Hope Has a Place
Part Sixteen
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Harry begged, Harry pleaded, Harry cajoled, Harry kissed, Harry cuddled, but it was no use. Severus remained resolute and would not reveal what Harry's birthday surprise was going to be.

"Just a hint, please Severus?" Harry asked for what might have been the hundreth time.

"No. I thought you wanted it to be a surprise?"

"I do, but I want to know what it is as well. I can't take all this suspense, bad for the heart you know."

Severus threw a pillow at him, but Harry ducked as it flew over his head so that it landed on the floor. "I'm sure your heart will be perfectly fine. You can't wait one more day?" Severus arched an eyebrow at him. "I didn't know you were so eager for your birthday."

Harry didn't answer, just lay down and snuggled closer to Severus, leaning his head on Severus' shoulder, his hands tracing a random pattern on the man's bare chest. They'd both forgone wearing anything on their top half while in bed, after that exciting day in the orchard. Harry loved it, it was divine feeling Severus' bare skin next to his own.

"Harry? Is something wrong?" Severus stroked Harry's hair as he spoke, knowing that the touches sometimes eased Harry more than words ever did. After every nightmare of Lupin, Severus didn't talk to him, would just hold him and stroke him until Harry calmed enough to get back to sleep.

"I'm a bit nervous about tomorrow," Harry admitted.

"Nervous? Why?"

"I've never had a birthday party before. I've never even been to a birthday party before." It was true, Dudley of course had birthday parties, but Harry had always been locked in his cupboard whenever they were being held. He felt so jealous of all the other children who got to play games and ate cake and sweets until they were sick. "I hate being the centre of attention. I'm afraid I'll make a fool of myself."

"I doubt that, Harry. Anyway, even if you do, it'll only be your friends there. I think there's a rule somewhere that you have to make a fool of yourself on your birthday. It's traditional, you know."

"Okay," agreed Harry. "I promise to go to my birthday party on one condition." Harry lifted his head and gave Severus an impish grin.

"Oh? What might that be?"

Harry slid further up the bed so that his face was mere inches from the man sharing the bed. He could feel little puffs of air on his cheek as Severus breathed in and out frantically. "That we have a private celebration of our own later."

Severus gasped and one handed, he tugged Harry so that Harry half fell, half sprawled on top of the larger man.

"I think that can be arranged," growled Severus, arching his neck and claiming Harry's mouth in a demanding kiss. Oh, Harry could never get enough of the man's kisses. Harry wriggled a little to try and get into a more comfortable position. Severus was stroking his back, but as Harry moved, one of Severus' hands slipped to land on the cheek of Harry's bottom. Harry, tensing, broke the kiss and stared down at him. "Please, Severus, not there. Not yet."

Severus nodded and moved his hand back up so that it was on Harry's neck and hair, caressing him, still looking deep into Harry's eyes. "I love you," said Severus before pulling Harry's head towards his own for a long, deep kiss.

Harry fell asleep that night cradled on the man's chest, the steady beating of the chest beneath him better than any lullaby.

***

"Harry!" screeched Hermione when she arrived in the Weasleys' kitchen, where Harry's party was already a few hours old. "So sorry I'm late. I had to get the Knight Bus and Stan wouldn't let me off until I'd listened to him tell the story of how he once had Harry Potter on his bus! He must have told me a hundred times, I could hardly get away. He'd talk the hind leg of a donkey, that one." Hermione said all this in a rush, barely pausing for breath herself and Harry couldn't stop the small grin from forming.

Harry gave her a quick hug. "You look well, Hermione."

"You too, Harry. Being in love certainly suits you. I've never seen you look so happy."

"I am happy," smiled Harry, his eyes scanning the room for Severus. As always, when they caught each other's eye, Harry's heart and stomach gave a funny little jolt. Harry could hardly wait until later when they would be snuggled up together on their bed in Charlie's old room. He wondered if he was being selfish, wanting to be alone with Severus all the time, but they had quite a few lost years to make up for.

Severus had already told Harry that he would give him his present in private. Harry was glad about that, he knew that Severus was a very private man. His first gift to Harry was bound to be something personal and Harry did not want to share that intimate moment with anyone else, even if they were his friends.

"Now that everyone's here," Molly Weasley gave a pointed look to Hermione, who flushed and mouthed, "Sorry." Harry really wasn't that bothered about who was there, how late they were or anything else. The party was more for everyone else than him. He was just glad that Severus was there, he didn't think he would have been able to cope with all the well-wishers on his own. Harry was still not comfortable with crowds and even though he knew everyone in the room, he was a little nervous and would be glad when it was all over and he and Severus were alone.

