Can't Fight The Moonlight.
Title: Can’t Fight The Moonlight.
Author: pekeleke
Rating: T
Pairing(s): Severus Snape/Harry Potter.
Challenge: Prompt 21 (Picked from an online seasonal prompt list): Sleigh Ride.
Word Count: 680
Content: Chapter 21 of my Christmas Series: A Motherly Intervention.
Warnings: Getting Together. Enemies to friends to lovers. Mild Angst. Romance.
Disclaimer: The characters, setting, and the HP franchise are owned by JKR and not me. I make no profit from writing this piece of fanfiction.
A/N: Unbeated. Posting one chapter a day from December 1st to the 25th.
Summary: "Harry gasps where he stands, green eyes glowing with delight at the sight before him. He's standing with Severus a little to the left of Molly. She's been studying them from the corner of her eye since they'd Apparated in together, hoping to catch them exchanging some type of display of affection, no matter how small, but hasn't had any luck yet."
Can’t Fight The Moonlight.
Charley has gotten it into his head that organizing a family outing to South Wales so they can sleigh ride across Barafundle Bay won't be an absolute nightmare to organize. This close to Christmas, the chances of them finding tickets for the entire family are minuscule, to start with. Molly understands that Charley has very fond memories of the activity. Arthur has always loved the bay, claiming it's one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, so they've often vacationed in the area during the summer and enjoyed the sleigh rides the local wizards arrange during the holiday season many times indeed while the kids were growing up. Molly gathers that Charley wants to introduce his own son to the activity, recreating one of his own fondest memories for the little one. Maybe he even hopes to turn it into a family tradition of his own. It'll be fun, though, if they can swing it, Molly just doesn't think it will pan out, and that is, precisely, what she tells her second eldest son.
It turns out Molly is wrong. She should have realized that she's related to the Wizarding World's Darling Hero, a fact Charley himself has kept firmly in mind. He contacts Harry, tells him all about the beautiful beach landscape and how lovely the sleigh rides are. He paints a magical picture indeed, picking Harry's curiosity something fierce. Molly hadn't realized that Harry never accompanied them to one of the rides before.
The event's organizers are so delighted to accommodate Harry's request for a private sleigh ride for him and his family that it's almost embarrassing but, by now, he's too enthusiastic to be stopped. Hermione, Fleur, and Draco have also heard about it and joined forces, pushing for the outing. Molly finds their enthusiasm adorable. It's nice to still seek the thrill of wonder at their age. At any age, really.
In the end, it takes Harry less than twenty-four hours to organize the trip. Thus, the Tuesday before Christmas finds them all bundled in their thickest clothes, standing expectantly at the beach, ready to enjoy a spot of old-fashioned sleigh riding. The carriages are beautifully decorated, each softly lit by a bunch of giggling fairies and pulled by a magnificent pair of reindeer.
Harry gasps where he stands, green eyes glowing with delight at the sight before him. He's standing with Severus a little to the left of Molly. She's been studying them from the corner of her eye since they'd Apparated in together, hoping to catch them exchanging some type of display of affection, no matter how small, but hasn't had any luck yet.
Still, the evening is young, and they are about to engage in one of the most romantic activities anyone can partake in during the holiday season. The landscape looks fabulous, and the evening is clear. The beach glows pale under the moonlight, and the stars are out in full force. This is the perfect environment for a magical first kiss. Molly is certainly looking forward to snogging her Arthur as soon as their own sleigh takes them far enough from the rest. She can tell Draco has similar thoughts. All her children do, now that she looks at them closely.
It's nice. To know how blissfully in love the couples within the family still are. They're all so happy to be together; so excited to share their joy with the rest of the family, and eager to create another beautiful memory filled with pale moonlight, twinkling laughter, and unfettered delight.
Molly watches Harry help Severus climb inside their private sleigh and fuss with the blanket meant to cover their legs, tucking it diligently around the potioneer's reedy limbs. Severus says something, then waves his wand in the familiar pattern of a localized Warming Charm. Molly chuckles when Harry's cheeks color in embarrassment and shakes her head. She can already see their different approaches to problem-solving becoming the source of ninety percent of their banter. The boys' sleigh pulls forward, and Molly catches sight of Harry's fingers trying to interlock with Severus's atop the blankets. Severus hesitates only briefly before accepting the touch. Molly smiles widely. She has no way of knowing if they've kissed already for the first time this time around; but she's now sure that, just like the rest of the family couples, they will kiss under the moonlight tonight. No one who is as in love as Harry is can possibly resist the romantic allure of a starry sky. Molly sincerely hopes Severus is infatuated enough already to succumb just as eagerly to the magic of the night.