The Halloween feast and all of November went by silently and peacefully. Draco's nightmares slowly subsided, as did much of his discomfort. The people he loved could now touch him and he didn't feel the urge to run or chuck up, which was a major step forward for him.
Really, the only noteworthy event of the month of November was when Draco finally remembered the bet that he and Harry had made at the beginning of school.
[Flashback to mid-November]
Harry was sitting on his bed -Severus still hadn't insisted that he move back into his own room, though Fred no longer used his old room- when Draco walked in grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Harry eyed the Slytherin warily. "What are you so happy about?" he asked, not certain that he really wanted to know the answer. "You look like you've just won the Quidditch cup."
"Think back to the very beginning of school. You and I were outside, and we made a little wager," Draco said, sitting down beside his friend.
Harry thought back for a moment. "Oh, I remember. We were talking about Ron and Hermione after they had run back inside. I said that they would get together before you and Fred, and you said they'd get together during springtime. If I lost, I had to-" Harry stopped mid-sentence and paled.
Draco's smile increased in size. "That's right, Beauty!" Draco shouted cheerfully. "You lost! Tonight is the full moon and you have to tame the Beast! Oh, I'm getting a front row seat for this one," Draco said gleefully as he patted a green Harry on the back.
Harry looked horrified. He had completely forgotten about the bet, and when he'd made it, he honestly didn't think he would lose. "But I was going to surprise Remus with my Animagus form," Harry protested weakly. He knew it wouldn't do him a bit of good with the Slytherin.
Draco, as suspected, was unconvinced. "You can still do that. Show him before the full moon tonight, and then you can romp around with Moony, as you call him, all night long.that is, after you make good on your wager."
"You haven't exactly won either," Harry muttered. He knew it was a weak argument, but he was willing to try anything to keep himself from embarrassing himself and his godfather.
"If I lose, I'll do whatever you want, but you are doing this," Draco stated matter-of-factly. "Now, if I were you, I'd make sure your body was all nice and pretty for tonight. It wouldn't do to have a blemish in an embarrassing place, now would it?"
"Oh, shut up," Harry muttered. "Do I really have to do this?"
Draco smiled. "Look, I'll make a deal with you. Go easy on me if I lose, which I won't, and you only have to sing the first verse and the chorus, since that's the part Remus will really adore."
Harry sighed heavily. "All right." Remus was sitting at his desk, looking over a rather awful essay by a fifth year when Harry tentatively knocked on the door. "Remus, can I come in and speak with you a moment, if you're not too busy?"
"Sure," Remus said, rubbing his temple. He hated the night of the full moon. He was always tense, but seeing Harry made him feel a bit lighter. "I was just reading an essay on the Conjunctivitis Curse, and an awful one at that. Besides, a visit from my favourite godson is always welcome."
Harry smirked. "Remus, I'm your only godson."
"That's entirely beside the point," Remus said cheerily, putting the scroll away. "What can I do for you, Harry?"
Harry took a deep breath. "Tonight is the full moon, and I kind of have a surprise for you. Sirius has been helping me with this since the summer, and I can finally do this. I wanted to show you before you have to transform."
Remus gazed at Harry curiously. "What is it you're speaking of? Sirius didn't mention anything to me."
Harry shook his head. "He wouldn't. I told him I wanted to surprise you, and he knew you wouldn't mind. Can I show you now?"
"Go ahead." Remus watched Harry stand beside his desk. His eyes grew wide as his godson transformed into a large, beautiful wolf.
Remus knelt down. "You became an Animagus?" Harry barked happily and wagged his tail. Remus scratched Harry behind the ears and laughed when Harry eagerly licked his face.
"Harry, do keep your tongue to yourself," Sirius said good-naturedly from the doorway. He walked inside and knelt down beside his fiancé and his godson. As he stroked Harry's back, he smiled at Remus and said, "Are you surprised?"
"Very much so. I didn't realise he was doing this. How did he do this so quickly? You and the others took much longer to learn how to become Animagi."
"We didn't have any help at all. Harry and Draco had the help of both Severus and myself."
"Severus?"
Sirius nodded. "Severus is an unregistered Animagus."
"I didn't know that. What's his form?"
