched his uncle, who had frozen as soon as Harry had started this little display. Draco knew it wasn't done on purpose, but oh, the effect it had. He grinned as his uncle unconsciously licked his lips as he watched Harry's ministrations on the pickle. It took Draco every restraint he could muster not to laugh as he watched his uncle's reactions. Even Draco had to admit that Harry's innocent display was quite erotic.
* * * Severus had watched Harry reach for the pickle first, with some amusement. The amusement became something different as he watched the dreaded thing slide in and out of Harry's mouth. When Harry bit the tip off and started sucking, Severus felt himself grow hard. He bit his bottom lip and let out a little moan as Harry finished eating the pickle and picked up another one. Severus stood abruptly.
"You know, I think I'll take a swim before eating." Severus didn't wait for a response. He strode to the lake, not daring to take off his robes within the teenagers' sight. He disrobed behind a large tree and dove into the lake, thinking of all kinds of unpleasant things.
/Dumbledore and McGonagall together naked...Flitwick and Hooch together naked...Voldemort...Lucius Malfoy.../ Severus thought, feeling his erection subside. /Good...good...yes, go away. Let's not embarrass ourselves, shall we./ * * *
Harry and Draco watched as Severus strode off towards the lake.
"What's up with him?" Harry asked, still chewing on his second pickle.
"Well," said Draco, "if I had to sit here watching Fred do to that pickle what you're doing to it, I'd be striding off to lake to get rid of my erection as well. Actually, I would have jumped on him and fucked him into the ground without a care as to who was watching. You should have seen the way he was watching you, Harry. Uncle Severus wanted to eat you alive."
"Really? Maybe I should eat more pickles around him." Harry and Draco grinned fiendishly at each other.
"Most definitely. Merlin, Harry, even I wanted you, and you aren't even my type!"
Harry laughed. "Should we continue to eat, or should we join Severus?"
"How about I eat, and YOU join Severus."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Harry jumped up and took off his robe, revealing the same painfully small trunks he had borrowed from Draco days before, and ran towards the lake. He caught sight of Severus, and swam towards him.
Severus looked at Harry a little warily. "I thought you were going to eat lunch."
"After eating those pickles, I thought I'd do a little swimming, to work up an appetite." Harry grinned as he saw Severus turn a distinct shade of pink that wasn't from staying out in the sun too long. Harry swam a little closer. "You know, Draco asked me when my birthday was earlier, and that got me a little curious. When is your birthday?"
"Why do you ask?" Severus tried to look as if Harry moving closer and closer wasn't disturbing him in the least.
Harry moved even closer, his face coming within an inch of Severus' face, their bodies coming into contact as they tread water. "Oh, I wanted to know, so I can get you a birthday gift. So, when is it?"
"October 30th, if you insist on knowing."
"Ah, so I have plenty of time left. That's good to know. So, what would you like for your birthday, Sev? Can you think of anything offhand?"
A brief picture of himself lying wantonly on his bed while being thoroughly fucked by 'The Man Who Lived to Torment' flashed through his mind as he said dryly, "I can't think of anything, but if I do, you'll be the first to know, I assure you. Now, I think I will go back and keep Draco company."
Harry let his hand trail down Severus' arm, asking, "Do I really bother you that much, Sev? Am I really so annoying you can't spend a few minutes out here with me?"
Severus was for a moment at a loss for words, the shivers running up his spine robbing him of all thought. After a moment passed, he found the capacity to speak had returned. "Not at all. I-"
"Good." Harry reached up and put his hands on Severus' head, ducking him underwater. Harry yelled as he felt Severus clasp his hands around his waist. Severus pulled Harry underwater and held him there, until he felt the need for breathing. Both came up gasping, arms wrapped around each other. Harry slid his hands lightly up and down Severus' back, relishing the closeness of the man. Severus laughed nervously and released Harry, swimming back to a more comfortable distance.
Harry knew that he'd teased Severus enough for the moment. "I'm hungry now. You ready to go back?"
