Till the Sea Runs Dry (3/11)
Title: Till the Sea Runs Dry(3/11)
Author: faynia and stormypup
Pairing: Snape/Harry
Rating: R
Warning: Highlight for warnings *Implied Mpreg*
Word Count: 4, 182
Genre: Romance, Angst, Drama, Mystery
Summary: (Sequel to Bonds of Water) Just when Severus is beginning to believe Harry will be happy living with him in the lake, someone decides that Harry needs to be free. No matter what the cost.
Beta'd by rakina and carpet_diemon.
Chapter One | Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Harry grinned as Douglas ran around their house with the largest smile he'd seen in a while. He didn't fault him for it either. He suspected that, if his birthdays had been at all good, he'd act the exact same way.
"No running indoors. Remember, love?"
Doug skidded to a halt on the stone floor, his grin not fading. "’Kay, Daddy!" and he was off again at a run. Harry shook his head, laughing.
"Such an obedient child," Severus drawled sarcastically.
Harry scowled at his mate. "It's his birthday, he's allowed to push things a little bit without getting yelled at."
"I hadn't planned on yelling at him."
"Oh, you weren't, were you?"
Severus shook his head, resting his hands on Harry's hips. "If anyone got yelled at, it would be you for letting him run wild." His dark eyes were sparkling in amusement.
"You'd have to punish me properly."
"Mmm, I thought I did that last night," Snape murmured, leaning in and kissing Harry.
Harry grinned against Severus' lips, his arms slipping around his mate’s waist and his hands twisted the fabric of his shirt as he brought himself in closer. Severus sucked Harry's lower lip between his teeth, nipping it gently as his hands slid into Harry's back pockets.
A sharp gasp from the entrance to the kitchen made them stop short.
"Ewww," Douglas whined, his nose wrinkling in disgust. "Kissin'."
Severus pulled back and arched his brow at his son. "One day you'll meet a girl and change your mind."
"Nuh-uh. It's gross."
Harry leaned his head against Severus' shoulder and stuck out his tongue at his son.
"Can we go to my party now?" Douglas asked, bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet.
"Do we have to?" Harry whined in imitation of Douglas' earlier tone.
"Daaaddy!"
"Comb your hair, and we'll go," Severus said and Douglas bolted for the bathroom. Once he was gone, Severus reached into the pocket of his trousers and handed Harry a vial.
"This will at least allow you onto the shore. If you don't try and go beyond it or push the boundary, I think you'll be alright. If it starts to wear off, let me know."
Harry smiled, kissing his cheek. "’Course." He popped the cork out and swallowed the potion quickly before pocketing the empty vial. Seeing the furrowed brow, Harry sighed. "You'll figure it out someday. I really am fine just being able to go onto the shore."
Severus nodded, but said nothing.
"Ready!" Douglas called, grabbing Harry by the hand. "Let's go! Please!"
"All right!" Harry gripped Douglas’ hand and beamed down at him. Dark eyes looked up at him and his smile softened. "Let's go."
"You two go on ahead," Severus said, giving Harry a secretive glance.
Harry grinned, knowing that Severus was going to bring up Douglas' 'loot', which they had hidden away. Every year, Harry got a lecture from Severus about spoiling the boy on his birthday, but Harry didn't care. Spoiling Douglas made up for every lousy birthday he'd ever had.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Harry asked his son. "Let's go!"
Harry had to get Douglas to slow down more than once as they headed for the surface. In Douglas' enthusiasm he had shifted and had taken off without waiting for Harry. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but Harry didn't like him up on the surface without anyone.
As they broke the surface of the lake, Harry saw the Weasleys lining the shoreline in wait, along with Minerva, Rolanda and Albus. Hagrid was just coming down the hill as they reached the edge of the water. Douglas sped ahead, reaching the shore while Harry took his time.
He knew at least half of them would be stunned speechless when they realized Harry could walk on the sand once again. He intended to draw it out as long as possible.
"Fank you for comin'!" Douglas recited as instructed. While everyone was busy giving his son hugs, Harry swam up to the edge of the water and stood, walking with feigned boredom onto the still warm sand. The sun was as bright as it was yesterday, and only a few white, puffy clouds were in the sky.
"Harry!" He laughed as Hermione ran at him, tackling him in a hug that almost made them fall together into the sand.
He grunted, his arms wrapping around her as well. "Hey, Hermione."
Hermione pulled back, studying Harry carefully. She nodded. "You look well enough. Where's Severus?"
Harry peered over her shoulder to make sure Douglas wasn't looking at them. "He's getting our gifts for Doug."
"Ahh, I see…" Hermione gasped. "Harry!" She cut her eyes to the lake and back to Harry. "You're on the sand!"
"Did you just notice?" he teased.
"Hush, you." Her eyes glowed with happiness as she looked him over from head to toe one more time.
"Daddy!" Douglas crashed into his side, his wide smile revealing the gap where he had lost a tooth a few days ago. Harry wrapped an arm around him, ruffling his hair. "Gramma Molly gave me sunblocked."
"She did?"
"It smelled like blueberry," he told Harry, his head bobbing up and down.
"Did you tell her thank you?"
Douglas turned around and shouted, "Fanks Gramma Molly!"
Harry was glad Severus hadn't been here to witness that.
"Gred and Forge! Can I go see 'em?"
"Just don't eat anything they give you," Harry warned before shooing him off.
