The Space Between Failing and Falling • Snarry •

Chapter 17: Turning Towards Treasure

This, too, receives a glare from the owl.

It says:

(Just a draft invite, do let me know your thoughts)

You are cordially welcomed to celebrate the engagement of Severus Tobias Snape and Harry James Potter.

Saturday, 1st of September 2001

7.00p.m. until 1.00a.m.

Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire

Kindly RSVP by the 25th of August.

At that moment, Harry comes in, sweat stuck to his forehead, fiddling with a portable electronic device and wires that play music directly into his ears.

They don't even need to greet each other with words anymore, their lips find the other's. Until Digby screeches, and they spring apart with thundering hearts, he's forgotten all about the engagement party.

****

"What do you want to do when you graduate?"

Harry sits perpendicular to him, feet on the other side of Severus's legs. "Don't know. Sit here with you, drinking tea, I s'pose."

"That's not an occupation."

"It should be. I could be a director of a charity. Dedicated to the care of my Severus Snape."

"I forbid it."

He pushes his glasses back up onto his nose. "Or something with owls. Or children. Maybe I could teach Junior Quidditch. That'd be fun."

"'Chaotic' and 'hazardous' are the words that come to mind."

He gives him a lop-sided grin and asks, "How long have you loved me?"

Severus tucks Harry's head under his chin and reflects. "Don't know. I'm rather good at lying to myself. Your letters made me realise that Hogwarts wasn't the same without you."

"Oh?" Harry burrows into his chest and Severus threads his fingers through the soft hair.

"I had what I thought was my dream job, and yet I'd taken no time to myself to determine what to do. Teaching teenagers was certainly not it."

"So, you like working at the Ministry?" Harry asks.

Severus hums. "I like the hours. And the proximity to you, where I can keep an eye on you. Make sure you don't get up to nuisance." Harry elbows him in the ribs. "I enjoy leaving my work at the desk at five o'clock, no marking, no real responsibility aside from accurate patent applications. And whilst fame is a capricious thing, it is a pleasant change to be a respected member of society."

"You're looking forward to our engagement party, then?"

"No. I'm looking forward to marrying you."

Gently as a summer breeze, Harry's breath ghosts against Severus's lips, when he says, "Good." The tenderness emanating from his face makes his heart skip. It's still just as paralysing as ever. He doesn't dare sever the atmosphere of this moment, so instead of speaking, he bows his head.

A sigh leaves Harry's lungs when their lips touch, hands cling to the front of his robes. He pours every emotion he feels for Harry into this kiss.

"Your hair, and eyes...they're like ink." Harry kisses the hair at his temple. "I want to see you, hold you. Shower with me? We don't have to, you know, do anything."

The gentle lips at his throat were becoming familiar, almost a habit. It was hard to be self-conscious at such persistent affection, or to maintain any measure of control.