Pulling Him Up

On levels down below the ground floor of Hogwarts, Slytherins and students who had just been dismissed from their potions class were walking out of the gloomy and dingy dungeons to go to the Great Hall, for their much needed lunch. Then, fifteen minutes past the noon hour, the corridors of the dungeons became mostly silent. Ghosts appeared and began to roam, and their presence made the place feel more cold and eerie.

The ghosts did not venture to a stretch of one particular corridor however, as the professor who was in charge of the office and a classroom had placed strict and powerful wards. Those charms were actually designed to keep Peeves the poltergeist out, but the ghosts were not so curious to invade Severus Snape's territory.

Inside a room that was filled with desks, chairs, cauldrons, and the smell of burnt metal, a black-haired wizard was staring thoughtfully at a blackboard. He watched as the words faded into the surface. Then he moved away, and slowly walked out of the classroom.

He began to wonder if Harry and Draco were together right now. Severus was not jealous by the possibility - they were lovers after all - but two sides of him were at war with each other. One part of him was thinking that Harry should be with Draco all the time, as it would give Draco a sense of support.

But ... that might make him too dependent on Harry, Severus thought uneasily.

"That's right. It might damage Draco's self-esteem if he keeps thinking that he needs someone to help him stand on his feet."

Severus swore quietly under his breath. Just how much help can we give him?

The Entrance Hall was somewhat deserted and Severus was slightly glad of it. He had done this only a few times since he had been given a position here, but Severus was muttering a spell that would make passing humans, ghosts, and other creatures, oblivious to his presence.

With the spell activated, Severus stood close to the side of the door and peered into the Great Hall. His eyes immediately focused on silver-haired Draco, and a scowl began to form on his face.

What has happened? Severus wondered as he took in Draco's ill-tempered expression. Draco sat alone on a Slytherin bench and the food on his plate looked untouched. He was staring at someone at the other side of the Hall.

Severus groaned inwardly when he found that Harry, seated between his friends, Ron and Hermione, appeared very ill at ease. The Potions Master tilted his head to one side as he studied the three Gryffindors. The more he watched them, the more he felt that Harry's discomfort had nothing to do with Draco's grouchy look. Hermione Granger had this particular expression on her face and years of observation were telling Severus that it was a look of determination. Ron Weasley on the other hand, had a dubious expression on his face, but concern was exuding from the teenager's blue eyes.

They must be asking why he has been spending so much time with Draco, Severus concluded silently. They must be wondering why he has taken to sleeping in that room. Black eyes drifted back to Draco. The young Slytherin was picking on his food but he was trying to eat.

Draco Malfoy was no longer looking annoyed, but he was looking slightly troubled and his gray eyes were glazed over. Before Severus could start figuring about what Draco was worrying about, he was distracted by Hermione Granger's exasperated command.

"Harry, are you paying attention to me?"

Severus looked again at the Gryffindor 'Trio'. His second lover, Harry, seemed distracted.

"What?" Harry asked with a disconcerted countenance.

"Harry, don't you have something to tell us?" Hermione asked again.

It was at that moment that Severus' spell was beginning to lose effect. He grumbled softly to himself and glanced briefly at his two lovers before moving away.

I will ask Draco what he is worried about later - when we are all together, he told himself as he returned to his dungeons.


Harry was worrying about Draco's pensive expression at the same time Hermione was asking him why he was so concerned about a certain student in Slytherin. He was not exactly paying attention to his friends - he was quite busy staring at Draco who was slowly eating his lunch. However, Hermione's sharp voice disrupted his concentration and he absently asked, "What?"

"Harry, don't you have something to tell us?" Hermione demanded in a rather annoying tone.

He blinked and turned his head to look into Hermione's light brown eyes. "About what?" Harry inquired innocently.

"Don't make me lose it, Harry," the witch said sharply. "Out with it. What is going on with you and Malfoy?"

"He looks fine," Ron interrupted. "You don't really need to help him anymore, don't you?"

Harry bristled slightly at his friend's remark. "Let's go then." He abruptly stood up. "I want to tell Draco something first." Harry walked quickly to the Slytherin tables and approached Draco from the back.

Draco had noticed that he was coming and he had a quizzical expression on his face. Harry stopped behind the Slytherin and as he leaned forward to whisper into Draco's ear, his left hand clasped a rather bony shoulder. The emerald-eyed wizard paused to inhale the scent of Draco's hair and to study the delicate shell of a pale ear. Suddenly, Harry felt a powerful need to kiss the flesh where cheek and ear met.