Hermione grabbed Harry's arm. "You're on the sand!" she repeated. "Does this mean Severus finally found a potion? You can come and visit us now?"
"Not quite that good, but he's working on it. I was just happy for this. If nothing else, I can build sandcastles with my son."
"Hermione, quit hogging Harry all to yourself!"
Harry snorted as Fred nodded in agreement with his younger brother.
"I'm not hogging him, I'm merely speaking with him," Hermione said, arching her brow in a fair imitation of Snape.
"Yeah, well," Ron trailed off, grinning.
Harry shook his head and linked his arm through Hermione's, and headed towards the rest of the guests.
Severus emerged from the water in time to see Harry saunter off with Hermione and an assorted pack of Weasleys. He felt the irrational jealousy swell within him, but he had learned to manage it better. At least he didn't feel the urge to tear anyone limb from limb, which was an improvement.
"Papa!" Douglas streaked around the adults, crashing into the water and knocking Severus back into the water when he tackled him.
Severus caught Douglas with one arm and desperately tried to hold on to the shrunken box of presents with the other.
"Papa, did you see the people?"
Struggling to keep them both upright, he carried Douglas under one arm out of the water. "Rather hard to miss," he murmured.
As soon as Douglas had his feet back on the ground, he ran back to Harry, who was watching the interaction with a fond smile.
"Papa's here!"
"I can see that," Harry said, grinning. "Looks like he has your presents with him as well."
Douglas blinked and looked back to see the box in Severus' hands. Harry almost laughed at the shocked expression. "Presents?"
"Yeah."
Douglas' grin stretched from ear to ear.
Severus set the box on the ground and canceled the shrinking spell. Douglas watched wide-eyed as the box grew bigger and bigger.
"Honestly, Harry, you spoil him," Hermione murmured from beside him. Harry just grinned and shrugged as if to say 'and your point is?'
He'd never let Douglas turn out like Dudley, so he didn't seen the harm in spoiling him rotten twice a year. If she thought birthdays were bad, she should see Christmas.
"And they're all for me?" He looked up at Harry with excited black eyes and Harry nodded.
"Wow!"
"His skills at articulation are on a par with his father's," Severus said, smirking at Harry.
A voice just over Severus' shoulder said, "He's just a little kid."
Severus turned. "Finch-Fletchley? What are you doing here?" he asked, frowning.
"He came with me, I hope that's alright," Ginny said, flushing as she looked between Harry and Severus.
"Of course it is. Hey, Justin," Harry said, grinning.
Justin smiled and nodded. "Hey, Harry."
"I'd introduce you to our son, but he's kind of...upside down," Harry said, shaking his head at Fred and George, who were swinging the boy between them.
Douglas squealed when Fred and George tossed him into the water. Harry rolled his eyes, diving in after the boy, scooping him up in his arms as he drifted downward with a smile.
"I like Uncle FrednGeorge."
Harry snorted and shook his head as he rose through the water once again.
"If you could refrain from attempts to drown my son, it would be greatly appreciated," Severus said, scowling at the offending twins.
"You hear that, Fred?"
"I think I did, George."
George opened his mouth to continue, but Molly knocked him on the back of the head before he could even utter a syllable.
"Mum!" George whined, his eyes dancing.
Molly huffed, folding her arms across her chest. That's how Harry found them when he surfaced, Douglas on his back, his arms wrapped around his neck.
"If you two would behave," Molly said, eying Fred and George, "perhaps we could have cake."
"Cake?" Douglas slipped off Harry's back, landing in the shallow water with a splash. He sat up, spitting water from his mouth with a huge grin. His hair was already drying. Harry watched as he stood and his clothing instantly dried. He ruffled the messy black hair and kneed him in the bum toward the sand. Douglas grabbed his hand and tugged him towards the shore with an excited grin. "Did you hear that, Daddy? They gots cake!"
"’Course they do, love."
"Daaad," Douglas moaned, pleading with him not to call him that name in public. Harry sighed, his eyes meeting Severus’ as he lugged Douglas the rest of the way out of the water.
As the assembled masses sang Happy Birthday, Severus surveyed the group, still surprised to find himself socializing, with Weasleys no less.
Harry moved closer to Severus, until he moved to grasp his hand tightly. "It's getting hard to breathe," he whispered, his eyes flickering between their son, who was laughing happily as Minerva and Molly told him a story while he blew out the candles, and his bond-mate.
Severus pulled Harry backward, closer to the water, as he reached for another vial from his pocket. "See if this helps. I don't know if it will extend the effect or not," he whispered.
Harry took it and quickly swallowed, hoping to ease the clutching effect at his neck. It worked to a small degree, but he knew it wouldn't last long.
"Did it work?"
"No, not in the way the first one did," Harry answered, feeling the ice race through him. He sighed, rubbing his throat in what he hoped look like a casual manner. "I won't last much longer."
Severus looked between the water and the people gathered along the shore. "Go into the water, don't press it," he said, squeezing Harry's hand. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Harry murmured, turning around and pressing a kiss to Severus' jaw. "This is the first time I've ever been able to go to one of his parties. I wouldn't have traded it for anything." He swallowed. "I need to tell Douglas I'm going."
"Douglas! Come here, please," Snape called.
When Douglas joined them, he had icing all around his mouth and was grinning widely. "Can I open my presents?" he asked, hopping up and down.
Harry crouched down so he was at eye-level with the five-year-old. Using the bottom of his shirt as a napkin, he wiped at Doug’s mouth to get the frosting off.
