The Wheel of the Year

by Rhiw

Summary:

“This,” Peter hissed from where he stood a few feet away from the thick, oppressive hedge wall, “is such a bad idea.”

Peter was standing with the weight of his body on the tips of feet, ready to sprint away at a moment’s notice. From where he stood eyeing the high hey, Sirius waved his friend’s concerns away. “You’re only saying that because you’re a Beta. Trust me, mate. This is a fantastic idea.”

A rather shocking discovery throws the lives of young and burgeoning Alphas James Potter and Sirius Black into disarray.

Alternatively: HP ABO placed apart of the Pagan Wheel of the Year.

Chapter 1: Beltane (May Day)

Notes:

Un-betaed. Happy Birthday Raven, you pagan dork.

In which our dog star is a wolf and a hare finds a peculiar protector.

“This,” Peter hissed from where he stood a few feet away from the thick, oppressive hedge wall, “is such a bad idea.”

Peter was standing with the weight of his body on the tips of feet, ready to sprint away at a moment’s notice. From where he stood eyeing the high hey, Sirius waved his friend’s concerns away. “You’re only saying that because you’re a Beta. Trust me, mate. This is a fantastic idea.”

James let out a sound of agreement from the back of his throat, reaching out with a finger to touch one of the wicked thorns that dotted the hedge before pulling it back with a hiss, sucking on the cut skin. “Dunno, Paddy, if that spell doesn’t work than we’re gonna be in a lot of trouble.”

"Don't be such a pussy, Prongs." Sirius said sassily, smirking as he began the climb. His breath caught when they finally managed to reach the top, though whether it was due to the beauty of the well-tended garden or the forbidden-ness of it all, he had no idea.

Parthenus’ Pool was a misshapen oval, a mossy green color with blossoming waterlilies and tall cattails interrupting its tranquil and startling clear waters. A ring of dark grey stones surrounded it and at its center was a wooden platform. There were a handful of bodies sunning themselves on or in the waters around it, but even though James elbowed him excitedly they were too far off for them to make any features out. The temple to Artemis Parthenus stood at the far edge, a simple belvedere pavilion of white marble, thin veins of grey and gold winding through the polished stone. Through the columns, Sirius could see a golden hind statue, its neck and body bedecked in strings of amaranth and primrose, while bushels of rowan, hawthorn, gorse, hazel and marsh marigolds were laid at its feet.

The smell of incenses was heavy in the air, hiding any other scents, and thick reeds of the stuff stood tall all across the well maintained lawn, burning sluggish but steadily. They all took a scent blocker potion at school, to keep them from really knowing their genders, and Sirius was disappointed that he couldn't catch genuine Omega scent. There were fabric chaupal tents set up here and there, brightly colored and fanciful, and plush and soft looking oriental rugs covered with piles of pillows dotting the lawn. James elbowed him again, eyes blown wide in surprise as he stared just below them.

Sirius followed his stare down and felt his heart skip before picking up in a gallop.

Regulus laid below them, as naked as the day he was born, his delicately pale skin exposed to the harsh sun. Reggie had presented as an Omega? Why had no one told him? Yeah, Sirius wasn’t exactly on speaking terms with his family, but he always had a soft spot for his younger brother. And he’d thought Regulus had felt the same fondness; so why hadn’t he told Sirius of his orientation? A surge of protective possessiveness roared in his breast and Sirius nearly caused them both to go tumbling from the hedge as he slapped his hand over James’ eyes, the other Alpha squawking, hands windmilling for a moment before recapturing his grasp.

James’ slapped his hand away, brown eyes livid. “What the hell, Sirius? I could have fallen; do you want us to be caught?”

“Stop looking at my brother.” Sirius snarled back, face livid. “Stop it – it’s not decent, you prick.”

James gave him an incredulous look. “What about anything we’re doing right now is ‘decent?’”

“That was before-”

The rest of his complaint was lost by the sound of a soft tenor ‘tsking,’ and they both looked down in time to see Severus Snape emerge from a nearby chaupal, as naked as the other Omegas in the garden. Would the day’s surprises ever end? Who would have thought that disagreeable Snivellus could possibly be an Omega? He was as tall and gangly as ever, but apparently his robes had been hiding not a stingy beanpole but the lithe pull of firm muscles, and long, lean legs that went on seemingly forever before ending in a plump, perfectly taunt, bubble-butt. For once his hair was pulled back in a loose braid that hung over one shoulder, revealing the graceful curve of his neck.

“You’re going to burn to a crisp, Reg.” Snape pointed out as he collapsed in an ungraceful pile next to Regulus.

“Mm,” Reggie agreed, stretching both arms out, hands clasped together in a full body stretch that left Sirius red with discomfort and James’ making an odd choking sound from his right. “I can’t help it though; the sun feels so good. I feel like a cat.”

“Cats don’t get sunburn,” Snape pointed out before reaching for a bottle of sun lotion. He upended the bottle, the white lotion forming thick, sluggish dots across his younger brother’s lower back that Sirius revolted mind couldn’t help but cast in a dirty light. Next to him James’ made another choked off sound while Sirius’ hands tightened to the point of pain on the thick branches, fighting the urge to turn and backhand his friend.

“James, I swear to Merlin-”

“Shut up, Padfoot,” James hissed, “you’re gonna get us caught.”

“You ready for tomorrow?”

“No.” Regulus said sullenly, resting his chin on his arms. “I tried to get Daddy to get me out of it, but he wouldn’t budge. Just went on and on and on about what a pleasure it was, what an honor, how grateful I should be to be chosen as the May Queen. As if this whole thing isn’t just the most embarrassing thing ever.” Snape let out a soft sound of understanding, his long fingers kneeding the sunblock in. “…I hope the King’s not Lucius.”

Sirius whole heartedly agreed. The May Chase was a tradition as old as the festival itself; unbound Alphas would chase after the May Queen, an Omega who had been chosen through a lottery, having to get by their court of equally unbound Omegas to catch them. The lucky Omega would then be blessed with good luck and fertility, and more often than not a marriage contract. Despite this, the current King of May and the May Queen, as well as their court, spent an inordinate amount of time together throughout the festival – with the ‘royal pair’ often alone. There were always rumors, of course, the type of rumors that always followed leaving unmated Alphas and Omegas alone together. And rumors or not, Sirius wanted none of it near his baby brother.

“You most certainly should be hoping it’s Lucius.” Snape corrected, stretching out on his back beside Regulus body, legs corking up into the air and crossing at the ankles. Sirius was torn between a fierce hatred for the Omega he already didn’t like suggesting such a thing and staring at the queerly enticing swells of Snape’s ass as they plumped with the movement. “At least with Lucius you’ll be safe. It could be Rodolphus.”

Regulus visibly flinched at the name, pressed in closer to Snape’s side, their shoulders rubbing against each other. “Yes,” his brother agreed, voice a whisper, “you’re right. Of course, you’re right.”

Snape sighed, leaning over to press his forehead against Regulus’ shoulder and their hair spilled messily together, the dark coloring making it almost impossible to tell apart. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought him up.”

Sirius’ mind was racing, trying to think of any conflict that could have happened between Rodolphus Lestrange and his brother, but was drawling a blank. The awful truth of it was that Sirius had taken to ignoring Regulus, even when he was in the same room, as looking at his younger brother was too much of a reminder of what he’d lost. As much as Sirius had fought with his family, as much as they represented everything he’d come to hate about pureblood society, they were still his family. The way they’d tossed him away so easily, like a pair of shoes that no longer fit, hurt.

There was a long silence and then a sigh as Regulus rolled over onto his stomach (Sirius thanked his lucky stars that Snape’s body interrupted the view of his brother’s privates), and a pale hand gently carded through the older Omega’s hair. “Not talking about him doesn’t make him go away.”

“You know…” Snape paused, before sighing again, “you should tell your brother what’s going on.” Yes, Sirius agreed, nodding his head despite the fact that neither Omega could possibly see him. “He’s the worst type of prick, and I doubt he can hold a thought in his head, but he’s got that Alpha protective streak a mile wide. You see how he is with his little ‘quartet.’”

A single, well-sculpted eyebrow rose on Regulus face, and in the moment he looked so much like a softer version of their sire, Orion, that Sirius felt his heart ache. “Did you just call my brother a good Alpha?”

Strangely breathless, Sirius wondered the same thing.

Snape sputtered soundlessly for a few moments, before whacking a laughing Reggie hard on the shoulder. “I said no such thing, you prat.”

Regulus’ laughter petered off. “…I can’t tell Sirius; he doesn’t even know I presented. After my parents disowned him, I was forbidden from any type of contact with him.”

“But surely-”

“I can’t risk being disowned, Sev.” The younger Omega interrupted, “the only thing worse than being an Omega is a poor Omega, why I’d be penniless, and-” Regulus’ cut off abruptly, his expression instantly contrite. Next to him, Snape had gone very, very still. “Oh, Severus, I…I’m sorry, sometimes I’m just as big of a spoiled brat as my brother.”

Snape pushed himself into a sitting position, one leg stretched out while the other bent upwards, and the older Omega let out a harsh laugh as he hugged his knee to his chest and when he spoke, his voice was just as harsh. “You don’t have to apologize for speaking the truth, Regulus. As one of those ‘penniless Omegas’ let me assure you that your statement is far from incorrect. Alas,” the Omega flicked at the damp end of his braid, “the Goddess didn’t even seem fit to bless me with good looks to make up for my empty bank account.”

“Oh, Sevie,” Regulus cooed, curling tightly around Severus, his arms wrapped tightly around his friend, “you’re not ugly. No, stop that. You’re not. Maybe you’re not a traditional beauty, but I think you’re stunning.”

“Regulus, please, don’t pander to me. I don’t need your pity.”

“Pander – I’m not pandering to anyone, Severus.” Reggie said with a sigh, sitting up completely. “Look, maybe you were a little rough when you first started school, but how could you not be coming from that house? But you’ve matured so nicely.”

“Reggie-” Snape started, voice unsure, but Regulus would not be dissuaded. As the two Alphas watched, he pushed the older Omega back until Snape was forced to catch himself on his elbows.

“Quiet, Sev. My turn to talk.” Regulus leaned forward, running a hand through Snape’s hair. “Your hair’s always been so fine, so baby soft, even before your heat, but now…and with that shampoo Cissy gave you to help with your hair’s…temperament, why…it’s like silk. And your nose-”

“You leave my nose out of this,” Snape said weakly, shivering as Regulus nuzzled as his prominent nose and chin.

“Why? It’s a fine nose. So what if it’s a little bigger than most? It’s practically Roman-esque. And it’s a Prince nose; a sign of your noble lineage. A much better heraldic quirk to be known for than incest, I can promise you that. And your grandfather has got one just like it.”

“It’s crooked.” Snape said quietly, so sad and forlornly, that Sirius felt the foreign feeling of guilt raise its ugly head because Snape’s nose was crooked; because Sirius had broken it just before the Hogwarts Express had pulled into London for the end of a term. Truth be told, the Alpha had never wondered why Snape had let it heal so badly instead of getting it reset. He’d been far too proud of the fact that he’d managed it without getting caught.

“And I promise that I’ll hold that against my brother in a way that only an Omega can until the end of time.” Regulus said softly, “but that doesn’t detract from the character it gives you. Besides, if it’s anyone’s fault it your beast of a father. Not even taking you to a doctor to get it set or looked at! And once you have a good Alpha you can go and get it straightened again. And anything else you want done. My mother has had a ton of work done.”

Regulus’ voice was almost cavalier, as if daring the weary looking Snape to disagree with him. It was a look Sirius was all too familiar with; once Reg had an idea in his head it was nigh on impossible to dissuade him of it. So, if he believed Severus Snape was beautiful, then it was so. The problem was that the more his little brother talked, the more Sirius was starting to see it too…It was hard not to, with all of Snape on display like it was. His skin was so pale, paler even then Regulus’ alabaster, and utterly without blemish. His tits were small, barely-there mounds found in all male Omegas, and peaked with pastel, rose-pink nipples that hardened under the breeze. His leg was still propped up, hiding the very last of his modesty from Sirius’ prying eyes, and the Alpha was stunned to find how disappointed he was by that fact.

“You’re beautiful,” Snape said quickly, almost blurting it out, and the older Omega reached out to brush his fingers across the apple of Regulus’ cheek, “you’re the prettiest one of us here. Potter's a fool not to see it.”

Sirius’ surprise breath echoed James’ and when he turned to stare at his friend, Sirius found James just as stunned, his eyes wide behind his glasses and his mouth parted in shock. Sirius felt an irrational spear of hatred at the sight – of watching his best friend all put pant over his baby brother…but there was another quieter part that wondered if such a mashup would really be that bad?

His attention was drawn back to the sitting Omegas (to Severus Snape a part of Sirius’ mind acknowledged disgruntledly) and as he watched Snape carefully finger combed Regulus’ short hair.

“James has never once looked in my direction, Severus,” Regulus said coolly, “and I don’t need you to tell me he’s more the fool for it.”

“What have we going on here?” A smooth, amused voice asked and Sirius blinked hard from where he’d been staring blankly at Severus Snape’s nipples to find his elder cousin, Narcissa Black, standing there, both manicured hands on her hips. Naked as the day is long, complete with a neatly trimmed bush and would the day’s horrors never end?

“Cousin Cissy,” Regulus said with a heavy blush, “Severus and I – we were just talking-”

“About who the King of May may be?” Narcissa asked with a wink. “Exciting isn’t it? Who would have guessed, our own Reggie, the May Queen! You must be all a quiver wondering who your partner is going to be.”

“It’s been a point of conversation, of course.” Snape said evenly and Sirius felt the same cold dislike run down his spine he felt when it came to all interactions with his family. Everything was always so complicated; everything was always words that weren’t actually being said. He despised it.

Narcissa reached down, her long pink nails a sharp contrast against the pallor of Snape’s skin as stroked his chin. “My goodness, Severus, the year has been kind to you. You’ve always been so tall, but it seems now that the rest of your body has finally deemed to catch up.”

“Thank you, Narcissa.” Snape said, his voice colder and more contained than it was just a moment ago, much more like the voice Sirius was used to hearing him speak with and to the Alpha’s surprise he found himself regretting its presence. He wished that soft, calm tenor Snape had been speaking with before would return.

“Come, the day’s hot. Come swim.”

“In just a moment, Cissy.” Regulus said, nuzzling into the hand that gently stroked his hair, his expression warm and fond and so utterly fake that it caught Sirius off guard. “Sev’s just put some lotion on me and I don’t want it to wash off just yet.”

“Ah, of course. We Blacks do tend to burn so.” She leaned down, her breasts swaying with the moment, and pressed a kiss to his brother’s forehead. “I’ll see you both soon, then.”

She sashayed away, her hips twisting just a bit too much to be natural as she walked, and the two Omegas watched her walk away until she was close to the water’s edge. Regulus let out a moan. “She’s going to kill me if it is Lucius.”

“Yes.” Snape agreed, only to let out a shout when Regulus’ hands slapped him harshly.

“You’re not supposed to agree with me!”

“I will if it’s true.” Snape said with a grim smile. “If the King of May is Lucius and you mate with him, Narcissa and that terrible sister of hers are going to make both of our lives hell until we graduate.”

A heavy silence fell between them, before Regulus interrupted it with a heavy sigh. “Oh, bother. You and your honesty policy, Severus, I swear.” His brother stood, arching in a way that made his rump stick out just so and Sirius looked away with a gag, even as James let out another one of those strangled sounds. “But what am I to do if it is him? Politely say no? Father has already informed me that isn’t an option. It….it’ll be what it is, Sev. And you and I will do what we always do, my dear.”

He offered a hand for the other Omega, linking their arms as they stood, and to Sirius’ surprise his attention was not held by the sweet, rosy little Omega cock resting between Snape’s legs but on his face – where the most weary, bitter, resigned expression rested. “We survive.”

Regulus gave him a wink, patting his hand. “Exactly, Sev. Exactly.”

The two young Alphas climbed back down, both reeling from their discoveries. Peter was waiting for them, anxiously bouncing from foot to foot. “Well? What did you see?”

James opened his mouth, then shut it wordlessly.

Sirius could relate.

---

The next day found Sirius a bundle of nerves. He tried to stay still, hoping to keep from annoying Euphemia Potter anymore than he already had. Sirius was nude from the waist up, his legs hidden behind a pair of baggy, burnt orange linen pants. They hung loose and wide on his legs, pulled tightly together by the leather straps. From where she was bent over, his best friend’s mother – and more of a mother to Sirius than his own had ever been – was painstakingly painting every inch of his exposed upper body.

“Sirius,” Euphemia admonished when he shifted again, causing the brush bristles to skate awkwardly across his flesh, “I know its ticklish, but do try to hold still.”

“Sorry, Mrs. Potter.”

The greying woman tutted but continued on. Sirius wished that it was the feel of the brush that was making him so twitchy. In reality it was the revelations of the night before that had set him on edge. His baby brother was the May Queen – was going to be exposed, unprotected, for all those grubby Alphas to touch and scent…for Rodolphus Lestrange or Lucius Malfoy to touch. The mere thought alone was enough to make a growl want to tumble from his chest, teeth gritted tight to keep it in. How was he supposed to be okay with this? How was Sirius supposed to be okay with the fact that his little brother – his sweet little Reggie – was about to be paraded about like a cow going to a meat market? It would be different if any part of Regulus had sounded like he was agreeable to the idea, but he couldn’t escape that frightened, forlorn expression on his little brother’s face.

…nor the one on Snape’s.

Sirius let out a long breath out of his nose, hands fisting by his side. Euphemia snorted, shaking her head as she pulled away. He thought he heard her mutter ‘impatient young bucks’ under her breath and realized with a jolting horror that she thought his tension was due to the chance that he could get laid tonight. Goddess, the mere idea of James’ mother thinking any kind of thoughts along those lines about him made him queasy. Mrs. Potter turned, an ornate looking wooden mask in her hands. It was carved into the vicious snarling face of a wolf, so life-like Sirius felt it could have bit him. Euphemia smiled as she set it in place, a quick sticking charm ensuring it would stay. She stroked Sirius’ face, her expression prideful. “You look stunning, my dear boy. Quite well done on my own part, if I may so.”

