33. PERFECTION
The Great Hall was decorated with paper streamers that sometimes decided to take a ride on someone's back and stubbornly stuck to that person. Most everyone was wearing paper hats, except Severus of course, who was nursing a glass of sparkling wine and staring sourly at all the partying people around him. But to make up for Severus' reluctance to join the partying, Dumbledore was wearing two hats and had artfully braided some paper streamers into his beard.
Music was wafting through the hall and out into the corridors, people were dancing and sometimes even singing along though it seemed doubtable that this was much of an improvement. A small buffet with cakes and canapés and another one with beverages were set up on the side of the hall where the teacher's table usually stood. Despite the fact that the guests were mostly just the Hogwarts staff, mixed with a few old friends and the eleven students who had chosen to stay at Hogwarts during the holidays, the hall seemed kind of crowded to Harry, which might have to do with the small insignificant detail that Hagrid had invited Grawp, his half-brother, who was now looking remarkably lost, sitting on a small table that looked like it would give out under his weight soon.
"Hey." Remus had spotted them and waved them over, while Severus, with a last general glare to the other guests, turned to the refreshment table and uncapped a butterbeer, hesitated for a moment and uncapped another one. "Harry, it's good to see you again. How are you feeling?"
"Fine, thanks," Harry mumbled, reaching up to give the werewolf a quick hug, wrapping his arms around Remus' neck. "I missed you and Sev did too."
"Spilling my secrets again?" Severus demanded, scowling at Harry, who grinned sheepishly at him. "I can assure you that I will tell my wolf everything he missed and needs to know in due time."
"Sorry, but we both know that you would never tell Remus that in such blunt terms, don't we?" The elf hastily released the werewolf from his embrace when Remus chuckled and leant back against Sirius, who put a protective arm around his shoulder and stared warily at the bottle of butterbeer the Potion's Master was offering him.
"Oh, honestly, Black," the Potion's Master snapped, handing the bottle to Harry instead, who accepted it gratefully. "I'm not about to waste one of my perfectly good potions on you! Do you want a butterbeer or not?"
Sirius chose to answer that question by simply taking the offered bottle and pulling Harry a little closer to himself.
"Thanks, Sev." Harry smiled belatedly at the tall man, snuggling into Sirius, who had given a warning growl that came from deep down his throat.
"You're welcome... more or less." Severus half-sneered at the Animagus, before turning back to Harry. "I see you followed my advice. There's a first time for everything."
"Wait a minute," Sirius broke in. "You told Harry to come to me and give me another chance?"
"I'm not above making mistakes," Severus snapped, impatiently brushing a paper streamer from his robes. "My, it is easy to surprise you. What did you think I was doing this last week, letting Harry drown in his guilt and longing for you without doing anything? Oh, don't answer that question... We all know the answer."
"Sev," Harry whispered, getting an annoyed but accepting glare in return.
"All my boys together!" Dumbledore, with a small plastic trumpet in his hands, winked happily at them. "Who's up for a polonaise? Severus, would you care to take the lead?"
"Albus, by now even you must have come to the conclusion that I neither appreciate nor share your idea of fun and if you feel the need to embarrass yourself I don't even want to watch. And you should do everyone a favour and try to keep out of people's business this next year."
Dumbledore's face crinkled in amusement as he absently played with his beard. "Thanks for the tip, Severus, but, unfortunately, I have already decided to try out at least ten new sweets. I actually made I list, I think it would be unfair to that resolution to now suddenly change plans. But I will certainly consider it for the year after the next... Sirius, I was wondering when I would see you, but of course I understand that you two had a lot of catching up to do... May I be the first to congratulate you? I believe I haven't seen that ring on Harry's finger before..."
All eyes turned to Harry, who blushed brightly, ducking his head.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Sirius replied evenly, smiling gently down on his small mate.
"Can we expect a wedding to take place soon?" Dumbledore asked happily.
"What do I hear? Wedding?" Narcissa interrupted happily, her arm linked with Lucius, who was trying to look like he hadn't been dragged over. "That's so romantic! When is it going to take place? I hope in spring, spring weddings are always the most beautiful. I know of a few - "
"Cissa, thank you, but Harry and I will ask for your advice or help if we need it," Sirius interrupted her softly but with determination. "Our relationship is our business and for the rest of you that means, thanks but no thanks and please mind your own business."
"Paddy..."