Sirius grinned widely. "A Doberman pinscher."
Remus roared with laughter and Harry barked excitedly. "Severus is a dog? After all the 'ruddy canine', 'mutt', and 'dirty fleabag' comments he's thrown your direction, he's a canine himself? Oh, that is entirely too much."
Sirius laughed as well. "I know. I found a touch of irony to that as well. Anyway, I've had a bit of fun with him about it. He took it remarkably well, though I daresay that he would have hexed me into St. Mungo's by now if it weren't for Harry."
Harry transformed back into human form and smiled at the two. "So, what do you think, Remus?"
Remus engulfed him in a huge hug. "I think you're absolutely lovely in your Animagus form. I can't believe you went through all that trouble just to keep me company once a month. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now before you ask, yes, I registered with the Ministry, and so did Draco."
"What's Draco's form?" Remus asked.
"Siberian husky. He's really cute. You'll see him tonight. I talked him into joining us," Harry said, shuffling his feet.
Sirius eyed Harry. He'd spent enough time around Harry to know something was troubling him. "Spit it out, Harry. What is it?"
Harry shook his head. "I can't tell you, but you'll find out tonight, right after the moon comes up."
"What are you talking about?"
"I would tell you if I could, but I can't. Just know that I'm really, really, really sorry, Remus. I tried to get out of it, but you know Draco. He'll never let me out of this."
"It's not going to hurt anyone, is it?" Sirius asked sharply.
"Of course not. It's just, well, I lost a bet. I can't tell you what it was, but I can tell you that Draco is going to thoroughly enjoy my humiliation. Again, I'm really, really, really sorry about this."
"I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me, Harry," Remus said.
"Yes, but you might eat me," Harry quipped.
Remus held up his hand. "I promise that I will wait until I am back in my human form before I do any harm to you."
Harry laughed. "Thanks. Now I'll leave you to do your grading, and I'll see you at dinner."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Draco, I'll do anything else you want me to do, but please."
"Harry, do shut up. You have to do it, so quit whining and take it like a man." Draco sat down on the grass and looked up at the moon. Harry and Draco were waiting for Sirius and Remus to emerge from underneath the Whomping Willow.
Despite the security of the Wolfsbane Potion, Remus still used the Shrieking Shack to transform occasionally. It all depended on how he felt during the day. Besides, it was easier to get onto the grounds without scaring the children out of their wits.
Harry blew a raspberry at Draco and sat beside him. A few minutes later he groaned when he saw his godfathers bounding toward him. He laughed as Sirius knocked Draco over and started licking his face. A second later the werewolf rendered him helpless by the same means.
A few minutes later, Draco motioned for Harry to get up. Draco pulled a small radio out of his pocket and enlarged it. With a flick of his wand and a well-aimed spell, Harry was standing in front of his godfathers, completely starkers. Both canines looked at Harry as if to say, "What the hell did you get yourself into now?"
Harry turned and glared at Draco. "I loathe you."
Draco blew him a kiss. "That's fine with me, so long as you continue to provide the entertainment. You're more fun to watch than that Muggle telly- thing," Draco said as he pressed the button. "Now keep your end of the wager."
The music started and Remus growled. Harry looked at him sympathetically. "I'm so sorry," he said as he waited for his cue to start. "I really thought I would win." He glared at Draco, who was grinning like a moron. Finally, it came to the first verse, and Harry started singing:
"It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark/Under the moonlight you see a sight that almost stops your heart/You try to scream but terror takes the sound before you make it/You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes,/You're paralyzed
'Cause this is thriller, thriller night/And no one's gonna save you from the beast about strike/You know it's thriller, thriller night/ You're fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller tonight"
Harry quickly reached over and turned off the machine. "I hate you," Harry muttered as he quickly transformed. Draco stopped his hysterical fit of laughter to blow a raspberry at Harry.
Harry ignored him and crept over to Remus, his tail between his legs. He nuzzled Moony's neck, and when Moony growled, Harry let out a pitiful whine and licked his godfather's face.
Moony licked him back and Harry let out a loud, happy bark. He knew that his godfather had forgiven him. He went over to Padfoot and did the same, and received the same answer.
