Chapter 3: The Best Gifts

Few Months Later: Christmas Break

Harry flew around the pitch, loving the biting edge of the wind through his ears and nipping at his ears. His breath blew out in puffs of smoke before him in the cold December weather as snow fell about him in soft flurries and the ground was covered in blankets of it. He wore a warm cloak that was charmed with a heating charm and a beanie covered his head as his ponytail whipped out behind him as he sped up even more, shooting up into the sleet, gray sky that almost seemed solid. The light was dulled by these gray clouds and yet Harry felt this was the brightest time of the year; he had always loved flying around this time of year and his friends had always thought him crazy: never did stop them from playing with him however. Christmas was fast approaching and he still had a few more gifts to get: the one for Severus and for Cyrus who had fast wiggled his way into Harry's heart.

He smiled remembering the day when he had told the boy that his relatives had been arrested and that the boy was finally free. The boy had had this heart breaking look of hesitant hope and the moment the child had realized what Harry said was true he had broke out in a grin and tears of relief, throwing himself into Harry's arms and clutching at the man desperately. It had been a good day and he was tossing around the idea of adopting the boy for Christmas, Cyrus already felt like a son to him and Harry wanted to make it official. He had already talked to Minerva, Albus, and Severus about it and they all thought it was a wonderful idea.

Severus. With a sigh Harry finally stopped and pushed his Firebolt into an almost impossible Wronski Feint from three-hundred feet in the sky, what the hell should he get the man?! He wanted it to be meaningful and nothing mocking like he knew the man's other colleagues did. Then an idea hit Harry just as he pulled up inches from the ground: The Chamber of Secrets and the preserved Basilisk! Everything about the damned serpent was a rare potions ingredient and he had gotten the Potions journals of Salazar Slytherin and Merlin from them before he had left. With a grin he jumped off his broom and summoned his cane with only a thought. Making it all in one graceful movement he began to make his way across the grounds and back up to the castle waving to the centaur children that galloped beside him for a time and ran to catch up to Hagrid to give him a hand with another Christmas tree the half-giant was carrying up to the school.

Christmas Eve: Harry's Sitting Room

Harry snorted as Cyrus seemed to vibrate with excitement as they sat in his sitting room with Severus, sipping hot cocoa before bed. They would all three be going to the Weasleys tomorrow for Christmas to open gifts as the boy was already Harry's son in their opinion and as such he was an honorary member of the Weasley clan. The boy was chattering as if the world would end tomorrow and if he didn't get everything out tonight then he might never get the chance again. Chuckling Harry continued to listen and give encouragement by gasping and shaking his head at the right places beneath Severus's fond and amused stare.

They continued like this for a few hours before Harry glanced at the clock on the mantle and placed his mug to the side, "Alright Cy, it's time for all eleven-year-olds to be in bed. We have to get up early tomorrow and you don't want to sleep through all the fun," Harry said, cutting off any whining that might come expertly as he stood, stretching.

With a pout Cyrus made his way grudgingly toward the hallway bathroom but a promise from Harry to tell a bedtime story had the child rushing to get ready. Harry smiled warmly, knowing that, though the boy never admitted it, that he loved being baby to make up for the times he never got it growing up. Harry gave Severus a small smile and a questioning look and the dark man nodded before standing himself and following Harry into what had become Cyrus's official room over the last few months: they had found it was easier for the boy to sleep when he was a room away from Harry.

Harry pulled down the sheets and fluffed the pillows before flicking his wand and making the stars shine brighter as Cyrus came rushing in and jumped excitedly into bed and snuggled in as Harry and Severus both tucked him in. When the two men were sure the boy was comfortable, Harry kicked off his slippers and sat beside Cyrus with his back against the headboard. The moment he settled, Cyrus was curled up on his chest looking up at him with innocent and eager eyes as he held Severus's hand where the dark man had settled on the other side of the boy.

With a warm feeling filling his chest, Harry spoke, "What shall it be tonight?" he asked.

The room was filled with silence as Cyrus thought, "A magical one," he finally said. Harry snorted; the boy wasn't going to make it easy for him. Then an idea struck him: it was a song but it told a story he could just tweak it a bit right?