Severus nodded, not trusting his mouth to form words, and swam towards the shore where he had laid his robe, Harry following him. He watched Severus' every move, admiring the body Severus insisted on covering most of the time with his wizard robes. Harry didn't even pretend to be embarrassed when Severus turned and caught him staring.
"Where's your robe?" Severus asked.
"Oh, over by Draco." Harry smiled brightly and strode forward, giving Severus ample opportunity to do a little ogling of his own. Harry could feel those beautiful black eyes burning a hole through his trunks.
* * * *
After lunch, Severus locked himself up in his laboratory, working on some potions for Madam Pomfrey. He was still trying to shake the feeling of Harry's hands on him when he heard someone speak.
"Hey, Uncle Sev, can I ask you a favor?"
Severus looked up from the potion he was making. Draco stood in the doorway of his laboratory, looking uneasy, yet hopeful. Severus groaned inwardly. He knew that whatever it was, it was going to be a large favor. He also knew that he could never deny Draco anything with that face he was giving him. Unfortunately, Draco knew that as well and tended to use it to his advantage, very much like the Slytherin he was.
"What? I know that look. What do you want me to buy?"
Draco chuckled. "Nothing like that. It's a favor concerning Harry."
Well, this was certainly a surprise. Severus hid his curiosity and asked neutrally, "And what would that be? What could I possibly do for Mr. Potter?"
Draco smiled and gave his uncle a knowing look that said 'you and I both know you're curious as hell, so quit with the trying to bullshit me'. "Harry's birthday is the last day of July."
"Oh, is it?"
"Yes, as you well know."
"And?"
"I want us and Sirius and Remus Lupin to throw him a party."
"I see."
"Don't raise that eyebrow at me. 'The Glare' doesn't work on me, remember."
"Oh, yes. How could I forget?"
"No need for sarcasm here. Harry's never had a party. Did you know that the first birthday cake he ever got was from Hagrid?"
"No, I didn't but after hearing from him the way Lily's relatives treated him, I do not doubt it. But what makes you think that I would ever do something constructive with Black?"
"Because you care about Harry."
"I most certainly do not."
"Liar. And quit with the indignant act. It doesn't suit you. Sneers and snarky comments do."
"I'm a liar am I?"
"Yes, you are. You think I'm stupid? I see the way you look at him. You practically drowned both Harry and myself in a huge amount of drool earlier."
"Excuse me? I have no idea what you are referring to."
"When Harry was eating the pickles at lunch...by the lake...you remember. You had to go dive in the lake because if you stayed any longer, you would have found yourself in a rather sticky situation. Oh, and the pun is intended here, Uncle Sev."
"And I suppose you're going to tell me you were completely unaffected?"
Draco sneered. "No need to get defensive. Of course I thought it was an erotic display, innocent though it was. But he's not my type. I have seen him do it before, at Sirius' home. You should have seen the looks Sirius, Ron, and Hermione gave him. It was hilarious." Draco looked slyly in Severus' direction. "Of course, Sirius didn't find it nearly as amusing as me, Ron and Hermione. He still doesn't know that Harry is gay yet."
"Harry is gay?" Severus had pretty much figured that out, but he wanted Draco to confirm his suspicions.
Draco grinned gleefully, more than happy to be the one to spill the beans. "Yep! One hundred percent homosexual. Lucky you."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, come off it! You and I both know that you would like nothing better than to shag his tight ass senseless. But that is neither here nor there. My point was that you care a great deal for him, and that is why I think you'll help me. Please, Uncle Severus?"
"What makes you think that Black and Lupin will go along with this? Black and I hate each other and Lupin and I certainly aren't anywhere near friends, though I despise him much less than I do Black."
"I think they will do it for Harry. As much as it may dismay them, they are aware that you are a part of Harry's life now."
"I doubt that will continue after graduation."
"That will be up to you, I assure you. But as I said earlier, stuff like this is neither here nor there. Can we keep onto topic here?"
"Very well. I will help, but you have to get Black and Lupin to agree. I take it Harry knows nothing about this little plan of yours?"
