The next morning Harry was the first to wake up, accustomed to having to get up early from his relatives.
Of course, he first noticed his cuddly underlay. Next, how could it be otherwise, his tail. never slept this thing? Without thinking much about it, the boy tried to move his 'fuse' at will, which he did surprisingly well. So after a while he started tapping the tip of his spouse on his husband's stomach, slowly it started to be fun. Harry even tried to use his appendage like a prehensile tail, curling the tip and tugging at the ceiling. That was exhausting, but if he practiced for a long time, it would certainly be possible someday. During his' morning gymnastics', the green-eyed man drew thoughtless patterns on Severus' chest. This was awakened by the unfamiliar touch. the oh-so-evil potions teacher looked down to see what had awakened him. He had to suppress a laugh, he had not really expected this picture. For a while Severus watched his husband's activities before he made himself felt.
"Good morning, how long have I been using it as a fitness machine?"
Harry almost jumped out of the fur that was not there at the time. Startled, he looked up.
"Sorry, that was not an intention, the thing (accusing finger pointing to the tail) has been self-employed again. I just wanted to practice a bit. "
"Harry, that was a joke. It does not bother me, actually it is actually quite pleasant to be so awakened. "
the boy looked at him with wide eyes. Although Harry had noticed over and over again in the last few days that the actual Severus Snape was very different from the spy he had known so far. However, it was still unusual to see the otherwise unapproachable man so balanced and satisfied. The Gryffindor was sure that was also related to the fact that his partner now no longer had to spy.
severus was able to read the lines of thought that were on Harry's face, and his ears also told the potions teacher a lot.
"You know, hopefully, that your ears and tail will make it even harder for you to hide your feelings."
"I've never been able to hide that from you anyway, at least most of them do not."
By the end of the sentence, Harry had become quieter. He saw that Severus' eyes had darkened, surely thinking of the Dursleys, fortunately for Harry.
Suddenly the two heard a loud, angry owl-screaming from the next room.
"What in Merlin's name has happened again?"
Severus had jumped out of bed, as if driven by devils, and was already reaching for his wand. harry, on the other hand, climbed in leisurely, nothing in his attitude indicating panic.
"No reason to take up arms. Hedwig usually responds when unknown or unwelcome owls approach her. she's a little bit peculiar, even the school and government departments always try to scare her away, especially if they get too close. "
With this new information Severus felt rather stupid now. after all, he was standing here in his pajamas and with his wand out, as if expecting Voldemort at the door. He decided to scrape together what was left of his dignity and follow his chuckling husband. yet the ex-spy did not even think about putting down his wand, as he had already made acquaintance with the sharp beaks of Harry's protectors.
Still in his mind Severus did not realize that his cat had stopped in front of him and ran into it rather inelegantly. And of course he almost knocked the skinny boy over - Merlin, was it more embarrassing?
but he immediately interrupted his self-biting when he saw why Harry had stopped so suddenly.
In her living room was not just a strange owl, but dozens of them.
"What about Morgana's ladybeard ...?"
"Good question."
Harry went on into the room, and after he had calmed his angry Hedwig, he turned to the feathered robbery. He made a quick decision to go to the only owl he knew.
"Well, Pig, what are you bringing me nice?"
the little elf owl fluttered up and down in anticipation of Harry, as always, when he had something to deliver. What the little one lacked in size, he made up for through temperament. Hm, somehow like Harry himself.
After the cat-boy caught the owl, he took the big load from her, admittedly. Severus had in the meantime, by magic, relieved the rest of the animals of their burden. This stacked now on the living room table. Besides a plethora of letters there were still a few parcels and two daily prophets.
Shortly, the owls were provided with cookies and water and after they had gone back home, Harry turned first to the packet of Pig.
In an enclosed map stood:
"As a little wedding present from Hermione and Ron."
Pleased, Harry opened the package, he really had not expected that the two would give them something for the wedding. Especially if you considered the negative reactions.
The good mood of the Gryff disappeared suddenly when he saw WHAT that was a gift.
"WHAT THE HELL THAT HAVE THOUGHT TO THOUGHT? Damn, I cut them into cubes and process them into a potion! They're good at spinning. "
Severus had flinched at the violent outburst. so he did not know his little one, alarmed, he turned to his husband.