"There once was a young girl who didn't have much: she was an orphan who worked odd jobs in her small town and barely had the money to feed herself. One day she was walking to town when she decided to rest by the side of the road for a moment where she found a bird. This bird was covered with dust and had a broken wing. The girl felt remorse and sympathy for the poor thing and gathered it gently in her palms and held it close to her to warm the bird because it was particularly cold that morning. When she reached town rather than spending the few coins she had left for a meal she bought a cage for the bird and gathered corn that had fallen on the ground around the market for food for the poor being that she clutched gently to her." Harry's voice was deep, soothing, and almost hypnotizing as he continued the story and Severus wasn't surprised to see that Cyrus was already dropping off to sleep against the man's chest.

"The days passed and the bird was slowly beginning to heal under the girl's attentions. It's crimson and gold feathers were clean and shining in the sunlight and its wing was healing quicker than many would believe possible under the circumstance. The girl was sacrificing her well being for that of another being, pouring her life and love into the bird with every time she healed and cleaned the bird gently. Then one day men came into the girl's little hut, attacking her and going to do much worse to her when the bird, whose wing had just recently healed, flew up and attacked the men to protect the one who had protected him. The men quickly killed the bird to rid themselves of the nuisance but thankfully before they could return to their attack of the girl authorities had arrived and they ran. The girl crawled over to the bird and held it close to her chest, crying over the loss of an innocent and life and with one final breath pushed her magic and soul into the little bird for this girl was a witch and knew she didn't have long in this world anyway. She wished to do something worthwhile in her life and knew the bird would live it far better than she would. As she died the bird began to grow and glow with magic: and so the first Phoenix was made with the sacrifice of an innocent soul and her tears. That is why Phoenix's are so pure for they wish to give the girl whom initiated their birth the respect and life she should have had, that is why they are reborn from their ashes because in a way that the girl was reborn through the creation of the Phoenix, and that is why Phoenix tears heal wounds because the girl's tears are what revived the bird."

When Harry looked down he smiled fondly at the softly snoring Cyrus and shifted, gently laying the boy back on his pillows and tucking him back in firmly. Leaning down he kissed the boy on the top of the head with a whispered goodnight before he put his slippers back on and went to leave. He paused when he felt Severus wasn't with him and turned to see the dark man leaning over the boy and kissing him on the forehead much like he had done just moments before.

"Sweet dreams Little One," the man whispered gently before standing and turning to meet soft emeralds filled with an emotion that Severus didn't dare hope was what he thought it was.

"I love you," the words escaped Harry before he could stop them and hung in the warm air between them before what he had just done caught up to him and he felt fear and dread fill his gut. Spinning quickly he ran out into the sitting room: he had ruined everything! Why couldn't he have kept his damned mouth shut?!

Severus stood frozen, had the man just said what he thought he had. Warmth and happiness filled him but he was brought back to reality when Harry let loose a silent curse and ran out. Quickly gathering himself the dark man rushed after the man of his dreams, catching him before he could slip out of the door that lead to the hallway. Harry began to struggle for a moment before he slumped and Severus felt tears on his bare arms and felt his own heart break: did Harry really think his feelings weren't returned? Did the man really think so little of himself?!

"Harry," Severus's tone was soft and gentle, not giving anything away, "look at me," he almost begged.

The young man shook his head determinedly, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Severus grew frustrated and spun the man around and captured the shocked emerald eyed man's lips in his own in a heated kiss. Harry grew tense before everything in him seemed to relax and he slumped into Severus's chest, thankful for the man's arms around his waist as he raised his own around the man's neck and tangled his fingers in the dark man's deceivingly soft hair. The kiss grew more heated as Harry opened his lips to Severus's seeking tongue, moaning as Harry pulled himself closer to Severus's hard, strong form when their tongues brushed and Severus turned him into a puddle of goo with a few expert strokes of his tongue.

Harry gave a groan when he wrenched his lips away and gasped in a breath of air to supply his burning lungs, leaning his forehead against Severus's own. Heated onyx orbs delved into his own emerald and the man said the words Harry thought he would never hear from the man: "I love you too," before they were once again kissing. That night the two came together for the first time and felt their magic wrap around the others, finally feeling completed and at home. The portraits throughout the castle grinned in triumph and Fawkes shot off into the sky with a song of pride and happiness that helped everyone in Scotland sleep peacefully that night with good dreams.

With one last utterance of love between the two, unknowing to the celebration outside of the room they were in far too absorbed in each other, they tangled their naked limbs and both slept the most peaceful they had in years.