Another dog ran through their little triad, and the three went after him. Soon, all four were frolicking in and around the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
[End Flashback] The next noteworthy event took place just two days before the winter holiday. It was time for the Yule Ball. Albus thought the pupils would enjoy it, as a sort of celebration. This was the first true Voldemort-free winter in a long while, and Albus wanted to make sure everyone enjoyed it.
Naturally Draco invited Fred to the Ball. Much to Harry's exasperation and Draco's glee, Ron did not invite Hermione to go with him, leaving Draco still in the running for their wager. Instead, Hermione went with Seamus Finnegan and Ron went with Lavender Brown.
Harry went with Ginny Weasley. Harry had toyed with the idea of inviting another boy, just to see what Severus would have to say about that. After Severus showed Harry just how 'possessive' he could be and explained, in detail, how Harry's hypothetical date would die said date laid a hand on 'his property,' Harry opted for a safer choice: Ginny. Severus approved and Ginny was happy someone finally asked her.
Ron had recently discovered his sister snogging a boy from Ravenclaw in the Astronomy Tower, and ever since then his boxers had been in a twist. He'd made certain that any boy that came near his sister knew what would happen if one finger was laid on Ginny. Thus, every boy was afraid of asking her, fearing the wrath of Ron. So Harry had asked her, and everyone was happy.
The Yule Ball went off without a problem to be seen, and everyone had a wonderful time. Harry had even danced with Draco twice, though he and Fred did not. Harry didn't want to hurt Severus or ignite his jealousy. He knew that though Severus was extremely possessive, Fred was the only one that could incur Severus's jealousy. Harry figured that it was because Fred was the only other person that he had ever been with. It didn't matter though. Harry belonged to Severus, and he did what Severus asked.
After the Yule Ball, Severus and Harry showered and climbed into bed. Harry snuggled up next to Severus and moaned. "I'm so tired."
Severus smirked. "I don't doubt it. You and Ginny spent most of the night dancing."
Harry smiled. "I was the only one Ron trusted. Ginny is so angry with him right now. I told him not to walk down a dark hallway in front of her."
"I'm sure if I had a sister that I actually cared for, I would behave the same way. It is his sister, mind you, and a sister's sex life is something one does not wish to contemplate."
Harry made a face. "I could have gone without the mental image of Ginny Weasley having sex, thank you very much."
"So could I, so shut up and go to sleep."
Harry rolled to his side and gazed at Severus. "Our holiday starts in two days."
"Yes it is, as indicated by the utter lack of attention in my classroom," Severus mumbled sleepily.
"Are you really fine with spending part of the holiday at Sirius's house?"
"Yes, I am. I cannot believe that every student is leaving this holiday. There's usually one or two that linger." Severus rolled to his side and trailed a finger down Harry's cheek. "I don't care where I spend the holiday, as long as you're there. I think I can suffer your godfather's existence. Besides, I can't do without my pillow."
Harry rolled his eyes and sighed. "I'm going to have to tell Ron and Hermione about us. They're coming to Sirius's house on New Year's Eve."
"We could always pretend that we're not together, so you don't have to tell them," Severus muttered.
Harry glared at him. "Severus, the only reason that I haven't told the entire wizarding world that we're together is because I don't want them causing you any unnecessary problems. I'm going to tell them because when I kiss you at midnight, I don't want the two of them to drop dead from surprise."
Severus chuckled. "Actually, that might be amusing to see. Perhaps it would be better to inform them. I don't think their parents would find their deaths amusing. When are you going to tell them?"
"Sometime tomorrow. I'm not so much worried about Hermione. Ron's the one who tends to go off the deep end about things."
"Well, you'll find out tomorrow. Now will you stop nattering so I can get some sleep?"
Harry turned to his other side and Severus spooned up behind him. "I love you," Harry yawned.
Severus kissed his neck. "Yes, I love me as well."
Harry snorted and pulled Severus's hand closer to his chest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Can I talk to the two of you for a minute? It's important."
It was afternoon, and Harry knew that he could no longer put this off. He knew it would be better. He knew it would be better to tell them rather than have them slapped in the face with it on New Year's Eve.
Hermione smiled and closed her book. "Of course you can. You want to talk here?"
