Harry woke the next morning, his head on Severus' chest, his arm draped over Severus' waist. He smiled to himself and made no effort to move. He was comfortable and happy as he was, and he wanted to stay that way as long as he could manage.

Severus soon stirred, a long exhale signaling Harry that he was awake. Harry felt a hand rub his shoulders gently, and he sat up enough to look at Severus.

"Good morning," Severus said, his eyes still half closed and a lazy smile on his face.

"Good morning," Harry replied, running his fingers along Severus' chest lightly.

"How are you feeling?" Severus asked, raising his other hand to place it on Harry's cheek.

"I'm fantastic," Harry replied, smiling and leaning into the hand. "How are you?"

"I feel incredible," Severus said, sitting up and propping himself against the pillows. He held his arms out, inviting Harry to come to him.

"That's good to hear," Harry said, moving to snuggle against Severus' chest. He rested his head on a shoulder, and slipped his arms around the older man, enjoying just being close to him. The two stayed like that for a while, both just happy to be with the other again.

After a few moments, Severus placed a kiss on Harry's head, inhaling the scent of his hair. He was still shocked that Harry had welcomed him back after the way he had so thoughtlessly thrown him out of his rooms two years ago. He looked to the man in his arms, and he couldn't believe that Harry had never let go of his feelings. Severus felt a swell of emotion, and he silently fought back tears.

Harry smiled as he inhaled the musky, potion-esque scent of the older man. He let his fingers trace the familiar scars on his chest, each one significant. He couldn't believe that the older man had come back, but he was happier than ever when he did. He sighed as he remembered the morning that Severus had thrown him from his rooms, but quickly banished the thought as he looked up to him.

"Are you okay, Sev?" Harry asked, noting the tears welling in his lover's eyes.

"I'm great, Harry," Severus said, his voice thick with emotion. "I just can't believe that we're together again. I never thought it would have happened, especially after the way I threw you out of my life."

"Sev, you told Hermione to help me find happiness," Harry said, his voice shaking. "She knew the only way that I'd be happy was with you. She spent the last two years slowly talking to me about you and how I wanted to be with you. She finally coaxed me into writing you a few days ago, but I didn't. We happened to bump into each other two days ago, and now I'm back with the one who makes me the most happy in the world."

"Harry," Severus managed, before he pulled Harry to him and their lips met in a sensual kiss. There was no need, no rushing, and no desperation in the kiss. It was simply two lovers expressing the depth of the feelings between them. Severus brought his hand up to cup Harry's cheek as they kissed, their tongues lazily battling. Harry let his arms wrap around Severus, bringing them closer together. After a long, passionate kiss, Severus pulled back, his half lidded eyes taking Harry in.

"Sev," Harry mumbled, his voice thick with emotion. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Severus replied, resting his forehead against Harry's.

Harry and Severus had spent the majority of the Christmas holidays together. Harry had been invited to the Burrow, but he declined. He had told Molly that McGonagall had requested that he stay at the school for some extra lessons.

The two had become quite close. Harry would venture into the dungeons after dinner and an hour or so of homework. Severus would welcome him, and the two would spend the evening chatting about random things.

"Harry, tomorrow is Christmas," Severus said, looking to the young man leaning against him. Despite everything that had transpired since he was nursed back to health, there was a nagging voice in the back of Severus' mind that told him he didn't deserve happiness. He often fought with himself over what he felt for Harry, but almost always ended up determining that as long as Harry was with him and happy, he would do his best to love and protect him. He was fiercely protective of what he deemed as his.

"I know, Severus," Harry said, glancing up to him. "I want to spend it with you."

"You want to spend it with me?" Severus said, his voice showing his shock.

"Yes," Harry said, sitting up and separating himself from Severus. "I want to spend it with you. Just you."

"Harry," Severus said, his face lighting up. "Thank you."

The two men kissed briefly, as they started planning the day.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After breakfast in the hall with the staff and handful of stragglers, Harry met Severus in the entrance hall, cloak in hand.

"Ready to go?" Severus asked, slipping his cloak on.

"Yeah," Harry said, quickly putting his cloak on. "Where are we going?"

"Hogsmeade," Severus replied, smiling at the younger man. He then turned to the doors and opened one, stepping into the wintry winds. Harry followed, pulling his cloak up to protect his neck from the harsh winds. The two men walked into the village, Harry following just behind Severus. They entered the Three Broomsticks and ordered two butterbeers before going to a corner table.

"What exactly have you got planned, Sev?" Harry asked, after taking a sip of his drink. He looked at the other man, his expression curious.