Sirius turned towards a nearby full length mirror, feeling his breath catch in startled surprise. The first thing that struck him was that he looked nothing like himself; he looked older, if possible, and far more savage. His upper body was painted an ashy-brown, the dark foreboding color only interrupted by a blood red stripe that ran up his chest and spun over one shoulder, up the column of his neck and over his jaw and mouth. The upper part of his cheeks, his nose and eyes were painted a deep, dark black, only just visible under the mask. The wolf mask’s mouth was carved wide, allowing his red lips to be free amongst the violently looking carved teeth. His brown eyes seemed utterly black, almost without life from beneath the equally black wooden mask. His hair had been pulled back and high in a rough braid, his thick and coarse locks unwilling to truly be maintained by it and fell free in long, tangled tuffs. When he’d first seen the May Day outfits, Sirius had thought they’d look childish but all together…Sirius looked...primal. As if he could have stepped out of the paintings or tapestry of ancient celebrations.

He turned to look at Euphemia, mouth opening and closing several times in surprise. “Mrs. Potter…thank you. I know that this is supposed to be a mother’s job and I…I…” But Sirius couldn’t go on, swallowing around a suddenly thick throat.

Mrs. Potter just smiled, leaning in to give him a careful kiss on the mask’s side. “Be careful tonight, Siri, and do try to have fun-” she winked at him, slipping a potion that Sirius was far too familiar with in his hand, “- but not too much fun.”

As Sirius stared at the birth control potion, he kind of wished the ground would swallow him up. From in front of him, Euphemia let out a titillated gasp. “Oh Jamie, you look wonderful.”

Sirius looked up, mouth dropping in shock as his best friend stepped into the tent. He was clad similarly to himself, though his upper body was panted a deep, dark emerald. The green faded off to a deep ochre around his mouth, his upper face hidden by an intricately carved, leafy face. Upon his head rested a bird nest of a crown from which two enormous antlers jutted out. It took Sirius only a handful of moments to connect the leafy mask, the twig crown, before he was snarling and throwing him across the room, ignoring the startled shriek of Mrs. Potter.

“Sirius, just – wait! Damn’t it all, Siri!” James shouted, forearms straining as he fought to keep a snarling, furious Sirius from connecting with him. Suddenly Sirius was being thrown back by his nape, the strong and undeniable Alpha-presence of Fleamont Potter filling the small tent just before his booming voice started the younger Alpha out of his blind rage.

“Bullocks! Just what the hell is this all about? It’s a sabbat, you uncultured heathens! Have some respect!”

“You!” Sirius cried out, finger shaking as he pointed it accusingly at his friend. “You want to fuck my baby brother!”

The silence in the tent was deafening.

---

It turns out, Sirius thought sourly from where he stood alongside James, refusing to even glance over at the beseeching Alpha’s form, that James had some sort of ‘good intentions’ about the whole thing. Hah! As if Sirius believed that for a moment. Apparently, James had begged and begged until – like the spoiled brat he was – his father caved and pulled some strings to get him the mantle of the King of May. James swore that he was doing this for Sirius, to protect Regulus. He swore up and down that it had nothing to do with seeing Regulus naked (and how that had made Mrs. Potter turn bright red with fury when she’d realized what they'd peeked at the Omega pool, even as Fleamont simply chuckled and went on about young Alphas being young Alphas. They were currently not speaking) that he wouldn't touch one hair on Regulus' hair.

Sirius wasn’t buying it.

Not for one moment.

And if the only reason why he wasn’t tearing James Potter’s traitorous throat out with his teeth was because…well, to be really frank he was less of an evil than Lucius Malfoy. It was what it was. There was a handful of Alphas in a circle, all age-mates or older, and the tension in the air was intense. A huge bonfire burned behind them, a massive buck made of wicker and stuffed with rabbits and does, precious herbs, vibrant flowers, and ale. James stood in the middle of it all, the attention loving whore, the Alphas spanning out around him a semi-circle. The stiff and unhappy form of who could only be Lucius Malfoy, decked head to toe in greys save for an almost frighteningly bright orange fox max, stood just to Sirius’ left.

If there was one good thing about tonight, it was that prick was unhappy.

The Omegas had been led out an hour before, all wearing various prey masks. They were scantily clad, heavily painted like their Alpha counterparts, and despite everything Sirius had felt a strange spike of pride when he caught sight of the May Queen; of Regulus. He was completely white; from the rabbit loin cloth, to the body paint, to the human-esque mask he wore. He had a complicated and heavy looking wreath that nearly hid all his hair, made of almost completely of seasonal blooms, and as he walked – calmly, collected, gracefully – past the leering Alphas, he seemed like some age-old Omega-Queen.

That was his little brother and Sirius felt his heart swell with pride and regret in equal measures. When this was over…Sirius didn’t know how, but he would try to mend things between them. When he’d left, Reggie had been an awkward preteen and now he was so…so…so. More than before, Sirius was aware of how much time had passed and he felt their separation more acutely than ever. A man moved towards the pyre, bringing a long, curled goat horn to his lips. Sirius tensed, hands curling by his side. In a moment they would be released, a wild group of barely-men, encouraged to hunt through the woods like the animals they’d once been until they found an Omega. Mating was not required, and bond marks (outside of the King of May and his Queen) fiercely discouraged, but as the day had gone on Sirius had come to understand with no small amount of growing horror that it was expected. Beltane was a fertility festival, after all. No one was even expected back until dawn. If it was allowed, Sirius would chase down his own brother and hide him away – but the May Queen belonged only to the King of May and such actions would not fare well. Especially regarding the rumors surrounding the Black family.

Sirius wanted to protect his brother, not ruin him.

“If you hurt him,” Sirius said, voice stony, “I’ll kill you.”

James’ head tilted ever so slightly to the side, the only sign he’d heard.

And then the horn blew.

Sirius growled, a feeling of hopeless rage giving him the energy he needed to sprint into the woods.

---

A half hour later found Sirius deep in the boughs of the forest, walking at a sedate pace as he struggled not to wonder about what fate had befallen his brother. He’d never forgive James for this. Never. He’d moved deeper into the woods once he stumbled upon one too many rutting pairs, cheeks red despite all his perverted reputation may have said otherwise. At seventeen and nearly the eldest in his grade, Sirius was no stranger to sex. But the thought of participating made his stomach sour. How could he even think of fucking someone when his little brother could be…when Regulus could be…he’d never forgive James Potter for this.

Sirius perked up when his ears caught the sound of a stream, his mouth dry and his skin itchy from the paint. A quick dip would do him well, maybe help him think past the swirling anger that threatened to turn his vision red. He bypassed a thick grouping of thorny bushes, eyes lighting up at the sign of a clear and fast flowing creek, but froze a second later.

An Omega was crouched just in front of him, drinking eagerly from the water. His wore a leather loincloth around his waist, one that rode up high as he crouched and gave Sirius a revealing view of thin, lithe thighs and a rather amble bottom. He was painted a deep golden color, silvery white hand prints dotting his body at random, and his hair was pulled in a loose braid decorated with white and yellow flowers. Downwind as he was, Sirius found himself taking a deep inhale before he even processed it.

The Omega scent was faint, but still tantalizing. Something warm and soft, maybe vanilla, with an almost deep sweetness to it. The Omega sat back on his haunches, wiping at his mouth and Sirius felt a startled breath escape him at the sight of familiar features cast gold before a hare mask fell back into place. At the sound the Omega – Snape – spun around on his feet, his dark eyes blowing wide in panic behind his mask. He started backwards, letting out a startled yelp when his ankle twisted awkwardly and sent him tumbling towards the water.

Sirius shot forward, catching a flailing wrist before Snape could fall completely. For the moment the pair stared at each other owlishly, the Omega’s body stretched in a strange dip, Sirius’ grip on his wrist and arm around his waist the only thing keeping him on his feet. Snape let out a strangled sound and all at once Sirius had a hellcat in his arms, the smaller figure fighting with everything he had to escape his hands.

“Will you – just stop a moment.” Sirius said, his voice strained as he fought to keep them both from tumbling into the water. “Hell, just stop, damn’t!”

Sirius could count the times he’d used his Alpha-voice on one hand and it stunned himself into silence to hear it now, a violent snarl that had the Omega in his arms stilling immediately. Snape’s chest was heaving, his entire body trembling in Sirius’ grasp. Unlike what those trash novels of Regulus’ (that Sirius would never admit to reading) the sight filled him with anything but lust. He carefully righted them, keeping the lightest touch on Snape’s forearm until he was sure he was steady on his feet as he took in the frightened Omega’s visage. All he could think in that moment was of Regulus, alone – or not – afraid in the woods, and of that sad conversation between the two the day before. He let out a sigh, shaking his head. “I’m not going to hurt you, alright?”

Snape stared at him, shoulders hunching slightly as he crossed his arms. Holding himself, Sirius realized, pained. As much as he may not like Snape as a person, there was no part of Sirius that enjoyed this type of fear. No one should have to be afraid of being taken without their permission. The Omega’s eyes dropped. “You scared me.”

“I’m sorry.” Sirius said earnestly, quietly, “I didn’t mean to. I just wanted a drink.”

To prove his point he crouched down, lowering his mouth and taking several much needed drinks of the cool water. When he brought his head up Snape was still there, a pace further away than before. Sirius winced, something inside him feeling dirty at the sight. “I won’t touch you.” He assured quietly, standing slowly, every move telegraphed and on display for the flighty Omega. “I wouldn’t – to anyone – without their permission. I kept running into people, well you know, so I moved deeper.”

Snape looked away and Sirius wondered mildly if he was blushing underneath that paint. The Alpha felt his brows furrow at the sight of a sharp cut that was crusted with dry blood on Snape’s chin. Without thought he reached out, fingertip gentle as he ghosted over the ridge. The Omega tensed, but surprisingly allowed the touch.

“I had to run,” Snape explained to Sirius' questioning sound, voice a whisper, his small frame shivering despite the May heat. “An Alpha found me, the one in the Bear mask. He…wasn’t interested in just a drink.”

Sirius felt his lips pull up in an ugly snarl. One of the Lestrange brothers then, bears were on their family crest and they were all about that imagery. Sirius felt it suited the brutish family well. The rules of the Chase meant that everything was supposed to be with consent, but with no one in the woods to enforce them, it meant as little as the paper they were written on and the Lestrange family already had a rather notorious reputation. It seems his brother was right to be afraid of them. The idea made that kernel of rage flare brightly again, eyes growing dark and stormy at the thought of what could have happened as he mindlessly ran his thumb over the torn skin. The Lestrange brothers were the worst type; they still had a year left of school. Maybe Sirius could arrange an accident.

The Omega was growing tenser under his touch and all at once Sirius came back to himself, aware that he’d been silently crowding Snape’s space, eyes locked on the place where the cut touched Snape’s lips. Sirius swallowed, that strange sweetly-heavy Omega scent so much stronger up close that it chased every breath, making him light headed.

This was Snape.

What was wrong with him?

He let his hand drop, but strangely couldn’t bring himself to step back. Snape watched him wearily, bottom lip disappearing behind white teeth as he nibbled nervously at it. Sirius felt his eyes drawn to the action, hands flexing by his side. “You can stay with me, if you like.” He said suddenly, startling himself with it. Snape’s eyes blew wide in alarm, taking an unsteady backwards. “Not like that.” Sirius corrected quickly and the Alpha swallowed uncertainly, unsure of his words even as he spoke them, “we could just sit until it’s time to go back. Together. But not – not together together.”

Gods, what was wrong with him? When would this mouth vomit end?

Snape was quite for a moment. “Just…sitting?”

“Yeah.” Sirius was quick to agree, nodding fiercely. “If you’re with me, you won’t have to worry about running from anyone. I wouldn’t let anyone take you.”

That, at least, Sirius was sure of. The entire encounter had been almost otherworldly. He was standing on Beltane, hidden in the deep darkness of the woods and covered in body paint like a foreign skin, promising to protect Severus Snape. But he knew (at least in that moment) he meant it. Snape debated, emotions flashing across his eyes so clearly that Sirius marveled at it. Was Snape always like this? Had he always been so easy to read? How had he not noticed that before? The Omega gave a small nod.

“Just sitting.”

“Just sitting.”

They settled against an oversized rock that jolted out into the stream, letting their feet dangle in the cool water. A strangely comfortable silence fell between them and for the first time that night, Sirius did not get lost in his fears for Regulus’ virtue or his anger at James. Instead he was hyper aware of the sweet-smelling Omega at his side, of the soft breaths and occasional sighs he let out as they watched fireflies dance about the stream. After a few moments Sirius dared to stretch out, letting one arm rest behind – but not touching – Snape’s form as he leaned back on his hands. The Omega glanced at him for a moment before going back to watching the warm-light of the fireflies.

Sirius was unsure how much time passed like that, maybe an hour or more, when there was a sudden weight against his arm. His mouth parted in surprise as he gawked at the sight of Snape completely asleep. His head rested against Sirius’ shoulder, his mask an uncomfortable but bearable pressure against his skin. Thin, pale lips were parted just so, his face lax and gentle with sleep in a way he’d never seen before. Snape had been growing more and more relaxed the longer the night went on, but Sirius hadn’t expected…

But then again, unlike himself, Snape had no idea who he’d been sitting next to. Sirius was sure had he known, he’d never let Sirius come near him. That idea didn’t fill the Alpha with nearly as much glee as it used to. He let out a long breath, hand rising from the rock hesitantly before moving closer, securing the limp Omega more against his side. Sirius shifted his weight further onto his unoccupied hand and settled in for a long – and odd – night.

It wasn't nearly as much as a burden as he would have liked to think. Snape was warm against him, his chest rising and falling in an even, queerly hypnotizing rhythm. His scent was everywhere, inescapable, and eventually the confused Alpha gave in, tilting his head just enough that he could rest it against surprisingly soft hair and inhaled deeply. Snape let out a quiet sigh at the move, his head rolling further against Sirius’ arm and exposing the unblemished length of his neck to the Alpha.

Sirius took a harsh breath, half-lidded eyes tracing the vulnerable flesh. A sound startled him, his head snapping forward, lips pulling from his teeth in a violent growl that made his chest tremble at the sight of another Alpha watching them from across the stream. The Alpha – tall and well-muscled, his features hidden behind a grey boar mask – tilted his head to side in thought and made a move as if to step forward. Sirius’ hand flew up, wrapping protectively around Snape’s nape, curling the unaware, slumbering Omega further into his side, every muscle in his body tense.

But the Boar masked Alpha only tipped his head in a nod and retreated the way he came.

Sirius sat taut and aware, ready to flee with the Omega in a moment’s notice if need be, until he could no longer hear the Alpha’s heavy tread and then some. Next to him, Snape let out a disgruntled sound, nothing more than a breathy whimper, picking up on Sirius' anxiety even in his sleep. Sirius relaxed at once, hushing him as his fingers lessening their grip in Snape’s hair into something more of a hold, and returned to his silent vigil.     

Notes:

::coughcough::

NOW KISS.

Up next: Litha (The Summer Solstice/Midsummer)

Chapter 2: Litha (The Summer Solstice/Midsummer)

Notes:

In which the boys peer into something they shouldn't and something peers back.

Exams had finished a few days early and Sirius was all the more happy for it. He’d done decent on exams and Litha fell early this year, and given that the Summer Solstice was one of thee holidays in the Wizarding world, Hogwarts had decided to throw a huge bonfire to celebrate it before letting them go home. Sirius was glad for it. The rest of term had been…strange. He and James had long since reconciled; it turns out to Sirius chagrin that James really had had the best intentions in mind.

He hadn’t – by Regulus’ own somewhat tartly reply – laid a finger on him other than a bit of a cuddle. Still, Sirius didn’t know he felt comfortable with the way James’ attention had slid off a confused (or perhaps relieved) Lily Evans. He knew that Remus was happy with the development, though he doubted that his shy friend would have any luck with the boisterous girl. The Alpha was concerned about what it all meant, it wasn’t like James to just abandon a quest once he’d really gotten his teeth into it.

And sometimes Sirius caught James staring at his brother, almost longingly.

Sometimes he caught Regulus staring back.

He wasn’t sure how to feel about all that. What's more their actions, while well meant, had some far reaching consequences they hadn’t thought out. His father Orion had been furious that the marriage contract had fell through; apparently nothing could convince Lucius Malfoy to take James Potters ‘sloppy seconds.’ Given that Lucius had graduated the year before, there wasn’t much Sirius could do in retaliation for such a crude comment. He had no problem cracking his knuckles on a few other the Alphas at school who dared to share that sentiment in earshot. Even with him beating the tar out of anyone who even breathed Regulus' name  wrong, his brother still had a 'reputation' now. It upset Sirius mainly because he could see that it upset Reg, but there wasn't really much he could do to his frustration. The bright side to it all was that his relationship with Regulus was on the mend. Sirius had made an effort to seek his Omega brother out and while the first few tries had been met with frosty disdain, Sirius was nothing if not persistent.

Eventually his little brother caved, staring at him mutely from behind a pair of suspiciously wet eyes before offering a hand and allowing a truly heartfelt squeeze. It was all done in secrecy of course. Sirius wouldn’t have given two shits if his family disowned Regulus (he was half convinced it would be a good idea, the Potters would undoubtedly take in another distant cousin – even if the idea of James and Regulus living under one roof made him shudder with distaste) he knew it would mean something much more to Reggie.

They met when they could, hidden meetings as if they were lovers, filled with soft conversation and long, intense scenting sessions. Sirius had told his brother he knew about his Omega status, that it didn’t change how he viewed him at all, that it only made him want to keep him safer, to be a better brother – and Merlin, I wish you’d told me, Reggie. Regulus had stared at him in disbelief for a long moment, before throwing himself into Sirius’ arms. To the Alpha's delight you could still pick up a scent if you tried hard enough, even with all the scent blockers. His brother smelled gentle and warm. Like some beloved childhood scent Sirius could only just recall. At that first scenting session he'd breathed deep until he was cross eyed and drunk with it. It was one of the better moments of his life lately.

Snape was a whole another subject entirely. By mutual agreement, James and Sirius teasing of him fell off into nothing. Somehow, finding out that Snape was an Omega took the joy right out of it. Snape was still a right pest to them, but mostly he just seemed confused by their (if not polite) neutral responses to him. Then there was Beltane night; Sirius hadn’t told James that he’d found Snape, though he wasn’t sure why. Somehow it didn’t feel right. The night was something private, something secret. The whole night felt like a dream he could hardly remember.

The dawn light had found the Omega mumbling blearily against his side and Sirius could still recall the reluctance in which he finally relinquished his grip on the smaller body. Outside of the Boar mask Alpha, the night had been quiet and long, leaving Sirius with nothing but his thoughts and the warm, welcomed weight of a content Omega in his arms. They’d walked silently back to the camp proper, neither speaking, but Snape had halted them just before they’d reached the tree-line.