"What is it?" Draco's soft question successfully stopped him from doing something that would have greatly embarrassed both of them.

He took a deep breath to calm the sudden flare of desire. He leaned closer until his lips barely brushed Draco's ear. "I have to talk to Hermione and Ron," he whispered. "Hermione suspects something." Harry pulled away to see how Draco would react.

The pale face turned and gray eyes stared penetratingly into his. After several moments, Draco blinked and leaned forward. Then it was Harry's turn to listen.

"You had best make sure that they don't tell the whole world." Draco's breath tickled his ear and it sent pleasant shivers down his spine. He reacted unconsciously by gripping on Draco's shoulder with more force. "And you and your friends should go now. The red-haired Weasel over there looks quite ready to explode."

Draco. Harry felt a little shaky as he straightened. It did not help him that Draco was smiling slyly. Harry squeezed Draco's shoulder. "I'll see you later."

"You know where to find me."

Harry allowed a fond smile to form on his lips before joining Ron and Hermione, who waited for him just outside the Great Hall.

"What in the hell was that about, mate?" Ron asked. He sounded quite anxious in Harry's opinion.

"Upstairs," Harry answered immediately and he quickly went up the staircase.

Ten minutes later, Harry was closeted with Ron and Hermione in the seventh year boys' dormitory. Harry took a seat on the edge of his bed. Hermione took her shoes off before settling into the middle of Ron's bed rather familiarly, where Ron then sat beside her. Harry studied the couple in front of him for several seconds and then he looked down at his hands.

Where do I start? Harry questioned himself. His heart started to beat faster and he felt apprehensive suddenly. Accepting that he had a friendship with Draco was one thing, and it was certainly something that his friends could have lived with, but trying to get them to accept that he had a relationship with both Draco and Severus was another thing.

"Okay," he started with a raspy voice. "I do have something to tell you." He removed his wand from his pocket and pointed it at the door. Silently, he charmed the door to prevent anyone from barging in and to make eavesdropping impossible.

"Come on and tell us then," Ron said impatiently.

Harry's eyes flickered back and forth at his two friends. "You have to promise me that you won't tell anyone - even Ginny. All right?" After Ron and Hermione nodded, he continued. "You must also promise that you won't ask anything about Draco."

"But we're asking-"

"Yes, I know, and I can answer that question. But you must not ask about anything else that concerns him," Harry said seriously.

"Okay," Ron answered reluctantly. "We promise."

"Hermione?"

"I promise, Harry," Hermione said with exasperation.

"Okay." He looked down at his hands again. "So, you want to know what is going on with me and Draco." His cheeks started to redden. "I'm ... I'm going out with him."

They are going to kill me.

"WHAT?" Ron exclaimed.

"Harry, are you saying you are his boyfriend?" Hermione gasped.

"Harry! I thought you liked girls!"

"Ron, I do like girls, but what I feel for them is quite stronger than crushes," Harry answered in a hoarse voice.

"Them?" Hermione whispered.

Harry paused, and then he cursed himself mentally.

"Draco and ... oh god, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed with her eyes wide with shock. "Snape! You're in love with him too?"

"S-s-snape?" Ron stuttered. "Snape too? Harry-"

"Ron!" Harry and Hermione shouted when the red-haired wizard went into spasms, and promptly fainted.

"Ronald! How could you faint like a girl right now?" Hermione wailed.

"Fuck, Hermione. I'm sorry," Harry said quickly, a little shocked himself.

"Do not use that word, Harry!" Hermione found the time to scold him as she tried to wake her boyfriend.

Harry winced. "Look, I'm sorry that he fainted. I did not expect him to be that shocked."

"Very funny, Harry. Of course, he would be very shocked! You're in a relationship with someone of your own sex, but not only that, you're sharing yourself between two men! Of course he would be!"


The Great Hall was not as crowded as before since some of the students and staff had gone off. Only Flitwick, the Charms professor, remained to keep an eye on the students inside the vast communal room. Draco Malfoy was still trying to finish his meal but he did not really have the appetite to eat. He sighed and set his fork and knife down on the plate. It was such a shame that the pie had been good and he had eaten only about a quarter of it.

Draco lifted his glass of water and drank slowly. Someone was watching him but he was unperturbed by it. He was not going to react in anyway that might be construed as a weakness to Pansy Parkinson, the girl who had always thought she was the only one who could have him.