"What would the surprise in me telling you be?" Severus asked, smirking at the younger man.

"You see, I'm not real great with surprises," Harry said. "After six years of a madman trying to kill me, I think you could get why."

"This surprise has nothing to do with a madman, Harry," Severus said, sipping his drink.

"How'd you get McGonagall to allow us to leave the grounds?" Harry asked, looking carefully at Severus.

"I told her your present was down here waiting for you," Severus said. "She's one of the few people that I know I can trust, like Albus and you."

"I see," Harry said, his eyes wandering around the pub. There were a handful of villagers in the pub.

"Well, we've got to get moving if you want your present," Severus said, setting his empty mug on the table.

"Alright," Harry said, after finishing his drink as well.

Severus led Harry to a secluded piece of a nearby forest. He carefully laid his cloak down on a rock, after casting a warming charm on himself. He then proceeded to cast one on Harry and help him out of his cloak.

"What are we doing here, Sev?" Harry asked, looking around at the clearing. It was beautiful, with a light dusting of snow and sunlight coming gently between the leaves and branches of the trees.

"Well, we're having a picnic," Severus answered, resizing the basket of food he had gotten from the kitchens before breakfast. He carefully laid out a blanket, and the two sat together.

"This is definitely a great surprise," Harry said, leaning over to kiss Severus gently.

"It's only one part of your present, Harry," Severus said, reaching into his pocket stealthily.

"What's the other part?" Harry asked, looking at Severus curiously.

"Well, since you nursed me back to health, I realized that you are much less like your father than I previously assumed. You have so many of the qualities I admired in your mom, and there's so much about you I really enjoy," Severus said, moving to take a knee in front of Harry. "Would you do me the honor of becoming my husband?"

"Severus, of course," Harry said, tears welling up in his eyes. "Of course I will."

"I love you," Severus said, placing a ring on Harry's finger.

Harry took a moment to admire his ring. It was simple enough to not be questioned, and beautiful enough to show Severus' love. The band was silver, with snakes engraved from the stone, which was a deep red Garnet.

"I love you, too," Harry said, before kissing Severus deeply. After a moment, the two were so engrossed in the kiss that they completely missed the picture of them being taken.

After a few moments, the two ate in near silence, but the two men couldn't have been more comfortable.

"Really?" Severus asked, looking into Harry's emerald eyes.

"Really," Harry said, slowly moving away from Severus. He glanced at his finger and the ring appeared. "I've never taken it off. I just put an invisibility spell on it so people wouldn't ask who I was engaged to."

"You didn't have to keep it on, Harry," Severus said, his voice thick with emotion.

"Yes I did, Severus. I needed to remember the happiness I had with you," Harry said, looking at the ring again. "It was the only thing that kept me sane while we weren't talking. I hoped that somewhere, you were still in love with me."

"I made a huge mistake when I threw you from my rooms that morning, Harry," Severus said, his eyes looking away from Harry's expressive ones. "I should have never thrown you out. I should have at the very least walked you to your dorm. At that point, I was ready to show the school that we were together, but I had a random thought about Voldemort, even though he was dead. I felt like I was endangering you by being that close to you."

"Sev, you don't have to explain it to me," Harry said, placing a finger on the other man's lips. "It's alright. We're here now, and we love each other. That's all that matters."

"Do you still want to be my husband?" Severus asked, grabbing Harry's hands.

"More than anything," Harry responded, kissing Severus' forehead gently.

"Harry!" Hermione shouted, upon seeing Harry and Severus enter the restaurant where they had made plans to meet. "Severus! Hello!"

"Hey Mione," Harry said, hugging her gently.

"Good afternoon, Hermione," Severus said, offering his hand for a handshake. Instead, Hermione launched herself at him, giving him a huge hug.

"Hey mate, Severus," Ron said, smiling uncomfortably.

"Hey Ron," Harry and Severus said in unison, causing Hermione to giggle.

"What did I miss?" Draco asked, walking up behind Harry and Severus. "Finally got over your stupidity, eh?"

"Shut it, Draco," Severus hissed, slipping a possessive arm around Harry's waist.

"Hey Dray," Harry said, leaning against his fiancé.

"What are we waiting for, I'm starving," Ron said, snatching a menu and opening it.

"Ronald!" Hermione scolded, snatching the menu from her fiancé. "We do not have to order as soon as we sit down."

"But I haven't eaten in five hours. I'm starving!" Ron complained, drawing light chuckles from the other three men.

"Just like in school," Harry said, still chuckling.