“Thank you,” Snape had said shyly, his tone soft and gentle in a way Sirius had never imagined it capable of being. Then, lighting quick, the Omega had darted up and pressed a fleeting kiss on his lips before disappearing into the woods. Sirius had stood, rooted to the spot, mind totally short circuited.

Severus Snape had kissed him.

Severus Snape had kissed him, sweetly.

When had he ever even considered the word ‘sweet’ with anything to do with the prickly boy? But the more he watched Snape (and that was all he did, you know. He wasn’t stalking Snape. Damn’t James, he wasn’t), the more Sirius realized that there was far more to Snape then the angry, foul mouthed teen they’d spent years going to school with. Snape was pretty funny when he was with people he liked. Read; Regulus or Lily Evans. He was quick with a joke, sometimes so sly or so well worded that it took Sirius far longer than he liked to admit to get it. He was also smart, like scary smart, and not just at Potions either. The Omega was damn sharp when it came to Defense Against the Dark Arts, an art that Omegas weren’t always naturally gifted at. He could be nice too, like the time Sirius had stumbled upon him quietly comforting a Ravenclaw boy.

“There now,” Snape said awkwardly, handing the boy a used and dirty handkerchief, “it’s not all that bad.”

“Yes, it is!” The boy hiccupped. “It’s bad enough that I’m mixed, but now I’m an Omega? Why…why does this keep happening to me?”

“It’s alright,” Snape said, voice level as he placed a light grip on the boy’s shoulder. “In a way, being a halfblood is a gift. No one will be pressuring you until you’re ready. Things aren’t like what they once were. Besides, we’ll go to Madam Milkins right now. She’ll get you on suppressants so you won’t have a heat until you want one. You don’t have to mate until you want to. No one expects Omegas to start pumping out kids the moment they have their first blood.”

The boy snorted, his young face contorted into something ugly. “I hear what they say, some of the pureblood Alphas. A-About us.”

“Not all Alphas are like that.”

“Really?”

Snape paused for a moment, brows furrowed. “Yes.”

The boy didn’t seem to believe him. “Really?”

Snape scowled. “Yes. I met one on Beltane. He was…kind, when he didn’t have to be. Now come on, the sooner you’re on your potions, the better. I’ll even help you brew them if you like. Merlin knows I’m an old hand at them by now.”

A kind Alpha, Snape could only have been talking about him. It made Sirius preen inside, but it also made his teasing of the Omega throughout the years that much more apparent. Snape would never refer to Sirius as ‘kind.’ Sirius had never seen those soft smiles, never heard those witty jokes or experienced Snape’s bizarre form of protection like his brother had. He never would, most likely. Not as Sirius Black.

The Alpha denied the disappointment he felt at that thought. Because, honestly. He didn’t give two shits about what Severus Snape thought about him. Really. The idea. But hey, it was a holiday. He didn't need to be wasting his time in thinking about Severus Snape. The celebrations started at dawn, even for Sirius who was renowned for his habit of sleeping in far past noon when able. Many were out collecting herbs and flowers, as the best time cut on Midsummer was always earlier in the morning or late at night, when dew had gathered on heavily on the plants’ leaves and blooms. Sirius had never held much love for herbology himself, so instead he joined a handful of others in first washing his wand, then anointing it in frankincense oil, before wrapping it in red linen. The wands were set out on an elaborate altar to Lugh and Apollo.

Like all Blacks, Sirius could cast a few defensive spells wandlessly, but it still felt strange walking around with his wand. Almost like he was naked. But he supposed that Hogwarts was safe enough, so he tried not to let that really bother him when he gently placed the wrapped bundle down. Midsummer was the longest day of the year, where the sun hung high and long in the air, and was one of the best time to capture its natural energy. All across the wizarding world, pagans were doing similar rituals with their magical tools and instruments, hoping to recharge them under the sun’s warm rays.

The altar was exquisitely set up in the Chapel, just beneath the wide and yawning window-wall there. It was draped in golden silk, one side dedicated to Lugh Lámfada, the other to Apollo Phoebus. Lugh’s side was covered in corn and wheat, bushels of fresh bread and peppers, and a long, deadly looking bronze spear. Apollo’s had an enchanted Lyre that played a soft and lovely tune, a golden bow, a crystal swan, bushels of laurel, larkspur, cypress, and a small mountain of collective wines.

The cross that usually stood within the Chapel for the non-pagan students had been moved to prevent any type of offense and in its place was a large, hand woven Sonnenrad. The wheel was framed by wood, orange, red, and yellow yarn woven tightly around and through it in a parody of the sun. Glowing, miniature suns hovered across the arched eves, casting the room in a sunny, bright light.

Females and Omegas were busy about all of Hogwarts sweeping. They used handmade besoms made of oak twigs, decorated with bright ribbons, flowers and herbs, and some with small bells that made a cheerful sound even as they drove some of the smaller magical creatures that had settled into the little nooks and crannies of Hogwarts over the year. Large blooming bundles of St. John’s Wart was hung over every doorway, their bright yellow blooms cheerful and happy.

Barrels of water were everywhere, filled with yellow flowers and rose petals for the students to stop at and wash their sweaty faces, necks, and hands with. The Professors had magicked large Oak trees everywhere, that tree particularly holy on this day, and students were wearing flower crowns bedecked with Oak leaves and acorns, or even simple dandelion ones. Many of the male Betas and Alphas were wearing faux masks of the Oak King, almost all of them bought from Hogsmeade. Sirius had forgone his own this year, settling for a simple leafy crown instead.

A huge bonfire was set up in the Quidditch Pitch, so tall it reached the same height as the public seating. An equally large wooden quartered wheel was constructed, stuff with bales of hay that would eventually be set on fire and sent careening down the steep slopes of Hogwart’s hills to burn a path to the lake. The Summer Solistice was mostly a sun day, a day for the element of fire to truly be celebrated, but June was also the month that the sun moved into Cancer, allowing for a weaker but still present water element to be celebrated as well. And the burning wheel extinguishing itself in the cold waters of the lake was a symbol of it. Virgin honey mead was being brought out for the older students, sun tea for the younger, and a band had been hired to come in so they could dance the night away. All and all, it promised to be one hell of night.

He’d spent most of the day with James and the gang, playing various games outside and enjoying the warm weather, and after a truly trouser splitting dinner, they’d headed down with much of the rest of the castle to take a swim in the lake. The act was meant to be purifying, but ninety-nine percent of it was goofing off. There were no Professors present, the adults to busy preparing for and participating in the day long Sun Ritual that had been taking place in the Forbidden Forest, where there was a scared shrine close to Stonehenge in size that no student had apparently ever laid eyes on.

Most everyone was in a great mood. A few of the muggleborn students were put off by it all, either offended or unnerved by the sight of the Wizarding worlds more traditional aspects. But yeah, most everyone was in a good mood. Sirius was doubly so. Because best of all – Regulus had spent the better part of the morning with him!

It’d been years since he’d last spent a sabbat with any of his family and Sirius had enjoyed it immensely, even if they spent half the time dodging other students. He’d even had a Midsummer gift, a hand carved trinket that could be filled with ash from the hey wheel for good luck, that he’d given his little brother. He’d worked hard on it in the month following Beltane, working the tiny oak container by hand. Reggie had always loved getting gifts, especially from his big, dashing older brother. So a hand made one? Pft, any rift that still stood between them was easily gonna be healed.

When the sun finally set and the stars were starting to peak out, James had produced a bottle of fire whiskey, his expression deviant and joyous. They split off from the main group, bypassing the horde that was heading towards the Quidditch Pitch and crossing the thick river that flowed from the lake and towards the Forbidden Forest. There was a place in there the Marauders' liked to go when they wanted privacy; it was an old abandoned pavilion that the forest had long since overtaken, but was still close enough to the tree-line to not be too much danger.

Or so they hoped.

Besides, both Peter and Remus still had their wands. What was the worst that could happen?

The forest was just beginning to get dark around them, grown darker by the thick canopy, and it cast a certain feeling of foreboding that was felt every time they came here. Still, the four boys trudged along, laughing and passing the bottle around, when James suddenly went stalk still in front of them.

Sirius nearly ran into the back of him, steadying himself on his friend’s shoulders in surprise. “The hell, Jamie?”

“There’s lights.” James announced quietly and the four boys exchanged nervous glances.

“Shit, what if it’s the Professors?” Peter whined, hands twisting in front of him. “We should head back.”

“Yeah,” Remus whispered, glancing about them nervously, “I agree with Pete. Let’s get out of here.”

“Maybe.” James said slowly, “I don’t think it’s the Professors though. The stone circle is supposed to be way deeper in the forest, right? And I mean, if we’ve been drinking on a scared site wouldn’t we…I dunno…feel it?”

“We really ought to head back.” Remus insisted, ever the voice of reason. “Do you have any idea the type of trouble we’d get in if they found us in the Forbidden Forest on a sabbat? Forget about the alcohol.” The advice went unheaded, however, Sirius’ feet was already carrying him forward. “Sirius!”

“Come on, Mooney.” He wheedled, “it’s probably just some other students. Who knows, maybe they’ve got more liquor. Or pot.”

Remus looked scandalized and Sirius cackled, disappearing into the brush. Unsurprisingly, James joined him a moment later, looking slightly devilish with the glint on his glasses, his teeth wide and white in the darkness. Peter slid up next, Remus hanging back for a few moments before giving in with a grumble of “we’re going to be in so much trouble,” and following. There was a fire going and several lit lanterns floating in a slow, lazy circle around the marble arches. Both Sirius and James kept walking towards the light, but Peter’s hands shot out and latched onto them, pulling them back into the brush.

James let out a sharp “Peter-” at the same moment Sirius smacked the hand free with a “Merlin, Wormtail.” But the Beta ignored the admonishment, making a violent hushing movement with his free hand as he stared ahead, eyes wide. Confused, Sirius felt his brows furrow as he followed his friend’s startled look.

A small fire had been built up in the center of the pavilion, its smoky tendrils curling up and around the marble pillars, and enchanted folded cranes flew about the clearing. A golden sow was resting to the side, bedecked with offerings. A circle of people sat around it – all naked save for a thick, redish coloring that covered their bodies. It looked too thick to be paint, its matte color and texturing lending more to mud.

“That’s Mary McDonald.” Remus said quietly, eyes wide, and Sirius felt his mouth drop as he caught sight of the big breasted brunette. Mary was an Omega in their house, their same year in fact. The whole circle was made up of Omegas, Sirius realized, of various ages and from what he could see all the Houses were represented. A thought struck him and Sirius eyes darted about, trying to find – there. Sitting next to a very naked Narcissa (why was this his life?) was Regulus. And besides him, Snape.

All at once, as if some hidden signal had been given, the eldest Omegas in the group stood, all sixth or seventh years. A group of the Omegas who sat slightly apart shifted, bringing instruments that Sirius hadn’t seen before up to the ready position. There was an oud and a lyra, a pair of small hand drums, a lute, a violin and some strange stringed instrument with a crank that Sirius had never seen before. An Omega who Sirius didn’t know personally but recognized as a seventh year Ravenclaw extended her arm. Her fingers spread slowly, reaching out to nothing, and then the small clearing was suddenly filled with sound.

The standing Omegas began to dance, a back and forward slide where they rocked on each foot. Then, their hips moving in a slow sliding motion that followed the hypnotizing beat of the otherworldly music. Their hands rose and fell in a seamless arrangement, folding in on themselves one movement, striking out in another – in moves that seemed to hold no pattern or sense as they danced around the burning fire in a slow circle. Their feet moved delicately, as if picking each step carefully before they committed to it, and though their moves were not often in-synch, everything still seemed so perfectly aligned.

Sirius watched, entranced. The Omegas’ shadows made them seem like giants in the woods, their dancing figures magnified. Even as his gaze jumped about, trying to take in everything at once, the Alpha found his gaze returning again and again to one figure. Snape looked ethereal as he danced, his long lengths accentuated by each move. His hands spun about, rising and lowering unevenly, his head thrown back and swaying. His hips rolled, a smooth slip-slide that Sirius couldn’t look away from, lips parting slightly as he stared. He felt his cock jerk in interest, tongue darting out to wet his lips. It was the queerest thing. Maybe it was the firelight? Or the music. But Snape seemed…he almost seemed…alluring. Snape dipped back, hips gyrating as his hands slid up his stomach, and the Alpha swallowed hard.

Next to him, James suddenly took a shocked breath. “This is…Merlin’s balls, we can’t be here.” His head snapped frantically to look at each of his friends. “Don’t you realize what this is? The flame, the cranes, the pig – I’d bet my last knut they’re all the Omega virgins left in the school!”

Remus let out a strangled sound. “Oh, no. It’s a rite to Hestia. We have to get out of here – we have to, Merlin this is so wrong. It’s – it’s sacrilege. M-Men can’t be here!”

It made sense. Hestia, the Omega-Goddess of the Home and Hearth, had sworn to cherish and protect her virginity for all eternity. In turn, she vowed to protect all those who maintained their own. She, along with the Goddess of Childbirth and Marriage, Hera, were both goddess celebrated above all others on Litha. To witness such rites were utterly forbidden, especially to men.

Peter was already backing away, his face pale with horror, but a sudden and abrupt change in the tempo caused all four teenagers to freeze in place. The music was suddenly feverish, the Omega’s movements no longer graceful and smooth. They swung about wildly, weaving in and out of each other, dancing about with a savageness – ducking and stretching as if there were obstacles in their way that only they could see. The Omegas that encircled them began a low, vocal chant. It had no words, just a frightening continuous sound that grew louder and louder until it seemed like a roar.

James was pulling him back by his shirt collar, but Sirius felt frozen in place with an astonishing terror. A feeling of pressure grew in the clearing and with it, an awareness. Sirius felt it as clear as if it was a physical weight, felt himself watched and measured, and found lacking. A yawning feeling of trespass filled him and Sirius shuddered, finally finding the strength in his legs to stumble backwards and into James, the two Alphas tripping and gasping as they tried to escape it.

It wasn’t until they were halfway across the lawn that the four boys finally collapsed to their knees, panting as if they’d just outrun a hippogriff.

“What,” James breathed out, his throat ragged, “the hell was that?”

Sirius shook his head, throwing a hand over his eyes, and stifled a groan when all he found waiting behind his closed lids was the image of Snape’s lissome body, painted bronze by the mud and firelight.

Notes:

Hey guys. Thanks for all the comments, kudos, and views. My pagan readers, I hope I'm doing your religion justice.

Up Next: Lughnasadh (Lammas)

Chapter 3: Lughnasadh (Lammas)

Summary:

“Black.” Snape said sharply, his voice a whisper yet queerly high-pitched.

“Hm?”

“You’re touching me.”

Notes:

Unbetaed. And written (mostly) while drunk. I give no apologies! I never get to be drunk anymore. Being a adult is hard.

(Maybe a couple of apologies.)

The tug of the port key was as unpleasant as ever, but Sirius still managed to land on his feet, swaying only slightly and supported with a light touch to his elbow by the unerring Fleamont Potter. The Potter clan was dressed in light linen to try and give them some relief from the August heat, their outfits causal despite being cut in the traditional style required of a Sabbat. Both Fleamont and James wore short sleeved tunics that fell just above their knees, both in a deep blood-red color and embroidered at the sleeve ends, hem, and collar with golden thread, with undyed linen breaches on and leather ankle boots. Mrs. Potter was dressed just as traditionally, in an ankle length short sleeved dress, clenched around the waist with a golden woven rope. The simple red dress bore the light check of a deeper maroon and gold, while a loose and light shawl lay loosely over top her hair and flowed around her shoulders.

Sirius was similarly dressed, though unlike the Potters he had no right to wear his family colors. While there was nothing legally keeping him from wearing them, the young Alpha had no urge to do so. Instead he wore a simple and unadorned white tunic. Sirius didn’t care about not being able to where the traditional Black garb; white was much cooler in the sun anyway.

Lughnasadh was traditionally celebrated the day before the actual Sabbat; the day filled with sports and feasting – mostly of breads and other grains, vegetables and anything else that was recently harvested and in season. Lughnasadh was, after all, a festival to celebrate the last harvest before the coming of winter. The myth was that the god Lugh established the festival as a funeral celebration of his mother’s, Ethniu, life. It wasn’t one of Sirius’ favorite Sabbats, but hey, it got them out a day of classes and away from Hogwarts, so there was that. It took virtually no time to find their camp spot and set up the giant tent they would be staying in. The grounds were packed with celebrators from all over the UK and quite a few from outside of it. There was a French family to their direct left, who had two very pretty French daughters that James had – typically – managed within a handful of minutes to introduce himself and befriend.

Sirius was on board, flirting with the pretty brunettes until a loud, mournful sounding horn sounded throughout the camp grounds. Mrs. Potter wrangled them up, literally pulling a still cheerfully flirting Sirius away from the girls, and their spirits were high and playful as they made their way towards the ceremonial grounds. There was probably a hundred or more wizards and witches in attendance, and their magic swirled and pulsed like a physical touch as they all gathered around the altar. A very old and undoubtedly very important member of their community waxed on and on about the Old Gods, and the passing spirit of Summer and the coming fierceness of winter, his frail and bent figure swinging a loaded incense burner around on a gold chain as he made slow loops around the alter.

Another, equally old gentleman started after him, speaking in Gaelic and Latin as he brought a silver handed, bronze blade scythe out to cut first a thick bundle of wheat, then a thinner one of corn. Sirius tuned most of it out, his eyes searching the crowd for his family. It didn’t take long to find them; the Blacks stood out, even amongst the large gathering. There were few families that actually had black in their heraldic colors; sable was usually a color associated with grief or sorrow, but the Blacks had chosen it for its lesser known symbology of consistency. A representation of their stalwart dedication to the old ways. His family stood out like a sore thumb among all the cheerful and rich colors around them and Sirius couldn’t help but take a moment to snort at their snobbish aristocracy even as he drank in the sight of them.

His mother, Walburga, looked as frail and noble as always; as delicate and precise as a finely painted porcelain doll, but with a spine of steel that disguised her natural shortness. She looked both regal and cold, clad head to toe in black silk, the silver of her jewelry making her sparkle and shine in the sunlight. His sire, Orion, looked just as stately in a rich sable tunic, finely embroidered with silver stars, his long hair drawn up in a tight and orderly bun. It had been years since had seen his parents, but Sirius refused the sudden ache that had bloomed in his chest at the sight of them and so he let his eyes drift away.

Standing slightly to their left, a pace away from them, was Regulus. Reggie looked stunningly beautiful, the Omega having truly grown past his coltish phase into something lithe and graceful. Like the rest of his family, he was clad completely in black, his tunic falling around his calves in a traditional Omega cut, longer than their father's tunic, but far shorter than a dress. And he had a single, brilliantly bright silver lily bloom tucked behind his right ear, the only spot of color on him besides his eyes.