He had a medium-sized book in his hand that he was just trying to set on fire, at least the Potions Master had this impression. He walked up to Harry and read the title on the envelope over his shoulder. And now he could understand his husband's reaction. On the cover stood in big letters:
"Sex among homosexuals. How it works and why it's fun. "
Meanwhile Harry growled with suppressed anger, he would not forgive the two so quickly. But when he became aware of the presence of Severus, he blushed bright red. Oh God, he had read the title and what was worse, the gift was for both of them. So at least Hermione had to assume that her teacher would read it too. Harry stood there frozen, he did not dare to move, let alone turn around.
Severus saw the dilemma of his partner and quickly took the book from his hand. he pointed his wand and turned the thing into a plant, so the tree had not died in vain, at least. Then he turned back to the still distraught cat boy.
"I've said it several times in the past and I like to repeat it again. Your two friends are a nuisance. "
He bridged the last distance and took his little one in his arms. severus knew perfectly well that it was not about the book itself, which bothered his husband so much. It was the reckless behavior of his two friends that tore at his nerves.
Harry fell into the embrace after a short while, happy that Severus did not go into the matter. Though he was sure that Hermione and Ron would still be able to listen to each other. Why was it so hard for him to feel sorry for them?
After a short while the two parted again, also because Fawkes and Hedwig made a loud noise. Shortly thereafter, Hedwig also landed on Severus' shoulder and gently pinched his ear, then she snuggled her little head to the Potions master and cooed.
"Since when are you so trusting to me?"
Severus was a little confused by the owl's sudden attachment.
"That's Hedwig's way of integrating you into your crush. You know how gluttonous she is, that's what she does with people she entrusts my protection to. "
"Well, in that case, of course, I'm glad that you trust me so much. But tell me, who is your swarm? "
Harry grinned wolfishly as he watched Severus stroking his owl.
"Besides me, you are in the illustrious company of Luna, the Twins, Hagrid, Neville, and Remus."
The jailer stopped abruptly in his movements. With Luna and Hagrid he had expected, because of him, even the wolf, but the other and above all:
"Longbottom, you're kidding, the boy does not even manage to sit on the school bench without almost having a nervous breakdown!"
"Neville is just so scared of you, in the other subjects he is also shy, but not so much. besides, when it comes to his friends, Neville can be different too. "
Although Severus looked a bit doubtful, but then left it there.
"What else are they for letters?"
"No idea, I have not looked at it yet. but there is also the morning paper, in duplicate. Maybe we should unsubscribe. "
"And how am I supposed to find out what nonsense they're spreading over me again? After all, I'll continue to sit next to the Gryffindor table and not next to you. "
"Also agrees again. shall we have breakfast? "
"Gladly, are we going to the forest right after that?"
"That's what it was meant to be."
"Good, then I will read the newspaper later. I do not want to spoil my mood. "
severus could only agree with his hangover, he also had no great desire for renewed journalistic effusions. The two also decided to open the rest of the post later.
After breakfast, Harry changed and tied his hair together. he did not see much sense in taking a shower now, when he came out of the forest anyway, probably filthy.
When he met his husband in the living room, he looked at him startled.
"Why are you wearing those old scraps? I thought Dobby had already disposed of your old clothes. "
"Dobby did not throw her away because he knows me too well. The little guy knew that I needed those things just for such things. I do not want to ruin my new things now. "
Severus looked unenthusiastic again, but decided to say nothing. Harry would realize he did not have to hold back like that. But he also did not want his little one to pretend to be patronized, so he preferred not to say anything.
"What about you, my beaks, do you want to come or did you go through the night again?"
Fawkes and Hedwig swung themselves up elegantly on this question and landed on the shoulders of Harry.
Smiling, Harry made his way with his husband outside and then towards the forest.
On the grounds of the school, Harry let his cat naturel run free. He played catching the two birds, jumped behind butterflies and raced wildly around Severus. he enjoyed the exuberant mood of his partner to the fullest. When the two had reached the edge of the forest, Harry walked quietly next to the Potions master, after all, he knew how dangerous it was here. When they had been gone for some time, the green-eyed one heard loud cursing behind them, and not exactly restrained.
