Part Sixteen - The Rooms

Their rooms were located where Severus had stayed before Harry came into his life. Harry had lived in the co-professor hallway, in a small, but nice set of rooms, later offered to the new Prefects, as they had filled the need for professors after the war, with the lot of them. He had been thrilled to move down to Severus, and had brought little with him. After all, he had never been that spoiled brat he had been accused of being during his student-years.
Together they had however extended the place a bit. Alterations to the surroundings. Added a few windows, as Harry had proved he needed to have some daylight to cope. A few weeks after he had moved in, he had fallen into a deep depression. Waking up several times each night. Silent. Staring into the ceiling. Scared. Crampeled. Even knowing Severus was right there, hadn’t been of any help.
It had taken him some time to get the picture, but one evening when Severus had been cleaning (he’s unbelievably tidy, that man and loves to do it the good old muggle way, as he swears that the smell of soap, is half the experience), he had asked Harry to get him a bucket from the cupboard…..and all of a sudden he’d got it.
Severus had swirled around, and extended his bedroom to the outer wall getting rid of the cupboard that obviously didn’t serve any good, and added two windows, to get some air and sunlight in. It had made a huge difference. Harry needed air. Needed to be able to open a window at night, when the darkness became too surrounding. ”No one could live their entire childhood in a cupboard and not have any aftermaths” Severus had comforted him, and added that ”this was nice…I quite like the sunlight on my pillow when I wake up with a beautiful man on the one beside mine”. Harry loved him so much. He had no words.
The living room was the same. Other than the fact that Severus had added a small kitchen in there, ”just in case” (for the Chocolate Chip Cookies, that was not to be talked about). And Harry had got his own chair. He had brought it with him from number twelve Grimmauld Place, as they had cleaned the house out for the Weasly’s after the Burrows got totally destroyed. Sad story, but using the house at Grimmauld Place for something good, felt nice. And Molly had actually gotten the place really nice.
Not too long ago, Harry had insisted on installing a huge tub in the bathroom too, as he had always wanted one, when he grew up. He had the space, and the chance. So, it happened. And Severus was quite happy about it. In fact, it was big enough for both of them. An experience both of them had enjoyed to its fullest. Water could be very sensual, Harry had discovered. And Severus was dried out and an easy man to please.

Harry had arranged some pictures on the massive stone-walls as well. They made the rooms look and feel more like a home, and they had quite a few people to remember. Albus had his own frame in there, but he rarely visited. He had dropped by on both birthdays, and for christmas. There were some pictures of Harry and his family from his earliest years, and one of Severus and Lily. It had never even occurred to Harry, to be bothered about it. They were so lovely together. Beautiful autumn colors. Reds and yellows. And they were laughing. Harry had one of him standing between Ron and Hermione, taken the day of their graduation. And one of Severus and Albus, taken the day of Severus’ graduation.
In the centre, hanging right above the sofa, was a beautiful painting, that the two of them had gotten from Luna, for christmas last year. It pictured Harry and Severus together. Holding hands, sitting in front of Hogwarts, on the large front steps.

It had been painted from a photo. The day had been so beautiful. Students had just left for summer-holiday, and the premises were empty and silent. Severus had slid down behind Harry, who sat in total silence. Listening to his own mind. Severus had just been there. Been happy. They both had been. They were together, and nothing could keep them apart. Never apart. Never alone again.

Harry curled up next to Severus, claiming his half of the blankets. Severus gently spooned him, and held him tight, waiting for his lover to fall asleep. He had become familiar to fall asleep listening to Harry’s heavy breathing. It was soothing to know he was there. That he could relax so much in his arms.
But Severus couldn’t sleep. Not only was there still a fair chance that they would have to leave Hogwarts, but he also feared that Harry would leave him. Leave him to stay, while he left. To let him stay home. It was in his nature to be that way. He was too caring for his own good. And Severus didn’t want to stay, if he had to do it alone. But he knew Harry. And there was only matter of time, before the offer would be presented. And he had to prepare his answer. So that it would be understood, not just heard.