All the lights in the house dimmed as Molly walked to the table holding a large chocolate birthday cake. The eighteen candles on it were the only illumination in the room, casting weird shadows on the walls. Severus had moved so that his head rested on Harry's and he had his arms wrapped round Harry's waist. Harry could lean back and be pressed against that broad chest. He felt cherished and adored in the man's arms. What could Harry do for the man he loved? He smiled to himself as he blew out the candles and made his wish.

Maybe later tonight he could make it come true.

"Right, everyone, who wants cake?" asked Molly, brandishing a long knife so carelessly that everyone in the room took a step back from the table.

There were mumbles of assent from everyone, even as they stared at Molly holding the knife. Harry wasn't really hungry but he ate a little of it to appease Molly, who'd spent the morning cooking for his party. He shared the rest of the slice with Severus, feeding it to him with his fingers. Severus' eyes were smouldering with a hunger not remotely related to cake. Harry wanted nothing better than to drown in that gaze and hoped the party would end soon.

Harry and Severus sneaked off before the party had offically finished, but no-one seemed to notice, too drunk or too intent on dancing to note that the guest of honour was no longer there. Now, Harry sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed dressed in his pyjama bottoms, watching Severus as he opened and closed this drawer and that, making little noises of frurstration when he didn't seem to find what he was looking for.

Severus too was dressed for bed, in a pair of royal blue silk pyjama bottoms. He'd worn them before and Harry knew how wonderful they felt to touch. His hands itched to run his fingers all along them and he might get to touch them later tonight if Severus ever stopped looking for Harry's present. Harry's mind wasn't on presents. His mind was on how as every time Severus bent down or stood up, how the muscles of his back flexed, along with his thighs. Harry was breathless, already imagining the man pinning him to the mattress and kissing him desperately, like he wouldn't be able to survive if he couldn't kiss Harry.

"Found it," said Severus, standing up and striding to the bed. He kissed Harry once on the mouth, but finished much too soon for Harry's liking.

"Severus, come to bed," urged Harry.

"In a moment," he replied, before getting down on one knee. "Harry will you do me the honour of becoming my bonded?" Severus handed Harry a small, black velvet covered box. Harry felt as though a snitch had somehow got trapped in his chest, he could feel it there, tiny wings fluttering against his ribcage, trying to find an escape route.

"Yes," he gasped. "Yes!" Harry flung his arms around Severus' neck and planted little kisses on his cheeks, his nose, his neck, the box still clasped in his hands. How could he have answered anything else? To be bonded to Severus? To belong to him? To belong to each other?

"You haven't even seen the ring yet," Snape laughed. "My taste in jewellery might put you off!"

Harry removed his arms from around Severus and opened the box to see the ring inside. It was perfect, Harry couldn't have chosen a better one himself. The band itself was a dual one, two intertwined hoops of gold and silver in the shape of a snake, but instead of a snake's head, it was a lion's, two jewels for its eyes. One ruby and one emerald. Gryffindor and Slytherin bound together in precious metals and stones.

"It's gorgeous," said Harry. "Where do I wear it?" He had no knowledge of wizarding marriage rituals at all, but he guessed he wouldn't be remaining ignorant of them for long.

"Same as the Muggles," sniffed Severus with a hint of derision. "They stole that custom from us. It's where mine will be worn as well."

"Oh, Severus, I'm sorry. I didn't get you one. I'll go to the jeweller's in Diagon Alley tomorrow."

"There's no need, Harry. All wizarding engagement rings are enchanted, they're part of a set. Once your ring is on, its twin will appear on my finger. Only one ring needs to be purchased, otherwise where's the surprise?"

Severus took the ring from Harry and settled it on the third finger of Harry's left hand. Almost immediately, Harry saw the glint of a matching ring on Severus' finger. Severus lifted his hand and waved it at Harry. "See?"

"So this means we're engaged now?" asked Harry, staring at his ring, hardly being able to believe what had happened.

"It does indeed," drawled Severus.

"Does that mean we can engage in some osculatory activities?" Harry grinned at him.

Severus gaped at him. "Where did you learn that word?"

"I can read a dictionary, you know. 'Osculation: a kiss, from the latin, osculare'." Harry stared at him, widening his eyes as much as he could. He knew Severus could never resist his best lost puppy expression and he did not want to be resisted.

Harry scooted up the bed, so that he was lying down against the pillows and waited for Severus to join him. The bed dipped as Severus knelt on it, straddling Harry's waist, but not quite touching his body. Harry could see that Severus was already aroused; there was a small damp patch on the front of his pyjamas and the evidence of his desire was stretching the fabric taut.