"Moony, if I need help, you'll be the first I'll ask and if I hurt Harry, you have my permission to use all your creative energy for vengeance, but until that happens, we would appreciate some privacy," Sirius stated, kissing Harry's temple. "Right, gorgeous?"
Harry nodded, smiling a little as he looked up, and snuggled into Sirius.
"Took you long enough," Severus commented, sipping on his butterbeer and mentally cursing Albus, who had insisted that there be no decent beverages such as Firewhiskey or Minerva's fine Scotch.
"Excuse me?" Sirius stared incredulously at the taller man.
"Did you expect us to trust you, of all people, with Harry, when you couldn't even stand up for yourself and eagerly grasped for our advice so that you could safely forgo thinking?" Severus commented in an offhand manner.
"Sev, enough," Harry intervened reproachfully. "You can't suddenly pretend that any of you would have accepted Sirius' decisions or even heard him out. Wouldn't you agree, Professor Dumbledore?"
"My - ah, how did you call it, Severus? - My meddling? It certainly did not make things easier for you." Dumbledore looked remarkably cowed. "I'm afraid that too often I thought that the end justifies the means where you were concerned, Harry."
"There's no end to achieve anymore," Harry stated evenly, his eyes slightly narrowed and steadily locked with Dumbledore's clear blue ones.
The old wizard nodded. "This new bond seems to work well for you."
"It works well for both of us," Sirius spoke up, tucking Harry safely back into his arms and almost surprised that Harry allowed it without protest. "So we have an agreement?"
"I will be here if need be or if you decide to collect old favours, Sirius," Dumbledore answered. "Until then, I wish you all the happiness this world has to offer. With each other."
Harry twisted in Sirius' embrace, lifting to his tiptoes so that he could whisper in Sirius' ear. "I think we won."
"I think I like that fire in your eyes," Sirius replied just as quietly, chuckling at the blush that spread over Harry's cheeks. "Thanks for protecting me."
"I... Is it okay if I do that?" Harry asked timidly. "I know you can take care of yourself, I just... I don't mean to embarrass you or anything... Are you angry? I won't do it again. I'm sorry."
"Now wait just a moment," Sirius interrupted Harry's rambling. "Why do you think I just thanked you?"
"Because... you were being sarcastic?" Harry offered uncertainly.
Sirius laughed, shaking his head in denial. "No, Harry, I truly appreciate your help and I see no reason to be embarrassed about having a strong-willed, independent mate who will have my back if necessary. I expect you to be submissive to me, I think it would be futile to deny that, but that doesn't mean that you have to be submissive to anyone else if you don't want to, okay? Where would I be if you weren't such a stubborn, fearless young man? Still in Azkaban, that's where. So I have every reason to be grateful for your protective tendencies, love."
Harry cocked his head before giving Sirius a cautious smile. "I'm glad for your protectiveness as well."
Sirius grinned, his grey eyes bright with love and amusement as he leaned down to press a small kiss to Harry's neck. "I'm afraid it's not only protectiveness that makes me act this way but also a rather unhealthy dose of jealousy and possessiveness. I'm not going to share you, Harry. I don't care if they bother me, but they better stay the fu - far away from you."
Harry's eyes widened, but then he whispered in Sirius' ear, "I love you, too." He breathed a sigh of relief when Sirius relaxed and gently traced his spine.
"I didn't mean to snap," Sirius murmured. "And I'm not going to isolate you or anything, but I want to keep you safe and if they hurt you, I won't be responsible for my actions."
"I know, it's alright," Harry replied, pecking Sirius on the lips. "Ron and Hermione won't hurt me though, so can I go over to them?"
"Sure, will you be fine on your own or do you want me to come along?" Sirius offered, reluctantly releasing Harry from his hold.
"I should be fine."
"I'll wait for you then." Sirius sighed. "Don't make me wait too long, okay?"
"No, never again," Harry whispered, standing on his tiptoes and brushing a kiss over the older man's cheek. "I promise."
"Good, I will want to dance with you later." Sirius chuckled, watching Harry walk away and weave through the partying people.
Sirius didn't participate in the conversation around him and didn't even greet Sébastien as he joined them. His eyes never left the slender figure of his mate, watched every one of his moves, caught every one of his smiles as he talked with his two best friends, who had come here for the festivities. He was very glad when Harry, after what seemed like an eternity, returned to his side.
"Everything explained?" he asked softly, pulling Harry into his arms as soon as he was within reach.
"Yeah," Harry mumble. "Just haven't talked to them in a while. Hermione said they went shopping with you, what did you buy?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Sirius smirked, and Remus groaned, causing Harry to press a little closer to the shadow veela.
