The Trouble with Potters

Part VI

An Interlude in the Tricks and Treat Universe

by Richan

Spoilers, Warnings, Etc.: See Part I

Word: fixate

Severus sat back in the cushions, finally finished with putting the luggage away. As he settled in, Harry leaned against him. Putting an arm around his husband, he tiredly closed his eyes.

He was glad, actually goad, that Harry had bulled him into this trip. It had been years since he had left the school for more than errands for Dumbledore or the war. He hadn't, in fact, done anything so pleasurable before, whether with his family or in school.

Before Harry had *truly* come into his life, Severus had been fixated on one thing: survival.

Then, one magical Halloween, everything changed.

Since then, his world had been turned upside down and inside out. Severus was no longer bound by his foolishness to Voldemort or by duty to Dumbledore. He was bound to Harry, but only because he wanted to and not forced.

The vacation had been good for them both, now that he thought about it. They had been able to be by themselves without being bothered by godfathers and goddaughters and all manner of Weasleys and Hermiones. And they had learned things that wouldn't have been possible back at Hogwarts.

Severus had learned that Harry loved to be in the water, even if he wasn't the best at swimming. He also found out that his husband was a magnet for children.

The last thing he had learned about Harry was that he wanted to have a child with him. Even if he couldn't stand other children, he knew it would make Harry happy to have a child of his own. And, if Severus ever lost Harry - Merlin forbid - he would have at least a piece of him.

"Sev?"

He looked down to find Harry looking up at him, the fading sunlight dancing across his cheek as the Hogwarts Express raced northwards. Harry raised a hand and rubbed at the worry lines between Severus' eyes.

"Whatever it is, it can't be that bad, can it?"

Severus tightened his hold on Harry. "Don't ever leave me, Harry."

"Shh." Harry hugged Severus, resting his face in his neck. "I won't ever leave you, Sev. I love you too much. I'll haunt you forever."

Severus tightly closed his eyes. "Love you, Harry." He couldn't say anything more, not with his throat all closed up like it was. Instead, he just held Harry until the train came to stop, and even then didn't let go.

He would never let go.