The Mortal

problem. ”

Harry didn't understand.He opened his eyes for no apparent reason, and instantly, he was wide awake - Snape was handing him the wand in question, black, thirteen and a half inches long - what did that mean?He thought first, then second, that he should get all his romantic fantasies back, even if Snape himself would never approve of it and couldn't stop it.

He tried not to let out any strange sobs.

"you should not……"

"Just hold it," Snape said stiffly, thrusting the wand into his hand. "Since it doesn't mean much to me anymore and you just happen to-"

The wand would never lose its meaning to its Master, it was something more than just a tool, Snape knew it, and so did Harry.He wanted to remember Snape waving his wand, how he was so good at magic, how easy it was to breathe smooth and precise spells - and those would be gone, and Harry suddenly realized with all the clarity that Snape had lost that part of himself that he could never get back. Hand it over to him.He let go of his identity and power as a powerful wizard, on such an ordinary morning: the heavy snow that would fall every winter was falling outside the window, nothing major happened, and he loved and loved him deeply People chatted about the trivial matters of the day, as if everyone had a life.And then it happens - it's over.

"Okay." Harry responded to him gently, cherishing and solemn.

In the end, he still couldn't control his vision, which was beginning to blur.

"So you're going to get a tree back." Snape changed the subject abruptly.He was so uncomfortable that his shoulders tensed, and Harry wiped the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand, wondering with a smile how unaccustomed he was to showing kindness to others.

"I'm not just getting a tree back," Harry kindly let him go.But soon he was not so kind, "We - listen, you and I - also want to hang colorful decorations on it, yes, Muggle products that have no practical significance and cost time and money - whatever you want How to describe it."

"I wouldn't describe it as uncreative and as critical as it should be." Snape's shoulders relaxed, replaced by a raised brow. "And I thought you could experience enough festive fun in the red-haired wizard gathering place, without adding extra labor here." He pursed his lips tightly.

"Who said..." Harry stared at him displeased, but that paired with his red eye sockets really wasn't very intimidating. "I'm going to the Weasley's for Christmas?"

"I'm not suggesting anything, if you think of anything." Snape gazed at him steadily. "It makes perfect sense to have a holiday filled with laughter and family, just do what you've been doing."

Well, Harry admits that he really, really loves him, but still wants to literally fight him every now and then.

"You're right, it makes perfect sense, so I'll be with you," he said grimly, "Need I remind you that you're my family now?"

Snape moved his lips to say something, but couldn't.

"Besides, I haven't spent Christmas at The Burrow for two years, and you don't seem to have enough information." Harry shrugged, "Last year I was with...I was with Mrs. Anderson."

It made him think of the roast chicken he'd burnt and the cupcakes that were out of shape when he wasn't that good at everything in the kitchen; Fluffy letter - I'm sorry, Harry, I don't even want to receive an apology, I love you so much, I know.

His stomach churned as Ed led a lawyer up to him.She had already had a hunch that things might not be as simple as performing a surveillance mission, and had prepared for the worst in advance, so Harry couldn't help trembling in front of an inheritance receipt. He hated this. For the third time, his life For the third time in his life, he had to inherit the weight of other people's lives, from the vault of Gringotts to No. 12 Grimmauld Place, and then here, he hated it very much.

And she didn't even give him a chance to mourn.There is no funeral, no flowers, and the priest reads words - in accordance with her will, Harry took her ashes to the mountain, let the mountain wind carry her away as she wished, and walked to every corner of the land she was loyal to .

But how could he stop the memory of her from emerging when he returned to the familiar house.

I want you to stay, honey, and make this your home.accept it.Harry was held back by this when he wanted to escape, he hesitated for a while and finally signed the form crookedly.I wish you peace and warmth and a love that never fades.

Yes, I found it.Now we are fine.

"I think she'd like to see it too," Harry said to Snape, smiling softly. "But of course I'll be at the Burrow, tomorrow morning. Don't get too complacent, I'm not about to abandon my friends for you."

"Now that you've made up your mind," Snape watched him carefully for a moment before opening. "I probably don't have much room for rejection."

"Please rest assured, it really won't affect me in any way." Harry couldn't help but kiss the center of his brow, trying to smooth out the shallow crease. "I'm sure Ron can definitely understand why I'm here, given the way he yelled at my neck a few days ago."

"That's because your crap-filled brain foolishly made some kind of show-off decision to reject my ointment." Snape gritted his teeth with a dark face, a rare embarrassment showing on his face.

"But you didn't stop it very strongly, you know that I won't really go against your wishes."

"I remember someone even Disapparating to escape."

"I also remember someone not being mad at me afterward, and it was actually kind of fun to watch Ron freeze in shock. Did you know they started talking about the engagement?"

Harry slyly cut the subject quickly before Snape was thoroughly annoyed by him.

"I'm sure you mentioned the catastrophic prophecy that there would be a bunch of red-haired imps in the near future," Snape said quietly.

That's not my exact words. Harry retorted silently in his heart.I haven't thought that far.

"Children are not as scary as you think." He retorted in a low voice.

"That's right, the most they can do is leave you with a hard-to-heal wound on your back when you're not looking." Snape sneered indistinctly, his eyes roving over the young man's bare skin.

"Oh you're still holding a grudge. Aren't you jealous that a little girl can leave a mark on me for so long?" Harry almost laughed.

"Potter—"

"Okay, it's all my fault." He admitted his mistake carelessly while suppressing a smile. "Teresa also wrote me a note reminding me that you are in danger, so please forgive her."

"How would she know?" Snape asked. "And it was sent to the Burrow."

"Maybe I found something by chance. I didn't expect that she would be willing to contact me, so I didn't leave him a mailing address. I think I am quite popular with children." Harry explained quite proudly, in exchange for a heavy waist When he grasped it, he almost groaned. "There's nothing to worry about," he whispered soothingly into Snape's neck, "I was in the small town of Corim for two days on a mission, if you want to know the details I can tell you all slowly Listen - like I ended up almost adopting her - take it easy, it turned out I was rejected mercilessly."

"That's really a wise choice," Snape agreed.

"But she's supposed to go to Hogwarts next year. I guess she'll be a good Slytherin, like you, and maybe you can teach her something if you want. She's a bit like you, both black. hair and eyes."

"Harry." Snape was never dull.He whispered in the boy's ear, "What exactly do you want to express?"

Harry didn't speak for a while.He raised his head and stared at the older man, his eyes were as bright and clear as a spring lake, and he could see the bottom at a glance.

"Just to let you know," he said slowly, "I've thought about us more than you can imagine - all the possible problems that might arise, with or without reason, but nothing can stop me Love you."

Harry himself didn't realize how deeply the confessions he'd always thrown out would have had a profound effect on Snape, and he went on talking about concerns about what constituted a family in general, and whether Snape would want more between them. complete point -

"I am responding to future crises in advance," he said lightly. "Just in case you're bored with me all day, find something educational you love to distract you from."

"Your very definition of endearment is…" Snape's hand slid into the young man's hair. "And I've been tired of you for a long time, and now you can occupy my bed. I don't think there is any future crisis worth dealing with than you occupying it for a lifetime."

He said life.Not a month, a year, or a time frame that could be anytime soon.

So all Harry's uncertain thoughts about the future settled down.He knew the next thing they would remember was a lot of delay