Harry shook his head. "I'd rather do this someplace with more privacy."
"How about your rooms?" Ron suggested, standing up. He knew it must be something important because Harry looked extremely nervous. He only chewed his bottom lip when he was worried, and right now he was abusing his bottom lip sufficiently.
Harry nodded and led the way out of Gryffindor House. The walk to the dungeons was spent in a tense silence. Hermione and Ron walked a step behind Harry, looking at each other with worry. Harry was quieter than normal, and they couldn't help but wonder about their friend. They had known all along that something was being kept from them, but they hadn't a clue as to what it could be. They knew it wasn't harmful, whatever it may be, because Harry had been extraordinarily happy these last few months. In fact, they'd never seen him happier.
They walked into Harry's room and found Draco and Fred snogging. Ron rolled his eyes. "Seeing my brother snogging his boyfriend is something I will never get used to," Ron muttered.
Fred broke away and grinned at Ron. "Well, get used to it, little brother. I'm not planning on ridding myself of his presence, ever."
Draco looked at Harry. Harry looked back and slightly jerked his head toward the two that came in with him.
Draco understood immediately. Harry had told him that he was going to tell them before the holiday began. Draco grabbed Fred's hand and hauled him off the couch. "Fred, let's go find my uncle. He always procrastinates when it comes to packing, and I really don't want to have to threaten him with a Killing Curse just to get him moving. Besides, it's been hours since those in the castle have laid eyes on my beauty." Draco flashed Harry an encouraging smile and pulled his confused boyfriend out the door.
Harry chuckled lightly. He was glad that Draco was reverting back to himself somewhat. He knew that Draco would never be exactly the same person he was, but it didn't matter. Harry would always take Draco as he is, no questions asked.
Hermione cleared her throat to bring Harry out of his thoughts. When she had his full attention, she asked, "So what is it, Harry? Obviously you have something to tell us, and it's apparent that Draco knows what it is. Otherwise, he wouldn't have ran out of here like that, dragging poor Fred behind him."
Harry smirked and sat down on the chair across from his friends. "Trust me when I say that you don't have to feel an ounce of sorrow for Fred. He'd follow Draco off a cliff with an idiotic grin plastered on his face."
"Enough about them. What is it, Harry?" Ron snapped. He was really becoming impatient, and he didn't like it when other people knew things about Harry that he didn't. He was supposed to be Harry's best friend, not Draco. He was supposed to know things first.
Harry's hands nervously clutched at the arms of the chair. "I don't know how to go about telling you this, so bear with me." Harry took a deep breath. "I've been seeing someone, so to speak, since the beginning of school."
Hermione's brow furrowed. "I haven't seen you with anyone. Don't tell me you're really keeping it a secret. Everyone in school knows you're gay."
"I know that. Yes, we've been keeping it secret because it's more complicated than that. We both know that many people would oppose our relationship. He's a bit older than I am, and many would probably think that he's taking advantage of me, but he's not, I can assure you."
"Then why are you telling us now, if you think it might be a problem," Hermione asked.
"We're spending the holiday together, as a couple, and you'll find out anyway when you come to Sirius's house for the New Year's party."
Ron looked at Harry through narrowed eyes. He was wracking his brain, trying to figure out which person it could possibly be. He had a few ideas, but he had no way of really knowing without Harry revealing it to him. But nothing would prepare him for what Harry said next.
Harry took a deep breath, and dove right into the heart of the matter. "It's Severus. I instigated a relationship with Severus during the summer, and we've been together since the beginning of the year."
Harry sat back and stared at his two friends. He watched as they stared back at him with slack-jawed disbelief. He waited patiently while their brains tried to wrap around the information he had just shoved at them.
"Harry! You can't! That has to be against the rules. Professors can't do that!" Hermione exclaimed.
Harry shook his head. "There is a rule that states that a teacher and a student under sixteen cannot have relations, but there is no rules concerning those students who are sixteen or older. Believe me, Draco and I checked every parchment of rules in this castle, dating back to the first year Hogwarts was opened."
Hermione mulled over that one for a few moments. Harry turned his attention to Ron, who was now turning an ugly shade of purple. Harry sighed. He knew that Ron was going to be angry, but there was nothing he could do about that. He sat back and waited for Ron to explode.