Sirius felt his scowl soften slightly at the sight of his brother, letting a small smile pull at his lips when Regulus caught him looking. His Omega brother’s fingers twitched by his side, curling in the tiniest, smallest waves of hello Sirius had ever seen. He threw his brother a wink, fighting the urge to let his smile grow as Reggie rolled his eyes and looked away. As he watched, Regulus' impassive features blossomed into a smile, extending his hand as if it was to be taken.

The Alpha’s brow furrowed as he stared at the crowd, then felt the tension of his brows relax as Snape suddenly stepped from into view, sliding his hand without hesitation into Regulus’. The Omega was clad in a simple linen tunic in a pale, silvery blue, but unlike many of the other Omegas his age, Snape also wore the traditional long head shawl, the light linen falling loosely around his face and shoulders. The outfit was simple and deprived of any decoration or frills save for a simple, braided silver belt around his waist. Despite it, Sirius still felt his breath catch slightly. Snape looked, well, decent. Perhaps it was the color, making his pale skin seem more milky than sallow, and Sirius suddenly had the realization that he had never really seen the Omega in anything but his dark school robes.

The two Omegas cut a striking duo, with their pale skin and dark features, and Sirius felt his fingers twitch in dismay as several Alphas around them cast not-so-hidden glances of interest and admiration at them. Lughnasadh had another more…peculiar tradition associated with it; that of temporary marriages. In the old days, these faux marriages would last up to a year, allowing a couple to live together and function much like a mated pair without any of the stigma associated normally with such acts outside of wedlock, and was meant to give the couple time to see if a mating would be successful or not. In modern times, they lasted only the two days of the Sabbat, and no one was spending the night anywhere but in their family’s tent, under the scrutinizing eyes of their parents.

Yet, the pair would still spend nearly every other waking moment of the festival together, unsupervised. The idea of any getting such a privilege with his little brother made something in Sirius sour with annoyance. And if a part – a small, tiny little part – felt the same about Severus Snape, well no one had to know. Sirius certainly was hell bent on not acknowledging it. He was still glaring at the nearest male, an Alpha undoubtedly, that was watching his brother with such heavy interest when the blessing came to an end and he was jolted from his angry stare by an arm being slung around his neck.

“Come on, Siri,” James said cheerfully, “let’s go register for the games. And maybe we can meet those cute French skirts, see if they want to come watch me kick your arse.”

“Shut up, Jamie,” Sirius said with a snarl. He shrugged the arm off, but stalked over to the small registration booth regardless.

James followed behind him, bewildered. “The hell is wrong with you?”

“Just shut it, you’re being annoying.” Sirius snapped as he signed his name down with a flourish for several of the field games. He felt alive with energy, a hot and infuriated tingle that danced just under his skin, and some physical contact was just up his alley. James grumbled under his breath as he signed up likewise, before dragging Sirius towards a food vender. Sirius was still glowering at nothing when a hot honey loaf was shoved in his hands, along with a tankard of honey mead. “Just…eat that,” James said, sounding exasperated, “you always get bitchy when you’re hungry.”

“I’m not hungry,” Sirius grumbled, but ate as he was told and couldn’t deny that he felt better with a belly full of warm bread.

“Woah, long line for the marriages this year.” James remarked around a mouthful of his own bread. Sirius’ head snapped up, looking over towards where a rather impressive line was forming around the marriage registration booth. There was eight lines; four for those who had a partner in mind – one for Alphas and Omegas, the other two for male and female Betas – and a mirror set for those who hadn’t a partner already in mind. The second four lines would be set up at random, though the ‘randomness’ of it was questionable.

To Sirius undying horror, he realized that Regulus was in line. But of course he was, the Alpha realized with a jolt of disgust, as undoubtedly this was his father’s work. By Regulus’ own words, his father had been less than pleased by James’ usurping of his marriage plans at Beltane. Regulus looked quite unhappy about it all, though to any that did not know him well he look placid and calm. He was at the end of the line, and ever the stalwart friend, Severus Snape stood just behind him, his face as sour as if he’d eaten a lemon. Sirius felt a spike of panic as he caught sight of Rodolphus Lestrange making a beeline for the Alpha line, a sharkish grin on his face. Sirius’ hand shot out, fingers digging into James’ forearm and making his friend drop his drink.

“Sirius, what-”

“James,” and gods, was that breathless, panicked thing him? “James,” he croaked out again, but by this time his best friend had already caught the sight of Sirius' panic. All at once the younger Alpha paled and then his features set in grim determination, and James was off like a shot, Sirius as step behind him.

“Terribly sorry!” James exclaimed loudly as he ‘stumbled’ into Rodolphus, knocking the Alpha off course and taking his place in line by a mere seconds. “Ah, hell, Rodo, didn’t mean to knock into you. Too much mead, ya know.” James said with a disarming wink and a congenial smile. “How’s your mother?”

Rodolphus' eyes narrowed in fury, his shoulders drawing up. “Potter.”

“Hm?” James said, his smile still in place.

At Rodolphus' shoulder Rabastan had appeared, the brothers – while not twins – nearly identical. “That’s my spot.”

The words were echoed by a growl and James’ smile turned sharp, Sirius standing steadily behind him, returning Rabastan's glare with one of his own. “Is it?” James feigned with shock, looking down at his feet. “Odd, I don’t see your name on it.”

Rodolphus made a threatening step forward and Sirius matched it with one of his own, but James' grip on his tunic kept him from advancing any further. “Now, now, boys. Nothing to come to blows over, is there? Look, there’s already more Omegas in the que.” James said cheerfully, slowly pulling a nearly vibrating Sirius back in line. “No problems then, eh?”

To their left, Regulus was watching the exchange with a painfully hopeful expression, even as his hand clutching fearfully at Snape. Snape…Snape was something else. The Omega stood drawn to his full height, expression hard and unforgiving as he glowered past them to the Lestrange brothers, and if nothing else Sirius was grateful that his little brother had found such a fiercely protective friend.

Snape had nothing, was from nothing, and therefore was nothing in a society that valued blood and money above all else. And yet there he was, risking what little he had to offer against one of the purest and richest families there was. In that moment, with the sun glinting down on him, casting his features in a strange pastel blue from his shawl, dark eyes burning with protective righteousness, Sirius would have called him beautiful; nose be damned.

“Something wrong, boys?” A sharp voice asked, breaking the staring match, and the quintet startled apart. A tall man, clad in the traditional robe of a priest and official (undoubtedly an off duty Auror who had volunteered to work the Sabbat) was watching them with narrowed eyes.

“No sir,” James answered quickly, giving the man a little wave. “Just a little disagreement.”

“Well if you’re not in line, than move on. If you are, get in line and behave. This is a Sabbat; I won’t be tolerating any knot-bullshit today, am I clear?” Both Sirius and James agreed quickly, but the Lestrange brothers simply turned an interesting shade of red before spinning on their heels, stalking off while talking quickly and quietly together. The Auror watched until they were out of sight, before sighing and sliding a wand Sirius didn’t even realize he’d had back in its holster. “Interesting choice of playmates, boys,” the man said, sounding tired, “I’d choose them better next time if I were you. You’re Fleamont’s boy, aren’t you?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Like I said; tread a little bit more carefully, will you? Times aren’t what they used to be.” And if with that oddly obscure and vaguely threatening statement the man turned on his heel and wandered off.

A heavy silence fell on the group as they approached the lip of the tent. After a moment Regulus broke it, “you didn’t have to do that.”

“Ah,” James said, his laugh sounding slightly embarrassed, “I know. But, well, Rab’s a bit of a bore, isn’t he? Didn’t want to see you saddled with him for forty-eight hours.”

Regulus shook his head, suddenly exhausted and looking years older. “That…you shouldn’t have done that.”

Sirius exchanged a confused glance with James. At Beltane, they had clearly overheard the Omegas bemoaning Rodolphus and his brother, and what had happened between Snape and the Bear masked Alpha, undoubtedly one of the brothers, had seemed to seal the dislike even further. So why did Regulus look upset?

“What, did you want Rodolphus?” Sirius asked, voice harsher than he meant it to be in his annoyance, and the wince on his younger brother’s face made guilt flare immediately.

“Typical Gryffindors,” Snape snarked, voice the same stinging drawl it always was, “did it ever occur to you that just because you can do something, doesn’t mean that you should?”

The two Alphas exchanged bewildered looks that had Snape sighing into his hand, muttering about the ‘idiocy of Alphas’ under his breath. It wasn’t until they were under the tent proper, until the moment he watch a slightly blushing James extend his hand through a carved hole in the center of an ancient looking rock, one that had been weathered smooth and soft, did Sirius realize that he was about to be partnered with Snape.

He blamed the tardiness of the thought on his respectable concern for his younger brother’s safety, but by the time it had hit him it was far too late to do anything, and Sirius fought to keep the panic off his face as he and Snape stepped forward, taking their place on each side of the rock. Snape’s hand slid through the opening and for a moment the Alpha could only stare at it, before the not-so-subtle clearing of the throat by the official had him placing his own in the stone.

A bundle of green ivory, its long and delicate stems wrapped together by a pale green ribbon, was waved over their joined hands and then brushed gently across their brows, and that was that. Sirius Black was married, abet temporarily, to Severus Snape. The Alpha felt almost dizzy as he stepped out of the tent and into the bright sun, Snape drawn tightly by his side, arms folded defensively against his chest.

In direct contrast to the awkward pair, James and Regulus were talking softly just outside, standing far too close together. The pair looked up when the two stepped outside, twin looks of pity and concern flashing on both Alpha and Omega's face as they took in the unhappy expression on Sirius and Snape’s face. Blissfully, neither Reggie nor James commented on them though. Instead James sent him a kind smile that was somehow worse. “So, Reg doesn’t really have any interest in the sports, so we thought we’d go for a walk around the fields and down to the river.”

“Well, I do ‘have an interest.’" Sirius said sharply, probably louder than was merited, but he was still thrown by the sudden situation he’d found himself in.

“Oh, joy.” Snape deadpanned and the Alpha sent him a glare.

“Oh-kay,” James said after a long moment of awkwardness, “I’ll swing by the tent and let the folks know what’s going on. Shall we meet for dinner, then? A late one, say around eight?”

“Whatever.” Sirius sulked, glaring resolutely at his feet.

James sighed, the sound nearly silent. “Alright then. I’ll see you two soon, I guess.”

And then he was walking off, as if he wasn’t leaving Sirius behind faux married to Severus bloody Snape. Sirius gaped at them, watching as the pair headed away from the crowds, James’ hand guiding Regulus with a light touch to his lower back. The Alpha swung around to look at Snape, a hand extended harshly at the retreating pair. He sputtered soundlessly for a moment before managing a “bloody traitor!”

“Treachery.” Snape agreed crisply, glaring at the couple.

 Well.

Snape was just unhappy about this whole thing as he was. That was something.

Wasn’t it?

---

Sirius narrowed his eyes as he scanned the yawning lawn before him, the heavy weight of the shot tucked against his shoulder. He peeled the front of his tunic down long ago, at the very start of the games, in an attempt to save it from the worst of the sweat. Of course he could always spell it away later, but it was uncomfortable to try and compete with the fabric sticking to his chest. Sirius had always sweated more than his peers and the heat of the now afternoon sun caused trickles of it to drip uncomfortably from his brow and nape.

He took a deep breath, grunting as he swung about, sending the shot soaring forward. He smirked as it bypassed the others, landing further than any other Alpha’s throw. He flung a rude gesture – all in good faith, he went to school with his competitors’ and three of the four where in his house – before beating his fists against his side with a crow of victory.

He swung around, ignoring the taunts and jeers being tossed back at him about his manhood, but felt his smile falter somewhat at the sight of Snape sitting demurely under the shade of a tree, a book sprawled across his lap and seemingly completely disinterested in Sirius’ triumphs. Frowning he stalked across the small area, throwing himself down on the grass next to the Omega. Snape startled, jumping slightly in surprise, and Sirius felt his good humor return at the sight of it. His smirk faded when the smaller boy only sent him a short glare before returning to his reading. Sirius stared at him for a moment before huffing, stretching out on his back, hands clasped behind his head.

“Good book?’

There was a stretched silence and he was just about to ask again when he received a curt, “yes.”

“Have to be to keep you interested so long. You missed my win.”

“Oh, hurrah.” Snape said blandly, turning the page. “You threw a rock further than the others. Congratulations on your resplendent feat. I can’t believe I missed it. However shall I live with myself?”

“Oy.” Sirius objected, but couldn’t help but chuckled slightly at the deadpanned delivery. The sound seemed to surprise the Omega, who looked up briefly from his book, a slightly confused look on his face. Sirius didn’t miss the way those dark eyes skittered across his bare chest, even as subtle a move as it was, and – was that a blush? It was faint, just the slightest pinking of his cheeks. Sirius’ eyes flickered down to his chest, taking in how his tan skin was slick with sweat, beads traveling down his abs to gather in his naval, of how his tunic lay loose around his hips, revealing the drawn ‘v’ of his muscle.

A thought struck him, as insane as it was suddenly all encompassing. Had he caused that flag of color? Suddenly Sirius had to know and he swung up on his hand, undeniably within the Omega’s personal bubble, leaning heavily on one hand as he leaned over Snape’s shoulder to stare at the book. “What are you reading?”

From the corner of his eye, he could see Snape’s nostrils flare a little as he took in the Alpha’s sweat-heavy scent, and Sirius marveled at the sharp flare of pride he felt when Snape’s cheeks darkened further. He had just a moment to take in some complicated looking algoritharium before Snape suddenly snapped the book close one-handed. “Nothing you’d find interesting, Black, that is if you even understood it.” Snape said prissily, but for once Sirius didn’t rise to the bait.

Instead he reached out, his hand sliding overtop Snape’s as he ran his thumb over the closed pages. “I dunno, you might be surprised.”

“Black.” Snape said sharply, his voice a whisper yet queerly high-pitched.

“Hm?”

“You’re touching me.”

Sirius thumb froze from where it was fiddling with book, as if he only just now realized how he was cradling the smaller hand against his palm. And instead of jerking away, or even wondering when the hell he thought it was okay to touch Snape, Sirius found himself marveling for a moment at just how much thicker his fingers seemed compared to the Omega's.  “…yeah.”

He stared blankly at their hands, at the pale of Snape’s against the summer tan he’d gained. This close, he could smell the same, saccharine scent that he’d encountered on May Day.

“Well don’t.” Snape snapped and a harsh push sent Sirius tumbling to the side. The Omega was glaring at him, his chest rising and falling in quick, almost fearful breathes. “Don’t – Don’t you assume you can touch me, or anything, just because of the marriage. You – if you do - if you do…I’ll…I’ll…”

Sirius stared, mouth ajar, at the panicking Omega and felt a familiar twist in his gut as he realized what Snape was trying to say disgruntledly. “Snape – Severus –”

“Watch your familiarity!”

The Alpha rolled his eyes, but pushed up off his elbows, spreading his hands in supplication. “You don’t have to be afraid–”

“I’m not scared of you.”

“Merlin’s balls,” Sirius snarled, eyes flashing in annoyance, "you make it damn difficult to be nice to you, you know that?”

“Don’t you dare think that just because Regulus told you my status means you can take advantage of me.” Snape snarled right back, hands fisted tightly by his side, and suddenly leapt to his feet.

Sirius jumped up to follow, eyes widening in surprise. He hadn’t given a second thought to why Regulus and Snape had joined the marriage line, effectively outing themselves to any who saw them in the Omega line. Both were about to graduate Hogwarts and he had just assumed that it had become an open secret, like so many others had when they reached their majority in seventh year and began to gear up for marriages. In truth, he and James knew from their spying, not because of Regulus and Sirius suddenly was worried that he may have caused a rift with was – as far he could tell – his little brother’s only friend. Snape was walking away at not quite a run, but much faster than just a walk, heading away from the mowed practice field and towards the high grass that surrounded it. And his pace only increased once he looked over his shoulder and saw Sirius following.

“Hey! Wait!” But Snape had burst into a sprint once he’d hit the high grass, disappearing completely behind the towering yellow and green. Sirius gave chase, ducking and cursing as the rough grass and their prickly burs brushed against his cheeks and exposed chest. They quickly moved further and further away from the festival grounds and deeper into the brush, and a part of Sirius wondered why he was following the Omega’s flight so doggedly. For Regulus of course, he thought, and had he not been so intent on his hunt he would have noticed the ping of doubt he felt even as he thought the words.

They burst from the grass all at once and suddenly Sirius found himself in the nearby woods, the tree line rapidly growing thicker. If he had been thinking – if either one of them had been thinking clearly – he would have thrown a spell to stop the springing ravenette, or Snape would have used one to slow him. But the Alpha’s blood was pumping so loud he could hear it in his ears, his feet barely touching the ground as he ran; ducking under a branch here, leaping over a fallen log there. His fingertips tingled as he reached out, brushing just over the pinned shawl before a burst of speed sent Snape out of his reach again. But only moments later the Omega let out a cry and stumbled.

The pained sound brought Sirius to a skidding halt, dropping to a crouch before where Snape had fallen. The Omega was sitting haphazardly, both hands clasping his right ankle with a wince. Sirius reached out instinctively, wondering if the idiot had broken something important, only to have his hands slapped harshly away, Snape attempt to scramble backwards ending in another pained whimper.

“Stop moving, you dolt." Sirius growled out, carefully removing the Omega’s slipper to look at the reddening ankle.

“D-Don’t touch me!” Snape stuttered, breathless and so fearful that the Alpha froze in his tracks, slipper held dumbly in his hand. He stared at the wide eyed Omega, suddenly realizing how this whole thing must look to Snape. After that conversation – one where Snape clearly misunderstood some rather fundamental pillars of Sirius’ morals – he’d then preceded to chase down and corner Snape in a rather abandoned stretch of forest.

It was a strange mirror of how Beltane could have gone, or rather of how Snape had feared Beltane could have gone.

Sirius felt the harsh edges of his expression lessen, running his thumbs in a featherlight reassurance over the ankle in his grasp. “Calm down, Severus. I wouldn’t touch you like that. I wouldn’t touch anyone like that, not without their permission.” Something flickered over the Omega’s face, something fleeting but rich with emotion, before disappearing behind a weary frown. “Doesn’t look like you broke it. You’re lucky, I’m pants at healing spells.”

“If you’re not…then why did you chase me?”