"Not a clue. I was thinking about it while you two were draped all over each other in the lake."
"We were not!"
"That tinge of color on your cheeks says otherwise, but that's-"
"Yes, yes. I know...neither here nor there. I'm guessing we'll have to be in the same room to discuss this?"
"It would be nice. I know Remus is at Sirius' house right now. He's staying there until school starts."
"If Black and I are to be in the same room, you make sure to tell Remus to keep the mangy mongrel in check. You set up the meeting."
"In that case, I'm going to go right now. I'll be back, hopefully with those two in tow."
Severus watched his nephew run out the door and shook his head. /How did I ever allow my life to become overrun by bloody teenagers?/
* * *
Sirius and Remus were sitting in Draco's sitting room, waiting for Draco and Severus.
"I can't believe I am about to sit here and discuss my godson's birthday party with Snape of all people!"
"Just remember that this is for Harry, Siri. Harry likes Severus now and it will only hurt him if he finds out Severus wanted to help plan the party and you didn't let him. Just give it a chance."
"I'll do it for Harry, and you, but I still don't like it."
Remus smiled at him, kissing him lightly. "Thank you. I'm sure Harry would thank you also."
Draco and Severus walked into the room. Draco put silencing spells on the room and locked the door as Severus went to sit on a chair opposite to the two men. Draco took the other chair.
Severus started the conversation. "I'm sure you two are as excited as I am about the prospect of working together. This is for Harry however, and for his sake I am willing to cooperate fully. It is my understanding that he has never had a party before."
Sirius nodded. "No, he hasn't. Those horrible relatives of his ignored his birthday every year. I agree. I don't like working with you any more than you like it, but for Harry's sake, I'll muddle through. First things first. Where should it be held? I would suggest the Black House, but the media is still lingering there. They know that Harry comes to visit. Harry stepped outside once, and I swear I have never seen so many camera flashes in all my life. They'll be expecting him to celebrate his birthday either there or at Hogwarts."
"Well, then I expect we'll just have to have it here then," Draco said, looking at Severus hopefully, who nodded his head in agreement after a moment.
"Yes, Draco, the party can be here. What about guests? I'm sure Harry would like his friends to attend. We need a list." Severus pulled his wand out and conjured parchment, four quills and bottles of ink.
"Okay, let's start with the obvious." Remus said, starting to write out the guest list. "Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Fred, George-"
"And the rest of the Weasleys," Severus interrupted, smiling in spite of himself. "We'll be here all day if we have to list the entire family."
Remus laughed lightly. "You're right. We'll invite Albus, Hagrid, and Minerva..."
Draco continued. "Seamus, Dean, Neville Longbottom, if he doesn't have heart failure at the thought of spending the day in Uncle Sev's company." Draco snickered at his uncle's glare.
"He's incompetent to say the least. I fear for my life every time he sets foot in my classroom. However, I will treat him...civilly, if he chooses to come."
Draco picked up where he left off. "Oliver Wood, Lavender Brown, Parvati and Padma Patil-"
Sirius looked over at Draco. "What about that Cho girl? Harry used to like her."
Draco shook his head. "He told me he still doesn't feel all that comfortable around her, because of that whole Triwizard fiasco. I don't think he'll be too heartbroken, considering he's realized he doesn't swing that way."
"Huh?" Sirius looked at Draco confused.
Severus looked at his nephew. "Harry hasn't told him yet, Draco. I think you let that cat out of the bag a little too soon."
Sirius looked from one to the other. "Are you saying Harry's gay? And that you two knew? Before me!?"
"Black, calm yourself. The only one whom Harry told was Draco, as far as I know, probably because Draco is homosexual as well. I only found out an hour ago, when Draco spilled it."
Draco bit his bottom lip. He had forgotten that Harry hadn't said anything to Sirius. "You think Harry will be mad?" His relationship with Harry was getting better, and he didn't want to blow it because he couldn't keep his big mouth shut.