"Yes, I want to know," the elf replied, imploringly looking up at him. "Please, tell me what you did this last week."
"Fine, let me think. I got a job, we - "
"You got a job?" Harry interrupted. "What kind of job? That's great! Do you like it?"
"In a library and yes, it's pretty much okay - lots of books, you know..."
Severus snorted.
"You don't have to work," Harry argued softly. "I won't think any less of you if you wait for a job you really like."
"I know." Sirius smiled. "Don't worry, it's something I want to do... and despite what people here seem to think," - He glared at Severus. - "I'm not illiterate."
"I wasn't implying that you were," Harry protested. "I just thought you'd want something... with more action."
"Well, I hope that you will provide me with some action," Sirius murmured into his ear, smirking as he saw a dark blush spreading over Harry's cheeks. "You're cute."
"Don't tease me." Harry pouted, crossing his arms over his chest. "It's not fair."
"Who said I wanted to be fair?" Sirius chuckled.
"You said so!" Harry stared accusingly at him, making the older man shift uncomfortably. "Don't play games with me! I don't like it."
"I'm sorry, Harry," Sirius apologised remorsefully, and Harry grinned at him.
"You are right, teasing someone is fun."
"Oh, you... you little minx, you!" Sirius exclaimed. "Making me feel all guilty for your own amusement... You just wait!"
Harry's eyes flickered uncertainly, but Sirius sent him an encouraging, amused, barely perceptible smile with his eyes, and Harry bolted with a challenging laugh. "Wait?! Catch me if you can!"
Sirius didn't have to be told twice and after swiftly pressing his butterbeer bottle into Remus' hand, he chased after his fleeing mate, whose small size was a definite advantage for weaving through all the partying people. However once they had left the Great Hall, Sirius' longer legs made the distance between them grow smaller and smaller until he finally captured his elusive mate, backing him into a corner.
"Now, little minx, I think it's time you surrendered and asked for my forgiveness." Sirius smirked, putting one hand on each side of Harry's head, leaning closer.
"No!" Harry stuck his tongue out childishly, trying to dodge out from under Sirius arms, but the veela was faster and pinned the smaller wizard to the wall.
"Nuh uh, I don't think so," Sirius stated, making sure that he had Harry secured in his hold. "I demand retribution."
"Really?" Harry cocked his head slightly. "Why didn't you say so earlier? I'm not too averse to that idea, you know?"
"No, I suppose you wouldn't." Sirius chuckled, and Harry scowled at him.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, Harry," Sirius tried to appease him. "I wasn't implying that you were easy to get because that certainly is not the case."
"But I do have a soft spot for you..." Harry replied with a shy smile.
"Lucky me!" Sirius grinned at him. "I don't think... I don't think you would have endured me and my stupidity for so long without that soft spot."
"You aren't stupid," Harry protested. "You're perfect."
"You're the first and probably the last person who said something like that." Sirius shook his head lightly.
"Maybe because you're perfect for me," Harry reasoned. "You can't please everyone and you can't be perfect for everyone, but if you're lucky you're perfect for someone."
Sirius slowly lowered his head a little, pressing a kiss to Harry's temple before whispering in his ear. "And if you're even luckier, you find the person who's perfect for you and who you're perfect for. I did. I found you."
"Sweet-talker," Harry mumbled with a teasing glimmer in his eyes. "I thought you wanted to punish me."
"No, but I wanted to reward myself." Sirius grinned at him, capturing Harry's lips with his own and nibbling carefully until he was granted entrance.
Harry melted into the touch, feeling safe and warm like one of Sirius' smiles was permanently wrapped around him. Suddenly a whole new range of feelings joined his own, swirling, intermingling, starting to blend. His heart skipped a beat and as it started again it thumped in sync with Sirius', slightly faster and stronger than he was used to, but nonetheless in a familiar way. Sirius' love soothingly washed over his soul, mending the last few cracks the old bond had caused and which the new bond hadn't managed to repair yet. Never before had he felt quite this whole.
Harry's lips seemed to tingle and the kiss seemed to linger even after Sirius drew back slightly, his breath ghosting over his skin and his heart beating against Harry's ribcage from the outside and from the inside. The veela finally registered that he was still clutching Harry's upper arms with enough force to leave bruises and guiltily loosened his hold, rubbing apologetically.
"You okay?"
"More than that," Harry replied as Sirius put his forehead against Harry's. "I think you should get rewarded more often..."
