Pawprints

15. Merry Christmas.

Ron approached Hermione and smiled at her, watching her slowly turn and walk towards him, pale silver robes shimmering around her and her hair looking like flames, teased into a wonderful curly updo that accentuated her face. They were in the kitchen which Molly had just vacated, wanting to give the two of them some privacy as Ron was about to pop the big question.

Severus was sitting on a couch, Harry seated on its arm, hip pushed against Severus's arm. The other Order members were scattered in the Weasley's living room, most of them drinking and eating the various snacks laid out on the low coffee table.

Seamus and Dean, along with Ginny, Pansy, George, Draco and Luna were in the garden sitting beneath the giant oak tree, staring at the stars and trying out some gin Draco had bought. They didn't exactly belong with the adults or have a place at the dining room with some of the younger Weasley cousins. Neville was in the living room, he had gone to get some crisps and bring Harry along with him.

Ron approached Hermione and placed a hand on her waist. He kissed her forehead and held her hand in his."You look absolutely beautiful Mione"

Hermione blushed and raised her eyes to look at Ron innocently.

Ron cleared his throat. "There's something I have to ask you."

"Yes Ron, what is it?" Hermione said as she ran a finger down his cheek.Ron dropped to his knee and looked up at Hermione who had suddenly gone very stiff and quiet. He took a small red box from his pocket and opened it to display a beautiful silver ring studded with moonstones.

"Will you marry me?"

Hermione smiled and knelt in front of Ron. She cupped his face in her hands and leant in, her warm breath washing over his cheeks.

"Yes, always, yes" she whispered as she leant in to kiss him, her lips soft on his own.Ron kissed her back and broke away. He placed the ring on her finger and smiled so wide. He stood up and offered a hand to Hermione.

They walked hand in hand out of the kitchen to run into a beaming Molly. She squealed in happiness as she took in their expressions and their entwined hands. She hugged them both and then rushed out to let the others know. Hermione's parents hugged her and Ron as they congratulated the happy couple.

Dinner was served in the garden and the night sky was filled with pale shimmering balloons and loads of fireflies. Ron and Hermione danced, their bodies ever so close together, foreheads touching as they moved to the music. Molly and Arthur joined them and were soon followed by Draco and Luna. George joined the dancing with Seamus and Dean, who were soon followed by Ginny and Pansy.

Harry sighed from his seat at the table and Neville heard him and looked over. They shared a smile and Neville stood up, joining in the dancing. Harry looked over at Severus who was looking at him, a small smile on his face. He blushed and looked away. How he wished things could be simple.

Severus gulped down the rest of his whiskey and poured himself another shot. He really wanted to take Potter into his arms and dance with him. He was tired of sneaking around and lying to people. He knew they had just a few more months and that they'd be able to go public very soon.

Minerva tapped Severus's shoulder and held an arm out to him, indicating she wanted to dance as well. Severus gulped down the whiskey and grabbed her arm. They moved to the dance floor and he twirled her, eyes all the while on Harry. Harry smiled at him faintly and stood up to join the people on the dancefloor.

Minerva moved to get another drink, the loneliness she sometimes felt hitting her suddenly. She knew she was old, she had no lover, just a lot of good friends and family. She wanted someone to love, someone to hold her at night. She had gone on dates and no one had ever excited her, stimulated her mind. The people who she did like, she wasn't attracted to. This had got her thinking that maybe her lover wasn't someone she knew right now, someone who didn't live in England, maybe she had to do some travelling, some soul searching. Maybe she should spend the last week of December in Italy, where according to Severus there were stunning men, with deep sensitive souls and beautiful minds.

Harry grabbed Severus's arm and they shared a look. Severus smiled at him and the two of them slowly inched away from the crowd. They tried to blend in with the trees and shrubs at the back of the garden. Severus cast a slight mist charm and took Harry into his arms. Harry sighed and melted into Severus's touch.

"I missed you" Harry whispered to Severus who held him tighter. "It was so hard not being able to touch you while sitting so close to you"

Severus murmured in agreement and kissed the top of Harry's head. "I wanted to dance with you, show you off and twirl you around. But can we dance here instead? We only have to stay secret for a few more months and then we can do anything we want" said Severus as he started to sway slowly in time to the music that drifted their way.

"I can be patient, you're worth the wait"

Severus chuckled. "We went from what exactly are we doing professor to this"

"Yes Professor. Kiss me please sir" Harry said, grinning mischievously as Severus.

Severus smiled and bent to kiss Harry, his tongue entering that familiar mouth. Harry moaned, hands reaching out to grip Severus's robes as he arched his back a bit to allow Severus to kiss him deeply. Severus placed kisses all over Harry's face and he giggled. Severus bit Harry's neck and sucked causing Harry to moan and cup Severus's ass. "I love you, Harry Potter"

Harry opened his eyes and stared at Severus. He held Severus's face in his hands and brought their foreheads close together. "I love you, Professor Snape"

Severus smiled and kissed Harry again. His loud moan sounded obscene in the silence as Harry palmed him through his robes. Harry slipped his hands into Severus's pants and stroked him, smiling to himself as he felt Severus shudder. Severus moaned again and Harry bent to his knees. He unbuckled Severus's pants and took Severus's large weeping cock into his mouth. Harry licked the tip, knowing how much Severus loved that and then licked up and down the sides of his cock. Severus moaned, low and guttural and Harry tried his best to take all of Severus in. He hollowed his cheeks and bobbed his head up and down, sheathing his teeth so he wouldn't hurt Severus.

He looked up at Severus and smiled at Severus who smiled back and rubbed his hair affectionately. Harry felt Severus stiffen and sucked harder, swallowing Severus whole and watching Severus's expression as he came.

Later on, when Severus had calmed down somewhat, Harry nuzzled his face into Severus's balls and inhaled his musky smell. Severus had giggled, being extremely ticklish down there and Harry had smiled. Who would have ever thought that Professor Snape could be cute? Harry cleaned himself and Severus up with a quick charm and they adjusted their robes.

The Weasley's were going to open Christmas presents under the tree and Harry was sure his friends would be wondering where he was. Harry and Severus walked up to the twinkling lights of the Burrow. Everyone seemed to be occupied with their presents and were most likely very drunk. They paused under the mistletoe placed at the entrance and smiled at each other, Severus wrapping his arms around Harry as he kissed him deeply.

"Merry Christmas Professor Snape"

"Back at you, Mr Potter".