"Love, I need to go home now."
"But Daddy!"
Harry dropped to his knees and pulled Douglas into a strong hug. "Don't worry, baby. Go and play with Luc and Mellie."
"But I want to play wif you!" Douglas protested, as he gripped the back of Harry's shirt, hurt and confused. "Why can' you stay?"
"Remember how we told you, that if you're out of the water for too long, you'll start to feel funny? Kind of sick? Daddy is starting to feel kind of sick. I need to go home for a little bit. But you and Papa are going to stay here and open presents and play, alright?" Harry said, his smile bright, if not a little forced.
Douglas didn't look as if he entirely believed him, and he gazed up at Severus for confirmation. Wiping his nose on his sleeve, he glanced back at Harry once again, as if afraid Harry would leave before getting a second opinion.
"I bet that, if you give your daddy a little while to rest, he'll come back and sit on his favorite rock and watch you play," Severus said, smiling feebly. "And when everyone goes home, we'll play you a special song for your birthday."
"You will?" He looked between Harry and Severus, biting his lip, trying not to look too eager. Harry smiled and nodded, trying not to let the strain on his breathing show. He kissed Douglas on the nose, making him laugh. "I'll be back. Just you wait and see."
And he would be, he refused to go back on that promise. With a last, albeit forced smile, he ran and dove into the water, embracing the cold liquid and drifted down towards the lake floor.
Severus swallowed the familiar guilt and scooped up their son, setting Douglas on his shoulders. His eyes met Molly's concerned gaze, and he nodded briefly before schooling his features carefully. "Harry needed to go home for little while, so we're going to open presents," he said, looking up at Douglas and smiling.
"Is he all right?" Justin asked.
"He's fine," Severus said, smiling tightly. He allowed Fred and George to grab Douglas from his shoulders, knowing they would be his best distraction for the moment.
*****
Harry grabbed the throw off the back of the sofa and tightly wrapped himself in it. His throat ached and his lungs burned, but none of that compared to the way his stomach clenched as he remembered the teary eyes of his son. He hadn't meant to make him cry, that was never his intention, especially on his birthday.
The knock at the door startled him, and he pulled out his wand, opening it. The water stayed just outside the door. He smiled weakly at Ariana.
"You were on the sand, were you not?"
"Yes," Harry admitted, making no move to get closer to the barrier between lake and home.
"Douglas understands more than you think," she said, smiling softly.
"It doesn't make it hurt any less."
"Do you resent your mate for bringing you here?"
"No. Never."
Ariana smiled and nodded. "I'm glad."
Harry smiled despite himself and glanced down at the stone floor of their home. At one point they had cast a cushioning charm on it for Douglas' safety, but it was fading now as he grew older.
"I think I might go back to the surface, yeah?"
"To your rock? May I join you? I'd like to watch Douglas play."
"Of course." Harry pulled off the throw blanket and folded it neatly. "Douglas would be happy to see you, actually."
Ariana waited for Harry to step out into the water and together they rose to the surface to the familiar rock.
*****
Severus had been standing to the side talking quietly to Molly and keeping an eye on Douglas and an eye on Harry's rock. He let out a sigh of relief when Harry, and a second later, Ariana, broke the surface of the water.
"Excuse me," he said, walking away from Molly and making a beeline for his son.
"Papa, lookit!" Douglas held up a spinning top toy he'd gotten from Luc.
"That's very nice, Douglas." Severus dropped to one knee and pointed out into the water. "Look."
"Daddy! Can I go and see him?" he asked. "I wanna show him all my toys!"
Severus chuckled. "You can show him all of your toys when we go home. Why don't you take him your top? I'm sure he'd love to see it."
"Okay!"
Douglas took off at a run, transforming as soon as he hit the water and swimming as fast as he could to reach his daddy.
Harry shaded his eyes and he watched as his son made a beeline for him, jumping five feet into the air and into his arms. Harry caught him around the middle, pulling him onto his lap as the boy changed back.
"Daddy, look what Luc gotted me!" he cried, holding out the top with both hands.
Harry laughed, the tightness in his chest easing as he realized how happy his son was. "Wow, that's pretty good. Did you remember to thank him?"
"Yup, Papa made me say it."
Harry kissed his hair. "One day you'll remember to do it, without us having to remind you."
"Nah."
"No?" Harry smiled at him, bemused.
"Nope."
"And why is that?"
"’Cause you'll always be here to remind me!" Douglas said, giggling. "Hi, Miss Ariana!"
"Happy birthday, Douglas."
"Fanks! Did you get me a present?"
"Douglas!" Harry said, mortified.
Ariana chuckled, and that only made Harry blush harder. "You'll get it tomorrow."
Douglas beamed, and leaned against Harry's chest, kicking his feet in the water.
"Tired?"
Douglas nodded.
"You've had a busy day," Harry murmured, smoothing some of Douglas' hair down.
Douglas yawned, stretching his hands high above his head, making a show of it. "You'll still play for me, right?"
"’Course, love. Papa and I promised we would."
"Ariana, would you mind getting Severus?" Harry asked, resting his chin on top of Douglas' head.
She nodded, disappearing silently beneath the surface. He followed her movements under the water with a sharp eye, noticing how effortlessly she made her way to the shore.