It didn't take too long. "Are you an idiot? Are you completely mad? What the hell are you thinking? It's Snape! He's old, he's ugly, and he's horrible! Sure, he's not as bad in class as he used to be, and he's not as sour when you meet up with him after class, but it's still Snape. He's a teacher. Do you have any idea how revolting this is?"
Harry tried hard to keep his patience. "Ron, I understand you're angry, but be careful what you say. You're talking about the man that I'm in love with. He's none of those things that you said, not to me. I love his looks, and he's not old. He's not horrible, and nothing about him or me, or us together, is revolting."
"Yes, it is!" Ron yelled, standing up and clutching his fists in his robes. "This is the most disgusting, revolting thing I've ever heard in my life. I can't believe you would allow him to touch you like that. You're as revolting as he is! How can you stand it? How can you stand to be this way?"
Harry stood up and glared at Ron. "I will not have you talking about Severus that way! I hope that you change your tune before New Year."
Ron laughed bitterly. "You think I'm coming after what you've just told me. You are mad! I wouldn't come anywhere you two." Ron stalked to the door and slammed it shut behind him.
Harry sat down and looked at Hermione. "Well, what do you have to say?"
Hermione looked from the door to Harry. "I don't know what to think. I don't really think a student should be able to carry on a relationship with a professor, but since you're not going against the rules, there's naught to say about that. I don't feel the way Ron does, if that's what you're wondering. I won't pretend to understand what you see in him, but I'm not going to be angry over it. I'll try to keep an open head about this, though. And my parents and I will still be attending the party. Maybe when I see the two of you interact, I'll understand more." Hermione smiled at Harry. She jumped up and gave him a hug before walking to the door. "I'd stay, but I have to pack my things for the holidays, and I'll try to talk to Ron. I know that once he realizes what he's said and done, he'll come around and see he wasn't right in what he did."
As soon as Hermione was gone, Harry went into his room and collapsed on the bed. He let out a sigh of relief. At least that was over. Draco had explained to Fred what it was that Harry was doing, and they quickly went looking for Severus. They found him coming back to the dungeons. He had been talking with Sirius and Remus about a Christmas gift Sirius had planned for his godson.
As soon as Severus found out that Harry was telling his friends, he quickened his pace.
Severus figured out that it wasn't going too terribly well when Ron Weasley came storming down the hallway. Ron had looked up and glared at Severus, but he quickly remembered his place and continued down the hallway. Severus thought about taking a few points away, but then thought better of it. His main purpose right now was to see if Harry was fine. Besides, it wouldn't be too terribly hard to find a reason to take points away later.
He passed Hermione a few minutes later. To his amusement, she looked at him and blushed furiously. She smiled sheepishly and said hello, and then she quickly continued on her way.
Severus found Harry quietly packing his things. He smiled slightly when he watched Harry hiss at Luthien. He loved listening to Harry speak Parseltongue. It was the ability he wished he could have, but he was happy nonetheless. Harry didn't seem too terribly unhappy, considering the sour look on Ron's face.
Severus walked up behind Harry and slid his arms around Harry's waist. He kissed him behind his ear. "I take it things did not go well with Weasley," he murmured.
Harry smiled. "No, it didn't. He was quite angry and he said some awful things, but I'm giving him some leeway. I did let him know that the things he said were not acceptable, and that I wouldn't allow him the opportunity to say them again. I hope he'll come around."
"What about Granger?" Severus murmured, nuzzling the nape of Harry's neck.
Harry laughed. "Will you stop that? She took it much better, once she discovered it's not against the rules. She's not comfortable with it as of the moment, but she's promised she'll keep an open mind. I think she really wants to see us together before she makes up her mind about us, so play nice when she's at Sirius."
Severus bit Harry's neck. "I'm never nice. What makes you think I'm going to change now?"
"You know what I mean, Severus. Don't play evil, greasy git. Ow! Stop that!" Harry pulled away from Severus. "You need to pack what you want to take, and I need to finish. Then we can play, if you want to."