Severus shook his head. "I don't think so. He may try to drown you in the pool, or throw you down the stairs, possibly even use one of the Unforgivables, but mad? Nah."
Remus placed his hand over his mouth to keep back a snort and even Sirius had a hard time keeping a straight face. Humorous Snape was not a thing they had ever really seen before.
Draco looked mortified. Severus reached out his hand and rubbed Draco's shoulder lightly. "I was kidding, Dragon." Draco looked up at the use of his nickname and smiled weakly. "I'm sure he'll be fine. He's quite understanding about things. He won't get mad. Even if he's a little upset, he'll forgive you. He is your friend, after all, and both Gryffindors and Slytherins are loyal to their true friends. Luckily, Harry carries the traits of both houses. It will be fine."
Sirius and Remus stared at Severus in disbelief. He spoke so gently to Draco and treated him so kindly. The softer side of their childhood nemesis was just as unexpected as his humor.
/I wonder if he treats Harry with the same kindness?/ Sirius thought, Remus' thoughts mirroring his own.
"If you're sure. I'll just have to tell him, but later. I don't want him to know Sirius and Remus were here tonight. He might suspect something."
Remus smiled at the young wizard. "He might not. He's never had anyone throw him a party before. It's the last thing he expects."
Sirius picked up a quill and parchment. "Okay, guest list is done. We don't want too many people, otherwise Harry will be uncomfortable. Now, how about decorations? I'll take care of buying those. What do we need?"
Draco thought for a moment. "We need streamers, balloons, party favors-"
"Please, nothing that will permanently damage my house," Severus half- pleaded.
"Trust me," Sirius said, grinning evilly when Severus glared at him. "What else?"
Draco shrugged. "I don't know. Whatever you think would be good. You may find some things while you're shopping."
Remus said, "What about the food?"
Severus spoke up. "I will take care of that," he said, writing down his own list of things to do. "My house elves have interrogated Harry to within an inch of his sanity about what he likes to eat. I think they will be sufficient. I will also take care of the cakes."
Sirius looked at him questioningly. "Cakes?"
"Of course. There will be quite a few people, and if I'm going to help give him his first birthday party, I'm going to do it right! Now, I figured one vanilla cake with white icing, and one chocolate on chocolate. I'll have to think about the design and decoration."
Sirius looked at Severus with a bemused expression before turning to Remus. "Remy, you can take care of the invitations. Have them RSVP to the Black House. You can also help me buy and set up the decorations. Draco, your job is to keep Harry as completely clueless as possible, as well as come up with activities to do during the party."
"Keeping him clueless is not a challenge," Draco quipped. Remus and Severus chuckled and Sirius rolled his eyes. Draco picked up a blank piece of parchment. "Let's see. We don't need any music. All my CDs are here down in the entertainment room. My parents despised Muggle music, so Uncle Sev let me keep all my CD's here," Draco explained. "There are plenty of wizards games here, and we can always play 'Truth or Dare' or even 'I Never...', if the notion takes us. Which reminds me, Harry loves the butterbeer. You need to get plenty," Draco said, looking at Severus.
"Especially if they decide to play I never," Sirius muttered. "I'll never forget that time Gryffindor Tower played that game during our sixth year."
Remus laughed. "Oh, yes, so do I. If they have as much dirt on each other as we did, it could make for an interesting night."
"In that case..." Draco scribbled something onto his parchment, but the others didn't ask what it was he wrote. "Hermione was talking about that kareoke machine she got for Christmas last year. I can owl her and ask her to bring it."
Severus looked up from his parchment, which he had been writing notes on. "Are you sure? Not everyone has nice singing voices like you and Harry. I'm sure some of those who come will be better off never heard from."
"Uncle Sev, that's half the fun. It's meant to be fun, and funny. I think everyone will enjoy it, and Hermione has wanted us to try it out. She hasn't really had anyone to use it with. So, kareoke it is!"
"Black, write down earplugs for adults on your list of things to buy."