If I'd liked girls, I would not mind asking Greengrass out, Draco thought darkly. However, he remembered that the girl had a very shrill kind of laughter and he winced. That relationship would not have lasted twenty-four hours. With a rather thoughtful look, Draco glanced at the teachers' tables. He must have skipped lunch again.

The gray-eyed Slytherin became lost in his own thoughts and his eyes turned distant. He started to think about Harry, and he felt heat rushing up from his chest, his neck and then his face. He could still feel the warmth of Harry's hand on his shoulder. Harry had been so close and Draco had wanted to lean back against the black-haired Gryffindor. He licked his lips absently as he thought about his boyfriend's whispered words.

He had smelled my hair, Draco thought dreamily and his pulse quickened. Harry's lips had nearly touched his ear and Draco could easily imagine how it would feel were Harry to kiss his neck. I wonder if he had known how I was reacting to him. Merlin ... He is so.... Draco blushed even harder. He is so loving.

His pleasant reverie was rudely interrupted by the image of his father.

"Oh ... you will sire a child."

The wizard growled as Lucius' voice echoed in his mind. Just what did he mean by that? Draco finally became aware of his surroundings once more and he rose from the bench to leave the Great Hall.

"Malfoy! Malfoy! Wait up!" shouted a chorus of voices.

Draco stopped and looked over his shoulder. "What?" he demanded crossly as Goyle and Crabbe came to a stop.

"Are you all right?" Goyle asked and his classmate actually sounded genuinely concerned.

"Yeah. Why haven't you moved back to the dungeons?" Crabbe questioned him.

"Did Pansy send the two of you?" Draco snarled.

"Why would she want to send us to you?" Goyle asked dumbly. "She is not our leader."

"It has been rather boring with you disappearing on your own," Crabbe complained. "Give us something to do!"

Draco would have stared at them in open astonishment, but doing so would be inelegant of him. What do they think they would gain by following my orders? Draco thought incredulously.

"Just keep your ears open, especially around Pansy," he said without thinking. Bloody hell. I'm so used to bossing them around. Before he had been violated, he would have never regretted his actions. Draco winced inwardly. I have opened my eyes ... and I don't see things the same way anymore.

"That's all?" Goyle looked somewhat disappointed.

"Just eavesdrop as much as you can," Draco said with slight aggravation. "I don't need the two of you getting into further trouble with the professors. Just be careful not to be too obvious about keeping tabs on Pansy." As though they are clever enough to do that. He sighed softly. "You can tell me what you have heard tomorrow."

"Okay." There was a brief pause. "Where are you going?"

"That is none of your business," Draco said acidly. Then he stalked off. However, he did not return immediately to his haven, but he had gone to the library. Not that he wanted to read, but he needed to make sure that nobody would try to follow him. He spent about fifteen minutes in the quiet library before going to his retreat.

The door was still locked when he had approached it, and that could only mean Harry had not been inside yet.

Draco stood before the door and retrieved his wand from his pocket. Then with hard concentration, he carefully lifted the charms that guarded the room.

He entered his haven and paused with his hand against the edge of the door, but then he decided to close it. He removed his outer robes, hung them neatly, and toed off his shoes. He removed his socks as well and went into the bathroom to wash his feet.

Draco returned to the main room, walked up to the bed and gratefully lay down. He stared at the ceiling for some time. Too bad there isn't flying class today. Draco's pair of gray eyes flitted to the small window of the room. It's quite sunny and windy outside. What a shame....

Draco sighed and sat up. Then he leaned back against the neat stack of pillows. Should I ask him whether he wants to fly? He was still toying with the idea when there was a rap on the door, and it was quickly followed by an inquiry,

"Are you in there, Draco? May I come in?"

An involuntary smile curved his lips when he recognized Harry's voice. "Come in," he answered.

The door opened and Harry stepped in. Draco's eyes widened a little because Harry looked somewhat haggard.

What did the Weasel do to him?

Harry had closed the door and he was removing his clothes one at a time. Draco did nothing but stare.

"Let me bathe first and then I'll tell you how it'd went," Harry said as he grabbed a fresh towel. "Oh. Don't touch my clothes. Ron vomited all over it just now."

"That bad?" Draco raised his eyebrow at the information. Harry responded by nodding and then he disappeared into the bathroom. Draco relaxed minutely into the pillows and tried to imagine the reactions of Harry's friends. He absently listened to the sound of running water and his eyes drifted over to the pile of clothes on the floor. The more he stared at it, the more he itched to clean it up.