When Harry turned around, he could barely resist a laugh, but only by biting his cheek.
severus had caught his cloak quite undramatically in a bush.
"Why did you wear your cloak? With the bulky thing, you are left hanging on every second root. and I do not think the creatures that roam around here are impressed by a jumbled piece of cloth. "
With any other, Severus would now have blown up and snapped around with biting comments. but Harry could not be mad at him and besides, the boy was right too. Cursing to himself, the student fright first released his wardrobe in front of the adjoining shrubbery, before he removed the disturbing fabric, put it on a small piece of cotton and put it in his pocket.
Harry watched it very attentively and could not prevent his eyes from getting bigger and bigger.
"What is, do I still have leaves hanging somewhere?"
"Hm, no, but I've just found out that if you went to class without your loose robes, there would probably be more transcontinental events."
"Oh yes? And how do you come up with this idea? "
"Quite simply, it would be impossible for the students to concentrate on seeing the lesson."
And with that, Harry turned around with a flushed head and walked on quickly.
Had he continued to pay attention to Severus, the boy would have noticed the sudden change in his face. At first, the good potions teacher was frozen to the pillar of salt, then his gaze wandered disbelievingly on his own body and finally he also went red.
For a while they went on in silence, each trying to avoid the other's gaze. they focused their attention on collecting various herbs, mushrooms and other ingredients.
At some point Severus moved his steps further into the forest, which brought him a questioning look from Harry.
"I still need unicorn hair and, if possible, a bit of scraped-out horn. The herd lives in this direction, unfortunately we will not see the animals, we can only hope that they have lost some hair on the forest floor. "
"Do you always do that?"
"Yes, fresh from the animals themselves, they would rather me and would work better, but unfortunately I miss the opportunity."
"Why? You could just ask the unicorns if they give you something. "
"Unfortunately, no. Unicorns do not like men, they are only touched by women. Well and by magic beings, but I do not want to use you as a bait. "
Harry smiled winningly at his husband.
"Is there another way, shall I show you?"
severus' eyebrows went to dizzying heights. The green-eyed took his bat but just by the hand. He led Severus out of the woods again and walked with him towards the Thestrale.
"What exactly are we doing here?"
"Be patient. Hello Riffraff. "
Harry welcomed the foal, who galloped exuberantly towards him. He also stroked the rest of the herd and then settled on a tree stump.
"We'll have to wait a bit, you should sit down."
severus raised his eyebrow again, but as he only earned a mischievous smile from his partner, he also let himself down. So the two sat silently facing each other and waited. The Thestral herd sometimes demanded pats, but nothing else happened.
After a quarter of an hour, Severus suddenly heard a faint rustle that came closer and closer. He was about to rise and reach for his wand, but was held back by a wave of Harry's hand. the rustling grew louder, and eventually Severus could identify the sounds as hoofbeats. Surprised, he looked at his cat, but only quietly continued to stroke Riffraff.
Then they came, a whole herd of beautiful unicorns. There were even young animals among them. one of these foals stalked directly to Harry and began to rub his head against the boy's cheek.
"Hello, my little stray girl, are you alright? Yes I missed you too."
Severus looked incredulously at the scene that was unfolding before his eyes. Of course, it was well known that unicorns were crazy about magical beings. But as the herd presented to him, it was clear that Harry had known them for some time.
At some point, the little unicorn parted from the cat boy, not without having previously extensively inspected his ears, and began to play with the young Thestral. however, the little one was replaced directly by an older unicorn, which in turn began to nestle against the boy.
"How is that possible? Why are you so familiar with the herd? How did you know that they would come here? and why do the unicorns get along so well with the thestrals? "
"Severus, slowly, I can only answer one question at a time. You could almost think you're a student and I'm the teacher. "
the Potions Master blinked confused a few times, realizing that he was acting like Granger. He turned his questioning look back to his counterpart.
"Well, the reason I'm so familiar with the herd is very simple. Since I visited the Thestrale, I have also met the unicorns. The reason was stray, I gave her the name because he fits her best. She has befriended Riffraff, as you can see, and visits him as often as she can. So, most of the time the little one just sneaks away from the herd. While most would not believe it possible, thestrals and unicorns are excellent. Even if some stand for death and others for life, or perhaps because of it.
well and through stray visits I also got to know the herd better and also found out a lot about them.