“Why did you run away?” Sirius shot back, before sighing. “Look, I was just trying to tell you that Regulus never told me anything about you. I mean, he talks about you loads, you are his best friend. But he never told me stuff like that, he never told me secrets.”

“Regulus said I’m his best friend?”

The question was said so softly, so full of honest surprise and with a painful air of vulnerability, that it took Sirius aback. Within seconds of it being out, it was clear that Snape regretted the words, so the Alpha let his eyes drop back to the already bruising ankle. “Well, yeah. No idea what he finds so glorious about you, but my brother has always had bad taste.”

“I’d say so,” Snape said dryly, “he adores you after all.”

Sirius shot the Omega a grin, heart warmed to hear such a thing. “Of course he does, I’m great.”

Snape let out a sound that was a mix between a scoff and a laugh, thin lips curling and – there it was. The smile. The one he’d only ever seen Snape give to Lily Evans or his brother. Sirius blinked mutely, entrapped by the sight of it. It wasn’t until Snape was staring back at him as if he’d grown a second head that the Alpha managed to shake himself out of it. “Come on, lets get you up.”

The Alpha stood, offering his hand which Snape eyed confusedly for a moment before pushing himself up on his own. The younger boy immediately let out a hiss and nearly crumbled in on himself before Sirius’ hands shot, securing him lightly by the forearms. “We could cast a quick healing spell on it to help with the soreness. Or, well, I mean you could.”

Sirius was really pants at healing spells.

Snape shook his head, looking around them. “No, I’m dip it in that stream for a moment. The cold water will help.”

Sirius frowned but nodded, ignoring how the Omega tried to push away and instead looped a loose hold around his waist, and he grinned as Snape let out an indignant squawk of surprise as he all but carried him over towards the thin stream. Still, it was slow going, the Omega wincing every time his weight shifted. “Are you sure you don’t want to do a quick Episkey?”

“Not for something so minor,” Snape said distractedly as he carefully picked his way across the uneven ground, “using spells so casually is never a good idea, weakens the body’s resistance to pain.”

Sirius’ head snapped from staring at the forest to the Omega, eyes narrowed. “Is that something that’s a concern for you?”

From where he was lowering himself to sit, Snape froze, the moment so fleeting that Sirius almost missed it, before sitting completely and dipping his foot into the water. “Just an observation.”

The Alpha stared at him for a bit longer, utterly unconvinced, before dropping down beside him with a sigh. He kicked his own boots off, letting his feet plop into the shallow stream. “…is that really what you think of me?” He asked after a long moment of silence, carefully not looking at Snape, even when the Omega turned to him questioningly. “That I would use something as shallow as a Lughnasadh marriage to take advantage of you?”“

"You haven’t exactly been pleasant to me, Black. You and your cronies have bullied me from day one.”

“Bullied you-”

“Don’t you dare call it anything else.” Snape interrupted, lips drawing up in a slight snarl. “I’ve known bullies all my life, Black, and you are no different.”

“Hey, you gave as good as you got.” Sirius snapped back.

“I had to.” The Omega said coolly. “What did you expect me to do, just roll over and take it? Make no mistake in this, Black, it was you who fired the first shots. From the first moment you met me, you decided I was below you. And why? Because I poor? Because I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth? Because I was different?”

“It had nothing to do with that; you’re a git.”

The Omega’s voice was icy, cold, and his dark eyes were equally so. “Oh, don’t lie to yourself. You didn’t even know me the first time you humiliated me in front of our classmates. I hadn’t even been sorted yet. You took one look at my hand-me-down robes, one look at the pillowcase I used for my belongings, and that was that. Third estate. Easy pickings.”

Sirius opened his mouth to object, before closing it with a snap. He couldn’t deny that Snape’s poorness hadn’t ever been an object of ridicule, at least not until Remus had, in one of his rare moments, put his foot down and forbade that particular vein of jokes. But Sirius was not willing to dismiss years of rivalry so quickly, nor take the blame for it all himself. “I won’t apologize-”

“Color me surprised.”

“– for something that’s in the past.” Sirius continued on through gritted teeth, utterly baffled why he was trying so hard to have this conversation in the first place. What did he care what Severus Snape thought of him? “But neither me or any of the boys have done anything to you in months. Merlin, we haven’t even tossed a foul look at you lately.”

“Because I’m an Omega.”

“Because things change,” Sirius snapped, annoyed by the put upon and disgusted tone, “maybe it is because you’re an Omega now. Maybe it’s not. Does it matter? You can’t tell me that school isn’t easier without all that shit going on.”

And it was, Sirius realized abruptly, though it was perhaps something that hadn’t solidified into an actual thought until just then. Things had been far easier at school without the constant pranks and bickering, the nearly insane need to get the other in as much trouble as possible. He hadn’t realized how much weight his grudge match with Snape he’d been carrying around until he wasn’t in the midst of it anymore.

“And none of that changes the fact that regardless of what you think of me, I would never have tried to…” Sirius faded off, shaking his head. Maybe that was it. Maybe that was why he had pushed this subject. The idea that Snape could think he was the type of Alpha that took anyone against their will and…and…a soft thank you, the gentle pressure of palms against his chest, the evanescent warmth of lips, so sweet and shy against his own.

Sirius’ jaw stiffened, hands flexing against his thighs. Besides him, Snape let out a sigh, drawing his foot from the water.

“I won’t apologize for what I thought. You have no idea what it’s like to be an Omega, the things people expect from you, what they assume they can have from you. Especially for me, with no family or money to-” Snape cut himself off, fingers prodding experimentally at his ankle. He stood carefully, Sirius watching him hawk-eyed from the ground in case he’d risen too soon. “It’s much better now. We should get back.”

Sirius let out a breath, standing but neglecting his boots, gathering them to hang from two fingers. He disregarded the way Snape stiffened as he laid his hand heavily across the Omega’s lower back, eyes downcast as he guided them on the smoothest path back.

---

They emerged from the woods to find that the gaming fields had mostly been deserted, the sun a large orange sphere disrupted only by the hills as it sank, the sky a brilliant hue of pinks, oranges, reds, blues, and violets. The majority of the festival were steadily making their way up the central hill towards where the main alter was set, but Sirius paused in thought. He blocked the sun from his view with his hand as he debated, his other hand still resting, quite without thought, on Snape’s lower back.

“Come on,” he said, guiding the Omega away from the main path and towards a less used one, slightly over grown and without pavers of any kind, “I know a less crowded place. Jamie probably took Regulus there as well.”

“…Alright,” Snape said slowly, hesitating for just a moment before following, his gait still stiff and uneven, “as long as you’re sure Regulus will be there.”

“Pretty sure.” Sirius amended, “Jamie and I usually try to skip the crowds. Besides, you can see the night sky a lot easier away from all the Lumos’.”

It was slow moving to get up the smaller but abandoned looking hill. It was a smaller foothill on the edges of the festival grounds and Sirius had never seen any here before when he and James had visited in the past. The sun had truly set by the time they’d reached the peak, Snape’s breath slightly uneven and with a little hitch at the end that tugged at Sirius’ oft absent conscious and he lead the Omega over to a nearby boulder, smoothed flat and even by the decades of exposure to the elements.  

Snape sat with a quiet sigh of relief, stretching his abused foot out before him. Sirius glanced around the hilltop with a frown, noting the absence of his friend and brother, and hoped they had the foresight to bring dinner. The stars were out in full, the milky way a glorious yawn chasm above them, scorching the sky with the lack of the moon. This far into the country they were strong enough to cast shadows and theirs stretched out before them, a misshapen thing when added to that of the boulder. Sirius cast his gaze upwards, feeling a smile tug at his lips as his eyes picked out first his namesake, easily finding the dog star, before letting his eyes drift further across the sky to other constellations.

A brilliant shooting star shot across the sky – a sign of good luck on a Sabbat – and a muted cheer went up from the main hill. Sirius turned to ask if Snape if he had seen it, spirits buoyed from their previous conversation by the beautiful night, and abruptly forgot his words all together.

Snape was leaning back, his entire body stretched out like a languid cat, eyes cast heavenwards. His skin seemed utterly flawless in the star light, his shawl draped behind him like silky, cobalt hair. A small, hushed smile was on his lips, something almost secretive that made Sirius’ itch to be privy to his thoughts. He looked soft and sweet, yielding and gentle, and utterly unlike anything the Alpha had ever seen from him before.

But that wasn’t true.

Sirius had seen it before. At Beltane, when the Omega had slept tucked under Sirius’ arm, his svelte body honeyed and inviting. To see it again seemed to rob the Alpha of thought and he stared, dumbly, at the sight. To think that Snape had such a side, to even see it again, as Sirius and not as some nameless Alpha was…

It was…

Sirius’ feet were moving before it was much of a conscious thought and he sat hesitantly, almost primly, next to the Omega, ready to jump up if he was hexed. Snape’s dark eyes turned to him, a single eyebrow raising, the action inherently questioning, but he said nothing and after moment simply turned his eyes upwards once more, and so Sirius did not move. The silence drew on, and on, and Sirius leaned back on his own hands. When nothing came of the movement besides a subtle tick of Snape’s jaw, Sirius let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. There was plenty of other places to sit on the hilltop, other boulders even, and yet…

Sirius’ left hand slid out, moving just so behind Snape’s form and the Alpha tilted his head back once more, eyes feasting at the brilliant sky. Snape let out a soft sound, maybe a sigh.

“I know better, now.”

“What?” Sirius replied, elegantly.

Snape sent him amused look, the twist of his lips utterly mocking, and yet despite himself, Sirius only felt bewitched by it. The smile lessened, the Omega looking away to stare back up at the night. “…earlier in the woods, I…that is, I see now that you wouldn’t.”

“Oh,” he managed lamely. “That’s, uh, good.”

There was a nearly silent chuckled, undoubtedly at his expense. “Quite.”

Sirius let out a put upon sigh, unsure of what the hell was happening, before letting out a snort of his own. “Pretty,” he said quietly, nodding towards the sky.

“I prefer winter, myself. The stars always seem so clear, glittering in a cold brilliance.”

“You sound like a poet.”

“Some of us do try to obtain a sense of vocabulary, Black,” came the venomous reply.

Sirius rolled his eyes. “Sod off, I was trying to give you a complement. Why do you always have to be so prickly?”

Snape stiffened as sure as if Sirius had slapped him and the Alpha winced. “Well, then. If you find my company so lacking I’ll excuse myself.”

“Hey now, just wait a moment.” He said quickly, his hand wrapping around the Omega’s wrist and halting his flight. “Don’t be like that. It was just a joke, alright? I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Oh, no one means anything by it.” Snape said nastily, “what’s just a comment or two at another’s expense?”

Sirius let out a huff of frustration, pulling the other boy back down onto the rock. “Come off it, I know your ankle still hurts. It took a lot of it getting up the hill and that was with me. Just…sit for a bit, alright? Just while we wait for Jamie and Reg. I’ll be quiet if you like.”

The look that statement earned him was baldly disbelieving. “Are you even capable of such a feat?”

He gave the Omega a grin that was all teeth. “Why don’t we find out?” The smile faltered at the continuous flat look he was given. “Come on, mate, just…sit, yeah? It’s the Sabbat, no one wants to be alone. Besides, I, uh, really didn’t mean anything by it. My mother used to say-" Sirius stopped abruptly, feeling an unexpected swell of disquiet at the thought of his mother.

The silence was harsh; unmistakably so, and Sirius was embarrassedly aware of how much it revealed. And yet something on those hawkish features softened minutely and to his surprise, the Omega lowered himself back down. “Try not to talk. I’ll even time you.”

Sirius grinned. “Alright.”

“Well, that didn’t last long. Will surprises never cease.”

Sirius laughed, the sound loud and oddly free. “Hey now, we hadn’t started the clock yet.”

“And we have returned to our starting point yet again.”

Later, much later, when James and Regulus finally made their appearance on the hill (both looking suspiciously red faced) it was to the sight of Sirius flat on his back, snoring slightly, one arm lying limp over the boulder side, the other lax across his chest. And by his side, just as deeply in sleep, head tilted ever so slightly in the Alpha’s direction, was Snape.  

Notes:

And we stride ever closer to them being decent human beings to each other. Slowly. Stupid teenagers.

Chapter 4: Meán Fómhair (Mabon/Harvest Home)

Summary:

“Snape…” Sirius started, but said nothing else, unsure of what to say.

“Go on,” Snape said, voice hard, “go on and say it. I can only imagine what you’re thinking right now, Black.” He let out a hollow sounding laugh, “bet you’re just loving this, aren’t you?”

Notes:

There is a bit of attempted non-con here, nothing to graphic, but its there. Just a heads up.

Hogwarts was awash with activity. Though one of the lesser Sabbats, Meán Fómhair (or more simply, the Harvest Home) was a popular holiday at Hogwarts – if only because it gave them a day off from their studies early in the year. Sirius had gotten up earlier than normal, still in his pajama bottoms with his thick school sweater on as he greeted the morning sun with his classmates. They mediated for some time on the hill (well, some did, others – like Sirius – went back to sleep sitting up for a while) before clamoring good naturally, the students voices merry and happy, for a meal of warm oat porridge with amble honey, and sweet braided apple bread.

After breakfast the upper years were divided into three teams through a random lottery. The first team was responsible for decorating the common areas of Hogwarts. Mobiles made from colorful leaves, twigs, corn dolls and woven symbols made from stalk, and long lengths of fabric with handwritten blessings and thankful words were hung from lights fixtures, ceilings and walls alike. Colorful rugs – all in deep golds, reds, purples, and oranges – were thrown out in piles upon the normally bare stone for the younger students to sit on and enjoy. Before long the main hall was packed with first, second, and third years, all chatting happily as they played board games and other games of chance, and every now and then you’d find a huddled group playing one divination game or another. Gourds cut in half were placed everywhere, of every size, shape, and color, and scented candles burned gleefully within them.

Professors were bouncing from group to group, offering hot teas and cider, both keeping an eye on the younger years and waxing on and off about the Sabbat’s traditions, and more than one voice was thrown about in traditional song or story.

The second group was sent to the lawn between the school and the Forbidden Forest to climb into a mammoth tub of grapes. Regulus and Severus were in this group and Sirius felt his heart twinge in fondness at the sight of his brother laughing as he squashed, dancing about and dodging handfuls of the messy, mushy fruits that Severus tried to smear on him. The juices were collected into carefully prepared and spelled barrels that would produced a sweet wine for the seventh years and other adults in Hogwarts to enjoy amongst the bonfire. A handful of other in the group who decided they did not wish to be stained purple worked at a small station skinning apples for various things. Apples, along with grapes, were considered staples of the Harvest Home festival.

A festival, which at its heart, was a tribute to the Green Man – whether you celebrated him as Bacchus or not. Yet Hogwarts was still a school and while the younger years may be given a sip of wine throughout the night, they would be presented with apple cider more often than not, and the demand was high enough to keep those preparing the apples quite busy indeed. James was among them, as was Peter, the two talking and laughing as they brandished their small carving knives and pitted apples en masse.

The third group was sent into the Forbidden Forest along with the current Game Keeper, a surly man by the name of McGregor who was quite possibly as old as Hogwarts itself, to gather wood for the towering bonfire that was being constructed. Both Remus and himself were in this group and they talked about nonsense as they gathered up armfuls of kindling and other fuel to be brought to the game keeper's wagon.

It was hard work and slightly dull, but Remus’ presence made up for it and Sirius had always loved being outside, so it wasn’t terrible for the most part. Sirius took a break from gathering, leaning on the axe he’d been using to break down logs (they were forbidden, understandably, from taking wood from live trees, as the trees in the Forbidden Forest were quite unforgiving of the act – as were their Centaur guardians) and brought a handkerchief out to wipe the sweat from his face and neck. Remus had returned to drop a load off at the wagon and Sirius took the moment to fish a cigarette out and light it, the tobacco easing the tension in his shoulders.

The sound of voices to his left caught his attention and Sirius snubbed the fag out with the heel of his boat before creeping closer. The smell of pot filled the forest as he drew closer and Sirius sniggered at the sight of Evan Rosier and his two goons, Horatio Avery and Maynard Wilkes, passing around a blunt.

“-dunno,” Avery said with a dramatic roll of the eyes, “I just don’t see it. I mean, yeah, Reg is hot, but his attitude leaves a little to be desired.” Sirius’ frame drew so tight his fisted hands actually quivered. “I don’t see why your cousin is so hung up on him.”

Rosier shrugged. “Its not so much how he looks or acts; Rodo and Rab are just pissed that Potter keeps getting in the way. Lughnasadh makes twice. Fuck if I know why he wants Black, but he does, but my uncle is growing weary of waiting. My father said he’s starting talking to Bellatrix’s folks about a possible marriage contract.”

Good, Sirius seethed, good. Let Bella deal with Rodolphus sadistic ass; the two were practically star crossed lovers personality wise.

Wilkes snorted. “That can’t have made Rodo happy. You know how he gets when things don’t go his way.”

The trio fell silent at that, exchanging knowing looks as they passed the blunt around. After a moment Avery let out a sigh. “Alright, I can see why Rodo’s being such an arse about this. Potter is practically rubbing his face in it, though what Reggie could possibly see in a Gryffindor is beyond me.” There were grumbles of agreement. Avery took another hit, his voice slightly high and whinny when he spoke next. “But I guess your family makes weird choices. I mean, come on Ev, Severus Snape?”

“I’m gonna have to agree with Horatio on that one,” Wilkes agreed, “he’s such a know-it-all. Probably a prude, too.”

Rosier simply shrugged. “I’ll give you that Severus’ got a bit of an attitude, but you can’t deny he’s grown up to be a cute little thing. Besides…” The Alpha licked his lips, a smirk on them that made everything in Sirius prickle with righteous indignation, “Sev isn’t a prude. Did I tell you that he let me feel him up last weekend? Right outside of Honeydukes, little slut. Let me tell you, that arse is just as tight as it looks. I can’t wait to get my dick in that.”

“Tight arse or not,” Wilkes said, making a disgusted face, “he comes from nothing. Your children will practically be mutts. No better than a mudblood if you can’t get his grandfather to take him back.”

“Who the hell said anything about pups? Or bonding for that matter?” Rosier said with a bewildered look.

“Severus certainly thinks that were this whole thing is heading.” Avery pointed out, “or at least that’s what Cynthia told me last weekend when were at the Point.”

“Cynthia Derrick? Damn, Horatio. Woof, woof. And here you are making fun Evan for Severus.” Wilkes said around a series of cackles.

“Shut up, I just wanted to fuck.” Avery said, cheeks warm with a blush.

