The Hero and the Spy

Birthday Gift

Summary: It's Harry's birthday, but he has something to give Severus.

Character(s): Harry Potter, Severus Snape, (mentioned) Kingsley Shacklebolt, (mentioned) Lily Potter, (mentioned) James Potter

Relationship(s): Harry & Severus (guardian/adoption); (implied) Harry & Kingsley (friendship/familial); (implied) Severus & Kingsley (friendship/familial); Harry & Lily/James (canon); (implied) Lily/James (canon)

Setting: Deathly Hallows

Warnings/Tags: established relationship, very AU, family, fluff

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Birthday Gift

Harry chewed his lip nervously as he walked into the library and over to where Severus was sitting. The man was very clearly relaxed as he sunk back into the cushy armchair, his legs crossed over each other, a glass of wine in one hand while the other held open a book in his lap. The lit sconce on the wall nearby was bathing him in a gentle light as the sun slowly disappeared behind the mountains in the distance.

Harry tapped the surface of the box he held, wishing his stomach would stop knotting so painfully. He took a deep breath and circled around Severus' chair, coming to a stop beside him where he stood awkwardly. It didn't take long for the man to look up at him.

"Everything alright?" Severus asked, tucking a finger into his book and closing it on his finger.

Harry nodded stiffly, chewing his lip once again which Severus noticed and looked at pointedly. The man hated when he did that, but he couldn't stop himself this time. Tapping the box once more, he forced himself to hold it out, gaining a raised eyebrow from the man.

"I do believe you are meant to be the one to receive gifts as it is your birthday," Severus said even as he put his book and wine aside so he could take the box.

His hands free, Harry started to wring them together. Severus gave him another narrowed-eye look at the action, obviously catching on that something was making Harry extremely anxious.

"I know, and it is for me," Harry said. "It could be for both of us though, if I've been reading things right."

Severus raised an eyebrow again, making no move to open the box.

Harry sighed. "Just open it. Please."

After a searching look, Severus turned to the box and pulled the lid off. There was nothing concealing what lay inside, allowing Severus' eyes to immediately darting across the top page. Harry could feel himself slowly suffocating as he watched Severus' eyes move, left to right, across the page before lifting it and reading the next page, and the next, and the next. Unable to watch any longer, Harry moved his eyes to the window where the sun was nearly gone.

He was startled by a hand grabbing his wrist, forcing his hands to stop twisting together and tugging him towards Severus. He looked back at the man, allowing the tugging until he was sat on the arm of Severus' chair. A finger tapped his chin.

"Enough of that. You're hurting yourself," Severus said and Harry forcibly stopped chewing his lip, realizing it was starting to sting and ache. "Now, I assume you have some thoughts regarding this." He gestured to the package of papers still sitting in the box in his lap.

Harry gave a small shrug, dropping his eyes to the top page. "I...I know it's not something we've ever really talked about, but I started thinking about it a bit ago."

"When did you start doing this?" Severus asked.

"Mm, a little over a year ago?" Harry said, scrunching up his face briefly as he thought. "I've had Kingsley helping the best he can, but, considering who we are, it's been slow. Not to mention everything going on."

Severus nodded, understanding. "I will admit, it is not something I expected. Not because Ihaven't considered it," he said quickly as though realizing what was likely going to instantly go through Harry's mind, making Harry flush, "but because I did not realize it was something you would desire."

Harry shrugged again. "I mean, I already tell everyone you're basically my 'foster' father and you have been since I was ten. It kind of seemed like the next step and, I dunno, guess I kinda want things to be more...official."

Harry didn't see the look that passed Severus' face, keeping his eyes on the papers in the box. Doing so, he did see a quill get summoned into the man's hand and the pages get flipped until they sat on the last one with the blank lines, three other sets having already been filled with signatures and dates.

"This may be a redundant question, but indulge me," Severus said, poising the quill over the last two blank lines. Harry looked at him. "You are absolutely sure about this?"

In an instant, his anxiety seemed to disappear and Harry smiled, nodding. "I'm sure. See, I asked Kingsley to be my godfather, too, and, yes, that is the name I want. I talked to them, Mum and Dad, with the stone. They're okay with it and, this way, I have all of you."

He saw a flash in Severus' eyes at the mention of Lily and James and the Resurrection Stone, but it passed quickly. The dark eyes moved from him and back to the papers where the quill swiftly scribbled on the lines, leaving behind an elegant signature and date. The papers shimmered and, with a pop, another set materialized and then disappeared, presumably to the Ministry. Severus put the quill on top of the papers and moved the box to the little table nearby before turning back to Harry.

Harry's arm was tugged again and he allowed himself to be pulled into Severus' lap, both of them ignoring the fact that he was newly seventeen. He was maneuvered around until Severus had his arms wrapped around Harry, pulling the teen to his chest. Harry went happily, his own arms wrapping around Severus' neck.

"Happy birthday, Harry Potter-Snape, my son."

Harry grinned into the man's neck and squeezed, relishing in the best birthday gift he had ever simultaneously given and received.

Fin