"I think we're waiting for one more," Draco said, glancing around for someone.

"Sorry I'm late," Ginny said, hurrying over to the table. Draco stood and gave her a quick kiss before pulling her chair out for her.

"It's alright, love," Draco said, sitting next to her.

"You two are together?" Harry asked, slightly confused.

"Have been for almost a year now," Ginny said, blushing a bit.

"I'm happy for you two," Harry said, a smile on his face.

"Thanks, Harry," Ginny said, smiling to him.

"Um, Harry and I have a bit of an announcement," Severus said, after a short silence at the table. The other four looked at the two as Severus laced his left hand with Harry's right, and placed them on the table, Harry's ring visible. Ron and Ginny gasped as Hermione and Draco exchanged grins.

"Yeah, um, we're getting married in a few weeks," Harry said, his face turning a delicate shade of pink as he attempted to hide in Severus' shoulder. He felt Severus put an arm around him.

"We were wondering if you would like to come to the ceremony," Severus said, his voice not it's usual smooth. "It will be held in the headmaster's office at Hogwarts, and is very private."

"Of course we'd some, Severus," Hermione said, speaking for herself and Ron.

"We'll come as well," Ginny said, speaking for Draco as well.

"We'll have to send an owl to the rest of the Weasleys," Severus said, causing Harry to sit up and stare at him.

"Did you just say what I think you said?" Harry asked, disbelief written all over his face. Hermione, Ron, and Ginny stared at him as well. Draco just held a knowing smirk on his face.

"Seeing as your parents and godfather are no longer with us, I simply thought that we should at least invite the family you've had since you started at Hogwarts," Severus said, before being attacked by hugs. Harry, Ginny, and Hermione launched themselves at him, and all three hugged him tightly.

"My folks are never going to believe this," Ron said, shaking his head and smirked.

"I didn't believe it when he owled me about it this morning," Draco said, his grin still on his face.

"Arthur!" Molly called, after reading the invitation she received.

"What is it, Molly?" Arthur asked, walking into the kitchen.

"We're invited to a marriage ceremony in two weeks," Molly said, carefully keeping the names out of Arthur's view.

"Really? Ron and Hermione haven't said anything about getting married yet," Arthur said, wonder on his face.

"It's Harry, dear," Molly said. "And Severus."

"Harry Potter and Severus Snape?" Arthur asked, disbelief written all over his face.

"The very same. Harry is the reason Severus is still around," Molly said.

"Tell them we'll be there," Arthur said.

You have been cordially invited to the marriage ceremony of

Mr. Severus Tobias Snape

and

Mr. Harry James Potter

The ceremony will take place on July the 31st, at 1 o'clock pm

at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Please send an owl if you wish to attend

"So they finally got over that stupid fight?" George asked himself, grinning.

He quickly sent his reply, and went out to by new dress robes.

Three weeks later, everyone was gathered in the Headmaster's office for the Potter-Snape marriage. Arthur, Molly, George, Draco, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Andromeda, and Teddy were all present as Minerva performed the ceremony.

Near the end of the proceedings, Ron was growing bored. Hermione had to regularly nudge him with her elbow to get him to sit still.

"Harry James Potter, do you take Severus Tobias Snape as your husband?" she asked Harry.

"I do," Harry replied, smiling to his other half.

"Severus Tobias Snape, do you take Harry James Potter as your husband?" she asked Severus.

"Of course, I do," Severus said, his eyes alight with love for his husband.

"You two are now husband and husband. You may kiss your husband," Minerva said, flicking her wand at the two, as the two auras combined into one.

Harry couldn't help himself as he kissed Severus passionately. Severus wrapped his arms around Harry as he returned the kiss amidst sounds of approval from the others. After a moment, the two separated.

"Congratulations, Harry and Severus," George shouted.

"It's about time," Hermione and Draco said, each wearing a knowing grin.

"I'm so happy for you, Harry," Ginny said.

"Harry, dear, we're so happy you found happiness with someone," Molly said, hugging him tightly.

"Yeah, congrats, mate," Ron said, clapping him on the back.

"Severus, Harry," Minerva said, looking at the couple. "I admit, I was shocked when I received your owl about performing your ceremony, but now I can see that you two are perfect for each other."

"Thanks to all of you, for coming to our ceremony," Severus said.

"It means the world to me that my family has accepted us so readily," Harry said, leaning against Severus.

"I am thankful that you all are able to look beyond the mistakes I have made in the past," Severus said, slipping an arm around his husband.