“Severus can think whatever he wants,” Rosier interrupted, “if he thinks this is some of sort of courting, well that’s not my fault. He really should know better. Like I’d sully my line with a disinherited Prince reject. Gods, can you imagine the children? Fixing their noses alone would probably cost me a fortune.” The trio laughed, flicking the blunt away as they gathered their wood piles together moved back towards the tree line.

Sirius remained in his hiding place, livid. The sheer force of his anger was bewildering. How dare Rosier talk like that about the Omega. Snape was smart, smarter then Rosier by far, and…and sweet, when he wanted to be. Kind in his own way, even. He took such good care of Regulus, to be talked about like that – to be treated like some common whore – and the thought of Snape – of Snape letting someone like Evan Rosier touch him. It was – It was –

With a snarl his fist shout out, pain dancing from his knuckles up his forearm as it smashed against the unforgiving bark of a tree. Sirius’ chest was heaving, his knuckles bloody, wide eyed with fury. He looked half-mad, which was probably while Remus had dropped the apple cider he’d brought them upon his return.

“Siri? What’s wrong?’

Sirius said nothing, storming past his friend and back towards the castle.

---

Nightfall found Sirius foul mood still present, enough so that his friends had abandoned him after one particularly (and uncalled for) nasty shouting match with James that Sirius couldn’t even remember the cause of. He was clad head to toe in his finest robes; a deep purple and green, the color of the god they worshiped tonight.

The festival was in full swing around him; a blessing had been cast, words of gratitude and thanks given to the large altar, and everyone was well fed from a rich dinner and even richer treats. As the second to last harvest festival and a time when the day and night were equal in length, the Harvest Home was all about saying goodbye to the light that now laid behind them, while welcoming the dark that was to come with open arms.

Female Betas and Omegas were dressed in deep purple and white robes, with crowns of holly and pomegranate to represent Persephone and her return to Hades and the Underworld, while the male Betas and Alphas were all in purples, greens, and oranges, with crowns of grape and oak leaves, and wooden carved masks of the Green Man and Bacchus alike were worn by all.

Sirius had forgone a mask tonight, his surly features on display for all, and he had had just enough wine that his leafy crown was sitting at a disgruntled angle. Most everyone left him alone, taking one look at his sour expression before ignoring him. The bonfire was roaring, nearly as tall as Hogwarts itself, and a circle had formed around it, students and teachers alike gathered together with drums of all sizes, bells, and rattles, and the sound they made was steady and lulling.

Students danced around the blaze, the older ones drunk and free from inhibitions, while the younger ones too happy to care about appearances. It was a festival that Bacchus would have truly loved; full of merry making and joy, with most too filled with the spirit of the Sabbat and carried away by the trance like music to care about appearances. Sirius couldn’t bring himself to partake, to do anything but sit around and brood on Rosier and the conversation he’d overheard. Regulus had stopped by at one point, hesitating in front of where Sirius sat on the grass, hands hanging limply over his knees, wine goblet forgotten, all but snarling at nothing. His brother’s face had twisted in concern, but with so many eyes he simply cast Sirius a worried look before moving on.

Typical. It didn’t matter how far their friendship had come or how worried Regulus was, he would not risk his reputation by stopping to see what had made his big brother so upset. Of course not, Gods be it all if he was to ruin his chances at a good match. Sirius sneered, tossing the goblet away before rising abruptly, starting some younger years near him before stalking away from the fire and into the dark of the night.

He felt anxious with potent-less energy, riled up yet with nowhere to find release. Drunk, but not drunk enough to find that careless peace. Sirius cursed as he stumbled over an uneven patch of ground, taking a moment to wipe wet mud from his boot upon the dewy grass. A startled gasp had his head snapping towards a one of the various stone megaliths that littered the east lawn. He couldn’t see anything outside of the tall, prideful spire of the rock. There was another gasp, then a voice that made Sirius perk up in a manner that was not unlike the dog he sometimes was.

“E-Evan,” the voice breathed, “slow – slow down.” There was a hushing sound, a handful of low mumbles, then the voice was sharper. “Evan, stop. S-Stop it!”

“Gods above, what Severus?” Rosier’s voice growled out and Sirius was moving around the rock proper before he had thought to process the movement. Snape was pressed up against the rock face, his robe was bunched around his waist to reveal long, lily white legs, and the silky green of tight briefs, and it hung off one shoulder to reveal the soft skin of his neck and shoulders. Rosier’s fingers were curled around the underwear’s waistband, his body tense and displeased.

“I…” Snape’s voice hesitated, glancing to side in embarrassment. “It’s too fast. And I told you I’m waiting for marriage for that.”

“Come on, baby,” Rosier crooned, nuzzling at the sharp chin, “I promise I’m gonna make you feel so good.”

“I’m not saying no, I’m just saying…later?” Snape ventured shyly and Sirius swallowed at how vulnerable and hopeful he looked in that moment. The Alpha felt sick; Snape really thought Rosier meant to marry him. At least he seemed smart enough to realize not to give his virginity – the only real bargaining chip someone in his standing had – without a solid contract in place.

Rosier snorted. “If you know there’s gonna be a later, then why not now?” His hand pulled playfully on the briefs. “I bet your wet for me, aren’t you, sweetness?” His head ducked back down, attacking Snape’s neck even as the Omega tried to pull away.

“Evan, wait – stop.”

“Nah,” Rosier said, voice muffled by the skin in his mouth, “I don’t think you really want me to.”

There was the sound of ripping fabric, Snape’s robe rending under Rosier’s grasp, and Sirius snarled, moving to interfere when there was the sound of flesh striking flesh. Rosier’s head reared back at the slap, Snape’s chest heaving and his dark eyes bright. “Stop it!”

Rosier’s backhand came too fast for Sirius to predict, the force of it sent the Omega stumbling back hard into the rock. Sirius was there before the other Alpha could strike again, catching the Slytherin’s hand as it drew back once more. Rosier swirled to look at him with a snarl and Sirius met it with his fist, the strike sending the other Alpha reeling backwards. Sirius planted himself in front of Snape’s form, teeth bared.

“Always knew you were hard up, Rosier. But I never took you for a rapist.” Sirius spit out.

“Stay out of this, Black!” Rosier growled out, wiping at his bloody mouth. “This has nothing to do with you.”

“Probably not, but you put another hand on him and I’ll rip it off.” Sirius promised, his voice cold and hard in a way it rarely was, and such a mirror of his sire’s that it nearly gave himself pause. Rosier stiffened, but a look of weariness flashed across his face before disappearing behind a sneer. He spit a mouthful of blood in their direction.

“Fine. You want the whore? He’s all yours; it’s all he’s good for anyway. How the hell he ever imagined I’d mate such a worthless, penniless, ugly little thing is beyond me.” Then the other Alpha was storming off, Sirius glaring at his retreating back.

“Fucking prick.” Sirius grumbled, turning towards Snape and the sight that greeted him made his heart drop somewhere to his stomach. Snape’s fingers were shaking as he tried to pull his ruined robe back in place, bottom lip trembling. His robe was torn at an uneven angle, hanging from his frame and leaving little to the imagination; he wore no pants and Snape’s shirt was unbuttoned and open, revealing a smooth chest and the soft, tender concave of his belly. His expression was something bitter, something so hurtful that it made Sirius’ breath catch and the side of his mouth broken and bleeding sluggishly, his left cheek already bruising.

“Snape…” Sirius started, but said nothing else, unsure of what to say.

“Go on,” Snape said, voice hard, “go on and say it. I can only imagine what you’re thinking right now, Black.” He let out a hollow sounding laugh, “bet you’re just loving this, aren’t you?”

And that wasn’t fair, because Sirius had been better, damn’t. He had. And at Lughnasadh, when Snape had been legally his wife with no parent or chaperon to protect him, Sirius had been nice. He was about to say something back, something just as biting and pissed because he’d just saved Snape, and here he was being a pompous, ungrateful, prick – but then Snape’s breath hitched, his shoulders shaking. The irritation in him left as if it had never been in the first place, leaving him feeling awkward and unsure as Snape wiped angrily at his tears, digging the heel of his hand forcefully into his cheeks and eyes, while this other hand held the ruined top of his robe together.

“I’m so stupid.” Snape said with another bitter laugh and he turned away quickly, hiding his face from him. “Just go away, Black.”

Sirius hesitated, torn, before slipping his own robe off. He stepped forward, ignoring the way his approach made Snape shake even harder, and wrapped the robe around the quivering Omega. Snape’s head turned to stare at him, eyes wide in surprise, as Sirius carefully buttoned the garment closed over Snape’s ruined clothing.

Snape was staring up at him, long lashes clumped with tears, thin lips pinked from the cold or some sort of rouge and they were so close that the Omega’s breath were warm little puffs on his chin. Sirius’ eyes darted down to stare at those pink lips and then he stepped away, turning abruptly.

“Come on,” he said gruffly, “I’ll walk you to the castle.”

“That’s not necessary,” Snape said, voice oddly subdued.

“Yeah, I know. But I’m still gonna do it, so come on.” Rosier was a real piece of work and Sirius wasn’t willing to chance that he wasn’t waiting somewhere in the shadows for Snape to come along, alone and vulnerable, and Sirius wasn’t going to live with that on his conscious. Sirius walked the quiet and withdrawn Snape all the way to the dungeon doors of the Slytherin common room, refusing to acknowledge how closely he hovered by the Omega’s side, or how his eyes darted about to every nook and shadowy corner they passed. He was just being a decent Wizard, a decent Alpha, and Regulus would be devastated if anything happened to his friend. That was all. They paused before the tall doors, Snape staring mutely down at their feet.

The Omega cleared his throat. “If you tell anyone about this-”

“Of course I won’t; give me some credit.” Sirius interrupted, annoyed. He turned to leave, but a small hand on his wrist halted the movement.

“Sirius.” The sound of his name from Snape’s lips was jarring and the Alpha stared at him, mouth parted in shock. Snape was still not looking at him, face turned away, but his fingers curled down, pads brushing across his palm in an almost-caress. “…thank you.”

Then Snape was pulling away, muttering a nearly silent ‘castimonia’ before disappearing behind the ornately carved wood. Sirius stared after him for a moment, struck dumb, before heading back towards the main hall. What a night. Sirius couldn’t believe it, but he actually felt bad for Snape. Had he been in love with Rosier? Had he been dreaming of a weddings and fat little pups, or was it an attempt at finding a way back into the upper class? Sirius shook his head as he spotted James and the boys and gave them a muted wave. Sirius almost hoped that it was class politics, because the alternative was…he remembered Snape’s wet eyes, a warbled “I’m so stupid,” and that soft, fleeting touch of callused fingers against his skin when Sirius suddenly found himself face to face with Rosier and his gang as they left the main hall.

The other Alpha sent him a dirty look. “What, done already? Knew he was probably a shit lay.”

The sound that Rosier’s nose made after Sirius broke it was incredibly satisfying. Avery caught him with a cheap hit to the back, but James was on him before he could strike again, and within moments they were a snarling, violent squirming pile on the ground, James and Remus trying to fend off Avery and Wilkes while Peter pranced nervously in the background, tugging at his hair in concern. Professors were starting to gather, but Sirius hardly noticed, to busy introducing Evan Rosier’s face to the stone floor.

Notes:

And things go a little bit further.

See you next time. Up next: Samhain

Chapter 5: Samhain (Halloween)

Notes:

I live! And in time for the actual holiday for once. I know, I'm shocked too. Not as much about this holiday, as we see in the movies and books it's done a certain way at Hogwarts and most of the Pagans I know do the things mentioned in this chapter, but mainly hand out candy, lol.

The glory about being at Hogwarts for Samhain was that it meant you got to skip the more boring portions of the festival – like the whole ancestor worship part. It wasn’t that Sirius didn’t get why some got the need to do so (it was a central tenant of a holiday that was entirely focused on the dead) it was just…Sirius didn’t really like his family.

Or anything they stood for.

He had thought he’d escape the boring hours of silent reverence, of offerings of food and drink in dark rooms to brightly lit altars and speaking his direct family line back to its recorded beginning when he’d moved in with James and his parents. But, well…while the Potters may be considered incredibly liberal for their political views, they were just as strictly religious as any other Old Blood clan. And the Potters were related to Sirius, so no real escaping the reciting of his linage as it stood.

But here at school, the focus of the Sabbat was less strictly religious, and something of an odd combo of the Muggle version of the holiday and the pagan Sabbat. There were still quiet alcoves set up all over the school were more traditional students could set up their own familial alters if they wished and divination was always abnormally popular around this time of the year, with every sixth or seventh year divination student claiming to be able to contact so and so’s dead Aunt or another. They also had an incredible Feast of the Dead, the largest of the year, and it always managed to give even the Black’s yearly and stupidly extravagant Feasts a run for their money. If the feast fell on a school night, the next school day was always cancelled, and there was a huge bonfire after dinner that burned until the sun rose above the hills that surrounded Hogwarts.

But there was also candy galore and the option for pumpkin carving throughout the day, and themed lessons for the younger years. And for the upper years, well, there was the fun fact that Sirius – just like every other student fifth year or above – knew that nearly all the professors disappeared into the Forbidden Forest just after midnight on the 31^st , their cloaked figures only just visibly by the carved and bewitched gourds they carried. No one knew just what they got up to in there, but Sirius had been at school long enough to know that whatever it was the wards of Hogwarts always felt cleaner, brighter somehow the next day.

The night air was bristling cold in October, but Sirius felt quite protected from it with his woolen cape and scarf. Next to him, James was humming quietly under his breath, happily, and Sirius rolled his eyes so hard he felt like they were going to pop out of his head. His best friend’s obsession with his little brother had not gone away, to which Sirius had complicated, mixed feelings. On one hand, he could think of no better match for Regulus than James, especially when you looked at Reggie’s other choices in suitors. James was just as well off as the Blacks and could take care of him if Regulus ever was disowned. And, more importantly, James was firmly a light magic user. Sirius never did care for those ‘friends’ Reggie hung out with from his house.

But on the other hand.

This was his baby brother. His baby brother, who James so obviously wanted to fu-

“Stop it, Siri,” Remus said sternly as he elbowed him hard in the side, “stop it, right now.”

“What?” Sirius asked innocently, “no seriously, what? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

His friend gave him a flat look. “Uh huh. Remember what we’ve talked about; your brother has a right to his own life and his own decisions. You only just got back in his good graces; you think he’ll take it kindly to you trying to scare Jamie off?”

“Trying?” Sirius repeated, incredulous. There’d be no trying, not if Sirius really decided to put an end to it. Remus just shook his head in exasperation. “They’re not even dating, Mooney, calm down.”

“You calm down,” the brunet said mulishly, “and what do you think this is, if not a date?”

Sirius sputtered. “No, no, no. My brother is sneaking out to hang out with his big bro, we’re going drinking – in a group. No date. None. Not a date.”

“Sorry, Sirius,” Peter said, sounding like he was trying his best not to break into giggles, “I don’t think Regulus made himself that pretty for you.”

Sirius followed his pointed stare and felt his heart skip a beat. By gods, but Regulus did look pretty. His dark hair had gotten long, gathered in a loose hold over one shoulder, and his face was flawless, beautiful. He wore a thick cape, over a tailored deep orange sweater and jeans. He looked stunning. Sirius swallowed, oddly feeling his throat tighten. Reggie had really grown up, hadn’t he? And Sirius had missed so much…

His eyes swept to James, and it wasn’t until he found himself nodding slightly in approval at his gobsmacked expression did Sirius really accept that maybe, just maybe, he was alright with James chasing after his brother. Regulus deserved to be treated like the magnificent bastard he was and the utter besotted look on James’ face – while making a part of him curl up in disgust – was the very least of what Reggie deserved.

As they approached, Regulus smile deepened. He reached up, hands looking dainty and small in his leather gloves, and flicked the hood of his cape up. It cast his face in shadows, the tip of James’ wand the only thing lightning the dark courtyard. Regulus had been the one to invite them out, to join a private party that he was hosting once the professors had disappeared from the grounds proper.

His smile seemed almost sinister in the dim light. “Put that out, and come on, we’re late.”

“We’d be on time, but someone,” Sirius nodded his head in James’ direction, “took forever getting ready.”

“Sirius!” James hissed, his cheeks red even in the dark. Sirius cackled, stepping off the paved courtyard and onto the lawn. Regulus just laughed, seemly delighted, and bent down to pick something up. A quiet chant and the small pumpkin in his hand glow brightly, it’s sharp and malevolent carved face standing out starkly in the dark.

“To scare off the wandering spirits.” Regulus announced, voice cast low and sinister. Sirius just chuckled, sliding his hand over his brother’s waist to give him an affectionate nuzzle. Reggie always had a flair for the dramatics. They made their way single file in the dark, careful not trip on the pitch black lot. The bonfire was on the other side of the school, casting the sky there in a burnt, smoky orange, but with the massive school between them and the moonless night, there path was dark.

Regulus lead them down to the lake, traveling past it and to an abandoned looking groundskeeping shack that Sirius could only recall seeing in passing. When they stepped inside, Sirius was pleasantly surprised to see it was well lit with a roaring fire. Several jack-o’-lanterns were carved and floated about, and the air smelled heavily of mint and nutmeg. There were warm rugs laid everywhere and thick and fluffy looking pillows strewn about at random. Lily Evans sat surrounded by a circle of floating candles, the Tarot laid out before her.

“You’re late.”

“Yeah, er, sorry about that.” James said, looking sheepish.

Sirius glanced around the empty cabin, finding no trace of Snape and startled by how much that bothered him. He’d just assumed…his brother gave him a look from the corner of his eye, his lip strangely quirked. “Severus will be joining us later, he’s a bit more…dedicated then Lily or I.”

Lily snorted, a private joke slipping between the two of them, before she gave Remus a beaming grin that had the werewolf stumbling stupidly. “Heya Remus, want me to read your fortune?”

---

Sirius struggled into his cape, fingers numb from the fire whisky. He cursed as he stepped out into the cold, trying to light his fag. The door swung shut behind him, clicking with an odd air of finality to it. For the first time in his life, Sirius cursed his alcohol tolerance; Peter was the lucky one, passed out after the first hour of drinking, his eyes safe from the disturbing images taking place inside.

Remus and Lily had fallen in an intense snogging session, dared to kiss by Regulus, a knowing glint in his eye, but what had really driven him out into the cold was the disturbing way his younger brother was all but draped over James’ form, his friend’s fingers stroking over his lower back in a telling way. Sirius made a face, taking a deep drag. Just because he wasn’t as opposed to the idea of them being a ‘them,’ didn’t mean they had to rub his face in it. A part of his mind pointed out that it was just innocent cuddling, even if it included staring deep in each other eyes and low, hushed conversations, and that it could be worse – it could be James copping a feel and not Remus.