Sirius chuckled softly, pressing closer to the slighter creature, aligning their bodies so that Harry could feel every move, every vibration and every rumble of his body. "I don't remember you ever being this cheeky."
"Sorry," Harry apologised uncertainly. "I thought I was allowed to..."
"No, I didn't mean it like this and maybe cheeky wasn't the right word either... you're more relaxed, I guess, and that's a good thing," Sirius protested with a gentle smile that eased Harry's worries. "I don't want you to be afraid, dashing, but I want you to need me at least a little."
Harry blinked at him, cocking his head in confusion. "The only reason why I feel safe enough to tease you is that you're there. Of course I need you."
"Good," Sirius concluded, before engaging Harry in another kiss, thrusting his tongue passed his soft pink lips.
He had enough presence of mind to gather the shadows tighter around them as they were still standing more or less in the middle of a hallway, and he didn't feel like being caught in a compromising position. Especially as they were on the best way of getting into a compromising position, Sirius' hands wandering under Harry's shirt, caressing the smooth chest, playing with his hardening nipples and finally slipping lower, cupping Harry's erection. Harry moaned, arching into the feathery touch, while his fingers tangled in Sirius' raven locks.
"I think we should consider going back." Sirius reluctantly pulled back from Harry's neck that now sported a very artful hickey. "Or they might think that we were having a serious fight earlier and start meddling again."
"'Kay." Harry sighed, running his hands through Sirius' hair, trying to unmuzz it. "What time is it?"
Sirius glanced at his wrist watch, surprised to find that the hand had already passed the twelve. "I'm afraid we missed the fireworks. It's almost half past."
"Oh." Harry seemed mildly disappointed before his eyes lit up. "We were kissing."
"Yes, that's what you'd normally call that kind of activity." Sirius rolled his eyes, and Harry playfully thumped him on the arm. "Yes, we were kissing, Harry. Is that somehow important?"
"Well, not really, you'll probably think it stupid," Harry mumbled, red tinting his cheeks.
"Try me!" Sirius demanded, placing a kiss on Harry's nose.
"Muggles say that you'll be with the person you kissed on New Year's Eve for the rest of the year," Harry explained timidly. "I just like that thought."
"I'll make sure to kiss you every New Year's Eve then." Sirius grinned at him. "And every Christmas and every Easter and every birthday and every morning and every evening and every day and every night and every hour and every minute and - "
"Stop," Harry cut him off, laughing, "if you promise that you'll kiss me every second, life could turn a little dull, don't you think?"
Sirius laughed as well, ruffling Harry's hair and tucking him under his arm as he led the way back to the Great Hall that was now slightly more empty than when they had left.
"Do you want to dance?" Sirius asked, listening to the slow love song that the band was playing, and offered his hand to Harry, who accepted gratefully.
Harry's body felt perfect in Sirius' arms, swaying softly to the music and following his lead, responding to all of his moves. Only reluctantly did he part from his smaller mate as the song ended and the band decided to get drinks for themselves.
"Let's say good-bye to Remus and then we can go home," Sirius suggested, when he saw Harry cover a yawn with his hand.
"Home?" Harry questioned, tiredly leaning against him as Sirius looked around for the werewolf.
"Oh, you don't know that yet." Sirius' face split into a grin. "I got us a house or rather Remus and I renovated one of your houses. I hope that's okay?"
"One of my houses?" Harry echoed incredulously. "I have houses, as in more than one?"
"Of course."
"I thought I only owned the one where Mum and Dad died, Godric's Hollow," Harry murmured. "I don't really want to go back there."
"You won't have to, I promise," Sirius assured him. "You have other houses besides Godric's Hollow, houses that hold better memories. Was it okay that I chose one? I still had the key for it and it was the house where your family used to spent Christmas. We didn't change much, just got some new furniture and repaired some things, but if you don't like the thought of it, we'll restore everything to how it was before..."
Harry curiously looked up at him, a small smile tugging on his lips as Sirius' rambled on until he finally had to take a breath and noticed Harry's reaction.
"It's okay?" he asked hopefully, and Harry nodded before putting his head against Sirius' chest. "Let's go home, Siri."
The older man beamed down at him, murmuring softly. "Didn't see Remus in any case, and we deserve some alone time, don't you think?"
Harry hummed in appreciation and allowed himself to be led outside where Sirius half pulled him under his own cloak so that he wouldn't be cold, though it made walking a little bit difficult.