Severus gave him a predatory grin. "I don't think so," he growled, just before he pounced.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sky was a brilliant blue and clouds were nowhere to be seen on Christmas morning. The air was crisp and cold, and there was a light frost on the windows. If one looked out the window, one would see an occasional owl swoop by on its way to deliver yet another gift.
It was late when everyone woke up. It was just the five of them, and none of them were in any hurry to go downstairs, despite the fact that the four of them were dying to see the look on Harry's face when he opened Sirius's gift.
Harry was the first in the house to awaken. He looked out the window and winced at the brightness of the morning. He turned his head and stared at his lover. It always amazed him how much younger Severus looked when he was asleep. Harry lightly traced the Mark on Severus's arm. He bent over and kissed it gently. When he pulled back, his lover was staring at him. "Why do you do that?"
Harry shrugged. "Because it's a part of you. I love you.all of you. It makes no difference to me what it represents. On you, it's beautiful," Harry said. He kissed Severus and then snuggled into his chest. "I'm not sure I want to get up. It's so comfortable here. You make a great pillow."
"Yes, but if we stay here, then you won't be able to open your gifts, and I happen to know that there is a most interesting gift down there for you."
Harry perked up. "From you?" After years of receiving very few gifts or nothing at all, Harry could still manage to find opening Christmas gifts exciting.
Severus shook his head and yawned. "No, it's from your godmu-, I mean, your godfather."
Harry grinned. "I can't imagine what he got me. I thought he got me just about everything I would ever need for my birthday."
"Trust me, this one you will like." Severus said, trailing a hand up and down Harry's hip.
Just as Harry was about to go for Christmas morning shag, Draco burst into the room and jumped on the bed. "Happy Christmas, Uncle Severus! Happy Christmas, Aunt Harry!"
Harry blew him a raspberry. "Very funny," he said, rolling to the side and stretching languidly. He reached for his dressing gown and slid into it.
Severus watched Harry head for the bathroom with just a tinge of regret, but he was happy to see that his nephew was in such a good mood. "Let me guess," he teased, "Fred's already been here and gone."
"Yes, Uncle Know-it-all, he was here, and he has gone. He wanted to see me this morning before his time was monopolised by his family. He says Ron is still in a snit. He's not speaking to Fred now."
"Oh, for Merlin's sake, why not?" Severus questioned just as Harry came back out of the bathroom.
"Fred tried talking to him, and when Ron found out that Fred has known for a while and is supportive of the two of you, Ron got his boxers in a twist. If you ask me, someone needs to pull the wand out of Ron's arse if you ask me."
Harry smirked. "Ron will come around when Ron wants to come around, and not before then. He can be quite stubborn about these sorts of things. I just hope that no problems come of this before then."
"I don't think they will. No one can be as bad as Ron can. Let's face it.Ron's not exactly the most open-minded person around, and it takes a while for things to get through that thick skull," Draco said. "I know. Fred tells me all about his family."
Harry laughed. "That sounds about right. We'll just have to sit back and see what happens. Well, I guess we should all get dressed, don't you think?"
Severus stretched a bit. "I suppose that we should.that is, if my nephew will kindly leave so that we can do so." He sat up and glared at his nephew, who kindly blew a raspberry at him and ran out the door. Severus shook his head. "I swear, that boy becomes more and more like you and Fred as each day passes by."
Harry glared at him indignantly. "Is that such a bad thing? I was under the impression that you liked me just the way I am."
"Of course I do. I didn't say that it was a terrible thing. I was merely stating a fact."
Harry gazed at him innocently. "Well, would you like to lay there and continue stating facts, or would you prefer to join me in the shower?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Harry and Severus finally made it downstairs, Sirius, Remus and Draco were all gathered around the tree, tea or coffee in one hand and biscuits in the other.
Harry poured himself and Severus cups of coffee. As soon as he sat down, Draco grabbed a gift from under the tree. "For Severus, From Sirius." Draco handed the gift to his uncle.
Severus sat his cup down and eyed both the gift and Sirius. As he accepted the gift, he said, "Do I really want to open this one?"
Sirius smiled. "It's fine, Severus. This is Harry's first Christmas with a real family and I'm not going to mess it up with something as stupid as a prank."