The stars had shifted, telling of the late hour. Sirius moved to lean on the rickety wall of the cabin, the moves sluggish and abruptly he realized he was far drunker than he thought. He froze first when it gave a warning creak under his weight, then at the sound of footsteps approaching. He felt a tension he didn’t know he’d been carrying all night ease at the sight of Snape’s tall and lanky form coming around the corner, his face lit by the lantern in his hand. He’d half thought Snape wasn’t going to show; the Omega had done everything in his power to avoid him after that night with Rosier. Snape’s footsteps slowed, giving him a slow nod.

“Careful, mate,” Sirius warned, “enter at your own risk.”

Snape’s eyebrow rose, “oh? And what depravity awaits me inside?”

Sirius chortled, “let’s just say that Evans’ got Remus just where she wants him.”

Now Snape did look amused. “And I suppose the same could be said for our dear Regulus and Potter?”

Sirius glared at him, the good mood at seeing the Omega dissipating. “Merlin, don’t say things like that.”

“Black, if I accepted that he’s chosen Potter, why on earth can’t you?” Snape asked, stopping before him.

Sirius eyed the black water of the lake before shrugging. “Probably cause I remember him in diapers.”

Snape made a low, thoughtful sound at that, coming to lean against the wall next to him. The Alpha kept his eyes on the lake, then drifted back up to watch the stars. He felt overly aware of Snape’s presence next to him, of the small warmth that radiated out from him. He scented the air, taking in the heavy smell of sage and apple, oily and strong.

“What kept you? I almost thought you weren’t coming.”

“And would that make your night better or worse, I wonder?” Snape drawled, caustic as always. “Unlike some, I’m loyal in my absolutions, Black. And what I do with my time is no concern of yours.”

Sirius stiffened, annoyed. Why was it always so hard to just talk to the Omega? It was like he went out of his way to be a prickly bastard. “Jeez, I was just curious.”

“Do us all a favor and keep your curiosities to yourself, Black.”

“Look,” Sirius said sharply, turning to face the other boy, “can’t you just try to be pleasant? It’s a Sabbat, for gods sake.”

“As if you’ve ever given me reason to be pleasant.”

“Save you from that prick, didn’t I?” Sirius cursed the words the moment they left his mouth as the Omega immediately went stiff, drawing himself in tight. Despite the harshness of his words, Snape’s posture had been loose, lax, and Sirius found he instantly missed it. Snape turned from him with a swirl of his cape, face bitter. “Hey, wait, just hold on.” Sirius reached out without thought, catching the Omega by the arm. “Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Let go of me at once.”

“Just – let me apologize, alright? That was a dick thing to say.”

Snape turned to look at him, dark eyes even blacker in the night. “And when have you ever cared about apologizing, Black?”

“Look, I…” But what was he even trying to say? Sirius trailed off, shaking his head uselessly, feeling out of his depth. Why was it so important to him that he not piss Snape off? The fire whiskey was making him dumb, that was it. Dumb and stupid, unable to speak. Sirius hand let Snape’s drop from his own, fumbling under that expectant and furious stare. “I’ve had too much to drink,” he finished, lamely, and now he sounded like a little boy, chided by his mother, trying to explain away his behavior like he’d been caught in the candy jar. “I’m an ass, I know that. But I’m…I’m trying.”

Snape’s stare was suddenly unreadable, intense. “Why?”

“Huh?”

“Why? Why even try? You’ve hated me from the moment we met, Black.”

“I don’t hate you.” Sirius said, because for some reason that was important. “I don’t…I never hated you. I…”

The Alpha watched his hand move as if it was alien to him, as if it was someone else’s hand. It reached up, numb fingers giving a jolt at the heat of Severus’ sharp cheek bone. His fingers traced over it, glided almost, before stroking back, over a well formed and strangely petite ear, and Sirius had one inane thought of ‘cute’ before he realized what he was doing. He froze, going ramrod stiff. Snape was staring at him, lips parted in shock, eyes wide. Sirius felt his breath come back to him in a rush, chest rising and falling rapidly, but felt frozen, unable to move. His fingers were still cupping Snape’s cheek, the Omega still staring at him, and they were standing so close, close enough that Sirius could feel Snape’s breath on his skin.

“Black?” His name was harsh, panicked, “What…what are you…?”

What the hell was he doing? What the hell was he doing –

His fingers curled, sliding back to Snape’s nape, pulling him closer and the Omega’s breath hitched. Sirius’ hovered there, lost in the dark of Snape’s eyes, in his sweet scent. He felt his own breath skip, feeling light-headed.

The booze, he thought, the feel of it distant, as if it was coming to him from a far off place, I’m drunk, the whiskey, I’d never, this is Snape, I –

He wanted to kiss him. The revelation should have sent him flat on his ass, should have shocked him sober. It was just…Snape looked…his features seemed carved from marble, like some Greek statue come to life, his cheeks pinked from the cold, his lips surprisingly plumped and red. His hair was braided thick with hazel and thistle blossoms, and he smelled so sweet still, from whatever oils he’d been using in his ritual, and…

“You’re pretty.”

Suddenly Snape was gone from his arms, staring at him, pale and shaking.  “You…” He whispered.

“Snape,” Sirius began, suddenly stone cold sober at the sound of the Omega’s voice.

“Pretty…” The Omega whispered; voice thick with hate. “Have you had your laugh, then? Where are they?”

“Who?” Sirius asked, utterly at a loss.

“Potter. Lupin. Pettigrew. You’re little gang.”

“They’re inside, I told you-”

“You’re full of shit, Black.” Snape sneered, face ugly with anger and – and hurt. It was well hidden, but it was there. “To think, I almost believed you were trying to not be such an asshole for Regulus. You’re just as horrid as the rest of your family.”

“Damn’t, Snape! I have no idea what you’re talking about!”

“Go fuck yourself, Black!”

“Snape – hey!” Sirius shouted, starting after the Omega as he flew back around the corner and onto the path. He caught up with him on the upward ledge that lead back to the school, grabbing a skinny wrist, yanking the other boy around to face him. “What the hell are you going on about?”

Snape spit at him, the glob trailing down the Alpha’s chin and it took everything he had in that moment to strike him. “Let go of me, before I hex you into oblivion.”

Sirius’ hand shot out, catching the wand before it could be raised, shaking the Omega so harshly it stunned Snape into silence. “Listen, you little ass. I have no idea what you’re talking about! I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have tried to kiss you. Fuck,” Sirius shoved him away, the Omega catching himself on the wood railing that protected the path edge from the drop to the lake, running a hand through his hair, “won’t make that mistake again, fuck.”

“And tell me, what was the plan? Be nice to poor, penniless, shrew Snivillious? Get him to trust you and - what was next? Fuck me? Tell the whole school what a shit lay I am? Ruin what’s left of my life?”

Sirius stared at him, aghast. “You think this is prank?” But why wouldn’t Snape think that? After their history together…Sirius shook his head, throat suddenly tight. “Just…whatever. I’m – I’m drunk. I won’t try that again. Sorry.”

Suddenly all he wanted was to be in his own bed, to sleep this night away and forget it ever happened. He’d be thoroughly disgusted himself in the morning, and was already vowing to never touch fire whiskey again, because what had he been thinking?  Trying to kiss Snape and –

An ominous crack echoed through the night and Sirius spun around, eyes widening when the wooden railing behind Snape had been gripping gave way. For a moment time seemed to slow down, to crawl, and Sirius watched as a cold horror bloomed across Snape’s face, saw him grip the wooden railing behind him even tighter out of reflex, even as it began to teeter backwards. Snape’s eyes blew wide with fear, his lips parted in an aborted scream.

Sirius vaulted after him, hands reaching –

“Severus!”

- empty air met them.

Snape fell.

Not following didn’t even enter his mind. Sirius threw himself over with an objective snarl of denial. He caught Snape moments before the hit the water, hands curling around the smaller frame. The water was cold, so cold that it shocked the breath from him. For a moment they simply sank, too stunned to do anything else. Sirius felt his mind go blank, numbness that had nothing to do with the fire whiskey seeping into his very bones. They sank lower, the last of the air in his lungs bursting forth against his will, ripped from his lungs by the crushing cold. Suddenly, fingers were digging into his chest, something was struggling desperately against his side –

Snape.  

Sirius kicked hard, forcing his legs to move, even when every move made pin pricks of pain trill up his spine. They breached the surface with twin gasps. Sirius held Snape tightly, kicking blindly to where he thought the shore was. It seemed like it took forever before the water began to shallow. Even with the rocky bottom underneath him, Sirius couldn’t get his legs to obey him enough to stand. With the last of his strength, he managed to heave Snape up and onto the narrow lip, feeling his heart thud painfully sluggishly in his chest, his vision dimming as he began to slip back beneath the surface.

Hands were clawing at his shoulders, pulling hard, and it took far too long for Sirius to be able to help the Omega’s frantic pulls. He collapsed as soon as his chest was free and on solid ground, his legs still dangling in the icy water. Hands pulled at those to, pulling until he was finely free from the lake’s grasp.

It was so hard to breath.

Sirius felt himself being pushed onto his back, unable to help, his body weight collapsing atop Snape twice before the Omega managed it. Slowly, like coming from a tunnel, Sirius heard a shrill voice.

“ – breathe! Black – Sirius – breathe!”

Was he not?

He took a deep inhale through his nose and immediately choked on water, vomiting out his mouth until it was trailing down his chin and pooling like a freezing pond on his neck. It was like the breaking of a spell; all at once Sirius was aware of how cold he was, shaking so hard he could hardly catch a breath. Snape’s wand was swirling above him, casting warming spells that the Alpha could barely feel.

“You idiot,” Snape croaked out and Sirius must be closed to death, because surely that was lake water and not tears on Snape’s face. “You idiot, why did you – you idiot!”

The stars were hung brightly around Snape’s head, his blurry vision making him see like he had a halo. His hand reached up, lead-like and dead, and sloppily pushed Snape’s ruined hair from his face. Still pretty, he thought, and didn’t realize he’d said it out loud until Snape went utterly still above him.

“You –” Snape sputtered, “you –!”

Butter soft.

That’s what Snape’s hair felt like. Sirius had kind of thought it’d be greasy, sticky, unpleasant like most of Snape seemed to be. But it was soft. Sirius let his hand fall limp, breathing faint and strained.

“Sirius?”

He took a deep breath, or tried to, but it felt like someone was sitting on his chest.

“Sirius!”

And then he slept.

---

Sirius was pretty sure he was going to have detention for the rest of his life, if the look on Professor McGonagall’s face had been anything to go on. He let out a groan after the stern woman finally left, leaning heavily down on the fluffy hospital pillows. She’d been sitting by his side, waiting for him to awake all morning. Anyone could have taken her as a doting family member if it hadn’t been for the apocalyptic fury on her face. Apparently, after he’d passed out, Snape had sent a distress call with his wand and the professors had come running. Apparently, he was lucky to be alive. And apparently, all of their parents and guardians were going to be written to. They’d been caught, all of them, and the little shack found out.

There went a perfectly good drinking spot.

The sound of his hospital curtain being slammed apart had him shooting up in bed in surprise. Snape stood there, cheeks flushed and eyes fierce, clad in the same white hospital gown.

“Uh, hi?”

If possible, Snape’s face turned even ruddier. “You jackass!”

A hand gripped his hair hard, nails digging in, and Sirius winced, “Hey, ouch –”

His complaint was smothered by the harsh press of the Omega’s mouth. Snape glared down at him, almost in challenge, his mouth hard and unwieldy against his own. Okay then, the Alpha thought, and he’d never been one to step away from a challenge. He deliberately softened the kiss, his own hand sliding up Snape’s neck in a caress. The Omega’s eyes grew flinty at that, the press of his lips even harder. Sirius’ tongue darted out, his hand curling around Snape’s neck, not letting him retreat, the Alpha in him rearing its head suddenly and sharply. He deepened the contact, laving and nipping at those tight lips until they softened, unfurled for him like a flower.

All at once, Snape ripped himself away, chest heaving. “Don’t you ever do that again!”

“What?” Sirius snapped back, “save your life?”

“Yes!”

“Fine! I won’t!”

“Good.” Snape snarled, face flushed, and then he was climbing back into his own hospital bed, pulling his curtains closed harshly behind him.

Sirius stared at them for a long moment before throwing his hands up, collapsing back against his pillows. Why couldn’t he have fallen for a nice, sweet Omega? Why the hell did he have to go for the surliest one in the bunch? Honestly, would a little bit of gratitude go astray? He’d saved his bloody life! And then, all at once, what he’d just thought kicked in.

“Oh, fuck me.”

“No, thank you.” A sharp voice snapped from the next bed over and Sirius groaned, slapping a hand to his face.

Notes:

Hehe, progress! It only took a near death experience for either to get a clue! Stubborn boys.

Up Next: Yule (and a return to writing about Pagan holiday practices)

Chapter 6: Yule (Winter Solstice/Christmas)

Notes:

Hey!

Yule seemed to sneak up on him. The entirety of the castle – from the students to the staff to the ghosts themselves – were alight with the Christmas spirit. Sirius…not so much. It was hard to believe that he’d ever be glum surrounded by the glory that was Hogwarts at Christmas; the entire castle had been redone in bright reds and greens, golds and silvers, light blues and shades of pink. Christmas trees were lodged in nearly every corner, garland and holly hung everywhere as garlands or wreaths, and the smell of spices and baking cookies had been spelled to seem everywhere.

It was one of the better holidays to be celebrated at the school; unlike Samhain or some of the other sabbats, this one seemed less foreign to the muggleborn students and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Sirius loved Christmas, he adored Yule – it was his favorite holiday. But he just couldn’t get himself into the spirit this year.

Because Snape was avoiding him like the plague.

Following their unexpected plunge in the lake and that explosive kiss, Snape had been very careful to never be alone with Sirius, to never be in a place where they could really talk. And on the off chance that Sirius tracked him down alone (okay, okay – he stole the map, shoot him James, it was one forth his anyway) Snape was always able to ferret himself away before Sirius could corner him.

His frustrations were only made even more apparent by his friends’ suddenly active love lives. Remus and Lily Evans were officially dating, had been ever since Samhain, and though they were secretive about it out necessity, Sirius knew that Regulus and James were seeing each other as well. Even Peter had managed to snag a girlfriend with one of the Abbot twins. Which one, Sirius honestly didn’t know, because he was always pants at telling Mary and Andrea Abbot apart.

Which meant that Sirius suddenly found himself with ample alone time and no idea how to fill it. For gods’ sake, he was even getting good grades now! With nothing else to do, Sirius had eventually grown desperate enough to actually do his homework. Yeah, bloody shocking for everyone.

He was planning on staying over the holiday at Hogwarts instead of going home with James like he normally did. Snape stayed every year and Sirius hoped – well, he hoped that maybe he’d have a chance to actually talk to him. Because to his completely and nearly daily surprise, he found he desperately wanted to. But he wanted more than just to talk to Snape; he wanted Snape. Having spent nearly the entirety of November on his own, Sirius had been given amble time to think and he’d – somewhat begrudgingly – come to accept his attraction to the sharp-tongued Omega.

When had it begun? During Beltane? Was it that night in the woods, when Snape had slept so plaint and sweet against his side? When he’d kissed him so tenderly, so grateful over a simple and basic thing such as not taking advantage of him? Who knew? Sirius certainly didn’t, all he knew was that he wanted and honestly? He wasn’t used to not getting what he wanted. He knew that his friends didn’t understand his attraction. Okay, Peter was the only one clearly vocal about it, but he knew that it gave James pause as well. Remus…was Remus, their friend was just too kind to really be cruel about anything, though it didn’t stop him from poking fun at the fact that Sirius was all but stalking Severus Snape now. He wanted to deny the claim, but he knew that Mooney was right, because he was.

Case and point, Sirius was hidden away in a small alcove, watching as Snape read through his homework on a window seat on the second floor of the library. He knew better than to approach by now, it would only send the Omega skittering away, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t watch. And it totally wasn’t creepy, no matter what James or Peter said. He just wanted to see Snape, just wanted to check on him, make sure the Omega was okay. And seeing how damned and determined Snape was to vacate any space the two of them shared, this was the only way.

Sirius watched as Snape chewed on his bottom lip in thought, a flick of his hand bringing another textbook up to float besides him, the Omega reading from it before comparing what it said with the one in his lap. You wouldn’t think it by looking at him, but Snape was magically strong. And smart as a whip, though that was obvious enough by his test scores. But most people thought a half-blood like Snape couldn’t really amount to much magically and the thought was doubly so now that most of the school knew he was an Omega.

It was all horse shit; Sirius had never believed in blood purity to begin with, but anyone who thought that Omegas were demure, gentle little things hardly capable of casting a cleaning crew didn’t know what the hell they were talking about. Snape was strong, so was Regulus, and though he didn’t like them, Sirius knew that both Bella and Narcissa were had quite the magical core.

So, yeah.

Horse shit.

Just the same old crap that their ass backwards, pure blood driven society like the spew out. Snape paused in his reading, releasing his quill to hover above the parchment of his homework. Sirius’ head cocked to the side, curious, when the boy reached into the bag waiting by his feet. He took out a thermos, unscrewing it in a queerly graceful move. It must not have been terribly full, because the Omega cocked his head back, exposing the length of his neck, Adam’s apple bobbing somewhat as he drank. Sirius’ attention sharpened, lips parting in a nearly silent exhale, eyes intense as he took in the snowy white skin of his throat.

Maybe he’d just grown into his features, or maybe his presentation as Omega had something to do with it – just…how the hell had he ever thought Snape plain? Or ugly, for that matter. Sirius leaned back against the stone behind him, the cold of it grounding him, and steadfastly ignored the twitch of interest in his cock. Snape packed up the thermos, then his textbooks and essay, but he didn’t leave. Instead he stretched out, kicking his shoes off, and Sirius found his lips twitching in amusement at the heavy woolen, nearly neon green colored socks he wore. There was a print on them, one that he couldn’t quite make out, and the Alpha felt a bolt of unexpected fondness bloom in him as Snape wiggled his toes.

The Omega stretched for a moment, Sirius watching every twitch and quiver of those long, lean legs, before tucking his legs up. Snape visibly seemed to shrink into the heavy sweater he wore, the grey cable knit collar pushed up almost past his chin, before he pulled another book out, some sort of mystery by the cover, and curled up in his seat.  