He swung his legs over the bed and strolled over to the garments Harry had shed earlier. True enough, he could faintly smell vomit on the clothes. With a small frown, he performed a cleaning smell on the robes and repeated it before picking the clothes up by hand.

Draco gathered the laundry and entered the bathroom. He threw Harry's clothes in a separate laundry basket and then his eyes focused on the small indentation of Harry's lower back unintentionally. His throat became dry when he started thinking about placing his hand there. He shook his head a little and took himself out of the bathroom quietly.

He went back to rest on the bed, emptied his mind of worrying thoughts and waited patiently for Harry to return. His lover came out of the bathroom about ten minutes later and searched in one of the drawers for a fresh set of clothing. Draco averted his eyes to the window as Harry tugged at the towel wrapped around his waist. He heard the rustling of fabric as it slid over skin and heard Harry zipping up his trousers.

"Where are my clothes?" Harry's perplexed voice pulled Draco's attention away from the window.

Why do I keep thinking of chocolate every time I see his torso? Draco thought in slight irritation. Do I think it will taste - I should not be thinking like this.

"I had dumped them in the laundry basket, after I had charmed them clean several times. So, don't worry about them stinking up," Draco said and looked at Harry intently.

He really looks good in blue. Draco watched, fascinated, as Harry wore his shirt.

"Oh. Okay." Then without brushing his black hair, Harry walked toward the bed, climbed into it and grabbed Draco's ankles.

Before Draco could shout out protest, Harry had parted his legs and had snuggled against him almost immediately. His arms automatically came up to hold Harry. He blinked, and stared at the shiny mess of black hair. Draco started to feel warm inside. It felt ... indescribable.

Wonderful. Frighteningly wonderful. Draco closed his eyes and pressed his cheek against Harry's black hair. He sighed in contentment. "So, what did you tell them and what had happened after that?" he asked absently.

"Well, I told them that I'm going out with you and they didn't quite believe me. Ron said that he thought I liked girls," Harry answered glumly. "I told him that I do. Well, I think I find both sexes attractive. This was what I had told Ron: 'Ron, I do like girls, but what I feel for them is quite stronger than crushes.'"

Draco did not open his eyes to look at Harry and he did not lift his cheek from Harry's head. It was really a good feeling and Draco did not want to let go of Harry just yet. "Harry, you did realize by saying 'them' you could have been referring to 'the girls'," Draco said with amusement.

"Hermione did not think so. She seemed to have jumped on something first before she analyzed my statement."

Harry sounded so miserable to Draco that he tried to lift his spirits by kissing his temple lightly. Harry lifted his face and his head swiveled to look at Draco. The Slytherin smiled upon seeing the surprise in his boyfriend's eyes. "She immediately thought of Severus?" Draco supplied in a gentle tone.

"Yeah. Then Ron fainted."

Draco snorted with laughter. "What is so bad about having Severus for a lover?"

"Because, Draco, Severus was a nasty git to us for years. Ron could not understand why I have fallen for him, or why Severus has fallen for me," Harry sighed. "Anyway, Hermione managed to get him up and then he vomited on me."

"Yuck." Draco grimaced.

"Hermione started to interrogate me about my feelings for the two of you," Harry said bitterly. "She thinks I am deluding myself into thinking that what I am feeling is love," he continued in a conversational tone.

They stared into each other's eyes for minutes. Draco did not say anything at first, because he was somewhat afraid that Harry might start to have doubts about their relationship. However, the Muggle-born witch really had a point. "You could be," Draco said softly.

Harry's eyes flashed. "I can only be sure of what I feel," the dark-haired wizard said humorlessly. Harry turned his face away and lifted most of his weight off Draco.

"Harry." Draco tightened his hands around the other wizard. Harry remained stiff and unyielding and so Draco leaned forward to press as much of himself against his lover's back. "I did not mean to question your heart."

"I do love you," Harry mumbled softly.

Draco chuckled a little and kissed at the spot behind Harry's ear. A minute later, it occurred to him that he should have felt uneasy about being intimate with another person so soon. However, how can I be afraid of this? Draco thought dreamily as he nuzzled the back of Harry's ear and neck. It seemed perfectly natural for him to do it to Harry.

"I told Hermione and Ron that I have feelings for you two," Harry said in a voice that sounded peculiarly distant to Draco. "Things grew less heated after that. They just want to see me happy but they want me to be careful of my actions in the future."

"That is not really much of a fight," Draco murmured and started to trail his lips along Harry's jawline.

"I am glad that we did not fight, because I will be..."