A week later, Harry and Severus returned from their honeymoon completely different people. The light of happiness was in all of their features, and a smile was found on their faces.

"Molly invited us to dinner at the Burrow tomorrow," Harry said, checking the mail that had piled up in their absence.

"Owl her and tell her we'll be there," Severus said, slipping his arms around his husband from behind. "I can't wait for them all to see the gifts we got them."

"Oh, Sev, they're going to love them," Harry said, leaning against his husband. "I hope Molly and Arthur like the gift we got them."

"They should, love," Severus said, placing a gentle kiss on Harry's temple.

"I'm starving," Harry said, turning to face Severus.

"What to you want for dinner?" Severus asked, looking into Harry's eyes.

"You," Harry said, his eyes alight with love and lust.

"Harry," Severus said, chuckling. "We just spent every night of our honeymoon in bed. Are you that insatiable?"

"I just want you," Harry said, his voice husky. He could see Severus visibly tremble.

"Come here," Severus said, pulling his husband to him and attacking his neck.

"Oh yeah," Harry said, between soft moans as Severus' lips and tongue worked on his neck.

"What do you want?" Severus asked in a whisper, looking at Harry.

"You," Harry said, his eyes fluttering closed. "All of you."

"I like the sound of that," Severus said, his voice dangerous.

"Take me, Sev," Harry said, breathlessly.

"With pleasure," Severus answered.

The next morning, Harry and Severus woke on the living room rug, a blanket wrapped around them. Harry was half on top of Severus, whose back was sore from the goings on the previous night.

"Morning, Sev," Harry said, kissing Severus' exposed chest lightly.

"Morning, Harry," Severus said, his fingers ghosting over Harry's back, causing the younger man to squirm slightly.

"How many rounds did we go yesterday?" Harry asked, his squirming causing his lips to brush one of Severus' nipples.

"I lost count at six," Severus said, smirking at the other man's minor discomfort. He continued to move his fingers in that manner, until Harry reacted differently.

"Was it really that many?" Harry asked, his lips moving up to Severus' neck. He grazed the particularly sensitive spot near Severus' ear, drawing a slight hissing inhale from the older man. Harry smirked as he gently latched his lips to that spot and sucked lightly.

"I believe we fell asleep after round nine," Severus said, his eyes closing in pleasure. He stopped his hand when Harry started on his neck.

"Wow," Harry said, lifting his head to look at Severus through his bangs. "That's got to be a record for us."

"That it is," Severus said, chuckling.

"Oh, hell," Harry said, glancing at the clock. "We're supposed to be at the Weasley's in two hours."

"Well, we'll have to get cleaned up," Severus said, untangling himself from the blanket and standing.

"Alright," Harry said, as he got up as well.

"Harry, Severus, how was your honeymoon?" Molly asked, ushering the couple into the kitchen.

"It was incredible, Molly," Severus said, his voice not it's former gruff tone.

"Yeah, Severus and I had a great time taking in the sights," Harry said, slipping an arm around his husband's waist.

"That's great," Molly said, pouring some tea. "Ron and Hermione should be here soon, and Arthur got held up at work. Everyone else it out in the yard."

"Why don't we all go out there?" Severus asked, after accepting tea.

"Of course," Molly said, leading them outside.

"Hey guys," the family said, as Harry and Severus made their way to the group around the large table.

"Hello everyone," Harry said, sitting next to Bill.

"How was the honeymoon?" George asked, turning so he could hear the reply properly.

"It was amazing," Severus answered, seating himself between Harry and an empty chair. "Italy was great, and it's really great to be back."

"Sounds like it was a blast," Arthur said, leaning back in his chair.

"We got you guys something," Harry said, rummaging in his pockets. He pulled out a handful of shrunken packages.

"You know you didn't have to do that!" Molly said, shaking her head.

"I know, Molly," Harry replied, unshrinking the packages. "But I wanted to, and Sev thought it would be a good idea."

"Here you go," Severus said, flicking his wand as each package flew to the correct person.

Everyone tore open their packages and gasped at the gifts.

After many exclamations and hugs all around, Harry knew that his world was right. He had his husband who loved him, even after two years of silence. He had his family who loved him, even if they weren't his family by blood. His husband and his family got along.

After all the turmoil in his childhood, Harry finally felt as though he found his place.

Like a phoenix, Harry had risen from the ashes.

A/N: The ending is REALLY rushed, but I was getting tired of trying to come up with som exquisite, beautiful ending. It's a lame ending to a somewhat lame story.

If you want to read something that's worth the time, check out my newest story "The Beast Within". It's a lot better.

-KD