"Ha ha, Uncle Sevvy! You're gonna have a go as well. I KNOW you can sing, don't even try to tell me otherwise! I've heard you belt out songs before, and I'm sure it won't kill you to get up there and belt out a Stones song or two. Maybe even a little Zepplin."
"I wouldn't hold your breath, Draco," Severus said dryly.
"I would. All Harry and I have to do is pout, and you'll cave. I have no worries."
"Sure of yourself, aren't you, my dear nephew?" "Yes. I am Slytherin after all."
Sirius interrupted. "As amusing as I find this, and I don't even want to know about the pouting that goes on in this house, I think it's time for me and Remus to leave. We'll get together in, say, five days, to go over any last minute things we may need."
"Until then." Severus nodded, glad that the two were leaving. He watched as the two men used Draco's fireplace to Floo back to the Manor. After he was sure they were gone, he unlocked the door and went down to the kitchens to discuss the party plans with the elves.
Ten minutes after Sirius and Remus left, Harry paid a visit to Draco. "So, what have you been up to?"
Draco looked up and smiled. "Nothing much. Just sitting here doing nothing."
"Oh that's fun. Come on, let's go play chess."
Draco nodded and followed Harry downstairs, a stupid grin on his face.
* * * *
The days passed swiftly and before Draco knew it, it was the day before Harry's birthday. He and Severus had already been shopping for gifts for Harry, and Draco couldn't wait to see if he liked what he had picked out for him. He hid the package in his room, in the back of his closet, hoping that Harry didn't decide to go exploring Draco's vast wardrobe.
He did a pretty good job keeping Harry unsuspecting, though Harry did occasionally look at him like he was slowly going insane. It was all he could do to keep Harry out of the kitchens, where the house elves were busy planning his birthday feast.
Sirius and Severus had come to a couple of agreements about the party, which was scheduled to be an all day event, with the guests spending the night. First, Sirius and Severus agreed that for the sake of making Harry's birthday a pleasant one, all disputes and grudges were off limits. Secondly, they decided that since Severus would have all the teens in his house the entire day, Sirius would house them in his home overnight, while the adults were to stay at the Manor. Sirius and Remus would stay at the Black House with the teenagers.
While Harry was out taking a dip in the lake, Draco snuck into the kitchen to take a look at all the goodies. His eyes bulged when he saw the cakes his uncle had prepared.
They were gorgeous, large double-layered sheet cakes. The white cake had a picture of Harry catching the snitch, and the other, a picture of a one- year-old Harry with his parents, Sirius and Remus, created from a Muggle- type picture Remus had loaned him.
Severus came in and looked at the cakes. "The bakery did a wonderful job on those. I used a specialty Muggle bakery that specializes in these types of cakes. It's run by a wizard I know."
"It's like the one you had done for me last year," Draco said, pointing at the Quidditch-themed one. "How does he explain that to his decorators?"
"Mm-hmm. I got it at the same place. He tells them it's a picture from a fantasy novel. Where is Harry?"
"Outside, swimming."
"You had better join him, and keep him out of the kitchen. Sirius, Remus, Granger and Weasley will be here tonight to help decorate. The Weasleys and Granger are already at Black's house. How on earth did Black manage to keep Harry away from him today?"
"By telling him a half-truth. He told Harry that he had to go finish buying his birthday gift today, and would be gone all day."
"Why is that a half-truth?"
"Remus said that Sirius has bought a ton of gifts, and still keeps buying more. He said that Sirius is trying to make up for lost birthdays." Draco snorted. "You should see the pile of gifts. It's quite funny. What did you get him, anyway?"
"I'm not telling. You'll just have to wait until tomorrow."
"Fine," Draco said, sticking his tongue out at his uncle and playfully stalking out the kitchen door, the laughter of his uncle and the elves trailing behind him.
Draco ran outside, stripping off his shirt. He pulled off his jeans and swam out to where Harry was floating.
"Only one more day."
"I know. I'm not going to jump him first thing in the morning though, Draco. I don't want him to pop a vessel."
"Well, it will be interesting, no doubt about that."
"Mm. Yes it will."