Draco had claimed Harry's lips and he was kissing the other wizard with more zeal and confidence. All the while, his heart was beating furiously in his chest, there was an odd ringing in his ears, and he was certain he had a dozen butterflies fluttering in his stomach.

After all he had been through, Draco was surprised with himself. He sucked on Harry's tongue rather playfully and gave the underside a little lick before releasing it. Then, shyly, Draco lifted his silver eyes to meet a pair of emerald ones. Harry looked beautifully stunned and Draco laughed softly.

"I hope I am not interrupting something," said a slightly amused voice.

Draco choked on his laughter when he saw Severus leaning against the door elegantly. He blurted out the first thing that came into mind. "How long have you been standing there?"

Severus snorted. "Long enough to remind you that you should have, at least, charmed the door."

There was no helping in the furious coloring of his cheeks. A quick glance at Harry had told him that Harry too, was feeling slightly embarrassed. Draco looked back at Severus.

The Potions Master moved away from the door and with graceful strides, Severus advanced toward the bed. Then, for the first time, Severus joined them on the bed and lay down on Harry's lap without any show of reluctance or hesitancy.


Severus closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The tension seeped out of him slowly and he relaxed. Harry and Draco had not yet spoken since he had lain on Harry's lap. The silence was mounting and although it was not an uncomfortable kind of stillness, Severus was of the mind to break it before it had the chance to become unpleasant.

He raised his hand and his fingers delved into his black hair in a somewhat habitual gesture. Then he opened his eyes and his eyebrow arched immediately. Apparently, his lovers had been staring at him the entire time.

However, he was not going to explain his unnatural willingness to ... nestle with his lovers. He hoped that they would understand why. But I won't be surprised if they don't.

"You know, Severus, it's not going to kill you. You can tell Harry that you miss his company," Draco said with a faint smile.

Severus glowered automatically, grunted and crossed his hands. He saw Draco kissing Harry's cheek briefly before resting his pointed chin on Harry's shoulder.

Dreamy emerald eyes refocused and then they gazed affectionately at Severus. Against his own will, his glower faded and a serene expression took over. Fingers - Harry's fingers - started to caress his face. They trailed upward and smoothed over his ebony hair.

"Harry told his friends about us."

"Draco..."

"What?" Severus asked sharply. Harry winced and looked at him apologetically.

"Only Ron and Hermione," Harry answered. "They were beginning to suspect things."

Severus frowned. "Hmmmm."

"Even if I didn't tell, Hermione, she would have figured it out herself," Harry said morosely. "Sometimes I wish she isn't so observant." Harry sighed. "But had she been anything less, I probably would not have survived for as long as I did."

"The reason why you have survived, Harry, is because of your strong will to live," Severus said sternly, and he captured Harry's hand with his long fingers. He slowly brought it to his lips and gently kissed the back of it. Harry glowed a bit at the sign of affection and the older wizard smiled, though somewhat crookedly. Then he rested his eyes on Draco's face. "And you. What was troubling you?"

"Hmmmm?" Draco looked at him curiously.

"Severus is right. You were worrying about something back at the Hall. What?" Harry asked.

Severus noticed the troubled expression on Draco's face before it vanished. Draco was not being subtle about hedging.

"Don't bottle it in, Draco. Tell us," Harry said pleadingly.

Draco's eyes moved back and forth, and then he let out an explosive sigh suddenly. "It is nothing. I was just thinking about what Father had said."

Severus' expression became thoughtful. "You are wondering about whether you could have child, after all that has happened?" he asked carefully.

"No ... I was thinking-" Draco blushed a little. "Is it possible that I can get pregnant?" he inquired in a small voice.

"You ... pregnant?" Harry squeaked.

Severus pondered about it carefully. He had heard, but mostly read, about accounts of male wizards who were able to bear young. However, he had never heard of such a thing occurring in the Malfoy family.

"One cannot be certain, Draco, but it is a possibility," Severus answered somberly. "If a man were to bear a child, he would have to be strong - mentally, physically, emotionally, and more importantly, magically. All of the known cases of male pregnancies mentioned something about physical changes before or during intercourse."

Draco went very, very pale, and Harry looked a little daunted as well.

They can't possibly think they are going to lose their.... Severus shook his head. "The changes would take place inside the body, such as the formation of a uterus - to house a baby - and the ovaries, to produce the egg."

"What? You mean I'll become a girl?" Draco asked in a strained voice.

Severus could not take his eyes off Draco. Merlin. He sounds as though he wants a baby. He suddenly became aware of a peculiar emotion in his heart, and he did all he could to push the thought away.

