The Space Between Failing and Falling • Snarry •

Chapter 11: Founder and Fulfilment

Severus pulls out Indian takeaway, which Harry takes with a grin. "You are a sight for sore eyes. Accio Plates and Forks!"

He takes out the finger paints he has brewed in primary colours that are suitable for toddlers, and a minute record player.

Harry un-shrinks it for him wandlessly and laughs. "More apologies? I like it. We should apologise more often." Harry carries it into the living room, the plates bumping into his back, and says over his shoulder, "Sorry is only two syllables."

Severus raises an eyebrow and laments the fact that Harry can see right through him.

After dinner (and a lot of unique self-portraits by Ted), Harry helps him fashion a dog recovery collar to help Rosie look the part of a veterinary victim. The dog is completely fine, and in a sleeping trance. Harry tells him to shave a bit of her fur, and make her seem groggy with sleeping potions.

When Severus comes back from the loo, he's alarmed to see Harry rifling through his record box. "Are your hands clean? A number of those are Very Good Plus graded."

Severus puts on Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons' 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You'.

Harry holds out his hand, and a frisson of excitement jolts down his spine. As he slow dances with a (still very topless) Harry, Teddy races around the coffee table.

Ted refuses to go to sleep until Harry promises Severus will bring That's Not My Hippogriff... When he's caught red-handed trying to teach the boy to read, his heartbeat stutters at Harry's half smile.

He does not like being caught off-guard by anyone.

It takes more magic than planned to clean the living room (though well-intentioned, the paints were unwise). When they are finally alone, Harry asks to dance with him once more.

As they sway to 'Put Your Head on My Shoulder', they both recognise it as a means to be close, to traverse the distance that's present in a new relationship.

"Our heartbeats—did you know they beat in time?" Harry murmurs in his ear.

"Yes. Most of the time."

When he can't think of anything else to say, he stops trying to speak, and finds himself kissing Harry.

It never gets old.

The sounds he can coax from Harry are addictive. So is the weight of Harry in his arms, the swell of a needy cock pressed against his thigh, the warmth of a soft back under Severus's hands.

Before he can do something he'll regret, Severus breathes into his ear, "Goodnight, Harry. Goodnight."

****

It's three whole days until Severus can see Harry again. Somnus comes to visit the next day, and after feeding him up a bit, Severus posts a Thornless Rose to Harry.

****

At seven o'clock on Sunday morning, the boy, girl, and a middle-aged woman knock at his door. He's expecting them, and is ready in his Muggle clothes, carrying small Rosie in his arms. Across the road, he sees Mr Jones's net curtains twitch.

"Is she all right?" the boy whispers.

He lifts Rosie into the woman's arms.

"Yes," Severus says. "She's very tired from the operations, and she'll be a bit wobbly on her feet. But I've no doubt she'll be fine. Let her have some good meals and water. Be very gentle and give her somewhere quiet to sleep."

The girl cries happy tears, and he hopes they'll leave quickly.

"What d'you have to say?" the lady asks the children.