He couldn't hear what she was saying, but it didn't matter because he shortly caught Severus' eye and turned his gaze down to the dozing boy in his arms. Harry noticed the confused expression on his friends' faces. It took him a moment to realize that while he, Severus, and Douglas understood merpeople above the water, others didn't. His gaze lingered on each of his friends, pausing at the troubled look on the aging headmaster's face. He felt some small pang of guilt at not having spoken more than a few words to him, but he couldn't trouble himself with that now.
He almost fell over backwards when Severus' head appeared out of the water before him.
"Merlin," Harry breathed, embarrassed at how easily he had been spooked.
"I see the birthday boy has finally worn himself out," Severus said, resting his hands on Harry's thighs. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I am," he answered, smiling and reaching out to brush a strand of hair from Severus' face. "Could you make our excuses to our guests?"
"Gladly. I'm more than ready to send them on their way."
"Be nice, it was sweet of them all to come."
"I'm always nice," Severus said, smirking. "I'll give them your regards if you'd like to take Douglas home. He can write them thank-you cards tomorrow."
Douglas whined, "Aw, Papa, do I have to?"
"Yes, you have to, and, since you're awake, you can come with me and say goodbye to all those people."
"Going to hide behind a little boy?" Harry asked, grinning.
"They make the best shields," Severus said, holding out his arms. "Come on, you little mongrel. Let's get this over with."
"Then you'll play for me?" Douglas asked, jumping into his papa's arms and transforming with ease.
"If we must," Severus answered with a put-upon sigh.
"Yup, you must!"
Harry slid into the water. "I'm coming with you, at least as far as the water line."
Severus frowned. "If you start to feel ill -"
"Yes, dear. Let's go so we can get home and Doug can show me his presents."
"Yeah! Let's go, let's go!"
Rolling his eyes, but smiling nonetheless, Severus motioned toward the shore, and the three of them set off.
It was dark when they reached their home. The oil lamps were all lit along the walls, and Douglas was impatiently bouncing on the couch as Harry and Severus carefully tuned their violins.
"Hurry up, hurry up!" Douglas chanted.
"He gets that from you, Potter."
Harry snorted and raised his bow, waiting for Severus to do the same. Then, with a nod from Severus, they both began to play.
The light, airy melody filled the small house at the bottom of the lake, echoing through the hall and outer rooms. It wasn't fast, but it wasn't slow either, and Harry chanced a glance at Douglas to see him swaying on the couch as if hypnotized.
He knew one day Severus would teach him as well, and then they'd all be able to play together. The thought filled him with excitement and dread. It meant that one day Douglas would lure another the same way as Severus had unintentionally lured him and the thought thrilled and scared him completely. At least they would be there for him when it came to that. He couldn't imagine his son going through the same ordeal as he and Severus had, but it was a very real possibility.
He glanced up at Severus to see him watching him back carefully, and Harry realized with a flush to his cheeks that, at some point, he must have stopped playing.
"Daddy, why'd you stop?" Douglas asked at the same time Severus asked him, "Are you all right?"
He bowed his head, staring at the instrument in his hand. "I'm fine."
"Harry?"
"Sometimes I forget the power of it," he said, looking up at Severus and smiling.
Severus nodded in understanding.
"Daddy?"
Harry set his violin on the stand and joined Douglas on the couch, pulling him into his lap. "I'm going to listen with you while your papa plays." It had been far too long since he had just sat and listened to Severus play, and he suddenly yearned to hear it.
Douglas snuggled against him, making pleased sounds at the attention. In the sudden silence, Harry could hear a clock ticking softly in one of the bedrooms. He looked up at the family clock the Weasleys had given them as a present when Douglas was born. It sat on the wall above Severus' head, all three spoons resting on home. If Severus ever needed any more hints that Harry was content where he was, that would be it.
Before Harry could lose himself further to his thoughts, Severus began to play the song again, and Harry dozed off as he listened to each lift and fall.
Severus waited until both of them were asleep before lowering his bow. He took a moment to study them, the familiar lines of Harry's face, and the forever changing lines of their son's face. He would never admit it out loud, but the idea of his son growing up filled him with trepidation. It was happening faster than he ever imagined possible.
He put away first his violin, and then Harry's. When he turned back to the couch, Harry was watching him with sleepy eyes.
"Help me move him," Harry murmured drowsily. "I can't feel my legs."
"He grows like a weed," Severus said, bending to pick up their son, who was so exhausted, he hung from his father’s hands like a limp noodle. "Perhaps if we stop feeding him, he'll stop."
"Bad idea." Harry winced at the tingling that started moving up his legs. "Then he'll end up short like me for the rest of his life."
"I'm sure there are worse things that could happen than being short. I'm going to put him down."
Harry stretched out along the couch with a yawn. His eyes slipped shut, and he exhaled softly. "All right."
When Severus returned, Harry's breathing was slow and even. Severus brushed a lock of hair from his forehead, then smacked him lightly on the stomach. "I'm not carrying you to bed."
Harry mumbled incoherently, cracking one eye open.
"Wake up and go to bed. It interferes with my sleep when you're not there."
"Can't have that, can we?" Harry grumbled good-naturedly. He yawned and held out a hand to Severus, who helped him up.
"Are you sure you're not an old woman?"
"You're the one with the gray chest hairs."
Severus glared and Harry laughed.
"I do not."
"Oh, yes you do," Harry retorted, poking him in the chest.
Snape snorted and turned down the lights as they made their way to the bedroom. "Doesn't seem to stop you from molesting me in the middle of the night."
Harry grinned, tugging on Severus' hand as they entered their room. "No, it doesn't."