Draco stared at him and the horrified expression in his eyes suddenly changed. Clear, gray eyes gazed down at Severus, and slowly, Draco's pink lips curved into a fond smile. "Do you find the idea intriguing, Severus?"

Severus' eyes widened. "It is not the suitable time to discuss such things, Draco," he answered hoarsely.

"But how do the changes occur?" Harry asked.

Severus frowned again as he tried to recall the details. "I am not certain. I still have the research journals ... somewhere in my attic," he replied after several minutes of contemplation. "I believe that spells or incantations weren't used."

"Really?" Draco sounded somewhat skeptical.

"It is better if we do some research before formulating theories," Severus cautioned. What he had said must have been amusing to his lovers because they had burst into laughter almost immediately. He glared at them and pressed his lips tightly together in annoyance.

Harry was the first to control his laughter and Severus was tempted to smack the Gryffindor, because Harry was ignoring him.

"So, that was all you were worrying about?" Harry asked Draco.

"Money as well," Draco mumbled guiltily. "I do have savings - I'm glad that I had extorted quite a bit from my father, but that won't last forever."

"If you have a job, you'll have money," Severus said quietly. "Do not worry about it now. You have me."

"Hmmmm." Draco pouted a little. "Do you have anything to share?"

Severus was quite puzzled by the abrupt question. "Like what? And why?" he inquired curiously. Distractedly, he started to kiss the tip of Harry's fingers.

"I don't know. Harry had spilled out our relationship to his friends, and I had told you my worries. Won't you share your thoughts with us as well?" Draco elaborated and he and Harry started to give Severus adorable looks.

He snorted and rolled his eyes. "I must tell you that I am not accustomed to the sharing of my thoughts, not to mention uncertainties, with others," Severus began. "However, since I am certain that the two of you will insist, I might as well get accustomed."

"Severus, don't say it as if it is a bad thing," Harry said grumpily.

"It is not. I am merely informing you that I am slightly uneasy about changing," Severus replied and pressed his lips against Harry's knuckles. "I am constantly worried about you, Draco. I do not know how to heal hearts or minds, and I am worried that along the way, I may blunder when I am trying to help you," he said gravely. "Harry and I do wish to help you, but I am worried that by receiving help from us, you may start to think that you are incapable of achieving anything without our help."

Draco nodded solemnly. "If things ... get out of hand, will you go with me to get help?"

"Of course, we will, Draco," Harry said quietly.

"Just stay with me, if you are still uncertain in what way you could help me," Draco whispered. "I'm not sure myself." Then in a rather distant voice, "I never knew how important it was to have someone to talk to."

"Now you do." Harry kissed Draco on the temple soundly. "You wouldn't have to put up with the hundred little things that would try to eat your heart."

Severus watched as Harry leaned back against Draco, and Draco looked just as happy at the opportunity to cuddle. Severus had no trouble imagining how he would wake up to a Sunday morning. Amused, he laughed quietly.

I had no trouble with such worms. However, that might only be because I had a heart of stone.

"Other than worrying about me, what else?" Draco asked again.

Severus smiled slyly. "Other than worrying about you, I am wondering on how to reward a certain impulsive Gryffindor, who, I think, has stretched himself thin between the two of us." He turned over and then sat back on his heels. "So, what do you want?" he asked the wizard with green eyes.

He waited. A minute had passed but his lover was still looking stunned. Draco, who was still resting his chin on Harry's shoulder, was smiling widely.

"I am waiting for your answer, Mister Potter." His black eyes gleamed mysteriously. It feels so good to be able to make him speechless, Severus thought idly. He embraced Harry gently and watched his other lover nod with approval.

"Severus is right," Draco said. "You do deserve a reward."

"To hell with rewards," Harry muttered, his voice muffled by Severus' chest.

Severus chuckled and slowly caressed Harry's untidy hair. Didn't he brush it?

"See, Severus? He does things freely. Too freely," Draco railed.

A sigh escaped from his lips and he pulled away a little. Harry automatically looked up at him and he spoke. "A 'thank you' feels very inadequate, Harry," he said in a quiet voice. "But never mind. We'll surprise you."

"I don't want any surprises!" Harry said hotly. "I don't want something that feels like payment! I don't care if what I-"

Severus cleverly silenced his lover from ranting further by kissing him fiercely. He had let Harry go only after he was certain Harry was tongue-tied. "You give unconditionally," he whispered into Harry's ear. "Therefore, you must be willing to accept unequivocally."

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