 Sirius didn’t know how long he stood there simply watching, but it was long enough to see the Omega’s head droop once, then twice, before he seemed to try and jerk himself awake, brow furrowed adorably as he blinked harshly, seeming to double down on reading his book. But it seemed all that will power was for nothing, because it was only a handful of moments later when Snape’s wrist went lax, the book resting open against his chest.

The library may seem to be an unsafe place to have a nap, especially for an Omega, but Sirius had long realized that the library was some sort of safe haven for Snape. A part of him that Sirius didn’t want to acknowledge wondered if it was because he and his friends hardly ever came here. When it was clear that Snape was really, truly asleep, Sirius dared to step from his hiding place.

His steps were nearly silent as he moved around the bookcases. Snape looked so much different when he slept; the nearly always present scowl was gone, his smoothed and younger looking than ever seen when he was awake. Sirius took in the strong features on the boy’s before him, wondering just what the hell about them had drawn him in so. Snape’s nose was still the most prominent thing on his , but it seemed like he’d finally gotten the break fixed. There was a still a large nob where the break had happened, but it was no longer as crooked as it was before. And his eyebrows were still slightly too big for his face, even if it was clear that someone had gone at them with tweezers – they certainly weren’t as overgrown and wild as they had been in his first few years in Hogwarts.

His skin was terribly soft looking, though, smooth and free from any blemishes. He had thick eyelashes too, thick and voluminous, forming perfect little half moons against his cheeks. And his lips, though thin and chapped looking, were a soft, pale pink. Not that rose pink tint of his brother’s lips, or of the shade you always saw those Omega models with. No, they were nearly nude, almost the same color as the rest of Snape, but with a pink tint to them.

As he watched, Snape gave a small shiver, a frown twisting at his lips before he burrowed down into his sweater again. Without thought Sirius’ wand snapped out, transfiguring a nearby pillow into a thick afghan. He reached down, careful to keep his touch light as he pulled the book from Snape’s chest, careful to dogear the page and set it down atop the open satchel, before draping the blanket over the Omega’s still form.

Sirius stepped away, shoulders dropping somewhat as Snape immediately curled into the extra warmth, the unease on his face easing at once. He was reluctant to leave; the idea of leaving Snape alone and defenseless even in the safety of Hogwarts grating, but he had promised to meet up with James and the boys about a half hour or so ago. With a sigh, Sirius cast the strongest notice-me-not spell he could and turned to leave, completely missing the bewildered eyes that slipped open to watch him.

---

It was early on Saturday when Sirius met up with his brother. He was spelling some snowballs to assault a handful of firsties that were leaving to go on the train for hols – all in good fun, he made sure every house got it equally and it had erupted into a marvelous snowball fight, so no harm done. Sirius cackled to himself when he watched a Gryffindor third year let out a battle cry when one of Sirius’ snowballs caught him in the side, launching himself at a handful of wide eye first years.

There was a sigh behind him, “why is it that I ever expected anything else?”

“Reggie!” Sirius exclaimed, ignoring the put upon look on his brother’s as he swept him up into a bone crushing hug. “Merlin, you look gorgeous!”

Regulus colored, straightening his cloak and sweater when he was put down. He did look quite dashing in a high colored shirt and charcoal sweater and trousers that highlighted his slim figure. Regulus fidgeted for a moment, then quietly, “do I really?”

His smile muted itself, Sirius’ eyes narrowing as he picked up on his brother’s disease. “Yeah. What’s going on?”

Regulus took a deep breath, before reaching out to place a delicately gloved hand on his forearm. “Promise me you’re not going to blow this out of proportion.”

“Who, me?”

“Siri!”

“Okay, sorry.” Sirius said with a shrug, hand coming up to gently stroke his brother’s neck. “Seriously though, what’s going on?”

“I’m….I’m going to meet the Potters tonight.” Sirius stared at him, floored. Regulus’ fidgeting only increased. “I…I know that you don’t like the idea of me being with anyone and I know you’ve been trying to be better, but –” Regulus seemed to think better of what he was about to say, instead saying quickly, “and you’ve been so much better this last month with James and I!”

“But?” Sirius pushed, voice flat.

“You can be a little…overprotective.” Regulus finished softly, seeming to shrink in on himself. “I know he’s your best mate and I don’t – I would never want to come between that. But I…I like him, Sirius. A lot. And I think,” Regulus bit his lip, “I think that maybe…there might be…I don’t know…but I think, a future?”

Sirius bit back on his initial thoughts, which were something along the line of forbidding his brother to go anywhere near James fucking Potter or his family, and forced himself to take a deep breath. He knew that he could be overprotective, Regulus had all but told him that Sirius’ controlling tendencies had reminded him of their parents in the worst ways after his first explosion over walking in on the two of them cozied up together in the Room of Requirements.

Instead of saying anything that he wanted, Sirius took a deep breath. “You have to be more than sure, Regulus. If mom and dad find out about this – that’ll be it, do you understand? And I highly doubt Uncle Algie can support us both.”

“But maybe it won’t be.” Regulus whispered, eyes wide and so hopeful, so desperate that it made Sirius ache something terribly, for both Regulus and himself, and their shitty family. “The House of Potter is an old and respected one, maybe once I tell them, mother will approve? They’re certainly rich enough and they have strong political standing, purebloods too. And Dorea was a Black, maybe-”

“Regulus,” Sirius cut in, trying for gentle landing somewhere between pity and exasperation, “things have changed, you know things have changed. Mother and father will no more allow you to mate a Potter than they would invite me to Christmas. You know this.”

The silence that fell between them was heavy, wrought with old hurts and wounds. Sirius felt something in his chest crumble at the tears that filled his brother’s eyes. He reached out, pulling Regulus to his chest.

“You….” Merlin’s balls, he couldn’t believe he was about to say this, “you have to be sure you want James. If the two are you are happy, I won’t stand in your way. But you have to understand that you will be disowned for this. Regulus, you will.”

Regulus all but burrowed into his chest, his nose resting against Sirius pulse point, just over his scent gland. “Why does it have to be this way? Why do I have to choose?”

“Because our parents as selfish shits.” Sirius said fiercely, pulling away to cup his brother’s cheek. “But you’ll always have me, little pup. And that’s a promise.”

Regulus nodded, teary. “I’m so glad we made up, those months we weren’t talking were terrible. And to think that if I hadn’t listen to Severus, I–”

The Omega abruptly cut off. Sirius stared at him, wide eyes. “What are you – are you telling me that Severus Snape told you to make up with me?”

Regulus looked torn, chewing on his cheek. “It’s…it’s more complex then that. You have no idea just who father was trying to arrange matings with or some of the things that are being said in our common room.”

“Things?”

“It doesn’t matter.” His brother dismissed, “just normal Slytherin pureblood plots and things, I just didn’t really wanted to join their club, you know how they are.”

“Sure do,” Sirius scoffed, “why do you think I went to Gryffindor.”

“And I definitely didn’t want to join if it meant mating with – just no. Severus is a good friend; when he saw I wasn’t happy with father’s choices for who I should mate with and, well, that I liked James, that James may like me back…Severus just wanted me to happy, he thought making amends with you could help with that.”

Sirius could not compute it, he could not even begin to understand it. “Snape told you to make up with me, so you could be happy with James Potter.”

Regulus glared at him, arms crossing defensively in front of him as he stepped back. “Really, Siri. You give him too little credit, Severus isn’t a bad person. He kind when he wants to be, and so clever, and –”

“Yeah, no, I know.” Sirius said absent mindedly, mind still trying to grasp that Snape had willing enticed his best friend to get with two of his school nemeses. It took him too long to realize that Regulus had stopped talking and when he glanced back up, it was to find his brother staring at him in astonishment. “What?”

“No, it’s just,” his brother floundered for a moment, clearly at a loss of words, “I’ve, well, I’ve never heard you ever say anything even remotely complimentary about him before. I’m surprised. In fact, I’m stunned.”

“I’m not saying he can’t be dick, because he bloody well can.” Sirius said defensively, “but maybe he’s not the scourge of all earth that I thought he was before. Even I can admit that he’s smart, I mean, he almost made perfect this year. And I mean, his sense of humor is mean as hell, but it is funny. And he’ll never win any awards for his looks, but he is pretty and…”

Sirius trailed off, realizing all at once what he’d just said and he just stared at his brother, suddenly at a loss of what to say. Regulus stared back, eyes wide and mouth parted in shock.

“Oh.” Regulus said quietly, and suddenly his eyes were gentle, tender – pitying. “Oh, Siri.”

“Shut up.” Sirius snapped, feeling his cheeks burn. “Just – shut up, Reg.”

A hand suddenly reached out, stroking where Sirius had crossed his own defensively. “You…like him?”

“I…” Sirius sputtered, but couldn’t find it in himself to deny it. Instead he glared down at his feet, expression cross.

“Sirius,” Regulus voice was so gentle, so, so painfully gentle, “you have to know that nothing can come of this. Don’t you?” Sirius said nothing, a stubborn jut to his jaw. Regulus sighed. “Sirius, you…you’re my brother but you’re an asshole sometimes. For the last few years you tormented him, don’t you understand that? And his nose-"

"I didn't hit him."

"No, but you made him trip and fall. You may have never hit him, but the pranks alone – you were unbelievably cruel. You, more than Potter or Lupin or Pettigrew.”

“I know that.” Sirius grit out, fingers digging into his arms.

“I really don’t think you do.” Regulus said quietly, but there was a vein of something so like their mother in his voice that it made Sirius’ heart hurt. “You have no idea the things Severus has had to live through. His home life –” The Omega cut himself off, shaking his head.

“Regulus-”

“No, that’s not my place to speak on.” His brother said firmly, “but I will tell you that Severus has known just as much if not more cruelty than either you or I, brother. Hogwarts was as much a haven for him as it was for us, and you did everything you could to destroy it for him.”

Sirius’ felt guilt eating at him in a way he hadn’t felt in years, curling in his stomach like a sour ache. And with it a different type of ache; a sorrow for the reality of what could never really be his. He had known this, had known this from the very beginning of his ill-fated pursuit, but hearing it from someone else hurt.

But Regulus was relentless; “And even if all of that had not happened – Sirius, Severus is desperately poor. The only way he can possibly achieve his dreams of a potion’s mastership is by marrying up, to an Alpha or Beta of wealth. And…you…”

Sirius no longer had wealth. Sirius lived on the graciousness of the Potters.

“Sirius –”

“I get it.” Sirius interrupted, voice hollow to his own ears. “I fucking get it, alright? I’m a terrible god damn person, a real bastard, and a poor one to boot. I get it.”

Sirius turned to leave, but Regulus darted forward, hugging him fiercely from behind. “You’re not a terrible person, you’re my brother,” the Omega’s voice was wet again and Sirius closed his eyes, because no matter what he felt he hated to hear his baby brother cry, “and I love you. Do you hear me, Sirius? I love you and there is nothing you could do to ever make me not.”

“I love you too.” The Alpha said flatly, gently pushing his brother’s arms away, “but I need to go now.”

He’d just turned the corner when he’d heard Regulus mournful sigh ‘oh James,’ because of course James had been nearby, of course he’d heard all of that. Sirius slammed his fist into the nearest wall, the pain shooting up his arm but doing very little to sooth the raging emotions in his breast.

---

The winter solstice found Hogwarts mostly empty. Students – both pagan and not – were gathered in their common rooms, gathered around their fireplaces as their individual yule logs burned. They weren’t the Yule Log for Hogwarts, no that one was tended to quietly and carefully by the professors in the teacher’s break room, fussed over and tended to much like one would for a newborn babe. It was considered terribly bad luck for the yule log to burn out before the dawn of the new day, before the sun had been reborn from the depths of the longest night of the year.

The non-pagan students didn’t quite understand much of the actions of their pagan peers, but all seemed happy enough to string together popcorn and berries for their common room trees, or to carefully make Yule Goats and other cheerful things. Nor did they understand why, on a seemingly unimportant day such as December 21^st, the door and windows of Hogwarts had been firmly locked and shuttered, great fires burning before the entryway doors just in case they needed to keep the Great Hunt and the Horned God at bay.

Sirius had hidden himself far away from the cheerfulness and the merry-gathering, away from the gayful singers who belted Christmas carols, and the small collective of more dedicated students and staff that had gathered in one of the abandoned auditoriums before a constructed altar of holly and oak, offering sacrifices of flora and fauna alike. He’d sequestered himself up in the Owlery, ignoring the judgmental gazes of the owls and hawks alike as he drank himself into a stupor.

Regulus’ words seemed to haunt him, as did the guilt of his own actions. Sirius was cold, he’d brought no cloak or blanket with him, and not even the mulled mead he’d smuggled up managed to drive the bite of the cold. He’d stopped following Snape, what was the point now? Indeed, Sirius sneered into the empty air around him, what was the point of it all? Perhaps it was karma; real life karma in the flesh. Because Sirius had tortured Snape, had done it for years and with great pleasure. And why? On the off chance that Snape – the very Omegan Snape – had an interest in Lily Evans? A girl that James wasn’t even interested in anymore?

Or was it because Snape had been poor and that poverty seemed to highlight his weakness, his ugliness, his lacking? And what did that say, really, about Sirius? That had he known that Snape was an Omega he probably would never had been interested in him at all? Because he may be an asshole, but even Sirius had standards; he’d never in life bullied a girl or Omega.

And that was what it was; oh, call it what they’d like, but they’d – Sirius – had been a rotten bully, a big one too.

And now…well, Sirius had no one to blame for this but himself, did he? Of course, of course he’d go and catch feelings for the one Omega in Hogwarts, probably in the whole of Britain, that he couldn’t have. And it stung. That was the worst part, even though Sirius knew that this was of his own making a part of him couldn’t help but feel robbed, wrong somehow.

Why did it have to be Severus Snape?

After all the birds he’d fucked, after all the Omegas he’d locked, why did it have to be Snape? Sirius let out a moan, chin dropping to rest on his chest. His head hurt already and he was thirsty, but even though he didn’t want the mead, even though it made his stomach turn with each sip of it, he brought the potent thing up and took another deep dreg. Merlin, he was just like his rotten family, wasn’t he? Snape had been right; rotten to the core, just like every Black there was.

No, not Reggie. Sirius stern softened at the thought. No, never Regulus. He hoped, suddenly, with every inch of himself, that the meeting with the Potters went well, that James would mate his brother, marry him, pup him up, take him far away from the Blacks, where they couldn’t ruin anything else that Sirius loved.

The sound of the Owlery door opening interrupted his vicious thoughts and Sirius looked up, freezing in place as Snape entered in. He made his way to one of the school owls, clearly not seeing Sirius from where he had wedged himself in the corner. Snape spoke softly to the owl, coaxing it down to tie a letter to its leg. He plied it with treats from his pocket, the Omega’s soft and somehow sweet as he cooed at it.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Sirius was bloody jealous of a bird now. Snape stroked the bird’s downy head, before stepping away, and Sirius saw the exact moment that the Omega finally saw him, because he went completely stiff, like a rabbit before a wolf. For a moment the two stared at each other and Sirius could visibly see Snape’s defenses falling in place, preparing himself for something terrible. The Alpha winced, turning away and taking another deep inhale of his drink.

“Black.” Snape said after a moment. “What are you doing?”

Sirius snorted despite himself, holding the mead up, hand swaying slightly. “Getting tossed.”

He expected that to be the end of it, for the Omega to run from him like he always did. But Snape stood, unmoving. “You chose to get drunk in the Owlery.”

“Sure did.”

“Where it is cold, and everything is covered in owl feces.”

“Yep.” Sirius agreed, he’d long since stopped noticing the smell. “Seemed like a good idea at the time.”

“And now?”

“Well, think my legs don’t work at the mo.” He said casually, taking another drink of the mead. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about it, Snape. I’m quite content here, just me, myself, and I.”

There was a long silence, long enough that he almost thought the Omega had left. But he hadn’t and when he spoke, Snape’s tone was harsh. “Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Call me pretty.” And his voice had a definite edge of hostility to it, but Sirius was too fucking tired to even rise to it. And he didn’t want to, not anymore.

When it was clear that Snape was waiting for an answer, he just shrugged, cradling the mead bottle in the groves of his legs. “Cause you are.”

“I am many things,” Snape bit out, “but even I know that pretty isn’t one of them. Cease immediately.”

Sirius stood – and hey! What did you know! Legs did work, abet a bit unsteadily. He made his way towards Snape, ignoring the way the Omega stiffened, drew himself taller, as if fortifying himself for an attack. He chose to ignore it for now, even if it made that god awful ache in his chest all the worse. He threw Snape one of his smirks, reaching out to tug at the tail of the Omega’s ponytail.

“Hate to break it to you, Snape, but you are. Pretty, I mean.”

“You’re drunk.” Snape hissed, slapping the hand away, “have you no decency? Hide yourself away where your betters don’t have to see you. And I would appreciate it if you would stop following me! I don’t know what you’re getting at, but you’ll stop it immediately!”

Sirius just nodded, smile still in place. “Okay. Don’t worry ‘bout it, I’ll leave you alone.”

And then he left, an unsteady hand on the stone walls to help guide him.

---

For the rest of the break, Sirius kept to his promise. He went out his way to avoid Snape, careful not to even look at him at the shared table the staff preferred the few students who stayed behind use during the holidays. When Christmas came, Sirius borrowed the cloak James had left for him and went to the Owlery again, tying the parcel to one of the bigger messenger bird’s leg. He almost didn’t, but…

But Sirius had spent nearly all of November trying to find a gift he thought Snape would like. It seemed pointless now, terribly pointless, but it would be a shame to waste a gift. And the potions shop had told him that the brewing set was top of the line, totally cutting edge, and for the price it had been it better damn be. He stayed in at breakfast just long enough to see it arrive, watching as Snape read the Daily Prophet, seemingly unaware even as the bird hovered over him, annoyed.

The Omega looked up finally after someone else at the table nudged him and the look of total surprise on his was like a punch to Sirius’ gut. Was he so unused to getting Christmas presents? Shit, had Snape ever even got a Christmas present at Hogwarts before? Suddenly, Sirius was glad he’d gone through with it, even if it was a lost cause.

And the sweet, shy look on the Omegas when he took the present only solidified it. He stared, a small grin on his as he watched Snape carefully pull the edges of the wrapping off, eyes widening in pleasure as read the inscribed label on the box. He watched, greedily, until Snape’s looked around, as if weary that someone may have caught him being excited at the gift, and quickly turned his eyes back to his breakfast.

Notes:

I made myself sad, but Sirius needed to grow up. I swear, I was always super irritated by him in the books. The major two bullying points haven't happened; that is, no leading Snape to Remus and no flipping him upside down.

Up Next: Imbolc (Candlemas)