Next Chapter: Chapter Four
Author: faynia and stormypup
Pairing: Snape/Harry
Rating: R
Warning: Highlight for warnings *Implied Mpreg*
Word Count: 4, 182
Genre: Romance, Angst, Drama, Mystery
Summary: (Sequel to Bonds of Water) Just when Severus is beginning to believe Harry will be happy living with him in the lake, someone decides that Harry needs to be free. No matter what the cost.
Beta'd by rakina and carpet_diemon.
Chapter One | Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Harry grinned as Douglas ran around their house with the largest smile he'd seen in a while. He didn't fault him for it either. He suspected that, if his birthdays had been at all good, he'd act the exact same way.
"No running indoors. Remember, love?"
Doug skidded to a halt on the stone floor, his grin not fading. "’Kay, Daddy!" and he was off again at a run. Harry shook his head, laughing.
"Such an obedient child," Severus drawled sarcastically.
Harry scowled at his mate. "It's his birthday, he's allowed to push things a little bit without getting yelled at."
"I hadn't planned on yelling at him."
"Oh, you weren't, were you?"
Severus shook his head, resting his hands on Harry's hips. "If anyone got yelled at, it would be you for letting him run wild." His dark eyes were sparkling in amusement.
"You'd have to punish me properly."
"Mmm, I thought I did that last night," Snape murmured, leaning in and kissing Harry.
Harry grinned against Severus' lips, his arms slipping around his mate’s waist and his hands twisted the fabric of his shirt as he brought himself in closer. Severus sucked Harry's lower lip between his teeth, nipping it gently as his hands slid into Harry's back pockets.
A sharp gasp from the entrance to the kitchen made them stop short.
"Ewww," Douglas whined, his nose wrinkling in disgust. "Kissin'."
Severus pulled back and arched his brow at his son. "One day you'll meet a girl and change your mind."
"Nuh-uh. It's gross."
Harry leaned his head against Severus' shoulder and stuck out his tongue at his son.
"Can we go to my party now?" Douglas asked, bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet.
"Do we have to?" Harry whined in imitation of Douglas' earlier tone.
"Daaaddy!"
"Comb your hair, and we'll go," Severus said and Douglas bolted for the bathroom. Once he was gone, Severus reached into the pocket of his trousers and handed Harry a vial.
"This will at least allow you onto the shore. If you don't try and go beyond it or push the boundary, I think you'll be alright. If it starts to wear off, let me know."
Harry smiled, kissing his cheek. "’Course." He popped the cork out and swallowed the potion quickly before pocketing the empty vial. Seeing the furrowed brow, Harry sighed. "You'll figure it out someday. I really am fine just being able to go onto the shore."
Severus nodded, but said nothing.
"Ready!" Douglas called, grabbing Harry by the hand. "Let's go! Please!"
"All right!" Harry gripped Douglas’ hand and beamed down at him. Dark eyes looked up at him and his smile softened. "Let's go."
"You two go on ahead," Severus said, giving Harry a secretive glance.
Harry grinned, knowing that Severus was going to bring up Douglas' 'loot', which they had hidden away. Every year, Harry got a lecture from Severus about spoiling the boy on his birthday, but Harry didn't care. Spoiling Douglas made up for every lousy birthday he'd ever had.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Harry asked his son. "Let's go!"
Harry had to get Douglas to slow down more than once as they headed for the surface. In Douglas' enthusiasm he had shifted and had taken off without waiting for Harry. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but Harry didn't like him up on the surface without anyone.
As they broke the surface of the lake, Harry saw the Weasleys lining the shoreline in wait, along with Minerva, Rolanda and Albus. Hagrid was just coming down the hill as they reached the edge of the water. Douglas sped ahead, reaching the shore while Harry took his time.
He knew at least half of them would be stunned speechless when they realized Harry could walk on the sand once again. He intended to draw it out as long as possible.
"Fank you for comin'!" Douglas recited as instructed. While everyone was busy giving his son hugs, Harry swam up to the edge of the water and stood, walking with feigned boredom onto the still warm sand. The sun was as bright as it was yesterday, and only a few white, puffy clouds were in the sky.
"Harry!" He laughed as Hermione ran at him, tackling him in a hug that almost made them fall together into the sand.
He grunted, his arms wrapping around her as well. "Hey, Hermione."
Hermione pulled back, studying Harry carefully. She nodded. "You look well enough. Where's Severus?"
Harry peered over her shoulder to make sure Douglas wasn't looking at them. "He's getting our gifts for Doug."
"Ahh, I see…" Hermione gasped. "Harry!" She cut her eyes to the lake and back to Harry. "You're on the sand!"
"Did you just notice?" he teased.
"Hush, you." Her eyes glowed with happiness as she looked him over from head to toe one more time.
"Daddy!" Douglas crashed into his side, his wide smile revealing the gap where he had lost a tooth a few days ago. Harry wrapped an arm around him, ruffling his hair. "Gramma Molly gave me sunblocked."
"She did?"
"It smelled like blueberry," he told Harry, his head bobbing up and down.
"Did you tell her thank you?"
Douglas turned around and shouted, "Fanks Gramma Molly!"
Harry was glad Severus hadn't been here to witness that.
"Gred and Forge! Can I go see 'em?"
"Just don't eat anything they give you," Harry warned before shooing him off.
Hermione grabbed Harry's arm. "You're on the sand!" she repeated. "Does this mean Severus finally found a potion? You can come and visit us now?"
