Chapter 3
Harry was supposed to be asleep when he decided to go downstairs for water. The floorboards creaked in the otherwise silent house as he made his way down the steps and to the kitchen. As soon as he had poured his water out, he heard the sound of the floo. Harry rushed out to see who was visiting Sirius at this ungodly hour.
He peaked around the corner just in time to see Severus stride to Sirius. Even though Harry could not see the man’s face, the greasy long hair and the dramatic flair of the black robes as he walked gave his professor away instantly. Instead of a sneer or cold remark, Severus crossed the space with uncharacteristic urgency, gripping Sirius’ shoulder. “Are you alright?” Severus demanded.
“Yes, love. I’m okay. Not even a scratch.” Sirius replied gently, not breaking eye contact. “You made sure of that. You saved me.” To Harry’s growing astonishment, Severus threw himself into Sirius’ arms, his grip desperate.
“I was so frightened. Bella’s spell. It would have pushed you into the veil, a fate worse than death. I- I cannot lose you, Sirius. And the thought of not reuniting in death. I should have come by sooner but Albus...” Severus trailed off as Sirius ran a comforting hand up and down Severus’ back, letting him shake in his arms.
Sirius mumbled assurites into Severus' ear, trying to ground the man so close to falling apart in his arms. "It's alright. I'm alright, love. It's okay. You did it." He kept repeating as Severus nuzzled closer.
Harry’s fingers tightened around the glass in his hand, his mind racing at the thought of his godfather and potions professor together. The idea alone made his head spin, but seeing them like this—Severus falling apart, Sirius comforting him—was something else entirely. It was intimate in a way Harry couldn’t ignore, and it left him feeling like an intruder.
They stood there, unaware of the young boy watching them. It took all of Harry’s control to not drop the glass he was holding. Eventually Severus pulled himself out of his partner’s arms. His eyes scanned Sirius’ face one more time as his hand gently cupped his cheek. Severus let out a sigh, "You're okay," Severus confirmed, reassuring himself more than anyone else that he hadn’t failed this time. Sirius gave a slight nod and pulled Severus in for kiss. Severus kissed back, trying to express the relief he felt.
Harry’s cheeks burned. Clutching the glass, he tiptoed back toward the stairs, carefully avoiding the creaky step he knew would give him away. He didn’t breathe again until he was safely in his room, leaning against the closed door. He still couldn’t wrap his head around it. He’d certainly seen a different side to both of them: Sirius had been gentle and loving, like he was holding on to something precious while Severus broke through that stoic facade.
“We need to be quiet tonight.” Sirius whispered.
“Why? Have another partner over here I don’t know about?” Severus asked, humor apparent in his voice.
“No, Harry’s here though. Dumbledore let him stay the night.” Sirius clarified.
“Oh.” Severus immediately stiffened. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have arrived like this. I didn’t mean to…”
Sirius cut him off before he had the chance to finish his thought. “You aren’t intruding. You’re my boyfriend. Besides, it’s nice having the two people I love under the same roof.” Sirius said.
“It would be nicer if Potter didn’t hate me.” Severus grumbled.
“Maybe he wouldn’t hate you if you didn’t actively try to get him to hate you.” Sirius pointed out.
Severus scoffed. “I saved his life on three separate occasions.” Sirius chuckled at his boyfriend’s moodiness. “I even chased you and Lupin to that blasted shrieking shack.”
“Did you ever tell him what happened there? When we…” Sirius asked, shifting the light tone of the conversation.
“Of course not! I wouldn’t tell the boy that his father and his friends almost murdered me!” Severus replied, affronted.
“It wasn’t their fault, Severus. Remus didn’t know I was going to do it. He didn’t speak to me for the rest of the year after that happened and James saved your life.” Sirius said, exasperated at this discussion again.
“I disagree with you. Yes, you orchestrated the prank. Your actions are your own responsibility. But it was Potter who painted me as the target because he couldn’t stand my friendship with Lily. You may have had your prejudices against Slytherins, but the real reason you targeted me was because of him. The things you did were awful, but at least I can take comfort in knowing it wasn’t because you personally hated me.” Severus replied, his voice shaking slightly.
Sirius pulled him in closer, kissing the top of Severus’ head. “I never hated you, Sev. I didn’t even know you. Now that I do know you, I love you. So much.”
“I love you, too,” Severus replied without missing a beat. Sirius kissed him again, this time urgent and needy.
“I think I’m done talking tonight. Let’s head to bed.” Sirius said as he stood up and tugged on Severus’ arms.
Severus arched his brow. “What if Potter overhears us?”
Sirius grinned, his eyes glinting with mischief. “That’s why I’ll be casting a very strong Silencing Charm.”
Despite himself, Severus chuckled, allowing Sirius to pull him to his feet. “You’re incorrigible.”
“And you love it,” Sirius murmured, leaning to kiss Severus again, this time, long and slow.