The Next Morning: Christmas

Harry awoke with a groan as the sunlight from his charmed window shined directly into his eyes. He went to roll over out of the light but found his way impeded by an iron grip around his waist and a warm body shifted against his side, pulling him closer to a firm, naked chest. Then what happened last night quickly caught up with Harry and a silly grin came to his face as he opened his eyes to be met with the sleeping form of his lover and soul mate. Severus's face was peaceful and there were no signs of weariness or sadness on his features: he looked younger. A piece of his hair fell across his face and created a very endearing picture to Harry who smiled and it seemed to him as if the whole world brightened as he leaned forward to kiss Severus softly on the lips.

He gave a grunt of surprise when the arms around his waist tightened and he was pulled onto the man's chest and into a deeper, more sensual kiss. The moment was broken when the two men had to breathe and Harry was perched on top of his lover as Severus gave him a small, slow smile that filled Harry with more happiness than anything else could.

"Good morning," he said in a breathless voice and Severus gave a warm chuckle as he spoke in a silky drawl that sent heat pooling in Harry's stomach and straight down south, "Indeed."

Before Harry could lunge forward to claim the man's mouth and perhaps have a repeat performance from last night the door to his bedroom slammed open and an excited Cyrus in only his pajamas came running in and jumped on the two of them. He paused for a moment before a large grin broke out on his face and he gave an excited shout of triumph sounding suspiciously like "Finally!"

Harry raised an amused brow as Severus sent him a thankful look as he felt sleep pants appear on both of them with a silent thought from Harry, "What's got you so excited love?" Harry asked, pulling the boy into bed between himself and Severus, tangling his and the man's fingers.

"It's Christmas, duh!" Cyrus said excitedly, "Get up its time to go!" he jumped up once again and ran out into the hallway were Harry rightly assumed he had gone to the bathroom to get ready.

Severus and he shared a fond smile before Harry's turned seductive, "Can I persuade you into take a shower with me Mr. Snape?" he asked, voice deep and silky.

Severus smirked and leaned forward kissing the breath out of the man in his arms and giving the hand still twined with his own a squeeze, "Always," he whispered as he pulled back only a half an inch so their lips still brushed with his words.

Harry grinned before something struck him and he groaned. Severus gave him a worried look but Harry's next words had the man imitating the Savior, "We have to tell the Weasleys."

With a sigh Severus pulled Harry close hoping to reassure the man who he had come to learn had a very bad opinion of himself, "More than half of them have married Slytherins Harry, and they have no right to judge, it is you life to live."

Harry took a deep breath as his love's warmth surrounded him and his heart was put at ease, pulling back he kissed the man of his dreams before pulling away and getting ready. They walked out into the sitting room hand in hand, smiling at the sight of Cyrus waiting excitedly beside the door that would lead out into the hallway, the boy's coat, gloves, scarf, and hat already on.

"Calm down Cyrus, they won't start without us," Severus's voice was soft and teasing and Harry was happy to hear he hadn't replaced his Slytherin mask even though they were going to a Gryffindor household.

The boy pouted, "I know that," he said petulantly and so cute that Harry couldn't help but laugh, "alright we'll hurry why don't you go wait outside?" he prompted fondly.

Cyrus was out the door before they could utter another word and with another fond look between the two of them the two men got ready. Harry turned to find his cane as he buttoned the last button only to see Severus holding it up to him with a small loving smile. Grinning Harry leaned forward to give the man a kiss of thanks when they were interrupted by Cyrus peeking his head in and calling out, "And no kissing Father, Dad or we'll be late!" before disappearing again.

Harry and Severus stood frozen staring at the door where the boy had just disappeared, "Did he just-," Harry's voice was weak and filled with hope. Severus nodded dumbfounded. The two turned to each other and the moment their eyes met silly grins broke out on their faces as Severus gathered Harry close to his chest and spun the young man around, the two shared a overjoyed laughter.

Sometime in that their lips met in a tender kiss and when they pulled apart Harry's eyes were shining with love as Severus whispered reluctantly, "Come we wouldn't want to delay the opening of gifts any longer."

Harry chuckled as he took his cane and entwined his fingers with Severus's as they began to walk, "I don't need any more gifts, I've already got the best gifts I could have ever received," at Severus's questioning look Harry kissed the man's jaw and said lovingly, "I have you and Cy."

Severus smiled in understanding and gave Harry his own kiss before they caught up with an excited Cyrus who was playing in the snow on the front lawn of the school to pass the time and made their way to the Weasleys. Harry knew that no matter what reactions they got he wouldn't give of either of his two boys for anything in the world.