Severus opened the gift, and he was so surprised that he gave Sirius a rare, genuine smile. "How did you know I wanted these potion ingredients?" Sirius had given him ingredients that had to be flown in from South America.
"Do you really have to ask?" Sirius said, looking at Harry.
"Thank you," Severus said. "These will help greatly with the potions I've been experimenting with."
Ever since his birthday, Severus had been experimenting with the cauldron that Harry gave to him. He spent many of his free hours studying ancient Egyptian, the books, the translated scrolls, and the potions. He'd also experimented with the Wolfsbane Potion, and he had a few ideas about how he could improve it, but until he was sure it would work, he wouldn't risk Remus's health. He would have to be absolutely sure that if there were any side effects, Remus would not come to any harm.
One by one, all the gifts were opened, and everyone liked what they had received. Severus received many potion ingredients from everyone, as well as new robes and a new dressing gown from Harry, and a book on potions of ancient Greece from Albus. He also received many articles of clothing from his nephew, who had decided that collecting Muggle clothing for himself and everyone he liked was his new hobby. In fact, no one was safe from his new passion and all were given enough clothing to last for quite some time.
Harry had received clothing and new robes, since he suffered a slight growth spurt that left his robes just a bit too short, and Severus would not allow Harry to walk about the castle in ill-fitting garments. He received a new watch (his had been broken during a Quidditch practise), some candy to get him through those long hours of revision or waiting for Severus to get his head out of his cauldron, and many other delightful items to help pass the time. Harry and Severus bought each other gifts, but those were just between them, and those would be opened in the privacy of their own rooms.
Draco received plenty of clothes, forcing Severus to realise that he would have to expand Draco's wardrobe just to house his nephew's new addiction. He also received jewellry, some exercise equipment he'd been hinting about, candy, hair care products, and a new broom repair kit, among other things.
Sirius and Remus received new items for their home. Now that Sirius was back home and Remus was a permanent addition to his family, they decided to redecorate the entire house. They had spent many weekends at Hogwarts deciding on what they wanted to buy. When Harry asked for ideas on what they wanted for Christmas, they handed him the list. Harry took the list and distributed it, and they'd managed to find everything on the list.
It was the last gift, however, that stood out in everyone's mind. Sirius had walked over to Harry with a scroll in his hand. He sat down beside him and handed the scroll to Harry. "I hope you like this," Sirius whispered, almost as if he were scared of Harry's reaction.
Harry smiled and took the scroll. He opened it and at the top it said, "Certificate of Adoption." As Harry read down the scroll, his smile grew wider and wider. When he finished reading it, he looked up at Sirius, his eyes full of unshed tears. "You adopted me?"
Sirius nodded. "Yes. Only Albus knows about this, besides everyone here. This was done through some connections he has. You're my son now, if you'll accept me as your father. Mind you, I'm not trying to replace James, not at all. I just want you to know that you always have a home, someone that loves you, someone who wants you as his own. If I could have, I would have adopted you long ago. I know you're sixteen, and I know I didn't have to do this, but I wanted to."
Harry couldn't find the words to convey all the emotions that he was feeling. When he was a young child he used to pretend that the Dursleys were just mean people who had to watch over him, and one day someone would come in and sweep him away to a new family and make Harry his or her own. As he grew older, that dream slowly ebbed away as cold reality gradually took its place. After he was accepted to Hogwarts, he had forgotten that wish. Never in a million years did he think that at sixteen, his childhood dream would finally come true.
Instead of words, Harry slid onto Sirius's lap and held him as tight as possible, never wanting to let go. The others in the room watched with soft smiles upon their faces, and even Severus had to admit, to himself at least, that the scene had him a bit misty-eyed. He vaguely hoped he wasn't getting too soft.
Harry finally sat back and beamed at Sirius. Both of them had tear tracks streaking down their faces. "Does this mean I get to call you Dad?"
Sirius laughed. "If you want to. Are you really okay with this? I wanted it to be a surprise, and that's why I didn't mention it sooner."
"Sirius, you couldn't have made me happier," Harry said, hugging him again. He was telling the truth, because for the first time since he was a year old, he could actually say he had a father that he knew loved him. For the first time, he had someone who loved him enough to claim him as his own.