"Not quite that good, but he's working on it. I was just happy for this. If nothing else, I can build sandcastles with my son."
"Hermione, quit hogging Harry all to yourself!"
Harry snorted as Fred nodded in agreement with his younger brother.
"I'm not hogging him, I'm merely speaking with him," Hermione said, arching her brow in a fair imitation of Snape.
"Yeah, well," Ron trailed off, grinning.
Harry shook his head and linked his arm through Hermione's, and headed towards the rest of the guests.
Severus emerged from the water in time to see Harry saunter off with Hermione and an assorted pack of Weasleys. He felt the irrational jealousy swell within him, but he had learned to manage it better. At least he didn't feel the urge to tear anyone limb from limb, which was an improvement.
"Papa!" Douglas streaked around the adults, crashing into the water and knocking Severus back into the water when he tackled him.
Severus caught Douglas with one arm and desperately tried to hold on to the shrunken box of presents with the other.
"Papa, did you see the people?"
Struggling to keep them both upright, he carried Douglas under one arm out of the water. "Rather hard to miss," he murmured.
As soon as Douglas had his feet back on the ground, he ran back to Harry, who was watching the interaction with a fond smile.
"Papa's here!"
"I can see that," Harry said, grinning. "Looks like he has your presents with him as well."
Douglas blinked and looked back to see the box in Severus' hands. Harry almost laughed at the shocked expression. "Presents?"
"Yeah."
Douglas' grin stretched from ear to ear.
Severus set the box on the ground and canceled the shrinking spell. Douglas watched wide-eyed as the box grew bigger and bigger.
"Honestly, Harry, you spoil him," Hermione murmured from beside him. Harry just grinned and shrugged as if to say 'and your point is?'
He'd never let Douglas turn out like Dudley, so he didn't seen the harm in spoiling him rotten twice a year. If she thought birthdays were bad, she should see Christmas.
"And they're all for me?" He looked up at Harry with excited black eyes and Harry nodded.
"Wow!"
"His skills at articulation are on a par with his father's," Severus said, smirking at Harry.
A voice just over Severus' shoulder said, "He's just a little kid."
Severus turned. "Finch-Fletchley? What are you doing here?" he asked, frowning.
"He came with me, I hope that's alright," Ginny said, flushing as she looked between Harry and Severus.
"Of course it is. Hey, Justin," Harry said, grinning.
Justin smiled and nodded. "Hey, Harry."
"I'd introduce you to our son, but he's kind of...upside down," Harry said, shaking his head at Fred and George, who were swinging the boy between them.
Douglas squealed when Fred and George tossed him into the water. Harry rolled his eyes, diving in after the boy, scooping him up in his arms as he drifted downward with a smile.
"I like Uncle FrednGeorge."
Harry snorted and shook his head as he rose through the water once again.
"If you could refrain from attempts to drown my son, it would be greatly appreciated," Severus said, scowling at the offending twins.
"You hear that, Fred?"
"I think I did, George."
George opened his mouth to continue, but Molly knocked him on the back of the head before he could even utter a syllable.
"Mum!" George whined, his eyes dancing.
Molly huffed, folding her arms across her chest. That's how Harry found them when he surfaced, Douglas on his back, his arms wrapped around his neck.
"If you two would behave," Molly said, eying Fred and George, "perhaps we could have cake."
"Cake?" Douglas slipped off Harry's back, landing in the shallow water with a splash. He sat up, spitting water from his mouth with a huge grin. His hair was already drying. Harry watched as he stood and his clothing instantly dried. He ruffled the messy black hair and kneed him in the bum toward the sand. Douglas grabbed his hand and tugged him towards the shore with an excited grin. "Did you hear that, Daddy? They gots cake!"
"’Course they do, love."
"Daaad," Douglas moaned, pleading with him not to call him that name in public. Harry sighed, his eyes meeting Severus’ as he lugged Douglas the rest of the way out of the water.
As the assembled masses sang Happy Birthday, Severus surveyed the group, still surprised to find himself socializing, with Weasleys no less.
Harry moved closer to Severus, until he moved to grasp his hand tightly. "It's getting hard to breathe," he whispered, his eyes flickering between their son, who was laughing happily as Minerva and Molly told him a story while he blew out the candles, and his bond-mate.
Severus pulled Harry backward, closer to the water, as he reached for another vial from his pocket. "See if this helps. I don't know if it will extend the effect or not," he whispered.
Harry took it and quickly swallowed, hoping to ease the clutching effect at his neck. It worked to a small degree, but he knew it wouldn't last long.
"Did it work?"
"No, not in the way the first one did," Harry answered, feeling the ice race through him. He sighed, rubbing his throat in what he hoped look like a casual manner. "I won't last much longer."
Severus looked between the water and the people gathered along the shore. "Go into the water, don't press it," he said, squeezing Harry's hand. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Harry murmured, turning around and pressing a kiss to Severus' jaw. "This is the first time I've ever been able to go to one of his parties. I wouldn't have traded it for anything." He swallowed. "I need to tell Douglas I'm going."
"Douglas! Come here, please," Snape called.
When Douglas joined them, he had icing all around his mouth and was grinning widely. "Can I open my presents?" he asked, hopping up and down.
Harry crouched down so he was at eye-level with the five-year-old. Using the bottom of his shirt as a napkin, he wiped at Doug’s mouth to get the frosting off.
"Love, I need to go home now."