Did you know, for example, that when a Thestral and a Unicorn breed, a Pegasus comes out of it? "
Severus could only shake his head in astonishment. That would also explain why no Pegasus was born in the last hundred years. The wizards tried to protect the unicorns as much as possible, above all, 'negative' influence. It's hard to believe that they nearly made it possible to extinct a breed.
"How do you know that? I have not read about it in any book. "
"You will not find that information in a book either. I have learned it from other magical beings. At the moment I do not want to tell you, I promised to tell you nothing about her. "
Understanding, the teacher nodded. It was very sobering to learn from a fifteen-year-old how little one even knew about the world in which one had lived for so long.
Still lost in thought, Severus did not realize that suddenly a big head was in his lap. Only when he petted it thoughtfully and noticed how soft it felt, he startled. That was definitely not a Thestral he stroked there. When he looked up he noticed that a big unicorn had settled next to him. It was not confused by Severus' fright, but nudged him only encouraging to be further gekrault.
Harry's giggle completely woke him up.
"Why?" was the only one the otherwise rhetorically gifted man brought out.
"Another misconception that the wizarding world attaches to. The unicorns do not avoid men because they consider women to be purer or less afraid of them. The animals simply do not like the smell of testosterone. The more someone emits, the stronger the immune response. "
At the stare Severus was now making, you could, to use a Muggelsprichwort, hang pretzels.
"So that means I do not emit much of the hormone."
"I can not say that and neither do the unicorns. For her, as for me, you just smell of herbs and sandalwood. That's quite understandable, after all you're a potions master. "
only slowly did the information seep into Snape's brain. It was all just unbelievable, centuries of misbelief just wiped away and then even with such an explanation. That Harry was right about what he said, he could only see too clearly. after all, the horned head on his lap still demanded attention.
"By the way, that's the head stallion of the herd. If he accepts you, so do the others. And it seems like he's so entranced with you. "
Again, Severus could only nod. He kept stroking the soft fur as he watched the rest of the two herds. It was really a peaceful picture, interrupted only by the wild foal.
When the jailer again looked to his husband, he could only marvel again. there was a unicorn right in front of the boy and nudged him repeatedly inviting. At some point, Harry seemed to be persuaded and climbed onto the back of the animal. Slowly he straightened up and walked carefully with the light weight on his back a few steps.
"This is a stray mother and she loves to carry children around. I'll walk with her a bit, in the meantime you can ask the rest if they give you some hair and more.
Oh, do not worry, they understand every word. "
and with that the mare quickened her pace until she galloped across the clearing, an enthusiastic Harry on her back.
"Well, let me try if Harry was right. Although I can not imagine that he would say something wrong, or what do you think? "
the lead stallion shook his head vehemently. That finally convinced Severus. So he began to ask the animals in turn if he could have any of their hair and horn. Astonishingly, none of the animals objected. on the contrary, they even lined up in a row so that Severus could 'graze' them in succession. The potions master was sure that this donation was only related to Harry, for Severus alone the unicorns would hardly be so generous. one of these noble creatures even began to produce tears that dripped into a vial.
"Thank you, I will only use it for Harry."
The animal seemed to like it because it placed its head confidently on Severus' stomach.
After an hour Severus had collected more ingredients than the last year. The Thestrals also donated some dander and hair. Enthusiastically, the Potions Master packed the last 'donation'.
Harry came back, but this time on one of the Thestrals. When he was with him, Severus helped the boy to dismount.
The two said goodbye to the herds and then made their way back to the castle. Fawkes and Hedwig, who had also enjoyed the morning, followed suit.
"Just as Riffraff and Streunerin behave, it is quite possible that a Pegasus will be born again in a few years."
Harry beamed up at his partner at the prospect.
Severus hoped his kid was right, too.
Both went to their apartment contentedly. After a long shower and a hearty lunch, Harry decided to take care of the letters and parcels that lay on her coffee table. He was also interested in what was in the newspaper today.
he would have opted for another afternoon work.
Next Chapter: 02/03/2019