Harry swallowed and stared at the man above him. Severus lowered his head and kissed him like a man posessed. It took a few moments before Harry could clear his head enough to pull away slightly. "Severus, can I - can I taste you?"

"What?" Severus just stared at him, as if not quite believing what Harry had just said. "Merlin, Harry, I would love you to, but do you really want to do that?"

Harry nodded eagerly. He'd been thinking about it for a while, wanting to do something for Severus and wanting to know what he tasted like.

"Harry?"

"Um, I do want to, but can you tell me when you're going to come? I don't think I'll be able to swallow."

"Harry, are you sure you want to do this? I don't want you feel you have to do certain things."

"I'm sure," said Harry firmly. "Just not the coming part, okay?"

"Okay," agreed Severus as he got off Harry and lay down on his back. Severus was flushed almost purple and his chest was heaving up and down, his erection twitching within the confines of his pyjamas. Harry knelt up and pulled them off, remembering to go carefully over Severus' erection, which was soon revealed to his hungry gaze.

***

Severus Snape had never been gazed at with such intensity as he was being scrutinised by Harry that night. Just the thought of what Harry was about to do had him aching with want and need. Harry stared at his cock, then his face, then his cock again, seeming a little undecided.

"Harry, you don't have to do this if you don't want to."

"I know. It's just - I've never done it before and I'm not sure what to do."

Oh, the knowledge that Lupin had never forced Harry to do this, that Severus would be the first, the only one to ever have the pleasure of being in Harry's delicious mouth was enough to make Severus' arousal flare even more.

"Pretend it's a lollipop, just suck and lick like that, but mind the teeth."

Harry nodded and bent down, taking the head of Severus's cock in his mouth. All Severus was aware of was wet heat, suction, the flick of a tongue. He moaned and tried not to buck his hips into Harry's waiting mouth. What Harry lacked in experience, he certainly made up for in enthusiasm, sucking, slurping and licking on Severus' cock as though it was the most delicious thing he'd ever tasted. Sparks flared on every nerve ending along Severus' body and he knew he would not last long. Already he could feel a tightness coiling low down in his abdomen and at the base of his cock and sac.

"Harry, stop," he panted. Harry let go of his cock and looked up at him. The boy looked positively debauched, his whole face flushed, his lips swollen red, pre-come and saliva dripping from his mouth. Severus groaned as he took in the sight of Harry before him.

"Did I do it wrong?" Harry asked in a small voice.

"No, you did it brilliantly, Harry. But any longer and I would have came, and you said you didn't want that."

"Sorry," mumbled Harry. "I just don't think I can do that yet."

"Harry, it's okay. Don't worry about it. I'll just nip to the bathroom and take care of things." Severus tried to get up, but Harry placed his hand on his arm.

"Can you - can you do it here?"

"You want to watch me masturbate?" Oh, there was an exciting thought. Severus' cock twitched just thinking about it. It wasn't as if Harry didn't know he masturbated each morning, each night, and sometimes in the afternoon if they'd had a good long kissing session, but to have Harry watch him?

"I don't know, Harry."

"Please? Can I? I'd like to see what it's like, since I can't do it." Harry stared sadly at his groin, still flaccid. "Please."

Severus nodded, too emotional to speak, and settled down on the bed, leaning back against the headboard in a sitting position. It was a lot more comfortable than the bathroom, but he'd held off doing this in their bedroom for fear of upsetting Harry. His cock throbbed with wanting attention, any attention and he began stroking, aware of Harry's eyes on him the whole time, making it seem so much better.

His eyes fluttered closed as his orgasm neared, but Harry's green eyed gaze was locked behind his eyelids. It didn't take long before he came in copious spurts over his hand and stomach. "Harry!" he screamed as he came, feeling his heart thud like a drum in his chest.

He rode the wave and aftershocks, his whole body shuddering with release. When he opened his eyes, he found Harry staring not at his groin, but at his face. Harry traced his fingers through the come on Severus' stomach and then licked his fingers clean. "You're so beautiful when you come," said Harry and bent down to kiss him. Severus could taste himself in Harry's mouth, on his lips and tongue and moaned, wrapping his arms around Harry's back.

Severus was feeling sated and slightly guilty. Their physical relationship seemed a bit one sided, with him getting all the benefits and Harry just helping him to orgasm. He wanted to make Harry feel as good as Harry made him.

"I wish I could come," said Harry as he broke off their kiss. "It seemed as though you were enjoying it."

"Harry, I wish I could help you, but I promise you, one day, you will be able to."

"Do you think that's really true? That it'll just take time?"

"I do. Have I ever lied to you?"

"No," said Harry and bent to kiss him again.

Severus lay awake a long time that night.

Lies of omission didn't count, did they?

Part Seventeen