"But Daddy!"
Harry dropped to his knees and pulled Douglas into a strong hug. "Don't worry, baby. Go and play with Luc and Mellie."
"But I want to play wif you!" Douglas protested, as he gripped the back of Harry's shirt, hurt and confused. "Why can' you stay?"
"Remember how we told you, that if you're out of the water for too long, you'll start to feel funny? Kind of sick? Daddy is starting to feel kind of sick. I need to go home for a little bit. But you and Papa are going to stay here and open presents and play, alright?" Harry said, his smile bright, if not a little forced.
Douglas didn't look as if he entirely believed him, and he gazed up at Severus for confirmation. Wiping his nose on his sleeve, he glanced back at Harry once again, as if afraid Harry would leave before getting a second opinion.
"I bet that, if you give your daddy a little while to rest, he'll come back and sit on his favorite rock and watch you play," Severus said, smiling feebly. "And when everyone goes home, we'll play you a special song for your birthday."
"You will?" He looked between Harry and Severus, biting his lip, trying not to look too eager. Harry smiled and nodded, trying not to let the strain on his breathing show. He kissed Douglas on the nose, making him laugh. "I'll be back. Just you wait and see."
And he would be, he refused to go back on that promise. With a last, albeit forced smile, he ran and dove into the water, embracing the cold liquid and drifted down towards the lake floor.
Severus swallowed the familiar guilt and scooped up their son, setting Douglas on his shoulders. His eyes met Molly's concerned gaze, and he nodded briefly before schooling his features carefully. "Harry needed to go home for little while, so we're going to open presents," he said, looking up at Douglas and smiling.
"Is he all right?" Justin asked.
"He's fine," Severus said, smiling tightly. He allowed Fred and George to grab Douglas from his shoulders, knowing they would be his best distraction for the moment.
*****
Harry grabbed the throw off the back of the sofa and tightly wrapped himself in it. His throat ached and his lungs burned, but none of that compared to the way his stomach clenched as he remembered the teary eyes of his son. He hadn't meant to make him cry, that was never his intention, especially on his birthday.
The knock at the door startled him, and he pulled out his wand, opening it. The water stayed just outside the door. He smiled weakly at Ariana.
"You were on the sand, were you not?"
"Yes," Harry admitted, making no move to get closer to the barrier between lake and home.
"Douglas understands more than you think," she said, smiling softly.
"It doesn't make it hurt any less."
"Do you resent your mate for bringing you here?"
"No. Never."
Ariana smiled and nodded. "I'm glad."
Harry smiled despite himself and glanced down at the stone floor of their home. At one point they had cast a cushioning charm on it for Douglas' safety, but it was fading now as he grew older.
"I think I might go back to the surface, yeah?"
"To your rock? May I join you? I'd like to watch Douglas play."
"Of course." Harry pulled off the throw blanket and folded it neatly. "Douglas would be happy to see you, actually."
Ariana waited for Harry to step out into the water and together they rose to the surface to the familiar rock.
*****
Severus had been standing to the side talking quietly to Molly and keeping an eye on Douglas and an eye on Harry's rock. He let out a sigh of relief when Harry, and a second later, Ariana, broke the surface of the water.
"Excuse me," he said, walking away from Molly and making a beeline for his son.
"Papa, lookit!" Douglas held up a spinning top toy he'd gotten from Luc.
"That's very nice, Douglas." Severus dropped to one knee and pointed out into the water. "Look."
"Daddy! Can I go and see him?" he asked. "I wanna show him all my toys!"
Severus chuckled. "You can show him all of your toys when we go home. Why don't you take him your top? I'm sure he'd love to see it."
"Okay!"
Douglas took off at a run, transforming as soon as he hit the water and swimming as fast as he could to reach his daddy.
Harry shaded his eyes and he watched as his son made a beeline for him, jumping five feet into the air and into his arms. Harry caught him around the middle, pulling him onto his lap as the boy changed back.
"Daddy, look what Luc gotted me!" he cried, holding out the top with both hands.
Harry laughed, the tightness in his chest easing as he realized how happy his son was. "Wow, that's pretty good. Did you remember to thank him?"
"Yup, Papa made me say it."
Harry kissed his hair. "One day you'll remember to do it, without us having to remind you."
"Nah."
"No?" Harry smiled at him, bemused.
"Nope."
"And why is that?"
"’Cause you'll always be here to remind me!" Douglas said, giggling. "Hi, Miss Ariana!"
"Happy birthday, Douglas."
"Fanks! Did you get me a present?"
"Douglas!" Harry said, mortified.
Ariana chuckled, and that only made Harry blush harder. "You'll get it tomorrow."
Douglas beamed, and leaned against Harry's chest, kicking his feet in the water.
"Tired?"
Douglas nodded.
"You've had a busy day," Harry murmured, smoothing some of Douglas' hair down.
Douglas yawned, stretching his hands high above his head, making a show of it. "You'll still play for me, right?"
"’Course, love. Papa and I promised we would."
"Ariana, would you mind getting Severus?" Harry asked, resting his chin on top of Douglas' head.
She nodded, disappearing silently beneath the surface. He followed her movements under the water with a sharp eye, noticing how effortlessly she made her way to the shore.
