Title: Easing the Ache
Author: lilyseyes
Characters: Harry Potter/Severus Snape
Challenge: #21: Godric's Hollow
Rating: PG
Length: 100x2
Warnings: *AU, pre-slash, Harry is 13, set during POA*
Summary: Harry just wants what everyone else has.
Disclaimer: JKR owns the Potterverse – I just play in it. No money is made from these amateur works.
Thanks to the slash chat ladies for the once over

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Harry trailed behind Ron as the redhead prattled on about his upcoming birthday. The only birthdays Harry'd experienced had been Dudley's, which he'd done from afar, jealousy eating at his heart. What he would give for just one birthday where his parents could share the celebration, and a cake with candles to blow out. Harry didn't even need presents.

Following Ron up to the Divination classroom, Harry tried to smile and nod at the right times. Something had tightened painfully in his chest and he just wanted to be somewhere safe, somewhere that he wasn't ashamed to admit his pain.

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A hand stroked his hair as Harry relaxed into the warmth of his professor. Snape hadn't even snarled at him when Harry showed-up after curfew, his face reflecting the ache inside.

"Your first birthday was celebrated at Godric's Hollow. I recall Minerva saying you'd tried to eat your cake with both hands, creating an ungodly mess, while your mum almost killed your dad for buying you a broom," Snape's voice rumbled under his ear.

Harry smiled, snuggling closer, careful to stay within the new rules Snape had set after the incident. The ache in his heart eased as he listened.

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