He couldn't hear what she was saying, but it didn't matter because he shortly caught Severus' eye and turned his gaze down to the dozing boy in his arms. Harry noticed the confused expression on his friends' faces. It took him a moment to realize that while he, Severus, and Douglas understood merpeople above the water, others didn't. His gaze lingered on each of his friends, pausing at the troubled look on the aging headmaster's face. He felt some small pang of guilt at not having spoken more than a few words to him, but he couldn't trouble himself with that now.
He almost fell over backwards when Severus' head appeared out of the water before him.
"Merlin," Harry breathed, embarrassed at how easily he had been spooked.
"I see the birthday boy has finally worn himself out," Severus said, resting his hands on Harry's thighs. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I am," he answered, smiling and reaching out to brush a strand of hair from Severus' face. "Could you make our excuses to our guests?"
"Gladly. I'm more than ready to send them on their way."
"Be nice, it was sweet of them all to come."
"I'm always nice," Severus said, smirking. "I'll give them your regards if you'd like to take Douglas home. He can write them thank-you cards tomorrow."
Douglas whined, "Aw, Papa, do I have to?"
"Yes, you have to, and, since you're awake, you can come with me and say goodbye to all those people."
"Going to hide behind a little boy?" Harry asked, grinning.
"They make the best shields," Severus said, holding out his arms. "Come on, you little mongrel. Let's get this over with."
"Then you'll play for me?" Douglas asked, jumping into his papa's arms and transforming with ease.
"If we must," Severus answered with a put-upon sigh.
"Yup, you must!"
Harry slid into the water. "I'm coming with you, at least as far as the water line."
Severus frowned. "If you start to feel ill -"
"Yes, dear. Let's go so we can get home and Doug can show me his presents."
"Yeah! Let's go, let's go!"
Rolling his eyes, but smiling nonetheless, Severus motioned toward the shore, and the three of them set off.
It was dark when they reached their home. The oil lamps were all lit along the walls, and Douglas was impatiently bouncing on the couch as Harry and Severus carefully tuned their violins.
"Hurry up, hurry up!" Douglas chanted.
"He gets that from you, Potter."
Harry snorted and raised his bow, waiting for Severus to do the same. Then, with a nod from Severus, they both began to play.
The light, airy melody filled the small house at the bottom of the lake, echoing through the hall and outer rooms. It wasn't fast, but it wasn't slow either, and Harry chanced a glance at Douglas to see him swaying on the couch as if hypnotized.
He knew one day Severus would teach him as well, and then they'd all be able to play together. The thought filled him with excitement and dread. It meant that one day Douglas would lure another the same way as Severus had unintentionally lured him and the thought thrilled and scared him completely. At least they would be there for him when it came to that. He couldn't imagine his son going through the same ordeal as he and Severus had, but it was a very real possibility.
He glanced up at Severus to see him watching him back carefully, and Harry realized with a flush to his cheeks that, at some point, he must have stopped playing.
"Daddy, why'd you stop?" Douglas asked at the same time Severus asked him, "Are you all right?"
He bowed his head, staring at the instrument in his hand. "I'm fine."
"Harry?"
"Sometimes I forget the power of it," he said, looking up at Severus and smiling.
Severus nodded in understanding.
"Daddy?"
Harry set his violin on the stand and joined Douglas on the couch, pulling him into his lap. "I'm going to listen with you while your papa plays." It had been far too long since he had just sat and listened to Severus play, and he suddenly yearned to hear it.
Douglas snuggled against him, making pleased sounds at the attention. In the sudden silence, Harry could hear a clock ticking softly in one of the bedrooms. He looked up at the family clock the Weasleys had given them as a present when Douglas was born. It sat on the wall above Severus' head, all three spoons resting on home. If Severus ever needed any more hints that Harry was content where he was, that would be it.
Before Harry could lose himself further to his thoughts, Severus began to play the song again, and Harry dozed off as he listened to each lift and fall.
Severus waited until both of them were asleep before lowering his bow. He took a moment to study them, the familiar lines of Harry's face, and the forever changing lines of their son's face. He would never admit it out loud, but the idea of his son growing up filled him with trepidation. It was happening faster than he ever imagined possible.
He put away first his violin, and then Harry's. When he turned back to the couch, Harry was watching him with sleepy eyes.
"Help me move him," Harry murmured drowsily. "I can't feel my legs."
"He grows like a weed," Severus said, bending to pick up their son, who was so exhausted, he hung from his father’s hands like a limp noodle. "Perhaps if we stop feeding him, he'll stop."
"Bad idea." Harry winced at the tingling that started moving up his legs. "Then he'll end up short like me for the rest of his life."
"I'm sure there are worse things that could happen than being short. I'm going to put him down."
Harry stretched out along the couch with a yawn. His eyes slipped shut, and he exhaled softly. "All right."
When Severus returned, Harry's breathing was slow and even. Severus brushed a lock of hair from his forehead, then smacked him lightly on the stomach. "I'm not carrying you to bed."
Harry mumbled incoherently, cracking one eye open.
"Wake up and go to bed. It interferes with my sleep when you're not there."
"Can't have that, can we?" Harry grumbled good-naturedly. He yawned and held out a hand to Severus, who helped him up.
"Are you sure you're not an old woman?"
"You're the one with the gray chest hairs."
Severus glared and Harry laughed.
"I do not."
"Oh, yes you do," Harry retorted, poking him in the chest.
Snape snorted and turned down the lights as they made their way to the bedroom. "Doesn't seem to stop you from molesting me in the middle of the night."
Harry grinned, tugging on Severus' hand as they entered their room. "No, it doesn't."
Next Chapter: Chapter Four